A/N: Happy Pokéshipping Day! A supposedly short (but ended up not so short), quite last minute and hopefully fun oneshot that combines a few loose plot bunnies I've scribbled and stashed aside through the years.
This is set in the Johto arc, roughly before reaching Azalea Town. I tried to write it as if it's an anime episode, hopefully y'all won't find it too clunky. As for how Togepi was able to use a certain move that wasn't in GSC… well, just because it wasn't discovered then doesn't mean it doesn't exist? At least, that's what I like to think. I do hope it's not OOC… though I had to make 'future' Ash and Misty a little different/mature since they are technically supposed to be older?
Disclaimer: The author does not own Pokémon, and fully respects the works and ingenuity of Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda.
Future Loopsy
There had been many situations that Ash Ketchum, Brock Harrison and Misty Waterflower got themselves into where whenever they backtrack and review, they could chalk it up to being caught in another one of Team Rocket's antics. Today, they found themselves in absolutely no predicament at all, which could be said to be an absolute blessing.
"We're almost at Azalea Town! According to the map, it's just half a day's walk!" Brock nodded to himself, pleased with their progress.
"I can't wait!" Ash pumped his fist into the air. "I'll get another badge there for sure!"
"Pikaaa!" Pikachu, perched on his trainer's shoulder, echoed in agreement. Misty wagged her finger at the two with a smirk. "Now now, remember, we have to meet Kurt first and give him the GS ball. The battle can wait."
"I know." Ash replied in a sulky tone. "You don't have to put it that way."
"I'm just reminding you!"
"Well, I don't need that reminder!"
"As if! Your brain is only filled with food, sleep and battle!"
"Oh yeah?! Says who!"
"Says ME!"
"What do YOU kn-"
"Settle down, you two. Shall we stop here for the night?" Brock tapped their heads with his rolled-up map and waved it in front of their faces, interrupting the impending full-blown argument. "Look, what do you guys think about stopping here?"
Ash and Misty finally took a proper look at their surroundings. A fairly open area framed by lush, chartreuse trees. A turquoise-blue stream split the area in half, wounding and disappearing into the forest. Fragments of soft light from the setting sun scattered down from above, bathing the water's crystal-like surface flecks of red and gold. Upon sensing the 'intruders', a family of Woopers scampered away, perhaps back to their nest. The wind blew, making the leaves rustle, and the sweet yet woody scent of the forest wafted.
"Definitely! Such a beautiful place!" Misty's eyes sparkled. "Poliwhirl, Psyduck and Starmie will love it! Come on out, everybody!"
"That's a great idea! You guys should have some fun too!"
"Zubat, Onix, Vulpix, Geodude, you guys might not like the water too much, but still, come out and play!"
In a flash, all the pokémon were either relaxing by the serene stream, or soaking their feet in the water.
"Psy, psyduckkkkkk!"
Or, in Psyduck's case, flailing in the water.
"Psy, psy, psyduckkkk!"
Misty let out a sigh. 'What can I do about this…'
"Psyduck, just stand up! The water isn't deep enough for you to drown!"
"Psy?" With a very confused, yet sheepish, expression, the yellow duck stood on his two webbed feet and started splashing water onto Totodile, who splashed some right back.
"Toge-piiiiii!"
"Togepi, don't you copy Psyduck, got it?" Misty told the egg pokémon firmly and turned to Pikachu. "Pikachu, please keep an eye on Togepi for me?"
"Pika, chu, chu!" The yellow rodent nodded, and immediately chased after Togepi, who was dashing recklessly with its short, stubby legs.
"Be careful!" Misty called.
"Misty, the pokémon will be fine, come and help or there won't be any dinner!"
"I'm coming! Geez Ash, would it kill you to be patient?"
"Both of you. Quit it. Or there really won't be any dinner for the two of you."
"Ye-yes! Got it!"
