As always, this is unedited. Writing this is purely to give my mind a rest from other things, so is only written in first draft with no editing and is updated sporadically. I normally work on this and my other fanfics at about 1am in the morning as a turn off switch for my mind, this allows my mind to stop thinking about my original stories and allows me to get to bed.
Ash's next pokemon- make your suggestions. Seeking something suited for battles and that fits his goals.
Currently he has Riolu, Pikachu and Froakie, and later his forth pokemon from Kalos.
Staring down at the tiny Charmander who lay curled in a trembling ball, I found myself reluctant to do what I knew I must.
The little fire type was so tiny, even after being brought into leaf village the pokemon had refused to eat and continually lost weight, though his size was more to do with the fact that the pokemon had been hatched prematurely. Even without the medical centre's testing it was clear to see this Charmander was not as he should be, his inner energy was in chaos, it's tail flame thrice as big as it should be. The pokemon's body had pushed all its energy into sustaining its life, leaving it weakened and unable to use any battle moves.
I couldn't even begin to imagine the pain the little fire lizard must be feeling, the faint traces of draconic energy within it were not enough for me to form even the slightest of connections. The pokemon's mind was little more than a fragment according to the Gardevoir who was assigned to keep the little one from harming itself, as the pokemon had been found ramming its self repeatedly against the pens reinforced walls.
"Is there really nothing that can be done?"
Turning to look at the pretty dark blue haired girl beside me, I shook my head sadly.
"To even attempt it would only cause Charmander more pain, in the end, its fate will be the same." I told her, moving away from the pen.
"Which is exactly what I said three days ago," said the annoyed looking ace trainer leaning against the pen's wall.
"I wanted to be sure." Melanie defended, looking teary eyed as she gazed down at the tiny Charmander who was held in a Psychic slumber.
"Melanie, this is a well documented condition. There is nothing the Blackthorn clan can do for Charmander that Blaine could not also achieve, if Ace Damian said it can not be saved three days ago, it should have been dealt with three days ago. All you have done is prolonged its suffering." I told her, but she only shook her head ignoring me as she left the rehabilitation room.
"Amber, do you need me to-."
"No," I said, cutting off the aces words. "My father sent me here to do it."
"You're only fifteen, and still a new trainer," Damian spat out the words with a scowl. " How can he expect you to do this? Let me, I have-."
"It's my duty as a member of the Blackthorn clan, and as heiress." I said with a sigh, looking up at the blue haired Ace who was Blaine's rumored future successor.
"He is just as much my duty as yours, more so mine, at this stage in his evolution," Damian muttered, looking away for a moment to stared down at the little Charmander. "Are you planning on giving it a Blackthorn death then?"
"Yes, do you disagree?"
"A dragon death is an honorable death, a flame death would only bring him more pain." Damian admitted with a sigh.
"I need some time to prepare." I said, and he nodded following me out of the rehabilitation rooms, heading towards the main building to call Blaine in order to inform the gym leader that he would soon be returning.
Leaving Damian to his call, I headed for the accommodation building where the staff stayed and made use of their bathroom to change. With Rosa's help, I pulled on the dark red and black ceremonial robes, allowing my Rotom to pull my hair into a braided bun.
"I don't want to do this," I whispered, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
I'd tried calling my dad, and even grandpa, but both ignored my calls. I wanted to scream, to rage and cry, but knew I couldn't, I hated that they were forcing me to do this, even knowing that it was something I could not avoid. Life and death went hand in hand, and if I failed in this task, the little pokemon would spend a life filled with pain.
Brushing my fingers over the two pokeball's at my side I pondered which to use, the only dragons I had here were Salamence and Hydreigon, neither would be my first choice for this particular ceremony. The ceremony was typically done to grant a prideful death through battle, but the little one could offer no battle in his state.
Leaving the bathroom, I stroked a hand over the spiky head of my most cherished friend and partner. As I exited the building I arrived just in time to see the orange form of a Charizard ascend into the sky. The pink bow on the pokemon's head, making it clear just to whom the flying fire type belonged to. Wasn't Liza meant to be overseeing the breeding season in the valley?
"Ah, Amber."
Hearing my name I turned to face a worried looking Melanie, who rushed towards me.
"Why was Liza here?" I asked, feeling a little confused.
"She came to pick up the Charmander."
"What do you mean she picked it up? Did you tell her it wasn't suitable for rehabilitation?"
