Man, it's rough writing a long chapter while keeping it interesting in 4 days. Reason why I'm doing it? Chapter 3 will be the start of the Kalos League! I decided that it would be best if I finished Chapter 1 and 2 rather fast, mostly to allow me to think through how I want the League to go, and also to have a clear cut point. Now, Chapter 3 will most likely not start right after Chapter 2, but probably take a jump in time. I don't really know what to write, except Ash's training. But that would kinda repetitive. This story will also slow down a little, so I can at least finish off Hoenn's Princess and her Guardian and maybe even White: Crossing the Limits! Now, review as usual and you just might see Chapter 3 faster! Welcome to Chapter 2!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
(Rydia)
"Get up you big dummy!" I shouted, trying to shove him off the bed. But did I really believe in that it would work? Not really, but I needed to get him out of bed somehow. Seeing that Lucario was already awake, I wondered if he would be willing to help. "Hey Lucario, think you could get my big brother to wake up?" I asked, hoping he would say yes. Nodding in a response, with a weak smile on his face, Lucario walked over to Ash before he closed his eyes and started focusing on his Aura. Using his Aura, Ash's body was soon bathed entirely in it until Lucario slowly lifted him off the bed without waking him up. I watched in pure amazement at what Lucario was doing and wondered if I could maybe do something like that too. Waiting a few seconds, Lucario eventually stopped focusing it seemed. Which, sadly for Ash, meant he wouldn't be floating anymore. I could barely hold my laughter as a loud was head from Ash's fall and watching with struggle with what was happening.
"What was that for Lucario?" Ash asked, some how obviously aware that it wasn't me but Lucario who had done something.
"Morning big brother!" I greeted him cheerfully, which instantly washed away his annoyment over what Lucario had done, and why for that matter. Sighing lightly, I was happy to see him smile.
"Morning Rydia." he greeted me back, before he slowly stood up and stretched his body and yawning a final time.
"Should I go and wake up the others?" I asked, wanting to do something before Brock would fix breakfast for all of us.
"Do that. But please, don't ask Lucario every morning to throw me out of bed, alright?" Ash said, making me giggle before I ran looking for May. Finding her tent, which also Cynthia occupied, I shook her lightly which worked better than on my big brother.
"Wake up!" I exclaimed cheerfully, not wanting to wait any longer for breakfast. While she slowly woke up, Cynthia had woken up as soon I had entered the tent. Shaking her head a little, Cynthia stood up and took her coat before she left the tent which left me alone with May. Trying again, this time May woke up without falling asleep a split second later.
"Hey there Rydia." May managed to get out, still looking like she would asleep any second now.
"There's no time to sleep, May! Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes and today Ash will start preparing for the League!" I stated, hoping it would maybe make May want to get up. As soon as I had said the word breakfast, May was sitting straight up with her bandana already in her hand. Looking for her clothes, I watched her put them before she put her bandana on her head and left the tent. Following her, I saw Ash doing something before he froze as he looked at May. Was May doing something? Watching May's facial expression, I noticed a slight tinge of red on her cheeks.
"Ash, is everything alright?" Brock asked, pulling Ash out of his trance.
"Yeah, everything's alright." Ash quickly responded, making everyone including me wondering what just happened. Didn't anyone else notice how May's cheeks turned red?
(Ash)
Oh man, why did I even do that? Everyone probably thought I looked like an idiot while doing that. At least no one mentioned it, thank god.
"So, are you going to start training today?" Cynthia asked interested, not knowing exactly what I had in mind when it to came my training and preparation for the Kalos League, which didn't really surprise me. hadn't told anyone about my plans and ideas for how to train my Pokemon. The biggest problem was still to choose my Pokemon. I wished I could train all of them, but I couldn't. So, I decided to make it fair and let a few Pokemon from each region come with me and then I would switch those around.
"I will mostly focus on improving the strengths of my Pokemon, while trying to cover up their biggest weaknesses instead of focusing on battling. Nearly all of my Pokemon are experienced enough to not need any major training in that area." I explained, wondering if Cynthia had expected something like this from me.
