Norman received a tip about an event going on somewhere near the Veilstone Meteor site. Apparently a social media group created a blog that encourages people to go to the historic site to touch the meteors under the coming full moon so they get powers as well. A publicity stunt gone out of hand May and Glaceon would stay in standby mode just in case anyone actually did manage to touch the rocks and get powers despite the police shutting down the whole site. Together with Riley who would be her eyes and ears on the ground as a civilian and would call Ash just in case they needed extra help.
It was the day of Dawn's challenge and self imposed trial. Umbreon a witness of Dawn's preparations wanted to get some things straight about how different an approach her host took then normal.
"You're taking quite the plunge with this."
Ever since her nervousness watching Glaceon with just regular criminals and then the mecha Dawn was dead set on proving herself. Instead of training some more she wanted to test her confidence to see if she can really pull this heroine business off.
"Some advice on how to fight him?" She asked Umbreon. Ash can hear everything she says so asking for advice and tactics in the middle of the fight would only backfire on her. Umbreon did say she loved working with aura guardians in the past so maybe she had some tips just before she'd plunge in headfirst.
"I've worked with aura guardians before. They all have the same thing in common in a fight. Stubborn, heroic, brave, quick to improvise and selfless. As for the way they fight they use their aura to increase their speed and power. Not to mention they can form weapons with concentration."
"Anything I can do that he can't?"
"You're more agile than your friend ever will be. Use that to your advantage."
"He should be here soon." Deciding to find a dark corner to hide and sneak up on him Dawn hid in it patiently waiting for her sparring partner.
Ash was nearly at Lila's office for his match with the new Umbreon. He'd been wondering how well and quick her training went and if she was ready for the mummies and other villains he fought recently. Her performance today against him would dictate if she's prepared to go out with him and the others in a few days finding the necromancer. Climbing down the ladder leading into the secret gym he looked around and saw the place was empty. The large open floor was going to be the arena for their fight but everywhere he looked he couldn't see the girl who challenged him.
"Come out Dawn! I know you're hiding and trying to sneak up on me!" Moving closer to a shadow a black form suddenly jumped out from it.
"Got ya!"
Dawn yelled triumphantly now that she put Ash in a headlock. Having her arms around his neck from behind she held him in a grip but not enough to choke him out. Playfully mocking him that he made it so easy for her already.
"Surrender evil doer!"
"Please don't." Umbreon begging to drop the childish comic book slang as if she was inked in with someone writing generic heroic stuff that sounded more corny then cool.
"What is the crime?" He wondered.
"You're under arrest for crimes against fashion. I have evidence your closet is a total mess."
"The fashion police huh?" He chuckled. He thought about an extra lock on his cabinet just Dawn couldn't sneak in his room and actually clean up while he's deeply asleep or on patrol.
"I already beat you before we started." Dawn boasted. Ash stayed calm not letting her words get to him seeing how he countered her sneak attack.
"Not with how focused you are at one point. Look down."
Dawn looked down as he said and saw his left arm bend to her a bit. Looking closely a blue aura knife was less than an inch away from piercing her side. She realized that the moment she applied pressure to his neck in a real life scenario he could just force her to let go by stabbing her in the side if this was real.
"Chokes from behind are effective but only on normal people. Learned that the hard way when I got kicked in the museum into a display case."
Dawn released the hold and Ash turned around seeing her. She was wearing black leggings with a yellow sport tank top and yellow shoes. Her current black hair was done up in a ponytail and her red eyes seemed to try to pierce through him. Ash removed his mask but kept the rest of his outfit on. He wasn't going to need a warmup and was going to keep it short.
"Rules of this fight. No weapons allowed, no special powers except for those that help you move around. You ready?" He asked while removing the blade he made earlier from existence.
Dawn was extremely excited. Her inner spirit was burning and fully ready to unleash her powers on him fully. Opening her palms she did a stance that kept her low to the ground using her enhanced agility to intercept him. Ash much more experienced took on a form that was going to allow to launch himself at her. Dawn took a more defense position with her arms right in front of her.
Ash slowly walked to Dawn trying to throw her off. She took a small step back adjusting the distance. Taking two slow steps Ash suddenly launched himself to her. Throwing a punch at her chest she blocked it. She pushed her right leg forward along the ground aiming for his ankles. He jumped over her entirely and took a hold of her left shoulder, pulling on her shirt Dawn felt her feet leave the floor realizing he lifted her up with just one hand and threw her across the floor.
Using her unnatural agility she landed on her feet and did a backwards handstand. Ash already back in her face before she stood straight swept her legs with a low sweep. Dawn planted her left hand on the floor and did a sideways kick like a break dancer forcing Ash to block with his right arm.
Coming off his right side Dawn rolled through so she stood on her feet again. Doing a spinning strike with her hand out backwards Ash caught her and used her momentum against her. Tossing Dawn over his shoulder she used her agility to twist in midair.
"I have to hit back or else he'd never get serious." Getting the feeling he's toying with her Dawn felt disrespected. Taking a deep breath and slapping her face softly to focus she, this time charging at him.
Jumping to perform a down axe kick he felt a bit more force in her strikes then earlier. Releasing a bit more aura he regulated it just to see how far he can take it and her. Charging at her once more he did a left knee. Dawn raised her own blocking it. Ash quickly threw another punch which Dawn caught and pulled him backwards, raising her leg which functioned a support beam Ash bend his head backwards and ducked under it.