"I told her what you said, but miss Amber, Liza has been in charge of the Charicific valley for many years and knows how to care for them. She said that in her care the Charmander will make a full recovery." Melanie said, and I stared at her in silence for several long moments.
I was angry she'd allowed Liza to take the Charmander, the poor little pokemon was suffering, and now his pain would be prolonged even longer. There was no saving him, there would be no recovery, his energy channels were fully formed now and there was nothing that could be done to repair them.
"The medical centre, and even your Gardevoir have told you nothing can be done for him, as have I and the ace trainer sent by Blaine. Yet you would condemn that poor Pokemon to further suffering on the words of a single woman?" I asked softly, struggling to contain my fury.
Liza had taken the Charmander away, she knew I was here, and would have seen clearly it's state, but still she took it away. She had been overseeing the Valley for years, and would have seen them in such a state before, it was no new thing.
Inbreeding, and poor hatching conditions were the main causes of this occurring in young Charmander's and it was well documented by several professors that there was nothing to be done for the Charmander's, even if they sustained, they would never evolve, and would live in constant pain eventually resulting in the pokemon's mind crumbling away into madness, the pokemon would go into a berserk rage, attacking all in its path until it burnt itself into nothingness. The Charmander Melanie had found was already at that point, attacking everything in sight, using the very flames that sustained it to source its attacks. Only keeping it in a psychic induced sleep stopped its rage.
"Liza knows how best to care for the Charmander," Melanie said defensively. "You're only a little girl just starting on her journey."
"Ah, of course." Nodding my head, I turned away from the woman. "I will leave the Charmander in Liza's care then, I only hope she truly does know best how to care for it, and does not allow it to suffer needlessly."
Seeing Damian exiting the main building, I met him halfway to explain the situation. The Ace was equally outraged, but there was little either of us could do at this point. Officially Melanie had signed over care of Charmander to Liza and the Charicific valley. There wasn't any point in trying to chase Liza down, the woman wouldn't listen, plus she hated me.
"I'll call gym leader Blaine, but there won't be anything we can do. It's a Blackthorn clan matter now." Damian said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I don't know what she was thinking, Liza should know better." I muttered, shaking my head with a scowl.
"There are plenty of people in the world who believe any pokemon can be rehabilitated, and that they shouldn't be put down, regardless of the reason. There is even a rising group who protests using pokemon in battles," Damian said, a mocking sneer curling his lips.
"They forget the reason we train and fight, they forget that Pokemon are not pets or a means of entertainment, but allies and protectors. If not for the aces who patrol the routes, then how could they safely travel? If not for the Elites who guard the cities, how could they live peaceful lives?" He continued, and I nodded in agreement.
"Blackthorn remembers, just as the Solarion clan does." I said, causing the boy to bow his head slightly.
"Our clans while not close, have never been enemies. I hope that in the future that may change, and we may call each other kin."
"That depends on you," I said with a grin, giving the boy a nudge with my elbow. "Has Jasmine agreed to go out with you yet?"
"She will." The blue haired trainer said with a smirk.
"Good luck flame boy," I mocked, tossing Salamanders ball high into the air and releasing the dragon.
"When your as hot as me, you don't need luck."
"And yet, she's rejected you how many times now? Ten? Twenty?" I laughed, jumping onto the dragons back, forgoing the need for a harness as I did so and directing him to take flight whilst the fire trainer spluttered indignantly below me.
Instead of flying back to Cerulean, I directed him to fly to the plateau where he landed in the garden my fathers team often chose to occupy.
Leaving Lati in the care of Dragonite who I trusted to keep him out of trouble, I headed up to the apartment. I'd glimpsed the lights on in the lounge during my descent, so guessed he was home, though as I exited the elevator I found he wasn't alone.
"Ew, dad!"
Covering my eyes with the long sleeves of my robe, I tried to banish the images I'd just seen from my mind whilst my father and his female companion hurriedly pulled on clothing.
"Amber, I didn't, ah-."
"Im going to the garden," I muttered, turning back to the elevator, only to be knocked back as my fathers companion for the night raced towards it instead.
Stepping back, I watched as the blond woman, who I vaguely recognized from a coordinating broadcast, franticly pressed the button for the elevator, looking more and more upset as it didn't respond.
"Rosa, activate the elevator." I said, turning away from the woman and towards my red faced father who was lopsidedly buttoning his shirt.
