Ash sighed as he finished the meal Brock had prepared for the group. It
was approaching his birthday and they were still hunting Team Rocket's
leader, Giovanni.
His seventeenth birthday, one year short of the one he'd just missed of Rikka's. Most of the others he was with had celebrated during their crusade, Brock his twentieth, Misty her sixteenth, and Falkner had recently had his twenty first. People always told him that your eighteenth birthday was special. Your first step towards being an adult and something to celebrate with your closest friends and family. He would have his closest friends even if this took another year, but Misty had missed the ones he saw as her closest friends.
He looked back at the fire, blazing in the center of their circle and a song surfaced. He began singing it softly enough that he thought no one could hear. Misty could hear him, but missed most of the words.
At the chorus, his voice cracked at the 'about's' in the in the first lines, allowing Brock and Gary, who were sitting on logs beside his, to hear. After a bit of thinking, both recognized the song. They patiently waited for the next chorus and joined in, their voices allowing the entire group to hear.
"I'm all about you, I'm all about us." The trio sang
As the chorus finished, Brock and Gary dropped out, not knowing the verses, and Ash's voice resounded in the ears of the assembled group, even waking Pikachu, Vulpix, and Clefairy, as tears formed in Ash's eyes.
"When I close my eyes I can see you, it's like you're right here, and this feeling's only getting stronger, you're with me everywhere." Brock and Gary again joined him at the chorus and everyone else joined their voices in the final repeating which ended taking several minutes with Brock and Gary acting the parts of the echoes.
When their voices faded, along with images of significant other or dreamed significant others, Ash opened his eyes to gaze into the fire. "Misty." He whispered, barely loud enough for Brock to hear. The man smiled at his best friend, now sure of his feelings for the girl that sat beside him on the log.
The group put out the fire shortly and climbed into their sleeping bags in preparation for the next day.
******
Ash waved his group into position and pressed his ear to the door. He smiled as his Pokèmon-acquired hearing allowed his to catch a conversation going on inside.
"They call themselves 'League Champions.'" One voice said.
"Yes. I noticed that Lance and the rest of the Elite Five were gone." The other voice answered. "Well. If they're looking for me, their looking in the wrong place. Those fools Ash and Gary never suspected the leader of the Viridian City Gym," He paused and laughed. "was also the leader of Team Rocket."
Ash gasped and grew angrier before the other voice spoke. "How are we supposed to stand up to the Elite six?" It gasped.
Giovanni laughed. "You don't. No one in Team Rocket is stronger than me and I'm nowhere near as powerful as Will." He answered. "But while those fools are looking for another base, we can regroup here and find a new place for a secondary base."
"Yes sir." The voice answered, followed by the beep of a machine shutting off. Ash motioned his group forward and forcibly opened the door.
***
The base was quickly taken over and Brock and Jasmine were coordinating the demolition as the rockets scattered. Ash pulled Lance and Gary together and told them of what he'd heard.
"Viridian!" Gary exclaimed.
"I was wondering why he didn't want to come with us." Lance agreed as he grabbed his Pokèball, calling out Dragonite.
Ash grabbed his arm. "We need to wait for the others." He said.
As the last part of the building collapsed, Ash called out Charizard and the others called forth their methods of transportation.
"We have a slight problem." Will noticed. "There are two extra bodies to transport."
"Not a problem." Koga answered as he and Jasmine lifted the same two Pokèballs they had in the beginning. "I can ride my Crobat and Jasmine has her Skarmory."
Ash nodded appreciatively. "Jessie and James will ride with me." He ordered. The two were wary of the dragon as he was of them, but eventually everyone was situated and the Pokèmon took off.
They took off and Dragonite and Charizard nearly left the others behind as they sensed their master's need. Ash called out to Lance.
"Think we should wait for the others?" He laughed and Lance called his dragon to slow down.
As they rejoined the others, Ash continued. "I think a few Rockets might have seen us take off. They may warn Giovanni that we're on our way."
Lance nodded in thought. "What should we do?" He asked. Ash shook his head, not having any ideas.
One of his passengers did however. "Maybe we should have one of the other leaders call him to make sure he's there." James suggested.
"That's great James." Lance answered. "Ash, when we land next, I'll need to use your Pokèdex."
***********
They landed for dinner before too long, at the insistence of several stomachs, including those traveling on Charizard, and Ash handed over the device, keeping an eye on Lance as he took care of Charizard.
