1There's no place like home…

The night was softly lit by an enchanting full moon, and the silver shine of countless stars. I lay still, listening to the popping of the embers, and various snores coming from my friends. Suddenly, a small tail hit my arm, and turning, I saw Pikachu shifting sleepily, trying to find a more comfortable spot. Grinning, I reached out and stroked his ears a few times, causing him to smile and sigh. As Pikachu began snoring again, I looked back towards the night sky. It felt good to be back in Kanto.

Next morning, I was awakened by the delicious smell of frying eggs. Also bacon, there was definitely bacon involved somewhere. I sat up, stretching and was immediately attacked by a flying ball of yellow and black fur.

"Pika-pi!" (You're awake!)

"G-good m-m-morning, buddy." I yawned

"You're up early, Ash!" Brock's voice came from the vicinity of the fire, from where the yummy smells were also emanating.

"Why so surprised Brock?" I asked, though I knew the answer.

"Well, you usually either sleep till noon, or get a mallet on the head as your wake up call." He answered chuckling. I felt my face flush slightly, then a searing pain in my head.

"Guess what! You get the mallet anyway!" came the voice of my most exasperating (and beautiful) friend. Brock and Max began laughing, but May came to my defense.

"Give him a break, Misty!" she said angrily "He hasn't done anything wrong yet!" Well I thought at least I've got one female who doesn't hit me… wait, what did she mean 'yet'?

"Aw, come on, May." Misty said with a sidelong glance at me "You know it's just a matter of time until he does mess up." I was about to deliver a scathing reply when Brock said

"Break it up you three, or Max and I will eat all the breakfast ourselves!"

"Sounds like a good idea to me Brock!" Max said as they shared an evil smirk.

"That's what you think!" I told them, returning their smirk "Pikachu! Thunderbolt 'em!"

"Pikkaaa…"

"Okay, okay, we'll share!" Max and Brock yelled in unison, cutting Pikachu off and holding plates out for us. As we all loaded our plates with food, and filled our mugs with various beverages, Misty said

"Uh-oh, I think I recognize those three figures up on the cliff. Son of an Arcanine! I thought not those idiots again!

"You'd think they'd give up after five years of following us around." I told her

"Ha! Not those creeps, they still think they can steal our pokemon."
Max laughed.

Maybe I should fill you guys in on what's been happening. After May took third in the Grand Festival, and I reached the top four in the Hoenn league, we came back to Kanto to try our luck on the contests here and the Battle Frontier. Stopping at home in Pallet Town, who should be waiting at my house (besides Mom and Mr. Mime) but Misty! Boy was I happy to see her! She doesn't know exactly how happy, but that's another story. So now we're all on our way back to Cerulean city, and that's about it. Oh yeah, our ages… Well, I'm now nearly 14, Brock is 17, Misty is 15, May is also 13 and Max is 10 (A/N I think that's how old Max is). As Team Rocket approached, I tensed, 'preparing for trouble' as it were. When they got closer, however; I could see that they weren't in good enough shape to cause trouble even for a Magikarp. When they reached our camp, their faces fell

"Aw, Tauros puckey, it's only the twerps" said Jessie

"Oh, and I was hoping for someone nice, or stupid." James told her. Pikachu began shooting sparks from his cheeks, but Meowth said "Give it a rest will ya? We ain't in the mood for a fight."

"Pika? Pi-pikachu." (What? You must be sick or something.)

"Actually, we've neva felt better, 'cept for the hunger." Meowth replied.

"Say twerps, you wouldn't be willing to share that lovely smelling food with some old friend would you?" asked Jessie, hopefully.

"Why should we? After what you've done to us during our journeys." I asked aggressively.

"For your information, we've decided to break off from the rest of Team Rocket!" James replied, also getting angry.

"Pika! Chu?" (Really! Why?) Pikachu asked, looking surprised.

"Cause we're tired of always blasting off while tryin' to catch ya." Meowth replied.

"Exactly!" Jessie exclaimed "Our plans always fail, so we decided to return to our roots and start over."

"Yes, we figured it would be more fun to travel like you twerps and battle others to be strong and famous." James told us, with a dreamy expression on his face.

"Then how about a battle with me right now?" I challenged him, always ready for a good match.

"Can we have some food first?" James whined "I can't battle on an empty stomach." I turned to the others. Misty and Brock had dubious looks on their faces, as did Max, but May said

"I think we can trust them Ash, they really sound like they mean it." I thought about it for a while. Well, if they do try anything, I can always kick their butts like usual…

"Okay" I told them, "Just don't try anything funny. And stop calling us twerps!"

