Chapter 13 - "Well, Let's Not Go That Far."
The night was quiet. The group of dojo students sat around a campfire alongside Mustard and his wife, Honey.
When the group had finished their battle on Honeycalm Island, they returned to the dojo, made the new max soup, and fed it to Urshifu. Afterward, the group was hungry, and Mustard suggested that they eat outside and enjoy the warm weather while they could.
Cyan was eager to see what Urshifu's new form would look like, but he wanted to wait for the soup to settle in his Pokémon's stomach. Also, he wanted to wait until it was daytime, so he could get a good look.
"This group of students is quite amazing," Mustard said to Honey. He looked at his students. "Usually, I have one or two top students at any given time. But right now, I have four. I'm very proud of all of you. As far as I'm concerned, you're all ready to graduate and move on from the dojo."
Cyan was relieved to hear that. He loved living at the dojo for the few weeks that he had, but he was determined to get back home soon. Although it was warm in Galar, it would be autumn soon, and he wasn't looking forward to the temperature drop. In Alola, it was always warm.
"Cyan, if I dare say, you may be one of the most creative and outgoing students that I've ever had," Mustard said. "You're brave, and you smile through pain. You're a great warrior, just like your Urshifu."
Cyan bowed. "Thank you."
"Lilo, without a doubt, you're the fiercest trainer to come through the school. Although you command Grass-types, you battle with the intensity of a dragon master. You've proven yourself, and win or lose, it is time for you to move on and battle with Galar's champion. There is nothing left for you to gain on the Isle of Armor," Mustard exclaimed.
Lilo grinned. "Maybe it is time that I make the challenge. I know he's strong though. I want to make sure that I'm truly ready."
"You won't know if you're ready until you give it a real try. Something to keep in mind with battling, there's always ways to improve, and there's always someone stronger," Mustard stated.
Lilo nodded. "Well, if the goal is to become the strongest, there's no time like the present."
"Kona, you're a master strategist. However, you've traveled enough. You've seen the world and a lot of what it has to offer. But, you could offer the next generation of trainers something yourself. It is time for you to return home and share the knowledge that you've earned with those that came before and will come next."
Kona put his hand to his chin. "Maybe I should start thinking about my future. Maybe I should start tomorrow though, huh?"
Mustard laughed. "Don't put it off for too much longer. I can guarantee that your family, friends, rivals, and old teacher all miss you. You've proven yourself wrong, Kona. You're not a lone wolf. You've become a leader amongst this group, but more importantly, you've learned how to work within a group."
Cyan's older sister never said a lot about Kona when they were younger. She oftened feuded with her other classmates, Midori and Akane. Kona was the odd one out, but he also seemingly became the strongest of the four. He must have been trying to prove something to them.
"It can't hurt to go back to Pallet Town for a bit," Kona said. "At the very least, I should show Oak all of my strong Pokémon. I'm sure he'll be happy."
"Avery, you have to stop playing around. You're goal is to become a gym leader, correct?" Mustard asked.
Avery nodded. "Yes! Yes it is!"
"Then make it happen. You're more than capable of Pokémon battling. However, you have to work on your appeal with people. The relationships that you make with people are important. The connection between gym leader and gym challenger is important. If you don't understand that connection, then there is no reason to be gym leader," Mustard said. "Here, you have bonded with other trainers, and you've teamed in situations that are seemingly impossible. However, you've pulled through. Avery, you'll make a fine gym leader. Just, watch your hothead when you can."
Avery tilted his head and scrunched his face. "I'll try my best."
"You know, I was a former champion," Mustard said. "The current champion was once my student. He came to the isle with various issues, but we straightened him out. I think we have a solid success rate here!" He chortled to himself. "And, I think that we can raise that success rate just a bit more. Tomorrow will be your last test, Cyan. Then, you're free to go."
Cyan sat up. "What do I have to do?"
"You don't have to do anything, but I'm requesting a battle with you. I want a full battle with all of your Pokémon against all of mine. No matter the result, I know you're ready for Kaarina. You have a championship battle, and there's no better to way to prepare for a champion then by battling with another champion," he said. "What do you say?"
Cyan couldn't help but smile. "I say, let's do it! Come at me with full force! We won't hold back!"
"Then tonight, rest, prepare your team, and tomorrow, we'll have a battle that'll shake all of Galar," Mustard said with a mischievous grin. "But first, everyone! Let's eat!"
Mustard scooped some curry out of the pot above the fire in the middle of the group. He placed it in one of his bowls and sipped on it slowly. Everyone took their turn getting their own portion, and Avery sat down next Cyan.
"You remember that wreath that you got when we were supposed to be looking for the Diglett?" Avery asked.
Cyan sat back and recalled the day. He had met an odd cast of characters, and out of the all of the dojo students, he found the least amount of Diglett, one. However, he was awarded with a small makeshift wreath crown from a strange lady that he saved.
"Yeah, why?"
"Do you still have it?"
"Yeah. It's on my desk back in my room. I was gonna throw it away before I go back to Alola. Do you want it?"
"No, I don't need it," Avery said before going silent momentarily. "I didn't want to tell you this at the time, but that item is extremely rare. And, you can use it on one of your Pokémon to evolve them."
"Whoa, really?" Cyan asked, imagining his Venusaur with a wreath around his body.
"Slowpoke has two different evolutions. If you use that wreath, then you can evolve Slowpoke into a Slowking," Avery explained.
"Slowking?" Cyan wondered. He recognized the name, but couldn't imagine the Pokémon.
"You should do it. He'll give you an advantage against Mustard's Pokémon. This is all of the advice that I'll give you for free. Anything else is going to cost you," Avery said.
"There's more that you could tell me?"
Avery was silent. "Actually, no. But, Slowking will help you out, so don't dawdle. Tomorrow is going to be intense for you."
Cyan couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Avery! I'm glad that we could become friends."
Avery glared. "Well, let's not go that far. I'm just helping you out to work on my people skills."
Cyan looked at Mustard who was eating his curry joyfully. Cyan was excited to go back home, but he was even more excited for one more intense challenge on the Isle of Armor.
Author's Notes: A simple chapter, but I wanted to give a close to most of the characters (or at least talk about where they will go next). We'll be finishing this story up with a two-part battle. Since I've been writing again, I haven't actually managed to write any battles. I'm going to work on Cyan vs. Mustard while I write for Logan's Elite Four Battles. We'll see which one turns out better.
pokemonking0924 - "Welcome back and this story is still great. Can't wait to see what happens next. Also when Cyan got the Max Honey I imagined him holding it up like when Link gets an item in the Legend of Zelda games." - That's exactly how I envisioned it.
pokestets23 - "Great to see you back friend! I like your perspective on dens, makes it fit more into realism." - Thank you! I actually don't think I write them very well, but I try to. Not sure if I'll get any more chances to work on them again. I kind of see them as violent dream sequences.
wisdom-jewel - "It is worth the wait. I think Cyan has a lot go work with and I can't wait for him to battle Kaarina. I do think Lilo and Avary do need some spotlight and development. Like have a part of the chapter devoted to them and flush out more." - Unfortunately, I don't have anything else planned for Avery passed the development he's gotten so far. But, who knows! Eventually, I'll write a Galar story focused on gyms, maybe.
CrescentApple - "Dang, you got commitment, I'll give you that. I'm excited for the Cyan vs Karinna." - I try! Thanks for leaving a review. It's good to see your name again.