At last it has been done! This is something that I'm sure many of you have been wanting for awhile, and I'm happy to finally deliver it to the public. Please be aware that this is just a fun project that I worked on using a timed trial for Visual Novel Maker, this was also not planned ahead of time so it's going to be a little rough. I'm sure many of you will be confused about the ugly Misty at the beginning of the game, this is an inside joke in the community that this game was initially released to, so don't worry you won't have to deal with it for the whole game. If I had more time then I would have made custom sprites and backgrounds (and better dialogue). But hopefully it will still be fun! And don't forget that it's not over till you see "The End"
Here is the link to the Windows and browser versions. You will have to download the full folder or .rar for either the Windows or browser versions. The browser version will work on both Windows and Mac. You can either download it and run it on it’s own, or through your internet browser!
Sadly since this was on a free trial I cannot make any more changes, but still feel free to tell me of any changes you would like to see or mistakes I made so that I may improve upon them. The fast-forward function is sadly broken and will disrupt player choices, so I suggest you stay away from skipping through dialogue because it may break the game.
A special thank you to both @waterrflower and @allthingsmisty for their help.
I don't own Pokemon and this was just a fun project.
A reblog would be greatly appreciated so I can get this game out there to the people who want it. I’m happy with my work and I’d love for people to try it!
I'll see you again when part 2 comes out! It's going to be far beyond anything in this game!
Hey, this is really cutting it close to the deadline, but I’m happy it’s finished! This is for @zdbztumble pokeshipping fankid team contest. I really like the pink haired child character that Misty was with in that strange promo thing from the first movie. I think she’s the perfect template for a pokeship fankid since she’s about as close as we have to one. i like that she’s not a carbon copy of her paraent’s and that her design can stand on it’s own. This fic turned out way longer and more serious than I intended, but I feel that I’ve created a decently realistic feeling dynamic between the characters. I hope everyone will enjoy it! (And catch some secrets I put in for you guys)
“Ash, wake up!”
“Yeah… I will…” Ash’s words trailed off as he let out a yawn and pulled the blanket closer. There was a sharp jolt from the mattress under him. Ash groaned and pulled the blanket over his head, but even with it he could still feel Misty's eyes burning a hole in the back of his head. He waited, but Misty didn't move or speak. Ash tried not to think about her standing over him, or how long she would be there. He could hear Misty’s voice in his head telling him to “get up and stop being a lazy bum who sleeps till noon,” as she always so eloquently put it. This was it, Ash had been living with her for long that he had a mini version of her in his head. But Ash didn't mind.
“Ok... ok,” Ash said at last with a yawn, then tossed the blanket aside. “I'm getting up now.”
“I wasn't timing it, but this feels like a new record,” said Misty. She was probably smirking at him, even if Ash didn't see it, he definitely had the feeling that she was. “Your breakfast is cold, so I left it in the microwave for you,” Misty said as she walked out the room.
“Thanks, Mist!” Ash smiled. It was nice having Misty around.
Ash slid his feet into his slippers, and nearly jumped when he felt the stone cold interior of the slippers. Ash shuttered for a moment, it was as if he had been hit by an ice beam. He gave his feet a good shake and stood up. Ash pulled open the closet door, put on the warmest bathrobe he had, and walked to the kitchen. Ash was ready for the day, but more importantly, his breakfast.
“How are my favorite girls doing?” Ash asked with a sleepy smile as he started the microwave.
“You sleep too much, Papa,” said Maya.
“Oh, do I? Did Mama tell you that?”
“Uh-huh,” the young girl said with a cheery nod.
“Well… uh…” Ash trailed off into a yawn. It was too early for snappy comebacks. “She's probably right.”
“Nice to hear,” Misty said with a smirk.
Maya giggled, and Ash yawned again as he opened the refrigerator. He scanned the inside for something to drink. His eyes fell on the note reminding him not to drink Maya’s juice boxes. It was just one time, and it wasn't his fault he was half asleep and thirsty. His eyes quickly moved off the note in search of something else. He had plenty of choices, but no matter how hard he looked or what he moved, Ash couldn't find the milk.
