A Jewel in Water

Part 15

"W-who are you?" asked Kenny.

"What a childish question." Said the girl. "Are you sure he is here?" she pointed this question towards the Charizard she had been riding. The Charizard nodded. She then turned back to the other two.

"So how do you get into this place?" she asked.

"Through there," said Dawn as she pointed to a door into the castle. And with that, the girl was off.

"Who is she and what does she want?" asked Kenny to no one in particular.

"I don't know but let's go and find out!" And they both ran after the girl.

Ash had taken the trio to his room and when they were all inside, and there was no chance of anyone eavesdropping, Ash shut the door and sat them down around the table in his room. He then went over to a draw and pulled out a folder. It was the one that Brock had given him.

"Hey! Treat it with a bit more delicacy! I spent a long time on that." Brock protested.

"Okay, sorry, sorry," apologised Ash. May took the folder and read the cover.

"The 'Trick Misty' Plan?" she read.

"Huh? What?" Elliot said as he grabbed the folder out of May's hand and flicked it open.

"That's what it says." Said May

"This is what I wanted to talk to you about," explained Brock. "You see, if you agree, you will be helping Ash and Misty get together." Elliots' heart was filled with joy. If Ash went with Misty, then he could have May! But either way, he still needed to tell Misty that he didn't want to marry her. Why was there never a good chance?

"Helping Ash get Misty? I'm not saying that I won't help, but why do we need to do this? Can't you just woo her like the other two?" she tried not to look at Elliot. What was he going to say about this? He seemed really interested in Misty, so there was little chance that he would agree to this.

"It's going to be much more complicated than that," said Ash regretfully. "A long time ago, I did something that she can't forgive me for. Although it wasn't my fault, she still is set on making me look evil. And to top it all off, I think that she's wiped out all her memories of me. She didn't even remember me with Pikachu next to me. It's hopeless." Ash hung his head.

"What did you do exactly?" asked Brock. Ash paused. He was contemplating whether or not to tell them anything.

"Sorry. I'll tell you when the time comes. It's not something that I can talk about freely." The others reluctantly understood and didn't question him anymore about it.

"Ummm." Said Elliot suddenly.

"What's wrong?" asked Ash.

"It says in here you need a gay lover?" he said slowly. May looked at Ash.

"What?" she grabbed the folder out of Elliots' hands and read the page quickly. Her mouth hung open as she turned to look at Ash. "You aren't really going to do this, are you?"

"Why not? I think it's pretty good." Promoted Brock.

"Of course you would say that! You wrote the damned thing!" said Ash "But, I guess it's pretty good. I really wouldn't want to get another woman involved." He admitted.

"Exactly." Agreed Brock.

"So about this gay lover…" Elliot brought up again.

"Why are you volunteering?" winked Ash. Elliot turned a shade of deep red.

"N-no! Of course not!" he stuttered. The other two laughed but then Brock stopped and asked:

"Jokes aside, who is going to be your gay lover? We need to know as soon as possible."

"…I have no idea."

"It could be anyone!" said May. "Don't you have anyone you can blackmail into it?"

"I am not going to ask James." Ash stated simply.

"But you were thinking about it weren't you?" joked Brock.

"No!" shouted Ash. Elliot really didn't want to say anything… anything that drew attention to himself, especially in front of Ash. He already knew his secret.

"…someone I can blackmail…" Ash said "But isn't that a bit mean?"

"Yeah, but that's the only way!" urged May. Elliot wished May would shut up. This was not looking good for him in anyway. If he wanted anyone he could blackmail, then the guy was in this room.

"What about someone who owes you a big favour?" Elliot tried. Ash gave him a knowing smile, but then it suddenly faded and after a few seconds it came back again.

"I've got it!" he shouted.

"Who is it?" asked Brock

"You won't know them," Ash informed then as he got his phone out and dialled a number.

"Well, if you just tell us-," May started but was interrupted when someone answered Ashs' call.

"Hey, it's me. You know that favour you owe me? Mind if you pay up now? No, no, it needs to be now, and don't lie to me and say that you are too busy, because you told me last week that you were going to be on holiday for the next four weeks. Come to the Cerulean Castle. Don't worry, I'll reimburse you! Just get here. Asap." And with that he hung up.

"I liked how you didn't say what the favour was." Brock snickered.

"Well, do you think if I had told him, he wouldn't have run to the other side of the world? Anyway, I think that this is a pretty big payment. Not a much as I deserve, but it'll be ok."

"Mind telling us who this mystery lover is?" May interjected again.

"Actually I think I'll keep it a surprise."

"Fine, I think we should leave now. It might look a bit suspicious." Said Elliot, and the other two agreed and made to leave the room. He wanted to get out of there.

"Actually Elliot, can I speak to you in private?" Ash asked him. Elliot's heat stopped. Oh dear. He did not manage to escape this time. Brock and May looked at each other confusedly. But they got the message and left the room. Elliot made sure they were far away when he shut the door and turned back. His face was grave.

"So Elliot…"