Yes, there has been a lack of humor, lately. I seem to have a habit of doing that. But after things in my stories get extra dark, they always returned to comedy by the time the series ends. So with that, this chapter shall be mostly odd hi-jinks.

-Kouji Tamino

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Everyone dealt with the events of the past few weeks in their own way. The confused Misty and Ash turned to those closest to them at the time, while an injured Brendan found comfort in the form of Lostelle. Both Team Aqua and Team Magma are up to no good, but our heroes have no idea what. Thankfully, Jessie, James, and Meowth supplied them with important info. Gary took a look at it to see if he could decode it. Things seem to have calmed down finally. Then again…

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A Series of Events

Episode 9: The Gauntlet is Thrown!

"Good morning, everyone!" Ash said cheerfully as he walked into the lobby, back to his normal self for the most part. "What's everyone doing?"

Brock smirked, glad to see a smile on his usually happy friends face once again. "You're certainly chipper this morning!"

"I was up all night trying to decode that damn data…" Gary muttered, bags under his eyes but a cocky smirk on his face. "But it definitely paid off. I cracked the code and I'll start translating it later…" Yawning, he curled up in his seat. "But first, a nap…"

"I'm getting sick of just sitting around and doing nothing…" Omi muttered, slumping in her seat. "Why don't we go out and do something?"

"Like what?" Ash asked, oblivious as always. "I mean, what's there to do on these islands? There isn't even a league."

"Tons of things!" Omi screamed, shocked that anyone would ask something like that. "There's Treasure Beach, the hot springs, Berry Forest, the Game Corner, and we even have shop with items imported from Johto and Hoenn!" The young woman huffed, crossing her arms. A thought came to mind, and she smiled at her old friend. "Hey Ash, you like battling, right? There's Trainer Tower on Quest Island!"

The 4th trainer from Pallet's interest suddenly peaked. "Battle Tower?"

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Meanwhile, Brendan was helping Lostelle pick berries for lunch. However, the boy began to notice that his 'girlfriend' was seeming a little… depressed. "Lostelle, is there something wrong?"

The pink haired girl slowly turned away from her berry picking, giving her 'boyfriend' an odd smile. "…You're still in love with May, aren't you?"

"WHAT?" Brendan asked incredulously. That question completely caught him off caught. In fact, he dropped the basket of berries he was carrying. "What kind of question is that? Of course not!" He huffed, biting his lip. "W-why should I?"

"Don't lie to me, Brendan…" Lostelle said cautiously, holding back tears. "You know what your problem is? You're not honest enough about your feelings… I hate to say this, but that's the only reason she never acknowledged your feelings! She didn't know, Brendan!"

"You're…" Brendan sighing, bowing his head and staring at the ground. "You're right… Damn it, I'm so stupid!"

"Brendan, you don't have to take this sitting down…" she said gently, grabbing his hands gently. Suddenly, she squeezed his hands tightly in an almost bone crushing grip. "You have to fight for you love! Challenge Ash!"

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?" Brendan asked, practically hyperventilating. "Have you seen him battle on TV? That guy would tear me apart!"

"So?" Lostelle glared at him, squeezing his hands tighter. "Some things are worth fighting for, no matter what the outcome may be!" Calming down, she gave him a comforting look before loosening her grip and brushing his hands against her cheek. "And hey, if you lose, you've still got me, right?"

"You're right…" Brendan said softly, nodding. A look of confidence on his face, this tone became more brash. "I'm gonna do it!"

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Ash stared at the glove that had been tossed in front of him. "…What the hell is this?" he asked, pointing at it and raising an eyebrow.

Brendan's left eyebrow twitched again. 'Gyah, this guy is so damn dense! What does May see in him?' "I challenge you to a duel… For the heart of May!"

"HUH?" May asked, confused. "What's this all about, Brendan?"

"I love you, May!" Brendan shouted, clenching his fist. "It took me long time to admit it out loud, but I finally did it!"

