I do not own pokemon... If I did, the series would end with something very much like this!

Ambezua: Greetings! It's me again, Ambezua... I know what you're thinking, if you have been reading my FanFics up to this time. I have become a bit stuck on my other FanFic, so, I decided to start up another one for now. This is going to be a LONG story, so hang on for the ride! I will notify you which POV each chapter is in, at the beginning (although, most of it will, actually, be from Brock's POV). I will warn you though; this story will NOT be your typical AAML. Anyway, I won't waste any more of your time. On with the story! R&R (tell me how you like it...)!

Ash and Misty: SubZero

Prologue: Professor Oak's Call

(Ash's POV)

Here I was... Ash Ketchum... I had no idea what the next few days held in store for me: adventure, joy, love, danger... and a fate that I could not escape.

I sat by myself, Pikachu perched on my shoulder. Although a list of my Pokemon lay before me, my mind drifted off to other things. I thought about the Pokemon I had encountered, the battles I had fought, the rivals I had met... but most of all, the friends I had made.

All my life, I had dreamed of becoming a Pokemon master... It had been the one thing that drove me each day, the fire that fuelled my soul, and bound my heart to the task at hand. Some called me obsessed. Others said I was determined. The true word for it, however, was love. I loved Pokemon.

But now, having achieved my goal, I didn't feel...complete. I had a sore, sort of empty feeling deep inside me. It was as if there was a hole carved out of my very soul which even Pokemon couldn't fill. I just couldn't figure out what it was... Whatever it was, it was making my life miserable.

I sighed, and tried to focus on my current task: forming a team to defend my title. Yes, it's true. The next chance anyone would get to challenge me would be quite far in the future but at least it kept my mind active and not constantly considering my emptiness.

I tossed the paper aside, unable to concentrate.

Pikachu laid a paw in my shoulder, and looked over at me with a concerned look.

Pikachu: my one true friend from the very beginning. Yes, we got off to a rough start and we were nearly killed. But we have been friends for many years since and I hope many years afterward. I have been grateful for his companionship and his trust in me. If it weren't for him, I doubt I would achieve my dream at all. Yet, the hole in my heart was not Pikachu-shaped...

"Pika?" Pikachu waved his paw in front of my face.

Yes, I remembered that day very well—the day I set off on my pokemon journey, which had just recently come to a close. That day, I met someone else I would never forget: Misty.

She was a bit of a pain in the neck at the start, constantly bickering with me and rubbing her broken bike in my face. But eventually, she began to grow on me. Although I rarely admitted it, she had become my closest human friend—right behind Pikachu in terms of closeness. Indeed, we still had our fights which usually ended with either Misty slamming me with her mallet or Pikachu using Thunderbolt on the both of us. But neither of us really took our fights personally. She used to cheer me on when I battled and encouraged me when I felt down. Her life and energy added something new to my life—something I had never experienced before. For the longest time, I couldn't think of what it could be. As I thought about her and the time we had spent together, a warm sort of feeling welled up inside of me.

"Oh, cut it out." I told myself, "It's going to be years before Misty shows up again...even if I AM the Pokemon Master."

"Pikapi?" Pikachu seemed a bit relieved that I had spoken.

"Well, seeing Brock again would be nice, right Pikachu?" I rubbed my little Pokemon's head affectionately. He nodded in agreement.

Brock: he had been like an older brother to me. He watched over me by teaching me about Pokemon, cheering me on when I battled, giving me bits of wisdom, and even cooking and cleaning for me. More importantly, he was a great friend. I could always trust him to be there for me, and to keep his promises. I could also say that I could trust him to fall for every single pretty girl he came across, but I would rather not go into that. He stayed by my side for the longest and stood by my side when I battled for my title as the Pokemon Master. I owe Brock a lot; perhaps more than I can ever repay. He was selfless and kind—the sort of older brother that everyone wished they had.

"Hey, are you Ash Ketchum?" A female voice called out.

"The one and only..." I moaned at her who may be just another fan.

"Pika! Pikapi!" Pikachu tugged my shirt but I ignored him.

"So... what would you like: an autograph or a picture?" I asked, without turning to look at her.

"Hmm...How about a mallet...?" She replied.

"Say what?" I turned around and faced her.

"Hey Ash...!" Misty smiled. "Don't tell me that you have forgotten all about me already! Or has being the Master really gotten to your head?"

