Chapter 9: Gala-Ria

At the school's swimming pool, Ash jumped in the pool in a pair of swimming trunks. Bridget wore a blue swimsuit while Ash swam up and down the pool. Freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke, sidestroke… Ash seemed to be a natural in the water. "How do you do that?" gulped Bridget. Finishing one more lap, Ash used the ladder to climb out of the pool.

"Let's just say the beaches and I were fast friends," he joked. Bridget's eyes were glued to Ash's young and firm chest and fitting torso. Seeing Bridget's sudden mesmerized face, Ash looked puzzled. "What?" Bridget's reddened face slightly turned away.

"Not- Nothing!" Her face wasn't at Ash, but her eyes were magnetized to his torso. "I bet Corina would like seeing that chest you have." Ash huffed a chuckle while shrugging.

"I have to keep in shape as a Pokémon Trainer. Anyway, let's get you into the pool." Both of them entered the shallow end with Ash's neck above water. "Okay, what you need to know is that you don't have to go as fast as me. Give me your hands." Complying, Bridget grabbed Ash's wrists. "Okay, now I'm going to drag you out. Get ready to start kicking." He started to swim backwards and Bridget began to fidget. It made Ash stop. "Bridget… Relax… Don't panic." Bridget nodded, wanting for another attempt. Ash pulled her and she began to kick. "Get a rhythm going…" Ash continued to swim deeper into the deep side as Bridget's kicking became faster and frantic. Taillow, somehow out of his Pokéball, flew to see Ash and Bridget swimming. Bridget's legs tired and she relaxed with her head barely above water.

"I'm sorry, Ash. Transformed, this wouldn't be a problem."

"I see… Does the school have flippers or a board?" Bridget shook no. Taillow began to caw a little, alarming the two. "Taillow, what are you doing out of your Pokéball?" Taillow squawked after landing poolside.

"Ash, do Pokémon do that? Escape from their balls on their own?"

"Yeah, especially Jessie's Wobbufett and Misty's Psyduck… and now that I think about it… he also couldn't swim, which is ironic since Psyduck's a Water Pokémon." Bridget and Taillow gawked to the news and began to laugh. "Anyway, ready to continue?" Bridget didn't seem eager to press on.

"Can we continue later? I do want to grab flippers to get a feeling of actual swimming." The refusal made Ash sigh.

"I guess we can. Besides, I need to get set for the gala."

"Right, you may need to wash the chlorine from your hair." Ash came out of the pool where Zoey, Megan and Mimi emerged from the locker room. Megan and Mimi gawked and cooed to Ash's ripped bod.

"What... a... bod!" shuttered Mimi.

"Heaven hold me back!" awed Megan. Ash gulped to seeing Megan and Mimi and that Taillow's still around. The Tiny Swallow Pokémon flew over to Zoey. Megan palmed Ash's chest. "This is real… Oh my goodness, the Beckies can't have this!" Mimi also wanted to feel Ash's chest when Zoey pulled them away.

"No!" she refused. "Ash doesn't need to be prodded by you, especially when he's got a promise to the Bucksworth family." Megan and Mimi gasped to the refusal of access to Ash.

"Wait, you introduced Ash to the Bucksworths?" repeated Mimi. "And… I heard a gala was taking place tonight." Megan noticed Taillow and approached the two.

"Also, is that a baby swallow you have?" she assumed. "Can I pet it?" Zoey nervously giggled, trying not to reveal the Pokémon's name.

"It's a bit picky at who it chooses to be with," Zoey warned.

"Yeah, birds don't become quick friends like that," Megan believed. "Still, there's always that mouse I've wanted to see again." Realizing that she meant Pikachu, Ash, Bridget and Zoey had shivers of nervously laughing. Taillow looked like it didn't want to be there.

"There may be a point to do so," Bridget promised. Ash, Zoey and Taillow gulped to the offer.

'Bridget!' they scowled mentally. 'Too soon!' After getting out of the pool, then the school, Ash, Zoey and Bridget returned to Wesley's home. Chlorine cleaned from his body, Ash got help from the girls in preparing for the gala to come. Pikachu heard about Taillow nearly exposing Ash's secret.