"Brendan, I'm so sorry…" she replied, putting a hand to her mouth. "I didn't know…"

"I accept your challenge, Brendan!" Ash said, grinning. "So, Pokémon battle?

"We'll get to that soon enough." Brendan glared, crossing his arms. "But first, there will be 2 other challenges… first 2 out of 3 wins!"

"All right, what are the first two challenges?" Ash asked, a smug grin on his face.

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"Treasure hunting!" Brendan shouted, the group gathered on Knot Island's Treasure Beach. "Lots of interesting items gather on this beach, including pearls! The first person to find ten pearls or one Big Pearl wins this challenge!"

"You're on!" Ash shouted, raising his fist. "When do we start?"

"Wait just a second…" Brock began, walking up. "I've been in charge of unofficial events like these for as long as I can remember." Crossing his arms, he chuckled. "And frankly, I'd like it to stay that way…"

"Oh brother…" Omi muttered under her breath shaking her head. "Is he always like this?"

"Sometimes…" May replied. "You should see him when he's around a pretty girl that's his age or older, though…"

"Hey, I heard that…" Brock said in annoyance, turning his head to look at them. "Anyway…" he turned back to the 'competitors' and raised his arms into the air. "You may begin when I give the signal… Ready… Go!" As Brock lowered his arms, the game began.

As Ash dug wildly and randomly about in the sand, Brendan carefully searched by letting sand run through his hands, waiting for a pearl to appear in his hand. He found about 3 Ultra Balls, which he then put on his belt to keep. Through his precise and dedicated searching, he uncovered 8 pearls. Just two more to go and--

"Ha! Found a big pearl!" Ash shouted triumphantly, holding up the treasure with a smug look on his face. "Looks like I win, Brendan."

"Don't get too cocky…" He replied, crossing his arms. "There are still two more challenges." 'Damn. Not good. I was hoping to best him in two challenges that required more 'brain power' than Pokémon battles, so I could avoid facing him… Oh well, Pokémon battles require thinking and the more I learn about Ash, the more I think he just lucked himself through the league…'

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About an hour later, they arrived at the Game Corner. The second challenge was the Dodrio Berry Catch game. After each getting a Dodrio from the PC, they hopped on the backs of the tri-headed birds and prepared for the next challenge to begin. "I hate to break it to you, Brendan, but I already have experience in riding Pokémon."

"Little stints back when you were 10 don't count, Ashy-boy…" Brendan snapped back, getting more than a little annoyed by Ash's attitude. "While you were moping around and doing god knows what with May, I was busy wallowing in my sorrows by playing this game with the locals…" Grinning in quite an insane manner, he began to laugh maniacally. "I have mastered this game! There is no way I can be defeated!"

Everyone stared at the young man with a concerned look on their faces. "You okay there, Brendan?" Brock asked, eyebrows raised. "Maybe we should hold off the rest of these things until you're feeling a little better."

"Nooooo!" he screamed. "We must do this now!" Breathing heavily, he began to slowly calm down. "I apologize for that, everyone." Brendan said softly, sighing. "I'm sorry that you had to see that ugly side of me…" Smiling, he shook his head. "Well, with that out of the way, let's begin!"

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The two competitor's Dodrios ran down the trail, their trainers preparing to catch the berries that fell. Ash got off to a rough start, missing a bunch of them and just barely catching a few in his fingers.

May watched with the others, a distressed look on her face. She didn't know whether to cheer for Ash or Brendan. If she cheered for the former, the latter's feelings might get hurt. But if she cheered for the latter, the former might get angry. She settled for weak sounding neutral 'yay'.

The two men caught berry after berry, eventually having too many to carry in their bare hands. They began to catch the berries in their shirts, being extra careful not to crush any and stain their clothes. The race continued on as everyone watched in anticipation, wondering who would emerge victorious…

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The two competitors stood next to each other, smug grins on both of their faces. Brendan's face, however, seemed to be a little bit swollen looking for some reason… "After counting the number of berries, I have to declare Ash the wi--"

"Um, juth waith a seconth!" Brendan mumbled, spitting out another handful of berries. Chuckling, he grinned cockily at Ash. "You're not the only impulsive one around here…"

"Um, ew." Brock winced, counting the newly revealed berries in his head. "Well, it looks like Brendan is the winner!"

