Ash opened his eyes to the blue tarp over him. Humid, sticky. He felt worse than ever. But what did he really expect?
For a few careless hours, he had dreamed his way out of this hell he felt. He had released himself, free from worry and thought, but then his eyes had opened up to reality again. He had never felt so alone.
Suddenly nothing seemed to matter. Well, Misty...yes, Ash admitted it to himself. He wasn't too young to fall for someone, was he? It didn't feel so embarrassing to admit that he loved her. She was the only thing on his mind. She invaded his thoughts, her voice enchanted him completely. He realized that it was true. The Carefree he had been searching for all these days had suddenly ceased to matter as much as it had at first, though Ash figured that it had to be what was keeping him going. 'At least it didn't rain...' Ash thought to himself, finding one positive thing to consider.
The sky was overcast, gray and melancholy, as it loomed over the land. Still, quiet. Ash sat up in his sleeping bag, breathing in slowly. There was Misty, still asleep. Her hand was outstretched, and Brock's hand covered her's. Ash wanted to cry out, just like he had before they kissed--but, well, at least they hadn't really kissed. He'd stopped them from doing that. But...he wanted--and tried to--think positively, though he couldn't deny the sorrow he felt. He slowly got up.
He shook Misty softly--he wasn't sure what drove him to do so--and her eyes fluttered.
"Wake up, Misty. We need to go." Ash couldn't hide the sadness that crept through his words.
"Ah...Ash? Oh?" She looked up at him. He looked at her eyes...something in them was just void. He swallowed. "Uh, we need to get going."
"OK, OK...what about Brock? Is he up?" She sat up.
"Oh." For a minute Ash had forgotten about him. "Yeah, wake him up."
There was no good reason, Ash felt, to keep going on. But still...could catching a Carefree somehow make him feel better? Sure. He hoped it would. At least Professor Oak would be happy with him. He felt almost like he was...in the way.
They were back on the trail again in no time. Ash wondered for a moment if Misty and Brock cared about Pokemon at all anymore.
They walked. The sky grew darker with each minute, but Ash didn't notice. He was still deep in thought. Was it because of him that this had happened? Because he never acted like he cared about Misty? Brock wasn't mean to Misty...he didn't tease her or taunt her. Ash knew that he should have been more gentle with her. If only he could tell her his feelings now...
"Hey! STOP! Where do you think you're going, kid!"
Ash stopped in his tracks. Oh, great...Team Rocket, again?!
He spun around.
"Wha...?"
Behind Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu stood a black haired girl, about 12, standing before them with a smirk on her face. Her long hair was back in a pony tail, the shiny locks bouncing as she moved her head. And there, at her heals stood...a Carefree?!
"Who are you? And HOW did you get that Carefree!?"
The black haired girl stepped closer. "I'm Starzia. And this Carefree is not mine--he's my friend. And you--why are YOU here?"
Ash walked up to Starzia. "I'm Ash, and I've been searching for a Carefree!"
"I knew it! More people coming up here to wreck the Carefee's home..." She rolled her eyes. "You know, I just wish you'd all get off of this mountain and let the Carefrees live in peace."
"But...I just wanted to capture one," Ash told her innocently.
"Yeah, yeah...I've heard that one. I can't believe you people--you don't understand what your getting in to. And taking wild Pokemon and fighting them with other unlucky Pokemon, for your own amusement? 'Oh, you looked at me! Let's fight,' or 'OK--we'll settle our disagreements by having a Pokemon Battle!' Haven't you people ever heard of 'Rock, paper scissors'?" She gave Ash a menacing look.
"Uhm...I..." Ash stumbled, bewildered. "OK. You've got other Pokemon. But as for Carefree, well, it's only home is here, and I'm going to keep it that way. Just leave them alone..." Her voice became slightly pleading.
"So you mean, I can't catch a Carefree?" Ash seemed a little confused, as well as shocked.
"Well, don't you see that these Pokemon could live here, happy, not in captivity? No one else needs to know that they really are here. Please, just promise me you'll leave them alone..."
Ash made an astonished face, but seemed to understand somehow.
"But...Pokemon like having owners most of the time. They don't mind fighting. I mean, look how happy Pikachu is!" He looked down at his Pokemon.
"Piii-KAchu!"
"Maybe so, but you really shouldn't mess with Carefree. It has...oh, never mind."
Ash looked around. Brock and Misty were at the edge of the trail, uninterested in the conversation, not listening. Just flirting as usual. Pikachu looked up at Ash. Ash looked back at Starzia. "Has what? What do you mean?" he questioned, suddenly curious.
"Oh, well...believe me, Ash--it's powers shouldn't be messed with," Starzia told him cautiously.
"But why? Look--I'll leave them alone, I guess, if you really think I should. But at least tell me WHY I should." He stood there, waiting.
Starzia crossed her arms. "I've been watching Carefrees for a long time. I've seen and studied them for years, and learned many things about them. And, what it comes down to is that, well, Carefree is what I call a...Love Pokemon."
"...Huh?"
"Yeah--a Love Pokemon. They have the power of love. In fact, that powder in their tails--it causes people to fall in love! When someone is sprinkled with the powder and breathes in enough of it, they will be infatuated with the first person they see--and if both people have breathed in enough powder, they will fall head-over-heals in love with each other! They will have great feelings for each other, suddenly. And if the love is true, then...well, I'm not completely sure of that..." She trailed off.
Ash suddenly had a thought. "Please!" he begged, "tell me everything you know!"
"...Ok, I guess. Well, there's something in the powder that makes attractions grow between people, even if they hated each other before, and they will fall madly in love."
Ash watched her, thinking. "So...when does it wear off?" he asked.
Starzia looked skeptical. "I...don't know if it does." Ash's face went suddenly pale, amazed. Starzia continued. "But...from what I've learned, there is...one was to change it..."
"What's that?" Ash asked, anxious. He stole a glance at Misty and Brock.
"They have to kiss the one that they truly love. A real kiss--not just on the cheek. And, if the one who they love truly is the one who they love because of the powder's trance, they'll realize that they do love each other truly, and they will always love each other. But--if the one they love is not in the trance, and they kiss, then--the trance will be broken. It's strange but true! It's such a mysterious and dangerous power! I don't want it to fall into the wrong hands...I'm sure you understand why..." She finished, and looked at Ash. He was staring at Brock and Misty now, and Starzia looked, too.
"So, you came across a Carefree already, I'm guessing," she observed.
Ash nodded. "No wonder...now I know why they suddenly feel this way about each other!"
Starzia looked at Ash again. The Carefree hopped onto her shoulder, and she petted it's head gently.
"I hope you can help them, Ash. But, a promise is a promise. I told you Carefree's secret, so now you have to leave them alone. OK?" She looked at him seriously.
"OK. We will. We'll leave this mountain. Thanks a lot for all your help, Starzia."
"You're welcome, and good luck with them. I hope you find happiness in whatever you choose to do with your Pokemon--even if you are the battling type."
They waved goodbye, and Starzia walked off down the trail.
Ash walked over to the couple, who were in each other's arms. Ash wasn't sure what to think. A kiss? That was crazy. But it might be the only way.
PART 6 ON THE WAY!