At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious. The conversation between the Pokemon occurs in English, however their trainers can only interpret their conversation as general Pokemon Speak. ie: Name repetition. Upon that disclaimer. I hope you enjoy and I welcome feedback of any nature


"Wow look at this place!" Ash said after vaulting over a turnstile with Pikachu running in tow as they both sprint toward the center of this abandoned outdoor arena. The orange clay floor of the arena is riddled with cracks that resemble a vast array of dried out river tributaries from above. Around the edge of the arena are darkened stained lines that once represented the perimeter field of this battle ground

Ash stood in the center of the arena with arms outstretched as if he is waiting for an embrace from the surroundings itself. His voice echoes across this seemingly abandoned training field before vanishing in to the wind

"Hey guys I want you all to come out and see this" Ash said with pride in his voice as he threw up all of his Pokeballs in to the air as each respective creature emerges from a bright light revealing themselves

"Im not too sure what you are so enchanted about Ash. This place has seen better days" Serena says as she and the others joined Ash. She then nudges a stuck out piece of the clay arena floor with her foot to further emphasis her point.

"Yeah, and look!" Bonnie yelled from the far left hand side of the arena

" The fence is so rusted even Dedene can punch a hole through it" Dedene out of curiosity raised his arms toward the fence as Bonnie pushed him toward the fence puncturing it

"Huh" Dedene said in confusion

"Bonnie don't destroy the arena even more!" Clemont argued back

"It wasn't me. It was Dedene" Bonnie yelled running back toward Clemont. Dedene also chirped up as he was placed back in the pouch

"No I didn't you pushed me in to it!" Dedene said quietly to itself

"Guys there is more to something then what we see" Ash spoke up turning back round to the group
"Just imagine the awesome battles that took place here many years ago"
"There were no badges, titles, TV cameras, or EV related sport science involved, just two trainers, their favorite Pokémon and a will to win. Then they would leave and do the exact same thing again the next afternoon" He finished his small speech and turned back toward Clemont

"Clemont, you understand me right?"

Clemont nodded instantly

"Of course Ash. Pokémon Battling has evolved over the years. Gyms that have grown in size and ambition as each generation passes. Conference Championships are held in more exotic locations with battles taking place in grandiose pieces of architecture.
"These are nice things granted, but the spirit of Pokémon battling lies right here. No pompous arenas, no trophies. At places like this it is just two people each one wanting to win." Clemont spoke confidently before trailing off

"But, Ill be honest I'm not be the best person to think about reminiscing of bygone days" Ash stared at Clemont with a quizzical expression on his face
"I 'am an electric type trainer and we tend to have a stubborn mentality of always looking forward often to the expense of never being able to stay still long enough to see how things have changed around us"

"Also remember I'm nowhere near as traveled as you, I have not been around the world so I have no other comparisons to make nor have I have witnessed any other way of doing things. Whilst I have always had a respect for the pure battle mentality….." Clemont paused choosing his next words carefully

"But Ash you have to understand things must adapt and evolve"

"If we don't have gyms that captivate people or championships that can make heroes out of ordinary trainers and makes what is already something that is engaging a true spectacle. Then we would be a dying sport with old competitors who are bitter with a disappearing and uninterested audience"

"Yeah… I understand Clemont, It is just that things were just a lot more simpler I mean even just a year and a half ago in the Sinnoh Region. Just look at my evolution with Greninja. If someone told me that was possible in Sinnoh, I would of wanted them sectioned"
"Err guys do we mind if we take a quick lunch break here, It's not the nicest place I know but I just feel comfortable here"

"Err I dont mind" Serena said unsurely but agreed anyway not wanting to upset or dissuade Ash from his train of thought with Clemont and Bonnie also agreeing

Clemont brought out a fold-able picnic table and chair set from his rucksack and placed it at the corner of the arena. Although there was the rusted chain-link fence toward the top to contend with, the Bottom of it was constructed with bricks which served as a good wind block although that was where much of the rubbish and fallen leaves had gathered.

