The laughter replayed in his head, as if on an endless loop. He slumped against one of the trees within the forest, crossing his arms and gritting his teeth. His head hung low, as if his confidence was thrown out of the window. Daniel took out Bisharp's pokeball, staring at it, his vision becoming blurry as he slightly teared up.
"Why…" he muttered under his breath, shutting his eyes as to not remind of himself of his humiliation.
"There he is!" a familiar voice sounded in the distance, followed by constant footsteps in his direction. After several seconds, Daniel's friends had reached him, walking around the tree to see their friend.
"WOW, he's actually crying." Andres mocked, disappointed with his friend.
"Are you okay Mister Daniel?" Lucas asked, worried.
"Dude, it's alright, it's just a loss, you can win next time!" George reassured, not completely understanding Daniel's reasoning for his breakdown.
"It's not the loss dammit!" Daniel cried opening his eyes to look at his friends.
"Then what is? People laughing at you? How lame…" Andres scoffed, getting a glare from Daniel who didn't appreciate the comment.
"Dude!" George said to andres, not liking how Andres is handling the situation.
"I said it before, I'll say it once more: Who gives a shit about what other people think? Only take the approval of those you care about. But I guess forgot about that, didn't you?"
Daniel looked away from Andres, knowing that he was right. He didn't forget, but he couldn't just move on like that.
"Yeah, sure, Andres is right and all, but that won't cut it for you, right?" George said to Daniel, who nodded making a "mhm" sound. Andres rolled his eyes, Lucas looking at Andres as he looked away.
"Yeah… winning or losing, I don't care… I just want respect dammit. That's all I've ever wanted, to be like him… My brother…" Daniel explained, tears slowly streaming down his face. Daniel tried his best to hide it.
"You aren't going to get respe-" Andres was cut off by George putting his hand out towards andres to silence him.
"Ignore him, look, Daniel. I'm not going to lie and say I completely understand how you feel. But I do know why you're feeling like this. You look up to your big bro and you want to be just like him, right?" George inquired, Daniel nodding once more.
"Kinda…" Daniel mumbled. George smiled, putting his hands on his sides.
"That's really cool, but it seems like you've lost sight of what you're fighting for."
"What do you mean…?"
"Remember why you left your house, remember why Bisharp's your partner, remember why you left to go on this journey with us in the first place."
Daniel looked up at George, some light in his eyes when George said this.
"That's right, to get stronger. It's okay to lose, but that's what makes us stronger in the end. You're fighting to get stronger and beat your brother."
Lucas, who was speechless and could not find a place in the conversation simply watched, admiring Daniel's relationship with his comrades.
"That's right… I left because of the humiliation, the disrespect… That's why I'm here today… with you guys! So we can get stronger together and achieve our goals!"
George had a big smile, happy that he could cheer his friend up.
"Thank you… guys… from this day forth… I promise I won't lose anymore, I won't hold you guys back! We're going to enter the Pokemon League, TOGETHER! As the Holy GAD!"
"Now that's what I'm talking about! Rock on!" George put his fist out for a fist-bump which was quickly returned.
"We're going to win the Pokemon League, and make it to the top!" They both said, switching into a handshake.
Lucas let out a sigh of relief, knowing the problem's finally be settled. Daniel and George looked to Andres who smirked and closed his eyes.
"Well, it's good to know you're back in high spirits. I am joining the pokemon league in search of worthy opponents, because most likely, we're going to have to throw down during it and I need a good challenge."
"Heh, you're on, Andres." Daniel challenged, letting go from his handshake and wiping the tears.
"That's the spirit! Now you go out there and win!"
"Yeah!"
And so, the group returned to the pokemon center where they slept and woke the next morning. Several hours after waking up, they immediately set off towards the Gym for a rematch. Upon entering the building and getting inside the lobby room. Several of the girls from before were lined up, blocking the entrance to the gym.
"We welcome yuh kindly." All of them said, synchronized which freaked out the group.
"Great, now they're all talking weird…" Daniel thought to himself, preparing to speak, he said to the group, "I'm here for a rematch."
The girls snickered before stepping out of the way, making room for the group to enter the room. The crew entered the passageway of stairs and entered a very large room.
It was a wooden walkway toward the arena with red railing also made of wood. The arena was in the center of the room with a smooth rock frame around the arena. The other two sides adjacent to that path led to the stands and on the opposite end was leader's entrance. The arena was over a large pond larger than the arena, and surrounding the pod (and occupying the rest of the room) was trees and rocks. The walls had a grid pattern with a white background and red lines. Finally, four massive lights hung from the ceiling.
