Here's the last Chapter! (Everyone discreetly disconnects from the net and goes to watch TV.) Oh, erm, yes! Glad to see everyone's happy!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, they've helped me to get through my 1st semester in University as they made me feel good about myself, and I hope you can find the time to review this section as well. Remember, all reviews accepted gleefully, especially if they are nice, but constructive criticism also welcomed. Anything to help me improve!

So, on with the last chapter.



The dark world seemed lighter, somehow. Or perhaps she just hadn't been aware of it until now... Far away, a battle seemed to be going on, one which she seemed to be part of, yet distant to. Through hazy recollection and fuzzy thoughts, things dropped into place, a jigsaw puzzle assembling itself almost against her will. *I just want go back to where I was, it's more peaceful there...* From the very edge of perception, a voice whispered. A vision wandered into her mind, a vision which she had long lost in the depths of history. Her parents, happy as a child, playing with her siblings. Another, a petty dispute. She'd dug her heels in, never backed down, her family couldn't get her to relinquish her prize, what was it? *Ah, yes, it was a ball. A red ball just lying in the long grass.* A vine came out to snatch it, but she defended it with self-centred pride. And the ensuing fighting that went on, she was the centre of it, but why should she share? Finders-keepers after all. She found it, it was hers. *Red, like the blaze, the fire...*

"Chi-KOOOOO!" Chikorita screamed, and awoke. Two figures jumped in surprise, and ran over.

"Chansey, get a sedative just in case dear." Chikorita looked around, the dazed world sinking into focus, to see nurse Joy. She smiled slightly, and relaxed a little. Where there was a nurse Joy, there was a pokemon centre, which meant she was okay. But what about.. "Oh, and I'll go tell her trainers she's woken up." *Ash is okay too! But, what did she mean by trainers?*



"Mist?"

"Yeah, Ash?" Misty and Ash still rested where they had for hours and hours. Misty ran her fingers along his face tenderly as Ash idly played with her glowing, flowing hair.

"What we going to do today?" Ash asked, turning his attention to her face, still fiddling with her hair.

"Well, I gotta cancel my slot with the gym leader.." Ash shifted slightly, and looked up in confusion.

"Gym leader? It's a little late to be collecting badges Mist."

"It was gonna be a ploy to get you to keep going, Ash. I had a hair-brained scheme that if I took on the gym leader, using your pokemon, you would've seen how much they and I wanted you to keep going." Misty's mouth twitched into a smile as she met Ash's gaze. "Glad I don't have to try it now."

"Maybe it's a good thing you didn't." Ash grinned. "Knowing me, I would've blown up! Or stormed out, or just...not..listened." He sank into reflective silence, as Misty stopped stroking his face.

"Ash, is something wrong?" She asked quietly as his expression darkened.

"Nah, it's nothing." Ash reached up for her hair again, but he was stopped by Misty's hand on his wrist. Following her arm upwards, he eventually reached her eyes with his, and puzzled at the stern look she wore. "Mist, what's the problem?"

"Ash, you're the problem!" Misty growled, again reddening around the cheeks.

"Why?"

"Ash, my - my mother always used to throw me off like that. When something worried her, she clamped it down, tucked it away, and drew a veil over it. I never could remove the veil. Ash, I love you, but I need you to be honest with me. Your problems, sadness, fears, all need to be shared. So, please, share them with me?"

"But Mist, it's not to do with you.." Ash broke off as Misty squeezed his arm.

"Ash, it's everything to do with me! I want to be a part of you, don't you get it? If I'm with you, I'm a part of you, so I want, no, need to know." A pause, a breath. "You have to share with me. I told you what I'd never spoken of last night, but I need to know you trust me too. Please Ash, I only want to help.." Ash looked back at her and saw pain, but most of all honesty and desire.

"Okay Mist. I'm sorry, but apart from last night, I don't share things. Guess it's part of being a single child. It's just, well." He faltered, losing an inward battle. Misty moved closer to him, and passed an arm around him.

"Let's see if I can give you a little courage, Ash." She whispered seductively into his ear, and gave him a peck on the cheek. Ash felt himself glow, and shuddered at her touch. *Okay, here goes nothing.*

"Well, I was just thinking about how I nearly let all this go. Moped off home, got stuck in a job, wound away for years, never loving, never experiencing. And I'm worrying I'll might do it again."

"Why?" Misty enquired, puzzled thoughts dancing through her mind.

"Because of the way I am. Did I ever tell you about my days in school? No, I thought not, it's not something I ever say to anyone. Well, it's fair to say I'll never look like the sharpest knife in the drawer, the brightest bulb in the house. But in Pallet, the kids judged you on how smart you seemed. I, I'm not good at spelling, it takes me time to write because I'm slightly dyslexic, I can spell but I always have to check with the rules I've learned. Also, I've never been good at arithmetic. So, I was always known as a dope, the dunce of the school. All the other kids around Pallet had tutors, but my mom didn't work and couldn't afford one, so I never caught up to them. But I tried, and still got myself through. I learned how to deal with insults, and believe in myself. My mother always said real beauty was something within, not taught or bought. That helped me get through, and gave me a hard shell. But I couldn't have got through it without my great friend, Gary."

"Gary?! Not - Gary Oak?" Misty blanched in surprise.

