"Alright guys this is the plan..." Ash said while eyeing his pokemon seriously. His pokemon leaned forward and looked at him with the most serious look you have ever seen in your whole entire life.

"Charmander, pikachu you 2 will be battling." His other pokemon sweatdropped and looked at him with the 'really' look, didn't Ash already told them that already?

"(You already told us Ash)" Butterfree said while using telepathy, Ash blinked his eyes before he smile sheepishly.

"Oh yeah, hehe I forgot." His pokemon sighed and shook their heads.

"You ready Ash?" Leaf asked with vulpix on her shoulder. Ash recalled all of his pokemon except pikachu.

"Yeah I'm ready Leaf!" The 2 trainers then exited the pokemon center, they decided they don't have to wait for Misty and Brock.

"You know Leaf I have been thinking..." Ash said while walking towards the Vermilion city gym.

"Surprisingly." Leaf said with a giggle, Ash smile slightly before he frowned. Leaf stopped and looked at him.

"What is it Ash?" Pikachu and vulpix looked at Ash with a puzzled expression.

"Well it just that we all know that Misty has treat us SLIGHTLY better after what happened in Cerulean city right?" Leaf slowly nodded.

"Well despite all that, I think she is dragging us down, you know what I mean? I mean I destroyed her bike by accident and all but it just that- *sigh*." Ash said while lowering his cap, Leaf frowned and put a hand on Ash's shoulders while slowly rubbing them.

"You don't want Misty to travel with us right?" Ash nodded and looked at the morning sky, it was very beautiful with sky being slightly gloomy.

"Well she won't leave us until you pay her back her bike so..."

"I actually calculated Leaf, if I beat the 4th gym then I'm able to payback Misty's bike." Leaf blinked and smiled.

"Wow really? But why does that still troubles you?"

"Well the problem is, she wants her actual bike, not the money for her bike, pretty stupid right?" Ash said while frowning slightly.

"Very." The only place that sells bike in Kanto is in Cerulean city, Misty's hometown.

"Does she want us to travel back to Cerulean city just to buy her a new bike? Why can't she buy the bike for herself with the money you give her?" Ash actually know why, after he talked with Brock last night.

FLASHBACK

Ash was looking at Leaf who was sleeping peacefully, he carefully slipped out of the bed and wore his clothes before leaving the room. He walked towards the pokemon center counter and saw nurse Joy sleeping.

'Poor nurse Joy.' Ash thought to himself before he exited the pokemon center, Misty had asked him regarding her stupid bike again and it made Ash very irritated.

'Why can't she buy her own bike? I can't say no, I DID destroy her bike after all. Grr I'm too soft sometimes.' Ash thought to himself angrily, he is unable to sleep thanks to the problem that Misty gave him.

"Ash?" Ash turned around and saw Brock who is wearing his nightwear with his vest over it.

"Hey Brock why are you doing so late at night?" Brock smiled before replying.

"I should be asking you that, I heard that your room door opened, so I decided to check it out."

"Oh..."

"So what's wrong?" Ash was about to say 'nothing is wrong when he remembered that he could not lie to Brock, he could easily tell if he is lying.

"Well I guess I should tell you, you see..." After Ash explained the whole situation to Brock, he put his hands on his chin and rubbed it slightly.

"Hmm Misty sure is a nuisance." Brock said with a chuckle.

"Well why do you think she said that Brock? I mean the bike shop is just a few blocks away from her gym, is she really that lazy?" Brock looked at Ash before he sat on a nearby log.

"Sit down Ash, I would like to tell you a few things." Ash slowly nodded and sat next to Brock. Brock cleared his throat and gulped before turning to Ash.

"Ash, why do you think Misty wants to travel with you?" Ash blinked his eyes.

"Well she wants her bike back, and she said that she will follow me on my journey until I can payback her bike back, she is quite a pain in the neck but yeah, that's why." Brock slowly nodded, he had noticed that Ash is quite dense around things but he is never dense whenever he is around Leaf.

"Well Ash uh this is MY theory, I think Misty is travelling with you because she likes you."

