“Give me the bottle, Pikachu

Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page

(Note: when there is a section in the story marked off with < and > marks, it’s always from this one character’s point of view. Otherwise, it’s from somebody else’s. This might be confusing, but it’s better than not having any marks at all.)

(Ash and his friends have stopped in a clearing to rest while en route to Cinnabar Island. Misty and Ash are off somewhere, while Brock is trying to prepare lunch...)

" Last warning." Ash and Misty walked into the clearing just in time to see Brock grab the ketchup, which Pikachu was holding. They started tugging it back and forth.

"Pi . . .ka . . .CHU! (It. . .is. . .MINE!)" Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt as its temper got the better of it. Brock fell to the ground, instantly fried, leaving the bottle for Pikachu.

Ash shook his head at his friend. "Whatever you do, Brock," he chided, "don’t stand between Pikachu and the ketchup."

"Let’s have lunch, you guys." Misty helped the smoking Brock off up the ground.

Unbeknownst to Ash and his friends, a pair of gleaming eyes watched interestedly from a tree. "Soon," she whispered . . .

Sunlight streamed down into the clearing, dappling his sleeping bag with white speckles. Birds sang in the trees and the tantalizing scent of breakfast teased his nose. It was just the right type of day to wake up to, cheerful and happy.

After breakfast, Ash walked away from the others and sat down on a huge tree root with the map to gather his thoughts. Okay, we still need to get to Cinnabar, so what would be the fastest way? Lessee . . .

Ash sighed. The quickest route to Cinnabar was still four days’ worth of walking, three and a half if they didn’t rest at all during the day. With Gary still ahead of me, I can’t afford to lose any more time! I bet he already has his eighth badge by now. Ash sighed, sinking lower and lower into depression. And me with only five Pokémon that I’ve actually caught. What will Professor Oak say when we get back to Pallet Town?

"Huh?" Ash jumped up from his seat, startled; the sounds had come from directly overhead. "Who’s there?" He backed away slowly from the tree.

<Oops. She reached out with her mind, grasping and entering his own, intending to sweep the incident out of his memory—then stopped. She had already blown her cover, and this was a perfect time to "introduce" herself . . .besides, she was disgusted at how defenseless his mind was. No matter, as long as he HAS one—which can be disputed . . . Transforming, she laughed again, this time not bothering to restrain herself. >

Ash was getting really nervous at this point. As he was about to call for his friends, there was a slight rustle in the leaves, and something dropped from the branches, landing lightly on its feet. Ash’s mouth dropped as it stood up, brushing dust off itself, to reveal that "it" was actually a human. A girl, in fact. A person was the last thing he had expected, say nothing of a girl! She had ebony hair pulled into a sleek ponytail that hung to her hips, which emphasized her fair complexion. Her eyes were a hypnotizing green-gold that seemed to invite Ash to drown in the rolling waves of color, but they were friendly, albeit a little mysterious. Her outfit consisted of a short blue vest with a high collar, an even shorter black T-shirt, comfortable-looking jeans, a pair of rugged sneakers, fingerless green gloves, and most noticeably, an all-too-familiar cap.

The girl smiled. "Hi. I bet you’re wondering why I was in that tree, right?" Ash could only nod dumbly; the similarity of their clothing, and the fact that there was another person this far out into the woods was enough to shock anyone.

"I was trying to find something of mine that a Pidgey stole from me, and when I saw that you were under me and didn’t know I was there . . ." She trailed off, letting him fill in the rest. The girl looked over his clothing. "You’ve got good taste there." She smirked, while Ash reddened. <She felt the surge of emotion that suddenly swelled in him, threatening to overwhelm her and quickly cut off the link to his mind. >

Ash finally realized his mouth was still open and hurriedly shut it. "Well, did you find what you were looking for?" he managed to get out.

