CHAPTER 2: AUTUMN / OF LITTLE BIRDS AND A PLEADING CARD

Time had been insignificant to Misty Ketchum in these past several months. It passed in an instant for her, and in it nothing seemed to change. She had decided rather recently that local transportation was the only intelligence course of action for her with her varying conditions after she had visited her ill husband…she couldn't keep depending on Brock to pick her up and trust that her car wouldn't be stolen after they'd left t behind. So, in part to distract herself from her thoughts of her daughter, she had made up an elaborate system of bus routes to take on different days to arrive at her destination. There was some sense to this: being tracked down by ambitious trainers was undesirable on these days which usually left her a wreck. Plus, in being a Gym Leader,andmarried to a once-Pokémon Master, had made her a tempting target for many paparazzi groups, who savored interrogating her about Ash's condition, despite the fact that each inquiry tore at her heart. All she could say was that his early retirement had not yet ended, and left it at that. Quite simply, Ash was not well, and it would take months, even years of supportive therapy and medication to help him face life once again.

As she sat in the leather seat in the front row of the bus, she leaned her head against the cool glass window, her features hidden beneath Ash's old Pokémon League cap and his black leather jacket, both fighting off the cold that swept into the vehicle at each stop. Yet despite her attempts to conceal herself, some Cerulean City residents on the sidewalks recognized her, most of which were children who smiled widely and waved to her. Sometimes, she waved back. Other times, lost in her thoughts, she stared and made no motion, like a sleeper with her eyes open.

As her stop came, she stood and exited out into the autumn world, fingering her wedding ring…this time, no one on the bus had recognized her. So far, her scheme was working as she'd planned…she was safe from the strangers' inquiries. As she stepped out onto the gravel road which stretched a couple miles before reaching St. Roselia's, she mused that at the very least, she'd be keeping herself in shape with the long walks. With any luck, she wouldn't run into any trainers…or maybe anyone at all for that matter! But in the event that this was an unlucky day, she had her Gyarados and Kingdra with her. With their dragon moves, well, let's see an amateur beat her…she could handle her opponents with ease if they were only trained so far as to challenge her gym in their journey. She purposefully kept a team of weaker pokémon prepared for those trainers as regulations ordered…but these two were ones she'd been training for years now. It would not be an easy match even for another Gym Leader…battling with her husband had done some excellent work on both of their teams….

But Misty shook her head of those thoughts, for a time desiring only to enjoy the fall scene around her. The trees were in their annual fiery colors, a bite in the chilly air, the sound of crackling leaves beneath her shoes, the scent of wild pumpkins in the meadows that appeared randomly along the forest trail. Numerous pokémon savored those orange squashes, especially the flock of Murkrow who enjoyed the tiny white seeds. She remembered the taste of pumpkin seeds well, when they were roasted and salted in the oven, and the delight of snacking on them as Sunny, Ash, and she were watching some "scary" movies after a night of trick-or-treating. Sunny had still been in her Jigglypuff costume…. Right now, schools were starting up again after summer break. Her daughter would be in preschool now if the accident hadn't….

Misty's heart twisted. Her Sunny…she'd been far too young to die. She should have had the chance to grow up, to be a pokémon trainer like her parents…she should have had so many things…! Chocking back her grief, the childless mother fingered the small slip of paper that she always kept with her. Ash's note from back in December, saying that Sunny, Pikachu, and he would be at Gary's daughter's birthday party in Pallet Town, and would probably be back late. After all, while they were there, they should visit Professor Oak, Tracey, and Deliah, right? Since these trips were frequent, she had thought nothing of it, accept to wish she hadn't been occupied by a solid block of trainers now that the league was a few months in so she could go with them….

And what if she had…? What might have happened then…?

Despite that his hometown was Pallet Town, Ash had known Misty had an important, irreplaceable job at the Cerulean City Gym…she could not give it back to her sisters, who had never excelled at running the place. So he'd decided to live with her instead of the other way around…and as they had still been so close to his mother at any rate, there wasn't much of an issue. They could visit whenever they wanted without much trouble. And even though it had been winter at the time, the roads had been manageable.

But the accident could not be blamed on the weather….

