Title: New Beginnings
By: Misty101803
Prologue

Disclaimer: Everyone else puts this thing up here so here's mine: I don't own Pokemon but I wish I did so I could make this fic into an episode in the future and I hope you agree with me after you read it. Oh and this story was written in December 2003.

Ash Ketchem, our hero, has been competing in the Hoenn League for a couple of weeks now. Earlier this day, Ash had lost his battle and had gotten fourth place. Ash, his mom-Delia, Prof. Oak and his close friends: Brock, May and Max and Pikachu are all now in their room at the Pokemon center listening to Ash talk about his most recent loss.

"Another league comes to a close for Ash Ketchum, and I was so close this time," Ash was saying to his friends.

"I guess you'll just have to try harder next time Ash. Don't forget you did win the Orange League all that time ago," Ash's mom Delia said trying to comfort him.

"Yeah, don't give up on your dream of becoming the World's Greatest Pokemon Master yet," May said.

"I know, how about we all go back to Pallet Town and have a party like the one we had when you lost the Pokemon League at the Indigo Plateau," Delia said.

"Don't remaind me," Ash said slightly depressed.

"Sorry"

"That's a great idea," Brock seconded.

"Pallet town?" May and her little brother Max said in unison slightly confused.

"It's my home town in Kanto," Ash replied. "Have you guys ever been there, in Kanto I mean."

"No, we've lived in Hoenn all our lives," May said. "Is it nice there?"

"It's great!," Ash exclaimed. Just thinking about Pallet Town got him excited.

"And we can invite everyone to it including Gary, if we can find him, and Misty," Delia said.

"Now there's a name I havn't heard in a long time," Ash said, thinking about the last time he saw her.

"Misty?" May and Max said together needing a reminder.

"Was she that redhead we met a while ago?" May said trying to remember.

"Yeah, she used to travel with me and Brock before I came to Hoenn," Ash said remembering all the good times.

"Well if you guys were such good friends then why did she leave. I mean Brock came back, why not Misty?" Max said curiously. "Did you guys get into a fight?"

"No, nothing like that. Misty's three sisters in Cerulean City were going on a trip around the world and they needed someone to watch over the gym while they were gone," Ash replied.

"You mean Misty has been the gym leader of Cerulean City for all this time?" Max said back.

"I guess so," Ash said lost in thought of Misty.

"You mentioned another name too Mrs. Ketchum...Jerry...Gerald..." May said trying to remember.

"You mean Gary," Ash said before his mom could reply.

"Yeah that's it, who is he and why would he be so hard to find?" May replied.

"I believe I can answer that," Prof. Oak said, finally saying something. "Gary, my grandson, has been away on Pokemon evolution research all over Kanto, Johto and even Hoenn for a while and we don't know where he is at the moment."

"We'll find him," Ash said now lying on his back on the couch. Meanwhile, Pikachu is resting on Ash's stomach as it goes up and down. "All we have to do is hire a private investigater to track him down."

"That's a great idea, Ash," Oak said.

"Well, it's going to get dark soon, so we'll stay here tonight and go back to Pallet Town in the morning," Delia said to everyone.

"O.K," Brock, May and Max all said not noticing that Ash didn't say anything becuase he was still thinking about Misty.

So then Mrs. Ketchum and Prof. Oak say goodnight to the four kids and Pikachu and leave to go to their respective rooms. (Delia and Oak don't share a room).

While getting ready for bed Brock could hear Ash mumbling something like, "Misty...love...long time...can't wait."

Brock was going to say something, but then thought he should just leave him alone right now.

The next day, Ash, his mom, Pikachu, Prof. Oak, Brock, May and Max set off for Pallet Town, but first they have to get to Little Root Town and catch the ferry that goes to Seafoam island which is back in Kanto. After they finally make it back to Pallet Town, the preparations for the party have already begun. Following Ash's advice, Prof. Oak hires a private investigator to try and find Gary before the party.

Now Ash, Brock, May, Max and Pikachu are all in Ash's house resting from all of the traveling the have done recently.

"I can't wait to see Misty again after all this time!" Ash exclaimed.

"What's so great about her?" May said getting anoyed at Ash becuase that's all he's been talking about since the Hoenn League. "Misty, Misty, Misty, that's all I ever hear from you anymore, Ash."

"The real question is: what's not great about her?" Ash said, half aware that what he said came out aloud.

"Ash Ketchum, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were in love," May said in a teasing sort of way.

"What, you've got to be kidding. When we used to travel togeter, we could barely stand eachother. Me in love with her, HA! That's a laugh."

"It was just a thought, that's all," May replied. "So tell me more about this Misty I keep on hearing so much about."

"Well, despite being a girl, Misty has a very firey temper," Ash said.

"That must get really anoying," May said.

"Sometimes it is, but that's one of the things I like about her. She's not like other girls."

"Don't you mean that's one of the things you love about her," Brock said starting to tease Ash.

"Can we please stop this conversation. I don't love Misty, she's just a friend."

"You mean your girlfriend don't you?"

"Oh, you guys are impossible! Come on Pikachu, lets go visit all of the other Pokemon at Prof. Oak's Laboratory.

