Supplements for the Heart

by stringdog

Not all events can make it into the main story. Some just don't fit or add enough to the plot to merit inclusion. This doesn't mean that they shouldn't be told. Here is a collection of events that occur during 'Dreams Come From the Heart' that didn't make the cut but do supplement the series in some way. A fun, lighthearted, pearlshipping collection set during the Hearts Series.

13. May's Confession and Misty's Apology

Here is the thirteenth Supplement for the Heart, as usual released in the correct chronological point in the Hearts Series. The events of this Supplement take place the morning after the events of Part XLIX and a day before Part L. This is also the second of two Supplements that occur during the Hoenn arc and as with the other Hoenn Supplement it address issues such as unrequited feelings and remorse for the past so it is more serious than the usual Supplement. It will also reference past events in the Hearts series some of which occurred before Dreams. This is also the final chapter of either Dreams or the Supplement set in Hoenn so it's the conclusion of the Hoenn arc. The only thing to really say here, other than that is another serious Supplement similar to, but not as deep as, the 9th Supplement, is that after the last Supplement there was enough support for another future Spinoff that will be written after the Hearts Series. I want to thank Jeannot2978 who suggested the title, 'Problems of the Heart' for the side series that will focus on Misty and other Ash crush's as they come to terms with their loss in their own ways. The only one who won't be featured is May as she's getting her own Spinoff that will address it while also telling the story of her Kalos adventure and that will be a full story that will be worked on and released once the Heart Series is over. Anyway, that is all for this rant as there were no questions or guest reviews to address here so please relax and enjoy the latest Supplement for the Heart: May's Confession and Misty's Apology.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

May's Confession and Misty's Apology

"Ash, before you go, do, do you want to take a walk with me." May asked Ash nervously as they finished packing up their stuff from the campsite in the greenhouse before heading out to the airport in a few hours' time. "There's, there's something I want to talk to you about. In private."

"Um sure May." Ash said before looking at Dawn confused but she just smiled and nodded at him that it was ok, she and Misty could finish up without them. "Lead the way."

Ash finished what he was doing before he and May walked deeper into the greenhouse. He had no idea what she wanted to talk to him about but Ash would hear his friend out and be there for her if she needed him and it sounded like May needed him right now.

It was just after breakfast and they were packing everything up that was either theirs or belonged to May's family. The others had already packed up left as they had earlier flights or wanted to get a head start on their next destination for those staying in Hoenn.

As such it was just Ash, Dawn, May and Misty left in the greenhouse. Misty was staying the night before doing her own thing while May was staying a few days more days to enjoy some time with her parents before heading back to Kalos. Ash and Dawn's flight was later that day so they'd stayed a little longer to hang out a little more and help pack everything up.

That meant that now was the perfect time for May to confess to Ash, which was what she was about to do but she was nervous and needed a moment to compile her thoughts on how to tell her unreciprocated crush that she was into him. Of course Ash, in his usual fashion, forced her hand without noticing her inner turmoil.

"What's up May?" Ash asked as they disappeared into the greenhouse and left the others alone. "You ok? You know I'm here for you if something's up."

"In a way yes and in a way no." May said cryptically with a dry chuckle. "This is something I need to do and you will help but not in the way you would think and certainly not in the way I want but I can't have that so this is the closest I will get."

"Huh?" Ash asked confused. "I don't follow."

"It has to do with what Dawn spoke with me about before the final." May said knowing that Ash wouldn't follow if she wasn't direct with him. "She didn't tell you what we spoke of I hope."

"No just that she wanted to get ready alone with you which was for the best as you were the last two left in the Cup." Ash said shaking his head. "Nothing since then though."

"Ok good then you don't know what we spoke of." May said with a deep breath as Ash shook his head again. "It was basically Dawn's way to confront me on something and tell me that the final was about more than just for the Aqua Ribbon. There was a deeper meaning to it."

"There was?" Ash asked confused. "What?"

"A battle of dominance." May said hoping that Ash would get that clue but of course it went right over Ash's head.

"Uh isn't that just a normal battle?" Ash asked confused. "I mean it was the final of the Wallace Cup and one that you two have been in twice before so the history means that it would be that. Right?"

"I'm going to have to be blunt with you aren't I Ash?" May asked with a light laugh as it was clear that Ash wasn't getting what May was trying to say. "Because there was more going on than what you saw on the surface of the battle."

"Probably for the best." Ash admitted sheepishly. "I don't get how it's any deeper than what I saw."

"Alright let me try again." May said going with a different angle of attack. "What happened when Dawn met Misty?"

