Recap: "No! I cannot just…go and meet him! Not on my request." His hood felt light and he groaned, facepalming himself. "Not again."
Chapter 8: All We Wanna Do
~PKM~
Ash felt the same as he did yesterday, leaving the locker room. Only that he was more confident. He was not giving up on his dream. He was confidently and surely walking down the road to Pokemon Master.
He walked over the bridge again, taking his time walking over it while he overlooked the dome downstairs like he did yesterday. He saw Garth down there, causally walking than brushed arms with a girl with big, chunky greenish hair and wearing a tutu-like dress like a ballerina. He apologized, blushing, but she doesn't seem offended, instead she blushed too. Her Mawile flirted with his Sandslash.
Love is in the air… Brock would say.
"Hey Ash!" Misty called to him, running of ahead of everyone else. She was the first to reach him and hug him once he was in arm's length. Utterly off guard, Ash froze, burning red in the tanned face when Misty hugged him, glaring his brown eyes at Gary for smirking and sniggering.
To avoid embarrassment, Ash focused on something else, the match-ups for tomorrow. Ash's match was very familiar to him. Paul seemed contented with his rival, a boy who looked powerful with wild black/red hair. Ritchie was with a bulky boy with dogtags, Marina got paired against a young woman smirking coolly and Jimmy was against a girl with magenta pigtails
"Pika!" Pikachu leaped from Misty's shoulder to his famous perch on Ash and started to hit his tiny paw on the boy's side of his head, making the trainer turn. He followed Pikachu's small arm pointing to something…
His rival from Unova, a boy named Trip McGinnis, staying in the crowd, looking at the matchup. He was the same, sharp silver-grey eyes, and neck-length, thin, dirty-blonde hair in a choppy-cut like Paul but thinner. His outfit consists of a plum-coloured shirt loose on his frame, the neckhole slouchy and falling to reveal a grey shirt underneath, orange pants, blue-green sneakers, magenta fingerless gloves and red-violet wristbands on his wrists.
Trip turned and locked eyes with Ash. They weren't close friends (yet) or bad rivals, just neutral.
"May!" The said girl turned around, finding a familiar girl coming her way.
"Brianna!" May smiled. The teal-eyed young Coordinator had her burgundy hair grown longer, with a yellow hairband and wore a yellow sundress that suited her young curves, cream sandals and amber bangles on her wrists. "It's been so long!" She spotted Drew and smiled at him. "Hi Drew!"
The green-haired Coordinator smirked, sending her a charming flick of his glossy bangs. May rolled her eyes, but she also noticed that Brianna just smiled with a small blush but didn't faint like last time, which seemed strange as she remembered the younger girl has a giant crush on him.
"What's wrong with you, Brianna? I thought you like Drew."
"I don't have a crush on him anymore. I admire him now, just like I admire you. Besides, he likes you."
"WHA?" May had her mouth dropped and opened in shock, making Brianna giggle.
Ash spotted something while talking with Misty and nudged Paul. The purple-haired Trainer turned to his attention with an infamous scowl.
"Hey, look at Barry." Ash pointed to the blonde, kneeling down on one knee before Marley. The gang of 16 watched Marley gasped with an expression mixed with shock and surprise, slowly smiling when Barry presented her a small rectangular bow, opening it to her…
"He's pre-proposing to her!" Molly squealed, as Barry gave his girlfriend a pair of pink gem stud earrings with a black bow and a fuchsia heart, bigger than the bow, hanging off. They watched Marley pierced the earrings in her lobes and smiled at her boyfriend, then the two hugged.
Ash looked at Misty, who smiled dreamily at the touching scene. He wondered if he should follow the island custom, present Misty with a stunning choker…But she's just a friend! A friend, right?
Thinking deep, Ash didn't heard the light pitter-patter of tiny paws coming his way behind him, not the soft swift sound of leaping…
"Bah!" Something smacked into the left side of Ash's head, right on his eye. He grabbed whatever it was, peeling it off him and held it up. "Pichu?"
