The beginning of a new month is here! Since I'll be going back to school soon, I'm going to try to wrap up this story as quick as I can. So seventeen pages later here we are, at the moment when Ash and Misty wake up from their ordeal. Anyway there isn't much to say but...happy reading!
Disclamer: I do not own Pokemon, except for a few original characters that I made up, which will be appearing in this chapter.
Chapter 26: The Morning After
Morning light had just begun to come through the window. It had shined directly in her eyes, causing her to stir in bed. She felt so stiff…what was going on?
Ok, Misty, try to remember…let's see…there was a gun, rain, water, darkness…a voice…
"Ash!" She sat up quickly, a little too quickly, and pain surged through her body. Misty gritted her teeth, trying to ignore it, which made her head pound.
"Damn…where am I?" She looked around and it didn't take her long to find out she was in a hospital. But there, under the waking sun, was a boy tucked safely in a bed.
Misty slowly got out of her bed and crept to him. There was Ash, with a soft smile on his face, sleeping so peacefully.
"Ash…" she smiled and held his hand. It was warm. He was alive and so was she. After three months of fighting, it was over.
She looked down when she felt a squeeze on her hand.
"Morning…" Ash smiled weakly. "Why the serious look?"
All Misty could do was smile. Finally she said, "It's a happy look because I'm glad you're alive."
Ash slowly sat up, feeling the soreness in his body, and grabbed Misty in a hug. She wasn't expecting this but hugged him back.
"I'm also glad I'm alive, but I'm even happier that you are alive with me."
In the midst of their hug they didn't know that they were being watched by a curious and tearful bunch of eyes.
"You guys make such a cute couple!"
Ash and Misty were scared out of their hug and turned around. In the doorway were Brock, May and Dawn, and with them were two other women, twin nurses who were in charge of taking care of Ash and Misty.
"Uh, this isn't what it looks like," Misty waved her hands in denial and laughed nervously.
"She's right we we're just happy to see each other," Ash added.
"Oh don't mind us we we're just checking up on you two," the nurse flashed a bright smile amidst her shiny gold hair. Her name was Amy and she was technically the oldest out of her and her twin. Her and her sister April had been nurses for only a year but they loved it so much they could see themselves doing this for the rest of their lives.
"We're so happy you two are ok, we were getting worried, but I guess that's the power of true love right? It always survives and gets stronger by the day." April smiled now. "I guess that's why you two are engaged huh?"
"E-engaged? What are you—?" Ash was forced to stop his train of thought once May got to him and covered his mouth.
"Ash! You and Misty have been out for like three days, you must be starving!" May took a cookie out her pocket and shoved it down Ash's throat. Fortunately Misty understood and only gave a nervous embarrassed smile. The nurses sweatdropped as Ash tried to pull away, and then Brock broke the weird silence.
"Well it's true, we were really worried about you guys, but I'm glad everything worked out fine."
"Sorry for worrying you guys, were we really out for three days?" Misty asked.
"Yep, you both had pneumonia and you nearly died, Misty, but you both turned out fine," Dawn said.
At this Ash finally pulled May away, coughing on the plastic wrapper, "Misty nearly died?"
"You both did but thanks to the doctors here they we able to save you guys!" Dawn answered.
"Uhm, about that, where are we anyway?" Misty asked.
"Valencia Island," Tracy said.
He had appeared in the doorway, along with Delia.
"Valencia Island?" Both Ash and Misty said together.
"Heh, yeah, who knew we were so close to the Orange Islands huh?" Tracy laughed.
Delia came rushing over to Ash, tackling him in a hug and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Oh my Ash I'm so glad you're ok! I was so worried about my baby!"
"Mom…can't breathe…" Ash croaked out.
"Oh, sorry honey," she let him go to flop back on the bed like a Magikarp out of water. Everyone laughed as he tried to catch his breath.
"Well, I'm so happy to see such a happy ending." Ash's doctor said from the doorway.
"Dr. Howard? How'd you get here?" Ash asked.
