Clistare's Notes: So I'm going to make this short and quick. This is a test-run to see if I can still manage to edit my previous works. Please tell me what you think about it. I accept criticism, but no flames.

Disclaimer: I don't own everything or even anything related to the Pokemon series, including: characters, plot, names or basically the show.


Chapter One: Mistakes Could Lead to Disasters.
By: Clistare.

He had never experienced the new and exhilarating feeling that was shooting through his veins up until now. The final battle he had hours prior had been completely intense, and there was a moment where he felt like Pikachu was tottering to keep his composure. But once his trademark, Electric-type Pokémon pal shot out the final move that ended the opponent's chances, Ash knew that he had it in the bag, and that caused him to jump for joy, even if the match hadn't officially ended yet.

Before opting to start with anything, the raven-haired boy decided that it be best if he called home first, greeting everyone in the process while he proudly receives the congratulatory remarks from his top supporters.

But before he could ponder any longer with the praise he was going to obtain, the receiver picked up and a very familiar face emerged from the screen. Without giving him a chance to speak, the woman started to talk.

"Oh, honey, is that you?" Delia Ketchum gasped, placing a hand over her mouth dramatically. "Honey, I'm so proud of you! You were so magnificent out there! Did you know all of Pallet was rooting for you? I'm sorry if I'm rambling but I can't help myself! Goodness gracious your father would be so proud of you! It's like you're just starting your journey again…Oh and, congratulations my new Pokemon Master!"

Ash smiled slightly and flushed. His mom never ceased to amaze him with her constant rant, and although it used to bug him quite a bit when she was pestering him about his chores, he knew that he silently appreciated it. "Thanks, Mom. It means a whole lot. Please thank everyone at Pallet for me."

"Of course, dear…now, I don't want to hog the phone, so I'll leave you to talk to your lovely friends, okay? I love you honey, bye!"

"Bye, mom, see you soon!"

He was sure his goodbye was unheard, because the moment it left his mouth, May, Max and Drew appeared from the screen.

"Hey, you guys! It's great to see you!" Ash waved politely. As clear as crystal, he could see Drew clutching onto May's hand possessively. Though he was slightly confused as to why he was doing that, Ash knew that May belonged to Drew and no one else, despite his lack of knowledge.

"Congratulations on your win, Ash! I just knew you had it in you! Oh yeah, tell Pikachu that I send my praise to him too, okay?" May said, an amused grin stretching across her face.

"Of course, May. Pikachu would be happy to hear from you again!"

As if to announce his presence, a newly-charged pikachu sat on his head, lifting up a paw. "Pi-ka-chu, Pika!"

After bidding Ash and Pikachu goodbye, May forced her boyfriend to applause the sixteen year old. Though he was awkward in doing it, Ash noticed that Drew was genuinely happy for him – and that was enough for the newly-crowned champion.

"Ash, you were so great out there!" said a voice, which was strange familiar yet somehow deeper. "I can't believe Pikachu knocked out a donphan! That was beyond cool!"

The boy appeared to be approximately three years younger than he, but somehow he knew that face from his memories. The bespectacled boy who once idolized him as a trainer…

"Max! Wow, look at you! You've changed so much since I last saw you!"

Blushing from the acclaimed words of a champion, Max managed to smile back. "Thanks a lot, Ash! You know, I might've told you this before, but I'm so totally beating you when we meet again!"

Ash laughed at the competitiveness of the 13-year-old boy. "No way! It doesn't mean that you're my friend, I'll go easy on you, Maxy-boy!"

"Ah, copying my style now, eh, Ashy-boy? I might say that was a good one, but slightly unoriginal." The voice whom he recognized as Gary Oak, said, with his usual smirk plastered on his features.

Max handed the telephone to Ash's old rival and waved a goodbye, dashing out the door – probably to train his Pokemon.

"Hey Gary!" for a moment he thought he was going to shoot a comeback for the remark, but Ash remembered that it was immature and he wanted to prove to Gary Oak that he had grown for the past few years.

Though Ash didn't take special mention to it, he wasn't dumb enough not to see the slender hand in Gary's possession.

