Life, Love and Light
"Hey! Misty!" Ash waves as Misty runs closer.
Misty quickly reaches Ash and smiles happily.
"What are you doing here?" Ash asks her.
"Hi Misty!" May runs over. "It's nice to see you again!"
"This is Misty?" Dawn asks.
"That's right," Brock tells her. "Misty's been with Ash all over Kanto and Johto, she's the Gym Leader in Cerulean City too."
Misty smiles and waves at everyone, then she grabs Ash and runs off with him.
"Wha-? Hey!" Ash tries to keep up with her.
"Pika?" Pikachu sniffs the air strangely.
"Hey! Wait up!" Lyra, Dawn, May, Marley and Zoey all chase after them.
Anabel just follows alongside Lucian, the other guys, Winona, Jasmine, Janine and Candice.
"What's up with them?" Candice sighs.
"Are you okay with this?" Lucian privately asks Anabel as they walk.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't you want to go and be with them?"
"It's kind of crowded for that don't you think?" Anabel smiles.
"If you insist."
"Hey, what are we doing just waltzing so slowly here?" Flint cries out. "Let's catch up to them!"
Flint bursts ahead of the group as everybody else chases after him.
"Misty!" Ash calls out. "What's going on?"
Misty drags Ash to a swing under a tree near the Poke Center and sets Ash down on it, she then climbs up behind him and starts swinging.
"Hey, Misty," Ash tries to talk to her. "Is something wrong? How come you're not saying anything?"
"She's probably just speechless," a girl's voice answers him. "To see you again after so long."
"Huh?" Ash turns to see a girl in a pink top and blue jeans with sunglasses on.
"Hey Ash," the girl removes her glasses. "Remember be?"
"Uhh..." Ash tries to recall as the other girls catch up.
"Ash!" Dawn calls out. "Huh? Who's she?"
"I... don't know..." Ash admits.
"Really?" the girl questions him, taking off her sunglasses. "Well it has been a long time, you just need a reminder."
Misty stops the swing and pushes Ash off of it towards the girl. Ash straightens himself up as the girl walks up to him and plants a kiss on his cheek.
"HUUUUUUUUUUUUH?"
Ash shivers as she steps back and smile, "Now don't tell me I'm not the only one that kissed you before."
"Uhh..." Ash rubs his cheek and tries to recall. "Um, Bianca?"
"WHAT?" a loud scream from behind the tree turns everyone's heads. Another girl pops out from the back of it. "When did I-? How could-?"
"Wait," Ash points at the new girl. "You're Bianca. Then, I still can't remember who you are."
"T-that's not important now!" Bianca stutters. "W-when did I ever k-k-kiss you?"
"You don't remember?" Ash rubs his cheek. "It was when we were leaving, and you gave me a picture of me and Pikachu, I hung it up on my wall."
"A picture of you and Pikachu?" Bianca gasps. "I never-... hold it right there!" Bianca startles Misty who was trying to sneak away. "We need to talk."
Misty runs off with Bianca chasing her, Misty's body glows and she transforms into a red and white Pokemon that takes off into the forest with Bianca right behind it.
"Well, that's interesting," Melody smiles.
"Ah...ack... was that... a Pokemon?" May and everyone else had their jaws dropped.
"HEEEEEY!" Ritchie calls as everybody else catches up, he takes a couple seconds to observe the girls. "Did we miss something?"
"Apparently Ash didn't miss me," Melody explains. "He totally forgot all about me."
"Wait," Volkner interrupts. "You know Ash?"
"Of course!" she smiles. "But... he's not my type." She rubs her chin. "You, on the other hand..."
"Well," Brock starts. "How do you know Ash? I've been with him for a long time and even I don't remember you."
"I think don't we've met," Melody tells Brock. "Anyway, let's see if this will trigger Ash's memory." Melody takes out her shell and begins playing a familiar song.
