"Izzie!" Ash called as he hurried across Pallet’s town square, cursing his crutch for slowing him down.

"Ash!” a brown haired girl shouted back, making her way towards him.

It had been less than an hour after he had phoned her. The excitement of a reunion (and for Misty and Brock, a meeting) had prevented any delay. And now, their hunger still satiated from breakfast, they were in the middle of Pallet, making the hastily arranged rendezvous.

Wrapping her arms around him, she started, “God, it's so great too see you, Ash. I mean, I've seen you on the TV, but I didn't realise how big you'd gotten. Oh, god, you’re taller than me."

Ash’s cheeks reddened at Izzie’s over-friendly, but not unwelcome, greeting. "I'm not a little kid anymore, you know. I'm sixteen."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's just hard to get the image of that short little kid out of my head."

"You're not that much older than me,” he laughed back. “Don’t call me a kid.”

Izzie reached up and pulled off his baseball cap, ruffling his already messy hair. "Yeah, but I'll always think of you as a baby." She turned to the young woman who stood close to Ash, winking at him.

Ash happily put an arm around Misty’s waist. "Oh, this is Misty, my girlfriend."

"Hi. It's great to meet you, Izumi,” Misty said happily, slightly bowing her head.

“Likewise,” she replied in the same tone. “Oh, and call me Izzie.” Breaking eye contact with the redhead, she leaned over and whispered into Ash’s ear, “Cute. Really cute.”

“Believe me, I know,” he replied quietly, causing Misty to give him a confused glance, unsure what the two were discussing.

Brock concentrated upon the young woman in front of them. She was nothing less than glorious. Her short-cropped hair beautifully framed the soft features of her face, and her sun-kissed skin was emphasised by the ankle-length, white skirt and black fitted top she wore. And her amber irises…he was already lost within them.

Forcing himself not to go into his usual ‘girl-crazy’ mood, he offered his hand to her to shake. “And I’m Brock, Izzie,” he said, a little bit of his excitement betraying his control.

Oh no, Misty thought to herself, recognising that all too familiar glint in her friend’s eyes. I’ve enjoyed months without this. Please not now. Please don’t let him torture this poor girl.

But instead of the instant rejection Misty feared, Izzie accepted his hand. “Hello, Brock,” she said, gazing into his eyes. “Nice to meet you.” The handshake lasted a little longer than normal, causing Ash to smirk and Misty to stare in shock.

The group had spent hours at a small diner, talking about the times Ash and Izzie had spent together as kids, as well as him filled her in on some of the escapades their group had experienced over the last six years.

“...Then he jumped into the river anyway,” Izzie finished, recollecting one of Ash’s past ‘adventures’.

Izzie, Misty and Brock broke into a fit of laughter as Ash turned to look out of the large window next to him, clearly embarrassed.

“Awww. Look. He’s blushing,” Misty jested, pulling on his arm.

He took his attention away from outside and directed it towards Izzie, an awkward grin upon his face. “It’s bad enough my Mum’s always embarrassing me, but now I have you doing the same.”

“Well, it’s fun,” she giggled. Taking a sip from the straw of her drink, she turned towards the young woman at her friend’s side. The girl was comfortably resting her head upon his shoulder. She was focused entirely upon Ash, her vision settled upon his face. Her stare seemed to draw his attention, the couple’s eyes meeting and locking for a long moment.

Izzie studied the two, the emotions they held for one another so evident in the simplest of actions. Even the motion Ash made to push a bang of hair from her forehead shone with devotion. She felt a slight pang within her belly, missing that form of affection, but couldn’t help smiling. She’d never thought her naïve old friend could grow up to be so loving.

“Don’t worry,” she heard Brock whisper next to her. “It’s normal for them to space out like this. They just forget about the existence of the outside world.”
She turned her attention towards the young man, feeling her own cheeks pinken as their eyes momentarily crossed paths. “They are painfully cute, though.”
Misty leaned slightly upwards, placing a quick kiss upon her boyfriend’s lips before noticing the audience they seemed to have. “Sorry.”

