Chapter 15

Ash had just finished off his second bowl of Mallow's famous Alolan stew. He was just about to start on his third when he and his group of friends were interrupted by Samson Oak, their school's principle.

"Sorry to disturb you all during your weekend but I just received a phone call from my cousin Professor Oak, from the Kanto region and he has invited all of you to his famous Christmas party held at his laboratory in Ash's home of Pallet Town" He announced to his students. Both Ash and Lana's eyes lit up upon hearing this news

"You mean we'll get to see Misty again"? Lana asked

"You mean I get to spend Christmas at home?" Ash asked at the same time as Lana. Mallow couldn't help but laugh at her blue-haired friend.

"Aw, is somebody a little smitten?" She teased

"N-no" Lana denied, growing red in the face, which caused Mallow to giggle even more, until Lillie scolded her for her teasing.

"I can't wait to see what cultural differences there are between Alola and Kanto at Christmas time" Kiawe pondered.

Meanwhile, Ash couldn't contain his excitement anymore and exclaimed joyfully

"I'M GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS" wearing a smile that was so infectious his entire group couldn't help but share in his excitement.

"I bet you can't wait, can you Ash?" Ash's RotomDex asked

"Nope, I really can't!" Ash replied.

"I can't either, I get another chance to document all of Kantos Pokemon, I only missed out on one last time and I'm determined to complete my data"

"Well, the good news is we'll be flying out in three days time," Samson Oak told his students which prompted more excited muttering from the group.

"Don't forget, Professor Oak will have someone waiting for you at the airport, have a safe flight honey, love you"

"Okay mum, see you soon, love you too" Ash replied before hanging up the phone.

"Excited to be going home again Ash?" Professor Kukui asked, sitting down next to Ash and handing him his dinner.

"Yeah! I mean, I love it here in Alola, everyone is always so friendly and I've made some awesome new friends but... I do miss home quite a bit" Ash admitted

"Understandable, you are a long way from Kanto, I know how you feel, I felt the same when I travelled to Kanto to take on your gym leaders when I was younger. The adventure was amazing but I would always miss Alola"

"You travelled around Kanto, earning gym badges?" Ash asked

"Yeah, I even travelled with a friend I made... A really tough young trainer named Norman" Kukui admitted

"Norman? Did he come from the Hoeen region?" Ash enquired

"He did yeah, how did you..."

"I beat him when I was in Hoeen and earned his gym badge, I even travelled with his daughter may and his son Max," Ash told him

"Oh wow, it's a small world" Kukui laughed.

Ash, Mallow, Lillie, Lana, Kiawe, Sophocles, Samson Oak and Professor Kukui, along with all of their Pokemon made their way through the airports arrival lounge ash was carrying lana on his shoulder they were looking for the person Professor Oak had sent over to pick them up, Ash was hoping it was his mother and Mr. Mime while Lana was secretly hoping that Misty was there to greet them again.

"Hiya... Ash " a lovely voice greeted from behind the group, a voice that made the hairs on the back of Ash's neck stand up and chills run down his spine. He turned around and came face to face with his best friend may and her dad Norman 

"It's nice to meet you may, are you an old friend of Ash's?" It was Lillie who spoke up first

"Oh yeah, Ash and I go way back" may replied, flashing Ash a sly grin.

"I can tell you more stories once we get back to my Grandpa's lab in Pallet Town, come on, I've got a car waiting for us outside" may added, gesturing towards the exit. ash said he was going to fly garchomp their he said honey do you wint to go eith them or me lana said you he said ok here we go and took off he got there and landed out back bonnie saw him and ran to him and jumped in to his arms and said your home yes for 4 days she said how is she he said my girlfriend lana and lana this is bonnie my adopted daughter they said nice to meat you

Ash and lana made their way into Professor Oak's laboratory. As Ash walked in his jaw dropped. He and his Alolan friends were the last to arrive and everybody else was already here. There was Misty, Brock, Ritchie, Tracey, gary, Max, Drew, Dawn, Iris, Cilan, Bianca, Steven, Bonnie and Serena. Everybody who he'd ever travelled with throughout his journies through the various regions as well as other friends and rivals he'd made along the way. Tyson, Trip, Paul, Harrison, Bianca and Aria. Also in attendance were Pokemon League Champions, Steven, Cynthia and Diantha. Before Ash could open his mouth to greet everyone, Lana pushed past him and made a beeline straight towards Misty.

"Well that didn't take her long" Mallow giggled

"So Ash... I take it you've told all your new friends all about how you know the amazing Gary Oak?" Gary asked, turning to face Ash

"I'd been planning on it, just never got around to it" Ash muttered

"Oh. Okay, have you told them about how you used to wet the bed every night?" Gary asked, obviously trying to embarrass Ash. Before he could answer back Mallow replied with gritted teeth

"So what if he did, I used too, so did a lot of kids" Gary looked at Mallow for a second before returning his focus back to Ash

"Aw, looks like you've found yourself a girlfriend, about time too, I was beginning to think you was more of a fairy type than Flabebe" Gary smirked before walking away. Ash hung his head, letting Gary get to him again like he had done all his life. He felt a number of hands on his back and shoulders as his Alolan friends showed their support for him

"Forget about him Ash" Lillie comforted.

"Thanks, guys" Ash muttered. he said I'm going to my secret place on the farm if you need me ok they said lana asked if she can come to he said yes so they went to he secret place

The next night while Professor Oak's Christmas Party was in full swing Ash, Misty, Mallow, Lana and Brock were stood in a corner. Mallow explaining to Lana, Brock and Misty what had taken place between Ash and Gary yesterday.

"So he's still a massive jerk then" Misty muttered

"Are you okay Ash?" Brock asked, noticing that Ash had not taken his eyes off of Gary all evening. Unbeknownst to the others, Ash was formulating a plan, one that would shut Gary up (or that was Ash's hope anyway.) He glanced up at the ceiling and spotted a sprig of mistletoe. With a confident smirk, he stepped forward, ready to put his plan into action

"Yeah, I'll be back in a moment," He told his friends. He marched over towards Gary, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him underneath the mistletoe.

"What are you doing?" Gary demanded

"You know I was thinking about what you said yesterday and... You're right... I am a bit of a "Fairy type" but so are you" Ash answered, throwing Gary's insult from yesterday back at him before forcefully pressing his lips against Gary's. He pulled away and left Gary stood under the mistletoe, dumbfounded and speechless. Ash walked back to where Misty, Brock, Lana and Mallow were stood

"I think that shut him up" Ash smirked. it did lana said than Bonnie came up to him and said I think I'm in love with someone can you tell me what I should do he said 1st tell me the name she said it was Max then he said say what is on your mind and if he does not feel the same you can come to me or her She did but he did not feel the same so she went back to her ash and Lana were at befor but they were not there she went up to Lillie And asked where ash and lana Were she said Lana is outback feeding Garchomp So she went out back her and to Lana and started to cry She held her until her dad came Van she ran to him and said the boy I like doesn't feel the same way he said would you like to come back to Alola with us and she said sure he took lana to the front of the room snd took the microphone and said can i get everyone to listen to what i have to say everyone looked at him he got on one knee and said lana would you be my girlfriend and she was surprised and said yes and kissed him everyone clapped and said it is about time he gets a girlfriend thay went to go find professor kukui and found him ash asked if it was OK if she come to live with us he said only if it is OK with her family he said I'm her adopted dad because her a family died in a car crash her brother told me to get her to safety and I did he said sure so you went to get her stuff they went back 2 days later they went to the airport he said are you afraid of flying she said yes he said take this it's something well put you to sleep till we get to Alola

It was Christmas Eve in the region of Sinnoh everyone was busying celebrating and very excited for the next morning including Ash,Pikachu and their friends lana & Brock. lana,the girl of the trio was just finishing up wrapping her moms gift to send out to her, this was her first Christmas out on her journey to become a top coordinator. As she was writing a note to her mom she never realized how homesick she really was she began to get emotional after she finished and ran out to the patio where she sat on the chair swing where the tears began to fall ,she began to break down.

"Guys I made some hot chocolate come and get it!" called Brock. Only Ash and Pikachu came out. "Wheres lana?!" asked Brock "She's probably finishing up her wrapping I bet she'll be out soon" said Ash " Want me to let her know?" He added

"Sure!" Said Brock.

Ash went and knocked on the bedroom door. "Hey lana! Brock's got some hot cocoa waiting in the kitchen want some?" No answer

"lana! lana are you okay in there?" Ash said opening the door she wasn't in her bedroom he looked around saw her through the glass door to the deck sitting on the chair swing. Ash went and entered the deck sliding the door shut behind him.

"Hey!" he said standing in front of her.

"Oh hey!" lana said smiling weakly as she looked up her eyes looking puffy and red.

