Cerulean Cove, it was known as 'The' place for romance in Kanto. From nervous first dates to marriage proposals to confessions of unrequited or undying love, it all went on here, and that was something Misty hated.

"Urgh! Another damn lovestruck couple!"

Misty always sought out the 'solitude' of Cerulean Cove because no one rarely visited it, well by no one she usually meant trainers. Aside from Bill, PokéManiac and technological mastermind who had a house near there and was a big hand to budding trainers when it came to helping expand on the pages of their PokéDex, there was little in the way of attraction for trainers. Sure, some low level first evolution pokémon like Sandshrew, Ekans, Ratatta, Pidgey, Oddish, Bellsprout and some water pokemon like Goldeen and Magikarp could be found here, but most people didn't come here for the battling or training despite the grass types being a natural advantage to the water types which Misty, Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym used.

Casting a mixture of envious and enraged eyes at the young couple walking hand in hand along the waterfront, laughing and indulging in what she felt was an overly nauseating display of affection, the ginger sighed. She'd walked that walk they did a few times over the past few years, but now, in her early 20's, she was single and hating the fact every time she got involved with someone it all went wrong for her.

"If they start making out, I'm going to set Staryu onto them to hose them down with a Water Gun!"

Misty's hand brushed against her PokéBalls but she decided against it after sighing rather dejectedly. Seeing the two teenagers happily walking hand in hand one last time, she turned her back on them and walked away from her usual hiding place. Coming out from the small wooded grove which overlooked the cove, Misty turned to her bike. Climbing on it and getting some momentum behind her, the gym leader began the 'quiet' ride back to Cerulean.

"If I get back, hopefully no one wants a battle and I can just relax..."

Sadly, as she drew closer to Cerulean, she noticed a few teenagers milling about near her gym. She was still far enough away to avoid being spotted by them, but she knew if she went in the front way, she'd be challenged and sadly, part of a Gym leader's responsibilities was to take on all challengers whether they felt like it or not.

"Right... I guess I'm going in the back way then..."

Dismounting from her bicycle, she chained it up behind the Gym and walked along to the garage. Since her sister's used the Gym as a base for their touring water ballet and Pokémon shows, they always left the garage open so they could get in and out without getting mobbed. Slipping round the back of their tour bus, the "Azure Dream", Misty got into the building unharassed and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Phew! Thank God that's over... I couldn't bear to face another gym challenge this week... No one has came who has that spark... Like he did..."

Misty's thought's wandered as she looked across the empty gym/performance venue. It didn't take a genius to work out who she was referring to, so much so that right on cue to ruin the moment, Psyduck escaped from its pokéball again and made a bee-line for Misty's PokéGear. Standing there, its hands on its head, the yellow duck which seemed determined not to evolve into the Golduck Misty had longed for so much let out it's ever familiar and mind-numbing cry.

"Psy..."

Misty looked over to the duck. She could feel her cheeks reddening, her fingers were twitching, ready to explode, the one thing which had always been a trademark of her personality, but as she caught sight of the display on the PokéGear, she calmed slightly - 1 message Recieved. Walking towards it, Misty picked up the gear and tapped the screen. Bringing the messages up, the redhead smiled for a moment as she read the name before shaking her head and shutting it down without even reading it.

Psyduck: "..Psy?"

Misty knelt down, bringing herself level with the duck. Rubbing him on the head, she spoken to it softly.

Misty: "Thank you Psyduck... But I'm not in the mood to read it now..."

Psyduck: "..Duck!"

Understanding Misty's concern, the duck which was smarter and more aware than its oblivious apperance and mannerisms let on made its way into the pool. One by one, her other Pokémon - Staryu, Starmie, Seaking, Seadra, Politoed and Togepi started to make their way towards the pool. As the predominantly aquatic creatures began to frolick in the Pool whilst Politoed shot its bubble over Togepi's head, amusing the little egg greatly as it gave chase to them, Misty was oblivious to the person lurking in the Gym's corner.

"So, It's been six years since we last saw each other and you won't even read my messages now?"

Misty stood there frozen on the spot for a moment. She could have sworn she was alone in the gym, but hearing that voice... The same voice which kept her company on their journeys through Kanto and the Orange Islands and some brief excursions into Johto, Hoenn and even Sinnoh made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Her pulse quickened and her stomach started to churn, almost as if there was a swarm of butterfree's in there flying about at random. Slowly turning round, she looked to the darkened corner where the voice came from and weakly uttered a word.

Misty: "...Ash?"

As the man stepped into the light, she couldn't believe it. Her legs trembled for a moment as she swore that her eyes was playing tricks on her. Her heart raced, her breathing quickened. It really was him, it really was Ash. But why was he here? The last she knew, he had been wandering round Kalos and talk was that he was involved with someone... Was he coming back home because he'd been dumped and finished with Kalos so she would be his consolation prize? Her mind jumped from inquisitive to irrational and aggressive in an instant and as Ash got closer, Misty couldn't help it. She knew he had an explanation for why he was lurking in her Gym which was closed for the day, but she wasn't going to let him hear it. Letting her emotions and insecurities get the better of her, Misty gave Ash the welcome he'd never expected.

CRACK!

Misty's left hand flew up from her side and caught Ash flush on the jaw, knocking him off balance and sending him crashing down into the pool.

Misty: "JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ASH KETCHUM?! YOU COME WALTZING IN HERE, HIDE IN MY GYM LIKE A CREEP AFTER ALL THIS TIME? WHAT DID YOU EXPECT ME TO DO? COME RUNNING INTO YOUR ARMS AND TO BURST INTO TEARS AND THEN TAKE MY CLOTHES OFF FOR YOU?"