"Why you don't show us your Pokemon?" Brock asked, everyone else nodding in agreement. Talking 2 pokeballs at a time, I continued throwing them until all of my Pokemon were released and the balls back on my belt. I think no one here could say that my lineup wasn't impressive. Pikachu, Lucario, Charizard, Tyrantrum, Torterra, Pidgeot, Floatzel, Emboar, Snorlax, Meganium, Glalie and Donphan.
"That's one heck of an impressive lineup." Paul stated, surprised over the variety and different battle styles included. Everyone who knew me, knew that I loved speed. Pokemon like Torterra, Tyrantrum, Emboar weren't really known for their speed.
"I'm impressed Ash. From only using one Pokemon that didn't rely on speed to six shows your will to improve." Cynthia said, making me smile a little at her praise.
"And we will all help you!" May said, everyone nodding in agreement again. I don't know what I would do without them.
"But before we do that, we all need a real breakfast." Brock announced, showing that he was done with making it.
"You're free to do whatever you want while I'm training with my Pokemon." I tried, not thinking they were serious when they said that they would actually help me with my training.
"Why should we? We want you to win, and I want you to be at your strongest when we meet in the League." Paul responded, surprising me a little.
"You're participating in the League?" I questioned, not sure why he would do that.
"If you can beat me, you can win the entire thing. And I could use all the experience I can get before I challenge Brandon." Paul explained, I nodded in response. Sounded logical.
"So, why don't we start with your best?" Brock asked, pointing at Pikachu.
"Alright. Torterra, time to practice your aim!" I said, Torterra moving a suitable position while waiting for Pikachu to get ready.
"Torterra, you too." Paul ordered, his Torterra walking over to mine and waiting for the start command.
"Start!" Brock shouted from the side, watching with the others eagerly to see what Pikachu could do.
"Torterra, use Leaf Storm!" me and Paul ordered simultaneously, both of them starting to fire off an incredible amount of leaves, straight at Pikachu. What happened next was unbelievable. Pikachu weaved through them at a speed that shouldn't be possible, while at the time only getting faster and still dodging every single one.
"How is that even possible?" Serena asked, not really directing the question at anyone. I simply had to smile at that, she had never really seen a high skill Pokemon battle except for my gym battles throughout our journey.
"Pikachu, start hitting them with Electro Ball while still dodging!" I added, hoping that Pikachu could do it without any side effects like having to slow down. I knew Pikachu better than anyone else, and I knew what he could do. But I never wanted to push any of my Pokemon to their limits, in case they would get hurt. But after asking every single one, no one was against the harsh training. After all, they finally wanted to win a League as much as I. Pikachu was by far succeeding my expectations. He was using Electro Ball at a relative fast pace while still dodging every single leaf.
"Torterra, use Frenzy Plant while still using Leaf Stor.!" Paul commanded. Did he really want to see Pikachu's best? I would show him!
"Pikachu, use Thundaja!" I shouted, not even needing to tell Pikachu how much power he should put into it without inflicting lethal damage.
"What the hell is Thundaja?" Paul asked, not sure what to expect from Pikachu. Starting to surround himself in a yellow glow, Pikachu continued to dodge all the leaves, slowly circling around the two continental Pokemon who were watching Pikachu carefully.
"Now!" I screamed, Pikachu instantly doing his thing. In a split second, multiple clones of Pikachu had surrounded the duo who had stopped using Leaf Storm in anticipation of Pikachu's attack. All bathing in electricity, everyone tried to see which of them was real. Everyone except me had missed one thing, Pikachu wasn't on the ground anymore. "Thundaja!" I screamed again, on purpose looking at Pikachu was right above mine and Paul's Torterra. Releasing all electricity stored, the clones did the same. Even though they weren't real, Pikachu had learnt how to gather electricity without being the focus point of it. Unleashing all the electricity, Paul's and my Torterra roared in pain as discharges went through their body and multiple burn marks left sign over their body. "Enough!" I called, Pikachu letting himself fall between the two and all clones disappearing with it.
"That was ridiculous!" May stated, being unable to comprehend that Pikachu could have that much power. To further prove the statement, our Torterra couldn't hold themselves standing anymore and hit the ground with a loud thud while half-sleeping in an attempt to rest.
