Memories of the Past
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12 YEARS AGO/ LATE AUG
(Cerulean City)

Nineteen year old Misty giggled as she hugged her sisters again for the fifth time in the last ten minutes.

She let go of them as she got her luggage and said laughing, "You guys, I'm only going to be gone for eight months."

"That's like more than half a year little sis!"

Misty rolled her eyes. She blew them a last kiss before she ran up the deck and into the ship before they changed their minds of letting her go.

Misty placed her luggage down before she waved at them from up the ship.

Three figures waved back and before she knew it the ship took off, making the figures smaller and smaller by the minute before they vanished.
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"Stupid room key!" Misty cursed as she tried opening her door.

"Need a hand?"

Misty turn around immediately at the sound the voice and found one of her dearest friends looking at her with a smirk.

"BROCK!"

Brock smiled saying, "Well well, if it isn't the famous Misty Waterflower. What are you doing here?"

Misty smiled before saying, "Well it so happens my job offered me to work out of region for a few months. In the Unova region!"

"Wow." Brock said surprised unlocking her room door. "That's amazing Misty. Wait, did you say the Unova region?" 

Misty nodded while she brought her luggage inside the room.

Brock laughed as he replied, "It's such a small world. My friends and I are also staying in the Unova region for a few months!"

Misty laughed.

"How about you join us for dinner?"

"Oh I couldn't Brock. I don't want to disturb you and your friend."

"Nonsense."

Misty bit her lip unsure but in the end she agreed to sit with them during dinner.

Brock laughed before saying, "Either way you were bound to sit with us during dinner. We're assigned table by our room number and it just so happens..."

Brock then walked out of Misty's room and pointed at the room number next to her with a big grin.

"We're roomates!" Brock announced haplily.

"Oh my Jigglypuff!" Misty groaned as she laughed.
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Misty breathed in the fresh air as she leaned on the ship's railing and admired the beautiful ocean.

She admired the sunset before she was interrupted by a voice.

"PIKACHU! PIKACHU LET GO OF THE DAMN KETCHUP FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!"

"CHU!"

Misty then saw a young man, around her age running after a Pokèmon Pikachu who was running while holding a bottle of ketchup.

Misty laughed silently as she saw the boy running away after his Pikachu.
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Misty walked into the dinning room looking for her friend. She wore a simple blue jacket with black jeans as it was very chilly outside.

Brock then waved at her from across the room. The table he was sitting in was next to a open balcony. There ocupaing the balcony was a simple Mariachi band playing a slow calm Spanish melody.

Misty beamed at her friend as she walked towards the table and took a seat between Brock and an empty chair.

"Hey Brock!"

Brock smiled at her before he looked to the person sitting on his left. Besides him was a young handsome boy with brown messy yet spiky hair. He had a firm look on his face but his eyes were filled with amusement.

He was handsome indeed.

"Gary I'd like to introduce you to Misty Waterflower. A really close friend of mine."

Gary smiled as he offered his hand to Misty while saying, "It's an honor to meet such a beautiful young lady."

Misty blushed slightly as she shook his hand. She wasn't used to boys talking to her as she was mostly inside the Waterflower Gym.

"It's nice to meet you too Gary.."

"Gary Oak."

"Holy shoot! Are you the grandson of Professor Oak?!"

Gary smirked as he replied, "The one and only."

He then made a dramatic face as he placed a arm above his face and said, "Being born in a famous family is a sin! It's always the same punishment for me!"

Brock rolled his eyes as Misty raised an eyebrow in amusement.

Gary then mimicked some girl voice as he continued, oblivious from his friends faces, "Oh Gary take a picture with me! Oh Gary please sign this! Oh, your autograph Gary! Gary please come to the annual dance! Gary, Gary!"

Gary then sighed dramatically as he said, "Once you become famous, you are a slave to fame!"

Before Misty could reply to him a voice interupted her.

"Like who'd want a picture with your face!"

Misty turned to where the voice came from and widen her eyes.

It was the same young man from earlier who was chasing his Pikachu. This time Misty could see his face clearly.

He had pitch black hair and chococlate brown eyes. He wasn't bad looking nor handsome. He was alright. He had warm tan skin and was just a few inches taller than her. However what made her weak to the knees was his smile.