As she arrived at Ash's new residence she shivered, setting that thought aside, and stepped into the main entrance, walking up to the clerk. The brunette recognized her from her previous visitations, and gave Misty a welcoming, acknowledging nod. For a time, the two chatted, of all cliché and pitiful things the weather, for speaking of pokémon training could sometimes depress Misty as she reminisced of her own trainer years with Ash…and the other woman was keen to notice that type of thing. It came with her job description, that intuitiveness. After a few minutes had passed, Misty asked how her husband was doing today.

"You're visits are definitely helpful, my dear. He's definitely a happier person whenever he sees you, you know, even if he doesn't precisely recall more recent events. His therapy is also going better now…he's remembering a bit more these days. We even got him talking about his Pikachu and your daughter…he became distressed after awhile, of course, but the doctors are making progress. He's taking lower doses of his medication too. Slowly but surely Mrs. Ketchum, your husband's improving. The key will be to get him to talk about the accident…and for you to continue to be supportive of him," she explained, her tone sharpening a bit on the last bit, her dark lavender eyes flashing.

Well, Misty knew what the woman was getting at. But Misty had also waited years for Ash to complete his journey and finallynoticeher…and she could wait however long it took to have him back. She wasn't one of those women who, when things got hard, would break her fidelity for some frivolous form of comfort…that was just a sign that her affections for her spouse were weak…and if Misty was anything, she was stubborn and loyal to the extreme. She would not take the easy road…she would stay beside him solely…she wouldn't drift away just because this was painful. She would endure it…because with every visit she would be helping him a little more, bit by bit, until finally, he was back to his old self….

"Don't worry…my visits aren't going to become far and few between Jo. Now please, I'd like to go see him."

Jo nodded, "You know the way. Remember, you-."

"Have one hour. I know."

As the redhead began to walk down the hall, the clerk called out to her, "You really love him, don't you Misty?"

Misty felt for the envelopment in "her" jacket and sighed, "Yes…yes, I do."

And then she continued to walk down the hall, turning to go up the stairs, reaching the second floor within that minute. She found Ash's door with the ease that came from memorization and repetition, the number on the door encoded into her mind. She knocked, and went inside as a cheery voice beckoned her to enter.

The first thing she saw was Ash sitting in his bed, still in his pajamas even at this late hour, and who was gazing out his window to the flocks of Pidgey who were now busy migrating south due to the approaching winter. He seemed so gleeful as he watched the pokémon, as fascinated and wondering as the child trainer he'd once been when on his adventures. The sight almost made Misty shudder with the pain and sheer sorrow as she remembered all the things they had shared in those years, the sweetness of childhood innocence and joy. But no longer were things like that…no longer….

She noticed that the water painting she'd made for him for their first-year anniversary was still hanging above his headboard. Even when he hadn't understood the metaphor behind it, he'd liked how the colors swirled together, the fiery reds and the blues of the ocean and sky never bleeding together into violet tones. It was a bit like their two souls, she thought: hers the fluid and ferociousness of a churning white-water river, his possessing the whirl and heated passion of flames. She'd intended for it to be like that, and after a few hours of puzzlement and head-tilting, he'd understood the meaning behind it. Abstract things had always perplexed him, but he had comprehended what it was supposed to mean without her having to downright declare it, which pleased her immensely. Then, she observed the flowers on his bedside table. Daisies, the flowers of sun-saturated days. Of sunshine. Sunny. Deliah must have been here recently, and those flowers were her subtle attempt to prod her son's mind into remembering her granddaughter. Too subtle probably. Ash had never been someone who understood that type of depth…he had possessed other ways of being endearing.

As her spouse noticed her, his eyes brightened, and he swallowed the muffin he was chewing in two huge gulps, "Misty! It's great to see you! How've you been?"

She smiled, "I'm alright. You?"

He grinned widely from ear to ear, "Pretty good. For a Center, they sure have good food here!"

The shift in topic made her blink, but she followed it with some sadness. Is that where he thought he was? Was regression an improvement then? Well, at the very least, he was beginning to retain his appetite. It had been deeply disturbing when he had gone off his food…but now, as she was used to, he was cleaning his plate. That was good…that was very good. Maybe he really was getting better!

She played along with him, putting her hands on her hips, "Ash, the Pokémon Centeralwayshas good food!"

He whined, "But I'm used to Brock's cooking! And only my mom can beat him at that!"

That stumped her. "Well, yeah but…."

