Part 15 – Misty's Wish

Already on the first day of the separation Misty as having serious doubts to whether she would ever see her love again. Since they left the pokemon center early that morning she could not shake this feeling of loneliness and sense of foreboding. And when she found his hat it just heightened that fear a hundredfold. Misty knew that it had to be Ash's hat, it was just a coincidence that someone else could have dropped it. But what worried her the most is why the hat was left behind. Her mind began to flood with thousands of possibilities. It was like what a mother feels when their son or daughter is very late coming home, are they lying dead in a ditch somewhere?

Her mind jumped from one thing to the other, to Ash, to the legendaries, to the hat to everything. Misty's mind would not rest and because of this her body couldn't. Brock was already fast asleep, mumbling about Nurse Joy like he has so many times before.

She sighed deeply and climbed into her sleeping bag, perhaps if she lay there long enough she would nod off. There she was, deep in a forest, lying on the ground, sleeping wide-awake. She cursed to herself to try and relax. "Come on Misty, just go to bed. You know you get all puffy and whiny if you don't get enough sleep." She closed her eyes but an image of Ash kept popping up in her restless mind. She gave up and leaned herself next to a large tree. Misty quietly reached into her backpack and pulled out a small picture of Ash and herself. It was one of those pictures you get from those booths that are always in malls. They had taken this picture when they were in Goldenrod City. Misty smiled as she remembered Ash making all these funny faces into the camera. She soon realized that this was taken before all the weird stuff started to happen. On that day they told Brock that they loved each other, well it was more like Brock found out about them and then confessed it.

Misty could feel the back of her eyes begin to sting as tears formed. She continued to stare at the tiny picture and thought about all they had been through in the past four weeks. It was all happening way to fast, for her especially. Misty had no idea how to think anymore or how to act when she was around Ash. Truth be told it was the same old goofy Ash, but he has changed so much physically and mentally. He's become obsessed with the legend. Misty remembered when she was all Ash was obsessed with.

Misty looked down to her hand and saw the promise ring Ash had given her. She ran a finger over the Staryu that was engraved into the metal. Misty slowly brought it to her lips and kissed it. It had been a day and she missed him so much already. She knew that even with all the drastic changes, their love would be eternal. She would never stop loving Ash. But then again, she could only love Ash. If he was to turn into something that he wasn't, then she saw no alternative but to…. Sleep had finally come to her. Exhausted by the million thoughts running through her head she slumped down on the tree and began to dream. She dreamed of Ash, she dreamed he was here right now and she dreamed of their love. She wanted her boyfriend back, she wanted her love back …..she wanted Ash back to the way he was. This was her wish.

*****

"One……Two…..Three…….ergh…three and a half……four…."

Ash Ketchum had left Violet City behind and was now going through a rigorous training session deep in the forest's of Johto. It was already late at night and he had been working out for hours now. Lugia and Ho-oh and spoken to Ash and suggested he get in shape so that he could refine his newly discovered abilities.

Lugia was laying down near the campfire watching and instructing Ash through his training. He was hanging down from a tree branch trying to do ten stomach crunches upside down. Something like this would be impossible for him to do before, but now it was almost to easy. He carefully dropped down from the tree and rubbed his abs as the lactic acid began to build up. And not just in his stomach but around his whole body. Already he had run 5 miles at normal speed, done one hundred pushup's, set's upon set's of arm curls by lifting heavy rocks and he had swam 7 miles in the river. Lugia was a relentless trainer. For the first time the tables had been turned and a pokemon was actually training a human. This is what he called irony. But Ash now knew what some pokemon must feel. But he continued to train much to his chagrin.

After doing the last of his exercises, Lugia ordered him to meditate. The legendary pokemon said that it was necessary to try and channel the massive amount of energy that flowed through him. Ash however was not the best at it since he was still winded from his workout. Just the sound of his heavy breathing through his nose was enough to drive anybody insane. Lugia finally gave in. "Alright Ash, that's enough for tonight. Get some sleep, for tomorrow we shall go after Suicune."

Ash was to tired to acknowledge Lugia as he dragged himself towards his sleeping bag. He grabbed its pokeball from off a tree stump and recalled Lugia. With a heavy sigh he thought to himself 'I'm so……..lonely.' He chuckled to himself, it really hadn't thought about it since he was so busy killing himself for Lugia's sheer entertainment.

