Chapter Disclaimer: I do not own the song, "Saturday." Now you know what day it is in the story.
Chapter 10: The 'Brock'y Surprise
The sun had arisen from its nightly slumber as Ash and Elizabeth, along with Pikachu, Gatomon, Kilala, and Ryo-oki, were ready for morning stretches. He stepped out on the porch as the others were on the lawn, ready to exercise and spar with one another. Ash plugged a CD stereo system in and inserted a dance CD. After choosing the song, he hit the play button, which got everyone moving.
Saturday is a better day.
Saturday is a better day. (oh, oh.)
Saturday is a better day.
Saturday is a better day. (oh, oh.)
It explains...Everyone's on the floor.
Kinda faint...Nothing unusual.
Can't wait, over infinite melody.
Bring it all to me, yeah, like any summer day.
Saturday is a better day.
Saturday is a better day. (oh, oh.)
Saturday is a better day.
Saturday is a better day. (oh, oh.)
I'll find, whatever's on your mind.
'Cause this is a special time, and we're gonna make it last.
Just wait, ladies and gentlemen.
It's coming around again...coming around again.
Saturday is a better day.
Saturday is a better day. (Saturday, oh, oh.)
Saturday is a better day.
Saturday is a better day. (oh, oh.)
Tonight, it only gets better, when you... (Tonight.)
Do it like we do on Saturday.
Tonight, it only gets better, when you...
Do it like we do on Saturday. (Tonight.)
Tonight, it only gets better, when you... (Tonight.)
Do it like we do on Saturday.
Tonight, it only gets better when you... (Tonight.)
Do it like we do on Saturday.
Saturday is a better day.
Saturday is a better day. (oh, oh.)
Saturday is a better day.
Saturday is a better day. (oh, oh.)
Saturday...Better day.
Saturday...Better day. (oh, oh.)
Saturday...Better day.
Saturday is a better day. (oh, oh.)
After the song had ended, the party was already excited about what today would bring.Then, the door opened, causing Ash to turn and see Asuka. "Guten morgan, Asuka," he greeted her.
"Guten morgan, Ash," she greeted back. "It seems as though you got up early for exercises with the rest. And nonetheless, played that song." Ash giggled about it. Then, Asuka noticed the phone on the porch railing. "Are you expecting a call soon?"
"Actually, I got the call ten minutes ago. Brock should be leaving the Veridian City Pokemon Center, and be here this afternoon."
"Gotcha." Then, the phone rang. Ash picked the phone up, and answered it.
"Ketchum residence. Ash here." A new voice came from the side of the line.
"Ash, it's me," she sounded. Ash knew who it was right away.
"Misty?"
"How's it been? I haven't seen you since the incident at the Mirage Kingdom." Asuka and Elizabeth inched their ears to the reciever to known what Misty's voice sounded like.
"It has been that long. What's life like since you and Togetic parted?"
"Not the same. Everyday, it's been in my thoughts about how it was to have Togepi around. When it evolved and decided to stay with the other Togepis, it was like my motherhood was over."
"Cheer up. As long as Togetic is in your thoughts, it should keep you happy. By the way, are you at the Veridian Center?"
"How'd you know?"
"A guess. Brock called me 12 minutes ago, saying he was on his way here." Another voice, though weak from being far from the phone, came through.
"I'm heading off," the male voice shouted.
"Brock?"
"Brock, hold on. I'm on the phone with Ash," Misty called. "May's still-" Yet, another voice entered.
"I'm ready," she cheered.
"That's everybody," Brock said.
"Sorry about that, Ash," Misty grinned. "It's busy with these two."
"You're not alone," Ash gritted, looking over to Asuka. "We'll have Brock's surprise ready when you guys get here."
"What's the surprise?"
"Remember Suzie?"
"Yeah." Misty paused when she knew what it was, and giggled. "I get it. I'll see you over there. Bye." The sound of the phone hanging up prompted Ash to hang the phone himself.
"So, that was Misty, Brock and May, huh?" Asuka questioned after the call. Ash sheepishly nodded. That's when Junpei and Max arrived.
"Morning, guys," Max yelled.