"Pika."

Ash then just gets up and him and Pikachu go out the door heading for Prof. Oak's lab.

"Why do you guys always have to tease him about everything?" Max said to the other two.

"What do you mean that you have to leave?" Prof. Oak was asking Tracy.

"There's a family emergency in the Orange Islands and I have to go back for a little while to help them," Tracy responded.

"But if you leave then who will help me in my lab?"

"What about Max? You know he would jump at the oppertunity to help the world famous Professor Oak.

"Come on Pikachu I'll race you to the door," Ash said confidently not remembering the his Pikachu knows agility.

"Pika Pika Chu."

Pikachu kicks into agility a few seconds later and leaves Ash in his dust.

"Hey! That's cheating," Ash said with laughter in his voice.

All Pikachu could do was laugh at his trainer. Once Ash got up there, he could hear Prof. Oak and Tracy talking about something.

"What about Max? You know he would jump at the oppertunity to help the world famous Professor Oak," Ash could hear Tracy say through the door.

"He's too young to help me alone. We would need someone else...Maybe Brock?" Prof. Oak suggested to himself.

"Yeah, that's a great idea. What if Brock and Max help you here at the lab," Ash heard Tracy reply.

"I guess we'll have to talk to all of them about this at the party this Saturday," Oak said.

"O.K. We'll talk about this Saturday." Ash heard Tracy's voice getting louder as he came closer to the door. "I'll just swing by the Ketchum's house and catch up on stuff. I haven't seen them in such a long..." "Ow!" Ash said as he fell into the floor as Tracy opened the door.

"Ash! What are you doing here? Where you evesdropping on us?" Tracy said surprized to see Ash so soon.

As he got up, "I just came by to see all of my other Pokemon, but then I heard you guys talking. Tracy, is this true? Do you have to leave?" Ash said.

"As soon as possible," Tracy said back.

"But you'll be there this Saturday at the party, right?"

"Sure, I won't miss it. Well if you don't mind I was going to your house to talk to all of the others," Tracy said to Ash.

"O.K. I'll see you later back at my house,if your still there, Tracy," Ash told him.

"Just one more thing, don't mention this to anyone until the time comes, O.K?" Tracy said.

"Sure, I swear I won't tell anyone," Ash replied.

"And that goes double for you Pikachu," Tracy said to the little electric mouse.

"Pikachu can't tell anyone, it doesn't even know how to talk," Ash said to Tracy.

"I know that, but I also know that Pikachu is accomplished in sign language," Tracy quickly replied.

"Pika chu pi chu."

"O.K., we'll see you later then," Ash said to Tracy.

"Yeah, I'll see you all later, Bye," Tracy replied.

"Bye," and "Pi," was heard as Tracy left through the door.

"Well, Ash, what brings you here today?" Prof. Oak questioned.

"Oh, well Brock and May were teasing me that I love Misty."

"I thought you do love Misty," Oak said back to Ash.

"Not you too Professor! I thought you were more mature that that," Ash said slightly angry.

"Sorry, couldn't resist."

"How are you coming along on tracking down Gary?" Ash said changing the subject.

"I've already found a private investigator and he said he'll find Gary before the party begins."

"That's great. I haven't seen him since he left Pallet Town to start his research," Ash said.

Just then, there was a very loud sound out in the fields.

"What was that!, Ash screamed as him, Pikachu and Oak ran outside to see what was going on.

"Prepare for trouble."

"And make it double."

"To proect the world from devistation."

"To unite all peoples within out nation."

"To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

"Jesse."

"James."

"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light."

"Surrender now or prepare to fight."

"Me-owth, dat's right."

"Wobbefett!"

"It's Team Rocket!" Ash screamed.

"Pi Pikachu"

"Yes, and we're here to steal that Pikachu once and for all!" Jesse said while she and the rest were up in their balloon.

"I've heard enough, Pikachu, Thunderbolt 'em!"

"Pi ka Chu!! ," a huge thounderbolt erupted from Pikachu's small body.

Boom!!! "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" Ding

"What was that?" Oak said confused.

"Just Team Rocket. They are always trying to steal Pikachu, but everytime they fail. I don't know why they keep on coming back. You would think that they would just give up after the thousandth time I've beaten them." Ash replied.

Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring Phonecall Phonecall!!

Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring Phonecall Phonecall!!

The phone was ringing loudly in the Cerulean City gym.

"I'll be right there!!" Misty screamed yelling at the videophone.

"Hello?" Misty questioned.

"Hi Misty, long time no see."

"Hi Mrs. Ketchum. What's up?" Misty asked her.

"We're having a party here in Pallet Town this Saturday for Ash after what happened to him at the Hoenn League."

"But he lost, why does he deserve a party?" Misty said slightly angry.

"Well it's not much a congratulations party, but more of a welcome home party. Anyway, we want to invite you over to the party. I'm sure Ash would love to see you," Mrs. Ketchum said putting special emphasis on the word: love.

"Are you saying that Ash loves me?" Misty asked surprized.

"Yeah, I thought you already knew that. I mean don't you love him too?" asked Delia.

