Welcome back everyone! Before we get back to Master Quest I wanted to write a few one-shots to try and get back into a groove. So here's the first one which is different but shouldn't be a surprise for anyone that knows me. Not much else to say so let's get into the story
Thawing out a Fighting Feeling
Her eyes rested lazily upon her Rotom Phone in her hand, the sound of the train chugging along the tracks barely entered her ears as she turned the volume up. Sighing, Bea leaned against the window as the match ended with Leon protecting his top rank once more. It wasn't much of a surprise to her, especially as it was a simple one-on-one between him and Lance; the match itself being billed as a rematch from last season's championship bout.
It had been competitive for the most part, Bea noting the strategies showcased by both participants as she struggled to figure out a way to counteract them with her team. Despite that, she closed out of the video and removed the earbuds from her ears. Her eyes glanced out the window now as the snowy exterior alerted her to her imminent arrival. A station sat up ahead as the girl slid her phone into her pocket. Slapping her face, she prepared herself for the challenge that would be the icy wilderness as the train came to a screeching stop.
Standing, Bea reached over her head and pulled down a duffle bag before tossing it over her shoulder. The train was mostly deserted save for a handful of individuals as she made her way off of it. Those in front of her stopped to take pictures by the loading station though she had no time for that. Not with her feet freezing as she touched down onto the pavement. A chill passed through her entire body, the girl rubbing at her arms as she entered the station, her eyes darting for the store
A few people recognized her as they called out to her, asking if she was taking part in the Champion's Cup as well. A slight nod was her answer. Her training for the Pokémon World Coronation Series had kept her team in top shape and even helped make the Stow-On-Side Gym one of the strongest in all of Galar. Though she knew others still surpassed her, a fact that drove her to this frozen section of Galar to train. Entering the small boutique within the station she quickly purchased a pair of snow boats along with a jacket to help keep her warm for the remainder of her trek.
"This should be better," she muttered, zipping up the jacket as the orange and black coat covered her in warmth. It restricted her movements, Bea a bit disappointed by that though she figured once she reached Freezington she could remove it. Especially since she planned to train throughout the various terrains of the Crown Tundra. It had been an area she never thought to train in before, though circumstances had changed that.
With a deep breath she exited the train station as the frozen area encapsulated her eyesight. Trees stood erected before her, branches drooped low as they were covered in snow and ice. A light breeze passed by as it blew her hair around wildly, the girl tightening the bow atop her head. The location lived up to its description of nothing but ice and snow as she took her first steps.
A crunching noise from her boots broke the silence, Bea walking with a fast pace as she left the train station far behind her. Off to her left she noted that the few individuals who had traveled here with her were heading for a cave of sorts as a scientist appeared to lead the group towards it. For a moment she questioned what might have been occurring within the cave but she had no time to waste on silly side adventures. Her time in the Crown Tundra was limited to a week at most before she had to return home.
Pokémon could be seen in the distance as various Ice-Types appeared to enjoy the storm brewing about. Cryogonal whirled about in the wind as a mother Beartic appeared to chase after her three Cubchoo. One of which was rolling in the snow. Bea found the action cute, a small smile on her face only for her to grow serious again. Cuteness wouldn't help her on her endeavor.
Fortunately the trek to her inn at Freezington was a short one as the townsfolk built the station near to them. Bea wondered if they did that in hopes of tourists, though she questioned who in their right mind would travel to the frozen wasteland besides for a training excursion. Blowing into her hands, Bea tried her best to warm them up. For a moment she wished she bought gloves as well, but she didn't want to handicap herself too much. Not with the challenge that awaited her in about a week.
"What is that? A helicopter?" she found herself asking as the town came into a better view. Small houses were nearly circled together as what appeared to be a field of crops sat in the middle of them all. Though the fact that crops wouldn't grow in icy soil wasn't what caught her attention. Instead, a strange contraption hovering high above the city drew her eyes. Four blades appeared to be spinning on the outer edges of the device as a square box of sorts was lifted by them. To Bea it almost looked like a drone, but it was too large to be one, perhaps a helicopter. Though even that she questioned.
The device began to rise even higher as Bea took steps closer, the size of it making Bea question how the wind it was creating didn't blow all of Freezington away. That was when she saw two individuals leaning towards an opening on its side. One she had no clue as to who it was, the man wearing an orange winter jacket as he appeared to be staring without any interest towards the town. The other she recognized, the boy having been seen with the one known as Ash Ketchum during both of their matches.
She questioned what he was doing with that man, the vehicle taking off for what looked to be a deeper section of the Crown Tundra. Shuffling her duffle bag for a moment Bea paused her journey for the town as a thought entered her mind.
If that one is here, would that mean Ketchum is as well? The thought brought a pause to her entire body as she thought back to her last bout with the boy, their draw continuing to motivate her to grow stronger. Though if he were here it wasn't like she could face off with him, especially since Ultra Class matches were scheduled by the Commission. She wanted to face him soon, though between his previous match with Volkner and her upcoming match it seemed unlikely they would face off anytime soon.
With a slight huff Bea brushed snowflakes from her hair, the white flaking off and piling onto the ground near her feet. Her body resumed motion once more as she made her way into the small, desolate town. A few people were out and about as she passed by though they were of little importance. Instead, she moved towards the single inn within Freezington, the area that she decided would be her base camp for the time spent there.
The building itself wasn't much to write home about, small and in need of repairs she wondered just how many people actually reserved rooms out here. Paint peeled from the siding, window shudders hanging off as the wind blew them about. Bea didn't worry however, all she needed was a roof over her head as she approached the door. A brass knocker rested on the door, the girl firmly grasping it as she knocked hard.
