"All aboard for Goldenrod City. Departure in one minute. Thank you for riding the Magnet Train!" Misty walked into the train and took a seat. The doors shut and Saffron City quickly became a distant memory. "This is your host letting you know that we'll arrive in Goldenrod City shortly. Thank you for riding the Magnet Train!"
Misty gazed out the tinted window watching all the trees rapidly pass by. She moved her eyes to the same red backpack she used when she traveled with Brock and Ash. Out of the backpack, she pulled out the red hat Ash used to make such a big deal about when they first started traveling. Misty ran her fingers over some of the stitches that came undone throughout the years. "...liar…"
The voice came over the intercom again. "We have arrived in Goldenrod City, thank you for riding the Magnet Train!" Misty grabbed Ash's old hat and placed it on her head as she walked off the bullet train, coming one step closer to Ash.
. . .
The crowd roared as Ash's battle was about to begin. "C'mon Ash! You can do it!" his friends yelled from the stands. All of Ash's friends cheered for him and Cameron to do their best, but Ash didn't hear anything. As much as he loved being in the final rounds at the Vertress Conference with everyone cheering him on, he never felt lonelier than before.
"Hey Ash!" Cameron yelled to him from across the battlefield. "Huh? Yeah Cameron?" he yelled back. "Good luck!" Cameron waved to him. Ash smiled, "Good luck to you too Cameron!" "Hope you don't think that last night is gonna make me go easy on you!" Cameron teased. Ash snapped out of his remorse for Misty. "Ha! In your dreams! I'm in this to win this!" Ash shouted. "We'll see about that! Don't forget I have my secret weapon right here! Go!-Hydreigon!"
. . .
Misty boarded the plane for Unova. "Thank you for choosing the Goldenrod Airline! Departure for Mistralton City, Unova will commence in 5 minutes!"
Misty boarded the plane and her mid-back length hair got caught on the door leading to the first class area so she tugged at it causing a few strands to rip out. "Stupid hair!" She walked into the first class area and sat down. Seated next to her was a young male in a dark gray suit, with light steel blue hair. He turned towards her. "Good afternoon miss," the man spoke.
Misty looked up towards him, ignoring all the thoughts racing through her mind about Ash. She noticed that he had blue eyes similar to hers. "Oh, hello." Misty faked a smile. "You seem...uneasy." he said. Misty felt uncomfortable with the stranger's approach. "I'm sorry, but who are you?" she asked. The man smiled. "How rude of me not to introduce myself; I apologize. My name is Steven Stone, and you are?" she thought to herself. "I'm Misty." she introduced herself.
Steven sat upright as the plane took off. "Your name sounds very familiar to me...are you a gym leader?" he pondered. Misty gasped, "Y-yes. Well, I was the gym leader of Cerulean City, but...how did you know?" she asked. Steven smiled, "As champion of the Hoenn League, it's noble to recognize the fellow gym leaders of the regions surrounding." he stated. Misty eased her tension and relaxed. "Oh how silly of me not to recognize you Steven. I'm sorry for coming off a bit rude, it's just been a crazy night." she apologized. Steven gently rested his hand on hers as he crept closer. "It's okay. A beautiful lady like you shouldn't have to feel sorry for herself." he whispered into her ear. He began to run his fingers gently through her scalp. "You have long beautiful hair, it's almost as gorgeous as your eyes." Misty's cheeks turned red and the smell of wine slithered up her nose. She slowly pulled her hand away from Steven's. "Heh, thank you…" Steven got the message and backed away.
"So what's bringing you to the Unova region?" Steven asked. Misty sighed with a smile, "It's a long story." Steven turned on his side to completely face her. "We've got plenty of time." he smiled. Misty blushed, "How...how can I trust you?" she questioned. Steven gazed into her eyes and said "You don't have to. I'm all ears for you Misty and swear never to speak a word of what you tell me to another living soul."
Misty leaned back into her chair and began to reminisce. "It all started when I left home five years ago trying to prove to my older sisters that I could become the world's greatest water Pokemon trainer. I was fishing when I thought I caught something, but it was just a boy. In two years, me and that boy traveled through Kanto, the Orange Archipelago, and Johto with another friend. I developed feelings for him and we both shared almost the same dream. Sadly, after we finished traveling Johto I was forced to give up my dream of becoming the world's best water Pokemon trainer and had to go back to Cerulean City to run the gym. He still wanted to chase his dream of becoming a Pokemon master, so he traveled to other regions and challenged their Pokemon Leagues while I stood in Kanto, waiting for him. I never had the guts to tell him how I truly felt about him, so I guess that's why he never visited or talked to me after our journey, but now I'm ready to tell him everything- that's why I'm traveling to Unova."
