Time for Chapter 11. If you're getting antsy and impatient waiting for Blackheart to make his move, hang on. It won't be until Chapter 18 or 19, so keep watching.


A True Blackheart

Chapter 11

The two Orre trainers and the former Galactic Commanders had returned to the lobby after the fourth match. The rest of the group met up with them.

"Way to go, you two." Vincent congratulated Wes and Rui. "No wonder you two managed to defeat Cipher."

Wes put a hand behind his head. "Well, I don't want to brag, but…" He cut off, not bothering to finish.

"You've got to give them some props, too." Rui said, gesturing to Stan and Marie. "I thought they had us near the end."

"Now, now, don't give us big heads." Stan said, slightly embarrassed. Marie just giggled.

"You don't need their help, cuz." A female voice told him. Stan and Marie turned to see another woman approaching them, decked out in a white shirt, a medium-length purple skirt, and white flip-flops. Her medium-length purple hair was familiar to them.

"You too, Jade?" Marie asked sarcastically.

"Way to kill my self-esteem." Stan joked. All three of them laughed.

"I came to watch you guys myself rather than sit at home." Jade explained. "It's a shame that you lost already."

"They were strong, though." Wes commented.

"Hey, Jade, did you happen to see that armored trainer with the white hair?" Marie asked.

"Oh, yeah, that creep." The purple-haired woman answered. "He's crueler than we were. I saw his little 'assault' on that Furret." Paul's Furret gave a shudder at the mention of when Blackheart kicked it.

"At any rate," Stan started as he turned to the group, "the three of us will be watching you all in your battles. If I recall, you two are up next." He pointed to Ash and Misty as he said the last sentence. The former Galactic team then walked off. The raven-head and redhead looked at the screen and saw that they were indeed in the fifth match against Nando and Soledad.

"He's right." Ash commented. "I wonder what Pokemon we should use."

"I know what I'm using." Misty said slyly, making Ash turn back to her. She pulled out a green-and-black Pokeball: a Net Ball. "Over the three years since your Sinnoh travels, I caught a Pokemon that you wouldn't think I'd ever have. Come on out, Ledian!" She threw her Pokeball up, which opened to reveal a ladybug-like Pokemon with a mostly red body, a yellow chest, four arms, wings, and large blue eyes. Ledian circled around in the air a few times before floating down next to Misty.

"A Ledian?" Ash asked, both shocked and impressed. "I always thought you were afraid of Bug-type Pokemon?"

"Ash, it's been three years." Misty told him matter-of-factly. "You really think I'd still be afraid of bugs?" Ash sweat-dropped at her rhetorical question. "Besides, Ledian's too cute to be afraid of!" The ladybug gave a chirp at her compliment.

"Indeed. A cute Pokemon is suitable for a cute trainer." A suave male voice said, accompanied by the sound of a harp being played. The pair looked around to find the voice and saw a familiar black-haired man approaching them. Well, familiar to Ash, at least. The man was dressed in the same green outfit and hat he always wore, and was strumming the Mew-shaped harp he always carried. As always, his long black hair was kept well-groomed, with pair of it covering his left eye.

"Nando! Long time no see!" Ash greeted.

"You know him, Ash?" Misty asked.

"Yeah, I met him in Sinnoh." The raven-head told his girlfriend. "He took part in both Gym Battles and Pokemon Contests."

"Ah, Ash. Good to see you again." Nando returned the greeting. "I should have known you would be here. Who is this lovely lady?"

"This is Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader, as well as my girlfriend. Her Pokemon beside her is Ledian." Ash introduced, taking her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Nando said, holding out his hand for a handshake.

"Pleasure's all mine." Misty said, shaking his hand. Being polite, Nando shook Ledian's hand as well. "Where's your partner, Soledad?"

"Right here." A female voice answered. A woman with long pinkish colored hair walked up from behind Nando. She was dressed in a Contest Outfit similar to the one Zoey wore, but Soledad's was a red color instead of white. "I overheard Ash introduce you, Misty. I'm Soledad. I'm sure Ash told you about me before?"

"Mm-hmm. I learned a lot about Ash's Hoenn travels." Misty told her. "I never learned about his Sinnoh travels because he had left for Orre almost immediately after he got back to Pallet. Impatient boy."

"Hey!" Ash yelled, nudging her playfully with his elbow. Nando and Soledad chuckled.

"Hey, Soledad!" Two other voices called out. May and Drew rushed up to them.

"May, Drew, it's been some time!" Soledad said eagerly. "When did you two get together?" She noticed they were holding hands.

"About two and a half years ago." Drew told her. "If you don't mind me asking, have you found anyone?" Soledad just blushed and took a hold of Nando's hand, causing him to blush as well.

"No way! You're with Nando?" Ash asked. The pair nodded.

"It kind of makes sense to me." May said. "I doubt she'd go for Harley." Everyone gave a mock shudder and laughed.

"Another pair of fools? Hmph. This place is a magnet for foolishness." A low voice spoke. Sure enough, Nando and Soledad turned around and came face-to-face with Dark Trainer Blackheart's hateful glare. "Your love was a mistake. Soon you will realize that." The white-haired teen turned around and walked off, casting them one more harsh look. Ledian gave a worried squeak.

"Don't worry, Ledian." Misty cooed, stroking the ladybug's head. "If anyone's a fool, then it's him for not seeing great love is." Ledian brightened up.

"Attention, everyone," the intercom voice said, "the fifth match of the first round is about to start. Participants, report to the field; spectators, head for the stands."

"Well, good luck to you two in the match." Nando told Ash and Misty.

"You too." He responded. May and Drew went back to the others toward the spectator stands, while the couples in the battle headed for their sides of the field, each of them hand-in-hand.

"Well, Ash?" Misty asked.

"Well what?" Ash was confused.

"You know what I'm using in the battle." She said, pointing to Ledian. "What are you gonna use?"

Ash smirked. "You'll know when the battle starts." He told her. Misty copied his smirk as they headed for the field.

Meanwhile, however, Blackheart had his list out again. After seeing the couple of Nando and Soledad, he wondered if one of them was on his list. He scrolled down the names and came across Soledad's. 'Another potential target.' He said mentally. 'Who will my crosshairs target first? I guess it's time to find out.' He put back his list and headed for the spectator stands.


Call NandoxSoledad a crack pairing if you want, but Nando's a much better match for Soledad than Harley. Stay tuned for Chapter 12, which is Battle 5: Ash and Misty VS Nando and Soledad!

Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.