Chptr # 6- My Evil Rival
From Rachel and Brock’s point of view!

When morning came, Ash and Misty were already dressed and cleaned up. As they walked downstairs, they stopped and saw Rachel and Brock sleeping on the couch.

Misty: Oh, Ash.... Isn’t it sweet? They make the perfect couple!

Ash::smiling:: Yeah.... Brock deserves it..... They both do....

Rachel was tossing and turning and mumbling in her sleep.

Misty: Huh? What’s with Rachel?

Ash: Dunno....Bad dream....?

Rachel::in sleep:: No....don’t you dare.....come back...wait..no....! ::reaches out with her right arm::

Her arm drops and hits Brock in the head.

Brock::wakes up:: Ow! Huh? ::looks up, then sits up with the support of his left arm::

Rachel: I’m....not gonna let you...! You don’t......deserve him......! Come back! Please!.....

Brock::sits on knees:: Huh? Rachel, wake up! You’re having a bad dream!
::put hands on her shoulders::

Rachel::kicking,punching air:: No....! I’ll fight for him!... Brock!.. Don’t leave! You promised!! Please! No...!

Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

Brock: Rachel! You have to wake up! I’m here! I’m here!.... ::shakes her a bit::

She hits him a few times, but all the while, he doesn’t loosen his grip.

Rachel: No!!!!! ::wakes up, sits up abruptly, gasping for air::

Brock: Rachel....!

She looks at him, panting.

Brock: Are you ok?! What happened?!

Rachel::hugs him:: Oh, Brock! I thought you were gone.....!! ::sobs::

Brock: It’s okay... I’m right here.. I’d never leave......::looks over at Ash and Misty with a worried look::

They come all the way downstairs and approach them.

Rachel: Oh... Brock... It was horrible....!

Brock: Don’t worry.... It was just a dream.....

Rachel: No, Brock..... It wasn’t! Now I know...what my powers were trying to tell me....!

Ash: What happened.....?

Brock puts his head on hers and holds her gently.

Rachel: I can’t.... I can’t... I don’t know...!

Brock::starts to get up:: I should get you a glass of water-

Rachel::grabbing his vest:: No!.... Brock...! Please don’t go...!

Brock::hugs her again:: Don’t worry! I won’t! I won’t.... ::looks at Ash:: Ash, could you....?

Ash nods and goes to the kitchen.

Brock: Rachel....what happened....?

Misty: You can tell us....

Rachel: I....can’t explain it....::sniffles:: All I know is that... my instincts were right....!

Misty: Huh...?

Rachel: The worst is yet to come.....and I can’t do anything to prevent it...!
::faint whisper:: Not...again...no....

Brock::thinks:: Oh...no...

Ash comes back with the glass of water.

Ash: Here...

Rachel wipes her tears, turns around and takes the glass.
Brock puts his arm around her.

After taking a few sips, she sighs and relaxes.

Brock: Feel better...? ::wraps her in the blanket::

Rachel: Yes...thank you....

Misty: So.......what happened?

Rachel: I think....::looks at picture:: She’s back.....

Ash: Who’s back...? ::sits down next to Misty::

Rachel::picks up picture and gives it to Brock:: Look in the background...What do you see....?

Brock::examines picture:: Well...I see a grassy hill, other people in costumes, uh.....and a person who looks really annoyed.....?

Rachel: Yup...that’s Deanna......

All: Who’s Deanna...?

Rachel: She used to be one of my friends....the one who I told you about, Brock.......

Brock: Oh...ooh....that’s why you didn’t continue on being friends....?

Rachel: Yeah.....she always thought she was “the best” at everything... we fought over guys and such....she’d beat me up for no reason....but this all started when I beat her in a silly contest and after they picked me over her to be the Ringmaster of Opening Circus Day.....

Brock held her free hand.

She took a sip and put the glass on the coffee table.

Rachel: She’s coming back to reek havoc on me and I can’t do anything about it....!

Ash: How come...?

Rachel: She has her ways....of making me feel so bad about myself that I don’t have the courage to use them.....-my powers....

Misty: I haven’t even met her and I don’t like her already....!

Rachel: Her poor pokémon.....

Brock: Huh?

