Part 3

Sibling Rivalry

“Misty!” yelled Ash in desperation. Couldn’t he make it in time? No, of course he wouldn’t be able to make it, the beam would be too fast.

The beam had flowed on through to where Misty was standing. And when the beam had passed her, Misty was gone.

“Hey, you, MANIAC!” yelled Satoshi in Giovanni’s direction a few feet away from Misty as he held her in his hands. “I almost wasn’t able to get her!”

Misty was stunned looking up at Satoshi, perhaps frozen with fear of the passed beam which would most likely have ended her life. Who was this person?

Giovanni was surprised to say the least. A beam a Dragonite had fired, a beam that was like no other Dragonite Hyperbeam, was maneuvered by this unlikely trainer. It wasn’t just the fact that someone had interfered; it was mostly due to the lack of knowledge of the boy that had him outraged.

“You!” Giovanni pointed to the boy. “Who are you?”

Ash ran up the to boy with Misty in his hands. “Thank you, very much!” said Ash, grateful beyond what words would be able to express.

“I said, who are you?” Giovanni repeated.

Satoshi didn’t answer.

Misty was let go and was on her own two feet. She kept her eye on Satoshi, never leaving him even when Ash had nudged her on her shoulder to get her attention.

Misty finally moved, still keeping her eye on Satoshi. “Satoshi…” Misty said in a whimper.

“Misty, don’t look at me like that,” said Satoshi as she walked closer to him.

Misty reached up to his face and took off his glasses. The color of his eyes were the same as the color on Ash’s.

All this happened as Ash look at the two. At first Ash was against her doing so, but when Ash had seen into Satoshi’s eyes, Ash had began to want Misty to go on.

Misty then grabbed on to the towel that Satoshi had wrapped his face with.

Seeing the action, Brock and May decided to climb up the stadium to get a closer look. Marene, who was in shock that Satoshi had revealed what he had promised not to, had done so.

Giovanni was getting angry that they were ignoring him. He decided, “Rocket X, command the forces to attack and steal every pokemon they have!”

Brock and May along with Marene were gathered around Satoshi as Misty still had her hand on Satoshi’s turban.

Misty began to unwrap. Little by little, Satoshi’s face began to show. Finally, the towel was off and Misty knew it was Ash.

“How?” was all Misty could ask.

All around the vicinity, blares of red light flared as the Pokemon Trainers had begun to combat the Team Rocket members. It had seemed at first that they were able to fight them off, but as one was defeated, 5 more Team Rocket members took their place. The whole situation seemed hopeless.

Satoshi snapped out of the whole ordeal to notice what was going on around them.

Satoshi walked towards Marene and asked for Aipom and Bellossom. “Marene, we have to fight back!”

“Brock, May, Misty, we have to fight back as well,” ordered Ash. “Pikachu, are you ready, let’s get these guys.

It was hard for Ash and the rest to get to where the Team Rocket members where as the other Pokemon Trainers block their view of them. In actuality, it was quite a tactic Giovanni used to capture his prey. Giovanni had surrounded them and forced them to use only about 20% percent of what the trainers could do if they were spread apart. There just wasn’t enough room for trainers to let out their pokemon and have a real battle with the Team Rocket members.

“It’s no use, Ash. Each time a trainer in front is defeated, the other trainer has not room or time to call out their pokemon,’ formulated Brock. “If this keeps up, we won’t be able to do a thing and we’d be caught with the rest of them.”

“Then what do we do, Brock?” asked Ash.

“I say the best thing to do right now is run,” answered Brock.

“But we can’t Brock, what about everyone else and their pokemon?” asked May.

“Brock’s right,” said Satoshi. “If we stay like this, we’ll be caught, too and we won’t have any way of getting help.”

“I agree,” said Ash, “ this tournament isn’t broadcasted and the mainland might not have any idea on what’s going on here. We have to escape for, now.”

There was so many things that, Ash had wanted to ask the person who look very similar to him. It was weird acting like he wasn’t interested in, Satoshi, but in escaping and only escaping.”

“Okay, but where do we go?” Asked Marene. “The Island, I read on a map, said that it is about 10 to 11 miles in diameter. Most likely, if we do run away, we’ll be running for quite sometime before we’re able to reach the beach. And to make it worst, when we get there, the force field will still be up and we won’t be able to get through.”

“Marene, don’t worry about that, now,” comforted Satoshi in his little way. “For now, let’s just try to escape this place. Maybe we can plan something out when we have the time.”

Satoshi was right. All they could do right now was to get somewhere where they could regroup and set a battle plan. It was a good thing that Satoshi and Marene had scouted the Island earlier in the day and knew where to go. It wasn’t much, but it was all they had at the moment.

The five of them, including Pikachu and Marene’s Psyduck, who disliked pokeballs, passed through the hysteric crowd, budging and sliding to get through.

At points, they encountered Rockets and were force to fight. Having no room to bring out pokemon, they had rely on their on fist, at least the guys did. It was no problem for Satoshi who was able to shock the oncoming Rockets. This act only made Ash and the rest more curious about this, Satoshi.

Finally, at an entrance, Satoshi and Pikachu were able shock the Rockets that were stationed there. Along with Marene’s Psyduck, and other trainers with the plan to escape, a path was made outside to the jungle of the Island.

“There are more Rocket members,” yelled Ash as he led the charge outside the giant stadium.

At least there was room to let out Pokemon. Ash had let out his Snorlax who easily rampaged through the Rockets, sending them flying as if he were throwing baseballs in the sky.

No, not all of the Rocket members were as weak as those who were easily passed through. On other entrances where the trainers had assumed they would escape, Team Rocket members had the help of a Tyranitar. The Tyranitar was strong and was able to keep the pokemon trainers at bay.

On other escape routes, there was an Alakazam that had Frozen trainers with the will of his mind.

On another route out, there was a powerful team of Arcanines that submitted trainers or their pokemon would have been burned.

On other escape routes, there were many other strong pokemon such as your Gengars, or Blastoise, or Charizards, or your Venusaurs, or your Tauros, etc.

Luckily, Ash the others were left with the Team Rocket members who only had your minor pokemons such as an Odish, or Raticate.

The five of them ran into the jungle as did other trainers. But, no, it was wasn’t over yet. It seemed that Giovanni is the tactician as he also appointed Team Rocket members into the jungle.

It was a problem, but only a minor problem as Ash and the rest were able to get pass them or get through them.

“Where are we heading?” Asked May.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” answered Brock.

Satoshi remembered the cave he had entered with Marene earlier that morning. He remembered that it was hard to find and he only caught on to it when he had fell through a ridge somewhere. Satoshi also remembered that the cave led on inside for quite a distance away from the entrance. It would make the perfect hide out until they were able to device a plan.

“I’ve got an idea,” yelled Satoshi to the others. “Follow me; I have the perfect place to hide out for the moment.”

The five of them ran on forwards in the jungle. The farther they went the less Team Rocket members they saw. Satoshi only hoped that they didn’t find the cave he had found earlier in the day. Hopefully.

*****

Location and Setting: Satoshi, Ash and the others made it to the jungle to where there were no signs of any Team Rocket members. They were safe, but Satoshi had gotten lost and couldn’t find the cave.

“Satoshi, you got us lost, again,” Marene yelled at Satoshi.

“Marene, I didn’t get us lost. We’re in the general vicinity of the cave. You know what I’m talking about, right. I fell somewhere and found that cave.”

“Yeah, but can you find it?” Marene asked.

“Ahh!” screamed May. “I’m tired, I’m hungry, my feet hurt, and I’m really afraid. I hate this!”

“May, calm down, we’ll get through this somehow,” comforted Ash.

“May is right,” said Misty, “we need somewhere go to for the night. It’s almost getting dark.”

