Chapter One: Karaoke Party, The Calm Before the Storm
Misty awakens with a start. She glances around, momentarily disoriented, before she realizes where she is. She, Brock, and Ash are in a Pokemon Center outside of Azalea town. Tomorrow they will finally be able to deliver the GS ball to Professor Kurt and Ash will compete for his second Johto League Badge. Misty hears Ash stir in the bed across the room to her left and turns to look at him. He sits up and looks over at her, a look of concern on his face.
Ash: Are you ok Misty??
Misty: (faking) Oh yeah, I'm fine. I just can't really seem to get to sleep.
Ash gets out of bed and walks across the room to stand over her. After a moment he sits down on the side of her bed.
Ash: You were tossing and turning in your sleep. Did you have a bad dream?
Misty: (looks down) Yeah, sort of.
Ash: (puts his hand on her shoulder) You can tell me about it, can't you?
Misty: (smiles, removes his hand and hold it in front of her) It's ok Ash. I'm fine. It was just some weird dream and I don't really remember much about it anymore. It's already starting to fade.
Ash: Are you're sure your ok??
Misty: Yeah I'm fine. Now lets both go back to sleep. We need our rest for tomorrow, you especially, since you will be challenging the Gym Leader.
Misty leans forward and kisses Ash lightly on the lips. "I love you", she whispers to him. "I love you too" replies Ash, squeezing her hand reassuringly before standing up and walking across the room to get in bed again. "Goodnight Misty" he calls across the room before rolling over and falling right to sleep. Misty watches him sleep for a few more moments before turning over on her back and looking up at the ceiling. She hates lying to him like that. It's not that the dream was bad or scary, but just weird, and she really didn't feel like explaining it when she really didn't understand it herself. However the part about the dream beginning to fade was true. Misty could now barely remember what it was about, just that she, Ash, Brock, and Team Rocket were in it. She closes her eyes as the last remnants of the dream flow through her mind in a dis-jointed haze.
"All I am, all I'll be, everything in this world, all that I'll ever need, is in your eyes..."
"Please Misty!"
"I do love you!"
"I acted stupid too"
"It's all my fault"
"It's all right. It doesn't matter anymore"
"...I do cherish you"
For some reason thinking of the dream causes Misty's mind to drift to that night on the balcony, the scene between her and Ash, and the Mirror, the one that glowed. She doesn't know why she is thinking of that time, but she suddenly has a strong feeling that it is significant somehow and that something is going to happen. "But what? That's the question" she says softly to herself, before turning over and drifting off to sleep.
Meanwhile The lone figure stands silently on a hill adjacent to the Pokemon Center were the children now sleep. His cape billows in the soft Johto breeze. His features are obscured in the shadows of the night, un-penetrated by the bright moon above. Down below him the Pokemon Center is experiencing a strange phenomenon, unbeknownst to everyone inside. The building is surrounded by a glowing aura borealis of color. The light undulates and changes color, going from icy-blue to pink, to green, to purple, and back again. The building itself seems to be shifting in and out of focus, double imaging, like someone is looking at it with their eyes crossed. The mysterious man smiles, knowing well what this means.
Mysterious Man: So it's finally going to begin. The worlds are getting closer and closer together. Soon they will be able to cross over. After all these years it may finally be finished. I just hope they are all ready for what's ahead. And when THAT moment comes, what choice will they make??
Ash's voice (announcing the title) Pokemon Special movie! Project GS: Final Battle for the Universe
The scene moves to a small Karaoke Bar on the outskirts of Azalea town. Inside Ash, Misty, Brock, and Team Rocket sit around the stage, snacking on chips and salsa and socializing. Pikachu and Togepi are back at the Pokemon Center, hanging out with some other Pokemon and helping Nurse Joy.
Narrator Meowth: It's been awhile since we last left you faithful viewers and a lot has happened since. After the whole Butch and Cassidy business in Cerulean, Jessie and James decided they would travel with the twerps to help protect them from Team Rocket. However, they haven't run into any agents of TR since the last battle. The twerps returned to the Johto region and continued their journey towards the new league. Their first stop was Violet City where Ash challenged the Gym Leader, Faulkner, a trainer who specialized in flying type Pokemon, and won himself the Zephyr Badge. Next the group arrived at Azalea town where they finally delivered the mysterious GS ball to Professor Kurt. Ash challenged the Azalea town Gym Leader, Bugsy, a specialist in bug type Pokemon, and won the Hive badge. Now our heroes are on their way to Goldenrod City so Ash can compete for the Plain Badge. But first they have stopped off at a Karaoke bar to celebrate Ash's second gym victory.
