Love: A Tale of Trickery, Jealousy, Bravery, and Power

"Go, pokeball!" shouted Misty.

She was about to through out Starmie, when a beam of light shot out of her bag and Psyduck came out.

"No, you dumb duck! How am I supposed to surf on you, when you’re only two feet tall?! *Sigh* Return, Psyduck," said Misty.

"Psy?"

She stuffed him as deep as she could, under all the other pokeballs.

"Go, Starmie!" she shouted.

"Haaa," it said it its trio-voice.

Misty brought Starmie over to the large river, and got on its back.

"Okay, Starmie! Time to get some exercise and fun! Start surfing!" she said.

Misty held onto the top cone on its head to keep balance, as Starmie surfed along the water.

"Hey, Ash!" called out Misty.

Ash was dozing off at the bank of the river. He rested his head on a rock, enjoying the warm sun beating down on him.

Misty smiled and walked up to him. She kissed his forehead, "Hey, Ashy-boy."

Ash peeled open an eye and gave half of a frown from the name and half of a smile from the kiss.

"Ashy-boy?" he repeated. Misty just giggled in response for his confusion.

"You want to surf on Starmie with me?"

"Sure!" he said.

**

Lila looked down from the clouds, watching as Ash and Misty both ran towards Starmie and climbed on to it.

Christine teleported next to Lila, trying to get a bird’s eye view. She looked down at the two kids as they surfed together on the medium sized pokemon, laughing all the while.

"Perfect," said Christine, "This will surely get them back."

"What if the pressure bounces them to a parallel universe or something?" asked Lila.

"That’s a chance we’ll have to take. So we need to work on their physical strength too."

"But they’re only children. How can we build up their strength?"

"The training with their pokemon seem to be exercise enough for now," said Christine and she looked down to Ash and Misty.

**

"This is great!" exclaimed Ash.

"Watch out for the water!" said Misty and she playfully made a quick turn and water came hurdling toward Ash.

He ducked in time to get out of the water’s way. "Ha! You missed!"

Misty smirked and made another unexpected turn with Starmie, and water splashed across Ash’s face, soaking him wet, and he stopped laughing. Though he couldn’t help but brighten up again with Misty’s cheerfulness as she laughed at his damp face.

She pulled aside to get a towel, and let Starmie rest. Misty pulled out a dry cloth and gave it to Ash.

He gladly took it and wiped the cool water off his face.

All of a sudden, the heard a splash, but it sounded like something came up, rather then down.

Neia had popped up, her tail swished about.

"I thought I saw a huge starfish at the surface. Something going on up here?" she asked.

"No, it’s just Starmie. I decided to let it out for a swim," said Misty.

Neia studied them for a while, "Yeah. Everything is fine… down here, too, I mean."

Ash and Misty stared at her a little in suspicion. She started to get a sweadrop, and tried reading their thoughts from the corner of her… brain.

"Well… why don’t you go down in the river with me? It’s a great underwater view!"

"But we can’t breathe underwater," said Misty.

"I can’t either," said Neia and it looked as if Ash and Misty’s eyes were going to pop out, "This water is enchanted, and you can breathe in it."

"I… suppose we could," said Misty.

"I’m up for it," he said.

"Okay, come on," she said and waved her arm, gesturing them to just dive in.

She leaped into the air, and into the water, with her tail trailing behind.

Misty and Ash were reluctant, but dived in.

From inside a tree, Shaharazad and looked over to the river, "Do you think she has a plan?" she asked Jay at the other tree.

"Maybe," he said.

**

"<Kyle!>" shouted Neia telepathically, so Ash and Misty didn’t know. "<Kyle!>"

"<What is it?>" returned a thought wave.

"<They’re both down here now!>"

"<It’s about time,>" and a mer-man swam up.

Ash and Misty looked curiously at the man with the long, green tail and red hair. It looked as if he and Neia were having a staring contest. Finally, he nodded and looked to Misty.

"Who’s he?" she asked in an echoed voice from the water.

"He’s Kyle. A friendly water sprite," said Neia.

"Pleased to meat you," he said and bowed down to Misty.

"Uh, yes… you too," she said and tilted her head down a little.

"Why don’t I show you around? This river is much bigger then it seems," he said, taking Misty’s hand.

Ash wished he had taken the liberty of doing so instead of feeling left out like this.

Misty pulled her had away, "I… suppose you could," she said reluctantly.

"<This feels stupid. How can I act this way to an 11-year old girl?>" he asked telepathically to Neia.

"<You’re doing fine, and you don’t look stupid. Just do this a while. I’ll let you know when you can stop,>" said Neia.

Kyle sighed under his breath, and led them around the large undersea.

**

"I see what Neia is doing now," said Christine to Lila.

"What?"

"Jealousy is a good source for love when used right," replied Christine.

"I don’t get it," said Lila.

"Kyle has been told to act like well… he likes Misty. When Ash is jealous, they can be reunited, and their love will be stronger then before. If Misty doesn’t realize the jealousy in Ash, this could take them a step back, maybe even require time reversing."

"It seems too risky," said Lila cautiously.

"It’s too late now. If something goes wrong, I’ll use time reversal," said Christine.

"A beautiful young lady… deserves a beautiful gift," said Kyle with unseen displeasure, and he presented Misty with a flower that grew under the river.

Misty reluctantly took it, as Ash narrowed his eyes, focusing on Kyle. As they continued to swim, Misty tore off the petals.

"This is considered a romantic place, but it seems much more romantic… with you… Misty," Kyle sputtered out, getting more uncomfortable with each word, but so did Misty.

"<Just once more, Kyle, and he’ll be jealous enough… I think.>" said Neia through telepathy.

It was only meant for Kyle to hear, but one word slipped into Misty’s mind: "Jealous".

She knew it as Neia’s voice, but when she looked at her, she was just looking to Kyle.

‘Jealous?’ wondered Misty, ‘Who’s jealous?’

"You know, Misty…" Kyle began again.

"<It’s about time,>" she then heard in her head.

"Ash, this guy is weird, maybe we should leave," she whispered to Ash and he nodded eagerly.

"You know," said Kyle, turning around to Misty, but found that both were gone. "…Misty?"

"<What happened?>"

"<They’re gone.>"

"<What?!>"

Ash and Misty slipped out of the water, seeing Neia out of the water, at the bank of the river and staring down at them.

"I thought you were with Kyle."

"Well…" began Ash, but Misty cut in.

"It was too boring. We decided to come up," she said.

Neia nodded. "Okay then. I suppose the river does get boring after a while."

She dived back into the water, a long tail forming in the process. She swam down to Kyle, who still had a confused look on his face.

"Where did they go?" he asked.

