Everyone gathered around the lunch table after Gary led them to his campsite. They continued to listen to him tell his story.
"And I came to Hoenn to continue some of the research I started before. Harmony insisted on coming with me and I couldn't really get her to change her mind."
"That's because we're an item, baby. I'll be with you for as long as I live," she said as she wrapped her arm around his, causing everyone else to sweat in embarrassment.
"Just when did you two become a couple, Gary? You never mentioned to me that you had a girlfriend," Ash said after shaking off his embarrassment.
Gary smirked. "Good question. Well, you see Ashy…"
"Stop calling me that!"
"…I met Harmony way back, after I lost to you in the Pokémon League…"
"So you admit it!"
Gary sighed. "Yes, Ash. I admit it. I lost to you in the Pokémon League. I'm a big boy now. I have no problem saying it. It's in the past now. Can we please move on from there?"
After several moments of silence, Gary continued.
"Like I was saying, after I lost to Ash in the Pokémon League, I did some soul searching and I decided to become a pokémon researcher like my granddad."
"Soul searching?" Max asked.
Gary nodded.
"Yeah, Max. See, I used to be a real jerk back then. I was always being surrounded by cheerleaders, which really wasn't a bad thing since I had a fanbase…In fact, it was quite enjoyable. But it made me arrogant. My loss to Ash made me look at myself in a new light. I started becoming more of a competent trainer. I ditched the cheerleaders and found someone I really wanna be with," he said glancing lovingly at Harmony.
"Like I said, Harms and I met back in Pallet Town. Soon after I told my granddad, or who you guys refer to as, Professor Oak, about my plans of following in his footsteps and becoming a Pokémon Researcher, I met Harmony. She was dropping off some of her pokémon to begin her journey in Johto. And my granddad felt it necessary to introduce us to each other and become 'closer'. His words, not mines. Needless to say, we hit it off immediately. I traveled with her to Johto and supported her all the way. I also got to catch up on my research too. We've been together ever since."
"Wow, Gary. That's…some story," Ash said hesitantly. He wasn't sure if he felt comfortable talking about Gary's love life since he couldn't start one of his own.
"So you guys are like lovebirds?" Melanie asked with interest.
"I guess you could say that," Gary said with a shrug.
"Please, Gar. Don't you think we're a little more than that? We've been a couple for four years. Long I know," Harmony said as she made a gesture with her hand.
"That's why I decided to up the level in our relationship by giving Harms something I felt was needed," he said as Harmony held up her left hand to reveal the ring on her finger.
"Hold up a second Gary," Ash said as he examine the ring on rival's girlfriend's finger, "That looks like a…a…promise…ring."
Gary smiled. "That's because it is, Ash."
The group gaped at his statement.
"Gary gave this to me four months ago," she said admiring the ring on her finger.
"It's an angel promise ring. 14Kt white gold set with a .60ct round with a red ruby holding the center. The perfect ring for my own angel," he said staring amorously at his girlfriend.
"And the best part about it is that this ring can also be presented to symbolize engagement."
"Though, that's not the purpose, baby."
"But it does mean something, Harms."
Ash shook his head as he continued to stare at the ring. He couldn't believe Gary would do something like this so soon. "Gary, you're sixteen years old…"
"Seventeen, Ash. Turned seventeen last month."
"…how could you have given away a promise ring just like that?"
"I didn't just buy the ring, Ash," Gary said slightly annoyed, "There's a reason why I drained a considerable amount of money from my bank account buying the damn thing. I love Harmony. With all my heart. I bought the ring because I'm serious about our relationship. A promise ring is a ring worn to indicate a serious promise made to oneself or another. I've made a serious promise to Harmony that she's the only girl for me. Yeah, it cost me a lot of money, but it was worth it. Harmony is the girl I want spend the rest of my life with and I let her know that by giving her this ring. I didn't have to propose to her to let her know that."
