Part XXXI: Finding the Perfect Present

It was the day after the Saffron Contest and Ash, with Pikachu perched on his shoulder, left the Pokémon Center after a second breakfast and headed into the city alone. It was an odd feeling knowing that for the first time in months he would be spending the day without Misty by his side but his girlfriend had her own plans and if Ash was honest he needed to be alone today.

It wasn't because he needed time away from Misty, he had realized back in Unova that hated being away from her though he hadn't realized why that was until Iris made him see the truth of his feelings for her, but because Ash had something important to do without her. Misty's birthday had likely passed during their journey, at least Ash thought it had, and as such Ash needed to get her a present and today was the perfect day for it.

It was as if Arceus had decided to align the stars for Ash to have this day alone to find something for Misty. Sabrina was out of town and wouldn't be back for a day or two, apparently she went to do training and meditation every year over the week of the Saffron Contest for personal reasons, so his battle with her wouldn't happen until she was back. Normally that just meant more training with his team for that battle with Misty but that too was out after yesterday.

Misty's new rival and friend on the Contest scene, a girl Ash had met but not really interacted with yet called Emily, had failed to advance to the battle round. Misty had seen promise in her after their match in the Cerulean Contest finals and felt that the new coordinator needed some mentoring, especially after yesterday.

Misty had already made arrangements with Emily and they were training today at the Pokémon Center as Misty showed her the ropes of coordinating in order to take her game to the next level and prevent making similar mistakes. It was just the thing that Misty would do for a fellow coordinator and one of the many reasons why Ash loved her.

Ash could have helped but Misty was teaching Contest style battling and while Ash could adapt some of the things he saw Misty use in Contest battles to his own battle style, he still didn't understand how Contest battles worked. They were as much about how the battles looked as they were about winning them and Ash couldn't wrap his head around that. He was all about the straightforward battle style so he would always be at a disadvantage in a Contest battle.

That was why when he entered a Contest again, and Ash was going to do that with at least the Wallace Cup as they were traveling to Hoenn for it, Ash would probably just go for a Battle Off victory if he got that far. It would likely be frowned upon but for Ash it was training and he would deal with the results when they happened.

All that was on the back of Ash's mind as he made his way into the city and began focusing on the task at hand. Ash had been to Saffron City a few times before but he had never really seen it beyond a surface level visit.

In the past Ash had always been preoccupied with either his multiple attempts to win the Marsh Badge, the Saffron Contest first with May and now with Misty, challenging the Battle Arena, or passing through after returning from Johto a few months back to actually see the city. Every time Ash had been here it had been for either his or his companions' dreams so he was a bit lost just seeing the city as itself rather than having something to be at while here.

Still it was a city, the largest in Kanto in fact and the closest to a capital that the region had just based on size and location, so it would have what Ash needed. He just needed to find it; it would take a bit of searching but Ash knew he would that Saffron would have what he needed.

In all honesty Ash didn't actually know what he was looking for. That never stopped him in the past though so it wouldn't stop him today. He knew what he would know it once he found it. At the very least Ash knew roughly what kind of item he wanted to find and what it had to be capable of so that was a start. Besides, it was a nice day out so he didn't mind a stroll and window shopping a bit as he walked.

Ash was enjoying himself so much that he almost missed it when he saw it out of the corner of his eye. It was in the window of a small shop in the trainer section that catered more to coordinators, stylists, and other fancier pursuits that weren't what Ash did. However, they were what Misty was into and that was the important thing.

Ash had been walking past it, thinking about the really good hamburger he'd just eaten for lunch when he saw it and back tracked to examine it. It was as if it was calling to him and immediately Ash walked into the store to make sure it was what he thought it was, Pikachu just dozing on his shoulder from their large lunch. As soon as he walked in a bell rang and an aged male proprietor with a Pawniard of all Pokémon for an assistant looked up at him. Ash had never seen an Unova Pokémon in Kanto before but given what the shop sold it made sense.

