How is it going everybody? Another chapter is completed and we have three new battles to look forward to. Only three you might ask? Well you'll probably see why when you get to the last one, I felt like it would be a nice point to end on.

Now to answer some reviews

thunderofdeath97: I actually went a bit into depth about that in Chapter 21. It's a language that is able to tap into the inner most being of a dragon and makes them use their power more than they normally would. Naturally it only works with attacks that are compatible with the language since the Irish language doesn't have a word for words like "hyper".

ultimateCCC: You might remember that the bowl had ground chaste tree berries in it to make for a big bowl of tea. You might know what that type of tea encourage.

Mark Andrew: A little bit later as you might soon see. I could probably have done more about the other family members, but I felt like the progression of the actual initiation was more important. And of course seeing Cade was able to pick up on Ash's relationship from before I don't think he'd quite have that kind of reaction.

Well then, next chapter time.

Chapter 31: Storms of the Elder

The next night of Ash's initiation to the Dragon Clan was at hand as he made his way down the line of braziers he walked last night. Everyone was still present just as they were yesterday and Clair was still present at the table next to the Dragon Elder with the bowl of chasteberry tea being prepared for her consumption. Even after just one night, Ash had a firm idea of what it was he would have to go through before he could begin the next of many battles.

As soon as Ash was on his end of the battlefield, he heard the Dragon Elder announce, "The second night of the Tástáil is now to begin. Let the next challenger step forward to test him."

At that order, another dragon clan member stepped forward. The young boy who made his way to the field was notably younger than Ash, at most nine years of age. The young boy announced, "I am Aaron of the Reiner family. To this request for initiation, do I offer my challenge."

The Elder announced, "Let both trainers step back and face one another to let the next battle begin."

Ash turned away from Aaron as both trainers walked to their opposing sides before Ash was at the edge and facing his opponent's direction. He then heard the Elder announce, "So begins the second battle of the Tástáil! Both trainers fight!"

Ash reached for his Poké ball while Aaron reached for his. Ash found himself hesitating when he processed what sort of fight he was about to be part of. "What's this kid doing out here? Is he trying to catch me off guard or something?"

In the time it took for him to question the current situation, Aaron took out his Poké ball and announced, "Go Bagon!"

Ash heard those two words and reached for his Poké ball when he announced, "Your turn Tyrantrum!"

The mighty tyrannosaurus rex Pokémon stood tall across from the much smaller Bagon. Ash still felt himself tense from the idea that he was up against such weaker Pokémon that this situation would essentially be an easy win for him. He allowed Aaron to make the first move when he heard his opponent trainer order, "Bagon! Imeall Dúbailte!"

Bagons body glowed a gold aura before running towards Tyrantrum and preparing to offer damage to Tyrantrum. Ash knew that he couldn't allow himself to be caught off guard by the sincere attempt when he ordered, "Tyrantrum! Giga Impact!" At Ash's order, a bright flash of yellow light appeared in front of Tyrantrum's face and rushed himself at the small Bagon while a light purple orb of energy with spiraling light yellow streaks around it appeared around his body. The two dragon type Pokémon collided headfirst into one another and Bagon was sent flying backwards across the field.

Bagon came crashing across the field as his body rolled and flipped across the ground. He eventually landed stomach first on the ground as he struggled to open his eyes from the recent attack. Aaron wasn't pleased to see this when he told Bagon, "Get up! You can't lose yet!" Bagon struggled to stand up as the damage done to him from the previous attack was clearly present across his body. Aaron didn't allow for a moment to pass however when he ordered, "Anáil Dragan!" Bagon opened his mouth as a white beam fired from his mouth towards the towering Tyrantrum.

Ash saw the attack hit Tyrantrum and knock his head back slightly. He returned the attack by ordering, "Tyrantrum! Dragan Claw!" At the order, Tyrantrum's claws glowed white as he prepared to rush forward towards the small Bagon across from him. When Bagon recognized the threat, he stopped firing his dragon breath and began to rush towards another side of the field. He was not fast enough however as he was scooped up by one of Tyrantrum's claws and tossed into the air. As Bagon was spinning in the air, he was then attacked multiple times by Tyrantrum's short arms before finally being slammed to the ground again.

Aaron saw how defeated Bagon was at this point when he begged, "Come on Bagon! You can't give up this easily!"