“Hey Mist, do you know where the milk is?” he asked.
“We actually just had the last of it,” Misty replied.
Ash looked up from the fridge to see Maya drinking a half full cup of chocolate milk. Ash turned back to scan the fridge once again. Pinap juice would have to do.
Ash sat down next to his daughter and Pikachu. He smiled as he watched Maya rub Pikachu’s belly while the electric pokemon rested in her lap. Her pink hair was in a ponytail, and she was wearing the magikarp pajamas Delia had given to her on her last birthday. Ash placed his arm across her shoulder. Maya looked up at him for a second, her eyes were just like her mother’s, then she smiled and leaned on his side. This was a moment Ash didn’t want to end, but his stomach begged to differ as it rumbled to get his attention. Ash looked across the table to watch Misty fumble with a pile of maps that she had laid out on the table.
“You mind,” Ash asked as he placed his plate on the few inches of table near him without map on it.
Misty looked up at him. “Oh, sure,” she said casually.
Misty slid the maps over to let Ash put the rest of his plate down. He made short work of his reheated blueberry waffle and eggs as he watched Misty scan the maps in front of her. The maps were creased in every direction and covered in notes that Ash had made during his time in Unova. Misty methodically read every note and scribble. Most of them simply pointed out places that had appetizing food or were good for fishing, but Ash had also crossed out the gyms he had beaten. A little doodle of the gym badge and encouraging message to himself accompanied the date he had beaten each gym. Ash had forgotten about those notes. He looked to the town they were currently in and sighed as he silently read the date next to the gym. Misty looked up at him again.
“Did you find it?” she asked.
“Huh?”
“The campground?”
“Oh… I, uh, wasn't looking, sorry,” Ash said with a sheepish grin.
“Well, I don't think it's on these anyway,” Misty sighed.
“It should be,” Ash casually responded.
“I know it should be, but it's not,” said Misty, a touch of frustration in her voice. “Now, would you mind helping me? Just to make sure it isn't on here.”
“Sure, Mist.” Ash knew better than to say no to one of Misty's definitely-not-a-question commands.
Misty slid over one of the maps and pointed. “We're here.”
“I know where I parked us,” Ash snorted.
“Well your detours last night say otherwise,” Misty shot back.
“Yeah? Well it would have been helpful if someone was looking at the map.”
“What do you think I'm doing now?”
“It's your fault for not doing it sooner!”
“Well, it's your fault for-” Misty stopped talking as her eyes glanced towards their daughter. Ash followed her gaze and noticed that Maya had slid closer to the window, farther away from them. She didn't look scared, but Ash didn't find that comforting at all.
“Just…” Misty paused for a sigh. “Just put the maps away. I'll go buy some new ones when I go out.”
“Sure,” sighed Ash. He got up and rolled the maps together, then threw them back into the passenger glove box.
Misty slid down and sat across from Maya. Pikachu was still in Maya’s arms as she slowly pet him.
“I'm sorry, honey. We didn't mean to do that.” Misty's voice was soft and motherly, but it also contained a small amount of guilt in it. She leaned forward and kissed their daughter on the forehead. “Is there anything we can do to make it up to you?” Maya shrugged at the question. “How about if Uncle Brock comes on our next trip? Or maybe we can all stay at Nana's house when we get back home? Or how about... a tickle-attack?” The corners of Maya's lips curved into a smile. “Oh! Is that a smile I see?” Maya tried to cover her face with her hands, but she let out a few giggles. Misty couldn't help herself from letting out a few as well.
A wide grin formed on Ash's face. “Watch out! Papa is coming in for a tickle-attack!”
The room filled with laughter when Ash dove in and began his tickle attack. It was super effective. Even Pikachu wasn't safe; Maya squeezed him tightly as she rolled in her seat. Misty was in a giggling fit, despite not even being tickled. And Ash was enjoying every second of it. This was one of those moments that made Ash happy to have this family. Ash wasn't proud of how he got into the situation, but he was happy to be with his wife and daughter. His family was everything to him, and more.
It was a few minutes before the tension of the previous conversation had disappeared from everyone's system, give or take an extra minute of tickling just for fun.