<She smiled, seemingly out of friendliness, but really out of amusement as she felt his attraction for her grow stronger. > "Yeah. Pidgeys, apparently, like shiny things." She pulled out a chain, which had been hanging underneath her shirt, and held the attached pendent up. Wrought of slivery metal, it was actually a cat’s eye with four little claw-like points, one sticking out on each of the corners and just above and below the pupils. A small metal loop in the top claw allowed it to be slid on the chain, also of silver metal. Was it just Ash’s imagination, or did the thing glow?

The girl swung the chain, making the pendant dance and glitter in the sunlight, and effectively masking any trace of glow there might have been. "Like it?" <In her mind, she could feel his uneasiness at the eye, then heard his silent admonishment, telling himself that it was only a necklace. >

<Outwardly, she smiled again, but inside, she smirked; she knew why he felt weird. "It’s okay. Most people don’t like this symbol at first; it creeps them out.">

Tell me about it . . . "So what are you doing all the way out here? There’s not much reason to be wandering around in the woods, you know."

Ashli smiled and pointed to her vest’s bulging pockets. "I’m a Pokémon Trainer. I’m trying to get to Cinnabar Island, through Pallet Town. I store my Pokémon in here; I try to be inconspicuous."

"You’re kidding! I’m trying to get to Cinnabar, too!" Ash pulled up his jacket, exposing his belt and the Pokéballs that hung there. "What badges have you earned?"

"Boulder, Cascade, Thunder, Marsh, Rainbow, and Soul." <She was taking a risk, his friends being Gym Leaders and all, but she’d tinker with their memories afterward. >

Ash’s face lit up. "That’s exactly what I have! What Pokémon did you use to battle Sabrina?" They proceeded to get into a long discussion about Pokémon and various training techniques.

After awhile, Ash looked up and realized how late it was. He had been so into their conversation he hadn’t noticed how dark it was getting. He heard Brock’s voice float through the trees. "Ash!" He sounded worried. "Where are you?"

"Here!" he hollered back, then turned back to Ashli. "My friends are looking for me. I gotta go." <He started to walk away, seemingly okay with this, but she could feel the conflicting emotions within him. >

"Oh, I’m sorry!" <It took him that long to realize that? Wow. How dense can a person get? "I’m Ashli." A stupid name, but it suits my purposes. She reached over and closed Ash’s mouth, which had dropped again. I’m just full of surprises, aren’t I, hmm? >

Ashli smiled warmly at him. "It seems as if we have so much in common, don’t we?" Ash blushed again. "Just let me get my stuff, and then we’ll go." <She walked around a tree, and materialized her said "stuff" out of thin air. Backpack, a couple of pots and other cooking utensils tied to the pack, sleeping bag, water bottle, the appropriate badges fastened on the inside of her vest . . .she checked herself to see if she looked like somebody that had been on the road for a while, then walked over to Ash again. "Let’s move!">

Brock, of course, turned into a drooling idiot, even though it turned out that she was younger than he was, about Ash’s age, in fact. "Uh, hi, I’m Brock, nice to meet you, if there’s anything I can do for you . . .how about going out for pizza when we get to the next town—" He went on like that until Ash, red-faced and somewhat angry, clamped a hand over his mouth, then shoved him into a bush.

Misty, on the other hand, seemed jealous, which Ash secretly enjoyed. Her eyes had gone wide at the sight of Ash with another girl in tow, then she had stormed away.

And as for Pikachu, it didn’t want to have anything to do with her, for some reason. Ash picked it up and held it out to Ashli, but then pulled it away when sparks started to fly out of its cheeks. Unfortunately, Pikachu had been so intent on electrocuting her, it couldn’t stop the attack, so a minute later, Ash got the worst shock of his life.

<Hmm. That was strange. She tried to touch the Pikachu’s mind to see why it disliked her so much—and was immediately thrown out of it as soon as she established contact. Duh. She gave herself a mental slap on the forehead. A Pokémon’s cerebral defenses were much stronger than ordinary humans’ were, to help in battling Psychic-type Pokémon. Oh well. She was going to have to get that answer from Ash when he found out. >

Pikachu, meanwhile, had apologized for shocking him, but was staying as far away from Ashli as it could, much to his confusion. "Um, Ashli, stay away from Pikachu for awhile, okay?" He shrugged helplessly. "It’s not exactly the best thing to be around when it doesn’t like you."