Howard smiled. "What did you actually think I'm just the average doctor in Pallet? I get around a lot and I just happened to be here when I saw Delia coming in here the other night. I figured you had gotten into some kind of trouble again so I offered my services, but I didn't know that Misty was hurt as well. Man, that was a long night," he sighed. "But we did it, I thought you two wasn't going to make it but we did it."
"Oh, it was the sweetest, most anxious night I've ever been in!" Amy talked again, "It was amazing how Misty had used her own shirt to wrap up Ash's wound and stop the bleeding! She didn't even care that she pretty much got soaked to the bone in the process, and she didn't even care about the fact that she was bleeding too from that wound in her left shoulder."
"Huh? I was?" Misty looked to her shoulder to see a small scar.
"You see, the bullet that had hit Ash's right shoulder had gone straight through and hit your left clavicle bone. It was lodged in there pretty good, but we managed to get it out. Lucky for us you didn't lose that much blood either, or it would've been worse, and it was also good that there wasn't that many stitches needed to close you up either," April explained.
"Oh, enough technical terms for one day," Amy interrupted.
She grabbed Misty's hands and shook them. "Misty, you are so my idol! I hope one day I can be just as in love as you are."
Misty blushed wildly and shook her head. "I didn't do anything, just what I thought was best—I guess it was more of an impulse!"
"Well Misty, what you did saved Ash's life. It you hadn't stopped the bleeding, Ash would've probably bled to death. Sure he had still lost a lot of blood, but thanks to a transfusion from Delia here he pulled through. It wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you, Misty," Howard smiled.
Misty couldn't blush harder. "But I really didn't do anything at all!"
Ash smiled and looked at her. "Misty, I owe you my life."
Misty felt her heart stop for a second. Did he really just say that?
"But I guess that debt is paid right?" Dawn put in. "After all Ash did save Misty from that river so I guess Misty was only returning the favor."
Misty nodded, "That's right! You did save me, not once but like three times, all in one night! First you took that bullet for me, then you dove in the water to save me, then you used CPR on me when I wasn't breathing right? So I say I'm the one who owes you my life!" Misty breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that the pressure was off her for once.
Ash smiled and just shook his head. "No Misty, you don't owe me anything at all." Just having you alive and here with me is enough.
Misty was fast asleep but Ash couldn't help but keep his eyes on her.
I can't believe all that we've been through, this definitely has to be the most dangerous adventure I've ever been on, and I had a lot of them! Misty, I'm sorry for getting you in this much trouble, you wouldn't have been hurt if it wasn't for me…
Ash sighed. Well, as long as she's safe that's all that matters.
He couldn't help but be happy though. Not only was Misty alive but also here with him. After the nurses left, May told them about how she had to lie and say that he was engaged to Misty in order for them to get the same room.
"I knew you guys would thank me for it so I couldn't resist!"
He chucked a little. May was weird but sweet and thanks to her Ash got to spend all the time he wanted with Misty, even if he spent half of it watching her sleep.
I'll protect you with my life, Misty. I promise nothing will ever hurt you again…
"Ash?"
Ash looked up to see his mother standing over him. "Are you alright honey?"
Wow I didn't even notice her. "Yeah, I'm fine, guess I'm a little tired."
Delia smiled, "It's understandable dear, you've been through a lot. Here." She handed him a big orange box.
"Wow, smells good, did you cook all this?" He asked. Inside were a bunch of dishes he couldn't even name in one breath, it made his mouth water just looking at them all. "Mom, you didn't have to do this."
"Oh, honey, I wanted to besides I know that hospital food can get really boring sometimes, and you guys might get hungry again so I don't mind one bit," Delia replied.
"We might not even be able to eat all this," this didn't stop Ash from digging in on some mac and cheese.
Delia giggled, "Well you have plenty of time, oh and one of the officer Jennys should be here in about an hour, she wants to ask you and Misty questions about that night."
Ash stopped chewing and looked down. That night… He looked at Misty.
Delia smiled, knowing that look, "Ash, you were worried about her."
Ash blushed madly and turned away. "I knew she was going to be fine, I wasn't worried at all."
"You can't fool me, Ash just admit you like the girl."
"No, I don't I-I was just upset that's all!"