"Yep, the very same." Ash continued in the same faraway voice. "He stood up for me, helped me with work, and we both loved pokemon. But leading up to the exams we had before we either went to further education or Pokemon training, he became distant. I just thought it was exam stress. But once we came out of the last exam, I heard him mutter to another friend "I bet I beat that loser Ash Ketchum." I didn't know he'd become part of a gang in school, all I knew was my one friend had betrayed me. I ran home, threw myself on the bed, and just cried for hours. Eventually my mother wheedled out of me what had gone on, and told me to "Pick myself up, dust myself off, and forget about it." I tried, I really did, but I thought I could trust him. With one comment, he sent a bullet through my armour, ruined my confidence, my belief in myself. I didn't think I could do anything, or that I wasn't up to the job. Slowly, I re-built my confidence until the exam results came out. I got there, opened my letter, and saw I'd passed with good grades in all my subjects, and a perfect mark in Pokemon studies. Then, for the first time since the last exam, I saw Gary. He ignored me, just grabbed his envelope, ripped the top off it. He read the letter, scrumpled it up, threw it in the bin and stalked out. I retrieved it, and took a look. Let's just say he passed a few, but not with anything like my grades. So, that evening, I went over to his house to commiserate and make up. I'll remember that night forever..



"'Scuse me, is Gary there?" Professor Oak smiled.

"Yes, Ash, come on in." I followed him through to his living room, and saw him standing with his back to me, facing the fire. I crept up alongside him, and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh, it's you." he said coldly, and resumed his gaze at the fire. I turned so I faced him.

"I saw your results..." I began, only to be interrupted.

"Oh, so you've come around to gloat! Well fine, get it over with and leave. Besides, it doesn't matter, I'm gonna be the best pokemon trainer ever to come out of Pallet town, so who needs exams?"

"But Gary."

"Ash, shut up. I'm never gonna be a loser like you!" Those words almost froze me in place. Why did he say that?

"Why am I a loser? I passed my exams..."

"Yeah, but you're the dumbest kid in the school! How did you get so lucky?" With that, my blood started to boil. I'd worked, slaved, studied, practised, revised and studied some more for those exams and my one time friend was dismissing them just like that.

"Dumb? How can I be dumb when you failed?" I saw an arm lash out rattlesnake fast, and felt a fist hit my jaw. It didn't even hurt me, I'd suffered far worse at the hands of others, but the action had all the finality of a guillotine dropping. I looked at Gary, and knew as well as he did, that if I was to fight him, there would only be one winner, and that was me. He almost looked as if he wanted me to lay into him, to justify his hate. But I wasn't prepared to be as weak as he was. I'd spent years learning strength and self-belief, only to have him shatter it. I wasn't going to appear weak, I was scared of showing weakness, as it would be exploited. That's how life is if you are unpopular as a kid. So, I just walked away. As I got into the dark, cold street, he came to the door. I'll never forget his final words:

"I'll prove I'm a better man than you, Ash. You're an idiot, and you always will be, so I've already begun." He slammed the door, and I remember swearing to myself that I'd never let anyone know. I promised that I'd prove myself to be strong, and to never inflict myself on others.



"I see now, after all these years he was lashing out because he knew, deep down, that it was all his own fault, but was too arrogant to admit. But ever since then, I've stayed true to my promises. I've never let anyone's insults get to me. Except for those who I hold, or held dear..." Ash trailed off, and squeezed his leg in an attempt to get control again. Misty just listened, open mouthed at the history she never knew. "Well, the other things I've promised never to do, well, you never saw until last night. I've always held back my deep feelings. Worry, uncertainty, fear. I've never ever wanted to appear weak. I know I slipped occasionally in the past, but I've never opened up, left myself vulnerable. And I've never tried to blame others for my weakness. I know I've got them, but I'm not worth the trouble for anyone else to take them off me." Ash's eyes closed to the world, and he took another, shaking breath. "I don't want you to worry about me, because I'm not worth that, but deep down I want you to care as well. So, I don't know what to do." With that, Ash's mouth trembled, but he caught himself in time and he fell silent. Misty, with an effort, shook herself back into reality. *I never knew. Ash doesn't believe he's worth me worrying about? Well, that explains a lot of things, like why he's so easily crushed by things I say...But I never knew how little belief in himself he has.* She thought carefully, and then spoke. "Ash, of course you're worth worrying about. Look where I would be now if I'd never met you, probably sat in Cerulean just watching TV or hiding from my sisters. I'd never have had so many adventures, met so many people, met the love of my life." She squeezed him tightly, and continued. "I never knew you felt that way, you've always been so confident."

"Yeah, I've always been good at appearing confident. Good actor, huh?" Ash laughed, a hint of bitterness colouring it. "But now you see, see why you and Gary were always able to put me down, stop me in my tracks. And now, after what happened with Chikorita, I'm wondering if I'll push the self- destruct again someday. Last night was the first time I've let myself crack. I feel ashamed at being so weak in front of you, but kinda relieved as well. I'm going to have to work out which road I'll take, confidence and fear, or weakness and relief." A huge weight lifted off Ash's shoulders, as the burden finally slid off. He looked up at Misty, waiting for a response.

"Ash, why do you see being open the same as being weak? Everyone needs someone to talk to. I usually talk to Togapi. She doesn't understand much, but it feels good."

"I've never had anyone to confide in. Pikachu, - Pikachu is a great friend, but she gossips as much as a flock of spearow. Brock, well, see what I mean? He'd spill a mountain of beans to any Joy or Jenny, and therefore to the whole of a pokemon centre or police station just to try and get a date. And you...You were always too close to me to let you know things, and it's hard for a teenage guy to discuss personal things with a girl the same age. Plus, it seemed just a little too much like me and Gary in school back then. But now..." Misty smiled, and their eyes met.

"Yes, you've got me." Ash's grin crept across his face, and pulled Misty into an even tighter embrace.