"Yous got it!" Meowth exclaimed digging into his food and smearing egg on his whiskers. Jessie and James were even worse, spilling their milk and dropping crumbs. Brock stood behind them with a disapproving look on his face. When they had finished eating, Brock and Max took the dishes and had Brock's Mudkip use Water Gun on them to get them clean. Stowing them away in our packs, I turned to James,

"So, how 'bout that battle now?" I asked, grinning

"Do I have to?" he asked, turning to me with a pitiable expression on his face.

"Yes." I replied "That's the price of breakfast, remember? I challenged you and you wanted food first. Now you've all eaten, it's time to pay up."

"Okay, okay." James agreed gloomily.

"Hey Ash, I've got a good idea!" Misty told me, an evil smile spreading over her face. "Why don't we have a double battle? You and I versus Team Rocket." I grinned back.

"Sounds good to me? What do you two think?" I asked the former Rockets. Jessie and James exchanged a worried look.

"Come on yous two, this is yer big chance fer payback." Meowth told them encouragingly.

"Well, I guess it would make a good start…" Jessie said, dubiously.

"And we could see what improvements we need to make. Because let's face it, we need a lot of improvement." James said with a faraway look in his eyes. "Alright then, twer- I mean Ash lets go at it!" I looked at Misty and she nodded, still with that wicked grin on her face. Heck yes! I thought a good excuse to be with Misty! Someone up there loves me!

"Uh… Ash, are you listening to me?" May asked. She seemed to be slightly annoyed that I had – unintentionally - ignored her.

"Huh?" I asked her, still day-dreaming about Misty.

"I was just wishing you good luck, dummy." She replied.

"Oh! Yeah, thanks May." I said, shaking my head to clear it of my favorite day-dream. Lately though, my day-dream had concerned May instead of Misty, which is kind of weird. Maybe I'm just twisted…

"Ash! Are you coming or what?" Misty asked me

"I'm coming, I'm coming." I told her as Max and Brock shared a knowing smirk. I knew what they were thinking of course. That Misty and I act like an old married couple. How little they know. I thought, mentally smiling.But enough of that, you guys probably want to get to the battle huh? Alright, here you go…

Misty and I faced Jessie and James across the clearing, after we had cleaned up our camp. Brock stood off to one side, since he is going to judge our battle. May and Max stood behind him and Meowth stood behind his teammates.

"Are you ready?" I called across to the Rockets. I could feel the Misty's tension and excitement, probably because I felt the same way. Are they up to something? Or are they really repentant? In any case, I still get to battle and at Misty's side no less! (Gleeful giggle) Brock stepped forward and began outlining the rules of the match.

"This will be a two on two tag team battle. Each pair of trainers will be allowed two pokemon each. The match will end when one pair of opponents runs out of useable pokemon." He glanced at Jessie and James, and then at Misty and I. "Does everyone agree and understand?" All four of us nodded acceptance

"Then let the battle begin!" He declared, stepping back towards May and Max.

"Hold on a second, you still need to tell us who gets to make the first move!" James told him. Brock looked at me and I nodded.

"Ash says that you two can go first." He told the Rockets.

"Okay then, Cacnea! Come on out!" James said tossing a pokeball and a small cactus like creature popped out, yelling its name.

"Go, Dustox!" said Jessie, releasing a large moth from its pokeball. Umm, a grass-type and a bug/poison type… Ah-ha! I thought. Grabbing a ball from my belt, I yelled "Torkoal! I choose you!" and my little red turtle friend came out and a blast of steam issued from his back. Misty picked brought out her lure ball, and tossed it onto the field. "Okay Corsola! You come on out too!" A flash of light later, a little pink piece of coral reef was jumping around next to Torkoal.

"Cacnea! Pin Missile on Torkoal!" James ordered

"Dustox, tackle that little pink gumball!" Jessie told her moth.

"Torkoal, use Iron Defense!" I told it. He disappeared inside his shell and the Pin Missile just bounced off.

"Corsola! Dodge and tackle it right back!" Misty said to her pokemon. Corsola jumped in the air just in time, and landed right on the Dustox flying underneath it. Dustox was slammed to the ground and Corsola jumped off, crying its name triumphantly.

"No, Dustox! Get up!" Jessie pleaded with her pokemon.