"Ah what can I do for you young man?" The proprietor said kindly in an aged voice as Ash walked up to the counter. "Is there something you need for yourself or your Pikachu perhaps? I have plenty of things a young man like you could use with that look."

"No I am good but I am looking for something for my girlfriend." Ash said with a smile at the man. "And I noticed something in the window that I thought would be perfect, can I see it?"

"Of course." The proprietor said going over to display with his Pokémon a few paces behind him. "Which one did you like?"

"The one at the end." Ash said pointing to what he had seen and the man slowly removed it while his Pawniard laid out a cloth on the glass counter so that Ash could look at it, it was exactly what he had thought it was. "Yes that's it. Does it open?"

"You have a good eye." The man said with a nod and opened it using a latch on the side of the item. "It is a standard model but well made, it won't have a problem for years. Pure silver so it will not tarnish for a long time."

The item swung open to reveal a felt interior perfect to hold one small thing. On the back of the part that opened up was a second engraving slightly different to the one on the front. Ash smiled, so far it was looking good. He just needed to ask one more question confirm.

"Is there a third engraving on the back?" Ash asked. "There are 3 of them so I am assuming the third is present on it."

"Astute, you know them?" The man asked as he closed it and turned it over to reveal the third engraved on the back that was similar to the other two but unique in its own way. "Few would even recognize the first let alone all 3 of them, especially here in Kanto."

"I have traveled extensively." Ash said with a smile knowing that he had found what he was looking for. "It is my dream to become a Pokémon master one day and my journey has taken me far and wide. For example, I know that your assistant is a Pawniard, a Pokémon native to the Unova region and not found here in Kanto so a rare find."

"Ah a trainer of course I should have known, you have the bearing of a seasoned one." The man said with a nod. "As was I once back in my youth. Few from Kanto visit Unova but I have spent plenty of time there, it is a unique region that I couldn't pass up visiting. I have always had an affinity for steel and dark types and this Pawniard became my best friend and constant companion while out in Unova. Together we returned to Kanto to open this store when we retired. All you see here is based off my own travels. It allows me to cater to a wide variety of clients."

"I can tell." Ash said looking around and noticing items and styles from all the regions he'd been to as well as a few that he had never seen before. "I am glad because this is perfect for her in more ways than one. I couldn't ask for a better item so I will take it. It is just what I need."

"Of course." The man said as he reached under the counter and pulled out a blue box to put it in. "Will that be all? Any other items catch your ?"

"Just this." Ash said as he reached into his pocket for his wallet. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." The man said as he rang Ash up.

It was a little more than Ash had expected but he shouldn't have been surprised. Besides, over the years Ash had earned a fair bit of cash from his travels and many wins so he had more than enough to pay for it. Ash rarely spent the money he earned as a trainer unless it was on food or supplies so a bigger purchase, especially because it was for Misty, was easily within his price range.

Thanking the proprietor with a respectful bow that the man returned, Ash left and began to head back to the Pokémon Center, Pikachu finally coming too. Ash would show his partner the item soon, he just had to prepare it for when he gave it to Misty.

Along the way Ash stopped off at another store and bought a pretty pink ribbon that was very Misty for the box before he continued. It had been a productive day, even if there was no training for his battle with Sabrina, Ash just hoped that Misty liked it when he gave it to her that night. Ash couldn't wait to see her reaction, it was going to be priceless.


It was dinner time and Ash and Misty were at the Pokémon Center in the dining area that all Pokémon Centers had. They had found a free table in a corner to enjoy the meal alone and away from the other trainers present. It was needed after a day apart. Both had been productive that day but it was time to be together again.

"So how was training?" Ash asked through a mouthful of food, not one of his more endearing traits but one Misty knew she would have to put up with.

"Good." Misty said with a smile. "Emily has the potential to be a Top Coordinator in a few years with more experience and a lot more training but I think she has what it takes. She just made a mistake that's all, it happens to the best of us. She understood and we had a practice battle so that she could bond more with her Pokémon. After lunch we worked on appeals and Pokémon care so it was a good day. She's a quick learner."