After a long talk about the past, Ash couldn't hold his curiosity any longer and decided to voice out his previous thoughts. "Say, Gary…you never told me you had a new girlfriend. Now, who's the unlucky girl?"

The researcher stiffened as he realized the fatal mistake he made. Had he been observant enough, the girl beside him would probably be out of reach. But he was too used to her touch that he hadn't even noticed his hand covered hers.

He decided that they couldn't play the stupid game any longer. Ungraciously, he pulled the slender hand down and dragged her down the chair, to meet with Ash's curious chocolate eyes.

Both stared, shocked expressions penciled across each face.

"Hey…Ash," Misty attempted to place on a fake-smile. "You were…uh…you were really impressive out there for an amateur…"

Despite her feeble effort into trying to lessen the tension going through the phone, Misty knew that her secret was uncovered. Sure, Ash was as dense as a rock, but even he could put two and two together to figure things out.

"Thank you, Misty…" Ash didn't know why, but her name sounded like he had choked on a hamburger from his mouth.

Regardless of the fact that both were terribly missing each other, and despite the fact that both are regions away from hands touch, they couldn't bring themselves to talk.

During this period of time, the occupants of the house exited the room and noted that the two needed time to sort things out alone. So, without hesitation – except maybe in Gary's part – the tenants left immediately. Even Pikachu decided to retreat back to room which the three shared, to continue his ketchup-licking activity.

"How could you not tell me?" his voice was barely above as whisper, his tone faltering. "Why, Misty? Why?"

"W-What do you mean?" Misty replied, her temper slightly flaring.

He looked up with his eyes, so full of emotion and hurt that even she – Tough Misty, as she was dubbed – was taken aback. "Gary? Seriously, Misty?! You didn't even tell me that you were dating my ex-rival!"

"What is it to you, Mr. Pokemon Master?" she yelled, topping her voice. "Why do you care so much that Gary and I are dating?!"

"Misty, I've been your best friend since you were twelve! We told each other everything!" Ash stood up from his seat, screaming. The people stared at the Sinnoh Champion confusedly; all wondering what caused him to get so flustered.

"Ash! When you left me, you didn't even want to send me letters or call me! Don't you know how much that hurt me? And…I don't even think you're my best friend anymore!"

He took a step back from shock, hoping to Arceus that this was all just a nightmare where he was being tortured. He had always considered the red-headed teenager to be his closest human friend…and now, she didn't reciprocate the feeling.

"I left you?" he chuckled darkly. "Let me correct you for once, Misty. You – left – me! You caused your own pain!"

Again, it took a while before she could recover from the jolt that went through her heart. She growled fiercely and stood up, pointing a warning finger at him. "Don't you dare blame me for my leave, Ketchum! You don't even know what I went through!"

Silence, once again, drifted through the murky atmosphere. Both had their eyes downcast, their faces contorted with unimaginable pain. Misty had never felt the heat of their quarrels escalate this far before, and she never dreamed it would. Although she would rarely admit it, Misty was usually the one to start the argument. But this time, it was Ash himself. He caused their current dilemma, their bad opinion of each other.

"I…I hate you…"

Her shock had only spiraled higher. "W-What?"

"I said," Ash snarled. "I hate you, Misty Waterflower! And I wish to never, ever see you again! Get out of my house…NOW!"

"...Then I hate you too!" It was then by this time, tears were streaming down the young lass's cheeks. She sniffed before regaining half of her composure and said in an equal angry tone. "I never want to see you anyway! Goodbye, Ash Ketchum! Thanks for nothing!"

He slammed the phone shut and instantly, Brock was by his side, mumbling questions and words of comfort. But Ash just ignored him, as he sidestepped slightly and bolted for the room.

Unfortunately for the 16-year-old, Dawn was still wide-awake and playing with his prized Pikachu. None of them even spoke a word as he plopped onto his bed and covered his face with the pillow he had just wetted.

Because, for the first time in his adolescent life, Ash Ketchum felt like he was drowning in solitude.


Clistare's Notes: That ends the first, newly-edited chapter! I apologize if it was short, and if the pace wasn't all too good, but I tried my best at imrpovement. I will edit the next two chapters later.

I don't accept flames. They shall be extinguished.