Hi peeps!
Woooooooooow… *hides under desk for embarrassment* I can't believe how long 
it took me to update! All I have to say is that I'm still not quite sure if 
I'm going to continue this fic or not. Please don't think that I'm putting 
up this 'If I don't get blablabla reviews, I won't continue' kind of limit, 
cuz personally I think that's kind of dumb. (no offense to anyone who does 
that)

But anywayz, enough babbling and lets get on with the story! I hope everyone 
enjoys it!

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				        THANK YOU

I would like 2 take this opportunity to thank one of my best friends in the 
whole wide WORLD for all the support she has given me and all the beautiful 
fanart she has made for my story. Paulina, I thank you from the bottom of my 
heart. You are the BEST!!! I hope you will enjoy this chapter!
Love, Gytha

AND of course not to forget all the beautiful lovely people who have 
reviewed or who have sent mails. Thank you all so much, this chapter is made 
for all of you!

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"The Power of Two"

Chapter 5	Gialu's Bride

***Last time…***

"Where's Misty?"

A sly smile appeared on the girl's face.
"You'll see her soon enough…" she voiced mysteriously.
"Huh?" both boys uttered in unison.
Maura snickered, gracefully accepting Brock's offered arm as they headed 
downstairs.

"You'll see…"

Ash frowned at the back of Maura's head.
~What does she mean with 'you'll see'? Dammit! I need to know! ~
He sighed, a hint of worry crossing his features.
~If I only knew where she was and if she's okay I'm content, but noooooooo, 
it just HAS to be some major feminine mystery! ~
Ash growled inwardly and then shook it off. From experience, he knew he 
couldn't extract any information from a woman if SHE didn't want it to…
From the corner of her eye, Maura noticed Ash's long frown and suppressed a 
giggle. She had already known he cherished feelings for his 'friend' Misty 
from their very first meeting, yet just how deep she wasn't certain. How 
deep…

"You seem pretty off tonight Maura"
Maura blinked as Brock's gentle voice broke her trail of thoughts. She 
smiled at him fondly as she looked up, squeezing his hand by way of an 
apology.
"I'm sorry Brock, I was just doing a little thinking…"

"You didn't seem to like your thoughts with that worried face you made"

Maura chuckled.
"Yeah, my maternal instincts just flare to life with those two stubborn 
kids"

Brock seemed to guess what was going on in her mind and grinned.

"Tell me about it, I've been traveling with them for eight years now, you 
have no idea how exhausting they can be!"

"You mean to say that they have always been like this?"

"O yeah… Even when they were kids they seemed to have a strong bond pulling 
them towards each other, whether they liked it or not. Sometimes I even 
think that they're…well, that maybe they're… you know…"

"Destined?"

"Yeah, destined…"

Maura mused about this statement for a while.
~Destined… Two young individuals pulled together by the arms of Fate, both 
denying the fact."
She glanced over at Ash who walked sulkily with his hands in the pockets of 
his long black coat.
~I bet he's the one who needs the most convincing…~ An evil smile adorned 
her lips.

~And convincing he will get~

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

The large room in the main building was, despite its size, over packed. 
Alongside the massive columns of mahogany and the thick bamboo walls people 
were jammed amongst each other in little, uncomfortable chairs with, however 
their circumstances, radiant expressions. Two muscly attendants dressed in 
ceremonial battle-robes of dark red and ocher politely showed late guests to 
some sparse empty seats, all the while keeping an eye out for any suspicious 
activities. It almost seemed that all of Gialu Island 's sparse population 
was gathered together for this special event, which was probably the exact 
case. For this occasion the large room looked at its best as it was today. 
From the ceiling there hung a dozen or more brightly colored lanterns, which 
threw occasional flicks of cheerful light over the present seated as a gust 
of wind swung them lightly. Through the giant columns of mahogany there 
shriveled heavy satin sashes, long white candles flickered in golden 
chandeliers and fresh sakura branches decorated the bamboo walls.
To Ash and Brock's amazement, there were four chairs reserved especially for 
them. As Maura slid calmly into hers, gesturing them to take a seat also, 
they silently questioned her with a puzzled gaze. "Oh, that's because I'm 
with the organization." she stated simply, the tone in her voice hinting for 
no further demands. Barely content, the boys sunk into their chairs. Maura 
caught Ash's gaze lingering over the empty chair next to him and grinned.
~It's a good thing I put that chair there and reserved it, or else he would 
get even more suspicious…~