"Hey, how's it's going?" Ash greeted.
"Awsome," Junpei replied. "I've been thinking, last night, about the prophecy, and I don't know if it would make any sense..."
"Let's hear it, bub," Asuka sighed, not wanting to hear what Junpei would say.
"It may be a mysterious planet, but I believe that we were all born while that planet was directly aligned with our positions. I have a feeling that odds of that are seemingly nonexsistant, but why else would the prophecy seek the eight of us?"
"Maybe, the darkness that we have in connection that were infused with the guidance of the light," Ash guessed. Asuka fumed with fustraition at the goose-chased guesses.
"I swear, fifth child, you and Kari have got to stop sleeping in the same bed," she whined in rage. Ash raised an eyebrow at the retorting redhead.
"Asuka, Rin slept with me last night. I happened to know about it this morning." Asuka's and Max's eyes shot wide open hearing about this news.
"Rinny was with you?" Asuka's vision displayed Ash's and Rin's clothes piled in a corner of a room, while the two were comfortly sleeping in one futon, with only their undergarments on. Asuka collapsed to her knees, freaking out from the vision. "You...and sword girl?" The boys and Elizabeth looked at Asuka in deep confusion.
"Was it something I said?" The creatures shrugged their shoulders. Then, a couple of old folks, one of them with a strange furry face, walked up to the group.
"Is that young lady all right?" the old man groaningly asked in worry. "It seemed like something scared her straight."
"Weird vision, we hope," Max bellowed.
"Can we help you?" Ash questioned the old couple.
"Well, can you give us directions to Prof. Oak's house?" the old lady eagerly asked. "We wanted some advice to give to our grandchildren, who asked us since their parents grounded them for hurting a neighbor."
"Well, I'm sure it was an accident-" Max's words were cutoff when Junpei approached the folks. Ash saw this as trouble.
"Junpei, what are you doing?" Ash wondered loudly.
"Forgive me for stripping you!" Junpei yelled as the clothes were ripped from the folks. When the clothes landed on the dirt, Max saw the truth, showing a redhead woman in a white uniform, with a red 'R' on the shirt, as well as a blue-hair man, with a white uniform, with a cat on his head.
"Team Rocket!" Max shouted. That's right, Jessie the redhead and James the blue-haired, along with Meowth. Ash looked over to Junpei with a disgusted look.
"Junpei, they were not elves to being with," he mootoned. "And they're the bad guys, so there was no reason to say 'forgive me.'"
"It's something I got use to," Junpei groaned. Team Rocket recovered from being uncovered to do their motto.
"Prepare for trouble for destorying our disguise."
"Make it double, since what you did wasn't wise."
"To protect the world from devistation."
"To unite the peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reaches to the stars above."
"Jessie."
"James."
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight, fight, fight."
"Meowth, that right."
"What do you crooks want?" Ash roared at the interupting team.
"We've chased that Pikachu for a long time, and we won't give up on it," Jessie answered. "Now it seems that extra bait has come, we are more eager to get them." The creatures growled at the three Rockets, but none louder than Kilala, who stepped up.
"Looks like Kilala wants to fight," Ash bellowed. Then, a ring of fire emerged from the dirt and surrounded the seemingly calm kitten. The flames shot up, as everyone watched in amazement. When the fire subsided, Kilala was bigger than before, with flames on its legs, and in its eyes. Ash knew this could mean trouble, so he turned to Max and Asuka. "Max, get Asuka inside." Max nodded, and helped the distraught pilot inside the house. Jessie and James threw their Pokeballs out.
"Go, Seviper," Jessie called. From the Pokeball was a violet snake with blood red fangs and a blade for a tail.
"Go, Cacnea," James ordered. From his Pokeball was a cactus with a crown on its round body. Cacnea, then, flew over and grabbed James by his head, allowing its prickly arms to enter James's cheeks. He let out a cry of pain, before pulling Cacnea away. "Are there pimples in my face that you're poking on?" Pikachu leaped on the back of Kilala, ready to send the Rockets airborne.
"Seviper, Poison Tail." Seviper's tail began to glow an errie violet aura, as it swung at Kilala.