"They didn't exactly get off on the right foot." Ash said, that had been a bit of a disastrous meeting but they'd worked it out in the end and become friends after their battle. "Misty ran into us and it kinda devolved from there, Piplup was involved and then Misty's anger came out when she learned that Dawn was my girlfriend. Somewhere in all that Dawn challenged her to a gym battle and I learned that Misty had a crush on me during the battle."

"Has." May corrected. "She still has a crush on you."

"Oh right, I, er, didn't think of that." Ash said awkwardly, he honestly hadn't thought of how Misty liked him like that because she was still one of his best friends so it was odd to think of her liking him as more than a friend. "You know what with me being with Dawn and all. Like I probably had a crush on Misty once but now that I'm with Dawn it's not there, I think."

"Feelings don't work like that Ash." May said kindly but it still hurt that Ash had realized he'd once had feelings for Misty as well, how she didn't know about what Ash thought about her and couldn't ask if she wanted to keep her composure. "Once they're in deep and you really like the person, even if they end up with someone else and are happy with them, so long as that person is still the same as the one they fell in love with, and you certainly are if not more so, then they don't leave quickly if ever. For Misty, they likely never will leave."

"I, I don't understand." Ash said uncomfortably. "I'm not exactly the best with these kinda things. I was shocked when I realized I had feelings for Dawn and how deep they were so it's hard to understand how it works."

"I know Ash and it's just one of the many things about you that makes loving you so hard but also one of the reasons why you are you." May said feeling the pain in her heart but keeping it from her face. "Misty traveled with you for years, she was by your side through your earliest days and she saw you grow into who you were. Her feelings are way too deep to be gone just because you are with Dawn."

"I didn't…" Ash began but May cut him off, she had to finish this as much for Misty as for herself so that Ash understood when she finally told Ash that she was like Misty.

"I know Ash and that's fine, Misty knows that as well." May continued. "That's why she's being respectful and all that. She understands the score and her love for you ensures that she will accept Dawn as your girlfriend so that your friendship isn't ruined."

"I'd never want that." Ash said slightly aghast at what May was saying. "Misty is dear to me, as is Dawn and you and all the others I've met in my journeys. No matter what I would try to make sure that any problems were worked out."

"We know." May said with a sad smile and a slight blush at Ash saying that she was dear to him even if it was as just a friend. "Don't worry about it, none of us would do anything to mess our group up. Misty will always be there for you, as will I, we just know that Dawn is first and that's fine."

"Er thanks." Ash said still a little confused. "Is that why you wanted to talk to me? Because I didn't get any of this from Misty and she could have told me this herself."

"No she didn't show it and no that's not it." May said shaking her head. "There's more and certainly this wasn't what Dawn and I spoke about. It's just a prelude to help you understand everything by using something you do know."

"Understand?" Ash asked his confusion only growing.

"Yup, I'm not good at being direct despite saying that I should be blunt so I'm trying to put everything into context first." May said inwardly cursing at herself for continuing to skirt the topic. "That's why I also wanted to ask if you remembered Dawn's battle with that Angie girl you two met in Sinnoh. It was the day after your party and before you, me and Dawn went for a walk."

"Yeah I remember that." Ash said with a nod. "Dawn explained before bed the night before what that was going to be about. Turned out Angie had, or still has, a crush on me and I didn't know it. Dawn was battling her like she did Misty though I still don't understand those things."

"And yet you had one yourself." May pointed out. "During the Wallace Cup no less."

"Um, I'm not sure I can comment on that." Ash said unsure if Zoey would be ok with him revealing her secrets to May even if he trusted May. "It's not my place."

"Ash, I know that Zoey is gay and in love with Dawn." May said putting him at ease. "We spoke about it with Misty a few days before the Cup. I also know that as soon as you and her were matched up in the quarters that the battle was going to be deeper and that was before Zoey took you two off for a private chat."

"Oh well in that case then yeah I had one of those battles." Ash said with a nod. "I still don't understand them though It's not like Zoey, or Misty or Angie were going to try and ruin Dawn and mine's relationship so why have the battles?"

"No none would but there will be others who will actively try to ruin your relationship." May said darkly, she knew what she was about to say from personal experience. "People whose feelings have morphed from love to obsession or hate, the emotions are so closely connected that they tend to go hand in hand at times. I know someone who likes Dawn who would try and ruin it and you do as well."

"Kenny." Ash said remembering what Dawn had said about her childhood friend. "She warned me about him."

"Yeah he's the one you need to keep an eye on." May confirmed. "However, for the rest of us, these battles are more about testing our rival and our rival showing that they are the dominant one by beating us in battle. Even if we were to win, and Dawn is three for three now so going strong, we know we have no claim anyway. It's more a matter of seeing her determination to you I guess and there's no question that Dawn is determined."

