New Beginnings
By: Misty101803
Part: 9
Category: AAMRN

Disclaimer: I wish I had something witty to say like Misty but sadly I don't. I don't own Pokémon. This story was written in February 2004.

Ash, Misty and Pikachu are currently in their room 183 just about to go back up to The Pokémon Tower restaurant. Sean at the Tower said that if Misty brought up her Corsola she wouldn't have to pay for their food. Ash, Misty, and Pikachu then left the room and went back up to The Pokémon Tower. Again they were greeted by Sean.

"What took you? Do you have a Corsola?" Sean asked them.

"Why don't you take a look at this," Misty said then threw her Pokéball into the air and her Corsola came out right in front of Sean.

"I don't believe it, you actually have a Corsola. Its been so long..."

"Does this mean that we get a free dinner?" Misty asked.

"Just like I promised. I'll show you two, your Pikachu and of course your precious Corsola to your table. Just follow me."

Sean started to walk through the restaurant with Ash, Misty and their Pokémon close behind. Strangly enough there weren't a lot of people in the restaurant and the ones that were there gave Ash and Misty some angry looks. Sean showed them all to a table by one of their many windows. Although, there wasn't much to see except water, but Misty would love it.

"Here you are. Just sit down and I will be back for your orders." Sean left and Ash and Misty sat down in the chairs while their Pokémon rested on the table.

"So I wonder why there aren't a lot of people in this place?" Ash asked Misty.

"I was thinking that too. Maybe you should ask Sean when he comes back," replied Misty.

"And you know I was thinking something else too when we were walking through the restaurant," said Ash.

"I bet you were thinking 'why are all these people looking at us strangly.'"

"Yeah, what do you think Misty?"

"I'm not sure, but it may be becuase we had my Corsola and we got a free dinner when they probably had to pay."

"Really?"

"Can you think of anything better?"

"Well no..."

"I rest my case."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ash asked.

"Nothing, its just that when were together I do all of the thinking."

"You what!" Ash yelled. Everyone in the room, though there weren't many, all looked in their direction wondering what just happened.

"Ash! Keep it down," Misty said quietly. "Don't get us disqualified."

When Ash heard this he snapped out of his anger and said,

"Oh, your right Misty."

"Now Ash, were here to relax and eat. Okay?" Misty asked taking up a menu from the table and opening it. Ash soon followed with the same. A few minutes later Sean returned.

"I'm ready to take your orders now if you're ready to give them."

"I need a few more minutes to decide," Misty said reading over her menu. "Everything looks so good I can't decide."

"Well I'm ready. Will you please bring me a hamburger and fries?"

Sean wrote this down on his notepad and asked,

"And what would you like to drink?"

"Uh, a rootbeer please."

"And you miss," Sean asked Misty.

"I'm sorry I still havn't decided."

"That's okay, take your time. And while you decide, I can stay here with your Corsola." Then Sean pulled up a chair from another table and sat next to Misty's Corsola.

"Cor corsola!" the Pokémon said happily.

"Well I'm pleased to meet you too Corsola."

"Uh I had a question about your restaurant," Ash said.

"What is it?"

"It's just that there aren't a lot of people around here. Why is that?"

"You noticed that huh. I usually don't tell people the truth but since you have a Corsola I'll tell you. Do you know that restaurant a little bit up deck that won't let Pokémon into it?"

"Yeah, we almost ate there but they wouldn't let us in with Pikachu out of its Pokéball. I was so mad at them for saying what they said," Ash said clenching his fists.

"That restaurant is called Ohnee cuisine and it's quite popular, except for their rule about the Pokémon. Anyway, we are rival restaurants and we always fight over customers. The reason why we don't have many people in here is because he's been telling bad things about The Pokémon Tower to people on this ship."

"Who's been telling bad things?"

"His name is Scott, the one who runs Ohnee cuisine.

"What things has he been telling?" Ash asked.

"For one they tell people that our food is bad, we have bugs, and that half of our machines in the kitchen aren't working."

"Why would he do such a thing?"

"Because he knows that the Tower is the better restaurant. Everytime we get new passengers, he has to try and tell them the lies before they find out what great food we make here."