Rachel: She uses them...like street fights!....And doesn’t care about them or treat them with love and respect.....all she cared about was power....and winning.....and being the best....!

Brock: Now that’s just sick!

Misty: She doesn’t deserve to be a trainer!

Ash: Yeah!

Brock: As a breeder, I don’t think I should hear this and not do anything about it...!

Rachel:....and you don’t think I have tried....?::looks down::

Brock takes her chin and she looks up at him. He caresses her face.

Rachel: I’ve done everything I could think of....! I’ve tried and I failed...just like she wanted me to....

Brock: Don’t sink to her level...! I know you’re not a quitter...! And I can relate to that from last night.....!-

Rachel elbows him in the side.

Brock: Ow!....heheh...

She chuckles nervously at Ash and Misty who have sweatdrops.

Rachel: I’m glad you guys have faith in me....but I’m still in doubt....

Brock::puts arm around her again:: Don’t worry....! We’re here right by your side!...

Misty: And you don’t have to keep everything to yourself, you can tell us anything!...

Rachel::puts head on Brock’s shoulder:: Thanks guys....you’re the best....

They all smile.

Rachel: But....there is one other thing.....

Brock: What....?

*Knock on door*

Rachel: Huh? Wonder who that could be....?

She walks up to the door, still in the blanket.
She opens the door with Brock beside her.

Jessy, James and Meowth stood there in disguises of newscasters.
James was holding a camera, Meowth was holding a big sheet of cardboard and Jessy had a microphone.

Rachel:Uh...can I help you....?

Jessy::disguising voice:: Might you be, Rachel?

Rachel: Uh...yeah...that’s me...but how did-

James: We’re here to announce that-

Brock: Uh...can you guys come back later.....? We’re kinda busy....

Jessy: We’ll come back when you- huh?

She examines them both. Brock with no vest on, Rachel wrapped in a blanket and their clothing and hair messed up. She turns to James and Meowth and they start to laugh.

*Even I don’t wanna know what Team Rocket thought!!*

Jessy::snickering:: Back off, Romeo... We’re here on TV business....!

The both blush and Brock steps back a bit.

Jessy: Rachel, you just won a trip for 2 to a romantic getaway!!

Meowth::falsetto, showing cardboard:: And $1 million!

Rachel: Wow! Really? Oh,.. If I’m gonna be on TV, I shouldn’t look like this!
::drops blanket and fixes her hair and self::

Jessy: That won’t be necessary......

Brock::thinks:: Something seems awfully fishy here.... They look familiar....

Jessy: Cameraman, get a nice close up of our winner!

James: Zooming in!

Rachel smiles into the camera.
She gets a weird feeling.

Rachel::thinks:: Huh...? Wait a second....

James presses a button and a rope comes shooting out of the fake camera. It ties around Rachel as she’s pulled toward Team Rocket.

Rachel: Ah!

Brock: Wait!

He dives for her, but misses. He looks up at them. Team Rocket laughs.

Jessy: Prepare for trouble! You’re sunk!

James: Make it double! Hey, we got the ESP Punk!

*Well, we all know the rest.....so why bother?*

Jessy: Team Rocket blasts off now at the speed of light!

James: Surrender now or prepare to fight!

Meowth: That’s right! Ta-ta, Romeo! You had your fun, now we can have ours! ::grabs Rachel and runs::

*ZIP!*

TR: Team Rocket’s running off again!

Rachel::calling out:: BROCK!!

He runs out side and sees Team Rocket running away. Ash and Misty were behind him.

Brock::cries out loudly:: NO!!!!!!!!!

His cry echoes through out the forest.
He drops to his knees, sobbing.

Brock::putting face in hands:: No...it can’t be......!

Ash and Misty put their hands on his shoulders.

Ash: Brock...I-

Brock::sobbing:: I was right there! Why didn’t I- I could have just- Why didn’t see it?! WHY?! It’s all my fault!!

Misty: Brock, it’s-

Brock: I told her- I promised her-.... I wouldn’t let anything happen to her...!!

Misty::mouths to Ash:: He’s a total reck! He must really love her!

Ash::mouths to Misty:: He does! ....Rachel?

Misty nods.

Brock stands up.

Ash: Brock, where are you going?

