Misty sat there on the bank of the stream with Togepi at her side. It had been several years since she had seen her Togetic which was originally her first Togepi, but the last time Ash stopped by Kanto on one of his passing journeys, he dropped off the Pokéball with the fairy type egg Pokémon in with Gary and vanished again, leaving Misty with the new Pokémon and a simple note which said 'I think you need a friend again'. Granted it, wasn't the first one which she had carried all round Kanto and Johto before it had evolved and left them to protect those like its kind, but the sentiment behind the gesture was so typically Ash, always thinking of others first.

"Ge-PIII!"

This Togepi, from the Sinnoh region was different to her other one, it was already battle hardened and unlike its predecessor, this one was a lot more curious and outgoing, often finding the time to escape it's Pokéball and waddle alongside Misty when she used to walk by her gym. Looking out over the stream, she saw the rest of her Pokémon playing in it. Switching her team up a little, Vaporeaon was gracefully swimming about in the stream, smiling and giving Politoed a ride whilst Milotic simply lay there on the bank, basking in the light and grumbling at Psyduck which kept trying to disturb its 'beauty' sleep.

Misty: "I know Togepi, we leave in a few days... Ash promised he'd come meet up with us, but its nearly sundown... He said he was going on an errand, what kind of errand takes this long?"

Togepi could sense it's trainers dissapointment but instead of trying to rectify it, the egg Pokémon decided to show off its more mischevious side. Blissfully unaware, Milotic finally got to sleep as Psyduck gave up trying to get attention but a faint blue light surrounded the serpent like Pokémon and before anyone knew, it was floating at least ten feet up in the air much to Togepi's amusement. Politoed jumped off Vaporeon's back and started to clap and dance, happy with the entertainment whilst Milotic, now awake and clearly not amused was thrashing about, coiling itself up and trying to activate it's Mirror Coat attack to return the disabling psychic move back at Togepi.

Misty: "Cut it out!"

Togepi suddenly stopped and Milotic crashed down into the stream, creating a large splash which soaked Misty and Togepi. Seemingly happy with some measure of revenge, the golden sea serpent flicked its tail out the water, taunting the little egg before submerging. Reaching for her Pokéball, Misty got Togepi back in it and then started to round the others up. Resigning herself to the fact Ash wouldn't be meeting her by the stream, she stood there, shaking some of the water off of her before turning to walk towards Pallet when she saw a shadow coming from the sunset - it was Ash on his Charizard. Swooping down, dismounting and calling his Charizard back, Ash dusted himself off and looked at Misty.

Ash: "Uhh sorry I'm a little late... Professor Oak had me running round for him and I kinda lost track of time"

Misty wanted to get mad but she couldn't. She knew Ash when he stopped by Pallet became everyone's errand boy and looking by how tired he looked, she assumed Oak must have had him flying out towards Lavender Town given how long it took him.

Misty: "It's ok Ash, I was just going to head back to your place, but now that your here, we could sit and watch the sunset at least?"

Ash simply nodded as he gestured for Misty to pick her spot. Seeing a large rock which had been unearthed during an earlier Mega-Gyarados vs Charizard training battle, the redhead climbed up on it and sat there with her legs folded, looking out over the ocean. Ash climbed up and joined her and much to his surprise, the red head instinctively leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder and subconsciously resting her hand on his. At first Ash flinched but he relaxed a little, possibly caught up by the nostalgia of moments like this six years ago.

Misty: "Hey Ash... Do you think we would have lasted if we stayed together when you left four years ago?"

Ash was on the spot. This was a moment he wanted to avoid, but Misty had him here and he knew he couldn't run from this. Taking a deep breath, he composed himself but didn't look at the red head as he answered her.

Ash: "Honestly... I don't know... The teenager in me says yes, we could have still stayed together, but you never know what is going to happen tomorrow... Hindsight is a pain in the ass Misty... You end up beating yourself up over things and if you keep thinking about what could have been, you end up missing what actually is..."

Misty sighed. It wasn't quite the answer she was expecting, but the fact he mentioned that his younger self would have definitely tried to stay with her had circumstances been more favourable filled her with a little hope, only to have it quashed out when she realised this was her childhood crush coming back again and realising that they had both moved on. As she tried to beat herself up mentally, Ash got her off guard.

Ash: "What makes you ask? Old memories coming to the forefront of your mind?"

Misty: "Something like that... I don't know... I guess spending these past few days in your company has made me feel like a thirteen year old again and I just don't know how to act... Whether I should beat you up for saying something in the wrong tone of voice to me, or to just throw myself at you..."

Misty reached up and moved some strands of hair behind her ears. She finally stopped wearing her once trademark side ponytail, instead opting to let her hair grow a little and wear it back in a low ponytail or not even ponytail it at all. She cast a sideward's glance at Ash and studied his expression. He hadn't changed that much, he had light stubble around his jawline and his hair wasn't as wild as it used to be. He had it all slicked back and tied under a bandana, something she'd never seen him do before. Putting it down to something he had started to do on his travels, Misty wondered just how much of 'her' Ash was still there.