"Pikachu, Iron Tail," Ash ordered to his mouse. Pikachu's tail glowed and swung at Seviper's tail, making contact, but the Iron Tail attack proved to be stronger, and pushed Seviper away. "Follow up with Thunderbolt." Pikachu leaped from the cat demon, and shot a massive electric bolt, hitting Seviper. The snake flew back to Jessie, and landed with a thud as it laid, unable to defend its master.
"No! Seviper!"
"Cacnea, Needle Arm," James ordered the cactus. Cacnea's arm started to glow as it charged at Kilala. It swung the glowing arm, but Kilala caught it with its teeth, and swung it back to James, who caught it. "You okay?" Cacnea nodded weakly. Meowth and Gatomon were squaring off.
"This town ain't big enough for us talking cats," Meowth growled.
"At least you're right about one thing," Gatomon grinned, making Meowth growl even more.
"It's about time I shut you up. Fury Swipes!" Meowth started to swing its arms wildly, but being light on her feet, Gatomon evaded every swipe with ease, until Meowth tired out.
"This is how you hit your enemy. Lightning Paw!" She lunged her gauntlet arm out at the exhausted Rocket cat. When the attack made contact, Meowth flew back to its team members in a heap of pain. Ryo-oki did not want to be left out, so it jumped up front. Then, it leaped into the air, and transformed into a pink mecha-bunny, twice as tall as Junpei. Ryo-oki fired a bomb at Team Rocket, and exploded, sending them flying.
"When we bite off more than we can chew, it shows."
"At least, you were shown up by that cute counterpart of yours," James whined.
"Although, I wonder what that was like for the twerp, whatever it was for that redhead who was freaking," Jessie wondered.
"Freak this." In unison, they yelled, "looks like Team Rocket's blasting off againnn!" They disappeared in the mid-morning sky.
"They never learn, do they?" Junpei muttered. Ash shook his head in agreement. That's when Sasami opened the door with a smile.
"Ash, Junpei, it's time for breakfast," she cheered.
"Good timing, kiddo." Ash didn't feel like eating anything at the moment.
"Sammy, can you store my food until I come back, please?" he asked. Sasami and Junpei weren't sure why he would do that, just as Asuka recovered from the shock of her vision, and stepped back out.
"Anything on your-" Sasami's words were cut when Asuka placed her hand on the Juraian, since she knew the occasion.
"We'll make sure you get your share," Asuka said in a humbled mood. Kilala walked over to Ash and started to purr along the trainer, causing him to look at the demon cat.
"Seems that Kilala wants to tag along," Gatomon smirked, as did Ash.
"Okay, Kilala," he giggled. "We'll be back." With that, he, Pikachu and Kilala walked off. Junpei, then turned to Asuka, with a grin.
"Now, not to upset you, pilot," he started. "...But what did you see when you freaked out?"
"Well, seeing fifth child and Rin in the same futon," she replied. "In nothing but their underwear, smiling." Sasami and Junpei awed at the answered.
"I wonder what it would be like if-" Sasami was cut off again by Asuka, who was forcefully shaking her head. Ash and Kilala were walking around for sometime, because he had an idea about Misty, May, and Brock's reactions when they see Ash's new team, even the girls' response to knowledge that he and Kari had a relationship. Not even Brock would contain himself when he sees Rin and Asuka. Ash would want to focus on how to present Suzie to Brock, but with the fact that the other two girls in his life are also stopping by, it was like his life was flashing before his eyes.
("Ash, is anything wrong?") Pikachu wondered. Ash stopped and appeared to be in deep thought. Before the whole fiasco of the keys began, all that was in front of him was training for the leagues around the world. Not one person who challenged Ash was turned down, and no matter what, his stubborness never made him surrender. Things like love, and death never crossed his head. Then, the Queen's key came in to his life, and everything had changed. Alphonse Elric, Asuka Langly Soryu, Rin Kamishiro, Junpei, Kari Kamiya, Koga, Sasami, Elizabeth, Gatomon, Kilala, and Ryo-oki soon followed as everything he was taught was going by the wayside. What struck his emotions harder than anything was the story of 9/11, and how distraught he felt reading the story, and how Kari was there for comfort. Ash had no idea that the redhead from the picture before was walking up to him. Pikachu knew who it was, but decided to let Ash find out on his own, even trying to cover Kilala's jaw. The redhead showed worry seeing Ash in the state he was in, and placed her hand on his shoulder, causing Ash to look up.