"If that was his strongest, I don't want to think of what the rest can possibly do with the right training." Cynthia said, probably wondering how I could do it.
"Alright, Torterra start running back and forth as fast as you can alongside Tyrantrum and Meganium." I ordered, releasing Meganium and Tyrantrum who started running alongside Torterra.
"Meganium is already fast." Brock remarked, having known her since she was a Chikorita back when I caught her in Johto.
"Do you think anyone will expect Tyrantrum or Torterra to be fast?" I asked Brock, wanting to see if we shared the same opinions.
"Probably not, but I can see where you are going." Brock responded, making me nod before I continue to watch as my Pokemon were running back and forth without slowing down once. If they kept up with this, they would soon be fast enough to keep enough with normally trained Pokemon.
"Floatzel, Emboar!" I called my two Pokemon, who hadn't being doing anything so far. Walking over to me, in the case of Floatzel running, they patiently awaited me to instruct them on what they should do. "Floatzel, I wnat you to continuously use Water Gun on Emboar until you can put enough power behind so it comes Hydro Pump. Emboar, you will simply let yourself get hit by the Water Gun, obviously without getting too hurt." I instructed them, wanting Floatzel finally to learn Hydro Pump. Even with his evolution, I knew he would eventually learn Hydro Pump naturally but instead of waiting I could speed up the process while also working on Emboar's resistance to water.
"What are you planning to do with the rest?" May asked, now standing next to me and looking as my Pokemon trained. Thinking a little, I wasn't really sure how I could train Snorlax, Donphan and Glalie. Snorlax couldn't really do anything with speed, and needed more focus on his reaction time and strength in order to counter attacks. Donphan wasn't really fast either, unless using Rollout while Glalie was probably my least experienced Pokemon.
"Snorlax, I want you and Pikachu to train together." I said, getting both of their attention. "Snorlax, I want you in some way top Pikachu from hitting you with Iron Tail or Thunderbolt. You can do whatever you want to stop it. Then I also want both of you to just use your physical based attacks against the stones lying around until you can break the biggest suitable for you." I told them, both heading off to a remote area.
"What about Glalie and Donphan?" Brock questioned, probably not sure what I should train them in or how.
"Donphan, you'll use Rollout while Glalie will try to hit you with different attacks." I told them, both giving their agreement and starting their practice. Having being waiting, Charizard and Pidgeot flew over to and quickly landed while waiting for their exercise. "Charizard, you're going to go up in the air and fly around and battle Pidgeot, but without using any fire based attacks." I explained, earning a roar of anticipation from Charizard. Looks like he was going to enjoy the challenge. Only Lucario was left, but what I could do with him?
'Why don't you let me battle someone'? Lucario asked, having being silent the entire time. A smile crept on my face as I thought of the idea. Why not?
"Hey May, what do you think about having a little battle?" I asked her, she looked rather surprised at the request.
(May)
"Hey May, what do you think about having a little battle?" Ash asked seemingly spontaneous, making me blink a few times. Ash wanted to battle me? This could be my chance to prove myself to him!
"You're on!" I responded enthusiastic at the prospect of showing how much better I had become since we last saw each other at the Wallace Cup. "Let's go Blaziken!" I called, releasing my starter and strongest Pokemon. I had forgotten one thing though, and that was which Pokemon I would battle.
"Think you can handle a challenge?" I heard Ash ask Lucario before he took his place opposite Blaziken.
"This will be interesting." Paul said to Cynthia, obviously not believing that my chances were high.
"Don't underestimate her Paul, I'm sure May will put a reasonable fight. And even then, don't forget who she's battling." Cynthia responded. At least someone thought I could stand a chance against Ash and Lucario.
"Are you ready?" Ash asked me smiling, in no way wanting to take the easy route and abuse the opening he had. Only nodding, Ash looked like he was about to say something but didn't. "You can have the first move!"
"Blaziken, show them your Blaze Kick!" I shouted, Blaziken in the blink of second already in the air while preparing to slam his burning foot in Lucario.
"Lucario, ExtremeSpeed behind Blaziken then shove a Force Palm into his back." Ash countered, not breaking a single sweet at my quick assault. Turning into a blue blur, like had done against Garchomp, Lucario shoved his palm into the back of Blaziken who crashed into the ground. Opening my mouth to give a command, Ash didn't stop with his brutal beating. "Lucario, Aura Sphere."