"I'm sure Taillow didn't mean to get Ash in trouble," Wesley assured. "Besides, it does pass off as a regular bird in hindsight, same with you and Torkoal." Pikachu seemed to wonder to Wesley's point. Mark aided in Ash getting clothes like a vest to wear over a long button-down white shirt. Renée came by and touched up Ash's hair in which it was down and clean instead of wild.

"Hopefully, Mickey can have fun with the other Pokémon," Mark believed. "I called Corina ahead of our arrival." Ash became concerned with the exposure of his Pokémon at the gala.

"I did wish there was time for me to help you for tonight," Renée sighed. "Still, we're representing Café Mew so hopefully, it may make the bank with you." Ash hoped to stay positive as the evening rolled around. The Mews had the boys with them to Bucksworth mansion where people gathered for the gala. Classical music began to play and plenty of people came to the ballroom to celebrate. Renée sneaked off to the upstairs and released Pikachu with Mickey and dropped off the other Pokéballs. Mickey sniffed around the balls before Pikachu pressed one to increase the size. Mickey pressed the same button, releasing Torkoal. Curious, Mickey sniffed around the Coal Pokémon and climbed on top.

("That's Mickey, Corina's pet,") Pikachu squeaked. ("He wants to know all of us.") Understanding, Torkoal lowered himself for Mickey to climb. Mickey licked Torkoal's face, tickling the Fire-Type. Pikachu released the rest of the Pokémon and Grovyle saw people outside. Corphish came over to see Mickey and Pikachu warned the Ruffian Pokémon about behavior. Mickey climbed on top of Torkoal and felt the heat, allowing him to relax. Kikki, wearing a yellow dress, stayed by Renée who wore a strapless magenta gown and high-heeled sandals. Matching Ash, Wesley, Mark and Elliot wore vests over their shirts.

"First time attending a gala?" asked Elliot.

"I believe it's my second," Ash guessed. "I don't know if the party on the Saint Anne counts since Misty, Brock and I didn't wear anything formal."

"Nah, it doesn't count," Wesley corrected. They came to the ballroom in which the boys saw Renée having a chance to dance with young men. One young raven-haired young man met the group. He wore a business suit and was taller than Ash.

"So, you're the one that's affected my sister's heart?" he voiced. "At least, it's from what she's told me this afternoon when I came home to see the preparations." Everyone turned to the raven-haired.

"Sergio!" identified Kikki. Ash took a drink of punch before turning to Wesley.

"Sergio?" he repeated.

"Sergio Bucksworth, Corina's older brother," Wesley clarified. Ash sighed, knowing what to say.

"I don't know about affecting Corina's heart," he shrugged. "But if anything, I do want to support her." He and Sergio shook hands.

"Same here," Sergio believed. "I just haven't had anytime with boarding school that's different than Corina's tutoring, not to mention manage business deals."

"I can't imagine. At least Corina's not alone, especially with her friends at Café Mew, Mickey and myself." Sergio chuckled as a brunette woman soon approached the boys.

"Is one of you Elliot Grant?" she asked. Elliot rose his hand. "Great… I'm here to see if any sponsors are up your alley." Elliot followed the brunette while Zoey emerged in a pink dress.

"Classical music isn't really my taste," she admitted with Bridget arriving in a green gown. She took Ash's hand.

"But I'm more inclined to it," she offered. "Come, I can teach you a few more moves since you taught me about swimming." She escorted Ash to the floor where she guided Ash's hands: one to her hip and the other to her outstretched hand. "Now, it's time you start moving your feet. Turn and step with your right…" Ash gulped to the notion before moving to follow Bridget. She led and allowed Ash to pursue, step by step. Ash stumbled but Bridget helped keep him standing. "Now, we're gonna move toward each other, but don't break our hand hold." Ash nodded before they made the attempt. They crossed and turned but never broke their hold. However, Bridget was pulled back and barreled into Ash. Both hit the dancefloor, literally. Zoey and Renée came out to the floor to help the two up.

"Are you okay!?" asked Renée. She pulled Ash up while Zoey brought Bridget to her heels. Ash's hair began to loosen and stand.

"I'm good," Ash dismissed.

"Yeah, so am I," Bridget muttered. Kikki sighed in relief before she saw the smorgasbord of food on the tables.

