Hello People, Ash and Misty are finally coming together and this is the first time I'll switch to Ash's point of view. Generally the story will follow Misty, but I feel the need to get into Ash's head as well. Please Enjoy

Chapter 5: Just a get together

Ash (POV)

Ash finally reached his home after being away for so long it felt great to finally see his mother in person instead of on a screen. When he opened his door instead of being greeted by his mother or even Mimey he found half the town scattered through his home, thankfully Pallet wasn't too large. "Um, hi," he looked at people the closest to the door. When they saw him they greeted him warmly and loudly which set off a chain reaction with more and more people saying hello to him.

After more conversations than Ash was looking for he finally found his mother, "Mom," he called out to her breaking away from most of the people. She noticed Ash and quickly swept him into a hug, "Hi, mom." He said trying to breathe in her too tight hug.

"Hi, honey I'm happy you finally decided to visit me," Ash noticed there was a bit of reproach at the fact that he very rarely called or visited since he started his journey, but there was an undeniable amount of warmth and happiness.

"Sorry, mom I just get busy while I'm out there," when he said 'out there' he was referring to the parts of the world he'd managed to reach.

"I know you do and you're going to fill me in on everything tomorrow, tonight enjoy yourself and I think there is someone around here who would love to talk to you," she smiled in a way that worried Ash just a little bit.

"Who?" Ash had already spoken to most of the townspeople he knew and he wasn't particularly close to most of the people he imagined could be here that he hadn't met. His brow furrowed in confusion, "Do you mean, Tracey? Because already talked to him."

"No, not Tracey. Actually I see her now," Delia smiled.

"Her?" Ash turned around and saw a familiar head of red hair, it was longer than when he last met her and she wasn't facing him, but he instinctively knew who is was. "Misty," he called out and as she turned to face him he was already moving towards her.

"Hey Ash I-," she started to say, but he already wrapped her up in a tight hug.

"Hi, Misty I really missed you," Ash whispered noticing a few things, first he was finally a bit taller than her, second how much he really missed her, and finally how much he liked having her in his arms. It was an odd cocktail of thoughts, but the happiness at being with her again overrode everything.

His travels just hadn't been the same without her and a wave of some emotion he couldn't quite place hit him. So it was only natural that he held her longer than necessary, but that odd sensation tugged at him again. Instead of focusing on that he just let a smile break across his face when he pulled back and saw her familiar smile shining at him.

Misty (POV)

She was enveloped in Ash's arms before she could even finish saying hello, but she didn't care she just enjoyed the hug from her best friend. He seemed to hold on longer than usual, but she didn't fight him off and relaxed into his touch. When he pulled back and their eyes finally locked and Misty could see her emotions reflected in his eyes happiness was obvious, relief that they were finally together again was there for sure, but there was something else dancing in the background she couldn't quite place. When she allowed herself to look away Misty saw Pikachu on the ground looking a bit annoyed at Ash. Misty felt Pikachu jump onto her shoulder interrupting them, "Pika pi."

"Hi to you too, Pikachu," Misty greeted the electric mouse who nuzzled into her neck.

"He was almost as excited to see everyone as I was," Ash laughed at his little friend's antics having completely forgotten about Pikachu when he ran to Misty. Pikachu seemed perfectly content resting on Misty's shoulder, "Pikachu always had a soft spot for you."

"Well Pikachu, I have a soft spot for you too," Misty petted Pikachu before adding, "You're my Pika pal remember?"

"Pika," Pikachu replied happily.

"How have you been?" Misty turned to Ash looking over him. Seeing him in person again proved that the video phone hadn't done his growth justice. She noted that he was taller than her and starting to put on some lean muscle. He had grown up since she last saw him, but his face hadn't changed much and his wild black hair was still only partially controlled by his hat. His voice had finally dropped a bit, but his smile hadn't changed. She took a moment to reconcile her memory of Ash and the new teen standing in front of her and liked his new look.