"They got bored of you," she replied and crept around to the other side of him, "and I can see why."

"What’s that supposed to mean?!"

"Promise to remind me never to take a tour again," said Misty to Ash.

"And why is that?"

"So I don’t get stuck with a guy like Kyle."

The next few minutes were spent in the shining sun, letting the grass tickle their skin and the distinct smell of forest filled their noses.

"If I could live hear…" said Misty just above a whisper and closed her eyes half way. She turned around to see Ash, taking a nap and snoring softly.

Ash felt a hand on his side, slowly stroking his ripped up black T-shirt and jacket. A small smile crept up his lips and he turned his head to Misty.

And for a moment, they just stared at each other’s eyes.

(*Next day*)

"So what’s your plan again?" asked Jay.

"Okay, this will build their strength, and love at the same time," said Shaharazad, "One of them should be in well… in some sort of danger. Then the other can save him or her, and that will build up their love and strength. Got it?"

"Yeah, but who will be the one in trouble, and how?"

"I’m not sure. The dragons?"

Jay shook his head, "Not another full moon for another five months. Does Christine or any of the water sprites know hypnosis?"

"I do," they heard a voice.

Christine appeared in front of them, "So we’re going to have the old ‘damsel in distress’ gig?"

"Unless Ash has to be saved," said Shaharazad.

"It doesn’t look right. It should be Misty. She’s actually stronger then Ash physically anyway," said Christine.

"How did you…" started Jay, but Christine pointed to her head. "Oh."

"So what am I supposed to make?" she asked.

"Quick sand?" wondered Jay.

"There’s no swamp around here. It’s not logical to have quick sand in the middle of the forest," said Shaharazad.

"Whirlpool?" wondered Jay.

Christine and Shaharazad looked at each other.

"Whirlpool," said Christine.

"No, another dimension," said Shaharazad.

"The 8^th dimension?" said Christine, "What’s it supposed to be like?"

"We’ll think of something," said Shaharazad.

**

"You can’t catch me!" shouted Ash and he began to swim faster in the surface of the water.

"Just watch me!" said Misty and she sped up, "I don’t just have my water pokemon swim!"

Ash and Misty both in their swim-suits, played a small chasing game on the surface of the water.

"Pi! Ka! Pi! Ka! Pi! Ka!" shouted Pikachu with a little red flag.

"Tokie! Tokie! Briiiiiiiiii!" chirped Togepi and he ate a little piece of popcorn.

Misty outstretched her arms and let her legs do the work as she almost reached Ash.

"Gotcha!" said Misty and she wrapped her arms around Ash, declaring herself as the winner, and as the bonus, she dunked his head under water.

"Pikapi pika!"

"Tokie, briiiiiiiiii!"

"Hey!" he called out from underwater, then surfaced.

He then pushed her down, but swam out quickly after, and that got into a little underwater tackling.

Neia swam up to them, wondering what they were doing. All of a sudden, a voice spoke in her mind telepathically, "<Hey, I need to ask you a favor.>"

"<Hm? Christine, is that you?>" wondered Neia.

"<Yeah. We’ve got another little plan taken up for those two.>"

Neia nodded.

"<I need you and however many more water sprites it takes to dig a large hole…>" and Christine began explaining the whole thing.

(*next hour…*)

"Okay, thanks, guys!" said Neia as she waved to a couple of water sprites as they jumped back into the water, and their fins came to.

"You think this will work?" asked Lila.

"It’s so simple, how can it fail?" said Shaharazad.

"Where are Ash and Misty, anyway?" wondered Jay.

"Still in the water. Guess it’s the only thing they can do to keep themselves entertained on a place like this," said Neia.

The others nodded.

"Okay, I’ll take over from here," said Christine.

Her eyes glowed red, and it looked as if the large whole, that seemed to go on forever, shifted its form, so the edge was smoother, and inside were swirling colors and lights. You couldn’t tell what was on the inside, though.

"So that goes all the way to Noloncee?" wondered Lila.

"Yeah," replied Christine, "Boring place if you ask me."

Lila agreed, "Just a purple sky and sand."

**

Neia walked to the bank of the large river, "Hey, Ash, Misty. You want to take a break?"

Their heads immerged from the water, "Sure," they said.

Misty climbed out first, followed by Ash. They both walked towards their backpacks, unaware of the "portal" they were about to fall in. Wait, "they"? Ash couldn’t fall in, only Misty. The sprites wondered what to say.

Suddenly Shaharazad shouted out, "Look out, Misty!"

Misty, instead looked to Shaharazad, while Ash immediately saw where Misty was about to fall in.

Misty almost fell in, but Ash grabbed her hand, which actually wasn’t supposed to happen.

Christine’s eyes glowed red a little, and she made the gravitational pull in the "portal" stronger, so their hands slipped and Misty fell through.

"Misty!" shouted Ash, "We have to save her!"

"We?" wondered the sprites.

"But that’s a portal to another dimension!" said Christine.

"Wha- so what?"

"Well… umm… Sprites can’t go through portals, only humans. It has something to do with our genetic code and we die from the effects on it and the portal. Humans can easily go through, like you. You’ll have to save her, and who knows what could happen down in Noloncee?" said Christine.

Ash didn’t say a word, before jumping in, unfortunately, still in his trunks.

"Pikapi!" shouted Pikachu and was about to go in, when Neia pulled him back.

"No, Pikachu. Ash has to do this by himself, and there’s a certain reason…"

**

"Great. Now where am I? I’m in some weird land, still in my swimsuit!" said Misty and she wrapped her arms around herself so she didn’t catch cold.

Misty walked around, finding the place very weird. Strange plants grew everywhere, the sky was a dark purple, and the soil was actually sand. Then, some sort of giant bird appeared in the air.

Misty screamed as she saw the giant thing fly in circles around her. It then dived down at her, and she ducked in time. The bird squawked and this time, lifted her off the ground with its feet. Misty screamed again, and tried struggling to escape the bird, but it was over seventy times the size of her.

**

Ash landed on a "bush" (This is all from hypnosis. Christine made it look like a bush, but it’s just a pile of leaves in the hole) and looked around. It was around the same area Misty had landed, but she was gone.

"Misty! Misty!" called out Ash, "Misty!"

He felt a slight chill, and realized he had never gotten into normal clothes. He looked up at a small "tree", with giant leafs. Ash reached up and picked a leaf off of it and wrapped it around himself.

He walked around, looking over every shrub, behind every tree, but Misty wasn’t there. He continued to call out her name, but there was no answer, just a sigh from the wind.

He began to run. He ran down the sandy road in the middle of the "forest". He kept on searching for her for about an hour, before stopping to rest, but that didn’t mean his brain didn’t.

