Author's Note: In this chapter I ended up trying something just a little different. There's sort of been a last minute subplot that was put in. Anyway, this chapter is going to focus mostly on Misty.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
Chapter 52: Aquatic Exhibition
Five days after Chili captured Heatran the trek of Ash and the others to the Unova League took them to Humilau City. Deciding to rest in the seaside community for a day, Ash and Chili went to the outskirts of the city to do some training. Meanwhile, Misty and Bianca had decided to do some training of their own by having a double battle. Bianca was using Machamp and Porygon-Z, while Misty was taking her on using Dewott and the Kabuto she had revived from the Dome Fossil Ash had given her after the Twist Mountain Fossil Rally. The battle had been going on for ten minutes and was nearing its end.
"Porygon-Z, use Signal Beam on Dewott!" Bianca commanded. "Machamp, finish Kabuto with Low Kick!"
"Kabuto, Dewott, use Aqua Jet!" Misty ordered.
Before Bianca's two Pokemon could make a move, both Dewott and Kabuto became shrouded in water and took off full speed, ramming into their opponent's chests. Porygon-Z crashed to the ground unconscious while Machamp fell on his back and was out cold.
"That was a close battle." Bianca commented as she and Misty called back their respective Pokemon. "I almost had you there."
"Yeah. For a second I thought you were going to beat me." Misty agreed. "You really have gotten good Bianca."
"Excuse me, Miss?" a voice from behind interrupted.
Misty and Bianca looked to see a boy who looked to be about ten. He had shaggy brown hair and was wearing a green ball cap with a baggy orange-red t-shirt with a thin black horizontal stripe in the middle and olive-green shorts.
"What's up kid?" Misty asked.
"Well my name's Kenny. And I was wondering if you were the leader of this city's gym." The boy explained. "If so, I'd like to challenge you to a gym battle."
"Sorry, but I'm not the person you're looking for." Misty informed him.
"Wait, there's a gym in this city?" Bianca asked.
"Yeah. It just opened not too long ago." Kenny explained. "I went there earlier today for a gym battle, but the place was closed. So I decided to go look for the gym's leader. The only thing anyone knows about the leader though is that he or she uses Water Pokemon. I saw your battle and thought you might be it."
"Well my family does run a gym in Cerulean City back in Kanto, but I have nothing to do with the gym here." Misty told him.
"Darn. Well, I guess I'll keep looking then." Kenny sighed. "Thanks for your help." With that, he walked off.
"So there's a new Water-type gym here in this city." An intrigued Misty observed. "Bianca, if you don't mind, I'd like to go check this out."
"Sure. I'll come with." Bianca agreed.
Ash and Chili's training battle just outside the city was nearing its conclusion. Chili was using Heatran while Ash and sent out Charizard.
"Okay Heatran use Stone Edge!" Chili commanded.
"Dodge and use Focus Blast!" Ash ordered.
Heatran roared and fired up a barrage of sharpened rocks at Charizard. The fire dragon easily evaded the attack and threw down a large ball of blue-green light. Heatran was hit and the resulting explosion knocked him on his side. With the battle at an end Charizard landed and let out a triumphant roar as he fired a stream of flames into the air.
"Well, I guess that's another win for you." Chili observed as he went over to tend to Heatran. "At least I got Heatran to learn Stone Edge."
"Yeah, and it looks like Charizard's fully regained his fighting spirit." Ash added.
The conversation was interrupted when a large bird almost like a vulture or crane landed near them. Its body was covered in silver armor rather than feathers and it had a beak full of fangs. Its tail was a single blade with a notch in it and its unfolded wings had sharp red blade-like feathers.
"What's a Skarmory doing here?" Chili wondered.
"It seems my eye in the sky has found a formidable pair of trainers." A voice observed.