The noise echoed outwards as it disrupted the silence of the town. She watched the townsfolk for a moment, one man appearing to try and plant seeds of some sort only to give up as the ground proved uncooperative. The sound of a door being forced open turned the girl's head back towards the wooden object as an unwelcomed surprise stood in the doorway. Standing there appeared to be Ash Ketchum, his Pikachu resting atop his shoulder as the boy held a glass within his free hand. The smell of the drink entered Bea's nostrils, hot chocolate making her mouth water for a moment before she fought back her urge for the drink.
"Bea?" Ash asked out, the boy continuing to block her pathway into the house. Realizing his mistake, the boy moved aside as Bea stomped her boots clean before entering. Looking around the inside, it appeared that there were a few other guests there as a couple individuals sat around a table in the kitchen. A small television could be heard, Bea picking up news in regard to the Pokémon World Coronation Series though she couldn't tell just who it was about.
Glancing around she noticed a hallway lined with a few doors, the girl realizing that the inn housed more than just one individual at a time though they all shared a common area. Dropping her bag near the entrance, Bea removed her jacket as she hung it on the coatrack before taking her boots off and leaving them next to her bag.
"So what brings you out to this frozen area?" Ash asked as he brought her a mug. Thanking the boy she happily took the object, a quick sip being her first response as a bit of liquid stuck to her face. "I never would have expected you to come to the Crown Tundra."
"Training," Bea replied as she wiped her face clean. The girl took another sip of the substance, this time careful to not make a mess. It tasted wonderful to her, not only for the warmth but the sweetness that eradiated from it brought a smile to her. "The Crown Tundra is the perfect opportunity for my team and I to train for our next match.
"Though I could ask the same for you. Why are you at this inn and not with your companion?"
"Gou? He's off on a mission for Project Mew. They didn't want me tagging along this time though, something about 'seeing if Gou can take care of himself'. So we're just hanging around until they get back, a bit boring if I'm honest," Ash explained, the boy taking a sip of his own hot chocolate in-between sentences. His Pikachu nodded in agreement, Bea wondering if perhaps a battle between the two of them would liven the area up. She dashed that thought from her mind however, the girl unwilling to give away any of her secrets especially now that her rival had made it into the Ultra Class.
The other guests paid them no mind as Bea chugged her hot chocolate down, finishing it with a content sigh. For a moment she wanted another cup to quinch her desire but instead she picked her bag up. It would be best to claim her own room before anyone else possibly showed up. However, she was still curious about one thing as she tossed the bag over her shoulder.
"You mentioned something called Project Mew, what is it exactly?"
"It's this cool organization that is doing research on Mew. Though you probably guessed that from the name," Ash admitted with a chuckle. The boy rubbed at the side of his face, Bea nodding at his answer as she motioned for him to continue. Ash nodded at that, pausing as he appeared to be thinking over his words. "I guess they're only allowing so many people to join, but Gou is doing his best and my other friend Gary is competing for a spot as well. Last time they had us out in Sinnoh."
"It doesn't sound like something I particularly would care for," Bea admitted honestly. The girl turned from Ash, facing the hallway lined with doors. Her feet took a few steps forward before stopping, Bea turning her head over her shoulder to stare at Ash. "However, if it is a goal your friend strives for with all his might, I wish him nothing but the best in his endeavor. One must push forward towards their dreams with everything they can do and even then they must shatter the wall blocking their path.
"Much like you did against Volkner."
"Oh? You actually watched it?" Ash asked, Bea picking up the surprise in his voice. The girl wondered if perhaps she came off as uncaring about others, especially if he thought she wouldn't watch another skilled competitor. "Volkner pushed us to our limits. Even then, if it weren't for our Z-Move we probably would have lost."
"Unlikely," Bea stated as she began to walk away once more. "As my rival there is no way you can lose again until we have our rematch. Though to answer your surprised question; I watch matches of all my key adversaries. It's the only way I can pinpoint areas of improvement for myself and work towards new strategies."
The girl began to walk away now, checking each of the rooms to see if they were empty. One by one she learned they had been taken, the girl forced to take the final room opposite the bathroom. While it didn't concern her, she hoped it wouldn't cause any traffic in the hallway. Though in the worst-case scenario she figured she could just leave through her room's window considering there was only a single floor to the house.
Looking around her room she noted the bareness of it as the only pieces of furniture were a bed with a few layers of sheets and a comforter along with two decent pillows. To the side of the room sat a dresser with a mirror atop it, Bea laying her bag across the wooden object as she sat on her bed. Pulling her Rotom Phone out of her pocket the girl looked for any service though all she received was static.
"No service. Looks like I'll be in the dark regarding news until the training is done," she muttered to herself. Laying down on the bed, she sighed happily as for a moment she thought about letting her body sink into the sheets. Her fighting sense however urged her to get up as there was no time to slack off. Pushing herself up, Bea sat on the bed as her feet rubbed against the wooden floorboards.
"We'll head to the Frigid Sea and prepare for the harsh conditions created by the Ice-Type."
"So that's what you're doing," Ash's voice made the girl jump, Bea realizing she left the door to her room open. Leaning against the doorframe was Ash, the boy happily munching on a cookie as Pikachu did so as well. The girl questioned what he was doing near her room, though the sound of a toilet flushing drew his attention away from her; Bea realizing that he had to relieve himself.
"Pikachu and I were thinking about training as well. Mind if we tag along?"
"No."