Ash: (jumps up from his seat) Ok, who's going to sing next!?!?
Misty: (pulls him back down) Not you, and shouldn't we wait for Professor Oak and Tracey to get here??
Ash: They probably won't even get here till late. It's a long way from Indigo to here. And even if they are here in Johto they might be too busy with research to come by the party, so we shouldn't waste our time.
Narrator Meowth: Several days ago, Prof. Oak called Ash and informed him that he and Tracey would be taking a trip to visit Prof. Kurt and study the GS ball. Ash invited them to drop by the party if they had time.
Brock: (looking up from the Song list in his hand) I think Ash is right. We don't know for sure if Prof. Oak is coming or not so we shouldn't waste our karaoke time. I payed good money to book this time for the party so you cheapskates better appreciate my contribution and make the best of it.
Misty: (caves in) Ok, ok I see your point Brock. Let's get on with it.
Ash: (enthuisasticly) Alright!! Who wants to go next???
James: Jessie went last so I think it's my turn.
Ash: Ok James, go for it!!
Everybody claps politely as James walks up to the stage and picks up the microphone. But before he can begin his introduction the doors to the establishment open and Professor Oak, Tracey, and Delia Ketchum walk in.
Oak: Hey everybody. I know we're late, but a least we made it.
Tracey: We almost couldn't find this place.
Ash: (starts to run forward) Professor, Tracey, you made it! We were just talking about you…(stops) MOM!?!?
Delia: Hi honey. How's your Johto journey going?
Ash gets over his first shock and quickly runs to his mother and hugs her. After a moment they release the embrace.
Ash: Things are going fine. What are you doing here?
Oak: After I told your mother that Tracey and I were going to Johto and that we might run into you she insisted on coming.
Delia: I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to see my son again. (serious look appears on her face) Ash you are remembering to change your you-know-what every day aren't you??
Ash: (falls over, blushing) Please mom, don't ask me that in front of my friends!
Everybody laughs as Ash gets up and pulls out three chairs for Tracey, Oak, and Delia at his table.
Oak: Brock, Misty, Team Rocket, how is everybody doing??
Brock: We're doing fine Professor. James was just about to sing some Karaoke for us.
Tracey: Cool, can I go next??
Meowth: Hey, what about me??
Jessie: You already went and our ears are still recovering.
Meowth: (bears his claws) Why you…
Meowth leaps at Jessie and tries to attack. Jessie grabs Meowth's mouth and begins to stretch it out
Ash: I'll go after Tracey!
Misty: (playfully) Why, so you can butcher another song with your off-key voice??
Ash: HEY!!
Oak: (laughing) It's good to see that everyone is still getting along well.
Ash/Misty: Me, get along with him/her!?!?!?
Everybody laughs again. James clears his throat to gain the group's attention.
James: Is everyone ready?
Jessie: (looks up from her fight with Meowht) Go for it James.
Meowth: (words slurred from his mouth being stretched by Jessie) Knock em dead Jimmy-boy.
James: Ok. First I'd like to start out by saying I dedicate this song to Jessie, my lovely wife. This song I'm going to sing perfectly captures her personality and the way I feel about her.
Jessie immediately drops Meowth and pulls her chair up close the stage. Stars fill her eyes.
Jessie: O James. You're so romantic!!
Meowth: (under his breath) Oh please. I'm gonna puke. (receives a death glare from Jessie, sweatdrops) I didn't say anything.
The audience giggles again, and James punches the number of his song into the Karaoke machine. The music begins to play.
James: Ok here it goes. (goes into singing mode)
She's like Armageddon
She's so nuclear
She's got the four horsemen, yeah
Ride on baby, ride on now
She takes a fascination to new elevations
She's the latest rage and the greatest sensation
And she's everything to me, yeah yeah
She goes Boom Boom Boom
I go crazy crazy
She goes Boom Boom Boom
She annihilates me
She's apocalyptic
Existential too
She quotes the Baghavad Gita
Dream on baby, dream on now
She takes a slight transfusion to my confusion
It's all smoke and mirrors and grand illusions
And she's everything to me, yeah yeah
She goes Boom Boom Boom
I go crazy crazy
She goes Boom Boom Boom
She annihilates me
She annihilates me!!