Misty: "Ash... I know this is probably a silly question... But have you had anyone in that way since me?"

'Of course he had!' the voice in Misty's head screamed, but she had to ask.

Ash: "There's been a couple of people... But nothing solid... I guess whilst I do like the company and the closeness... I'm just too hung up on the battling, training and adventuring to settle myself down really... Probably why I rarely stay put for long... I guess I'm just a restless soul"

Misty: "I see..."

Ash moved his hand away from Misty's and reached up and tugged at his bandana, re-adjusting it ever so slightly.

Ash: "What about you Misty... One of the beauties of Cerulean... Surely you have had a list of suitors as long as a Wailord lining up for you"

Misty: "Ugh, don't remind me... Nearly all of them were creeps... Some tried to play nice, but the rest... Ugh, it was like a swarm of bug Pokémon!"

Ash: "What do you expect? You're a fine looking girl Misty... Anyone would be lucky to have you"

Misty smiled at the compliment as she leaned on Ash still.

"But what if part of me just doesn't want anyone? What if the part of me which won't seem to let go takes over? Dammit Misty, you're such an idiot! He doesn't even look at you that way anymore!"

Misty let out a soft sigh as she watched a flock of Wingull's silhouette's fly across the slowly setting sun.

Misty: "So, what are you plans when you get to Johto with me? We're nowhere near Silver Conference time yet, so that's out of the question"

Ash: "There's talk of a tournament in Goldenrod and I am considering entering it... But other than that, I got a few people to catch up with, a few Pokémon to check in on and see if I can track down Lance... He sent me a message a few weeks ago, something about needing to speak to me... My guess is he wants me to enter the Silver League and become champion so he can return to Blackthorn and help his cousin Clair run the gym and clan now that their grandparents have passed"

Misty: "But I thought Lance hated being tied down, just as much as you do?"

Ash: "Lance has an obligation though, I don't... The clan comes above all else in times of need, and I think after keeping it going for the past decade, Clair's finally had enough and wants Lance to run the clan whilst she keeps the gym going"

Misty was surprised. She got on alright with Clair, they were never close, but they did talk from time to time and she'd gave no inclination whatsoever of any desire to hand over the Clan to the first heir, but Clair was often like her dragons - mysterious and reserved, only showing you what she wanted you to see.

Misty: "So are you gonna stay with me on my journey all the way, or will we be taking separate path's at some point?"

Ash: "To be honest, I was going to get my running round done first so you could spend a few days in Olivine and Cianwood, you know... Get used to the region again... Then we'd meet up in Olivine and head towards New Bark to get you started... If that was alright with you?"

Misty: "Wouldn't it be better for me to spend a few days in Goldenrod instead? I mean it's a big city, there's plenty on for me to see and do and it'll give me a chance to catch up with Whitney"

Ash nodded.

Ash: "Sound's better... That and Goldenrod is more accessible and easier to get to... We'll do that then... Head to Goldenrod, part ways for a week or so, then meet back up and head off to start our journey in Johto!"

Misty smiled at the plan. Slipping her arm behind Ash, she gave him a hug.

Misty: "Thanks AshI promise I won't be too much of a pain to you"

Ash: "Pfft! After all the hell I put you and Brock and the others through on my travels, I think you're owed some payback at least!"

Misty smiled as she let go of Ash. The sun was just about dipping below the horizon and the orange and dark blue sky was breathtaking.

Misty: "It's so beautiful!"

Ash: "You should see the sunset from Olivine lighthouse... It's fantastic from there!"

Misty: "I bet... But it still won't beat that sunset..."

That sunset... The sunset which they watched on their last night together on the edge of Cerulean Cove, the last time they were together as boyfriend and girlfriend, the last time they lay with each other, naked under the stars and nothing but a few blankets and a fire to keep them warm. Both of them smiled at the memory, it was a precious one for the pair of them, but whilst Misty seemed to put maybe a little too much into reminiscing about it, Ash was giving his Poké Gear a sidewards glance, looking to see if he had any notifications.

"The way he's acting... It's like he's trying not to talk about us... Like he's trying to push it out of his mind... Either he's got a girlfriend or he's totally moved on and doesn't have feelings for me... I guess over the next few days we'll find out... Because I don't want this to become awkward when we're traveling"

Ash: "Misty... "

Misty looked up at him as he finally looked at her.

Misty: "Yes Ash?"

Ash: "Think Fast!"

Before Misty could even react, Ash put both hands on her shoulders and pushed her off the rock. The red head screamed in terror, completely caught off guard by the childish ploy and as she landed down onto the grass with a soft thud, any calmness and wishful thinking about her past with Ash was now drowning in red mist as her famous temper flared up like Charizard when it made eye contact with another powerful Pokémon.

Misty: "ASH KETCHUM! I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS!"

Ash burst out laughing as he jumped down off the rock and began to run towards Pallet Town, leaving Misty to pull herself up. Dusting the dirt and grass off of her, she charged after Ash who ran away from her, still laughing like an idiot.

"Well... At least he's still fantastic at ruining the moment... Good to see some things are still the same after all these years!"