"Pretty" is what the group thought of the room. They continued to walk forward, looking all around and taking in the sight, the smell. Daniel stepped into the arena, no one else around besides the black haired girl being referee. George, Lucas, and Andres went to the side and stood on the stands.
"I wonder if has a plan this time." Lucas said, looking at Daniel who released Bisharp from the pokeball.
"Well, we'll just have to see" Andres spoke, crossing his arms out of habit.
The lights in the gym turned off, everything going dark and the walls emitting a dim light. The walls appeared to change into a dark blue screen with pink petals falling down in a loop. Everyone looked at the walls, observing the falling petals. A sound was heard opposite of Daniel's side as Valerie rose upwards onto the stage. Valerie walked towards her end of the arena and bowing.
"I see yuh have come for another battle."
"Yeah, today's not going to turn out like yesterday."
"Ah see, this will be interesting then. Shall we begin?"
"The Laverre Gym match between Gym Leader Valerie and challenger Daniel will now begin!" the black haired girl announced repeating the usual rules, Bisharp taking a fighting stance.
"Ah will begin" Valerie said, "Come forth, Sylveon!" Valerie spun around and threw a pokeball which released her Sylveon. Bisharp stayed still keeping a close eye on his opponent.
"Bisharp isn't starting off with a charge this time." George pointed out, catching the attention of the other two.
"So he's being cautious now… good idea." Andres complimented, curious to see how Daniel will handle Valerie this time.
"Use Disarming voice!" Valerie commanded, her Sylveon shouting and multiple hearts that enlarged headed straight toward Bisharp. Bisharp ducked out of the way, the trail of hearts slowly moving to follow him. Bisharp ran towards Sylveon, remembering the fake blades he was given that day.
"How can I use these…" Bisharp thought to himself, a lightbulb going off in his mind. Bisharp jumped in the air and took off one of the blades and throws it at Sylveon. Sylveon stops its attack to dodge, the blade hitting the ground and getting stuck. Sylveon looked at the blade confused. Sylveon quickly looked back at bisharp, realizing it took its eyes off of its opponent. Bisharp was very close, preparing a downward smash on the Sylveon. Valerie's pokemon jumps out of the way, bisharp changing positions so he can land on his feet.
Bisharp landed on the floor, looking to his left to find several white colored ropes tie around him and restrain him.
"What the hell is this?!" Bisharp cursed in his mind, trying to break free but to no avail. Bisharp was flung around, Sylveon constantly spinning him around. Bisharp felt himself getting dizzy but calmed himself and tried his best not to.
"Fairy Wind!" Sylveon lifted Bisharp into the air as a massive vortex of fairy wind blasted against Bisharp, damaging him.
Daniel started getting a little nervous, and it felt like a slight breeze just blew against him even though there was nothing. Sylveon then slammed Bisharp into the ground, letting go of its grasp on him. Bisharp got up slowly, bruised all over. Daniel twitched slightly out of nowhere, Daniel looking at himself and back at Bisharp.
"You good buddy?!" Daniel called out to Bisharp who gave a thumbs up of approval. Sylveon shot the ropes from its body towards Bisharp once more. Bisharp stayed still, making no attempt to dodge this. When the ropes came close, Bisharp grabbed ahold of all of them before they could wrap themselves around Bisharp. Everyone besides Daniel and Bisharp was surprised by this. Bisharp yanked back on the rope, Sylveon sudden being pulled towards Bisharp as it was lifted off the ground.
"Sylveon, use Giga Impact!" Sylveon was covered in bright, glowing aura as it came close to Bisharp. Daniel and Bisharp smirked simultaneously, Bisharp side-stepping and letting go of the ropes. Bisharp put his fists together and spun around. Sylveon realized the predicament it was in and couldn't do anything about it, just a couple feet away from Bisharp.
"Now." Daniel thought, Bisharp spinning again and slamming his fists against Sylveon's side. Sylveon, upon being hit, was launched sideways and landed on the floor, rolling.
"That was clever." Andres complimented, smiling. Lucas observed the fight, amazed at Bisharp's capabilities. Daniel rubbed his arms after this for no apparent reason he could think of. Sylveon was unconscious and unable to battle.
"Sylveon is unable to battle! Bisharp wins!" the referee announced to everyone. Valerie's returns Sylveon to its ball and throws out Spritzee.
"Not this thing…!" Bisharp and Daniel thought at the same exact time.
