Chapter 9:
Intro to - Fifi and Shirley

It was a beautiful night in Paris and everything was going great to one of its citizens in particular. ‘This city is always so beautiful to be.’ The person in particular thought while gazing down at all of the lights of her city.

“Personally, I don’t see why people are so gaga over this small town’s beauty.” A voice behind her spoke as he walked from the doorway, and toward the balcony’s edge. Once there he wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered softly into her ear, “Since I have seen the most beautiful thing EVER way back at the Looniversity.” His soft and true words made her giggle sweetly.

“Oh, Ash, you know exactly what to say.” The woman said back before breaking from his grip, playfully slamming her long, purple tail in his face before wrapping her arms around his neck. “To make me feel even more happy.” She muttered to add to her first statement before resting her head on his well tone chest. As she rested there the young skunk could not help but think of a couple of conversations she had with her friends not too long ago:

“I wanted Ash as much as any girl back home, but I am quite happy with Buster.” An adult pink said to her through a phone call to the purple furred one. The dramatic one of the female trio had done quite well with herself of being a very successful actress, and always was able to be with Buster when the show or movie that she starred in had some sort of romantic lead involved.

“I know that I had sent you death threat after death threat since he professed his love to you back at the Looniversity, but I’ve grown to accept it. That Ash was never meant to be with me, and really wanted to be by your side.” Shirley’s phone call stated to the skunk, and knew that her friend was having a happy life with Plucky with him as a professional stuntman, and her as a professional phone psychic.

‘Both have been doing good since school, and I’m glad that I still have their friendship even after I have the man we’ve all been pining for.’ Fifi thought to herself while trying not to think of that one other dream of seeing Ash in the arms of a blue haired canine with Paris as the background. The smelly seductress’ thoughts were cut short as she heard her lover’s voice.

“Lovely Fifi, there’s something I’ve wanted to say to you ever since we met in the cafeteria all those years ago.” The former trainer said to her in a soothing tone of voice. That tone of voice sent happy shivers through her whole body.

“Yes, what is it?” She asked back as she rested her chin on his chest as she gazed up at the human. As soon as he opened his mouth an alarm clock sound erupted from his pie hole causing her to wake from her slumber.

“It was only another dream. A dream I wish to become true.” The actual Fifi said to herself before looking down and the one responsible for such imagery: a romance book taken place in Paris, France.

‘At least it wasn’t like the last dream. Man, with that dream you weren’t able to even look at Ash the same for a couple of weeks. Remember?’ The darker side of the skunk thought to the rest of her mind.

‘Don’t remind me of that dream. At least now I will be able to face him with some dignity.’ The logical side of her mind thought back to the darker side that wanted her to become one with the seven sins of man; it tried another one.

“What about the dream you dubbed 69.A?” The inner voice of naughty questioned coyly as the body was trying to get the first of many books together.

‘Ah, that one was a good one.’ Fifi thought with a smile as she recalled what exactly was going on in it. The thoughts of said even were quite intoxicating, but she was still able to stay focused.

“So, you like it simple so what about your feelings about the first dream?” The bad side questioned to the softer side which made the skunk think of said moment. It was nothing bad or mature - the two of them sitting at the ledge of the center tower of school - overlooking the rising sun of Acme Acres.

‘Yes, your right. That is just the moment I needed to think of.’ The logical side thought to her as she reached for a couple more books along with the homework from last night. Now that she was in a better mood her darker side sent her images of dream 69/21+ causing her to come up with a way to shut that voice down. ‘It doesn’t hurt as much, but I have to do it.’ Fifi thought as she dug out the script to ‘Out of odor’, and began to read.

‘No! Not that! Anything, but that script!’ The darker voice thought back before fading away into the recesses of her mind - allowing her to focus on the not so adult dreams in peace on her way to school. Back at Ash’s home a powerful sneeze woke him from a dreamless sleep.

“A sneeze? I hope I’m not coming down with something.” The hero said to himself, and then heard his alarm going off. “At least this time I not only set my alarm, but beat it as well.” He said while turning it off. The moment that device was turned off his phone rang, so he decided to answer it. “Hello?” He asked politely into the receiver.

