OK, I know that it was only a day or so since I put up a story, but a fellow author wished for me to put up a new story before Friday, which is her birthday. Happy Birthday TwinkieTUTUS!

-EVAN AAML

''As our heroes are preparing for their next adventure, they wonder if their adventure will come sooner than they think''.

''Alright! Are we ready to head off?'', Ash asked his friends, eager to get going. ''I'm set'', Brock answered. ''Me too!'', May replied. However, two more of Ash's friends weren't ready. ''Wait! I'm pooped'', Max said exhausted. ''Yeah, and Togepi needs to eat more'', Misty said. Ash is a Pokemon trainer traveling around the world, collecting Pokemon and earning badges. During his trip in Johto, his third region of traveling, he fell in love with his traveling partner and best friend Misty. They then became boyfriend and girlfriend after one of their greatist adventures. After their journey in Johto, Ash, brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Togepi headed for Hoenn where they met their new friends May and Max, both siblings. The gang was now crossing a desert to reach their next destination.

''Aw come on, I've got to get my next badge!'', Ash complained. ''And my Pokemon Contest is coming up!'', May argued. During this, Max pulled out his Pokenav and looked at it. ''It says here that the next town is holding a Pokemon Contest, but it's not for three days, and the next gym isn't even close to here'', Max said. Ash and May then relaxed after they realized that their was no point in arguing. May sat on a rock acroos from her brother while Ash sat next to Misty, who was feeding Togepi. ''How's our baby?, ( since they were boyfriend and girlfriend, they called Togepi their baby )'', Ash asked putting an arm around Misty's neck.

''She's fine, almost done'', Misty said still feeding Togepi. Soon after, Togepi finished her food. ''There, all done'', Misty said. Everyone then stood up. ''Alright, let's go!'', Ash said. Pikachu jumped on his head and they started walking. May and Max were in the middle while Brock was right behind them. Ash and Misty were in the front, holding hands. ''Jeez, do you two always have to do that!?'', Max asked disgusted. ''Oh be quiet! The're cute together!'', May said. ''Yep, I remember when they first said they love each other'', Brock said. May and max looked curious. ''Really, what was it like?'', May asked. ''Well, I was flirting with a nurse at the time...'', Brock said. May and Max sweatdropped. Suddenly, everyone heard laughter. They looked up and saw three characters in a hot air baloon.

''Guess who!'', The three characters said. ''Team Rocket!'', everyone yelled. ''Good, you got it on the first try'', James said. ''For that, you get a prize'', Jessie continued. Meowth then jumped on the side of the basket, holding a bazooka. ''Here you go!'', Meowth yelled. He then aimed the bazooka towards Ash, Misty, Pikachu, and Togepi, but then stopped. ''Ah look, der holding hands!'', Meowth notted. Both Jessie and James looked at them and smiled. ''Well isn't that cute!'', Jessie said. ''And to think, we wouldn't be able to see this if we hadn't helped them so long ago! Oh how time flies!'', James said. Ash and Misty looked at each other and blushed, letting go of each other's hands in the process. Ash put his hand behind his head while Misty pretended to cough. May and Max looked at Brock in a confused way.

''Uh Brock...?'', Max started. ''Did they really help them get together?'', May asked. ''Not exactly...they didn't help them get together, but they did help save Ash's life at that point, so they helped them have a chance to tell each other'', Brock explained. May and Max looked stunned. ''What!?'', Max yelled. ''They saved Ash's LIFE!? What happened!?'', May asked. ''Ask them, they know more about it than me'', Brock said pointing to Ash and Misty. Meanwhile, Team Rocket was still talking about Ash and Misty.

