Hey Everybody! Sorry for another long delay. Some good news, though: I haven't been slacking during this month-long hiatus. In fact, I've been working really hard on this story, and am happy to announce that I have almost finished it! That means chapters will now be released weekly from here until its conclusion! Yay! We have about nine more chapters to go, so I hope you're as excited to read how our heroes' journeys end as I am to tell you!

As an aside, we missed it, but I wanted to wish this story a happy tenth birthday! It turned ten years old in May! Hard to believe, huh?

Well anyway, what are you waiting for? 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 story 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: 18

Misty: 19

"Do you feel better?"

Misty nodded, chewing her burger. "I was so nervous this morning I couldn't even finish my yogurt, but I've been feeling really hungry the last couple of matches."

"Well, your Pokémon are certainly looking good."

"Yeah. It's a shame we had to leave Psyduck and Starmie behind, but the others are still ready to go."

"Any idea who you'll choose?"

"Yeah, but I want it to be a surprise."

Ash looked at her phone again. "So this guy's name is Trey? Weird name."

"Don't be rude, dear."

"Sorry, Ma."

"Where do we go?"

"It says battlefield twelve. Shouldn't be a long walk from here." Misty looked out from under the shade of the tree they were eating. "Just over there, I think."

Standing up, she dusted herself off. "I'm gonna go stretch and warm-up my team before the next match."

"Want me to come with you?"

She gave her boyfriend a loving smile as he peeked out from under the bill of his cap. He was lying against the tree they were using for shade. "You look like you couldn't stand up right now."

"No, no, I can. I'm…just a little sleepy."

She blew him a kiss. "Stay here, dummy. Mrs. Ketchum, will you keep an eye on him?"

"Don't worry. I won't let him miss your next match," Delia chuckled as Ash began to lightly snore. "I don't know how he grew up to be so lazy! You'd think he was the one battling today."

Misty winked in reply and returned her Pokémon to their capsules. It was a sizable park they were resting in, filled with tall hills and trees, and after five minutes of hiking and climbing her muscles felt alive once more. She looked towards the westward sun through the leaves, wishing the heat would break as late afternoon approached.

"Okay, guys. I don't know who Trey is, but I know that there are two of you who I haven't battled with yet." Unclipping her final pokéball, she released Dragonair next to Gyarados.

"Unfortunately, this is the deciding match, and I can't use you both, so I have to choose who will battle with me. Whoever I don't pick, just know that you'll battle in the final, celebration round, okay?"

Gyarados gave a low growl and looked at Dragonair with haughty indifference. Dragonair appeared absorbed by Misty's words, and unaware of Gyarados.

"So, who do I go with? Dragonair, you definitely have the element of surprise." She lightly stroked the blue scales atop the Pokémon's head. "But Gyarados, you have much more battle experience. Everyone will be expecting me to use a water type, though."

She started stretching, and led her two Pokémon into their warmups as she debated the merit of each. As the wrapped up, she announced her decision and withdrew them into their pokéballs.

When she got back to the tree, the other three were gone. "Must've gone to the bleachers already."

"Attention, all Pokémon team semi-finalists and spectators. The first of the two semi-final matches will begin on Grass Field 12 in ten minutes. Misty Waterflower, Trey Watson, please report to the battlefield now."

Tightening the grip on her chosen pokéball, she made her way to the field. Unsurprisingly, the bleachers were now completely packed. So packed, in fact, that she couldn't make out her Pallet Town crew amongst the sea of faces. She did, however, see one familiar face.

"Elli?"

"Hey!" The brunette jumped down from the stands and her place was immediately taken by an overweight fan holding a hot dog. "Long time, no see, right?"

"What're you doing here?"

"A bunch of us stayed to see who won the scholarship. Personally, I have to see this – like I said, I can't lose to anyone but the best."

Misty smiled. "Thanks. Believe it or not, I'm actually less nervous now than I was before our battle. If I can beat you, there's no way I'm losing now!"

"That's the spirit! Make me proud, Misty!"

The two hugged, then Misty headed through the gate. She saw a brunette waiting for her, a casual smile on his face despite the roar of the crowd to his left.

"Nice to meet you, Misty. The name's Trey," he yelled. "Good day for a quiet, friendly battle, don't you think?"

Misty couldn't help but giggle. "I'm just glad you have a good attitude about it. I've run into a few people who…aren't so nice, today."

"Oh, yeah, there's tons of douchebags." Another easy smile. "But I guess that's why they're in the bleachers and we're down here, right? The bigmouths always know the least."

She nodded, and scanned the crowd again.

"You got anyone here to watch?"

"Yeah," she answered, turning back. "My boyfriend and a couple others."

"Ash Ketchum?!"

"Uh-huh."

"Wow. Well, I hope he didn't lend you any Pokémon. Otherwise, I'll just leave now."

