New Beginnings
By: Misty101803
Part: 7
Category: AAMRN

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon blah blah blah and all that jazz. You know the drill. This story was written in February 2004.

Ash is just about to continue telling Misty the flashback of how him and Natalie met.

"Well okay, then..." Ash started.

After Ash had been mistaken for stealing Natalie's Wooper earlier in the day, Ash and Natalie are now friends and are currently outside room 183 where Ash and Misty are staying. Ash, Pikachu and Natalie are just about to head out to the pools.

"Let's go," was all Ash said. Ash and Pikachu had absolutly no idea where the pools were so they just followed Natalie. Luckily Natalie was telling the truth when she said she knew where the pools were and they all got to the swimming pools in a couple of minutes.

Ash and Natalie walked over to some pool chairs and both put down their stuff. Ash quickly ripped off his shirt and then he jumped into the pool followed closely by Pikachu. Then Natalie took off her other clothes revealing that she was wearing a blue bikini underneath and she too jumped into the pool soaking Ash's and Pikachu's head.

"This feels so good. It's been a long day," Ash said.

"Your telling me," Natalie began. "First I lose my precious Wooper and think that it was stolen, and then I see you with my Wooper. I was just furious at you when I saw you with my Wooper. You know I'm not usually like that," Natalie continued. "I'm really a nice girl if you get to know me."

"I'm sure you are. Well what's past is past and what's done is done. Leave it in the past. Lets just start off on a new Bayleaf," Ash said.

"Your right, Ash. It's water under the bridge now," Natalie said.

Ash, Pikachu and Natalie continued to swim and play in the pool for about 30 minutes until Natalie said,

"I'm getting out. I'm getting all pruny so I'm gonna lay out in the sun for a bit, K?"

"Okay, I'll get out too. Coming Pikachu?"

"Pika pi," it said shaking its head at its trainer.

"Okay, suit yourself, Pikachu," Ash said to it.

So Ash and Natalie got out of the pool and headed over to where they had set their stuff on the pool chairs. They both set their things aside and layed down on the chairs until Natalie asked Ash,

"Ash, will you please help me with this sunscreen on my back?"

Not thinking anything of it because he saw Natalie as a friend, and would do the same for Misty, Ash went over and sat on her chair while he took the sunscreen in hand. Ash squeezed enough of the stuff into his left hand and began to rub Natalie's back and shoulder's with sunscreen.

"Thanks Ash. Your a true friend," Natalie said to him.

"It's no problem, we're friends now, right, and friends do things for eachother."

After a couple a minutes of rubbing her back, Ash said,

"All done. Is that all you needed?"

"Yeah, thanks again."

Ash sat back down on his chair and was just about to lay down when he heard Natalie ask,

"So tell me more about this Misty."

"Misty?!" Ash said confused, now sitting up on the chair. "What do you what to know about her?"

"I don't know. Tell me what she looks like for one."

"Okay. Well first of all, she has red hair which would come down to her shoulders if she didn't tie it up onto the side of her head. Uh...she's got tourqouise eyes and a wonderful smile. And she's really pretty, you know like you. Oh, and she's a little taller than me."

"Thanks for the compliment, Ash," Natalie said now blushing a little. Ash didn't notice this, big surprize. "Uh what's she like; what's her personality?" Natalie asked him trying to get the attention off of her at the moment.

"Well, sometimes, Misty has a very hot temper. But the times that she's nice are the best times to be around her, trust me."

"Do you guys fight a lot?"

"As a matter of fact we do. Ever since I've known her, we've fought almost every single day."

"Man, if you two fight so much, then why are you two still such good friends?" Natalie asked.

"As I said, when were not fighting, she's one of the best people to be around that I know," Ash said.

"She probably feels the same way," Natalie sugessted.

"Maybe."

"What do you mean, Ash?"

"I mean we fight so much, I don't know if she likes me or not. Sometimes, when we used to travel together in Johto, I thought that all she was after was her stupid bike," Ash said.

"Her bike?" Natalie said confused.

