Okay, this is a short chapter, but a very emotional one. Easily the hardest I've ever had to write. I hope you enjoy it.

Ash was flying on Charizard with Pikachu and Eevee. It was dark, and Ash had to trust Charizard's sharp vision to guide them. The city was lit up with lights, but Ash had no chance of finding the pokemon center among the great collection of lights.

Ash sighed as he leaned back. He was still immensely sore from that match with Gallade. He had gone to his pokemon, but had been almost unable to help because of the pain. Then his pokemon were concerned, and overall training didn't go so great after that. They finally got down to work for several hours, but the sun had set quickly it seemed. Ash hadn't realized how long he'd been gone.

Ash sighed once again. He'd never get serious training done at this rate. Cynthia was only days away. Ash sat up quickly, which made Charizard growl in annoyance. Ash chuckled as he pat Charizard on the neck.

Ash looked at Pikachu and Eevee and asked, "We'll just have to do better tomorrow, right." Pikachu looked exasperated, but Eevee jumped around in excitement. Ash laughed as he watched. Eevee still didn't really have perspective on what their goal was. Ash knew that Eevee had only experienced training so far. He would need to use her in a battle soon.

Ash now felt Charizard descending. He looked down and saw the clear outline of the pokemon center. A couple seconds later, they landed in the back. Ash returned Charizard as he exclaimed, "You did great, Charizard. Rest up for tomorrow's training."

Ash walked into the pokemon center, and walked straight to the front desk where Nurse Joy was typing intently on the computer. Ash quickly asked, "Will you please look after my pokemon. We did some hard training today, and they are pretty tired."

Nurse Joy was still looking at the computer screen as she answered, "Sure, just hold on a moment…and there!" She now looked at him with a satisfied look on her face. She immediately jumped up in shock and yelled, "What happened to you, young man? Your shirt is all torn, and there is blood."

Ash looked down and saw she was right. His match with Gallade had torn his shirt, and there was blood from that single long cut across his chest. How had he not noticed this before? Ash rubbed his head as he muttered in embarrassment, "I sort of got into a fight with a wild Gallade. I guess I didn't realize. This really isn't much."

He got ignored as he found himself being dragged into the back room. He heard dimly, "I'll treat you. Take off your shirt."

Ash sighed, but gave in. He pulled off the remains of the t-shirt and allowed Nurse Joy to examine his torso. The small cut stretched from the far left of his chest, and stopped in the middle of his right peck. The line was perfectly straight, and seemed to have stopped bleeding long ago. Nurse Joy carefully looked at the cut before stating, "You must have been fighting with a strong pokemon. This cut is perfect. Must have been a razor sharp edge. It's sealed up nicely, so infection is low."

Ash laughed and said, "I completely forgot about it, so it can't have been that bad."

Nurse Joy now poked one of his ribs, and Ash flinched. Nurse Joy sighed and stated, "Seems you really got into a fight with a Gallade. You definitely have some bruised ribs. I'll need to check if any are broken." She then set off gliding her fingers along his ribs.

Ash frowned both from the pain, and the fact it felt slightly arousing. He took several deep breaths to calm himself. He was interrupted as the door opened to reveal a large group of people. Ash froze. He had a really bad feeling. He turned to see Solidad, May, Max, and, somehow, Brock standing in the doorway. Ash now realized what this was looking like. He had a shirt off, Nurse Joy was bending over him, and her hands were placed on his chest.

Solidad commented humorously, "Looks like I was wrong. I thought you were a kid, but it turns out you are already a man."

May now stuttered out with a huge blush on her face, "Wha-what are -yo-you doing with Nurse Joy, Ash?"

Brock screamed, "Ash, you traitor. How could you?" He then ran away.

Max now asked, "Ash, were you and Nurse Joy just making a baby? All I know is what May has told me. She said that you make a baby by getting undress together. She wouldn't say more."

Ash jumped up and angrily yelled, "What the hell, you guys have dirty minds. Nurse Joy was just checking a cut on my chest. Of course we weren't about to have sex. How could you even think that?"

Nurse Joy now stated, "Wow, I've never had something this embarrassing happen before. I think I should go." She then moved out of the door, but froze. She turned around and quickly stated, "It looks like your ribs are completely fine. I would wash that cut before you sleep, but other than that. Just rest up, and take it easy." She then walked away.

Ash waited till she was gone before turning an ice cold glare on the group. He took several breaths before saying slowly, "I don't know where to start. First though, It seems Brock came to watch May in the Grand Festival. I shall first talk to him because he seems to have overreacted, and hasn't heard that it is a misunderstanding."

Ash strode out of the room looking for Brock. Pikachu and Eevee started running after him. He had a feeling on what way to head. As he thought, Brock was leaning against a tree in the back of the pokemon center. Ash walked up, and leaned on the other side without saying anything.

Ash finally said softly, "It isn't what you were thinking."

Brock sighed and answered, "I figured that, but I wished it was."

Ash frowned. What was that suppose to mean. He finally asked, "So you mean you weren't upset?"