Delia raised an eyebrow. "Upset as in worried? Afraid? I know it was a lot to go through, Ash, but both of you guys made it. It had to be stressful so it's ok if you were worried about her." Ash turned and looked out the window, still blushing. He could just make out a flock of Pidgey flying somewhere.
"Mom…I was worried…I thought I would lose her, and just the thought of that was enough to make me die out of fear. I didn't even worry about myself. When I saw her go in that river I knew I had to save her, even if I would die in the process, I had to make sure she was ok first." Ash still held a stern look out to the field and ocean below and didn't notice his mother still smiling at him.
"So you do care for Misty after all," she wanted to hug him for finally growing up but held back for the moment.
"Mom…I love her." He turned around to face his mother's eyes, to show him that he was completely serious.
"Oh honey, if you feel this way then why don't you tell her?"
Ash put the food on his food table, "I don't know…I have a lot of reasons I guess."
Delia sat down next to him. "You know, I also had trouble telling your father that I loved him."
"Really?"
Delia smiled at the memory. "I would try so many times, but I could never get the words out. Finally one day I just told him, and he accepted me. I finally realized that if I didn't tell him now I never would, and then how would he know? I couldn't lead him on like that so I summoned up all the courage I could and just came out with it. I hated the few seconds of awkward silence but it was worth it, just to see him smile and tell me that he loved me back. Nothing in the world made me happier than that moment." She almost wanted to cry, knowing that she would never get to feel that again, but held back her tears. "Do you see what I'm saying dear?"
Ash nodded. "Yes…I understand." Delia hugged him but it wasn't the chokehold kind of hug that she usually gives—it was sweet, gentle and filled Ash with confidence.
"Good luck dear I know you can do it."
She stood up and began to walk out the room. "And if it helps a little Ash, I think she feels the same way about you as well, otherwise she wouldn't be in this room right now."
About two hours later everyone was in the room, except for the twin nurses and Dr. Howard; all were waiting for the one question that officer Jenny was going to answer. This officer Jenny was from Saffron City and had been serving on the force for about five years. She had been especially interested in Team Rocket and once their demise was known around Kanto, she was eager to find out all the details. She was one of the first to volunteer to gain information straight from the horse's mouth, and after questioning everyone else, all that was left was Ash and Misty.
"Alright, I know you two must be very tired so we should get this over with. I'd like to thank you both for your cooperation, this helps us out immensely."
"It's ok, Jenny," Misty piped up, "We will try to help in whatever way we can." Ash nodded in agreement.
"Alright then," Jenny smiled, "Well, I want you to tell me everything that happened after the officers had entered in the headquarters, down to the last detail."
Ash and Misty looked at each other, not sure where to start. Everyone practically leaned forward in their seats, like they were watching an intense movie.
Finally Ash began first. "Well, as the cops we arresting everyone Pikachu noticed Giovanni trying to escape so we ran after him. Misty followed us."
-Flashback-
"Ash, wait up!"
Ash was still running but turned around to see Misty tailing him. "Misty you should go back, it's too dangerous!"
Misty shook her head. "Please, my pokemon fought way too hard to just see him escape! I won't allow it!" Ash sighed dejectedly but they kept running forward. Eventually they caught up to him outside on the edge of a man-made waterfall that rushed straight into the river below.
"Damn it!" he cursed, throwing his walkie-talkie into the water. Moments earlier he tried to contact his backup group for his escape option but they were all either captured or killed before his helicopter could even take off. He couldn't believe he somehow let his guard down, he didn't see where he had gone wrong, and he had no idea that the officers of Kanto were one step ahead of him.
"Stop right there, you coward!" Misty yelled.
Of course he couldn't go anywhere but Giovanni refused to turn around. I will never admit defeat! He thought.
"Give it up, Giovanni, it's all over for you," Ash calmly replied. Pikachu also agreed by voicing out his opinion.
Giovanni chuckled slightly, "Well now, I appear to be backed into a corner…" he whispered. Yet he remained determined and reached in his pocket.
"Over," he said more loudly, "You honestly think this is over? Ha, no, no it's not over…" he turned around now, revealing his gun, "Until I say it is!" He aimed and fired without a second thought.
