A/N: You know, there are complaints about the Elite Four or champion never lifted a finger in the main games against the villainous teams and how only Sword/Shield did anything about it. Well in this, If anything happens in a city, the highest local authority will handle it if they beat the protagonists to it. You know what I mean right?
Four days after getting the enchanted honey from the Amber Castle, Cheryl, Ash and Dawn finally got out of Eterna Forest at around sunset.
"Ah, finally out of the woods, so to speak." Ash chuckled, making Dawn roll her eyes with an amused smile.
"Thank you so much Cheryl. That was so much fun." The young girl thanked the treasure hunter while bowing.
"You are very welcome, dear children. Well, now that we finally got here, it be best that we part ways. I'm heading to Eterna City too, but the main roads aren't that interesting for finding things for me. I'm sure we'll meet again soon. Bye for now." Cheryl bid farewell before departing.
"Bye bye!" Dawn said loudly.
"Yeah, see yeah." Ash spoke not bothering to raise his voice.
"How exciting was that?" Dawn asked her partner.
"Yeah, I have to admit that going through that forest was much greater than I would've imagined." Ash answered while sighing some pent up tension from that experience. "Well, onto Eterna City. At this rate we should get to there by the time it's officially night." Ash estimated as he started walking.
"That sounds good." Dawn went along. With all the trainers they fought through in Eterna Forest and the fishermen of the route they were walking on, they got a little of training in for their respective Pokémon. It was around 8 PM when they finally arrived at Eterna City.
"Well, that took us longer than anticipated but we managed to finally get here." Ash concluded.
"Still, we're here." The young researcher pointed out. As they entered, they saw how all the buildings looked several decades old; freshened up with paint and decorations, but obvious signs of time passing no matter how much was covered up. As they walked through the mostly empty streets, there was one particular building at the top of a hill that was really shiny and obvious looking compared to everything else. And unlike everything else, it was completely new.
"What the heck is that building?" Dawn asked rather confused on such a unusual looking building.
"I don't know. Let's check it out." Ash suggested. As they walked up the hill to get a closer inspection, they noticed a woman in front of the chain link fence of the space inspired building. She had the longest blonde hair either of them have ever seen, and until the two teens have gotten close enough, Ash gasped.
"Cynthia, the Pokémon Champion?" Ash whispered.
"She's the Pokémon Champion?" Dawn questioned, surprised, but not as much as her companion. Hearing the sound of her name, she turned to the two and smiled.
"Hello younglings. What brings you here? I've been told everybody stays away from this building. Even newcomers." She asked the teenagers. After regaining his composure, Ash walked up to the champion and began to explain,
"Hello, Pokémon Champion Cynthia. I am Ash Ketchum. Back there, Dawn and I were wondering why this building looked so... out of place for a city like this."
"Greetings Ash Ketchum." Cynthia returned formally. She looked over and observed Dawn, making her wonder why she was being stared at. "You look familiar. Should I know you from anywhere?"
"I'm Dawn Berlitz. I'm a Pokémon researcher working under Prof. Rowan." She told the champion. This made her eyes widen.
"Shawn Rowan?" Her face settled into an expression of nostalgia. "Oh it's been years since I've talked to that man. I remember seeing you with him but I've been quite busy." She then turned to Ash. "Are you also working under him?"
"Yeah, but not as much as Dawn. I'm working on becoming the next Pokémon Champion." Ash proclaimed confidently.
"Well, now ain't that something. Do either of you happen to have Pokedex's?" Cynthia requested.
"Uh... yeah. Both of us do." Dawn confirmed.
"Wow. What a nostalgic moment. First Rowan and now the Pokedex? Reminds me of the first day I started my journey ten years ago."
"And you became champion in the same league year." Ash blurted in worship.
"Oh that was so long ago. You know, I like you two. You have no idea what it's like with typical fans and paparazzi. Always the praying and autographs and saying how great I am. Seems like you two, while respectful to someone of high status, doesn't treat her like a royal idol. Actually, I think you deserve a gift. But not right now. I heard that this building is under Team Galactic."
"Team Galactic?!" The two gasped.
"You're familiar?" Cynthia inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Familiar, we fought off various goons starting from Jubilife and Dawn even beat one of their commanders into retreat." Ash told her in praise, making Dawn blush.
