I found the notebook where I wrote the story outline! And, with that as my inspiration, I was finally able to type up...this. Enjoy yourselves!

Also, this chapter is a Secret Santa present for the ENTIRE Serebii Wishful thread, since I thought the thing was cancelled and only had this done, so I really, really hope they like it.

Cilan was back to normal, or recovered, anyway. There was just nothing normal about him, no matter how hard Iris tried to see it. She would have believed he had some degree of brain damage, but his brothers were treating this like they were used to it.

Not that he wasn't a good person, Iris admitted to herself. He was, and a true gentleman. He cared about his Pokemon, and his brothers, and was very friendly toward her and Ash, accepting the whole thing was just some big misunderstanding that probably wouldn't end in marriage, no matter what his parents or brothers would have wanted. He even allowed Ash to keep believing he was a fairy.

Speaking of, Ash seemed to be having a bit of trouble accessing his magic. Occasionally, someone would hear him whine to Pikachu when he thought no one else was around, something about how Misty had promised that she'd return his powers after the prince had recovered.

"I'm not nuts," he insisted when Iris asked him about it. "Maybe she just hasn't gotten the message that Cilan's ok."

"If you insist," she sighed, and turned her attention to the window. Somewhere out there was home, and though adventure was always welcome, perhaps this adventure was just a bit too strange for her tastes.

Her sixth sense alerted her to Cilan's presence, and she turned around to see him approaching the window. There seemed to be something bothering him, though she knew he'd deny it if she asked.

She asked anyway. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know." Well, at least he was admitting something was bugging him. "I thought that Ash would be able to prove it if he was a fairy, now that I'm...recovered."

There was something else off about him. "You don't believe," Iris stated, and Cilan shrugged.

"I've always tended to doubt things. I didn't believe in the curse, that's why I went out to chase Pansage through the storm." The monkey sniffled and gave his trainer a hug, but Cilan had already forgiven him for it.

Iris, however, rolled her eyes. "Yeah. That one worked out wonderfully." Her sarcasm faded quickly, however, and she turned back to him. "Who cursed you, anyway?"

The response was interrupted by Ash, carrying a Corsola under one arm and Pikachu under the other.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I have a problem," he stated. "And you two are going to be my fairy godparents and help me solve it."

I don't have much time. Someone found the gates to our world, and is taking prisoners to be his slaves. Since I know you, I know I can trust you to play the hero. Come kick butt..but save us all the embarrassment and don't do anything I wouldn't do. - Misty

Iris stared at the paper for a second longer than necessary, understanding that this was the proof she'd been waiting for that Ash really was a fairy. Or that others were playing his game, but she wasn't in the mood to be doubtful. After all, another adventure was waiting, and hopefully this time they could succeed without anybody having to kiss anybody else.

Cilan, however, quite obviously believed that Ash really was crazy. "Now, where exactly can we find this Misty?" he asked, but Ash just slumped forward until his face was on the floor.

"She could be anywhere by now. Whoever found the gate was taking prisoners. She could be one of them." He sighed, before jumping back onto his feet in a frightening mood swing. "She's one of my best friends. You have to help me find her."

Cilan looked back at his brothers, who had come into the conversation not that far into Ash's explanation. Chili didn't seem to care that Cilan had been asked to accept such a request so soon after his recovery. "Cress and I can handle things until our parents come home," he explained. "This guy did help you with your problem. And introduce you to your true love," he taunted, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at Iris.

Iris pulled out her hammer. "I will use this," she threatened, and Chili instantly backed off.

Cress, being the more serious brother, naturally took a more serious approach to things. "Are you really going to give in to this foolishness, Cilan?"

"Living things may be in trouble," Cilan explained. "I may not believe in fairies, but that doesn't mean I won't help normal people."

Ash rolled his eyes and turned to Pikachu and Corsola. "You guys think you can deal with him?"

The two Pokemon exchanged a look. "Chuu..." Pikachu finally sighed, and with permission from his brothers, Cilan joined his new friends in making battle plans.

Misty could think of worse things than being imprisoned in a giant snow globe. Being imprisoned in a giant snow globe full of bugs, for instance. And that was what kept her snarking through her entire confrontation with the man who had brought chaos and destruction upon her kingdom.

"This is your big evil plan?" she asked through the enchanted glass, looking around at the evil lair. The other fairies were all unconscious, but still alive, and she was going to get them all out of here or die trying. "You just want to keep us hostage so we don't stand in your way?"

"Pretty much."

"Great plan."

The man gave her a look that sent a chill down her spine, but he didn't seem to notice her fear. "There will be more to it than that, little girl. I can make your death quick and painless, or long and full of tortures your mind can't even begin to comprehend. I'd personally prefer the latter, but if you behave yourself, perhaps I could show you a bit of mercy."

"Mercy my ass," Misty grumbled, but fell silent. Her powers were suppressed by this magic snow globe, and her only hope was with the fairy world's most infamous screw-up. She was doomed.