This is it. This is the moment that pokeshipping fans have been waiting for. I've personally been looking forward to writing this part of the story for a long time, so I will do my best to give it justice. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy jotting it down.

Disclaimer: Pokemon is owned by Nintendo. I own rights to a few select characters and concepts.

Last time:

Professor Oak: Well Ash, we certainly have our work cut out for us on this one.
Ash: I know. Let's just hope we can get thru the wedding in peace.

Part 10: Wedding Crasher

Location: Pallet Town, one week later.

The town of Pallet, while pretty busy on any given day, was full of more hustle and bustle then usual, especially around the middle of the afternoon. All over town, people were rushing this way and that, trying to hurriedly finish their daily tasks. The reason for all this commotion: The day of Ash and Misty's wedding had finally arrived.

In the backyard of the Ketchum house, the wedding pavilion was looking better than ever. More chairs had been set up to accommodate all of the guests that would be arriving very shortly. Ash stood on the slightly razed platform near the white archway, checking to see if everything was in order as he nervously tugged on his bowtie. Even thou he had worn a tuxedo a few times before when he was younger, he never been comfortable in one before. They were hot and made him feel a bit claustrophobic. He knew that it would be worth suffering, thou. Just a little while longer, and he and Misty would be husband and wife.

Pikachu and Lucario stood firm on both sides of the stage, ready for anything that might happen. Ash was afraid that the Grand Shadow Covenant would make another move during the ceremony, so he had several of his best Pokemon patrolling in and around town to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. He also had a few flying Pokemon soaring thru the sky's in case of an aerial assault. And with his two best fighters standing by as pavilion guards, he felt confident that things would go smoothly.

One by one, the guests began to arrive. Friends that Ash had made over his many journeys came forward to greet him and wish him the best. It wasn't long before Profs. Elm, Birch, and Rowan arrived on the scene.

Prof. Birch: Hello, Ash. Good to see you again.
Ash: Nice to see all of you. How's it coming on the research?
Prof. Rowan: We've been pouring over all the info you've given us so far, but I'm afraid we have nothing new to tell about those people who attacked you.
Prof. Elm: We also checked back with the gym leaders, but they hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary. The truth is, we going to need more data if we're going to make any headway on this.
Ash: I agree, but let's hope we don't get that opportunity today.
Prof. Rowan: Yes, well, best of luck to you, Ash. We'll see you later.

As the three of them headed off to join Prof. Oak, Ash turned back to see Brock, May, Max, and Dawn making their way onto the stage to join him. Brock and Max were both wearing suits like his, while the girls were wearing matching pink dresses.

Ash: Hey guys.
May: You okay, Ash. You look a bit pale.
Brock: You nervous?
Ash: "Nervous" doesn't even come close.
Max: Oh, come on, Ash. I've seen you go up against Legendary Pokemon without breaking a sweat.
Ash: Battles are one thing. This is entirely different.
Dawn: You'll be fine. No need to worry.
Brock: Dawn, don't you remember how worried your mom gets whenever you…

Brock suddenly froze mid sentence, a shocked look on his face. The others glanced in the direction he was looking to see a young brown haired woman in a long, pink dress headed their way.

Dawn: Wow! She's gorgeous.
May: Hey Max, is that Misty's friend Jamie?
Max: It sure is. I can see why Brock is so stunned.
Jamie: Hey there, everyone.
Ash: Hi, Jamie. I'd like you to meet Dawn and Max's older sister May.
Dawn: Hi.
May: Nice to meet you.
Jamie: Same here.
Ash: And this is… Brock, snap out of it.

Ash gave Brock a quick elbow to knock him back to his senses.

Brock: Huh… oh, hi, I'm Brock.
Jamie: Hi, Brock.

As they finished greeting one another, the minister made his way onstage.

Minister: Is everyone ready?
Ash: I think so.
Minister: Then let's get started.
Brock: Showtime.

Everyone took their positions as the band began to play. Everyone in the audience turned to look the far end of the red-carpet that ran down the middle of the seating area. A few seconds later, Chellsy and Maggie appeared under the archway at the end, both of them wearing pink and white dresses and holding a basket of flower petals. They then began slowly walking down the aisle, spreading the petals on the floor as they went. When they reached the end of the aisle, they went to join Brandon and Cory, who were sitting in the front row with Ash's mother. Ash noticed a black computer case underneath Cory's chair. He guessed the kid never liked to go anywhere without his laptop.