"But he didn't tell us when we were there."

"You must have left too soon for him to tell you, but rest assured that my food here is great and I'm sure you'll love it. Now miss, are you ready to order?" Misty was already done looking in the menu and had been listening to Sean tell his story.

"Yes, can I please get the Tower of Shrimp and a Dr. Pepper?"

Sean wrote some more stuff down on his notepad and then said,

"Okay, I'll be back with your drinks soon and your meals soon after. And I'll be back for you Corsola." Then Sean left to go get their drinks.

"A hamburger; really!" Misty said.

"What?"

"Ash were on a cruise to Ohnee. You could have had anything one the menu, but you chose a hamburger?"

"I havn't had one in a long time and anyway it looked good."

"Whatever."

Ash and Misty were quiet after this. They didn't know what to talk about for the moment. The only noise were the people talking around them and Pikachu and Corsola having a conversation.

"Why are you so quiet? You're never quiet," Ash said.

"You should talk Ash."

"And just what is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing. It's just that your mouth is so big a Snorlax could fit in it," Misty answered.

"Well your mouth is so big that a Gyarados could live in it!"

"What did you say?!" Misty yelled.

"I said that your mouth is so big that a Gyarados could live in it!" Ash said louder.

"Ash you're so imature!"

"Well you started it with that Snorlax comment!"

"Pika pika!"

"Cor sola!"

The two Pokémon tried to settle down their foolish trainers and it did help a little. Ash and Misty stopped saying anything for the moment. They just looked at their Pokémon in looks of understanding. They knew that their Pokémon were trying to help and they were as best they could.

"Ash we can't fight."

"Well you started it."

"I don't care who started it. We need to agree to end it."

"But Misty, us keeping that promise is like keeping a new year's resolution. It just doesn't happen."

"Hey I'll have you know that I've kept my new year's resolution from this year," Misty said.

"Oh yeah and just what was that?" Ash asked.

Misty was so caught up in the moment that she just blurted out, "I made a resolution to tell you..." but Misty caught herself just in the knick of time. She almost told Ash that she made a resolution to tell him that she loves him.

"Tell me what?" Ash asked slyly.

"Oh nothing. Just forget it Ash."

"Come on tell me."

"Oh look, here comes Sean now with our drinks," Misty said in an effort to get the attention off of her. Sean walked up to the table, set the drinks down and said,

"Your food will be here shortly; it won't take long. And if there's anything that you need, please tell me."

"Okay, thanks Sean," Ash and Misty said together and then Sean left.

"That was wierd. Us saying the same thing and all," Ash said.

"Yeah you're right."

A few moments later Misty spoke up and said,

"Look Ash, I just wanted to say goodluck in the competition tomorrow."

"Well thanks Misty. Goodluck to you too. If I don't win, I hope you do."

"And that goes the same for me Ash."

"If we do have to face off in a battle, lets leave our fighting for that battle."

"Yeah Ash, that's just what I was thinking."

"Okay. Now where's our food; I'm starving," Ash said.

"Look, here it comes now Ash."

Ash turned around and saw Sean carrying two plates. One had a hamburger with fries on it and the other had this tall structure of shrimp about twelve inches tall.

"Wow, what is that?" Ash questioned.

"This," Sean said refering to the building made completely out of shrimp that was on the plate he was holding, "is the Tower of Shrimp, one of our meals on our special menu."

Sean set the two plates down and left them to talk to eachother. Ash first took a sip of his drink and said in a surprizing tone,

"Hey this isn't rootbeer, it's Dr. Pepper." When Ash said this, Misty took a sip of her drink and said,

"And this isn't Dr. Pepper, it's yours. Lets switch," Misty suggested.

"Yeah, of course." Then they switched their drinks with eachother.

"It's really an honest mistake. The two drinks do look a lot alike Ash."

So Ash and Misty started to eat their food. Meanwhile, Pikachu and Corsola were sitting by thier thrainers' plates eating some of thier food. Pikachu suddenly grabbed the Ketchup from the center of the table and started to drown Ash's fries in ketchup.

"Pikachu! What are you doing? That is way too much ketchup."

