Note #1: Time skip! The group will be at Daybreak Town.
Note #2: Two new characters about to be introduced!
Ryan: 22
Jessica: 21
Note #3: You must be wondering this: "What? Another battle? Alright!". Well, don't think like that. It's not exactly a battle, well, not with Pokemons that is. Read on ahead if you want to know what I mean.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of its characters. I, however, own all of my OC characters.
Chapter 9 - Battle On Arrival! Jack Vs. Sophia!
(At Daybreak Town...)
"Finally! We're at Daybreak Town!" Ash shouted.
"Yeah!" Jack agreed. "It was about time!"
"Why do you say that Jack? Did you not like what happen during the journey?" Kate asked seductively.
During the journey, Kate and Sophia acted 'seductively' around Jack, through the use of her newfound knowledge. Let's just say that Jack didn't like how they acted, end of story. Ash also suffered the same fate, except that it was Dawn and Maria. At least Ash actually enjoyed the attention he was getting, making Brock very jealous of Jack and Ash.
"Please Kate, just drop it." Jack begged Kate.
"Let me think... No. You're too fun to tease." Kate said.
Jack sighed. "Why Arceus? Why?" Jack threw his arms to the skies.
"Come on daddy, we're only having a little fun." Sophia said.
Jack sighed again. "I know that Sophia, but it's kinda getting out of hand."
"But it's fun..." Kate said as she wrapped her arms around Jack's right arm.
"Kate, no offence, but you've been a burden since you joined us."
"And how is that?" Kate pulled away from Jack.
"Well... The whole 'I'm dating Jack' thing was stupid and you've been annoying me the whole time we've been travelling. And that was only a few hours ago." (A/N: I'm guessing it's a few hours. I'm not sure.)
"Well, if you think that I'm a burden to you, I think I should go back."
Jack had realized that he went a little overboard with that comment. "Uhh, actually you know what, I was wrong about everything. I'm sorry."
"How sorry are you?"
"Very sorry. I didn't mean to say it."
"I'll believe you on that." Kate wrapped her arms around Jack's.
Jack sighed in relief. He turned his attentions to Dawn. "So Dawn, when's that contest of yours?"
"Tomorrow." Dawn said.
"Oh, alright then. Didn't expect it to be that soon."
"Umm... Dawn? Could you stop hugging my arm?" Ash asked.
"Why? Don't you like being like this?" Dawn got closer to Ash.
Ash blushed. "I admit I do, but you and Maria have been on both of my arms for nearly half an hour now. I can't feel it anymore."
"Come on daddy, can't we hold onto your arms? Just until we get to the Pokemon Center?" Maria gave Ash the puppy-dog face. Dawn joined in the act.
"I..." Ash sighed heavily. "Okay, I guess you can." Ash gave in.
"Yaaaaay!" Maria shouted in joy.
"There's the Pokemon Center." Brock said as he pointed at the building with the red roof.
"Come on, let's go there." Jack said.
As the group make there way to the Pokemon Center, they noticed that a couple holding hands was heading to the Center as well. Kate decided to tease Jack by holding his hands, mimicking the couple. Kate let go of Jack's arm and then held his hand.
"What are you doing Kate? Why are you holding my hand?" Jack asked her.
"Holding onto your hand Jack, what do you think?" Kate asked.
The couple stopped and turned around. They looked at the group and saw Jack and Kate holding hands.
"Well, well, well," The man said. "Looks like Jack finally found himself a proper girl."
"You're right." The woman said. "And are you implying that she's not normal?"
The group stopped and looked at the couple.
"What? No. You know what I mean."
"I do, but it's fun to tick you off." The women grinned.
"You're great now, aren't you?"
"Wait, how do you two know me?" Jack asked them.
"I can't believe it. Jack, how can you forget us?" The man asked him, fake tears rolling down from his eyes.
"Well, first of al-" Jack stopped and walked up to them. He examined them carefully. He quickly realize who they were. "Ryan! Jessica!" He quickly hugged them.
"Well, at least he remembered us now." Jessica said. Jessica had brown long hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a white t-shirt with a picture of a Pikachu at the front of the shirt, a pink skirt and brown boots.
"Yeah, at least he does." Ryan said. Ryan had blonde short hair and green eyes. He was wearing a light-blue tight t-shirt, brownish-green shorts and black shoes.
Jack pulled away from them. "It's been a while Ryan. What have you and your missus been up to?" Jack asked them.
"Nothing much really. It's been relaxing. Smooth, might I add."
"Umm, Jack? Are you going to keep talking to them or are you going to introduced them to us?" Kate asked.
