Hello, precious readers and fellow writers of mine! Long time no see, eh?

Here's the 52nd chapter of Best Wishes, at around 7,795 words! I'll admit it, I had fun writing the first half of this chapter. However, the episode, in my mind, just went downhill once Trip left, and so did my classiness and writing for this chapter, as well...

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Oh, and if you haven't already, and if you want to, check out A Tasteful First Date on my profile - the very first Sunsetshipping date!

Also, 71 favorites and 63 follows?! You guys are amazing! I couldn't ask for more amazing readers at my side. :)

To be honest, I don't have a lot to say about this chapter. But I did enjoy writing Alice's counters to Trip's snarky comments. They're always a great pair to write about, just as Ash and Trip are.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, or anything related to Pokémon. I only own my OC, Alice.


Chapter 52
Alice vs. the Champion!

A bright morning sun shines down on the three of us as we make our way towards the large red drawbridge that stretches out across the clear blue river. And with each step closer, I feel my heart racing faster.

"Once we cross that drawbridge," Cilan tells us, "we'll be saying farewell to Nimbasa City."

Although I'm excited for the next city and Gym battle, I can't help feeling a little sad as each stride carries me further away from Nimbasa City. It took us three whole months to get there, actually. I just hope the other cities don't have such a gigantic time frame in between them.

"But then we'll be saying hello to Driftveil City," I tell them both proudly, "and my fifth Gym badge, of course."

Iris suddenly stops in her tracks, her head turned to the side. "Hold on, guys."

Her soft voice makes me stop walking and turn to her. "Is something wrong?"

"No, look."

She points over to the side, where numerous people and Pokémon are gathered. Souvenir and food stands are sprinkled along the side of the paths, and singing and dancing Pokémon join their Trainers, wide smiles on their faces. Children run around with their Pokémon, which range from Blitzle to Cottonee to even Pansear.

My heart rate increases as I stare at the scene longer. "A festival?!" I've always loved festivals like this!

"It's actually called Performers' Square," Cilan informs me. "It's a space set aside for street performers, like musicians and dancers."

Iris stairs at us with pleading chocolate eyes. "We should check it out while we're here."

I nod energetically. "Okay. It sounds really fun!"


The three of us wander around the square, myself and Iris in the lead. As I scan my eyes around the area littered delicately with food stands, my mouth starts to water.

Fresh-baked apple and cinnamon pies rest on the counters, steam rising steadily from them. A few kids nearby snack on some Vanillite-designed ice cream cones, while their parents make conversation with the workers behind the stands.

"I have no idea what to eat first!" Iris says, her eyes roaming around the selection of food.

And she complains I eat way too much. "It all looks delicious, doesn't it?"

"I should've known your stomachs would lead the way," Cilan chuckles from behind us.

As I ponder over whether I should get a Vanillite ice cream cone or a slice of the apple pie, a faint "Pika pi!" from my shoulder catches my attention.

"What's wrong, buddy?"

Pikachu points to the side of the square, where not many people are gathered. My eyes catch sight of a familiar boy my age with dirty blonde hair. I know him!

"Trip?!"


A new adventure, another day

Images of Alice and Pikachu cheering, Iris and Axew looking out into the distance from the top of a tree in the forest, and Cilan refereeing the start of a battle flash by.

One more challenge that comes our way

Tepig jumps through a blue background, yelling out energetically, while Oshawott jumps up and down, his scalchop in hand as he cheers at the battle he's just won, and Servine lands in front of Alice, smirking and crossing her arms.

It's up to me and you

Perched on his Trainer's shoulder, Pikachu's little yellow fist clenched up and he punches the air, cheering loudly.

We know what we've got to do

Boldore braces himself for battle, a newly-evolved Crustle lets out a battle cry, Krokorok's sharp teeth glow with a white color, Unfezant spreads her wings and cries out, Cubchoo releases an Icy Wind attack, and Pikachu releases a Thunderbolt attack.

We are together now, friends forever now

As Alice calls out a battle move, Iris ducks and nearly misses a barrage of Air Slash attacks from Tornadus.

Whatever comes our way, we won't run away

Oshawott spins around in the air, clutching his scalchop tightly as he prepares to attack. Skyla throws a Poké Ball. Trip stares at the battle between Alice and Alder with intrigued silvery eyes. Fired up with determination to help Deino, Iris cheers. Axew releases a powerful stream of dark blue energy in the form of a Dragon Rage attack.

Standing tall
One for all

The sight of Team Rocket brings meek drops of sweat to Alice's forehead, but she brushes them off when she realizes her two—or three—best friends are by her side.

It's our destiny

Landorus, Tornadus, and Thundurus swoop down, and Alice yells out a move. Shots and images of Trip, Burgundy, Georgia, Elesa, and Clay overlap each other rapidly.

Pokémon!


His clear eyes meet mine for a brief second before he turns away. But I don't let his rude gesture stop me from running over to him.

"Hello, Trip! How are you?" I try to keep my tone light and friendly, since he hasn't gotten on my nerves just yet.

