Misty had run straight onto the field as soon as Arcinine had been counted out. The crowd was so loud that she couldn't even hear her feet hitting the ground. She ran up to Ash and hugged him. She felt him grab her around the waist and twirl her around. "You did it, Ash!" she shouted over the crowd.
"I won!" he shouted back with an almost goofy grin. She noticed a sudden look of apprehension grow on his face, but before she could wonder the problem was, he kissed her. The kiss was somewhat desperate but at the same time it was gentle and good. At first she was surprised, but then instinct took over and she returned it. Finally they broke apart and she could feel her face grow hot. Sure, she had finally told him how she really felt about him over six months ago, but… it had never felt that good before. She looked into his eyes and saw an almost cute worried look. She ended any apprehension he may have had by kissing him right back.
The moment was perfect but didn't last long. Brock ran up to them and quickly interrupted. "Unless you guys don't mind getting trampled by a couple hundred reporters, I'd suggest we head out!" It didn't take Misty long to see what Brock was talking about. Like a stampede of Touros, reporters from every major news organization on the Indigo Island were making a beeline toward her and Ash.
"Let's go!" Ash yelled. Misty turned and followed Ash, who was in turn following a rather large security guard.
Already the questions had begun. "How does it feel to become a Pokémon Master?" "What does it feel like to be dating Ash?" "What's it like to be the youngest Pokémon Master ever?" The questions wouldn't stop.
After fighting the mob of people for what seemed like hours, they finally made it back to the locker room door. Misty followed Ash through the door and the security officer quickly slammed the door shut.
"They're crazy!"
"Well, I guess this means you're a celebrity now."
"This was never in the job description," Ash scowled.
"I'm sure it will get better."
The door suddenly flew open again, letting the noise of the crowd fill the small room. Brock and Mrs. Ketchum practically jumped into the room, followed by another security officer.
"Good heavens!" Mrs. Ketchum said. "It's a frenzy out there." The security officer shut the door and the noise level dropped dramatically. Mrs. Ketchum quickly turned her attention to Ash and ran up to her son and hugged him so tight Misty wasn't sure if Ash could breathe. "Ash! Oh Ash! You did it! My little boy, a Pokémon Master! Your father would be so proud!" She broke into tears.
"Mom—Mom! I can't breathe!" Ash struggled to say.
Mrs. Ketchum quickly released him. "I'm sorry Ash. I'm just so excited."
"That's okay mom."
"That was one of the best Pokémon battles I've ever seen, Ash," Brock said. "You were really good out there. I always knew you would make it here someday."
"Thanks Brock. That means a lot to me."
"He's right Ash. I almost can't believe you're the same boy I fished out of that stream five years ago."
"I can't believe you're the same girl that fished me out either." Misty could feel herself blushing again.
Just then, another door opened and a man wearing a business suit entered. "Mr. Ketchum?"
"Yes," Ash replied.
"Mr. Ketchum, congratulations on your victory."
"Thanks. Um, who are you?"
The man laughed. "My name is Harry Bennett. I'm a representative for the Pokémon league. I'm here to help you handle everything you're going to need to do over the next couple of days. And let me tell you, they are going to be busy."
"Handle what?" Ash asked.
"Handle what?" the man scoffed. "For starters, we have to schedule your interviews."
"Interviews?"
"Of course! Every news origination from here to Johto wants to talk to the youngest Pokémon Master ever. In addition to that, we have public appearances to set up, advertising shots, and publicity photos, not to mention the Induction Ceremony tonight. Public officials, Pokémon masters from years past, foreign dignitaries, the works; they're all going to be there."
"Can my family and friends go too?"
Mr. Bennett looked around and lingered on Misty. "Of course! Bringing a date is recommended actually."
Ash became a little flustered. "I mean…" He looked at Misty nervously. "If you want be my date."
"I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Ash's face lit up like a light bulb and Misty had to contain her laughter.
Mr. Bennett continued, barely noticing, "Right now we need to go over your itinerary for today and tomorrow."
Ash turned to Misty and Brock. "Um, why don't you guys head on back to the hotel? I'll be around sometime. It looks like this is going to take awhile."
"Ok, Ash," Brock replied.
"Sure Ash, no problem," Misty added. "Besides, if I'm going to be your date tonight," she said with a wry smile, "I'm going to need a new dress." Misty couldn't contain the laughs this time as she watched Ash's face go bright red. "Later Ash."
