Unanticipated Outcome
Chapter 1

Misty, wearing a beautiful, long, blue silk dress, sat in the lobby of the Snorlax Hotel in Viridian City waiting for Ash to arrive. She had taken the liberty of reserving a one-bedroom suite, one of the more expensive rooms in the hotel, for her and Ash. Money wasn't a worry anymore, not now that Misty was one the most famous Water Pokemon trainers in the world. Her gym was rumored to be the hardest to beat in all of Indigo. People came to it now for more of a challenge than a badge.

As the minutes passed the more excited she became. She hadn't seen Ash for years. Five to be exact. The only communication between them were letters she received from Ash during his journeys through the unknown territories. Prof. Oak had sent him on several important missions in search of new species of Pokemon, or at least that's what Ash had written her.

Misty cherished her letters from Ash, for you see, during the many diary-like messages Ash finally managed to reveal his true feelings for Misty. Isolation seemed to have done him some good. However, because Ash was constantly on the move Misty hadn't gotten the chance to answer back, and let Ash know that the feelings were mutual. She never could understand the reason why he couldn't have called her. There must have been a vid-phone in at least one of the areas that he traveled. Of course, none of those silly questions were important now. Misty finally managed to reach Ash through Prof. Oak, and they arranged an encounter in the hotel where Misty was going to be attending the World Champion's ceremony. Ash would be stopping by on one of his rare visits home.

It was 4:55 p.m. and the hotel lobby was bustling with people checking into their rooms. She couldn't believe how many(famous) trainers were going to the ceremony. She didn't know why she was so surprised though, it had been a competition for elite trainers, although some rookies also made the cut. This was different from the League competitions because it was the first ever World Challenge Contest. Everyone who was anyone in the Pokemon Training field entered, including the Elite Four. Still, the reason it stood out was because of the odd way they executed Pokemon battles. The trainers stood in a box-like enclosure, and their bodies were draped in shadows. There was no way to know who was battling who. Not even the trainers knew who their opponent was. The only thing people saw were the Pokemon on the field, and the challenger's voices calling out commands. It was the funniest thing if you thought about it. The Championship had been over for 2 weeks, and nobody knew who the winner was except for the World Championship Officials and the Champion himself.

Misty supposed the mystery also drew the crowd to the event. She was very curious herself. Even more so after speaking with Prof. Oak about where Ash had been traveling in the past month. Apparently, he was very close to Cinnabar Island , where the competition was being held. Misty knew Ash well, and if there was a Pokemon Competition going on chances are Ash would have entered it. Misty wasn't saying that Ash won the competition, but she wouldn't put it past the Orange, Advanced, and Johto League Champion. That is, if he had entered at all.

Misty just had to wait and see.

"Just a few more seconds to go.....5:00 p.m."

Misty knew that Ash wasn't going to be right on time. He never was, but she still hoped that maybe he had changed a little over the years. She drew a mental image in her head of what he would look like when he walked through the hotel entrance. She always pictured him with his black, raven colored hair hanging over his face. He would probably be well built. Despite his insatiable appetite when they were kids Ash had never been overweight. He was far too hyper, and energetic. By the time his food had settled he was already burning off the extra weight in a mad dash to the nearest gym, in high hopes of winning a badge. She couldn't wait to see his dark chocolate eyes staring back at her. Yes, Misty envisioned the perfect guy...for her, at least.

Just then the door began to open. The figure that stepped in was tall, dark, and ratty looking. This person was obviously a young man, but his appearance might have suggested otherwise. His clothes were full of holes, and it looked like they had been washed in mud. His hair was stringy, greasy, and hung in front of his face seemingly obstructing his vision. A large winter coat covered his body, protecting him from nature's mood swings. Dense stubble decorated his face. It was as if he hadn't shaven in weeks. If it had been anyone else they wouldn't have recognized him, but Misty sprang to attention as soon as he entered. It was obvious that she was in shock, but there was also no denying that she had waited far too long to let something like poor hygiene bother her.

'I'm sure there is a great story he has to tell me about how he got into this position. I can't wait.'

Misty ran up to Ash, stopping just a few feet short of where he was standing. Ash was looking around, admiring the beautiful interior of the hotel while tugging at the large back pack on his shoulders.

"Ash?" Misty's voice was shy, yet filled with happiness. Her eyes beamed with love. Ash turned to look at her. His gaze followed the curves of her body until his eyes rested on her face.

"Misty? Is that you?" His voice was rough, yet his scrutinizing gaze was softening. A smile played at his lips.

Misty simply nodded, her smile growing brighter as Ash stepped forward and embraced her in a warm hug. Misty didn't hesitate to return it.

