***Author's Note***
As usual, thanks for the reviews! This chapter is slightly longer than the others I think. Hopefully it's a good thing. ^_~ And I decided to do some review responses this time because you've all been so nice. So they are at the end!
Disclaimer: You know it. I know it. I don't own it. So why say it? (I'm such a dork. Lol.)
A Few Helpful PushesChapter 5: Flying Pandas and Complications
"I am not talking to him!" Misty shouted at Serena and flung a pillow at her. They had all come home, with the exception of Ralph, Emily, and Gary who were staying in hotels.
Serena caught the pillow mid-air with her mind and sent it back to its owner. "Why not? Its no use being mad at him just because he pretended to be mad for us being so late."
Misty looked up and glared. "It's not that."
"Oh? Then what is it? No wait, let me guess. You were hoping that Ash would ask you to the ball but he didn't so now you're not talking to him." Serena saw that Misty was no longer looking at her. "Oh I actually guessed correctly?"
Another pillow came her way. This time, she just caught it with her hands. "Look, what if he was planning to ask you at home in private? Maybe he didn't want anyone else around. How is he supposed to ask you now if you don't even talk to him? Or even come out of your room?"
"Too bad."
Serena sighed. "You can be so stubborn sometimes! But you know, you're going to have to go pee sometime or eat something and there's no way I'm bringing the toilet or any food in here for you."
This time, a black-and-white stuffed panda flew towards her. "Hey! I'm trying to help you here and you in turn are trying to kill me with flying pillows and pandas!"
"Ha ha," came the reply.
"Fine. If you don't want help, it's your loss. Don't come crawling to me when I'm having fun at the ball with Gary and you could be having fun at the ball with Ash." Serena stood up and grabbed her orange knapsack. "I'm going down to my parents for a while. I'll be back later."
Downstairs, out on the patio, Brock and Ash lounged around.
"I can't believe you blew it!" Brock exclaimed, looking at the younger boy.
"I know, I know!" Ash grumbled. "It was the perfect chance and I messed up. But it doesn't matter because she doesn't like me anyway. She said herself that she was going to the ball to find her true love or something like that. I think I just won't go to the ball at all."
Brock sighed. "You are talking like a madman! Here I am without a date or without anyone to ask and the girl that you like is only upstairs! Not too far and you're not going to ask her!?"
Ash closed his eyes and groaned. "No."
"Well, I tried."
"Serena! Serena!" a voice called out. She had just left her adopted parent's house moments ago and was headed towards the photo shop to pick up her pictures. Turning, she saw a tall, young teenager, the same age as her, running towards her.
Stopping, she waited for him to catch up. Once he did, she smiled up at him. "Hey Ritchie! Haven't seen you in a long while."
The boy grinned back down at her. "You either. How's it going cuz?"
"Not bad, not bad. Just stopped by my parents."
"Ah. How are Aunt Jaime and Uncle Ken?"
"Good. So, you here for the ball?"
Ritchie nodded. "Yup. Guess you are too."
Serena shifted her backpack on her shoulders. "You guessed right. So, who'd you ask?"
At this, her cousin blushed slightly. "Uh...no one actually. I was hoping to ask this one -"
"Perfect!" Serena suddenly exclaimed. "I have an idea if you'll help me."
The teen arched an eyebrow. "Every time I've helped you Serena, there's always trouble."
"Oh come on! You've gotta help me! We're cousins after all!"
Ritchie smiled teasingly. "Not real cousins. You're not even Aunt Jaime and Uncle Ken's real daughter."
Serena shrugged and waved a hand casually. "It's all the same if you believe it in your heart. Now come on!"
Her cousin sighed as he allowed her to drag him off towards a park bench so she could tell him her 'brilliant' plan.
It was almost eight o'clock when Serena walked into the Waterflower house with Ritchie behind her. The others had already sat down, ready to start dinner. She dragged the boy into the kitchen.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my cousin -"
"Ritchie!"
"Ash!"
Serena looked confused. Or at least pretended to. "You two already know each other?"
Ash had jumped up from his seat along with Misty and Brock. "Yeah. We met at the Pokemon League and uh...he's the one who beat me."
Ritchie grinned. "How's it been Ash?" He turned to Brock. "Yo Brocko!" Then, he looked at Misty. "Misty! How are you? Wow, you have gotten really pretty!"