"Oh, Gary!" Harmony said as she enveloped her boyfriend in a Snorlax-sized hug, "That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard you say about me!"
"Oh, that's so romantic," May said, her eyes beginning to sparkle.
"I can't believe this! This is the best day of my life!" Melanie said as she began jumping up and down.
Even Pikachu cooed over the whole thing.
Max sweatdropped with embarrassment while Ash scowled.
Again, Gary wins. Nothing he does is ever wrong. I'm gonna have to do a hell of a lot to impress May, if I ever get that far.
"So, Harmony, was Lightning your starter pokémon?" May asked as she watched the female mouse play a game of tag with Pikachu and Pichu.
Harmony smiled. "Not, exactly. Well, kinda. I guess…I kinds had two starter pokémon."
She saw the confused look on their faces and knew she had to explained further.
"You see, when I started my journey, I initially intended on picking Charmander as my starter pokémon, which I did."
Blaze smiled at this, making a victory sign with her claws.
"But on my way to the lab, I noticed that Prof. Oak was in the field. Apparently he was doing some research on an Eevee when he noticed me. He immediately stopped what he was doing and stood up and greeted me. That's when Lightning came into the picture."
Harmony glanced at her pokémon running around before continuing.
"Professor Oak and I heard a cry, and before we knew it, a small little Pichu popped up in front of us. Now let me tell you, Lightning was not the most pleasant of pokémon before we became friends."
Sometime while Harmony was talking, Lightning, Pichu, and Pikachu, stopped playing their little game and began listening intently to what the older teenager was saying.
"Lightning's nature as a Pichu was…somewhat serious and arrogant."
"Chu!"
"Well you were."
Lightning crossed her arms at her trainer's statement.
Harmony shook her head. "Anyway, Lightning fell out of a tree above us and hit its head, rubbing it after it got up and scaring the Eevee away. Now, being the caring person that I am, I decided to see how it was doing."
Harmony's Flashback
"Oh, you poor thing," Harmony said as she approached the tiny mouse pokémon.
"Harmony, wait…"
Before Professor Oak could say anything, the Pichu let loose a Thunderbolt, shocking Harmony. When the attack ceased, Harmony fumbled back, trying to shake off the shock.
Professor Oak approached her. "Goodness! Are you okay, my dear?"
"Never better," Harmony replied, still a little dazed from the electrical shock.
"This Pichu must be very agitated. They don't usually attack like that," Professor Oak said as he gazed upon the small mouse.
"You might be right, Professor," Harmony said, looking at the small cuts on the baby pokémon's back.
Pichu cried out in pain as she went down on all fours.
"Professor, I think it's hurt."
Maintaining her balance, Pichu lunged herself at the two humans with a speedy Quick Attack.
"Professor, look out!" Harmony cried as she pushed the old man out of the way.
Pichu, skidded to a halt when she missed her targets, though, she may have been a little quick on the draw since she hit a nearby tree soon after.
"Are you okay, Professor?"
"Yes, yes. I'm fine," the former radio talk show host said as he stood up.
"Pi…"
Oak began stroking his chin. "I don't get it. Pichu are usually very playful and social pokémon. They aren't ones to pick fights."
"Maybe someone picked a fight with it."
Harmony's eyes grew large when she saw a loose branch fall from the tree the Pichu just hit.
Thinking quickly, she dashed to the small pokémon, picking her up and tumbling to the ground as she rolled out of the direction of the falling tree branch.
She sighed in relief. "Whew, that was close. Are you okay Pichu?"
Harmony's only response was a sudden jolt of electricity. After releasing the bolt, Pichu jumped out of Harmony's arms and away from her.
"Are you okay, my dear?" The professor asked as he approached the young girl.
"I've been better," she said as she stood to her feet.
"That Pichu needs to be tamed. It's the only way we can help it," Professor Oak said as he took out a pokéball.
"Go Pokéball!" he shouted as he gave it his best throw.
