Howdy, everyone! Now it's time to see what Ash is up to, and who his groomsmen are! Some of you already guessed the best man (it's pretty transparent, huh?) but let's see who the rest of the wedding party is ;) Oh, and some ages, of course!

Ash: 20

Brock: 25

Gary: 21

Tracey: 23

Max: 15

Cilan: 23

Clemont: 20

Delia: 39


Chapter Three: The Groom

In a separate room inside the church, six well-dressed men watched a seventh pace the floor with obvious trepidation. Their eyes followed him back and forth, back and forth, attention never wavering. A Pokémon sat on a nearby chair, beady black eyes following the same path as the humans that stood around him. He knew this day was important, but it was happy too. So what was with all the anxiety? He didn't get it.

"Ash…if you don't stop pacing the floor you're going to burn a hole into it!"

That was said playfully, with an added laugh for good measure, but the man it was directed towards wasn't laughing. He finally stopped in his tracks and whipped around to glare at the older male before restarting his uneasy, repetitive trek.

"Well…that didn't work," the same man muttered, holding his chin in his hand.

"Don't worry, Brock, comforting Ash just turns out to be something else you're not good at!" The youngest groomsmen snickered.

"Not helping, Max," Brock grumbled. Glaring at the four other groomsmen, in addition to Max, Brock demanded, "why are none of you helping me out?!"

"I don't know what to do!" Tracey sheepishly covered for himself. "Ash is so headstrong he probably wouldn't listen to me!"

"I agree," Cilan whimpered, "a surefire recipe for disaster."

"I have to say that I'm with these two," Clemont admitted, pointing between both Tracey and Cilan.

The final groomsman, who had been silent during everyone else's arguments, simply shrugged before chuckling, "I just think it's funny to watch him internally implode."

"Gary!" Brock seethed.

"Why did Ash even make you a groomsman in the first place?" Tracey couldn't help but to question. He knew the history of Gary and Ash's relationship, and also worked with the brown haired man on a daily basis. So he knew how annoying the researcher could get.

"Because Misty wanted an equal number of groomsmen to bridesmaids," Gary elucidated. "So, here I am!"

"I bet he's regretting that decision right about now," Max scoffed.

Brock took in a deep breath and strode forward, grabbing Ash by the shoulders and stopping the younger male in his tracks. Ash looked up at Brock with narrowed eyes. He was obviously annoyed, but Brock couldn't just let him go now. As best man, it was his job to keep Ash calm and levelheaded. Even if he was the one who ended up getting punched in the process.

"Relax, Ash," Brock spoke calmly to the man in his grasp. "You're just psyching yourself out. You're overthinking."

"For once in his life, that is," Gary muttered.

"Gary!" Brock groaned.

"I'm fine, Brock," Ash finally spoke, his voice rather gruff from not being used for some time. "Just…let me go."

"What, so you can pace the floor again?" Brock questioned. "There's no reason to be so nervous, Ash."

"Unless you're having second thoughts," Gary broke in. "Then, yeah, be nervous."

"Gary! Seriously?!" Tracey shrieked.

"I'm not having second thoughts," Ash sighed. "I never would. I love Misty with all of my heart, and I know that I want to marry her more than anything!"

"So what's got you so worked up, then?" Clemont inquired.

"Wish I knew," Ash replied softly. "I'm just nervous is all. A wedding is a really big deal!"

"Yes, it is," Brock agreed, "but it's a happy occasion. Especially for the guy who's actually getting married! So don't stress out, 'kay?"

"Got it," Ash murmured, sounding only somewhat relieved.

"You shouldn't be so nervous, Ash," Tracey tried to throw his two cents in as well. "You're the Pokémon Master, after all! You have big battles in front of huge crowds all the time! So…what's the big deal about getting married in front of one?"

Ash's body once again went rigid, which led to Tracey's entire face turning bright red. The other groomsmen gave him the evil side eye, while Max just sighed and pushed his glasses further up his nose.

"Nice going, Trace," the youngest of the bunch muttered sarcastically.

"I…I didn't mean to!" Tracey cried urgently.