“How was that, Kiddo? Got everything out now?” Ash panted. Another minute and Ash might have passed out from exhaustion, or at least, he felt like it.
Maya let out a few more giggles. “Nuh-hu, there’s a thing I wanted to ask.”
“What is it? You’d better tell me before another tickle-attack comes,” Ash said, waving his fingers.
“I've been thinking about my starter,” she said with a nervous smile.
“What did you choose?” Ash and Misty immediately said in unison.
“I was thinking about getting a magikarp.” Maya’s smile widened, but she still looked a little nervous.
“So you want a powerful Gyarados like Mama has?” Misty smiled and playfully flexed her arms. Maya giggled.
“You could double team at the gym,” Ash said with a snap of his fingers. “No one can stop this amazing family attack!” Ash said his best announcer voice while making a flailing motion for an attack.
“What do you think?” Asked Maya.
“I dunno, Mama. What do we think?” said Ash with a smirk.
“Sounds like a good choice to me,” Misty said, nodding with a smile. Maya bounced in her seat, whereas Pikachu tried his hardest to stay on. “Your pokemon journey is going to be amazing if you choose a magikarp!”
Maya stopped bouncing.
“But you’ll have to start practicing early if you want to use a magikarp, they can be difficult to handle when they evolve,” Ash noted, thoughtfully.
“Then can me and psyduck go practice?” the young girl asked with a smile. Misty put her hand up to her chin and appeared to be in deep thought, but the small smile in the corner of her lips let Ash know that she was just pretending.
“Alright,” Misty said with her smile now directed towards Maya. “Go put your snow clothes on and I'll let Psyduck out.” And then, as if on cue, the yellow duck Pokemon left its ball in a flash of light and appeared on the floor next to Misty. Maya ducked under the table and ran to the bedroom closet, while Pikachu was left in her seat.
“Pika…” the pokémon groaned.
“Oh, please,” Ash rolled his eyes. “You'll survive.”
Pikachu hopped under the table, then back up on the other side into Misty's lap. Pikachu shot a grin at Ash. Ash then got up and placed his plate in the sink. He turned around to sit back down, but noticed that Maya's quarter full glass of milk was still on the table. She probably wasn't going to finish it, and he was still a little bit thirsty anyway. Ash pick up the glass and down the remaining chocolate milk in one gulp. Misty's mouth was agape as she watched Ash.
“Ash!”
“What?”
“You… she… nevermind.”
Ash shrugged and put the glass in the sink. Psyduck brushed passed him and walked out the door. When Ash sat back down Misty was staring at him with a wide grin.
“I told you she'd want a water type,” said Misty.
“Hold on,” Ash said, arms crossed. “I didn't know what starter I wanted when I was six. There's still plenty of time for her to change her mind.”
“You didn't know what starter you wanted the the morning you got Pikachu. But I think you got the best one.” Misty tickled Pikachu. “Isn't that right, Pika-pal?”
“Pika!” the pokemon exclaimed excitedly between giggles.
“You know, she does like Pikachu,” said Ash, scratching his chin.
“ I don’t know. she sounded more confident then usual,” Misty said in a sing-song voice.
“A Magikarp isn't going to be easy to raise. She might not want one when she see how bad it is.”
“Believe me, Ash, I know how hard it is. But, it would be a great learning experience, and besides, was Pikachu really all that different?”
“Pikachu,” mumbled the pokemon, his arms crossed and cheeks puffed out.
“Oh, don't give me that. You were difficult,” said Misty as she gave Pikachu another tickle. Ash nodded in agreement. “And Ash was too.”
“Hey! That's not fair. I wasn't difficult. Pikachu, tell her I wasn't difficult.”
Pikachu shrugged. “Pika…”
“Traitor…”
Misty smirked and raised her left hand in front of Ash. “How long?”
Ash stared at it for a moment. “Ugh, fine… I suppose you're right,” mumbled Ash.
A long, awkward silence fell over them as they watched each other. Misty rhythmically tapped the table as she bit her lip.
“I'm sorry, about the maps,” Misty said suddenly, her eyes were lowered.