Misty blushed and looked down while Ash shot Ritchie a furious look, which he missed.
"Well," Serena said. "Since you all know each other, there's no need for introductions. Daisy, do you guys mind if Ritchie has dinner with us?"
Daisy shook her head and smiled. "Nope. Just, like, pull up a chair and let's start. This meal Brock cooked up smells wonderful!"
After dinner, Ritchie asked Misty to go for a walk along the beach. Hesitantly, she glanced at Ash and seeing that he was poring over a Pokemon Digest magazine, she agreed and slipped out with him.
As they walked, Misty couldn't help wondering what was up with the boy. When they had first met, he just seemed like a good friend. Now, he was acting like he had a crush on her. She had to admit, Ritchie did look good. His muscles bulged slightly and his hair was spiked up. He had lost the outfit he wore before and now had on black jeans and a blue t-shirt. Yet, he couldn't compare to Ash in someway.
They continued walking along, silently when Ritchie finally spoke up. "So uh...Misty. Are you going to the ball with anyone?"
Oh god he's gonna ask me! But I want Ash to ask me! Out loud, she said, "No. Not yet."
"Oh, well I was uh...wondering if you'd maybe…like to go with me?"
He did ask me! What do I say? Well, Ash didn't ask me and at least someone did and Ritchie's not bad. Oh someone help!
"Well?" Ritchie implored.
"I-I," Misty stuttered. Then she remembered the way Ash had said that he was only going to the ball for food. Surely he couldn't like her and she had to go with someone. "I'd love to Ritchie."
Later on, Ritchie had walked Misty home and then went on his way towards the hotel he was staying at. Misty bounced into the living room where everyone was. Her sisters were watching a movie while Brock lay snoozing on the couch. Ash, she noted, was still engrossed in his magazine. Forget him! I've got a date. She took a seat on the floor beside Serena who was busy doodling in a notebook, not noticing her best friend.
"Gary and Serena. Gary and Serena Oak. Mrs. Gary Oak," Misty read aloud with a grin.
Serena jumped and snapped her notebook shut, blushing madly. "You sneak!"
"Interesting. I never thought that anyone would actually want to marry Gary! Especially at this age!"
"Shut up!" Serena glared and then quickly changed the topic. "So, what happened?"
"What do you mean?" Misty asked, leaning against the couch.
Serena looked at her. "You know very well what I mean. Did Ritchie ask you to the ball or something?"
"Wait a minute," Misty's eyes narrowed dangerously in suspicion. "Did you set me up or something?"
The psychic girl's eyes widened in complete innocence. "What!? Why would I do that? I'm just asking because you're eyes are shining with happiness and it seemed to me that he really took a liking to you."
"Oh," Misty said but there was something that told her that Serena was hiding a secret. "Well anyways, yes, he did ask me in fact. He's actually pretty cute."
Serena wrinkled her nose. "Well, even though we're not real, blood cousins, we like to think we are and we've been brought up that way, I'd rather not like to think him cute. He's like a brother to me."
Misty laughed. "Well he is cute." She didn't notice the glares that Ash was shooting at her from behind his magazine while the two girls chatted.
Ritchie! I can't believe my own friend would go and do that. Of course, it's my fault for waiting so long to ask. Why must I always be the idiot!? Arrg! Now she likes him and I'll never know if she ever did like me. She probably didn't. Ash you dolt! Well, fine, if Misty can go with Ritchie, I can most certainly go with someone else.
As Serena and Misty continued talking, Daisy, Lily, and Violet were whispering to one another quietly. "Do you really think the plan will, like, work?" Lily asked.
Daisy nodded. "Hopefully. I mean, that dense dunce has, like, GOT to realize his feelings for Misty and tell her soon otherwise I'll, like, smash him for breaking our little sister's heart."
"But what if that Ritchie kid really does fall for Misty and, like, vice versa?" Violet asked.
"Don't worry. From what Serena told us, her cousin's already, like, got a crush on someone else so everything's okay. I hope." The oldest of the trio said.
After a while, Misty said that she was tired and ready to go to bed. "Good night everyone!" she sang out.
"Night Misty. Get some sleep, the ball's tomorrow night," Lily told her.