Hearing the elevator ding, and checking to make sure the woman had left, I strode into the room giving the couch a disgusted look and walked past the lounge into the dinning room.
"Is it clean in here, daddy?" I mocked, giving the table and chairs a skeptical look.
"Don't be cheeky," Lance snapped, having regained some of his composure.
"Im not being cheeky, I am tired and annoyed."
"Amber," my father said with a sigh, moving into the room and placing a hand on my shoulder which I shrugged off with a disgusted look. "I know what you had to do is hard, and I did not want to send you, but it was something you needed to do."
"And I would have done it, as is required of me." I told him, rubbing a hand over my forehead with a sigh. "Unlike Liza, I have no wish to leave that Charmander to suffer."
"Liza? What does Liza have to do with it?" He asked, brow furrowing.
"Whilst I was changing and preparing for the ceremony to bless the Charmander's soul into rebirth after his death, she arrived and took away the Charmander. She told Melanie that in her care it would be able to recover."
"That is not possible, the Charmander's condition is far beyond any help. Perhaps if it was still newly hatched, it may be possible with a lot of effort, but not now, Blaines gym trainer Damian investigated the Charmander and declared its mind already unstable. Damian would have put it down himself, but Melanie refused, calling Liza instead. When Liza called me to ask if I could collect the Charmander, I informed her I would see the proper action taken after speaking with Blaine."
"Yes, well, Liza decided to take matters into her own hands." I said with a sigh, yanking the fridge open, only to roll my eyes at the sight of the empty shelves. "Seriously dad, can't you even feed yourself?"
"I just got back from Johto," Lance defended, but we both knew that even if that wasn't the case the fridge would still be bare.
"Rosa, can you please message the kitchens? I haven't eaten dinner yet." I said to my father who raised a questioning brow in my direction.
"Are you staying then?"
"Yeah, unless your planning to call your booty call back for round two?" I quipped, only to yelp in pain as my father lashed out at me with a whip of draconic power.
"You're lucky I left Lati downstairs." I grumbled, and dad snorted in amusement.
"I was wondering why that little monster wasn't trying to attack me."
"I left him so he wouldn't attack you during our conversation, I would have just called but you were ignoring me." I said, scrunching up my nose at the memory of exactly why my calls went unanswered.
"I told Nigel to ignore you," dad said with a sigh. "I should have guessed that you would just show up instead, you're worse then Clair. I've spoilt you too much."
"Thats your own fault," I said with a smirk. "I want the new targeting system for Christmas whilst we're on the subject of spoiling me."
"We'll see, maybe the Delibird's will bring you one."
"Really dad? The Delibirds? I'm fifteen, not five," I muttered undoing the belt of my ceremonial robe and tossing it on the kitchen counter, leaving myself dressed only in the grey singlet and shorts I'd worn underneath the robe.
"I don't get how grandpa wears those all the time, its so heavy and sweaty."
"He doesn't wear clothing under them," dad said, moving into the kitchen and grabbing himself a mug to make coffee.
"Ew," scrunching up my nose at the imagery that statement conjured up, I nudged a second cup towards my father to indicate I wanted a coffee as well.
"So whatcha gonna do about the green haired bitc- ow dad."
"Language"
"Whatever, ow, stop it." I whined, rubbing at my chest to try and sooth away the metaphysical sting.
"Behave, and you won't get in trouble."
"It's your fault, you spoilt me remember?"
"Mm, I believe grandfather has done quite a bit of the spoiling as well. I fear we are all to blame for this beast we have created." He said with a dramatic sigh, and I glared at him over the rim of my coffee mug. Just you wait old man, I'll show you a beast.
"As for Liza, she has overstepped herself in this. I will go to the Valley in the morning to ensure the Charmander is put to rest, and speak with Liza."
Tapping my finger on the side of my mug I tilted my head as I pondered that, and narrowed my eyes at the man standing across the counter from me.
"Daddy," I asked sweetly, causing him to stiffen. "There have been quite a few things requiring you to visit the valley recently, hasn't there."
"A few months ago you got called over because of a battle for dominance which supposedly got out of control, but was settle by the time you arrived. Another time, Liza called because she suspected poachers intruding, yet neither you nor the clan members sent to investigate found any signs of them. Then she called you because of a cave in, and after that it was several Charizard falling ill all at once with a strange illness that mysteriously when away when you got there." I mused, and my father nodded brow furrowed.