“It's alright,” said Ash, trying to sound casual.
“It's really not.”
“...I know,” said Ash, frowning. There was a very long silence. Misty stroked Pikachu’s fur as he looked up at her. “It was my fault too, I shouldn't have been so dismissive.”
“We need to be careful,” sighed Misty.
“We will be.” Ash grabbed her hand and interlocked his fingers with hers. There was a very soft clink as their matching bands touched.
“Maybe I should start talking with Delia again.”
“But, Mom said-”
“-I know what she… ” Misty said quickly, then frowned. “Sorry… I know what she said, Ash. But I don’t think it’s happened yet.”
“But what about Togepi?”
“That was different, Togepi wasn’t my six-year-old daughter.” Misty’s voice slightly faltered as she spoke. Ash felt her hand jitter as he held it. “I’m sorry, Ash, I just… “
“Just let it all out,” Ash said softly.
“I don’t want to be my sisters… I love Daisy and the others, but I can’t… they weren’t… It’s not fair, Ash. I don't us want to be those parents,” choked Misty. Ash squeezed her hand.
“You aren't, and we never will be.” his tone was firm, but comforting. “She knows we love her.”
“But…” Misty paused for a long time. Her eyes gazed around the room, not meeting Ash’s until she was ready to speak. “Does she know we love each other?”
“Of course.” Ash said without hesitation. “I know that I love you, Mist.”
A smile flashed across Misty’s face through a few tears. “I'll never get tired of hearing you say that.”
“It feels nice to say,” he said with a smile. A long silence then set upon them. Ash watched Misty's eyes as she looked into his.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For caring.”
“Oh, well you know me, Mist.” Ash gave her hand another quick squeeze. “It's what I do.”
Misty looked like she was about to burst into laughter
“What?” asked Ash with a bewildered expression.
“I don't know how I did it”
“Did what?”
“How I turned you into a complete sap”
“Is there a problem with that?” he asked, genuinely confused.
“Oh, no, I love it. I just don't know how I did it.”
“Give me some credit, maybe I did it myself.”
Misty rolled her eyes with a smile. “Uh-huh, right.” Misty looked down and gave Pikachu another tickle. “I know Pikachu can't get enough of me, isn't that right?”
“Pika, Pikachu-pi,” Pikachu exclaimed with a smile.
“Same to you, buddy.”
The three of them simply sat there for a while in silence. Ash took a moment to decompress and watch Psyduck play in the snow outside. The duck was making snow angels, or would they be snow ducks? Ash didn't know, and they were pretty ugly either way. Ash looked back to Misty as she suddenly got up and stretched her arms.
“Well, I think I should be going now.”
“What? Where?” asked Ash, still slightly confused from watching Psyduck.
“Let's see, I need to speak to the campground manager, get groceries, get new maps, and… I think that's about it.”
“Oh, ok, do you need any help?”
“No, I think I'll be good, the store shouldn't be more than a 10-minute walk away.” Misty pulled on her knitted hat from Delia and opened the door, but turned around.
“I want us to talk again later,” Misty’s tone had become serious again
“Uh, sure, but I don't know why you have to tell me that since we talk all the time.”
“No, I mean about what happened.”
“Oh yeah, sure.” Ash nervously scratched the back of his head.
“I'll see you later then. I love you.” Misty kissed him.
“Love you too,” Ash said after the kiss ended.
“Bye Pikachu.” she said with a wave towards the pokemon.
“ChuChu, Pikachu-pi,” said Pikachu, waving back.
Ash watched Misty turn around again and walk out the door onto the snow-covered ground. He took the first step down the stairs, but quickly turned around as he heard Maya shuffle towards him. She was wearing her snow clothes, and everything seemed to be in order, but for some reason she had a dejected look on her face.
“What's wrong?” he asked. Maya didn't say anything.. Ash followed her gaze down to her feet. She didn't have her boots on. “Did you want some help with your boots?” he asked. Maya nodded.
Ash lifted her up so she could sit on the countertop. Maya squirmed as he tied the laces on her boots.
“There you go.” Ash said as he stood back and smiled.
