It had been 2 years since Ash has become the world's greatest Pokémon Master, just as he dreamed. He is now 15, at home with his mother once more, with nothing better to do than watch TV, play his Nintendo 64, and play with his best friend, Pikachu. Life hadn't been exciting the last few years. Those select few who had managed to try and dethrone Ash after managing to beat the Elite 4, were beaten by Ash, but not without a strong battle. So, Ash's life was as boring as any other child who had nothing better to do. But...Misty...She was constantly on his mind for some reason. Thoughts of her arose after they had said thier final good-byes. He would lay back on his bed at night, staring at the ceiling, thinking of her. He dreamt of her as well. He dreamt strange things of her. Many times his dreams of her would portray her nude, and he didn't feel right thinking those things. He wanted to keep a simple, but strong relationship with her, but why was it that he constantly thought about her? Was it...No, it couldn't be...but it's a possibility...

"Ash! Breakfast!" Ash's Mom had yelled from downstairs.
"All right!" Ash yelled from the bathroom, having just taken a shower. His voice a tiny bit deeper and not so scratchy as it was when he was younger, and he was considerably taller. He was 5 feet tall when he was 13, but now he was 5 feet, 7 inches. He threw on a plain white T-shirt, which overlapped his red and white polka dotted boxers. He got a small running start, and hopped down from the second floor to the first, gliding his right hand on the handle of the stairway. He landed with a thud sound, then rushed on over to the table.
"Ash! How many times have I told you not to jump down the stairs like that?" His Mom scolded as she washed a plate with a dishrag in her hand.
"Sorry..." Was all Ash said before gobbling down his breakfast.
"Ash I mean it. You might get hurt." He stopped, and gave her the puppy-dog-eye look.
"Oh, Ash. Honestly." She smiled and tossed the dishrag on the top of his freshly washed hair. He plucked the rag off, and there was a note on it. 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASH' it read.
"Wha--! Birthday?!"
"Of course, Ash! You don't remember?"
"I...no." Ash's Mom chuckled.
"I can't believe I forgot..."
"Good thing I remembered." She replied, smiling. "My boy, Ash. You're growing up so fast. You're a young man now." A tear formed in the corner of her eye.
"Don't cry, Mom. I'm not that old..."
"I suppose you're right...but it feels like yesterday when I was cradling you in my arms..."
"Mom...That's kinda embarrassing." She smiled again, and sighed.
"Time sure does fly. But, I'd like for you to invite your friends for a small party. Nothing big, just a little formal occasion." He saw an image of Misty when she said 'friends', but he snapped out of it.
"Uh...sure, Mom...that'd be great..." Ash got nervous. He wasn't sure of how he would act around Misty now. She was 17. He couldn't do the babyish arguments anymore.
"Wouldn't it be great to see them again? It's been 2 whole years. I wonder how they are...Oh well. We'll see them later today." Ash figured if he just acted calm, everything would go great. He finished off his breakfast, and went back up to his room. He jumped on his bed and grabbed his wireless Pikachu-shaped phone. Speaking of Pikachu, Ash was on top of him. Pikachu let off a loud "PI!" sound, which scared Ash. He jumped up, and Pikachu hopped out of the sheets, looking kind of angry.
"Heh...sorry, Pikachu."
"Pii...." Bits of electricity had formed in his cheeks. Ash smiled nervously and shook his hands out in front of him.
"No, no, Pikachu. I said I was sorry! Wait a minute! Let's think this--" Ash was cut off by a small electric shock that wasn't much but enough to get Ash's veins filled with electricity and surprisingly turn the phone on, giving off a dial tone.
"...Ow..." Ash moaned as Pikachu hopped out of the bed and downstairs for Ash's Mom to feed him.
"That's right! You better run!" Another shock of electricity hit Ash from downstairs.
"Argh..." Ash punched in the numbers for Brock's phone number.

"Hello?" It was Brock all right. His voice hadn't changed one bit.
"Brock!"
"Ash?"
"Yo, Brocko. What's up? How've you been?"
"I'd ask you the same. It's been a long time. I've been good. Taking care of my siblings with my dad and all. Hasn't been very exciting, though. I get a few people wanting a Boulder Badge, but not many anymore. People are more interested in the Johto League. I was about to call you, though. I have today marked on my calendar as your birthday."
"That's why I called."
"Sixteen? You're growing up too fast, Ash."
"You sound like my Mom."
"I'll bet." A few seconds of pause arose after he said that.
"So, my Mom wants to have a party, but it's more like a formal get together this afternoon."
"I'll be there!"
"All right. I'll see you then. Bye."
"See ya." Ash hung up, then sighed. The inevitable was just about to happen. He looked at the phone and hit "TALK". The dial tone came. He hit all but one number in Misty's phone number. (Come on Ash. This isn't a big deal. Just hit the last button and talk to her!) So, he did, and listened to the ringing. Small beads of sweat formed on his forehead. (Get a hold of yourself, Ash. All you're doing is talking to her.) Ash sighed and calmed down. By this time, it had rung a good 8 times. He was about to hang up, when he heard a click, and a few seconds of silence.
"Hello?" A voice from the other end asked.
"Hi...is Misty home?" Ash figured it was one of her sisters.
"You're speaking to her." She said. Ash was a bit surprised. Her voice had very much matured and it was a lot...sweeter. His heart skipped a beat, but he took a deep breath.
"It's me, Ash."
"Oh, my God! Ash! Happy Birthday!" Ash almost fell over. Seems like everyone remembered his Birthday except for himself. "Thanks...How have you been?"
"Terrible. It's been pathetic around here. Hardly anyone comes for a Cascade Badge. All people mainly want to see are the Sensational Sisters."
"That's dumb. I know you're more sensational than they are." (AHH! I can't believe I just said that!!) Ash couldn't believe what he just said.
"Uh...Thank you, Ash. That was...really nice..." Misty responded, followed by a light giggle. Ash's mouth went dry.
"Well, my Mom wants to have a little get together party this afternoon."
"Say no more, Ash. I will be there."
"Well...I'll see you there then."
"Bye, Ash."
"Bye..." Ash hung up. He gritted his teeth as he felt a warm sensation hit his cheeks. "Can't believe I said that..." He repeated outloud. He composed himself. Why should he be embarrassed? He was only complimenting her. He sighed and smiled. He felt good now, and flipped on his TV, starting the long wait for the afternoon.