Adventures in Pokesitting

[Karuta64]

Adventures in Pokesitting

Day 1: Morning

The morning sun peeked inside the bedroom window, bathing the room in warm light. But, only one occupant of the room was awake: Pikachu.

"Pikaaa..." he yawned as he sat up, threw off his green thunderbolt blanket, and stretched. "Pika..." he called to the other Pokemon around him. "Pika pi chu!"

"Bulba..." Bulbasaur opened an eye, noticing that Pikachu was awake. "Saur?" he asked, longingly glancing at the large bed in the left hand corner of the room, where Ash lay, asleep. "Bulbasaur?"

"Pika pi pi Pikapi..." Pikachu assured Bulbasaur, running over to Ash's nightstand and flicking on the clock radio. A soothing melody drifted into the room...

"Unngh..." Ash fumbled for the radio and turned it off, then turned to see Pikachu and Bulbasaur looking at him. "Oh...mornin', you guys..." With that, he threw off the covers, climbed out of bed, and trudged towards the closet. "I'll get dressed, then I'll feed you guys, okay?" he called as he rummaged through the various shirts, pants, and other clothes.

"Pika!" Pikachu replied, then called to the other Pokemon, "Pika! Pikapi chu Pikachu!" The remaining Pokemon, Grovyle, Swellow, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, all yawned sleepily as they too woke up...

---------

"Morning..." Brock called from the stove as Ash and his Pokemon trooped down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Hey, where's Misty?" Ash asked as he grabbed the Pokechow from the counter nearby the stove.

"Well..." Brock thought for a moment as he cracked an egg into the frying pan on top of some already simmering bacon. "Last time I checked, she was out at the mailbox. Now, scrambled or fried?"

"Scrambled, please." Ash replied as he filled the Pokemon bowls. "Okay, guys..." he called, setting the six bowls before the Pokemon. "Enjoy!" He smiled with pride as the content noises of munching and happy Pokemon sounds filled the air. Just before he could get comfortable at the table, he felt a large pile being laid on top of his hands. "Huh?"

"Mail call!" Misty announced as she walked in and got comfortable at the table. "Mmm...smells good in here..."

"Bacon and eggs, anyone?" Brock smiled, cracking another egg into the sizzling pan.

"Make my eggs scrambled, please." Misty called back, then turned her attention to sorting the mail. "Bill, bill, you may have won 10 billion credits...."

"Cool!" Ash cried, triumphantly producing a comic book with a picture of a boy wielding a sword on the cover from the clutter. "I've been waiting a long time for this!"

"What is it?" Brock asked, interested.

Misty leaned over to look at the cover in Ash's hands. "Pokeguardians #25: Raisheal Comes Thundering In"....

"Raisheal is the Pokemon guardian of thunder!" Ash explained. "He transforms by saying...." and he grabbed a keychain that looked similar to the wand the boy was holding and held it in the air. "Pikachu Power!" Nothing happened.

"I think that only works in the comic, Ash." Brock chuckled as he deposited the last of the eggs on his plate and turned the stove off. "Anything for me in all that?"

"Why yes..." Misty rummaged through the clutter and produced an envelope with Brock's name on it. "Here you go."

"Well!" Brock smiled, tearing open the envelope. "It's from my old friend, Kendra!...we used to work together as breeders back in Pewter..." he explained, unfolding the letter inside. "Let's see...it says...

Dear Brock,

I am leaving on vacation to the Rainbow Islands this evening...but I have no one to look after my Azurill, Ami, while I'm away...

If you could look after her for the week, I'd be very grateful.

Enclosed is all the schedules, emergency numbers, and the like. I'll be by to drop her off later today...

Your friend,
Kendra

"

"Looking after a baby Pokemon?" Ash wondered.

"Sounds fun!" Misty agreed. "Maybe Togepi could make a new friend by the end of the week!" She turned to Togepi, who was busy playing with some blocks in a playpen nearby the table. "Would you like to meet a new friend, Togepi?" she cooed.

"Togi!" Togepi replied, tottling to the playpen's edge, where Misty picked him up and cradled him in her arms, cooing to him all the while.

"If Ami is as easy to take care of as Togepi, this week will fly by in no time!" Ash smiled, leaning back in his chair as the others continued to eat..

---------

Day 1: Afternoon

Ash lay on the couch, reading his new comic, until he suddenly heard the door slam, followed by Brock and Misty cooing over something. Curious, he climbed off the couch and strolled into the kitchen, where he noticed something small and blue in the palm of Brock's hand.

"Isn't she a darling?" Misty cooed, apparently in love with the tiny Pokemon.

Ash knelt down and studied the tiny blue mouse that lay sleeping in his friend's hand. "She's--" he started...

"SHHH!!! She's asleep." Brock whispered. "She's pretty tired after the trip from Pewter City to here..."

Just then, the little Pokemon perked up at the sound of water dripping. "Azu?" she squeaked, bounding out of Brock's hand in search of the sound.

Ash was puzzled. "Where'd she go?" He ran up the stairs after Ami.

Brock was about to answer until he noticed a cascade of water flowing into the kitchen. "Uh, Misty? We have a waterfall coming down the stairs..."

"We do?" Misty hesitantly took one glance at the slowly flooding floor and gasped. "The kitchen is flooding!" At that second, Pikachu floated by in an inner tube, apparently enjoying the miraculous transformation of the room into the beach.

Brock sighed and sloshed up the stairs, the water getting deeper with every step he took. "I think we'd better go see what she's doing...."

Ash stood waiting the top of the stairs, waist deep in water. "I wouldn't open the door if I were you..." he cautioned, gesturing to the bathroom door, which was struggling to remain attached despite the water leaking out of it.

"Why?" Brock asked, opening the door. No sooner had he asked that, did a HUGE tsunami come rushing from the already flooded bathroom, knocking him backwards.

Ash sighed as he sloshed into the bathroom. "I said not to open it..." Just then, he found the source of the flood: Ami stood by the sink, giggling happily as the sink continued to run...and run...and run... "Ami, that's enough." Ash sighed, shutting the sink off. "We don't flood the house, okay?

Ami just stared blankly at Ash, then began to cry.

"A whole week...of this?" Brock sighed as he began draining the bathroom.  

[Karuta64]

Ready for more mayhem?

Day 1: Afternoon

"There..." Misty sighed as she emptied out the last bucket of water from the kitchen. "That's the last of it..."

"About time..." Ash sighed, scooping Ami in his arms. "Now, we only leave the sink on until we are done with it, okay?" Ami just stared blankly at Ash, as if he had said something in a foriegn language.

"Translation: Please look at me like I've lost my mind." Brock joked. Misty giggled, only wondering at what their seemingly innocent charge could be plotting...

---------

"Rock a bye, and good night..." Brock sang--or rather--tried to sing over Ami's constant squalling. "Does anyone know a good way to calm down a crying Azurill?"

"Just try singing to her." Misty called from the living room. "And hurry, because 'Pokeguardians' is about to start!"

"It is? I've been wondering if the Guardians rescue Reina in this episode!" Brock replied back, all the while trying to comfort the crying Ami.

"Well, hurry up and sing so you can find out!" Misty yelled, exasperated.

"Okay..." With that, Brock took a DEEP breath and sang:

"Rockabyebabyinthetreetopswhenthewindblowsthecradlewillrockwhentheboughbreaksthecradlewillfallanddownwillcomebabycradleandall." "Sweet dreams!" Brock called after the now sleeping Ami as he raced down into the living room and jumped onto the couch next to Ash.

"That was quick..." Misty commented.

"Not to mention the world's fastest rendition of 'Rock-a-bye Baby' I've ever heard." Ash agreed.

"And I did it all in one breath, too!" Brock laughed as the TV began to sing the "Pokeguardians" theme song...

----------

"Karinai! Protect Reina!" the TV blared as the Pokeguardians prepared to battle the Dark Sisters for the fate of a child--Reina.

"All right! This is it!" Brock rubbed his palms excitedly as the two sides stared each other down. Finally, Raisheal drew his sword, and icy storms, fireblasts, thunderbolts, Hyper Beams, and darkness blasts criss-crossed the screen. At that second...

"WAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!" squawked the Pokemonitor sitting on the coffee table.

Brock sighed. "She picks the big battle to wake up...." He grumbled as he got up from the couch and trudged down the hall to the back room, where Ami was squalling profusely. "Now what?" he asked. He grabbed a book from the shelf. "Want a story?" Ami just continued to cry.