Walking up next to Skarmory just as Heatran had regained consciousness was a young man who looked to be around Ash's age. He had slightly long silver-white hair and deep iron-grey eyes. The young man had on a blue jacked with a grey turtleneck shirt and white slacks. A cool calm expression was on his face. Walking at the young man's side was a fairly large insect-like Pokemon with a humanoid build. It had a red metal exoskeleton and pincers on its arms, each with a pair of large yellow eyespots. The Pokmeon's eyes were yellow and it had three horns on the top of its head. On its back was a pair of small blades where wings would be placed. Ash quickly recognized the Pokemon as a Scizor.
"A Heatran, a Charizard, a Lucario, and a fairly unique Pikachu." The young man observed, still with a calm expression. "Between the two of you, you have quite an assortment of strong Pokemon."
"Who are you?" Ash asked as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"My name is Zack Razor." The young man greeted with a slight bow. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope I haven't interrupted your training."
"Nah, we were just wrapping up." Chili replied. "We were having a battle so I could teach Heatran Stone Edge."
"I see. Tell me, have you taught Heatran to use Flash Cannon?" Zack inquired.
"Flash Cannon?" Chili repeated.
"Allow me to demonstrate." Zack offered as he got out a Pokeball. "Go forth, Bastiodon!"
Bursting out of Zack's thrown ball was a fairly large mainly yellow creature that looked like a cross between a dinosaur and a bulldozer. Its feet, tail, and the ridge of its back were black, as was its large head. The Pokemon's head resembled a shield modeled after a castle wall, with yellow spots on the forehead shaped like the windows. On the each side of the bridge of its nose was a long white tusk, and from its large jaw protruded a row of teeth with rounded ends. With Bastiodon out of its ball, Zack picked up a fairly large stick that was next to his feet on the ground.
"Bastiodon, use Flash Cannon!" Zack commanded as he flung the stick into the air.
Bastiodon opened its mouth and fired a sparkling beam of white light up at the stick, completely destroying the target. With the demonstration complete, Zack called Bastiodon back to its ball.
"That move should prove useful to you." Zack told Chili.
"Wow, thanks for showing us that." An impressed Chili replied. "Heatran and I will work hard on learning that move."
"I have no doubt. In the meantime, I was wondering if you would favor me with a battle." Zack requested. "I would enjoy seeing what you and your Heatran are capable of."
"What do you say Heatran, you up for it?" Chili asked. Heatran turned around to face Zack and small flames emanated from his mouth to show his excitement. "Okay then. You're on Zack!"
"Very well. Go Forth Empoleon!" Zack called as he threw another Pokeball.
Emerging from the ball was a large penguin with wings rimmed with blue blades. Around its neck it had a sort of blue collar with a piece that extended down the length of its torso, giving the impression that it had on a tuxedo. Extending up from its upper beak was a trident-like crest that made the bird look like it was wearing a sort of crown.
"Bring it on!" Chili dared with the pump of his fist.
After getting directions from the Pokemon Center, Misty and Bianca found themselves at Humilau City Gym. But just as Kenny had told them, the doors were locked and it did not seem like anyone was inside.
"Maybe the gym isn't ready to open yet for some reason." Bianca theorized. "Like it isn't set to open for a couple months still."
"That could be." Misty agreed.
"Yo, 'sup ladies?" a voice from behind greeted.
Misty and Bianca turned around to see a man with dark-tan skin, dark-blue hair, and sapphire eyes. He had no shirt and wore a pair of tight light-blue pants with what looked like fins on the sides of the ankles. Slung over his shoulder he had a net containing several Pokeballs.
"Who're you?" Bianca asked.
"The name's Marlon." The man replied. "How can I help you ladies?"
"Well I'm Misty and this is Bianca. And we were wondering if you knew anything about this gym's leader." Misty explained.
"Oh yeah, that'd be me." Marlon revealed. "Just got the place up and runnin' last week."
"So, why is the gym closed then?" Misty inquired.