"Look at you! You look absolutely beautiful!" Ash was awestruck by his former traveling companion's appearance.

"Thank you," Misty replied back humbly. "You look....uh..." Misty was at a loss for words, not knowing exactly what to say about his appearance. She didn't want to offend him, especially not after the way he just complimented her.

"...You look...different."

Ash's face portrayed confusion, but he immediately stared down to look at himself. As soon as he looked up a chuckle escaped from his lips, and he began to scratch the back of his head embarrassed.

"I have a really good reason for looking like this. Really, you're not going to believe me when I tell you what happened..." Ash paused. He seemed to be hesitating for some reason. He looked slightly distressed. Misty was about to ask him what was wrong, but he immediately became lively again as he continued his sentence.

"...but first what I'd like to do is go to a room and get changed. You aren't the only one I'm getting strange stares from, you know."

Misty couldn't help but giggle as his infamous cheeky grin made itself present. He was still the same old Ash, except with a existing maturity that Misty had craved from him in her youth.

"Good idea! And I can't wait to hear what adventure got you looking like this," Misty answered back in a familiar teasing manner.

Ash's only reply was a raised eyebrow, and an annoyed look that was in no way serious. He then made his way to the counter, most likely with the intent of getting a room. However, he was stopped short by a tap on his shoulder. He turned to face a blushing Misty who held out a small plastic card.

"I got us a suite...I hope you don't mind." Misty avoided looking into Ash's face for fear of what his reaction might be. Misty then suddenly felt a hand lightly lift up her chin. She was greeted with the grinning face of Ash.

"I don't mind at all. It was a great idea."

Misty smiled back happily. Relief flooded through her as Ash's kind manner showed that he agreed with her decision.

"Shall we?" Ash questioned charmingly as he held out his arm for Misty to take. Misty graciously accepted it. They then made their way to the elevators, and up to the 12th floor.

A ding was heard, and the number twelve lit up as the elevator doors opened. Misty and Ash made their way through the long, red-carpeted hallway. Bright white walls with gold trimming, which repeated itself vertically along the rich paint, exhibited just how elegant the hotel actually was. Ash and Misty stopped in front of room 12-H. Ash inserted the plastic card into the slot and waited for the little lights above the door handle to turn green before he entered.

The room was huge. A lovely sitting room with a bar, and mini kitchen appeared as soon as they entered. Beautiful, red-wine colored furniture decorated the hotel room. Ash then made his way to the bedroom, with Misty following close behind. Ash first noticed the exquisite king size bed, which was the most prominent piece of furniture in the room.

"Wow! I've never seen a bed this big before! I bet even a Snorlax could fit on it!" Ash commented, examining the bed, and running his fingers along the silky comforter.

"Hence, the name "Snorlax Hotel"," Misty mused.

"Heh, good point. So..." Ash looked at Misty expectantly. "I guess we should sort out the sleeping situation. Obviously, you are getting this bed, seeing as how you paid for the room, and everything. Does the couch fold out?"

Misty turned bright red at Ash's inquiry. 'Surely he must know that the bed is for both of us.' "Um...no, I don't think the couch folds out. The bed is the only place to sleep in the room," Misty explained, hoping Ash would get the hint.

"Oh, well I guess that's all right. I'm used to sleeping on the floor, and this place is a lot nicer than a cold forest."

Misty's forehead began to throb as she stared at the oblivious Ash. "Ash! The bed is for both of us! We are both going to sleep in it together, at the same time. That is why I got this room!" Misty growled while Ash looked at her, his face remaining perfectly calm.

"Well why didn't you say so in the first place? You're so difficult sometimes, you know that?" Ash shook his head, and smiled while picking up his backpack and pulling out a change of clothes. "I'm going to go take a shower," Ash said as he headed towards the bathroom.

Misty's lip twitched in aggravation from Ash's last comment. 'I'm difficult?!'

Misty was about to say something not so pleasant back to Ash when he stuck his head out of the bathroom for a moment. "By the way...I really missed you, Mist."

His warm smile melted Misty's heart. "I...really missed you too."

Ash simply nodded and closed the door to the bathroom.

Misty sighed and plunked herself done on the bed. 'How does he do that?' she wondered while surveying the room. Suddenly her eyes came upon Togetic's Pokeball that rested on the table in the sitting room.

Misty's face was full of concern as she called out to Ash. "Ash?!"

Ash, who had just turned on the shower lessened the water so he could hear Misty.

"What's wrong, Misty?"

Misty paused for a second before worriedly asking "Where's Pikachu?"

Ash now had turned the water off completely. An eerie silence filled the suite. Misty's heart began to race. 'I can't believe I didn't notice Pikachu's absence earlier. Ash always has Pikachu with him. What could have happened?'