Steven tilted his head and sat silent for a minute, alarming Misty by making her think that she bored him with her story. "Oh I'm sorry for boring you Steven, I didn't mean for the story to be that long it's just that I-" she was stopped by Steven's finger placed over her lip. "Nonsense my dear. I was simply observing the way your aura changed. You appear much less stressed now than when you first sat here." Steven said. Misty tilted her head also, "My...my what?" she asked.
Steven placed his hand over his head. "How could I have forgotten! Aura is the atmosphere that surrounds a soul, emitting the being's personality in colors. For example, an aura that's mad would be red, if sad then blue, and so forth. It's just something I picked up from one of my Pokemon-Lucario." Steven explained. Misty nodded to show that she understood what he said.
"Lucario? So you specialize in fighting types?" she asked. Steven laughed, "No I specialize in steel Pokemon. I'm not carrying Lucario on me right now but I do have a few other Pokemon. Speaking of which, what Pokemon do you have on hand right now?" Steven asked. Misty put her head down in shame. "At the moment...none…" she admitted. Steven's eyes opened wide in astonishment, "What!? Oh, of course! You must have them all stored in your PC and will withdraw them once you arrive in Unova." Misty shook her head. "I left them all at the gym in Cerulean City, so I don't have access to any at all and I don't know how I'm going to travel safely without them." she whined. Steven placed his hand on his chin and snapped his fingers. "I have a resolution! Why not let you borrow one of my Pokemon until you are able to access your Pokemon again? Just to keep you safe for the duration of your journey to your friend." Steven suggested. "Would you really do that for me Steven?" Misty asked. Steven smiled. "Absolutely."
. . .
The sweat traveled down Ash's face as he withdrew Snivy. "Alright Pikachu! You're up!" he ordered Pikachu to go next against Cameron's newly evolved Lucario, both of their last Pokemon going up against each other for the win. Dam, how is Pikachu gonna win against an opponent stronger than him? Don't think negatively-Pikachu will do great, Ash thought to himself upon calling Pikachu out to the field.
In a matter of time, Cameron's Lucario defeated Ash's Pikachu and eliminated him from proceeding furthermore in the Vertress Conference.
. . .
The plane landed in Mistralton City, Unova. Together, Misty and Steven went to the Pokemon Center as first priority. They placed their Pokedex's into the PC and within a minute, Steven lended one of his Pokemon to Misty. "What Pokemon is this?" Misty asked holding the pokeball in her hand. "It's my Lucario, one of the most powerful Pokemon I possess. I trust you enough to return him someday." Misty smiled at Steven as she held the Pokeball to her heart. "Thank you."
They walked out the Pokemon Center into the snow. "Sure is cold out here." Misty complained. "Well Mistralton City is one of the coldest cities in the region… and you are wearing shorts." Steven teased. Misty smirked at the comment then smiled. Steven removed his coat and placed it over Misty's shoulders. "...thank you…" she blushed.
The two continued to walk through the city. "Oh yeah I forgot to ask you, what brings you to Unova?" Misty asked. "I've always had a hobby of collecting stones and I haven't explored a few caves in Unova yet, so I'm hoping to find some new stones there." Steven replied. Misty nodded and they continued to walk until they reached the edge of the city where an empty route laid ahead.
"They say Route 7 is the fastest way to reach Vertress City. If you want to see that boy by tomorrow night I would suggest for you to start walking soon." Steven said. Misty hesitantly asked, "Will I...see you again? I just-!...don't want you to lose your Lucario..." Steven smiled and nodded, "No need for you to be shy and make excuses. You can always find me at my home in Mossdeep City, Hoenn. I'm sure we'll meet again someday."
Steven said. They walked to the route entry. "You sure?" Misty asked one last time. "Positive." Steven promised while placing his hands on his coat that covered Misty's shoulders. "Well we both should be going now, or we'll stand here talking all day." Steven implied to Misty. "Yeah..." Misty's voice trailed off. "Take good care of Lucario for me." Steven said. "I will…goodbye Steven" "Goodbye Misty."
Just as Steven turned around and walked a few steps back to the city, he felt Misty grab his left wrist with her hands. Puzzled, he turned and his heart raced at the sight of her blushing face. She held onto his wrist as she stepped on her tiptoes and leaned forward slowly. Steven froze. Time stood still for the two as she leaned towards his face and softly kissed him on his cheek. She left her lips there for a few seconds before drawing back slowly without speaking a word. Steven blushed and before he could say anything, Misty dashed off into the route, in pursuit to find the man she loved.
. . .
Ash scurried to the Pokemon Center before anybody could reach him. I have to call Brock back, I just have to-before any of them find me. Ash went to the PC and phoned home. The PC rang a couple of times until it answered.