Brock::sniffling:: To find her.... Who knows what TR might do to her...

Misty: We’re coming too, Brock....She’s our friend, too....

Brock::turns to them:: Thanks guys... If anything happened to her..... I don’t know what I’d do with out her.....

Ash: We understand, Brock... Let’s go!

The pokémon come running out.

Pikachu: Pikachu! Pika! (We heard screaming!)

Sparks: Pichu! Pichu-pi? (What’s going on?) ::looks around:: (Where’s Rachel?!)

All: Uh....

Brock kneels down by Sparks.

Brock: Sparks...Rachel’s-

Sparks: Pichu Pichu? Pichu-pichu-pi! (What did you do to her? Where is she? You promised her, and me!) ::punches him in leg::

Brock: Ow! ::rubs leg:: I know that! Team Rocket took her......for who knows what! We have to go find her! I’m not just gonna leave her!

Misty: You tell it, Brock!

Brock: Sparks! I love her!

Sparks: Pichu! ( So do I!)

Ash: Guys! Break it up! We have to go find her! So, set a truce!

Brock and Sparks sigh and shake.

Misty: Let’s go!

Sparks jumps on Brock’s shoulder and leads out to find her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jessy cackles.

Rachel’s wrists and ankles were tied back. She was sitting against a tree.

Jessy: Ha ha ha ha! Not even your little boyfriend can save you now!

Rachel::struggling:: What do you want with me?! Let me go!

James: No way! You’d make a nice present for the boss!

Rachel: I’m not a pokémon!

Meowth: No one said dat you were! But with those powers of yours, imagine what you could do for Team Rocket!

Rachel: I’d never join! I wouldn’t do that against me, Brock, Ash, Misty OR my pokémon!

Meowth: Oh, well!

Jessy: Hey, Meowth! Who made you top cat?!

James: Yeah! Who died and made you in charge?!

Meowth: I did!

Jessy: Oh, no you don’t!

They both jumped on Meowth and they started to fight.

Rachel::looks down:: Brock....Sparks....where are you....? ::tears in her eyes:: Help me....please.....

Her stomach growls.

Rachel::thinks:: Ooh....I’m so hungry...I know what they want....my powers....They want me to use my powers..... I’m not gonna let them...I do not feel so good... It’s a long shot but here it goes.....

She looks up and sees them still fighting.

Jessy: That was my face, you fur ball!

Meowth: Well, you shoulda been watchin’ where ya put it!

Rachel: Hey, guys....you got something to eat or drink...? I didn’t have breakfast and I didn’t get to go to sleep until late last night...

James: Hey twerpette....We don’t want to know what you and your “boyfriend” did with your teenage love last night-

Rachel: Oh, shut up!

Meowth: Ha ha! Good one, Jimmy Boy!

Rachel: Can I just please have something to eat...or even to drink....? I get sick if I don’t......I’ll make you a deal...I’ll use my powers in exchange for a bit of food....!

Jessy: James, get the little shrimp something.....

Rachel::annoyed:: I’m not little....I’m just short for my age......

James goes up to the balloon’s basket and takes a drink out.
Meowth walks up by him and whispers something in his ear. He nods and puts something in the drink. He walks over and gives it to her.

Rachel::bringing tied hands from back:: Thank you...::chugs down half of it::

Meowth grins.

She drops the cup and holds her head.

Rachel:Ah! What...did you do?A headache....::thinks::like the one before my powers showed up....!? No...! Stop....! Brock!-

Her arms drop to her sides and hands her head. Her hair covers her face.

Jessy: James? What was in that? Is she dead?! You nincompoop! We need her for-

James: Don’t worry...! It’s just something that I had bought that’d make her out for a while....And her memory over a few days- POOF! Gone! We have the chance to brainwash her-well most of it’s been done, but we can fill her head with our Rocket plans and she can help us take over the world!!!!

Jessy and Meowth gave James a weird look.

James: Uh...ok....But she can’t turn her back on us once we do!

Jessy: Really, James?! That’s fantastic!...

James: Well, not quite....

Meowth: What’s the catch?.......

James: There’s something that can cure it, but I’m not really sure....

Jessy hits him on the head.

James::big bump on head:: Ow.....!

Brock:HEY!

