Chapter 3: A reunion, and two secrets.

Duke and Ash have just walked into the center so Duke can get his pokemon treated.

Duke: Hey nurse joy!

Joy: Duke. I just saw your pokemon battle on TV. Too bad about your lost. Who was that guy you were battling?

Duke: I'm Surprise you didn't recognize him. It was Brian.

Joy: That was Brian! Seem like all of you are growing up so fast. I still remember your first match with him.

Duke: Yeah I actually won that one.

Joy: Yeah, but it was close. I also treated your wounds a few times too.

Duke: Yeah I know. You watched us a kids.

Joy: Yeah I still remember the time you and Brian started to test your psychic powers… on me.

Duke: You still remember that huh! Sorry about that. I was young I didn't know what I was doing.

Joy: Don't worry about it. You didn't hurt me. It was the fact that the kids I always watch over lifting me up off the ground without any actual contact was kind of shocking.

Duke: Heh-Heh. Joy. You were the one who watched us grow up. You broke up the fights between Brian and me when we were younger. Heck You gave me my ninja suit, and If It's any one I trust to keep my secrets it's you. You were like a second mom to us. You still are. 

Joy: Thanks you.

Duke: Welcome.

Joy: I would love to chat with you, but I have a pokemon here that need to be treated.

Duke: Actually I was wondering if you could give my pokemon a check-up.

Joy: Ok I give them a check up.

Duke: Ok here they are. *smirks*Oh can you check up on lee last.

Lee: Hit! =What!= *smacks duke on the head*

Duke: Why you little.

Duke was about to grab lee when he leaped out of Duke way and into joys. Duke glared as Lee snuggled up in joys arms.  Duke gave joy the rest of his pokemon as he glared at the very happy Lee. Duke stuck out his tongue and pulled down his left eye-lid.

Joy: Just like when your two was younger. They always use to play like this.

Ash: Really.

Joy: Uh-huh they did this every time he came for a check up.

Ash: you never think they this playful if you see them battle.

Joy: That true. Ever since Duke could battle he became serious.

It's like when he's not battling he's a gentle, fun loving, sweet, kind, teen that wouldn't hurt a fly, but when in battle…

Ash: He's a warrior that would do anything for victory and go through anyone with out any regrets.

Joy: Exactly. That's one of the reasons why he's so special.

Duke: All right joy. I'm going to show Ash the city. Take care of my pokemon. Lee be good.

Lee: Hitmolee. = Of course Duke. =

Duke: Have you seen Misty and Brock Joy?

Joy: They're at the cherry blossom restaurant.

Duke: Thanks. Let's go Ash. I can tell you hungry.

Ash: How? Did you read my mind?

Duke: I can hear your stomach growling. See ya in an hour or two Joy.

Ash: Bye Nurse Joy.

Joy: Bye boys.

Duke and Ash has just got to the restaurant where Misty, Brock and Somebody else were eating already. Duke stopped to tie his shoe where Ash went in. When Duke was about to get up from the ground he saw Hitmolee running to him with his pokeballs in his arms he wasn't alone either behind him was a Ditto. As soon As the Ditto was close enough it jumped into Duke arms. Needless to say Duke was kind of the worried side.

Duke: Yo Lee? Why are you here? Did something bad happen to joy, and what's with the ditto.

Lee: Hitmo Hit Lee Mo Hit Mo Lee Hitmolee Hit Lee Hit Mo Hit! = Those two team rocket members took all the pokemon from the center. This ditto and I escaped with your pokeballs=

Duke: Good job your two. Hey Ditto do you know where your trainer is?

Ditto: Ditto Dit Ditto! = In there Duke=

Duke: Lee? Translation.

Lee: Hitmo lee Hitmo. = In the restaurant Duke=

Duke: Ok let's go. As soon as we get in there ditto find your trainer.

Ditto: ditto. =Yes Duke=

Duke and the pokemon ran in to the restaurant to tell Ash and the rest what happened, but when he got to the table he froze, and his heart seemed to skip a beat when he spotted Ditto's trainer. She was beautiful wasn't too skinny or too fat. Her body was slender and curvaceous. She had red eyes that shined like rubies, hair as blue as the sky and skin as white and Silky as cream. She was wearing a red t-shirt with a star on it, some tight fitting jeans a pair of blue and white sneakers and a locket similar to duke's. He quickly blushed and stared down at the ground as he saw her smiling at him.

