Greetings to old and new reviewers! I, RoseMasterD87, have returned once again with a brand-spankin' new story to my ongoing Pokemon series…. and this one is back into the Johto Region. If you're a new reader, I recommend a glance-through of my other stories: Suishou Neo Johto, Trainer's Reminisce, Two Escapades In One, Step's In Paradise, and Never Lend Butch Your Gengar. Other than that, enjoy yourself with the first chapter, based on the Johto Journeys' episode "For Crying Out Loud"; don't own Pokemon except for my own ideas and characters.

Summary: Retracing steps may be old, but Angelina Murakami has her reasons to journey back into the Johto Region. What's in store for this trainer after three years? R&R!

Johto Surprises Upon Return

Chapter 1: Crying Out Loudly

Just another sunny, perfect day for traveling. Angelina Murakami, an aspiring four-year Pokemon trainer, rode down a dirt path through a forest area on her 10-speed shiny blue bike with her baby Pichu riding happily inside a basket.

Butterfree fluttered, and flowers bloomed all around. The sun peeked through the patches of trees, giving it a very beautiful look. The fourteen year old girl had shoulder-length strawberry-blonde hair and hazel eyes, she wore a quarter-length sleeved black laced top, a light blue-jean pleited mini skirt, black heeled sandals, dark green fingerless grip gloves, her black Poke-belt holding six red-and-white Pokeballs, and on her back was a lilac-colored traveling backpack. She had her reasons for returning to Johto, and since it wasn't because of her young brother's journey, it involved her friend's wedding in Sweet Valley Town.

"Hey Jeremy, be lucky I'm traveling by or I wouldn't be out this way!" Angelina yelled toward two figures. She recognized one of them; a boy two years older than herself, Jeremy Cretonne. He had messy blonde hair and green eyes, wore blue jeans, a red muscle shirt under a white long-sleeved jacket, black sneakers, and slung over his shoulder was a dark-green backpack.

"Love you too, Angel." Jeremy grinned, and then he motioned to the pretty dark-green haired girl beside him holding a parasol and wearing a pink-and-red dress. "This is Wilhemina Rochester, her family is really good friends to the Jettisons'. They sent me down to-uh…. visit? Yeah!" he laughed nervously.

"Translation?" Angelina blinked in confusion.

Wilhemina giggled, "Since April's wedding is coming up soon, the Jettisons' sent Jeremy to relay the message. Anyway, it's nice to meet you, Angelina."

"Likewise." Angelina smiled, then she looked around at the massive houses across the nearby lake. "So this is Lakeside? You must love living in such a quiet area."

"Yes its lovely." Wilhemina nodded. "But I came here so my Marill can enjoy the surroundings as well."

"Your Marill?" Angelina blinked, her eyes glanced around worriedly. "Tell me you didn't leave that Pokemon roam by itself."

"I know I shouldn't, the first it's ever been alone and just a baby." Wilhemina sighed. "But don't worry, I'll find-"

"You can't get away with this!" voices yell from behind.

Angelina looked over Jeremy's shoulder; she saw three figures chasing a truck farther down the dirt path. "No way! It's Ash, and…. what's Team Rocket up to now?"

"Stealing Pokemon, I bet." Jeremy guessed.

"Oh no, they've got my Marill!" Wilhemina cried and began to run down the path.

"Hold up, we're coming, too!" Angelina yelled, she pedaled her bike and Jeremy ran alongside.

They stopped upon seeing a wrecked truck smashed into a railing, then looking down the hill and spotted what seemed like only two people yelling while standing in front of a river.

"Marill's gone!" Wilhemina jumped over the railing and made her way down hill.

"Let's go, Stormy!" Angelina threw out a Pokeball with her right hand (the left arm holding Pichu) and summoned her flying tanish-brown bird Pokemon, she and Jeremy hopped onto the Pidgeot's back and flew after Wilhemina. They safely landed just as Ash and Brock turned around.

"My sweet angel is here! She's like a lovely dream come true!" Brock proclaimed happily.

"Geas, I hope that's me." Angelina growled, recalling her Pidgeot, yet she had a feeling that Brock referred to Wilhemina.