And she's everything to me, yeah yeah
She's everything to me
You know she goes Boom Boom Boom
I go crazy crazy
She goes Boom Boom Boom
She annihilates me, so completely
Boom Boom Boom, I go crazy crazy
She goes Boom Boom Boom. She annihilates me!
She goes…..Yeah-yeah-ha Yeah-yeah-ha
She goes Boom Boom Boom, Boom Boom Boom.
I go crazy crazy, crazy crazy
She goes Boom Boom Boom, crazy crazy, Boom Boom Boom, crazy crazy
She annihilates me!!
James finishes his song and the music ends. Everybody claps except Jessie, who doesn't look very pleased.
James: (bows) Thank you very much. Doesn't that song fit Jessie so well?
Jessie: (fire in her eyes) JAMES!!!! What is the meaning of this? I am not like that at all!! (bashes him on the head with a mallet)
Brock: I think it fits you very well, Jessie
Meowth: I totally agree
Delia, Oak, and Tracey nod their heads
Pop!
Wobbuffet: WOOOOOOOBBUFFEET!!!That's right!!!
Jessie: (grows fangs) Who asked you, you bumbling blue blob? How many times do I have to tell you to stay in your poke-ball? (calls wobuffet back, grumbles to herself) I can't believe that little kid talked me into trading my Lickitung for this thing. (glares at James, grabs his ear) I'll punish you for the song later. For now I don't want to spoil the party.
Jessie drags James by the ear back into his seat as Tracey gets up and walks onto stage to the microphone.
Ash: (playfully) You know Misty, that song kind of fits you too.
Misty: (grows fangs) WHAT DID YOU SAY ASH KETCHUM??!! (holds a mallet up)
Ash: (mock fear) Oh please don't unleash the apocalypse upon me oh mighty one. Please don't annihilate me. (gets up and runs around the table)
Misty: I'll do more than annihilate you, you little twerp!! GET BACK HERE!! (chases Ash around with the mallet)
Ash: (laughing) You can't catch me!!
Misty: Watch me!!
Misty finally does catch Ash and beats on his head a couple of times with the mallet. Then they return to their seats.
Oak: Young love is a beautiful thing isn't it Mrs. Ketchum?
Delia: Oh yes I agree. Reminds me of how I was with my first boyfriend when we were young.
Misty and Ash blush deep red and look down at the table as everyone laughs.
Tracey: So what should I sing?
Brock: Sing anything you want. A song you really like or one that represents something for you, like the one that James sang.
Tracey: Ok, let me look. (scans the song list) AH! This song will be perfect!
Tracey punches in the number of the song and the machine begins to load. Tracey steps up to the microphone and clears his throat.
Tracey: Before I begin I'd like to say a few words. Ever since I became an assistant to Professor Oak my life has been bright and full of meaning. Everyday is a wonderful day since I arrived at Pallet Town that first time. You rock my world Professor Oak. Every Pokemon watcher dreams of meeting you and I finally fulfilled that dream. That's why I dedicate this song to you.
Oak: (blushing a little) I'm very flattered young man. I don't think I'm nearly as cool as you make me out to be though. I'm just a normal Pokemon Researcher.
Tracey: Don't be so humble Professor Oak. You're the greatest. (music begins to play) Ok. Here it goes. (enters singing mode)
Know all about,
about your reputation
And now it's bound to be a heartbreak situation
But I can't help it if I'm helpless
Every time that I'm with you, ah
You walk in and my strength walks out the door
Say my name and I can fight it any more
Oh I know I should go
But I need your touch just too damn much
Loving you, That isn't really somethingI should do
Shouldn't wanna spend my time with you
Well I should try to be strong
But baby you're the right kind of wrong
Yeah, baby you're the right kind of wrong
Everyone stares at Tracey, dumbfounded. Prof. Oak's mouth flops open slightly. Tracey picks up the mike and begins to walk off the stage towards Prof. Oak, moving seductively, or at least attempting. As he walks he continues to sing.