"Me love him! That's a laugh. Don't kid around Mrs. Ketchum. No I don't love him!" Misty exlaimed while blushing a little in front of Mrs. Ketchum, but Delia didn't want to mention that to Misty.

"Well whether you love him or not, you're still invited," said Delia. "Are you coming or not."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Mrs. Ketchum!" Misty said back.

"We look forward to seeing you, especially Ash. Bye bye"

"Bye bye Mrs. Ketchum."

The video screen turned off and Misty was alone again, but not for long.

"Me in love with Ash. The nerve of Mrs. Ketchum saying that I love him."

"Who was that on the phone, Misty?" Daisy, Misty's older sister, asked.

"Just Mrs. Ketchum inviting me over to a party that they're having for..."

"Your boyfriend," Daisy jumped in saying.

"He's not my boyfriend!!"

"Whatever you say Mist," Daisy said back at her.

"Well it's beginning to get late, and I'm sure that my mom wants me back to the house soon," Ash said to Prof. Oak back in Pallet Town.

"O.K. I'll see you later then, Ash," replied Oak.

"O.K. bye, lets go Pikachu."

"Pikachu."

Right outside Oak's door Ash sugests to Pikachu, "How about a rematch, Pikachu. Let's race back to the house, but this time don't use any attacks to help you O.K?"

Pikachu noded with a single, "Chu."

So off they went running to get back to the house before the other one. It was really close all up to the end but Ash was getting really tired; he never had to battle before. So, seeing the fatige of his trainer, Pikachu kicked into overdrive and won the race just as they were coming up to the door.

"Pikachu...your...too...fast..." Ash tried to say while extremely out of breath.

But Pikachu was already so tired it couldn't move any longer, so Ash had to carry him into the house in his arms. As Ash came into his house he could hear Misty's voice.

..."Bye bye Mrs. Ketchum."

Ash suddenly had the strength to run thinking that Misty was here while he was gone and she was just leaving. Ash ran in the direction of Misty's voice, but sadly all he found was his mom by the video-phone.

"Where's Misty," Ash nearly screamed.

"In Cerulean City, baby," Mrs. Ketchum answered.

It took Ash a few seconds to get his thoughts in order and then he said, "Was that her on the phone?"

"Yeah, I was just inviting her over to the party we're having this Saturday."

"Oh," Ash said a little depressed that Misty wasn't here, but also excited that he was going to see her in just a couple of days. Remembering the exausted Pikachu in his arms, Ash said to his mom that he was going to put him on his bed until Pikachu is fully rested. When Ash got to his room, he placed Pikachu down on his bed and left him to go back into the living room with Brock, Tracy, May and Max.

"So I hear that Misty is coming to the party," Brock said trying to keep a straight face.

"Yeah, so," Ash said back.

"So, what was that a few minutes ago?" May asked.

"What was what?" Ash said back, slightly annoyed, and knowing what's coming next.

"You were running towards the phone as if there was food on it," Tracy said.

"But the only reason you were running was because you thought Misty was here, right?" Max asked.

"We all heard you nearly scream, Where's Misty?" Brock said totally exagerating on the way "Where's Misty" was said.

"I didn't say it like that," Ash said back to all of them.

"You might as well have just said it that way," May said half laughing.

"Can't you guys just drop it. I don't love Misty, she's just..."

"Your girlfriend" all of them said at once. They had planned this.

"It looks like I'll never hear the end of this unless I show you at the party that I'm not in love with her and she's not in love with me," Ash said back to his four friends.

"And just how are you going to do that? Not kiss eachother, Brock said nearly cracking up and falling on the floor.

"I don't know how I'll do it, but I'll show you all that I..."

"Love Misty!" they all said again.

"NO, No, uh, this is useless," Ash said as he got up and left.

As Ash was going back to Pikachu, he could still hear them laughing about something that May had mentioned to the other three. When Ash got back to his room he was happy to find Pikachu waking up.

'Finally' he thought. 'A friend who won't tease me'. He went over and sat on the bed next to Pikachu.

"Pikachu, do you think that I love Misty too?"

"Pi chu ka pika chu chu ka chu pi pika," Pikachu said while shaking his head. But what Ash didn't know is that Pikachu actually did, but Pikachu just didn't want Ash getting mad at him too.

"Thanks Pikachu I knew I could count on you to be by my side."

Just then Ash heard his mom say, "Dinner everyone."

As Ash was getting up he said, "I can't wait until Saturday, for the party and of course because Misty is coming. Just between you and me, I think I actually do love Misty.

"Pi...ka..."

"And Pikachu, please don't tell or charade what I've told you...I'll tell them out there when the time is right, O.K?"

"Pikachu!" said the Pokemon while nodding his head.

"Thanks Pikachu, now come on, lets go eat some dinner."

"Pika! Pika!"

But what Ash didn't know was that Ash's mom was about to come into his room when she heard him say, "I think I actually do love Misty." Then, when she heard, "I'll tell them out there when the time is right, O.K?" Delia left to go back and wait for him at the dinner table.

So what did you think. Love it, hate it, please review. The next part in this saga that I call "New Beginnings" will be up soon now that I have some free time to write it. That's all for now. Misty101803 signing off.