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

"It's getting very interesting…"
A mouth with two rows of glistering white teeth divided into a smile as two 
sharp eyes belonging to the same owner surveyed the whole scenery in the 
silvery liquid of the Seeing Pool.
His radiant expression faded quickly though, when he suddenly noticed a 
commotion coming from the crowd as an unassuming side door opened.
"Not them again…"

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

A sudden hush abruptly fell over the gathered crowd as seven ancient looking 
women hobbled up the stage. All were wizened and bent from age, leaning 
heavily on sturdy wooden canes, their pale kimono's hanging loosely around 
their bodies where once they had fit just perfectly. The entire room bowed 
to this congregation as these women made their way onto a low stage to their 
throne-like seats.
Ash nudged Maura's side to get her attention:
"Who are these grandmothers?" he whispered a bit too loud. Next to him, 
Brock snorted and quickly had to cover his mouth to stifle a laugh. Maura 
frowned and hissed them to be quiet, which they promptly did when noticing 
the familiar dangerous flicker in her eyes.
"They are the priestesses of Prince Gialu" she whispered in a barely audible 
tone, "They are the ones who choose the righteous Bride, so show them a bit 
respect!"
Ash scowled as a child who has just been rebuked by his mother. "Well they 
*haven't* done the best job, have they? I mean, after all these years they 
still haven't found the right one!"
All around them, people were starting to hiss them to be quiet. Ash, who 
didn't liked to be told off *again* had it half in mind to start a 
discussion but glancing sideways once again shrunk under Maura's fierce 
gaze. He therefore contented himself with making faces and shaking his head 
disbelievingly when she wasn't looking. Maura, who effectively ignored his 
idiocy, focused her attention on the priestesses who were now comfortably 
seated. The eldest of them, wearing a frilly, blue kimono trimmed with 
silver thread suddenly straightened up. She seemed old beyond imagination 
but possessed a sharp and alert gaze, which she had probably acquired after 
decenniums of her profession as Gialu's priestess. In a voice far stronger 
than her frail looking body seemed capable of, she began to recite:

"In the depth of the sea Prince Gialu awaits his bride, the girl with the 
sea in her eyes.
Time will not head him, for it is invented by humans and thus has no value 
to him.
Will the day come that he finds this special maiden; he will drag her down 
to his undersea castle and marry her, with or without her approval.
With his Bride's special powers, Prince Gialu can awaken the Great Titans of 
the Sea and create disasters to this planet, which can cause complete 
destruction.
The only way to prevent these misfortunes lies within the hands of the 
beautiful maiden herself, for only she has the ability to do so.
But she can not do this alone; only reunited with her soulmate and one true 
love will she be able to defeat her evil husband before it is too late."

After those lines were completed, the crowd burst into an enthusiastic 
applause, some of them standing up. Ash and Brock looked at each other for a 
moment, then both shook their heads and joined the ovation, rewarded by an 
approved nod from Maura. She was relieved to notice that both boys were 
finally realizing that this was a very important tradition indeed and as 
such it should be treated with its well-deserved respect.
When the applause died down the eldest of the women clapped in her hand 
once, an unspoken sign for the lights to suddenly dim, leaving the complete 
room in semi-darkness. The two attendants, the glistering colors of the fire 
matching those of their robes, lightened four giant torches on each side of 
the vast, bamboo platform. After performing their duties, both of them took 
a stance near the podium, their sharp gazes still traveling restlessly over 
the large crowd. An exited buzz of voices now rose up and people were gazing 
at the podium expectantly, waiting impatiently for the ceremony to begin. 
The excitement seemed contagious, for Maura was almost molding Brock's hand 
in a shape which didn't really resemble its former appearance as she kept 
her eyes fixed on the long, heavy curtains concealing half of the podium.
Both Ash and Brock nearly jumped out of their skins when an eerie, mystical 
tune suddenly spawned from an unknown source, traveling over the many heads 
to reach the center of the room. A deep silence in palmed itself over the 
crowd.  For some reason, Ash found himself holding his breath when the heavy 
curtains divided themselves in two equal pieces of red velvet, revealing the 
podium and its long awaited, unknown occupants.