"Ash Ketchum?" Joy came through the doors, and looked at the happy couple. The two of them grinned back, turning red at being caught in a passionate position. Noting the reddening of the two faces, Joy giggled. "What are you worried about? I remember seeing you two in more passionate exchanges than this last night! You know I won't say anything. Anyway, Chikorita has come round Ash, so I think she'd like to see you." Ash sat up quick as a flash at this, and was rewarded by a sudden whirling of his world and his stomach leaping up to meet his neck. He groaned, and sank back down to where he'd lay for most of the night, and held his head. Joy laughed, and Misty soon overcame her concern and joined in.

"Hey guys, it's not funny, ooooooh, it's definitely not..." Ash shot up again, ignoring the mayday calls in his head, and shot over to the toilet again. Through the walls, noises could be heard.

"Sounds like he's talking to - to Huey again!" Joy sniggered.

"Yeah, and Ralph!" Misty replied, and the two of them screamed with laughter. The toilet flushed, and Ash came out looking dishevelled and pale.

"That is sooo not funny you two." He snarled, but was only replied by a fresh peal of laughter. Eventually Joy wiped a tear form her eye and calmed down.

"To be honest, you're lucky that's the worst you've got. You could've been in the same boat of Chikorita. Or worse." Misty sobered quickly at the thought, and eyed him with concern.

"You sure you're okay to be on your feet, Ash?" He stumbled over to her, and caught her shoulder. Standing still, he shut his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them again.

"Yeah, now I think so. At least until I need to make another call to Huey again." Fighting the urge to laugh, Misty and Joy helped him into the treatment room.



"Chi-koooh!" Chikorita cried joyfully as Ash came into the room. Her eyes narrowed a little out of concern that Ash was being supported, by Joy and...HER! Her eyes narrowed further, and she felt her body start to burn. The three of them paused as they saw her reaction.

"Ummm, Ash, how about I wait outside?" Misty turned to go, but was held by Ash.

"Mist, she's gonna have to get used to you, so we're starting now." Ash leaned down slightly, and ran his fingertips along Chikorita's leaf, who quivered in delight. "Chikorita, you feeling better?"

("All the better to see you, Ashy.") Ash blinked at the pet name. After many months with Chikorita, he'd finally learned to understand her, but let Pikachu translate to keep her from knowing. If she'd known he knew exactly what she was saying, she'd get even closer..But now his reaction gave him away. Chikorita noticed his twitch in reaction to what she'd said, and put two and two together.

("Ash, you know what I'm saying, don't you!") Chikorita feigned anger, but inwardly her heart sang. *I can talk to him! He'll be able to listen to what I want to say to him!* She glared at Ash, and his look faltered.

"uh, yes, I can Chikorita." Misty and Joy spun to face him.

"What was that Ash?" Misty looked from Chikorita, to Ash, and drew the obvious conclusion. "You can understand her!" Ash nodded silently, eyes still fixed on Chikorita. He dropped his voice, and mumbled to Misty. "Look, it's only been the language barrier which has held her back from making more moves to me. Imagine if you speak only English but don't understand Japanese, I can understand English but can only speak in Japanese, wouldn't it be impossible for us to be together? Relationships are all about communication, but in this situation, it could only work one way." He nodded to Chikorita. "Sorry Chikorita, but I needed to make sure I could understand you fully before I revealed it to you." *Nice cover there Ash, well done.* He congratulated himself, and waited to see her response. Unbeknownst to him, this was exactly what Chikorita hoped. *He was just making sure he got it right for me. Thank you, Ashy.* Ash stroked Chikorita for a while, but his eyes never left Misty. Even as Chikorita cooed quietly under his loving hand, he imagined it was stroking the face of a certain girl not a million miles away..



Light lanced through the open window, striking the figure sleeping on a pillow across the face. Slowly, Pikachu yielded to the inevitable and opened one dark eye a crack. Gradually, she pulled herself up into a sitting position, facing the window. She rubbed her bleary eyes, and turned around to see an empty bed behind her.

("Misty? Ash? Why is no-one in this bed?") She walked onto the bed, and took a deep sniff. *Hmmm, Misty was sleeping here, but judging by the fading smell and lack of warmth, she hasn't been here for hours. What about Ash?* Anxious, she scampered into the bathroom, to be met with a scene of chaos. The cabinet hung by one nail, skewed to one side. A picture lay on the wall, face down. Toothpaste, brushes, paper, packets and soap littered the tiles. But no Ash. Pikachu sniffed cautiously, and picked up a distinct smell. *Someone's had a bad night. Let's see - Ash smells of drink, seems like he falls down about here, then goes over to the toilet. He must have been really sick. Please let him be okay..* she traced Ash's positions with her nose, then noticed that his scent was joined by that of *Misty. Wherever they are, they're together. Right, seems she goes back out, comes back in, helps him out..* she wandered out into the main room, nose to the ground. *So, they look like going out, but Ash comes come back in, scent vague, must be moving quick, and stops for a while here - oh dear.* Pikachu picked up a strong scent of Chikorita mixed with drink. One which Ash had picked up. *This looks bad. If Ash has to pick Chikorita up, then she's in a bad way, and if she's in a bad way, there's only one place he'll be.* Hurriedly, she jumped on Brock's bed cuffed him gently around the ear.

"No, Jenny, we'll do it in the morning." Brock snuffled and turned over. Pikachu shrugged her shoulders, and took the phlegmatic approach. One small thunderbolt later, Brock had her full attention. He was also smoking somewhat, and had hair which stood like a platoon of troops on parade, but that didn't really matter.

("Brock, Ash and Misty aren't here.") Pikachu said.

"You woke me up for that?" Brock replied, red faced.

("It smells like Ash got up in the night, was sick, and Misty came to help him. As they were on their way, Ash rushed back in to get Chikorita, and it smells like he carried her out.")

"So, what you're saying is that they're at the local pokemon centre, and you don't know if Ash and Chikorita are okay or not." Brock finished for her, still blushing. Pikachu frowned in confusion, her deep worry being replaced by a sense of suspicion.

