" Go Misty!" Ash yelled as he gave a thumbs up to his girlfriend, and she smiled and waved back nervously.

" Don't worry, it's okay Ash.... Ash who I haven't seen in, like forever... With another girl.... Seeing my underwater performance...." Misty muttered.

But suddenly she slipped her mermaid tail making everything slippery. With a thunk, she hit the diving board and blacked out

Everyone gasped, and Ash grabbed the railing. " Misty!"

He turned to Serena and shoved Pikachu into her arms. " Hold Pikachu."

" Huh?" Serena asked, confused. " Where are you-"

But Ash was already too far to notice.

A security guy, who was ordering people around, saw Ash running their way and held a hand up. " I'm sorry, but this is ristric-"

Ash shoved the guy out of his way. " Excuse me!"

" ... Ted area."

Ash turned his cap backwards. " Hold on, Misty!"

Then he dove in.

Meanwhile, Misty was sinking, not even knowing she was sinking. She was in the verge of losing air when someone grabbed her hand.

Ash.

He pulled her hand towards his body and grabbed her waist, pulling her to his body and swimming back up.

There, a medic helped Ash get Misty out of the pool. He coughed and gasped for air, looking at Misty as the medic felt her pulse.

Nothing.

Ash pulled his body onto land. " Misty?!"

The medic looked at him. " Go on that side." He ordered

Ash obeyed.

" Okay,. let's walk you through this. Tilt her head back. Immediately after I stop pumping, you breathe!"

Ash blinked as the medic did CPR on her chest.

Everyone watched.

" BREATHE!" the medic yelled

Ash took a deep breath and put his lips over hers, just like he had done so many more times before.

Serena watched. " Eh....?"

Then she fainted.

Meanwhile, the medic held a hand up. " Okay, let's try that again."

" A.. again.... In front of all these people....?"

Then he looked at hks girlfriend and nodded. " Okay."

They did it again.

Nothing.

Ash looked at Misty with tears in his eyes, hands clenched on knees. " Misty...."

Then Misty shot up, coughing the water out.

" Misty!!"

Misty didn't even have time to react before Ash grabbed her body and pulled her in tightly. Misty blinked and side hugged back, smiling at the concerned medic

" You should know he touched your lips." The medic whispered.

Misty didn't even flinch. " Oh, that's fine."

Ash blinked tears and turned Misty's face so she could face him. " Don't you dare do that again!"

Misty gave Ash a weak smile. " Oh, Ash. I'm fine."

Ash shook his head. " No, you're not. As soon as all these people are gone I'm taking you to the clinic."

" Bu-"

Ash put a finger on his lips. " Shush. You're not going to argue."

Misty blinked sheepishly. _ what about that girl?"

" Oh, you mean Serena?"

" Yeah. Don't you like her now?"

Ash grabbed Misty's hands. " Misty, I always loved you. Always have, always will. Isn't that what I told you before I left for Kalos?"

Misty smiled. " Yes, I suppose it is."

She turned to the audience and waved a hand. " Everyone, I have an announcement!"

Everyone turned silent.

" See this amazing boy next to me? The one who saved my life?"

Misty grinned and tugged Ash closer, their hands intertwined. "This is Ash Ketchum, my boyfriend! So, for all the girls here crushing on him, tough luck!"

The crowd erupted into surprised murmurs, and Serena, just recovering from fainting, blinked in disbelief. "B-Boyfriend?! Since when?!" she muttered under her breath, clutching Pikachu tightly.

Ash, who was already blushing furiously, waved awkwardly. "Uh, hi... everyone."

Misty continued, her voice growing stronger despite her still-shaky condition. "And to this amazing boy... thank you for saving me. Again." She glanced at him with a warm smile. "Though maybe next time, don’t dive into the water without a plan?"

Ash rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah, maybe... but I couldn’t just stand there, Misty. You mean too much to me."

The audience collectively let out an "aww," prompting Misty to chuckle nervously.

