"You won't believe what I've just found out!" Ash told us, after finishing his call back home, as we were walking towards Nimbasa City. "Sylveon and Espeon's kid chose to go with Misty!"

"Isn't Glaceon yours?" Iris turned to Ash in confusion.

"And if I have it right, Misty is supposed to be a Water-type Gym Leader," Cilan added.

"She is. And Glaceon is mine. I meant their other kid!" Ash corrected them. "Oh, right! You guys don't know. Sylveon and Espeon had another kid, one that hatched while we were in the Orange Islands, before we came to Unova. She is the cutest thing ever! Unfortunately, she fell in love with Misty as soon as she saw her and now is sure that she wants to become a Vaporeon once she grows up."

"At least, she knows what she wants to do with her life," Riley chuckled. "Not many young people do nowadays."

"Same rules that apply with Bayleef?" I inquired.

"Oh, yes," Ash turned to me with a kind smile. "She's moved in to Cerulean City with Misty, but the week ends are with her parents at the ranch."

"Good, Bayleef loves that," I said with a smile of my own.

Before our conversation could continue, a girl jumped into our path and rudely pointed her finger at Iris in challenge. "You! Dragon Trainer! Don't you dare to hide from me! I can see the Axew in your hair! I challenge you into a battle! Me! Georgia, the "Dragon Buster"! You should be grateful that you'll be defeated by someone like me!" Then she laughed obnoxiously, while her Beartic roared behind her.

While, Beartic are powerful and intimidating pokemon, you are speaking with a group that has met Ash's Charizard up close. Not to mention, all the other Legendaries we've crossed paths with. So, we were not impressed at all by this Beartic- which clearly had recently evolved.

"Ok, I accept!" Iris answered the challenge with a smirk and released her Excadrill.

"Wait! That's not a Dragon-type pokemon!" Georgia complained. "Well, it doesn't matter. Beartic, let's do this! Slash!"

"Counter it with Metal Claw!" Iris shouted, and both pokemon were met in the middle of the makeshift battlefield. Luckily, Ash had his Slowking out and he was quick to raise the necessary safety shields. Beartic proved to be stronger, knocking the Metal Claw away and then used Icicle Crash, which Excadrill dodged with Dig. "All right!" Iris cheered when the Dig landed and Excadrill released his newly learned Focus Blast, which striked Beartic down. "Use Drill Run now!" It seems that Iris was on fire. As the move landed, but... "No! Excadrill!" With Excadrill in close range, Beartic took advantage of the situation and freezed Excadrill with an Ice Beam. "You can do it! Break free with Metal Claw!" Iris emotions resonated with Excadrill's and allowed him to break free. "Well done!"

"Beartic, let's turn this battle around!" Georgia shouted. "Icicle Crash!" Excadrill knocked some of them away with Focus Blast, but others still hit.

Excadrill kneeled to the ground in exhaustion, but Iris was not worried. She was confident and determinated. "Excadrill I still have faith! We can do this!"

Just like that Excadrill regained the strength to fight on. Beartic followed with Rock Smash, which Excadrill countered with Drill Run. Both moves meet and knock the other pokemon down. When none of them stood up again, Cilan called the match to be a tie.

I did a double take at that.

What?

Since when did he take the position as referee?!

"Oh, well, I couldn't care less," Georgie waved the match's results away carelessly, as she returned her fainted Beartic and walked away. "As my pokemon didn't lose to a Dragon-type."

"Well, that girl is a character," Lucario commented drily, making us chuckle nervously.

All except for Iris and Excadrill, who even though didn't win, they were still happy. "Excadrill, we''ll become stronger together. As a team." Excadrill confirmed this by hugging his Trainer.

"It seems that they've finally regained their friendship," Ash commented proudly. "She's finally moved on from the past and is ready for the future."

"So, you will give her... that?" Riley turned to him.

"Give her what?" I asked them curiously.

"Well, I seems that I've made it a routine to give my apprentices pokemon," Ash turned to me with a sheepish look on his face. "Dawn's Ambipom, your Bayleef, I can't really leave Iris behind."

"That's right! Altaria and Flygon had an egg while in the Orange Islands!" I exclaimed as I remembered, trying to keep my tone of voice low.

"Yes, the egg hatched into the most adorable Swablu!" Ash informed me with a smile. "But you see dragons are more territorial than most pokemon types out there. Flygon and Altaria came into my team later in life and separately, not to mention, that they mentored by Charizard, who... well, is Charizard. No one in their right minds would try to challenge Charizard."

"Your pokemon do it daily," I replied drily.

"As I said, no one in their right minds," Ash continued without a hitch, making me laugh at the absurdity and how Ash has finally given up on being anything else but absurd. "But Swablu does not want to be part of her parents' family. She wants a fresh team, a place where she can grow and have the chance of raise in the ranks."

"Something that would be impossible in your team, not with all the heavy hitters you have," I commented. "Well, she could, but it will take her a long time. After all, she is not a pseudo-legendary like Tyranitar who has so much raw power that gives him an edge against most of your newest pokemon."