When he replies, his voice is thick with annoyance. "Good. It looks like you're doing well, as always."

What's that supposed to mean? But I just brush his response off as I dive into my jacket pocket. With a smile, I hold out my opened badge case.

"I've got four Gym badges already."

Trip takes one brief glance at my case, smirks, and brandishes his own. Instead of mine having four more empty slots, his have only three. Five slots are filled in already.

"Five...?"

"Five," he replies, smirking.

I feel sick inside. He's always trying to degrade me like this! "That's one more than I have!"

He sighs as he pockets the case. "Of course. It's the difference in our skill. Basic stuff," he adds with a smug look.

My nails dig into my palms as I form my hands into fists. I'm sick of hearing that word spit from his mouth! "Don't you start with that 'basic stuff' again! I'll prove I'm stronger than you! I won the Club Battle Tournament a few weeks ago, you know!" His eyebrow raises up, like he wasn't expecting that such an "immature kid from the boonies" could pull off such a win. "I challenge you to a battle!"

"Sorry," he mutters, turning away, "I don't have the time."

Excuses, excuses! "Really? Because it looks like you're just standing around and doing nothing."

Those clear gray eyes slant into a piercing glare. "Stop being rude," he snaps. "There's someone I'm waiting for."

His comment nearly throws me over the edge in fury. "Don't lecture me about being rude!" I swear, he invented the word rude!

Iris, however, isn't as hostile towards him as I am. "Wait, waiting for someone? Like who?"

Trip raises his eyebrow at her, like he's probably thinking, How could she not know? "Like Alder."

All three of us gasp loudly at the mention of the Unova League Champion.

"The Alder?!" Iris gasps in disbelief.

"Incredible!" Cilan breathes.

"You mean Alder, the Unova League Champion?!"

For once, Trip doesn't roll his eyes at something I ask him. "Right. You see, Alder's my main goal."

I tilt my head to the side ever so slightly. "What do you mean, 'goal'?"

When he responds, his voice has that familiar Trip-like edge. You know, that I'm-the-best-and-everyone-else-is-below-me-especially-Alice-Ketchum tone. Come to think of it, Gary had that kind of tone a lot when we were ten years old in Kanto. "Winning the Unova League is just a stepping stone, as far as I'm concerned. My ultimate goal is getting to the Champion League, and once I get there, I'll defeat Alder." He suddenly shifts his glare over to me. "This is basic stuff for anyone who wants to win the Unova League."

But before I can retort something too sassy for my own good, Cilan cuts me off. "I'm assuming you've met Alder before, right, Trip?"

He nods curtly. "Yeah. And that's the day Alder set me on the path of working to become a Pokémon Trainer."

"A great recipe for success," Cilan sighs, a smile on his face.

Iris's eyes sparkle with interest. "What did Alder tell you?"

"Yeah, what did he tell you?" My voice probably betrays how I'm feeling, as it's thick with curiosity.

Trip stares at all three of us before answering softly, "...Oh, alright then. When I was a kid, you know, like you are, Alice—" Pikachu and I growl at him under our breath, but try to concentrate on the story "—I went to see one of Alder's battling competitions. There, I met him and his Bouffalant, and I told him I wanted to become a Pokémon Trainer and be able to beat him in a battle someday. He then told me he would stay Champion and wait for me until the day I challenged him." He finishes the story with a glazed look in his eyes, like the memories are flashing before those clear gray orbs.

"I would love to meet Alder," I find myself admitting aloud. Trip raises his eyebrow at me, but doesn't comment.

"But you never know where he's gonna be," Iris points out, "since he's always traveling."

My rival nods at her words. "You're right, but people have seen him around here recently, so I'll check it out."

I'm about to ask him even more questions about Alder when a familiar voice interrupts me:

"Get off this instant!"

The four of us turn around and look up at the top of a nearby hill. Officer Jenny stands in front of her motorcycle, her fists clenched and her eyes blazing with fury. Sitting on the motorcycle with her Herdier partner is a well-built, strong-looking man who looks to be in his late thirties or early forties, dressed in a tan poncho-like outfit, white pants with ragged ends, black sandals, and a necklace of some sort of six Poké Balls, three on each side of his neck. His long hair that reminds me of flames is tied back in a ponytail, and he smiles at Jenny, who continues to glare fiercely at him, as he pets Herdier.

"Aw, you're adorable, even when you're angry." He laughs heartily, still scratching Herdier's chin.

Trip lets out a gasp of utter shock. "It's Alder!"

"He's Alder?!" I gasp back, my eyes wide. I don't believe it!

"Now look," Jenny spits at him, "you get off my motorcycle right now, or else!"

I flinch at the sharp tone of her voice. If it was me she was yelling at, I would do as she said, no questions asked.

But the volume of her voice doesn't seem to bother Alder one bit. "Alright, as soon as you say you'll have lunch with me."

Oh Arceus, he's a flirter. Just like Brock, I guess.

...Oh, how I miss Brock...