‘Misty, where are you?’ he thought to himself. He looked up into the sky and shouted out, "MISTY!!!"

"Ash!" this time he heard a reply from the distance.

He looked to his left and up, and saw a tall, narrow, mountain. At the top was a giant nest, where Misty was. He could just barely see her, especially since above her was a giant bird flying around her.

"Ash! Help!" she called out to him.

Ash started running to the mountain, but it was half a mile away, and in the middle of the huge forest.

He kept his elbow in front of his face so the tough leafs didn’t cut his face. Stones started to approach, and hurt his bare feet.

**

Misty could see Ash slowly make his way to the cliff she was on. She looked up and saw the bird, still circling around her. She had no way of escaping, or it would pick her up again and just keep a closer eye on her. She didn’t know what it was going to do to her, but she didn’t think it had good intentions.

**

Ash suddenly had to stop, since in front of him, was a wide pit. He looked around, trying to think straight, but there were only two words repeating itself in his head, "Save Misty! Save Misty! Save Misty! Save Misty…"

He darted his head around. The vines! He’d have to swing across on the vines. Ash jumped up and took hold on the tough leafy surface. He jerked his body back and forth, getting the vine to start a pace of swinging forward and back. He did this for a minute or so before making sure he could go over the pit. He finally gave the vine one last, hard jerk and leaped off, just barely making it. He hung by one hand.

Misty could only see Ash’s hand, hanging onto the pit.

"Ash!" she screamed in reaction.

She was about to just jump off the cliff, but caught herself before doing so. She looked in a world of worries, until relieved as she saw him slowly climb up and over the pit.

He still had a long ways to go. Misty looked up at the giant bird, still circling around her.

**

‘I wish stuff like this wouldn’t happen,’ Ash thought to himself, ‘I wish stuff like this wouldn’t happen… to us,’ he looked up, exhausted, but his love and will power kept him up for whatever may occur. ‘Misty, I’ll save you if it means my life,’ and he started running again.

Ash rammed himself through thick leafs, bushes, shrubs, whatever was in his direct path to Misty. He panted and gasped, inhaling the rainforest-type air. He then stopped, as in front of him was the tall mountain, but he couldn’t magically get up there. Now he had to climb all the way to the top of it, where a giant nest held Misty, and a large bird guarded her for a strange reason.

**

Misty at first wasn’t sure if Ash was up to climbing all the way up. But he did. The moment she saw him place a hand on a rock, her heart pumped faster.

‘What if he falls and dies? Maybe he’ll make it, but the bird might kill him!’ these thoughts ran through her head. A foot on another rock made her cry out.

"Ash, please don’t! You may not make it, and I don’t want you to die!" she called out from below.

"No, Misty!" he called back, "I will save you! No matter what!"

At this, Misty felt flattered, and she blushed. She looked, up but didn’t see the bird flying around. Then she looked down, and it seemed the bird saw Ash climbing up, and started diving toward him.

"Ash, look out!" she screamed.

**

The bird was too busy with Ash, so she could escape. Though she could never ever leave Ash. She slid down the rocky cliff like she was snowboarding with no board, and she wish she hadn’t fallen in the portal, still with her swimsuit. Misty continued heading towards Ash at top speed.

The bird squawked continually as Ash batted the bird’s head with his fist, trying to get it away and get to Misty at the same time. He saw the cloud of dust that went towards him, and he noticed Misty in front.

"Misty, what are you…" he said to himself, but ended the sentence by swatting at the bird again.

Misty leaned forward and outstretched her hand. She almost slid past him, but they both got the idea and took hold of each other’s hands. Misty latched her free hand onto a rock.

"Misty, what little faith you have in me. You could have waited," he said, but with a smile.

"The bird looks like too much for just you to handle," said Misty. "Well, now that I’m here, let’s just run and slide for our lives," she said.

Ash let go of the rock he held onto, and Misty unlatched her other hand to the rock she held onto. They both slid down. The bird swooped down under them, and they landed onto the bird’s beak.

It started squawking again, and with its upper jaw lifting, Ash and Misty were forced onto its back, which made things go into more confusion.

They gripped onto the feathers of the bird’s back, which at the moment was wailing about, franticly. The bird’s spaz eventually made it float down, still squawking. It began pecking at its back like it had fleas. The sharp end of the beak almost hit Ash, but he moved out in time.

They both jumped off, and began running as fast as they could. They looked back, and the bird was still pecking at itself, thinking its ruffled feathers tickling itself were Ash and Misty.

They were too scared to stop though, and ran through the forest as quickly as they could, until they both collapsed on themselves.

"Misty… you… okay?" asked Ash in between pants and gasps for air.

"Yeah… you?" she answered in the same style.

He could only nod. He saw Misty shiver, from the cold, and her hair was still damp from the swimming. He was going to give her the giant leaf, but a large, rough tree long ago tore it off. He stood up and picked a giant leaf from one of the trees.

"Ash, what are you doing?" asked Misty.

"Here," he said and wrapped the leaf around Misty like a cloak for her.

She looked to Ash, who just sat next to her, locking his arms around his knees. She smiled and wrapped half of the leaf around Ash.

"Thank you," she said.

"For what?"

"For trying to save me."

"I didn’t exactly, though."

"You sort of did. The distraction you caused to the bird allowed me to escape… but I guess not with you."

They both looked at each other, straight in the eye. Ash blinked and they both laughed a little.

Ash looked down at the sand. He then looked at Misty. She was just staring out into nothing, probably bored.

"Let’s go," she said finally and stood up.

Ash nodded and got up too. They both started walking, slowly hopping over large roots and shrubs.

**

"You think it’s been too long?" asked Shaharazad.

Christine closed her eyes and faced the "portal". She opened them and smiled.

"Yeah, they’re on their way right now."

"Pikapi pi chapika pikachu pika?" said Pikachu to Neia.

"Yes, they’re okay, Pikachu. Remember what I told you- it’s still just from Christine’s hypnosis," said Neia.

"Chaaaaa…"

**

"How will we get all the way up there?" wondered Ash as he looked up at the portal back to the 7^th dimension, swirling in the purple sky.

"I’m not sure, but if there is a way, I may be too exhausted to do it," said Misty and she collapsed on the sand.

Ash felt a little tired himself and sat down while looking around.

"Maybe… if we climb that palm tree, we can jump and get back," said Ash, looking a huge palm tree.

Misty walked up to it and put a hand on the bark. "Let’s try."

They both struggled to climb up the huge tree, taking it only one step at a time because of the exhaustion. A few minutes later, Misty grabbed onto the long strand of leafs hovering above her. She pulled herself up, and waited for Ash, who was almost there. As he reached the top, Misty let down a helping hand to pull him up.

