Disclaimer: I do not own The Ketchup Song....and neither does Pikachu.

Pikachu: "Cha...."

Sorry Pikapal.              

               Chapter 5
                       
                    Sweet Revenge


"Hey Gary!" Ash said as he emerged from behind the bushes grinning slyly. He walked
over to Misty and leaned his arm on her shoulder, as Misty tried to stifle a giggle.

"Ketchum!!!" Gary cried frantically, as he began to realize the truth behind Misty's
sudden urge to go skinny dipping.

"You set me up!" Gary yelled at Misty angrily, as he eyed the grinning, clothed teens.

"Now, would I do something like that?" Misty asked Ash innocently.

"No, not at all.....but I would," Ash grinned evilly as Gary fumed with rage.

"We make quite a team, don't you think, Gary-boy?" Ash questioned while draping his
arm over Misty's shoulders, as Gary had similarly done earlier that day.

"I'll get you for this-" Gary grumbled as Ash cut him off.

"Maybe, but that will have to wait, because we're not done yet." Ash's smile grew even
wider, as did Gary's eyes, in fear of what more they could possibly do.

"What are you talking about?" Gary asked, fright apparent in his voice.

"Well, you see, if it was just me, I'd give you back your clothes right now, but..."
Rustling was heard from the same bush Ash emerged from before, and suddenly, a
familiar Pikachu jumped out into view.

"....You see, Pikachu is pretty upset. It doesn't take it too well when people play cruel
jokes on me,.....and it wants some revenge too." Pikachu growled as it began to make it's
way over to where Gary was emerged.....in water.

"You wouldn't dare!" Gary cried as he looked at the approaching Pikachu in horror.

"No, I wouldn't, but Pikachu on the other hand, well,....he's not all that sympathetic."

"Pikaaaa...." Pikachu said mischievously as it stopped just a few feet short of Gary.

"Hey, Misty, doesn't water conduct electricity?" Ash pondered.

"Why yes, Ash, it does!" Misty answered as they both grinned at each other, and then
turned to look at the panic-stricken Gary.

"And with no protection...ANYWHERE, well, that would be quite painful," Ash
concluded as Misty nodded in agreement.

"Pika!" Pikachu chimed as it eyed Gary.

Gary gulped as he prepared to swallow his pride. "Ash, I'm am soooooo sorry for
everything! I promise to never do anything like this again!" Gary stared frantically at the
Pikachu and it's trainer, neither of whom seemed very impressed with his apology.

"A-a-and-d I am the worst Pokemon trainer in the world! And you are the best trainer,
and you will be a Pokemon Master before me, and I will never be one in a million years,
and-"

"Gary, Gary!" Ash interrupted as Gary stopped to catch his breath.

"That's very nice of you to say,......and even nicer that I now have it on tape..."Ash
clicked the stop button on the tape recorder hidden behind his back, as Misty giggled and
Gary sighed in defeat..

"....But I don't think that's what Pikachu had in mind."

"What do you mean?...." Gary asked cautiously.

Ash looked at Pikachu. "Pikachu!"

"Right. Gary, you took Spanish back in school didn't you?"

Gary's face portrayed utter confusion. "Yeah......."

"Great!" Ash cheered as he pulled a  large stereo system out of the surrounding bushes.
He pushed the play button, and the background music to The Ketchup Song began to
play.

"Pika!" Pikachu smiled happily at the beloved music.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Gary stated disgustedly, as Pikachu began to growl in
anger.

"I'd do it if I were you. Pikachu doesn't take kindly to people insulting his favorite
songs."

Gary stared at the glaring Pikachu, as he figured what "doesn't take kindly" really means.

"We're waiting!" Misty reminded the pathetic looking Gary.

"You can start from here." Ash waited patiently.

Gary realized he had no choice. It was either this or be "Friday night it's party time"

Gary stopped, hoping that perhaps that was all they wanted.

"Keep going, Pikachu hasn't gotten into it yet," Ash grinned while Gary sent a death
glare Ash's way.

"Feeling ready looking fine-"

"Keep with the beat of the music, please." Ash directed, as Gary cursed under his breath.

"....Viene diego rumbeando,

With the magic in his eyes

Checking every girl in sight,

Grooving like he does the mambo

He's the man alli en la disco,

Playing sexy felling hotter,

He's the king bailando et ritmo ragatanga,

And the dj that he knows well,

On the spot always around twelve,

Plays the mix that diego mezcla con la salsa,

Y la baila and he dances y la canta......"