Just then, the band played the first notes of "Here comes the bride". All heads turned to the back again as a young woman wearing a long white dress and matching gloves appeared under the archway. She slowly made her way down the aisle, her long red hair swaying in the gentile breeze. Her bright blue eyes were shining from behind the thin white vale draped over her face. In her arms she carried a small bouquet of white flowers. Ash let out a very faint whistle that only he could hear. He had never seen Misty look so beautiful before. When she reached the end, her sister Daisy got up and escorted her onto the stage. She then handed her flowers to Jamie and took Ash by the hand. The two of them stood side by side as the Minister began the ceremony.

Minister: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two in holy matrimony. Let us begin with the vows. Do you Ash take Misty to be your wife?
Ash: I do.
Minister: And do you Misty take Ash to be your husband?
Misty: I do.
Minister: May we have the rings?

Max came forward and held out two gold rings. Ash and Misty each took one.

Minister: Ash, please repeat after me. With this ring, I be wed.
Ash: With this ring, I be wed.

Ash then slipped the ring on Misty's finger. She then repeated the Minister and placed the ring she held on his finger. They both smiled as the Minister continued.

Minister: If anyone has any objection to this union, please speak now or forever hold your peace.
??: Yeah, I have something I'd like to say!

The menacing voice that had suddenly spoken seemed to come from everywhere. People gasped and yelled angrily as they looked around for the source of the commotion.

Jaime: What?! Who said that?
Ash: Oh no! I was afraid this would happen.

Out of nowhere, a bright beam of light burst forth from the ground in the middle the aisle. It then transformed in to a woman clad in gray armor. She raised one hand and pointed it at Ash and the others.

Normela: I'm afraid these two won't be alive long enough to enjoy being married.

She then fired a beam of pure energy from her hand, which flew straight for the stage and exploded on impact. Many people screamed in horror as they ran for cover. Normela was pleased at how well her Hyper Beam had worked, but as the smoke cleared, she noticed a blue glow coming from around the stage. She then saw an armored figure standing right where Ash had been a moment ago. He was holding up his left arm which had a built-in shield that was generating an energy barrier. Ash had transformed into the Aura Knight and activated his Aura Shield just before the Hyper Beam had landed, saving him and his friends from certain destruction. Pikachu and Lucario rushed to his side as he pointed his sword straight at his new opponent.

Ash: You're going to regret ever coming here, you demon.
Normela: Oh, threats from the Aura Knight. I'm so scared.
Ash: Don't underestimate me. You're from the Grand Shadow Covenant, aren't you?
Normela: Indeed. I am Normela, master of the ways of the normal type.
Lucario: Normal type? I could take you with one hand tied behind my back.
Normela: Now who's underestimating who?
May: That's one of the guys who attacked you?
Misty: Not exactly. This person is different from the two that came before.
Normela: Correct. That first Hyper Beam was just a warning shot, so unless you would like to see what I can really do, you'll hand over the little girl.

Normela pointed to a nearby tree that Chellsy and her friends were trying to hide behind. Cory had pulled out his laptop in an attempt to analyze the new fiend, but froze solid when he heard that they had been found. But in the blink of an eye, Ash disappeared from the stage and reappeared in front of them.

Ash: As I told your friends before I sent them flying, if you want her, you'll have to go thru me first.
Normela: That can be arranged.

Normela charged straight for Ash, her fingers transforming into sharp claws. She tried to slash at him, but he blocked it using his sword. The then swung it at her, but she dodged with ease. He continued his assault, rapidly slashing at her with his sword, all the while forcing her back in an attempt to get her away from the others.

Normela: I see what you're up to, but it is a little cramped here. Let's move somewhere a bit more open, shall we?

Normela dashed toward a nearby field with Ash giving chase. Pikachu and Lucario followed right behind them, ready to aid Ash in any way possible. The others looked on as the battle continued.

Misty: Is everyone ok?
Max: No injuries to speak of. Even the state is still intact.
May: We need to help Ash.
Dawn: But how? We left all our Pokemon up at Prof. Oak's lab. We don't have time to go get them.
Brock: We'll just have to let Ash handle it, then. Come on.

As they began heading over to get a better view on the battle, the kids came out from behind the tree and followed them.

Misty: Chellsy, you and the others should stay here. She's only after you.
Chellsy: No way, mom. I'm not staying here while dad's out there fighting.
Misty: Oh, alright, but stay close.

