Chapter 18: Celebrate! Ash's Ultimate Reward!

It had been a few hours since Ash defeated Arlong by the Mermaid Cove. Arlong had received treatment, as well as Jessie whose face got pulverized. Chopper and a few busty mermaid nurses treated Ash's injuries, including a huge fin-shape scar on his chest. Sanji was restrained by Luffy and Robin, wishing to be treated for his "injuries" he had, which Zoro knew better. "That scar on your chest is permanent," one nurse diagnosed. "But thanks to cute little Chopper, those on your head and limbs will be gone in a couple of weeks and you don't have any other injuries." Ash smiled to knowing his condition.

"That's good," he sighed in relief. "Hate to scare my mom about what happened." The auburn-haired nurse giggled to the situation. King Neptune and his children invited the Straw Hats to a feast and a few rooms in Ryugu Palace. Ash had a private room while the other Straw Hats shared rooms: one for Nami and Robin and one for the boys. That night, Ash slept soundly, Pikachu curled up and sawing logs. During the night, Robin thrashed in bed, cringing to each moment. Finally, she snapped up to a seat, awake and sweating profusely. Her labored breathing caused her to clutch her chest.

"Ash!" she quietly gasped. She escaped her room with Nami cringing herself in her sleep. Robin raced to Ash's private room and pounded on the door. Jolted, Ash and Pikachu woke to the sound of their room invaded. Sore from the fight with Arlong, Ash gingerly shuffled out of bed and got to the door.

"Probably one of the mermaids breaking into the palace to see me," he guessed. He opened to find Robin soaked to the bone in sweat and eyes nearly leaving her head. Ash looked surprised to find her awake. "Robin, what is-" Not allowing Ash to finish, Robin dove onto Ash, hugging him with tears flowing from her eyes.

"Thank god!" she cried. "It's just a dream!" To Ash, Robin experienced a nightmare. He hugged Robin to console her. "It's… just a dream. You're okay, sweetie." Ash nodded, understanding her experience. "I'm sorry. Seeing you enter the ocean in your fight against Arlong… I just saw you sinking and bleeding all over… I-I…"

"It's all good." She let out a whimper of relief.

"Thank you. Can I… stay with you, honey? I don't wanna relive that again." Ash felt the quiver from Robin, fears still within her.

"Sure." Pikachu wanted to help with Robin's sleep as well. Both entered bed with Robin embracing her arms around her Vice Captain. Ash fell fast asleep within Robin's arms while she petted his hair. She sang a lullaby with tears still running down her face. She gave Ash a kiss between his eye and cheek. She started to fall asleep but not long after she began to snooze off, another knock to the door woke her and Pikachu.

("Now who is it?") the Electric Mouse Pokémon squeaked. Getting out of bed, she opened the door to find Nami. Much like Robin, she quaked in terror, nervous sweat soaking her slender body.

"Is Ash in here?!" she shivered. Noting the sweat and shake, Robin concluded what Nami had gone through.

"So I'm not the only one," she studied.

"I just recalled seeing Arlong kill Bellemere, then I saw him cap Ash as a baby… And… AND…" Robin shushed Nami to keep her calm.

"It's okay. I went through it myself." Nami buried her head into Robin's breasts and whimpered for a minute. "Come, I'm sure Ash wouldn't mind if you joined in bed."

"Sure." Both Nami and Robin sneaked into bed which Pikachu grew delighted to have the women sleeping with him and Ash. While Robin embraced Ash's back, Nami covered his front. Both hugged and kissed Ash on the nose and cheek, their love for Ash acting as their shield. The next day, Ash and Pikachu stopped by the Mermaid Cafe back in the city. Inside, discussions about the incident yesterday were on the minds of the mermaids.

"Miss Sharley, I thought you were done with predicting the future," Camie gasped.

"It's not necessarily fortune telling, Camie," Sharley scoffed. "It's more of women's intuition." Camie nodded, wishing for Ash to visit.

"It would be nice for him to visit us," Adele voiced. "I was scared out of my mind when Arlong sent him to the depths near our dorms."

"And even though I gave him the ability to breathe like us, your half-brother was just so powerful," Fillonce added. "And that's without the Energy Steroids." Ash soon pushed in the doorway and entered the cafe. Hearing the doors, all turned to see Ash and Pikachu enter.

"Ash!" they greeted.

"Hey, everyone!" he replied with a smile. "You doing okay?" Sharley laughed to the concern.

