Chapter 9 – A Trainer and his Tortoise

"I'm so worried. We haven't heard a word for two and a half days," Dawn fretted as she picked idly, at her food. Misty and Dawn were having a late dinner in the gym kitchen. Dawn's appetite had all but disappeared since Ash ran out into the storm. The typhoon had only begun to finally leave Cerulean City in the late afternoon. By dinnertime, the winds had died down substantially and the rain was now a mere shower compared to the earlier squalls that pounded the city for days. Dark clouds still pervaded the skies above the valley, and Dawn's mood seemed to match it perfectly.

"I really wish we could call Pallet, but all the lines are still down and the clouds and rain are still playing havoc with the remote signals from my pokégear. They've only got to work today on repairing the network," Misty's low voice echoed between mouthfuls of pasta that she had cooked for the pair, "Ash is tough, and determined..." she paused as a smirk crossed her face, "and admittedly a bit smarter than he used to be. Legendary Pokémon didn't keep the boy down, I doubt weather will." She tried to maintain her positive outlook, but her face returning to its previous dejected form betrayed her doubts and worry.

"I really hope Torkoal's alright too," Dawn spoke quietly, still twirling her fork through the noodles, "If one of his Pokémon died under his watch... or even worse, before he could get there," Dawn shivered, "I wouldn't want to think about how that would affect him. He wouldn't be the same after that."

"We've, all three of us, have had to let go of Pokémon," Misty began solemnly, "You told me about how you let Ambipom join that ping pong league, May had to let Manaphy go to that Temple. I had to let Togepi, er Togetic, go. And Ash... well, a few he let go have come back to him. But Butterfree... it was the first he caught and the first he let go; and he hasn't seen it since. It hurts all of us... to lose someone we love. But we know they're alive and doing well. With this though, I hope never to have to endure what Ash is going through. There's a ... finality to a death that I hope none of us will ever have to know."

"It would be really bad if it happened at all... but worse if it happens now," Dawn mumbled, "He's still not over his tournament losses years ago, and it got only worse when he lost in Sinnoh a few months back. What's more, he still blames himself for letting Pikachu get so badly hurt in the final round. He's fragile right now; trying to rebuild himself to become the trainer he's been trying to become his whole life. I'm afraid... if this happens right now, it might keep him from ever getting there."

Misty nodded as she slowly finished the last of her plate, "That would be... tragic. It's been his goal for so long. Losing a dream like that... it's hard." She spoke the words, experience seeming to make the words seem more real. She looked at Dawn's nearly full dish and told her, "You should eat. I've seen how little you've eaten the past two days. It's not healthy."

Dawn nodded in affirmation, but continued to just play with her food as though the words had no impact. Misty went to wash the dishes while Dawn slowly but surely began to pick her plate clean of the pasta. It was when Misty was almost done with the startlingly large pile of dishes that Dawn managed to finish.

"I should do a load before I leave," Dawn recommended, trying her best to add some enthusiasm to her voice, "I would be a terrible guest if I didn't."

"It's no problem," Misty waved her hand dismissively, accidentally sending small suds to her side as she did so. Dawn took a dish rag and cleaned it up as Misty finished cleaning the last dish and put it in the drip tray.

They soon moved to the living room where they sat on the couch and turned on the television. They both scowled at the sight of the static as they remembered that none of the channels were working due to the storm having brought down the lines. Misty pulled herself up and went to the shelf adjacent to the TV and began scanning through DVDs.

"Any preference?" Misty asked, "I got lots of different genres. Action, thriller, horror, romance," though neither noticed one another do so, they both winced at the mention of that last category. Misty tried to end the pause as quickly as she could by finishing the list, "mystery, comedy."

"I'm not sure," Dawn droned, hanging her head back over the couch. She stared at the ceiling and began counting its patterned dots in her head.

"I think tonight's a good night for comedy," Misty commented flatly, "I think this one will do."

Knowing Dawn was feeling rather apathetic to her choice, Misty didn't bother to ask for her approval and popped in the movie. She sat beside the distracted blunette and began to watch. The film featured a member of a non-descript criminal organization trying to drive too fast down a highway, crashing, and giving the five passerby trainers (and their partner Pokémon) the directions to a buried treasure buried underneath a truly perplexing landmark: a giant tree shaped like a Unown in the Vermillion Coastline Park.

Of course the characters got into a giant race of sorts, with a few bystanders learning of the prize and joining in on the many levels of madness. Suffice to say, the movie was brimming with hilarity that even managed to capture the attention of the distraught Dawn, and even make her laugh quite a bit. By the end of the movie, when they found the tree shaped like a w-variant Unown, the antics of the bumbling trainers vying over one another for the treasure had Misty and Dawn in stitches.

As the movie began to draw to its conclusion with the final car chase, a door could be heard opening. Or rather it would have been heard, had the two girls not been howling with laughter. Soaked shoes stepped onto the welcome mat and were quickly ejected from equally soaked feet. A coat was hung quickly on the hooks near the entrance and a young man strode quietly down the hallway. The laughter rang out yet again, and he grew perplexed and curious. He continued into the living room where, at last, his presence was made known. The two girls turned their heads towards the new arrival and the movie was entirely forgotten. Even through the climax of the car chase that ended with a massive pileup, they didn't even register the telltale noises from the television. Each of them had their own pileup of thoughts in their heads as they beheld the soaked form of the raven-haired man standing in the threshold between the hallway and the living room.