Duke: *thinking* Oh god. Duplica's here. I should have known that she would be Ditto trainer. Well no time to reminisce. *Out loud* you guys there's trouble at the center two team rocket members stole all the pokemon.

Ash: Let's go.

Brock, Duplica, Misty: Right!

As the group was leaving the restaurant Duke and Duplica stole a quick glance at each other, blushed slightly, and looked away. When they were coming out of the restaurant they saw a Mewoth looking hot balloon. In it they saw two people in Crimson ninja outfits. Duke wasn't happy about this at all. On the bottom of the balloon was a net full of pokemon and most of them didn't look so good.

Ash: Hey!

Misty: That couldn't be who I think it is.

Duke:  It is. Team Rock head. They got some nerves stealing sick pokemon. I'll handle this.

Duke jumped on the roof of the restaurant then towards the balloon. As Duke came closer to the balloon he unsheathed his sword, and with a few quick swings he cut the net down, and slashed the balloon which sent team rocket blasting off.

James: Looks like he burst our balloon.

Jessie: Yeah. Newt time we'll get him back.

Mewoth: Yeah, but until then…

Team rocket: Looks like team rockets blasting off again!

Duke landed on the ground in a kneeling position, sheathed his sword, stood up, and smirked.

Duke: That teach ya'll to copy my style. Losers.

Ash: That was cool.

Misty: And fast.

Brock: Very stylish.

Duplica: Nice.

Duke: *joking* Just Nice.

Duplica:  It was marvelous!

Duke: (smiles) That's better. Come on we got to bring them back to the center.

# Pokemon center#

Duke, Ash, and co. has just brought the pokemon back to the center. Nurse joy was happy at say the least to see her patients had return.

Brock: Here I think these are your patients joy.

Joy: Oh thank you. I don't know what I would of done without your help.

Brock: *blushes* Oh you don't have to thank me. It's all in the days work for Brock the rock.

Joy: That's good, but I was talking to Duke.

Misty: Yeah Brock.

Duplica: Stop taking credit for Duke's work.

Duke:  Heh-Heh. That's ok, I've couldn't done it without Brock's help Joy.

Joy: Really? Well in that case…

Joy walked up to Brock, and to everyone surprise gave him a friendly kiss on the check. Brock then…froze with a smile and blush on his face. Joy giggled at this and the shocked looks on their face. Duke was the first to recover from the shock. He walked up to joy and tapped her shoulder.

Duke: Joy you know he's not going to leave you alone now right.

Joy:  That's ok. I can use the extra help.

Duke: That's not what I mean.

Joy: Oh…damn it.

Duke chuckled at this. He walked up to Brock with a smirk on his face.

Duke: Brock…

Brock: Yeah.

Duke: You owe me big time.

Brock: I know.

Duke: Oh, before I forget…

Brock: Yeah.

Duke: You can faint now.

Brock: Thanks.

So, Brock did what he was told. He fainted. Ash, Misty, and Duplica has finally recovered from the shock. Ash and Misty walked over to the bench and started talking among each other. Duke smirked happy to see his friend taking his advice… He hoped. Duplica stood next to the wall on the other side and stared at the two on the other side. She seemed a bit distant, so Duke being the friend he is walked over and stood next to her.

Duplica: *thinking* I wished I could do that with him.

Duke: Hey Baby blue. You ok?

Duplica: Yeah. Why is Brock on the floor?

Duke: He fainted.

Duplica: Oh. *Looks away*

Duke: Yeah.  You know we really didn't get to talk.

Duplica: Yeah.

Duke: So, how are you?

Duplica just stared at him. A small blush crept on her cheeks and she quickly found the floor very interesting. Duke was worry to say the least.  She seem like she could cry at anytime.

Duke: Hey Duplica. What's wrong? You sure you ok?

 When Duplica didn't say anything, Duke was extremely worried. For all the years he knew her, he never saw her so distant, especially toward him, but before he knew it Duplica wrapped him up in a tight hug and sobbed silently on his chest. Even though Duke was bright red, he was even more worried. Duke really didn't know what to do so he returned the hug.

Duke: Hey Duplica…What's wrong?

Duplica: I missed you. *Sigh* So much. I'm so glad to see you.