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

"Show time!"

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

On the vast, manmade podium stood fourteen cloaked, feminine figures, their 
faces hidden in the shadow of their caps. Their long, identical dark cloaks 
were made of a heavy fabric and prevented any kind of individuality, hiding 
all viewers from their identity. A complete silence imbedded itself over the 
room as the crowd fixed their eyes on the mysterious young women.
For a moment, they stood motionless.
Then, as the delicate waft of music swelled up they started to move, fluidly 
and graceful, their body's seemingly drifting on the slow rhythm. Thick 
smoke welled up from an unknown source and made their movements seem even 
more elegant and graceful, the bright firelight drawing sharp shadows around 
them.
The gathered crowd gasped and murmured in excitement as the mysterious 
beings performed their enchanting dance, the dark cloaks drifting around 
their slim feminine forms, the glistering firelight catching every hidden 
nuance of color beneath them. As the music continued playing, the beings 
continued dancing, until a gong suddenly rung through the room. The sound 
was loud and deep, sending shiver's up one's spine. The music abruptly faded 
and the performers each froze, kneeling on a vast position on the podium, 
their sharp, quick breaths clearly audible.
Another gong, then, silence.
One of the candidates suddenly rose elegantly, throwing of her cloak and 
revealing herself to the crowd. She had long, dark brown hair that was tied 
up in a bun and she wore a ceremonial kimono made of a heavy green fabric. 
In each of her hands glistered a forest-green colored sash trimmed with 
gold, her pretty face showing signs of beginning nervousness. Then, as the 
music played she started to dance, waving her sashes elegantly and whirling 
her slim body around and around. Everybody watched as the girl danced until 
reaching the throne like seats where Gialu's priestesses reigned. There she 
sunk into a deep bow of respect of several minutes, her face to the floor. 
Distracting themselves from the crowd, the two muscly attendants suddenly 
walked up the podium, carrying a basket filled with fresh flowers and 
decorated with ribbons of green silk.
The young woman rose to her feet, smiled and made a little bow of gratitude. 
The two men kneeled in response, handing her the basket.
Maura smiled and whispered to both Ash and Brock:

"It is a tradition for the candidates to throw fresh flowers of choice into 
the crowd. Each sort of flower represents something, for example the flower 
freesia signifies 'good health'. By throwing freesia into the crowd a 
candidate wishes for them to have a good health. It is their gift to us."