"Ash..." Dawn managed to finally force out in a small voice. Instantly she and Misty nearly dashed over and hugged the waterlogged trainer. The three of them shared a deep hug. They didn't even care that his dripping clothes were now getting them wet as well. It lasted longer than he expected, but he didn't complain. He needed this right now.

"Ash... I'm so glad you're ok," Dawn mumbled into his chest.

Misty pulled back, which prompted Dawn to do the same. The redhead spoke severely, "If it were anything else. ANYTHING ELSE! I would slap you silly for doing what you did!"

"Feel free," Ash joked at first, but allowing his already shaky voice to grow serious, "I wish I didn't have to put the two of you through that. But Torkoal needed me."

Misty was reluctant, but knew the subject would be broached sooner or later. Better now she thought as she put her hand on his shoulder, "Is Torkoal ok?"

"I'm pretty damn sure he's the toughest Pokémon I know," Ash answered with a hint of pride, "Oak said it was not only a very harsh virus for a fire-type, but this particular strain was even stronger than most," Ash paused, looking up at Misty and Dawn's expectant faces. A small smile appeared on his face, "But he pulled through."

Both women exhaled in relief. Both looked on the verge of tears, and Ash couldn't help but feel right there on the edge with them. It was a trying two days.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Dawn asked quietly. She guided him to the couch facing the TV, whose screen now scrolled with the credits of the comedy Misty had put on. As they sat, Misty quickly switched the TV off, not wanting the rather comedic music to interfere with whatever Ash seemed ready to say.

He gave a heavy sigh as he sat between the redhead and the blunette. His mind reeled with images of the last two days. It almost blurred together. He began slowly, "Man, I've barely slept a wink the last two days. Um... so Pidgeot is a damned saint. I don't know how he handled those winds. Heck, I don't know how I held on to him. I'm afraid I might've hurt him with how hard I gripped him to stay on, but, seeing as he had been told about Torkoal before being transferred, I don't think he minded." Ash grasped a pokéball from his belt and held it before him. He spoke to it with the utmost gratitude, "I know I've thanked you at least six times by now old friend, but thank you so much. You have no idea what you've done for me."

Ash placed the pokéball gingerly on the table, as though he nearly worshipped it. The two girls knew he loved his companions, but clearly he regarded Pidgeot with even greater reverence than before. Misty questioned thoughtfully, "So no incidents along the way?"

"The wind gave us a couple of scares, but otherwise, Pidgeot was perfect. And fast... I don't think I've seen him fly that fast," Ash praised. He added, "And the trip back was nothing in comparison. Practically clear until Cerulean, and as you see out there now, just clouds and a light shower." He motioned to the window, where only a light drizzle could be seen falling.

"I'm just glad you're safe!" Dawn squealed, clinging onto his arm. A flicker of worry shot through his mind as she made this display in front of Misty. But he dismissed it, knowing Dawn could be plenty touchy-feely with any of her friends who had been through something like this.

"I would've run on foot to Pallet if I had to... I had to make sure I was there for Torkoal," Ash stated, his face growing dark again.

"It was that bad?" Misty inquired gently.

"You know... Torkoal is a pretty emotional Pokémon. Always eager, always fighting, and he likes to cry a lot," Ash disclosed, he himself close to shedding tears, "But when I got there... he was drained. No energy to puff smoke, no energy move... not even enough energy to cry."

The emotions already began to overwhelm Dawn and Misty, whose tears began to flow freely, and Ash's soon followed as he continued his story, "And his skin turned so... pale. It's usually this healthy deep orange. But it was... almost... white..." He let out a quick sob, "The Professor told me that this wasn't any normal version of the virus... this one was a mutated strain. It was already bad enough for fire-types. They have to regulate their temperatures carefully to avoid overheating. But this, sickness, caused him to lose control. It was actually hard to stay near him for how much heat he was giving off. The room Oak dedicated to treating him felt like a sauna. But I had to stay. No matter what."

"Ash... that's so sweet," Dawn cooed into his shoulder. She still gripped him tightly, and Misty's arm was wrapped around his shoulders, with her head leaned into his neck.

Ash continued telling the story, struggling as he went, "Last night, it was at its worst. He was barely breathing, and he kept breathing out carbon monoxide, so the professor forced me to leave the room. I had to watch from behind the glass as Oak treated him while wearing a gas mask. It was like some horrible nightmare. Eventually I grabbed my own mask and forced my way back into the room. I had to leave every half-an-hour to get a new oxygen tank, but I stayed with Torkoal. I talked to him, even though he might not have been conscious enough to hear me. I told him 'that he's fought tougher than this virus', I told him 'he fought a Registeel to a near standstill'. I told him 'that I would be there to help him all the way'."

Misty and Dawn could even speak. There was nothing they could say to praise the man that sat between them. He might've been reckless, sometimes dense, and obsessive with his dream; but he more than made up for those flaws with his seemingly endless capacity for compassion. They wept, but silently. They wouldn't dare interrupt his story with the sounds of sobbing.

"Oak forced me to get some sleep this morning, and told me he would personally watch Torkoal. I refused, but the fact I nearly fell over from exhaustion ended my argument pretty quick. I slept in what I could only guess was Gary's room. I didn't even really look, I just collapsed on the bed, clothes and all and passed out." Ash took a deep breath. He blinked away his own tears, having no use of his arms, with one behind Misty and the other held tightly by Dawn. He proceeded with his harrowing story, "I woke a few hours later. I immediately went to the treatment room. I couldn't get in because the second gas mask was being used by a Nurse Joy who was in the room with the Professor. He brought her in to consult apparently. When they finally moved from the front of him, I nearly broke down in relief. Torkoal seemed to be breathing comfortably, and some his colour returned."

