Ages:
Ash- 20
Brock- 22
Dawn- 10 ½
Kenny- 11
Nando- 16
Zoey- 15
Jessie- 26
James- 27
Mr. Waterflower- 49 ½
Misty- 20 ½


Disclaimer- Neither Shadow Squirtle nor I own Pokemon.  If we did, would we 
be writing this?  I think not.  So anyways, someone rich owns Pokemon.  So no 
sueing.



The Mere Slip of the Tongue
By: Shadow Pikachu and Shadow Squirtle

	“Hey Brock!” Dawn called out.
	“Yeah Dawn?” Brock asked.
	They were in yet another Pokemon Center.  Brock was actually having a 
good chat with the resident Nurse Joy, one of the few who was actually 
enjoying Brock’s flirting.  
Dawn was looking for Ash, who had disappeared, to ask him an important 
question.
	“Where’s Ash?” Dawn asked.
	“I think he went straight to bed.  He wasn’t feeling to good.” Brock 
said over his shoulder.
	“Really?  He didn’t seem any different.” Dawn stated, heading for the 
stairs.
	“Ash is pretty good about hiding how he’s feeling.  That was just what 
he told me.” Brock sighed, knowing that Dawn was going to pester Ash, “My 
dear, I’m afraid I must leave 
you for now. But I shall return!” 
	With that, they headed up to their room.  They were about to knock when 
Pikachu opened the door. (don’t’ ask how)  It seemed slightly annoyed.
	“I see now.  That’s why he isn’t feeling his best.  Memories?” Brock 
asked.
	“Pi. Pikachupi pika.”
	“Wait, what did it say?” Dawn asked Brock.
	“Don’t know.  Only Ash knows what Pikachu says.” Brock sighed, slipping 
into the room.
	There layed Ash on his bed, one arm on his forehead.  It was a habit 
that Ash had picked up for when he was thinking hard.  It kept him calm on 
the most frustrating topics.  
Not that it worked all the time. In his other friend, Brock saw Ash’s 
favorite picture. The one that if you took, you’d be dead. Even Team Rocket 
knew that. It was when Ash and Misty 
where dressed up for their last Christmas together. Ash was in his best tux, 
against his will, and Misty was in the most beautiful red glitter dress with 
her hair down.  Brock had 
strayed in dangerous territory that night.  He told Ash that if he didn’t 
make his move that another guy would swoop down on Misty.  He even joked 
about maybe him being the guy.  
That got Ash so mad that Brock was lucky Ash didn’t break his nose when he 
punched him. He could remember how Ash hissed.
	“Don’t you dare.  If you do, I’ll make you sorry that you even know 
me.” 
	Ash’s voice was so cold then.  Not that Brock could blame him. Ash was 
not only protecting the girl he loved, he was protecting his best friend.  
And Brock understood that.  
So the Christmas party went off without a hitch.  But it wasn’t until after 
Misty left two months later that Brock heard that Ash didn’t have a good 
night.  He was going to ask Misty 
to go out with him but it didn’t happen.  Since then, Brock always knew that 
Ash hated himself for being such a coward.
	“Hey Ash? You ok?” Brock asked, sitting down beside the bed.
	Ash slowly opened his eyes.  Brock could see the sorrow in them.
	“Yeah…I’m fine,” Ash sighed.
	“Thinking of that night again?” Brock asked.
	“Yeah.”
	“Care to tell me what happened? I’ve been wondering and you won’t tell 
me.” 
	Ash looked at the ceiling, “Not really.”
	“Hey! What’s going on!?” Dawn snapped.
	“Oh, Dawn! I forgot that you were in here!” Brock yelped.
	‘How could I forget her?’ Brock thought.
	“Ash, I have a question for you.” Dawn said.
	“Shoot.” Ash said, sitting up.
	“There’s a party in about an hour for coordinators but we have to bring 
a guest.  One that we are comfortable tag teaming with.  So what do you say?” 
Dawn asked.
	“Dawn, you know I’m not much of a coordinator. Why not Brock?” Ash 
stated.
	“Because you’re a better trainer.  No offense to you Brock, but I want 
to win so I can prove to Kenny that I’m just as good as he is.” Dawn said, 
ablaze.
	“Fine, but the second that I decide I want to quit, you don’t stop me. 
Deal?” Ash proposed.
	“Deal.” Dawn agreed.
	So an hour later, Ash was down stair battling with Dawn.  The battles 
were rather easy.  Ash just wasn’t in the mood for a battle.  So he would use 
a few combinations 
with Dawn and then end the battle.  He did not feel good.  And just as the 
last battle between Zoey and Nando started, his name was called out from the 
PA system.