Her answer was curt but to the point. She had no time to babysit anyone, and she definitely didn't need her rival to see any weaknesses within her team. Bea stood, the bed squeaking as she marched towards Ash. Looking into his eyes she found it hard to keep her stern expression, her legs feeling weak as she wondered if the trek was harder than she imagined.
"My training is strict and rigorous. My team wouldn't appreciate it if you got in our way."
"Oh come on, Bea, let us come! I promise we won't get in your way, we'll just travel with you to that Frigid Sea place and then we'll do our own training."
"Pi! Pika!" Pikachu likewise cried out, the Electric-Type jumping from Ash's shoulder and down onto the ground. The two smacked their hands together, pleading to Bea. The girl planted a hand on her hip, the other running through her hair as she found herself being broken down by their pleading.
The two continued to ask, stopping for only a moment as they heard the door to the bathroom open up. Their thoughts appeared to fight between relieving themselves and asking to come along, Bea finding it almost cute as their urge to get in on some training overwhelmed their bodily needs.
A sigh parted from her lips, Bea stretching her arms up over her head as she rolled her eyes. She had a feeling that she would regret this decision but it would at least shut Ash up. "Fine, come if you want but you're not my responsibility. You've got to take care of yourselves. Relieve yourselves so we can get a move on."
"Thanks, Bea, you won't regret it!" Ash shouted out happily, exchanging a fist bump with Pikachu. The girl watched on in fascination at their closeness, though she had a feeling she would already regret it. Especially as the duo rushed into the bathroom.
Sitting back on her bed the girl wondered why she allowed herself to breakdown that easily and consent to them joining her. Though she couldn't find any overly negative reasons to deny their request, she still found it odd for two competitors to spend time together especially while training. Focusing her mind, she felt her body loosening up, the girl preparing herself for the harsh conditions that awaited her within the Crown Tundra.
Her mind was blank now, the girl imagining her battles in the snow and ice as Grapploct and the others did their best to combat the weather hazard. For a moment she wondered if her best way to counter it would be through Dynamaxing and using a move that would alter the weather itself, though her thought ended as she slapped her cheeks.
"No time to think about the future. Worry about the present," she reminded herself as she heard the toilet flush. Getting off her bed the girl exited her room, shutting the door behind her as Ash exited the restroom at the same time. A smile sat on his face, Bea finding it hard in the moment to look right at him due to their close proximity, instead staring down at her feet.
Making way, she marched into the front room as it appeared those sitting in the kitchen before were now gone. Sliding her boots on, she watched as Ash threw an orange jacket on over his usual clothes, Pikachu jumping inside it as he snuggled up against Ash's chest. For a moment Bea thought about reaching for her jacket but instead chose against it. She wanted to brace the cold now so that her body would be ready come time for her match.
No words were spoken between the trainers though Bea felt Ash staring at her in concern. She wondered if she should tell the boy of her plans, but instead walked out of the building as he followed suit. Silence sat between them for the first trek of their journey as they headed south from Freezington and towards what looked to be an open area. Some fields looked to be prepared for a harvest as a few members of Freezington looked over their small bounty of crops while wild Pokémon ran wildly about. Bea found it fascinating that none of them made any advances towards the crops though, as if they knew not to interfere with the harvest.
The snow stopped as they walked across the field, grass now present as Pikachu scurried ahead to roll through it. Ash laughed at his partner's playfulness, Bea watching on as she wondered how these two could be a completely different level of seriousness in battle.
"So, Bea, you said you're here to train. That must mean you have a match coming up soon."
The girl nodded, pulling out her phone as service was still unavailable. Looking to Ash she noted how he too tried to look up information but found it impossible. Placing the object away she rubbed her arms quickly to brush away the cold sensation passing through them before speaking.
"Yes. My match is in roughly a week against a fellow Galar Gym Leader and a master of the Ice-Type," Bea explained as she looked on ahead. She could hear a stream rolling past them as she figured it meant they were getting close to their destination. "Melony is a feared trainer in the Galar Gym Challenge, one who has caused several trainers to drop out completely. I must be prepared in both body and mind for all challenges I'll be faced with."
The girl paused for a moment, tightening the knot on her outfit as a breeze passed by. Off in the distance she could make out a temple of sorts. Or maybe it was ruins, she wasn't quite sure as the object was mostly blocked out by the mountains and trees. Listening for the stream once more, Bea knew they were on the right path as the sound grew louder.
"Though, it appears I wasn't ready for all challenges," she continued on as the duo climbed over a few stones and around a pond. A cemetery was off in the distance, Bea believing she saw a horse of sorts there but continued on her way towards the Frigid Sea. "I never would have expected you to be the Champion of Alola. Not with the way you present yourself outside of battle."
Ash laughed at that, the boy rubbing the back of his neck as Pikachu ran a few circles around the two trainers. Bea watched on with fascination as Pikachu finished his few sprints and jumped atop Ash's shoulder before scurrying within the orange jacket once more.
"I wouldn't go as far to call me a Champion," Ash admitted as he threw his hands behind his head. Bea noted his slower pace, as if he was in thought and deciding the best manner in which he would continue the conversation. "It was more like a tournament I entered, there were no badges or official links to the League like Kanto, Galar or any of the other Leagues. But I did win it, so you could say I'm the champ of that tournament."
Bea hummed in response at that, the girl coming to a stop as Ash accidently walked into her back. She barely budged from the collision, Ash stumbling backwards as Bea turned towards him. It looked as if the boy was about to apologize, Bea speaking before he could.
"Wouldn't I technically be the Champion? Since I defeated you back in Saffron?"
