Chapter 24
Wednesday, December 7th
All actions have consequences.
How true that proved to be…
With a sigh, Dawn began to poke at her lunch to remedy her boredom. Nando and May were running late, and this left her to her thoughts, all of which surrounded the budding young man that she hadn't spoken to in almost two weeks. Ash Ketchum.
Things had been rather…stale with Ash's absence. Not that hanging around her usual friends like May and Zoey was boring, not at all. She adored each of them, but time with Ash was different. He was more than the wisdom and guidance Zoey offered or the compassion and understanding of May. Talking with Ash was an experience in itself.
She still wasn't sure why, but it would stir up something within her. By the time she was done talking with him, she felt uplifted…or inspired! She missed having those daily discussions with him, whether it was actual conversations, or just passing notes during class. The lack of contact left a void that she struggled to fill.
"He-y!" May said, looking at Dawn sideways which snapped the bluenette out of her daze. "Earth to Dawn, its lunch time."
"Oh uh, hey." Dawn said softly as her friend took a seat beside her.
"What's the matter? Not hungry?" May asked with a gesture toward Dawn's lunch, all of which had gone untouched.
"Not really, I guess." Dawn mumbled out, and May was quick to pick up on Dawn's sullen demeanor.
"Okay then, what's bothering you?" May pressed, giving Dawn the opportunity to jump on the subject that was troubling her.
"It's nothing, I'm okay." Dawn responded half-heartedly. May pursed her lips at Dawn's reply. This had been something Dawn had been saying since she last talked to Ash. She had become more withdrawn, and May knew better than to poke at Dawn when she wasn't in the mood to talk. All she could do for now was wait, and offer Dawn the chance to talk about it. One day she would open up so long as May kept giving her the opportunity.
"By the way, Nando said he wouldn't be coming to lunch today. He's working on another piece with Mr. Juan." May explained, and Dawn nodded at this piece of information.
"So, um, May?" Dawn began, receiving her friend's full attention. "How are Casey and Macy?"
May perked up the question and smiled fondly at the thought of the two girls.
"They're doing great," May replied. "In fact, they ask about you from time to time. Can I give them a message from you?"
"Um…" Dawn hesitated, looking away from May briefly. Then she shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
"Mmm, okay." May said, and she left it at that. Silence ensued as May began to check her text messages until Dawn piped up with one final question.
"And what about Ash?" Dawn inquired, and May felt her lips twitch, threatening to rise in a smirk. She knew Dawn couldn't just stop thinking about Ash cold turkey! Keeping her friend's current feelings in mind, May kept a neutral facial expression and looked up in thought.
"You know, he's been busy."
Thursday, December 16th
Within Ash's home, a forgotten glass of water remained untouched on the kitchen counter. Periodically, the glass would shake, sending a ripple through the surface of the water. The cause for this? The outrageously loud music coming from the living room.
"WHOO!" Shauna screamed over the music as she danced at the center of the group. It consisted of her two closest friends, Serena and Miette, along with Casey and Macy. They each moved at their own pace to the beat, though Shauna was the center of attention as she displayed the new routine she had been working on.
As the music concluded, Shauna came to an awkward stop as further proof that this routine was still under development. Miette and Serena didn't hesitate to applaud her for what they had seen since it was great seeing Shauna in such high spirits again.
"That was great, Shauna!" Casey declared, but she received a deadpan stare from Shauna.
"That was a great break, right Casey?" Shauna asked her in return. "Now get back to your homework."
"Aww, I'll finish it later." She retorted with a huff, but Shauna pointed toward the doorway as a gesture for Casey to return to her room.
"Ash has been chewing me out because you've been skipping out on your homework. So, get to it, march young lady!" Shauna said with an air of authority, causing Serena and Miette to raise their eyebrows. Casey complied begrudgingly, making a few comments under her breath as she left.
"Geez, you sound like my mom Shauna." Miette noted, and Shauna turned to her with an expression of shock.
"Are you calling me old?!" Shauna exclaimed in return.
"She sure is!" Casey barked from upstairs.
"Young lady, don't make me come up there!" Shauna hollered back, earning a laugh from Serena and Miette.
"Yup, just like my mom." Miette added, and Shauna pursed her lips with a blush.
Miette's innocent comments struck a chord with the smallest person in the room, stirring up thoughts that had been buried within her for the past weeks.
"When's mommy coming home?" Macy asked them, and Miette's eyes widen briefly. Each of them shared a glance, and then Miette decided to take charge. Kneeling down in front of her, Miette scooped up Macy in her arms and made her a promise, one that she hoped she wouldn't regret.
"She'll be home soon Macy, you just have to be patient," Miette assured her as she rose up. "Now come on, let's get you washed up and then we'll watch a movie."
The usual enthusiasm that embodied the child wasn't present even after Miette had suggested they watch her favorite movie. Her green eyes scanned Miette's face inquisitively, and the bluenette took a momentary glance back at her friends. Shauna felt her heart shatter at the sight of Macy's expression; the doubt, and apprehension. It wasn't something that should be seen on the face of a three-year-old. Shauna stepped forward, deciding to add her own words of reassurance in addition to what Miette had said.
"It's a promise, Macy," Shauna said as she cupped her hands around Macy's cheeks. Shauna leaned in and gently placed her forehead against Macy's. "Your mommy will be back home soon."
Shauna separated and placed a kiss on Macy's forehead now, and the uncertainty faded a touch. She gave them a nod, and the girls relaxed as Miette went upstairs to help Macy change for her bath.
Once they were out of earshot, Shauna heaved out a sigh and dropped herself down onto the couch. Serena stood in the doorway of the living room, glancing at the stairway with a hand on her chest.
"God, she's as tough as nails." Shauna muttered, looking up at the ceiling to stop the threat of tears. With a sniffle, she drew Serena's full attention, and Serena quickly joined her on the couch.
"Are you okay?" Serena inquired, and Shauna wiped her thumb against the counter of her eyes.
"The two of them, Casey and Macy…" Shauna began, shaking her head. "They're so strong sometimes that it just amazes me. Their mother is gone right now and neither of them ever stop to cry or anything, they just keep marching along. I have no idea what I'd do if I was in their situation."
"I don't either Shauna," Serena admitted. "All I know is that the two of them will be fine so long as Ash is okay. They're drawing strength from him."
Shauna agreed wholeheartedly. During Cassidy's absence, Casey and Macy saw Ash working hard every single day, doing everything he could for them. Those girls would go as far as Ash could take them, and Ash would see this through to the end.