Pikachu was getting all excited now as Misty and Ash were trying to hold back an
immense amount of laughter. Gary, singing in Spanish, was indeed one for the history
books.

"The chorus, yay!" Ash screamed excitedly as Pikachu whipped out a bottle of Ketchup
and began to shake it, and itself around joyously.

Gary felt utterly humiliated, and he looked it too. His naked body half emerged in water,  
his voice getting soar, and his annoyance with the fact that the joke was on him, and not
the other way around was really getting to him. Not to mention that.....he hates The
Ketchup Song!!!!!!!!!!

"......Aserejč ja de jč de jebe tu de jebere seibiunouva,

Majavi an de bugui an de buididipi,

Aserejč ja de jč de jebe tu de jebere seibiunouva,

Majavi an de bugui an de buididipi......"

Misty and Ash had now broken out in laughter. They even had to turn away from Gary
and Pikachu, because the site was just too disturbing, yet hysterical all at once, to watch.

Misty whispered to Ash, as there backs were turned to the ridiculous scene "Are you
gonna?...."

"Oh you bet I am!" Ash said trying to contain his laughter long enough to...

"Wow! This music is really loud! I hope we don't draw any attention to ourselves!" Ash
practically screamed at the top of his lungs.

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---------

"That's our cue..."

Gary was confused at first by Ash's outburst, but then he saw them coming......All of
them.

The trainers that were at the lecture earlier were informed by various people (Duplica,
Tracey, Brock, Richie) about a "special" show that was going to be put on tonight.
Basically they said that Ash is going to get some revenge on Gary, and if they want to see
the fun they are welcome to stick around and meet them tonight at the lake.

Gary could be described in one word at that moment....Pathetic.

".....Many think its brujeria,

How he comes and disappears,

Every move will hypnotize you,

Some will call it chuleria,

Others say that its the real,

Rastafari afrogitano...."

The trainers gathered around the scene. Ash could here various people talking.

"Is he naked?!"

"What's with the Pikachu?......and the ketchup?"

"Does he enjoy doing this kind of stuff?"

"He is a horrible singer, but the Pikachu is cute."

But what could be heard mostly, was laughter.

".....He's the man alli en la disco,

Playing sexy felling hotter,

He's the king bailando et ritmo ragatanga,

And the dj that he knows well,..."

"Here comes the chorus again everybody!" Brock shouted as he grabbed a girl and began
to dance. Amazingly the girl was having too much fun to refuse him. In fact, a lot of
people started to dance. Ash found it so amusing that he grabbed Misty and began to twirl
her around. She giggled in his arms, surprised, but happy at his actions.

"Keep singing, Gary! It's just getting good!" Duplica mocked as Gary glared at her. He
had had enough.

"That's it!" Everyone turned to look at Gary. Those who were dancing stopped. Even
Pikachu stopped shaking himself, and the bottle of ketchup.

"I refuse to continue! This is ridiculous! She was the one who started this whole thing in
the first place!" Gary said pointing at Misty in outrage.

Misty lowered her head in guilt while Ash's mood changed dramatically.

"Who was the one who made the tape of me at my house?" Ash asked Gary calmly.

"Me," Gary answered back, unapologetic.

"And who put the tape in the VCR at the lecture?" Ash asked again, this time
threateningly.

"M-m-me," Gary stuttered.

"So then who's fault is it?!" Ash questioned angrily, as Gary stepped back a bit.

"B-but, it was her joke in the first place. I didn't see you do anything like this to her!"
Gary countered.

"I already forgave Misty for that..."

"You did?!" Misty asked joyously as Ash nodded and smiled at her. Misty smiled back.

Ash, with a look of loathing on his face, turned back  to Gary.

"But you, what you did was ten times worse than what she did. Not to mention that you
didn't even feel the least bit of regret afterwards. I heard about how you were bragging to
the people at the lecture.....And for that you-" Ash realized that Gary still didn't feel the
least bit of regret for what he had done for him. 'Even after all that's happened so far, and
even after how humiliated he must be, he is still not sorry.' Ash did want to get revenge
on Gary, but his main goal was to make Gary regret what he had done to Ash.
Unfortunately regret is obviously not in Gary's vocabulary. "Forget it, I don't even care
anymore, let's get out of here," Ash said indifferently as he exited the area. Misty,
surprised by Ash's sudden change of mood, dropped Gary's shorts and quickly followed
him.

