Chapter 36
Sunday, March 5th
6:03am.
Under the darkened morning skies, the daily newspapers were delivered by the local paperboy. Lacking his bike today, he moved quickly on foot from doorstep to doorstep, leaving each paper face up.
The headline was striking, but nothing a dedicated reader hadn't seen before.
Increased Pokemon trainer gang activity!
Berlitz Shipping Yards facing major losses due to recent Pokemon gang battles!
The article opened with an image of the scene down in the shipping yards that was discovered late last night. The hundreds of large cargo containers that were systematically stacked on the docks were always kept in the highest order. But in this picture, it was a scene of chaos, numerous cargo containers being displaced and damaged. Some were shredded open, the contents scattered about the docks, while the outside of some of the containers was scorched. Work crews were already on the scene doing what they could to restore the docks.
'Late last night, the police department received a call that yet another Pokemon battle took place at the shipping yards, a site that has become quite popular among trainer gangs for their battles. The damage caused by this battle was particularly intense, which will surely come as a significant loss to the owner of the yards, Malcolm Berlitz.'
"I was scared for my life! It was like any other night at first," George, one of the night watchmen, explained. "It had to be just past midnight; I was at my post in the tower when all of a sudden I saw one of the cargo containers go flying across the dock! Each of those weighs more than a ton, and those Pokemon were throwing them around like they were nothing!"
"These trainers are menaces that think they're above the law!" Henry, one of the crane operators, declared. "They're destroying our livelihood! People have jobs here that depend on these docks being fully operational. We're looking at potentially a full week of downtime to make repairs and get everything in order, time that good people will have lost because these trainers are running rampant!"
'It's no secret that these trainer gangs have been lurking around Vermilion City over the last decade, but in recent times their battles have become commonplace all over Vermilion City. These trainers have caused extensive damage to various locations and oftentimes go undeterred by the authorities. Is it time to question the integrity of our law enforcement?'
"Mr. Goodshow, your one o'clock appointment is here," Melissa, Charles' assistant, stated as she stood in the doorway of his office.
Charles Goodshow sat upright in his chair and glanced at his schedule to check who he was coming to speak with him. It was actually one of the meetings that he was looking forward to. One of the well-known circuit trainers was here to see him today to discuss what would likely be the circuit's biggest match this month.
A scarlet afro was the first thing Charles caught sight of as a tall young man entered his room.
"Hey, Charlie!" He exclaimed, skipping any sort of formalities as he plopped down in one of the chairs in front of Charles' desk. "Thanks for meeting with me today!"
"Not to worry, Flint," Charles said as he gave Melissa a wave. She left them to continue their meeting in private. "I was looking forward to discussing your next match."
"Yeah, I knew that coming in. You can skip all the official stuff, since we've done this before," Flint said, and Charles gave a nod of agreement. Flint earned the status of number one contender in the past, this meeting was nothing new to him.
"So, are you interested in challenging any of the Five Kings?" Charles inquired as Flint leaned further into his seat.
"I'll bet you're ready to try and talk me out of challenging Volkner again," Flint said and Charles didn't bother to conceal his smirk.
"Well I would prefer to feature you in a match the audience hasn't seen already." Charles reasoned with him. "You'll likely be the biggest card I have this month, so I was hoping to get you in a match with someone else."
"I'm the biggest card?" Flint repeated, his brow furrowed. "What, you can't get any of the other Kings to show up for a match?"
"N is the only one who is open to battling at the Hidden Cove, but none of the higher-ranking trainers want to get stomped by him in front of an audience. Not that I can blame them for that," Charles explained with a shrug. "The Kings have been occupied as of late so they've been turning down requests from anyone that's not the number one contender."
"Well I guess this works out in their favor then, because I didn't really intend to challenge any of the Kings this month," Flint explained, causing Charles to raise his brow with intrigue.
"Well, who did you have in mind?"
"The battle this past weekend between Cross and that Ash kid was pretty legit. I knew Cross was gunning for me anyway, so I was actually going to wait for his challenge and test something out against him," Flint explained, and the mention of Ash brought a smile to Charles' face. "I wasn't really expecting much out of the kid when I first saw him at the street battle, but he really surprised me. And then he did it again at the official battle too!"
"That seems to be his specialty," Charles interjected.
"Well, I want to see if he can surprise me!" Flint declared with a grin, placing his thumb against his chest. "That was such a heated battle, and I want to have one just like it with him!"
"It's been customary for me to warn Ash's opponents about him, save for Cross," Charles added as an aside. "It's very likely that he would've improved from the level you last saw him at by the time you face him in an official battle."
"I hope he does, because that'll make him the best opponent to show the Five Kings exactly what I have in store for them," Flint proclaimed as he punched his palm. Charles smiled, eager to see what was fueling Flint's confidence.
"Alright, I'll get in touch with Ash and make the arrangements."
Flint beamed.
"We're going to put on a show you won't forget!" Flint declared as he raised his hands. "Here's the tag line, the battle between the 'fastest Pokemon in the circuit!'"
"Fastest?" Charles exclaimed as he wrinkled his nose. "Ash's Pikachu is definitely in contention for that title, but your Magmar is…"
Charles trailed off, earning a laugh from Flint.
"Just you wait, we've got something epic in store for you guys," Flint exclaimed as he rose from his seat. "We're going to put on a show!"
Monday, March 6th
Ash sat on his bed with Pikachu, phone pressed against his ear and his other hand occupied with stroking his Pokemon's back.
"It's good to hear from you, Mr. Goodshow," Ash began and he could hear a chuckle from Charles because of his formality. "What are you calling about today?"
"Two things, actually," Charles said in reply. "The first is that I got in touch with Malcolm. He's away on some sort of business again, but he said your earnings from the last match have been sent to your account."
Three months ago, that was all Ash cared about. Now he could only feign interest in the money he was earning because, in all honesty, he had too much. Ash could purchase anything he wanted, but he was content with what he had and so was Cassidy. Even when he offered to get them a new home, Cassidy turned down the idea. They possessed everything they needed already, and Ash was fine with that.
"I do want to point out that you have some of the highest earnings per match in the circuit," Charles pointed out. "Though I guess having Malcolm as your sponsor, and that being public knowledge, would explain why you make so much."