("What's the problem? Why you blushing?") She pressed, uncertainty plastered across her face.

"Uuuuh, nothing! Just from your thunder shock! Why don't you pop out for a bit of fresh air and let me freshen up?" Brock gabbled franticly.

("Why can't I stay in here?") Pikachu replied.

"Uh, I'm a little shy, that's all!" Brock reflexively drew the sheets up to his chin, looking as if he'd spent an hour in a sauna room.

("It never usually bothers you - Oh, so that's it!") An evil smirk perched on Pikachu's face. ("Brock's had a good night then?")

"Ummmmm..." Brock made a passable impression of a beetroot.

("Heh. I'm afraid that you're gonna have to live with me being in here while you "Freshen up" 'cause if you try shoving me out into the hall when I want to watch a little TV, Ash and Misty might just find out you've been having little dreams about officer Jenny..") Pikachu tried hard not to laugh at the internal battle being played out on Brock's face.

"O-okay, as long as you keep your eyes on the telly, you blackmailer!" Brock growled, and headed for the shower as Pikachu smiled. *Maybe, but at least I'm a happy blackmailer.*



Twenty minutes later, Brock and Pikachu arrived outside the Pokemon centre, with Togapi in Brock's backpack. The pokemon centre appeared empty, but the door yielded when they pushed. Pikachu sniffed the air. *yes, they're here.* just then, the treatment room door burst open, emitting a franticly moving Ash. A split second later, the toilet door slammed shut. The sounds from within gave a hint that mother nature was receiving another kind donation.

"Yep, that's our Ash, eh Pikachu?" Brock grinned, seeing the funny side.

("yep.") Pikachu replied, relief filtering through her face. The treatment room door slammed again, and Misty ran out. She scurried over to the toilet door, and rapped on it.

"Ash, you okay?" She called out, and receiving no answer, opened the door and stepped inside. Pikachu and Brock stared on, mouths gaping. Did they just see Misty chasing after Ash, then going straight into the toilet after him to make sure he was alright? *Something has gone on here, last night. I don't know what, but something has been said.* Pikachu thought as Brock tried to get his facial expression back under control. It was a testament to the shock that nurse Joy walked into the reception area, and he didn't even flinch. They heard voices coming from in the room, and gradually Misty appeared, concern written in her eyes, supporting a sagging Ash. Still paying no heed to the new arrivals, she helped Ash over to the settee, and eased him down onto it. There, she poured him a cup of water, held it while he drank, and put it back on the table. She sank down next to him, and placed a tender arm around his shoulders as he slid gratefully into her embrace. His eyes slowly closed, and moments before they slid fully shut she bent down, murmured in his ear, and they kissed each other lovingly on the lips as sleep overcame Ash. As his head lay in Misty's lap, Misty petted his hair, whispering sweet nothings to him. Pikachu and Brock both turned to face each other, their expressions a painting of shock.

"I think that something's gone on here Pikachu..." Brock murmured, still slack-jawed.

("You can say that again.") Pikachu replied, equally astonished. The silence was broken by the voice of nurse Joy.

"Who might you two be? We don't open to the public until nine A.M. you know." Misty's head shot up, and she blanched as she saw Brock and Pikachu staring at her, but her cheeks rapidly turned red as Pikachu's.

"Um, hi Brock! Pikachu!" She said bashfully, trying her best to make it look like Ash had fallen asleep in her lap by accident. Brock noticed the defensive posture, and shook his head.

"Misty, no point in trying to hide it, we saw everything. Including you charging into the bathroom after Ash to make sure he was okay." Brock and Pikachu grinned slightly as Misty coloured further.

"B-but, wouldn't you do it if you thought I was ill Brock?" She came back, trying reflexively to deny the truth, while knowing it was futile to do so.

("Yeah, but would you normally feed one of us a glass of water?") Pikachu snickered.

"Or let us lie in your lap?" Brock followed up, smiling at Misty's hurried attempt to deny the undeniable.

"Well, he-he just fell asleep like this..." Misty began and hesitated.

"Or would you." Brock began

("KISS us goodnight?") Pikachu finished for him, grinning widely.

"Oh, well, um." Misty bowed her head in embarrassment. Silently, a teardrop rolled down her cheek.

"Hey! There's no need to be like that, we were just winding you up a little Misty." Brock spoke quietly as he came over and patted her shoulder.

("Yeah, we were just teasing a little. What's the problem?") Pikachu followed, jumped up on the arm of the settee, and peered at Misty.

"N-nothing, I'm just a little tired that's all..." Misty choked, fighting back her mixed feelings.

"C'mon Misty, I know you. What's up?" Brock rested his hand lightly on her knee.

"I'm a little over-wrought, I've had a long night." Misty's glistening blue- green eyes shot him a look.

"What happened last night?" Brock rubbed her knee, trying to get her to calm down.

"Well, it started at about half-past twelve in the morning.."



"And that's when you came in." Misty finished, taking a deep breath in relief. Over half an hour, she'd extolled the happenings of the night, from finding Ash being sick through to where they'd arrived. She'd missed out the details of the conversations about Ash's fears, her past and how Ash didn't think he was worth her worry, the tears that she and Ash had shared, skirting around them with phrases like "we talked". Pikachu noted these silences and vowed to take them up with Ash at a later date until Misty warned them in no uncertain terms that questioning what they'd said would lead to a slow and painful death. Togapi sat next to Pikachu, wondering why her mother had Ash in her arms instead of her, but sensing that it was important. A moan escaped Ash's lips, and he awoke to see Misty's face. He smiled, but then he blushed as he saw the other three watching him with interest.

"Err.."He began, but was stopped by Misty's finger on his lips.