“Ash, man, it’s great to hear your voice again.” The person on the other end informed. It didn’t take too long for Ketchum to realize who’s voice that was speaking to him.
“It sure has! It’s great to hear from you, Rita. I would have called sooner, but this last while has been really intense for me.” The monster tamer informed to his first feline friend in this strange world.

“Yes, I know that you’ve become fast friends with the teachers their along with their self defense teacher - Penelope Cat.” The gray furred woman informed before covering her mouth with both front paws because of her blunder.

“Yes, I…wait. How do you know that, Rita?” Ash questioned and seemed concerned that she knew that without him telling her first. The cat on the other end had to think of something, and fast before he could ask her a deeper question.

“Thaddeus has been telling us about your progress over there because Bugs has told him, and he has been telling all of us.” His…roommate informed him, and sighed out of relief that he seemed to accept that as truth.

“I’d love to keep talking to you, but I am seriously starving.” Ketchum informed her, and with a simple good-bye between the two they hung up, and Ash got some Breakfast ready. It was nothing too out there; just a simple: bowl of cereal, two pieces of toast, one glass of milk, one glass of orange juice, and a bowl of apple slices. After eating all of those things he headed to the bathroom, but was stopped by the phone again.

“Ash, I heard that Rita called so, I decided to call as well.” The voice on the other side stated as soon as he picked it up, and put it to his ear. With the emphasis on the letter ‘s’ Ketchum knew who it was.

“Good morning, Cobra Queen, it’s good to hear from you. Like I said to Rita I would have called more often, but I’ve been a little preoccupied with school is all.” Ash informed her while glancing at the clock and saw that it read 7:45, so he had a little time to kill.

“I hope the teachers there have been treating you good. If not: I could have some of my children pay them a visit.” The scaly woman informed which caused the monster tamer to smile a bit.

“No, everyone has been treating me just fine. No need to go to that level of extreme.” The handy man of the studio lot explained to her with that calm tone of his. The leader of the snakes smiled at hearing that tone of voice since it was always nice to hear. “I’d love to keep talking, but I have to get ready for school. I promise that I will call you and the others tonight, and every night while I’m here.” He proclaimed to her.

“You’d better. I hope that you are keeping that skin of yours as pristine there as you did here.” The reptilian ruler informed and mentally cursed Tina for griming you up with copier goo.

“I’m bathing. Don’t worry, and I really got to go, so…bye.” He said back to her before receiving a farewell from her, and hung up the phone. Ash then took a quick shower, potty break, and brushed teeth. He then gathered his things and headed outside with backpack in hand. “I’m almost out of time, but a speed factor will change all of that.” Ash stated and was about to go for the Ultimatrix until he heard his phone through the door. Even though a part of him wanted the person to wait, so he could get to class on time; another thought it could be terrible news - news that needed his help, so he went inside.

“Oh good, you’re still there, Ash. With all of those rings I thought I didn’t catch you at home.” The sweet with honey voice of Minerva Mink, and he knew that voice anywhere.

“You sort of caught me at a bad time I was just about to head to school, but I guess I could talk a little bit more.” Ash said back to her, and then listened to her patiently - answering questions when she wanted her opinion on things. It was then she asked a question similar to the other two.

“So, has their gym teacher been treating you okay. She hasn’t been giving you any suggestive looks or anything; has she?” The yellow and white furred woman question, and seemed a little protective when it came to that particular teacher.

“I don’t think she has, and I am sure that she values her job then to be really close to any one student. Don’t worry - everything is just fine.” Ash informed her before looking over at the kitchen and saw that it was 7:57. “I’ll talk to you later tonight, but right now I really have to go.” He said to her before saying good-bye.

“Good-bye, Ash.” Minerva said on her end before hearing the click of him hanging up on her end. At the studio everything seemed to have lost its happiness to it since he left them. The real reason that the girls knew so much about his progress was because Rita threatened to eat Brain if he didn’t make a personal satellite to watch over Ash while he was away.

