Midsummer Dreams
By Trish.
Disclaimer: Pokémon does not belong to me. Neither does Puck, or William Shakespeare. Nor do any of the authors whose cameos appear (excepting me, of course). I do own the storyline and Flory.
A/N: Major OOC here! Yes, it may seem weird in parts, but hey - anything can happen with magic. Plus Puck got drunk in the last chapter - who knows how alcohol might affect him? The Pokémon's speech will generally be translated into English (though there will be times where it isn't) and in quotation marks and italics. Plus Togepi bashing ahead!
Chapter 3: When you wish upon a drunk Puck…….
Ash leaned back in his chair with a smile. The Convention was into its fourth day, and a runaway success.
His private office in the Headquarters building served as a welcome refuge from his official duties of managing the Convention. Though if it was peace and quiet he was after - this was not the place.
The large office was filled with family, friends and Pokémon. His stepfather and Professor Oak were examining James' latest acquisitions to his beloved bottlecap collection; his mother was talking to Gary; Brock and Tracey were playing cards; Misty was getting some coffee; and Pikachu, Chikorita and Bulbasaur were playing tag around his feet.
A happy chorus of "Pi"s drew his attention to the small baby's playpen in the corner where Meowth stood. Ash went over and knelt down next to the cat Pokémon - and immediately six small pairs of brown eyes blinked at him. For inside the pen were Pikachu's first litter of babies. The six Pichus were absolutely adorable - tiny bundles of yellow fur with black tipped ears and tail, and a band of black fur around the neck.
"Aw….ain't dey the cutest babies ya ever saw?" Meowth purred. "C'mon kids, look at what your Uncle Meowth can do!" And with that he started to pull the most ridiculous faces, which made the babies squeal in delight.
Ash grinned at the cat's antics. Who would have ever thought that Meowth could be so clucky? He remembered his astonishment when he heard about the amount of love and care that Meowth had lavished on Togepi before it hatched. Now, Meowth took it upon himself to help look after any baby Pokémon that Ash might have.
The cat adored Pikachu's little family, nothing made him happier than to hear them call him, "Uncle Meowth". Both Pikachu and her mate Raichu (who belonged to Ash's good friend Katrina) trusted Meowth with their offspring, and appointed him as official babysitter.
"Pi." Ash looked down to see one of the Pichus staring at him with soulful brown eyes while scrabbling at the sides of the playpen. The Pokémon Master gently picked up the tiny creature, upon which it immediately snuggled down in the crook of his arm. Cradling the Pichu, he walked over to sit beside James on the couch. As soon as he was settled, the Pichu scampered up onto his shoulder while Pikachu leapt onto his lap.
"So, Pik. Which one of your sons or daughters is this?" Ash asked.
Pikachu rose up on her hind legs and sniffed her baby. "This is one of the girls. Her name is Poppy."
"Hello, Poppy," Ash greeted the Pichu who chirped in reply, then nuzzled his cheek.
"I think she really likes you, Pikapi."
Poppy looked at her mother, then at Ash. "Pi pi chu?"
"No, dear." Pikachu corrected her, and repeated herself more slowly. "Pi ka pi."
Poppy tried again. "Pichupi?" She smiled as her mother, Ash and James all clapped.
"That's it! I'm so proud of you, Poppy," Pikachu said proudly as Poppy scampered to her for a hug.
Ash then picked up Poppy and held her up to his face. "Aren't you a little cutie pie? Smart too," he cooed. The baby squeaked happily and gave him a little lick on the chin. When the time came for Pikachu's children to go to new trainers, he had a feeling that this little one would not be going anywhere. He felt sure that she would grow up to be just as powerful and feisty as her mother.
"You're almost as bad as Meowth is with baby Pokémon," James teased his boss. "And speaking of baby Pokémon, that reminds me. You have a photo session for the media at the Baby Pokémon Shelter stand this afternoon."
"Okay." The dark-haired trainer fell silent for a moment, then spoke up again. "Meowth told me that you have an unexpected house guest with you."
James nodded. "That's right. Jess found him wandering around totally lost at the convention two days ago. A guy by the name of Bill Speare."
"So, what's he like?"
"Jess really likes him, as do I. He's a very nice guy. You know, he is one of the very few people that I know, who was not at all shocked to see me go around in a dress. In fact he seemed almost relieved - he thought I was an actor! Jess thinks that he must be suffering from amnesia or something similar, because he doesn't know how to do a lot of things or what they are. He said that he had never heard of television before."
"You're kidding me."
"No, I'm totally serious."
"What does he do?"
"He says he's a writer. Jess decided to take him out again today."