"Well, it looks like the shows over then. Now give me back my shorts so I can get out of
here and start planning how I'm going to get back at...."

"Pikaaaaa......." Pikachu growled angrily at what Gary was saying, but also at the fact that
he stopped singing the song.

"Actually, I think Pikachu isn't finished with you yet." Brock said, observing Pikachu's
behavior.

Gary first reaction was fright, but then he realized that he has to take a stand or else he
would never get out of there. "No! I refuse to sing anymore, and I'm sick of  taking
orders from a stupid electric rat!"

Several "uh oh's" could be heard among the crowd. Pikachu didn't even bother growling
as it sent a small shock in Gary's direction, making him wince in pain, and grab a
sensitive area of his. As soon as he recovered, and realized that that was just a warning
shock, he immediately continued his "entertainment".

"...Aserejč ja de jč de jebe tu de jebere seibiunouva,

Majavi an de bugui an de buididipi,

Aserejč ja de jč de jebe tu de jebere seibiunouva,

Majavi an de bugui an de buididipi..."

Pikachu grabbed the bottle of  ketchup once again, and began to shake to the beat.

"Hey, isn't there a dance that goes with this song?" Duplica questioned innocently.

"Pika!" Pikachu cried excitedly, also recollecting a dance, as it looked at Gary
expectantly.

Gary whimpered at the Pokemon, but got no sympathy,  and began to dance. ^^

Tracey held up the camcorder and continued to tape. ^^

"What's all that racket?!"

Several approaching voices were heard. Older voices.

'Oh no! The town meeting is letting out!' Gary remembered, as the trainers began to
scatter.

"Let's get out of here!" Several people shouted, not wanting to get into trouble.

Pikachu had also began to evacuate, but it took the time to grab Gary's shorts and flee
with them, later dropping them in the nearest vegetable garden(not Mrs. Ketchum's).

Gary looked around frantically for his shorts, freaking out even more as the voices got
closer.

Soon the older group of townspeople couldn't get any closer, as they were now at
Cloyster Lake, and witnessing a very red Gary emerging himself further and further into
the water.

"Gary?! Was that you singing before? Prof. Oak asked his grandson angrily.

"No?" Gary replied unsurely.

The Prof. groaned in annoyance. "And what are you doing swimming at this time of
night. You are going to catch a cold, get out of that water right now!"

"No, really, it's...quite warm....It's-"

"Get out now!"

"I can't, I'm naked, please help me, grampy!" Gary cried out childishly, as Prof. Oak and
the rest of the group looked stunned.

"Is this some kind of new fad?" One of the townspeople asked the group.

"Maybe it's like the streaking thing from the 70's?" The group pondered as Gary wished
he could submerge his whole body in water, and hopefully go while he still had some
dignity left.

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---------

Back at Ash's house, Misty and Ash had just arrived at the front porch. Ash sat down on
a bench there, and Misty took the seat next to him.

"All right, you are obviously upset, when you should be very happy right now. What's
wrong?" Misty asked, noticing the quiet Ash.

"Huh? Oh, nothing it's just...I got Gary back real good, didn't I?" Ash asked Misty
somewhat reluctantly.

"Yeah, that was the best prank I've ever seen anyone pull before. You should be proud,"
Misty finished with a laugh.

"Yeah..." Misty noticed that Ash didn't look too happy.

"What?"

"It feels like something's missing....like there is something I haven't done. I haven't
gotten any..."

"Closure?" Misty filled in.

"Yeah, I don't feel satisfied."

"There will be plenty of time for closure later, Ashy-boy, you just got to let everything
sink in first," Duplica stated as she, Brock, Tracey, and Richie ran up to the house.

"Right! In the meantime, who wants to watch some videos?" Brock grinned slyly, as he
held up a tape.

"I here it's a classic," Tracey added.

"It will make you feel better," Richie offered.

"Nah, I don't want to get sick of it, and neither do you." Ash had that "I'm not done yet"
look.

"What do you mean?" Richie questioned.

"Aren't you going to the Town hall tomorrow?"

"Yeah, Brock volunteered me and Richie as the cleanup crew," Tracey stated in
annoyance as he glared at Brock.

"What?! They were hot, ok?!"