“Now, time for a little speed to get to school on time.” Ash proclaimed as he was outside, and activated the Ultimatrix for a speed hero, but didn’t get it.

“This is so not who I was going for, but I can still make it work.” The new form informed himself before taking to the sky, Unknown to him was that a friend of his was already almost there.

‘These dreams are always good to think of.’ Fifi thought with a smile on her face as she was closing the distance between her and school. The fuzzy one thought of the kid friendly dreams: Ash proposing to her, the two of them going out on a movie, and the two of them having kids. The problem was that she was so far into her day dreaming that she didn’t realize that she was when the symbol told her not to.

“Man, it’s good to be free from that crazy red head, and now I can get my career back on track.” A driver said aloud as he came to a red light. At that time he saw a familiar creature coming to the intersection. ‘That’s the skunk that turned me into a laughing stock at that movie theater.’ The man thought and saw that fortune was kind to him as he saw the green light in front of him and the lady that dumped him crossing his path.

‘Almost there.’ A flier thought before hearing the sound of burning rubber. Interested he used his bottom set of eyes, and did not like what he was seeing. “I don’t think so.” The insect said aloud before dive-bombing, and pressing the hourglass symbol on his face for another body.

“Swampfire!” The new form shouted out before reaching into himself, pulling out a few seeds, threw them at the ground, and created a wall of thorns to protect his skunk friend. Still a few moments before he landed the hero decided to try to transform again. “Ultimate Swampfire!” The creature shouted out, and just before his feet hit the pavement he sprayed some of his blue gunk all over the car even though he didn’t know why.

“Alright. Who’s the guy that dares to interfere with my revenge on the girl that made me, Johnny Pew, into a laughing stock in front of all of my fans.” The driver shouted out as he did not notice the brown and blue creature standing beside him.

‘Johnny Pew?’ The transformed trainer thought to himself before turning to face the male skunk behind him. “Let me get this straight. You are wanting to run down a former lovestruck fan because she threw you out of a movie theater for acting like a jerk.” The pile of wood calmly asked, and a part of him would disagree, but he did not.

“Of course I am you lousy piece of driftwood, so tear down your weeds so I can finish her.” The snobby skunk shouted out at him, but that was when something strange overcame Ash: a feeling that he only got when he was around Pokemon Hunter J.

“Run.” The ultimate methanosian informed as he snapped his left finger and a small flame appeared on it. He then tapped the blue stuff which caused it to blaze instantly. At that moment the male skunk fled his car from the other side before it exploded.

‘I hope Ash is okay over there.’ Fifi thought as she nobly stood on the other side of the wall, and waited for him since she knew that only one of his alien forms could have done it.

“Oh, right, the other roadblock.” Ultimate Swampfire stated before going back to normal Swampfire, and motioned for his plant to go back into the earth. He then tended to the blaze that still raged.

“Heatblast!” The flame elemental shouted out before absorbing the flames into his body. He felt the gaze from the looky-loos and decided to take care of that with ease.

“Jury Rigg!” The new creature shouted out before tending to the mess. “Fix! Fix, fix, fix!” The gremlin like creature went to work on the lump of metal before him, and in no time at all a new car was standing there, and it really looked cutting edge. After some button mashing the vehicle flew away, and Ash returned to his human form.

“Sorry that you all had to see that, but from what I’ve heard that guy really treated my friend really badly, so I had to do something. All of you know that I would never want someone’s death by my hands.” The trainer informed them, and all of them accepted it since everyone knew that the star that almost ran down a student was a jerk, so to them torching his car was okay.

“We forgive you, kid. Just get your girlfriend, and get out of the street. Some of us have jobs to get to.” Another driver shouted out causing both in question to become a little flustered, but they did as that man said.

“Sorry about that, Fifi. How about I carry your books as a way to get over what happened in the streets.” Ash said, and before she could refuse he already had her bags in his hands, and headed to the stairs.

‘He is not my boyfriend. He is only helping me out because that is what he does.’ The female skunk thought to herself as she quickly followed after him. Once inside he dropped her books at her locker before going to his own. After a few classes came lunch which for once was pretty simple.