"Brock has some hot chocolate waiting in the kitchen wanna come?" asked Ash

"No thanks!" Said lana shaking her head as she looked down again

"You alright?" asked Ash

"I..I'm fine" lana stuttered her cheeks began to leak with tears.

"No need to worry" she forced half smile across her face.

"lana? Are you crying?" Ash asked

"maybe said lana shrugging

"There isn't a maybe it's yes or no..listen to me I know you're not fine" said Ash as he sat beside her on the chair swing, lana bit her lip fighting not to cry aloud as his thigh brushed hers as he sat close to her."Now now what's got you in this state of emotion? Lets discuss it" he said.

"N...No...I'm okay" said lana

"You don't have to do that with me anymore pretending everything is okay when it's not we've been traveling companions for 7 months you can tell me anything" said Ash putting a hand on her arm.

"I'm not sure if I wanna talk about it" said lana laying her face in the palm of her hands

"Hey..I just wanna try and help you" said Ash taking her hands away from her face and held them to his chest.

"Alright wanna guess?" Said lana

"Hmmm...Homesickness" said Ash.

lana nodded "How'd you guess?"

"I have my ways" Ash said smiling."Something I can do to cheer you up?"He asked. Tears began to run faster and faster as lana quietly wept. "It's...Just so hard cuz...this is my first Christmas...without my mom it's difficult for her too because this is our 2nd Christmas without dad there since he died" lana sobbed as she collapsed in Ash's arms crying with her face in his lap.

"Oh lana.." He said gently as he stroked her hair. She reminded him of when he had his first Christmas on his journey.

"I remember feeling the exact same way on my first Christmas and still do sometimes but you don't need to feel that way. Neither you or your mom are alone you've got your Pokemon, me, Pikachu and Brock and your mom has Glameow and Umbrieon no need to worry right?" Said Ash

"Yea no need!" Said lana cheerfully.

"You alright?" said Ash

"I..I dunno" said lana breaking down again.

"Awe lana! Come here" said Ash rapping his arms tightly around her as she put her face in his shoulder and cried harder clinging to him clutching handfuls of his vest.

"Shh it's ok" Ash whispered hugging her back even tighter as he rocked her gently and kissed her on the forehead and held her till she quit crying. He then realized all she needed really was a good cry to let out,a comforting words and a hug to feel better.

"Better?" Asked Ash

"A little" said lana whipping her eyes

"Feels good to let it all out and get a hug doesn't it?" Said Ash

"Sure does" said lana.

"Now Listen if there is anything else Brock or I could do for you?You let us know? lana we love you and want to take good care of you" Ash said

"You..Love me?" said lana wondering if she heard him right

"Of course I do! You, me and Brock we're a family,I'd risk my life for you! I know it seems weird coming from me I'm a very dense guy and don't show as often as Brock but just know you're my best friend!" Said Ash taking her hand holding it close to his chest

"Best friends!?" Asked lana

"We are?right?!"asked Ash

lana smiled and nodded

"We sure are! I've never heard you say that to me before,Ash" said lana

"We'll you have now! I love you lana! So much" said Ash

lana let out a giggle of joy "I love you too!" She said as they hugged again

"Oh!"said Ash as they broke the hug

"What?"asked lana

"Come!" Said Ash as he grabbed her arm and tugged her along and took her back into the bedroom.

"Wait here" said Ash as he went into the closet and he soon came back with a small wrapped present in his hand.

"I want you to open our present from me today the suspense was killing me and I wanna see you open it now ..here!"he said handing her the gift

lana took it and unwrapped it to see a velvet case and she opened it to see a pretty gold Chimcar chain necklace

"It's a locket open it"said Ash

lana opened it to see a message in graved "No need to worry...as long as you have me with you

Love Ash"

lana eyes filled up with tears , happy ones.

"Oh ash you got this engraved for me?!" Asked lana

Ash blushed and nodded "cost an extra $30 did it for you!"

"Awe you didn't have to do this Ash!" Said lana

"I know but..it was worth it just to see that beautiful smile on your face" he said

lana threw her arms around his neck tightly while Ash wrapped his arms around her waist even tighter

"No ones ever gotten me a gift this special to me it's so sweet thank you!" Said lana pecking his cheek

"No problem I'm so glad you love it"

said Ash!

"Wanna put it on?"

"Sure!" Said lana as he took it and slipped it around her neck and clipped it in place.

"I don't think I'll ever take it off" she proclaimed.

"Um lana Ash said

"What is it?" asked lana

Ash cocked his head towards the ceiling as she looked up to see mistletoe

"We're ...under..mistletoe" said lana

"Yeah!"said Ash

"And were supposed to do something" said lana taking steps closer.

"Uh huh.." said Ash

"We're supposed to kiss you goof" said lana

"Oh yea" said Ash as she pulled him closer to her they were standing so close that their stomachs were pressed together.

"..So you gonna kiss me or what Ash?!" said lana

Ash reached out to take her face and cradled it in his hands and caressed her cheek with his thumb. He stood there for a couple seconds just looking into her blue eyes then slowly started to lean in closer as they touched noses,lana could feel his breath on her chin he smelt like peppermint from all the candy canes they had today.

"Go on.."she whispered smiling at him.

Not long after she felt his lips brush hers, she then began to nudge his lips back, it felt like they'd been kissing forever. Ash had kissed many girls throughout his journey but never felt this amazing during a kiss. He then soon learned he was in love with his best with lana when she and Kenny kissed she never felt this way.

They soon parted and then lana spoke

"Ash!..Wow!" said lana

"You liked it?" He said

"Yea a lot! You're quite the kisser Ash Ketchum!"said lana

Ash laughed then spoke

lana I..I think I'm on love with you like I've had a crush on you since we met"

"me too!" Said lana

"So will you be my girlfriend?!"he asked

"I'd thought you'd never ask!..Yes!"said lana as she hugged him while Ash picked her up and planted a smooch on her cheek.

"So I guess we're official" Ash said

"Yea" said lana as they squeezed hands and kissed again but just briefly as Brock interrupted

"Hey you guy...Whoa when did this happen?! ...How did I miss it? ..How could I not see this coming?!"he gasped

"You didn't miss anything it happened just now!"said lana

"Oh well I'm happy for you guys! " said Brock!

"Thanks! Can you just give us a few seconds?"said Ash

"Yea of course!" Said Brock as he went back to the kitchen area.

They then leaned in and shared one more kiss and quick cuddle then walked off hand in hand to join Brock. he said that he would be back in 5minutes they asked were he was going but he was out the door 25 minutes later he was at Lana's house and told her mom that she was homesick and took her to her they teleported back to the house he told lana he had a surprise for her and she saw her mom and said how did you get here and she said ash teleported me here and she kissed him on the lips her mom said when did this happen ash said just before I got you

 Its winter and snow had settled heavily on Pallet Town, icicles hung from trees and building, lakes had frozen over and every man, woman, child and Pokémon were huddled together for warmth. It was Christmas Day and inside one particular house which was normally home to one woman and her son was now full of people who were gathered around a decorated tree.

Delia Ketchum had done this for her son who was rarely home for the holiday season, she had contacted everyone Ash had travelled with and invited them plus their family over for Christmas. After competing in the Kalos league Ash had started travelling alone and hadn't seen his friends much since he'd returned home from Kalos. Delia had expected to hear some people say that they couldn't make it but was surprised when they all accepted the invitation, each for their own reasons.

Brock had been studying for his Pokémon Doctor's exam and upon returning home found that his family had been quarantined in their home due to a very contagious strain of the flu. He was expecting to be alone for Christmas and so when he saw the invitation he happily accepted.

Misty's sisters ran off on another world cruise leaving her to look after the gym for 5 months, so she readily agreed to come to Pallet Town and spend the holidays with people she cared about instead of being on her own during the holidays.

Tracey was due to fly home to the Orange Islands to be with his family but his flight had been cancelled because of the weather so he had come to the party with Professor Oak and Gary.

When lana and Max got the invitation they begged their parents to go to Pallet Town so they could see everyone again. Norman and Caroline agreed as they wanted their children to be happy and they didn't have any other family in Hoenn to see over the festive period.

Dawn and Johanna also accepted their invitation with the same reason as the Maples, they would've spend Christmas with just each other like they had in the past but they wanted to have a Christmas surrounded by people so the packed their bags and made their way to Pallet Town.

Iris and Cilan had come together, Iris didn't have any real family, the Elder of the Village of Dragons was like a Grandmother to her but other than that there was no one. Cilan had invited Iris to spend Christmas with him as he was going to be alone as well. He did think that he'd be spending it with his brothers but their girlfriends had persuaded them to spend Christmas with them and their families which left Cilan on his own.

Serena and Grace had decided to come to Kanto for Christmas anyway and visit the Ketchum's during the holidays but when they received the invitation decided to actually spend the holidays with them instead.

