Okay. I know I said I wasn't going to start a new story until I finished my other two. And then I said I'd start Single By 30, but I ended up typing this lol. I am not too sure where I want to go with it, so I just have the first chapter for now. Check it out and let me know what you think. Also, I finally got my laptop back! Yay!

Chapter 1

"Like it's about time you moved on now, little sis." the pinkette sighs.

Nodding, the bluenette adds, "Yeah. It's been 10 years, and you hadn't seen him since he left you here almost 20 years ago.

Ignoring them, the redhead slips on her shoes. Her sisters constantly tell her to move on, but they've never been in love. One can't just move on from love. Love doesn't work that way, but she won't waste her time trying to explain this to her sisters who find new boytoys every month. She has always been the black sheep of the family, even though her eldest sister Daisy is married with a family in Johto.

When the redhead slams the front door shut, the remaining two sisters look at each other. "She's such a buzzkill." the pinkette mutters.

"Yeah. Like she needs to get over him! He didn't come back to her when he was alive. He obviously won't be coming back now." the bluenette knowingly remarks.

Frustrated, the pinkette pulls out her pokenav. "We need to set her up on another date, Vi."

"She didn't go on the last one." Violet reminds her sister. "That blonde guy was totally cute. Right, Lily? But Misty wants to wait on Ash's dead body to come back to life."

Lily sighs. "I wish she would just get over him already."

"Daisy did say we need to be more patient with Misty, but it's been 10 years! She's 28! There are plenty more Pokemon in the sea!" Violet now pulls out her pokenav to search for eligible men to pair with Misty. However, when Violet goes to do an internet search, something else catches her attention. "Whoa. Did you see the news, Lily?"

Lily doesn't look up from her device. "You mean how the Johto Champion Jimmy is Pokeverse's Most Eligible Bachelor?" The Sensational Sisters love their gossip.

Shaking her head, Violet replies, "No. That old man on Cinnabar Island died. The gym leader. Do you remember him?"

The pinkette nods in disinterest. "He was weird."

"Lily, be nice. He died, even if he was weird." Violet continues reading snippets of the article stating Blaine died of complications due to his age. Anyone who knew Blaine knew that the man was in top shape and health. However, his age and the fact that he passed peacefully in his home tells people that he died naturally.

"Dang! Sorry, Vi. I didn't know you cared about him like that." Lily defensively says.

Rolling her eyes, Violet puts down her pokenav as a thought occurs to her. She curiously looks at her sister. "Didn't that Silver guy die on Mt. Silver last month? You know. The gym leader in Viridian City?" Silver had gone to Mt. Silver for his monthly training session; however, an unfortunate landslide killed him and his Pokemon.

"He was creepy too. Why are all the gym leaders in this region creepy except for us?" Lily's attention is still on her pokenav.

"Lily, look at me." After Misty, Violet is the more level-headed Waterflower. Lily is the most carefree and aloof.

Sighing, the pinkette glances at her sister. "What, Vi?"

"Two gym leaders have died."

"Yeah. Because the Viridian City one wanted to be stupid and go to the moutnains. And the Cinnabar Island one was old." Lily gazes back at her pokenav. "People die all the time, Vi."

"But these are gym leaders." Violet worriedly mutters.

"What are you trying to say?" Lily annoyedly asks.

Carefully shifting her eyes around their living room, Violet whispers, "What if someone is targeting us?"

Lily cracks out laughing. Her sisters always bring her so much amusement. After calming down, the pinkette grins. "Yeah. Like someone is really out here trying to kill gym leaders. Even if they were, I don't get why you're so scared. We're not gym leaders anymore. We haven't been gym leaders in like 20 years."

Furious at how lightly Lily is taking this information, Violet stands up to glare at her. "We may not be gym leaders, but do you remember who replaced us?"

Lily stops laughing to frown. Her worried eyes look up at Violet's angry ones. "Misty…" Lily gasps. If Violet's farfetched idea of these gym leader deaths not being accidental is true, then Misty's life is in danger. Misty has been the Cerulean City Gym Leader since she quit traveling.

Violet nods, relieved that Lily finally understands. "Yeah. So stop laughing."

Lily stands up to get directly in front of Violet. "But these deaths aren't related, right? It was just a landslide and an old man." As much as Lily loves teasing Misty, the pinkette would never want her younger sister gone from the world. Misty might actually welcome the idea so that she can be close to her dead lover again.