Shit! Ash thought.
"Misty!" Ash grabbed Misty and quickly pulled her down, shielding her body from whatever might come her way. They crashed hard to the ground, Misty closed her eyes for a second, not wanting to believe what she just saw. She slowly opened them and saw many things at once: the darkened sky, the light rain beginning to fall, Ash over her, and Pikachu screaming out their names.
"I'm alright, Pikachu," she slowly tried to get up, moving Ash off of her but then heard him scream in pain.
"Ash, are you ok?" She looked over him and it didn't take long to find the source of his trouble, a bullet wound to his chest, which he was now bleeding from. "Oh my god, Ash you're hurt!" She touched the spot right above his heart—she knew she had to stop the bleeding but how?
"Misty, take Pikachu and get out of here, save yourself," he shook once more in pain.
Misty of course shook her head. "No, I won't leave you!"
Pikachu also did the same, "Pika pika pikachupi!" (Yeah, what Misty said!)
"There's no reason to run anyway," Giovanni slowly came up to them. "You will be joining him soon enough." He aimed his gun again. "Farewell, Misty…" Just as he was about to fire, Pikachu sprinted up and tried to trip Giovanni by running around his legs.
"Aghh! Damn you rat!" He aimed his gun at Pikachu but this time Misty intervened.
"No, Pikachu!" She grabbed Giovanni's hands and aimed them towards the sky, just as he was firing another shot.
Ash struggled to get up but finally managed to do it. Ignoring his pain he called out for Misty to run away. She didn't listen of course and he didn't think it was possible for her to get away now anyway.
Once again Ash felt helpless. I can't just watch, I have to do something damn it!
"Misty!" He tried to run toward her but already felt his body failing him. Just as he gained his composure and tried to get closer, he heard another shot. Ash stopped dead in his tracks, and so did Pikachu who was biting Giovanni's legs the whole time. The next few seconds were dead silence. All that could be heard was the sound of the rain coming down.
"Misty…" he whispered, he looked down and saw blood dripping onto the ground. His body shook with fear. "Misty!"
He saw her back away slowly. She looked down, expecting to see the blood from her body but was shocked to find out she was unharmed. Giovanni however…was shot by his own gun. He backed up slowly, looking at the red liquid coming from his abdomen. Slowly he looked up…and smiled. Misty was too shocked to move, too shocked to notice Giovanni grabbing her arm, even too shocked to notice she was falling down with him…until it was too late.
"Misty!" Ash yelled again, running as best as he could to catch her hand. He felt the tips of her fingers, he was so close, but cried in agony as he couldn't get a good grip on them. Misty finally woke from her trance state to realize she was getting closer to the water. She looked up searching for Ash's face.
"Ash…"
"Misty!"
If I shall die, then I will take you down with me, gym leader. In the end…I win.
Misty closed her eyes and took once last breath as they made a sickening crash into the water.
Ash stood there in shock, not wanting to believe what he just saw. "No…NOOOO! I won't let it end this way!" He released a pokeball from his belt. Out came Pidgeot, spreading its wings as he was hovering majestically in the air. "Please Pidgeot, Pikachu, help me find Misty."
Pidgeot came down, instantly worried about its master's condition but Ash just brushed it off. "It's nothing, let's go Pikachu." Pikachu hopped on the bird and they sped off, so fast in fact that Ash lost his hat in the process. But that was the furthest thing from his mind.
He searched through the darkness, wind and rain, but felt as if his eyes were failing him. "Damn do you guys see her?"
"Chaaa…." Pikachu sighed. Pidgeot also shook his head.
"Dang it, if only there was some way to—hey I know, Noctowl go!" Noctowl came out happy to finally be released and stretched its wings. "Noctowl, I need you to use your foresight to find Misty in this dark water. Think you can do it?" Noctowl nodded and its eyes turned red. They shined like flashlights on the water and Ash squinted his eyes. After what seemed like forever, Ash finally noticed a flash of red.
"Misty!" Her head was barely above water and she was unconscious. Ash returned Noctowl and sat Pikachu on Pidgeot. Without another word he jumped in.
"Pikapi!"