Another giggle. "No need. They're all mine."

"Well, I don't think I'm gonna underestimate the Cerulean Gym mermaid, either." He winked. "Everyone knows how dangerous you are."

"The same could be said about you, making it this far."

"Nah, I'm just dumb and lucky." He broke out in a grin that reminded Misty a lot of Ash – it was cocky, but somehow friendly.

"Good luck, Trey. I mean it. I'm gonna win, but I have a feeling this'll be a great battle." She held out her hand and he grasped it.

"Ditto, Waterflower. See you on the other side."

They took their places and waited for the field judge to make his appearance.

"This will be the first semi-final match. The winner of this match is automatically qualified for a scholarship onto the Vermillion University Pokémon Team, and gains entry to the celebratory final round. The loser is disqualified. Each trainer gets to use one of six pre-registered Pokémon, and may not use a Pokémon which previously fainted or was deemed unable to battle in a previous match."

"Trainers, are you ready?"

Both gave a nod, not taking their eyes off one another.

"Release your Pokémon!"

"Dragonair, go!"

"It's all you, Raichu!"

The look on Trey's face made her smile. "Expecting something different?"

"Um, a little. You know Dragonair's not a water type? I'll let you change Pokémon, no worries."

"No, I'm fine."

"Begin!"

For a split second, Misty expected Trey to order a command, but he and his Pokémon remained still as statues.

"Guess I'll take the first move. Extreme Speed!"

In a blink, the dragon Pokémon disappeared, and reappeared next to Raichu.

"Rai!" Thrown backwards, the electric Pokémon quickly righted himself.

"Again!"

Dragonair went to move, but suddenly froze in place – electricity winding around her long body.

"What?"

"It's called static! Shouldn't have touched Raichu! Now, Nasty Plot!"

With a howl, the electric Pokémon's cheeks began to bristle with static energy.

"Now, hit her with your Hidden Power!"

"Raichu!" Three clear, crystalline orbs appeared in a triangle before the short Pokémon. With another cry, he shot them off towards his opponent, who narrowly avoided the attack.

"Show them your ability!"

Her body glowing yellow, Dragonair slithered out of her old skin, leaving it on the field behind her.

"Fire Blast!"

The intense rays of the sun amplified the attack's power as it tore across the field, scorching the grass beneath.

Without command, Raichu jumped out of the way, narrowly avoiding a direct hit, but still getting his tail singed.

"You okay, buddy?"

"Rai."

"Thunderbolt!"

"Use your Extreme Speed to dodge it!"

The field continued to burn as Raichu chased his opponent with electric attacks. Every time he released an attack, Dragonair would seemingly teleport.

"Don't give up!"

"You won't tire us out. Fire Blast, again!"

Racing to Raichu's side, Dragonair unleashed another blast, this time catching the mouse head-on.

"No!"

Raichu flew across the field, landing in a heap at his trainer's feet. Trey appeared tempted to leave the trainer's box as he took a half-step forward, but resisted.

"Rai…can-can you get up?"

"Rai-chu." With a weak cough, the electric type stood up on all fours, giving his trainer a confident nod.

"You sure you wanna keep going?"

"Absolutely. If Raichu hasn't given up, then neither have I!" To this, the crowd roared its approval. "We're not out of this yet! Thunderbolt!"

"Extreme Speed!"

The chase continued a few more moments, but came to a sudden end when Dragonair appeared directly in front of Misty. The water trainer heard labored breathing over the sound of crackling thunder.

"Oh, no."

Electricity coursed through her Pokémon's body as Thunderbolt got a direct hit. For what seemed to her minutes, Trey encouraged Raichu to keep it up, as Dragonair remained immobile.

"You can beat this, Dragonair!"

"Hidden Power!"

Another three crystal balls appeared and were shot off across the engulfed field.

"Extreme Speed!" Dragonair, however, could not access her speed anymore, and Misty watched as the attack made a direct hit. To her surprise, she suddenly found herself shivering.

"Wha-?" Dragonair cried out in real pain now, unable to withstand the attack as she had the Thunderbolt. "It's an ice attack!"

"That's right! Again, Raichu! She's too slow!"

Misty grit her teeth. "That's what you think! Dragon Dance!"

A red and pink aura surrounded Dragonair's body as she took flight. The crowd gasped in surprise, and Misty smiled again at the site. Dragonair seemed to increase in size and speed as she circled the field overhead.

"Hope you've got good aim!"

"Me too! Encore!"

"No!" Misty tried cutting off the attack, but it was too late.

Raising his tiny arms over his head, Raichu created a white ball of energy. "Aim, and fire!"

Casting the ball upwards, it made direct contact with the glowing dragon. The red and pink aura was now tinted white, and Dragonair continued flying about as if nothing had happened, her speed and size still growing.