"Three?" Ash asked his brows furrowing. "I know of Misty and Angie but who's the third?"

May's jaw fell open and her eye bugged out at Ash's utter density in that moment. She'd been as close to direct as possible and he still hadn't gotten what she was saying. Then May face palmed, literally, when she realized just who she was talking to. Iris had the right approach; directness might pierce Ash's denseness and get him to see what she was trying to tell him.

"Me Ash." May said when she lowered her hand and looked Ash in the eye, her frustration giving her the strength needed to confess. "I'm the third one that Dawn beat to prove she's worthy of you, not that she wasn't beforehand."

"Oh." Ash said as he realized what May was saying, he honestly hadn't seen that coming when May had asked for this talk. "So your final with Dawn…"

"Was her showing her dominance over me." May said simply "I pushed her as hard as I could and it was close but in the end she was the better one and even knocked Glaceon out to ensure it as I was likely going to win on points."

"So her talk with you before…" Ash began.

"Was to confront me about my feelings for you." May said interrupting Ash's train of thought to confirm it. "She realized during the week that I like you as more than a friend and spoke with me about it. She understood, I mean she's been through it as well with the only difference being that she actually succeeded where so many others, and there are many Ash, failed. She doesn't hate me or anything, we're still as close as ever, but now she understands me more. When I asked her for this opportunity to tell you myself she was supportive of it."

"I see." Ash said still trying to process what May had told him, it wasn't easy but he trusted May so he believed her. "I'm sorry I never noticed May."

"Ash, we both know that when it comes to feelings a girl has to be on Brock's level of directness to get through to you and even then it may not work on you." May said and Ash couldn't exactly disagree with her. "Plus it wasn't like I myself understood them back when we were traveling together so I didn't show them."

"What do you mean?" Ash asked confused again.

"Well when we first started and seeing you work with Pokémon I did have a little schoolgirl crush on you." May admitted with a small blush at the memory. "But between getting to know you and your focus better, and Drew showing an interest in me I dismissed it. I began to fall for Drew, something I deeply regret to this day after what happened between us, but it turned out that what I thought was a brief crush on you was far from it."

"Huh?" Ash asked. "I still don't understand, sorry."

"No, you wouldn't." May said with a sigh but smile at Ash to show that she understood. "I barely understand it myself but there was an event during our adventures together that kinda unleashed all my feelings for you in one go. What I had earlier dismissed had in fact settled deep within me and was waiting for you to reach your peak to burst out and consume me. That happened when you saved my life and almost died yourself in the process. That was when I realized that I loved you, well that I had deep romantic feelings for you the love part is more recent understanding in hindsight of my failed relationship with Drew."

"Er you might have to be more specific on that front." Ash said still trying to process what May was telling him but he was slowly getting it. "I almost died to save you and many others multiple times over the 2 years we traveled together."

"Multiple!" May exclaimed her eyes wide in shock. "I was talking about the Sea Temple. When else did you almost die?"

"The Tree of Beginning." Ash said as if it was nothing. "The only time I ever manifested aura. I apparently have the ability to so but I can only in the tree and only with Sir Aaron's stuff on. It needed someone who could do it to sacrifice themselves to save everyone. I was doing it, just as Sir Aaron had which was why he vanished by the way, when his Lucario, who was helping me with his own aura, shoved me away at the last minute and finished alone. Lucario was the sacrifice and learned why Sir Aaron had trapped him, his anger leaving as he joined his friend in stasis or whatever it was."

"Ok I did not know about that." May said aghast the tear threatening to come out of her eyes but stopping them at the last minute. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I don't really like to talk about it." Ash admitted. "I've only really glossed over it with Dawn when I recounted it to her."

"Well she deserves the complete story." May said and Ash nodded, Dawn did and she would get it one day, when he was ready to face that memory fully. "But for me it was the Sea Temple when you put me in that pod and almost drowned saving us and the Temple."

"I remember that." Ash said thinking back to the moment he'd almost failed to restore the Sea Crown and was on the brink of drowning. "I remember hearing your pleas as I was about to drown and it giving me strength to surface for what little air was left try one last time. That was how I succeeded in the end."

"Oh." May said blushing deeply at that. "I, um, well…"

"Thank you May." Ash said with a kind smile that only deepened her blush. "I needed to hear your voice in that moment to succeed."

"You're welcome." May said recovering but still feeling the warmth in her cheeks. "So yeah the Sea Temple made me realize that my feelings for you were still there and ran as deep as Dawn's do."

"But you never acted on them or told me." Ash said. "Why not?"

