The doctor, looking a bit flustered, opened the door and poked his head out. "Um, Ash... Misty... could you come in here? Your girlfriend's... she's a bit... worked up."

Ash blinked, standing up. "Wait, Misty's freaking out? What happened?"

The doctor sighed. "I think she’s just... uh, panicking. Can you calm her down?"

Ash shrugged. "I guess..."

He walked into the examination room, where Misty was pacing back and forth. She was clearly agitated, muttering under her breath.

"I can't believe this is happening," Misty hissed, eyes wide with frustration. "I don't need any of this! I’m fine! It’s just a stupid bruise!"

Ash sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Misty, come on. The doctor’s just trying to help, okay? Your leg could get worse if we don’t treat it."

Misty whirled around, her face flushed with anger. "Why are you always treating me like I’m some fragile flower?! I don’t need you hovering over me all the time!"

Ash’s eyes narrowed. "I’m not hovering! I just care about you, okay? You’re my best friend!"

Misty crossed her arms and glared at him. "Don’t act like I’m some little kid! You know what? I can handle it just fine without you!"

Ash crossed his arms, matching her glare. "I didn’t say you couldn’t handle it. I just don’t want you to get hurt!"

"You always do this!" Misty shouted. "You act like I can’t take care of myself!"

Before Ash could respond, Brock came rushing in, his face a picture of annoyance. "Hey, hey! You guys are so loud, I can hear you from Pewter City! What's going on in here?!"

Misty and Ash both whipped around, fuming, their faces bright red from the argument.

"Nothing!" Misty snapped. "Ash is being overbearing again!"

"No, you’re just being stubborn!" Ash retorted. "I’m trying to help you, and you’re acting like I’m the bad guy!"

Brock stared at them both in disbelief, his hands on his hips. "Seriously? You guys are fighting again? This is what you’ve been doing the whole time?"

Misty and Ash didn’t respond. They were too busy glaring at each other, seething with frustration.

"I swear, this is why I don’t get involved," Brock muttered, rubbing his temples. "You two are a disaster."

Just then, the clinic doors swung open, and Gary rushed in, looking absolutely exasperated. "Oh no, not again..."

Misty and Ash didn’t even notice him at first. They were too focused on their argument.

Ash raised his voice. "You never listen, Misty! Why do you always have to act like you’re fine when you’re not?"

Misty shouted back, her voice cracking with emotion. "Because I don’t want to be treated like some helpless little kid, Ash!"

Gary looked at Brock and sighed. "Looks like they’re at it again. I can’t believe I had to run all the way from Pallet Town just to see this."

Brock shook his head. "I think they need more than just a talk, Gary. They need... well, something."

Gary cracked his knuckles, sighing heavily. "Alright, let’s get this over with. Misty, Ash, I swear—if you don’t shut up, I’m gonna...!"

Before either of them could respond, Gary reached out and grabbed Ash by the shoulder, while Brock grabbed Misty. They each tugged them away from each other with surprising strength.

"Get off of me, Brock!" Misty yelled, trying to break free of his grip.

"Calm down, Misty!" Brock said, pulling her back.

"Ash, seriously! Let her go!" Gary said, holding Ash back as he tried to march back to Misty.

Ash struggled, trying to push past Gary. "I’m not gonna just let her do whatever she wants!"

Misty shot back, “Why do you always have to control me?!"

Gary and Brock exchanged a glance, their faces full of defeat. "You two are impossible," Gary muttered, rubbing his forehead.

"Why do I even try to help?" Brock sighed. "You guys are worse than toddlers fighting over a toy."

"Because we are not toddlers!" Ash and Misty shouted in unison, glaring at each other.

Gary and Brock finally exchanged a knowing look, sighing at the same time. They had been through this too many times before.

Gary clapped his hands together. "Alright, listen up. Misty, Ash—both of you need to take a step back, calm down, and stop pretending like you can’t live without each other. This is getting old."

Misty and Ash opened their mouths to argue, but Gary held up a hand. "Nope. I’m not hearing it. We’re all going to sit down, and you’re going to talk like adults. Got it?"

Misty and Ash were silent for a moment. Slowly, Ash glanced at Misty, and she glared back.

"Fine."

"Fine."

Brock shook his head, leaning back against the wall. "This is going to take a while, isn’t it?"

Gary grinned. "You have no idea."