They all turned around and saw Brock,Ash, Misty and Sparks.
Sparks jumps off Brock’s shoulder and to the ground.

James: What are you doing here!?

Jessy: Well, look who it is....! Romeo and the twerps!...

Brock::clenching fist:: Where’s Rachel....?!

James and Jessy shrug.

Jessy: Rachel?

James: We don’t know a Rachel....!

Brock::threatening:: Where...is....she....?!

Sparks: Pichu! ::runs up to TR and uses thundershock::

Sparks::shocks self:: Pii! Ooh...

Brock: Oh...Sparks! ::picks her up::

Ash: What happened?! ::takes out pokédex::

Dexter::beep:: Pichu- The baby form of Pikachu. Whenever it uses an electric attack, it is so young it can’t help but shock itself.

Misty: Oh no...! Poor Sparks...!

Brock gives Sparks to Misty. Then faces TR.

Brock: Let me see Rachel, or you’ll regret it!... I swear Team Rocket that if you hurt her it’ll be your last day alive!!!!!

Jessy/James::scared:: Uh...okay...uh here, then....

James::high pitched:: Just don’t hurt us!.....

They step out of the way, revealing her.

Brock::choked up:: Rachel...!

He runs up to her. Seeing the ropes, he takes a jack knife out of his pocket and cuts the ropes.

Brock::kneeling down by her:: Hey...Are you okay...? Did they hurt you...?
::takes her chin::

Rachel::looks up at him:: I’m.....fine....

As she looked into her eyes, he could see her pupils were dilated.

Brock: Huh? ::putting hands on her shoulders:: Rachel, you sure you’re alright.....?

Rachel: Who’s....Rachel....?

Brock: What....?!

Misty: You’re Rachel...!

Brock::turning to TR:: WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!?!

Jessy: She wanted something to drink claiming she was hungry, twerpo.. so we gave it to her....

Meowth: We sure gave it to her, alright! Heh heh!

Brock growls and turns back to Rachel.

Brock: Rachel! You have to remember! It’s me! Brock!

Rachel:.......Brock.....?

Jessy::to James:: Hey....while they’re concentrated on her, we can nab Pikachu!

James: Right! Weezing, go!

Jessy: Go Arbok!

They turn around.

Ash: We’ll hold them!

Misty: Take care of Rachel!

They let out their pokémon and started to battle with TR.

Brock turns back to Rachel.

Rachel: Who....are...you...?

Brock: Why don’t you remember me?...... Your own boyfriend...... ::a tear falls on her hand::

Rachel: Boy......friend..?

Brock: I’m sorry.....so sorry....! I should have been looking out for you....but..I guess I’m not.....good enough for you.... ::kisses her::

*Flash*

Rachel: Brock....

Brock::lets go:: Huh...?

Rachel::slightly smiles:: Brock....

Brock: Yes...::kisses her again, thinks:: I’m getting through to her.....!

Rachel closes her eyes and sees more memories of her and Brock.
The more passionate he got, the more she remembered.
She puts her arms around his neck.
He lets go.

Rachel::snapping out of it:: Brock.....!

Brock: You’re back.....!

Rachel: Ooh...::holds head:: What happened....? The last....thing I remember was.....having a terrible headache...and then I....blacked out.....

Brock: You had no memory of me....whatsoever..... But now you’re back to your old self! The Rachel we all know and love....! ::hugs her::

Rachel::thinks:: Does he....love me?...Maybe just a little....::sees Ash and Misty, out loud:: I think....we should help them......

Brock::sees them:: Yeah, we should...

He lets go and helps her up. Both of them stand in battle positions and face TR.

Brock: You’re going to pay for what you’ve done!

Rachel::steps forward:: Yeah! You’re going....down...::falls back in a faint::

Brock catches her in time and puts his back to TR.

Brock: What happened....?

Rachel::weakly:: My....I have...no... energy....left... My powers...are gone- I can feel it.....Brock...help....

Brock: I...I don’t know.....

Arbok lunges for Brock and Rachel.

Brock::seeing Arbok, throwing pokéball:: Onix! Go!

Onix::comes out of pokéball:: On....

Brock: Onix! Don’t let Team Rocket get Rachel!

Onix blocks Arbok’s attack and they both battle.