While Charles became absorbed in the financial details, Ash looked to Pikachu. Carefully placing his hand on top of Pikachu's head, Ash began to scratch behind his ear, causing Pikachu to sink further into the mattress with contentment. Hearing Charles clear his throat, Ash returned his focus to the conversation.
"Anyway, the second matter was your next match," Charles stated and that instantly snatched up all of Ash's attention. He removed his hand from Pikachu, eager to know about his next opponent.
"You've got me a match already?!" Ash exclaimed as Pikachu looked up at Ash expectantly. Sadly, the news from Charles would demand Ash's full attention going forward.
"Another trainer requested a match with you, it's up to you if you want to face him," Charles replied while Ash nodded rapidly.
"Heck yeah, I want to battle him, set it up!" Ash declared as he jumped to his feet.
"You don't even want to know who your opponent is, or what rank they have?" Charles asked him in return. Ash's silence functioned as a gesture for Charles to continue. "He's ranked sixth…I'm sure you know what that means."
"Sixth?" Ash repeated in a whisper.
He was going to face the number one contender!
His free hand began to tremble as a giddy smile broke out on his face.
"His name is Flint, are you familiar with him?" Charles inquired.
"I've heard of him, but I haven't seen any footage of him battling," Ash replied as he gripped his shirt tightly with his free hand.
"He's quite an accomplished trainer. Even more so than Cross. He's right up there among the best fire type specialists the circuit has ever seen," Charles explained. "On his record, he's lost three times, but all to the same person, Volkner."
Ash raised his brow.
"Just Volkner?" He questioned.
"They're rivals of sorts, though Volkner has gotten the better of him in their last few clashes," Charles went on. "Originally, Cross and Flint agreed to have a battle after Cross' most recent match, but you stepped in and that's its own story. Since you beat Cross, Flint decided that he'd like to face you in his next match."
To calm himself, Ash bit down on his lower lip, but that did little to suppress his smile.
"Think of this as a must-win situation. If you beat Flint, you'll not only have to the right to challenge your father but by circuit rules, he has to accept this battle. Becoming the number one contender would go a long way in helping me organize that match with your dad."
"You got it Mr. Goodshow!" Ash declared valiantly, causing Pikachu to gaze at him with mild interest. "You can already chalk this one up in the win column!"
"As always, I like your attitude Ash," Charles noted, his voice filled with mirth. "Fortunately, I was able to give you ample time to prepare this time. The match has been scheduled for March 18th as the main event that night. I'm looking forward to it."
"The 18th," Ash muttered as he snatched the marker that was resting on his nightstand. He approached the calendar that hung beside the doorway and bit down on the marker cap to pull it loose. Then he circled the date he mentioned, spat out the marker cap and grinned at it. "I'll see you then, Mr. Goodshow."
Their call ended and as Ash lowered his phone, he saw that his hand was shaking and he could hear his heart thumping.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked him, ears raised.
"I'm fine," Ash responded. "Just excited. This is it; our next match is our all or nothing. If we win, we challenge dad…"
And defeating his father would unearth the secrets that the man buried long ago.
Wednesday, March 8th
Ash had an unusually large audience at his training session on Route 6 today.
Of course, Giselle was present since they were using her training grounds.
Brock was there as well, that was a given.
But there were two new additions.
Volkner and his Ampharos.
"I heard Ash was going to battle Flint next, so I thought it would be a good idea to prepare as a group," Volkner explained as he looked toward his Ampharos. She was seated with Pikachu and Cubone, chatting happily with the two. "Plus, Ampharos doesn't get much company besides me, I felt it would be best for her to make a few more friends."
"Well, I suppose we can accept this," Giselle muttered as she observed the trio of Pokemon. Cubone would've been in the same boat as Ampharos if not for Pikachu. "Only for her sake."
"You know, I always wanted to see what you've been working on with Volkner," Brock added as he carefully observed the newest member of their party.
"You'll see much more than just that, Brock," Volkner replied as he looked toward Ash. "You've shown your full hand against Cross, right?"
Ash gave a reluctant nod. Every technique he and Pikachu learned and developed was put on full display against Cross, which meant every move in their arsenal could be seen on the PokeHub.
"Well, fancy gimmicks and finishers weren't going to get you to the top, Ash," Giselle pointed out as she shot a glance at Volkner. "A strong foundation is what will set you apart from the rest of the pack, and Volkner of all people should know that."
"The match with Cross was short notice, so we focused on things to help him secure the victory," Volkner reasoned but he waved off his own comment. "Excuses aside, that's why I came here today. I was thinking that it was high time we started working on the technique I was talking about with you last week."
Ash became starry-eyed at the mention of it. The move that Volkner and Ampharos couldn't develop any further. This was something that he and Pikachu could make all their own.
"Yeah, let's do it!"
Ash and Volkner took their place at the center of the clearing, calling for their respective Pokemon. Brock and Giselle remained on the sidelines as their lesson began. Brock was quick to take out his phone and search for Flint's profile on the PokeHub, hoping to gain some additional insight. There was a soft chuckle from Giselle which earned his attention.
"Trying to learn a little more about Flint?" She asked him. "Let me fill you in with the stuff you won't find there."
Brock raised his brow and tucked away his phone, eager to hear what Giselle had to share.
"Do you remember when I told Ash the three things a trainer needs to beat the Five Kings?" Giselle began. Brock looked up in thought before he gave a nod. "Well in Flint's case, you could think of him as the sixth King."
"Sixth King?" Brock repeated.
"I know that the Kings have never faced each other in an official battle, and there's a lot to take into account like battle styles, type advantages and preparation time, so their actual rankings may not reflect who is actually the strongest, but," Giselle paused and pursed her lips, choosing her words carefully before she continued. "Volkner is currently considered the second-best of the Kings, and Flint has nearly beaten Volkner in two out of their last three battles. So, based strictly on his performance against Volkner, one could assume that Flint is just as good, if not better than three of the Five Kings."
"So Cross was at the Five Kings level, but like the bottom of it? And then Flint is somewhere in the middle?" Brock clarified. Giselle furrowed her brow at Brock's simplification of the subject; however, his reasoning was sound.
