Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter of Battles of the Past. Before I get started I want to encourage those of you that haven't already checked out my one shots to go ahead and read those after you are done with this chapter. To those of you who have already reviewed my story thus far I want to thank you for the feedback! Again if you guys feel the need to voice your opinion on anything, whether it be advice to improve my writing, dialogue, like or dislikes, please review! Honestly this isn't one of my favorite chapters but I still feel I did a decent job on it. I am really excited for the next few chapters though! And you guys should be too!
So sit back, relax and enjoy!
Chapter 13
Ash walked through the corridors of the stadium as he heard the screams and applause of the crowd above taking in the first match of the day. He smiled as he began to feel excitement race through his veins. He turned a corner before he noticed someone in the shadows. He kept his head down and continued his walk. The figure followed him. Ash stopped in front of his locker room door, "Can I help you?" He turned to the figure to see Sabrina.
She kept her icy gaze on the trainer in front of her. "Yes I believe you can Aaron. May I come in?" she motioned to the locker room door.
"If you must," Ash said slowly while he opened the door to let them in the room. The four figures walked into the room. Ash, Pikachu and Lucario sat on the bench while Sabrina stood on the opposite side of the room silently gazing at the trio. "So you're in here, what do you want?"
"I just want to ask you a few questions," she said slowly.
"Go on."
"What is your relationship with Sakaki?" she asked trying to gage the reaction his body would take as opposed to the answer he gave.
He sat there in silence as he began to choose his words carefully. "I met him a few days before the tournament," he said as he continued to keep his gaze while remaining as calm as he could. He knew the power Sabrina possessed and worked to keep his emotions and thoughts in check. "He is a very powerful trainer, evident by his advancement in this tournament but I cannot say I know him personally."
"You are a very bad liar Aaron," she responded with a glare.
"And you are prying into affairs that do not concern you," Ash responded with a venom laced tone.
"You are in my city making it my affair as well," she said matching the intensity in Ash's voice. "You are very powerful and both of you haven't flashed all of your potential yet but I am warning you that if you are intending any ill will you will be stopped."
"Now I know you are the one lying," Ash responded with a smirk on his face under his mask. "I know you can tell what people think and I figure you have tried to dig into my subconscious. Since you are here I am guessing you haven't found what you're searching for, but I know you don't see me as a threat. I can see it in your eyes. Whether or not you shoot me that icy stare, your eyes deceive your actual thoughts of me."
Sabrina stiffened at his words. No person, aside from Lance, had stood against her like that. She saw now the confidence Aaron exuded along with a fiery passion. Again her mind raced through her past to find who this spirit had belonged to.
She gave a weak smile before continuing. "You speak the truth Mr. Tajiri. You are no threat. I cannot find what I am looking for but I did find enough to know that you are here for reasons that are pure. I want to know one more thing," she said. Ash gave her a confused look asking her to continue. "Why are you interested in Serena?"
Ash was thankful he had the mask on to cover his blush before clearing his throat and responding. "What I do in my personal life is none of your concern. Now if you will please excuse me, I need to find my way to my platform," he said as he stood up and exited his locker room with Sabrina following.
Sabrina watched the mysterious trainer walk down the hall. Well I got more out of him than I did Sakaki. It is obvious that Sakaki is the one Lance needs to focus on although it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on Aaron as well. Whatever is going to happen those two will be at the center of it.
•••••
The presidential box was filled with loud cheers as their friend, Bonnie, made her appearance onto the field from her platform. She gave the crowd a wave as she turned to see everyone. She seemed to be enjoying herself and the time she was having.
"She's such a ham," Max said as he crossed his arms.
"Oh whatever, stop being a brat," May said as she messed with Max's hair. "Just because she advanced farther than you in the tournament doesn't mean you have to act like this. Plus I thought you'd be happy to root on your girlfriend."
"She isn't my girlfriend," Max yelled, his cheeks began to turn bright red.
"Well that isn't what Aaron was saying during your last match," Dawn said in a playful tone. "He seemed to think you two were an item. Don't tell me that you've gotten cold feet Max."
"You're one to talk," he spat back. "You've been ogling Paul like a school girl for years."
Her face turned a bright crimson. She opened her mouth to defend her self but was stopped by a deafening roar. The group turned to see that Aaron was now standing on his platform. His eyes locked with the Kalos Queen that sat in the box with them. From the box only a single clapping noise could be heard. The noise came from Drake of the Orange Islands.