"Pi pi ka chu pika pi."

"Pikachu, if there were such a thing, I would recomend you to ketchuholics anonymous." Misty giggled at what Ash said.

"Pika pi chu ka pi."

"It's true Pikachu. You have a bad addiction to ketchup and you need help," Ash said.

"I wouldn't go as far as saying it's an addiction Ash."

"But it sure is a problem Pikachu. Just look at how much ketchup you put on my fries. You nearly emptied half the bottle just on my fries."

"Well Ash if you ask me, I think you're making too much of this. If Pikachu likes ketchup then let it eat ketchup. You like Pokémon right?"

"Of course I do Misty."

"Well then couldn't I say that you're addicted to Pokémon."

"That's different Misty. If Pikachu eats to much ketchup, it could hurt itself."

"Oh come on Ash. It would hurt it? Who do you think you're kidding?"

"What's different is that liking Pokémon can't hurt me."

"Sure it can Ash. As I seem to recall, you have died once when we were in Lavender Town in Kanto and you've almost died countless other times. And these things happened because of your like, no love of Pokémon. You do not know how lucky you are do you? Being a Pokémon trainer is a dangerous career Ash. I have seen you die with my own two eyes and I don't want to see it again," Misty said with emotion. She was very close to tears.

"Misty it's no big deal. I'm not gonna die any time soon, so don't worry."

"Oh yeah. When we used to travel, I used to always hope that I wouldn't have to see you die again. If your mom knew about half the stuff that we get into with Team Rocket and all, she would beg you to stay home. But you love Pokémon so much that you have to go out in the world and risk your life for them every single day."

"You know I would rather risk my life to save a Pokémon's life than to see it die infront of my face."

"Yeah I know. But do you think that you can be a just a little less reckless in the future when we're in Ohnee. I bet there are some pretty powerful Pokémon in the Ohnee region; maybe even more powerful than a Tyranitar or an Aggron."

"Okay. I'll promise to be careful in the future. Lets just finish our dinner while it's still hot."

"Well if you promise..." then Misty took a bite of her shrimp and feed some to her Corsola. Corsola gave a joyful response to this.

While eating his hamburger Ash thought, 'I wonder why Misty is so concerned about me all of a sudden? Or maybe it's not all of a sudden. I wonder how long she's felt this way about me? Or is she just a concerned friend? Well I'm gonna find out!'

"Misty, how long have you felt this way about me?" Ash asked. Misty practically chocked on her shrimp at what Ash said so she had to take a quick drink of her Dr. Pepper.

cough cough "What did you," cough "say Ash?"

"I said how long have you been worried about me dying?"

Misty was now blushing.

'Does he know that I love him? Could he have actually figured it out after all this time?' Misty thought to herself.

"Misty? Aren't you gonna answer my question?"

"First I have to go to the bathroom," Misty said getting up quickly from the table. So quick that she almost tipped over her soda, but Pikachu saved it just in time. "Excuse me."

"What's wrong with her Pikachu? Was it something I said?"

Misty was now in the bathoom washing her face trying to make herself to stop blushing, but it didn't help. She was caught off guard by Ash's question and just paniked.

'How am I supposed to go out there and face Ash like this?' Misty thought.

"Calm down girl. What's the matter?" a voice said behind her.

Misty was surprized. She thought that there was no one else in the bathroom with her. Misty turned around to see this pretty girl a little shorter than Ash with long flowing light violet hair that came down to here mid-back. As she came closer to Misty, Misty noticed that she had hazel eyes.

"Nothing's the matter. Who are you?" Misty asked this girl standing infront of her.

"My name's Natalie and you are?"

"Natalie?"

"Your name's Natalie too? How cool. I haven't met a lot of people that are named Natalie."

"No my name's Misty. Do you know a kid about your age named Ash?"

"Yeah, I do. How did you know?"

"Because he told me about you and how you almost threw him in jail."

"Hey that was a mistake, and I apologized to him about it. And he's told me so much about you Misty. How you and Ash always get into fights with eachother."

"Well, we do fight a lot, but we're still friends."

"The way he described it, I'm surprized he hasn't left you already."

