Just a few little notes: this chapter takes place almost a year after chapter 27. Remember thoughts are in italics and flashbacks are in bold, but there are no flashbacks in this chapter so don't worry about that part. I'm still doing some finishing touches on the last chapter but it should be up today as well. Once again if anyone has any ideas for a sequel to this story I'm still up for suggestions, although I'm almost done with the first chapter. Well that's it; happy reading!
Chapter 28: V for Victory!
I can't believe it's been nearly one year since I seen him.
Misty sat on her couch, absentmindedly flipping through channels on her tv. Finally done with her duties for today, she decided to rest a little, but of course her mind went to Ash.
Of course, there are the phone calls and letters, and last summer he did spend a few weeks with me before he went to battle Adler in Unova, but still…it's not enough to say I don't miss him like crazy.
She was so off into her thoughts that she didn't notice her playful Golduck come in beside her and snatch the remote from her hands.
"Hey! Give that back Golduck! Get back here!" She chased Golduck around her couch, then into the kitchen, and finally back into the living room, where she had finally managed to tackle the pokemon to the ground.
"Seriously do we have to go through this every evening? I swear you should have stayed a slow Psyduck you were easier to catch back then." She picked the remote off the floor and was about to change the channel when she noticed a match was playing on tv.
"I hope you folks at home are ready for an awesome match that we have prepared for you all! Grab the kids and get the popcorn ready because you are all in for a show!" the announcer yelled.
Misty's eyes widened at what she saw. "I got to record this!"
I can't believe it's been nearly one year since I seen her.
Ash was quietly sitting on the bed tonight, too excited to go to sleep. He looked at his pokeballs, trying to decide which to use in what could be one of the greatest matches of his young career. Tomorrow he was to face Elite Four member Lance for his shot at the title, but all he could think about was his favorite red head.
I mean sure there's the letters and phone calls, and even that time I faced her for her badge while I was planning on re-entering the pokemon league, but still…that's not enough to say I don't miss her like crazy.
He sighed. Pikachu looked at him. "Pikapi, chu pika?" (You alright Ash?)
"Huh? Yeah I'm fine."
Pikachu gave him a skeptical look.
"Well if you knew the answer why did you ask?" Ash narrowed his eyes.
Pikachu laughed, "Pika pikachu pi pika!" (Duh, to see if you would tell the truth!)
Ash laughed back, "Ok, so I guess you can say this match with Lance isn't the only thing I'm thinking about."
Pikachu smiled at him. "Pikachupi!"
"Yeah, I miss my little Corsola." He laughed. "She still gets pissed when I call her that."
"Pika pika pi Pikachu?" (Have you thought about telling her what you told me?)
Ash sighed again and slowly shook his head. "No, I don't want her to think any of this is her fault. But I really miss her too much…I just want to be with her."
Pikachu patted him on the shoulder. "Pikachu pika!" (Tell her now!)
Ash laughed, "Not yet pika pal, not until the match is over, besides there's a lot of things I want to say that I have to plan right."
Pikachu gasped. "Pika chu pika—?" (Are you going to—?)
"Yep," Ash nodded, "In my heart I know that this is right." It was at this that a drunken Brock stumbled in the room, with two girls wrapped around him.
"Heya…Ashy boyyy!" He slurred.
Ash rolled his eyes, "Brock you are getting too annoying to travel with. Remind me to ruin your hangover tomorrow morning when we're talking about this."
Brock just laughed. "Aaawww come on budddyyyy don't be such a—wait…what was I…oh never mind," He laughed again, "I got one girl for each of us! I take the blond!" A blond and a brunette haired girl had their arms wrapped around Brock's waist, looking just as drunk as he was but much more quiet.
"Is this little Ash? He is cute in person," the blond said.
"Brock you just went too far!" Ash grabbed his pokeballs, shoved them in his bag and started to storm out with Pikachu following.
"I don't get it, why you soooo mad?" Brock asked.
"Damn it Brock, I—look I think it's best if we both took a break from each other huh? Besides I'm going to talk to Misty and see if she's coming to my match. You three have fun." Ash slammed the door behind him before Brock could say another word and started mumbling cuss words under his breath as he walked down the hall.
I can't believe him! Damn I hate it when he's drunk! How could he even suggest for me to cheat on Misty like that, especially when I tell him how serious I am about her!