"I know. I can't wait!" Misty skipped out of the room and upstairs. Serena stayed for a while and watched Ash as he still flipped through the magazine. She could tell that he really wasn't reading it because his eyebrows were scrunched up and he was flipped through the magazine too fast to be able to actually read it.
Why so angry Ashy? she asked. Knowing that he couldn't answer her without Misty's sisters overhearing, he just glared at her and shrugged.
Oh I get it. You're just jealous because my cousin asked your girl out. Tsk, tsk. Always the late one are we? At this, Ash just shot her a menacing look and stormed out of the room and upstairs, leaving Serena giggling.
"Like, what's so funny?" Violet asked, shutting off the television. The movie was over and now, they were ready to hit the sack.
"Oh nothing. Nothing at all. I have a feeling that the ball will be very interesting. Very interesting indeed," Serena said still giggling.
Daisy, Violet, and Lily just gave her questioning looks and Brock gave a snort and a snore, reminding the girls that he was still there.
"Oh, uh.... Lily, you wake up him up. He can't sleep here!" Daisy told her.
Lily shook her head. "No way! You do it Violet."
"How about you Serena?" Violet turned to the younger girl.
Serena rolled her eyes. "You three know him better than I do but I'll do it." She stood and walked over to the couch. Bending down, she placed her hands on Brock's shoulders and then,
"AAHHH!"
Brock looked up in surprise from his position on the floor. One minute he was sleeping, the next he was floating and then falling.
Smiling down at him, Serena said, "Hi Brock! It's time for you to go upstairs and into bed! Can't sleep here you know. And if you do, I'll let every single girl in Cerulean in here to watch you sleeping and drooling."
Brock groaned. "Must you always complicate everything?"
"Yes."
Ding Dong! Ding Dong!
Only about half of the people who were at the Waterflower house were actually fully awake the next morning, yet it still took a few moments before someone answered the door.
"Yes?" Lily swung open the door at last, still in her robe.
Standing on the doorstep, was a girl Misty's age who held a small sheet of paper in her hands. Looking up, she lifted the sunglasses that sat upon her nose and asked, "Hi! Is this where Misty Waterflower lives?"
Lily looked at the girl. "That, like, depends. Who are you?"
"Oh." The girl swung her brown hair back behind her and said, "I'm Melody, a friend of hers. I heard that she was here in Cerulean City and I just came in last night so I was wondering if she's here cause I'd love to see her."
"In that case," Lily moved aside. "Why don't you, like, come in Melody? Misty's still sleeping I think. I'll go get her. In the meantime, why don't you step into the kitchen where Brock's, like, making some breakfast. I'll be back."
Upstairs, Ash heard the doorbell ring and this was what had awakened him. He groaned and rubbed his eyes. Last night, he had barely gotten any sleep thinking of Misty and Ritchie. Turning over on his side, he saw Pikachu already awake and doing morning stretches on the floor.
"Pika!" The yellow Pokemon greeted its master.
"Mornin' Pikachu," Ash said back but his voice was drowned out by a low grumbling. "Heh. Guess I'm hungry. And-" he sniffed the air. "Something smells good. Let's go eat buddy!"
Ash hurriedly grabbed his shirt, pulled it over his head, and left the room, forgetting he was still wearing his boxers.
On the way downstairs, he noticed that the girls' bedroom door was shut. Guess Misty's still asleep. He sighed and tried to get her out of his head. She was going with Ritchie and that was that. He was, as Gary always said, the loser. Even in romance. Sighing once more, he hurried down the steps and heard voices in the kitchen. One was Brock. The other, a female voice but not of any of MIsty's sisters and it couldn't be Misty or Serena. Cautiously, he walked into the kitchen.
"Thanks for the toast. Mmmm...scrumptious!" a girl sat with her back turned to him, talking animatedly with Brock, who stood over the stove wearing an apron.
"Ah, Ash!" Brock cried out cheerfully seeing his friend. "You're awake I see?"
Ash nodded. "I'm hungry."
The girl turned at this and jumped up. "Ash! It's been a while!"
"Melody?" Ash blinked and then grinned. "Hey! It's great to see you. What're you doin' here?"
Taking her seat once again, Melody smiled. "Came to see Misty. And I could ask you what you're doing down here in the kitchen without pants."
