Dear Ms Waterflower,

We received your request for additional funding of your gym and have to urge you to use the proper channels for any inquires of financial nature. The necessary application for issuance of a standardized proposal form is acquired through the responsible league agency.

We hope to have answered your question to satisfaction and thank you for the continued support of the Pokemon league.

The young gym leader had to put the paper down when it felt like parts of her brain were leaking out of both ears. The mind numbing bureaucracy of her employers was often more excruciating to fight against than any pokemon battle.

It's been hours and it felt like days.

There was a lack of everything through the constant budget cuts her gym had to shoulder. The water facilities and pokemon living areas were only two points on the long list of things in desperate need of repair and modernization.

Money usually came through enlisting students, but Misty was one of the few remaining gym leaders with certain standards. Nowadays, any kid with a pokemon felt entitled for special treatment and acted as such.

Most won't even get past the interview.

Many gyms rescued themselves with sponsorship deals and felt now more like giant billboards for the latest sports drink or pokemon makeup.

Others had succumbed to shadier methods and were openly known for taking bribes in exchange for favors and preferred treatment.

She had heard rumours from gyms selling their badges outright.

Rumours Ash had all but confirmed on national television.

The words of the unbeatable champion had resonated with the people and the consequences could already be felt all over the world. The trust into the authorities was at an all-time low and the Pokemon League struggled to do damage control.

In the form of a lot of phone calls among other measures, and as such, Misty recognized the number from League HQ but not the specific caller when it rang in her office.

She picked up with a heavy sigh. "Misty Waterflower, gym-leader of Cerulean City speaking."

"Eliza Goodshow, upper management representative of the Pokemon League."

Misty remembered the fake platinum blonde from screaming demeaning statements in Ash's face during the televised event.

"Miss Waterflower, it came to our attention that a very high-profile member of our battling staff is currently in your care."

The conniving witch couldn't even say his name, choking on her own swallowed pride. All protective instincts told her to hang up on the good Mrs. Goodwill. The careful side of her brain urged to stay on the phone to gather intel about their plans for Ash.

But not without a small potshot. "As far as I can remember, terminated this high-profile member his employment in a very permanent manner."

"That is exactly what we want to talk about with Mr. Ketchum. After internal debate, we are willing to renegotiate his contract."

Mrs. Goodshow kept a professional tone even if it turned a lot more frosty. Misty wondered in how much trouble she was for letting Ash go. It was almost enough to make her feel sympathy for the woman.

But sadly only almost. "And why are you discussing this matter with me and not him? If you know where he is, why don't you come here and talk in person with Mr. Ketchum?"

The deep sigh from the other side was the first sign of human emotion from the businesswoman.

"You hold a considerate amount of sway over Mr. Ketchum if the local tabloids can be trusted, so we figured you might influence him to make the right decision."

"Enlighten me, what that right decision would entail, Mrs. Goodshow."

"A lot more money and self determination for Mr. Ketchum among other benefits. Very lucrative and prestigious benefits for every person who took part in fostering this new partnership."

At least the woman seemed to be smart enough to use carrots instead of the stick. If they truly believed Misty could make Ash do stuff, then blackmailing her into cooperation was too likely to fail and have the opposite effect.

"The Elite Four of Kanto speak very highly of you. Especially Agatha when we discussed her potential successor."

That was a very tasty looking carrot, alright.

"I will tell him that you called. He is napping after ripping weeds from my courtyard."

"...Weed?"

"Good day Mrs. Goodwill."

Misty would have liked to say she wasn't tempted by the offer. This time around he would have more freedom and could do a lot more good. Maybe he could live his dream for real on the second round.

And she wasn't so delusional to think her own selfish gains didn't influence her train of thought.

"CORSOLA!"

Which was derailed by the appearance of her Corasol. The pink water pokemon ran into the room and jumped straight on the table, sending papers flying in all directions.

Seconds later Misty felt the first tremor throughout the gym. Windows began to shake in quick succession with each bang that sounded like meteors hitting the earth.

Her Corsola, shaking in fear, lead Misty out of the office and down the hall where she met a yawning Ash without Pikachu.

"Don't stand around like that! We have to evacuate the gym before this earthquake makes the whole building go down!"

Ash rubbed the sleep from his eyes and kept them closed, listening to two tremors following in succession. "Tell your pokemon to stay calm. I know what that is and it's nothing to worry about."

Without further explanation he walked past her and down the stairs towards the outer area. She followed him and saw the gym pokemon build a circle around something in the distance.

The two humans squeezed by Misty's Gyarados and saw the reason for the commotion.

Two pokemon in a clinch.

"Blastoise!"

"Feraligatr!"

Giant behemoths, the massive turtle pokemon Blastoise and the hulking crocodile Feraligatr had their claws interlocked with beads of sweat running down their faces.

