Thanks for all the reviews everyone, they're highly appreciated. This might be the last original chapter for a while, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'll be making stories out of the episodes of Diamond and Pearl, so this may be the story with the most chapters of any story on the site! (I dunno how many that is but...) I want to make it my mission to see that Misty gets her place in the show like she should have all along, so after this chapter, we'll either start at Solaceon Town and the Unown, or simply another fluffy chapter about Ash and Misty's first day as a couple. I hope you continue to read this story, and I thank you once again for the reviews. I own nothing except this story.
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Chapter 8

Ash's POV

I stayed up all night with Charizard, trying to keep an eye on our direction. Every now and then, I would look back to where my beautiful water flower had fallen asleep, leaning against my back, with her arms wrapped around my waist. I still couldn't believe she was actually my girlfriend. I never even bothered to think about having one before. Boy, was I missing out on a lot. Just half a day and already I knew I would never be able to let go of the feeling that came with being the subject of a beautiful girl's affection. The hard part would be explaining the whole situation to Brock and Dawn. Brock would take it easier, since he already knew about it, but Dawn would probably squeal about it for weeks. Of course, I felt that Misty was beyond worth it. I'd finally be able to get my head back on the right track, and I'd have Misty cheering me on, like old times…but not exactly...now they'd be ten times better.

Normal POV

Dawn and Brock had reached Solaceon Town, where Brock was fighting off a nasty cold. "AAAACCHHOO!" the ill breeder wiped his nose with a tissue and glared at the coordinator standing next to his bed. "I can't believe you actually had Buneary nail me with that attack Dawn." he said bitterly.

[Flashback]

"Dawn, look, I'd tell you if I could, but it's a really important secret!" Brock shouted as he kept running from Buneary's Ice Beams.

"You'll get tired eventually Brock!"

Brock stopped, as he realized that they had run all the way to Solaceon Town. "Hey Dawn, look! We're at Solaceon To-" Brock was frozen solid by Buneary's Ice Beam.

"Aaah!" Dawn shrieked in horror. "Buneary! I wanted you to scare him, not freeze him solid!"

"Bun bun eary." (I'm sorry.)

[End Flashback]

"I'm sorry Brock," the coordinator frowned apologetically. "I only wanted to scare you, not hit you."

"Well, it looks like our plans are on hold until tomorrow; Nurse Joy won't let me go out like this…" Suddenly a goofy smile overtook Brock's face. "Of course that isn't necessarily a bad thing! I'm going to get undivided attention from Nurse Joy, and while she's comforting and healing me we'll fall in love and we'll work together to heal all the Pokémon and-" Brock was cut-off by Croagunk's Poison Jab. "As…if…I…didn't…feel…bad…enough."

Dawn sweat-dropped, but quickly regained her curiosity. "Brock, if you won't tell me what it is, can you at least tell me when he'll be back?"

Brock sighed. "He should be back later today, possibly within the next half-hour or so...just a guess mind you, no way to know for sure." Brock finally semi-gave in, his voice all nasally from the stuffy nose he was suffering from. Then Nurse Joy walked in, and told Dawn to go ahead and let Brock get some sleep.

Dawn's POV

"So, he'll be here soon? Excellent, I'll find out the secret straight from the horse's mouth!" Dawn thought mischievously as she walked outside the center.

"Pi pi plup?" (What's up?)

"Oooh, that secret is driving me crazy!" Dawn said in frustration. "I just have to know what it is!"

"Pi pl- PIPLLUUUUP!" (Well I- LOOK OUT!)

Misty's POV

I woke up from possibly the best night's sleep I had in a long time, despite my current location and position. Sleeping upright on the back of a Charizard doesn't seem very comfortable, but I had the best pillow anyone could want. I dreamily looked at the boy in front of me. He was as tall as I was, possibly becoming even taller soon, and muscle was starting to appear on his arms. But even with all those physical changes that puberty was doing to him, slowly turning him into a man right before my eyes, his heart was still the same: Determined, caring, fun-loving, kick-back, and now…loving.

Ash looked back at me with those chocolate-brown eyes I loved so much and smiled. He wrapped me into a one-armed hug and greeted me. "Morning Mist." he said softly. I tightened my grip on him and nuzzled my head into his neck. I was in absolute bliss. I'd always dreamed of being able to do this with him, but as a ten year old, he was absolutely clueless and dense. He still is dense in some things, but at least not in the most important thing…at least what I thought was important.

