A/N - Here's chapter 10! I can't believe I'm at the double digits already.

-I DO NOT OWN POKEMON-

THE BLUE SPIRIT

CHAPTER 10 – EXPOSED FEARS

Solid reached the ground floor and moved towards the pink haired nurse. As he approached her, the nurse smiled.

"Things going well Ash?"

"Pretty well I must say. Oh and call me Solid from now on."

"Okay, no problem. So what can I do for you Solid?"

"Not much, just here's Richie's room key. He won't be needing it since we're sharing my room, or pent house I should say. Also, why would President Goodshow give me such a large suite?"

"Maybe because he's a fan? I'm not too sure, but you were always a popular trainer at all the tournaments you participated in. Maybe he knew you would come to this one and wanted you to have a good time so you keep coming back. Many it's a publicity and money making thing. Honestly, there could be a million reasons," finished Nurse Joy.

"Hmm….maybe. I wanted to know why but I guess you make sense. Thanks Nurse Joy."

"Oh just call me Joy, Solid." Joy's face flushed pink.

"Ah, okay, if you want me to. So, ah, Joy, have any other trainers registered yet?"

"Oh just a couple. It's still barely 10am right now. I'll probably get a mad rush around lunch time."

"Okay. Thanks…"

Suddenly, two flashes of light brightened the area for a second and Lucario and Gardevoir appeared beside him. Pikachu unzipped himself from Solid's backpack and got back on his shoulder, stretching.

"Hey Pikachu, sorry buddy, it took so long and I kind of forgot you were in there. You were so quiet."

Pikachu gave him a little shock and Joy giggled. "Pi pika chu chu pi kachu pika."

"Alright I'm sorry, it won't happen again. But you were napping so what did it matter?"

"Chu!" Pikachu crossed his arms and turned away. Solid chuckled.

"Alright alright, it does matter. Sorry bud. How about some ketchup for an apology?" Pikachu quickly nuzzled his cheek against Solid's hair in gratitude and accepted the apology.

"Joy, can you get me some ketchup please?"

"Sure thing Solid. Just give me a moment." Joy disappeared behind a door to get the ketchup.

"Master what are you doing?!" shot Lucario once they were alone.

"What?"

"How do you expect to keep your identity a secret if you're constantly around them? What if they find out who you are? And what about Pikachu? You promised him you'll let him out in the room."

Gardevoir nodded when Solid glanced at her. He hung his head.

"I just couldn't stand around and do nothing. It's been so long since I saw them, I just wanted to help out and be around them again. Can you understand that? And I'll let Pikachu out in my room only when I leave and I'll always lock the door. Does that sound okay with you bud?"

"Pi pikachu!"

"Thanks Pikachu, I knew you'd understand. You miss them too huh?"

"Pika…" The yellow mouse's ears drooped and he had a sullen expression appear on his face.

"Yea I know. But what we're doing is to help and protect them, remember that. We are doing this to save everyone okay?"

"Pika!" Pikachu agreed and pumped his little fist into the air. The four of them smiled.

"That's the spirit!" said Solid, mimicking Pikachu's display.

Joy walked back in with a bottle of ketchup and was about to ask what happened when Pikachu jumped off from Solid's shoulder and launched itself at the bottle.

"EEEKK!" squeaked Joy.

She wasn't afraid of pokémon, even the most powerful ones. But what the yellow mouse just did she wasn't expecting. Solid, Lucario and Gardevoir started laughing as Pikachu grabbed the bottle and started fumbling around with it, trying to get it open. Finally Pikachu got the bottle open by smacking it against the counter top, breaking it and causing some ketchup to explode onto Joy. Solid and the other two fell to the floor holding their guts, laughing so hard they couldn't breathe. Joy was in shock then glared at Solid as she peered over the counter to look at him on the floor.

