Author's Note: I was surprised to find that there were so many reviewers who didn't even mention if Ash should try for being the Pokemon Master again. Anyway, if there wasn't any one then I would have made the choice that would have made the story last at least one chapter longer. For most of the questions that have been asked in the reviews, I can only say, just wait for the story to answer them. Also, I'm currently working on two stories now, so updates may take a little longer when I don't decide to wait a few days first.

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Towards the middle of the party, Ash called everyone's attention and began, "I would like to thank whoever set this up as I still am unable to get anyone to admit or tell me who got this all set up; but I do have my suspicions." There was a collective laughter roll throughout the crowd. "Also, I would like to announce my decision of whether or not to return being the Pokemon Master. I have thought about this thoroughly while I was walking this afternoon by Professor Oak's suggestion, which places him high on my list of suspects." Another laugh rolled through the crowd. "My decision about that is to try for the title. I would like to try and become the Master once more. From here on I am a trainer once again until I can win the title of Pokemon Master again."

Everyone was stunned. No one expected Ash to make this announcement, but it seemed that it came at a good time so that they would be able to know before the media did. Misty suspected that Ash just decided that while he was on his walk, but didn't say anything until later when they were in their bedroom, getting ready for bed. "Ash?" Misty asked.

"Yeah?" came the reply.

"I was wondering if you just decided to become a trainer again while you were walking."

"Actually, I was thinking about it for a while. I just wanted to find the right time to make the announcement and tonight seemed to be the perfect time."

Misty looked at Ash intently and when he noticed, he was startled. "What?"

"Is that really what happened? Or are you just trying to tell me something that I want to hear just to get me from really knowing what happened?"

"Misty, when would I lie to you?"

"Do you really want me to answer?"

Ash blushed. He must have realized the stupidity of making that statement, Misty thought to herself smugly. Ash then sighed before saying, "Okay. Okay. I did make that decision while I was walking, but I have been contemplating it for a while now. Ever since the media began to hound me about what I would do about that. I was surprised at the party, but I did feel that it was the right time for the announcement."

Misty breathed in relief. She could tell that Ash was trying to hide something, but she wasn't certain if this was it. Contrary to what Misty knew Ash thought, she had noticed him watching a soap opera on more than one occasion. Usually it would be over before he realized what happened, but Misty couldn't tell if that was something that he had begun to like over the time he was gone or if it was that he had something on his mind. Misty decided that it must be something on his mind because he would often avoid soap operas no matter what. Misty was hurt that she couldn't do anything for Ash, but she knew that she would only be able to help if he let her know what was on his mind. No matter how much it hurt to see Ash like that, she knew that she couldn't do anything. She would just have to wait for Ash to open up to her about it.

Misty then wondered if he had only decided to become the Pokemon Master just to get his mind off whatever it was that he had been thinking. Misty could tell that he was probably in turmoil about whatever it was that he was trying to figure out. Could it be that there are other people that care about him in the same way that I do? Misty thought, hurting at the idea, but also knowing that it would be better to know than to have to wonder. If he does have a family somewhere else, then I don't blame him if he couldn't remember anything, but I wonder who he would choose? Would he want this life or the other one?

Misty had something that she wanted to tell Ash, but wasn't able to part of Misty wondered if Ash had guessed that Misty was not telling him something, but it was just a small part of her. Misty had found out a couple days ago that she was pregnant with Ash's child. Misty was afraid of how Ash would take the news. Would he go deeper into himself, or would he share with her what was troubling him, or would he be excited and still not share with her what was troubling him? Misty wanted to share with Ash the news, but she couldn't bring herself to tell Ash for fear that he would be upset. Although she knew her fear was unbased, it still was there.

Misty then climbed into her side of the bed and relaxed as Ash was finishing up his evening routine. Moments after Ash got into the bed and held her in his arms, she was fast asleep.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The media was going nuts over the sudden announcement Ash Ketchum made. They had expected him to have chosen not to try because he had put them off for so long. It seemed that Ash would begin to make another journey, but the media did not know where he was going nor what path he would choose. They were at lest relived to find that Ash planned on going on the journey in two years so they would have some time to prepare to keep a close eye on him just for the publicity. They decided to follow Ash, until they found that Brock, who had come to journey with Ash, was willing to tell them the path that Ash had decided on. It would loop around Kanto then move through the middle of it then end in the Indigo Plateau where Ash would challenge the reigning master. Little did the media know that Brock told them the second part of the journey. The first half would be going through Johto so Ash could try to find his past nine years. Brock would then go without them for a little distance to let the media know that they decided to take a little detour and then Brock would break for the hills before the media could really react to the information and try to find them in Johto.

* * * * * * * * * * *

They had done well so far as in avoiding the media, but the weren't taking any chances with the media finding out about them. They decided to try and stay at the Pokecenters, but when they got to the first one on their journey, they found that some people with the media was there waiting for them. After that, they decided to not go to the Pokecenters unless they needed to heal their pokemon. So when they would stay at a city, they would rent a few rooms at a hotel, and Brock had agreed to pay for the rooms and Ash and Misty would reimburse him when they got back from the journey.

After that, they had very little difficulty avoiding the media. They then began to relax. Ash then suggested that they go to where Gary had said that he had seen Ash fall into the river. As they battled their way to Cherrygrove City, Ash began to realize that he knew this area very well. In fact he seemed to be able to predict where there would be trainers ready for battles and approximately how many trainers to expect and how powerful. The Pokemon that Ash had brought with him on this trip was Charizard, Pikachu (of course), his Bulbasaur, which was still refusing to evolve, Meganium, Pidgeot, and Blastoise.