"There have been several incident's during the past year." He muttered, and I rolled by eyes.
"And you didn't find this at all strange? Perhaps, Liza just isn't suited for the role of overseer anymore. If she can't handle these small things without calling for the clan heir every time. Personally I think she just wants another ride on the red dragon." I said, making sure dad was mid sip when I tossed out the gossip forums favorite phrase to refer to sleeping with him.
Watching my dad choke and splutter coffee all over his black silk shirt was well worth the lash of draconic energy which whipped across my senses, and sent my inner dragon cowering into a corner of my inner self with a whimper.
"Amber," he snarled, tossing his mug into the sink with a disgusted look down at his shirt.
"Eh, you needed a wash anyway. You stink like one of Erica's ghastly creations." I mocked, scrunching up my nose, I'd hated perfume ever since that day almost two years ago.
"I wish you wouldn't read that drivel," he said as he walked out of the kitchen.
"Kind of hard to miss it when you're the top trending topic daddy! Every time you hook up with someone you knock me off my number one spot." I called to him as he walked to his room, unable to stop my laughter from seeping into my voice.
The remainder of the night was spent simply enjoying my limited time with my father, and watching in amusement as Lati who'd escaped Dragonite's watch attempted to destroy everything my father owned. I'd happily given him a PokePuff after he'd torn the couch to shreds with a grand display of Magical leaf, though I was sure it wouldn't be long before the couch brought to replace it would be similarly soiled.
Cerulean - After Ambers departure.
Staring at Amber's retreating back, Ash couldn't help the feeling that there was something wrong with the girl. Amber had felt strange, though she always felt strange, this was different, her Aura was dimmer than its normal vibrant explosion of color.
"Ri-Rio."
"You feel it to don't you?" He murmured, glancing down at his partner who nodded staring through the crowd where Amber had disappeared.
"Don't worry Ash, Amber will be fine. Trust me, she is far stronger then most would think." Gary said arms crossed behind his head as they walked back to the pokemon centre.
"Something just feels off, she seems sad, hurting?" He said, looking at his friend who glanced at him and then in the direction Amber went with a sigh.
"She gets a bit like that when it comes to some of the clan stuff, she is being trained to take over, and with the old master's age they are pushing her very hard. It's why she plays up so much, its the only chance she gets to act in any way like a kid. Amber doesn't remember her real childhood, and since being accepted by the clan she has been under a lot of pressure."
"She said she was just going to check on and pick up a pokemon," he murmured. "Why would that make her sad? Amber likes rehabilitating pokemon, she helped a lot with Froakie."
"Ashy, you spent time at the centre in Vermillion right?"
"Yes, it was great I-."
"Did you see any of the pokemon that couldn't be rehabilitated? Did they tell you what happens to them?" Gary asked, cutting him off.
He stiffened, the memory of a small Elekid slamming it's fists repeatedly into the ground filling his mind, he remembered the horror he'd felt as he watched that small electric pokemon lash out at everyone and everything around it. Then Surge had appeared with his Raichu, and before he could even comprehend what was happening, the little Elekid was slumped to the ground, its body unmoving.
"Listen brat, not every pokemon can be saved, not every pokemon should be saved. For some, death is the only thing we can do, is the only way we can help them."
"There was an Elekid," he said softly, eyes glazed with sadness as he spoke. "It was brought to the centre from an underground breeding centre. It was- Lt Surge, he- his Raichu, killed it."
"Amber said she is being sent to look at a Charmander, and that Blaines Ace is also there. If the fire type can't be rehabilitated by a fire type trainer, then the Blackthorn clan is unlikely to do so." Gary said with a sigh.
"So she's going to-."
"The Blackthorn clan calls it the rite of A'nu, or granting A'nu. They perform a ceremony after the death to release the soul for rebirth. I'm not sure why Lance is sending her, as the Cinabar gym's ace should technically be the one doing it, or the medical centre staff if the pokemon isn't in a state where it can be granted a battle death. Some people prefer their pokemon to be given a 'peaceful' death at medical centres, but- well ask Riolu and Pikachu what they would want, it won't be a 'peaceful' death."
Glancing down at the pokemon walking by his side, he felt the Pokemon's determined resolve as it patted a fist to its chest.
"Riolu, Rio- lu."
"Pika Pika Chu."
