Before this chapter begins, I want to say thank you to all who gave this story a chance and also answer a few questions. Inferno972, thank you for the compliment, it really made my day to see that people like this story. As for your questions, I will try to clarify more on what's happening from now on, and as for updating, I will go for at least 1-2 chapters as a reasonable goal. However if I can get more chapters in, then I shall. we'll just have to see how well I can fit this into my life schedule. LightRayPearlshipper, thank you very much for taking an interest in the story and even more so for the constructive criticism you have given me. While it was not my intention to novelize the anime in any way, I can see where your coming from. I admit I had forgotten to factor in that instinctive response, so I immediately edited that part of the story to hopefully be a little bit better while still staying consistent with the story. I thank you all again for your responses and comments like these are what will help me improve as a writer. Anyways, on with the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. But I can wish I did, right?

It was well into the evening as the three friends decided to stop and make camp for the night. Brock had started cooking food for them and their Pokémon, and Dawn was currently inside her tent, chatting with her Piplup and fixing up her appearance. Ash had instead opted to sit outside with Pikachu as he gazed at his badges, remembering how all of his fights had gone to acquire each badge.

First up had been the Coal badge that he had won from Roark at Oreburgh City. His first gym battle in Sinnoh had definitely been a huge surprise to him. He hadn't expected Roark's Cranidos to be as strong as it was, since this was only the first Gym. And yet Cranidos had single-handedly taken out two of Ash's Pokémon and severely weakened his final Pokémon, before his Turtwig had finally beaten it. But in the end it lost to Roark's Onix, causing Ash to lose the match. Ash later on had a rematch with Roark where he finally beat the Gym Leader, but the disappointment of him losing in his very first gym match had been upsetting for Ash. He had beaten many Gym Leaders before, and had competed in quite a few competitions, including League Championships. Even if Sinnoh's Gym Leaders were stronger than the previous ones he had fought, Ash had never thought that he would be defeated so easily and just by the very first Gym at that!

Up next had been the Forest Badge he had obtained from Gardenia in Eterna City. While he hadn't lost in that fight, it had been quite close and he had barely been able to pull off a victory. After that had been the Cobble badge from Maylene in Veilstone City, which also resulted in a close call victory, even though Ash had done well in the beginning. And finally his newly earned Fen Badge from Crasher Wake in Pastoria City...

While Ash had to admit that he was progressively getting better and better with each fight, he felt he was still far from reaching his goal. At this rate, he'd only be adequate by the time he'd receive his final badge. Ash was definitely not pleased with the slow progress he was making, and while he was definitely not going to stoop to Paul's level to become stronger, he definitely wanted to become stronger at a much faster pace than what he was currently going at. Pikachu was looking a little worried for his Trainer. Usually, his PikaPi was never upset about anything and even if he was, he'd usually recover from it quickly and would go back to being his usual cheery self. The little rodent didn't like seeing its Trainer so down and it hopped onto Ash's lap and snuggled up.

Ash snapped out of his train of thought and looked down at his partner and friend. Pikachu was his oldest friend and the one he shared the deepest bond with. Together, they had faced many difficult challenges and had come out on top. Even now, he knew he could always count on Pikachu to pull him out of a tight jam. But was he doing Pikachu any justice by not being his very best? Pokémon relied on their Trainers to guide them in battle, and to make the decisions that would decide the fate of the battle. If any one side lost, then it wasn't because of the Pokémon that they lost, but instead it was because the Trainer wasn't competent enough to win the match. If Ash wasn't doing so well against Gym Leaders today, then it wasn't because of his Pokémon that it was so, but rather that Ash himself wasn't skilled enough.

By this time, Brock had finished making supper and called out to Ash and Dawn to come and join him. Ash snapped out of his stupor and slowly made his way over to where Brock and Dawn were now sitting, Pikachu sitting atop his shoulders. As they started eating, both Brock and Dawn couldn't help but notice that Ash hadn't taken a single bite. Normally, he would have gulped down many plates before they could have even finished their first one. Having an idea of what Ash might be upset about, Brock decided to make conversation with Ash in hopes of making Ash feel better. He wasn't used to seeing Ash so down and for so long at that.