Clemont and Bonnie were travelling with Serena to Kanto once they found out she'd been invited as well. When their invitation had arrived in Lumiose City Bonnie was the first to see it and she pleaded with her parent to go. Their parents however couldn't leave due to looking after the Lumiose Tower and in case something happened with the power station but when seeing how upset Bonnie was they decided to let her and Clemont go on their own and they'd have their own family Christmas when they got back.

Everyone had arrived a few days previously so that they could be settled and ready for Christmas. It was a little tight getting everyone into the house but it worked Professor Oak had offered his Lab as a place for people to stay. It worked out that the parents, excluding Delia, along with Gary and Tracey stayed at the lab while everyone else stayed in the Ketchum residence in their sleeping bags or the guest bedroom.

Ash had offered his room to the guests, Brock and Misty were the first to arrive with Brock taking the guest room and Misty claiming Ash's. lana and Max were the next to arrive with their parents, Max shared the guest room with Brock while lana shared with Misty. Dawn and Johanna came next leaving Dawn the first guest to be using a sleeping bag, Iris and Cilan were next followed finally by Serena, Grace, Clemont and Bonnie. They all decided on a rota for who used the rooms so that it would change every night to the next two people to arrive. Misty and lana would be in Ash's room the first night, then Dawn and Iris, then Serena and Bonnie after that it would go back to Misty and lana. Brock and Max would have the guest room first then Cilan and Clemont, then back to Brock and Max. Ash said he'd be fine in his sleeping bag as he could sleep anywhere, everyone protested and tried to persuade Ash to take his turn in using the guest room but Ash remained his usual stubborn self and eventually they decided to let Ash sleep where he wanted.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" They all shouted smiling as they sat around the tree ready to open their gifts, eager to know what they had got.

(AN I'm not going to go over all the presents as there's too many to think of. I'm just going to choose one for each person from their parents.)

Ash got a complete set of Pokéballs from his mother it had everything from the standard Pokéball to the rare and expensive Master Ball. The set even had a Premier Ball and one of each type of ball Kurt made from Apricorns.

Brock received a few pieces of medical equipment such as a stethoscope, reflex hammers (the ones they hit your knees with) and a few others.

Misty got make-up from her sisters and a towel covered with pictures of water Pokémon.

lana got a brand new Ribbon case and a Princess costume complete with tiara to wear for her Contests.

Max got a new Pokénav loaded with maps of all regions and places of interest.

Dawn got some new Contest dresses and accessories from her mother.

Iris opened a parcel from the Village of Dragons Elder, finding a black and blue Pokémon Egg.

Cilan unwrapped a new suit and bowtie along with cooking utensils from his brothers.

Serena got clothes with matching hats and shoes from Grace along with a form for entering the Rhyhorn Racing League.

Clemont had been given a new tool kit and some building supplies i.e. nuts, bolts, screws etc from his parents.

Bonnie tore the wrapping from her gift to find a Pokémon grooming kit and book of how certain Pokémon prefer to be groomed.

After all the presents had been opened Delia, Caroline, Johanna and Grace went into the kitchen to start cooking the dinner. Cilan and Brock went to help but were soon thrown out of there being told to have fun with everyone else. Gary, Norman, Tracey and Professor Oak stayed out of the way and started talking about how Pokémon from Hoenn reacted to the climates of other regions.

Ash suggested they go outside and have some fun, everyone agreed although Iris needed some persuading to leave the warmth of the house and her new Pokémon Egg to mess around in the cold. Cilan was the one who managed to get her outside, saying that she needed to face her fears and that now, surrounded by her friends, was the best time to do it. Once everyone was ready and Pikachu was warm inside Ash's jacket they left the house made their way to Professor Oak's Lab to see their Pokémon.

When they got there Pikachu jumped out of Ash's jacket and sent a Thunderbolt into the air, there was a few seconds of silence before a low rumble could be heard and it soon turned into the sound of thunder as all of their Pokémon came charging towards them. Everyone scattered to dodge the approaching stampede, Ash tried to get away but Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder and gave him a small shock. The shock made Ash pause long enough for the other Pokémon to close the distance and it was too late for him to escape as he was swept away by the stampede, cursing Pikachu for being a traitor and not helping him. The gang started their fun by playing the game 'Rescue Ash', they had to play this a few times because Meganium kept abducting Ash wanting to be the sole focus of his attention while he was at the Lab, they spent the rest of the time playing with their Pokémon and trading stories of their adventures since they had last seen each other. After a few hours Gary and Tracey came to the Lab telling everyone that Christmas dinner would be ready soon and to get back to the house.

They all said goodbye to their Pokémon and promised to come and see them later before leaving the Lab and making their way back to Ash's house. Before they entered the house everyone shook the snow from their coats and unlaced their shoes so they could take then off quickly when they went inside. They all sat down and talked for a few minutes and once the dinner was ready they went to the table. After everyone had taken their seats they toasted to a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Delia and the other mothers present served the food out before sitting down to eat themselves. The house was filled with the sounds of laughter and joy as everyone had a great time, they pulled their crackers, read out the bad jokes and wore the paper hats from inside them.

Everyone was allowed to have a single Pokémon at the house, Ash obviously had Pikachu, Misty had Marill, Brock brought Vulpix (Suzy's Vulpix had an egg and wanted Brock to have it), lana had popplio, Max had Kirlia (He caught the Ralts he'd met when travelling with Ash), Dawn had Piplup, Iris had Axew, Cilan had Pansage, Serena had Fennekin, Clemont had Bunnelby and Bonnie had Dedenne. No-one else had a Pokémon with them letting them stay at the Lab with the other Pokémon, Mr. Mime had gone to the Lab to look after the Pokémon there while Professor Oak and Tracey were at the Ketchum household. The Pokémon at the house sat around the table by their trainers, eating their own Christmas dinner, they'd occasionally chat amongst themselves but mostly stayed silent.

After they'd finished their dinner Ash and his friends went back to the Lab to spend a little more time with their Pokémon. As they walked the girls hung back a little bit whispering between themselves with a wicked glint in their eyes, Ash and the other guys didn't really notice because they were busy talking about the annual Battle of Champions. The Battle of Champions was an event held every year where the Champions of each region would battle live on TV and it would be transmitted across every region. The location would rotate each year, right now a stadium in Kalos was being prepared for the tournament and the Champions were readying themselves for their upcoming battles.

When everyone got to the Lab Pikachu jumped out of Ash's jacket and sat on his shoulder, the girls had nearly surrounded the boys as they stood by the wall of the Lab leaving only a small gap for them to escape. Each of the girls had a hand behind their back and stood in silence until Misty spoke up.

"Hey guys, I've got an idea for something we could do." She said, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. From travelling with Misty for a couple of years Ash and Brock took a small step back out of instinct. The girls pulled their hands out from behind their back to reveal that each of them was holding a small branch with green leaves and white berries on them. Ash paled, his mind flashed back to a Christmas years previously he was stood underneath similar branches and Misty was in front of him telling him what was meant to happen when two people are stood beneath it.

"Tha-That's mistletoe." He said before turning and running off so fast that Pikachu fell off his shoulder, landing heavily on the ground. Pikachu picked himself up off the ground and chased his trainer with sparks arcing from his cheeks, determined to get his revenge.

"Should've expected that." Misty sighed as she closed the gap Ash had run through, "This is the plan you run and we chase you. If we catch you, you get a kiss on the cheek and you come back to the Lab. We keep going till we've caught everyone, you get a five minute head start but because Ash has run off we're going after him now." Misty and the other girls ran off in the direction Ash had disappeared in leaving Brock, Cilan, Clemont and Max a little confused.

"Let's go." Brock said, "We might as well get involved and find somewhere to hide." He started walking when he felt a hand on his arm, looking back he saw that Max had stopped him.

"Hey Brock, why did Ash run away when he saw the mistletoe?" He asked adjusting his glasses.

"I'd like to know as well." Cilan said.

"Same here." Added Clemont.

"Alright but let's get moving Misty wasn't kidding when she said we have five minute before they come after us." Brock said the others followed his advice as he knew Misty better than the rest of them. "It started a few years ago when me and Misty were still travelling with Ash, we were at his house and Ash was stood under the mistletoe with Misty. He didn't intend to be there he was just getting some food and bumped into Misty, when Misty told him what was meant to happen he freaked out and ran. Since then I think he's had a fear of mistletoe." Brock's lips formed a wicked grin as he stopped walking, "I just realised that we probably aren't going to see them till they get Ash, come on let's get out of the cold." Brock looked in the direction Ash ran off in, "Good luck Ash, you're on your own now." Brock started walking back to the Lab as he explained why the girls wouldn't be bothering them for a while.