"Ooh!" Misty hurried up the stairs and set a tape deck next to Brock. "Do the Torchic Dance! She'll like that!"

"Do the WHAT???" Ash grabbed his popcorn, came up the stars and into the back room, just in time to see Brock flash his hands in front of Ami, flap his arms like a Torchic, shimmy down to the floor, come back up, and clap four times. He tried not to laugh as Brock continued the strange dance.

"The things I have to do to entertain this little girl..." Brock sighed, listening to Ami's delighted squeals as he "danced".

Ash turned and smiled at Misty. "I don't know which is better: "Pokeguardians" or Brock acting completely stupid for a baby..."

"Don't rub it in, Ash...he's embarrassed enough." Misty giggled, noting that Brock's face was Charizard red...

----------

"Okay, Miss Ami...it's food time!" Ash sang as he set Ami down on the counter. "See?" he cooed as he showed Ami some fruits. "Yum yum...these are...good...for...you..." he started, only noticing a trail of cookie crumbs leading from the counter, on the floor, out of the kitchen, up the stairs, and into the back room.

"Follow those crumbs!" Misty called, leading the way into the back room, where Ami sat in her crib, scarfing down a stash of cookies.

"A-HEM!" Brock started, startling Ami.

"Rill?" Ami asked, offering Brock a cookie.

"Oh no..." Brock explained as he took the cookies from Ami. "If you eat too many of those, you'll get sick." No sooner had he said that, a splat came from the crib, followed by a cry of "EWWW!!!!"

"Too late..." Ash sighed as he stripped the soiled sheets from the crib...

Day 1: Evening

"Okay..." Misty sighed as she tucked Ami in for bedtime. "Who wants to read Ami a story before bed?

"I will!" Brock volunteered. "Excuse me while I prepare...but which story does she want to hear?"

"Hmm..." Misty thumbed through the storybook for a moment, then pointed out a story. "Read her this one here..."

"Okay..." and Brock disappeared from the room...

Ash was puzzled. "Just how long does it take to get ready to tell a story?"

"I think it's fixing to turn into a stage show..." Misty giggled as Brock hauled in parts of costumes, a few sets, and Misty's tape deck.

"Ready for your story, Ami?" Brock cooed.

"Rill Ri!" Ami smiled.

"Okay...and Brock turned the lights off. When a spotlight reappeared on him, he was now in an elaborate vest and pants. "Today I present to you a story that takes place in a far away land..." he began, as a set of a forest and castle appeared behind him. "Now, this kingdom was being plundered by a great and terrifying dragon..." he continued, making a Dragonite shadow with his hands to illustrate his point. "The people were so afraid of the dragon, the king decreed..." and Brock paused to throw on a purple cape and a costume crown, so he looked something like a king. "Whoever defeats the dragon will have my daughter's hand in marriage." he continued in a "king-making-a-decree" voice...much to Ami's delight.

Ash snickered as the "show" unfolded, complete with Brock dressing up like Link, to "slay" the Dragonite shadow. "He sure knows how to put on a show..."

"...and they all lived happily ever after...the end." Brock concluded. Ash and Misty applauded as Brock took a bow.

Misty paused to give Ami a kiss. "Sweet dreams..."

"Azu..." Ami sighed as she went to sleep.  

[Karuta64]

Day 2, Morning

"Good morning, guys!" Ash called as he strolled into the kitchen and grabbed some milk from the refrigerator. "What's going on?"

"I'm letting Ami help me put the dishes away." Misty called from the sink, washing the dishes Brock had used to prepare the morning's breakfast: cinnamon rolls. Ami sat nearby, sorting the forks, spoons and knives.

"How did you teach her to do that?" Ash asked as he sat down and poured a glass of milk for himself.

"I told her the forks are used to pick up the food, the spoon to scoop up food, and the knife to cut the food." Misty explained as she returned to scubbing the pans in the sink.

Just then, Brock noticed that a plate had somehow fallen out of the cabinet and was hurtling towards the floor. "Look out!"

"I got it!" Ash dashed from his chair and caught the plate in his hands before it hit the floor. "Whew..." But before he could return the plate to the cabinet, a second plate fell on top of the first plate!

"What the..." Misty asked as more plates, cups, silverware, and other dishes rained from the cabinet above.

"Uh, Misty? I could use some help over here..." Ash grunted as he struggled to balance the five plates in his right hand, three cups in the other hand, a cup and three more plates on his head, and several more cups on one foot.

"Wonder how all the silverware wound up on you, Ash?" Brock laughed, taking a bite of his cinnamon roll.

Ash looked to see Ami peeking out from the empty cabinet, clutching a lemon candy in her paws. "Ril azu?" she asked, offering the candy to Ash.

"Not--whoa---right...yipe!--now, Ami..." Ash stammered. "I'm--yipe!--trying..."

"Azu azu!" Ami giggled, tossing the candy into the air!

"Uh..." Brock started, but winced as the candy landed on the last plate, causing Ash to lose his balance, sending all the silverware crashing to the floor!

"I said no, okay?" Ash grumbled as he eased himself to his feet and helped Misty sweep up the bits of the plates.

"Look at it this way..." Brock assured Ash as he helped sweep up plate bits. "I have plenty more plates to replace these!" At this, Ami's eye's brightened, thrilled at the prospect of pushing off more plates. "But they're not for you to break!" he sternly told Ami as the cleanup continued...

---------

"Okay, Ami..." Misty cooed as she filled up the bathtub. "It's time for your bath..."

"Azu..." Ami grumbled as she watched the water in the bathtub rise.

"I know you don't want to..." Misty continued as she grabbed a few bath toys and placed them in the water. "but you do want to be nice and clean, don't you?"

"Azu?" Ami smiled. "Rill azu!"

"Would you want to enter a Cute contest?" Misty asked as she carefully set Ami in the water. "If you want to win first prize, you'll want to look clean and pretty for the judge."

"Rill ril!" Ami chirped, splashing around excitedly.

"Okay, I'll let you play for a while." and Misty left the room...

"Ril ril azu rill!" Ami laughed to herself as she scooted a boat across the water. Next, she grabbed several more boats and laid them out all in a row--or rather--sailed them into a row... "Ril!"

"Pika?" Pikachu and the other Pokemon walked in the bathroom, curious as to what Ami was doing. "Pika pi chu?"

"Azuri azu rill!" Ami explained, proudly showing off the fleet of boats that bobbed in the water. "Ril azu ril!"

"Grov grovyle vyle..." Grovyle commented.

"Pika?" Pikachu asked, curious to know the answer to Grovyle's question.

Grovyle curled himself in a ball and leapt into the air. "GROV-VYYYLLLLEEEE!!!!" he cried as he landed in the water with a gigantic splash.

Totodile looked down and noticed the water was up to his legs. "Toto toto!" he commented, applauding Grovyle for his cannonball dive.

"Pika!" Pikachu commented. "Pika pi pi chu!" Sure enogh, the bathtub was empty, save for Ami in one corner, and a soaked Grovyle.

"Quil cynda cynda quil!" Cyndaquil begged. Totodile hopped over to the bathtub faucent and helped Cyndaquil turn the water on, causing the bathtub to fill again. When the tub was full again...

"GROVYYYYYYLLLLEEEE!!!!!"

"PIKAAAAA!!!!"

Pikachu was the first to land in the water, but Grovyle once again emptied the entire tub. Ami, meanwhile, laughed with delight as Cyndaquil and Totodile began filling up the bathub again...

---------

Meanwhile, in the living room, Brock and Misty relaxed on the couch--Misty reading a new novel, and Brock watching a baseball game on TV.

"Isn't this nice, hearing the Pokemon playing in there?" Misty mused as she heard the laughter coming from the bathroom.

"Well..." Brock began as he watched the pitch fly into the outfield. "I'm not sure what they're doing in there...but all I'm hearing is the water running, a big splash, laughter, more water running, another splash, more laughter, water running again, yet another big splash...

"Your point?" Misty asked.

"Does a waterfall coming down the stairs sound familiar?" Brock sighed, gesturing to a pool of water collecting at the bottom of the stairs. Misty gasped, sloshed up the stairs, and threw open the door, where five sopping wet Pokemon and a flooded bathroom met her eyes. "Who did this?" All the other Pokemon pointed at Grovyle.