Clemont turned to Serena and saw the look on her face. It was obvious that she was holding in her cheers for the trainer that was pitted against his sister. "Alright go ahead Serena," he said in a fake defeated voice.
"What do you mean Clemont?" she asked perplexed by the boy's statement.
"Go ahead and root for Aaron. Bonnie would understand."
Her face lit up before she broke out into cheers for the man she inwardly knew was Ash. She felt so happy to be able to cheer for him again that she found herself yelling louder than she ever had before.
•••••
Below the two competitors began to eye each other. Bonnie smiled, "Just because we had dinner last night don't think I will go easy on you Aaron."
"I don't expect you to Bonnie," Ash said as he expanded a pokeball in his hand. "Now I want to see the Kalos phenom in action. Let's go Torterra." Ash threw the pokeball into the air to reveal a grass and ground type. The pokémon resembled a turtle that stood on four legs. The legs and underbelly of the creature showed an earthy brown color while the top of the pokémon was green. Three silver spikes protruded from one side of the continental pokémon's shell while a small tree came from the other side. The pokémon let out a roar before taking a battle stance.
What? He starts with that pokémon? He isn't even fast. Oh no my first choice was. . . . Suddenly jumping out of the yellow satchel the young trainer held came a small orange pokémon with a black tale and ears. From its cheeks came antenna like whiskers. Sparks began to fly as the electric and fairy type pokémon prepared for battle.
Bonnie stood with her eyes focused on the little mouse that had been a gift from her brother years ago. She was so lost in her thoughts she didn't notice the tremors that were sent out from her opponent's pokémon. The attack hit before she could ever think of a comeback. Dedenne was sent flying until it came to a stop on the far edge of the battlefield. Bonnie looked on in panic. She felt a lump in her throat; she couldn't voice a response before a green ball again hit the antenna pokémon sending it into the wall knocked out.
Bonnie returned her pokémon to its pokeball. The pokeball shook as she felt fear begin to envelop her. He's out strategized me. No one does that. I-I don't know if I can win this. Still shaking she replaced Dedenne's pokeball with another.
"I-I'm not out of this yet," she stuttered. "If you're gonna go with a grass and ground type then I am gonna go with this one! Go Pyroar!" Appearing from her pokeball was a pokémon that resembled a lion. It's legs and paws were a light brown fur while the rest of its body was covered in black fur except for the tip of its tail, which was also a light brown. A mane of red and yellow framed its face, which announced to those around that it was a male. The pokémon let out a deafening roar before lowering itself ready as if read to hunt.
"Let's go for it Pyroar," she yelled out. "Use Flame Charge." The royal pokémon engulfed itself in flames then, with a burst of speed, ran towards the grass and ground type.
Ash calmly looked on. He saw the look of terror in Bonnie's eyes and he knew he had to push her even further though it pained him to see her fear him. "Torterra use Grass Knot and follow it up with Rock Slide," he said calmly. Two blades of grass rose in front of the charging pokémon and tied themselves into a knot. Bonnie's pokémon tripped on the newly made knot before falling face first into the ground with a grunt. Before the fire and normal type could regain its legs it was hit with an avalanche of rocks sending it back.
"Come on Pyroar, you have to get up, you gotta," Bonnie cried out frantically. The lion like pokémon growled as it found its footing one more time and looked to its trainer with determination in its eyes. "Great now use Overheat and scorch that over grown turtle," she shouted as she punched the air in front of her. The pokémon launched its head forward sending a condensed and powerful swirl of fire towards its opponent.
"Torterra protect with Frenzy Plant and finish it off with Stone Edge." Torterra reared back on its hind legs before bringing its front two down into the earth in front of it. As it landed massive vines stuck up in front of it, rows deep. The fire attack hit the wall causing smoke and dust to kick up. After a few second stones came from the smoke and struck the royal pokémon in the head and body. The fire and normal type fell to the ground unconscious.
Bonnie began to shake even more than she was previously as the smoke cleared to show an untouched Torterra behind a wall of withered vines. She looked back to her pokémon that was lying on the ground knocked out. She closed her eyes and fought tears back as she clenched her fists into balls. What am I gonna do? He's out maneuvered me at every turn. The analysts were right, I wasn't ready for this tournament. What was I thinking?
•••••
"Poor Bonnie," Misty said as she looked on the young blonde with sympathy.
"I've never seen her like this," Clemont said. He turned to see the rest of the group. Even Serena, who was rooting for Aaron, had pity for the young trainer. "She looks so scared out there. What did Aaron do to her?"
