I place my hand over the Pokeballs on my belt, thinking hard. Bayleef? No, it might have the strength, but Grass is no match for Ice. Cyndaquil? No, it's all worn out from fighting Dewgong. Toto – no way. Water against Ice isn't the best in my favour, not to mention the fact that Totodile is so small. Noctowl's Psychic abilities will only work if Piloswine looks it in the eye, and with all that hair, I'm surprised it can see at all. That leaves one choice.

I look at my most trusted companion. "Pikachu, go!" The Electric Mouse bounds out, cheeks sparking, looking as determined as ever.

This is without a doubt one of my hardest battles ever. Neither Misty nor Brock can really help, since they've never seen a battlefield like this before. It is the first battle that I really have to think in, and, well, I haven't started off too hot. But I know that Pikachu trusts me to do the right thing.

The battle is a blur. The only thing I remember distinctly is Pryce throwing in the towel and forfeiting. Secretly, I am relieved. I'm not sure that I would have won, given that Pikachu was wearing out much quicker than Piloswine. But Pryce is right – the bond I have with all my Pokemon is incredibly valuable.

I am so proud of everyone, just as I know Misty, Brock, Pikachu and the team are proud of me. And even though I still have one more badge to go, the flashbacks start. This happens whenever I win a match. I recall catching Cyndaquil – using a Pokeball to save it, making its flame appear faster – battling for Totodile – the confusion over the Lure Ball – and of course, picking up Pikachu for the first time. Not to mention the countless battles we have fought together, the miles we've traveled over...When this happens, I always feel a pricking behind my eyes and fight to keep them back.

How can I help myself? Pikachu has come such a long way from perching in a tree and laughing at my attempts to catch a Pidgey by throwing rocks at it. Back then, I wouldn't have believed that this little Mouse would almost be reading my mind in Gym Battles. It's amazing, the trust we have gained in each other. And it's so precious to me: I know that I would be able to carry on through the most difficult of times, if Pikachu were the only one by my side.

As we leave Pryce's gym, Misty and Brock are walking slightly ahead. I can see that Pikachu is still tired, so I pick it up in my arms. This reminds me of when I first saw Pikachu's Thunderbolt, when it protected me from the flock of wild Spearow. And just like then, I will always be there for Pikachu, to carry it in times of hurt. I know that it knows this; I can see the emotion in Pikachu's eyes.

"I'm proud of you, little buddy." It's all I have to say. Pikachu understands all the things that I can't put into words. When it licks my chin, just as it did that day, I know that Pikachu is telling me the same thing.


A/N

Originally, this story was going to be a Pokeshipping/friendship fic, with Ash thinking about how much his friends, particularly Misty, mean to him. Obviously, it didn't turn out that way, but I like this better. The inspiration came from the battle in Mahogany Town, when I realized how much Ash's battle tactics had improved.

Peace,

-S.H.