#pokeshipping week 2022

[kooliette-vt]

❣️CALLING ALL OG POKEMON ANIME FANS❣️

Do you know what AAML stands for? What is your stance on rocketshippers? Have you ever maintained your own shrine on angelfire.com? Who was the first bishonen you ever adopted?

If these questions struck a chord, please keep reading

To commemorate the Pokémon anime ending, I have begin writing a video essay about the history of Pokémon fandom, specifically anime shipping! It will be a multipart series starting with the original series featuring Ash, Brock, Tracey, and Misty! I'm talking AAML/twerpshippy/pokeshipping, rocketshipping, gymshipping, orangeshipping, palletshipping, etc!

Unfortunately, my research can only take me so far, because a lot of the internet from back then isn't well preserved and it can be hard to read as I am unfamiliar with some of the terminology used at the time.

I am making this post in the hopes that people who were active online fandom members from back in 1996-2003 era will see this and respond! I hope to ask a few questions about commonly used terminology, as well as the atmosphere between different sections of the fandom at that time.

If anyone is willing to help me, please respond to this post, DM me, or email me at "kooliette (dot) vt (at) gmail (dot) com"

If you can't directly help me for any reason, please reblog and spread awareness so that I can get solid information and best represent the community!

TL;DR If you were shipping Pokémon characters in the 90s, hmu

[penguinclover]

PokeShipping Week 2022

Day 4 -> Day 7

Day 4- Delia playing matchmaker

Day 5- Together forever

Day 6- [Free day] Team Rocket costumes

Day 7- [Free day] Marriage

[ashxketchum]

POKESHIPPING WEEK (2022) DAY 2 - "RIVALS"

[miyasdoodlyblog]

Pokeshipping Week 2022 - Day 1: Lovers to Best Friends

Nov 1st 2022

*Twitter*

[omnicom]

Pokeshipping Week 2022

Day Three (3): Soulmates

I wasn’t sure initially what to draw for this theme. I entertained the idea of doing an actual ‘soulmates au’ (matching tattoos, that sort of thing) but I didn’t really feel inspired for it. So, instead, I went with something much more metaphorical. Like, no matter how many years go by, they’ll still have that closeness they’ve always had. Their friendship in its purest form will never change, even when they grow and mature and maybe even have a different outlook on life. The soulmate aspect of their relationship was forged through their own efforts and hard work by keeping in touch, not something left to chance and coincidence, even if the start of it all was a crazy whirlwind of happenstance.

Or maybe I’m just a big sap? (～￣3￣)～

[pokeshippingweek]

Pokeshipping Week - November 1st to 7th

Voting has concluded! The themes for this year’s Pokeshipping Week are:

DAY 1: Lovers and Best Friends DAY 2: Rivalry DAY 3: Soulmates DAY 4: Delia Playing Matchmaker DAY 5: Together Forever DAY 6: Mirror World Misty x Mirror World Ash (see Bulbapedia) DAY 7: Intimate/Close Together

PLUS: Three Free Days

Each day’s theme can be interpreted however you’d like: through art, through fanfic, through AMVs, through graphics, headcanons, songs, poetry, animation - anything you’d like! There’s no competition, and no need to feel “good enough” to participate. Just have fun and celebrate Pokeshipping with us!

And if you’re not feeling some of the themes, you can take up to three free days to cover any topic you’d like, so long as it’s tied into Pokeshipping.

Anything done for the week, please tag with #pokeshipping week 2022 (within your first five tags) so we can pick it up and share it! We will be checking Tumblr, Twitter, AO3, FFN, deviantART, and YouTube. 

Please reblog and spread the word! We can’t wait to see everyone’s contributions!

[wishmaker1028]

DAY 7: Intimate/Close Together

Ash had really appreciated the fact that Brock had agreed to leave him and Misty alone for a few minutes.

He got close to new girlfriend and asked shyly, "M-may I hold you?"

Misty blinked a bit but she nodded. Ash nervously held her close, taking in her lavender scent. He loved it.

He must've been trembling because he heard Misty say, "Don't be nervous Ash."

Ash looked to her, "I'm trying not to be. This is just so weird."