"Hello Ash, is that you already?" Professor Oak greeted him. "Yes-hello! Professor Oak! Is Brock there!?" he asked. "Brock...brock… Ah yes! The young lad is here! I should tell you though : he did quite a bit of damage to your mother yesterday when he pushed her but-" "Can you get him on the PC right now!?" Ash cut off the professor. Professor Oak sighed, "Yes, I'll call him over right now. Brock!...the nerve of some people..."
Ash waited for a few seconds before Brock came to the PC. "Brock!" Ash cheered. "Hey kid! I'm sorry about your loss right now, that must be-" "Have you heard anything from Misty?!" Ash shouted. Brock paused, "...no, I haven't…" The call quickly became silent. "Don't blame yourself for this Ash, I'm sure she's doing just fine wherever she is." Brock tried to comfort him. Ash nodded. "I think for now it'll just be best for you to ignore the thought of Misty. If I hear anything about her I'll be sure to let you know. Okay?" "Yeah, whatever you say Brock."
The call stood silent again before Brock spoke. "You sure you're gonna be able to forget about Misty for a while?" Brock asked. "Who her? Oh yeah! Definitely!" Ash said. "That's good to hear that you're forgetting about her for now! I'm real proud of you Ash!" Brock replied. "Yeah, me too. Because I'm forgetting everything about her and everybody that has anything to do with her. I'm sorry Brock, I have to move on." Ash stated before hanging up. "Ash no wait-!" the call ended.
"There he is!" Cilan yelled. All of Ash's friends came running into the Pokemon Center. Good timing guys, you get to say goodbye. "We were worried sick about you!" Iris yelled. Ash stood up, "Sorry guys! I just wanted to heal all my Pokemon as soon as possible!" Ash lied. "Well thank goodness you're fine! C'mon let's go watch the rest of the-" Bianca paused when she noticed at the same time as everyone else that Ash had his traveling bag over his shoulder (along with Pikachu).
"Ash, are you leaving to your room already?" Iris asked. Ash laughed. "No, I'm not leaving to my room-I'm leaving Unova." he stated. Everyone gasped. "What! You're crazy! Why Ash!" they all asked. Ash turned to face a map of the Unova region on the Pokemon Center's wall. He took a breath before speaking. "After all that we've been through here in Unova, I'm happy now looking back on it. I have no regrets and I wouldn't of changed a second of it. But after that call last night, and the way it affected me...I'd just prefer to leave now to try and forget about it. I want to move on." Ash said. It's not just that I want to forget about, I want to forget about Misty-for good.
"But you can't leave Ash! The tournament isn't even over and-!" Bianca's complaint was cut off by Virgil's arm in front of her. "Leave it Bianca. It's Ash's decision to choose what he wants to do. If this is what he wants, then that's his choice, and we should respect that." Virgil stated. Ash smiled at Virgil as he began to make his way towards the Pokemon Center's exit, while all his friends watched him walk away. "Thank you all...really-I mean it. I'll come back someday; someday when my dream comes true." Ash thanked them one final time and left.
Within an hour, Ash flew on Unfezant to Mistralton City and boarded a plane for the Kalos region.
. . .
"Almost there...I can see the city lights! Amazing that running all the way from Mistralton City to here took only a few hours of running nonstop. Sure I'm exhausted, but it's all worth it to see Ash tonight. Bleh, I just had to kiss that Steven guy! Well, it wasn't that bad...I just wanted to make him happy and show my gratitude. I can't believe he likes me! The Hoenn Champion likes me! Such a nice guy, too bad my heart belongs to Ash. Ash! At long last I get to see my Ash! I can almost feel him!" Misty spoke to herself upon arriving at Vertress City at night.
She ran into the Pokemon Center and went straight to the front desk. "Welcome to the Vertress City Pokemon Center! How may I help you?" Nurse Joy asked. "Hi I was wondering if you could tell me what room number Ash Ketchum is staying in? I'm an old friend of his and I came all the way from Kanto to congratulate him!" Misty lied. Nurse Joy smiled. "Aw how sweet! Sure thing let me look up his information and...he's staying in room 214 in Tower A on the third floor!" Nurse Joy confirmed. "Thank you Nurse Joy!"
Misty walked to the exit until the PCs caught her attention. Maybe I can give Brock a call to hear his opinion before I go and see Ash. It'll also give me time to catch my breath. She walked towards the PCs and removed Ash's hat and carefully placed it inside her bag. She sat down and dialed for Pewter City, Kanto. She shortly found out from Brock's siblings that he went to Ash's house to watch him during the Unova League, so she dialed for Pallet Town. After a few rings, the call started.
