Moments Alone, Chapter 3: "A Moonlight Memory"

By Ellie

2001, Revised 2007

One Week Later

Eighteen-year-old Ash Ketchum sat on his grandmother's porch in the Mahogany Valley, staring at the stars, and holding his beloved Pikachu. It was a beautiful night, with stars brighter than he'd seen in a long time. Probing the depths of his memories, Ash did his best to remember the last time he'd seen stars so beautiful. It hit him like a punch to the stomach. It had been the night of his twelfth birthday, just a few short months before she left. She had wanted him to have a special birthday for once, rather than the traditional pie that Brock made. Not that the pie wasn't delicious, it just got rather tiresome after Ash's birthdays, Misty's birthdays, Brock's birthdays, even Pikachu's birthdays. Ash never really knew why she went out of her way to do that for him, and he scolded himself for not thinking about it more when she was still around. Maybe he would have realized just why exactly she had been there after all that time.

Ash was yet to have a birthday top that one. She had somehow managed to get rid of Pikachu, Togepi, and Brock for the day, discreetly of course. The three left at dawn to get to a Pokemon Center to get check-ups and "help Nurse Joy." The day was left just for them. They spent it around a beautiful pond, fishing and laughing, and sharing a scrumptious picnic lunch Brock had stayed up all night preparing. She taught him several very useful fishing tips, and they both managed to catch a new water Pokemon: Misty caught a Seel, and Ash caught a Goldeen. While their Pokemon played in the pond, the pair shared Brock's Birthday Pie, with twelve candles stuck in it. When it started to get dark, the newly caught Pokemon went back to their Pokeballs, and Ash and Misty laid out on the hill. As the stars began to appear, they talked about everything and nothing. But just as they were about to head back to camp, Ash concluded that the stars were more beautiful than he had ever seen.

He told this to Misty, who just smirked and said, "You know, Ash, one of my sisters once told me that the night that the stars are shining brightest for you is the night you know you're headed in the right direction." She took his hand in hers, hoping he would understand her gesture.

But, he didn't, and he would regret it for a very long time.

Suddenly, Ash's train of thought was interrupted by the front door slamming shut. Brock had come outside to join him. The 22-year old man sat down in the rocking chair to Ash's left and made himself comfortable.

"Hey," Ash said quietly.

"Hi… wow, it's a beautiful evening," Brock said, looking up. "Gorgeous."

"Yeah," Ash replied. "I don't think I've ever seen the stars so bright."

"Oh, I have. Once."

"When was that, Brock?" Ash questioned, hoping to test Misty's theory.

"Actually, the night after I left home to journey with you and Misty," He answered, watching for Ash's reaction to her name.

Ash looked down to the floor. "They were bright that evening, weren't they? I had almost forgotten. But then again, I didn't really notice much when I was a kid. I missed out on a lot."

"Don't blame yourself, Ash," Brock replied, understanding what he was talking about. "You were young, and headstrong. Everybody's like that at that age."

"Misty wasn't," he said quietly, staring at his feet.

"She was older than you, Ash, and naturally, more mature. Don't blame yourself."

"Well, who am I supposed to blame it on? Her? I was the one that pushed her away! I was the one who made her leave. If only I hadn't been so stubborn," he trailed off, suddenly embarrassed for his actions.

"Ash, all I can tell you is, what's done is done. Maybe after you get through with the Mahogany League, you can head back to Cerulean and find her," Brock suggested.

"Yeah, I guess. I'll go find her after the Mahogany League," Ash repeated. "Now, I have to focus on the battles at hand."

"Exactly. Go get some sleep, and get an early start tomorrow. This is the big one, you know."

"Tell me about it," Ash said, standing up. He lifted up Pikachu gently into his arms and turned to Brock again. "Thanks, Brock."

"No problem," He replied with a smile as he opened the door for Ash and Pikachu. "Sleep well."

"'Night," he said softly as he entered the old house.

As he walked through the entryway, he heard water running and the sounds of dishes being washed. His grandmother was cleaning up after the dinner she'd made them, and realized he'd never offered to help her. He set the sleepy Pokemon in his arms on a couch in her parlor, and entered the kitchen.

"Want some help, mom-mom?" He asked, touching her shoulder gently.

She smiled at her grandson, and nodded to a towel hanging on the oven handle. "You can dry them."

"Alright, then," he said, picking up the towel.

Ash and his grandmother were quiet for a while, as they established a rhythym between them. She stole a glance at him each time she passed a dish along, and it didn't take him long to notice. On the next pass, he looked at her back. She slowed down and smiled.

"What's up. Mom-mom?" he asked, smiling back.

"Oh, nothing, Ash. I'm just happy you're here. And I'm so proud of you," she said, washing up the last dish in her pile.

"Thanks," he said. "I'm so glad to see you too. I've missed you."

She passed him the last dish, now clean, and he proceeded to dry it and put it away. After draining the water in the sink, she sat down at the table, and motioned for him to sit across from her.

"Your mother should be arriving tomorrow afternoon," she said, starting conversation.

"That's great. But I think Brock and I need to head over there pretty early tomorrow. Maybe you and mom can meet us at the stadium when she gets here?"

"That sounds fine. We'll give you a call either way. I know she'll be eager to see you," his grandmother said, eyeing her grandson.

"I'm eager to see her, too. I hate to be away from her so much, but it's what I needed to do. And soon, I'll be able to go home and settle down. After all, once I've passed the Mahogany League, I'll have made it," he said, his voice a little dreamy.

His grandmother smiled and nodded to him. "You've done well, sweetheart. You should be proud."

He smiled back to her. "Thanks, mom-mom. It means a lot." His grandmother looked away in thought, and the conversation hit a lull. "What are you thinking about?" he asked her after several seconds of silence.

"You'll be settling down, you say? Will you go to Palette Town?"

"Maybe."

"Do you have a girlfriend there?" she asked, smirking at him slightly.

Ash shook his head no.

"Anywhere?" Ash smiled back at her. His grandmother wasn't usually one to pry, but he could understand her motivation.

"Maybe, mom-mom. There's a girl who should be in Cerulean City that I knew a few years back. I've been thinking about her a lot lately."

She took his hand in hers and patted it gently. "She sounds lovely. After the League, I'd like to meet her."

"I'll let you know how it goes."

"You should get to bed, my dear. You've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow," she said, releasing his hand.

Ash stood up and gave his grandmother a kiss. "Goodnight, mom-mom."

"Goodnight, Ash."

As he climbed the stairs to the bedroom, Pikachu in his arms once again, Ash couldn't get his mind off of Misty. It would just be a few more weeks until he could see her again. His stomach leaped in anticipation, though he knew he had a lot to do until then. Trying his best to concentrate on the matches ahead, Ash crawled into bed. The next days would hold many surprises for the young man, he was sure. As he drifted off to sleep, the smiling face of the red-headed girl once again penetrated his thoughts. With a sigh, Ash turned over in his bed, and resigned to allow himself to think about her, if just for one night.

To be continued in Chapter Four!