"Grov?" Grovyle asked. "Vyle Groooov?" he mused in a romantic voice.

"Sorry, Grovyle, but the sweet talk doesn't work on Misty, no sir!" Misty snapped, leading Grovyle into a time out area. "Now, you sit here and think about what you did! The bathtub is not a swimming pool!"

"What happened?" Ash asked as he sloshed up the stairs.

"Grovyle flooded the bathroom by doing cannonball dives into the bathtub...Misty grumbled as she grabbed the buckets...again...  

[Karuta64]

Day 2: Afternoon

"Now that THAT's settled..." Misty began as she finished emptying out the last of the water from the bathtub/swimming pool incident.

"We need to think of something that will keep Ami and the other Pokemon entertained so they won't get into trouble." Ash interjected. "I mean, half the silverware's gotten broke, the bathroom's been flooded..."

"Twice..." Brock sighed, trying not to remember the sink incident from the day before.

"So, what do you have in mind?" Ash wondered.

Misty thought for a moment, then replied "We could all gather in the living room and sing songs..."

"Yeah!" Ash agreed. "Brock could play his guitar too!"

"And since they'll all be singing...there will be no possible way they could get in trouble!" Misty smiled, pleased with herself. "Come on...Ami would probably enjooy hearing you sing, Brock."

"Okay, let me go get ready..." and Brock led the way out...

---------

"Azuri?" Ami asked, curious as Misty brought her into the living room.

"We're going to sing songs for a while!" Misty cooed as she settled in on the couch. Ash sat nearby in an easy chair, and Brock sat in a chair facing the others, hard at work tuning a beautiful deep brown guitar.

"Ril ri?" Ami asked, pointing at the guitar.

"That's called a guitar, Ami..." Ash explained. "What Brock does is pluck the strings with one hand, and puts his other hand in different positions to make the different notes...but before he can play, he has to be sure all the strings sound just right."

"Ri?" Ami was confused.

"If one of the strings sounded wrong, Brock won't sound very pretty, and if he doesn't sound pretty, not too many people will want to listen to him." Misty explained. "And you want Brock to make lots and lots of pretty music, don't you?"

"Azu!" Ami chirped excitedly.

"Okay...I'm ready." Brock assured everyone. With that, he started to play a soothing melody...

This old guitar, taught me to sing a love song.... he sang.
It showed me how to laugh, and how to cry...
It introduced me to some friends of mine, brightened up some days...
It helped me make it through some lonely nights, oh...
What a friend I have, on a cold and lonely night...

This old guitar, gave me my lovely lady... Brock continued, longingly looking at a picture of Professor Ivy on the mantel.
It opened up her eyes and ears to me...yes it did...
It brought us close together, I guess it broke her heart...
But, it opened up the space for us to be, e-he-e...
What a lovely place, a lovely space to be...

This old guitar, gave me my life, my living...
And all the things you know I love to do...
To serenade the stars that shine from a sunny mountainside...
But, most of all... Brock turned and smiled at Ami. to sing my songs for you...ooh-hoo-ooh...
I love to sing my songs for you, yes I do, oh...
I love to sing my songs...for you...

Hmm....
Ooh-hoo-di-di, ooh-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo...
Oh...oo-oh...
Hmm...

Brock continued to play for a little longer, then gave the strings one last slow strum, ending the song.

"Azuriiiii!" Ami cheered, enthusiastically applauding.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed, leading the applause.

"Azuri ril azu!" Ami begged.

"Play something with a beat?" Brock asked. "Okay..." He snapped a few times before starting a jazzy blues riff.

"Oh yeah!" Ash leapt up from his chair and began to dance to the song. Ami, however, was more fascinated in watching Brock's fingers dance up and down the guitar fingerboard than Ash's stomping and jumping.

"Yeah!" Brock cried when he finished the song. "Okay...this next song requires some audience participation..." he began as Ash moved his chair close by. "Ash will show you what to do, and you imitate what he does, okay?"

"Rill!" Ami replied. The other Pokemon nodded.

"Here we go..." and Brock started a rollicking rhythm...

One finger alone, keep moving... Ash held up a finger.
One finger alone, keep moving...
One finger alone, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!

One finger, one thumb, keep moving... Ash held up a finger, then stuck out a thumb.
One finger, one thumb, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!

One finger, one thumb, one arm, keep moving... Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, then cocked his arm.
One finger, one thumb, one arm, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, one arm, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving... Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, cocked his arm, and kicked out his right leg.
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, keep moving... Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, cocked his arm, kicked out his right leg, and gave a quick nod.
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!

"Now comes my favorite part!" Brock interjected. He then sang "One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, keep moving... All the Pokemon howled with laughter and tried to keep up as Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, cocked his arm, kicked out his right leg, gave a quick nod, then quickly stood up and sat back down.
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!

One finger one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, stick out your tongue, keep moving...Even more laughter ensued as Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, cocked his arm, kicked out his right leg, gave a quick nod, quickly stood up and sat back down, and stuck out his tongue.
One finger one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, stick out your tongue, keep moving...
One finger one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, stick out your tongue, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!

"Okay...now comes the real fun!" Brock announced. "Ash has shown you what to do, now it's your turn to copy the movement as Ash and I sing the song. However...you need to be listening for me to do this..." and Brock gradually got louder for three beats. "When I do that, we'll all sing the 'We'll all be merry and bright' part and end the song, regardless of what movement you're on, okay?" The Pokemon nodded, indicating they understood.

"Hear that? When the music gets louder, the song's over, okay?" Misty explained to Ami.

"Are you guys ready?" Ash called. The Pokemon cheered in agreement.

"Here we go!" and Brock began the song again. "One finger alone, keep moving...

"One finger alone, keep moving... Ash echoed as he led the other Pokemon, Misty and Ami. The room soon turned into a flurry of words, music and activity as the group moved their way throught the song.

After several rousing renditions, the music gradually got louder...

WE'LL ALL BE MERRY AND BRIIIIIGHT!!!!' the group sang one last time.

"Azu ri!" Ami giggled as the others applauded.

"Ami says she wants to do it again!" Misty called.

"We'll do it again some other time, okay?" Brock assured Ami as he began another song...

Day 2: Evening

"Whew...that song session was fun!" Ash smiled as he tucked Ami in for the night.

"Tomorrow..." Brock explained, getting Misty and Ash's attention. "We're going to go out to the park and have a picnic!"

Misty smiled down at Ami. "Hear that? We're going to the park tomorrow! Won't that be fun?"

"Azu azu azuri!" Ami replied, holding out a finger and sticking out a thumb to illustrate her point.

"I think she likes the 'one finger, one thumb' song..." Ash whispered to Brock as he switched off the light...  

[Karuta64]

Day 3: Early Morning

Pikachu yawned as he rolled around in bed. The sun was not yet up...and here he was, wide awake...so since he didn't feel like going back to sleep, he climbed out of bed and tiptoed over to the back room, being extra careful not to wake Ash.

But, the door to the back room was closed...so Pikachu began to push against it with all his might, until it opened with a creak.

"Azuri?" Ami woke up, startled by the noise. "Azu azu?" she called as she tottled over to the crib's edge and looked down.

"Pi pika Pikachu..." Pikachu assured Ami as he climbed in the crib with her. "Pika pi...pi pika pi pi?" he asked.

"Zu!" Ami cried, clapping her paws excitedly at the prospect of playing in the living room.

"Pika..." Pikachu cautioned as he helped Ami onto the ground and started out the door. "Pika pikachu pika..."

"Azuri?" Ami asked.

"Chu pi Pikapi, Pikachupi, pi Pipika..." Pikachu explained. "...pika PIKA pika pikachu!" He made an angry face to illustrate his point.

"Azu..." Ami sighed as the two others walked past Ash's room again. "Azu azurill ri rill!" she called to the other Pokemon. "Rill azu?"

"Saur!" Bulbasaur led the other Pokemon downstairs...

---------

"Pika pi!" Pikachu announced as the Pokemon entered the living room. But before he could say any more, he heard a Click clack click clack clack click.... coming from Ash's computer. "Pika?"

"Azuri!" Ami giggled as she tapped away on the keyboard.

RRRIPPP!!!! Grovyle had found a stack of printer paper and had ripped a piece in half, laughing as the two halves fluttered to the floor.

Click click-clack click.... Ami continued to type.