“My boots, they hurt,” said Maya. She looked down at them with a pout.
“Huh? Are they too tight already?”
She nodded.
Ash proceeded to untie the laces, loosen them, then retie the laces. “Is that better?” he asked. Maya nodded again, but she was still looking down at her boots. “We'll get you some bigger boots this time so you grow into them, alright, Kiddo?”
Maya didn't nod this time, she just watched her feet as she swung them back and forth.
“It’s normal to grow out of clothes. I remember when I kept growing out of my pants and my mom had to keep sending me new pairs,” said Ash with a light chuckle, though it didn’t seem to improve Maya’s mood. “This just means you're going to grow up to be big and strong.” As soon as Ash finished his sentence and saw Maya's expression, he realized this was the worst thing he could have said.
Maya’s face was red and she looked like she was going to start bawling tears. Ash had to figure out what was wrong, and he had to do it fast. He quickly picked up Maya and moved to sit at the kitchen table. Ash sat down and hugged his daughter tightly. Pikachu quickly caught on to the situation and hopped into her lap so she could hold him.
“It's okay, Maya, it's okay. Just tell me what's wrong.” Ash’s words were soft and fatherly. Maya sniffled for few moments as Ash held her. He waited patiently as she began to form her words.
“I-I don't wa-want to leave.” Maya said at last, slightly choked up.
“Why don't you want to leave?”
“I…” she paused for a moment between sniffles. “You…”
“It's alright, take your time,” said Ash as he stroked her the back of her hair. Pikachu nuzzled Maya, and her fingers ran through his fur as she let out a few tears. Ash was actually a little proud of her for handling herself so well, he wasn't exactly good at keeping his composure when he was younger. It was a while before Maya’s sobs died down enough for her to speak.
“You and Mama w-will fight if I l-leave for m-my… ” Maya said at last, then went silent again.
Ash looked her in the eyes. “If you leave for your journey?” he asked. Maya nodded. “I promise you we won't fight.” Ash felt tears starting to form, but held them back. He had to be confident, if not to hold himself together, then for Maya. “Mama and I don't like fighting either. Sometimes things can be hard for us, and sometimes we fight because we make a mistake or don't know what to do. But we never, ever want to hurt each other, or most importantly you. We both love each other very much, and we both love you.”
“I love you and Mama too,” said Maya, giving Ash the tightest hug she could. Ash would hold his daughter for a long as it would take to make things right.
After a minute Maya released her grasp from him. Her eyes still twinkled from the tears she had shed, but they were over now.
“Are you still up to go outside, or do you want to still in here right now?”
Maya shook her head. “I kinda still want to go out, is that okay?”
“Sure! I’ll follow you wherever you do.”
Ash gave her a pat on the back, and a kiss on the forehead. Maya jumped down from the counter and walked to the door, Ash followed closely behind. There was a satisfying crunch to the snow as Ash stepped out of their motorhome. He stretched his arms and took a deep breath of the cool winter air. The day hadn't started as well as Ash would have liked, but that didn't mean it couldn't get better.
Psyduck toppled over as one of Maya’s snowballs hit the pokémon square in the stomach. Maya dove for her snow mound as Psyduck rocked itself back onto its feet and brushed off it's jacket. A few lumpy snowballs suddenly rose into the air as the psychic duck’s eyes glowed a soft pink, and after a few seconds they zoomed towards Maya’s cover. Ash couldn't stop himself from smiling as he watched Psyduck’s snowballs litter the ground around Maya, leaving her completely untouched. She popped out from her cover and stuck her tongue out at Pysduck, who returned the act. Maya quickly made another snowball and hit Psyduck directly on the bill. The pokémon jumped into the air and fell flat on its face into the snow. Maya also collapsed into the snow, laughing uncontrollably at the duck’s misfortune.
“Pi-pikapi, pikachu pika,” Pikachu muttered.
“What, no, it's totally fair. Psyduck has all those powers and stuff,” Ash replied. Even if he didn't want to say it out loud, Ash knew that Pikachu was right.
“Pika,” the pokemon suddenly called out as he jumped into the air raced towards Psyduck.