Misty followed Brock out into the hallway where two more security guards waited. They turned to them, and one spoke up. "You trying to get out of here? I'll help you get through the crowd."
"Gee, thanks," Brock replied. They began to follow the guard as he led them through the many hallways of the arena. "He did it," Brock said after a minute. "I mean, I always knew he could, but he really honestly did it."
"I know how you feel. I guess it really hasn't sunk in yet; Ash is a Pokémon Master."
"Incredible." He paused. "You two sure seem to be finally hitting it off."
Misty felt herself blushing. "Yeah," she replied, thinking back on the kiss Ash had given her.
"All I can say is that it's about damn time."
"Thanks." She fell silent again. "I'm just worried that now that Ash has won… well, things will be different. Maybe we waited too long."
Brock stopped and faced her. "You are ever the worried one, aren't you? Let me tell you something right here and now. You two have had a thing for each other long before you even admitted it to yourselves. Believe me, I was there to watch. When you guys finally told each other how you felt, I saw you two light up brighter than anything else I've seen. It's never too late for love, if it's truly there. You two are the most stubborn people I have ever known. Nothing will be able to come between you, nothing. I guarantee it."
Misty smiled. "Thanks Brock. I needed that."
"No problem. That's what I'm here for. Now if I could only get myself a date," he said with a smile.
"One day, Brock. If you're anything, you're persistent."
* * * * *
Frank Russell slowly made his way through the stone passageway, his four-man team silently following him. He was just thankful that the workers here had lined all the passageways in the place with electric lights. He didn't want to think about having to navigate his way with flashlights. Old places like this had always given him the creeps. They had too many ghosts. He glanced down once more at the diagram in his hand. According to it, they were nearing the area in which Oak thought the chamber was most likely to be.
After several more minutes, they reached an intersection with another passageway. "Where to now?" asked one of his men.
Frank consulted the map again to be sure before gesturing to his left. "This way."
Without warning the silence was broken by static emanating from the radio at his side. Professor Oak's voice filled the silent corridor. "Mr. Russell? Mr. Russell, are you there?"
Frank quickly grabbed the radio and hissed, "Professor! I told you not to radio me! Damn it, you could have given us away!"
"I'm sorry. But I hope you can understand my concern."
"I understand that you think this Dr. Eve person might have just found herself one nasty… something. That's why I'm here," Frank said, silently adding, but if you get me killed down here, it's not going help matters. He found himself wishing he hadn't taken this job. Sure, the money he had been offered was good, but this whole thing was beginning to make his job back on the Viridian City SWAT team seem like a low risk occupation. It's a little late now to worry about that, he said to himself. Here he was, two hundred feet underground, trying not to get lost, with a ragtag team of ex-police officers and out of work bounty hunters; a little too late indeed. "I have my men to worry about," he said, again silently adding, not to mention my own skin.
"Of course. Again I am sorry. What is your status? Any sign of Dr. Eve or anything unusual?"
"No sir. There has been no sign of life, human or otherwise, since we entered the forsaken rock pit."
"Understood. I would like to request that you keep continued radio contact for the duration of the mission."
"Affirmative. Radio contact will be maintained." At least it would keep him from pulling that stunt again. After flipping the appropriate switch on the radio, he pulled out an earpiece and miniature microphone from his bag and attached them to the radio. He then replaced the radio on his belt and nodded forward.
It wasn't until they had traveled through several more intersections that Frank really began to doubt if, no matter what precautions he had taken, they would be able to find their way out of this place if circumstances warranted a hasty retreat.
It was around that time that they found what they had been looking for. In front of Frank and his team, the floor was scarred by a gaping hole. Upon closer examination, he noticed a rope ladder leading downward. He could see light emanating from below.
"Professor," he whispered.
"Find something?" the professor's voice asked into his ear.
"I think so. There's a large hole in the floor just in front of us. It leads… somewhere, but I can detect light from below." He paused to check the map. "We're right dab in the middle of the area you indicated."
"Ok, proceed." Frank was about to issue orders when the professor spoke again. "And Frank, be careful."
"I will." The old guy wasn't all that bad, Frank had to admit, even if he was rather annoying to work for.
He turned to his men. "I go first. One at a time, follow me down. From here on in, weapon safeties off, but don't do anything stupid. Remember, we have two civilians down here." They each nodded. "At least I hope we still do," he added grimly. "Let's go."
