Author's note: This story takes place two years after the original. If you want to understand what's going on, it might be a good idea to read the original by going to my profile and finding it there. All of what's happened between the first fic and the second fic will be explained as the story unfolds.

Anyway. So yeah, two years on. So the ages would be…

Ash – 16

Misty – 18 (if Misty is indeed 2 years older than Ash, as most sources suggest. And the fact that she's already an accomplished trainer when Ash has just got his Licence)

Brock – 21 (?)

Tracey – 20ish (?)

Anyway, so the story begins with multiple flashbacks….

"Jessie, I think we've accidentally captured a pair of very romantic creatures in our cage!"

"You mean…aaw!"

"They's love birds!"

Team Rocket had mocked them about it. They had denied it furiously.

And again…

"They may not be mature enough to admit, but they really like each other!" Misty had said, in regards to her elaborate plan to get two feuding kids to admit their true romantic feelings to one another.

"You know what, it's exactly the same thing with you and Ash!" Tracey had observed.

"You must be crazy!" Ash and Misty had yelled at him.

And later that same day, Ash had asked Misty, "Do you think people change when they…get kissed?"

"Guess we'll have to find out for ourselves".

Ash hadn't quite understood what she meant.

Then there had been Danny, a member of the Orange Crew and a Gym Leader. Misty had taken quite a shine to him at first. Ash had felt some sort of emotion, a sort of resentment to that.

Danny had laughed and said, "It sounds to me like the two of you are pretty close to each other. What's that saying? You always hurt the ones you love?"

Rudey. He had been the handsome, suave Gym Leader of Trovita Island. He had immediately made his feelings towards Misty clear. Ash had felt that same resentment again. But Misty had continued to travel with Ash. As they left, Rudey had turned to Ash.

"I hope you know, you're a very lucky guy Ash".

"Lucky? What do you mean?"

"Heh, you'll see some day".

Ash had no clue what he had meant by that. It had been a mystery to him.

But now he knew.

And he knew what that resentment had been. Acute jealousy.

Of course, none of that mattered now. It was all in the past. He was with her now. And he had been for two long, blissful years. She was so perfect in every way…

"Ash! Stop daydreaming!"

Ash started, "Huh? What?"

"You were miles away", Misty said.

"Oh? Oh, right. Yeah, Heheh. Sorry", he came back to reality and looked around.

He was lying on a beach, with sand as white as sugar. Fifty yards down the beach, the sea was lapping gently at the shore. He was in his black swimming trunks, and for once he wasn't wearing his cap. Not far away, Pikachu and Togepi were playing together.

Lying next to him was Misty. Except she wasn't lying down any more, she was sitting up and grabbing Ash by the hand. She was wearing her orange swimsuit bikini, and her red hair was in its usual style.

"Come on, Ash! Let's go swimming!"

Ash squinted as the sun beat down on him, "Do we have to? I kinda like it by here…"

"Yes, we do".

"Why?"

"Because it'll be fun! And I said so. Come on!"

Laughing, she ran down towards the sea. Ash stood up, shook his head, and ran after her, taking care to avoid the other tourists lying here and there on the beach.

They were on one of the Orange Islands, at a holiday resort. They had come here together for a well-earned vacation after Ash had finished being filmed for a series of documentaries about training Pokémon.

Ash had become quite the celebrity now. He was the youngest person to ever win the Indigo Plateau League, after it had been reorganized after Giovanni's death. Since then, he had gone on to win the Orange Islands League again, as well as multiple other competitions, and he had been granted the title of Pokémon Master. Not to mention the constant battles with brash young trainers he was having, as they wanted to prove themselves by beating him. As a young, enthusiastic yet talented and skilled trainer, the public had eagerly embraced him as a hero, much to his embarrassment.

In fact, having child fans come up to him and ask him to sign a Pokéball for them was a common occurrence, as well as having older trainers approach, congratulate him and ask for a few pointers.

Of course, Misty teased him endlessly about it. To her, the idea that Ash Ketchum, her boyfriend, the kid she had once pulled out of the river and then accompanied on his journeys was now a great Pokémon Master and a celebrity was a source of amusement for her, although really she was very impressed and proud of him.

Ash was still struggling to come to terms with it. Him, the goofy little trainer from Pallet Town who had overslept on the first day of his Pokémon journey, a hero? As much as he had always wanted to become a Pokémon Master, the dream had always seemed distant. Now he had made it.

He brushed the thoughts aside and waded into the surf after Misty, who was diving under the water cheerfully. As Ash approached, she swam swiftly closer and hugged him. He smiled and hugged her back.

"I love you, Ash", she whispered.

"I love you too, Mist", he said, then glanced back to the beach, "Um…people are looking at us…"

She grinned, "Let 'em look", and kissed him.

