****Flashbacks are now in italics okay? Cuz sometimes it can get confusing with just the (flashback) thing, so Flashbacks are now italics!****

Thanks EVERYONE for your reviews!!!!!

Amber Myst: Yes, I know the 'head slamming into the tree' thing was kinda… aggressive for Misty, but I needed something for them to remember, and brain was kinda out of it at the moment, so, just think of Misty PMSing, okay?

Ethermental: Time zone thingy is still the eighty years past since they were alive, and they were on their way to Pewter in the Viridian forest. In this chapter they reached Pewter (probably took them a nice four hours to get two miles ^_~)

Second Chances

~* Part 4; Dedicated to Brock*~

   Jenny wasn't a mean person, in fact, she was probably one of the sweetest people you'd ever meet! But right now, she was mumbling cruel things she fully intended on doing to her brother.

  "Jenny!" Came the voice inside the building. "Don't forget to get every dirt spot!"

  Jenny ignored her brother but continued her task. He said he would give her seven dollars if she did his chore for him. She thought it was the usual, something like sweeping, besides, it's not like she had anything better to do. But no, it was to wash and scrub the all the floors of the building. Now, it wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't such a BIG floor. Right now, she was trying to wash the porch, which wasn't an easy task. People came in with dirty shoes. She'd have to remember to listen more when her mother says to wipe her feet.

  Jenny decided to take a break. She sat down on the round steps. It wasn't much of a porch really, it was just a semi circle around the door with about five steps leading to it. She rested her elbows on her knees and propped up her head. She watched the busy street life as it all seemed to pas her by more quickly than she'd like. Something caught her eye, more like, Someone.

  Jenny stood up and stared with an open mouth. A quick glance around told her she wasn't the only ones staring. Lot's of people had stopped what they were doing to star at the couple that passed them by.  Sure, she'd seen some people try and imitate them, but this looked like the real thing! It looked like the famous Ash and misty Ketchum! No wonder they were staring…

~*~*~*~  

   "…Hey…Misty?"

   Misty glanced over at Ash. "Hm?"

   "Do you feel like everyone is staring at us?"

   "OH, Ash! Stop being so paranoid! The world doesn't revolve around you…"

~*~*~*~

   Jenny quickly reached behind her and into her pocket. She pulled it out and carefully opened up. A couple pictures floated down to the ground. She bent down to pick them up and she studied them carefully. She was right. They looked exactly alike, and they were coming this way. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  Misty carefully stepped up to the staring girl. "Um, this IS the gym, right?"

  The girl nodded.

  "And the slates run it?"

  The girl nodded again. Misty looked over at Ash, then back at the girl. "Do you speak?"

  She nodded, again, then shook her head and answered, "Yea, sorry, has anyone ever told you – "

  "Yes." Misty said before she could finish. She could tell this was going to be annoying.

 "Do you want to battle my dad?"

  "Who's your dad?"

  "Elvis Slate."

  Ash walked leaned over to whisper to Misty, "Definetely Brock's kid." Misty gave a small smile before replying, "No, thanks, we were just new in town and we were seeing if we want to live here or not."

  The girl nodded with understanding. "I'll be glad to give you a tour, my name's Jenny Slate."

  Misty smiled gratefully, but shook her head. "We should be good by yourself," She looked at the mop, "And I thnk you have work to do, but thank-you."

  Jenny sighed heavily and nodded. She stepped aside to let the two through. Once they had left, Jenny continued mopping, grumbling about her brother…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  "Hey, wasn't this Brock's room?" Ash asked. He stuck his head in the door way. Misty quickly pulled him back.

  "Ash!" She scolded. "Don't be so nosey! Someone may  sta-" Misty stopped in mid sentence and ran behind Ash, between the door.

  Ash cocked his head. "What's wrong with you?"

  Misty said nothing, but cowered behind him. She let out a shaking finger to point to the object in front of Ash on the floor, before dropping it safely behind Ash once again.

  Ash sighed and rolled his eyes. "It's a rock, Misty." True, it sure looked like a rock, but it was an odd shaped rock. Misty shook her head. "No! It's a bug!"