"Don't worry Ash, they know everything..." She smiled, and seeing Ash's eyes widening, she hurriedly added "well, almost everything." with a wink. Ash visibly relaxed again, and slowly sat up.

"Say guys, how are you?"

("Better now we know you are.") Pikachu nodded.

"Yeah, you had us worried." Brock added.

"Well, sorry about that guys. You don't need to worry about me. So, what we gonna do today?" Ash replied, a little defensively.

"You, my friend, are going to get yourself freshened up, 'cause you smell like a disused sewer" Brock said to a ruefully grinning Ash. "Then you're gonna both have a sleep. You both look totalled." He finished, gesturing at Misty. They both looked back at him with tired eyes, but eyes that glittered as snow in the sunrise. Gradually, Ash got back up again, and moved to the treatment room.

"I'm picking Chikorita up, then we're heading back. Fine by you guys?" Without waiting for response, he walked through the double doors.

("That's the Ash I know!") Pikachu grinned. Misty giggled to herself and looked at the floor.

"But do you know the real Ash?" She muttered with a sly grin, and moved towards the treatment room. Brock and Pikachu turned and looked at each other in surprise.

"What d'you suppose she meant by that?"



"Ah, home sweet home." Ash threw himself on the bed, Chikorita mimicking his movement a second later. Seeing this, Pikachu and Misty sweatdropped.

"Yeah, but Ash, we've only got reservations for tonight." Brock reminded him.

"Don't worry, I've got a little cash tucked away Brock." Misty smiled sweetly, and dug into the side pocket of her backpack. As she withdrew the sheaf of notes, Brock made a tiny noise in his throat, like the whinnying of a minute horse. She waved the wedge of cash, and winked at him. "I think another night or two might be on the cards." She counted out a hundred dollars, and handed them to Brock. "Two more nights okay?" don't worry about getting a three-bed room, I'm sure me and Ash can work something out." Winking to him again, she sat down on the bed which Ash and Chikorita were sprawled over. Ash gave her a calculating look.

"So, you did read my letter. I take it you won't be buying a bike with it then?" He nudged her gently and raised his eyebrows.

"No, you may well be right there." Misty grinned back. Pikachu leaped onto the bed, and took up a position on the headboard which would allow him to watch the pair of them and the television.

"So, what's this about not needing a third bed?" Ash playfully fenced. Chikorita, who had been to busy with Ash to hear Misty's comment to Brock, stiffened and watched intently.

"Well, it's obvious isn't it? I'm paying for the room after all, so why should I pay for you and Brock to have a bed each?" Misty came back wittily, and Chikorita relaxed. Temporarily.

"Well if that's the case, why don't we fight over the bed?" Ash pounced on Misty, mischief all over his face, and started tickling Misty remorselessly.

"Hey, cut it out!" Misty squealed, and rolled away quickly. She dropped into the pit between the beds, causing a snort of laughter from Ash and Pikachu. Ash's laughter stopped half a second later as Misty grabbed a pillow from the other bed, and gave him a good-old-fashioned walloping, spraying stray feathers across the room.

"That's it! This means WAR!!!" Ash screamed, dropping off the far side of the bed onto the floor as he grabbed the pillow from the bed. He rolled quickly, got to his feet, and gave a banzai yell as he sprung high into the air, trying to land a blow. Misty blocked it, and swept at his legs in retaliation, sending him flying back down onto the bed. Pikachu cried with laughter as Misty grabbed Ash's pillow with one hand, and pummelled him with her pillow in the other as Ash flung up his spare hand to fend off the onslaught. Eventually he grabbed her pillow, and used his extra strength to pull her onto the bed so he rolled on top of her, as Chikorita looked on in total bemusement. He pinned her arms to her sides, and held on to the struggling girl until she gave in.

"Submit?" he asked, pinning her arms with his thighs as he picked a stray feather from a pillow out of her hair.

"Oh you, well, oh you wouldn't! You WOULDN'T! Aaaahhh-AAAAHHHHH! OKAY! SUBMIT!" Misty squealed as Ash began tickling her face and neck with the feather.

"Very wise, my dear. So what is the victor's prize?" Ash taunted her.

"Well, what else would it be sir?" Misty seductively replied, batting her eyelids. Ash slowly bent down, as Misty craned up, lips almost touching..

("Noooo!") Ash and Misty's lips broke after the briefest of interactions to see Chikorita stood on tiptoe inches away, pure horror expressed in her red eyes. ("How can you let her Ash? After all she's done to you?") Chikorita shrieked, voice filled with anger and betrayal.

"Chikorita, you have to understand."

("No, what is there to understand? She destroyed you, I stood by you! I loved you when no-one else cared! Now that-that bitch! She comes back to you and you love her more than me! Reject me for her! Why, Ash, WHY?") Chikorita screamed, seeming to swell with fury.

"Chikorita, I do love you! Just ask Misty." Out of blind anger at the name, Chikorita snapped. Out of reflex, she whipped out a razor leaf at Misty. As she did, the world seemed to slow and fade into black and white. Misty screaming, and Pikachu looking on in disbelief. And the a hand, a hand thrown in the way of the leaf, not to catch but to deflect. And the leaf cutting deeply into flesh, tearing the hand, smashing a finger, missing Misty by inches, and embedding itself deeply in the wall. Then, as a light switching on, the world sprang back to colour. Ash span around under the force of the leaf, and grasped his wrist. Misty's scream of fear instantly became one of concern, as Pikachu screeched and leapt off the headboard to see Ash's hand better. As soon as she did, her ears flattened, and she spun on the spot to face Chikorita, fire blazing in her eyes.

("I-I'm sorry! I don't know what.") Chikorita faltered, tears springing from the corner of her eyes.

