Misty breathed in the fresh salt air, running her hands over Pikachu's soft fur. When Ash had come back to Kanto to visit, they didn't have a lot of time to catch up, but now . . . Misty would use the opportunity to just talk with her (admittedly dense) best friend.

Looking over at the raven-haired trainer, Misty was hard-pressed to admit just how much he'd grown. Judging on the reactions of his classmates' when they were at Oak's lab, Misty could assume that, as per usual, Ash had told his friends next to nothing about previous adventures.

Oh, maybe he'd told them he'd been here, or he went there, but the details . . . well, Misty could sympathize with him. What with all that he'd been through . . . and she didn't even know what had happened during Kalos.

Every time Misty had seen Ash, he'd just told her a few random things here and there. And, he'd always looked so . . . tense. Strong, too. But . . . there was always that sense of fear, that brokenness in his eyes, so well hidden behind the mask Ash put up, the optimism, the cheerfulness, no one knew the horrors he'd seen, and experienced.

No, not even Misty, although she wouldn't admit it. She had been there in the beginning, seen his progress through the years, and been there the first time he'd saved the world, the first he'd died, and been brought back to life. But, she was also there for his first failure, the first time he lost a battle, the first time he failed to capture a Pokemon, the first time he'd failed to save a life.

Misty knew just how much he blamed himself, how much he thought it should have been him, instead. She'd heard about Lucario, she'd heard about Darkrai . . .

His nightmares were terrible to watch, and must have been so much worse to experience.

Misty had seen him thrashing, calling out, and, though he would die (again) before he would admit it, had seen him cry.

Misty was there for his firsts. She was there to support him, to cheer for him, to get mad at him when he did something reckless, to comfort him, to be anything he needed her to be.

If only he would let her.

Misty had seen what he was like after Kalos. He had lost his slouch, had refined his skills, and had made it to the finals of the league. No matter what she told Ash, Misty was proud of him, proud that he'd gotten so far from that reckless rookie kid who'd destroyed her bike all those years ago.

Yes, she still liked to tease him about it, but honestly, it was all in jest!

Misty had often stayed awake at night wondering what had happened in Kalos. There was a prophecy, she'd heard, and Ash had had to save the world again. But the details . . . no one, not even Diantha or Ash's friends, knew what had happened.

So seeing him now, so relaxed . . . it was a bit alien to just see Ash . . . being a kid. Acting his age, for once.

Unova didn't count. She'd never been there personally, but she'd heard stories about the pollution and the headaches it caused.

Pikachu whined and nudged Misty's hand, which had stopped petting the spoiled mouse. She laughed and turned to Ash, who was watching her with a curious look that Misty couldn't quite place.

"I think Pikachu's missed you," Ash spoke up, chuckling softly as said Pokemon bounded over to where Brock was cooking, talking with the others.

He sent Misty a pointed look, one that Misty got immediately. He was stalling, so she and Ash could talk in peace.

Misty relaxed against the sand, looking as the waves calmly overlapped each other on the way to shore.

"I missed him too, no need to worry," she responded after a minute of silence.

Ash raised an eyebrow at the phrase. "So you've met Dawn, huh," he said, taking his hat off and running a hand through the soft black lockes.

Misty ducked her head as Staryu sprayed her with a water gun, coming back up with her hair wet, but otherwise mostly dry. She laughed, shaking her head and spraying Ash in the process, who let out a yelp.

Some of the others looked over at them a bit weirdly, but Brock, ever used to their antics, just shook his head fondly.

"Yeah, a couple of months ago, she was in Cerulean for a contest," Misty answered.

More silence. But, instead of the awkward, uncomfortable silence most silences usually seemed to bring, this one was comfortable. Easy. Relaxing, even.

After a couple more moments of silence, that included watching the Pokemon playing in the water, Ash broke it. "Brock's a saint."

Misty didn't know what to think about that seemingly random comment, but replied either way. "I don't know where we'd be without him," she agreed.

Ash toyed with his hat, Misty's eyes following the movement.

If Misty was being frank with herself, she could admit that she maybe had a teeny-tiny possible crush on the teen next to her.

But, being fair, she had known him for years, knew his best and worst qualities, AND he was her best friend. Honestly, she would be surprised if she didn't have a crush on the guy.

It wasn't really big, just a couple flutters in her stomach, but she did love his crooked grin, how he took charge in a seemingly impossible situation and yet somehow came out on top.

Not that she'd ever tell him, he was hopeless at romance.

"Look, Mist," Ash said after the silence had come again, "I . . . ."