"Okay, we’ll have to jump to make this tree give us a boost," said Misty. "One… two… three jump!"

They both jumped up and down and the top of the palm tree wavered in the same direction. The tree was just about to break on their last jump, but when the tree lunged itself upwards, Ash and Misty jumped off, and just barely made it through. Now Ash was hanging by a hand and Misty was still in the middle.

"Pika!" they heard and Pikachu rushed to them.

"Oh, there they are!" they heard some of the sprites say. Ash was almost completely concentrating on holding onto Misty’s hand, and didn’t notice the sprites pulling him upwards.

"Don’t worry, Misty, I’ll hold onto you until you get back up!" shouted out Ash with his eyes shut tight, and gripping onto Misty’s hand firmly.

"Ash, I think you better open you eyes," said Misty.

"Huh?" he looked behind him and saw Misty safe on the ground, then looked down and saw he was too.

"You were about to fall, but we pulled up what was left of yourself that wasn’t in the portal," said Lila.

"Oh…" said Ash embarrassed and got a sweat drop.

Misty giggled and walked to her backpack and get out normal clothes as did Ash (with his backpack, of course).

(*night time*)

"Wow, aren’t the stars so bright? It’s nothing like the ones on Earth, right, Ash?" asked Misty, gazing up at the stars.

There was no reply.

"Ash? Ash?"

She looked over to him but he had fallen asleep.

"Oh well, you’ve had a hard day," she said and kissed him goodnight.

**

"Hmm… she’s right, Shaharazad, the stars are wonderful, don’t you think?" asked Jay.

Shaharazad knew what he was trying to do, "No, they don’t look all that great to me," she said bluntly. Jay face-faulted in stupidity.

(*Next week [wow, we skipped a lot of days and little plots the sprites cooked up]*)

"*Yawn*… Another day, another fruit, another weird turn of events," said Misty sleepily as she woke up on a bed of leafs with Ash.

Misty looked at Ash with loving eyes, but he was still sleeping. She saw Pikachu walk up and he nudged Ash, trying to get him up, but Ash didn’t even flinch.

"You know that’ll never work, Pikachu. After the confusion that happened last night, there’s only one thing that can wake him up this early in the morning," said Misty.

Pikachu had known (*for a week or so*) what had really happened, and so did Togepi who waddled up to them and giggled. Pikachu clamped his mouth gently with his tail.

Misty propped up Ash’s head and kissed him. His mouth twitched a little before opening his eyes. The first image caught in his sight was Misty, and he smiled politely.

"Good morning, Misty," he said and sat up.

"Morning, Ash!" chimed Misty happily.

"Pika pikapi!"

"Tokie! Tokie! Briiiiiiiii!"

Ash smiled and stood up, looking at the usual clearing they stayed in through the days that passed. Misty stood up and looked at the green sky with the light colored planets.

"When do you think we’ll be able to get back to our own dimension?" wondered Misty.

"I hope we get back soon. This place is a little too weird for me," said Ash.

"Where do you think Brock is? We haven’t seen him for over a week," said Misty.

"Who is Brock?" asked a voice. They turned around and saw Neia.

"Oh. Brock is a friend that got lost some place else?" she said after reading their minds.

They nodded.

"Let me try to find him," she said and closed her eyes.

She looked around using her psychic powers to find him, but except for other sprites, there was no person named Brock.

"He is not here. He’s either on the other island, or back on earth."

Ash and Misty frowned.

"Well, let me try to see if he’s on the other island," said Neia and she closed her eyes again.

‘He’s not there… he must be back on Earth. Which means all we have to do is get Ash and Misty back too… but I’m not sure if they’re ready yet… their love may not be strong enough,’ she thought to herself and opened her eyes.

"He’s back at your world. We’d let you go, if it wasn’t for the problems at the portal there. We aren’t sure if it’s open or not, which is why most of the wind sprites are keeping an eye on the patterns," she lied the last part so the kids didn’t get too suspicious of why they couldn’t go.

Ash and Misty frowned again.

"Don’t worry, we’ll get you back somehow," assured Neia and she jumped into the river, letting her legs transform into a large tail.

Misty slid her arm around Ash’s shoulder, "Come on. Let’s get breakfast," she said.

Ash nodded happily and they both went to a tree that they knew was never inhabited by tree sprites, on the count that it’s the tree where Ash and Misty usually hung out by and ate the food from.

Ash managed to leap up and grab onto a high branch (Gee the secret training of strength he went through really paid off. That’s a branch that’s 5 feet from his head; we didn’t know he could jump five feet in the air…) and balanced on it. Misty jumped onto a branch above him (We all knew she was always stronger then Ash, right?) and balanced on it before sitting down and letting her legs hang off. They both picked a fruit off of the tree and started to eat.

**

"Their love still isn’t strong enough yet," said Christine.

"But how much can they love each other if they’re only eleven years of age?" asked Shaharazad.

Christine looked down from the tree she sat on with Shaharazad.

"A small peck on the cheek each morning isn’t much," replied Christine and she added, "And I think they can go a little further then that."

"Like what?"

"Like a big kiss if they don’t see each other for a while, and if they’re eating, it may as well be in the same branch, and they should talk more to each other."

"That’s not exactly something we can do for them," said Shaharazad.

"I know, we’ll have to wait for them to find it by themselves. The only thing we can do is keep an eye on them, and make sure one doesn’t do something stupid to break them apart."

"Hm," Shaharazad made a small, polite grunt of agreement (a.k.a. it’s like "hmmm" but shorter) and she nodded.

**

"I’m getting kind of tired of just fruit. There must be something else to eat here," said Ash.

"Yeah, but we’re probably just in a place that doesn’t grow any other food."

Ash sighed and took another bite of his food. He could see Misty at the corner of his eye. She looked down at the boy and smiled. She jumped onto the branch he was sitting on.

Ash looked to her and smiled, "I was getting lonely on the bottom branch here."

Misty laughed a little, and she moved her face until it was a centimeter away from Ash’s face. "That’s why I came." They both paused before Misty kissed him. When she let go Ash blushed with a small, nervous smile.

Misty laughed a little more at this, then they paused, looking at each other like they could read each other’s minds, then both kissed again

"Tokie! Tokie! Briiiiiiii!" they heard and sensed Togepi and Pikachu climbing up the tree.

"Pika! Pika!"

Togepi ran across the branch Ash and Misty sat on and over their laps. Pikachu chased after him and ran over their laps as well.

"Hmm?" they both said in a muffled tone since they were still *in a certain position*. They let go of each other and looked to Pikachu and Togepi. Though before they could take a longer look at the game of tag, the two pokemon ran across and over them and ran down the tree.

