Author's Note: Well, no reviews, but I'm going ahead with this anyway. The last chapter was kind of... Rushed, I know. Please forgive me. xD

Ash stared at his friend in disbelief. "Whaddya mean, Misty?" He said, looking curious. "Of course you know us! You've known me and Brock for years, and you met May and Max at that Mirage Kingdom, remember?" He looked at his friend thoughtfully. Surely she was just kidding... Just a joke, right? next thing her knew, she would be laughing and joking about how silly Ash looked... But, this moment never came. Misty still stared at him blankly.

"Actually, I've never seen any of you in my life." She said, looking at each of them carefully. "And how do you know my name? Are you some kind of stalkers or something?" She backed up a little after this comment. Ash blinked, too shocked to speak.

"Misty, stop joking, alright? Yeah, ha ha, real funny. Now, tell us why you're here, we haven't seen you in a long time!" Brock said, smiling at the red head. Misty backed up again.

"I told you, I don't know you! How many times do I have to say it?" She said, sounding worried as if they were going to kidnap her. Brock sighed. Misty backed up some more and turned, as if she was going to run away. Ash suddenly reached forward and grabbed her arm to stop her. It worked, too. Misty stared straight ahead, her eyes wide. Then, just as suddenly, she screamed, ripping her arm out of Ash's grip. Her eyes back to normal, she glared at Ash.

"Don't touch me! I don't know you, leave me alone!" She then turned, and before anyone could stop her, she had run out of sight. Ash stared after her sadly.

"Do... you think she really can't remember us?" He asked quietly, still staring after her.

"Who cares?" May said with a shrug. "Not like it matters. You're here for a tournament, not her." She said, looking around. "And speaking of which, we've got to go check into the hotel. It's this way, I think." She said, pointing down the road.

"Um, actually, May, it's this way." Brock said, pointing in the opposite direction. May sweatdropped.

A few hours later they were checked into the hotel. Amazingly, they each got their own room. Not huge, fancy ones, mind you Just normal sized rooms with moderately comfortable beds, and a television that sat on a stand. There was also a chair or couch in the room, as well. All of the good rooms had already been taken. Of course, no one minded this. They were only going to be sleeping in the hotel, anyway. They were on a floor with five rooms Ash's was on the far right, but there was another room next to his. The occupant was currently unknown. On Ash's left was Brock, the Max, then May. They were nice arrangements... Or, so they thought.

The group was currently getting all of their stuff in order. It certainly didn't take Ash long; He just dropped his bookbag on the stand. Of course, he knew it would take May a long time just to unpack everything and put it in the small dresser... Why people did that, Ash had no clue. It was pointless to set everything up when you were only going to leave in a few days.

So her, secretly snuck out of his room, and down the hallway. As he passed May's room she could hear her yelling at Max through the wall.

"Max! C'mon, I know you took it!" Her voice could be heard from the slightly open door. Max's voice was heard calling back to her.

"Why would I want your shirt? It's a girl shirt, May!" Ash stifled a laugh and walked down the stairs. They were on the third floor, so it didn't seem like he needed to use the elevator. The stairs were nice, actually the side was completely see-through glass, so he could see out into the village. The sun was lready starting to set... Was it that late already?

"Hey! Watch were you're going!" Ash had accidently run into a red-headed girl, being too busy looking to the side... And with his luck, we all know who it was.

They both fell to the ground, and Ash actually tumbled a little down the stairs.

"S-sorry..." He said, rubbing his head. He took a closer look at the girl. She had her arms crossed, sitting a little bit above him on the steps. Her eyes widened when she saw who it was.

"Oh, not you again!" She grumbled, getting to her feet quickly. "You really are a stalker, aren't you?" Ash scrambled to his feet as well.

"I am not!" He said angrily. His immature nature couldn't think of any thing better to say.

"Yeah, sure." Misty said cooly, walking up the steps.

"Hey, you're on the third floor, Misty?" Ash asked suddenly. Misty stopped, looking back at him. She nodded before running up the steps. Ash sighed, looking at where she had been sadly. "I don't know what's wrong with you, Misty... But I'm going to find out." He then turned around and walked slowly down the steps. He couldn't pretend that it didn't hurt him to know that his best friend didn't remember him... He'd known Misty for years... Eight or nine, or something like that... Maybe she was mad at him..? But, no, that didn't seem right... When Misty was mad at people, she definately let them know...

He had been so wraped up in his thoughts that he didn't notice that he was now in the hotel's lobby. It was filled with people... He stood there in shock for a moment, until he noticed Officer Jenny standing in the middle of the group. He walked closer curiously.

"Ok, everyone, listen up!" Her voice could be heard over all of the noise. "I've got a few things to talk about, so everyone be quiet!" The group finally quieted down. "Alright, then. We've been warned that several Rockets are around... Magmas and Aquas, too. So, please be careful when you go out after nightfall. Also, the first round of the competition will be tomorrow. The people you will be facing will be posted in this hotel tomorrow morning, just before the match. Good luck to you all, and remember about the teams. Oh, and the egg that is the prize for winning the tournament is on display in that corner, but don't get any ideas about stealing it. It's well protected." Officer Jenny said before making her way through the crowd and outside.

Ash blinked thoughtfully. He hadn't seen any Rockets... This thought was interrupted by Brock accidently knocking him down on his way down the stairs.

"Officer Jenny!" He called, goo-goo-eyed. "Wait! Maybe we can protect the egg together tonight...?" Max sighed, following him. He pulled his ears nad walked off, shaking his head. May was quick to follow Max. She smiled at Ash.

"So, you ready for the tournament?" She asked thoughtfully. "Tere might be people that are stronger than you, you know. Don't get too cocky." Ash frowned

"I won't! My mind is perfectly clear of all thoughts other than the tournament!" Although this wasn't true, Ash couldn't help but say something like that. May laughed.

"I can tell. You left Pikachu in your room." Pikachu was, indeed, sitting on May's shoulder and looking at Ash indignantly.

"Pi! Pikachu, pika pi!" He said angrily, jumping from her shoulder to his. Ash sighed.

"Sorry, buddy. I gues I am a little preoccupied..." He said, scratching Pikachu behind the ear. Pikachu instantly forgave him. May sighed, shaking her head before walking off.

"What's her problem?" Ash asked Pikachu curiously.

Eventually they all found their way to their rooms for the night. Everyone fell asleep fast; everyone, that is, except for Ash. Helay awake late at night, staring at the ceiling. He didn't know why he was still awake... He just... Wasn't tired, for some reason. Pikachu lay asleep on the bed beside him, curled up in a ball. Ash supposed he should turn on the T.V. or something, but just then he heard a creek outside his door. Getting out of bed quickly and pulling his jeans and vest on over his pajamas, he walked over to the door. He slowly opened the door as quietly as he could.

Walking down the hallway was Misty. She looked as if she was going somewhere; She ws fully dressed and about to walk donw the stairs. Ahs frowned. He really shouldn't folow her, but... His curiousity got the better of him. Walking silently out of his room, he followed Misty down the stairs.