"The real challenge begins." Andres said, pulling up Typhlosion's pokeball and looked at it.
"how are they going to pull this off?" George stated, feeling a bit of concern.
"Spritzee, Trick room!" Blue checkerboard walls emerged from the ground and surrounded the arena, and sealing the top with a ceiling.
"What the…" Daniel commented, looking at Bisharp who was confused and repeatedly looked around. Valerie smiled, telling Spritzee to use Moonblast. The blast moved towards Bisharp quickly, the Dark Steel pokemon diving out of the way of the blast which hit the ground.
"Gyro Ball!" Spritzee continuously spun forward and charged towards Bisharp who was getting up. Bisharp looked at the Spritzee and got hit by the attack, knocking Bisharp against the wall. Daniel rubbed his stomach, it felt like something just pressed against it. Bisharp struggled to get up, rubbing it's stomach as well.
"I might have to pull that same trick I did to Sylveon but question is… how?" Bisharp thought to himself, getting up and waiting for his opponent's next move.
"Fairy Wind!" Spritzee created a vortex of Fairy wind which headed straight for Bisharp.
"SHIT!" Bisharp cursed, getting caught up in the attack and being flung in the air while taking damage.
"Follow it up with Dazzling Gleam!" Spritzee moved close to Bisharp as he fell, consuming him in the beam of light and shooting him away towards the ground. Bisharp was more bruised than ever, and Daniel's body slightly ached out of nowhere.
Bisharp's body was shaking as he tried to get up again.
"That's some impressive determination Bisharp has, but ah think ah shall end this. Moon Blast!" Valerie ordered, Spritzee charging up a blast and firing it at the weak Bisharp. Lucas closed his eyes, not wanting to see Bisharp lose. Andres furrowed his brows and George started to freak out.
"No… this can't be the way it ends... We made a promise to Samuel that we would battle him! We made a promise to the Holy GAD! That we wouldn't lose anymore!" Daniel and Bisharp thought at the exact same time. Daniel and Bisharp both closed their eyes, the blast so close now. "but if i lose… If I lose…!" The blast hit bisharp and exploded,covering that area in smoke.
"All of this would have been for nothing…"
"Nooo!" George cried, slamming his hands against the railings of the stands. Andres merely stared at the smoke, everyone's attention on it. Daniel's eyes shot open, a new light in his eyes.
"That's why… We won't lose!"
Two red glowing dots appeared within the smoke, and the smoke turned slightly purple. The other blade falling off and landing on the floor.
"What the…!" George said, focusing as the smoke blew away to reveal a wavy ball of aura, purple at the core but transitions to a dark red for the outer layer. Two bright red glowing dots within the ball. Andres threw up his eyebrows, Lucas openings his eyes and was shocked. The Trick room faded and everything turned back to normal.
"What is this?!" Valerie questioned, not sure what to do. "Moon Blast once more!"
Spritzee fires the moon blast at the sphere, the blast getting smacked away effortlessly when it came close. Everyone gasps that the powerful attack was deflected.
"One more time!" Valerie began to panic, Spritzee firing one more blast. The attack was cut in half by the the aura. Spritzee blinked only to find the ball of aura directly in front of it in the air and could barely make out a red figure within the orb. In a flash, Spritzee was struck down towards the ground, creating a small crater where the pokemon lied, unconcious.
"S-spritzee is unable to battle! Bisharp wins!" The referee announced the victor, everyone stared at what everyone thought was still Bisharp. The ball of aura descended to the ground, dissipating to reveal Bisharp back to normal, both Daniel and Bisharp falling to their knees. Daniel profusely sweating, breathing heavily as well as Bisharp.
"What was that power…?" Andres thought to himself, surprised by Bisharp's sudden display of power. Andres gasped as he remember what Olympia showed them. "Is that Representative of Creation thing finally starting to appear? What is it?" Andres and the other two quickly make their way down to rejoin the victor.
"Therefore, the winner is challenger Daniel!"
Daniel and Bisharp look each other in the eyes, bisharp seeings himself in Daniel's eyes and Daniel seeing himself in Bisharp's eyes.
"What… was that…?" They both thought. Valerie returns Spritzee to it's pokeball and looked at the two of them.
"That was a truly excellent battle. Ah don't know what that was, but something tells me that was out of pure determination and your bond with each other. Ah praise yuh!"