Ash and Misty stared at the base of the branch where they left.

"That was…" started Ash.

"…very weird," finished Misty.

**

"There goes the neighborhood," said Shaharazad.

"And the streak of luck," said Christine.

They both frowned from the site.

"<Christine! Christine!>" a telepathic signal popped into her head.

"<Hmm? Kyle? That you?>" asked Christine.

"<Yeah.>"

"<What is it, Kyle?>"

"<Did you notice how the clouds look a bit… gray?>"

"They are?!" she said out loud.

"What?" asked Shaharazad.

Christine looked up and noticed the sky was filled with gray clouds.

"Look, Shaharazad," she pointed to the sky.

"*Gasp* It might rain!"

Christine immediately teleported to the cloud that Lila rested on.

"Lila!!"

Lila woke up from her doze.

"What? What is it, Christine?"

"Look around you."

Lila noticed that the clouds were all damp and gray.

"It might rain!"

"That’s why I’m here. Is it going to rain? I’m asking you."

Lila dipped her hand in a cloud and took it out. It was cold and wet.

"Yes, we better warn the water sprites, since it’s going to rain any second now."

"Okay. Oh, and can you tell May and John to come down? I’ve got a plan."

"Sure thing," said Lila.

Christine teleported out and next to the river.

"<Neia! Neia!>"

Neia popped out from the water and saw Christine.

"What is it?"

"It’s going to rain! It’s going to rain!"

"Rain?!" Neia’s eyes widened and she immediately got out of the water, letting her two legs and skirt form.

"<Attention all water sprites! Attention all water sprites! Please recruit to the surface immediately! I repeat! Please recruit to the surface immediately!>" she telepathically shouted out, facing the water to get a better aim.

Then hundreds of water sprites popped their heads up, but not the ones without psychic powers.

"Attention all water sprites! Attention all water sprites! Please recruit to the surface immediately! I repeat! Please recruit to the surface immediately!" she shouted out loud.

More water sprites popped their heads up from the water, wondering what is going on. All together, there were female and male water sprites chattering away, and a quarter of them was small children.

Meanwhile Christine informed Shaharazad and Jay that Lila was getting two certain people named Mary and John.

"Now, please get out of the water! It’s going to rain and I don’t want anybody still down there when the enchanted water flows away!"

People gasped, half of them looked up to make sure, then got out of the water, letting their fins form into legs and another piece of clothing.

Ash and Misty wondered what was going on and went over to Christine.

"What’s going on here?" asked Misty.

"What’s with all the water sprites?" asked Ash.

"Whenever it rains, the enchanted water in this river is washed away, so the water sprites can’t breathe. That’s why they need to evacuate the river and wait for the rain to stop," explained Christine.

"It’s going to rain?" wondered Ash. He looked up and saw a small raindrop land on his nose. "Oh."

"Ash, Misty, come over here. It might be a little better if you were high and dry then wet and low over there," they heard a voice and saw Jay by a tree with Pikachu and Togepi.

No sooner when they reached the tree, it began to rain. Most water sprites went under a tree, but some stayed out, enjoying it.

Lightning bolts shot from the sky and everybody winced. They continually shot down from the sky. One of them hit the ground, but out of the lighting bolt, two people came out.

"Looks like we have some visitors," said Shaharazad.

A man and a woman stood there. Both with bright, blonde hair and golden eyes. The man wore tall, yellow boots, and a ripe yellow shirt and pants. The woman wore a yellow dress and had shorter boots like Shaharazad.

"Who are they?" asked Ash.

"Just some thunder sprites that decided to drop for a visit," said Jay.

"Is there any room for a couple of thunder sprites?" said the man.

There was no answer.

"Do you have to ask that every time you make an entrance?" the woman scolded.

The man shrugged.

"Okay, let’s get this show on the road!" shouted out the woman and she walked to the center of the clearing. The water sprites left in the clearing quickly huddled under trees to get out of the way. The woman lifted up her arms and chanted some strange words.

"Konsanata! Danedan fuikuno! Kameata, semal pocturanya!"

She twirled her arm around and bright sparks flew from her hand. She started to make a wider circumference and the sparks flew out, landing in the same places so it looked like a dome. Soon, electricity shot out from her hand, creating an electric dome. After a moment, it disappeared, leaving a transparent gold dome in the clearing.

"Oh, good! Now we can get dried off," said Christine and she bolted through a certain light colored part the dome.

"I hate water. I hate water. I hate water. I hate water. I hate water…" Christine curled herself at the edge of the dome, chanting the fact she hates water.

"Okay, lets go in," said Lila.

Except for Ash, Misty, Pikachu, and Togepi, who were unsure of this, everybody went through the light tinted part of the dome.

"Well go on. Do you want to stay out here under the tree or what?" said Jay and he nudged them to go in.

Ash and Misty walked trough the dome and looked around.

"If the water sprites live in water, why don’t they like the rain?" asked Misty.

"Well, the rain causes the enchanted water to flow out of the river, so they really hate the rain. They’re still trying to form gills, but their element hasn’t developed from the ordinary human race yet, and only enhanced the power of their psychic abilities," said Lila.

"That must be terrible," said Ash.

They looked around. Half of the people looked like they were staring at each other, while the other half was chattering away. Then they turned to the strange man and woman in the center of the dome.

"Who are they? Really?" asked Ash once more.

"Their names are Mary and John. They usually come out every time it rains to make a dome and let people dry off. We’ve also called upon them."

"How come?" asked Misty.

"For this," Lila lied. "Thunder sprites are known for their sorcery."

(*an hour later…*)

"I’m starved…" Ash moaned, rubbing his grumbling stomach.

"If I don’t eat something, I’m going to faint…" added Misty.

"Piiii…"

"Tok… tok… tokie!"

"Are you two Ash and Misty?" asked a voice. They looked up and saw John with Mary next to him.

"Yes, we are," said Misty.

John looked to Mary and they nodded.

"Pleased to meat you," said Mary. "Here," she said and held out her palms. To their surprise two slices of chocolate cake appeared.

"Thanks!" they both chimed and gladly took each slice.

The two thunder sprites smiled and walked back to the center.

"Well, they sure are nice," said Misty.

Ash nodded.

Misty cave a few small pieces to Togepi, and Pikachu got half of Ash’s.

"Pikachu has a big appetite," said Misty and she broke off a piece and gave it to Ash, "You need it more then me."

Ash kissed her on the cheek as thanks and she smiled.

Soon the rain stopped and the sun shone once again. The clouds were white and puffy, the river was filled with new water and teamed with fish, and the plants looked more healthy and green.

"We still need the water to be enchanted or we can’t go in," said a water sprite, looking at his reflection in the water.