"What! Misty likes me?" Brock nodded. Ash was about to say something when he remembered Misty has been staring at him during their travels and sometimes was glaring at Leaf. The time she was more than happy to lend her starmie to him. It just hit him like a ton of bricks falling on top of his head.

"I-well-wow." Brock nodded and gave him a look.

"Wow indeed."

"Damn well what should I do Brock? I don't like Misty, I like- I mean I love Leaf." Love, Brock could hear that word every single day.

"Well I think you should just tell her directly you know? Just tell her that you just want to be friends, nothing more and nothing less. It may sound harsh but you have to do it Ash." Ash was fidgeting with his fingers.

"Well if you found out that I love Leaf, maybe Misty found out too?" Brock facepalmed, just how dense is Ash?

"Ash the way that you show your affection to Leaf, ANYONE and EVERYONE would know that you have feelings for Leaf." Ash blushed in embarrassment and scratched the back of his head.

"Oh then she knew."

"Yep, but she is stubborn, thinking she has a chance."

"So she wants me to go to Cerulean city to buy her bike just to spend more time with me?" Brock nodded.

"Well walking back towards Cerulean city from Celadon city would at least take 2 weeks Ash." Ash's eyes twitched, 2 weeks with Misty?

"Just tell her that you only like her as a friend Ash, you don't have a choice, the sooner you tell Misty the better." Ash looked at the night sky before looking at Brock.

"I guess I can tell her when I have enough money for her bike." Brock nodded, he put a hand on Ash's shoulder and looked at him.

"Its your choice Ash, now c'mon you have a gym battle tomorrow."

"Thanks Brock." Brock smiled.

"You are very welcome Ash."

FLASHBACK END

"I don't know, but I think we should head to the gym as soon possible, we can discuss this later." Leaf nodded and the 2 then arrived at entrance of the Vermilion city gym.

"You ready?" Leaf nodded and soon the 2 walked inside the gym, it was pitched black.

"Well well well my next victim is a baby. Oh baby brought a baby pokemon too?' A loud and commanding voice echoed the whole entire gym.

"Babies? Well I guess a tough guy like you likes to hide in the darkness." Ash taunted.

"Haha I like your wisdom boy, many challengers would be intimidated by my voice and chicken off.' The gym's lights was on and a man in a military suit with short blond hair was looking at them. The man boomed a laugh and slapped Ash's back(ouch?).

"The name is Surge, Lt Surge, but I want you to call me Lt Surge." Surge- I mean Lt Surge said while putting a cigar in his mouth.

"What're your names challenger?" The referee yelled, Ash and Leaf gave their names and Leaf was first to battle.

"Good luck Leaf." Ash gave her a warm hug before he went to the sidelines with pikachu on his lap. Lt Surge raised his eyebrow at Ash's actions before smirking.

"This gym battle is between Leaf Green form Pallet town and the gym leader Lt Surge. This is a 3 on 3 battle. Only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions, are the trainers ready?' Leaf panicked she thought this is a 2 on 2. Lt surge noticed this and smiled.

"Is alright if you want a 2 on 2 or a 1 on 1." Leaf shook her head, no she would prove that she can handle this.

Surge nodded and sent out an electabuzz. Leaf called out beedrill who clashed its drills with each other when he saw electabuzz..

"Electabuzz use thunderbolt." Electabuzz let out a strong thunderbolt attack on beedrill.

"Beedrill dodge and use poisonous strike on Electabuzz." poisonous strike was a move invented by her, it is a guaranteed move that cause poison status upon attack.

'Electabuzz use thunderpunch!' Electabuzz's fist was covered by electricity and punched Beedrill's drill. Unfortunately for the both of them, beedrill was paralyze by electabuzz ability static. With both pokemon suffering from status effects, the two pokemon was staring at each other eager to show each other who is tougher.

"Beedrill use fury swipes combine with poison sting." Beedrill repeatedly swipe electabuzz with its poisonous 'drills'.

"Electabuzz use swift!" Beedrill was showered by many star like projectiles. Beedrill was severely weakened and was about to faint when suddenly.

"Beedrill come on don't give up, you can do it beedrill!" Beedrill heard his trainers words and stood up, he is determined not to fail her.