The water gym didn't have these pokemon in their repertoire and Misty figured they must belong to Ash, who was watching the spectacle with calm interest.

The source of the tremors became clear, when the two pokemon let go of each other and Feraligatr landed a haymaker across the face of his opponent.

"A simple punch…" Misty felt how goosebumps ran over her whole body as the shockwave boomed over the crowd.

"It's ok Misty," Ash put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "They know not to use actual attacks when it's unsafe for others."

His words didn't have the intended effect. She tried to see the small Squirtle and Totodile of her youth in these two giants but failed miserably in the face of their mind blowing strength. As water pokemon trainer, she had a keener eye on the quality of water pokemon and saw the enormous gap much clearer than others.

Misty wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance.

Ash saw her struggle got between them. "Come on guys break it off! We are guests here."

It was like a switch had been turned off as soon as the two saw him. Both pokemon lost their glares and turned towards Ash with big smiles. They even went for a group hug, which turned to rubbing their skulls together because of their size difference.

"Man we must have just barely missed your arrival in Pallet. Did Professor Oak tell you where we are?"

"Blastoise and Feraligatr nodded, now suddenly staring at him as if they waited for something."

"I'm sorry for quitting the Pokemon League. You all worked so hard to make me a champion."

Misty hoped Ash didn't develop a habit of feeling guilty towards every single one of his pokemon. That was a lot of guilt for one pair of shoulders.

Both water pokemon exchanged knowing glances before putting on sunglasses. Blastoise wore the trademark black ones of the squirtle gang in fitting new size and Feraligatr rocked bright pink star shades.

They would deal with it.

"Uhm, your pokemon might be hungry and tired from the trip. We have a wellness area in the back."

Sudden smaller quakes signaled the start of a dance number from a very happy Feraligatr, akin to the moves of a very young Totodile in the past.

Ash's pokemon was as Feraligatr still as excitable and fun-loving as before. Blastoise played it cool behind the massive pair of shades, but the equally massive mouth twitched to an all too familiar smile as they were led inside by Misty's pokemon.

In respectful distance.

Giant engines of destruction or not, the two were still the same pokemon with whom Ash started his journey.

A bit more mature, a lot more experienced and still very lovable.

Like their trainer.

All alone without witnesses, she figured it might be a good idea to test the water for another undertaking. "Hey Ash, I'm done with work today. Do you want to hang out?"

Misty cringed from the way she had asked her question. They were young adults, and not ten year olds setting up a playdate.

Luckily, Ash either didn't know the difference or didn't care. "Sounds great! I just quickly tell Pikachu to let Psyduck sleep."

The mere mention of her pokemon sent the mood spiraling downwards. "Why would he wake him up?"

Several attempts to moderate her bad temper over the years had taught Misty a few mental exercises. She had always been an angry child, fostered by the neglect and ridicule of her sisters, but the responsibility of a gym leader left little room to vent.

Their family relationship had improved with age, although the conditioned reflex of aggressiveness towards sources of discomfort remained stubbornly.

Ash was about to become the biggest source of comfort in a while. "He's sleeping with us in the guestroom."

The level of her anger constantly rose with every nonchalant word from his lips. His ignorance towards the situation was the only reason she held it together.

Misty gritted her teeth and clenched both fists. "You didn't have to trouble yourself with my pokemon."

Especially Psyduck. He was her problem.

The smile on his face that usually charmed her, grated on her nerves as he spoke. "I don't mind helping you."

There were a lot of things she could have said to him, better things to stop the escalation. She could have explained to him how she felt about Psyduck and shine some light onto the source of her anger.

She could have said nothing.

Misty chose instead to say what felt good and gratifying in the heated moment. "But I do mind Ash! Nobody told you to stick your nose in my matters! I don't need you!"

Frosty, numbing coldness settled in Misty's stomach as the Ash before here seemed to vanish behind an expressionless mask. "You are right, Misty. I haven't been around for years and have no business forcing myself into your life. I swear to take this into account while working for you."

This was definetly not what she meant to express. In anger, her stupid mouth often lashed out but Misty hoped he knew she wasn't serious. It has always been their dynamic to fight and find back together.

He always took her mood swings in stride.

Then why did him walking away feel so permanent?

"I just realized that there's some business I need to take care of today. Let's do our appointment another time."

Appointment. A safe, distant and non-emotional term between a worker and his employer. Her heart couldn't take it to see him reduce their relationship to business level as a defense mechanism and embraced the retreating figure from behind.

"Ash please… I didn't mean…"

He was shaking under her touch. She had hurt him bad.

The unbeatable champion felt brittle as glass. "I'll ask Charizard for a ride so expect me to be back tomorrow at the latest. Tell Pikachu not to worry about me."

The promise of his return soothed the icy terror in her gut somewhat, his willingness of leaving Pikachu in her care showing he at least still trusted Misty with his pokemon.

She hoped that wasn't the only trust remaining.