A/N: Hey again ^^ I once again want to thank you all over have reviewed my story. You rule! I'm not going to babble on this time, so on with the fic! Please R&R!

PG-13

"Rudy?!"

"Hmm?" Rudy looked straight at him and Ash gulped.

"Nice one," Jeff whispered and both of them froze as Rudy approached them.

'Ohh no...' Ash thought.

'Ohh, that was SO smart Trashley Ashley!'

'Not now brain, I'm busy!'

Rudy came over to the two 'girls' and looked them over. He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do I know you ladies?"

'Well here goes,' Ash thought and cleared his throat. "Ehh, no. We're only stopping off to see some friends," he said in a girly voice, the best he could muster, and he wasn't half bad at it.

Jeff looked over at Ash and blinked in surprise. 'Ohh God, we're done for! He'll never pull this off!'

"Meet some friends huh? Who may I ask?" Rudy enquired.

"Tiffany and Jasmine," Ash said, saying the names of the only two girls he knew there. 'Please work, please work!'

"Ahh. Well that's nice to know." Rudy turned around and looked at the two girls. "I didn't know you two had two friends in common, or even liked each other for that matter." Rudy grinned. It was a known fact that Tiffany and Jasmine hated each other's guts.

The two girls looked at one another then Jasmine spoke up. "Yeah, well, we knew these two when we were younger. I was in their class for a year once in Blackthorn Pokémon School," she told Rudy and Tiffany nodded.

"What class?" Rudy asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Home economics," Tiffany piped in. she crossed her fingers behind her back.

"Ohh, cooking and stuff. That's a handy class to be in. But then again, I wouldn't need it because I'm the best cook around." Rudy turned back around to face Ash and Jeff, who inwardly gulped. "And what might your names be girls?"

"I'm Ashley," Ash said.

"Lovely, and yours?" Rudy asked, looking at Jeff.

Ash looked over at Jeff. Jeff had a deeper voice than Ash so there would be no way he could pull off having a girl's voice. 'Think, Ketchum, think! Got it!'

"Her name is Jerry. She's mute."

"Mute? Can't talk? That's a shame. I'm sure a beauty like yourself would have a voice like an angel." Rudy stroked Jeff's cheek.

Jeff's eyes widened and he took a step back. 'AH! HE'S TOUCHING ME! AND FLIRTING!'

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Rudy teased and got closer to Jeff again. Ash watched hopelessly and cringed as Rudy wrapped his arms around Jeff's waist and pulled him close.

"You've wonderful eyes, Jerry," he said softly and ran his hand down Jeff's face again.

Jeff tried to pull back, but Rudy had him against the wall. 'CRAP!'

Rudy pulled the cover over Jeff's face up a little, so his mouth was showing. He touched Jeff's lips lightly with his fingers, his eyes locking with Jeff's. He dropped his hand to Jeff's waist again and then pressed his lips against his, closing his eyes and slightly tilting his head.

Behind them, Ash gagged and the other girls suppressed their laughter.

Jeff on the other hand, found none of this funny. His eyes widened as he felt Rudy's tongue slip past his lips and into his mouth. That was it. He pushed Rudy away and turned his head to the side, trying not to get sick.

Rudy grinned. "Shy one? Well, you're still a good kisser. What about you Ashley?" he asked, turning to look at Ash.

'NO WAY!' Ash thought and shook his head lightly. "I've got a cold sore. Wouldn't want you to catch it," he lied.

"Shame. Ahh well, I'll get you some other time when that has cleared up. You can count on that."

"Wonderful. I can't wait." 'Over my dead body!'

Rudy looked back and winked at 'Jerry'. "Later sweetheart." He walked away, slapping Ash on the butt as he passed before exiting the room and closing the door.

Jeff was silent for a few seconds then exploded. "AHH! I'M GONNA BE SICK! YOU OWE ME BIG TIME FOR THAT!" Jeff yelled at Ash, angrily pulling the cloth off from around his face and using it to wipe his mouth.

"It was just a kiss," Ash said, trying not to laugh. He took off the cloth around his face and dropped it on a dressing table.

"JUST A KISS!? DUDE! HE FRENCHED ME, KETCHUM! AHH! I'M SCARRED FOR LIFE!"

"Frenched?" Okay, Ash didn't know that had happened. How could you? Rudy's big head was blocking the view. "Ehh, I'm so sorry for that." Ash wasn't going to say that his behind was stinging. 'Ow! He slapped hard!' When nobody was looking, he rubbed his backside and grumbled, "I'll get you for that Rudy."

* * *

Gary and Brock wandered through some dark alleys in search of clues. Gary groaned in annoyance as Brock continued babbling about the girls they'd seen.

