Sorrowful-Ragdoll – omfg, lol I don't know if he's evil, find out! Ooooo! Cookies! eats them all up and huggles THANK YOU!

AshK – thanks so much for your review!

moonlitStarDestiny – how'd I get you scared and cry? The Flashback where the guy gets taken by the creature? I LOVE THE OLD POKEMON SONG! Lovelovelovelove back!

fincache – Yeah, most people want me to tie in contestshipping and even though this is SUPPOSED to revolve around Pokeshipping but I'll tie it in somehow ;)!

Leen - Thanks so much bff! I loved your two reviews; make sure read everything else! Tell me what you think!

THANK YOU! HUGGLES REVIEWERS, I LOVE YOU GUYS!

…/...

Chapter 7 – Reunion

Professor Oak was the first to undo his seatbelt and slide open the helicopter door. Georgio's father followed him and helped everyone down the large step. The wind, caused by the propeller, was making everyone's hair fly every which way. The professor and Georgio's father grabbed Misty's hands in order to let her down and Azurill followed after.

"Whoa," Misty shook her head and took out the ear plugs with a faint 'pop'.

Azurill agreed and hopped into Misty's open arms in order to have its own ear plugs taken out, "Azu!"

Misty picked up the blue bag she had taken with her and slung it on her shoulder lazily, yawning and looking at the crowds of people bunching up around the helicopter.

"Well this is a nice surprise," Richie hopped to her side and Sparky walked alongside him, "I guess when you're as famous as Professor Oak; you get crowds of cheering fans…"

Tracey and Georgio, who were busy unloading Oak's luggage, agreed with a nod and Tracey added, "You get used to it, I go everywhere with Professor Oak and this is actually less than what I expected!"

"Less?" Richie and Misty smiled nervously and backed up against the helicopter as the crowd worsened, "I wonder what the largest amount was…"

"Alright, move it people, nothing to see here!" A dark haired police officer in a blue suit appeared and began pushing away the people with her back-up squad, "These people have something crucial to attend to…"

The crowd continued expanding, "LET PROFESSOR OAK AND HIS GUESTS THROUGH OR I'LL ARREST YOU ALL!"

Officer Jenny breathed in and out slowly, watching the crowd murmur and move aside, "You'll get to see them all at the Hoenn League…"

"Gee thanks." Richie smiled at Jenny.

Misty grinned and remembered, This is just like the times when Brock would run up and yell something romantically stupid, I really miss the other—

"Oh Officer Jenny, how fortunate am I to be in your presence once more!"

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"…and then she says to him, 'no, but I have Krabbies'!" the gang laughed at Max's joke and continued on their way back to the Pokemon Center.

"Hey, guys…?" Ash stopped and grabbed Latias' arm, "could you guys hold on a second?"

The gang shrugged and Ash thanked them, leading Latias quickly to a corner by the sidewalk, "Latias?"

"La?" Latias tipped her head to the side and looked at him strangely.

"Can I ask you something?"

"La." Latias agreed.

"Okay, well, remember when you said—well, showed me that I can't tell anyone of Ho-oh?"

Latias nodded slowly.

"Well, I mean, I can understand why you don't want my friends finding out, but…" Ash looked at her with pleading eyes, "Can I at least tell Professor Oak? He's really good with Pokemon and he can help me help Ho-oh, he won't tell anyone, I promise!"

"Latias, Latias!" Latias shook her head urgently and crossed her arms, "La!"

"But why not?"

"La."

"Fine," Ash sighed and pulled her back to the guys, "Okay, let's keep going…"

"Pika!" Pikachu tried to cheer up the rather unhappy Ash by ruffling his hair lovingly and placing Ash's hat on its head, "Chu!"

"Oh, that is so cute!" May squealed, picking up Pikachu and holding it tightly, "You're a Pikapal!"

Pikapal, the word echoed in Ash's head—Not May's voice, but someone else's… a long time ago…

"I wasn't planning on challenging you until you paid me back for my bike, but this is a good a time as any! If you want that cascade badge you're going to have to beat me!"

"It'll be my pleasure!" Ash looked confidently at his best friend, "Pikachu, this is going to be a piece of cake!"

"Pika…" Pikachu looked down unsurely.

"So how many Pokemon?"

"Two against two works for me!"

"You got it! Alright then Pikachu I choose you!.. Huh?"

Pikachu was clinging onto Ash's shoulder tightly.

"Chu, chu," Pikachu shook its head.

"Pikachu, what are you doing?"

"Chu, chu!"

"Oh well, are you saying you don't want to battle with Misty?" Ash scratched his head.

"Chu, chu," the Pokemon shook its head sadly.

"Well, I guess its okay if you don't want to battle a friend…" Ash sighed.