Ash lay there on the hard ground mainly because he couldn't move, but also to reflect on the decision he made to split up. He remembered back when he came out of his coma back when they were in Newbark Town. 'God that seems like ages ago, but how long was it? Three, four weeks?' That was so weird, it had been only such a short period of time but he has done more and seen more in these four weeks then he's done in his entire life.

That day he came out of his coma, Ash had a really horrible fight with Misty. So bad in fact that she ran away. It was at that moment that Ash thought he would lose her forever and it was very troubling for him. But it was also on that starry night that they confessed their love for each other. It was the most romantic moment that ever happened to him and yet it was hard for him to remember exactly what happened. It was a complete and utter blur. He knew that he said some stuff, what it was, he had no idea. All he knew is that Misty must of liked what ever he said because it was also that under that gorgeous canopy of stars that they shared their first kiss. Man he was busy that night.

He chuckled to himself as the memories of the past weeks flooded into his head. He expected at any moment to wake up and be with Misty. He cursed himself for having let them go. Ash recalled the look that Misty gave him when she exited the Pokemon Center. It looked almost as if she thought that she wasn't going to see him again.

That struck hard with Ash, he wished she could've had more faith in Ash. He split up for their well-being. There was no way he was going to let her near that battle with Raikou. His hand was pretty much okay thanks to accelerated healing. These abilities were getting harder to adapt to. Hell he wasn't even through puberty yet and now he had to deal with telepathy and inhuman strength. But even if he turned into some sort of powerful being, he would always remain Ash Ketchum, he would not forget who he truly is.

As the last few thoughts dripped out of his exhausted mind. And as the last stars in the wandering clouds was covering the sky. Ash could sense a powerful energy near him. Not able to keep his eyes open any longer, Ash could not think of such matters at that moment.

He slept well into the tranquil night unaware that there was something or someone watching him slumber.

******

A young red-head girl walked along the vacant streets of Violet City. She had been searching for the longest time, but was always one step behind. Pulling a small electronic device out of her baggy pants she turned it on and waved it through the open air, as it hummed, clicked and buzzed.

"hmmm….nothing here….can't pick up any high power levels."

She stuck her head down a few alleyways and walked along the edge of parkways and street corners, but found nothing.

"It's not here…." She pulled back her loose fitting sleeve and pushed a button on her watch. Pulling hand towards her face, she quietly spoke into it.

"Subject is not here, but was here at some point, most likely moved on to another city, or possibly the forest. Deploy our men in Olivine and have them perform a wide area search of a three-mile radius. He must be found. Operation Legendary has moved to level 2."

The young girl returned her electronic device to her pocket and continued to briskly jog down the streets of a quite, peaceful, and tranquil Violet City. But the night air was quickly disturbed as the dull thumping of rotor blades could be heard on the outskirts of if the sleeping city. As the young girl ran into a open field she peered into the darkened sky to see the large bright spotlight of a helicopter slowly hovering like a cloud. A long rope ladder unraveled toward the ground as the constant thumping of the blades continued to blow grass and bits of garbage around the field.

The girl grinned slightly and began to climb. Half-way up she let a hand go to turn her body towards the dark horizon, a hint of blue appeared, telling its viewer that daybreak was nearing.

As the helicopter ascended into the sky a symbol could be made out on the side of the aircraft. It was a big red 'R'….with a even bigger red 'X' streaked across it.

*******

The sun broke through the cluttered trees and pierced Ash's thin eyelids. It slowly woke him up as it began to warm his face. He arose from his sleeping back and breathed a heavy sigh as his muscles moan and complained as he moved about.

Ash slowly stretched making sure not to tear anything. He saw that Pikachu was still sleeping peacefully by his bed. Not wanting it to sleep longer then him he quickly woke of the slumbering pokemon.

As he slowly walked along the grass and sand of the tranquil forest, he began to think of Misty. Ash had no idea why all of a sudden he though of her, he just couldn't get her out of his head.

Ash rummaged through his backpack to try and find breakfast. All he did find was a few crumbs and an issue of 'Pokemon Friend' lying on the bottom of his pack. He flung it aside and mumbled. "That's great, what am I supposed to do for food."