“You guys don’t have to apologise,” Izzie laughed before attempting to take a last suck of liquid through her straw, only causing a loud, unpleasant sound. “Damn. Finished.” She began to stand. “Do you guys want some more?” The others all nodded yes. “No problem.” She motioned to Ash. “Could you help me?”

“Sure.”

As the two left the table, Misty quickly swung herself into Izzie’s vacant seat next to Brock. “Hey, what the hell are you doing?”

Puzzled, Brock almost shouted, “What?”

“’What?’ What do you mean ‘what’? We’ve been in Izzie’s company for hours and you still haven’t started drooling over her and I haven’t had to drag you away yet. You’re actually acting like a normal guy.”

“What…” he began, nervously, looking in the opposite direction. “…what’s wrong with that?”

Misty shrugged. “It’s just not…you. This isn’t the way you normally are around girls. You normally try too hard and end up getting shot down.”

“And maybe I decided to change my approach a little. I mean…I know we just met her, but I really think I like this girl and it actually seems like she’s interested in me. I don’t want to screw this chance up. ”

Misty sat back in the PVC-covered seat, a little shocked by her friend. She shook her head, attempting to drive her surprise away. “Okay…but please, I’m begging you…don’t mess it up. She’s Ash’s friend and if you do, it could damage things between them.”

He rolled his eyes. “It would be nice if you could have a little more faith in your old friend here.”

“I’m sorry, Brock. You just haven’t exactly had…a good run of luck when it comes to girls.”

“Tell me about it,” he laughed. “But you don’t have to worry about me, Misty. I won’t screw anything up. Remember…” His tone switched to a slightly patronising one, while he placed an arm over her slender shoulders. “I’m a big boy now. I don’t need little Miss Bossy telling me how to interact with women. I have had a date or two in the past,” he joked, receiving an elbow in the ribs for his efforts.

At the counter, Ash and Izzie had just finished ordering the extra drinks and were now patiently awaiting their arrival.

Ash scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “So…what do you think of Misty?” he nervously inquired, praying for a favourable response.

She smiled. She could feel the worry radiating from him. “I really like her, Ash. She’s great. Smart, witty, caring and undoubtedly beautiful, but I don’t exactly need to tell you that.”

“Definitely not.”

“And from the way she looks at you…she’s absolutely besotted.”

Ash felt his attention fall to the surface in front of them, his grin expanding. “I know. I feel the exact same way about her.”

“How serious are you two?”

“Incredibly serious. We’re gonna spend the rest of our lives together.”

“You sound so sure.”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. I’m madly in love with her, and she’s in love with me, too. I couldn’t have gotten through the last few months without her. She’s a lifesaver…and I mean that literally.”

“Eh?”

He gave his wounded leg a quick glare. “You know about me getting shot?” His smile fell and he felt a lump settle in his throat.

She instantly noticed his reaction. Despite the years they had spent apart, she could always recognise that look of despondency within his features. “Yeah, your mum told me,” she voiced softly.

He closed his eyes, trying to push back the memories that were beginning to flow, giving up when it proved useless. He could see it all as if it was yesterday; the rain pouring down, flooding the tarmac street. The street lights barely illuminating the dark night. The hiss of the bullets as they passed by his ears.

“It was when we, me and Mist, were running from a group of Team Rocket agents. I felt those to bullets rip into my leg and fell hard onto the road. I couldn’t get up again and was losing so much blood I was beginning to lose consciousness.” He hesitated. “I thought I was done for.” The smile re-emerged upon his lips as he turned to look at Misty, laughing as he watched her slap Brock upon the forehead, an expression of pure annoyance decorating her features. What had the poor guy done now to offend her? “But she…she saved me. Didn’t even care about the fact she could have gotten killed too.”

Izzie chuckled. Ash was literally beaming. “God, you haven’t only grown up physically, but you’re a lot more mature now as well.”

“That’s what happens when you’ve been through some of the stuff I have. You’re forced to grow up extra fast.”

“You okay?” she asked sympathetically.

He nodded. “I’ve just got some things I still need to sort out in my head about what happened.”

“If you need to talk about it, you know I’m here.”

“I know. But don’t worry. I’m getting through it. Again, Misty‘s been a saviour when it comes to that kind of stuff. She’s supported me through everything.”