Misty was right, it was getting darker. The time had to be around 7 o’clock.

“Okay, Satoshi, are you sure that you know where the cave is?” Asked Brock.

“I’m to the point where I can sort of remember the scenery. I’m not too sure, but I can remember some parts of the woods.”

“That’s not going to help, Satoshi. I’m getting tired to and I want to rest,” complained Marene.

“Marene, you can help me, you know. You were there, also,” Satoshi retorted.

“Okay, you two, no more bickering,” ordered Brock. “You’d be able to remember if you both think and relax for a moment. You said this part of the woods look familiar. Maybe if you retraced your steps, you’ll be able to find the place.”

“Brock’s right. We have to think hard about this. Okay, let me think for a moment.” Satoshi looked around the area. He then found a boulder that look really familiar. “Ash, can you play me for a while, while I direct you.”

“I play you?” Asked Ash.

“Yeah, just do as I say while I try to remember what I did.”

It was like watching a movie of yourself as you tell yourself what to do. In fact, it was exactly like that.

“Okay, Ash. I was looking in the direction of the sun to see if I could see it through all the branches and vines. Then I moved to the right, no, my right.”

Ash played the role and thought to himself what was wrong with the picture. A person who looked exactly like him was telling him what to do. No only like him, but a person who could be his identical twin. Also, all of this without an answer to why this person was wearing his face. It would be an understatement if he said it was weird.

Misty laughed as Ash walked back and forth and found it strange for her to laugh at this kind of situation.

“Satoshi, this isn’t going, too well,” stated Marene.

“Marene, can you just trust me for, now! If I can find that cave, we’ll be able to rest for the night and plan something in the morning. Just wait, geez!”

“You’re lucky we’re in this situation,” threatened Satoshi.

“I think she’s right. I’ve been walking up and down for the last 15 minutes. If we don’t find anything, let’s just set up here.”

“No, Ash,” said Satoshi finding himself telling himself ‘no’. “I’m telling you, I know that it’s going to be here somewhere. “

“Satoshi, why do you look like me?” Asked Ash, finally after keeping it in for so long.

“Ash, I’ll tell you when we get somewhere safe to rest. For now, please just trust me.”

“You know about us, but we don’t know about you,” stated May.

“Well, actually, May is it? I really don’t know about you.”

“Oh, you don’t?”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve never met you, May.”

“Oh, now I feel stupid.”

“Well,” said Ash taking a stand,” I won’t do anything else until you tell me who you are.” Ash stomped his foot.

“That’s it!” Said Satoshi in victory. “Ash, stomp a few more times.”

“I said I’m not doing anything until you tell me what’s going on,” said Ash keeping his word.

“Ash, just do it. I trust Satoshi,” said Misty.

“…Thank you, Misty. You were always so nice.”

“Huh, Misty, nice?” questioned Ash.

“And what’s that suppose to mean, Ash.”

“Nothing, nothing.”

“Fine, then. Now, do as Satoshi says.”

“Fine, but I don’t see what stomping has to do with anything.”

Ash did as he was told and jumped up and down. He did it again and again, but nothing happened. “See, nothing is happening.”

Satoshi seeing that there was nothing happening, decided to do it himself. Satoshi jump from where he was, which was 10 feet away and landed next to Ash. There was a few OHs and Ahs as Satoshi did so. Not really Ohs and Ahs, but more like; hey!.

“See, I told you, nothing,” said Ash.

Satoshi jump one more time. Nothing. Until he heard a crack. The next thing he knew it, him and Ash were sliding down a hole and fell on their butts with a thump.

The rest ran up to where they were jumping and looked down to where they fell.

“Ash, Satoshi, are you two alright?” Asked Misty concerned for their well beings.

“Marene, see; I told you I would find it.”

“Lucky guess!”

*****

Location and Setting: After initially finding the cave, Satoshi and Ash followed the wall till they found the entrance of it. Ash had tried to start a conversation, but all Satoshi said was that he’d explain when they get situated.

“Hey, guys, come in,” said Satoshi welcoming the others.

“How long is this place, Satoshi,” asked May.

“I wouldn’t know, I was going to explore the whole place earlier today, but Marene wanted to get something to eat.”

“Are you trying to blame be for this,” asked Marene in disbelieve.

“No, all I’m trying to say, was that was how it happened.”

“Don’t mention food, Satoshi. I’m really hungry,” stated Misty.

“Well, when we build a fire and get things together, I have some sandwiches packed. We can all try to share that,” informed Satoshi.

“I have some food, also,” added Marene.

“I have a few canned foods and other stuff in my backpack as well,” informed Brock.

“Good, I’m hungry,” stated May.

“Just a few more; we’ll find the end of this cave,” comforted Ash.

Walking in deeper, Satoshi was required to use Flash to light the cave. This just built up more questions.

*****

Location and Setting: Giovanni’s curiosity has been peaked. Inside of the Stadium control room, Giovanni researches through the files of thousands of Pokemon Trainers in hopes of finding the boy who he knows nothing of.

“I will find you, boy,” stated Giovanni with an unwavering intensity. “Dr. Nanba, do you have the files on any experiments who’ve dealt with enhanced speed?”

On the monitor, Dr Nanba searches files on any of the past projects he’d have any contact with with no such luck.

“I’m sorry Giovanni, but the closest thing to that was medications that enhanced intelligence. But that experiment also fell through the cracks.”

“Fine,” said Giovanni as he slammed the off button on the video phone. He then began to dial again. “Rose, do you have the video of the boy who rescued the girl?”

“Yes, Giovanni, I’ll send it to you immediately.”

Giovanni turned the monitor off without a hint of gratitude and opened the file. It was a video of the boy as he ran to rescue the girl. “The speed of the boy is as fast as lightning. It was as least 900mph. How can anyone develop such an enhancement on a human being?” Giovanni looked at the video a lot closer. “On the boy’s head, it’s ears. They’re pikachu ears. No, not enhancements. Something else. The speed, it wasn’t just speed. It was Agility. That means, he might be able to perform other moves.”

Giovanni furthered the video to where Satoshi and the other were making their escapes. Giovanni zoomed at the boy. “There!” he pointed out in excitement. “You can barely see it, but it’s there. Electricity. The power of a pikachu in the form of a boy.”

Beep, beep, beep. The alarm hit on the program Giovanni was running. “It found a match.” On the screen, a list of Pokemon Trainers the ages of 12 to 18 were aligned. On the very top of the list, was Ash Ketchum. “Here he has black hair. On the video, he had blond, not to mention that he had those ears.” On a closer look of the video, he was there. It was that boy who was next to that girl. “Are they twins?” Giovanni pulled up the file on Ash. “How can that be, it says on his trainer’s bio that he’s an only child. I see, could it be?”

Giovanni dialed the number to Dr. Nanba again. “Nanba, take out all the files on codename ‘Mewtwo’.”

“Mewtwo? Yes, I’ll send it to you right, now!” Nanba did as he was told and sent the information.

Again, Giovanni hung up without any warning. “The boy did tell me he had met Mewtwo before. Could it be? Yes, it is. I have you, now!”

Giovanni got up and laughed. He laughed in victory, in joy, in his accomplishment. “I’ll capture him for myself!”

*****

Location and Setting: Ash had asked many times about Satoshi, but Satoshi wouldn’t budge in giving an answer. This made Ash angry, but he kept his manners and stayed friendly. Deep inside of Ash, and also the rest of the 4, they were all more than curious to know what was going on.

Satoshi passed around the 4 four sandwiches he had in his backpack. It was crushed and didn’t really taste good because he made it, but at that point Ash and the others would take anything.

Marene also brought out her stash of food, but it wasn’t much as well. It was a bag of chips and half eaten chocolate, melted chocolate.

Brock brought out a can of soup, can of mix vegetables and a can of mix fruits. It was hard to share seeing that they didn’t have any bowls.