"Bee-drill!" Beedrill yelled its name out and he was covered by a greenish yellow light, he then use twin needle on electabuzz. Since electabuzz was poisoned earlier he was already severely weaken and couldn't dodge the attack. He fainted upon impact.

"Electabuzz no!' Lt Surge returned electabuzz and called out a new pokemon.

"You were great beedrill, I am so proud of you!" Beedrill smiled in glee and returned to its pokeball. She took out ivysaur's pokeball and call him out.

"Electrode use rollout on that plant." Electrode rolled in a fast pace.

"Ivysaur use vine whip to spin it around." Ivysaur use his vines and spin electrode, electrode lost control and crashed on the hard ground.

"Grr electrode get in close.' electrode knew what its trainer trying to do. It was spinning in the air when it use its attack, Selfdestruct. Ivysaur was too late to react so it fainted.

"Ivysaur!". Leaf yelled out worriedly. She complimented him and recalled her back.

"Grr that was a cheap move." Ash yelled out angrily, he felt someone patting his shoulders, it was Brock.

"Ash it is a gym battle, while I admit that is a cheap move. It is not against the rules.' Brock said calmly, Ash blinked and saw Misty next to Brock.

"Oh hi guys."

"Why didn't you wake us up when you and Leaf wanted to challenge the gym?" Misty said with a frowned with her hands on her hips. Ash wanted to say 'none of your business' but knew that it cause him to get pummeled by her mallet.

"I forgot" Ash said while looking at Leaf, Misty was about to shout at him when Brock gave her a look. She sighed and sat next to Brock.

"Vulpix let's fight." Leaf called vulpix out, upon seeing vulpix in the battlefield pikachu shouted some heart warming words to her which made her blush and made her to have more confidence. Surge called his most powerful pokemon, raichu.

"Raichu use thunder" Raichu covered the entire field with powerful volts of electricity.

"Vulpix use flame wheel!" Vulpix use flame wheel as an attack and a shield (counter shield?), as the flames protect her from the electricity.

'"wow not bad at all rookie." Surge said in approval. He then call out his next attack.

'Use quick attack follow by slam." Raichu zig zag quickly on the battlefield, it then shift its body weight to unleash a slam attack.

"Use fire spin follow by will-o-wisp." Vulpix trapped raichu in a vortex of fire and was slowly burn alive by will-o-wisp and the vortex. Raichu who cannot escape the flaming vortex was howling in pain.

"Raichu use shockwave and thunderwave on that tiny runt!' Surge yelled out quickly. Raichu unleash a field of shockwave that disperse the flames. Though still burned by will-o-wisp , it use thunderwave to paralyze vulpix.

"Vulpix quick use quick attack into iron tail!" Vulpix ignore the paralysis and follow Leaf's order, Raichu managed to dodge the attack but he end up stumbling its own tail and fell. It was still burned so it got up slowly.

"Raichu use shockwave full power!" Surge knew that this would be his last attack, so at least he wants tie with Leaf. Leaf called out a flame wheel attack but vulpix was paralyze so she can't move, soon both pokemon fainted. Leaf gasped and ran towards vulpix.

Leaf was cradling vulpix, she looked at Surge.

"Well looks like it is a tie Leaf, maybe next time-" he interrupted by beedrill coming out of his pokeball. It grinned at Surge, Surge face palmed he forgot about the annoying beedrill that took out his electabuzz.

"The gym leader's pokemon are unable to battle, Leaf Green from Pallet town wins!" The referee shouted out. Ash clapped his hands and ran towards Leaf and hugged her from behind. Brock smiled seeing Ash hugging Leaf while Misty was well quite piss off.

"Congrats Leaf! Man Lt Surge is no easy opponent to defeat." Ash said excitingly, Leaf was still in Ash's arms was still blushing cutely. Surge who was there whistled before he smirked. Ash quickly released Leaf and had a blush on his face.

"Of course kid what do you think I'm, a baby?" The lieutenant boomed loudly.

"Well Leaf you definitely deserve the thunder badge." Surge gave Leaf her badge, she smiled and accepted the badge.

"Well kid she is a great battler, though I expect something better from you." Surge said while looking at Ash.