CRASSSHHH!!! Swellow and Bulbasaur sent the forks, spoons and knives tumbling to the kitchen floor.

WAAAAAOOOOHHHH..... Pikachu, meanwhile, had rolled up a piece of paper into a cone shape and was trying to get a note out of it, but was not doing a very good job of it.

Click click-clack click clickety click clack... Ami started to type in a rhythmic pattern...

ZANG! BANG! PANG! Cyndaquil and Totodile had found some pots and pans to bang on....

RRRIPPP!!! Grovyle ripped another piece of paper in half.

CRASHHHH!!!! Swellow kicked over the trash can, spilling its contents on the floor.

The noise began to meld together...

CRASHHHH!!!!

Click click-clack click....

WAAAAAOOOOHHHH.....

Click click-clack click....

RRRIPPP!!!

ZANG! BANG! PANG!

CRASHHHH!!!!

WAAAAAOOOOHHHH.....

RRRIPPP!!!!

"Aru ri, azurill, ri ri rill ri..." Ami sang as she typed away. "Azuri azuri, azurill..."

"Pika pika chu pika..." Pikachu joined in, blowing a note with his makeshift "instrument".

"Cynda quil, cynda cyn, cynda quil..." Cyndaquil sang over his exuberant drumming.

"Toto dile to to..." Totodile chimed in.

"AZU, AZUUUU!" Ami half screamed, half sang as the cacophony of noise continued...

----------

"Brock..." Misty yawned as she grabbed a pillow to shield her ears from the noise downstairs. "What's all that noise?"

"Sounds like a mixture of keyboard keys, paper ripping, something that sounds kinda like a trumpet, stuff being knocked over, pots and pans getting banged on..." Brock mumbled as he changed positions. "Could be just your imagination..."

"Oh no, I'm hearing something going on in there..." Misty sighed as she glanced at the clock. "It's...FOUR IN THE MORNING????

"What's going on?" Ash raced in the room, curious about why Misty was awake. "Something wrong?"

"Yeah..." Misty grumbled. "I think we should go see why the Pokemon are awake at this hour..."

"Come on..." Brock led the way downstairs, just in time to see the living
room--or rather, what the living room would look like had a tornado gone through it-- and hear Ami sing one last chorus of "AZU, AZU!!!!"

"WHAT'S GOING ON IN HERE???" Misty demanded as she studied the warzone that used to be the living room.

"Pika pi..." Pikachu asked sweetly, blowing a few notes on his "instrument"

"Yeah, the paper trumpet's neat, but you really shouldn't be playing it at four AM..." Ash explained as he led Pikachu to the time out area...

---------

Day 3: Morning

Ami watched intently as Brock set a picnic basket on the table. "Ril?" she asked.

"We're going to go have a picnic in the park today..." Ash explained. "so you need to tell us what you want to bring."

"Rill azu?" Ami begged.

"Pika pi?" Pikachu agreed.

"Yeah, we'll go play on the playground while we're there...but what kind of food do you want to have?" Ash asked.

"Cynda!" Cyndaquil suggested.

"Toto toto!" Totodile added.

"Pipika pika pi!" Pikachu suggested, gesturing to the cookie jar to prove his point.

"Okay..." Brock finished writing down Pikachu's suggestion. "Sandwiches, chips, fruit, and cookies for dessert...how's that?"

"Perfect!" Misty cried. With that, the group scrambled about the kitchen to get ready...

----------

Brock set down an armful of cookie supplies on the table. "This is what we need to make cookies..." he explained to Ami. "so if you and Pikachu behave yourselves, I'll let you lick the bowl when we're done, okay?"

"Azu!" Ami chirped, watching intently as Brock set a plate of butter in the microwave.

"We're melting the butter so it'll allow the cookies to get nice and firm, not gooey." Brock explained as he got out a bowl and measured out the dry ingredients.

Pikachu, meanwhile, grabbed the vanilla bottle, unscrewed the top, and took a big sniff of the sweet aroma. "Pika pi?" he asked, offering the bottle to Ami.

"Ril!" Ami also took a whiff of the sweet liquid. "Azu!"

"It smells good, doesn't it?" Brock smiled as he added the melted butter and an egg into the bowl. "I'll take this, thank you." With that, a teaspoon of vanilla was added into the mixture.

"Ril azu?" Ami asked, pointing out a cinnamon stick on the platter.

"Pika pi Pipika pikachu!" Pikachu explained. "Chu pika pika!"

"That's right, Pikachu...that's my special secret ingredient." Brock smiled as he ground up some cinnamon and added that in the mixture...

----------

"Mmm...smells good in here..." Misty smiled as she walked in the kitchen.

"Pipika pi chu!" Pikachu explained as he licked up his share of the leftover batter.

"Ril!" Ami agreed.

"Well, once these are ready, we'll be ready to go!" Brock assured the others.

"Ril ri?" Ami asked, geturing to the oven.

"The cookies are very hot when they come out..." Brock explained as he set the pan on the counter. "If you tried to eat them now, you'd get a big owie in your mouth...and you don't want that, do you?" Ami shook her head no...

"Goin' on a picnic, leavin' right away...if it doesn't rain, we'll stay all day!" Misty sang to Ami as she carried her out to the porch, where Swellow was waiting...  

[Karuta64]

Day 3: Afternoon

"Here we are, guys!" Ash announced as he laid the picnic blanket out and secured it with a few rocks.

"Azu ri?" Ami asked as she handed Ash another rock.

"Ash is doing that so the wind won't blow our food away." Brock explained as he gave Ami a piece of bread. "Here...start on this while I finish dividing up the food."

"Azu!" Ami chirped, then began nibbling on the bread...at least until she spotted the cookies lying next to the fruit. She was about to walk over and snatch one until....

"No, no, Ami...eat your bread first, then you can have a cookie." Misty assured Ami as she took a bite of her sandwich.

---------

After a while, the group relaxed in the grass, content from their picnic lunch. "That was so good, and the cookies were good as always..." Ash mused. "If only I knew what your special secret was..."

"Azu..." Ami started, but Pikachu covered her mouth before she could say any more.

"Thanks, Pikachu..." Brock chuckled. "I'd hate to see my special secret ingredient revealed!"

"Pika pi, Pipika." Pikachu giggled. "Pika pi pikachu?"

"Rill?" Ami agreed.

"Okay, I'll take you guys to the playground..." Ash assured the Pokemon as he got up from the grass and stretched. "But stay by me, okay? I don't want Team Rocket getting you guys."

"Azu azu rill?" Ami asked.

"Team Rocket is a group of people that do horrible and nasty things to Pokemon." Ash explained as he hoisted Ami on his shoulders. "I'd hate to see them catch you..."

"Ril..." Ami shuddered, afraid.

"Pika pika, Pipi! Pikachu pika pi!" Pikachu announced, his thunderbolt blanket fluttering out behind him like a cape.

"Zu!" Ami commanded, digging into Ash's shoulder.

"Ponyyyy-ta!" Ash cried, doing a PERFECT imitation of a Ponyta as he galloped off towards the playground, the other Pokemon in tow.

----------

Meanwhile, Team Rocket strolled along the path, enjoying the sunshine along with the other park patrons. Meowth, meanwhile, was chattering on about a secret base...

"...and when da Pokemon come in, I'll press a button on dis wand, causing all who hear da music to dance...at least until I toin it off." Meowth explained.

"Meowth, you're a genius!" James smiled as the group approached the playground. "Oh look, happy Pokemon..." he cooed as he watched Ash push Ami on the swings. Pikachu and Bulbasaur were climbing on the jungle gym, and Cyndaquil and Totodile took turns going down the slide. Swellow and Grovyle ran across the dirt in a game of aerial tag.

"They look like they're having fun..." Jessie smiled as she and James sat down on a park bench overlooking the playground.

"In fact, I'm gonna try my new toy on them..." Meowth sneered, unaware that an inquisitive Azurill was about to press the button...as she did so, a rousing polka blared from the stick!

"Whee!" Meowth cried in delight as he skipped across the grass.

"What's going on?" Ash ran over to check on the situation, only to find Jessie and James twirling about the grass, and Meowth turning cartwheels. Ami stood nearby, giggling with delight. "Well, aren't you clever, outwitting Team Rocket like that!" he cooed.

"Azu azu!" and Ami pressed another button, causing a waltz to drift across the hills.