"Do you think Cassidy will be okay?" Shauna asked in a whisper, and Serena bit down on her lower lip for a while. She didn't even want to consider the thought of Cassidy never returning.
"She will. We just have to help Ash until then." Serena stated, placing a hand on Shauna's back. Since the focus of the conversation shifted to Ash, Serena could help but ask how he was handling everything. "How is he doing by the way?"
Shauna didn't need any time to think of her reply.
"Ash…? He's working hard."
Saturday, December 24th
Brock eyed his parents cautiously as he sat across the table from them. His father drummed his fingers, occasionally taking a glance at the entryway to the dining room. Within a few moments, Lola came through with a grateful sigh before she took a seat beside her husband.
"Okay, the twins are asleep." She announced, and Brock now had the full attention of both of his parents. "So, what did you want to talk about Brock?"
"I just wanted to double check with you guys that we're set for the barbeque next Saturday." Brock began, and both of them gave him a nod.
"Yeah Brock, we went over this already. We're off from work so we're happy to have your friends over for the night. It's New Year's Eve after all." His mother noted.
"Right. The reason I wanted to talk to you guys is that I wanted to invite two more people, they're friends of Ash and Valerie." Brock explained, but this didn't deter his parents.
"The more the merrier, Brock." His father said with a smile.
"Hold on," Brock interjected, raising one hand toward them. "Let me finish before you guys give me your verdict."
Flint and Lola shared a glance and then waited for Brock to continue.
"I'm coming to you guys with confidential information, so everything I say from here, can that stay between us?" Brock began, and he received a nod of confirmation. "I know you guys already know Ash has a Pokemon, but Valerie also has one living with her. The reason I'm letting you guys know this is because I'd like them to bring their Pokemon to the barbeque."
"I see…" Lola said softly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Flint learned forward, placing an arm on the table as he studied his son.
"Why?" Flint asked, being straightforward with his son.
"I spoke with Valerie recently, and I heard about everything she's been through because she chose to live with her Pokemon," Brock explained, maintaining eye contact with Flint as he spoke. "She's had it rough for a while, but she's always been working hard, really hard. I know a lot of people would say she's brought it on herself…but I know that's not a fair judgment."
Flint raised his brow at the hardy stance Brock had taken. It was no small task to make such a statement with how poorly the public viewed Pokemon. Coming before his parents to discuss this was proof of how committed Brock had become to these creatures. Flint raised a hand to cover his mouth, concealing the smirk that had formed on his face. Even if the subject was touchy, he was proud to see his son speaking with conviction…like a man.
"I know you guys may not understand it right now, but I've realized just how much trainers value and cherish their Pokemon. I learned it from Ash and Valerie," Brock went on, a soft smile on his face as he spoke. "In fact, there was something both of them said that really made it clear to me. They said that talking with their Pokemon goes beyond words…you reach a point where you just understand each other and, well, I thought that was a lot like family. I know you guys so well," Brock motioned toward his parents. "And I don't know what I do without you all, even the twins."
This gained a snort from his mother.
"They love their Pokemon so much, yet they get all kinds of criticism from people that have no idea what they're talking about for it. What I'd like is…for all of you to give their Pokemon a shot at setting an impression with you and the kids." Brock explained. "I know you all might have your own preconceived ideas, but all I'm asking for is this one night, put anything you might have heard aside, just meet Pikachu and Spritzee, and see what they're like."
Silence set in. He watched as his parents looked toward each other and held a conversation using their eyes. Brock could only breathe out and wait. He had done all he could, it was up to his parents from here.
Brock hadn't said a word to anyone, but hearing Valerie's story had really changed his thought process. Training alongside Ash and viewing battles all over Vermilion City, Brock had come to appreciate the work trainers and Pokemon do. But he never got to grasp the depth of their relationships until he heard what Valerie had gone through. He had never imagined trainers having to sacrifice relationships with their loved ones for the sake of following their dream. It helped him fully understand Ash's goal of changing the public's perception.
Brock wanted to do something to help, and he realized the first thing he could do was make a change in his own home.
"Alright." His mother said, bringing this extended silence to an end. Brock looked from one to the other, his mouth slightly open.
"Really?"
"Yeah, really." Lola stated and Brock jumped up from his seat to go around the table, absorbing both of them in his arms and he kissed his mother on the cheek.
"Oh, you guys rock!" He exclaimed. "Let me get each of you a drink!"
Flint couldn't help but chuckle as Brock dashed off into the kitchen. He was glad to see his son in such high spirits despite the rough stretch he had been going through. As he turned back to his wife, Flint caught sight of the frown on her face and raised his brow at her.
"You alright?" He asked her, and she exhaled before giving a response.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" She asked in return and Flint snorted.
"You're the one who said yes." He pointed out, and Lola shot him a narrow glance. Flinted breathed out through his nose, smiling at his wife while he placed his hand on top of her own. "Just look at him. Have you ever seen him this focused on something before?"
Lola looked at the doorway fondly, and she knew that she couldn't deny it. Brock's heart had been captured…this thought caused Lola to laugh.
"I just realized…" She noted with a giggle. "I always thought his first love would be with a girl, but look what happened…"
Flint stifled a laugh at this realization.
"Exactly. I think we owe it to him to give it a chance." Flint said, and Lola nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right."
Brock came back from the kitchen with two glasses of apple cider in hand for his parents. They thanked him graciously, and while Flint downed his glass, Lola spent her time thinking about the friendship of Ash and Brock. In all the years since Brock had been born, Lola had never seen him get as close to someone as he did with Ash. Their love for Pokemon was what produced such a close bond, and seeing her son find strength from this was…impressive.
She had always felt guilty for stunting Brock's growth. He was almost twenty-five years old and rather than pursue his own livelihood, he was still living with his family, supporting them as his brothers and sisters grew up. As much as she appreciated this, she could see the drawbacks. Brock stopped thinking about starting his own life.
But now, Brock was growing up right before her eyes, and she had Ash to thank for it.
"By the way, how's Ash?" Lola inquired, and Brock beamed.
"He's getting ready for something big."
Tuesday, December 27th
The amber skies of the late afternoon glowed against the beads of sweat that rested on Giselle's forehead. With a huff of irritation, she laid her worn out and thoroughly beaten Cubone against a tree trunk. This had become a common occurrence now, and for Giselle, a tough pill to swallow. Looking back at her 'pill', he and his Pikachu were at the center of the clearing practicing as always.
