A/N: So close to being done! I really like how this is turning out…don't you?

Recognize

Rec-og-nize: v. 1. To know or identify from past experience or knowledge. 2. To acknowledge or accept. 3. To approve of or appreciate.

She knew without a doubt that it was him.

He was a few hundred yards away from where she was leaning against the wall and there were a lot of other people in the room, but she knew it was him. No one else in the world had the aura that was just leaking from him as he stood and chatted with Nurse Joy about registering for the tournament. And no one else had walked in with an adorable Pikachu on their shoulder before he handed it over for a check-up. And of course just a few feet away from him standing in a huddle was the tall and handsome Brock, sweet and noodle-loving May, pretty and innocent Dawn, excited and all knowing Max, loving and caring Delia Ketchum, the famous Professor Oak, his somewhat conceited but admiral grandson Gary, and the ambitious and talented Tracy Sketchit. She could tell from her place away from them, that they were excited to be together again after being separated from each other for more than a few years.

She wondered silently if she should join them, and announce that she was here to and that she was here to cheer Ash on and that she would be by his side. The thought only lasted a few minutes, and a frown formed on her pretty face as she remembered that she wasn't here for him. She was here for her and she wouldn't be by his side, although deep inside she was cheering for him. So with a heavy heart she watched the sweet reunion that was happening without her, that always seemed to go on without her, as she stayed by her spot against the wall.

But oh Mew, how she wished she could be over there. The ache grew as he turned from the desk, the most charming smile on his handsome face and for a minute there he actually left her breathless. He had grown up so much, and he was so blessed because in all reality she had never seen someone so gorgeous in all her life. Not even pretty boy Gary Oak could rival such looks, let alone such outstanding personality. She wondered if that had changed too. And with a frown she watched Dawn launch herself into his open arms; her musical giggle could be heard from where she stood, even with the many other trainers who filled the room with their excitement.

May was in his arms next, and she was brave enough to plant a sweet kiss on his cheek to which he returned with an adorable blush before his mom scooped him up after to his embarrassment. The guys were less physical in their happiness to see each other again, clapping his shoulder proudly and shaking his fingerless-gloved hand. Misty held a breath as Ash looked among them, smiling cheerfully and obviously overjoyed that they were there to support him, and for a minute she thought she saw a small frown that had been quickly replaced with a laugh as Gary said something to him.

He had been so easy for her to recognize she thought sadly, disappointed that she hadn't gotten over him after all of these years. Even though his looks slightly differed from his childlike form, he was still the Ash she had known. He was taller, just an inch or two shorter than Brock, and he still had the wild and crazy-like raven black hair that was covered with a battered red baseball cap with a black pokeball symbol on it. His hair looked longer from the distance between them, and his bangs had grown because they were falling into his eyes, that she could tell. He was leaner, and the baby fat had completely left him so that a muscular and toned form was all that could be seen. His clothes were the same style, a black t-shirt with a red vest over it and light blue washed out blue jeans that had a few rips and tears here and there. He wore red sneakers on his feet and on his hands were red and black fingerless gloves.

She yearned to be closer though because even if he looked attractive from where she was, she couldn't tell if he looked older or if his eyes still shown with childlike wonder or if his smile was still goofy and lopsided, or if his voice was still scratchy and high. Even if he had changed in those ways to, there was no way she wouldn't be able to recognize him. Ash Ketchum was just an unforgettable person and there was no way that anyone wouldn't know who he was once they met him. He was just that way.

Her heart fell as they began to walk away, the group heading out the sliding doors so that they could probably spend the rest of the day together before the big tournament. She was tempted to run after them, if only to follow without being seen so that she could enjoy the day with them from afar. Her hopes were dashed when a hand was placed on her shoulder.

"You know we're not supposed to be out in the public before the tournament," Lance chuckled from her side, all decked out in a disguise. Misty sighed before smiling at him and shaking her head.

"I only wanted to check out the competition and see if I could see anybody I knew," she replied poking his chest, "and what are you doing out in the public master?" she asked curiously.

"I had to pick up some potions for Dragonite," he answered holding up a brown paper bag with a sheepish smile. "So, see anybody you recognize?"

"Ash is here," she nodded looking out towards the doors.

"Somehow I knew he would be." Lance said with a knowing tone of voice.

"Yeah, I somehow knew he would be too," she nodded.

MAMAMAM

Her heart felt like it was going to explode from her chest as she stood behind the doors listening to the crowd as they cheered widely from outside. Unlike yesterday when she wanted with all her heart to be like May and Dawn and find herself in his arms, today was completely opposite. She really wanted to high tail it out of there and have another few years to get the courage to see him again. It wasn't exactly because she was afraid to battle him, she loved the energy behind their pokemon matches, but she was more afraid that he wouldn't know her. Not until they announced her after she made her way to the arena anyways. That just would be a blow to her self-esteem, how could you handle having someone not know it was you when you instantly knew it was them? Oh, headache.

She knew she looked different, because she had made sure she did. Not on purpose at first, but after living with three glamorous sisters you were bound to change somehow, even if it was just your fashion sense. So maybe she could understand if Ash just looked at her like some normal challenge and not like he knew her and was battling a super good friend, or maybe just a friend, she didn't really know anymore. Her hair was a lot longer, and it cascaded in large waves to her waist and a sparkly, blue seashell clip held back a piece of bang that always got into her eyes.

She wore a blue and yellow plaid belly shirt, the lacey straps fell off her shoulders seductively, and the cascade badge was around her neck hanging on a silver chain. She wore short blue shorts that were frayed at the edges and they were cut a little shorter so that the pockets peeked out from underneath and a brown belt was cinched through her belt loops and clipped onto it were her six pokeballs. Her red boots came to her knees, and strapped around her thigh was a brown leather pouch that held her pokegear. She knew she looked outstanding, her sisters insisted she did, but she was still unsure if Ash could see through her intimidating appearance. She didn't know if he would be able to see her, the once twelve year old girl who followed after him because he destroyed her bike.

"CONGRADULATIONS ASH KETCHUM!" The announcer's voice boomed so loudly that the doors even vibrated from where she stood. "ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGE?"

The audience screamed even louder, and Misty knew that his answer had been yes, not that it would have ever been no. He was not one to back down, especially if he was so close to winning. As the crowd cheered, she found herself running down the stairs into the dimly lit room underneath and climbed onto the platform that stood in the middle of the room. She could hear the crowd become enthused as the battle ground changed from Flint's rocky and volcanic arena to her own atmosphere. It wouldn't be ice like most people expected, but it wasn't too far from that element.

"WILL THE NEXT CHALLENGER FROM THE ELITE FOUR PLEASE APPEAR?" The announcer commanded and Misty took in a deep breath as the platform whirred to life from beneath her and she found herself rising up to the top floor. Sunlight poured all around her as she shot up from the ground and she kept her eyes on the ocean filled arena below her, rocks and icebergs floating here and there. The audience roared at her appearance and she took another breath and faced her challenger, a smile on her face. She gasped at the look that crossed his face, his dark eyes widening and his mouth dropping open. The little mouse on his shoulder looked just as surprised.

"Misty?" He gaped like a Magickarp just as Pikachu called out with a "Pikachupi?"

Her heart thundered and she realized that he did indeed look so much older. His face chiseled and angled instead of round and chibi like. But, she felt herself smiling even more at his stunned announcement. He did in fact recognize her after all these years.

A/N: ooooo, I like this don't you? Wish I could continue it =P Review if you could! You know what happens when you dooooo! Can someone say an actual story? LOL