He had a lot to wonder about, actually. There was Ashli, for one. It was strange, not only how they had met, but how much they had in common. It turned out that she didn’t mind bugs, unlike Misty, and actually had caught a Caterpie, but she had let it go when it had evolved into Butterfree, during the love season. She also didn’t believe in using Pokémon for profit, and would back down from a battle if it would end up with a Pokémon being severely injured or killed. It was just plain amazing.

And then there was Misty to consider. After she had came back to eat dinner, she had grabbed her sleeping bag and stalked off a little ways to set up there, instead of near the fire as she usually did.

Ash smiled. Misty was definitely jealous. But there was nothing to be jealous of . . . was there?

And why didn’t Pikachu like Ashli? It was strange, since Pikachu usually liked other people . . .

As if on cue, Pikachu appeared from the shadows and snuggled into his sleeping bag. "Pika pi, pikachu," it muttered.

Ash frowned. "You’re saying that I’m probably wondering why you don’t like her, right?"

Pikachu audibly sighed, then let loose. "Pikachu, pika pika, achu. Pikaka pi, pi, achu. Cha."

"Slow down, buddy, I can barely understand you." Ash shifted in his sleeping bag to look at the Pokémon more easily. "You think that she’s bad?" He raised an eyebrow. "And that she’s going to do something to me?"

"Well, just leave her alone for now. And no shocking her either!" Pikachu made a "Well excuuuse me!" type of sound, crawled out of Ash’s sleeping bag, and disappeared into the night.

A figure slipped stealthily through the night, a moving shadow, making for one of the sleeping forms on the ground. Stopping, leaning over the lightly snoring person, it brushed away some of the hair from his face. It held something up to the moonlight that was shining down into the clearing, then carefully slid a glove off the sleeper’s hand. It pressed the now glowing object onto the exposed skin. When the person pulled it away, its design and shape burned on the burned on the slumbering person’s flesh, then faded into darkness (note: picture this as sort of like the Triforce symbol on the back of Link’s hand). Then the figure eased the glove back on and fled into the shadows . . .

He tried to shut out the voice that was floating through his dream, but it persisted, refusing to let him drift back into unconsciousness.

"A-sh." He put his hands over his ears, to no avail. The ghostly voice pierced right through them. "Ash!"

"WAH!! What?! What?!" He sat bolt upright in his dream. That had hurt! He looked around, but there was nothing to see, only wisps of cold gray mist, curling around his body, leaving beads of water on his sleeping bag. "Who’s there?"

Whoever, or whatever, it was ignored that question and barged on. "Listen to my words carefully, Ashton Ketchum, and heed them well. They might save your life."

"Don’t ask, Ash." The voice paused; it seemed to be collecting its thoughts. "Stay away."

"Huh?" Ash looked down; it didn’t look like he had moved. It also seemed like he had heard that voice before, somewhere . . .

"Stay away from that girl." The almost-familiar voice broke in on Ash’s thoughts, just when he had been about to place where he had heard it. "She’s not what she seems to be."

"Yes. She’s going to do you harm. She a—" This was when Ash finally figured out who was speaking.

"Misty, leave me alone!" he shouted angrily into the swirling fog. "You’re just jealous! Just LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Another pause, this one more like one born of shock, then she materialized from the mists, walking towards him. "I’m just trying to help you, Ash. She’s dangerous!" She looked at him, a pleading expression in her blue-green eyes.

"Yeah. She’s dangerous to you!" he yelled at her. "Why are you so jealous of the fact that I finally found someone, huh? Is it because you like me too?" He was screaming by now, but he didn’t notice, and even if he had, he wouldn’t have cared. "I’m in love with her, all right? And there’s nothing you can do about it! I’M IN LOVE!!" There. He had said it.

Misty reeled back, as if slapped. "No," she whispered. "You can’t. You mustn’t."