"A commander? You two must've been exceptionally strong, or that one must've been really underprepared for you. Still, it's impressive what you have done. Still, you better leave this to me. No need to unnecessarily put you in harm's way since they who you are. Why don't you look around town? It's beautiful at this time of night and the history is quite good for a researcher, such as the statue to the East, and there's a gym in the South." Cynthia recommended.
"Thank you! Man, I thought we had to face Team Galactic every time they showed up. Thank you so much Cynthia." Dawn cried out genuine tears. Ash was surprised by her outburst. He didn't realize that an opportunity to not fight the team could make her so relieved.
"Uh... you're welcome." Cynthia responded, a bit put off. "Anyway, run along children. I've got work to do."
"Absolutely! Ash, let's go!" Dawn almost demanded as she ran off pulling at his arm.
"Dawn, what's wrong?! Ash questioned quite frantically as he was barely keeping up without tripping.
"I want to act like a normal researching teenager for once! Not the police! Let someone else handle it for once!" Dawn practically complained as the area that Cynthia was likely talking about. It featured a creature on all fours with a long neck and a wide tail. It appeared to most resemble a dragon Pokémon. But in front of it was a man that they vaguely remembered. "What the?" Dawn whispered. While she didn't recognize the man with blue hair, Ash did as he clamped a hand over her mouth and pulled her to a small ledge that could
"So... this is the famous Eterna City statue. How repulsively inaccurate. Shaping our world are time and space in an intertwining spiral. Revered in Sinnoh are the Pokémon of time and space. The myth of Sinnoh… the truth needs investigation. Children." Cyrus spoke out to them, making them stiffen again. "Don't spy on me again, or there will be consequences." He threated as he walked past them and disappeared into the night.
"That was scary." Dawn spoke quietly to her close friend.
"He said his name was Cyrus Hall. He was cryptic back at Lake Acuity as he was now. He told me not to follow him on that day as well."
"Which day?"
"It was shortly after we first met. Let's investigate what was so special about that statue." Ash suggested. The two teens walked up to the statue and looked at it up close. It looked incredibly worn down and considerably rusty. "Man, they should restore it or replace it. I'm not sure why they'd leave it like that.
"Yeah, plus the plaque appears to be torn off." Dawn observed.
"Yeah, crying shame too." A male voice answered them. They turned to see a brown haired man looking out the back window of his house. "That statue was one of our most prized attractions for most of Eterna's history I'm told, but now it's just a place where it collects bird droppings."
"Do you know what that statue said."
"Of course. Eterna habitants know its history by heart. The first part said, "The creation of Dialga. The creator of time. In laughter, there is tears. And likewise, it is with time. The same time flows on, for it is the blessing of Dialga." The Second Part said, "The birth of Palkia. The creator of parallel dimensions. Alive, yet not alive. Everything drifts in space. To meet in the same universe, it is the blessing of Palkia."
"Time and Space." Dawn whispered.
"Makes you think." Ask pondered.
"Yeah. Well, what do we know? This was long before anybody would know it's true or not." The man shrugged before closing the window.
"Right. Well, let's go to the gym. I could use some stress relief." Ash recommended.
"After being near that Cyrus character and listening to that, I couldn't agree more. Plus, it's always fun watching you battle." Dawn complimented as they went to the gym, but found it closed for the night. From 8 PM to 10 AM.
"What?! Aww man!" Ash cried out quite aggravated.
"Well, there's always tomorrow." Dawn tried cheering him up. "And besides, maybe the library is closed too. Let's just head to the Poke Center and rest up for the night?"
"Yeah. I guess so." Ash grumbled as they went to the center, but were stopped by their names called out.
"Ash, Dawn." They turned to see Cynthia.
"Oh, what's up?" The young researcher asked.
"I've captured the building. Most of the grunts have been captured but the commander escaped. I'll catch up to her well. Anyway, I want to give you my gift now for your behavior before." The champion reminded the two teenagers as she took out of her bag a Pokémon egg. "Just before I arrived here, my Togekiss laid an egg, and I wanted to give one of you this egg. Who wants it?"
