Hello everyone, first off, how do you like the new title? Good? Bad? Tell me, and technically this is late considering it's 1:16 when I'm typing these final parts. So, sorry about that. I was at another Red Sox game, which they won. Anyway, sorry again and I hope you enjoy the chapter

Fallingarcher22: I'm glad you like them, I tried to make them like massive, British friends that help you out when you're in trouble. Really? I guess that means I'm doing at least a decent job with the romance aspect of this. No problem, it was my pleasure.

Amalgam24: Really? I'd would react similarly, especially with the running away part

Princess of Lemons: Well, if you ever get to this chapter to see my response here it is. I'm glad you enjoy the story so much, hopefully you'll like the rest and if you have any requests or anything just send me a PM or give it to me in a review. I don't know how to respond to that last part

Sailor Taichichi Vegeta1: Well, laughter, tears, happiness, anger. So long as it got a reaction out of you I'm happy with the result. Yeah, he's never going to know what goes on behind the scenes

Sailor Taichichi Vegeta2: Better late than never right? Oh, everyone was heading there not knowing what they were going towards. I just made it so the girl who couldn't defend herself was the one who made it there first

Chapter 24: Figuring You Out

-Ash POV-

When you wake up after endless nightmares to the smell of something burning, you know it's going to be a bad day. And after you have woken up to said burning smell and you remember that someone recently confessed their love to you, you know your life just got fucked up the ass by fate... again. I shot off my bed covered in sweat and immediately recoiled at the foul odor in the air.

"What the hell guys? This is not something I want to wake up to" I yelled to no one in particular. I got no response, probably because I was alone in some run down room on a bedroll. I sighed and rubbed my face, I felt weak. I looked to my arm to make sure that I didn't need to treat myself or something. But the wound was nicely sown, it looked like it had been cleaned recently, and it didn't look or smell of poison.

I dragged myself out of the (rathe comfortable) bedroll and stumbled to the door, shoving it rather ungracefully out of the way. It only led to another room, but this one had my clothes, which made me realize I was, in fact, naked. "That could have been a disaster" I mumbled to myself tiredly. I managed to get my boxers and pants on, even if I did fall over once. But hey, cut me some slack, I feel like shit.

After a few attempt I got my boots and my (bloody) white shirt on. Rubbing my eyes sleepily, I walked through the next door to a hallway. I looked up above the door I came form. "Infirmary" it read. "So I'm in the palace infirmary" I said with a yawn, I shook the sleepiness from me head, but it came right back. Giving up, I lazily walked down the hallway, trying to find an exit or something.

Soon enough, a set of double doors came into view that I went through to reach a large lobby. I passed by a few piles of rubble that helped tarnish the once beautiful palace. I exited through a pair of glass doors with two matching sets to the right of it and walked through a courtyard. I walked around aimlessly for a while till I came across my two powerhouses sleeping side by side.

I walked over to Charizard and sat in the crook of his curled body with my back against his stomach, waking him. I patted him on the stomach "You need a bath buddy" I muttered to him. He gave me a snort as if saying "You're not one to talk". I chuckled at that "Yeah I suppose I'm a little ripe too" I said, closing my eyes and enjoying the feeling of the sun on my face.

I yawned once again, causing Charizard to open his monstrous jaws and return the favor. He glared at me after he was done though "Sorry, I can't help it" I muttered sleepily. Charizard rolled his eyes before putting his head down and closing his eyes. I felt Charizard's breathing even out and I knew he fell asleep, something I hoped to copy.

But luck was never on my side. Even though I felt exhausted, I found myself unable to allow sleep to encase me. After what felt like hours, and probably had been, I heard the soft crunch of gravel and dirt as people walked towards me. The sounds of people's steps grew louder till they stopped fairly close to me. About six meters at 10 o'clock.

"Is he asleep?" I heard a girl whisper, maybe Crystal

"I don't know, but I don't want to wake him is he is. He looks so peaceful and calm. He doesn't have the usual scowl on his face" Sabrina whispered. I'd never forget her voice, it was too annoying to forget. "Why is he out of bed in the first place? Yellow said he'd be asleep for a few week. It's only been six days" a male voice whispered

"Come to think of it, how'd he manage to pull himself out of bed? He shouldn't have the strength to be able to stand" Crystal (maybe) whispered. I heard Charizard snort in his sleep and felt his body contort, suggesting that he adjusted himself in his sleep. "Arceus that thing is terrifying" another male voice said. "Who Charizard or Ash?" Sabrina said. There was a pause for a moment "Both I guess"

I barely managed to stop myself from smirking

"I know what you mean. I've been reading up on him while he was running errands for Lance and he has a huge track record of doing more than he was asked to. I'm sure his employers are happy with it, but the results of his actions are quite scary" Crystal (I'm 90% sure it's her) whispered.

