Today was just full of surprises.
That was Ash's first thought, with the Champion of Kanto and Johto overlooking him from Cinnabar Island's heights. Just after he'd gotten a thrashing from Blaine, a minute ago.
"It's been quite some time, Ash!" Lance smiled down upon the group. Sounding jovial, despite the regal air he put off. "Truth be told, I was hoping I'd run into you."
"You… were?" Ash stuttered out, lamely pointing to himself.
"I had something of a mission to complete." That was all Lance explained, before two large figures joined him at the ledge's precipice. On Lance's right, his loyal Dragonite, towering over him. On his right, a somewhat shorter, but still imposing beast. A Charizard stomped forward, and roared.
"...Charizard!?" Ash exclaimed in shock. How did he know that the Flame Pokémon was his…? Well, Charizard coasting down over the Volcano's surface and dousing him in a roaring Flamethrower might've been a tell. One that Pikachu promptly abandoned him for.
Dawn gasped, hand held over her mouth in worry. "Ash!?"
"Ergh…" Ash groaned, now covered in soot. He promptly shook it off, beaming at the sight of his friend. "Great to have you back, big guy! I see Liza sent you off just in time."
"Grah!" Charizard flashed a sunny smile, despite his brutish behavior, and bumped his fist against Ash's own.
Lance and Dragonite were next to descend upon the beach, stopping before the group.
"But… I'm lost." Ash said, looking over to the Champion. "What're you doing here? Why was Charizard with you? What's going on!?"
Lance laughed to himself, amused. " Ever the excitable one. What do you say you calm down, and I'll answer you one question at a time?" He took Ash's silence as compliance, and continued. "I am here by Wallace's request. He'd asked me to be a guest judge at this year's Wallace Cup, apparently. But I politely declined, and stuck around to do some training at the volcano." He turned his gaze up to the towering work of nature, and smiled. "Its intense conditions are quite ideal."
"Aw, that's a bummer," Ash replied. "Having two Champion's at the judge's table would've made things interesting."
"Wallace felt the same as you," Lance replied. "He'd said something about 'wanting the perspective of someone who understands the romanticism of Dragon-type Pokémon…'" He shook his head. "Though, I feel differently. I know the hearts of dragons who yearn for heart-stopping battle! Not aesthetics."
"But, those are one and the same!" Dawn argued, squeezing in beside Ash to preach passionately. "There's beauty behind power!"
"Aha… I think you might just be agreeing because Wallace said it," Ash chuckled.
"That's not the only reason!" Dawn pouted. Then, her blue hues widened. She'd seemingly only just processed everything Lance and Ash had said. "...Oh. You're a Champion!" She gasped.
"Indeed I am," Lance smiled. "I am Lance. Champion of the Indigo League, spanning both Kanto and Johto. It's a pleasure, Dawn."
Dawn gasped. Sparkles seemingly spun in her eyes. "You knew my name…!"
"If only because I'd just witnessed the altercation with our dear Fire-type Gym Leader," he explained.
This left Dawn hanging her head, somewhat crestfallen. "Darn… But, still!" She rebounded. "It's an honor to meet yet another Champion!"
Charizard grunted, spitting out a few embers of annoyance as his foot tapped against the sand. Idle conversation was dragging out, and it was making him impatient; something Ash was the first to notice.
"Uh, hey," Ash interrupted. "What was Charizard doing with you, anyway?"
"Ah! Right," Lance acknowledged. "We happened upon your friend reaching the island a little while ago. Dragonite told me that she was looking for you," he explained, stroking the scales on his neck. "So we kept him company, in the meantime."
"Wow… You can understand Dragonite down to the letter like that?" Ash asked, eyes wide. It wasn't that he didn't know the gist of what his Pokémon said. But that was just a little too accurate.
"It's the result of a long-held bond," Lance said. "I'm certain that you and Pikachu will achieve that someday, too."
The assertion drew Ash's eyes to the mouse, who'd rejoined him on his shoulder. Their eyes met, and he could see in Pikachu's beady orbs that he liked the idea as much as Ash did. To know each other so perfectly that they could fully comprehend each other's voices…?
They exchanged a smile that made both of their hearts feel full.
"I assume that Charizard is here for the battle with Blaine?" Lance asked.
"He is," Ash nodded. "And it looks like Charizard's really raring to go! Sorry, big guy." Ash gave an apologetic smile. "But it looks like you'll have to wait a week for that one.
Charizard grunted in annoyance, lashing his tail against the sand.
"That's a shame. You know, Dragonite and Charizard were locking horns, for the entirety of our waiting for you… metaphorically speaking, of course." Lance said, looking over to the two.
Ash followed suit, and a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. "I think they still are…"
Indeed, the two winged beasts were locked in a contest of glowering at one another, seemingly trying to intimidate the other.
"What do you say we let them stretch their wings, and have a battle now?" Lance asked.
The query drew the entire rest of the group to slack-jawed shock.
"What!? You're serious!?" Ash exclaimed.
"A direct challenge from the Champion!" Dawn gasped.
"Pikachuuu!?"
"Prinplup!"
"Why not?" Lance smiled jovially. "I've seen your prowess as a trainer, and I can only expect a battle of this caliber to bring you to greater heights."
"...Well, when you put it that way."Ash tried to pull off a cool, cinematic smirk. He truly did. But a goofy, full-cheeked smile of elation was just impossible to contain. "Yeah. I'll do it! Charizard's powered up a ton, and so have I!"
"Your judge of character is as flippant as ever." Yet another voice interrupted the scene, turning Ash's attention to the climbing and dipping path rounding the volcano. Floating atop the closest peak was a silver Metagross; the cross on their face golden. Presumably an alternately colored one. But surely, that hadn't been Metagross speaking.
A rather tall woman stood atop the Pokémon, her posture rigid. Quite muscular and dark-skinned, with a voluminous head of dark hair to match, crescent-shaped bangs framing her face, and one particularly long covering her right eye. The left was a piercing gold in its intensity. A lavender cape waved behind her, before settling; secured by golden fastens attached to her royal purple, high-cut tank top. She wore capris and low platform shoes to match, which masked the lower end of a series of bandages that made it halfway up her shins. Completing the striking ensemble were two golden bands worn just below her shoulders, and a belt secured with crossed lavender bands. The buckle was golden, bearing the narrow emblem of a dragon's eye.
The stranger wore the sternest of scowls, which could be seen once her Metagross hovered closer to the group. Her arms remained crossed over her chest, and faint webs of scars could be seen on her torso; something Ash could identify with. She hopped down onto solid ground without breaking composure. "...Or have you grown too cowardly to fight your equal?"
Ash, Dawn, and their Pokémon were left staring, clueless to the imposing stranger's identity.