"I'm sure Dawn would. Despite having the Pokedex, I'm not really the kind to catch them by the dozen. That's more Dawn's thing as she's the researcher." Ash shrugged.
"Wow, thank you so much Ash!" Dawn cheered as she hugged Ash. He blushed with a smile.
"Are you two perhaps lovers?" Cynthia asked the two. Both blushed as Dawn quickly shook her arms back and forth in denial.
"What? No no no! We've only know each other for exactly two weeks."
"Really? Well then, here it is." Cynthia chuckled as she handed Dawn a mostly white egg with red and blue triangles. "Take care of that. If Rowan's taught you well you should know what that is. I'm sure our paths will cross soon. Farewell, and give my regards to Rowan next time you talk to him." Cynthia bowed as she turned and walked away.
"Oh my goodness. This is a Togepi egg." Dawn marveled, her eyes shining, and even drooling slightly.
"Dawn? Care to explain?" Ash inquired.
"The Pokedex knows the data but as far as I know, they're incredibly endangered. The evolution line is almost never found in nature. They're only spotted with owners.
"Wow. That rare huh?" Ash whistled.
"Yeah. Let's go inside. It can't be too cold." Dawn said as she went inside.
"Sure."
"Good morning Ash." A girl's voice woke him up from slumber. Yawning from being woken up, he replied,
"Morning Dawn."
"Buneary." A cute Rabbit Pokémon greeted as she hopped onto his bed.
"Morning Buneary." Ash greeted back without opening his and yawning again. Then his eyes opened in realization and shifted his eyes to the normal type on his bed. "Wait, I know you in particular." Buneary hopped off the bed, a bit defensive from his choice of words and put up her arms for defense.
"Don't worry Buneary. He's just drowsy from waking up is all." Dawn reassured the suspicious buneary.
"Hey, do you see a Drowzy in here?" Ash shot back "And besides, when ever you go off on one of your extended explanations, it's like you're using hypnosis on me." He burned, chuckling.
"Haha, that's so funny I forgot to laugh." Dawn rolled her eyes while having a genuine smile.
"Here, let me do it for you." Ash offered before laughing for a few seconds before he was punched in the arm by Buneary. It wasn't hard enough to really hurt by any means, but it still made him wince and grab hold of his arm. "Ow! What was that for?"
"Thank you Buneary. She was just defending my honor while teaching you a lesson in manners." Dawn chuckled.
"Wait, if you have a Buneary, doesn't that mean you had to switch it for something else?"
"Yeah. I sent Bebe back home. I made sure to have us depart on this quest on a good note."
"Should I feel sorry for one of you?" Ash asked curious.
"No. There's nothing to be concerned about... except for training Buneary to be as strong as the rest of my team." Dawn winked.
"Sure. Let's just have breakfast." Ash yawned while agreeing. He looked at the time to see it was 9:05.
By the time Buneary couldn't train anymore, it was already 11:15 AM.
"Wow, that bunny sure had some stamina. Good thing we're near a Pokémon Center." Ash sighed happily while swiping sweat away from his eyebrow.
"Yeah, that was a good work out." Dawn agreed as she took off her beanie and scarf to let out some heat.
"Well, now that my team is limbered up, let's go get that badge."
"Yeah!"
Ash and Dawn gazed upon the Pokémon Gym, which was looking overrun with ivy.
"Is this a good thing or a bad thing?" Dawn pondered.
"It was suggested by Cynthia. She wouldn't lead us to an abandoned gym." He defended. And as they entered, they saw that the inside was like a garden.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Dawn gasped, appreciating the scenery.
"Glad to hear it." A woman greeted them. They looked up an indoor tree to see a woman jump down from said tree and landed, wearing a long sleeve black shirt and a long flowing skirt, which was covered up by a green poncho as long as she was tall. "I'm Gardenia, the gym leader of Eterna City. I specialize in grass types, and I love nature."
"Let me guess, you hate winter?" Ash sarcastically asked.
"Well, I wouldn't say I hate it since it is part of nature, but I love vibrant greens way more than monotonous white. Plus it makes my Pokémon all shiver and weak. So, how many badges do you have?"
"Just one."