Seeing what the old man was trying to do, Pichu quickly got up as her tail started to glowed. She jumped in the air and sent the ball back towards Professor Oak, hitting him squarely in the face and knocking him to the ground.
"Professor!" Harmony ran over to the fallen old man.
"Ow! That Pichu is stronger that it looks," he said as he began rubbing his forehead.
Seeing the pokéball on the ground, Harmony picked it up and looked towards the small electric mouse. She saw sparks fly off Pichu's pink cheeks. She knew what was coming next.
Taking a ready stance, Harmony eyed Pichu. She waited for her to attack.
"Pi-CHUU!" The tiny pokémon cried as she released a Thunderbolt.
Harmony smirked as she jumped out of the way to safety. Professor Oak wasn't too lucky since he wasn't even aware of the attack and so was hit. But after shaking off the attack, he stood to the side and watched his new trainer in action, not wanting to interfere, or more precisely, get struck with another electrical attack.
Harmony watched as Pichu's breathing began to get heavier. She knew that since she was still a baby pokémon, that she didn't have complete control of her electrical powers.
Seeing Harmony up close, Pichu ran towards Harmony, first with a Quick Attack, then with a Volt Tackle.
The combination surprised Harmony, but not enough for her to forget to the pokémon's attack.
Harmony watched as Pichu stopped the attack and dropped to the ground in exhaustion. She tried to get to her feet, but she gave out and collapsed, too tired and exhausted to continue.
Harmony took this chance to try and capture the tiny pokémon.
"Go pokéball!" She said as she threw the pokéball.
It hit Pichu and converted her into red energy as she went into the ball.
One swivel…
Harmony stared intently at the moving ball.
Two swivels…
Professor Oak watched in awe at the display.
Three swivels…
Sweat began to trickle down Harmony's face as she continued to look at the little red ball.
Ding!
Harmony exhaled loudly, relieved that the little pokémon didn't jump back outside of the ball. She walked over to the pokéball and picked it up.
"Well, well. I must say I'm impressed," Professor Oak said as he approached the young girl, "I haven't witnessed a display like that in years."
"Thanks, Professor."
Professor Oak began rubbing his sore head.
"Right. How bout we go to the lab now and get you started on your pokémon journey."
"Sounds good to me," Harmony said as she and the professor started for his lab.
"And some ice would be nice too. That pokéball really hit my head hard. Ow…"
"Now, then," Professor Oak said as he put the pokéball containing the Pichu in a small recovery machine to restore it to full health, "On with your pokémon journey."
"I can't wait." Harmony replied excitedly.
"Here is where you can choose your starter pokémon," Professor Oak said as he walked over to the center of the room where three pokéballs rested. He released the pokémon held within the balls.
"Every trainer needs a partner and these are the three available in the Kanto region," Professor Oak began.
"The water type, Squirtle," he said as the baby turtle, introduced herself with a "Squirtle Squirtle!"
"The fire type, Charmander," he said as the baby lizard introduced herself with a "Charr!"
"And the grass type, Bulbasaur," Oak concluded as the little seed pokémon introduced himself with a "Bulba Bulbasaur!"
"This is where you choose your partner, young lady. Make your pick."
Harmony looked over the young pokémon.
"I choose Charmander," she said as she pointed towards the small fire pokémon.
"Char!"
"Are you sure?"
"Positive, Professor."
"Char!" The fire-type exclaimed again.
"All right," he said as he retrieved the pokéball he set inside the recovery machine, "Now then…"
Before Professor Oak could finish his sentence, the pokéball he held in his hand opened up and a tiny electric mouse materialized on the table with the other baby pokémon.
"Whoops! Must have released you. Here, just go back in," Professor Oak said as he pressed a button on the pokéball.
A line of red energy shot straight towards Pichu but she jumped out of the way. The energy hit Bulbasaur, causing him dearly pain since that wasn't his pokéball.
"Oh my. In you go," he said as he pressed the button again, and Pichu dodged it again, causing it to strike Squirtle and cause her some pain.