For the past few weeks, Brock had been unusually depressed. Ash would try to get to the bottom of the situation, but before he could Brock would always get drunk and emotional—completely impossible to talk to. He deeply cared for his friend and wanted to help, but how could he when every night he was either with a woman or a bottle?
Ash sighed. I guess I have no choice but to worry 'bout it later. He went into the pokemon center lobby and picked up the receiver to one of the phones.
"I hope Misty doesn't mind if I call her this late…"
A few rings later a half-sleep Misty answered the phone. "Ash!" She quickly pushed her hair from her face and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "I was wondering when you would call! I thought you would be up all night thinking 'bout your big match."
Ash smiled, "Hey beautiful, I tried to do that but…Brock…"
Misty's smile fell. "Oh. Still depressed isn't he? What did he do, you look kind of pissed."
Ash shook his head. "It doesn't matter I just want to talk about you. My mom and Professor Oak are going to be on their way here first thing in the morning. I told my mom to swing by and pick you up on the way if she can. Is this ok?"
"Uhmm," Misty's smile fell even further. "Actually, Ash, I don't think I can make it to your match."
"What?!"
"I'm sorry dear, I really am, I tried but…Daisy and Lily are taking another tour around Unova and they're leaving tomorrow. I tried to get them to stay one more day, but they won't take no for an answer and they want me to stay here and watch the gym."
Ash's heart felt like it fell into his stomach. "But-but Misty…we haven't seen each other in—"
"I know, I miss you too, but I can't leave the pokemon by themselves."
"Can't you get someone to take care of them while you're away?" Misty sadly shook her head. "I don't know what to do. I guess I will just have to tape your match on tv."
Ash held his head down. He didn't want to show his tears in front of her so he blinked them back. Pikachu patted his shoulder.
"Oh, Pikachu, please make sure he stays focused tomorrow. I wouldn't want him to lose because he's thinking of me, I would never forgive myself."
Pikachu only nodded.
Ash sighed and looked back up. "Well, I guess I can see you after my match then…I went through this whole tournament with your support and I always keep you in my heart. I know with your spirit next to me I can do this."
Misty smiled. "You have been doing well, Ash, I taped all your matches so far. I'm very proud of you and I want to say that no matter what happens tomorrow…you will always be my champion."
Ash smiled back, "I love you, Misty, and if you do find someone to take over tomorrow so you can come you will be able to come with my mom."
"I will try my hardest to find someone, or I will take every last pokemon with me. I love you Ash, I promise we will see each other again," Misty said, not taking her eyes off his.
Even though Ash was troubled that Misty might not be able to make it to one of the greatest matches of his life, he somehow found a new found spirit. He would try his hardest for her no matter how near or far she was, just to see her smile, to come up and congratulate him, and to make her even more proud of him.
After his phone call he studied his pokemon again. After some hard decisions and lots of heavy thinking, he believed that he finally had his team together. "Well, Pikachu, here's to dreaming."
Ash fell asleep on a couch in the pokemon center lobby, with his beloved Pikachu right beside him.
Ash sat across from Brock on the breakfast table. He wanted to yell at him for making him sleep in the lobby last night and for drinking and acting so stupid, but once morning came he couldn't find any words to say to him.
The others had arrived to witness this rare scene: May and Drew, Dawn and Kenny, and Tracy and his girlfriend Jennifer, all present and accounted for. They surely wasn't used to this silent treatment between them, even Pikachu was a little worried, finally May spoke up.
"Just what is with you guys anyway? What happened to make you guys so quiet like this?"
Brock, who had his head down the entire time, took a quick glance at Ash, who was still off into his breakfast eggs. He sighed and quietly got up.
"Don't worry about it you guys, I'm just going to go take a little walk." He started to head for the door of the pokemon center when he heard Ash speak up from behind him.
"Brock wait."
Brock had turned around and saw Ash's eyes. Damn, did I really hurt him that badly? I barely remember last night at all…just what did I do?
Ash sighed. "Look, I—I know this is a difficult time for you, and I must not be making it much better by only focusing on myself all the time. I wish I can be a better friend to you, I wish I can help you through whatever it is you're going through, but I can't…because….well I don't know why. I just find it frustrating that one of my friends is in trouble and I can't help him!" He stood up from the table now, his eyes shining brightly with determination. "Tell me Brock! Tell me what I must do to make you back to the way you used to be!"