"That should keep'em busy for a while!" Ash laughed as he hoisted Ami back onto his shoulders. "Ready for another Ponyta ride?" he smiled.

----------

Day 3: Evening

"...and then Ami found the dance stick Meowth was going to use, turning their own scheme against them!" Ash concluded his story about the day's adventure to Misty and Brock.

"I would've loved to see that!" Misty giggled.

Brock smiled at Ami. "You were very brave, little girl...you managed to outsmart some very mean people today...

"Azu azu rill..." Ami explained as she glanced out the window at the stars. "Azu azuririll rill..." she smiled as Pikachu joined her on the windowsill.

"You didn't want them to catch Pikachu?" Ash was surprised.

"That was very nice of you..." Misty cooed to Ami.

"Say..." and Brock pulled of a chair to the windowsill, where Ami and Pikachu lay, watching the stars twinkle in the dark sky. "Did you know there's a very special Pokemon that lives up in the sky?" he asked, pointing out into the night.

"Azu?" Ami asked, interested. "Rill azu?"

"He's called Jirachi." Brock began. "and he guards dreams and wishes..."

"Rill? Azu azu!" Ami begged.

"You want to see him? Well...he only comes down to Earth once every thousand years..." Brock explained. "and that's a very long time."

"Azu..." Ami sighed.

"However...Ash and I were lucky enough to see him the last time he came to Earth." Brock continued, pausing to grab a piece of paper. "I'll draw you a picture." and he sketched a rough drawing of Jirachi dancing in the night sky.

"Ril..." Ami was impressed.

"So...if you want to make a wish tonight...just close your eyes and tell Jirachi what you wish for...and if you see a star go across the sky, that means he heard your wish, and will grant it soon." Brock explained.

"Azu..." Ami closed her eyes. "Azuriri, rill azu ri rill." she mumbled, then turned to look out the window.

"Look!" Misty cried, pointing out a shooting star streaking by the window.

"Azuriri azu?" Ami smiled.

"Jirachi heard your wish, that's right." Ash smiled as he carried Ami back to the back room and tucked her into bed. "Sweet dreams." he whispered as he flicked off the lights.  

[Karuta64]

Day 4: Morning

"Last time, on 'Pokeguardians'..." the TV announced. "The Black Kingdom, under the rule of the evil Queen Garnetia, has arrived on Earth! Caught in the middle of this conflict is Cathrine, a mild-mannered 13-year-old who has plenty of other things to worry about other than saving the world...but when she receives a surprise visit from Articuno, one of the advisors of the lost Pokemon Kingdom, she rediscovers her identity as Karinai, Pokeguardian of Fearow..."

"Pika pi?" Pikachu asked as he watched the various images from the previous day's episode flash on the screen.

"You thought Karinai's tiara attack looked cool?" Ash chuckled. "Well, we're about to find out what happens to Karinai and Articuno today..." With that, he leaned back in the easy chair as the TV sang the 'Pokeguardians' theme song.

Just then, Misty walked in the room carrying a camera in one hand and Ami in the other. Just as she was about to set the camera down on the table, she stepped in front of the TV...

"Pika!" Pikachu snapped as he jumped across the blanket, trying to see the screen over Misty.

"Pikachu says 'down in front!' Ash laughed.

"Well if you don't mind, I've got to find a place to set this stuff down so I can go get ready..." Misty explained as she set down her camera and a few boxes of film on the coffee table. "I'm going to test out my new camera at the scenic overlook this afternoon."

"Sounds like fun!" Ash replied.

"Can I trust you to look after my camera while I take a shower?" Misty asked as she walked off towards the bathroom.

"Sure! I can do that!" Ash smiled as he turned his attention back to the TV.

---------

After a few minutes, Ash lay sprawled in the easy chair, asleep. Pikachu, meanwhile, took the opportunity to inspect Misty's camera. Just as he finished climbing on the table...

"Azu?" Ami wandered in the room, curious as to why Pikachu was perched on the coffee table.

"Pika..." and Pikachu eased himself the rest of the way upwards, so that he was in front of the camera. "Pika pi pika..." he explained, gesturing to the camera. "Pika chu..." and he pressed the shutter, making the flash go off!

"Ril!" Ami gasped, shielding her eyes from the bright light.

"...pi pika pikachu!" Pikachu continued, picking up the picture that had slid out of the camera.

"Azu..." Ami replied, giggling at the picture. "Azu rill! Azu rill!"

"Pika!" Pikachu waited as Ami made a silly face for the camera before pressing the shutter again.

"Cynda!" Cyndaquil raced in the room, piqued by the flashing light.

"Toto toto!" Totodile agreed.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu announced. He waited as Cyndaquil hugged Totodile close, then pressed the shutter again.

"Azuri?" Ami asked, modeling a small feather boa for the camera.

Cyndaquil stuck out his tongue as the flash went off again. Totodile also made a stupid face, eager to get his picture taken.

"AH HA!" a voice called, surprising the Pokemon! Brock stood in the doorway, a confident "I-caught-you-in-the-act!" smile on his face. "Didn't Misty say not to mess with the camera?" he asked as he loaded more film in the camera...

---------

Day 4: Afternoon

"That's strange..." Ash mused as he watched Brock attempt to feed Ami some mushrooms. "She's eaten all the other veggies I've given her, but every time I feed her those, she won't eat them!"

"Have you done the dump truck act?" Brock asked.

"Yeah..." Ash explained. "I've even done the airplane and the spaceship too, and those didn't work!"

"Then I have an idea..." and Brock cleared his throat. "It's-a me, Mario!" he began in a fake Italian accent. Ami just sighed as she studied the spoonful of mushrooms in Brock's hand.

"Uh, Brock? That doesn't sound realistic enough..." Ash began. "A little more 'ee' in 'It's-a' should do it..."

"Okay..." and Brock cleared his throat again. "It's-a me, Mario!" he cried, in a VERY realistic Mario voice. Ami thought this was wildly funny, and nearly fell to the floor laughing.

Brock sighed and returned the mushrooms to the can. "She thinks it's funny, at least..."

"Well..." Ash began as he put his plate in the sink. "Maybe she'll eat them for dinner..."

Just then, the door slammed. "I'm back!"

"Misty!" Ash smiled as Misty set her camera gear down on the table. "Did you get any nice pictures?"

"Oh yes, I did..." Misty replied as she grabbed a some bread, ham, cheese, and mustard from the pantry. "Did Ami eat the veggie mix I gave her?"

"She ate everything BUT the mushrooms..." Ash sighed. "Brock even tried doing his famous Mario impression, but that only cracked her up!"

Misty laughed. "Well, at least we know what to do when she refuses to eat..."  

[Karuta64]

Day 4: Afternoon

"Okay, Ami...it's time for your nap..." Misty cooed as she pulled back the covers in the crib and set a sleepy-eyed Ami inside. "You know what to do, Brock?"

"Oh no..." Brock stammered, making a run for the door. "I'll sing for her, but I'm not going to dance..."

"Well then, sing!" With that, Misty set the Pokemonitor to 'RECORD' and left the room.

"Hmm..." Brock thought for a minute, desprate for a song. "You're probably getting tired of me singing 'Rock-a-Bye Baby' aren't you?"

"Azu." Ami yawned.

"Well..." and Brock started for the door. "Wait there, I'm gonna go find something a little more upbeat to sing..."

----------

"Are you sure you want me to play with you?" Ash asked as he followed Brock into the back room, both carrrying instruments. "I mean, I'm not that great at the saxophone...at least not yet."

Brock winced. "Yeah, I remember Misty complaining the last time you practiced..." and he spoke in a voice that sounded very similar to Misty's, "Ash! If you don't stop that noise right now, I'm going to shove your instrument down your throat!" Ami thought this was wildly funny, and burst out laughing until she caught the hiccups.

"That was pretty good, Brock!" Ash laughed. "Where do you get all your impressions? I actually thought you were Misty there for a moment!"

"Easy...lots and lots of practice." Brock replied as he settled in his chair with his guitar and tuned up. "Want to hear me do Professor Oak?"

"Yeah!" Ash laughed.

Brock cleared his throat, then spoke in Professor Oak's voice, "According to my research, one of these little guys managed to hurl themselves farther than 33 feet!" Ami laughed even more at this.

"Now do May!" Ash begged.

