Hi everyone : ) I know - I'm awful for not updating this story in so long, but I do have some fairly good reasons. I've been planning some fairly major new projects - I've had a tonne of family stuff going on - and I had a SERIOUS case of writer's block with this story, which was so bad that it even spilled over onto all my other existing stories, and pretty much caused me to stop writing all together for months, despite trying my best to get back into it : )

I knew what it was I wanted to write, but there were just so many ideas that I wanted to include in this story that logically needed to be in there right from the start - which is why I have come to the decision to rewrite this story : )

Hear me out : ) I wasn't upset with what I originally wrote. This is probably my favourite story and I'm proud of it. But I can and will make it better. I've got new ideas that I'm looking forward to including earlier on this time around, and I believe that by doing this, I can finally get rid of my writer's block and get back to updating regularly again - although at this moment, I'm not promising any sort of schedule.

So I'm hoping you'll all stick with me for a little bit longer until I get this story back to the point it was once at : )

Anyway, I'm sorry for the massive delay and for messing you all around, but it wasn't an easy decision to make, rewriting this whole thing, and it was even harder getting time to start on it.

Please remember that Pokemon is not mine, and I hope you enjoy this rewrite of my story, and this chapter : )

Through Ash and Mist

Homecoming

Misty Waterflower grinned as she looked down at the beautiful little town that was Viridian City. She was stood on a high earthy ledge at the edge of a forest, her eyes raking over the city; re-familiarising herself with its details as fond memories of her previous visits to this particular town flashed through her mind. The memories only served to widen her smile.

Flanking her on either side stood Misty's two best friends; Ash Ketchum and Brock Slate.

They had grins just as bright as Misty's plastered all over their faces too.

As a soothing breeze played through her orange locks, Misty breathed deeply, taking a refreshing gulp of Kanto air. It had been an awfully long time since they'd been back in their homeland.

It felt good to be close to home again.

The trio - along with their pokemon - had just spent the past year travelling though the Johto region, but now that the Silver Conference was over, it was time for them to start afresh, with just a quick pit-stop at home along the way.

"You can see the city from here" Ash observed, smiling.

Ash, like Misty, was very fond of this city. It was where they had first started travelling together, all that time ago. Misty smiled just thinking about it. They had both been very different people back then. Thankfully they had both grown into more mature versions of themselves.

"Pika!" Ash's faithful partner, Pikachu, squeaked from his shoulder.

"And there's the Pokemon Centre" Misty added, her emerald eyes honing in on the building that held so much sentimental significance for her and Ash.

"Toge" Misty's infant pokemon, Togepi, chirped from her arms.

"Well come on then!" Brock whooped enthusiastically, "What are we waiting for?!"

Misty visibly cringed, already knowing what was coming next.

"Oh, oh, Nurse Joy - Here I come!" Brock continued eagerly.

Misty rolled her eyes in annoyance. It was SO embarrassing to see him make a fool of himself every time he clapped eyes on a pretty girl.

"Gotta admit, he IS consistent" the redhead huffed, irritated.

Togepi giggled at the familiar situation.

"I can't wait anymore!" Brock suddenly announced, and before either Ash or Misty could get a word in edgeways, he took off running in the direction of the city, waving his arms like a lunatic and yelling out for his beloved Nurse Joy.

Misty glanced at Ash, and saw her own exasperation mirrored in his expression.

"Well, I guess we'd better go stop him before he gets arrested by Officer Jenny" Ash sighed tiredly.

"You're kidding right?" Misty scoffed in amusement, "He'd probably enjoy it".

They both sniggered, before turning their focus back onto the city.

"Last one there's a rotten Exeggcute!" Ash playfully challenged before he bolted after Brock.

"Hey! No fair!" Misty laughed before setting off after him.

Running as fast as her legs could carry her, Misty couldn't help but grin as she thought about how great her friends were, and how much she loved travelling with them.

This was just the way her life was meant to be.

"Ha! Beat ya Slowpoke!" Ash laughed as he grinded to a halt just outside of the Pokemon Centre.

Misty, who had only lost their little race by a yard or two, playfully huffed as she reached him.

"There's no shame in being a Slowpoke" Misty effortlessly returned, "Quite frankly I'd love the opportunity to train one".

Ash grinned, having expected that sort of answer from the water-type fanatic.

"So..." Ash turned to eye the doors, "How far up the Idiot-Scale do you think Brock's reach this time?"

"Well" Misty pretended to rub her chin like she was in deep thought, "He's had - what? Four or five minutes? Most likely a solid seven, possibly an eight".

Ash, Pikachu, and even little Togepi all laughed.