Misty drops off her Water-type Weekly magazine, with Crasher Wake on the cover, onto a nearby shelf. She goes over to check her phone and sees that Tracey had tried to call her a few times. So she decides to call back.
"Hello?"
"Tracey!"
"Ah! Misty! Where were you?"
"I had to do some shopping, what'd you call me for?"
"Gary is feeding us a tournament in Sinnoh, and Ash is in it too. What do you say? Do you want to come and watch it here?"
"Of course! I'll be right over tomorrow!"
"That's great! See you then!"
"Latias!" Bianca yelled out. "Wait!"
Latias stops flying away and moves closer to Bianca, who was losing her breath. The Pokemon let out a low cry, sounding apologetic.
"Come on Latias," Bianca smiles at her friend. "I'm not mad at you." Bianca goes over to pet Latias' head. "I think I should thank you, you delivered my picture to him."
Latias gives out a happy wail.
"But did you have to kiss him looking like me?"
Latias moans.
"Hey... don't get sad," Bianca smiles again. "You were just shy weren't you? But we're going to have to explain all this to him later. Alright?"
Latias happily cries. The Pokemon then turns to where they came from, hearing a beautiful song.
"Melody's playing that song again," Bianca turns to her friend and smiles. "What do you say we go back now and meet with everyone?"
Latias nods and transforms into Bianca.
Melody continues playing the song as everyone watches, listening to the calming and peaceful rhythm. Volkner especially. The small wild Pokemon around them seem to be listening in too. Bianca and Lati step out of the shrubbery to hear the song better. Something clicked in Ash's mind as the song played. Melody finishes the song gracefully, then walks up to Ash.
"Now do you remember?"
"Melody?"
"Thaaat's me!"
"Melody?" Brock asks.
"I met her in the Orange Islands. There was a ritual in one of the islands and I just happened to pass by."
"Haha, you ended up being a part of it too. You even saved the world."
"Saved the world?" Anabel asks.
"Oh it's complicated," Melody laughs. "It's no big deal now."
"Orange Islands," Lucian ponders. "Saved the world?"
"What are you thinking brother?"
"Do you recall the mass gathering of Pokemon to the Orange Islands, and the battle between the legendary birds, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres?"
"HUUH?" Anabel gasps in shock. "Ash, you were a part of that?"
"He sure was," Melody answers. "You really should've seen him too, he was really determined."
"I'm sure I don't have to imagine that," Anabel smiles.
"So Ash?" Melody talks to the boy again. "Who's your girlfriend this time?"
"WAA-" Ash and the girls jump back.
"Come to think of it," Brock mentions as he looks at all the girls that have been following Ash. "How come he gets all the luck?" Brock sulks near a bush as Croagunk pats his back.
"Hahaha!" Flint laughs again. "This really has become an interesting turn of events. Let's head into the Pokemon Center and listen to some stories. I'm sure Ash has a lot to share."
"Huh? Why me?"
Flint puts an arm around Ash's head and drags him away from the group, "Because you've got some explaining to do."
"Explaining?"
"To them," Flint points to all the girls. "I'm sure they'll be interested in hearing how you met them all. I know I am. And Volkner just might want to know how you met that Melody of yours."
Everyone gathers into the Pokemon Center. Ash, Brock, May and Dawn all take turns telling stories, but it's mostly Ash.
"Wow, I didn't realize it was so late," Brock commented as he saw the time. "I bet everyone's hungry. How about I go and cook a meal for everyone!"
"Yeah that'd be great!" May licks her lips while rubbing her stomach.
"You guys have got to try Brock's cooking!" Dawn tells everyone.
"First things first though," Brock lets down some dishes on the floor. Pikachu, Sparky and Piplup all gather around to eat the food.
Anabel feels some slight shaking in her pocket. She quickly takes out a Poke Ball, "You want to come out too? Go for it!" Anabel releases her Espeon, who walks over to Ash's Pikachu and joins in.
