Warning. ALTERNATE UNIVERSE approaching.

Author's note: Well, hi there!

I've already done a boy version, so now it's time for the girl version! I didn't think I'd have an idea for it for the longest time, but then I suddenly came up with one.

I hope you enjoy it!

TMK0009, I know this isn't what you asked for, but, since you provided the inspiration, I feel I should dedicate this drabble to you anyway. XP

Take a Swing (Alt)

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!" Ash cried.

Pikachu charged forwards, before leaping into the air. As her heart-shaped tail began to glow white, she swung it around.

"Piplup, block it with Peck!" Dawn cried.

Piplup's beak glowed white, extending to a larger size. As Pikachu descended, tail outstretched, the penguin swung his beak around. The two glowing appendages clanged together like swords.

They pushed against each other, neither giving an inch.

"Pikachu, break off and use Thunderbolt!"

Propelling herself off Piplup, Pikachu flipped backwards, charged up her electricity and fired it at the penguin.

"Piplup, catch it with Bubblebeam!"

Piplup inhaled deeply, then blew out a giant bubble. Holding it above his head, he flung it at the Thunderbolt. The electricity got sucked inside it, becoming trapped within the watery confines. As it swirled around, it crackled and sparkled impressively.

"Nice one, Dawn!" Ash called out as Pikachu landed.

"Thanks, Ash! Now, Piplup, use Whirlpool!"

Piplup glowed a blueish-white colour. Raising his flippers above his head, he created a small whirlpool that wasn't much bigger than himself. With a cry, he flung it towards the electrified bubble.

As the small whirlpool approached, the giant bubble was sucked in partway, until it was resting on top of it. It almost looked like a giant watery ice cream as it flew towards Pikachu. The mouse stared at it, captivated by its beauty.

"Pikachu, dodge it!"

Pikachu blinked. Then she panicked. She'd spent so long staring at Piplup's wondrous creation that she'd left it too late to dodge. She shrieked as it exploded in her face.

When her back hit the ground, she felt dazed.

"Yeah!" Dawn cried out happily. "Way to go, Piplup!"

"(Thanks!)" Piplup replied. "(I was pretty awesome, wasn't I?)"

"Alright, good work, guys!" Brock called out. "You both did really well out there."

"Yeah, good job, Pikachu!" Ash agreed.

"(Thanks...)" Pikachu replied.

She pulled herself into a sitting position, shaking her head to clear the dizziness. As she slowly stood up, Buneary immediately tackled her from the side. She shrieked in surprise, almost falling over again.

"(Oh, Pikachu, you did great!)" she cried.

"(Uh, thanks...)"

She nuzzled into her fur. "(You may have lost, but you'll get him next time!)"

Pikachu blushed awkwardly. "(Uh... thanks...)"

"(I know you will, because you're just that awesome~)"

... While she couldn't deny that the praise and affection were nice, there was just one small, glaringly obvious issue with it...

She slowly looked up the humans.

Dawn was giggling in mirth behind her hand. Ash was scratching the side of his head with an awkward smile. Over at his cooking station, Brock was turned away, blushing madly with a hand clamped to his face.

Glancing down at the other pokémon, they were all smirking at her. After a moment, a few let out wolf-whistles.

Her blush darkening, she shrunk into herself in embarrassment. Why did this always have to happen?

Buneary continued to nuzzle into Pikachu's fur, though a small part of her brain still couldn't believe she was doing this. If someone had told her several months ago that she'd one day be flirting with a girl, she'd have laughed it off as a joke.

Growing up, she'd always been into boys. She'd even had several male crushes over the years that had never managed to get anywhere, for various reasons.

The morning that she'd encountered Pikachu, she'd simply been minding her own business. She'd never expected her whole world to be flipped upside-down.

When the mouse had caught that fast-flung potato - in mid-air, before doing three somersaults and landing on her feet - she'd looked so cool. So very cool. It had made Buneary question herself. Why had her heart been beating so fast? Why hadn't she been able to tear her eyes away? She'd known, just by looking at the tail, that the mouse was female - and she hadn't been into females - so why?

When Pikachu had almost been run over by a motorbike, she'd been quick to jump in and save her. Their close proximity - and the way Pikachu had smiled at her while saying thank you - had only served to heighten her conflicted feelings towards the mouse.

She'd wondered if it was alright for a girl to like a girl this way. Especially since she'd never done it before and hadn't thought herself capable of it. Too anxious to speak properly, she'd run away.

After a short break away from the group, she'd tried to get her thoughts in order. Tried to sort out the mess of emotions that had been racing around her head.

Once she'd felt calmer, she'd returned.

Upon reaching the campsite again, she'd noticed the humans and their pokémon eating breakfast. Remaining hidden in the bushes, she'd kept her eyes on Pikachu.

She'd heard the humans discussing how two of them had wanted to capture her, but she hadn't really been paying attention to that. She'd only been interested in one thing.

It had been difficult viewing the mouse from that angle - since that blasted table had been in the way - but it had been worth the effort. Every time she'd caught a glimpse of Pikachu's smile, her heart rate had increased.

It had been then that she'd realised her feelings.

Over the months, her fondness for the yellow mouse had only grown stronger. As it had turned out - starting from when she'd saved the rabbit from Team Rocket - she was so much more than simply 'cool'.

... These days, though, she'd often wonder if she even stood a chance with her...

While it was true that the mouse had never seemed disgusted by her constant flirting, she'd always been rather awkward about it. Then again, that might have just been in her nature. It was hard to tell, really.

She had to admit, though, she did find her blushing and fidgeting rather adorable. Maybe, one day, she'd return her feelings...

"A-Alright, everyone!" Brock called out, snapping her from her thoughts. "Lunch is ready, so... come and get it!"

With a cheer, everybody rushed over to receive their food.

"(... Come on, Buneary,)" Pikachu said. "(Let's go.)"

Buneary let go of her, smiling. "(Okay then!)" she replied.

Pikachu made a move to follow the others, but then she paused. Glancing over her shoulder, she threw Buneary a smile.

"(Hey, wanna eat together again?)"

Buneary paused a moment in surprise. It was unusual for Pikachu to ask her that. Usually, she'd just sit near the mouse anyway...

After the moment passed, she beamed brightly. "(Sure thing!)"

Yeah. Perhaps one day...

The End