Kanto Region...

Misty Kasumi Waterflower was impressed on how well her boyfriend did in the Sinnoh League. She couldn't wait to see him again and she hoped that he brought Brock with him. It had been so long since she had seen Brock and she really wanted to meet Dawn too. 'Maybe I can ask Daisy if I can go to Sinnoh for a bit,' Misty thought. She shook her head and thought, 'No way, I'm lucky she let me go to the Togepi Festival which turned out to be a trap set up by Team Rocket to get Togepi and help Colonel Hansen.' Azurill came over her trainer and looked up.

"Azu," asked the Polka Dot Pokémon.

Misty smiled at her little baby Pokémon and stated, "Just thinking about Ash and Brock."

Misty scooped Azurill in her arms and held the Polka Dot Pokémon close to her. Azurill was nice and squishy. Misty had to admit that she missed holding something. Togepi was the first and had a special spot in her heart. Daisy saw this from afar and knew that she had to do something. So she headed out for the Cerulean City Mall to get a new outfit for her baby sister. Later on that day, Misty was swimming alongside of her Psyduck. With Ash's help, Psyduck learned not to be afraid of the water. Misty was helping out with the rest of the training. Daisy came back to the gym with a whole bunch of bags.

Misty perked up and asked, "What's with all of the bags, Dais?"

Daisy answered, "Like, open them and find out!"

Misty, knowing that it wasn't her birthday, was getting curious. She opened the bags and in the first bag was a blue jacket that went with a one piece blue swimsuit. With that were dark blue shorts, light blue sandals, and a sky blue backpack. Misty couldn't believe it. Ever since her hair grew out to a beautiful shoulder length, her cerulean eyes weren't as pretty as they usually were.

"Daisy, why are you giving me all of these things," Misty asked, wondering what the catch was.

Daisy answered, "Well, I knew that you were, like, depressed. So I knew that this could help!"

That's when she handed Misty a boat ticket...to Lake Valor, Sinnoh. Misty gasped as she took it in her hand and trembled. That's when someone came into the gym. And that someone was in the form of Erika Jones, fresh from the Johto region and wearing her new outfit.

"You called me, Daisy," Erika asked.

Daisy nodded as she introduced Misty to Erika and then vice versa. The two exchanged a handshake.

Daisy questioned, "You are, like, still training for the Johto League?"

Erika nodded and answered, "Yeah, I was hoping to train in the Sinnoh region for a bit."

"Well, like, you up for going with my baby sister," Daisy asked, making Misty gasp even more.

Erika smiled as she answered, "Of course, it will be great to get to know the baby sister of the Waterflower family. Plus, Ash will love seeing her and me after all of these years."

"What do you mean by that," Misty asked, snapping a bit.

Erika giggled as she stated, "Fiery, just as Ash described you. You see, Misty, I'm from Pallet Town. Ash is like my 'brother'."

"So you are the other trainer from Pallet," Misty asked.

Erika answered, "Right. I started with Bulbasaur and went to the Hoenn region first before returning to my hometown. The other trainer - named Silver - started with Charmander but kept to himself as a trainer, like he did when he was a kid. Gary, as you know, started with Squirtle and went through the Kanto region first. Ash, being late for getting his Pokémon, got Pikachu. And you know the rest of the tale from there."

"Boy do I ever," Misty joked.

Erika turned to Misty and asked, "Hey Misty, are you up for a battle?"


Nine Years Ago...

Silver was an interesting sort. He was rather shy unlike the rest of the Pallet Town kids. Silver peeked out of the window and saw that Gary was walking by. The red headed boy rolled his eyes. There was ONE kid that he didn't want to get to know. Silver had short red hair, silver eyes, wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and yellow shoes. He wasn't a typical playful nine year old, quite the opposite. He was rather closed in and quiet. Anyways, there was one person that Silver really wanted to know much better. And that person was Erika Jones, who was still right behind Gary. Silver blushed as he went outside.

Erika stated, "You know, you didn't have to be so rude back there to Ash, you know."

Gary rolled his eyes and said nothing. Erika was the next to roll her eyes, getting really annoyed with him at the moment. That's when she saw Silver.

"Hey, aren't you Silver," Erika asked, trying to be friendly. Silver nodded shyly as he gave her a wild flower. Erika smiled as she took it.

She teased to Gary, "See, he can be nice, why can't you be?"

"Very funny, Erika," Gary replied, once again rolling his eyes.

Silver was looking down at his shoes, still being rather shy.

Erika noticed this as she asked, "Something wrong?"