With the tanned male's stern warning, the other two trainers instantly cut their argument short. Soon, Brock was preparing the pokémon's food, while Misty was chopping the vegetables and Ash kept an eye on the soup and rice, stirring them periodically. In no time, everyone's dinner was ready.
"I should set up the table…" Ash muttered to himself. "Ah right- Heyy!" He proceeded to call out and wave his arms in the general direction where most of the pokémon were at. "Heyyy! It's time to eat!" Pikachu's ears perked up, and with a few of his own cries, the rest started running towards their trainers.
"Haha, there's no need to rush," Brock said, "There's enough for everyone. Here, for you Chikorita, and here's yours Bulbasaur…"
"I guess food is something that everyone wants to get their hands on as soon as possible." Misty replied, letting out a laugh before glancing down towards her feet. "Psyduck, stop dreaming and take your bowl!" She snapped her fingers in front of the water-type, who then absentmindedly took the bowl and sat between Pikachu and Togepi.
"Piiikaaa~" The electric rodent happily poured red sauce into his bowl of poké-food. When sauce stopped flowing out from the bottle he was holding, he gave it a few futile shakes before digging through his trainer's bag for another.
Misty took a long, hard look at Pikachu, who was hugging a new bottle of ketchup. "Pikachu," she started, her tone stern. "Go easy on the ketchup okay? Too much is not good for your health. And don't you dare give it to Togepi! None for Psyduck too!"
"Pika, chu." Pikachu nodded in response, though, the moment Misty turned, he immediately popped the bottle cap off.
"Togepiiiiii!"
"Psy?"
Eventually, everyone had a bowl of food in front of them.
"LET'S EAT!"
"Thanks for wiping the plates Chikorita, now, please carefully bring it to Brock." Ash nodded at the grass-type with a smile, before soaping up a bunch of bowls. "Totodile, some water please."
"TOTO-!"
"Hey, I said some water, not a blast!"
Besides little hiccups such as that, with everyone's help, it wasn't long before they completed cleaning up. By then, the warm golden hues of the setting sun were no more, and the round, silvery moon took its place, hanging high up in the velvety navy sky, drowning the area in its cool, quiet brilliance. After a little night time stretch, the gang were ready to sleep.
"We walked a long way today, my legs definitely appreciate this stretch." Ash said, sitting on the soft grass and reaching for his toes.
Brock hummed in agreement, mirroring the raven-haired trainer's movements.
"It's amazing just how much road we covered when we're not interrupted by Team Rocket!" Misty gripped her feet with her hands, and tried to lower her back further. "You know," her muffled voice floated out. "Today is such a peaceful day!"
"We better enjoy this as much as we can, who knows, maybe they're planning some grand scheme." Brock's lips were drawn into a crooked line. He stood up and opened his arms wide. A crack or two from his back could be heard. This round, Ash was the one who copied the older trainer's move before replying with, "Yeah, but who cares! We'll beat them anyways."
"Ha!" With a loud thud, Misty got up and repeatedly twisted her waist left and right. "Since it's such a beautiful and calm place, shall we forgo the tent and just sleep out in the open in our sleeping bags?"
"I don't see why not." Brock replied, and Ash nodded with a grin.
Their previous languid and relaxed movements were gone, and they speedily laid their sleeping bags out. After returning the pokémon into their respective pokeballs, the trio climbed into their cosy 'cocoon'.
"Brock, Misty. Good night!" Ash let out a yawn before continuing, "Good night to you too, Pikachu and Togepi."
"Toge, toge…"
"Pika, pika…"
Misty gave Togepi a forehead kiss, and said, "Sleep well, wake me up if you need anything."
Brock snuggled into his sleeping bag. "Good night, see you all in the morning!"
"Good night, sweet dreams!"
In the wee hours of the morning, Togepi stirred.
The baby pokémon rolled out of her trainer's sleeping bag, and groggily sat upright. With her tiny hands, she rubbed her half-lidded eyes, and scanned her surroundings.
'It's too early... Wait, what's that…?'