'Eh, she's got a point. But I do get tipped for going above and beyond sometimes' I thought. "Did I ever tell you guys about what happened between me him and an Aura Guardian named Riley in Olivine City?" Sabrina whispered to the rest of the people. There was a small silence and I assumed the people either nodded or shook their heads. Probably the latter of the two.

"Well, it was just after Giovanni's while takeover. I was trying to get out because Kanto troops were hutnig for me and Riley and his master were scouting the area for the Aura Guardians. Ash was on his own and he still hasn't told me why he was there. Anyway, I hired a coyote to get me out. But he got busted and told them about the meeting place so I got ambushed. While I was fighting Riley jumped in and started helping me out, but even with him we were getting overwhelmed. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Ash jumped into the middle of there ranks and started tearing them down one by one until we eventually killed them. I asked them why they helped and Riley started this whole bullshit about how great the Aura Guardians are and how they "protect the weak". Ash was gave a straight and blunt answer though, as he walked away from us and I asked him why he just looked me in the eye and said "because I wanted to blow off steam" and left" Sabrina whispered

'Oh yeah, I was pissed off that night' I thought. "Do you know why he was angry?" one of the boys asked

There's my cue "Because people were talking about me behind my back" I said, opening my eyes to look at them. The group was made up of Red, Gold, Crystal (knew it), Sabrina, and Black (I don't think he said anything).

"It's smart to talk about someone when said person isn't a few feet away" I said with a smirk "But now that you've woken me, I guess it's time to take a shower" I said while hauling myself up.

I limped past them but turned around for a minute "Oh yeah, who's the shitty cook?"

-May's POV-

I didn't think he'd react like that. I thought that he'd be confused not... angry. But that' my Ash for you, unpredictable till the bitter end. Which, hopefully will never come.

But why did he get mad about it? Was it so bad to be loved by someone? I sighed, walking through the courtyard with no real destination.

"What's on your mind miss?" Ruby said, leaning on a pillar, sword sheathed at his side. I looked up, surprised. Then again, he is the leader of the Magma Core for a reason.

"It's nothing" I mumbled, not really comfortable with talking about my love troubles with anyone. "OOOOOHHHH, I know that look. So who's the lucky guy and when do you plan to tell him?" Ruby asked

I looked at him, surprised once again "How'd you-"

"If you pay attention to my love life for even a second you'd become an expert et this shit. Now go on, tell me" Ruby said, cutting me off

I sighed, giving up "I told Ash that I loved him" I whispered. I wasn't sure if he heard me or not but I kept going "And he had Pikachu shoot an attack at me and ran" I finished sadly

I heard short ragged breaths come from Ruby, almost like he was suppressing a "HAAAAAAAA HA HA HA HA HA HA, HA HA HA HA HA, Ohhhhh man you are stupid... no offense" he said after regaining himself

I just looked at him in shock, nor really angry at the insult, just that he was laughing at my issue. "Don't give me that look what would expect from Ash? That he'd run up and take you in his arms, give up the life of a mercenary, and you'd live happily ever after together?"

I didn't have a response for that "This is Ash Ketchum were talking about. The guy who has never had anyone tell him that someone loves him. This is the guy who was raised thinking that even if someone cared about him, he'd still be left to chew his own leg if he's caught in a trap. Love is a difficult and foreign concept to him. You can't expect someone who thinks they will never be loved nor is capable of love to immediately accept something like that. No, quite the opposite in fact, he will fervently deny that you feel anything towards him and is either going to be as cold as stone towards you or avoid you altogether" Ruby said

"Is it really that bad?" I asked

"What would expect, the guy was raised by Pokemon who taught him to leave the weak behind to die, regardless of his feeling and everyone else would do the same to him. Then the mantle of mentorship was passed to a cynical Meowth who recently got betrayed by some close friends; not exactly a good father figure for a young Ash now is it? Then when the only "father" he knew abandoned him to live by himself and develop on his own, his emotions are going to be a whirlwind of pain and suffering that will only grow if he's left alone, which he was. Hence why you see the Ash there is today, dumb, stubborn, emotionally scarred Ash"

"So what should I do? I don't want him to avoid me" I said

Ruby brought a hand to his chin in thought "Honestly, I think you should just keep going at it till he gets the message. He's dumb, but he isn't stupid. He'll get it eventually. It's just a matter of persistence, and you being able to withstand all the hurtful and horrible things he's bound to say to you next time he sees you" Ruby said, pushing himself off the pillar and beginning to walk away

"That's what I've been doing, but nothing seems to change" I said

"Well with that attitude you've already lost" Ruby said while walking away

"And what's so bad about your love life!?" I called after him. He turned back to look at me "It's utter shit" he yelled back before walking away again.

