Again, another short one...but, it's the best I can do for now.

Disclaimer:...I don't own and/or have anything to do with Pokemon...



Ash walked back to the main chamber, where the others were waiting, his
clothes covered in the tell-tale remains of rock dust. Brock and Duplica
looked quickly at him, but his eyes were a lazy, neutral grey. Brock sighed
with relief, then turned back to Alex.

"So, you were saying...?"

"That...people like us, are drawn to one another during our lives. So, if you've met each other, and you're all the same, chances are that anyone else that you were aquainted with...are the same, too."

Alex let that sink in.

"So..." Brock said."Just any of them?"

"Not exactly." Emily explained."We tend to cling to one another, because we are the same. So, it's people we spend the most time around, and keep coming back for more."

"So, that's why I got so attatched to Ash..." Duplica said.

"And the same with Misty." Brock added. He looked at Ash."She was very clingy with him."

Ash's eyes whirled curiously with green and blue. He didn't know who this 'Misty' was...he tried to picture what she might look like. He thought of grey eyes, pale skin, and light blue hair when he thought of the name Misty.

All this time, the others were watching to see if he showed any signs of remembering Misty. Ash dismissed his thoughts, uninterested, his eyes returning to grey. He was puzzled at the disapointed looks the others gave him. They went back to the conversation.

"Can you think of anyone else?" Alex asked."They may need protection."

"Well, sure, lots of people." Brock shrugged.

"Well, who most of all?" Emily prompted.

"Well, besides Misty, maybe that guy...Tracey, and Gary." Brock thought."Oh, and Ritchie...And prof.Oak and Ash's mom."

Alex and Emily nodded. Duplica looked at Brock, puzzled.

"Why them?"

"Because they have connections to Ash, and a lot of other people like us." Brock explained."It's probably not a good thing to leave them unprotected."

"What about your family?" Duplica asked. Brock panicked.

"Don't worry." Alex said."I've taken care of it. Those Rockets have probably woke up by now...minus a few memories, of course."

Brock looked relieved.

"Thanks, Alex."

"You're welcome."

Brock turned to Ash, then blinked. Ash was curled up on one of the beds, fast asleep. Brock turned back to Alex.

"He sleeps a lot, doesn't he?"

"It's a side effect of having all the Elemental powers." Alex said."Normally, if he had only one or two like you, he would be okay starting off. But since he has all of them, and he's so new at this, it's putting a lot of strain on him. The best way to deal with it is to sleep, because it's restful."

*Goodnight, Ash.* Emily sent to the sleeping figure.*Sleep well.*

*thank you, Emily.* came the faint, sleepy reply.*I will."

Emily smiled.