	'Ash Ketchm, you have a phone call. Ash Ketchum, you have a phone 
call.'

	“Nurse Joy, can you tell the caller to hold? I’m in a battle!” Ash 
asked.
	“One second…..Can you hold please? He’s in a battle….I see…Yes on 
second. The caller said yes but to hurry up.” Nurse Joy said.
	Ash sighed. Probably his mom or Professor Oak.  
	“Well, I mustn’t keep whoever it is waiting. Alright, so we have 
Glameow and Sunflora.  I feel like using….Pikachu! And who do you call, 
Dawn?” Ash questioned.
	“Go, Bunneary!” 
	Ash fell over anime style. He defiantly didn’t need to see Bunneary try 
to get Pikachu to like it.  That would only make his mood worse.
	“Not Bunneary!” Ash complained to himself.
	“Bunneary! Bunn? Bunneary!” Bunneary exclaimed hugging Pikachu.
	“Pikachu! Pikapi!” Pikachu cried.
	Ash was busy trying to resist the urge to curl up in a ball of pain.  
He didn’t like to see this. It hurt his heart.
	“Bunneary, ice beam!” Dawn yelled out.
	“Pikachu, thunderbolt.” Ash said, still fighting for control.
	“Ash, you ok?” Zoey asked, after failing to dodge the double attack.
	“I’m fine.  I’m just not feeling well.” Ash stated, forcing on a fake 
smile.
	“Then you shouldn’t be battling. You should be resting.” Nando added.
	“It’s not that kind of not feeling well.  Its another kind of not 
feeling well,” Ash explained.
	They all looked at him like he was crazy.
	“Pikachu, go into a spiral Volt Tackle on both Glameow and Sunflora.” 
Ash sighed.
	He placed a hand over his heart. It hurt so bad to remember.  And 
everything made him remember.  Every last little detail of every last speck 
of dust. It all reminded 
him of his one true love. Misty. The one that he loved…and the one he lost.  
He could feel the tears in his eyes.  He didn’t care anymore.  He watched 
Pikachu win their battle 
through the tears and the pain.  As soon as the ref called the battle a 
victory for Dawn and him, Ash crumpled to the floor.  His hands shot up to 
cover his eyes.  Why? Why 
did it hurt so much? Why did love have to hurt?
	“Ash!” he heard Kenny yell.  
	He didn’t care who saw him like this.  He knew that he should, but he 
didn’t.  He couldn’t care less if Team Rocket saw him.  It just hurt to much.
	“Ash!” Brock yelled, making his way through the crowd.
	This was bad.  Brock could see it from the moment that they started 
battling that Ash didn’t want to battle.  He knew that Ash wouldn’t step down 
though.  Ash could 
always get lost in battles.  They could calm him down.  Even if he was 
thinking of Misty.  But not tonight.  The pain was to great.  And he wondered 
why.  Finally, he made 
it to Ash’s side where Dawn, Pikachu, Bunneary, Kenny, Zoey, and Nando were 
to comfort him.  Not that they could.  Only Misty could quell his aching 
heart and Brock knew this 
fact. He squatted by Ash and placed his hand on his back.
	“Ash….It’s ok…Brocko’s here for you,” Brock said.
	The next thing he knew, Ash had moved slightly.  The same move that he 
would do when he wanted a hug.  But Brock had only seen him do it for his mom 
and mostly for Misty.  
It was a silent sign that he wasn’t feeling at his best and needed comfort.  
Brock put his arm on Ash’s shoulders as a sign as he understood.
	“You want to talk about it now?” Brock asked.
	Ash nodded.  Then he took a shaky breath and said, “You were right, 
Brock.”
	“About what?”
	“That if I d-didn’t m-make m-my move that I’d l-lose her.  You were 
right.” Ash stuttered.
	“What?!” Brock gasped.
	“I lost, Brock.  I just lost.” Ash sighed.
	“Care to explain?” Zoey asked.
	“Yeah, what did you lose, Ash?” Kenny asked.
	“You can trust us. We’re your friends,” Nando added.
	“yeah, come on.” Dawn finished.
	Ash took a deep breath, “I lost the girl I loved with all my heart.”
	Everyone looked at each other.  Except Brock and Pikachu, no one knew 
Ash was in love with anyone.  They just thought that he didn’t like any of 
the girls he met.
	“What happened Ash?” Kenny asked.
	By now, all his friends were sitting down beside him on the ground.  
They needed to know what was on their friend’s mind.
	“Well, about four years ago for Christmas, my friends and I were 
getting ready to go to this great party….”

