The crowd roared as Pikachu sent Eevee hurling into a wall. Ash Threw his arms around Pikachu. Gary shook his hand and congradulated him on his victroy. Ash was a gracious winner. He gave honors to the trainers he beat and even asked for a round of applause for Gary.
Ash had a big banquet set before him. Gary accepted the invite. Ash enjoyed the party that ensued. Gary began to develope a friendship with Ash that night. Misty was acting a bit odd around Ash but, he thought little of it because she was always a little odd.
The next day the festival held for the trainers kicked into gear. Ash and Gary were to be the Guests of Honor. Ash turned down the offer to give a speech. He invited Brock and Melanie who seemed to be interested in each other.
"Misty?" Ash found her playing with Poliwhirl in the foutain.
"Ash!" She waved.
"Uh, Misty I've been invited to attend the big carnival tonight and I was wondering if you would come along?" He smiled at her.
She couldn't believe it. After years of waiting here he was finally asking her on a date. She smiled at him and told him she would be delighted to.
Ash later told Brock how Misty would be joining them. Brock asked Ash if he told her that everyone else was coming along. Ash slapped himself, he hadn't.
Misty spent the day shopping with Mrs. Ketchum. She even found a Cerulean Blue dress. She never truly liked dresses but, this one caught her eye. She wanted to dazzle Ash.
Ash was running around town on the opposite side. He was looking for Misty. He kept wondering if Misty thought it was a date like Brock warned she might. Pikachu scanning around perched on his head.
Misty bought a bottle of Celadon's finest perfumes. She wondered what it would be like to date Ash. She fell into a fit of giggles when she figure it would be the same as traveling with him. Psyduck played with Togepi as they tried on different hats before the mirror.
Delia was surprised Ash had asked Misty out. She figured Ash was too young to be interested in girls yet. She however was glad Misty was so excited about it.
Ash tripped over his own feet. He had been scrambling around lika fool for three hours and hadn't found her.
"Well Pikachu maybe she didn't think I was asking her out."
"Pikaa, chuuuu!" He shrugged his little mouse shoulders.
"I hope you don't mind I brought a date Ash." Brock was strolling up with Melanie at his side.
Night had fallen already and the carnival was just opening. Ash lead them back to the cabin. He knocked on the door. They all waited for Misty to come out.
"I'm ready." Misty stepped out.
Ash was taken by surprise how beautiful she looked. She had thought it was a date. Ash was afraid to tell her it wasn't a date but, he began to think about sparing her feelings by not saying it wasn't a date. So Ash didn't confirm anything and didn't deny anything he just took her with them like planned.
"What is that smell? It's nice." Ash took in big sniffs of it.
"Piiiiika!" Pikachu smiled as he smelled the perfume as well.
"Oh, it's Erika's Special! I thought it was lovely too." Misty gave him a big grin.
Ash had a lump in his throat. How was he supposed to act on a date?
At the carnival the lights flashed, the games beeped and vendor shouted for them to try their newest items. Ash had Misty on his arm and he felt good about it. He played several games winning Misty an assortment of pokemon dolls. Her favorite was a pikachu doll.
"Pika Pika Pika." Ash started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Misty asked.
"Pikachu says it looks nothing like him." Pikachu studied the doll some more.
"Hey Ash this is a great party they're throwing for us." Gary strolled over, Eevee at his side.
"Sure is. Hey, Gary no hard feelings over the fight?" Ash smiled as he offered his hand.
"None at all." They shook, though Gary was mad Ash was out on a date with Misty.
Somehow between tripping on his own words and feet Ash managed to get through the night alright. He began to have stronger feelings for Misty. Brock said he was surprised how things turned out though.
"I really did have a great time tonight Ash." Misty kissed his cheek before she went into her cabin for the night.
Ash smiled as he walked with Brock, he kept talking about Misty and Brock knew why. He told Ash about how Melanie was talking about opening a pokemon spa either in Pewter or Pallet. Ash asked if Brock was returning to Pewter.
"Not right away but, soon. I have a few loose ends I have to tie up at home. I'll be back in Pallet after a month or two." He knew he had to make up with his brother. "I'm going to leave in two days I guess. Ash? Melanie needs a place to stay do you mind..."
"My mom loves company Brock don't worry." Ash began to think about home.
A short drive was all it took to get home. Ash remembered traveling Viridian Forest on foot. It took him two days and Misty was jumping around as the bugs crawled into sight.
Prof. Oak let them off at their house. He parked the car and joined them for tea. Ash kept thinking how things had changed since three years ago when he first set out. His mom had grown close to Prof. Oak more than ever, Brock was maturing instead of throwing himself at any woman's feet he was devoted to Melanie.