"We're all fine," she answered. "If you didn't get out of the drink as soon as you did, I couldn't bear to see what my half-brother's men would've done to my girls. Not sure being raped and having their children would help Fishman Island. Not to mention what those humans would do to the quintuplets." The five mermaid sisters swam to see their hero.

"Thank you, Ash!" started Ichika.

"A great thanks!" added Nika.

"We couldn't have been free without you," Sonka praised.

"How long will you stay?" asked Yonka.

"Either way, you're more than welcome to come back at anytime," Yonka Two offered. Pikachu squeaked to the offer made.

"All of a sudden, you're all in agreement?" joked Ash.

"Only to the Beastman!" the sisters snapped a reply. Pikachu laughed to their reply while Ash smiled.

"Well, it's not much, really. It's something that comes naturally." Sharley swam to Ash, a need to lift a weight from her person.

"To you, maybe," she huffed. "But to me… Arlong was my half-brother. Now, I consider him out of my family line… rather…" She clasped Ash by the cheeks before leaning and giving the human trainer a kiss. Humored, Ichika, Nika and Yonka wanted a turn.

"Me, first!" called Ichika before she pecked him on the eyelid.

"Me, next!" called Nika before her kiss to the zigzag.

"Me, also!" called Yonka. She pressed her lips between his eyes. Not to be left out, Camie swam up while Ash's blushing face laughed to the occasion.

"Don't I get a turn?" she asked. Pappagu entered to see Camie confront the Beastman. The starfish fishman rolled a bag on a wagon.

"Ash, I thought I saw you coming-" he noticed before Camie placed her hands on Ash's shoulders, silencing Pappagu.

"This is for saving me." The first kiss landed on his cheek. "This is for saving Hatchin." Her next kiss touched the other cheek. "And this is for knowing you're alive." She let Ash have it with a deep kiss and even tickles the inside of his cheeks with her tongue. Ash awed the kiss.

"Camie, how long have you had these feelings?" Camie soon blinked to what she did, then freaked out, her faced stretched like before.

"AHH! I JUST KISSED A HUMANNNN!" Her scream had everyone cover their ears.

"Jeez, Camie! Don't need to lose it!" Sora swam to Pappagu with the bag, curiously.

"Hey, Pappagu," she spoke. "What's in there?" Pappagu turned to the wagon.

"It's Beastman's pirate attire! I upgraded it to include the Straw Hat's emblem so that they know what pirate they're dealing with. They're on his repaired vest and bandanna."

"Oh, I forgot that he wore those!" Pappagu huffed a chuckle, but had more.

"I'm still working on his Pokémon trainer garb but I should have it done by tomorrow." Ishilly came by Ash, humored by Camie's kiss.

"You know, Camie," she spoke. "You've got a point. He did save us from getting assaulted by Arlong's fishmen." She then sealed a kiss of her own, her tongue playing with his. Pikachu blinked before turning to see the rest of the mermaids. Sonka and Yonka Two escorted Pikachu clear while smiling and excited mermaids got to Ash's nerves. In one swarm, the mermaids tackled and smothered Ash, a melee of smooches covering his face. Almost completely covered in lipstick, Ash's face looked malformed, but better than Arlong who woke in his jail cell. He could barely move at all after the beating he took from the Beastman. He found a mirror and saw his skin hanging from bone exposed. All the muscle on his body vanished. He also saw the hole from his missing nose. He remembered the nose sliced off by Ash. He growled despite his weakened state.

"Damn you…" he began to yell. "ASHHHH KETCHUUUMMMMMMMM!" Back at Ryugu Palace, Ash faced Neptune with Shirahoshi by the Vice Captain's side. The Straw Hats watched with Sanji cringing to an outcome.

"It has come to my attention, Vice Captain Ash Ketchum," the king started. "You have inherited a legacy that will live in infamy down here on Fishman Island. By recognition of the royal family that has been passed down from generation to generation, so few have seen the capabilities of one such individual, human, merfolk or fishman to reside the laws of the sea- jamon. In lieu of the events taken on the island and protecting the innocent, I humbly grant you honorary citizenship to this island, the first human to be gifted with the occasion." Ash smiled, accepting the reward.

"Thank you, your highness," he appreciated.

"On a side note- jamon… My daughter has explained to her brothers and myself in which she would have her hand in taking you as her prince. The marriage won't be for several years, mind you. That aside, what say you? Will you be willing to have my daughter, cherished in love and hope for the future, not only of Fishman Island but for the worlds, bequeathing unity between species, including Pokémon?" As Ash weighed the two options, Shirahoshi and Sanji prayed for their outcomes.