"I know!" Dawn jumps. "I'll make some Poffins too!"
"That's a great idea!" Zoey agrees as she walks over.
"Hey wait up!" May stands up. "I hope I can make Pokeblocks here."
"May I join?" Jasmine walks towards them. "I want to learn how make Pokemon food for Contests."
"Oh you're going to love them!" May explains. "It'll make your Pokemon shine!"
Anabel feels a slight tug on her leg, "Espeon? Oh, you want me to try making some?" Her Pokemon nods with an excited purr. "Okay, alright. Hahaha." Anabel laughs as she stands up. "Hey, Ash?"
"Huh? What is it Anabel?"
"If I end up making too much, is it okay if I can ask for your help with them?"
"Sure! I know my Pokemon would love some food from you!"
Lyra suddenly slams her table, "I-I-In that case! I want to learn how to cook them too!"
"M-me as well," Marley quietly speaks.
All of them rush to the kitchen.
"Wow," Melody sweat drops. "They sure are lively when it comes to Ash."
"Y-you think so?" Bianca asks.
"What about you?" Melody asks her. "Aren't you going to go too?"
"No," Bianca answered. "Latias is very picky with her food."
"Is that a challenge?" Brock suddenly interrupts them.
"Brock!"
"I was just walking around and taking orders. I'm sure I can cook up something for Latias too."
"Well, can you make it look human-like?" Bianca asks. "We don't want to reveal her more then she already has."
"Hahaha, let's just see how far my abilities can go!"
"Flint?" Volkner watches as his partner stands up.
"I'll go and help out too," Flint tells him. "I'm a fine cook myself."
Brock and Flint both make their way into the kitchen.
"At least it calmed down," Ritchie sighed.
"Pika! Chuchu!" a young girl's voice rang in the air.
A pair of Pikachu's suddenly appeared and went straight for the Pokemon food. Ash's Pikachu and Sparky greeted them happily and shared the food.
"There they are!" a boy's voice this time.
A boy in red and a yellow haired girl appeared, chasing after the two Pikachu's.
"Heh," the boy laughs. "Looks like they were hungry. Huh?" The boy and Ash stare at each other. "I know you, you're Ash from Pallet Town!"
"Uh, hi?"
"Oh, sorry. I'm Red from Tellap Town, and this is Yellow."
"Hello."
"Tellap Town? Oh! Professor Oak once told me about that! One of his friends lives there."
"That's right! Professor Kao. Actually we're here to gather some fossils, he studies ancient Pokemon. We're just here to take a break. Ehehe..."
"You should head over to the Canalave City's Gym," Ash tells them. "The Gym Leader there has a lot of fossils. I'm sure he can help you out."
"Heeheehee..." Yellow observes all the Pikachu closely. "They're enjoying the food."
"But we really shouldn't take their food."
"It's okay," Ash tells him. "We don't mind, right Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
"Your Pikachu seems to really like you Ash," Yellow comments happily.
"Yup! We're best buds!"
"Piiipikachu!"
"Hmm..." Yellow puts her palm in front of Pikachu's head.
"Yellow..." Red starts. "That's kind of rude."
"What's she doing?"
"Wow," Yellow stands up. "You and your Pikachu have been through a lot. Kanto, the Orange Islands, Johto, Hoenn, the Battle Frontier, now you're in Sinnoh with 7 badges already!"
"WHAT?!" Ash yells. "How'd you-!?"
"Is that," Lucian begins. "Mind reading?"
"Mind reading?" Ash asks. "You mean the same power that Anabel has?"
"No," Lucian tells him. "It's not the same. Not exactly. Anabel can only sense the emotions of a Pokemon. This one looks like actual mind reading."
"It is," Red explains. "She can also heal Pokemon. Believe or not, Professor Kao found her in Viridian Forest, orphaned. We grew up together since then."