At a distance not too far from where the sleeping trainers lie, near the little stream, was a peculiar green glow. It wasn't in trickles of water, no, it wasn't on the dark green grass either. It was floating in the air, just a few feet above ground.
'It's pretty, so pretty.'
Intrigued, Togepi, as if hypnotized, gradually drew closer to the gleaming light. Just as she was about to be directly below it, the shining green orb spun and dissipated. And in its place was a pokémon. Surprised by the sudden change, all the sleep in Togepi's eyes disappeared. Then Togepi murmured, her eyes glazed.
"Are, are you a fairy?"
The petite pokémon floating in mid-air with the clear wings on its back has a round head that comes to a curved point and a pair of green antennae with blue tips. It's large baby-blue eyes had thick black rings around them, and they were staring directly at the little egg pokémon.
"A fairy? Teehee, you're a funny and cute little one!"
The fairy-like pokémon let out a tinkling laugh and flew circles around Togepi. It twirled twice, then introduced itself.
"I'm not a fairy, my name's Celebi. Little one, what are you doing here?"
In response, Togepi mumbled, somewhat sadly. "I don't know how I woke up… my trainer's still asleep."
Celebi's eyes widened, giving the nearby sleeping bags a glance before turning her attention back onto Togepi. She thought to herself for a moment, 'This little one is kinda cute, and I am kinda bored…'
"Well, since you're awake and it'll take a while before your trainers do too, how about we play together?"
"Play…?" Togepi tilted her head. "Play! I like play!"
"I'm no fairy, but I do have great powers. Little one, wouldn't you like to see your trainer's past or future? Or even your own? We can play there!"
"Past…? Future…?" Togepi trailed off, eyebrows bent in confusion. "What's that? Is that fun?"
The floating pokémon laughed awkwardly. "Ahahaha… I guess 'past' and 'future' might be too much for you little one to understand."
Togepi pouted slightly and replied, "I don't know, but I want to see! All of theirs!" She pointed towards all three trainers. "And Pikachu!"
"Ah… ah… I am not sure if I can let you see them all at the same time, but I'll try. How many years back in the past or into the future do you want to see?"
"…Mmm?" Togepi shook her hands. "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, catch the arcanine by the toe….."
"So? What shall it be? Be quick little one! We don't have all night~" Celebi sang, twirling around in the air.
"Stop!" The little hands moving like a metronome came to a halt. "Future!"
"And how many years? I'm a nice Celebi so I'll let you choose."
"One, two, three, four, fifty? I don't know my numbers well… ten. Ten!"
With a nod and yet another spin, the mythical pokémon gathered her powers around them. In a matter of seconds, the two were traveling through a greenish-yellow tunnel.
"We'll just be looking at your trainers' possible future, nothing much will change even if you meddle since it hasn't happened yet and may not even happen, so be good, okay little one?"
"Toge, toge, toge…"
"H-hey! Little one, what are you doing, still doing eeny meeny? Uh, don't use metronome while we're travelling through time, who knows what will happen! Hey!"
"Toge, toge, toge…"
"Little one, are you listening?"
"Toge, toge, toge… piiiii!"
"Oh no!"
FLASH!
There was a blinding light, and at the same moment, the greenish-yellow tunnel changed into the familiar scenery of the Cerulean Gym. The duo were now floating high up, somewhere at the corner, almost touching the ceiling.
"…"
"Ah? Nothing happened." Celebi uttered out her thoughts. "Maybe this metronome was a dud?"
Unbeknownst to Celebi, what Togepi pulled in that particular metronome was the status move, 'psych up' [1]. That sudden burst of energy, coupled with Celebi's own powers, led to a very interesting dream for the sleeping trainers…
'…'
Ash woke up. No, it wouldn't be right to say he woke up. It would be more accurate to say he became aware that he was having a dream.
'Wh-where am I?' He thought. His field of vision soon widened and he took in his surroundings. 'Where is this place? Is this the Cerulean Gym?'