"Y-Yeah," Giselle answered with a nod.
"And then Ash beat Cross, so that means he's at least at the bottom too, right?"
Giselle nodded again and Brock beamed.
"Man, that's so awesome! Ash went from being a nobody to a beast in no time flat!" Brock declared as he looked to Ash and Pikachu.
Giselle smirked at his sentiments. She did have a low opinion of Ash when he first got started, but he was far from a 'nobody.' He was simply an…unrefined prospect. With some work and a bit of polish, it became clear that Ash was a diamond in the rough.
Electric Terrain.
That was the name of the technique that Volkner would be passing on to Ash and Pikachu.
The first thing they covered was the theory behind the move and what Volkner intended to accomplish with it. Just the description of it had Ash thinking of all the possibilities.
"It's similar to Magnet Rise that you saw Ampharos use during practice battle," Volkner began. "With Electric Terrain, it saturates the field with electricity to strengthen your Pokemon by providing them with an alternate source of electricity. For Ampharos, she finds it exceedingly difficult to manipulate additional electricity on top of her own. I believe it has to do with the type of electric Pokemon she is."
"So, is it because Pikachu generates his electricity through motion that let's make the most of this move?" Ash asked and Volkner raised his brow.
"I see you've been listening," Volkner noted with a grin. "And that is correct. Pikachu doesn't have a natural source of electric, just a means to generate it. So, dealing with foreign electricity isn't as difficult for him."
Ash looked down at his partner that stood beside him.
"Man, Pikachu, the more I learn about you, the cooler you get!" He exclaimed and Pikachu chuckled at his enthusiasm.
"All of that is the finer details," Volkner said to refocus their discussion. "For now, we should start with the basic principles to create an Electric Terrain."
Ampharos took over the lesson from there as she and Pikachu remained at centerfield. Ash kept his distance, though he remained close enough to try and absorb every detail that he could. Volkner joined Brock, Giselle, and Cubone at the edge of the clearing to shield himself from the afternoon sunlight.
"So, you're still sticking with this style over substance approach with him?" Giselle asked with a narrow gaze.
"Style over substance?" Volkner repeated, feigned a hurt expression. "Is that what you think I'm teaching him?"
"It looks like it to me," Giselle replied. "He shouldn't be relying on tricks and finishers to win battles. So long as he has a strong foundation, Ash will win battles all on his own."
"And that's what I'm giving him," Volkner responded. "Electric Terrain is more than just one move; it could be the basis for his own personal style."
Giselle held back her retort and gave a gesture for Volkner to go on.
"Ah, now you want to listen," He muttered, shooting her a smirk. She rolled her eyes. "The two of them have been playing around with this ability Pikachu discovered to 'run' on lightning. Yeah, it might sound gimmicky, but with Electric Terrain they might be able to turn that ability into the core of their offense."
"I mean, that sounds really cool and all, but how could that be the focal point of an offense?" Brock inquired.
"I'd hate to bore you with my theories about electric type Pokemon, but I believe that under the right conditions, electric type Pokemon can achieve things you wouldn't believe. Electric Terrain is a step toward creating the perfect conditions for them," Volkner explained and Brock raised his hand to stop him.
"What's the endgame? What's it going to look like if Ash and Pikachu figure all of this out?" Brock asked him, and a Volkner's crooked grin took shape as he looked up in thought.
He saw a battlefield, electricity coursing through every part of it. The air crackled to the point where those close enough could feel the sting of the electricity against their skin. A yellow blur was free running, on land one moment, and in the air the next. Jagged bolts of lightning bounced around the field, dazzling the audience and stunning their target!
"Imagine Pikachu having unrestricted mobility, an unlimited power supply and the move set to dish out devastating electric attacks at any given moment," Volkner explained as he looked back to Brock.
"It sounds like a cheat code in a video game," Brock commented, earning a laugh from Volkner.
"Like I said, I don't know if it's possible, it was just a theory I have. It's up to Ash and Pikachu to discover just how far they can go with Electric Terrain."
Friday, March 10th
Pikachu was perched on the low wall that bordered the flat roof of Ash's home. It was overcast today, with a soft breeze passing through. It was the middle of the afternoon, a time where Pikachu would usually be on his way to a training session with either Cubone or Ampharos. While Ash and Brock would speak in the car, Pikachu would often use that time to reflect on his training. Today they had different plans since their training had been cancelled, but Pikachu still intended to use this time the way he always did. As he watched the cars pass by down below, Pikachu's thoughts drifted back to his newest move, Electric Terrain.
It was easy to execute. Far simpler than the previous moves Ampharos taught him. However, the finer nuances of Electric Terrain set it apart from the rest of the attacks he knew. It wasn't just a move to alter the conditions on the battlefield like Rain Dance, it was like a key that unlocked his full might!
The very instant Pikachu created his first Electric Terrain, he knew that it was a special move. His fur stood on end, paws tingling, and he could hear the lightning. It wasn't just the crackle of small sparks, but the roar of a raging lightning storm, twisting its way through the air around him.
As always, Ampharos was prepared to bestow her wisdom upon him.
"Do you feel it, Pikachu?" She asked him softly. "I know you've experienced it before, having the lightning all around you. It's untamed, but powerful, like a Gyarados. It can be hard to get used to at first… just take a breath. Feel the lightning all around you, feel its power. Let it flow through you, from the tips of your ears…to every toe. It feels exhilarating, doesn't it? Like you've been set free? That's because you've discovered something that belongs solely to you, you've made this power your own, so go ahead and show us just what you can do with it."
The challenge from Ampharos prompted Pikachu to leap forward under the effects of the Electric Terrain. The results were…well according to Ash, Pikachu became a lightning bolt that went crashing into a tree trunk, denting the base of the tree, which caused cracks to splinter throughout it. That ended their first training session with Electric Terrain on Wednesday since he was left unconscious from the impact with the tree. Pikachu could laugh at it now that he understood why that happened.
The added electricity of Electric Terrain amplified his speed and strength beyond what he knew how to control. It was just as Ampharos said, Electric Terrain showed him the apex of his abilities. With this move active, restraint became a necessity. He needed to moderate his speed until he understood how quickly he was moving and mitigate his electrical output to avoid overloads. He was relearning how to use his abilities again, causing Ampharos to stress the importance of being able to wield his lightning masterfully under all conditions.