“Hey! Two on one is cheating.” yelled Ash. He then jumped up and jogged over to Maya. “Hey, Kiddo, I think you’ll be needing some help.” He then hoisted her up onto his shoulders and tossed her a snowball. “How about we show them out double team Ketchum attack?” he said with a smile.
Maya smiled back, and shouted. “Yeah!”
Some time later…
Ash suddenly felt a sharp buzz in his pants pocket. He pulled out his pokegear and flashed the screen to life. He had received a text from Misty.
“Be back in 15. Find us good place for lunch”, the message read.
“OK”, Ash replied. For a second he considered texting Misty about what had happened with Maya, but that was probably a conversation better had in person. Ash stuffed his pokegear back into his pocket. “Sorry everyone, looks like we'll have to call it here,” he said, putting Maya down in the process. Father and daughter brushed the copious amounts of snow off their jackets and pants.
“Already?” Maya said with a pout, as she emptied her hood of snow..
“Yup. But we can always come back out, the snow isn’t going anywhere,” he said with a wink.
Shhh, don’t tell anyone how late this actually is. Also day 6 is still coming as soon as life stops getting in the way. If anyone wants to give feedback please do so. I hope everyone enjoyed Pokeshipping Week!
“The stars are beautiful tonight” Ash thought as he gazed up at the night sky. He couldn't sleep on this particular night so he thought he might stargaze to help him fall asleep. The Alolan sand was soft under his sleeping bag, and it was nice to sleep outside for a change. It had been Ash’s idea for Misty, Brock, and himself to camp out for the night, to make it feel like they were traveling together again. Ash felt a satisfying comfort knowing his two best friends were camping with him again, even if it was just for a short visit.
The soft rhythm of Brock’s snoring and the waves against the shore slowly began to comfort Ash, but he still couldn’t feel himself getting sleep anytime soon. His legs ached to stretch but he didn’t want to bother Pikachu, who had found a comfortable spot alongside the zipper of his sleeping bag. Ash suddenly jumped within the confines of the bag, surprised by a sudden yawn to his left. “Is she still up this late?” Ash thought. He turned his head to look at Misty and the origin of the yawn, it was too dark and she was too far away for him to get a good look. He gazed at her for a short time, trying to determine if she was awake or not, Ash let out a quiet sigh “guess not.” Misty let out another yawn and moved to unzip her sleeping bag a little. Ash turned to try to look at her again
“Hey you still up?” Ash asked.
“Ah!” Misty squealed. “Don't do that Ash.” she waved her hand around in an effort to hit Ash, but couldn't find her target.
“Sorry, I just wanted to know if you were awake.” Ash said sheepishly.
“Well what does it sound like?” She snapped at him. Ash went quiet. Both laid in their bags without another word spoken between them, only the sound of the waves and Brock’s snores could be heard. And just as the silence was starting to wear on Ash, Misty finally spoke up
“Sorry Ash. It’s just the different time zones, it’s messing up my sleep. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” disappointment weighed on her voice.
“It’s alright Misty, I wasn’t trying to bother you.” She could hear him rustling in his sleeping bag. Ash had returned to attempting sleep. There was silence between the two for a long while before Misty spoke up again.
“Thank you Ash, it was nice of you to invite us here. I’m glad you remembered us.” Misty heard Ash rustling again. She couldn't see it, but Ash was looking at her again.
“Anytime Misty. Besides, I made a promise, remember?”
“Of course I do.”
‘I’ll be here anytime you need me.” Ash said in his usual upbeat tone.
‘Well thank you, Ash.”
Misty paused for a moment before she spoke again.
“What about you?”
“Huh?’
“Is something bothering you?” Misty’s concern seemed genuine, rather than asking out of habit.
“I just miss you guys, that’s all.” Ash said flatly.
“We’ll still be here for a few more days.”
“I know… but then you’re going to be gone again.”
“Ash, you can call me anytime, you know that right? I’ll be here when you need me.”
“Sorry about that, seeing new Pokemon and friends can be really distracting.” Ash let out a chuckle and Misty joined him a few seconds later.