"So, I decided that Iris is finally ready for her second Dragon-type. Of course, they'll have to follow the same rules as Bayleef and Eevee," Ash told me. "But not until we reach the next town and get Excadrill healed. No need to take the thunder away from him, he deserves it. Excadrill did a wonderful job."

"That he did," Riley agreed with a smile, but I stayed quiet.

All the way to the next town and the Pokemon Center in it, I kept my silencem deep in thought. Iris has been growing leaps ever since she joined our team... while I did not. Yes, my pokemon learned a lot of moves, but that was mostly Ash's guidance and his pokemon's mentoring mine. My strategy was the same and did not change, I relied a lot on type advantage. Meanwhile, Iris did not care about that, and her feelings resonated with her pokemon in a way I've only seen Ash do. How can I match that? Something that comes so easily to her and Ash? Why is it so hard with? Why do I get so deep in my thoughts and can't leave them?

"Max," Kirlia's worried voice snapped me out of my gloomy thoughts. I turned to her and then looked around. I was no longer in the Pokemon Center, but in the forest around the town. "Are you ok?"

"I... I am a good trainer?" I asked him nervously.

"You are!" Kirlia assured me rapidly. "The very best!"

"Then why do I feel trapped? That I haven't moved forward in my training," I turned to my starter in frustration. "Sorry," I apologized when I saw Kirlia jump at my tone.

"It's ok," Kirlia told me softly. "We all have grown. Max, before you just followed what Ash told you, but now it is you the one who chooses what to teach us and how to do it. You create our schedules and see it through, Ash simply oversees most of the training nowadays. We've all grown... we are simply ready to grow even more. That's what you are feeling. You just don't know how to take the next step."

"The next step..." I thought out loud. Then, out of the blue, a Roggenrola appeared from the bushes. "I think I know what to do next," I turned to Kirlia and shared a conspiratorial smile. "Pikachu come on out! I need your help catching our next teammate!" What better way to move forward in my... our training, than throwing type-advantage to the garbage. Of course, Roggenrola was not going to make it easy for me. He used Sandstorm, blinding my pokemon, and then Headbutt, which had Pikachu crashing against a tree. "Pikachu! Use Tackle!" Pikachu got back on his paw and attacked, landing the hit point blank. As retaliation Roggenrola attacked with Rock Smash, luckily Pikachu was fast enough to evade it and finish the battle with an Iron Tail. "All right!" I shouted in celebration as I threw the Poke Ball. I grabbed Kirlia and Pikachu in my arms and spun them around, when the Poke Ball minituralized and disappeared back to dad's gym.

"Not bad," I turned around in surprise. Ash was there leaning against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest. "Why don't we get you all back to the Pokemon Center, so we can read the stats of your new pokemon and Iris' Swablu together."

"Roggenrola is in dad'd gym, I have a full team on me," I reminded Ash.

"Well, let me remind you that the new Pokedex can read the stats of every pokemon you caught, even if you do not have their Poke Ball in hand," Ash countered in amusement.

"Oh, right," I blushed in embarrassment.

I can't believe I forgot about that!

We all returned to the Pokemon Center, where I left Pikachu in the care of Nurse Joy. Then I joined the rest of our group outside, where Iris was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Can I do it now?" Iris jumped excitedly. She cheered when Ash gave her a nod and took out her new purple Pokedex, a gift from Cilan, and read Swablu's stats.

Pokemon: Swablu.

Gender: Female.

Ability: Cloud Nine.

Type: Normal/Flying.

Move set: Peck, Disarming Voice, Sing, Fury Attack, Safeguard, and Take Down.

Egg moves: Dragon Rush.

NOTE: The egg move has yet to have been unlocked.

"Not bad," Ash mussed, as Iris spun around in happiness. "At least, it was not the same mess as with Bayleef," I chuckled at that in agreement. "Now it's your turn," he turned to me with encouragement. I took out my green Pokedex and looked up Roggenrola's stats.

Pokemon: Roggenrola.

Gender: Male.

Ability: Sturdy.

Type: Rock.

Move set: Sandstorm, Stone Edge, Flash Cannon, Rock Blast, Rock Smash, and Headbutt.

Egg moves: Gravity.

NOTE: The egg move has yet to have been unlocked.

"Is that a wild pokemon?" Riley asked in disbelief. "How can he be so strong? And a Roggenrola that knows Flash Cannon and Stone Edge? Did you catch Ash's luck?"

"It seems like I did," I replied stunned. "I'll have to wait until he evolves before unlocking the egg move," I thought out loud, not noticing how everyone turned to look at me with proud smiles. "In the meanwhile, I'll teach him protective moves like Iron Defense and Protect. Rest is also a good way for him to recover in the middle of a battle. For offensive moves, Body Press and Rock Tomb. Oh! Also, some Ground-type moves, like Earthquake and Earth Power." I stopped when I noticed the looks and blushed.

"It sounds good to me," Ash smiled at me secretly. "Why don't we read the stats of the rest of your pokemon? See their progress."

"Ok," I answered softly, but with a smile. Kirlia was right, I have grown.