"Huh?" Looking, down, it was now that Ash realized that he had only boxers on. "Heh heh. I'll be right back." He rushed out of the kitchen, so embarrassed that he didn't even see whom he almost ran down on the way.
Misty was finally awake and coming down the stairs, struggling to put on her robe. "Hey Ash! Watch it!"
"Sorry Misty," Ash said stopping for a moment to look at her. Her hair looked like she had given one try to fix it and given up and she was yawning. He could see that underneath the robe, she wore a matching blue tank top and shorts. She looks too cute when she's just woken up! he thought and then quickly brushed the thought aside. "Melody's here."
Misty nodded, still yawning. "That's what Lily said. And by the way Ash," she looked up at him with a sly grin. "Did you know you're still wearing your boxers?"
He he. He looked so adorable in boxers. And they had Pikachu's all over them too! Misty thought as she walked into the kitchen where Melody and Brock were still conversing. No! I will NOT think about Ash that way. We're through cause he obviously doesn't like me. I refuse to think of him.
"Misty!" Melody jumped up and hugged the girl as soon as she walked in.
Hugging her friend back, she said, "Hi Melody. Nice to see you."
They let go and Melody suddenly, a sly grin spread across her face. "Can I just ask you a favor before we start catching up on stuff?"
Failing to notice the grin, Misty nodded. "Go ahead."
"Well, can you please not beat me up?"
Misty stopped in the middle of a yawn to look at her. "What?"
Melody sat back down and crossed her legs. "Well, I mean, I just saw your boyfriend in boxers and I know you're probably the only girl who has seen him in them so like, don't beat me up for being the second girl okay?"
"He is NOT my boyfriend!" Misty shouted, going completely red in the face.
Melody raised an eyebrow as Misty shot Brock a threatening look, for the rock-trainer was struggling not to dissolve in laughter. "Are you sure? I mean, I actually thought you two would've gotten married by now."
Going even redder in the face, Misty yelled, "Didn't I say when we met that it would be gross to be his boyfriend much less MARRY him!?"
"Sheesh. Calm down!" The other girl held up her hands just as Ash walked in, very red in the face. Obviously, he had heard what Misty had last said.
"So," Melody continued, taking a sip of orange juice. "I'm assuming you lovers aren't going to the ball then?"
"We are NOT lovers. How many times do I have to tell you Melody!?" Misty exploded, completely unaware that her secret-lover was in-fact, standing right behind her.
"Then you're not going together, right?"
"Right," a male voice said.
Misty jumped and spun around to come face-to-face with Ash who was still blushing and now both teens turned even redder at this. "Uh..."
"How cute! You're close enough to kiss!" Melody exclaimed. Immediately, both Ash and Misty jumped apart a few feet.
I am going to kill her,. Misty thought, gritting her teeth.
"Anyhow, if you're not going together yet, aren't you gonna ask her Ash?"
"Why should I?" Ash asked, taking a seat, trying to resume his normal composure.
Misty sat away from Ash beside Melody, careful to avoid his eyes. "Sorry to disappoint you Melody but I'm going with Ritchie." And then she proceeded to tell the girl who he was from her confused expression. "We met him in the Indigo League and then Serena brought him here for dinner last night. They're cousins." Misty didn't feel the need to explain to Melody that Serena and Ritchie weren't blood cousins.
"Ooh wait a minute! I know him! I met him on my way here at some point but then lost track of him. But who's Serena?" Melody asked as Brock set some plates down in front of Ash and Misty.
Before Misty could answer, Serena entered the kitchen, surprising everyone. She was floating an inch off the ground and her black hair stuck out everywhere. Her eyes were half closed and she was grumbling, her robe sash dragging behind her.
"Umm, Melody, meet my best friend, Serena."
Melody stared at the floating girl and made no sound.
"You might want to explain to her what Serena is," Brock told the redhead.
Misty nodded. "Right. Serena's a psychic. And you can tell that she's not a morning person."
"I see."
The others watched as Serena floated herself into a seat across Misty and began to help herself to some napkins, which, thankfully to Misty, did not go into her mouth.
"Is she always like this in the mornings?" Melody asked, still amazed because she could see the red glow from Serena's eyes getting dimmer.