Pidgeot hovered above the water searching for a sign of Ash or Misty. Pikachu searched frantically for something, anything, any sign of his master. He couldn't bare the thought of losing him again…and Misty…what would be left?
Finally, Ash's pale face broke from the rough waves, he was carrying Misty in one arm and a pokeball in another.
"Bayleef!" he yelled.
Bayleef wasn't expecting the rain, which had gotten a lot heavier, to pummel down on her and she buckled a little but quickly straightened. Ash tried to say a command was he was being pulled under again by the current. Fortunately Bayleef took the hint, and grabbed Ash's arm that was stretched out to the sky. With the help of Pidgeot, they were both finally able to pull them out of the water.
Ash groggily opened his eyes. "Misty!" She was still in his arms but wasn't breathing. Without even thinking about it, he started using CPR, thanking god that Misty had taught him how the summer before. "Come on, Misty, breathe, breathe!" Each passing second was getting harder and harder. He knew that if she didn't wake up soon…
"Damn it Misty don't you dare do this to me!" Tears were running down his face—mixed with the rain made it even harder to see. He wanted to try one last time. "Damn it!" he screamed. He closed his eyes and despite thinking that she was already dead, kept pushing into her chest absentmindedly.
Then she began to cough up water.
"Misty!" She continued to cough and tried to breathe deeply, which was proving to be harder than she thought.
"Ash…w-what happened…"
"That doesn't matter now. Let's just try and get out of the rain."
There weren't many places to go of course but after returning his pokemon Ash dragged Misty as best as he could under a tree. Ash finally let out a sigh of relief. "You're finally safe…" At this moment he collapsed, unable to stay up any longer.
"Ash!" Misty was also still in the midst of her recovery but managed to pull him up and sit him up against the tree trunk. "Ash, come on Ash, wake up!"
Ash slowly stirred. "Mi…sty…"
All this time he's been bleeding I got to do something! She thought.
She looked around for something in hopes of stopping the blood flow but when she couldn't she thought of the next best thing. Beginning to blush a little, she brushed it off and took off her shirt. She tore it in half and used it to wrap up Ash's wound.
"Come on, Ash, you have to stop bleeding now." Ash could just barely make out her face. Even while dying he knew she still looked beautiful.
"Mi…sty…"
"Shhh, you need your strength don't talk." Then she realized: how were the others going to find them? She turned to Pikachu, who had slowly begun to cry over his master's injuries. She sighed. "Pikachu, I need you to go and find the others and tell them where we are."
"Pi? Pika Pikachu pikapi pika!" (What? I can't leave Ash like this!)
"Don't worry, I'm holding my shirt on his chest to stop the bleeding, but I'm afraid he might have lost too much blood. Please we have to hurry before he…" She trailed off, not daring to finish her thought, but she smiled at Pikachu giving him hope. Pikachu sped off without another word but taking one last look at Ash right before.
Misty turned back to look at Ash, who was fighting to stay awake. "Misty…I'm so sorry…"
"Shhh, don't worry ok? Just stay awake with me, don't leave me please."
Ash couldn't help but chuckle. "I would get into something like this…"
"You're such an idiot," Misty smiled. "Now shut up and let me concentrate." She pressed harder into his chest, but although the bleeding has slowed down a lot, it was still coming out. "Shit," she breathed. Misty didn't cuss much, at least not out loud anyway, but she couldn't help it this time. Her best friend, the one she loved dearly, was dying right in front of her and she couldn't do anything.
"Ash I told you to stay with me!"
"You said…be quiet…"
"Well, say something damn it!"
"I-I'm so…ti…red…"
"Ash don't you dare fall asleep on me!"
"Mi…Mi…Mist…"
Misty pressed harder, tears running down her face. "Damn you Ash Ketchum, you better not die you…you…you're definitely going to get me another bike after this!"
"You-you…and that bike…I want…w-wanted you to stay…Mist…"
Misty's eyes widened. He really did want me to stay? Oh Ash…
She began to cry heavily, so much that she couldn't tell her tears from the rain, but she didn't care. Ash slowly reached up and wiped her tears.