Ash blinked in response, Bea smirking at his silence only to frown at his continued silence. With a deep sigh she crossed her arms in frustration, beginning to walk again as Ash followed beside her.
"It was my attempt at a joke."
"I never thought you were capable of joking. I always thought of you as the no nonsense kind of person," Ash replied. Pikachu chirped in agreement while Bea huffed at that answer. She found herself questioning where that action came from, especially since she had never joked around before.
The group continued on in silence now as they all noted the snowfall beginning again. The mountains before them gave way to a small corridor, Bea leading the way as she passed through with ease. Ash and Pikachu were right behind her, Bea picking up her pace though careful not to slip on the ice and snow now packed on the ground. The sound of waves crashing into the shore alerted Bea to their destination finally being reached.
Making it through the corridor, Bea pumped her fists in excitement, the girl throwing a punch forward as her elbow nearly struck Ash on the pullback. Apologizing for that, she reached into her pocket before releasing her Pokémon out. Flashes of light lit up the area for a moment as four Pokémon made their appearances before Bea. Grapploct, Hawlucha, Hitmontop and Machamp were all ready to begin their training.
"So you have a Machamp as well?"
"Of course. He's arguably my strongest Pokémon as he holds a deep secret to his battling."
"Even stronger than Grapploct?" Ash asked, the boy holding a finger to his chin. Pikachu leapt from Ash's coat as he interacted with each of the Pokémon. Though it appeared Hitmontop still held some animosity from their previous battle, the Fighting-Type refusing to shake hands with Pikachu.
Bea nodded at that, her Pokémon showing that it was ready to improve upon his last battle with the Electric-Type. Though for today their mission was simple: brave the harsh conditions of the Frigid Sea.
"Guess I should let everyone out too," Ash stated before tossing five pokeballs into the air. Flashes of light erupted sporadically as his entire team emerged on the snow and ice. Bea wasn't surprised to see Lucario, having learnt it evolved from Riolu during Ash's previous match. Likewise she remembered seeing Gengar during the battle and had heard about his Dragonite being used to advance him into the Ultra Class.
However, it were the two remaining members that confused her. One looked to almost be an abomination of science as it ran happily through the snow, its head eventually pushing snow around before the entire creature rolled around in the whiteness. It was as if this was its first time seeing the stuff. The second member interested her more however, especially since she had known it differently the last time they interacted. Eyeing Sirfetch'd, she turned towards Ash.
"Your Farfetch'd, it evolved?"
"Mmhmm," Ash responded happily. Sirfetch'd walked by slowly, giving a quick look at Bea before joining the other members of Ash's team in trying to restrain Dracovish. "You should have seen it, we trained with Wikstrom and then when everything looked lost in a battle against another Pokémon World Coronation trainer he evolved. It was so amazing too!"
Bea remained silent at that, impressed with the changes that occurred with Ash's team. It was clear he wasn't slouching off or being lazy with his training. And yet she almost wanted to ask him for a battle, to see just how much he had grown and to see if she still held an advantage over him. Instead she missed her chance as the boy began to call out commands to his Pokémon.
"Everyone, partner up! Lucario, you and Sirfetch'd go at it again. Dragonite, try and help out Dracovish a little while Pikachu and Gengar, you two go all out."
"Seems rather simpleminded. Is there not a better form of training for them?" Bea asked, the girl standing there with her arms crossed. Her hands moved up and down her arms, doing their best to warm her up as she began to feel the cold grow worse against her skin.
"Sometimes simple is better," Ash admitted with a chuckle. Bea followed his gaze, the boy pointing to each of the pairs as their training had already begun. The first group were Lucario and Sirfetch'd, the latter having blocked an Aura Sphere with his shield before swinging his long leek down towards the Steel and Fighting-Type.
"Lucario and Sirfetch'd work on their close combat fighting styles with the occasional long-range attack used to keep Sirfetch'd on the defensive. It helps with both of their reaction times and physical strength. And then Pikachu and Gengar just go at it. They both have amazing speed and moves that can strike from a distance or up close so they're perfect to work on maximizing their movements."
As if on cue a Thunderbolt shot out across the field, the blast missing Gengar as the Ghost and Poison-Type vanished. The electricity shot into the side of an iceberg, chipping off snow and ice as it plunged into the water. Bea however quickly turned around, Gengar emerging behind Pikachu with an Ice Punch only for it to be met with an Iron Tail. The two attacks appeared even until Pikachu leapt off of that collision and got above Gengar, striking him with an Electroweb and immobilizing him for a moment.
"So what about those two?" Bea asked, pointing towards Dragonite and Dracovish. The latter was sitting on the ground, launching a Water Gun into the air as Dragonite stood there happily. It looked to be the worst of the three groups.
"Dracovish is a bit new to the whole battling scene. Well, actually it's a bit new to existing. Dragonite gives it encouragement. Plus I know Dragonite will go easy on it during training," Ash admitted. Laughter erupted from his stomach, Bea feeling the laughter become contagious as she fought it back. With a fake cough she turned away from the boy and his team, returning to her own group.
Throwing a fist into the air, Bea was met with a similar reaction from her team as each one of them were ready to get to training. For a moment Bea saw a fire burning within each of them, one that hadn't been present in a while. She wondered if it was due to Ash and his team's presence. As if her team didn't want to lose to them.
Motioning for her team to follow her, Bea made her way towards the shore as water crashed down onto ice and snow. In the distance she saw many different Pokémon brave the waters and even sit atop some of the glaciers in the water, though her team weren't heading that far out. Instead, the girl waded out to about her waist, the water feeling ice cold against her legs the moment she stepped into it.