"Morning Ash." I replied softly. I could feel heat rising to my face, no doubt there was now a soft pink hue shamelessly spreading across my cheeks. I definitely could get used to this feeling.

His expression turned playful, and he started joking around. "Passengers, we should be arriving in Solaceon Town in a few minutes, please fasten your seatbelts as we prepare for landing, and I'd like to thank you for flying 'Air Charizard.'"

I saw an opportunity to tease him playfully, so how could I refuse? "Hmmph, no on-board meal? Pretty low-class flight."

"Maybe no food, but you sure slept soundly." he winked.

I couldn't help but blush again. He got me…I was stunned, but…I wouldn't let him know that…yet. I was quickly startled though when I felt a bump in the flight. "A-Ash?"

Ash's POV

"Oh no…not now." I thought with panic. "C'mon Charizard, Solaceon Town is only a few yards away, you can make it! Remember your training in the valley? Time to put it into full practice!"

Misty's POV

I was constantly impressed by the fact that even in moments of crisis; Ash was able to encourage his Pokémon without fear. I decided that if he could be strong, I should be strong too.

Ash's POV

I felt Misty tighten her grip around me; I was going to comfort her thinking that she was scared, but the face I saw showed determination, not fear. I gave her a nod, and pulled out a Pokéball. "Staravia, I choose you!" I called out my other flying-type, who gave out a shrill cry upon release.

"Ash, that bird looks too small to carry even Pikachu!" Misty exclaimed.

"Just hang on, Staravia isn't carrying anyone!" I turned towards the small Pokémon with a grim expression. "Staravia, get under Charizard and use Whirlwind!"

"Star star!" (Understood!) Staravia flew underneath Charizard and started flapping her wings hard, creating a strong updraft.

"You feel that Charizard? Ride the wind!" Charizard began gliding under the influence of Staravia's Whirlwind, but it would be a close call to get to the town. We started our descent near Solaceon Town. I was relieved at the fact that we would indeed make it there, but the landing was going to be a really rough one. I grabbed Misty's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Hang on tight Misty!"

Misty's POV

I was already hugging him as tight as I could, anymore and I thought I might pop his upper-body off. As we neared the ground, I saw a blue-haired girl with what looked like a small penguin-like Pokémon standing in the way. "Hey, get out of the way!"

Ash's POV

"Waah! That's Dawn!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Dawn, move!"

Dawn's POV

"Piplup, what's wrong?" I looked up and saw an orange dragon flying towards me and Piplup at a frightening speed.

"Dawn, move!" I heard a voice shout.

"That's Ash! And he's coming this way!" I grabbed Piplup and dived out of the way, just as Ash's Charizard made a crash landing. When the dust cleared, I noticed that Ash wasn't alone.

Normal POV

Ash, Misty, and a very shocked Pikachu slowly opened their eyes, checking to see if every part of their bodies were where they were supposed to be. "A-Are you ok Mist?" Ash asked softly, still gripping Misty's hand. Misty just nodded. "How 'bout you Pikachu?" Ash asked his yellow friend.

"Pi…ka." (Oh…wow.) Pikachu said in shock.

Ash hopped off of Charizard, who was now sprawled out on the ground in utter exhaustion. Ash helped Misty off of the dragon's back, and then tended to his friend. Charizard gave a tired whine as Ash knelt down next to him. "Charizard, thank you so much." Ash rubbed the neck of his friend, and tears began forming in his eyes, seeing his Pokémon in pain was always guaranteed to make him emotional. "I've never been this proud of you Charizard, you were beyond amazing." Misty knelt down next to Ash and noticed that tears were falling from his eyes. "I'll get you to Nurse Joy right away; you're going to be just fine." He gave Charizard a grateful hug, and Charizard gave a low grunt in response, just before he was returned to his Pokéball.

"Pikapi? Pi pi chu?" (Ash? Are you ok?)

"Y-Yeah, I-I'm alright Pikachu." Ash wiped at his eyes with his arm. "Just...I didn't think Charizard would be that worn down...I really must've overworked him." Then Staravia came over and hovered in front of her trainer. "Thanks for the help Staravia, return."

As Ash returned the bird Pokémon to her ball, Misty gave him a hug from behind to try and comfort him. "It's ok Ash; we'll get him to a Pokémon Center as soon as possible." she cooed in his ear.

Ash turned and hugged her back. "Thanks Mist." he whispered.

"You're welcome." Misty replied in the same tone. Pikachu walked up to his master's leg and hugged it too.