"Oh. When I first met her, I had to borrow her bike to save Pikachu's life," Ash said motioning towards Pikachu. "What happened was we were being chased by some angry Spearow and I crashed the bike and we both went flying. Finally, when the Spearow were decending on me, Pikachu jumped up and used it's Thundershock to scare away the Spearow. Pikachu did it, but he also managed to totally destroy Misty's bike. And that's how we met."

"Did you ever give Misty her bike back?"

"What's funny is that she got it back, but I didn't need to do it."

"What do you mean, Ash?"

"About a year and a half ago, we were in Viridian City just coming back from the Johto League Siver Conferance and we stopped off in the Pokémon center. Once we got there, Nurse Joy told Misty that she had to call her three sister's in Cerulean city..."

"Hold it. Does this mean this Misty is related to the three sensational sisters?"

"Yeah, Misty's sisters are the three sensational sister of Cerulean city. Well continuing on with my story, Misty called up her sisters to find out that they were leaving to take a trip around the world. They asked Misty if she could stay behind and watch the gym, and before Misty could say no, the videoscreen on the phone she was using went blank. To put a long story short..."

"Too late," Natalie said jumping in.

"To put a long story short," Ash said again, "Nurse Joy had managed to fix Misty's bike back to brand new. And then Misty rode it to Cerulean city, and that's it," Ash said.

"So you must have known her a long time," Natalie said.

"About four years now."

"When do I get to meet her?"

"Well right now she's probably out of the bathroom done getting ready for the day, but you'll probably see her at the competition tomarrow."

"You mean she's a Pokémon trainer? You didn't mention that," Natalie said.

"Oh yeah, she's an awsome water Pokémon trainer. You know what? Her dream is to become the world's greatest water Pokémon master. She's going to be tough to beat at the compotition tomarrow."

"I'll be the judge of that," Natalie said.

"Just don't underestimate her."

"Is she really that good?"

"Let me put it this way. When her three sisters didn't want to fight in Pokémon battles anymore, Misty became the gym leader. And then when she went back there, she must have fought a lot of trainers trying to get the Cascade badge. What I mean is, she is a good enough trainer to be a gym leader," Ash said.

"It doesn't matter. I'm gonna beat her tomarrow, if I face her that is," Natalie said.

"Who knows. We might battle tomarrow even," Ash said.

"Yeah, well then I'll just have to beat you too," Natalie said.

"Sorry, but I would be the victor in our battle."

Laughing a little, Natalie said,

"That's a good one Ash. Now I'll give you credit that you got fourth place in the Hoenn League, that's not an easy task. But this compotition is a water Pokémon tournament, my specialty. Now even though you are a strong battler, you just can't beat me when it comes to water Pokémon."

Ash was trying to think of a good comback, but unforunatly for Ash, all that came out was,

"Oh yeah!"

"Nice comback Ash. I bet Misty wins most of your fights. Which reminds me of a question I wanted to ask you. What do you two fight about?"

"Everything. I think the only thing we have in common is that we both love Pokémon."

"It must get tiring fighting with Misty all the time."

"Sometimes I can't stand her, but other times I can't be without her by my side, cheering me on, and giving me advice," Ash said.

"Is she a good friend?" Natalie asked.

"Oh, you bet! She would do almost anything for me."

"She seems like a good person; I want to meet her."

"You will at the compotition."

"But I want to meet her sooner. You said that she would be out of the shower now right?"

"Yeah, she's probably out. And if she is out, she's probably walking around on the ship so your best chance of meeting her will be at the compotition," Ash said.

"Well how about we just try to go down to your room and see if she's there. It can't hurt to try, Ash."

"Okay, lets go. Come on Pikachu."

"Pi pi kachu!" it said while jumping out of the pool and shaking off all the water like a wet Poochyena.

Ash and Natalie collected all of their stuff and started to leave the pool with Pikachu not far behind. Finally they get right outside room 183 when Natalie yells,

"Oh my gosh! I forgot I have to go and pick up my Pokémon from the Pokémon center. I left them there when you went and registered for the compotition. I really have to go but I'll be happy to beat you tomarrow when the compotition begins," and then Natalie started to take off running down the hallway.

"And I'll beat you tomarrow!" said Ash right outside the door.

"Pika pika!"

"And that's when I came into the room and found you in here Misty. I told you that it was a long story."