“Listen guys I have to use the bathroom, but I’ll catch you in free period; promise.” Ash said to his friends before dashing away to use the facilities. Once he was done he couldn’t help but feel that this was all normal…except for this tiny voice in the back of his mind that wanted to use the darker side of the watch; luckily he was stronger than to listen to that side.

“Hey, Ash, we’re heading out. I’ll save you a seat at our usual spot.” Buster informed through the bathroom door. After receiving a thanks from the monster tamer the others headed to free period. Ash said back before going into the bathroom stall to try to collect himself. It was an odd ritual, but after being in this world for so long Ash often did a quiz about himself to himself - to make sure he knows who he is, and where he truly came from.

“Final question: Out of all of your friends who is the one that hates bugs and which of them love bugs?” Ash asked his fifteenth question, and after a few moments of thinking he came up with the answer. “Misty is the hater of insects, and Bugsy is the lover of bugs.” It was about that time that Ketchum realized that he had spent a good twenty or so minutes in the can, so he decided to leave. The hero was about to race over there until he saw an electrical outlet.

“AmpFipian!” The electrical jellyfish shouted out before touching the plug-in, and pulled himself inside, and after a few moments he was in the room he was hoping for. “Well, that’s a lucky stroke of fate.” The electrical themed one stated aloud before seeing something that did not add up, so he changed back to human form to make sure what he was seeing was true.

‘It is. It’s Shirley the Loon, but something’s off.’ Ash thought and saw that she was hovering which he knew meant that she was meditating, but even her astral form, which he could vaguely see with aura, seemed sad about something. ‘I think I know just the guy to help her out.’ The hero thought before going back into hero form.

“Ghostfreak!” The gray skinned one shouted out before being hushed since free period was often in the library and not in an actual classroom. After that he floated over to the other spirit in the room. “What the matter Shirley?” The Ectonurite questioned to the spirit beside him.

“Just really depressed because with the way I treat people I don’t think I’ll ever, like, find that special someone.” She confessed to him, and the spirit could actually see and hear the sincerity of her statement.

“I know that free period is almost over, so why don’t you and I hang out for a while…you know until this part is over. What do you say?” Ghostfreak questioned, but before he could receive a genuine answer she grabbed his wrist and went high above them all.

“I would love to.” The blonde haired student said once they went through the roof of the room they were in. For several moments the two of them just talked about random things, until the bell rang - signaling it was time for the next class.

“We better get going. Tell you what how about the two of us spend the day together. Just you and me.” He offered as they traveled back into the library.

“I would like that.” The spiritual girl said before rejoining with her body, and Ghostfreak powered down. A few classes later the school day was over, and Ash intended to go through with this one on one day with Shirley the Loon.

“So, ready to begin the day?” Ash asked as he stood at the entrance of school with a smile on his face. The student that he was asking this to was a little surprised that he really did mean it when he said that he wanted to spend the day with her.

“Uh…sure.” She said to him before taking his outstretched hand while blushing all the way. The pair took a few steps and then went down the road while not saying anything to the other for a few minutes.

“I’m not used to this one on one time without some sort of challenge involved so I’m going to leave it up to you - where is it that you want to go to first?” Ash offered to his traveling companion who looked around at where they were and spotted something almost instantly.

“How about one of those?” She shouted joyfully while pointing at the movie theater, or more specifically a certain movie that she had been wanting to see for the past week, but couldn’t think of the right person to see it with.

“Hmm? A movie.” Ash thought aloud before looking down at his friend who seemed down in the dumps. He could guess that with his tone that the idea that she said was a bad one. “Relax, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s a good idea; even though I was living at a studio I rarely - if never went to see one in person, so seeing a finished product is a great idea.” He offered to her with a smile and friendly pat on the back.

'Not true Ash. There was that one time that one note film maker invited you to see his...movie. Don't you remember at least that much.' A piece of Ash the vividly remembers his home world thought out to the rest of him which the human knew that to be true.

‘You see, he is an understanding kind of guy.’ A small part of Shirley’s true self thought to the rest of her. She watched as he treated her properly - bought the tickets, grabbed the grubs, and let her pick where they were going to sit.

