Hello again guys, sorry for the delay and in return here is a new chapter.
Chapter 11: An old face
The gang were walking out of Virbank city having won the final gym badge needed to enter the Unova league. Ash turned to see the gym leader Roxie who was standing at the entrance "Thanks for the awesome battle Roxie". Roxie nodded "It was my pleasure, your strength and trust of your Pokémon overwhelmed my style". Roxie smiled and said again "I hope to meet other trainers like you with their desires, and I look forward to seeing you battle on the Unova league".
Ash nodded and the group begun walking away as they shared a wave to Roxie who waved to them as they walked off. Pikachu and Snivy who were walking with Ash had also gave a wave to Roxie and Pikachu said "I'll be honest she was tough". Snivy smiled and said "Well you did beat Garbodor". Pikachu sighed "Yes but Pignite, Unfezant, leavanny and Oshawott were all defeated by Roxie. Only you weren't in the battle". Snivy rolled her eyes and said "Alright don't rub it in I was hoping to battle but honestly I would have been at a disadvantage, so Ash made the right choice to send you in".
Pikachu curiously smiled and said "Just that". Snivy grinned and looked to him "Okay, Ad because you are a very strong Pokémon who I believe can overcome any challenge you face". Pikachu nodded in satisfaction and said "Thank you and if I was defeated I would have had no doubt you would have won". Snivy looked to him and said "And why would that be". Pikachu then took her hand and said "Because I know you can beat any challenge you face to and you have had your share of victories against type who have advantages".
Snivy smiled and nudged against him saying "Thank you Pikachu, but you managed to win so I wasn't needed". Pikachu then playfully said "Oh and what is that supposed to mean". Snivy then playfully said "Because I would have to pull you out and finish it for you". Pikachu sarcastically nodded and said "Of course, as always you're correct almighty Snivy". The pair then laughed together.
Once they finished the laugh together Pikachu thought to himself "She is just… what to say, everything about her I love". They all walked to the Pokémon centre which was the first order of business as 4 of Ash's Pokémon were exhausted from the battle. The Arrived at the Pokémon centre and handed the poke balls to nurse Joy and Pikachu as well since he battled.
Once they came back a while late Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder and Ash said "Thank you Nurse Joy". Joy happily said "My pleasure, they are all in very healthy condition, I am glad to see Pikachu is up and back to normal". Ash looked confused and said "What do you mean". Joy replied "From a couple of days ago". Ash looked down, which Pikachu and Snivy both looked down as well as the memory of how they both could not be here today having shaken them all badly and try to forget".
Joy realised what she said "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to cause…" Ash stopped her and said "It is okay Nurse Joy; I just don't want to think about it". Nurse Joy nodded and said in an attempt to change the subject "Anyway if I am correct, you have eight badges now" Ash happily said "Yes, now I am ready for the Unova league, I am so ready". Nurse Joy quickly put the mood down "Unfortunately though the Unova league isn't set to take place for 3 months".
Ash looked shocked at her "What… 3 months that is a long time". Ash looked down wondering what to do but immediately smiled and turned to Pikachu and Snivy "That means we will spend the time training and becoming even stronger". Pikachu and Snivy immediately agreed with him and Pikachu held a fist in the air while Snivy placed her hands on her sides and smiled.
Iris spoke "You will have plenty of time to train for 3 months". Ash agreed and said "Yeah, we will be super ready for this". Cilan stepped forward and said "You can train later; right now the first things on our mind should be to taste the fine recipe of bariticoma". Ash and Iris both looked at him confused "What's a bariticoma". Cilan smiled happily and said "Bariticoma is the sensual and lovable ice cream made right here in Virbank city. It is astounding and I would love to have one".
Ash immediately smiled and said "Oh man, just hearing you talking about it is getting me hungry for it". Iris sighed and said "Well, if Cilan loves it, it must be good". Cilan then happily said "Come on lets go get some". The group immediately set off out the Pokémon centre and went to look for where Bariticoma could be sold from in the city.
On their way around the city they arrived at a stairway to the building and Cilan immediately got excited "Ohhh, wow this is the exact spot where the princess of a film sat here and feasted on the Bariticoma provided for the movie, the scene and all the effects made it so moving and beautiful, I want to eat my bariticoma right here".
Ash and Iris were whispering "Don't you think Cilan is going over a little bit" Iris nodded and said "Yeah just a little, but at least he likes them". Cilan the happily said "So shall we get our bariticoma's and sit here". Iris noticed a No ice cream sign and pointed it out "You might want to rethink that Cilan". Cilan looked at the sign and looked down "What a shame, but we can still eat them somewhere else".
Ash then happily said "Yeah lets go get some". Pikachu and Snivy were observing the whole thing and Snivy said "They really want those Bariticoma's". Pikachu nodded and said "Yep and by the way Cilan describes them, they must be good". Snivy held her arms up and placed them back down "Yeah I guess, but I don't think he needs to go mad over them". The group then made their way towards a bariticoma stand which they could see.