"Ah, in that case, I'll use my class two Pokémon. Did you know we use different leveled Pokémon based on how many badges the trainer has?" Gardenia inquired.
"That would make sense. No need to use your best on a beginner." Dawn reasoned.
"Right. Well, whoever's challenging me will follow me to the field while the other goes to the stands." The gym leader instructed. The two teens nodded to each other.
Gardenia and Ash faced off on a grassy field with bushes and trees in between. A female gardener was the referee.
"The Eterna City gym battle between Ash the challenger and Gardenia the Gym leader will now begin. Three Pokémon will be used, and the battle is over when all three on one side is unable to battle. Furthermore, only the challenger may substitute their Pokémon. Alright, let the battle begin!"
"Cherubi, let's go!" Gardenia started as she threw out a small Pokémon that looked like a cherry.
"Staravia, I choose you!" Ash yelled as he released his bird Pokémon.
"Cherubi, use Sunny Day!" Gardenia instructed. Cherubi formed a ball of light before shooting it up into the sky, almost going into alignment of the actual sun at its peak in the sky, and even shined brighter. Dawn had to shield her eyes while Ash pulled the bill of his hat down to not be blinded. "Now Cherubi, use hidden power!" Forming red dots around itself, Cherubi fired them at Staravia at an unexpecting speed, causing flames to burst upon contact.
"Whoa, no way!" Dawn cried out. Ash gulped as he remembered what Cheryl said about hidden power. How it's type change depending on the Pokémon. He didn't expect that a grass type would use a fire type attack while sunny day was up. Staravia must've took a lot of damage.
"Staravia, take to the air!" Ash pleaded. Desipite his burns, Staravia flew up into the air past the trees.
"Cherubi, use solar beam!" Gardenia ordered with valor. Cherubi's leaves started to glow bright green before immediately firing. Not anticipating the move to happen that fast, Ash snapped his fingers. By instinct, Staravia used quick attack to dodge the grass type energy beam.
"Wow, that cherubi is fast." Dawn said a bit worried.
"Yeah, but so is Staravia. Staravia, use wing attack!" Ash commanded. His wings glowing white, the flying type dive bombed and slammed into Cherubi. After the attack finished though, the burn aggravated, hurting the bird Pokémon.
"Quick while he's hurt! Cherubi, use hidden power again!" Surrounding itself with red orbs again, it fired, but not before Ash snapped his fingers again to send the message. Staravia flew out of the way with quick attack, hitting the fire orbs hit the grass, momentarily burning before sizzling out.
"What are you doing?" Gardenia asked Ash since he wasn't giving verbal commands.
"Outside the box strategy." Ash answered as he looked up to Staravia and straightened his arms to look like a T. Understanding, Staravia went in for the attack again with wing attack and hit the grass type once more. With that, Staravia won.
"Cherubi is unable to battle! Staravia wins!" The referee announced.
"Nice work Staravia. Rest up for now." Ash commended as he returned Staravia. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting Cherubi to be that fast."
"Thanks Cherubi. Take a long rest. It's one of her special abilities. When under direct sunlight, Cherubi and her evolved state can be even faster than fully evolved birds."
"And how was Cherubi able to use solar beam and hidden power? I thought they learned those moves either later or not at all?" Dawn questioned the leader.
"I'll tell you after the battle. Grotle, you're next!" She exclaimed throwing out a familiar grass starter.
"Grotle! I wasn't expecting that!" Dawn gasped. Ash simply smiled.
"Well now, just so happens I have one too! Grotle, I choose you!" Ash yelled out as he brought out his own starting Pokémon.
"Oh, are you the one Barry mentioned? Ash Ketchum?" Gardenia picked up.
("Of course he'd be here before me.") Ash thought to himself. "So he's mentioned me."
"Yeah. He said I should be expecting you days later with a grass starter. He said you were a slowpoke."
"That's just because he's a jolteon compared to me."
"Yeah, he was rather impatient. But also powerful since he only used one Pokémon against me. His monferno." She explained, unintentionally tipping Ash off.
("So his Chimchar evolved. Must've been strong to be the only one used when he also likely has a Staravia now. Need to plan after this.") The young trainer thought to himself.
"Well, back to the match. Grotle, use razor leaf!" Ash commanded. His leaves started growing bright green as leaves shot out from his bushes.