"Best go save Nurse Joy then" Ash grinned.

They headed through the glass automatic doors, into the Pokemon Centre.

Misty's eyes immediately scanned the room, and it wasn't long before they settled on Brock, standing before a very flustered and confused Nurse Joy, trying to chat her up.

Huffing like an angry Tauros, Misty swiftly made her way over to her dorky friend, ready to drag him off by his ear.

She quickly found that she didn't need to bother though.

"Let me introduce myself" Brock was saying as his friends approached from behind, "The name's Brock. Do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I walk past you again?"

"Err..." was Nurse Joy's bewildered response.

Brock got right up in the nurse's face, grinning like a Persian that got the cream.

"Smell my fresh breath Nurse Joy" he said eagerly, "It's as sweet as you are".

Misty growled, embarrassed by her friend's behaviour, but Nurse Joy had a response that stopped Misty from acting.

"You might want a mint".

Brock's face fell dramatically. He sagged to his knees and curled in on himself, no doubt sulking about being shot down.

Misty couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. That had been simply priceless.

Sensing that Brock's little pantomime had just ended, Ash and Misty stepped forwards, and Nurse Joy turned her attention onto them.

"Hi, Nurse Joy" Ash greeted, "My name's Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town. Do you remember me?" he asked, thinking back to a particularly disastrous visit he'd made to this specific Pokemon Centre.

"Pika" Pikachu squealed excitedly.

"I'm sorry Ash" Nurse Joy apologised, shaking her head, "But this is my first week working at this Pokemon Centre".

Ash looked a little disappointed, and Misty felt the same. She had hoped to inquire about the reconstruction of the Pokemon Centre and who better to ask than the nurse who'd survived through its destruction?

"But I did hear about you from the Joy who was here before me" she informed them, brightening their spirits, "And if you're Ash... then that would make you, Misty?" she turned to a slightly surprised Misty.

"That's me" the redhead confirmed with a smile, "It's nice to meet you".

"It's nice to meet you too" Nurse Joy beamed, "I was very impressed when I heard about the two of you standing up to those thieves that attacked this centre. It's nice to know there are people that care so much about pokemon, particularly sick or injured ones".

"Aw, it was no trouble" Ash smiled modestly.

"We were happy to help" Misty added cheerfully.

"Please, if there's anything I can do to thank you whilst you're here, just let me know" Nurse Joy said.

"Well, it would be great if you could give our pokemon a quick check-up" Ash said.

"Sure" Nurse Joy smiled and nodded, "I'd be happy to do that for you guys".

"Thanks" Ash and Misty said together.

They quickly set Pikachu and Togepi down on the counter, and whilst Ash was busy plucking his pokeballs off his belt, Misty retrieved hers from her backpack. They handed them over to Nurse Joy.

Brock, who had finally stopped sulking and was back in his right mind at long last, also handed his pokeballs to the nurse.

"I'll try to get these back to you as soon as I can" Nurse Joy promised, "But until then, why don't you guys go get some lunch in the cafeteria? It's through the double doors, straight on to the end of the corridor, it's the last door on the right".

"Sounds good to me" Ash cheered, "I'm starving".

"Me too" Misty agreed.

"Plus, it'll give us a chance to sit and hang out" Brock said.

Misty and Ash turned to him, somewhat confused by that slightly random remark. Noticing their expressions, he elaborated.

"There's something I've been wanting to talk to you two about for a few days now, so I guess this is a good opportunity to do so" Brock said.

Offering no more words of explanation, Brock headed off into the centre, following the directions Nurse Joy had given them.

Ash and Misty exchanged intrigued glances, before following after their friend.

Just what was he up to this time?

Misty, Ash and Brock had easily located the cafeteria, and once they had placed their lunch orders with the centre's Chansey, they each took a seat at one of the tables.

It was only once the pink pokemon had brought over their food and they started eating did they start their conversation.

"So Brock" Ash said around a mouthful of food, "What did you want to talk to us about?"

"Don't talk with your mouth full" Brock gently scolded.

Misty noticed that Brock seemed a bit nervous. He wasn't eating his food, instead opting to simply play with it with his fork.

Brock bit his lip, seemingly thinking about how to word what it was he wanted to say.

"Come on Brock" Ash whined, oblivious as ever, "Don't leave us hanging".

"Well... okay" Brock sighed, and Misty suddenly felt very unsettled, "I really hope that neither of you get upset with me for not telling you sooner, but a few weeks ago, I got an email from my younger brother".

"Which one?" Misty asked, unable to see why such a thing would upset her or Ash.