Pokemon: Servine.

Gender: Female.

Ability: Overgrow.

Type: Grass.

Move set: Attract, Vine Whip, Leaf Storm, Leaf Blade, Twister, Iron Tail, Protect, Toxic, Double Team, Grass Knot, Energy Ball, Swords Dance, and Substitute.

Egg moves: Twister.

NOTE: The egg move has been unlocked.

Pokemon: Kirlia.

Gender: Male.

Ability: Synchronize.

Type: Psychic/Fairy.

Move set: Teleport, Double Team, Disarming Voice, Calm Mind, Confusion, Hypnosis, Life Dew, Shadow Sneak, Psybeam, Swift, Protect, Heal Pulse, Future Sight, Dream Eater, Reflect, Light Screen, Substitite, Dazzling Gleam, Zen Headbutt, and Draining Kiss.

Egg moves: Shadow Sneak.

NOTE: The egg move has been unlocked.

Pokemon: Mightyena.

Gender: Female.

Ability: Quick Feet.

Type: Dark.

Move set: Tackle, Bite, Dig, Snarl, Sand Attack, Scary Fang, Crunch, Yawn, Play Rough, Crunch, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Substitute, Protect, and Iron Tail.

Egg moves: Play Rough.

NOTE: The egg move has been unlocked.

Pokemon: Banettte.

Gender: Male.

Ability: Insomnia.

Type: Ghost.

Move set: Shadow Sneak, Curse, Protect, Substitute, Screech, Pain Split, Night Shade, Destiny Bond, Will-o-Wisp, Sucker Punch, Confuse Ray, Protect, and Knock Off

Egg moves: Destiny Bond.

NOTE: The egg move has been unlocked.

Pokemon: Breloom.

Gender: Male.

Ability: Effect Spore.

Type: Grass.

Move set: Tackle, Absorb, Stun Spore, Leech Spore, Headbutt, Growth, Bullet Seed, Seed Bomb, Grass Knot, Brick Break, Dynamic Punch, Counter, Bulk Up, Low Sweep, Iron Tail, Poison Powder, Protect, and Toxic

Egg moves: Seed Bomb.

NOTE: The egg move has been unlocked.

Pokemon: Pikachu.

Gender: Male.

Ability: Static.

Type: Electric.

Move set: Tackle, Nuzzle, Thunder Shock, Charm, Quick Attack, Thunder Wave, Iron Tail, Swift, Spark, Double Team, Electro Ball, Thunderbolt, Volt Tackle, Dig, Agility, Substitute, Protect, and Protect

Egg moves: Volt Tackle.

NOTE: The egg move has been unlocked.

Pokemon: Bayleef.

Gender: Male.

Ability: Overgrow.

Type: Grass.

Move set: Tackle, Razor Leaf, Poison Powder, Synthesis, Magical Leaf, Reflect, Light Screen, Body Slam, Nature Powder, Double Team, Substitute, Protect, Aromatherapy, Iron Tail, Energy Ball, Protect, and Leaf Storm.

Egg moves: Leaf Storm.

NOTE: The egg move has been unlocked.

Pokemon: Scraggy.

Gender: Male.

Ability: Moxie.

Type: Dark/Fighting.

Move set: Leer, Headbutt, High Jump Kick, and Focus Blast.

Egg moves: Detect.

NOTE: The egg move has yet to have been unlocked.

"Wow... I didn't realize how much we've grown until now," I thought out loud shocked.

"It's because you've grown little by little every day, you've gotten used to your progress, but when compared to when you started... it's huge," Ash smiled at me proudly. "I am so proud of you, Max," I felt tears in my eyes, which took all of me not to let fall. "Enough of learning moves! Look at poor Kirlia! Sylveon and Espeon's boot camp almost killed him! No, what they need to focus on mastering the ones they've already got. Start teaching them to not only know their surroundings through all their senses but to use it to their advantage. Once they learn to do that and use their opponents moves against them, we can move into learning weather moves and terrain effect-inducing moves."

"I agree," I thought about it and answered when I felt ready. "As for Scraggy, like with Roggenrola I'll wait for him to evolve before unlocking his egg move. He is good with and favors the Headbutt, so I believe he should learn Zen Headbutt and Head Smash. He loves his headbutts so much, much as well teach them all. Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, and Fire Punch, next. He also can learn the elemental punches, take advantage of that to give him versality. Iron Tail, Protect, and Substitute too, as we are teaching them to everyone who can learn them, and are good moves. What next?"

"Maybe more Fighting-type moves like Brick Break and Low Kick? And some Dark-type moves like Payback and Dark Pulse. Oh, he can learn Dragon Claw, might as well teach it to him. Dragon-type moves come in handy in most battles," Ash adviced.

"Good," I rapidly made notes of his ideas on my Pokedex- they were good ideas.

"For now, though, we are going to have lunch and relax," Cilan cut in. "I believe we've all earned it."

"That we have," Riley agreed and dragged Ash and me to the Pokemon Center.

I laughed, freer than I've felt in weeks.

They were right.

We've earned it.