'Please, Ash!' the princess wished. 'What I said during your fight against Arlong… I yelled the truth. I want to love you with all my heart. You're the type of person who I know is trustworthy and kind, ready to help at the moment's notice. If Fukaboshi, Mamboshi and Ryuboshi felt respect with you, even my mother would find you as one who can bring peace with humans and fishmen. Please, Ash! Please say yes!'

'Ash, Shirahoshi is too much for even your little hands to comprehend,' Sanji minded. 'You're still young and besides, that anger you had on Arlong could hurt the princess. Also, if there's anyone who needs a babe more than me, I haven't met him. Please, Ash! You need to return to your happiness. Don't be a dick! Say no!' Ash thought about the proposal Neptune gave. He then glared to the king with a smile.

"Your highness," he started. "It would be an honor to be by your daughter and to help with the late queen's wishes to have humans and the seafolk live without prejudice. I also can say that I felt the bond when I fought Arlong. Besides, if not for her shout, Arlong and his pirates would've done serious damage to your island…" He turned to the Straw Hats with a smile. "…Not to mention, what he could've done to my crew."

"Hey, it's MY crew!" protested Luffy. Neptune heard Ash and nodded to a conclusion.

"My boy, thank you," the king smiled through his huge beard. "If the bond is between you, then it is proof for me to acknowledge you, Ash Ketchum, as my son and heir to the crown of Fishman Island." Shirahoshi became overjoyed with the news while Sanji cried in defeat. She picked Ash up and smothered him with kisses, covering him in her saliva.

"He said yes!" he whined as he pounded the floor. "This is the worst day of my life!" The pounding somehow pummeled himself through a floor. Neptune viewed the honor with cheer.

"This calls for a celebration! Not only for the vanquishing of the Arlong Pirates but the engagement of Princess Shirahoshi and Vice Captain Ash Ketchum!" The princes and the staff cheered. They set the party fast in Ryugu Palace and everyone came. The Straw Hats ate and drank the night while Ash told stories to the three young fishkids. The four-armed fishgirl petted Pikachu, the Pokémon chiming in enjoyment.

"The three legendary Pokémon flew around me, Pikachu and Lugia," he explained. "I carried the last of the sacred treasures back to the island to complete the ceremony and restore balance."

"Why were they chasing you around?" the merboy wondered.

"A collector had taken two of the bird Pokémon, Moltres and Zapdos. We freed them but they went on a rampage." The princess and the fishkids awed the story told while music played and mermaids danced with Squirtle and Lapras.

"It hasn't been that long since we've been honored by the royal family," Robin pointed out.

"Well, Ash wasn't part of the lineup before," Usopp added.

"That's true of my sweetie." Robin's confession irked Sanji into thinking that she also loved Ash.

"You can't be serious!" he snapped.

"What do you mean? Can't I treat him like a son?" Sanji blinked to the thought. "And with the engagement, it's safe to say that Ash's real mother will have a future daughter-in-law." Sanji sighed in relief, understanding the relationship between the two.

"Suddenly, I'm actually relieved. Can't really say the same with how Ash attacked Jess-Seagull." Coincidentally, he eyed Brook wearing Jessie's underwear on his head like a swimming cap. "And besides, what are you doing with her panties?!" Nami saw the pair and gulped to an assumption.

"You didn't go through my closet, right, Numskull?" she stormed.

"On the contrary," Brook denied. "After Ash pummeled that Rocket girl, I wanted to get a closer look. Besides, I can't see you wearing panties with that 'R' on them." A closer look from the navigator saw the Team Rocket emblem printed all over.

"You've got a point! Tell you what, Brook… you can keep it!"

"Really?!" The skull chortled to the offering. Meanwhile, a heavily bandaged head of Jessie stirred from the beat-down she suffered.

"What happened?" she wondered, groggy from the long time unconscious. She soon found herself in shackles. "What is this? I can't move much!" She turned to find herself in a jail cell. "Great, where I don't deserve! I should be queen of these people!" That's when she felt a chill to her legs. "And what's this draft?" She rubs her thighs together when she noticed something missing… and screamed. "My underwear!" Realizing what could've been the result, she snarled at the accused. "CURSE YOU, TWEERRRRRRRRRRRPPPPP!" Her scream echoed through the water she's surrounded in. Back at the party, Ash, Pikachu and Shirahoshi swam back to the bubble on Hoe, containing the Straw Hats. His face had been smothered by fishgirls and mermaids by the lipstick painting his face.

"Looks like you're having fun," Franky laughed.