"I understand," he murmured, the mere thought of losing any of his pokemon causing his eyes to sting.
"Try not to dwell on it too much Ash, whatever happens will be in the best interest of the pokemon. If there is even the slightest chance it can be saved, Amber will do everything in her power to make sure it makes a full recovery. She once stood toe to toe with both the clan master and uncle Lance over a dragon that was to be granted A'nu, as she was adamant it could be saved, it took months of hard work, but that Haxorus is now one of the most easy going and dare I say it sweetest dragons you will ever meet."
"Really? How?" He asked, his curiosity peaked at seeing his friends amused grin.
"She set it up with her dad's Haxorus, it'd lost its young while still in the egg several times as it was breeding with weaker mates. The Haxorus is smaller than most, so unable to impress the stronger males and gain a better partner. Amber convinced her fathers Haxorus to mate with it, and once a living youngling was hatched the female completely settled. Before then it was attacking and trying to kill the young of the other females, which was why the clan was going to grant it A'nu. It also recently bred with his Garchomp who Amber jokingly claims was feeling left out."
After handing Froakie's ball over to the nurse at the pokemon centre's front counter, he followed Gary into the cafeteria where they piled food onto their trays. The food cooked in the pokemon center's wasn't bad, but he couldn't help but wish they were back out in their camp ground cooking their own food, there was something special about the meals they cooked together with the pokemon.
"Ash, I don't recall if Amber has mentioned it to you yet, but after we gain our B ranks we are planning to make a trip to Hoenn. We were meant to go with the clan master, but he moved his visit forward by a few months to visit his sister who has been ill. I am hoping to find and capture an Aron, and Amber wants to visit her kin in Hoenn along with their breeding grounds to seek a Swablu for her team." Gary said.
"Oh, when are you planning to return to Kanto?" He asked, lowering his eyes to his tray.
If his friends were waiting until they reached B rank, then at the very least he would still have a few months left with them according to Amber's battle plans for the gyms.
"I am not sure, we want to spend at least a few weeks in the region before returning to claim our A ranks. We need to rank up as fast as possible to allow for enough time to train before the indigo league tournament."
"Okay," nodding he looked down at his tray, feeling a little reluctant at the idea of being separated from his friends. He knew he couldn't expect them to stay with him though, they'd only taken him along as a favor and…..
"Anyway, are there any places in Hoenn you want to visit or native pokemon you want to see while we are there? We need to start planning our routes and camping spots, I think we should also check out the battle frontier while we are there. We can't fully challenge it until we are Rank A, but they have some challenges and competitions for lower ranks." Gary asked while handing his Cubchoo a bowl filled with partly melted ice cream for the pokemon to lap up.
"What?"
Eyes wide he stared at Gary, him visit places in Hoenn? Was Gary…did they…him go to Hoenn? With Gary and Amber? He couldn't, could he?
"Gary, I can't afford-."
"Whats to afford? We aren't going to be traveling on one of the boats or commercial pokemon carriers," Gary said shaking his head with a grin.
"You saw how Amber reacted to the flying cab, plus it was always our plan to fly one a pair of Dragonite from Blackthorn. The flight at a safe speed will take three hours, or if we fly at crazy dragon princess speed less than half that."
He really didn't want to know what 'crazy dragon princess speed' was, flying at the speed they did to Mt moon and Cerulean was bad enough, and the trip in the flying cab was an absolute nightmare. When he was younger he'd dreamed of flying on the back of a fierce Charizard, or sleek Pidgeot, but now he would much rather keep his feet firmly on the ground thank you very much.
"Ash, stop worrying so much about money. Once we get you started streaming, money will be the last thing you need to worry about."
"Gary, I don't think I'm cut out for the whole streaming thing like you and Amber. I just want to spend time with my pokemon and friends." He said, glancing at his two pokemon who were fighting over a ketchup bottle.
"Pikachu just let Riolu have a little for his fries, you shouldn't be eating all that ketchup anyway, remember what Amber said." He scolded, tugging the bottle away from his oldest friend and handing it to Riolu who took it gratefully.
"Pikachu! Pika"
He smiled as the feelings of annoyance and indignation swept through him from the electric typ. He didn't know how he'd previously lived without the connection his aura ability gave him to his pokemon and the world around him. Now that he'd tapped into the ability it was like he was seeing in color after being trapped in a world of gray.