"Deidra," Lance acknowledged with a resigned huff of breath. He stepped forward, Dragonite following in tow. "I told you that we would battle, should you meet me in the Champion's League."
"A waste of my time," Deidra spat. She reached into her cloak, and flashed a badge case. Flipping open to reveal eight badges. "Metagross alone was more than enough for this League. Kanto's Gym Leaders lack conviction."
Ash was left standing at the wayside of this scene, mouth agape in a swirl of feelings he struggled to pin down. She'd defeated eight Gyms with just that Metagross? Perhaps he'd feel impressed, if not for the righteous burning in his chest at the insult she'd delivered to Kanto's leaders — some of them, his friends. Of all the nerve…! It made him grind his teeth.
But then, there was that ugly reminder; the Volcano Badge, set neatly in the velvet case. The man who'd just walked all over him had just been called 'a waste of her time.' Ash bit his lip, unable to contain himself any longer. "The Gyms aren't a waste of time!" He belted out, placing himself between Lance and Deidra. She still had a good half a foot on him in height, but that didn't deter him from challenging her visible eye. "They're meant to teach a trainer about themselves on their journey, and make them grow!"
That one golden hue narrowed, meeting his challenge. "Anyone who could stand to grow from this circuit could be no larger than a dust mite."
"What!?" Ash snapped at her, clenching a fist. At which point, Lance made a point to coax him aside before the situation got any uglier.
"Your maturity is commendable, Ash, for recognizing the importance of the challenge. I'm afraid that he's right."
The trainer from Pallet had no idea what spurred it, but he quickly regretted Lance's intervention; something about what the Champion had said left Deidra staring daggers right through him. In just a glance, he could feel her fury, running up his spine like a jolt.
Rather than swing on him, though, she scoffed, and turned her gaze away from Ash. "Someone who clings to such outdated cliches will crumble under true conviction."
"I have plenty of conviction!" Ash snapped back, frowning. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. And my dream is to become a Pokémon Master!"
A profession that Deidra ignored, going on to make a different point entirely. "Why do you want to defeat Lance and become Champion?"
The question took Ash aback. Staggering his posture, as if the foundations of the island had shook under him. "Become… Champion…?"
"That is what happens when one conquers the Champion's League," Lance reminded Ash. "Unless they simply want a place in the Hall of Fame, that is."
A truth that, really, should have been obvious, left Ash feeling awfully put on the spot. He'd only ever really thought as far as winning the conference and perhaps challenging the Champion's League. Anything else was far-off speculation. But, with their new 'friend' staring holes in him and his ambitions, he frankly felt embarrassed to say as much.
"What's your problem!?" Dawn barked, practically shoving Ash aside while jumping to his defense. She had no qualms in standing on the tip-toes of her boots, glowering up at their intruder. "Ash doesn't have to justify his dreams to you! We don't even know who you are!"
To her ire - no, fury - Deidra didn't even bother to look at Dawn directly. "I don't recall asking you any questions."
"What!? Why you…!" Dawn burned up; expansive blue hues reduced to pinpricks beneath a heavily furrowed brow. "You've got some nerve, waltzing in here, insulting the Champion, insulting Ash, and ignoring me! I'll tell you something, lady, I-"
"Dawn!" Ash stopped her. Gently pulling her back by her shoulder. He was sure that if this escalated any further, well… he meant no offense to Dawn, but this 'Deidra' could probably send Dawn straight to the E.R. "It's fine. I can answer for myself." He gently took her hand and squeezed it.
Dawn seemed to relent, if only because Ash was putting his own pride on the line. She stepped back, but didn't hesitate to stick her tongue out at Deidra.
"...It's my next step to becoming a Pokémon Master," Ash decided on answering, even if that felt somewhat lame. "That's all there is to it."
"So, an empty pursuit of glory." That answer seemed to lose Deidra's interest, her averting eye hitting Ash like a gut punch.
Lance grimaced. He'd let the children carry this argument for long enough. "As opposed to your callous pursuit of power, Deidra?"
Metagross looked insulted at his words. Frighteningly so, leaning ever closer to Lance. But that fury was superseded by a resounding 'SMACK.'
Deidra's open hand hung in the air past her, after striking the Champion's cheek. Her teeth bore in a snarl.
The incident sucked all the air out of the scene. Ash, Dawn, and their Pokémon were stunned silent. Even Charizard raised a brow.
Lance's seemingly pristine appearance was marked by a large red handprint on his cheek. Yet, it'd only turned his head. He looked to be unaffected. Ever stoic. "...I suggest that you two settle your score by testing your convictions against one another." It sounded less like a suggestion and more like a binding command. "The winner will be granted the opportunity to battle Dragonite. Are these terms agreeable?"
"Very well," Deidra spat.
"That's fine by me!" Ash barked.
Lance raised a hand, and pointed towards the volcano's peak. "The stage of battle will be set at the peak. Should anyone need transport, I have other Pokémon able to assist."
"I have Charizard," Ash politely denied.
"And I have Togekiss," Dawn said, tossing a Poké Ball to call on the Jubilee Pokémon.
Togekiss looked between all present parties, and frowned. She could feel the tension in the air. Clinging to all present like a stubborn poison. She didn't like it. But, she let Dawn board her back, all the same.
"Lup!" Prinplup attempted to join Dawn, but found himself wiggling his feet in futility.
"Sorry, big guy. I guess you're too big for both of us to ride Togekiss now." Dawn smiled apologetically.
"Don't sweat it," Ash said, as he climbed atop Charizard's back. "C'mon, big guy. We've got you."
Prinplup took to this happily, waddling over and jumping into Ash's arms. He looked up to Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, and boasted of his ride happily. Pikachu chirped in amusement.
Dawn smiled fondly at the scene, and the lot of them took off. After assuring everyone's transport, Lance was last to take off with Dragonite. Deidra had left atop Metagross first, without waiting for any of them.
A short flight carried all present parties to the inactive volcano's peak. Hopping off of Charizard, Ash stood on one end of its perimeter, directly before one of the raised spires spanning its descent. Curiosity won out, and he looked over the edge.
The inside of the volcano ran rather deep, though unlike last time, a bottom could be seen. Uneven igneous rock created a floor, a great distance down; surely from the last eruption. Solid pillars climbed to varying heights, with several still matching the volcano's peak.
Looking into the depths was humbling. Ash took a deep breath. It wasn't lost on him that his first great battle with Charizard had taken place here. "Brings back old memories, doesn't it?"
Charizard grunted in agreement. Looking down upon Ash, the Flame Pokémon smirked. In those bold eyes of his, Ash could see no more signs of distrust or disrespect. They were on the same wavelength.