So far he hadn't had a very tough match. Yet, Ash knew that there would be a real challenge coming up. When they got to Cherrygrove city, they went through the same routine as they usually did by Brock getting the rooms and Ash would then try to go in when Brock had gotten them each a separate room, but this time the clerk at the desk noticed Ash. The clerk then called Ash over. Ash was thinking that the clerk would tell the media so Ash walked over to the clerk hoping he could talk the clerk out of telling the media about where he was.

When Ash got to the desk the clerk asked, "What are you doing Yellow?"

Ash was dumbfounded. He tried to speak right away, but wasn't able to. He swallowed a couple of times before he was at last able to speak. "What?"

The clerk sighed in annoyance. "I asked what you were doing."

"I was just going to my room with my friends," Ash answered, a little confused. Hoping that the clerk might not realize who he was.

"When are you going back to your wife to let her know that you're still alive?" the clerk asked.

"What are you talking about? My wife is Misty. She's right over there," Ash replied, pointing at Misty who was waiting patiently with Brock.

"You are mean to do that to Marin. Even with that hat I can still tell that it's you. That is not funny Yellow," the clerk replied in absolute disgust.

"What are you talking about?" Ash asked, not comprehending what was going on. "My name's Ash."

The clerk rolled his eyes. Ash did not understand what the clerk was talking about, but Ash was certain that the clerk did not believe him. Ash then pulled out his I.D., which was the I.D. he got right before he left Pallet. The clerk looked at the I.D. and stared. "I- I'm sorry sir," the clerk stammered. "It's just that you look just like him."

"Who's 'him?'" Ash asked.

"Yellow. He fell in the river a short distance from where he lived. No one seemed to know how or why, but he had fallen into the river and no one has found him since."

"I'm sorry," Ash apologized.

"It's okay," the clerk assured Ash. "I'm sorry for mistaking you for him."

"There is one thing that you could do for me," Ash said, realizing that it would only be a matter of time before the clerk found out who he really was and told the media where he was.

"Anything!" the clerk exclaimed, apparently hopeful that he could do something in return for mistaking Ash for someone else.

"Well, you could keep the media from knowing that I'm here," Ash answered.

The clerk looked oddly at Ash before Ash continued, "I used to be the Pokemon Master until I disappeared nine years ago and now that I was found a few weeks ago, I've decided to challenge the current Pokemon Master. The media wants to follow my every step and we've been doing what we can to avoid them."

"I understand. I've seen several celebrities. Whenever the media comes here, it's our policy to call the room and ask them if they want to see the media. It's more a warning for whoever we call so they know the media is here and they should remain in their rooms if they don't want to speak with the media." Ash nodded his understanding and thanked the clerk and went up to his room that Ash was comfortable would be media free for this city.

When Ash gets over to where Misty and Brock were waiting, Ash tells them what he was told. That apparently there was someone who looked just like him, but had fallen into the river some while ago. After they get their things in their rooms, they all go out and begin to explore the woods around. Soon they find a place where there are trainers battling and Ash gets challenged by a girl about eight. Brock, Misty, and Ash are surprised that such a small girl is challenging someone. Misty pulls Brock to the side to talk with him when the battle begins.

"What is it?" Brock asks.

"Doesn't that girl seem similar to Ash?" Misty replied.

Brock looked and answered, "Yeah, but remember what Ash found out from the clerk. There was someone named Yellow who looked like Ash. It could be his daughter."

Misty winced. She was hoping that Brock would have said something different, as she was suspicious about Ash looking similar to this 'Yellow' and Gary finding Ash and trying to pull him out of the river and this 'Yellow' also disappearing into a river. Misty didn't like the thought, but it all seemed too much of a coincidence for her liking. It almost seemed that Ash could very well be this 'Yellow' and not have even remembered it. If that was the case then could Ash have forgotten about Misty and fallen in love with another? For a moment Misty got very jealous at the thought, but then another thought occurred to her. If Ash had forgotten about Misty is it possible that he felt alone? Could he have thought that there wasn't anyone for him? Misty's jealousy then turned to sympathy for Ash if that was what had happened.

"Misty are you all right?" Brock asked.

Misty snapped back out of her thoughts and replied, "Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Well, it's just that you seemed to be spaced out. But I didn't know why," Brock said.

Misty was grateful for Brock's concern, and shook her head. Then said, "It's okay. I was just thinking about something. I'm all right."

Brock nodded and they returned to watch the battle and wait for the outcome. It seemed that the girl had a full team of her own and many weren't the kinds that were in this area. Either she had already traveled a bit or she had just gotten lucky with the pokemon that she had. Either way she still seemed to be a formidable trainer even though it was obvious that she was outmatched with Ash. Ash easily defeated her. Afterwards they heard about a pokemon orphanage that was nearby and they all decided to visit it.

*

Author's note: How's the story now? I hope no one expected it to make this turn. I originally planned on waiting for a while before having Yellow's daughter visit Ash in Pallet, where the recognition would take place. Yet should I go with that plan or should I have the recognition here? I'll decide as I write it, but don't think that reviews won't influence my decision. Anyway, I've started on another fic, so it could be a little longer for the next update of this fic if I get the necessary information that I need for the other fic. Also, flame me at least if anything. I want reviews so I know that my stories are being read. So flames are welcome. Bring on the flames! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please look forward to the ninth chapter.