Herdier gives Alder a happy lick, which makes the Unova League Champion smile. "You see? You've made Herdier happier already." He laughs another hearty laugh.

Jenny doesn't seem to be having any of it, though. "Ask me if I care," she grumbles. "Now, get off, or put these on!" She brandishes a pair of gleaming silver handcuffs from her belt, holding them up like a prize.

At the sight of them, Alder jumps. "Handcuffs?!" Tossing Herdier into the seat next to the motorcycle, he falls off of the bike and onto the hard ground.

Jenny takes her seat and glares at him. "Serves him right. And to think he calls himself the Unova League Champion." And with that, she starts the bike up and drives away.

On the ground, Alder sits up and reaches out after her. "Wait! Officer Jenny, please don't go! Officer Jenny!" But she's long gone, and when he realizes this, he sighs heavily.

I've had enough of just standing around.

Trip, Cilan, Iris and I run up the hill and over to the Champion, Trip running ahead of us.

"Alder!" He stops in front of him. "It's me!"

I've never seen him so excited before, I think to myself. It's like Trip is a whole different person.

Alder stands up, a warm smile painted on his kind face. "You? Well, I'll be!"

Trip's gray eyes nearly seem silver with the amount of joy hidden behind them. "We only met once when I was a kid. I can't believe you still remember me!"

"Yeah, of course I remember. Your name's Tristan."

His face falls slightly, but he still smiles. "Uh, it's Trip."

"Ah, Trip, Tristan, whatever." Alder gives yet another warm laugh that sends shivers of comfort up my spine.

I just stare at him like an idiot, like a silent fan. Say something, you idiot!

"I can't believe that's the Unova League Champion!" I finally murmur to Pikachu and my friends behind me. I force myself to run up to him, placing myself directly in front of Trip. "Hi! I'm Alice Ketchum. Will you please have a battle with me?"

...Well, it's something, right?!

Trip pushes into me, shoving me away with his elbow dug into my side. "Hey, get out of here! Alder's battling me, first."

I push back, my elbow digging into his arm. "First come, first served!" I shoot back at him.

"Oh, that's a load of crap!" he retorts, glaring daggers as sharp as a Pawniard's blade.

As the two of us push against each other, I hear Iris sigh from behind us, "Such stubborn little kids. They'd make a great couple someday."

WHAT?!

As I lock eyes with Trip again, I feel blood rush to my cheeks. Wait, no! I don't like him like that! Hell, I don't even like him in any kind of way!

But Alder merely laughs at us. "Now, just relax." He rests his large hands on our heads and pets us, messing up my already frizzled hair. "I'll battle both of you. You two can even battle me together."

Cilan and Iris gasp. "You mean two against one?!"

Immediately, Trip glares at him. "No! I want to battle you on my own!"

"And there's no way I'm teaming up with him!" I spit, jamming my thumb in my rival's direction.

Alder's purple-colored eyes sparkle with amusement. "Alright, one at a time, then. Who wants to go first?"

Instead of jumping in to go first, Trip calmly says, "Alice can go."

I raise my eyebrow at him. "Why the sudden shift in mood?"

He smirks as he replies, "Because I know you'll get creamed. I'll study Alder's strength."

My hands clench up into fists once again. "Say that again, I dare you!" But he merely stays silent, that smirk never leaving his face.

"Well, then you're up, Alison," Alder says.

I shriek at the mention of my full name. "It's Alice, it's Alice!"


The five of us stand in a clear space in the nearby forest, Alder standing a fair distance away from me. Cilan an Iris stand next to each other on the side, while Trip leans against a tree a few feet away from him.

I'm battling a Champion. And now I know how Luke felt before he battled Cilan in the Pokémon Club Battle Tournament. I gulp, but I'm too excited to let my nerves win. Besides, I've always dreamed of battling a Champion, especially the Sinnoh region's Champion, Cynthia. I'll be fine.

Alder smiles as he throws a Poké Ball. "Here's my Pokémon. Bouffalant, go!"

In a flash of blue light, a large buffalo-like creature appears. A bushy brown mane covers its head, and its small but powerful-looking hooves paw at the ground.

"What's that?" Immediately, I take out my Pokédex from my pocket and hold it up to the Pokémon.

Bouffalant, the Bash Buffalo Pokémon. Bouffalant is powerful and destructive, wildly charging and head-butting everything in its path.

It sounds incredibly strong, I think to myself as I slip the electronic device back into my pocket. But no matter. My chosen Pokémon's even stronger.

"Pikachu, I choose you!"

With a battle cry, Pikachu jumps up in front of me, his paws placed firmly on the ground. His red cheeks spark with electric jolts, his tail pointed upwards. He's ready to win, and so am I.

"She's using Pikachu." Iris smiles at my choice of Pokémon.

"There's no type advantage when it comes to those two," Cilan points out.

Trip smirks from his position against the tree. "I guarantee you type advantage means nothing to a powerful Trainer like Alder."

I try to calm my racing heart. I will not lose to Alder in front of Trip.