The sandwiches were cut and evenly distributed to 6 people, not including Pikachu and Marene’s Psyduck. Brock always kept food for his pokemon and that was enough for the two.

“This isn’t Brock’s cooking, but I guess its fine,” said Satoshi.

“You’ve tasted my cooking before?” Asked Brock.

“Okay, that’s it, tell us already why you look so much like, Ash,” demanded May.

“Good luck, I’ve tried getting him to tell me for the last 3 years and he won’t tell me anything,” informed Marene.

“Actually, Marene, that was the opening to this conversation,” stated Satoshi.

“What, you’re going to tell them who you are? Why now of all times and why them?” Asked Marene.

“I’ll tell you.”

“Who are you,” asked Ash.

Satoshi began, “The earliest memory I have is seeing Ash and Pikachu running out of a dark room. They didn’t know I was watching, but I was.”

“What room,” asked May.

“It was where I was born, I suppose,” Satoshi answered. “Afterwards, I woke up on the shore of somewhere else. Naked and lonely, believing I was someone I wasn’t.”

“And, who did you believe you were, Satoshi,” asked Misty.

“I believed that I had a home, I believed that I had friends, I believed that I was going to be the best, but I was no one. I wasn’t even suppose to be here.”

“What are you trying to say, Satoshi,” asked Brock.

“Do you remember that day on New Island,” asked Satoshi.

“We were never in New Island,” answered Brock.

“Yeah, I knew you wouldn’t remember. No one remembers. It was said that there was suppose to be a giant storm, but it never came. At least that was the official story on that. No, it was wrong. The giant storm did come and Brock, Misty and Ash were there to witness it. I don’t know what happen, but I believe it might be the work of Mewtwo.”

“Mewtwo,” asked Ash in confusion. “I know Mewtwo is powerful, but what does he have to do with you.”

“I suppose he erased or altered your memory,” stated Satoshi. “No, the big storm came and it was the work of Mewtwo. Mewtwo was the clone of Mew and he was angry at humans for creating him. I don’t hold the same regards, not anymore at least.”

“Are you trying to say, that you’re Ash’s clone, Satoshi,” asked Brock in bewilderment.

“Yes,” Satoshi answered.

“Satoshi,” yelled Marene, “why didn’t you ever tell me this?”

“I didn’t want you to know,” he answered. “Honestly, I was afraid what you would think of me if you knew I wasn’t a real person.”

“Satoshi,” Marene yelled again with her head down, unwilling to shift it back up.

“Anyways, if I can remember correctly, Mewtwo challenged trainers with his cloned pokemon and we lost. As Mewtwo’s award for winning, he cloned all the pokemon that the trainers owned. Including Ash, Misty and Brock’s.”

“Are you trying to tell me that somewhere in the world, there’s a clone of all my pokemon,” asked Misty. Misty couldn’t quite grasp what was going on. How could she? This was never heard of by anyone and it was unknown of how to react.

“I don’t know. What happened was, Ash followed where Pikachu was cloned. He fought out of the machine that was cloning pokemon and somehow as he was pulling Pikachu out, the machine might have made a mistake of some sort and I was cloned.”

“How do we know you’re telling the truth,” asked Ash unwilling to believe.

“Just look at me, why do I look so much like you?”

Ash didn’t say a thing.

“Moments after I was born, that’s when I saw Ash and Pikachu leaving the dark room. At first, I didn’t know what was going on. I only put the puzzle together the next time I woke up.”

“Satoshi, you said that you believed that you were, Ash,” began Brock, “does that mean you had the same memory as him?”

“Yes, I remembered everything from, Ash’s childhood. Who he was, what he wanted to be, who he liked. I believed I was, Ash.”

The fire in the cave started to dim. May reached to her side and threw in another long twig or two.

Marene didn’t look up. She kept to herself and listened to the story.

May, who felt out of place kept quiet as well. She was glued to the story as she wondered who this person really was. She knew of Satoshi from his story, but she didn’t know him to be like, Ash.

Ash himself, who sat in between Misty and May looked at Satoshi comparing features. There was no difference, except for his ears and the color of his hair. Even the style of his hair was the same. He had to be telling the truth.

Misty couldn’t help feel sorry for Satoshi. She couldn’t get the idea that the person who was speaking was, Ash. Misty cares greatly for, Ash and here he was with a different name speaking of himself as a different person, but to Misty he was still, Ash; her best friend.

“As… Satoshi,” Misty began to say, “If you knew everything about, Ash, then why didn’t you ever try to contact him, or his mom, or even me?”

“I thought about it. I thought about it a lot. There has been so many nights when I couldn’t go to sleep, I just pondered whether to do so or not. In fact, there have been many times when I picked up the phone, but right before it connected, I stopped.”

“Why did you stop,” Misty asked again.

“Ash,” said Satoshi getting Ash’s attention, “you remember everything about mother, right?”

“Ash much as I can,” Ash answered.

“I accidentally called her my mother. That’s funny, isn’t it?” Satoshi had the urge to cry, but kept it at in.

It wasn’t the same for, Misty and May who looked at Satoshi with eyes filled with tears.

“Don’t say that, Satoshi, she is your mother,” stated Misty.

“No, no she’s not,” Satoshi said as he pounded the ground.

“Satoshi, no, Ash, she is you’re mother,” pleaded Misty with tears pouring down her cheeks. “Tell him, Ash. Tell him that he has a mother, a loving mother that wouldn’t care whether or not she gave birth to him.”

Ash didn’t know what to say. He was always an only child and to say that his mother would call Satoshi another; he wasn’t sure.

“Tell him, Ash. Tell him that he has a mother,” said Misty demanding.

“Misty…, I don’t know what to say. I really don’t know what to say.”

“Ash,” said May, “you’re awful.” It struck Ash more than any pokemon attack ever would.

“Misty, May, don’t,” Satoshi pleaded. “Ash is right in not saying so. I don’t have a mother. I’m not supposed to exist; and despite how awful that may be, it’s how it is.”

Misty kept eye contact with Satoshi. She finally couldn’t take it, anymore. She knew that she was looking at, Ash. She knew that the person she was looking at was the same person she would never purposely hurt. And she knew that it was the Ash that she would comfort if he was ever sad. Misty got up and walked over to where, Satoshi was.

“Misty…” Satoshi said as he looked up at Misty. His eyes were red, almost close to breaking a tear.

Misty sat next to him and held his head in her arms while he secretly cried.

Ash sat on the opposite side watching as Satoshi was being treated as a young child, being comforted by Misty.

Brock came next to Ash and whispered in his ear. “Ash, do you know what this means. You have a brother.”

A brother, Ash though to himself.

“Satoshi, you’re a JERK,” yelled Marene.

Satoshi pulled his head up from Misty.

“Marene, what’s wrong?” Satoshi asked.

“You always ask me to trust you. Every time you ask me, I don’t and you get mad at me for doing that. Well, this is exactly why I don’t trust you.”

“What do you mean, Marene,” said Satoshi as he wiped away the tears.

“I travel with you for 3 years and you never tell me anything. Do you really think that I would think less of you if I knew who you were? Did you really think me so vain as to forget what you did for me? Did you really think me so vain that I’d forget that you taught me everything you knew? Satoshi, you’re a real JERK!”

“Marene, I’m sorry.”

*****

Location and Setting: The night grew longer and somehow they were able to get to sleep. Some, more than others.

Satoshi woke up in the middle of the night. He took out his backpack and pull out the wrist watch Marene bought for him a few months back when they celebrated the day they first met. Satoshi smiled remembering how much Marene had changed from when he had met her. Back then, Marene was a cocky young trainer who didn’t know a Crabby from a Corphish. The time seemed to be passed 3 in the morning.