“Hope I can stand this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horror movie before.” Ash muttered to himself as he sat down with an extra large bag of pop corn and a super sized smoothie. ‘Not sure why I even got this, but something compelled me to do so.’ He thought as he put a special smoothie in the cup holder and got ready for the show.

“And now our featured presentation.” A voice on the screen said to the audience after several commercials played. The movie began and all seemed normal, but as it continued Ash didn’t feel anything. Out of curiosity he scanned the theater and everyone was at the edge of their seat with worry, or covering their eyes with their hands, or in the extreme cases shoving their heads in their pop corn bags; with food still in it.

‘This is what these guys deem scary?’ Ash thought and didn’t see why since he had been psychically petrified, been under attack by elemental birds, had to survive a crystal empire, talked some sense into an evil time lord, watched as a Pokemon sacrifice itself to save the world, saw a petty man’s selfish desire almost destroy the world with a faulty Groudon, a pair of space themed Pokemon going to war with a sky dragon, a tree that supported the 151st Pokemon along with big chuck of the surrounding area going to pieces, and an undersea kingdom that almost did come see its next sunrise due to a greedy pirate along with minor end of the world battles with Team Magma and Team Aqua.

“Oh man, like that was totally scary.” Shirley muttered to herself as the movie was over and the lights came back on. The first thing that she heard was some slow and steady breathing. She followed that noise and saw that her ’date’ had fallen asleep. ’Is he really?’ She thought before forcefully nudging him with her left elbow.

“Huh? What! I’m up. I’m up.” Ash shouted in alarm before looking around and saw that everyone was gone and that the movie was over. “Sorry about that, Shirley. It’s just that after all the stuff that I’ve dealt with something like that just doesn’t scare me.” He confessed to her, and after some thinking of the stories that he had spoke of from the world he came from she understood why a horror movie wouldn’t really interest him.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t bring up that during the really scary parts I was practically bear hugging him.’ The blonde haired flier thought to herself with a pink glow on her face. To try to avoid any weirdness she came up with another idea. “Knowing you you’re already hungry again, so why don’t we stop by some ice cream - my treat, this time.” She offered to him causing her friend to smile from ear to ear.

“Now, you’re talking - let’s get going.” Ketchum said to her before taking his things with him and threw them away, and headed to the door to their next stop. Once at the ice cream parlor they ordered their things: a simple Shamrock shake for Loon, and a banana split with one scoop Rocky Road, one scoop Red Velvet, and One scoop Chocolate delight covered in sprinkles, hot fudge, magic shell, whipped cream, ten cherries, and one blue berry.

‘He’s able to eat like this without Upchuck or Eatle?’ The female of the duo thought out of amazement as she looked at that strange looking desert before her. “So, how have you been with this new change in your life?” She asked him which started a long collection of small talk between the two not knowing that there was one in the crowd glaring daggers at the blonde haired water fowl.

“That was great and all, but there’s got to be somewhere else you want to go? Anywhere?” Ash offered after a mild burp escaped his lips. The young woman thought for a few moments, and knew of one thing that she needed.

“A few meditation crystals I suppose.” Shirley said to him while throwing in those extra words that she was famous for, but he didn’t mind that one bit. He nodded and followed after her since they had already paid for the food.

‘I wonder if Sabrina uses those - now that she is no longer obsessed over her powers.’ Ash thought before following her to the next destination. After seeing the ones that she wanted, and the fact that she wanted a bit more than he could carry the human decided to add some muscle to help her out.

“Fourarms!” The red skinned man shouted out before picking up the boxes that his friend wanted to get, and headed to the register. The moment the two got there the man behind the register automatically knew the red skinned one.

“For a worker at the Warner Studio - no charge.” The man said and was about to pushing the crystals back to him, but was stopped.

“A true man should not be allowed to accept gratuities.” The Tetramand said before going back to his human form, paying for the crystals, and changed back.

‘Geez, he really is some great guy.’ Shirley thought to herself since any of her other friends would have accepted this offer in a heartbeat. Not too far away a customer was also touched by this, but remained mute.