"Whenever you're ready, Alice!" he yells over to me, crossing his arms over his chest. "You have the honor."

"Thank you," I call back to him. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

At my command, Pikachu smiles and builds up a bolt of electric power, preparing to strike.

"They're starting with Pikachu's best move," Iris says.

Cilan stares at Alder, though, a quizzical look in those emerald orbs. "Look at Alder."

Across the battlefield, the Unova League Champion stands still, his eyes closed. His head is hung down a little bit, but not too far down we can't see his face.

"Alder's not moving," Iris realizes.

Pikachu releases the Thunderbolt attack, shocking Bouffalant. The Normal-type shakes the attack off and paws at the ground. It doesn't look like Thunderbolt did much, but it'll start to if we keep using it.

"And now comes Bouffalant," Cilan says expectantly, sounding energized.

However, Alder doesn't call any kind of command. He just stands there with his eyes closed and his arms crossed.

"He's not calling any moves," Iris tells him.

"What's his strategy?" Cilan wonders aloud.

I bite my lip, unsure of what to do for a moment, but then shrug. "Oh well, it's not our problem." If you want to doze through the battle, be my guest. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu stands still, letting air absorb into his body, and charges at Bouffalant with impressive and incredible speed. But Alder makes no attempt to tell Bouffalant to dodge.

"He's still not doing anything!" Iris gasps.

Pikachu slams into Bouffalant's bushy brown head, but bounces off. Bouffalant shakes his head and grunts, not recoiling the slightest in pain. Alder still doesn't move an inch.

"No movement..." Cilan murmurs. "Is this the Champion's battle style?"

Shrugging my shoulders once again, I yell, "Use Iron Tail!"

Pikachu jumps up, his tail glimmering with steel, and aims, bringing his steely tail down on Bouffalant hard. Bouffalant shakes his head once more when Pikachu bounces off. My little Electric-type lands in front of me, panting slightly. Alder still doesn't make any sort of move.

"What could Alder be thinking?" Iris sighs.

Cilan's quiet for a moment before he responds. "I'm aware that Bouffalant's fur can absorb damage from blunt-force attacks, and that means they're not having much effect..." His soft voice trails off in uncertainty and wonder.

"But what kind of strategy is standing there and doing nothing?" Iris counters, her eyes flashing with worry.

I stare at my panting Pikachu in front of me, who now has a thin layer of sweat glistening over his yellow body. "Is he waiting for Pikachu to get tired?" I whisper to myself.

That seems like something a Champion would do. You know, Cynthia wasn't this difficult with her battles. Although, I would never be able to land a hit on her Garchomp like I've been landing hits on Bouffalant.

"We'll just have to keep up the attacks," I tell Pikachu after a second or two. "Electro Ball, now!"

Pikachu places himself on all four paws and builds up his electric energy at the tip of his lightning bolt-shaped tail. Bouffalant braces himself, but looks back at Alder for a brief second. He yells at his Trainer in his own Pokémon language, stomping his hoof.

Iris cringes at the harshness of Bouffalant's voice. "I think Bouffalant's not too happy with Alder."

Pikachu spins around and throws the Electro Ball attack at Bouffalant. It collides into his bushy mane, but the ball of electric power is strong enough to push the Pokémon back with enough force his small hooves slide on the ground.

"Now that has the scent of success!" Cilan cheers, winking at me.

I give him a small smile, blushing as I do, and shift my gaze over to Trip. He doesn't meet my eyes; his are focused on Alder.

Bouffalant, his mane sparking with the remains of the Electro Ball attack, turns around fully and yells at Alder. As the four of us watch intently, we wait for Alder's response. But it's a moment before we realize Alder's snoring softly, fast asleep.

As Trip gasps in what sounds like horror, my jaw drops in disbelief.

"Perhaps his Champion battle style is snoring...?" Cilan suggests nervously.

"While standing to boot," Iris mutters.

"No way," Trip rejects. "Alder!"

At his sharp voice, Alder jolts awake, his eyes snapping open. He looks around for a minute before sighing heavily.

"I've been walking nonstop since yesterday, so I'm exhausted. I guess I must've dozed off." He laughs his warm laugh at his statement.

I can only stare in uncomfortableness and disbelief. "...He's kidding, right?" Please, tell me he's kidding.

"Okay then," Alder says. "Bouffalant, Head Charge!" But instead of obeying, Bouffalant stands still, turning away from the Champion. That's when Alder slaps the Pokémon's back, startling him. "Move it!"

Bouffalant surges forward, the front of his bushy brown mane glowing a dangerous red color. Just the mere sight of it sends shivers up my spine.

"What momentum!" Cilan gasps.

"Dodge it, Pikachu!"

Pikachu jumps back at my words, but even as he jumps back, Bouffalant swerves to the opposite direction to avoid hitting my Electric-type. Instead, he charges at Alder, his mane still glowing with that red color.

Alder doesn't seem fazed by the fact that Bouffalant is pretty much AIMING RIGHT FOR HIM! "Come on, are you mad?" He sighs as the Pokémon nears him. "Please stop being such a—CHILD!"