Dawn let out a squeal of happiness. Misty visibly exhaled. It seemed like she had been holding her breath for the last couple of minutes. Ash concluded the clearly stressful account, "I stayed with him the rest of the day. I didn't need the mask after a little while, which was nice. By lunchtime, he was actually moving. By dinner... he actually cried to see me," he held for a moment, and smiled, "Turns out that fire-types recover pretty quick. Once they can regulate their temperature again, even the more vile infections tend to get expelled. Oak told me it has something to do with their how they dissipate their heat, and the fact that a lot of that excess heat carries out noxious gasses containing pathogens they normally fight off. Once Torkoal's body learned to fight it, it was a one-sided battle. But for a while there, it really... really gave him hell."

"Hmmm..." Misty mused, "Sounds like how you battle."

Ash let out a weary chuckle, "Yeah... well Pokémon do tend to take after their trainers... right."

"Then what characteristics does Psyduck take from Misty then?" Dawn joked.

Misty let out a low guttural sound, but that only intensified with Ash's addendum, "Now Dawn... you're implying Psyduck is dopey because Misty is. That's not true at all," he paused for dramatic effect, "It's his temper that he gets from Misty."

Dawn snorted in laughter, while Misty retaliated against Ash by taking her arms from behind his back and smacking him on the head. This of course drove Dawn to laugh even hard while Ash nursed the new bump on the back of his head.

"Next time, Ketchum, it's the mallet," she warned standing up. She walked behind the couch to go to the kitchen, tousling his hair as she walked by playfully.

"Message received," Ash loudly acknowledged, still rubbing his bruise.

When Misty was out of eyeshot, Dawn forcibly turned his head and kissed the bump sweetly.

"All better!" Dawn chirped perkily.

Ash drew close to her ear and whispered naughtily, "I can think of another place for you to kiss me to make me feel better."

Dawn giggled and slapped his shoulder lightly, "Ash... you are so... I missed you."

She looked briefly to the kitchen, checking to see if they were still clear. She heard Misty deeper in the kitchen and decided it was safe enough. She brought herself forward and planted a quick kiss on his lips. It was far too fast for either of their liking, but it was something they were grateful for all the same.

Misty returned to the living room moments later with a glass of orange juice for Ash. He eagerly took it and drank it down in a matter of seconds. He let out a breath of contentment after he finished and told Misty, "Thanks, I needed that."

"No problem," she said with a cheerful disposition, "Now if you don't mind, go change... your clothes are soaking into my cushions."

Ash reflexively looked down to the couch and realized his error. He instantly bolted up and apologized, "Dang it! Sorry. I wasn't even thinking."

"It's fine," Misty reassured him, "You've had a lot on your mind. Not that you use your brain anyway." She couldn't resist the playful jab.

Ash grinned and left the room to head upstairs. Dawn and Misty looked to one another, noting their wet clothes, and laughed. Dawn finally managed to comment, "Well... looks like we had it worse than the couch."

"Yeah... I guess we should change too," Misty suggested.

Dawn glanced at the clocked and noted with a yawn, "It's actually pretty late... we should get some sleep."

Misty took a look at the clock as well and arrived at the same conclusion, "Yeah. I'm just glad that these past two... nearly three days now, are done with."

"Don't need to tell me... or Ash," Dawn replied, clearly exhausted.

The two women ascended the staircase after Misty shut off the lights for kitchen and living room. They gave a good night hug at the top where they parted ways and left for their separate rooms. Dawn entered her own room, but Misty delayed slightly. She looked towards Violet's room, where Ash was taking up residence for his visit. She hesitated, but ultimately decided to march up to the door and knock.

"One minute!" came the reply from inside the room.

He opened the door moments later, dressed in his typical boxers and black t-shirt. The shirt itself was tighter than most of his other shirts, so it gave her a glimpse of what his body was underneath. It showed he was clearly toned, but not to what extent. She had to forcefully restrain herself from scanning his body too obviously, instead quickly returning her gaze to his waiting face.

"You need something Misty?" Ash asked pertinently.

"Um... can I talk to you?"

"Of course," Ash responded, allowing her to enter. She closed the door behind her and faced Ash, hesitation written all over her face.

"Misty, it's ok. You can talk to me about anything," he offered.

"Even... what happened?" Misty asked timidly.

Ash had to wrack his brain momentarily. So much had happened in the past days, and he was unsure of her exact meaning. With some trepidation, he tried to ask for a specific topic, "You mean about... my trip?"

"No... you said enough about that. I won't make you relive that again," Misty clarified, "I mean... about... the club." She struggled to put the words out into the open air. But she needed to. She had to say something.

Ash froze. He didn't expect her to talk to him about this, at least, certainly not so soon after the fact. He couldn't fathom why. And yet here she was, asking about that very incident. He cleared his throat and answered shakily, "Yeah, go ahead."

She saw his nervousness and tried to backpedal, "Oh. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can wait."

"No. Go ahead. I'm willing to help you through this in any way I can," Ash assured her.

To be honest... there might be only one way you can help me, but I'll never force you...

Misty reined in her thoughts, mentally scolding herself. She summoned up her strength and began lowly, "I'm sorry that I put you in that position. I-,"

Ash interrupted her, which elicited a knee jerk reaction in the form of a twitch of Misty's eyebrow. However, that annoyed feeling vanished at his next words, "Misty, never apologize for that. Never. Love should never be suppressed. You did something that many people never have the courage to do, and that was take a chance on it. And that is braver than... than," he struggled for the comparison, and could only find one thing in his mind, "braver than flying into a typhoon like a certain nut-job you know."