Misty didn't know what he was doing, but she had a semblance of an idea. "Ash," Misty told him, scooching closer, ignoring the heat in her cheeks, grasping his chin and bringing it up to meet her eyes, which he was avoiding, "you don't have to talk about anything you don't want to. If something makes you uncomfortable, just say it. But if you want to talk, then just say the word, and I'll listen. You can talk to me about anything, you know?"

He nodded, so she let go of his face, but continued.

"Whatever you're thinking about, I can tell you one thing, it was not your fault."

Ash's eyes widened and he quickly swung his gaze away, looking anywhere but at her as red flooded his cheeks.

Ash looked away, trying to find something- anything but the redheaded girl next to him -to focus on.

He didn't know how she did it, but somehow, Misty always knew when something was wrong.

And he couldn't deny that pleasant, warm feeling that spread in his stomach when he looked at her.

Contrary to popular belief, Ash did know how to spot people with crushes. Like, years ago, in the Johto league, that girl Macey had a HUGE crush on him. And Serena . . . well, Ash had turned his face at the last second, not trying to be rude, but he just didn't like her like that.

And, honestly, Ash believed that his friends from Kalos were kinda crazy to have him as a role model.

But, Ash also believed that he was just an average trainer (which he wasn't), and was nothing special (which he was).

But currently, his mind was dwelling on Greninja, and that man, and how he was way too trusting, although his Pokemon would say he took a long, looong time to open up to people.

And the prophecy . . . he hated it!

Hated being the center of attention, hated titles, 'the Chosen One' my arse, he thought acidly, he hated having the weight of everything on his shoulders, and the guilt!

Tearing his thoughts away from the crisis, and trying to organize his jumbled thoughts, Ash was suddenly reminded of Altomare, and Latias, and how much fun she had playing with her brother in the water, and then he thought of Lucario, and how he deserved so much better, and his mind jumped to Darkrai, and-

"Ash!" Misty snapped her fingers in front of his face, bringing him back down to earth. He was aware that he was blushing, out of embarrassment or shame he didn't know, but sheepishly he brought his gaze to meet cerulean blue eyes.

"Um, sorry," he apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. Misty sighed, and Ash winced internally.

"Don't be an idiot," she chided gently, all traces of teasing left out of her usually mocking tone. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up so suddenly."

"Yeah, well . . . " Ash trailed off, unable to find the words he so desperately wanted to say.

"Ash," Misty said, more gently, "talk to me. Please."

Her expression was gentle, pleading . . . so unlike her it was disturbing.

Ash swallowed hard, feeling the beginning of bie rising up his throat, and forcing it down. He began to feel a bit warm, which, as it was nearly sunset, was unusual.

Probably just a cold . . . I hope, was the thought that passed through his mind.

"I . . . "

The bitterness was trying to claw its way up his throat again, and it was hard, so hard, to keep faking, to keep lying, that he just wanted it all to end.

Misty was looking at him, concerned, when Ash stood up abruptly, shattering the peace.

Misty was up as well, and she reached forward, as Ash, in a sudden wave of dizziness, doubled over and emptied the contents of his stomach.

In other words, he threw up.

Dimly, he could hear Misty calling for Brock, and the others rushing forward, but he paid it no mind.

Ash was on all fours now, panting, his throat dry and scratchy. He heaved, and more vomit pushed itself up from his stomach and spilled out over his mouth and into the ocean.

After a couple seconds, Ash became aware that someone was rubbing his back. He liked it. It was soothing, and keeping him grounded.

The edges of his vision turned black, and he began to panic, but the hand was there, and he clung to it.

Unfortunately, as soon as he tried to stand up, he was overcome by more dizziness and forced down again, forcibly reminded of how he was too exhausted to stay on his feet for hours after the Tree.

The tree.

That damn tree.

Suddenly, he wasn't in Alola, on a beach, with Misty and Brock and Mallow and Kiawe and Lillie and Sophocles and Lana, he was in that Arceus-damned tree, and Lucario was in front of him, fading, dying, and he couldn't do anything!

Ash's vision started swimming, and there were black spots, and he was gasping for breath, couldn't breathe, he was about to pass out . . .

The last thing he saw before fainting was blue eyes and orange-red hair.

The last thing he felt before passing out was soft fur rubbing his cheek.

The last thing he heard before finally succumbing to the blackness were the calls of his name coming from his worried friends.

And then, nothing.

He was on Prism Tower, listening to Lysandre as he talked about 'a better tomorrow.'

Alain wasn't there, and neither were his Pokemon, sans Pikachu and Greninja.

It was just them four.

Ash wasn't given time to dwell on this however, as Lysandre had just said something that had caught his attention.

"Surely, Ash, you have wanted to save somebody and failed?" the leader of Team Flare inquired.