Bouffalant slams his head into his Trainer's stomach, sending him into a nearby tree behind him. The four of us gasp as Alder cringes in pain and begins to slide down the rough brown bark.

"Just what I'd expect from you..." he grunts. "An extraordinary Head Charge...!" He slides down the bark fully before finally hitting the ground.

I cringe as he hits the ground hard. "...Uh, Alder?"

"Are you okay, sir?" Trip calls. The four of us run over to the Champion, Trip and I in the front. "Alder!"

The red-haired Champion sits up and laughs heartily once again. "Oh well, it looks like I lost." We all gasp in disbelief.

Did I...I couldn't have won, right?! But it wasn't a fair fight! But I'm not about to admit that in front of Trip, either.

"Bouffalant's still able to battle!" Trip retorts, motioning to the Normal-type, who's now sniffing some leaves on a nearby bush.

Alder shakes his head. "No way, I'm done. I'm hungry. That's it for today."

"But what about our battle?!" Trip fires at him.

"Another time, Tristan."

Trip jerks slightly before sighing. "The name is Trip." But his tired expression turns to one that expresses how pissed off he is. "You said you'd battle me!"

Now I feel guilty. Maybe if I'd just let Trip battle Alder first... But he was the one who'd offered to let me go first, so I guess it's not really all my fault, right?

"Come on, have a heart," Alder says. "If you're determined to never change your mind, then why have one?"

As my two friends and I look at each other with uncomfortable glances, Cilan chuckles nervously, "I guess you can get away with those things when you're the Champion."

"Not to mention that great sense of humor," Iris adds, her voice thick with sarcasm.

Trip closes his gray eyes and reopens them. "Okay, forget the battle. But there is something I want to ask you."

Alder's purple eyes flicker with interest. "What's that?"

"When I was a little kid, you gave me some advice that I'd never forgotten, and I've been working hard ever since."

"I gave you advice?"

"Right," Trip answers with a nod. "You said the more I battled, the stronger I'd get. If I did, I could become Champion someday. Also, you told me that, in a battle, strength's the most important thing."

Alder's eyes trail upwards for a brief second. "Let me think about that... No," he finally answers, "I wouldn't say strength." Trip gasps in disbelief, his gray eyes flickering. "Now, back up. Did I really say that back then?"

"Yeah! How could you forget?!" Trip roars, his eyes blazing with silvery fire.

"Now now, let's not get stuck in details," Alder says, standing up. "Let's get something to eat, Tristan." He places his hand on Trip's dirty blonde-haired head. "What do you say?"

His face contorted in fury, Trip shakes out of Alder's grip and backs away. "I'll pass, thank you!" he spits. "This whole thing was a waste of time." He half-glances at me. "I'll see you later," he mutters as he begins to walk away.

I step forward and ask, "Where are you going?"

He stops and turns around, his gray eyes meeting mine. They no longer have the childish joy jumping behind them like they did earlier. "To follow the path I believe in—the path to the Championship."

I tilt my head. "The path you believe in?"

"A Trainer who's strong, who's a champion," Trip answers, "and the only way to prove I'm right is by being a winner. And that means defeating the Champion."

After a moment of staying quiet, Alder gives him a friendly smile. "...Well, it helps to enjoy life, too."

Trip just glares at him in response and walks away. My eyes widen as I watch him walk further and further away from me.

"Trip, wait!"

But he's gone.

Damn it all! He can't walk away from me again! Ugh, he always has to pull this crap, doesn't he?!

Meanwhile, Bouffalant has his large head buried in the nearby bushes, and he happily munches away on the green leaves. Alder kneels down beside him.

"Oh, Bouffalant," he sighs, "you need to eat a balanced diet. Here."

He holds out a small apple as red as Pikachu's cheeks to his Pokémon. The Normal-type sniffs it before enveloping it in his mighty jaws. He crunches it, smiling as he does.

"Good? I guess so," Alder chuckles. Bouffalant smiles and licks his Trainer's face, causing him to laugh. "Come on! That tickles!"

I can only watch in utter amazement. It's weird enough seeing League Champions in any region on TV, but seeing them in person and witnessing their strong bonds with their Pokémon is even more strange. You can tell their bonds are real, and not just for show.

"Look at them," I find myself whispering as I pick Pikachu up and hold him close. "They were at each other's throats before, but now look at them."

Alder suddenly gasps and stands up, startling Bouffalant as well as us. "Oh no! I'm hungry...so can we please eat?"

"Uh..." The three of us exchange uncomfortable glances with each other before giving him uneasy smiles. "Sure!"


In the Pokémon Center, my two friends and I stand in silence as we watch Alder flirt with Nurse Joy, who's so flustered she can hardly speak. Not to mention the huge crowd of fans piled into the building, their eyes filled with awe as they stare at Alder.

"Nurse Joy, you're looking as radiant as always," he chuckles, giving her a smile.

