Chapter 5 - See You Later, For Now

…Nearly 3 months later

"Misty will you, like, please stop doing that?!" demanded Violet as her, Lily, Daisy, and Tracey were within the lobby of the Cerulean Gym, watching the youngest of the Cerulean sister, pace back and forth for nearly an hour so far. Causing Violet's shout.

"I will when everybody is here. I don't want to leave, before saying goodbye." Although Violet's pleased Misty stopped pacing to speak. The middle sister groans to herself as Misty went back to her pacing in front of the entrance glass doors.

The orange haired was dressed into her usual last travel wear she wore when she released Togepi. And although there's a copy of her old red traveling bag on her back. The several luggage by the door said Misty's travel wasn't a short one.

After enjoying the lecture, and praising Lorelei for a great lesson. The Ice Master offer to teach Misty for a year travel under her. Mainly since Lorelei's retiring in two years. But also she and her boyfriend were getting married after she steps down.

So, even though it took a couple of months to get ready, mostly because she had to get 'Red' to order her sisters to watch over the gym. And to make sure they don't just give away badges. Red's going to pop in from time to time. Which of course, Lily hates. But Misty didn't care. Like Delia told her. It's time she is selfish and does what she wants, regardless of what others think.

"I still, like, don't understand, how that little bag is enough in traveling." Pointed out Lily, speaking about the small red traveling bag, shoulder on Misty's back. Even though Misty didn't roll her eyes at her sister's opinion on her traveling gear. Aqua happily did preach on Misty's right shoulder.

Seeing this, Lily glared at the water-mouse and its weird appearances.

Regardless she had plenty of time to get used to the Pokémon's unusual looks and its unexplained odd attacks. Lily dislikes the Pokemon, mostly when it's been nothing but nice to everyone but her. Though the pink haired doesn't grasp calling it freak or weird after it evolved from an Azurill to a Marill, could have something to do with it.

"Like what are you staring at, freak." Hissed Lily. Right away Misty halt in pacing to glare towards her sister. This was something Misty wasn't going to miss. Lily's constant insults, at Aqua for being a bit different from its kind.

But at the moment Misty lock angry eyes at her sister. Aqua had already jumped off her shoulder for the floor while the yellow ball on its tail begun glowing harder, as did the lightning mark on its chest.

Yet seeing this and what Aqua is in the motion of doing to Lily. Misty acts. "Aqua don't." with the water mouse stopping, though grumbles in Lily's direction, still glaring its Aqua color eyes at her. Misty gathers her Pokemon up in her arms, before shooting a hard look at Lily.

"Really Lily. One day I won't be here to stop her. So quit calling her a freak." Misty pauses a bit to hug Aqua before the mouse returns to her spot on Misty's shoulder, nuzzling its head against hers. "And as I told you before. She's unique and a rare Marill."

Lily folds her arms, rolling her eyes. "Rare like unaffected from electric attacks and able to using them in battle." Now it was Misty's turn to roll her eyes, cause unlike everyone else. Misty's aware of why Aqua is not like other Marill…. well somewhat?

"Whatever. Anyway to your early question. Don't you remember Master Lorelei said I could only bring my pack on the two-year trial trip? The rest will be left at her estate once my flight reaches the Orange Islands."

However, before Lily could shoot back. Daisy's eyes lit up at spotting a cab pulls up outside the gym. Misty's ride was here.

But by the time Daisy looks towards Misty. She frowns at seeing the sadness taken up her baby sister's face.

"I guess time is up." Misty whispers, heartbroken.

…

Once the cab driver and Tracey packed all Misty's belongings on and inside the cab. Misty gathers her old red traveling pack and Aqua. In about a few hours flight, she will be in Orange Island meeting the Ice Master to start her long training trip.

However, despite this chance, the orange haired couldn't drop her gloom state. "Well, I better go. Don't want to miss my flight."

Clearly, her sisters and Tracey knew Misty's becoming sadder despite what this long trip will mean for her near future.

Although both Brock, both Oaks wanted to be here to wish Misty luck. All three called last night to say good travel. And although that 'lunch date' had Misty keeping her distance from Gary for nearly a month. The two were on talking terms again. In fact, Misty agreed to a friendly lunch with him once she reaches Johto. Being Gary was staying there a little while for studies.

"Hey don't look sad," Daisy says, giving her baby sister one more hug goodbye.

"I know but I was hoping-"

Suddenly a distance roar in the sky cut off Misty with her, her sisters and Tracey searching for where the roar was coming from. But the time the cab driver, not caring what's going on and why most everyone's looking around, open the front door to the cab; getting in. Another roar rang through the sky, but louder.

Pinpointing where in the sky the roar was coming. Misty was smiling, from ear to ear. But not by the dragon Pokemon approaching. It was the rider she was happy to see.

"You're here!" She shouts while she runs across the courtyard of the gym's estate to the dragon landing, with Aqua behind her.

"Sorry, I'm late." The rider said slipping off the orange dragon, as Misty stops in front of the rider and Pokemon.

"Who cares, I'm just glad you made it," Misty says before the rider pulls her into a hug, smiling.

"I haven't missed seeing my son go off on his travels. So there's no way I'm missing seeing you off." Hearing this, and even reminded of her son who's still not staying in connect with her. Misty smiles, as tears nearly fall from her eyes.

"I'm going to really miss you." Feeling tears in her eyes also, Delia pulls Misty into another hug while Aqua is being updated by Professor Oak's Draconite of why Delia was late. Apparently, she just got off the phone, back at the lab, with Ash. It seems her son has just got done with stopping Team Rocket from stealing some relic.

With the main person, she wanted to see before leaving here. Misty was now ready to leave. And from the cab driver pressing on the gas while in park, telling her to hurry up. Thereby with one more hug from everyone. Misty slip into the cab, but not before promise to email Delia ever chance she can.

It has been hours since the cab carrying Misty disappeared from the gym. But like she does every time when her son leaves on his next journey. Delia stood in the courtyard of the gym, staring ahead in where the cab took off. By now Misty was possibly on her plane heading for the Orange Islands. Delia thought.

What she didn't tell Misty was she almost told Ash about her two-year travel with Lorelei. But at the last second, knowing Misty had her promising not to let him know she's no longer at the gym. Delia stopped herself. She's not really sure what's happening between her son and Misty more than recently. But knowing her and her husband had a couple of ups and downs in their relationship before marrying and having their son. She's not worried. What's meant to be will be. And she's more than certain her son and Misty will be together in the far future.

"But for now. You follow your dreams. I'll be waiting to hear all your stories." That said, and a quick meal with the rest of the Cerulean sisters and Tracey. Delia left for Pallet on Draconite, while giving another silent 'be safe' to the sky addressing not just her son anymore. But one who became a daughter to her the first day she met her back on the beach.

"Oh, Golden that gem of yours is growing into an amazing woman. I know you and Silver are proud at her. I know I am."

To Be Continued