-Part One-

In the darkness of the night, alarm bells rang and disrupted the quiet city of Monosola. Windows lit up as sleepers arose to peer out to try and see what was going on.

Down a small, dark alleyway ran a silent figure, a pokémon by their side. The pokémon's sparkling eyes glanced around as the pair slipped from one alleyway to the next, engulfed by shadows.

The light from an overhead lamppost shone down on the trainer as they sprinted past. Clad in black the person was almost impossible to see in the darkness. Their pants, top, gloves and jacket were pitch black to match the surrounding shadows. The only visible colour was their skin and a pair of deep brown eyes staring out from underneath a mask.

The pokémon stayed more to the shadows but sometimes some yellow could be seen along with a little red as they neared a patch of light.

Police sirens blared behind them and just as the squad cars rounded the corner, the two hid behind a dumpster and fell silent. They stayed there for fifteen minutes or so before they dared to utter a word.

The person slid down and let out a deep sigh. "Well, we did it again boy. Nice work," the voice said. It was the voice of a teenage boy, around the age of fifteen or so.

The pokémon remained silent and sat beside his trainer and closed his eyes as his trainer scratched behind his ear, just where he liked it.

"Let's get going and sell these before the cops come back," muttered the teen as he produced a velvet pouch from his jacket pocket. He opened it and grinned at the sight of all those rare, solid gold pokémon coins. "We should get a nice amount for these right?" He looked to his pokémon, which nodded happily in return. "Then let's be off."

They collected themselves and, after checking that the coast was clear, ran from their hiding spot towards the local 'Black Market' to sell their catch.

* * *

"YES! I'VE WON! I'M FINALLY A POKÉMON MASTER!" The cries of a fifteen-year-old teen rang over the battlefield. The boy ran forward and scooped up his tired Pikachu from the field and hugged him tight. "Thanks Pikachu!"

"PikaPi," the pokémon mumbled weakly, smiling.

His opponent, Gary Oak, returned his Arcanine and left the stadium in silence.

"Ash!"

Ash Ketchum turned around to see his dream girl, Misty Waterflower, running toward him. A grin spread across his face. He'd met this girl five years ago when he was just after turning ten and getting his pokémon licence. The redheaded, hot-tempered girl had been one reason why Ash had worked so hard to achieve his title. "Misty!"

Suddenly Ash was swarmed with reporters. Cameras were flashing everywhere and Ash's vision was starting to go blurry, and he felt dizzy.

"Ash Ketchum, what are you going to do now that you're the Greatest Pokémon Master of all time?"

"Can I have your autograph?"

"What's your secret?"

"Can I have your autograph?"

"How long have you been chasing your dream?"

"Can I have your autograph?!"

Ash's eyes darted around and he stuttered. "Emm... well..." Someone grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the crowds towards the locker room where it was quiet.

Ash sighed deeply as the metal doors of the room slammed shut and muffled the crowds outside. "Thanks for that." He turned around and looked into the faces of his two best friends. Misty and then there was Brock Slate. He was older then Ash, eighteen now, and had helped him through thick and thin during his journey.

"Way to go Ash," Brock said as he slapped Ash on the back.

Ash got slightly winded and coughed at the strength of the slap. Brock laughed and apologised. "It's okay Brock, you don't know your own strength," Ash laughed and looked at Misty. She was grinning proudly at him, which made Ash's heart skip a few beats.

"I never thought I'd see the day. Ash Ketchum, Pokémon Master." She shook her head in slight disbelief.

"Didn't you think I could do it?" Ash asked with a slightly hurt expression.

"Of course I thought you could do it, I just can't believe that you did!"

Ash smiled. "Thanks Mist. That means a lot coming from you."

"Well just don't let it go to your head," Misty pointed out to him and crossed her arms.

Brock grinned at the two and went towards Ash. "I'll take Pikachu to the Pokémon Center, Ash," he offered.

"But Brock, I can do it myself."

"Yeah, but Pikachu and your other pokémon need to get to the center right away and you can't go anywhere without those reporters on your tail."

"Ohh yeah. Thanks Brock." Ash looked down at Pikachu. "I'll come and see you guys as soon as I can okay?"

"Chu," Pikachu replied with a smile.

Ash handed Pikachu and his other pokémon to Brock.

"Alright, I'll talk to you guys later," Brock called over his shoulder as he snuck out of the locker room, through the back door.

Ash flopped down on a bench and sighed heavily with relief. He lay down on the bench and took his cap off, dropping it on the floor.

Misty shuffled on the spot, her eyes wandering around the room. This didn't go unnoticed.

"Misty you alright? You look like you've got something on your mind." Ash pushed himself up and sat looking at her.

"Well, actually I do. I need to tell you something really important Ash." Her voice was shaking, like she was nervous.

Ash patted the bench next to him and she sat down. "What's up?" he asked.

"Well, Ash, I've known you for five years now and I've always, well, liked you." Misty twisted the ends of her blue t-shirt in her hands.

"I like you too Misty, I always have."

"Well, the thing is, I don't like you anymore. In fact, I love you Ash Ketchum." She looked up, her aqua eyes locking with his deep brown ones.

Ash smiled and took her hands in his. "I love you too Misty," he said gently as their faces neared each other. Closer and closer they got until Ash could feel her breath on his face. His heart was beating fast and they were just about to kiss when...

"EW ASH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

* * *

"Wha?" Ash's eyes shot open and he was face to face with Misty in the middle of their small campsite. He had one arm holding her chest firmly and one of his legs was halfway over her stomach. He took one look at Misty's expression and jumped up. "Whoa, hey Misty I'm sorry!"

"You perv!" she yelled at him and sat up, pulling her sleeping bag across herself. "How many times to I have to tell you? Keep your hands and legs to yourself!"

