DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon and am in no way affiliated with the various parties who do.
The sun was shining brightly on a magnificent summer day. There was not a cloud in the sky. Three friends were sitting on a bench in the middle of a park, contentedly watching their Pokemon frolic about. However, despite their cheerful expressions, one of the three had his mind in turmoil.
"Why do I keep thinking about her? I called her three days ago, and she told me there was no chance that she could make it. I've just got to put her out of my head, and concentrate on tomorrow's battle."
Taking a deep breath, he focused his mind.
"Of course I'll use Pikachu; he's the most powerful member of my team. Torterra can take tons of attacks before going down and can dish out some strong attacks as well. Infernape has been a real handful for my opponents so far, and it should be the same for tomorrow's match. Floatzel's worn himself out, but he's so eager to battle that I can't refuse. Gliscor's been a great help, but then again it helps that many young Pokemon are terrified of its appearance. And Staraptor's speed and agility has gotten us out of many tight spots…"
As he thought, he glanced up at the clear blue sky, and once again lost his train of thought, as the color reminded him of her deep sapphire eyes…
"ASH!"
"Huh?!" Ash said, returning from his daydream state to find himself looking at his irritated friend.
"Brock and I were wondering what strategies you use in your battle tomorrow," said an irritated Dawn.
"Oh…uhhh, well I was thinking that… ummm…," stammered a very embarrassed Ash.
"Ash, what've you been doing all day? Tomorrow is one of the biggest Pokemon battles you'll ever be in! It's the Sinnoh League Championship match, for Christ's sake!" By this time, Dawn was red in the face from shouting, and had placed herself in front of Ash, hands on her hips. "I can't believe you! You spend so much time working to get where you are, and now you're just about to throw it all away!" As she shouted, her face inched closer and closer to Ash's face with every word, until all Ash could see was her crimson face.
"Calm down Dawn," Brock said as he placed a hand on Dawn's shoulder and gently pulled her back from Ash. "Ash is probably extremely nervous about tomorrow's battle, and yelling at him only adds to it."
At these words, Dawn finally calmed down a little. "You're right Brock," she sighed. "But that still doesn't change the fact that Ash doesn't have a solid strategy."
"I'll be fine Dawn. After all, I've been in tougher battles than this will be, and I've scrapped by without a strategy," replied Ash as he flashed Dawn a cheerful grin.
"Like the time you battled me for my gym's badge?" Brock asked mischievously.
"Ash battled you? For a gym badge? Why haven't you told me this story before?" Dawn asked.
"Well, it was kind of an odd battle…" began Brock, with Dawn listening with rapt attention.
Ash sighed nostalgically and resumed his daydreaming.
Brock wasn't the only one telling stories. In the grassy field surrounding the three friends, their Pokemon were gathered in a circle, listening intently to Ash's Pokemon.
"(I am worried about Ash. He seems so distracted. I hope he will return to his normal self in time for tomorrow's match)," Torterra worried.
"(I can't help but wonder what is distracting him. He is always concentrated on battling and training. What has happened to him?)," Gliscor added.
"(Perhaps he has finally realized that there are other things in life than Pokemon battling. It is unfortunate that he has only discovered this when we need his battling skills the most)," Staraptor said gravely.
Ever the comedian, Floatzel couldn't resist adding sarcastically: "(What else could he possibly love as much as battling? A girl?)."
At these words, everyone broke in raucous laughter. Infernape was rolling around on the ground, clutching his stomach while roaring with laughter. Torterra was chortling so hard that the ground started to rumble. Gliscor was bouncing around on its scorpion-like tail as tears of laughter streamed its eyes. Only Floatzel and Staraptor seemed able to control their mirth, but soon they too submitted to laughter. Pikachu was the only one not laughing.
"(Why are you not laughing Pikachu? This is some of the funniest stuff I've heard. Imagine, Ash with a girl)," Infernape managed to gasp out between laughs.
He replied seriously. "(I'm not laughing because I know that Floatzel was right)."
As soon as these words left Pikachu's mouth, the laughter immediately died out. Everyone listening turned toward him with shocked expressions and simultaneously shouted "WHAT?!"
"(WHAT?! ASH?! Dense little Ash?!)," Infernape said incredulously.
Ever the serious one, Staraptor replied "(As unlikely as it seems to some)", he glared at Infernape and Floatzel as he said this, "(we should be supporting Ash in his endeavor, not mocking him for it)."
"(So who is it Pikachu? Who does he like?)" Gliscor asked.
"(You guys wouldn't know her because you weren't with Ash when he traveled through Hoenn. Her name is May. She's a coordinator and she-)"
Torterra interrupted. "(Wait a second. May? Could it be the same May who placed in the top eight in the Hoenn Grand Festival and in the top four in the Kanto Grand Festival?)"
Everyone stared at him, and he seemed to turn red. "(What? I read the newspapers people leave lying around)."
"(But how can you turn the pages if you don't have any-)"
Staraptor interrupted Gliscor. "(I think it is best if we let Pikachu continue)."
Pikachu blinked in a silent thank you to Staraptor, and resumed his tale. "(Torterra is right. May competed in the Hoenn Grand Festival and the Kanto Grand Festival and did very well in both. She is a really kind and caring person. Ash and I met her on our first day in Hoenn, when she was starting out on her own adventure. She forced Ash to let her travel with him after I accidently destroyed her bike, and soon we found out that she is the daughter of the Petalburg City gym leader. Her brother Max joined our group, and then we found Brock, and we traveled all over Hoenn, and went to Kanto together after the Hoenn League and Hoenn Grand Festival. After the Battle Frontier and Kanto Grand Festival, our group was forced to split up. Now she is Johto, probably competing in the Johto Grand Festival)."
The group was silent for a moment, each contemplating what they just heard. Gliscor broke the silence.
"(So what do we do about this?)"
"(What do you mean by that? It's obvious. Ash is so hopeless at love. He needs our help)," replied Infernape.
"(I agree. But we don't know what we're getting into. For now, I say we just sit back and observe. We need to concentrate on tomorrow's battle.)," Staraptor said wisely.
"(Yeah, and then we can help Ash get some!)" This earned Floatzel a smack on the back of the head from Staraptor's wing.
"ASH!"
"Huh?!" responded a dazed Ash, pulled from his reverie by the once-again irritated Dawn.
"Ash, you've been daydreaming again. Brock and I just said that its time to go back to the Pokemon center," Dawn lectured to an embarrassed Ash.
Sure enough, the sun had begun to set on the horizon, painting the park a fiery crimson color.
"Sorry Dawn. I've just been… distracted, that's all," he responded solemnly.
Her expression softened. "I'm sorry that I snapped at you like that Ash, but I'm worried that you might be sick or something. You just seem so oblivious and dazed all the time."
"I'm okay Dawn, really. I'm just nervous about the outcome of tomorrow's battle," he replied earnestly as he flashed her one of his trademark smiles.
"Well whatever happens, just try your hardest, and Dawn and I will be cheering for you the whole time," Brock said.
"Thanks guys. Now let's get back to the Pokemon center," said Ash as he began returning his Pokemon to their Pokeballs.
Dawn and Brock followed his lead, and soon they were walking serenely back to the Pokemon Center, each left to their own thoughts.
Ash slowly began to fall behind until Dawn and Brock were out of earshot. Turning his head around, he stared briefly at the sunset. It reminded him of her. Her red bandana, her red blouse… He sighed and trudged back to his friends, who were waiting for him to catch up.