"I see," Lucian adjusts his glasses. "She has a closer connection to Pokemon and nature than even Anabel."
"Achoo!" Anabel swiftly turned her face away from the pot.
"Are you alright Anabel?" Lyra asks.
"I'm fine, there's no need to worry!"
"That's my line!" Dawn tells her.
Dawn, Anabel, May, Zoey, Lyra, Marley and Jasmine were all making Poffins while Brock and Flint cooked for everyone else.
"Sorry Flint," Brock starts. "Looks like there's not enough stoves for you to cook on.
"That's alright!" Flint takes out a Poke Ball. "I always have a backup!" Flint releases his Infernape and holds a pan right above its head fire, whistling while the food cooks.
Brock just sweat drops at the sight.
"What's taking them so long?" Ash impatiently waits.
"It's to be expected," Lucian tries to calm him down. "Especially with all the people and Pokemon they have to cook for."
"Do you two want to join us?" Volkner asks Red and Yellow.
"Sounds like fun!" Red exclaims.
"Be careful what you give him, though," Yellow giggles. "He could eat a Snorelax!"
"Yellow!"
"Okay everyone!" Dawn calls out. "The Poffins are done!"
All the girls that went to cook came back with plates full of Poffins, each with a different color to them.
"Alright! Time to come out everyone!" Ash called out his entire party, everybody else does the same.
"Is it just me," Volkner started. "Or did the Poke Center suddenly get bigger to fit in all our Pokemon?"
"It's probably just you," Winona answers.
"Where's our food?" Bugsy asks.
"Brock and Flint are still cooking them," May tells them. "There's a lot to cook with all these people here."
"Tell them to cook for two more!" Red yells out.
"Make that two hundred!" Yellow calls.
"Yellow!"
"Really Ash," Dawn complains. "You make friends faster than you eat."
"Here you go Espeon," Anabel lays down some food next to her Pokemon. "These are especially for you."
"Espi!" Espeon happily eats the Poffins.
"Hey!" Flint calls from the kitchen. "Lucian! Volkner! Come help us with the food!"
"Guess I better go," Lucian gets up.
"I hope they made enough," Volkner walks into the kitchen.
Lati nudges Bianca a little.
"What is it Lati? You want to try a Poffin?"
Lati nods happily as Bianca reaches for a Poffin. Lati takes it and eats, it gives out a high and happy wail. Bianca quickly covers her mouth.
"Was that, a Pokemon?" Red looks around, into their direction.
"D-don't be silly," Bianca laughs nervously. "I guess she must really like these Poffins."
"Really?" May takes one. "Let me try one." She bites into it, her face turned sour. "I got a sour one. Excuse me."
"Eheheh," Lyra giggles as May enters the ladies' room.
"Alright everybody!" Brock yells as he, Flint, Lucian and Volkner come out carrying many plates. "The food is ready!"
"Finally!" Ash gets excited.
Everyone takes their time to slowly enjoy their food, while engaging in random small conversations.
The first round of the tournament is now completely behind them as they prepare themselves for the 2nd round. More familiar faces appear before Ash and more new friends are made. They all enjoy themselves tonight with a party in preparation for tomorrow!
Author: Now that the first round of battles are all done, everyone and their Pokemon deserves a rest. Also, of all the Pokemon Special characters, Yellow's my favorite so I'm adding her and Red to the group. See you later folks!
Confrontation...
"Hey you! Stop where you are!" Riley yells.
"What do you think you're doing?" Joy pleas.
Mystery...
Lati notices something strange, she hurries back and finds that she was right. Ash isn't there.
Resolution...
"I don't know who you are but we're not going to let you get away with this!" Ash yells.
"Why you little runt!"
Sacrifice...
"ASH!"
"Ash!" Riley calls out. "Oh no!"
Despair...
"Tell us what happened!"
"I... I couldn't do anything..."
Is hope lost...?
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"It was a futile effort."