It was a his sweet sincere and joyful smile. His eyes sparkled in joy as he looked at the table.

The boy then pulled the empty chair besides Misty and sat on it as he sighed in relaxation.

"Pikachu didn't let go of the ketchup huh?"

"Yeah. Why do you think he isn't here. He preferred staying in the room with the ketchup instead of coming here with me. Some loyal friend he is."

Gary laughed while Brock groaned.

The boy widen his eyes at the young woman sitting next to him.

"Oh shoot. I am so sorry. I didn't- um"

"Oh Ash, I would like you to meet my friend Misty Waterflower."

Misty smiled softly as she offered her hand to him.

"Nice to meet you Ash."

"Uh.." Ash replied as he stared at her face.

Brock kicked Ash under the table.

"OH! Um.. the pleasures all mine Misty. Ash Ketchum, Division One Champion and future Pokèmon Master!"

Misty raised an eyebrow in amuesment.

This boy sure has determination she thought as she shook his hand.

Gary snorted at the last comment while Brock rolled his eyes.

"May I ask how you and Brock met?"

"Well Brock and I met a few years ago in the annual Gym Leaders Convention."

"Wait you're a Gym Leader?"

"Yes sir. I am one of the Cerulean City Gym Leaders."

"Cerulean City, huh?" Ash said smirking at Misty. "I unequivocally don't remember meeting you."

Misty looked at him amused as she asked "You've been to the gym?"

Ash nodded.

"Went to get the Cascade badge. It just so happens the leader gave me the badge cause I was just so damn cute."

Misty snorted.

"Or maybe out of pity cause you have a pretty pathetic face Ketchum!" Gary said laughing as Brock glared at him.

Ash glared at Gary while replying, "Oh you want to go Oak?!"

"You bet Ket-"

"Your dinner is served ladies and gentlemen."

Both Ash and Gary completely forgot of their bickering as they awed their food with watery mouths.

They began eating and carried on like nothing ever happen. Like if not even a minute ago they were going to fight eachother to the death.

"Boys." Misty thought mentally as she rolled her eyes and began to eat her dinner.
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ST. ANNE (6:00AM)

Misty smiled at the calm ocean waves from above the deck. The sun was beginning to come out and being the early bird she was she wanted to see it.

Ash then appeared besides her as he yawned.

"Morning Misty. I didn't expect you as the morning person. I thought you would've slept in." Ash said jokingly.

Misty looked at him as she replied, "I'm not one to sleep in. I like to make the most of my day."

"Hmm."

"So how's life Ash?"

Ash looked taken back at her question as he looked at her with wide eyes.

"You want to know how my life is going?" Ash repeated in surprise.

Misty returned a smile to him as she nodded her head.

Ash felt a weird sensation in his stomach when Misty looked at him and gave him all her attention. It as like if nothing mattered to her, just him. She wanted to know how he was doing. Rarely people asked that about him. Only Brock, his mom, and sometimes Gary but no one else.

Ash never received this attention or interest from anyone before. He looked at Misty and with a sweet smile he replied, "Life is going pretty great so far. I am still fresh off my victory in the Sinnoh region so I'm still not used to the fame of being a Champion and all."

"Hmm I see. So I assume you travel with Brock and Gary."

"Yeah, since I was ten years old."

"Woah, you're very indepent. Always travelling region to region."

Ash nodded.

"I wonder how your girlfriend copes with your absence."

Ash shook his head as he replied, now staring into the ocean.

"Don't have a girlfriend."

"Oh that's shocking." Misty said, somewhat sarcastically.

"Hmm, never got into dating. Pokèmons always took my priority and time so girls were never something I looked twice at."

Misty laughed silently at that.

"You have a boyfriend?"

"No. I never looked into it. Besides I have my Psyduck pokèmon to protect me."

"Would you ever date?"

Misty hummed.

"Yes, but when the time is right. However I wouldn't date a traveller."

"Why?" Ash asked raising an eyebrow.

"They're never in one place. Always traveling region to region."

Ash stood quiet as Misty stared at the ocean sadly.

"I would always be worried about their safety. In any moment they could be taken away from me. I wouldn't know what to do."

Misty then laughed sadly.

"Why am I opening up to you? I just barely met you? Wait- how did we get into this conversation to begin with?"