The freezing sensation passed through her body as it culminated around her hips, the girl standing strong as her upper body began to feel the icy feel of the water. Her Pokémon followed her lead, each of them standing up to about their waist as the water rocked into them. The temperature appeared to drop or at least that's what it felt like to Bea as she braced herself against each wave. Her Pokémon had all become like stone statues, unmoving in the water as they took each attack head on.
"Machamp!" the Fighting-Type shouted as one waved splashed against his figure. The water dosed his upper body and yet he still stayed pat. Grapploct likewise had no issues, standing beside Bea as it took each blow head on. Even the likes of Hawlucha and Hitmontop handled it fine enough, though they were both forced to stay closer to the shore.
"So what's the point of this training?" Ash asked. Bea turned her head at the question, the girl losing her concentration as she smirked. For a moment she was happy that her training had gained his attention, that she felt it was only right he would be curious in it. However it came at the worst time, a wave crashing into her and nearly knocking her over.
"Grapp," Grapploct muttered, grabbing ahold of Bea before she plunged under the water. The girl thanked her trusty partner as she turned back towards the might ocean.
"It's a style of training that will harden our bodies against the chilling environment while also allowing our minds a chance to adapt to the prospect of thinking in subzero temperatures."
"We've got to give this a try!" Ash shouted out, his Pokémon following him as Bea heard splashes all around her. Looking to her left and right she noted that all of Ash's Pokémon were in the water now as was Ketchum himself. The boy appeared to be cold from it, his teeth chattering as a wave came passing through.
Bea wanted to agree with his sentiment, her lower body growing numb with each passing minute and yet she couldn't relent to the ocean's attack. She had to rough it out. However, not to Bea's surprise, it appeared one of Ash's Pokémon had other ideas as Dracovish ran into the water and began to swim around instead of taking the waves head on.
A few of the wild Pokémon were disturbed by Dracovish, taking off for parts unknown as Bea continued to look ahead. Snowfall began to pick up now as the wind also grew stronger. For a moment Bea wondered how bad it would get as she found it difficult to see. And yet her stubbornness made her not want to surrender to the ocean. She dug in deeper, only relenting once a gust of wind mixed with snow made it impossible to see.
"We'll resume once the storm passes by!" Bea called out to her team. Mixed cries were muffled by the wind, Bea waddling through the water and onto the icy shore as she recalled each of her Pokémon into their pokeballs. Ash likewise followed her lead, recalling his entire team except Pikachu into their pokeballs.
However, there was an issue now as Bea felt her lower body grow weak. Her clothes were soaked now as the wind caused the freezing sensation to pass through her body, her teeth chattering as she rubbed her legs in the hopes of warming them up. The action however failed as all it amounted to was making her hands soaked and freezing.
"Let's at least get out of the storm. Take my hand so we don't get separated," Ash yelled out. Bea squinted through the snow as she struggled to make out his orange jacket. The boy appeared to be reaching out to her, Bea hesitant to take it.
It was as if she were to admit defeat if she took ahold of it. And yet something about his hand called to her, like a part of her body wanted to clasp it tightly despite it feeling like a surrender. Groaning in agony she reached forward, her fingers interlocking around his glove as she felt her heartrate pick up. Wind and snow battered against her face, the girl squinting through the storm as her free hand blocked as much of the storm as she could.
A light squeeze of her hand caused Bea to jump, the girl having not expected such an action as Ash called back to her. His words became muffled, the wind becoming too loud for her to understand whatever he had said. Instead she found her own fingers clasping on tighter to the boy's glove, his figure barely visible before her now. Coldness ran through her entire body and yet her face felt warm; Bea's first thoughts being that she caught a cold while out in the storm. It was the last thing she wanted, especially with her match so soon. She couldn't afford to lose out on training due to an illness.
Fortunately the shape of what appeared to be a cave entered her vision. Her hand retracted from Ash's, her pace picking up as her boots crunched against the snowy ground. Without a moment's hesitation she sprinted past Ash as she could hear him call out to her. Bea didn't pause until she was in the cave however.
Out of the snow and cold she immediately rubbed her hands up and down her arms as she did her best to heat up her body. It proved to be of little help however as the wind continued to blow through the entrance to the cave. A small smile crossed her face as Ash entered the cave, the boy taking his hat off before wiping his hair clean of snow. The smile vanished immediately as the boy turned towards her.
"This storm came out of nowhere, huh?" he asked, Pikachu popping his head out of the boy's jacket. The Electric-Type looked content in his position, pushing right up against Ash's chest as Bea continued to watch. Ash scratched at his best friend's head for a moment as a "cha" echoed through the cave. "One moment it was just flurrying and the next we get an entire snowstorm."
"The Crown Tundra is known for its rapidly changing weather. There's a reason it's considered one of the harshest places to train in," Bea responded as she walked towards one of the walls furthest from the cave entrance. Planting her back against the stone she slid down onto the ground, her body still soaked as water dripped off of her clothes.
Ash took a few steps towards her, sitting beside her as his own clothes dripped of water. The snow that stuck to his jacket also began to melt, the object having beads of water roll down it. He appeared to be deep in thought, Bea watching as for a moment he looked to his Rotom Phone only to place it away.
"You're worried about your friend, aren't you?"
Ash nodded at that, any signs of worry being devoured by a look of pure determination. Ash's hands were planted on the ground as he drummed against the stone softly. "Gou's gotten much stronger since before. He's still new to the whole trainer thing but he isn't the rookie I met all that time ago. I'm certain he'll be able to handle whatever weather the Crown Tundra throws his way."
