Well, let’s work on this!
Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon. Nintendo does, so does Shogakukan comics and a host of other pokemon companies. All I have is my fanfic, written by me, which happens to be non-profit and doesn’t infringe on their copyright. There. I said it.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks.

Timeline: 3 months later

Romance: Gymshipping (Misty x Brock), may be Championshipping later

Chapter 4: Ripples of a calm

“Growlithe! Hyper Beam!”

Jerome nearly wet his pants in shock as his Gyarados collapsed. “NOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Pay up.” Ash said without preamble.

“How?!”

“Well, Hyper Beam is one of the moves Growlithe can learn.” Ash said pleasantly. “Nice battling you.”

He took the cash and then hugged the puppy. Growlithe licked his face in return. Wasn’t it a good partnership?

He took good care of the pokemon and they would fight for him.

Care… it counts for a lot in the long run.

“Nice!” Misty said somewhat enthusiastically. She cast a glance at Brock, who was buying ice creams for both of them.

Sure, he wasn’t exactly her ideal male, but… at least he cared.

Misty grinned. Yes, he cared! It was so hard to find someone who could look past her less-than-perfect outside appearance.

But, she took it in stride. At least Brock was real. And he really seemed to care. He had even taken her out for fluffy whipped tarts and crepes again, on her fourteenth birthday. And really, she could grow up. She would be prettier than all her sisters when the time was right.

He promised to wait, and until then, he did take good care of her.

Brock did not even bat an eyelash as a busty redheaded model in skintight leather strolled by.

He knew by now that looks were superfluous, and that what lay inside really mattered. Sure, Misty was far from perfect, but…

She cared.

She really did, she just didn’t show it. At least not to Ash…

Still, the boy was just a kid, what would he know of these heart affairs?

Not enough. It had taken many years of error for Brock to realize that chasing was just that. A game.

Dating was a game, too, and if you weren’t careful you lost. It always hurt to lose. Still, no use moping about the past.

He had his family to think of.

His dad was back, but… he still worried about them. Soon, they should leave Ash and go back to Pewter.

Misty’s sisters certainly wouldn’t care…

Well, and why not?

Misty might not exactly be a ravishing beauty, but she was real... and solid, next to him, and even dependable?

Sure, harshness sometimes hides a tender heart.

Brock knew her life hadn’t exactly been easy. His wasn’t either, and for a kid like Ash, that might be hard to understand.

But, they would grow and mature in time, time always healed wounds.

He could wait. He was patient.

Brock carried the ice creams back, handed one to Misty, and began eating the other one, taking care not to drip on his vest.

You make the most of what you have.

There were no honeyed speeches or long professions of love… but it was the realization that maybe, spending the rest of his life with her would be okay.

That was enough.

Ash smirked.

Well, things didn’t always work out perfectly, but you did work with what you had. His seven badges glittered.

Volcano was easy, really. Squirtle was strong enough to defeat them, and for Magmar he just called up Quagsire from the realm.

Childishly simple, but he was still glad Lance-chan had sealed his power. It was so tempting to use it and alter history.

That, of course, was not allowed. Only when the Guardians allowed their Chosen free rein, otherwise they all had their roles to play.

Little gilded dolls on puppet strings, yes… but at least they had real lives.

The next trainer beckoned.

Let’s play a game, shall we? I can’t lose, you know, at least not that easily… oh? It’s a deal then.

I could use a Master Ball. I wonder how you got it; maybe you’re a Rocket in disguise, these things happen.

Rattata? Oh please… I feel insulted, but certainly, Pikachu, you’ll take care of it, won’t you, good girl.

Zubat? Crispy fried thundershock!

Golbat? Ah, a little more variety, but still the same I’m afraid… let’s use Thunderbolt just in case it gets dangerous. Good! We’re still faster, no damage lands on us yet.

Next? You must have more than three. Of course you do!

Let’s see, a drowzee. Ah! Let’s give Pikachu a little rest, even though she doesn’t need it. Still, enjoy that ketchup-covered muffin.

I know you appreciate these little things, that crunching speaks volumes.

Well now, why not?

Sneasal, you’re up.

Some people call Sneasal death on wings, and why not? You’re black and fast and your claws certainly can deal death.

Oh, that was amusing, a full-blown Psychic wasted.

You are boring me, you know?

One Faint Attack and its done, another Drowzee falls, and for your last pokemon – how amusing!

Don’t tell me you really think a Ditto that is masquerading as Mew will fool me?
Oh, right. I have the eyes that can pierce illusion and reality if I so choose. But I digress.

Let’s use Crunch.

My, that had to hurt.

In any case I’ve won, and the Master Ball is mine. You won’t give it?

Then I’m afraid we’ll have to finish this later.

Enjoy your stay in the dream realm. But don’t worry if you don’t leave alive, that happens a lot.

Ja ne!

Ash picked up the Master Ball as the gates closed on the Rocket.

“Baka… you don’t cheat realm guardians.”

Lance raised an eyebrow, and promptly guillotined the man. “What is he thinking?”

I have no idea.

“Oh well, trying to understand his mind is like a maze, Kairyuu.”

As you will, but yours is worse.

Lance glared.

End Chapter

Completed 4/25/04 (1)