  "She's right, well, sort-of." Misty and Ash whirled around to see the face o the voce standing in the doorway. He was leaning on the doorpost, smirking at them. "Lady not like bugs? She has a good sense of what is and what isn't a bug." He held out his arm  and kneeled down. The 'rock' suddenly moved and a little head with antenna poked it's head out, followed by a small tail. (Looks like a snail with a rock on it's back.) "It's a warno, half rock, half bug, don't you know anything about pokemon?"

  Ash gave a sheepish grin and shrugged as best he could with Misty clinging on to him for dear life. "We used to live in the boonies." (Thanks Ethermental ^_~)

  Warno slowly slid over to the boy, leaving a trail of slim behind it. Misty's eyes followed it the whole time, making sure Ashw as between them the whole time. She finally regained her voice and pointed to the slim trailing behind the warno. "What's that?"

  "I wouldn't touch it, it's acid. That's warnos second defense, beside it's rock hard shell, warno can release an acid all around it's body, so no predator can touch it."

  Warno climbed onto the boys outstretched arm and sat climbed up to his shoulder before withdrawing into its shell.

  "What about you?" Ash asked.

  "I'm immune to it," He shrugged. "Guess I've been with it so long, I'm used to it."

  Misty saw that the thing was back in it's shell, so she let loose her grip and asked, "SO who're you?"

  The boy snorted. "Who am I? Shouldn't I be asking you the same question."

  "I'm – " Ash started before Misty interrupted. "I'm Ann Chove, and this in Tom Ato."

  The boy looked at them oddly before shrugging. "Whatever, I'm Spencer Slate."

  Ash and Misty both smiled and nodded, there was a moment of silence, and Misty realized that he was waiting for an explation of exactly why there were here. "Um," Misty started, "We were thinking of moving to Pewter, so we decided to look around the gym. That's how we decide."

  Spencer shrugged. "Want me to show you around?"

  Ash shook his head. "No, we were just wondering a few things, like we heard about the old gym leaders, such as Brock slate,"

  Spencer eyed them carefully before nodding. "Yea, he's my grandfather, actually just died fifteen years ago. He was in his eightys."

  Ash looked down and nodded solemnly, while Misty continued for him. "Thanks, we're going to look around a bit more, thanks."

  Spencer nodded and waved before stepping back into his room, with Warno still on his shoulder, and closing the door behind him. As soon as the door was closed, Ash looked over at Misty. "'Ann Chove and Tom Ato?"

  Misty grinned sheepishly. "If we say are names are Ash and Misty, it would seem a little strange, you know?"

  Ash sighed and looked around. "Let's go visit him."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  "Brock, are you sure this is a good idea?" Ash looked around nervously. It was the dead of night and Brock had lead Ash all the way out into the graveyard in Brock's hometown.

  Brock shook his head. "I never said it was a good idea, I said this is one way to freak Misty out."

 Ash sighed. "Remind me what we're doing again?"

  "It's Halloween, Misty always gets spooked around now. She's still awake, I know she is. She's going to come looking for us and we're going to jump from behind some of the graves, jump out, and freak her out with these sheets. Got it?"

  "How's she gonna find us?"

  "Don't worry about that," Brock said, "I let a trail of our things going this way, and I put some ketchup on them."

  Ash eyed Brock carefully. "What 'stuff?'"

  A sweat drop began to form on Brock's forehead. "Eh… some of your clothes…. And…" He turned away and mumbled something. Ash leaned closer to hear. "Your…hat"

  It was true, Ash hadn't worn his hat for fear Misty would recognize the shape, but he was beginning to regret that decision. "You put. Ketchup, on MY hat?"

  Brock nodded slowly, unsure of what Ash would do."

  Ash made a noise in the back of his throat then, without warning, reached over and smack Brock in the head. "I fully intend on sending Pikachu after you."

  Brock shrugged nervously. After he was sure Ash would do not more harm, for now at least, he handed him a blanket. "Put that on, and hide behind that tombstone."