"I couldn't, not then, it didn't feel like the right time." May said shaking her head. "You had to finish beating the Battle Frontier and I had the Grand Festival coming up. Then, when I lost because Solidad predicted my moves because I was mimicking your speed-based battle style I realized that despite my feelings I needed to go at it alone for a bit. I needed to grow as a coordinator and find my own style if I wanted to become a Top Coordinator one day. That was why I went to Johto."

"And while there you and Drew got together." Ash said simply. "He was there as well if I recall."

"Yup, it was after the Wallace Cup when we finally gave into our shared feelings." May said forcing herself to speak about it, Ash deserved to know at least the overview of her relationship with Drew. "Seeing you guys again was great and the feelings were still there but there were also the ones I had for Drew and we'd already been getting close to dating so when I got back we decided to become official. I won't go into the details but it didn't end well and Drew badly betrayed me because of his own insecurities and extremely fragile ego. I dumped him and told him to not follow me to Sinnoh after I lost the Johto final to Harley."

"I won't pry but if you ever need someone I am here." Ash said sympathetically. "And if Drew hurt you then when if I ever see him again I will make sure he regrets it."

"I know Ash." May said with a smile pleased that Ash would defend her if she needed it though if Drew did return he'd have to get in line behind her when it came to teaching Drew a lesson. "But I'm good now that it is in the distant past. Being in Sinnoh and away from him helped a lot and then at the last Wallace Cup, the one in Johto, Dawn and I shared a room and well it was right after she'd seen you in Unova."

"So you talked about me." Ash said understanding. "Understandable as Dawn and I had just briefly reconnected."

"More like Dawn was love sick puppy over you." May said and laughed at Ash's surprised look at what she'd said. "Yeah she was totally head over heels at that point and I think she'd just realized that herself. She never confirmed to me but it was clear that she was in love with you and couldn't contain it."

"I don't think she's told me about that." Ash said. "We haven't really spoken about that part of her travels."

"Well it was really cute actually and it reminded me of my own feelings for you." May said remembering how realizing Dawn loved Ash had helped her come to the same realization. "She was using you as inspiration for her historic Johto run to qualify for the Grand Festival so I did as well to win my 5th ribbon in Sinnoh and then win the Grand Festival there. After that I was asked to help with the expansion of Contests because I was now a Top Coordinator and chose Kalos. After that I had a plan but it was ruined rather spectacularly right before I could put it in motion."

"You had a plan?" Ash asked curious. "For what?"

"To tell you my feelings and hope that you reciprocated of course." May said as if it was obvious but this was Ash so it probably wasn't. "Kalos is like most other regions. It has a Pokémon League and a Conference Championship so I knew you'd want to go there if you failed in Unova. I was going to invite you to join me in Kalos so that you could do your thing while I did mine. Then, when I knew that the time was right, I was going to tell you. I had all this planned for at your party."

"My party." Ash said remembering that pleasant surprise at the start and then Dawn's kiss. "Which was a surprise to me, one in which Dawn had her own one for the guests that I didn't expect."

"Yeah that, that shattered me." May admitted feeling the tears in her eyes but blinking them away. "I wasn't upset at you or Dawn. You didn't know, neither did Dawn at the time, and she'd beaten me to you. Iris has a little to pay for it but she didn't know me at the time, she's just the one who got you to see Dawn the way Dawn sees you. I do blame myself for not acting sooner and that is one of my biggest regrets. Thankfully Misty helped me out but that was why I was distant at the party."

"Oh May, I'm sorry." Ash said realizing. "I, um…"

"Don't say anything Ash." May said with a sad smile at him. "I know, I just needed to get all of this off my chest to truly begin to heal my heart. I can't wait to spend a few days with my parents before I return to Kalos. I hope you can come visit me there, and Dawn as well of course as she is more than welcome. It will help me fully heal. My feelings for you won't leave, there will always be a scar on my heart for what I lost but I know that there is room in my heart to move on and maybe one day, in the distant future, find someone new. Thank you Ash, for just being who you are. Thank you for being the boy I fell in love with."

Before Ash could respond, May stopped, turned to him, raised herself on her toes and kissed him softly on the cheek. It was purely platonic, she knew it and so did Ash, but it was a surprising that got a slight blush out of Ash.

"Now come on." May said as she turned and led them back to the camp. "I think Misty and Dawn have been alone long enough and I don't trust them not to somehow come to blows if we leave them alone for too long."

"I'm sure they're fine." Ash said reassuringly in the way that only he could. "They're friends."

"They should be now." May muttered but Ash couldn't hear her. "Misty has her own things to discuss with Dawn that are just as painful in their own way. I hope it went well for her."

They walked in comfortable silence back to the camp. Ash still processing everything May had said and done while May herself was glad that she'd gotten this off her chest and could truly begin her healing process. The scar on her heart that was her love for Ash wouldn't ever leave her but she was now comfortable that she had told Ash the truth about her feelings.

