(continued from first part; same guidelines follow)

A Dangerous Love Trial

(Part 2)

Rainbows and waterfalls were everywhere, not to mention Pokémon. Colors shimmered its rich pigments just like a prism would. The sparkling water from the waterfalls plundered with such force, yet with so much serenity. Roses of all colors bloomed all around, and a sunlight-touched, beautiful, redhead girl (with her hair down) in a slim white dress sat near the opening of the biggest waterfall. Her back was turned, but she swirled around as if she felt a sudden force just hit her. She beamed. "Hi Ash, like this place?"

Ash with Pikachu stood there, looking around. "Wh—what is this place? (stared at the girl and looked shocked) WAAH! Misty? How did I get here? What happened to the festival, and—EVERYTHING?" And whoa...she looks marvelous! he thought.

She smiled her best at him. "It’s filled with all the most happiest and most beautiful things ever imagined, Ash! Water pokemon like mine, flowers, waterfalls, and great weather. No bugs! Just all my favorite things. Remember?"

At that word the surroundings changed to the Colors of Passion part of the festival, and Misty was back in her ponytail, tank-top and shorts. "Oh Ash, thanks so much for taking me to the Colors of Passion. I had a great time, and it’s the best day of my life! Dancing with you was so much fun! (she lifted up a cup of punch) You want a drink?"

Ash looked around again. "Now, how did we end up here? Where’s Brock?" He looked directly at her, who was lifting the cup slowly to her mouth. He tried to grab the cup away from her. "No, Misty! Don’t drink that! Justin put something in it! You’re gonna get drugged! You’re---"

Plop.

Everyone and everything stopped. Misty staggered and fell onto the bench (which seemed to appear on the spot like magic) and dropped the half-empty cup to the floor. Ash clutched his head. "Misty?"

He bent down and shook her as hard as possible. "Misty! Hey Misty, get up! Wake up! (he turned to his side) Pikachu! Go get Brock!" He blinked. "Pikachu? Where are you? Brock?"

A shadow formed over him, causing him to look up. "Tiffany?" he asked.

Tiffany crouched down and examined Misty. We’ve gotta help her, Ash! Before she’s gone!" She then materialized into the air.

"Tiffany?" Ash questioned, again.

Two familiar laughs arose from somewhere around. Ash clasped his fist. "Team Rocket!"

Jesse cackled, "How’s that twerpy little girl doing?"

Ash gripped harder. He reached behind to take out a pokeball, but couldn’t find any. He sweatdropped. "Aw, my Pokémon! Where did they all go!"

James laughed, "You’re such an incompetent fool!"

Ash stopped what he was doing and questioned, "Huh?"

Jesse laughed again. "You stupid little dope! You lost Pikachu, all your Pokémon , and most of all, your ‘girlfriend’!"

"My WHAT!?!" Ash demanded. It finally hit him; Misty! He flashed around and couldn’t find her on the bench, only to see her being taken away. Running at full speed, he dashed right after the crooks.

"Hey, give her back!" he ordered. "Pikachu too!"

Justin turned to him and tossed something at Ash’s face. "Here’s Pikachu! But we’re keeping the chick!"

"No, you can’t do that!" Ash cried, catching his pikapal.

"Too bad!" laughed Justin, speeding off into the horizon. Ash stopped short in his tracks. "Stop! Misty! Wake up! MIIIIIISSTYYYYYY!"

* * *

"Misty...Misty..." mumbled Ash, sleeping at the base of a tree trunk in the nearby forest.

Brock placed his hand on Ash’s shoulder and shook him. "Ash? Ash, wake up!"

He couldn’t hear him. "Misty...wake up...Misty..."

Brock tried harder. "AAASH!" he yelled.

His friend literally jumped up and fell face first to the floor. "WAAOOOMF!" he shouted. He opened his eyes and struggled up. "Uh, what happened? Misty?"

Brock came over and helped him up. "Ash, you were just having a bad dream," he reasoned. "Misty’s not here."

"I—I know," Ash answered, holding his head. "I wonder what’s Justin doing to her. But I can’t let that jerk do anything! Ooh, I’m gonna find that place right now!" He slung his backpack over his shoulders and started running.

"Wait!" Brock halted, grasping onto Ash’s collar.

"Huh?’

"Ash, we can’t just go barging into that place where Misty is," Brock explained. "It’s too dangerous. And, we don’t even know how we’re gonna get in without getting caught or into any trouble for that matter."