"Oh, I wish I had a Beautifly of my own!" Brock replied in May's voice.

"Pika pika pikachu!" Pikachu suggested.

"Do a Mightyena howl? I don't know..." Brock was unsure. "That might scare Ami."

"Pika?" Pikachu begged.

"Okay..." and Brock took a deep breath, letting loose with a loud and realistic Mightyena howl. "AROOOO-Hoo-hoo-hoo!"

"Brock! Misty called from downstairs, stopping Brock mid-howl. "Stop scaring Ami and sing!"

"Okay...I guess that means I can't yodel for her either..." Brock sighed, continuing to tune his guitar.

"Go on, Brock!" Ash begged, "Yodel for her!"

"All right then..." and Brock launched into a rollicking melody, complimented with a loud "O-del-lo-i-day, o-hi-day-i-day-i, ay-di-di, ay-i-di, o-del-lo-hi-day-hi-di..."

"A-HEM!!!!" came a voice from downstairs, stopping Brock mid-song.

"Sorry, Misty!" Brock stammered. "Got a little too carried away in my lullaby!"

"That didn't sound like a lullaby to me!" Misty yelled back. "Now, do it right this time!"

"Guess I'd better sing the song I was originally going to sing..." and Brock started a simple bluesy melody on his guitar...

I'm walkin', yes indeed and I'm talkin'...
About you and me, I'm hopin'...
That you'll come back to me, yeah-yeah...

Pikachu led the clapping as Brock continued:

I'm lonely, as I can be, I'm waitin'...
For your company, I'm hopin'...
That you'll come back to me!

What you gonna do when the well runs dry?
You gonna run away and hide?
I'm gonna run right by your side!
For you, pretty baby, I'll even die!

I'm walkin', yes indeed and I'm talkin'...
About you and me, I'm hopin'...
That you'll come back to me!


Ami started to laugh and dance to the song as Ash started his own melody on sax, complimenting Brock's guitar. After the two finished a rousing duet, Brock contued to sing:

I'm walkin', yes indeed and I'm talkin'...
About you and me, I'm hopin'...
That you'll come back to me, mm-mm...

I'm lonely, as I can be, I'm waitin'...
For your company, I'm hopin'...
That you'll come back to me!

What you gonna do when the well runs dry?
You're gonna sit right down and cry?
What you gonna do when I say bye-bye?
All you gonna do is dry your eye!

I'm walkin', yes indeed and I'm talkin'...
About you and me, I'm hopin'
That you'll come back to me!

"Azu azuri!" Ami giggled as the song continued.

"Again?" Brock laughed as he continued the simple melody. "Okay, sing along with me!" he cried as he began the song again: "I'm walkin', yes indeed and I'm talkin'...
About you and me, I'm hopin'...
That you'll come back to me...

---------

"Is Ami sleeping all right?" Misty asked when she came into the room.

"Actually..." Ash snickered. "I think Brock needs the nap more than Ami does!"

"Why?" and Misty turned to look at Brock relaxed in his chair, asleep, but still strumming the simple melody from earlier. "That must be a easy song if Brock can play it in his sleep..."

"Or he's playing it in his dream!" Ash smiled as he trooped downstairs. "If you need me, I'll be in my room."

"Okay...and Misty sat down next to the crib, where Ami lay snoozing. "You like the song Brock's playing?" she asked.

"Zu.." Ami just yawned and changed positions....  

[Karuta64]

Day 4: Afternoon

Ash sighed, content as he organized his Super NES games in preparation to play. "Now that Ami's asleep, I can FINALLY relax!" he thought as he selected a game, switched the system on, and began playing, paying no heed to the pounding of Brock's feet as he ran to the back room.

"See...we didn't leave you..." Brock assured Ami as he carried her into Ash's room and got comfortable before the TV, where Ash was busy guiding Mario and Yoshi through enemy infested waters.

Ami climbed to the top of the chair to get a better look at the TV screen. "Azu ri?" she asked, pointing out the controls Ash was gripping.

"Those are controls Ash uses to manipulate the pictures on the screen." Brock explained, reaching for the spare controller that lay next to Ash. "See? The plus makes the person move..." he explained, pointing out the D-pad.

"Zu rill?" Ami interrupted, curious to learn about the pictures dancing across the TV screen.

"Okay, I'll tell you the story of the game..." and Brock grabbed the "Super Mario World" strategy guide Ash was referring to and turned it to the page with the story on it, being careful not to lose Ash's place. "Okay...one day, Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach traveled to a place called Dinosaur Land..." he began, gesturing to the pictures of Mario, Luigi, and Peach at the top of the page. "When they got there, Luigi found a magic feather that gave you a cape when you touched it...so he and Mario used the feathers to fly around and explore. But, when they got back several hours later, Princess Peach was nowhere to be found!"

"Azu ri Azuri?" Ami asked, anxious to know what happened next.

"And then what happened, you ask?" Brock smiled. "Mario and Luigi searched all over for Peach, but didn't find her...that only meant one thing: the evil Bowser had kidnapped Peach!" He paused to point out a picture of Bowser on the right side of the page.

"Rill..." Ami shuddered, afraid of the picture.

"So in order to win the game, you have to defeat Bowser and rescue Peach." Brock concluded, thumbing the guide back to the page Ash was on.

"Rill?" Ami asked, pointing out a spotted object on the screen that Ash was running to catch.

"That's a mushroom..." Brock explained. "If you catch it...Mario gets bigger."

"Azu..." Ami was impressed...until she saw a flower on the screen. "Ril ri?"

"That's a Fire Flower...grab that and you can shoot fire."

Just then, Misty walked in carrying the can of mushrooms from earlier. "Come on, it's time for your dinner." she whispered to Ami as she carried her into the kitchen.

"You know...maybe if you dress up as Mario and tell her the mushrooms will make her bigger, she'll eat them!" Ash suggested, pausing his game long enough to stretch his arms.

"Great idea!" and Brock raced from the room...

---------

"Now, I know I had those overalls here someplace..." Brock mused as he searched his closet. A red shirt, a pair of loafers, a pair of white gloves, a replica Mario hat, and a fake Mario mustache lay in a pile on his bed.

"Looking for these?" Ash asked, holding a pair of overalls in the air.

"Yes, thanks..." Brock took the overalls from Ash and settled in on his bed to put on his makeshift costume...

---------

Meanwhile, Team Rocket watched the house from the security of a large mecha. "There they are...that's where our target is..." James began.

"Now, da plan, again?" Meowth asked as he piloted the large turtle-like mecha into the backyard.

"We wait until the twerps come outside, then grab the Azurill using BOW 3000's tongue, and leave..." James explained. "This isn't a hard operation, you know...

"Okay den..." and Meowth motioned to Jessie. "Scorch da bushes so they can't get away!"

"Beginning Fire Cannon operation..." and Jessie pressed a button on the weapons control panel, causing the turtle mecha to open its mouth and fire a huge flame blast, scorching a small bush.

---------

Ash struggled to stand and balance Brock on his shoulders at the same time. "Gee, what did you have for breakfast today? Cement?" he complained.

"Nope, just the same thing I have for breakfast every day..." Brock replied.

"Well, did you really have go so far as making me be Yoshi?" Ash sighed as he trudged into the kitchen, where Misty was trying again to feed Ami mushrooms.

"Look, Ami..." Misty smiled, pointing in the direction of the entryway. "Mario and Yoshi are here."

"Ril?" Ami gasped in surprise.

"It's-a me, Mario!" Brock started as he climbed off of Ash. Ami just laughed with delight. "You know, those-a mushrooms will make-a you Super, like-a me!"

"Ril..." and Ami opened her mouth, allowing Misty time to shove a mushroom inside. She chewed for a while, swallowed...then cried with surprise as she bounced high into the air. "Ril ril ri!"

"You like them?" Misty asked, offering another spoonful to Ami, until she noticed some charred bushes in the yard. "Guys! There's a big turtle in the yard scorching the bushes!"

Ash suddenly realized what was going on, and who could possibly be doing such a thing as scorching bushes. "Team Rocket!" With that, he led the others outside.

---------

"Oh my..." Ash looked shocked at the large turtle-like monstrosity that was stomping through the yard, scorching any bushes in the way.

"Wha..." Misty was also just as scared. Just then, the mecha's arms reached out and grabbed Ami from Misty's arms! "HEY!"