"Oh dear. This Pichu won't go back in its ball."
"Let it stay out a while, Professor. Maybe it just needs to get used to where it is," Harmony said as she smiled at the tiny mouse.
"Very well," Professor Oak said as he rested Pichu's pokéball down, "Back to what I was saying earlier. You need Charmander's pokéball and a pokédex. You'll find it very useful when you begin your journey," he said as he handed it to Harmony.
Pichu stared at the device curiously.
"Will you be nicknaming your pokémon?"
"Yes, Professor. How do you like the name Charmy?" Harmony asked the baby lizard, who replied with an enthusiastic cry.
"I thought you'd like it." She said with a smile.
"Sounds like you're all set," the old professor said as he handed Harmony five pokéball, "Your pokémon journey begins now."
"Thank you, Professor. Let's go, Charmy," Harmony said as she made her way to the stairs, her Charmander behind her. "Bye Professor! Thanks again!"
"Goodbye!" Professor Oak said as he too waved goodbye.
"Pi!" Pichu cried out. She ran ahead of Harmony and blocked her from leaving.
"Oh? What's wrong little one?"
Pichu crossed her arms and turned away from Harmony.
Harmony started at the little pokémon in confusion. She felt Professor Oak's presence behind her.
"Well, it appears this Pichu doesn't want you to leave. Or maybe wants to join you on your journey."
Harmony blinked a couple times before looking down towards the tiny mouse. "Is that true, Pichu? Do you really wanna come along with me?"
Pichu glared at Harmony and turned away with a huff, only to stare back at Harmony a few seconds later.
"Looks like this Pichu has chosen its trainer," Professor Oak said as he picked up her pokéball, "I was hoping to release it back into the wild when it was calm. Guess you'll be the one to housebreak and tame it," he said as he handed Harmony the pokéball.
Feeling offended, Pichu struck Professor Oak with a powerful Thunderbolt.
"Well, I guess I deserved that," he said weakly..
Harmony squatted down to meet the tiny pokémon at eye level."Hey, Pichu. How'd you like the name Lightning. You know, since you fast as Lightning and as powerful as one?"
Pichu stared at Harmony questioningly for a few seconds before giving her new trainer a thumbs up with her paws.
"Alrighty then," Harmony said. She recalled Charmy into her pokéball. She held up Lightning's to do the same, but the little mouse jumped out of the way and started yelling at Harmony for trying to contain her in a pokéball.
"Guess she doesn't wanna go in her ball," Harmony said as she minimized the pokémon and put it on the belt on her waist.
"Hmm. This Pichu reminds me an awful lot of a certain Pikachu owned by one of my trainers," Professor Oak said as he put his hand to his chin.
"What?"
"Oh, don't worry about it, Harmony. Just feel free to begin your pokémon journey now. And if you ever meet a trainer named Ash Ketchum, be sure to tell him about this story. I'm sure he'll thoroughly enjoy it."
End Flashback
"After meeting you, I can see how he made the connection. Doesn't seem like you keep your Pikachu in its ball either."
"Wow, Harmony. Sounds like Lightning had the same attitude Pikachu did when we met," Ash said as he looked over to his pokémon, who nervously began rubbing the back of his head as he also thought of the many times he shocked his trainer. Intentionally.
"I think that's why, Professor Oak wanted me to tell you. But overall, that's how I got Lightning. It was a little stiff the first few days, shocking me all the time," Harmony said as she shot her pokémon a glance, causing her to nervously rub the back of her head.
"But it did come around…eventually."
"So, in a way, Lightning was your starter pokémon, even though you didn't realize it at the time, since it was the first pokémon you caught," Melanie said as she began to catch on.
"I guess."
"That's so cool," Max said as he shot up out of his seat.
"Yeah, I guess it is." Harmony said with a slight chuckle.
"So Harmony," May began, "What are you planning on doing now?"
Harmony smiled.