"Oh I'm gonna give you a battle you'll never forget Surge." Surge nodded and told Ash to battle him tomorrow as his pokemon needed much rest. They bid him goodbye and went to the pokemon center.

"Nurse joy your beauty is more beautiful than any milotic-' Brock was doing his usual routine. Misty whacked him with her mallet and pull him to another room. Ash sigh, if Brock keep doing this he might be charge of assault. Leaf gave her pokemon to nurse joy and less than a few minutes they were good as new. Beedrill was happy that he has unlock his swarm ability. Vulpix was slightly downtrodden, pikachu noticed and rubbed his cheek against hers and told her she did terrific. Ivysaur was talking to charmeleon and pidgeotto, he hoped that both of them van help him increase his type defenses more.

"Ash what are we gonna do now?" Leaf asked Ash curiously, her hands were on her back and she tilt her head to the side ways cutely. Since Brock and Misty is no where to be seen, Ash thought he could go on a evening walk.

"Hmm I think I'll go on a evening walk." Ash said with a small smile.

"Can I join you?" Leaf ask shyly, she rubbed her shoes together and looked at them.

"Of course you can Leaf." He grabbed her hand and they started their evening walk.

"You know I never been on a cruise ship before." Ash whispered while looking at SS Anne. They were sitting on a bench which gave them a clear view to SS Anne.

"Me too, what do you say we went for a cruise to relax?" They never had the time to relax or unwind during their travels.

"Do we have enough money?" Leaf checked her pokedex and nodded.

"I have 8000, and you have..."

"7500, Brock and Misty can pay for themselves."

"Well if we use the money for SS Anne then I can't pay Misty her bike after the 4th gym." Leaf frowned and looked at Ash worriedly.

"I don't understand why Misty wouldn't let me help you pay for her bike." Leaf said as she put her hands on her lap.

"I don't know why either but nevertheless, if you want to go to the cruise ship. I'll be more than happy to go with you." Ash said warmly.

"But Ash-" Ash place a finger on her lips.

"No buts Leaf, I know you wanted to go on a cruise. So after I beat Lt Surge, we can go to the cruise together." Leaf blushed and hugged Ash, he always fulfill her needs.

"Thanks Ashy." Ash blushed when Leaf said Ashy, only her mother and Leaf calls him that.

"But first let's ask Brock and Misty." Leaf smiled and nodded, they got up and went to the pokemon center. They soon saw Misty crossing her arms and was waiting for Ash and Leaf impatiently.

"Where have you 2 been?" Ash looked at Leaf and shrugged.

"Why do you care?" Ash said a bit harshly, ever since he had that talk with Brock, his been kinda cold and rude to Misty. Misty looked at him and glared at Leaf.

"Hey you 2!" Brock said cheerfully as he finished feeding the pokemon.

"Hey Brock, why do you look so happy?" Leaf asked, Brock put his hands in his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.

"I got nurse Joy's number." His 3 travelling companions jaw-dropped.

"What really? Congratulations Brock!" Ash said while patting his back.

"How did you do it?' Leaf asked excitingly, with Misty around its impossible to even make a move on nurse Joy.

"Oh I had some help." Brock said while referring to Ash. He actually gave Brock some advice on how to get a woman's phone number which greatly surprised Brock.

FLASHBACK

"Okay so all I have to do is said that I'm a breeder and I would like to know about pokemon healing and all that stuff?" Brock asked, Ash nodded.

"Yeah I'm sure she'll be happy to answer your questions, woman also want a bit off attention too you know. Especially regarding their favorite topic or hobby." Ash winked.

"Wow ok and then?" Brock can't believe what was he hearing, Ash was giving him advice on how to get nurse Joy's phone number!

"Yeah just don't do your routine Brock, I know you are desperate and all but what you are during is boardline sexual harassment." Brock scratched the back of his head and nodded slowly.

"Hehe uh... then what should I do next?" Ash patted pikachu's head, thanks to his mother, Veronica and Leaf who taught him a lot about the ladies, but not love sadly. He actually knows how to flirt with woman, it just that he doesn't do it plus he have Leaf which is more than enough.