Misty's POV

I could understand what Ash was feeling right now. The bond that he and his Pokémon shared was a marvel to behold. When one of his friends was hurt, he felt the impact in his heart, but I was glad that I could be there to comfort him from now on. I was feeling bold at that particular moment, so I pulled back a bit, and softly pressed my lips against his cheek.

Ash's POV

I forgot about Charizard for a moment when I realized what Misty had just done. "S-She…kissed me." I was surprised by what she had done, but I loved the feeling it brought, it was the perfect cure for this situation. I gave her a reassuring smile, and I broke the embrace.

"What is going on?!" I heard a voice shout.

"Uh oh, it's Dawn." I thought nervously.

Dawn's POV

I couldn't believe what I was seeing…I was almost run over by a giant dragon, Ash's giant dragon no less! It crash-landed next to the Pokémon Center, and Ash hopped off of it while helping a red-headed girl off as well. And the weirdest thing was yet to come. The girl gave Ash a hug, and Ash was hugging back! I think she even kissed him! I was in total shock. I was sick of all these secrets, so I ran up to them and yelled as loud as I could, "What is going on?!"

Normal POV

Ash and Misty glanced at each other briefly, and faced the fuming blue-haired girl. "Ash? Have you lost your mind?! You could've killed someone! Like yourself!" the coordinator screamed.

"Sorry about that Dawn," Ash quickly changed the subject and gestured towards his companion. "But hey, meet an old friend of mine, Misty Waterflower."

Dawn's expression changed almost immediately. "Waterflower! That's possibly one of the prettiest names I've ever heard! It sounds so unique!" she exclaimed.

Misty sweat-dropped at the sudden change in attitude. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Dawn." she chuckled.

Suddenly, Dawn started scanning Misty with her eyes from top to bottom and back up again. "Uh, Dawn…what are you doing?" Ash raised an eyebrow.

"I get the feeling I've seen you somewhere before." Dawn narrowed her eyes at the redhead. "I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Really?" Misty leaned back a bit as Dawn was getting uncomfortably close. "This is the first time I've ever met you."

Dawn's face suddenly lifted, and she snapped her fingers as she realized why Misty was so familiar. "You're the girl who Ash's fishing lure is modeled after! I didn't recognize you right away because your hair is down instead of in that ponytail!"

"Oh yeah," Ash smiled. "She's talking about the mini-Misty lure you sent me."

"Yeah," Dawn pouted with her arms crossed. "I still can't believe you wouldn't let me use it though."

Misty raised a suspicious eyebrow at her new boyfriend. "Why wouldn't he let you use it?"

"Uh oh," Ash gulped. "I know where this is going."

"He said it was way too special to him." Dawn winked playfully at the black-haired trainer. Misty glanced at Ash, whose face was now growing redder as they spoke. "But it was fun to see his reaction when he lost it." Dawn said innocently. "He went crazy chasing it down."

Ash got slammed by Misty's mallet after the story ended. "What was that for?!" Ash glared at the redhead angrily.

"That was for being careless with mini-Misty!"

Dawn backed off a bit, frightened by Misty's temper tantrum. "Note to self: stay on her good side at all times..."

"But didn't you hear the re-" Ash was cut-off by Misty's finger on his lips, which quelled his temper immediately as he looked down at her finger in shock.

"And this is for getting it back." Misty said almost seductively. The redhead then leaned her head to the side and kissed Ash's cheek, which caused them both to turn pink.

"Say," Dawn spoke up with a sly grin. "Are you the reason that Ash decided to take off so suddenly?"

"She must've been driving Brock out of his mind, she looks like she's about to learn the secret of the sphinx. I wonder where he is anyway. Oh well, I guess I better get it over with, why try to hide what can't be hidden?" Ash glanced at Misty and saw that she was at a loss for words, something that was extremely rare for her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him, which caused her to blush harder. "Misty is my girlfriend." Ash stated simply.

Dawn's eyes grew wide and a big grin slowly made its way across her face as she ran up to embrace the two of them. "Congratulations to the both of you! I never thought Ash was the type to get a girlfriend, but it looks like it's working out." she said giddily. Ash and Misty both blushed as they looked at each other.

"Pi pi plup?" (Are you satisfied?)

"Yes, I'm satisfied Piplup, all I wanted to know was what the secret was."

"Secret?" Misty turned to the suddenly sheepish Ash. "What secret?"

"Oh, um…" Ash rubbed the back of his neck. "I talked to Brock about this whole…situation. I told him not to tell Dawn."

"Yeah," Dawn narrowed her eyes at him. "Why was that exactly?"

