Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of Pokemon, its characters, locations, or names. All of them, with the exception of original characters, ideas, and places, belong to Nintendo.
Credits: Vanika, Silvanus, Gwen, Carina, and all locations involving Nara belong to me.
AN: Awww, I'm surprised no one took my challenge about the Smallville episode. D: I'm sad now. ... XD Okay, not really.
As for the story, we are getting into a very bumpy part of the story. Many plot lines are going to be resolved, including the family one, the one with Carina, and then the last one which is going to be brought up in Chapter 19 (which is, actually, a connection of Plots 1, 4, and 5 (AshxMay, Family, Carina)
As for FFN stuff, I am quite amazed at the stats DG has: 43 reviews, 2928 hits, 8 favourites, and 10 alerts. I can say in all certainly, that DG is my most well off stat-wise. The only ones that even remotely comes close to matching it is Shadow League, and my Triple Trouble series.
Since a review brought something to my attention, don't worry just yet. Remember when I said in my notes of...ehhhh, Sixteen...that 'I'll let you come up with your own conclusions, though it might not be what you expect.'? Yes. That comes into play right about now, big time, and especially in Chapter Nineteen and the end of Eighteen. XD
Warning: None.
- Chapter Eighteen: The Mark of Love -
Ash sat on the roof, staring sadly at the dark sky. He didn't feel comfortable in the house; if Pikachu wasn't bugging him, Surskit was staring at him, and then he also had May pouting. He growled angrily; he hadn't even done anything to deserve being avoided by her! How the hell was I supposed to know both of them would have taken something I said TEN DAMN YEARS AGO so seriously? May wasn't even a possibility to me then!
"I thought I'd find you up here." He turned his head to see Delia clambering up the lattice that was connected to the side of the house. "I noticed everyone was acting down, and you went missing, so...here I am."
Settling down beside her only child, Delia turned an eye to him, smiling weakly. "Everything went wrong." Ash said quietly, shrugging hopelessly, "Everything is going wrong..."
When she gave him an inquiring look, Ash shook his head. "Do you remember that girl I used to play with? Carina?" he asked, and when Delia nodded slowly, he sighed. "She showed up."
Her eyes widened. "What for?"
"Heck if I know. She popped up, and started talking about how I told her I'd marry her when I became a Master, which I did, when I was little, and now its got May upset." Ash bit his lip. "And then when she left, all I could do was stare, I couldn't even get myself to say anything afterwards."
"Well, you can't just hide up here forever, you know." Ash glanced at her, his face flushed from the effort he was putting forth to keep from screaming in frustration and from yelling at the woman; she was only trying to help him, after all. "I saw the new pokemon."
He let out a breath loudly. "Yeah. It...he's the one I asked the professor to get from Hoenn for me." Another quick, sad look. "I was just trying to make her happy, Mom. It's just been one nightmare after another, and I thought just making one night a little better would help things, but then Carrie showed up and bang, there goes my idea."
Ash shivered. "It won't get better if you avoid each other like the plague." Delia pointed out, and Ash hugged himself, frowning, "Ash, this isn't you."
She smiled when he turned his attention back to her. "You don't hide, not like this." she continued, gently brushing a hand through his dark hair, which hadn't changed all that much since he was a kid, "You fight. You fight more then your father ever did, and I don't like seeing you give up so easily."
Closing his eyes, Ash tilted his head, the small amount of contact reminding him of when he was a small boy that needed comfort – which was exactly what he needed, even as a full grown man. "I've never seen her looking so...hurt." He clenched his teeth, trying to force himself from crying; he had done too much of it as it was. "It was like I'd betrayed her."
"You've only been back for what, 2, 3 weeks?" Nodding thoughtfully, she pointed toward the windmill that was over by the lab, its blades swirling around peacefully. "Sam and I were actually talking about you two. Do you know what he said?"
Ash shrugged again. "He said, when she first vanished, he had actually had his own team out, and they combed over Kanto, Johto...even Hoenn. Nara was searched, but they still couldn't find anything. Even if her parents didn't try, Sam did. He cares about her, Ash." Delia smiled, wiping a hand across her eyes. "He said that it amazed him that she had been hidden and protected so well. Though...he was happy."
"About what?" He looked at her, his interest and curiosity caught.
"He was happy that of all the people that were there, that it was you, Misty, and Brock that found her." She laughed lightly, and turned to her son quickly. "And Sam feels better knowing that May's with you."
"Even though I somehow manage to fail the simple task of keeping out of trouble for a few hours." Delia rolled her eyes.