It must be so. The olympic-sized swimming pool with cream-colored floating platforms was certainly familiar. At a corner were some of the props the Waterflower sisters used in their previous underwater show and spectator seats covered the perimeter of the room. But, since when do they have a rock-water formation battlefield?
'That is definitely Misty's Psyduck playing in the pool with his rubber floatie, with Starmie and Horsea next to him… woah, I wonder who owns that Gyarados! And there's a spiky and pinkish pokémon, wait, I know, it's a Corsola!'
'This dream is so cool, it's like a movie!'
In his dreaming state, his vision drew closer towards the pool and he soon noticed two figures in bathing suits, floating side by side on their backs. The taller figure was a tanned male with black hair and equally black eyes. Next to him was a female with hair as bright as a flame and...
'Hey, that's me and Misty! Where's Brock, Pikachu and Togepi? Wait, since when are Misty and I this tall?'
'Shouldn't I be training hard right now? Why are we relaxing in the water?'
'Oh, or... did I win the Johto League and became a Pokémon Master and that's why I'm relaxing?!'
Ash jumped to his own conclusions. Despite knowing it's a dream, his heart soared at such thoughts and even more thoughts flowed. What does his team look like now? How did he win all his gym battles? Did he ever face off against Gary in a League? Are there any other regions he explored? What new pokémon awaits him?
Eventually, he was brought close enough to hear the conversation between the 'other' Ash and Misty. The duo swam to the far edge of the pool, quite a distance away from all the water pokémon.
"So Ash, now that you've finished your journey, what are your plans?"
'Finishing my journey meant becoming a Pokémon Master right?'
"I don't know, Mist. Winning a league has been my dream since forever. And now that it's done, I don't know what to do."
'YESSSS! I did it, I did it, I'm a champion! But eh, that's true, I've never thought of what's next after being a champ… Let's see what dream me thinks!'
The water-type trainer hummed, placing her arms on the sides of the pool. She tilted her head, gazing up at the boy. "Didn't we have a similar conversation when you just came back from Kalos? Well, like I said back then, you could challenge the Elite 4 and try to be the champion. Or, you could try for the position of Viridian City gym leader. Agatha never did find a replacement and she's getting on in years."
The 'other' him rested an elbow on the poolside. He propped his face up with that hand, lowering his face to the girl's eye level. In a wistful tone, he said, "Kalos huh, that was so long ago. Finishing in second…"
'Kalos? Is that another region? Even though it's just a dream, it sucks that I didn't win. Still, I made it to the finals! Wow! It'll be awesome if this is real!'
"Perhaps seeing me work will help you decide if you want to be a gym leader… so..."
"Oh yeah?"
"Well, if you're undecided, how about just staying here with me for a while?"
The cheeks of the girl who uttered those words were dyed in a light red, it extended even to the tips of her ears. Her aquamarine eyes were a little cloudy, and her lips trembled slightly. She was evidently shy and hopeful. In a way, it was sort of an 'un-Misty' like expression. What was even more surprising was the boy's answer.
"Why not? I could certainly spend more time with this awesome Cerulean gym leader who just so happens to be my girlfriend."
'...? …!'
'...What did Misty mean when she said that? Why did the me in my dream respond with that? Doesn't it make more sense to just go straight on to another journey? And, Misty is my girlfriend in the future!?' Ash had absolutely no time to question or ponder further. Because something unimaginable was happening right before his 'eyes'.
'Ash' narrowed the gap and pecked 'Misty' on the lips. Their gazes locked, and matching grins blossomed on their faces.
"Really? You won't suddenly go on a journey tomorrow will you?"
"Really. Trust me Mist. I'll stay here. With you."
Pressing her forehead against his, she whispered, "I'll hold you to that."
Their lips connected once more, except that this time, it was much deeper, and it didn't part as quickly as it did earlier.
'...? …!'
'What… When…! Misty, and me, how…?!'
'Isn't it time to wake up?'
'Ack, we're still- I mean, they're still going at it!'
