"Good morning. How was it?"
Ash asked as Amelia started to wake up. Opening her eyes he ate a bunch of colored berries he collected. Seeing him first thing when she woke up she felt a little stiff having slept on the ground. Crawling out of her sleeping bag, crossed her arms above her head as she cracked her neck to make a bit of the discomfort subside.
As she got out and got up with a few stretching exercises she learned was knocking out the kinks in her body.
"Apart from a sore in my back, I slept well." She bended forwards her long hair falling over her shoulders. Ash couldn't help but be impressed how flexible she is as Amelia continued to stretch. Lifting one leg in the air behind her back she touched her toes with her right hand over her head while extending her left arm.
Standing normally again she sat down on the sleeping bag as Ash offered her some Berries. Not being able to refresh or take a nice bath with no stream of water nearby, she shuddered at the uncleanliness of it but she'd persevere to not make a bad figure in front of Ash who was probably used too much worse.
"It's not much but you need to eat. Here." It was hard to get a good breakfast but luckily there were a few Berry trees around the cave so they and their Pokémon had something to eat.
"Thank you." She took a blue berry from the pile as she began to fill herself up. Sitting across each other like this she felt a moment of rest. All the stories of wild Pokémon entering caves and attacking were blown out of proportion. Then again Ash just had this gift of making her feel secure and he was powerful so there wasn't much to worry.
"I managed to get some of my beauty sleep despite circumstances." She made small talk with him.
"You don't need a beauty sleep. You're as pretty as you are."
He said with a smile making her spontaneously blush. Pikachu himself stared with open jaw at Ash calling her pretty again. On the SS Shimmer and now again in this cave. He better keep an eye out for his trainer cause Pikachu does not want Ash to turn into Brock and tell almost every girl the same. So far it was only the black haired girl but it was a good idea to keep a charge ready to reign him in as Croagunk does when it Poison Jabbed Brock.
"Uhm…thank you." Amelia slowed her meal down as she took another berry. Still a faint blush on her face she was used to people complimenting her looks but this was a different game. He still looked at her though as she slowly ate. The gears turning in her head Amelia wondered how she can turn it round on him. He seemed unaware of how he assumedly flirted with her.
"How long do we have before we need to set out again?" Wondering how much time she has alone with him now Alfonzo isn't here. She'd love to probe Ash some more in private about any potential dates but they had a job to do first.
"I rather go hunt down that Scizor soon. Plus Alfonzo and the workers must be getting worried for you."
"You think since this is my first time camping I can't take care of myself?"
"Not at all!" His voice echoed through the cave not wanting her to take it the wrong way.
"It's just, I've seen a lot of people who care about you. I don't know if its because you're a heir or just because who you are so I'm trying to keep you in one piece not to let them down."
"Do you care about me?"
"Yes."
She leaned forward close to his face. The close proximity between them made Ash a little nervous. Her blue eyes staring into his brown ones he saw something hidden in them. He wasn't used to a girl being so close to his face, especially not one as pretty as Amelia. Sure she wasn't up to the standard she set herself but even when she just woke up she was bursting with the same energy he came to know of her.
"How much?"
"You are a great friend and a hard worker. I was a bit hurt after what you tried to pull on the SS Shimmer but since then you're pretty great. I've had nothing but fun when I'm around you, discovering new things I didn't know about and I really want to cheer you on in the Snowbelle City Showcase and see you win that third key."
"You really want to see me win that Showcase huh?"
"Yeah."
"Even if it means me and Serena are competing against each other?"
The threat was always there. Amelia and Serena were both after the same thing. If Ash watching both of them he could only vote for one of them. It was a lot easier when May and Dawn competed in the Wallace Cup since he did not have a voting responsibility. He had to choose on who he supported more to be Kalos Queen in the future and he wasn't ready for that.
Amelia saw him hesitate.
"So? Ready to head out to look for that Scizor?"
He didn't answer urging her to hurry up avoiding the question in its entirety.
Disappointed her time got cut short she understood. Still waking up every morning with him telling her that she's pretty is an occurrence the Performer wants to make more common. She kept pace in eating till she was decently filled.
At times like these Ash wished Goh was here. With his catching prowess and ability to follow Pokémon tracks Ash can really use him now. Having picked up a thing or two from his fellow research buddy maybe he can use a bunch of those tactics as well.
"Yes. Just give me a minute to clean up."
Rolling up the sleeping bag and doing a final sweep of the cave to make sure they got all their belongings the two set out again on Dracovish and Rapidash.
"Why did I call her pretty again? What was I thinking?"
Only in hindsight did he realize what he said. Like he can't lie. Amelia is pretty even if she didn't find so herself after just waking up. There's just something about her that makes him compelled to say it. It was a habit he knows he needed to curb. He looked back to Amelia as she rode her Rapidash. A welcome sight she looked right into her element as she focused on the task at hand while he was distracted.
"I have to watch out. Make sure I don't turn into Brock or Oshawott."
His oldest companion and Pokémon both had a habit of flirting with people and Pokémon they liked. Becoming flirtatious they embarrassed themselves in public and he did not want that for himself. He had to figure out eventually if he wanted to keep being friends with her cause it was making him uncomfortable he did not know.
A rock fell down right in font of them as Rapidash buckled backwards. Amelia just holding tried to calm it down.
"Woah!"
"There it is!" Ash pointed up to what attacked them. The red body of the Pokémon shone in the sun light. It snapped its pincer claws at them as it jumped off the higher ground and threatened to attack them. With a certain glint in its eyes Scizor locked on to the male riding the weird Pokémon with a large head which is obviously to be the stronger of the two.
