After firmly locking my bag into the over head locker I sat back into the rock hard plane chairs and groaned. This is going to be a long flight.

I looked over my shoulder along the isle to the back of the plane. Unfortunately Pikachu had to be stored at the back of the plane for safety reasons. I tried to reason with them, but the workers were convinced that Pikachu would make many passengers uncomfortable.

Turning to face the front I pulled an old photo out of my pocket and unfolded it. I stood in the middle wearing my Kanto League hat, I was standing in my signature pose. Brock was to my right with a Crobat on his head.

I miss him. He was always there to help me out with my Pokémon, or anything else that I was unsure about. I even miss him always following after any girl in site with hearts in his eyes; my favorite part was when Misty pulled him away by his ear. ..Misty... I really wish you were here.

I looked to my right. Sure enough the person sitting next to me was asleep and drooling. Half defeated I put my head in my hands.

“Excuse me young man. Would you mind swapping seats with me?” My head turned to find the source of the voice. Standing in the isle was an elderly lady with kind blue eyes. “That’s my husband, and the man sitting next to me is…odd.” Ignoring the second half I shot out of my seat to the lane and grabbed my bag. I was about to start walking away when I noticed her struggling with her bags.

“Allow me,” I said while pushing her bags into the overhead locker and ensuring it was shut.

“Well, thank you young man. Your mother raised you well.” My thoughts raced over to mum and Mr. Mime.  The same Mr. Mime that took all my chores… On second thoughts I shouldn't really complain.

She did raise me well. Thinking over my time with mum now I felt like a failure of a son. I acted so ungrateful and always did the opposite to what I was told.

I nodded at the elderly lady. “Yes, she did.” With that I took off down the lane looking for a vacant seat. Up the front of the plane I saw spiky brown hair, but no one next to them. Guessing that was my seat I put away my bag and sat down.

“Hello ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for choosing Gyarados Airlines today. Before we take off I would like to go through some safety drills…” My thoughts switched back to Pikachu, sitting in his cage at the back of the plane. I don’t remember seeing any other Pokémon being loaded.

“Sorry buddy,” I mumbled while fastening my cap onto my hair.

After looking around the plane I tried looking out the window. Unfortunately I didn't get the window seat. Giving up on the window I looked at the odd person sitting next to me. “Brock!” Right next to me was the Pokémon Doctor himself. His eyes fixed on the front of the plane.

“I’ll get to them in a minute dad.”I raised an eyebrow at my former travelling companion before following his gaze. Typical Brock, wherever there was a pretty face, Brock would be there.

Smiling I shook him. “C’mon Brock, wake up.”

“Pretty stewardess.” Was all Brock managed to say before going back into his trance. I groaned. He was practically drooling! If the stewardess looked over here right now I’m sure she would be quick to finish her explanation. Very quick.

“A one woman man’s all I wanna be, but there’s two perfect girls for me.” The words rung clearly in my mind. Brock had said that when we were nearing the end of our journey in Jhoto. The two girls just happened to be Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny. I laughed to myself, remembering my response.

“But there’s heaps of Nurse Joy’s and Officer Jenny’s. How will you pick one?” He really didn't like me saying that… Well that’s what his reaction tells me. He started running around dramatically, waving his arms and screaming.

“I can’t stand thinking about the name of the girls I’m gonna lose!” I didn't see the big deal, they all had the same name. That’s Brock for you.

“Thanks again, and we hope you enjoy your flight.” With that the stewardess turned and disappeared behind blue curtains. Unfortunately at the same time Brock jumped up.

“Oh lovely stewardess. You captured the audience’s attention the same way you captured my heart, with your lovely appearance and angelic voice. Please leave this plane with me so we can start a life together. It would make me the happiest man alive.” I shook my head at Brock’s performance. He hasn’t changed a bit.

If Misty were here she would be pulling him along by his ear already. With a smirk I reached up, pinched Brocks ear and started pulling him down.

“Please don’t hurt me Misty!” Brock yelled out, shock evident in his voice. I slightly loosened my grip on his ear, which gave him the chance to turn his head. As soon as the Pokémon Doctor caught site of me he jumped as far as my arm would let him. “Ash! What are you doing here? And could you let go of my ear, please?”

Laughing I released my grip.

Brock sat down and looked at me intently. “How have you been?”

“Good. I think. I was doing well in Unova, but I missed my old friends. So I left, and now I’m here.” I looked over at Brock, hoping he would understand.

“Well it’s about time you got out of the fast lane. Your mum really misses you; Professor Oak wants to hear more about your progress, and Misty… Well she…”

“Well she what?” I gripping Brock’s shoulders I shook him. I had to know what was happening with Misty. I just had to.

