Long time no talk! I've been MIA for the past year.. or two.. or three.. but exams are over, and I've got a lot more spare time on my hands so I'm gonna try my hand at writing again! This is an idea that had been swimming around for a few months, so I've posted the introductory chapter, and based on what people think, I'll hopefully have the next part up by the end of the week.

I own none of the characters, place names etc in this story, no copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 1 - Homecoming

"Ash! Brock! Come on already, this bus is about to leave!"

Misty Waterflower sighed with impatience as her two best friends finally threw their bags in the luggage hold and jumped on board the 9.00am direct-to-Pallet bus: if the traffic wasn't too heavy, they should reach Pallet by lunchtime.

Ash Ketchum crashed onto the seat beside Misty, almost dislocating her left leg in the process, whilst Brock Pewter made himself comfortable across the two seats opposite them.

"Ya excited Mist?" grinned Ash, his feet already up on the seat in front of him.

"A whole summer of me and Brock bugging the hell out of you, what more could you want!"

"I could think of a few things," laughed Misty, shaking her head and turning to look out the window.

The three of them had been on the road for over a year, and they needed a break. Travelling from city to city, never stopping for more than a few days in one place had worn them out, both physically and mentally. After Ash had been successful in the Pokémon League, they had been unwilling to return to their respective cities; they'd grown extremely close as friends over the year, and weren't prepared to say goodbye just yet. Although there were the obvious arguments and disagreements, the three understood and looked out for each other, and all of them could safely say they'd stumbled upon some pretty suitable travel companions. Luckily, Ash's mother, Delia, had insisted that Brock and Misty come stay in Pallet Town for the summer, and they had gratefully accepted the offer. What better way to spend their summer than in the company of their best friends? The plan was to spend the three summer months relaxing, camping, and generally doing nothing, before attending the huge, annual end-of-summer party in August, to be hosted by the Oak family. Professor Oak hosted the party at his home every year, and it had become one of the most anticipated events of the year, not just in Pallet Town, but in towns as far away as Pewter and Cerulean.

"This summer's gonna be the best, I just know it!" exclaimed Brock, as the bus pulled out of the station, headed towards the highway.

"You got it Brock, you're gonna love Pallet! There's lakes, forests, and a whole bunch of Pokémon.."

Misty smiled as the two boys launched into yet another Pokémon conversation, and began to feel excited about the forthcoming summer. She needed to wind down after her year on the road, and she was sure that three months with her two best friends would do just the trick. Sure, the boys teased her non-stop, but that's what she got for being the only girl. She toughed it out, and teased them back, and deep inside, she knew the boys were overly protective of her: they joked around with her, but they saw her as a little sister, one to watch out for. As she began to imagine the situations they'd inevitably end up in over the summer, Misty's eyes began to droop and she drifted off into a peaceful sleep, a mere ten minutes after leaving the station.

The bus finally pulled into Pallet Town around lunchtime, and Misty had to be woken up from her slumber: she'd been such great company for the bus journey, by falling asleep ten minutes after they'd left, and she was surprised the boys hadn't attacked her with a permanent black marker as a way of curing their boredom. They stretched and yawned as they got off the bus and retrieved their bags, and were just about to set off when they heard a shriek from behind them. A middle-aged woman zoomed towards them and dived on Ash, knocking the breath out of him.

"Oh, my baby, you've gotten so big since I last saw you, look at you!" squealed Delia Ketchum, smothering her only son in hugs and kisses.

Deeply embarrassed, Ash tried to shrug his mother off him, choosing to ignore Misty and Brock's sniggers.

Delia greeted Misty and Brock with similar greetings, before bundling them all into her car, which was parked nearby. She was full of chat before she'd even started the engine.

"I have everything all ready for you guys, the spare rooms are made up, there's dinner in the oven, you'll be able to go swimming, hiking, fishing, the Pokémon will be so happy to see you Ash, Brock can help me cook some of the nights, I'll be able to have girly nights with Misty, you can go visit Professor Oak's lab, Gary just arrived earlier this morni-"

"Wait," interrupted Misty, "Gary's here?"

"He sure is, sweetie!" chirped Delia, "Here for the summer, just like you three! He's staying in his grandfathers for the three months, you'll probably be running into him an awful lot!"

Misty groaned. The last thing that would help her to wind down would be Gary's cocky, egotistical attitude, his know-it-all smirk, his smart-ass comments. She'd had enough of him every time they'd bumped into each other on the road: now she'd have to see him every day?

"Don't worry Mist," said Ash, nudging her, "We'll just stay clear of him, we'll be having too much fun this summer to even take any notice of him! I bet ya we'll barely even see him all summer!"

"I can only hope," muttered Misty, as they pulled into the Ketchum's driveway, officially marking the beginning of summer.

Like it? Hate it? Either way, I wanna know! R&R and I'll gladly return the favour.