"I already know how to get Misty out of there, and that’s to go RIGHT NOW!" argued Ash. "I know I have to go get her now!"

"Ash, I know you miss Misty, in all kinds of ways," Brock said, calmly. "I do, and even Tiffany. Don’t worry; after some thinking, we can go."

"But I can’t wait that long! What if something’s happened! We might be already too late!" he fought.

"Pika!" agreed Pikachu.

Brock sighed, and Tiffany came over to his side, soothing his back. "Brock’s right, Ash," she replied. "We know you really care for and miss Misty, but if we go in without any planning, we ALL are gonna get hurt. And Misty might not even get rescued at all! I know it’s hard, but if you want your best friend back, you have to."

Ash hung his head, knowing that she was right. Misty WAS his best friend (same rank as Pikachu) and for that, he has to plan this all out. He looked up.

"Yeah, you guys are right," he admitted. He sat down close to the little bonfire. "So how are we gonna do this? We have to plan fast."

"Let’s start with our Pokémon," suggested Brock. He and Tiffany then sat next to the fire. "We can use each other’s Pokémon and try to make a break in."

"We can’t do that yet," pointed out Ash. "We don’t even know where Misty and them are at."

"Good point," responded Tiffany. She folded her pretty hands in her lap. "So, what are we going to do?"

"I don’t know," Ash replied, hopeless.

Everyone was thinking hard, but the answers just wouldn’t register in their minds. Several minutes passed, and still no one had any answer.

Suddenly, Pikachu cheered. "Pika! Pika! Pi, pikachu!" he yanked on Ash’s shirt vigorously.

Its trainer looked down at him. "What’s the matter Pikachu? You’ve got an idea?"

Brock and Tiffany leaned forward to Pikachu, hoping to hear something useful.

Pikachu started explaining, pantomiming some physical movements. "Pi, pikachu! Pika! Pika! Ka, kach! Pikachu!"

Ash nodded and was overjoyed. "All right!" he yelped, jumping up. "Good work, Pikachu! (he took out a pokeball) Let’s start looking for Misty!" He threw the pokeball to the ground and commanded, "Pigeotto, I choose you!" The bird soared out of the pokeball and flew above everyone. "Pigeotto, go search and find where Misty is," he continued. "Bring us back anything you can find, including how she is and other weird stuff about the place."

The bird nodded and replied, "Pigeotto!" then winged off into the starry evening.

Ash looked after his Pokémon. "We’re counting on you, Pigeotto."

* * *

"Ah, hahahahahaha!" laughed Jesse, full of torture. "This is so perfect! It’s almost too good to be true! Victory tastes so good!"

James and Meowth were on the dark ground, devouring their dinner. "Yeah, victory is the best tasting dinner in the world!" James exclaimed.

Misty heard some blurred voices and started to stir. Who’s here? She thought, trying to move.

Justin’s voice sounded, "Hey, she’s comin’ to!"

Where am I? she asked, feeling like she can’t move at all. She slowly opened her heavy eyelids, and a fuzzy picture came into view. Team Rocket and Justin, she thought again. They’re the ones who took me here. But—Ash? Where’s Ash? Ash? On no, what have they done to him! Where are you Ash! Please be all right!

He’s all right, another part of her said. He’s coming to help you. Have hope.

She finally opened her eyes completely and saw some very dark surroundings. Dark, mystical walls surrounded everyone while the floors were colder than ice. Only a little light hanging from the ceiling effortly provided some light.

Misty sat up. "Huh? Where am I? Justin, what did you do to me?"

He laughed. "Oh, nothing much, my darling. Only SOMEONE drank the wrong cup of punch back at the Colors of Passion."

"WHAT!?!" Misty screamed, making everyone shrink and cover their ears. "You DRUGGEDE me? You spiked my drink to take me to this crappy dump? Why you mangy little hairball!" She jumped up and almost kicked her archival in the face. She paused, still feeling weak.

"Now, that’s not nice to say," Justin replied, smirking.

Jesse stepped forward. "That’s right, you little twerp, we’re gonna get what we need to get," she snitched.

"And this time, we’re not gonna lose!" assured James.

Misty back slowly halfway to the icy corner and secretly reached her hand behind her. She silently gasped. Where are all my Pokémon!?! She raged. They’ve all been taken!

"We can finally get Pikachu!" James pranced.

Misty was confused. "If you want Pikachu, why did you capture me for? Pikachu’s not MY Pokémon."

"Yeah, but you’re perfect for the job," hinted Justin, with a glass of fizzing water in his hand.