Silver didn't answer but pressed his lips up against Erika's, his face red with a blush. Gary instantly got jealous as he parted them, as seeing that Erika was too stunned to move.

"He kissed me," she yelped, not wanting her first kiss to be stolen like that.

Silver was still blushing, unashamed of his recent job. Gary made a fist and even though he was only nine, he was going to defend Erika's honor. Gary stepped in front of Erika, making her blush.

Gary stated, "Listen and listen only once, you son of a bitch. You kiss or come near her again, you are going to regret meeting me, Gary Oak."

Erika, by this time, was really blushing and was frozen there. She couldn't believe that Gary was defending her like that...nor using grownup words to talk to a simple nine year old. Erika was rather impressed as Silver started to cry, pushing Gary down to the ground. Gary landed softly and was unhurt. Silver grabbed Erika's wrist and started to pull her to his house.

"Gary," Erika shouted.

Gary bolted to his feet as he grabbed Erika and brought her to his body. Erika blushed and upon seeing the two as they were, Silver went back into his house - crying and heartbroken. Erika looked up at Gary, who was still holding her. Ever since her older brother died in the Orre region when she was seven, she had actually shut off everyone and didn't fully return to her friends until three weeks after the event. Gary and Ash were always there for her but more Gary than Ash - since Gary lived right next door to Erika and her folks.

Gary looked down at her and asked, "You okay?"

"Guess so but that jerk took my first kiss," Erika answered, pouting.

"That didn't count," Gary stated, bringing her face closer to his.

For that moment, Gary didn't care and neither did Erika as the two of them slightly kissed. It didn't last because of a sound...


Sinnoh Region...

Empoleon went down in a heap as Torterra took the win.

"Looks like we one," Paul stated, simply.

Barry recalled his starter Pokémon and replied, "Wow Paul, I got to admit that you got even stronger."

Paul responded, "Thanks." That's when he asked, "Listen, have you met or ran into a girl named Ranee?"

Barry thought and then answered, "That girl who also to Tobias...yeah, I saw her. She's going to Lake Valor with Ash and the guys!"

"What for," Paul questioned.

Barry answered, "Whoa, you don't know? They are going to meet up with Misty Waterflower there and partake in the Pokémon Contest."

"A contest," Paul asked.

Barry nodded and answered, "Yeah, the annual Water Festival."

"Water Festival," Paul repeated.

Barry explained, "It is a big Pokémon contest that doesn't count but it is a lot of fun."

Paul grumbled as he stated, "Not that much into fun anymore. I just want my girlfriend back..."

"Girlfriend," Barry repeated, surprised.

Paul nodded and explained, "Ranee is my girlfriend ever since I left Veilstone City. She's a strong trainer and coordinator."

"Like Nando," the blonde questioned.

To this, Paul nodded again. Barry was surprised to say the least. He wasn't expecting that at all.

Paul grumbled, "I need to get her back...and myself back."

"Whoa, what do you mean," Barry questioned, blinking a bit.

Paul perked up when he remembered that Barry was there. Paul sighed as he knew that there wasn't much he could do to avoid this anymore.

Paul answered, "Barry, I am not what I seem."

Barry, this time, blinked out of confusion.

He asked, "Wait, what do you mean?"

Paul sighed again as he answered, "I mean I'm not what I appear to be."

"That can't be true," Barry stated, making fists, "You are Paul Shinji from Veilstone City! You are the best trainer I've ever seen!"

Paul started to say, "Well, I..."

Barry interrupted, "You were in the Top Four of all your competitions and leagues you ever partake in!"

Paul started to say, "Listen..."

"And you always rock hard core on all of the battles you are in with the strongest Pokémon I've ever seen," Barry added.

"Yeah but..."

"You are awesome and amazing!"

"Barry..."

"There is no way..."

"BARRY!"

Barry snapped out of it and looked at Paul, a bit bewildered that the mauve trainer actually shouted his name like that. But it did get his attention.

Barry stomped his feet and said, "Hey, I'm gonna have to fine you for that!"

"Do you really think of me like that," Paul questioned.

The blonde haired trainer nodded and explained, "Well, yeah. You are awesome and my idol."

"You don't want to idol me," the mauve haired trainer stated simply.

"Wait why not," Barry asked, "You have five seconds to explain or you are getting a fine!"

Barry started to count and when he got to four, Paul was beyond annoyed.

"Alright, I'll tell you," Paul blurted out.

Barry smirked as Paul realized that he was tricked. 'That Barry guy is pretty clever,' thought Paul, rather impressed. And that's when he started to tell the story.


AK1028: Well, what does everyone think of this chapter? Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!