Ash smiled painfully at her. Maybe that's how his mother felt when he would be off for so long. Always worrying about his safety...

Ash then decided to change the topic with a happy cheery voice.

"Dream place to visit?"

"Orange Islands."

Ash laughed at that.

"Hey it's my turn! Only child?"

"Yeah."

"So..Mama's boy?"

"Total Mama's boy. How about you? Only child?"

"No. Three older sisters."

"What made you take this ship to Unova?"

Misty winced before she replied, "I actually have a little bit of fear on air so being on water is much better for me."

"I'm actually nervous about flying too!"

"Hmm maybe we're not that different after all." Misty said as she gave him a sweet smile.

"Maybe not." Ash said as he returned her a smile.
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For the next few days, Misty and Ash were seen together for the majority of the time. They ate breakfast together in the very early morning, took long walks on the ship, watched the ocean over the deck, swam together in the pool area and so on. 

Misty began to enjoy her time with Ash. He was very sweet and understanding yet he had a great amount of determination. He also seemed a little nervous when he talked to Misty, like if someone listening to him was new to him.

She discovered why he seemed a little reserved on his feelings. One night as they watched the calm ocean waves Ash had confess to her that since childhood he had been bullied. He never recieved the attention Misty gave to him.

Misty didn't say anything that night. She just gently squeezed his shoulder letting him know she was there to listen to him.

Yet alas the St. Anne came to end. It was evening and the sun was begining to set down when the ship arrived at Unova.

All four of them were now standing by the wharf and saying their goodbyes.

Misty was a little heartbroken when she was saying her goodbye to Ash but he seemed to be lost in thought.

He just stared at the ground sadly.

With their goodbyes being set Misty, with her luggage, got inside the shuttle and off she went.

As she looked out her window and waved at the three young men, she smiled sadly at the scene of Ash looking down at the ground while Pikachu waved at her with a sad face.

Not even in her departure did Ash look at her once.
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One Week and a Half Later/SEP
(Unova, Mountains)

"Oh Misty I just don't know what to do!" May said squealing at the bouquet of roses placed on her desk.

Misty just laughed at the sight of May being hopelessly in love with Drew. She continued typing into her laptop her studies on the Staryu Pokèmon.

She then heard in the background May counting the roses petals mumbling rubbish like, "He loves me? He loves me not."

After finishing her task Misty then looked out her desk window and smiled at the view.

Although the view was mostly green mountains filled with jungle vegetation, if she squinted her eyes she could see just a bit of the ocean waves.

"MISTY WATERFLOWER. DOES A MISTY WATERFLOWER WORK HERE?"

May and Misty looked at each other with a puzzled face. They both stood up quickly from their seats and ran down to the court yard.

"Did you guys also hear that yelling?" a fellow co-worker named Iris asked as she ran besides them.

May nodded furiously.

"Oh Misty. What did you do now?" Drew joked as he suddenly appeared besides May.

"I did no such th-"

"MISTY!"

"Ash?" Misty said out of breathe as she widen her eyes.

There in all glory stood Ash with Pikachu on his shoulder with a huge grin on his face.

"Well if it isn't Ash Ketchum!" Samson Oak said walking up happily to Ash.

"Professor great to see you!" Ash said grinning.

"Boss you know him?" Clemont, another fellow co-worker asked in shock.

"Yes. He's one of my cousin's closets students/friends. Ash I'd like you to meet my team."

Ash smiled at them as he bowed his head politely.

"Hello."

"So what brings you here to crash the Unova Lab?"

Ash then looked at Misty with an amused smile as he replied, "I just dropped by to challenge Miss Waterflower."

May widen her eyes as she gaspsed at Misty.

Misty just stared at him like if he suddenly just grew another head.

"Get some!" May whispered teasingly at Misty.

Misty just glared at her.
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"Ash what are you doing here?"

Ash looked at Misty as he looked at her and replied sincerely, "Ever since meeting on St. Anne I have had this- I mean."

Ash just sighed defeatedly. He then looked at Misty and said, "I just can't seem to get you off my mind. I have tried forcing myself but I can't. I- I just needed to come back to you so I can live in peace knowing at least I tried."

"Tried what?"

"Asking you out on a date." Ash finally confessed as he looked at Misty in the eye.