As they got closer Ash noticed a woman with long hair already there, however Ash hesitated as the shape and image of the person caught his attention "Wait is that…" He got closer to see she was deciding on a bariticoma "Let's see, Chocolate chip…Vanilla, hmm". When he recognised the voice he was convinced of who it was. Ash happily ran forward and said "Hey Cynthia". Iris was confused by Cilan was shocked "Does he mean that Cynthia". The women looked behind her to Ash who was indeed Cynthia "It's Ash, it has been a long time". Ash nodded and said "It sure has been".
Cilan was shocked he said to Ash "Wait Ash, you are friends with the Sinnoh Champion Cynthia". Iris was shocked when she realised who it was too, knowing she has a certain dragon Pokémon. Cynthia then said "So how have you and Pikachu been Ash". Ash quickly said "Great, I have the eight badges and ready for the Unova league". Cynthia smiled "Well that is great to hear, reminds me of when you were traveling Sinnoh".
Cilan walked up and said "Nice to meet you Cynthia, I am Cilan a Pokémon gym leader and training to be the world's greatest connoisseur". Cynthia smiled "I see, a connoisseur is an interesting route through life". Iris quickly ran up and said "Hi, I'm Iris". Cynthia smiled again "Pleasure to meet you Iris and what is your goal". Iris quickly replied "To be a Pokémon Dragon master" Cynthia liked the idea and said "I haven't met many people wanting to train to be a dragon Master; I think that is a wonderful idea".
Iris looked down wondering as Ash got to the point "So Cynthia what brings you to Unova". Cynthia happily said to Ash "Well, I have been asked to take part in an exhibition match for the Pokémon world tournament junior Cup". Ash looked confused "Pokémon world tournament junior cup". Cilan smiled and said "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that, it is starting in a few days if I am correct". Ash looked to them both "What is it". Cynthia happily said "it is an event where any Pokémon trainer can enter and the winner of the final round will get the reward of challenging the Unova champion Alder to a battle".
Ash began wondering "Alder". Iris happily said "Wow, where is it held". Cynthia spoke again "Lacunosa town, I own my own villa in Undella town which is very close by to Lacunosa town". Ash was amazed and said "Awesome, but isn't Undella town far away from here on the east side of Unova". Cynthia nodded "Correct, but a seaplane later today will be leaving to Undella town which I will be getting on".
Ash then quickly asked "Can we come along; I would like to take part in this Tournament". Cynthia replied to him "Of course you can". Cilan then asked out of curiosity "But what are you doing here though". Cynthia looked to him and said "I have wanted to see some places within Unova before the tournament starts but I will be heading back to Undella town later today with you all of course".
Cynthia then quickly looked seriously at them "And now just one thing". Everyone looked at her worried until she quickly turned around the ice cream stand and said "One Bariticoma please". The trio then fell down as they completely forgot about it and Ash thought "Right forgot about how much she loves ice cream".
Pikachu thought the same while Snivy was amused by how serious Cynthia gets about ice cream. Once everyone was back up and everyone had their bariticoma's they set off for their destination as Cynthia had a jeep as well which they were sitting in. They were all observing the moving scenery especially Pikachu and Snivy who were seeing the Pokémon and happily smiled "So looking forward to Undella town Snivy". Snivy nodded and said to him "Yeah, I look forward to seeing what it is like and well I am hoping we will have plenty of time for each other".
Pikachu agreed and said "Yep, I hope so, Knowing it is Cynthia I am positive that we will have plenty of time to spend together. They were both leaning against the side of the jeep looking over with their hands on the side, Snivy took her hand and placed it on Pikachu's and they both smiled at each other. Cynthia looked to her side quickly as Ash was sitting next to her and saw what was taking place between the two of them and could easily tell the feelings between them. "I see Pikachu and Snivy get along very well Ash".
Ash completely agreed and said "Yep they do". Pikachu smiled awkwardly as Cynthia and Ash shouted it out but Snivy acknowledged it and said to Pikachu "What's the problem". Pikachu looked to her and said "Do they need to shout it out like that". Snivy then smiled and said "No but they do anyway, does it matter if they do or not".
Snivy made a quick rub against Pikachu side which caught him by surprise for a second but quickly smiled and said "No it doesn't". Snivy smiled at him and then back to the moving views "Good that is what I like to hear Pikachu". They both looked back to the moving views as they both knew more adventure was going to unfold before they get to go in the Unova league".
Yep I know small chapter but this is to build it up for the next chapter, which I know people are going to enjoy and I will enjoy writing it but if you know please don't blab It out as it will spoil the suspense of finding out. Anyway thanks for reading and see you next chapter as always.