("Sorry? Would you still be sorry if Misty was lying there, bleeding or worse?") Pikachu cursed at her.

("She took Ash away from me!") Chikorita screamed back, hackles rising.

("Ash took himself away from you! And you wonder why? You were about to try and maim Misty for having the temerity of loving Ash too?") Pikachu roared, cheeks sparking up in fury.

("She did take Ash away! She hurt him, then took him away from me again, after the agony he went through!")

("So to get him, you're going to hurt him, push him away from you by assaulting his best friend and love, and then hope he chooses you?!") Pikachu stared Chikorita down with an incredulous expression. ("You're just doing what you despised Misty for! But she did it by accident, and she didn't do something as disgusting as physically hurting you or Ash! It just shows how much you understand life and people Chikorita! Did your family teach you ANYTHING?")

("My-my family.I didn't mean to attack (hic) M-Misty, I just l-lost control.") Chikorita felt the red mist fade as Pikachu's verbal blast brought her down, and she dipped her head in submission.

("Now, you pretentious little Bastard, you're going to get the shocking you deserve!") Pikachu growled, and sparked up to blast level.

"NO! Pikachu, leave her alone!" Ash flung himself in between the two, and grabbed Pikachu with his good hand. "Fighting is no good! Pikachu, do you want to go down to the level Chikorita has sunk to? If you do, shock her now. If not, then help me!" Pikachu looked up at Ash, who smiled despite the agony of a mutilated hand, then up at a pale Misty with blood on her clothes, and finally across at Chikorita. Slowly, she nodded. "Okay. Chikorita, it's up to you. I won't bear a grudge or go mad at you, I won't mention this until we're ready to get it all sorted out. Can you work with Misty and Pikachu?" Chikorita cast a glance at the other two, and saw anger, but tempered by desire to see Ash to safety.

("Okay.") She answered simply. Ash murmured to Misty, who released his injured hand. Chikorita backed away at the sight. Blood everywhere, various things all over the place, and the faintest white of bone. Blood, red, as the ball she'd possessed, the flames she'd seen.

"Misty, hold up a sheet. Chikorita, carefully razor leaf it into strips." The two of them complied. "Now, Pikachu, wind it around my hand and wrist, quite tight, and tie it up. Pikachu did it in a flash, and completed the makeshift tourniquet. "Now, we go to the hospital." He stood up, Misty taking one arm and Chikorita tenderly leading the other arm with her vine whip. Pikachu scampered ahead, and ran headlong into Brock.

"Pikachu, why you in such a rush?!" He began in irritation, only to stop as the other three emerged. "God damn it! That's the last time I'm letting you out of my sight Ash! Every time in the last day I've taken my eye off you, something has happened. What is it this time?"

"Just a little incident, I kinda hurt my hand." Brock looked down at the reddening bandages, and then inside the room at the ruined sheets, feathers spread through the room, and most of all at the razor leaf in the wall.

"A little incident? Now, I know you'd just love to tell me the whole story, but I think there's somewhere you need to be. Namely A&E. You will fill me in later, but just get going. I'll come down once I've cleaned and locked up here."



"I've got more stitches than the cast of a Punch and Judy show." Ash groaned as they walked back to the room to prepare for the night.

"Yeah, twenty-three is a lot Ash. At least you're lucky enough to still have full use of your hand. Well, in a month or two, at least." Brock reminded him. Pikachu, at their feet, sent a snide glance across at Chikorita, who stared at the pavement in shame.

("Happy now?") She snarled quietly, but was picked up on by Misty. Misty had had the entire conversation between Chikorita and Pikachu translated by Ash (reluctantly at first, but Ash seemed to have no qualms about telling her everything and anything since he'd exposed his deep fragility that morning.) and was stung by the caustic edge in Pikachu's voice. Sure, Chikorita had blown up at them in a big way, but Pikachu seemed to be exploiting the weakness. *I think we're going to have to get around a table or something, and get this worked out.* Meanwhile, Ash was thinking the exact same things. *We need this sorted out straight away. If this keeps going, I'll lose either Pikachu, Misty or Chikorita. Pikachu is indispensable to me, she's been with me start to finish, and Misty is the only girl I've ever desired. But I couldn't leave Chikorita. Could I? It's time for a kangaroo court! The only way to get this discussed without side- sniping and quarrelling.* The afternoon sun beat down relentless, as the sextet as they crossed the road next to the hotel. Entering the lobby, the receptionist who had watched them leave with barely curiosity called out.

"You okay now?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"How did it happen? If it was an accident, we've got insurance.."

"Nah, it was." Ash glanced down at the dejected figure of Chikorita "Domestic dispute. Nothing to worry about."

"Whew, some dispute. Hope you can avoid them in future, for your sake." The receptionist turned back to the computer screen as they all got into the lift. Togapi, who had been unusually silent for the day, suddenly started moaning.

"Uh-oh, looks like someone is hungry." Misty cheerfully said, as the doors closed.

"Well, we'll have to wait until we get back." Brock murmured, feeling the lift juddering up. The doors slowly opened again, and they walked to the room. Silently, Brock opened the door, and the party wandered in. Ash disappeared to the bathroom, still complaining of a dodgy stomach, and Misty reached into a cupboard for some food for Togapi, Pikachu and Chikorita. As soon as the dish reached the floor, Togapi and Pikachu almost pounced on it in delight. Chikorita hung back, with a look of uncertainty. Slowly, the smell of the food worked it's spell and she edged forwards, until she reached the rim of the bowl. As she moved to take a piece, Pikachu caught her eye, and sparked her cheeks in warning. Dolefully, Chikorita backed down, and sat a few feet away, staring longingly. Brock, sat at the end of a bed, nodded in recognition. This pretty well added up to what Ash and Misty between them had told him. Ash emerged from the bathroom, looking fresher. Taking one look at the scene going on, he cleared his throat.

