Last time, on
"Pokemon: The Heart of the Cards"....
The Summer
Dream Festival has come to town, and people are already excited about
the wide array of shows, exhibits, games and contests that come with
it...but Maya and Michael have a desprate problem: How are they going
to start the festivities with no band playing for the opening
show?
Ash and his friends volunteer to help, and manage to put
on a show stopping evening of music, laughter, and fun, making a
memorable night for all involved!
What awaits our heroes
today? Find out!
The Heart of the Cards, part 32: Puttin'
On the Ritz
"...and they all lived happily ever
after...the end." Brock concluded as he looked up from a
storybook. "Okay, now it's Togepi's turn to pick the
story..."
"Togi-di!" Togepi begged, pointing
out a particular story in the contents.
"That one? All
right..." and Brock flipped to a different page, this one
depicting the interior of a cottage. "Once upon a time..."
he started, until he was interrupted by the door slamming.
"Yes?"
"Hate to interrupt your storytime, but
may I ask you guys a favor?" Michael asked as he made himself
comfortable on the couch.
"We're listening..." Ash
was interested.
Michael paused for a moment to stretch, then
continued. "You see, the anniversary of when I first met Maya is
coming up soon...but I don't know what to do for something
romantic...the movies are boring, there's no concerts going on, and I
don't have the funds for a nice dinner..."
"Aww...so
what are you going to do?" Misty asked, curious.
"For
now, it'll just be me and her on the waterfront..." Michael
sighed, dejected.
"Pipika....pika chu pi Pichupika..."
Pikachu started.
"I know, Pikachu, you want to do
something nice..." Brock assured Pikachu. "but I don't see
what we could do..."
"We'll think of something,
won't we, Ash?" Misty giggled as she turned to look at Ash, who
was engrossed in looking through his deck tin.
Ash dropped his
cards, dumbfounded. "What do you mean, WE???" he stammered.
"YOU'RE the one with all the great ideas!"
"Okay,
Genius, you think of something!" Misty retorted.
Togepi,
meanwhile, longingly looked at Brock, eager to hear more of his
story. "Togi di?" he begged.
"More story? Let's
just ignore these two..." Brock smiled as he grabbed the
storybook from the coffee table, completely oblivious to the
unfolding argument coming from the other corner of the living room.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway land..."
---------
"So
YOU want to make a nice dinner for Maya and Michael?" Misty
asked as she cleared off the table. "We only have four hours
before they come out to the waterfront..."
"I'm
pretty sure we can do this!" Brock smiled as he set a package of
spaghetti noodles, tomatoes, various cheeses and spices, and other
items on the table. "Besides, this is also our little thank you
for them both supporting us in the tournament!"
Ash
playfully elbowed Misty. "NOW who's the genius?" Misty just
sighed as she began cutting up tomatoes and putting them in the food
processor. Togepi stood nearby, curious as to what the different
buttons did. He selected one and pressed it...
"Hey wait,
Togepi, not YEEEEETTTT!!!" Misty screeched as the food processor
whirred to life, splattering tomatoes everywhere. Togepi just laughed
with delight as Misty grabbed a towel and began wiping up tomato
stains from the table, her clothing, and the table...
----------
"There...this
is something you can do to help us out, okay?" Misty cooed to
Togepi as she finished putting on a clean shirt and grabbing a head
of lettuce from the counter. "What I want you to do is tear the
lettuce into little pieces, like this..." and she tore off some
lettuce leaves, setting them in a large bowl.
"Pika pi!"
Pikachu offered, grabbing a second head of lettuce and tearing it
into manageable pieces. Togepi followed suit, until the bowl was
nearly full.
"You guys are doing great with the
salad..." Ash commented as he set down some bottles of dressing
next to the salad bowl. "...and that bread sure smells good over
there..."
"Thanks..." Brock smiled as he set
the steaming loaf of bread on the counter. "One of my best
recipes..."
"I bet it's as good as it smells."
Misty smiled as she savored the aroma coming from nearby. "Not
to mention the Pokemon are making a great salad...besides, I thought
it'd be something they wouldn't make a mess with!" No sooner had
she said that, did a SPLAT! come from the
table...
"File that in 'Stupid things Misty has said'..."
Brock joked as he grabbed a paper towel and began dabbing at the
giant puddle of dressing gracing the floor.
"Right up
there with 'Who wants the last cookie?'" Ash agreed as he ran to
get some fresh dressing.
