Pokémon and anything related to Pokémon don't belong to me. I own a handful of attacks and monsters, even some characters, but anything familiar belongs to their respective owners. The things that belong to me are marked with a (W) after the description.

New Beginnings

"N-no way… It can't be you…" He stammered and blinked a few times. "What are y-you doing here?"

"I'm surprised you even recognize me," she growled, less than pleased.

"May… What did you do to yourself," he asked, aghast. He knew she'd look different since they last saw each other, but not this much. She matured a lot and is a little less curvy than Misty, but just as visually pleasing. Her now black hair is cut short and spiked up in the back, and is riddled with bloody red streaks. Thick black eye-liner gave the impression of a hawk-like gaze and adds to her now piercing, almost glowing, aqua-blue eyes. A pair of blue jeans and a rather low-cut top contoured every curve of her body as well as gave everyone a reason to look.

"Nothing. I didn't so anything to myself…" As she said that, she gave him a piercing gaze with her spear-like eyes. "Let's just say it took me two years to get my act together."

Ash shook his head and slipped his hands in his pockets. "You're not saying this is my fault, are you?" May looked away from him. "You are, aren't you?" No answer; just a single nod. "All because I wouldn't return your love? May, you're blowing this out of proportion here."

"No. I'm not blowing anything out of proportion," she said and placed her gloved hands on her hips. "I was always being pushed aside by the prettier ones. Like Misty for example." Ash was about to protest, but was cut off. "Don't lie. She's prettier than I am and you know it." Silence. They both looked into each others eyes a bit before she turned entirely around, crossing her arms. "So, have you two been a happy little couple?"

"No," he answered simply, "As I said before you left, she and I are only friends." "Although, I wish we could be more than that…"

With a disbelieving sigh, May started back for her room. "I'm tired of this age-old argument; I'm going to bed." Ash followed her with his eyes and slipped his hands into his pockets. "Oh, and I have gotten better within those two years, Ash. I will face you in the finals and I will win." With that, she stomped off towards the rooms.

"Hey, Ash! Where'd you run off to?" Misty called out to Ash, catching his attention. He gave her an apathetic wave so she could spot him. Behind her was Sparky, and behind him, Surge and Wess were having a conversation. She automatically noticed his distressed look. "What's the matter?"

--S.S. Aqua (room)--

"So May's here and she's totally pissed off at you for not going back to Hoenn with her?" Misty asked, sitting up and looking to Ash. His only response was a simple nod.

He stood up and turned to face the window, waves splashing onto it. "She's not the same May I left behind, that's for sure." Lightly, his head tapped the glass and a sigh passed his lips, "She's bitter, and more determined than ever. Something tells me I will end up facing her in the finals."

"So, this May lady is of the Hoenn region?" Sparky asked somewhat excitedly. "I've always wanted to go there. I wanna see a Manectric in person!"

They all shared a chuckle at the young trainer; anyone would agree that Sparky was cute. "Well, we'll be docking soon, so you guys might wanna get some sleep," Surge suggested, "And don't go wandering off and picking fights, eh, Ashy-Boy?" he commented with a playful wink. Ash smirked right back and nodded, then everyone got prepared to get some sleep before the S.S. Aqua docked.

A few hours later, Ash remained awake. Angry Beedrill-like ideas buzzed around his head, threatening to sting him to death. The upcoming challenge, the hotshot trainer known as Wess and the return of an angered May. But most of all, Misty remained in his thoughts. "If only I could have her," he thought, sorrowfully, "But trying to change her mind is like trying to train a Slaking to attack twice without loafing in between." With a frustrated sigh, he rolled onto his side. "…Crystal… She must be surprised to hear from me after all these years." That being his final thought, he closed his eyes and forced himself into sleep.

--Sleight Island Warf--

The morning was shining brightly as all the trainers disembarked onto this new place. The Warf was bursting with a combination of tourists, trainers and wandering merchants around the various diners and gift shops. "Well," Surge started with a stretch, "About time Sparky here got started on the competition."

Misty turned her head to face them with a raised eyebrow, "But what about food? Aren't you two gonna stop and have a bite to eat?"