"Really Misty, I was dreaming! I didn't know that I was... you know." He motioned with his hands towards her.

"Feeling me? Really Ash, that's one lame excuse! You've used it before." Misty quickly stood up and gathered her sleeping bag. "Remind me not to sleep near you again," she grumbled and walked to the other side of the camp.

Ash sighed and lay down. 'A dream? Why is it always a dream?' he thought. This wasn't the first time he'd dreamt about Misty and woken up in an embarrassing situation. 'Why me? Like I need this after the night I've had.' He yawned, closed his eyes and soon drifted off into sleep again.

* * *

"Ash? Hey ASH!"

"What now?" Ash grumbled as he sat up, wiping sleep from his eyes.

"It's late. You getting up or what?" Brock asked.

Ash looked around the campsite. Everything had already been packed up, except for Ash's stuff. "Alright, I'm up," he groaned as he got up and started packing.

"Ash you're always so tired lately. You feeling aright? You're not sick or anything?" Brock pulled his backpack on and turned to Ash.

"No I'm not sick."

"HA! That's your opinion," Misty called over to them.

Ash glared in her direction and turned away. 'What does she know?'

* * *

"Hey guys, not long now and we'll be in Monosola city," declared Brock while looking at his map.

"Brock, you always say that and we don't get there for another hour!" Misty complained and sighed. The Togepi in her arms yawned and wiped its eyes. "Alright sweetie, time to go back into your ball." Misty took out a pokéball and returned the small egg pokémon, then clipped the ball back onto her belt.

"But I'm sure of it this time," Brock looked back at her and smiled. "Trust me."

"Brock, we'd be better off following a blind Slowpoke. Monosola city is this way," Ash told him while pointing in the opposite direction that they were heading.

"And how would you know?" Misty snapped and turned her back to him.

Ash grumbled. Misty was always like this after the incidents. 'Another five-star meal will sort this out,' he thought.

"I just know, alright? You can go that way if you want but while you'll be still searching for the city, I'll be sitting in the Pokémon Center having a delicious meal," Ash snapped back.

Pikachu looked up at his trainer and shook his head. 'Here they go again,' thought Pikachu and he sighed.

"Ohh, 'you just know'. Well that's reassuring!" Misty spun around and glared at him.

"Fine. Go that way then. Come on Pikachu." Ash turned on his heels and started in the direction he wanted to go with Pikachu in his wake.

Brock walked over to Misty. "Come on, let's follow him. Maybe he does know the way."

"He couldn't find a clown in a circus, even if it came over and slapped him in the face," she mumbled. The two of them followed behind Ash. "I just hope you're right Ketchum! For your sake!"

"I am! We'll be there in five minutes tops."

"I'm timing you," Misty told him and held up her pokégear. She started the timer and grinned.

Ash smirked over at Misty as she started the timer. "You can stop it now."

"What do you mean? We're not there yet. Don't try your luck Ash." Misty kept an eye on the timer, watching the numbers going up. She felt someone's hands on her cheeks and her head was lifted so as she was looking straight forward.

"I said that you could stop it," Ash whispered into her ear as he grinned. In front of them was the city of Monosola.

Feeling his breath in her ear made a shiver run up her spine. She slapped his hands away and spun around to face him. "Keep your hands off me Ketchum!" she yelled and walked away from them into the city.

Ash sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Told you I knew where I was going," he grumbled and started walking.

Brock came up and walked beside Ash and Pikachu. "Hey Ash, how'd you know where we were going?"

Ash shrugged and looked straight ahead. "Gut feeling. And right now my gut is telling me to get to a Pokémon Center for some grub." He grinned and started running down the hill.

Pikachu laughed and took chase after his trainer.

"Hey Ash wait for me!" Brock called out and ran as fast as he could. 'How does he stay so damn fit?' Brock cursed as he stumbled while running.

* * *

Ash arrived at the gates of the city and stopped to catch his breath. He sat down on a bench and took his new, black cap off. He wiped his brow and pulled off his black fingerless gloves.

Pikachu jumped up beside Ash and sat down. He wasn't as tired as Ash was and he grinned at Ash.

Ash raised a brow and looked at Pikachu. "What are you grinning at?"

"Pikachu pipika chu kachu pikachupi pika." Pikachu waved his arms around and then chuckled.

"Ha ha, very funny. So what if I'm not a pokémon. I could stop your apple and ketchup supply you know." It was Ash's turn to grin.

Pikachu's mocking laugher cut off and he looked at Ash with an 'You wouldn't!' look.

"Don't try me pal," Ash scratched behind Pikachu's ear and smiled.

Pikachu moaned happily and tilted his head to the side.

"Ash!"

Ash over at Brock who dropped down on the bench next to him, breathing heavily. He leaned his head back against the back of the bench.

"Aww, getting old are ya Brock?" Ash smiled and sat back.

Brock waved a hand and sat up. "So where's Misty?"

"How should I know? She ran off on us." Ash crossed his arms and pouted.

Brock laughed and stood up after catching his breath. "Come on. She's probably at the Pokémon Center."

"Fine, I'm coming," Ash moaned as he got up. Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder and they headed into the city.

* * *

Ash was leading the way and he seemed to know where he was going very well. This made Brock curious but he stayed quiet until the Pokémon Center came in to view.

"Alright, you've been here before haven't you?"

Ash stopped and turned around. "What are you talking about?"

"First of all you knew where the city was and then you found the Pokémon Center with no problem. Spill it Ash."

Ash shook his head and smiled. "No really, I'm just wandering around. It's just luck that we found the center. Come on, I'm hungry." Ash ran off again into the center.

Brock followed and thought aloud, "Okay, something is up."

~Ashla~
E-mail: pokemonbundle@hotmail.com