"Can you blame me?" the Vice Captain chuckled. "I kinda deserve the hero treatment I'm getting." Luffy heard the word and began to flip out.

"We're not heroes!" he snapped. "We're pirates! Don't call yourself a hero while I'm around!" Nami and Zoro bashed Luffy in the head.

"It's about him, not you!" they shouted. Nami took a deep breath while Luffy looked unconscious. The redhead turned to Ash as Usopp and Chopper aided a lift.

"Say, Ash…" she spoke. Ash turned to the redhead with something on her chest.

"What's up, Nami?" Pikachu raced to be on Nami's lap but she directed the Pokémon to Robin for her to watch.

"Robin, I'll be away for a little bit." Taking a deep breath, she dove into the drink and carried Ash to a hidden spot from view and water.

"So what's up? Any reason you don't want anyone else to hear?" Nami took a deep breath and came out.

"Ever since you've helped us on the Sunny, I've never had as much enjoyment than before. I didn't realize something missing until you, Pikachu and your Pokémon changed our lives." Ash seemed in awe to her explanation as Shirahoshi swam to listen. "I guess what I'm getting at is… and I know when I return to Cocoyashi Village, Nojiko would want to know…"

"Hey, don't keep me in suspense…"

"Sorry! Ash… my proposal is for you to be my little brother." Ash seemed hushed for a few seconds. Soon, he smiled.

"It's… funny. I was thinking about you before Arlong's invasion and how you treated me like an older sister." The detail stunned Nami.

"You, uh- You were? Boy, that's a coincidence…"

"So I'm noticing. I think we've started to become siblings." To Nami, her wish was becoming true.

"So, you mean that… you will be my little brother?"

"If you'll be my big sister." Overjoyed, she hugged Ash and smothered his face with kisses. They returned to Hoe and the bubble and once entered, revealed the announcement.

"What was that all about?" questioned Chopper.

"You guys don't need to worry about anything between us," Nami smiled. "If anything were to happen to Ash's mom and Robin, I'll take care of him and his Pokémon as guardian. We've declared ourselves as siblings and Nojiko would love to hear the news. You could argue the three of us are now older sisters and younger brother." The news brought cheers to the group.

"I see…" Zoro scoffed. "Maybe now, you can tell us about who won between Crazy Chef and I." All turned to the swordsman with irked reactions.

"I clearly won against you, Moss-Head," Sanji grumbled.

"Like hell you did!"

"That's enough!" snapped Nami. Zoro and Sanji jumped at the shout. Their navigator wasn't happy. "So, you think Ash is some sort of award?!" The two felt threatened at the rage of Nami, and Robin wanted to join in the torture. Ash left the bubble after Shirahoshi tapped his shoulder. They swam to Neptune who had an announcement.

"Mermaids, fishmen and humans," he voiced. "It is a pleasure to be blessed with the Vice Captain and his stand against Arlong and his pirates. He's earned a place among Fishman Island." The citizens and the princes applauded Ash's efforts. "I do have one more announcement in regard. My daughter, the heir Shirahoshi, has proclaimed the Beastman, Ash Ketchum, as her future husband and new prince of Fishman Island. This marks a step to the peace between humans and fishmen alike." Cheers echoed beyond the meters between land and sea. In the dungeon, James and Meowth heard the commotion from their cell.

"I guess dey have something ta celebrate, huh?" the Alley Cat Pokémon assumed. He had a new coin on his head.

"So it sounds," James agreed. Ammo Knights walked passed their cell and reached one at the end of the hallway. Inside was a man in a yellow fedora and trench, green overalls to his four lanky legs.

"Vander Decken, we thought you'd wanna hear this," one Ammo Knight announced. Vander Decken, his brown face with sharp teeth snarling.

"This would need to be good," he snarled.

"It's in regards to Shirahoshi." Vander Decken became elated to the news.

"At long last! King Neptune has forgone the err of his ways to give Shirahoshi's hand! I knew a day would come! Soon, the power of Poseidon will be within my grasp!" Overhearing, James and Meowth wondered about Vander Decken's wish.

"I heard he ate a Devil Fruit as well," James pointed out.

"Then you must know that the princess," the Ammo Knight restarted. "She has made her decision."

"And it will be me!" shouted Vander Decken, his eyes lit. "I finally will control Fishman Island!"

"Actually, she's accepted a human boy, the Beastman, as her future king of Fishman Island!" The news shocked Vander Decken. Suddenly, he threw his body at the door

"I won't accept it! Shirahoshi only belongs to me!" He thrashed in his cell violently as the knights stood back and watched. Vander Decken smashed his head on the floor and walls. The welts to his head wasn't enough to stop him, and neither were old wounds opening from his chest and back. He continued as his body began to weaken from the massive blood loss. After an hour, he collapsed. Still, the knights did nothing for him. Completely stiff, the knights entered and examined him. A nod told the story.

