" 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's voice rang out clearly, her words carrying across the now-silent crowd. "This boy, Ash Ketchum, is my boyfriend!"

The audience gasped collectively, murmurs spreading through the crowd.

Ash blinked, his face turning an incredible shade of red. "M-Misty! What are you doing?!"

Misty turned back to him with a smirk, though her face was still pale from her ordeal. "What? It's true, isn't it? After what you just did, I think the world deserves to know."

Ash scratched the back of his neck nervously, unable to meet her gaze. "Well, yeah, but announcing it to everyone?"

Misty gave him a playful nudge. "You’re the one who dove in after me like a hero in a movie. What did you think was going to happen?"

Meanwhile, Serena, still holding Pikachu, looked completely flabbergasted. "Wait… boyfriend?"

Pikachu tilted its head and chirped, "Pika?"

Ash glanced at Serena apologetically but said nothing, his attention focused entirely on Misty.

Misty, now sitting up fully with Ash’s help, waved at the stunned crowd again. "Alright, show’s over, everyone! And if you’re wondering, yes, he’s my hero and no, you can’t borrow him!"

The crowd burst into laughter and applause, cheering loudly for the pair. Some even began chanting, "Ash! Ash! Ash!"

The medic, now packing up his equipment, grinned at Ash. "Kid, you’ve got guts. That was one heck of a rescue."

Ash rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Uh, thanks. Just… doing what I had to do."

Misty turned back to Ash, her smile softening. "Thank you, Ash. I mean it. You didn’t just save me—you reminded me why you’ll always be my favorite person."

Ash’s blush deepened, but he managed a small grin. "You’re welcome, Misty. Just… don’t scare me like that again, okay?"

Misty chuckled, leaning her head lightly against his shoulder. "Deal."

As the crowd slowly dispersed, Serena walked over, handing Pikachu back to Ash. Her smile was small but genuine. "I guess I was… a little late to the party, huh?"

Ash looked at her awkwardly. "Uh, Serena, I—"

Serena held up a hand to stop him. "Don’t worry, Ash. I get it. I just hope you both make each other really happy."

Misty gave Serena a nod of appreciation. "Thanks. That means a lot."

As Serena walked away, Misty turned to Ash and whispered, "See? Even she knows we’re meant to be."

Ash rolled his eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "Alright, alright. Let’s just get you to the clinic, Mermaid Queen."

Misty laughed and let him help her up. "Only if my knight in shining armor insists."

Together, they walked away from the pool, hand in hand, with Pikachu following close behind.