HEY EVERYBODY!

Wow, that feels good to write again.

So, what do I say up here? Is there anything really to say? It's been almost three-and-a-half years since my last update, and almost four years since I wrote anything new for this story. In fact, when I sat down to write this chapter, I realized I was using a new computer, so I didn't have the old timelines or charts I'd kept as a ledger to track the story's characters and arcs. To rebuild them, I had to go back and reread about twenty chapters just to figure out the timeline (and where I was at in relation to it), and then I had to read another four to make sure what I wrote here didn't conflict with previous installments.

But why am I even back? Most of my readers have almost certainly grown-up and left this story in some back corner of their childhood or adolescent memory-scape. I know that. The Pokémon franchise is now apparently in its seventh generation, meaning this story that was started back in 2009 has never been less relevant and less likely to garner new viewers. I also know that.

For anyone who does read this chapter and sees these notes, I'll go ahead and let you in on my reasoning – flawed as it might be. The last four years have been a crazy ride. I was engaged, broke up the engagement, graduated college, went to OCS, commissioned as an officer, deployed to the Middle East, did things there I won't ever forget, came back to the States, met the love of my life, married the love of my life, moved to Mississippi, moved to Rhode Island, moved to Virginia, deployed to Puerto Rico for months of humanitarian work, and now here I am.

One heck of a run-on sentence, eh? I guess I've lost my writer's sensibilities after being gone so long.

Anyway, like I said, here I am. It's 2018. This year I must decide if I'll take a promotion and continue my Navy career or get out. I'm at a crossroads made more difficult by the fact that I have a wife and future children whose well-being I have to keep in constant consideration (not to mention two very spoiled puppies).

What will I do? Who knows. What I do know, though, is that all those obstacles and challenges I wrote above have taught me something – the importance of seeing through on your commitments. Before the Navy, I was never a truly committed person. I rarely saw things through, because I didn't need to. I was blessed with the resources and mind that allowed me to coast for the most part. I'm not proud of this, but it's true. In fact, a large reason for why I joined the Navy was exactly for that reason; I wanted to become tough. I wanted to see what I was truly made of, and I don't think I could have learned that lesson anywhere else than on the high seas, where the boredom of watch consumes your soul 99% of the time, and the other 1% determines how you'll see yourself for the rest of your life.

I haven't always made the best decisions. I haven't always won. But, after the last four years, I can proudly say I never gave up, and I feel stronger for it.

Which brings me back to the story. Because, you see, no matter where I was or what I was doing, I could never forget this story. As my commitment to the Navy, and then my wife, continued to grow and consume, I realized this was another commitment I made. I remember my junior year of high school – I remember working on the outline for this story, and swearing to myself that I would see it through to the end. I remember all the great fans and reviewers I had for all those years I was active on this site.

When I look back at the reviews now, it makes me sad, because those people supported and helped me, and I didn't have the strength to finish what I started.

Yes, I've been busy, but this story and the commitment I made to it and to you (however few of you there are left), has weighed heavily on my heart. After all I've done, I've learned a man is only as good as his word. I've also learned that manliness isn't only determined when your life is on the line; it's determined in every action you take, big and small. If I ignore the guilt I feel over not finishing this story, then I haven't truly grown at all.

That was long, I know, and you may not have read it all. That's okay. All you need to know is that this story is going to be finished.

So, as seventeen-year-old me used to plead, read and REVIEW PLEASE!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any of its affiliated companies including, but not limited to, 4Kids, The Pokémon Company, Game Freaks, or Cartoon Network. The characters written within this fic are solely based upon the fictional characters created by these companies, and the story is not meant to, nor will it, receive any monetary funding.

Characters' Ages:

Ash: 17

Brock: 22

Misty: 18

Delia: 41

Oak: 56

Within the week, Ash's face was plastered across news and social media. He hadn't thought his name could get bigger than it did when he became the Sinnoh Champion for the first time, but the second time proved him wrong. People were fascinated with the League's unprecedented decision to request the champions who had mysteriously quit return to their posts, and everyone had a theory – theories which were only stoked by Goodwill's silence on the matter besides the brief press conference he held.