Joy blushes a deep red color; it's weird seeing someone else besides me blush so darkly. "Uh, I believe you're making me blush."

Another laugh escapes from Alder's mouth. "And she's humble, too."

He doesn't seem to notice the steady crowd of teens and kids that's gathered around the doors of the Pokémon Center. It looks like he doesn't even hear their voices as they speak—he's just that concentrated on Joy.

"Check it out! It's Alder!"

"He's right there!"

"I want his autograph!"

But Alder doesn't take any notice of them and keeps staring at Joy, who's face is so red now I think it'll burst into actual flames. "Every one of the Trainers I've talked to seem to be torn between you and Officer Jenny, but you definitely have my vote."

"Oh, how nice," the pink-haired nurse chuckles in a shaky voice. "Thank you."

Oh Arceus, wasn't he just flirting like crazy with Officer Jenny earlier?

Iris leans over to me and Cilan, keeping her voice at a low whisper. "Now that's adapting to one's environment." My hands fly to my mouth to hold in a laugh, and she smiles when she sees this.

"How about joining me for dinner?"

"Well, you see, I have to work," Joy replies in a quivering voice.

"Come on now, you're the boss!" the Champion chuckles.

"I guess so..."

That's when I step in and give Joy a small smile before turning to Alder. "C'mon, Alder. I think Nurse Joy's getting a little uncomfortable." Not to mention how uncomfortable I feel right now. I swear, he's worse than Brock.

He shoots me a pleading look. "Alison, not right now!"

"My name's Alice, sir," I nearly growl in annoyance. "Alice."


We're finally able to pull Alder away from Joy and settle ourselves at a small table near the window. Setting our plates down, which are piled with food, we sit down and begin chowing down.

Or at least, Alder and I are.

"It's delicious!" Alder compliments.

"It sure is!" I shove another forkful of spaghetti into my mouth, shutting my eyes at the warm and slightly spicy flavor. I don't even try to be ladylike, and I blush darkly when I realize this.

Meanwhile, Iris and Cilan stare at us, looking uncomfortable. My cheeks go up in flames. Did I do something to upset them? Was it my not-so ladylike and more childish habit of eating? Oh, Iris would love to chide me on that.

"What's wrong?" Alder asks them. "You're not hungry?"

"Do you guys have stomach aches?" It's safe to play the idiot, just in case they're not eating because of me.

Cilan gives me an uncomfortable yet gentle look, though. "Not...quite..."

Iris lifts her cup and partially hides her red face with it. "It's hard to eat with an audience," she mutters.

"I really prefer dining with close friends."

"They make me feel like I've got something stuck in my teeth."

I push down the happiness of that "close friends" comment and turn around. A gasp escapes my lips when I see the large crowd of kids behind us. Some clutch notepads and cameras tightly like they're lifelines.

I feel my neck start to get warm with embarrassment. Don't get me wrong, I love attention, but only from people I care about. When it's random strangers, I get a little flustered.

Alder doesn't seem bothered by them, though. "I'll be glad to sign autographs when I'm done. Wait outside, please."

"Sure!" And with that, the crowd of fans moves away from us.

"Now then," the Unova League Champion says, turning to me, "you haven't yet told me the purpose of your travels."

Turning to him, I blink a few times. "Do you mean...why I'm on my journey?"

"That's right," he answers with a smile. "Why don't you start?"

My cheeks tint with pink as I say, "Oh, that's easy! I wanna become the greatest Pokémon Master."

"And I wanna be a Dragon Master," Iris tells him.

"My goal is to be a top-ranked Pokémon Connoisseur," Cilan speaks up, smiling with a prideful yet gentle look.

Alder gives us another warm smile. "Good. Having goals and traveling to reach them is a great thing." His expression turns serious, all of a sudden. "But what will you do after you reach your goal?"

The question makes my heart sink. Am I supposed to know what to do with my life already? For Arceus' sake, I'm only fifteen! But I guess I need some sort of backup plan if I fail—I shudder at the thought—at my Pokémon Master goal.

"Uh, after?"

I don't know! Maybe I could settle down in...I hear Viridian City is nice all year round, so maybe I'll live there. It's not too far from Pallet Town—just about a half day's walk, a few minutes if I ride Charizard. And maybe I could have a family; I've always wanted a daughter. And maybe a loving husband who— My cheeks go up in flames once more as I steal a glance at Cilan.

"...I don't know. I've never thought about that, to be honest."

"And what will you do after you reach your goals?" Alder asks Iris and Cilan.

Iris is quiet for a moment before responding, "...I'm not sure. I've never thought about that, either."

"Me neither," Cilan says. "My focus has always been on becoming the best Pokémon Connoisseur I could possibly be."

Nodding, the Champion turns to me. "Alison—"

"My name. Is. Alice," I reply as calmly as I can, annoyance pricking the edges of my voice.

He nods, but doesn't seem to detect the annoyance in my tone. I feel relieved at that, since I've gotten in trouble in the past by using that smart mouth of mine. "Alice, what do you think you need to do to become a Pokémon Master?"

