Chapter 4 First Battle
Right now Ash and the others are outside, as Leon takes out three Poke Balls and says, "Take a good look, you three."
From the Poke Balls, there is a green monkey, a white rabbit, and a blue lizard Pokemon. Leon says, "The Grass Type Pokemon, Grookey. The Fire Type Pokemon, Scorbunny. And the Water Type Pokemon, Sobble."
The three Pokemon then go to play, Grookey climbs into the tree, Sobble jumps into the lake, and Scorbunny runs around the battlefield. As Pikachu goes greet the Sobble, it is surprised as it spits out water, spraying Scorbunny, causing it to jump higher to get the water out of its fur, and the jump hits the branch where Grookey is knocking the Sitrus Berry, causing the berry to fall into the water, scaring the Sobble as it is about to cry, but Pikachu comforts him as well as the other two Pokemon.
"They're all so cute when interacting with each other." Mark says.
"I agree." Ash says.
"All right! Line up, everyone!" Leon calls out to the three Starters as they all stand together in front of everyone. Leon turns to the three new trainers and asks, "So who are you going to choose?"
Hop says, "You guys go first, I have a Wooloo, so I'll choose the last one."
Gloria says, "Then I will choose Scorbunny, a Fire-type sounds good for me. How about you, Alice?"
Alice says, "Eh...well...since my Dad likes Ice type...and Ice is close to Water, so I guess I choose Sobble."
"Nice one, you two, then Grookey, you're mine." As Grookey uses the stick to shake hands with Hop, he says, "I'm aiming to be the next champion, so be ready! You and I'll be doing some serious training!"
Grookey nods as it goes to play with Wooloo. Leon smiles and says, "I bet you do, Hop. That is why I brought along these Pokemon for you and the two girls. So you can battle and train and grow stronger together...to try to reach me."
Ash says, "Indeed. You guys really get along with your starter well, I am kinda envious of you."
"How come?" Gloria asks with confusion.
Ash glares at Pikachu and says, "Let's say that my Starter Pokemon refused to listen to me when I received him." Pikachu lowers his ears and shows a frown face. Ash says, "But it was thanks to being chased by a flock of Spearows that he decided to listen to me."
"Wait, you mean your Pikachu didn't listen to you when you started your journey? I don't think I can ever imagine that since you two are the strongest pair in these years." Hop says.
"It is not just him, my Charizard is also the same." Ash sighs. "But they are now my friends in the end."
"Enough with the trainer nonsense for this night." Then they see Hop's mother and Gloria's mother walking towards them, as they have prepared barbecue for them as dinner.
That night, Alice is cuddling Sobble while Gloria is playing games with Scorbunny, Alice says, "So Gloria, what are you going to do when you are traveling?"
Gloria says, "It is obvious. I am going to take part in the League. What about you? Are you going to take part in the league as well?"
Alice says, "Maybe, well, you know, back when I was with Ash, we promised to become Pokemon Masters together. And that won't change. But I want to befriend Pokemon and learn them all in order to become the Pokemon Master that I want to be."
Gloria says, "Sounds like you and Ash have a wonderful time back then...I am really envious. I hope I can be childhood friends with Ash as well."
In the room, Ash has been telling Mark, Trenor, and Hop about the adventures that he has gone through, Hop says, "Wow, you have been through 7 regions and I only have none. I really hope that I could be like you..."
"Yeah." Ash laughs. "But sometimes traveling is not only just winning badges, we have to enjoy being with our Pokemon."
"I know it is awkward to ask, but I want to know if you have any girls that you like?" Trenor asks.
Ash starts to blush, then he says, "I don't know...but including Alice, I have a total of 4 girls in my mind that I couldn't forget. And the problem is that I don't how to choose them."
"Woah, four girls?" The three boys are surprised. "You are really lucky to get all the ladies." Mark says.
"And I can tell that not only Alice, but Gloria also like you as well." Hop says.
"What? But I just met her today." Ash says.
"Yeah, but she has been talking a lot about you, she treats you as her role model, she watches all your leagues, all your achievements, she learns them in order to become like you."
"Then what about you?" Trenor asks, "I mean, you have been with Gloria for a long time, surely she has feelings for you, right?"
Hop says, "Don't worry, to me, Gloria is a bossy sister to me since Leon is not always home."
"I see." Ash says. "Then it will be a big problem since I don't know how am I going to choose one of them..."
The next morning, the four trainers walk outside and see Leon. Leon says, "So, you spent the whole night with that new partner of yours, right? Hop? Alice? Gloria?"
"Yeah." Gloria says, "We are getting on all right, understanding one another, and even built up a bit of love."
Leon smiles, then he turns to Ash, "So Ash, as the prince, do you have any words to say to the new trainers?"
Ash smiles and says, "Of course I do." He turns to Alice, Gloria, and Hop. "Believe in yourself and your Pokemon. If you trust in one another and carry on battling side by side long enough, then someday...you might even become worthy rivals for me and Leon, the Champions. Though Leon is the Unbeatable Champion, right?"
Leon says, "One ever since age 10."
Hop says, "Don't just look at Ash, Lee. I am the one who'll be coming to challenge you. If you think that Ash might be able to challenge you, then I guess he's my first rival."
Gloria says, "And me too."
Ash asks. "How about you? Alice? Since we are aiming to be Pokemon Masters together."
Alice says, "Yeah, but I want to be the kind of Pokemon Master that makes friends with Pokemon. I may take part in the League, but I want to learn some more."
"I see." Ash says. "It isn't a bad thing to do that."
"But I'm not planning to lose to Ash and miss out my only chance to beat the unbeatable Champion." Hop says.