"I…just…didn't want you to know yet…" Ash put his hands up in a placatory gesture and took a few steps back. "But you know now, isn't that enough?" Now both Dawn and Misty were eyeballing him, Misty because she just enjoyed watching Ash squirm like a Caterpie. "Waahh! I forgot about Charizard!" he exclaimed suddenly. Ash took off in the direction of the Pokémon Center, leaving Misty and Dawn by themselves. "Whew," Ash thought. "If I had stayed there any longer, I think I would've melted under their gaze! Those two are worse than Slowpoke when it comes to staring down!"

"Pikapi! Pi ka chu!" (Ash! Wait up!) Ash slowed down for his little buddy to catch up to him, and once the electric mouse was perched on his usual place on his shoulder, they walked into the center together.

Misty's POV

"He'll pay for that escape later." the redhead thought with a barely contained grin. "Oh well, gives me a chance to talk to Dawn, she doesn't seem interested in Ash, so I think we can be friends." I looked over to the shorter girl, and she smiled a bit awkwardly at me before coughing into her fist, apparently looking for something to say without Ash there to break the ice.

"So, do you have a favorite Pokémon type?"

Now this question, I loved. I got all starry-eyed as I told my story. "I live for water-type Pokémon! They're the perfect mixture of style, grace, and power, and my goal in life is to become a water-type Pokémon Master!"

"Wow, that's so awesome!" Dawn clasped her hands cheerfully. "Piplup here is actually a water-type too, aren't you Piplup?"

"Pi plup!" (That's right!) the penguin put his flippers on his waist.

"Well, we better go after Ash," then a thought occurred to me. "Say, isn't Brock supposed to be here too?"

Dawn scooped her partner Pokémon into her arms and walked alongside me. "You know Brock too?"

"Yeah, before my sisters called me back to the gym two years ago, I was following Ash on his journeys because he had wrecked my bike running from a flock of wild Spearow."

"He wrecked your bike too?! Pikachu actually fried mine!"

"Somehow I'm not surprised," I chuckled and shook my head. "Ash always had the worst ways of running into people. He did that to May's bike too."

"Oh yeah, Ash brought her up once or twice."

"Oh…really?" I felt a small pang in my chest, hearing that Ash had mentioned May before. "I really shouldn't feel this way, he just confessed his love for me for crying out loud."

Dawn neglected to notice, but her next comment changed things. "Yeah, but that's nothing compared to how much he talked about you, he never mentioned you by name, but he always talked about a friend of his who he missed a lot."

My face lifted as she said that, I think I even turned a bit pink. "Of course he did." We walked into the Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy pointed us in the direction of Brock's room.

Ash's POV

I walked into Brock's recovery room, smiling guiltily after I'd heard that he'd gotten sick while I was gone. "Hey Brock, how are ya?"

"Hey, welcome back Ash." his face seemed to brighten a little. "I've felt better, but I'll be alright."

"How'd you get sick?"

A small frown appeared on Brock's face, but after a moment he spoke up. "Dawn's Buneary nailed me with an Ice Beam."

"Huh?" My eyes widened. "Why would she do that?"

"I wouldn't tell Dawn your secret. She didn't mean to actually get me; she just wanted to scare me." Brock grinned a little. "But…I don't scare easy." Now I felt really bad, first Charizard, and now Brock. "So…how was your visit with Misty?" Brock's question brought me out of my funk. I wondered what and how much I should tell him. He knew I loved Misty, but he didn't know she was here, or what happened between us. But I didn't have to worry about telling him she was here, since she and Dawn had just walked in.

Brock's POV

I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing. Standing in the doorway was none other than Misty, and she seemed really happy to see me as she waved with a big smile on her face. "Hi Brock! Long time no see!"

I slowly turned my head towards Ash, of all the things I expected him to do, bringing Misty all the way out here was not one of them. "Ash you brought her to Sinnoh?! How in the world do you expect her to get back to Cerulean?!" I got lightheaded after that outburst, so I leaned my head back on my pillow.

"Um…Brock, there's something you should know." Ash said timidly, which was very much unlike him.

"What, what is it?!" I fumed at Ash's irresponsibility, but I was also mad at Misty for going along with his little plan. Surely she knew that getting back to her gym was going to be extremely difficult now.

Ash then grinned. "You tell him Mist."

Misty advanced and grinned as well, I noticed a twinkle in her eyes that I had seen only on rare occasions before, whatever she was about to say was obviously something great. "I'm not going back to the gym Brock; I'm staying here with you guys!"