"Ash, what's wrong?" she asked. He hesitated to answer, since so much had happened.
"Sorry, Misty," he moaned as he took a deep breath. "A lot has happened, that's all." Misty smiled and hugged her friend, knowing that she missed him for quite a while, just as a brunette in red and the tanned young man with spiky hair appeared. "Brock, May, what's up?"
"Plenty," Brock answered. "My family got use to having Ludicolo around, so I decided to leave him to my family, and, in exchanged, brought Vulpix with me." Ash was surprised to know he brought Vulpix, which was once Suzie's, with him.
'This could be better than anyone had anticipated.' May was cooing over the sight of Kilala, and proceeded to grab her Pokedex. "Don't bother, May. Kilala's not a Pokemon."
"It's not?" May wondered in disapointment.
"It's actually a demon, but it's pretty friendly." Misty approached the large cat, and, hesitant at first, petted the white fur that coated Kilala, much to her delight.
"It's cute," Misty giggled. Then, a ring of fire started to form, causing Misty to retreat. The ring erupted. After five seconds, the fire evaporates, and Kilala was back to its smaller self, and jumped into Misty's arms, and gave her puppy-like kisses. The cat's tounge tickled Misty's face.
"I guess it likes you, Misty." Without warning, Al was coming to where Ash and the friends were.
"Ash!" he called out. When Ash heard it, he turned around and spotted the young alchemist starting to slow down.
"Speaking of cute..." May grinned, blushing at the blonde.
"What is it, Al?" Ash questioned and breathed a sigh of relief. 'At least it wasn't Rin or Sasami.' That's when Al looked at Ash's friends.
"Hey, who are you?" Al asked. "Ash's friends?"
"Yep," Brock replied with a smile before his introductions. "I'm Brock, and this is Misty and May."
"My name is Alphonse...Al for short."
"So, how long have you known Ash?"
"A little while, when we met in Resembool."
"Resembool?" Misty wondered. "I've never heard of a place like that."
"There's a reason for it," Ash entered in. "It's with Prof. Oak, right now." He turned to Al, and wanted to know why he ran over for. "So, what did you need?" he whispered.
"It's about Suzie," Al quietly replied. Once Ash nodded, he signaled Misty over into a huddle five yards away. "Your mom has found a dress to present to Brock when she proposes."
"Alright, Al, where are they?"
"Gary's house." Misty relievly sighed, knowing that if Suzie was at Ash's house, or Oak's lab, Brock would see her at a bad time. Then again, with Rin and Asuka at his house, chaos would insue.
"Okay, Misty, you want to join us?"
"Only if you explain what Prof. Oak discovered and how it's related to you," Misty ultimatiumed.
"Right." The three broke from the huddle.
"Brock, May, we'll join you, later."
"Head back home to rest," Al smirked.
"...And, May, keep a close eye on him," Ash warned. "Trust me, you'll understand why." This caused Misty to be suspicious.
"Don't worry," May smirked while she grabbed Brock by the earlobe. "I will." While the three ran out to Gary's house, Misty was curious about Al and the warning.
"So, what does Prof. Oak have that connets Alphonse?" she questioned.
"It's a prophecy we had uncovered," Al responded. "'1 to 8, 8 to 1. The future of space and time beholds the item of the royals who will uncover the light against the entity of balck by the items bestowed on thine chosen: the darkness that plauges galaxies on end and thy person themselves. Only my treasures can guide my children with the rise to the mountain of the moon.' That's the prophecy."
"I'm surprised that you remembered it by heart," Ash said with a chuckle. Back at Ash's house, Rin was polishing her katana on the porch when Kari stepped outside.
"Hey, Rin," she gleed. "How you doing?"
"Fine," Rin moaned. Kari didn't believe her.
"You sure? How about with Ash, last night?" Rin was blushing when she heard his name.