"Everyone alright with having steak for our last meal?" Brock called from inside the cooler.
When no one offered a dissenting vote, Brock grabbed some of the meat and pulled his head from the cooler to see Chuck standing behind him. He was confused at the look he was receiving from the older man until he realized what he'd said. "Not you Chuck." Brock said with a laugh and held up the meat. "These."
"Oh." Was the man's only reply before he turned back to help the others.
Lance came back to the group as the steaks were beginning to sizzle. "Hey guys." He called and all attentions turned to him. "How about we throw a 'Welcome home' party?" He saw the happy faces on most of his companions' faces while the few others sported confused looks. "Giovanni won't suspect us then and we can have Officer Jenny put him in jail." The few confused looks changed to joy and a few 'Yea's' were called. "Alright Blaine. We'll have it in a week, can you make the preparations?" At Blaine's nod, the two said goodbye and Lance sat with the others as the meal was served.
"To our last meal of this journey. Not to insult Brock's cooking, but I can't wait for a meal at home." Gary proclaimed, holding up his canteen. "I shall remember it well." He finished. The others held up their canteens and joined him in the toast.
Once they had finished, Ash took back his Pokèdex and began to walk to the edge of the clearing
Brock stepped in his way, having read the boy's mind through his expression. "Ash. While I'm sure Rikka'd love to talk to you, I think she'd like it better if you were there." Brock said, and upon seeing his friend's confused expression, he continued. "I think if you leave now, we may get there before nightfall."
Ash smiled and nodded at his friend's wisdom before moving towards Charizard and calling Jessie and James. They were a little warily, which was justified when Charizard glared at them. But they
climbed on and Ash turned to the rest of the group. "Everyone has a ride? Correct?" He asked.
"I'll take Brock and Lt. Surge to their towns." Gary called as the others ordered the returning setup.
"All right then. Charizard, take us home to Pallet." He called and the other two squealed in fright as the dragon practically leapt off the ground before spreading his wings. "You know." Ash told his fellow passengers. "It's going to be strange calling Misty Misty again."
****
As they watched the sun set, the former Team Rocket members flinched as Ash began grumbling. "We should be back before dark. Huh. More like midnight."
"Calm down Ash. Remember that on your journey you weren't the only one to get the twerps lost." James called from behind Jessie.
The trio and the two Pokèmon were over the ocean the team had crossed to get to Team Rocket's island. It had taken most of a day to cross at a slow pace, and though Charizard was flying at anything but a slow pace, they were still out of sight of land. Ash tried to urge Charizard to go faster, but nearly received a flamethrower to the face for his troubles. So the trio was forced to wait to sight land as Charizard flew at a steady pace along side the setting sun. They were alone over the water as the others hadn't taken such a quick pace across the water.
*****
"Mist?" Ash called softly as he entered the room. When he got no answer, he entered and saw the woman he loved lying on his bed. He could see the tear stains on her cheeks from her crying herself to sleep, and it looked like it wasn't just one night's worth.
He tried to brush them away as he sat down on the bed, pulled off his shoes and looked about the room. Pikachu was standing by Togepi, watching his friend sleep with a smile on his face. Ash turned back to Misty and, shoes, belt, and hat removed, lay down beside her, pulling her close. She unconsciously snuggled closer to him and he kissed her forehead.
He sighed and flipped over, careful not to hit her, when he realized he wasn't tired. He looked up with a smile at the radio he had left by the bed and flipped it on after lowering the volume sufficiently.
After a minute or so of commercials, the DJ came back and told them of the songs he would be playing in the next hour before starting one he didn't mention.
I could stay awake, just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
Ash turned back and watched the woman he shared the bed with.
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure
He smiled as the lyrics were brought to the front of his memory and he pulled Misty close and began mouthing the words.
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever
Ash glanced at her and copied her face when he saw the smile growing on hers. She seemed more relaxed than before and he was comforted when he heard her sigh and snuggled further into his arms.
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
'Cause I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss a thing
Ash reached behind himself and managed to turn the radio off. He kissed her hair and sighed as she did the same and moved to be comfortable against her. "I've lived these past nine months on dreams of you, and now that I have you back, I'm not going to leave again for a very long time. Not at all if I can help it."
She mumbled something and shifted again, wrapping Ash's arms around her. He smiled and lay his head on the pillow beside hers and joined her in, now, peaceful slumber.