Might be a mistake
A mistake I'm makin'
(points at Oak) But what your givin I am happy to be takin
'Cause all that will make me feel
The way I feel when I'm in your arms
Everyone turns and looks at Prof. Oak. Oak sweatdrops
Oak: (waves his arms around nervously) It's not what you think. The boy is just trying to be funny. That's all!! Don't look at me like that!
Tracey stops and kneels before Prof. Oak, looking deep into his eyes, which causes Oak to sweat drop even more
They say your something I should do without
They don't know what goes on
When the lights go out (everyone gasps, Oak turns white
There's no way to explain
All the pleasure is worth all the pain
Loving you, That isn't really something I should do. ya-hey
Shouldn't wanna spend my time with you
Well I should try to be strong
But baby you're the right kind of wrong
Yeah, baby you're the right kind of wrong
Tracey flings himself on top of Prof. Oak, and looks deep into his eyes. Everyone gasps and moves in to get a closer look. Oak's sweat drop grows in size again.
Oak: Tracey, what are you doing?? (Tracey continues to sing)
I should try to run but I just can't seem to
'Cause every time I run you're the one I run to
Can't do without what you do to me,
I don't care if I'm in too deep yeah
Tracey grabs Prof. Oak and kisses him passionately on the lips. Oak's turns white again and falls out of his chair in a dead faint. Everyone gasps again and draws back. Tracey kneels down next to Oak's prone form and continues to sing.
Know all about,
Yea about your reputation
And now it's bound to be a heartbreak situation
But I can't help it if I'm helpless
Every time that I'm with you, ah
You walk in and my strength walks out the door
Say my name and I can't fight it any more
Oh I know, I should go
But I need your touch just too damn much
Hey-yeah
Loving you, yeah, isn't really something I should do (not something I should do!!)
Shouldn't wanna spend my time with you
Well I should try to be strong, I should try to be strong
But baby you're the right kind of wrong (right kind of wrong)
Baby you're the right kind of wrong
(Baby you're the right kind of wrong)
Yeah baby you're the right kind of wrong
Everyone stares shocked at Tracey as he finishes his song. Tracey bends over and pulls Prof. Oak up from the floor and hugs him to his body, pulling Oak's arms around him at the same time.
Tracey: Oh I can't stand it any more, Professor. I've been keeping these feelings bundled up inside me for so long and now they've all been released. I can't wait another minute. Take me now. Make hot steamy Pokemon Scientist love to me right now, here on the floor, in front of everyone. Oh, I love you Professor Oak. I've waited so long for the time when you would hold me in your big strong arms.
Oak: (swirls in his eyes) Someone….help me.
Ash: (totally clueless) What does it mean to "make love"?
Misty: (blushing nervously) I'll tell you when you're older Ash.
Jessie: (sweatdrop) That was creepy.
James: (sweatdrop) I agree. And people think that I'M gay??? Ha!
pop WOOOOOBBUFFET!! That's right
Meowth: (looks at Tracey and Oak) I think we better pull them apart before Pokemon becomes a Hentai Anime series.
WOOOBUFFET!! That's right (Jessie calls Wobbuffet back)
Delia: (clueless too) I'm confused.
Brock: (scolding) Shame on you Professor. I'll never be able to think of you the same way again.
Oak: (flailing around) Will you guys stop that. I didn't do anything!! Now help get him off me, please!
Tracey: (eyes closed) Oh Professor, don't be so rough.
Suddenly out of nowhere a lady with a small notebook and a camera appears and begins taking notes and pictures, while talking on a hands-free cell-phone.
Lady: Yes, Pallet Town Tabloids?? I'm a free-lance reporter in the Johto region and I just uncovered some amazing dirt for you to print. It seems the world famous Professor Oak is having an affair with his young Pokemon assistant. The old man likes little boys. It could be a controversy to rival the Catholic Priest Conspiracy. I want you to stop the presses, once you print this you'll go down in history as the sleaziest Tabloid of all.
Suddenly Prof. Oak jumps up, steaming mad. He tries to grab the cell phone out of the Reporters hand, but she bounces away and exits the building.
Oak: Come back here! Don't you dare print that story without hearing the facts from me. It's not what you think!! Do you hear me???
Oak runs out of the building after the reporter. Tracey gets up and runs after him.
Tracey: Come back my love!
Oak: (hears Tracey, runs faster) AAAAAAH! Someone help me. My assistant has gone mad.
