“Go, Pikachu!”

With that command, Ash’s Pikachu dashed into battle, facing off against their opponent’s large, growling Arcanine. Sparks were crackling from Pikachu’s cheeks as the mouse Pokemon leapt forward.

“Pika!”

“Thunderbolt!”

While Ash and Pikachu were busy battling, Misty and Brock sat on the sidelines, watching the action. The trio were hiking through yet another forest, and were approached by a trainer while they were eating. Ash was never one to turn down a battle, and interrupted the group’s lunch without hesitation.

Misty sat on a log behind Ash, watching him while her Togepi cheered for Pikachu—at least, that’s what she assumed it was doing.

“He’s certainly energetic today, huh?”

Misty jumped a bit in surprise, turning to see Brock looking down at her.

“What happened, Misty? I thought today was gonna be the day.” Brock sat down next to her, watching as Pikachu gave the opposing Arcanine a powerful shock to the face.

“I was going to, Brock, but he … the battle and everything, you know? I can’t interrupt him for something stupid like this.” Misty replied, sulking. Brock smiled, ruffling the redhead’s hair.

“It’s not stupid, Misty. You know better than that.” Brock said. “The day will come eventually.” With that, he went back to cleaning up the plate-covered fold-up table the group had been eating from.

“Yeah … eventually ...” Misty said quietly, looking at the ground.

“Hey Misty, didja see? I won!”

“Pika chu!”

Misty sat up, seeing a very satisfied-looking Ash and Pikachu in front of her, while their opponent and his Arcanine were running off in the opposite direction.

“Oh, yeah, good job, Ash.” Misty replied. She stood, picking up Togepi and holding it in her arms as she walked back towards Brock. “Come on, we should get going, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Ash said. Pikachu climbed up onto his shoulder as he started walking.

Later, the trainers were finally reaching the end of this new forest maze, with sunlight peeking at them through trees.

“All right, now we can go eat!” Ash said, running at full speed. Misty yanked his shirt collar, forcing him to stay in place, still attempting to run. “What’s the matter, Misty? Let me go!”

“Just because we’re out of a forest doesn’t mean that we’re at a town yet. You could go running off into a pit or something.” Misty said.

“Yeah, well what do you know? Come on, let me go!” Ash complained, struggling. Misty glared at him, releasing her grip and somehow dropping Ash to the ground. “What was that for?”

“It was for you being an idiot!” Misty snapped at him. “Now get up and get moving, or we’re gonna leave you behind!”

Ash grumbled in frustration as the three continued onward. Brock walked next to Misty, chuckling quietly. Misty looked at him, yanking on his ear.

“Ow, hey, what did I do?” Brock groaned in pain. Misty released him.

“What’s so funny, huh? He’ll hear you.” Misty whispered.

“It’s just funny how he’s so clueless about this. I mean, we’re together every day, you’re the only girl here, and I’m obviously not interested in—hey, ow!”

“Oh, am I not good enough for you, or something?” Misty glared at him. “Or are you saying that I’m so bland and un-noticeable that the boy in front of me can’t even tell that I’m in love with him?”

“Ow … I mean … I mean how I think you could probably draw him a big sign, and he still wouldn’t understand. In Ash’s mind, if it isn’t Pokemon, it doesn’t compute.”

“What do I do, huh? Dress up as a Jigglypuff and serenade him?” Misty asked. When Brock didn’t answer, she looked over and saw that he was holding back laughter.

She slapped him.

“Oh, shut up.”

That night, the three trainers had found a new campsite, and were settling in. After leaving the “exit,” Ash was devastated to find out that it only led into another forest, leaving the group to sleep, once again, on cold ground. Ash was already fast asleep, with Pikachu curled up on his chest. Brock was preparing food for breakfast tomorrow, and making sure that the fire kept burning--neither boy knew where Misty was, however, and she never told them.

This was Misty’s alone time.