Some things Never Change: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The crowd in the Pokemon League Stadium was hushed as they watched the Pokemon in the arena in front of them. Their trainers stood in the background, giving out commands.

"This is it, Pikachu! Finish it off with Thundershock!" the trainer on the left said.

"Venasaur! Razorleaf attack!" the trainer on the right said. Lightning and leaves filled the arena, and when the audience could see again, they saw Venasaur lying on the ground, charred and beaten. The crowd roared with enthusiasm and jumped into the arena to congratulate the winner.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, 20-year-old Ash Ketchum from the town of Pallet has done it!" the announcer yelled into his microphone. "Not only has Ash won this year's Pokemon League Tournament using a Pikachu, but he is also the youngest trainer to become a Master!!"

Misty stood at the sidelines, holding Togepi, tears of happiness running down her face. Somehow, deep down, she knew this day would come. "Well, you've finally done it, Mr. Pokemon Master, despite all my doubts about you. I guess you won't want me around anymore, bugging you about a bike." Misty sniffed. "Come on, Togepi, let's start back to Cerulean City."

"Brrriiii!"



Later, after the crowds had dissipated, Ash went looking for Brock and Misty, Pikachu at his heels. He found Brock in the locker room getting his stuff together. "Hey Brock! Have you seen Misty? We have to get back to the hotel room and get ready for the party tonight." Ash said as Pikachu jumped on his shoulder.

"No, I haven't. But her locker was next to mine and it's empty now."

"What?" Ash and Pikachu took a look. "Well, maybe she just went back early to get ready. You know how she takes forever."

"Pika!"

"Maybe," Brock shrugged uncertainly. "But I don't remember seeing her in the arena earlier, either."

Ash and Pikachu looked at each other, before Ash started running. "We're going back to the hotel room!"

"I'll see you there!" Brock called.



Ash opened the hotel room's door with his keycard. "Misty?" he called as they walked in.

"Pika-Pi!" (We're back!)

Misty's backpack sat on her bed. Togepi was under the covers taking a nap. Ash checked the balcony. No Misty. Which meant... "Misty?" Ash knocked on the bathroom door. The bathroom fan was on, so Ash couldn't hear any response, if there was any. He tried the handle and found it unlocked. "Misty?" Ash peeked into the room. Misty was sitting on the toilet seat lid, her face buried between her bent knees. Ash walked in, flicking off the fan as he went. He knelt down beside her and put a hand on her arm. "What's wrong?" He was really worried now. "Please, tell me." Hearing Ash next to her only made Misty cry harder. "Misty! C'mon, is it something *I've* done?"

"Oh Ash, you haven't done anything!" Misty cried as she lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were red, and she looked more upset now than any other time when something was wrong. "I've been such a witch towards you, and I was always complaining when we were traveling. And now you're the Pokemon Master, so I look like a complete fool for after all the times I've taunted you about becoming one. Let's face it, I'm a stuck up brat!"

Ash suddenly had an idea. "Don't go anywhere, ok?" he looked serious, Misty only nodded.

He ran back into the bedroom, and rummaged through his backpack. Pikachu was sitting on the bed, watching the T.V. news, which was mainly about Ash winning the Pokemon League Tournaments. "Pika-Pi?" (What are you doing?)

Gotta do it now, Ash thought, probably won't get another chance after tonight. He pulled something small out of his bag and ran back into the bathroom. Misty was still sitting on the beige toilet, looking miserable. Ash held the item behind his back and knelt down beside her again. "I have something for you!" Ash's eyes betrayed his mirth, but Misty didn't notice, she only wondered what the goofy smile on his face was for. "It's not a bike." Ash said as he held the little black box out for her to take. "But I think you'll like it just as much."

Misty took the box from him uncertainly, and opened the lid. She gasped when she saw a diamond engagement ring inside. Ash was now down on one knee. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly. "Misty, would you please marry me?"

Misty was dazed. "Even after everything I've said to you, every argument we've had...?" she managed to squeak.

"Hey," Ash said, as he pushed back his legendary red and white hat, "I'm used to living with stuck-up brats," he smiled. "Especially a certain one that happens to have red hair and is the the gym leader of Cerulan City."

Misty threw her arms around Ash. "Yes!" she sobbed. "Yes, Ash Ketchum, I will marry you!" Ash pulled away and brushed away her tears with his thumb and then lightly brought his mouth down on hers.

*That* was the moment Brock, Pikachu, and Togepi revealed themselves as spies by sobbing extra loudly.

"That was the most touching proposal I've ever seen!" Brock sobbed, then blew his nose loudly with a white handkerchief.

"Pika-Pi-Pikachu!" (It's about time, guys!) Pikachu wailed loudly. Togepi could only cry with happiness. Misty and Ash looked at their friends and Pokemon, then back at each other and burst into laughter.