"Yes!" he shouted, jumping in the air. "A victory for me!" Sighing he crossed his arms. "And now, for the final challenge, which is--"

"Pokémon battling?" Ash asked excitedly, his eyes lit up.

"Yes…" Brendan reluctantly admitted. "We use 3 Pokémon each and--" Gasping, he smacked his head. "Speaking of Pokémon, I almost for forgot! I forgot all about the Abra's I was breeding!"

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"Gyaaah!" Brendan screamed in surprise, staring at the two Pokémon. "They both evolved into Kadabra's!" He yelped as the female grabbed him in a tight, loving hug and chuckled nervously as her mate gave him a death glare. "Um, Yo…"

"And here's the egg they made." An old man in charge of the Day Care replied, handing Brendan a Pokémon egg with a smile. "Take care of it, y'hear?"

"Wow, that's so cool!" May exclaimed, squealing. "So cute! I want an egg!"

"Well, with that done, looks like it's off to Trainer Tower!" Ash said, still unable to contain his excitement. He hadn't had a good battle in a while.

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"Good luck, Brendan." Ash replied, grinning. "I've been undefeated for the past 4 years."

"I know." The younger man said simply, a plain expression on his face. He couldn't let Ash intimidate him. Grabbing a Pokéball, he released his first choice. "Sceptile, go!"

"Sceptile, huh?" Ash chuckled, holding up his own Pokéball. "Too bad… Muk, go!"

The grass reptile and the huge, stinky blob of sludge stared each other down. Brendan gulped nervously. He'd have to be careful of poison-type attacks. "Sceptile, use Double Team and then Dig!" The grass-type upped it's evasiveness, then used it's speed to .

"Too slow, Brendan!" Ash screamed. "Muk, use Sludge Bomb!" Muk complied by sending barrage of poison at the gecko. He chuckled as the barrage missed. "I forgot how fast Sceptile is. Nice job, Brendan. Muk, use Protect!"

As Sceptile popped up from the ground, it met up with a force field. "Grah, Dig again!" Brendan shouted.

"Protect!" Ash growled as the attack made it through, but then grinned as Sceptile appeared to be poisoned. "Bad move, Brendan… Muk, use Sludge Bomb!"

Sceptile attempted to dodge, but being poisoned prevented it from moving quickly enough. It was hit dead on, getting knocked out in the process. "No! Sceptile, return…" Sighing, he pulled out another Pokéball. "Oh well, I'll guess I'll have to bring out… Kadabra!" he shouted, releasing the female Kadabra he caught.

"Muk, use Body Slam!" Ash commanded, watching in satisfaction as the sludge monster engulfed the psychic creature. He then sweat dropped as it got a dazed look on it's face, doing damaged to itself. "What the?…"

"Ha! Nice Confusion attack, Kadabra! Now use Psychic!" Brendan watched as Muk fell unconscious.

Ash chuckled as he brought out another Pokéball. "Nice one, Brendan… But how about this?" He released his next Pokémon with confidence.

Brendan stared at the Absol. "Oh, shit… A psychic's nightmare. Oh well, let's do our best, Kadabra…" Crossing his arms, he glared. "Kadabra, get ready for a Focus Punch!"

"Oh no you don't!" Ash screamed. "Absol, use Bite!" The dark Pokémon leapt at the psychic and bit it on the arm, then leapt back towards Ash. Kababra flinched. "Now, use Aerial Ace!" The Absol went in for another attack, knocking out the poor Kadabra. "Another victory for me!" Ash proclaimed, smirking. "You've got one Pokémon left… What's it gonna be?"

"I choose Heracross!" Brendan replied, releasing the Pokémon. "Heracross, Brick Break!"