The hole was deeper than he had first estimated, but he was down the ladder in less than a minute. He took a quick look around as he scanned for any sign of life. The small room was empty. Several portable workmen's lights illuminated the room, giving him a clear view of the ancient frescos that adorned the walls. They weren't why he was here, though. The large door in front of him was. He waited until all four of his men were down before contacting the professor again.
"This is definitely it. I can see the door. It's right in front of me, just like in the photos."
"Is it open? Is it open?" The fear in the professor's voice made Frank nervous. He knew that he knew very little of what was going down, but all of a sudden, he was really glad he couldn't read what was written on that door. As far as he was concerned, it was better to just think of this as a pokémon on the loose. Unlike on the force, however, here deadly force was authorized.
Frank stared at the gap between the door and the wall. "I'm sorry professor. It's been opened. The opening looks just wide enough for one person to slide through."
"Damn! Damn it, we're too late! Is there any sign of Dr. Eve or her assistant?"
"No sir. They may be on the other side."
"We have to determine if the statue has been compromised."
"Checking now professor. Stand by." Frank was really beginning to doubt that whatever the professor feared was down here was just a simple pokémon. I just hope I live long enough to find out what it is, he thought. On second thought, he decided he could live well without ever having to find that out.
As quietly as he could, he made his way to the open doorway and peered through. Due to the angle of the door, however, he couldn't see much. The room appeared to be illuminated by the same portable lights that lit the room he was in, one of which was just in his line of vision and looked to have been knocked over. The walls seemed circular, at least the small section he could see, and consisted of roughly hewn stone which was covered with strange pattern.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped through and quickly surveyed the rest of the room. It took all of his experience as a police officer and a strong stomach not to scream out loud and spill his lunch all over the sand covered floor. Even so, he stumbled back through the gap in the doorway, falling to the stone floor hard, and he had to swallow back the sour taste that was rising up in his throat.
His team quickly picked him up and dragged him away from the door, weapons aimed at the small gap. "What happened?" "Are you hurt?" "Were you attacked?" He held up his hand to stop the barrage of questions.
Even after they quieted, the professor's voice bit into his ear. "Frank? Are you alright? What's going on down there? Frank? Answer me, damn it!"
"I'm all right professor," he said, still trying to control his breathing.
"Thank God. What just happened? Did it attack you?"
"Nothing attacked me," he replied, talking loudly enough for the others to hear him as well. "However, Dr. Eve and her assistant are dead." There was noticeable shuffling among the men.
"Dead? How?" the professor asked.
"I'm not sure, professor." He'd had his share of murder cases during his tenure as a police officer but nothing like what he had just seen.
"The poor woman. She was a good student—" The professor trailed off and grew silent.
"Professor?" Frank asked gently.
"Was the statue still there?" he asked finally, his voice telling Frank that he already knew the answer.
"No, professor. There was a pedestal in the middle of the room, and it could have held something like what you described, but the room was empty."
"Is there any sign that the creature is still there?" The urgency in his voice only seemed to grow.
"No professor. The bodies, um, they looked like they'd been dead for at least two hours. Plus, we haven't seen nor heard anything since we've been down here. I'm thinking that whatever it was that killed those two women is long gone by now. It might even be lost somewhere in this place. Believe me, it wouldn't be hard."
"No. It's too smart to get lost. You can count on that. If it isn't there, it's gone."
"That's almost comforting. What do you want us to do now?" Frank couldn't help but ask himself how the professor seemed to know so much about this thing, especially considering no one had ever seen it.
"Pull out. As carefully as possible, I want you out of there."
"But what about—"
"We can let the authorities handle it… later. Right now I want you to get you and your men out of Pokemopolis as fast as you can."
"Professor…"
"You heard me, Frank. You don't know what you're dealing with down there." The fear in his voice seemed to build.
"I've been reminded of that fact just about every minute I've been down here. If you would only tell me what this thing is," Frank replied.
"There's no time for that now. Not with it loose. You saw what it did to those women."
"Alright, alright. I'll do what you say."
"Thank you. Return here and I'll tell you everything I can."
"Roger." Frank stood up, flipping off the radio as he did and pulling out the earpiece.
"What do we do now?" one of the men asked.