											(Flashback)

	“Wow, Misty’s sure taking her sweet time,” Ash sighed, leaning against 
the wall.
	“Don’t rush her.  Girls need time to look their best.” Brock stated.
	Brock stared at his short friend.  He somehow managed to get his hair 
to go straight.  He was wearing a tux and he made sure that not a speck of 
grime was anywhere on his person.  
Something was up.  Ash never got this dressed up unless he really wanted to 
impress Misty.  Not that he’d admit it.  He only admit it to Pikachu that he 
loved her.  And the only reason he 
knew was because he was eavesdropping…on accident. ;p He chuckled to himself 
on how he fooled Ash.
	That’s when Ash glared at him.  He heard the chuckle and took it as a 
sign saying he looked stupid.  To tell the truth, he felt stupid.  But he had 
to make sure that his plan went 
off without a hitch.  It had to.
	“IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT MY OUTFIT THEN SAY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!” 
Ash snapped.
	He didn’t need anyone to make fun of him tonight. He was already on 
edge.  His plan was going to be difficult.
	“What’s with all the yelling?!” Misty snapped from the doorway.
	Ash turned and his face change from angry to the face he wore in front 
of her the night at Maiden’s Peak.  She was stunning.  She wore her hair 
down. Just a pinch of make up.  
Her dress hugged all her curves.  And the slit went up to mid thigh.  He 
could feel the deep hot red blush creep upon his face.  His mouth went dry.  
Sure, he always thought that she 
was beautiful. But this was…extraordinarily beautiful.  Words could explain 
how he thought that she looked.
	“Let’s go already Ash!” Misty shouted.
	Ash shook himself out of his thoughts and trotted after his friends.  
On the way to the party, Brock pulled Ash to the side.
	“Hey Ash, you better make your move soon before some other guy scoops 
Misty up.” Brock told him.
	Ash stiffened up. 
	“Dude, anyone could take her.  With the way she’s dressed, if I didn’t 
know any better, I’d try and be that guy.” Brock teased.
	But that teased got a hard punch to his face.  He thanked his lucky 
stars that he was Ash’s friend or he would have broken his nose. Or worse.
	“If you do, I’ll make you sorry that you even met me,” Ash hissed.
	“WILL YOU TWO HURRY UP!?!?!??!?!” Misty screamed from up ahead.
	“Coming!” the boys yelled back.
	Within twenty minutes, they reached the party. And it was packed.  Ash 
gulped.  He’d have to contend with this crowd for Misty’s attention. So the 
party was on.  But every time 
Ash tried to ask Misty to dance, he was always dragged off to dance with some 
weird girl who thought that he was cute.  He sighed to himself.  Right now, 
his success towards his dreams 
weren’t helping him in the least.
	Finally he got to Misty. Problem being, there was a guy hitting on her. 
Now he knew all to well that if Misty liked the guy he had no right to be 
mad. But Misty looked rather 
annoyed at the man, who appeared to be drunk.  
	“Leave me alone, you big jerk!” Misty snapped silently, letting out 
just enough of a scared tone to worry Ash.
	“Come on sugar, what about my holiday present?” the drunk teased, 
running his finger up her neck.
	Ash had had it.  He tapped the man on his shoulder.
	“I believe she asked you to leave.” Ash said politely.
	“Beat it pip squeak.  I’m busy,” the drunk chuckled.
	That got Ash’s blood boiling. He pulled back his arm and punched the 
man, who had yet to turn back to Misty and was still somewhat facing him, and 
punched him square in the jaw.  
Now he may have been small, but Ash was strong.
	“Next time you mess with Mist, you’ll find yourself in the ER. Got it?” 
Ash hissed.
	The man nodded and ran off. Ash sighed and sat down by Misty.
	“My feet are killing me!  Dance after dance!” Ash complained.
	Misty giggled slightly, “Well, your lucky, no one’s asked me to dance 
tonight.”
	Ash stared at her and then jumped up and bowed in front of her.
	“Then shall we dance?” Ash smirked.
	“I thought that you’d never ask,” Misty giggled again.
	Ash led her to the dance floor.  He knew that Brock would see them and 
turn on a slow song. And he was right.  They played THE GUARDIAN’S SONG the 
second that they got on the floor.  