The cute, petite pokémon duo were still observing this future scene. It had not been long since they were here, but Celebi was already a little bored. Sure, watching other people's romance unfold was pretty fun, but she rather see some drama, some spice, something… other than this kiss fest.
"Little one, what's so nice about seeing your trainers getting cosy with each other?"
"Ooo? Getting cosy? What does that mean?" Togepi glanced at her partner-in-crime innocently.
"Uhh…" Celebi paused. How was she supposed to answer that?! Togepi let out a soft 'ah!' before saying, "Friends? Does it mean they're friendly?"
Celebi paused again. 'Well, whatever floats her boat…' She nodded and replied, "...Yeah! That's it, that's exactly it, they're being real friendly with each other."
Hearing that, Togepi clapped and cheered.
"Yay! That's great! I wanna see it again!"
Celebi had to suppress a groan.
"Ugh, umm, how about we all go back to sleep?"
A moment passed, and Celebi perked her ears up. 'Hmm? No reply from the little one?'
"Toge, toge, toge…"
"H-hey! Little one, what are you doing!? Please don't use metronome now, it might not be a dud this round! Who knows what will happen! Hey!"
"Toge, toge, toge…"
"Little one, are you listening? Oh, this feels familiar..."
"Toge, toge, toge… piiiii!"
"Oh no!"
FLASH!
The same blinding light from before shone, covering the entire area. The two were still floating high up, somewhere at the corner, almost touching the ceiling.
"…"
"Ah? Nothing happened." Celebi uttered out her thoughts. "Maybe this metronome was a dud?"
Then she paused yet again, blinked, and mumbled, "Wait… Felt like I said exactly the same thing before…"
Togepi clapped and let out a happy laugh while familiar voices travelled into the mythical pokémon's ears.
"Well, if you're undecided, how about just staying here with me for a while?"
"Why not? I could certainly spend more time with this awesome Cerulean gym leader who just so happens to be my girlfriend."
"Wh-What?!" Celebi was astonished. "This can't be!" Then, bringing her gaze towards the trainers in the pool, Celebi's jaw dropped. "This can't be, but, it is!"
"Toge, toge, toge…"
"H-hey! Little one, what are you doing!? Please don't use metronome again. Hey!"
"Toge, toge, toge…"
"Little one, are you listening? What can I do to stop this, oh..."
"Toge, toge, toge… piiiii!"
"Oh no!"
FLASH!
A dazzling glare covered the entire space.
"…"
"Ah? Nothing happened." Celebi uttered out her thoughts. "Maybe this metronome was a dud?"
And again she paused, blinked, and mumbled, "Wait… This sounds awfully familiar and, it is!"
Togepi clapped and let out a happy laugh while familiar voices travelled into the bewildered pokémon's ears (again).
"Well, if you're undecided, how about just staying here with me for a while?"
"Why not? I could certainly spend more time with this awesome Cerulean gym leader who just so happens to be my girlfriend."
"Wh-What?!" Celebi was frantic as she stared at the (kissing) trainers in the pool. "How, how did this little one trigger roar of time!?" [2]
"Toge, toge, toge…"
"H-hey! Little one, what are you doing!? Please, please, please don't use metronome again. Hey!"
"Toge, toge, toge…"
"Little one, are you listening? What can I do to stop this, ahh!"
"Toge, toge, toge… piiiii!"
"Oh no!"
FLASH!
An all too familiar light engulfed the area once more.
'…'
Misty truly wondered. Was she awake or still in a dream? Everything seemed too vivid for it to be a dream, yet it repeated far too many times for it to not be a dream.
Being aware that you're having a dream was like watching a movie. You have no control of what's happening on 'screen'. But unlike watching a movie, no matter how much you wished to look away from what was happening right in front of your very own 'eyes', you couldn't.
Which was the case for Misty now.
One moment she was eavesdropping on 'her' own conversation with 'Ash' (if that made sense) and the next, she was seeing herself kiss him, over and over again! Over and over again!
