The 3rd chapter we've all been waiting for! lol. as always, r&r plz!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon, all I have is a Pokemon game card and a GBA. Don't sue!

Chapter 3. A Ball To Remember

"I can't believe I'm actually doing this," Misty muttered to herself as she found herself standing in a dining hall. People were around her, laughing and drinking fine wine. She felt a little sad at this scene. Before, no matter what happens, Ash, Brock, Tracy, and pikachu were always with her, but now she had to go to this party all alone," This must be growing up pains."

This was the first part of the competition. All of the competitors were invited to a formal ball, there they will be tested at their dancing skills. Misty thought it was rather stupid; it was a singing competition after all, not a dancing competition. However, when her sisters learned this, they were absolutely thrilled at this piece of information.

"We're like gonna shop for like this totally awesome dress for you, Misty!" Violet had clasped her hands together.

"And we're like gonna like do your hair so like it'll totally match your outfit." Daisy had sighed dreamily with stars in her eyes.

"Oh and we like get to like put these like totally cool make-up on you too!!" Lily had squealed in delight.

Misty chuckled slightly as she remembered her sisters. Families will always be families and to be honest, her sisters did a pretty good job on her too. She had her hair which had grown to shoulder-length down with a strand of pearl around it. A sleeveless white dress covered her body. The aquamarine-eyed teen was free of accessories except for a long yellow sash which was tied loosely around her tiny waist. She felt comfortable in what she was wearing, even though she knew it wasn't very appropriate to wear this kind of dress to a ball, but she liked it.

Just then, a silhouette caught her eyes. It was a boy's form with messy hair sticking from his cap and a pikachu standing on his shoulder.

'Ash?!' She gasped and fled toward his direction, but a man stopped her in her track.

"Miss, all the competitors are asked to attend a meeting...now." Then he grabbed her arm and led her away from that figure.

"Let go of me, you jerk!" She struggled angrily, she was so close to find Ash, yet this guy just came out of nowhere. And 'this guy' didn't hear him apparently for he just tightened his hold. The boy's figure became smaller and smaller until it completely disappeared from Misty's view.

"Ash..." She whispered.

"Huh?" Ash said, turning around. He could have sworn somebody called him.

"What's wrong, Ash?" Brock asked, appearing beside him, wearing a blue tuxedo.

"Pika?" Pikachu looked concerned. What was wrong?

"Nothing, guys," He scratched his head," So…why are we in this ball again?"

"Because we were invited."The Pewter City gym leader replied slowly, wasn't it obvious?

"Oh right...right..."Then looking around, he caught something white with the corner of his eye. 'It looks familiar.' He mused, absent-mindly tugging at his black tuxedo's sleeve.

"Ka? Pikachu? Chu pichu!" Pikachu sniffed the air, it smelled like Misty's scent.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed and over the loudspeaker they could hear two voices.

"Prepare for double!"

"Make it double!" The lights flashed to the center of the stage again and there stood the infamous Team Rocket. Jessie and James were both dressed in black tuxedo.

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people in our nation."

"But this time," They bowed together," We are here for fun!"

"Meowth, that's right!" Their trusty pal meowth added with a red bow around his neck.

"Now it's for show time!" Jessie cried with a microphone in her hand. James pressed a button and the lights dimmed till you couldn't tell who was who.

"Everyone now, go and find a partner!" James yelled with much enthusiasm in his voice," But please do not talk during the dance or else it would ruin the game!"

Brock picked the nearest girl, obviously afraid he won't be able to find a partner. Even pikachu managed to find a pokemon to dance with and that just left Ash alone on the dance floor.

"Anyone?" He asked, laughing nervously. Then seeing nobody bothering to look at him, he stuck his hands into his pockets and walked backward, surveying how Brock looked with that girl...

Misty walked through the crowd, searching for a partner. She couldn't believe it, who in their right mind would invite Team Rockets who are now happily dancing to be their host? Looking at the ribbon in her hand, she sighed,' I'll never complete this task.'

(Flashback)

After the man finally released his iron-like grip, she found herself in a different room with lots of girls all dressed in various evening gowns. Standing among them made her and her dress feel awkward.

"Alright, girls," Clapping his hand, a teen waved his arms around," I want all of your attention here! This is the first round and as everyone knows, we are going to test your dancing skills. A singer must always be able to move fluidly and elegantly. Now I'll hand each of you a piece of ribbon. You girls have to tie this thing around your partner's wrist. Understand?"