"Well, sometimes," Misty responded and then snatched a spoon away from Serena's hand as it was on its way to her mouth, empty. "Serena! Wake up!"
Instantly, the girl's eyes snapped open and strangely, she looked wide-awake. "Good morning everyone!" she said cheerfully and then noticed Melody who was still staring. "Oh hello. I'm Serena. Nice to meet you-"
"Melody."
"Melody. Right. Well, nice to meet you. Brock, can I have some eggs please? So Melody, are you here in Cerulean for the ball?"
Melody nodded as Serena took a plate from Brock. She was still a little startled at Serena's behavior but she liked the girl already. "I got an invitation a while back. I took the plane here."
"So you goin' with anyone?" Serena asked while spooning in egg into her mouth.
"No, not yet. I'm hoping to find someone though."
At this, Serena's eyes lit up but she showed no sign of excitement. Throughout their conversation, she noticed that Ash and Misty were uncharacteristically quiet. Heh heh. This is just getting better and better. "Well, Ash isn't going with anyone either," Serena hinted.
"Yeah, he told me. Of course, I was expecting him and Misty to go together but I guess I was wrong about them."
Oh I like her. Serena thought.
Thinking quickly, she said to Melody Ssh, don't get startled. Just act natural. It's me Serena talking telepathically.
Serena glanced over to Melody who was taking this all very well and not showing any sign of anything.
Okay, I'll explain my powers later but right now, I'm thinking that you want Ash and Misty to get together. So do I. So with a little more teamwork, I think we can do it. So far, Brock and I tease them, I've gotten my cousin to ask Misty to the ball and now, I think you and Ash should go together. Just play along.
With another quick glance at Melody, Serena said out loud, "Yeah, I was kinda expecting them to go together too."
"Excuse me!" Misty said loudly. They looked at her. "Can someone please pass me the butter?"
Unfortunately, the butter was near Ash. Misty realized this and knew that she couldn't refuse it now otherwise it would look bad so she just turned her eyes to Ash and looked at him expectantly, willing herself not to turn red as she did so. Ash looked at the butter and blinked.
"You want the butter?"
"Yes. Now just give it to me. I'm hungry and I can't eat my toast without butter."
"Oh? Well, wait cause I gotta use it first," Ash picked up a knife and very slowly began spreading the butter on his bread. Misty watched. And waited.
But not for long. "Will you just hurry?"
"Hey, we've had toast before without butter while traveling. Now wait, otherwise I'll take a longer time."
Misty growled and Ash could see her turning red from anger. Oh well, he thought as he continued spreading slowly. She deserves it. After all I've done for her, she goes and agrees to go to the ball with my so-called friend.
"I'm wait-ing," the redhead said tapping her fingers impatiently on the tabletop.
"And I'm still spread-ing," Ash replied mocking her.
By now, the others were silently eating, while watching the little charade. Brock had joined the younger teens and was now eating as well. No one noticed two tiny Pokemon quietly slip into the room and now they too, watched in fascination at their masters. Pikachu, seeing that Ash and the others were occupied, slowly made his way over to the refrigerator and with Togepi's psychic abilities, managed to get the door open and pull out a bottle of ketchup. They toddled back to the table and sat underneath it so that no one would notice them. And so, if needed, Pikachu could give Ash a good shock. Above his head, the pokemon could hear impatient tapping and then more yelling.
"Look Ash! Just pass me the butter! I'll be done in a second and then you can go and spread for hours if you like! Just let me get some real quick!" Misty finally said, not being able to take anymore.
Ash shook a finger at her. "Patience, patience." Then he began spreading butter on his second piece of toast.
"Arrrgg! What's the point! I'm not hungry anymore!" Misty stormed out with Togepi running out from under the table at the sight of its mother so upset.
As she exited, everyone else turned to Ash. 'What?' he said with his hands. "She should learn to be more patient."
Brock shook his head. "You should go apologize. I know you were doing that on purpose."
"Apologize for what? I did nothing except sit here and put butter on my toast. I will not apologize for anything," Ash retorted, unaware that Pikachu was now sitting beside him on the floor.
"Ash, can't you see that-" Brock started and then closed his mouth.
"See what?"
Shaking his head, the older boy said, "Nothing."