"Mr. Ketchum, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Lance have served in their positions honorably. Recently, certain accusations from within the League cast doubt on their reputations, but after a thorough investigation, we have no reason to give credence to the gossip. We therefore request their forgiveness, and that they immediately return to their respective positions in the League."

Ash himself heard the news while training in the Pewter Gym. He slowed the treadmill as the captioning on the news station caught his eye, and Pikachu slowed with him. His phone began blowing up soon after.

The following weeks were a frenzy. After seeing Brock off back to work, it was – amazingly – time to hit the road again. Soon, though, neither Misty or Ash could believe how routine their lives became after the previous months' adventures.

"I don't think I'll ever complain about having to wake up early to look for Pokémon again."

"Any day I'm not being kidnapped is a good day to me!"

Weeks turned into months, and the final touches on Ash's Pokédex began to fall into place as they traveled around Sinnoh. The pair developed a routine that was at once arduous, but pleasant. They would wake up at six and get ready for the day. By seven they were out the door, looking for whatever catch-of-the-day Ash needed. Some Pokémon required less work than others; they spent a full week trawling the same lake looking for a Feebas in Mt. Coronet. After the day's hunt, they would eat lunch, and then spend the rest of the day training.

Misty felt like an idiot for worrying what Ash would think about her failure in the scholarship tournament. Though they had discussed it briefly the day of her loss, so much had happened since then that when she broached the subject of her failure again she found her voice shaking. As she should have predicted, however, he not only completely understood, he bore the brunt of the blame for why she didn't win.

"If you hadn't been helping me achieve my dreams this whole time, you would've had time to focus on training!"

From that point on, the afternoons were spent leveling up Ash's new catches – in the hope they would evolve and add further to his list – against Misty's seasoned veterans. One change in her strategy was the addition of the Dratini that Ash had gifted her long ago when Team Rocket was still trying to bribe him. By now the dragon had evolved into a beautiful Dragonair, and even though she wasn't a water type, Misty found herself completely comfortable using her in battle. The dragon seemed to like Misty's battle style as well, and the two quickly developed a strong bond. The addition also allowed Cerulean's leader the element of surprise, both trainers agreed. No one who went up against her in the tournament would be expecting a dragon type, which could only be good.

The evenings were usually spent driving or flying via Charizard to the next destination, followed by a late dinner. If they were staying in the same place for the night, they would eat earlier and spend the rest of the night talking and planning.

The only break in this cycle were the gym visits Ash conducted weekly. It had been Misty's idea, but he'd readily agreed to it. Sinnoh currently had seventeen gyms, and she had mentioned how much it would mean to the hard-working Leaders and their crews to see their champion coming for a visit. It would also give the couple a chance to see the changes his funding bill had produced up-close and personal.

These visits often turned into photoshoots with the leaders, their families, maintenance crews, trainers in the gyms, and the occasional food vendor outside the gym. Both Ash and Misty would take advantage of the gyms to further train and took on multiple challengers during their visits; Ash never lost, and Misty's defeats became fewer and further between as the weeks went on.

An unfortunate dark lining that continued to shadow their lives was the ongoing medical drama with Lance. He was still unresponsive, and his doctors were becoming pessimistic about his prospects. Ash religiously called the hospital every week to find out if any change in his condition had been noted, but nothing positive had been announced yet. He spent at least an hour a week talking with Steven and Cynthia about their friend, and as the months passed, they began to wonder if Team Rocket had managed to claim one last victim before Giovanni's demise.

Despite this depressing thought, the couple's lives passed busily, but happily, as they and their Pokémon grew stronger together.

One evening a couple of weeks after spring had sprung, Ash gave Misty a mischievous grin.

"Why are you looking at me like that, creep?"

"Look for yourself." He handed her his small pokédex.

"We're at 457!"

His grin widened. "Yeah we are! I can't believe it. Once we find a Spiritomb, I will officially have every Pokémon I need to complete the Dex. Then we just have to evolve the last few – assuming they want to." Despite his looming deadline, Ash still refused to force any of his Pokémon into evolution without their consent. This had created some hardship (especially in the case of one stubborn Gabite), but neither trainer regretted the decision. Some of Ash's closest new friends were the ones he'd allowed to remain in their desired forms, and eventually they always found another Pokémon more than willing to grow into its more mature form.