"Snap out of it! Dragon Rush!"

Nothing.

As she whirled around, Trey ordered two more Nasty Plots. Raichu's fur crackled with the energy he was building, until the entire field was alive with sparks and zaps.

"Ow!" Misty brushed off her leg as a jolt grabbed her ankle.

"That should be enough," he smirked. Pointing upward, "Finish this! Hidden Power!"

"Rai…chuuuuuuu!" With a ferocious roar, three white balls appeared in front of the electric type, only this time much larger. He held them for a moment, focusing his shot, before launching them overhead. Two completely missed and melted off towards the sun, but one made a direct hit.

Dragonair cried out once again, as the white, pink, and red auras all completely disappeared from view. She fell to the earth, appearing to shrink back to her original size as she did so.

With a gut-wrenching thud, Dragonair landed on her back, and Misty felt complete panic set in.

"No, no, no! Dragonair, get up!"

"Raichu, prepare another one."

The referee held both flags up, pausing the match. "Is Dragonair able to continue?"

Dragonair weakly lifted her head, looking towards Misty.

The flags came down again. "Continue!"

Raichu began charging another Hidden Power.

Nervous for the answer, she asked anyway. "Can you keep going?"

Nodding, Dragonair tried, and failed, to raise the rest of her body.

"Should we do it?"

Surprised, she looked up.

"Should Raichu attack?"

"I-no." Misty stepped out of the trainers box and onto the field. The referee raised Trey's flag.

"The red trainer has forfeited the match. The green trainer is the winner!"

More applause and raucous came from the crowd as Misty raced to her Pokémon. Dragonair mumbled weakly as she lifted her scaled head and stroked her winged ears.

"You did amazing, Dragonair," she whispered, hoarsely. "I'm so proud of you."

"So did you." Trey stood above her, Raichu on his shoulder. He reached down and helped pull her up.

"Thanks. I-you were too good."

"Just my lucky day."

"No, no, don't-don't say that. It only makes me feel worse. You and Raichu are an amazing team. You remind me a lot of Ash."

"That's the best compliment someone can give a trainer. Thank you, Misty."

Leaving the battlefield, she saw Ash waiting for her at the exit with his mom and professor. All looked as downtrodden as she felt.

"Mist…"

"It's okay. It-it's really fine. I didn't do enough training, that's all."

Ash grabbed her and pulled her in for a tight hug. She felt Pikachu hugging her ankle, and Delia joining in on the other side.

"Can we please go back to the hotel for a little bit?"

"Of course, dear," Delia answered, pulling back and wiping away tears of her own. "Is there anything you needed to get, or do, before we go?"

"Just grab my Pokémon and stuff out of my locker at the Center."

"I'll go with you." Ash turned to his mom and Oak. "You guys go on without us. We'll meet you back there."

"We can wait-oh!" Delia interrupted Oak with a sharp shake of her head. "Yes, okay then. We will leave you two to catch up! Come along, Delia."

"See you back at the hotel." She gave Misty one more hug and left for the garages. Ash and Misty headed in the other direction. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice her, as everyone raced around them to get to the next battlefield for the other semifinal match.

"Geez, it's crowded. Wanna cut through the park?"

"Sure."

Ash grabbed her by the hand, and led her off the sidewalk. Both were silent as they moved through the trees and climbed the grassy knolls, until they climbed to the top of one, and found themselves above the tree line, looking out at the Vermillion University Tower. Bathed in the light of the burnt orange sunset behind them, the center of the school's campus appeared to glow.

"Let's sit for a minute."

"Okay."

Several more moments were spent in silence. Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and climbed onto her lap, licking her hand gently.

Ash cleared his throat. "You know, no one knows how much it sucks to lose as much as I do."

She remained silent.

"I tried, and failed, to win leagues for years. You got to watch me fail up-close many times." He smiled and looked over.

Pikachu was off her lap. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, and her head was buried beneath her folded arms, her shoulders shaking.

"I'm so sorry."

Author's Notes: Did you see it coming? I feel like many people were starting to believe I only came back to finish this story out of obligation. Like it was an old, friendly dog I was putting down. But the truth is, this story is still very precious to me, and I have no intention of quietly wrapping it up with a neat bow. I've always said, since 2009, that this fic is about portraying Pokémon in "the real world," and the real world doesn't gift you nicely packaged little adventures. Decisions have consequences. Good guys lose. That doesn't mean we give up, or we give in, but it does mean our stories are more muddled than "happily ever after" and far more beautiful.

I'm not going to spoil anything, but I will say this – Misty losing is not the last twist this story will take in its final ten chapters. I'm excited to show you what I can do, and how far these characters have come.

Please, let me know what you thought. Will Misty go to college? What will Ash do to help her?

I'll see you next week!