Ash stopped and leant against a tree, catching his breath and he then realised his mistake. Over the years Ash had changed, he still did stupid things on the spur of the moment but now when he'd calmed down slightly he knew what he'd done wrong and what he should've done. He knew he shouldn't have run off on his own because he couldn't rely on any help from the other and by running off he was now going to be the focus of the girls' attention. He was about to climb into a tree but stopped when he realised that he would only be trapping himself if the girls saw him.

"PIKA!"

Ash spun around just in time to see Pikachu's Thunderbolt flying towards him, Ash was thrown backwards as the electricity surged through his body. Once the attack ended Ash lay on the ground twitching as the remaining electricity sparked across his body.

"Sorry Pikachu," He said as he slowly pushed himself upright, "I didn't mean to drop you." Ash shook his head clearing away the fog that had formed in his mind from the attack. Pikachu walked up to Ash holding his trainer hat, it was the hat Ash had worn in Hoenn and the Battle Frontier. "Thanks buddy." Ash said taking the hat, brushing snow from it and scratching Pikachu's head. This was probably his favourite hat and he thought about why he like it so much, all his hats were special to him but this one had something more to it, it had the memories of someone special. Ash was about to say something else to Pikachu but stopped when he heard some familiar voices.

"Come on, he can't be that far ahead of us." One voice said.

"He's such a little kid for running away like that." Said another.

Ash recognized the voices as being Misty and Iris, he quickly scrambled to his feet and backed into the trees hiding in some bushes, Pikachu jumped in behind him. The next voice Ash heard was a sweet one that warmed his heart, it had happened a few time in the past and he only found out what the feeling meant a year ago.

"Why did Ash run anyway?" The voice asked, Misty sighed and quickly explained.

"A few years ago I was under the mistletoe with Ash and he freaked out. He ran off and crashed into a table full of food. I thought he might've gotten over that by now but you saw what happened."

All the girls burst out laughing, Ash was about to start shouting but Pikachu stopped him with a light shock. Ash nodded his thanks to his best friend and carefully started to edge him way backwards trying not to alert the girls.

After a few minutes Ash slowly started to stand up keeping his eyes open for any of the girls. He couldn't see any of them so he started to run back towards the Lab when he heard something snap behind him. He turned but saw nothing, Ash took some slow steps backwards shifting his gaze left and right. Iris dropped down in front of him causing Ash to jump back in shock bumping into a tree.

"Got you!" she said moving forward to kiss him on the cheek. A yellow blur flashed between them Iris backed away and Ash took his chance sprinting away. As he passed under a branch he felt a weight drop onto his shoulder.

"Thanks Pikachu, I owe you one." Ash chuckled as he continued to run. Over the next couple of hours Ash had a number of other close calls, Misty had enlisted the help of Meganium to try and catch Ash, Dawn and Serena had teamed up and cornered Ash by the lake but thanks to Feraligatr Ash was given a ride to the other side of the lake. Bonnie had somehow persuaded Ash's continually stampeding Tauros to help her as they picked him up and carried him back towards her but once again Ash's Pokémon came to his rescue as Staraptor and Unfezant picked him up in their talons and carried him to safety. The only person Ash hadn't run into was lana, he knew could see the Lab in the distance but between him and it was an open field, it would leave him completely exposed.

The girls would've worked out that he was heading to the Lab and they had employed their own Pokémon to help them catch Ash. Pikachu had sacrificed himself so that Ash could get away from lana and Dawn's Pokémon by tackling Ash down a slope while he stayed behind to battle. Ash could see Pikachu under heavy guard by the Lab while the other Pokémon wandered around the field. Ash shook his head and disappeared back into the trees trying to think of a way to rescue Pikachu, he made his way quickly and quietly to a secret place on the ranch that only he knew about. It was a small clearing with a pond in the centre, he'd found it when he was just a kid and every time he was at the ranch he'd spend some time there just watching the world pass by, it was the only place where he could calm down and the constant desire to battle and train faded away.

He sat in the clearing and let his mind fall silent, he didn't know how long he sat there but eventually he realised there was only one plan that he could use to rescue Pikachu, it was a plan he didn't want to use but he had to do it to rescue his friend. Ash stood up and walked out of the clearing making his way back towards the Lab, he stopped at the edge of the trees and waited. When he saw the person he was waiting for he sprinted out of his hiding place, charging towards Pikachu. Blaziken jumped at him, he only just managed to spin out of the way losing his jacket to the fire and fighting type's clawed hands but Ash kept running. He leapt over Glaceon and Skitty, Munchlax was distracted by a biscuit Ash kept in his pocket as a snack, Venusaur tried to grab Ash with her vines but Bulbasaur came to the rescue and grabbed Venusaur's vines with his own. Ash's other Pokémon came out of the trees and engaged the girl's Pokémon so that Ash could rescue Pikachu, this wasn't part of Ash's plan but he was grateful to all of them.

It wasn't just Ash's Pokémon that came Brock's, Max's, Cilan's and Clemont's came as well, the Pokémon didn't battle they just used their own strength to hold off the other Pokémon. Ash smiled as he charged through a gap that Steelix had created in the opposing Pokémon's ranks.

Ash was close to getting Pikachu when he was suddenly lifted into the air by Beautifly who was used Psychic but he was soon released as Swellow used a low powered Air Slash to break the bug and flying type's concentration. As he landed on the ground Ash started running again, he grabbed Pikachu and spun around to make his way back to the trees when he was tackled from behind. Pikachu jumped out of Ash's arms landing safely and twisting round, sparks coming from his cheeks but he stopped when he saw that it was lana that had tackled Ash. Pikachu didn't want to hurt lana so he stood guard to stop any of the other Pokémon getting to Ash, he knew that Ash could take care of himself.

lana quickly flipped Ash over and straddled his waist, she put one hand on his chest and the other hovered above his head with the mistletoe held in it.

"I win." She giggled, moving the hand on his chest lana tilted Ash's head to the side and leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

"lana, wait. I…" Ash started to say as he turned his face back to face her but as he moved his mouth made contact with lana's. A fire burst into existence inside Ash's heart as he felt lana's soft lips on his own, their warmth replaced the chill from the cold air and filled Ash with new strength. He unconsciously moved his hands to lana's hips as he started to sit up right. lana dropped the mistletoe and wrapped her arms around Ash's neck deepening the kiss, she was having the same feelings that Ash was having, her heart was thundering in her chest and both of them were oblivious to the fact that all the Pokémon had stopped and were now staring at the two trainers as they sat in the snow. Ash's arms moved from lana's hips and wrapped around her back drawing her closer to him as one of lana's hands entangled itself in Ash's hair, when she had tackled Ash to the ground his hat had fallen off and was now lying upside down in the snow.

Inside the Lab Misty and the other girls along with the guys were watching out of a window.

"Mission accomplished." Misty said with a smile as they all exchanged high fives. This had been their plan all along, lana had admitted her feelings for Ash by accident to Dawn and she'd passed that bit of gossip to the other girls. Ash had talked to Brock about what he had been feeling and when Misty had told Brock about lana's feelings he told her about Ash's. When they all met up for Christmas Misty knew that this was the best time to get Ash and lana together, she'd come up with the plan with Serena's help but didn't let lana know about it only telling her that it was a game they were going to play.

Ash and lana broke their lips contact, they didn't want to but they needed to breathe. They stared into each other's eyes as they panted heavily, their warm breath misting in the cold air.

"lana, I…I…" Ash started to say but stopped when lana pecked his lips making him stop stuttering.

"I know Ash, I feel the same. I always have." She said kissing him again with more passion then the one they had shared previously, she melted into his arms as she forced all of her feelings into this one moment. Ash was shocked by the power of the kiss but after a couple of seconds he returned it with just as much force letting his emotion flow through him and into lana. a minute later their kiss stopped as a shiver ran threw them as the temperature dropped a little lower and snow started to fall again. Flakes managed to slip into the gap around their collars while they were leaning forward to kiss.

They released each other reluctantly and stood up brushing the snow from themselves, lana stopped and bent over when she saw Ash's hat on the ground. Once she'd picked it up she stood up again and smiled, holding the hat against her chest. She turned and saw Ash smiling at her but there was worry in his eyes, concerned lana took a step towards him.

"Ash, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Well, what are we going to do now?" he replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we just…you know…er…we…" Ash said struggling to speak as embarrassment over took him.

"Kissed." lana said knowing what Ash meant but she could feel her heart shaking, seeing the embarrassment on Ash's face. Does he regret it? lana thought, He kissed back but why did he do that if he didn't want to? "Ash, do you regret it? Do you want to forget that this happened?" She said looking at the ground, sadness creeping into her voice. She hugged his hat tighter wanting to keep a piece of him with her.