"Ash! Stop being so negative!" She tapped a finger against the tip of his nose, eliciting a snicker from the gloomy male. "You can't expect perfection. Your father and I went through trouble just as often as you are, and we worked through it together."
"But May's mad at me."
"I don't think so." When Ash turned a critical, unbelieving look to her, Delia smiled. "Sweetie, that girl adores you, and even Sam knew it from sitting with you two for a few minutes. I'll tell you right now, she's scared more then angry."
His eyes narrowed. "How would you know?" he asked, and Delia waved a hand as she gingerly started back towards the side of the roof, twisting so she could climb down.
"I know," she replied gently, "because I was her once upon a time." As the brunette woman disappeared, Ash stared at the empty space blankly.
- - -
May tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable. She felt horrible; she had been having fun, getting along fine with her new Surskit and finally being able to taunt Ash just as much as he taunted her at times. Then that other woman – Carina? - ruined it for her, bringing news she hadn't wanted to hear.
She sighed, giving up on sleep and stared at the ceiling. May silently wished that he'd return, to explain what had happened, to assure her that it would all be alright and that it had all been false, that Carina had been lying.
But it wasn't lies. Carina had been telling the truth, and Ash hadn't denied a word of it; he barely protested it, mainly arguing that it had been years ago when it was made, yet it didn't help. She felt tears streak her face as a sob rose up. Feeling the silent, comforting presence that was Vanika sneak in, May turned her head to look at the empty space where the missing trainer usually slept. Are you alright?, the dragon asked, appearing from beside the bed, claws poking into the mattress as the creature gracefully climbed on, laying down.
"No," May said softly, closing her eyes as more tears leaked out, and she moved to be near Vanika, not even minding that the scaly reptile wasn't as comfortable to lay on as the pillows. It had been that way when Silvanus and she had found the child; they had appeared so large to her, yet they were no taller then an eight year old, and had served as beds for several months before she was able to wonder off on her own without their constant comfort and assurance. "That lady...she said...she said..."
Making the explanation easier, Vanika looked into the confused mind, finding out within seconds just what had occurred and why the girl was so upset. Oh...oh...I see. The female swung her head to look toward the window quickly. Why didn't you try talking about it? May rubbed her eyes. "He didn't even say anything when she left. Ash looked at me strangely then started getting his pokemon together."
Vanika used the end of her tail to stroke the disquieted teenager. "They all looked sad." she continued as another wave of tears threatened to start, "Why'd he have to tell her he'd marry her!" Her voice rose as she cried, shoulders shaking. I'm the wrong one to ask, Vanika replied sympathetically, using a claw to pat her on the head. You need to talk to Ash.
- - -
"Yes...yes, I did it." Carina twisted the phone cord around her fingers, nodding. "Though I don't see why I had to in front of that girl. I would have preferred mentioning it in private. This is only between me and him, after all."
"I told you. If you want that promise filled, you need her out of the way, and putting a wedge between them will do just that. Do you understand now?" her friend replied coldly.
"Yes, I do...what else do I have to do?" She stared off dreamily as there was silence on the line; she had lost count of how many years had gone by since she had taken a liking to the boy that would later prove to be good enough to take on the rank of Pokemon Master, and when she had heard about it, she'd been thrilled. Finally, after waiting so long, she'd get her reward for doing so! Humming, she smiled.
"Just make sure you get them separated. Remember, this is for the good of your marriage." There was a click.
Carina stared at the phone; he'd hung up on her.
- - -
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted. Seeing nothing better to do – and nothing to get his frustration taken out on – he took to training his team, barking out attack names at random and pointing at different targets. Some of them he took a different approach with; a few were battling each other, while others were working alone independent of him and of the rest of the teams.
Watching the rhythmical actions, he started feeling calmer, his sleep deprived mind lulling. Even after the late night talk with Delia, he hadn't went inside the house; instead, he had taken to wandering the town, looking around in the quiet night, unable and unwilling to go to bed. "I should just get it over with," he mused, blinking from how heavy his eyes felt.
It was when he started having the feeling of being watched that he turned to regard the forest. Seeing Surskit jump out of one of the trees, Ash rubbed a hand across his face, straightening his shoulders; he knew what the arrival of the pokemon meant, and he didn't want to look like he had just walked through Hell for it. "Pikapika, chu..."
Hearing May enter his training area, Ash clapped, indicating they should stop and rest. Glancing over at her, he folded his arms across his chest. "What'd you need?" he asked, wondering if his voice sounded as weak to everyone else as it did to him.