Bagon was unable to stand up this time when he shook his head. The Dragon Elder made his way up to Aaron when he told him, "That's enough boy."

Aaron looked up at his elder wit a distressed face before turning back to Bagon when he cursed, "You stupid dragon! You're supposed to be powerful! You aren't meant to go down against other Pokémon that easily! You're supposed to win no matter how big they are!"

Ash stepped forward when he told Aaron, "Hey, listen Aaron. Bagon isn't really there yet. You have a lot of potential, but you need to actually build all of it first."

Aaron still had an angry face on him when he told Ash, "That's easy for you to say! You have a big pokemon that managed to beat up Bagon really hard! This fight wasn't fair at all!"

Ash told him, "I'm sorry I couldn't go any easier on you Aaron. I would have wanted to have a more even fight too. But it's not like this is the only Pokémon battle that you're going to have."

Aaron told him, "This is the first I had in front of a lot of my family though. So what am I supposed to do now?"

Ash answered, "I can tell you this much, you won't look any better if you don't understand how to take a loss gracefully. I had to learn that the hard way one time. The sooner you learn that, the better of a trainer you'll get to be."

Aarons face had calmed down when he heard those words and asked, "So that means that one day I will be strong enough to take on someone like you right?"

Ash agreed, "Of course. You're young after all, you have a lot of potential to look forward to."

Aaron shrugged his shoulders when he told him, "I still would have rather won. Can I meet you face to face one day when I actually get stronger?"

Ash told him, "Whenever you think you're ready, I'm looking forward to the challenge. Just be sure that you really think that you're going to be able to put me in my place okay?"

Aaron told him, "I'll make sure. I'm not going to be some kid you just pushed aside."

The Dragon Elder made his way to the center of the field when he announced, "To all who have borne witness to this day, see that Ash Ketchum has won the second of the five challenges." He turned his way to Ash when he shook his hand and congratulated, "Well done Ash. With your victory, you have demonstrated the second of the five virtues of battle. The virtue of Comhbhá."

"Empathy. I'm not sure I know how that applies to me being okay with Aaron."

"You think your story about you being where he is now isn't something you can relate to?"

Ash realized what the Dragon Elder was implying when he realized, "You're right. I was able to tell him that I didn't start out as strong as I did. Even if Mew wasn't with me now, I'd probably still be able to stand on my own. I just have the idea that he will be able to become something greater one day."

The Dragon Elder agreed, "Fortunate that you can recognize as such. You have three more to discover. I look forward to seeing how capable you are."

Ash accepted, "I'll do as you say Master Elder."

As Ash prepared to make his way down the line of braziers like he did the previous night, he saw someone waiting for him he didn't expect. "Clair? What brings you here?"

Clair walked up to him as she handed him a small leather bag when she told him, "The Dragon Elder instructed me to give this to you. You are to use it how you will."

Ash opened the small bag when he saw something that he hadn't seen in a few months. A white fang was in his hands when he recognized, "The Dragons Fang. What's this supposed to be for?"

Clair reminded him, "It is for battle Ash. If you are indeed dedicated to winning and you feel that this will allow you to claim your rightful place, use it."

Clair turned away as she made her way down the line of braziers while Ash asked, "But don't the tournament rules say that we can't use items that enhance the power of our Pokémon?" Clair didn't answer as she continued her way down the line and allowed for Ash to have a chance to continue his usual ceremonial walk as he was meant to. Without a clear answer, he pocketed the fang and decided to wait and prepare to battle with his third dragon Pokémon.

As soon as Ash made his way to the field surrounded by a circle of braziers, the Dragon Elder made his way between the two trainers when he greeted, "The third night of the Tástáil is now to begin. Let the next challenger step forward to test him."

At that order, another dragon clan member stepped forward. A trainer who was now Ash's age stepped forward as he announced, "I am Ondrej of the Stanis family. To this request for initiation, do I offer my challenge."

The Elder announced, "Let both trainers step back and face one another to let the next battle begin."

Ash turned away from Ondrej as both trainers walked to their opposing sides before Ash was at the edge and facing his opponent's direction. He then heard the Elder announce, "So begins the second battle of the Tástáil! Both trainers fight!"