The wavelength of 'let's go kick Deidra's ass.'
"Alright, Charizard!" With a wide grin, Ash punched forward. "I choose you!"
"Roaarh!" Charizard jumped onto the first available pillar, spitting hot flames into the air.
"Metagross." Deidra hopped back onto the opposite edge of the volcano, arms remaining crossed, while her Pokémon sailed through the air to stand opposite of Charizard.
"Now! This will be a one-on-one battle. Charizard versus Metagross. The match will continue until one Pokémon has fainted, or their trainer surrenders. There will be no time limit!"
Ash took a forward-leaning posture, squinting at Deidra.
Deidra didn't offer him the same sporting battle-readiness. Only a scowl.
"Go get 'er, Ash!" Dawn cheered from aside, standing alongside Prinplup and a curious Togekiss.
Lance then raised a hand. "Battle… begin!"
"Let's take the lead, and show 'er what we can do!" Ash roared, punching a fist in the air. "Use Flamethrower!"
Charizard planted one foot forward on the pillar's edge. Talons digging into the rocky surface, as he tossed his head forward with a roar. Roaring flames were fired directly at Metagross.
"Use Psychic." Deidra replied sternly.
A bright glow surrounded the Steel-type Pokémon. Telekinetic force instantaneously met the coming Flamethrower, and seemingly put a lid on its advance. Flamethrower was being held off by Psychic.
Mouth still ajar, Charizard looked on and grunted in shock.
"They can hold off Flamethrower!?" Ash exclaimed. He grimaced. "Not if we give 'em our all, though. Turn up the heat, and use Flamethrower at full power!"
Talons dug in and pierced igneous rock, as Charizard exerted an ever-hotter flame from his belly. The volume and scalding heat of Flamethrower alike grew, and Psychic's grip was slowly being pushed back. Embers and sparks were now coming just short of the Iron Leg Pokémon's steely hide.
"So, you're not all bluster," Deidra admitted. "Metagross!"
"Metaaaah!" Metagross' red irises widened, and the glow of Psychic around him became much more exuberant. Flamethrower started losing ground once more, and even reversed back towards Charizard, until it amassed into a fireball that was approaching Charizard's size.
'It's coming back to us. Charizard's flames are just feeding it!' Ash thought to himself, grimacing. "Charizard! Stop firing!"
Charizard reluctantly relented, just in time to find himself faced with the huge, rolling inferno. Bright reds and oranges highlighted his scales, as he steadied himself in opposition. "Groah!" He roared, smashing the fireball between his claws. Flames flickered and snapped in rebellion, but heat was nothing in the face of Charizard. With a burst of effort, he crushed and suffocated the redirected flame. Smoke and embers scattered into the abyss.
"Awesome!" Dawn cheered. "You can't take down someone like Charizard with his own attack!"
"Dawn's right. You'll need more than that to stop us," Ash said, tightening a fist. "Shadow Claw!"
Charizard took to the air with a flap of his wings. His claws drew back, and coated themselves in violet, ghoulish extensions of razor-sharp nails. He jetted forward with a roar and slashed at Metagross.
Metagross promptly raised their two foremost arms, and guarded his body against the slash. Their tough metallic shell suffered scraping from the super-effective move, and Charizard's momentum forced them to drag back across the pillar they stood on.
With a triumphant slash, Charizard sent Metagross flying off of their pillar.
"That's the way!" Ash cheered. Though his triumph was short-lived, as Metagross latched onto the inside of the volcano with their four legs. An echoed cry told the trainer that they'd need far more than that to win. "Follow it up with Flamethrower!"
Charizard kept his altitude, and spat a stream of heat at Metagross.
"Shield yourself, with Psychic." Deidra ordered. Subsequently, the igneous rock Metagross had stood upon was torn away from the pillar that supported it, and swiftly shielded them from the incoming Flamethrower. Psychic held it firmly in place, even as the hardened substance started to melt from Charizard's heat. "Now, back to him."
The molten pillar was suddenly and forcefully chucked at Charizard. The Flame Pokémon was forced to end his flames and raise his guard. A great weight crashed straight into him, sending him flying back towards the inner perimeter of the volcano.
Charizard snorted out in effort. Heavy beats of his wings slowed his momentum, even as the igneous rock sizzled against his scales. These paltry counterattacks were no match for his might.
For the first time of the match, Deidra forcefully threw a hand outward. "Meteor Mash!"
While Metagross' hind legs clawed into the wall, their two forelimbs pointed towards the pillar that Charizard was holding back. Sparks of magnetism danced between both, before they were forcefully latched together. "Metaaa!" Metagross shot forward like a bullet. Shimmering blue trailed behind him, as if they were a shooting star.
But all of that beauty didn't speak for the sheer, earth-breaking force Metagross carried. Meteor Mash crushed the melting rock as if it were a brittle dirt clod, and smashed their entire weight into Charizard. They went on to embed him in a fairly deep crater in the volcano's wall, The mountainous peak trembled.
"Charizard…!" Ash exclaimed, stumbling for balance. He felt his heart race as the toe of his shoe teetered on the volcano's edge. "Woah!"
"Pikapi!" Pikachu yelped, tugging on Ash's pant leg with all of his might.
It was enough to give the trainer a center of gravity, and pull himself back upright. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew… Thanks, Buddy." He smiled, giving his partner a thumbs-up. A very brief reprieve, until he turned to the crater opposite of him, where Charizard was embedded a fair depth in. 'That Meteor Mash…!'
"If that was enough to break your resolve, then I'll scatter what's left." Deidra turned her chin up at Ash. A glare cast with her one visible eye that challenged his pride, right to the core. "Metagross. Scary Face."
Loose pebbles shook from the ceiling and tapped Charizard's head, shaking the grumbling lizard out of his temporary daze. Meteor Mash had definitely left a bruise on his chest, but that was an inconvenience. With a yank, he pulled his wing free of stubborn rock, ready to break free.
Before he could, daylight was eclipsed. Metagross floated before the crater they'd themselves created, and stomped their way into the carving. One, heavy stomp after the next. It was a truly humbling sight; they had Charizard cornered. Worse yet, was the nasty, glowering stare that bore right into Charizard's eyes. Glowing, red irises struck uncertainty into the stubborn lizard's heart.
Furious, he snarled. He wasn't intimidated. Absolutely not. Charizard was never frightened. His arms only trembled in frustration, at how the Iron Leg had rebuked his attacks and battered him at every turn. At how they now had him cornered.
His wings smashed the mostly hollow wall behind him.
Back atop the volcano, the sound of crumbling rock could be heard. Charizard bashed his way out of the other side, and took back to the air with a mighty roar.