"Blaziken!" I cried, never having seen Ash be this effective in a battle. Where was his excitement? Using Aura Sphere, Lucario didn't stop with one. No, he continued firing multiple ones before he gave up and let Blaziken slowly get back on his feet.
"It took him some time." Ash commented, making me unsure what he meant. Then I saw it. Blaziken's Blaze had kicked in! "Now show me what you got!"
"Blaziken, Flamethrower!" I ordered, happy to see that Ash was smiling again when battling. I thought his spirit had disappeared, but he simply wanted to push Blaziken to his limits. Watching Blaziken spew out flames, Lucario reacted by forming a shield of Aura around to stop from taking any direct damage. The heat still got through, and it got clear that Lucario didn't go unaffected by Blaziken's Flamethrower. "Blaziken, get close and try Blaze Kick again!"
"Get out of there!" Ash screamed, knowing that Lucario's shield was weaker from the rear and had no way of turning around without giving May an opening to strike. Quickly stopping to use the shield, this time though Lucario didn't get out unscathed. Getting hit straight in his stomach, Blaziken took another swing before letting Lucario get up. I knew Blaziken could do it!
"Now Blaziken, use Blast Burn!" I shouted, watching as the orb of fire formed in Blaziken's mouth, I didn't even hear Ash order Lucario to use Aura Sphere. Aiming straight for each other, the projectiles were obviously set for a collision course. Crashing into each other, an explosion was created and forced both Pokemon to steady themselves in order to not get thrown off their feet and into their trainers. Covering their eyes, I waited expectantly for the result. The smoke lighting up, I saw Blaziken and Lucario still standing. Even though they were standing, both were breathing heavy, heavily battered with burns marks or wounds over their entire body.
"Can you keep going?" Ash asked Lucario, giving a short grunt in response before he focused on me and Blaziken again.
"Stop it!" Rydia suddenly shouted, making me and Ash freeze. "I don't want to see my brother and sister fight!" Rydia nearly screamed, tears clearly visible in her eyes.
"Sister?" I mumbled to myself, not sure what to say or how to react.
"Everything's alright." I heard Ash say, before he walked over to Rydia and hugged her tightly while she was crying. Had she called me sister? I decided I needed to do something, so I walked over to Rydia and Ash, Blaziken and Lucario watching with interest.
"Hey there, Rydia." I greeted the little girl, removing her head from Ash's chest while looking at me with puffy eyes. "Why did you call me sister?"
"Because Ash is my big brother, and you're my big sister!" Rydia responded, a weak smile visible on her face.
"Alright then, what would you say if you could go with me and Ash to town and explore it for the rest of the day?" I asked, her smiling growing bigger with each word I said.
"Yay!" Rydia said gleefully while hugging me tightly, at least not crying this time.
"Then let's go!" Ash said, taking my hand while I took Rydia's and pulled us in the direction of town.
(Serena)
What did she have that I didn't? Was it that she was a better Pokemon Trainer than me?
I could only watch as Ash pulled along May, and his sister Rydia in the direction of town where they would spend the rest of the day. I wish I could have had May's place!
"You should stop doing that." a voice startled me, making me turn around.
"What?" I asked, not sure what Brock was referring to.
"It's rather obvious, isn't it? You got a crush on Ash, maybe even like him a lot. But you're also jealous, jealous that May and Ash are so close." Brock said, making my eyes widen a bit. How did he know everything? "You shouldn't deny it. If I would be you, I wouldn't cling on to Ash. He likes May, and May likes him. Even though I'm not sure how long it will take until they confess."
"So, I should just top having a crush on Ash?" I asked, smiling at his last comment.
"It would be the best. Then you wouldn't hurt your own feelings when they get together, and you would avoid hurting them if you tried to get in between them." Brock responded, placing a hand on shoulder. "There are many boys out there, who would love to know someone like you." Brock added, shooting a quick look over at Paul.
"Are you serious?" I questioned, not believing that Paul would possibly be interested in me.
