Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. So, not much for me to say here, other than the fact we're continuing the conflict between Ash and the Samurai. Not really satisfied with this chapter, but it was the best I could come up with; hope it's enjoyable, nonetheless.

Also, for the one who asked about Ash's companions getting memories from the previous timeline, the answer is no. They will not. Not even partial memories or astrals of their original selves, like in Reset Bloodlines and Shadow of Time, respectively. Sorry if that disappoints any of you, but just letting you know now, so that you won't be expecting anything.

Well, with that out of the way, enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

Chapter 6: Conflict in the Forest

The moment the Samurai made his threat to kill Ash, he was met with a powerful Thundershock from above, forcing the sword-wielder to jump back to dodge. Immediately, Pikachu jumps in front of his trainer, his cheeks sparking dangerously and a fierce glare across his face. "Don't you dare threaten my trainer!" The mouse growled.

Samurai merely looked at the electric-type with a neutral gaze. "Your Pikachu seems to be strong, as well as loyal. However, it will not be enough to stop me."

While Pikachu sparked dangerously once again at the statement, Ash was trying to wrap his head over what's happening, a baffled look across his face. After all, the bug-type trainer he knew in the past wasn't so… blood-thirsty. Sure, the guy threatened him with a sword when they first met, but he never really intended to use it; he just wanted a pokemon battle. The Samurai in front of him clearly aimed to kill him.

And did he hear him right before? A hunter of aura users?

However, he didn't get the time to think on this for long, as the Samurai launched another attack; this time, a far ranged one. Both Ash and Pikachu's eyes widened when they saw several kunais get pulled and thrown at them. They were forced to dodge at opposite sides, separating from one another…

Which gave Samurai the chance to dash towards Ash. It was only thanks to instincts honed by his teacher that the Pallet trainer was able to create another shield in time.

"Wait a minute, hold on!" Ash exclaimed, pushing back the sword-wielder. He kept up his aura shield as Samurai landed in a crouch. "Why are you trying to kill me? I haven't even done anything to you!" And technically, this is their first meeting. There's no way Ash could do anything to earn this guy's anger.

"It doesn't matter what you have done or have yet to do!" Samurai declared, pointing his sword at the trainer. "All aura users bring nothing but chaos and destruction in their wakes! It's my duty to ensure that all of you are eliminated!"

If he wasn't so tense and wary of another attack, Ash would've stared dumbly at the sword-wielder. Instead, he merely looks at him in disbelief. Where on Earth did the Samurai form that conclusion?!

And again, he was caught off guard by the apparent knowledge about aura users. First Misty, then Team Rocket, and now Samurai? Does everyone know about aura? How come he doesn't remember reading about them in history books, or even just hearing about them?

The Pallet trainer couldn't think on this further, however, as the Samurai charged and swung at him once again, forcing him to focus and block the attack.

Alright. Survive first; ask questions later.

Thankfully, his buddy launched another Thundershock, forcing Samurai to jump back to dodge and giving Ash breathing room. Room that he used to grab both filled pokeballs and throw them in the air. "Pidgeotto, Caterpie, I choose you!"

Immediately, both pokemon were released, directly facing the sword-wielder. "Samurai?" The bug-type of the two voiced out questioningly. "Are we doing a double battle or something?"

Samurai, seeing himself out-number, decided to bring out his own captures. So with the throw of three pokeballs, he released several bug-types; a Pinsir, a Parasect, and a Venomoth.

"Your pokemon will not save you!" Samurai declared. "I saw that your Pidgeotto and Caterpie have been captured mere minutes ago, and I can tell from your Pikachu that you're just a mere rookie! Nothing that can stand in my way of ending you!"

Hearing the clear threat to their trainer alarmed both Caterpie and Pidgeotto. However, they quickly harden themselves, glaring fiercely at the Samurai and his pokemon. "We'll see about that!" Pidgeotto cawed dangerously.