Misty teased, "What? That you have a scrawny girlfriend?"

Ash turned a deep red (not noticing that she was teasing), "Y-you are not scrawny. You never were. I was immature at that time. And I apologize deeply for it."

Misty did a double take. She was surprised that Ash never saw her as scrawny and that he apologized for it. Misty kissed his forehead and Ash was staring at her.

She told him, "All is forgiven."

Ash smiled widely as he took her hand into his. Misty laced their fingers as they snuggled for a bit. They weren't ready to be intimate but this would work.

Wishmaker1028: I thought this would be cute way to end this week. I had to plan ahead of time for these prompts. I usually do anyhow but it paid off this time. Hope you all enjoyed!

[zedpercyfan]

PS Week Day 1 - Scuba Diving (Free Day)

What’s up, dudes, dudettes, and others.  I’ve been busy with college but here’s Day One of Pokeshipping Wekk while I work on the others for ya.

Seaside Fumbles

           MISTY WATERFLOWER blinked and did a doubletake. She wasn’t sure if she had heard correctly.  “Could you, um, say that again, Ash?”

           The black-haired Trainer raised an eyebrow and gave a silent snort.  “I said, ‘would you like to accompany me on an expedition to see a Dhelmise in a wrecked ghost ship outside of Cianwood City?’ and then you went silent on me.”

           “Ah, okay. Just wanted to make sure I was hearing correctly,” replied Misty.  “But why me?”

           “For a start, Goh decided he wanted to go looking for Tauri instead of helping me with this, and-” he gave her a tiny smirk, “I figured that we’d need the greatest Water-type Trainer to assist us on such a dangerous adventure.”

           The Ceruluean Gym Leader felt her heart skip a beat, but she suppressed her emotions and smirked right back.  “Aww, isn’t that sweet?  Finally admitting to what I really am, huh?”

           But Misty was wrong.  “Well, that was my plan,” explained Ash.  “But Wallace was occupied with the Hoenn League, so I just decided to ask the next best Trainer I know.”

           “Ash Ketchum, you dirty little liar-”

           “Kidding, kidding. I’m kiddin’, Mist!” laughed Ash as he waved his hand at her through the screen.  Misty fumed with rage.

           “Go jump off a cliff…”

           “So, you want to come or nah?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’d like to go.  When is it?”

           “About a week from now.  I’ll send you the finer details by email.  Anyway, I have to get going.  I’ll see you at Goldenrod harbor if we can’t call again, oh, and I was still going to call you regardless, I wasn’t going to ask Wallace, okay bye.” And before Misty could answer his sudden incoherent speech, Ash had already hung up.

           “Huh,” was all that came out of the girl’s mouth for a minute.  Ash’s call had really come out of nowhere.  She’d heard recently that he’d become a research assistant at the request of Professor Cerise, a prodigy of Professor Oak’s. Getting called out to help with some research had been very surprising.

           “Still,” she said quietly as she yawned and headed off to get herself some dinner, “even if it’s just to go see some Pokémon, it’s nice that we can spend some time together.”

OoOoO

           Time passed quickly.  Misty’s excitement grew and grew.  The thought of seeing a Pokémon rare to the continent was an enticing prospect.  She wondered how well the Alolan Pokémon was adapting to its new climate or if there were any more nonnative Pokémon species aboard the ship.  That was all well and good, but seeing Ash was a reward enough – not that she’d tell him. They met at the port as arranged and were soon out at sea.

           “Ah, this must be the place,” said Ash and Misty together as the boat slowed down and they dropped anchor.

           “Right,” said research assistant Chrysa.  “We’ll go down with the submersible and use that to check inside the ship.  If you two can monitor things from the outside, that’d be a huge help, and in case things go up sticks with Dhelmise.”

           “No trouble,” Ash declared.  “I choose you, Dracovish!”

           “Go my blue sweetheart, Gyarados!”

           Ash and Misty took the lead and swam alongside the submersible to the ship. It was large and very much in a sorry state, taken back by nature.  Beautiful yet ominous and rife with tension.