"D-don't….cry…my Misty…"
Did he just call me his? His Misty?
"Don't cry…" he repeated, a bit stronger tone this time.
"Ash…please you can't leave me like this, you can't—" she wanted to say more but she had momentarily lost her balance and almost fell forward. She recovered quickly, using the tree for support, but wondered how long she would be able to keep her stability. Now she realized she was in the worst possible condition. Her body wanted to rest so badly but she knew she had to stay awake for Ash. She preoccupied herself by pressing harder into Ash's wound and to her relief he started talking.
"Mi…Misty…remember," he slurred, "I'm…I'm right here…" He grabbed a lock of her hair. She smiled.
Oh Ash, please…I can't imagine this world without you…The tears kept falling but she ignored them. She knew she had to keep Ash awake.
"Hey, Ash, you remember the day we met don't you?"
Ash smiled. "How could I ever forget…you were the first…the first one I…" Misty could feel her heart stop. Ash was passing out again.
"The first one you what Ash?"
Ash's eyes struggled to stay open. "The first one I traveled with….I always did many firsts with you…"
Misty smiled. "Same here, Ash…" she was fading again. She had no choice but to use one arm to keep herself from falling over and the other to hold her shirt in place.
They were both so tired, it was only a matter of time now. "Misty…I know we been through a lot but…I loved every moment, Misty…" Ash was closing his eyes again.
"Ash! You have to stay with me! Ash!"
"So…tired…" He slumped over off the tree, and since he knocked over Misty's arm in the process, she went down as well. Misty tried to push herself back up but the ground was too slippery.
Stupid mud…
Finally she gave up and settled for being on top of him, still holding pressure on the wound, but felt it might already be too late.
Ash…since when did you mean so much to me…Ash…forgive me. I couldn't save you, forgive me. She didn't want to give up but was quickly losing consciousness. She looked at his passed out form one last time. "Ash…"
With that she passed out on top of him, all the while still holding on to her blood stained shirt.
-End Flashback-
"And that's when the officer Jenny from Vermillion City and your friends came, right?" Jenny asked.
Misty slowly nodded. She looked over at Ash, who had his head down. She ended up doing the same.
I almost lost him…what would I have done? she thought.
There was no point in asking, of course if he ended up dying while she lived she would most likely blame herself for his death, even though she tried the best she could to save him.
Then I would have more people to hate me…
She blinked her eyes to try and stop the tears from falling but she couldn't. She sighed heavily and turned away, hoping no one would notice her crying.
Damn it why do I have to be the emotional one?
"Misty…"
She felt Ash's light touch on her shoulder and shuttered. "I-I'm sorry I-I—"
Before she knew it Ash had pulled her into a hug. "It's ok I understand, Misty," he said softly into her ear.
"I'm sorry, Misty," Jenny immediately felt bad, "I didn't mean to—"
"It's ok Jenny," Ash explained, "It's just it was kind of emotional what we went through and it takes a while for it to truly sink in that we're still alive that's all."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cry, I guess it was just all too much for me." Misty sobbed in Ash's shirt.
Ash smiled. "You know what guys? I think that Misty could use a hug—come on everyone!"
"What? Ash I—" Before Misty could protest, everyone had pretty much tackled her in a group love hug, even May and Dawn had planted kisses on her cheeks. "Aghh! Guys get off!"
Ash squeezed tighter. "Epic Hug attack!"
Tracy wrapped his arms around Misty's neck along with Ash, May and Dawn held Misty by her waist, and Brock—not wanting to be left out—hugged her legs. Misty laughed so hard she cried more.
"Enough guys, enough!" Everyone laughed and released her, proud of making their best friend happy once again.
"Well, I guess it was super effective…" Ash laughed, receiving a playful slap on the arm from Misty.
"Well then," Jenny closed up her notepad, "I'd like to thank you both for telling me all you can and I think I have all the info I need."
"We're glad we could help Jenny," everyone said.
Jenny nodded, "Alright take care everyone." Jenny received a chorus of goodbyes from everyone, but a very special one from Brock.
"My dearest Jenny, I would love it very much if you and I can say our goodbye on a more private, personal level. How about tonight…over dinner? We could—oww!" Sadly Brock was interrupted by a tug of the ear.