''Anyway, back to the point!'', Meowth said taking the bazooka back out. However, when he pointed it towards Ash, he notticed that Pikachu was missing. ''Hey, where's Pikachu!?'', Meowth asked. Team Rocket then thought of what a possible answer to that was. So they shakily turned around and saw Pikachu in the hot air baloon and paniced. ''Now Pikachu, Thundershock!'', Ash yelled. Pikachu's cheeks then began to spark. ''PIIIKAAACHUUU!'', Pikachu yelled. He then fired his Thundershock attack. The hot air baloon, unable to withstaind it, exploded from the attack. As it did, Pikachu jumped out. ''Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!'', Team Rocket yelled before disappearing in the sky. Ash then caught the falling Pikachu. ''There, that'll show em'', Ash said. ''Pikachu!'', Pikachu replied. Little did everyone know that up on the rocky cliff, someone was watching them. ''So it seems the hero is here huh? Well then, It seems a little family reunion is in order. And he also brought along his two friends, the boy and girl, they'll have to be taken out as well. I'll also have to take out those pathetic excuses for Team Rocket members for my plan to work. ''Oh, and what's this? Two more kids? Oh well, more casualties of war. And what do you know, the hero and girl are a couple now, this will be fun!'', the figure said. The figure then started to laugh evily as Ash and the gang left for the next town.

After a bit of walking, Ash and the gang finally reached the next town. ''Well, there's Ranola Town!'', Brock said. ''Alright, it's almost time for my next ribbon!'', May said excited and eager. Everyone supported her while they entered the town. Once in the town, Ash notticed a boy selling papers on the street corner. he purchased one and ran to the others. ''Hey Ash, what's that?'', Misty asked. ''It's the paper, I wanted to see what's going on'', Ash said. He then looked at the front page. After he did, he gasped and held the paper angrily in his hands. ''Ash?'', Misty said worried. ''What's wrong?'', Brock asked. Ash tried his best to answer. ''It's him...Payback...he's back!'', Ash said. Misty and Brock gasped in fear. ''It says he's been seen all over Hoenn, especially around this area!'', Ash said. May and Max looked confused.

''So who's Payback?'', May asked. ''Remember when I mentioned how Team Rocket helped save Ash's life once?'', Brock asked. May and Max nodded. ''Well Payback was the one who put Ash in that sistuation to begin with'', Brock said. May and Max gasped. ''Payback was a former Team Rocket member, and if you stop him on whatever he is doing, like Ash did once, he will pay you back...with you or your friend's life'', Misty said. Max gulped at this, understainding. ''Does this mean...he'll come after me too?'', Max asked Ash scared. He didn't answer, he didn't have to, the look on his face told Max. He then gulped again.

''Listen, odds are he's still after us, which means that me, Misty, Brock, and possibly even Team Rocket are on his hit list. We all did something that he didn't like. Unfortunately, because your here, he'll come after you too'', Ash said to May and Max. May and Max looked scared. ''Listen, we must act normal, we can't get anymore people involved. We can't tell the police either, they can't help. 8 people are already in danger, ( Meowth counts ), as sad as that is, we must keep it at 8'', Ash explained. Everyone nodded. OK, let's head for a hotel to stay at'', Ash said. They then all headed for the closest hotel, trying their best to forget about Payback. When they got to a hotel, they lookeda round. Suddenly, May notticed a familiar looking boy her age. ''Drew!?'', May asked. They boy then turned around, revealing his identity.

''Ah May, here for the contest I suppose'', Drew said. May nodded. ''Well then, best of luck, you'll need it since I'm in it too'', he continued. He then handed May a rose. She took it, and smiled, as did Drew, in his cocky little way. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by a man pretending to read the paper. he looked at them and then put his back in the paper, smiling evily as he did so. No one notticed this look from him though.