"Your friendship is admirable."
Ash chuckled at that, Bea thinking of how they were opposite in almost every aspect besides battling. He was outgoing while she kept to herself. He was an idealist while she a realist. Loud and rambunctious, quiet and composed. They didn't seem to match at all and yet as she sat there in that cave, Bea was glad it was with him. Her first true rival and one that she felt could push her to a higher realm of strength.
Her thoughts paused, the girl shivering for a moment as she tried her best to create heat on her body. Rubbing her arms, Bea gave up on that before pulling her legs in close to her chest. The water dripped off of her shorts, splashing against the back of her boots as she felt the coldness seep deeper into her body.
"You alright?" Ash asked as Bea merely nodded. She couldn't turn to face him, the girl having found a single crack within the stone wall opposite her. She was remaining focused on it, doing her best to trick her mind from thinking about her predicament. The sound of a zipper began to distract her, Bea glancing over for but a second as she noticed Ash's jacket open now. The coldness stung worse now, Bea quickly searching for the crack once more.
"You must be dying from the cold, especially since you left your jacket at the inn. Here, take mine for a little," he offered. The piece of clothing appeared in front of her face, Bea hesitant as she stared at it. The weakness she felt seeping into her longed for that jacket but Bea knew better, pushing the piece of fabric away with one hand.
She began to open her mouth, her teeth chattering as Bea forced herself to stop the action. Biting down on her teeth, the girl waited to speak until she felt the chattering had finished. Taking a deep breathe, she exhaled through her nose, the girl able to see the air from her breath as she questioned how cold it had become.
"Thank you, but I must decline your offer," she stated calmly. She could see a look of concern on Ash's face from the corner of her eye, but deep down she knew she couldn't accept it. Especially since it would leave the boy in a similar predicament that she was in now. "If I can't push my body to handle a situation like this then there's no way I can handle my upcoming battle."
"I've heard of extreme training, believe me," Ash began to say as he tried to hand her his jacket once more. Bea smiled this time, pushing his hand away softly as she shook her head slowly. "You're going to get sick from this. Between being soaked and the cold, it isn't good for you. Bea, please just take the jacket."
"If I were to accept it then you would freeze."
"I've been in plenty of situations like this before."
"As have I. Once again, thank you for the offer but I will battle this out," Bea stated firmly. A deep sigh from Ash alerted Bea to the fact he accepted her word. Tilting her head ever so slightly she watched as the boy slid his arms back into the jacket, Pikachu jumping in as well before the piece of clothing was zipped tight. A look of worry rested on Ash's face, Bea at that moment glad to know that he cared about her own wellbeing. She couldn't explain why, but all she knew was that Ash viewed her as more than just rival with that previous action. She had never purposefully sought out friends before, but if she had to call this boy her friend she wouldn't deny the claim.
"You know, Bea, not everything has to be a battle," Ash stated. Bea understood exactly what he was getting at, though she had no disagreement to it she just couldn't back down now. Not after how much she had looked forward to this training session. Standing up, the girl readied herself as she got into a stance, a smile resting on her face.
"I don't think I've ever seen you smile."
"I've been taught to compose myself in battle. Emotions are a tell sign to your opponent of how you're feeling. I tend to follow that belief outside of battle as well," Bea admitted as the smile vanished from her face. Her hands slapped hard against her cheeks as they stung from the cold. Red marks now sat atop her face, Bea imagining an opponent in front of her as she threw a punch forward.
"I'd argue you should smile more. I think it suits you," Ash admitted as he threw his hands behind his head. Bea paused her routine, turning towards him as his own face contorted into a smile.
It was as if her body reacted on its own, a smile forming once more as Bea felt heat rush to her face. Where her cheeks once stung from coldness they were now red hot as she couldn't stop the smile.
What is happening to me? Concentrate! she shouted inwards to herself. Her arms swung across her face, wiping at her smile until a more neutral expression was formed. The girl swung her leg out this time, imagining her opponent blocking it as she went for a counter. However, her knee began to buckle from the fatigue, the girl catching herself as her hands were planted against the stony ground.
A few beads of sweat dropped from her face, Bea pushing herself back onto her feet only to feel her knees shake. Her breathing was also a bit more strained as she found her movements now sluggish. Knowing that there would be a chance at an injury if she continued to force it, Bea sighed out before plopping down next to Ash.
"You win, I won't train right now.
"But answer me this: why are you how you are? You barely won against Volkner and yet you're not worried about your next match. I'd imagine anyone in that situation would be doing all they could to train and prepare for whatever comes next."
She waited for an answer, Ash staring down at Pikachu as if he were waiting for the Electric-Type to answer. No sound came from Pikachu however, the Mouse Pokémon instead burrowing deep inside the jacket as Ash laughed from the movement. Eventually he shrugged before a smile formed on his face. For a moment she found it weird that he could smile so often despite their situation.
"I guess it's because I've learned to stop worrying so much," he began to say, adjusting his hat slightly before staring off into the distance. Bea wondered if there was something he noticed or if he was merely staring off into space. "See, when I first started my journey and left Pallet Town with Pikachu, I was always trying to impress people.
"They would always compare me to the other trainers who left town on the same day, especially my rival and friend Gary. Because of that I would push myself to try and catch up to them instead of taking my time and being my own trainer. Heck, you should have seen me at my first League. Lost because my Charizard wouldn't listen to me in battle," Ash admitted. The look on his face was one Bea could tell wasn't just pure joy. It didn't exhibit any sadness or regret either but rather Ash appeared to just be relishing in his old memories.