"Both of our fan groups like you, they enjoy seeing you in our videos and many have asked if you will be doing your own streams. You bring something different to the platform, a more humble style than Amber and I can pull off. She is the crazy outgoing princess, I'm the cool laid back commentator and you're the caring and kind pokemon trainer. We are a trio of publicity gold according to Darla. If you sign the contract with the league, they will provide a rotom and offer you bonus's based on your video engagement." Gary said with a grin.
"Amber keeps mentioning it, but Gary I'm just not sure, I don't even know what I would make videos about, how do I even-." sighing, he tugged his cap low over his eyes.
He wasn't like his friends, he doubted without them anyone would be interested in anything he did.
"If you have the right rotom, or let Rosa teach it, then you don't need to worry about the videos too much. Amber doesn't even do many staged videos or photos any more, its all just Rosa filming her and adding voice overs. My rotom does things a little differently, because I commentate, but it still takes and posts photos of me and my team on my behalf. You would start out with a minimum requirement of fifteen hours of video per month, that's barely thirty minutes per day, nothing compared to Amber's and my own contracts. We have to meet a minimum of forty hours, if we fall behind, we have to make it up the next month."
"I'll think about it," he said softly, stroking his hand over Pikachu's back and scratching him just above his tail where he liked to be scratched the most.
"Do that, but don't take too long. Almost everyone is streaming these days, and you need to start sooner than later of you want to get some good sponsors. Anyway, it's almost time for your battle, so we should get moving." Gary said, picking up his tray, and headed to discard the rubbish with his Cubchoo and Squirtle waddling along beside him.
Following his friend, he set his empty tray on the stack of dirty trays to be cleaned by the centre staff and made his way to the front counter, Riolu walking at his side and Pikachu on his shoulder as always.
Leaving the pokemon centre, they began slowly making their way through the busy streets heading for the water gym, Gary offering some last minute advice about the expected opponents as they went.
"From what I've heard this year they are using a Corolla, Spheal and Piplup for their D ranked battles, so you might have a slightly harder time than Amber and I did in our E rank."
"They didn't say which sister I would be battling when I made the appointment," he said nervously running his fingers over Froakie's ball. He wanted to, no, needed to win this battle, needed to show the sisters they'd not been wrong in allowing him to care for Froakie.
"They don't, you won't normally know who you are facing until you reach the arena. in saying that, I've been monitoring the gyms stream throughout the day. The sisters only take three battles each, and Lily battled this morning, with Daisy battling during lunch, so I'm certain you will be facing Violet."
"Violet, she has Piplup right?"
"Right, I've had rotom reviewing all her battles, and she mostly uses pound, peck, bubble beam and a low powered icy wind which should be it's egg move."
Nodding, he took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders as they entered the gym, he still had another ten minutes before his battle was to start. Looking up at the large screen in the lobby it showed Violet patting a sad looking girl on the back. He guessed the other trainer must have lost her battle from the defeated slump to her shoulders, and the way the girl was brushing tears from her cheeks. Stomach clenching with nerves he approached the main desk, and checked in.
"Ah yes, Mr Ketchum, your battle is next. If you head through that hall you will find yourself at the arena, your friend can watch from the stands." The pretty woman behind the counter said, pointing him towards a hall with a uniformed gym trainer guarding the entrance and gesturing Gary towards another hall.
"Alright Ashy, good luck." Gary said, patting him on the back and he nodded looking down at Riolu.
"Hey pal, do you want to go with Gary to watch from the stands?"
"Rio-lu."
Nodding the blue bipedal pokemon moved over to Gary's side, and patted Cubchoo's head when the bear pokemon gave it a sniffling greeting.
Watching his friend depart towards the hall that led to the stands, he adjusted his cap and made his way to the hall guarded by the gym trainer. Showing the trainer his Pokedex, he was allowed to enter the hall leading to the arena. As he walked he passed the girl he'd seen on the screen as she made a teary exit.
The sound of loud murmuring voices could be heard before he exited the long hall, and his steps faltered slightly. There hadn't been an audience at the Pewter gym, Flint hadn't been allowing anyone but the challengers to enter his gym since his return. This would be his first battle with a live audience.
"Pika Piii," the soft chittering of his best and oldest friend, along with the wave of comforting feelings made him begin walking forward once more, and he did his best to appear confident as he strode into the arena.