“I think I’m starting to see why you’re so in love with her.”

The two stood for a few moments in silence, until Ash ventured the question he had desired to ask since that morning. “Where were you…when Pallet was attacked?”

“I was in the same resistance holding as your mother,” she replied. “When the rebels came to take her where Team Rocket couldn’t find her, she asked me to come along as well.” She shook her head. “That mother of yours. She’s always thinking about others, never herself. She’s such a saint.”

“I know,” he answered proudly. “How did she hold up there? Was she okay?”

“Again, all she did was help others. She did everything she could to help the resistance cell; cooked, darned clothes, helped tend to the injured. She was always occupied, partially due to her helpful nature, partially…to forget about the danger you were in.” Her words provoked a reaction from Ash, his forlorn expression deepening. Izzie placed a comforting hand upon his. “She never cared about herself, never worried about her own life…but every time we heard news about you or your friends, I could see the panic and relief flow through her. That night, though…when it was announced on the television that you and Misty had been captured and were to be executed…I’ve never seen her like that before.”

Ash nodded. “I was so worried about her as well…scared that maybe Team Rocket would target her because of me.”

She watched his eyes close and shoulders hunch. She didn’t wish to continue this line of discussion. It was affecting him too deeply. “Well, everyone’s okay and it’s all over now. So let’s forget about it.”

“Yeah,” Ash agreed, looking down at his watch. “God, it’s much later than I thought. We told Tracey we’d be at Professor Oak’s lab by two and it’s already after one.” He took a quick glance around the diner, unable to find any evidence of the staff. “If they don’t hurry with our drinks, we’re gonna have to forget about it.”

“God, Ash worried about being late. What next?” she chuckled. “Don’t worry. You have plenty of time and I’m sure you can be a little late.”

“Yeah.” He sighed lightly.

“Ah, by the way…you do know Gary Oak is back home? As far as I heard he got back a week ago.”

“I heard that too,” he grumpily answered.

“Isn’t it going to be awkward up at the lab with the possibility of bumping into him?”

He nodded. “But I’m not going to allow that to prevent me from seeing my friends.”

“Ah, Ash. When is it ever going to end between the two of you?”

“He’s the one who started it. And for a couple of years we were friends again. That all ended when I knocked him out of the League Championships. He just began acting like a bloody asshole again, and I didn’t have anytime for that.”

Just as he finished, the tray of new drinks was finally placed in front of them. Izzie lifted it and cheerfully smiled at Ash, hoping to lighten the mood. “Come on. Let’s get back to your friends. I wanna talk to Brock some more.” She winked.

“So, you like him?”

“Well, he seems like a really nice guy. Really attentive,” she told him as she headed in the direction of their table.

“You have no idea,” he muttered under his breath.

With Misty quickly shifting back to her previous position and both Izzie and Ash regaining their seats, Izzie questioned, “So, Misty. You used to be the Cerulean City gym leader?”

“Yeah, until I got fed up with my sisters and started travelling. Then I met up with these guys,” she stole a glance at both Ash and Brock, “and it’s been an adventure all the way since.”

“Have you taken part in many competitions?”

“A few. I’m Alpha-Omega of the Whirl Islands and I’ve been seriously considering trying to earn a place in the Water League Championship. I just hope I’m good enough.”

“Of course you are,” Ash commented. “You could wipe the floors with the majority of water trainers out there.”

“Hopefully we’ll get to see in a few months when the leagues start up again,” Misty returned.

Izzie turned her attention to Brock once more. “And you’re a Pokemon breeder?”

“Yeah. I used to be a gym leader, too, but I just didn’t have enough passion for battling. That’s how we all met. After Ash ‘beat’ me, I decided to tag along with these two on their journey so I could learn all I could about breeding.”

“I know what you mean,” she agreed. “I love training, but at the moment it’s more of a way to help with the bills. I just have this desire to look after Pokemon, to help raise them so they can grow as healthy as possible. My parents are breeders, so I guess they’ve influenced me a lot. But I haven’t had a lot of time lately to concentrate upon it.”