Brock hung his head down, distressed that even he didn't know the source of his problems, but then lifted it up with a smile. "You really want to know? Just win this match—for me ok?" With that he turned back around and left the center.
Ash sighed again and sat back in his chair. Alright then Brock, looks like this fight isn't just for me anymore…
A small smile had spread across his face.
During that same time in Cerulean City, Misty was saying goodbye to her sisters.
"We're sorry you can't go to see Ash's match, Misty," Daisy said sadly. "It's just that we have a photo shoot in Unova and we absolutely have to be there today…"
"It's fine really," Misty waved her hands to shoo her sisters off, "You guys just go and have a good time, and be sure to bring me lots of pictures back ok?"
"Bye, little sister," Lily waved, and she got in Daisy's car and they sped off together.
Misty sighed and was about to turn back around to go in the gym, when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
"Misty!"
She turned around and smiled, seeing Delia and Professor Oak in front of her. "It's so nice to see you both again, it's been too long!" she said.
"Misty! It's so great to see you! You look so beautiful!" Delia rushed up and hugged her.
"It certainly is great to see you again, Misty, I heard many good things about you and your gym," Professor Oak smiled.
"Thank you so much Professor!" Misty gave a wide smile.
"Well then dear are you ready to go? We have to get on the road soon if we want to make it in time for Ash's match," Delia said.
Once again Misty's smile faded. "Well, actually I don't think I will be able to go. You see my sisters just left and I have no one to take care of the gym so I'm afraid I have to stay."
"Oh, that's so sad, I was really looking forward to spending time with you, since it's been so long since I've seen you," Delia said sadly.
"Yeah, and I was really looking forward to seeing Ash as well, since we haven't seen each other in nearly a year now. It feels so weird, I feel so happy yet so sad, because although I miss him terribly I know that eventually we will see each other again, and that is bittersweet joy for me." Misty's eyes were brimming with tears, but Delia was already crying.
"That's a good spirit, Misty, after all they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and when you and Ash do see each other again your love will grow even stronger, and the bond that you two have will get even closer," Oak smiled.
"Still, you're taking this very well Misty, I know how much you were looking forward to this." Delia spoke up again.
Misty nodded, "Yes, well, I guess that's the way life goes."
"Hey Misty!" a voice rang out.
Misty looked to see a familiar group of boys. "Hey I know you guys! You belong to my sisters' fan club right? You guys just missed them though, but they should be back in a few weeks."
"No, we were actually here for you, Misty," one of the elder boys said.
"Me?"
"Yeah didn't Daisy tell you? She was sad that you wouldn't be able to see Ash's match today so she called and asked us if we can take over while you go and see him. We all agreed and here we are! As long as we don't have to do any gym battles or anything," he gave a nervous laugh.
"Really you mean it?" Misty's eyes widened.
"Well yeah of course that's why we're—" the young boy was cut off by Misty's hug.
"Oh thank you, thank you!" Misty jumped for joy.
"Well, don't just stand there get your things!" Delia said. Misty smiled and ran to get her bag.
It was now about ten minutes before his match—the match that would decide everything. Ash had established his name as a strong pokemon trainer known throughout the regions, but he had never claimed the title of a pokemon master. Now, faced with the opportunity, if Ash were to defeat Lance he would be new champion and master over the Kanto region. This was the moment that Ash spent eight long years preparing for.
Ash sighed, being very nervous, "Well, I guess this is it," he said absentmindedly to Pikachu. Pikachu sighed, also feeling Ash's nervousness.
"Hey, it's going to be alright, we can do this right?" he asked, scratching behind Pikachu's ears, "Besides, we won plenty of competitions before and this should be no exception!" He pumped his fists in the air, "If there's anyone who can go all the way it's us!"
Ash smiled and looked out the window. It was a perfect day for battling, the sun was bright in the sky, birds were singing somewhere off in the distance, and a light breeze was blowing, making it not too hot at all.
He turned back to his pokemon and said, "We have been through a lot together you and I, haven't we? I can't help but say that I've enjoyed every moment, from being at the Indigo Plateau for the first time, to winning the Orange cup, to competing and exploring every world we could find and making so many friends along the way. I have loved all of it, and I'm happy and excited to create even more memories with my friends, my family, and you. Pikachu, let's win this not just for us, but for all those that have been there and supported us along the way. Let's show all of them that their thoughts and prayers weren't all in vain, let's go out there and give it our best shot, and if we do lose…well then we shall give Lance the fight of his life, and make him earn his victory!"