That would fit the bill. "Really?" My eyes widened. "But what about the gym Misty?"

"Taken care of." she waved a hand dismissively.

"Well, that's great!" My face fell when I realized something. "Wait…only half great, now I have to listen to you and Ash argue with each other all day again!"

"You tell him this part, Ash." Misty beamed.

"Tell me what? Come on guys, I'm sick, quit beating around the bush already," Now the secret was being kept from me apparently. "So this is how Dawn felt." I watched in awe as Ash placed his arm around Misty's shoulders, and pulled her in close to him.

"Brock, Misty is my girlfriend now." Ash said with a smile. Misty nodded to confirm, then snuggled her head into Ash's neck.

I looked back and forth between them, and then I fell back into my pillow again and groaned. "Awww man! You two finally confessed your love for each other and I missed it?!"

"Heh heh, yep, sorry Brocko." Ash shrugged. "But look on the bright side, there's probably going to be a lot less arguing from now on."

I crossed my arms and made the best pouty face I could make, it was all in good fun of course, I was more than happy that our little family was back together again, and if Misty said the gym was taken care of, then I believed her. "So Ash, how'd your mom react to your being attached now?"

Ash did a face-fault as he realized something. "I haven't told her yet!" he exclaimed. "I guess I better do it now, huh?"

"That'd probably be a good idea…" I grinned. "Now everyone out! I feel like I'm gonna sneeze." I started to fake a sneeze to get everyone to scatter quicker, and after they all left, I laid down for a nap. "Things are gonna get very interesting around here."

Ash's POV

"Come with me Misty, I'm gonna call my mom now." Misty followed me to the nearby videophone, and I motioned for her to stay out of the picture for a moment. After a few seconds, my mom answered. "Hi mom."

"Hi sweetie! How are you?" my mom said excitedly. She always enjoyed when I gave her a call.

"I'm doin' alright, hey I have something important to tell you." I decided to get straight to the point; I was both curious and scared to how she would react.

"Ok, what is it? I'm with you no matter what."

"I have a girlfriend now."

My mom's face drooped. "Oh…but I always thought that you and your friend Misty made a cute couple."

"Did everyone think this before I realized it?" I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck. "Actually mom…" I paused and motioned for Misty to come into the picture, smiling as she took her place by my side. "Meet my new girlfriend."

Misty blushed and smiled. "Hi Mrs. Ketchum." she said with a wave.

My mom's face lifted to the point of going through the roof. "I am so thrilled for you two! After all the talk my Ash did about you I just knew you two were destined to be together!"

"Mom!" I felt my face growing flame-hot. I glanced at Misty, whose own blush had strengthened.

"So I guess this is just a short visit then Misty?" my mom asked.

I cringed. "Uh oh, I think I know what's coming next."

"Actually Mrs. Ketchum, I'm going to be travelling with Ash and his friends again, I'm no longer needed at the gym, thanks to Ash."

"Oh really?" I could feel my mom's gaze on me again. "Ash, I need to speak with you privately."

"I knew it. She wants to explain the 'rules' that I already figured were obvious."

Misty's POV

"Poor Ash, his mom is going to drive him crazy now." I gave Ash a quick kiss for luck, and proceeded to walk away. I couldn't help but giggle when I heard him cry out in disbelief.

"Mom! How irresponsible do you think I am?!"

LATER

I saw Ash walking over to me, and he looked rather exhausted, his mom probably gave him the works about traveling with a girlfriend. He plopped down on the couch next to me and gave a big huff. "Geez, you'd think she'd trust me a little more than that. I mean all the stuff she told me, a Slowpoke could've figured it out!"

I grinned. "I know, I'm looking at one right now."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!" The banter went back and forth for a few seconds until we both got tired. "So Ash," I sent a bright smile his way in hopes he'd get the hint I was about to send. "Since Brock doesn't get out until tomorrow, what should we do for the rest of the day?"

"I dunno," he put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. "What do you feel like doing?" I was momentarily stunned by that answer. When did Ash become such a gentleman as to let me decide what to do? I wouldn't get the chance to answer, since my stomach decided for me. "Sounds to me like you want to get something to eat." Ash said as he opened one eye and smirked at me. I blushed out of embarrassment. "Well, let's get some lunch, then maybe we can see how Dawn's Pokémon Contest training is going. Sound good to you?"

I nodded, then stood up and took his arm, and we walked to the Pokémon Center Cafeteria to get something to eat. A lunch date with Ash? Nothing could be better.