"Pikachu, you're a Pikapal!" The redhead called from across the arena.

"Pikachu?" Pikachu looked slightly happy.

"Thanks a lot Pikachu…"Ash was strongly disappointed, but wasn't completely let down, "Butterfree, I choose you!"

"Well in that case, Misty calls… Staryu!" The confident girl called out her prized Pokemon.

"Oh wow, leave it up it a girl to show off her jewelry," Ash teased.

"Quit stalling and let's get this show on the road," Misty yelled angrily, "Ash!"

Those were the days.

"Ash… Ash…" a voice called.

"Misty?" he murmured.

"Ash—" he snapped out of his daydream, "hey Ash!"

Max and May were bonking him on the head, yelling his name, "Hey, are you okay?"

"Ye-yeah, I just," Ash shook his head, "I was thinking something…"

"Thinking something?" Max laughed, "Are you seriously okay Ash?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever…" Ash laughed nervously but continued walking with a smile on his face, Pikapal, I like that, and I should use it more often.

"Hey, where'd Brock go?" May was looking around, "he was just here a second ago…"

"Oh Officer Jenny, how fortunate am I to be in your presence once more!"

"Uh oh," the gang broke into a run, "Brock!"

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"So when do we get to attack?" Team Rocket asked, returned to where they had met the giant creature.

Soon, have patience my friends, soon you will have Pikachu... soon. The creature whispered.

"But, i mean, when do we attack?"

Tonight, when they don't see it coming, the voice commanded, do it tonight.

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"Brock!" Misty looked up and her eyes lit up to see a dark skinned man prancing around Officer Jenny, "Brock!"

He turned, snapping out of his reverie, and laughed, "Misty!"

Misty handed Azurill to Richie and ran to her friend, hugging him tightly, "I missed you!"

"Me too," Brock hugged her back and let go, smiling down at the younger teen, "How did you get here?"

"Oh, I came with professor Oak, he invited me," Misty tried to restrain her smile but was unable and instead burst out laughing, "You're actually here! But… Wait, if you're here, then where is—"

"Brock!" Several people squished their way through the crowd and appeared at their side, "Misty!"

May and Max smiled brightly and hugged her, "It's so great to see you!"

"Yeah," Misty looked around unsurely, "Where's…?"

"Oh, you mean Ash, he's coming, he's just a little out of breath…" May rolled her eyes and indicated to Brock, "THIS loon just had to say something to Jenny and we had to come over and save them…"

"Save who? Brock?"

"No, Jenny!"

They laughed and Professor Oak called from the Hoenn Helicopter, "Misty, we have to go to the hotel! The police aren't going to wait here forever!"

"Yeah, I know," Misty bid farewell to her friends and called, "Don't forget to tell Ash I said hi!"

"Yeah, I'm sure he'll be happy that you came," Brock waved goodbye and Misty disappeared.

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"Hey guys!" Ash pushed his way through the crowd with Pikachu running along with him, "Wait—up!"

He jumped into the clearing just as the helicopter took off and the police disappeared with the VIPs, "Hey, who was that?"

"Well, it was Professor Oak—" May began.

"The Professor!" Ash freaked out, should I tell him? I promised Latias I wouldn't but… if I really want to help Ho-oh, I'll need Professor Oak, he knows all about Pokemon, "I have to see him!"

"It's already too late, he left with his company a few seconds ago," Max pointed out unfortunately.

"Yeah and this Officer Jenny is the roughest one of all!" Brock rubbed his cheek, "Oh yeah and—"

"Not now Brock, I have to find a way to see Oak," Ash dove back into the crowd, "I have to see him!"

"Um okay," Brock muttered, "I was just going to say Misty was with him."

May and Max shrugged, "Should we follow him?"

"Naww," Brock grinned at the crowd, "We should wait at the Center."

"Hmm…" Latias suspiciously watched Ash disappear into the crowds and when she saw no one was looking, also disappeared.

Ash was not allowed to tell anyone, it would ruin everything.

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"C'mon Pikachu!" Ash continued roaming through the crowd.

Because he wasn't exactly the tallest person, it was difficult to see above peoples' heads and though he jumped as high as possible, he was unable to see.

"Ugh, I give up!" Ash took out his Pokeball, "Swellow! C'mon out!"

"Swe!" it cried and immediately was forced to fly over the ever crowding bunch, "Llow?"

"Swellow, fly around and tell me if you see Professor Oak!"

"Swee!" the Pokemon nodded and took off.

Ash stood, pressed up against Pikachu and some overweight man with a sunburn and ice cream, "Err, excuse me!"

The man frowned as his ice cream fell and splotched all over the floor, "Great!"

A few seconds later, Swellow appeared, "Low!"