"No, I don't want to forget it and I don't regret it. I like you a lot, more than I could ever say but I just don't know what to do now. lana, in a Pokémon battle I know what to do, I'm in control but this sort of thing…." Ash sighed, "I have no idea how to act or what to do. I don't know what happens next and I'm scared. I need your help," he paused and closed the distance between himself and lana putting a hand under her chin and raising her head so he could look into her eye. Those beautiful sparkling sapphire eyes he'd fallen for. "lana, what do I do?" he said pleadingly.

lana put Ash's hat back on his head and spun it around so the peak was pointing backwards. She smiled and wiped her eyes clearing away the beginnings of tears as she smiled brightly while staring into Ash's warm chocolate brown eyes.

"Of course I'll help you. You are my boyfriend now, right?" she said cheerfully but with an undertone of hope in her voice. Ash looked slightly confused.

"I've always been your boyfriend, so's Brock." He said. lana facepalmed, this was going to be harder then she thought but quickly thought of a clear way to explain the difference.

"No Ash, Brock is a boy who's a friend, you are a boyfriend."

"What's the difference?" Ash asked, lana smiled mischievously.

"I was hoping you'd say that." She said as she wrapped her arms around Ash's neck again and pulled him into another heated kiss. She broke contact with the dazed Ash after a minute and smiled. "Boyfriends and girlfriends do things like that, you don't do it with boy or girls who are friends. We can kiss each other like that but not anyone else, understand now?"

"Yes." Ash squeaked, in shock slightly.

"Alright then let's go inside and get warm." lana said taking hold of Ash's hand and gently pulling him towards the Lab, intertwining their fingers. The Pokémon all shrugged and went back to doing whatever they wanted. Pikachu followed behind Ash until he felt something brush against his side, turning he saw Glaceon standing right next to him. He was about to say hello when she licked his cheek and smiled, Pikachu felt a pleasant warmth run through him at the contact. He returned the smile and on impulse licked her cheek causing Glaceon to blush and rub up against him. Pikachu had heard everything lana had said to Ash and asked popplio a question, like his trainer had feelings for a certain brunette Pikachu had feelings for a certain water type and decided to act on them.

"Pika PiChu Pikachu PiChuChu?" (popplio, would you be my girlfriend?) popplios smile grew wider and she licked Pikachu's nose.

"Glace Glaceon Gla." (Of course I will.) she replied. The two Pokémon brushed against each other and followed their trainers, keeping their tails in contact. (AN think of it as holding hand for Pokémon who don't have hands)

When Ash and lana entered the Lab they were greeted by a round of applause. Everyone else was standing in a semicircle in front of them, clapping and smiling.

"It's about time." Dawn said cheerfully with a giggle. Ash and lana blushed and gave each other's hand a comforting squeeze. One by one everyone stepped forward and gave Ash and lana a hug, Misty explained that the whole game with the mistletoe was just a plan to get Ash and lana to confess to each other. When Pikachu and Glaceon walked in with their tails in contact and walking closely side by side, the girls all aww'ed at the sight of them together, though Buneary wasn't too happy about it until she saw Clemont's Bunnelby walking past. lana looked around and saw that Max was missing from the group.

"Hey where's Max?" she asked everyone looked round the room but couldn't see him, they then searched the Lab but Max was nowhere to be found. Ash asked Pikachu to go and ask the Pokémon outside to look for Max as well, a few minutes later they all heard Max yell. They ran outside and were just in time to see Max sprinting past with Bonnie closing the distance between them with mistletoe in her hand, lana started laughing as Max turned and hid behind her. Bonnie stopped in front of lana and smiled sweetly.

"Do you mind?" she asked. An evil light shone in lana's eyes as she turned giving Max a protective hug making him think he was safe before turning the hug into an unbreakable hold.

"Go ahead." lana laughed as Max struggled in her arms trying to escape but Bonnie quickly moved forward and pecked Max on the cheek. Max's struggles stopped when he felt the contact of her lips on his cheek. Bonnie pulled back and patted Max's cheek gently as she grinned.

"There, that wasn't so bad was it." Bonnie said, Max shook his head, unable to speak as he was still in shock. He took a small step forward standing directly in front of Bonnie, everyone watched in silence not sure what Max was going to do. Slowly he leant forward and lightly kissed Bonnie's cheek shocking everyone before running away from the Lab and back towards the Ketchum's house.

"What just happened?" lana asked out loud, "Was that actually Max?"

"I think so." Misty replied, she was about to say something else when a shout interrupted her.

"I KNEW IT!"

The shout came from Bonnie as she turned to run after Max but was stopped by Dawn and Serena, who each grabbed one of her arms.

"Knew what?" Serena asked.

"When we got here and met everyone Max kept looking at me and he's been doing it for the last couple of days. I knew he liked me and that was the proof I needed." Bonnie broke out of Dawn and Serena's grasp and took off at full speed after Max. lana started laughing drawing everyone's attention, they turned towards her with questioning looks on their faces.

"We need to go back to the house now." She said between laughs.

"Why?" Brock asked.

"I don't want to miss what happens when Bonnie catches Max." Realisation dawned on everyone's faces and they started to grin before running back to the house as fast as they could. As they ran lana grabbed Ash's hand smiling as she looked at him Ash returned the smile and as he ran down the road surrounded by his friends and holding the hand of his new girlfriend, the girl he loved though he wasn't ready to say it yet he thought only one thing they got to the house and saw bonnie trying to get into Ash's room ash went up the stairs and whispers to bonnie to go down stairs and wate she did ash went to the door and said max let me in so we can talk he did ash grabbed him and took him downstairs and said bonnie your prize is here she went up to him and kissed him on the lips the parents came in and ash said sit down and they did ash and lana said that they were boyfriend and girlfriend Lana's parents said congratulations to them know she has someone who we can trust

Hey Ash!" lana said greeting Ash as he opened the door.

"Hey lana, sorry but I have a few things I have to get at the store, but make yourself at home, I'll be right back!" the boy said, exchanging a friendly hug with his friend before running past her to go to the store.

lana sighed, "He invites me over, and then runs out the door, that boy is terrible at planning." She shook her head and walked in to sit on a couch and wait for Ash to return.

[30 minutes later]

"Where is Ash? It shouldn't take him this long to go to the store and back!" lana said to no one in particular, getting up to walk around the home.

lana had been in Ash's home before, actually she had been there quite a few times before. They would hang out a lot, so lana was pretty familiar with the house. She walked up the stairs and was about to turn into the bathroom when she noticed Ash's door was open.

Huh? Ash normally keeps his door closed... She looked around, making sure no one else was in the currently deserted house, before walking closer and pushing the raven haired boy's door open just enough to step in.

Ash's room was pretty simple, a double size bed with white sheets and a blue blanket and a wooden dresser stood next to it. The room was painted light blue and had a window in the far wall.

"Huh? What's this?" lana asked as she saw an open notebook on Ash's bed, there was something in, what she guessed was, Ash's handwriting on the open page. Ash writes? lana wondered as she began to read.

I get online and look at my page

People fightin', people cryin', people who think life just ain't fair

I look at the photos, thinkin' of the good times we shared

But you threw it all away, I guess you didn't really care.

(~)

My heart is aching, my thoughts are cloudy,

and I really wish I could look back, to the one who shared my love

but my heart keeps hurtin', and my head is still in a fog.

And the worst thing about it, is I can't do anything at all.

Cause I'm still waiting for a special someone

I'm still waiting for that certain one, who will make me know that I belong.

I'm still waiting for a friend,

that I know I can count on!

So I'll keep waiting, for my special someone

(~)

I get to school and see all my friends

They are too busy, holding another's hand

So I walk away, "I don't care" the voice inside me pretends

I put on a show, I say everything is fine

But at what point, do I draw the line?

(~)

Because my heart is aching, my thoughts are cloudy,

and I really wish I could look back, to the one who shared my love

but my heart keeps hurtin', and my head is still in a fog.

And the worst thing about it, is I can't do anything at all.

Cause I'm still waiting for a special someone

I'm still waiting for that certain one, who will make me know that I belong.

I'm still waiting for a friend,

that I know I can count on!

So I'll keep waiting, for my special someone

(~)

I rush up to my room, about to burst into tears

I can't take it, but there are none who can see.

I pray to God, hoping he hears

I don't know if I can go on, being alone, just me.

(~)

My heart is aching, my thoughts are cloudy,

and I really wish I could look back, to the one who shared my love

but my heart keeps hurtin', and my head is still in a fog.

And the worst thing about it, is I can't do anything at all.

Cause I'm still waiting for a special someone

I'm still waiting for that certain one, who will make me know that I belong.

I'm still waiting for a friend,

that I know I can count on!

So I'll keep waiting, for my special someone

(~)

I write down my thoughts, pour them on the page

the ink starts to blotch, as my tears release.

I tear it all up, yelling in a rage

I can't go on, because I'm missing a piece.

(~)

My heart is aching, my thoughts are cloudy,

and I really wish I could look back, to the one who shared my love

but my heart keeps hurtin', and my head is still in a fog.

