Part III: Plans and Realizations
"Guys, I have made a decision." Ash said to his friends as they all ate another excellent dinner cooked by Cilan. "And I hope you can understand it. As soon as the Vertress conference is over, I am going to go to Johto."
It was the next night and Ash, Iris and Cilan were all having dinner together in the lodging they had for the tournament. They had just watch Cameron lose in the semifinals and the finals and trophy presentation were set for next day. They had all decided to stay for the final and then determine where to go next but Ash had already made his mind up and it was time to tell them.
"Johto, what an unexpected ingredient into the recipe of Ash." Cilan said with a bit of a surprise in his voice. "What could be in Johto that would make you want to go there so soon after the Vertress Conference?"
"Yeah Ash, it is practically on the other side of the world." Iris said giving him a sideways look that was completely lost on Ash. "Why are you in such a hurry to get to Johto?"
"I want, no, I have to attend the Grand Festival there." Ash said simply. "And it is in less than 2 weeks so even travelling at full speed with Charizard, it will take most of that time to get there."
"Grand Festival?" Cilan asked, touching his chin in thought. "Isn't that what they call the championship for coordinators at the end of the contest season in the regions that have contests."
"Yup." Ash said eagerly. "Once a coordinator wins 5 ribbons she is eligible for the Grand Festival. I have been to the other 3 festivals but not the one in Johto."
"Still, that isn't enough to justify it." Iris said suspiciously. "There is more to this that you aren't telling us and you said she, not he. Spill Ash Ketchum, what is the real reason you want to go?"
"Misty." Ash said instantly, not realizing he was smiling when he said her name. "She went there for the Wallace Cup and apparently decided to stay for the rest of the contest season, I just found out. She won her 5th ribbon the other day and is competing in the Grand Festival so I want to be there to support her."
"Ah I seen, a delicately sweet ingredient to perfect the recipe just for Ash." Cilan said as he and Iris exchanged a knowing glance that Ash missed. "A valid reason to travel then."
"Yeah, I hope you don't mind." Ash said a little sheepishly, glad that his friends were ok with it. "I know I am just dropping this on you all of a sudden and leaving soon but this is really important."
"Oh no, we totally understand." Iris said with a smirk. "You are such a little kid at times Ash."
"What, how am I kid this time?" Ash asked a little annoyed at Iris's go to banter line. "I am just going all the way to Johto as fast as I can so that I can watch Misty sparkle in her second Ribbon Cup. I want to support her as a coordinator and friend."
"Yup, such a little kid." Iris repeated with a shrug.
"Axew." Axew said from his bowl, mirroring his trainer's actions.
"I am not a little kid." Ash said grumpily.
"Really then answer me this?" Iris asked narrowing her eyes in a knowing look at Ash. "Did you do this for that other coordinator friend, what was her name?"
"May?" Ash asked.
"Yeah her." Iris said remembering the brunette who had lost to Misty in the final of the Wallace Cup. "Did you go to see her in the Johto Grand Festival?"
"Well no." Ash said with a little regret, he did wish he had seen May but he had a good reason. "But the Sinnoh Grand Festival was then as well and Misty was in that and I was already in Sinnoh so it made sense."
"Uhuh." Iris said with a nod. "So that means that the Sinnoh Grand Festival is on around now then, right?"
"Probably." Ash admitted. "I am not really glued into the contest scene."
"I figured." Iris said. "So, you don't know if May is in that then."
"No but I assume she is." Ash said only just remembering May was doing the Sinnoh circuit this year. "Honestly I had forgotten she was on that circuit. I will try and watch it if I can."
"Thought so." Iris said with a smirk. "And tell me this; what exactly do you think of Misty?"
"She's amazing." Ash said instinctively as he thought about his red-haired friend. "Smart, caring, compassionate, beautiful, and an all-round great person. She's a talented coordinator and trainer who always comes up with the right combinations to accent her Pokémon at just the right times to win. She's grown so much since I first met her and after seeing her in Undella Town, it felt like we had never been apart but her leaving made me feel like part of me had left. I missed having her support me in my dreams so I feel like I have to do the same for her and her dreams."
"Wow, what an ingredient list." Cilan said blinking in surprise, he had not expected that much thought from Ash. "A true recipe to the heart from an unexpected source. I never thought I would hear such words come from Ash."