"I think...I think we need to talk," she said quietly, rubbing her eyes, then her cheek. It was then Ash noticed how pale she was, and he nearly broke down at the mere thought that she'd suffered over the course of the night and morning.
"No...I think I just have a lot of explaining to do." Sitting down at the spot he stood, he pointed at the ground in front of him, and May slowly edged down. Taking a deep breath, Ash started. "I used to be friends with Carina when I was a kid, went to school with her and everything, with your brother."
Leaning back to be supported by one of the trees, Ash watched her, gauging for a reaction. "It was about three years before I went on my first journey, and one before my dad did. Carrie...I had no clue what was going on with her. She started acting strange, kept doing everything she could to get my attention regardless of how idiotic she looked doing it. I finally got tired of her prying and whining and told her that if I somehow managed to become a Master like I wanted, I'd marry her. I'd only heard Mom mention it before, and it wasn't until later I found out what it really meant."
He looked at May ruefully. "I had thought she'd been happy with that and had forgotten about the whole thing...which is actually what I nearly did. I barely remember it. But apparently she remembers too well and is bringing it up. Talk about being bit in the ass by my own plan. I guess she thinks I actually intend to keep my 'promise' from when I was seven."
May was silent, her hands on her feet and her chin against her knees. "You...is it like with this?" she asked, raising her hand up and spreading her fingers, showing him the ring that he had given her in Nara.
Ash shook his head. "Not quite. For one thing, that I meant." The attempt at humor fell flat, as May continued to stare at him dully. "Eh...well, no. The issue with Carrie is that she believes that since my only request was filled, that it means that we're engaged... which... um..." He frowned. "Oh shit."
She looked miserably at him. "What about me then?" Stifling a sob, May glanced away. When Ash didn't – or as the case was, couldn't – give an answer, she pounded a fist against the ground, startling Surskit and the surrounding pokemon. "This isn't fair!"
"May-"
"This isn't fair, Ash!" Calm down, child!, both unexpected voices said, surprising Ash when Silvanus appeared in one of the trees, and Vanika at the base. "You said...said that..."
"I said," he cut in carefully, scooting forward so that they were closer, "that I. Am. Yours. Carrie can't hold a candle to you, and neither can what I said to her back then to what I promised you now."
"But you can't just break your promise to her either!" Ash had the sneaking feeling that had it been any other couple in their situation, it would have appeared amusing. As it was, he leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek.
"I won't. I can still take it back though. And I will be doing that." Stop being stubborn, he thought, noticing that May was trying to keep from smiling. Smirking, Ash crawled forwards on his hands and knees, forcing her to scramble back. They both twisted to look when they heard a nasally laugh coming from Silvanus, and Ash took the break in the moment to grab May's ankle, pulling her back.
"Hey, Ash!" she cried before he silenced her.
"I know what I'm doing. Now pay attention." Ash pressed a kiss against the spot he knew she liked, doing it just a little harder then he normally would have. May looked at her dragon parents in confusion. Silvanus shrugged; Vanika's Link coloured, showing her curiosity about what he was trying to do. Don't ask us, Silvanus said, hiding his own wonderment of what the teenager was up to. When Ash finally could speak, he looked at her. "Understand that? I want you to do that."
"What are you trying to do?" May asked. Ash waved a hand, laying back down, his arms bent behind his head; he smiled.
"I'll tell you after you do what I asked," he replied coltishly, and then fell silent, waiting for her expectantly. The smile that had been trying to form finally getting out, May laughed, and she jumped at him. When she bit down gently on his neck, he sucked in an abrupt breath, his eyes widening.
"Now tell me!" she said, settling down beside him, staring when Ash twisted to be face to face with her, grinning. When he tilted his chin up, May sat back up, shock etched across her face. "What is that? I hurt you!"
"That is exactly what I wanted to happen." You wanted that?, Vanika asked. Looking toward Silvanus and her, he touched the bruise that started forming. Ash shushed May when she started fussing over it again. "I called Brock earlier, and he suggested that this might be a good way to make a point to Carrie."
At the inquiring looks, Ash shrugged. "It's just that...that ring probably wouldn't cut it, not alone anyway." Nuzzling her, he whispered quietly into her ear, "And he thought that it might make it a little clearer who I'm meant to be with if I let you do that, even if it was unintentional on your part and only temporary."