"So you think that's funny huh Solid?" said Joy dangerously. Her cheeks were red with embarrassment, and her uniform covered in ketchup. "Well, I think it'll be hilarious if I tell a certain group of people that a certain trainer is here and watch what happens next. What do you think?"

That shut up Solid quickly. He looked at her with fear in his widening eyes.

"You wouldn't…"

Joy continued to glare at him for a moment, but suddenly a smile formed on her face.

"No, of course I won't. But that look of fear on your face was priceless!"

Joy then doubled up in laughter. Lucario, Gardevoir and even Pikachu joined in with Joy, laughing at Solid. Solid helped himself up back onto his feet, an evil smile on his face appeared that nobody but Pikachu noticed.

"That was a good one. I'm impressed Joy. Sorry about laughing at you. How about I take you out for dinner as an apology?" Solid asked with such charm and sincerity in his words that it caused Joy to instantly stop laughing and her face immediately flushed red.

"I..ah…ah…I…ah….." muttered Joy at first, then just opened and closed her mouth like a gaping fish.

There was a flash of light. Solid had taken a photo of Joy's stunned reaction with his Poketch. He looked at the picture.

"Now that's a priceless face!" smirked Solid.

Gardevoir smacked Solid upside the back of his head while Lucario and Pikachu laughed out loud. Joy snapped out of her daze from his comment and figured out he was only playing with her.

"Ooooo! That's it! You don't mess with a girl like that Solid!"

She climbed over the counter with surprising speed and ability and tried to punch Solid but he caught her hand in mid strike. He smiled at her stunned expression.

"Joy, I'm surprised at you. You're supposed to be the caring and calm type. I wasn't kidding about taking you out for dinner you know." He let the words wash over her and again the nurse's face turned red. He let go of her hand. "You know, with a girl that has her face turn red as often as you, I'm surprised it hasn't caused skin damage yet."

"Shut up you dork." Joy punched him in the shoulder playfully, smiling. Solid chuckled.

"Sorry about the mess. We'll clean it up." He nodded at Gardevoir whose eyes glowed blue and the mess was instantly cleaned up and Joy's uniform was spot free.

"Wow, thanks Solid."

"No problem. It was Pikachu's mess."

"Pika!" Pikachu sent a small jolt of electricity at Solid, causing him to yelp a little from the sudden shock.

Joy giggled.

"By the way, thanks for the laughs. And no, you're not going to take me out for dinner, even as just friends."

"Why not?"

"Do you really think I want to risk my life with those four who are already falling head over heels for you?"

"Oh right. Heh. It would've been fun, you know. Dodging around them and playing games with their heads. But in the end, I still like each of them a lot and when they found out, they would've murdered us both." Solid and Joy laughed. After they finished laughing, Joy spoke.

"Why do you always play like you're dense around them Solid? I've heard from my sisters about how there was a boy that didn't get that he was traveling around with a girl who liked him a lot and

from all over. Their description of that boy was the same each time but the girls' description changed from time to time. That was you wasn't it? Why act dense when you clearly know what's going on?"

"Well, sometimes I actually didn't notice and they just thought that's how I am, so I just played along. It kind of helps as well since it lets me see how they act around me without them noticing that I like them. It did help in getting away with some sneak peeks and some other stuff too." Solid grinned.

Joy elbowed him in the stomach. "Pervert."

Solid grunted. "Should've seen that coming."

"But that doesn't answer my question as to why you haven't told any of them that you like them. How come you haven't said anything yet?"

Solid looked at her for a long time, trying to decide whether he can tell her or not. Lucario, Pikachu and Gardevoir were silent, waiting for Solid to answer. They were surprised that he might tell another of his problem with the girls. Finally, he sighed and answered her.

"Because I'm too afraid Joy."

"What?" Joy gasped. "You're afraid? Why?"