The door of the bar slowly swings shut on its own. Everyone sits down.
Ash: (sweatdrop) Should we continue with the party?
Misty: (sweatdrop) Yeah I think so. Who's next?
Brock: I'll go. (gets up, grabs the mike from the floor, and walks on stage)
Jessie: (whispering) I hope squinty's song isn't as scary as the last one.
Brock: (looking up from the song list) I heard that! I do to have eyes!
Everyone Else: Really?
Brock: (ticked off) YES!
James: Then why can't we see them??
Brock: If I told you, I'd have to kill you
Meowth: Can't you come up with a better excuse than that?
pop WOOBBUFFEET!! That's right
Jessie: Your one to talk! You don't have eyes either!
WOOOBUFFET!! That's right!
Jessie calls Wobbuffet back into its pokeball just as Pikachu walks in through the door.
Ash: Hey buddy, decided to join our party?
Pikachu: (hopping onto Ash's shoulder) Yeah, it was getting boring at the Pokemon Center
Misty: (a little concerned) Where's Togepi? Wasn't he with you Pikachu?
Pikachu: Don't worry, I left him with Nurse Joy.
Misty: Ok. Thanks Pikachu!
Pikachu: No prob. So…(turns to Ash) What's up?
Ash: We were arguing about whether or not Brock has eyes, while we wait for him to pick his Karaoke song.
Pikachu: Sounds like fun
Brock: And if you are all finished arguing, I'd like to actually sing my song instead of standing up here all night.
Ash: (laughing) Sorry Brock. We didn't mean to hold you up.
Brock: (laughing) Yeah I know. Just give me a few more seconds and I'll have my song (turns and looks through the list) AH! Here is a good one. (turns back to his audience) I'd like to dedicate this song of unrequited love to a very special girl in my life. A girl I've loved for a long time, who is out of my reach. But I still can't deny my feelings.
Misty: (whispering to Ash) Which special girl in his life? (out loud) Hey Brock, should I go grab Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny so they can hear your performance? And maybe we can tape it and send it to all the other girls that fit that description.
Brock: HEY!! (fakes crying) Why do you always put down my ambitions of romance?
Misty: Because you go after every single girl you see. It's kind of pathetic. You need to find one girl who you really like and focus on only her.
Brock: (sad) Yeah it would be really nice if I could (quickly covers up by faking enthusiasm) Ok let's get this song started!
Ash looks up at Brock and notices the pain on his face. No one else seems to notice, only Ash. He thinks again back to the night Melody showed up mysteriously and drove Misty away, to the conversation he had with Brock. It's something he can't get off his mind lately, something he can't help feeling a little guilt for. As the song commences it is only Ash who truly listens and understands the feelings behind the words, the motive behind the song.
Brock: (singing) And now I'm all alone again
Nowhere to go, no one to turn to
Without a home, without a friend,
Without a face to say hello to.
And now the night is near
Now I can make believe she's here.
Sometimes I walk alone at night
When everybody else is sleeping
I think of her and then I'm happy
With the company I'm keeping
The city goes to bed
And I can live inside my head.
On my own
Pretending she's beside me
All alone, I walk with her till morning
Without her
I feel her arms around me
And when I lose my way I close my eyes
And she has found me
In the rain the pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is her and me for ever and forever
And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself and not to her
And although I know that she is blind
Still I say, there's a way for us
I love her
But when the night is over
She is gone, the river's just a river
Without her the world around me changes
The trees are bare and everywhere
The streets are full of strangers
I love her
But every day I'm learning
All my life I've only been pretending
Without me her world will go on turning
A world that's full of happiness
That I have never known!
I love her
I love her
I love her
But only on my own.
Brock finishes and everyone begins clapping.
Meowth: Bravo!
Jessie: You should try out for a musical
James; (crying) That was so moving, I feel your pain!
Jessie: (whacks James) What do you know about unrequited love. You have me!
pop WOBBUFFET! That's right!
Jessie: (very angry) STOP THAT! (calls Wobbuffet back) If you can't stay put I'm going to have to super glue your pokeball shut
Delia: That was a really great song Brock. I never knew you could sing so well.
Misty: Yeah. I didn't know your romantic feelings could go so deep.
Brock: (blushing slightly) Thanks everyone. It wasn't much; I just really like that song. I saw the play like a million times when I was a kid.