           “Careful,” Chrysa advised over the two-way radios they had attached to their goggles. “We can’t risk causing any instability with the ship, let alone angering Dhelmise.  Let the sub in and stand by.  Over.”

           “Roger that,” said Misty.  “Standing by. Over.”

           “Looks like it’s just you and me then, Mist,” said Ash as he pushed the sub toward the hole in the ship before swimming back her.

           “Dracovish, Draco?”

           “Sorry, buddy.  We’re just here to make sure things go right.  You might not see any battling today.

           Both Gyarados and Dracovish seemed discouraged by that.  Misty decided to offer up a different perspective.  “Hey, it’s better that things go right instead of wrong, yeah?”  The two Pokémon didn’t argue but were still feeling down.

           “I know, why don’t we say hello to the native Pokémon?”  That cheered them.  Misty sighed inwardly; it was always nice how Ash could quickly come up with ways to appeal to Pokémon.

           They went off, greeting schools of Goldeen and the traveling Tentacools.

           Suddenly there was a commotion from the ship.  First a shockwave that felt like an earthquake, followed by a burst from the hole where Ash had let the submersible inside.

           “Ash?  Misty?” said Chrysa frantically.  “There’s trouble.  Dhelmise has started to attack the sub!  Please go and see what’s wrong.  Me and the others are coming to retrieve the sub.”

           Ash quickly turned and began swimming to the ghost ship.  As he approached, however, part of the hull disappeared and Dhelmise’s anchor shot out in front of him.  “Guh!  So that’s how it is…” said Ash grimly.  “Dracovish, use Ice Fang!”

           “Draco!”

           “You go too, Gyarados.  Crunch!” Both Pokémon went in but then dozens upon dozens of other Water-types like Tentacools and Seels shot out from both in and out of the ship.  “I guess this must be their home!  They must not want us disturbing them!”

           “It’s not like we mean them any harm!”  Ash swam quickly out of the way as he said that.  “Dracovish, come back!”  His Pokémon came over but just then Dhelmise roared from within and more Pokémon emerged from the rocks.  “You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me…”

           “Gyarados, Hurricane!” yelled Misty as the Pokémon went for her.

           Dracovish meanwhile was taking care of the Pokémon attacking Ash and it.  Ash monitored the situation; it was luckily going in their favor.  Soon he saw the sight of Goh’s Dewgong, whom he had left at the Cerise Lab for any missions he was needed on, and sighed with relief as that meant help was coming.

           Then came some attacks, Ash got hit and as he disturbed some remains of the ship that had drifted away, he got a huge surprise!  “MAR!”

           “Wow!” yelled Ash as a Mareanie popped out at him from the rubble.

           “Mareanie!”  It lunged at Ash, hugging his face hard with its spikey tentacles and sent him into a panic. As the Mareanie let go, it had pulled the oxygen mask and goggles off.  Ash held his breathe but it went to waste when a drifting Tentacool fired a Poison Sting that shredded a small tear into his gear, piercing his skin, causing him to let all his air out.

           Misty heard a commotion, looked over, and panicked on seeing Ash’s situation. She had Gyarados clear a path and swam quickly over to Ash just as he was fumbling the mask back on.

           “Oh Mew, oh Mew,” muttered Misty as she helped him, placing the mask’s band back around his head before reattaching his goggles.

           Ash groaned oxygen flowed into his lungs.  “Ugh… Thanks, Mist.”  Just then, Chrysa and the other hired hands arrived on the scene, summoning their own Pokémon to help with the situation.

           “You have to get back to the ship for medical aid…”

“I know.  Dracovish, look after things here, okay?”  He gave a “Draco” in agreement.  Then Ash cringed as the poison sent painful signals down his nerves. Misty gave him a gentle push up before informing Chrysa over the radio that Ash was pulling out.  With some effort he began to swim back up.  Then Misty followed him.  “What are…you… Misty, I can make it on my own.”

“I know,” she replied, watching him swim unevenly yet consistently toward the surface, “but I’m helping anyway.”

“You…don’t…have to…”

A shockwave was felt, before they heard the cry of Dhelmise as it was attacked by one of the researcher’s Pokémon.  “Come on, before things get ugly,” said Misty, before grabbing Ash around his waist and pulling him up quicker.