The group moved to a spot close enough to see what was going without getting in the way. Cory then positioned his computer and turned on the camera.

Cory: Tectra, you getting this?
Tectra: You bet. I've already got a whole bunch of data on her. Wait… uh oh.
Cory: What uh oh? I don't like uh oh's.
Tectra: It seems that Normela's power levels are a lot higher than Shocker and Ivy's were.
Brock: That's not good. I hope Ash can handle her.
Misty: Me too.

Back at the battle, both sides seemed pretty even. Ash and Normela traded blows back and forth, neither of them backing down. Pikachu continually fired Thunderbolts at her while Lucario launched a barrage of Aura Sphere attacks, but she dodged the lightning and fired a Swift attack to destroy the spheres before they could hit her.

Normela: Impressive, but not good enough to stop me. Tri Attack!

Normela fired a blast of three different energies at Ash, but he was ready.

Ash: Take this. Aura Wave!

Ash swung his sword and fired an energy shockwave that cut right thru the Tri Attack and hit Normela hard in the chest, causing her armor to crack slightly. He then fired a whole volley of them, pounding her repeatedly until she was knocked to the ground.

Ash: Had enough yet?
Normela: Ok. Now I'm mad.

Normela rose to her feet and pulled out a small, black sphere.

Normela: I gave you a chance to surrender the girl, but instead you defy and attack me. Now you will witness the true power of the Grand Shadow Covenant!

She crushed the sphere in her hand, releasing a cloud of dark smoke that encircled her and seemed to infuse her with some sort of power. Suddenly, Cory's computer started beeping like crazy.

Tectra: WARNING! WARNING! Massive energy increase! Her power levels are skyrocketing!
Misty: Oh no!

Ash, meanwhile, was perplexed as to what was going on. He decided to act fast.

Ash: I don't know what you're doing, but it stops right now!

He fired another Aura Wave at her, but just before it hit, she swiped her claws and sliced it right in half.

Ash: What?!
Normela: Nice try. Here I come!

Normela charged forward so fast that Ash had no time to react and was slammed in the stomach, the force knocking the Aura Blade from his hand. Normela then picked it up and moved toward him again.

Normela: Let's see how you like getting hit with your own sword attack!

She then tried to attack him with the sword, but before she could swing it, she was hit by an electrical charge that caused her to drop the weapon. The sword then floated back to him.

Ash: I should have mentioned that the Aura Blade only lets me use it. Anyone else tries and they get a bad shock.
Normela: Err. You think you're so smart, but let's see you handle this!

Normela powered up a Giga Impact and dashed forward at super high speed as Ash brought up his Aura Shield to stop the attack. The two forces collided as he tried to repel her charge, but the sheer force behind it was too strong and she eventually broke thru, hitting him head on and sending him hurtling backwards onto the ground.

Pikachu: Pika Pi!
Lucario: Ash!

Normela dispelled her attack and surveyed the damage she caused. Ash's armor was cracked and broken in several places and he was having a hard time getting back up. Pikachu and Lucario attempted to strike her, but she launched a Swift attack and trapped them in a dome of stars. The others looked on, unable to help. Chellsy, however, decided to do something. She broke away from the group and headed straight for battle zone.

Misty: Chellsy, no, get back here! You could be killed!

But Chellsy wasn't listening. She ran towards her father just as Normela approached him, claws extended.

Normela: And now I'll finish you off once and for all.
Chellsy: Stop!!

Ash turned his head in shock to see Chellsy standing a few yards away from them.

Ash: Chellsy, stay back! Get away from here!
Normela: Well, if it isn't the girl I came for. Chellsy's your name, right? I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't stop. Your dad is in my way, and so he must die!

Normela pulled her hand back, ready to stab Ash with her sharp claws.

Chellsy: Dad!! No!!

Suddenly, Chellsy's body began to glow bright gold. Normela stopped cold and stared at her, shocked and amazed by this strange sight. Meanwhile, Cory's computer was making more noise than a herd of Loudred.

Tectra: I don't believe it! The energy readings I'm getting from Chellsy are off the scale!
Jamie: What on earth is going on? What's happening to Chellsy?
Misty: I don't know. I've never seen this before.

Without warning, a beam of light flew from Chellsy and made contact with Ash. Instantly, the cracks in his armor began to seal as the missing pieces were regenerated. He also felt a strange power surging thru him, giving him more strength. When the light faded, Ash was back on his feet, looking as good as new.