As the groomsmen surrounded Ash, unsure of what to do with the apprehension riddled young man, the door to their suite swung open before quickly slamming shut again, a new visitor gasping out of shock and leaning against the heavy wooden door. All of the other men in the room, sans Ash, whipped around and gave the new entrant wide eyed stares.

"Oh boy, you're all lucky you aren't out there," Scott sighed, jamming a finger behind himself to reference the main part of the church. "Running the wedding of the century is absolutely insane."

The use of the words "wedding of the century" only made Ash cringe all the more. He looked so stiff at this point that Brock was afraid the young man would soon topple over like nothing more than a cardboard cutout in his likeness.

"Ash!" Scott suddenly scolded, his apparent stress clearly getting the better of him. The startled groomsmen watched on in shock as Scott hustled forward, grabbing Ash by the shoulders and examining his appearance. "You look like a mess! Come on, fix yourself up!"

Ash groaned, and refused to move. Shaking his head, Scott stormed over to the nearby dresser and grabbed a brush that was sitting atop of it. Marching back over to the flustered groom, Scott took the brush to Ash's hair and began attempting to tug down the unruly black locks that had sprung back up during Ash's pacing spree.

"This is your wedding, boy," Scott sighed. "A Pokémon Master is always supposed to look presentable! And this is your wedding day for goodness sake! You're a mess-"

"Have you tried a mirror lately?!" Ash snapped.

All of the groomsmen jumped at the sound of Ash's voice. He had barely spoken that morning, and when he had, it certainly hadn't been that loud or angry. He was clearly at the end of his rope. Scott, who was used to Ash's emotional outbursts, simply raised a wry and quiet eyebrow, not understanding the point of Ash's quip.

"You're a mess too!" Ash growled as Scott tried to fix his bowtie. Wiggling away from the rotund man, Ash pulled his manager towards a gold framed, full length mirror that stood against the wall. Scott took a good look at his reflection and gasped when he saw his own messy hair and unkempt suit.

"Told ya'," Ash mumbled rather acidly.

"It's because I've been running around all morning!" Scott cried.

"Look, you two both aren't looking so sharp right now," Brock broke in, trying to ease the tension in the room. "You're both under a lot of stress, which is understandable."

"Even though that's not really an excuse to look cheap and haggard," Gary piped up.

"Seriously, why were you invited?!" Max shouted incredulously.

Clemont and Tracey both grabbed Brock by the shoulders, alarming the older male. He looked between the two in surprise and confusion, not understanding why they both seemed so frantic.

"Brock, you have to do something about this!" Clemont urged. "Everything is falling apart!"

"What am I supposed to do?!" Brock cried.

"You're the best man, isn't it your job to keep Ash under control?" Tracey asked desperately.

"Yeah…but…" Brock trailed off as he stared at Ash and Scott, the Master and manager still going at one another like a pair of rabid Pokémon. "Wait! I think I have an idea!"

He hurried out of the suite before Ash, Scott, or any of the groomsmen could question him. Hurrying into the ceremony space, Brock ran down the aisle until he reached the front row, where he found just who he wanted sitting at the end.

"Delia," Brock hissed, gently tapping the woman's shoulder. She looked up and smiled at her son's longtime friend, but that grin was quick to disappear when she saw the look of desperation plastered on his face.

"Brock, dear, is something wrong?" Delia questioned softly.

"Ash is so nervous, and none of us can calm him down," Brock explained. "We've been trying all day, ever since he got in the room! But nothing's worked. We're desperate."

"Is he completely disheveled?" Delia asked, sounding not at all surprised.

Brock was visibly stunned that Delia had managed to guess exactly what was going on behind closed doors. "Yes."

"And pacing the floor like a madman?"

"Uh huh."

"Oh, that son of mine," Delia sighed, getting up from her seat. "Alright then. I suppose I'll just have to go in there and knock some sense into him!"

"Please do," Brock begged.

He led the mother of the groom into the back suite that had been designated as Ash's. It was hard to process that his door was only feet away from Misty's own suite, but that the two hadn't seen one another since that morning. Misty was probably all ready, dressed in the gorgeous white gown that not even Brock had been allowed to see. Brock had to figure that was probably a huge part of why Ash was so nervous. The young man was more than likely dying to see his bride, and patience just wasn't one of Ash's strong suits.