"Torkoal, strike back at Cacnea with Flamethrower!" I told him. He cried his name and shot a stream of fire at Cacnea.

"Cacnea, counter it with Sandstorm!" James called to it. It immediately began spinning which caused a small dust devil to form, which diverted Torkoal's attack to either side. Unfortunately for the Rockets, one half of the diverted Flamethrower hit the still dazed Dustox, knocking it out instantly. While on the side of the field, Brock, May and Max narrowly jumped out of the way of the other half of the attack. Jessie rounded on James.

"Watch what you're doing moron!" James flushed with anger.

"How was I supposed to know that would happen?" he yelled back at her. Misty and I shared a smirk and I could hear Brock talking to Max.

"Those two sound like Ash and Misty usually do." Max started laughing, but May scowled at him. I turned back to the battle in time to see Jessie choosing her next pokemon.

"Okay then, go Seviper" and a huge snake came out hissing at Corsola. Meanwhile, Cacnea's Sandstorm had subsided.

"Alright Torkoal, its time to use Overheat!" I commanded him.

"TORKOAL!" he replied, and flames erupted from his mouth as well as the gaps on his shell, heading straight for Cacnea.

"Cacnea, try and dodge it!" James pleaded with his pokemon. But Cacnea just wasn't fast enough. The flames enveloped it, and when they subsided, poor Cacnea was lying on the ground, smoking. "Cacnea, return!" James ordered, and it disappeared. "Okay, then" James said "It's your turn, Chimecho!" and a little wind chime thing came out of the pokeball he had thrown. Next to me, Misty was still going at it.

"Corsola, use Spike Cannon on Seviper!" She told it.

"Seviper, dodge it!" Jessie said. Seviper ducked and the spikes sailed over its head. "Now Seviper! Use Poison Tail on that stupid gumball!" Seviper's tail began glowing purple.

"Come on Corsola, you've gotta dodge it!" Misty shouted. Corsola leapt to one side, but it still got hit and knocked out. "No, Corsola!" Misty yelled "Please, get up!" Corsola struggled feebly, but sank back to the ground unconscious. Misty returned her Corsola, and I patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry about it." I told her, giving what I hoped was an encouraging smile. "I can handle it myself Ash!" she replied hotly. Oh here she goes again! I thought, rolling my eyes.

"I know that! I was trying to be nice for a change!" I shot back "Excuse me for trying to be friendlier." I looked into her eyes and saw the amazement, but then she turned back to the battle. I turned back to the battle just in time to catch Torkoal my stomach. We were both knocked into a tree, and I looked down to see Torkoal at my feet, knocked out.

"What!" I cried, "When did that happen?"

"You should pay better attention Ash!" May and Misty yelled in unison. I felt myself flush. Girls sure are a pain… I thought.

"I thought we were battling, twerp!" James laughed "So I attacked, it's not my fault you weren't paying attention!" On the sidelines, Brock and Max were laughing again, and May's scowl was directed at me. Girls! I thought again, turning my attention back to the battle. "Alright loser, now you've asked for it!" I yelled at James "Corphish! I choose you!" I threw a ball and my other little red friend made his appearance.

"Ha! You think that lobster can beat me?" James asked me mockingly.

"He has before and will again!" I retorted "Corphish, use Bubblebeam on Chimecho!" Corphish's claws began glowing and he shot a stream of bubbles at the wind chime.

"Chimecho, dodge it and use Confusion!" James ordered. It quickly floated out of the way, and its eyes began glowing blue. Corphish was surrounded by a blue light and began levitating.

"Oh no, Corphish!" I cried. At my side, Misty was about to choose her next pokemon.

"You've asked for it too!" she yelled at Jessie. "I choose Gyarados!" But instead of Gyarados, who should pop out but everyone's favorite yellow duck. "Not again Psyduck!" Misty groaned. I silently groaned as well. Seviper hissed at Psyduck, causing it to sweat-drop and hide behind Misty. "Come on Psyduck; get back in your ball." Misty said, holding it out and shaking her head wearily.

"Sorry, Misty but you have to use Psyduck." Brock told her trying to conceal his grin.

"WHAT!" she screeched "Brock, you know he can't battle."

"Sorry, but those are the rules." He replied, though he didn't look all that sorry to me. Misty hung her head. I could tell she was thinking: I'm doomed! Psyduck can't battle! I felt a momentary sense of pity for poor Psyduck, and then turned back to my own battle.

