Within Attraction
Chapter 8
I don't own Pokémon at all
Inside of a giant dome, there was some kind of celebration, the roar of the crowd could be heard from the distance, one voice stood out form the others, it was the voice of a woman who was hosting the great event, she was narrating the spectacle before her eyes, it was a Pokémon Contest
-Piplup, Bubble Beam!
-Tedidursa, dodge it and use Charm!
-Piplup don't look at it!
-Great, now Teddiursa Fury Swipes while he can't see you!
Piplup avoided the Charm attack but, since he had his eyes closed, he wasn't able to evade the next attack, Piplup was scratched several times by the little claws of Teddiursa, thank heavens Teddiursa is very cute but at one cost, attack power. Piplup quickly recovered from the attack and aimed for his adversary, he was ready to finish with this.
-Piplup Whirlpool!
-Teddiursa, Fake Tears! –That was the only thing she could order now, there was no chance for her Pokémon to avoid the giant water whirl in front of her eyes.
-Piplup don't hesitate, Teddiursa is acting!
The blue creature nodded and let the giant whirl go, the poor Teddiursa was swallowed by the mass of water and after a while, he appeared laying on the ground fainted, Piplup and Dawn jumped of joy, celebrating their new victory which also meant another ribbon for her case.
-That was a great display of beauty and power, please give us a giant applause for the winner of this contest and now owner of this precious ribbon, Dawn from Twinleaf town! –The crowd roared and shouted her name, acclaiming the champion of the contest, the blue-haired girl was waving and bowing expressing how thankful she was, Piplup was standing with his usual proud posture but this time, he deserved to be that proud of himself.
-I want to say this was a great battle, I enjoyed every moment of it, it is because of this kind of experiences I love coordinating, I want to thank you all people but specially I want to thank certain trainer who has spent a lot of time teaching me everything I need to know about contests, this wouldn't be possible without him. –The people knew who she was talking about, the boy she was traveling with, he was always cheering the loudest for her and seemed to be her source of inspiration.
Inside the crowd a trainer wearing a red cap was making his way out the mass of people, he rushed to the backstage to meet his friend, now winner of the contest. When he got there he was stopped by the security of the place, that area was reserved for competitors only and the boy wasn't allowed there, that until some girl told the guards to let him go.
-It's ok, he is my friend you can let him pass.
-Ok lady.
The trainer approached to the girl and grinned, the he gave a thumbs-up to the girl.
-You were fabulous there Dawn! You totally blew the competition off.
-Really? I felt like I committed some mistakes, and that last battle was very tough.
-There is no easy battle Dawn and remember you started your career as a coordinator not too long ago.
-You are exaggerating, I wasn't that great
-It's the job of the teacher to always cheer for his students
-Student? Since when I became your student?
-Since you took my advices
They took a brief pause and then they started laughing, after a while the stopped and Ash took a deep breath.
-Congratulations Dawn, you are just one ribbon away from the Grand Festival. –He said with the most sincere tone in the world, he was proud and happy to see Dawn succeeding in her goal of becoming a great coordinator.
The girl got closer to him and softly wrapped his neck with her arms and rested her head in the space between his neck and his shoulder, then with a smile on her face she softly whispered "Thank you Ash, you don't know how much this means to me".
Ash hesitated a little, she was so close to him and the feeling of her breath on his neck was an nice sensation, little by little he put one arm around her waist while he was scratching the back of his head with his free hand, his face was showing a slight blush but he wasn't as surprised as other times. She was very affectionate with him, since the first time she won a ribbon, she started to express her thanks to Ash in a very kind way; first a thumbs-up, then a high-five, then a hug and finally a cheerleader outfit for supporting him in his gym battles. Of course Ash was wondering about the reason behind her behavior but after some time he decided not to think about it.
-Emm Dawn, people are watching us.
-Huh? No need to worry hehe.
-I'm not worried, but it is because of this kind of scenes people start rumors.
-What kind of rumors? –She gave a shy giggle and waited for Ash's response.
-Eh well you know…THOSE rumors. –He was blushing and wasn't very comfortable with the pressure of the girl and the whispering of the people, he needed to find a way out.
-I don't understand Ash, could you explain it better?
The trainer did the most sensible thing he could do now, or at least the most sensible thing he came up with: Run. He took Dawn by the hand and ran away, of course that only created more speculation about their relationship but he didn't care, he only wanted to leave the place.
-You seem to enjoy those situations right? –He was catching his breath, with his hands on his knees.
-I don't enjoy them; I enjoy having fun at your expense.
-Wow, that's comforting. –He expressed with a sarcastic voice.