"Don't underestimate my pokemon!" Ash retorted back. "I may have just caught them, and Pikachu and I may have just started our journey, but I trust them all to fight and win any battle with me!" Not to mention that they've already met and bonded in the past timeline. That definitely takes away the barrier of "having only just caught them".

"Spare me your bravado; your journey ends here, aura user!"

XXXX

While Nurse Joy had assured that the boy, Ash Ketchum, would come back, Misty found herself unable to wait after half an hour. Despite attempts to calm herself, she felt worried for her savior, knowing full well how dangerous the world of Pokemon can be. So, at the first chance she got, she snuck out of the Pokemon Center and headed to the Viridian Forest.

However, she didn't go and search aimlessly for the boy; not only could that prove fruitless, but she could also run the chance of running into any nasty bug-types. So she'd relied on her sole flyer and bug repeller; Wingull.

"Alright Psyduck, Staryu, Starmie; all three of you are on watch for any bugs while we wait for Wingull." Mistry addressed her three water pokemon, all of whom were standing in front of her. "See anything crawling or flying near us, blast them with Water Guns. If there's anything really strong attacking us, work together to fight it off."

Both Staryu and Starmie both nodded resolutely, while Psyduck gave his usual dopey look. Hoping that her words got through to the dopey duck, the water-type trainer sighed and gazed up at the sky, keeping an eye out for her Wingull.

'Really Misty, what are you doing here?' The redhead thought to herself. 'If it turns out he isn't in any danger, you're just gonna look like a silly, love-struck girl.'

This was the type of argument she was having to herself the whole search. However, that feeling of worry couldn't leave her, no matter what she tried to tell herself. And, if she's honest with herself, it's likely not purely out of her concern for the boy she had met.

Deep inside… she just didn't want to lose the chance of making a new friend. Of travelling with someone, rather than being alone.

"Wingull!" A loud chirp from above brought the girl out of her thoughts, her eyes quickly honing on her water-flying type flying towards her. "Wingull! Wingull! Gull, Gull!"

It's clear that Wingull is panicked by something, which got Misty concerned. "What's the matter, Wingull? Did you find something?" She asked with some worry.

Before she could get an answer from the Seagull Pokemon… several explosions were heard from within the forest. Seconds later, she saw smoke coming from above the tree-lines.

The sight and sound caused Misty's eyes to widen in alarm. "What just-"

"Wingull, Gull!" The explosion caused Wingull to panic even more. She used her wings to urge the others to follow her before taking off. Now really worried, Misty ran and followed her flying type to the explosion sight, her other pokemon right behind her.

XXXX

Despite the Samurai's confidence in his victory, that confidence didn't translate into skill in pokemon battling. It was clear the moment they started battling that he's a rather mediocre trainer; maybe even a rookie like he is, though one who started earlier. Because of this, and thanks to past experience, Pikachu, Pidgeotto, and even Caterpie (Who's been with Ash for the shortest) could hold their own against Samurai's bug-types.

However, that mediocrity in battling was made up by the fact he's attacking himself; forcing Ash to both defend himself and command at the same time, something he wasn't adept at doing.

Thankfully, his pokemon can make their own calls when needed.

"Pika~ CHU!" Cried out the mouse pokemon, letting loose a Thundershock on the Parasect. The attack hit with good damage taken, but the mushroom pokemon managed to power through, charging at Pikachu with a X-Scissor attack.

Seeing that, Pikachu used Agility to flip over and dodge. However, Parasect managed to stop and turned around with a Slash, causing the electric-type to jump back sideways. However, not wanting the bug-type to keep the momentum, Pikachu charged at him with a Tackle, pushing the bug-type back.

Meanwhile, an aerial battle was happening between Pidgeotto and Venomoth. The former charged at the latter with a Quick Attack, to which the moth dodged. Turning, the moth sent a barrage of Toxic sludge, and it was the bird's turn to dodge herself, using the remnant of the Quick Attack speed past the Toxic.