She leaned over and kissed his smile. It had not been an easy six months, but the look on his face alone had been worth it. Besides, she now felt stronger and surer of herself as a trainer than she ever had before.

"This is our year. I can feel it."

"Me too, Mist. There's just something about it. I know we went through a lot, but it's all starting to pay off."

"Is it weird I feel anxious?"

Ash gave her a quizzical look.

"I mean, I feel good about where we're going, but I feel nervous too. We've been talking about our plans for so long, and suddenly it feels like we're here and it's almost time for everything we've been training for to happen. You're going to battle Red, and I'm going to compete for my scholarship; we could both be in college this time next year!"

"My stomach sank when you just said that."

"Oh, quit making fun."

"No, I'm serious. You're right. I feel this nervous energy too. Lately I've been having trouble sleeping, because it all feels like it's coming up so fast!"

"We have to stay calm. There's plenty to do before either of us reaches our goals…but still, it's exciting!"

"It'll be sad when it's over though, don't ya think?"

"Hm?"

"It's been fun, these last few months, just traveling around like the old days and catching Pokémon. I remember when we first started on this new adventure together, we talked about how it would be like when we were kids, but then everything with Team Rocket and Paul and Venusaur happened, and it became more like a nightmare than anything else."

She took his hand in hers. "I know what you mean. It's finally felt like the fun time we imagined it being. I mean, this is the hardest I've ever trained myself or my Pokémon, but I've never felt better."

There was a lull, and she could see something was troubling Ash. With a furtive glance, he squeezed her hand. "When we go to school, do you think we'll still hangout as much?"

"Of course!"

"Are you sure? Things won't be like they are now, you know? We'll both have our own stuff going on. I know the Pokémon battle team will keep you busy, not to mention classes." He paused, uncertain. "On top of that, you'll be surrounded by people a lot smarter than me. People you might enjoy being with more…maybe guys you like being with more." The last words were a whisper.

"Ash, it doesn't matter." She resisted the urge to giggle at the worried expression on his face. She knew he was serious and needed reassurance, but she couldn't believe how worried he looked over something so impossible. "You saved my life; in more ways than one! I'm not going anywhere."

A small smile appeared.

"And neither are you, by the way," she added, pulling his ear close and kissing his cheek.

"Hey - Ow!"

"Oh, get over it, you big baby."

"I'm not a baby! I just don't like having my ear pulled!"

"If anyone should be worried, it's me. My boyfriend, the Pokémon Master? Ugh, I can't imagine all the slutty girls I'll have to beat to a bloody pulp." She smashed her fist into her palm at the thought, and now Ash's smile grew.

"You're jealous?"

"Oh, don't start this. I wouldn't be jealous, because I have nothing to be jealous of. It's not like they'd steal you away, right?"

"Well, if she agreed not to punch or pinch me, I might – Ow!"

"There's more where that came from, Ketchum. Just remember you have the most perfect girlfriend in the world, and if you ever forget it, she'll kill you."

He fell back on the mattress. "So, what's the plan, then? After we find this last Pokémon, I mean."

"We need to keep training, obviously. This isn't the time to take it easy. It's a miracle we've managed to finish ahead of schedule, but that just gives us less of an excuse to be unprepared when our time comes."

"But where should we go?"

"We could go back to Pallet." She shrugged.

A quiet pause lasted a moment too long. "Well…I love Pallet, but I don't know if it's the right place for you right now."

"What?"

"It's not that I don't want you there! It's just, well…I mean, you need to focus on training, and so do I, but family's also important. I feel kinda bad that we spent all that time in Pallet last year, and you were stuck with my mom while I was gone, but we haven't gone to see your sisters in forever."

"It's really not a big deal, Ash, I promise. My sisters and I were never that close, and even now, it's not like we have to see each other all the time."

"I know, but maybe it'd be good to split up for a few weeks to catch up with everybody. Besides, you haven't seen your sisters since they went through the boot camp Steven set up for them. You need to see if the gym's in any better shape than before. You are still technically responsible for it, after all."