Though he wasn't sure why, Frank wasn't ready to leave the place. Perhaps it was a professional curiosity. Or maybe it was just that his years of training as a police officer wouldn't let him leave those two women unattended. Whatever the reason, Frank answered, "We're going in there. We're going to see if there's any clue to where this thing went." He could tell that this wasn't what they had wanted to hear. "I'm going to warn you, what you're going to see in there isn't pretty. We were too late to do anything for them, but I'll be damned if I'm going to leave them like they are." He looked into the eyes of each man. "Any objections?" None of them looked particularly eager to go, but no one said anything. "Alright, let's go."
Frank led the way. As he neared the door once again, he swallowed nervously, hoping the others didn't see him. Taking a deep breath, he stepped through the gap in the door. Again, he had to fight back the sour taste in his mouth. He heard the gasps behind him as the others made their way into the circular room.
The two women were the same as he had seen them before. Between himself and the pedestal in the center of the room, they lay, one intact, the other… not. It looked as if someone had strapped some kind of explosive to her chest and let it explode. There was very little left of her above the waist. Frank looked long enough to notice that there were no burn marks or anything else that would indicate such an explosive. The strange pattern he had first noticed on the wall was, he grimly noted, her splattered blood. The entire room was covered with it. Her lower torso down looked relatively undamaged, but that only made the scene that much more disturbing. The other body, from the report the professor had given him, he identified as Dr. Eve, appeared undamaged. Her clothes were stained with blood, but it was impossible to tell if it was from wounds or from her assistant. It wasn't until Frank moved closer that he noticed her face, which was twisted in a look of utter horror, her eyes staring blankly upward. He silently bent down and closed her eyes, placing his jacket over her head.
"Look for any sign of the creature or anything that might give us an idea where it went." It took him a moment to realize he was whispering.
* * * * *
More humans…
What a pleasant surprise… It needed more nourishment. The one had not been enough. It had been too quick with the first… it had lost focus with its hunger and had gone too fast…It had wasted its life essence…it was a mistake it wouldn't repeat this time… five humans… a worthy meal… It should give it enough power to find its new host…It could feel his presence… One who possessed a will strong enough to house it…Its reign would begin anew…
Soon…
It watched…It waited…
Almost time…
* * * * *
Frank continued to examine the room. He couldn't see anything that could help him or the professor. Maybe the old man had already known that there was nothing to find and that's why he wanted him to leave. No, Frank thought, there had to be more to it than that. The fear in the professor's voice still haunted him. What was this creature that gave him so much dread?
He knelt in front of the empty pedestal. He could see that more of the strange writing from the door was carved on it. What does it all mean? he asked himself for the hundredth time since entering this stone tomb. Tomb… That's how he was beginning to look at this place.
"What the—Shit!" someone yelled.
The shout sent Frank spinning around, his gun drawn. "What—" he began. Then he saw it. What it was, Frank didn't know. It was as if a black cloud had descended from somewhere above them. No, less opaque than a cloud, more like mist or fog… like concentrated darkness.
Suddenly the room was bathed in red light. The creature had… opened its eyes. Frank couldn't find another way to describe it. He stared at the red orbs and saw a flurry of emotions within them: hunger, anger, and most frighteningly of all, hatred.
There was no doubt in Frank's mind that this was the professor's mysterious creature. Now that I've found it, Frank thought, what do I do? He saw that the others, each with his gun drawn and pointed the newcomer, were looking at him as if to ask the very same question. Although the creature had not made any overtly hostile motions toward them, Frank didn't want to take any chances. The evidence of what it could do lay all around him.
Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, it attacked. It quickly moved toward one of the men and… engulfed him. Frank could still see the man's outline through the semi-transparency of the creature. The screams of pain that followed reverberated around the small room.
"Kill that thing!" Frank shouted. The others needed no other encouragement. Each man fired his clip empty, careful not to hit their comrade, but the bullets just passed straight through and hit the wall behind, shattering the ancient stone wall. Stone slivers sailed through the air, one slicing deeply into Frank's cheek as it flew by. "Cease fire!"
The creature, seemingly finished with its victim, let the man drop to the floor. His eyes stared lifelessly, telling of the great horror he had just endured. Then, just as quickly as before, it attacked again, seizing its victim. It looked to Frank as if he was feeding, but it had left no marks on the body. What am I supposed to do? Bullets won't stop it.
Frank's remaining two companions broke and ran back to the opening in the door. There they stumbled together and stopped. The air in front of them would not let them pass.
