A/N: Hmm… here's the next chapter. I don't have anything to say, so I'll let you read the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Reviewer's Comments:

Ash and Misty Forever::: I see you're a real fan in AAML and a new reviewer. That makes things twice as good. Hmmm… Err… currently I haven't got a clue. Err… maybe… that I can't say either, but time will tell… Yep. Err… aren't they already a couple? I always thought so any ways…. Oops I shouldn't have said that. But any ways thanks for the review, and I hope you keep on writing and reviewing.

Joy-girl::: Yes, I was feeling sorry for her too while I was writing it chapter. Really? :blinking: I got that close to making you cry? I should try chapters like that more often. Err… good theory on Ash's behavior… oops I almost spoiled it too. I got to be more careful. Hmm… what happened to Ash? That I can't say. That one of the few parts I already have worked out, but I ain't telling yet. Thanks for the review.

Labannya::: I know. I know. The button isn't fluffy. I just wrote that cause I felt like it. Oh and I'm a girl by the way. Yep! Just like you all wished. Misty got to see Ash. Hey! You guys didn't say how, right? Just kidding. Really? You figured it out already? Shoot! I thought it wasn't that obvious either. What Pokémon? I mentioned a Pokémon? Hmm… yeah… maybe. Err… Misty comes and rescues Ash. Yeah… good plan. Me like it. Err… okay. I like happy endings, but then again… who knows how I feel the day I decide to end this fic. Yep… that's right decide. I could end it at the climax for all I know… err… just kidding… or maybe not? :smirking and laughing sinisterly: :cough: Any ways really. Me too. I was happy for Misty too. Thanks for the review.

Overlord::: Really… you liked? Didn't expected it? I don't think a lot of people did. Like that one saying expect the unexpected. Don't ask. I don't get that saying, but I don't know. It just popped into my head it moment.

Etherelemental::: Prison? :confused: Ash is in a prison. Really? You know me better than I do… oops I shouldn't have said that. Yep… keep the locket safe. :shake head: Whoa! :reads three words before: Ahh!! I'm being controlled!! By myself!! Err… I guess it's true about Ho-OH, but since it was on a strategy it has to be true. I haven't gotten that far in my game actually. I keep starting over my crystal version just so I can complete my pokédex for my silver version. I just need I think 15 more Pokémon before I have it complete. Err… don't start over. That I advice you. I did that a couple of times for crystal and yellow, and now am getting bored of them, especially with Ruby and Sapphire out. The events I'm sure you can make up, especially if you haven't done the puzzles in the Ruins. I can't wait for June when I can finally open those games. I can't play them now with school and all. Really you think this story is interesting? Thanks! And thanks for the review.

Cybersten::: Thanks! Err… I can't say if Ash is dead of not. Yes. I'm feeling sorry for Misty too. Thanks for the review.

ZetaBee::: Sorry I had to. I kind of ran out of ideas for that chapter. Yes. Every chapter is an individual idea making up one complete story. That's why I sometimes get off topic, and some of my flashbacks can make a whole separate fic. Maybe I will some day give more idea and write the beginning and end and tell the whole story. Who knows. Thanks for the review.

Nightswift::: Hey! That's a nice idea. Could be… maybe. Oh! It's in English than I don't think you can get the GS ball. It's one of those nice features in the Japanese games that the English maker/ translators didn't add in the American version. Just like you can battle with people in Japan over the phone. Yeah! You got the catch all three dogs. Err… you've seen Suicune and Entei right? Since you have you can track them down on your pokédex. Then when you see them and Raikou again use your master ball. Duplicate them if you have to… you know the duplication cheat right? Uh… a game shark is this thing that you use on your games that has cheats and stuff to get shiny Pokémon and Pokémon like Celebi and Mew which you can't catch in the games. There is no such thing as Pokémon Nintendo from what I know. It's just Nintendo the company that makes and names some of the Pokémon in their English names. Like I said before. You can't get a GS ball from what I heard in the English versions. Your welcome, or and thanks for the review.

SulliMike23::: Err… sorry. I know that Ash wants Misty to forgot about him… but err… no I can't tell. Just… err…calm down for now… please? Thanks for your review.

Crystalstorm21::: Err… sorry I can't answer that question not without giving away… stuff. Thanks, and thanks for the review.

Chapter 21

Two weeks had past since Misty left the hospital. Since that night, fourteen days ago she never was the same again. Her spirit was low. She was reserved and kept to herself when she didn't have to work. Her close friends had witnessed the sudden the change in Misty. They saw that her demeanor had change. Every sound spooked her. Every gust of wind sent a rare sign of hope through her eyes. Every flicker of light made her head turn. The locket was around her neck 24/7. She never took it off. Every so often she would finger or touch the locket as if she was afraid someone had stole it.

