Hello! It's the 28th and I am here to commence this new story of mine. Like I said at the end of the last author's note, I've had this story concept in my mind for quite a few months and have been itching to get started. When I settled on the fact that I would indeed write it, this was one of the first few chapter ideas. It's quite a simple one but so feels like something I would've written back in the day. It's on the shorter side, but like the story title suggests, it really is a moment in time that changes everything between Ash and Misty :3 I hope you enjoy

Disclaimer: I own the story!

Dear Mist,

It's Ash. Ash Ketchum.

Long time no see, huh? Although, I guess I should say, long time no hear. That's kinda my fault. No, that's completely my fault. I haven't written to you in for so long. How are you? I hope that you're doing okay. I have asked around here and there, so I think that you are. Well, I hope that you are. I guess no one can know apart from you so I hope you'll tell me that you are.

The last I knew of you was that you were still running the Cerulean Gym for your sisters even though they had long since returned. That's awesome. And maybe the last you knew of me; I was down about a battle loss during the Battle Frontier, and you sent me your special lure to cheer me up. I still have it just so you know! And I hope people have told you other stories of me since then. But I know I should be telling you them myself.

I don't have many excuses at all. You know what I'm like, when I get in my head, and I go full throttle towards something. There can be little to stop me. But you are my friend. People like you and Brock and Gary are my greatest friends in the world, and I should have reached out when I thought of you. I'm sorry I didn't. And I hope you're not too mad.

I would really like to know what you've been up to. The Cerulean Gym side of life and everything in between too. I'm not even sure you'll reply to this letter, but I'll tell you what I've been up to anyway.

Well, I ended up conquering the whole of the Battle Frontier and was even offered a position there, but I turned it down because I knew that was not where I wanted my journey to end. I wanted to be a Pokémon Master and still want that. So, as always, I've been continuing to take my steps towards that.

I travelled all around Sinnoh and competed in the league there. Did you see me on TV? I got Top 4! Then I headed to Unova, but I only got Top 8. I shouldn't say only. That was a fun time and I met so many new friends and, alongside two of them, we headed to the Decolore Islands where we've only just finished, and I only just said goodbye to them. They're called Cilan and Iris, by the way. I think you would like them.

I guess, it's because of the two of them that I am writing to you. No, it is because of them that I'm writing to you.

This time around, the goodbye felt different. It felt like I wasn't saying goodbye to my two new closest friends, but I was saying goodbye to everyone that I've held dear on my journeys over the years. Tracey. May and Max. Dawn. Even Gary when we bid brief farewells. My Mom. Of course, you and Brock. Of course, you and Brock. Of course, you.

I don't know why I felt that way, but I did. And from that feeling, I couldn't ignore that I should reach out to you after all these years. Want to reach out to you after all these years. I really hope you're not too mad. I haven't heard that you are. But I'm sure you must be from how little I've kept in touch.

The truth is, I didn't know if I was just a thing of the past and you were doing so well being a whole gym leader by yourself and you didn't need me bugging you. And I also thought to myself, it was so hard saying goodbye to you the first time, I think it would really kinda hurt conversing with you again and signing off each time.

Isn't that foolish? Pikachu thinks I'm foolish. He says hi, by the way.

I know my reasons are silly. But they have been big enough to stop me from writing. But not anymore.

I would so love to hear from you. Hear all that you've been up to. Hear all the ways that you've been kicking butt! I know I will be so proud.

Despite the amount of people who have joined me on my journey over the years, I never forgot my first two. I never forgot you, Mist. I keep your mini-Misty in my pocket always. I guess it's kinda a good luck charm at this point.

I hope you haven't forgotten me. And like I keep saying, I hope you're not so mad that you don't want to reply. I remember how your temper used to be! I guess you might remember how my temper used to be too. We were both silly back then sometimes.

Anyways, I really do hope you are doing well. And even though I'm leaving Kanto for the Kalos Region really soon, I hope you might come and visit me out there. And if not, I'll be sure to pop in and see you when I'm back in Kanto. I promise.

It's been so long, hasn't it? I just hope it isn't too long. I hope we can pick up right where we left off.

I would really love that, Mist. So much.

From, Ash.

P.S: All my Pokémon say hi. I think they'll burn down Professor Oak's lab if I don't give you their well wishes!

There you go! Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed :) This is the letter that prompts Ash and Misty to reunite and when they do, they confess their feelings for one and another and begin their long distance relationship! That whole idea of mine in itself back in 2012/2013 is the beginning of everything really, but how funny it is that I've only just tackled it! I didn't even intend it when writing this, but when I edited it, I realised Ash mentioning how his goodbye to Cilan and Iris got him thinking of all his companions is an unintentional nod to the last episode of the Best Wishes series, when he has that flashback of all his friends :) Thanks again for reading and I will be back on Wednesday 7th to update Pikachu Tales so see you then!

Amy signing out :3