"Oh right. Everybody, this is my cousin, Ryan." Jack introduced.
"Yo. Nice to meet you all." Ryan said.
"And this is his wife, Jessica."
"Hello everybody. I hope we can be good friends." Jessica said.
"I'm Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town, and this is my parnter, Pikachu." Ash introduced himself.
"Pi-ka pi-ka-chu." Pikachu squeaked.
"Ohhh, your Pikachu is so adorable!" Jessica squealed as she ran over to Ash and took his Pikachu from his shoulder, giving him a bear hug.
"Pi-ka pi-ka..." Pikachu struggled to break free, but quickly stopped his attempt as he took in Jessica's scent.
"Anyway. I'm Dawn from Twinleaf Town, and this is my parnter, Piplup." Dawn said.
"Pip pip-lup." Piplup said.
"I'm Brock and I'm a Pokemon Breeder." Brock said.
"I'm Kate. Glad to make my acquaintance known." Kate said.
"My name is Sophia. It's a pleasure to meet you two." Sophia nerviously said.
"My name's Maria." Maria said.
"Hello everybody." Ryan said. "So Jack, I see you finally have a proper girlfriend."
Jack blushed. "What are you saying? Don't jump to conclusions like that." Jack said.
"Now, now Jack. There's really no point in hiding. We all know that this will happen one day."
"Come on Ryan, she's not my girlfriend."
"What are you saying now Jack?" Kate walked up to him, deciding to tease him. "What happened to the three months of dating?"
"You got me into that mess. And don't try anymore of the 'dating' thing until we're actually dating."
"Does that mean I'm a potential girlfriend for you?"
Jack sighed heavily. 'How long is she going to go with this 'teasing me' thing?' Jack hunged his head dejectedly.
"What mess are you talking about?" Ryan interrupted Kate's 'teasing moment'.
"Do you remember Connor and Tim?"
"Oh yeah. I remember them. Troublesome boys. Although I like Tim. He seems to be a good boy."
"Well, I do admit that Tim doesn't seem to be a bad guy. Anyway, you see, apparently, ten years ago, they tried to kidnap and make Kate Connor's wife. It also seems that they have tried this numerous times."
"Definitely. They have definitely tried it a number of times." Kate said.
"Really now? This is getting interesting."
"Well, long story short, Kate decided to tell Connor that she's dating me in order to stop Connor's attempts in trying to pick her up. Or to just piss him off. Maybe both."
"Okay." Ryan grinned slightly. "And you said you've been going out her for three months, right?"
"You catch on pretty fast, don't you?"
"Humph. Maybe you should consider the idea of dating Kate, I mean, she's obviously the right one for you."
Kate blushed. "You think so Ryan?" Kate asked.
"Of course. I mean, Jack did make that promise ten years ago."
"Wait. How did you know about that promise?" Jack asked.
"Kate told me about it. It was a long, long time ago though."
"Awww man. The last thing I want is for more people to know about it."
"Relax, will ya?"
Jack sighed.
"Hey guys?" Ash said.
"Yeah?" They said.
"Could you continue your conversation in the Pokemon Center?"
"Oh okay."
(In the Pokemon Center...)
"Nurse Joy!" Brock said as he grabbed Nurse Joy's hands. "My love! We cou-"
BAM!
"ACK! MY BACK!" Brock yelped in pain as Croagunk used Poison Jab on him.
"Croa-gunk." Croagunk croaked as he dragged Brock by the legs to who knows where.
"Oh dear." Nurse Joy said. "Will he be okay?"
"Don't worry, he'll be fine." Dawn assured her.
"Oh okay. Welcome to the Pokemon Center. How may I help you?"
"Could you please treat our Pokemons for us?" Ash asked politely.
"Sure, just give me your Pokemons and I'll treat them."
They gave their respective Pokemons to Nurse Joy and head for the sofas and sat down.
"Now. Can you please tell me and clarify the current situation here with you and Kate?" Ryan asked Jack.
"Kate and I are not dating." Jack said.
"Okay, thank you for clearing that up." Ryan looked at Sophia. "I only noticed this now, but why is there two little girls in your group?"
"That's because he's my daddy!" Sophia said as she embraced Jack.
Ryan and Jessica's eyes widen in shock. "Did I just hear her say..."
"Daddy? Yeah. You did."
"Alright Jack. Who was it? Don't be shy and tell me all about it."
"Stop jumping to conclusions Ryan. It isn't anything like that."
"Really? Come to think of it, she doesn't even look like you. Was she adopted?"
"Yeah. Since she and her friend over there," Jack pointed to Maria. "Had nowhere to go, so, I decided to adopt Sophia."