The bluenette lets out a nervous breath. "Yeah, Lily. I think it's just a coincidence. Misty's strong. She can handle anyone."

Nodding, Lily feels a lot better with Violet's words. "I need a drink. This is why we don't think, Violet. It makes us think about things that aren't going to happen."

Violet giggles as the tenseness leaves her shoulders. "I need one too. Let's go before Misty comes back with her gloomy mood."

"You know she spends the night in Pallet Town whenever she's there." Lily reminds her older sister.

Rolling her eyes, Violet tells Lily, "Mrs. Ketchum moved to the Sevii Islands a few months ago." Does Lily really not listen to Misty? Although Misty doesn't say much nowadays, Violet listens when the redhead does. Violet is concerned Misty may try to harm herself some day, though Misty doesn't try to show her sorrows. A stranger wouldn't be able to tell that she's still in mourning.

"With Pikachu?" Lily asks as she's starting to recall Violet telling her about Mrs. Ketchum's move.

"Duh. You know Pikachu would rather be with Mrs. Ketchum. Mew, Lily. Do you pay attention to Misty?"

Lily shoots Violet an annoyed glare. "All Misty does is mope around. It ruins my feng shui."

"You don't even know what 'feng shui' is." Violet retorts. The two sisters lock up and make their way to their favorite bar in the city.

Pallet Town

"C'mon, Misty. Let's go." the tan man puts his hand on her shoulder.

Shaking her head, Misty clutches the yellow furball in her chest tighter. He whimpers in mourning. "I'm not ready, Brock."

"None of us ever are." Brock soothingly tells her. "But let's give Delia a moment alone."

Misty glances over through her tears to see Delia silently waiting a few steps away. Delia, Brock, Misty, Pikachu, the Oaks, and the rest of Ash's Pokemon were here an hour ago to pay their respects for his tenth death anniversary. Now, only Delia, Brock, Misty and Pikachu remain. Nodding reluctantly, Misty takes a few steps away with her face buried in Pikachu's fur. It's been 10 years, but the mourning never gets easier.

After leaving her Cerulean City home, Misty took the train to Pallet Town. She doesn't drive on days like today because she doesn't feel fit to drive. Sometimes, Pikachu will get Charizard to take Misty home, but the orange lizard prefers going straight to the Charicific Valley. With Pikachu and Delia moving to the Sevii Islands a few months ago, Misty doesn't frequent Pallet Town as much. She used to like to spend days in the town so that she can help the lonely woman and keep an eye on Ash's grave. Thus, Misty could visit her best friend and crush whenever she wanted.

Now that Delia is gone, due to wanting space from the painful memories, Pallet Town only holds terrible memories for her. Gary usually visits her when he needs something. Else, Misty will mail Gary whatever she can. Gary and Brock know Misty is taking Ash's death the worst after Delia. Thus, the two men try to communicate with her often. It's another reason her sisters are always home now. Everyone is worried about the redhead who tells them she would never hurt herself.

11 years ago, a war broke out when all the evil organizations joined forces to form Team Takeover. Sinnoh, being the furthest region, was attacked first. Many innocent people died. A call for help was sent out as Sinnoh rallied their strongest trainers to hold off Team Takeover until reinforcements from other regions came. Thus, Sinnoh's gym leaders, Elite Four members, and the champion were at the frontlines leading the fight.

Knowing people in Sinnoh, and upset about the injustice, Ash signed up right away. He was in the first regime from Kanto to Sinnoh. There, he had met up with old friends who had signed up in Sinnoh, like Dawn Berlitz. Ash's Sinnoh rival, Paul Shinji, is a strong enough trainer to lead his own group of trainers, which included Dawn. Ash joined Champion Cynthia's group.

While other regional leaders wanted to help, their respective Leagues wouldn't let them go. Brock also knows the same people as Ash in Sinnoh due to having traveled with him years ago. However, being a Pewter City Gym Leader alongside Forest, Brock was prohibited from leaving. The League wanted there to still be enough strong trainers in Kanto in case Kanto was attacked. If all of Kanto's top trainers left for Sinnoh, then that would leave Kanto vulnerable.