Misty's heart fluttered at that moment. Her focus was all on Ash. At that moment she noticed how Ash's face was covered in a little bit of dirt and dust, probably from running up the mountain to the lab, but Misty swore he never looked more handsome. He had a firm serious look on his face and his eyes burned with determination.

Misty then smirked as she replied, "And if I refuse?"

Ash laughed as he looked back at her while he replied, "I figured you would threaten me with that. That's why I want a match with you. If I win you and I go on a date tonight. If I loose.."

Misty just looked at him as he said with a hard look.

"I swear I'll leave you alone and walk out of your life forever."

"Fine by me."

"One on one battle. Choose your Pokèmon!"

Misty smirked at Ash as she got out her pokèball.

"Ready when you are Ketchum."
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"Um..sorry about your match Misty." May apologized at a depressed Misty.

Misty groaned sadly as she looked at her Psyduck pokèmon with a gloomy face.

She then turned to see Ash with gloomy face as well as he looked down at the ground.

Although both of them were tied during their match, during the ending a mini earthquake had occured making some of the patio's trees fall down and have the ground's surface crack.

This resulted in preventing Ash and Misty to continue on their match.

Both Misty and Ash were depressed at neither of them winning the match.

Ash then smiled sadly at Misty as he said, "Well I guess I don't qualify to take you out on that date..."

Misty smiled sadly but replied with a hopeful smile, "No.. but we can go eat dinner as friends?"

Ash smiled at that as he nodded.

Who knew that it would take only one dinner for their love to blossom.

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SEVEN MONTHS LATER/ST. ANNE/APRIL (Evening)

As the group of friends laughed at the dad jokes Brock was saying one seemed to not being joining in the fun. Particulary that was Ash as he seemed to be very worried over something.

He had his eyes on his beautiful, seven month long girlfriend, Misty. She was sitting besides him gently holding his hand. His other hand was in his pocket holding a little royal blue box.

She then sensed his tense and gave him a gentle squeze as a sign of comfort.

Ash sighed as he squezed her hand back and flashed her a smile.
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After dinner both Misty and Ash decided to take a stroll on the ship admiring the beautiful night scereny.

As Misty gazed sadly at the moon Ash cleared his throat before he began.

"Misty there's something really important I want to talk about with you."

Misty smiled sadly.

"I know what it is."

"What? How-?"

"We both know our relationship won't last after we get off this ship. Long distance relationship isn't my thing Ash. I told you already. You and I have different purposes in life."

Misty just stared sadly at the sea as she finished talking while Ash just looked at her with sad eyes.

Finally he spoke.

"Marry me." Ash said firmly as he looked at Misty.

"I- what?" Misty gasped as she covered her mouth and looked at Ash.

"Marry me Misty. I love you. I know we're just nineteen years old but we'll be twenty soon this year and age is just a number. Misty..these past seven months being with you in Unova have meant so much to me. I realized that I loved you and I'm not letting what we have end right here."

"But Ash.. where would we live? How about the wedding? What about your mom?"

"Misty she pratically called you her daughter in law the other day."

"Gosh Ash we aren't filthy rich you know..how would we afford the-"

"Let's get married tomorrow."

"What?"

"A ship's captain can do anything at sea. May or Iris can lend you one of their dresses. And then we can have a mini ceremony. I love you with all that I've got and the wedding doesn't have to be gran. As long as you're there nothing else ma-"

"Yes."

"What?"

"I do." Misty said finally as she bursted out in tears and hugged Ash.

Ash burried his head on Misty's collarbone and tighten his hold on Misty's waist as he swung her around in circles.

They both cried in tears of joy that night. Misty almost felt like bursting in happiness when Ash placed a simple silver band on Misty's wedding finger.

Misty smiled at the ring while Ash rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed.

"I'm sorry its nothing big. I'm nothing big right now but I swear to you when I become big I'll give you the world."

"Oh Ash." Misty replied weeping as she cupped his face and stared into his eyes.

"You don't need to give me anything. This ring is nothing more than just a symbol of our love. Having you and loving you is all I need than all the riches in the world. I love you for who you are. Not for what you are. I love you Ash Ketchum."

At that moment Ash knew this woman before him was the one who would forever own his heart for eternity. She didn't love him for being a champion, having a bit of fame, or the amount of little money he possessed.