"Ohh, there was Debbie, Alice, Maura, Carol, Jenny, Joyce, Gil-"

"Shut it Brock! I've heard enough of those girls," Gary snapped. He was about to yell at Brock again when a pokéball on his belt started to shake. "Huh?" He unclipped it and enlarged it. He let the pokémon out.

When the flash of light faded, an Espeon stood there and looked up at her trainer.

"What's wrong Esp?" Gary asked.

"When'd you get an Espeon?"

"Shut up."

The Espeon sniffed the air and tilted her head. "Esp, espeon esp," she said and took off down the alley.

"What's going on?" Brock called to Gary, who was following right behind his pokémon.

"She knows something we don't, so come on!"

* * *

Once Jeff had calmed down over the 'Frenching', himself and Ash went to change back into their own clothes behind a screen.

On the other side, Jasmine looked at their silhouettes on the screen. She bit her bottom lip at their outlines; so fit and athletic, not an ounce of fat. One thought that crossed her mind was, 'Shame we didn't make them change their boxers too'.

Ash tied his belt as Jeff tied his cloth cap around his head. Ash looked at him and smiled. "Look, I'm sorry that happened. I didn't mean for Rudy to kiss you."

"I know that man! But I'm still going to have nightmares about that for weeks!" Jeff shivered as the memory of Rudy's tongue touching his flooded back. He held back on getting sick and looked at Ash. "Tell anyone about that and you're a dead dude. Got that?"

"No problem. Come on so. Let's go find Misty and get out of here before your boyfriend comes back," Ash teased and walked around the screen.

"I'm warning you Ketchum!" Jeff growled and followed him. He stopped and looked at the girls, who all were looking in their direction. "Ehh, what's up with them?"

Ash looked at them then back at the screen. Jeff did likewise and got the idea. He grinned.

"Liked what you saw girls?" His grin widened as some of them nodded. "Well we're here all week!"

"Jeff!"

"What? Can't a guy have a little fun?" Jeff looked over at Tiffany and blushed a little as she smiled at him and shook her head.

"Well come on." Ash was tired of hanging around. He grabbed Jeff's arm and started to drag him towards the door.

A girl with long blond hair stopped Ash and ran a finger down his chest. "Aww, don't leave us so soon. We could make your dreams come true."

"Back off Sandra. He's Misty's." Tiffany rolled her eyes. "Weren't you listening when I told Jasmine?"

"Ohh fine then. What about this guy?" Sandra smiled at Jeff.

"He's taken."

"By who?"

"Aren't you supposed to be on stage?" Tiffany scowled at the blond.

"Ohh my gosh you're right! I've only a few minutes to get ready! Later boys." Sandra winked at them and hurried off.

"Hurry now, before anyone else tries it on you. Misty might still be around here so I'll help you look for her." Tiffany followed them out the door and closed it behind her.

"Ehh, Tiffany? Who did you mean I was taken by?" Jeff asked, turning to the scantly clad tiger girl.

She blushed and looked at the ground. "Well, I was hoping you would like to go out with... me? I mean if you don't I totally understand." She shuffled from one high-heeled-shoed foot to the other and looked at him from under long lashes.

Jeff blushed and smiled, taking her hands in his. "I'd love to go out with you." He lightly tilted her head to face his and he pressed his lips against hers.

'Man. They're as bad as you with the blushing Trashachu.'

Ash smiled and rolled his eyes. He looked down the hallway and his eyes widened. There she was, going around the corner. He wouldn't mistake that fiery red hair with anyone. "Misty!" He broke off into a run to catch up with her, but it was a very long hallway.

Jeff and Tiffany broke their kiss, to their dismay, and followed pursuit, but slower thanks to Tiffany's heels.

Ash skidded to a stop as a man rounded the corner. He narrowed his eyes and clenched one hand in a fist. Jeff stooped behind him and groaned.

"I was wondering when you were going to show yourself, Ketchum," Rudy said and smirked. "And what's this? Running away with one of our girls I see." He looked at Tiffany, who backed off and hid behind Jeff. "I take it from the lipstick on your lips that you're a straight man. Shame, as I rather liked Jerry."

"What?! You mean you knew it was us?" Jeff growled.

"But of course. The name 'Ashley' was a dead give away. Plus, I could smell the aftershave as soon as I stepped into the room, as well as I saw you in the main room," Rudy told them and laughed.

"So, you knew I was a guy?" Jeff asked, his face falling as Rudy nodded. "But you kissed me!"

"And a fine kiss that was. Come here and I'll give you another." Rudy winked at Jeff and grinned as the guy stepped back.

"But I thought you liked girls," Ash spoke up. He was starting to get really confused.