"It's a long story but I'll try to make it short. At first it was just Misty, we were always fighting and insulting each other. But then things just happened out of nowhere like us arguing but mostly in a teasing way and we always joked around each other. And we were always there for each other. I started liking her more but then she left to do her own thing and I was too scared to mention anything. Then I met May and we had a lot in common, like I haven't met anyone who has an appetite like me but she can give me a run for my money. Then she left too before I could say anything. Then I met Dawn, who is the most cheerful and happiest person I've ever met, who could always pick me up from a bad mood. I liked her too and then she left before I could say anything. Iris, well, nothing ever clicked between us and I know she doesn't like me in that way at all so I'm not even worried about her. I think her and Cilan have a thing for each other anyway. Finally, there's Serena, who I knew as I kid a long time ago. I helped her out and gave her a gift to help her stay strong. I didn't think of her that way at first, but soon she grew on me too. She was the first girl I went out on an actual date with. But again, before I could muster up the courage to do anything, we went our separate ways. It's always been that way. I used to believe that there was something wrong with me since I never could find out why I never took a chance…." Solid stopped talking as he looked at the floor. The pokémon looked sullen and Joy frowned at the sad story.

"But you found out why didn't you?" persisted Joy. Solid looked up.

"Yes I did. I thought long and hard about it. I finally realized why I've been so afraid to take a shot…Wait, why am I telling you all this?" said Solid, panicking suddenly.

"Sometimes it's easier to tell a person you just met your secrets than a close friend since they don't know you that well. But I promise not to tell anyone," said Joy. Solid nodded in understanding.

"I see. Ok, thanks. Anyways, here's what I figured out. I believe ever since my father left me, I've been too afraid to have someone that close to me in my life again because I have this huge fear that if I ever love someone, then they'll just leave me like he did. I guess I just figured it would be easier letting a friend go then trying to put the pieces of my heart back together again," finished Solid. Tears were rapidly forming in Joy's face and she hugged Solid.

"I'm so sorry that's how you feel. I thought it was some stupid made up reason. But now I see, you're haunted from your past. You want to move on but you're having a hard time in doing so. I've never known anyone to be going through such a thing." Joy started crying into his chest. Solid frowned. He didn't like it when girls cried because it always made him sad.

"It's okay Joy. It's not like it's your fault," joked Solid as he patted her on her back with one hand while the other returned her hug. "But I have to say, thank you." Joy looked up at him with a confused expression on her face. "I've kept that in for so long. Getting it off my chest feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Thanks for that, Joy. Oh and please keep that between us." Joy nodded, promising to keep the secret and pulled herself together, letting go of Solid and finally smiling.

"Okay Solid. And I'm gonna help you with these four. I promise I will do anything and everything I can to help these girls know how much you care about them."

"Whoa, what do you mean by them? Do you really want them to kill each other? To kill me? I don't even know who I like more anyways! Plus, I think they forgot about 'Ash' already. Do you see how smitten they are with 'Solid'?" grumbled Solid.

"Hey relax, three of my sisters are with the same guy and they know and they're fine with it."

Solid's jaw dropped. "What?!"

"Yea, three of them are dating the same guy. He's an Elite Four member, always working out and he's pretty buff."

"Bruno?!"

"Yea, that's him."

"No way…damn, lucky son of a bitch."

"Yea he is I guess. But so are you Solid."

"Huh, what? I'm not like him."

"No, you're not. But you do have several girls pining after you and you seem to care about each of them the same since each one connects to you in a different way. Also, they are only smitten with 'Solid' because that mask you created for yourself is too similar to 'Ash', that's why they're smitten with him. You may have changed your face, but you're still the same person. That's why you and they just can't help being drawn together. I bet my career that if you were to have 'Solid' leave right now and have 'Ash' come back, they wouldn't bat an eye and would be much happier. It may be a little difficult at first, but once everyone is on the same page, it'll be smooth sailing after."

"You know you're talking about an impossible miracle right? There is no way this will ever happen. I'm not that lucky. I don't deserve any of them, let alone all four and I'm missed my chance already."

