Thank you everyone for all the wonderful reviews. I'm glad you all liked the last chapter. I know lots of you would like to see Misty back traveling with Ash, but I just don't think she'd trust her sisters to not to run the gym into the ground. So sadly, Misty won't be a permanent feature of Ash's traveling company, but she will visit him a few times so expect lots of Misty cameo's, and there's even a chapter/episode centered on Misty at the gym.

Two things very quickly: Firstly, I should warn you that some parts of this chapter are inconsistent with canon (especially that relating to Advance - it doesn't exist). Secondly, I am in need of some help. One aspect that I would like to focus on in this is more of the character histories, but I'm worried that the histories I've devised may be too cliched or Sue-ish. Pretty much, I need someone else's opinion on it, so if there is anyone who wouldn't mind getting a major spoiler handed to them, please let me know. The help would be very much appreciated.

_Recap_

Episode Title: At the Beginning
Closest town/landmark: Pallet Town
Distance travelled: 10km
Pokemon mentioned: Twelve
Tiny packets of ketchup received: Infinite (at least from the perspective of a 1'4" mouse)
Previously released Pokemon reunited with trainer: One
Kicking Team Rocket's arse without even having to call a Pokemon: Priceless

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon. If I did you would be watching this. Actually if I owned Pokemon I'd probably just put the Orange Islands season on repeat until everyone was convinced that pokeshipping was the one and only ship (aside from Rocket, Manga, Oak and maybe Elder but only where it somehow furthers the aims of pokeshipping).

Ash: The Last Stand – Fun and Games

Three trainers and a yellow electric mouse pushed their way through the Viridian Forest, pushing on in spite of the darkening sky. Soon it would be night and there would be no light to guide them, but something wouldn't let them stop.

That something was Ash.

"Ash, I really think we should stop and camp out for the night," Brock suggested, looking haggard. Dawn nodded beside him, stopping in her tracks as her features contorted to indicated that she had no intention to go any further.

"We can't stop now guys," Ash almost begged. "We're only an hour away from the city. I can almost see the edge of the forest."

"You said that TWO hours ago!" Dawn whined, dropping herself pitifully to the ground.

"Yes, but I didn't mean it then," Ash admitted sheepishly. "I was just trying to keep you guys moving. We really are almost there this time."

Neither Brock nor Dawn looked happy with his reply. Ash was almost grateful that Misty wasn't with them – had the redhead been in attendance she probably would have pummelled him to the ground with her 10 foot mallet. Although, he suspected that Misty would have been in as much as a rush to get to the city as he was, so it wouldn't have been necessary to lie to his friends to encourage them.

But then, if Misty were there, would he really be in such a hurry to get to Viridian at all?

Brock seemed to be considering the same question. "What's with you Ash?" he asked in a concerned tone. "We're still more than a day ahead; you don't need to hurry. Don't you want to just relax and smell the roses?"

"Yeah, well . . ." Ash stuttered, not meeting Brock's gaze. "Just want to beat the . . . um . . . crowds to the gyms?"

Brock gave him an incredibly incredulous look and smiled knowingly to himself. It was really Ash's own fault for ending with an inflection. "I guess you just want to get through the first gym that much faster, right?" Brock asked, his lips curving to an almost cruel smile as he watched Ash shuffle awkwardly on the spot. He massaged his chin in a gesture of mock thoughtfulness as he continued knowingly, "because the sooner you defeat Forrest, the sooner we'll be in Cerulean!"

Ash blushed, grateful for the coming darkness to cover his reddening cheeks. He tried to think of some way to counter Brock's insightfulness, but luckily Dawn cut in before he got the chance.

"You mean you're still not over the fact that she bet you last time you guys battled?" Dawn asked, completely oblivious to the insidious undercurrents of Brock's words.

"It was an unfair fight!" Ash protested, glad for the change of subject. He could see where Brock was going with his line of thinking, and he was much preferring Dawn's reasoning. "She knows Pikachu has a soft spot for baby Pokémon!"

Brock rolled his eyes, letting Ash avoid his real reasons for now.

"She was just playing off Pikachu's weaknesses," Dawn defended. "It's what anyone would have done."

"Anyone who would have cheated," Ash muttered.

"So when Misty has Azurill charm Pikachu to death it's cheating, but when you send in an electric Pokémon knowing full well she's going to send out a water Pokémon, it's strategy?" Brock asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ash sighed in acquiescence. "Can we just keep going?" he asked.

The other two matched his sigh and started moving once again and Ash sent each of them a grateful smile. Pikachu yawned and jumped lazily onto his master's shoulder – there was no reason for him to walk when he had such handy travel arrangements.