Outside Bulbasaur was rolling in the grass while Chikorita sat grooming herself. Pikachu went chasing around the yard with Heracross. Ash decided to open a breeding center. He had the money to do it now. And it wouldn't take much discussion with the Elite Four to obtain a license. It also wouldn't take too much persauding to get Brock to help.
How things had changed. James came into town a month later saying he quit the Rockets for good. He was rather helpful around the house. Meowth had followed him. He was sitting polishing his charm most of the time but, Ash tolerated him.
As the days rolled on the center was slowly being built and as he wanted Ash even began setting up a gym in the center of the land. James helped build and Misty and Melanie brought lunches. Ash was enjoying life.
After buying some Pichu's Ash came home to find Misty waiting for him. She had something to tell him. He placed the baby pokemon down allowing Pikachu to introduce them to everyone else.
"Ash there is something I've been wanting to tell you." She smiled and he returned one to her.
"Ash I love you." She stood grinning at him.
Ash was choked up by feelings, he had a lump in his throat again. He had trouble getting his words out. Misty gave him an odd look as he tried to say how he felt too.
"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" A slight curl at her eyebrow began.
"I...I...I" Ash was shocked to hear her say it and now he was stumbling on his own words. "Misty....I"
"Ash Ketchum! I tell you I love you and you stand there puckering like a Magicarp! Maybe if you didn't have a brain the size of a Magicarp's you would realize I want you to say something!" She shouted.
"Misty wait I...." She didn't let him get his words out her anger got the better of her as usual.
She began to throw anything handy at Ash. He dodged every which way and she just got more furious with every miss. She screamed at the top of her lungs as she slammed the door and walked out on him.
"Look at him Samuel. He doesn't do anything now but, train." Delia watched from the living room window with Prof. Oak. "Since Misty ran off to Cerulean all he does is train his pokemon and helps Brock and Melanie at the spa."
It was a year since Misty left and Ash broken hearted decided to win her back but, she refused to take any of his calls, sent his letters back unopened. He even went to the gym but, only her sisters would see him.
Brock and Melanie did open a spa in Pallet, inside Ash's breeding center. Ash was granted his rights to Gym Leader status and trained hard, he also ran out of time for the breeding center which Brock took over. Gary visited every now and then. And Ash found an older trainer to be his assistant leader at the gym and as it turned out Ace had trained under Ash's father.
"What was my father like?" Ash asked Ace one evening.
"Your father was very noble it was an honor to be trained by him. I heard about Satoshi being killed several years ago and that he had a son. You are very much like him Ash. Be proud of yourself." The twenty year old Ace was very skilled in inspiring the young trainers who came to be schooled at Ash's gym.
Gary gave up the gym a few more years down the line. Ace went on to try to achieve the Pokemaster title. Gary took his place. Gary said he was tired of having to deal with all the paperwork and so on as Leader. He just wanted to train and teach the students.
James turned out to be rather quite the cook as he watched Brock and learned. He said he was happy working for Ash and that he wouldn't give up trying to be his best now.
Misty came back into Ash's life two years after Gary joined his staff. Gary had some part behind it but, only he knew how much. Brock had gotten married to Melanie and they had their first child due the following spring.
"Hey Ash." Gary strolled over to him one afternoon.
"Gary how are the students?" Ash had been checking on the little bulbasaur and chikorita his orginal Chikorita had hatch two days ago.
"Very well. You know things are slowing up around here Ash, do you mind if I take some time off?"
"Not at all Gary." He watched the proud father nuzzle his young ones and lick Chikorita's face, Bulbasaur smiled up at Ash. "How much time do you need?"
"A year off Ash." Ash jumped up.
"A year?" Ash had expecting a month or two while the students had the summer off.
"There is some people I have to talk to and I want to do a little traveling." Gary watched the grass wave in the wind.
"We'll miss you Gary but, we'll manage." Gary thanked him before setting off.
Gary tossed a pokeball in his palm he had no idea where it came from nor the strange Pupitar it held. For the past eight years he tried to recall where it came from. A few memories lingered about it attacking him and Ash. He captured it to save their lives. Why couldn't he recall anything else? He knew the monster's name was Dark.
Gary did travel he found Giovanni and asked him about his mother and his childhood and why he didn't stay to watch him grow up. Giovanni did his best to explain but, he just couldn't. Next Gary went to Cerulean.
Ash had failed at capturing Misty's heart but, he had his chance and now Gary would take his. He tried charming her for six months till she gave in and began dating him. Something however would soon drive her back to Pallet and into Ash's life again but, that is yet another story.
The End.