When to slow down, when to speed up. When to use all his power, and when to hold back. It was a lot to take on during their session on Thursday, but it gave him a glimpse into what he could do with Electric Terrain. The 'run on lightning' technique that Ash took such an interest in was actually quite easy to perform with an Electric Terrain. It was such a simple move, but it was opening doors for Pikachu left and right!
Pikachu squinted, rays of sunlight beginning to hit him right on the face. He looked up, seeing the overcast was beginning to break. He gave a sigh of relief and smiled up at the sunlight, glad to feel its warmth today. Hopefully, this trend would continue and the skies would be clear in time for the barbeque at Brock's house this afternoon!
There was a toot of a car horn and Pikachu looked down at the street below. Serena pulled up in her car and gave the signal to everyone in the house that it was time to go!
May and her mother, Caroline, stood in the foyer of the Berlitz Estate, making small talk with Darach and Johanna, who greeted them when they arrived minutes ago with Dawn. The bluenette rushed off to her room, promising to show them something amazing when she returned.
"Do you have any idea what Dawny is going to show us?" Caroline asked her daughter. May only made a face as she shrugged her shoulders.
"No idea, but she's been talking about it all day," May noted, earning a chuckle from Darach at their curiosity. "Do you know what she's hiding?"
"I will allow Miss Dawn to be the one to show you," Darach stated. "Though, I think you both with be quite pleased when you see it."
"She must've made me a dress in her workshop!" May concluded, causing those with her to deadpan. Before any of the adults could make a comment, Dawn returned with to the foyer, out of breath and red in the face. She ran all the way to her room on the upper floor and back, returning with an envelope in hand.
Dawn opened the envelope and gave May a folded sheet of paper. Opening it, she inched closer to her mother for them to read it together. May's heart jumped into her throat as she read the top of the page.
It was from the Lumiose Visual Arts Institute!
One of the finest institutions in Kalos.
"Dear Dawn Berlitz, we are pleased to inform you that you have been admitted into both our graphic and fashion design programs for the upcoming academic year beginning this September!" May practically screamed the final bit before she latched onto her friend in a hug. "You did it!"
Months ago, after a particularly eventually day with Ash, Dawn had set her sights on Kalos. From that day forward, she worked tirelessly with Fantina to develop a portfolio to send with her application to this school. Originally Dawn intended to finish her studies in Kanto, but with a little push from a certain someone, she decided to use his approach to life and charge in headfirst. She would study in Kalos, learn the culture and style firsthand and become a professional designer there!
"Congratulations, Dawn!" Caroline exclaimed as she joined their group hug. Darach and Johanna watched on, laughing as Dawn was crushed between the two Maples.
"Wow, so after this summer you're off to Kalos!" May said one they released her. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to come to visit you when you're off from school."
"Oh, I'll come too! I've always wanted to visit Lumiose City!" Caroline added.
"And what about you May? What are you going to do after graduation?" Dawn asked and the excitement around May became tempered.
"Ah, if I had to be honest, I don't really know yet," May answered, though she gave Dawn a bright smile. "I think I'm just going to take a year off and use all my time to figure out what I want to do."
"That's great! I'll have to come back home during the holidays, so of course, I'll be coming to see you too!" Dawn exclaimed before she caught sight of the clock mounted on the far wall of the foyer. "Now come on, Ash said to be at Brock's house at four o'clock, we can't be late!"
The overcast that threatened to put a damper on the evening was a forgotten thought at Brock's house. His home, which he was put in charge of while his parents were away, was buzzing with activity as he and his siblings prepared for the barbeque. Brock was planning it for just over two weeks, intending to replicate the event that was held at his house when the new year began.
This time, he had a few extra guests besides the people invited last time. Brock invited Cassidy as a suggestion from Shauna to help her get out of the house, along with Grace, Serena's mother. Plus, there was Dawn and May as well. It was going to be a blast!
"Hey, Brock-o, where do you want the coolers?" Ash called out from the backyard. Brock quickly came out of the kitchen to take a gander at the yard, impressed with how quickly his family and Ash put things together. The grill was already in use, the sound system was ready and waiting, and the tables were prepared for the food that was cooking.
"Right next to the tables is fine, Ash," Brock replied and Ash gave him a nod. Ash then hoisted up the large cooler and took it to the spot Brock pointed to. Watching his friend as he performed this task, Brock couldn't hold back a grin.
Now as a joint holder of the private account for Ash's circuit earnings, Brock saw every penny Ash made during his short career...and it was a sight to behold. Ash went from practically penniless to a millionaire in the span of a few months. Brock couldn't tell if the money didn't mean much to Ash, or if the reality that he could afford anything he wanted hadn't hit his friend yet. Both seemed likely, though Brock wasn't going to assume, nor was he going to bother Ash about it. That was a trivial matter considering Ash was far more invested in improving as a trainer.
Even though Ash gave him the clearance to spend the money how he saw fit, Brock was still frugal. The biggest expense he incurred was to send his parents on a much-needed vacation. It was something Ash mentioned almost as soon as he received his first payment, however it took two months for Brock's parents' work schedule to line up for them to take time off. They were sent to the most luxurious hotel in Vermilion City for the week, gifted a private suite and every sort of extravagance they could think of. The cost was in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars a night, but that did little to affect Ash's bottom line.
"Brock, Tierno is texting me. He's at the supermarket with Valerie, they want to know if you need anything last minute." Ash called out to him, snatching Brock from his thoughts.
"Uh," Brock shook his head. "Nah, tell them to get their butts over here!"
Ash chuckled before he repeated Brock's orders. As he did so, the doorbell rang and Brock went on his way to welcome the guests. He smiled as he saw that it was the carload of people that was brought by Serena that included, Pikachu, Shauna, Cassidy, and her girls. While Casey and Macy were whisked away by Brock's siblings, the rest of them proceeded into the backyard.
As they walked, Brock found himself moving at Cassidy's slower pace since she was now walking with the help of a cane. Seeing his curious gaze, Cassidy shot him a small smile.
"I'm not quite used to it myself," She commented. "Things have changed."