Misty's heart fluttered, and her face nearly melted into an amorous glow. She never expected that kind of reassurance from him, given his history with the subject of romance, and it was surprising as well as heartwarming. But she held her composure, if only just. Still, Misty needed to speak, "Thanks Ash. That means a lot. But still... I clearly put you in some sort of awkward situation. I don't know what it is, and I won't ask. It's not my business."

Ash felt a feeling of relief wash over him. Misty was being incredibly generous, given her feelings for him. At the same time, the guilt resurged in full force. Regardless of her gesture, he knew this probably pained her greatly. And he was right. She was still torn up inside. But she held together magnificently.

She ended her dialogue with a request, "But in the future, once you've had the time you need. If you find yourself feeling the same way about me... tell me. I'll wait. I wish I wouldn't, but I honestly think I don't have a choice in the matter. At least that's what my heart keeps telling me."

Ash couldn't help himself. He walked up to her and gave her a tight hug. Misty melted into his arms. She knew this wasn't the kind of love she wanted, but was grateful all the same. He was so understanding and such a great friend. Ash, decided this hug felt good. But again, he felt that strange feeling. That feeling he normally only felt when he was with Dawn. That same ecstatic pleasure at the contact between the two. He internally cursed himself for it and quashed it. He was committed to Dawn. He wouldn't let anything break that.

"I'm truly sorry that I'm the cause of all this," Ash whispered to her, remorse thick in his voice, "If there's anything I can do to help you feel better."

Misty, her emotions beginning to stampede around in her skull, very nearly took this as an invitation to kiss him. But she restrained herself yet again. She felt like glass was shattering in her organs due to her choice, but she knew it was the right one. She only whispered back to him, "Just... remember what I asked. And know that I'll still be there for you, as a friend, until then."

Misty pulled herself, if slightly unwillingly from the hug. She slipped quietly from the room quickly made her way to her own. Upon entering her small sanctuary, she collapsed backwards against her door in a mixture of relief and sorrow. She honestly wasn't sure if she could cry anymore. Between the rejection and Ash's foolish departure to and return from Pallet Town, she had likely emptied her reserves. She quickly changed into light blue pajamas and slumped onto the bed, lazily pulling the covers over before slipping with some difficulty into a dream-filled sleep.

Ash, on the other hand, did not decide to go to sleep yet, despite his incredibly tired state. He poked his head out his door to ensure no one could see him. He crept across the hall to the door labelled 'Lily'. Ash gave a very quiet knock. He didn't want to cause Misty to come out. Soon the door opened a crack and Dawn's curious blue eyes peered out.

"Ash!" she whispered excitedly. She pulled the door the rest of the way and Ash practically rushed into the room, grasping Dawn passionately by the hips as he pushed his way past the threshold. Dawn managed, despite the heated embrace, to close the door quietly. Ash pulled her into a deep, long, intense kiss. Their tongues found each other quickly and began their erotic dance. Dawn's body slowly began to weaken under his powerful attack. She wanted him, badly.

"Never do that again! Never, never, never!" Dawn pleaded as Ash finally released her lips, "The fear I felt over the last two days... it was unreal. Unbearable."

"I'm so sorry Dawn," he said, pulling her into another kiss, this time shorter before resuming his apology, "I would never want to do that to you. But... Torkoal needed me. And if I wasn't there... I would have never forgiven myself."

"I know Ash..." Dawn accepted sweetly, "I just wish I could've done something. I wish I could've been there with you. I wish that it never happened."

"If only life were like that," Ash spoke distantly, hugging Dawn tightly.

The sentiment did not help to dissipate Dawn's desires. One of her hands moved down from his neck, tracing a path down his spine, and gripped his rear. By reflex, Ash flinched pleasurably. In retaliation, he moved both his hands down to the bottom of her butt and squeezed both cheeks.

"Aah!" Dawn gasped. Her eyes narrowed mischievously and she pushed Ash back onto the bed. She jumped on top of him, pinning him to the bed. He made an effort to resist, but Dawn kissed him to stifle it. She pulled back less than a hair's width and whispered to his lips, "I'm taking charge tonight..."

Ash's eyes grew wide. Dawn was fantastic in bed, but rarely did she display such a forceful side. It was a rare sight for the blunette to completely overpower him. But when it did, Ash knew he was in for a good time. She ripped his shirt over his head, forcing his arms along the way. She gazed at his chest longingly before recapturing his lips and spreading her hands all over his abdomen. Ash's hands instinctually ran over her curved sides. They pushed under her shirt and felt her skin. It was so soft, supple, and heated beyond all belief.

Which is why it pained him to say the following words, "Dawn... Misty's house."

Dawn slumped onto him with a groan of annoyance, unfulfilled impulses stymied briefly. But she wasn't done. From her head's resting position on his chest, she began licking him. Her tongue descended down the length of his body, tracing his nipples, passing over the form of his abs, around his belly button, to the hem of his boxers. She began to tug, but Ash sat up and pulled her skillful tongue back to his mouth. As much as she wanted to work his lower region, she couldn't say no to his kiss.

He ended the lengthy kiss and almost growled at her, "You... make it very hard to say no."

"Because I don't want you to," Dawn purred lustily.

Ash began to explain himself as she began kissing along his neck. His moans began interrupting him as he tried to speak clearly, "When we do this... we're always too loud. Misty... can't find out about us. Not now..."