Ash's head came back up from underneath the surface of the water. His hair was plastered to his face as he paddled towards the edge of the pool.

Misty: "WELL I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU MISTER! THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN... GET OUT OF THE POOL AND OUT OF MY GYM RIGHT THIS MINUTE!"

Ash spluttered, trying to get his breath as he pulled himself up out of the pool and lay there on his stomach. He glanced up at Misty who was using her own signature brand of the move "Rage" and part of him knew this wasn't the best way to catch up with her... But for the sake of old times, he just couldn't help himself. Coughing up some water, Ash pushed himself up to his hands and knees and looked at Misty. Still sporting that 'dorky' smile, he coughed and spoke.

Ash: "I always forgot you were a Southpaw! It's good to see you too Misty!"

Misty was angry beyond the point of rationality, she was ready to run over and hit him again because in that split second, her insecurities had snowballed out of control and what may have been an innocent act and gesture from a childhood friend had spun out of control and picked up more speed than a Golem going full pelt with Rollout down the slopes of Mount Moon, but one noise behind her suddenly brought her to her senses.

"Pika..."

Turning round, Misty looked and saw Pikachu stood there. The yellow thunder mouse, Ash's most trusted companion and seasoned veteran looked up at Misty with its head tilted to one side slightly and one ear twitching ever so slightly. Looking at the gym leader as if to say 'Are you even listening to yourself right now?' Pikachu just watched Misty as she realised just how over the top she had reacted. Turning back round, Misty looked at Ash who had managed to cough up some more water and get to his feet. Slicking his hair back and wiping his forehead, Ash looked at Misty before he started to loosen up his jaw. Misty, realising just how much she'd overreacted quickly ran towards him and put her arms around him. Giving him a hug, she held his soaking wet body close to hers for a few seconds before letting go.

Misty: "I'm sorry Ash... I don't know what came over me..."

Ash: "You've been up at the cove again haven't you?"

Misty sighed. Even though Ash hadn't been back for a few years and they didn't talk as much as they once did, the fact he still remembered how much of a foul mood Cerulean Cove put her in, despite it being one of her most favourite places in Kanto. This little act, remembering one of her quirks made the redhead blush slightly but given how she was still red faced from the anger, Ash couldn't quite tell how the one observation which reminded her just why they were best friends had made her feel slightly weak at the knees and made her stomach feel like the swarm of Butterfree's were now executing mass whirlwind attacks in there. Trying to compose herself, Misty gestured to one of the benches at the side of the pool.

Misty: "That obvious huh?"

Ash just nodded as he now moved to holding his jaw and rubbing at it, trying to get some sensation back in it which wasn't throbbing pain.

Ash: "There are only a few things which make you fly off the handle like that... And I doubt you ran into any bug Pokémon, and you've only just seen me, so it had to be the cove"

Misty sighed.

Misty: "I'm sorry Ash... I... I'm just lost... I mean, I love going there still... But I dunno... It..."

Ash: "It isn't the same anymore?"

Misty nodded.

Misty: "Truth be told... the past two or three years, nothing is the same anymore... Sure, the day to day things are... But it just feels like something is missing all the time and it's making me second guess everything... Usually to results like that"

Ash: "Is that why there was a kid there saying this is the sixth time he's tried to battle this gym's leader but the gym is always shut?"

Misty let her head hang for a moment as she took a deep breath.

Misty: "Yeah... Truth be told... I think I'm having an existential crisis Ash... I'm 23, I've been running this gym for nearly half my life and well.. I.. I just don't know what to do anymore..."

Ash didn't speak, he simply placed his arm around Misty and reassuringly patted her on the shoulder.

Misty: "Thanks Ash..."

Sitting there as Ash reassuringly patted her shoulder, Misty closed her eyes for a second and once again, her mind went into overdrive.

"This is nice... Or am I just feeling that out of guilt for hitting him when he genuinely only came to visit me? Still... This is kinda relaxing... I don't feel angry anymore... Just ashamed..."

As Ash simply left his arm there, he noticed Misty lean in against him and nestle her head against his shoulder. The two sat in silence for a few minutes before Misty suddenly opened her eyes and bolted upright, slightly startling Ash and embarrassing herself even more in front of him.

Misty: "Sorry Ash! I'm So sorry... I must have drifted off..."

Ash: "It's alright Misty... You look worn out... Maybe you need to catch some sleep? Have an early night and tomorrow we'll talk properly?"

Misty: "It is only 4 pm in the afternoon... But I am exhausted..."

Ash: "Don't worry about it... The gym sign says that it is usually shut at 4pm anyways so you've nothing to worry about there... Just get some sleep"

Misty nodded. As she went to walk away, she only got a few feet from Ash before stopping in her tracks.

Misty: "My sisters are away for the week... And since you probably don't have a fresh pair of clothes given how you've probably spent a month or so making it here... You can stay the night... Stick your clothes in the wash... I'm sure I have some swimming shorts and a Cerulean Sister's t-shirt you could borrow til your clothes dry"

Ash let out a nervous chuckle.

Ash: "Thanks Misty!"

As Misty finally left the gym area for the residence area of her gym, Pikachu looked to Ash.

Ash: "I know exactly what you mean buddy... Something's not right here... I'll make a few calls, see if anyone knows what's up with her and maybe then we can all get together to help Misty"

Pikachu: "Pika..Pi!"