Joy punched him hard in the chest suddenly and Solid grunted.

"What was that for?!"

"Because you're acting like an idiot. Stop putting yourself down and keep your chin up. I said I'll help and that's final. I only ask for one thing in return."

"What, a date?" joked Solid. Joy scoffed.

"No, smartass. That you treat the four girls right and love them all equally. It's not against the law to have multiple spouses but very few do it since it causes headaches in most cases. But for you and those four girls, I don't think you'll have any trouble regarding that."

"Thanks Joy. You're a very good friend. It's a little early to talk about marriage though don't you think?" Solid smiled then hugged her.

"No problem Solid. Yea, I guess so. I'll help them see how much they miss and love 'Ash' and you just keep being yourself. It'll help them realize what's in their hearts. From what I've heard from my sisters, and how they acted here in front of me, I'm positive that they're always thinking of you."

"Yea, Dawn gave a good tackle. My back still hurts a bit. Never thought a small girl could be that strong." Joy punched him again for the comment. "Hey, you know what I mean!"

"I know," giggled Joy. Solid rolled his eyes. "You should probably head back up before they come down looking for you."

"Yea you're right. C'mon guys. Pikachu, close that bottle up. We're leaving." Pikachu pouted. "Don't give me that look. You can take it with you and finish it up back in the room but right now close it somehow and get back into my backpack, alright buddy?" Pikachu nodded, perked up that he can keep the ketchup and jumped into the open backpack and zipped it up again.

"You're Pikachu is one of a kind Solid."

"Yup, all of my pokémon are," grinned Solid. Gardevoir blushed slightly at the compliment while Lucario didn't react. The three moved again towards the elevator but once they reached it, Solid turned back to look at Joy.

"Joy, would you like to go out though?"

"I told you, I'm not gonna go out with you!" snapped Joy, mad.

"I know, not with me. I mean I could set you up with one of my friends if you'd like."

"Oh." She blushed. "Um, I don't know."

"I'll take that as a yes. I'll let you know who I have in mind later on once I figure out whose good enough for you." That comment made Joy flush red in embarrassment.

"You don't have to. And I'm not that special," Joy said quietly, though Solid heard it clearly. He called back to her.

"Hey, yes you are. You and your sisters may look alike, but you're very different from them. I'd say you're one of a kind. And my friends deserve the best." Solid stepped inside the open elevator and hit the button for his floor. "I'll let you know who once I figure it out and I'll show him to you."

Solid smiled and winked at her right before the elevator doors closed, leaving a very embarrassed Nurse Joy standing behind her counter, her cheeks still beet red. She shook herself out of her dazed position and went back to work, waiting for other trainers to come and register for the tournament, thoughts swimming through her head.

Damn you Ash. I had an idea as to why those girls are in love with you, but now I know why. They're lucky girls to have you and you're one lucky trainer to have them. You better not mess this up otherwise I'll kick your ass and that's a promise.

As the elevator went up, Solid was deep in thought over what he said to Joy.

Who can I set her up with?

"You've got to be careful Master," spoke Lucario suddenly.

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"You already have four girls crazy for you. You don't want another one," warned Lucario.

"What, you mean Joy? We were just having some fun."

"That may be, but still be careful. I'm pretty sure males and females have different definitions of fun, right Gardevoir?" Solid glanced at Gardevoir, and she nodded.

"Alright I get it. But no worries. I see her only as a friend. Plus I'm going to set her up with one of my friends so we should be good."

"Better sooner than later," Lucario said as he crossed his arms.

"Please be sure not to hurt her or Misty," pleaded Gardevoir, using telepathy. The other two gaped at her. Pikachu even popped his head out of the backpack to stare at her. They rarely ever heard her speak. Her voice was very soft and angelic like. After a couple seconds, Solid shook his head and smiled at her.

"I wouldn't even dream of it Gardevoir," replied Solid as he hugged her with one arm. "And I have an idea of who to set her up with."