Rudy sighed and rolled his eyes. "Typical little fool. You don't have a clue of anything do you? Ever heard of a Bisexual? You know, people that like both genders?"

"I know what a bisexual is, Rudy. I'm not that stupid," Ash growled, clenching his fists tighter, his knuckles now white.

"Could have fooled me. But I must say that I do swing more to the male side. If you weren't so stupid, Ketchum, I'd try you too." Rudy laughed again, but stopped suddenly. His expression darkened and he scowled at the trio in the hallway. "Alright, fun and games are over. You took Misty from me back then Ketchum, and now you'll pay."

"Ohh yeah? We'll see about that. I beat you all those years ago, and I can do it again!" Ash went to pull out a pokéball but felt someone hold his wrist. He looked back at Jeff, confused. "Jeff?"

"Hey man, I've a score to settle with the guy so you go on ahead and find your girlfriend."

"But -"

"No 'but's. I'm staying, you're going." He gave Ash a thumbs-up and smiled. "I can take care of myself." Jeff pulled a pokéball from his belt and enlarged it.

Ash smiled and nodded. "Thank you." Ash glared at Rudy once more then ran past him.

"No!" Rudy yelled and was about to go after him when the sound of a pokémon being released from a pokéball got his attention. He turned back to Jeff and smiled. "Feisty one aren't you?"

* * *

Ash pushed open the 'Exit' door and went out into the alley. It was the only door down the direction Misty had gone so she must have gone through it. He looked around but it was dark and visibility was poor. 'Pikachu.' He was about to let his pokémon out when he heard somebody grumbling. 'That's Misty's voice.'

Ash went towards the voice and smiled when he saw Misty sitting on a garbage can. It looked like she was fixing her shoe. 'To sneak or not to sneak?' Ash thought. 'She's only got a handbag so she couldn't do much harm.' He grinned and snuck up behind her, tapping her on the shoulder and saying, "Hey Misty!"

"GAH!" Misty screamed and swung her handbag around. It connected with Ash's face with much more force than he thought it would and he yelled, stumbling back and holding his nose. Misty gasped when she saw who it was. "Ash?! What are you doing here?"

"Well hello to you too. What the heck have you got in there? Bricks?"

"Well actually the bag's lined with lead," Misty told him and grinned. "Serves you right for sneaking up on my like that."

"Lead?!" He looked at the small bag again. The perfect little weapon. Shaking his head, he straightened up and smiled at her.

"I'm glad I found you Misty. Please, can we talk?"

"Ash, I don't think you should -"

"Please?" he interrupted her and looked pleadingly into her eyes.

Misty gazed into his deep brown eyes and couldn't resist. She sighed then nodded. "Alright." They sat down on the steps of a fire escape, side by side, and sat in silence for a while. Then Ash spoke up.

"I really missed you Misty. I-I wish that we didn't have to split up like we did those few years ago. Maybe then I could have protected you and stopped all of this from happening!" He clenched his hands in tight fists and stared at them.

Misty looked sadly at him and placed a hand on his. "Ash, it wasn't your fault. It was... a family thing. There was nothing you nor I could have done to prevent this. Please believe me."

"Misty, I do believe your word, but I don't believe that there was nothing I could have done! If not then, then now! Is it Rudy? Is he the reason you're stuck here?" He turned to face her, taking both her hands in his. "Is it?"

Misty's heart raced. "Ash I-I can't tell you! Please, you being here is putting both our lives in danger. You must leave now, leave me and just forget about me!" Tears brimmed in her eyes. If Rudy found Ash here, he'd kill him for sure.

Ash didn't reply. He was lost in her beautiful orbs of aqua marine. Slowly they drew closer, and closer, until their noses were touching and each could feel the other's warm breath on their faces, sending tingling sensations down their spines. Closer still, neither not once taking their eyes away from the other pair, each lost in their deep pools of colour. Slowly their eyes closed and their lips met. They tasted their lips, lightly touching at first, then pressing harder as their passion grew. Years of withheld love poured free in that kiss, all feelings shown in that one act.

This bliss was only broken for the need of air. Resting their foreheads against one another, they smiled.

"I love you, Misty," Ash whispered, holding her hand tight.

"And I love you, Ash," Misty replied, feeling happier than she had in years.

"Well isn't this lovely?"

The two lovers broke apart and looked into the shadows at a tall figure. Ash narrowed his eyes and stood protectively in front of Misty. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"Now, now. Don't be so rude to your girlfriend's father." Payne stepped forward and pale light shone on his smirking face.

"Father?" Ash looked back to Misty, who stood up and looked angrily at Payne.