"Well, I sure had an interesting dream, after feeling his cold body."
"Cold body?"
"Well, I dreamed that Ash was a new transfer student in the Aoi Academy's class 2-B, and that he was assigned a seat by Shikimori. When I approached him later in the day, we had a conversation about our magic specialties, like mine with my katana and his with healing abilities. Kuriko was wondering why I was hanging out with him and not Shikimori. I just told her, 'he's not as useless as Shikimori.'"
"Sounds like it was hitting off."
"Well, what about you?" Before Kari could respond, she saw Brock and May closing in on the house.
"Looks like we have company." Max stepped out and saw his older sister.
"May!" he yelled as he ran to the two. "Brock! I've missed you!" His momentum when he got to May alomst toppled her, but she managed to stand her ground. Max bearhugged May, out of emotion.
"Max, you know I'll be here," May hummed. Kari and Rin approached the three. "Wait, Ash said something about keeping an eye on Brock, didn't he?" Too late, because Brock was already holding Rin's hands.
"The flowers of tulips have arisen from the grassy lands that I have walked upon," he hummed. "Please, my I ask for your name?"
"I-I-It's Rin," she studdered in embarassment, before Max grabbed an earlobe and dragged the hopeless gym leader away.
"Geez, that was pathetic," Max groaned, as Rin was wiping her hands clean.
"He, definitley, needs disipline."
"For sure," Kari nodded.
"Excuse me, but may I ask you who you are?" May wondered. "And does this have anything to do with Ash?"
"As a matter of fact, it does. Hi, my name is Kari."
"And mine is Rin," Rin said, as they offered a handshake.
"I'm May," May announced, as she shook Rin's hand. "The guy who grabbed you before was Brock. So, what with this?"
"Ash had found us using these keys, after an accident at the Prof.'s lab sent him on a journey."
"I see, but how many joined up?" Brock returned to May's side.
"We did see Alphonse when we arrived," he said.
"We're 3 and four," Kari mumbled.
"Ash was first, Elric was second," Rin started. "I'm four, and you're sixth. There are four other people who joined."
"Are they inside?" May questioned.
"They are, and some are in time for lunch," Kari replied.
"Great. I'm starving." As they all were heading inside Ash's house, the other three had entered Gary's house, where they saw a paper-mache-like three layer cake.
"Ash, Misty, Al," Suzie called. The three turned to Suzie, who was wearing a satin blue wedding gown, and leaving the three in joyous awe.
"Suzie, you look gorgeous," Misty gleed, with her eyes glittering on the white pearl necklace.
"Brock...will absolutley fall for you," Ash said with a glittering smile.
"And the fact that he's here," Al started.
"Oh," Suzie whelped. "We gotta move now." Everyone agreed. Later, they brought the "cake" to Ash's house, where Koga was waiting on the porch. Koga wanted to know if that was Suzie inside, in which Al nodded. Inside, conversations were continnuing with the girls and Junpei, while Brock was rubbing his ear after May tugged him away from Asuka. That's when Ash opened the door and knocked on it to get everyone's attention.
"Delivery for Brock," Ash announced. Everyone looked at the trainer with puzzled looks. "It's waiting outside." After everyone was out, they all stepped back, except for Brock, to allow the breeder to open the present. Unaware to May or Misty, at the moment, Rin and Kari held Ash's hands in prayer for this surprise to work.
"Why do I feel like this is a prank from you, Ash?" Brock questioned with suspicion.
"Don't look at me," Ash pleaded. "Gary was the one who arranged it."
"Gary? Sorry." Then, the top opened up with confetti and streamers raining from the "cake." Suzie started to rise out of it. Everyone, except for Ash and Al, was in shock and awe. "Suzie?"