"He won't admit it, but believe me, he likes you." Brock explained, making me shake my head before I stood up and slowly walked in Paul's direction.
"Hey there." I tried, sitting down next to him and Torterra who was bathing in the sun after the beating he got from Pikachu.
"Did you finally snap out of your trance?" he asked, making me unsure what exactly he meant.
"What?" I asked, before I understood what he meant.
"Are you going to keep chasing after Ketchum?" he continued, seemingly not being the friendliest person I've met. I simply shook my head instead of responding.
"So, how did you meet Ash?" I asked, not really knowing anything about Paul or how he knew Ash.
"I first met him back in Sinnoh, both of us had just started our journey through Sinnoh. Like him, I had travelled through multiple regions before I went through Sinnoh, even though it was my home region. We instantly became rivals, mostly because our different views on how to treat our Pokemon." Paul explained, not sure how Ash and Paul were treating their Pokemon differently.
"What do you mean with how you were treating your Pokemon?" I questioned, wanting to know what he meant.
"Back then, I was a completely different trainer. I treated my Pokemon rather badly, only keeping the strongest, never praising them, forcing them through harsh training. It worked, Ash never defeated me. Until the Sinnoh League. Our rivalry was based on which way too your Pokemon was best, and after he defeated me in our most important battle I had been proven wrong. So, I changed my views and started treating my Pokemon respect. I still treat them harsher than Ash does, but if my Pokemon are willing to have harsh training I won't stop them."Paul said, waiting for me to say something.
"And now you and Ash get along?" I asked, not sure how such different persons could get along.
"We do, but we're still rivals." Paul responded, I nodding. They got along, but were still rivals. At least better than what they had back in Sinnoh. "So, what about you?"
"I lived in Pallet Town some years ago, before I moved to Kalos. Me and Ash were inseparable back then." I remembered smiling, before something Brock said hit me. Should I really try it? "Would you like to go out with me?"
"What?" Paul asked. Oh man, that probably sounded really weird.
"I mean as friends, just explore town and maybe get something to eat."I quickly added, hoping I hadn't ruined my chance.
"Alright." Paul said standing up, before giving me his hand. Pulling me up, I immediately lost my balance. Shrieking as I was falling, I could feel an arm around my waist, pulling me back a lot softer this time. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go and enjoy ourselves!" I said, nearly skipping towards town. Paul was probably shaking his head before he followed me.
(Ash)
"Can we go back? Rydia asked, sounding while walking between me and May.
"Alright, we will go back. Just because you're so tired I will carry you piggyback. Okay?" I asked, a grin plastered on her face as I lowered myself so she could get on my back.
"So are you going to continue training tomorrow?" May asked, now walking next to while Pikachu sat on his usual place, Rydia snoring on my back and Pichu sleeping on her head.
"Yeah, if I don't I might not even get past Paul." I responded, staring at May's face longer than I should have.
"Is something on my face?" May wondered, having noticed my staring.
"Uh, no, but you've really changed." I responded, whispering the last part. Somehow hearing it, May's cheeks turned a light red before she quickly looked away.
"You think so?" May asked, not being able to get rid of her blush.
"Yeah, you've only grown prettier." I admitted, taking May's hand a light squeeze before I needed to get a hold of Rydia so she wouldn't fall off. Before she turned her head away again, I could see her cheeks turn dark red. Why was I saying things like that? I had never done something like that in Sinnoh.
"Thanks." May said, looking at me now. We were at camp already? I didn't even notice that we had gotten back so quick. Standing on her toes, May gave me a quick peck on the cheek before she rushed towards her tent. Lifting my hand, I touched the spot she had kissed me while my heart was pumping against my chest. No point in thinking over it today. Walking to Rydia's tent which she shared with Bonnie and Clemont, I tucked her inside with Pichu before I walked to my tent. The Kalos League was getting ever closer!
And cut! There you go, Chapter 2 is done. I thought about continuing having Serena be jealous of May, but I like her so I gave her another path. Will I ship her with Paul? Maybe. Now, with Chapter 3 kicking off the League, I would like to know this. Who would you like to return as an opponent for Ash? Tell me, and I might include them! Review as usual, and I'll see you guys next time!