Satoshi look on the opposite side of the cave, Ash was asleep. He thought about where he was last night. He was sleeping on a bed in a Pokemon Center. He would never have guessed he’d be staying with Ash, Misty and Brock.

Satoshi put the watch back. He didn’t like wearing the watch, but he kept it dear to him. He put his backpack next to the wall of the cave and somehow the ridge of the wall hit a button on the wrist watch. It was one of unlucky accidents that happens once and a while.

The watch started beeping. Satoshi didn’t want to wake up anyone so he quickly brought it out again and turned it off.

It was too late. Misty was next to him and so she heard it more than anyone else.

“I’m sorry,” Satoshi apologized, “I didn’t mean to wake you up, Misty.”

“Its okay, Ash.”

Satoshi didn’t know whether Misty said it on purpose or if she was just still half asleep.

“What’s wrong, can’t you sleep,” Misty asked.

“Sort of,” Satoshi answered. “I was asleep for a while, then for some reason, I woke up.”

Misty nodded, not saying a thing. Satoshi believed that she wanted to go back to sleep, but she stayed up as he did.

“Misty, aren’t you sleepy,” Satoshi asked.

Misty yawned, “No, not at all.” A blatant lie.

“You don’t have to stay up just because I’m awake.”

“Honestly, I’m not sleepy, Ash.”

Misty called him, Ash, again. Could it be that she made another mistake, or was it on purpose?

“Misty, did you call me, Ash on purpose?”

“Yeah, I did, ASH,” said Misty putting an emphasis on, ‘Ash’.

“Misty, I told you, I’m not, Ash.”

“Yes, you are. You wouldn’t have risk your life for me earlier today if you weren’t Ash. You are, Ash Ketchum.”

Misty had spoken a little, too loud and flustered Ash on the opposite side waking him up just enough to understand what was going on. Ash was going back to sleep, but the puzzle accidentally came together as he was dreaming. He automatically regained consciousness; though he didn’t show it.

“It’s not fair to, Ash if you call me, Ash,” stated Satoshi.

“And, it’s not fair to you if I call him, Ash and not you,” said Misty destroying his argument.

“Misty,” Satoshi said, being curious, “do you care about, Ash?”

“Of course I do. I care about you.”

“What have you been doing for the last 3 years? See, I don’t know because I’m not, Ash.”

Misty looked into Satoshi’s eyes.

“Satoshi, look in my eyes.”

Satoshi did as she commanded. “What am I suppose to see? The teal color of your eyes?”

“No, I want to see, your eyes. They’re the same.

Misty came closer to Satoshi, with her eyes connected to his.

Before Satoshi knew it, Misty’s eyes were close and she was kissing him and he was kissing back.

When Satoshi pulled away, Misty’s eyes were still closed. When she finally opened her eyes, she smiled at him and he did the same with her.

A crackle from the opposite side of the cave was heard next to Ash. Satoshi and Misty turned to see what it was. The two were shocked to see, Ash and his eyes open.

Ash looked at the two, then turned away. Things stayed quiet. Misty looked at Ash, not turning away at all. Might it be her conscience or so that made her target, Ash? If it was, why did would she think she was guilty of anything? She didn’t know whether or not she regretted what she did. Satoshi, too didn’t look away. No one spoke. It lasted an hour, until everyone fell asleep.

*****

Location and Setting: Still in the cave. Everyone overslept from last night’s detoured festivities. Brock, being Brock, was the first one to wake up.—though it wasn’t something to brag about if you’re waking up at 11 in the morning. It was almost like habit as he searched his backpack for anything he could scratch up for a breakfast. Then he realized the trouble they were in.

“That’s right,” Brock remembered, “I can’t believe that I forgot all about yesterday. I can’t believe I forgot about Satoshi and Marene. And also, Giovanni and his sudden attack on the trainers competing in this Island.”

Brock looked around the cave and was wondering how he had missed the whole on the ceiling of the cave. It wasn’t big, but there were multiple holes and they was what provided the light inside.

Brock was concerned. It would only be a few more hours before the cave would be found out; especially if Giovanni had access to the map of the Island and most likely he does. Brock had to get everyone ready to move out.

Being so accustomed to having, Ash as his right hand man in these kinds of situation—not to mention best friend—he thought he’d wake, Ash first.

Ash wasn’t grumpy at all. He was hesitant about waking up, but he knew what had happened yesterday and he knew that they were all in danger of being captured like the rest of the Pokemon Trainers. Ash knew he couldn’t let that happen to himself and his Pokemon, not to mention the rest of his friends.

It was peculiar. As it were, when Ash was woken by Brock, in opposite of the side of where Ash was sleeping, Satoshi too woke up almost immediately. Ash and Satoshi starred at each other as if they were both looking a fun house mirror. They didn’t look away; it was only when Brock had woken up May who was next to Ash just a few feet away.

It was Misty who woke up last. It was—this considering that she was the one who had the least sleep last night. Ash kept his gaze away from her.

When May tried to stand up, she noticed that she was sore from every joint of her body. It must have been the running they did yesterday as they tried to escape from Team Rocket. What was worst was the fact that her stomach grumbled; last night’s meal didn’t suffice at all.

“Brock,” said May getting Brock’s attention, “are you sure there isn’t anything else in you backpack that might be edible?”

“I’ve looked, May. I don’t have anything else. I didn’t really account for this situation to happen. I was thinking more of the lines of eating all we could eat at the restaurants here on this Island.”

“Yeah, I had the same idea,” informed May.

“Okay,” yelled Marene as she wrapped her arms around Satoshi’s neck. This wasn’t at all particular. During the two’s travels, Marene had always been the touchy feely type of person. “Satoshi, you’re the expert on these kinds of stuff; what do we do, now?”

“…I don’t…know,” said Satoshi with a blank expression on his face.

“Big help you are, Satoshi,” Marene remarked.

“What do you think, Ash,” asked May.

“…It’s the same plan as yesterday. We’re surrounded by Team Rocket members from all side. There are a lot of them, too many to even guess as to how many. The whole Island is barricaded by those towers and we’re wrapped around that dome. As for any outside help, I doubt we’d get any.” The way Ash explained the plan, May and the others couldn’t help but think it was all grim.

“Ash,” began Brock, “I don’t think that plan really helps us.”

“Let me finish. Okay, what we can do, is if we can free enough Pokemon Trainers to help us fight back against Team Rocket, we might be able to grab hold of the Island and send for help.”

“Better plan than what I had,” said Satoshi.

It was as if Ash had ignored what Satoshi had said. Brock and the rest seemed to notice Ash do so, but Marene was as oblivious as a Magikarp in a pot.

“Ash…” began Misty, “…I…” was all she was able to get out before Ash walked away from her.

“Okay, if that’s the plan, how do we get those Pokemon Trainers free,” asked Brock. “Not to mention that there are some really strong Team Rocket trainers.”

“There are some strong Team Rocket trainers,” added Satoshi, “but, it was different last time. Last time we were caught of guard and strategy was used against us. The only reason why we weren’t able to fight them back yesterday was because there was no room to attack. If a trainer had asked their pokemon to attack, innocent bystanders would get caught in the crossfire and it might have gotten worst than it is now. I doubt that Team Rocket is so interested in anyone’s health.”

“Good point, Satoshi,” praised Brock.

“So, what are we going to do, Satoshi,” asked Marene as she let go of Satoshi’s neck.

“It’s simple,” explained Ash, “we have to find out where the pokemon were taken and have them fight with us against Team Rocket. Afterwards, when we get them free, we find their partners and he overpower Team Rocket.”

“Ash,” said Brock, “way to over simplify things. What about other factors? We might get caught in a Pokemon Battle with one of the strong Team Rocket members and get caught? We might not be able to find them. In fact, what if those pokemon were already taken somewhere else?”