Misty: (curious) It was from a play?
Brock: Yeah, a Broadway musical. It was very good.
Ash: I didn't know you liked theater; I would have thought that was more James's specialty.
James: (clenching his fist) What does that mean??
Jessie; (holding him back) Calm down James, he isn't implying anything by it. (glares at Ash) Are you twerp?
Ash: (sweat drops) Implying what?
Jessie: See he doesn't even know what you're talking about James.
James: (calms down) Yeah I guess your right, but you know how people usually are implying you know what when they say something like that.
Jessie: Yeah but…(bats her eyes flirtatiously) haven't you already proven them wrong?
James: (suave voice) Yeah, I guess your right. (kisses Jessie on the lips)
Ash: (still clueless) Implying what?
Misty: (slaps her face) Help me
Brock laughs and sets the microphone on top of the Karaoke machine before returning to his seat. Once again it is only Ash who notices the sadness that is barely concealed behind fake enthusiasm. He wonders for a moment if he should talk with Brock again, after the party is done, see if he can help. Brock chugs the rest of his soda, opens another, and looks around the table at the others.
Brock: Ok, who's next? I think we can get in one more song or two before our time runs out. (turns) Mrs. Ketchum, how about you?
Delia: (blushing) I have a horrible singing voice Brock, and I would be too embarrassed.
Ash: No way mom! You have a great voice, and all of us have already gone.
Delia: No I just couldn't!
Ash: (pleading) Aaaaah! Come on mom!
Misty: (scolding) Ash, don't badger our poor mother. If she doesn't feel like singing then she doesn't, and besides, I've got an idea. (grabs Ash's arm) sing a duet with me, Ash Ketchum. (drags him up to the stage)
Ash: (insecure, blushing) A duet? I don't know. I think it would be better if you just sing by yourself. I don't want to cramp your style. (tries to get off stage)
Misty: (grabs Ash by his vest) Where do you think your going? Come on Ash, don't spoil my fun. (spins Ash around, sparkles appear in her eyes) PLEASE Ash, my love??
Ash: (blushing) Ok, ok. So what are we going to sing??
Misty: (turns around to look at the song list) I've had a specific song in mind for awhile. I hope it's…YES here it is!!
Misty turns and punches the number for the song into the machine while Ash picks up the extra mike. He glances at Brock and feels a quick pang of guilt, and even briefly considers backing out of the song. Doing this right after Brock's song seems almost to be rubbing it in his face, but before Ash can say anything Misty has her arm hooked around his and he turns to look up at her. She smiles and squeezes his hand gently.
Misty: Ash, the song we are going to sing is…(whispers it in his ear) got it?
Ash: Yeah, I know that song. Um Misty, I…
Misty: (interrupts Ash, holds his hands in front of her) Ash, I never thought my life would go in the direction it did. When I first met you I just thought you were some nerdy little kid but as I traveled on this amazing journey with you, I experienced so many things that I will treasure forever. Ash our journey has been going on for a long time now, but I feel that it's still just the beginning. There are probably still many more adventures ahead of us, and I can't wait to experience them with you. I guess that's why I picked this song.
Ash: (blushing deep red) Misty….
Misty: (winking) Ready?
Ash: Yeah, I'm ready!
Ash's is overwhelmed with a strong feeling of love for Misty, so strong it nearly knocks him down. All other thoughts and feelings are swept away and Ash only focuses on the moment. The music begins to play.