"It's blocked! I can't get through! Shit, man, what the hell are we doing down here?" The man yelled.
Must be a psychic barrier, Frank thought clinically. Then a new thought struck him. If this was a pokémon, then most likely it was a ghost pokémon of some sort, and the one thing ghost pokémon are weak against… it's other ghost pokémon. Although it had been years since he had been an official trainer, he still had his meager collection of pokémon.
"Ghastly, go!" He shouted as he released the pokéball. "Confusion attack!" he added after the pokémon had appeared.
If the creature was confused, it didn't show it. Instead it momentarily switched its attention from its victim to Frank's pokémon. It released a red beam of energy that struck Ghastly and sent it reeling back into the opposite wall. The small pokémon flared red then fell silently to the floor.
Frank backpedaled several steps as he stared at his dead pokémon. The creature returned it attention back to the man in its grasp. Why doesn't it attack us? he asked himself. But he already knew the answer. Because it knows we can't hurt it. We're just some kind of food for it. Numbly he reached down for the radio at his side. He wasn't sure if at that moment he realized that there was no chance for him to leave this place alive, but he knew the professor had to be told what was happening here. He seemed to be the only one who knew what was going on. Frank had never been one to be overly dramatic, but only one look at the creature's eyes had been enough to tell him that this thing wanted more than just them. It wanted something much bigger, and if something wasn't done, nothing would be able to stop it.
"Pr-pr-professor," he tried to say into the radio, but his voice cracked. "Professor!" he managed finally.
"Frank? What's wrong?" Even though he knew that professor was miles away and could offer no help, Frank had to admit it was a very good thing to hear his voice.
"It's here, professor. It's killed two of my men already. It's got the door blocked with some kind of psychic barrier."
"God Frank, there's—"
"There isn't, professor and there's no time to debate the issue either. Listen, you've got to find a way to kill this thing. I don't think it's going to stay here for long. I don't know what kind of pokémon this thing is, but it's more powerful than anything I've ever seen."
"It's not a pokémon Frank," the professor said weakly. "Not exactly."
"Then what is it?"
"It's a demon. Like the god birds it's very old and very, very powerful. Only it wants to destroy the world." Frank could understand why the professor hadn't told him about this before. If Frank hadn't seen it himself, he would have said the old man was stark raving mad. Instead he only listened. "It's been trapped in that room for thousands of years. We just didn't know where it was. We didn't know until we got those photos of the door. We had hoped to be able to stop it before it was awakened, that's why we sent you. If I had known that it—"
"Too late to worry about that now, professor. I knew the risks when I signed on… well, almost. I just hope you got a way to kill this demon thing."
"We have a way—"
A shout from one of the other distracted Frank from the rest of the professor's words. Suddenly Frank doubled over in pain. Through tear-filled eyes he could see that the creature had engulfed him. His mind was filled with a foreign presence, animalistic in its base hunger, but Frank could feel a frightening intelligence beneath it. Searching… voracious… it was a ravenous hunt through his very being. Then, although he imagined it impossible, the pain increased. It felt as if his blood was boiling… as if something was being pulled from him. Whatever it had been looking for, the creature had found it, and now it was trying to rip it away. Slowly at first, Frank could feel it beginning to tear. The pain intensified until his mind began to shut down from the overload… It was then he realized it was he that was being ripped away… Had he been a religious man he would have said his soul was being taken… Whatever its name, suddenly it ripped free. Instantly emptiness filled him, as if to replace what had been lost… The darkness, however, did not brighten… his mind… he couldn't feel… only the darkness… the endless darkness… he screamed… please… someone… save me… No one returned his cry… he was left to drown in the darkness alone…
* * * * *
Misty silently walked up to the hotel room door and knocked. Why does Ash want to see me now? Misty asked herself for the thirtieth time since he had called her. She waited, but there was no response from within, so she knocked again. This time a voice greeted her. "Sorry! Come on in."
Misty opened the door and saw Ash sitting on a lush bed. "Hey, Misty," he said when he saw her.
"Hey," she replied as she walked in. "I was beginning to wonder if you were here or not."
"Yeah, sorry about that. I was kind of lost in my thoughts."
Misty chuckled. "Someone call the papers. This is breaking news."
Ash joined in with her laughter. "Please, no more papers. I'm going to be up to my eyeballs in interviews and photo ops. Who would have thought that being a Pokémon Master would be so much work?"