“Ash is right,” said Satoshi, “we have to chance it. If we don’t, we’ll fall in with the rest of the others.”

Ash turned a cold shoulder as Satoshi was speaking. That time, no one notice except for Satoshi and Misty. Perhaps it wasn’t a dream what happened last night.

“I’m hungry, Satoshi,” complained Marene.

“Marene, now is not the time.”

“I’m only kidding, Satoshi.”

All other times, Satoshi would tolerate Marene’s attitude, but it wasn’t a time he could afford to be Mr. Nice Guy. There was so much that rested on getting out of the Island and getting help. That reason and also something unbeknownst to him.

“Marene,” said Satoshi firmly, “I don’t know why you do the things you do at times, but I can’t believe you’d do this kind of thing right, now. Not only are we in danger, but everyone else who is on this Island. So, my advice to you right now is to keep quiet and stop acting like such a little child!”

Marene couldn’t believe she had heard him say something so hurtful. Most of the time, Satoshi would be very patient with her. This time, he was awfully rude to her.

Marene turned away from Satoshi and headed off to the dark corner in the cave. She kept quiet as Satoshi looked at her as if he was regretting saying something like that to his best friend. He wanted to say sorry, but he couldn’t get the idea that he was right out of his head.

“Marene,” addressed Misty, “come on, I know that he didn’t mean that. It was just the situation that made him like that.” Misty tried to comfort Marene, but Marene didn’t quite take to Misty much for some reason.

“Alright, no more bickering,” said Brock. “If we’re going to do this, we have to start, now! Who knows when Team Rocket is going to find this place.”

With that said every body got their things together and headed out of the cave.

*****

Location and Setting: It was May who noticed that for brothers, they didn’t seem to like each other. Ash was way up in front and Satoshi was walking almost at the end with Marene. It wasn’t really that important. The way they were headed, leader and follower were pretty much the same. The way they were heading was the control tower where the tournament was kept recorded for future references of the pokemon battles. In an attempt at a trying to get help from the outside; it was there only hope at the moment. There was no real plan in the matter. The whole plan was made up by Marene and Satoshi. Having actually seen the island before anyone else has, the two witnessed personnel entering through a door that other trainers weren’t admitted. Perhaps, if they were able to head to that opening, they might have a chance at a radio or some sort of communications to the outside world.

“Are you sure that you know for sure that there’s a backside entrance to the control tower,” asked Brock who didn’t agree with the plan fully. He had his own plan, but since Satoshi and Marene were so sure, he couldn’t argue. Also, if Misty was right and Satoshi was Ash’s brother, he had to listen and trust him.

“Brock, I know it’s there. Once we get there, we’ll be able to get into contact with the outside world. Then, they’d be able to send some help,” said Satoshi assuring.

Ash heard Satoshi and Brock’s little conversation with each other. He couldn’t help but thing Satoshi might be wrong. He’s been certain at times about the directions he heads, but sometimes he’s wrong. Hopefully for his sake and everyone else’s he was right.

Satoshi walked closer to Marene. Misty noticed and she walked closer to Ash.

“Marene,” Satoshi exclaimed. “When are you going to forgive me for earlier. I know you are so you might as well do it, now.”

Marene didn’t say or do anything. The only thing she did was heightened her pace to try to get away.

May, looking at Satoshi, couldn’t help but think how much she is reminded of Ash by Satoshi. It was as if Ash were walking along side a mirror. If they were wearing the same clothing, May wouldn’t be able to tell which is which.

May decided to find out more about Satoshi. Who was he? Who is he? What kind of person is he? He seems to care a lot about his pokemon from where May was watching when he battled along side with Marene.

“Satoshi, how are you,” asked May with a giant smile and a sly body language to her.

“Hey…May, right?”

“Yeah, I’m May. I guess if you were born only 3 years ago, I bet you won’t know who I am. I’m one of your Brother’s many best friends. We met way back.”

“Oh, exactly how did, Ash meet you?”

“It was actually when Ash first arrived in the Hoenn region. I traveled with him for the rest of his badge hunting there.”

Satoshi remembered traveling in the Hoenn region. He also remember watching the Hoenn League. He would have been there himself watching Marene battle, too but due to some mistake in locating the final gym to get Marene’s badge, they weren’t able to attain it till the actual day of the competitions.

“I actually remember Ash competing in the Hoenn League. If I remember correctly, he was very close to winning. I bet if it were now, he’d be able to win the match.”

“You know Satoshi, from your performance along with Marene, I think you were actually giving Ash a run for the championship. All the great tactics you used to win against your first opponents. Honestly, I thought the two of you were a joke when you were fight against yourself.”

Satoshi remembered having a little discussion with Marene as they were about to battle for the first time in the tournament. Satoshi also remembered that it wasn’t part of the plan for them to do that.

“May, don’t act like I was all that great. I’ve seen your battle as well. You and Brock performed very well against you opponents in your matches.”

Hearing the two speak to one another, Brock decided to get to know Satoshi a lot better. At this point, it was more than awkward to have another Ash walking next to him. It wasn’t hard to understand. For all of the time that Brock had known, Ash, he never knew him to have a brother. Then again, it wasn’t really Ash’s fault since he didn’t know himself.

“Satoshi, can I ask you something,” asked Brock.

Seeing that there was nothing wrong with that, Satoshi said, “Sure.”

“Satoshi,” Brock began, “what do you think of me. I’m asking because to me, Ash is a brother. What do you think of me?”

Satoshi didn’t have to think hard about this. Though he wasn’t, Ash, he knew what Brock did for him. “Brock, from the time I was first born, I knew you to be one of my best friends in the world. How would that be possible if I actually never met you? Well, if I were some trainer you met and became friends with, you would have treated my the same as you treated, Ash. You treated him as a younger brother. You taught him everything you knew about pokemon. You taught him to be strong. You believed in him and now he’s the person he is today.

You ask what I think of you. I think you’d be one of my best friends if I were, Ash.”

To be honest, Brock believed that to be the best answer. It was the answer that he was looking for. It would be the answer that Ash would have given him. How can he not be, Ash. He looks like Ash, he sounds like Ash, he acts like Ash, and he treats people like Ash. There was a very fine line between Ash and Satoshi. It was hard for Brock to decide if that line had be cross for him to say that Satoshi was Ash.

“Satoshi… Thank you!”

Out in front, Misty walked just far back of Ash to where she would be able to punch him if she wanted to. She walked the same steps and at the same pace as Ash. As she was doing so, she considered about what she would be able to say. Misty knew he was trying to be distant from her. He was quiet and didn’t speak to anyone ever since they were in the cave.

“Ash,” Misty said trying to get his attention. “Ash,” she said again.

It didn’t work. Ash kept walking at the same pace and looking forward as if no one else was around except for Pikachu who was nudging him on his shoulder to turn around and acknowledge Misty’s advance.

“Ash, look at me,” Misty pleaded. Still nothing. Ash continued on determined not to speak to her.

He was hurt. It wasn’t official or if he had seen her that way, but just the same how could she have done what she’s done? It was an unspoken bond between them and for her to do that just broke that bond. What was worst was the fact that she called Satoshi Ash and would do that with Satoshi and not with.

Misty knew she wasn’t going to break through to him by just calling him out. She had to do something else.

Misty walk to Ash’s side trudging along with him. She acted like nothing happened and faced forward as if there was nothing wrong in the world.

Ash, noticing that she was right next to him, increased his pace. This didn’t work as Misty sped her pace as well. Ash did it again and Misty again sped her pace.

After a while, Brock and the rest began to notice that the two were way up in front. They followed along thinking that the two just wanted to get there as fast as they could to get help for the other pokemon trainers.