Battling Ash Ketchum and Pikachu was a daily ritual for Giselle and a frustrating one at that. Today's battle was especially annoying because their 'peanut gallery' felt the need to comment on how one-sided their battles had become.
'Giselle, are you even trying?!' Brock hollered, and Giselle's head snapped to the side to give Brock a hard stare.
Of course, she was trying! But that moron couldn't tell!
The development Ash and Pikachu had gone through over the last three months had been nothing short of exceptional. When she had first met Ash and Pikachu, Giselle had many words to describe them.
Undisciplined. Bull-headed. Inconsistent.
It led to the rough battling style he used during their first few encounters. He did 'dumb' things like challenge her Cubone at close range, which played right into Giselle's hands. She thought he must have been the luckiest guy in the world when he managed to beat her with tactics like these, but she quickly learned that lucky wasn't the right word to describe Ash Ketchum.
Determined, fit the bill.
Acknowledging Ash's potential, Giselle joined Brock in resetting Ash's foundation as a trainer. And they built him up from there. It was astounding how much he had improved with a better grasp of the basics.
Fast forward nearly three months, and the difference between Ash then and now was like night and day.
"Hey." Brock's voice snapped Giselle out of her thoughts, and she saw Brock looming over her. He offered a water bottle, and she accepted it with a stare that threatened to burn holes through his head. Brock scratched at the back of his neck with a chuckle. "Sorry, I was a bit of an ass during your battle."
"A bit?" Giselle asked him with an expectant look.
"Alright, alright. I opened my mouth more than I should have." Brock admitted, raising his hands as though she held a weapon. "I'm sorry, it's just that your battles with Ash have been weird lately. He's always in control, so I thought you might have been trying to test some new things against him."
"I would if I could." She retorted with a huff, glancing toward Ash and Pikachu as they practiced. Brock furrowed his brow at this statement, unable to conceal his skepticism.
"So, he's doing that well?" Brock asked for clarification.
"I wouldn't go that far. Naturally, his Pikachu is a bad matchup for Cubone. We were winning at first because, well, Ash had no clue what he was doing," Giselle said bluntly, and Brock snorted. "But now, he's turned into a trainer that takes full advantage of our lack of speed. It's something Cubone and I just don't have an answer for. He's good, against us."
"So, uh, how do you think he stacks up against other trainers?" Brock asked him, and Giselle gave a laugh.
"Are you worried about his debut match?" She inquired, and Brock's lack of a response was proof enough. "You don't need to worry about him. He's going to crap all over the bottom feeders in the underground circuit."
Brock pursed his lips and lifted his eyebrows at Giselle's statement.
"I don't know if you've ever heard of this saying, it's pretty old. It went, 'I fear not the trainer that has practiced ten thousand different attacks, but the trainer who had practiced one attack ten thousand times.'" Giselle looked toward Brock and saw that he couldn't figure out the application, so she pointed back to the duo at the center of the clearing.
Ash stood several feet from Pikachu, a bevy of small stones in hand. His partner was down on all fours, with six after images flickering alongside him. Ash would pelt stones at Pikachu who would have to stop these stones from passing through while maintaining his Double Team. Pikachu did so in various ways, using his paws or tail to swat down the stones to test how many after-images he could manage while in combat. It was a very archaic style of training, but the results were evident. Pikachu had mastered using Quick Attack and Double Team in conjunction, making him nearly impossible to track once he got going.
"They've refined that combination to a point where it could threaten just about any trainer and Pokemon in the underground circuit." Giselle explained, a faint smile on her face as she observed Ash.
Brock fished out his phone to enter the PokeHub, searching for the profile of Ash's first opponent. He was a Hoenn born trainer in his late twenties sporting some mid-length dreadlocks.
This was Peter Neil. Better known as 'Island Pete.'
Giselle stole a glance at Brock's phone and saw him checking the profile of Ash's first opponent. Rolling her eyes, she could see that as much as Brock was rooting for Ash, he couldn't help but worry about him.
"Look, Brock, he'll be fine." Giselle stated.
"I'm just…worried about his confidence after losing to Brawly." Brock explained with a sigh.
"Confidence?" Giselle said incredulously. She then gestured toward Ash. "Just look at him, he's practically wearing it. I underestimated him and he punished me for that. Don't make the same mistake I did."
Brock couldn't stop a smirk from forming on his face, and he began to shake his head as he laid his doubts to rest. He of all people should've known better than to doubt Ash Ketchum!
With a glance back down at the profile of 'Island Pete,' Brock shook his head and shut off his phone. He focused on Ash and watched as Ash praised Pikachu for how far along its Double Team had come. Grinning at the sight of this, Brock was more anxious than ever to see his friend in his debut match.
This was the starting point for Ash 'Quest' Ketchum!
Saturday, December 31st
"One last time Pikachu!" Ash hollered at the six after-images of Pikachu that darted around him on the sandy beach of the Hidden Cove. Ash's eyes bounced around, trying to track the movements of the combination of Quick Attack and Double Team, but it was for naught. Even after closely watching Pikachu practice this combination for over a month now, he was still at the mercy of his partner once the after-images went on the attack.
The focus on this training was, of course, to let Pikachu further refine his offense, but Ash took this as a challenge to test himself. Tracking Pikachu's movements tested his eyesight and reaction time, two qualities that all trainers needed to have in tip-top shape. To Ash's dismay, he found little success despite the constant practice they did. He had only managed to avoid two of Pikachu's attacks before he was overwhelmed.
It was a frustrating exercise for Ash who could do little to nothing besides get hit by Pikachu, and he blamed Giselle for it. She warned them that at the highest levels, even the slightest bit of predictability could be their downfall. So, Giselle drilled it into Pikachu's skull that he can't have a pattern to his movements. This proved to be worthwhile because it made this combination of moves even more lethal. But, on the other hand, this made Ash feel helpless during his exercise since he couldn't predict Pikachu's movements. Ash could smile at this, because if he couldn't predict Pikachu's movements, then that meant their opponent couldn't either, and that was what made Pikachu so deadly.
Two of the after-images crossed in front of him and Ash jumped back on one foot with a 'Hah!' This celebration was short lived as Pikachu himself came down the middle and plowed Ash right in the stomach, throwing him onto his back in the soft sand. Realizing he was down on his back yet again, Ash relaxed into the sand with a groan while Pikachu approached him to apologize.