Abruptly, Ash fidgeted and changed the subject again, "Hey Mist', have you seen Pikachu? I've been looking all over for him, but he doesn't seem to be around anywhere. Do you think he might be playing with the other pokémon outside?"

The world seemed to freeze for Misty…last winter had returned. She didn't know how to answer him…he wouldn't believe her if she said that Pikachu wasdead,would he? He obviously couldn't recall the accident very well…so what would be better to do now? To continue humoring him, or give him the truth…?

Seeing her sudden dismay, Ash's brow furrowed, and he got out of his bed, walking over to her, "Hey…hey Misty, are you okay? Is something wrong?"

Before she could regain her composure, controlling her reaction, those words washed over her like surf, dragging her back under an ocean of sorrow and grief. Was she 'okay'? No! How could she be when her husband was likethis, and their baby girl wasgone? How could things be 'okay'?

She tried to stop herself from crying, but the tears came regardless of her will. Seeing her state and hearing how she sniffled, Ash's heart twisted with a distress all his own. He tentatively wrapped his arms around her as she cried, trying to comfort her, saying everything would be alright and pleading for her not to cry. He hated it when she cried…he hated it when she was so sad like this. It reminded him vividly of when she had lost her Togepi, her baby pokémon, when it had evolved and needed to stay behind in Hoenn. And he cared for her so much…he was even willing to admit to himself that he loved her. His Mist', his Misty. He would do anything for her if it would make her smile!

"Shhh, Mist'…it's okay. Whatever it is, you can tell me! I promise I won't laugh or do anything stupid. I knows that irks you, and I don't want to see your mallet again anytime soon."

But his attempt for humor only made her squeak a pitiful, tiny laugh…she buried herself deeper into his embrace, savoring his warmth and his caring words. She wanted him to come home…he wanted him back so much!

"Ash…."

She sounded rather lost…he held her closer, "Yeah Mist'?"

She hugged him back then, firmly, repressing a sob, "Ash, when will you come back to me? When…?"

Ash pulled away a bit, not understanding what she was saying, "Huh? Misty, what do you-?"

Reluctantly she too pulled away, and put on a brave smile as she gazed up at him…she could scarcely believe, even now, that he had become so much taller than she was. Aquamarine met chocolate brown, and she dug for the envelope in her pocket, "Here, I have something for you. Maybe it'll help…."

She gave the brown envelope to him, and then, not knowing or caring about how he'd react, she leaned upwards, kissing him on the cheek. To her pleasure and delight, he flushed a deep red color up to his ears, and took the gift meekly. Then she said her goodbye, knowing she'd return within the day to speak with him again. After all, her hour here had not been fully spent...and she was certain he'd have some questions after he looked through the items in the letter.

And after she had left, leaving a very confused yet giddy young man, Ash opened the envelope and took out its contents. Primarily, there were several newspaper clippings with dates that puzzled him, for to him they were years into the future. Yet, they represented key things, all of which seemed to surround him and Misty:

'Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town Defeats Champion Gary Oak After Almost 10 Year Rivalry!'…

'The Fourth Cerulean Sister, The Feisty Misty Waterflower, Marries Champion Ash Ketchum!'…

'Sunshine Deliah Ketchum (shown below), Born April 7th to Ash and Misty Ketchum'…

'Tragic Car Accident Claims the Lives of Two Members of Ketchum Family, Sunshine (Aged 4) and Pikachu (Her Father's Starter Pokémon)'.

Ash felt as if the blood in his veins had frozen, running like ice-water throughout his system, making it very difficult to breathe. What…what was all of this? What…?

There was another slip of paper…a hand-drawn child's rendering of a dark-haired man with a Pikachu, holding hands with an orange-haired girl and woman. Left to right, the messy, shaky words read, 'Me', 'Daddy', 'Pikachu', and 'Mommy'. Last of all, there was a pale white card. He flipped it open, reading its contents, hardly able to stop himself from shaking.

Dearest Ash,

The doctor's don't agree that this is a wise course of action, giving you these things…yet if there's any chance that they will help you remember everything I've been trying to tell you for months now, about us and about our daughter, which you keep forgetting, I want to try it. Here's the evidence I can bear to part with…you'd better take care of that picture too! It's one of the few Sunny was able to make for us before…before the accident. It's invaluable Ash Ketchum, so you'd better not loose it!