  Ash nodded and did as hew as told. The tombstone was large enough to hide him if he scrunched down. He saw Brock move into a similar position just two feet behind him.

 They didn't have long to wait. Misty came in slowly, but surely. Her head was moving back and forth and she jumped at every little noise. "A-Ash?" Her eyes were wide with fear. "B-Brock?" She stopped for a minute, and Ash was almost sure she was going to bolt out of there. "Please guys? This isn't funny!" Ash could hear the fear just dripping from her voice. Another pang of guilt hit him. He glanced over at Brock to see if he felt the same. Brock remained in the same position as he had last seen him, face set in a determined stance.  

  Misty took a tentive step forward. She was getting closer to Ash now, and she could see her clutching his hat and Brock's vest close to her. She was gripping the brim of her hat so hard that her knuckles were turning white. All the fun out of the attack was swept away and Ash dropped down. Who knew, Ash had a guilt conciense. He looked over to Brock hoping to silently tell him the thing was off for him. He just didn't have the heart for it anymore. Brock had faultered, but still remained crouched and ready to pounce as soon as Misty came his way. Ash felt sorry for Misty, but his part was done.

  It was another five minutes before Misty finally was close enough to brock for him to jump up. He didn't intend on backing out of this one, not when he had worked so hard to make this plan.

  In a spilt second, he jumped of from behind the grave.

  "Come join us!"

- Except that wasn't his voice….

 Misty had paled immensely, but not from Brock. Brock slowly turned around. There was an actual ghost behind him! It looked like it had a sheet over it's head, but it was completely see through. Brock screamed for all he was worth. But there was another sound, something he recognized, but sounded out of place… laughter?

  Ash was confused. Brock had jumped up, but he stopped in mid sentence. He didn't know what was happening. Brock had turned around and stared wide-eyed at something, then let out a blood curling scream. It was so bad, Ash and to cover his ears. But what was brock seeing? He looked over at Misty to see her… laughing?! Ash pulled the sheet off him and stood up. He walked over to Misty, who had now fallen down from laughing so hard. "What's wrong with you?"

  Misty waved her hand, a sign that said 'I'll tell you later when I can breath'.

 Brock was still terrified, but he noticed the ghost waver before disappearing. He let out a sigh of relief and before turning wide eyed to face the laughing Misty. "Wha…?"

  Another laughing voice was heard as a young woman entered from behind a small shrine in the middle of the graveyard. Behind her came her Haunter, laughing more than usual. It all registered to Ash. That was a girl they had met in Pewter – or rather, Brock had found, and Misty befriended. A grin spread on Ash's face. Misty knew they were going to pull a trick on her, and got Lori and her Haunter to help! Ash had to laugh. Ash remembered back whe they were in Illusion forest and the haunters and Gangars all made them see illusion, and apparently, so did Misty.     

  Brock blinked a few times, doing his best to recover from the fright. It was then he noticed the girl, Lori, and forgot all that had happened. Night and black backround faded into hearts and bubbles. "That was a brilliant trick! Now will you give me a treat?"

  Misty heaved a sigh and pulled Brock's ear. "Thanks again, Lori!"

  Lori smiled and nodded. "No problem at all, me and Haunter certainly enjoyed it!"

  Haunter gave a happy nod and continued it's laughing.

 Misty grinned as well before handing Ash his hat. In one hand she held Brock's vest, it the other, Brock's ear. "Let's go, Alfred Hitchcock."

 Ash gave one final wave before disappearing with Misty and Brock out of the graveyard.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  "Ash? ASH!" Ash blinked and looked over at Misty. "You coming?" They were standing at the gate of the graveyard. The very same one Ash and Brock had sat in, waiting patiently for Misty.

  "yea…" He said. He took a reverent step past the gates and looked around. It looked a little different from before, expect there was a much larger amount of graves stretching as far as the eye can see.

  "I think that one lady pointed us in that direction." Misty said, pulling Ash down the center path. "She said it was a big monument, can't miss it."

  Ash peered down the path. Ahead he could see a large pointed monument blocking the path. "I think I see it."