"I was out swimmin' and lookin' for Pokemon." Marlon explained as he rubbed the back his head. "Guess I just lost track a time. Well, I gotta run to the Pokemon Center. See you ladies later, 'K?" With that, he walked away.
"What… the… hell?" a shocked and appalled Misty asked. "He's supposed to be a gym leader?"
"He didn't seem that bad." Bianca remarked.
"Are you kidding me? The guy spends all his time swimming and bumming around instead of taking on challengers!" Misty exclaimed, almost shouting. "He's probably as bad as my sisters!"
"But don't your older sisters run your family's gym?" Bianca recalled.
"Yeah, but they don't do a good job at it." Misty confirmed in a calmer tone. "They used to battle trainers who came to the gym. But after they lost a few battles they started putting on shows instead and now just hand badges out to the trainers that show up."
"Haven't you done anything about it?" Bianca asked.
"Oh believe me, I've told them thousands of times that they weren't doing a good job at the gym. But they never listen to me." Misty replied. "After all, I'm the youngest. Besides, they're all just a bunch of airheads."
"Gee, it sounds like you don't get along with your sisters very well." Bianca observed.
"No I don't." Misty admitted. "In fact… it's been a few years since I've spoken to them."
"What happened?" a surprised Bianca asked.
"One day they called me and told me they won a cruise around the world. So they expected me to just drop everything I was doing and go take over the gym while they went to go have fun." Misty explained with a sigh. "I pretty much told them to go to hell. That was the last time we ever spoke."
"Why'd you say no?" Bianca asked. "That could've been your chance to change the gym into what it should be."
"Well you see… that call came the day after Ash and I got back from Sinnoh." Misty revealed.
"Oh, and you and Ash had just survived encountering that man Cyrus." Bianca realized.
"There was no way I could've left Ash, not even for the gym." Misty confirmed with a look of sadness. "He needed me a lot more at that time. Besides, I was sick and tired of my sisters always dumping everything on me."
"Does Ash know anything about this?" Bianca hesitantly inquired.
"No, I've never told him." Misty answered. "At first it was because I didn't want him to feel guilty. But now… well, I guess it doesn't matter right now. I may have let one Water Pokemon gym go bad, but won't watch another one go down hill if I can help it! I'm going to go give that Marlon a piece of my mind!"
Chili's battle with Zack was nearing its conclusion. Despite Chili's best efforts he and Heatran had not been able to do much damage to Zack's Empoleon.
"Finish this Empoleon!" Zack commanded. "Hydro Cannon!"
Empoleon opened its beak and suddenly a ball of water began to form. When the water sphere grew three times larger than Empoleon's head, the penguin fired it at Heatran. The sheer force of the attack knocked the magma creature on its back and left him unconscious.
"You fought very." Zack assured Chili as they called back they're Pokemon. "Do not feel bad about your defeat. My Empoleon has been with me since the start of my journey as a trainer."
"That must mean you're from Sinnoh." Ash deduced.
"I am indeed from the Sinnoh Region." Zack confirmed. "But I have traveled to many other regions just as you have, Ash Ketchum."
"How do you know who I am?" Ash asked, growing more suspicious.
"You've gained quite a reputation here in Unova." Zack revealed. "Many know of your victory in the Pokemon World Tournament, and that your opponent was the young lady who has captured the legendary Kami Trio. They also know that you possess the sacred bird, Ho-Oh, and the rare space Pokemon, Deoxys. There's even a rumor going around that you've defeated the champion of Sinnoh. And there is one other place where I know you from."
"And just where is that?" Ash asked.
"I will tell you… if you battle me." Zack told him.
"Fine then." Ash agreed. "I'll take you on."
"Very well. Go forth… Cobalion!" Zack called as he threw out another Pokeball.