The mischievous Tiny Mouse Pokemon waved her teensy-weensy paw, squeaking 'hello' to him and Pikachu.
"Where did you come from?" Ash looked around the area for her Trainer, the mysterious boy who clouded his thought all day long.
A head of neat, silver-spiked, black hair under a baseball hat just came from around the corner.
"Malcolm!"
Malcolm resisted the desperate urge to slap his forehead. Oh no…
Ash ran up to him, eagerly and happy as always, halting on his heels in front of Malcolm. Malcolm immediately snatched his Pichu from Ash's shoulder, glaring hard and cold. The Baby Pokemon was unfazed and giggled cutely, making the trainer frown much colder than Paul.
"She really wants us together, huh?" Ash chuckled, grinning.
"Seems so…" Malcolm darted his eyes at the guilty, gigging one responsible.
"It was nice for you to come, Malcolm."
"I didn't decide. I came for Pichu."
"Oh…" Ash paused. As the boy tilted his black-haired head down, Malcolm took the chance to walk quietly away. Until Ash stopped him. "Wait! I'm just wondering…do you wanna hang out?" Malcolm looked over his shoulder, looking taken aback by the invitation. "Honestly, I really want to get to know you. We get along. I think Paul likes ya for your stand up yesterday."
Malcolm shifted his head away. There was regret in his dark, mysterious blue eyes. "I cannot keep that promise."
Ash was never the best person at controlling his temper. "WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!"
The mysterious boy stared at the trainer, stunned by his explosion. Finally, he explained his reasons. "I can't plan anything. I don't know for certain if anything could happen." His answer was honest.
Ash, now dawned with understanding, raised his hand out to Malcolm. "Just come with me and have fun. If it helps, I won't let anything happen to you."
Malcolm hesitated. By Ash's sincere promise, he slowly took Ash's hand. Ash grasped his and dragged him over to his group of friends.
"Well, look what Ashy-boy dragged in." Gary whipped with a smirk.
Malcolm straightened himself up, keeping his head down, shadowing his face.
"We're heading out for lunch, Brock's cooking." Misty smiled at the shy newcomer. "Wanna come, Malcolm?"
Although his mind was telling him to be reasonable and reject the offer, his heart was thumping louder than his urging thoughts to leave. Each thump encouraged him to slowly nod to answer 'yes' and follow Ash's gang out of the Dome.
A pair of silver eyes watched him go.
The group didn't go for a fancy café in Traveller's Village for lunch. Instead, they settled in the wide open space outside their villa. The group sat outside on a long picnic table, bathing in the warm sunrays of the afternoon sun. Brock cooked up a delicious lunch with the assistance of Lucy. Their hands brushed together when both Lucy and Brock reached for a plate. Their eyes were caught. Brock took the chance to take Lucy's hand, making her blush.
"Lucy," He began softly. "I know we only know each other for a while, including back at the Battle Frontier." Lucy's blush got more furious, as she understood what he was doing. "But as each hour of the day went, my feelings for you grew stronger." He was kneeling now, passionately and sincerely proclaiming love. "The truth is clear now. Off all the girls in the world, the Officer Jennys and Nurse Joys in the regions, I found someone more beautiful, more noble, gentler and that is- AHHHH!" Toxicroak interrupted his declaration with a classic Poison Jab. Lucy gasped with a hand on her mouth, watching poor Brock slowly collapsed. "Maybe you could be caring as well…!" He wailed, falling on his aching back.
Malcolm had his eyes bewilderedly wide by the awkward scene. "What was that about?"
"Just Brock's confessing his love for Lucy." Ash reassured sweatdropping. "It's normal."
"So *chomp* Malcolm, *chomp* where are *chomp* you *chomp* from?" Jimmy asked, scoffing down sandwiches.
Malcolm froze with his mouth open, intending on taking a bite out of a sandwich.
Marina slapped Jimmy's back. "Don't eat with food in your mouth!"
"Where's your home?" Misty asked, sensing Malcolm's discomfort.