Shrugging, Ash took a bite of his breakfast.
"So Ashy," Serena began, ignoring the glare that came her way. "I was thinking, since neither you or Melody have dates to the ball, why don't you go with each other?"
Ash immediately began blushing and tried not to look at Melody as he spoke. "Melody? Umm...actually, I was thinking of not going at all."
"Nonsense!" Melody exclaimed with a big grin. "It'll be perfect! I mean, why not? Misty's not your girlfriend and you're not her boyfriend so what's the matter? Ash, you are going and you are going with me, got it?"
Meekly, he nodded, stood, unable to eat anymore and almost toppled over. "Pikachu!"
Pikachu gave him a grin and tried to hide the ketchup bottle behind his little back. "Pika."
"Pikachu, you know you're not supposed to eat so much ketchup!"
"Pika pika pi pi pikachu chu pika pi chu!" [I know you did that butter thing to get Misty mad on purpose because you like her.]
"I did not and I do not!"
Pikachu grinned, noticing that the others were watching curiously. "Pika pi chu pi pika chu!!" {Yes you did and yes you do!}
"No way!"
"No way what, Ash?" Serena asked.
"Huh?" he looked up, cheeks red.
"And why are you blushing?" Melody asked slyly. "What'd your sweet little Pikachu say to get you all flustered?"
"Nothing!" Ash avoided everyone's gaze and quickly hurried out of the room only to find Misty sitting in the living room reading the comics with Togepi playing at her feet.
"Oh hello Ash," she said coldly looking up at him. "Did you get all the butter you needed?"
"Actually, I couldn't finish eating."
"Oh and why not? After you took so long with the butter, I would've thought you'd be eating for an hour at least."
Ash frowned and then an idea popped into his head. "Well, I just thought I'd better go make sure my suit for the ball is okay. I mean, since I'm going with Melody, I have to look good."
This caught the girl's attention and Misty struggled not to show any emotion as she asked, "Oh you're going with Melody?"
He nodded and smiled. "Yes. And I'm sure we'll have a great time."
"Yes. I'm sure you will. Now will you leave me alone? I didn't get to have my breakfast because of you and I would like to read my comics in peace."
"Fine. I was just leaving to go upstairs."
As Ash proceeded upstairs, Misty fumed. How could he go with Melody!? And how could she have agreed? Of course, she was going with Ritchie but still. If only she had waited, maybe Ash would've asked her. No. He doesn't like me. I mean, he asked Melody after all and not me. Hot tears sprung to her eyes as she quickly wiped them away. No I won't cry. I mean, it was my choice to go with Ritchie and it's his choice to go with Melody. But then, why do I feel so bad? I should've been nicer to him. That's probably why he hates me.
Oh boy. I hope that made her jealous. Ash thought as he changed out of his pajamas. Normally, he wasn't the one who used someone to make someone else jealous but Misty agreeing to go with Ritchie had really made him mad and now, it was payback time. Hopefully, she's jealous. But then, what's there to be jealous of? Everyone knows that she hates me and everyone thinks that I hate her and she probably thinks that too, but I don't hate her. Oh boy. What if Melody starts to like me now? I like her only as a friend and what if Misty and Ritchie really like each other? Oy…this is just getting more complicated.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Brock, Serena, and Melody were laughing too hard to finish eating. Serena had figured out what Pikachu was saying to Ash using her powers and it had cracked them up. "Did you see his face?"
"And he was so flirting with her with the butter thing!"
"And I bet she'll be so jealous when she finds out that you're going with him!"
They continued laughing and didn't stop until they were interrupted by a voice.
"Like, what's so funny?" Violet asked.
She, Daisy, and Lily had come downstairs and were all wearing fashionable clothing as if they were about to go model instead of eat breakfast.
"Sit down and while you're eating, we'll tell you. This is turning out so good!" Serena laughed.
Melody nodded. "Yup. Ash and Misty will be together before midnight tonight, guaranteed!"
"I hope so because their act isn't fooling anyone but themselves. And by the way, you're Melody right?" Daisy asked, extending a welcoming hand.
Later that day, Melody, Serena, and Brock were walking around the city as Serena gave them a proper tour. Both Misty and Ash had decided to stay home while Daisy, Violet, and LiIy were decorating and telling people they had hired where to put up balloons and etc.