Brock sighed and nodded. Now Ash was even more confused. Brock was obsessed with every Nurse Joy, but he says now that he wouldn't be upset. That would mean he wasn't serious about Nurse Joys, but why would he always hit on them then.

"I don't get what you are saying. What is going on?" Ash asked irritably.

Brock sighed and asked, "Ash, my constant romantic advances, what have they done for when we traveled together?"

Ash frowned and thought, "I guess they were just a little bit of an annoyance. It just became habit."

Brock now claimed suddenly, "I have a girlfriend, Ash." Ash froze in shock. Brock now continued, "We met when we were traveling through the Battle Frontier. She is actually one of the major reasons that I went back to Pewter city."

Ash rubbed his temples as he tried top thing. He finally exclaimed, "This doesn't make sense! If you had a girlfriend, why do you hit on every pretty girl we came across? Why would you still do that?"

Brock paused before stating slowly, "Ash, I'll put things in perspective for you by how I think of things. This may not be relevant in your opinion, but please listen. I heard a story once. It said that humans weren't always like now. During this time, there were no pokemon on earth, but humans flourished. They created machines and technology that we couldn't even imagine now. They created medicine that allowed humans to lived far longer than we can. A healthy person now, will live a maximum of sixty or seventy years. Back then, it wasn't unusual for a person to live twenty years longer."

Ash now exclaimed, "Yes, my mom used to tell me these stories."

Brock now held up a hand and ordered, "Listen till the end. This is how I think of it." He waited till Ash settled before continuing, "But they didn't just make good technology. They created weapons which they used to attack each other. These weapons didn't just damage the humans, they damaged the animals around them. Soon humans were scarce, and the animals began to mutate from these weapons. This is how pokemon became."

Ash now asked, "Isn't this just a kid story though? How could humans have created pokemon?"

Brock replied, "This story is completely true. There is actually a huge amount that some people know on this incident, but that isn't important. Pokemon came to be, and humans started to rebuild. However, these humans saw the changes they had caused. That is why they changed to make sure it would never happen again. They removed any knowledge of the weapons, and the technology which had destroyed so much. We became 'peaceful people.' We soon bonded with pokemon, and figured out the methods we have today to capture them. This of course happened hundreds of years ago, but it is completely true."

Ash was now growing annoyed. This story may be interesting to listen to while relaxing, not as an answer to a question. Ash snapped, "Come on, and explain how this is important Brock."

Brock sighed and waited for several seconds for Ash to calm down before he explained, "Due to these great changes though, our life spans shortened. Ash, do you know that a ten year old wasn't even considered halfway grown up during these old times?"

Ash now recoiled a slight bit. He claimed, "No, I didn't. A ten year old now is considered basically able to fend for themselves."

Brock nodded and informed him, "We now start aging far quicker. A person is sometimes full grown by the time they are sixteen now. You are weird that way. You seem to be growing now instead of before. This is unusual, but not unheard of. In the old days though, they didn't stop growing till they were at twenty or so."

Ash now looked up and admitted, "That is pretty interesting. A twenty year old now pretty much would have a job and close to a family by then."

Brock nodded and claimed, "You just got very close to my point just now Ash, but I need to finish still. Ash, how many kids become trainers on a journey?"

Ash thought before stating, "Most don't go on journeys. They get their first pokemon, and then stay at home. I would say that only a few hundred trainers journey in each region."

Brock nodded and exclaimed urgently, "Exactly, only a very small portion of kids go on journeys. Those that do, also go through amazing sacrifices. You just mentioned that a twenty year old could very well have a family by that age. Yet, those who live in towns, and don't journey, usually have lovers by the time they are fifteen."

Ash now groaned. This wasn't going anywhere. He asked, "I still don't see how this is relevant."

Brock now jumped angrily and yelled, "Damn it, Ash. Think about it. You are sixteen, and yet haven't even thought about settling down. You still intend on traveling till you become a pokemon master. You realize how long that could take. Lance and Steven are both in their late twenties, yet neither are married. Cynthia is the youngest champion ever, and she was nineteen when she became champion. She is so busy that she can't even think about love. She is twenty, and is trapped by the roll of champion. Who knows how long before someone manages to beat her. The roll of champion will probably make it so that she can never get married. That is what being a champion causes."

Ash now stood and angrily yelled, "So what are you saying?"

Brock paused and Ash saw him shaking with anger. Brock finally yelled, "I don't want you to continue on your journey. If you become a master, that practically guarantees that you will never get married. You may not think of that now, but you will regret it later. No family, and no one to grow old with. I always flirted because I wanted you to think about love. You love pokemon so much, that the only way you would settle down, would be if you fell in love with someone. If I didn't flirt, your entire life would only encompass pokemon. You are like my family, Ash, and I can't watch as you set yourself up for misery."

Ash shook in anger. So that is what Brock thought would happen. Ash would train and journey till he finally became master. He would then become so filled with staying master that he wouldn't ever grow up. He thought Ash would never find his loved one.