This scene was basically on repeat:
With ripe peach-like cheeks, and in a light, subtle tone, 'she' uttered, "Well, if you're undecided, how about just staying here with me for a while?"
To which 'he' casually replied, "Why not? I could certainly spend more time with this awesome Cerulean gym leader who just so happens to be my girlfriend."
Whether Misty liked it or not, this scene, those sentences… they were imprinted in her mind. The first few times Misty viewed it, she was too busy screaming inwardly. Something like, 'Ahh! This may be a dream, but I could just die… from embarrassment!'
As soon as she became numb to it, perhaps around the 12th repeat, she started thinking about her future, relationship with Ash, and the likelihood of this actually happening.
'Being the Cerulean gym leader would mean I'm pretty proficient in handling water-types right? Even to the point of having my own Gyarados! That's a good thing! It will be great if it's real!'
'But I won't be able to be a gym leader and travel with Ash and Brock at the same time…'
'I really like traveling with them. However, if I'm being honest, being surrounded by water-types and honing my battling skills through gym challenges isn't a bad thing either…'
'If I were to be the gym leader, I'm sure Ash will still continue on his journey to be a Pokémon Master. Will I still continue to like him?'
'We're friends and of course I like him, umm, I do have a little teensy crush on him but, is it enough to continue liking him even when I'm older?'
Such thoughts soon scattered and faded away. Because miraculously, somehow, the dream loop stopped, and Misty's mind drifted back into actual deep sleep.
FLASH!
An emerald orb of light appeared by the stream. The group of Hoothoots that were drinking their fill were startled, and with a few too-hoots, became perched on the branches of a nearby tree. It only took a couple more seconds for the light to grow bigger, and then, two forms materialized.
After carrying the sleeping Togepi and tucking her back into her trainer's sleeping bag, Celebi let out a sigh. Who knew that it would take 24 loops before Togepi tired herself out and fell asleep - effectively ending the cycle?
'I thought metronome only has 10 power points.' Celebi mulled over it. 'Or did it replenish each time the roar of time sent us back?'
This would remain a mystery for Celebi for a long, long time.
"Good night little one, sweet dreams." Celebi whispered. With a final chuckle and glance at the innocent and overly curious baby pokémon, Celebi shot up into the air and flew towards Ilex Forest, where her home was.
This was enough fun for the night.
The pale crescent moon akin to a silvery claw soon faded away while the light of dawn brightened up the vast sky. A chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in, and the sleeping trainers began to stir.
"Yawn… Good morning everyone." Brock sat up from his sleeping bag, tilting his head left and right, back and forth. Misty likewise sat up too, patting her cheeks with her fingers, and said, "…Good morning."
"Pika, pika…" Pikachu groggily muttered, shaking his whole body. "Pikaaaaaa…" He let out a whine, looking quite sullen, which was unlike his usual
"Ugh… umm…" Ash groaned. He was clearly awake, for his eyes were opened. But his eyes were sort of glazed and he still remained curled like a caterpie in his sleeping bag.
Staring at such an Ash, Brock let out a vain laugh and commented, "Ha… don't we all look tired even after a nights' sleep!"
Now lying on his back, Ash replied, "To be honest, I didn't exactly sleep well… I had a strange dream."
Both Misty and Brock's ears perked up, they shifted their eyes towards their friend before unintentionally speaking in unison, "Really? So did I!"
Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Brock sighed slightly and shared, "Mine… was not just a strange dream, it was a bad dream! I was on a date with a sweet and lovely Nurse Joy in the Pewter Gym, but all of a sudden, she revealed herself to be a top-level inspector of the Pokemon Inspector Agency and challenged me to a battle against her Latios! If I lose to her, my family wouldn't be able to continue running the gym! Whatever happened to the date!?" [3]
He ended his story with a low moan and facepalm. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at his other two traveling partners and questioned, "So, what were your dreams about?"
"Huh!?" Misty and Ash both let out a shout, and stared blankly at each other. Misty looked away as a blush was creeping up her neck, and she said,
"You know what? I can't seem to remember it! Hahahahaha! Uh, so Ash, what was your dream about?"