"Pi pikachu!" (Let's go for it!) Pikachu stated with enthusiasm.
"Yes, we can do this! V for victory!" Ash shouted, throwing up his famous peace sign.
They were startled when they heard clapping from the doorway. "Well, Ash, I'm happy to say you haven't changed one bit, you still have that loveable childlike spirit."
Ash knew the voice, he had been longing for it, but was afraid to believe it. "Well, it's a part of me so I can't help it, I even think that it rubbed off on some people," he said with a smile.
Pikachu couldn't hold his excitement and ran over to give Misty a hug. "Well hello, Pikachu!" She reached out for him, "How are you today?"
Ash finally looked and walked over to her. "I can't believe you're here," he whispered.
Misty looked into his chocolate brown eyes, happy for once that he was actually in front of her instead of on a videophone. "I can't believe it either," she whispered back.
Ash was always one to resist temptation, especially when it came to Misty, but after so long of being away from her he couldn't hold back any longer. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into his kiss, loving and gentle, yet rapturous and intense. They were like this for several minutes, until Misty finally ran out of air and tapped Ash on his shoulder.
Ash pulled away laughing, "Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away huh?" he asked.
"You think?" Misty answered back, slapping Ash playfully on his arm; she still had Pikachu in her arms.
Ash stood back to get a look at her. She was wearing a beautiful sleeveless baby blue skirt outfit, with a pink flower on her top. He couldn't get over how cute she looked, and had she grown an inch or so since he saw her last?
"Ash, are you going stand there, or are you actually going to be in your match today?"
"Oh, dang, I nearly forgot! Come on Pikachu!" he said, running out the door. Pikachu yelled happily and jumped out of Misty's arms. Misty laughed and ran after them.
"Ash, wait!" She yelled.
Ash came back and smiled into her eyes, "What is it?" He asked sweetly.
"Here," she placed a pokeball in his hands and kissed his cheek, "Use this in your match if you can," she said.
Ash nodded, "I will."
With that he and Pikachu ran off again, into the cheers of the awaiting crowd in front of them.
He could hear the roaring crowd of people above him, some cheering for him, others cheering for Lance. This wasn't what Ash was thinking about however. His mind was on the fact that Lance was down to his final pokemon, and so was he.
"Well, as promised both of these competitors have given us quite a show today!" the announced yelled over the crowd, "Now we are all in for a treat: both are down to their final pokemon, and the only question left is, what will happen next?"
Earlier Ash and Misty's beloved Vapor, which was given to him by Misty just before the match, had taken out two of Lance's pokemon single handedly, before it was defeated by Dragonite, which was then defeated by Pikachu. Pikachu was next in a battle with Lance's Charizard, which surprisingly ended up in a draw.
Now Ash and Lance are at a deadlock tie, but with both of their strongest pokemon out, what could possibly be left?
Ash couldn't help but be in mental turmoil, but he also couldn't help but be extremely excited. I can't believe this! The final match! I wonder what Lance's final pokemon would be, since he already used his Dragonite…wait, the only famous pokemon he has left that he hasn't used is…
"Ash, I must say that you and your pokemon have given me quite a fight here today," Lance said, interrupting Ash's thoughts, "but I'm afraid that it's all over for you now. Bring out the water stage!"
With that the arena which was once dirt was now being taken over by a pool of water, decorated with little platforms here and there for the pokemon to stand on if needed.
"Here we go folks Lance has chosen water as his final element! I'm sure we all know what his final pokemon will be now!" The announcer's voice blared into the speakers.
Lance smiled and called out his pokemon. "Go, Gyarados!"
Out came Lance's red Gyarados, one of his strongest pokemon without a doubt, and now it was Ash's turn to show his strong pokemon.
"Pi…ka," Pikachu whispered weakly.
"It's ok buddy, don't you worry about a thing, if we go down we will go down fighting!" Ash closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He had been thinking about this for a while, and he decided to dedicate this final round to his father. What better way to do that than to use his father's most treasured pokemon.
Ash smiled. This match was never just for me, this was for all those who ever believed in me, and loved me, and respected me, and battled me…
He looked up. Misty, mom, Brock, May, Dawn, everyone….father….this is all for you!