"There he is!" Ash exclaimed happily. For a moment, there, he'd been worried.
Deidra watched Charizard return to the fray, and tutted. "Metagross." Her Pokémon took his place atop the rocks, once more. "Use Rock Slide."
"Cut them down, with Shadow Claw!" Ash ordered with a swipe of his hand.
Large boulders were conjured from thin air, and chucked towards Charizard. He charged them head-on, raking into stone with the power of apparitions coating his claws. Slabs of rock fell by the wayside, leaking purple energy, one after the next. He'd persevered.
"Now, come in for a Flamethrower!" Ash ordered.
"Psychic!"
Charizard drew back his head, building fire in the core of his body to spit at Metagross. A sharp, sudden pain struck his abdomen, though, knocking the oxygen forcefully out of his lungs. "Garh!"
One of the taller pillars of rock had been ripped away at the base, and forcefully shot right into Charizard's gut, via Metagross' telekinetic powers. Via eye contact from Deidra, the Steel-type retreated back to climbing along the volcano walls.
Watching his Pokémon shake off the damage, Ash bore his teeth in frustration. 'They're running circles around us… It's bad enough that Metagross is so strong, but that Psychic attack is a serious problem. We can't give them any breathing room.' Resolute, Ash waved a hand. "Corner them, with consecutive Flamethrowers!"
Charizard swept in to corner Metagross, spitting hot flames in their direction. By the time that he'd scorched rocked, though, they'd crawled a safe distance away.
"Meta!"
"Groh!" Charizard grunted angrily, turning his head for another shot.
Metagross scurried diagonally down the vertical walls, staying just ahead of the trail of flames. It bought him enough time to disappear behind a standing slab of rock, and the surrounding area was bathed in fire.
Charizard snorted a puff of smoke. Finally trapping them for a clean hit was a relief. Though, the low, mechanical groan directly behind him wasn't. Feeling a chill, he pulled back, turning to find that Metagross had somehow eluded and flanked him. "Groahhh!" He roared in fury. This was very quickly getting old.
"If this is all you have, then you're no more worth our time than this League," Deidra spat. "Save your Pokémon some humiliation, and surrender."
"Like hell!" Ash snapped at her. 'We've gotta corner 'em… and Charizard's got just the move to do it.' Banking his hopes on one last strategy, Ash punched the air. "Let's put an end to this, Charizard. Trap Metagross in your Fire Spin!"
Just as his flames were about to, Charizard's eyes blazed with determination. Hovering above the volcano, Charizard spun his body around, bringing his tail around him in a violent whiplash. The flame that denoted his life force painted a spiral of heat in its path, starting a fiery cyclone that worked its way down towards the volcano's interior.
Fire Spin roared, ensnaring Metagross and their surroundings in a blazing tornado.
"That's the way!" Dawn jumped with excitement. "There's no running from a Fire Spin like that!"
Beyond Ash's viewpoint, Deidra stood, cape billowing behind her in the scalding winds. Bright reds and oranges highlighted her, but even embers and ashes just short of her skin were ignored. "Hmph. Use Psychic!"
In the center of the storm, Metagross cried angrily, as hot flames snapped at his metallic exterior. That just wouldn't do. A blue glow pried the Fire Spin apart at its center, forcing it into a looser cycle of flames. Snapping at the air, but a safe distance from Metagross, himself.
"You've made an effort, but a futile one." With her Pokémon's manipulation, Deidra could be seen through gaps in the flames. "We never run."
"That was the idea!" To her confusion, shown with a raised brow, Ash grinned. "Metagross can hold that Fire Spin open, but that's all they can do! Charizard, get in there for a Seismic Toss!"
With a triumphant roar, Charizard plummeted into the eye of Fire Spin in a sharp nosedive. His arms wrapped around the concentrating Metagross in a bearhug, and took a sudden, jarring turn towards the sky. The Iron Leg's strength was formidable, but as long as they were held in a full nelson, Charizard could continue to soar higher. And as the tale went, he began several disorienting loops through the sky, as if he were circling the globe.
"You're really strong, Deidra." Ash commended. "But that's Charizard's signature move. No one's ever taken that all the way to the ground, and come out the winner against us."
"Then allow me to be the first."
Ash swallowed heavily. What was that supposed to mean!?
Just as Charizard turned in his descent, Deidra shouted to the heavens. "Bring him down! Meteor Mash!"
Still in Charizard's grip, Metagross began to yank away with strength the other hadn't anticipated. They felt him struggle and yank him back in, but the crackling magnetism between his limbs worked against Charizard. They broke free, and mashed together as the laws of magnetism intended. Spinning his arachnid-like body around, Metagross pressed his foremost limbs into Charizard, and plummeted towards the volcano's edge.
"They turned it on us!" Ash gasped. This could only end horribly. "Stop that momentum, Charizard! Shadow Claw!"
Charizard struggled against the weight on his body, and shoved back against Metagross' arms. Claws dug in, pushing back with a violet aura. With every struggle forward, though, he could feel the wind against his wings. They continued their descent.
"Charizard!" Ash shouted.
Glimmering blue outshone dark purple, and Meteor Mash crashed into the mountainous exterior. Dragging down the slope, still, it took down Charizard with it like a meteorite crashing from the heavens.
Dust and loose rock scattered in clouds, dragging down the surface. Looking over the precipice, Ash grimaced, and he felt the urge to charge down and meet his Pokémon at the bottom. Perhaps it was the scolding from Nurse Joy that slowed him, or the worried fretting of his mother, last December. But his better judgment kept him in check, until he felt Lance pulling him back by his shoulder.
The strawberry-haired man shook his head. "Just wait."
"...Rgh." Ash grunted, reluctantly staying put.
Shortly afterward, Metagross retreated from the dust clouds, ascending the volcano. With him came Charizard, outlined in blue. He was very obviously being dragged along in an unceremonious heap. And that was how he was left, beside Ash. Swirls in his eyes.
"Meta…!" Metagross landed beside Deidra. Breathing heavily, and with multiple slashes and dents in his hide, but unlike Charizard, he was absolutely conscious.
"...Charizard." Ash fell to his knees beside the Flame Pokémon. Gently running his gloved hand across Charizard's neck. He looked battered, bruised, and dirty. Certainly humiliated. But not injured in any great way… at least, Ash certainly hoped so. "Are you alright, big guy?"
"Charizard is unable to battle." Lance announced. A hand gestured gallantly, and impartially, to the victor. "The winners of this battle are Deidra, and her Metagross. And, may I add, a battle fought valiantly by all."
Charizard started to stir. His eyelids tensed, and he struggled to hold his head upright. He looked around, albeit groggily. Metagross was standing, on the opposite end. "Grh." Charizard's tail lashed violently against the volcano's ridge. His disappointment was palpable.