Like the League figured, the rest of the world was soon attacked. After Sinnoh, Johto was hit, and then Kanto. Fortunately, with Johto being next to Kanto, then Kanto had a bit of a heads up to prepare. It seemed like Team Takeover had spent years developing their plans to take over the world because they put up a great fight. Unlike in the past, people couldn't take down these evil organizations in only a few days. The battle went on for months.

Eventually, Ash returned to Kanto to make sure his home region had his assistance. The war in Sinnoh was being handled well enough, and he wanted to check in on his mother. While Ash was involved with the war efforts in Pallet Town, Misty and Brock were preoccupied with their cities. As the gym leaders to their respective cities, they were in charge of leading those groups of trainers. Thus, their paths with Ash never crossed.

During one battle where Ash fought alongside the Kanto Champion, Lance, Ash didn't come back. According to Lance, the battle turned against them. When Lance commanded his remaining crew to retreat, Ash didn't. Gary wasn't accounted for, and Ash couldn't leave his childhood friend. Thus, Ash and Pikachu ventured back onto the battlefield against Lance's orders.

Later, when Gary returned, Pikachu and Ash's Pokebelt were in Gary's hands. Ash had found Gary trapped in a ditch. After freeing Gary, the two were bombarded by attacks. Ash stayed back to distract the enemy with his Sceptile. He told Gary to take the unconscious Pikachu and that he would meet up with them at the base later. However, Ash never showed up.

Once the battlefield was finally cleared, Gary and a few other people went out to search for Ash. They tried to find any sight of him, including if he was taken as a prisoner. Nevertheless, what they found instead were two charred up bodies: one of Ash's Sceptile and the other of a young man who couldn't be recognized. The tag around the charred human's body indicated that it was indeed Ash Ketchum.

Not being in contact with Ash, Misty had no idea of his fate. She was also too busy fighting the battles in her city to reach out to her nonexistent old friend. Brock too was too preoccupied with his own battles in Pewter. Occasionally, there would be news castings of those who died in battle, but there would be too many to notice. The two also barely watched the news because they had other things to worry about.

Two years after the attack in Sinnoh, and nearly a year after Ash's death, the war ended. Team Takeover lost. The leaders were arrested, and the world started healing again. When Brock called all of his old friends to make sure everyone was okay, that was when he learned about Ash. He then notified Misty who couldn't believe it. It wasn't until the two visited Ash's grave in Pallet Town where they learned of their first traveling companion's fate.

"He didn't deserve it." Misty whispers.

Brock nods. "The good don't ever deserve to die young."

"Especially Ash." Misty practically chokes on his name. There was so much she had to tell him. So much she wished she told him, but she didn't. She let her fear of rejection keep her away while she waited for his calls that never came. He didn't care about her, so she tried to act like she didn't care about him either. However, here he is: gone, and she regrets being so stubborn.

"Pikapi…" Pikachu snuggles deeper into Misty's chest. He still constantly trains every day. The yellow mouse blames himself for Ash's death. If only he was stronger, he wouldn't have passed out. He would've been by Ash's side to save him and Sceptile. Now, Pikachu trains to be strong enough to protect Delia.

Brock swings an arm around Misty's shoulders to pull her close to his side. "I don't think now is a good time to tell you this…" He sighs. "But I never feel like it's ever a good time."

"We're at Ash's tombstone, Brock. Can this wait?" pleads the redhead.

He shakes his head. "No. Because we're both gonna go our separate ways again once we leave this cemetery." He rarely sees Misty. Although people aren't as scared as they once were for the redhead's mental health, they are still wary of her. She puts on this front like she's living her everyday life normally, but Brock knows otherwise. Misty is constantly mourning her best friend.

Sighing, Misty leans into Brock's side. "Just give it to me straight already. I can take it." Nothing is worse than finding out her crush and old friend passed away in war a year after he died. Years after she saw him, which was when they had to separate. Why didn't she swallow her pride and pick up the phone to call him?

He gives her an apologetic look. "I'm moving to Hoenn."

To Brock's surprise, Misty doesn't even flinch. "I figured." She shrugs. After the war, everyone started thinking about what if they were dead too. There were so many casualties that people focused a lot on death and living fulfilling lives while they can. Thus, Brock finally reached back out to Lucy in Hoenn. He sees how much Misty hurts from her broken heart, and he doesn't want to go through that. Thus, he reconnected with Lucy who was also more than happy to hear he is okay.