"Almost makes you wish you'd let Gary win?" she asked with a smile.
"Not on your life. Gary would have had enough gall to enjoy it all."
"You're right. Besides, we don't need his ego growing any larger than it already is." The two fell into laughter again. Then Misty remembered Ash's phone call and the urgency in his voice. "Umm, Ash, why did you call me over here? Over the phone you said it was important." Instantly Ash's face grew somber and serious. What could be wrong? Misty asked herself.
"It is," he replied. Misty could feel herself tense at his tone.
"What is it?" she managed to ask.
"I wanted to talk. When I asked you before the match to see me, I hadn't had a big formal dinner in mind. Mr. Bennett told me that I'm going to be pretty much swamped for the next week or two and, well, this couldn't wait. Things are changing too fast, and I want to be sure of some things before they do." Misty was beginning to get even more worried. It wasn't like Ash to be this serious. The last time she had seen him like this was when he had told her that he loved her. Just then, a horrible thought flashed through her. "Things are changing so fast." It was the same thing she had said to Brock only hours before. Was he leaving her? Did she just not fit into his new life as Pokemon Master? Her mind was racing. Misty was one who prided herself on independence, but after so many years at Ash's side, she didn't know what she would do without him. She loved him.
Seemingly unaware of the turmoil within her, Ash continued. "You've been by my side since the very beginning Misty. I was telling the truth earlier when I said wouldn't have been here today if it hadn't been for you. To be honest, there's a good chance I wouldn't be alive if you hadn't been there to save me."
Is he trying to let me down easy? Misty could only sit there silently waiting for him to continue. She wanted to shout at him to tell her already and put her out of her misery.
Ash took a deep breath. "Misty…" He sighed. "Misty…" he began again. He lowered his head. Softly he said, "I didn't know how hard this would be."
He raised his head and looked into her eyes. His eyes are so kind, she thought suddenly.
"Misty… will you marry me?" With that, he pulled forth a small box, which he opened to reveal an amberrite ring.
Misty couldn't think. Her brain wasn't working. Marry? Dumbly, she realized that he hadn't been dumping her, he had been proposing to her. The thought wouldn't process. She had been so sure…
Ash must have finally noticed her flurry of emotions. Quickly he added, "It wouldn't have to be right away. I know we're only 16 and all, but I know with all my heart that my feelings for you will never change. I love you, Misty Waterflower."
The room blurred. It took Misty several seconds to realize that tears were streaming down her cheeks. "Yes, Ash. Yes!" She hugged him. She felt him hug her back. Her lips found his in an embrace. Numbly, she felt him slip the ring onto her finger. It was the happiest day of her life. "I love you, Ash Ketchum."
They just sat on the bed, satisfied to be in each other's arms. Finally, after a time, Ash gently pulled away.
"There's more," he said softly, but happily.
"More?" Misty asked with a quiet chuckle, trying in vain to wipe the tears of joy from her eyes. "How could there be more?"
"Well," he replied, "I asked Mr. Bennett about it while we were going over my itinerary, and he put me in touch with some league officials. It's an idea I've had for awhile, but I never thought it would happen. The waiting lines are supposed to be enormous, but the officials said since I'm a Pokemon Master, they said I could get fast tracked."
"Ash," Misty interrupted gently, "you're rambling."
"Yeah, sorry. Everything is happening so fast."
Misty couldn't help but laugh. "You're one to talk about fast. You're not the one who just got proposed to."
Ash laughed as well. "That's true. But you did just make me the happiest guy on the planet by accepting."
"When did you become such a sweet talker?"
"Oh, I don't know. I guess I've picked up a few things from Brock over the years."
Tears were running down her face again, this time from laughter. "Just tell me what else you have planned, Ash Ketchum, before I have Pikachu thundershock you."
"Ok, ok. You see, the Indigo League is looking to open several new gyms over the next year, and I thought that since Pallet Town had never had its own gym before… that, well, we could open a gym together. I know it's always been a dream of yours to have your own gym. The league wants to open several multi-specialized gyms and thought a water-electric type gym would be perfect. I thought we could call it the Mist Gym."
"The Mist Gym," Misty repeated.
"Do you like it?" Ash asked hopefully.
"I love it!" She hugged him tightly and they began to kiss once more.
(to be continued…)