"It's been great traveling and battling, but I'm glad to be home," Ash sighed looking around before letting his eyes rest on Misty. She almost felt him doing the exact same thing she did to him, looking her over and taking in the sight of the slightly new version of the girl he knew. She tried not to be uncomfortable under his eyes, but eventually the staring passed.

Misty rubbed Pikachu's fur slowly, "So do you have any plans now that you're home?"

"Um, not really I guess. I thought more about getting back to Kanto and getting home than what I was going to do when I got back except visiting you of course. I mean I've been traveling with Brock so it's not like I have to see him right away, I only just said goodbye. So I mean I don't really know yet, I'll just do whatever I come up with," Ash scratched the back of his head grinning.

"How long do you think you're going to stay in Kanto?" Misty looked at him carefully not wanting to say anything further without knowing if he was staying long term or if he was staying Ash's version of long term. Ash's version was a short amount of time followed by a rush to get to the next thing, whatever that was.

"Probably a while, I mean I've traveled pretty far and wide plus I'm only fourteen. I can stay in Kanto for some time before trying to find some new adventure. I've noticed a difference being here versus Hoenn or Sinnoh. When I was here every time I did something I imagined what it would be like next time I visited. I loved journeying everywhere, but Kanto is my home and I want to experience it a bit more in a way that isn't so rushed," Ash's answer was far more mature than what Misty was accustomed to and she was extremely happy that he'd be staying.

"That's great, if you're going to be around maybe you could stay at the gym for a little while, we have tons of spare rooms and I've updated the place. I talk about working at the gym all the time when you actually bother to call, so I want you to see what I do," Misty mixed an invitation to visit the gym with a slight bit of annoyance at his infrequent calls.

"I'd really like that Misty," He smiled at her and at the sight she allowed her slight annoyance at him not keeping in contact to fade for the time being. She could be mad another time, now was the time to enjoy his homecoming, she didn't need the mallet.

"Also if you wanted to you could enter some tournaments to keep on top of your game," She pointed out wondering if he would get antsy without something to do.

"What do you mean?" Ash asked.

"Well they host Pokemon tournaments all the time some bigger than others, I won a small one a few days ago. You didn't think the Indigo Conference was the only one did you?" Misty watched him go from slightly confused to realization to a look of excitement at the prospect of more battles.

"Well no, it's just I focused so much on getting badges that we didn't do too much else unless it was on our way," Ash pointed out. It was true although they had many adventures most of it was on accident or by coincidence.

"Actually, why not enter the Indigo Conference again? You made it to the top 16 last time. I want to see how well you do now and this time I'll try entering as well," Misty remembered last time how she and Brock were his coaches. It really was exciting, but the end was pretty anti-climactic.

"Wait, a gym leader can enter? Do we need to get you eight badges as well?" Ash asked confused.

"No, members of the Pokemon League are to enter the tournament in a different way and gym leaders are technically part of the League. If a Gym is ranked with four or five stars the Leader is allowed to enter the Conference, but only four Gym Leaders are allowed to enter in that way. The reason is because a Gym Leader could easily ask their friends for badges and be allowed to get in even if they aren't good enough. Imagine one of my sisters entering because they asked some of their friends for badges. So any Gym Leaders who are ranked with four or five stars have to compete against other gyms who want to enter, before the preliminaries even begin," Misty gave a quick rundown of league regulations.

"So are you a four or five star gym?" Ash didn't know much about league policy or Cerulean's standing in the league.

"Unfortunately, no my sisters took us from a four star gym under my parents down to a single star gym. Each year you can move up one rank and for the past two years I managed to move us up to a two and then three star gym.

"So what are you supposed to do if you're only a three star gym?" Ash apparently decided to wait a bit before delving into the whole ranking system or the topic of her parents, which Misty was glad for.

"I keep track of my battles and win lose rate versus different caliber of trainers. Winning reflects well on the gym especially against trainers with more badges, the computer keeps track. Based on the last time I looked at the data I have I think I'm close to being ranked a four star gym. It's a bit over a month away before the gym gets assessed depending on how well this month goes I may be able to move up a rank if I'm lucky," Misty mentally went over the calculations in her head. If things didn't work out then she could always take the Pokemon Entrance Exam, but that would be her plan B.