"Go," he yelled, "let's win this!" He threw out his pokeball and hoped for the best.
The pokemon landed on a platform and of course the first one to recognize it was Delia. "Th-That's…" she stammered.
"I knew that pokemon looked familiar, that was Jo's first pokemon was it?" Professor Oak asked.
"It's beautiful," May stated.
"No way, you mean Ash's father's first pokemon was a Vulpix?" Dawn asked.
Delia nodded, "That's right," she answered, "and that is his beloved Ninetails."
Ninetails stood proud and glorious on stage, and people couldn't help but stare in awe at its beauty.
"Wow, Ash, I didn't know you had such a beautiful Ninetails," Lance remarked.
"It had belonged to my father a long time ago," Ash said, "I wanted to use it because if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be alive today. I dedicate this last round to him, and all those who supported me."
"That's very noble Ash, but you do realize you're at a disadvantage here don't you? Are you sure you can win?" Lance asked.
Ash thought for a moment then smiled. "I don't care if I win or lose. This match is for my father, and if I lose it will be a loss I will be proud of."
Delia smiled, tears silently running down her rosy cheeks. Oh Jo, I hope you're watching this…
"Well, Ash, whether you win or lose, it was an honor to battle you. I have never met a trainer as bright and successful as you, while still maintaining such humility. Well then if you're ready, let's begin!" Lance yelled out the last part, and the crowd once again began to cheer.
Ninetails had held up well against Lance's Gyarados, despite it being weak against water moves. They were both pretty fast, and Ash was surprised to learn that Ninetails could swim pretty well in the water.
Ash smiled. He truly didn't care if he won this match, just the thought of using his father's pokemon, and the moment of stepping in his shoes, was enough for Ash to live on for the rest of his life.
Lance already knew this battle was his. Ash's Ninetails was strong, but his Gyarados was stronger.
"Hydro pump Gyarados!" Lance yelled out.
"Dodge it and use confuse ray!" Ash yelled back.
Ninetails did just that, and to Lance's surprise it actually worked; Lance tried but he couldn't guide Gyarados in the right direction.
"Now it's my turn, flamethrower Ninetails!"
The flamethrower hit with full force and Gyarados crashed into the water.
"Gyarados!" Lance yelled, panic and concern in his voice.
Gyarados had risen from the water once the waves settled, down but not out. Lance smiled. Fire is just no match for water.
"That's the spirit! Gyarados, use your aqua tail!"
Ash gritted his teeth. If we can't beat it by type we'll do it another way. "Ninetails, use quick attack!"
Ninetails darted back and forth across each platform, dodging every aqua tail attack, and inching toward Gyarados with each second.
"That's not going to work with me! Hydro pump again!"
"Double team, Ninetails!"
Ninetails multiplied itself with incredible speed, effectively confusing Gyarados, but Lance still wasn't fazed. "Use hydro pump until you hit the real one!"
Gyarados did just that, knocking out every one of the copies before realizing that the real Ninetails was behind it, but Ninetails did quick attack again before the red beast had a chance to attack again.
"Gyarados has been knocked in the water another time! This Ninetails is definitely a force to be reckoned with!" The announcer's voice yelled over the crowd.
As Gyarados rose again from the water Ash didn't give it a chance to recover. "Ninetails, swift attack!" The powerful star-shaped beam hit the injured Gyarados, making it stagger back.
"Damn, Gyarados hyper beam!" Lance commanded. That Ninetails has to be just as tired as Gyarados, there's no way it can last much longer.
Just as predicted, Ninetails didn't move as it was hit by the hyper beam.
"No Ninetails!"
"Pikapichuu!"
Everyone gasped and looked down the field in awe. Surely there's no way Ninetails could've survived from a direct hit from Gyarados's hyper beam…right?
The clearing smoke showed a different story.
Ash was shocked not only to see Ninetails still standing, thanks to a quick protect attack, but also headlong into another attack—its sunny day move—without a single command! Ash looked on in awe as Ninetails turned a brilliant red, its heat rivaling that of the sun itself as flames completely engulfed its body; it truly looked like a spectacular fireball of energy—like a raging bonfire, or a Moltres rising into the sky, or…
"…a phoenix being reborn…" Ash whispered.