“I…told ya…I’m fine…”

“Poison travels up the bloodstream quicker when you move, it’s better this way.”

Ash didn’t answer, he found breathing too hard and just quietly accepted Misty’s help.  They reached the surface.  Misty pulled Ash into the boat with help from Pikachu before beginning to administer aid. She held Ash’s hand tight when he cringed from the disinfectant touching the wound.

By the time she finished, Ash was pale and breathing hard, but only from the pain.  “Jeez,” said Misty, “leave dealing with Poison-types to your Pokémon.”

“It surprised me, that’s all…”

“Just be careful next time.”

“I’ll keep that in mind…when the next Beedrill hive chases me.”

“Yeah, yeah.”  Misty then sat down next to Ash and just stared at him.

“I’ll be fine,” he said upon noticing her.  “You should really get back to Chrysa and the others.”

“No.  I’m staying here with you.”

“I told you, I’m fine…”

“No!”

“But didn’t you come to see Dhelmise?”

“Compared to making sure you’re okay?  You’ve just been poisoned, Ash!”

“It’s your chance though to get a good look at a rare Pokémon in the Johto region!” wheezed Ash.  “Remember all the buzz around Harrison?  Blaziken was hardly a common sight and…”

“I’m not going.”

“Are you sure?  I mean, it’s why you came along, right?”

Misty paused before muttering in a quiet voice, “I joined because of you.”

Ash faltered when he heard that.  He blinked a few times before turning his head toward her.  “Me?”

“Yeah.  I mean…I was just…y’know… Ugh…when I heard you came home from Alola and joined Professor Cerise’s lab, I thought I’d at least get a few visits from you now that you’re close by.  I was just missing you, that’s all.”

“Ah, I…I see…”

“Pikachupi…”

“Sorry.  I really must’ve messed things up then by letting this happen to me.”

“You’re one to talk.  I seem to remember you going headfirst into a lot of things and ending up injured.”

“Yeah…” said Ash with a tired smirk.  “Everyone tells me I should cut that out.”

“You should.  Think about what others want of you.  You and I barely get much time to talk and here you go putting yourself in danger.” Ash didn’t reply.  Misty sighed to herself and allowed herself to be honest. “I miss you a lot sometimes, y’know…”

“I miss you too.  You’re not alone in that feeling.  How about…when we get back to Kanto, would you like to go to a ramen place with me?”

           “You mean it?”

           “Yeah!” he said with as much energy as he could through the poison.  “To make up for missing out on Dhelmise.”

           “His minds on Pokémon as per usual,” Misty said to the sky.

           “Mm. But…I do think of you, too,” said Ash. “Really, you’re right, we should be hanging out more.  That’s...kinda why I asked for your help, I just wanted to see you, too.” Misty didn’t reply and just stared quietly at Ash.  “So…we good to get ramen and hang out?”

           “Yes,” she said a bit too quickly, “we are.  Even though we’re technically hanging out already.”

           “Yeah, yeah, I s’pose we are.  I…I just meant, more like a…a…”

           She considered for a moment, unsure if she ought to say it, but decided to. “Date…?”

           “Yeah, that’s…more or less what I mean.”

           “Awesome.  Then…we have a date, I suppose.”  She felt her cheeks burning red but didn’t stop herself from blushing.

           “I…would’ve asked you to go for ramen afterwards anyway,” confessed Ash. “I kinda realized I was thinking of that this morning.  Just as an excuse to be with you more beyond just helping with this.”

           “Ash Ketchum…you sure have a weird way of saying you want a date.”

           The Trainer from Pallet Town just snorted and went red.  “You got a problem with that?”

           “Well…given that I’ve got a date to look forward to after this…no, not really,” replied Misty softly.

           “Awesome.”  Ash game a small smile before sighing.  “Still, I could’ve done without the poison.”

           “Yeah, that’s true,” laughed Misty.  She gently poked his shoulder.  “Now then, just you hold it together.  We’ve got a date coming soon and you better be feeling okay when it’s time – don’t fumble on me like you did back there.”