"So basically if you do a good job for the next month, you could enter the Conference?" Ash tried to keep it as simple as possible.

"If I do well I would get a chance to enter the tournament. So I need to work even harder from here on out," Misty's eyes lit with fire and determination burned within her.

"What about me, do I need to beat eight gyms again?" Ash looked worried about the prospect of having to chase down eight gym leaders again.

"No once you've entered the Conference after collecting eight badges you are free to enter again for the next three years. Basically unless you committed any crimes or done anything against the league, which you haven't, you're safe. If you make it into the top 32 you get another five years from there, but they don't stack up. So you're still clear to enter this year's tournament, but if in the next two years you don't enter or don't do well, then you will have to collect eight badges again," Misty went through the rules she had memorized after taking over as gym leader.

There were multiple reasons for that policy, one being that talented trainers may be discouraged if they had to collect eight badges every year even if they did well and they may not participate. The league wanted the best of the best so it gave those who it considered worthy the ability to return to keep things interesting. The second reason was that a trainer could just go back to the gyms they already beat the next year and just request badges again, if they wait a few years the leaders would be less likely to just hand them the badge. Of course most leaders had more integrity than that, but there had been instances where badges were just handed out.

"Wow Misty you sure know a lot about this," Ash's compliment dragged her back to reality.

"While you've been out traveling I've been working in the gym and I learned a lot, not just about battling. I've had to do a lot of work with the League and I've talked to a lot of the other Gym leaders I'm pretty well informed," Misty stated proudly.

"Why do they even rank gyms?" Ash seemed to be thinking of his Kanto badges.

"It's mainly to decide how large the stipend they give the gym is. The higher the ranking the more money we receive as our base salary, plus bonus money depending on how the gym does during the year. They also do it so trainers don't get into the Conference too easily," Misty explained.

"How do the rankings do that?" Ash looked genuinely curious and Misty was glad to be able to tell him a bit more about her job.

"You need a minimum of eight badges that's true, but they also count points. Brock and I never brought it up because you challenged gyms that gave you the points you needed," Misty assumed Ash had some sort of plan, which she thought was surprising at the time. Now it seemed like it was dumb luck, like many of the things that happened to him. Still she knew he was a great trainer who loved Pokemon and she knew he'd only gotten better in her absence

"What?" Ash gave an unmanly squeak imaging what would have happened if he somehow chose the wrong gyms.

"There are thirty two gyms all across Kanto so people all over can find gyms to challenge. You've seen a bunch of badges you don't have. You remember, don't you? Gary had ten and most of those were different than yours, there was Otoshi who had a few you hadn't seen before, and that other guy who had eight badges whose leaders you never met," Misty couldn't remember exactly which badges the other trainers had, but she remember noticing how many badges they had that Ash didn't. "You need a badge from at least every star ranking and the total must be twenty one. Getting one of each is already fifteen points. The other three just need to add up to six so even if they are all only two star gyms you'll be fine. That's why some people need more than eight, but most challenge more gyms for the experience or practice against different types"

"Is that why Gary needed ten badges?" Ash smiled haughtily and Misty could imagine him thinking he was better than Gary because he only needed eight badges.

"No," Misty's brows furrowed in thought trying to recall which one's they were, "I'm pretty sure his badges added up to over thirty by a decent amount. I remember worrying if you could beat him because most of your badges were given to you." Misty smirked a bit at pointing out Ash was given most of his badges, she liked to make fun of him for it.

"I still made it farther than him," Ash replied indignantly.

"I know," Misty's fond smile went directly against her teasing and it calmed Ash down.

"There's food in the kitchen if you want some," Misty pointed over her shoulder knowing Ash had to be hungry, mainly because he was always hungry.

"You know me too well," Ash laughed and darted to the kitchen. Pikachu gave Misty and affectionate lick and said goodbye with an excited, "Pika" before jumping out of her arms and following Ash. It seemed they were both ready for food. Some things never changed which Misty appreciated, she went off to talk to a few more of the people who had known him as a child and had to fend off a few people that thought she was dating Ash.

