Chapter Disclaimer: No ownership of songs
Chapter 11: Skate, Sing, Eat, Play, Watch

At an ice arena, Ash and Corina rented ice skates and dressed their feet. They finished lacing their skates and Corina stood. It was the first stop on Ash and Corina's date. "Ready?" she asked.

"Yep," Ash grinned. He tried to stand but fell back onto the bench. He winced but toughened out. "It feels like I'm walking on stilts."

"First-timers are like that. Here!" Corina offered her arms and pulled Ash to his blades. They walked on the cushioned floor as they made their way to the rink. Corina entered and started her skating on the ice. Ash was a step away when he fell to the side, nearly clipping his nose on the support wall. Once back on his skates, Corina came to help Ash on the ice. "I know that first-timers fall a few times… but they do on the ice, not before." Ash sighed before Corina escorted him on the rink. People skating around noticed the pair. The boys began to irk.

"Isn't that Corina Bucksworth?" one guy asked.

"What's the heiress doing here?" another young man pondered.

"And with a commoner like-" a third young man stopped himself when he saw who Ash was. "Wait a second, isn't that the boy who tamed that tiger in the zoo?"

"You mean the pregnant one after some short-minded teens agitated her?" the second man recalled. The girls, seeing Ash and Corina, groaned as well.

"Why is it that she gets to go out with him?" a girl whined.

"He's more suited with at least one of us!" another girl complained.

"So why the Bucksworth heiress!?" cried one more girl. Ash and Corina noticed the score of people eyeing them.

"We're gathering a lot of attention," Ash noticed.

"Well, my family is known throughout," Corina pointed out. "So, they may see something like us together as unusual." Ash bobbed a nod while studying how people traveled on ice skates.

"I think I've got it figured out." Corina blinked before Ash pushed off with his back skate. He began skating, rocking back and forth. Corina seemed in awe at how Ash learned quickly to ice skate and followed. "I see why people get a rush on these." When he saw the support wall approaching, he gawked and tried to turn his body, only he flew sideways into the wall, falling onto the ice back-first.

"Ash!" Reaching, Corina looked to her date as he shook off the blow and stood up.

"Okay, I guess I've got a few things to handle."

"No one gets it done on the first day."

"True…" Ash skated again with Corina as he viewed other skaters doing spins like drills on the fronts of their skates. "That guy had to have a lot of time to spin like Hitmontop."

"Yes, since some of them have practiced techniques like spinning, balance and even jumps. My ballet has helped whenever I have been on the ice. Watch!" She sped toward the center of the rink, twisted her body around and lifted one leg. Suddenly, she swung her leg back forward and jumped, spinning in the air for a moment before landing on her skate again without much momentum lost. The crowd applauded.

"Nice Double Axel!" a woman cheered as Corina returned to Ash's side.

"Nice…" he awed. "I highly doubt I'd pull something like that off."

"Not on your first day, for sure!" chuckled Corina.

"But I can see ice skating helping down the road in future battles." This made Corina wonder.

"Right, like momentum for strong attacks and evasions." That made Ash snicker.

"You'd actually make a great trainer with how fast you understood my thinking." A giggle lisped from Corina's lips.

"Maybe so- LOOK OUT!" Hearing the warning, Ash turned to see a man cutting them off. Ash tried to stop, but his momentum caught an edge as he jerked his body. The man gasped and ducked as Ash rolled on top of him before flipping over. He landed backwards on his skates and proceeded on in reverse. Corina gasped and saw that Ash would be okay. Everyone but the man that caused it gasped in shock but soon applauded. Ash shyly giggled, knowing he didn't intend to do a stunt like that. The man apologized and Ash took his word. After an hour on the ice, Ash and Corina left to another building with musical notes on it. The two found a room which there was a large monitor and a stage with a microphone.

"First, ice skating and now, karaoke?"

"It's fun to have on dates from what Zoey and Mark mentioned." Corina selected a song. "Here, you don't have to worry about hurting your body. Allow me." After a few seconds, a song began to play. Corina cleared her throat before she began to sing. A minute in, she sensed the chorus. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger; Stand a little taller; Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone… What doesn't kill you makes a fighter; Footsteps even lighter; Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone; What doesn't kill you makes you… STRONGER! STRONGER! Just me, myself and I." After that song, Ash found one that caught his interest and began to sing it. He reached his chorus.

"I love to hate and hate to love! I'd give it up but nothing's good enough… So bring it on, give me more of that stuff; I… love to hate… Love to hate to love!" Then, Ash and Corina did a duet. Ash hit his line. "You wanna give up 'cause it's dark."

"We're really not that far apart…"

"So let your heart, sweetheart; Be your compass when you're lost," they sang together. "And you should follow it wherever it may go; When it's all said and done, you can walk instead of run; 'Cause no matter what, you'll never be alone!" A couple of hours later, Ash and Corina came out with CDs of the songs they chose. It was 12 tracks with the original musicians on it.