Ash, Lance, and even Gyarados, were stopped in their tracks as they stared at the beautiful flame fox being consumed in flames from the power of the sun.
"Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" May whispered. "It's so enchanting and mesmerizing…you could just stare at it forever…"
Everyone else nodded in agreement, but unfortunately Lance had a different view.
"Gyarados! Don't let Ninetails intimidate you! We still have the upper hand! Use your surf move and show them that nothing can defeat the power of water!"
Gyarados's tail had crashed hard on the water, and created a huge wave that was at least 20 feet tall. The wave came fast and hard towards Ash and Ninetails, but this was the exact moment he had been waiting for.
"Ninetails use solarbeam! Show them what power the sun has given you!" He yelled.
"This is it, the final attack!" Brock yelled.
Everyone looked in anticipation as the power of the sea clashed with the power of the sun. The surf came down hard, but solarbeam had managed to go straight through it and broke the wave in two. The solarbeam hit Gyarados dead on, but the waves from Gyarados had also hit Ninetails, and both pokemon were spiraled backward. Gyarados crashed once again into the water, while Ninetails landed hard on a platform behind it—which sank slowly into the water.
Through the sound of the crashing waves, both trainers yelled for their pokemon's safety.
"Ninetails!"
"Gyarados!"
Ash had begun to shake. He hated feeling powerless, even more than he hated to admit defeat, but he knew that after this he might have to succumb to both. The silence was nerve-wracking, he couldn't even hear the crowd's cheers anymore, but he was too focused trying to see through the mist of the water to worry much about it.
He looked across the field and nearly groaned aloud in agony. Gyarados was slowly beginning to rise once again from the water.
I don't believe this! We gave it all we had and that Gyarados still hasn't went down! Ninetails can't take much more….
Just as Ash was thinking this Ninetails slowly rose from the water and jumped back on another platform, shaking the water off like a wet dog. Ash breathed a sigh of relief and silently thanked the heavens that Ninetails was still being powered up by sunny day. He started to wonder if he should throw in the towel but before he could decide completely…Gyarados suddenly crashed once again into the water creating waves that doused Ninetails and Lance head to toe. Ash could hear Lance call out his pokemon's name but couldn't believe what he was seeing. When it was realized that Gyarados wasn't getting back up this time the referee had no choice.
"Gyarados is unable to battle therefore the winner of this round is Ninetails! The winner of the match is Ash Ketchum!"
At that moment the crowd erupted into cheers once again and the announcer's voice once again blared into the speakers: "The challenger wins the match! The challenger wins the match! Ladies and gentlemen, your new Kanto League champion, Ash Ketchum!"
Ash was in so much shock he couldn't even move, let alone believe what he was hearing. He had won?
He managed to snap back to reality once Ninetails collapsed and he had rushed over to it.
"Ninetails…Ninetails!" He had shaken her a bit then breathed another sigh of relief when she opened her eyes. "I'm sorry, I had pushed you way too hard I know it, and now you're like this. Can you forgive me?"
Ash laughed when Ninetails reached up and licked his chin, and laughed once again when he saw Pikachu laughing beside him.
"Ash…"
Ash looked up to see Lance standing above him, with his proud eyes and soft smile, and holding his prized pokeball in his hand.
"I'm glad Ash," he continued, "Your Ninetails certainly gave me quite a shock today. Clearly the better trainer won so congratulations." Lance outstretched his unoccupied hand for Ash to shake.
Ash smiled and shook his head. "Lance we are both great trainers, I think in my view we both won this match," he said taking Lance's hand. Then he thrust both of their arms into the air and smiled at the crowd that cheered for them.
Later on that day Ash found himself at a party, a celebration was more like it, for his victory. Delia had been planning the party for weeks, but soon found herself with a space issue and had to move the party to Professor Oak's lab. Everyone from Pallet was present, including some old friends Ash met along his journey, Gary, a few family members, and some other childhood friends.
Around a few hours into the party, Ash found himself all alone. Well, not completely alone, due to the fact that he was watching his Kingler and Corphish in a mock battle.
"Remember you guys take it easy on each other," Ash said to them both has they tested out their crabhammer attacks.
Ash couldn't understand why he wanted to be alone, he just felt like he should be. He should be celebrating, after all he is the new champion, so why is he deciding to be all alone? Not even he knew the answer.