"Well, tomorrow morning, I'm leaving with Gary to go to Orre."
"Orre?" Ash asked.
"That's right Ashy-boy. You see, I…"
"Stop calling me that!"
Ignoring him, Gary continued.
"I'm meeting up with a few researchers native to the region. We're gonna compare our studies and findings and all that good stuff. I'm also going there to study and catch up on some research I've missed for the past few months, since Harms and I have just been on vacation."
"I'm going for moral support."
"Harmony's also wants to see the next championships being launched this year."
"Championships?" Ash said as he sat up, clearly interested.
"Yeah. It's being held near a place called Mount Battle. Most trainers go there to train their pokémon. There are also several colosseums being held in Orre, including one where Orre's heroes are said to appear and battle."
"Heroes?"
"Yeah. Orre has two heroes. I don't remember their names, but I do know they both saved Orre on separate occasions."
"Wow really? I'm so gonna enter those colosseums!" Ash said as he got fired up.
"You have to be cleared by the owner of the colosseums first, Ash."
He dropped his fists."Oh, really? Who's that?"
"I don't know. I don't know everything, Ash. That's why I'm going to Orre in the first place," Gary said, slightly annoyed.
"Sheesh, don't get all huffy with me, Gary," Ash said as he crossed his arms.
Harmony smiled."And if you're interested May, they'll be launching a special tournament for coordinators too."
"Wow, Harmony, that's amazing!"
"Uh-huh. hear the girlfriend of one of the heroes Gary told you about will be sponsoring the event. This is a first in Orre's history."
May shot out of her seat. "Oh, I am so gonna enter! I can't wait!"
"Hey May, we could travel together again," Ash said as he realized he may have more time to talk to her than he had before.
May smiled widely. "That'd be great, Ash!"
Max cleared his throat was cleared. "Uh, don't you need Mom and Dad's permission first, May?" He asked his older.
May flicked her hand. "I'm sure they'll let me go. I've traveled with Ash in the past and they seem to trust him. Plus, this is a golden opportunity to meet an actual hero! And to display my coordinating abilities to them," May said as she began to get exited all over again.
"Well in that case," Max said as he slid over towards his sister, "Can I come too, May? Please? Please?"
May sat back down.
"I don't know, Max," she sing-songed, "You'll have to ask Mom and Dad. It has been a while since you've traveled."
"Aww, man," he said, feeling dejected.
"Don't worry, Max. I'm sure they'll let you come," Ash said as he put his hand on Max's shoulder.
"You think so?"
"Definitely."
" Pikachu!"
Gary stood up. "Great. Get your folks' consent and you guys can come along with us. The ferry docks at five and departs at nine. So a good time to meet would be around seven, just so we have enough time to eat and regroup before it leaves."
"Good idea, Gary."
Gary smiled. "Thanks, Ashy-boy."
"Grr, would you…stop…calling…me…that!"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Meh. It comes and goes. See you guys later. I promised Harmony I'd take her to dinner before we left."
"And I'm upholding you to that promise," she said as the two of them began walking away.
Ash looked over to see May once again taking her baby Pichu off her head and tickling her soon afterwards. He started to get nervous as he thought of if this was the right time to tell her how he felt.
He looked around to see if the others were there. Harmony and Gary were getting some supplies from their tent to take with them when they left the following day, while Melanie was talking to Max at a distance, obviously telling him something about his inability to begin a pokémon journey, or annoying him the same we she annoyed Ash.
Ash smiled. Now was his chance. He lightly tapped May on the shoulder. "May?"
"Yes, Ash."
"There's something I want to tell you."
May paused. She turned around to face Ash. She noted that they were the only ones still sitting at the table and her heart instantly filled with hope at the thought that he was going to tell her what he wanted to tell her bore Melanie interrupted them.
A small smile spread across her lips. "I'm listening, Ash."
Ash took a deep breath as he prepared to tell her.