The medic, still standing nearby, cleared his throat. "Alright, as sweet as this moment is, Miss, you need to be checked out at the clinic. Let’s not forget you just blacked out in a pool."

Misty rolled her eyes playfully. "Yes, yes, fine. But only if Ash holds my hand the whole way there."

Ash chuckled. "Deal." He turned to the audience. "Okay, everyone, show’s over! Go enjoy the rest of the event!"

As the crowd began dispersing, Serena walked over, her expression a mix of confusion and sadness. "Ash... you never mentioned you and Misty were..."

Ash gave her an apologetic smile. "I didn’t think it’d come up like this. But yeah... Misty and I have been together for a while. Sorry if it seemed like..."

Serena shook her head quickly. "No, no, it's fine! I was just... surprised, that’s all." She forced a smile, though Pikachu gave her a sympathetic look.

Misty, noticing Serena’s reaction, softened her tone. "Serena, thanks for helping Ash out earlier. I know this probably wasn’t easy to hear, but I appreciate your kindness."

Serena nodded slowly. "Thanks, Misty. And... I’m happy for you two. Really."

As Misty and Ash began walking hand-in-hand toward the clinic, Misty glanced at Ash with a smirk. "So, how many more times are you planning on saving me, hero?"

Ash laughed. "As many times as you need, Misty. Always."

And as they walked away, the audience watched them with smiles, Serena quietly processing her emotions as Pikachu nuzzled her for comfort.

" So, how are her lungs looking?"

Misty, who was wearing her pink sweater, blue shorts, black, long socks and red sneakers, gave Ash a reassuring smile. " I'll be fine, Misty."

" I asked the doctor, Mist, not you."

The doctor sighed and turned to Ash. " Her lungs aren't doing so great. Here, listen."

The doctor gave Ash the stethoscope and helped him use it. " Now, see how her heart's beating fast and you can't hear her lungs?*

Ash nodded as he listened to Misty's heart

" Now, think of a way to calm her down."

Ash grinned. " Oh, that's easy."

He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. " It's okay, Misty. You're safe here."

Misty blinked, her cheeks tinged pink as Ash held her hand firmly. "Ash... I-I'm not scared," she stammered, though her fluttering heart betrayed her words.

The doctor raised a brow, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Well, that might help her nerves, but let’s focus on her breathing. Misty, try taking slow, deep breaths. Ash, keep holding her hand if that’s working."

Misty rolled her eyes but complied, inhaling deeply. Her breaths were uneven at first, but Ash’s calm presence seemed to steady her.

"Good," the doctor said, nodding. "But her lungs are still weak. Misty, you’ll need to take it easy for a while. No strenuous activity or long swims for at least a week."

"What?!" Misty’s eyes widened. "No swimming? But I have a performance tomorrow!"

Ash shook his head firmly. "Not happening, Misty. Your health is more important."

"But—"

"Misty," Ash interrupted, his voice unusually serious. "You almost drowned today. You scared me half to death. Please... just listen to the doctor this time."

Misty’s lips parted to argue, but the look in Ash’s eyes stopped her. She sighed and nodded. "Fine. No swimming. But only because you asked."

Ash smiled, relief washing over his face. "Thank you."

The doctor cleared his throat, cutting through the moment. "Alright, Misty, I’m prescribing you a mild inhaler to help with your breathing. Use it as needed, and make sure to rest." He handed Ash a small device. "You’re in charge of reminding her."

Ash smirked and pocketed the inhaler. "Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got this."

Misty groaned, crossing her arms. "Great. Now I’ve got two people bossing me around."

Ash grinned. "Hey, someone’s gotta keep you in check."

As they left the clinic, Ash tightened his grip on Misty’s hand. "Seriously, Misty... don’t scare me like that again."

Misty gave him a soft smile. "I’ll try, Ash. But, you know me... trouble always seems to find us."

Ash laughed lightly, squeezing her hand. "Yeah, but as long as we’re together, we’ll handle it. Just... maybe let me save you next time without making my heart stop?"

Misty chuckled. "No promises, hero."