"Right. Brock, stay where you are. Pikachu, Chikorita, sit by the TV. Misty, you sit with me on the other bed." The orders took everyone by surprise, but the tone of voice was such that everyone had taken up their places before they even thought to question him, and one look in his face was enough to quell any dispute.

"Okay then. First, I want everyone here to tell the truth. No secrets. If you lie, and we can tell -remember, we've known each other for too long for anyone to get away with it completely,- you lose everyone else's respect and trust. Brock, you can be the speaker. Take his words as the law, as he tells us when we can interrupt or must be silent. I want everyone to have their say, and that can't happen with everyone shouting at each other. Remember, no-one's on trial here, but it's been a long few days, and I'm not in the mood for arguing. So, welcome to court!" He finished with a wry smile, and sat back down. Court in session.



"Chikorita, can you tell me why you attacked Misty in full." Ash began in a gentle tone.

("Well, I thought she was responsible for your loss of desire to train, and you kept crying and had no energy or vigour.") She began, Ash translating for Misty and Brock. ("Every time you talked to her, you were given another verbal assault. They all beat you up, and you started believing everything she said.") Misty opened her mouth, but was held back by Ash's hand on her leg. Looking up to see him shaking his head as if to say "let her finish." She nodded, and smiled. ("So, when you got drunk with me last night, after she'd upset you again, and started calling me Chicky, I thought that you'd got over her and wanted me instead. But when you kissed her this morning, I- I just lost it. I just saw a red mist, that it seemed she was able to drag you through the dirt and still take you when she wanted to. It took me back to something which happened when I was a tiny girl. After that, I just couldn't contain my anger..") Chikorita broke off, and looked up at misty with a tear-streaked face. ("I'm so sorry Misty.")

("Still doesn't excuse what you tried to do.") Pikachu growled.

"Please, Pikachu, your turn will come soon." Brock interrupted. Misty met eyes with Chikorita.

"Chikorita, what happened to make you do that?"

("When I was only twelve weeks old, I found a ball. A red ball. It was twice my size, but I wanted it all. I lived with my parents, and three brothers. I knew when they saw the ball they would want it, so I guarded it. After a long and bitter battle one of them took the ball. One night my brothers were playing in a barn in a nearby farm with it when one of them knocked an oil lamp off a rafter. None of them got out. After that, I decided to keep it to myself, to ensure that no-one got hurt by a silly mistake. When I saw you kiss Ash, it was as if you were doing what my brothers did a long time ago. Combined with your treatment of Ash recently, it was enough to tip me over the edge. I feel terrible.") With that, Chikorita began weeping gently. Ash crouched down, and stroked her leaf tenderly with his non-bandaged hand.

"C'mon Chikorita. Don't cry, just take a deep breath and listen for now." He soothed, and sat back down. "Okay, Pikachu, what do you want to say?"

("I'm astounded you can let her go so easily, Ash. She did something similar to me a while ago, and we gave her the benefit of the doubt. Now, she's done it again, and someone got hurt because of her.") Pikachu's eyes met Misty's. ("Misty is like a big sister to me, and to see her attacked so wantonly stood out, made me furious.") She finished, fuming.

"But Pikachu, when you saw that I'd been hurt, you were going to shock the living daylights out of Chikorita." Ash quietly interjected.

("I thought she deserved it for assaulting a defenceless human out of anger.")

"But you were going to assault her out of anger, and she was making no effort to defend herself. Isn't that equally rash?" Ash countered. Pikachu floundered for a moment, before bowing to the inevitable.

("I suppose so. But you must realise that I have problems with Chikorita's possessiveness towards you Ash. I want you to be happy, and after this, I don't see how we can all be happy if Chikorita can't learn to live and let live.") Chikorita paused from her weeping as if to reply, but then continued.

"Ash now it's your turn." Brock said to the group.

"Uh, okay. Anyone need to ask me anything?" Ash questioned.

("Yes, Ash. Why are you so readily prepared to forgive Chikorita after what has happened?") Pikachu piped up.

"Well, I think she over-reacted, but we can't help our tempers around certain people." Ash recollected thoughts of fierce fights with Gary and Misty. "I think that's the thing we all need to remember. Like you with Gary's Eevee, Pikachu, or me with Gary himself."

("There is one thing.") Chikorita spoke through her sobs.

"Shoot."

("Why are you so easily hurt by Misty's insults Ash?")

"Ah. I'm afraid that is a matter between me and Misty." Misty put an arm around Ash, nodding in agreement.

("I thought you said no secrets!") Pikachu taunted.

"Brock, tell them." Brock sighed, and nodded.

"I'm afraid that is between Misty and Ash, and doesn't make any difference to the aims of the discussion. Much as I would like to know, I can't make them answer that question." Brock glared daggers at Ash and Misty, who in turn scratched their heads in embarrassment.

"I'm sure, when he's ready, Ash'll tell all you guys what he told me. But it's taken him a long time and a lot of effort to say what he said, so let it be." Misty glanced at each of her friends in turn, and received nods of assent.

"Okay then. Now, who needs to say anything to Misty?"

("I have, Ash.") Chikorita said, almost in a whisper.

"Go on then Chikorita."

("Well, I'd like to know if you are going to attack Ash any more. I don't know if I could bare the thought.") Misty shook her head slowly.

"That was sorted out last night as well. I'd rather not talk about it, it's kinda personal." Misty finished, aquamarine eyes pleading Chikorita not to pry any further. Chikorita met her gaze for a moment, and then smiled.

