Traveling with Ash is so much fun! You always end up meeting someone new, be it a human or a pokemon, and there's always an adventure at every corner. Like when we met a lonely Cottonee on our way to Nimbasa City. Cilan informed us that it was a rare occurance, as around that time of the year it's when large groups of Cottonee visit the Rainbow Valley, which was nearby, and ride on the Diamon Breeze. So, Ash approached the lone Cottonee and asked him what was wrong. That's another thing I adore about traveling with Ash! He can speak to pokemon! It's not like the feeling link I can do from my upbringing in the Village of Dragons, but something much better! He had aided me so much with Axew and Excadrill.
Going back to the issue with the Cottonee, it seemed like he had wandered away from his group to pursue a prospective partner, but was rebuffed! Poor thing!
Luckily, Ash jumped at the opportunity of teaching a wild pokemon how to battle. Which aided the Cottonee to gain some much-needed confidence. After some intense training, Cottonee was ready for courting once more. With newfound confidence, Cottonee again approached the object of his affection. But she was already being wooed by several others! The battle training with Ash had really paid off, as Cottonee managed to fend off his rivals, and impress his mate. The Cottonee couple ended up floating off on the Diamond Breeze happily with each other!
After that, it was Cilan's time to be a fanboy. We ended up meeting Professor Icarus, an astrophysicist who specializes in the study of dark matter and is a published author on the subject. He has a laboratory in Area 28. What happened to us, for me to mention a scientist that I knew nothing about previously, was that one night while en route to Nimbasa City, we were awakened by a UFO! We could not believe our eyes! Though, Max and Ash were not that shocked for some reason. The following day we stopped at a café to discuss the sighting, when some townspeople there told a story of a friend who had a vision of outer space. Ash looked worried, but did not tell us more other than to guide us to Professor Icarus' home at the mountain. Cilan's fanboying got us inside and our aura sensitive teammates were quick to find an Elgyem hiding in the house.
Ash looked so relieved when we found out it was her the one causing the visions! Still, he never told us why, though Max seem to know the reason behind Ash's worry.
While Elgyem was the one causing the visions, the UFO we had seen flying saucer Professor Icarus had built. A saucer that he had promised to use to aid Elgyem get back home in space. However, it seems that it was the last thing Elgyem wanted. Ash aided Professor Icarus realize that Elgyem had stayed for so long in his house because she wanted to say with him- she enjoyed her company. We left town that same day, leaving behind a happy Professor and a happy newly caught pokemon.
But it is not always that our adventures go so smoothly. Which leads us to my actual situation. On our trip we had stopped for a break, while Cilan was cooking us one of his gourmet meals, so I had decided to go and look around. I ended up stumbling upon Trip, who was trying to catch a Palpitoad. Of course, I ended up ruining the whole thing and angering Trip! However, as soon as he realized I am from the Village of Dragons and I am working towards becoming a Dragon Mater... well, he challenged me to a battle.
But! But, he did not want to battle Excadrill or my newly caught Emolga. He wanted me to battle with a dragon... but the only dragon I have is Axew! And he is a baby!
"Sorry but..." I tried to explain to Trip but got interrupted by Ash of all people!
"I think that's a wonderful idea!" I rapidly turned around to find Ash appearing through the trees. "Iris, you've been babying Axew for too long. I've helped you train him and he is ready to battle. You just need to trust him, he trusts you."
I looked at Axew in surprised when he jumped down and growled at Trip challengingly. When did my sweet Axew grow up? And why did I not notice it? Feeling a burning determination growing in my chest, I straightened up and turned to face my challenger. "If it's a battle you desire, I'll give you one!"
"All right!" Trip smirked at me. "Timburr you are up!"
"Timburr? What pokemon is that?" I thought out loud. I was startled when Ash passed me his Pokedex with a gentle smile. "Thank you!"
I pointed out the Pokedex at the strange pokemon and it read: Timburr the Muscular Pokemon, a Fighting-type pokemon. These Pokemon appear at building sites and help out with construction. They always carry squared logs. They fights by swinging a piece of lumber around. When they are close to evolving they'll be able to handle the lumber without difficulty.
"A Fighting-type then..." I mumbled. "We've got this Axew! Let's do it! Use Dual Chop!
"Timburr, counter with Low Sweep!" Trip commanded in return and his pokemon knocked Axew off balance.
"Axew!" I shouted with worry, but my baby got back on his feet soon enough. No, no baby. My dragon did. "Night Slash!"
"Knock him out of the way with Strength!" Trip ordered, which ended up being successful and forced to holt infront of Timburr. "Now, use Dynamic Punch!"