“That doesn’t mean you can get away with never calling. Maybe I like talking to you, did you ever think about that ya big idiot?” Misty said in a teasing manner.
“We can talk right now. If you don’t mind talking to this big idiot.” Chuckles spread across the two again, had it not been for Brock and Pikachu they would have probably been laughing.
“Alright, what is… your favorite new pokemon you caught?”
“Umm… I dunno, all of them I guess?”
“That’s what I get for asking Ash Ketchum.”
“You know I can’t answer that, Misty. Give me something easier.”
“How about favorite new region?”
“Maybe, if I had to pick one… uh,” Ash wracked his brain trying to think of which region he liked the most since they last saw each other. But Ash had to give in, it was impossible for him to choose a favorite.
“All of them.”
“All of them,” Misty said at the same time Ash did. She burst into a stifled laugh.
“Hey, that’s not fair.” said Ash, almost whining.
“It’s true.”
“Well… “ Ash wanted to argue the point but couldn't think of any feasible way to do so. He just decided that Misty was probably right, even if he wasn’t going to say it out loud.
“Well?” Misty said, still giggling.
“Well, I don’t think you could pick one either.”
“Oh really?” said Misty, defiantly. “It’s nice here in Alola, maybe this is my new favorite place.”
“I knew you would like here.”
“Huh? Didn’t you just say I couldn't choose?”
“That doesn't mean you can’t enjoy Alola.”
“That’s not the point Ash!”
“Well I thought you’d love it here.” Ash said in an aloof manner.
“And why is that?”
Misty seemed a little distant, but it sounded like Ash had just piqued her interest in some way.
“Everything about this place makes it the perfect place for a water trainer. I knew you had to come.”
“Oh, well thank you.” she said earnestly.
Ash was still thinking of her as he formed what to say next.
“The stars are beautiful tonight, aren't they?” said Ash after a short pause.
“Yeah, they are.” said Misty, almost wistfully.
A few second later Ash noticed a familiar constellation. This was his chance to strike up a conversation that would be pleasant to have with Misty since they had shared so many night doing this same thing together.
“Oh wow, Orion is out tonight.”
“Where?”
“It’s right next to Tauros.”
“That doesn’t help.” Misty said flatly
“Just look straight up and then turn left.”
Ash could hear the sound of her sleeping bag rustling underneath her as she moved to look at the stars.
“Yeah, I think I see it now.” There was more rustling as Misty rotated to look at him, though she couldn’t him, “You never told me you could read stars.”
“I don’t really know much, but it helps when all I have at night is time, and the stars above me.”
“Ash, that was surprisingly deep.”
“What, really?”
“Yeah.”
“Well uh… it’s true.”
“Alright then, show me what you know.”
Ash thought for a few seconds. He wanted to challenge Misty, but not too hard, and he also didn’t want to go easy on her.
“You see that line of stars right there?” Ash pointed to a row of stars right above them.
“Ash, I can’t see where you’re pointing.”
“Right, there!” Ash stretched his arm out as far as he could.
“I can see that you’re pointing, but it’s not helping.”
“Just come closer so I can show you.”
Misty shuffled over until she was in arm's length of Ash. She could see his arm still pointing to the sky, lit up by the backdrop of the night’s twinkling stars. The rest of Ash’s body was still difficult to make out, but she didn’t have to see him clearly to know what he looked like.
“You see it now Misty?”
“That one?” Misty pointed out to the same row of stars.
“Yeah, that’s it. You see the curved lines of stars coming off of it? How it looks kind of like a round aitch?”
“Let me guess, that’s a pokeball?”
“How did you know?” Ash asked, legitimately puzzled by how easily Misty guessed correctly.
“It was pretty obvious.”
“What about that one?”
“With those other roundish lines?”
“Yup, what do they make?”
Misty was quiet for about thirty seconds. She must be giving this constellation a lot more consideration than the first, thought Ash. After about ten seconds more she finally gave her answer.
“Is it… a spheal?” There was a mixture of confidence and uncertainty in her voice.
“I knew you wouldn’t get this one!”
“Oh shut up you.”