Hopefully Dawn and Misty had as productive a chat as she and Ash had. She knew that Misty had a lot to talk about and a lot of regrets that only a true heart to heart with Dawn could heal. For Ash's sake she hoped that the other girls worked it all out but May had faith. Today was going to be a painful but good day for all of them but then again that was the nature of healing.

-break-

"Good they're gone." Misty said to Dawn as Ash and May disappeared deeper into the greenhouse and vanished from view. "We're alone."

"Yes, we are." Dawn said warily looking at the redhead. "Been a while since we've been alone together. Last time I recall I tackled you into a pool."

"Yup and I more than deserved it." Misty said shocking Dawn with her admission. "And it is part of why I want to talk to you now, alone. This is the best time what with May having her own heart to heart with Ash for us to have one of our own."

"I know you know why May is talking to Ash, I know that you know she's like us." Dawn said folding her arms across her chest and looking at her rival her wariness around Misty returning quickly. "She loves Ash as well and this is her confession to him so that he knows and she can begin to heal in her own way. I trust her to not do anything, she asked for this when I confronted her over her feelings for Ash just before our final."

"I had a feeling that you would do that this week." Misty said with a laugh not put off by Dawn's demeanor in the slightest, Dawn had every reason to be wary around her but hopefully by the end of the talk that would be no more. "So the final was also your dominance over her just as you rightfully did to me back when we first met in Cerulean."

"That it was." Dawn said with a nod before deciding to just get to the point. "Look, Misty, you and I both know that we don't have a great relationship between us so just spit it out. You clearly wanted to talk to me alone so what do you have to say to me?"

"Just this." Misty said with a small smile glad Dawn was being direct, this was something that she didn't want to play games with. "I'm sorry."

"If that's all…" Dawn said before Misty precise words hit her like a Hyper Beam. "Wait what!"

"I said I'm sorry." Misty said and Dawn's eyes went wide as she saw that Misty's eyes were full of remorse and sadness, something she'd never seen in the other girl before even after her loss to Dawn in Cerulean, well the remorse part at least. "For everything that has occurred between us."

"You're sorry?" Dawn asked her voice softening at the sincerity in Misty's voice. "For what?"

"For being a massive, petty, jealous, unacceptable bitch to you pretty much every time we meet." Misty said with a sigh. "My anger may have dissipated after you beat me but it wasn't everything I had going on inside my head at the time. I, I let my feelings, my own deep love for Ash cloud my mind and make me act out in ways I shouldn't have. For that I'm sorry."

"Misty." Dawn said softly as she realized just how much the Kanto girl had been eaten up alive as tears began to form in her eyes. "I, I don't know what to say. I wasn't expecting this at all. The last few times we've met we've both been in a perpetual war for sure but I didn't think that it was this bad."

"Nor should you, I kept up my act until now for appearances sake but I realized this over the last few months, since Ash beat me in his challenge and I actually had the time to think on this and my past behavior." Misty said sadly as a few tears finally leaked out and fell silently down her cheeks. "Dawn, I crossed a line with you when we first met, one that I am deeply ashamed of and regret. I will regret that for the rest of my life because of how bad it could have ended. I am really sorry for that; I shouldn't have done it."

"You did?" Dawn asked confused. "What line did you cross?"

"You know what line, well lines if we're being honest as there was more than one at the time." Misty said and her teal eyes were flowing freely with tears at this point and Dawn knew what Misty was referring to but she wanted Misty to say it. "The kiss I stole from you. I should never have done that. That wasn't fair to you, it wasn't fair to Ash, and it wasn't right of me to do it. I also shouldn't have suggested what I suggested or flirted with you like that but the kiss was the worst part."

"I thought that was it." Dawn said with a sigh as Misty rubbed her eyes but they were still swimming. "I'll admit, it took me by surprise but I didn't see it as crossing a line at the time, just you acting up after I had beaten you given how that challenge started. Sure it wasn't something I would have done and it was inappropriate in hindsight, as was the flirting, but well it was understandable, I guess."

"No it wasn't." Misty said shaking her head as more tears fell. "You're Ash's girl, I shouldn't have even considered it but I let my own feelings for him, my own anger and petty jealousy at losing him to you, get in the way and I acted out. That wasn't the only time though."

"Well that was the only kiss you gave me even so you never did that again." Dawn pointed out. "I mean you would hit on me occasionally but I just thought that was you messing with me. When did you… oh that excuse of a swimsuit."

"Yeah come on that wasn't acceptable of me to wear." Misty said with a chuckle her tears no longer falling. "It wasn't exactly modest or appropriate for me to wear in battle."