"Pikachu..." Pikachu sighed.

"Misty!" I stood up and hugged her, "I 'mist' you sooooooo much!"

"Uh, yeah...me too..." Misty replied, a bit surprised and not catching my joke.

She returned the hug, gently wrapping her arms around me as well.

I thought I was going to melt, I felt so warm in her arms.

"Ahem..." Brock coughed.

I jumped back from Misty, blushing a bit. He always seemed to show up at the least expected time.

"Welcome back, Misty." Brock smiled, "Did you remember to get an appointment with the Master before barging in here?"

"I don't need an appointment." Misty grinned. "The guards let me right in when I told them that I was Ash's best friend. Okay so I let my mallet do some of the talking. "

"I should have known that they wouldn't be Misty-proof." Brock laughed.

"Hey, you guys wanna come with me down to the Pokemon Center? It's not very far from here; and I think I can manage to slip out without drawing a huge crowd." I asked.

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu quipped.

"Sure." Brock replied.

"Why would I pass up a chance to whack a few mindless, flirtatious fans?" Misty replied.

Although I found Misty's comment a bit unusual, I simply shrugged. "Come on, then."

At the Pokemon Center...

"Good morning, Nurse Joy." I walked up to the counter.

"Good morning, Pokemon Master." Nurse Joy smiled back. "Would you like to pick up some of your Pokemon?"

"Yes, but—" I began, but a loud ringing cut me off.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Excuse me for a minute." Nurse Joy picked up the phone at her desk. "It's for you, Ash."

"Do you have something for me?" Brock asked, sliding between Nurse Joy and me. "You have already taken my heart!"

Nurse Joy blinked, not quite sure how to respond to Brock's approaches.

Croagunk popped out of his Pokeball and poison-jabbed Brock.

"Perhaps..." Brock groaned. "Another time, eh...?"

"I guess someone else took my job during my absence." Misty giggled. "It looks like I'll have to find someone else to hit."

"Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head to the side.

"Who is it?" I asked Nurse Joy, unsure as to who would call me at such an odd hour.

"It's Professor Oak." Nurse Joy replied, having recovered from her momentary shock. "Here, let me put him on the videophone for you."

I walked over to one of the booths and sat down.

Professor Oak's form appeared on the screen but something didn't quite seem right.

First, he wasn't standing in front of his lab as he almost always was. The scene behind him was completely white.

Secondly, he was wearing a parka, or a very thick coat which appeared to be at LEAST two sizes too large for him.

"Hello, Ash!" Professor Oak said in his usual, cheery voice. "Congratulations on becoming the new Pokemon Master! Your mother must be very proud of you."

"Thanks, Professor Oak, but-"

"In case you are wondering why I am calling at this time, it's because I need your help."

"Sure, Professor; what is it?" I had been itching for adventure for some time and I jumped at the opportunity. Little did I know whatever I would get my friends and myself into.

"Well, I have received reports that a small herd of Mamoswine still live here in the wild. However, I have not been able to find any trace of them. I was hoping that you wouldn't mind helping me search for them. After all, your experience with Pokemon would be most helpful in the search."

"Of course..." I replied, "I will be right over just as soon as I pick out my Pokemon team."

"Now, wait a second. You can't just walk all the way here on two feet. I will send a helicopter to pick you up tomorrow. Be sure to pack up everything you will need." Professor Oak said sternly.

"Count me in too." Brock stepped over to my side.

"Ash, if you think you can run off again without me you are fooling yourself." Misty lightly shoved me in my side.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu held up his paw forming a "V" with his fingers.

"It sounds like your friends are coming along with you." Professor Oak smiled

"I guess so..." I replied.

"Great! I will be seeing you soon Ash. Take care!" Afterwards, Professor Oak's image vanished from the screen.

--

Ambezua: Not a bad way to start off, eh? Well, things only get better from here... I will give you two guesses: From whose POV will the next chapter be? Not sure? Well... Tell me what you think about the story so far, and I will submit the next chapter.

--

Summary of chapter: Ash, Brock, and Misty crossed paths again. Professor Oak, however, cuts the reunion short. He explains that he had been currently searching for a heard of Mamoswine, but had so far managed to find nothing. He asked Ash for a favor: to come with him on his search. Ash agrees, and Brock and Misty insist they come along too.