Charging out of the ball was a large very regal-looking goat-like animal that stood at a height of almost seven feet. It was mainly aqua-blue in color and had a blue-grey snout. The Pokemon's horns were golden-yellow and in the shape of lightning bolts, and on the front of its long neck was a long tuft of white hair. On both of its shoulders Cobalion had golden-yellow fin-like blades, and had a similar blue-grey blade serving as its tail. Its lower legs were blue-grey with black feet and a black band near the top, making it look as though Cobalion was wearing metal boots.
Cobalion gave Ash and his Pokemon a glare, causing Charizard to roar. But Lucario raised an arm in front of Charizard and stepped up before the horned beast, taking a fighting stance. Ash meanwhile got out his Pokedex to find out what he was dealing with.
"Cobalion, the Iron Will Pokemon." The Pokedex identified. "Cobalion is known for having a heart and body of steel and is known to act calm and composed. Legends say that Cobalion once battled against humans who were harming Pokemon, and that its glare can make even the most rebellious Pokemon obey."
"Ash, Cobalion's a Legendary Pokemon!" a shocked Chili informed him.
"Your friend speaks the truth." Zack confirmed. "Cobalion is the leader of a group of Pokemon known as the Swords of Justice. In ancient times, the Swords of Justice fought against humans who hurt Pokemon and destroyed their homes."
"So how did you end up with Cobalion?" Ash asked.
"I encountered it while exploring the Mistralton Cave." The silver-haired trainer revealed. "Having a mistrust of humans it challenged me, and in the heat of battle I captured it. Afterwards I quickly established a bond with Cobalion by showing it how much I cared for other Pokemon."
"Okay then. Let's do it Lucario!" Ash commanded. Lucario responded with a nod and a growl.
"This should be interesting." Zack remarked. "Cobalion, use Sacred Sword!"
The horned beast charged at Lucario as a long blade of blue light extended from its forehead. In one swift movement, Cobalion slashed Lucario diagonally across the chest. Lucario cried out and fell to one knee clutching his left shoulder.
"Aw man, that's nuts!" Chili exclaimed.
"Hang in there, Lucario!" Ash called. Lucario gritted his teeth and got back up.
"I didn't think you would go down so easily." Zack commented.
"Lucario, use Aura Sphere!" Ash ordered.
Misty and Bianca arrived back at the Pokemon Center to find Marlon at the counter flirting with Nurse Joy. Enraged even more by the sight, Misty stormed up with Bianca following a foot behind with a grim expression.
"Hey!" Misty called almost shouting, getting Marlon's attention.
"Oh, 'sup Misty?" a clueless Marlon greeted.
"So is this what you do all day when you're not swimming around?" Misty demanded to know. "Don't you even care about your gym?"
"Oh dude, I get it now!" Marlon realized as he lightly slapped his own forehead. "You must be here for a gym battle."
"No I'm not. But I know that a lot of trainers passing through here are." Misty told him. "You should be ashamed of yourself for not being there at your gym to take them on!"
"Whoa, chill." Marlen replied as he defensively raised his hands. "You know you're really harshin' my mellow right now."
"Uh, you'll have to forgive Misty." Bianca interrupted with a diplomatic tone. "She's just a little concerned that you're running your gym the way you should be. You see her family runs a Water Pokemon gym in Kanto."
"No way! For reals?" Marlon enthusiastically asked. "Hey, in that case how 'bout we have a little battle down at my gym?"
"Gladly." Misty agreed. "I'll be happy to teach you a thing or two."
Ash and Zack's battle raged on as Lucario and Cobalion continued to trade blows. Though Lucario had taken heavy damage early in the battle, both he and Cobalion had proven to be evenly matched. Lucario had the edge in speed, yet Cobalion's defenses were quite strong. They had both taken heavy damage and it seemed that the battle would soon be coming to an end.
"Finish with Iron Head!" Zack commanded.
"Block with Bullet Punch!" Ash ordered.
Cobalion charged full speed at Lucario as its horns began to glow with a white light. At the same time Lucario leapt in with a raised fist glowing in white. Both attacks collided with a loud clanking sound, sending both combatants back five feet.