Rachel: Brock... I....want to help....

Brock::shakes head:: No...don’t....

Rachel::starts to get up:: I... oh....::falls back down into his arms and lap::

* How ironic!!*

Brock: Save...your strength.....::puts head against hers,thinks:: She's burning up....

Rachel: Brock.....::feels his pokéballs on his belt:: Use....Pineco....

Brock gets the idea and nods.

Brock::grabs pokéball and throws it:: Pineco! Go!

Pineco: Pineco!

Brock: Pineco, I’d hate to do this to you....but use explosion and blast TR out of here!

Pineco::nods:: Pineco! ::bounces up to TR::

Jessy: What’s this?! Their “secret weapon”?! Ha ha...!

Pineco: Pine.......co! ::explodes::

Team Rocket: Looks like Team Rockets blasting off again!

*Ping!*

Brock: Thank god, they’re gone! Sorry about that, Pineco...return...::recalls it:: Thanks Onix....you did a great job...!

Ash and Misty recall their pokémon and go up to them.

Ash/Misty: How is she?

Brock::looks down at her:: Are you alright......? You gave us quite a scare...

Rachel::opens her eyes:: I’m...not used to...this feeling.... TR’s rid of my....powers...and I know I can’t get it.....back.... I’m not me without them....

Brock::stands up slowly with her in his arms:: We should go back.....

They head back to her cabin.
Brock brings her upstairs to her room and lays her on her bed. He tucks her in.

Brock: Now, if you need anything, we’re right downstairs......

Rachel::takes his hand:: Thank you.... I’m a bit tired....maybe if I sleep on it...my powers might return.....hopefully....

Brock: I hope they do, too....::bends down and kisses her:: Sleep well....

All 3 leave the room. Brock closes the door a bit.

She takes her belt of pokéballs off and sets it on the table next to her bed.
Sparks opens the door and jumps on the bed.

Sparks: Pichu? Pichu-pi? (You okay, Rachel?)

Rachel::pets her:: After a nice nap, I’ll be fine...

Sparks: Pichu-pichu pi-pichu, chu...( Brock told me about what TR did to your powers....)

Rachel::picks her up and sits her on her stomach:: Now, don’t be worrying about me, girl....

Sparks: Pichu, chu... (It’s my job...)

Rachel::puts her back on the bed:: Wanna take the nap with me.....?

Sparks: Pi.... ::yawns and lays down::

Rachel: Sparks, know what....? I think I’m actually in love with him...and possibly....vice versa....

Sparks: Pichu?.... (You know this already?)

Rachel: I guess....

Sparks: Pi.....? (How....?)

Rachel: By the way he’s.....acting...you know? It’s like- well.... I guess after telling him about Deanna....ugh... and what happened with TR..yeah....

Sparks: Pichu... (Oh, brother...)

Rachel: Sparks....

Sparks: Pichu! Pichu, chu-pi ( Well...After what happened with Richard-?)

Rachel: Yeah.... I still have nightmares about that relationship....

Sparks: Pichu...Pichu... (And I don’t want to see you get hurt like that again.....)

Rachel: Eh....Brock wouldn’t..... You know....you sound like....Mom...

Sparks shrugs.

Rachel:Well, I’m gonna take that nap now.... I guess I need it......

Rachel turns to her side and closes her eyes.

Brock peeks in and enters. He has a tray with a kettle and cup of tea. He sets it down on the table next to her pokéballs. She opens her eyes and looks at Brock.

Rachel: Brock....?

Brock: Sorry.... I didn’t mean to wake you......

Rachel::sits up:: That’s okay.....you didn’t.....

He sits on the edge of her bed.

She takes the cup of tea and takes a sip.

Rachel: Hey......This is really good...!

Brock: I thought you might like it.....!

Rachel::sniffs:: Mmmm....! Scent of vanilla and flavor of honey...

Brock: To make it smell good and to make you better.....!

Rachel: Thanks.....you shouldn’t have.....

Brock: I wanted to......

Rachel::takes another sip:: Brock....could I ask you something...?

Brock: Sure....what is it?...

Rachel: Think of something....anything... and I’m gonna try to read it...just to see if they really are gone.....

