Return (MistyxAsh)

[wolves+horses]

“So, you really think we’re ready?”

“Yes. It’s better than not having a gym running at all. I’ve taught you all you need to know, and helped you train.”

Uncharacteristically, Daisy clasped her hands behind her back shyly. “What if… We’re not good enough?” The Cerulean Sisters all looked a little distressed. Misty was probably the most unnerved out of all of them, but she put on a smile for them.

“You are.” She spoke the words as if she meant them without a doubt in her mind. The three valley girls finally caved in and smiled back.

“Thanks, Misty,” said Daisy whole-heartedly. The redheaded runt’s eyes sparkled as she nodded back.

All four gave their goodbyes, good lucks, and farewells, and she was off.

-~-~-~-

Glowing clouds dotted the rich orange sky by the time the plane landed. Misty tried to contain her anxiety. How long had it been since she’d seen Ash? Since they were 10, which would be three years. Three years too long, she thought.
Before she knew it, the double doors at the front of the airport slid open to reveal an eager group of three waving at her. Her face lit up at the sight of the gang, and she ran over to them as quickly as she could without making herself seem overly excited.

“Hi, everyone!” she exclaimed with a cute little wave.

“Misty!” Ash smiled at her almost as if in awe. “You’re here!”

“Mhm,” she nodded.

“And you’re not wearing your Cerulean Gym outfit…” he noted. He sounded a bit confused, so she tried giving him hints.

“Well, Ash, I don’t really need to wear that now that I’m not the full-time gym leader.”

“What?” he gasped. Concern flashed across his face. “But then…” He wanted to finish, but he was honestly uncertain about what it could mean.

Still naïve as ever, Misty observed.

“Hold on,” voiced Dawn, who was beginning to piece things together. “So… You gave up being a gym leader?”

Brock and Ash looked over at Dawn, trying to subtly hint that what she’d said was a bit rude. At the same time, they also did so because the thought of that being true bothered them.

Before any assumptions could be made, Misty explained further. “No. See, I left my sisters in charge.”

Brock’s stance changed. “Daisy, Lily, Violet…” He went over their names dreamily. With that, Croagunk erupted from its Pokeball and gave him a good poison jab in the side to knock him out of it. He groaned as he slumped to the ground, but quickly regained himself.

Misty looked over at the Pokemon, smirking. “Nice,” she commented.

“Not for me…” he moaned, though no one seemed to be paying attention anymore as he recalled his Pokemon.

“You left those three in charge?” said Ash incredulously. Even he knew how terrible they were at being Gymleaders. “For how long?”

Misty blushed. “Well, I, uh…” You can do it, she told herself. Just pretend he’s not staring at you. “I was hoping I could stay… Longer this time…” she trailed off, hoping her implications were made clear enough.

The messy-haired boy’s eyebrows rose. Well, everyone’s did. “You mean like…?”

“Yeah.” She cut him off, blushing harder.

Everyone looked around at each other for confirmation, then nodded as a group.

“That sounds great!” said Brock kindly.

“Mhmm!” agreed Dawn enthusiastically.

“Alright!” exclaimed Ash, making a fist. “We’ll get to travel together again! I can’t wait!” The two trainers grinned at each other, a silent – perhaps subconscious – understanding flickering between them.

“Welcome to the group!” said Dawn with a smile.

Ash smiled almost sadly at the girl’s comment. Misty had always been a part of the group. With that thought in mind, he decided to correct his most recent traveling companion. “Welcome home.”