"Let's end this Lucario!" Ash decided. "Bone Rush!"
Still trying to catch his breath, Lucario formed his metal bone weapon in his right hand and charged back in. The jackal Pokemon relentlessly whacked Cobalion in the face with his club. Eventually Lucario's assault ended, and after a few seconds Cobalion collapsed on his side.
"Most impressive." Zack praised with a small smirk as he called Cobalion back to its ball. "You are indeed worthy of the reputation you have received Ash."
"Thanks. You're pretty good yourself." Ash replied, still eyeing Zack with suspicion. "Now about what you said before our battle."
"Ah yes. Perhaps it would be easier if I simply showed you." Zack decided as he pulled out another Pokeball. "Go forth, Bronzong!"
Emerging from the ball was a fairly large and ornate floating blue bell. It had a pair of flat arms near its top and a pair of round red eyes and a small rectangular mouth near its base.
"Bronzong, use Future Sight!" Zack commanded. The bell Pokemon's eyes glowed blue and in seconds the group was enveloped in a blue light.
The light faded and Ash and the others found themselves floating in a familiar stormy sky. Before them they saw a future Ash and Ho-Oh in the sky doing battle with the black Lugia and its redheaded trainer.
"It's that big battle Ho-Oh showed us before." Chili immediately realized.
"So you have seen this before." Zack observed. "I supposed I shouldn't be surprised considering Ho-Oh's power. Anyway, look to the battlefield beneath you."
Chili, Ash, and the Pokemon present looked below to where Zack was pointing down on the battlefield. They saw a future version of Zack along side Cobalion and Scizor doing battle with a pair of Team Rocket members. One of the purple mechanical Bug Pokemon joined in on the battle and fired the cannon on its back at Cobalion, hitting the horned Pokemon with a beam of red light. Cobalion retaliated by charging at the insect and slashing it with a blue blade of light from its forehead. Before the battle could proceed any further there was another blinding blue flash.
Ash and the others were back outside the city. With the vision over, Zack called Bronzong back to its ball.
"Bronzong showed me that vision not long after I captured Cobalion." Zack revealed. "When I saw you both battle in the Pokemon World Tournament I knew you were a part of it. It seems that our destinies are connected."
"Well if that's true than I guess that means we're on the same side." Ash realized. "Sorry I was a little suspicious. I thought there was something a little off about you when you showed up."
"It's quite understandable." Zack replied.
"Hey Ash, we should probably get back to Misty and Bianca." Chili suggested.
"If it's all right, I'd like to accompany you." Zack requested. "I would like to meet your friends, as they seem to be part of our shared destiny too."
"Sure, come on with." Ash agreed. As soon as Ash can Zack called back Charizard and Skarmory they were off.
Misty and Bianca arrived at the gym with Marlon. The aquatic gym leader led the two out to a large pool area out behind the gym, connecting to the ocean. Within the enclosure were four large circular platforms for the Pokemon to stand on if needed. Misty quickly realized that the enclosure served as the gym's primary arena. But what she couldn't figure out was why in needed to be so big.
"How 'bout just a friendly one-on-one battle?" Marlon suggested.
"Fine by me." Misty agreed as both she and Marlon took their positions across from one another around the pool.
"Hey, where's the referee?" Bianca asked.
"Oh, he won't be here for another week." Marlon explained. "That's why the gym's been closed. Anyway, no big deal since this is just a friendly battle, right?"
"Uh, right." A somewhat surprised Misty agreed. "Hey, why didn't you mention that before?"
"Slipped my mind I guess." Marlon assumed as he rubbed the back of his head. "So we doin' this or what?"
"Oh, right. Let's go Dewott!" Misty called as she threw a Pokeball. The samurai otter emerges and takes a spot on one of the platforms in the enclosure.
"Go Mantine!" Marlon called out with his own throw.