When Pidgeotto turned towards her opponent, she was met with a cloud of Poison Powder. Unfettered, she used Gust, not only blowing away the powder, but also hitting Venomoth with the attack. Seeing it spiral back, the bird-type took the advantage of the opportunity and charged once again with Quick Attack.

As for Caterpie, he was playing a cat and mouse game with Pinsir. From the advice/command of both Ash and Pikachu, the little caterpillar was swinging around the trees with String Shot, dodging attacks from the more fierce looking bug-type. He also used String Shot to tie up the Pinsir's pincers before hitting him with Tackle, doing hit-and-run tactics to wear down the stronger bug.

"Stay still so I can hit you, you infernal caterpillar!" Pinsir cried out in anger, charging at Caterpie with yet another Vice Grip.

Unfortunately for him, said infernal caterpillar jumped off the tree once more, using String Shot on a nearby branch and swinging himself to another tree. "Miss again!" Caterpie taunted from the trunk of the tree. "What's wrong? Hard to hit a Caterpie that can fight back?"

With an enraged cry, the stag beetle pokemon charged at the caterpillar pokemon in a blind fury. Instead of dodging this time, Caterpie used String Shot to once again tie up the pincers, causing Pinsir to reel back and fall from imbalance. The caterpillar then used this chance to jump off the trunk and Tackle the down Pinsir, causing roll further back; then used String Shot to get back on one of the trees and keep his distance.

And for Ash himself? He was mostly defending rather than attacking against the Samurai. While he's a decent fighter, which is why he's capable of fighting equally with Samurai, he's still facing a sword-user with no melee weapons; forcing him to stay on the defensive side, dodging and blocking any sword-strikes.

Blocking yet another strike with his shield, Ash decided to use this stand-still to talk. "What makes you think aura users cause nothing but destruction?" He demanded. "And does this mean you've hunted down other aura users?"

"No; you are the first I've managed to encounter." Samurai answered. "However, that does not mean you'll be last. You're the first kill amongst my hunt for you so called 'Guardians'!"

He then kicked Ash on his side, launching the trainer sideways; said trainer was able to get into a roll and land on a knee, however. That didn't deter the Samurai, who charged at Ash with a piercing strike.

Holding out both hands, the aura user formed a large barrier, covering his entire front and causing the pierce strike to bounce back. "You still haven't answered my other question!" Ash reminded him, getting up. "Why do you think we all cause chaos? What makes you think that we're the villains?"

"History has proven that you wielders of aura have brought nothing but turmoil!" The Samurai stated, as if it was fact. "You may have hidden it well, but it's clear that several of you have played in major parts of history; conflicts that have brought nothing but turmoil! Now that I have seen this, it's my duty to stop similar conflicts before it could ever begin!"

With that, Samurai leaped over towards the kneeling Ash, his sword swinging downwards. Seeing this, Ash rolled to the side, dodging the downward strike. And before the Samurai could continue his assault, the Pallet trainer formed an Aura Sphere on one hand and threw it at the sword-wielder's feet. That resulted in the guy being blown off his feet.

And gave Ash time to give out commands. "Pidgeotto, blow Venomoth close to Parasect!"

"Got it!" Dodging another sludge of Toxic, flew up high before turning and using Hurricane directly under Venomoth. The moth had no time to react, and was blown back by the powerful blast. Parasect, who was focused on Pikachu, was startled when his fellow bug-type slammed into him from behind, thus causing both to collapse.

"Now Pikachu, Thundershock!"

"Pika- CHU!" The mouse wasted no time letting loose a wide, electric attack at the two bugs. Both pokemon cried out in pain, with Venomoth especially feeling the string, before both fainted.

Samurai, who just got back on his feet, witnessed the defeat of two of his pokemon. "No! You dishonorable fiend!"