Brock laughed inwardly, watching the duo from afar. It was at this moment that he wished he had brought someone with him, perhaps Giselle, or anyone that he could talk to. His heart had spent the last few hours occupying his throat, and Brock couldn't swallow this tension if he was paid to.
Today was the big day after all.
Ash's debut match.
Giselle had assured Brock that there was nothing to worry about…that Ash would be able to handle his first opponent without any problems. But the betting odds had been posted today with the match schedule, and Brock was left in shock after he saw the line for Ash's match.
Match 2 – Debut – 'Island Pete' vs 'Quest.' 251/50.
Those were some of worst odds ever posted at the Hidden Cove!
Seeing those odds reminded Brock of the warning they received from Charles Goodshow. Conquering the underground circuit would be a long and arduous road. But this…Brock could hardly believe that this was what the circuit thought of Ash. That there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell that he could win against the 'bottom feeders' as Giselle called them.
Brock began to chew on his lower lip and replayed Giselle's statement from earlier this week.
"I underestimated him and he punished me for it."
This wasn't the first time Ash had to prove himself. He had done it before, and it was clear that he would have to do it again. Perhaps a dozen…maybe even a hundred times!
If there was anyone out there that would prove his worth a hundred times over, it was Ash 'Quest' Ketchum!
Hearing the call of a Mantine, Brock looked toward the entrance of the cove where a pair of the watercraft Pokemon had arrived with two groups of spectators. These were the first people to arrive for the matches this afternoon. Taking out his phone, Brock saw that it was almost five o'clock. There was only an hour left until showtime.
Seeing that multiple spectators had arrived, Ash and Pikachu ended their practice. Anyone who had come to see his match would likely be judging him based on what they had seen in Brawly's live stream last month. As far as he was concerned, Ash wanted that opinion of him to remain until these people saw him live. He had so much more in store for his opponent today. This thought brought a grin of eagerness to Ash's face, and the urge for movement began to bubble up within him.
He couldn't wait to battle!
Clenching his hands, his forearms became tense. It felt like he was going to explode!
He couldn't practice anymore, so all he could do with this pent-up energy was pace back and forth, recalling what Giselle had told him concerning this match.
"Don't show him any respect, just dominate!" She declared to him. "He's not going to view you as his equal, so don't you dare think of him as your equal, because he's not. You're way better than him, so I want you to dominate! Dominate the field, dominate any weakness you see, just…dominate!"
He's wasn't sure what inspired that speech from Giselle, but she had imprinted one word on his mind.
Dominate.
That was their motto for this battle.
It was his first showing in the underground circuit, and anything less than a dominant performance wouldn't suffice.
Feeling an elbow grind against his side, Ash was snapped out his thoughts by Brock. As his focus returned, Ash could hear the commotion of the audience and realized that the beach had been filled to capacity.
"Whoa." Ash noted as he looked around.
"Big crowd today, but its New Year's Eve so I guess they must have sold every ticket this week," Brock explained before he gestured to the stadium. "They called in the participants. It's time."
Pikachu scaled Ash's body and took his usual perch on Ash's shoulder, gripping the shoulder of his trainer with his front paws. Brock then offered his own support, extending a hand toward Ash. They clapped their hands together, and Brock pulled him close to slap Ash's back with his free hand.
"Knock em' dead out there." Brock said to him before he released Ash.
With a short breath of air, Ash took a glance at Pikachu on his shoulder, and then to Brock. A grin formed on his face as he took a hold of the brim of his cap and tipped it to his friends.
"We got this." Ash declared, and with that, he went off toward the stadium.
The security at the front entrance was waiting with a checklist for the trainers that would be taking part this afternoon. Ash was met with some odd looks by the staff as he was checked in, but there were no words exchanged beyond the normal formalities. He was granted entry into the main lobby of the Hidden Cove where the trainers had been gathering. Compared to the outside of the stadium, it was almost deathly silent with a heavy atmosphere.
The trainers were scattered about the room, likely going through their final preparations for their upcoming matches. Upon entering, a familiar face in Melissa, Charles' assistant, approached him.
"There you are." She noted, taking a glance at the tablet she held. She skipped any sort of formal introductions and went straight to the information Ash needed. "You'll be battling from the blue box tonight, follow the attendant over there," She pointed to a man waiting at the entrance to the left corridor. "And he'll take you to the waiting room."
"Oh, thanks." Ash said to her.
"And good luck tonight." She added and then she left him.
Melissa returned to the center of the room where she cleared her throat and called for everyone's attention.
"All participants are accounted for. We want to thank you, trainers, for all the hard work you and your Pokemon have done in preparation for tonight. It's an honor to have you all battling here at the Hidden Cove, and we hope that all of you will deliver a memorable performance for those attending. So, without further ado, you may all head to the waiting room. We will be opening the main gate in five minutes, and then fifteen minutes after that we will begin." Melissa explained, then she gestured to each of the attendants who called for their respective groups to follow them.
The trainers filed out of the lobby, Ash being among the last to go.
"Aye there boy." A voice called out to him, and Ash turned. The source was a young man wearing a colorful beanie that failed to contain his lengthy dreadlocks. This was, 'Island Pete.'
"You talking to me?" Ash asked in response as 'Pete' or, Peter approached him.
"Oh gosh, yes. Don't ya recognize me?" Peter asked in return, and Ash furrowed his brow, detecting the thick island accent Peter spoke with. He was speaking English, but Ash had to take moment to sift through his words before he could put it all together.
"No." Ash gave him a straight forward answer, and Peter sucked his teeth audibly.
"How ya don't know me?" He inquired, but then he waved off his own question, deciding to introduce himself. "I am your opponent. They refer to me as 'Island Pete,' and I have never known defeat."
Ash cringed at the rhyme and felt the need to point out an obvious fact.
"I read about you." Ash began, and Peter donned a smile of pride. "I'm pretty sure your record was four wins and seven losses…so I'm pretty sure you know a thing or two about defeat."
Peter's gaze became narrow, and he leaned toward Ash.
"Look nah, don't get fresh with me cause ya young," Peter warned him in a low voice. "Ya know how long it been since I beat a teenage that feel he fresh? You go ahead with me…"
Ash stared back him, unable to give a rebuttal largely due to the fact that he needed time to process what Peter had said. Ash's silence left Peter with the impression that he had put Ash in his place, and a smirk formed on his face.
"Now boy, if ya know what good for ya, lose quick and spare ya-self the shame," Peter added, and Ash creased his brow. "I don't want to humiliate ya in fron-ta all these people."