"The buffet is open!" she cheered. The others watched, rather astonished.

"Kikki!" shouted Bridget. "Wait!" Ash shrugged to the antic.

"She would've been better off upstairs with the rest," he muttered.

"No, that would be worse," Renée denied.

"Anyway, I see that you're good at dancing," Zoey noticed. "Corina's gonna have a good time."

"I can bet," Ash giggled while not knowing about the blue-haired girl just behind. She wore a shoulder-less blue gown and Mary Jane stilettos.

"Was that a lesson from Bridget?" she sneered. Ash jumped and turned around.

"Co- Corina?" Seeing his reaction, Corina giggled.

"By the way, I thought it was the uniform you're wearing if not for the vest. Not a bad choice, you want to look attracting." Ash scoffed with a smile.

"Brock would pull it off better than I can."

"But Brock's not here… and you have the opportunity to be with me." She took Ash's hand with hers that were dressed by white arm-length gloves. Music played and Ash and Corina began to dance.

"Go get her, Tiger," Wesley cheered. Taillow emerged from the upstairs and flew to perch high up, not willing to be seen.

"You know, ever since you and Pikachu burst through the door to Café Mew," Corina started. "I didn't want anyone else to serve you, not even Kikki." This made Ash wonder.

"Oh?" he lisped. "I'm surprised. Is there something about me that you like?"

"There's plenty, but I just feel as if you may be the knight who'd escort me out of my castle. Besides, you protected us from those weirdos and I don't necessarily mean Team Rocket. You've also been a staunch helper with the Café and that we learned a lot about Pokémon and your world. Don't take it the wrong way, but I'm glad that you escaped Petalburg City." Ash shook his head, not minding the ordeal.

"Are you saying that you want us to be more than just friends?"

"I know, right? A young rich girl with a boy how can travel to anywhere he wants." She performed a pirouette and Ash reconnected their stances. "Also, the new sponsors who've come by not only will help with the Bucksworth name, but also to fund Café Mew and the supplies possible when those aliens strike again." The song ended and everyone stopped. The turned to Ash and Corina, face-to-face and chest-to-chest.

"So, we're both taken care of."

"In more ways than a few." She kissed Ash on the lips which Taillow gawked to. They held each other's lips for a solid minute with everyone applauding the move by the heir to the Bucksworth name.

"She wanted a chance to do this since they first met," Mark chuckled. Late into the night, the gala ended.

"Well, we have new sponsors for Café Mew and it's guaranteed the Bucksworth name won't be vanishing anytime soon," Wesley summarized. He joined Elliot, Mark, Ash and the Mew Mews in being with Mickey and the Pokémon in the room they were held in.

"I know we need to bring Ash and his Pokémon back home," Zoey reminded. "But at the same time, I do want a chance to hold Pikachu at home." Mark didn't think it was a good idea.

"What about your family?" he reminded. Zoey stopped and became red in the face. Corphish began to wonder.

"Right, my dad would try to kill him," she shivered. Pikachu gawked and nearly fainted at that news. "Mickey would be more likable anyway at home." Mickey pawed Pikachu's side to calm him down.

"You know, before we do bring you back to the Pokémon World, Ash," Corina began. "I do want to have a date with you." Ash's eyes lit up.

"A… A date?" he repeated.

"It'll be between the two of us. We can see a movie, we can have dinner together…" The options made Ash be favoring the idea.

"Anything with food sounds good." To Corina, her relationship with Ash began.

"Thank you, dear." She kissed his cheek. They left and Ash found Zoey and Mark on their way home.

"Zoey!" he called out. "Mark!" Zoey and Mark turned to Ash.

"Hey, what's up?" questioned Zoey.

"I know you two are boyfriend and girlfriend," he recalled.

"Yeah…" confirmed Mark.

"Could you two tell me about dates?" he wondered. Zoey and Mark just about burst out laughing to Ash's question.

"You serious?" he snickered.

"I wouldn't be asking if I did!" argued Ash. Zoey and Mark calmed down before straightening out.

"Okay, come on!" urged Zoey. "Let's talk about it tomorrow." Ash knew he wasn't ready for such a thing. With a date looming for the date, Ash may need to do something for Corina to keep her happy.

TO BE CONTINUED...