Bea herself tried to think back to all her old journeys through Galar and around the world, though everything that popped into her head was merely training regiments and battles. Now that she thought about it, she never truly took time to enjoy her surroundings as she had zeroed in on completing all her goals as fast as she could.
"It's funny though. Despite all the bragging Gary did, I made it further than him in that League. Then when we faced off at the Silver Conference I beat him. Guess that just goes to show I would get where I needed to strength wise my own way. Even if it meant taking the long road and getting lost in the woods or stopping to help some random stranger. We say it all the time, but Pikachu and I truly believe that everything we do has a purpose."
Bea nodded at that, her thoughts returning to how she handled battles. "Every movement does have a purpose. To obtain perfection each movement must be unwasted. And in the event of mistakes we must adapt and clean them immediately to keep our opponent off-guard."
"Not exactly what I meant, but everyone is different," Ash admitted with a chuckle. Bea nodded once more, unsure of what he exactly meant. Though she couldn't dwell on it as the boy continued to speak once more.
"You're something special, Bea. The way you battle and train has me so impressed," Ash stated as Bea felt her face heat up once more. She could feel sweat forming as it ran down her neck, the girl pulling at the collar of her shirt as she tried to cool down. She was in a weird situation, her bottom half was freezing while her upper half was too hot. "When we first met you, I thought you were just some rude trainer who thought they were better than everyone. Especially after you said Korrina was weak.
"But then we had that rematch in Cianwood City and I realized you weren't rude. Even if you came off as it you just really wanted to see your opponents better themselves. You wanted Lucario and me to seek you out and give you an even tougher challenge. It helped me learn that you're actually really kind but choose to hide it behind that tough exterior of yours. I have to thank you for that, it was my first real wakeup call for the Pokémon World Coronation Series."
Bea remained silent, the girl patting her hands against the ground as the noise echoed softly around the cave. Glancing at the cave entrance there was no sign of the storm slowing up. Taking a deep breathe, the girl moved her eyes over to Ash.
"If we're spilling everything... the truth is I thought you were obnoxious and a hothead when you first approached me to battle. Rushing into such a match without any strategy or knowledge of your opponent seemed odd to me. But the more I got to know of you through our battles the more I came to learn what a fascinating trainer you were," she paused for a moment, her hand moving up to rest against her head. For a second she felt lightheaded but pushed on, her eyes straining to focus on Ash.
"While I may not say or show it, I hold you in high regards as my rival. I've faced hundreds of other trainers but few have searched for a rematch with me. And of those already few trainers, even less pushed me to greater heights as you have."
Ash tilted his head slightly at that, Bea nodding to herself as she struggled to stay conscious. Her body was finally allowing the fatigue and coldness to take full control, ready to shut down if she didn't fight back. Her hand moved to her arm, pinching at her skin as it jolted her back awake for a moment. Though she felt the fatigue fighting against her almost immediately.
"Our rematch in Cianwood, it truly pushed me to new heights. You see, the tie infuriated Hitmontop and Grapploct as they both viewed it as a loss. We can't advance in rank with just a tie. And so our training increased with the desire of not letting you pass us."
A slight shuffling sound caused Bea to turn her head, the girl barely able to see Ash stand through her squinted eyes. She was fighting the best she could, but her body refused to cooperate with her, though she refused to give in herself. Trying her best to make out Ash, the girl leaned back against the wall as Ash pumped his fists.
"With an attitude like that you've got me all fired up now!" Ash shouted. Pikachu leapt out of his jacket, electricity sparking from his cheeks. The sight brought one final smile to Bea's face as the girl continued to listen despite her body shutting down. "Our Ultra Class match will go down in history as the greatest ever!"
"And your Z-Move?" Bea asked while stifling a yawn.
Ash shook his head at that question, his finger pointing at Bea's wrist as the girl understood completely. The sound of Ash's voice grew muffled to her, the girl doing all she could to fight off the lull of sleep. "The Z-Move was a one-time thing. I want to face you head on with your specialty. The outcome of our match will be decided upon who can battle better with a Dynamaxed Pokémon!"
The girl tried to reply, her mouth open as she prepared her response. The words never came however, a sneeze instead breaking up the conversation. Rubbing her nose, the girl felt her body continuing to heat up as it appeared even Ash noticed it now. The boy began to unzip his jacket, Bea trying to fight his kindness, but her body wouldn't allow it. All her strength had been sapped away as she sat against the wall shivering.
"Here. You've gotta stay warm," Ash stated as Bea felt a layer of clothing be placed atop her. Everything was a blur to her now, her eyes finally shutting as Ash's voice was unrecognizable. Her surroundings disappeared as the girl drifted off to sleep.
For a moment she wondered how things would go against Melony, especially once the battle turned into an icy showdown. If she could barely handle this temperature, how would she be able to endure an entire match. Darkness began to cloud her mind, the girl unable to focus on her upcoming match and instead replaying Ash's match against Volkner.
Her dream was dark, the girl realizing that there would be no image as she mostly listened to the match. She would have no way to tell what it actually looked like. Bea finally felt her body relax, her muscles releasing the tension as she continued to sleep peacefully. Time appeared to freeze for Bea, the girl's mind analyzing Ash's match as she tried to figure out how he spontaneously countered Volkner. The darkness however left her wanting more, wishing that she had actually turned around and stared at the television behind her. She now wanted to see how he handled the situation he had been thrown into, especially with Electivire's Motor Drive ability.
Eventually a bright light washed away the darkness, the announcer in her mind declaring that Ash had won the match with his powerful Z-Move. The image in her dream now became of herself sitting there listening to the match as she thought about telling herself to turn around and look. Instead she was startled by a noise.