"I see. Wait a minute. Who adopted her?" Ryan was refering to Maria.
"I did." Ash said.
Ryan cocked a eyebrow. "Are you serious mate? Being a dad is a huge responsibility."
"Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"Whatever you say."
"I'm so jealous!" Jessica shouted.
"Why are you so jealous?" Ryan asked.
"Jack and Ash both have a beautiful girl, while we don't have a child yet."
"Relax honey. We'll have a child soon. I promise."
"Okay dear."
"Hey Jack." Ryan turned his attentions to Jack.
"What is it Ryan?" Jack said.
"It's been a while since we battle. How about a battle when we get our Pokemons back?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
"Alright then, it's a battle."
"Definitely."
"Daddy is going to beat you, that's for sure." Sophia said.
"Now now Sophia, you can't say that to Ryan."
"Why not?"
"Ryan here is a tough Trainer. I could never beat him, although one time I think I did beat him but I think it was a draw."
"Come on Jack, don't say that. It's been two years since we battled. And I didn't lose that time."
"Dang it." Jack snapped his fingers. "Anyway, I know Ryan, it's been two years but everytime we battle, I always end up losing to you."
"Well, we'll just have to see if you've learned your lesson."
"Yeah. Anyway, what are you doing here at Daybreak Town?"
"We're here to see the contest." Jessica said as she held two tickets for the contest.
"Oh right, yeah. That reminds me, Dawn. Do you have your combinations ready?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Just asking. Thought you might needed some help."
"Hey Jack, how's my dad doing these days?" Ryan asked.
"Well, last time I saw him, he was as fit as a horse."
"Okay. Good to hear that the rich old man is still up and running." Ryan stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be taking a scroll around town with Jessica."
Jessica stood up. "See you guys in a bit." They walked out of the Center.
"Daddy?" Sophia said.
"Yeah Sophia? What is it?" Jack asked.
"Can we do something together?"
"Well, what do you want to do?"
"Can you help me with training my Pokemons?"
"Come to think of it, you don't know anything about training, do you?"
"No daddy."
"Alright then, let's get to the battlefield."
"Jack. You don't even have a Pokemon on hand." Brock said.
"Who said that I need a Pokemon?" Jack and Sophia went to the battlefield with the others following them.
(At the battlefield...)
"Alright Sophia, call out Lucario and Chikorita." Jack said.
"Okay." Sophia pulled out two Pokeballs. "Lucario and Chikorita, come out!" Sophia tossed her Pokeballs.
"Ugggh!" Lucario grunted.
"Chi-ko!" Chikorita yelled her name.
"What do I do now daddy?" Sophia asked Jack.
"It's simple Sophia. Get Lucario and Chikorita to attack me." Jack told her.
Everybody, except Kate, widen their eyes in shock.
"Are you insane Jack?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah Jack. Letting a Pokemon attack you is stupid." Ash said.
"I think it's time that you guys know how I train."
"How you train?"
"Yes. As a Aura Guardian, I have to train myself, in order to keep my strength. And this is one of the ways I train myself."
"In order to keep your strength? What are you talking about?" Brock asked.
"Having Aura is a wonderful thing and all, but it comes with a huge drawback."
"What kind of 'huge' drawback?"
"If I don't train my Aura frequently, my Aura capacity will reproduce overtime, causing me to explode due to having too much Aura reproducing inside me."
"In other words, you'll die?" Kate simplified his meaning.
"Yes. So, in order to prevert that from happening, I need to release my Aura powers frequently and in order to do that, I use my Pokemons to help."
"But Jack. Even if that's true, using Pokemons to attack you in like suicide." Ash said.
"To normal people, it seems like suicide. But to Aura Guardians, this is how some of them train."
"Well... When you put it that way, it does make sense."
Kate frowned. Although she knew about Jack being an Aura Guardian and all, she really didn't want to see Jack get hurt.
Jack noticed her frowning. "Relax Kate, I've done this many times in the past." Jack walked up to her. "It's going to be okay." Jack smiled, causing Kate to blush at the closeness. Jack walked back to the battlefield.
"Okay daddy, ready when you are." Sophia said.
"Alright. Let's go!" Jack shouted.
"Lucario, start things up with Aura Sphere! Chikorita, use Razor Leaf!" Sophia ordered.
"Ugggh!" Lucario puts his hands together and fires a blue ball of energy from them at Jack.
"Chi-ko!" Chikorita swings her head and razor-sharp leaves fly out from the leaf on her head at Jack.