Ash blushed as he placed his hands on her waist.  Misty was the same tint of 
pink as she placed her hands on his shoulder.  The dance was actually quite 
relaxing to his stressed nerves.  
But just as the song ended and they were headed off the dance floor, Ash 
saw….him. He tensed up and led Misty to the balcony.
	“Ash, what is it?” Misty asked.
	“I just saw my…father.” Ash whispered.
	“Then let’s go talk with him!” Misty exclaimed happily.
	“NO!” Ash snapped, then immediately regretting it. He hated yelling at 
her, “You don’t know anything about him.” 
	“What do you mean?” 
	“Mr. Ketchum isn’t my real dad.  My mom was raped by one of her so 
called best friends.  Mr. Ketchum took me in a his own son because he 
couldn’t have a child of his own
for unknown reasons.  But my real dad insisted on being in my life.  So I was 
forced to visit him every other week…..He’s a horrible man, Mist. He truly 
is. I don’t truly even 
think of him as my dad.”
	“What did he do to you, Ash?” 
	Misty placed her hand on his shoulder comfortingly.
	“He…abused me in…some many ways. Mentally, physically, and….”
	Misty got the picture. She gasped involuntarily.
	“I can’t believe that a man could that to his own son!”
	“Neither could I.  It took years to get him to release the custody over 
me.  Then, Mr. Ketchum, the man I always looked up to as I father, became 
gravely ill.  But I wasn’t allowed 
to see him.  They said that his condition was to unstable.  But I think it’s 
because they didn’t want me to see him that way.  So I stayed away while mom 
went to visit him.  The town really 
didn’t care for me. But they did care a lot for my mom. So they’d help out 
for her.  That’s when I decided that I would become a pokemon master. So I 
could prove to them all that I was the 
best of the best and that I could take care of myself….I haven’t seen Mr. 
Ketchum for years.  I don’t even know what hospital he’s in anymore.  But I 
know he’s alive. But seeing my real dad 
here…It’s hard, that’s all”
	But his body betrayed him.  It made the sign that he needed a hug and 
Misty complied.
	“It you want, we can leave.  I’ll find Brock and we’ll go.  If you’re 
in pain, we can go.” Misty whispered.
	But Ash couldn’t let them do that for him.  They had already given him 
so much.
	“No…You guys stay. I’ll head back.” 
	“You sure?”
	“Yeah, and Mist?”
	“Yes?”
	“You’re the first person who I’ve ever told that to.  You truly make me 
feel like I don’t have to hide anything to you or be as strong.” Ash said as 
he blushed.
	“….You do the same for me Ash.  You sure you don’t want us to leave? We 
will, if you want to.”
	“No. You guys enjoy your party.  Later!” 
	With that, Ash walked off. Halfway back, he finally realized that he 
forgot his coat.  But he didn’t care.  Thanks to the man that he hated with a 
passion, Ash’s plan was ruined.
He was supposed to take her under the one piece of mistletoe that was away 
from public eyes and ask her to be his.  But that didn’t work out. He sat 
down on a bench to wait for his friends.  
The party was just now winding down so he bet that they would be there in 
about 30 minutes. He could wait.  It gave him time to think. 
	He must’ve dozed off or something cause he heard Misty scream his name 
in terror.  His eyes shot open as he saw the most horrid sight yet to befall 
his eyes.  Brock was being held 
back by some other guys Ash didn’t recognized. Then his eyes rested on his 
biological father holding Misty up by her arms. His body just moved. He 
jumped up, kicked his father in the most 
sensitive place on a man’s body, rapid punched his chest, and kicked his 
head.  His father fell in pain and released her. 
	“WHAT THE HEY IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!?!?!?!!” Ash yelled at his father.
	“I j-just w-wanted to inspect the g-girl you p-picked out.” his father 
stuttered.
	Ash turned a deep red.
	“Ash is my best friend. Not my boyfriend,” Misty explained, “Come on 
Ash. We need to get to the pokemon center before curfew. Let’s go Brock.”
	“Yes, ma’am” the boys said.
	Ash could feel his father staring at his back as they walked away.  He 
knew what he was thinking and Ash wished he didn’t.  But you couldn’t change 
what is true. 
Nor could you change someone’s heart.
								
