Hey guys, what's up? That's right, I have a new story here for you! It's a little different than what I usually write, though. I mean, it's still Pokeshipping, and it's still fluff, but, get this...Ash and Misty AREN'T married! In fact, they aren't even together. Well...not yet, at least ;)

This story isn't going to be overly long (I'm saving the next novel length one for the poll on my profile, where "yes" is currently winning by alot) but it'll be satisfying. I hope :P

The first chapter here is really short, but that's just to help introduce the story. The other chapters will definitely be longer. Like...ALOT longer. So, get ready to (hopefully) enjoy this new story!

And, to get this out of the way, I do not in any way, shape, or form own Pokemon.

AGES:

Ash, Misty, and Iris: 16

Cilan: 19

"Guys, we're here! Pallet Town!"

Iris and Cilan looked over their friend's shoulders, neither one saying anything as their eyes surveyed the town in front of them.

"It's so…quiet…" Iris commented. "And small!"

"True, I don't think I've ever seen such a quaint place!" Cilan nodded. "Even Nuvema Town is bigger than this."

"Pallet is really small, but it's really nice!" Ash piped up. "I'm used to it. I'm sure you guys will love it!"

"It will be nice to get away from all of those busy cities," Iris agreed. "Not to mention that I'm so excited to meet your Mom!"

"Huh? Why?" Ash furrowed his brow. His mother was very nice, and he loved her very much, so Ash wasn't slighting the woman. He was just curious as to why that seemed to be a highlight of the trip for the aspiring dragon master.

"Because she sounded so nice over the phone," Iris giggled. "Besides, I have to know how she puts up with having such a kid for a son!"

"Hey, I'm not a kid!" Ash shot back.

"That's your opinion," Iris huffed.

"Alright you two," Cilan laughed nervously. "Let's settle down, now."

"Come on, I'll take you guys to my house!" Ash grinned, quickly returning to his chipper self. "I bet my Mom is gonna be really excited to see me. And you guys too!"

Ash picked up the pace, Iris and Cilan following quickly behind in an effort to keep pace with the young trainer.

"Pikachu, aren't you excited to be home for a little while?" Ash turned towards the little yellow mouse riding on his shoulder.

"Ka!"Pikachu squeaked, nodding his head in conferment.

"Well, we're almost there," Ash smiled, the modest white house coming into view as his sneaker covered feet pounded against the dirt road. Running up to the house, Ash reached for the handle of the red door, but his hand was quickly pushed away when the door opened on its own.

"Wah, a phantom door?" Ash blurted.

"A phantom door?" Iris' jaw dropped as she stopped several feet behind Ash. "Wow, you really are a kid!"

"Oh, Iris," Cilan once again chuckled uneasily.

"Pikachupi!" Pikachu suddenly squealed, jumping right off of Ash's shoulder and into the arms of the person who had opened the door so rapidly.

"Oh, Pikachu! Hi there! I missed you too!"

Ash held onto his slightly stinging hand and looked up into the doorway. The sight caused his eyes to widen, and his heart to practically stop.

From behind, he could hear both Iris and Cilan gasp quietly as they too looked over the figure. Although, to them, she was unfamiliar.

"Wow, Ash, your Mom is so young!" Iris gasped.

"What?" Ash whipped around, his eyes absolutely frantic. "She's not my Mom!"

"Oh, then how come you never told me you had a sister?" Iris back pedaled to try and cover her first mistake. Unfortunately, she didn't know she was covering it with another mistake.

"She's not my sister!" Ash groaned. "We're not even related!"

"I guess you two don't really look alike," Iris agreed. "I don't know why I thought that! It's just kind of odd that there's a random girl in your house, though."

"She's not a random girl," Ash grumbled. Turning back around, he stared the familiar young woman in the eyes and quietly answered, "She's Misty."