"What are you talking about?" Misty demanded.

Jesse laughed again, and Meowth smiled. Justin just kept on explaining, "Oh, you’re so naive, Misty, yet so pretty. You’re a really great water Pokémon trainer, so with you telling them what to do, we can get just what we want; Pokémon!"

"How can you? You can’t tell me what to do! Staryu and the others are my Pokémon, so I control them!" she disputed.

"Oh, after what will happen next, you won’t even feel or remember a thing," James supposedly assured. "After YOU’RE under our little spell, you’re gonna do what we want you to do; get rid of your breeder friend with the brown hair, and best of all, you’re gonna get rid of your boyfriend."

"My WHAT!?! Who—" she trailed off. Ash...thought. They’re going to make me hurt Ash!

"I will never hurt my friends! And don’t even think about making me hurt my boyfriend—I mean, Ash, because I won’t do it! I care about him, Brock, Tiffany and ALL of my friends! You can sure try, but I won’t ever give in! I refuse to be used as I was before!" Misty raged. She suddenly thought, did I just say that I care about Ash?

Justin strutted forward Misty like a heavyweight champion. "Looks like you don’t have any other choice," he sneered. "This rare herb that tranquilizes the strongest Pokémon will do well."

Misty started to panic and walk back against the wall again. She looked back and was terrified. Oh no, dead-end! She thought. She looked out at the little dark jail bars. Ash, please Ash, don’t come here! She begged within. Please, all of you, save yourselves! Ash, please know I really appreciated you taking me to the Colors of Passion. I’ll always remember you, how you and I fight, and how you danced with me. I really care about you Ash, more than I can ever say, so please, don’t come here! You, Pikachu and everyone go and become the best Pokémon masters in the world. Ash! Please, don’t come! Keep on traveling! Ash---

She felt sour water forced into her mouth and something being stabbed into her arm. After that, she couldn’t be part of anything except cold and darkness.

* * *

Pigeotto soared the dark, heavenly starred-night and intentionally kept on searching. It was quite a while since he left on Ash’s command, and he still had no luck in finding anything.

But suddenly, a dim-lit building caught Pigeotto’s eye, and he paused in the air. It was a vein covered place, supposedly to camouflage the peculiar building. A couple of jail bars were seen where the light was coming from, so he dove down to it and peered inside. "Pigeot’?" asked Pigeotto, quietly. (cue the drama music here!)

Inside was Misty lying in the nearest corner to the window, looking really sick. There was no blush on her cheeks, and her skin was dull and pulsating cold. Pigeotto secretly flew closer and struggled to look inside more. Team Rocket was seen with Justin, still celebrating their victory.

"So, with all Misty’s tough water Pokémon, we can finally get Pikachu and what we want," James claimed. "She CAN be a useful tool for this mission. Now, what kind of herb did you use for that punch-spiker and tranquilizer of your’s?"

Justin leered, "Well, I used some very small hot berries mixed in with some natural tranquilizers, like a mutated cocoa plant. (laugh) Man, when I first saw her, I was taken away from her looks- so pretty and looks so strong. I knew she would be perfect for the mission, (looked around) Hey, where’s her other Pokémon? I thought she had five; Goldeen, Staryu, Starmie, Horsea, and Psyduck! One of them’s missing!"

"Huh?" asked Meowth and Jesse, glancing around.

"Could we have dropped one?" Jesse asked.

Meowth nodded, "Yeah, I think we left it on the trail where we drove here. Let’s go find it and get it back."

"No use," reassured Justin. "That Pokémon probably is pretty pathetic anyway. Besides, we might get caught if we don’t hurry. The herbs and spell on that Misty should be taking complete affect by now. Finally, we can make her get Pikachu, and get rid of her little boyfriend!"

Pigeotto heard that and almost gave his hiding place away with a yelp. Good thing those jerks were too busy to notice. "Pige’? Pigeott’! Pigeotto (What? Let’s find that pokeball and go back to Ash!)!" it chirped, flying off.

It followed the trail back and flew closer to the ground, trying to find the dropped pokeball. It was really dark, but the little glow from the pokeball should give it a bit of an advantage.

There it came; something caught the bird’s eye. It lowered even more to the ground and examined the object. Success! It was the pokeball! Pigeotto used its feet and snatched it, soaring back to the campsite where everyone else is.

* * *

Ash had his head in his hands, thinking only about him and Misty together; their fights, adventures, laughs, and everything.

"The first...she’s the first..." he sighed.