"Talonflame help me out and use whirlwind to clear out the leaves and junk from the corner" Ash commanded to which Talonflame chirped in agreement

"Im a bird that can launch fire, and here Iam used as a roadsweep" Talonflame muttered under its breathe. However, with two flaps of its strong wings the rubbish soon dispersed across the rest of the worn battlefield

As the gang sat at the table exchanging further pieces of chit-chat as they munch on a selection of ready made sandwiches and macaroons prepared by Serena. Their Pokémon, each of them within their own smaller groups take a quick gander of the arena around them with the exception of Pikachu who found small plinth just ten or so meters away from Ash and the group on which to contemplate on

"You know Ash, you do say some utter nonsense sometimes, but you're spot on here" Pikachu said aloud to himself

"Penny for your thoughts, Sparks" Greninja said with Hawlucha and Talonflame walking beside him

"Ah so that's the nickname you've given me then" Pikachu questioned

"Well it was better than the one that the spiky tub of guts over there supplied" The blue frog Pokémon said whilst gesturing toward Chespin's direction who is currently terrifying Bunnelby by swinging him around using its vines

"What was it then out of curiosity"

"Red Cheeked killjoy" Greninja replied as Pikachu choked out a laugh

"Ah a bit disappointing really, I was hoping for something stronger you know" Pikachu said with feigned sarcasm in his tone of voice before replying
"So you call him 'Spiky tub of guts' huh, does that mean I'm allowed to call him a fat prick and still technically be correct" The four of them let out a small smirk each"
"I kid, I kid". He can be a bit annoying but he is never boring to be around, besides that's Bunnlebys joke anyway" Pikachu said matter of factly

"So what was on your mind then" Greninja asks returning to his original question

"Ah you know just mulling over Ash and Clemonts earlier conversation " Pikachu responded with a tone of melancholy to his voice

"You know. I've been curious about this, You've been around Ash for ages now and have seen a lot more of this world. I just want to know out of everything that has happened what's really stuck in your mind" Hawlucha asked

"Geez where do I start, I mean I don't think I'll ever forget the first time I saw an Onix bearing down on me with such a killer intent" Pikachu spoke aloud to the widening eyes of his teammate
"Sinnoh League Championships were a real low point as well. It was our fourth championship and the first time we got to the Semi-Final and just one win a away from a chance to be proven to be the best. Losing in a final is bad but not being able to have that chance is even worse" Pikachu thought for a minute trying to think of happier moments in his odyssey across the Pokemon World

"Oh and having a Pachirisu kick away Oshawatt's scallop shell, I know you guys don't know him but that was possibly the funniest thing I've ever seen. That and seeing a Charmander using flamethrower to light a candle when one of Ash's old travelling buddies was holding it. I amazed how they couldn't see how that wouldn't work" Pikachu content with those memories and brightening the atmosphere for his teammates around him goes back to his trainers previous conversation

"But still going back to Ash's and Clemonts talk, Pokémon battling has changed so much, double battles and tag battles are so much more common and don't get me started on Mega Evolutions"
"I'm happy to battle wherever he battles don't get me wrong and I know you guys would follow him off of the edge of a cliff, But Ash is right, but annoyingly the glasses wearing one does have a point" Pikachu said before trailing off once again until Hawlucha spoke up

"I agree, back when I was in the forest, long before I even met you guys, we would always tussle, making up arenas and finding combat spots of our own in among all the trees. Talonflame you would probably agree since you were raised and caught in the wild just like I was" Talonflame nodded to the comments of the masked hawk Pokemon
"You ninja I'm not so sure of" Hawlucha turned towards the water frog Pokémon with a questioning tone to his voice"
"I mean you were raised in a lab, but as you told us all, you walked away from every trainer until Ash showed up"

"That is true, but it wasn't so much the battling or wherever we battled. It was more down to the trainer themselves though..." Greninja paused for a moment overhearing some commotion from there human trainers
"They could only command and train in one way directly copying what they saw from better trainers as opposed to creating their own style, or acting upon impulse or passion like that guy choking on a cake over there" Greninja said turning round pointing the others towards Ash and the others. Serena currently has Ash in the heimlich position as Clemont panics rummaging through his rucksack as Bonnie just laughs at the frantic sight in front of him

"He… never does anything slowly does he?" Hawlucha questioned

"I've been with him for years. I'm amazed that hasn't happened before thinking about it" Pikachu bewilderingly retorted