Almost as if it was on queue, Lugia and Ho-oh helped themselves out of their pokeballs and appeared before a startled Ash. Both of the legendary Birds slowly laid down and stretched.

"Good morning Ash." They said in unison.

"Morning….listen, can you stop just coming out when ever you want! Scares the crap out of me….what do you want anyway?"

Lugia lowered his head next to Ash. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

Ash narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Well…your constant thoughts of Misty are keeping us all awake at night."

Ash almost fell of the log he was sitting on. "What?! Is this some kind of joke?"

Ho-oh cocked its head. "May I remind you that we constantly share a telepathic link…"

Ash searched for the appropriate words. "What are you guys eavesdropping now?"

Lugia turned to Ho-oh. "Well, if you just didn't think so loud all the time.."

Ash rubbed his temples. "What! Now I think loud! How about a yell loud to! I don't want to hear about this right now!"

Both birds backed away from his outburst. Ash immediately regretted raising his voice. "I'm sorry….I've got a lot of stuff on my mind…..but I guess you guys already know about it."

"Yes we do…but perhaps you could elaborate?" Asked Lugia

Ash sat back down on the rotting log and sighed. "To put it in easier terms, I really miss Misty….I didn't think being separated would do this to me."

"You have only been separated for two days."

"I know that, but it seems like an eternity. For all the years we have been together, we have hardly been apart. Now that we're a couple, its even harder. *Sigh* I just want to be with her, but I sent her away to protect her."

"Protect her from what?"

"…..from me."

Lugia laughed. "Don't be silly. There is no way you could harm her. Hmmmm. This situation seems very familiar."

Lugia and Ho-oh stared at each other. Just then Lugia's eyes lit up. "Of course the same thing happened with the previous Chosen One. He and the girl had separated for a few weeks so he could train. It was very hard on him, but in an attempt to ease the pain he wrote many poems and sonnets."

Ash's head perked up at this. "He went through the same thing? Do you remember any of the poems he wrote? Perhaps they could help me." Ash began to get excited.

Lugia thought for a moment and nodded. "I could never forget this poem. He wrote it the eve of their reunion from his training mission.

The wondrous moment of our meeting

I will remember you appear

Before me like a vision fleeting,

A beauty's angel pure and clear

In hopeless ennui surrounding

The worldly bustle, to my ear

For long your tender voice kept sounding,

For long in dreams came features dear.

Time passed. Unruly storms confounded

Old dreams, and I from year to year

Forgot how tender you had sounded,

Your heavenly features once so dear.

My backwoods days dragged slow and quiet

Dull fence around, dark vault above

Devoid of God and uninspired,

Devoid of tears, of fire, of love.

Sleep from my soul began retreating,

And here you once again appear

Before me like a vision fleeting,

A beauty's angel pure and clear.

In ecstasy the heart is beating,

Old joys for it anew revive;

Inspired and God-filled, in is greeting

The fire, and tears, and love alive."

Ash just sat there, he let the words run over and over in his head. The poem was so beautiful and it struck such a profound chord within Ash. It was what he was going through, exactly word for word. It was impossible for him to think that a poem written by 'him' thousands of years ago, would still have deep significant meaning today.

"Wow, that was so…so…." Ash had quite a lot of difficulty finding the correct word. It was at this time that another question began to form inside his mind.

"Hey….you guys never really told me about the other Chosen One…what was he like."

Lugia had to admit that his question took him off guard a bit. "The Chosen One was, almost exactly like you….down to the last detail."

Ash had trouble believing that. "So we just happened to be the exact same over the course of thousands of years? Well, then again….stranger things have happened."

"The Chosen One was around the age of twenty when he passed away deep within that cave. He and Kasumi were to marry when a great evil attacked him. After his death, Kasumi passed away as well. Some say it was from a great illness, but the legendaries knew the truth. She died from a broken heart."

Ash scratched his chin. "You mentioned a while back about Misty and Brock being prophets……what does that really entail?"

"The Prophets were put on this earth to guide and befriend you."

"I know that, but there has to be more."

"The Prophets, Brock and Misty, were created by the gods as well. They granted them no special powers like you, but in turn filled them with wisdom. The one known as Brock was meant to give you advice and protect you. The one known as Misty was meant to be your partner."

"Wait…..what did you say?" Asked Ash, while still scratching his chin.