Ash now said coldly, "Well, I'm not your family, Brock." Ash saw Brock visibly recoil, so Ash continued in a furious voice, "I am not one of your little brothers you are responsible for. You think I'm still the same kid I was when I started. You think all I think about is pokemon. Well then, go fuck yourself Brock. I thought you were the person who understood me. Yet here I find you think I'm helpless. Well for your information, I knew all of what you just said. I know that I might not end up married. I fully realize that becoming a master may result in that, but that is my choice. If I choose to fulfill my dream at that cost, It is none of your fucking business. You don't have to protect me. I am not a little kid. I am able to think, and I have the ability to make my own choices."

Ash turned away and started walking away from the completely shocked friend he had always traveled with. Ash felt Brock weakly raise a hand to stop him, and Ash stopped. He then announced quietly, "I have met all those people you mentioned. Never have I heard Lance regretting becoming a pokemon master. I haven't ever heard Cynthia say she wished she had never gotten into pokemon. You act as if someone who doesn't find love is for sure going to end up miserable." He now turned to Brock and stated, "And who ever said I don't have someone I love?"

Ash now strode away. Pikachu and Eevee were quiet from the intense talk they had just witnessed, but they followed nonetheless. Ash walked into the pokemon center and sat on one of the couches. He needed to think. Ash knew that a person usually couldn't get married if they were over twenty-five. There just wasn't any suitable partners left. Now Ash thought on his possible future. If he managed to do what he needed to. If he beat Paul, and won the Sinnoh League, what after? Ash would become one of the youngest trainers to ever compete in all the Leagues. Not to mention getting to the Victory Tournament of each. He would become eligible to enter the Champions Tournament. Yet, Ash had battled Elite Four members. He had watched Lance, Steven, and Cynthia battle. Who knows how long till he surpassed them. Years. Cynthia had been the youngest Champion ever when she won when she was just nineteen, and she was probably the strongest champion of them all. If Ash managed to do the impossible and defeat her by the time he was nineteen, then he would be in the same situation she was in. He would be forced to wait for someone to come and defeat him. If Cynthia was predicted to stay Champion for a decade, the person to beat her would last just as long. That would mean he might be thirty by the time he was free from the responsibility. It was just as Brock said. Ash would become a prisoner of the role of champion. Could he really handle the possibly bleak future this would lead to?

Ash was interrupted from his thoughts. He heard footsteps and looked up. Brock, May, Max, Solidad, and even Giselle were there. He raised his eyebrows as he waited for them to speak. Finally Brock claimed, "These guys heard our whole conversation, but that isn't why I'm here. I have to apologize. I think I might have behaved wrong. It really isn't any of my business."

Ash stood up and said slowly, "You are right. It wasn't any of your business, but I can forgive you. No one doesn't deserve a second chance who made an error because they wanted to help someone. However I believe that this is truly my business. So I would appreciate it if you don't mention this again. Good night." Ash now attempted to walk away from the group.

May grabbed his shoulder. He waited without turning around, but he could feel her shaking. He heard her sobbing quietly before she spoke, "Ash, is it true what you said? Is there someone you love?"

Ash paused. Pikachu jumped on his shoulder and rubbed his cheek against his to comfort him. Ash finally admonished, "Possibly. I can't say it is love, but I can't seem to get over her. I keep finding myself thinking of her. I first thought it was a crush, but I think that is impossible. I am not sure. That is all I can tell you." Ash started to walk away.

He was once again stopped when May shouted, "I'll not stop." Ash turned to look at her as she continued, "I know you think of me as a little sister, but I don't think of you as a brother. I think I love you. So I will continue to love you, and I will make it so that you fall for me." Ash saw small tears dripping down her face.

Ash was shocked into silence, and now Solidad stepped forward. "I sort of already suspected. I don't know who, but I knew it was somebody. So I am already prepared for this. It seems I don't have to educate you, so I will go the same path as May. I will make you fall in love with me. Not many men will be able to resist the charms of an older woman." She finished with a smile.

Ash looked at the two of them. There might be more like them. How could he justify hurting so many? Was there any way that all could come out in one piece.

Ash looked at them and simply nodded before walking away. He passed through the lobby and heading to his room. He unlocked the door and allowed Pikachu and Eevee to go in before shutting the door. Ash leaned against the door before sliding down till he was sitting on the ground. Pikachu and Eevee watched him in concern. Ash reached into his pocket and pulled out an old poke ball that looked to be out of use. Pikachu's poke ball. Ash opened it and looked at the picture he had placed inside.

It was a tiny picture of Cynthia commanding Garchomp in a battle. Ash looked at it as he felt tears gather around his eyes. He finally whispered, "Could Brock have been correct? Could you be crying inside because you are unable to find the one you belong with?" The picture gave no answer, and Ash leaned his head against the door as tears started streaming down his face. Pikachu and Eevee jumped into his lap to comfort him. Ash silently thought of love. Could he be in love. Could he help Cynthia somehow? Ash couldn't seem to find any answers.

He finally stood up as he headed over to the bed. Maybe he should have kept ignoring love. It just seems to complicate life.

Oooooh, Ash has a crush on Cynthia.(Sure you all expected this, but it was difficult to think of a way to reveal it.)

Harem is intensified, May and Solidad make it official.

FOR SURE, ASH/GISELLE NEXT CHAPTER.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.