Ondrej was the first trainer to begin the battle when he threw his Poké ball and ordered, "Stand tall Gabite!"

Ash was next when he called out with Poké ball when he ordered, "Dragonite! You're next!" The battle began as the two dragon Pokémon stood across from one another and waited for their trainer to begin the next battle. Prepared to begin the match, Ash ordered, "Dragonite! Eireaball Dragan!" As Dragonite heard the order, his tail was covered in a green, scale-patterned aura before rushing towards his opponent prepared to make a mighty strike.

Ondrej didn't show any sign of concern for the battle when Dragonite made the attack. To Ash's surprise he saw him raise a fist with something in his hand when he ordered, "Gabite! Dé-chop!" When Gabite heard the order, the bipedal dragon Pokémon raised its claws as they glowed green. Gabite then rushed toward Dragonite's tail attack as he charged his way towards his opponent dragon.

As Ash watched for the two attacks to meet with one another, he saw what was in Ondrej's hand as he kept it held to the sky. "A Dragon's fang?" As soon as he made the observation, Ash saw the two dragon Pokémon rush towards one another. Dragonite attacked Gabite with his tail while Gabite's claws met with him. What Ash expected to be a simple collision of attacks ended up confirming his worst fear. The claws of Gabite were so powerful that they threw Dragonite flying back from the Dual Chop attack. Dragonite flew back as his tail returned to its normal color and stood up prepared to continue the match.

Ash was concerned about what was happening. He knew the rules of the tournament didn't allow for items like the Dragons Fang to give extra power to Pokémon. He knew this and in spite of this he didn't hear anything from the Dragon Elder or anyone else about the rules being broken. He used the opportunity of a pause between him and Ondrej as he tried to read the mind of the Dragon Elder from across the field and find out what was happening.

Any hopes that Ash had of being able to see Ondrej disqualified were dashed however. He heard the Elder's thoughts, "Hm hm hm… How shall he react then?" Even as he continued to listen, Ash only heard the Dragon Elder continue to repeat the same phrase over and over again as he tried to see what the Elder was thinking.

During the time where Ash was distracted, Ondrej took advantage of the distraction when he raised the Dragon's Fang and ordered, "Gabite! Dragan Rage!" Gabite followed the order as he opened his mouth and fired a red-orange fireball from his mouth towards Dragonite.

Ash's focus was brought back to the battle when he ordered, "Dragonite! Dragan Rage!" Dragonite responded to the order when he opened his mouth and released a yellow ball of energy from his mouth and towards the Dragon Rage attack that Gabite had given. The two spheres of energy collided with one another. Although Ash expected them to collide into an explosion in mid-air, he was surprised to see that his Dragonite's attack was dissipated but Gabite's continued its way towards Dragonite. Ash was quick to go on the defensive when he ordered, "Dragonite! Aclaíochta!" As Dragonite heard the order, he made a hard dash to the right and the attack landed on the ground behind Ash.

Ash stood standing as he tried to maintain his composure and saw Ondrej prepared to continue the battle. Ondrej held up the Dragons Fang again and ordered, "Gabite! A chur síos!" Gabite made a mighty charge towards Dragonite as he summoned his strength to slam into the chest of Dragonite as hard as he could.

With his options limited, Ash ordered, "Dragonite! Hurricane!" At Ash's order, Dragonite's wings glowed light blue and flapped them towards Gabite. Just before Gabite could make contact with Dragonite, Gabite was forced back towards the other side of the field. Gabite placed both of his claws into the ground as he scathed across the dirt and back to the side of his trainer.

Ondrej remained vigilant in the battle however when he ordered, "Gabite! Dragan Claw!" Gabite followed the order as his claws glowed light blue and slashed towards Dragonite.

Ash recognized the opportunity he had when Gabite was charging towards him with the attack. He gave the order, "Dragonite! Hyper Beam!" Dragonite's eyes glowed white before a white ball formed in front of his mouth. Gabite used the opportunity to continue with his attack and leap above the Hyper Beam attack but continued to make its way towards the ground where Ondrej stood.

While Gabite avoided the attack, Ondrej stood against the attack when he felt the ground shake. In his struggle to remain standing, he felt the Dragons Fang fly out of his hand and into the crowd behind him. In the same instant, Gabite managed to leap his way over the Hyper Beam attack and strike across Dragonite's chest with his Dragon Claw attacks. Dragonite had taken a heavy blow in the battle, but now Ash was able to confirm that he was once again evenly matched against his opposing trainer.