"No I will admit that it wasn't either of those." Dawn agreed. "Though I shouldn't have stooped to your level by removing my own top. Plus the, er, malfunction wasn't ideal."

"Ok that one wasn't my fault." Misty said defensively surprising Dawn again. "I had tied it to prevent that, I really did not what to show Ash more than what I was wearing, well I do but I didn't want to because he is your boyfriend. I did want to show off my body and make you jealous and that worked but I never intended to flash Ash. I, um, well you remember when Psyduck was defeated."

"Yeah I remember." Dawn said, that battle was burned in her memory because of Misty's attire and Ash's win over her, the latter much better than the former. "He hit you in the chest and put you on your ass after Sceptile knocked him out."

"Yup and that dislodged the suit enough to allow for one more wrong contact or snag to cause a nip slip." Misty said. "Which happened when your bra caught it in the post-match hug, something you shouldn't have been in to begin with but were because of my actions. I just rolled with it because I wasn't in my right mind at the time and saw an opportunity to tease you a little."

"Yeah you keep saying that you weren't in your right mind." Dawn said kindly now concerned for her frenemy. "What's up Misty? Tell me so I can understand exactly what's going on and caused this. I like that you've apologized but there is something more, right?"

"You're right, I've come to realize over the last few months that what I once just took as me living up to my hair color, a slightly shorter fuse than normal, and Ash's effect on people who fall for him is something more." Misty admitted. "I've had to come to terms with the fact that I have a serious problem when it comes to my anger and jealousy and that I actually need to get professional help to deal with both of them."

"You do." Dawn said her eyes wide in shock at that, she had not been expecting this. "I mean yeah your reaction to meeting me was over the top but given your own feelings for Ash that I totally understand and my own actions it wasn't unreasonable. We brought out the worst in us that day and continued to do so in later meetings."

"No question we do and I take my own responsibility for it and apologize for that." Misty said seriously. "The time since we last met has given me opportunity to think and realize that it wasn't normal how I acted but I needed help, I didn't come to this conclusion on my own."

"You didn't?" Dawn asked confused. "I mean sure realizing your own faults isn't something that can be done on your own. My own hubris took both Ash and Zoey at different times to point out and rectify in the past."

"That's good, typical Ash helping out I see." Misty said and Dawn nodded in agreement at that. "As for me, it was a talk in Cerulean by Sabrina shortly a few weeks after you left that made me realize it. She spoke of her own mental health problems and how she's struggled to overcome them. I was there out of curtesy as the gym leader though we haven't spoken at any function we've been at together because she did once turn me into a doll which makes the relationship awkward so I was actually unaware of the extent of her struggles."

"That would do it but Ash and I have spoken to Sabrina about her problems when we got dinner with her after Ash's battle with her." Dawn said. "She wasn't exactly in her right mind at the time she did that to you."

"I know and Sabrina was very blunt about how she saw herself and her powers." Misty said, she didn't need to add anything to that as Dawn knew full well how Sabrina described herself. "And she was honest about how her own thirst for power led her down a path of addiction and almost destroyed her mind in the process. She spoke of how she wasn't the person she was at that time and likely wouldn't be here but for a very stubborn boy and a wild Haunter allowing her the chance to get mental control and seek out the help she needed."

"Ash." Dawn said with a smile. "He has a way with people even when he doesn't realize it."

"Well yeah I knew that it was Ash who saved her, and me in the process because I was a doll at the time." Misty said with a shudder at that memory. "As you said, that's just who Ash is. However her message was more than that, it was if you don't think your acting how you should it never hurts to talk to a professional in confidence and see if there's something more going on. You shouldn't be afraid to ask for it if you think you need it."

"No you shouldn't." Dawn agreed. "It's a good message and I'm glad that someone of Sabrina's station is open about her own struggles and the need to get help."

"That it is and one I realized I should take to heart." Misty said. "I had never thought about it before because it had never really been an issue, more an amusement at how quick I was to anger but after losing Ash to you I began acting irrationally and in ways that weren't me. That got me to realize that I needed to talk to someone to see what was going on. I had a preliminary evaluation before coming here and it was highly recommended that I take anger management classes and see a professional regarding that as well as my jealousy."

"And I take it that you will." Dawn said. "Seek help that is."

"Yes but first I had to come here for the Wallace Cup and that meant seeing you and Ash again." Misty said. "Which meant that I had to come clean about everything and apologize to you personally for how I acted towards you."

"Well you've done that." Dawn said with a smile. "Which I think shows just how hard you're trying to understand this. Misty, I know that this isn't easy for you and I know how deep your feelings for Ash run because mine run just as deep. I don't know if I would have acted any different to you, at least initially, so I can at least sympathize in a way."