"Brock!" Misty cheered. "Misty! It's you!?Oh my gosh your hair grew long!" Brock was surprised. "Yeah, it's so nice to talk to you Brock!" she felt relieved. "Misty I was so worried about you! I heard you ran away and didn't know what to think!" Brock admitted. Yeah, and I don't know how I'm gonna break your heart about Ash, Brock thought. "Oh I'm perfectly fine, thanks for caring!" she thanked him. Crap! She looks so happy I don't wanna tell her about Ash. "Well it's good to know that you're okay. Anyways, where are you right now?" he asked. "Oh I came all the way to Vertress City in Unova to talk to Ash! I wanna tell him my true feelings!" Misty cheerfully confessed. Uh-oh. She just got over there after Ash left!? Oh what timing! What do I do what do I do?! Should I break her heart now and watch her drown in her misery or should I let her find out on her own and feel guilty about not telling her...think Brock, THINK!
"Heeey I noticed you got a new coat on Misty!" Brock tried to change the subject. Misty looked down at Steven's coat she was wearing. "Oh yeah I forgot I was wearing this! It belongs to Steven. Steven Stone, that is." she told him. "WHAT!? Steven Stone as in the Hoenn League Champion!?" Brock was surprised. "Yeah chill out man! I met him on the airplane ride over here and we talked a lot and...he was a really sweet guy." she admitted. "Do you not know how lucky you are!?" he shouted. "No...why?" Misty asked.
Brock facepalmed as he began. "Steven Stone is the Hoenn League Champion, as you already know. However, one of his Pokemon passed a few months back and ever since then he's been in an endless depression due to the death of his companion. As a result, he isolated himself from the world and never spoke to anyone but his father, , who had to call Wallace to replace Steven temporarily as the Hoenn League Champion-just until Steven snapped out of his depression." he concluded. "As crazy as that story sounds, how do you know all that Brock?!" Misty questioned him. "Well he held a giant funeral for his Pokemon in Hoenn and invited all the gym leaders from Johto and Kanto too-didn't you get an invitation?" he asked. Misty's face boiled up. "No! My sisters took it and said it was for an old man in Hoenn and told me that I didn't want to go!" she yelled. Oops...change the subject again Brock, change the subject!
"Anyways, he's been antisocial ever since and it's a surprise that he actually talked to you, let alone gave you his coat." he tried to change the subject. "Yeah, he kinda had a thing for me. He even let me borrow one of his Pokemon." Misty blushed. Brock smiled, yep, you're real slick Brock-o. Aw, why can't I get a girl as easily as he did?..."Wow he gave you his coat and one of his Pokemon? Impressive Misty, I'm surprised you didn't fall for him and forget about Ash!" Misty bounced up. "Ash! I almost forgot that I was gonna go see him! I'll talk to you later Brock! I just have to go right now!" Misty cheered as she hung up. She ran out of the Pokemon Center and dashed towards Tower A. Brock sighed, poor Misty. I wonder how she's gonna take the news.
Misty didn't stop running until she came across Tower A. She took the elevator to the third floor and paused outside room 214. "Okay Misty, this is it. Ash is right behind this door. Oh I can't wait to see him! What will I say when he opens the door? Or what if somebody else opens the door? I'll just find out for myself; here I come Ash!" Misty spoke to herself outside the door. She knocks and Iris opens the door.
"Hi! My name is Misty! Is Ash here!?" she cheerfully asked even though she knew the answer, or at least she thought she knew… Every hair on Iris's body stood up upon hearing that. What!? Are you kidding me, she JUST shows up after Ash leaves?! Oh what to do! "Hey Cilan! There's a girl at the door asking for Ash...for Ash!" Iris yells. Cilan walks over to the door confused. "Hm?" Misty introduces herself again.
"Hi um...I'm Misty and I was wondering if I could talk to Ash?" she asked one final time. Cilan's pupils dilated, Misty!? The one Ash was hollering about yesterday?! She's here now?! What the hell does Iris expect me to tell her?! Cilan cleared his throat. "Axew.." Iris's Pokemon covered its ears.
"Well you see Misty...shortly after Ash lost his battle today, he sort of...flew away on his Pokemon...saying that it was time for him to 'move on'..." Everyone's heart skipped a beat. Misty's smile faded away and tears quickly built in her eyes. "You mean...I was too late? I was too late again?" all of Misty's bright hopes and dreams shattered in that one moment upon hearing of Ash's dismissal. She dropped to her knees and her depression quickly returned and consumed her instantaneously. "...why...why Ash...Why!?"
. . .
After arriving in Kalos the following day, Ash met a young genius named Clemont and his younger sister Bonnie. In a few days, they traveled with Ash to the Santalune City Gym, where Ash challenged the gym leader. Upon defeat, a young female named Serena walked up to Ash.
"Ash...do you remember me?"