"Why not?" Ash demanded. "It’s not like she’s going to kill me or anything!" He was standing up by now, having blasted out of his sleeping bag who knows when. "You’re jealous, Misty. There’s all there is to it. Now leave me alone." When she just stood there gazing at him sadly, he shouted, "LEAVE ME ALONE!!" She turned and walked away into the mists, but as she did, Ash heard a faint laugh . . .

<That went even better than I expected! Killing two birds with one stone. She thought of Ash’s furious expression when she stepped into of the fog wearing Misty’s form and giggled maniacally. Reverse psychology. Works every time. Hopefully, that little incident would further distance Ash from Misty, and bring him closer to her. He had told "Misty" that he loved Ashli, and she had felt the truth in both that statement and in his mind. Silently, she thanked the mind adept who had taught her how to manipulate dreams.

She checked his friends. They were still sleeping. Not exactly a big surprise, since she had cast the most powerful sleep field over them that she could muster. It wouldn’t have been too great if they had woken up for some reason or another and seen Ash shouting things in his sleep. And indeed he was, tossing and turning, clenching his fists, sweat beading his forehead. She smiled; maybe she would let him wake up once or twice. Maybe.

That had been the most realistic dream he had had in a long time, and he didn’t like it. He could still feel the writhing mist wrap clammy fingers around his body . . .he shivered. Was there a meaning behind it?

Instinctively, he glanced over his friends. The fire had long since died down, but there was still enough light from the glowing embers to make out his companions. It was the middle of the night, so they were all still asleep, but Ash felt somewhat easier knowing they were there. Even Ashli’s presence helped. Especially Ashli’s presence . . .

Ash blushed, thankful that nobody was awake to see him, as he remembered what he had shouted out so fiercely in his dream. Sure, he liked Ashli; how could he not? They were practically identical, in almost every aspect! But the question was, was it love?

<Grr. . . Why did he pick right now, of all times, to grow a brain stem? She forcefully thrust out the "knowledge" that is was, shoving it into his mind. >

OF COURSE IT IS!! That one statement entered Ash’s thoughts so violently, it was almost painful. Waitasec . . .it was painful! Ash rubbed his temples, trying to get rid of the pounding headache that had suddenly appeared there, but instead of going away, it got worse, increasing in intensity, till it felt like an Onix was trying to Body Slam its way out of his skull. He moaned in agony, now grasping his head with both hands.

Huh? The fire in his temples had disappeared. Just like that. Something weird’s going on . . .

<Whoops. She reached out, washed a wave of reassurance and sleepiness over him, trying to still his suspicions. >

Ash yawned. It’s the middle of the night, and I’m wondering about headaches. He laughed drowsily. That’s it, I’ve finally gone crazy. Although Misty would say that I always WAS crazy . . . he winced at that thought, remembering the nightmare.

<Dammit. She drowned his mind in cobwebs, then placed a sleep field on him; he was getting too close for comfort. I can’t have him feeling sorry; I’m too close!

Ash was perfect for her plans but . . .there was another small twinge, a stirring she could feel, in the back of her mind. She studied the half-familiar feeling curiously, surprised to find it, or anything of the sort there. Dismissing it as nothing important, she turned over and went to sleep. >

He mumbled something incoherent, then pulled his sleeping bag up over his head. Beside him, Pikachu sighed, then turned over and went back to sleep.

"Brock, wake up!" Now he could feel somebody shaking him. Normally he would be up already, but today, he couldn’t dredge up the strength to move. So tired . . .

That got Brock’s attention. "What?" He sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Pikachu just snored on.

Misty pointed, a worried look on her face. Brock squinted in the sunlight. He could barely make out the crumpled forms of the two sleeping bags. "See?"

Misty looked over her shoulder. "Um, yeah." She turned to the almost-asleep Brock. "Why?"

"They’ll be back. Just give them time to themselves." he mumbled, burying his head underneath his pillow. He didn’t notice Misty’s dark glare.