"Don't tell me it's Brock," said Lucario.

"Hey, what's wrong with Brock? Anyway, no, not him. I think he likes someone anyway, I noticed his aura was a little different. I was thinking perhaps Richie."

"Hmm…that may work. What do you think?" Lucario asked his psychic friend.

"He seems like a good choice. He's kind of like you Ash, but still different and in the right ways. I think he'll be perfect for Joy."

"Great, that's what I was hoping for. Alright, so we need to figure out how to convince him to go out with her….Oh man…."

"What?" Lucario and Gardevoir both said at the same time.

"I never thought I would play matchmaker."

Lucario and Gardevoir fell over, anime style and Pikachu face palmed.

Back at the pent house, right after Solid left, the others were busy picking out their rooms and who would sleep where. Already decided that Solid would get the master bedroom for himself, they had now four rooms and queen sized beds. They decided Iris and Cilan would get a room to themselves since they are in a relationship now, Misty and May would share one, Dawn and Serena would share one, while Max and Richie shared the last one. Brock and Gary volunteered to sleep on the pull out bed that was hidden underneath the largest couch.

Everyone went to their respective rooms and organized their belongings into the empty dressers and closets since they would be there for at least a couple weeks, as Brock and Gary merely tossed their belongings into an empty closet. Misty and May were busy putting away their stuff when Dawn and Serena joined them before closing the door.

"You two are done already?" inquired Misty in disbelief. She knows Dawn takes forever to get ready, let alone put away her stuff.

"I am. Dawn hasn't even started yet," answered Serena for them both as she sat down on the bed. Misty raised her eyebrows at Dawn then went back to placing her clothes in the dresser.

"So what's up? Why are you two here?" May asked without looking up as she finished putting away the last of her clothes.

"You know why." Dawn was getting bubbly.

"Ah, don't start Dawn. Please, at least not yet. Every time we run into another cute guy you start, wanting to gossip. We're barely putting away our clothes," sighed Misty.

"You should've seen her snapping at me to come with her to your room. I kept telling her only once I finish putting my stuff away," laughed Serena.

"I believe that," giggled May.

"Hey!" Dawn pouted with her puppy dog eyes, but quickly smiled when she saw the other girls merely laughed. "I keep forgetting it doesn't work on you guys. So what do we think of Solid? He seems like a good person. For some reason, he reminds me a lot about Ash. Oops!"

Dawn covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide in shock. The other three girls stopped what they were doing, each having a pained expression on their face. It was a while since they had said his name out loud to one another.

"I'm really sorry guys! Really I am!" Dawn was fearful they would get angry but Misty broke the silence softly.

"It's alright Dawn. It happens."

"Yea, no need to worry, right Dawn?" said May as Serena nodded.

"Thanks guys. I really am sorry. It's just, it's been so long since we last saw him and I thought that Solid was him when I tackled him…" Dawn trailed off, looking at her feet, while the other three glanced at each other and smiled weakly.

"You know Dawn, if you hadn't tackled Solid, I probably would have," admitted Misty. Dawn looked up, astonished at what she just heard. "You beat us to the punch. I think all of us were thinking it might be him and since you're the most impulsive one out of us, you reacted first."

"Yea she's right Dawn. No need to feel embarrassed. We all miss him greatly," sighed Serena, pulling on her honey blond hair.

"You know, at first I thought Solid was Ash. I remember Ash saying that he would be gone for a long time but I thought maybe he didn't know how to show himself you know, afraid we might be angry or something," added May.

"Of course we're angry at him!" shouted Misty suddenly, her fiery side getting the better of her. "But not because he shows up, but for leaving us! I don't care how important it was, he shouldn't have done that! Do you know how many times I've had sleepless nights crying over him?" sobbed Misty as she sat on the bed. Dawn quickly hugged her, tears escaping from her eyes now.