"Forrest" Brock replied, "His tenth birthday is in a couple of days, and that means that he'll be old enough to start training pokemon".

"Okay..." Ash said slowly, confused as to what this had to do with him and Misty, and why Brock seemed kind of down about it.

"He's decided that he wants to specialise in rock-type pokemon, but he's nervous about setting out on a journey all by himself" Brock explained, "So my parents offered him an alternative option".

"And what's that?" Misty asked warily, having a sinking feeling that she wasn't going to like the answer.

"That he gets his starter pokemon, and takes over the role of the Pewter City Gym leader" Brock explained, before adding with a frown, "Under the guidance of a mentor - someone with experience with training rock-type pokemon and running a gym".

Due to them both being surprised by the idea of a complete novice trainer being put in charge of a gym right away, neither Ash nor Misty immediately realised exactly what Brock was trying to tell them.

After a few seconds of silence however, the penny dropped for Misty.

"You?" she murmured, shocked.

"Me" Brock agreed grimly, "It would mean going back home to Pewter City, and training with Forrest for several weeks, or even months, until he is capable of running the gym by himself".

Both Misty and Ash were silent as they let that sink in.

Misty really didn't know what to think. On the one hand, she tried to understand Brock's position. She knew that if one of her sisters needed that kind of help, she'd do whatever she could to assist them. And being the elder sibling, Misty knew that Brock had to feel that desire to help his brother all the more strongly.

But on the other - slightly more selfish - hand, all she could feel was her heart clenching in pain at the thought of saying goodbye to one of her closest and dearest friends.

Back when they had said goodbye to each other in the Orange Islands, it hadn't really hit Misty just how hard it would be to leave Brock behind until after he was already gone - but this time she knew what to expect.

She knew how painful it would be, and how much both she and Ash would miss him.

"Are you going to go?" Ash croaked, and by the trembling of his voice, Misty could tell his thoughts had gone to the same dark place her's had.

Brock sighed tiredly, running a hand down his face. He suddenly seemed much older than he actually was.

"I have too" he eventually said, "You both know that I became a gym leader when I was Forrest's age. You know what that's like too Misty, you know how much of a responsibility it is. If someone had told me how hard it would be, or had offered me a helping hand back then, I'd have grabbed it with both hands".

Misty let out a sigh. Like Brock said, she knew that truth only too well.

"But what about your parents?" Misty couldn't help but ask, "Your father? He's just as experienced at running a gym".

Brock let out a hollow laugh.

"My father is the last person that should act as anybody's mentor" Brock scoffed, tone laced with bitterness, "He's not a role model to look up too. Plus him and Forrest still have issues over... well, let's just say my dad's a poor choice".

Misty felt a stab of pity for her friend. She knew that Flint's abandonment of his family all those years ago had scarred Brock and all his siblings. It seemed that the man's return three years prior hadn't been enough to heal them.

A heavy silence fell between them.

"When did you decide to do this?" Ash asked suddenly.

"Not long before the Silver Conference" Brock sighed again, "I didn't say anything because I didn't want to distract you, Ash, from the tournament, and I didn't tell you Misty, because it felt wrong not telling you both together".

Again, silence fell.

There suddenly seemed to be an awkward tension hanging over the trio.

"Look" Brock eventually said, needing them to understand, "I don't want you guys thinking this was an easy decision to make. Trust me, it wasn't. I've spent weeks thinking about this, but at the end of the day, Forrest is my little brother, and he needs me. I know it'll be painful to say goodbye and not be together every day anymore - but please try to understand. This is just something I have to do".

Misty could hear the pain in his voice. He didn't want to lose them any more than they wanted to lose him.

"You're absolutely right" she said, suddenly breaking the silence.

Both boys looked at her.

"Forrest needs you more than Ash and I do" she continued, "If I was in your position and my sisters needed help, I'd do exactly the same thing".

She genuinely meant that too.

Brock smiled at her, relieved by her words, before turning to focus on Ash as he awaited the other boy's reaction.

"Well..." the raven-haired boy said slowly, "If this is something you feel you have to do, then of course I'll support your decision. It's just going to be so weird, not having you around. I'm gonna miss you buddy".

"I'll miss you too" Misty added with a small, sad smile.

"And I'm going to miss the two of you a lot as well" Brock admitted truthfully, "But I really do have to do this. Thank you for being so understanding about this guys. You two are the best friends I could ever ask for".

The trio exchanged smiles, the awkwardness gone again.

Now all that remained was the fact that they were all painfully aware of their time together drawing to a close. After all, this development meant that when they left Viridian City, Ash and Misty would be heading south to Pallet Town, and Brock north to Pewter City.