Jack quickly dodged the move with his acrobatic skills. The group was stunned by how fast he could dodged the attacks.
"Come on, you've got to do better than that." Jack told Sophia's Pokemons, but Sophia thought he meant her and was a little hurt by the comment, but didn't say anything.
"Lucario, ExtremeSpeed! Chikorita, Tackle!"
Lucario becomes surrounded by white and clear aura as he charges into Jack at a fast speed.
"Chi chi chi." Chikorita charges towards Jack and launches herself at him.
Jack had to quickly react again as Lucario's ExtremeSpeed was fast and with Chikorita coming, it's not looking good for Jack. Jack closed his eyes to sense Lucario's Aura. Although Lucario was fast, Jack had managed to find him, but that wasn't enough has he knew that if he dodged, Chikorita would hit him. He decided to block the attacks instead.
Lucario was behind him as he charged towards Jack. Chikorita was charging towards Jack at the front.
Jack smirked as the weather started to become windy.
"What's going on with the sudden change of weather?" Ash asked.
"Don't know. But I bet Jack's behind this." Kate said.
As Lucario and Chikorita inches closer to Jack, his smirk widen.
"Aura Shield!"
"Aura Shield?" They repeated, confused at what Jack said.
Suddenly, a shield made from Aura appeared, engulfing Jack. Lucario and Chikorita had no chance to stop and they hit the shield. The shield deflected them, flinging them backwards.
"Lucario! Chikorita!" Sophia shouted.
"Damn it. That took a lot out of me than usual." Jack said to himself as he deactivated the shield and breathed heavily.
Lucario and Chikorita got up.
"Lucario, use Close Combat! Chikorita, use Synthesis!"
"Ugh!" Lucario moved in on Jack and repeatedly punched and kicked him at a fast speed.
Jack blocked Lucario's attacks with his martial arts skills.
"Chi-kooooooo..." The leaf on Chikorita's head glows white and her whole body glows yellow and sparkles, healing her.
'Damn it! Lucario is tougher than I thought. I can't keep blocking like this. I'll have to go on the offence.' Jack thought. He quickly maneuvered himself and started his attacks on Lucario. The tables quickly turned as Lucario is now blocking Jack's attacks.
"Chikorita, help out Lucario with Razor Leaf!"
"Chi-ko!" Chikorita swings her head and razor-sharp leaves fly out from the leaf on her head at Jack.
The Razor Leaves hit Jack, leaving a cut on his arm.
"Ah! Damnit!" Jack yelped in pain as he stopped his assaults on Lucario, which was a bad choice as Lucario capitalized on this rare opportunity and is now hitting Jack with everything he's got. As each attack hit Jack, he was edging closer to blackout. He got weaker and weaker with each hit.
"What are you doing Sophia! Tell Lucario to stop!" Kate shouted at Sophia.
"Lucario, stop!" Sophia ordered.
However, Lucario wasn't listening and continued his assault on Jack.
"Lucario, please stop!"
"UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!" Jack screamed as he engulfed himself using Aura Shield, but this time, he released the power of the shield in the form of waves.
"Uggh!" Lucario was sent crashing back towards Sophia, but managed to maneuver himself to gracefully land right beside Sophia.
Jack, on the other hand, was sent flying backwards, crashing to a tree in the process.
"Daddy!" Sophia ran to Jack. "Daddy! Daddy, are you okay?" Tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
Jack didn't response. He was still conscious as he moved his head around.
"Jack!" Kate shouted as she and the others ran to him. "Jack! Jack, please wake up!"
Jack slowly started to open his eyes. He rubbed his eyes. "Man. I tell you guys one thing. I think I just died for a few seconds." Jack said as he shooked his head.
"Daddy!" Sophia hugged Jack as tears fall from her eyes.
"Hey Sophia."
'Jack, I am so sorry. Please forgive me.' Lucario said via Aura.
'No worries Lucario. It was in the heat of the battle. There's no need to apologize.' Jack said via Aura.
'I feel horrible about it though. After all, you're the one who saved me, yet I almo-'
'Don't be.' Jack interrupted. 'It's my fault for using too much of my Aura on the first shield.' Jack turned his attention to his crying daughter.
"Hey, Sophia. Come on, stop crying."
"B-but d-daddy. Y-you're hurt. It's my f-fault." Sophia sniffed.
"No, it isn't dear. It's my fault."
"How is it your fault?" Kate asked. "It was Sophia's fault for getting you hurt."
Jack's eyes twitched when Kate blamed Sophia. He turned to Kate. "Shut up Kate. Don't make this situation any worser." Jack said, rather coldly.