(multiple random flashbacks)

"Hey, what are you doing!" Misty yelled.

"I’m borrowing this," Ash answered, without turning. He softly laid Pikachu into the bike’s basket and hopped onto the seat, grabbing hold of the handlebars. Misty tried to stop him as she stuttered,

"Wh—hey! That’s my bike!"

Ash was already riding a distance as he turned his head, yelling out, "I’ll give it back someday!"

She looked as if she was going to explode of fright on the ground in front of Caterpie. It’s so gross...Ash, put that slimy thing back into the pokeball! Bugs are one of the three most disgusting things in the world!"

Curiously, he came over with his hands in his pockets and asked, "Aside from you, what the other disgusting things?"

Misty, still holding Pikachu, snorted, "Very funny. (kick) Carrots, (punch) peppers, (malleted the critter) and bugs. (practically yelling) Everyone has something they don’t like, and I DON’T LIKE BUGS!"

Ash purposely made a face and stuck out his tongue. "Yeah, well I LIKE carrots, AND peppers, AND bugs! (flung his arms out into a wide gesture) What I DON’T like is the way you’re hurting Caterpie’s feelings with your silly fear of bugs!"

She turned away and retorted, "Hmph!"

He just inwardly sighed and shook his head, tiredly.

He slowly turned and saw her quickly jump behind a nearby tree. "What are you following us for?" he demanded.

Misty hesitantly came back out and tried her best to face him. "M—My bike!" she noticeably struggled. "I’m holding you responsible for my bike!"

Ash stopped in his path and shoved his hands into his pockets. "When are you gonna get over that dumb old bike!" he cried.

Now she was getting angry with him. "For your information ‘Mr. Pokémon Master’, YOU’RE the dumb one, because if you hadn’t destroyed it in the first place, I could’ve ridden out of here by now!"

"I told you I’d make good in your bike one day, AND if I’M so dumb, how come YOU’RE still following me!?!" he interrogated.

"I’m not following you! This happens to be the fastest way through the woods!" Misty disputed.

Ash turned back around and started walking again. "Fine, do whatever you want," he shot back, seemingly unconcerned. I hope she’s not going to take it THIS seriously, he additionally thought.

"That’s exactly what I’m doing!" she yelled, still following him.

Misty screamed so loud that she could’ve probably awakened the whole forest by now. Ash instantly awoke as he jumped, still wrapped in his sleeping bag. Pikachu leaped about ten feet in the air, completely startled from the yell.

Ash rushed, "Wh—what’s wrong?! Wh—what’s happening?! (frantically glanced around) Wh—wh—"

"What is this thing doing SLEEPING near me!?! Misty squealed, already out of her sleeping bag.

Ash looked at her and Caterpie and felt relieved, laughing, "Caterpie just wants to be your friend!"

"It that THING wants to be my friend, it can stop bugging me already!" she shouted. "(glared down at the bug and stubbornly placed her arms on her hips) It’s YOUR Pokémon, so get out of my face and into that pokeball!"

Caterpie at once looked crushed and ready to cry as it choked in a sob. Ash defensively cried, "Oh Misty, you are so unbelievable! Caterpie means no harm! Why it likes you I’ll never know!" Why must she be so mean! He raged.

Both Ash and Misty squeezed together in the net hanging from the tree, staring ahead into the midday horizons. "Gee, I wonder what happened to Brock." He pondered out loud.

"I wonder too," she sighed, solemn.

He then decided to try to show off his idea and story "talent". "May be the river carried him far away, all the way to the ocean," he started. "Then some pirates spotted him and brought him aboard their ship, and one of the pirates has a wooden leg."

"You have a crazy imagination!" Misty teased.

Is she liking the story? He asked himself. Maybe I should throw something scary into it. "Then came the storm..." he continued. Now, if she gets scared enough, she can grab hold of me to calm her down, he thought.

Ash was just about to flick Misty on the nose, just as she did to him. Nurse Joy stopped him just in time. "All right, that’s enough!" she halted.

He looked up at her. "She started it," he protested.

Nurse Joy continued, "Remember, this is a ‘hospital’."

Both Ash and Misty instantly glanced around the roomful of visitors and injured Pokémon patients, finding angry glares from all of them. Oops, they both thought.

Nurse Joy, however, smiled, "They say that when two people fight, they really care about each other."

Misty and Ash stared at each other, shrieking, "ME CARE ABOUT HIM/HER!?! (turned away from each other and crossed their arms) HMPH!"