Viridian City was even closer than Ash had anticipated. After just ten minutes the foursome finally exited the forest and found themselves upon the plains leading to the brightly lit city. The silence continued as they tiredly made their way to the Pokémon Centre, and were all sound asleep in their beds no more than half an hour later.

Ash was the first to wake the next morning, teased from his sleep by the bright rays of the sun. His first thought was that he had to go see Nurse Joy and get himself officially entered in the league.

He was glad it was early when he got himself downstairs. That meant there wasn't a line at the desk, as there surely would be later in the day. The trainers were starting to arrive from all over Kanto to make their entry official and seeing as it was now just one day from the entry deadline, Viridian City was starting to fill with trainers. He was surprised they had even managed to get a room the previous evening.

"Here you go Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town," Nurse Joy laughed, handing him back his Pokédex. "I still remember when you and your pikachu first arrived. I hope your girlfriend is well."

Ash blushed brightly, which caused Nurse Joy to laugh again. "I guess you two still haven't got that figured out," she said teasingly. "I'm sure you will in time," she added almost whimsically, "I just knew the first time I saw you both that your lives would be forever intertwined."

Ash couldn't help but agree with her there. It was exactly how he had felt when he first met Misty – he had felt like they were destined to meet and be friends and that once he let her into his life he would never be able to lose her. Why else do you think he tried so hard to evade her?

"Are you and your friends staying for the carnival?" Nurse Joy asked, reverting back to her usual tone.

"What carnival?" Ash asked, his curiosity quite apparent.

"Oh yes," she said as she remembered their initial meeting more clearly. "You didn't stay for the opening celebrations last time, did you? I always thought they were more for the older trainers anyway. Well this years theme is 'carnival' and there's a big celebration tomorrow night to officially restart this years league."

"I'm not really sure," he said frowning. He knew his friends would want to stay for the party, but at the same time he was anxious to get himself to Cerulean and he didn't want any unnecessary delays.

"You know I'm sure you've come a long way since your first journey," she said with an almost motherly smile. "That means you can take the time out to enjoy yourself a bit more without worrying about whether it might be the end of your league chances."

"Yes . . . well," he replied awkwardly, "I guess I'll just see what the guys want to do."

"Hopefully you all come. It's sure to be a blast this year and you'll get to meet a lot of the trainers you'll be competing against in the league."

Ash just nodded as he made his way almost despondently towards the videophone. There was no way he was going to be able to convince Brock and Dawn to eschew the carnival in favour of more walking. Instead it would be two more days in Viridian City before they could keep moving.

He dialled a familiar number and waited for her to pick up.

"Cerulean City Gym," a voice said sleepily without turning on the video screen. "Gym hours are 10 to 4 Tuesday to Friday and 12 to 4 Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This is Misty Waterflower speaking, how can I help you?"

Ash smiled at the tiredness in her voice. He couldn't help but get pleasure out of the fact that he had obviously interrupted her beauty sleep, especially as she had always been the one complaining about his oversleeping.

"I'm not sure you can help me, 'Misty Waterflower speaking'," he replied teasingly to her question. "Do you always sound like an answering machine when you answer the phone Misty, or is it something you do on special occasions?"

The screen flicked on immediately and Misty's bright blue-green eyes lighted with joy upon seeing her best friend. It was more than apparent that she had just got out of bed, her hair tied up loosely on the side of her head like the old days and blue flannel pyjama's hanging askew on her small frame. She was, Ash couldn't help but think, striking.

"Well maybe if you called me more often you'd know the answer to that," Misty replied with a mock scowl on her lips. "Why on earth are you calling me at such an ungodly hour?" she asked, her face darkening slightly.

"It's 7:30," he replied with a laugh. "I've been up since 6," he lied.

Misty rolled her eyes. She clearly didn't believe him.

"I just wanted to check that you got back alright," he told her, feeling a little awkward as he responded. This was partly because his answer wasn't entirely true, and partly because of the weird tingly feeling that appeared in the pit of his stomach now that he had Misty's attention entirely to himself.

"We got in to Viridian late last night," he continued, although he wasn't quite sure why.

"Only last night," she teased making him feel more relaxed. "I think we were half way to Pewter by this time."

Ash shrugged with a laugh. "I guess I didn't have the same incentive," he said. "I started off running away from a crazy gang of spearrow, only to find myself chased by a crazy redhead with a fondness for mallets."

"Oh Ash, you say the nicest things," she replied, feigning enrapture. "You better not have some other crazy redhead stashed away in your past I don't know about."

"You know you're the only crazy redhead for me."

She smiled. "I know that's not supposed to be a compliment, but I'm going to take it that way just to spite you."

"You do that," he replied, smiling back.

