To Guest, I am sorry if the shortness of the chapters is an inconvenience. I am used to writing short chapters due to the fact that sometimes, cliffies occur at the end of each chapter. Or maybe a bit of foreshadowing. I'm not promising anything about this chapter, because it has to flow as I have it currently. But starting in the next chapter, I promise to attempt to make them longer so that they will appear less like a preview and more like a chapter. Thank you for your comment.

To nico2883, I don't exactly understand your review. Do you mind restating it in a way where I can so that I could modify the story to fit your likings (like I do with everyone else). Thank you.

Fang: Roza does not own Pokémon.

Chapter nine: Lily

I looked up at the boys as I brushed Uniswan's mane absentmindedly. Jake is filming something with a Fledgeling, most likely for his next episode. Ash is lying on his back in the grass with his hat over his face. We had come across a clearing a while ago and stopped for lunch.

I gave Uniswan one last brush before putting the brush away with a sigh. Since this morning, Ash has been really distant with me. I wish he wouldn't.

"Pikachu." I gave my partner a smile as she climbed into my lap and touched my cheek.

"I'm fine. I just miss energetic Ash. But I think I have a way to bring him back."

I reached into my bag on Uniswan's side and pulled out a beautifully wrapped box. I also grabbed my small picnic basket before standing up to walk over to the raven.

"Hey, you. Mind if I talk to you?" He remained silent, so I knelt down beside him. "I heard you like PokéPuffs. So I made you and Pikachu some." I opened the basket and showed his… hat the treats. "The red and blue ones are called Ash Catch 'ems because you catch them all." Nothing. "The yellows are Pikachu's PikaPuffs. Pikachuett loves the recipe, so I figured he would as well." Not even a twitch.

I set the wrapped back in between two puffs and closed the basket. "I'll just put these in your backpack. The basket is my own special creation. No matter how much you jostle it, the puffs will never mess up."

Still nothing! I lost my patience. "You know, you've been acting really weird all morning! Yesterday, you were like my best friend! Now, you won't even more your pinky finger when I'm offering gifts to you, even though I have no idea why I'm trying to make things up to you when I didn't do anything to you! And to think I gave up a pageant for this!"

Tears ran down my cheeks as I ran away. I could hear Pikachuett and Jacob calling after and following me, but I have always been able to shake a tail. Courtesy of being a very famous show girl. I finally lost them and slowed to a stop at a cliff. I didn't look down: I'm afraid of heights.

I sniffled as I fell to my knees and covered my face with my hands to smother my sobs. Boys are so stupid! This is why my friends are usually girls!

I suddenly felt the earth beneath me move. Before I could look up or move, the cliff crumbled underneath me!

"Oh no! No!" I grabbed at the cliff to find a handhold, but I only grabbed air and already falling rocks.

"Take that, Twerpett!" Jessie said.

Her face was the last thing I saw before I dumped into the fast running water current. And I. Can't. Swim.

~Ash POV~

"I told you to back off, not make her run away crying! Are you really that stupid?!" Jacob barked as we ran through the woods looking for Lily.

"If you hadn't told to, we wouldn't be in this mess! But no, you want to use her to become King Jacob! I don't see what girls see in you!"

"Pikachu!" both Pikachus agreed from Uniswan's back.

"Swan!"

"They see my fortune, my fame, and my incredibly good looks! Three things you obviously do not have!"

"You are so superficial!" I stopped and blocked his path to make him look at me. "Lily is an amazing, beautiful girl. She does not need a guy like you to be her friend. Or anything more."

"And I suppose you think she needs you."

"Maybe she does. Maybe she doesn't. But I'm going to tell her the truth. And I'll have Pikachu to back me up." My partner climbed onto my shoulder as I mounted Uniswan behind Pikachuett. I tipped my hat at him. "We're going to search from above. Don't follow us: you aren't wanted."

"She still won't believe you!" I patted Uniswan's neck to stop her from flying away. "You heard me. You can gather as many witnesses as you want. I deny your claims, and she'll believe me easily. The only true witness you would have is Pikachuett. And despite how she's agreeing with your words about not knowing what girls see in me, she adores me just as much as her trainer does."

"I have to try. I can't just let you use her like this. I care about her too much for that."

"There isn't enough care in the world."

"Pikachu!" Pikachuett suddenly hit Jacob with a thunderbolt. I laughed as he fell.

"Then I guess it's a good thing that Lily left in such a hurry that she left Pikachuett. And now she knows the true nature of the one she used to adore. Let's go, Uniswan. We need to find your trainer."

I saluted to Jacob as Uniswan flew away. 'Don't worry, Lily. I'll find you.'

Reviews are greatly appreciated.

-RozaCourt