"Anyway...isn't there a TV screen on the outside of the building where they show
important announcements sometimes?" Ash asked, knowing full well that there was.
'Gary will regret what he did, one way, or another.'

"Yeah, so?......Ooooooohhhhhh." Tracey said, getting the point.

"Ash Ketchum, you are pure evil," Misty stated proudly.

"Yeah, it looks like you're rubbing off on me-Ooowww!" Ash flinched as Misty punched
him playfully in the shoulder.

"Let's go inside." Richie suggested while shivering. It was beginning to get cold outside.

"Yeah, okay." They all agreed and began to enter the house.

Ash was stopped by Duplica, as the door shut in front of them.

"What is it?"

"You said you need closure?"

"Yeah,...so?" Ash asked, wondering where she was going with this.

"So, don't you see? Misty is your closure!"

"What?!"

"Yeah, you have to admit to her that you like her!"

"Look, I agree with you that Misty is my closure, but not like that," Ash was thinking
about what Gary said earlier.

"You know how Gary said that I let Misty off easy. Well.....I'm beginning to agree with
him."

"No! Ash, do not do anything to her! You'll regret it. Everything is good now, don't
screw it up!" Duplica tried to reason with Ash.

"No! My mind is made up. I'm going to get her back, and tell her I like her all at once!"

"Ash, don't, please, you-Huh?" Duplica looked at the grinning Ash in confusion, as he
pulled her near him and began to whisper into her ear.

A few minutes later....

"So what do you think, not too bad right?" Ash questioned Duplica for approval.

"It's cute!....Too bad it's not true." Ash eyes grew wide, and his face bright red, as he
started to back away from Duplica.

Duplica noticed this and began to laugh.

"Relax, Ashy-boy, you're cute, and everything, but you're not my type." At this Ash
sighed in relief, as they heard Brock calling them from inside the house to come in. So
they did.

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---------

The next day...

"Hey, Ash, I forgot to ask you, I didn't see Pikachu come back last night, what happened-
"

"Pikachupi!" Pikachu jumped into Misty's arms.

"Pikachu! There you are!"

"Apparently Pikachu went visiting other people's vegetable gardens again, even after I
told it two days ago that it was not allowed to do that."

"Pika-"

"And I don't care if the tomatoes are juicy!"

"Pikapi, pika!!!!!"

"Your right, I'm sorry, you did a really good thing last night. You're a great friend and I
love you," Ash said truthfully, giving Pikachu a heartfelt smile. Pikachu jumped into
Ash's arms, and Ash gave it a hug.

"And did you really steal Gary's shorts?" Ash questioned the Pokemon in amusement.

"Pika!"

"Then I love you even more," Ash said laughing and giving Pikachu an even bigger hug.

Misty shook her head at the display of affection. Just then she heard Duplica calling from
outside. Misty went to the window to go look.

"Hey, anybody home? How about letting some class into the house!" Duplica called up to
Misty jokingly.

"Yeah, so classy, she doesn't even use the doorbell," Misty mocked.

"Hey, I like to do things with style, and pizzazz!"

".....Pizzazz?"

Duplica was now getting irritated. "Oh just come down here and open the damn door!"

Misty giggled, and made her way downstairs.

Duplica saw the door opening and bolted through it, nearly knocking Misty on the floor.

"Hey! What's your problem?!" Misty question angrily, as Pikachu ran by her feet and
exited the house before Misty had a chance to close the door.

"Sorry! But have I got some big news for you!" Duplica stated excitedly as she pulled
Misty onto the couch.

"What news?!"

"About Ash, he told me something last night, and I thought you might be interested in
hearing about it."  

Misty was intrigued. "What?! Was it about me?" Misty questioned happily.

"I think so. He said that there's this girl that he really likes, and he's not sure how, or
even if he should tell her."

"Oh my God!"

"And then I asked him if this girl that he likes is somebody that I know, and he said yes.
And then I asked him if the girl is somebody that was in the house right now, and he said
yes!!!!!"

"OH MY GOD!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!" Misty looked like she was
hyperventilating. Duplica stayed quiet, waiting for the excitement of the moment to die
down. They both sat in silence, looking at each other. But neither of them could take it
any more and then they began to squeal girlishly once again.

Ash, who was lying in his bed upstairs, could here the giggles and screams perfectly. He
smiled happily to himself.

"So what did you say after he told you that?" Misty asked anxiously.