Ash, It's my hope that with these things you'll start to remember our life together…that you'll remember HER. By god, you loved her so much…and I know you're suffering like this because of how deeply those feelings went. That touches me, but…god Ash, I want you to be able to come back home with me one of these days! I miss you…and I know starting over again will be hard without Sunny…but I want to try. We can't erase the pain we've suffered in the past…but we can try to move on, and make new happy memories together. So please…get well soon Ash. I love you…so please, try for me, even if it hurts. Because if we feel the pain, then that means we can also heal from it. And we both need that now.

Yours, always,

Misty

And Ash glanced at his hand…seeing the golden wedding band that had been there for years, but he was just now seeming to notice. And if he had this ring…then did that mean that he and Misty…was it true? Was this all true…?

A memory came, just out of reach…he snatched at it as a child might grasp for a butterfly, and caught it in his mind, playing it before his eyes….

Misty and he were at Fiona's Restaurant in Cerulean City, a fancy place found within the labyrinth of now glittering streets as the annual League was coming to a close. In its elegance, both of them felt almost as awkward as they had been on their first date, even though they had been seeing one another for two years now. Pikachu munched on some pokémon kibble smothered in ketchup near their feet, understanding this was a personal thing for the two trainers…though he kept his ears perked up, as though listening for some key words from his partner. Their conversation was rather hushed; the atmosphere of the restaurant seeming to encourage such quiet talking. They spoke about their pokémon's progress on learning new abilities, Brock's success in getting an official breeding license, Tracey's travels with May and Max to sketch contest winning pokémon…a few matters among many as they discussed how friends and family were doing. Those matters, after all, were interesting and always changing. They ate their fine dinners, got up to dance some to the smooth soft jazz the band played, and then settled back in their seats, watching the performing pokémon's light display, their fingertips touching….

Then, Ash gathered up his courage and faced his girlfriend…she was watching him with a soft smile, so very beautiful to him in that moment, garbed in the simple dress her sisters to manage to persuade her to wear. Her tomboyish habits made her surrender a difficult thing, but finally, considering how fancy this place was, she'd agreed. They'd been here once before after all, to celebrate his becoming the new Kanto Champion. He remembered it with a smile…the danced then as well, though with considerably more foot-trodding on and bickering. With that memory in mind, he began the speech he'd prepared; taking her slender hand as he did so…he met her eyes with his, and then spoke.

He prayed he wouldn't mess up. "Mist'…we've been through a lot since we were kids…and most of these past several years we faced whatever came our way as a team. And while that whole…bike…thing was hanging over ours head, I'm certain we stuck together for more reasons than that. And…during all those times we enjoyed ourselves immensely…it was the most fun I've ever had, at least. And…I really missed you when you were away, taking caring of your gym instead of being able to travel with me. I'm still not sure why you didn't come back later on…but still, those memories of our adventures together always make me grin. And I'm glad that we've finally gotten to spend some time together again."

Misty was impressed…that was the most she'd ever heard him spout at one time…and even with his bashful pausing, she noticed his careful choice of vocabulary…and coming from him, what might that mean…?

Well, he'd gotten that lengthy intro done…and now for the tricky part. Ash adjusted his tie nervously…he wasn't a fan of tuxedos, and the tie of this one seemed by far too tight. Misty was grinning wider now. Did she know what was coming…? He'd only told Pikachu…!

He started up again, trying to keep his nervousness at bay, "And…well, the more I think on it, the less and less appealing the idea of being without you again is, and…."

He took a deep breath…and knelt, as he knew he was supposed to, holding out the tiny black box open, the engagement ring glimmering up at her.

"I…love you Misty Waterflower. Will you marry me?"

By god, it sounded so cliché…but it was true, and it was what he'd wanted for some time now. To his complete delight, she beamed at him, murmuring 'yes'…but then, shocking him, Misty began to both laugh and cry at the exact same time, continuing to repeat that word like a chant. Yet each time, she filled his heart with more and more joy, until it felt ready to burst. Below them Pikachu chirped with approval, and then jumped up onto the table to watch as Ash slid the engagement ring onto his fiancé's finger, the diamond the shape of a teardrop, and to him, always one of happiness….

And in the present, Ash Ketchum bowed his head, and began to weep….