"I wouldn't be worried about that." Ash retorted.
"Ya feel ya bad or what?" Pete asked him, but before Ash could give a response Peter sucked his teeth and continued. "I can't wait to take all the money from ya sponsor. It'll be a big payday for me. No more callaloo, just the finer things of Kanto. My first dinner go be tastin' nice because I beat teenager that feel he fresh."
Peter turned away to head off toward the waiting room. He glanced over his shoulder to share his final comment with Ash.
"Don't feel bad when ya lose boy. Because I am 'Island Pete.' And I can't be beat."
Ash deadpanned at the second delivery of Peter's motto as the man went on his way. Staring at the back of his first opponent, Ash's expression became hardened.
His brow was low, gaze sharp, teeth grit and a fire in his heart.
The last time Ash had sat in a waiting room, it was at the free clinic a few months ago with Fantina to get his arm checked out. It was a dreadfully boring experience, and of course he wasn't looking forward the next time he would have to be a waiting room. That next time was today, and he was waiting for his match within the Hidden Cove stadium which proved to be a surreal experience.
Perhaps it was because he was anxious, and eager and excited and…a whole lot of other things. But above all else, he wanted to battle. Of course, this feeling was shared among all the trainers present, so collectively this passion or zeal that filled the room threatened to overwhelm them all. Thankfully there was a release valve, the call for the first match to begin. And as the first trainer left the room, it was like everyone exhaled at once.
It was finally starting.
The monitors on the wall came to life, showing the MC who was located in a special seating area in the upper reaches of the stadium. He thanked everyone present for attending despite the holiday and called for the first two trainers to approach the battlefield.
They were introduced, each receiving a round of applause before the battle begun. The battle itself began to blur in Ash's vision, his focus now elsewhere.
He was actually here!
Not as a spectator, but as a participant! All these people were here to watch him battle. He was the real deal, a professional Pokemon trainer!
"There are all kinds of trainers out there. But the ones that can't give a battle their all…They don't deserve to be trainers."
Volkner's words boomed from within the recesses of his mind, and Ash shook his head as if to activate a pair of windshield wipers to clear away these distractions. He wasn't going to repeat the mistake he made against Brawly. Right now, he had to stay focused.
Ash took in another breath, and the rampant thumping of his heart abated. A chilling calmness descended onto him, and Pikachu tightened his grip on Ash's shoulder. A glance at his partner allowed Ash to peer into Pikachu's dark eyes and the sharpness that occupied them.
They were ready.
Out of the blue, his phone buzzed. His intention had been to ignore it, but it buzzed again, and again. Removing the device from his pocket, Ash turned it on to see that he now had five inbound text messages.
"Yo Ash, I heard from Brock that you're going into your debut match! Best of luck to ya man!" – Tierno.
"You got this dude, show them your stuff!" – Brock
"Good luck Ash, I'm rooting for you!" – Shauna
"Just trust in Pikachu and you'll be fine." – Valerie
"Dominate!" – Giselle
Ash showed his phone to Pikachu, and without a word between them, they knew that they couldn't fail now. They had so many people backing them. They couldn't fail them.
We won't.
Ash raised his brow at Pikachu, and a smile broke out on his face. In response to Pikachu's statement, Ash punched his palm audibly and this earned the attention of the entire room. He rose to his feet and looked around to meet the gaze of the trainers. Some of their eyes were filled with ire and indignation. Others, amusement. Ash beamed at them all and planted his thumb against his chest.
"My name is Ash Ketchum, of Pallet Town, and one day I'm going to be the greatest Pokemon Master!"
His name had been called just minutes after his declaration, and an attendant waited for him in the corridor to guide him to the battlefield.
"Are you sure you don't want to put you Pikachu in his Pokeball?" The attendant inquired as they moved. Ash shook his head and raised his hand to scratch the top of Pikachu's head.
"No Pokeball for this guy…yet." Ash replied, and the attendant raised his eyebrows at the sight of this Pikachu.
"You haven't captured this Pikachu?" He asked incredulously.
"Nope, he's just stuck with me since I was little, and I can't thank him enough for that." Ash replied, and Pikachu wore a broad smile.
"My, what a loyal Pokemon." The attendant commented, returning Pikachu's smile. Pikachu's ears perked up, the sound of the audience beginning to echo through the corridors as they neared the battlefield.
As a debuting trainer, the attendant gave Ash a brief rundown of the process leading up to the battle, and everything that was expected of him. Sportsmanship was the highest item on this list and it was a quality that all trainers were expected to display during their matches at the Hidden Cove.
They entered the final corridor, the largest that Ash had seen within the stadium. Similar to the main lobby, it was well decorated, hosting framed pictures of the most memorable trainers that had made an appearance at this stadium.
There were many trainers that Ash didn't recognize but grew to admire just from a quick observation of them in these photographs.
One, in particular, caught his eye. The trainer himself had striking red hair and wore a fluttering cape, but what demanded Ash's attention was the humongous and fearsome looking serpentine Pokemon behind him. It was only an image, but the furious red eyes of this Pokemon struck his heart with a sense of fear. How could anyone defeat such a Pokemon?
"Ah, that was a day no one will forget. It was the first time a Gyarados was used in battle here." The attendant explained with great admiration, and Ash's jaw dropped at the name of this Pokemon.
He had heard the stories about these Pokemon and their destructive nature, how old legends whispered of the towns and people that disappeared in the wake of this Pokemon's wrath. Ash's gaze focused on the caped trainer with an expression of awe. He struggled to grasp the thought of such a Pokemon being caught and trained for battle by this man. Such a feat just seemed…unfathomable. But he was staring at the photo evidence.
"I don't know what that young man must have gone through the capture a Gyarados, but he was regarded as one of the best to ever appear at the Hidden Cove." The attended explained with a grin.
"Where is he now?" Ash asked curiously. He had been through the database enough times to know that this man wasn't currently ranked, and the attendant's response confirmed this.
"I'm not sure. This picture," He gestured to the image. "Was his last appearance at the Hidden Cove, and that was a few years ago. I haven't heard about him since."
Ash pursed his lips in dismay. He would have loved to meet this trainer and ask him about that Gyarados. But that thought aside, Ash knew that now wasn't the time to get caught up in the rich history of this stadium. His debut match awaited him.
He and the attendant pressed on toward the end of the corridor, Ash doing his best to keep his eyes focused on the end of the tunnel. But one picture caught Pikachu's attention, and he voiced this to Ash. With a glance Ash froze as well, his eyes now caught in the gaze of the trainer that stared back at him.