"Oh, we already ate hours before you two were even awake," little Sparky interjected with a mischievous grin. Ash and Misty stood with blank expressions. "But the food was no good; I wouldn't recommend anything there."

The lieutenant wrapped both arms around Ash and Misty and pulled them closer for a group hug. "Well, we'll be seeing you around I hope." He pat Sparky's shoulder jovially and started off, down the ramp. "Good luck to ya." After a few more steps, they disappeared within the crowd.

Just as Ash and Misty were about to make their way down the ramp, when a familiar character brushed passed them. As this feminine figure dispersed into the crowd, Ash stood still and watched briefly. Misty seemed to understand. "Must've been May," she guessed, "Such a drastic change… And because Ash wouldn't return her love…"

"Well, let's just get going and have a bite to eat," Ash suggested and took Misty's hand. She blushed briefly and started to walk off with him down the ramp. It was pretty crazy with that many people around, and, after what seemed like an eternity, finally made it out of the mad house and onto the boardwalk littered with many appealing places to eat. "Feel up to hamburgers?" She nodded to him and they both started for the nearest hamburger place on the Warf.

Lunch was quiet. Neither had said a word since they got to their seats. Misty felt a little awkward around Ash, especially after what he said about May the night before. "She got mad at him because he wouldn't return her love," she thought as she leaned against the table and looked to him secretly behind a napkin dispenser. "What he said is just getting to me…Why are we just friends? Can't we become something more?" She sighed softly and looked to the dispenser. "I should just accept it. We're not meant to be anything more than friends!" She broke the silence between them by pounding her fists into the table angrily and hid her face into her arms.

Ash looked down at the redhead with her face buried in her arms and gave her a confused look. "Mist? Are you alright? You haven't really been yourself lately," he asked and tapped her arm. When she didn't respond, he looked away and focused on a poster, advertising the competition. 'Test your capturing and training skills in this rigorous journey!' the poster read and had a picture of a spirited trainer holding six card keys in one hand and a Master Ball in the other. The trainer was indistinguishable as far as gender, as a shadow was cast upon it in such a way it was near impossible to tell. It made for a good conversation piece. "Say Misty? Do you think I can make it to the finals?" he asked, unsure of his own possibility for success. She gave only a muffled grumble. "Sorry I asked…"

When their meals arrived, it was even quieter than before. Ash ate his burger in a matter of minutes, leaving him his French fries to pick at as Misty ate rather slowly. As she ate, she was oblivious to the fact he was watching her. Thought after thought of their lives being nothing more than friendship was making this hard for her. How can she stand to be around him when she can't confess her undying affection for him? She had finished her fries and took off the top bun for her burger and put some ketchup on it. "Why did I even come here with him? It's just too much of a temptation for me..." she thought…

"Hey Misty? Don't you think that that's too much ketchup?" Ash asked as he saw a mountain of ketchup all over her hamburger. She saw what she was doing and gasped. He smiled at her as she looked back and blushed at him. "Want me to get you another one?"

She shook her head and sat up. "I'm not really all that hungry. These fries were more than enough," she said and smirked a bit. He leaned closer and gave her a small leer. She slightly shifted nervously, "What?"

"Nothing…" he responded. Knowing her, she'd have some kind of excuse and get defensive. He decided it was best not to say anything. "Well, since you're done, why don't we go and start our adventure?" Misty nodded quickly and got up from her seat. Ash held the door open for her and followed out after her.

On the way off the Warf, they were almost overrun by a small crowd of trainers. "Hurry up! This is one battle we just can't miss!" one of them called over the noise of the crowd.

"Hey, did you hear that, Mist?" Ash asked enthusiastically, "A major battle's going on! Let's check it out!"

She nodded with a smile. "What better way to scope out the competition? Let's get a move on, Ash!" They both sped up and followed the crowds down the main road.

By the time they had arrived, the battle was long gone. They both groaned in disappointment as the trainers began to go their separate ways. Ash seemed to have noticed a familiar hair style. He shrugged off the thought and thought that maybe it was just in his mind. Until a voice called him from that direction. "Well, if it isn't Ashy-Boy," the familiar voice joked with an arrogant chuckle.

