Author's note: Sorry for the late update. I've had a hard time figuring out where this story is going. I'm still not entirely sure. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Thank you all for the positive reviews!

Ash's eyes gradually opened as he awoke in the hotel room. Sunlight was pouring in through the window, and he yawned and rubbed at his eyes.

"Pi pika pi!" his little friend called out, leaping all over him.

He smiled and managed to sit up and look around. Misty was gone. The bed was still rumpled from where she had slept next to him. He stood up and got out of bed, running his hand through his hair once. He dressed and placed on his cap.

"Pikachu, where did Misty and Togepi go?" Ash asked.

"Pika, pika pi, chu!" Pikachu gestured downstairs.

"Downstairs to the lobby? Why didn't she wake me?"

Pikachu mimed sleeping, then creeping away.

"She wanted me to get some rest?"

"Pika!"

"Oh, right. Well, I guess she's probably right. We had a great time last night at that restaurant. I wonder what we're going to do today?"

He got his answer when he heard footsteps approach at top speed, and the door swung open to reveal a breathless and excited Misty. Holding Togepi in one arm and a leaflet in the other.

"Ash! Look at this!"

She thrust the leaflet in his face, and he took it and read it.

"Hmm…'Demonstration by three of the greatest water Pokémon trainers of all time. Today on beach. All challengers welcome'. Hmm", he looked at her, "You want to go to that?"

"Yeah! I really want some pointers about raising water Pokémon! Come on, it starts in an hour!"

"Umm…do we have to? I'm still tired".

"Yes we do! Come on, Ash! This is only here for today".

"Okay, okay. We'll go".

An hour later, and Ash found himself dragged onto the beach, where a large crowd of people had gathered around a selection of cerulean tents. Pikachu was perched on Ash's shoulder, and Ash also found himself holding Togepi as well. Misty was busy dashing back and forth, trying to catch a glimpse of what everyone was crowding around.

"Wow, it sure is crowded", Ash muttered.

Misty glared at him, "We would have gotten here earlier and seen what was actually going on if you hadn't insisted on that huge breakfast".

"Hey, I was hungry!"

"Oh…you knew this thing was important to me and you screwed it up anyway!"

"I didn't mean to…"

"Pika pika?" Pikachu was wisely refraining from making any significant contribution to the conversation.

Misty shook her auburn head, "We're never going to see what's happening now".

She stood in the shade of one of the tents, standing on tiptoes in a desperate attempt to see over the crowd. Ash joined her, looking sheepish.

"Well…at least we're out of the sun…" he began.

She shot a venomous glance at him.

"Well, well, look who it is", said a voice behind Ash from the tent.

Ash and Misty jumped and turned to see a girl standing in the side entrance of the tent, with her arms folded across her chest and a sceptical look on her face. She bore a striking resemblance to Misty, but her features were exaggerated, and she looked the two of them up and down mockingly.

Misty stared, "It's…it's Lily!"

Her older sister smirked, "Misty. What a surprise to see you in the Orange Islands. Say, where have you been for the last…oh I don't know…two years or so? We saw all that stuff on TV about you and Team Rocket and all. That's the last we heard of you".

Ash watched in disbelief, "So…you and your two sisters are the three water Pokémon trainers giving the demonstration?"

Lily looked at him, "Wow. You're quick, aren't you? You two better come inside. Violet can give the demonstration. Me and Daisy want a chat".

Before Misty could protest or even react, Lily had grabbed her and yanked her into the tent. Ash looked at Pikachu, shrugged, and followed her inside.

Filing her nails on a chair was Daisy. She looked up and stared at Misty and Ash.

"Misty? What are you doing here?"

"I was here to watch a demonstration by great Pokémon trainers! But now that I see it's just you three, I think I'll be getting along…"

"Not so fast, young lady", Lily scowled, "What have you been doing while we've been busy looking after the Gym? Huh?"

"Well, you know…travelling the world. Trying to become a Pokémon expert. You know…like I said I was when I left".

"Really now?" Lily pulled up a seat and sat down, "And you are STILL hanging with this kid?"

"Hey!" Misty yelled, while Ash looked on, "Ash is not just some kid! He's a great Pokémon Master and a great guy"

"He's your boyfriend, huh?"

"Yes, he is. And he's the best guy in the world!"

Ash grinned. He was proud to be with Misty. Apparently their earlier argument was forgotten.

Lily and Daisy looked at each other, and burst out laughing.

"Something funny?" Misty growled.

"Oh no…of course not", Daisy wiped at her eyes, then looked directly at Misty, "There's no way a Sensational Sister is going out with a loser like that".

Misty was fuming, "Shut your mouth!"

Lily was still sniggering, "You have got to be kidding me. Best guy in the world?"

Ash was looking at the far end of the tent, as if not listening to the two older girls. Pikachu looked at him, and back at the sisters and leapt down off Ash's shoulder, ready to come to his defence.

"He's a kid, Misty", Daisy continued, "Too young for you and no where near good looking enough. Sure, he may be a Pokémon Master. But he's hardly pin up material, is he?"

"My personal life is none of your business!" really nettled now, Misty clenched her fists, "So why don't you cut it out?"

"Pika! Pika pikachu!" Pikachu agreed angrily.

"Well, you'll see sense some day", Lily mused, "And so will he when he realizes he's not good enough for a Sensational Sister".

"Ash would never leave me!"

"Well, he's gone already", Daisy pointed out calmly.

Misty and Pikachu turned, and saw that Ash was gone. There was no sign of him.

"Oh no, Ash…" Misty whispered.

Daisy and Lily laughed, "Well, what a guy he is. Doesn't even have the courage to take a little criticism", Lily smirked.

Pikachu was already dashing away, calling out for Ash. Misty turned on her sisters, shaking with anger. Her sisters were taken aback.

"How dare you insult Ash like that! Who do you think you are? I hope for your sake we don't run into one another again".

She yelled some words that shocked Lily and Daisy, and then raced after Pikachu, calling out Ash's name.

Pikachu and Misty had combed the beach for over twenty minutes, calling for Ash. There was no sign of him.

"Where could he have gone, Pikachu?" Misty asked, out of breath.

"Pi pika pi", Pikachu gasped, breathing heavily.

"I hope he's okay…" Misty murmured, "He shouldn't have let those two morons get to him. I can't believe those two jerks! I wonder why Ash was so bothered by what they said?"