C. Cowboy: A*Mon, I did think about crackin' on ya some more, but at this time, I can't think of nothin'. What can I say, I just an ol' country boy, if I come up with somethin' I'll pick on ya at the end. But, on with the story! Round two is about to start, and Ash will battle his 'wannabe' girlfriend. What else will Fate do to our hero? OK, as they said in 'Mortal Kombat' "It has begun!"

CHAPTER 12: YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED

Once Misty saw who Ash was facing she shoot up, "ALRIGHT, ASH!! KICK HER BUTT!! SHOW NO MERCY!!!!" Misty yelled as she put Brock in a headlock, "WHERE'S ME SOME POPCORN???? GET HER ASH!!!! WHAAHOO!!!!" Misty then grabbed Prof. Ivy's popcorn, and set back down as if nothing was said, everyone else around her stared at her in fear. "What ya looking at?" Misty snapped at the others, and then looking back to the arena, "GET HER ASH!!! IF YOU BEAT HER I WON'T HIT YOU WITH MY MALLET FOR A MONTH!!!" Ash looked at her more then a little unnerved, "Ah… OK, Misty, if…you say so…" Ash then looked back at Crystal, "Alright, here we go." He then threw a Pokeball and released Bulbasaur. "Only a little Bulbasaur?? You don't have to go easy on me. I know you love me as much as I love you!! Or has that good for nothing hussy discouraged you too much?" Misty was now having to be held back and was calling Crystal everything but a nice person at the top of her lungs. Crystal finally threw her Pokeball and released a meowth.

The match was now on, as Bulbasaur sent out his vine whips at Meowth. Meowth dodged the whips and launched a Payday. The attack hit hard but it will take more then that to take out Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur then began charging for the solar beam. Meowth saw what he was doing and began doing a scratch attack. Bulbasaur was hurt but still had enough power to hit the Meowth point blank with the solar beam. Meowth was out like a light. Ash and Crystal then recalled both their Pokemon.

"Your Bulbasaur is stronger then I thought! But I should have known, since you trained it!" Crystal said in a very flirty voice. Misty was now straining against Brock, Prof. Ivy, and anyone else Brock could get's arms trying to get to the bimbo. Crystal then sent out a Venusaur. Ash smiled and sent out his Charizard. Venusaur sent out its vine whips but Charizard took to the air. It dodged the vine whips for a few more moments but was finally snagged. The mighty fire lizard smirked at Venusaur and released a massive fire blast. The vine whips released but Charizard was shocked that Venusaur was still standing. Charizard then flew toward the Pokemon and picked it up. It flew in several loops and then gave it a seismic toss. This time Venusaur stayed down. Charizard roared in victory but was cut off when Crystal's Aerodactyl knocked him out of the sky. Ash recalled Charizard and looked down at Pikachu and Pikachu nodded with out him having to hear any commands. Pikachu then jumped to the arena, as Crystal started to laugh, what is that going to do to my Aerodactyl? Don't you know, Ash, that Rock types are strong against electric types?" Ash just smiled and looked at his best Pokemon, "Ultra Shock." Pikachu nodded but held the fear until he turned his back from Ash. Pikachu then took a deep breath and began to power up for the attack Aerodactyl and Crystal just stared in awe at Pikachu's power. Then Pikachu sent the massive blast at Aerodactyl. It then fell from the sky like a rock. The announcer came back on, "AND THE WINNER IS… ASH KETCHUM!!!!" Misty then jumped the railing and ran toward Ash. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately, hoping that Crystal would finally get the

Idea. ""Let's get out of here before you two start fighting. Besides I'm hungry!" Ash said as he softly pulling Misty to the exit. She just smiled evilly as she saw Crystal pouting. The announcer then came on again, "This just in, the next match has been postponed because one of the participants has had an emergency, but will be back later this evening.

Ash and Misty returned later that evening, and walked in to Prof. Ivy's room. They were not expecting what they saw. Misty and Ash saw Crystal setting on the bed, not acting flirty or jealous, but stared at the TV with tears running down her face. Next to her set Gary with Melody rubbing his back trying to comfort him. "What going on?" Ash asked but all Prof. Ivy did was turn up the TV.

…Fire Fighters continue to attempt to save what's left off Pallet Town, but it seems futile at this point. Only a few buildings are left standing, and the death toll is extremely high for both Pokemon and humans. Reports from Officer Jenny states that it is obviously arson. She has also received a note from the criminal who started this monstrous flame. It reads:

ASH

YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO MY WARNING.

BUT IT'S TOO LATE NOW. IT HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN.

THE HAND OF FATE

Ash just stared at the screen as Misty dived into his shoulder crying. Ash felt like crying but couldn't he felt like he couldn't cry, his heart was filled with too much hatred to cry. But Fate's messages did exactly what it was supposed to do. One thought ran through his mind, "It's my fault. I should have listened to him. It's all my fault."

TO BE CONTINUED…

C. Cowboy: I know this one was a little shorter then usual but I thought that was a good place to stop. Fate has hit Ash once again where it hurt, and his mind games seem to be working. It's now pretty obvious that Ash has never face anyone this evil. Can Ash take anymore of Fate's tricks? What else will he do to him? Well, that's about it for now. Until next time!