"I think we'll be staying in Viridian City for a couple more days," he said, losing some of his joviality. "They've got this whole annual carnival/celebration thing going on . . ."

He trailed off as an irate looking Misty interjected. "You mean to say if we had stayed in Viridian just a couple of more days we could have gone to a carnival! You never let me do anything fun Ash," she pouted.

"Well I promise to win you a prize to make it up to you," he replied with a cocky grin. "Just don't say I never got you anything."

"That's a good start, but you've still got a long way to go Mr. Pokémon Master," she grinned back.

He just laughed, before sadly bringing their conversation to a close. "The others will be getting up soon so I'm going to have to go, but I'll give you a call when we get to Pewter, ok?" he suggested hopefully.

She nodded. "Just not so early please," she asked. "I'll see you soon Ash."

"See yah Myst," he replied, waving goodbye as they both hung up.

Ash sighed, smiling happily to him self. He was starting to look forward to this carnival thing and he was sure the others would be just as enthused once he told them about it.

Dawn's eyes lit up with glee as she surveyed the streets of Viridian. They had really pulled out all the stops. Everything was bright and colourful, even the people. People on stilts walked over them handing out balloons and treats to be enjoyed. It was the most incredible thing the young girl had ever seen.

She gasped happily, clasping her hands to her chest. She had just spotted the cutest Pokémon she had ever seen in her entire life, and quickly ran off to gush over it.

Brock began to chuckle at the young girls eagerness, but then he was similarly entranced by a pretty looking blonde in a very short skirt and was on her heals before he could finish what he began.

Ash chuckled, shaking his head at his older friend's antics.

"So I guess that just leaves you and me?" Ash said, turning to his Pokémon companion. He knew that Pikachu would not be as quick to abandon him; after all, Ash had an almost unlimited supply of ketchup thanks to Misty. Although they had technically been gifted directly to the Pokémon, as his master Ash did happen to control the supply.

"Well if it isn't Ashy-boy, returned back to where it all started with his tail between his legs," a cocky voice called from behind him.

Ash grimaced as he turned around to face Gary Oak who in spite of recent appearance, hadn't really changed that much. Ash forced a pleasant smile onto his face as he greeted his long time rival.

(A/N: I know they aren't really rivals anymore and that Gary isn't really a trainer anymore, but Paul just doesn't compare to Gary and the history that he and Ash have together)

"What are you doing here?" Ash asked pointedly. "This is a celebration for trainers," he emphasised.

"Well when I heard you were entering again, I had to throw my own hat in the ring," Gary replied smugly. "I submitted a paper to the league about the possibility of unknown evolutions in certain ground and dark Pokémon which got me automatic entry. I don't even have to collect badges, which puts me about 8 steps ahead of you Ashy-boy."

Ash just smiled painfully, refusing to let Gary see how much the nickname annoyed him. He suspected the name would be almost endearing coming from anyone else, or you know, a girl, but from Gary it was downright aggravating. He inwardly winced every time he heard it.

"Of course, I'm still going to collect them," Gary continued with a smirk, disregarding the need for Ash to participate in the conversation. "It makes for good practice. I'll be leaving for Cerulean tomorrow morning."

"Why Cerulean?" Ash asked suspiciously, his ears peaking at the sound of Misty's hometown.

Gary's smirk widened. That had certainly got his attention.

"Because," Gary said simply, although he didn't leave it at that. "How is Red anyway?"

"Her name is Misty," Ash said tightly.

"I'll try to remember it in the 'bouts of passion'. It seems only reasonable seeing as she'll be sighing mine in a few days time," he said smugly, his air of arrogance almost whimsical as he feigned a dreamy expression. "I take it you still haven't found the courage to take her off the market."

Ash began to blush at Gary's insinuation. 'Just like old times,' he thought sardonically to himself as he bitterly noted how unfair it was that Misty wasn't there to share in this humiliation. It seemed somehow more amusing when she was blushing right along side him.

This was about the twelfth time since their group had left Pallet that Ash had longed for her presence. In his defence, they were all for practical purposes, at least, most of them were. For example, Gary wouldn't dare to say stuff like this with Misty around because he was almost as scared of her as Brock was.

"Right so Red's available," Gary smirked.

Ash began to turn red again, although this time in anger. "If you so much as touch her I'll make you wish you hadn't," Ash muttered darkly. Both boys were shocked by the words that Ash had proclaimed.

Gary shrugged it off quickly, trying to look nonplussed by Ash's determination. "We'll see Ashy-boy," he said simply, waving his hand casually as he walked away leaving Ash to only glower at his retreating figure.

"C'mon Pikachu," Ash said, leading him towards the stalls.

"Step right up one and all," a voice called loudly from one of the stalls. Ash approached it with curiosity.