He smiled, thinking of his hard eventful day, and laid on the soft grass. He closed his eyes and could smell that it was freshly cut, he could hardly hear his pokemon still sparing, he could smell a familiar scent getting closer to him, and he felt the sunlight being overshadowed by something—or someone.
"Ash…?" the voice whispered.
Without opening his eyes he replied, "Hey Misty."
"Ash what are you doing? You can't just leave your own party!" Misty placed her hands on her hips, acting annoyed.
Ash smiled, his eyes still closed. "I was just thinking about you and here you are." He sat up and turned around to look at her. "Sorry, I left, I guess after seeing nothing but big crowds I just kind of wanted to be alone for a while you know?"
Misty nodded, "Well you know, now that you're a pokemon master I guess you have to get used to that, but if you really want to be alone I guess I'll leave you for a while…"
Misty turned around to head back the way she came but was stopped by Ash's hand on her arm. "Wait! Stay with me please? I really missed you…" He trailed off realizing the position they were in.
His hand was wrapped around hers, she was standing but he was nearly on one knee…almost as if…
"So you missed me huh?" Misty asked him, holding his hand tighter, "Well just how much have you missed me?"
Ash looked into her bright cerulean eyes, relieved to finally have some alone time with her. "Misty, I thought about you every day, there wasn't a moment when I stopped. Thinking about you, and missing you, always put my mind at ease because I know that one day we were going to see each other again. I don't ever want to leave you again. If there's anything I learned about this whole experience is that I love you too much to be apart from you for too long. I'll miss you too much, so I've decided to stay here for all of my training, and if I have no choice but to go somewhere then I shall take you with me."
"Ash..." Misty was too speechless to say much else. He really wants to stop traveling...for me?
He reluctantly sat up, still holding Misty's hand. "Come with me."
Misty protested silently as Ash tugged her along, getting further and further away from Professor Oak's lab.
"Ash, where are we going? And what's with you, you've been acting weird ever since you won you're match, I never seen you want this much solitude after a victory…" She trailed off a bit, getting irritated that Ash wasn't listening to him. "Ash!"
Ash smiled and glanced back her. I wonder if she's irritated or worried about me.
"This has been a beautiful day, don't you think? You know how much I love sunsets and I really want to see this one, don't you?"
Misty gave a silent response and another irritated look. Just what are you hiding Ash Ketchum?
Ash silently let Misty to a large hill which happened to overlook all of Pallet. He looked at Misty's awed look.
"Misty, I promise this is the best place to see the sun set, just watch," Ash replied.
As they stood in silence for the next few minutes, Ash thought about the last time he saw Misty in a sunset, how beautiful she looked, how he decided then and there to always be with her, and how much he loved her and didn't want to lose her. That feeling only intensified over the year that they've been together, and now that he had accomplished his main dream of becoming a pokemon master he could set off an fulfill another.
Misty on the other hand couldn't help but wonder what was Ash thinking bringing her all the way out here to watch a sunset. There were plenty of other places they could be so why here?
Hmm, maybe he was nervous about the match, but he won so why is he still so distant? Oh, no, this isn't about Brock is it?
Misty had spoken to Brock about thirty minutes before and finally got to the bottom of why he was so depressed.
Should I tell him now? He does look kind of sad…
But just as she turned to speak to him Ash cut her off. "There it is Misty, look."
Misty turned back around to face the setting sun and got a wonderful shock. Just as the sun was going down, a flock of Butterfree was rising from the grass below. All different sizes were taking off into the sky, their wings creating a sparkling dust as they beat them, cascading the sky in shiny colors of orange, red, and purple.
Misty was in awe once again and gripped tighter to Ash's hand, which she was holding the whole time. It was at this Ash turned to her, with a broad smile on his face, and asked a simple question:
"Misty, will you marry me?"
I hope that this is ok, it felt a bit rushed for some reason, but I didn't want to drag things on and make it too boring. Wasn't it cute how much Ash missed Misty? She's so lucky...anyway congrats to my friend SilverTigerdirector for being such a good guesser on the mystery pokemon! I ran out of cookies however so I'm sorry about that. I really love fire-types and Ninetails has always been my favorite. Well, up next is the final chapter, which was a lot more relaxing to write so I'm happy about that. So what do think Misty's answer will be? Aw, who am I kidding, you guys all know the answer already...
Until next time...
