"Alright Grovyle use Double Team!" Ash said, as several other Grovyle appeared, him tying a handkerchief around his eyes.
"What does that do if Ash can't see anyways?" Brendan asked out loud.
"Now use Leaf Blade and X Scissor!" Ash commanded.
The hordes of Grovyle leapt towards Ash as he made his way across the open area, ducking and spinning out of the way of each attack, until he finally made it to the other side.
"So, how'd I do?" Ash asked, catching his breath.
"I thought you were great!" Wally said.
"Looks fine to me, especially with the trust you put in Grovyle." Brendan said.
"Pika." Pikachu said worriedly.
Ash felt the side of the shirt he had on, seeing a new cut in it.
"Alright, back to first position!" Ash called out.
"Should we tell him that a tighter shirt would help?" Brendan asked.
"Let him be happy for now, he's finally practicing again." Wally said.
Ash made his way across the field once more, only to find the cut himself this time.
"Alright, enough of that." Brendan said, stopping Ash from going back again. "Before you're wearing nothing, try this!" Brendan said, angrily throwing a shirt at Ash.
"Ahh! Brendan I can't sense that!" Ash shouted.
"Just try it." Brendan said. "It's a tighter shirt."
"You haven't steered me wrong on fashion before." Ash said, pulling off his shirt, revealing some burns on his back.
"Ash!" Wally exclaimed.
"What?" Ash asked, turning back around.
"Your back." Brendan commented. "Are you okay?"
"I don't think I went anywhere, and I feel fine." Ash said in confusion.
"Your actual back, its covered in burn scars." Brendan said.
"Oh, yeah those." Ash said, pulling on the new shirt. "It's nothing."
"Ash, what could have caused four burns that large on your back?" Wally asked in concern.
"The Primal Force." Ash said calmly. "I realized it a bit back, him using my powers did actual damage to me."
"If we ever see him again." Brendan said angrily.
"I don't think that will happen." Ash said. "I think he sacrificed himself and his power back at the Tree of Life, and that's why I can't see."
"You can't see because of him, how?" Wally asked. "Why didn't you tell us this?"
"He took over my sight, sort of at least. We shared it, and every time those blobs hit one of his aura constructs he lost control of it and I gained it." Ash said. "I only have to guess that because his power was in my eyes at the time we were cured, that they went with him."
"Okay, all the more reason to hurt him if he shows back up." Brendan said.
"Enough talk about a dead ancient force that inhabited my body." Ash said. "I want to run through the appeal again."
"Okay, but can I make a quick suggestion?" Wally asked.
"Go for it." Ash groaned, knowing he wasn't getting out of it.
"Practice with your shoes, and without the blindfold." Wally said.
"But, then I can't sense things as well." Ash reminded.
"You never needed your powers for an appeal before, so don't use all of them. I get that you use your aura powers to sense everything around you, and that helps you avoid Grovyle, but the blindfold is just adding nothing." Wally said.
"Okay, you're right." Ash said, walking over to the other two trainers. Ash put his shoes back on and took off the blindfold, picking up the white cane again, and making his way over to where Pikachu was waiting.
"Ready when you are." Brendan said.
"Okay, let's do this Grovyle." Ash said. "Use Double Team!"
A swarm of Grovyle surrounded the field, each waiting for the next command.
"Now use Leaf Blade and X Scissor!" Ash called out.
Without having the ability to sense at a greater distance, Ash had to take his time, slowly walking across the field. Hearing something coming dangerously close, Ash stopped and ducked down as Grovyle flew over him.
"Okay that was pretty cool." Wally admitted.
"Keep it going Ash!" Brendan shouted.
Ash took a few steps forward, only lifting his cane up moments later as Grovyle shot in front of him.
"He's doing better than we imagined." Brendan said.
"But he needs to keep the speed up, or he won't make it in the correct time." Wally said, looking at a timer.
Ash began moving once more, easily avoiding the remaining Grovyle as he made it across the end of the field.
"See, speed wasn't your answer, it was going slower." Brendan said.
"You'll make quick work through the Fuchsia City contest with this appeal." Wally assured.
"Glad to know you guys are in my corner still." Ash said with a smile.
Back in Hoenn, near Route 111
"What do you mean it's empty?!" Jessie screamed.
"I don't get it Jessie, the bosses intel said that the golems should be here, even those inscriptions said this was where they would be sealed." Meowth said.
"Maybe they never got here." James joked.
"I will not go back to the boss empty handed!" Jessie shouted.
"We won't." Meowth pointed out. "We still have to get those orbs."
"But without those Pokemon we don't have the big reward." Jessie said angrily, entering the room. "The two of you must have just not seen everything!" Jessie said, stepping into the center of the room.
A red burst of light surrounded Jessie with a blast of sand shooting out in a ring. When the light died down, and the dust settled Jessie stood tall, a red light shining on the armor piece of her chest.
"Or maybe the boss just wanted the power sealed in here." Meowth said in surprise. "Are you still in there Jess?"
"Oh I'm still here and I feel wonderful!" Jessie said, shooting her arms into the air, causing stone pillars to shoot up.
"That's new." James said in fear.
"And I like it." Jessie said with an evil smirk.