After awhile, Ash and the gang made it to their hotel room. Brock was feeding Pikachu and Togepi, May was reading a magazine in a chair beside the door, and Max was watching t.v. Meanwhile, Misty notticed Ash sitting nex to the window, thinking. ''You OK?'', Misty asked Ash sincerely. Ash looked at her and smiled. ''Yes Misty, I'm fine'', Ash said. Misty sat next to him so that they were facing each other. ''Your thinking about Payback aren't you'', Misty said. ''Yeah, I'm worried for everyone...for you...do you remember what he did to you last time?'', Ash asked. Misty put her head down. ''Yes, it scared me, but right now, I'm more worried about...'', Misty said. She then raised her head to face Ash. ''...You...'', she continued. A few tears then cascadded down her cheeks. Ash whipped the tears away and moved a few strains of hair out of her face. ''Don't be...'', Ash said quietly. Ash and Misty then drew closer to each other. They closed their eyes and met in a passionete kiss. They then put their arms around each other as the kiss became more passionete. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Ash and Misty immediatly stopped their kiss as May wearily walked up to the door.

''Who is it?'', May asked. ''It's me, Drew'', the voice said. Everyone sighed as May opened the door to reviel Drew. May then cautiously looked out the door for anyone else. She then notticed a maid coming down the hallway. She quickly pulled Drew in and shut the door, locking it afterwards. ''What's going on?'', Drew asked suspiciously. May looked at everyone for help. Ash nodded to her, which she replied to. ''Well, first of all, why are you here?'', May asked. ''I came here to see if you wanted to practice with me for the Pokemon Contest'', Drew said. ''Oh, well I wish I could... but...well'', May said. She then motioned Drew to get closer to her so that she could whisper. He did so. ''Listen, did you read the paper at all today?'', May asked. Drew nodded. ''Did you read a part about someone named Payback?'', she continued. Once again Drew nodded. ''Well...Payback might be after us'', she finished. Drew looked sceptacle.

''Oh come on, your telling me that Payback is after you!?'', I read that he only attacks the ones who stop him'', Drew said. ''I know, Ash did once'', May said. Drew's face fell in worry. ''Oh...wow...alright then, I'll help protect you all'', Drew said. Before anyone could argue back, the windows suddenly burst open and smoke entered the room. ''It's Payback!'', Ash yelled. Everyone then heard sinister laughing, but this laughter was different, it sounded like their was three of them. ''We're back!'', the voices said. The smoke then cleared to reveil team Rocket. Everyone in the room sighed. ''Hey! You should fear us!'', Jessie said. ''Yeah, we's didn't go through all da trouble of climbing this building without being feared of!'', Meowth protested. ''You have to leave now! Payback is after us, and I'm sure he's after you too!'', Ash yelled. ''Hmm, Payback...isn't he the guy you said shot you after we brought you to the hospital back in Johto?'', James asked. ''That is correct!'', a voice yelled. Everyone looked around to see where the voice came from. Suddenly, someone pushed Team Rocket into the room. They fell on top of a small table. Suddenly, a figure in black appeared where Team Rocket was. ''Hello again...my friends'', the figure said. Everyone looked at him and gasped. ''IT'S PAYBACK!'', everyone yelled.

''Ah, you remember me, I'm flattered'', Payback said. He then walked jumped off of the window ledge and into the room, in front of Ash and Misty. ''Ah, Ash my boy, how are you? The last time I saw you, you were bleeding to death in that old factory'', Payback said. ''I see you finally got together with Misty, and me without any presents'', he continued. Ash gave him a scowl. He then walked in front of Misty. After he did, he took her hand and kissed it. ''Misty, my dear, I hope you can forgive me for what I did to you the last time we met'', Payback said. Misty, in anger, pulled her hand away from Payback and slapped him in the face, but he seemed unfazed.

''You kidnapped me, tied me to a chair, and almost killed me and Ash!'', Misty said angrily. ''Your a monster!'', she continued. Payback simply stepped back and felt where she slapt him. ''Yeah, I get that alot. My what a slap. Normally any girl who would slap me would be called on dead, but not you...oh no, your special'', Payback said. He then stepped back to the window ledge. ''Now then, back to business. I still owe most of you a kill, let's see...Ash, you know what's going to happen to you, Misty, same to you, Brock, good luck surviving, and you three...I'm sure the boss won't miss you. Now that leaves you two. Hm, May and Max...what to do with you? I'm sure a gunshot to the head will answer that question!'', Payback said. Max became scared as May held him for comfort. Payback then looked behind May and notticed Drew. ''What's this, an extra person? Answer me this, are you friends with everyone here?'', Payback asked.