A bruise?, Silvanus said sarcastically, How loving. Ash snickered. "That is exactly why I prefer calling it a love-bite. Sounds a bit nicer then any of the other names," the teenager remarked, "and it works for now. I only need Carrie to figure out that she's fighting a losing battle. Normally that-" He pointed to May's ring. "-would be enough, but...well, knowing her, it won't be."
I still do not understand the point of it. Vanika frowned. Neither do I, the amused teenage male thought, but I figure if it makes her feel any better about this, then hell, what could it hurt? Ash seriously had no idea why Brock suggested it. The female smiled then, and nodded. "What are you going to do now?" May asked.
Ash smirked, and the dragons looked at each other. We're gone. "What else? Make up for last night."
- - -
Delia looked out the window. It was growing dark out, stars already appearing in the deep blue of the upper sky. She worried; it had been several hours since May ran out, and even longer since she'd seen Ash. "Where did they both run off to?" she asked herself.
Dinner was simmering in the kitchen, waiting for her to tend to it. She squinted when she saw something small and yellow jump onto the fence, black-tipped ears twitching. "Pikachu!" she cried, flinging the door open to greet the pokemon that ran at her.
"Chuuuuu!" The creature looked back at his master, who was inching into the yard slowly, carrying a sleeping teenage girl, his head tilted down heavily. "Pikapika, kaaaaa."
"I'm just going to go straight to bed," Ash yawned. He was tired; after going all night without sleeping a wink, then so much stress and activity throughout the morning and afternoon, he felt ready to fall over where he stood. Passing Delia, he went upstairs without another word.
"What happened out there?" she asked, frowning.
- - -
"I want to apologize for what happened at our first meeting. It was unneeded what happened." May looked up briefly from her chore; she was feeding the baby pokemon, a job given to her by Professor Oak. As Gary thought it was below him to do so, it was normally left to the old man, and it was easier on him if May did it. She had jumped at the chance when he mentioned it as she entered only thirty minutes prior.
"Ummm..." She blinked when the woman hugged her.
"I heard about what happened the other day. Are you alright?" she asked. May nodded hesitantly; she didn't know whether or not she could trust the strange woman, the one who she had ran from as a child.
"We're fine. Ash said he'd take care of it all." May resumed giving the babies their food, taking it out of the container sitting beside her. She smiled at them, even though her throat had tightened at the thought of what could potentially happen if he couldn't clear up the issue with Carina. The fact that her mother brought it up brought up a bad feeling.
"I'm sure." The graying woman stood beside her, watching the Pokemon chomp on their breakfasts. "You know, if you ever need to, or want to or anything, I'm always around to talk to."
May stayed silent, her eyes narrowed. She continued hastily. "And I know that you don't want to call me Mom, but could you at least call me by my name?" The brunette girl looked at her. "Do you remember it?"
She shook her head, gripping the railing tightly in her hands. The older woman smiled sadly. "I thought that might be the case. You don't remember, Donna? My name?"
"No." May looked out of the window, watching Professor Oak traipse across the field back toward the lab. She closed the lid on the container and carried it over to the cooler.
"I'll never be equal to her, will I?" Donna asked, "To her...what's her name? Vickie?"
May scowled. "Vanika." she corrected, "No. No one can be."
She smiled. "At least you're honest, huh?" she commented, patting her birth daughter on the shoulder, "You're a wonderful young lady."
Pausing, May turned to look at her. "I learned from the best," she said, as her smirking brother entered.
"Gramps needs you to go get some things." Gary snapped, tossing a folded piece of paper at her, then turned to Donna, "Hello Mom."
"Hello, dear," she greeted cheerfully. May looked between them, then at the paper suspiciously. "Where do you get all of this?"
"In Viridian. Thank you can manage it?" His lips quirked up in a smirk. "Considering you could wonder your way back and forth from here to Nara, Viridian should be a piece of cake."
May growled. "I'm only going because Grandpa needs this stuff," she said, glaring at him, stomping out angrily. Gary watched after her back, then looked at his worrying mother.
"I hope you aren't having second thoughts." he said casually, "Because in a few minutes she's going to have her heart broken."
- - -
AN: Yes, more notes. Please don't throw fruit at me or something. x.x; I just wanted to mention that 'love-bite' crap. I had been thinking on that after I read a manga that one of the characters 'marked' another one, and found it to be a cute idea that one would do that to show that 'hey! Guess what! We're together!' So I thought to use it here, though it could, and most likely would, be useless. Really, I just wanted an excuse to make them..not all depressed and angry in this chapter, as the next ones most likely will be to some degree. x.x;
