A Jewel in Water

Part 8

A/N: Well the – thing for new paragraph didn't work, so I think I'm going to opt for the first word of every new paragraph being big and bold?

"I'll be right back ok?" Paul said to Misty "Just gonna go down to the kitchen and see if they have any leftovers."

"Oh don't do that, just ask them to make you something." Misty sighed.

"No need" said Paul as he walked out of the room. The room was left in silence.

"Hey Misty!" called Brock. Misty turned around in shock. Why was it that everyone was gathering at the castle today?

"Brock? How are you?" Misty cried as she ran up and embraced him.

"Pretty good, but I was wondering if you would be able to lend me a room. I was just passing by, when I remembered that you live near here, so I thought why not visit?" Brock explained.

"Freaky coincidence huh?" Misty teased.

"Erm, yeah, well news on the street is that you're getting married. Who's the lucky guy then?" Brock asked pretending to be oblivious.

"Well, that's just it. I have to choose him first." Misty sighed.

"Oh, who are the guys then?"

"I don't think you'll know any of them actually. But there's Sir Ashton, the current Pokémon Master, Prince Elliot, a contest battler, and Prince Rudy, an ex-gym leader." Misty stated.

"Well out of those choices, I guess the one most suited for you is…" Brock contemplated. Misty held her breath as the deliberation took place. Who could it be? For some reason Misty was hoping that it would be Ash.

"Well, of course it should be Rudy!" Brock exclaimed.

"What? Rudy?" Misty was completely shocked. "Why?"

"Oh, you don't like him? Well seeing as you are both ex gym leaders, I thought that you would be perfect for each other."

"Yeah right." Misty snorted. "I am NEVER going to marry him. EVER."

"Ok then, well I'll meet the other two and then tell you about which one is best."

"But first I'll show you to your room. Sorry, this may take a while because we have quite a few guests today." Misty led him out of her room, and down the hallways, to find a vacant room. That's when she saw Ashton, May, Elliot, Dawn and Kenny running excitedly upstairs, and at top speed.

"Wonder what's going on." Brock said, actually clueless.

"So guys, what's the rush?" Ash panted.

"Wait Ashy, its better if we don't tell you," Dawn replied. Ash felt put out. But really excited.

"All we can tell you is that Rudy is involved." Elliot informed him.

"Excellent!" Ash beamed. Now he was extremely excited. As they made it to the top of the stairs, they slowed down to a creep as they made it towards Rudy's room. Their heads peered around the corner and there he was; the sleeping beast. With inappropriate images adorning his head, just the thought of him acting his pretentious self whilst he looked like a complete fool, was enough to get the guys into fits if laughter.

"You know what we need to do right?" Ash asked.

"Huh, what?" Asked May. Elliot watched the two reunited travellers talk and felt a pang of jealousy. Ash looked towards Elliot and smiled. Crap. Was he found out?

"Well, before he wakes up, we need to get all the mirrors don't we?" Ash said.

"Of course!" cried Kenny. All of them sneaked into Rudy's room and took down all the mirrors in the room, even rummaging in Rudy's luggage to find even the slightest of reflective surfaces. They started piling them up outside the room. Misty, who had been looking for a room for Brock, who was trailing behind her, then came across the scene.

"What are you guys-?" she started to yell, but before she could finish, Elliot ran to out his hand over her mouth. Now it was Mays' turn to get jealous.

"This must be Elliot," Brock guessed, whilst nodding at Ash to start the plan. Ash took a deep breath and grabbed Misty's hand. Elliot released her, much to May's satisfaction, and brought her to the door so that she could see Rudy. He motioned for Brock to come as well, who obediently followed.

They couldn't stop themselves from smiling as his face came into view.

Ash quickly silenced everyone and made them pick up a mirror, so that they could move them into the next room quickly and leave to laugh as much as possible.

As the group of seven came into the living room, they all smiled and the atmosphere of the room was lifted to new heights. That's when some of the crew had finally noticed that Brock was with them.

"Brock?" shouted Dawn, Kenny and May at the same time.

"Yep that's me." Brock smiled.

"When did you get here?" Asked May.

"Oh just about half an hour ago." He replied.

"I didn't even notice you there" Kenny said "What brings you here?"

"Oh well, I was passing by. But the real question here is why are you all here?"

"Well, you know, I am the fourth choice." Kenny stated. Brock looked at Misty and she sighed helplessly.

"Fourth?" Brock asked confusedly "Misty didn't mention you. I didn't even know that you knew her either.

"Well, it's a small world I guess." Shrugged Kenny.

"But I always thought that you liked Dawn," Brock teased. Kenny looked at Brock in shock, then at Ash, then finally to Dawn, who was a bright red. "You did want her to travel with you, if I remember correctly. You even waited at that lighthouse for her answer."

"BROCK!" screamed Kenny "DON'T SAY ANYTHING ELSE!"

As they all laughed at Kenny and Dawn, Ash took this moment to grab Elliot. Not really part of the Trick Misty Plan, but he was curious about something.

"Elliot, can I speak to you?" Elliot looked dumbfounded. Oh shit. That smile that he had given him really did mean something. He knew something.

"Uh, sure." He replied hesitantly. Ash led him outside the room and into the sub-lounge, making sure that no one was around. He edged closer towards Elliot, making him back up against the wall, and leaned in.

"So. Elliot. Can I ask you something?" Ash asked slowly.

"Sure… but do you mind backing off a bit?" Elliot asked nervously.

"Aha, sorry, just thought that I could build the tension a bit," Ash laughed. "But can I ask, why are you here? As Elliot?" Ash knew. He definitely knew.

"Elliot is my real name." Elliot said, trying not to spill the beans right off the bat.

"Really? Then was all that a charade?" Ash asked taken aback.

"Well, sort of. But it was necessary."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Hey Ash!" called someone from the doorway. He sniggered as he saw Elliot against the wall and Ash blocking his way out. "Sorry, was I interrupting something?"