"Hey. Don't give me that." Ash smiled sadly, petting his neck. "You were awesome. I probably just made a few bad calls."
"Raoh." Charizard argued back. Ash had the feeling that it amounted to 'don't bullshit me.'
"Ash…" Dawn frowned, brow knit low in sympathy.
"Prinplup…" Prinplup squawked out, looking awfully sour. Togekiss perched by him, frowning.
"Pikachu…" Pikachu tapped Charizard's shoulder in a show of comfort.
"Take your tattered pride along with your Pokémon, and leave in disgrace." Deidra suggested coldly. Her back was turned to Ash entirely, as she sprayed Metagross' steely surface with a powerful potion. Before their eyes, his wounds vanished. "If you wish to save any face at all."
"No." Ash denied. A heavy frown was etched on his lips, his eyes hidden from the sunlight by his cap. "I'm not leaving. We tried, and we lost. A deal's a deal. But if I'm not going to be battling Lance…" He lifted his cap, and shot an earnest, unwavering look of seriousness towards Deidra.
"...Then I'm going to watch your battle!"
Her one visible eye blinked, and she shrugged, standing upright once more."Very well."
Metagross hovered back into the fray, stomping his legs into igneous rock, once more.
Ash ushered Charizard aside, while Lance took the younger trainer's place.
"It is as agreed. You won your battle, and you will have your bout with me." Lance narrated, folding his arms over his chest. Dragonite hovered over, standing opposite of Metagross
The titanic representative of the Champion narrowed her gaze upon Metagross with a low howl of warning. Standing tall and imposing, he awaited the fight without an ounce of fear.
"However… As Champion, It is in my code to hold no efforts in reserve. I will do my best to make you surrender to the might of my ever-valorous dragons!" His declaration echoed from the peak, as an arm waved aside made his cape beat in the wind.
Deidra grimaced, but faltered none. "Then we will crush your efforts beneath our heels!"
Ash had regrouped with Dawn, standing beside her and their collection of Pokémon. Every spectator observed the scene with baited breath. Somehow, the atmosphere cast by this battle felt as if it was enough to crush every one of them.
Deidra acted first, stomping the ground. "Metagross! Rock Slide!"
A barrage of large stones materialized above Metagross, and were promptly tossed at Dragonite.
"Dragonite! Take to the air!" Lance ordered.
Scattered soot and embers at Dragonite's feet were kicked into the air with a flap of his wings, as he quickly gained altitude. Flying agile patterns around the dangerous volley.
"Now! Fire Blast!"
A roaring, fanning star of flames descended upon Metagross in one mighty breath.
"Metagross! Psychic!" Deidra said with more urgency than Ash had heard during his entire match; not that he could entirely blame her, as Fire Blast dwarfed her Metagross in size.
"Metaah!" Metagross dug in his claws, and exerted his telekinetic might. Fire Blast slowed in its descent, but despite the pushback, still advanced upon them in a crawl.
"I don't know if Metagross can hold this one back," Ash whispered. Holding the brim of his cap down to guard his eyes; he could feel the heat even from where he stood. "It's pushing even harder than Charizard's."
There was no point in denying the truth to cushion Charizard's ego. He was watching the struggle play out, before his own two eyes.
"Tch…" Deidra tutted from between her teeth. Even she seemed aware that this wasn't working. "Metagross. Tear a hole in the center."
Another pulse of Psychic came promptly, and their efforts succeeded in plying a safe haven in Fire Blast's center. It was just in time for Fire Blast to land; each prong of fire blazing across the volcano's ridge.
Ash felt his breath leave him in panic, as the flames were rapidly approaching the coordinator beside him. "Dawn!" He yelled, taking the Coordinator's hand and yanking on it. She promptly stumbled into Ash's personal space, her head buried in his chest.
"...Phew. Thanks, Ash," she mouthed out, pulling herself upright. "That was a close one."
"Not to worry," Lance eased, prompting the two to assess the scene. Fire Blast's reach didn't extend to the perimeter. Even as Togekiss had shielded the two trainers with Safeguard, and Prinplup was ready to intervene, they felt little more than ambient heat.
"One of the greatest elements of strength is control. You were never in any danger. Metagross, however…" Lance's coy smile vanished for his hardened demeanor. "Dragon Claw!"
The break in Fire Blast had thrown Metagross out of the frying pan, and into the fire… Metaphorically speaking, of course. The true danger was Dragonite's large form slipping through the gap, and slashing across Metagross with emerald protrusions that resembled claws.
Once more, Metagross was thrown from his heights, latching to the volcano wall horizontally.
"Follow them, Dragonite," Lance instructed, "and use consecutive Dragon Claws!"
Although Lance didn't advise it, he didn't quite need to; Dragonite was intelligent enough to descend between Metagross and the remaining pillars of rock, to avoid repeating Charizard's mistakes. He drew back an arm, and slashed at Metagross' hide, only to continue with the opposite arm. Several vicious slashes cut away at the Iron Leg Pokémon.
"I can't believe it," Ash thought aloud. "Dragonite got 'em cornered immediately…"
"Now! Fire Blast!" Lance shouted, gesturing a hand towards Metagross.
Dragonite drew back his neck, mouth opening in preparation.
"Bring him down! Psychic!" Deidra commanded harshly.
A blue glow seized Dragonite. His body went rigid, and the breath for Fire Blast was lost, as he was hoisted over the rocky height behind him. Suddenly, he plummeted, bashing face first through one layer of igneous rock after the next. He had no reprieve until the structure crumbled, sending him into the dark depths.
"Ah…!" Ash gasped. Even against an opponent like Lance, Deidra's battle style was notably brutal. Even among his toughest rivals, none had been so direct in their aggression. "That was… harsh."
As if to stave off Ash's concerns, Dragonite's form rose from the depths. Flapping his wings, he hovered a fair distance above Metagross. He was hunched over, but frankly looked angrier than he did hurt. A few scuffed scales broke off of his hide and cascaded into the depths.
"I assume you expected Multiscale to break the fall," Lance presumed, addressing Deidra.
"Of course," she replied, expression unwavering. "Now, you're no longer safe from me."
Uncharacteristically, Lance let out a huff of amusement, one corner of his lips upturned. "Is that how you imagine this situation to be…?"
"Multiscale…?" Ash echoed quietly, pulling out his Pokédex. "Dexter?"
"Multiscale: Dragonite's hidden ability. When the Pokémon's health is pristine, the first blow that they take is halved in damage."
"That's a seriously impressive ability," Ash frowned. That was what he'd be facing, if he won the league.
"Use Meteor Mash!" Deidra ordered.