Misty heard Ash clear his throat. "Sorry, I think I'm catching a cold. My voice got caught there for a moment. Anyway, Pikachu and I got into a big battle against a Houndoom a mile outside the city. We won, of course, but Pikachu was pretty beat up. I had to leave it at the Pokemon Center overnight."

Misty breathed a sigh of relief.

"You should have seen Pikachu go though. It was awesome! One Thundershock after another. That Houndoom didn't know what hit him!..."

Misty giggled at Ash's excited ramblings. "Okay! Okay! Shut up already and take your shower!"

"Yes, mother," Ash joked, as Misty playfully answered back.

"Ha ha, you're so clever. Not!"

She could hear Ash laugh as he turned the shower back on.

Misty laid down on the bed, and stretched as far as her limbs could go. She then came to a realization. 'Ash loves me, I love him, and tonight I'm finally going to let him know.'

Misty immediately ran to the phone while leafing through the service booklet that came with the room. "Yes? Room service? I'd like to order the special for dinner tonight. Yes, two dishes of the steak and lobster. Can you bring it up at 8:00? Great! Suite 12-H. Thank you!"

Misty hung up the phone. She then quickly looked at the bathroom door, smiled gleefully to herself while thinking about what the night had in store.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, at the Pokemon center....

Officer Jenny had just 15 minutes left until she was off duty. She parked her motorcycle near the Pokemon Center, her last stop of the day.

She made her way up the stairs, and through the automatic doors.

Nurse Joy looked away from her computer when she heard heel steps on the tiled floor.

"Hi, Joy!"

"Hey, Jenny! You're late today, aren't you?" Joy questioned as the officer approached the counter.

"Heh, don't remind me. There was this jerk who thought the 55 mph speed limit was just a suggestion," Jenny stated in frustration while removing her hat to push the sweat drenched hair out of her face.

"Oh! Sounds rough," Joy sympathized.

"Yeah, I'd rather not talk about it....What about you? Quiet day?"

"Uh huh. Pretty much the usual. I'm surprised considering how many trainers are in town."

"Yeah, I guess everybody's had enough of battling since that huge World Championship tournament. I can imagine they must be wanting a break...What is it?"

Officer Jenny noticed that Joy was deep in thought. Joy snapped out of her trance, when she noticed Jenny was talking to her.

"Sorry! I was just thinking about something. It totally slipped my mind..."

"What did?" Jenny asked, curiosity present in her voice.

"Well, something weird did happen today. It was the oddest thing. I still don't know if he was pulling my leg or not."

"About what?"

Joy bit her lip as she got ready to relay the incident.

"This guy came in. He looked like he was homeless, or something. His clothes were filthy, and I could hardly see his face behind all that mess of hair. Anyway, he said he wanted to drop off his Pikachu so I could heal it."

"What's so strange about that?" Jenny pondered.

"Well, nothing, if he had a Pikachu."

"What do you mean?' Jenny asked, thinking about how absurd Joy's statement was.

"There was no Pikachu. He instructed his Pikachu to come to me, but I didn't see a Pikachu anywhere," Joy explained, still obviously confused by the whole event.

Jenny listened intently as Joy continued.

"When I told him I didn't see the Pikachu he began to get frustrated. He wasn't rude, or anything, just upset. I really wanted to help him, but he just kept saying that this is a Pokemon Center, and it is my job to heal injured Pokemon. I agreed with him, but he just kept ranting on about how if a Pokemon doesn't receive treatment it's condition could become serious. I was thinking about calling the police, but that's when he stopped yelling. He said that he didn't have time for this nonsense, and he had to go buy a suit, and meet his dream girl. He then told the Pikachu to get better, and he'll pick him up in the morning. That's when he ran out," Joy seemed to be distraught while she relayed the incident..

"How odd!" Jenny commented.

"Isn't it? I looked everywhere for that Pikachu. I thought maybe it had been hiding somewhere, and I didn't see it, but I never found it."

"......It probably was a joke," Jenny decided, even though her tone didn't sound too convincing.

Joy stared at the entrance worriedly.

"I hope so..."

A/N: A new story from me! This is not going to be an ordinary AAMRN. I'll promise you that right now. And I know Misty's last comment might sound lemon-ish but it's not. I can't write lemons, and I wont even try to. Anyway, this will be a two-part story so the next chapter will end it. Next chapter, nothing is as it's seems as Misty begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Please review, and tell me what you think so far. I know there wasn't much going on in this chapter, but that's because all the good stuff will be in the next one which will most likely be up sometime this week. So I hope I've at least grabbed your attention. Thanks for reading, and again please review! ^_^