So I know I said that I was going to make no sequel for Ashes of the Past. That still stands. These snippets take place in between the last chapter and the epilogue, therefore making this collection a midquel of sorts. I already have a lot of these snippets written, so expect a new one every few days. I have no idea how many of these I'm going to end up writing. I'm just posting this collection to hold people off until I post my next project.

Also, instead of doing a featured story for each snippet, I'm just going to do a featured story for this story. Review shoutouts will still be done as they always are. If you haven't checked out the poll on my profile, it would be awesome if you could do that.

The featured story for this story is Upon Further Inspection by nyislandersgirl. "Misty is stressed. Ash is confused. And all because the Pokémon Inspection Agency has invited themselves to the Cerulean Gym." It's a brand new story from the author of everyone's favorite AAML fic, Family Matters. Check it out!

Now, I know that snippets are supposed to be only a couple of hundred words. But, you all know me, and I'm not exactly that kind of person. So, as a result, these snippets will likely be 7-900 words apiece.

This collection is meant to be read as a companion to Ashes of the Past. It can be read separately, but will spoil the ending of AotP. Ashes of the Past isn't that long of a read anyways, so you might as well just read that first.

Ash adjusted his tie, nerves making sweat bead on his brow. "Do you think I look okay?"

Brock Pewter, his best man, gave him a look. "Stop worrying, Ash. You look fine."

"I just don't want to go out there and embarrass myself or Misty."

The taller, slightly-older man put a tanned hand on Ash's shoulder. "Ash. Listen to me. You. Look. Fine. Although if you keep messing around with that tie of yours, you won't be."

The other man gave Brock an appreciative smile. "Thanks, Brock-o. I'm glad you're here."

Someone poked their head in through the door. "How are we doing in here?"

"Just fine," Brock reported. "We should be ready in just a minute or two."

The woman smiled. "Good, because the ceremony's about to start." She shut the door, leaving the two alone again.

The men looked at each other. Ash gave his friend a nervous grin. "Here we go."

"You'll be fine. Just breathe deep, and remember that this is your and Misty's day, not anybody else's."

"For God's sake, Violet, lay off!"

The blue-haired girl held her hands up, an annoyed look on her face. "Misty, you've got to let us help you. You can't get married looking like that."

Lily nodded in agreement. "Yeah, like, you don't wanna like, scare him when you come out."

"Ash will think I'm beautiful no matter how I look when I come out," Misty insisted. "It's you guys who are doing all the caring, and-"

"-and thank God we are!" Violet finished. She went back to dabbing Misty's face with a makeup-laden cosmetic sponge. "You've got to hide all those imperfections, or else you might break the camera!"

"Gee, thanks," she muttered. Raising her arm, she pushed Violet away. "But really. I'm fine. The wedding's going to start soon anyways."

Violet pursed her lips, exchanging a silent glance with Lily that set Misty's blood on fire. Oh, if only Daisy was there to tell them to lay off!

Almost on cue, the door to the room opened. Misty's face lit up when she saw her father standing there, donning a handsome blue suit.

He gestured toward his other two daughters. "Lily, Violet." He raised his eyebrows pointedly, silently informing them that it was time to take their leave.

"But Dad," Violet protested, "we can't let her go out there looking like she's coming out of Night of the Living Dead!"

"Girls, leave it," he replied, his face reflecting his irritation with two of his oldest daughters' beauty picking. "I mean it."

Groaning, the two girls took their leave- but not before slamming another dose of blush on Misty's already tomato-red cheeks.

Once they were gone, Daniel Waterflower approached his youngest child. Smiling slightly, he pulled out a few make-up removing wipes from a nearby package and used them to cleanse Misty's face of the excessive amounts of make-up. Once he was done, she turned toward the mirror to look at herself.

"Much better," she sighed, smiling for the first time since Violet and Lily had showed up. Shifting so that she was facing her father again, she asked, "How do I really look? Be honest."

He looped his arm through hers, ready to lead her out of the room and down the aisle. "Beautiful. You look beautiful."