"What?" Ash called from the noise, "You see him?"

"Ello!" The Pokemon nodded and pointed its head north.

"Thanks Swellow," Ash called his faithful Pokemon back and yelled to Pikachu, "Come on buddy, we're going to find the Professor!"

"Pika," Pikachu skimmed ahead of him and disappeared under the people's legs.

"Pikachu!" Ash got carried away by the moving crowd.

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"Are we ever going to get out of here?" Misty held onto Azurill tightly and Richie, Tracey, and Georgio clung onto each other as they tried to get out of the crowd with little help from policemen, "It's not fair, aren't they supposed to be guarding us?"

"No, they guard Professor Oak and my father," Georgio said matter-of-factly, "And they are in front…"

The group looked forward to see Professor Oak and Dr. Diloreto (Georgio's father) walking forward easily under the protection of Officer Jenny.

"Come on you guys," Oak called, "we have to hurry!"

"We're kind of trying!" Misty, Tracey, Richie, and Georgio called.

They quickly thought up a plan, locked arms, and pushed their way forward. The crowd didn't disperse but continued growing, much to their disappointment. Misty heard something squeak loudly behind her and looked around but saw nothing. They continued moving and as they were feet away from the hotel entrance, where they would be safe, something came up from behind them and toppled Sparky off Richie's head. The group looked down to see two Pikachus hugging tightly and cheering.

"Pikachu?" the one that was not Sparky, looked up and squeaked happily, jumping into Misty's arms.

"Pika!" It nuzzled against her lovingly and pointed a tiny finger to the right.

"Is Ash over there?" Misty looked in the direction that Pikachu was pointing.

"Pika," the Pokemon affirmed her question and hopped back down, playing joyfully with Sparky.

Misty was about to make her way back into the crowd when Georgio called, "I don't think that's such a good idea…"

"Why?" Misty looked at him strangely, "Am I not allowed to search for my best friend who I have not seen in forever?"

"No, it's just that…" Georgio murmured something incomprehensively.

"He said that if you go now, we might get split up," Richie said.

"And plus, if you don't go in with us now," Tracey added, "They won't let you in later…"

"What!" Misty slapped her forehead, "Why would they do that?"

"Well, since The Gilmaxter is such a pricey and fancy hotel," Georgio said, "They can't have intruders or fans… We need to go now… or never."

"Well, I guess could see Ash later," Misty's face fell sadly and she bent down toward Pikachu, "I'm sorry, but we have to leave, Pikachu, tell Ash I said hi…"

"Pika," Pikachu hugged Misty and nodded gravely, bidding farewell to the group, "CHU!"

"See you…" Misty waved and followed the gang in, "Later…"

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"Pikachu!" Ash called, finally pushing his way back through the crowd, "Ugh, I'll never get to speak to the professor at this rate, and it seemed like Ho-oh needed the help urgently…"

"Pika!" Pikachu suddenly appeared out of nowhere and smiled up at Ash, trying to tell him of what had happened, "Chu, chu, chu!"

"Did you find the professor?" Ash asked hopefully.

"Chu, chu," Pikachu shook his head but continued trying to tell Ash he had seen Misty.

"Oh, yeah, right," Ash wasn't paying attention, "Hmm, Nurse Joy said that they were at some hotel… Gil… Oh yeah, over there, The Gilmaxter!"

Ash decided the best way through the crowd and began to crawl under the feet of people, trying to get to the entrance. As he reached it, he stood and an officer folded his arms before him.

"What do you want?"

"I have to go into that hotel, Professor Oak is in there and—"

"No one can go into this hotel without proper verification so you'd better wait until the Hoenn League before you overwhelm the professor with questions, this is a PRIVATE hotel!" The Officer stood his ground, "I am sorry Sir, but you CANNOT come in."

Ash glared at him and turned away, sitting down on the sidewalk, feeling defeated.

"Pika," Pikachu hopped on Ash's shoulder and tried to comfort him.

"It's okay Pikachu," Ash took his Pokemon off his shoulder, "Buddy?"

"Pika?" Pikachu's ears went up in curiosity.

"Can I tell you a secret—I know you won't tell," Ash laughed and began telling his best friend of what had happened, "And then we saw… and he said… and that's why I need the Professor so…"

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"What do you mean I'm not allowed outside?" Misty exclaimed and dove for the door once more.

"I'm sorry Miss," Officer Jenny forced two police officers to grab hold of the frantic girl, "As long as these crowds persist; we shall be unable to let you out…"

"And how long is that?" Misty snapped back.

"Maybe hours, a day, perhaps until the tournament."

"But—"

"I'm sorry, but as long as you are a guest of the professor, we are here to keep you safe!"

"Yeah, like you did before right?" Misty muttered angrily.