"We don't fight that badly. Yes we fight but they're just about little things. Not enough to destroy our friendship over. We've been through too much and fought too much to just give it up now."

"So Ash tells me that you used to be the gym leader of the Cerulean city gym. I'm betting that means that you've already entered the water Pokémon competition."

"I sure have. And I don't need you to tell me that I'm gonna win the whole competition."

"My word. You're as erogant and confidant as Ash, maybe even more."

"No Ash is much more confidant than me. That's one of the things that I like about him."

"Do you think he's cute?" Natalie asked.

"I not only think that he's cute, but I've been in love with him for the past three years now."

Natalie was taken aback by what Misty said. She was shocked that Misty not only thought that Ash was cute but she has loved him for the past three years.

"You love him?"

"Yes," Misty said blushing again.

"And does he love you?"

"That, I don't know. But he has acted a bit strangly over the past few weeks since I've been back in his life. He could be just happy to be traveling with me again, or he could love me, but it's a long shot."

"I bet he loves you too Misty. But wait, you two have known eachother for atleast three years and you haven't told eachother that you love eachother?"

"I just don't want to take the Chansey of him not loving me. If I'm wrong, I would never be able to look at him again."

"Maybe he feels the same way Misty. You never know until you try."

"Well I was planning on telling him before we got to Ohnee, but I don't know where I should do it."

"Hmmm," Natalie said thinking. "I know. How about you tell him if one of you wins fourth place in the competition?" Natalie suggested.

"What do you win if you're fourth place?"

"You'll love this. The fourth place winner gets a free dinner at the restaurant of their chosing, on the ship, for two."

"It won't be that difficult for me, but I wonder if Ash can last that long?"

"Are you kidding? He got fourth place in the Hoenn League! If he can get fourth place there, just imagine how far he could go in this small cometition."

"Maybe your right, but I guess we'll just have to wait until tomarrow to find out."

"Yeah, okay. Lets meet up again at the competition."

"Okay. Now if you'll excuse me, Ash has probably been wondering why I've been in the bathroom for so long." As Misty turned to leave and was almost out the door, Natalie said,

"Good luck, with Ash I mean."

"Thanks Natalie. Catch ya later."

"See ya."

Misty walked back to her table and saw that Ash was already done with his hamburger. Misty sat down and Ash asked,

"What took you so long Misty? Are you sick or something?"

"No nothing like that. You wouldn't believe who I met while I was in the bathroom."

"Who?"

"Natalie!"

"Natalie! What's she doing here?"

"I don't know Ash, uh, maybe to eat, duh. I swear sometimes Ash; I think you have the intelligence of my Psyduck."

"Your Psyduck! You have to give me more credit than that Misty."

"Well I wouldn't go as far to say a Dragonite, but you would probably be the closest to uh, I got it. You would be closest to a Pikachu."

"Pika?"

"Oh, well that's cool. Pikachu is really smart, and remember I was a Pikachu a few years ago."

"Oh yeah you were so cute then."

"And what about now."

Misty took a look at him and said, "You were definitely better as a Pikachu."

"You liked me better as a Pikachu than as a human?"

"You were more quieter for one."

"You should talk Misty. Your always talking."

"Oh puh-lease."

Before Ash could open his mouth to retaliate, Pikachu sent out a tiny Thunder Shock right into Ash's hand. It stung a little.

"Hey Pikachu!" Ash said holding his hand. "Not so much."

"What happened?"

"Pikachu gave a spark to my hand. But since Pikachu is so super charged it felt like a Beedrill just stung me."

"Why did you do that Pikachu?" Misty asked it.

"Pi pi ka chu pi."

"It did it because we were fighting again Misty."

"We can't help it. We just seem to fight all the time for some reason."

"Well how about we stop ourselves the next time it happens again, okay Misty?"

"I'll try, but when we start it's hard to stop."

"I know what you mean Misty."

"Hey you know what, Natalie told me about one of the prizes that you can win in the competition," Misty said exited.

"Well what are you waiting for; tell me."

"Okay, it's not much, but she said if you win the fourth place position you win a date for two at the restaurant of your choice."

"What?! That's not a prize; that's stupid. Didn't you ask her about the other prizes?"