Dawn skillful ministrations on his neck ceased and her head came to a reluctant rest on his shoulder. What's more, he hand had been sneaking towards his boxers again, ready to seize the one part of him that would end all rational thought. But he beat her to it. Ash, the rash impulsive and reckless man who took risks at the drop of a hat, had been the voice of reason. Granted, it wasn't the first time. Dawn herself sometimes got caught up in things and Ash had to help her see clearly. But with both their passions at such a fever pitch, she never expected this to be one of those times.

"I hate when you make sense," she droned into his arm.

"Me too," Ash chuckled.

They lay in the bed beside one another quietly staring at one another with affection. Neither was saying a word. In all likelihood, both of them were picturing what they were doing to one another, in the absence of the physical act itself.

Finally Dawn broke the silence and asked, "So I heard Misty go into your room earlier. What was that about?"

Ash sighed deeply, "She apologized."

"Seriously?"

"Yep."

"Wow... I didn't expect anything so soon; and maybe not an apology at all," Dawn commented, surprise still gripping her voice.

"Same," Ash replied plainly.

"Does this mean she's-," Dawn began to ask.

"She's still really torn up about it. I can tell," Ash interrupted, "She told me to tell her if I feel the same way about her in the future. She said she'd wait. She said her heart gave her no choice in the matter."

Dawn's face drooped, and she nuzzled Ash for comfort. She confessed, "I don't know what to do for her. We talked about it a bit while you were gone. She's felt this way for you since shortly after you met and it's been torturing her for years. She wanted to tell you during your call after the Vertress Conference, but she felt that at the time it wouldn't have done you any good. After that, she decided that she would never have the courage to tell you, so she tried to end her love for you but simply cutting you out."

"So... that's why it was like that," Ash reflected, "I spent so long trying to get in touch with her while I was training in Pallet. So many calls and a few visits. I didn't even realize what I was doing to her.

"It's not your fault. The heart wants what it wants. You and I know that better than most," Dawn whispered into his chest as she snuggled up to him.

"And I only made it worse by coming back now. I wonder if you had told her that both of us were coming if she would've just made another excuse and pretended to be on vacation or something," Ash speculated.

"Don't worry about it. We'll give her some space when we leave after the contest, and then, when she's recovered, and if we're really lucky, found someone else to give her heart to; we'll tell her about us," Dawn spoke comfortingly.

Ash groaned into the sheets of the bed, "I better go. I'm just... destroyed. I've gotten maybe four hours of sleep in the last three days."

"Stay with me!" Dawn pleaded in a playful high-pitched voice.

"Dawn... I want to, but I'm afraid I'm just gonna wake up in the middle of the night, see you and while my mind is all groggy, I'll just... take you."

"I wouldn't mind," she sultrily assured him.

"That's the problem," he chuckled.

"Awwwww," Dawn pouted.

"Sorry... for our best friend's sake, I need to go to my room," Ash reiterated. He stood up, and Dawn stood with him, gripping his shoulders from behind and standing on the tips of her toes to bring her mouth to his ear. Her hot breath pressed over his sensitive lobe, causing him to shiver in pleasure.

"Might not stop me from coming to you in the middle of the night," Dawn naughtily whispered.

"You're relentless," Ash playfully scolded.

"And you love it," Dawn replied huskily.

"Damn right I do," Ash assented lovingly. He gave her a quick kiss, retrieved his shirt, and slipped out of the pink-clad room.

Dawn lay on the bed, curled up and covered herself in the bed sheets of the youngest Sensational Sister. She closed her eyes, and her last thoughts before drifting to sleep were of Ash.

Ash finally re-entered the purplish room of Misty's second oldest sister. He donned his shirt again and collapsed onto the bed, not even bothering to cover himself in the sheets. Unconsciousness took him immediately.

His dream was pleasant, at first. He was kissing Dawn hungrily on his bed, and she was reciprocating with just as much power and enthusiasm as he put forth. It was fantastic. She was just as vivid and beautiful as her real-life counterpart. It certainly felt real to him. But something stopped him. He felt something calling him. He looked up and saw a window with a familiar vista. Before he realized what was happening, he looked down to see Dawn was no longer beneath him. In fact he was dressed, in his bedroom at his mother's house. Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder and pointed out the window. He could see the Oak Laboratory in the distance. The windmill turned slowly in the breeze and the sun shone brightly. He decided for some reason that it would be a good time to go visit.

He bid his mother farewell as he strode out the door. The weather turned foul within minutes of walking down the road. So he began to run. A Fearow cawed in the distance and he turned behind him to see the massive winged beast. It circled once before pulling into a dive aimed straight towards him. He searched for his pokéballs but found none. Pikachu was still running along the road to the lab.

"Pikachu! Help!" he cried out to the electric mouse. But Pikachu didn't hear him. He heard the call from the direction of the lab again. Ash looked back to the Fearow once more, and gasped when he saw how close it was. He ducked as the feathered monster passed overhead. He felt the rush of the breeze created by its passing. Ash looked back to where the Fearow passed behind him. It climbed back into the sky, but that wasn't what Ash fixated on. From the trees, a four-winged shadow darted out and carried Pikachu away.

"PIKAPIIII!"

"Pikachu!" he watched helplessly as the shadow carried Pikachu away from him. He could do nothing but watch as his Pokémon partner was taken. Another angry caw called Ash's attention back to the sky. The Fearow was making another dive at him, but this time it was intercepted. A blur of brown, white, red and gold seared through the air. It took the form of Pidgeot, who struck the Fearow. Pidgeot pointed to the lab with one wing before engaging in an aerial fight with the indignant Fearow.