"I told him he should tell this girl that he likes her right away. You know, or else some
other guy might snatch her up."

"Oooh, that's good, that's good! What else?!"

"Well, then he said he agreed with me, and that he is going to tell the girl he likes
tomorrow, which is today!!!!!"

"Aaaaaahhhh!!! I can't believe this!!!! What do I do?!"

"Nothing, just.....wait for him to tell you," Duplica shrugged.

"Duplica,.....I'm in heaven right now. You made me soooo happy!!!! If you ever need a
favor, just ask!"

"Actually, there is something you could do for me."

"Name it!"

"Well, you're not very good at fixing your own hair, but you do a pretty decent job on
other people's so could you...." Duplica motioned to her hair.

Misty's cheerful mood changed into a slightly annoyed mood. ".........Because of the news
you just told me, I'll avoid the first part of your sentence, and take the rest as a
compliment."

"Okay!"

Misty rolled her eyes, and grabbed Duplica's hand, leading her upstairs.

"Where are we going?"

"Into Ash's bathroom."

"Why Ash's?"

"Because the mirror is much bigger in there, than in the hall bathroom," Misty explained
as they entered Ash's room.

Ash, who was sitting on the bed, greeted Duplica with a wave of his hand.

"Ash, get out, I'm going to do Duplica's hair, and I don't want you to get in the way,"
Misty ordered Ash.

"How about "Ash, you sweet, generous, guy, you, would you please vacate *your* room
so I could do Duplica's hair,"" Ash stated sarcastically.

Misty just stared at Ash, as Ash got the hint and went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Wow, you sure know how to make a guy like you even more." Duplica mocked, as
Misty shut her eyes in realization of how she just treated Ash.  

"I really have to get out of that habit. Do you think he hates me now?" Misty questioned
sadly.

"I doubt it." Duplica said, giving Misty a big smile.

Misty smiled back. She then made her way toward her backpack and pulled out various
hair clips and a brush.

Duplica watched as Misty pulled out several items from her bag. 'Now how do I get her
out of the room....'

"Oh damn," Misty said as she pulled out a can of hairspray and began shaking it. "It's
empty."

"Now what?" Duplica's mock disappointment went unnoticed by Misty.
Misty thought for a second before..."It's all right! I'm sure Mrs. Ketchum has some
hairspray we could use. I'll be right back." Misty dropped her empty can of hairspray on
Ash's bed and ran out of the room.

As she exited the room she ran into Ash in the hallway.

"Hey, do you know if we have any more Poketreats left? I could of swore I saw them on
the kitchen table yesterday," Ash questioned Misty.

"I don't know, Ash, maybe your mom gave them to Mr. Mime..."

"Maybe.." Ash looked toward the kitchen area as Misty remembered that she didn't know
where Ash's mom kept her hair supplies.

"Ash, where does your mom keep her hair stuff? I ran out of hairspray, and I need some
to fix Duplica's hair."

Ash shrugged. "I don't know, probably in the bathroom cabinet." Ash pointed to the hall
bathroom.

"Thanks. Duplica, I'll be right back!" Misty called as Duplica answered with an "I'll be
waiting."

Ash watched as Misty disappeared into the hall bathroom. He then peered into his room,
gaining Duplica's attention. He grinned at her, as she winked at him in response. A
second later he was gone, and Duplica could hear him running down the stairs into the
kitchen.

After a few minutes of searching(Mrs. Ketchum had a lot of hair supplies) Misty
reentered Ash's room with a big can of hairspray.

"I got it!" Misty announced.

"Great! I have to go to the bathroom."  

"What?!" Misty was confused, as Duplica began to exit the room.

"I'll be right back-"

"Why can't you just use this bathroom?" Misty asked, gesturing towards Ash's bathroom.

"Ummm...." 'Good question,' Duplica thought as she quickly tried to make up a excuse.

"Because!...I-um....don't like people hearing me pee! That's why! I'll be just a second."
And with that Duplica exited the room.

'Okay.....' Misty was left bewildered at the strangeness that was Duplica.

Once out of the room, she headed toward the stairs, and observed Ash sitting at the
kitchen table.
"Hey, Ash!" Duplica called out in as low a voice as she could manage.

It didn't take long for Ash to notice Duplica.

"It's your turn." Duplica whispered from the stairs as Ash grinned slyly.

