Prof. Oak, along with the rest of the scientific group, discussed their investigation in depth.

Brock was also present, as he was very keen on pokemon mysteries.

However, Misty noticed the coldness in Ash's voice, which worried her. "His discussion with his mother must have sadden him…," she thought and unnoticeable she left the tent.

Meanwhile, Ash didn't lose any time in getting undressed and clothing the new outfit Prof. Elm had given to him.

It was made by rubber and looked similar to a water suit but it's covered with asbestos for fire resistance.

The red suit was fitted tight around his body.

It had thick but flexible black plastic patches on the elbows, chest and knee and areas.

There was a long zipper from his neck to his waist.

He wore also ankle- high black boots, which was made the same material as his suit.

Fyrice and Pikachu were in the tent, whilst Ash was getting ready. Both realize the situation must be bad, as Ash hadn't spoken since he had left the main tent.

Pikaa chu? (What's wrong?)

Ash stood quietly in front of the mirror, he either didn't hear Pikachu or just chose to ignored him as his mind was full of his mother's words at that moment.

Pikapi… (Ash…)

Pi?! (Huh?!)

Pikachu turned his gaze at the tent's entrance and to his surprise, Misty entered the tent.

She had a sad expression on her face as she slowly came up behind him.

Eventhough Fyrice saw her come in, Ash hadn't move an inch.

Fyr: Let's go out, Pikachu.

Pika… (okay…)

Said Pikachu jumping from the seat and followed Fyrice outside, leaving Ash and Misty alone.

Ash sighed and turned to face Misty as soon as he left her soft touch on his shoulder.

Mis: The outfit suits you, Ash.

Ash: Thanks, Mist.

Mis: I know you've got to do this, but promise me you'll be

… careful.

Ash: Misty, you know me … I'm always careful.

Mis: True. I know you are…

As she gently pulled the zipper of his outfit upwards.

Mis: Brave… stubborn… not the smartest-

Ash: Hey!

Mis: Hahaha…funny…but most of all…caring.

The zipper ended at the base of his throat and she playfully tweezed the tip of his nose.

Mis: That makes the person I fell in love with.

Ash gazed into her almost tearful blue eyes and saw the worrying within them. He smiled wryly and then slowly hugged her tightly, as she hugged him back, sighing in relief.

Ash: I love you, Mist. I always have and always will love

you…

Mis: Oh, Ash…

She looked into his brown eyes and smiled, as their faces became closer until their lips met.

In the mean time, Delia was thinking about her son's recent words. She realized that since his first day on his pokemon journey, she compared him with his father and sometimes she had forgotten he was a different person.

So she decided to apologize to him for being so foolish.

She was searching for him from tent to tent until she saw Fyrice and Pikachu exit from one of them.

She shyly waved them and flinched at the site of Fyrice, then she quickly bypassed them.

Pikachu sadden at Delia's weird reaction but Fyrice understood the reason, which it didn't bother him.

Upon as reaching the tent and splitting open the door flaps, the sight of Ash, her son, passionately hugging and kissing his redheaded friend, Misty, shocks her.

She quickly went further away from the tent, she thought:

"My boy is in love…I've never thought he had grown so much…" and walked away with a smile on her lips.

Del: My boy has become a man.

She said as a tear of happiness rolled down her cheek.