Ash ignored him for the moment, trusting Pikachu and Pidgeotto to protect him, and turned towards the still fighting Caterpie. "Caterpie, hit Pinsir in the eyes with one more String Shot! Pidgeotto, help out with Quick Attack!"

Seeing what Ash got planned, Caterpie sprayed a web of String Shot directly at Pinsir, just as the beetle was charging at him with another Vice Grip. The web hit the beetle directly in the eyes, causing it to stop and flail in panic.

Unfortunately for him, Pidgeotto used that chance to fly down and strike him like a speeding bullet, sending Pinsir crashing into one of the trees.

"Such treachery!" The Samurai then pointed his sword at Ash angrily. "You knocked me away, and used that chance to take down my pokemon!"

'Well sorry for not wanting to get cut in half!' Ash thought in retort. However, he refrained from incensing the guy further and opted for a peaceful solution. "You're out-number four to one, Samurai. Put the sword down, let us go, and don't try to kill anyone else!"

While the Samurai made it clear that he aims to kill other aura users, it's also clear that he just started his crusade. Maybe he could talk him down and stop him from hurting anyone else.

If not, he'll just tie him up with Caterpie, knock him out, and bring him to Officer Jenny. He can't just let him roam around with his intent of hunting down others, innocent or not.

"I refuse!" So far, not so good, as Samurai gripped his sword with both swords once more and got into a fighting stance. "You aura users have caused enough catastrophe in the world! I will stop any more from happening, by taking down every single one of you!"

"Look, I don't know exactly what you've seen or heard, but it can't be that all aura users are bad!" Ash snapped back. Sir Aaron and Riley are good examples, at least in the previous timeline (And hopefully in this one). His teacher, the one who taught him everything he knew about aura, is also a good example. "Not all of us are aiming to cause chaos and destruction!"

"Save your words! They have no effect on me!" Samurai said fiercely. "Even if you have no ill intent, your actions will have catastrophic consequences, no matter how noble! The power you wield, power that only pokemon should have, has the potential to bring suffering to others! That is something I must stop!"

"So what, are you just gonna kill anyone that can use aura? Even when they're trying to save lives, or even just living out their lives?!"

The response was a swift, yet firm nod from the warrior. "It doesn't matter what they have done now, or in the past; any aura user in this world is a danger that must be stopped."

That answer stunned Ash. It's clear now that Samurai isn't gonna drop his sword, at least not anytime soon. And while he's saddened that the bug-type trainer he encountered in the very beginning of his journey has become this blood-thirsty warrior, he's not gonna let Samurai kill him or anyone else.

So, shaking himself out of his stun state, he gave out commands. "Caterpie, String-"

Suddenly, flung his hand forward, throwing several small, black objects towards the pokemon trainer and his pokemon.

And those small, back objects were none other than bombs.

Ash's eyes widened dramatically at that sight. "Everyone, get back!"

All of his pokemon jumped or flew back, with Ash himself forming a large barrier.

However, he quickly learned that those bombs were more powerful than they looked. The moment they went off, both he and his team were blown back, the barrier that was formed broken instantly. All four of them slammed onto the ground or trees. Hard.

"How strong… were those bombs…?" Pikachu groaned, one eye squint opened in the resulting smoke.

"You're guess is as good as mine, buddy…" Ash weakly responded back, pushing himself on all fours. Through the smoke, he could see that Pikachu and Pidgeotto were badly weakened thanks to those bombs, while Caterpie fainted entirely.

And he could also see the silhouette of the Samurai coming right at him.

Pushing himself onto his knees, the Pallet trainer quickly formed a barrier, just as Samurai struck at him. The barrier wasn't strong, however, and in just a short amount of time, the warrior will soon break through it.

So, pouring whatever remaining aura into his barrier, Ash expanded the barrier and pushed Samurai back. Then, just like his battle with the Spearows, the barrier exploded into pure energy; flinging both fighters away from one another.