"Well it was a good story. It's amazing that you got out of jail without my help," Misty said giggling.

"I'm always good at thinking on my feet."

"Yeah, in battle. But thinking on your feet in life is not one of your strong points Ash."

"Can we please not get into another fight Misty. This was supposed to be a relaxing cruise right?"

"Not anymore it's not. Ash, why do you think I chose this cruise?"

"Uh..."

"It was because of the water Pokémon compotition, and I'm gonna win," Misty said with confidence.

"Well your gonna have to get through me!"

"I don't have to worry that much about you. Remember what happened at the Whirl Islands in Johto?"

"Well..."

"I beat you Ash. And I'll beat you again. But before I can beat you, I first have to register for the compotition in the Pokémon center. Problem is, I don't know where it is and since you told me that you signed up your Totodile, I know that you've been there before. So can you take me?" Misty asked.

"Sure, lets go right now."

"Okay," Misty said.

Ash, Misty and Pikachu left the room and were headed towards the Pokémon center. After a couple of minutes they got there and Misty headed right for the front desk where Nurse Joy was looking at some papers.

"Hi Nurse Joy. I'm Misty and I would like to sign up for the water Pokémon compotition."

"Alright," Nurse Joy said turning to her computer. She typed some stuff on the keyboard and then asked Misty,

"And what Pokémon will you be using tomarrow?"

"I'm gonna use my Corsola."

Joy typed some more stuff and then said,

"You're all set Misty. Just be on deck before 11:00 A.M. and you'll be ready."

"Okay, thanks Nurse Joy."

Misty turned away from Nurse Joy and said to Ash,

"Now that I'm signed up I can beat you."

"The compotition hasn't even started yet and you already think you're going to win? This compotition will probably have many strong trainers, not just you and me at that high level. For example, Natalie looks like a tough trainer and she's gonna be hard to beat."

"Maybe for you Ash, but when it comes to water Pokémon, no one can beat me," Misty said.

"You know Misty. I like your determination. It's one of the things that I like about you. But if you get too overconfident, you'll end up defeating yourself."

Misty thought about this for a second and then said,

"Your right for once, but it still won't matter. I'm still gonna win!"

"I guess we'll find out tomarrow, huh Misty?"

"We sure will Ash. Well lets get out of here. How about we go walk around the ship for a bit?" Misty suggested to Ash.

"Sure. If we're gonna be on this ship for a week, we might as well know where we're going."

After he said this, Ash, Misty and Pikachu, who was riding on Ash's shoulder, left the Pokémon center to explore the ship. Once they were out of the Pokémon center, Misty said,

"So tell me more about this Natalie."

"What do you want to know about her?"

"Well," Misty started saying, thinking about it, "Tell me what she looks like."

"For starters, she has long flowing light violet hair that comes down to her mid-back. Uhh...she has hazel eyes and a pretty face overall. And she's a little shorter than me; about here," and Ash held up a left hand right over his eyes as if he was shielding them from the sun.

"Anything else?" Ash questioned.

"You're not very good at describing people Ash."

"What else is there to describe. I already told you everything else about her earlier in my story."

Ash, Pikachu and Misty are now walking on the main deck out in the sun.

"Oh!" Misty said as she walked over to the side of the ship to look over the sea. "Isn't the ocean beautiful Ash?"

"That's what you always say when you see the ocean, Misty."

"I can't help it. It's just so...so..."

"Beautiful."

"Exactly!"

Misty was still looking over the ocean when Ash asked,

"Are you just going to stare at the ocean forever?"

"If I feel like it."

"Oh snap out of it Misty. Come on, lets keep walking. I don't want to just stand here all day," Ash said while trying to pull at her arm.

Misty, satisfied with the ocean, started walking again with Ash and Pikachu.

"So, I was just wondering, do you know what the prizes are for the compotition?" Ash asked Misty.

"You know prizes aren't everything Ash."

"But you have to admit that they are something Misty."

"No, I don't know what prizes are awarded. Unlike you, I got into this contest because I wanted to show everybody that I am the best."

"And why do you think I'm asking about the awards Misty?"

"Because your greedy."

"That's not what I mean Misty. I mean that I was asking you because I didn't know..."