"Chimecho, send Corphish flying!" James ordered. Corphish was sent slamming into a nearby tree, but he jumped right back up shouting his name.

"Way to come back Corphish, now show that thing how a real pokemon battles!" I shouted gleefully. "Crabhammer attack!" Corphish's right claw began glowing again as he charged at Chimecho.

"Dodge it Chimecho!" James told it. It moved aside just in time, "Now use Tackle attack!" Chimecho launched itself at Corphish, knocking him to the ground again. "Corphish, you have to get up!" I yelled, worried that I might actually lose to Team Rocket. I mean really! They are Team Rocket after all. Corphish was struggling to get back on his... legs? Then Psyduck ran past trying to escape from Seviper. He tripped over Corphish and they both lay there for a moment. A very heart-stopping moment let me tell you! Jessie and James were hugging each other in glee at the thought of finally beating us. "Come on, Corphish!" I begged, "You've gotta get up!" Corphish shoved Psyduck off him.

"Okay Seviper, use Wrap on Psyduck!" Jessie ordered. Seviper lunged at Psyduck and wrapped around it, squeezing it.

"Corphish, use Crabhammer on Chimecho!" I told him. Corphish yelled with rage and his claw began glowing again. He flung himself at Chimecho, who had been watching Seviper and Psyduck.

"Chimecho, look out!" James yelled. Chimecho turned in time to catch the Crabhammer in the face. "Oh no, Chimecho!" Chimecho was slammed to the ground, and lay there with X's over his eyes.

"Chimecho is unable to battle!" Brock declared "Corphish is the winner!" I returned Corphish and thanked him for a good fight. Meanwhile, Psyduck was still stuck in Seviper's coils. For a moment it looked like Psyduck would lose, but then I noticed that his head was being squished pretty badly.

"Misty." I said quietly. She rounded on me

"What! Can't you see my Psyduck is in trouble?" she retorted.

"Yes I can, but did you see where the Wrap is hitting?" I asked. Misty looked at the struggling yellow duck and then back at me, a grin spreading across her face.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" she asked me.

"You know it!" I replied "Let 'em have it!" Misty turned to Psyduckand said "Psyduck, use Confusion!" Psyduck's eyes began glowing blue and Seviper was flung off him into Jessie. She struggled back to her feet and said

"Seviper, get up now!" she told it "That can't have finished you already!" Seviper rose back up and hissed at Jessie. "Alright, now get back in there!" She demanded. Seviper charged at Psyduck again, but stopped in it's tracks when Psyduck began glowing brightly. Everyone froze, staring at the white outline that had been Psyduck a few seconds ago. When it faded, there was a much larger, more evil looking blue duck in his place. Misty and I turned to each other.

"I can't believe it!" She exclaimed "My Psyduck evolved into a Golduck!" She leapt at Golduck, hugging it tightly. There was a stunned silence coming from Team Rocket and the others.

"Congratulations, Misty!" I told her. She turned to me and gave me a huge hug too. I felt my face becoming hot, Oh yeah! I thought this is very nice! When she let go of me I thought No! Come back to me! Oh well… Misty turned back to her newly evolved friend and TR.

"What do you think, Golduck?' she asked it "Shall we show them what you can really do?" Golduck grinned and agreed. "Okay then, use Psychic!" Misty commanded. Golduck let out an evil cry and Seviper was surrounded by blue light again. This time though, it got bounced up and down a few times, before it was thrown in to Jessie, knocking James down as well.

"Seviper is unable to battle!" Brock declared, finding his voice again "Golduck is the winner!" Misty and I hugged again, making my heart do a few flips. "This battle is over, and the winning couple is Ash and Misty!" Wait a minute! Did Brock just call us a couple? I wondered to myself, then decided to celebrate some more.

"You did great." I whispered in Misty's ear. I could sense her sudden embarrassment.

"Thanks, Ash." She quietly replied "You did well too and… I-I couldn't have done it without you by my side" Now I was really blushing! As we broke apart again and turned to the others, I noticed that Brock had a knowing smile on his face. I could see Max talking excitedly to Golduck, but May was nowhere to be seen.

So what do you readers think? Good? Bad? Lame? I want to know! Flames gratefully accepted, since this is a first for me. Thanks for reading!

Dragonlord Daoka

Update 4/6/07: I fixed the formatting errors, and a tiny bit of the dialogue. Also, I wanted to get this back near the top to get more reviews!