I was a little confused as to if that meant he couldn't get a girl, or the girl he did get wasn't a good one, or neither. But I got rid of those thoughts and began to plan for the next time I see Ash

-Ash's POV-

You know what's the worst? Relaxing, because then you have time to think, or in my case, time to remember. And I remembered something during my shower that almost caused me to punch a whole through a wall. But I managed to keep myself in check

I sighed, why did it have to be me? There was no way she actually was in love with me, she just couldn't. I cut off the water flow and grabbed a towel, wiping myself dry

I stepped out and put on a new pair of clothes on that I got before I entered the shower. It consisted of a plain white short sleeved shirt and some black pants along with my usual boots. I walked through the halls of the palace till I reached the glad double doors and exited.

'Time for something to eat' I thought to myself, walking towards where all the food supplies were kept and real food was made. I went into the small room where all sorts of herbs and spices were stacked on shelves and hanging from string tied to pipes the ran throughout the ceiling.

I saw Sage, Wintergreen, Elderflower, Orris Root, Thyme, Mastic, Willow Herb, Parsley, Savory, Horseradish, Lovage, Paprika, Cinnamon, Mace, Ginger, Nutmeg, Basil, Clove, Artemisia, Lavender, Mint, and Vanilla. There were lots more cabinets as well so there are bound to be more.

"I want some meat" I muttered to myself. Can you blame me? There have probabaly been feeding my water downed berry paste while I was unconscious. I want some real food.

I threw some coal in the oven and some more under the burner of the stove. I lit them with some matched on the table nearby. I took out a pan and looked through the cabinets, leaving the cabinet doors open so I could see the supplies.

I grabbed some olive oil and sprinkled some on the pan before putting the pan on the stove. I grabbed some tomatoes, some parsley, and little jars of salt and pepper. I grabbed some fillets of (whatever this was) and put them on the pan before grabbing a large quantity of meat and put it on another oiled pan and put it in the oven.

I grabbed a bowl and sliced up a few Tomatoes and some Sage before throwing it in the bowl. I mixed in some salt and pepper and stirred for a bit before sprinkling it on the fillets.

I sat waiting for a while before I put both fillets on a plate and took out the steak and also sprinkling the Tomato/Sage mix on it. I extinguished the flames in the oven and waited before putting the plate inside to keep it warm.

I grabbed another bowl and proceeded to make a salad with Tomato, some meat, some cheese, and some ranch on top.

I grabbed myself a fork and knife and set myself a place at the table before turning and grabbing my fillets and steak form the oven and putting it at my placemat. Finally I grabbed myself some water in a glass and sat myself down.

I let out a short breath, proud of my efforts results and began to eat. I was interrupted by some... uninvited guests. "Platina? Are you in here?" Pearl called from outside the door.

"Pearl, I'm right next to you" Platina said.

"Oh, right" Pearl said while chuckling. But who else could have made something that smells so good?" he said while opening the door. Platina, Pearl, and Diamond all walked in to the kitchen

"Hello" I said to them while eating. "Wait, you made that?" Pearl exclaimed.

"Of course I made it" I said in between. They all sat down at the other end of the table. "It smells delicious, what did you use to make it?" Platina asked.

"Just some Tomatoes, olive oil, Sage, not much" I told her, pausing my eating. Just as i was about to eat I sighed "You guys want a bite?" I said reluctantly. Diamond immediately ran over to the silverware and grabbed a fork and knife before sitting next to me, quickly followed by Pearl. I pushed my seat back, allowing them free access to anything on my plate. They both took a piece off my steak and had a bite.

"So, as your boss, I officially appoint you new kitchen duties with Platina" Pearl said after he was done. "That was sooooooooooooooo good" Diamond exclaimed. Platina had just made her way over and took a bite of one of the fillets "I must say this is very good. You have done an excellent job with this" she said. I just shrugged

"Your help with cooking would be much appreciated" she stated kindly. I was about to respond when Red came through the door, a serious look on his face. "Guys, we got a job to do"

So that was the chapter, again I'm sorry for it being late but I have an excuse as well. During a huge storm, a massive power outage swept through the town causing my internet to crash. It still hasn't booted back up and I'm typing from my phone wrote now. At least it's a valid excuse. Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed and requests, suggestions, hate, and anything else is always welcome. Till next time

-novaking2832