"Brock," Suzie started. "Ever since you helped with my breeding teachings, I thought there was no way I could repay you, other than having you take care of Vulpix. When you left before, it had taken me the next day to realize that a piece of my heart was missing, but not from separating with Vulpix, but you. Even when we met in the Johto Region for a short while I was still feeling somewhat empty. I am willing to be with you for all eternity, if you can respond to my one question." She presented the jewelry box, opened it, and revealed a diamond silver colored ring, with an emerald in the shape of Vulpix's head. "Brock, will you marry me?" Everyone held their breath, waiting for Brock to answer her proposal. Then, Brock bit his lip, unsure of what to say. He turned to a side and ran off. "Brock, wait." After addressing the two to release their grips on him, Ash chased after his friend, followed by Misty and Kari. One minute later, after numerous calls to get the breeder to stop, Brock finally stopped in his tracks.
"Why are you running away?" Ash forced a question.
"Answer me, Ash," Brock moaned. "Have you, at all, recognized me as a coward?"
"Not at all."
"Well, consider this a first. I have always tried to be a ladies' man, with all the pretty girls, even the Joys and Jennys. You have had better luck with getting women than I am, considering Asuka, Kari, Sasami and Rin joining you."
"But, what does that have to do with you running away from Suzie like that?"
"Probably, nothing. I guess, since this is the first time that someone had asked me for a hand in marriage. I don't know if I want to go with it."
"You don't want to start a family, is that right?" Brock hesitated for a second.
"I don't know. I took care of my brothers and sisters for years after my parents had their occasions: my father, wanting to be a trainer, and my mother with health problems. I may have a new mother, but there is no way she could replace my old mother. Can you imagine, what it's like to be a father."
"I can. It's a lot of work, but teaching your children what it's like to be theirselves is the best reward you can give and earn at the same time."
"Where did you learn that from, your mother?"
"How'd you know?" Brock sheepishley chuckled at the response.
"Like mother, like son."
"Besides, there's one thing that, if anything, knows that you two are meant to be together."
"What's that."
"Vulpix." He knew Ash was right. As Misty, Kari, and Suzie arrived, Brock released a groomed fox pup with six red tails. Vulpix, then, saw the ladies approaching and ran up to Suzie, who petted her formerly owned Pokemon.
"Brock, don't you see?" Misty pleaded.
"Think about the future," Kari added. "If you two are great breeders, your children will be awsome at breeding, if not better."
"Well, Brock?" Suzie muttered. Silence lasted for 10 seconds, as Brock weighed the idea about the evidence Ash and his friends motioned. Then, Brock walked up to Suzie, and gave her a kiss on the lips.
"I do," he whispered. Suzie's eyes widened when she heard the acception of the proposal, and hugged Brock while their lips never parted. Ash, Kari, and Misty applauded the reaction that they both presented. Five minutes had passed, when Ash, Kari and Misty appeared back home, with Brock holding Suzie in his arms.
"Did he say 'yes?'" Sasami wondered.
"He sure did," Misty replied. A cheer erupted as a celebration was in order. At night, Ash was out on the porch when Rin and May stepped out of the house.
"Is there something you wanted to talk about?" Ash wondered.
"Well, we were wondering about the new crew you have," May said. "Espescially, the girls."
"May," Rin growled. "Anyway, the reason is somewhat related to today's fiasco. If you were of age to marry, who would you want to...you know."
"Well, if I had a choice, it would come down to Kari and you, Rin," Ash pondered. "Why bring this up? Is there someone who loves me, too?" That's when Misty stepped out.
"Well-" May didn't start speaking up, when Misty decided to speak.
"I do," Misty moaned.
"Misty?" Ash questioned with a hint of a surprise.
"Ash, I held you accountable for repaying for my bike. However, the real reason I stayed with you was, because of what Team Rocket made fun of us, was true. I guess the reason I never said anything about it before, was that I was afraid that it would disrupt you in those battles."
"Misty, you should know that if anything that could be a disruption, love is not on my list. Besides, there is still time before I can actually find a mate to be together with." Misty proceeded to hug her favorite trainer.
"Thank you, for understanding, Ash."
"We should head inside," Rin motioned. They all went into the house for the night, as the 'Key' team still think about their friends back home.
TO BE CONTINUED...
As the 'Key' team figure out the prophecy, the friends and family of the team are feeling the differences without them: Edward, Shinji, Kazuki, Celsia, Tai, Kagome, and Tenchi with a part of their lives missing. A checkup next chapter.