"Um…I…I'm looking for one." He spoke quietly, but loud enough to be heard.
"Oh…" Misty's beautiful eyes softened. "Any luck on finding one?"
"None so far."
Misty smiled at him stunningly and went back to popping berries in Pichu's eager mouth. Pichu had taken a special liking for the Water Type trainer. She snuggled deep in the redhead's arms, loving the warmness of her pure heart.
All of the gang's Pokemon were free, out in the wide open space. (See Chapter 4 for what Pokemon they have). Ash's Charizard was out there, with Ferligatr, Torkoal, Glalie, Samurott, and Donphan. Paul had his Torterra, Weavile, Krookodile, Aggron, East Sea Gastrodon, and Drapion out there. Jimmy's Pokemon were free; Typhlosion, Donphan, Gallade, Beedrill, Primeape, and Emboar. Marina's Wani-Wani (Feraligatr), Little Miss (Mismagius), Little Pink (Wigglytuff), Baby Doll (Jynx), Lady Knight (Gardevoir), Bertha (Granbull), and Ming (Dragonair) were playing around. Ritchie's Sparky (Raichu), Randy (Stoutland), Ghost (Gengar), Biro (Grumpig), and Cap (Hitmontop) were out too.
Dark eyes glanced at his waist, belted with studs of small, black PokeBalls. Carefully, he selected four Pokemon, picking each one off his belt, enlarged each in a press and click, and in white beams, released a Pikachu, a Meowth, his already familiar Wigglytuff and a Vulpix.
"Those're your Pokemon?" Ash questioned, seeing Malcolm's Meowth scampered off to the other Pokemon, quickly making friends.
"Some of my originals." Vulpix curled up in a ball on his lap. Wigglytuff laid her head on his arm. Malcolm rubbed her tall ears, making her purr softly. His Pikachu sat on the table, intensely watching everything like a hawk. "I keep them for company."
"Don't you battle at all?" Gary taunted then got pierced in the stomach by Dawn's elbow.
As if he could get more pale in the face, his expression washed from mysterious to sorrowful, and he hung his head down, his visor shadowed his pale face. "I was…a long ago."
"Come on, guys! Stop ganging up on him!" Misty fiercely shouted, defending Malcolm against her friends. They all cowered under her terrible temper. "If he doesn't want to battle, that's his business. Pokemon are not tools for fighting. He can own whatever Pokemon he wants."
(Ah…Ah…)
Misty's passionate speech brought a smile to Malcolm's sullen face. "That's the whole point, isn't it?" All heads turned to Malcolm. All were curious about his soft-spoken declaration. He kept his cool and scratched the head of his happy-go-lucky Meowth. "Don't matter the appearance or personality of a Pokemon, the greatest challenge is to raise that Pokemon to find their inner strength, to be stronger for your battles, achieve your goals. After all…you would be nothing with them." His mouth twitched, curling at the ends into a lopsided smile. "Even something small could be strong."
(Ah…Ah…)
A zephyr blew, ruffling his neat spikes. The young trainers stared at him, speechless by his wisdom, spoken as if he was a Master of Pokemon himself. For someone who's anti-social and very quiet, his words deeply startled them. Yet…it was amazing advice. Malcolm took the moment to smile proudly to himself…until Pichu ruined it by driving onto a bowl of salad, knocking over guacamole dipping that in the process accidentally splattered over Malcolm!
(Yeah…Yeah, yeah)
(Oh…oh…oh…)
"Awk, Pichu!" He bellowed, swiping the masked avocado off him. Pichu popped out with a mouth stuffed with salad, blinking innocently and playfully at Malcolm.
The gang broke their gobsmacked stances to laugh at Malcolm's misfortune. He only glared at them, but he was looking amusingly funny with floppy, damp hair, mashed fruit on his face. So he rolled his eyes.
(Yeah…Yeah, yeah)
(Oh!)