"May, I…"
Ash didn't get to finish his sentence. A mechanical claw snagged Pikachu off of Ash's shoulder, elevating him up into the air.
"PIKA! PIKA PIKA CHUUU!" Pikachu screamed as he rose higher into the air.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted as he saw the hand that gripped his pokémon move towards a large round shape, which he immediately recognized as Team Rocket's balloon.
"Team Rocket?" May questioned.
Ash clenched his teeth as the familiar pair of maniacal laughs began their overused motto.
"Listen, is that a voice I hear?" called a woman's voice.
"It's speaking to me loud and clear," a man's voice replied.
"On the wind…"came the feminine voice again.
"Past the stars…" said the masculine voice.
"In your ears!" said a high-pitched third.
"Bringing chaos at a breakneck pace," said the woman again.
"Dashing all hope, putting fear in its place," the man replied once more.
"A rose by any other name's just as sweet."
"When everything's worse, our work is complete."
"Jessie!" cried the Rocket, now making herself visible to the teens on the ground below as she struck a pose.
"James!" the blue-headed Rocket shouted as he appeared alongside the red-headed Jessie, also posing with a rose held to his chest.
"Meowth, now dat's a name!" shouted the diminutive third member of the Rocket's group, perching on the basket's rim between his human companions.
"Putting the do-gooders in their place," Jessie laughed.
"We're Team Rocket," James added.
"And we're in your face!" the two humans and Meowth, cried. Jessie's Wobbuffet and James' Mime Jr made themselves known as they ended the horrid display.
"What's going on?" Harmony asked as she and Gary rejoined Ash and May at the table. Melanie and Max soon followed, "We thought we heard a scream."
The three rockets stared down towards the group of teens.
"My, my. What have we here? New additions to the twerp's crew?" James said with a smile.
"Oh my gosh!" Melanie squealed as she gazed upon the group, "I know you guys!"
"You have got to be kidding me?" Ash screamed as he stared down at the little girl.
"You guys are Team Rocket! I know all about you!"
"What's this? We have a fanbase?" James said slightly intrigued.
"You guys are one of the most well known Rockets ever!" Melanie exclaimed.
"Really?" Jessie said as her eyes started to sparkle.
"Yeah! You guys…"
"Melanie, are you serious? Are you freaking serious? These guys just stole my Pikachu! This is not the time to go all idiotic fangirl!" Ash shouted.
"Excuse you, Ash. But I'm in the middle of something."
"What did I tell you, May? I knew she would do something like this! Only someone so simple-minded and naïve would do something like this."
"I beg your pardon!"
"Uh, guys, I really don't think this is the time," May said as she pointed back towards the group of people in a Meowth hot air balloon.
Meowth spoke up. "Oh, no need to stop da lil' girl, twoipette. Dis is da kind of pwaise Team Rocket lives for."
"You guys! I remember you!" Gary shouted as he pointed an accusing finger to the group.
"Wait a minute. You're that twerp we met back in Kanto and Sinnoh!" Jessie screamed as she pointed back towards Gary.
"And you're the mediocre losers who try so hard to steal pokémon only to get slapped across your face and sent spiraling through the air like the dumb asses you are."
"Mediocre?"
"Losers?"
"Dumb?
"I'll show you who's mediocre! Seviper, hit that know-it-all twerp with Poison Tail!" Jessie shouted as she threw a pokéball.
"Seviper!" cried the venomous snake-like Pokémon, as the tip of her tail glowed a bright purple.
Gary seemed unfazed as he reached for a pokéball on his belt.
"Umbreon, hit it with Giga Impact!" he said as he threw the ball. The moonlight pokémon materialized in front of him.
Umbreon gave a cry as he charged at Seviper. Yellow-orange energy covered his body as a purple energy sphere surrounded Umbreon and swirled around him.
Seviper cried out in pain as she was sent spiraling back to the balloon hitting Jessie in the face and knocking her down on the floor.