<Okay, I need to do this gradually. She glanced at the brooding youth walking silently next to her. Otherwise, his friends will get suspicious . . ."Did you get enough sleep last night?">

"Huh?" Ash looked up, caught by surprise. "Um, I’m fine." Truth was, he was practically asleep on his feet. I guess it shows. "I woke up in the middle of the night—"

"—And you couldn’t get back to sleep, I know," she finished for him. "Happens to me all the time. You know why you woke up? I mean, was there a noise or something?"

"Uh . . ." Ash turned bright red. He couldn’t exactly tell her that he had a nightmare like a little kid.

Ash blushed even more. "Actually, it was a nightmare," he mumbled, ducking his head. "Just a very real one."

"But the funny thing is," Ash said softly, "I realized something during that period." He looked up, and if was physically possible, reddened even farther, but his eyes were bright and clear as they gazed upon Ashli’s. He took her hands.

<YES! She used her mind to bring a fake blush to her face. Even though it wasn’t really fake . . ."And what was that?" she whispered, enjoying the feel of his warm fingers lightly touching her own.

The twinge had flared into blazing life. It had been too long since she had felt this way. Far too long. >

<She drew in a deep breath, even though she had been expecting this. Finally. "I-I love you too," she murmured, just before their lips met. And it was true. That was what she had felt before. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered.

When Ash and Ashli walked back into camp, Brock woke up just in time to see Ash’s deliriously happy expression, before falling back asleep. But even unconsciously, he steeled himself from an angry outburst from Misty. Which she supplied.

"What do you think you were doing?!" she yelled, taking Ash by the shoulders and shaking him like a rag doll. "You had me worried to death! I—" Then she finally noticed Ash’s goofy expression for the first time. Her mouth dropped open as she looked from him, then to Ashli, then to him again. "Wha?"

He worked his jaw around, felt it pop. "Yeah, but that’s going to sting like crazy." He stared off after where she had run off. "I wonder what made her do that?"

"Probably just a mood." He noticed that while Ashli kept her tone even, there was fire in her eyes. Then the rage died down, replaced by confusion.

All of her goals, all of her plans had flown out of her head at that first kiss. Now she cursed herself for her stupidity. Well, it’s sort of like what you were aiming for . . . the cold, reasonable part of her mind whispered.

Shut up! she screamed at it. It’s not half of what I wanted. He needs to know the power! She mentally sneered at her current form. We can never be together like this, as these, these, these CREATURES!

She paused. That last suggestion actually hadn’t been too bad. With Brock and Pikachu still conked out from the sleep field she had placed on them and Misty off somewhere, there were no (conscious) witnesses around.

Maybe I will. With that last thought, she shook her head, returning to the real world—and saw Ash looking at her strangely. "What?">

"It’s just that you were staring. It was nothing major." Ash turned and sat on a log near the edge of the clearing, putting his head in his hands.

Ash sighed. How did she know him so well when they had only met a day ago? "Yeah, I am." He pulled a Pokéball off his belt and studied it thoughtfully. "I’ve been on the road for about six months now, and I’m only a little bit further along in my dream of becoming a Pokémon Master. And that’s what I’m afraid of." He clipped the ball back onto his belt, then leaned forward. "That it’s only going to be a dream."

<She smiled: he had given her the perfect opening. "I can help you realize that dream, Ash," she said softly, laying a hand on his knee, "but I can do more than that."

"Yes, Ash. Much more than being a Pokémon Master." Or so she thought, anyway. If you were gifted with the power, nothing else mattered. But she could sense the hesitation in his mind, the thought that nothing could be better than achieving his goal. "Do you want to know what it is?">

This sounds interesting. What have I got to lose? "Yeah." He watched a little uneasily as Ashli pulled out her cat’s eye amulet. She waved her hand over it, then pointed it at him. The slit pupil started to shine a bright silver, then shot out a thin beam of light, bathing his hand with a shimmering aura.

Abruptly, he staggered as a wave of dizziness washed over him. As he fell to the ground, barely able to hold his head up, he was dimly aware of a pulsing sensation coming from his right hand. Then the world turned black . . .