“Please fasten your seatbelts. Take off will begin within a few minutes.” Brock turned his attention back to me. I knew what he was thinking. Why is he so desperate to hear about Misty? After travelling with him for so long we know each other really well.

“Misty really needs a friend right now. She’s been fired as a gym leader becau-”

“She’s been what?” I yelled at the top of my lungs. I sunk further into my chair when I noticed weird looks from people sitting around me.

“Misty and Gyrados are simply too strong. There’s no way anyone can earn the Cascade badge, not even other Gym Leaders.” My jaw dropped. Misty? The same Misty that was stalking me until I repaid her for her bike, working to become a Water Pokémon Master was now the most powerful Gym Leader around!

Shock quickly turned to sorrow. Thinking of her standing in Cerulean Gym for the last time with nowhere to go. I looked away from Brock to hide the tears forming under my eyes.
She’s my best friend, going through a really hard time and I can’t do anything until this hunk of flying metal lands in Hoenn. Shaking my head I refocused on what Brock was saying.

“She’s going to be at Cerulean Gym for about another week. After that she’s going to move in with your mum until she can work out what to do next,” Brock pointed out.

“Why didn’t mum or Misty tell me about any of this?” I wondered out loud. I tilted my head to the side and made a list of reasons why I hadn't been told sooner.

“Did you ever cal them?” I shook my head. “You should.”

“Misty’s the reason I’m going back to Kanto. Does that make a difference?” I asked absently.

“Do you miss her?” I nodded. “Do you have feelings for her?” I nodded. After a few seconds I realized what Brock had said.

“Whaaa? Me have feelings for Misty!” I looked over at Brock who was nodding matter-of-factly.

“Well you did nod.” Shocked I opened and closed my mouth, but no words came out. After a few more failed attempts I managed to speak.

“I wasn't really paying attention to what you were saying!” Brock nodded again, I knew he didn't believe me.

“So what-I mean who were you thinking about?” Brock asked while clipping his seat-belt.
I sat back in my chair, defeated. “How long have you known?” Before answering Brock pointed to the seat-belt light. Sighing I did as I was told.

“Ever since I joined you in Hoenn. You never acted the same around May, or Dawn. I know May and Dawn aren’t like Misty, but you were a completely different person around Misty. You acted like she was the single most important person around. Even if you weren't direct about it. I thought that was just you, but after meeting up with you in Hoenn, seeing you around May, I knew.”

I looked at the floor in disbelief. I can’t believe everyone knew it but me. “I was so dense!” I slammed a fist down on the armrest.

“You still are.”

“What do you mean by that?” Annoyance lacing my voice.

“You tried denying it.” Looking at the boys eyes, Brock changed the subject. “And you’re still wearing those contacts your mother gave you.” I pushed the Pokémon doctor toward the window, pausing when I remembered about the contacts.

“Oh right those, I completely forgot about them. I’ll take them out when we get in the air.” As if the plane knew what I said it the plane started moving along the tarmac, getting ready for the long flight ahead.

“Why did your mother buy those anyway?” I rolled my eyes and groaned.

“She brought them with this outfit because she thought they were cute.” I gestured to my white and blue jacket, which I desperately wanted to replace with my old one.

Brock nodded at me before looking out the window.

“Do you know why they call it Gyrados Airlines?” Brock looked back at me and smiled.

“A tribute to Misty.” I laughed, but the laughter was soon changed to tears as I remembered that Gyrados was part of the reason for Misty being fired.

The same way mum used to, Brock placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “If your will is strong enough you two can accomplish anything. I should know. I've seen you two work through so many things together. You have a special connection, one that makes you two unstoppable.”  Brock paused, giving me an opportunity to clear the tears from my eyes.
Seeing I had recomposed myself Brock continued. “I wish I felt that with a girl. You’re very lucky Ash, just like that boy from the Orange Islands said.” I felt anger boil up inside me at the mention of Rudy… I think that was his name.

I jumped when Brock poked my arm. “Earth to Ash, can you hear me. Over.” Laughing lightly I nodded at my friend. “The real reason behind the name is they are experts in flight and landing on water. Since Gyrados is a water flying type it seems to make sense. You seem to be a pro on getting off Earth yourself.” Brock added with a sly smile.

I rolled my eyes at Brock’s last remark. “The name of the airline makes sense.” Brock nodded before reaching for a pillow.

“Anyway I need some sleep. Hardly got any these last few days.” With that Brock turned in his chair into a more comfortable sleeping position.

“Good night, Brock. Thanks for the help” I smiled. At the same time the seat-belt light turned off. Without hesitation I fished the contact case out of my bag and took out my contact lenses. After blinking a couple times my eyes felt normal, and I felt like my old self.

“Come back Nurse Joy!” Brock mumbled before waving his arms through the air.

“I wonder if Misty’s changed or not,” I mumbled before falling asleep.