"Who's up for deserts?" Brock called, holding up a scrumptious cake covered with cream and topped with strawberries. Pichu nimbly dodged Malcolm's grabbing hands and leapt high and far, diving into the cake, splattering cream on Brock's face and gave him strawberries for eyes! Everyone cracked up the display, except for Malcolm, who shook his head disapprovingly. Pichu happily nibbled on the cake, smacking the cream off her lips.
Never know what's 'round the bend.
We go up the hill and down again.
The afternoon was fading to early evening, but the fun was just starting. The Pokemon were playing around more animatedly, spreading out their fun to their trainers.
Pikachu and Marill hopped onto the laps of their trainers, bringing smiles to their faces.
And when there's trouble we'll get through,
We always have and we always do!
The sound of laughter echoed through the renting villas. People hanged their heads out, curiously looking out to where the joyful sound was coming from.
Nothing in the world can bring us down, no, not us (Not us).
Spread a little sunshine all around, there's never enough!
Unable to resist the urge, trainers and Pokemon came out to join in.
All we wanna do is have a good time,
Having lots of fun with all these friends of mine!
Malcolm, fully clean, sat on the sidelines while everyone else had fun. But Ash won't have that so he went up, grabbed his wrists and dragged him into the party.
All we wanna do is celebrate,
Everytime we've been together it's been great!
Ash pushed him onto a swing, which Malcolm almost fell off the seat if he hadn't grabbed the ropes in time. Misty took the other swing and Ash pushed the both of them. Misty laughed, having fun. Malcolm took small swings of his legs.
Looking for adventure, big and small,
Just being with a friend like you is
Their Mouse Pokemon ran towards them and jumped onto their shoulders. Ash and Misty smiled at Pikachu and Marill.
All we wanna do!
Getting the hang of swinging, Malcolm let a smile grow with Pichu hanging on, looking bewildered for the first time.
All my friends are here with me
And things are good as they can be.
Trainers meeting for the first time were mingling just fine.
Nando was enchanted by Celeste's beauty. Being the gentleman he is, he approached her with a low bow and a kiss to her hand. His charming mannerism made her blush coyly, batting her thick as featherdusters eyelashes. Nando's Roserade noticed her Altaria and mimicked his trainer's behaviour, resulting in the same reaction from Tenni.
Yamato was pumping his arms up, trying to look good for Nadeshiko. Although his strutting made him look ridiculous, it worked on impressing Nadeshiko, awarding him with cute giggles and flirty teasing remarks.
Silver took an interest in Leaf. He had her caged in against a wall, with an arm above her head, his head leaning in. Leaf leaned against the wall, seductively smirking up at him.
Conway was sneaking after Dawn but got scared away by Gary growling at him. In the process of walking backwards in fear, he bumped into Georgia. The Dragon Buster turned to glare at him and the two went off into a quarrel. The quarrel eventually gotten friendlier. And flirtier.
Sid kept his major crush on May after five years. He immediately ran towards her, waving his arms about, calling her name out. Drew frowned jealously. However just as he was about to bone-crush her in a hug, May dodged and he crashed face-first into the ground. His big crush didn't last longer when he met Brianna staring down at him.
We travel places near and far,
But home is always where we are.
The couple Travis and Isabella were talking with Rafe and his girlfriend, Rebecca.
Florine and Johnny weren't dating but they were enjoying themselves, sitting/leaning on a fence and smile at the beauty of Avery Island's nature.
Traveling the world is what we do, because
Everywhere we go there's something new for us...
Max and Molly played with the Pokemon, running around with them along with Rafe's twin sisters, Audrey and Kathryn, their two Masquerains, Alex, Tito, Taylor and Mina.
Brianna giggled as she dangled from Sid's Blastoise's cannons.
All we wanna do is have a good time,
Having lots of fun with all these friends of mine!
Malcolm, enjoying the fun, swung the rope for the Pokemon to play jump rope. Ash held the other end, grinning that Malcolm was having a good time.
Trip took pictures of the fun. The shots were great.
All we wanna do is celebrate,
Everytime we've been together it's been great!