"I know," Brock replied as they stepped out onto the porch. "Thanks for coming today."
"Oh no, thank you for inviting me," Cassidy responded quickly. "I'm always looking for a reason to get out of the house nowadays."
"Glad I can assist," Brock said as he offered a hand to help her down the staircase. Once she was on the lawn, Brock called for Forrest to set up a lawn chair for Cassidy.
Over the next fifteen minutes, the rest of their guests arrived. Tierno, Valerie, and Trevor came as a group and upon arrival, Tierno took his spot behind the grill to begin preparing their meal.
Dawn and May were the next to make an appearance. All that was left was Miette and Grace, who showed up just minutes later. By then the pulse of the party was beating comfortably, the music blasting from the stereo as some of them danced. Ash and Brock stood together on the porch, watching as their friends and family relaxed comfortably under the afternoon sun.
"So, Ash," Brock began, earning a slow glance from his friend. "I got some news for you."
"About what?"
"My family," Brock answered and Ash pursed his lips. "My folks are thinking about moving out of Vermilion City."
"M-moving?" Ash sputtered, blinking rapidly. "To where?"
"They're looking at houses up in Pewter City," Brock explained as he looked back at his home. "They've been saving for years because this house isn't big enough for the family, and with the money you've made, they decided to start looking seriously."
"Sweet, that's awesome," Ash said immediately as he raised a hand to bump fists with Brock. "I'm happy for you guys. Are you going to go with them?"
"Well, that's what I've been thinking about. They told me that it's up to me, but my dad talked with me afterward and said if I want to start life on my own, he's all for it," Brock said to summarize the discussion, causing a brief pause to set in.
"Is that what you want?" Ash asked him in return.
"I'm not really sure at the moment, I'm still thinking about it," Brock answered and Ash gave him a nod.
"Whatever you do, I got your back," Ash stated before their attention was drawn to the grill where Tierno and Valerie were talking with Trevor. The redhead became bashful at their exclamations which drew in all their friends.
"Did something happen?" Shauna asked as she approached.
Tierno and Valerie looked at Trevor expectantly, waiting for him to share the news.
"Good ahead, Trevor!" Tierno coaxed him. "Tell em' about it!"
Trevor scratched at the back of his head sheepishly with one hand, the other fiddling with the digital camera that went everywhere with him. He gave a laugh before he worked up the nerve to proceed.
"Okay, so last month I sent in my application and portfolio to the Film Academy of Coumarine City in Kalos. I just got a letter today that my portfolio passed its initial review." Trevor explained to them.
"Wait, is that good thing, or a bad thing?" Serena asked as Trevor studied the mixed reactions from the group.
"It's a great thing!" Trevor replied as he beamed. "This school only takes on the best and most promising students so they request a portfolio with your application and transcript. Getting past the first review is a big deal because I heard they only accept around twenty percent of their total applicants each year. I think my portfolio is really strong, and it even has the video I edited of May at the talent show. I think I've got a real shot at getting in!"
"Dude! No way!"
"That's amazing!"
"Congratulations, Trevor!"
They all hounded Trevor, crushing him in hugs and headlocks. He wasn't the only one who came with good news. May began to share that Dawn was accepted into a prestigious school in Kalos, which prompted a celebratory dance for them. As they filled up the makeshift dance floor at the center of the yard, Cassidy and Grace watched on from afar.
"So, how are you feeling these days?" Grace asked as she looked to Cassidy on the adjacent lawn chair.
"…I've seen better days," Cassidy answered after a pause. She looked to the young people as they danced, her lips pursed with envy. "But, I'm doing alright."
"I could say the same," Grace noted. "I happy it all worked out for you, though."
"I have Ash and his friends to thank for that," Cassidy said as she observed her adopted son. "They somehow kept everything together during the past few months, and even now they're still helping me out."
"Serena's been keeping me filled in," Grace said with a gesture to the brunette. "She even told me that she went to one of Ash's battles. I didn't really know what to think when she told me that he had become a trainer."
"You should be happy for him, he's undefeated in all five of his matches," Cassidy pointed out as she shot a grin at Grace. However, Grace wasn't amused and gave a sigh.
"I was hoping he would've come to his senses after some time," Grace commented and Cassidy raised an eyebrow. "But it looks like Ash is no different from my husband."
"Is that really such a bad thing?" Cassidy asked her in return.
"No, I loved my husband. I loved that he loved Pokemon and everything about them," Grace responded, a hint of a smile on her face. "It broke my heart to know that he lost his life to the Pokemon that he held in such high regard. I hoped that Serena wouldn't have to ever go through what I went through after he died, and yet…"
Grace observed her daughter as she danced hand in hand with Ash, quickly spotting the look of love on Serena's face. The smile she couldn't hide, her flushed cheeks and a gleam in her eyes.
"She fell in love with a guy who loves Pokemon, just like her mother," Grace stated softly, concealing her tiny smile with her hand. "But you know how the saying goes, like mother, like daughter."
Cassidy gave a laugh.
"And that's alright," Cassidy interjected. "After all, her mother is still a wonderful person."
Grace sent a smirk Cassidy's way.
"Regardless of what happens, let Serena follow her heart. At the very least, at the end of it all, she won't have any regrets," Cassidy offered as a consolation. Grace gave a nod of agreement as they looked at the group as a whole. They were a happy crew together, and Grace was certain that Serena would always be happy, so long as she was surrounded by these people, Ash especially.
"Alright ya'll," Brock hollered as he took the center of the floor, motioning for everyone to make some space. "Here's my show stopper that I've been working on!"
He pointed to Serena before he crossed his legs and in one motion, he began to spin, shifting his weight from his heels to his toes to maintain the momentum. He spun twice - three times as if he was gliding on his feet. It was effortless! Then Brock set his feet to come to an abrupt stop where he struck a pose.
"Phew!" Tierno exclaimed as he bumped into Brock with his shoulder. "That was nice!"
"Do it again, Brock!" Miette demanded as she ran up to him. "I have to learn how to do that!"
As Brock's lesson began, Ash separated himself from the group and settled down near the stereo system in the corner. It put him at ease to see all his family and friends having such a good time, especially with all of the good news they had to share.