"A dose of enchantment, coming up!" said John and he stood in front of the water. He faced his palms at the water and blue electricity flowed out of his hands and into the river.

Ash and Misty watched as the blue electricity flowed through the river for a few moments. Then he stopped.

"Tada," he said and allowed the water sprites to go in.

**

"Isn’t it strange that the water sprites haven’t fully evolved yet?" wondered Misty.

Ash nodded.

"Pikachu pika pika…" Pikachu twitched his ear back and forth. Small drops of water dripped from his fur.

"Hey, what’s wrong, Pikachu?"

"Prrrika!" he shook himself like a dog and water was sprayed onto Ash and Misty.

Pikachu looked back and forth at Ash and Misty, who now had wet fronts.

"Piiii…"

"Eeeuuuu…" Misty lightly moaned, shaking her wet hands in disgust.

**

"So you think we can help on building their strength?" wondered John.

"Yeah, got any ideas? You did this kind of stuff before," said Shaharazad.

"Hmm… did you try the thing when a mad dragon comes and grabs one of-"

"Did that yesterday. It took a lot of convincing to Raskatera, too."

"Okay, what about when one of them has to save the other?"

"That one was last week. We should have made it after they got into their normal clothes, rather then their swimsuits."

"Hmmm… what if one of their little animals accidentally injured one of them?"

"Then they’d start to lose their companionship with the pokemon."

"Pokemon? Is that what it’s called?"

"Yeah. Remember when Joy and Jenny fell through? They’re trainers." (*Correction, Shaharazad. They were trainers*)

(*Night…*)

The air had a smell of fresh rain left in it, while most plants soaked the water up and the area became dry again. Fireflies lighted the area, fluttering around like Japanese Lanterns at a party. The clearing was settled and both Ash and Misty were settled in the middle with the river flowing steadily with after-magic sparks.

Misty let her long hair down before lying down on the tall grass to get a good night’s rest. She felt Ash’s arm wrap around her and could sense his chin rest on her shoulder. She smiled and turned her head carefully to him, so her face didn’t bump into his.

"You don’t expect yourself to sleep like that tonight, do you?" she asked.

"Nah. We both toss and turn too much so I can’t stay like this forever."

Misty kissed him on the nose and let her head turn back to a sleeping position. His chin slid off, but his arm remained around her. She gently latched her hand onto his arm and drifted off into a dreamy haze as did Ash.

Misty took in one last, deep breath before falling to sleep.

"So, you think this will work?" wondered Lila.

"I’ve done it a million times. It has to work," said Mary.

"I’m sure you have…" Lila retorted.

Mary scowled and she walked up to the sleeping pair.

Mary put her palm on each of their shoulders and closed her eyes.

"Ed’rasketara neiré neiré onoecolpsanata. Tranelcopetsa nemé. Zoonei!"

The last word she shouted made an echo, and light flashed everywhere. The source of the flash was coming from Ash and Misty, who didn’t wake up. Lila turned her back against the tree for protection and shut her eyes.

As the light dimmed, Mary had disappeared off somewhere. Lila opened her eyes and turned around to Ash and Misty, who just then peeled their eyes open. They sat up, looking attentive.

"Did you hear something, Ash?" asked Misty.

"I’m not sure. I think I did…" replied Ash.

They looked around and saw no one. They both shrugged and relaxed a bit.

"It must have been a dragon or something," said Ash.

Pikachu twitched his ear and opened his eyes. He looked to a tree where he sensed a source of electricity, and saw Lila and Mary standing by, looking to Ash and Misty.

‘Must have done something to them,’ Pikachu thought and looked to Ash and Misty who were just about to fall back asleep again.

"Oh well. Goodnight, Ash," said Misty and she lay down.

"Goodnight, Misty. Sweet dreams," he finished and lay down as well.

**

"It doesn’t seem to have any affect," said Lila.

"It takes some time to work. You’ll see in the morning," replied Mary.

"Let’s hope so," they heard a voice from above and saw Shaharazad on a branch above them.

Mary nodded and disappeared in a haze of gold dust that shimmered and floated down like confetti.

"Magicians," Shaharazad muttered to herself jokingly and laid her head on the branch.

(*Day…*)

Shaharazad stretched and yawned as she heard the birds chirping, and the sun’s rays weaved through the leafs and branches. She slowly crawled up to the top of the branch and peered through the bunch of leafs at the end.

"Mmmm…" she heard and took a closer look.

From the distance, she saw Ash and Misty kissing each other, slowly stumbling to the tree Shaharazad was on top of. Pikachu and Togepi watched attentively, at their trainers.

"Pikachu pika pikachu pi chu pikachu pika, (Humans have such strange ways of showing their love.)" said Pikachu.

"Tokie, briiiiiiii! (I think it’s beautiful!)" chirped Togepi.

Ash jumped up to a branch on the other side, but didn’t notice Shaharazad. She quietly and swiftly jumped to the other treetop so they wouldn’t notice her if she stayed.

Shaharazad could make out the two figures through the leafs bunched around. Misty had just jumped up and tried pinning Ash down so he didn’t make her chase him around anymore. She heard laughs coming from the tree, almost as if it were inhabited by tree sprites.

"Mmmm…" she heard again and could make out the two kissing again.

They let go of each other and Misty pecked Ash’s forehead and smiled, "Let’s get breakfast!"

Misty waited for Ash to come and began to eat. No later did he bolt down from the highest branch and next to Misty with his own food.

After finishing, Misty laid her head on Ash’s lap lazily and closed her eyes. Ash leaned against the large tree trunk, and let one of his legs dangle from the branch.

Misty let in a deep breath, letting the chilled morning air mixed with Ash’s own scent and the nearby river drift into her nose, then exhaled.

Misty smiled, opened her eyes and spoke up, "Hey, let’s go swimming."

Ash looked down on her and nodded, "Sure."

They both got up and leaped off, landing with a thump on the tall grass. No later did they dive into the water, swimming deeper into the river. Schools of fish swam past them. Some silver-scaled fish gleamed from the light of the sun, shimmering in a bunched school. A family of seahorses cocked their heads and tails back and forth, swimming among rocks and marine plants.

"Oh, wow. Look!" Misty pointed to the large coral reef in front of them. Hills of the pink coral were displayed in front of them, swaying back and forth from the small underwater waves. Beams of light shown down, giving it a fantasy effect (like they’re not in one anyway).

"It’s so beautiful…" said Misty in awe.

They both swam over, laughing. Misty swam down and lightly stood on the soft plants. Ash followed, and swam down behind her, though she was too busy with the coral to notice. Ash covered her eyes with his hands, "Guess who."

Misty just laughed in return and said jokingly, "Ash, I can’t see."