Satoshi looked up in front watching Ash and Misty almost at running speed. He knew what that was about. He also knew that he was at the very bottom of that reason. What was he suppose to do? Should he go up in front and tell the two to stop doing what they were doing and make up? No! Honestly, Satoshi didn’t what he wanted to do. In fact, he didn’t know what even happened last night. He knew that something happened, but he didn’t know what the next step would be. Should he follow the next course and try to reciprocate what happened last night? Does Misty even want that? Was it just a fluke?

Pikachu jump on the ground and walked on his own seeing that Ash wasn’t slowing down for anything. As they walked, Pikachu looked back at Ash and wondered what the problem might be. Misty, earlier had tried to gain his attention, but all he did was ignore her.

Finally, Misty was tired was trying to keep pace with, Ash. Running wasn’t the way to get there anyways; by the time they would get there, they’d be tired from running that long away.

“Ash, slow down, now!” Ordered Misty.

Ash paid no attention and walked pass her.

The rest watched and wondered what was wrong with the two. At first, Brock had thought that Ash was just anxious to help the others, but it seemed it might be something else bothering him.

Misty couldn’t take it anymore. Misty grabbed Ash by his backpack and didn’t let go.

Ash finally stopped, but didn’t look back at her. “Misty, let me go,” he yelled angrily at her.

Misty looked at Ash in shock and frozen. He’d yelled at her before, but before it was about something trivial. This time, Ash yelled at her for something shouldn’t have done.

“Leave me alone, Misty,” Ash firmly told her again still looking angry.

Misty let go of his backpack and slowly back away.

Brock knew something was going on between the two. As older brother, he had to watch over his siblings.

Before Brock was about to step in…

“Hey!”

Ash looked towards Satoshi and so did everyone else.

“What do you think you’re doing,” asked Satoshi firmly with a serious look in his face. “She’s just worried about you? You don’t have to be a jerk about it!”

Satoshi cared about, Misty. Satoshi cares a lot for, Misty. Misty had told Satoshi that he was, Ash. And if Misty said that he was, Ash, that meant that he was the same person that she fished out of the river. He was the same person that she help along the Kanto region. He was the same person that cared about him, as well.

“Why don’t you butt out of this, you’re not apart of it” Ash yelled back at Satoshi.

“If you’re talking to Misty that way, then I am part of it.”

Ash finally had enough! Who was he to say anything as if they knew each other since birth?

“Who do you think you are? Just because you look and sound like me, it doesn’t me you are me. You act as if you and Misty have been friends for years. You only met her yesterday and now you’re trying to be her best friend.”

“Its better I act like her friend than you are right, now,” retorted Satoshi.

Ash looked at Misty and dismissed her as he continued toward their destination.

Satoshi wasn’t satisfied. “Hey, don’t walk away! You haven’t said you’re sorry.”

Ash ignored him and kept walking as the others wonder what just happened.

Satoshi followed after Ash and caught him on his shoulder. “I said you didn’t apologize!” Satoshi looked mad as if it worst crime he’d seen someone commit.

“No,” yelled Misty, “just forget about it!”

“I can’t, he’s not getting away until he says he’s sorry.”

Ash started to get angry, too. Who was this guy? How dare he try to boss him around? If Satoshi looked like someone else, Ash wouldn’t hesitate to tell him off.

“I said, let go of my hand,” Ash firmly said.

“I’m not letting go,” Satoshi fired back.

Finally, Ash couldn’t take it and punched Satoshi in face. Usually, being half pokemon, Satoshi could have seen that coming, but he had never expected Ash to have hit him.

Without thinking, Satoshi got up and punched Ash in the arm. At first, Satoshi had aimed at Ash’s face, but pulled back and at the last moment caught Ash’s arm. Satoshi knew if he had dealt Ash square in his jaw, he wouldn’t be able to speak for some time.

The hit in his arm hurt Ash more than he let up. The hit in his arm also got Ash angrier. Without thinking, Ash swung his right at Satoshi’s left cheek, but this time Satoshi saw it coming and on reflex, fired a Thundershock at, Ash.

Satoshi couldn’t believe what he had done. It wasn’t that Ash was very much hurt, but he couldn’t believe he had done that to, Ash. Satoshi didn’t really consider Ash to be his brother, but he never considered him to not be family. Satoshi was still confused on what Ash was to him.

Satoshi tried to reach for Ash’s hands, as he was on the ground, but before he could, another Thundershock hit Satoshi’s arm.

Satoshi looked at the direction it came and found it was Pikachu who fired and was ready for more.

Ash got up and looked angry. “Pikachu, use Thunderbolt again on him.” Without thinking, Ash ordered and Pikachu did as he was told.

Satoshi was lucky he had the ability to curve electric moves; if Satoshi had not the ability, things would have been worst than it looked.

Satoshi was on the ground smoldering with smoke from Pikachu’s last attack. He quickly got back on his feet and was ready to punch Ash’s head right off.

Misty looked on as Satoshi shocked Ash again. She disliked what she saw very much. There have been times when she and her sisters had fought about a few things, but it had never escalated to where they were using pokemon attacks on each other. She tried her best to get in the way of the two, but every time she would try to step in, both of them would send another electric move at each other and it would have hit her.

Satoshi was also about his attacks. Though, Satoshi was quite angry, Satoshi was still conscientious about how powerful he really was.

Finally, Brock wasn’t able to take it anymore. He saw how Marene, Misty and May were screaming at the two to stop. It looked horrendous to see the two fight one another.

As Ash was about to order Pikachu for another attack and Satoshi was about to fire himself, Brock got in between the two along with his Onix.

“That’s enough,” Brock yelled. “You two should see yourselves! You two looked like you wanted to kill each other.”

The two looked at Brock and knew he was right. Both Ash and Satoshi didn’t know what to say next. It might have been pride that kept them from saying anything, but part of the silence was at their disgust for what happened in front of everyone.

“Satoshi, Ash, what is this all about?” Asked Brock.

Not one of the two wanted to confess. Honestly, both of them didn’t really know what it was about—at least they didn’t want to confirm what the whole problem was.

“Okay, fine! You two don’t want to say anything about this; good!” Brock knew there was something wrong, but he also knew that this wasn’t the time to be discussing such trivial matters. “If you two can remember, this isn’t the time to fight amongst ourselves. There are hundreds of Team Rocket members here and we need to stay together. So, what we’re going to do, now is go to the location and try to get help. Do I make myself clear?”

There didn’t seem to be any ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’ when Brock said that. But, to be stubborn, Ash and Satoshi only nodded confirming the situation.

“Alright then, lets keep moving!”

*****

Location and Settings: After the incident, Satoshi and Ash kept their distance from each other. Misty knew it wasn’t going to work trying to speak to, Ash. She knew that what ever she would say, he’d ignore it and keep walking away from her. After another half an hour of walking, the group reach the point. The entrance looked like a plain door with an “Authorized Only” sign at the door.

As Brock had guessed, the door was guarded by 2 Team Rocket members. Around the complex, there were other guards surrounding the perimeter.

“Okay, here’s the situation. It looks like there are only 2 guards guarding that door. There also seems to be Rocket members periodically walking around the perimeter. It seems the other guards only pass that door every so often.” Brock’s synopsis seemed correct. They’ve been waiting for a while to see the rotation of the guards. The Rockets that were walking around the perimeter seemed only to walk by just once and a while.

“I don’t see how we can get in without taking the two guards without the other guards not checking on them every so often,” stated Misty.

“It’s easy,” said Satoshi, “what we do is take them out. Once they’re out cold, two of us take their uniform and stand out guard while the rest go inside and try to find a way to communicate with the outside.”

“That’s a good idea,” complemented Brock, “but who’s going to stay behind.

Looking at the two guards, Ash notices that their heights weren’t as tall. “Well, from the looks of things, they guards don’t seem very tall. I wouldn’t be able to fit in it. Misty is too tall and so is Brock. The only two of us that may be able to fit is May and Marene.”