"You and Misty are meant for each other, the gods themselves arranged it. You two are soulmates. One of Misty's duties as a Prophet is to produce an heir."

"WHAT!?" Ash almost fell of the log he was sitting on.

"She is to provide you with a son or daughter so that child may carry on the duties as the Chosen One."

Ash was getting way to much information to process at once. He almost began to hyperventilate with the thought of Misty bearing him a child. As soon as Ash could think straight another question snuck its way inside his mind. He raised his head to Ho-oh and Lugia. "What was the Chosen One's name?"

"His name…..was Satoshi."

*****

"Are we there yet?"

"No"

"Are we there yet?"

"No.."

"Are we there yet?"

"Yes"

"Really?!"

"….no"

Deep within a forest, the roar of an engine could be heard in the distance as dust was spewed into the air as a heavily camouflaged Jeep sped down the back roads. In the Jeep sat three very shady figures as the driver tried his best to stay on the bumpy trail. Under the mesh of leaves and army print sheets strewn over the vehicle the unmistakable trio of Team Rocket could be seen. James, Jessie and Meowth were barreling down a forest road on their way to Olivine City. They had just received the call that the twerps were heading there now. Team Rocket had been following them for the longest time. They stayed well back and spied from within the safety of shadows. The twerps had no idea they were watching them constantly. How their Boss would reward them lavishly with every tidbit of news they brought him.

Jessie retrieved a compact from the glove box and stared at herself in the tiny mirror. "Why I so do love the facials I've been getting, and the manicures, and the pedicures, and the hair salon treatments and the tanning sessions…" Jessie continued to ramble on as James tried desperately to remain in control of the Jeep.

"I know what you mean Jessie, I can't believe how nice the boss is being to us. We have finally done something right. To think all the times we have gotten the way of the twerps when all we really have to do is stay out of sight and report to the boss!"

True that Team Rocket had stumbled upon the perfect crime. It was the easiest work possible and they got what ever they want in return. They no longer were being blown up all the time and sent into the stratosphere, no longer were they burnt, soaked, whipped, crushed, or frapped.

No longer were they hungry, no longer did they go days without bathing. They were finally getting the respect they thought they deserved. Of course unbeknownst to them, Giovanni had different plans for James, Jessie and Meowth. For deep within the Team Rocket Headquarters built hundreds of meters below the earth's surface, the construction was almost complete. It was to be the start of a new era for Giovanni. An entire Underground city devoted to the capture and evil of Team Rocket. And within the center of this futuristic colony stood a monolith of engineering. Within this temple was enough room to house all of the legendary pokemon. For years he had managed to keep this place in secret. For if anyone were to find out about his city under the earth, his plans would be ruined. For there was only one mission for Giovanni. It was the reason he began Team Rocket and why he had built this base. And it was why he knew he was the true Chosen One. Complete and total world domination.

Giovanni looked out the window and gazed over the many warehouses and factories that would build and house his army. An army that could cripple the human race and spell destruction for everything he hated. He would build his own utopia, where pokemon were not his equals but his slaves.

James and Jessie's mission was not to track the boy, but to stay out of his way. He knew that if they were to find this place they would go off and confess the moment they were caught. He could never trust those fools. Giovanni had a more important reason for keeping James and Jessie out of his plans. They would be his scapegoat. If something were to happen, he could very easily throw James and Jessie into the hands of the Police and take much of the suspicion off him.

Everything was falling into place. From here, no one could trace him or harm him. He was free to spread his terror over the land. There was to be only two more years until completion. He had waited for almost ten to see his project almost come to a close. Just two more years….just two more and the world will see what Team Rocket is made of. He will make sure that everyone will remember his name and cower in his presence. All he needed was a few missing pieces from the puzzle.

Giovanni walked along his half completed office and spotted a folio containing most of his plans and notes. He opened it and scanned a few pages before coming upon a page that showed Ash's picture and a well rounded report on the young boy.

He read the report for about the tenth time since he received it from his intelligence section of Team Rocket. There was very little to go on. All it said was that Ash was 15 years old and had become the orange league champion. Giovanni moved his finger across the endless page of text and it soon landed on the heading 'Birthplace'. Giovanni muttered the words 'Pallet town' aloud in his office as he resumed looking over the report. And directly after Birthplace he found the heading 'Birth Parents'. After a quick examination he found only once name.