"All right you weasally Pokemon thief!" Wilhemina yelled angrily, grabbing Ash by the collar. "What did you do with my little Marill?"

"Are you supposed to be a dream or a nightmare?" Ash gasped.

"I heard you talking about my Marill!" Wilhemina snaps. "Now where is it?"

"Your Marill?" Ash gasped in shock.

"Yes, what have you done with my Pokemon?" Wilhemina demanded.

"It…. went for a little swim." Ash quips.

"AHHHHH!" Brock cries, throwing Ash aside and grabbing Wilhemina's hand in his. "I believe I can rectify this terrible misapprehension. My name is Brock, and I can assure you that neither of us had anything to do with your Pokemon's abduction. Please tell me your name so that I may emblazon it upon my heart."

"My names' Wilhemina, Brock." Wilhemina explained.

"Did you hear that, Ash! Ahhhhh, her last name is the same as my first name!"

"Yeah, what a coincidence." Ash says sarcastically.

"Toge-toge-pleeee!" Togepi squeals.

"And these are my friends, Jeremy and Angelina." Wilhemina introduced.

"We already know each other." Angelina said, waving to Ash who nodded back.

They now walk downstream along the river for any signs of Misty, Pikachu, and Marill. Jeremy and Angelina walk behind Brock and Wilhemina, and Ash is up front holding Togepi.

"Misty will take care of your Marill, you'll see." Ash mutters assuringly.

"Yes!" Brock agrees. "And I'll promise to look after her in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, till death do us part; I do, I DO!"

"You're gonna scare her off, Brock." Ash suggested while Jeremy and Angelina watch in annoyance.

"This is all my fault." Wilhemina sighs. "I never should have let little Marill out of my sight for a second!" she stops, and everyone stares in confusion.

"Here it comes." Angelina rolls her eyes, not bothering to pay attention as Wilhemina explains about Marill being a baby and could get lost for days without finding a way home. Jeremy nudged her and glared rudely, but Angelina had little concern when Wilhemina started crying, yet her hazel eyes watched in glazed jealousy as Brock takes the girl's hands in his.

"Yes, we will find your Marill."

"You think so?" Wilhemina asked.

"I know so." Brock proclaims bravely. "And no matter what happens and no matter how long it takes, I promise I'll be here for you until Marill is back safely."

"Oh tell me he did not just say that." Angelina growled lowly, her fists clenched and her eyebrow twitching.

"Mellow down, Angel." Jeremy rubs his friend's back calmly, and then he leaned close and whispered, "Once Marill is found, this display of affection will be over, trust me."

"All right," Angelina said in some-what relief, then she saw her brother's irritated expression. "What's wrong, Ash?"

"I think she really likes him."

Angelina blinked then narrowed her eyes annoyedly. "I hope not, but it won't last when Marill's found."

"Uhm…. are you jealous?" Ash asked while Angelina blushed.

"Isn't it- oomph!" Jeremy yelped, clutching his stomach after Angelina elbowed him hard. "Sorry, my bad."

"Oo-kay." Ash looked confused, suddenly Togepi jumps down and picks up something from the ground, it was long and pink. "Huh? What's that?"

"That's the ribbon from my little Marill!" Wilhemina gasped in surprise.

"Then it's not far." Jeremy concluded with a grin.

Now the travelers continue their search, walking down a dirt path and climb over a fallen tree except for Wilhemina.

"Don't worry, I'll help you down." Brock offers.

"Oh Brock, you're such a gentleman!" Wilhemina gasps happily.

"Trip, trip!" Angelina hissed unheardly, but she yelped when Jeremy smacked her upside her head. "What, I'm joking!"

"Uh-huh, sure." Jeremy glared and pointed behind him. Wilhemina had just tripped and fallen right into Brock's arms.

"Are you okay, Wilhemina?" Brock asked in concern. "You're not hurt, are you?"

Wilhemina stares at him lovingly, "I'm fine." she says softly.

"Ahhh, and so am I!" Brock smiles happily.

Angelina narrowed her eyes annoyedly once again, "For Ho-oh's sake-" but she was interrupted by a familiar mouse-like squeak from behind.