"He took away her security blanket," Diantha spoke up. There were a few murmurs going around the group. She gave a sad smile and continued, "What Bonnie lacks in experience she makes up for in strategy. It is extremely rare that her strategies ever get out done, but she also hasn't gone up against a trainer like Aaron. He knew that going in and so attacked her greatest weakness: her youth. She doesn't know how to respond now that her strategy has failed. She thought she could stop his speed with Dedenne and a few electric attacks and then boost her Pyroar's speed with Flame Charge. Instead she is facing what seems like an unassailable fortress and she can't handle it."
The group looked down at the poor trainer/coordinator and now saw the tears had broken through. No longer poised and confident, the blonde was crying her heart out in her trainer's box. The sight brought those in the presidential box to tears themselves.
•••••
She was embarrassed, she was now crying in front of a quarter of a million people and countless more on live TV. She was acting like the child so many experts said she was. I can't do this. I don't belong here. I need to forfeit.
She took a shaky breath in and exhaled. "I-I for-" he eyes shot open when she was interrupted.
"Is that it?" Ash shouted from across the field. "Just like that? You are gonna give up because of what, a few of your pokémon got knocked out quickly?"
"Shut up," Bonnie retorted. "You know as well as I do that I'm fighting a losing battle." She closed her eyes again as she saw the look in her opponent's eyes. The eyes didn't show anger or hostility but rather disappointment.
"So? You think I got here by giving up when I got beat? You know how may times I've gotten kicked around a battlefield? More times than I can count," Ash yelled to his old traveling companion. His voice was forceful but calm and caring at the same time. "I could have given up, no one would have blamed me, but I didn't. I fought and struggled and eventually I was able to stand up to those who thought I was nothing. I was able to beat them and here I am now."
Bonnie had stopped crying at this point and wiped her eyes with her hands. "But it's pointless. What can I possibly do? It's over," she whimpered just loudly enough so only Ash could here her.
"You make your next choice and you continue to battle. Remember Bonnie," Ash stopped before he continued, " Never give up until the end!"
•••••
Serena's expression went from sadness for her friend to sheer happiness. There is no longer any doubt in my mind. That's him, that's my Ash!
•••••
Bonnie looked down and gave another sniffle of her nose before her head shot up. The once scared expression that resided on the girl's face was replaced with that of determination and fire. "You're right Aaron. I let fear get the best of me. I owe you one for teaching me that lesson," she said. "But you're gonna regret ever speaking a word." She tossed her next choice into the air. When the glow from the pokeball dissipated a psychic and ice type was standing on the field. The pokémon had purple skin but was covered with long flowing blond hair, a red dress and white sleeve. "This is where I make my comeback."
"We'll see about that Bonnie."
"Jynx use Ice Beam let's go," Bonnie commanded. The human shape pokémon sent a beam of light blue towards its target.
"Protect Torterra," Ash responded. The continental pokémon surrounded itself with a shield. The beam of ice hit but was merely sent in another direction, not damaging the intended target.
Bonnie looked on it frustration. Torterra seemed to be an unbreakable defense. Her opponent had a response for every single move she made and her current pokémon wasn't fast enough in its present state to make a significant move, not without Grass Knot interfering. Maybe I should start battling like a coordinator instead of a trainer. "Jynx freeze the field with an Ice Beam then take off and use Ice Punch."
The once dirt battlefield was suddenly encased with ice as the psychic and ice type pokémon began to skate flawlessly on the surface. Now she's starting to get it. "Torterra use Stone Edge and stop her advance," Ash commanded. Torterra summoned a circle of rocks around its body as it began to launch the attack toward its opponent. The human shape pokémon ducked, dodged and spun away from the attacks in a graceful manner before hitting the continental pokémon under the chin with a glowing white fist. Torterra was sent back a few feet from his original position.
"Alright, Jynx follow it up with another Ice Beam," added Bonnie. Before the attack could be fired the ground began to shake causing the ice to crack and forcing Jynx to miss her mark. The psychic and ice type fell to the ground with a thud. It began to rise but not in time for Ash's next move.
"Torterra finish this battle with a Leaf Storm," the grass and ground type responded with a barrage of razor sharp leafs being flung in the direction of its opponent.