"Use reflect!" Gardenia instructed. Her Grotle put up a blue barrier that withstood the attack, but he still got hurt somewhat.
"Watch out Ash! With that reflect shield up, all physical attacks are half as strong!" Dawn warned.
"Damn, and with both grotles being grass types this would be a slow and boring match." Ash mumbled to himself before remembering something and smiled. "Hey Gardenia, you'll be real surprised with this. Grotle, return!" Ash let her know while withdrawing his grass starter.
"What do you have in mind?" The gym leader inquired, intrigued.
"Buizel, I choose you!" His third Pokémon was the Sea Weasel Pokémon he caught back near Floamora Town.
"A water type? How will that help you?" Gardenia was dumbfounded. She was never approached with a water type before.
("Yeah, what is he doing?") Dawn thought the same thing.
"Buizel, start things off with sonic boom!" Ash ordered. Buizel's tail glowed white and he whipped it around to send a shock wave right at the startled grotle, landing an explosive hit
"Grotle!" The gym leader called out.
"A normal type ranged moved by a Pokémon likely twice as fast as your Grotle. Even with a type advantage, your Pokémon is in for an uphill battle." Ash boasted.
"We'll see about that! Grotle, use razor leaf!" Gardenia pushed on as Grotle sent out his own razor leaf.
"Use Swift!" Ash instructed. Buizel jumped flipping forward unleashing a barrage of stars, halting the attack of the leaves. "Sonic Boom!" Again, Buizel released a shockwave that struck against the Grove Pokémon's leg, causing it to fall to it's side.
"Grotle, get up!" Gardenia pleaded but Ash didn't give her a chance.
"Sonic Boom!" With one last spin, Buizel finished off the grass type by attacking its underside, dealing major damage.
"Excellent Buizel!" Ash congratulated his water Pokémon, flexing his arm muscles.
"Yeah Buizel, way to go!" Dawn cheered.
"Grotle is unable to battle! The winner is Buizel!" The referee stuttered, aghast from seeing a water type beat a grass type.
"Grotle, return. Take a nice long rest." Gardenia whispered to her starter. "I'm surprised. I never would've expected a water type would beat me."
"You just haven't met a water type fast enough that could outpace your Pokémon in speed and ability." Ash claimed.
"True, but it's not over yet! Roserade, let's go!" The gym leader shouted, showing her last Pokémon. It had white rose petals for hair with a green leafy cape coming from its yellow neck. It looks like it has a red and blue rose bouquet on its right and left hand respectively.
"Once more, use sonic boom!" Ash relayed. Buisel obeyed as he jumped up and sent a shockwave at his opponent, creating an explosion.
"Mega Drain!" Gardenia countered. Three holes in her hands opened as she sent red beams of energy right at the mid-air Sea Weasel Pokémon. He screamed in pain as the energy left his body, and in one hit, he fell defeated.
"Buizel is unable to battle! The winner is Roserade!" The referee announced.
"Buizel, return!" Ash brought back his water type. "You were great, Buizel. Thanks." He told his Pokémon as he inspected the Roserade whom fully recovered all her health. ("Well, let's try that. It's new, but it's worth a shot.
"Grotle, I choose you!" Ash sent out his grass starter whom was still completely fresh.
"I wonder how tough your grotle is? My Roserade is obviously way faster. Roserade, use poison sting!" The holes opening in it's flower palms again, she shot out many bright purple needles connecting with Grotle's head, causing him sharp pain."
"Use curse!" Ash instructed. Grotle started mumbling to itself, somehow raising power.
"Poison sting again!" For a second time Grotle got hit by the poison type move, but it seemed to have less of a hurting affect.
"Just keep cursing!" Ash ordered, so that his grass starter kept growing more powerful.
"Don't think I don't know what you're doing! Roserade, switch to magical leaf!" Roserade's arms produced many neon green leaves showed they were stronger than razor leaf.
"Endure it! Keep cursing!" Ash pleaded. Even though Grotle looked quite damaged from the magical leaf, it only kept stockpiling power within. When one more magical leaf hit Grotle, something was beginning to happen. A green aura of nature started glowing from the Grove Pokémon's body, and he started looking super intense in the battle with his dilated eyes and powerful roar.