"Hero" - Chad Kroger and Josey Scott
"Elevation" - U2
"What I've Done" - Linkin Park
"Love to Hate to Love" - No Connection
"Stronger" - Kelly Clarkson
"Evolution"- Ayumi Hamasaki
"Waiting for Tonight" - Jennifer Lopez
"Music" - Madonna
"You're the One that I Want" - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
"It takes two" - Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston
"Compass" - Lady Antebellum
"Opposites Attract" - Paula Abdul & DJ Skat Kat

"I'd say that was a really fun time singing together," Ash laughed as they entered a hamburger restaurant. "I can imagine Misty or May or my mom having some of the songs."

"Hey, some of those songs are ones I haven't heard of, but I enjoyed it," Corina smiled. "Speaking of, how have you been doing since that mob attack back home?" Taken a little aback, Ash began to ponder about his few weeks with the Mew Mews.

"It's… been a blast. It's funny since… I don't like staying in one place for a long time, even at my actual home."

"So, you want to see everything and go everywhere?"

"Mostly… Suddenly, I sound a lot like May. Funny enough, she didn't want to be a trainer herself." This made Corina's eyelid lift in curiosity.

"You did tell us… but I can also see how it relates to you. There's so much about your home that makes me want to come and visit."

"When we do find a way back- and safely- you're more than welcomed, including Mickey." Corina huffed a giggle.

"Mickey may be happy there, but I'm not sure. He does enjoy Pikachu but there may be another Pokémon that may be his favorite." Sensing an opportunity, Ash felt needed to ask a question.

"About favorites, what is it about me that you like?" This made Corina blink.

"Something… about you?" She began to giggle. "You had that look of determination when I first saw you. I mean, you did that to protect your Pokémon, but you appeared that you had more to do." Ash nodded, sensing Corina's direction.

"I've had that for as long as I can remember. It's not just with my Pokémon."

"Apparently… After all, you've done a lot to help provide Cafe Mew, helping Bridget with her swimming issues… And that's another thing about you: honesty."

"Trust me, I'm not one who wants to lie."

"No, I believe it. Would you believe that it's the first time I've fallen for someone? Sure, Zoey, Kikki, Bridget, Renee…"

"You didn't want to feel left out."

"That, and I did worry that anyone who did fall for me were only after the inheritance."

"Corina, money is money. I never have to worry about it. All I needed in life were Pokémon to raise and be a Pokémon Master. Besides, money doesn't have feelings like us." Corina smiled to the comment. After they ate, they came to the theater. There were a line of movie wallpapers on display. "So, what do you wanna watch?" Corina didn't look at the wallpapers, but to Ash.

"Actually, I think I'll let you choose." Corina's offer made Ash jump.

"Me? Really?"

"Well, the ice rink and karaoke were my ideas. It wouldn't be right without you getting a fair share on our date."

"Wow… Thanks."

"So, what's it going to be? There are a decent selection of re-released movies." Ash stepped up to see which movies appealed to him.

"Let's see… Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, King Kong, Avatar…" That's when he eyed one poster with a white-haired military man with dog tags standing in front of a dog-faced creature. "That one looks interesting." Looking, Corina couldn't find the poster.

"Which one?"

"Small Soldiers." Seeing where Ash pointed, Corina's eyelid rose.

"Small Soldiers?" The poster Ash pointed to made Corina ponder. "I think I've heard of this old movie; something about a brand of action figures that come to life thanks to some special microchip. I don't know anything else other than that. Seems like a flick for boy if you ask me."

"It does, but I'm still interested if it's okay." A sigh from Corina told Ash that she'd hope for something not childish.

"Well, it's your choice so I'll give it a shot. Maybe it'll be a bit more entertaining than what I've heard. I just hope there's a little romance in it."

"I just hope it's as good as it's advertised." They entered the theater and exited with tickets. They observed the times.

"According to our tickets, we have an hour before the movie starts." Ash's eye caught an arcade building.

"How about we hit the arcade to pass the time?" To Corina, it's a good place to have fun.

"Sure… We can have some fun while we wait for the movie to be ready."

"Not to mention getting sodas and popcorn within ten minutes before the first scene."

"Perfect!" They entered to which the dating couple battled in a fighting game. Ash's character was a green-skinned, orange-haired muscled beast while Corina's character was a blond with twin pigtails and a red beret. She wore a green leotard and knee-high boots. The green-skinned beast kept rolling around and the blond spun around. When Corina's character spun at Ash's, she passed his aerial roll.

"Cannon Drill!" the blond shouted as she performed a spinning dropkick. Ash mashed the buttons when the green-skinned beast began to emit electricity. It struck the blond and she cried as she landed on the ground. The beast roared triumphantly.