They had been in many situations like that with Dawn always being so kind and Ash not knowing what to do. People speculated a lot about them, and for good reasons; he was a very successful trainer and kind of famous, especially among the girls, she was a beautiful girl with a lot of potential and talent, and the most important fact: they were traveling alone, a boy and a girl spending a lot of time together with no one to supervise them, that situation could lead to many conclusions, that's why Ash didn't like Dawn to be so affective in front of others. It's not he disliked the fact of Dawn acting like that but he never liked to be the source of controversy or scandals, he preferred to pass unadvertised, contrary to Dawn, who loved to be the center of attention.
-Well Ash, where should we head now?
-That is obvious, to my last Gym battle in Sunyshore City!
-Sunyshore that's great! I've always wanted to visit that city, they say the lighthouse is impressive and the Gym Leader is the most powerful in all Sinnoh, some people even say he is the strongest candidate to join the elite four!
-Elite four? Now that's impressive, I fell charged, now we are ready to beat that leader, there is no one able to stop us, right Pikachu?
-Pika!
As always, Ash was overconfident, he had told Dawn to never underestimate an opponent and always fight as if you were facing the strongest challenger ever, too bad he couldn't follow his own advice all the time.
Since they already knew their next destination they didn't spend more time wandering or fighting, it was a long way to Sunyshore City and the time for getting the 8 badges required to enter the Sinnoh league was finishing.
After some walk they arrived to a little town between Celestic Town and Veilstone City it was a normal day there, people walking to the job, kids going to the school and shops offering bargains and discounts. This caught Dawn's attention, if we remember, she wanted to be a fashion designer so clothes, shoes and accessories were her weakness.
She was jumping from one shop to another browsing every single corner looking for the perfect piece for her already huge collection. Following her we had Ash, who happened to hate shopping, he was the classic boy not interested in fashion, trends or styles but now was playing the role of a slave, carrying the bags with Dawn's new acquisitions.
-Can we stop now? I don't feel my arms anymore
-Come on, you can beat the Battle Frontier, carrying some little bags should be no problem for you.
-Excuse me? These bags are so damned heavy my arms will fall apart, please I need to rest for a while, maybe we can eat something.
-Food is the only thing in your head, right? You should be looking for a new outfit too.
-Hey I'm comfortable with my clothing and yes, food is all I want Right Now, food and mercy.
-Ok ok, we can rest a little, but you must pay for my part too and I'm going to choose the place
-Wait a moment I have to pay even when you have treated me like your servant?
-Hey if you didn't notice we are having a date and men are supposed to pay when they are having a date so, do your part.
A slight red color appeared on their cheeks, a date? Were they having a date? Ash was surprised, for him she was only forcing him to carry her bags but now they ended up having a date. This wasn't his idea of date, for him a date should be something different, like going to an amusement park, riding some attractions and having fun, something like the date he had with May. The memory from a certain past event, a similar event, appeared on his mind, he quickly shook his head to vanish those thoughts and focused on the situation in front of his eyes.
-Emm ok, I'll pay for the food, let's go.
Dawn wasn't expecting him to accept her conditions so easily, she nodded and offered a smile, leading the way to a nice restaurant.
Ash had almost forgotten about the past events in Kanto, since Dawn was so cheerful and they were busy training for Gyms and contests, he cleared his mind and moved forward. The past was the past and the present was the present, he needed to concentrate in the present and the future. Of course he had moments of doubt when something or someone made him remember HER face, her smile, her voice, but without knowing Dawn had helped him to advance and recover.
They were in their way to the restaurant when suddenly a loud voice called their attention, it wasn't a common voice, it was a voice that reflected a lot of power and will, but also perfection a beauty.
-Hey coordinators all over the world!
Dawn immediately recognized that voice, it was the one and only Wallace, Champion of Hoenn Elite Four and one of the world's top coordinators.
-It's Wallace, I can't believe it! Wallace in front of us Ash!
-Walla…who?
Ash had no idea of who Wallace was and Dawn was hypnotized for his presence, so he only watched the events without asking anything else.
-So is this girl in front of me the talented Dawn from Twinleaf town? –Wallace asked
-What, me? Yes I'm Dawn from Twinleaf town! –She couldn't believe the great Wallace was talking to her.
-Well lady I'm Wallace, head of the Hoenn Elite 4 and I'm here to invite you to the one and only Wallace Cup, an invitation-only challenge where you will face the strongest opponents from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and of course Sinnoh, would you please us with your presence?
For one moment the girl froze, her mind was blank and her body wasn't responding, it was because of Ash shaking her a little that she recovered the conscience and gave an answer to Wallace.
-Yes, of course I'll join the competition!
-Fantastic! Now with your presence we can assure a great competition.
After saying those words, Wallace stared at Ash, he was analyzing the person in front of him, then he asked the obvious.
-Are you Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town on Kanto?
-What? Me? Eh yes I am.