Flying out of the ball was a fairly large manta ray-like Pokemon that was dark-blue on top and grey on its underside. It had a long streamer-like tail and hovered over the water.
"Okay Dewott, use X-Scissor!" Misty commanded.
"Hit it with Confuse Ray!" Marlon ordered.
Before Dewott could make a move, Mantine fired a pinkish-purple ray from between its two antenna. Dewott was hit in the face and began to stagger around the platform.
"Okay Mantine, use Air Slash!" Marlon commanded.
As Dewott struggled to remain standing, Mantine flew past at high speed and hit Dewott with a sharp blade of air, knocking him off the platform into the water. After a moment, Dewott managed to get back onto the platform.
"Don't give up Dewott!" Misty called. "Use Aqua Jet!"
After shaking off his confusion, Dewott became shrouded in water and took off into the air. The samurai otter managed to hit Mantine in the chest before flying onto another platform.
"Fight back with Scald!" Marlon commanded.
Mantine quickly recovered from Dewott's attack and blasted the otter with a stream of piping hot water from its mouth. Once the attack had ended a red mark appeared on Dewott's right shoulder.
"Oh no. It looks Dewott was burned." A worried Bianca observed on the sidelines.
"Hang in there!" Misty called.
Dewott cried out and suddenly began to glow with a brilliant white light and change shape. The light soon cleared and Dewott had become a fairly large blue four-legged sea-lion-like animal with a grayish-blue underside and a fan-like tail. Long white whiskers grew from his snout and chin like a beard, and atop his head he wore a beige helmet-like seashell with a long spiked blade on the front. The front of each of his legs had beige segmented plates of armor. Bianca got out her Pokedex to find out what Dewott had become.
"Samurott, the Formidable Pokemon, and the evolved form of Dewott." The Pokedex identified. "A single glare from this Pokemon is enough to silence everyone, and its cry can intimidate even the most hardened opponents. A single slash from Samurott's sword can bring down enemies in an instant."
"Okay Samurott, use Revenge!" Misty commanded.
An angered Samurott jumped into the air with his right front paw glowing with a red light. The samurai sea lion struck Mantine in the top of the head with a powerful punch, almost knocking the manta ray Pokemon into the water.
"Finish it with Razor Shell!" Misty ordered.
Faster than anyone could see, Samurott pulled a pair of large swords from the armor on his front legs. The blades of the swords began to glow blue and became longer before Samurott leapt back up at Mantine. With one X-shaped slash, Samurott hit Mantine in the back, knocking it out of the air. Mantine hit the water and was out cold. Afterwards, Marlon called the manta ray back to its ball. Misty called back Samurott and the two aquatic trainers met half way at the side of the arena.
"That was a totally awesome battle." Marlon declared. "You're one cool Water Pokemon Trainer."
"Thanks. You're pretty good too." Misty admitted. "Sorry I assumed you weren't taking your position as gym leader seriously."
"Hey no worries." Marlon assured her. "I know I can be a little flaky sometimes, but I always take battles seriously."
"Well I hope your gym becomes a huge success." Misty told him.
"You know, it actually could be with your help." Marlon suggested in a suave manner as he suddenly took Misty's hand. "Why don't you stay here and we could run the gym together? We'd make a totally awesome team. What do ya say?"
"Hey! Lay off!" Ash's voice cut in.
Misty and the others looked to see Ash standing nearby with Chili and Zack. Ash angrily stormed up and got between Misty and Marlon.
"What the hell do you think you're doing hitting on my girlfriend?" Ash demanded to know.
"Whoa! Chill bro. I didn't know she was spoken for." Marlon told him as he raised his hands in surrender. "Hey, how 'bout we just cool off with a battle?"
"Oh we're gonna battle alright! And it's gonna be a slaughter!" Ash declared.
Marlon and Ash took their positions on the opposite sides of the enclosure. Misty and the others meanwhile went to the side to watch.