___________________________________
Disclaimer: See Author Profile
His seventeenth birthday, one year short of the one he'd just missed of Rikka's. Most of the others he was with had celebrated during their crusade, Brock his twentieth, Misty her sixteenth, and Falkner had recently had his twenty first. People always told him that your eighteenth birthday was special. Your first step towards being an adult and something to celebrate with your closest friends and family. He would have his closest friends even if this took another year, but Misty had missed the ones he saw as her closest friends.
He looked back at the fire, blazing in the center of their circle and a song surfaced. He began singing it softly enough that he thought no one could hear. Misty could hear him, but missed most of the words.
At the chorus, his voice cracked at the 'about's' in the in the first lines, allowing Brock and Gary, who were sitting on logs beside his, to hear. After a bit of thinking, both recognized the song. They patiently waited for the next chorus and joined in, their voices allowing the entire group to hear.
"I'm all about you, I'm all about us." The trio sang
As the chorus finished, Brock and Gary dropped out, not knowing the verses, and Ash's voice resounded in the ears of the assembled group, even waking Pikachu, Vulpix, and Clefairy, as tears formed in Ash's eyes.
"When I close my eyes I can see you, it's like you're right here, and this feeling's only getting stronger, you're with me everywhere." Brock and Gary again joined him at the chorus and everyone else joined their voices in the final repeating which ended taking several minutes with Brock and Gary acting the parts of the echoes.
When their voices faded, along with images of significant other or dreamed significant others, Ash opened his eyes to gaze into the fire. "Misty." He whispered, barely loud enough for Brock to hear. The man smiled at his best friend, now sure of his feelings for the girl that sat beside him on the log.
The group put out the fire shortly and climbed into their sleeping bags in preparation for the next day.
******
Ash waved his group into position and pressed his ear to the door. He smiled as his Pokèmon-acquired hearing allowed his to catch a conversation going on inside.
"They call themselves 'League Champions.'" One voice said.
"Yes. I noticed that Lance and the rest of the Elite Five were gone." The other voice answered. "Well. If they're looking for me, their looking in the wrong place. Those fools Ash and Gary never suspected the leader of the Viridian City Gym," He paused and laughed. "was also the leader of Team Rocket."
Ash gasped and grew angrier before the other voice spoke. "How are we supposed to stand up to the Elite six?" It gasped.
Giovanni laughed. "You don't. No one in Team Rocket is stronger than me and I'm nowhere near as powerful as Will." He answered. "But while those fools are looking for another base, we can regroup here and find a new place for a secondary base."
"Yes sir." The voice answered, followed by the beep of a machine shutting off. Ash motioned his group forward and forcibly opened the door.
***
The base was quickly taken over and Brock and Jasmine were coordinating the demolition as the rockets scattered. Ash pulled Lance and Gary together and told them of what he'd heard.
"Viridian!" Gary exclaimed.
"I was wondering why he didn't want to come with us." Lance agreed as he grabbed his Pokèball, calling out Dragonite.
Ash grabbed his arm. "We need to wait for the others." He said.
As the last part of the building collapsed, Ash called out Charizard and the others called forth their methods of transportation.
"We have a slight problem." Will noticed. "There are two extra bodies to transport."
"Not a problem." Koga answered as he and Jasmine lifted the same two Pokèballs they had in the beginning. "I can ride my Crobat and Jasmine has her Skarmory."
Ash nodded appreciatively. "Jessie and James will ride with me." He ordered. The two were wary of the dragon as he was of them, but eventually everyone was situated and the Pokèmon took off.
They took off and Dragonite and Charizard nearly left the others behind as they sensed their master's need. Ash called out to Lance.
"Think we should wait for the others?" He laughed and Lance called his dragon to slow down.
As they rejoined the others, Ash continued. "I think a few Rockets might have seen us take off. They may warn Giovanni that we're on our way."
Lance nodded in thought. "What should we do?" He asked. Ash shook his head, not having any ideas.
One of his passengers did however. "Maybe we should have one of the other leaders call him to make sure he's there." James suggested.
"That's great James." Lance answered. "Ash, when we land next, I'll need to use your Pokèdex."
***********
They landed for dinner before too long, at the insistence of several stomachs, including those traveling on Charizard, and Ash handed over the device, keeping an eye on Lance as he took care of Charizard.
"Everyone alright with having steak for our last meal?" Brock called from inside the cooler.