-Wow it's an honor to meet you, I watched your performance in the Hoenn league, you were impressive, too bad we couldn't battle each other, and then your victory in the Battle Frontier you are incredible sir.
No one could believe the words coming from Wallace's mouth, he was praising Ash Ketchum, he had never done something like that before.
-So, you are the one who made this girl one of the best coordinators in Sinnoh, right?
-I just taught her the basics, she is the one who has accomplished everything.
-Maybe you are right but it requires a lot of hard work and will to do that, and that's why I want you to participate in my contest too, you might be a trainer but you know a lot about coordinating, I have seen you, you are a great teacher mister Ash, would you please us with your presence?
-Hey I'm not a coordinator, I know a thing or two but I don't feel ready to enter a contest.
-If I'm not wrong, you have entered a contest before and you tied in the first place, you have the skills, I'm sure you will love the experience of battling the best of the best
Ash remained silent for a few seconds, thinking about Wallace's words, at the end he realized he had no other choice than accepting the offer.
-Ok, I'll join the competition.
…
…
…
-Blaziken Blaze Kick!
-Medichamp, use Reflect now!
The flaming kick of Blaziken was rejected by the energy field and the red Pokémon was launched backwards, meanwhile, Medichamp was focusing his energy for a final hit.
-He is preparing a Focus Punch, Blaziken hurry use Overheat!
Blaziken started glowing and from its mouth a powerful orange beam emerged, aiming to Medichamp who released the Focus Punch just in time. The impact was so strong all the people in the audience had to cover their eyes. In the arena, after the cloud of dust vanished, you could see two Pokémon, one was kneeling and the other was on the ground with whirls on its eyes.
The scoreboard showed the picture of the winner, it was a brunette girl wearing a green bandana and an orange sleeveless t-shirt.
-Wow May –The hostess said –you were incredible as always, I'm honored to present this beautiful Ribbon that represents your victory in this Contest.
The girl took the ribbon, stood on one foot and made a victory sign, complimenting everything with a wink, she celebrated her newest achievement. The girl had gone through difficult times, loneliness and fear were recurring feelings in her mind, for moments, she wanted to give up on everything and return to the safety of her home but moments like this, when she was rewarded for her hard job, made all those bad sensations disappear, at least for a moment.
It was her 4th ribbon so far, she needed one more only one more, but it was easier said than done, she had entered many contests and had lost a good part of them, the time for the Johto Grand Festival was closer and she desperately needed her final Ribbon, but thanks to her rivals and her constant change of mood, the opportunity she needed seemed very distant in the future. Her Rivals were stronger than ever, and her mood was going from happy and joyful to depressed, one day she woke up ready to face any challenge and the next one she felt like Falling Into Infinity.
Two days had passed since her last victory and she was seeking for the best contest to enter, she was expecting to avoid three people in particular, one "man" wearing the weirdest outfit ever, a girl who was the winner of the Kanto Grand Festival and finally, a green-haired boy. She was trying to avoid each one of them for a specific reason: the weirdo was so annoying and evil she didn't even want to see him, the girl was very powerful and beauty and the green-head had caused her many troubles, not only as a competitor but also as a person.
She didn't want to compete against them, they were too strong, but that boy called Drew, because of him, because of him her world collided and became what it is now.
-If I could tell you… -She sighed with her eyes filled with nostalgia.
-Excuse me lady, are you the princess of Hoenn May from Petalburg City?
-Eh? Excuse me what are you …-She stopped on the middle of her sentence, watching the person standing in front of her. –Wallace!
-Oh it seems you know me it's my pleasure to meet you lady.
-No, it's MY pleasure to meet YOU, the great Wallace!
-Thank you, I'm here to make an offer.
-An offer, to me?
-Have you heard about the Wallace Cup?
-Of course I have, it's an invitation-only contest that gathers the best coordinators of each region!
-Exactly and I'm here to personally invite you to this grand event, would you please us with your presence?
-Me? You are inviting ME? Bu… but why, there are many others better than me.
-Maybe there are other coordinators who have achieved more things but you are as talented as them, or even more.
-Really? If it is Wallace who tells me that, I suppose I can't refuse your invitation.
-Excellent! The event is to be held in Lake Valor in Sinnoh in just two weeks, please prepare yourself and your Pokémon.
That way, as fast as he appeared, he vanished, May was astonished but not only for the invitation but for the location of the contest, the place when she once promised to go along with her boyfriend.
-Ash, I wonder how you are doing…
I had to alter the story a little, specially for the contest where Ash and May got their ribbon, at the beginning i wasn't planning to include that fact but i ended up putting it into this chapter, so for practical purposes, Ash and May got that ribbon not in Terracota Town but somewhere else (i mentioned Terracota some chapters ago but no contest was included, i guess the location is not very important).
Read, Review and Enjoy!