"…Delia Ketchum…." Giovanni spoke aloud softly while staring at the name.

A small thought tinged within his mind but he tossed it aside and quickly placed the report back on his desk. Giovanni poured himself a drink and walked back to his large window to watch the endless construction carry on around him. Only two more years……but first….he had to attend to the matter of the legendaries. Giovanni was almost in striking distance from Ash, but he continued to hold back, awaiting what might happen next.

"Soon, we shall meet in person Mr. Ketchum and I will take what is rightly mine."

Giovanni reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a surveillance photo of Misty. He grinned evilly. "………you will bring him to me." He said, talking to the picture. "Whether you like it or not."

*****

Ash had finished gathering all what remained of his gear and clothes. He ran a hand through his dirty hair and frowned at the thought of him not having his hat anymore. With a heavy sigh Ash continued his training. It was very dry and dark in the forest but Ash got up and began running anyway. He really had no idea where he was going but he did no that he was in the forest somewhere. Ash ran for quite a long time. It wasn't soon after the tenth mile that his legs began to fill with lactic acid and his breath became staggered. With a gasp of air he collapsed onto the trail and tried his best to relieve the burning in his lungs.

He suddenly felt so tired, most likely from the lack of sleep the night before. With a grunt he managed to lean himself against a large rock. Ash gently tipped his head up and watched the clouds pass mildly by against the cool breeze. He tried to guess what some of the clouds resembled as. Ash managed to spot a Igglybuff, a Blissey, and a Ditto. Truth be told those pokemon all looked like puffs of cloud, not the other way around.

He let his mind wander from the sky to the forest and then back to Misty. It seemed no matter what he was doing, Misty always came to him.

"God I wonder if I still remember what she looks like…." He laughed at himself for saying such a ridiculous thing as that.

Suddenly he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. There was a weird feeling deep in his stomach. His eyes darted back and forth across the skirt of the forest watching to see if anything was there. Ash could feel another powerful energy near him. It had to be one of the legendary dogs. But which one could it be? There was no time to figure that out, the chase was on.

Ash immediately got to his feet and snatched the oracle out of his pocket. As he expected it was glowing a brilliant blue, telling him that a legendary pokemon was indeed near him. He tightly fastened the sword to his back and leapt into the forest.

It was very dense and murky as he ran through the endless miles of trees and plants. He nearly took a nose dive as his foot got caught in a Sandshrew hole. His eyes caught a glimpse of something and he stopped instantly to investigate. Ash slowly bent down and saw many huge foot prints lodged in the muddy ground. He reached down and touched them with a single finger. Ash could actually feel warmth coming from the mud. Those tracks were very fresh. It was Ash's instinct to follow them and he did. He had to pick up the pace, as he knew that what ever this Legendary was, it was fast.

As he emerged through the thicket he came upon an amazing site. The ground below him stretched out onto a overhanging cliff. And about a mile below it lay a beautiful river. From that height it looked like a stand of hair. And directly beside him was a waterfall. It spill over tons of water a second that was caught by the air, blanketing the surroundings in a permanent layer of mist. But there in the center of the picture perfect moment stood Suicune. The second of the Legendary dogs and one of the most beautiful Pokemon he has ever seen. On its head was a diamond shaped crest that seemed to glow even more brilliantly then the oracle. It had long blue hair flowing from its back. And its long slender legs seemed to effortlessly hold up its large body. It skipped along the ground, twirling in the mist and coaxing Ash. Suicune was challenging him.

Ash carefully walked towards Suicune. "You wanna race don't you…..well you gonna get one!"

Instantly Ash leapt towards the Cliffside and barreled down on Suicune. The legendary pokemon then took off and followed the edge of the canyon. There were both running a quick pace but it was obvious that Suicune was just testing Ash. He knew that the legendary dogs could run much faster. They pulled ahead of each other constantly as they raced high above the raging river. One wrong move and they would be sent flying over. Suddenly Suicune picked up the pace and pulled ahead of Ash and was now way out in front. Ash had wished to god that he didn't go for that morning jog because his legs felt like motor bricks as his feet hit the ground 14 times a second.