After she alerted Ash, she made her way to the bathroom, and shut the door behind her.

Back in Ash's room Misty was sitting in the bathroom trying to figure out what she could
do with Duplica's hair.  She had closed the door that adjoined the bedroom and bathroom
just in case Pikachu decided to wander in. Last time Pikachu inhaled some of the
hairspray, and it caused him to have a terrible allergic reaction to it. Even though Pikachu
was outside playing now, Misty figured it was better being safe than sorry.

"She then heard somebody enter the room, and immediately thought it was Duplica,
until...

"Duplica? Can I talk to you for a second?"

'It's Ash. He probably thinks I'm still in the other bathroom.' Misty was about to tell Ash
that Duplica wasn't there, but...

"I wanted to talk about....about what we were discussing yesterday...about the girl I
liked."

Misty's heart started to race. 'Oh my god! What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?'
Misty thought excitedly, as she decided it was best to just not say anything. That way she
can't be blamed for anything, and she can still hear what Ash was thinking about her.

"Well, you see....God, how do I say this....Um..."

Misty, sensing the nervousness in Ash's voice, felt like screaming for joy. "He really
does like me! I know it!'

"Ever since I met you..."

'Huh?' Misty began to listen more closely to what Ash was saying.

"I've sort of had a...crush on you."

Misty's excitement was dying down by the second, and was quickly being replaced with
dejection.

"And now, after seeing you again, I realized that...that I...really like you."

Tears began to form in Misty's eyes, She shook her head, as if trying to remove Ash's
words from her mind. She felt like somebody had just ripped her heart out, and was
stomping on it. She was utterly humiliated for thinking that Ash was talking about her
last night, when in fact he liked Duplica. 'I acted like a total idiot....getting all excited
over nothing. I knew Ash could never-'

"And if you believed any of that, then you are even denser than I am."

'Huh?!' Misty was beyond confused at this sentence.

"That's right, Mist, I'm talking to you."

Misty could practically hear Ash grinning cheekily from outside the door. Her blood was
boiling as she jerked the door open to meet Ash's smug face.

"Now that face is priceless. You look just like I did two days ago, except with more
clothing, and less bulge." Ash motioned to Misty crotch area.

Misty was beyond mad. "This was a trick,......a joke,......a prank?!" Misty was inhaling
and exhaling deeply, as she eyed Ash in rage. "How dare you! You are not going to have
any bulge left when I get through with you!" Misty lifted her knee, and jutted it forward
where it barely missed it's intended target as Ash jumped backward.

"Whoa, hold on a second. Don't even act like you didn't deserve this," Ash said as he
held up his hands defensively.

"Deserve?! What happened to "Oh I forgive you, Misty!" Huh?! What the hell happened
to that?!" Misty screamed in outrage.

"I did forgive you, but that doesn't mean that I didn't think you deserved a little payback
for what you did! I could have done a lot worse than this!"

Misty knew that that was true, but what he did was very mean....It also meant that what
Duplica told her before was all a...

"Come on, what was the big deal about making you think I liked Duplica anyway?" Ash
asked honestly, briefly forgetting Misty's true feelings, and the point behind this little
joke in the first place.

Misty became saddened, casting her gaze downward, not knowing how to reply.

By Misty's reaction Ash soon realized why she was so upset. He must have hurt her
terribly. "Misty.....you know you're the only girl for me." Ash watched her with a
heartfelt smile on his face, until he realized what he just said.

Misty couldn't tell Ash the real reason why his joke had such an effect on her. 'I can't let
him know that I...What did he just say?' Misty looked up at him in shock.. She watched
as his eyes darted around the room, trying to escape her scrutinizing face.

"What...did...you...just...say?"

The flustered Ash looked at her. "What did you here me say?"

"I heard you say that I'm the only girl for you." Misty answered back shyly, yet happily.

"Well I guess that's what I said then..."

At that moment Ash swore that Misty's smile could have lit up a room. "That means
you..."

"Yeah, I-I...like you too," Ash scratched the back of his head nervously, as he smiled
bashfully at the giddy Misty.

Misty felt like she could scream out in joy. 'I can't believe this! Ash...Ash likes m-
Wait....'
"Too? What do you mean too? How do you know I like you back?" Misty was getting
very suspicious.

Duplica, who was listening outside, cowered at the thought of the interrogation that was
about to commence. "Uh oh."