Ash stopped dead at the sound of this voice, and Misty was equally surprised. "Gary Oak," she asked and turned to face him. It was indeed Gary, Ash's longtime rival.

"Oh, hi, Gary," Ash said, trying to sound surprised. "Didn't see you there." That was a flat out lie, and Gary immediately caught it. "Didn't think you'd be here so fast…"

"Well, I did get here a few days ago; bound to have made some process." He turned his attention to Misty and smiled a bit at her. "About time you stopped pussyfooting around and talked to her, Ash," the grandson of Oak commented, making Ash fidget. "This guy was in a slump thinking of ways to talk to you for almost two weeks! I thought he'd never get up the guts to set things straight."

Misty blushed slightly at that and looked to Ash, who looked as though he wanted to pound Gary into a bloody pulp. "Well, I did set things straight, Mr. Know-It-All." Gary let out a small laugh and shook his head. "So, Gary? What kind of place is this?"

"Strange," he said, becoming more serious and slipped his hands into his coat pockets. "Many strange things go on here, on this island," he said gesturing to some distant girl with two gold fox tails and black fox ears. Ash acknowledged this girl and shrugged. "Look closer and you'll see that those aren't props. Some Pokémon, as I'm told, can evolve into human-like shapes like that one." With another look at this girl, Ash's jaw dropped. "That was, more or less, my reaction."

"But how is that possible?"

"Hey, don't ask me, Ash. I'm not a gold mine of information here." Gary coughed to the side and shrugged. "I've heard other things, but I think you best hear it for yourself." Ash blinked a little and shrugged himself. "Aside from all that, this place isn't so bad."

"But, what's this challenge like?" Misty asked, curiously. "Some advertisements are saying it's some massive test of training and capturing skills."

Gary nodded. "This isn't for novices, but I see all kinds of kids entering with their parents." He shook his head with a solemn expression. "The wild Pokémon here appear to be more fierce than the ones at home. They've got raptor-like ones running around, hyperactive Pikachu, near insane monkeys, and rambunctious dogs. All of electric type." Ash was speechless, and Misty made a slight face. "I'll be surprised if even one kid passes this part."

Ash nodded. "Say, you've completed the first task, right?"

"Of course. And you're just going to start?" Ash smirked and nodded once again. "Well, Ashy-Boy, whaddaya say I get you warmed up?" Gary challenged and pulled out a yellow ball with the Alpha symbol on it.

"I thought you'd never ask!" Ash responded and pulled out his own Pokéball.

Gary tossed the 'Alpha Ball' out and a yellow dog monster with spiky yellow hair emerged. Light blue electric sparks surged up and down it. "Go! Thundanar!" It barked excitedly and stretched, giving Ash a good view of his large hook-like fangs.

--Thundanar: Monster I created for a comic of mine turned into a Pokémon. This is mine and mine alone! STAMP!(W)

Ash cocked his head at the monster, commenting on the unique shape of its teeth. Immediately, his Poké-Dex. Thundanar: The thunder puppy. This is the male form of Thundana. Using it's hooked fangs-which further distinguish male from female-and claws, this monster is able to perform powerful and, potentially, devastating moves, such as Sled Fang and Crescent Slash. Very lively and loves nothing more than a good fight. Ash put the Dex away and crossed his arms. "Well, I'm gonna give it a good fight!" he declared and called on the powerful Meganium. She let out a joyful cry and stamped about. "Alright, Meganium! Earthquake!" At that command, the flowery behemoth slammed her feet against the ground and created powerful sonic waves on the ground.

--Thundana: Another monster I created for the same comic. Also mine!(W)

--Sled Fang Normal ATK:75 ACC:100 Powerful attack that propels the user forward. Always strikes first, but may confuse user(25 chance) Namesake is Final Fantasy VII(RedXIII's Limit Break), so I don't own the name, Square Enix does.