It was his father, Aaron, standing alongside his Kadabra. The two of them stared blankly at the camera, clearly none too happy with being photographed.
I bet he's out there somewhere…watching us.
Ash glanced at Pikachu who stared at the picture intently.
"I'll bet he is." Ash commented, and while the enthusiasm may have been lacking in his voice, Pikachu could feel the desire burning up from within Ash.
His desire for triumph and success.
To prove himself.
And validate his dream.
"Let's show him what we've got."
Ash distinctly heard the MC give a call for 'Island Pete' to approach his trainer box on the field, and Ash knew what was going to follow.
"And now in the blue box, in his debut match here at the Hidden Cove, please welcome the newcomer, 'Quest!'"
The attendant made a gesture to the end of the tunnel that opened up like a gaping maw to the battlefield. Ash gave him a nod and tore off in a sprint. The filtered lights within the tunnel couldn't compare to the lights that loomed over the battlefield. This forced him to lower his head, using the visor of his cap to shield his eyes as he came skidding to a stop in his trainer box. The temptation to look around the audience was great, but Ash suppressed this urge and set his sights on his opponent across the field.
Peter was fiddling with a miniaturized Pokeball, anxiously waiting for the referee to explain the rules for the battle.
"So now, without further ado, I hand things over to the referee." The MC announced, and the crowd became quiet as the ref called for both trainers to come to the middle of the field.
Ash and Peter met at centerfield, and the ref came up to them to go over the rules.
"Circuit rules apply to this battle. It is a one on one and calls for forfeit will be acknowledged. The battle will be ended with either Pokemon is judged unable to continue." The ref explained. "Shake hands and return to your boxes. The battle will begin on my mark."
The formality was exchanged, and both trainers turned away from each other, making the trip back to their box. Ash kept his gaze low, refusing to acknowledge the existence of the audience. As far as he was concerned, there were only four people in existence.
Pikachu.
Peter and his Pokemon.
And the referee.
"Trainers, select your Pokemon." The ref ordered. Ash held the tip of his visor and gave a nod to Pikachu who leaped from his shoulder to the field. Pikachu went down on all fours, pressing his paws down on the field to experiment with the foundation he would be fighting on. It was a hard-rocky surface, portions of the field being left uneven as natural wear and tear from the battles each week. But this was right up Pikachu's alley. There was nothing in sight to impede his movements, which gave them free reign.
"Roselia!" Peter barked as he pressed the trigger on his Pokeball. It swelled to its full size in his hand, and he hurled the device onto the field. It cracked open and a formless being bathed in white jumped down to the field where it took on its natural form.
Ash eyed Roselia for himself and seeing this Pokemon left him thinking that she was more suited to be a decorative piece than a combatant in a Pokemon battle. But then again, the appearance of Roselia was likely what made her such a dangerous opponent.
"Are you ready, trainers?" The referee inquired, and there was mutual nod of agreement from the parties involved. He raised the flag he held and called for the contest to begin.
Ash swung his hand through the air and barked out an order to Pikachu, who flickered in response. Then Pikachu darted forward, flashing across the field in an instant as he approached Roselia for a frontal assault. With only a moment to react, Roselia raised her arms in front of her chest and braced for impact. The first attack never came, and she lowered her guard slightly to scan the field for Pikachu but he was nowhere in sight.
Peter's mouth hung open, unable to conceal his shock at Pikachu's speed. He had a full view of the battlefield but it was still very difficult to track the yellow blur as he dashed around the field. Suddenly Roselia was sent flying to her side, Pikachu now standing where she stood previously with a smirk on his face. Roselia rolled twice before she slapped the ground to set herself back on her feet, shooting a glare at her opponent. Ash thumbed his nose, a grin breaking out on his face.
Their advantage in speed was as clear as day, but Peter was quick to acknowledge this.
"Roselia, protect ya-self with Stun Spore!" Peter called out, sending a smirk at Ash. Roselia raised her flowery limbs and spun, coating the area around her in a cloud of sparkling gold dust. Peter then raised his hand and motioned for Pikachu to attack. They would punish Ash and Pikachu for getting up close and personal with Roselia.
"Deep breath Pikachu!" Ash called out, and Pikachu cocked his head back to inhale deeply. "Now use Quick Attack again!"
With distended cheeks, Pikachu glowed white as he charged in and Pete gawked at the command. Who in their right mind would charge headfirst into a Stun Spore?! Pikachu darted into the cloud and circled Roselia to strike from behind. He really dug into this one before he connected with Roselia, throwing her straight out of the area she had sealed off with Stun Spore. Roselia grimaced from the blow to her body but landed upright, a pout on her face as she saw Pikachu exit the Stun Spore.
He shook his body from head to toe, tossing off any of the dust that had gotten onto his fur. Pikachu beamed at Roselia who gave a 'tsk,' her irritation with Pikachu becoming quite evident.
"Wha-tis this boy?" Peter exclaimed, pointing emphatically at Pikachu who was just fine despite spending some time within the Stun Spore cloud. "Pikachu should as stiff as a board right now!"
"Shows you don't know much about that attack you're using." Ash responded with a grin, though he had Giselle to thank for this information. She had discussed every move that Peter's Roselia knew with him, and of course, Stun Spore had been covered in this discussion.
Stun Spore was a deceptively powerful move for its ability to incapacitate the opponent by attacking the nervous system. For it to do so, it had to be inhaled to enter the bloodstream, and from there it's lethal effects would take shape. But these powerful effects could easily be avoided by something as simple as holding your breath. This revelation left Ash snickering, but he came to understand this was an attack meant to capitalize an opportunity on a trapped opponent, not for a neutral engagement.
"Alright then, Roselia show them your Mega Drain!" Peter commanded, and Roselia raised her hands above her head. Wisps of yellow gathered at the center of her flowers, and from this, it took on the form of a serpentine which Roselia lashed out at Pikachu with like a whip.
"Dodge it with your Agility, Pikachu!" Ash ordered immediately. The serpent-like beam was launched at Pikachu, the head of it diving onto the Pokemon like an Arbok would on its prey. It came crashing down onto the field, pounding a sizable hole into its surface which threw up dust and debris. Roselia narrowed her eyes, realizing that her attack had failed to latch onto its target, so she scanned the field briefly in search of Pikachu.