And the worst thing about it, is I can't do anything at all.

Cause I'm still waiting for a special someone

I'm still waiting for that certain one, who will make me know that I belong.

I'm still waiting for a friend,

that I know I can count on!

When will they come, when will they arrive?

Please won't you tell me? I'm barely alive.

Cause I'm still waiting for a special someone

Cause I've never had one before

Give me someone! before I hit the floor!

I'm still waiting for a friend, that I know I can count on!

I need to find love, in this world of hate

Did I miss my chance? Am I too late?

I want to give in, I want to be done.

But I refuse to give up, because I know there is one.

So I'll keep waiting, for a special someone

I'll keep waiting for that certain one, who will make me know that I belong.

I'll keep waiting for a friend,

that I know I can count on!

No matter how long it lana take

or the challenges I'll face

Because I know I'll meet my special someone

Some time and some place

So I'll keep waiting

for

my

special

someone

… What exactly was that I just read? lana wondered to herself.

"I see you found my room," a voice said, startling lana and causing her to jump before turning and seeing who it was.

"Oh, uhh, hi Ash! I didn't see you there heheh," lana said nervously, holding the notebook behind her while sweat-dropping.

"lana, I know you read my notebook so you can stop acting like you didn't," Ash said, unusually straightforward.

lana just looked at him for a bit before bringing the notebook from behind her and held it in front of her.

"Can I please have it back lana?" Ash said wearily, putting his hand out.

Wow, I've never seen him so... plain lana thought as she was just about to put the notebook in his hand. But curiosity got the better of her and she quickly pulled it back to her chest.

"Not before you tell me what it is that is in here." lana said already looking determined and ready for a fight.

Ash just looked at her wearily, and sighed, "It's the rough draft for some lyrics I'm writing. Now can I please have it back?" he said plainly and looking tired, holding his hand out once again.

Something is wrong, this isn't Ash. Ash is full of life, this person looks almost dead lana thought, looking at the boy who wore a tired look, and there was no gleam in his eyes.

"No, you can't have it back yet."

"But I just told you what I wrote in there."

"But you are acting like a completely different person than the Ash I know!" lana said, her blue eyes pleading with him to tell her what was actually going on.

*sigh* "I'm perfectly fine lana, I'm just a little tired, I stayed up late writing that." Ash said making more excuses.

"You sounded perfectly fine on the phone and when I got to your door," lana retorted, not willing to give in.

"lana...just please give me my notebook back," Ash said dully once again.

"No."

"lana..."

"No I'm not giving it back until..." lana stopped mid sentence as she was interrupted by Ash.

"lana, JUST GIVE ME, MY FREAKING NOTEBOOK!" Ash yelled at her, reaching for the notebook to try and pry it away.

lana quickly stepped back, evading his hand. Tears appeared in her eyes, she never thought Ash would ever yell at anyone.

"Ash...I.I...I'm just concerned about you, that's all..." she said meekly, sniffling between words as a tear began to roll down her smooth cheek.

Ash sighed again, "lana, I'm sorry, just...please..."he said quietly, feeling bad for making his friend cry.

"No! I'm not giving you this notebook back until you tell me what is so bad that you are hiding it in a notebook!" lana said with tears still running down her cheeks. She stopped sniffling and her eyes turned hard, she was starting to get mad at the boy's stubbornness.

"Seriously lana?" Ash asked and lana nodded her head. Ash sighed again, not really wanting to tell lana what was going on. But he sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to him, indicating he wanted lana to sit too, which she did.

"Ok fine, you really want to know?" He asked, lana nodded her head again.

I really don't want to tell her...but it doesn't look like she is going to let this go, Ash thought as he looked at the blue haired girl next to him, taking in a deep breath before finally giving in.

"Fine... I've actually been going through a lot of emotions lately..." Ash confessed, surprising lana.

"...And so I had a friend that I grew up with, we talked a lot and I shared almost everything with her... but..." Ash trailed off.

"But..." lana asked, trying to get Ash to continue.

"...But a few months ago, she told me that she found this guy, he is a real jerk, but she didn't care. I tried to tell her that they weren't a good match for each other. Finally a few days ago, we were going over this again. We got to the point where we normally get, which is me telling her he isn't a good match for her, only this time she responded...badly..." Ash said, feeling a lump in his throat but doing his best to push it down.

"Ash, I'm so sorry..." lana started, but Ash held up a hand. "Let me finish lana." she nodded and he continued.

"I told her what I normally tell her, but instead of just hanging up, or saying "whatever" she snapped at me. She yelled at me "WELL WHO IS A GOOD MATCH FOR ME THEN ASH? YOU?" and she said "you" mockingly... There was more to her rant, but I didn't hear any of it because I was just hit too hard from that first remark... My best friend yelled me, because I was looking out for her. Since then, I haven't had a single conversation with her. I.I...I j-just wanted t-to help..." Ash couldn't take it anymore, the lump in his throat felt so big that it felt like it was blocking his windpipe, he tried to take a deep breath, but instead he just grabbed lana and hugged her tightly and his face contorted in sadness. He was almost hyperventilating as he buried his face in lana's soft, midnight blue hair, finally letting his tears, tears full of sadness, pain and confusion, fall from his dark brown eyes. I feel so hurt and betrayed, but I don't want to look weak in front of lana. I knew this would happen if I told her, why did I give in and tell her? She probably thinks I'm weak for crying...

lana sat there thinking about the lyrics

"Cause I'm still waiting for a special someone

I'm still waiting for that certain one, who will make me know that I belong.

I'm still waiting for a friend, that I know I can count on"... Oh Ash... lana thought sadly, tears coming to her own eyes, saddened by her friend's plight. If only you knew Ash... she thought and she gently patted Ash's back, hugging him back, not caring how much salt water was being absorbed by her hair.

"I'm so sorry Ash..." she whispered to him not sure what else to say. She felt bad for him, but at the same time, she was shocked. She had no idea Ash could be like this, so sad, so hurt, so... vulnerable. Well, Ash is only human, he has emotions just like everyone else... But...I never thought about that before...He was always so upbeat and happy... lana felt terrible, her friend had been going through problems on his own and she didn't even pay enough attention to notice his problems, but he was always there for her...Why? You had your own problems Ash, why bother helping me through mine?

After about 10 minutes, Ash finally managed to get control of himself. He sniffled a few times more for a few minutes but he still held lana. I can't let her see me, not my face, it looks so different like this, I can't... I'm supposed to be the strong one, the one she comes to when she needs to be comforted, when she needs a shoulder to cry on, I'm supposed to be the one that is there for her. I wrote those lyrics about my best friend... But the last part was for lana, the girl that I always hope someday will be mine...

Ash though as he tried to regain complete control again, shakily taking a few deep breaths.

After about five more minutes, Ash finally pulled away from lana,

"You alright now Ash?" she asked gently, Ash nodded his head, sniffling one more time and letting out a big breath.

"Yeah, I'm good now lana... sorry about that, I..." He was silenced as lana put a finger to his lips.

"shh... You don't need to apologize to me Ash, you've been the best friend to me that I ever could have asked for. If only you told me about this before Ash..." she said to him with sad eyes.

"...I didn't tell you because I thought you would think I was weak lana... I thought you had enough problems of your own, and I felt that I needed to be strong for you lana. Especially after I lost my friend." Ash said sadly but honestly, looking into her sapphire blue eyes for the first time since he had started his story. "Because I don't know if you have someone else you run to lana, and if I wasn't strong for you, who would have been?" Why am I telling lana all this? Making myself sound stronger than her... She probably thinks I'm calling her weak, and that she is depending on a weak person like me... I'm too weak to even tell her that the reason this song is only in the rough draft is because I couldn't stop thinking about her. I couldn't come up with a working rhythm, I couldn't do anything.

Ash hung his head, he felt ashamed and frustrated, frustrated with himself for letting lana down, but lana saw it differently.

Even though Ash lost the one person he trusted most, he still felt a need to be there for me?

They both fell quiet for a few minutes, both just looking down. Then lana started singing.

"If you're still waiting for a special someone

If you're still waiting for that certain one, who will make you know that you belong.

If you're still waiting for a friend, that you know you can count on..." She held the last note and paused before continuing, "I could be your one." And she looked at Ash with a smile.

Ash heard her beautiful voice singing a made up melody for his lyrics,

She sounds so beautiful... he heard her pause, then he heard "I could be your one."He lifted his head to find lana looking at him, smiling.

Did I just hear her correctly? No, she couldn't have... Ash thought as his eyes widened.

"I could be your one..." she repeated, speaking it this time as Ash looked at her, disbelief written all over his face. She leaned in closer to the stunned boy, leaning until she whispered in his ear,"... because you are already mine."