"Brock, seriously, you are so annoying!" Misty was about to pull him off when Jenny objected.
"Actually…I wouldn't mind that at all Brock…" she began to blush.
"Really?" The elated Brock nearly pushed Misty down to the floor as he rushed forward to grab Jenny's hand. "Well then maybe we should continue this elsewhere…" he chuckled as he led her out the room.
Ash sighed. "Well I know that won't end well."
"How do you know Ash? It seems like she actually likes him," Dawn observed.
Ash shook his head and laughed, "Maybe now, but she won't later on."
Later on that night had found Ash staring at the moon. Man, why am I so restless? I should be relaxing and asleep, not up and thinking. I suppose I had gotten so used to not going to sleep early that I actually can't now, and now it's after one in the morning.
He looked at Misty's sleeping form.
I'm glad she's asleep but still I wish I had someone to talk to…
He sighed and continued to stare out towards the ocean. I guess after all this is over I have to get back to training. He smiled. I bet Pikachu will be glad to battle again but it would be nice to get at least a couple of weeks of sleeping in—that is, if I can ever go to sleep.
He sighed again.
"Ash…?"
He turned around to see Misty looking at him. "Are you ok?"
She looks so cute. She used one of her hands to try and rub the sleep out of her eyes while yawning at the same time.
"I-I'm fine Misty, you should go back to sleep." Of course she only got up and walked towards him.
"What are you doing? Oh! The moon is so beautiful tonight! No wonder you're looking at it, I would sit here and stare for hours at it too."
He turned to her and smiled, "Want a closer view?"
"Huh?"
"Come on, I know a good spot." He took her hand and led her out the room, then suddenly broke off into a run with her barely keeping up. Luckily she didn't say a word, most likely because she knew they were trying to dodge all the nurses that could drag them back to their room. Eventually they made it outside, right under their window, where Ash sat down on a patch of grass that was right under the moonlight.
"You're right, this is a good spot, it's so beautiful here!" she said, sitting down next to him.
Ash smiled, happy to finally have her alone and all to himself. And to think three days ago I almost lost her! I would've never had the chance to tell her how I feel…
"Ash?"
"Hm?"
"Quit spacing out, it's annoying!" she playfully hit his shoulder.
"Fine, fine," he laughed.
Misty smiled. "Just what are you thinking about anyway? You should be happy! After all this, you finally got Pikachu and the others back, and you took down one of the most powerful evil corporations in the entire Kanto region! You should be celebrating not looking so glum."
"I'm not glum first off and second off, it was you who took down Team Rocket I was just one of the spectators," Ash replied.
"I only got in that match with Giovanni so you wouldn't have to. Besides, I knew you were ready to kill him and I figured something should hold you back before you did something foolish."
"I wasn't going to kill him! Just punch him in the face a few times," he gritted his teeth.
If it wasn't for him my father would still be alive, and I wouldn't have to see that look in my mom's face every time she looks at me…
He was cut off from his thoughts by Misty putting her head on his shoulder. "Maybe, but I wouldn't blame you if you did, and I probably wouldn't stop you either but those other rockets would have. I just didn't want you to end up doing something you would regret and end up getting killed for it."
He sighed. "I know my father lived a good life, otherwise mom wouldn't still be mourning for him after all these years, but still…I wish I could've…seen his face you know? Look into the eyes of a great man who's become my main inspiration to be a pokemon trainer."
He felt Misty nod. "Yeah, I know what you mean, I wish to see my parents face one last time too, to tell them how sorry I am."
"You still blame yourself don't you?"
"There's so many things I could've told them," she said, ignoring his question, "I didn't even tell them goodbye before they left…" He could hear her sniff and looked to see her crying.
"Aw man, Mist I'm sorry I—"
"It's ok, that's just the way life goes right? Nothing lasts forever, not even life itself." She shivered as Ash wiped her tears away. "I only wish I could've told them thank you or something, but it always happens that way…you don't realize what you lost until it's already gone, and then all those words you were going to say just falls by the wayside."