Marina leapt into a dance, bringing the Pokemon in. The trainers joined in and danced in couples.
Jimmy watched Marina dance beautifully. He kept watching until their eyes met. Remembering he had a dreamy look on his face, he looked away blushing. Until Marina crept up to him and grabbed his hand. "Dance with me!"
"N-no! I-I I don't-" Jimmy stuttered, but Marina dragged him into dancing anyway. He got the hang of it and danced with his crush, holding hands all the time.
Looking for adventure, big and small,
Just being with a friend like you is
Casey flung Ritchie about like a ragdoll, which oddly Ritchie found enjoyable.
Max had bashfully asked Molly for a dance. She said yes and giggled at his clumsy dancing.
All we wanna do!
Brock twirled around with Lucy in his crazy lovey-dovey state. They were in their own little world…Until Toxicroak ruined it by Poison Jabbing Brock.
Do you wanna come along?
Just be prepared for anything!
Paul intended on not dancing, but he felt his pants pulling. He looked down to find Gothorita tugging on his pants' leg. She did the same to Ursula, who was sitting right beside Paul. The two shared a glance, but then Ursula looked away, thinking Paul wouldn't dare ask her to dance. However, Paul stood up and with a determined frown, he gripped her hand and pulled her into a slow dance. Ursula contently smiled.
Get into the flow,
Get ready to go!
Gary smoothly danced with Dawn, a hand on her hip and his other hand held up and intertwined with hers. They moved gracefully in a waltz with a few twirls and spins.
Drew wasn't as successfully to dance with May at first. His big mouth got him in trouble again. He had to pull her back and pleaded her with apologetic eyes. Seeing the truth in his glistening eyes, she smiled and danced with him.
Get ready to spread your wings!
Ash and Misty stared into each other's eyes as they slowly danced. Unknowingly, they both leaned in…
And all we wanna do is have a good time,
Having lots of fun with all these friends of mine!
The long-waiting desire never came because the Pokemon jumped through them and broke them apart. The pair fell down on opposite sides, looking bemused and blushing.
All we wanna do is celebrate, (celebrate, yeah!)
Everytime we've been together it's been great!
Nonetheless, everyone was having fun. Malcolm smiled wide, feeling free for the first time in his life…
Looking for adventure, big and small,
Just being with a friend like you is
However, he stopped as he felt the piercing stare on his back, a calculating stare directed from far behind with a pretty girl on his arm. Malcolm narrowed his eyes. He feared he would capture unwanted attention. So why didn't he isolate himself to stay hidden?
All we want...
"Hey Malcolm!"
Oh THAT'S why…
All we wanna do is have a good time,
Having lots of fun with all these friends of mine!
Ash ran up to Malcolm and skidded to a halt just in front of him, leaving behind a streak from his heels on the ground.
"Did ya have a good time?" He asked with a kind smile.
Malcolm easily gave a smile. "Yes."
All we wanna do is celebrate,
Everytime we've been together it's been great!
"Perhaps…we could meet up after your battle tomorrow."
Ash was taken aback by what he said. His bold statements were beginning to be infamous. Even Pichu squeaked in surprise.
"I thought you can't plan anything."
"I decided I should take a risk."
Looking for adventure, big and small,
Just being with a friend like you is
With that said, he twisted his feet around and slowly made off into the night, taking a route into the forest. He bid a friendly, soft smile at Ash as he disappeared in the darkness.
All we wanna do!
Ash watched him go, smiling that he managed to make a friend out of him.
"How can we find one kid on a million?!" The blonde cried, frustrated well enough to the point of pulling her pigtails.
"Buy a lottery ticket?" Her small associate suggested.
"Shut up!"
He winced at her snap. He looked down. "He's a smart guy," He softly mused. "We need more than mottos and traps to catch him. Could we just call for backup?"
"NO! We need to catch him ourselves and the boss would be swooning over us!"
Their green-haired third member nodded. "That's right!"
Their associate slumped down sadly, even shedding a tear. "This isn't what I had in mind when I signed up…"