A yellow blur flickered across her field of vision, and her head snapped to the side in an attempt to track him. Pikachu was all over the place, and Roselia was desperately trying to follow his movements as she retracted her Mega Drain in preparation to launch it again.
"Now use Double Team!" Ash shouted, deciding that now was the time for them to go on a full offense. Roselia was clearly becoming frustrated with Pikachu's speed, so it was time to make a play on that. Pikachu stepped hard on the field, turning up his speed another notch as he ran a circle around Roselia, summoning a total of six after-images around her. Roselia 'tsked' at the sight of all the Pikachu around her, and glared at each of them, then she summoned her Mega Drain once again and attacked.
The image she struck faded away and a new one took its place in a different location. Peter sucked his teeth and shot a glare at Ash as his Roselia did to Pikachu. What he had expected to battle, and what he was currently battling didn't match at all. Ash wasn't 'supposed' to be good. He was 'supposed' to be a frazzled teenager that didn't know his place as a trainer.
So why…why was he performing so well?
Ash swiped the tip of his nose with his thumb and called for Pikachu to begin his assault. One of the images burst forward with a shout, and Roselia turned and lashed out with her Mega Drain in response. The image faded away once again, and another image burst forward.
Roselia appeared as if she was performing gymnastics, wielding her Mega Drain as though it were a ribbon stick. She twirled and spun, intercepting each of Pikachu's attacks with the use of her Mega Drain, trying to narrow down her targets to hit the real Pikachu. To her surprise, there was a call from Ash for Pikachu to 'ramp it up,' and his assault intensified. Two images would attack at a time, and Roselia found herself struggling to keep up. Separating her Mega Drain into two separate but smaller whips, she began to spin rapidly in the same fashion as a Baltoy, forcing Pikachu to keep his distance for the time being.
"Nice Roselia, keep that up!" Peter exclaimed with a clap of his hands. That was all he needed, more time to develop a plan.
Pikachu maintained his distance, carefully observing Roselia as she spun.
"What do you think Pikachu?" Ash asked aloud.
"Pika!" He declared, stamping his front paws. I see it!
Ash pumped his fist and raised his hand to the visor of his cap. Taking hold of it, he turned it around and smiled broadly now that he knew his next move.
"Quick Attack!"
The Double Team faded away, and Pikachu glowed white before he went off to the races. He traced a white line around the perimeter of Roselia's defense, matching Roselia's turn speed to run alongside one of the Mega Drain whips.
He knew what Pikachu intended to do. It was one of the first things they had practiced with Brock and Giselle. How to accelerate on a dime. Ash could tell by Pikachu's declaration that he could see through Roselia's defense. At his top speed, there was no doubt that Pikachu could pierce through and score a blow. And it all went according to plan.
Pikachu turned and vanished from sight altogether. In the instant that this happened, Roselia was knocked off her feet and sent spiraling. Just as Roselia touched the ground, Pikachu was there, throwing his shoulder into her torso. She gave a pained gasp from the blow as she was thrown up into the air, and once again she came face to face with Pikachu. He was above her, poised to strike as they met. Another blow to her body began Roselia's descent to the field, but Pikachu followed up with a chain of attacks. Each subsequent blow increased Roselia's velocity as they fell, and she was smashed into the field by a fierce tail slam from Pikachu. Her frail body had been imprinted into the field from the attack, cracks extending from the point of impact as she laid on her back.
Her Mega Drain whips dissipated as Pikachu leaped away from her, and the referee stepped onto the field since Roselia remained still. He approached, and moments later his ruling was given.
He raised his flag and gave a motion toward Ash.
"Roselia is unable to battle, the victory goes to the blue box!" He declared.
For the first time since he had set foot on the field, Ash was forced to look up and acknowledge the audience. His ears popped, and their applause and cheers rained down upon him. He almost lost his footing as he looked around, and the realization set in that all this was for him.
"Great match rookie!"
"Come back again, I'll root for you!"
It was…unreal.
A moment of triumph. One that he wished could last forever. But the following moment he enjoyed just as much, if not more. Pikachu had jumped into his chest, and Ash managed to catch his partner and welcome him into an embrace.
"You were absolutely awesome Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed, praising Pikachu for their success. Together they looked up to the audience and beamed, waving to the crowd.
"ASH!" Another voice roared over the cheers, and of all the people to come running toward him, it was Brock. Wrapping Ash in his arms, Brock hoisted him off his feet proudly. "You did it, man! You did it!"
"Spectators are not allowed on the field." The MC declared over the speakers, and out of his peripheral vision, Brock caught sight of two of the security attendants rushing toward him. He dropped Ash, gave him a wide grin and a two-fingered salute before he was tackled to the field. "We apologize for the minor disturbance; the following match will resume shortly."
Ash could hear the laughter from the stands above as everyone watched the security team drag Brock off the field. Sheepishly he scratched at the back of his neck and glanced at the eight-foot wall that Brock had jumped down from. Only Brock was crazy enough to do that, and right after a match no less.
"Come on Pikachu, let's hope Brock doesn't have to pay a fine or something." Ash muttered as he began to march off the field. Turning his cap back around as he approached the tunnel, Ash couldn't help but pump his fist once more.
He had done it!
He won his debut match!
Brock had been detained in a security office, a small room tucked away in the farthest corner of the Hidden Cove stadium. Following their protocol, Brock was to be kept there by the security team until today's matches were over. For most spectators, this was a hefty punishment considering the price of a ticket. In Brock's case, he got in for free thanks to Ash, but getting him out was an entirely different issue.
Fortunately, Charles Goodshow made an appearance and made an exception for Brock. Rather than spend the rest the day here, he was ordered to leave the stadium with a warning that they wouldn't be so lenient next time Brock was involved in something like this. Ash and Brock thanked the elderly man earnestly, and from there the duo was escorted to the exit of the stadium.
Once they were outside, the group of Ash, Brock, and Pikachu shared a glance and burst into a fit of laughter.
"Only you could get us thrown out of this place Brock." Ash pointed out, and Brock raised his hands in his defense.
"Hey, I got caught up in the moment." He retorted. "I couldn't help it!"
"I can understand that." Ash sympathized with him, a glint in his eyes. "I mean, at least you didn't flirt with that lady in the security office. That could've made this a whole lot worse."
"Sheesh, you talk like I have no self-control." Brock exclaimed, and Ash shot him a look.
"You don't when it comes to women." Ash said pointedly, and Brock's mouth hung agape causing Pikachu to laugh out loud.