Ash fell backwards and did a bicycle kick. Dawn spun out of it by releasing his arm and vaulting up. Her feet used to hit him she pushed herself off him getting some distance again.
"Is this why he loves martial arts so much?"
She didn't know why she wanted to impress him when this was just a sparring match. But from the way their fists contacted and the sensation of hits flying past and just missing their targets while countering each other. The adrenaline of finally going all out against someone like him is intoxicating and she got used to it quickly. Now she was more determined then ever to actually beat him in his own game.
They each closed the distance and swift strikes and kicks were being exchanged between the two of them. She dodged his punch, bend forward and raised her left leg and kicked him with her heel in the face. Seeing Ash's feet disappear from when she looked down she tilted back up. Making sure he wasn't hurt Ash rubbed the pain off.
"Not bad huh Ash!?"
He didn't know if Dawn actually knew a bit of martial arts before getting her heritage but if the spirit she carries around taught her he became pretty jealous of the instructor she had on her. Maybe when this is over he can ask Umbreon for some training tips.
"Didn't think you had it in you Deedee!"
"There's more when that came from!"
"You think I'd go down so easy!" Saying it was nothing he did feel it sting a little. Dawn knew how to punch decently but he wanted to see more. A bit more aura then he'd used before should do.
"At least I don't need to hold back anymore!" He said putting her on guard as Ash jumped up and performed an right upwards kick followed by a left side kick before a quick third one making Dawn step back twice from the sheer force.
"His strikes are so much harder!" Her arms starting to throb and sting from the hard impact if it wasn't for the enhanced strenght her earring gave Dawn felt he would've broken her arm just now. And it was scary to know that according to Ash Riley can punch even harder than he can.
Himself vaulting through the air now he landed right in front of her feet. Doing a sideways swipe Dawn caught it and quickly spun and jumped up kicking him in the back forcing him to stumble forward. Having her feet on his shoulders Dawn jumped up straight and tried to use her weight to clasp her feet around his head and propel him with even more force.
He reached up quickly and caught her legs. Spinning quickly in place horizontally he threw her with enough force towards one of the gyms walls. She saw it coming and used her shadow to extend to a limb and prevent her from flying into it.
"I said no powers Dawn!" Seeing Dawn being put down gently he complained.
"I'm not using it against you! You said only powers that help you move around!" Not appreciating her remark he'd teach her to play by the rules. Jumping into the air Dawn curled up into a ball. Suddenly extending her legs straight Ash blocked it with both arms and Dawn jumped off him.
Dawn doing a backwards right kick he caught her leg and swept the left making her fall forwards. Planting her hands on the ground she pushed herself up and quickly Ash pulled her feet down creating a whiplash forcing her to stand up.
Having her back turned to him, Ash grabbed on to her. Quickly locking his hands together he lifted her up and suplex bridged her making her land hard on her shoulders. Dawn's shoulders down and her feet dangling in the air she tried to kick free and use her elbows to hit him to no avail.
He let her go and Dawn thought she could roll out of it now. Rolling backwards Ash tackled her in the stomach forcing Dawn on her back again. His weight pushing down sitting on her he raised his fist high. Dawn embraced for the inevitable hit. Raising her arms trying to block it the impact never came. Ash's fist hovered above her arms with him holding it back at the last second. With Ash sitting on her chest she peeked past her arms into his brown orbs.
"I think that's enough for now." Ash said while her heart was speeding up and she felt her face going red but she blamed it at the effort she put in fighting him. She saw him smirking over her as if he took sheer delight in it. She puffed her cheeks annoyed he got her.
"You need to work on your ground game." With a massive grin he said when looking down on her. Ash got off Dawn and extended his hand to her. She took it and with ease yanked her back on her feet.
"You had to make me work for that one a bit more than I expected." Complimenting her on a good effort he surely had his fun and hoped he can do this another time with May as well who's more experienced but another round against an improved Umbreon would be better.
"You still haven't answered how I did. So am I ready to take on bad guys now?" Dying to know his opinion she found it go pretty well. She put in extra hours just so she can make it when Ash, Riley and May would go out to find the necromancer they talked about.
"Don't spoil it Ash. It's the final step she has to take." Umbreon told Ash to leave his judgement for himself. Not going against the words of the one who determines Dawn's training he respected her wish. He nodded in understanding recently going through the same event that really showed his worth as an aura guardian and protector of Veilstone City. There's no amount of training to prepare you for it. It's something you have or you don't.
"I won't."
"What do you mean don't spoil it?" Dawn confused on what the two meant. Why did they all have to be so cryptic in giving advice?
"Am I ready for those mummies or a guy like Bisharp now? What about that robot May and Glaceon fought?" Dawn asked again. Ash pulled out his mask and was about to put it on again.
"I better get to the meteor fields. See if Riley and May have everything under control." Feeling stood up Dawn used her shadow powers to keep his in place. Her shadow hand grabbing his leg he felt her grip on him knowing she won't let him go until she got her answer but had an excuse that really made him stick.
"Stay a little longer. Lila ordered takeout for us." The least she could after using him as a punching bag is treat him to some of his favorite food. The stylist had ordered her personal chef to make some of her favorite food extra for guests she would be having over.
"Awesome! I love takeout!"
A quick bite also wouldn't hurt before going out again. His match with Dawn worked up an appetite and he needed a quick fill up that's easily digested just in case something bad happened which required his help at the Meteor site. And another chance for Dawn to ask Ash and Umbreon just what she is missing.
See you around.