Ash ordered, "Dragonite! Mealladh!" Dragonite's body was outlined in a red aura and charged towards Gabite as he went into a rampage towards his opponent.

Ondrej tried to continue his fight when he ordered, "Gabite! Dragan Rush!" Gabite's body became surrounded in a light blue orb with white streaks and released a blue, dragon-shaped energy that covered his body. Gabite then slammed forward towards Dragonite and the two dragon Pokémon collided into one another. This time through sheer power, Dragonite pummeled Gabite to the ground and forced him sliding across the ground.

Ash gave his next order, "Dragonite! Hyper Beam!" Dragonite once again charged a white orb in front of his mouth before firing a mighty beam at the dragon Pokémon beneath him. A mighty explosion erupted in the field and Dragonite flew away from his grounded opponent.

Ondrej stepped away from the site of Gabite's crashed area when he asked, "Gabite? How are you right now?" Gabite raised his head up and gave a weak nod confirming he was still alive. Ondrej raised his Poké ball when he told his Pokémon, "You have done well. Rest now." Gabite was returned to his Poké ball.

Ash at the same time returned Dragonite when he told him, "That was awesome work Dragonite. Get ready for the next one." With both Pokémon returned to their respective trainers, Ash told Ondrej, "That was a great battle. I really had to work for this one."

Ondrej nodded, "Most admirable Ash Ketchum. You have certainly performed well above what I would have expected."

The Dragon Elder made his way to the center of the field when he announced, "To all who have borne witness to this day, see that Ash Ketchum has won the third of the five challenges." He turned his way to Ash when he shook his hand and congratulated, "Well done Ash. With your victory, you have demonstrated the third of the five virtues of battle. The virtue of Onóir."

Ash reflected, "Honor. That's because I didn't cheat right?"

The Dragon Elder confirmed, "You were given the opportunity to strengthen yourself but chose instead to adhere to the rules of the testing. Had you chosen the easy way, you would have had to hope that you would demonstrate it another time. Provided that you could still continue to battle."

Ash agreed, "I still have two more ahead of me don't I? Good news is that I've still gotten this far thanks to some really great friends."

The Dragon Elder agreed, "You may have validity to your confidence. Starting tomorrow it will be quite the vision to see such a battle."

As Ash waited in the center of the field as he looked forward to seeing who the fourth opponent would be fore his series of challenges. He stood in waiting where the Dragon Elder and Clair were watching as they allowed the fourth challenge about to take place.

After a short while, Ash asked, "So Master Elder, when is the next challenge going to commence?"

The Dragon Elder stepped down from his chair and made his way to the opposing side of Ash Ketchum. Ash was unsure about the display at first but eventually heard the Elder ask, "Expected me to be the last challenger weren't you?"

Ash snapped back to attention when he realized what was about to happen. He asked him, "You're actually going to challenge me Master Elder?"

The Dragon Elder smiled when he confirmed, "Indeed boy. This is certainly not something that many have the honor of telling others. Of course, if you feel that you are not worthy, you may decline to face me."

Ash tried to focus his mind and listen to everything that was going in the mind of the Dragon Elder when he tried to find out what sort of strategy he was about to come face to face with. Try as he might, he could hear nothing in the thoughts of the Elder. The old man had closed off his mind completely from Ash being able to read it. Ash was shaken by the observation when there was nothing for him to discover.

Even with the offer lingering in the air, Ash knew one truth about even entertaining surrendering to the Elder at this point. "It's kind of you to offer Master Elder. But I have a streak that I have to maintain."

The Elder nodded, "I can see that you are indeed dedicated to being part of our clan Ash. I will only believe that this is true when you achieve victory." He raised his hand up and announced, "So begins the fourth battle of the Tástáil! Let all who bear witness recognize that I the Dragon Elder shall face the aspiring Ash Ketchum!" As soon as the battle began, Ash recognized the Poké ball in the Elder's hand. He then heard the Elder announce, "Let all here today bear witness to the majesty of battle! Rayquaza! Tear this field asunder!" As soon as Ash heard the command, he couldn't imagine that anyone would have a legendary Pokémon to stand against, but the announcement was confirmed just a few seconds later.