Brock: Okay...um... I know...::takes her hand, thinks:: Rachel...I’m really hoping you could hear this....that I love you with all my heart...

Rachel closes her eyes and concentrates hard.

Brock: Did you hear.....what I had said...?

Rachel::sighs, shakes head:: No... As hard as I tried... I couldn’t....

Brock::a bit sad:: You....couldn’t.....?

Rachel::holds head:: I’m sorry, Brock....

Brock: It’s not your fault....

Rachel: Well... what were you trying to say anyway...?

Brock::blushes:: Huh? Uh....well... I just said that........ I-

Sparks::wakes up:: Pichu pichu? (What’s going on?...) ::sniffs:: Pichu....
Pichu-pichu-chu...! (Something smells good!)

Rachel::turning to Sparks:: Well, uh..... Brock made a delicious tea....!
::hands her the cup::

Sparks::takes a sip:: Pichu! Mmmm...! ( Yum!)

Rachel::back to Brock:: What did you want to say, Brock...?

Brock::sighs:: Nevermind....just...forget it....::stands up and walks out::

Rachel: Brock...::sighs, looks down:: I don’t know what you wanted to say...
but...what I know...is that I love you... I always have.... ::looks at closed
door::

Brock slides down into a sitting position just outside her door. He sighs
and looks at the ground.

Brock: I wanted to say.... I love you, Rachel.... with all my heart....

He goes into his pocket and takes out a ring. He examines it with the
words “I love you” engraved on it. He puts it back into his pocket and
sighs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waking up, Rachel sits up and gets out of bed. She looks around and shakes her head.

Rachel: No....nothing’s changed... They’re gone...forever...

She runs out of the room and down the stairs, landing on her hands and knees at the bottom.

Ash, Brock and Misty look up and see her.
Brock drops the blanket he was holding on the couch and runs over to her.

Brock::kneeling, puts arm around her:: What is it...?!

Rachel: I was wrong...we were wrong.... Brock...they’re gone....forever... and I don’t know how to get them back....

Brock: I don’t know either......but I understand.....

Rachel::looks up at him:: I know you do...thanks...

Brock: Hey...C’mon...I have already made dinner....Let’s eat...::helps her up::

When she looked toward the kitchen, Ash and Misty had already set the table. Brock and Rachel walk toward them.

Misty: You okay?

Rachel: Yeah...I’ve just got mixed feelings about my powers....

Ash: Oh....well,let’s eat... I’m starving!

Rachel: When are you not hungry, Ash? Haha..!

Ash shrugs and they all kneel down to eat.

Brock: I have prepared...omelettes w/ ketchup, my “Rockin’ Rice” and the delicious tea that was well approved of here!

Rachel/Misty: Looks great!

They all dig in and eat.

Rachel: You know...I bought this book a few months ago....on how to build or improve my psychic powers. A gym leader from Kanto...uh....um... Sabrina wrote it....

Ash: Really? What was the book called?

Rachel: “How To Improve Your Psychic Powers”.....

They all had sweatdrops.

Rachel: Of course....now it doesn’t matter....

Brock::trying to cheer her up:: Don’t worry...I’m sure they’ll return..uh..when you least expect it.....!

Rachel::takes a few more bites:: Mmmm.....Brock! This is great...! Okay... Since you made dinner, let me get dessert......?

Brock:Well...you sure you’re okay? I mean, TR did wipe you out alot......

Rachel: I’m fine......! I have an iron willpower......! And I already know what I want to serve...plus... I owe it to you....::turns to Ash and Misty:: and also you guys....

Brock: Alright....what is it......?

She gets up and goes over to the refrigerator and opens the door.
She takes out a tray.

Rachel::closes door w/ foot:: Jelly-filled donuts!

Misty: Yeah!

Ash: Alright! My favorite!

Brock: Wow! They look great!

Rachel: You know what’s really good...? ::puts tray on table:: Chocolate covered rice balls! ::sits down::

Brock: Oh, man! I haven’t had those since I was a kid!

Rachel: Me neither....dunno why I just remembered them now...Oh well... When you got lemons-

Brock: You make lemonade....

Rachel: And when you got rice-

Both: You make rice balls! Hahaha......

When Brock and Rachel looked at the tray, there was only 3 left.
They both turned to Ash.