It was late when the party finally came to a close, she spent most of it with Ash and they quickly fell back into the easy comfort they felt together. Their interactions were a mixture of humor, memories, their current lives, just enjoying each other's company, and a bit of teasing which was far more joking than antagonistic. It was like they hadn't been apart for so long, but eventually the time for her to leave came about. She made a point of seeing Delia before saying her final goodbyes, "I'm going to head home now, it was great to come over and spend some time with everyone. Thank you for inviting me, Delia it was really nice of you."

"No, it's far too late I can't let you go out now. You're spending the night here, I've decided and I'll have no argument," Delia said in a very motherly way and Misty found it difficult to argue. "I'll set up the guest room and then it's off to bed with you young lady," Delia smiled lightly and Misty found herself reciprocating before stifling a yawn. "Ash is already fell asleep on the couch, he was worn out from his trip," Delia indicated the sleeping teen across the room. Misty was going to be the last person to leave and sometime between her walk from the couch to find Delia Ash fell asleep where they had been sitting.

Misty admitted to herself that Ash looked cute sprawled out over the couch with Pikachu curled up on his chest, but instead of spending any more time staring she turned away and went up to the guest bedroom to help Delia before falling asleep.

A/N

OK so the moment arrived they are together and now Misty is spending the night, in the guest room. I hope I did alright with their interactions and the literal Poke shipping romantic side will take a little while. In some stories they are both still ten and others their 18 or grown up, I chose to keep them at fourteen for Ash and fifteen for Misty so they're young enough to still be childish and naive about certain things, but old enough for them to start understanding their feelings, or Ash anyway, Misty already knew she had a crush on him when he was younger. So it will take time, but don't worry it'll happen.

I created this entire idea of different gyms being ranked and that defining the amount of money they receive. I mean look at Brock's gym it's pretty small and mainly just rock, being a rock type gym. However the cinnabar island gym is much larger and features different machines which I'm assuming cost more than boulders. I'm going by the games for that and I wanted something to explain why some gyms are so much more difficult than others. So they are ranked stronger gyms are given higher ranking and more money, weaker gyms have a lower ranking and less money however they can rise and fall. I'll explain more about that process going forward. I'm sure some of you think the idea is weird and it kind of is, but in some weird way it makes a bit of sense. I mean compare the little pool Misty had in the games to the literal teleportation pads in Sabrina's gym.

Sorry that was a bit of a rant to explain myself anyway thanks for reading.

Random things I wanted to add Jessie, James, and Meowth that's right, will be making appearances in the future, but not for a while.

Pokemon (On hand)

-Politoad

-Staryu

-Starmie

-Seadra

-Psyduck

-Corsola

(In the Gym)

-Seaking

-Gyrados

-Tentacool

-Slowpoke

-Krabby

-Cloyster

-Caserin

-Azumarill

-Dewgong

-Various Pokemon mainly used for shows

Trivia

-Delia owns a Mister Mime that she nicknamed Mimey, it does housework for her and keeps her company.

-In the episode where Pikachu refused to fight Misty said, "Pikachu, you're a Pika-pal."

-There have been many different badges shown by characters that differ from Ash's, although some people say some of the badges are the same, but look slightly different. Regardless I decided to do thirty two gyms for a few reasons.

-There is an entrance exam for the Pokemon League which Ash and team rocket failed

-Gary got ten badges

-Otoshi was a trainer who had his badges stolen by team rocket and tried to battle Ash to take his

-Otoshi had a Marowak who left him after his badges were stolen, but later returned to help him retrieve them.

-Gary lost in the top 32

-Ash lost in the top 16 to Ritchie

-Ritchie nicknames his Pokemon and puts stars on their poke balls (I'm not his biggest fan)

-Ash ends up depressed after losing to Ritchie because Charizard ignored him, Misty goes in to cheer him up and they both end up getting shocked by Pikachu

-Eventually Ash goes out to cheer on Ritchie who loses anyway, but deals with it much better than Ash making Ash realize how childish he was being.