Following is the first chapter of the story! Yay! :D Slight Pokéshipping here, but Ash is dense, so maybe not really? I know the chapter's a bit slow, but aren't all beginnings? I'm thinking for the next chapter to land Team Rocket's first attack, but we'll see. A few things in this chapter are referenced to past episodes. Future chapters will have many references to previous episodes and movies, but I'll make sure to list them in this pre-section. I always find it helpful to add ages, so the ages of the characters in my story thus far;

Ash - 15

Misty - 15 turning 16

Brock - 18

Dawn - 12

I did a lot of research, but I didn't like the ages I found, whether they're true or not. We know for a fact Misty is older than Ash (from the first episode), we just don't know how much (but it's no more than a year since she was already 10 on his 10th birthday). But yeah...anyways haha, without any further ado, here's Chapter 1!

Disclaimer: I do not Pokémon or any of the characters in this story.

Chapter 1 - S. S. Pokémon

Her 16th birthday was coming up. And he knew exactly what to get her. He smiled to himself, slowly tipping his hat forward so nobody would notice the cheeky grin plastered on his face. You've outdone yourself this time Ash, Misty's gonna love this! Now all he had to figure out was how exactly to give it to her…

"Come on Ash, we're gonna miss the boat!" Ash Ketchum raised his chocolate eyes, frantically searching for his friends. Miss the boat! It doesn't leave until 10:00! It's only…Ash looked down at his Pokégear.

"Wah!" It was 9:58! How was that even possible? He could have sworn the clock hand had trudged past 9:05 not but a few minutes ago! Dawn, Brock, and Pikachu were already aboard the ship, desperately waving and screaming at Ash to hurry up. 9:59. Ash threw his bag over his shoulder and sprinted to the boat as fast as he could; his legs began to burn, but that only increased Ash's determination. Wah! The boat's pulling away! 10:00. As Ash reached the dock, and made one final desperate leap for the boat! I'm gonna make it! His hands were only inches away from grabbing the railing…he was almost there…he made one final stretch…SPLASH! Are you kidding me? What was that, like a hair's width away?

Dawn, Brock, and Pikachu had burst into the most obnoxious fit of laughter! They were on the ground, hugging their stomachs as their bodies heaved, eyes squeezed so hard that tears were splashing down, laughter emitting from their mouths.

Bulbasaur appeared on the ship in a brilliant flash of white.

"Bulbasaur!" yelled the Grass-type Pokémon with joy. It extended long vines from its body, quickly winding them around Ash. With ease, Bulbasaur lifted Ash onto the dry floorboards of the S. S. Pokémon. Ash coughed up some water as he returned his old friend with a spluttered thanks.

"Yeah, don't worry about me guys, just keep laughing," Ash murmured as he attempted to wring his jacket out over the edge of the ship. Great friends they were, huh?

"Oh Ash, stop being such a baby," giggled Dawn. Her blue hair bounced slightly as her cap took a dive down past her eyes. Again, she giggled, adjusting it so it sat neatly on top of her head.

Brock chuckled as he walked over to his Chansey, standing a few feet from Ash, carefully eyeing him to make sure he didn't need any medical attention.

"Don't worry Chansey, Ash is gonna be fine," assured Brock, as Chansey tore its eyes from Ash to Brock to give it a happy smile on contentment. "Why don't we let all the Pokémon down to the play area guys?"

Ash blinked, staring blankly at Brock. Obviously, he hadn't known the ship had such features. Nevertheless, he released Bulbasaur, Quilava, Corphish, and Gliscor. Brock tossed two Poké Balls in the air, one containing Croagunk and the other holding his beloved Crobat.

Ash had talked to Professor Oak a few days back, and decided he wanted his team to be a combination of all his journeys. Brock, appreciating the new variety on Ash's team, swapped Pokémon with his brother Forrest back home, taking possession of only his Chansey, Croagunk, and Crobat.

Dawn released each and every one of her Pokémon as well; Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu, Mamoswine, Quilava, and Togekiss each appeared with a graceful entrance. Ash realized just how well Dawn had trained her contest Pokémon. All 14 Pokémon stretched and yelled in excitement!

"Make sure you take care of everyone Pikachu!" Ash yelled towards the Pokémon racing into the distance.

"Pika pika Pikapi!" Pikachu yelled back with confidence, waving his tiny arm as the other Pokémon tugged it forward.

"Let's go ahead and get settled into our rooms," suggested Brock, tossing his bag over his broad shoulder. He picked up Ash's soaked bag and carried it inside to the interior of the ship. After being one of Ash's best friends for 5 years, he knew the teen would most likely stay up on deck for a bit longer.

"See you inside Ash!" Dawn gave him a small smile before skipping on after him, feeling a little more excited than Ash thought she should. After all, they were going to his hometown, and he wasn't even that excited. For some odd reason though, he was most excited to catch up with his other best friend, Misty Waterflower. He shook his head, clearing his head of any confusing thoughts that had begun to creep into his mind.

He gingerly peeled off his hat and wrung it over the railing. He placed his moist jacket on the railing, and laid his hat on top. His chocolate eyes peered deep into the fading crimson horizon, watching the day end. He felt so peaceful; the last couple of weeks had been hectic, battle after battle after battle. Placing in the Top 4 in the Sinnoh League was hard work, but he was proud. He decided that this week-long cruise back to Pallet Town was just the vacation he and his Pokémon needed.

His mind flashed over the memories they had collected throughout their journey in the Sinnoh region, reliving each and every moment. If only Misty could have seen how me get to the Top 4!

If Ash had counted right, by the time they reached Pallet Town, it would be exactly 16 days until her birthday, including the day they reached and the day of her birthday. How perfect! Finally, he could do something right for a change!

He stood leaned against the ceiling, taking in the cool, salty, ocean scent and the nippy wind as it playfully bit at his nose and cheeks. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to enter a blissful world full of nothing but peace and serenity.

As the last sliver of the day began to fade under the ocean line, Ash picked up his still-wet clothes and walked into the ship. He grasped the silver Gyarados handles of the door and walked into a beautiful hotel-like hallway.

The ceiling reflected a beautiful painting of Pidgeot, Noctowl, Swellow, and Staraptor flying across an open, sapphire sky. The carpet under his feet depicted a Blastoise, Feraligatr, Swampert, and Empoleon racing towards the end of the hallway. The wall on the right hand side showed a Typhlosion, Blaziken, and Infernape racing towards the same goal as a Charizard took an aerial approach above the fiery racers. The wall on the left hand side showed a Venusaur, Meganium, Sceptile, and Torterra bounding off as well. It was as if he looked up, the ceiling would appear to be opening to the heavens, if he looked down, the floor would appear to be opening the depths below, and if he looked to either one of his sides, a beautiful open plain revealed itself to him.

This was amazing. It was beautiful; every little detail etched into the Pokémon flared up, framing each and every one of them in such a way so that they appeared to jump out at him. It was a truly spectac–wait a second, since when did Ash Ketchum appreciate artwork? Ash once again shook his head and walked along the magnificent hall until he spotted Room #16, the room Brock had told him he and Ash would be staying in. Even the room was supporting him, Ash mused.

So how was it? Really good? Really bad? If you have any suggestions or comments, please leave in a review, it helps the story get noticed! =]