The Dragon Masters Tournament
By: Bryce Daniel
Part 6: Old Friends, New Paths and All the Berries You Can Eat
The two boys head back to the exit of the arena, where they find Iris standing there talking with a few reporters.
When they leave, she made her way towards her friends.
"So it looks like I'm the new gym leader of Opelucid City," she said awkwardly.
"So does that mean you're going off to prepare for your gym for challengers?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, I guess," she said, suddenly hit by the full weight of her new position. "Cilan, you're a gym leader, I'm probably going to need some help setting the field and redecorating the gym."
"Not to mention taking your gym leader's exam, making sure you have enough badges and arranging for someone to care for your gym while you are away," Cilan added.
"That and I only have one – sorry two – dragon types."
"Make that three," Emmy said.
"Wait, what?" Iris said.
"I've been thinking about this for a while, but being in this tournament made me realize that perhaps I'm not cut out to be a 'dragon master.' So I want you to take my Druddigon."
"I can't," Iris said. "Being a dragon master is your dream, I don't want you to give up on your dream on my behalf."
"I'm not," Emmy said hopefully. "I'm setting out on a new dream. I decided that I will open my own berry farm outside of White Forest, which I'd take to the market in Black City."
The very mention of the word 'berries' was enough to get Emolga out of her ball.
"Acres and acres of berries, from every region imaginable: Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and even Johto! The problem is, as much as I love my Druddigon, he'd scare off any potential customers."
"Emo," Emolga said frolicking in a giant stack of berries as Emmy delivers a huge plate of new ones to her darling helper.
"That does sound like an interesting recipe," Cilan said.
"What do you think Emolga?" Iris asked and the ele-squirrel flew off Iris' shoulder onto Emma's. "You want to go with her now?"
"Emo, emo!"
"I love how cute it is," Emmy said making her new friend blush. "And I think my customers would love it too! What do you say - my Druddigon for your Emolga?"
"I guess that sounds fair," Iris said hesitantly. "It does give me three dragon types, but I'd miss my Emolga."
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of it. I promise."
"Well… okay," Iris sighed handing over Emolga's pokeball.
Trade completed, Emmy leaves making the long journey towards White Forest.
"It's just disappointing how quickly Emolga switched sides," Iris said.
"But remember, you caught that Emolga after offering it some berries," Cilan said.
"It would also fly off to eat berries when it was supposed to help us look for stuff," Ash added.
"Are you saying Emolga never cared about me?" Iris shouted.
Ash and Cilan said nothing, both giving her a "let's not be hasty" smile.
"So, Ash, if I'm going to Opelucid City, what are going to do?
"Me? I'm going to the Pokemon League of course! You are coming with me, right, Cilan?"
"Hmm…I would like to help support both of you on your paths. Helping you train for the League would be an honor for me… but I also like to help Iris set up her gym. This recipe just got complicated, and I don't know what I should do now?"
"Go with her," said a familiar voice standing behind ash.
"Who are YOU?" Iris asked brusquely.
"….Paul…" Ash said distantly. He then spun around and tried to hug his former rival.
But he dodged at the last minute with a curt: "No PDA."
"What's wrong with them, my mom belongs to that group."
"I think he said 'P-DEE-A,'" Cilan said helpfully.
"Sometimes, I wonder if you're hard of hearing or if you really are THAT dense."
"It stands for 'Public Displays of Affection' and some people just aren't comfortable with them."
"Oh, right, sorry, Paul."
"You never answered my question: who are you?"
"The name is Paul," he said gruffly. "I'm Ash's rival"
"Friend," Ash corrected cheerfully
"Acquaintance," Paul corrected.
"Buddy-"
"Training-"
"Part-" Ash started to say, but Paul quickly clasped his hand over Ash's mouth saying "I said not here."
He then continued Ash's thought by saying "-of a winning strategy."
"Whatever," Iris said rolling her eyes.
"Well, at least it's clear they know each other," Cilan said in connoisseur mode. "And I think their personalities go together to make a perfect league training recipe!"
"Good to see you approve," Paul said sarcastically. "Now if you excuse me, I (looks over at Ash who is smiling giddily) – we have a gym badge to obtain."
"Well, you can see, I'm not ready for a battle," Iris said rudely.
"Call me – us - as soon as you are," he said as he turned to leave.
Ash stays behind for a second and wished his friends a final good-bye as both parties went off in separate directions.
