-Flashback-
It was the day of the annual Veilstone Festival. There are a bunch of tents and rides there in the middle of town as two nine year old kids entered the square: Paul and Ranee.
Ranee gushed, "Wow, this festival sure is huge. We're going to have the best day - ever."
Paul smiled and stated, "And I won't worry a bit about my dad all day."
Recently, Paul's father had lost his job and started to abuse his wife and Paul - since Reggie had gone on his Pokémon journey. Paul had a few scrapes, scratches, and bruises - which Ranee always tended to when Paul could sneak out. In the process, they started to fall in love.
He commented, taking her hand, "Come on, let's have some fun!"
Ranee giggled as she followed, lacing their fingers. With that; they went on rides, food stands, and the arcades. Awhile later, the two of them go to the photo booth to take some pictures. While Ranee checked out a show, Paul bought a locket especially for her to thank her for all what she did. He placed their favorite picture in the locket. He smiled as he hid it. Finally, it was almost sunset and the two kids knew that they had to go home before their parents came to find them. Paul didn't want his father finding them and neither did Ranee.
She told him, "I had the best day." "
Me too and I didn't worry about my dad all day," he stated, with a smile.
That's when Paul took a deep breath and got out the locket.
Ranee smiled as he commented, "I bought this for you."
Ranee stated, "It's beautiful."
Paul smiled as she asked, "But, why did you give this to me?"
Paul placed his hand on her cheek and answered, "I never know what my dad might do and I don't want to forget me or this day."
Ranee smiled as Paul put on the locket. The two kids stared into each other eyes. Paul stroked her hair, caressed her cheek, and his lips went towards hers.
Ranee leaned towards his lips and before they knew it, they kissed. As much as the two kids didn't want their bliss to end, Paul was the one to break it.
"I have to check on my mom," Paul breathed, even though he wanted another kiss.
"Be careful," Ranee breathed, wanting another kiss too.
Paul kissed her again but made it short. With that, he headed home, not knowing what waited him there. When he got to his house, the door was cracked opened slightly. Paul gulped as he peeked in and saw a terrible sight. On the ground was his mother, in a pool of blood. Her arms and legs were odd angles. Paul couldn't see her face since she was face down, on the floor, not moving. Paul was gagging and he started to cry. Suddenly, his father came out of the shadows, holding a bottle in his hand. It was a liquor bottle.
He hissed, alcohol clearly on his breath, "Where have you been boy?"
Paul gulped as he had tears rolling down his face. "
You killed mom," Paul asked, trying to manage his emotions.
His father nodded and answered, "Damn right I did and now you are next if you don't tell me where you've been."
"Never," Paul hissed, crying.
His father took another sip from his liquor bottle.
The man questioned, "Have you been with that little whore?"
That's when Paul got mad. Even though he was nine, he had a feeling that word was a bad one.
"Take that back," Paul hissed, getting mad and less scared.
"You heard me," his father stated, "You were with that little whore."
Paul bailed up a fist and wanted to charge at him. He wanted to kill his father for what he said about Ranee. But then he looked down at his mother's dead body. That's when he knew. He was no match for his powerful father. He would lose and wind up like his mother. Without any choices, he ran out the door. Somehow, Paul wounded up at Ranee's house. Ranee and her parents perked up when she saw Paul running into the house.
Roy asked, "Paul, what are you doing here?"
Seeing his eyes, Elizabeth knew something was wrong. Ranee saw it too and knew that something just wasn't right. Paul told them when was going on and Ranee's parents went out the back-way to check on Paul's mother, leaving Ranee and Paul alone. Paul hugged her tightly as he started to cry. Ranee started to get mad and upset as she went outside to face his father, unafraid. Paul got scared by this as he knew that if she ran into his father...
That's when he went after her, in fear that if his father found her... While he looked for her, Paul was jumped by his father and his Tyranitar. Tyranitar was starting to use Hyper Beam on the young nine-year old. Paul braced himself, expecting the worst to come. That's when a Raichu - using Volt Tackle - saved Paul from a Hyper Beam. A man came out of the shadows...David Ketchum.
Paul's father hissed, "Who the hell are you?"
David stood strong and answered, "I am David Ketchum and I recommend that you leave that boy alone."
"This ain't your business," Paul's father hissed, his breath still reeking of alcohol.
He turned to Tyranitar and commanded, "Use Stone Edge!"
Tyranitar roared and threw rocks towards Raichu.
David reacted and commanded, "Dodge and use Iron Tail!"
"Rai," said the Mouse Pokémon.
Raichu quickly dodged the rocks and hit Tyranitar with the Steel type move. As the battle continued, Paul ran off to find Ranee. When he did, he found her at the Veilstone Meteorites - with a broke left arm. Paul took her to the hospital, blaming himself for what happened that night and vowing that he would never hurt Ranee again.
-End of Flashback-
Kanto Region...
In Cerulean City, Misty smiled at Erika's challenge.
"Sounds good to me," Misty stated.
Erika asked, "Then you up for a one-on-one battle?"
Misty nodded as Daisy questioned, "Then, like, should I referee?"
Erika and Misty both nodded as they got on their sides of the pool. Misty was in the red corner as Erika was in the green corner. Daisy was in the middle, in the referee box.
Daisy commented, "This, like, one-on-one battle between Misty and Erika will now begin! No Pokémon exchanges allowed and the battle will be over with when either sides Pokémon cannot continue. Begin!"
Misty went first and took out a poke ball.
She threw her poke ball and yelled, "Misty calls Starmie!"