"Yes." Everyone said.

"What if you can't get a partner, sir?"A girl asked timidly.

"Then you lost of your chance of even competing with the rest, honey."

Sighing to herself again, she walked backward from the crowd…until she bumped into something solid.

"They look sorta cute, I guess." Ash grinned to himself, then he bumped into something solid.

Spinning on her heels, she turned around to apologize, but then she remembered the rules: no talking. So instead she curtsied and the form bowed in reply. Then before she could walk away, the form took her hands and waltzed her form on the dance floor.

Misty was totally amazed, it actually felt right to dance with him. She almost felt like she was with Ash. A bold thought came to her, could this be Ash? But as soon as this thought appeared, it was drowned in the sea of doubtfulness. There was no way he could be here; after all, he had no time.

Ash was speechless, the person he was dancing with has such a tiny waist. Though there was a sash on it, it was still very tiny. The only person he knows that has such tiny waist was Misty, but this can't be Misty. After all, she's taking care of the gym now, she had no time.

Just as they were beginning to enjoy the dance, the song ended, but another one began. It was a slow song.

"Body hugs!" James cried.

"James!" Jessie sighed in dismay and punched him in the face.

A ripple of giggles went through the room at the scene before them.

"Ehm..."The female Rocket cleared her throat," Just go along with the flow."

Misty sighed; he was going to look for a new partner. One dance was enough and he was really good too. She loosened her hold on him, but he gently guided both of them back again. She inwardly gasped, he was actually asking her to dance for a second time?

Ash could feel she was going away, so instead of letting her go as she wishes, he simply took both of her arms and placed them back again. Then putting his own hands firmly around her waist, he grinned. 'Brock's dance lesson really paid off this time.'

Pikachu was swaying happily with the female pikachu. They even agreed to have dinner sometimes next week. It was all going well.

Ash pulled her towards him, it was a part of the dance, but she backend up jerkily. Just then the music ended, quickly she placed something on his wrist and hurried off. Ash stood there, his head hung low in guilt. Why did he do that? Though it was part of the dace and all, it was specially reserved for Misty. How could he betray her?

Misty didn't know what had come over her, but she didn't want his embrace, she wanted Ash's. So she pulled back with force, startling her partner. The last note of the music floated into her ear. Quickly, she placed the ribbon on his wrist and ran off.

The normal lights replaced the dimmed ones. Ash squinted his eyes to adjust to them, he held his hands up to shade away the bright light and an aquamarine ribbon caught his attention. It was tied into a ribbon neatly on his wrist.

"Must be that girl." He murmured.

"Now can the people who have ribbons on their wrist come forward?" Jessie asked," Now, guys. This part is all about your feelings. If your female partner was good at dancing and made you comfortable, get her a high score, but if she wasn't that nice to you and your feet, give her a low one. Get it?" Then seeing the nods, she rounded them up and led them into another room.

A man came out of a room, hummed a tune as he carefully pasted the poster on the wall. Standing back, he was admiring his handiwork when he suddenly felt evil glares his way. Turning his head back, he found a large population of women staring his way with pure hatre in their eyes.

"Eep!" He squeaked as he took off like mad.

"Oh my god! I'm like 50!" A blonde cried.

"60 is the passing grade." Another girl read out loud.

Misty slowly walked toward the lobby, she knew she had messed the whole thing up. Why did she pull away? With the dreaded feeling, she walked up to the billboard.

"Number 4...21...33...40...48...56," She shut her eyes at this sight, then opening a peek, she made her eyes travel to the column next to the number of the contestants,"80…80?...80!" She jumped up and down, she made it! She made it to the second round!

"I'm gonna take the north route home today!" She grinned, then taking one last look at the building, she murmured,"I would like to know that boy very much."

"What was that?" Brock asked as a squeal came from the building.

"A girl who passed, I guess." Ash shrugged. He decided to keep the incident at the ball a secret; after all, it was very personal. And he had no intention in letting Misty know about that. She wouldn't be very happy...heck...he could be beaten to a pulp.

"Let's head south, Brock!" Ash grinned. Then unknown to his friends, he glanced back at the building, thinking, 'I would like to know that girl very much.'

Misty and Ash missed each other by an inch!! hehe...I'm bad...but it would ruin the whole thing if they had known from the start...hope you liked the little twist! Review please!! and I'll try to update my other stories as soon as I have time, okay? The midterms are coming, so bear with me! Once again, please r&r!