"He's not my real father. He's a murderer! He killed my mother and father when I was just a child and then forced my sisters and I to work in his exotic dancers business!" Misty felt braver than ever, now with Ash by her side.

"He did what?!"

"How dare you speak about me like that young lady!" Payne growled, but grinning all the while. "You'll need to be punished." He reached into his pocket and was about to pull something out when Rudy burst through the door.

"NO!" he screamed and stopped in front of Payne. "Ketchum is mine!" He was covered in bruises and his left eye was swollen.

"Very well." Payne removed his hand from his pocket and stepped back.

Rudy spun around and faced them, an evil glint in his eye as he chuckled insanely. "You're mine, all mine!" In a flash, he'd pulled out his gun and aimed it at Ash. "You die now!" he yelled and pulled the trigger.

"No!" Misty screamed as Ash fell backwards onto her. "Ash!"

Ash clutched his chest in pain, blood flowing out between his fingers. Payne smirked, enjoying watching Ash's pain and the pain he could see in Misty's eyes.

"No," Misty sobbed and held Ash tight. "No, you can't leave me now."

Rudy laughed and held his gun high in the air. "Yes! I've done it! I've finally killed Ash Ketchum!"

"Not... yet..." Ash gasped through grinding teeth.

"Ohh really? A mistake I mean to correct, right now!" Rudy pointed the gun at him again and grinned.

"Ohh no you don't! Dragonite!"

A Dragonite roared and rammed into Rudy, sending him crashing against a wall. Payne backed away. Dragonite landed and Jeff came running out to Ash.

"Ash-man! You holding up?" He knelt beside him.

"Jeff?" Misty asked, and blinked. "Y-you have a Dragonite?"

"Sure, how do you think I'd be the Pokémon Master without one?" Jeff said and winked at her.

"You're a Pokémon Master?!" Ash gasped, staring at Jeff.

"You bet, but we can talk later." Jeff narrowed his eyes and stood up. Rudy had let out his Electabuzz and Starmie and was getting ready to attack.

"Starmie, Blizzard attack! Electabuzz, Thunder!" His pokémon charged up and fired their attacks in unison at Dragonite.

"I don't think so. Dragonite! Hyper beam!" Jeff called out.

Dragonite growled and opened its muzzle. It fired a powerful Hyper beam forward and it tore through the other attacks. There was a huge explosion in the alley and one of the walls of a nearby building collapsed into the alley. All that was left was a mound of rubble where everyone once stood.

Brock, Gary and Espeon got to the alleyway just as it exploded. "Ohh crud. Quick! Someone get help!"

* * *

A week later...

Ash opened his eyes and looked towards the hospital door and smiled as his friends came in. "Hey guys."

"Hey Ash. Look who we brought along." Brock opened his back and a little yellow head popped out.

"Pikachu!"

"Pikapi!" The Pikachu scampered over to the bed and leapt into Ash's waiting arms.

"I missed you buddy!" Ash hugged Pikachu tightly.

"How are you feeling?" Richie asked and sat backwards on a chair.

"Better. Doctor said that I could leave soon."

"And then we're going back to Pallet for a while," Misty said, sitting on the bed beside Ash, holding his hand.

"Ohh, I wonder what they'll be getting up to, eh?" Gary said and nudged Tracey.

Tracey laughed. "Nurse and patient perhaps?"

Ash blushed and laughed. "Ohh shut up! Say, where's Jeff?"

"He's at the Indigo Plateau taking on challengers and going out with Tiffany. I still can't believe that he's the Pokémon Master!" Brock shook his head in disbelief.

"Well, better believe it. I'm going to beat him someday!" Ash said and punched the air. "Ohh yeah!" His smile then fell a little as he turned to a more serious topic. "Any news on you-know-who?"

"Payne is on trial in two weeks and there's been no sign of Rudy. The police searched the rubble and found nothing, not even a sign of his pokémon. It would be a miracle is he survived that," Gary said.

Ash narrowed his eyes and looked down at the bed sheets. "He'll be back, I know it."

"Alright, enough of this! Mr. Ketchum here needs his sleep. Out ya all get," Misty ordered.

"But Mist! They just got here!"

"Look what you've landed yourself into now," Brock teased and laughed.

"What was that, Brocko?" Misty growled.

"Ohh, nothing."

Ash laughed and looked around the room at his friends. 'Just like old times.'

Ahh! The end is near! Actually, it's here now ^^ There will be an Epilogue up ASAP to round everything off but overall we're done! WHAA! *cries* I'm gonna miss doing this fic, but everything comes to an end.
Please review! And thanks you all of you who reviewed past chapters! See you in the epilogue!

~Ashla~
E-mail: pokemonbundle@hotmail.com