"Those wounds by Hordy came back to get him," another knight explained.

"At least Shirahoshi is safe with Ash and we don't need to worry about giant axes flying at the palace," one more sighed.

"True, but you know the Mark-Mark Fruit will grow again," the first knight pointed out. Remembering Robin's words, James and Meowth realized that Jessie's fate had been sealed.

"Jessie!" they shouted. Night fell and Zoro and Sanji hung upside-down under one of the palace's bridges, only their skivvies worn. Zoro groaned to the punishment for using Ash as a wager.

"So does this mean neither of us win?" he mulled. Sanji had hearts in his eyes, not minding the hanging. In Shirahoshi's chamber where Megalo swam into for the night, Shirahoshi, Ash and Pikachu slept in her room at the palace. Shirahoshi's head faced Ash who was cupped in her hands gently with his head touching her lips.

(Ash's dream)

Ash found himself in a giant field of flowers and looking around. "Okay, where am I?" he wondered. He began to walk across the field and stopped after a minute.

"Hello, there!" a woman's voice spoke. Ash jumped to the sound. Before he could turn.

"It's okay, young man!" another woman's voice tried to ease. Ash finally turned to see Bellemere from Nami's room. The other was a tall blond woman, her hair sticking up like prongs. She wore a white robe with cream scales around the cuffs and hip and a sash. Ash recognized the fuchsia-haired woman.

"I know you!" he pointed. "You're Bellemere!" The fuchsia-haired sneered to the recognition. The blond was a different story. "But you, I'm not familiar with."

"That's alright, child," the blond giggled. "I am Otohime, queen of Fishman Island." Ash awed Otohime's appearance and knelt to her highness.

"Then you're Shirahoshi's mom?" he concluded. "I can see where her looks come from." Otohime giggled to the compliment. "I'm sorry for what happened to you two… but why are you here?"

"We appreciate the apology, but by protecting our daughters, that's apology enough," Bellemere explained.

"She's a little rough around the edges but she does speak the truth," Otohime joked. Bellemere laughed before approaching Ash. On a knee, she embraced Ash in a hug and applied pressure with a squeeze.

"I'm so glad that you avenged my death, but none more than the declaration of you and my little Nami as brother and sister." She released the grip where Ash stumbled, but soon had Bellemere's hands on his shoulders. "Though, I've gotta admit…" Bellemere began tracing her finger around the eyes and nose. "She couldn't have picked a more handsome brother if she tried." Ash's face snapped rosy red from the tease. She and Otohime chuckled. It made Ash itch his cheek.

"Now I get where Nami gets her groove from," he joked.

"Right, you little rascal?" Bellemere gave Ash a kiss to the cheek. "Knowing her love's growing, much like the tangerines I grew…" Ash came up with an idea.

"It doesn't only have to grow where Nami's living." Bellemere turned to the trainer. "A place back in my home can grow your tangerines. Believe me, the Pokémon there can come together and enjoy the fruits you've passed to her." This awed Bellemere. She huffed a snicker before messing with his hair.

"If you can, that will make my daughters happy." Otohime then approached Ash and offered a hug of her own. He received another tight squeeze but not as tight as Bellemere.

"I know my big merman mentioned it but it bears to repeat," Otohime started. "With the engagement to my daughter, peace between humans and merfolk have begun to gain momentum." Ash nodded to Otohime's words.

"Your highness, I want to see the momentum continue," he wished.

"As do I, my son." She gave Ash a nice little kiss to his cheek.

"Again, we thank you for all you've done for our kids," Bellemere praised. "Say, is it alright if you give Nami a message?" Ash could only wonder what Bellemere wanted to pass on.

"If you want him to give this Nami a message, I have one to give my husband and children." Two messages… Ash nodded, accepting the requests.

"I'm sure they'll want to hear what you've got to say," he promised. "The next morning, I'll tell everyone." Acknowledging his promise, Otohime and Bellemere kiss his cheeks once more.

Ash smiled as he briefly woke from his dream. He glanced to Shirahoshi as Pikachu stirred to see his trainer awake. "When I tell everyone, they'll understand," he whispered. Ash yawned before going back to sleep. Words from Bellemere and Otohime will be relayed. What could be said from the two important women from beyond the grave?

TO BE CONTINUED…