"That's good so it's like you and Zoey were back in your early day." Ash said swallowing his food and starting more almost at once. "She was a real help back then."

"Yeah she was." Misty said with a nod. "And one of the few to ever become Top Coordinator in her rookie year, though she did have her Glameow from a younger than usual age so their bond was stronger. Zoey was my circuit mentor, mom will always be my true mentor, and my first rival until the very end of the season, becoming a close friend in the process."

"And Emily will be like that with you?" Ash asked. "At least in terms of seeing you as a mentor and rival in the circuit this year."

"We'll see, it's still early in the season." Misty said with a shrug. "She's certainly someone who I can mentor and just needs the touch of an experienced coordinator to unlock her skills as she hasn't really had one before. For me it was my mom and Zoey, for May it was Drew before he showed his true colors it seems, and there are plenty of others who helped both of us out back in the beginning. Even my mom had her own mentor, as well as a close rival in Lila who pushed her to be better. We all have them, that is how we grow and learn."

"Rivals always bring out the best in us." Ash agreed as he swallowed another oversized mouthful of food. "I have learned more from people like Gary, Morrison, Tyson, Trip, Stephan and even Paul in my time than I have from anyone else. They know how to push us to truly be our best."

"I agree and Emily is just the first of a few rivals I expect to find this year." Misty said with a nod. "We will see her again on the circuit I am sure of it. The others will show up over the year as we hit more Contests, though hopefully none are like Ursula."

"There will always be an Ursula or in May's case a Harley." Ash said simply. "For every good rival there is a bad one to balance them in my experience. Some like Tripp and Gary change, others like Paul at least become tolerable though I haven't seen him in years so I don't know. Having both kinds allows for more learning, even if the bad ones are frustrating beyond belief."

"Paul was the only one to turn down a party invite." Misty said surprising Ash. "Everyone else invited made sure that they could make it."

"He was invited?" Ash asked amazed. "I'm surprised he was included, no one ever got on with him."

"Yeah we figured it would be a way to mend some bridges between you two." Misty said. "He was polite and respectful in turning it down which is a start but he still didn't want to come. He's already on his next journey, this time in Galar, and he wasn't going to stop it just to come to Pallet Town for your party."

"Ah I see that explains it." Ash said with a nod. "Galar is a fair ways away from what I've heard so it would be hard for him to make it if he didn't have a reason to be in Kanto. Well he is a good trainer, even if I highly disagree with his style, so he will do well there. We will face each other again and when we do it will be as epic as last time, of that I am sure."

"And when that happens you will win again." Misty said encouragingly. "While I cheer for you in my cute outfit the entire time."

"Of course I will, I can't lose with my own personal cheerleader encouraging me the entire time." Ash said causing Misty to blush a little at that, she would always be Ash's cheerleader. "But enough about Paul, where did Emily go?"

"She's left the city already, she's a bit of a wanderer it seems and a little spacey I think." Misty said with a shrug. "It's not a bad thing, she just likes to keep moving and enjoys being by herself which many do, Zoey was much the same. She is heading towards a place called Lavender Town and then backtracking to her original home in Celadon City and hitting up the Contests on the way. At least that's what she said so I hope to see her at the next Contest I enter."

"Lavender Town is worth a visit but it is a little out of the way." Ash said remembering the place with a slight shiver at what had happened there. "I'd like to show it to you but only if it works out as it is worth seeing once."

"Well I do have two ribbons already." Misty pointed out. "So I can miss a few contests for now and train some more for the ones I do enter. We should go there after your battle at the Saffron Gym. I do want to see as much of Kanto as possible and if this is the best time to see Lavender Town then let's see it."

"Sure, it will be a nice break from our current strategy of jumping from city to city focusing on our main goals." Ash said seeing the logic in taking a break as they had been on the go pretty much continuously since reaching Cerulean City. "And Lavender Town is known for ghost type Pokémon so great for training against that type."