"Well, I mean, it was obvious-"

"Not to you it wasn't," Misty said, cutting him off.

"What can I say, I guess I've just gotten smarter over the last couple of years."

"No you haven't." Misty also dismissed this excuse.

Ash scowled at the insult, but soon realized that he was failing miserably at trying to
cover up for Duplica.

"Who told you?" Misty was getting very annoyed as she glared at Ash.

Ash swallowed self-consciously. "Nobody, I just....figured it out for myself!"

"No you did-"

"Would you stop saying that! Yes, okay?! Yes, somebody told me! But I'm glad they did,
because it helped me realize how much I liked you back, and how much I cared about
you.....And-and  how I can't imagine myself being without you...no matter how hard I
tried."

It's amazing what a few heartfelt words could do. Misty's face no longer conveyed anger
and annoyance. No, she was genuinely touched.  She couldn't help herself, as she looked
into his chocolate eyes, eyes which contained so much caring and...'Love?' And these
feelings were for her.

She threw herself into his arm, an action that Ash was not expecting, causing them both
to tumble onto Ash's bed on the floor.

Misty was now lying on top of him, his arms wrapped gently around her body. She
looked up at him as he looked back at her, a little unsure.

"That was the single most wonderful thing that anyone's ever said to me." Misty wrapped
her arms around Ash's neck, as Ash began to blush furiously. She then proceeded to
press her lips to his. Ash was a bit taken aback at first, but as the seconds ticked by, he
found himself returning the favor. 'Now this is a great feeling,' they both thought as they
deepened the kiss, and increased the tingly sensation within them.

Misty then, reluctantly, separated herself from him. Ash, noticing that the warmth of
Misty's face was fading, opened his eyes to be greeted with Misty's beaming smile. They
sat in silence for a minute, savoring the moment, before...

"It was Duplica, wasn't it?" Misty asked simply.

"Yeah, yeah it was." Ash replied just as simply.

"Thought so. Remind me to never tell her anymore secrets,......and to buy her something
pretty."

Ash chuckled at Misty's weirdness. "Whatever you say, Mist."

Suddenly there was a faint knocking heard at the door. "Can I come in now?" A familiar
voice questioned.

"You might as well. You've been listening all this time anyway," Misty stated in a half-
amused tone.

"I was not!" Duplica stated as she opened the door.

Ash and Misty both raised an eyebrow doubtfully.

"....I missed the part where Ash pretended he was talking to me," Duplica admitted
sheepishly.

"So you were in on the joke," Misty was glad that she was now finding out some more
information.

"Ash made me do it," Duplica pointed at Ash accusingly, as Ash rolled his eyes.

Misty looked to be contemplating something. "What are thinking about?" Ash asked
curiously.

"Oh, nothing." 'So he took advantage of the fact that I liked him, to play a joke on
me....I'll get even....' Ash smiled at her, and squeezed her gently into him, making her
giggle girlishly. '...Maybe.'

"Oh god, is this how it's going to be between you two from now on?" Duplica made a

gagging motion with her mouth, as Misty stuck her tongue out at her.

Suddenly they all heard a familiar noise coming from outside. What was the noise?

Gary singing. ^_^

"What the hell?!......Ketchum!!!!!" Gary screamed as he ran out of his house.

The three teens erupted into laughter, and so did the people gathering in front of the TV
screen at the Town Hall.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------

Mrs. Ketchum had just arrived home from shopping with Mimey. She instructed Mimey
to put the groceries away, while she went upstairs to have a talk with Ash. 'Doesn't Ash
understand that I love him no matter what? I just want him to feel like he can talk to me
again. I know I've upset him, but I'm going to promise him that whatever he has to tell
me, I'll be okay with it.' Mrs. Ketchum was of course thinking about the bikini incident.
Her mind was occupied by thoughts of her son perhaps not being truthful with her.

She walked upstairs and noticed Duplica standing in the doorway to Ash's room,
giggling. She also heard giggling going on within the room.

She peered in to see what was going on.

"Have I told you how incredible I think you are?" Ash asked referring to the prank Misty
helped Ash pull on Gary.

Misty just grinned at him, as he bent down and kissed her teasingly on the lips.

Duplica looked away from the kissing couple, but as soon as she did she noticed the
wide-eyed Mrs. Ketchum standing behind her.