--Crescent Slash Normal ATK? ACC:100 Attack that strikes 2-5 times with random power. (25, 50, 75, 100, 125) Namesake is from Capcom's Megaman X5, Grizzly Slash's attack. I don't own the name.

Thundanar hopped over each of the sonic waves in a show of extreme hyperactivity, wagged his tail and barked at Meganium as if he wanted to play some game. "Alright, do your stuff! Crescent Slash!" With a happy bark, he stood on his hind legs and slashed with his claws glowing a vibrant orange. Five crescents flew at Meganium. Three had missed, but two struck and quite powerfully at that. Meganium stumbled about, the slashes getting to her. "Finish her off! Sled Fang!" Thundanar surged with bluish energy and began to run forward. After a few steps, he rocketed at the lumbering giant with incredible speed. He connected and sent his opponent into the ground with a loud thud.

Ash's jaw dropped at this monster's incredible speed and power. "What are these monsters eating? BGH?" he thought. "Return, Meganium…" He returned the large monster to its circular home and examined the wolf cub monster carefully. "Bad luck," he stated, "But it won't happen again! Typhlosion !" Out came the ball and the flaming beast erupted from it with a mighty roar and a burst of fire.

"Ash, think this through with caution," Misty warned, "The last Earthquake left Meganium wide open."

"I'm aware of that Mist," Ash said with a slight air of frustration. "No Earthquake, Ground Scimitar!" With that said, Typhlosion slashed at the ground and unearthed a small pillar of rock and pushed it towards Thundanar.

Because it wasn't paying attention, the stone slammed into him, knocking him back a bit. He shook off the dizziness and began to lick his wound. Gary shook his head and called to his monster. "Pay attention, will ya?" Thundanar stood up and growled at Typhlosion with a powerful malice. "Shovel Claw!" the ace trainer commanded. The dog-monster dug its claws into the earth and slashed at his opponent, sending rocks and mud at the flaming monster.

"Ah! Dodge it, Typhlosion!" Ash exclaimed hastily. Though he did try to avoid, the attack hit Typhlosion, dead-on. The rocks were rather large and knocked him in the head and most of the dirt and mud on his flaming back, hurting him greatly. Obviously, it was a critical strike, and caused Typhlosion to stagger around, eyes shut tight. "Uh, think Ash, think…"

"Try attacking a wide area," Misty called from the side, "Use Scorch Wheel!"

Ash looked over to Misty with a sort of glare and turned back to the battle at hand. "Thanks, but no thanks Misty. I can handle this myself!" He point at the electrified dog and commanded Typhlosion. "Let's go with another Ground Scimitar, Typhlosion!" The blinded monster slashed at the ground again and created the wave of earth and rock at the small dog creature.

Thundanar quickly dodged to the side and out of the way of the attack. And with Typhlosion's crippled accuracy, that attack missed entirely. Misty shook her head and sighed. "Sure seems like it." Before Ash could talk back, the thunder K-9 performed a last second attack; he formed a yellow electrified ball in his mouth and launched it against the lumbering beast. It burst on contact and sent an electrical surge in a wide area around the target. Typhlosion went down with a bang. "Scorch Wheel would've-"

--Bolt Ball(the attack used just now) Electric ATK:50 ACC:100 Weaker Zap Cannon and has a 75 chance of paralyzing a target.(W)

She was cut off by Ash's frustrated grumble. "Misty, I don't need you to lecture me! I did just fine for those two years without you, so just butt out!"

Gary chuckled a bit and placed his hand on his forehead. "Looks like our favorite couple is having a little tiff," he joked.

"We're not a couple!" they both shouted. Gary was left with a blank expression, a slightly messed up hairdo, and Thundanar cocked his head. "We're just friends!" Ash finished. Misty flinched hearing that and her angry face transformed into sadness. What's worse, Ash didn't even seem to notice… With another frustrated growl, he threw out Donphan's Pokéball and hoped for the best. "Earthquake!" Misty shook her head again, already knowing the outcome.