As both humans landed away from one another, both Pikachu and Pidgeotto attempted to get up from the ground. The electric-type was trying to push himself up with his paws, while the flying-type was using her wings to try and get up.

Neither was succeeding. "C'mon. Get up, Pikachu…" Pikachu groaned to himself, before collapsing. "No…"

"Where did he… get those bombs…?" Pidgeotto growled, having no strength to get to the sky. Unfortunately, those explosives took a lot out of the two pokemon.

Meanwhile, Ash pushed himself up once again, getting on one knee. He let out heavy breaths, as he aimed wary eyes in the direction of where the Samurai landed… and a hesitant hand on top of his holster. Said samurai pushing himself off the ground, letting out his own breaths of exertion.

"I can see that I have a lot more training to do." Samurai stated, mostly to himself. "From this battle, it's clear that I have a long way to go before I can face the stronger Guardians out there. Still…" Righting himself, he held up his sword once again. "This will be a great start on my quest."

Ash merely glared at him, holding up one free arm to form another shield-shaped barrier. "Don't think you've won. I don't plan on dying today." There's no way that he's gonna let his life end here; not after surviving the Spearow for the second time. And not while Cyrus and the Ultra Beasts are still a threat to the world.

"You are exhausted, and your pokemon are down." Samurai countered. "I admit, you've fought well, aura user. But your defiance ends here. Accept your fate, and die with dignity!"

With that, the warrior ran at once more, intent on finishing this. Ash tensed up in response, ready to take on the attack head. But before the two teens could clash…

"Stop!" The command stopped the Samurai in his tracks, a foot away from Ash. Both boys turned towards the direction of the voice; with the owner being none other than Misty, her pokemon right beside her and a gun pointed directly at Samurai. "Get away from him, right now!"

"Misty…?" Ash questioned, surprised. What is she doing here? Wasn't she supposed to be at the pokemon center, still in bed? Did she recover and woke up that quickly?

"Put your weapon down!" Samurai demanded, unyielding to his stance. "This event is none of your concern!"

The water-type trainer merely glared at him. "No!" She said fiercely. "I won't let you kill him!"

"This boy is an aura user; someone who can potentially bring calamity to this world!" Samura exclaimed, turning towards her now. "For the sake of the world, I must kill him!"

"That aura user saved my life!" Misty retorted, aiming her gun right at the warrior's head. "When we were both being chased by a flock of Spearows, instead of running, he risked his life to save mine! I'm not gonna let you kill someone like that!"

Samurai let out a growl of frustration, his grip tightening on his sword. However, he remained in his spot, knowing the situation had turned precarious for him; a gun aimed at him and the wielder having four pokemon protecting her, with his pokemon defeated or unsuitable for combat.

Ash, meanwhile, remained tense, his barrier still up. He's not sure what the Samurai will do now, with Misty here, but he has to be prepared for anything. It's unlikely that this guy will give up now.

And he won't let Samurai get close enough to lay a finger on Misty.

However, before a decision could be made by anyone… the sound of buzzing entered everyone's ears. That sound caused everyone to go pale, with Misty especially a pasty white. Slowly, they all look up…

To see an army of Beedrills flying over them, they're stingers coated with poison.

Ash voiced out the only reasonable option out there. "RUN!"

*Johto Region*

More often than not, Chikorita had to slap sense into Heracross during their search, whenever the bug-type found a tree full of sap. Occasionally, she let him indulge, mostly around the time they do need to eat and rest; however, they spent much of the few days since their time-travel searching for their Johto family.

Starting with Quilava. After a bit of thinking, the two decided to go to the forest rumored to house several Cyndaquils, and where their own fire mouse lived, be it to find their Cyndaquil or at least get his scent.

Which led to where they are now, Heracross flying around the trees of the forest and Chikorita on his back, searching for their Quilava turned Cyndaquil.