''No, he's...'', May said, but she was cut off. ''Yeah, I am, what are you going to do about it?'', Drew asked in a threat. ''Pity, you should have left when you had the chance...your dead too. Now then, qawinsidently, ( I know I spelled that wrong, please tell me how ), there's another abandoned factory here in Ranola Town, and ya know what?'', Payback asked. Everyone was silent. ''The last factory was abandoned because it was old, but oh, not this one. This one was abandoned due to construction failure on a dangerous site, I'm sure we'll have fun there'', Payback said. He then started laughing.

''And what if we refuse to go?'', Ash asked. Payback looked at them with a smile on his face. ''Well then, I'll just have to kidnap one of you!'', Payback said. Ash immediatly put an arm in front of Misty while Brock and Drew covered May and Max. ''Heh, I was just kidding, a kidnapping wouldn't work with all of you. So how about this, I took the liberty of putting a bomb inside this hotel, if you don't go, I'll set it off, killing everyone inside, including you all!'', he said. Everyone looked scared. ''Now then, the abandoned factory, at midnight. Oh, and cheer up, it's only your last day alive, you should make it a good one'', Payback said. He then laughed evily and loudly as he jumped out of the window and out of sight. For awhile, no one moved or talked, but Ash finally stood up, closed the window, and then looked back at everyone.

''Guys...we're in trouble...we need a plan'', Ash said. Misty, Brock, Drew, and the Pokemon nodded. Team Rocket was shocked, but joined them. May and Max however, were still scared. max was on the floor, crying in fear. ''This can't be happening...it can't be...'', May said. Drew walked up to her. ''May! Please, snap out of it!'', Drew said. May suddenly looked up at Drew. ''Thanks...but why did you do it?'', May asked. ''Do what?'', Drew asked. ''Tell him you were a friend...you could have left...you could have survived'', May replied. ''Well, Payback threatened everyone in here, I can't let him get away with that...and besides, what fun would a contest be...without you?'', Drew answered. May became encouraged and nodded. She then persuaded Max to walk over to where everyone was. Everyone then thought of a plan. After a half an hour, everyone had the plan memorized.

''OK, so, do we know what to do?'', Ash asked. Everyone nodded. ''Good, now then, Pikachu, Togepi, sorry, but you have to go to Prof. Oak's lab, it's too dangerous'', Ash said. Pikachu and Togepi looked disappointed. ''Listen, I don't want you to get hurt, and besides, their's a chance Payback could go there to get our Pokemon, you need to protect them'', Ash continued. They both nodded. Ash and Misty said their final goodbyes before depositing them through the P.C that was in the room, ( sorry, I would have had them in the story, but I know I would have forgot about them, so I put them out of the way, they'll be back at the end ). ''Alright then, we all know what to do, and we know our chances of survival, but we've got to do it'', Ash said. Everyone nodded. Ash then looked at clock, it read 11:50. ''Time to go'', Ash said. So everyone sat up, left the hotel, and prepared to leave. Team Rocket set up their hot-air baloon, while Drew released his Flygon for him and May. They then headed off to the factory...and a fight for their lives.

Sorry it took so long to update, their has been a series of thunderstorms here in New York, so I couldn't update. And I would like to say that although I would like to get this done by Friday for the birthday author, I might not be able to due to the thunderstorms, so I apologize ahead of time. If you do not see an update, this is why. And how many of you saw the Pokemon Ranger movie on Cartoon Network? The one with the ''Temple of the sea''. It was pretty good, and surprisingly long for a Pokemon movie, but it was a bit to advanceshipping for me.

sincerely, evan, a fan of aaml