*********************
Jessie was having the time of her life. Since Bill's arrival two days ago - she had the perfect excuse to do what she does best - shop until she drops. And then some. After all, Bill had no luggage with him, just the clothes he had been wearing. Jessie had subjected him to a makeover - therefore a whole new wardrobe was needed in keeping with his new look.
She studied her handiwork carefully. He looked like a completely different person from the man she had met. His hair was cut short and a little spiky, he was clean shaven and looked much younger. He was dressed in a loose fitting dark red shirt and black pants, and he wore a stylish pair of sunglasses. Overall, he looked like any normal fashionable guy in his mid-thirties. Now all she had to do was to get him out of the habit of saying "thee" and "thou".
"I feel rather strange," he muttered as they walked along the mall.
"You look normal," Jessie told him. "At least people aren't staring at you any more."
"True."
"Trust me. You look really hip."
"Hip? What do you mean I look like my hip?"
Jessie sighed. She kept forgetting that he was such a neophyte to modern things. "No, I don't mean as in the body part. 'Hip' in this context means the same as 'fashionable'."
"Oh. I guess that I'll just have to get used to all this new way of life. As I have no idea when I can return home."
"You have to stop saying 'thee' and 'thou' as well," Jessie added.
Bill stopped in his tracks and looked at her. "But why?"
"Because people don't speak like that any more. That way of speaking is so out of date."
"But poetry sounds so much better when you use 'thee'. For example, 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day.' Now that sounds poetic and wonderful. 'Shall I compare you to a summer's day' does not quite have the same enchanting ring to it."
"You know, if James were here - he'd agree with you."
"Ah yes, James. How often does he go around in dresses?"
"At least three times a week. Why?"
"Are you sure he is not an actor?"
"I'm sure."
"Because from where I come from, only actors usually dress up in women's clothes - because women are not allowed to perform on stage."
"No. James just likes to dress up as a woman."
"Oh. Interesting chap."
*********************
Puck slowly sat up on his leaf, only to have a stream of sunlight shine directly into his eyes. He winced - he couldn't remember ever waking up before and feeling this terrible. His head felt like lead and pounded with the most massive headache, his stomach was nauseous, his throat was parched…..and the list of symptoms went on and on.
"Well, well, well. So the prodigal fairy is finally up," came a cheery and familiar voice. Puck slowly turned to see his cousin Florian sitting on an adjacent leaf, and munching on a berry.
"Fl…Flory? What…are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? You wished me here - that's how!"
"I don't remember…wishing you here," Puck said slowly as he got to his feet - however the dizziness made him sit right back down again.
His dark-haired cousin snorted. "And you wouldn't remember either. Because when I appeared here - you were drunk as a skunk and had passed out on the pages of a book. So I quickly zapped you to this tree."
"I was..drunk?" Well that would explain why Puck was feeling like he wanted to die.
"You certainly were! How did that happen? You know that we fairies can't tolerate alcohol."
Puck tried to think back, even though it hurt his head to do so. "I think…I fell into..a bowl of liquid at this huge human gathering over there. I…swallowed some of it."
Flory frowned. "Human alcohol? That's even worse!"
Now it was Puck's turn to frown. "How long have I been asleep?"
"One whole day." Flory passed him a tiny cup. "Here, have some coffee." He watched as his cousin sipped the hot liquid. "Don't suppose you know the spell to go home?"
Puck shook his head. "Sorry. I came into this world by accident - and the last time I went missing, the Queen's second in command, Calliope brought me home - and she didn't need to utter a spell."
Flory sighed. "Guess I'm stuck here then."
**********************
Back at the Convention…….
Misty smiled as another convert to Water Pokémon walked away. Score another mark for the Cerulean Gym. She wondered how Brock was faring in their little competition…..
Two strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist. "Hey Honey."
She twisted around to give Ash a kiss. "Hi, Ash." She hugged him tightly before letting him go. Pikachu then jumped into her arms for a cuddle.
"How's the competition going?"
"Really good. Daisy's been doing a great job of convincing people." Both turned to observe Misty's oldest sister who was in the midst of another Water Pokémon spiel. Daisy had undergone an image transformation. She wore a smart blue business suit and her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail. From time to time she wore spectacles, as they made her look more "intellectual" she had said.
"She certainly knows what she's talking about," Ash said in admiration.
"Yeah, but it seems weird. I mean, just two days ago she was talking about the basic stuff of Water Pokémon - and now….now she's talking about Pokémon as if she was the world's leading expert on it."
Her boyfriend snickered. "Sounds like someone's jealous."
Misty whacked him on the head with a small mallet. "I AM NOT! It's just that……Daisy and brains don't usually belong in the same sentence."
"I still think that you're a bit jealous that your sis is now smarter than you. Plus you're still sore at losing the Trivial Pursuit Evenings for the past two nights."