Everyone gasped as the attack took out Absol in one hit. "Nice. But now I think it's time I put you to rest, kid…" Looking down to the ground, Ash smiled. "Pikachu, you're up!"

"Pi-pika Pika-pi! (How dare your trainer try and take away whatever happiness Ash has!)" the mouse shouted, glaring at Heracross. "Pika! (Damn you!)"

"Hera, hera, Heracross… (Ah, the Legendary Pikachu…) Hercross! (What an honor to battle you!) Heracross, cross! (No offense, but my trainer loved May before Ash did…)"

"Heracross, Brick Break!"

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

The two attacks clashed, sending the Pokémon flying in different directions. They shook their heads to clear their thoughts, then rushed toward each other.

"Quick Attack!"

"Counter!"

Pikachu hit Heracross hard and fast, but was dealt double the pain. They both growled, rearing up for their strongest attacks.

"Thunder!"

"Megahorn!"

Heracross's Megahorn hit Pikachu dead-on, but the beetle was then hit with a huge bolt of lighting. Both Pokémon ended up in pain on the ground, struggling to get up. Pikachu grinned, battle hardened due to tons of battles over the years. It stood up on it's feet, while Heracross struggled with all it's might, eventually falling.

"Heracross is unable to battle!" Brock announced. "The winner is Ash!"

"YES!" Ash shouted, pumping a fist into the air as he called back Pikachu. He looked over to Brendan and smiled, offering his hand. "Great battle, Brendan. I haven't been challenged like that in years. May I suggest leveling up your Pokémon more evenly, though?"

Brendan returned his own Pokémon back to it's Pokéball. "Thanks…" he said softly, shaking the older trainer's hand. "You were the better man, I guess… Take care of May, okay?"

Ash nodded in understanding, his expression softening. "I will. Don't you worry about that." He watched as Brendan walked off, shoulders slumped and head facing the ground.

Brendan walked up to Lostelle and smiled sadly. "Well, looks like I lost…" He gasped as the girl hugged him.

"It's okay…" Lostelle said in a soft, comforting voice. "I'm here for you…"

May looked over to them, smiling. "Oh good, you found someone…" Turning around to Ash, she sighed. 'But this isn't right…' "Ash…" she began. "You still love Misty, I know it."

"What?" Ash asked, taken by surprise by her question. "What do you mean? That's a stupid question…" Taking her hands in his, he smiled at her. "I love you now, May…"

"That's a lie…" May snapped. "You turned to me after Misty gave you that scar, right?"

Ash's eyes widened in shock. "How did you--"

"Don't give up on Misty!" May shouted, closing her eyes. "If I know her, she only did what she did because she didn't choice! Sure there were other optionss, but she was probably panicking!" May cried out, tears running down her face. "Ash, you can't give up on her! The relationship you two had was wonderful!" She suddenly felt ashamed. "And I was jealous of you two..."

"…You're right. I still do love her…" Ash said softly. He turned away. "But I can't forgive her. Not yet. I have a few questions I want to ask her first…"

"Ash…" May said softly. She then turned to Brendan and Lostelle. She smiled and winked at the younger girl. "You take care of him for me, okay?"

Lostelle shook her head, then grabbed both May and Brendan's hands, putting then together. "No way… You two have been friends forever. I'm just a third wheel." She then began to giggle. "Besides, if you two don't work out, I'll be ready to snatch Brendan up for my own."

May smiled. "Lostelle… Thank you." She looked over to Brendan and grinned mischievously. "How's about I show you what I've been doing for the past week?…" She watched as Brendan's face turned beet red. She giggled, leaning over and kissing him on the lips.

Everyone laughed and cheered, glad that things had turned out fine. Well, for the most part…

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Misty sighed as she sat in bed. Something didn't feel right. Something inside her felt… empty. "Ash, I… I want to be with you…" She gasped as she caught Kaine in the corner of her eye, standing in the doorway. "S-sir!"

To Be Continued…