The two have been practicing long distance for now, which Misty assumes is because Brock was too scared to leave Misty alone for too long. In addition, with Delia moving a few months ago, Brock stuck around some more to keep an eye on Misty. Nevertheless, the man doesn't want to lose anymore time with Lucy. Brock and Gary have both made an agreement to take care of Misty. Gary told Brock he would watch Misty so that Brock can leave with some relief that Misty will be okay.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Brock warily asks her.

Misty shoots him a glare. "Stop treating me like a patient in the mental hospital, Brock."

He defensively throws up his hands. "Hey! I'm just worried about you-"

"You don't need to be." Misty seethes. "You and Gary can stop forcing yourselves to hang out with me." She's tired of everyone tiptoeing around her. Even though her sisters tell her to move on, they are still very cautious around her. Misty is tired of it. Yes, she's heartbroken and mourning, but that doesn't mean she's going to end her life.

"We're not forcing ourselves." Brock sighs. "Look, Misty, you're a strong independent woman. I get that."

"Then why are you treating me like a child?"

"Pi!" Pikachu worriedly glances up at the adults who quiet down. They don't want their little spat to reach Delia's ears.

Shaking her head, Misty narrows her eyes at Brock. "Go to Hoenn. I'll still be here when you're back. I'll be fine. You can all stop worrying about me. It's been 9 damn years since we found out. 10 since he…" She looks away in pain. "And 16 since he left me."

"He didn't leave y-"

"He did." Misty cuts off Brock. "If he didn't he would've called. He had 5 years to call before the war started, and he never did."

Brock lets out a breath. "He thought about you all the time." Brock recalls the times Ash would talk about Misty in Hoenn and Sinnoh. While Ash continued to say less about Misty over time, Brock knows Misty held a special place in Ash's heart. It's a shame Ash couldn't let her know that.

"Not enough to call." Misty doesn't care what Brock tries to tell her. Actions speak louder than words. Although hurt by Ash's abandonment, Misty can't find herself hating him. Hating him would make his death so much less painful.

One Month Later

"Hello?" Misty boredly answers the gym phone. Lily and Violet had left their gym responsibilities to go shopping...again.

"Miss Misty Waterflower?" the female voice asks.

"Yes."

"This is a courtesy call from the Indigo Plateau."

Misty rolls her eyes. She hates calls from the League. They're always imposing rather than helpful. "I don't have much time." Lies Misty.

"Ma'am, as of today, you will be given a bodyguard."

The redhead practically chokes on air. "What? Why? I can take care of myself!" Is another war starting? Misty is ready for one, though she prefers there not to be one.

Sighing, the League representative says, "Sabrina was found dead this morning."

Misty furrows her brows. She knows of Silver's accident in Mt. Silver and then Blaine's natural death. However, with young Sabrina's death this morning, that just makes everything suspicious. Is someone targeting the Kanto gym leaders? "How?"

"We don't know the details, Miss Misty, but just as a precaution, the League has assigned all gym leaders a bodyguard." The League is also in the process of hiring replacements for Blaine and Silver. Currently, those gyms are closed.

"Do you think someone is killing us off?" Misty whispers. "Like Silver's accident wasn't an accident, and Blaine didn't naturally pass?"

"We are not saying anything." The woman hesitantly speaks, which lets Misty know that they're not denying her claims either. "But like I have said, we will be sending a bodyguard as added protection."

"I don't need one. I can handle myself." Misty shrugs.

The League representative is used to this since she's called a few gym leaders before Misty already. "The League gives you a few options, ma'am."

"Great." Misty rolls her eyes because she knows she already doesn't like these options.

"You take the bodyguard-"

"Next."

Sighing, the woman continues. "You go into hiding."

"Definitely a no." Misty replies.

"Your last option is to close the gym down until this investigation is over."

"I don't like those options." the redhead shrugs. "I can fend for myself."

"Miss Misty, may I warn you that the League will take your gym away from you if you fail to comply with any of these three options? The League is only looking out for you."

Groaning outloud, Misty rests her head on her desk. "I hate them all."

"Since it sounds like you don't want to lose your gym in any capacity, I'd suggest you take the bodyguard." the representative informs Misty.

"Fine!" exasperates the redhead. "Send me someone who doesn't talk much." She's tired of all the chatter around her and about her. It's infuriating. "And can you see if the League can send away my sisters? If someone is targeting gym leaders, my sisters shouldn't be around." Lily and Violet are not strong trainers.