"True which is also why you know that I need to do this, why I need to make amends to you Dawn for my behavior." Misty said and her eyes began to swim again as they met Dawn's. "Ash, he's special beyond our comprehension, you know it, I know it and many others know it. While it wasn't until Ash's party that I could publicly say aloud my feelings, losing him helped prove them to me, there is no doubt that I've been in love with Ash since the end of our Kanto journey at the latest if not before. He's also the densest moron on the face of the earth when it comes to feelings which makes loving him so much harder."

"That is true." Dawn agreed with a sigh, Ash's density was an animal all its own. "But you can't help it, it's just who he is."

"No you can't." Misty said with a smile and a slight chuckle. "And it is also why I have to accept everything as is and try and stop being jealous. I had my chance, many in fact, but I never took them when I could have. I had to be direct and I wasn't. I blew it and then when Ash showed up with a gorgeous girlfriend who, no offense, is basically everything I'm not, I frankly lost it."

"Non taken." Dawn said dismissively. "It's obvious to anyone who sees us just how different we are in terms of style and personality but it does show that Ash can affect anyone if girls like us and May could fall for him. Go on."

"Thanks." Misty said. "But yeah, I was mad at myself for failing and now Ash had a girl who he looked at the way she looked at him, a look I always wanted to be on the receiving end of but now never will. My own anger just snapped and I acted out. I had to learn that these last few months and apologize for it. There's more though."

"There is?" Dawn asked confused. "How is there more?"

"Yeah because this is about Ash as well." Misty said sadly. "I am terrified that my actions, the lines I've crossed, could ruin our friendship, mine and Ash's that is, and I can't lose him from my life. I, I don't know if my heart can take that."

"Misty." Dawn said as the tears began to flow again and realized just how much guilt Misty was carrying with her. "I promise that I won't tell Ash what happened, you have my word on that and I would rather never become a Top Coordinator then break my word. I never intended to do so because of the reasons you gave me. Ash is your best friend and you're his, I know that. He never treated you differently even after he found out how you felt, he was even respectful during your display in your battle despite probably knowing why you were doing that. Hell he probably once felt the same way about you in his own way but never understood it."

"Well I will never know if he did and I will never ask." Misty said, her tears still falling but slowing down a bit as Dawn spoke. "But thanks, it is true, he is my best friend and I never want to lose that."

"And you won't, he doesn't either I am sure of that." Dawn said kindly. "No matter what shit happened between us, that is between us and has nothing to do with Ash. I'd never deprive the man I love with all my heart of one of his oldest friend just because she let her emotions cloud her judgement a few times, especially after she realized that she'd gone too far and was getting help to get them under control."

"All that is true." Misty said with a laugh as she wiped her eyes, her tears no longer falling. "You have no idea how lucky you are Dawn. You don't know how much I wish I was the one Iris knew so that I was the one she got through to him."

"I know and I will never understand why me." Dawn admitted, one of the few questions she still had about her relationship with Ash was why her, it was foolish but she would always ask it. "However, I'll take it but I will never, ever, squander what I have. I know how amazing Ash is and how many have or will fall for him in the future. I know how lucky I am to be the one who got him in the end. That alone is more precious to me than anything else in this world."

"Don't because I won't be the only one coming after you if you hurt him." Misty said seriously. "You haven't met all your rivals yet and I don't know them all myself but there are more out there than just 3 and all will want a piece of you if you hurt Ash."

"I know and if I do hurt him I won't run." Dawn said just as seriously. "If I mess up then I will personally let you, May, Angie, and anyone else I know where I am and wait for you to come to me because I will deserve it."

"Good." Misty said before there was a slight awkward silence. "So, can you forgive me?"

"Misty, there's nothing for me to forgive." Dawn said dismissively. "I never held what you did against you because I could on some level understand it even if I didn't agree with it. Sure I am upset that you've been in my head ever since we met and I know for a fact that meeting you first caused all my own insecurities around Ash to come to the surface and stay there. Now it is hard for me to not be wary of any female around our age whenever she's around Ash. At the same time, I've already had two more rivals show up since you so perhaps it's a blessing as well as a curse."

"Well for that I am sorry." Misty said grateful that Dawn wasn't holding anything against her. "I didn't mean to mess you up that bad."

"If it wasn't you it would have probably been someone." Dawn said. "Ash is too amazing to not have girls who want him and get upset when they find out he's taken. I've seen that especially since getting to Kanto and seeing all those he's helped over the years still remembering him and what he did for them. I know that that is just a taste of what Ash has done because there are at least 2 other regions he's been to before we met so there will be more there."

