Part 9!

 

Disclaimer: Shadow does not own pokemon. Shadow owns Destiny, Stormeon, and Blizzardeon. This has no connection whatsoever to the Triple Guardianship.

 

Pairings: Um… forget what I said. I’m doing Ash x Erika because I feel like it. My sincere apologies to all the Ash x Sabrina fans, but people seem to like Ash x Erika better, so…

 

The power of hidden love

 

            Erika smiled. “Thanks for the candy, Ash.”

            “No problem.” Ash replied. “So, do you like it?”

            “They’re very good.” Erika said. She would have said more, but than she toppled over onto the table.

            < What’s wrong? > Ash asked Bulbasaur. < I thought you said you put Antidote in the jellybeans! >

            < I did! I’m just not sure if it’s fast enough to counteract the poison or not. > Bulbasaur replied.

 

            Ash groaned. Erika looked really sick.

“I- I’m okay.” Erika managed to choke out as she felt herself fighting the urge to collapse.

            “No, you’re not.” Ash said. He glanced around, before bringing his lips to hers. Erika’s eyes went wide, but then she felt energy flowing through her body. After a few seconds, Ash pulled away.

            “This is called chi transference. I’m giving you some of my lifeforce to counteract the poison.” Ash said.

            “Where did the poison come from?” Erika asked. She looked at the jellybeans suspiciously. “Ash, where did you buy these?”

            “No, I think it was the wine.” Ash said. “Bulbasaur checked the jellybeans for me. She said they were fine.”

            “But who did this?” Erika shivered, still feeling the tingles she had experienced when Ash had kissed her, even if it wasn’t really a kiss.

            “I’m not sure…”

 

            “If the wine was poisoned, then maybe we shouldn’t eat here. It’s probably not safe.” Erika said as she looked around for suspicious characters.

            “You’re right.” Ash said. He pulled out a poke ball. “Espeon, I choose you. Teleport.” The two of them reappeared in a pizza place a few blocks away.

            “This isn’t as fancy, but I think you’ll like it.” Ash said.

            Erika shrugged. “Why not? I like pizza.”

 

            While they ate, Ash and Erika chatted amicably.

            Erika smiled. * You know, I think I could learn to love him, if I don’t already love him. He’s very nice. *

            Erika got all starry-eyed. Bulbasaur noticed.

            < She likes you… >

            < Really? >

            < Yep! I can tell! >

            < Hmm… maybe… >

            Ash smiled. * Erika’s not so bad; she’s quite nice actually. This I can deal with. Why not… after all, it’s not like I’ll have another chance. I could learn to love her. All it takes is time… *

 

            Afterwards, the two trainers spent a while window-shopping. Erika surprised Ash with her admirable self-control, she wasn’t jumping around and buying everything in sight like Misty would have done.

            It was another plus.

            Before he bid her good night, Ash gave Erika a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Erika waved goodbye, smiling as she reentered the gym.

 

            “That was quite an interesting experience.”

            “How was it?” A junior trainer inquired.
            “Not perfect, but very nice. It went much better than I hoped, and a lot better than some blind dates I’ve been set up on.” Erika replied.

            “Well, I’m glad it went well.”

            “Is he a good kisser?” Another girl asked.

            Erika blinked. “We didn’t get that far.”

            “What?!”

            “Well, I figure we should start slow and be friends first. No use rushing into this crazily.”

            “… You have a point…”

 

            Ash smiled as he changed out of his fancy clothes. “That went rather well.”

            < YAY! > Several grass pokemon cheered.

            “Well, it did.”

            < I’m glad! > A voice said. < You should be happy. >

            “Thanks, Mysticmon.”

            < No problem. >

 

            A few days passed peacefully enough. Soon, Ash was back at Indigo Plateau defending his championship.

 

            “Elementeon! Surf!” Ash called, as the opposing Golem crumpled.

            The hiker cursed and sent out a Machamp instead.

            Ash smirked. “Psychic.”

            Well, Machamp fared no better.

           

            “Wow, you’re really good.” Erika remarked.

            “Oh! Hi.” Ash blushed. “I didn’t see you.”

            “I decided to drop by since I had to give my monthly report to Lorelei anyways.” Erika said, smiling.

            “Cool.” Ash remarked.

 

            “Hey! Stop flirting!” The hiker yelled. Ash sent him a death glare.

            “I’ve already defeated five of your pokemon, you really think another one will make a difference?”

            “Hell yeah! Azumarill, go!”

            “… That was different.” Ash remarked, recalling Elementeon. Elementeon pouted a bit, but relented.

            “Muk, I choose you!”

            “… What? Azumarill, trap it with Whirlpool!”

            “Acid Armor.” Ash replied. “Just bide your time.” Three turns later, Whirlpool had finished, leaving Muk free.

            “Good! Now use Sludge Bomb!”

            Azumarill squealed as it was hit.

            “All right, finish it with a Body Slam!”

           

            The hiker cursed his misfortune and made a rapid exit.

           

            “So,” Erika said conversationally. “Want to go shopping with me?”

            Ash considered for a few minutes, before he realized that it wasn’t a bad idea. “Sure, why not. Let’s go.”

            “Cool.” Erika replied as she got up, dusting off her gold brocade kimono. They took a long, leisurely ride on Lapras’ back to get out of the plateau and to Goldenrod, and then they hit the mall.

            Ash’s pokemon scattered to the four winds and went to shop on their own.

 

            Soon, the two trainers were enjoying cheesecake slices while sitting next to each other at the food court. Ash had chocolate, while Erika had strawberry with whipped cream on top.

            Ash watched as Erika’s fork cut through the layers of fluffiness before lifting to her mouth. She had very good table manners certainly.

            He blushed slightly and reminded himself to eat more slowly. It wouldn’t do for him to look like a glutton in front of a girl he was trying to impress. No, it would not at all.

 

            The cake stared back at him, crisp sheets of perfection. He smiled and cut himself another bite of the rich confection.

            Pikachu tugged on his pant leg.

            “Here’s the ketchup,” Ash said, handing it the bottle. Pikachu scampered off happily to eat its crispy golden fries.

            Erika giggled a bit. “Do all pikachus like ketchup?”

            “You know, I’m not sure.” Ash answered truthfully. “It’s a strange thing.”

            “I see.”

 

            After a few hours of mall trotting, Ash escorted Erika back to her gym and returned to Cinnabar and his lodgings with Blaine.

            “Have fun? Ah, to be young again…” Blaine mused.

            Ash colored hotly. “It’s nothing like that.”

            “Whatever you say. I was young too, once.” Blaine said, and began a tale of a girl he had loved long before he had lost all his hair.

            Ash listened politely before making his escape an hour later as Blaine became increasingly broody.

 

            “Never knew Blaine was in love…”

            I find it shocking. Espeon remarked.

            “Well, it is strange.”

            True.

            Maybe someone broke his heart?

            Him? No way! I’d guess the other way around.

            Did he go bald at a young age or something?

            Maybe his girlfriend died!

            Nah…

 

            Ash groomed Elementeon absentmindedly as he considered something.

            “I can’t have children…”

            So?

            “Good point. I’m not even sure I want to go that far yet.”

            Elementeon purred and stretched lazily as Ash ruffled her ears.

            I think she’s cute.

            “She is, but a relationship based on looks alone wouldn’t last long.”

            True…

 

 

End Chapter!
Sorry, but I think Evolutionary problems is a discontinued fic. *Shakes head* It’s no use… I can’t do it. I really can’t continue. Sorry, again…unless you all want me to continue? It could take a long time between updates

 

Phantomness leaves