I look up to the ceiling for a moment, lost in my mind. "Well, to become as strong as I can be," I finally answer.

"That's exactly what Trip wants," Cilan points out. At the mention of the dirty blonde, gray-eyed Trainer, my nails dig into my palms.

"And it seems to me they're both right," Iris speaks up, clearly seeing the pissed-off contortion in my face. "Becoming super strong is the fastest way to become a Dragon Master."

Alder gives us a long stare before replying in a soft voice, "...Becoming strong, becoming strong. Are you sure it's that simple?"

The three of us look at each other in confusion when suddenly, Nurse Joy appears beside our table. Her pink eyes are glazed with urgency and worry.

"Alder, please!"

Immediately, Alder springs up, his arms outstretched to her. "You don't have to beg, sweetheart."

Despite the furious blush on her face, she's able to speak in a steady voice. "This is no time for joking around! It's an emergency! There's a wild Gigalith on a rampage!"

His expression switches from jolly to serious in an instant. "What?!"


The three of us follow Alder through a large crowd. People run past us, trying to get to safely. Some of them bump into me, but I don't reel around and chew them out.

When most of the people have cleared from the scene, Alder is visible, Bouffalant standing right in front of him. Facing them with a fierce glare is a large rocky creature, colored dark blue with red stones poking out of its rocky skin. It reminds me of Roggenrola in a weird way.

"What's that?" Immediately, I pull out my Pokédex and scan the creature.

Gigalith, the Compressed Pokémon. Gigalith's attacks, using the compressed energy from its core, are powerful enough to destroy a mountain.

Alder then turns to Officer Jenny, who stands beside him. "Jenny, you'd better stay back, too."

"But..." She seems at a loss for words. "I have a job to do."

The Champion merely lets out another of those hearty laughs. "If I should fail, I'll leave it up to you."

Jenny's teal eyes sparkle with either amusement or doubt before she nods. "It's a deal." And with that, she walks away.

I watch Alder with wide eyes as he stares at Gigalith. He doesn't seem intimidated by the large Rock-type, despite the fact it looks like it could cause a serious amount of damage.

"It's quite agitated," he finally comments. He places his hand on Bouffalant's head, his eyes still locked on Gigalith. "It's alright." He walks forward a little distance, but stops. "This will help calm you down. Here." He holds out a shiny red apple to the Rock-type. "Eat this, and it's delicious, as well. Why not give it a try?"

But Gigalith doesn't seem interested in him at all. It roars loudly and begins stomping forward at a rapid pace.

"Alder, look out!" I yell at him.

"Get out of there!" Cilan shouts.

But he doesn't take any notice of us as Gigalith gets closer to him. "Don't panic," he merely replies, an extremely calm look on his face. "Gigalith will surely stop before it reaches me."

Gigalith suddenly crashes into Alder, sending him back. Crying out in pain, Alder smacks into the nearby pole, sliding down before hitting the ground with a thud.

Jenny sighs, her eyes slanted slightly. "I guess that's my cue. Go, Herdier!" She holds up a Poké Ball, and in a jet of blue light, Herdier appears. "Use Shadow Ball!"

But before Herdier can gather a ball of dark shadowy power at his mouth, Bouffalant steps in front of him. His hooves paw at the ground, and he shakes his head. His action takes both Jenny and Herdier by surprise.

"Good, Bouffalant," Alder praises from his spot on the ground. "Make sure Herdier doesn't attack." He stands up, a seemingly-carefree smile on his face. "Well, I thought food would do it, but I guess you never know."

Jenny's glare is enough to make me cringe in submission. "I must insist you stay back!"

"I'm just fine," Alder brushes her off. "It was that blow to my head that helped me figure out why Gigalith is so upset." Collective gasps erupt from Jenny and my friends and I. "I've got it all under control."

But as he steps forward, Gigalith roars again and advances once more. His thundering footsteps send rumbles throughout the stone ground.

Iris's jaw drops. "Another blow to the head?!"

"Alder, be careful!" I shout to him.

But he ignores me, and instead keeps his eyes fixate on the Rock-type. He holds out his hands, a fierce glare painted on his face.

"Bring it!"

Roaring once again, Gigalith jumps at him, but Alder's ready. He shoves his hands against and under Gigalith's body, and astoundingly, flips the large Pokémon over. Gigalith cries out as his head lodges in the dirt, his body and "paws" upside down.

Dear Arceus! He just threw that huge Gigalith!

"Sorry about that," Alder says, like it's nothing. "I thought it'd be easier to deal with you this way, so I tossed you."

"Easier?" My voice is a squeak from the lingering shock.

The Unova League Champion leans down and yanks something from Gigalith's rocky paw. "Look." He holds it up, and I look closer at it. It's a small nail coated with a fine layer of rust. "You'd be upset, too, if this was in your foot."

The three of us cringe at the sight of the rusty piece of sharp metal. "Look at the size of that nail!"

Placing the nail in his pocket, Alder takes out a small bottle of medicine—a Potion, I realize—and sprays it on Gigalith's wound.