"Me too." Iris said equally surprised though pleased her suspicion had been confirmed. "Definitely a little kid."
"Whatever." Ash growled.
"I think it's cute." Iris continued with a little smile. "You have a massive crush on Misty, it is so clear after what you just said. She is a lucky girl to have someone like you in her life, someone willing to go so far just for her."
"I do not have a crush on Misty." Ash said quickly, a little too quickly his friends noted. "She's just a friend."
"Ash, it's ok, we both see it." Cilan said with a smile. "She is the cook who has mixed the ingredients that have made your personal recipe of love. Someday I too wish to find a woman who can do that for me."
"Yeah, it means you are growing up." Iris said with a laugh. "Soon you won't be a little kid anymore. Well not as much a little kid that is."
"Whatever." Ash said again knowing that they were wrong, even as something began to tingle in the back of his brain.
Deciding to shift gears away from Misty and the awkward topic Ash changed the subject slightly. Course it was only slightly less awkward then talking about his non-existent feelings for Misty.
"So, you two are ok with this?" Ash asked looking at Cilan and Iris. "Me heading off to Johto all of a sudden."
"Of course, you are following your heart Ash and mixing the recipe of love with Misty." Cilan said much to Ash's annoyance that they were still talking about that. "Plus, we know that we can't stop you. Once you have an idea set in your mind not even a charging Gigalith can stop you."
"That and we are coming with." Iris said shocking both Ash and Cilan. "Well at least as far as Johto."
"You, you are?" Ash asked confused.
"Well I am." Iris said with a nod. "Not sure about Cilan though."
"Why?" Ash asked.
"One thing I have realized thanks to meeting you is that I have spent my whole life in Unova and never really seen the rest of world." Iris said. "I need to spread my wings and fly, meet more dragon types from other regions and grow if I want to be a true Dragon Master. Plus, I know for a fact that Blackthorn City is in the Johto region."
"Yeah, tough place." Ash said remembering his time there.
"Exactly." Iris said with a nod. "Blackthorn is where the premier Dragon type gym is and it is home to the Dragon Den and Dragon Clan. Just think what I could learn there if they are willing to teach me. I have to see it and this is the perfect opportunity to do so."
"Yes, I agree with Iris in leaving Unova." Cilan said with a nod, his surprise gone and realization as to where he needed to go setting in. "I to have had the feeling that I am missing something but this has just confirmed it and told me where my next ingredient can be found."
"Huh?" Ash asked as usual confused with Cilan. "So, you are coming as well?"
"As far as wherever we land in Johto I am." Cilan said with a nod. "As with Iris, I have never left Unova. How can I be a true Pokémon Connoisseur if I only know the delicacies of one region? You have now eaten from the menus of 5 regions and are one of the most worldly people I have ever met Ash. I realized that the moment I met you in Striaton. That stroke of fate is why I first decided to travel with you."
"Er thanks." Ash said a little embarrassed but Cilan wasn't done.
"Your welcome." Cilan said with a nod. "But there is more than just that. I have since realized while I have been with you that I too must go on a true journey far from my home and family with just my Pokémon by my side to truly find my own personal recipe. That is why I have been thinking of visiting another reason and traveling on my own to truly grow. This is that chance. I know that I cannot become an S-Class Connoisseur unless I experience all the world has to offer."
"That's great!" Ash said pumping his fist into the air. "We can travel to Johto together, our last journey before we continue on our own. There is a flight in 2 days from here to Ecruteak City, that is the next flight out, we can book tickets on that and fly then."
"How long will that take?" Iris asked. "I know Johto is far but I am not sure how far."
"About 13 hours or so." Ash admitted. "It is a long flight."
"It will give me time to plan for Johto." Cilan said. "I am looking forward to it."
"Me too." Iris said happily. "You hear that Axew, we are going to go to Johto and meet different Dragon Masters and dragon types there."
"Ax, Axew!" Axew said happily.
"Alright, I will go and book everything and sort out my Pokémon." Ash said happily getting up, knocking his chair over, and dashing to the computer before the others could stop him and calling out. "Tomorrow we see the end of the Vertress Conference and then it is on to Johto."
"Such a little kid." Iris said shaking her head as Ash left so he didn't hear her add. "I do hope he succeeds; Misty clearly likes him as well."
