Author’s Note: No, I don’t own Pokemon... How DID you guess, Sherlock... I don’t own ‘If I Could Change the World’ either. Did you REALLY think I was Billy Joel?

And about this guy: He is not just a one-time character.

Yes, I will make it AAMRN eventually...IF...

If I do not get any stupid reviews saying only “MAKE IT AAMRN!!” I will make it AAMRN. Too many of those, and I will make it Egoshipping to torture you. (No offense!! I know you can be touchy!!) I am not talking about mature reviews saying, “Wow, this is good/bad/okay, I just would really like to see it AAMRN.” If I am forced to not make it AAMRN, then I’ll find the mature readers’ e-mail addresses and send the AAMRN ending to them. This comes more into play in the next chapters; nothing has happened at the moment. This is just a warning, so you can not complain. Thank you; On with the fic!

Prologue: Brock’s Karaoke

“Good evening everybody and welcome to the annual Viridian City Ball!!” said the announcer in an over-excited voice. “I hope you all have fun tonight, but you won’t for the moment--It’s karaoke time!” The audience looked at him oddly. “Eh heh...” he said sweatdropping. “Anyway, first up in our karaoke is Brock--”

“Whaaaaa?!” said Ash and Misty in the audience.

“--singing that old Billy Joel hit, ‘If I Could Change the World’. Take it away, Brock!” The announcer stepped off the stage as Brock came on, nervously smoothing his hair. The beginning strains of the song came out of the speakers, and Brock focused his attention on the Viridian City Joy, who was wearing a spaghetti-strap dark green dress. Ash, prepared for an off-key, corny-sounding rendition, was stunned when Brock actually sounded good--Quite good.

A man with long, dark brown hair came up to them suavely. “Hello, madam. Could I trouble you for a dance?”

To Ash’s utter surprise, Misty blushed. “Sure!”

They walked to the dance floor, Misty’s sky-blue dress shimmering under the lights.

As Ash watched, Brock came to the chorus of the song, Nurse Joy watching him intently.

“If I could cha-aa-ange the world,

I would be the sunlight in your universe,

You would think my love was really something good,

Baby, if I could,

Cha-a-a-ange, the world.”

Nurse Joy was staring at Brock, starry-eyed. Huh, thought Ash. Maybe this time Brock’ll actually get a date with her.

He looked at Misty, whose orange hair spilled softly out behind her, only checked at the top by a blue bow; Misty, dancing some dance he didn’t know the name of, looking for all the world like she was falling in love.

He stood there, lost in thought, until the end of the song.

A minute later, Brock came up to him. “Hey Ash! Joy, you remember Ash, right?”

She chuckled. “How could I forget?”

Brock continued. “Anyway, Joy and I are going out to that new Italian restaurant tomorrow night. So don’t make any plans to leave without me!”

“Aw, come on, Brock, you know I have to get back to Indigo Plateau tomorrow...” Ash said. “How about you take an off day? You can get back to Pewter the day after tomorrow. Is that okay?”

“I guess so,” said Brock. “Come on, Ash, why don’t you have some fun? It is a party, you know. Why don’t you dance with someone? Misty, maybe?” Brock said, hinting pointedly.

“She already is,” Ash said, pointing to Misty and the other guy, still dancing.

“...Oh,” said Brock, surprised. “Well, then...” He was at a loss for words.

“You know, Brock, I think I’ll turn in. See you later.”

“Um...Bye Ash...” Brock was at a loss for words as he watched his best friend leave.

The DJ started playing a song, as there were no more karaoke contestants to be found.

“Let’s dance,” said Joy.

Brock grinned happily. “Whatever you say.”

Back at the Pokemon center, Ash sighed as he got into bed.

He rolled over and fell asleep, not noticing the gas coming in through the window...