"Shouldn't we help him" Talonflame asked

"Nah his girlfriend has it covered" Pikachu replied referencing Serena whose clenched hands are thrusting in to Ash's stomach

"Oh are they!…you know…?"a flavor of genuine curiosity was detected in the flying birds tone of voice

"What do you think..." Pikachu replied sarcastically with his right arm raised sharply in a way that further added to the sarcasm

"Well then don't make up stuff like that to loud. Braxien won't shut up about it otherwise"
"and since Sylveon evolved those two can't talk about anything el…" A large thud interrupted Talonflame as he brought his wings to his head
"Ow" an object struck Talonflame on the head

"Who won't shut up about what now!" Braxien spoke with intimidation in her voice, her branch locked within her crossed arms

"So much for your species being the refined starter pokemon…..damn that hurt" Talonflame is still trying to rub his head.

"Wow. Serena is being really ummm forward, and I think Ash is liking it judging by the reflection on his face" Sylveeon spoke up referring to Serena who has still got Ash wrapped round his arms despite him no longer choking on food

"Don't get your hopes up Sylvie, he just choked on some food they were just forcing it out for him" Braxien replied smiling down to her fairy type performance partner

"Ah thanks for that Serena, I got a bit ahead of myself there and it must of lodged in my windpipe" Ash said apologizing for worrying her
"No worries though I had to something before Clemont brought out some machine or you passed out" Serena replied with a relieved smile on her face

Their Pokémon were still stood rooted to their positions staring at the trainers intently. Even Noivern, Luxray, Bunnelby and Pancham made their way over wondering what the commotion was about

"Serena doesn't realize where her arms are yet does she" Bunnelby questioned also breaking the silence that built up during their observations

"Nope, but I bet you an Oran berry Serena screams" Luxrays deep voice spoke with a wicked smirk on his face

"I can't think of a faster way to waste an Oran Berry" Bunnelby responded

"Err Serena…. Ash is okay now you can let go" Bonnie said pointing toward to the two of them her hands still wrapped around Ash's stomach in a fairly compromising position

"Aaahhhhhhh!" Serena let out a mighty scream that not only echoed across the arena it also caused several Fletchlings and Pidgeys to flee nearby trees "

"Clemont! Clemont! get the camera!"

"Fair point" Luxray whispered back toward the rabbit Pokemon

"Sorry Ash, Like I said I errr. I-I-I jjjust wanted to make sure you're okay" Her voice fluctuating in tone and speed with her physical movements just as frantic as she looked around doing her utmost to avoid his eyes until a further bout of panic was induced as she noticed the many eyes that are staring at her intently just yards away. With Braxien in particular displaying a knowing smirk of an expression, she swear she even saw wink from the evolved fire type Pokemon

"Aaaahhhhh! how long have you all been standing there" Serena screamed as every Pokémon attempts to stifle a laugh. Serena whose face is now a deep shade of crimson grabs three Pokeballs from here pocket
"Sylveeon, Braxien, Pancham return" She raised her pokeballs as a red light arcs toward their direction

"Well that was fun. See you boys later" Braxien waved goodbye before she was summoned back to her Pokeball

"Come on guys were heading off now, next stop Snowbelle City and the final gym" Ash spoke toward his team Pokeballs in hand ready for team to return

"Well that was interesting lunch. I'll see you guys around" Pikachu said toward the rest of his team as he ran back toward Ash's shoulder

"Err. Serena are you okay, You're bright red, You don't have a fever do you?" Concern arose from Ash's voice he put his hand on her shoulder for reassurance

"No no no Im fine Ash. Reallly!" Serena moved her hat downwards toward her eyes in an attempt to disguised her face

"Ah cmon you dense moron, how can any of that screaming be misinterpreted" Pikachu spoke out loud on his trainers shoulders knowing full well that Ash wouldn't be able to understand him.

"Pika Pika, indeed buddy that 8th gym badge is ours and soon so will the Kalos Championship"

Authors Note

Thank you for reading everyone, apologies for the lack of an update but University got crazy busy, but now things are slowing down for the summer. So I should be able to update much more often. I hope you enjoy