Like Misty had predicted, another Earthquake would only meet with the same results. Thundanar leaped over the sonic waves and, while in the air, dive bombed at Donphan with a Sled Fang. The attack hit in just the right spot and Donphan went down in a flash. The monster had landed and ran back to his owner and happily nuzzled his leg like a loyal dog. Gary gave Ash a serious look and crossed his arms. "You need to learn from your mistakes, Ash."

"Aw… Shut up," Ash grumbled and recalled Donphan into his ball.

"Also, take advice a little better."

"Shut it, Gary!"

With a sigh, Gary started walking down the other path. "Well, I'm going to Beta City. I don't have time to waste talking with a hard head like you." Thundanar happily trotted at his side and Ash growled. He didn't like losing to Gary; it was like a piece of his soul was taken from him. He shook his head and started walking to the other town Gary had come from, with Misty close behind…

--Alpha-Beta Forest--

"Ash, I just wanted to help you," Misty sighed as she trailed after.

"Yeah, I know, but I didn't need your help," the hard headed Ash said, still rather frustrated at his loss.

She shook her head. "Well, if that was you not needing assistance, I'd hate to see you when you need it!" the redhead snapped.

He laughed harshly at her, "Oh, that's very funny, Mist.Very, very funny." Ash shook his head and continued walking.

"I thought two years was enough for you to finally mature," she reprised, making him stop, "But it seems you're still the same sore loser you always were…"

"Get it straight, stupid! That was a practice round! And practice rounds don't count as wins or loses!" He sighed again and started off.

"Then why is it bugging you so much!"

"Shut up!"

"Lovely counter argument!"

It was silent for a couple minutes. Ash was mad at losing to Gary and mad at Misty as well. "I don't need this from you! Why are you even coming with me if all you're gonna do is give me this load of bull! Why don't you just go home, Misty? Who needs you?"

That hit her pretty hard. But he had a point. "Why should I pal around with him? He's just going to be a total asshole to me if I try to help…" She huffed and stormed off ahead. "Better idea; how about I start my own journey? This way, I can put my suggestions to good use!"

"It'll just be a waste of time! One loss and you'll be on your knees, sobbing!" he shouted to her retreating form.

She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him with an angered face, "Screw you!" and sped off, nearly thrice as angry as she was before. What's worse, Ash didn't even notice the tears in her eyes, making her even angrier with him.

"Nice comeback!" he called to her and started forward. "A lot of good you can do on your own. You haven't even touched a Pokéball in two years," he grumbled to himself and continued to walk to through the forest as the enraged Misty rushed forward.

"Stupid Ash! That stupid jerk!" As the sounds of the twigs snapping and the leaves crunching hastened, she felt more and more angry. Bust most of all, she felt stupid. "Why did I even bother coming with him? All I ever get is this kind of crap when dealing with Ash." She sighed and slowed down a bit more, starting to calm down. "I mean, he didn't even care I was crying…"

"…Wow, Ash, you can sure be a jerk without even trying," he commented to himself and sighed. "You just got your best friend pissed off at you. Nice going, Ketchum…" He kicked a little stone to the side of the road and slipped his hands into his pockets as he walked. "…Maybe I should apologize?…"

"It won't do much good now… I've already found out he doesn't love me, so why should I tell him?" Misty asked herself. Just thinking about Ash made her heart happy, despite the fact that she was so torn up inside about it. She loved him more than she ever loved anything. Even the Starmie her sisters traded away without her knowing; she loved Ash far more than that. She knew she'd never forgive herself if she never told him. She turned to look down the road and thought of Ash more. The day they met, the bike he trashed, and the battle they had for the Cascade Badge. That was almost six years ago, yet the memory remained. After that, she knew she was in love. "Time to swallow your pride, Misty! When I get back to him, I'm gonna kiss him and let my true feelings be known!" With that said, she sprinted down the road in a blind haste.

As she ran, she thought of the consequences of what she was planning to do, but they didn't stop her. All she could think about was confessing to Ash her love for him, and nothing was going to get in her way. As she ran down the path, she stepped on a pale yellow piece of fur, making the owner yelp in pain. "NIIIIIIINETAAALES!" Misty immediately stopped and looked to the Pokémon that leapt from the bush. He glared at her with his bright red eyes and growled darkly.