Ash thought, gosh; how does Nurse Joy know about me feeling for Misty? Does she have some sort of scanner or something? Great, now even the PUBLIC probably knows now about Misty and me.

"Ghost Pokémon...Gastly," ash remarked to himself, looking at his Pokedex.

Suddenly, he heard a charming female above him. "Sorry I’m late," it said.

Ash looked up and froze in amazement, almost dropping his Pokedex. "Whoa...." he muttered, just about hypnotized.

" ’Cha!" complimented Pikachu.

In front of the two stood Misty, in an absolutely beautiful kimono, decorated with flowers that shone with her eyes. The sash around her waist allowed everyone to see her figure. She held a fan in her hand that even beautified her outfit more. As Ash stared, Misty looked puzzled. "Huh?" she asked. She walked closer while he nervously stood up, still dazed. She offered her hand out to him. "Come on Ash, let’s dance!"

Ash shook out of his trance and smiled, gladly accepting, "uh...sure!" They both eagerly ran off to the dance floor with merry.

Ash stared at Misty and sputtered, then turned around covering his mouth, blushing and trying not to laugh. He couldn’t help it. Trying his best, he still couldn’t resist laughing.

"Hey, what are you laughing for! This make-up is very fashionable!" Misty argued, hands on her waist.

Yeah, in the stupid sense, he thought. Ash out of the corner of his eye stole a glance at her outlook. Boy, she looks really funny...and cute...

"Err, PSYDUCK YOU’RE DRIVING ME CRAZY!" Misty cried, clenching her teeth and throwing her fists and kicks up. Before she almost hit bonked out Pokémon, Ash grabbed her arms and restrained her. She still stormed, "WHAT, ATTACKS, CAN PSYDUCK DO!"

Ash insecurely brought his Pokedex to her side and nervously smiled, "Here, ask Dexter!"

Ash became really uneasy when the stranger’s eyes started to glow mystically red. All of a sudden, he felt a strangely warm blue force of energy circulating through his body, in and out. Ahh! His pants became undone and fell to the ground, leaving Ash only in his undies. Awkwardly, his body started to dance on its own.

"AWAAH!" Ash yelled in surprise and embarrassment, involuntarily dancing. In the corner of his eyes, he saw Misty cover her in humiliation.

"Ash, what do you think you’re doing!" Brock interrogated.

"It’s not me! My body’s moving by itself!" Ash responded, still dancing. He looked at Misty and Brock from the corner of his eye again, thinking: oh man, here I am dancing in my undies in public, especially in front of MISTY! This is so embarrassing! Gee, I wonder what Misty’s thinking right now; she must think I’m the biggest embarrassment in the world!

The fog increased everywhere, practically blinding everyone. Ash was bravely leading everyone through the forest in this condition, but he felt Misty growing scared. Brock tried to assure her, "We’ve come too far; everybody, let’s hold hands and stay together!"

"OK," agreed.

"Right," Ash approved.

Both of them naturally held onto each other’s hands, but Brock was left linkless and wandering through alone. He called out to Ash, and Ash offered his hand. Brock mistaken it and accidentally grabbed Pikachu’s tail instead. Of course, Pikachu shocked him, leaving Misty screaming and grabbing onto Ash for comfort, and Brock was totally fried.

After the shock was over, Misty spoke, "Brock, oh don’t you know how scared it makes me when you yell like that!"

Deciding to pull off one of his "clever" jokes, Ash altered his voice and cackled, "Well Misty, you sure scared me!"

Misty took a step backwards, horrified. "Huh? Say what?" Brock and Pikachu got up and looked as Ash continued,

"I’m feeling like a ghost myself! (turned around with skull mask on) OOWAAH!"

Misty, Brock and Pikachu screamed at the top of their lungs, "AAAAAAAAH!"

Ash just laughed and took off his mask, telling them, "Sorry guys; I was just testing you. If we’re gonna try to catch a ghost Pokémon, we’ve gotta learn to deal with fear. That’s the only way we’re gonna become great Pokémon trainers."

After what happened next, he regretted that he even thought about pulling off this joke, because his friends weren’t too pleased with him. He shrunk down while they yelled at him.

"YOU MUST BE CRAZY!" Misty shouted.

"DON’T EVER DO THAT!" Brock roared.

Pikachu then did a good job of teaching his trainer a lesson by toasting him with a huge thunderbolt. Don’t ever do that again, Ash!

Looking down, Ash grinned mischievously, "Haha, now’s our chance to have some fun." He swiftly flew down to eavesdrop on his friends.