The red head sulked a bit, "I guess you're right." The League had been holding Trivial Pursuit evenings - and people competed in teams of two. Misty had lumped Ash with James, 'Dumb and Dumber' as she had jokingly said. They creamed all the opposition. Last night Ash and Daisy had teamed up - with the same results. She narrowed her eyes at her companion. "Say, how come you've become so brainy all of a sudden?"
Ash looked offended. "Hey, I've always been smart!"
"Yeah, right."
"Okay, okay….So I've been guilty of not using my brains from time to time."
"That's more like it." She stepped back and looked at him. "Hey..you're looking very smart today!" Ash was dressed in a dark blue shirt, black pants and black blazer.
"Thanks. I've got a photo shoot this afternoon for the media."
"Who with?"
"The Baby Pokémon Shelter. I'm having photos taken with all the orphaned baby Pokémon."
"Oh that's so sweet!"
He rolled his eyes. "I knew you'd say that." Just then a soft snore drifted to their ears. Both Ash and Misty looked at each other then at Pikachu. "Where's that sound coming from?"
Pikachu's ears twitched and she pointed a tiny claw at her trainer's blazer.
"My blazer? Pikachu are you sure? Oh hang on a minute." From the depths of his blazer pockets, he gently withdrew a sleeping Pichu.
He held the tiny baby out to Pikachu. "So who's this, Pik?"
"Poppy."
"Poppy? How'd she get in there?" He carefully deposited the baby back into his pocket without disturbing it.
"She must have crawled in there while you were working at your desk, Pikapi." Pikachu giggled. "Though I bet Meowth is going frantic at the moment, wondering where she is."
Just then Ash's cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID. "And speaking of the devil…" He listened for a few moments then spoke soothingly into the phone. "It's okay, Meowth. The Pichu is in the pocket of my blazer. You can stop tearing your fur out now." He ended the call and grinned at his companions. "You should have heard him. He sounded like he was about to have kittens."
****************
"So, how are you feeling now?"
Puck glanced at his cousin as they were flying around the giant marquees. That cup of coffee he had was just what he needed to revitalise himself a bit. He was thus able to guide Flory around the Convention. "I'm okay. Except for the occasional dizzy spell." What Puck didn't say that he was feeling very happy and very silly as well…..
"That's good. I thought you'd still be rather out of it. No one knows the exact effect human alcohol has on sprites."
"I'm fine." Puck glanced around and spotted his favourite breeder at his stand. He swooped down, as did his cousin and sat on one of the banners around the stall.
Brock sighed. So far he had lucked out in the female department. Not one girl wanted to go out with him…yet. He only hoped that the Cerulean Gym was behind him in the little private competition - he may still have a chance at a date with the delectable Daisy. Now what I would really like, is an older woman with a lot of spunk. Who's not afraid to speak her mind - and who's not attached, he thought.
Puck smiled. "What you want - you will get." He thought for a moment before he began to chant, "Master of Rock, with slits for eyes. I know what you want, and that's no lie. A spunky older woman is what you'll get. You'll have a lot of fun - on that I'm willing to bet." The spell began to take hold…..
He then dragged his cousin over to where he spied a familiar red-headed Water trainer. Now, if his memory served him correctly, she had a violent temper to match the colour of her hair. He also remembered that her boyfriend had prayed for some salvation from this. So…."Mistress of Water, with hair of fire. I come to save your friends from the wrath of your ire. From now on shall you be mild and meek. Sweetness and light is all you will speak."
The two sprites flew off again. "So, this is what you do to amuse yourself" Flory spoke up.
"Yes, I'm amusing myself - but I'm also helping them at the same time." Puck retorted.
"The first human I understand. But what about that girl? I don't see how that helps her…."
"It doesn't help her - but her friends will be grateful."
"I see."
******************
Drake stifled a yawn as he took a breather just outside the Stadium. The Pummelo Island Gym Leader and Head of the Orange League stretched his muscles lightly and straightened his black vest which he wore over a tight, white t-shirt (which showed off his nice, muscular build) and black pants. He was soon joined by the two male members of the Orange Crew, Danny from Navel Island and Rudy from Trovita. Danny was looking great in a casual white shirt and blue jeans. Rudy was in his usual attire of black shirt, black pants and beige vest.
"Are you guys enjoying yourselves here?" he asked his colleagues.
"Yeah, I am, " Danny answered cheerfully. "Luana said that I should be able to find myself a nice girl here."
Drake chuckled. "She said the same thing to me too!" Luana was their colleague from Kumquat Island. She was much older than the rest of them - and tended to act like their mother. She even told Danny that he could call her 'Mama Wama.'
Just then Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak walked up with a wave and a smile. "Hey guys."
"Hi Ash, Gary." All three acknowledged the two new arrivals with a friendly nod.