A few hours later, and Ash found himself in an outdoor arena, something like an outdoor tennis court. He was now donning his traditional clothes and cap, and Misty was wearing her usual yellow shirt, denim shorts and suspenders. Across the arena was a young man, but older than Ash, who'd demanded a battle. It was very much over.

"Okay Pikachu, use your thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaa…chuuuuuu!" sparks flew from Pikachu's cheeks and arced towards the enemy Dewgong, engulfing it in electrical energy.

The Dewgong collapsed in a heap, and the trainer stared in disbelief, then recalled it.

"I can't believe it! A total shut out!" the trainer murmured.

Pikachu ran back to Ash and leapt on his shoulder, "Heh, well done Pikachu", they turned and headed back to Misty, and led the way back to their hotel.

Misty glared at him, "Ash, that's the sixteenth battle you've had since we arrived here!"

"Sixteen in ten days isn't bad…"

"We were supposed to come here to get some time to ourselves, not so you could battle everyone who showed up, trying to defeat the 'great Ash Ketchum'".

"Hey, take it easy will ya? Okay, I'm sorry. I'll make a deal with you, no more matches until we leave".

She took his hand, "Thanks, Ash".

Upon entering their hotel room, Pikachu and Togepi leaped down and Ash and Misty dumped their backpacks aside. Before they could relax, however, the phone dramatically announced an incoming phone call.

Muttering, Ash lifted the phone off the receiver and activated the picture screen, and his mother appeared.

"Hi Ash! Hi, Misty!"

"Oh, hi Mom".

"Hello, Mrs Ketchum".

"How are you two doing, dear?" his Mom asked.

"We're doing great, Mom. The weather's great, the people are friendly and the company's…well…pretty average", he winked at Misty to show he was kidding, and she smiled, "I've had sixteen battles while I've been here…"

"And you're not having any more!" Misty growled threateningly.

His Mom was laughing, "Well, it sounds like you two are having lots of fun. I hope you enjoy yourselves. I'll see you both in a few days!"

"Bye Mom".

"Goodbye sweetie".

He put the phone down, and heard Misty approach. He turned to look at her, blushing.

She slipped her arms around his neck, "So…"

His arms went around her waist, "So…"

She grinned at him then kissed him. He returned it, closing his eyes, pulling her closer to him. They held the kiss, each loving the sensation of the other's lips against theirs. Rolling his eyes, Pikachu wisely turned Togepi away and led the way out of the room.

They pulled away for a moment and gazed into each other's eyes. Misty could feel her heart beating rapidly. She was so in love with him it made her feel dizzy at times. He was such a wonderful guy…

There was a grumbling noise, and Ash said, "Uh…can we get something to eat first?"

"Oh!" irritated, Misty pulled out of his grasp, "Fine. Let's go so we can stuff your face then!"

Ash stared, "Well, it's kinda hard to be romantic on a empty stomach…"

Misty glared at him, "Grr…"

"Jeez, okay, we'll kiss now then…"

"Oh no we won't! Come on. Food it is then!"

She grabbed him by the hand and practically dragged him out of the room. Pikachu and Togepi stared in confusion.

"Woah…Misty…woah calm down!" Ash said frantically.

"I am calm", she replied through gritted teeth, with more than a hint of sarcasm, "We're going to get something to eat. It'll be fun! Lots of fun…"

Ash sighed, "Well, look Misty, if you must know, I've booked seats for the really fancy restaurant in town we saw earlier today, you know, the one with the sea view…"

Misty stopped dead in her tracks, "You did?"

Ash managed to pry his hand free from her vice like grip, "Uh-huh. I thought it might be nice and romantic, so I was trying to keep it a secret…"

She hugged him close, "Oh, Ash, that is so sweet! I'm sorry I was a jerk".

"Heh…no sweat. Let's go get changed".

In a shadowy, dark arena, two Pokémon were facing one.

Something that appeared to be little more than a pile of sludge with eyes, a mouth and arms slid across the floor, "Grrrrriiiiimeeeerrrrr!"

A large, green bug with large wings and two bladed arms lunged forward alongside the Grimer, "Scy! Scyther!"

Standing motionless, the fearsome Pinsir watched their approach, and waited until they were within two metres. Then it attacked with blinding speed, seizing the Scyther in its jaws and hurling it at the Grimer. The two collided, and before they could recover the clawed hand of the Pinsir swiped them, and they drooped over, defeated.

The two crushed Pokémon were recalled by a trainer wearing all black and with a large red 'R' as a symbol on the front of the shirt. He bowed, then turned and left the arena through a small steel door.

Alone, the other trainer returned his Pinsir and said, "Well now, that's enough training for today", in a low voice that radiated with calm, subtle menace.

He stood up and moved out of the shadows, accompanied by a sleek Persian that rubbed against his leg affectionately. It purred as he stroked its head briefly.

"We're almost ready for the resurgence of Team Rocket", he whispered to the darkness, "And this time, there will be no stopping us. And no escape for Ash Ketchum".