"Dragon Claw!" Lance countered.
Metagross bashed their forearms together, and crashed into Dragonte's emerald claws. Sparks flew from the point of impact, and harsh metallic scraping could be heard, even below. As great as Dragonite's strength was, his claws only seemed to be holding Meteor Mash off.
In fact, both of them were rising higher.
"Metagross is overpowering Dragonite…!?" Dawn exclaimed.
"That Meteor Mash is something else," Ash muttered. 'It's no wonder we couldn't stop it.'
"Dragonite! Fire Blast!" Lance shouted.
Dragonite opened his mouth wide, gathering a roaring flame.
"Metagross!" Deidra quickly urged. Her Pokémon disengaged, pulling a safe distance away above the volcano. "Use Rock Slide!" Several boulders appeared, and were chucked at Dragonite. One managed to pummel him before Fire Blast's execution, and several more hit home.
"Dragonite," Lance said sternly. "Deliver them to Metagross."
Dragonite recoiled from the last boulder, snorting in irritation The next that was sent hurtling towards him was snatched into his iron grip. With a cry, he swung the boulder, bashing it into the last of Rock Slide. Hoisting it overhead, he chucked the rock at Metagross.
Solid rock bashed against Metagross. The force built by Dragonite made it recoil and squint from the dust, even if the boulder had crumbled in the process.
Lance raised a hand in the air, and snatched it shut. "Dragon Claw!"
A daunting shadow broke the dust and debris. Dragonite had used the momentary distraction to impose its presence upon Metagross, with a fierce glare, and both arms held over his head. A two-handed Dragon Claw hammered down upon Metagross, sending the Iron Leg plummeting.
Metagross had a rough landing on a rocky surface below; the platform below them started to collapse in on itself. Pebbles breaking off and falling into the abyss.
Deidra's eye narrowed. "Drag him in! Psychic!"
Metagross illuminated, as did Dragonite. The latter was yanked down closer to earth, directly in front of the former. Dragonite struggled and roared, but a great deal of concentration kept him in place.
"Scary Face!" Deidra ordered.
Metagross' terrifying glare was cast once more, this time managing to get under Dragonite's skin. He bore his teeth, irritated at the blow to his pride. A blue glow washing over him told of the attack's success.
"You're now within our grasp." Deidra said, raising a fist to close it. "Meteor Mash!"
A brutal blow to Dragonite's belly knocked him skyward, Metagross pressing into his side before blasting past him. He reoriented himself with a flap of his wings, while he watched his opponent make a loop around.
"You've grown formidable, Deidra," Lance commended. Even so, he folded his arms over his chest without a care. "Formidable, indeed. Dragon Claw!"
A slash of Dragon Claw bashed into Meteor Mash. Pushing back with gusto, before the ethereal projections of energy shattered, and Dragonite only barely managed to swerve out of the move's path. He pursued Metagross, this time, taking the offensive with a preemptive slash that broke their momentum.
The battle had quickly turned into a sky dance, where flashes of vibrant green were only barely holding off a shimmering comet that ambushed its foe, again and again.
"She's… actually overpowering Lance." Dawn stared up at the aerial ballet in awe. "Look at this, Ash. Maybe the gap between you and him isn't that big, after all!"
"No." Ash lifted his cap to watch the consecutive clashes. His dark brows clung low, and his lips were pulled into a small frown. "She's not. Deidra's fighting so aggressively because she knows if she gives Dragonite even an inch, then she'll lose."
"Are you sure!?" Dawn looked back to Ash with wide eyes. "How can you tell?"
"It's Deidra," he explained. "I've been watching her. Everything about how she battles is the opposite of when she faced me." Against him, it'd actually been irritating how cold and motionless she'd been, overall. She wasn't necessarily out of his league. But she'd held a confident advantage the entire time; she could afford to toy with him and expose his weaknesses.
Lance… Every command she shouted, every fist waved. She felt the same urgency he had, against her. The raw power a Champion like Lance possessed…
"How can I match that?"
Up above, Metagross was pressing Dragonite's defenses. Even Dragon Claw was disarmed after another propulsion forward, leaving Dragonite effectively defenseless.
Dragonite huffed in frustration. Scary Face had him cornered.
"Your persistence is admirable," Lance praised. As he said this, an open palm was held to the sky in a poised, regal fashion. "But, it's about time it met its end. Dragonite! Draco Meteor!"
A meteoric flare shone through the tan scales of Dragonite's belly, gradually rising until it hovered over his mouth as a fully-fledged sphere. Dragonite roared, and the meteor soared.
When it reached an altitude that was sufficient, its explosion lit up Cinnabar's skies like the sun, momentarily, seemed dim in comparison, as a rain of meteoric bursts descended in mass numbers.
"On top of the volcano!?" Ash exclaimed, clutching onto Pikachu.
Charizard grunted, standing up to shelter his trainer with his wing.
"Lance, are you crazy!?" Dawn crouched by Togekiss, holding onto a wildly flailing and fretting Prinplup.
"Don't worry!" Lance replied, with his back to the group. His navy cape coasted behind him, highlighted by the streaks of orange that fell from the sky. Unflinching, he truly cast the image of a Champion. "Just relax, and watch."
"Tch… With that much power, you've sealed your own defeat." Deidra glared, and waved a clenched fist aside. "Bring them together! Psychic!"
"Metahhh!" Metagross gained a blue coating, and exerted the same upon a multitude of falling meteors. Rather than continue their descent, they orbited one another, and then converged. One explosive impact resonated after the other, lighting up the sky above Cinnabar with a chain of fiery, deafening explosions.
Even from below, Ash and company could feel the volcano under them tremble.
"She… turned the Draco Meteor back against him!" Ash pivoted, securing the footing of his sneakers against solid rock below him. Had she really gone and defeated Lance with his own attack…?
Deidra dropped her hand to her side. Her wild, dark brunette bangs whipped about before settling, along with her cloak. "You can only blame yourself for this defeat."
Across the volcano peak, Lance's dark eyes narrowed. A disappointed scowl fixed itself on his features. "And you can only blame your hubris for yours."
Golden eye widening, Deidra found herself choked out for words. Surely, he couldn't…!?
Lance raised an open hand high. "Dragonite!"
The smoke, ash, and embers from Draco Meteor had hung over the volcano like a dreary cloud, leaving the volcano in its shadow. It was only now that the clouds had started to break, and multi fluorescent hues started to show through the cracks. The sight that broke through was awe-inspiring.
"What's…!?" Ash's mouth hung slack open. Chocolate hues shrinking, taking in the sight.
"It's… beautiful." Dawn whispered out. She thoughtlessly stepped back for a better look, before Togekiss' wing caught her back.
