The Deep Things That Matter {On Hold}

Fate

"On a scale of 1 to 10" Misty quipped, "how attractive are you?"

"Easy, 10" Ash cheekily grinned, peering over to watch as Misty held the magazine tightly to her chest. Preventing him from seeing even a glimpse of the taliations.

"Alright, 3 it is," Misty declared. Etching the graphite onto the magazine side bar, smirk settling on her face.

"Hey, Hey! I am no three." Ash retaliated, glaring at Misty who was seemingly having a hard time restraining the smug look on her face.

"Yeah, you're right. You're a two."

"Hey! Give me that!" Ash retaliated, yanking the magazine from Misty's grip.

"So... What score did you get?" Misty urged, backing herself into the couch to make herself comfortable.

Ash's face became melancholic as he added up his total score.

"I got a 3%!" Was Ash's scowl as he glared at the magazines rating, as if it was the paper's fault.

"It's alright Ash, not everyone can be a Pokemon Master." Misty's words of empathy only furthered Ash's dampening mood.

"What do looks have to do with Pokemon training anyways?" Ash scoffed, his shoe kicking up at the ground in extension to his frustration.

"Well, it says here that majority of Pokemon Masters have been rated 8 when it comes to appearances. On average, it also says that most would answer A for question 1, and D for question 2, and...."Ash held up his hand before the term could continue.

"Yeah, I get it," Ash drawled, lazily slinking further into the sofa as he hoped the embarrassment would drain from his cheeks.

"Hey, on the bright side," Misty smiled genuinely, pity on her porcelain features, "You aren't a normal person Ash."

"Wow Mist, really know how to make a guy feel special." Ashe remarked coldly. Misty ignored the comment and continued.

"No, seriously Ash. What Pokemon Master can say they have went up against, MewTwo, Latias and Latios, Celebi, or all the other legendary creatures you encountered throughout your quests to save the world as the all mighty chosen one." Ash had to let a slow leer come up at the mention of his seclusive title reserved for only himself and close friends to Know about.

"I think it's fate." Misty declared confidently, Ash only looked on in bewilderment.

"Fate?"

"Yes fate," Misty insisted, "you were destined to be the chosen one and we're destined to save the world. Why can't you be designed to be a Pokemon Master?" Her voice spoke in genuine awe now, memories of reminiscence clouded Misty's head.

"Wow, since when do you compliment me?" Misty huffed at the insinuation of Ash's part, but didn't quite deny the fact that he had some... Redeeming qualities.

"I'm merely pointing out that I think fate is just trying to tell us something different about you." Her voice trailed as she continued to remember the nostalgic adventures the two of them used to embark on. No more time for that though. Ash's training has been spanning longer and her gym had been opening up earlier and earlier.

"Huh, never thought of you as the wishful thinking type Misty" Ash joked, earning a light slap on the wrist from the redhead.

"Excuse me for trying to be nice," Misty steamed, scoffing in indignation as she pointed her nose away, arms folded in defiance.

"Hey, I was just messing with you," Ash tried, gently this time, tugging at one of Misty's elbows to make her release her vice grip, and slowly his efforts worked as the girl slowly began to relax with a sigh.

Then, after a few moments of relative silence, Misty broke it.

"Do you think us meeting was fate?"

Ash did a slight double take, not expecting the question as it caught him off guard.

"What?"

"Well, it's just that," Misty stammered, "what if it wasn't me who fished you out of that river eight years ago? What if it was some other water Pokemon trainer? Were we supposed to meet?....What if we didn't meet..." Her words cut them both deeply. Ash swallowed before he could answer.

"I don't know Mist.... I don't know why we met, or why we're friends... But I do know this," he stared into his bestfriend's eyes with a streak of determination flashing in his eyes.

"I would not be the person I am today, and neither would you. Yeah, maybe we would still have our ambitions and dreams. But, I know I couldn't have gotten this close to my dream without you. Our destinies were bound to cross, it was just a matter of when. Maybe it was fate, or pure luck. But, we are still close and that's how it's always been." Misty felt her heart flutter.

"Guess you really have matured, Mr. Pokemon Master."

"You love this soon-to-be Pokemon Master," Ash countered cockily.

"Yeah right. Just be glad that you are cute. Your IQ needs compensation," Misty caved. Deciding it was best to just let fate run it's course.