To black zero, no. Rated T here. I'm not good with that kind of stuff.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Chapter eight: Ash

"Oh, oh, oh! Do you remember that episode when you tried to teach a Dragonite to dance?! The director wanted to cut out when you kept getting hit, but you said no! You wanted to keep it all in there!"

"That's nothing! You tried to find a rare Frillish, but you kept getting attached by the other ones!"

"Hey, at least I found and caught him! The only rock type Frillish! (A)"

"There's a rock type Frillish?" I asked.

The two star friends stopped their conversation and looked at me. Over dinner that Jacob and Lily had made, the two have been reminiscing about their shows. I was kind of left out because I have never watched either before.

"Uh-huh, the only of its kind. You didn't see him playing in the pond at my house?" Lily raised an eyebrow.

"I kind of missed him because I was so awestruck from the rest of the house." 'And you,' I thought.

"I'll introduce you to him whenever we get back to Unova."

"I look forward to it." Her easy smile returned.

"Hey, Ash. Are you interested in gym battles, leagues, and such?" I nodded to Jacob's question. "There's a gym on the other side of those woods. And I know the Camos league is coming up."

"Awesome! What do you say, Pikachu? Wanna go after the Camos league starting tomorrow?"

"Pikachu!"

"That's awesome, Ash! I just know you're going to win!" She placed her hand over mine, making my heart race just a little bit.

"And there's another pageant tomorrow, Lily."

"Really?" Her eyes brightened.

"But it's in the other direction." My heart sank at that last part. She's not going to come with me.

"Oh, well…." She looked at the two Pikachus and her Uniswan eating near the table with a thoughtful look on her face. "I think I'm going to sit that one out, Jakey."

"What?" both of us said (most likely with two separate emotions going along with it).

"I'm going to skip tomorrow's pageant." I started grinning. "I mean, Ash came through for me today. It's only fair if I return the favor by cheering him on tomorrow. Besides, I'm dying to see him battle." I grinned more as Jacob contemplated.

"Alright, I'm coming too."

"What?" me and Lily said in surprise (well, maybe not just surprise for me).

"I just found Lily again. Besides, what's the point of going to a tag team pageant without the greatest pageant partner in all of the regions?" I sighed as he tapped her nose and she giggled. 'So close.'

"Alright, I guess it's settled then. We will all go through the woods tomorrow for Ash's gym battle."

"Mm-hm." We nodded as Lily stood up.

"I'm heading off to bed now. Pikachuett, Uniswan, let's go." She waved as she gathered their dishes and they walked away.

"We should hit the hay too, Pikachu." I started walking towards the hallway with my partner on my shoulder when Jacob's words stopped me.

"Back off of Lily." I turned around and looked at him. "It wasn't a joke or a mistake when I called her my Lily earlier. I have been going for her ever since I met her two years ago. And I'm not losing her to some wannabe master after I finally got her to break up with that purple haired nuisance."

"Pikachu!" Little bolts sparked at Pikachu's cheeks as he looked at him in anger. I touched his head.

"Calm down, buddy. There's no reason to get mad." I turned my attention back to Jacob. "Lily isn't just some trophy you can win over with charm and your own show. She deserves more than that."

"Lillian is on her way to becoming the most important person to ever deal with Pokémon. She could move mountains, open doors, make or break the people of the world. And she doesn't realize it yet."

"You want to use her."

"You make it sound so… evil. I just merely want her to realize her outstanding potential. And in return, I want to be just as powerful."

"She won't like you so much when she finds out." I surely don't (not that I liked him a whole bunch in the first place. He gives off the wrong vibe).

"She won't find out. I've known Lily for two years now. She thinks I would never do such a horrible thing. But you? She doesn't know you. If I say you said it, who do you think she would believe?"

I stood there, speechless. He had a point. Lily would never believe me over her long time friend. He stood with a satisfied smirk when I didn't say anything.

"Don't take it so harshly. It was never meant to be. You two come from totally different backgrounds. I'm doing you a favor."

I walked numbly to my room and lay on my bed. He's right. I don't stand a chance.

So why won't my heart understand that?

Reviews are greatly appreciated.

-RozaCourt