And with that, lana threw her arms around Ash's neck and pressed her lips to his. After a few moments they pulled away, lana looked into Ash's walnut colored eyes, hoping, no, praying that he would accept her.

lana really likes me? This isn't a dream? Ash thought as he looked at lana in his arms, her blue eyes sparkling. lana really just kissed me? Ash was speechless, he didn't know what to say, so instead he grinned, lighting up his eyes, and lowered his head, and kissed lana back, thinking one thought, I finally found my special someone

lana picked up her phone again and re-read the last text message she had received for the millionth time, her free hand clenching into a fist while the tears falling from her eyes began to stain her cheeks.

"I'm sorry to do this by text lana. I really wish I wasn't so much of a coward and could do this face to face like you deserve. I can't carry on with our relationship. I will always cherish our time together. I'm sorry lana."

She threw her phone across her room in the Pokemon Centre and ran out. Leaving her phone on the floor where it landed, her coat, hat, gloves and scarf were also left behind as lana ran straight out into freezing December evening. She ran for what seemed like miles before coming to a stop at the edge of Lilycove City. Sitting down on a bench to catch her breath she seemed oblivious to the freezing cold weather and the blustery icy winds of the snow storm that was now beginning to form.

sarah  knocked on lana's door and waited for an answer when he didn't get one, he opened the door slightly and poked his head into the gap

"lana you in here?" He asked. He stepped into the room and immediately spotted her phone on the floor and her coat and other winter clothing still on her bed. Not knowing what to do he ran out of the room to go and find Ash and Harper  . He skidded to a stop in front of the two older boys, panting as he tried to catch his breath.

"sarah , what's wrong?" Harper   questioned

"lana is gone!" sarah  told him.

"Gone where?"

"I dunno, but her coat and stuff was still on the bed and her phone was on the floor" sarah  handed Ash lana's phone. He opened it up and read the message from kiawe. He picked up his coat and ran out of the door calling back to Harper   and sarah  to stay there in case lana came back.

lana was so lost in her own world she didn't even notice Ash sitting down next to her. It took him draping his coat over her. She looked over at him. She looked into his warm and caring eyes and that was all it took to make her break down again, she threw her arms around his chest and buried her face into his shoulder.

"I saw kiawe's message to you" Ash admitted, lana shuddered against Ash who placed his arms around her

"Why did he dump me?" lana wondered

"I don't know, sorry" Ash whispered back. Ash just allowed lana to sob into his shirt, while he kept his arms around her.

"You ready to head back?" Ash asked

"Yeah" lana answered. The pair stood up, Ash making lana wear his coat for the walk back, lana stayed as close to Ash as she could without tripping them both over

"It's so cold out, but you're so warm" She mused softly.

Back in the Pokemon Centre lana was sipping on a mug of hot chocolate while being told off by Ash (now that he was sure she was okay) while sarah  was fussing over his older sister.

"sarah , for the last time, I'm fine," lana told him, pushing him away.

"So why did you run away?"

"I didn't run away, I just needed some space"

"Hey sarah , it's getting kinda late... Can you help me feed the Pokemon then it's time for bed" Harper   suggested.

"Aw okay" sarah  agreed. He and Harper   left to tend to the groups Pokemon, leaving Ash and lana alone

"You okay?" Ash asked

"Not really. Everything just hurts so much" lana admitted

"Look on the bright side... At least you don't have to buy him a Christmas present now" Ash blurted out without thinking. lana looked at him blankly for a moment before she let out a small giggle which grew into laughter that seemed to lift her mood and put the twinkle back in her eyes.

"That is true" she agreed

"Ash..."

"Yeah?"

"Will you stay with me tonight? I don't think I can face being alone right now" lana asked

"Sure thing" Ash nodded.

Ash lay down in lana's bed, one hand resting behind his head, the other resting gently on lana who had her head on Ash's chest and her arm draped over his stomach.

"Hey lana..." Ash started

"Yeah, Ash?"

"kiawe is an idiot for letting you go, it's his loss. Don't let it get you down. You're worth more than that" Ash whispered to lana. He heard her sniff, worrying he had caused her to start crying again. He opened his mouth to apologise but was stopped when lana whispered back in a soft and warm tone

"Thank you, Ash"

"Now get some sleep. It's late" Ash ordered her gently. She mumbled her answer and closed her eyes. A few moments later her breathing changed, telling Ash that she had fallen asleep. He looked down at her, the moonlight shining through the window, illuminating her face, making her features seem softer. Her lips pursed into a small smile. This isn't how he'd first pictured spending the night with lana. The gym leaders daughter who wanted to just leave and see the world. With or without a Pokemon partner. Ash cast his mind back to how the pair first met- on one of Ash's first days in the Hoeen region. Although he couldn't remember every detail of that day he could remember he and Pikachu destroying lana's bike (He was beginning to see a bit of a pattern developing.) Since that day he and lana had become fast friends and even though they fought (like all friends do) Ash was glad to have her in his life and somewhere along their travels together his feelings grew into something more than friendship. He just didn't know how to tell her at first and then when she began to date kiawe, a fellow Co-ordinator he just couldn't tell her.

Over the next few weeks, leading up to Christmas Day Ash spent all of his time he didn't dedicate to Pokemon battling or training he spent with lana, making her laugh at his awful jokes and doing everything in his power to cheer her up and make her forget about kiawe.

"I don't know Ash... What is the coldest Pokemon known to mankind?" lana asked

"It's a FRIDGEotto" Ash delivered the punchline to his joke, causing lana to roll her eyes as she laughed

"Ash... That was terrible" sarah  told him bluntly

"Yeah, but that's what makes it so funny" Ash argued.

Ash and Pikachu had just sat down to start on their second helping of Nurse Joy's Christmas dinner when lana strolled up to Ash, her hands hidden behind her back

"Ash, can I talk to you for a moment? In private? She asked, indicating Harper   and sarah  who were still working their way through their first plate of food

"Uhh sure," Ash answered, getting up and following lana to a quiet corner of the Pokemon Centre. lana stood Ash so that he was opposite her under a wreath of mistletoe

"So what's up lana?" Ash questioned. lana stepped up onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his, feeling him pull her towards him lana wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"I just wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing person" She answered when they finally broke apart 

The next day they were at Professor kukui and brunet's wedding at the end she caught the  bouquet and ash saw and 

he got one knee and said lana would you like to be my girlfriend and she said yes I would love to be your girlfriend than they kissed he went to take her home they got there and kissed again her mom saw it and came out and said 

So, is this true that my eldest daughter's now dating?" she asked.

"We are, Mom," Lana confirmed. Elated, the mother hugged the two.

"My baby girl's growing up…" After breaking the hug, she had a guess to Ash's appearance. "So, will you be staying tonight?" Ash took one glance to Lana as they held hands.

"I think so," he admitted. "I'll need to call Professors Kukui and Burnet, let them know the issue."

"No problem." After being let in, Ash joined the family for dinner. The Pokémon were also fed. Night fell and Ash slept with the girls as Popplio slept with Pikachu and Rowlet. Rotom took pictures of everyone snoozing before he shut himself down. Lana snuggled by Ash's head, Harper was on Ash's arm and Sarah wrapped his leg. It would be a glorious night for the four. In the morning  ash was making a special breakfast for Lana wene her sisters came out and said we are hungry so  he gave them breakfast burgers then her mom came out and he gave her a breakfast burger then made Lana's in the shape of a heart than she came out ash said look at the shape and she did than kissed him then he made him and lana  lunch and then they were off to school 

How could you have lost them?!" lana yelled at her husband.

"I only turned my back for a couple of seconds to check on something and then they were gone," Ash replied, slightly frightened by his wife's tone.

"Ash!" she yelled.

"I'm sorry," he replied waving his hands between his and wife's face in defense.

"Sorry doesn't cut it Ash! They're four years old, who knows what could happen to them in a mall this big." lana said a little calmer but with a lot of worry in her voice.

"Don't worry lana; we'll find them," Ash assured her.

"I hope so," she replied in a whisper while she looked down at the ground.

Ash, lana and their two kids, Haruka and Sakura, who are twins, where shopping at Pallet Mall for supplies for their house. Ash was checking out a dinning set and was supposed to be watching the twins while lana went to pay for a blender. Now the two have wondered off around the mall and have lost track of their parents.

"Mommy?" Sakura cried out to her mother.

"Daddy?" Haruka cried out after her sister.

"Where mommy and daddy go?" Sakura asked.

"I'm scared," Haruka said. "I want my daddy!" she cried.

"We be ok," Sakura, the braver of the two said to her sister. "Let's sit on dat bench for mommy and daddy,"

"Ok…" Haruka replied in a shaky voice, wiping the tears from her eyes as she followed her sister onto the bench.

Sakura was much like her father while Haruka was like her mother.