[sevencandlesticks]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Pocket Monsters | Pokemon (Anime) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Kasumi | Misty/Satoshi | Ash Ketchum Characters: Satoshi | Ash Ketchum, Kasumi | Misty, Satoshi no Pikachu | Ash Ketchum's Pikachu Additional Tags: One Shot, Grown Up, Pokeshipping Week 2022 Summary:

Misty sits by the windowsill, reminiscing the cascade of events that led her here.

[penguinclover]

Pokeshipping week 2022

Day 1 - Lovers & Best friends

.

"First journey, first friend, first date, last lover"

[ashxketchum]

Just about a week to go for @pokeshippingweek!

Here are some icons to rep our favourite couple for the event, like/reblog if using 💞

[pokeshipping]

can you explain the thees of pokeshipping week 2022 please I want to create reels on Instagram on it

Instagram's definitely open as a platform for the theme week!

The themes (I think that's what you meant?) are pretty much up to you to interpret, though! You can do whatever you want that fits the bill, or even just do what makes you happy, since there's those three free days, too. :)

~DF

[omnicom]

Pokeshipping Week 2022

Day Seven (7): Intimate/Close Together

Keeping it chaste the last day despite the immediate thought about what ‘intimate’ can mean. 😏 Because I’m cowardly ace. 😅 ‘Course, I’ve never drawn suggestive art for any of the other Weeks, so this shouldn’t be a surprise.

You can think of this as a Day Off for our Champions here. Snuggling up on the couch at home, maybe having the TV on with low volume in the background. Is Misty actually taking a nap like Ash & Pikachu? Maybe. But even if she isn’t, she has no interest in disturbing the comfy nook she’s got wrapped up in her husband’s arms. That is until someone gets cramp or something.

Anyhoo, this is it for my contributions to Pokeshipping Week 2022! I hope everyone enjoyed taking a look at my artwork, and hopefully you’ll see me again next year. But until then, I’ll catch ya later! 👋😉

[pokeshippingweek]

2022 SUBMISSION TIME!

That’s right, folks! It’s time for Tumblr’s ninth annual POKESHIPPING WEEK!

From November 1 through 7, we’ll have seven themes that participants can interpret however they’d like - through art, fic, AMV, screenshot collage, headcanon, etc. Any and all contributions are welcome, and all that are tagged #pokeshipping week 2022 will be shared on Tumblr through the main @pokeshipping​ blog. Besides Tumblr, we’ll keep our eyes out for the tag on Twitter and DeviantART, and for fanfics on FF.Net and AO3.

But first - we need some themes. Starting today (September 1) through September 7, the ask on this blog will be open to submissions for this year’s themes. Once we have them all in, we’ll set up a poll, and you’ll have from September 10 through 15 to vote. Submissions that are too similar or identical will be consolidated, and no repeat themes will be considered (to see previous themes, check here). We also won’t take any submissions that are hostile to other characters.

Once the votes are in, we’ll announce the themes, and you can all get to work on your pieces! Keep your eyes peeled for the kickoff tomorrow, and please reblog to spread the word. Thanks, everyone!

[wishmaker1028]

DAY 3: Soulmates

Everyone has a soulmate in the world. When people are first born in the world, they have matching aura waves with their soulmates. They can sense their soulmate, despite not being able to actually use aura. Now since Ash is a descendant of Sir Aaron, he couldn't really sense his soulmate. He could sense other soulmates (like Tracey and Daisy). It took him a long time to finally find Misty as his soulmate.

Wishmaker1028: I thought I go in this direction for this one. I couldn't think of anything else so hope you like it!

[zedpercyfan]

PS Week Day 2 - Rivalry

Undefeated?

           THE COOL late winter breeze stung at Ash a bit when he walked across Cerulean City to reach the Gym.  He thought the new look of the place was interesting since the last time he’d been to it.  He’d been looking forward to reuniting with Misty.  Last time he saw her in person was prior to his first Battle Frontier match that was years ago when they were still teens.  The reunion quickly fell downhill.

“There’s no way,” said Ash, feeling slightly exasperated.  “Twenty battles undefeated?”