"I know how you feel Misty! But….please don't cry….You know….as well as I do, as we do…that nothing would keep Ash from his friends, from us, unless it was something extremely important, like life or death important."

"Dawn's right Misty." May now came over and joined in on the hug. "You've been with him for a long time. Even if he is a bit dense in some regards…" The four girls chuckled a bit from that comment. "You know he is the most caring person in the world and wouldn't let anything stand in his way once he sets his mind on something. You know he wouldn't just leave us without a good reason."

"I know. I just miss that stupid dense head of his." They laughed a little again in between sobs.

"He may be dense, but I know he'll come back Misty." This time it was Serena who talked and she joined in on the group hug, the other three welcoming her. The four had the top of their heads touching each other in a circle. "I first met Ash when we were young kids and even then he was a caring and selfless kid. I may not have traveled around as much as you have, or May or Dawn has, but I can tell he's a very special person and that he will never forget us and will come back one day."

"I hope so you guys. It's just been hard. I've thought about him many times and rejected so many potential dates and boyfriends, hanging on to him. Sometimes I feel like an idiot for doing that and you know why?" whispered Misty.

"Because you feel like you're pathetic for that, giving up a sure thing for something you don't know if it will happen or not. Believe me; I've gone through the same thing. I'm sure all of us have. I can't tell you the many times I've rejected suitors, even good looking ones. I've had to even run from some of them, like Kenny. Man I hope he never finds me again," shuddered Dawn as the others chuckled.

"I've had the same problem with Drew. He's a good rival and an okay friend but I just don't see him like that and his constant flower gifts are starting to get annoying," revealed May.

"At least you guys don't have to deal with two relentless morons. I have to constantly evade or give some bullshit excuse to dodge Tracy and Rudy," admitted Misty. The other three stared at her.

"Damn, really? Two guys? And one of them is Tracy?" asked Dawn. Misty nodded and spoke.

"Unfortunately, yes. Ever since Ash vanished and they found out, they've been hounding after me. I don't like them at all. The way they stare at me is like I'm not even a person, just a thing for them to have. Even other guys who've asked me out, I just lie and say I have a boyfriend so they'll leave me alone."The girls nodded in understanding, admitting they've done the same thing.

"I haven't had trouble like you three but I've had a few ask me out, even Calem but I've rejected them all. I think Ash messed me up as I can't see myself with anyone else, at least not until he comes back and I tell him how I feel," said Serena after being quiet for so long, the girls agreeing with her. Ash had truly set the bar high and none have come close.

"Well, for some reason Solid seems to have an effect on us, especially you Misty," Dawn said suddenly, a wicked grin on her face.

"That may be, but I'm not the one who tackled him Dawn!" shot Misty, making Dawn pout as May and Serena laughed.

"I think he had an effect on all of us. Well, we can only do one of two things. We can hold on still and wait for Ash to come back, or move on and one of us can try to get with Solid," Serena finished, the other three girls gasped when she finished, as if she had said something extremely terrible.

"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" the three shouted together.

"I could never forget him, let alone move on. No one else will get close to what he is. He may act rashly but it's because he lets his heart do the thinking and he never gives up!" snapped Misty.

"No one will ever be like Ash. They weren't there for me in the beginning, helping me, teaching me, doing things he didn't like to do for me, helping me realize how much I love pokémon and contests and that will always mean a hell of a lot more to me than some stupid compliments or roses." May finished with a furious look on her face.

"If it wasn't for Ash, I would never have even got to where I am now. I never would have come up with such amazing contest moves and I never would have gained such confidence in myself. He's helped me in more ways than I can count. And that's just one of many reasons why I'll never let him go!" said Dawn and when she finished she glared at Serena.

Serena was quiet for a moment, then burst out laughing. The three girls were confused beyond measure.