  Misty squinted her eyes. Yes, she could make it out now. "I see it." She pulled Ash's arm to move faster. In no time, they were in front of the large monument. It was a large block of stone with another stone on top of it that looked exactly like the boulder badge. On the stone bottom was written he words:

'Here lies a great gym leader and friend. He led Pewter out of darkness and into the happy town it is. He was a loving father, husband and friend. His memory will forever be remembered.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  "Hey guys! Guess what!"

  Misty peered into the vid phone to see Brock's happy face. "What's up, Brock?"

  Brock looked up. "There's a couple cracks up there…"

 Misty made a noise under her breath and moved up to the screen so that all you could see was her face. "Brock, shut-up and tell us why you called!"

  Brock shut-up and grinned. "I got a date!"

  Ash, who was behind them in the kitchen drinking some iced tea, at hearing those words, spit his drink out all over the floor. "W-Whaaaa?" He ignored the mess on the floor and ran over to the vid phone. He pushed Misty away and stared at Brock. "Are you serious?"

  Brock kept his grin on a nodded. "Yep! Remember Whilomena?"

  Misty pushes Ash halfway out of the way so both of them could look. "With the marril?"
  Brock nodded. "Yea, her. She came to visit Pewter, and I ran into her on the way to the poke mart!"

 "That's awesome Brock!" Ash cheered. He was happy for his friend! After so many years of trying, he finally got a date.

  Misty nodded and congratulated him before asking, "How's the gym and city going?"

  Brock thought a moment before answering, "It's going pretty well actually. I managed to talk to Officer Jenny, and she said she'd bust Team Rocket. We won't let them take over Pewter!"

  Ash smiled. "hat's great Brock!" The smile quickly turned upside down. "Your one of the few. Celadon, Lavender, Viridian, even Pallet have all fallen to team Rocket."

  Misty gave a solemn frown. "Cerulean is having troubles too."

  Ash grinned. "We won't let it stop us!"

  Brock grinned and nodded. "Right!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

   Misty smiled sadly. "He was a good man."

   Ash nodded in a agreement. All the memories they had, all their moments, it all kept going through his brain. From the time they met, to the time they left. It was all running through his head.

  "I wonder why we never saw him in Heaven," Misty suddenly put in.

  Ash looked over at her. "Heaven is a big place, Misty maybe he's all the way on the other side. Besides, we'll just have to make a note to see him and all of our friends when we go up again."

  "HEY! ASH! MISTY!" Ash and Misty turned abruptly. There, running towards them, was Ruby and Joey. When they finally reached them, both Ruby and Joey were out of breath. "What'cha doing here?"

  Misty gave a small smile. "We were just looking around."

  Ruby shrugged. "Well, let's go. It's morning already."

  Ash and Misty looked up. They were right. Guess you don't sleep as an angel. Misty nodded to Ruby and Joey. "let's go." With one last look, Misty followed after the two. She gave Ash a knowing look and let him stay there a few more seconds. 

   Ash ran a hand through the lettering of Brock's grave, especially the 'friend'. "Bye, Brock." He said softly, his face brightened up. "See you in heaven" With that said, he raced of too catch up with Misty and the other two with one last look of memories.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sorry! Just wanted to make a thingy dedicated to Brock, kinda… he's really cool ^_^ This episode kinda sad? It's just the idea of if you ever die and come back to life, all your friends have died, and you think of all the times you had, and you can't have that again until you meet them in Heaven (If they go there, we're just going to assume all of Ash's friends go there ^_~)

New pokemon: Warno – the bug/Rock pokemon, it's pretty much like a snail, just with a rock hard 'home' thing. Get it? Yea… anyway. That the new pokemon for this chapter ^_~ (Thanks to Ehtermental for the idea!)

So that last memory might have been a little confusing. It's a glimce into the whole idea of this thing of why Ash and Misty came down to help Joey and Ruby. You'll see ^_~

One more thing, for those of you who don't know, Alfred Hitchcock is a famous scary movie person. Misty called Brock that, for the ame reason she calls him Romeo ^_~

~Smile Jesus loves you!