Ash: (gazing at Misty, singing): We were strangers
Starting out on a journey
Never dreaming what we'd have to go through
Now here we are
And I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you
Misty: (gazing at Ash, singing) No one told me I was going to find you
Unexpected, what you did to my heart
When I lost hope
You were there to remind me
This is the start
Ash/Misty: (singing together): And life is a road, and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road, now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you
Misty: We were strangers on a crazy adventure
Ash: Never dreaming how our dreams could come true
Ash/Misty: Now here we stand, unafraid of the future
At the beginning with you
And…life is a road, and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road, now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you
I knew there was somebody somewhere
Like me alone in the dark
Now I know my dream will live on
I've been waiting so long
Nothing's going to tear us apart
Life is a road, and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road, now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
At the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you
And life is a road, and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep going on
Misty: (short solo) Starting out on a journey
Ash/Misty: Life is a road and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you
Ash and Misty conclude their song and everyone claps enthusiastically. Brock does so too but his mind is racing with thought and turmoil. "They really do make a cute couple" he thinks to himself as they return to their seats. He knows he should be happy for them but all he can feel is sadness, hurt, and jealousy. Jealousy for achieving what he has not been able to, for while they have discovered their feelings he has gone on as he has always been. Girl after girl have shot him down or ignored him while his best friends became successful in love before his eyes. But if it had just been that then maybe Brock could have gotten over it quickly, but his jealousy ran much deeper. As Brock observes them tonight he knows that he must tell Misty sometime. He has already revealed everything to Ash, and maybe coming clean with Misty will finally help him begin to move on. "Soon, but not tonight" he thinks to himself, not wanting to ruin the night's festivities. He sits back in his chair and sips on his soda while the others talk.
Delia: You two were great!
Misty: (blushing) Of course. My talent always shines through!
Ash: (irritated) Excuse me, I was half of that duet too.
Misty: (slyly, teasing) I know but you just caught a free ride on my talent. By yourself you're so off-key you could shatter glass
Ash: (mad) HEY! (a hurt look crosses his face) So is that what you really think. (turns and faces away from her)
Misty: (laughs, covering up a little worry) Ash, you know I'm kidding
Misty pulls Ash's chair right next to hers and puts her arm around Ash's shoulders. Ash, surprised by the sudden action, blushes bright red. She smiles and grabs his hat off of his head, placing it on her own.
Misty: Sometimes you take things too seriously Ash. You know that I think we're a team. So cheer up. We had fun didn't we?
Ash: (smiling again) Yeah we did. It was really fun.
Misty: OK! (places the hat back on his head) Just so we don't have anymore mis-understandings between us. We don't want a repeat of the Orange Islands stuff do we? (pushes him out of his chair, playfully)
Ash: (gets back in his chair, rubbing his arm, and smiles) Definitely not.
Delia: What Orange Islands stuff?
Ash: Oh nothing really. Misty and I just had some really stupid mis-understandings, and we said some things to each other that we shouldn't have.
Misty: But we were able to work it out.
Delia: Was that why you two were acting so weird the last time you were in Pallet Town?? I always assumed it was because Ash lost to Gary (Ash falls over in the background)
Meowth: Enough of this mushy stuff, who is going next?
Brock: I think we only have time for one more song, then we have to get back to the Pokemon Center. It's getting late anyway.
James: (stands up) Hey Jessie, want to sing a duet with me now??
Jessie: (starts to get up) As long as its not any weird songs like the last one you sang (glares) GOT it?
James: (sweatdrop) Yes I think I do
Jessie and James approach the stage to choose their song, but suddenly a dark shadow bounces out from behind the karaoke machine. Everybody draws back in surprise.
James: EEEEEE! (cowers behind Jessie) What is it?
Jessie: Don't be dumb. It's probably just a trick of the light.
Meowth: It's moving!!
Meowth is correct and everyone moves a step back as the mysterious shape bounds from the shadows and enters the light
Mysterious shape: Jiggly
Everyone stares at the small round pink balloon type Pokemon. Its large aquamarine eyes shine brightly in the spotlight. It raises one pink stub of an arm and holds a small green and black microphone to its lips. A long stunned silence fills the room, and then the horrifying realization hits.
Everyone minus Delia: (screaming in terror) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! IT'S JIGGLYPUFF!!!
Jigglypuff: (inhales, preparing to sing) pu….
Everyone minus Delia: RUN AWAY!!!!!!
In 3 seconds flat the Karaoke bar is completely empty. The door swings slowly and then falls off its hinges, having been hit with an extremely powerful blow. Jigglpuff looks around the room feeling puzzled, a feeling that is soon replaced with a much stronger feeling, rage
Jigglypuff: (confused) Jiggly Jiggly? (becomes angry, inflates to its full size) PUUUUUUUUUUUF!!!
Jigglypuff leaps off the stage and shuffles out the door, determined to find the infidels that dare shun its song. It thinks it heard them talking about the Pokemon Center before it made its appearance, so Jigglypuff decides that searching their first would be the best course of action. As it waddles it vows to itself that it will make them pay for disrespecting it this time. But not before it has a talk with a very special someone.