"True she does." Cilan said with a nod of agreement. "It was part of my evaluation of her when we met, she clearly likes Ash, a lot. They just need to combine their recipes to make a true masterpiece."
Iris faceplanted the table, Axew following suit. She like Cilan but sometimes he could be a bit much.
Ash didn't hear any of this as he hurried to his room. He had already prepared his ticket but hadn't booked it until he spoke with his friends and knew that they were ok with his decision. Now that they were coming, he needed to get them tickets as well. It didn't take long and soon they were booked on the first flight to Johto in 2 days times.
After that, Ash contacted Professor Oak as he needed to sort a few things out. He had to send back all of his Pokémon minus Pikachu, Oshawott, Scaggy and Charizard. They would be all he needed to go and see Misty.
Pikachu was obvious, the other three were for different reasons. Oshawott had formed a friendly rivalry and brotherly relationship with Piplup so it made sense to take him to see his buddy again. As for Scraggy, Harry wanted to give him a chance to say goodbye to his best friend Axew and this was that chance. Charizard was a no brainer, he was Ash's transport to Silver Town, without Charizard he wouldn't make it on time.
Professor Oak understood and made sure that everything was ready for the transfer in the morning. Of course, his mentor asked Ash why he was going to Johto and gave Ash a knowing look that Ash missed when Ash explained his reason.
As Ash hung up on the professor, he smiled and crashed down on his bed. Everything was in motion and soon, with a little luck, he would be in Silver Town and able to watch Misty once again compete in a Grand Festival.
As Ash thought about that, his mind went back to what Iris had said at dinner. She had said that he had a crush on Misty. Ash had instantly brushed that off as preposterous. Sure, Misty was beautiful, fun, smart, and a great girl to be around but he didn't like her like that, did he? Ash had honestly never given it a thought before.
If Ash was honest with himself, he had never really thought about any girl in that way before. Sure, he was into girls and found many attractive over his years of traveling but Ash had always been so focused on his journeys and his goals that he had never truly thought about actually liking specific girls like that. Now though, he couldn't get Iris's words out of his head.
"What do you think Pikachu?" Ash asked his friend and constant companion as he looked to the electric type Pokémon. "Do I like Misty like that?"
"Pikachu?" Pikachu asked, cocking his head before understanding the question and nodding in confirmation. "Pikachu."
"You too huh." Ash said and Pikachu nodded again. "I guess it really isn't normal to be going all the way to Johto in such a short period for one person who is just a friend."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said pointing that out. "Pikachu."
"I have been feeling odd whenever I think of Misty." Ash admitted to his best friend. "Like the thought of her makes my heart race and my stomach do backflips. The thought of being with her again makes me giddy and happy in ways I have never felt before. Being away from her feels like Snorlax is on my chest and not moving. It is like I am suffocating and Misty is the air I need to breathe again. Is that what it's like to have a crush?"
"Pikachu." Pikachu confirmed and Ash laid his head back and looked at the ceiling deep in thought.
"Huh, I never thought of that before." Ash said out loud. "Thing is, the same way I am feeling now was kinda how I felt after Dawn left and how much I was going to miss her back then. It was the same the next few times we saw her. Only difference is that it wasn't as painful back then or as constant as it is now but I could swear I felt a little like this back then. Not anymore of course but I don't get it."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said facepalming in exasperation before jumping up on his best friend's chest and glaring at him and lecturing him. "Pika, Pikachu, pika, pika, Pikachu."
"Are you saying that I had a crush on Dawn as well?" Ash asked confused and Pikachu nodded. "Huh, never realized that. But now its Misty and for some reason this is different. I can't put my finger on it but I know that it is."
"Pikachu." His friend sighed and gave up trying to explain to Ash precisely what he wanted Ash to understand, he would get it one day, maybe.
"I guess I am going to have to do something about this." Ash mused to himself as his realization that he had a crush on his friend finally hit him full in the face harder than Piplup's Hydro Pump. "Not sure what but I will do something about this. After I see her again that is."
With that Ash closed his eyes and began to fall asleep still dressed. It had been a long day, especially at the end, and the sudden realization he had had had made him exhausted and a little confused. All he knew was that he did like Misty and he had to tell her somehow. It was her smiling face that was the last thing Ash saw before sleep final took him into its warm embrace.