Christmas was coming around the bend and with that a new year. In just two and a half weeks, it would be the year 2025. With the turn of the year a new strategy would be tried. A new hope would be made of defeating the Pokémon. A new band of soldiers would graduate and join the forces among them would be Musashi and Kojirou.

They were so excited lately. They dream was coming true after a simple one year. They could finally be chosen to join Sakaki's forces. He and all the generals had announced the new year's role sheet for the new members that were joining. Sakaki had placed Musashi and Kojirou first on his list. What Musashi and Kojirou didn't know was that there had been a lot of behind the scenes persuading from Kasumi, Takeshi, and Haruka.

Takeshi and Haruka had managed to get over the little scheme and discovered that Musashi and Kojirou weren't all bad. As for Wataru he didn't care. He didn't care who's team the two were on. After a lot of persuading from Kasumi, Wataru decided to place his argument up to Sakaki. With four against one there was no choice but to have Musashi and Kojirou join his forces.

Kasumi could almost swear she saw an agonizing and annoying look on Sakaki's face when he agreed. Kasumi couldn't help but snicker. It was obvious that Sakaki still hadn't forgiven those two for failing so many missions so many years ago.

But now, now was different, the final decorations were put into order. Everything was perfect for the ceremony that was to be held upon the raise of the next sun.

Misty was spending the night at Haruka and Brock's place. Their children Senri and Crystal were spending the night over at a friend's place leaving the three grown-ups to dwell on the events of the past. Misty sighed as she dumped her bag in the guest room. It was perfect just like every time she came to visit. But this time she didn't want to, she wanted to be by herself especially after what happened that night two weeks ago. She hadn't told anybody about her meeting with Ash in her dream. She couldn't bare it. It was so real. His face, his laughter, just him, everything was so real except he was so cold to her. He didn't want her help. He refused to tell her anything. It hurted, it hurted so badly thus she couldn't bring herself to tell anybody. Not even Mrs. Ketchum, she hadn't seen the poor woman for two weeks now. She never explained what happened. The poor, dear woman thinking she had given up on the return of her son, but… oh… oh… Misty never gave up.

Brock had left the house an hour ago. He was meeting Tracey, Todd, Gary and his girlfriend Sakura at the station. Misty never got how Gary met up with Sakura. She didn't even know how the two met. Sakura was two years younger than Gary. Misty had met the girl during their stay in Ecruteak. Sakura had changed so much the third time she saw her. Sakura was a formidable Pokémon trainer. Misty saw that in her the second and third time that they met up together. Sakura with her graceful Espeon by her side, there wasn't a doubt she would hit it big in the league. But then everything else happened, the Pokémon trading which ended the league games. Every young child's dream of being the Pokémon master was shattered in a year's time period. But somehow, some way Gary had met up with Sakura. And the fourth time seeing her old friend, Gary and Sakura were already madly in love. It was a perfect pair in Misty's eyes. Both their star Pokémon were an Eevee evolution. Gary's was his Umbreon but later upon going to Houen he changed to his started, a Blastoise, but Sakura, she and all her sisters were born Eevee trainers, and Sakura's star was a Espeon. Now, now their love had blossomed over the seven years, and they were engaged. In a few more months they would be wed.

"Misty!" called a familiar voice. Misty immediately turned around and saw Haruka standing there. The woman had her hands crossed with a light smile on her face. "Ya done day dreaming yet?"

"I… I wasn't," said Misty quickly. The woman chuckled before shaking her head.

"Whatever."

"Hey."

"Hey what?"

"I… I wasn't day dreaming."

"They what did I ask you a minute ago?"

"Err… err…" Misty immediately went red knowing that Haruka had caught her red handed. She didn't have a clue what Haruka had just asked her. She seriously didn't.

"See!"

"Fine, fine. You're right. But I wasn't daydreaming I was thinking."

"'Bout?"

"Stuff."

"Oh," said Haruka nodding. "Care for an example?"

"No," snapped Misty. She placed the last shirt in the closet before walking over to Haruka. She pats the woman gently on her shoulders before walking out. Haruka glanced around the room and sighed. Clean as always, over the years Misty had gotten especially organized. Sure she wasn't a mess in her youth, but now, now she was a neat freak.

Haruka pulled the door shut before walking into the living room. Misty had already found her hands in the pop corn bowl and was popping them one at a time into her mouth. Haruka envied her friend's figure. Misty could eat so much and not get fat. It was her high metabolism rate. Well that's what Misty had said once, but Haruka didn't think so. She always thought it was something more. Haruka had seemed Misty's sisters once… just once before they were slaughtered to death. All of Misty's three sisters were just like Misty. They had a perfect figure. Misty had explained that in their childhood they were trained water ballerinas. She, herself had taken lessons before both of her parents' demise.