"I was testing you guys!" cried out Serena in between her laughing. "I thought that if I said something like that, then you guys would spill your hearts and show just how much you love him! Just so you know, I could never forget him either. He was there for me when we were kids and has been there for me throughout our adventures over Kalos. If he wasn't for him, I wouldn't have so many good, close friends now either. I'm going to wait for him, just like you three."

The other girls smiled after realizing what their friend had done.

"Well done Serena. I'm impressed," complimented Misty.

"Way to make us spill everything, damn it," laughed May.

Dawn was quiet though. After a moment she asked them a question she was thinking about.

"Ah I don't mean to rain on our parade here, but I'm still worried about some things."

Misty, May and Serena glanced at Dawn. Misty asked what the other two were thinking;

"About what?"

"Well, we pretty much agreed that Ash is going to come back someday right?"

They nodded.

"And that we each love Ash right?"

They nodded again.

"So what happens when he comes back? I mean, who does he get with? Will he even get with one of us? What if he already has a girlfriend? If he does choose one of us, then what happens to the other three? Do we swallow our love and let the other live happily with him? What if he can't choose? Then what? Do we fight over him? Do we leave him for being so selfish? Do we share?"

The girls' eyes widened at the last one. Dawn stopped for a moment as if scared from asking her last question but pushed on.

"What if he died or is lost? What if he's not coming back?"

Dawn's questions hit them all hard. They were still in their group hug. They each went through several emotions as they thought about the questions; anger, sadness, happiness, confusion, and many others. They stood there, in their circular hug, pondering over Dawn's questions. Finally Misty broke the silence.

"I think we're better off not worrying about that until the time comes. And I know for certain that Ash will return, he always does. That's one thing we won't have to worry about."

"You're right. We won't know until he comes back and no point in worrying until then. Right now, I'm okay with all this."

The girls all agreed to help each other cope with missing Ash and they won't do anything to jeopardize each other's chances to be with him when the day comes that he eventually returns to them.

Richie, Brock and Gary were chilling in the living room, watching some TV. They had heard screaming and crying coming out from the girls in one of the rooms but didn't bother them when Brock mentioned that it didn't sound like something for them to get involved with.

"How can you be sure Brock?" asked Richie.

"I have many sisters Richie," replied Brock. "These girl talks can be very emotional sometimes as girls tell each other almost everything. Also, it's not wise to barge in when they are in this talkative state. Trust me; I learned that the hard way." Brock chuckled. "Never underestimate a girl's rage."

"Yea, remember that Richie. Yeesh," added Gary, shivering slightly.

"What happened to you?" asked Richie. Brock glanced at Oak.

"Bad break up with Sabrina," answered Gary automatically.

"You dated Sabrina?! The gym leader?" Brock was dumbfounded.

"Yea we dated for a little bit. It was fun for a while but then it got boring for me. Then I made a mistake by telling her that I didn't see our relationship going anywhere, that I just saw her as a friend. We were moving too slowly for my taste at the time as I wanted more action, more physical stuff. She didn't say anything, get mad or fight. She said she understood and we parted ways. I thought everything ended well. I thought I was off the hook but from that night on, for about a month straight, I kept seeing horrible nightmares. Just thinking about them gives me the shivers." Gary shook himself slightly. "Yea, so never piss off a girl."

"Thanks for the advice," gulped Richie.

"No problem Richie Rich," quipped the young professor.

"So Richie, want to go see what the girls are up to?" smirked Brock.

"I don't want to die just yet!" snapped Richie.

Brock and Gary burst out laughing at their friend.

"I'm glad you caught on!"

"Yea, I thought for sure you still would've gone to check on them!"

"Very funny jerks," replied Richie, crossing his arms and scowling at them.

A/N - So we found out a big personal thing about Ash and a little bit of what the girls went through since he left. Will things get even messier between the five or will things fall into place for some or all of them? Stay tuned to find out! Please leave a review with your thoughts, comments, questions, anything. And if you like it, please favorite and follow. Thanks for reading and take care! :)