"AMI!!!" Ash tried his hardest to grab onto the mecha and grab Ami, but was knocked aside as Ami was reeled closer and closer to capture.

"Azuriiii!" Ami cried, trying to get free from the mecha's clutches...

----------

"We've almost got it!" James smailed he reeled Ami up towards the entrance door at the mecha's head. He was about to open the door, when he felt a sudden jolt, followed by the sensation of being lifted in the air. "What was that?"

Meowth looked down at the ground below and watched Ash make a diving catch as Ami slipped from the mecha's arms. "I tink someone lifted us in the air..." Just then, the view from the mecha began to spin around, slowly at first, then getting faster. "and I'm getting dizzy!"

"We're flying off again!" all three Rockets cried as they hurtled into the sky...

---------

"So long-ee, Bowser!" Brock snickered as he watched the mecha disappear with a *ping*

Misty was shocked! "I didn't know you were that strong, Brock!" she began as she led the way inside...

"Easy..." Brock smiled as he began to take off his costume. "When you do a lot of lifting, it just comes naturally...not to mention that the mecha was pretty light to begin with."

"Well...your little princess wants to thank you..." Ash smiled as he watched Ami give Brock a kiss on the cheek...

Day 4, Evening

"I don't know about you, Ami...but I'm tired..." Brock yawned as he watched Misty tuck Ami in for the night.

"She's been through a lot today..." Ash noted. "Including almost getting caught by Team Rocket!"

"Azu azuri Ririril azu ri!" Ami laughed as Misty pulled the covers over her.

"That's right...Mario rescued you...my little princess." Brock cooed. "Now...what should we sing tonight?

"Azu ri ri azu!" Ami begged.

"You want all three of us to sing?" Ash was surprised. He thought for a moment, then asked, "Any ideas for a song we can all sing?"

"Let's do the one about the lion!" Brock suggested, fumbling for a pitch pipe. "Here's your note..." and he blew a single note in Ash's direction.

Ash hummed the note, then began singing "I-di-di-di-i-di-di-di-di, lee-um-bumba-way...i-di-di-di-i-di-di-di-di, lee-um-bumba-way..."

Brock hummed a drone as Ash sang "I-di-di-di-i-di-di-di-di, lee-um-bumba-way..." one more time, then led the others into a three part chant of
"A-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh..."

Misty sang a soft backup melody as Ash began to sing over Brock's chant:

"In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight...
In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight..."

Brock continued to sing "A-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh..." while Ash and Misty sang "Ooooooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, lee-um-bum-bumba-way...Ooooooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, lee-um-bum-bumba-way..."

"Near the village, the peaceful village, the lion sleeps tonight..." Ash continued.
"Near the village, the peaceful village, the lion sleeps tonight..."

"Ooooooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, lee-um-bum-bumba-way..." Misty joined in with Ash again. "Ooooooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, lee-um-bum-bumba-way..."

Ami laughed with delight as the chorus of three voices: a bass, a harmony, and a melody blended together in a three part chant of "A-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh, a-wim-o-weh..." once again.

Ash then knelt nearby Ami and quietly sang "Hush my darling, don't cry, my darling, the lion sleeps tonight...
Hush my darling, don't fear, my darling, the lion sleeps tonight..." He waited for Misty to join him as he sang:

"Ooooooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, lee-um-bum-bumba-way...Ooooooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, lee-um-bum-bumba-way... The group sang this a few more times, then Ash slowly sang "I-di-di-di-i-di-di-di-di, lee-um-bumba-way...i-di-di-di-i-di-di-di-di, lee-um-bumba-way..." as he switched off the light, leaving Ami to sleep...  

[Karuta64]

Day 5, Morning

"Morning!" Ash called as Misty and Brock trudged down the stairs, both groggy eyed.

"Mrrgh..." was Misty's only reponse as she set Ami on the table and began feeding her.

"Unnngh..." Brock grunted in agreement.

Ash was puzzled. "Why are you guys so tired this morning?"

"Ami kept us up late crying..." Misty groaned.

"Note to self: Don't tell Ami scary stories before bedtime..." Brock sighed before lying his head on the table, using a towel as a pillow.

Ash looked over as Ami, who was happily scarfing down spoonfuls of cereal. "What kind of scary story did Brock tell you last night?"

"Ri ri rill!" and Ami threw a napkin over herself to illustrate her point. "Ooooh...."

"The one about a scary ghost?" Ash asked, pausing to remove the napkin from Ami befor she crashed into the cabinet, disoriented.

"Next time..." Misty cautioned. "Sing for her or tell her a happy story, okay?"

"Okay..." Brock yawned before changing positions.

---------

Later, Ash relaxed on the couch, watching it rain. "I wish it wasn't raining...then we could go down to the lake and rent a sailboat..." he mused...until he felt the sensation of something climbing on him. "Huh?"

"Ril azu..." Ami sighed as she climbed up onto Ash's shoulder.

"You're bored? Then what would you like to do?" Ash smiled.

"Azu azu ri..." Ami replied.

"Go outside? Well we can't go outside right now, or we'd get all wet!" Ash laughed. At that moment, Ami burst out into a full volume wail.

"What's wrong?" Misty raced into the room, anxious about Ami's cries.

"She's bored..." Ash explained, setting some paper and a box of crayons before Ami. "There you go...you could draw pictures while we wait for the rain to stop..."

"Ril..." Ami set to work scribbling away at the paper.

"Pika pi..." Pikachu grabbed a stray yellow crayon and a piece of paper for himself, then began drawing a sun in one corner.

"Azu?" Ami asked, pointing at another yellow crayon.

"Pi..." Pikachu replied, offering Ami the yellow crayon he had been using...

---------

"So, you gave them crayons and paper and that quieted her down?" Misty asked.

"Yeah...they've been coloring for the past hour now..." Ash mused. "That should've been more than enough time to give us time to relax."

"Well, Brock is in there sawing logs..." Misty laughed as she gestured to the bedroom, where some soft snoring could be heard inside.

"I would be tired too if I had to get up and check on Ami every three seconds..." Ash replied, getting up from his chair and starting towards the living room.

"I think I'll go watch TV..." Misty agreed. "Besides, the Pokemon will be busy drawing pretty pict-AUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!"

"What?" Ash raced over and looked inside the room, where Misty stood agape at the mural of crude drawings gracing the front wall.

"Rill?" Ami smiled, proud of her's and Pikachu's masterpiece.

"Pika pi pi chu, Pikachupi, pi Pipika..." Pikachu explained, gesturing to stick figures of Ash, Misty, and Brock standing in a grassy field with flowers dotting it. "Pika chu Pipi..." A stick figure of Ami was nearby, splashing in a small puddle.

"Azu Ri!" Ami grabbed some crayons and drew a stick figure Togepi in the stick figure Misty's hands.

"Chu...pika chu Pipipi..." Pikachu giggled as he drew a hat on the stick figure Ash's head.

"What's the matter?" Brock asked as he trooped down the stairs. "What...happened...here....oh my..."

"I'll get the soap while you put those two in time out!" Misty called as she rushed out.

Day 5, Afternoon

"Hungry?" Ash cooed to Ami as he put some groceries in the pantry.

"Rill..." Ami replied...hungrily admiring the meat, cheese, and candy going on the shelves.

"Well, Brock promised us that he'd make pizza for lunch...and that it'll be ready by the time you wake up from your nap, okay?"

"Azu..." Ami yawned as Ash carried her upstairs to the back room--where Brock was waiting, guitar in hand--and tucked her in.

"Misty says no silly songs, Mightyena howls or yodeling..." Ash cautioned as he left.

"I know..." Brock assured Ash, then turned his attention to Ami. "The story I want to tell you...is about a young mermaid--we'll call her Lina--who wished to see the human world..." he began as he tuned his guitar. "Although try as she might, her father forbid her to even look upon a human..."

"Azu ri rill?" Ami asked.

"Then what happened?" Brock smiled. "One night, a great ship sailed through the mermaid's cove, just as Lina surfaced to sit upon her favorite rock. She noticed all the humans aboard the ship, and was fascinated by their songs and dancing...but before she could swim up for a closer look, a terrible storm swept through, knocking one particular boy overboard!"

"Azu?" Ami asked.