“If you insist.” The man informed before going through with the sale, and with that the two of them left. The two got out and the four limb man suddenly decided to go see the junk yard first.

“I just want to check on something first.” The alien informed as he was walking to his destination with his female friend following right behind him. The two of them got there, and the muscle bound creature was happy at what he saw.

“Thank you, Ash! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” Fifi shouted loudly for all to hear as she was gazing at the set of wheels that Jury Rigg built and sent flying which landed in her yard. It didn’t take her long to realize the reading the big instruction manual was a big step.

“This is what you wanted to see?” Shirley questioned to her guest on her trip through the city. The loon received a nod as her answer causing her to look at her fellow student, but was still happy that Ash was here to make sure that everyone else was happy.

“Come on, I’ll take you home. Now that I know that Fifi got my little gift.” Fourarms informed her and walked off with her silently nodding, and going after him. The two got to her place, he put the crystals safely on the floor of her Living Room, and waved himself off.

“I better get home. I don’t want to spend all night doing my homework…again.” Ash said as he returned to his human form, and then raced off with his own two feet not knowing what he had just done.

‘Despite that Fifi moment this day wasn’t half bad. I’m starting to see why my friends are into this guy. He doesn’t really act like any of the guys back at school, and to me that’s a good thing.’ Shirley thought to herself before thinking of Ash as she began to deal with her meditation crystals. Back at a familiar water tower a sibling was truly upset over what she had seen.

“Why is Shirley moving in on Ash. I thought that note would be given to the students to stay away from him as well.” The young woman questioned aloud as she laid her head on her pillow. ‘Maybe I should introduce these gals to one of my pets.’ She thought before glances over at the wall of containers, but knew that Ketchum wouldn’t approve of such a thing; besides there was still the older set that worked at the school. Those people in question have developed their own opinion over the love-striking man.

‘That Ash kid is pretty good.’ Lola thought as she rested at her home: curled up with a good book as she rested in her bed. The hare of healthy living could understand why a lot of ladies were into Ash - there was nothing he seemed beneath of doing, but there was on thing that always got her. “I appreciate Minerva and the fact that she no longer sees herself as eye candy, but a strong independent woman, so why is it that when ever I dream; I dream of wringing her neck for claiming that I would not be a good match for Ash.” She muttered out of anger, and prayed that she had a peaceful dream for a change.

“There. That feels a lot better.” Tina said aloud as she had just finished one of usual past times - venting e-mail. She did that sort of thing to reduce stress, but she always makes sure not to press the send button on accident. ‘I would so love to send that sorry excuse for a leather skinned hand bag with arms and legs this e-mail over why she said I wasn’t worthy to be with Ash, but he wouldn’t approve over the words I have in it.’ The brown haired duck thought before deleting the last e-mail and decided to relax with a soda, a comfy couch, and a movie.

‘Ash, really is something else.’ Penelope thought to herself as she mindlessly knocked around a bauble hanging over her bed. The young cat creature thought of the past; more accurately a moment that Ketchum really helped her out. After a Pepe Le Pew flirt move went as well as can be expected the police were called in which got Ash, who was flying by, attention, and set things right. ‘I wonder if my fellow feline friend would be willing to share.’ Penelope thought as she continued to play with her bauble. There were those that only saw the young visitor as a friend and nothing more.

“Ash, really is a good guy, but to me he hasn’t ever gotten past baby brother to me.” Petunia thought aloud since that was as far as she pictured him. Mainly because of her closeness she had for Porky Pig, and the same could be said about the senior medic of Acme Looniversity: Granny. There were a few people at the studio that felt the same mainly: Helen Nurthen, Hello Nurse, and Slappy Squirrel since both trusted Ketchum when it came to falling for any person. As for the hero in question:

‘I wonder who will need my help tomorrow.’ Ash thought as he laid in bed before falling into a nice long nap.

Copy Rights:
Ash Ketchum, and the others, are owned by Gamefreak/Nintendo and Cartoon Network.
Tiny Toon Adventures, and the others, are owned by WB.
Ultimatrix, and all forms, are owned by Man of Action and Cartoon Network.