Normela: What?! How is this possible?
Ash: I'm wondering that myself. But for now, let's focus on getting rid of you. Lucario!

Lucario nodded and sent out a surge of aura energy, blasting away the Swift and freeing him and Pikachu. He then turned into pure aura and fused together with Ash's sword, setting it ablaze with his power.

Ash: Blazing Aura Strike!!

Ash jumped into the air and swung the sword, sending a massive energy wave right at Normela which hit her square in the chest, blasting away the cracked portion of her armor and exposing a strange crystal in the place where her heart should have been. She then landed on the ground in heap, apparently unconscious. Ash then transformed back into his old self just as Misty and the others ran out to them. Misty raced into his arms and held on tight as Lucario reemerged from the Aura Blade.

Misty: Oh my god. Are you okay, Ash?
Ash: I'm fine. In fact, I feel better than ever thanks to Chellsy.
Brandon: Yeah, what the heck was that glowing thing about, Chellsy?
Chellsy: I don't know. I just wanted to save my dad and the next thing I know, I'm lit up like a Christmas tree.
Misty: Whatever that was, it was still foolish to run out there like that, honey.
Ash: Your mom's right. You could have…
Lucario: Look out!!

Ash quickly turned around in time to see Normela lunging toward them in a blind rage, her claws extended to their longest length. He pushed Misty out the way as she closed in on them, but just before she reached him, a large black snake Pokemon with long red fangs suddenly burst out of the ground and jabbed at her with its blade-like tail. It pierced the crystal in her chest, shattering it into a million pieces. A split second later, Normela let out a blood curtailing scream.

Normela: No!! My Crystal Heart!!

Normela stumbled backwards, sparks flying from where the crystal used to be. A moment later, she was engulfed in an upward stream of energy as her body began to disintegrate. Ash and his friends could only watch as she dissolved into dust before their eyes.

Ash: Cory, please tell me you got all that.
Cory: Uh huh. It's all in my computer.
Max: Well, at least we don't have to worry about her anymore, thanks to this Seviper here. Is it yours, Ash?
Ash: I do have a Seviper, but this one isn't mine. It does look familiar, thou.
??: Good job, Seviper.

Ash turned to look where the voice had come from and saw Jessie, James, and Meowth walk out from behind a nearby tree.

Brock: I don't believe it.
Ash: Whoa! I heard you guys quit Team Rocket, but I never expected you to show up and save my life. Thanks.
Meowth: Think nothing of it. This is just our way of thanking you for helping us realize what a dead end job that was.
James: Now, why don't we head back and finish the wedding.
May: That's a good idea. I've had enough excitement for one day.
Misty: Me too.

As they began making their way back toward's Ash's house, Lucario made his way over to where Normela had been a moment ago and started sifting thru what was now left of their enemy.

Ash: Lucario, what are you doing?
Lucario: I thought I saw something fall to the ground when Normela began disintegrating. Ah ha!

Lucario reached into the dust and pulled out what appeared to be a small, gray medal. Ash moved in to get a better look and noticed it had a picture of a Munchlax engraved on it.

Maggie: What do think that is?
Ash: I don't know. I'll have Prof. Oak look at it later.
Brandon: Uh, guys. Something's going on with Chellsy again.

Everyone turned their attention to Brandon who was now pointing at Chellsy's wrist. A band of golden light had begun to circle it before transforming into a gold bracelet with small chains dangling from it. Suddenly, the gray medal flew from Lucario's hands and shrank to the size of an average coin before attaching itself to one of the chains.

Chellsy: Huh? What is this thing?
Jessie: It looks like a charm bracelet.
Meowth: We'll have the good Prof. examine it later. In the meantime, let's get these two lovebirds back to the wedding before everyone starts panicking.

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Thanks to Ash's quick thinking, the pavilion had survived without a scratch and no one was injured, so once everything had calmed down, the wedding picked up right where it had left off.

Minister: Well, if no one else has any objections.

Everyone looked around, wondering if there was going to be another assault. Once they were sure everything was fine, the Minster continued.

Minister: Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Ash, you may kiss the bride.

Ash then lifted Misty's vale over her head, and the two of them kissed. Everyone applauded in celebration as they then began making there way back down the aisle. As the guests threw rice into the air, Ash turned to look at Misty as she turned to look at him, both of them feeling happier than they had been in a long time.

TO BE CONTINUED…