Kate was taken aback by Jack's sudden change of attitude. "W-what?"
Jack sighed. "I'm sorry Kate. I didn't mean to sound like that at all."
Kate looked at the ground. "It's okay..."
Jack turned his attentions to Sophia. She was sobbing in his chest. "Sophia... Please stop crying."
"B-but d-daddy..."
"No buts. I told you, it isn't your fault that I got hurt. So please, stop crying."
Sophia lifted her head and slowly stopped her sobbings. "O-okay... I'll s-stop crying."
Unknown to them, Ryan and Jessica was inside the Pokemon Center after their walk around town. They were watching through the window.
(Inside the Pokemon Center...)
"Hey honey? Aren't you going to help him?" Jessica asked.
"Nah. Jack's a smart guy. He'll be able to handle it himself." Ryan said.
"Okay. What about that battle? Are you still going to battle him?"
"Of course I am. No way am I going to back out of a battle."
"But Jack's hurt. I don't think he'll battle you."
"Oh, don't worry. I know him. He won't back down from a battle, especially when he's battling me."
"Humph. You sound so confident. Just don't get too cocky and end up losing. It's been two years since you've battled Jack."
"Yeah. I expect some changes, especially from a Aura Guardian."
"You're right. Come to think of it, do you think that he was training?"
"Most likely. He was probably helping his daughter with training or something."
"Yeah. Let's get you prepared."
"Okay." They went over to Nurse Joy for their Pokemons.
(At the battlefield...)
"That's a good girl." Jack said.
They stared into each other's eyes. Jack smiled, while Sophia just continued to stare. She had this need, the need to kiss Jack. So, almost by instinct, Sophia quickly leaned forward and pressed her lips against Jack's lips. He widen his eyes in shock. The others also did the same as Jack, with Kate the only one dropping her jaw. Sophia's face was absolutely red to the point where it was impossible to go any further. Jack's face was the same, but not as seriously as her's. She broke the kiss for air.
"I-I-I..." Sophia stuttered. Jack smiled at her.
"Relax Sophia, it's okay." Jack embraced her.
The others was still in shock. They can't believe that Sophia kissed Jack and he didn't mind it, let alone to being shock.
"Whoa! Sugar rush!" Ryan was watching this from behind the group. He scared the shit out of everybody. "I can't believe you Jack, you pedophile." Ryan teased.
"What the?" Jack pulled away from the embrace and saw Ryan. "Shut up Ryan! I am not a pedophile!" Jack yelled at him.
"That's not the way I saw it, considering the fact that you look like you actually enjoyed it." Ryan continued to tease.
"I said shut up!"
"Relax, relax. I was only teasing."
"Well, it wasn't funny."
Ryan chuckled. Jessica, who was beside him, shook her head.
"Seriously Ryan, you're like a twelve year old. I should've married Jack instead of you." Jessica said as she winked at Jack, causing him to blush.
"And why is that?" Ryan asked her.
"Well, he's more matured, smarter, better-looking, stronger an-" Jessica was cut off.
"Okay okay, I get it. But you still marry me though."
"Yeah. How terrible that choice was." Jessica jokingly said.
Ryan rolled his eyes. "Anyway, Jack. What were you doing, training?"
"Sort of. Although the training session went way off course."
"Figures. You always like to show off your skills and powers."
"Yes and no." Jack scratched the back of his head. "I went overboard with my shield and ended up releasing most of my Aura powers in the process."
"You really need to conserve your power to the very end."
"Jee, thanks for the advice." Jack sarcastically said.
Ryan rolled his eyes again. "Whatever. Anyway, your Pokemons are ready to go."
"Thanks for the info."
"No problem. Now we can get on with our battle of ours."
"Yeah."
"But Jack. Your arm." Brock pointed at Jack's arm.
Jack looked at his arm. It was cut open by Chikorita's Razor Leaf. "Oh yeah. Don't worry about it, all I need to do is stitch it and bandage it."
"Really Jack? I mean, it looks pretty bad."
"Like I said, don't worry. I'll be fine." Jack stood up. "Besides, there's no way I'm backing out from a battle, especially with my cousin."
"That's the spirit Jack. I like the way you operate." Ash said.
"Thanks Ash. Get ready Ryan. You're going to be in for a battle of your life."
"Bring it on." Ryan said.
They went inside the Pokemon Center and waited for Jack to fix his arms.
TBC
Author's final notes: Chapter nine is finished! Well, a few parts of this story was certainly was kind of sappy, if you know what I mean. Yeah, the battle... A bit awkward and whatnot. Anyway, give me your thoughts on this chapter, through means of reviews. Thanks!