He could hardly believe that in a few months, Dawn and Trevor would probably be off in Kalos on their own big adventure. Brock might be on his way to Pewter City. Macy would be starting preschool in the fall and Casey would be entering her final year of middle school. Everything was changing rapidly for everyone, even himself!
"Ashy, are you okay?" Ash blinked as he left his daze, setting his sights on Macy who stood in front of him.
"Yeah, I'm fine Macy," He replied softly, but she tilted her head, unconvinced.
"You look sad," She said in return. Ash raised his brow, impressed with Macy's vigilance. For a small child, she had an astute awareness at times, perhaps even better than Pikachu's.
"I'm not sad Macy," Ash assured her with a grin. "I'm just realizing that some of my friends are going away to college soon."
"What's that?"
"College? It's like regular school, but more expensive and really far away," Ash answered, causing her to frown.
"Are you going to college?" She asked him, and he laughed.
"No, Macy, I'm not going anywhere," He stated, but as he looked in her eyes, he saw that her usual mirth and excitement was gone. That same awareness she used earlier to notice that he had taken some distance from everyone was still in effect. In response to this, Ash raised his hand to her with his pinky finger extended. "That's a promise."
She looked at him for a moment, and her youthful innocence returned as she beamed at him. She interlocked her pinky with his.
"And I promise to stay with you too Ashy," She said sweetly. Ash wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close to place a kiss on her forehead.
"Thanks Macy, you're the best." Ash said to her before he spotted Billy and Tilly chasing Pikachu across the yard. "Why don't you go play some more?"
Macy gave a big nod and ran off to rejoin her friends. But as Ash watched her go, her question of college made him realize that this final year in high school was almost over. It felt like just yesterday when he met Dawn on the first day, but seven months had already passed! Days like today reminded him of much he wished he could enjoy more afternoons like this. However, between school, training with Pikachu and their upcoming match, his free time would be scarce until summer arrived. Which was all the more reason to make the most out of today!
With a glance at the stereo system, Ash felt a grin form on his face.
Within moments, an up-tempo beat began that almost everyone present recognized, the Pokemon included. In mere moments, everyone save for Grace, Cassidy, and Dawn were on the dance floor. Ash was quick to notice that the bluenette was keeping her distance from everyone which prompted Ash to approach her.
"What's the matter, Dawn? Haven't you done this dance before?" Ash asked her but she shook her head. He furrowed his brow, perplexed as to how she managed to avoid a line dance up until this point. "It's a line dance so the steps are simple, don't think too much and just move with the music."
As the song carried through its first verse, Ash quickly showed the Dawn the steps she would have to follow. Even though Dawn seemed to be unsure of herself, Ash promised her that she would understand as she saw everyone else do it and he advised her to just followed them. As the first verse ended, everyone separated to have their own little bubble of space to follow the steps.
True to his words, seeing everyone acting in unison made it much easier for Dawn to get a grasp of what she was doing. There were still a few missteps, but she was grateful that Ash was the person next to her. He didn't care at all that she bumped into him on a few occasions and praised her as she got into the flow of things.
"Yeah, that's right Dawn!" Ash called out to her as he clapped his hands.
She returned his grin with one of her own as they danced away.
Monday, March 13th
A flash of fire lit up the darkened lot as two trainers rattled off commands to their Pokemon. A fiery molten mass whizzed around the concrete, superheating the group as it circled its foe. Nidorina remained vigilant as she tracked the movements of her 'hot-headed' opponent, extending the spiny, poisonous barbs on her back to force her opponent to act with caution.
"Look carefully for an opening, Magmar! Then follow through with a Fire Punch!"
Concealed within the ball of fire was a Pokemon strongly resembling the flames that protected him. Magmar scanned Nidorina briefly, spotting the one area that went unprotected by her barbs: her underbelly. The blazing Pokemon engaged with his tail, slapping Nidorina across the face which left her fur blackened, but she proved to be resilient as she stood her ground.
She lashed out with her stubby arms which forced Magmar away, but her attack was far from done. The barbs on her arms flashed before they were shot out from her hide as a volley of needle-like projectiles. Magmar acknowledged the threat of her Poison Sting and burned brilliantly in response, evaporating the attack as it encountered his flame shield. The ground glowed orange beneath Magmar's feet as his temperature climbed, causing his trainer to grin almost deviously.
"Let's ramp it up Magmar!" His trainer proclaimed, and Magmar's offense intensified, much to the delight of the audience. Giselle stood among the small crowd, watching the battle with mild interest. Even as Magmar dash around in his foe cloaked in fire, Giselle knew that the difference in skill would show itself soon. The only factor that was extending this battle was the protection offered by Nidorina's barbs, but even that wasn't going to last for long. Not against this trainer.
Giselle looked back down at her phone to study the profile of Magmar's trainers on the PokeHub once more.
Name: Flint
Status: Active
Peak Rank: 6
Current Rank: 6
Title: 'Heat Check'
Registered Pokemon: Magmar
Record: 59 Wins, 3 Losses
Looking back at how Magmar handled himself against Nidorina, it was obvious why Flint held the title of number one contender on multiple occasions. He was a damn good trainer! But the true extent of his skill couldn't be seen in the street battle here. The average trainer could hardly do anything to threaten Flint and his Magmar.
Magmar collided with Nidorina, driving his elbow into her lowered shoulder. The impact produced a dull thud as Nidorina was knocked off her feet, exposing her stomach for Magmar to strike. Giselle's eyes widen as the flames around Magmar stirred, becoming a vibrant yellow for just a moment. Then he closed the distance between himself and Nidorina in an instant! He delivered a scorching blow to Nidorina's belly, the flames engulfing both of them before she was thrown several meters off of their battlefield.
That finishing blow concluded the battle, and Flint took this opportunity to offer some advice to the Nidorina's trainer.
"Your Nidorina is tough as hell," Flint began as he motioned to the Pokeball that contained her. "That's her main strength, so you should focus on creating methods that can turn her defense into offense. You're on the right track with moves like Poison Sting, but I think you can go a lot farther than just that."
A handshake was exchanged before they parted ways, providing Giselle with an opportunity to approach Flint. Upon seeing her, Flint gave a wave to the crowd to concede the field, offering it to the next two trainers in line.