Ash nodded in understanding as he watched the young woman grabbing a handful 
of flowers from her basket and throwing it elegantly into the room. 
Everybody cheered and leaped from their seats to catch one. Both Ash and 
Brock blinked as Maura dived under her chair only to come up again holding a 
beautiful pink flower.
"Peony!" she stated happily, rubbing it into their noses " that signifies 
strength!"
Once her basket was emptied, the young woman bowed once to the gathered 
crowd and waved, walking back to the cloaked figures and bowed to them also, 
a sign for them to have good luck. The other candidates curtsied in return 
and the friendly first one now took her place on one of the fourteen 
cushions situated near the edge of the podium.
The gong rung again and now it was time for the second candidate, to be 
closely followed by the third, fourth and so on. When the twelfth young 
woman finished, Maura was already holding a big bouquet of sakura, peony, 
freesia, white plum and more.
The thirteenth candidate (hint hint) now strode forward and revealed 
herself. Murmurs of appreciation rose up from the crowd at the sight of the 
beautiful girl as she danced with practiced grace. She had silky black hair 
twisted up into an elegant knot and wore robes of a dark burgundy color, 
which matched her deep, ruby eyes.
Ash swallowed, his heart beating twice its normal rate.
Clarissa.
In spite of himself, he had to admit she looked beautiful tonight. He could 
hardly keep his eyes of her as she threw her share of flowers into the 
crowd, a bright smile on her inviting red lips.
"Red roses…" Maura mumbled next to him, while snatching one out of the air, 
"…beauty…"
Ash was relieved when Clarissa finished and sat down, her now being a bit 
more removed from his direct eyesight. He didn't like the way she messed 
with his head. The boy sighed and fixed his eyes on the last candidate still 
sitting in a kneeled position on the stage. He smiled, silently wondering 
how she would look like.
The gong rung.
In the deep silence that followed, Ash could hear the girl's soft breathing 
as she slowly rose, her slender hand rising to throw of her cloak. He 
blinked when a sudden sense of familiarity hit him. ~Wait a second… ~
Next to him, Maura was griping on Brock's hand as if for dear life. She had 
her fingers crossed and a bright smile was on her lips as she gazed at the 
last candidate impatiently.
The young woman's hand lingered briefly as her grip around the cap of her 
cloak tightened, her breathing and the occasional swish of her robes the 
only sound left in the room.
Ash now focused his entire attention on her face hidden in the shadows, 
trying to catch just one glance of her features. When the girl raised her 
head to throw of her cap, a sudden spark of firelight caught the glister of 
her eyes.
Ash's eyes widened and he sucked in a sharp breath.
Those eyes. He could have recognized them between a million.
And when the girl threw of her cloak, he already knew who she was.

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

Clarissa fumed as she mentally screamed vicious curses at the young woman 
now standing on the podium. What the hell was she doing here? This was 
supposed to be *her* night of glory! By all means, this girl had got to go! 
Permanently.

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

Standing alone in the center of the attention was a beautiful and nervous 
Misty Waterflower. She wore a traditional kimono of a shining silk that fell 
of her shoulders, closed in tightly around her waist and then fell in soft 
folds to the floor. It was made of a lithe, blue and white silk and had 
flower and leaf patterns that were imbedded in that remained invisible to 
the eye until the light hit them at just the right angle. Fresh jasmine 
flowers were pinned in her silky red hair that was twisted up in a 
complicated and elegant style. A silk blue sash of a darker hue than her 
dress was tied around the girl's waist delicately, accentuating her slim 
form. Around her elegant neck there shimmered a simple silver chain with 
hanging from it a blue charm, which one could easily recognize as a minimum 
sized pokéball.
Ash stared at his longtime friend with eyes the size of saucers as if seeing 
her for the first time. He couldn't believe that this beautiful, mysterious 
woman was the old tomboy he had traveled with for so many years. She was 
simply breath taking. A dancing angel.

"So? What do you think?"

The boy startled and looked up to gaze right into Maura's questioning face.
"What do you think?" she repeated impatiently.

What did he think?

"She…she looks kind of pretty. Rating from her scale, I guess."

Barely content, the older teen girl sunk back in her chair. Guys and their 
damn pride. Oh well, half of the mission was accomplished… successfully. She 
could tell by the way Ash looked at Misty that he thought she was more than 
'kind of pretty'. Heck, Maura didn't even want to know *what* he was 
thinking… She grinned and then looked up to see Misty sink into a low bow in 
front of the priestesses.

A long silence followed as the priestesses scrutinized the girl kneeling 
before them. Ash could clearly hear his friend's quick, nervous breaths as 
she kept her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor near the edge of the stage.

"Your name?" one of the priestess suddenly required.

Misty lifted her head, her blue-eyed gaze meeting the sharp ones of the aged 
women before her.