It's pincers glowed silver as it sped to Ash and Dracovish. Hitting the Fossil Pokémon in the body Ash and Pikachu flew off it on the ground as Dracovish growled itself in pain as it touched the ground and slid a few feet through the rocks.
"Ash!" Amelia immediately worried for his well being had managed to calm her Rapidash down. Ash got up and held out a Pokeball.
"Dracovish, return!" Calling the Fossil Pokémon back he needed it for the return ride. He adjusted his cap so it was right on his head again as Scizor snapped its pincers at him again. Pikachu sparking his cheeks was ready to hit back but Ash had other idea's.
"Be careful!" Amelia warning him Ash threw his second Pokeball. The boy had a Pokémon on him which loved a good sword fight and Ash wasn't one to deny him.
"Sirfetch'd, I choose you!"
The white duck with leek and shield appeared from its Pokeball. Seeing it's opponent he turned slightly and nodded to its trainer thanking him for the opportunity to hone his skills once more against this fierce opponent. With the leek extended forward and shield up it greeted his opponent in battle.
"Sirfetch'd, use Brutal Swing!" With reckless abandon Sirfetch'd raised its long leek and swung it at Scizor. Smashing it down to where Scizor stood it Scizor flew up out of the way using the wings on its back. Scizors claws glowed green as it then crossed them and dived down towards its opponent.
"That's X-Scissor!" Amelia warned him as she kept her distance.
"Sirfetch'd, use Fury Cutter!" The leek glowed a faint green as it clashed against Scizor's claws. The two were drawn into a close fight with Scizor using both claws to hit Sirfetch'd as the duck blocked and parried using it leek. Scizor smashed into a gap Sirfetch'd left as Sirfetch'd scratched Scizor with its leek.
Scizor small wings changed into a white color and extended as it flew up again.
"That's Wing Attack!"
Scizor eyes glowed red for a split second as his wings grew and charged down at Sirfetch'd again.
"Use Detect!" Sirfetch'd perception raised time seemed to slow down. Moving its body at the last second to dodge it Scizor also adjusted its trajectory taking Sirfetch'd by surprise and hitting it with its wings. The duck knight got taken off its feet and flew to Ash.
"You ok Sirfetch'd!?" The duck used its leek to get back on its feet. Determined to not give up till the end it only increased his will to win still a bit surprised since Detect never failed him on the first time.
"It must be Laser Focus! You can't dodge that!" Knowledge Ash probably knew with his battle experience compared to hers Amelia felt the need to warn him anyway.
"It sure is strong huh!?"Ash enjoying it Sirfetch'd nodded back.
Scizor still flying flew round and turning round it got close to Sirfetch'd who raised its shiekd to block. Before Sirfetch'd and Ash knew it Scizor came close with his scissors now glowing silver. A rapid jab it struck Sirfetch'd right in the stomach.
"That's a Bullet Punch!" The high speed move Sirfetch'd still stood strong. Scizor ready to deliver a massive blow it crossed its arms with green pincers glowing.
"X-Scissor again huh? Use Counter!" Sirfetch'd raised its shield and braced itself. Scizor smashed its claws against the leek shield as the Bug/Steel type smashed into it. Reflecting off it the Steel type fell on the ground being hit with twice the power it was attacking with.
The Counter taking Scizor by surprise it flew back and landed on its back. Sirfetch'd was leaning on its leek ready to see it through to the end. Scizor's head moved up before it fell down again with swirls in its eyes the universal sign it was knocked out.
"You did it!" Amelia cheered him on from on top Rapidash. Witnessing his first serious battle in front of her she was reminded how strong he really is.
"Great job Sirfetch'd!" Ash praising his Pokémon for the good work the duck nodded.
"Don't forget to catch it!" She reminded Ash. The Pokémon in the resort were wild so they can be caught like any other.
Ash took a Pokeball and threw it.
"Go Pokeball!" With a curve it landed right onto Scizor which got sucked into the Pokeball. The ball shook three times and with a ping stopped moving. Ash went to the Pokeball and lifted it up making a pose.
"Awesome, I just caught a Scizor!" Pikachu joined in the celebrations. Amelia amused at his childlike attitude rode next to him. With a stern look she looked down on him.
"You will give it back to the resort yes?"
"It's a habit." He handed her the Pokeball containing Scizor without hesitation. Amelia stored it in a safe place happy to get it over with.
"Let's go back. I can really use a shower."
The two rode back to the resort on their own pace. All of a sudden about five helicopters flew over them all stopping to turn round on them. Both youngsters looking up they saw them descend towards them.
"What is this commotion about?" Amelia asked Ash as he had no clue as well.
"FOUND HER! THERE THEY ARE!"
They touched down as one of the workers jumped out and ran right for them.
"Miss Amelia! I beg you to get on the helicopter now!"
The man panicking Amelia and Ash began to fear something went wrong at the resort after their captures.
"What's the issue?"
"Well, it's your father!"
"My father?"
"He is irate! For the sake of this resort I implore to either call him or see him in person!"
The heir sighed heavily. While she was also afraid on explaining why she went out into the wild with her guest she hated how he treated her like a harmless little girl unable to defend herself.
"Tell him I'm fine and will be coming home after we had our Pokémon treated. I'll deal with the situation accordingly."
She agreed to head back home so she can explain herself to her father. The Steel type resort back in order with every Pokémon returned Amelia and Ash went to her home in Fluerrh City ready for the fallout of Amelia's first night of camping.
Later.