Misty turned to Brock and suggested, "Ash is taking too long. I think we’d better go in and see how he’s doing."

"That’s a good idea," agreed Brock.

Ash (right behind Misty) was really surprised. She’s worried about me? He thought. "So Misty, you’re really worried about me!"

Misty perked up and turned around, facing Ash’s ghost without realizing it. "Huh?"

"What’s wrong, Misty?" Brock questioned.

She turned back around and responded. "I just thought I heard a voice."

Ash laughed as he placed his hands on her waist and replied, "Come for a ride with me, Misty!" He gradually lifted her up higher and higher into the air.

Brock freaked, "Ah! Misty!"

She frightfully shrilled, "Help! The ghost has got me!"

As he now held her by the base of her arms, Ash remarked, "okay, ride’s over! (let go and dropped Misty) Catch her Brock!"

She fell right into Brock’s open arms, then both of them fell to the ground. She sat up and acknowledged, "Wait a minute, that voice! I think something terrible’s happened to Ash!" She and Brock jumped up and ran into the ghost tower, leaving Ash still in amazement.

"Ash? Pikachu?" Misty asked, her voice cracking up.

"Come on, wake up!" Brock pleaded.

Both friends knelt down besides Ash, who was (at the moment) spiritless and lifeless with Pikachu.

Misty continued sobbing, "Oh Ash, can’t you hear me?"

Please, say something!" Brock begged.

Ash’s spirit floating from above appeared and was shocked again. They’re all so sad, he thought.

There seemed to be no stop to Misty’s crying and begging. "Ash, open your eyes! Please Ash!"

He turned to the ghost Pokémon and then to the electric mouse. "Huh, I guess it’s time to go back, Pikachu." He felt his ghostly body diminish in back into gravity as he and Pikachu lay back into their bodies. Finally, he felt reunited again with his life. He didn’t want to open his eyes yet, until a drop of water fell onto his right cheek. Slowly, he opened them, seeing his friends over him. He soothingly smiled first at the one who seemed to be most worried about him. "Hi Misty," he greeted.

She lit up instantly after his words were said, but she was still noticeably crying. "Huh? You’re alive," she sighed, favorably.

Pikachu then sat up and looked around while Ash (doing the same thing) stated, "Hey guys, sorry to worry you."

Brock smiled and sat back. "No sweat; glad to have you back."

Misty, on the other hand, quickly wiped her eyes and beamed, blushing at the same time.

She’s happy again, Ash thought. I could give her a little hug...

Meowth’s despicable voice suggested, "Now, how about a Dratini?"

"Sorry, Meowth!" Ash’s voice proclaimed.

Team Rocket turned around in shock as a set of stage lights flicked on, showing the backs of four people in some familiar "seen-before" outfits. Ash was the first to turn around with the spotlight on him, mocking, "Prepare for trouble!"

Next, Brock was shined. "And it make it double double!"

James clenched his fists as he grumbled, "Ooh, QUIT IMMITATING US!"

No one paid attention to him. "To protect the world from devastation!" continued Misty.

"To ignite all peoples within our nation!" Duplica went on.

Now it was Jesse’s turn to be annoyed. "Err! This is insulting!"

Still no one paid attention. "To denounce the evils of truth and love!" (Ash)

"To extend our reach to the stars above!" (Misty)

"Ash!"

"Misty!"

"And Brock!"

"Duplica! (weird smile) That’s right!"

(Brock) "Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"

(Duplica) "Surrender now, or prepare to fight all of us!"

Ash and Misty jumped into the picture as Pikachu said, "Pika pika!"

After the motto, Ash thought; wow, this was fun! This has gotta be one of the best times ever!

(back to present)

Misty and I both have some wild times together; tough, funny, happy...everything, he thought, but this is the funniest one to me.

(flashback)

Ash stuttered, "Uh-oh."

Misty yelled in her sister’s face. "That wasn’t the reason!’

Daisy looked confused. "Well, then I guess like you came back because you couldn’t make it as a Pokémon trainer."

Misty harshly explained, "It wasn’t my idea to come back here! (she and Daisy faced Ash) The only reason I’m here is because HE wanted to come!"

Ash made a really disgusted face while Daisy made a little weird face. She put her finger to her cheek, replying, "Well, he’s totally not someone who I would choose for a boyfriend. (pointed to Misty and teased) But you’re no prize yourself!"

