" 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 took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly but filled with determination. "This boy right here, Ash Ketchum, is more than just my hero today. He's... my everything. I love him!"

The audience erupted into cheers and applause, though some gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd. Serena, still recovering from her fainting spell, sat up groggily, looking utterly baffled. "Wait... what just happened?"

Ash's face turned as red as a Poké Ball. "M-Misty!" he stammered, scratching the back of his head. "You didn't have to—"

Misty cut him off, placing a finger on his lips. "Ash, it's time everyone knows. I’ve been holding this in for way too long."

Ash blinked at her, still processing her words, but a smile slowly spread across his face. "Misty, I..." He hesitated, glancing at the crowd before taking her hands in his. "I love you too. I always have."

The audience’s cheers grew even louder, and even the medic clapped, nodding in approval. "Well, that’s one way to recover," he muttered.

Misty laughed weakly, still a bit wobbly from her ordeal. "Guess I should almost drown more often."

"Don’t even joke about that," Ash said, tightening his grip on her hands. "You scared me half to death, Misty."

"I’m sorry," she said softly, leaning into him. "But hey, at least something good came out of it."

Ash smiled, his eyes full of warmth. "Yeah, it did." He pulled her into another hug, this time holding her like he never wanted to let go.

Meanwhile, Serena sat on the sidelines, her expression a mix of confusion and resignation. "So... I guess I was never in the running, huh?" she muttered to herself, sighing as Pikachu patted her shoulder sympathetically. "Pika-pika."

The crowd began to disperse, still buzzing about the dramatic rescue and the heartfelt confession. Ash helped Misty to her feet, wrapping an arm around her to steady her. "C’mon, let’s get you checked out. No arguments."

Misty nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "Okay, Ash. But you’re not getting out of this without buying me ice cream later."

Ash chuckled. "Deal."

As they walked away together, Misty smiled, feeling safer and happier than she had in a long time. And for Ash, nothing else mattered but the girl by his side.