"Ash, relax, dear!"

Brock spun back around and found that while he was distracted, Delia had opened up the heavy wooden door of Ash's suite and was poking her head in through the doorframe.

"I can't relax!" Ash wailed. "My hair is a mess, and Scott is bugging me about it, but he looks just as bad as me, if not worse-"

"Hey!"

"And I'm just really sick of standing around and waiting and it's been like forever…"

Brock smirked to himself. It would seem that his previous thoughts had held true. Ash was simply getting impatient with the whole affair. Most men, after all, were not exactly wedding savvy. Ash wasn't there for the extravagant party and all of the guests, or even the formal attire.

He just wanted to marry Misty already.

"Sweetheart," Delia crooned, finally stepping into the groom's suite. "I know it's hard to wait. Especially when you want to see Misty so badly! I'm sure she looks beautiful. She always does, after all. But, before you know it, the ceremony will be here. And it will be over in the blink of an eye! You have to treasure every little second of today, dear. It's one of the most important days of your life. And it will be over before you know it. So please, Ash. There's no need to be nervous. We're all here for you. And we can't wait until you step up to the altar and marry that gorgeous fiancée of yours."

Once Delia had finished her speech, which left Brock gently sniffling and even the usually coarse Gary softened, Ash smiled warmly at his confident mother. "You sure know how to make me feel better, don't you, Mom?"

At this, Delia giggled quietly before reaching out to adjust her son's bowtie. "I always have, dear. Part of being a mother."

Ash just beamed at the beautiful, loving, dedicated woman who stood before him. She looked so stunning in her floor length, sapphire blue dress, the material hanging off her shoulders in an effortless, elegant fashion. Her auburn hair, which was usually tied back in a low ponytail, had been swept up in a sophisticated bun, with the front two layers hanging down beside her delicate, heart shaped face. Around her neck hung a white gold and diamond spiral pendant, which Misty had given to the woman as a gift after she and Ash had gotten engaged. Delia had been flattered by the gift, but also confused.

"Misty, dear, you're the one getting married!" Delia had laughed. "Why in the world are you giving me such a beautiful gift?"

"Because without you, Ash wouldn't be here," Misty had explained, her eyes light with joy. "He wouldn't be the sweet, kind, charming man I've fallen so madly in love with. The same man that I'm marrying. So that's why you're getting such a beautiful gift. Because you, of all people, deserve it."

Ash smiled at the memory. He was so happy his mother and Misty got along so well. They always had, even before he and Misty were engaged. Delia had always told Ash that Misty was like the daughter she never had, and whether they ever got married or not, that relationship would never change.

Ash sure was glad he was going to marry Misty, though.

"There. All set!"

The young man glanced down at his bowtie, and grinned once he realized it was back in place, tied nice and tight with no chance of falling out again. "Thanks, Mom!"

Delia giggled airily at this and placed her hand against her son's cheek. "Don't mention it, dear. Will you be alright back here without me?"

"Of course," Ash replied, a generous blush gracing his face as he playfully shook his mother off. "I'm an adult, Ma. I can handle myself."

Delia, however, did not look convinced. "Are you sure?"

Ash took in a deep breath and stared right into his mother's eyes. "Positive."

Smiling weakly, the woman leaned forward and pressed a kiss on her son's opposite cheek, which set his chocolate brown eyes wide with terror.

"Mom!" Ash gasped, rubbing furiously at the skin.

"What is it? What's the matter?" Delia fussed, reaching for her son's arm in an effort to get him to stop rubbing. "Why are you so upset now, dear?"

"I can't get lipstick on me before the ceremony!" Ash cried, his eyes still wide. "I'll never hear the end of it!"

"Oh, Ash, now you're just being silly," Delia sighed, gently grabbing his wrist and pulling his hand away from his cheek in order to examine it for smudges. "You're fine. All of that rubbing is going to turn the side of your face red, though. So no more!"

"Got it," Ash grumbled, lowering his arm to his side.

Spinning around, Delia smiled at the six astounded groomsmen and requested, "you'll all be able to keep Ash calm and under control until the ceremony now, won't you?"

The bewildered men all exchanged questioning glances before Gary elected himself as group representative. "You got it, Mrs. K! We'll keep him cool as an ice type, no worries!"

