Hey, guys! No, I'm not dead. Well, anyway, here's the next chapter.

Enjoy!

Chapter 37 – Returning Home

Ash jumped up and down in excitement, his hands having never let go since he won the Earth Badge. Now he could enter the Pokémon League, and he had to let everyone know.

"Ok, Ash, we get it," Misty sighed for what felt like the thousandth time. "You can enter the Pokémon League. Now, will you quite it? Not everyone needs to be informed of your victory."

Truth be told, Ash had become quite a nuisance to the Pokémon Centre since returning from the Viridian Gym, and that was yesterday! But now, he had taken it to a whole new level. While yesterday he seemed happy, conversing with other trainers about his victory, today he wanted to do nothing but shove this little bit of information down anyone's throat he happened to come into contact with.

And to say that Nurse Joy wasn't happy would be a massive understatement. While she kept a calm demeanour, she had made a mental note to treat Ash's Pokémon as quickly as possible, hoping to be rid of the problem once and for all.

"Yeah, yeah." Ash waved his hand dismissively, ignoring Misty's comments as he turned towards the front desk. "Nurse Joy, are my Pokémon ready?"

"Why, yes they are," Joy replied, trying to keep as calm as possible. Although, on the inside she was jumping for joy, pardon the pun. Perhaps he would leave soon if he took his Pokémon!

"Good," Ash continued. "Once I pick them up we'll be able to head home."

"Home?" Brock questioned.

"Yeah, back to Pallet Town," Ash replied. "I plan to meet up with all my Pokémon and train them before we enter the League."

"Don't you think we should remain here and relax for a couple of days?" Misty questioned. "We've had a rough couple of weeks."

"Well, yeah, sure," Ash agreed. "But I think a quiet town would be better than the hustle and bustle of Viridian City."

"That's not a bad idea, Ash," Brock approved. "I think we should go."

"Thanks, Brock," Ash smiled, both of them turning towards Misty for her answer.

"Yeah, whatever," Misty reluctantly backed down.

"Misty, are you alright?" Ash asked, concern riddled in his voice.

"Just fine," Misty fake smiled, convincing her friends she was ok. But if Ash had scanned her with his aura, he would have discovered she was completely lying. She hadn't had a good night's sleep since the incident in Cerulean City, and the bags under her eyes showed it. Albeit, neither of her friends had noticed; she had disguised it well.

"Well, when should we head out?" Brock asked, following Ash as he made his way towards the large foyer of the Pokémon Centre.

"Right after we hear what the big announcement is from the Pokémon League," Ash answered, taking a seat next to the television.

As Misty slowly followed behind them, she began to contemplate the days ahead, finally coming to a realisation; perhaps getting away from the big city was exactly what she needed.

The crowd had gathered in a similar position to what they were yesterday, the reporters' ready throw questions left, right, and centre, once questioning time began.

Entering the room, Red and Goodshow wore similar suits to the day prior, deciding to simplify things.

"I'll make this brief," Goodshow cleared his throat, quieting down everyone in the room. "Before anyone asks, we don't have any new information on the Cerulean City incident, and we will not be taking any questions on that matter."

The room slowly began to fill with murmurs as the reporters questioned each other on what was going on.

"Now," Goodshow continued. "As everyone knows, once every four years, the Pokémon League holds an event for only the strongest Pokémon Trainers. This event is called the Master League, where the best of the best face off for a chance of becoming the Pokémon Master. But, what you don't know is where the Master League is to be held, or when. So, today I'm here to announce that the Master League will be held in the Kanto Region, starting shortly after the end of the Indigo League."

"Wow, the Master League, here," Brock said. "I was eight when I watched some of those battles. They're really intense."

"Yeah," Ash agreed. "I watched the replay of one the day before I started my journey. They make my battle against Giovanni look like two beginners battling against each other right after receiving their first Pokémon.

"Now," Goodshow continued. "Any and all applicable Pokémon trainers who have met the required level for entry will receive their invitation to the Master League within the coming days."

And as quickly as the press conference had begun, it ended, leaving Ash and his friends with nothing else to do but pack.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Misty asked, packing her things as her sisters stood around watching.

"Like, we'll be fine," Daisy affirmed. "Besides, we have to remain here anyway. Something to do with Pokémon League bureaucracy."

"Oh, ok then," Misty fake smiled. "I guess I'll see you the next time I return to Viridian City."

"Sure," Daisy agreed. "Now, come on, get a move on, your friends are waiting for you!"

"Ready to go?" Ash asked, his backpack slung over his shoulder.

"Yeah," Brock confirmed, nodding his head.

"Yeah," Misty agreed. She hoped that leaving the big city would help, but she also feared that the nightmares wouldn't stop.

How has that night in Cerulean City affected Misty? Who is invited to the Master League? And how hard will Ash push his Pokémon? Find Out Next Time!

Ok, I know it's short. But I promise they will be longer very soon. Unfortunately, the next couple of chapter will be short ones as well because they are only fillers leading into 'The Reign of Mewtwo' for Ash's part.

Once I Have completed the next couple of chapters, I will turn my full focus to 'The Reign of Mewtwo' and won't be updating this story until that one is complete, however, I don't plan to take as long between updates of that story as I really enjoy writing them and will have finished each one within a couple of days.

Now, I know I've been away for quite a while, and I have only myself to blame. Since my last exam, I've been catching up with friends I haven't seen in months, and a couple I hadn't seen in years. Plus, add in the a few video games came out, that took most of my time when I was home and not out with friends, playing sport or at work. But now I have schedule made for these stories and I plan to stick to them.

So, in saying that, the next chapter should be up in a few days. And if it isn't up by Wednesday, please feel free to blast me with PMs until I do.

Any questions, Pokémon suggestions, ideas for the story, or OC's you have that you would like to see in the story, just PM me or send it in a review! All are welcome!

Ash's Pokémon:

On Hand:

Pikachu (Male)
Pidgeotto (Male)
Ivysaur (Male)
Charizard (Male)
Wartortle (Male)
Rhyhorn (Female)
Growlithe (Male)
Nidoran (Male) (Shiny)
Dratini (Female)
Riolu (Male)

At Oak's Ranch:

Raticate (Female)
Gyarados (Male)
Butterfree (Male)
Umbreon (Male) (Shiny)
Sandslash (Male)
Krabby (Female)
Absol (Male)
Haunter (Male)
Primeape (Female)
Muk (Male)
Tauros (Male) (x26)

Departed:

Mew

Misty's Pokémon:

On Hand:

Starmie
Horsea (Female)
Vaporeon (Female)
Psyduck (Male)
Kabutops (Male) (Shiny)
Togepi (Male)

At Oak's Ranch:

Seaking (Female)
Staryu
Tentacruel (Male)
Pelipper (Female)
Seel (Male)
Feebas (Female)

Brock's Pokémon:

On Hand:

Geodude (Female)
Onix (Male)
Zubat (Female)
Marowak (Female) (Shiny)
Vulpix (Female)
Kangaskhan (Female)

At Oak's Ranch:

Gengar (Male)
Honchkrow (Male)
Magnemite
Tauros (Male) (Shiny)
Doduo (Female)
Exeggutor (Female)

Aerodactyl (Male)

After this Arc is done I will be putting the Pokémon Ash has on my Profile Page and will only put Pokémon that Ash, Misty and Brock gain in each Arc in the story Arc.

Please Follow, Favourite and Review!

Until Next Time, AshleyH30 Out!