"I kinda feel sorry for Marlon." Bianca admitted. "First Misty gets mad at him because she doesn't think he's doing a good job as a gym leader, and now Ash is mad at him."
"To be fair, Marlon did cross a line." Zack pointed out. "Though perhaps Ash do better in controlling his rage. Yet his reaction is quite understandable."
"Who are you?" Bianca asked.
"My name is Zack Razor. And I must say it is an honor to make your acquaintance Ms. Edmonds." Zack answered before kissing Bianca's hand, causing her to blush.
"Go Wailord!" Marlon called out on the battlefield as he threw a Pokeball.
Bursting out of the ball into the water of the large enclosure was a massive blue whale with a grey underside. It had small beady eyes and a body shaped like a torpedo. At last Misty understood why the arena was so large. It was to accommodate Wailord's immense size.
"Go Ho-Oh!" Ash called with his own throw. The great phoenix soared out of its ball into the sky above the arena.
"Hit it with Scald!" Marlon commanded.
"Dodge and use Sunny Day!" Ash ordered. "Followed by Solar Beam!"
Wailord opened its large mouth and sprayed out a massive blast of steaming hot water up at Ho-Oh. Yet the phoenix was able to evade the attack and shot a beam of gold light into the air, causing the sun over the battlefield to become more intense. Ho-Oh then came around to Wailord's left and fired a concentrated beam of sunlight from its beak, hitting the whale in the side. Suddenly Wailord turned over and was unconscious.
"…Dude. Total wipeout." A stunned Marlon declared.
"Yikes." An equally shocked Chili commented.
"Scary." Bianca remarked with a shudder.
Misty meanwhile gave a heavy sigh. Zack on the other hand merely chuckled and shook his head. Ash called back Ho-Oh and glared across the field at Marlon.
"Don't even think about trying that again!" Ash warned.
With that, he stormed back over to Misty and the others and the group quickly left the gym. Afterwards they went to the Pokemon Center to tend to Samurott. While they were there, Zack filled Misty and Bianca in on who he was and his involvement in the prophesized battle. A bit later the group went out in front of the Pokemon Center.
"It was nice meeting you all. But I'm afraid I must be going." Zack informed them.
"Can't you stay a little longer?" a disappointed Bianca asked.
"I'm afraid not. But we will meet again Bianca." Zack assured her before kissing her hand again.
"I guess we'll see you later than." Ash told him. Zack nodded and gave them a wave as he walked off.
"Wow, what a gentleman." A still blushing Bianca declared.
"I thought you were into Bolt." Misty recalled.
"Sure, but he's not here right now." Bianca pointed out. "Besides, there haven't been many guys who look at me in that way."
"Hey Misty, sorry I went a little crazy back there." Ash told her.
"Don't worry about." Misty assured him. "I actually thought it was kinda sweet the way you fought for me like that."
"Well guys, it's getting pretty late." Chili observed. "How 'bout we wait until tomorrow to head out?"
"We might as well." Ash agreed. "It has been a pretty busy day."
Author's Note: Sorry about cutting out of Ash and Chili's battles with Zack the way I did. But it was something of a subplot. Though maybe I should've made the encounter with Zack its own chapter. Anyway, I've sort of been wrestling with coming up with trainers for the Swords of Justice. And the day before yesterday Zack's character just sort of came together. Originally he was going to be from Johto and have a balanced team of Pokemon like Ash. But then I recalled that Empoleon was also a Steel-type, so instead Zack ended up being a Steel-type specialist from Sinnoh. I also tried giving Zack the qualities of a knight, which is sort of shown in his assortment of Pokemon. He also ended up as an alternate love interest for Bianca.
So at this point I've pretty much figured out two of the trainers for the Swords of Justice. Still trying to figure out who the other two will be though. So many details to work out for the sequel. It's going to end up being a pretty big story, that much is clear.
Please review and let me know what you think.