"Well now, what brings you around these parts?" Flint asked as he and Giselle went off to the sidelines, taking a seat on the low wall at the edge of the lot. "Are you scoping me out for Ash?"
"It's been a while since I've seen you battle," Giselle replied as crossed her legs, eyes locked on the battlefield as a Pinsir and Staryu took shape on the field. "I wanted to see what you worked on while you were away."
"Eh, not much competition here so there's no need for me to show it," Flint responded. "Besides, I'm not giving any sneak previews."
Giselle sent him a narrow glance.
"Alright then, can you at least tell me where you went?"
"Yeah, I suppose I can do that much," Flint reasoned through pursed lips. "I'm sure you'll get a kick out of this. I went to the Sevii Islands after I lost to Volkner last time because I heard about this great place there to train fire type Pokemon."
"What about it makes it great?" She asked him curiously.
"It's a dormant volcano. They call it Mt. Ember. But there's also a hot spring nearby that helps with the recovery of fire types. So, we used it to practically double the amount of time we could spend training each day," Flint explained, though his most vivid memory was how his skin pruned after every trip into the hot spring. "Plus, we met another fire specialist while we were there."
"Were they any good?" Giselle asked him, causing Flint to stifle a laugh.
"She beat the pants off of us," Flint answered and Giselle raised her brow. "Her name is Candela, and I think she might be better than the Five Kings here."
"Really?" Giselle exclaimed, her calm and collected persona abandoning her for a moment. Seeing Flint grin at her, Giselle cleared her throat and put a straight face, though she glared at Flint when a chuckle escaped his lips.
"No shame in being surprised," He commented. "She was freakin' awesome…at least as good as N. Yeah, I'm not joking, she was that good."
"And she lives out in the Sevii Islands?" Giselle asked him, earning a nod from Flint.
"I didn't think I'd run into any good trainers while I was out there, but getting whooped by her reminded me that the world is a big place," Flint noted as he looked up at the dark skies. "There are strong trainers all over the place, but I've been so caught up here that I kind of forgot that."
"Well, the underground circuit has brought a lot of strong trainers to Vermilion City," Giselle said but Flint shook his head.
"Not all of them," He stated. "I mean, Volkner has always been my rival. I've been trying to beat him for years, but I know that there's been like this…gap between us."
"A gap?" Giselle furrowed her brow.
"Volkner hasn't shown how good he really is yet," Flint revealed and Giselle wrinkled her nose.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you wouldn't really understand," Flint replied causing Giselle to huff.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm just saying, I've known Volkner longer than you and I've battled him seriously a bunch of times, even though I've pushed him in the past, there's still another gear that I know he has," Flint elaborated for her.
Giselle stopped to consider all the times she watched Volkner in a real battle against a noteworthy opponent. She never saw him struggle, so of course, he might have been hiding something. But what could that be?
"But how can you tell?" She inquired as she looked to Flint. For a change, his expression was solemn as he observed the battle in front of them.
"It's…it's something only I can see," Flint answered.
"So, all the training you did was to face Volkner, right?" Giselle asked him and he gave a nod. "But you're already the number one contender, why did you challenge Ash?"
"Well you're right, I did do all that training to beat Volkner, but when I saw Ash for the first time…" Flint trailed off as he thought back to the night when he first saw Ash face Cross in the subway station. A smile took shape on his face as he recalled the chilling sensation of seeing Ash's wings in person for the first time. "I knew I had to battle him. I don't want to just hear the stories from other people, I want to experience battling him myself."
Giselle studied his expression as he spoke, recognizing the earnest smile on Flint's face and the awe in his voice. It was prevalent in all great trainers when they were…captivated by another trainer.
"Well good luck against him, you're going to need it," Giselle commented with a soft smile.
"Yeah, no kidding," Flint exclaimed as he returned to his usual self. "I know he's been getting lessons from both you and Volkner. I'm sure the kid is legit!"
"Oh, I think you'll be surprised," Giselle said with a smirk.
"There are three things I believe a trainer needs to be the best of the best. One, a Pokemon of unprecedented power and skill. Two, a battling style that can either thoroughly dominate the competition, or adapt to overcome any situation, and third, the proper training to maximize their Pokemon's ability."
Remembering the information that she shared with Ash some time ago, it was clear to Giselle that he met one of the three requirements to surpass the Five Kings.
In her mind, Pikachu was undoubtedly a Pokemon possessing 'unprecedented power and skill.' Volkner already helped Pikachu discover his own potential, but that was only the first step. The next steps could only be done by Ash and Pikachu as they continued to develop together. With a smile, Giselle was positive that their next battle against Flint would help them find the next piece of the puzzle.
Saturday, March 18th
The audience within the Hidden Cove was teeming with excitement.
The semi-final concluded, featuring a fantastic match that further built the hype for the main event.
'Quest' vs 'Heat Check.'
The battle for the title of number one contender!
"Oh man, this battle is going to be off the hook!"
"The commissioner wrote up a preview for this battle. Did you get a chance to see it?"
"Yeah, I saw that. He said that both of them have similar battle styles, up-tempo and high paced."
"They'll be going at each other from beginning to end! It's going to be crazy!"
Brock sat back in his seat, biting down on his lower lip to contain a large grin. He was failing miserably, producing a bizarre expression that left Tierno a little concerned for him.
"Are you alright, Brock?" Tierno asked him.
"I'm pumped!" He declared valiantly. "This match is huge for Ash! If he wins, he can challenge his dad and start his conquest of the Five Kings!"
"Hey Brock, I'm just a little curious," Tierno injected, his lips pursed. "What happens after Ash beats the Five Kings?"
Brock lowered his shoulder with a breath.
"You know, I've never even talked to him about that. He's been so focused on the Kings that," Brock paused and looked down. Was Ash really focused on the Kings? Or was it…
"Before we go, Mr. Goodshow, can you tell me how I can have a battle against my father?"
Of course, Ash would want to battle the Five Kings, who wouldn't? It was clear that his highest priority when entering the battle circuit was the match with his dad. With a victory tonight, Ash would surely send a challenge to his father.
"Yo, Brock, are you in there?" Tierno asked, waving his hand in front of Brock's face.