"What did Lina do? She swam out and helped the boy, saving him from a watery fate." Brock continued, beginning to play a relaxing melody as he continued the story. "However, the boy was badly wounded, and Lina wanted to do something to help him...so she took his hand in hers and sang to him...her song went something like this..." and Brock slightly quickened his tempo as he began singing:

"A rolling wind blows from the sea in so many colors...
Rolling on, towards the shore and to the sky...
The song that I hear in my heart, as the bright sun rises...
Is a song, that I've known, since my youngest days!

The birds they fly, up to the sky, the breeze guiding them on to the east...
I...will follow them...I follow them on as a guide!

Seven seas together, they are paradise,
That will grant me peace in the midst of the storm
My broken spirit will rise again and will live forever just to say "I love you!"

The songs of seven countries will unite as one
Exactly as the dark night gives way to the dawn!
Everyone will leave their cares behind
And the greatest love of all, they won't forget!...."

Amazingly, Ami had fallen asleep just as Brock concluded the song. "Sweet dreams..." he whispered as he got up and left.

----------

"...I got to the part about Lina singing, and right after I finished singing the song, Ami was out like a light!" Brock smiled as he spread sauce across the fresh pizza dough.

"Well, maybe you ought to invent more mermaid stories with a song in them!" Ash suggested. "Make up some friends for Lina!"

"Yeah, and make them sing too!" Misty agreed.

"Maybe I'll do that..." Brock mused. "But knowing Ami, she'll probably go to sleep right after the song!" With that, he set the first pizza pan in the oven.  

[Karuta64]

Day 5, Afternoon

"Hello there, Ami..." Misty cooed as Ash carried her into the kitchen. "Pizza's cooking...but why isn't she sleeping, Ash?"

"She was fussing and complaining, so I brought her in here in hopes that some food would calm her down." Ash explained.

"Azu ri ri..." Ami protested as Ash set her on the table.

"I know you're hungry, but this takes a while..." Brock assured Ami as he kneaded the dough. "In fact..." and he reached to turn on the radio, where the orchestra was playing a rousing song, with the singer singing a rendition of "Lesti! Lesti! via, montiam su la!
Lesti! Lesti! via, montiam su la!
Funiculi funicula, funiculi funicula,
Via, montiam su la, funiculi funicula...."

"Ril?" Ami was confused.

"What does that mean?" Brock asked. "Here, I'll sing the translation for you as the singer sings it." He waited until the singer began again, then sang as he worked:

Some think the world is made for fun and frolic, and so do I!
And so do I! Misty and Ash echoed as they rushed to get more supplies. The kitchen soon turned into a rush of song and activity...
Some think it well to be all melancholic,
To pine and sigh...
To pine and sigh,
But I, I love to spend my time in singing, some joyous song... Brock sang as he sprinkled cheese onto the waiting pizza.
Some joyous song, Ash chorused as he set more cheese on the counter
To set the air with music bravely ringing, is far from wrong!
Is far from wrong!

Listen! Listen! echoes sound afar! Brock sang, skipping across the floor as he returned with more pizza supplies.
Listen! Listen! echoes sound afar!
Funiculi funicula, funiculi funicula,
Echoes sound afar! funiculi, funicula.

Listen! Listen! echoes sound afar!
Listen! Listen! echoes sound afar!
Funiculi funicula, funiculi funicula,
Echoes sound afar! funiculi, funicula. everyone else joined in, including Ami.

Some think it wrong to set the feet a-dancing,
But not so I; But not so I... Brock continued as he worked.
Some think that eyes should keep from coyly glancing
Upon the sly!, Upon the sly!...
But oh! to me the mazy dance is charming,
Divinely sweet, Divinely sweet... Misty chimed in as she passed the sauce to Brock.
And surely there is nought that is alarming
In nimble feet? In nimble feet? Ash couldn't resist copying the skip dance Brock was doing as he worked.

Misty led the chorus as she kneaded her own ball of dough:
Listen! Listen! music sounds afar!
Listen! Listen! music sounds afar!
Funiculi funicula, funiculi funicula,
Music sounds afar! funiculi, funicula.

Listen! Listen! music sounds afar!
Listen! Listen! music sounds afar!
Funiculi funicula, funiculi funicula,
Music sounds afar! funiculi, funicula.

Ah me! 'tis strange that some should take to sighing,
And like it well; And like it well... Ash sang as he danced across the kitchen floor with more sauce.
For me, I have not thought it worth the trying,
So cannot tell! So cannot tell! At this, Pikachu swept Ami in his paws and tried to teach her the skipping dance the others were doing.
With laugh and dance and song the day soon passes,
Full soon is gone, Full soon is gone, Brock sang as he set one finished pizza on the cooling rack, then placed a second pan in the oven.
For mirth was made for joyous lads and lasses
To call their own! To call their own! Misty sang as she began putting toppings on her pizza.

Listen! Listen! hark! the soft guitar!
Listen! Listen! hark! the soft guitar!
Funiculi funicula, funiculi funicula,
Hark! the soft guitar! funiculi funicula. Brock continued...

Listen! Listen! hark! the soft guitar!
Listen! Listen! hark! the soft guitar!
Funiculi funicula, funiculi funicula,
Hark! the soft guitar! funiculi funicula... The others continued singing as they worked...

---------

"Okay! All done!" Misty called as she cut a slice of pizza for Ami. "Wasn't that fun?"

"Pika, pika, pika pika chu; pika, pika, pika pika chu...." Pikachu was still singing and doing the skip dance. Ami laughed with delight as she took a bite of her pizza.

"I think she liked singing 'Funiculi, Funicula', eh Brock?" Ash smiled. "How did you know the all the words to the song?"

"I heard it in a movie once..." Brock replied as he put his plate in the sink. "Speaking of movies...who wants to watch a movie with our pizza?"

"Ooh! I do!" Misty cried, hurrying over to the movie cabinet. "Let's see..." and she started thumbing through the wide array of tapes and DVDs...

"Just don't pick anything too scary, okay?" Ash called after her. Misty just selected a tape, inserted it in the VCR, and pressed 'PLAY'. Ami oohed and ahhed as a shining rainbow castle appeared on the screen, where various fairies of different colors flitted about as the opening credits to the movie rolled by.

"Relax..." Misty assured Ash as she settled onto the couch. "I don't think 'The Journey to Fairyland' is that scary...

"I don't know...Jhudora the dark fairy might scare Ami..." Brock cautioned. At that second, a great thunderbolt streaked acrossed the screen, revealing a purple and black clad fairy sitting atop a storm cloud. Ami began to shiver and whine, fearful over what the dark creature on the screen was going to do next. She covered her eyes in fear as the dark fairy cackled with delight...

"Here..." Ash reached for the remote and hit 'FAST FOWARD', causing the scene of Jhudora's lair to go racing by. After a few tense minutes, the scene switched into a grassy field, where some earth fairies were gathering flowers. "There we go..."

Brock calmly stroked the shaking Azurill lying on the couch. "It's okay, you can look now." Ami tensely uncovered her eyes for a moment, then chomped down on her pizza as she studied the TV screen.

"I have the remote handy to zip through the scary parts." Ash assured the others, waving the remote in the air to prove his point.

"Azu ri?" Ami asked, curious.

"Ash has all the buttons that control the movie." Misty explained. "so when the scary fairy comes on, all Ash has to do is hit a button, and the movie will go really fast, so you don't have to see her!"

"Ril..." Ami smiled, but gasped as Jhudora appeared on the screen before the crowd of fairies. "IIIIII!!!!!"

"Hit the 'YIPE!!!' button, quick!" Misty called. Ash calmly hit the 'FAST FOWARD' button until the scene shifted to a lagoon. "See? The movie went by fast, didn't it?"

Brock sighed. "Leave it to an Azurill to make a two hour movie last thirty minutes..."

Day 5, Evening.

Later, Ami lay on Ash's lap, watching the images of a Rapidash in a forest dance across the TV screen. "Ril?" she asked, gesturing to the remote.

"What does this do? It controls the TV." Ash explained. "Hit this button here..." and he lightly pressed the 'VOLUME +' button, making the music get louder. "and the sound gets louder."

"Azu ri?" Ami gestured to the buttons marked "CHANNEL +" and "CHANNEL -".

"Those change the picture, so if you got bored watching the Rapidash run to the pretty music..." and he changed the channel, where the news was on. "and you can listen to the news guy talk about what happened in the world today..." Ami just yawned and curled up on Ash's lap as Ash returned the TV to the previous channel....