Ash wanted to follow the direction Pikachu had been carried away, but he heard a familiar cry in the distance. It came from the lab again. So he ran, through the sheets of rain and wind that buffeted him. It grew in intensity as he approached the lab. As he ran, the call grew louder, even through the howling wind. He followed it, only being briefly distracted by several sights. On the fields before and on the hill leading up to the lab, he saw many of his Pokémon battling familiar foes. Charizard locked arms with a Blastoise while a figure with familiar boy with brown spiked hair egged them on. A vine whip-muzzled Houndoom was swung across Ash's path by his Bayleef who eagerly pursued it to continue the fight, while a brown haired trainer wearing a soccer shirt and gray pants looked on. A short, stocky, loud, orange-haired boy jumped in encouragement while his Metang crashed into Ash's Glalie with terrifying force. Infernape traded punches with an Electivire while a purple haired trainer called it 'pathetic'. His Sceptile dueled a Darkrai at the behest of a shrouded, blue-grey haired trainer. A flash came from his left as Ash noticed a short dirty-blonde haired trainer with an orange jacket snapping photograph of Ash's Pignite struggling to land a hit on a swift Serperior. Ash's attention was jerked back to the path to the lab as massive Tyranitar upturned the earth directly in front of the building as it stomped by, smashing aside any and all Pokémon in its way.

A ferocious cackle from atop the lab grabbed Ash's attention. The lightning from the storm revealed a thin figure in a purple vested jacket. Hovering beside him was a four-winged bat carrying an unconscious Pikachu. The man let out another cruel, high pitched laugh and took the unconscious mouse from the bat's mouth, striding along the roof and out of view.

Ash furiously burst into the lab. Looking for the stairs to carry him up to the rooftop, but they were collapsed under the weight of Ash's Snorlax who wrestled with a Hariyama, while a blonde haired woman in a black karate gi called out attacks. He ran through the lab, which seemed to be in utter ruins. He noticed out in the back where most of the Pokémon would be frolicking, was instead a battlefield of sorts. Bulbasaur was continuously vine-whipping a Dusclops while a brown haired archaeologist clad in green looked on intently, seemingly judging. Unfezant fought a male of its own species while a bubbly, red-haired girl in a skimpy flight suit half-watched, as though she were distracted. The soft notes of a harp caught Ash's attention as he saw a minstrel of sorts overseeing the battle between Heracross and a Kricketune.

He tore his eyes away from these battles and more when heard the cry louder than ever. It came from the medical lab. He quickly rounded the corner and his heart stopped. He knew this place. It was horrifyingly familiar. Ash walked up to the glass viewing window and saw two patient beds. Professor Oak, clad in a gas mask stood before one, obscuring the view, while the antagonistic purple coated man stood before the other. Ash could see neither patient. Ash, without regard for the consequences kicked the locked door open and entered the room in a panic. His eyes only widened with horror as he approached the beds. In one, was the pale and barely breathing Torkoal. In the other was Pikachu, who was scarred from marks of a high-energy attack.

Oak patted the shell of Torkoal dejectedly. He turned to Ash and shook his head in disappointment and left the room quietly. Tears streamed from his eyes as he collapsed to his knees. Ash touched Torkoal's slumped head but instantly withdrew his hand when the tortoise's skin nearly burned him. He wanted to comfort the ailing creature, but he couldn't even pet him.

He forced himself to look away, or only to find himself staring at Pikachu as he lay in his own medical bed. The little yellow mouse who wore a breathing mask and had several tubes and wires hooked up to him. The electric-type was barely breathing as well. The scorch marks and bruises on his body were indicative of a powerfully energetic physical attack. Instantly Ash remembered the match in Sinnoh. The cries of Pikachu's volt tackle echoed in his mind and flashes of the impact burned themselves into his retinas. Ash was only ripped from the guilt-wracked memory when 'his' voice rang out in the room.

"You have no power here. You did it yourself! I can see it in your eyes! You sent your own little friend to his own worst beating! And now, you'll fail, just like every single time before... you can't do anything to stop it, and the harder you try... the harder you will fall!"

The pitchy, obviously entertained voice of Hamill Jarrow echoed in his head. From his knees, Ash put forward all his rage and sadness into a full body tackle to where he saw Jarrow in front of Pikachu's bed. He missed, but not because his aim was off. Jarrow wasn't standing there anymore. Pikachu's bed was empty as well. Ash scurried to the bed, upturning the sheets to find his partner. But Pikachu was nowhere to be found.

"Where are you? Pikachu! I need to save you!" Ash shouted to the ceiling. He leaned into the wall, pounding at it with all his strength. He gritted his teeth and tried not to let out any sobs. But they came. He wrenched his eyes shut to stop the tears. But they came.

"I won't lose you. I can't lose anyone else. Not again," he cried into the wall.

"Ash."

The familiar female voice floated from behind him. It was gentle, soft, and caring. He opened his eyes slowly. He was no longer in the lab. He was at a crossroads in the midst of a verdant green valley lit by the setting sun. Four roads let away from this one point. He turned slowly and saw the person who had called his name. It was Misty. But not just any Misty: thirteen year-old Misty.

True to his memory, she was still taller than him, more than she was now. She was thinner, wore her yellow shirt with red suspenders, blue shorts, red shoes, and had her hair tied to a pony tail to her left side. He looked to himself in uncertainly, but that only furthered his confusion. He was in his old travelling outfit: blue vest, green-fingerless gloves, and black and white shoes. He quickly took off his hat and looked at it. It was the old league expo hat sent in a 'million' postcards for.