"Misty Waterflower, honorable priestess" she answered in a clear voice.

"Do you live here?"

"No, honorable priestess. I'm from the Cerulean City Gym in Kanto."

Another pondering silence. The seven priestesses stared at each other in 
wonder an uncertainty. They whispered among themselves, trying to decide on 
a proper course of action. The Eldest of the priestesses regarded the 
kneeling teen girl in front of them thoughtfully. She looked right back at 
them, the firelight making her wide, innocent eyes sparkle.
Who was this girl? They knew her name, yet couldn't make anything out of it. 
She was an outsider with no right to taking part in their sacred traditions. 
But there was just something about her. Something that gleamed into her 
bright, aquamarine eyes that terrified the priestess Elder. She knew not 
what it was, but a faint voice in the back of the priestess' head told her 
it was power. Pure, unlocked power hovering in those endless blue pools that 
were her eyes, radiating around her slim form. Could she really…
But the Eldest of the priestesses quickly dismissed those thoughts.
No.
On that path we gave up long ago.

"You may be seated."

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

Maura, Ash and Brock held their breath as they gazed at the podium. The 
priestesses had finally come to a conclusion and now the time had come to 
choose this years' Bride. In the semi darkness Ash could easily spot 
Clarissa's face relaxing into a self-confident grin. His brow darkened. ~ Oh 
no you won't … If there is somebody who doesn't deserve this it's YOU ~

" This years' Bride will be… candidate number thirteen, Miss Clarissa von 
Eden."

Applause rung through the building as the crown cheered on their new Bride. 
Maura had to slap Ash and Brock to make them show a bit respect too, 
although her own hands were clapping in a very slow sort of way and her face 
was grim.

Outside the sky grew dark.

With a brilliant smile on her face, Clarissa stepped forward to acknowledge 
her title and bow to the priestesses to show her gratitude. The two 
attendants brought forward a glistering tiara of pure diamonds and silver 
situated on a satin cushion and offered it to the priestesses. The crowd 
cheered harder as the Eldest of the priestesses gently pressed it on the 
chosen one's head, a smile on her usually stern face.

Through the loud ovation the light sound of rain softly patting on the 
mansion's roof went lost.

" In the depths of the sea…"

Ash stared disbelievingly at the figure standing proudly in the middle of 
the attention. She didn't look like neither a queen, nor a winner or even 
attractive. All he saw now was a stuck-up teenage girl with a stupid crown 
on her head. This couldn't be happening. Misty made a far better Bride. 
Clarissa didn't deserve this.

" …Prince Gialu awaits his bride…"

Maura bowed her head. She felt guilty for dragging Misty into this mess. But 
she had been so sure that the redheaded girl would win, it almost seemed to 
be fated. This was all her fault.
If only she had ignored her instincts… A movement suddenly caught the 
teenage girl's eye and she started, looking outside.

Rain was pouring down excessively.

"Time does not heed him, for it is invented by humans and thus has no value 
to him…"

Misty was oblivious to what gone on around her. Her whole body felt strange, 
as if it didn't belong to her anymore. But she could feel a huge storm 
roaring up in her mind, as if she could feel something was coming.

" Only reunited with her soulmate and one true love will she be able to 
defeat her evil husband before it is too late -…"

CRASH!