"So Ash, you have four Gym Badges in total now, right?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I suppose so."

"Are you ready to get your fifth Gym Badge? I hear there's a Gym in Hearthome City and that's not too far from here."

"That's nice. I guess I'm ready for it."

"You guess?"

"I don't really know anymore."

"Hmm. Ash, this isn't like you at all. Normally you'd be running over yourself to get to the next city quickly and try to earn your next Gym badge. Mind telling me what's bringing you down?"

Ash paused and took a deep breath. "Brock, the thing is-"

All of a sudden, they heard rustling from a couple of bushes nearby. Pikachu went full "alert mode" as he jumped in between the bushes and his friends. All eyes were focused on the bushes to see what was lurking in the shadows of the bushes. Before anyone could make sense of what was happening, a blue orb of aura blasted out of the bushes towards them, but was quickly intercepted by Pikachu's Iron Tail before it could hit, and sent back towards the bushes. Suddenly, a shadow leaped out of the bushes and disappeared into the forest. Pikachu stayed focused on the trees just in case another sneak attack was attempted, while Ash, Brock and Dawn were stupefied of what had suddenly transpired.

"Did a Pokémon just suddenly try to attack us out of the blue?" Dawn barely got her words out, shock still evident in her eyes. Piplup was clinging onto Dawn's leg as though his life depended on it. Brock took a second to process what happened moments ago.

"Yes, for whatever reason, a Pokémon targeted us with what appeared to be an Aura Sphere attack. If I had to guess, I would say it was most likely a fighting type Pokémon. As to why it would suddenly attack us though is beyond even me."

Ash was deep in thought. Why on earth would a Pokémon suddenly attack them when they had seemingly done nothing to provoke it? Were they invading its territory? If so, why had it attacked from the shadows rather than showing itself and asserting its authority? Was it injured and had attacked in self defence? Unlikely, considering how fast it had moved when it had disappeared into the trees. Ash thought of many reasons as to why the Pokémon may have attacked them, but none of them seemed likely. He just couldn't wrap his head around the seemingly unprovoked attack.

'Well, whatever the reason may have been' he thought. 'The Pokémon was gone now so there was no point in worrying about it now'

The sun had set by this time and night had just started rolling in. While Brock and Dawn had retired to their tents to get some rest, Ash was just too wound up to get any sleep, so he decided to just train his Pokémon for a while and sleep if he did happen to get tired later on. Ash released his Pokémon from their respective Pokéballs, and he was greeted with the faces of Buizel, Turtwig, Staravia, Chimchar, and Gligar. Pikachu was at his usual spot, perched on top of Ash's shoulders.

"Alright guys, while we have been getting better, we could definitely use a lot more training. I know we can do far better than what we've been doing, and that if we push ourselves a little more, we'll definitely reach our goal. I want you all buddy up and work on try to take down your partner as fast as possible. "

While the rest of his Pokémon cheered in agreement, Ash noticed that Chimchar was a little hesitant. Ash was able to understand completely why that was though. Ever since Chimchar had decided to join them, he was having a hard time adjusting to the fact that he no longer would have to endure the harsh treatment that had been given to him by his previous trainer, Paul. When Chimchar had been released by Paul right in front of Ash, Ash had been extremely angry as he looked at Chimchar's bruised and hurt form. The mental pain he had endured was even deeper and far more evident as it practically poured out of Chimchar's eyes. Ash had been unable to see him in that condition and had decided to ask Chimchar if he was willing to join him. He had wanted nothing more than to help Chimchar become stronger both physically and mentally and to prove to him that a bond of kindness can exist between Trainer and Pokémon.