Gloria says, "Hop, just having a Pokemon with you doesn't make you a real trainer, you know. Proper trainers raise their Pokemon up to be first-rate in battle, too!"
"Oh, and you think you're worthy of calling yourself such a proper Trainer already? Gloria?" Hop retorts back as the argument is about to explode.
Ash says, "Cut it out, you two. This isn't a time for arguing!"
Gloria and Hop are surprised by Ash's change of tone. Mark also suggests, "There is a way to solve conflicts, and that is to handle yourself in a battle."
Hop calms down and says, "You're right. Gloria, then let's have a battle."
"Don't think you have two Pokemon and I can't beat you." Gloria says.
Leon says, "Believe in your partner Pokemon! And care for them, too, with all your heart. Do those two things, and I'm certain you'll learn to choose moves that suit your Pokemon. And more importantly...to have a Champion time battling with them!"
As the two of them go to the battlefield, Ash says, "Looks like everyone's on board, Pokemon and Trainers alike? Then let's do this!"
"I've watched every match that Lee's ever had! I've read every book and magazine he left behind at home, too! I know exactly what to do in order to win." Hop says.
Gloria smirks, "And the thing that I learned from Ash's battles is that to never give up until the end, and to think outside the box. So don't think I'll let you win this easily."
"She really did watch a lot of your battles, Ash." Alice says, but she notices Ash in deep thought and she is concerned. "Are you alright? Ash?"
"Oh, I am fine, Alice, I was just thinking some personal things." Ash says, trying to assure her.
"Is that so..." Alice says, but she isn't fully convinced.
As Scorbunny hits Wooloo with the Tackle, it deals a lot of damage, Hop says, "No way, a critical move? What beginner's luck is that?"
"You'll see, Ember!" Gloria says as Wooloo is defeated.
"It's not over yet! I've added another trusty ally to the team." He sends out Grookey, and then he yells, "Branch Poke!"
As the branch pokes the Pokemon, its speed lowers. Gloria says, "Then I'll deal with a Type advantage. Ember again!"
And then with the Grookey is fainted after a series of fire attacks.
"You beat my two Pokemon with your one? You and that Scorbunny are too much." Hop groans.
"Why thank you, and I told you that Ash may be rival to Leon." Gloria says.
"Well, you do know that we are here, right?" Ash says. "But congratulations on your win."
Gloria blushes a little and says, "Thank you."
"Well, that was a shock! Guess I know now know why Lee thought he should give you two Pokemon as well." Hop says.
"You and your Pokemon all fought hard." Leon says. "Made me almost want to let out Charizard and join in all the fun."
Ash says, "Me too." Then he says, "How about I get you all sorted." Ash says as he raises his hand, and then Grookey and Scorbunny are healed.
"Wow, what was that?" Hop asks.
"Aura." Ash says. "I use some in order to heal them."
Leon says, "Ash, you've got real promise! In fact, I've got a favor to ask you...be a real rival to Hop and Gloria, would you? Push them, and make all of you stronger."
Ash smiles, "I can do that."
Hop says, "I already want to get stronger and stronger! You see me battle now, Lee, Ash, so come on-you've gotta let me take on the Pokemon Gyms!"
"You? Join the Gym Challenge?" Leon laughs. "You think you're ready for the single greatest competition in the Galar Region? Not putting the cart before the Rapidash there, Little Brother? If that's really what you want to do, you have a whole lot you need to learn about Pokemon."
He turns to Gloria, "Especially you, Alice and Hop. Before you think about getting Gym Badges, best to think about getting a Pokedex. A trainer's Pokedex helps them learn lots of things about all the Pokemon out there, including their strengths."
"But there is more than just a collection of data, you know. It's a record of a Trainer's love and passion for Pokemon training." Ash says.
"Right, right, we get it...Pokedex, then! We're on it!" Hop says.
"Looks like it's off to the Pokemon Research Lab for us." Gloria says.
"That's the kind of enthusiasm a Trainer needs! I'll let the Professor know to expect you six." Leon says.
"I am going to be the next Champion, so completing a simple Pokedex will be nothing! Just another page in the tale of my legend." Hop says.
Gloria says, "Well, I have to go tell my mom that I'm going out, though."
Hop says, "I'll go with you." Then the two of them leave. Ash says, "Alice, why don't we have our battle to wait for them?"
"You're on." Alice smiles. Mark adds, "Then I'll be the referee for the battle."
"Looks like I can only watch." Trenor sighs.
Back with Hop and Gloria, Hop asks, "So Gloria, I want to know, the way you acted when Ash is talking about Alice, you must be really jealous, right?"
Gloria glares at him and says, "Why do you think so?"
"Because it is obvious, that's why." Hop says, "Though you may have a competition with Alice, I hope that you won't break up as friends because of it."
Gloria sighs and says, "You're right." Just then, they hear a sound and Hop says, "Gloria, did you hear that just now?"
"I heard it too. What's going on?" Gloria says as they rush towards the house, and they see the fence gate break open.
"The gate is open, and the Wooloo it was there..." Hop says.
"It was tackling the fence pretty hard earlier. You don't think it actually broke through there..." Gloria says.
"But it's off-limits. Nobody's supposed to go in there! I remember the professor's granddaughter went in once, and she came back in a real state...and that was nothing compared to the earful she got from the professor afterward."
Gloria says, "But if I learned something from Ash, is that even though it is dangerous, we still have to save the Wooloo."
"Right, even if we're not supposed to, this is the kind of scene where you simply have to do what's needed. I hope we are ready for everything." Hop says as he rushes into the woods with Gloria following behind.
The fourth Chapter is complete, and Gloria has feelings for Ash as well as Alice. Now from the next chapter, I am going to add more about the new Pokemon and the stuff inside the story, so I hope you understand.