"Overgrowth." They all whispered.
"Yeah, I figured you wanted him to hit that mark, didn't you? But I know that still won't work. I know the best it can do is razor leaf, and that won't work against a grass/poison type, even with the powerup." The gym leader scoffed.
"Ah, but there's something you don't realize." Ash boasted, making the smile on Gardenia's smile drop. "You must not know what the move curse does, do you? When not used on a ghost type, it raises the attack and defense of the Pokémon swearing, and he spent four of his turns swearing his bushes off. Now Grotle, razor leaf!"
"Magical leaf!" The gym leader countered. Both Pokémon started their attack with glowing leaves. Since his were much more powerful, they easily sliced through the magical leaves and hit Roserade. But that didn't mean none of hers reached the Grove Pokémon as more than a few cut into his shell. This kept going until after 15 seconds of continual leaf trading, Grotle lost his aura and fell forward, beaten and exhausted. His bushes were considerably bare and his shell had leaves stuck in it. "Whew. That was a close one." But things weren't so simple as Roserade fell to her knees and struggled to stay up. Many cuts littered the front of her body, bleeding water. "Roserade, are you okay?!" She asked her ace quite panicked. She shook her head and slowly stood up. Still ready to battle.
"Wow. That's one strong Roserade. Even with that much power enhancement and overgrowth, she still survived." Ash whistled. "Still, she looks pretty banged up. Good thing I still have a bird. Go, Staravia!" Ash called out, releasing his damaged trump card. The flying type formed with a chirp of its name before his burn hurt him again.
"I may be in a corner, but I can still win! Stun Spore!" Raising her bouquet hands, she plumed out yellow dust.
"Please. Blow that back at her face!" Ash instructed. Staravia flapped its wings so that the spores went right back at Roserade, getting a taste of her own medicine.
"No!" Gardenia cried out.
"Wing Attack!" Staravia flew as fast as it could with its wings glowing white.
"Use mega drain!" The gym leader pleaded. The Bouquet Pokémon tried raising her hands, but she was paralyzed. The bird Pokémon landed his attack against the grass type, literally pushing it back through a tree, past her trainer, and crashed into the wall, knocked out. Staravia flew back to his trainer.
"Roserade is unable to battle. Staravia wins, and the winner is Ash the challenger!" The referee concluded.
"Good job Staravia!" Ash congratulated his flying type before returning him into his Pokeball.
"Roserade, return. You did really well." She told her ace before looking at Ash. "Amazing. You did very well."
"Wow! That was awesome Ash!" Dawn cheered.
I have to admit, you're pretty tough. Barry's the only one who defeated me just once since he had a fast fire type. I imagine keeping your Pokémon in top shape is not easy." Gardenia conversed as she started walking to Ash.
"Yeah well, you're super tough just for tier two. I thought I had this in the bag but you sure gave me a run for my money." Ash admitted, scratching his head.
"Thanks, but it's not about me. The fact you could beat me is a measure on how much you love your Pokémon. In recognition of that, I proudly grant you the Forest Badge." She gave the young trainer his second badge. They were three green square together with the middle the biggest and the trunks made of aluminum.
"Thanks Gardenia. Say, how was your Cherubi so powerful? It was TM's was it?"
"Yep. Tell Dawn about those. She'll be so surprised. Oh, and be sure to go to the bicycle shop. They sell bikes half price to gym winners." Gardenia giggled. Ash bowed as he went to exit the battle arena.
Ash braced himself this time as he caught Dawn giving him a hug so he lifted her up this time.
"You were great! I'm so proud of you!" She laughed, relishing in this moment of enjoyment.
"Hehe, thanks Dawn. It's nice having a fan." Ash said like it was nothing, but his smile betrayed him. Once he put her down, she went and kissed him on the cheek, causing the young trainer to blush.
"That was just a reward. Don't expect that too often." Dawn teased as she walked away. Ash's nose bled but he didn't care as he took out a napkin and swiped the blood away before following his close friend.
A/N: I changed Cherrim to Cherubi is because the game had the Pokémon evolve too soon again. I fixed it. What did you think? Leave reviews below.