Duke: I've miss you too. Very much actually, and you know what Baby blue?

Duplica: No. Tell me.

Duke: You're even cuter than before.

Duplica: *blushes* Always the flatter.

Duke than lifted her chin so he can get a look at her face. Tears were running down her cheeks. Duke wiped the tears off her face and smiled brightly as she stopped crying.

Duke: That's better. You look much more beautiful when you smile…Baby blue.

Duplica: *blushes.* You haven't called me that since we were kids…Big red.

Duke: We'll you haven't call me that in a while either.

Duplica: I'm sorry. About crying like that.

Duke: Hey don't worry about it. *Blushes.* I'm just happy to see you smile.

Duplica: *blushes slightly* Stop it Duke. You're making me blush.

Duke: *Whispers* Duplica…

Duplica: *blushes* Yes…Duke.

Duke: Are you still…Ticklish?

Duplica: *blushes* N-N-No.

Duke: Oh really.

Duke suddenly reached for Duplica sides and smirked at her evilly, and before Duplica knew it she was on the floor laughing her heart out With Duke on top of her.

Duke: So…Baby blue still not ticklish or do you give up?

Duplica: *Laughing* I give up! You Win!

Duke: Heh-Heh. I thought you see it my way. *blushes.* You know you're real Beautiful when you laugh. You should do it more.

Duplica: *Blushes.* I'll Keep that in mind Big red. Now If you can get off me and help me up.

Duke: Sorry about that.

Duke got off Duplica, grabs her hands gently, and helped her up. When they got up they stared into each other eyes as if they was in a trance. They faces move closer inch by inch and before they knew it…

Ash: Excuse us. What's going on here?

Misty: *smirks* we're not interrupting anything are we.

Duke and Duplica slowly turned around to see Ash, Misty, Brock, Joy and their Pokemon (lee, Pikachu, and Ditto) with the biggest Kool-aid smiles ever. Duke and Duplica refused to face anyone turned a new shade of crimson, as their Friends smiles grew bigger. Joy, Misty and Ditto took Duplica outside so they can talk while Ash, Brock, and their pokemon took Duke to a corner so they can do the same.

Brock: What was that?

Duke: I don't know what you're talking about, and I thought you fainted.

Brock: I woke up.

Duke: Oh.

Ash: Stop trying to change the subject. What happened between you and Duplica?

Brock: *smirks.* Or should we say Baby blue.

Ash: *smirks* Oh that's right. That's your little nickname for her huh?

Duke: *glared* How long was your standing there.

Ash: *smirks.* You're the psychic. You tell us.

Duke: *twitch.* I rather not. *Twitch.*

Brock: In that case let us help you.

Ash: Do the lines. That's better. You look much more beautiful when you smile…Baby blue.

Duke: *Twitch.* That *Twitch.* Long.

Ash: That long… *in a mocking voice*Big Red.

Duke: *glaring* Shut *twitch* up. Only Duplica can call me that. Got it. *smirks.*Ashy-boy.

Ash: *Blush* Evil man. You just had to read my mind didn't you.

Duke: *Smirks.* Yup, and if you don't want Brock to find out what went on between you and mist…I mean Misty. I suggest you forget that thing with Baby blue and me…

Ash: *smirks.* Who?

Duke: I mean Duplica. *Smirks.* Ok Ashy-boy.

Ash: Fine.

Brock: Ashy-Boy? Didn't Duplica call you that when your two first met?

Duke: **Glares** What! What's that? What he said Ash? Don't make me probe your mind.

Ash:  Yo Duke calm down. Remember I told you about that.

Duke: **smiles** Oh yeah! Sorry about that ash.

Ash: **Sweat-drops.** That ok.

Brock: Hey what are your two talking about? What happened between Ash and Misty?

Ash: What? I don't know what you talking about.

Duke: **smirks** I do. You see Brock, our friend here…

Ash: ** Glares** Duke!

Duke: Heh-Heh. Sorry Brock I can't tell. If you want to know, you got to ask Ash or Misty.

Brock: You know what. Since you want to be like that. Screw you two!

Ash and Duke looked at Brock and than at each other, and busted out laughing, While Brock glared at them muttering about them keeping secrets.

#A few minutes ago#

While Duke was getting interrogated inside, Duplica was receiving the same treatment outside Misty and Joy.

Misty: Ok Spill.