“You’re right, good one” said Satoshi. Ash didn’t take his compliment as one. “Okay, Marene, you’re going to have to stay with May.

“Satoshi, I don’t want to stay with her. I want to be with you. I can help.”

Satoshi knew there wasn’t a way unless Marene played the part of the other bodyguard. He had to convince her.

“Marene, don’t worry,” began Satoshi, “we’ll be in and out before you know it. Please, Marene do this for me. And I promise, after this, I’m going to start telling you everything that’s happening in my life now and in my past. That way, you’d be able to trust me, right?”

Marene didn’t answer. She only looked at him as if he wasn’t ever coming back.

“Marene, please be a good girl and do this for me.” Satoshi knew Marene would do it. She was strong and she could do it. At least for some time.

“May, please do this us, too,” said Ash as he put his hand on May’s shoulder.

“Ash,” May said as she pulled Ash’s hand and clenched it on hers,” please don’t get yourself into trouble. You always get into such predicaments and sometimes I really worry about you. I need to know that you’re going to succeed and come back to me.”

“Of course I will, May. So will Misty and Brock. Once this is over, we’re going to have a big lunch. And since we’re going to be the heroes, it’s going to be a fiest and all free. I promise.”

“That’s right, May,” said Brock, “we’re gonna help a lot of people if we do this, now.”

“May, Marene,” said Misty, “thank you so much. And please, be careful.”

The plan was made and now everyone was ready to take action. They waited a few more minutes for the guard that checked every so often to move out far enough so they wouldn’t be heard.

From the portion of the thick forest, they waited and planned. Finally, the guard was far enough to set the plan in motion.

It was Marene’s move. Out of the heavy forest walked Marene’s Psyduck along with Misty’s.

“Hey,” said one of the guards, “are there suppose to be a reserve for Psyducks here, because those two just popped out of nowhere?”

“I don’t know,” answered the other guard.

Misty’s Psyduck walked up to the two guards. Being naturally bumble-headed, Psyduck wasn’t considered much of a threat.

The two guards kept an eye on Misty’s Psyduck. On the other hand, Marene’s Psyduck was already to hypnotize the two. Before one of them even suspected any foul play, they were both asleep.

All of them burst out of the forest as discreetly possible as so not alert any other Team Rocket members.

The door was locked as Ash turned the knob.

Seeing this, Satoshi came over and pulled out Ursaring. Ursaring was ordered to break the door knob and so he did. Afterwards, Satoshi put Ursaring back in his pokeball and gave it to Marene. He gave Ursaring just in case he was needed—just in case.

Inside of the door, there were stairs that looked like it led up far. As Brock looked up, considering how long a tall a basketball court is, he was able to estimate the stairs led about 50 feet high. Satoshi and Ash grabbed the two guards and stripped them down to their under clothes. Misty and the other girls looked away as Brock and the guys tied and gagged them. There was still a problem; what if they were to wake up. They may not be able to yell out because of the gags, but what if they were to move around and knock on the wall or something. Luckily, there was a janitorial closet around and they were able to store them there. Hopefully no one would hear them.

After the guards were taken cared of, Marene and May got into their uniforms. May and Marene complained about how the uniform looked, but really they were surprised to see how comfortable it really was. Even the hats that covered most of their faces were comfy.

“Alright, girls,” said Brock as he clenched his arms together. “Are you to ready?”

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” answered May.

“No, I’m not ready,” answered Marene.

Satoshi was shocked. He knew full well that Marene would be able to do the job. He’s trained with her and seen what she could do if she really put in her all.

“Marene, what’s going on?” asked Satoshi. “I thought you said you were ready to go?”

“Satoshi,” said Brock slowly shaking his head, “If she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t. It is a very dangerous situation.”

“No, it’s not that,” said Marene. “I just want to tell Satoshi something before he goes.”

Satoshi got close to Marene and asked, “what is it, Marene?”

Marene started to blush with Satoshi being so close to her at the moment.

“Marene, you can tell me anything,” said Satoshi.

“Satoshi, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate and value your friendship.”

“Marene, I feel the same way. And I know that…”

Marene covered Satoshi’s mouth. “Satoshi, please listen for just a moment. I just wanted to tell you to be careful. I get worried about you sometimes, too. I’ve known you ever since I’ve started my Pokemon journey and I don’t think I’d be where I am now if you weren’t with me. I know I can be such a annoying girl sometimes, but… but I just want you to think the best of me.” Marene walked closer to Satoshi and slowly gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Satoshi never saw this side of Marene. She wasn’t being loud, she wasn’t be annoying, she wasn’t be overdramatic; she was being a girl. In fact, Satoshi just notice she was actually a pretty girl. For some reason, he never caught that. She looked more radiant than before as he looked at her figure in the Team Rocket uniform.

“Marene, I promise I’ll come back for you when this is all done. I promise.”

Misty looked at the two and knew she made a mistake. For some reason, last night she saw Ash in Satoshi, but now she realized that what she really saw was a sad person in Ash’s clothing. Yes, Misty still considered Satoshi to be Ash’s brother, but now she saw him as another person. He was like Ash, but he wasn’t Ash; not anymore.

“Come on, Satoshi,” said Misty, “we should get going.”

Satoshi noticed that Misty finally called him Satoshi and not Ash. Satoshi knew she made her decision.

May and Marene went back outside just as the guard walking around made his way there.

“Hey, you two weren’t there before,” said the guard.

The two didn’t panic. They knew that they had a mission to accomplish and if they were go get caught now, the rest wouldn’t be able to do what they had to do.

“Actually,” began May, “we actually traded shifts with the other two while you were securing the area.”

“Yeah, we saw you earlier, don’t you remember,” asked Marene.

“I saw you earlier,” asked the guard, “oh, yes. How ridicules of me, of course, I remember you two now.”

Afterwards, the guard walked away again to make his rounds. The two girls giggled to see that it actually worked.

*****

Location and Setting: Ash, Brock, Misty and Satoshi ran up the stairs as fast as they could to a door that led to a corridor. As Satoshi carefully listened, he was able to tell there weren’t many Rocket members around as in the outside, but there was also a good number.

“There are still guards all around us,” informed Satoshi hearing different footsteps.

There had to be a way to go around the massive building without drawing attention to themselves and getting caught.

Without thinking, Ash pushed open the door and looked out to see who was there. Luckily, there was no one in the near vicinity. Brock was sweating bullets as Ash entered.

Satoshi was close behind Ash and followed making sure nothing happened to him.

Misty and Brock decided to follow as well seeing that they other two had already infiltrated.

They were in, but what was the next plan? They had to find a way to get in contact with the outside world, but where to start looking first? Plus, how are they going to go around without being spotted?

Satoshi heard footstep and by the look of Pikachu, he heard them, too. Satoshi warned them of the impending Rocket.

The four of them including Pikachu quietly ran down the corridor towards a room. Luckily, the room wasn’t lock and was empty.

“What are we going to do, Brock,” asked Misty.

“I don’t know,” answered Brock.

Ash heard the footsteps as the Rocket pass by. He could tell there was only one from the pattern of each step.

Ash opened the door slowly as he had done before and looked out side seeing the Rocket’s back just a few meters away. Then, it struck him.

Ash quickly ran outside along with Pikachu and all the other could heard was electricity curling and a sudden yelp of “ouch,” and a thud to the floor.

Hearing this, Satoshi ran out the door to see what was going on. Ash was dragging along the Rocket member that had just been walking outside.

“Help me get him in,” asked Ash.

Satoshi did as he was asked and brought the Rocket in. He almost began to understand what Ash was doing.

“I think he’s about my height,” said Ash.

“I got it,” said Brock winking at Ash.