A grand, icy blue aura had enveloped Dragonite, dwarfing the Champion's Ace in size. Its form resembled that of a vicious dragon, with spanned wings. The empty aura where its eyes would be cast a glare down upon Metagross.
"Kiss…" Togekiss cooed. Her tiny beady eyes glimmered at the wondrous sight. Such grace and power, all at once… This was a Champion's splendor.
Down below, Deidra grit her teeth. "Metagross!" She barked urgently, and swiped a hand violently aside. "Use Meteor Mash! Now!"
Metagross' arms locked together violently, and they shot themselves skyward towards Dragonite's veil. Starry illusions coated them to match their foe in appearance and strength.
At which point, Lance dramatically swiped his open palm towards the ground. "Dragon Rush!"
Dragonite descended upon the climbing Metagross. In just a few, heart-stopping split seconds, the two powers converged. Winds and sparks cast down from the collision that lasted only a few brief moments. Auras pushed violently against each other for dominance, while Metagross shoved against Dragonite.
From up-close, the dragon snorted. Narrowed eyes went wide, and he drew back one arm. "Raaagh!" He snarled, bringing down his fist for a devastating right hook.
Subsequently, the aura of Dragon Rush snapped down upon the Iron Leg, as if they'd been taken into its jowls. The resulting explosion sent Metagross plummeting.
"Rah…" Charizard's teal gaze zeroed in on the clash. A burning jealousy dwelled with him.
Deidra exhaled, turning her gaze to her feet. Metagross' Poké Ball was outstretched, and recalled the falling Pokémon. Wisps of smoke died away and fled with the red light.
He'd been defeated before he even hit solid ground.
"That was… so powerful," Ash whispered. But, he could marvel, later. His gaze turned on the loser of the battle. Looking at her, now, he was at a loss for words.
"That was a worthy battle," Lance spoke. "But you-"
"I didn't ask for your consolations!" Deidra turned her back to the group, walking towards the volcano's slope. "We will battle again, after the League. That is all I need to know."
"And you better wait for me, too." Ash narrowed his eyes, stepping towards Deidra. "I'll be there, too. And we'll have our rematch!'
The woman stopped, if only to look over her shoulder at Ash. "Your Charizard is worthy of praise," she said, before descending from the peak. "But your fragile constitution will be crushed at the League, just the same." With a leap, she disappeared from view.
Ash grimaced, and growled under his breath.
Lance tutted. "I see that she still hasn't-"
Lance was interrupted by simultaneous yelps, as the ground beneath Ash started to collapse. Dawn, as well, felt her footing begin to crumble. Their end of the peak was starting to collapse!
"Ash!" Dawn yelped out, desperately reaching for anything to grab onto. Ash's hand was the closest option, even as he too had lost his ground.
"Dawn!" Ash swiftly took her hand, yanking her in. There was no time to think. No time to formulate a plan.
Luckily, they didn't need one, as Prinplup decisively took action. Taking aim, he fired a swift Hydro Pump towards the two trainers. The current blasted them across open air, until solid ground was below them. He exhaled heavily, letting his attack scatter into mist.
"Phew…" Ash dug his sneakers into the ground below him, crouching over. "Dawn… You good?"
"Ye… yeah…" She still clung to Ash's red jacket. Even her doused bangs seemed unimportant, as her world became steady again. "...All thanks to Prinplup." She looked over her shoulder, and smiled appreciatively. "You saved us!"
"Sure did!" Ash beamed, flashing a thumbs up. His other hand consoled Dawn and brought her to her feet. "Thanks, big guy."
"Prinplup!" Prinplup squawked proudly, slapping his wing against his chest. Naturally, he'd always protect them!
"Pikachu…" Pikachu exhaled in relief.
Lance grimaced. Even as Dragonite had been ready to sweep the teenagers up… "This is becoming troublesome. The peak couldn't weather the might of our battles. And if another side of the peak had collapsed…" His sharp eyes turned on the populated half of the island.
Further destruction could be quite tragic.
"I'll leave this training spot behind," he announced, as Dragonite rejoined him at his side. "I'd like to avoid causing harm, or any further spectacle, for that matter. I'm sure the public's taken notice of the fanfare, up here." He turned his gaze to Ash and Dawn, and smiled. "I bid you all farewell. It was a pleasure."
"Same here!" Ash smiled, then tapped his fist against his chest. "And I promise I'll face you, after the Pokémon League."
"Should you win, I look forward to our bout." The strawberry-haired man nodded, and hopped onto Dragonite's back. With a tap of his boot, the wondrous dragon soared off into the skies.
"Well, that was… a day." Dawn leaned a hand on Ash's shoulder. Even for her, it'd been a tad overwhelming.
"Yeah," Ash agreed. "...Shoot. Y'know, with all that going on, I never got to ask Lance who Deidra was." She'd been a myth, wrapped in an enigma, all balled up in the shell of a jerk.
He had to wonder. Was there more to this picture he was missing…?
The day had come and gone. Early afternoon skies had retreated, and stubborn pinks and purples clung to the horizon, holding a last vestige against the deep blue night sky. The sun's gold peaked just over the seas. A gentle warm breeze nudged Dawn's long locks.
For the second time today, Togekiss was coasting her up the side of the legs hung snugly around the Jubilee Pokémon's sides, while one hand leaned on her shoulder. The other held a large paper bag, wrapped in another scrunched up bag made of degradable plastic.
She felt guilty about hoisting hot food on her partner's back, but by the way Togekiss had hummed a tune, the insulated warmth seemed to be pleasant for her. It was all done with, now, anyway, as the fluffy avian reached the peak.
"Thanks, Togekiss!" Dawn said, as she stepped down onto solid ground. She walked her way over to her boyfriend, who was sitting in the exact same spot he had when she'd left; sitting over the ridge, watching the sunset. Pikachu, Charizard, Rosa, and Prinplup sat nearby; the penguin wouldn't have fit for the ride, so he'd stayed rather than return to his ball.
Ash still had that far-off look in his eyes, when she crouched and peered at him. Staring off blankly into the sunset. 'He hasn't even realized that I'm here…' She frowned, waving a hand in front of his face. "Hey! Earth to Ash."
"Huh!?" He snapped to attention, looking up at the girl with confusion. "Dawn. You're back."
"Y'know, you could at least pay attention to your girlfriend when she goes and gets us all dinner." She gave a cheeky smile, and sat the bag down beside them. "I know you weren't in the mood."
"Huh? Yeah. Sorry." Ash smiled apologetically, shaking his head. Even his melancholy didn't stop him from tearing the bag open. "Thanks, Dawn. You're a winner." Feeling slightly bad, he handed Dawn her food first, before attending to his Pokémon.
