Ash sighed as he glanced around the fund raising gala that his friend, Mr. Stone, was promoting. On his head, asleep, was his faithful companion Pikachu. Ash chuckled as he noticed the snot bubble from his friend's nose. He took another sip from the wine glass, wondering how long this event would take. Events like these made him think back when he traveled with friends. However for the past 5 years, he had traveled alone. During those 5 years, he finally defeated the Elite 4 from all four regions and gained global recognition due to winning every tournament he had entered.

He wished for anything that would cure his boredom and as if the universe listened, a loud cry was heard.

"DIIIIIRK BRAAAAADY!"

A young man with short white hair appeared from the crowd, followed closely by Candice, the Gym Leader from Snowpoint City. Ash watched interested as Dirk held a placating gesture.

"FOUR YEARS AND NOT EVEN ONE PHONE CALL?"

"I really, really, really wanted too but the day when I left, my path was crossed by a black cat so I had to go a long route but I fell into a river which turned to rapids leading to a really, really, really high waterfall and I fell down and bumped my head losing all memory of who I was until I was chasing after an ice cream truck trying to buy a limited time offer, Pichu Ice Cream bar but the truck took a sharp left down Red Road and I fell down a hill into a hole dug by Dugtrios and I had to find my way out of the hole but accidentally inhaled gas from a farting Koffing knocking me out and when I woke up I was in a cave of intelligent sandshrews where I played poker until I lost all my money, causing me to escape them and I finally managed to climb out of the hole when I was abducted by a Zapdos wanting to eat me but I escaped by distracting it with a Twinkie bar so I could jump down the tree and run to a nearby tux store and swim across the sea, climb up on this yacht and fight off the demonic secret agents, steal a suit from one of them because the one I rented was torn to shreds after I dodged a bajillion bullets, avoid a harem of very scantily clad and attractive women in order to say I'm sorry to you my darling snow-woman who won't stomp me with those very sharp heels because you realize how much hardship I had to go through in order to say I'm sorry and let me sweep you into my arms for that kiss you so desired after that long time away from me persuading me to marry you and have a big grand marriage and buy a modest sized house where we'll raise four kids, one boy and three girls where the boy will grow up to be just like his old man, the eldest girl will be just like you, the middle girl will be a champion coordinator, and the youngest one will run the Pokemon center in Celadon City after Nurse Joy there retires and we'll have a whole bunch of grandkids and at least one of them will have the name Ricky Thomas Super Blazing Cookie Tommy Micky Verdaungus Frankie Brady Esquire the 17th because I like all of those names."

"DIIIIIIRK!"

"Don't hit me!"

Ash winced as Candice began to stomp at every part of Dirk's body she could with her heel for several minutes. She then proceeded to walk away without even a goodbye to Dirk. Ash chuckled as he saw Dirk give a quick peek to see if the close was clear. Dirk sprang to his feet as if he was never hurt.

"Don't worry folks! Dirk Brady is A-OKAY!"

A flying heel struck Dirk in the nose, knocking him down. Ash approached Dirk and held out a hand. Dirk grasped it and hugged Ash tightly.

"Doesn't anyone love me? Why? WHY CRUEL WORLD? CAN'T I HAVE LOVE?"

Ash hid a smiled as he awkwardly patted Dirk on the back. Dirk stood back and enthusiastically shook Ash's hand.

"Well hello there my good fellow! The name's Dirk Brady! Short for Drake Ingleside Reddingham Kirkster, long for Dah!"

"I'm Ash Ketchum!"

"Bugger me, the same Ash Ketchum that's been trouncing every trainer?"

"Yeah," Ash said embarrassed. Dirk gave him a wide smile that resembled Brock's when he saw a pretty lady.

"Sweet. Let's go to the club and pick up chicks like Starsky and Hutch!"

Ash hid a grin as he led Dirk to the bar. "Why don't we just get a couple of drinks?"

For the next hour, Ash and Dirk talked about various things, getting to know each other. Ash found out that underneath that dramatic, shameless, philandering person, Dirk was a highly capable trainer, as proved by the fact that he had all eight badges from the 4 regions and amassed several tournament wins. He was also traveling, writing abut his life and experiences. Ash read a couple of excerpts from Dirks life and found many of his adventures humorous.

"So Mr. Pokemon Master? Now that you've done everything a master can do, what's going to happen?"

"Well," Ash said. "I'm hoping to settle a couple of things before I settle down in Pallet Town."

"Ah. An old flame that's awaiting the love of a traveling master. Serenading to the moon, wishing for the love of her old friend," Dirk said in a french accent.

Ash blushed. "No its nothing like that. I just missed several of my friends."

"Righto old chap!" Dirk said cheerily.

"How about you?"

Dirk shrugged. "Dunno. Probably stick around you for a bit. I might do a biography about you if you'd like to."

"And you're not asking if I'm okay with it?" Ash asked.

"Naw. You wouldn't have stuck with me if you didn't enjoy my company," Dirk said. He reached out and grabbed an elderly man walking past Ash and himself. Dirk clutched the man close and gave him a toothy smile. "Nobody can resist my charm of ol' Dirk!"

Thud.

Dirk was wincing his jaw. "Wow, for an old guy, he certainly has quite a punch."

Ash laughed. "I guess I'm stuck with you then."

Dirk jumped in Ash's arm, somehow not spilling the drink in his head. Ash wobbled as he supported Dirk's weight.

"Jolly good! We'll be two bachelors roaming the town, thieving every young maiden's heart. The world is literally our pearl!"

From his perch, Pikachu sent a mild thunderbolt at Dirk, shocking him. Dirk stumbled and glared at Pikachu.

"Touchy lil' fella, ain't you? C'mon put 'em up!"

"PIIKAAACHUUUU!"

BZZZZZZZZZT!

"BLUARARARARARAGHUGAGAGAGSPPPPPPLT!"

Ash sighed as he glanced at the smoking form of Dirk.

"This'll be an interesting trip."