"S…so?" He mumbled, and Ash could only shake his head. Brock had no self-control, and he also had no shame in admitting this. "Forget about what I did," Brock pointed at Ash with two fingers emphatically. "You're the star right now man! Everyone at the barbeque is going to be so hyped to hear that you won!"
"Oh shoot, I forgot all about it!" Ash exclaimed, and suddenly he became conscious of his body odor. He had been training hard all day in preparation for his match, and his current stench was also proof of this.
"Heh, I figured as much," Brock replied as they began their journey down to the shoreline. "I had Shauna bring a change of clothes for you to my house with your sisters. You can shower up and get changed over there."
Ash stopped mid-step as Brock went on ahead of him. Staring at the back of his friend, Ash's expression became lopsided. No matter what, Brock always had his back. Big or small, he could count on Brock. And this thought reminded him of his current situation that all his friends had so graciously been helping him through. They were all unbelievable people, and he would make it up to them ten times over! Of course, the first person he intended to pay back was Brock. Running after his friend, Ash put an arm around Brock's neck and pulled him down slightly.
"I can't thank you enough for looking out for me, Brock." Ash stated in a low voice.
"What are friends for?" Brock asked in return, giving Ash a gleaming grin.
"Pika-pikapi." Pikachu commented snidely, and Ash laughed loudly.
"Oh shoot, I see Pikachu's got some choice words for you." Brock noted with a chuckle, causing Pikachu to raise his brow.
"Wait, you heard Pikachu just now?" Ash questioned.
"I definitely heard something about 'dragging your sorry ass.'" Brock replied, and Pikachu couldn't help but snicker.
"So, you…you can understand Pikachu?" Ash exclaimed, looking from Pikachu to Brock.
"Well yeah, Valerie said it best, 'it's a language of love.' Pikachu loves you," Brock said, and Pikachu gave a nod of agreement. Brock then placed a thumb against his own chest and spoke fluidly. "And I love ya."
A heartfelt smile took shape on Ash's face, and he shook his head at the sentiments of his friends. He couldn't have asked for two better ones.
"Now come on Ash, you can't keep everyone at the barbeque waiting. Everyone wants to hear the good news!" Brock declared as he pointed to the nearest Mantine that waited on the shore.
In twenty minutes, they were back on the rocky beach where they had parked Brock's car.
"I'm telling you, man, you were amazing out there!" Brock insisted as they arrived at his car. He mimicked Ash's action of turning his cap around and gave a 'V for victory.' "And when you did that, I knew it was all over. I stood up and was like, Ash has got this!"
Ash gave a quiet laugh as Brock retold the battle from his perspective, giving Ash some the minor details that had gone unnoticed while he was battling.
"I even managed to get a snapshot of you when you did that." Brock commented as he whipped out his phone. As he went through his gallery with one hand, he used the other to unlock the car for them. Ash and Pikachu got into the passenger side, and the small Pokemon jumped into the backseat, where he flopped over with a sigh of contentment.
"Yeah, you earned a good rest Pikachu." Ash stated as he watched Pikachu snuggle into the plush seats.
"Ah, here we go!" Brock said, passing Ash his phone. He then strapped himself with his seat belt and started the engine, leaving Ash to study the picture.
It was at a distance, but Ash could clearly see this image was just moments after he had given his final command to Pikachu. Ash felt his heart quiver at the sight of this picture, and he tightened his grasp of Brock's phone.
It was a picture of him…in an official battle at the Hidden Cove.
The last three months seemed to hit all at once. All of the time he spent under Giselle's tutelage. The information, her experience, she beat all of this into his brain to help him reach this point.
Then there was his best friend in Brock, making the time and effort to drag him from school to Route 6 on a daily basis so that he could train freely with Pikachu. If not for Brock, Ash had no idea how he would've gotten this far.
And of course, he couldn't forget his partner through all of this. The countless hours spent under the late afternoon sun refining what they had learned. Ash couldn't help but place a hand on his lower torso, remembering the blows he had received from Pikachu to help him practice his target acquisition.
All of this had gotten them to the Hidden Cove.
To take one tiny step forward in his journey.
They made it!
"Ash, what are you doing?" Brock asked him, looking back and forth between Ash and the road.
Ash had taken off his seatbelt and lowered the window on the passenger side. Without a word in reply to Brock, Ash stuck his upper body out of the window until he could rest his bottom on the window sill. He stared out at the glimmering sea and admired how it stretched out to the vast horizon. A view that seemed to go on forever. His chest swelled, and Ash could no longer contain the excitement that was building within him.
He threw his head back and screamed.
"I'm going to be the greatest Pokemon Master ever!"
How he wished his scream could be carried on the waves to the lands across the sea. To share with people across the world that…Ash 'Quest' Ketchum, was coming!
A/N
I think I'll start with a disclaimer. The quote by Giselle earlier in this chapter was made in reference to a quote by Bruce Lee. I take no credit for how it was used in this story.
Now on to the big takeaway from this chapter, HE DID IT! It was quite a road just to get to this point, but Ash made it! It feels awesome to have made it this far!
Here's something I'd like to share if you're interested. It's about 'Island Pete.' Several times its mentioned that he has a thick accent that Ash has trouble making sense of. In case you're not familiar with what an island accent sounds like, just go on Youtube and look up Trinidadian or Jamaican expressions to get feel for how he was talking. This was one of the minor details I have in this universe, similar to how Fantina speaks French because she's from Kalos. People from the mainland in Hoenn speak Spanish, while the islands speak English with an accent like the Caribbean Islands. Just thought I'd share this piece of information with you guys. :D
This chapter also joined my favorites list, and it's chock full of little details all over the place. I won't mention their significance, but they are definitely there if you feel like searching for them.
This battle was…kind of tough, I want to say. I was trying to explore more possibilities with Pokemon moves beyond just the aspect of hitting each other. I feel like that's the next step I could take to improve my battles, but as I've said before, I'm learning on the fly. The next battle is sooner rather than later, so wish me luck on my next attempt.
I want to welcome all of my new followers for joining me on this ride. And I also want to thank those of you who reviewed as well. And of course, a big shout out to MjrGenMatt for his outstanding help.
The closing scene to this chapter was something I pictured a long time ago, so its kind of surreal to finally write and publish it. Thank you all for supporting me up until this point! There is going to be a small delay on the next chapter. Chapter 25 is already being edited, but I have to complete chapter 26 to double check a few things before I can upload chapter 25. My apologies in advance, but I hope to see you all at the next update!