.-* Disclaimer - I do not own and am not responsible for the characters of Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, etc. I wish I was, then I would "be rich and rule the world!!" Mwahahaha! No, seriously, the people at Nintendo, 4Kids Productions, etc. etc., deserve a pat on the back for these fantastic characters. Sadly, in all truth, I'm just a mere fan of Pokémon, and now a fanfic author. Therefore, the PLOT of this story is mine...don't steal it! I hope you enjoy my stories. Let me know what you think...constructive criticism welcomed in moderation...good comments are nice also ^_^ *-.

.-* ©2003 Mighty Misty Fanfics :o) *-.

.-* By the one and only Mighty Misty *-.

.-* Email me at MSUAngel12@hotmail.com *-.

.-* Rated: PG Type: Romance/Drama Ages: Ash-16 Misty-17 *-.

.-* UPDATE - 2-2-03: It's been a couple YEARS now since I posted this, but I did a little teeny revision, little errors I looked up just now...and so hopefully a new breed of Fanfiction.Net-ers can enjoy my fics! Thanks! *-.

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.·* A Time To Remember*·.

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.·CHAPTER 3 - The Love That Was Lost ·.

"No, Ash, please...come back..." Misty sobbed. How could he do this to me? Kiss me...then LEAVE! Why didn't I listen to my instincts... Misty pondered. She propped herself up against the door again, and ran her fingers over the letter. The poem was so sweet...touching...and hurtful. It was a definite deja-vu. Just on a larger scale this time...he means so much to me...but how could I REALLY expect him to give up his life for me? She took the letter upstairs and placed it safely in her jewelry box. She flopped somberly on her bed and sobbed into her pillow.

Ash looked dazedly out the window of the vehicle. He desperately tried to focus on the passing trees, attempting to get his mind off Misty. It wasn't working. How could I do that to her? I should have known this was going to happen...why didn't I see it! He was still so young. But the feelings were so strong, and the hurt was very real. His loyal Pikachu sat beside him, big black eyes searching for an answer to Ash's despair.

"Pi-pi. Pikachu, chu?"

"Sure Pikachu." [AN - I don't speak Pikachu, so I guess we'll never know what he just said! Mwahahaha! ^_~]

They had almost arrived in Saffron City. His manager turned to talk to him.

"This meeting will be on national television, Ash. That's why we're arriving so early. We need you to be prepared. It will be a type of conference...the audience will ask questions about you, your life as a Pokémon champion, and other related subjects, et cetera, et cetera. Okay?" Ash continued to stare dreamily out the window.

"Ash??"

"Huh? Oh, okay, sure," he replied apathetically, then turned to look out the window again. I've hurt the only girl I ever really loved he thought.

During the few days, Misty did her best to keep her mind off Ash. She immersed herself in swimming, chores, and talking care of her Pokémon. It didn't work as well as she'd hoped, but she managed to survive. It wasn't until the third day after he'd left that it hurt even worse...

Misty turned on the television, then positioned herself comfortably on the sofa. Her parents and sisters were gone for the day, leaving her all by herself. She decided to use the day as a resting time, to just sit around and read, think, and sleep. She flipped through the channels, searching for anything worth watching. She quickly passed by what looked like a conference of some sort. She was about to click the button again when she heard a familiar phrase...

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Ash Ketchum!" The introduction was followed by a round of applause. Tears welled in her eyes. Even the sound of his NAME is hard to cope with, she mused. A familiar figure appeared at the podium. He faked a smile and bowed a little. Misty smiled as a tear ran down her cheek. The audience then began asking questions about his travels, life experiences, tips for training, and so on. One question, though, became a question Misty would never forget.

A young woman in the front row raised her hand. Ash looked at her and waved a finger at her, indicating that she was to ask her question.

"Mister Ketchum...you've been with the Pokémon League as a champion for about five years. What kind of effect has this had on you life as a child?"

Ash pondered a moment. "Well, it's forced me to grow up faster than I would have had I not been a Master. But I am being tutored, I play sports, I try to live my life a normally as possible..."

"What about love? Have girlfriends played any part in you life so far?" she interrupted. Ash felt a lump form in his throat. What should I say? he wondered. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a second, and said, "Girlfriends...well, I have never had one that I truly cared for enough to stay with, or one who wished to stay with me in all my travels. The one I really loved is the one I hurt the most. I had to leave behind a world of promises and friendship to be a champion. And sometimes I'm not sure it's worth it. I miss my family, friends..."

"...and I miss Misty...the only girl I truly cared for. I had to leave her behind twice. Leaving her was one of, if not the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I hope she knows that, and I hope that she knows I'll wait for her, as I hope she will for me, until I've paid my dues as a Master and can lead a normal life." The crowd sat in silence, but Misty sat blubbering, close to the television, looking into the deep eyes of the boy she loved. She didn't know what to think. She was overcome by the emotion and poetic nature of his statement. She thought of the poem he had written her, and realized what she'd known all along.

"Yes, Ash," she said aloud. "I'll wait for you. Always."

Eventually the audience came around and began asking Ash about his life as a champion and trainer. But he was still focused on his statement earlier. If only Misty was watching... he thought. Maybe she is... After the audience had their time and ask their questions, an exhausted Ash returned to him hotel room somberly, feeling empty and lonely. I've gotten what I thought I wanted...the chance to be a Pokémon Master. But there's something missing... He knew exactly what was missing. A girl. A love. A friend, partner, confidant. He had the fame and fortune he'd sought after since boyhood. What he didn't have was the fortune he'd KNOWN since boyhood. True, he was still young. But he felt so strongly about Misty...he knew she had to be the one. Right? She is...if I'm worrying myself over her this much...I must love her... Ash never considered himself a romantic, but the last few days had disproved that. Now all he wanted was Misty. I have to have her, he thought. No matter what, I will have her...somehow.

Time passed. The days turned into weeks...the weeks into months. Eventually, over a year had passed since Ash left. Misty thought of him constantly, but had managed to push the pain farther away and it was getting progressively better. She even dated a few times, but each took a turn for the worse and ended abruptly. She still missed Ash...and wondered if he missed her.

One fall morning Misty awoke to a doorbell buzzing. She'd fallen asleep on her couch watching television the night before. She glanced at the clock. It read 7:34. She gave a sleepy yawn and went to the door. She opened it widely and found a familiar figure staring back at her and smiling.

"ASH??!"

"Yeah. Hello Misty," Ash said. He saw the beautiful red-headed girl smile brightly. She wrapped her arms around him and clung tightly. He couldn't believe he was actually here...here at the place where he'd broken her heart a year before. But that was not the case this time. Never again he vowed. Misty then let go and stared at him with wide green eyes.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned.

"Well...I told you I'd wait for you until my League days were over. I've been a champion for six years...this year will be my last year. And I've come to do something that I've dreamed of for a very long time." Ash reached into his coat pocket and brought out a velvet box. He opened it slowly to reveal a beautiful diamond ring, which glistened in the early morning sun. Misty closed her eyes as he dropped to one knee. He took her hand in his.

"Misty...will you marry me?"

"Yes Ash, I will! I will!" She cried as he placed the ring on her delicate finger. They embraced and held each other on her porch. He then lifted her head as he had a year ago, and brought his lips to hers. She received his kiss with no hesitancy. He pulled back, but kept his face close to hers. He whispered, "This is a time to remember."

So, what do you think? Comments, questions etc. accepted. Reviews are good too! Thanks for reading.

Mighty Misty