Both of them were now running at an incredible speed. Reaching well beyond 100 km an hour. They soon ran out of track so to make up for it, Suicune surprised Ash by veering off to the left and running down the side of the cliff. Not to be outdone he threw himself done the cliffside as well and was now running at Mach 1. They had reached the bottom in no time at all and that's when Suicune took it one step further and kicked it into high gear. Suicune became a blur and was now moving in ultrasonic speeds using the 'Instantaneous Movement Technique'. They had reached a clearing surrounded by trees and dense plants as it now became a glorified game of 'tag'. Each of them could only keep up that speed for seconds but managed to pass each other within inches. It was impossible to tell who was what and where was who. They both stopped at the same time standing opposite of each other just a few dozen meters as they caught their breath.

Ash felt like passing out right then and there. He had never kept up this pace before and it was killing him. Suicune had staggered breaths as well but obviously not as bad as Ash. He knew that if he didn't do something he would pass out and miss the chance to prove himself in front of Suicune.

As he wiped the last few drops of sweat that poured from his forehead he felt a surge of power go thought him. Ash clenched his fists, bit his lip and gave it hell as he could feel his power level increase within him. Suicune looked surprised as Ash slowly began to glow a light blue. As he grunted and struggled to keep his concentration, clouds of dust and loose plants began to blow around him.

"I can do this…..HERE I COME!!!!" With one final scream the chi swirling around him exploded into a huge thunderous dentoation that sent mud and grass flying everwhere. This was exactly what he felt at the beach in Violet Town. The massive power, he could feel it. He could feel the earth, he could feel the plants, he could feel the people….they were all inside him, giving him this energy.

Using his technique Ash bolted toward Suicune at an alarming rate, he may have even been faster then before. As the legendary dog tried its best to dodge Ash managed to to just graze Suicune. Ash immediately leapt into the air and came down crashing into the ground inches in front of the startled Pokemon. With the force he created Ash managed to blow a huge circular swath of mud that splashed into Suicune eyes temporarily blinding it.

"Your MINE!!" Suddenly to each other their surprise there was a huge explosion between the two of them that emitted a very bright light and sent them flying to opposite ends of the field. Ash quickly got up stunned and saw that Suicune was lying on it's side and had small burnt marks all over its body. Ash looked at his hands, stunned. He found similar burn marks covering his palms. His clothing and other skin was fine, it was just his hand. And he looked to where he was once standing and saw a very deep crater that emitted whips of smoke in the gentle air.

Without thinking he hurled an empty pokeball at the lifeless pokemon and retrieved it post haste. He shook gently and stopped, the red light fading.

That was the most peculiar battle he had ever been in. For one thing, he didn't use one pokemon to battle with. And somehow he managed to out run and beat Suicune all by himself. But the most peculiar thing about the situation was where did that strong blast come from?

With his mind completely riddled with questions Ash slowly got up, took one step and shrieked as he felt his legs flare up with pain. He immediately collapsed to the ground and winced as he attempted to move his legs which were now permanently fried. Ash saw no other option but to fly back to his camp.

As Ash fastened the ball to his belt he chuckled softly. "……two down……one to go…"

****

Brock and Misty entered the comforting glow of Olivine City. It was a very sleepy town at even ten at night there was no one on the streets. It wasn't hard to find a hotel and food for the night but they both knew that something was missing.

"I miss Ash…" Misty said forlornly.

Brock rolled his eyes, although she couldn't tell due to the fact that he squints all the time. "That's about the hundredth time you have said that….go to bed already."

Misty didn't want to argue at that point and heaved off to bed. She spent quite some time laying awake thinking Ash. It was the stress of worrying over him that bothered her most. She could feel a few tears well in her eyes as more thoughts of Ash in danger filled her tormented mind. But the saying was true, you never no how much you love someone until they're gone. Misty wished so much to have Ash here with her. She wished to have Ash back to the way he used to be. She wished to have him back…..This was Misty's wish.

To be continued….



Authors Notes: Celebrate good times now celebrate! Yes it was on April 26th of 2001 that Between a Rock and a Hard Place made its debut onto fanfiction.net. It has been an entire year of hard work but I'm only 10 parts away from the final part. That's right 10 more parts. I will promise to work much faster and try to finish off the story before summer. I want to thank all of you who have read this far and I hope you have it in you to read another 10 parts as I come out with them. Thanks again and please review, I love to hear from all of my readers, you mean so much to me!!

Neongene