He looked at the younger Misty with his own, presumably younger eyes. She was waving to Brock as he was walking off towards Pewter City. He couldn't help but feel this wasn't exactly how he remembered it. It was different. But it felt right somehow at the same time. Misty turned back to look at him. That face. It was gleaming in the sunset. He wondered why he was staring. He wondered why he hadn't stared at it before.

"You know what you said before?" she asked her in her slightly higher pitched thirteen-year old voice.

"What did I say?" Ash asked, almost feeling jolted at sound of his own pre-pubescent voice.

"That of all the people we could have met, we met each other. That we were meant to meet," she quoted.

Ash remembered it now. Prior to arriving at the intersection, the three of them had been talking about that. It was a bittersweet memory. This marked the end of their journey together. He couldn't take this right now. But he felt rooted to the spot.

"Do you think it means anything more than that. I mean... it just seems that fate should bring us together for more than just... traveling together," Misty tried to explain.

"Well, it meant we became best friends," Ash surmised. The response felt automatic to him. He realized he wasn't alone in his twelve year-old body. He felt the presence of a youthful, enthusiastic boy; his younger self. But right now, 'older' Ash was anything but enthusiastic. He was filled with doubt and fear. The fear of loss.

"Then... why is it so hard to say goodbye. I mean... I just did to Brock. He's awesome and a wonderful friend. A best friend even," she spoke contemplatively, "But... I don't understand why it's so much harder to say it to you."

Ash was dumbstruck. Even his adult mind, in his younger body, couldn't manage a reply.

"What are we, Ash?" Misty asked seriously.

"Huh?"

"What are we? What do you feel?"

Ash was still frozen, mind and body. He tried to reply but couldn't. He just stared at her. That face was beaming at him with expectance, her short red hair blew lightly in the wind, and her eyes shimmered in the orange light of dusk.

"Misty... I," he finally managed to speak solemnly.

This was how it went. She is supposed to get on her bike and ride away, he though dimly.

"Are you sure you'll be ok without me, Ash?" Misty asked softly, clearly disappointed with his answer.

"I'll be fine," he spoke, trying to add a sense of reassurance to his voice to mirror the events he remembered.

"Well... bye-bye," Misty said with a sorrowful finality.

"So long," Ash replied, just a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu gave his farewell too.

She climbed aboard her bike, placing Togepi gingerly in the basket. She gave him one last smile and rode away into the sunset.

Ash lowered his head as he spoke to himself, "Misty... thank you, I know that there's no way I could've ever..."

"Go on..." came a teasing voice. Ash looked up. He was supposed to see both Brock and Misty, but this time... it was only Misty, "If you've got something to say... just say it."

Regardless of his expectations, he was taken by surprise just as much as he was when he was that day years ago and jumped back in shock, "GAH! Why are you creeping up on me like that!"

"Because, I wanted to give this to you," Misty gently told him, offering him her colourful pink and yellow handkerchief.

"Misty..." he breathed.

"Here," she insisted, putting the cloth into his hands and closing his hand around it with her own.

The emotional impact was just as fresh as the day he lived it. He was on the verge of tears yet again. It was all so familiar, but yet the absence of Brock made it all too different. He tried to hold back the saline drops, and his voice cracked a bit. He quickly managed to force out, "I guess you should go now!" His voice was pained. She saw it, and he knew she did.

"Ok. Take care Ash, I'll miss you," she kindly whispered.

Misty mounted her bike yet again, and rode off. As she left Ash on the road behind, she couldn't help but quietly say to herself with her heart lighter than ever, "Well Ash Ketchum... finally I know how you feel about me."

Ash watched as she quickly flew down the winding road, heading down the hills into the valley ahead. His mind raced. He remembered what happened next, regardless of the differences.

I'm supposed to turn around, run away, and thank them. I'm supposed to turn around, run away, and thank them. I'm supposed to turn around, run away, and thank them.

He repeated the words in his mind like a mantra. Yet somehow, the words seemed hollow to him. They didn't have the impact for him to follow the 'script' of his memory.

Why am I reliving this? Why am I here after all I experienced? Why is it different? Why can't I do what I'm supposed to? It's supposed to happen again. Why? What does it change? Why do I have to keep it all straight? Why do I have to let her leave? I don't want to. Not this time... not again. I don't want to let her go. I need to stop her. I need to catch her! I need to tell her!

Without so much as a hint of warning, Ash moved from his seemingly rooted spot in the ground and began dashing down the road Misty travelled. Pikachu was knocked off his shoulder due to the sudden movement. The rodent yelled his name in confusion and pursued Ash, quite surprised at his trainer's speed.

Ash came over the hillside. He saw the road on the steep hill below. It was a switchback dirt road, on which he saw Misty still descending. He could catch up if he cut across the sheer falls and ignored the roadway. And that was exactly what he did. Pikachu screeched at seeing his trainer make such daring jumps to the dirt road below. Ash did it again and again, determined to catch Misty. She was nearing the base of the hillside, but wasn't about to give up. Misty was about to return to the relatively straight and flat road leading from the trail she had just rode down when a blur dropped down in front of her.

"AHHHHHHHH!" she cried out in panic, hitting the breaks on her bike and nearly careening into Ash, who merely stood with his arms wide to act as a roadblock. Misty took a moment to breathe a sigh of relief before glaring at the reckless boy. She delicately removed Togepi and placed it on the ground before it toddled off with Pikachu deciding to go off to follow it in the guardian role he usually played for it. After this small gesture of restraint, she stomped over to Ash in a rage and gripped him by the collar of his vest.