"So it is settled then, you will show me Lavender Town next." Misty said with a smile that Ash knew he couldn't resist. "After a few days exploring Saffron first. I want to actually see this city this time. I understand that we had to get moving last time because we were heading to Pallet Town but that's not a concern now so let's actually enjoy Saffron after you beat Sabrina."

"Anything for you Misty, I want to show you as much of Kanto as possible just as you showed me a lot of Sinnoh." Ash said causing Misty to blush a little again, Ash always knew what to say even if he didn't know it. "We are both ahead of schedule so it will be a good break for us after 4 gyms and 2 contests."

"Speaking of gyms, you sure that you are ready for the gym here?" Misty asked getting a little more series. "I haven't had the chance to talk to you about it since we got here because of the Contest and today's special training for Emily."

"I'm as ready as I will ever be." Ash said with a shrug. "Saffron was probably the hardest gym I have ever faced on my time and Sabrina is something else but I was a rookie back then so my skills are a lot greater these days. So long as what happened last time doesn't happen again then we will be good."

"What happened last time?" Misty asked confused. "I don't think you or Brock have ever spoken of this gym before and the other day you just glossed over what to expect, nothing in particular about your last time here. What is Sabrina like as a person and not just as a gym leader?"

"It wasn't a fun time let me tell you." Ash said with a shudder at the memory. "Sabrina is a gifted psychic, possibly the best in the world, with powers beyond my comprehension. This is what led to her becoming a psychic type specialist. However as she grew up she began to focus solely on her abilities and it caused her mind to split, at least that is what I was told."

"Split?" Misty said her eyes going wide in shock. "That doesn't sound good."

"No it wasn't." Ash said shaking his head. "The nature of her power led her to develop a split personality of sorts between and adult and childhood self with a lot of it being projected through a childhood doll on her lap and yes it was creepy as it sounds."

"Sounds it." Misty said with an involuntary shudder of her own, why did people always use dolls at the worst moments.

"Trust me it was worse in person." Ash said. "I still don't know the details of her powers beyond the fact that they were psychic in nature and really strong so she obsessed over perfecting them and went too far it seems. Whatever the case, she somehow managed to trap her mother's mind in a doll and put it in a doll house or something like that it was all over my head. She tried that with me, Brock and Dawn after I forfeited our match the first time I faced her."

"What!" Misty exclaimed. "She tried that with you? That can't be allowed!"

"Yeah, it didn't work the first time because a male psychic saved us." Ash said recalling the experience that he still had the occasional nightmare over. "Well we were actually trapped in that dollhouse I thing and he broke us out. After that he told me to catch a ghost type Pokémon in Lavender Town to counter Sabrina's Kadabra. I tried that and while I didn't succeed in catching one, I did befriend a Haunter after some odd hijinks there after I may or may not have temporarily died."

"Wait what?" Misty asked now somehow even more stunned than before, she'd never heard any of this. "You died?"

"I think so." Ash said thinking back on the odd experience. "I don't really know for sure, it was a weird time back then. All I remember was a chandelier falling on me in the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town and then I was out of my body playing with a Haunter, Ghastly and Gengar while also playing pranks on Dawn and Brock. However they were upset at what had happened and Dawn was crying so I returned to my body because they needed me though she never admitted she was upset."

"Ah I see, that would have been her trigger." Misty said with a nod of understanding, at least for Dawn, she was going to have a longer talk with Ash about dying at some point. "It explains a lot if that is the case. I will have to confirm this with Brock but I am sure I am right about this."

"Trigger?" Ash asked confused. "What do you mean?"

"The moment that Dawn realized that she had feelings for you." Misty said simply. "Course you wouldn't have noticed because you don't notice those things and Dawn likely would have denied them for a bit before, especially after your adventure at Pokémon Tech where Dawn saw a true rival for once, but that was almost certainly the point where she finally accepted them. For me it was Alamos Town that was my trigger even if it took me until Kenny asked me to join him on an adventure to truly accept that I had more than a passing crush on you."