He took his hands off and swam over her so he faced her, head down. Ash leaned forward and gave her an upside-down kiss, which felt a bit strange.

"Hey, what’s this?" he wondered and pointed to a little bit of kelp that sprouted out of the bed of coral suddenly.

"Hmm? What about it?" asked Misty.

"It wasn’t there a minute ago…"

"It’s not important," said Misty and she began swimming above the rolling underwater hills.

Ash swam below her, giving her a good opportunity. She suddenly lowered herself and wrapped her arms around him as he swam, full speed. He lost control and they rammed into the bed of coral, but laughing the whole way.

They looked at each other, still with grins on their faces. They both kissed, and for some reason, they not only felt the warm happy feeling inside, but somehow, enchantment was mixed in.

They opened their eyes and noticed that all around them, kelp had sprouted up, almost reaching the surface of the river.

**

Neia had sensed something, and right before Ash had lost balance in his swimming, she arrived to see what was going on.

"Hmm… it’s happening again," she said and watched as Ash and Misty swam through a fold among the enclosed cylinder of kelp and looked at it in confusion.

**

"You must be a very special couple if this is happening," they heard a voice and were especially startled since they were still trying to keep their relationship a secret.

They saw Neia, and remembered she said she was psychic, so they thought she was the only sprite who knew.

"What do you mean?" asked Misty.

"That," she pointed to the kelp, "is what I mean."

"What is it?" asked Ash.

"Kelp."

"I mean, why did it sprout up around us like that?" he asked again to make himself clearer.

Neia swam up to the kelp and gently touched it before replying. "This certain coral reef is called ‘Lovers’ forest’. That’s because if two people who are deeply in love with each other came here, kelp would sprout out of the coral like a forest, but once they leave, the kelp will disappear."

"Really? Just like that?" wondered Misty in awe.

"Take a look," said Neia.

They turned around and noticed almost all of the coral reef was covered in kelp and seaweed.

"Yes, you really must be a special couple if you made all this," admired Neia, touching the swaying leafs of the kelp, that reached the top of the river.

They started to get a flattered look on their faces and glanced at each other, but when they looked back, Neia had already gone.

"I think we better surface," said Misty finally and she began to swim up.

Ash followed, still amazed by the kelp that had sprouted up. Although when seeing the cost cleared a small creature of 2 feet high poked its way out of the coral. It had wide alienated eyes, a small nose, and small blue wings. It was luminated with green and two antenna with blue tips.

Soon thousands of them sprouted out and seaweed sprouted around them at each stroke of their hands and feet.

"Serebii! Serebii!" each sang out.

When they surfaced, the first thing they saw was a dragon trying to bite Misty. As it lunged its head down, Ash grabbed its mouth quickly so it was closed shut, and struggled to keep it away. Misty moved to the side and quickly got out of the water.

"Rasky!" they heard and saw a young girl running up, unusually fast with a trail of a blue aura behind. She helped Ash keep the dragon still, and it finally backed away, snorting out steam.

"Bad Rasky! Shame on you!" she scolded the dragon.

She dressed like Lila, but she had dark purple hair, soft green eyes, and was a little younger (14).

"I’m sorry, but Rasky is just a newborn dragon. It doesn’t know any better and will bite anything," she said to them.

She looked to them, and tilted her head, "You’re new faces around here. May I ask who you two are?"

"Pikapi!" they heard.

"Tokie! Briiiiiiiiiii!"

The two pokemon ran up to Ash and Misty, who picked them up.

"We are-" began Misty, but she was cut off.

"Oh! You’re the two pokemon trainers I’ve heard so much about!"

"Hear so much…" started Ash.

"…about?" finished Misty.

"Why yes," said the girl with a grin, "My sister, Lila, told me that you two had been washed up ashore about a few weeks ago. Is that true?"

They nodded.

"Umm… who are you anyway?" asked Ash.

"Oh!" the girl yelped, causing Rasky to snort out a puff of steam and make a small noise. "I’ve completely forgotten my manners! My name is Kinu, sister of Lila, whom you already know," she replied.

"Sister of Lila?" repeated Misty.

"Why yes, didn’t she tell you she had a sister?"

They shook their heads slowly.

"Oh, well that’s okay. I would expect more out of her, but I suppose she’d never let me help- I-I mean take time to meet you, since I’ve got a lot of work to do. In fact, I have to go right now, just be sure to try and stay away from Rasky."

"Yeah, we’ll keep our distance from him," said Ash.

"It’s not a boy," said Kinu.

"Oh, it’s a girl?" wondered Misty.

"No, it’s not a girl either," she said.

"Then what is it?" asked Ash.

"It’s a hermaphrodite," she said quickly.

Before they could say anything else, Kinu zoomed off into the sky looking like a blue rocket.

"Eeeewww…" Misty said with a wide frown of sickness.

"What’s a hermaphrodite?" asked Ash.

Misty sweatdropped, "It’s not important…" she said. "Well, we better go away from Kinu’s dragon."

"Pikachu pika…" Pikachu said with a disgusted look at the dragon.

Rasky paid no attention and scampered off as they walked away.

"You think Neia was right about us being a special couple?" wondered Ash.

"You’re special to me," said Misty with a smirk and she wrapped her left arm around Ash’s shoulder to give him half of a hug.

They both smiled, getting the small joke.

(*Evening…*)

Pikachu and Togepi popped their heads out of a tree near Ash and Misty; Jay and Shaharazad followed suit.

"With the green sky, the sunset looks so beautiful…" said Misty with a sigh.

They both leaned on each other, continuing to stare at the sun, slowly make its way down behind the lower trees of the never-ending forest.

They horizon glowed with patches of pink, purple and orange. Distant planets changed their light, whitish color to golden, purple, and pink.

The "caw" of a crow was heard nearby, under the hill they sat upon.

Misty slowly inched her way to her left, towards Ash, until she sat on his lap. She could sense small holes, rips, and the ends were ridged from past adventures. Her clothes were all the same, not to mention her hair, in which she took great pride in. Though looks were the least of their worries compared to their longing to get back home- back to their family, friends. Ash and Misty may have Pikachu and Togepi, but what about everybody else? Sure they were friends with the sprites, but what about Brock? What about Ash’s mother, Professor Oak, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, and all the rest of the pokemon there? For them to go back, would be almost priceless.

Although they always knew, they indeed, wanted to go back home, they at least had the bit of home with them: each other, and being separated forever would be their worst nightmare come true, and it wouldn’t even matter if they didn’t exist if they ever were.

With both of them thinking this at the same time (hidden psychic link), they both tugged tightly on each other, not wanting to let go. Ash wrapped his arms around her tightly. She gripped his arms just as tight to help, and they both sat there silently with half frowns.