"What are you three doing here?" Ash asked as he recognised the proprietors. "If you're here to steal Pikachu I'll have Officer Jenny on you so fast you'd think H. G. Wells had orchestrated the whole thing!"

"Oi twiorp," Meowth muttered, jumping in front of the booth and straightening his tiny red jacket. "We're here as reg'lar swindlers dis time, not Pokémon poachers, yer hear?"

"Yeah, we aren't even saying the motto," James added, supporting Meowth. "We're only here to cheat people out of their money. Not their Pokémon."

Ash raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"We're having a little bit of a cash flow crisis," Jesse admitted almost painfully, practically gritting her teeth, "and we're taking this opportunity to raise some funds. Now either pay up or take yourself and your blasted Pokémon away. It's distracting."

"What sort of scam are you running?" Ash asked.

"It's very simple," James replied excitedly. "We demonstrate our unique ability to do an impossible task, you hand over your money in an attempt to imitate and we run to the bank laughing."

"It's totally legit," Jesse added before the boy could consider calling Officer Jenny over.

"I'll try anything once," Ash sighed. "What do I have to do?"

"Very simple," the cat Pokémon replied in his quaint little accent. "Yer toss da ball and knock dat bottle oda on de back swing. Wanna see James do it foirst?"

"No, I think I get it," Ash said and he did as they suggested knocking over the bottle first time.

"Meowth! You did it all wrong!" Jesse cried, hitting Meowth over the head with her fan. "You're supposed to demonstrate so we can move the bottle you dim wit."

"Oh roight," Meowth said sheepishly as he recalled the set up. "Dats how we trick 'em. Guess we owe da twoirp a prize now."

"What prize would you like?" Jesse asked tiredly.

Ash's gaze moved over the shelves until he spotted exactly what he wanted. "That one," he said, pointing to a particularly alluring item. "And could you put it in a box?"

"Yeah, yeah," Jesse muttered. "First you swindle us out of our well earned money, and now you treat us like slaves. Good for nothing kid . . ."

The next morning, Ash was the first up once again. He knew he had to be up in time to catch Gary before he left.

Slipping silently out of the room he grabbed his box from the previous evening, and headed down to the lobby. Luckily, Gary was at the desk collecting his Pokémon from Nurse Joy so he could continue.

"Gary," Ash said, calling the attention of his rival. "I need you to do me a favour."

Gary smirked. "It's big of you to ask for help," he said, "but I think you're beyond my expertise Ashy-boy."

Ash scowled but held in anything vindictive he wanted to throw back at the other boy. He took a deep breath and continued on in spite of Gary. "When you go to Cerulean, would you mind giving this to Misty?" he asked hopefully, his cheeks becoming faintly red.

For a moment Gary's smirk almost softened as he took the box from Ash's hands. "I'll make sure she gets it," he said kindly, before reverting back to his usual nature. "May the best man win," he said cockily as he turned on his heal and walked out of the Pokémon Centre.

Ash sighed quietly. After seeing Gary at the Silver Conference, Ash had hoped that maybe he and Gary could finally be friends, but it seemed the two would always be rivals. Ever since they were little, they had always seemed to be fighting over something.

Usually Gary didn't phase him . . . much. But this time Gary had him worried, because Ash wasn't sure that Gary was talking about the Pokémon league anymore.

And if he wasn't talking about the league, Ash wasn't sure he could bear losing this one.

~ to be continued ~

I don't like Paul, ok. I don't care what the canon says; there will never be any other rival for Ash but Gary. Paul doesn't push Ash the way Gary does, they don't have the history. A rival needs to be someone that pushes the other person to try harder, not just some dick that puts everyone down at every chance they get (will explore this a tad more in another chapter I think). Plus I think Paul really is evil. Similarly, I like to think of Palletshipping as the yaoi version of Pokeshipping and so if I wasn't a Pokeshipper it would probably be Pallet (or Ego) for me - thus my poll.

On a Team Rocket note I just want to warn you that I will NEVER use the new motto - I'm a fan of the original. Jesse and James are about mid-twenties in case you were wondering. Meowth is ageless.

On an entirely different note: I just came up with the funniest line for another fic, so I wanted to share it with everyone in case I never get around to publishing it. This one is potentially for Citrus paradisi: The Forbidden Fruit.

Brock's thoughts after being ditched by his date . . .

It was one thing to be dumped and similarly to be dumped for Gary – that much was expected – but to be dumped for Tracey?! It was beyond humiliating and the fact that 'Clarissa the prostitute' (Misty's nickname for Brock's date) would rather spend her evening with 'bandanna boy' hurt more than the mere fact of ditching did on his own.

For christs sake! Tracey didn't even like girls!

Now you can review.