"Oh… it was about-!" Ash suddenly paused, his eyes widening to the size of tennis balls. He seemed to be thinking of something for a few seconds, then gulped and continued, "...Wait, actually, I can't seem to remember it either!"
"..."
"Oh well, that can't be helped!" Unfazed, Brock said so and stood up, and started to roll his sleeping bag up. "Come on now, time to get ready, let's get to Azalea Town before nightfall!"
"Right!"
With that, the three scrambled into their morning routine. Brock started preparing breakfast, while Ash and Misty squatted by the stream to wash their faces.
"Oh!"
Their hands bumped. While flinching and stiffening slightly, they turned to face each other.
Aquamarine eyes met onyx ones.
The palpitations of their own hearts echoed in the quietness.
It was a total lie that neither of them remembered the contents of their dreams. How could they not? They did see it about 24 times after all. But do they know they experienced the same dream? Likely not. Thus, Misty could boldly ask,
"Um, so Ash, I was just wondering, what… what are you planning to do after becoming a Pokemon Master?"
"...!"
It went unnoticed to Misty, but Ash actually took in a sharp breath. As he slowly exhaled, he replied, "...Why the sudden question, Mist?"
"Like I said, just wondering…" Misty trailed off, biting her lips slightly. She couldn't come up with a plausible excuse at such short notice.
"Mmm…" Ash started, fiddling with his hands. "I- I don't know." But as soon as he thought about his lifelong dream, whatever awkwardness he previously felt disappeared, and a familiar kind of determination filled his face. He continued in a loud, strong voice, "I don't know when I'll become a Pokémon Master, but I'm sure I will, and that my journey will come to an end one day!"
'That's so like him.' Misty thought, chuckling inwardly. Perhaps the raven-haired trainer's determination was contagious, for a grin immediately spread across her face and she asked, "Well, even when your journey ends, will I be with you?"
His reply was instantaneous, it came along with a matching grin. "Of course! You'll be next to me every step of the way! We're best friends, aren't we?"
Misty's eyes curved even deeper. Yes, whatever that was shown in the dream, it was still a dream. Whether it will truly happen in the future or not… Well, that's for them to experience and decide. Till then, she will just keep her feelings and this dream to herself.
"That's right, we are!" Her grin soon transformed into a teasing smirk. "But, I'm pretty sure I will reach my goal of being a water-type pokémon master before you!"
"Oh, really? Well-"
"Would you two hurry and come for breakfast? Or we may never get to Azalea Town!"
"Ah, coming!"
.
.
.
「END of Future Loopsy」
Endnotes: Once again, happy pokéshipping day! Thanks for reading till the end! Whew, I'm glad I got this out before Pokéshipping Week 2021 ended. And geez, this certainly wasn't as short as what I had in mind. Please review and let me know your thoughts, I'd really appreciate it!
Here are some of my thoughts while doing this:
1. Psych Up - The user copies any status change that the opponent does. As I'm writing this note, I can't quite remember why I chose this move… I apologize.
2. Roar of Time - In the ranger games, Dialga used this move to send the player back in time. If the player fails to clear the mission within the time limit, Dialga will send them back again. And again. And again till the mission clears. This inspired the loop Ash and Misty (as well as Brock and Pikachu) experienced.
3. Slightly adapted from DPS02 - though I got to say, unfortunately, Brock certainly wasn't on a date with Nurse/Inspector Joy.
4. I would typically include some 'after stories' - scenes that do not really fit in the main story or are not developed enough. It was supposed to be Pikachu's own looping nightmare - his favorite bottle of ketchup turning into a scary, oversized one and was out to eat him instead! That would explain why I spent time writing about Pikachu and his ketchup in the dinner scene. But unfortunately, alas, I was short on time.
If inspiration strikes, I'll write about their future date (of course, not in another dream). Maybe for next year's PSW? Haha.
Ta-da for now!