"I'll show you who's the loser! Carnivine, wrap those twerps up with Bind!" James shouted as he threw the pokéball. A plant pokémon with a Venus flytrap materialized, soon biting James on the head.
"Ow! How many times do I have to tell you my head is not a chew toy!" James cried as he threw his pokémon off of him.
The grass-type lunged towards the group.
Harmony reached for a pokéball on her belt.
"Charmy, use Flamethrower!"
A pale amber Charizard with pale champagne wings, belly, and claws appeared in front of Harmony. She shot a stream of fire towards the grass pokémon, sending him fly back towards James the same way Gary's Umbreon sent Seviper towards Jessie.
"Al lright! I've had enough of dis, nonsense. Let's see who da dumb one is! Fury Swipes! Swipe, swipe, swipe!" Meowth cried as he jumped out of the balloon and towards the group.
"Oh, I so gotta get in this! Blaze, hit that Meowth with Dragon Rage!" Melanie cried.
The small fire pokémon formed a ball of fire by her mouth and released a fiery inferno towards Meowth. He cried out in pain as he too was sent spiraling back towards the balloon.
May, seeing Pikachu struggle in the mechanical claw decided it was time to set him free.
"Blaziken, use Sky Uppercut on that claw now!" she cried as she threw her pokéball
The Blaze pokémon appeared before her, immediately using her mighty legs to propel herself upward toward the mechanical claw. She had no problem slicing the machine and freeing Pikachu from its deadly grasp.
Ash caught him. "Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
"Thanks May," he said as he looked over to his best friend.
"Anytime."
"Nice to know somebody's taking this seriously," he said as he shot a hateful look over to a certain ten year old.
"Excuse you! Do you not understand that I can hear every word that's coming out of your mouth?"
"I wasn't talking to you Melanie! Mind your own business!"
"This is my business!"
"Guys! This really isn't the time," Gary said as he continued to stare the three rockets down.
"Hey, how dare you steal what we just stole! Do you know how much of my bottle cap collection I had to sell in order to pay for this hunk of junk Meowth bought?" James cried, waving his fist in the air.
"Excuse you, James! You're not da only one sufferin here! Dis drained a considerable amount from my Poke Funds!" Meowth countered.
"Would you two stop whining and focus on poaching back our Pikachu!" exclaimed the upset Jessie.
Gary eyed the three Rockets and thought about the situation before turning back to face his friends.
"Hey, guys. Now would be a really good time to attack while they're distracted."
"Good idea, Gary," Harmony said.
With a nod from each trainer, they prepared to send the Team Rocket flying.
"Umbreon, use Shadow Ball!"
"Charmy, use Hyperbeam!"
"Blaziken, Overheat!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Blaze, use Dragon Rage!"
The five pokémon leaped into the air and released their combined attack towards the rockets, who had no idea they were being attacked since they were still arguing with one another. So, as fate would have it, they all cried out in pain as the combined attacks caused a huge explosion, sending them flying in the air. And with a cry of "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!", the meddling villains disappeared in the clouds.
"Whoa, that was close," May said as she exhaled loudly.
Gar sighed. "Man, those guys just never quit, do they Ash?"
"I dunno, Gary. You think they'd give up after six years of humiliating defeats."
Gary nodded his head as he and Harmony recalled their pokémon. "Yeah, well, I'll catch you later, Ash."
Ash watched his former rival and his girlfriend walk off into the distance, which got him to thinking about how he was again interrupted to tell his crush how he felt.
He suddenly felt a sharp pain shoot up his arm from a slap. "Ow!"
"That's for calling me a simple-minded naïve fangirl!" Melanie said as she began walking away from him, her back to him.
Ash swore that if Max and May weren't with him, he'd strangle the little monster. This was the first time, ever, that Ash had ever been tempted to hit a ten-year old.
Just what did fate have against him?
A/N: There's chapter 6! Hope you enjoyed! I'll try to get a DA for May's Pichu and Harmony's Charizard up.