Ash sucked in a breath, feeling the jab in his heart. That was a low blow, even for a villian.

"If you join me, we could protect everybody," Lysandre continued, gesturing to the city that was being destroyed.

Ash gave a bitter laugh, which surprised even himself. "Protecting people?" Ash sneered incredulously. "Why should I listen to you when you can't even protect your precious team from being destroyed?"

To the madman's credit, he took it in stride. "But surely, you've felt the guilt as someone you love dies right before you?" he pressed.

That wasn't the right thing to say.

Ignoring the pounding in his brain as his ever-present headache increased, and ignoring the part of his brain that was whispering, this is wrong, all wrong, this has happened before, Ash stepped forward as Lysandre blacked away until he was teetering on the edge of the tower.

"SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!" Ash screamed, on the edge of hysteria. His voice cracked and tears escaped his eyes, tears that he so desperately tried to blink back, to escape, to escape the painpainpain, the pure pain that engulfed him, that threatened to drown him, until he was alone in a sea of guilt, an ocean of regret, with no raft, nothing to keep him aloft but his mind that was threatening break, that needed just one more push!

And then Lysandre wasn't there, he wasn't on the tower, he was in the garden, and Latios was hovering before him, looking at him accusingly.

"You let me die," he accused, which made Ash suck in a breath and start to shake his head, tears flying everywhere.

"No! I didn't! I- I swear, I never meant for this to happen!" Ash cried out, but Latios only stared at him. Ash started to sweat and the ponding grew worse still, something Ash hadn't thought possible. Latios slowly flew forwards, with Ash shaking his head desperately and backing away until he slammed into a crystal?

When he turned back around, it wasn't Latios, but Lucario looking at him reproachfully. "You could have saved me," he sent telepathically. "You could have given your aura for me! But you just watched!"

"N-no, I promise! I was gonna -I tried-"

"Trying isn't enough!" Lucario roared, and started advancing, which made Ash flinch and want to curl up in a ball, but he couldn't, he was locked in place by the approaching canine.

Then, it wasn't just Lucario, but each and every Pokemon Ash had saved or failed, captured then released.

They all spoke in unison, creepily, and Ash was in a ball now, in the fetal position.

"You abandoned us, Ash, you left us all alone to die. And it's ALL YOUR FAULT!"

"No! I didn't- please! No!"

With that last scream that tore out of his throat, Ash felt a tingle go up his spine, and he awoke.

I thought of ending the chapter here, but it was too short. So, here's what happened!

Misty placed a hand on Ash's forehead, relieved when it was cooler than it had been just minutes ago.

Of course, that was probably attributed to the fact that the temperature in Kukui's house was down, and that every few minutes, a cool wash rag was wiped over his face.

Misty thought back to what happened.

Ash had given no clue that he had known he was sick, but even if he had, he probably wouldn't have told anyone.

They were talking, when Ash had thrown up, and Brock and the others had rushed over to see what was happening.

What happened was that Ash had a fever, and had passed out after having a brief panic attack.

Everyone had rushed back to Melemele and Brock took Ash's temperature.

Misty gazed sadly at the teen, who was sweating and muttering in his sleep.

Lana, Kiawe, Sophocles, and Mallow had had to leave, but Lillie and Snowy were sitting with Misty, keeping an eye on Ash.

All of a sudden, Ash's mutterings got louder.

"Shut up!" he screamed, making everyone in the vicinity startle.

Kukui hurriedly wiped his forehead and the mutterings got quiet.

Then, "No! I didn't- I swear- no, please!"

Misty drew in a sharp breath.

"Misty?" inquired Lillie worriedly. "What's happening?"

"What's happening, is that Ash is having a nightmare," Misty answered grimly. "And not just any nightmare."

"What kind?" Kukui asked.

"I- " Misty looked away. "It's not my place to say, sorry."

A sudden yell jolted the three of them from their brief conversation.

Ash was awake, blinking blearily.

"Ash," Misty hovered around him, concerned. "How are you feeling?"

Ash barked a short laugh, startling Lillie and Kukui.

He struggled up, Misty helping him lean against the pillows. "My throat's sore and dry, my head is literally pounding a brick break into my head, I'm dizzy, and I had a nightmare about him, La- Latios, and Lucario. How do you think I'm feeling?"

Misty bit her lip. Kukui tugged Lillie down the ladder, and Misty was grateful for the alone time. Quickly, before she could lose her nerve, she pecked Ash's cheek.

The trainer brought a hand up to his face and looked dazed for a second, then grabbed Misty and kissed her. Hard.

Misty kissed back, relishing in the feeling. She didn't care that he was sick, and that she'd probably get sick too, she just wanted the moment to last forever.