Misty couldn't take the memories anymore and quit. She became more obsessed and into training then in putting on shows. Haruka remembered Ash's comment about Misty's figure. He had admit that he once thought she was scrawny, and he still says so to get on her nerves. But Ash had said something else, he had said that Misty's body flowed with the waters. She was born a water princess, and the one place she cherished the most was in the water. Ash had joked around once saying that in a different lifetime she was the goddess of the oceans. Haruka remembered how much Misty was blushing after that remark, but Ash loved making her blush. He had said that she was glorious when she blushed.

"What?"

"Huhmmm?" asked Haruka looking up. A light giggle left Misty's lips.

"Now who's the one that 'daydreaming'?" asked Misty. Haruka immediately turned beet red knowing that Misty had gotten to her.

"Fine… fine," mumbled Haruka. "What ya want any ways?"

Misty sighed as she picked up the popcorn bowl. "Nothin, beside…. Erm… do you want any pop corn?"

Haruka immediately shook her head. "Nah… I can't eat it."

"Why?" asked Misty curiously. Haruka rolled her eyes before looking down.

"'Cause I ain't want to put on any weight."

"Weight?! You, fat! You got to be kidding."

"I'm serious, Misty. After bearing Senri and Crystal, I can't fit in any of my old clothes."

"So?"

"And I bet you can still fit into the clothes you wore when you were fifteen." Misty simply shook her head before snickering.

"You got to be kidding. I put on an extra ten pounds in the last seven years."

"Whoa! Ten pounds, what are you now 100?" asked Haruka sarcastically.

"I wish. I was that when I fifteen."

Haruka's eyes immediately went wide. She was just joking with that number. The last time she was 100 was when she was 10. "What are you a stick?"

"Practically yeah. You know I was a late bloomer and all."

"Oh yeah…."

"And we water blood are naturally weightless."

"Lucky," mumbled Haruka. Before Misty could answer a knock was heard on the door. "Wonder who that could be." Haruka rolled her eyes as she got up.

"Maybe Brock forgot his keys again."

"Yeah, probably."

"How many times has he done that in the last year?"

"Hmmm… I think eight times… this month."

Misty couldn't help but gasp. "And he use to be so… so…" She couldn't find the right word and searched for another.

"Remembering?" suggested Haruka. Misty immediately brightened.

"Yeah! That's the word."

"Erm… yes, he use to be really remembering. But… but not anymore, he used to remember everything. He was the one that remembered all the board meetings. He remembered our dates. He remembered everything… but things changed."

"He's getting old, Haruka," said Misty comfortingly.

"Yeah, I guess," muttered Haruka.

"Everyone does over the years, he's not as young as he used to be."

"Yeah, I know Misty. No one's as young as they used to be. It's been seven years since the days when we traveled around the world. You miss through times, Misty?"

"Huhmm." Misty looked down. A new wave of tears entered her eyes. "Yeah, I do. Those were some of my best seven years of my life. Helping trainers wherever we went. I haven't had that kind of fun in a long time. The last time was… was… before my dad passed away. He used to say that I was born to travel the world. He said that I wasn't the type to stay cooped up in a gym and battle challengers. You know what Haruka?"

"What?"

"Daddy was right. I learned that he was so right. That one year intermission was complete torment especially the last five months. The gym was getting so boring. Battling the same old, same old trainers day after day. It wasn't the same as traveling. It was always me, us that made the challenge not the other way around. It was also us looking for the new challenge, not the challenge coming to me. I realized over the course of that year that I wasn't meant to stay in a gym. I did belong in the open."

"Huhmmm… we all do Misty. We all do." Haruka left the living room followed by Misty. The door bell wasn't ringing anymore. Now it the banging of the door.

"I'm coming. I'm coming," grumbled Haruka.

"Brock sure is impatient sometimes huhmm?" asked Misty.

"Yeah, I know." Haruka sighed as she unlatched the door. To both Misty and Haruka's surprise it wasn't Brock at the door. It wasn't Gary, Tracey, Todd, or Sakura at the door. No, it was somebody that none of them had suspected…

A/N: What did you think? Can you guess who that somebody is? I'm not telling. Nope! I want to see if you guys can figure it out. Sorry this chapter took so long. I've been busy all week without anytime to write. And the fact that it's my birthday is today. Yep, today April 23. Yep, I'm finally turning fourteen. Yes, fourteen. Its has been four and a half years since the day I fell madly in love with Pokémon and became simply obsessed with it. Any ways… review please! I looove reviews just as much as I looove Pokémon.