"Any sign or scent of Quilava?" Heracross asked the grass-type on top of him. He would be looking around himself, but his focus is primarily on avoiding these trees.

"Nothing yet." Chikorita answered, eyes not leaving the forest ground. "Maybe we could go up to one of the cliffs? Maybe Quilava was living in a cave or something."

"Let's try it."

So the two headed towards the cliff, where there were a few small caves. Just as they were gonna fly above…

"Heracross? Bayleef? Down here!" The two of them looked downward, to see a Cyndaquil in one of those small caves. Their Cyndaquil.

"Quilava!" Chikorita called out happily. "It's so good to see you again!"

"You too, Bayleef!" Cyndaquil greeted her just as happily. As soon as Heracross and Chikorita landed on the cliffs, the fire-type ran over to them. "I knew staying here was the right call. Figured that if you guys were to come search, you would come here at some point."

Chikorita shook her head, an amused look across her face. "I bet you created that idea just to have an excuse to lay around and not go looking."

"Hey!" Cyndaquil pouted. "I'm not Snorlax! I just didn't want to look through this entire region, is all."

"Well, either way, it's good that you didn't leave the forest." Heracross added his own two cents. "Next is finding Totodile and Noctowl, then look for Donphan's egg."

"Then head straight for Kanto!" Chikorita finished, determination clear in her voice.

Cyndaquil nodded in agreement. "You'll get no argument from me. I rather not be here when that Koji guy comes here."

That got sympathetic nods from both Chikorita and Heracross, both aware of that Cyndaquil obsessed trainer. So with that, the three head off in search of their remaining Johto group, with Heracross in the sky and the two Johto starters on the ground.

*Viridian Forest*

It took half an hour for Ash, Misty, and their group of pokemon to escape from the swarm of Beedrills. The moment Ash screamed for everyone to run, the Pallet trainer scooped up Pikachu, Pidgeotto, and Caterpie (Boosting himself with aura, of course) before booking it with Misty and her pokemon. The swarm pushed the group further into the Viridian Forest, until they finally lost them in a cave.

Now the young time-traveler is lying flat on the ground, exhausted from the fight, his usage of aura, and the half hour run. His pokemon were lying down around him, while Misty was bent over a few feet away from him, letting out her own laboured breaths. Her own pokemon were either lying on the ground, or tense up for anything else.

At least they were away from the Samurai.

Though since when did Misty ever own a Wingull?

Must be another timeline thing.

"That… wasn't fun…" Ash muttered, looking as tired as he's feeling.

"No kidding…" Pikachu moaned. "Being chased by a Beedrill swarm is never fun."

"You're lucky that your trainer carried you." Pysduck retorted tirely, laying on his back. "The rest of us had to run…"

"An explosion to the face isn't any better…" Pidgeotto cawed back, flat on her stomach. "Excuse us for having to be carried."

"Are you… okay?" Misty asked, still breathing heavily yet getting her bearings.

In response, Ash weakly pumped a fist. "Yep… never better…" He groaned as his arm fell back down. He then turned his head curiously towards Misty. "By the way… what are you doing here? I thought you were still asleep at the Pokemon Center."

Misty nodded. "I was… but I woke up a bit after you left." She explained. Once she finally got her breathing in control, she continued. "Nurse Joy told me that you went into the Viridian Forest, so I decided to finally."

"But I was planning to come back." Ash pointed out, still looking confused. "You could've waited for me at the center. Nurse Joy told you, didn't she?"

"Er, yeah, she did." At that, the redhead blushed a tad and looked away. "But, well… I was worried for you, okay? Travelling by yourself can be dangerous, and we just survived a Spearow attack, and-" Stopping her ramble, she let out a huff and gave an annoyed pout. "Besides, it looked like I was right to worry, considering what happened back there!"

At that, Ash let out a tired chuckle. "Okay, you got me there. Though just to be clear, he attacked me first."

