Chapter 2

(3rd person P.O.V.)

"We're back in pallet!" Ash proclaims joyfully. He walks along the streets with his best friends Misty, Brock and Pikachu. "How long has it been since we were last here?" Misty asked.

"It's been a year and a half since you have been home" Brock asked.

'Has it really been that long' Ash asked thinking to himself. "Let's head home already, guys!" Ash yelled beginning to race down the street . "Hey, Ash, wait up!" Misty yelled while casually walking down the streets. Brock who was walking next to misty was deep in thought. 'I kinda feel bad for misty, she's been slightly hinting towards liking Ash but he is just so oblivious. It's been at least 4 months since misty started all this hinting. It was just after….'

Flash Back - four months ago in pokemon center

"Nurse Joy, why aren't you looking just lovely this evening." Brock said as he fawned over Nurse Joy as usual. "ugh Brock, you perv, leave nurse joy alone and lets go get settled in a room already" Misty said, getting tired and annoyed of Brock's pervy ways.

"She's right Brock, let's go" Ash said with a sigh. Brock nodded and went to go get a room for the 3 of them. After a few minutes, Brock comes back with a key.

"We'll be in room 62 in the east wing." Brock said as they headed towards the east wing.

Grrr…. Ash's stomach growled. "Well somebody's hungry. Here" Brock says as he tosses Ash and Misty the key. "I'll go get us something to eat." He said as he walked toward the wreck hall.

"Come on, Ash. Let's get going, I'm tired." Misty says as she tugs on Ash's arm pointing in the direction of the room.

As Ash and Misty enter the vacant room, they searched for the light switch. "Where the heck is the light in this place?" asked a blind Ash, feeling his way around the room.

"How am i supposed to know, Ash, It's not like i have all the answers!" Misty argued back.

"Hey, I'm not trying to be rude. I'm just confused that's all." Ash says still trying to feel his way around. "Oh, I FOUND IT!" ash proclaims as the lights turn on.

Ash stood there for a second, he couldn't tell what it was but something seemed different about Misty. Maybe it wasn't Misty that changed but the way Ash saw her. She wasn't that annoying kid who kept following him in the woods anymore. She was his best friend, other than Pikachu of course.

Misty and Ash sat down . Misty looked upset. She had tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong mist?" Ash asked her in a concerned and gentle voice.

"It's nothing don't worry about it." she said looking away wiping tears away. Ash sighed pulling her in for a hug. Once in his arms she broke down and sobbed.

"Today is the death of my parents " she said sobbing as Ash held her a bit more tight.

"Shhh, it's okay, shhh. Everything's going to be okay. I'm here for you, Mist, I'm here you're okay shh everything is going to be okay." he said. After a few minutes Misty stopped crying. Ash and Misty looked into each others eyes and started to lean in as Brock walked in with food. Quickly they pulled apart blushing.

"Aww you two were about to kiss." Brock teased.

"Nooo!" They both denied quickly grabbing food from Brock.

"Sure, sure, deny it all you want " Brock teased as he munched on a apple. The two glared at him as he dropped it.

(End of flashback )

Ash, Brock and Misty walked into professor Oaks lab. Oak looked up from his computer.

"Ash, Brock and Misty good to see you " Oak said as he gave Ash and Misty a hug and shook hands with Brock.

"How has your journey been, Ash?" The pokemon professor asked.

"It's been great so far, prof. Oak, however there is something i'd like to know about." Ash explained

"What's up, my boy?" Oak asked.

I fought against a pokemon i had never seen before in the johto league i was wondering if you knew more about it." Ash said as he handed prof. Oak his pokedex.

"Ahh Blaziken, the blaze pokemon. That's a pokemon from the Hoenn region, south-east of here. A boat could get you there in a matter of a week"

"Sweet, Brock, Misty. Are you guys up for another adventure."

"If I'm not there, who knows what kind of trouble you'll get into." Misty teased

"And without me you two would surely starve to death." Brock stated

"Let me call professor Birch and you guys can leave here tomorrow if you want " Oak said as he went to make the phone call.

After Oak talked to them they headed off to see Ash's mom and ended up having dinner with her before our hero's went to bed after a long day.