High above in the air of the battlefield, a large, green, serpentine creature floated above the tournament crowd. Ash found himself frozen at the sight where he was forced to gaze at the mighty dragon hovering above him. Even with his powerful dragons at his side, he knew that he couldn't prepare for legendary Pokémon as mighty as this one.

"You still plan to challenge me do you boy?" Ash was snapped back to the moment when he heard the Dragon Elder ask that question. No amount of cowering at the sight of the mighty Rayquaza would allow him to find a way out of this situation. He knew he had to come out on top now.

Ash confirmed, "You know it. Dragonite! You're first!" As Ash's Poké ball landed on the ground, Dragonite stood before the mighty Rayquaza. He made the first attack when he ordered, "Dragonite! Hyper Beam!" Dragonite's eyes glowed white before a white ball formed in front of his mouth. Just a second later, Dragonite fired a white beam towards the head of the Rayquaza above him with a direct hit and caused a mighty explosion to erupt in the air.

As the smoke cleared from the sky, Ash was shaken to see that Rayquaza was completely unscathed by the attack. The Dragon Elder prepared for his own attack when he ordered, "Rayquaza! Hyper Voice!" Rayquaza opened his massive jaws as he let out a mighty scream and sent a blue wave of energy towards the Dragonite beneath him.

Ash responded, "Dragonite! Aclaíocht!" Dragonite accepted the order as he made a dash forward in a desperate attempt to get away from the mighty attack quickly headed his way. The dodge was too late however as the Hyper Voice attack landed on top of Dragonite. The attack pummeled Dragonite down into the ground with a mighty force that even Dragonite struggled to stand up.

Ash tried to find out the status of his Pokémon when he asked, "Dragonite! Can you stand?" Dragonite heard the order of his trainer as he made a struggle to stand up from the recent attack and stood on hi two legs even with as much damage as he had taken. Recognizing the resolve of his Pokémon, he ordered, "You can do it Dragonite! Mealladh!" Dragonite's body was outlined in a red aura and flew up towards Rayquaza as he prepared to go on a rampage on his opponent. Dragonite made a mighty series of blows on Rayquaza's body.

The mighty dragon was still undamaged by all the attacks as the Dragon Elder ordered, "Rayquaza! Dragan Buille!" Rayquaza backed away from the attacking Dragonite as he brought his gaze down to the attacking Pokémon. He then fired a multicolored dragon-shaped energy from his mouth towards his smaller opponent. The attack landed square in the middle of Dragonite and the attack brought Dragonite falling down to the ground.

Ash saw his Pokémon fall a few feet in front of him when he ran up to him and saw what damage his Pokémon had taken. Dragonite was breathing hard from the recent attack and knew that he couldn't handle taking any more attacks. Ash brought out his Poké ball when he told Dragonite, "You did your best. You take a break now buddy." As Dragonite was returned to his Poké ball, Ash stepped back where he was and prepared for another Pokémon to challenge the mighty Rayquaza. He took out another Poké ball when he ordered, "Tyrantrum! It's your turn now!" At Ash's order, the large dinosaur Pokémon stood in front of him and looked up to the Rayquaza who would be his opponent.

The Dragon Elder smiled when he asked, "You still plan to stand against me do you Ash?"

Ash nodded when he gave his first order, "Of course! Even if I lose! Tyrantrum! Cumhacht ársa!" As soon as Tyrantrum heard this, Tyrantrum's body glowed white and the glow came off his body and formed a silver ball in front of his mouth before firing it towards the mighty dragon. This time, Rayquaza was affected a little as the attack nudged his head back a little to indicate that some damage had been taken.

The Dragon Elder remained unshaken however when he ordered, "Rayquaza! Dragan Buille!" Rayquaza brought his gaze down to the attacking Pokémon. He then fired a multicolored dragon-shaped energy from his mouth towards his smaller opponent. Just as soon as the attack made content with the ground, Ash was forced to deal with the might of the wind when he endured the mighty attack.

Ash brought a hand above his eyes when he tried to search through the smoke that made his way through smoke when he asked, "Tyrantrum? Are you okay?" As the smoke began to clear more, he saw that Tyrantrum was completely devastated by the previous attack. He was breathing hard and lying on his side as he left an imprint on the ground.