"We will look into that. Thank you, ma'am."

"Take your time sending over this bodyguard." Misty mutters. At least Lily and Violet will enjoy a free vacation.

"He'll be there tonight." the representative then bids Misty farewell.

When Misty groans loudly, Psyduck comes out of his pokeball to curiously cock his head at her. "Psy?"

"Can life get any worse?" Misty asks. Usually, people would fear hearing these words coming from her, but ditzy Psyduck doesn't understand most of what's going on.

"Psy?"

Rolling her eyes, Misty returns the duck. "I don't get why I talk to you."

That night, Misty is home alone. The League makes quit work in disasters. Thus, Lily and Violet are long gone already. News of Sabrina's death has sparked curiosity in the region about the deaths of the other two gym leaders. Two deaths is a coincidence. A third makes it suspicious, especially since Sabrina's death was determined to be by ghoulish nightmares. It was like a pokemon sucked her lifeforce from her.

The news makes Misty wary of her situation. The League is still keeping the tournament season running, though now three gyms are closed. People have started rejecting offers to be the new gym leaders due to these new speculations regarding Kanto gym leaders dying. Misty is glad that Brock is gone, though Forest is the Pewter City gym leader. His life may be in danger as well. The woman ponders if she should've just closed her gym down to hide with her sisters. However, Misty Waterflower doesn't run or hide. She faces her problems head on.

Thus, when the doorbell rings, signalling her bodyguard must be here, Misty makes her way over to the door. She's cautious in case she may be the next gym leader on this hit list no one is sure exists. Looking through the window, she sees a man in a hoodie with his hood up. Nothing else on him can be recognizable.

The woman hesitantly holds her hand on Corsola's pokeball. Watching the news and thinking about these deaths have started making her paranoid. Why did the League have to send someone over so late at night? She should've asked for a code word or something. But no. Misty Waterflower just had to act all tough and disinterested. At the time, she didn't care. Now, she's slightly worried.

"I know you're there." the gruff voice speaks through the door, and Misty winces. Why does this voice sound familiar yet not at the same time?

"Who are you?" No use in hiding now. He already knows of her presence.

"Your bodyguard." the man responds. "The League sent me."

The news didn't mention that gym leaders are getting bodyguards. Misty figured the League wanted to keep that a secret from whoever could be attacking the leaders. Therefore, this man must not be lying. "How can I believe you?"

"You can call the League." he suggests. The man is tired from the journey, but he understands her wariness.

"What did they tell you about me?" This is a terrible question to ask him. Misty mentally curses herself for being an idiot. If someone is after her, they'd already know basic information about her. Most likely, they know more than this man does.

Sighing, the man leans against the doorframe. "If I wanted to kill you, I would've shot you through the door already."

Misty bites her bottom lip. He's right about that. There's no point in trying to cover up these deaths as accidental anymore. They're more than coincidences now. "Maybe you wanna see my face as you pull the trigger?"

Annoyed, the man effortlessly picks the lock and opens the door to reveal a slightly terrified redhead in front of him. With his hood on, she can make out anything but his mouth. She sees his chiseled jawline and some facial scruff. Those thin yet plump lips in a frown. He's tall, and she can tell he's muscular under that hoodie.

When he closes the door behind him, she's shaken from her stupor. "I didn't invite you in." She places her hands on her hips. Misty isn't even sure he is her bodyguard.

"The League said you wanted someone who doesn't talk much." He shrugs while completely ignoring her comment. "I don't like talking. Let's keep it at that."

His duffle bag is hung around his shoulders and he takes off his shoes. Misty's glare intensifies on his back. "You're rude." He continues to disregard her comments, which irks her more. Okay. She told the League she wanted someone quiet, which she got, but she didn't ask for an ass.

Storming over to him, she tries to rip down his hood, though he effortlessly catches her arm. "Don't touch me." He grumbles.

"Don't you have manners? Take off your hood." She won't back down from this irritating man. Mew. Just when she got Brock off her back, now she literally has someone hounding her all the time.

The supposed bodyguard releases Misty who pulls her arm back to her side. He then gently removes his hood to reveal short black hair. She can tell he's a tan man based on his bottom half of his face earlier. When he raises his head again, Misty's breath hitches in her throat. Those cheeks have some facial scruff, but there are the undeniable little dimples on them. And those eyes. Chocolate brown.

"Ash?" She gasps.