Back in the Hidden Shadow at Sparkling Lake Ash, Pikachu, Misty Kachu, Micheal and Garmane were now all sitting around a table talking. Garmane reached onto the table and into a bowl which had a variety of fruit in it and grabbed a apple.

"Gar...Gar." smiled Garmane as he took a bite out of the apple.

"So Ash you've certainly become stronger that's for sure, but how do you plan on beating that Simon guy. I mean if he's anything like that Markus guy then your end for a real fight." wondered Kacy

"I don't really have a plan for fighting him." shrugged Ash

"What...why not?" asked Kacy

"Kacy's right Ash...when Thomes fought that guy he couldn't even hit him." reminded Micheal

"And in the end Thomes might not even be able to fight anymore. A plan might be something good for you to come up with." urged Kacy

"Relax guy's...I've thought about it already and the only thing I have to worry about is if Simon can use that sand like Markus can." stated Ash

"Well that is one extremely dangerous thing to watch out for." nodded Kacy

"Yea...getting caught in that sand would probably end very badly." agreed Micheal

"Garmane." agreed Garmane as he reached into the basket of fruit and grabbed another piece of fruit.

"No not probably...would be bad." stated Misty

"Well that's the only thing that has me wondering...if he can use that sand." noted Ash

"But what about if he has something else that he can do. I mean doesn't that have you at least a little bit scared?' asked Misty

"Well maybe a little, but more excited than anything." replied Ash smiling.

"Chu." agreed Pikachu as he reached into the basket and grabbed a peach out of the basket.

In Misty mind she was still wondering as to just how powerful had Ash and Pikachu become in their short time training. Both of them were completely calm about their match with no sign of concern or anxiety coming from them. All she could sense from them was the confidence that they were going to win their fight which burned as bright as the sun.

"Listen guy's we don't have a plan to fight Simon and we don't need one." repeated Ash

"But dude...if he is able to use that sand like Markus then you'll need an effective way to counter it." urged Kacy

"I agree and since you can't use any chakra based techniques yet...it might be your best bet." agreed Micheal

Ash looked down at Pikachu and the two of them burst out laughing. Misty, Micheal, Garmane and Micheal all looked at Pikachu and Ash confused and wondering if they had missed the punch line to a funny joke that they had heard somewhere.

"What's so funny?" asked Misty

"You guy's are." replied Ash

"Chu." nodded Pikachu

"How's that?" asked Micheal

"Listen guys I know that your worried about us going into this match, but don't. Trust me when I say we will be fine. Besides i'm going to use this fight to see just how powerful we've become." assured Ash

As Misty heard that it was then that she remembered Timothy saying something very similar to what Ash had said. Now the more she thought about it the more that Ash and Pikachu had started reminding her of Timothy and Kachu. Though she hadn't seen them battle as much as she had Ash and Pikachu she remembered on the few occasion she had seen them fight. Both of them had been completely relaxed and were completely confident that they could win.

This was the same type of behavior that she was seeing with Ash and Pikachu now and she figured that some of Timothy's personality had rubbed off on Ash. With that said Misty now started to believe that maybe if Ash has as much confident in his abilities as he does then maybe he really could win.

"I don't know Ash...I still think you should come up with a plan." suggested Kacy

"Come on guy's...if I believe that i can win shouldn't that be enough?" asked Ash

"Pika...Pi." agreed Pikachu

"I believe you'll can win." replied Misty

"Really?" asked Ash

"Pikachu?" asked Pikachu

"Yea...I mean if you've got as much confidence in your own abilities then i think we should to." nodded Misty

"Are you sure?" asked Micheal

"I sure...Ash and Pikachu will give it all they've got. In our battles before all we said was good luck and then we'd give it our best weather we won or lost." noted Misty

"Yea I guess your right." shrugged Kacy

"And besides...if they lose they'll have me to worry about." warned Misty smiling.

Ash looked at Misty as she looked narrow eyed at him while waving her fist at him as if she were trying to intimidate him.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence Misty." smiled Ash

"Pikachu." said Pikachu smiling.

"Well I guess if Misty of all people agrees with you then I guess I will to." huffed Kacy

"Yea me to." agreed Micheal

"Mane...Gar." nodded Garmane

"Thanks guy." smiled Ash

"But still I wanna know what you'll learned that's got you two so confident." noted Micheal

"Yea me to." nodded Kacy

"Garman." agreed Garmane

"Chu...Pika...Pi." rebuffed Pikachu shaking his head.

"Nope you'll just have to wait and see like everybody else." laughed Ash

"Awe come on." begged Micheal

"Garmane...Gar?" begged Garmane

"Can't you at least tell us a little bit?" asked Kacy

"Nope." laughed Ash shaking his head.

"Pika." laughed Pikachu

Misty just sat there laughing as Micheal, Garmane and Kacy continued to beg Ash and Pikachu to tell them their secret. Though she was also curious about what they were hiding she decided to just wait and see what it was.

"Hay Misty wanna go swimming?" asked Ash

"What?" asked Misty as she snapped out of her daze.

"Are you ok?" asked Ash

"Yea...I was just thinking about something." assured Misty

"Well we were about to go for a swim and wondered if you wanted to join?" Ash asked

"No thanks...I'll just sit here for a bit, but have fun." replied Misty

"Ok then." said Ash

Misty watched as Ash jumped up from the chair and headed to the lake with Micheal and Kacy behind. Each of them striped down to their shorts and jumped into the water and were soon joined by Pikachu, Garmane and Echserto. Misty watched as they all splashed in the water and she really did want to swim, but she felt kinda embarrassed being the only girl and having to change into her bathing suit around them. With that said she just sat there watching them swim while eating the fruit, but she was soon joined by Aquilion. Aquilion sat down in one of the chairs and started eating on the fruit along with Misty.

To Be Continued…