"That is very true." Misty agreed. "I'm still sorry but I am preparing you for the gauntlet you will have to run as Ash's girlfriend. I am probably the worst you will meet but I won't be the last and I won't be the only one who acts in a less than positive manner."

"That I don't doubt." Dawn said with a laugh. "Besides, it wasn't like I wasn't a brat to you as well. You provoked me and rather than take the high ground or try and seek peace, I rose to your bait and matched it every step of the way. Be it kissing Ash in front of you, taking my own top off when you showed up in that bikini, or, well, our entire battle that involved a lot of property damage, I wasn't much better. For my own actions I'm sorry as well and I'm glad you're getting the help that you need."

"Thank you Dawn, that means a lot." Misty said smiling at her. "I don't feel like I deserve it but I accept your apology. Though you are right, the damage was a lot worse than realized, the entire roof had to be redone because Gyarados destabilized it. Took a good few weeks to fix."

"And I accept your apology Misty." Dawn said smiling back at her friend, the first time she'd ever truly seen Misty as a friend but now it was clear that she was. "No reason we can't be mature women who don't hurl each other's Pokémon into walls or ceilings now can we."

"Better late than never because we sure as shit weren't mature at the start." Misty said with a laugh. "The exact opposite in fact."

"No we were not." Dawn agreed before holding out her hand to Misty knowing exactly what she had to do. "So how about we start over Misty. I'm Dawn, I'm a coordinator from Sinnoh who traveled with Ash while he was there and am now traveling Kanto with him. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I agree, a fresh start is best." Misty said taking Dawn's hand and shaking it as if they had just met for the first time. "I'm Misty, the water type Cerulean Gym Leader in Kanto and a traveling companion with Ash when he first journeyed in Kanto, as well as when he traveled through Johto and the Orange Islands. This time, I want to be actual friends Dawn."

"I'd like that as well." Dawn said as they ended their handshake. "Any friend of Ash's is a friend of mine. Isn't that what you said to me the first time we met, just before I set you off and began our war."

"I believe so." Misty said before she surprised Dawn and pulled her in for an actual hug, the first one that they'd had that felt like a friendly one and not something Misty was going to try and mess with Dawn. "Though I can't promise I won't still be petty on occasion. I still have a long way to got to get control."

"I don't expect you not to be." Dawn said with a laugh as they broke apart. "It's not who you are not to be a bit petty and jealous."

"Next time we meet I will have gotten the help I need, or at least be in the process of getting it." Misty said. "So it will only be a little bit of pettiness, hopefully. I think I need to talk to Sabrina, not just for her advice but for our own past as she probably has her own amends to make regarding that."

"I think she will agree to that." Dawn said with a nod "But that's for another time. We should finish packing up before May and Ash get back and you need to wash your face, no point in raising any questions now is there."

"True we should." Misty agreed taking a facial wipe from her bag and drying her face. "Thanks again Dawn, for everything."

"Your welcome Misty." Dawn said with a smile. "From now on, there's no need to worry."

Misty just laughed as she put her wipes away before the girls began to finish up the camp in a friendly silence. Their relationship still had a long ways to go but for the first time it was in a good place that they could build on.

Moments later Ash and May returned and Dawn noted that Ash was a little shell-shocked but May looked relieved and lighter it seemed. Dawn could tell that they'd had a productive talk just as she and Misty had had and would talk with Ash about it later.

For now though, they still had some time to hang out one last time and they were going to do it as friends with nothing between them anymore. Who knows when they would next get to be together so they had to maximize their time now before they once again parted ways for their own journeys.

Dawn couldn't wait for her and Ash's adventure to continue but for now she was happy enjoying her last day in Hoenn. It had been a good and worthwhile trip with plenty of twists and turns. Hopefully that continued back in Kanto and prepared for Ash's next challenge; his full battle with Janine. That was going to be good, Dawn knew it.

Well there you have it, May has confessed to Ash and Misty has apologized to Dawn so everyone can move on after that long, serious Supplement. The kiss on the cheek, as well as the whole walk between Ash and May where she confesses, was suggested by a guest reviewer after the 2nd Supplement and an idea I liked so much that I decided to write it and add it to the Supplement so here it is. The Misty part was added to give Misty some character development and explain her earlier actions while showing the struggles she's been going through ever since finding out that Ash was dating Dawn. I've certainly had my own issues with anger and jealousy and they can be destructive so as with the 9th Supplement I will leave this with a simple message, it's ok to ask for help or to try and help someone who needs it, there is nothing wrong with it. We should look out for our mental health just as much as our physical health, there is no stigma in getting the help you or someone you know needs. That is all I have to say here and I will leave it here without my usual sendoff due to the seriousness.

Stringdog