"To think that pure thought," said Christine after teleporting next to Shaharazad and Jay, "is enough to let their love grow."

"What are they thinking?" asked Jay.

"If they ever got separated, and how they’d probably die if they were," she replied, with a bit of thoughtfulness.

"I’m sure I’d die if I were separated from you, Shaharazad," said Jay to her.

Shaharazad put on an annoyed look on her face, "Goodbye," she said and sunk down into the tree, before slipping out quietly and through the forest.

Jay made a lopsided frown and looked up. Christine rolled her eyes.

**

The next night, before going to sleep, Ash pulled out his journal.

Things with Misty are going great. We at least never fight, except occasionally, but I guess that’s okay. For some strange reason, I’ve noticed that Pikachu and Togepi are watching us closely… I’m not sure what it means, though. I’ve also noticed that they have huge frowns when Misty and I do fight. I hope they aren’t sick or anything."

Before writing the next sentence, he felt Misty move away for some reason. He looked behind and saw her reaching for something in her backpack.

"Misty? What are you doing?" he asked.

Misty quickly withdrew her arm and faced Ash, "Nothing," she said.

Ash turned his head back to his journal and continued writing in it. Misty took a last glance to make sure he’d stay back, before facing her back against his and reaching into her backpack once more. After rummaging through it for a while, she pulled out what she wanted: a viridian colored diary, slightly larger then Ash’s.

I’m thrilled that we get to go back home! I nearly fainted when Neia told me this. I think Ash got a little over-excited, though-"

"Yeah, Misty?" she heard, then realized she had said his name out loud.

"Huh?" she said.

"I though I heard you call out my name," he said.

Misty thought of something quick to say…

"You must be hearing things. Well, goodnight," she said quickly and shut her diary close, then stuffed it in her backpack.

No later, did Ash shove his tiny journal in his bottom jean pocket.

They both kissed each other before comfortably laying down on the tall grass, breathing in and out the warm, summer air. Ash was the first one to fall asleep, and next was Pikachu, who had been by his foot the whole time. Then Togepi fell asleep, tucked under Misty’s arm. The only one left was Misty, who looked up at the stars.

She sighed, thinking of what it would be like to get back home… though a very small part of her, kept saying they wouldn’t be getting back to Viridian as soon as they would think they could. Maybe there was a little water sprite inside her all along.

Misty shook the thought off, and turned over so she lay on her side, instead of her back, and she faced Ash, who was probably dreaming now.

She gently placed her fingers on his cheek, and slid them down to his mouth, to his chin, and down until on his shoulder. She scooted up more, until sensing his body heat and closed her eyes, with a slight smile. The smile turned into a normal, resting position as she drifted off to dreamland.

(*Day*)

They all stood in front of the giant portal, it was open, and colors were seen swirling around.

Ash and Misty didn’t care if all the sprites were around, they were both hugging each other, smiling, with Pikachu and Togepi sticking their heads from their trainers’ backpacks.

"How exactly will we get up there?" asked Misty.

"Stand right below it, and you will be picked up from it and sent back to your world," replied Lila.

"Go now, you have waited on this little island long enough," said Shaharazad.

"We will certainly miss you," said Christine with a smile.

Jay and the thunder sprites nodded.

Neia walked up to the two.

"Ash? Misty?" she said above a whisper.

They turned their heads to her.

"The portal may get a pressure burst, and you might be bounced off to a parallel universe. There is a way to help you get through, though," she said.

"How?" asked Misty and she hugged Ash tighter, hoping the bounce wouldn’t get them separated.

"Exactly what you’re doing. Both of you must think of each other, for there is a hidden link between two people who truly love each other, and if you both use it, your probabilities of getting back home are greater. In other words, put all your thoughts on how you love each other. How you’ll risk your life for each other as you have before. How always talk about your problems, and doing so always solves it; for such is what increases your love, and enough to make you immune to hatred if one shall put a spell on you," Neia explained with a smile.

Ash and Misty both nodded slowly and speechless.

"We’ll always remember you, just as we do of others who have come rarely," said Mary.

"Goodbye," everybody said at once.

Ash and Misty slowly walked into the light that the portal shown down.

When they walked into the center, they were immediately shot up. They tried their best to do what Neia had told them. They held on to each other, trying to prevent themselves from getting separated.

On their minds, were either "I love Misty" or "I love Ash". They dared themselves to open their eyes, and when they did, they both saw a dark figure circling them. That’s when their attention was put to "What’s that black thing?"

Then they sensed themselves be pulled apart, and not even their build of strength was enough to hold on. The last thing they saw, seemed to be in slow motion.

Misty turned her head to Ash and saw him, just struggling to hold on to her hands. When it seemed he could take no more, he burst into a light, and it circled around him. She heard an engulfed yell through it. She couldn’t see it, but the yell was caused from two scars shaped like lightning bolts that appeared down his cheeks, starting from above his ears, and ending a centimeter away from his mouth tips. She saw his clothes change. His Pokemon League hat dissolved or something- she couldn’t tell. His jeans were replaced with a yellow-gold rough cloth for pants, and golden (not real gold) boots were in place of his sneakers. Instead of a jacket and black T-shirt, he had a long sleeved shirt with the same color and material for his pants. His backpack disappeared and Pikachu held tightly to Ash.

This had all happened in a second, but Misty saw it clearly. She saw him get boosted backwards so quickly, it seemed he and Pikachu faded away.

In the next millisecond, Misty glowed blue and she felt scales climb up her skin. Shining blue-green scales blotched on the sides of her necks and down to her shoulder, on the sides of her arms near her elbows and up the outsides of her legs. Then, she felt gills open behind her ears like a fish, allowing her to breath underwater if she had to. Like a ripple emitting from the center of her, Misty’s clothes transformed. Her band came off, letting her long, red hair flow down her shoulders, her yellow shirt with the bare mid-riff became tighter, black, and water repellent. Her shorts became longer, so it reached just above her knees, and it became the same material. Her shoes were no more, and her feet became naturally harder and tougher. Finally, Togepi changed; it’s skin became sky blue and a smooth coat of mucus (not the mucus from your nose. Mucus like the kind from your stomach) surrounded it. Its shell seemed to become part of its skin, like an extra layer, and it became dark blue, then finally, gills formed too, behind where its ears supposedly were.

Misty’s backpack also disappeared and her pokeballs latched onto the sides of her tightened pants. After the second, she was shot backwards like Ash, but in the opposite direction.

The sprites frowned.

"They… they… they got bounced off…" said Lila.

"This is not good…" added Christine.

Neia shook her head, "The gombei…" she said. "It must have took their attention."