A/N – I'm trying my hand in those Alphabet Challenges people have been doing. They're loads of fun to read so writing them should be just as enjoyable. Besides, I desperately need a break from full-on in-depth chapter stories, so this fits in pretty nicely.

My inspiration mainly comes from Cristipotter and Erina-chan's alphabet challenges. If you have a chance to read them you should. They're amazing.

Anyway, every letter will be a one-shot taking place during different stages of Ash and Misty's lives -- very little continuity. And of course, Pokeshipping will always be included. Let's do this!

Anonymous

Faces look better golden, especially his.

"So, what do you think?" He looks into his shiny distorted reflection: jaw overly wide, eyes too narrow.

"You know what I think already, Ash," his friend mumbles, rolling her eyes. "Will you give it a rest already? You're really starting to bug me!"

Her disinterest erodes his enthusiasm. The can of metal polish drops to the floor along with the accompanying rag, and he joins her on the couch. She props her legs on the coffee table and crosses them together.

"Wow, what's with the 'tude?" Ash asks, mimicking her move. A quick glance follows. "You'd think a giant trophy like that would earn a guy some respect." He's quite proud of himself and he's not shy about letting her know. The boy's vision returns to the display case on the shelf above the fire place. The very sight of it spawns another confident grin.

Misty sits quietly, neither acknowledging his remark or shooting back a snide comment of her own. A good half minute goes by before another word is spoken.

"I never said you didn't deserve respect," Misty says in mono-tone, breaking the silence.

"I know—" Ash's grin broadens. "I just want to know what the heck is bothering you so much."

Misty can almost hear the dorky smile in his voice. "You'll get more than enough respect because of that trophy," she grumbles; eyeing the golden cup, winking obnoxiously across the room.

"And…?" he presses further. He knows there's more – oh, so much more.

"And you'll get all the attention in the world now, that's for sure!" she hisses with a fleck of resentment. Her cheeks promote a heavy shade of red – from anger or embarrassment he can't figure out which. Ash turns slowly, trying to manage a peek of her ocean eyes, but she refuses.

"Why would that bother you?"

"It doesn't!!" Misty folds her arms just as sharply.

"Attention is always a good thing," Ash says to himself, in full deduction mode now. "The Champion should get the spotlight. From family, friends, the League, the media—"

"Girls!"

"Is that what's bothering you?" he's completely facing her now. Again, Misty refuses reciprocation. "Oh, come on, Misty. You know I'm not that kind of guy!"

"Sure," her words line heavily with sarcasm. "It's gonna be really hard resisting all those bimbos throwing themselves at your feet. I can see it now," she pantomimes a newspaper headline, "a wave of anonymous air heads lining up for a shot with the new Pokémon Master! Wonderful!"

"And you want to be one of them!" Ash butts into her vision.

"HELL NO!!!" Misty shrieks, knocking the poor fool completely off the couch. "I can't believe you said that, Ash Ketchum!"

"Mis—" his words are stifled by the fuming red head pacing furiously around the living room. Her angry mumbles overwhelm his apology; most of them inaudible, and the few he does hear are not worth repeating. But the newly honored Master refuses defeat and matches her level; boldly stopping her in her tracks.

"Misty," he tries one more time, placing both hands on her arms. It works. She stiffens, quiet enough to allow an explanation. "I didn't mean that. You know you're more important to me than a bunch of anonymous girls begging for a date. You're—"

"I'm what?" she demands after he hesitates.

"Uh—you're, you know…UNanonymous," he weakly answers.

"That's not even a word, Ash."

"You know what I mean," he exhales, hands dropping heavily to the side then combs them through his solid black hair. Words are not Ash's forte.

"I think you mean special," Misty finishes him bluntly.

"Yeah," he whispers, tying their eyes together; faces just inches apart. Misty feels his hand gently graze a single bang from her face. She sighs, refusing to be lured in, but Ash's dark eyes capture her attention; along with a word she never thought he would say about her.

"That's what I meant…special."

So, I asked my brother to provide me with the prompts for each letter, which I immediately regretted when he handed me the list. 'Anonymous'? Really!? Wait till we get further down, there's some doozies in there. I do have a few letters banked. I'm going to stagger their release so it at least gives the impression I know what I'm doing. XD

Thanks for reading. Reviews are always appreciated.