When no one offered a dissenting vote, Brock grabbed some of the meat and pulled his head from the cooler to see Chuck standing behind him. He was confused at the look he was receiving from the older man until he realized what he'd said. "Not you Chuck." Brock said with a laugh and held up the meat. "These."
"Oh." Was the man's only reply before he turned back to help the others.
Lance came back to the group as the steaks were beginning to sizzle. "Hey guys." He called and all attentions turned to him. "How about we throw a 'Welcome home' party?" He saw the happy faces on most of his companions' faces while the few others sported confused looks. "Giovanni won't suspect us then and we can have Officer Jenny put him in jail." The few confused looks changed to joy and a few 'Yea's' were called. "Alright Blaine. We'll have it in a week, can you make the preparations?" At Blaine's nod, the two said goodbye and Lance sat with the others as the meal was served.
"To our last meal of this journey. Not to insult Brock's cooking, but I can't wait for a meal at home." Gary proclaimed, holding up his canteen. "I shall remember it well." He finished. The others held up their canteens and joined him in the toast.
Once they had finished, Ash took back his Pokèdex and began to walk to the edge of the clearing
Brock stepped in his way, having read the boy's mind through his expression. "Ash. While I'm sure Rikka'd love to talk to you, I think she'd like it better if you were there." Brock said, and upon seeing his friend's confused expression, he continued. "I think if you leave now, we may get there before nightfall."
Ash smiled and nodded at his friend's wisdom before moving towards Charizard and calling Jessie and James. They were a little warily, which was justified when Charizard glared at them. But they
climbed on and Ash turned to the rest of the group. "Everyone has a ride? Correct?" He asked.
"I'll take Brock and Lt. Surge to their towns." Gary called as the others ordered the returning setup.
"All right then. Charizard, take us home to Pallet." He called and the other two squealed in fright as the dragon practically leapt off the ground before spreading his wings. "You know." Ash told his fellow passengers. "It's going to be strange calling Misty Misty again."
****
As they watched the sun set, the former Team Rocket members flinched as Ash began grumbling. "We should be back before dark. Huh. More like midnight."
"Calm down Ash. Remember that on your journey you weren't the only one to get the twerps lost." James called from behind Jessie.
The trio and the two Pokèmon were over the ocean the team had crossed to get to Team Rocket's island. It had taken most of a day to cross at a slow pace, and though Charizard was flying at anything but a slow pace, they were still out of sight of land. Ash tried to urge Charizard to go faster, but nearly received a flamethrower to the face for his troubles. So the trio was forced to wait to sight land as Charizard flew at a steady pace along side the setting sun. They were alone over the water as the others hadn't taken such a quick pace across the water.
*****
"Mist?" Ash called softly as he entered the room. When he got no answer, he entered and saw the woman he loved lying on his bed. He could see the tear stains on her cheeks from her crying herself to sleep, and it looked like it wasn't just one night's worth.
He tried to brush them away as he sat down on the bed, pulled off his shoes and looked about the room. Pikachu was standing by Togepi, watching his friend sleep with a smile on his face. Ash turned back to Misty and, shoes, belt, and hat removed, lay down beside her, pulling her close. She unconsciously snuggled closer to him and he kissed her forehead.
He sighed and flipped over, careful not to hit her, when he realized he wasn't tired. He looked up with a smile at the radio he had left by the bed and flipped it on after lowering the volume sufficiently.
After a minute or so of commercials, the DJ came back and told them of the songs he would be playing in the next hour before starting one he didn't mention.
I could stay awake, just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
Ash turned back and watched the woman he shared the bed with.
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure
He smiled as the lyrics were brought to the front of his memory and he pulled Misty close and began mouthing the words.
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever
Ash glanced at her and copied her face when he saw the smile growing on hers. She seemed more relaxed than before and he was comforted when he heard her sigh and snuggled further into his arms.
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
'Cause I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss a thing
Ash reached behind himself and managed to turn the radio off. He kissed her hair and sighed as she did the same and moved to be comfortable against her. "I've lived these past nine months on dreams of you, and now that I have you back, I'm not going to leave again for a very long time. Not at all if I can help it."
She mumbled something and shifted again, wrapping Ash's arms around her. He smiled and lay his head on the pillow beside hers and joined her in, now, peaceful slumber.
___________________________________
Disclaimer: See Author Profile