This was going to be their last day together as travelling companions.

Misty's eyes stung with tears she refused to let drop, so swallowing back said tears, she turned her eyes back onto her food - which had been completely ignored during their conversation.

She suddenly realised however that she no longer had any desire to eat it.

"You know what? Why don't we forget about a healthy lunch today?" she suggested, setting down her knife and fork again, "If this is going to be our last day together, we should do something fun, like... um... oh! We could go for ice cream".

That immediately brightened the boys' dampened spirits.

"That's a great idea Misty" Ash cheered.

"I'm in" Brock agreed, "And I'll buy them. It'll be a goodbye treat from me".

"You don't have to do that Brock" Misty quickly assured him.

"I want to" was his simple response.

Half an hour later; Misty, Ash and Brock had left the Pokemon Centre - after retrieving their pokemon from Nurse Joy, who had been delighted to inform them that all their pokemon were in excellent condition - and they were now sitting at a table outside of one of Viridian City's most popular ice cream parlours.

Each of them had a large bowl of ice cream before them; Strawberry Truffle for Misty, Chocolate and Vanilla for Ash, and Caramel for Brock. Pikachu and Togepi also had a small cone each - theirs being the strictly 'Pokemon safe' variety of ice cream.

They were all digging in, all of them glad for the distraction.

Sadly though, it was only a matter of time before the subject of their imminent separation was brought up, and once again it was Brock who broached the topic.

"So" he started conversationally, "What are you two gonna do after I go back home?"

Misty paused to think.

Truth be told, she hadn't really given her next move much thought. She definitely planned on sticking with Ash, though that was pretty much a given. They were a team, and a damn good one at that.

"Well..." Ash swallowed his mouthful of ice cream, snapping Misty back to earth, "First of all I'm heading back to Pallet Town. I promised my Mom I'd go visit before heading anywhere else after the Silver Conference. After that... well, we'll see how things go".

"Sounds good" Brock nodded in approval, before turning to Misty, "What about you Misty?"

Misty shrugged, face thoughtful.

"For now I think I'm just gonna stick with Ash" she said, before turning to the boy in question, "If that's okay?" she added uncertainly.

"Of course it is!" Ash cried, shocked she even needed to ask, "You know you're always welcome at my house".

Misty beamed, and was about to reply, but was cut off as a new voice broke into their conversation.

"Aw... isn't that sweet?" a particularly nasally voice drawled sarcastically.

Caught completely off guard; Ash, Misty and Brock all turned at the same time to look in the direction the voice had originated from.

Sitting at the table next to theirs were three teenage boyrs. One of them - the shortest, even sitting down - had a somewhat pinched face and reddish-brown hair fashioned into spikes. Sitting on his left was an extremely tall boy that was built like a pencil. His hair was cyan blue and slicked back. Finally, the boy sitting on the right was rather fat and had a surprisingly round head, upon which his dark brown hair was styled into a god-awful bowl-cut.

All three of them wore the same ugly purple uniform, and they were leering at Ash, Misty and Brock unpleasantly.

Misty scrunched up her nose in distain. Those three practically reeked of trouble.

"The little runt's got himself a girlfriend" the boy in the middle, the one with the nasally voice, cackled gleefully.

"Who are you calling a runt?!" Ash growled, insulted.

"I'm not his girlfriend!" Misty yelled at the same time, blushing with embarrassment.

"Yeah?" the blue-haired boy scoffed, "Well that open-invitation into his bedroom tells another story, girly".

"It... I... what?!" Misty squawked, offended, "It wasn't an invitation into his bedroom! It was to his house!"

"And it's really none of your business anyway" Brock stated coldly, eyeing the other trio with dislike.

"Oho!" the fat boy chortled, his voice particularly gormless-sounding, "Touched a nerve, have we?"

By now Misty, Ash and Brock were all getting angry, though Misty was definitely the angriest if her reddening face and stiff posture were any indication. She was sorely tempted to bring out her mallet and teach them a lesson they wouldn't forget any time soon.

"Just who are you guys anyway?!" Ash demanded, angry about what they were implying about his and Misty's friendship, and upset that they were ruining Brock's last day with them.

"I thought you'd never ask" the boy in the middle laughed mockingly.

As one, the three boys leapt out of their seats.

"I'm Viridian City's Number One Pokemon Trainer! the boy with the nasally voice struck a ridiculous and dramatic pose, "Kim!"

"I'm Number Two!" the blue haired boy announced smugly, before striking an equally stupid-looking pose, "Kael!"

"And I'm Number Three!" the fat, gormless boy smirked, taking on a dorky pose of his own, "Kai!"