"Ah I see." Ash said not actually seeing it but trying to understand what Misty was saying.

"No you don't but its ok because you saw me in the end and that's all that matters." Misty said kindly and all Ash could do was nod in agreement at getting called out by his girlfriend. "Anyway, go on, what happened after you persuaded Haunter to join you, after you died briefly."

"Ah well I never actually caught Haunter but it joined me of its own accord." Ash explained remembering the mischievous and annoying ghost type well. "With it at my side though I knew that I could beat Sabrina. Unfortunately Haunter decided to not help when the time came and didn't fight her Kadabra."

"So what happened when Haunter didn't fight?" Misty asked curious at Ash's adventure even if it scared her to know he had been through something like this.

"Pikachu stepped in but was outmatched by Sabrina's Kadabra again." Ash said looking over at his brave starter who was enjoying his own dinner with Piplup on a different table. "I was forced to forfeit again and Dawn and Brock become dolls in Sabrina's doll house with her mother while I managed to escape for a second time. The same man saved me and that was when I learned that he was her father. He explained everything to me about her past, the powers she had inherited from him, and helped me try and bring his daughter back."

"And knowing you, you succeeded." Misty said with a smile. "Because that's just who Ash Ketchum is, he helps everyone he meets whether they know they need it or not. It is why so many people love you and why I am so happy that I was the one who landed you in the end."

"Not me but Haunter." Ash said shaking his head again missing what Misty was trying to tell him. "It wouldn't fight with me again and Pikachu stepped in to prevent a third forfeit. I was going to lose again and likely suffer the same fate as Brock and Dawn when Haunter reappeared next to Sabrina and made funny faces at her causing her to laugh for the first time in years. That broke something in her and she returned to normal though I don't fully understand it. Whatever the result her Kadabra laughed as well and somehow that was a forfeit so I won and received a Marsh Badge for it."

"So you never actually beat her." Misty said a little confused at the end of the story. "At least not in the traditional sense."

"Nope and it was same with Erika in Celadon though the reason was vastly different." Ash admitted. "So those two gyms are really important to me to win at as I never actually beat them back when I was first traveling in Kanto."

"I understand." Misty said knowing that Ash would always doubt himself unless he won at those gyms and against those particular gym leaders as well. "Do you know what happened to Sabrina after you left?"

"She had returned to normal, freed Brock, Dawn and her mother, and Haunter stayed to help her out with maintaining that." Ash said though he wasn't sure how accurate that was, he had been a little impatient to leave after his experience with Sabrina. "I haven't heard anything since so we shall see in a few days but her acceptance of my challenged seemed like she was in more control than last time."

"That's good that she is on the right path it seems." Misty said. "Well I for one can't wait to see the battle. Is your team ready? I know I asked you the other day but I want to double check, you do that for me so it's the least I can do for you."

"They are." Ash said apricating Misty's concerns, it kept him focused on the upcoming full battle. "We didn't practice today so tomorrow is all about final preparation for the challenge and going over all possible plans. It is going to be a tough one for sure."

"As always." Misty said before blinking in confusion at what Ash had said. "Wait you didn't practice today? I know you spent the day in the city but I expected you to at least find some time to train."

"No I had something to do in the city that took all day." Ash said with a smile that Misty couldn't read. "And it was much more important than training."

"What was more important than training?" Misty asked still confused. "I know you Ash, even food sometimes takes a back seat to training with you and that's saying something."

"This was more important." Ash said still smiling as he pulled out a blue rectangular box tied with a pink ribbon and slid it across the table to Misty. "I had to find this while I was out."

"Ash." Misty said her eyes wide at the present he had given her, it was the last thing she had expected.

"It's your birthday soon, or just past I am not sure." Ash said with a little embarrassment causing Misty to remember that she'd missed her own birthday in all their excitement, she would have to call her mom in the morning about it. "So I figured I'd get this for you when I saw it. I wanted to get you something, I just didn't know what until I found it but I figured that Saffron would have it and I was right. Go on, open it."