"Pii." The noise sounded like it belonged to a Pikachu, Bea turning in her dream slightly only to find herself having difficulty. Moving, it felt as if something was holding her back as a new voice entered her mind.
"Pikachu, it's best to give her some space." Bea recognized it as Ash, the girl unsure if this was still her dream or something else. Turning quickly, the girl found something still restraining her until a falling sensation took over her. With a slight thud pain flooded her elbow only for the girl to awaken from her slumber.
Blinking, she pushed herself up off the floor only to see blankets tossed around. On the opposite side of the bed stood Ash, Pikachu resting on his shoulder as a bowl of soup rested on the dresser in the room. Some of the contents appeared to have spilled out from her fall, Bea standing up as she dusted herself off. The first thing she noted was their location: back at the inn in Freezington. She then noted that her clothes had been changed, the girl seeing that her Gym outfit rested atop the dresser.
Her eyes rested upon Ash, the boy smiling happily as he threw a hand behind his head. "You're finally awake, I was getting a bit nervous since it's been three days."
"Three days?"
Ash nodded at that, the boy sitting down on a chair. "You've been asleep for three days. Shortly after you passed out the storm slowed down. I wasn't sure if it would pick up again or not, so we made the decision to head back but you wouldn't wake up and we didn't want to disturb you. So I carried you back to the inn and got some help from the others here."
Bea felt her face heat up again, the girl imagining Ash carrying her back to the inn. Not only did she feel embarrassed by the thought of needing assistance but there was another feeling mixed in there. She couldn't quite explain it but the closest she could get to it would be happiness. For what, she couldn't explain but now she was certain that she had made the correct decision in allowing the boy to join her.
"Thank you," Bea replied sharply. The girl grabbed the bowl of soup and sat on the edge of the bed. Taking a sip she appreciated the food as she had to regain her strength. The girl remained silent, unsure of what to say as a strange feeling ate away at her insides. Every so often she caught herself glancing at the boy sitting in her room. He appeared oblivious to everything going on around him, leaning back in the chair with a small smile. His simpleness was a reassuring feeling for Bea as she felt it clashed with her seriousness. In a way it allowed her to relax as she finished her soup.
"Well, it seems you're feeling better so Pikachu and I will give you some alone time," Ash admitted as he stood up. Adjusting his hat, the boy reached across the bed and took the now empty bowl from Bea. "If you want more I'll have someone bring another bowl down here."
"I've put you behind on your training. Haven't I?" Bea asked as she stood up. Her knees buckled for a moment, the girl pushing through the weakness as she walked around the bed. "You watched over me while I was sick and disregarded your own training regimen. My sincerest apologies for inconveniencing you."
"It's fine, really," Ash admitted with a light chuckle. The laughter died down immediately however, Bea watching as Ash's eyes lowered a little. To the girl it appeared as if he were staring right at her, her face growing flushed once more as she slapped herself in the cheeks. "If it's for a friend I'll do anything to help them. Besides, I know if our positions were reversed you would have done the same thing. It's like I said back in the cave; even if you don't show it you're a really caring person."
Bea remained silent, the girl holding onto the end of the bed as Ash turned around. His feet began to step forward, Bea listening to the slight creaks that echoed through the room. She too took a step forward, her free hand latching out to grab ahold of the back of Ash's vest. The boy appeared surprised by the action, a slight gasp coming from him as he looked over his shoulder.
The Stow-On-Side Gym Leader felt sweat forming on her face as fatigue ran through her body. She only had one chance to do this, as it would be best for her to rest up in the few remaining days before her match. Taking a deep breath she released her hold on Ash's vest, her hand taking the shape of a fist as it shook slightly.
"It's rare for me to ask of this, but please come and watch my match in person. I want you to see the trainer I've grown to become thanks to our battles. I want to show my rival that I won't lose to him or anyone!"
I think I finally understand why this boy makes me act like this. Bea thought to herself as a smirk rested upon her face. This was her way of challenging Ash outside of the Pokémon World Coronation Series and she hoped he would accept.
His presence has a calming aura to it. The simplicity he lives life by being a mask to show his true determination. He's a real threat to my chances of reaching Leon yet it drives me to new heights just to stay one step ahead. And yet I dream for the opportunity to face him again, to leave everything on the battlefield between two worthy adversaries. He's my natural counter.
Ash paused at her request, a smirk taking over his own face as he raised his own fist. The two trainers extended them, bumping them against each other as Pikachu cried out happily.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world! But you've gotta come to my next match!"
No words were spoken in response, Bea letting her eyes do the talking as she stared down Ash. The boy returned the stare with an intense one of his own. Bea felt her body shiver from the look as she refused to back down from the challenge. Ash turned away from her, exiting her room as Bea made her way back into her bed.
With a content sigh she allowed herself to be swallowed whole by the mattress, her head sinking into her pillows as she reached towards the ceiling. The fire burning inside of her had grown hotter now, Bea satisfied with her training session in the Crown Tundra. She knew that she was ready to take on Melony.
And that is the end of it. For those who don't know, I really like Bea (and the other Galar characters) and feel that Journeys is wasting them. So when they had Bea show up for the PWC I was excited...only for her to not show up again in a speaking role since her tie with Ash. Personally I'd like to see some episodes with Ash interacting with other PWC trainers in ways outside of battling and so that's where the idea for the one-shot came from.
Anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed it considering it was a bit different than what I usually upload. Sorry about the length of it though.
Thank you to everyone who read and gave this one-shot a chance.