"Are you guys sure this is the best was to get to Lavardige?" Brendan asked, looking at the cable car system.
"According to the Pokenav yes. The shorter route is more physically exerting and there is a chance that we may not even make it up those cliffs." Wally said.
"And before you ask, I did double check with the newer Pokenav, and yes it still says this is the best way." Ash added.
"I'm not saying they're wrong, but we are climbing a volcano, you do understand that, right?" Brendan asked.
"Yep." Ash said. "But if you want that gym badge, this is the best option."
"The town is a dead end, and besides we don't even have to go to the top of the volcano, the cable car will take us about half way, and then we can take the main trail down to Lavaridge." Wally said.
On the cable car ride up
"So, whats your plan for the gym?" Wally asked.
"Well, Marshtomp did great last time, but I'm not sure. What do you think Ashton?" Brendan asked. "Ashton, are you there?"
Ash was looking out the window at the volcano below them, completely zoned out.
"Ashton!" Brendan exclaimed getting his attention.
"Huh, yeah sounds good." Ash said, snapping back to reality.
"Sensei, Brendan wanted to know your thoughts on his battle plan." Wally said.
"Oh, well, look into what type the gym is, and go from there." Ash said. "You need to be able to think these things through to be a stronger trainer."
"So, you aren't going to offer advice?" Brendan asked.
"This time no." Ash said calmly. "You've earned three badges, I think you can come up with an idea without my input for this one."
"You're right, I've got this." Brendan said. "But maybe I should get another Pokemon." Brendan added thinking.
Once they were back on the ground
"Okay, I know what I need." Brendan said.
"And that is?" Ash asked.
"Training!" Brendan said.
"Okay, and where are you going to get it?" Wally said.
"I'm looking at my opponents right here." Brendan said.
"But the only ones up here are… no, no I'm not ready for that just yet." Wally said worridley.
"Come on, it'll be fun. The two of us against him." Ash said.
"Are, are you sure?" Wally asked.
"Yeah." Ash said. "Besides a double battle could be good experience for him, he hasn't won any yet." Ash joked.
"Okay Sensei, let's do this." Wally said, grabbing a Pokeball.
"Alright, come on out Marshtomp and Aron!" Brendan said.
"Surskit I choose you!"
"Let's go Ralts."
"Marshtomp use Mud Shot on Ralts, Aron use Rock Tomb on Surskit!"
"Surskit use Quick Attack!"
"Ralts use Confusion!"
Surskit sped out of the way of the rocks, while Marshtomp easily overpowered Ralts's attack.
"Surskit use Bubblebeam!"
"Ralts use Teleport!"
"Marshtomp stop the Bubblebeam with water gun! Aron use Iron Defense!"
The bubbles filled with water instantly, popping from the built up pressure making the ground wet and slick.
"Now Surskit use Quick Attack!"
"Aron, Marshtomp use double Tackle attack!"
Ralts still hadn't shown back up as Surskit was knocked over a ledge from the double team attack from Brendan's Pokemon.
"Surskit!" Ash exclaimed, rushing to where he fell, to see a girl with deep red hair looking right at him only inches away. "Hi." Ash said.
"Hey." The girl said, blushing unbeknownst to Ash. "I think this is yours." She said holding up Surskit who had some light singeing on the top of his head.
"Thanks, what happened to him?" Ash asked, wiping off some of the singe.
"Numel." A Pokemon said, clearly worried about Surskit.
"Sorry, we were training and your Surskit just fell into Numel's exhaust hole." The girl said, rubbing the back of her head.
"Hey Ashton! You okay over there!" Brendan called out.
"Ashton huh?" The girl asked. "Well Ashton, if you're ever in Lavaridge come and find me. You can pay me back for rescuing your Surskit."
Ash made his way back to Brendan and Wally to see that Ralts had somehow become knocked out while he was gone.
"What took so long?" Brendan asked. "You just leaned over the edge for a few minutes there."
"I met a girl." Ash said. "She said to look her up in Lavaridge."
"Well, good news is we're heading there." Brendan said. "Now with all your help with training me, I'll give you a few pointers about girls."
"I don't need advice, she just wants me to pay her back." Ash said. "Heh, dejavú."
"What do you mean, Sensei?" Wally asked.
"Never mind, let's get going though. I don't think Ralts or Surskit are in any condition to battle anymore." Ash said.
Late that night at the Pokemon Center
Ash had spent some time looking for the girl from the volcano, with little to no luck.
"Just like old times." Ash said with a chuckle, petting the sleeping Pikachu.
Flashback
"You'll pay for this Ash Ketchum!" Misty said, holding up her destroyed bike.
End Flashback
"Man, I hope fixing a Numel isn't that expensive." Ash said. "I still owe Misty for that bike, hope she's not too angry about it any more." Ash said with a sigh. "Well tomorrow is another day, maybe I can ask Nurse Joy about her." Ash said, as he crawled into bed.