"That should do it." At his words, Gigalith springs up onto his paws. "Pain can be very upsetting. No wonder you lost control," Alder chuckles. "It's alright now." He reaches up and runs his hand along Gigalith's rocky pointed head. "Everything's fine... Of course! You'll like this." He takes out a small white crystal from his pocket and offers it to the Rock-type. "I'm sure of it. Eat up!"

The Rock-type sniffs it skeptically before taking it in its mouth. The sound of the stone crunching under its teeth sends shivers up my spine, but Gigalith wears a large smile as it swallows the remains.

"The more you eat, the faster you'll heal," Alder says. "That's it."

Meanwhile, the three of us stare at him in awe. "Alder's completely transformed Gigalith!" Iris says.

"He's amazing, isn't he?" I ask, smiling.

Cilan nods, a smile on his face, as well. "A Trainer with experience—the savory blend of wisdom and common sense."

But our peaceful moment is crushed when Jenny steps forward. That stern glare never leaves her face. "Alder, please step away from Gigalith."

He raises his eyebrow in genuine confusion. "Why should I?"

"Look at the property damage Gigalith created!" she snaps fiercely at him. "I've no choice but to take it into custody."

Alder shakes his head, a calm look on his face. "It's not necessary. Gigalith's done being upset."

"But..."

Suddenly, the pole Alder slammed into earlier wobbles, and tips over. It gleams in the bright sun, like a knife waiting for the kill.

"Jenny, watch out!"

But the words fly out of my mouth too late. Jenny's directly in the path of the falling pole, and can only shield herself with her arms.

Suddenly, Gigalith jumps up and steps over her, blocking her from the pole. The stretch of gleaming metal slams into his back, but it doesn't seem to feel any pain. It's skin is made up of rocks, so it's no surprise.

Jenny, who lays on the ground, stares at Gigalith with teal eyes the size of Poké Balls themselves. "Gigalith?"

"Gigalith wants to know if you're okay," Alder tells her in a gentle voice.

She stares at him for a moment before standing up. She nods at Gigalith, a grateful smile stretched across her pretty face.

"Yes, I'm just fine. And thank you." Gigalith nods in a friendly manner.

"Gigalith's quite calm," Alder remarks, "as long as it's not provoked somehow."


Alder stands on the bridge that leads to the forest, the three of us, along with Jenny, with him.

"Alright, Gigalith, why not head home?" When Gigalith nods, Alder turns to Jenny. "Jenny, are you good with that?"

Smiling gratefully, she salutes. "Yes, sir."

With one last nod, Gigalith turns and walks away into the numerous trees that dot the forest. My two friends and I wave after it, yelling out our goodbyes.

"Bye, Gigalith!"

"Take care!"

"We hope you feel better!"

Once Gigalith's out of sight, I look up at Alder, feeling like a small child suddenly. "Alder, would you finish what you were telling us at the Pokémon Center?"

He stares at me quizzically for a moment. "Telling you? Uh-oh..."

I bite my lip. "You were asking us if strength was all we needed."

"That's right," Iris says, nodding.

"And that's when we were interrupted," Cilan adds.

Alder's purple eyes sparkle in recognition. "Oh, yeah. I'll tell you what I think. Of course, I want to become strong, but I also want people who see me battle to growl closer to Pokémon, just as I want Pokémon to grow closer to people. And that's the kind of battling I live for."

We stare at him, drinking in every word he speaks.

"There's one thing that matters most to me," he continues, "and that's people and Pokémon working together with mutual respect—living in perfect harmony."

A light pink color dusts my cheeks as I speak up. "I think you and I see eye to eye, huh?"

"I do, too," Iris chimes in.

"And I do, as well," Cilan says.

Alder's smile and gaze sweep over each of us. "It's good to remember, there are many different kinds of Trainers. Some Trainers only pursue strength, while others are happy just being with their Pokémon, so there's no one right answer. As you continue your journey together, I'm sure you'll find answers, too."


Alder stands with us at the Driftveil Drawbridge at sunset, smiling warmly at us. "Make your journey a safe one, okay?"

"We will."

"And make sure your journey's safe, too, okay?" I tell him, winking.

"Yeah," Iris chuckles.

"Not being reckless, at best," Cilan adds. "Staying safe's important, you know."

Alder jolts, like he didn't expect such words from a group of teens, but merely chuckles. "I guess you've got me there." He rests his massive hand on my head, making me jump. "But live life to the fullest, anyway!" His chuckle grows into one of those famous hearty laughs. "See you again, and please give Tristan my best, Alison."

I roll my eyes but smile anyway. "It's Alice, and I will."

And with that, the three of us turn in the opposite direction and begin our trek across the Driftveil Drawbridge, taking us a few steps closer to Driftveil City.


And that's the end! To me, anyway, my writing seemed to decline a bit towards the end. This chapter was quite a rollercoaster to write, honestly.

Anyway, I love you all, and thanks for reading! Bye!

Best Wishes returns on January 29th!