With a flash of light, the Mysterious Pokémon appeared. The Mysterious Pokémon said nothing. Erika took out a poke ball and went next.
She yelled, throwing her poke ball, "To battle Sableye!"
With another flash of light, the Darkness Pokémon appeared.
"Sabl," said the Darkness Pokémon.
Misty went first and commanded, "Starmie, use Ice Beam!"
Starmie fired the freezing beam at the Darkness Pokémon from the its tip.
Erika quickly reacted and commanded, "Dodge it and use Faint Attack!"
Sableye quickly dodge Ice Beam as it snuck up on Starmie and delivered a strong attack.
Misty commanded, "Use Hydro Pump!"
Starmie blasted the water at the Darkness Pokémon, causing a bit of damage.
Erika commented, "You are good, Misty."
"So are you, Erika," Misty stated.
Erika replied, "But not good enough! Sableye, use Shadow Ball!"
Sableye created a ghost energy in its claws and fired it at Starmie.
"Quick, use Water Pulse," Misty commanded.
Starmie fired the powerful water attack. The two attacks clashed and exploded. Both Misty and Erika covered their eyes due to this. Finally, the smoke cleared. Misty and Erika opened their eyes and saw both of their Pokémon down and out.
Daisy commented, "Both Pokémon are unable to battle so this match is, like, a draw!"
Misty was content as was Erika. The red headed gym leader called back her Starmie.
She stated, "You did really well, take a good rest."
The brown haired Pallet Town born trainer called back her Sableye and stated, "Good job, Sableye. Take a good long rest." Erika went over to Misty and said, "Wow, Misty. I thought you had me."
"And I thought I had you," Misty replied, smiling.
She had to admit, Erika was a good.
Daisy stated, "Now, you two better, like, get going. You only have a few days before the Water Festival starts."
"Right," said both girls.
Misty took Starmie, Psyduck, and Gyarados with her so she could catch some Sinnoh Water types. Erika sent her Manectric, Altaria, and Sableye. She kept Venasaur, Espeon, and Misdreavus.
"Ready," Erika asked.
"So ready," Misty answered, wearing her new outfit now.
Erika smiled as the two girls went to the port, boarded, and set sail for Lake Valor, Sinnoh. 'The Water Festival AND Ash. I can't wait to get there,' Misty thought, getting really excited.
Sinnoh Region...
Finally getting to Lake Valor, Dawn and Ranee instantly went shopping for the Water Festival. Ash and Brock went to the Pokémon Center, where Brock started to hit on Nurse Joy - causing Croagunk to use Poison Jab on his trainer and then drag Brock off somewhere.
Ash stated to Croagunk, "I think you'll like Misty when she gets here. She pulls on Brock's ear and drags him away."
Croagunk - even though Ash couldn't fully tell - seemed to have smiled more than usual.
Ash turned to Nurse Joy and asked, "Nurse Joy, when is the ferry from Cerulean City due to arrive? We want to meet our friends at the port."
Nurse Joy answered, "Let me check for you." With that, she typed on her computer and took a look. She stated, "It'll arrive in two hours, you have a lot of time."
"Thanks so much," Ash replied.
"You're welcome," Nurse Joy responded, with a smile.
"Ash, is that you," said a powerful voice.
Ash knew that voice anywhere as he spun around and saw Crasher Wake there. Crasher Wake was the Pastoria City's gym leader. He was a water type trainer, just like Misty. Although, Misty was a lot less scary.
"Hey Wake," Ash said, with a smile.
Crasher Wake chuckled as he stated, "It's great to see you again!"
He paused and asked, "Planning to partake in the Water Festival?"
Ash shrugged and answered, "Haven't made up my mind but I was thinking of just letting Dawn and Ranee enter with Misty and Erika."
Wake perked up and questioned, "Erica of the Celadon City gym?"
Ash shook his head as he often got that when he mentioned Erika's name.
Ash explained, "No, my old friend from Pallet Town."
"Ah, another Kanto trainer," Wake stated, smiling.
Ash nodded as he asked, "Wait, you know Misty Waterflower?"
"I've never met the youngest of the Waterflower's in person but I have heard about them," Wake explained.
Ash nodded as Brock recovered from the poison and joined Ash.
"Hey, Wake, its good to see you," Brock stated, smiling at the water type gym leader.
"Hello, Brock, good to see you too," Wake greeted.
Nurse Joy came over and stated, "Actually, this is the first Water Festival to feature three water type gym leaders."
Ash perked up and asked, "You mean Juan is coming too?"
Wake nodded and answered, "Yes, all the way from Sootopolis City. I'm quite excited to meet some fellow gym leaders!"
Brock nodded as he stated, "I know what you mean, I would love to see Roark and Roxanne again."
Nurse Joy commented, "Anyways, Juan is on the same ferry as your friends are on."
Ash started to get excited and shouted, "Oh yeah, now I'm getting excited!"
"You going to toss your hat into the ring," a voice asked.
Ash spun around and saw Dawn with Ranee. And Ranee was wearing a new outfit. She was wearing a white short sleeved shirt, a purple skirt, and a purple pouch with white shoes. The only thing the same was her silver locket.
Ash answered, "If there is a battle competition, you bet I am!"
"There is, for those who aren't coordinators," Nurse Joy stated.
Ash replied, "Then count me in!"
AK1028: This one was a bit longer than the last three chapters but I want to really get into the sub story and then I'm going to get into the main story. I'm sorry if this is slow for anyone but I am working on it! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!