"Well, I know that." Dawn beamed cheekily, satisfied. She sat beside Ash, overlooking the sunset.
"Here." Ash took out a paper plate, scraping grilled vegetables off a skewer so that different types didn't touch, and an isolated pile of yaki soba. All of that was set before Rosa. "Now, will you forgive me for not calling you out for those awesome battles?"
Until now, the pup had pointedly kept her back turned to Ash, with her little arms and legs crossed. She'd been cross since she'd woken up from her nap in the middle of the day, and heard that she'd missed a tremendous amount of action.
Her hues turned on the plate, and she jabbed a piece of grilled zucchini with a chopstick, and dropped it into her mouth. After chewing, she nodded. ~Yeah, fineee. We're good.~ Quickly, but not too quick as to betray her pride and how angry she obviously was, she leaned into Ash's side as he ate.
Pikachu smiled at the scene, shaking his head.
Dawn took Ash's other side, leaning her head against his shoulder. Unlike Rosa, she was content to eat right off the skewer. They'd just watch the sun set, together. But, they weren't up here because they'd decided on a scenic date. She frowned around her food, and swallowed. "You're still upset, huh?"
"Mmm…?" Ash didn't quite look it, with a bundle of noodles in his mouth, via chopsticks. He paused before answering. "Mm. Not about the battles. I mean… They gave me some stuff to think about. We saw the kind of strength it takes to beat Deidra. That Dragon Rush was incredible."
"Togekiss couldn't keep her eyes off it," Dawn agreed. "It was just… so majestic."
"And it had all the power me and Charizard need. I guess that's our next step, huh, big guy?"
Charizard looked over, having just char-grilled his own food. "Rah." He nodded, meeting Ash's gaze. The time for shame had passed. He could communicate openly in his gaze where his mind was, now. Somehow, he wanted to earn that power for himself.
"And we still have to figure out Shell Smash," Ash continued. He shook his head. "But I'm not worried about all that. We can train, while you're prepping for the Wallace Cup. It's…"
"Is it Deidra?" Dawn finished.
"Kind of," Ash said. "It's what she'd said. It made me think about what becoming a Pokémon Master means. Like… I really don't even know what'll get me there. I never really stop to think about it. It's just my dream. What I know I'll be, one day."
At least, he hoped.
"But she made it sound like it was all just… nothing. A stupid kid's glory dream."
"And what's wrong with glory!?" Dawn frowned. "Everyone has the right to show off their best selves. I don't know what makes her so special and high-and-mighty." Huffing, she bit violently into a slice of onion on her skewer. "If you want to shine bright with your Pokémon, there's nothing wrong with that."
Ash laughed to himself. Her gusto always put a smile on his face. "Maybe… but the other thing she said. About becoming Champion. Like… I felt so stupid, not havin' an answer to that."
"Pikapi…" Pikachu frowned. He picked up his plate so that he could sit in Ash's lap, and continued eating there. Naturally, he never liked when Ash doubted and came down on himself.
"Well, that was never your aim, right?" Dawn asked. "You always said the Champion's League was just a step to your dream."
"I did," Ash nodded, slurping more noodles while he paused to think about his words carefully. "And that always felt satisfying to me, when I said it. But when I got called out like that… What would I even do if I beat Lance, and took the throne? Would I even want to be a Champion? Would it stop me from traveling…?"
It was all a mangled net of confusion that had swept up his normally free-flowing thoughts, and yanked his mentality into its clutches. Ash hated feeling like that. It felt like chains on his free spirit. But, surely his dreams would lead him somewhere different, one day…?
Dawn gave no answer, which meant she didn't have an inkling of one. Whenever she felt something, she inevitably spoke her mind. Ash was unfortunately on his own, on this one… Well, actually, not quite alone.
"What do you think, Pikachu?" Ash looked down to his partner sitting in his lap. His very best friend, who would walk his same path, come hell or high water. "Whatever I do, you're gonna be doing it with me. What do you think about all that?"
Something about what Ash said made Pikachu set down his plate, over Ash's leg, and turn around to stand in his trainer's lap, facing him. He wore the fondest of smiles, looking up at his trainer. Maybe it was the way Ash had asked for his opinion on their travels, as an equal.
But, that was how it always went, wasn't it?
Be that as it may, Pikachu's lips moved. And the same "Pi-ka-chu's" reverberated in Ash's eardrums, but somehow, they were insulated. Drowned out by a louder voice that rang clearly in his head.
"Deidra's complex isn't your problem, Ash. You have a dream, and that's okay. We can focus on that, once we get there!"
Ash felt his heart skip, and his eyes widened upon belief. That voice, again… He knew he'd heard it before. For just a moment, after fighting Sabrina, and again, right before he and Dawn had confessed. He definitely hadn't been hearing things, this time. Had he?
It was just too clear.
"...Pikapi?" Pikachu tilted his head at his trainer, looking concerned. His voice was as it always was, again.
"Ash…?" Dawn gently shook his shoulder. "What's the matter?"
"What's the… Dawn, did you hear any of that!?"
The girl tilted her head. "Any of what…? I just heard Pikachu."
"Never mind." Ash shook his head. He didn't understand what was going on, but his heart felt far warmer hearing that voice. He knew, deep down, that Pikachu felt exactly that, and it made his path all the more clear. "Pikachu's right. I'll take things one step at a time, and figure it out when I get there!" Ash raised his skewer into the air like it were a raised fist, and pulled it in for an enthusiastic bite. "...Y'know, you've got it easy, Dawn."
Dawn frowned. "What do you mean, easy?"
"Not because it'll be easy," Ash quickly corrected himself. He knew better than to trivialize her path. "It's just… You don't have to worry about any of that crap. Becoming a Top Coordinator is just… becoming a Top Coordinator, right? You just have to win!"
"That's true," Dawn acknowledged. "There's no League to think about sitting over. Not unless I want to become a Contest Judge, or anything like that. But, remember what we talked about, when we first met up, again? I want my name to be known far and wide, just like Mom's."
She felt her bangs being nudged by the gentle wind that found its way up the peak. She ran her hand over Prinplup's crown. It always soothed her, when her heart was feeling tense. "To do that, I have to bring out my Pokémon's full charm! I'm not going to stress over it, the way I did before… That was holding us all back. I'm just going to work with them all, one step at a time."
Over her shoulder, she could see the radiant lights cast up from the Wallace Cup dome. Even if the volcano currently blocked the stadium from view, her idol's radiance cast itself upon the sky. His was a household name, and yet one beyond reproach. One day, she wanted to at least approach being the accomplished person, he was now.
She smiled. "For the time being, I have an Aqua Ribbon to win. That's my next step."