The sudden sound of roaring thunder made everybody jump. The heavy mahogany 
doors bolted open by a strong blast of wind and to everyone's amazement a 
giant flood of seawater suddenly gushed into the room to even reach the 
podium. Another rolling thunder made its deafening way across the seated and 
a new flood unceremoniously followed, soaking many a shoe and dress. Another 
deafening crash and people screamed in panic, but this time their horror was 
doubled by the sight of sudden fast tongues of hot fire making it's way 
across the wooden roof and thick smoke filling the room. Chaos was rapidly 
arousing amongst the crowd and people were struggling to get out, causing 
others to fall or loose a loved one. Brock and Ash exchanged a quick glance.
"We're getting out of here!" the older teenage boy yelled as he grabbed 
Maura's hand.
"No, hey! Let me go, what about Misty?" Maura complained, throwing a worried 
glance over at the podium.
"Ash will take care of her, now come on!"
"But-…"
Maura was cut of as her boyfriend scooped her up in his arms, leaving her no 
choice but to hold on to him as he started to make his way out.
Meanwhile, Ash had reached his friend on the podium.
"Misty, quick! We must get out of here!" he yelled at her.
She nodded, but concernedly turned around to the other girls on the podium 
who all looked scared and confused.
"But what about them?"
"Misty damn it! They have legs! And a brain! Now lets go!!!"
Misty had no time to react because Ash quickly grasped her by her upper arm 
and dragged her of the podium into the mass of people. Occasionally she had 
to trip over the hem of her own kimono for Ash was pulling her along faster 
than her feet could run.

The situation had by then really taken a dangerous toll. People bumped into 
them from every direction and many a time they had to jump out of the way 
for falling debris. When finally making it past the main door they both 
choked for fresh air, for the thick smoke had been terrible. Regaining 
herself, Misty looked up to see Ash still coughing violently. She quickly 
walked over to him and laid an arm around his shoulder as she gently patted 
his back.

"Are you okay?" she asked concernedly.

"Ash! Misty!"

Brock and Maura came running to greet them, relief written all over their 
faces. Misty sucked in a shaky breath, her eyes darting from her friends to 
the chaos around her. All around them people were still streaming out of the 
burning mansion. Several screamed as the left part of the roof suddenly gave 
way and collapsed into a heap of smoldering rocks and dust. The fire that 
had already spread to the center of the mansion coughed out clouds of thick 
smoke.

" We have to do something guys!" Misty yelled over the deafening thunder

They all nodded in unison.

"Maura and Ash, you guys take care of the people in and out of the building. 
Brock and I will try and stop the fire with our pokémons, all right?"

"Right!"

While Ash and Maura ran of Misty and Brock both took a stance near the 
building.

"Geodude, Onix!" Brock yelled as he threw two pokéballs in the air, "Come on 
out, we've got to help!"

Immediately they appeared, as they had never failed him before.

"Staryu, I choose you!" Misty commanded, calling out her faithful 
waterpokémon.

The familiar star shaped creature appeared, it's center-like jewel shining 
bright. It didn't wait, but immediately sprouted a steady jet of water into 
the core of the fire while Onix and Geodude removed heavy debris.

But their combined forces weren't enough. The fire still roared, the 
temperature of its surroundings becoming unbearable.

"Misty! We need more water!" Brock shouted as the blazing wind tugged at 
him.

Misty's hair was coming out of its elegant bun now and her dress showed 
several burns. But her eyes sparkled in a determined way.

"Staryu can take it Brock!"

"No he can't! You need to use Dewgong Misty!"

Misty's hand shot up to the minimum sized pokébal around her neck, fingering 
it nervously. She had only once let Dewgong out of his pokébal to thank him. 
She wasn't sure whether she could handle such a mysterious pokémon in such a 
situation.

""Misty!"

Her eyes big with uncertainty she looked at him. She couldn't. She just 
wasn't up for it yet.

"I…I can't Brock."

"Misty, do you want to help out or not?!"

Misty took a deep breath and closed her eyes. All around her was chaos and 
destruction and she had to help. With a shivering hand she unfastened the 
unusual blue pokéball from her necklace. With a steady voice she shouted out 
Dewgong's name as she threw it in the air.

"Dewgong, I need your help!"

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To cliff or not to cliff...that is the question... ^_^  I hope all of you 
liked it!!! Oh, and I would just like 2 say that I don't think I'll be 
updating anywhere soon ( again) cuz of I'm going to have to give 100% on 
school since my grades are kind of dropping... ugh.
Lots of love and all my best wishes,
Angel Kitten

P.S. if you have any questions or comments, leave a review in my review box 
or mail me at angelkitten63@hotmail.com