"Well...yeah," Misty lied. "I asked her but she didn't know any other prizes that are going to be awarded."

"That's too bad. I wonder what the other prizes could be."

"Maybe you'll just have to wait untill later to find out."

"Maybe you're right."

"Oh look at that, Ash!" Misty said motioning towards the window they were sitting near to.

"At what, all I see is ocean and sky."

"At the sky Ash. The sun is setting on the other side of the ship."

"So..."

"So lets go watch it. I havn't seen the sun set on the ocean in a long time."

"Well okay, but I don't see why you would want to."

Just then Sean walked up to the table.

"Do you two need anything?" Sean asked.

"Well actually I'm done eating. Ready to go Ash?" Misty asked.

"Yeah, lets go."

"Oh does your Corsola have to leave so soon. I havn't seen one in so long," Sean said.

"Don't worry, you'll see it at the competition tomorrow," Misty said.

"In a mannor of speaking."

"What do you mean?" Ash asked.

"I'm in the competiton tomorrow of course."

"Really? What Pokémon will you be using?" Misty asked.

"That you'll find out tomorrow."

"Okay. Can't wait to see how tough you are," Ash said.

"Oh don't worry, you won't be disappointed."

"Well, we really must be going. Thanks for the free dinner. I guess the next time we meet again will be at the competiton."

"Your welcome for the free dinner, but I should really be thanking you Misty. I love Corsola and you brought one to me. For that I thank you."

"Oh well your welcome."

"Oh, yeah," Ash said then reached in his back pocket to pull out his wallet. He opened it an pulled out a twenty dollar bill.

"Here you go Sean; your tip."

"Well thank you Ash. That's very generous of you."

"It's nothing Sean. Now come on Pikachu."

"Come on Corsola."

The two Pokémon jumped of the table and followed their trainers to the exit where none other than Natalie was waiting at the front desk.

"Natalie! You work here?" Ash asked surprized.

"No wonder we didn't see her at a table in this undercrowded restaurant," Misty said.

"Ash, Misty, so good to see you two again. Yeah I work here with my brother Sean. Oh look here he comes now." They looked behind them and saw that Sean was almost to the front desk.

"Sean's your brother?!" Misty asked. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Did I have to?"

"Well no, it's just a bit of a surprize," Misty said.

"Hey sis. Did you see this fantastic Corsola," Sean said then picked up Corsola from the floor and held it in his arms.

"No, but when you see one Corsola you've seen them all since they all look exactly alike."

"They don't all look alike. I can tell that this one's horns are 1.25 cm longer than any other Corsola I've seen before. And it's coat and horns are so shinny. This shows that you must take care of it well Misty."

"Thanks Sean. That's so nice of you to say about me and my Corsola."

"Your welcome Misty. Atleast someone else appreciates Corsola as much as I do."

"Well we have to be going. It's been a long day and I'm a bit tired," Misty said.

"Okay, I guess me and my sis will see you two at the competition tomorrow."

"I'd like to say good luck, but...you know," Natalie said with a sly grin on her face.

"Yeah, the same goes for us," Ash said. "Now come on Misty, Pikachu, Corsola, lets go."

"Okay, bye Sean, Natalie; until tomorrow," Misty said as she was going out the door following Ash and the two Pokémon.

"Bye Misty," Sean and Natalie said together and then she was out the door.

"Corsola return," Misty said to her Pokémon and then it turned into a crimson red energy beam and returned to its Lureball.

Ash, Misty and Pikachu were walking along down deck when Misty spotted a bench.

"Lets stop here and watch the sunset Ash!" Misty said excited.

"Alright."

Ash, Misty and Pikachu sat down and started to enjoy the sunset.

"So why do you like these things so much Misty?"

"Because they're so beautiful. You know. How the ocean looks with that orangey-red tint and how the sky and clouds look the same way.

"I guess it's sort of cool."

Misty opened her mouth to say something but all that came out of her mouth was, Yawn!!!

"You weren't kidding when you said you were tired huh?"

"Yeah, with all the stuff that happened today."

"Remind me of all the stuff that happened today Misty."