“I’ll get the next one,” said Misty.

*****

Location and Setting: It wasn’t a perfect fit, but it fit enough for Ash. After waiting a few more minutes in the room, they first tied up the Rocket member and afterwards waited for another Rocket that might have fit anyone of them. After a while, they left the room and headed towards somewhere else where there might be someone who can fit for them.

In that floor alone, Brock counted, so-far, about 30 rooms. Many of the rooms seemed empty, as if the person who had modeled the building wasn’t told there wasn’t going to be much employees.

As they were walking along door 213, around the corner, Satoshi was able to hear footsteps a few away. Quickly, they turned to a door and waited.

Satoshi opened the door and snuck a look at the Rocket. It seemed that the person was about Misty’s height.

With Ash wearing a Team Rocket uniform, he walked out of the room as if he were just another rocket member. The Rocket member himself didn’t question him except for his reasons for being in the room.

“Hi,” said Ash with a smile.

As Ash distracted the Rocket, Satoshi came from behind and quietly shocked the Rocket member till he was out. Just like before, Ash had dragged the Rocket and quickly Misty took his uniform.

Misty walked out of the room and everyone found the clothing to be a little bit loose, but it was still enough to fool everyone else.

Again, they headed off looking around the floor. From the sign they saw next to an exit sign, they were in the 10^th floor.

Finally, they were able to find an elevator. Misty was about to enter, but Brock had it that they might have been monitoring the elevators. It was most likely because most of the Rockets had walky-talkies. It seemed that they were only able to leave their post if an order comes in for them to do so. Instead, Ash and the others took to the stairs in hopes of finding the floor in which they were able to reach someone in the outside world.

*****

Location and Setting: Back at the back entrance, May and Marene spent their time waiting, wondering where everyone was at and if they were safe or not. Marene kept her Psyduck out and didn’t care if the Rocket guard seen it or not; he wasn’t going to have her Psyduck in her pokeball if Psyduck didn’t want to. May was much more cautious as she hid her pokeballs in her pocket. It was strange, May had seen Jesse and James numerous amount of times with their uniforms—given that it’s more modified—but she never knew how comfy they were or had pockets to them.

Most of the time if the Rocket guard that walked around wasn’t there, May and Marene walked around or sit, but they always stood their post when someone arrived.

“Hey, May,” began Marene, “what do you think of, Ash?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, is he a nice guy?”

“Is he a nice guy? Of course Ash is a nice guy. Ever since I met him, he was always the nicest person you’ve ever met. From the beginning, I could tell that he cared about people and his pokemon very much.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Why do you asked,” asked May.

“Well, I just want to know if Satoshi was always the way he is now, or if he was much more different from what he was. Hearing you say good things about Ash lets me know that Satoshi is a good person as well.”

“I still can’t believe it,” stated May. “I just can’t believe that Ash might have a brother. I mean, I know a guy for 3 or so years, and I never met his brother. Honestly, Ash’s brother is cute as well.”

Marene looked at May questionably. “So, you do like Ash, do you?”

May blushed; she didn’t know what to say.

“Come on, you can tell me. I won’t tell anyone. Besides, when in situations like this, it’s best to keep each other going by telling each other secrets. You know you want to.”

May gave up. “Yes, I do like, Ash.” It was a relief. She knew that she wasn’t alone anymore. Most of the times, May kept it to herself and it really got her angry or made her jealous every time some girl comes along. “I guess I like him because he’s nice, brave, caring. You know, the kind of guy you’d meet once and a while.”

“Did you ever tell him that you liked him?”

“No, I’m afraid that he might not like me in return. In fact, I know that he wouldn’t choose me.”

Marene knew she hit something hard, but she enjoyed the conversation too much to stop, now.

“May, why would you think that he doesn’t like you like you like him?”

May thought about it. He knew exactly who Ash would prefer. “Did Satoshi ever tell you about himself or what it was like traveling with Ash and Misty?”

Marene was reminded about how Satoshi kept a lot of secrets from her and that got her a little mad. “Well, actually, Satoshi and I mostly talk about pokemon. Yeah, I know, that’s boring, right? Well, I tried to get him to talk about himself, but every time, he’d say something like, ‘I have no past’. I thought he was trying to be dramatic and I would laugh at him, but now that I know all this, he was actually telling the truth.”

May thought about Marene and Satoshi’s relationship. Even she wouldn’t put up with a guy who wouldn’t tell her about himself. “Marene, I don’t see how you can just put up with that. I mean, you said you met him about 5 years ago, if it takes 5 years, I would have dumped him after 2 months tops.”

Marene was prepared for that. “What? You think that Satoshi and I are a couple?” Marene almost looked sick after hearing that.

“You’re not a couple? From the way you two act, it looks like you’ve been married for years now. I just can’t believe that you two aren’t together.”

“Well, when I met Satoshi, I was really rude to him and maybe that’s why. Because when I met him, he I thought he was going to catch a pokemon that I weakened. His official story was that he was trying to save me from a charging Rhyhorn.”

“Save you from a charging Ryhorn? What’s that suppose to mean?”

“Well, after he saved me, I caught him with a pokeball and treated him like he was just a pokemon. I guess that’s why he doesn’t like me. Maybe he thinks I’m just a little annoying girl.”

“I don’t think that. I think you’re tough for being out here.”

“That’s okay, anyways. All I want is to be the best Pokemon Trainer in the world. I’m not looking for a guy right now.”

“Okay, fine. If you’re going to be like that, do you mind if I give Satoshi a chance,” May teased.

Marene looked at May with a sour face. It seemed she didn’t like the idea too much.

“So, do you think you’d let me,” asked May to further push Marene’s button.

Marene wasn’t much amused. Rather, she was downright unforgiving as she starred May down.

“Satoshi,” Marene began, “Satoshi is my best friend… and honestly… honestly… I don’t really know you well enough to give you my blessing. You could be a real horrible person for all I know. So, I’m just going to say that I don’t want you to go out with him. I’ll decide first whether or not a girl is good enough for him.”

May thought about it for a moment and knew Marene made a good excuse. “Marene, that was a really good one. I hope when you find someone good, you’ll be happy for Satoshi.”

“Of course, I’ll be happy for him. He’s my best friend and I won’t those who don’t deserve him get there hands near him.”

May laughed at Marene. She found it amusing at how naïve and sort of childish Marene really was about Satoshi.

“Marene, I want you to know that when Ash comes back, I’ll tell him that I like him.”

Marene looked at May and couldn’t neglect the courage she had to tell Ash. There have been times when Marene had wanted to tell someone that she like that person, too, but she never did because she was too afraid of the person’s response.

“May, I really respect you for being so strong about this.”

“Thanks, Marene, I guess I’ll have to be strong. I already know Ash’s answer anyways.”

May looked into the distance as if she only saw what was ahead of her. She had a serious look to her. It was as if was preparing for a battle.

“So, you’re that confident that Ash will accept?”

“No, I have to be strong because I know he won’t accept,” answered May.

“Huh? What makes you think that Ash won’t say yes?”

“Don’t you see it? Don’t you see how Ash looks at Misty? That girl has had a hook on him for the longest time. Even before I had ever met, Ash.”

“Are you sure? Then, why are you going to confess to him?”

“It’s because I want to be alive. If you ever just sit around all day, did nothing and at night you went to sleep. That’s the same as being dead. I want to be alive, Marene. Knowing that I’ve told Ash will make me alive. Right now, this whole situation with Team Rocket, it opened my eyes to what life is, really. Life isn’t just moving from day to day. Life is doing something day to day. And today, I want to tell Ash.”

Marene couldn’t help but get inspired by May’s will to be alive. She wanted the same for herself. Would Marene be able to confess?

*****

Here we are. Hope you like, review? Posted 8/21/06