Sakura was brave. She had brown eyes and zigzag lines under her eyes, much like her father, but her hair was from her mother and was the same color and style as her mother. Haruka on the other hand was a bit sensitive, like her mother. She had sapphire eyes and raven colored hair like her father, but her hair style, like her sister, is like her mother's.

"Don't worry; they find us soon," Sakura said assuring to her sister, who continued crying.

"Ash, we've looked everywhere they could have possibly gone," lana said worriedly to him.

"It's strange they aren't even in the toys store," Ash said getting a bit more worried himself, "Usually that's the first and lanabe only place kids their age go,"

"Ash you're not helping!" lana yelled, close to a verge of tears. "And the worse thing is; we didn't even take any pokémon with us."

"And considering who we are, anyone who'd try to get to us would find them vulnerable," Ash said, unknowingly making lana even more worried.

"Aaaash!" she cried.

"Sorry lana." He apologized. "Let's check security. lanabe they've seen them."

lana nodded in reply as they both ran to the security desk.

"They not going to find us!" Haruka cried.

"Yes they will," Sakura replied, with a lot more confidence than her sister, which, of course, she took from her father Ash.

"Hello," someone said to them. Someone they've never met, and at their age what they would call a stranger.

"What are you two doing here all by yourself?" the person asked, but Sakura and Haruka didn't answer.

"What's wrong?" the person asked them. "Are you lost?"

Still they didn't answer and the stranger was getting confused.

"Why won't you say something?" the person asked.

"Eevee?" the person's Eevee looked at the two, just as confused as its trainer.

Sakura finally got annoyed with the person asking so many questions and finally spoke up.

"Because our mommy and daddy said never talk to strangers!" she cried out. "Hmpht!"

"Oh… 'giggles' now I see why you wouldn't talk to me," the person replied. "Your mommy and daddy taught you well,"

"Eevee!" the Eevee exclaimed, also understand the children's behavior.

"Let me introduce myself." the person said to them. "My name is mallow, and this is my Eevee, Eve."

"Eev eevee!" Eve exclaimed, smiling at the two.

"You know, you two remind me of two people. Two of my closest friends," mallow said to them. "They wouldn't by any chance be your mommy and daddy?"

"We doe know. What their name?" Sakura asked.

"Their names are lana and Ash," mallow told them.

"Excuse me sir," Ash said to an officer at the front desk.

"Yes? Oh… Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum." The officer said upon seeing the two, "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Have you or any other officer seen two four year olds who look alike?" Ash asked.

"No I haven't. And I haven't heard anything from the others about any missing kids." The officer replied. "Are your kids missing Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum?"

"We only turned our backs for a few seconds and they were gone!" lana exclaimed.

"Calm down Mrs. Ketchum." The officer said to her, "I'll broadcast it over the store, so if any one of the officers find them, they'll bring them here to the front desk.

"Thank you," Ash and lana said in unison, while the officer made an announcement over the mall.

"That's our mommy and daddy name!" Sakura cried out.

"Is it now? Well no wonder you remind me of them." mallow said to the two. "Then you should be calling me aunty mallow."

"Ok." Sakura replied. "My name is Sakura."

"And what's your name shy one?" mallow asked.

"Haruka…" Haruka replied in a soft voice. "Can I play with your Eevee?"

"Of course you can," mallow replied Haruka. "She'd love to; wouldn't you Eve?"

"Eevee!" Eve happily exclaimed, hopping onto the bench next to Haruka, cooing while she pet her.

"So… are you two lost?" mallow asked them. They nodded in reply.

"We saw a pokémon ran by the store we was with mommy and daddy," Sakura replied.

"And we ran after it," Haruka added.

"But we lost it in a lot of people, and mommy and daddy," Sakura explained.

"That how we get lost," Haruka finished.

"I see. What pokémon was it?" mallow asked.

"We doe know," Sakura replied. "That why we go after it,"

"Could you tell me what it looked like?" mallow asked again.

"It was purple," Sakura started.

"It had a long curly tail," Haruka added.

"And it had big teeth." Sakura finished.

"Ok," mallow said. "It was purple, had big teeth and a long curly tail. You two saw a Rattata."

"Rattata?" they asked in unison as mallow nodded in reply.

"We never see it before, that why we follow it," Sakura said.

"We only know our mommy and daddy pokémon." Haruka said.

"Speaking of your mommy and daddy; how about we go find them? I've been looking for them myself." mallow said to them.

"Ok." They replied in unison, jumping off the bench, Eve following shortly after.

"Hold my hands so you don't get lost again," mallow said to them. They willingly gave her their hand; Haruka on the right and Sakura on the left. Eve hopped onto Haruka's head, causing her to giggle.

Just before we left the bench to go look for Ash and lana, a broadcast was send through out the store, causing all of us to look up.

"Attention Security personnel. The Ketchum kids – Haruka and Sakura – are lost in the mall. If you've seen them, please bring them to the front desk, where their parents are waiting for them. Oh… also, their parents claim that there is no one else in the mall they lana know. So if you see them with someone, don't hesitate to take appropriate action. That is all."

mallow sweatdropped. "They're being a bit over protective, aren't they? But I agree nonetheless."

"Alright Eve; you heard what the announcer said. So you, Espeon and Umbreon will be on guard duty."

"Eevee!" she replied atop Haruka's head. mallow let go of Haruka's hand for a while, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out two pokéballs, containing her Espeon and Umbreon. She opened them up and out popped a green Espeon and an Umbreon with blue rings.

"Espeon/Umbreon," they said upon getting out of their ball.

"Cool! A Espeon and a Umbreon," Sakura cried out as she and Haruka ran up and hug Espeon and Umbreon."

"Espeon? (Their kids?)" She asked mallow. mallow nodded in reply. Soon after, mallow explained the situation to the two released pokémon. They nodded, understanding the situation as the six started heading in the direction of the front desk.

On the way to the front desk, they did encounter some problem with security. Some even resulted to battles. Most just let it go when they saw how the twins were clinging onto mallow. Finally they made it to the area where the front desk was located. mallow then returned Espeon and Umbreon into their balls. When the twins saw their parents, they let go of mallow's hands ran up to them.

"Mommy!" Sakura cried out to them.

"Daddy!" Haruka cried out right after.

"Sakura!"

"Haruka!" Ash and lana cried out to their children who ran up to them. When they got to them, Ash and lana lifted up Haruka and Sakura respectively, and hugged them close; never to let go of them ever again.

"How did you two get here?" lana asked them.

"Aunty mallow bring us!" Sakura replied.

"Aunty…" lana started.

"…mallow?" Ash finished, both confused about what the twins where taking about.

"Eevee!" Eve said, appearing in front of them.

"Hey you two. Long time no see," mallow said, causing them to look up from the Eevee to the person standing behind it.

"mallow!" Ash and lana exclaimed in unison; completely surprised to see their long time friend.

"It has been long, hasn't it?" Ash asked.

"Yes it has." mallow replied. "The legends kept me a lot longer than expected."

"Well it's good to see you again; and thanks for returning our kids," lana thanked her.

"Of course. Who could mistake them; they resemble the two of you," mallow said, as they all burst into laughter.

"So… are you here to stay with us for good?" lana asked.

"Mm hmm" mallow replied, with a smile.

"That's great!" Ash exclaimed.

While they continued their conversation, the twins eventually got tired as they both did a yawn, which caught their attention.

mallow giggled. "Looks like someone's getting sleepy."

Yea." lana replied. "maybe we should head home now."

"Right." Ash agreed. "Let's go."

"Thanks for your help officer." lana thanked the officer at the desk.

"Yea, thanks." Ash added.

"Anytime, Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum. Anytime." The officer replied.

"Let's go." Ash said as lana and mallow follow him out of the mall.

So the three left the mall. Ash and lana, happy to have found their children and to be reunited with a good friend.

Ash and lana went to kanto to visit Ash's mom  the got their and were visiting with his mom when he got a call from lusamine and put it on video he said you got the ultra garden how can i help you she said i need you to take care of an ultra Beast that is in kanto in a place called cerulean city ash said good thing because i am in kanto he said can you send me some ultra beast balls  she said yes i can he got them than said 

Ultroger lusamine and told lana to stay here and i well be back in 2hours than left ashs mom said what is and ultra beast lana said they came from another  dimension so he is the one that catches them and returns them to their world he got to cerulean city and saw it about to destroy the cerulean city gym and saw officer Jenny their and landed and said you keep everyone back i well take care of the ultra beast and she said ok then he told Pikachu to use Gigavolt Impact and it was out like that then he through the ultra beast ball and hot it then tool out hos phone and called  lusamine and said the job is done then he said Ultroger lusamine then  he told officer Jenny that if she has another big pokemon to come to the Ketchums house and ask for ash misty came out and said thank you ash for saving my gym he said i well be here for two weeks then went home then told lana he hade to go to Professor oks Labrador and call kukui and send him the ultra beast ball and did