Ash (after Daisy’s "boyfriend" comment) fell down in completely embarrassment, anime style. On the ground, he scoffed inwardly, what’s wrong with ME? I’m fit for Misty’s boyfriend. Aren’t I good enough for her? Not that I WANT to be her’s, right?

Misty shouted even louder, "MY BOYFRIEND!?! If I battle him, that’ll prove I’m NOT a quitter and I’m just as good a trainer as you three!"

Daisy agreed. Ash looked hesitant, but finally gave in. I want to earn a badge and show Misty how great a trainer I can be, but I also don’t want to battle her because I might hurt her.

(back to present)

That time was one of the most memorable memories I had with her, Ash continued thinking. I should admit that I DO care about her. Maybe, she would feel the same way, but maybe not. Maybe—

"Pigeot’!" cried Pigeotto’s voice from above. Ash jumped up, and Brock with Tiffany, too.

"Pigeotto! You’re back!" cried Ash.

The bird flew towards him and dropped the pokeball into his palms.

"Huh?" everyone asked, looking at Pigeotto.

Pigeotto flew down to Pikachu and started talking to it. After a few moments, Pikachu went over to Ash and furiously explained, "Pika pikachu! Pika! Ka! Chuuu! Pi! Pikachu! Pik ka pikachu pika! Chuuu pika, pik, pikachu! Pika pika pika pi chuuu pikachu!"

Ash’s body and blood boiled with anger, causing his face to grow red. He jumped up and remarked, "All right, let’s go get Misty! That Justin!"

"Wait, hold on a sec’!" exclaimed Brock. "First, tell us what Pikachu and Pigeotto said."

Ash cleared his throat. "Misty is at some hidden place not too far from here, and it sort of looks like a jail. She’s still unconscious, and she looks a lot worse. (turned to his Pokémon with a questionable face) She’s...’vibrating’ cold, no color on her, and things look really bad. What else, Pikachu?"

Pikachu talked to his trainer a bit more and continued, angrier, "Also, Justin and Team Rocket are there in the same room, talking about using Misty and her Pokémon to do their dirty work. ERRRRR! I’ll show that creep Justin that no one messes with me! I—"

"Ash! Calm down!" Brock ordered. "Is there anything else?"

Ash held up the pokeball in his hands. "This pokeball that Pigeotto gave me is one of Misty’s pokémon. Team Rocket wanted all of her Pokémon, but it looks like they dropped one. (inspecting pokeball) I wonder which Pokémon is this."

Tiffany said, holding Brock’s hand, "No time to look; let’s go! We’ve got to get Misty back!"

Ash pocketed the pokeball and stood in front of everyone. "All right! Pigeotto, lead the way! We’ll catch up!" He put out the fire and readied himself.

Pigeotto nodded and soared off, leaving everyone else running after it.

While on the way, Ash turned to Brock. "Hey Brock, do you have a flashlight? I need some light so I won’t trip!"

"Nope, sorry!" apologized Brock, almost invisible in the night.

Ash was disappointed, but came up with an idea. Flipping his hat around, he tossed one of his pokeballs and cried, "Charmander, I choose you!"

Charmander appeared on the spot, with the flame on its tail burning brightly. "Char char!"

"Charmander, lead the way and follow Pigeotto," said Ash.

"Char’!" it nodded, turning around and running ahead.

Pretty soon, everyone arrived at the captive place, panting for breath. Ash looked up and gasped, "So—this is—the place. (glancing at it in detail for the first time) Whoa, this place looks really creepy!" He started to shiver.

Brock whispered, "Shh! Quiet! No time to be scared now, we have to get Misty!"

Ash frowned his eyebrows and answered, "Oh, that’s right! (he sweatdropped, realizing something0 Uh Brock, how do we get in?"

Brock fell down in humiliation and got right back up. "Guess we should’ve thought of that before we came here," he acknowledged, "so we didn’t have to be stuck here without any solid ambush."

Ash excitedly snapped his fingers and shook head. "Wait, I’ve got it!" he whispered. "I should’ve thought of this sooner. We can blow up the building and surprise them completely."

"Yeah," joined Brock. "And through the confusion, we’ll get Misty. Piece of cake! That was quick!"

Ash and Tiffany nodded, each taking out a pokeball. "Let’s start the show!" they both said.

Just when they were about to toss their pokeballs, Ash halted, "Wait, let’s go see where Misty is at before blowing anything up, to be safe." Everyone followed him as he tiptoed to the nearest set of jail bars and peered in. Nothing much was inside, but it was enough to set Ash’s rage off. He automatically saw Misty right near him, seemingly pale and lifeless. After that, he saw Team Rocket and Justin chatting with Justin, laughing and cheering.