"You stay out of this..."
Misty growled as she grabbed the mop from the pantry...
----------
"Okay...Tablecloth..."
Ash called as he spread a white tablecloth over a small table
overlooking the waterfront. "Silverware..."
"Got
them!" Misty called as she set two places at the
table.
"Candles..." Ash read the next item from his
checklist.
"Check..." Brock called as he lit a red
candle at the center of the table.
"Flowers..." Ash
read...
"Pika pi chu!" Pikachu replied, sticking a
bouquet of flowers in a small vase.
"Entertainment..."
Misty mused.
"I'll do it!" Brock cried, startling
Misty before she could say any more. He then began belting out in a
sappy crooner voice Fresh bread and
butter, roast fettucini, ravioli, clams with linguini, hot pepperoni,
tasty spumoni...
"Uh, Brock..." Misty
started...
"VEAL PARMIGIANA!!! VEAL
PAAAAAR-MI-GIANA!!!!! Brock continued with his flat and off key
aria, paying no heed to Misty. Pikachu and Togepi covered their ears,
appalled by the singing.
Ash sighed. "Now we know Brock
wasn't meant to be an opera singer..."
"Actually,
weren't you supposed to do the entertainment?" Misty
asked.
"Yeah..." Ash agreed as he returned to the
room. "You and Brock can get Maya and Michael started on the
first course while I get ready..."
---------
"Here
we are, Maya..." Micheal began as he lead Maya onto a dock.
"This is gonna be an evening just for the two of us..."
Maya
just laughed and put an arm around Michael. "Well, although it's
not as good as a dinner or a movie, you at least know how to make me
happy...and I like you for that..."
"Speaking of
dinner..." Michael turned around, and noticed a table decorated
with flowers and a candle sitting on an open spot on the pier, where
Misty and Brock stood waiting. "Come on and sit down, we'll
provide the nice dinner!" Misty begged.
"Wow..."
Michael gasped as he sat down. "What a surprise!"
"Thank
you so much!" Maya agreed as she sat down. "Did you
guys..."
"We spent all afternoon making this for
you..." Brock smiled as he poured drinks. "and it's our
little token of thanks for you guys supporting us in the tournament.
Now..." and he paused to grab two plates of the salad from a
serving rack and set them before Maya and Michael. "Enjoy your
meal...."
---------
"Whew..."
Michael sighed as he pushed his plate of spaghetti away. "I'm
full..."
"Me too..." Maya agreed. "Now all
we need is some soft music and a love song...."
"Of
course..." and Misty set down a tape deck and pressed 'PLAY',
making a soft violin melody go drifiting into the air. Ash appeared
in a spotlight, decked out in a sparkling red jacket, white shirt,
and black pants. Maya smiled as Ash began singing....
Whenever
sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my
words
Wishing they would be heard
I saw you smiling at me
Was
it real or just my fantasy?
You'd always be there in the corner
Of
this tiny little bar....
My last night here for you
Same
old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe
yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed
your eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on
you?...
"This song..." Maya gasped. "Wasn't
this the same song that played when you first took me out on a
date?"
"Sure is." Michael smiled. "In
fact, every time I've heard this song, I think of you...
"You
do?" Maya was surprised. "I do the same for you! Isn't that
amazing?" The two friends embraced as they listened to Ash
sing....
Darling, so there you are
With that look on
your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall
I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown
is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer
So let me
come to you
Close as I want to be
Close enough for me
To
feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper
How I
love your peaceful eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine
on you?....
"You know, Maya..." Michael started.
You and I have known each other for a long time...but I guess this is
the first time I've had to publicly show my love for you...so, let me
just--" and he struggled to hold back tears.
"Don't
cry, Michael..." Maya purred as she gently stroked Michael's
hair. "I know you love me...now here's how I'll say 'I love you'
to you..." and she carefully planted a kiss on Michael's left
cheek.
Surprised, and comforted...Michael embraced his friend
and beloved, both intimately kissing as Ash sang....
Darling,
so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if
you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is
How can I let
you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me
out then
You will know that you're not dreaming
Darling, so
there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never
hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who
pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then I will
know
that you are no dreamer...
"Pika chu..."
Pikachu led the others out, leaving Maya and Michael to kiss against
a background of the full moon and the twinkling lights of the
city...
What awaits the Pokepals in the days ahead? Stay
tuned!