"What was that?" Jenny leaned over bossily.

"Nothing… But how are we supposed to, well… survive, stuck in a hotel?"

"Well," Jenny brightened up, "We have an indoor pool, a restaurant, a training arena for people with Pokemon, the works!"

"Oh, but I mean," Misty continued pleading, "Officer, I really need to see someone before the tournament!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sure they'll understand," Jenny continued standing in front of the door until Misty began dragging her feet the opposite way.

She continued walking toward the waiting room, dragging her feet on the red carpeted floor. Then she looked quickly to see Jenny busy talking to another officer.

When Misty was sure no one would notice, she sped behind a wall and made her way to the kitchen, "I have to get out!"

"Okay, Azurill," Misty whispered to her Pokemon, watching the chefs through the double doors work diligently, "The only way I can get through there is if you help me…"

"Rill!" It nearly cried, but Misty ordered it to be quiet, "Azu."

"Now, use Bubble," Misty whispered and saw Azurill run into the Kitchen and without warning, expel its attack.

"Zuuu," Suddenly the kitchen was filled with bubbles and the cooks were desperately trying to keep their precious food from getting wet.

"What was that?" One cried.

"An Azurill, what is that doing here?" The whole room was chaos.

The workers began running around like crazy, stopping the stoves, trying to catch Azurill, balancing the pots full of soup and chicken in their hands. Azurill blew more bubbles and hopped under where the chefs were unable to catch it. Quickly it dove its way to Misty's side and hopped up and down on its tail happily.

Misty grinned and placed Azurill on her back, "Good Work!"

Then she began to crawl under the bubbles, avoiding the chefs' feet. I'm almost there.
She quickly made her way to the backdoor, reached over, stood, and opened it, walking through.

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded as Ash ended and looked unsurely, "Pika pi?"

"What?" Ash looked at the Pokemon, "Something fishy about this whole thing? What do you mean?"

"Pika, pika, chu, chu," Pikachu made fervent movements with its hands and hopped up and down, making an impersonation of Ho-oh and Latias.

"You think they're up to no good?" Ash shook his head, "Hey, you know Latias, she's very nice and Ho-oh, he just, he needs help, nothing's wrong Pikachu!"

"Pika…" Pikachu's ears drooped and he looked down.

"It's not that I don't believe you," Ash tried to explain, "I just—I think I know what I'm doing okay?"

Pikachu lightened up slightly and cried, "Pika!"

"Yeah, we should find the professor," Ash stood and looked around, "But how are we supposed to get in? The door is jammed with police!"

Pikachu's ears went up and it hopped down toward an alleyway, leading to the back of the hotel. Ash quickly followed and a few minutes later they reached a dark area where you could faintly recognize the back door. There were no guards.

"Great job Pikachu," sh grinned and hugged his best friend, "Now we have to make sure we don't knock into something because I can barely see…"

Ash continued looking over his shoulder and walked forward without noticing that the backdoor creaked open.

"I wonder where…"

--- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ---

Misty looked behind her and walked out, "Don't let anyone catch me please…"

She heard footsteps and before she could turn around quick enough, someone knocked into her and they both fell back.

"Ow!" They cried, "Hey, watch it—"

The two gasped and stared at each other.

"Ash!"

"Misty!"

They stood and smiled at each other, "Ash, it's so good to see you again!"

"Yeah, it is… Er, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I was just trying to get out of the hotel… Looking for you…"

"Oh, cool, you came to watch me?"

"Actually, I didn't know you were coming, I thought you'd still be earning badges…"

"What do you mean?" Ash demanded, "Did I get the quicker than you thought…"

"As a matter of fact," Misty teased, "Yes!"

"I'm not that slow!"

"Are too!"

"Are not!"

"Are too!"

"Okay, okay," Ash quieted down, "I don't think we should make so much noise… so if you didn't come to see me, why are you here?"

"Wait—" Misty stared at him, "Brock didn't tell you?"

"Brock? No, May just said the professor was here and I have to see him about something important."

"What about Pikachu? Didn't he tell you?"

"Pikachu saw you too?"

"Pika," Pikachu admitted lamely, "Pika…"

"It's okay Pikachu," Ash smiled down at him and turned back to Misty, "It's great to see you though…"

"Yeah," they continued smiling at each other, "So…"

"Yeah I came out here trying to find you!"

"Well I was trying to sneak in because everyone is so high on security here…"

"Oh…"

Suddenly they heard someone messing with the door knob, trying to get it open.

"Uh oh," Ash felt a yank on his collar and he and Pikachu were pulled away into the darkness while Misty continued standing there.

"Ash…?" She looked around and went to look for them but suddenly felt someone grab a hold of your shirt.

"So you're the culprit!"