“Well, perhaps I could help you with your studies. I’ve specialised in breeding since I was fifteen. I even make a selection of foods. Every Pokemon is assured to enjoy at least one of my flavours,” he bragged.

“You must have a real talent.”

“I’d like to think so.”

“I’m gonna have to let my Pokemon try your food then,” she said with a flirtatious grin.

Giving each other a confused look, Ash and Misty shrugged. Taking another survey of his watch, Ash quickly finished the rest of his drink, motioning to Misty to do the same. "Hey, guys. Time’s getting on and we have to call back by my house to collect Pikachu and our other Pokemon before we head up to Professor Oak's place.” He and Misty stood. “Are you guys coming?" Ash asked the two opposite him, already knowing what their answer would be.

"Ah, maybe we'll stay here for a little while. Get to know each other better," Brock said, not taking his eyes from Izzie’s.

Ash gave Misty a wink. "Okay. We'll see you at home, then."

"And I'll see you for dinner on Thursday,” Izzie replied.

"Yeah. My Mum can't wait to see you again. Bye, guys.”

Ash and Misty rushed out of the diner, almost unable to hold back their laughter. “Oh my God,” Misty exclaimed as soon as they got out onto the street. “She actually likes him. Usually within ten seconds of meeting a girl Brock either gets laughed at or slapped. She’s tolerated him for hours.”

“Well, it isn’t unknown for a girl to like Brock back. Remember Williamena, Temaku...and of course...Kiyoko.”

Misty hesitated for a moment, trying to forget the feelings the name roused within her, before answering, “He just better not blow it. Izzie’s a really nice person.”

“So, you like her?” Ash asked, happily.

“Of course. And hopefully she will spell the end of my ear-pulling days,” she joked.

“Let’s hope so, ‘cause that means we can have more time alone together with him occupied,” he whispered, leaning in closer to her, pushing her backwards to lean upon the diner’s brick wall.

“That’s cheeky of you, hoping to unload one of your best friends so that you can spend more time with your girlfriend.”

“Yeah, but there are certain things I can get from you that I can’t from him, like this,” he said, before laying his lips upon hers. “And I’m sure you will benefit from it too.”

“Maybe,” she giggled. “But right now we have somewhere to be.”

“Awww, okay,” he reluctantly agreed.

The group sat in Oak’s lounge, sipping at the tea Tracey had brought them. Luckily the lab had remained pretty much intact over the past few months, but Ash had noticed a reasonable amount of damage to some of the exterior walls, a few of which had crumbled all together. It seemed that almost every building in Pallet had been affected by the occupation, to varying levels. However, several other towns on the same scale hadn’t been as badly damaged.

“I noticed a bit of damage to the outside of the laboratory,” Ash said softly.

"Yeah. Well, we’ve got a good bit to sort out. Luckily we got off without much. The worst damage in Pallet was near the centre of the town. A few buildings will have to be torn down there due to structural instability.”

His guilt peaked again. What if the damage had been worse? What if someone had died? Would it have been his fault? Just as he prepared to speak, Misty seemingly read his mind, saying exactly what he was about to.

“Well, we’ll come up and help out a bit,” she offered. “We’ve volunteered to help with some work in the town, but I’m sure we can spare time to help you guys, too.”

“Thanks.” Tracey paused for a moment, placing his cup upon the table before them and staring down at his hands. "I was back in the Orange Islands visiting my folks when I heard about the take over on the news. And then I heard you guys were heavily involved in it...I couldn't believe it.” He looked up, clenching his fists. “I just wanted to get back here and help you teach them a lesson, but the whole region was locked down, and the islands were preparing in case Team Rocket turned their attentions to us. I just wish I could have helped."

"Trust me, Trace, you're lucky you weren't here,” Ash told his friend. “Those two months were hell. I was glad to know that you were safe."

Tracey smiled, but then lowered his head once again. "I watched every news report about the occupation, but I can only guess at how bad it was for you guys. I'm just glad you all got out okay."

“We were lucky. A lot of good people lost their lives.” Silence descended upon the group for a few moments. Misty, recognising the familiar forlorn look upon Ash’s face, placed her hand on top of his. This slight gesture seemed to instantly calm his woes.