Ash removed his lips from Misty's and also immediately noticed his mother standing in
the doorway watching him kiss Misty. Misty, noticing Ash's expression, and blushing
face turned to face in the direction of Mrs. Ketchum.

The group of 4 just stood there for a while in silence, none of them knowing what to say
or do in such an awkward moment. Luckily, however that didn't last long, as Mrs.
Ketchum ran into the room and kissed Misty on the forehead. Misty and Ash just looked
at her in shock while Duplica stared, greatly amused by the display of affection.

"Yes! Yes, thank you!" Mrs. Ketchum shouted out happily, glad that Ash was not lying
to her, and that he wasn't afraid to talk to her about his true feelings.

Mrs. Ketchum then, realizing that she was interrupting her son and his "girlfriend" Misty,
quickly retreated back into the hall. But she stopped in one last time to shout another
excited thank you to Misty, and give a few encouraging winks at the couple.

Ash and Misty were puzzled, to say the least.

But they didn't stay that way for long as Gary's voice made it's way to their ears from
outside.

"I already told you, for the third time, no, I do not perform at bachelor parties!" Gary
shouted in aggravation at his newly acquired "fan".

Ash grinned happily at his rival's newfound popularity. 'Life is good...' Ash thought.

"Are you mad at me for telling him, though." Apparently, Ash listening to the commotion
going on outside, made him miss a important conversation between Misty and
Duplica....Oh well. ^_^

"No, I'm not mad," Misty said truthfully.

"Good! That means we can go shopping! Ash, want to come?" Duplica asked as Misty
grinned evilly, knowing where Duplica was going with this.

"What are you going shopping for?" Ash questioned half-heartedly. He was not too big
on shopping.

Duplica's grin now matched Misty's. "Swimwear..."

Ash scowled as he realized what she was referring to. He then proceeded to chuck a
pillow at the blue-haired girl, who immediately closed the door, leaving the pillow to hit
the back of the door, and fall harmlessly to the floor.

'Well....life is mostly good,' Ash determined.

"Don't worry, people will forget about it eventually," Misty offered.

"Yeah..." Ash wasn't too sure about that.

"I promise, I'll be the only one wearing a bikini in this relationship..." Misty smiled
seductively at Ash, as he grinned stupidly back at her.

"....until Halloween." Misty added as Ash's face immediately turned red.

"What?! Oh no, no way!" Ash protested, as he got up from under Misty, and headed
towards the door.

"Oh come on, Ash! We'll be the hit of the holiday. And you don't have to wear a bikini,
you could pick out any one of my outfits. I bet my black dress would look real cute on
you. It matches your hair, and everything!"

"Is this some kind of new fetish with you, or something?!"

"No, and I could dress up in your clothes! We'll look so cute together, I could just picture
us now..." Misty had hearts in her eyes, as she imagined the scene.

Ash shook his head in irritation, but he couldn't help but smile at his girlfriends strange
behavior.

"So would you do it? For me?" Misty ran up to Ash, and put her arms around his waist
lovingly, as she stared at him with pleading eyes.

"......We'll see." Ash gave in....for now.

"Yay!" Misty squealed as she gave him a peck on the lips.

....And so it begins again. I guess that boy never learns. Hopefully he'll find some way
out of the humiliation that he is bound to endure on the upcoming Halloween....but I
doubt it. ^-^

It looks like this story is finally coming to an end as we pan outside to see a cute electric
rodent dancing to, what else? His own personal copy of The Ketchup Song.

With a Ketchup bottle in one hand, he bids us all a fond farewell, while striking a pose
"Saturday Night Fever" style.

"Pika Pikachu!"

(Which means "The End" in Pika language)



A/N: I'm done!!!!! I actually finished another story! Yay me! Seriously, this is an
accomplishment. And I'm actually happy with the whole story. So now I'm going say
thanks you to all you wonderful and sweet people who have been reviewing the story,
and who voted for me in the BIC's. I'm so honored, and happy that you guys like this
story so much. Hopefully this last chapter was just as deserving of the BIC award, as the
rest of the story was. Also, all your reviews have really helped me finish this story, so in
a way, you all are just as responsible for this fic as I am.  And you have no idea how
much I mean that. It was really important to me that I made the ending as enjoyable as
possible, so to help me figure out if I did that, I of course need you guys to tell me. So
please review. Think of it as a B-Day gift to me. ^_^
Again thanks for all the votes guys and this last chapter is dedicated to you!