She stepped back a bit, and a tower of flames erupted from the ground, obstructing her path. The Ninetales took a step closer to Misty and his eyes began to glow a bright blue. His tails raised and fanned out a little as a blue flame lit on the end of each tail. "Ninetales," it growled and a blue smog puffed from his mouth as he spoke. Misty began to feel woozy. The Ninetales then spewed blue flames at the helpless girl.

She felt very strange as the flames spread over her entire body. Her clothes began to burn off her body, exposing her naked flesh, and her belongings simply ceased to exist. She closed her eyes and grit her teeth as pain overtook her. She could feel her bones breaking and reshaping, her body changing in strange ways. She tried to stay conscious, but her reformed body couldn't take it. She simply passed out…

"W-where am I?" Misty asked as her eyes slowly opened to see a deep blackness before her. "What happened? Why do I feel so strange?" she asked herself as she tried to stand, but a sharp pain overtook her leg and she collapsed. "Argh, I can't even move…" Suddenly, the sound of a brook drifted into her ears, making her thirsty. "Water? How did I miss that?" She tried to stand again, but found it just as hard. So, to make it to the brook, she started to crawl to it. But when she got to the water and looked at her reflection, a furry creature was looking back at her. It looked similar to Gary's Thundanar, except with red fur and green eyes that looked similar to her own. She gasped and staggered back. "Is this some kind of joke!" she screamed to no one in particular.

A sinister laugh filled the dark void as footsteps made their way closer. Misty leaped back and quivered in fear. The Ninetales from before confronted Misty with a crafty smile and leered at her with those red eyes. "No, not a joke," he answered her. Not expecting a Pokémon to talk; aside from Team Rocket's Meowth and Mewtwo; she jumped back in surprise. "This is your punishment for your act."

"Punishment! I didn't do anything!"

"Wrong. Oh, so very wrong," he growled, "You are aware of how proud we Ninetales are of our tails. By stepping on one, you've defiled my tail! As such, I have cursed you." He explained with the hint of malice towards Misty.

Her eyes widened as tears began to fill them. "Cursed! What kind of a curse!" she demanded. This couldn't be happening. All she did was miss her step. The Ninetales smirked and his eyes began to glow again. In a puff of blue smog, a sheet of smoothed ice appeared behind her. When Misty turned to see, the reflection from the brook appeared. She then looked to herself and screamed. It wasn't just a trick, it was real. She had become a small dog creature. "N-No! No way! This can't be true!" she wailed and touched the ice with her paw and recoiled at the sight of it. Tears began to stream from her now large eyes. "Please! You have to change me back!"

Ninetales shook his head and laughed a bit more at her plea. "I'm afraid not, my little infidel. I'll leave you now to deal with your fate!" With that said, he cackled again and disappeared in that blue fog. In a flash of light, Misty found herself in the forest again, in the same spot she passed out in…

What was she to do? She had lost her human form and is now in the form of a Pokémon she knew nothing about. And worst of all, Ash may never know how much she loves him. Thinking that, her large eyes widened even further and more tears streamed out. Misty fell to the ground and dug her nose between her front legs and began to sob softly. "Ash…" she thought, more tears streaming. "…I may never get my chance to tell you! Just when I get the nerve to confess! Why me!" She started sobbing louder and harder, unable to think of anything else… She was truly alone now…

End of Chapter IV:

New Misty

Worenx's Corner

Worenx: Wow! I am in awe, Shade!; claps

Shade: Um, thank you?

Chachi: No! He lies! You suck!

Aya; dragging Chachi: C'mon Chachi. Time for your medication. He's got ADHD today.

Chachi: No! My story shall not be changed!

Aya; injects Chachi: There we go, now don't we feel better?; happy face

Chachi: Lookit the pretty snowman; happy face

Shade: …Um… Okay…

Worenx; hanging upside-down from the light fixture: I'm a monkey! Eek! Eek!

Shade: …Aya, come back here with that medicine; walks out, leaving Worenx

Worenx; swinging back and forth: She was an acrobat's daughter!; fixture falls from the ceiling