"You got this for me?" Misty said still amazed that Ash had gotten her something for her birthday when she'd forgotten about it herself. "And the ribbon?"

"Well Pikachu tied it." Ash confessed. "But I chose it and it's part of the present if you want to keep it."

"Pikachu." Pikachu said helpfully looking up from his food before returning to his meal and giving his human and his human's mate some space.

"Of course." Misty said with a smile untying it and putting the ribbon away, she was definitely keeping that as well and adding it to her outfit if she could. "Let's see what…"

Misty's breath caught in her throat as she opened the box and gasped at what was inside cutting off any words she had. Laying on a blue velvet lining was a small sliver locket in the shape of a heart. Carved into the front was a detailed, and surprisingly accurate, Pokémon that Misty immediately recognized. It was Azelf, bringer of willpower and the Lake Guardian of Lake Valor back in Sinnoh. It was also the one who had appeared to Ash during their year there.

"Ash…" Misty whispered picking it up in trembling fingers, stunned at the locket.

"Turn it over and open it." Ash said with a wide smile at Misty's reaction.

Misty did and had to gasp again. On the back was Uxie, the bringer of knowledge, Lake Guardian of Lake Acuity and the one who had appeared to Brock. That could only mean one thing.

Misty carefully opened it and as expected, carved on the inside, right behind Azelf, was Mesprit, the bringer of emotion, Lake Guardian of Lake Verity and the one who had appeared to Misty at the very start of her journey before she had even met Ash. The other part of the inside of the locket was felt and perfect to place something in.

Misty was now staring at it open mouthed at the locket unable to fathom that Ash had bought it for her. It was indeed perfect. It captured their journey together, the many adventures they had shared, her home region where they had met and above all else their love. It was the thought of their love that made Misty realize that she had the perfect thing to put into it.

Reaching into her bag, Misty pulled out her Kanto Ribbon Case. Opening it she saw her two ribbons she'd already won but ignored them and picked out the other item she kept in in it; the Cascade Badge.

The gym badge signified Misty's win over Dawn at the Cerulean Gym but it also meant a lot more to Misty just that. It was a constant reminder that she had rivals for Ash's love and that she would always have to fight to remind people that she was Ash's. The badge showed that no matter what, she would always win when it came to Ash. It was also from her first rival, Ash's oldest friend and a Kanto gym so Ash's home region. It meant a lot to her and it was just what the locket needed to be completed.

Misty carefully withdrew the Cascade Badge and placed it in the center of the locket and smiled, it fit perfectly as if the locket had been made for it. She closed it up and stared at it for a long moment.

"Misty?" Ash asked a little confused by how long she was taking with it. "Do you like it?"

"It's, it's perfect, thank you Ash, it means the world to me that you got me this." Misty said still amazed before handing it out to Ash. "Please, can you put it on me."

Ash smiled and nodded at the request. He got up and accepted the locket before walking behind Misty as she held her hair up to keep it out of the way. Ash then undid the clasp and put the locket around Misty's neck before redoing it. Misty let her hair down and then turned to show Ash how it looked. The locket hung there on her chest, just above her heart, the silver looking great on her.

"How does it look?" Misty asked a little nervously.

"Perfect, just like you." Ash said with a loving smile at his girlfriend. "I knew it was right the moment I saw it."

"I love you." Misty said.

"I love you too." Ash replied and then Misty launched herself at him before anything else could be said.

Ever since the locket she'd been holding it in and now couldn't contain herself anymore. Misty straight up tackled Ash to the floor and before he could react they were making out right there in the Pokémon Center in front of the few remaining trainers present.

Misty didn't care that it was public, all she wanted was to be with the man she loved right at this very moment. Ash was going to have fun tonight, he deserved it after getting her such a present. Ash didn't care either as the young couple melted into the moment and their love, looking forward to things to come. They were so engrossed with each other that neither noticed the Penguin Pokémon with an evil glint in his eyes or the ice beam he was preparing.