"ARE YOU NUTS?!"

"Maybe?" Ash answered uncertainly.

"What the hell were you thinking?! I could've crashed! Togepi could've been hurt! 'I' could've been hurt! The bike could've been trashed... again!" Misty ranted, looking like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

"I-," he began to explain, but he was interrupted by the still exploding Misty.

"And you picked the most dangerous place to do it too! The side of a cliff is a great place to drop in on your friend navigating it with a bike, a bike she isn't used to riding anymore BECAUSE HER OLD ONE WAS FRIED BY A DOPEY, ARROGANT, RECKLESS BOY!"

Ash's blank face uttered, a quick, "Can I talk now?"

"NO!" she roared. She pulled back a bit, taking a deep breath after her fiery rant. In a calmer voice she lectured, "And did you even think about yourself. You could've broken a leg... or both! Or worse," her voice cracked at the last two words she added.

"Misty," Ash soothed. He was about to put his hand on her shoulder, but she pre-empted him by hugging him tightly.

"Don't worry me like that!" she scolded from his right shoulder and she gripped him with force greater than even his own mother could manage.

"Misty, I need to tell you something," Ash tried to assert himself.

"What?" she asked pulling back, but Ash kept her held close.

"I-... umm... I-," Ash stuttered. It seemed his childish mind was in control rather than his adult one. He had such a hard time acknowledging the words and the feelings. But he knew it was there. He didn't know how. He couldn't speak with his mouth, so he tried to convey it with his face and eyes.

The redhead's face grew wide in astonishment. She began to understand. He continued to stutter. She knew he couldn't speak them without help. He always needed her help.

"Ash... if I say it first, will you say it back?" Misty prompted, her face mixed with apprehension and anticipation.

He couldn't believe it. She saw what he wanted to say. But she needed to hear it too. She deserved to hear it. He knew that. So he nodded to her to answer her question.

Misty took a deep breath. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time. She didn't want to mess it up. It might not have been the perfect romantic vision, but with Ash Ketchum, this was about as romantic as it was going to get. She put her forehead to his gently and spoke so softly that Ash barely heard, "I... love... you." She said it unbearably slow, with the space between each word lasting nearly a full second. By the time she finished, her eyes were shut, as though expecting something terrible to happen now that she confessed.

Ash was ecstatic. He nearly fell over. Emotions from the past and present clashed with one another as Ash prepared himself to return the gesture. Now that she had told him, this girl who had supported him through thick and thin, this girl who had helped him grow from a novice who tried to fight an Onix with a Pikachu, to a top eight contender in the Silver Conference. But the words didn't spill forth like he planned. Instead he just leaned forward and captured her lips.

Misty's eyes shot open in shock, but soon fluttered shut again in bliss. They pulled each other even closer together. They never wanted to separate. This was too perfect. However, respiration won out over passion, and their lips parted.

"I love you, too," Ash finally croaked. Misty's eyes lit up and she pulled him back into the kiss. They had barely the time to breathe between the end of their last kiss and his declaration. Regardless, it was another lengthy kiss.

Without opening his eyes, he pulled his lips away once again. He felt her hot breath on his face. It was like fire tickling his nerves. He opened his eyes and almost died of a heart attack. The face before him was no longer the young thirteen year-old he had just kissed, but rather the twenty-three year old Misty. The same sea-green eyes gazed back at him, but did not have the shock he did. He managed a glimpse of his own hands and arms. They were those of his older self. He was so confused. Misty either didn't notice or care about Ash's state of mind as she pulled him back in again and he felt her everywhere. Her lips were just as pleasant as they were in his first kiss with her. Her bust pressed against his chest and his heart beat even faster. Instinctively, he pressed his hips to her and his hands travelled to her waist. The contact of their legs and hips was one of the most pleasurable sensations he ever felt.

"I love you, Ash," the voice of the now-adult Misty spoke to him.

Without hesitation, Ash breathlessly replied, "I love you too, Misty."

They fell onto a bed that he didn't even know was there and she was on top of him. Her fit body kept him down as wriggled on top of him. Her lips moved about his face, from his face, to cheeks, down to his neck. Her touch caused pulses of warmth to spread from the point of impact through his veins to the rest of his body. Instinctively, he ran one hand through her luxurious red locks while another flowed gently down her vertebrae, halting only once it reached the hem of her shirt.

"Ash..."

"Misty..."

"Ash..." she kept repeating. She said it over and over, between every single kiss. He loved it.

"Ash..."

She vanished, but he still heard the words. A pounding noise assaulted his mind.

"Ash!"

His eyes snapped open. There was a loud, thud-like set of knocks at his door. He was in Violet's bed. Misty's voice emanated from the other side of the door.

"Get your lazy butt up! Breakfast is getting cold!"

Ash groaned loudly to let Misty know he heard. The knocking and calling stopped and he heard footsteps fading down the hall. For the first time in his memory, the idea of food gave him no incentive to move. Ash could only sit up and think. Most dreams left him soon after he awoke. But this one stuck around. It was rooted in his consciousness. It was crushing him under the weight. He wanted to dive back under the covers and stay there until he died. He felt horrible, but somehow wonderful at the same time. The guilt tore at him like a ravenous beast, even through the vaguely pleasant memories that prompted it. The feelings from before could be dismissed. They were small, and could explained away with platonic feelings and her absence from his life. But this was different. Dreams were one thing. But this was maddening. It was so vivid. He remembered every second. He buckled under the realization that he relished every moment of the subconscious imagery. He could no longer deny it.

He loved Misty.

He loved two women.