"Yeah, I figured." Dropping the pout, Misty then had a concerned frown. "Who was that guy anyway? What made him attack you?"

At that, Ash also gained a frown. "He told me that he was a hunter of aura users. Claimed that aura users bring nothing but destruction." He explained. "Don't know where he got the idea, but he was really firm on that."

Thoughts of the Samurai caused the trainer to worry. In the midst of their run for their lives, the group separated from the Samurai. However, before they were completely separated, the Samurai left them with a promise.

"Don't think you've escaped from me, aura user! I will hunt you down! I will not rest until you, and every aura user out there, is gone from this world! You hear me?! I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN!"

That promise worried Ash. While he faced bigger threats than Samurai, that doesn't mean the guy isn't capable of killing him. Plus, he'd rather not have a sword-wielding stalker in his life.

Team Rocket was already enough.

But what worried Ash the most was whether the guy will spend all his focus trying to kill him… or go after anyone else that even SUSPECTS of wielding aura. Neither is a concept he wanted to think about long.

"I heard about people who believed that about aura users…" Misty said softly, her frown remaining. "But I didn't think there are those that would act on those thoughts."

Slowly, Ash rose up from the ground, and sat back up, legs crossed. A troubled look was across his face, remembering another accusation the Samurai made. That aura users were a part of several major conflicts in history.

While he's no means a history buff, he knows enough to say that there's no hints as to aura users playing a part in major historical events. Sure, if he go to places like the Kingdom of Rota, there's likely books or stories about prominent aura users such as Sir Aaron; but he wasn't sure if there were history books outside of those places that listed those type of people.

Were they hidden, like the Samurai said? And if so… how involved were they in history?

"Hey, don't think about what that guy was saying." Misty said, breaking Ash out of his musing. She kneeled down on the ground, getting in eye level of the boy before continuing. "There are some that think that way about aura users, true; and I won't deny that there may be some corrupt ones out there. But most people view all of you as heroes!"

That caused Ash to perk up, lifting his head to face the girl in front of him. "Heroes?"

"Yeah!" Misty nodded, smiling. "Guardians, set out to help the helpless! I've been told stories about them; how many were trained at childhood to defend others; how they set out on individual journeys to defend both people and pokemon, fight the corrupt wherever they go."

Her grin got even wider. "And now that I've met you, I can at least some of those stories hold true."

Her compliment, along with the bright smile across her face, actually brought a blush across the pokemon trainer's face. "I'm not a Guardian or anything like that." He said bashfully. "I'm only a beginning pokemon trainer, with a bit of aura training."

"I kinda guess that already; but that doesn't take away from what I said." Misty retorted, her smile still across her face. "It makes the fact that you saved from a Spearow flock even more amazing; no regular trainer would do that for me."

At that, Ash's head lowered. "It was my fault that you got stuck in that mess in the first place…" He said shamefully. "I couldn't just leave you there." He really couldn't. He couldn't imagine a scenario where he left one of his longest, and closest friends out in a situation that he created.

"Hey!" Feeling his shoulders being held and shaked, the trainer looked up to see Misty giving a firm, yet soft look. "Don't blame yourself for that. You didn't intentionally lead those Spearows towards me, nor did you tell them to attack. And regardless, you still chose to save me, rather than leave me to die. So…"

Misty then smiled at him once more. "Thank you. Thank you for saving my life."

Suffice to say, Ash was stunned. This was definitely not the first thing he expected from his hot-tempered friend; he would sooner expect a punch for being a supposed idiot.

Still… he couldn't help but smile back at her. "No problem! I'm just glad that you're okay now."

And he was definitely glad to be with one of his oldest companions once again.

And that's the end. I hope you guys liked this chapter. Like I said before, I wasn't really satisfied with this one, but it's the best I could come up with. Hoping that future chapters will be better, and easier. Review, favorite, and follow and I will see you guys later.