Misty, Ash thought, what have those guys done to you?! Haven’t you awaked yet! (kind of smiled) Still sleep like a cute little baby girl, huh? (angry again) But hand on, I’m comin'’ Just hang on a little longer!

He cued everyone to retreat and then remarked, "All right, let’s start the show!" He looked at Charmander and ordered him, "Charmander, go!"

"Char’!" it obeyed.

Just before it prepared to attack, the pokeball that Pigeotto dropped for ash popped open, revealing Psyduck. Everyone fell down (Charmander too), anime style.

Ash got back up and retorted, "Psyduck!? So YOU’RE the Pokémon that accidentally dropped out of Misty’s collection."

The duck (as usual) had its little hands on his head, and sighed, "Psyy?" It turned and faced everyone. "Psy syai yai yai yai – duck!"

Pikachu translated the message for Ash, and he replied, "Psyduck said that he knows Misty’s in trouble, and that he wants her back. (made a face) Well, duh! Everybody wants her back! (faced Psyduck) Now I know I’m not Misty, but her sake, just do as I say, OK?"

"Psy’?" it questionably agreed.

Ash nodded and quietly replied, "OK Psyduck, you have to keep a safe distance away from everything dangerous. I’ll call you when I need you."

"Psy’?" answered the plucky duck.

Ash directed his attention towards Charmander again. "Okay, let’s try something new. Charmander, fire-explosion now!"

The fire Pokémon breathed in and opened its mouth, flaring flames into one huge explosion, blasting the jail wall open (no, Misty wasn’t hurt, but something else will happen).

Team Rocket and Justin covered their faces and coughed off some dust.

Jesse choked, "Hey, (cough) what’s going on!"

"Something tells me that something’s wrong!" gagged James.

Justin used part of his shirt and covered his mouth, shouting, "Quick, get Misty and her Pokémon! We can’t let anything mess up our plan!"

Just as the crooks were about to grab Misty and her Pokémon, Ash from outside commanded, "Not so fast!"

Jesse flaunted, "Hey, it’s that kid and his friends! James, grab the Pikachu!"

"Pikachu! Thundershock, now!" Ash instructed.

Pikachu jumped down to the floor and cried, "Piiiiiiiikaaa CHUUUUU!"

Its thundershock exploded more foundation to dust and shocked Meowth and James, but Jesse and Justin. Jesse yanked on Jame’s shirt and cried, "No time to lie down, let’s get out of here and start this plan!"

The fallen crooks jumped right back up and went to work again.

Brock glanced around. "Ash! I can’t find Misty!"

"What!" he responded, his world upside down. He quickly thought again, just hang on Misty; I’m comin’ to get you. Just hold on! "Misty! Where are you! Answer me!"

No answer. He couldn’t hear any response at all from her. Clenching his fist, he cried, "Hey Brock and Tiffany, I’m going inside to find her!" Before expecting them to respond, he jumped into the mist and started searching.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu hollered. (Ash!)

"Char’!" Charmander shouted. (wait, don’t go in there!)

"Hey Ash, wait! Wait up!" called out Brock. He grabbed Tiffany’s hand and ran after his friend.

While within, the little building actually looked a lot bigger from the inside. Ash covered his mouth and kept on searching. "Misty! Misty, I’m here! It’s Ash!" he blared. Left and right; she was no where to be found. It’s too late; he thought, she’s gone. He then intentionally slapped himself. No! She’s not gone! I will get her back! he resumed.

Just when he was about to give up, a shadowed figure came into view. Ash Ash neared it, he soon realized that this person wasn’t moving. He bent down and fanned some of the dust away. Then, the person came into view.

"Misty?" Ash gasped, his heart shattering. Using one of his hands, he smoothed it over her forehead and face. "Still really cold," he concluded. He tried shaking. "Misty, get up! You have to get up!" She still wasn’t responding. "What am I gonna do? She won’t wake up! Maybe it’s too late; I knew I should’ve listened to my first instinct and come here sooner---oh Ash, stop talking like that! It’s not true!" he argued, hopelessly hanging his head down.

To be continued....

Well, how’s the second part? Ash now found Misty, but she’s possibly killed from what’s happened. Should Ash have come here sooner? What happens to Team Rocket, Justin, and Misty now? The final battle is about to begin as Ash prepares to face the worst times ever, so read the last chapter of "A Dangerous Love Trial" to find out what happens!