“You better believe it.  I always knew I was going to become a great Gym Leader, and I am indeed.” Misty’s smirk deepened.  “You, on the other hand.  Teehee… Even with a ­Water-type you still lost to a Charizard.”

“Hey, Alain’s a tough opponent, what was I supposed to do?”

His friend “tsked” as she wagged a finger in his face.  Ash silently fumed at the gesture.  “A shame.  Five to six regions worth of experience and you still lost a basic type matchup.”

“Pretty sure he’s strong enough to give you a hard time.”

“A loss is a loss, no matter how you spin it – and when you had the advantage, too.  Oh, the humanity...”

“I think you’ll recall that I beat Gary’s Blastoise with Charizard…”

“…Some Trainers just don’t have the skill to overcome disadvantages,” went on Misty as though Ash hadn’t interrupted her.  “With that in mind, you’re probably a ways away from becoming a Pokémon Master.”

“Why you…!”  Luckily, Pikachu quickly tapped on Ash’s head, trying to calm him down.  He sneered at the Cerulean Gym Leader as he briefly hyperventilated.  “Fine,” he seethed as he reached for a Poké Ball.  “You and me. A three-on-three battle – best two out of three wins.”

Misty glanced at him through one eye.  “Yeah… No thanks.  I just won ten battles in a row,” she said, as Ash gaped in disappointment and frustration, “so me and my Pokémon are exhausted – and I’d rather not waste my challengers’ time battling you.  Oh, I know – whoever can win the most battles in two weeks is the best Trainer.”

“You got yourself a deal,” said Ash crossly, a fire ignited in his soul.  “Just you wait.  I’ll show you.”

“Pika, Pikachu!” Pikachu mimicked with equal vigor.

The orange-haired Gym Leader tutted.  “I wish you luck in beating me.”

OoOoO

           With no knowledge of any region he’d never heard of to travel, Ash found himself staying home in Kanto.  Not that he minded but it was very easy for him to get antsy and restless.  He’d already taken to visiting local battling grounds as often as he could to hone his skills, so Misty’s challenge was a natural evolution.

           However, it seemed to Ash that the rookie Trainers of today were a far cry ahead of him in skill and smarts than ever before.

           “Swellow, Double Team, go!” yelled Ash.  He was already four losses in, no way he should lose this one…

           “Now, Espeon, use Swift!”  Ash clenched his teeth, Swift never misses… Swellow was knocked out of the air and was struggling to realign himself.  “Dazzling Gleam, now!”  It was over for Swellow, who was declared unable to battle.

OoOoO

           “Oh?  Fancy running into you here. Ash,” greeted Misty later that day in a café.  Ash wasn’t pleased to see her and took it out by squeezing a napkin and biting his blueberry muffin aggressively.  Seeing her after his loses wasn’t a good thing.

           “Yeah, an awful coincidence…” he replied.

           “How’s your win-to-loss ratio…?”  When Ash didn’t reply, Misty felt emboldened to tease. “Aw!  That bad, is it?  My, my...”

           “I’ll get my winning streak back!  Just out of practice, that’s all!” he snapped.  Pikachu flinched slightly from his Trainer’s outburst.

           “The battle cry of someone who seems to be losing. I saw you exiting the Pokémon Center, so don’t deny it.”

           Ash froze for a second when he heard that before adjusting his frown.  “Oh yeah, well, how’re your wins and loses going?”

           “W-well, they’re doing just fine.”  She put her hands on her hips and leaned down, smirking. “Not that I’ll tell.  I wouldn’t dream of dashing all hope away from you…”

           She walked away to the register, satisfied. Ash fumed when she left.  “Damn her…”

OoOoO

           “Cha…”  Pikachu staggered, trying to keep it together.  He couldn’t let Ash down but the Tauros he was fighting was strong.

           “Tauros, Zen Headbutt again!”

           “Iron Tail, Pikachu!”

           With his natural strength, Pikachu easily sent the Wild Bull Pokémon flying but all was not well.

           “Now, Thunderbolt!”

“Blizzard, go!”  The two attacks collided.  Pikachu shuddered, it hurt, it hurt a lot.  While both fell in the end, it was Pikachu who fell first for a solid few seconds.