She sat up and gave him a hurt look. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to actually get rid of me."

"Mist, I promise I'm not." He grabbed her hands again and looked her straight in the eye. "It's just that things are changing. Like you said, it's our year. Pretty soon it'll be tough for either of us to go home and see the people we love, and I wanna take advantage of it while we still have the chance. It's been almost seven months since I saw my mom, and even longer since you saw your sisters or gym Pokémon."

"I don't like it." She looked sideways a moment, pouting slightly. "But I guess I see what you mean. I just think it'll feel weird being away from each other for so long after we've spent almost every day together for two years."

He nodded. "I know. Trust me, I don't like it, either, but we have three weeks before your tournament, and if we go back to Pallet together I'll feel guilty."

"Then come to Cerulean with me!"

"I would, but I have to keep training, too. Next month I plan on challenging Red, and before that I need to figure out my team and train them." He laughed. "It's funny that my problem used to be that I didn't seem to have enough Pokémon to choose from. Now I have the opposite problem. I need to figure out how I'll decide which of my friends are going with me to the match."

"Ugh, I hate this." She kicked the floor with the toe of her sneaker. "I never thought I'd be the clingy type, but I guess you've ruined me, Ketchum."

He gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Mist. I guess you're stuck with me."

"You'll still be there to cheer me on in the tournament, won't you?"

"I thought I was the one who asked dumb questions – Ow!"

With that, the arrangements were made, and in two days' time the pair found themselves outside of Sunyshore's airport; each with a ticket in hand.

"I'm gonna miss you so much." Her voice was barely audible over the din of people and cars rushing about. Overhead, a PA system reminded them that the white zone was for unloading baggage only.

"I will too, Mist."

"Actually, I was talking to Pikachu." She bent over and ruffled the fur on the little Pokémon's head.

"Oh, ha, ha. You're hilarious."

"I know." She stood back up and gave him a wink. After a moment, "But I guess I'll miss you too."

"Yeah, I might a little, too. Be safe, and let me know how your sisters are doing."

"I will." They both stood there a moment in awkward silence; neither really wanting to say goodbye to the other. "The ship leaves in an hour, so I guess I better go deliver the car."

"Okay." He swallowed hard. He suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to join her on the ferry. "I love you. I really am gonna miss you, Misty. You know that, right? I'm not doing this to get rid of you or be selfish or anything."

She leaned in and gave him a hard kiss. Before he closed his eyes, he could see tears rolling down her cheeks as she did so. "I love you, too, Ash, and I'll miss you more than you know. I know you want us to do this so I can see my sisters, and I appreciate it. Someone more selfish would've put what they wanted ahead of what was needed. You love me, and I love you, and even though it's only a few weeks, I know how much we care for each other because of how hard this feels to do.

Another hard swallow followed a tight nod. He didn't want to break down in front of her.

She wiped the tears away with the back of her wrist. "Work hard, and call me every night! That's an order, Ketchum!"

"I wouldn't dream of forgetting."

After another kiss, the redhead climbed into her car and sped off with a honk. After the two watched it disappear, Pikachu climbed atop his master's head as he walked into the airport.

"You know she was kidding, right? She's gonna miss me more."

"Pika."

"Oh, don't sound so arrogant."

Author's Notes: I hope everyone enjoyed the latest chapter! I understand it was shorter than the more recent chapters of this fic, but my purpose in that decision was deliberate: I wanted to move the plot forward. Looking back at my old chapters, I realize now how often I tended to ramble unnecessarily as a narrator, and this led to chapters that meandered and dragged on past the point of interest. We all want to get to the meat and potatoes of this story, and right now that's Misty's scholarship tournament and Ash's challenge of the Master.

I truly hope you enjoyed it, but whether you loved it or hated it, I would really appreciate any constructive feedback you have. Additionally, if you're one of my old reviewers from back in the early part of the decade, I would be so honored if you left me your thoughts. It would mean so much to know that at least one or two old-time readers were still around to see this story to the end.

That's all from me! Chapter 64 will be out in two weeks!