"Then after you all finished discussing all your breeder things, ask her for her number in case you have any more questions." Brock smacked his forehead, genius!

"Ash you're a genius!" Ash smiled and patted Brock's back.

"Just don't make it too obvious what you want, and make yourself more mysterious, woman always love a man who has secrets." Brock smiled, looks like he doesn't need to teach Ash about woman after all.

"Wow Ash I never knew this side of you!" Ash smirked.

"Don't reveal all your cards Brock." Brock smirked as he understood what Ash meant.

FLASHBACK END

"Wow who would help you Brock?" Misty asked while raising her eyebrow she was only in the waiting room for a while, how could he get nurse Joy's number that fast? Ash looked at pikachu who was looking at him with a grin on his face. Leaf caught it and realized who gave Brock the advice.

"Uh Ash we have to tell Brock and Misty something remember?"

"Oh yeah, Hey guys Leaf and I decided to go on a cruise on SS Anne after I beat Lt Surge so you guys in?" Misty immediately nodded and stood next to Ash.

"Eh but it ain't free you know." Misty grumbled and hung her head then she shot up.

"Wait I remembered that gym leaders and trainers who have 2 badges above will get a discount!" Ash was sweating slightly when his savior chipped in.

"Really that's great!" Brock said while standing between Ash and Misty, blocking Misty from getting to Ash. Ash and Leaf gave Brock a 'thank you' look.

"So I'll see you guys tomorrow, good night guys." Ash said quickly, Leaf then grabbed Ash's arm causing Misty to have steam coming out from her ears and nostrils.

"We haven't have dinner yet Ash." Leaf said in a soft and affectionate voice that will make you infatuated. Ash immediately blushed and nodded.

"O-oh yeah." Brock was wondering when are they going to confess with each other, while Misty is wondering when will Ash noticed her.

'Can't he see that I'm more beautiful, more talented and more skilled in battle than that bitch (No one calls Leaf a bitch)?' Misty thought while clenching her fists.

skip dinner

After dinner the co when back to their rooms.

"Man Misty has a bad eye on food." Ash said while holding his stomach, the food that Misty insisted was HORRIBLE.

"Yeah tell me about it, I feel like I'm going to puke?" Leaf said while rubbing her stomach.

"You okay Leaf?" Leaf smiled, Ash always care for her.

"Yeah I'll be fine, c'mon let us take a shower." Leaf took her tower and her clothes and saw Ash looking at her with his face as red as a charmeleon.

"What's wrong Ash?"

"Y-you said that let US take a shower." Leaf cocked her head to the side before she realized what she meant.

"I didn't mean that Ash!" Leaf said with her face beat red. Ash nodded shyly and Leaf quickly went to have a shower.

'Man Ash you are a pervert.' Ash thought to himself, of course she didn't meant that. Soon Leaf exited and Ash quickly went to have a shower before he climbed onto the warm and soft bed.

"I wonder what would the cruise be like?" Ash whispered to Leaf's ear since the pokemon are sleeping. Their eevee were all snuggled up with each other, Leaf's spearow was leaning onto Ash's pidgeotto, charmander was next to ivysaur, butterfree is next to his best friend beedrill and poliwhirl was leaning onto ivysaur.

"I don't know but I bet it would be very enjoyable." Leaf whispered back, pikachu and vulpix were at the end of the bed and were sleeping soundly.

"Yeah, good night Leaf." Ash said while putting his forehead against her's.

"Good night Ash." She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled deeper into his chest.

Wow that is a lot of Misty bashing, sorry guys but it just came out like that. And as for Ash being a know-it-all about girls, yeah I mean c'mon guys, during his life in Pallet town he was constantly surrounded by woman, Leaf, Delia, Veronica and Daisy so I think Ash should know how to treat and how to get the girls. Well that doesn't mean he is not dense about love (well he is less dense in this story) , he wouldn't be Ash Ketchum if he is not dense when it comes to romance so yeah. Anyway ooh Misty... not really my favorite character and if you all can't stand me making her look bad then kindly turn away, if not {face the wrath of seeing Misty being a complete bitch}. Sheesh don't know what came over me, anyway until next time.