Ash nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I mean when I was dying and all, there were so many things I wanted to say too, but I couldn't. Either I was too weak or…I was just afraid, but now that I'm not dead, I learned so much about my life and how you can't wait too long to say something or you would probably lose the chance to say it."
Misty looked at him, and turned all the way around to see his face. "Afraid? Yeah, I suppose I was afraid too, I thought we were both going to die…there were so many things…so many things…"
"You wanted to say?" Ash finished for her.
Misty gave a timid smile and nodded, "But we're alive, we've been given a second chance…"
"Misty, there's been something I've wanted to say…" Ash began.
"Yeah, me too," Misty said.
"Then you go first," Ash said.
"No you can go."
"No you go."
"No its ok, you can go," Misty replied.
"No really I don't mind, you go." Ash turned to face her.
"No you."
"No you!" Ash yelled.
"No you!" Misty yelled back.
"Misty!"
"Ash!"
They huffed at each other then burst out laughing. "Ash…ha, ha, ha, just go I can tell it's killing you," Misty said while laughing.
Finally Ash agreed, "Well, it's just, I've been meaning to say this for a long time now, but I guess I was just afraid of what you would say or think of me. I mean, we have such a good relationship and I don't want to ruin that because I said something stupid…"
Misty just smiled. "Ash, we've been friends forever, and sure you say some stupid things, but I'm used to it now," she giggled. "Just say it."
"After all this, you know me nearly dying and all, I realized that life is too short for regrets and the 'what ifs' and all that. I realized that if I don't say this now I might not get another chance to, so…the thing is…"
"The thing is?"
Ash's hands began to shake—he was so nervous! Misty grabbed them and rubbed them against hers.
"Ash…" she looked into his eyes. It was the same look she would always give him when she was worried about him. He knew there was no turning back now.
"Misty…" he took his hand and placed it against her cheek. He saw her blush and smiled.
"I love you."
Her eyes widened but he continued, "I have always loved you, for the past five years all I could think about was how to tell you how I feel. Finally, with some encouragement from my mother, I knew the only way to tell you was to just tell you. So…I love you Misty, and it's ok if you don't feel the same way, I'm just happy I got a chance to tell you before…something else happens…so…yeah, you can say anything now…"
Misty laughed. "Oh Ash, I swear you never cease to amaze me!"
Ash narrowed his eyes, "Are you trying to make fun of me or something?"
"No, no!" Misty fidgeted her hands to show her nervousness, "It's just I didn't expect you to say it first!"
They both stopped and stared for a second. Misty, realizing what she said, blushed and turned away.
"You…love me too?" Ash asked.
Misty gave a small smile and nodded, still blushing. "It was always you, Ash. I thought you never felt the same way so I tried to forget about you, even dated other people, but I couldn't stop thinking about you. Then when you had called me, all those feelings just kind of came back up to the surface, and I realized I really was in love with you. My heart hasn't changed, Ash, it never did. You have always been here," she placed a hand to her heart. "I wanted to tell you, for so long, but…" she trailed off, realizing that Ash was coming closer to her. "A-Ash?"
Ash smiled. "I love you." Then he kissed her. It was a soft light kiss but as the seconds turned into minutes it progressed, getting stronger and more intense. She giggled as he glided his tongue across her upper lip and pulled her closer when she slightly pulled away. Soon they were in an epic tongue battle for domination, not wanting to give up even when they ran out of breath. Finally Ash pulled away, his arm still around her waist.
"So, that's how you really feel…" Misty breathed. Ash just nodded, with a blush still evident on his cheeks. He pulled her into a hug, wanting to feel her warmth a little longer.
"I love you so much," he whispered in her ear.
She smiled, finally hearing the words she had been waiting for after all this time.
"I love you too, Ash."
Yay they finally said it! Everyone get up and cheer! I hope I did that right, I wanted to capture Ash and Misty's emotions perfectly. Hey we all knew it was going to happen right? It was obviously coming...anyway I promise we almost near the end of this story, and I'll try not to drag it along for too much longer, but there's just a few more loose ends to wrap up. Plus I have a surprise twist coming! So, what do think will happen next?
Until next time...