"Taking a well earned break are we?" Gary began but was interrupted by two gleeful trills. All five young men looked at each other - no words needed to be said as to what that sound meant….
Ash groaned. "Not more Togepi sightings…."
Sure enough, two small red and blue speckled Egg Pokémon waddled out of nearby bushes. "Togi Togi Priiiiiiiiiii!," they trilled in unison. "Togi Togi Togi Priiiiiiiiiiiii!"
"There are times like this when I wish I'd never taken that egg from Grampa Canyon!" Ash muttered as he covered his ears in annoyance.
"I wish you hadn't either!" Gary agreed.
The small group had almost had it with all the "Togi"s and "Pri"s when two little red dots appeared on the creatures before they vanished in a puff of smoke. They looked to the right to see two young women in their mid-twenties standing there, both armed with a small ray gun. Both were of medium height.
The first girl wore a blue t-shirt top over a black skirt. Her long raven hair fell just past her shoulders, worn loose except for a small section which was swept up on both sides and held at the back with a clip. Mahogany coloured eyes twinkled at them merrily.
The second girl wore a yellow t-shirt with her black skirt. Light brown hair was swept up into a ponytail. Blue-grey eyes gazed at them calmly. Both surveyed their handiwork with satisfaction before putting away their weapons in their bags.
The guys were amazed - those guns looked far too big to fit into a small handbag but it did. "How….did you fit that in there?" Drake stammered.
"That is for us to know…and you to find out!," the first girl said with a wink.
"I guess you two are members of the I. T. E. O," Ash said with a grin.
"We are. We call ourselves Team A."
"Team A?"
"We call ourselves Team A because," the second girl spoke up, "She's Aussie and I'm American."
The raven-haired girl then added,"Those weapons we use are Chuchino's patented Anti-Egg Neutralisers. There are a number of settings - Laser, Scrambled or Fried. Take your pick. By the way, my name's Trish and this is my best friend Pikajenn."
"Nice to meet you," Ash replied.
"Nice to meet you, too." Trish smiled. "But we'd better get going. We have to report this to Chuchino."
"Yeah. We heard she would be attending the Convention. All we have to do is find her," Pikajenn stated. With a final wave the pair walked off.
Rudy stared after them for a minute before he ran after them. The rest of them watched as an animated conversation took place before the women went on their way. Rudy trailed back to the group despondently.
"Well, what happened?" Danny demanded.
"I asked Trish if she wanted to go on a date. She refused - so I tried again. But then she got mad at me."
"What did you do?"
"I told her I knew all about Australia. I asked her what it was like to have kangaroos hopping down the main street."
"You idiot," Gary shook his head.
Rudy grinned. "But I won't give up on her!" He looked at Drake. "Drake, old buddy…" he began.
Drake sighed and finished for him. "You want me to do you a favour don't you? You want me to act as a go-between."
"You got it. I figure maybe you could convince her that I'm her dream date."
"How am I supposed to find one girl in this sea of people?"
"I dunno. So will you do it for me please?"
Drake exchanged a look with Danny. Neither of them were really good friends with the Trovita Island Gym Leader. His attitude, and arrogant air (as well as that hair flick) tended to get on their nerves. Both knew that in the last year or so, Rudy tended to be insufferable if he did not get what he wanted. Perhaps this girl could calm him down…."Okay, I'll do it. But I can't promise you anything."
"Great! Thanks."
*****************
Meanwhile Puck was still fluttering about at the Convention. Flory had gone back to the tree for a quick nap - so he was on his own. Passing easily amongst the crowds he was just about to go off for a snack when he stopped dead in his tracks.
And he saw……HER. The young girl was standing there, long brown hair framed her face as she talked to two older girls. To Puck she was the most beautiful mortal his eyes had ever seen. His heart pounded loudly and he felt as if she was the only other being in existence. He had never felt this way before - and he was certain that it was not just another symptom of his previous intoxication…..
"Oh," he breathed softly. "I wish I could give you the world." At his words, a small globe appeared in the startled girl's hands.
"Where did that globe come from?" Her companions asked.
"I dunno," she replied but then laughed. "But it's cool - however it came to be here!"
Her warm smile and laughter made Puck's heart melt. Now he knew what was affecting him. Not alcohol, not fatigue - but love.
Puck was in love with a mortal.
To be continued……
Author's Note: Another part added to this light-hearted, slightly insane work by yours truly! So who is this mysterious brunette that Puck has fallen for? Why am I inserting all these real people into the fic? (Because I want to - THAT'S WHY!) Where is Chuchino, and what are her plans for a certain artist? You'll just have to wait for the next chapter……..
Read & review peeps! Flamers will be fed to my Tassie Devils.
