"So what's going to happen to the golden Rapidash now, Professor?" Brock asked as Mangrove Island disappeared from the horizon.

"When we get back to the mainland, I'm going to use my influence to have Mangrove Island declared a nature preserve. That way, access to the island will be restricted and the Rapidash can live their lives in peace away from humans," Professor Oak replied.

"Wow. That'll be great, Professor Oak."

Professor Oak whirled around in surprise at the sound of Ash's voice. "Ash, I thought I told you to stay down below and rest until we got to Amethyst Beach and had a doctor check you out."

"Yeah, not to mention that we don't want you falling overboard again," Brock said, taking Ash's arm.

Misty came running up. "Sorry, Professor. He got away from me while my back was turned." She seized Ash by the ear in the same manner she usually did with Brock. "Come on, mister. You're going back down below right now. And if you try to get away from me again, I'm going to tie you down to the couch and sit on you to keep you from running around."

"Ow…watch the ear, Misty!" Ash yelped.

"All I have to say is that I'm glad she's doing that to him now and not me," Brock told Professor Oak as they watched Misty drag Ash back down to the hatch.

"And now you're going to stay right there and rest like Professor Oak said," Misty ordered, shoving Ash onto the couch.

"I don't want to rest, Misty. I feel fine," Ash protested, jumping up.

Misty pushed him back down once more. "Get up from there again mister, and I'm gonna have Pikachu Thundershock you." The look on Misty's face told him that she wasn't kidding, either.

Ash looked over at his Pokémon, who was sitting on a nearby chair. "You wouldn't do that to me, would you, Pikachu, old buddy?"

Pikachu growled and sparks began to fly from its cheeks. "Pi-ka-…."

Ash gulped and obediently lay down on the couch.

"See? Pikachu and I know what's best for you," Misty said while she covered Ash with a blanket.

"Aw, I don't want to rest, Misty," Ash protested as Misty propped a pillow under his head. "I feel fine."

"Ash, you nearly died on Mangrove Island," Misty replied, her face serious. "You did die on Mangrove Island."

Ash stared at her in disbelief. "Died?"

Misty nodded. "You stopped breathing and I couldn't hear your heart beating anymore. And that was the scariest thing I've ever experienced in my whole life. And I don't ever want to go through that again, Ash. That's why I want you to lie down here and rest. I don't want anything else bad to happen to you." Misty reached for Ash's hand. "Because I love you, Ash."

Ash's mouth fell open. "You…you do?"

Misty nodded. "Yes. I didn't realize it until I saw you lying there dying in the tent. And I was so sad because I never even had a chance to tell you how much you really meant to me. Until now." She smiled shyly and lifted Ash's palm to her cheek.

"Wow, Mist…I never knew you felt like that. I mean, I really like you too. I like you a lot, I mean. Wait…no, I mean…" Ash started blushing.

"That's okay, Ash. I know what you're trying to say." Misty reached into the pocket of her shorts and handed Ash a crumpled envelope. "Here. This is yours."

Ash immediately recognized what the envelope was. "Hey, how did you…?"

"Professor Oak gave it to me just before you…you know." She shoved the envelope at him. "Here, take it."

Ash shook his head. "No, Misty. It's yours. You need the money for your new bike. And I promise that someday I'll get you the rest of it."

"Ash, the bike's not important anymore. It's not the reason why I went along with you on your Pokémon journey. Maybe it was at first, but now it's not."

Ash was puzzled. "I don't get it, Misty. If the bike's not important to you anymore, then what is?"

Misty smiled. "Let me show you, Ash."

And as Misty kissed him softly on the lips, Ash suddenly realized what really was the most important thing.

THE END