Ash sighed as he held his injured starter and couldn’t help but feel annoyed with himself.  It felt like every battle he won, he’d lose three times, and the number of ties was ridiculous.

“Why am I even trying so hard…?” he muttered to himself.  He refused to just let Misty laugh at him and his hard work; but loses were loses, he knew that.  He just knew that he couldn’t let her look down on him.  He could accept loses, the need to improve, but Misty somehow made him blind to all of that.

The two weeks eventually passed and Ash returned begrudgingly to Cerulean City’s Gym.

“A bet’s a bet, Ash.  What’s your score?” asked Misty in the lobby room.

Ash’s lips turned into a pout as he silently fumed with his head low and his eyes looking aimlessly off to the side.  “Sixty battles, I only won twenty of ‘em…”

“Damn, isn’t that something!” guffawed Misty.  “Ah well, can’t them all, I guess,” she added with a wink.  Ash didn’t find it funny.  “Well, if you were battling that much, I can’t imagine your Pokémon were getting that much rest between battles.  Small wonder you lost as many times as you did.”

“Lay off me, I kept my Pokémon in rotation.  What about you?”

“Well, I did forty-five battles and won forty-two of them!”

“Damn!” said Ash furiously under his breath.

“Um – like – why’re you lying?” said a new voice.  Both Ash and Misty turned to look at Daisy who had walked in unbeknownst to them.

“Lying?”  Ash raised an eyebrow.  He didn’t see Misty beginning to sweat.

“Yeah.  Mist, that’s a lie and you know it,” said Daisy cheerfully.  “You lost forty-two matches, two of which were rematches. Three Trainers lost to her last Pokémon today and yesterday and have yet to have their rematches.  Girl, like, you’ve been handing out Cascade Badges like they’re lobby candies!”

Ash glared at Misty as the girl paled and withered away from his look.  “You…lied to me…” said Ash, growing angry.

“Well, er, it kinda makes sense,” said Misty, as she composed herself and tried to act like nothing had happened.  “Trainers are usually coming to me from Professor Oak’s, I’m only the second Gym Leader they’d encounter.”

“And besides,” Daisy chipped-in, “if she was a tough to – what was it?  Do twenty battles undefeated?  Boy, if she could do those without rematches there’d be no one competing in the Pokémon League!  Did you actually believe her when she said that?  Jeez, there’d be no League at all if that were true.”

Now Ash really was cross.  He turned around red in the face from embarrassment and fury.  Misty just gave a chuckle and knocked herself on the head with a wink.

“My bad!  It’s true. I’m supposed to be tough but given that most Trainers are coming to me with one Gym Badge I can’t be too hard on them.  Yet you still believed my little lie?” she said sweetly

Anger boiled within him – he was literally shaking with it. Letting it boil over, however, was exactly what she wanted, and he refused to give her the satisfaction. “You know what?” said Ash eventually. His red face giving way to a very deadpanned look.  “I’m out.”

With his fists curled to hold in his boiling temper, Ash swiftly turned on his heels and went right for the door.

“Ash, wait!” yelled Misty running.  “Oh, come on!  It was just a fib.”

“Nope,” he replied.  Continually walking even as Misty tried to hold him back with her hands clutching one of his.

“Aw!  Just forget about it!  A joke, an honest joke!  Or…maybe you’re just unable to take one?” she added coyly.

“I’ll laugh when it’s funny.”

“I’ll buy you an ice cream cone, big baby.”

“No thanks.”

“Okay, then.  Guess you can’t eat a whole sundae like I can.”

“You wish!” said Ash as he whipped around.  “I can easily put one away.”

“I’d like to see you try,” taunted Misty.

“Grr… Right, you’re on!  I could get their first, anyway!”  And without another word Ash strode out of the Gym toward the ice cream parlor.

“I’d like to see you try!” called Misty as she ran after him. Pikachu just sighed, it was going to be a long, long day…

OoOoO

           Author’s Note: I can’t lie, I’m not too sure how this one turned out.  I finished this up after having a drink so I don’t know if this as good as I think it is. That’s the problem with writing, you can think of a good ending but actually executing it is a whole other matter…