Ash: What?!

Rachel: I made 12, Ash....::sweetly:: Why is there only..... 3 left? Hmm?

Ash::points:: Pikachu ate ‘em!

Misty: Ash, don’t blame Pikachu!.....

Pikachu::has one, mouthful:: Pika? Pika-chu!Chu! (Huh? I only had one!)

Rachel: Oh well.....::takes 2 and gives 1 to Brock::

Brock: Mmmm.....you make these...?

Rachel: Yes...It’s really easy...

They both go for the last donut. His hand overlaps hers.

Both: Uh...you can have it.....

Brock: No...you can have it.......

Rachel: Oh, no it’s all yours....

Brock: Why don’t we...share it...?::breaks it in half and gives half to her::

She takes it, looks up at him and smiles.

Brock::thinks:: I guess while Ash and Misty aren’t looking.......

He goes into his pocket and gets the ring.

Brock::whisper:: Rachel.....?

Rachel::looks at him:: Hmm?....

He takes her left hand, places it in her palm and closes it. She has a confused look, but then opens her hand and sees what he gave her. She looks back and him and smiles. Looking back at her hand, she puts it on her left ring finger.

Rachel::thinks:: Oh, wow.....It fits and everything.....oh, Brock...

She examines it on her finger. Realizing what is written, her eyes go wide and she blushes hard. She does a double take at Brock, noticing he isn’t there. She looks around the kitchen and finds him at the sink washing the dishes.

Rachel::mouths::.....I love you too, Brock.....::kisses it:: Thank you....

The ring glows a dim blue aura.

She picks up some rice bowls and goes over to the sink next to him.
They both blush.

Misty::to Ash:: Something happened! They’re blushing! Even though they didn’t talk!

Ash: Maybe she got her powers back and they can communicate together!

Misty::hits him:: Don’t be dumb!

Ash: Ow...

Rachel looks back and sees Ash and Misty.

Rachel::thinks:: I don’t wanna know......

She turns around fully and sees Sparks who was hanging out w/ Pikachu.

Rachel::thinks:: Sparks sure hangs out w/ Pikachu a lot.....I wonder if...
::chuckles::

Brock::looks at her:: What’s so funny, Rach?

Rachel: Take a look at Pikachu and Sparks....

Brock turns around and sees them laughing. He chuckles too.

Rachel: I think.....::whispers to Brock:: I think Sparks might have a little crush on Pikachu....

Brock: I think you’re right...They make a cute couple...but....

Rachel: But...Sparks’ still a baby.... I can’t let her get into a serious relationship like what I’m in now...... ::blushes:: What kind of.....trainer would I be, then?

Brock::puts arm around her:: A very responsible one...

Rachel::sighs:: I act more like her mother than a trainer....

Brock: Then you’d make a pretty good mother....

Rachel: And a lousy trainer......

Brock::looks at her:: No way.... I saw your pokémon...They looked happy and well taken care of.... Those 5 years of training them really paid off....!

Rachel: I’ve spent at least my whole...life around pokémon.....but I didn’t get a license until 10.....

Brock: See? Your whole life! 15 years...!

Rachel::smiles and looks at him:: I guess you’re right....

Brock: Eh..... I know I’m right....

They both hug.

Rachel::lets go:: Hmmm...so.... What d’ya wanna do...?

Brock: Still light out...

Rachel: Still really light out.... Hey, I know.... Let’s all go for a walk!

Brock: Good idea!

Rachel: Ash! Misty! Do you guys wanna go for walk? Get some fresh air?

Ash/Misty: Sure!

When everything else was cleaned and put away, they get their pokémon and their backpacks, then head outside.

Rachel: I don’t even think we should have called it dinner....

Brock: Why not?

Rachel: Still the afternoon, I guess.... Should have called it “Linner”.......

They all laugh.
Rachel shrugs.

They go deeper into the woods off their original trail.

Rachel: I know these woods pretty well....so we won’t get lost....oh! And there’s a nice little spot w/ a cliff over looking another river......

Misty: Can we go there?

Rachel: Sure! I don’t even think anyone knows about it.....and it’s really peaceful.....

Ash: Cool! Let’s go!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rachel: We should be getting there soon..... ::turns head around::

Ash: You know....can we stop for a bit.....?