"Blanka wins!" a man's voice rang out. Corina sighed but Ash pumped a fist. On another arcade machine, Ash struggled hitting arrow panels in accordance to the arrows flying upward on the screen while Corina's legs matched the commands as they danced. The speed became so much that Ash tripped himself and landed on his face, his feet catching the back of his head. Corina stood gracefully as Ash recovered. They returned to the theater with twelve minutes to spare. They grabbed popcorn and sodas as they entered to see Small Soldiers. In one scene, a young man entered a room with muffled screams from a girl. Ash and Corina watched intently.

"I wasn't expecting a thriller with this, but it's getting interesting," Ash whispered.

"Alan likes Christy, he knows it," Corina quietly pointed. They watched as deformed dolls attacked the male lead. The dog-face figure freed the blond girl as she tore off the duct tape and attacked the dolls.

"Alright, Archer…" quietly cheered Ash. The kids fought back.

"I always hated these things!" the blond in the movie scowled. There was an explosion and then the kids hacking away at the nightmarish dolls. The blond girl turned to the brunette boy. "You rescued me!" When they kissed, Corina's eyes started to bulge out with hints of laughter while Ash whistled.

"Anytime..." the brunette boy replied. Ash nodded to the scene. After the movie, Ash and Corina had gone to shopping.

"So, a military contractor pushes production of two lines of toys," Ash reviewed. "Implants microchips into the Commando Elite and the Gorgonites, causing havoc in the small town and Alan and Christy end up helping the Gorgonites and GloboTech is paying for the damages. Boy, I can't wait to see all the bills sent to Team Rocket for all the damages they've done."

"Right?" believed Corina. "I'm happy that Alan and Christy have a chance to understand their relationship." She awed brilliant blue heels, some jewels and dresses. Ash found spring jackets and t-shirts that he favored. After the shopping, Ash and Corina headed to the mansion.

"That was a fun first date for us." He tried to hide his grimace in carrying all of the bags.

"Skating, karaoke, burgers, video games, movies, shopping… and I couldn't have had it with a young man I like." That's when Ash noticed Corina's arms crossed, held by the biceps.

"You okay?" Hearing his concern, Corina turned to Ash.

"Oh, yeah… I'm fine. Just a little cold right now. It is rather chilly tonight." Ash felt the cool breeze, confirming Corina's realization.

"Yeah, it is…" That's when he put the bags down and removed his jacket. Corina seemed skeptical.

"What are you doing?" Rather than answer by words, Ash dressed Corina with his jacket, much to her surprise.

"That should keep you cozy until we reach the mansion." It made Corina's concerns rise.

"But… what about you!? Won't you get cold!?" Her eyes saw a smile from Ash's face.

"Don't worry about me. You're more important. I can take this." He then snickered to his own retort. "Believe me, I've been through much colder areas than this in my travels." This made Corina's cheeks blush and she latched onto Ash in a hug. Tears trickled from her face.

"Thank you, Ash. You're the sweetest young man I've ever met."

"Anytime, Corina… Anytime." They soon reached the mansion in which became the end of the night and their date. "Well, this is it."

"I know… Honestly, I wished you'd join me as well."

"Hey, it might happen." That's when Corina remembered one more piece of information.

"But tonight, there's one more thing to close our date. It tells you how of my satisfaction of it."

"Oh? And what's the ruling?" Instead of words, and with the other Mews and Pikachu watching from the windows, Corina's lips reached and held Ash's lips. Humbled, Ash accepted and absorbed the kiss as Corina popped her foot up. The Mews ate the scene up. The kiss gave Ash a clear ruling. "If that's for a good date, I don't want to know about one that's bad." Corina laughed to Ash's suspicion.

"Probably not. Well, goodnight, my prince." Corina's naming made Ash want to try.

"You too, my dancer." With that, Ash and Corina separated and Corina entered her mansion. Inside, the Mews surrounded Corina with Pikachu jumping into her arms.

"Did you have a great time, Corina?" asked Kikki eagerly.

"We did, Kikki," Corina smiled. "Ash is… a boy that I can't let go if that comes to pass."

("He's always something to us,") Pikachu squeaked. Corina's petting of Ash's Pokémon had Pikachu wonder if there was more.

"I do wish I can be there when we bring you and Ash back and to where you need to be for him to become the best," she hoped.

"So do we," Renee agreed.

"He's helped us, so why can't we help him?" pointed Bridget. Corina nodded. Ash was joined by Mark, Elliot and Wesley.

"And here's the man of the hour!" joked Elliot.

"So, how did the date go?" asked Mark.

"I got a lot to learn but I've got a brilliant experience," Ash replied.

"Great," Wesley cheered. "How about some hot cocoa and sleep?"

"Yeah, I don't want to come to work sick!" reminded Ash. To Ash and Corina, it was a great step to a relationship. Their bond may be put to the test soon enough.

TO BE CONTINUED...