Bonnie was calm; though, she had a plan for this tactic since Jynx was one of her contest pokémon. "Jynx use Psychic to stop that attack," the purple pokémon's eyes began to glow blue as it raised its hands in front of it. The leafs stopped in its tracks while they too emitted a blue color. "Nice job," Bonnie encouraged. "Now send them back with a Blizzard." From her pokémon's mouth came a cold wind with bits of snow mixed in. The attack combined with the levitating leafs to cause an even more destructive and effective combination. The attack hit the continental pokémon.
Torterra's breathing became heavy as it winced from the attack that just landed. It tried to turn back to its opponent but slipped on the ice. It was shown to be unconscious when it hit the ground.
Ash returned his pokémon to its pokeball. He whispered thanks to his fallen comrade before turning his attention to his opponent. "That is more like it Bonnie. But what do you say we turn up the heat a little? Let's do it Typhlosion," Ash cried out as he released his next pokémon. A pokémon stood in front of its trainer with a tan underbelly of fur with navy blue colored fur on its back. On the back of its neck were red spots but no flames came from them. The pokémon let out a yawn and covered its mouth. "Typhlosion let's turn up the heat. Show them your fire." Suddenly the relaxed and shy demeanor of the pokémon was traded with the fiery spirit of a true fire type. It let loose a roar before flames rushed from the red spots on its neck. The heat caused from the pokémon made the ice that was on the battlefield begin to melt.
"Return Jynx, you earned a rest," Bonnie commented as she recalled the psychic and ice type. "I have just the thing to cool that beast off Aaron. Time to shine Milotic." From the red and white device came a long serpent like water pokémon. Its tail was a mixture of blue, black and pink while the rest of the body showed a tan color. Its eyebrows were an elongated pink that stretched part way down its body. The pokémon was a crowd favorite and gave a majestic cry when it finally appeared.
"I'll take the first move then," Ash called out. "Typhlosion use Smoke Screen and cover the field." Typhlosion opened its mouth and from that came a black smoke that filled the battlefield. Both competitors covered their eyes and mouth as they began to cough but Ash could tell where his pokémon was due to the amount of time they practiced the technique.
"Milotic use Twister and blow this smoke away," Bonnie managed to get out through the coughs. A violent twister made its way from the tender pokémon's tail as it blew away the smoke only to get hit by the volcano pokémon, which had encased itself in a yellow aura. The water type cried out in pain as it hit the wall of the stadium. Yellow streaks of electricity encircled the pokémon before it let loose a whimper and fell unconscious.
Bonnie returned the water type as she heard the referee call out that there would be a fifteen minute break in between the action to clean the field. Both trainers stood on their platforms as they descended to the corridors below. Each entered their own locker room, both with thoughts running through their heads.
How am I gonna get past five of his pokémon?
I'm almost one step closer to Giovanni and then finally back to my old life and Serena.
•••••
Up in the stands sat a trainer with purple hair. He wore a black and blue jacket along with a black shirt underneath and grey sweat pants. He stood and watched as the two trainers began to appear once more on the battlefield.
"I see you're doing some scouting for tomorrow's battle."
The boy snapped out of his stare to see the Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia, sitting next to him. "Yeah I haven't seen a competitor like Aaron or Sakaki in a long time. I want to beat them," he said as he returned his gaze to the field below.
"Always the serious one I see," the blonde responded with a grin on her face.
"I don't see this tournament as anything more than a stepping stone," he responded flatly. "Another chance for my pokémon to get stronger and then I will finally be able to take you down and claim the title of Champion."
Cynthia's grin slowly turned to a frown as she looked over the young trainer. "I haven't see you like this in a while. Not since your battle at the Lily of the Valley Conference with Ash."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Paul scoffed.
"You will never admit it but Ash was the best thing for you," Cynthia explained. "When he died I think it took away some of your drive. He was always your benchmark after your defeat. Now with him gone you converted back to your old ways. I heard you and Dawn had a falling out after the incident. I think she saw it too."
"The only thing Ash's death did to me was put me on the right path again," Paul said without emotion. "I realized I couldn't have my benchmark be some lousy trainer like him. My sights need to be set on the champions if I want true power."
Cynthia smiled and nodded; she knew how much he was still hurting from what happened. She decided to stop prying and let it go. "Well I'm sorry to hear you say that, but I hope you do well tomorrow. After all you were my choice to win this tournament. You and Tobias." With that said she got up from beside Paul and made her way back to the box with the rest of the champions.
Paul looked back down at the battlefield. He felt a fire in him he hadn't felt since the Lily of the Valley Conference. I want to beat this guy badly.