While the other four Pokémon partnered up and sparred with each other, Ash had Pikachu be Chimchar's partner with a silent command to go a little easy on the Fire Chimp Pokémon. As Ash sat down next to a tree and supervised his Pokémon, his mind wandered back to his current performance. What was he going to do now? What could he do to make himself better, for both himself and his Pokémon? Could he even become stronger? Or was he doomed to repeat his failures over and over again? As these questions and more flooded his mind, Ash noticed his Pokémon had stopped their training, and were looking towards a tree not far from Ash.

As Ash looked carefully in that direction, he could make out a faint outline of someone leaning against a tree and watching them. The figure stepped out into the moonlight and Ash was now able to see the person more clearly. It was a woman, seemingly in her early twenties, dressed in a black coat, trousers and top, with a black feathery scarf around her neck and two black clips on each side of her hair that looked similar to Lucario's aura appendages. She had long, beautiful blonde hair and piercing gray eyes. Ash slowly recognized her as the Champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia. He had only met her once before in Amity Square, where she had been discussing about an ancient tablet there, and had also defeated Paul easily with just her Garchomp.

While Ash continued to stare at her in surprise, Cynthia looked first at Ash's Pokémon and then turned her gaze towards Ash. For a while, they seemed content with just looking at each other, practically frozen in time, until finally Cynthia decided to speak up.

"Hello there. It's nice to meet you. If I remember correctly, your name is Ash right?"

Ash's voice seemed to have left him, so all he could do was nod his head at her. He was mesmerized by the angle the moonlight was hitting her, making her seemingly glow. Cynthia was more focused on Ash's Pokémon however, and slowly a smile made its way onto her face.

"I can see that you and your Pokémon are very close and that the bonds that you share with them are strong. I can tell you must treat them with a lot of love and compassion and the trust that you all share is quite evident. I'm sure you and your Pokémon will be able to overcome any adversity together and it brings joy to my heart to see that such relationships with Pokémon are still common."

Ash was still unable to say anything so he simply opted to stare. Pikachu slowly made his way over to his trainer, and looked curiously at Cynthia while sitting on Ash's lap. Cynthia analyzed both the electric rodent and his Trainer and smiled a little more.

"I can see that you and your Pikachu are the closest of friends and must have been through a lot together. Is he the one you started your journey with?"

"Y-Yeah." Ash's voice seemed to have finally returned so Ash decided to continue speaking.

"I'm guessing that Garchomp was the Pokémon that you started with? Back when you had faced Paul, you and your Garchomp were in such great synch with each other, almost as though you were both one."

At this point, Cynthia laughed a little.

"Yes, Garchomp and I had begun our journey together from Celestic Town a long time ago when she was still just a little Gible. I have always had this deep connection with her and have relied on her the most out of all my Pokémon during battles. We're a lot like how you and your Pikachu seem to be."

"I see."

A long awkward silence passed as both Trainers continued gazing at each other, lost in thought. Finally, Cynthia decided to break the silence.

"Well then, I should get going now. I had come here to meet an old acquaintance of mines who lives around these parts, and I'm certain that they must be waiting for me. I'm sure we will meet again soon, however. Goodbye."

"See you soon then."

As Cynthia walked away, Ash thought about the Champion, and how strong and powerful she was. He knew that she was regarded as the strongest Champion of all, surpassing even the likes of Lance and Steven. In her battle against Paul, he had seen how confident she was as she flawlessly executed moves and took out Paul's Pokémon one by one. As the moon finally started to disappear and day's first light spread across the sky, Ash slowly came to realization that she was exactly the kind of person he wanted to be like. That's it, he decided. He would aim to become stronger than Cynthia and take over her position as Champion of Sinnoh. That would be the ultimate test for him and his Pokémon to prove that they were strong and had what it took to reach the top.

Well, that's the end of this chapter. Thank you all again for taking the time to read this and willing to give me a chance to become a good writer. Please review and tell me what you think so far as well as what I can do better. I do read each and every single review and take them all seriously. Goodbye for now.