His friends, and his pokemon were all counting on him to win here today, Amber and Gary both already had their second badges, and if he wanted to keep traveling with them without being left behind he needed to win here. He couldn't expect the pair to hang around whilst he trailed behind them in badges, constantly helping him out when he failed, he needed to be strong and show them he could be a partner they could depend on.
Stepping into the arena, he gazed around at the large room he'd seen on the streams, the massive pool with its floating platforms was exactly as he'd expected. Fist clenched tightly around Froakie's ball, he stepped up to the challenging trainers platform and faced the gym leader.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the second last battle of the day and is a Rank D battle. The Challenger hailing from Pallet town, ASH KETCHUM. " The referee yelled, getting a few scattered cheers.
"Facing the Challenger is gym leader Lily Waterflower, This Rank D battle will be a 1v1 battle. Trainers release your pokemon!"
Hearing the referees call he threw Froakie's ball high into the air, releasing his pokemon and with a flick of his wrist he called the empty ball back to his hand, fumbling only slightly as he caught it.
"It looks like the challenger has released a Froakie, this pokemon is an E ranked pokemon native to Kalos region and the first Froakie we have seen battling at Cerulean gym this year. Take a good look at those Frubbles ladies and gentleman, this kind of healthy growth is a sign of a very strong Froakie, so this battle is sure to be one to watch!"
Pride filled him as he stared down at his Froakie who was crouching on the largest of the floating platforms, it had come along way from the pokemon he'd meet that first day in. Froakie's frubble had regrown and was a thick mass of bubbles which he made sure to keep moist with frequent misting from a water bottle. Wrapped around his Froakie's waist like a sash was the scarf Amber had gifted his Froakie, which the pokemon refused to give up even after his frubble had regrown.
Shifting his attention from his pokemon, he glanced at the Piplup across from them as it bounced from foot to foot, the excitement it felt flowing through the aura surrounding them. In comparison his own pokemon was calm, and steadfast, Froakie was so still someone might mistake him for a statue.
3-2-1
"Bubble."
Was the only thing he said as the battle began, as the challenging trainer he had the first move, and whilst he was tempted to start out with a stronger attack, he was learning it was better to hold back in the beginning, to test his opponents strengths first and not tire his pokemon by trying to go all out, all at once like he used to.
"Sliding dodge, then peck."
Blinking in surprise he watched as the Piplup leapt forwards toward the incoming bubble then flopped onto it's belly, allowing the momentum to propel it under the attack. It then used that same forward motion to propel itself towards his Froakie on the shared platform, its beak shining with battle energy.
"Jump up and pound down onto its back." He called, taking half a step forward as the excitement from the battle filled his body.
Jumping upwards, Froakie twisted about midair as the Piplup slid right past it and slammed its body down onto the opposing pokemon causing it to cry out in pain. Leaping up and away from his opponent, Froakie landed in a crouch and watched as the dizzy looking Piplup stood and shook its head.
"Piplup use bubble beam."
"Froakie, Ariel Ace."
Watching as his pokemon bounced around, avoiding the incoming bubbles and trying to land hits on the Piplup he felt a sudden wave of happiness and gratitude in the aura around the arena. Glancing up at the gym leader, he saw she was smiling as she stared down at the battle field, her eyes focused on his Froakie.
"Piplup, use icy wind."
"Froakie, water."
He ordered, watching his pokemon dive to the bottom of the pool as a gust of wind raced through the battlefield causing the water to ripple in small waves.
"Piplup, to the centre of the platform." Violet ordered, her eyes scanning the water and he grinned, pulling his hat low over his eyes to hide the faint glow as he used aura to communicate with his pokemon.
With a burst of movement his pokemon leapt from the water, and hit the Piplup with a pulsing blast of water before falling back into the water once more and swimming away to a new location. By the time the Piplup reacted to the attack Froakie was back at the bottom of the pool laying in wait to make it's next attack. He knew Violet probably wouldn't send her pokemon into the water, as while they were both water types, the Piplup wasn't as agile in the water as his Froakie. They repeated the sneak attack three more times, before Piplup finally managed to hit his pokemon with a well aimed bubble beam knocking Froakie backwards and onto a floating platform.
"Froakie, up and pound." He called seeing the Piplup once more performing its sliding peck attack.
This time when his pokemon leapt away from his opponent, the Piplup did not get up and soon disappeared in a flash of light as the gym leader recalled it.