"Huh? What's the matter?"
"You kind of spaced out there for a second," Tierno explained for him. "Are you going to finish what you were saying?"
"Oh uh, yeah," Brock recollected himself. "I was saying that Ash is planning to challenge his dad as soon as he can. It was something he mentioned to Mr. Goodshow when we first met him."
"For real? I didn't know Ash's dad was a Pokemon trainer! A matchup between them would be so sick!" Tierno exclaimed as he clapped his hands together. Brock gave a nod, though he knew such a matchup would have higher stakes than anyone in the audience would know about. "By the way, where's Giselle?"
"She's here sitting with Volkner higher up," Brock said with a nod to the stands above them. "He's too cool for the front row, but I'll be damned if I don't see Ash in action from the best seat in the house!"
"I'm with you on that!" Tierno added as they eyed the field, anxious for the final match to begin.
High up in the nosebleed seats, the audience thinned out considerably, which gave Giselle and Volkner ample space. Both of them invited their Pokemon to sit alongside them since there were seats available, and the jumbotron would provide them with clear visuals of the battlefield that was almost minuscule from their seats.
"So how did your talk with Flint go?" Volkner asked, causing Giselle to roll her eyes.
"He can be as cryptic as you when he's ready," She muttered and Volkner chuckled.
"I'm sorry Giselle, there are just some things that we can't tell you," He stated as he looked to Cubone who was poking at Ampharos with his bone. She ignored Cubone's efforts to pester her, but when Volkner gave her a nod, she took action. With her tail, she slapped Cubone out of his seat and he hit the ground with an audible thud. He ran to Giselle to complain, though Giselle wasn't having any of it since she saw him trying to stir up some trouble.
"So," Giselle began, changing the subject to the matter at hand. "You've got the most experience with both trainers here, what're your thoughts on this battle?"
"Hmm, tonight's probably one of the toughest calls I've ever had to make," Volkner said as he scratched at his neck. "On one hand, Flint is the real deal. He's got everything you'd expect from a strong trainer. He's got his own style and a Pokemon that complements it. Ash and Pikachu are still figuring this out, but after seeing all of their practice with Electric Terrain, I think they've really found something special to work with."
"What's your final verdict?"
"Fifty-fifty." He stated, and Giselle elbowed him.
"Such a cop-out answer," She muttered and Volkner gave a laugh.
"I honestly don't know," Volkner admitted. "It's one of those battles where any sort of predictions will go right out of the window."
The only reason she asked for Volkner's opinion of the match was that her own was mostly the same. She couldn't tell who was going to win. Flint was the more experienced of the two, but Ash could make up for his lack of experience with his creativity. It was like Volkner said, no one could make an accurate prediction for this match.
However, there was one person that made an attempt earlier this week. He sat alone in his private booth tonight, overlooking the battlefield from above. Commissioner, Charles Goodshow.
He published a written preview of this match days in advance to aid the hype machine. Charles went into great detail covering the finer nuances of these two trainers and how their battle might unfold. It was an interesting read for Pokemon enthusiasts since Charles was a figurehead among the community. His insights were invaluable and played a big part in the betting odds.
Main Event – Proof of Power – 'Quest' vs 'Heat Check' – 5/3
Charles had in fact, selected Flint to be the victor of this match. It was only by a hair. Based on their records, Flint was a proven trainer, whereas Ash still had some uncertainties concerning his ability. Even with these odds, Charles was still found himself considering the possibility of Ash pulling off an upset. Such a thing was commonplace in Ash's career at this point, but Charles knew that couldn't become an expectation. Ash was bound to hit a wall at some point.
With his phone pressed against his ear, Charles gave a sigh as he drummed his fingers on his desk.
"Have you been watching any of his matches?" Charles inquired.
"Of course, I've always been watching him."
"Well make sure you tune in for tonight. If he wins tonight, I know for a fact that he's going to send a challenge to you," Charles said as a warning. "I hope you're prepared for that…Aaron."
"Regardless of the outcome, it's too soon for him," Aaron replied softly.
"Hmm, I'm not so sure about that. I'd start to prepare if I were you."
Their phone call came to an end, and Charles swiveled in his seat to face the window so that he could view the field. It was time for the show to begin.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the field because its time for our main event!" The MC announced. "Our feature presentation begins with an appearance from the trainer in the blue box, a young man who has absolutely skyrocketed to stardom in the span of five matches! Please welcome, 'Quest!'"
The audience roared with Ash's appearance; the volume surprising him as he stepped out of the tunnel with Pikachu. It took a moment for him to collect himself before he proceeded the center of the field, waving to the fans along the way.
"In the red box, a fan favorite and one of, if not the hottest trainer/Pokemon tandem in the circuit, please welcome to the field, 'Heat Check!'"
The reaction to Flint's appearance was even louder than Ash's, though that was to be expected. He came out with his Magmar beside him, each of them with a fist raised above their heads. Several people in the audience mimicked their action until the duo arrived at the center of the field where Ash, Pikachu, and the referee were waiting.
"Alright trainers, circuit rules apply. One on one and a call for a forfeit will be acknowledged. The battle will be over when either Pokemon is judged unable to continue," The referee explained as he gave a nod to each of them. "Shake hands and return to your boxes. The battle will begin when I give the signal."
As ref observed the pair of trainers, he saw that they both wore a hearty grin as they shook hands.
"Nice to meetcha, 'Quest.'"
"I could say the same, 'Heat Check.''
They turned, beginning to walk back toward their boxes.
"Don't hold back, alright?"
"Not a chance!"
A/N
It's been a while, my apologies for the gap in updates. I've been plugging away at the story itself to create some distance between what I've written compared to what I've posted. Hopefully, this will lead to some rapid updates in 2020, but as always, I won't make any promises.
As for this chapter, the name is fitting because we're transitioning to the final arc of Caged Wings. We haven't started it yet, I'll be sure to announce when we've entered it, but that's just a forewarning that things are going to get even crazier.
Not much else for me to say again outside of my usual thanks to MjrGenMatt for his help. Thanks to all for your favorites/follows/reviews! Always appreciated and I'll do my best not to keep you guys waiting too long for me. All the best and I'll see you all again at the next update!