"We're the Invincible Pokemon Brothers!" the trio loudly declared together.

Misty couldn't even try to refrain from rolling her eyes.

These three clowns clearly thought they looked very impressive. Misty on the other hand thought they were actually creating a new level of the word 'pathetic'.

"Really? You're invisible?" Ash drawled sarcastically, deliberately getting their name wrong, "They why don't you all just disappear?!"

Misty and Brock both snorted in amusement.

Pikachu and Togepi both chuckled.

Rather than being disgruntled by the taunt however, the three weirdos just continued to smile their absolutely-infuriating smiles.

"No" Kim said slowly, as if he was talking to some sort of halfwit, "We said invincible".

"Yeah?" Ash growled, narrowing his eyes, "Then how about we put that to the test?"

"Is that a challenge?" Kael asked, grinning widely.

"You bet it is" Ash glared heatedly, "I say we battle right now".

"You're in WAY over your head, Runt" Kai laughed a laugh that sounded even more dim-witted than his voice, "But the Invincible Pokemon Brothers never turn down a challenge".

"Then you accept?" Ash wanted to be sure.

"Absolutely" Kim smirked unpleasantly at him, "And I know just where we can have our match".

Misty scowled, annoyed that this was happening whilst they were supposed to be having some fun with Brock before he left, but she also knew that these losers weren't going to leave them alone until they were made to.

Although, watching Ash wipe the floor with Kim could be fun to watch, she supposed.

Misty, Ash, and Brock all stood up from their seats - Pikachu and Togepi mirroring them - and they all started following the Invincible Pokemon Brothers to where the battle would be held.

None of them had any idea about the trap they had just fallen into.

And there's the first chapter.

Now, as you can see - Misty did not receive that fated phone call. She is going to receive it, but things will go down a little differently to both the original version of this story and canon.

Secondly, I wanted to give Brock a real reason to return home. In the anime, it felt almost like an afterthought, Brock leaving. He didn't get any of the emotion that Misty got, so I wanted to change that. I hope it worked : ) He'll be back, but for now I need him out of the way, and helping out his brother is a good enough reason in my book. Plus, it kind of mirrors what canon had happen in this episode too : )

Now, there's some changes to the way I'm going to be handling this story that I think you guys should know about.

First of all, I've decided that I'm going to be splitting the episodes up randomly, rather by a specific set amount (i.e. into halves, thirds etc.). This is because sometimes I'll be straying far from the episode, meaning I might end up with one third that's ridiculously long, and one ridiculously short. I'm aiming for chapters between four thousand and five thousand words longs : )

Secondly, I don't think I'm going to be replying to reviews in the chapters anymore. I'll still reply via PM, but the amount of time it takes to reply to everyone, collaborating it into a chapter, and then proof reading it could be better spent writing content to post to you guys. Also, I've spent months thinking up new ideas, so what I told you guys in my original replies might not necessarily be true anymore : )

And finally, the game. For those who are new to this story, I play a guess with the readers in which I post a paragraph about a pokemon and the readers try to guess which one it is in reviews. I then post who got it right in the following chapter : )

For my older readers - Fear not! I love the game and I'm not getting rid of it, but since I'm going to be reposting the entire story - if I do different 'Who's that Pokemon's' than what I did originally, the reviews aren't going to match up, and then it's going to be practically impossible for me to track who got it right and who didn't.

Due to this, I've decided to keep the first 22 (since we got up to chapter 22 originally) 'Who's that Pokemon's' the same as they were originally, so people can play again if they want too, but they don't have too. When we get to chapter 23, then the new ones will start again : )

Anyway, I apologise once again for the long delay, but know this. I never gave up on this story and I was always trying hard to find ways of avoiding doing this rewrite, but in the end this simply is the best way of getting what I want out of this story : )

And now onto the game : )

WHO's THAT POKEMON?

This pokemon eats iron and is covered in a thick armour-like hide. It is capable of living in molten lava, and it's impressive horn an crush even an uncut diamond. Originally it walked on four legs but now it can walk on two. It has already evolved once and is capable of doing so again.

Like I said - I've kept this one the same as the original chapter one, but everyone is more than welcome to play again - just avoid looking at the reviews if you don't want to know the answer before guessing : )

And I think that's everything.

I'm sorry if starting afresh upsets people but I really do think this is the best, and realistically, the only way of getting the best out of this story : ) Also, I'll try to be much, MUCH quicker with the next update. Trust me, I want this project up and running again just as much as you do : )

Thank you all for your continued support and patience - you're all amazing : )

Until the next time, keep on reading : )