Daniel, slowly got up and walked over to his pokemon who did the same. They stood in front of each other, exchanging their signature fist-bump. The referee brought the case with the gym badge which Valerie awarded to Daniel. Everyone leaving the building, Daniel and the others picking up the blades and leaving. Daniel was being flooded with questions on their way out.
"Yo, man, what was that?!" George asked.
"I don't know, I swear!" Daniel answered honestly.
" ! You and Bisharp were really cool during that battle!" Lucas praised, Daniel thanking him.
"I have an idea for what that could be." Andres spoke up, everyone immediately turning to Andres to hear him out, "You guys remember what Olympia showed us? What if these are the early signs of it?" The Holy GAD except for Lucas was confused by Andres's question.
"Maybe… but at that moment, when Bisharp was like that, I felt a major connection… but I can't quite explain what it was like… All I know that it was something I've never experienced in my life before…" Daniel explained, looking at his hand, forming a fist, "Whatever it is, I want to help Bisharp obtain that level of strength again, and help the two of us continue to grow and get stronger."
Later during the day, Andres and George commenced with their battles which they won with some difficulty. And now, it was Lucas's turn, the group had made their way back to the gym. They were right outside the building now.
"Well, I guess it's time to go, ." Lucas said, turning to the group who was confused.
"What do you mean? you're getting ready to battle Valerie, aren't you?" Daniel stated.
"Yeah, but you're trying your hardest to become stronger, and I have so much to learn! I don't want to hold you guys back."
"Hey, I mean, you could join our group, the Holy GAD." Daniel suggested, George and Andres giving him a look.
"Thank you for the offer, , but I'll be okay. I want to travel on my own and grow stronger with Dewott."
"You sure?"
"Yes, and also one more thing, ."
"Yeah?"
Lucas bowed down towards Daniel, shutting his eyes which confused the Holy GAD.
"Will you please be my teacher? You're so cool and I learned so much from you! I want you to teach me more.
"W-what?!" George questioned.
"Teacher?!" Andres repeated, dumbfounded. Daniel stood there, speechless that he was asked such a question.
"I'm not good enough to be a teacher though…" Daniel somewhat mumbled.
"That isn't true! You've taught me so much and you're continuing to improve, please be my teacher!"
Andres and George look at Daniel who stroked his chin and closed his eyes.
"Alright… I'll be your teacher."
"Thank you! I want to impress you the next time we meet and hopefully, I can become a worthy rival someday!"
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it." Daniel put his fist out for a fist-bump which Lucas returned.
And so, the Holy GAD set off to Lumiose City via Route 14. Daniel and Bisharp attaining a new level of power which they are unaware of. The sun slowly set and Andres felt the urge to say something.
"Daniel, I want to say something." Andres spoke up, Daniel turning to Andres, "I want to say sorry for how I've been whenever you get upset."
"Oh… it's alright Andres, no need to be sorry." Daniel forgave.
"Look, I'm not looking down on you, please don't think that. I really do try to help but I come off as rude. I don't mean to be like that but to me, it's best to be blunt and truthful and get straight to the point. George was right this time, I was wrong and I apologize."
"Thanks… Andres."
"No, thank you, now I'm excited for the Pokemon League, because it looks like I have a rival with a lot of potential." Andres said, smirking and looking at Daniel who smiled back.
Daniel got a notification and pulled up his pokedex to find he's received a message from Serena.
"Hey, sorry I couldn't talk for the last couple days, I've been busy! I just wanted to know how you're doing and where you're at."
-Serena
Daniel typed back.
"It's all good, I've been busy myself. I'm doing good, me and the guys are in Route 14, heading to Lumiose City."
-Daniel
"Oh! Are you coming this way?"
-Serena
"Which way would that be?"
-Daniel
"Are you heading to Courmaline City after Lumiose?"
-Serena
"Yeah, that's the plan, why?"
-Daniel
"What a coincidence! Me, Ash, and the others are heading to Courmaline City soon! Maybe we should meet up there? We're going because I'm going to participate in my very first pokemon performance!"
-Serena
"What's that?"
-Daniel
"It's better if I show you, so what about it?"
-Serena
"Sounds good, cya there."
"Yo, fellas, you guys cool if we meet up with you know who in Courmaline City when we get there?" Daniel asked friends.
"No." Andres said bluntly, George and Daniel both giving him a look. Andres turned to them and bursted out laughing, "I'm just joking, sure man, knock yourself out."
"Sweet!"
And like that, the group set off on their journey, now with a new goal of reuniting with Serena within Courmaline City. What will happen to the group next? Find out next chapter.