She loves him for him. What more could a man ask for. Ash just looked at Misty and cupped one of her cheeks as he kissed her sweetly, showing in that kiss just how much she meant to him.
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PRESENT DAY/Pallet Town (Night)

Hamako looked back at the Ketchum Ranch with a sad face as he got inside the car. Jessie who was sitting next to him frowned at how depressed the child looked while he got inside the car. Hamako was holding Pikachu in his arms as he looked out his car window and looked at how the Ketchum Ranch slowly disappeared from his view.

Ash who had been studying him from his passenger seat frowned at the face Hamako had. "Shouldn't he be happy about getting a mom?" Ash thought sadly. Jessie caught his eyes and gave a cold glare at him before she gave a side hug to Hamako.

Ash felt his heart shatter at how even Pikachu was giving him the cold shoulder after their night talk the other day.

Hamako could only stare at the passing trees and vines as he got lost in his thoughts.
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Cerulean City (Late Noon) 

"Misty the..helicopter is here?" Lily announced as she walked inside the family room.

Misty nodded.

She heard her sisters whisper with disappointment at how the League sent a helicopter instead of the jet.

She then walked towards the door and lifted up her luggage she parked there last night.

"Satoshi! We have to leave!" Misty called.

Satoshi came running with his luggage in hand. James then appeared behind him as he slowly fixed his lavender hair.

"I'm here!" Satoshi announced as he smiled at Misty.

Misty then looked at James with widen eyes as he's wearing a badass black leather jacket with shades. James then smirks at Misty as he says, "It looks good right?"

Misty nodded with wide eyes as she just stared at James in shock.

"Bloody hell how are you still single?" Misty blurted out.

Her three sisters bursted out laughing while James just winked at her and got their luggages and walked outside to the helicopter.

Misty hugged her sisters goodbye while she muttered, "Wish me luck.... seriously...I'm not ready for this."

She then walked out the door with a worried face. Lastly, it was Satoshi's turn. He threw his arms around all his three aunts.

"Bye, Aunt Daisy, Aunt Violet, and Aunt Lily!"

All three of them cooed at him as they kissed him. "Bye, Satoshi. We love you so much!"

"You're coming to Pallet Town for my birthday, right?"

"We wouldn't miss it for the world Satoshi!" Daisy said smiling at him.

Satoshi then rises up on his tiptoes and kisses all of them good-bye.

As Satoshi runs off Violet yells,"Say hello to your dad for us!"

"I will!" Satoshi yelled back as he waved at them before he closed the door.
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When Misty walked out of her house door she was shocked at who was standing outside waiting for her.

There standing besides the helicopter was none other than Prince Rudy from Trovita Island.

Misty gasped as she hugged her friend and asked, "What on earth are you doing here Rudy?"

Rudy laughed lightly as he replied, "As soon as I heard that the famous Water Pokèmon Master was attending the Galla I knew I had to see it before my own eyes if it was true or not."

Misty laughed nervously.

"Well here I am."

"You are attending my coronation this August are you?"

"Wouldn't miss it Rudy!" Misty laughed as she slightly punched his arms.

"You better not or else..oh I'm just messing with you." Rudy said smiling.

Satoshi then appeared before Misty with a raised eyebrow as he asked, "Who's this guy Mom?"

"Satoshi this is Rudy, he is one of my really good friends."

"Nice to meet you Satoshi. My name is Prince Rudy from Trovita Island but you can just call me Rudy. Your mom is a very close friend of mine. That makes us friends too!"

Satoshi smiled at him.

"Come along now. We ought to get to the Galla." Rudy said as he helped Satohsi up inside the big black shiny helicopter.

After helping Misty on board Rudy smiled at Satoshi as he said, "You know you look extremely fimiliar to me. It's like you're a recarnation of someone. Hmm..who could it be."

Satoshi just shrugged, pretending he didn't know who he was comparing him to.

He then looked out his helicopter window and admired the beautiful scereny of Cerulean City and it's ocean.

In his hands he was holding his offical Pokèmon League cap with his initials engraved in it.

Rudy read it and at that moment he knew.

"You're one lucky guy Ketchum." Rudy muttered quietly as he saw how Misty hugged Satoshi by his side and admired the view with him.