"Well," Yawn!!! "First we got to Vermilion city and met Surge. Then we went to the Pokémon center. Then, you had that battle with Surge." Misty started talking more softly now. Yawn!!! "Then, we, uh, got onto the ship and I took a shower and you went to go get arrested and meet Natalie." Misty now closed her eyes. "And then we went up on deck and got into that..." But it was too late. Misty had fallen asleep and rested her head on Ash's right shoulder for comfort.

"Uh, Misty?" But it was no use. Misty was too tired to wake up now. Ash just sat there watching the sunset and enjoying Misty's head on his shoulder. A couple walked by and the girl said something to the boy but she said it too softly for Ash to hear it.

And then something unexpected happened. Something that Ash couldn't believe. Misty, still asleep, krept closer to Ash and put her arms around him. And then, so not to look strange, Ash put his arms around Misty. Ash then lightly rested his head onto Misty's. He could smell her sweet smelling shamppo mixed in with her red hair. Another couple walked by and again the girl said something to the boy and all Ash could catch was,

"...cute..."

The sunset soon ended and then there was just Ash, Misty and Pikahcu sitting on the bench in the dark. Ash knew that they should go back to room 183 but he didn't want to wake Misty.

'She's so cute when she's like this,' Ash thought.

Ash had to think of something to do. The only solution was obvious to Ash. He had to carry Misty back to the room and hope that she doesn't wake up in his arms.

So Ash reached across and picked up her legs in his left arm. Then he took his right arm and rested it on her back; her head was still rested on his right shoulder. In this position Misty couldn't keep her arms around Ash's waist so, still asleep, she put her arms around his neck instead.

Ash couldn't believe he did it without waking Misty. He was now standing up with Misty still asleep in his arms. Misty wasn't that heavy so it wasn't that hard for Ash to hold her like this. So, with Pikachu close behind, Ash started walking in the direction of their room. It was pretty dark out, but Ash could find his way around because there was a full moon out tonight. By now, there weren't many people out on deck because it had gotten cold. But there were some people that just happened to pass by Ash with Misty in his arms.

They would say such things as, "...cute..." and, "...sweet..." It was a pretty touching scene to see Ash carrying Misty in his arms.

Finally Ash had made it to room 183, but there was a problem. The door was locked and he couldn't reach behind to get his walltet unless he let go of Misty. Ash had to think fast.

"Uh Pikachu," Ash wispered. "Can you reach behind me and get my wallet?"

Without a moments hesitation Pikachu climbed up Ash's pants and got out his wallet. It reached inside and pulled out the keycard.

"Now could you jump up and put it in the slot on the door?"

Pikachu walked over to the door with the card in its hands and put the card in its mouth. Then it jumped up and got the card into the slot on the first try.

"Thanks buddy."

"Pi."

Ash turned around and pushed in the keycard with his butt and the locked door clicked open.

"Uh...Piakchu?"

Pikachu knew what to do. It went over to the door again, jumped up and grabbed onto the door handle. With it's weight on the handle, the door could now be opened so Ash turned around again and backed into the door. Once inside Pikachu jumped down onto the floor. Pikachu knew what was coming next.

"Pikachu, the bed please?"

It ran over, jumped up onto the bed and pulled back the covers and sheets to reveal the open bed. Ash leaned down and placed her into the bed without too much trouble. Misty's arms were still around Ash's neck so he ever so carefully reached behind his neck, took her arms off and placed them onto Misty's stomach. Then Pikachu jumped off the bed which allowed Ash to take the covers and sheets in his hands and put them onto Misty.

Now that Misty was in bed, Ash had to get ready for bed. So not to wake Misty, he didn't even bother looking in his disorganized backpack for his PJ's. Ash just took off his shoes, socks and his blue over shirt, pulled back his covers and sheets on his bed and climbed in. As soon as he did, Pikachu came over and jumped into bed with Ash. They were soon both asleep and all was peacefull in room 183.

Well that was a cute part wasn't it. I hope you thought it was. And if you thought that was cute just wait until you see the next time in a couple more parts. Please review and tell me if I did that cute scene right or not. Gotta Catch Ya Later! Misty101803 signing off.