"No surprize there," Misty said cutting him off.

"Let me finish. I didn't know what was awarded. Like you, as you stated, I got into this contest to prove to everyone on this ship that I am the best. I just asked if you knew what the prizes were so I would know what I was getting when I won."

"I'm sorry. I think I still have water in my ears from my shower. I thought you said that you would win."

"I said this before and I'll say it again. I will win this compotition," Ash said with confidence as usual.

"Ash I'll put this plain and simple so even you can understand." Misty started talking really slowly now,

"Don't act like I'm stupid Misty!"

"Then stop acting stupid Ash!"

Ash and Misty were getting really mad at eachother now. They were still up on deck, and people were starting to stare at them, but Ash and Misty were too mad to notice.

"I will win!" Ash yelled.

"No, I'll win!" Misty yelled right back.

"Me!" Ash screamed this time.

"Me!" Misty screamed louder.

Pikachu was getting really anoyed and embarrassed at these two humans. It tried to reason with them saying,

"Pi pi chu ka pi chu pi pi ka chu."

Ash and Misty didn't even hear this.

Pikachu had only one choice left. It stood back a few feet, got ready and yelled,

"Piiiiiiiikaaaaaaachuuuuuu!!!!" while an enormous Thunderbolt erupted from its tiny body and struck Ash and Misty head on.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Ash and Misty screamed together. It was such a racket that no sooner had Officer Jenny ran up to find out what all the noise was about.

"What's going on here?" Jenny asked Ash and Misty.

The charred Ash said, "Misty and I were just having a small disagreement when my Pikachu shocked us to make us stop."

"A small disagreement? That's not what one of the crew told me. He told me that two kids where screaming at eachother over who would win the water Pokémon compotition," Jenny said to them.

Ash opened his mouth to say something but the charred Misty beat him to it.

"I admit we did take it a little too far Officer Jenny, but I promise that it won't happen again," Misty said.

"How can I be sure that this won't happen again?" Jenny asked.

Misty thought about this and a couple of seconds later said, "How about this. Were both signed up for the water Pokémon comotition tomarrow. If we go too far again, then you can disqualify us from the contest," Misty suggested.

Ash could not believe what he was hearing.

"That seems like a good plan. Are we all agreed?" Jenny asked.

"Yes," Misty said.

"No," Ash said.

Misty looked at him with an angry look on her face then said, "Jenny can you give us a minute?"

"Of course," Jenny said then walked a little bit away.

Misty turned to Ash and said, "Ash what is wrong with you?"

"We can't agree to that. We fight to much to keep that promise to Officer Jenny."

"If we don't, she won't let us in the contest in the first place," Misty said.

"She can't do that!"

"Quiet," Misty turned to look if Jenny saw this but it appeared that she hadn't. Misty turned back to Ash and said, "She can and she will unless we agree to what I said. So will you say yes?"

Ash thought about this for a couple of seconds and finally said, "Yes. Okay. I'll go along with it."

"Great," Misty said with a smile on her face.

Ash, Misty and Pikachu walked over to Officer Jenny and Misty said, "We're all agreed Officer Jenny. If we go too far in an argument, you will have the power to remove us from the compotition."

"Okay," Jenny simply said.

"Now if you'll excuse us, we must be going," Misty said and then she took Ash's arm and started pulling him away down the deck.

When they were out of sight of Officer Jenny Ash said, "You just keep your end of the bargain Misty. I don't want to be thrown out of this compotition because of you."

"Me! Your the one who's always starting the fights!"

"Pika pika!"

When Misty heard this she snapped out of her anger.

"You're right Ash. We're not away from Jenny for one minute and were already at eachother's throats. We just have to remember that we're not out in the middle of the country where we can fight and no one can hear us for miles around. We're on a ship and we can't fight," Misty said.

"That's what I was trying to tell you Misty."

"This is gonna be harder than I thought Ash."

Part 7 done. What is there to say but this story is very long. I've already been working on it for almost 2 months and it's not even halfway done yet. I guess that's all my fault, but I like the way its turned out so far. I've already got a good idea for the next part so stay tuned. Please review. Gotta Catch Ya Later! Misty101803 signing off.