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Misty was smiling as she waved goodbye to her friends. She managed to keep a straight face as she made the trip back home to Kanto.
Only as she walked through the doors of the Cerulean City gym did it all finally come crashing down on her. Her eyes welled up with tears and she hit the wall, sinking down to the floor where she hugged her knees to her chest.
Her shoulders shook and she let out a series of choking gasps as the tears spilled forth, sliding down her cheeks. She'd tried so hard to hold it all in but now that the reality of it was sinking in, it hurt so much.
That little baby Pokémon she had watched hatch from its egg, who had seen her first upon its entrance into the world and smiled, latching onto her as its mother, gone. No longer did she get to carry him in her arms and hear those cute little chirps. Togepi, no, Togetic was now far away in Hoenn.
Had Ash hurt like this when he had to let go of Butterfree? Of Lapras? Or maybe it was worse for her because rather than Togepi's trainer, she had been more like its mother.
Someone was walking toward her. "Misty?"
Misty blinked away the tears, sniffling loudly. Looking up, she saw Daisy standing over her with a concerned expression.
"Oh, Misty. What's wrong?" Daisy knelt down and wrapped her arms around her little sister in a tight hug. "Did something happen in Hoenn? Are you okay?"
Misty couldn't speak with the sobs filling her throat, she just continued to cry into her sister's shoulder.
"There, there. It's okay." Daisy rubbed her back soothingly. When Misty's sobs had subsided, she pulled away, looking at Misty's tearstained face. "Oh, you poor thing." She looked around. "Hm? Where's Togepi?"
Misty cast her gaze downward. "Togepi isn't here anymore. It evolved, and it had to stay in Hoenn to look after a lot of little Togepi. I tried so hard not to cry, but..." She shook her head. "Togepi was like my baby, and now it's gone. How am I supposed to just get over it?"
"Oh no." Daisy pulled Misty into another hug and stroked her hair. "No wonder you're so sad. We loved Togepi too."
When the sisters pulled apart again, Daisy flashed Misty a smile. "You know what, Misty? We'll get your favourite takeout tonight."
"Huh? Really?"
"Mmm." Daisy nodded. "And tomorrow, we'll close the gym, and we'll all have a special day out. I know it won't cheer you up right away, but you deserve this, okay?"
Misty frowned. "I don't know about closing the gym. Couldn't you at least just have Lily or Violet-"
"No buts. And it's just for a day." Daisy winked. "We don't like to see our baby sister sad. Now you just go rest or whatever, and don't worry about a thing, okay?"
How was she not supposed to worry about her sisters doing something as irresponsible as closing the gym just to have a day out? But if it was for her sake, she supposed she couldn't complain. Misty exhaled, her lips forming a wobbly smile. "Okay. Thank you, Daisy."