•••••
Bonnie started off the second half of the battle with her choice since she was the trainer who was behind. "Leafeon I chose you," she cried out as an Eveevolution appeared before her. The pokémon was primarily tan but had green tufts of fur sticking out periodically on its body. Its ears and tail resembled green leafs as well. Its paws were a dark brown along with its eyes.
"Typhlosion come on out once more," shouted Ash as he again sent out his Johto fire type. The fire type let out another roar as it relit its flames. It was prepared for another battle.
"Leafeon use Dig," Bonnie commanded. The verdant pokémon obeyed and dug its way under ground.
"Use Dig yourself Typhlosion," Ash commanded.
Bonnie gasped as she saw the volcano pokémon disappear under ground only to reappear with one of its paws underneath Leafeon's chin, sending it upwards. Bonnie collected herself quickly, "Leafeon use Iron Tail while in mid air."
"Catch the attack and finish it off with an Eruption," Ash commanded. The Eveevolution's tail began to glow white as it spun its body to hit its attacker in the ribs. Before the attack could land it was stopped by the powerful paws of the volcano pokémon. The Johto starter twisted the tail in a way to expose the grass type's back to its powerful jaws. It then unleashed the powerful fire attack. The attack hit causing a cry of pain as the verdant pokémon crashed on the ground, landing at its trainer feet.
Bonnie looked down to see the pained looked in its eyes and heard the ref call the battle. She smiled as she returned her loyal pokémon to its ball before realizing the jam she was in. What do I do? One of my remaining pokémon has a disadvantage while my other one won't do much good since they are the same type.
She reluctantly took out her choice and tossed it onto the battlefield. When the bright light from the pokeball dimmed it was shown that her next choice was her Jynx. Jynx took a look at her opponent before turning to Bonnie with a confused look on its face. "I know you are at a disadvantage Jynx," Bonnie said, responding to the expression on her pokemon's face. "But right now I need your best."
Jynx responded with a thumbs up and turned to face her opponent. "Jynx use Lovely Kiss," Bonnie commanded. The pokémon winked one eye before a pair of lips came out from her lips toward the fire type.
"Typhlosion use Smoke Screen to get away from that attack," Ash responded calmly. The starter pokémon hid itself in the smoke that it created.
Bonnie then saw that the smoke covered the hole that Typhlosion created. She also saw that Jynx was next to Leafeon's hole. "Jynx use Lovely Kiss and aim at the hole in front of you. Send multiple attacks," she shouted. Again Jynx winked but this time a barrage of attacks came and went down the hole. Nothing seemed to happen as the attack appeared from the smoke. The smoke began to clear to reveal a sleeping Typhlosion. "Alright now Shadow Ball rapid fire," she commanded her pokémon. Jynx focused and black spheres appeared in her hands, which she launched at her target.
Typhlosion was struck by the attacks and sent flying, but was still asleep. Ash looked on in wonderment at how his pokémon wasn't knocked out by the powerful combination. "Typhlosion wake up," he yelled, nearly pleaded, to his fire type. Typhlosion's eyes began to flutter open as he gave a groan of pain. The volcano pokémon stumbled to its feet before letting a roar come from his mouth as the fire on its neck nearly doubled in size. Its pride as a fire type was on the line after being put to sleep by the psychic and ice type opponent.
"Blizzard Jynx."
"Fire Blast Typhlosion."
The two attacks collided only for the flames to win and Jynx to be engulfed in them. The human shape pokémon cried out in pain as it hit the ground with swirls in its eyes. Typhlosion let out a satisfied groan before also hitting the ground unable to battle. Both trainers returned their loyal pokémon before making their next decision.
"I have to admit Bonnie," Ash said to his former traveling partner. "This has been an enjoyable battle."
Bonnie smiled and nodded. "Agreed Aaron. I have learned a lot from this battle, but it isn't over just yet. Now you get to face my most powerful pokémon and my starter. Go Delphox." From the pokeball came a bipedal fire and psychic type starter from Kalos. The fox like pokémon had dark red fur on its arms and legs with a yellow chest and tail along with a white stomach. From its ears came bright red fur and in its hand it held a stick with a flame on the end of it.
"A respectable pokémon," Ash remarked. "Now let me introduce you to one of my original pokémon. Let's battle my old friend." In front of Ash stood his own Blastoise. The shellfish pokémon let out a roar as it sent jets of water out from its two cannons.