Pikachu: Pika....

Sparks: Pichu.....

Misty: Yeah...can we? Maybe you and Brock are tired.... We should stop and take rest....!

Rachel::turns to them, then Brock:: Uh, I guess so...

Brock::nods:: Okay... Let’s stop so me and Rachel can take a rest....

They find an open space with a grassy area and sit down.
The afternoon sun shines through the trees.

Brock: It’s really quiet out here....

Rachel: Yeah....but this time....too quiet, Brock......

*Twig snaps*

Rachel gasps slightly and looks around.

Brock: Hmmm? What is it?

Rachel::turns to him:: You didn’t hear that...? ::looks around again::

Brock: No, I didn’t... Hear what...?

Sparks: Pichu? (What?)

Rachel::thinks:: I really wish I had my powers now....more than ever....!
I regret for ever thinking about rejecting them....

Her ring glows a bright red.

A young girl steps out from the trees. She was wearing a gray t-shirt, blue jeans w/ holes in the knees, blue sneakers and her short black hair was over her shoulders in 2 ponytails. An Aipom was on her shoulders.

Deanna: Huh?! Hey, runt! Long time no see! And for the better!
::walks up to Rachel::

The Aipom jumps down.

Rachel::stands up, into her face:: Who are you?! What are you doing here?!

She slaps Rachel on her left cheek. She stumbles over, but Brock catches her along w/ Sparks.

Sparks: Pichu-pi! (Rachel!)

Misty: Hey! Who you think you are coming her and hitting people for no reason?!

Deanna: Quiet, scrawny! No one asked you!

Ash: Hey! That’s my girlfriend you’re talking about!

Pikachu: Pikachu!

Deanna: Same to you! ::turns to Rachel and Brock::

Brock: Oh, Rachel....are you okay...? Say something.....

Rachel::groans and rubs cheek:: I’m fine..::looks at Deanna and stands up::

Deanna::notices Brock:: Hey, you’re pretty cute! What’s your name?

Brock: Huh? Uh...my name’s-

Rachel: Hey, girlene! He’s mine! So back off, whoever you are....!

Deanna::turns to her:: You still don’t recognize me, Rachel? You are pretty pathetic, even after all these years!

She takes a good look at her.

Rachel::thinks::.......All these years.....?? ::gasps, out loud:: Deanna....

Brock/Ash/Misty: This is Deanna?!

Pikachu: Pika?! ::looks at Sparks::

Sparks nods to Pikachu.

Deanna: So I guess ya heard of me! Haha!

Misty: Yeah! But there’s nothing good about you!

Rachel: You stay away from me, my friends and my boyfriend and leave now.......

Deanna::sarcastic:: Oh, wow! A boyfriend! I’m so impressed! NOT!! Any person that would pick you as their girlfriend is a loser!

Brock: The one who’s talking is the loser!

Rachel::puts right arm across him:: Brock....don’t get involved, please.......!

Deanna::laughs:: So, it’s Brock!? Ha! You picked a wimpy thing like this to be your girlfriend?!

Rachel: Leave him out of this! You destroyed my relationship with Richard because you were jealous! Well, I’m not gonna let you interfere with me and Brock! I’m saying this for the last time so get out!!!!!

Sparks: Pichu!!!

Brock::thinks:: Oh, man..... I’ve never seen her like this.......ever..!

Deanna: Only weaklings show off like that! And I see you get it from the other losers you hang out with!

Rachel: THAT’S IT!!! I’m not gonna stand around any longer listening to you insult me or my friends! ::grabs pokéball:: I challenge you to a battle!

Sparks: Pichu!

Deanna: Ha! You think you can defeat me?!

Ash: We’ll help!

Misty: Yeah, you can count on us!

Brock: Right!

Rachel: No....! Sorry guys, but this is between me and Deanna!

Deanna: You won’t even let your friends help?! You are stupid!

Rachel: I have faith in my pokémon...and I know that I have what it takes to defeat the likes of you!

Deanna: So confident now, are we? Back then you were still a pathetic loser....! I guess nothing has changed.....

Rachel: Is your life so pathetic now, that you have to live in the past?!
Quit chatting! Let’s battle......
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