They came to the beach and were walking along the boardwalk when suddenly, a blue Marril ran up to Brock.
"Marril!" It jumped happily at Brock's feet.
Brock looked down, confused and then saw the pink bow tied to its tail. Quickly, he looked up and standing a few feet away, was a girl, slightly overdressed for the beach but still pretty all the same.
"Willhemina?" Brock breathed, not taking his eyes off the girl.
"Brock? Brock!" She walked towards him smiling. "It is you! Marril, you recognized him didn't you?"
"Willhemina," Brock said almost breathlessly. "How are you?" the teen asked, blushing slightly but surprisingly not going into his gaga-for-girls state. When they had first met, she was taller than him but now, he towered over the sixteen-year old girl.
"Oh I'm just wonderful. How about you?"
"The same. I'm still traveling around with Ash and Misty."
At the mention of Misty, Marril began bouncing up and down, making both laugh. "I see Marril remembers her."
Brock nodded. "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we take a walk around while we talk?"
Willhemina's eyes lit up. "That'd be great." She shyly took Brock's hand and they began walking, leaving Serena and Melody alone.
"Well, that was -" Serena started.
Melody finished, "weird."
"Especially for Brock," Serena added.
***Author's Note***
No fluff still but we're getting closer. I like to build up and you can tell that everything's getting more and more complicated. Plus, I'm trying to have multiple romances in here too and there will be more characters we all know appearing. Anywho, I'm goin' now. Please review for me! Thankies to ya! And of course, I will continue to send E-mails to everyone who has asked whenever I update.
Sugar, spice, and everything nice,
*Maura*
Review Responses:
Angelic-Shadowcat: Heh heh…seems like Ash, Misty, and Melody didn't want your interference. But yes, I suppose love *does* hurt. Though personally, I wouldn't know.
Bobthebest aka warriorgoddess: It's Ash! Of course he's going to screw up. Melody is the girl from one of the Pokemon movies…Pokemon 2000 I think. She flirted with Ash (gave him a kiss on the cheek!) and made Misty mad but don't worry, she's actually pretty cool later on. In my opinion at least. She adds some spice to AAML.
Togepi4eva: Lol. Wow! You had lots of suggestions. I wish I could have gotten them before I wrote this because I certainly would have incorporated all of them into this fic. Unfortunately, as I've mentioned before, this entire thing is written out already and all those characters you've mentioned won't be appearing this time. Sorry. But there are others. And btw, who's Sakura? I used to watch PKMN on Fox Kids but since they took that away, no more for me. And I have no cable.
White tiger: I'm guessing you want to strangle Ash too, huh? Don't worry, you'll want to keep strangling him as this goes on.
res1kna4: Poor Ash. You want to hit him in the back of his head while White Tiger wants to strangle him. He'll be dead before I get to finish! ^_^
JasonX: Lol. The name Melody sickens you? I pray that all Melody's stay away from you then! ^_~ A poster w/my pen name? That makes me happy! Hehe.
JAMO: Thanks for all your nice comments! It made my day! I'm glad that you like Serena. I hope I didn't make her too Mary-Sue-ish. Yes, the other PKMN guys needed some romance to so I sprinkled them in too. I believe everyone should get a fair shot. Plus, I like it when things work out nice and neat, hence the reason for fan fiction! ^_^ I'm a sucker for happiness.
Avaris: Thanks! Glad you like it.
Maria: I hope this chapter was just as good as the last.
Preview of Chapter 6:
Misty noticed something else however. It was the fact that Melody was, in her eyes, clinging to Ash's arm and Ash didn't seem to mind. Trying not to show any resentment, she smiled back. "So you made it Ash. I love your dress Melody."
"Yeah, I made it," Ash said while at the same time Melody replied, "Thanks!"
"So," Ash continued, now eyeing a corsage that was pinned to the right side of Misty's dress. "Where'd you get that? You didn't have it when I left."
Misty fingered the edge of the lovely corsage, which was a baby blue. "Ritchie gave it to me," she said smiling at him but he only seemed to be looking at Melody. Turning back to Ash she said, "Isn't it beautiful? Ritchie is just the sweetest!"
Ash could only frown in reply and pulled Melody away to the dance floor.