								(End of Flashback)

	“After that, I had a bad cold then everything went back to normal.  But 
I never forgave myself.  Not only did my plan failed, both Misty and Brock 
could have been hurt.  
I felt responsible.” Ash sighed.
	“But you aren’t.” Dawn stated.
	“So why are you upset now?” Zoey asked.
	“I just found out that she’s got a boyfriend. About a week ago I called 
her in hope of still having a chance. But I got her dad. Big guy he is. 
Anyways, I asked him if I 
could talk with Misty and he said that she was busy with her boyfriend.  I 
was crushed to say the least….I love her with all my heart. I truly do. So if 
she’s happy…Then who am I 
to try and take that away from her.” Ash stated.
	“But it still hurts,” Brock said.
	“Yeah.” Ash agreed.
	“The pain might never leave if you do love her the way you say you do.” 
Nando pointed out.
	“I know that.  And I don’t care.  If she’s happy, that’s enough for me 
to keep going on like I have.  Even if it hurts horribly. It won’t matter.”
	His friends looked at him.  They knew that the pain wouldn’t go away.  
They just knew it.
	“Ash?” A familiar voice asked.
	“Who’s there?” Zoey snapped, looking for the source.
	But both Brock and Ash stiffened up at the voice.
	“Ash, it’s Misty.  Pick up the dang phone. I’ve got to talk with you. 
Now.”
	Ash looked at Brock.
	“I’ll be right there with you.”
	Ash nodded and they made there way to the phone.  All his Sinnoh 
friends followed wanting to see who Misty was. Ash saw Misty’s image on the 
screen and gulped.  
He slowly picked up the phone.
	“Hey Mist!” Ash said with fake happiness.
	“Don’t even start. I heard everything that you said.” Misty stated, 
slightly irritated that Ash would lye to her.
	Ash’s face immediately turned a deep red.
	“Everything?” He asked, slightly shaky.
	“Nurse Joy accidentally put me on speaker instead of hold.” Misty 
explained, “So is what you said true?”
	Ash looked down at the ground.
	“Y-Y-Yes,” Ash stuttered. 
	“Could you guys give us some privacy?” Misty asked the others.
	They nodded and then walked away, leaving Ash to his captor.
	“Ash, first of all, it wasn’t your fault with what happened between me 
and Brock and you dad.  I told Brock what you said and we went up to him to 
talk with him.  
But he saw us with him.  So he reached for me to ask motion for me to sit, I 
kicked him.  So that got him and his goons to chase us.  We ran and we 
spotted you. I only yelled your 
name to tell you to run. So it isn’t your fault. Now as to my father.  He 
thought that this guy that I was out on a blind date with would pan out.  It 
didn’t. I love one guy and 
one guy alone.” Misty told him.
	Ash still didn’t look at her. He heard Misty sigh and turn off the 
phone on her side. Ash felt even worse now.  Then he felt a familiar touch on 
his shoulder. 
	“And that guy is you, Ash Ketchum.” he heard Misty say.
	He swung his body around to face Misty.
	“What are you doing here?” Ash asked.
	“Vacation time. And I wanted to see you.” Misty said.
	Ash looked into her eyes, “Do you mean it? Do you truly love me? Like I 
love you?”
	“Yes, you dense boy.” Misty giggled.
	Suddenly, Ash picked up Misty bridal style and swung her around.
	“But how did you get here?” Ash asked, after sitting her down.
	“You’ll actually have to thank Jessie and James.  You see, they are 
quitting Team Rocket and wanted to give me a ride to you.  No strings 
attached.” Misty said.
	“No more Team Rocket? This is a great day!”
	“And just think, it’s all because of a mess up and a slip of the 
tongue.” Misty stated.
	“Yeah,” Ash sighed.
	With that, they made a promise of their emotions with their first kiss.


											-Epilogue-

	That had been eight years ago.  Now Ash and Misty were married and had 
twins on the way.  The Cerulean gym had to be closed because Misty no longer 
was the gym leader there.  
Not to worry, she has yet to give up on her Water-Pokemon Master dream. In 
fact, she’s reached it.  She has every water pokemon known to man.  Plus 
she’s the right hand person of the GPMC. 
Who is the GPMC? Grand Pokemon Master Champion?  Ash Satoshi Ketchum. Yep. 
Brock finally found the Joy of his life. (Sorry for the pun.) It was the same 
one that left the phone on speaker.  
They were married and already had a boy and a girl.  Brock was Ash’s top 
breeder and had become the best any breeder could hope to become.  May and 
Drew, (I know they were never mentioned in the story) 
were the top coordinator tag team in the world.  They rarely lost.  Dawn and 
Kenny were also a tag team and were doing great.  Both tag team match ups 
were together and doing well.  
Nando and Zoey got married and are doing great in contests.  Max found a his 
passion in life. Both in pokemon and in love. Her name is Crystal and she is 
a practicing pokemon researcher.  
Max is a pokemon watcher and her only aide.  So Max is ALWAYS with her. Paul 
lost horribly against Ash five years ago.  Harley lost to May in such an ugly 
manner.  No one in the group has seen them since.  
Jessie and James are no longer in team rocket.  They now live on a ranch with 
all their pokemon, Meowth included, and are now living the married live 
together with there three kids.  
Ash always thought back to how he and Misty had gotten together.  And he 
would chuckle as he thought of the one mistake he made.  Not asking her to 
marry him right then and there.  
But, then again, he proposed to her just like how he confessed his love for 
her. With a mere slip of the tongue.