Duplica: **blush** I don't know what your talking about Misty.

Joy: I beg to Differ.

Duplica: **gulp** Y-y-your two are crazy. I'm telling you I don't know what you two are t-t-talking about.

Joy: **smirk** Then why are you stuttering.

Duplica: **Blush** I am n-n-not.

Misty: **smirk** Sure you are, and your blushing too. Just like a bride would.

Duplica: **sarcastically** Thank you for pointing that out.

Misty: **Smirks.** You're welcome.

Joy: Look Just tell us what happened between you two.

Duplica: **blushes** Ok you want to know I'll tell you…

Duplica took a deep breath and explain the whole thing to Joy and Misty. While she was explaining everything her face was the color of blood.

Duplica: **blush.** So in other words Duke and me did was the same thing Ash and Misty did. Are you happy now?

Joy: Yes very, but what do you mean the same thing Ash and Misty did…Misty?

Misty: **blushes** All we did was talk.

Duplica: **smirks** Don't you mean flirt.

Misty: **blushes** Why would I flirt with Ash?

Duplica: Same reason why your blushing.

Misty: Oh and what is that?

Joy: I'm curious about that to.

Duplica: You sure you want me to say?

Misty: Yeah I'm sure. **Smirks.** I want to here this.

Duplica: Ok, just promise you won't get mad.

Misty: I promise. Come on tell me your conclusion.

Duplica: You love him. Now tell me it's a lie.

Misty was shock to say the least.  She didn't have a comeback so she looked down to the ground for advice, and pretty soon she was as red as Duplica was a few minutes ago.

Joy: **shocked.** Is that true?

Misty: **blush** Y-Y-yes. It's true.

Duplica: I knew it.

Misty: Duplica. Please don't tell ash.

Duplica: Misty. I wouldn't do that.

Misty: Thanks.

Duplica: You should tell him soon. It will do him and you good.

Misty: I can't do that. He doesn't feel the same.

Duplica: Look Misty you'll never know if you don't try.

Misty: But I'm not ready.

Duplica: You don't have to tell him today. I'm just saying you should tell him…before it's too late.

Misty: Thanks…Again

Duplica: Hey us girls got to stick together.

Joy: You know Duplica you should follow your own advice.

Duplica: **blushes** I couldn't do that. He only thinks of me as a little sister. Plus I don't like him.

Joy: You know what I'm going to call you Cleopatra, because you are truly in denial. Where were you 10 minutes ago in Duke's are about to kiss him, and you say he thinks of you only as a sister! What's wrong with you? Can't you see he thinks of you more than a sister?

Duplica: **blushes** What if you're wrong.

Joy: I knew you, Duke, and Brian, since the day you three met in the nursery in hospital. I've been there through the hard times and the good time…for all three of your. I think I can tell when one of you are in love, and Duke been in love with you since your eighth birthday, and he still is, and I know that you felt the same way just as long as he has. So please don't tell me I don't know how Duke feels about anyone. Especially when that person is you. Besides it is oblivious to everyone except you two.

Misty: That's true.

Duplica: What make you so sure I like Duke?

Joy: Duplica can you honestly say that you don't. I want you to look me into the eyes and tell me how you feel about Duke.

Duplica Stared straight into joy eyes, and joy did the same. They stared at each other for a minute when Duplica gave in.

Duplica: I don't like Duke… I love him. I love the way he walks, talks, fight, battle, hell I love the way he makes me feel when he near, I hate when he's not. I love the names he calls me. I love it when he tickles me, hold me, hell the slightest touch from him can make me blush a hundred shades of red. I just love him. Plain and simple.

Misty: That exactly how I feel about Ash. Sometimes he can be so annoying, but I still love him. He can be such a dunce, arrogant, jerk, and I still love him.  

Duplica: I know exactly how you feel.

Joy: So Duplica are you going to tell him?

Duplica: Ok I'll tell him. Just not now, but soon. I'll tell him.

Joy: Since we got that settle let's head back in, because the boys seemed to been staring at us for a while now.

Duplica and Misty turned around and surely enough Duke and Ash with their pokemon was leaning on the desk staring at the girls while Brock decided to take a nap on the large circular sofa in the middle of the center.

Duplica: Shall we go in?

Misty: Yeah.

Joy: All right.

And with that said the three girls walked in to the pokemon center.