"Huh? Pikachu?" Ash turns around, as does everyone and spots the electric mouse charging in terror towards them and followed by Misty and Marill. "Yeah, we found ya!"

"Maybe there's a reason to that!" Jeremy pointed farther down the path.

Angelina cried in fear spotting a swarm of flying insect-like Pokemon. "BEEDRILL! RUN!"

They quickly caught up with Wilhemina, Brock, and Ash; all fleeing from the Beedrill. Wilhemina falls due to being off balance, knocking her friends over also as Misty, Marill, and Pikachu charge past.

"Pikachu!" Ash yelled.

"Marill!" Wilhemina cried.

"The Beedrill are coming!" Brock yelled. "Get down!"

Beedrills zoom over their protecting bodies. Jeremy was the first to get up. "Okay, it's safe now."

"Not for a thunderstorm." Angelina said, dark clouds formed overhead and rain began pouring.

"Quickly, we have to take shelter." Brock said, everyone ran along the dirt path and now hide under a huge tree.

Ash holds Togepi while Brock sits beside Wilhemina muttering to himself; Angelina and Jeremy sit on the other side.

"So I can either be unhappy/happy or happy/unhappy." Brock stated out loud.

"What?" Ash asked, just as confused like Angelina and Jeremy.

"ARRRRH!" Brock cried, stepping out into the rain and throwing his arms wide screaming, "Why can't I have a little ray of sunshine in my life!"

"Get back in here, will ya!" Angelina yanked the older boy by his collar. "I'd cry if you were struck by lightning!"

"Really? You care that much?" Brock asked hopefully.

"Well I could've left you out there if I didn't." Angelina smirked.

"Gea thanks." Brock said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Suddenly, lightning strikes outside and Wilhemina squeals in fright. Brock rushes over and comforts her, Angelina sighs and sits back down next to Jeremy.

"Withdraw!" Ash laughs just as Togepi closes up also. "That's a good idea! As soon as the rain stops and the sun comes out, we'll go look for Misty…. I hope."

"Pi?" Pichu's ears twitched, then he jumped from Angelina's arms and fled.

"Chocolate! No wait!" Angelina followed after her Pokemon, ignoring her friends' shouting. She glanced the surroundings in fear which Pichu wasn't around, save for a blast of lightning to the right and joined by a scream. "Chocolate…." She whispered and jogged down the path quickly, spotting her Pichu in front of a fallen tree. "Thank goodness." She sighed in relief and hugged her baby-mouse Pokemon, the storm is finally over and the sun returns.

Angelina walks back to the tree where her friends took shelter, but there was no one inside. "Uh-oh, now we have to find them." She un-hooked a Pokeball and threw it. "Stormy, let's go! Fly!" she mounted her flying-bird Pokemon and soared the skies, then locating a Pokemon battle near a bridge. "Oh great! Team Rocket's back!" she frowned and motioned her Pidgeot lower toward the ground.

Arbok spat out poison stings which slide by Poliwag without damage and headed toward a shock-looking Misty. Marill jumps in and blasts the stings away with it's Water Gun just as Pikahcu finishes off the battle with Thundershock, blasting Team Rocket into their balloon basket and blowing up the gas cylinder.

"Looks Like Team Rocket's Blasting Off Again!"

"Hey Angel!" Jeremy waved; he approached the girl returning her Pidgeot. "Bout time you showed up, now we can leave in peace."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Angelina smiles.

Back onto the dirt correctly leading towards Azalea Town, a black fancy car pulls up assumably for Wilhemina's ride home. Angelina is seated on her 10-speed bike with Pichu in the basket while Jeremy stands beside them; they watch Ash and friends say goodbye to Wilhemina and Marill.

"This is gonna be hard for them." Jeremy sympasized, Angelina stared at him confusedly. "Brock and Misty, they really care about Wilhemina and Marill."

"Oh," Angelina said, she nodded. "Right, and today was a little crazy, but in the end, everything's fine."

And so as the car disappears from view, new friends do too, but they'll always remain in our heroes' hearts.

§To Be Continued§

Yeperoo! First chapter of another journey underway; if you've seen the Johto episode series, then you'll like my twisting-ideas! Expect the next chapter up soon. Thanks for reading, all reviews welcomed!