Delia giggled at the simile before striding over to the chair in the corner, where a very familiar little Pokémon sat. "And you, Pikachu. You take good care of Ash, okay? You're the best thing for him when he's so nervous like this!"

At this, the electric type's slender ears perked, and he smiled joyfully at the notion. "Chu!"

With one last confident glance over her shoulder, Delia exchanged smiles with her newly reassured son and exited the suite, closing the heavy wooden door behind her as she headed back to her seat in the ceremony space.

"Feeling better?" Cilan calmly asked his younger friend.

"Much," Ash sighed, his face lighting up. "Mom always helps."

"Pi-ka!"

Ash chuckled and walked over to Pikachu, holding his arm down so the mouse could run up its length and settle on his broad shoulder. "You too, buddy! Sorry for freaking you out before."

"Pi!" Pikachu dismissed, rubbing his cheek against his trainer's.

"Now that you're calm, I think we should fix that hair of yours before you go get married," Brock suggested, pointing up at his own head for reference.

Raising his eyebrows, Ash wandered back over to the same mirror he'd dragged Scott over to previously and observed his reflection, groaning almost as soon as he saw it. "You're right. Misty's not going to like that."

"I bet she'd stop the whole wedding just to yell at you for it!" Max suggested with a laugh.

"I could actually imagine that happening," Ash mused whimsically, narrowing his eyes at himself as he raised his voice an octave and pretended to be his fiancée. "Ash Ketchum, you've had all the time in the world to prepare for this, and you show up with an unruly head like that? I am not marrying you until you get that hair down!"

"Nice impersonation!" Clemont complimented. He wasn't being facetious; he was truly impressed.

"When you've known her for as long as I have, and love her as much as I do, you know all of her finer points," Ash playfully replied.

Brock snickered as he walked over to Ash, brush in hand as he prepared to fix the younger male's locks. "And knowing Misty, she'd be the one to march right back here and wait. You'd have to fix your hair in front of all of the guests, and once you were done, she'd make her grand entrance all over again."

"Typical Misty," Ash chuckled, rolling his eyes up towards the ceiling.

"But we're going to make sure that doesn't happen!" Brock declared, forcing the one stubborn spring to go back down. "You're going to walk up to that altar and look fabulous."

While Brock was busy getting Ash's hair back in order, the young groom was finally able to fully take in his formal outfit. A trim black tux, with the jacket and buttons lined in equally dark satin, a crisp white dress shirt beneath the jacket, and a black satin bowtie secured around his neck. He did have to admit he looked rather sharp, even though he wasn't the biggest fan of being so dressed up.

"Pi-ka!"

Ash chuckled and looked down at Pikachu, who was admiring his own reflection in the mirror as well.

"You like your matching bowtie, buddy?" Ash asked whimsically.

"Ka!" Pikachu confirmed. Indeed, he had the same satin bowtie as Ash's around his neck, dressed to be the ring bearer in the ceremony.

"There! All set!"

Ash once again turned his attention onto the mirror, and smiled once he realized his hair had been tamed. "Thanks, Brocko!"

The two friends locked hands and grinned at one another, a surge of confidence running through Ash's veins that he hadn't felt before. The rest of the groomsmen watched on happily, clearly pleased that their friend was no longer feeling stressed on such a happy day.

In the middle of this silent moment, the door to the suite opened once again, Scott this time poking his head in to survey the scene.

"Ash, they're ready for you," Scott announced. "The wedding is about to begin."

Ash looked up at Brock, his smile fading as reality set in. Brock, however, was ready for it. Unlocking their hands, he instead clapped his over Ash's shoulder, giving the younger male a firm squeeze once it was there.

"Come on, buddy," Brock encouraged, his smile stretching from ear to ear. "It's time to get hitched!"

"Yeah," Ash murmured, his own grin reappearing. "To the most beautiful, wonderful girl in the whole wide world."


I have to say, Gary was tons of fun to write in this chapter. When everyone else is completely serious and frazzled, he's there to just throw everyone else off course. He's wonderful :P

Next chapter, of course, the real wedding begins! And that means vows, rings, and all kinds of fluffy stuff! Are you all excited? I hope so...