("Okay Misty. Tell us when you're ready.") Chikorita replied. Pikachu face faulted in surprise. *Perhaps Chikorita is coming around after all.* ("But Ash, could I know something?") Chikorita turned back to Ash. ("Why can't you love me as you.love Misty?") Ash paused, considering his answer.

"Well, have you ever thought about how a relationship between me and you would work? We'd be cast as freaks, we couldn't ever love each other in a true manner, as we're two different species. We couldn't have a family. Don't think I don't love you Chikorita, I love you as a sister or a close friend but, after six years together, there's only one love of my life." Ash and Misty turned to face each other, and gave each other the merest peck on the lips. "I hope that you can see that better now Chikorita. I used to think like you do, that I couldn't share things with anyone else, but it really is better to live and let live than hold things to yourself." Ash took a deep breath, and nodded. "Anything else?" No-one moved. "Right, I hope that this has cleared everything up. Court adjourned!" Misty and Brock giggled at the joke, while Pikachu and Chikorita eyed each other carefully. Slowly, Chikorita shuffled forwards, and offered her front paw.

("Truce?") Pikachu looked deep into her hopeful red eyes, and made her choice.

("Truce.") They shook on it, and nodded to one another as Brock stood up again.

"I don't know about all of you, but I'm going to go and get ready for the last night of the festival. I'm first in the shower!" Brock sprinted into the bathroom, narrowly defeating the multi-coloured blurs of Misty and Pikachu.

"Okay Brock, open up!" Misty hammered on the door, steam coming out of her ears.

("Yeah! You know it's girls first in the bathroom!") Pikachu added, only to be annoyed further by the sound of running water, and rather bad crooning shortly after.

"You better now Chikorita?" Ash crouched down to her, and tenderly stroked her.

("Yes, I-I think so.") Chikorita slowly melted as Ash's caresses took affect.

"You do know that if you ever need me, I'm here for you don't you?" He murmured to her, picking her up with one arm and carrying her to the bed.

("Yes, I do. I just wish you would trust me with what you hide.") Chikorita looked up into two pools of brown, and held her breath.

"Yes, I guess you're right." Ash sat on the bed, Chikorita in his lap. "But you must understand that although I am with Misty, I'll still love you. Nothing will ever change that." He hugged her gently, and felt her nuzzle into his chest. Looking up at him with delight radiating from every feature, she asked

("So, Pikachu will be busy for at least, oh, half an hour, so how about telling me a little about why you're so sensitive to Misty's criticism?") Ash looked at her pseudo-innocent expression.

"I'm not going to shift you when you've got your mind set on something am I? Okay, it all started back as a kid in Pallet town.."



Fireworks graced the sky, creating kaleidoscopic patterns against the stars and moon. From atop the big wheel, Ash and Misty breathed silently in wonder at the view. Fields and woods rolling across the world, rivers and lakes glittering in the flashes of silver and gold. Brock had shanghaied Pikachu, Chikorita and Togapi onto his carriage, with an excellent piece of foresight, leaving Misty and Ash in their own carriage a few behind. As his carriage began it's slow descent, he looked back across to the carriage about to reach the peak, and grinned to himself. He then turned back to the pokemon, and gazed at the plains illuminated in hues of fire and ice.



Misty held Ash's hand tightly as they gently approached the peak of their ride.

"From over a hundred feet up, the countryside almost looks like it does on the maps. Perhaps if I could travel at this height I could read a map right too!" He joked.

"Yeah. Maybe then I could get away without killing you twice a day." Misty's Aqua eyes roved around, drinking the scene in and painting it in pastels deep into her memory.

"It's gonna be strange for a while, travelling without screaming at each other. I hope we don't end up at each other's throats again." Ash's eyes misted over. "Although given the choice, I'd still have had that argument with you. It seems like weeks since that took place." Misty blinked once, and turned slightly to look him in the face.

"I wouldn't have had that argument with you at all Ash." Noting the shock filtering into his stare, she giggled. "I should've told you ages ago."

"If it makes it any better Misty, I think we're both guilty of that. If shyness is something you can be guilty of." He squeezed her hands in his. "Besides, if we hadn't rowed, would we ever have known each other like we do? Or perhaps you'd be happier with the old, all-action Ash not the boring- old-miserable Ash you met today.." His words died on the spot as Misty pulled him into a passion filled kiss. Slowly, he returned the kiss, until they broke seconds later.

"Ash, I wouldn't change you for the world. Anyone who would try to catch a Gyarados for me is my hero, whether he doubts it or not."

"Ah, so you did read my diary." Misty paled as she realised her slip. As she opened her mouth to apologise, she was silenced by Ash's finger on her lips. "Misty, if you hadn't read my diary, you wouldn't be human. Let's just say, you owe me one okay?" He said mischievously.

"Can I pay you back now?" She said, taking him deep into her arms.

"Hmmm, maybe I should wait for a while and charge you interest!" He mocked, drawing her closer still.

"Sorry, but this bill can't wait.." As their mouths met again, a firework flashed behind them, bathing them in a sensual pink light, masking the flash of a camera. Brock stepped back, look of delight on his face, Kodak in hand. As Misty and Ash continued unaware, he slipped the camera back into his pocket.

*Looks like a few people will want to see the enlargements of this!* He laughed in satisfaction. Deliah, Tracey, Misty's sisters, Prof. Oak, Duplica, Erika, just about everyone they'd ever met had placed a little bet with him on the eventual time which the two of them got together, and he was going to start calling in some old scores. But for tonight.. let it be. Chikorita, Pikachu and Togapi looked across at him, and nodded together. Just for tonight, let it be.



Kinda corny ending huh? Well, I think I'll write an epilogue for this story too, just to tie up a couple of things and indicate the relationships in the near future. So, C'ya soon, and don't forget to R&R!