"Quick, meet him with Dragon Claw!" I shouted, this time not in concern, but with determination- we were not losing this battle! A sentiment that seem to have reached Axew because when both attacks met, Axew's Dragon Claw remained stronger, knocking Timburr into his own timber and knocking him out. "We did it... we did it Axew!" I cheered and caught Axew when he jumped into my chest, I spun around in ecstasy. We had won our first battle!
"It was a good battle," Trip approached me with a smile, showing me a super cool picture of our pokemon meeting each other with Dynamic Punch and Dragon Claw. "This is going to my album filled with my favorite pictures."
"Thank you! I... we needed this battle," I told him breathlessly. "We needed this to be able to move forward."
"I think I needed it too," Trip told me. "By now I've been allowing my defeat by Ash's hands to be something I did not learn from because... well, he is Ash and he did defeat Champion Alder. So, I did not think that there was something wrong with my training method, I just needed more time to grow and become as strong as Ash. However, you defeated me... you defeated me the same way as Ash."
"But I didn't," I replied startled and confused. "I'm not close at all to Ash's level."
"Maybe not physically or strategy wise," Trip agreed with a rueful smile. "But look at this," he showed me his camera again, this time it was a picture of Ash and Pikachu battling Champion Alder and his Bouffalant. They both looked the same... connected through their hearts and determination. A team. "You and Axew looked just like this. I want to have that, to be a team with my pokemon. To reach Champion Alder and defeat him... that's my aim."
"Then train!" I exclaimed, touched by his dream. "Train and become one with you team! Then, when you do, let's battle again!"
"I... no, we will!" Trip answered my challenge with a smirk and left.
"See you!" I waved my hands in excitement, as I watched him walk away. I was so concentrated by it that I did not notice Ash coming right behind me and wrapping his arms around me. "Ash!" I laughed as I was spun around.
"I am so proud of you! Of both of you!" Ash told me, after he put me down, with so much pride in his eyes and smile, that had my heart aching with so much emotion. "You got your first rival! You never forget your first rival..."
He had this faraway look in his eyes and a cute blush in his cheeks, that I could not stop myself from teasing him. "Maybe you think so, because you are dating yours."
"Iris!" Ash moaned in embarrassment.
I was not the only one who had learned something that week, who had moves forward in their training.
Oshawott finally evolved into Dewott!
Oshawott Razor Shell and Water-type moves are very strong. Especially, after Ash took over his training. He is capable to cut through trees with his shell! And his Water-type moves, like Water Gun, can pierce through rocks!
The issue... is that he is afraid of water.
Yeah, a Water-type pokemon afraid of water is... rare. But is happens. At least, that's what Professor Oak had assured us and what Oshawott proved to us. Whirlpool and Aqua Jet being the two moves that he is incapable of mastering. However, we were able to fix that matter in our next adventure.
We had stopped for lunch alongside a beautiful lake on our way to Nimbasa City, when Ash had decided to conduct some special training with Oshawott to teach him how to open his eyes underwater. While I was tasked by keeping an eye on all the other pokemon as they run off to play. Riley was overseeing Max's training, he still had to help Servine get used to her new power burst- which was not as easy as Ash makes it seem. During playtime, Scraggy, who was exempt from training as he had only been born around a month ago, encountered a group of Foongus and—as usual—greeted them with a headbutt. Poor Pikachu had tried to stop it... but he was late.
I can't believe I've said that. Late? Ash's Pikachu! The fastest pokemon in his team! But he had been. Late that is.
The angry Foongus responded by shooting poison spores at the pokemon, making Pikachu and the others ill!
Ash's healing abilities were not as good as his empathy and physical enhancement. So, he could not cure them. The only cure nearby was a water plant called Remeyo Weed, which grows in tight crevices at the bottom of the nearby lake. I agreed to watch over the poisoned pokemon, while Cilan waited on the shore and Ash guided Oshawott, who still won't open its eyes, down to the lake bottom of the lake. I was not there, but Ash later told me that they were attacked by a group of Tympole, commanded by a powerful Palpitoad!
It was then that Oshawott finally managed to open his eyes and battled back, quickly driving off the attackers. His worry for his trainer's safety and drive to save him was all he needed to take that extra push and evolve into Dewott.
Not that he had any reason to worry.
When Palpitoad's ally Stunfisk arrived and turned on Ash and Dewott, it was Ash who summoned an aura shield and punched the Stunfisk away. Yes, you heard me right. Ash punched a pokemon into submission. Because that's one of the unbelievable things he does.
Dewott then swam all the way to the bottom of the lake and got the Remeyo Weed. The pokemon were healed soon afterwards and they all congratulated Dewott, who blushed under all the praise. Well, everyone but Scraggy, who was being scolded by Max and Servine.
I do not know which was scarier. Being scolded by your trainer? Or Servine?
I do not plan to ever find out.