Misty swung her arm and lightly hit Ash on his chest. Now that she was closer she could have control over his snark.
“Alright wise guy, what is it?”
“It’s just a snorlax.” Ash said with the hint of a pout.
“Stop mopping,” teased Misty. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“I wasn’t mopping!”
“Alright then ‘Mr.Pokemon Master’, what other new things have you been hiding?”
Ash had to think for a moment before settling on a sufficiently cool story he knew Misty would like.
“When Pikachu first used his Z-move it was amazing.” said Ash, barely containing his excitement. “Tapu Koko is the guardian of the island, and when Pikachu and I were battling him we could feel our bond. Pikachu didn’t even have a problem doing the move, it was like he was a natural. You saw what he could do, our battle was awesome!”
“Pikachu has certainly gotten stronger, that Z-move was fantastic, Ash.” Misty said with a giggle.
“Your gyarados is amazing too. Where did you get your mega stone?” Ash was on the edge of his sleeping bag waiting for Misty’s answer.
“A girl’s gotta keep some secrets.”
“Come on, can I at least see your key stone?"
“What, now? In the dark?”
“Just get closer, it’s not that dark.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Pikachu is on me, I don’t want to wake him up.”
Misty again shuffled to Ash while trying to stay in her sleeping bag. When she finally came close enough for Ash to see her face he gave his usual boyish smile.
“Hello.” said Ash with a grin.
“Nice to see you’re still keeping up that attitude, even in the middle of the night.”
Misty turned around to look through her bag for the key stone. As Ash watched her he realized that she had her hair down, he had forgotten what she looked like without her pigtail. Ash was lost in thought when Misty turned back to present him with her key stone.
“Well, here it is.” Misty said with a proud smile.
Ash took the stone in his hands and looked over it. The key stone had the familiar rainbow shimmer that all the stones shared.
“Doesn’t it get heavy in your hair?” Ash asked
“It was a little awkward at first, but I hardly notice it now.”
“This is amazing Misty, you’ll be a water master in no time!”
Ash couldn’t see it, but Misty had blushed at his words.
“Thank you Ash.”
Ash gave back the key stone with a wide grin, she returned with her own grin then turned around to put the key stone back. When she faced him again his expression had changed, he looked as if he was guilty of something. Ash let out a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry Misty.”
“What for? You didn’t break my key stone did you?” She didn’t genuinely mean it, she was only trying to tease Ash. But Misty regretted it as she watched his face.
“I’m sorry I took so long.” There was a heavy sadness in his voice, it slowly crept into Misty’s words too.
“You visited your mother so much, she would tell me and Brock about it whenever you came back,” Misty’s head lowered and her eyes moved away from Ash’s. “But you never came to see us Ash. I know you said new friends can be distracting and I don’t blame you for being away so much, just don’t forget about your old ones too, okay?”
Ash suddenly grabbed Misty’s hand, She turned to look at him and he looked directly into her eyes.
“I promise I won’t leave for so long again. I’ll call and write more, I’ll visit you every time I see my mom. I really missed you and Brock.”
There was silence between the two as they stared at each other, soaking in every detail that was lost to time. It has been so long that Misty didn’t even remember Ash having brown eyes. It was quite some time before a thought suddenly came to Ash as he looked at Misty.
“I guess we both really missed each other, didn’t we?”
Misty was almost taken aback for a second. Ash didn’t seem like himself tonight, he had never been so mushy with her before. Then it finally dawned on her, Ash cared about her just as much as he cared about Pikachu. He loved his Pokemon immensely, Pikachu was the only one he was ever openly emotional with. And now, Ash was treating her the same way. It was a long time before Misty spoke again.
“It really is a beautiful night.”
“Yeah, it is,” was all Ash had to say.
What seemed like hours passed as the pair watched the stars. Time dragged on as each of them slowly felt sleep overtake them. Ash was the first one to fall asleep, but it wasn’t long before Misty joined him in slumber. But in the seconds before Misty could finally rest for the night, she thought about one thing: how Ash had never taken his hand away from her’s. Misty wouldn’t mind spending the night holding hands with him though, it helped her to finally be comfortable.