"Delphox, it's you and me till the end," Bonnie said. The fox pokémon gave a bark of confidence as it stared down its opponent that held a type advantage. "Let's start it off with Psyschock." Three spheres of purple psychic energy appeared in front of the Kalos starter and were sent toward the Kanto pokémon.
"Blastoise use Rapid Spin and get in close," Ash commanded. The turtle like pokémon disappeared into its shell before rapidly spinning and batting away the three attacks as if they were nothing. It then popped out as it got in front of the fox pokémon. "Hydro Pump now," the water type responded with a powerful jet of water.
"Psychic Delphox," Bonnie commanded her starter. The psychic and fire type's eyes began to glow blue as it lifted the stick in its hand. The jets of water were then diverted to the sides of it causing them to collide against the wall of the stadium.
"Skull Bash now Blastoise," Ash commanded while his opponent was occupied with diverting his water attack. The head of his water type collided with the chest of the Kalos starter, sending it into the wall with a cry of pain. No sooner had it hit then three more purple spheres came flying out and hit Blastoise causing the shellfish pokémon to stumble back.
"Alright Delphox way to fight back. Now use Dazzling Gleam," Bonnie shouted with confidence. A bright wave of energy was then sent from the fox pokémon and hit its opponent again causing it to skid across the battlefield. Blastoise hit the ground and began to struggle to get up. Delphox walked across the field with a smirk on its face, thinking it had the battle locked up. Ash just smirked as he saw the young teen make a critical mistake: she overestimated her advantage.
"Blastoise Hydro Pump in the hole now," Ash shouted. Blastoise aimed the powerful water attack at the hole that was positioned in front of him. Once in the ground, the jets of water came from the various holes that were created earlier including one that was near the fire and psychic type. The attack hit home which caused the recipient to recoil back in pain.
Seeing the condition her pokémon was in Bonnie made a desperate attempt. "Use Future Sight now Delphox." The fox pokémon closed it eyes and focused its psychic powers before swinging her stick forward in an attacking motion for nothing to happen.
"Risky tactic there," Ash commented at seeing the desperate play of the young trainer and coordinator.
"Hey when you're back's against a wall any port in the storm will do," Bonnie grinned back. She knew she had to stall in time for the attack to take effect but it was easier said then done.
"Blastoise we need to wrap this up now," Ash said calmly. "Use Rapid Spin."
"Delphox stop that over grown turtle with Psychic," Bonnie countered. The spinning Blastoise was stopped midair by a blue glowing light before popping its head out with a smirk on its face.
"Gotcha Bonnie. Blastoise Hydro Cannon full blast."
From the cannons on the shellfish pokemon's back came two powerful spheres of water. Bonnie looked in horror as each hit its mark causing a cry of pain to come from her loyal starter. She looked on as Delphox fell to her knees with a glassy gaze. Suddenly a white beam of energy hit her opponent. She gave a smile before falling forwards and collapsing unconscious.
Bonnie returned her starter and smiled down at the pokeball. "Just a little too late there girl. You did great out there. Get some rest." She turned to see her opponent return his hurting water type who seemed barely conscious to the young teen. She smiled and walked over to the victor.
"I lucked out," she heard the mysterious trainer say as she got closer. "If I hadn't finished it then that Future Sight attack would have put us in a tough spot."
Bonnie smiled as she took Ash's hand in hers and shook it. "Yeah but I would still have to deal with those two," she said as she motioned to Lucario and Pikachu. "I don't think I would have made it far."
"Who knows," Ash said with a chuckle. "These two have gone soft and stranger things have happened." Both pokémon growled at being called soft causing both humans present to laugh. "It was a good battle, we'll have to have a rematch soon."
Bonnie nodded with enthusiasm. "Sounds good to me Aaron. Thanks for every thing!"
With those words Ash's platform began to lower before he made his way back to his locker room. He turned to his two companions, "One step closer guys. Just two more rounds before the championship."
•••••
The group began to make their way out of the presidential box to go and console Bonnie after the defeat. As they were leaving Dawn and May both felt a tug on their arms. They turned to see Serena gesturing them to step away from the group. They just shrugged their shoulders and walked with her a distance away from the group.
"What's up?" Dawn asked before being shushed by Serena.
"Hey now you called us over here," May said in a whisper. "So it better be good."
Serena gave a big smile and nod. "It's good, trust me guys!"
Both Dawn and May saw a sparkle in Serena's eyes they hadn't seen in a while and both were curious. They waited until May finally asked what was on both coordinators' minds. "Well what is it then Serena?"
"Well I need your help with something . . . ."