Ash was close to having a panic when he recognized how easily his second dragon Pokémon had been defeated. Ash brought up his Poké ball when he told Tyrantrum, "You did a good job. We'll see you do better next time." Tyrantrum was returned to his Poké ball and Ash returned to the spot where he was standing.

He heard the Dragon Elder ask, "You still do not see what separates both of us do you boy?"

Ash told him, "I'll only fail if I give up! Salamence! Now's your chance to shine!" As Ash sent out his last Poké ball, his last Pokémon stood in front of the mighty Rayquaza. Ash was quick to order, "Salamence! Anáil Dragan!" Salamence took aim at the Rayquaza and fired a light blue beam from his mouth towards his opponent.

Just like Tyrantrum's Ancient Power attack however, Rayquaza only took minimal damage from the Salamence as his head was forced back a little. The Dragon Elder was unwavering when his Pokémon took the attack. He then told his legendary Pokémon, "Rayquaza! Géarchor!" Ash saw the massive face of Rayquaza make his way down to the ground when he opened his gaping jaws and made a sweep down towards Salamence.

Ash brought himself on the defensive when he ordered, "Salamence! Eitilt!" Salamence flapped his wings up above the ground as he prepared to make another attack and dodged the massive jaws of Rayquaza. As Salamence hovered above the mighty dragon, Ash gave another order, "Salamence! Anáil Dragan!" Salamence fired another light blue beam onto the back of Rayquaza's head and caused the legendary dragon to take another bit of damage.

Before Ash could command for another attack, the Rayquaza turned around and made a dash towards Salamence with his jaws and lunged towards Salamence. The mighty green dragon now had Salamence scooped into his jaws and turned down towards the ground. As Rayquaza continued his descent, he pummeled the bottom of the ground with his mouth as he forced Salamence to endure a brutal strike to the ground.

Once the two dragons were pressed into the ground, Ash saw Salamence struggle to escape the jaws of Rayquaza in an effort to continue his battle. It was then that Ash saw the jaws of Rayquaza tightening and he realized what Salamence was really trying to escape from. Ash called out to the Dragon Elder, "Hey! Salamence isn't going to take much more of this!"

The Dragon Elder was undeterred from his Pokémon continuing to clench on Salamence when he told Ash, "You know the only way that this can end now Ash Ketchum."

Ash felt himself sweat at the situation. Every second that passed brought Salamence closer to being truly destroyed by the mighty dragon. He knew that right now there was only one way that he would be able to save the life of the Pokémon he had worked hard to build. If he did resort to it unfortunately, he also knew what this would bring.

He looked over to Clair who sat on the table as she over heard everything that was happening between the two dragons. Ash felt himself becoming even more desperate as he saw Clair had the same conflicted face as he did. It was a few seconds after he saw her though that she gave a resigned face as she nodded to the ground below. Ash didn't need to read her mind to recognize that she would rather be exiled forever than see another Pokémon die in such a brutal way. This was all the incentive Ash needed as he made his next desperate act.

Ash knelt down on his left knee when he shouted, "Please stop! I won't attack any further!"

The Rayquaza stopped his Crunch attack while the Dragon Elder looked ahead to see Ash in his desperate act to save his Salamence. He asked, "Ash Ketchum. Do you forfeit your right to claim victory in this match?"

Ash was hesitant with his next words as he was forced to ask himself what he was going to say at this point. It was only a few moments later when he finally answered, "Yes… I… I forfeit…"

At those words, Rayquaza opened his jaws and let Salamence down to the ground where Ash was given the opportunity to return his Pokémon to his Poké ball for a rest. It was after Ash returned Salamence that the Dragon Elder returned his Rayquaza to his Poké ball and stood triumphant across from Ash. The old man made his way over to the ruined area where Ash now knelt while Ash prepared to hear the declaration of his ultimate defeat from the recent battle.

The Dragon Elder placed a hand on Ash's shoulder when he announced, "To all who have borne witness to this day, see that Ash Ketchum has won the fourth of the five challenges."

The words that Ash heard had him caught completely off guard when he heard them. He looked up to see the Dragon Elder smiling among the gathered crowd to the recent battle. Ash was still shaken from the battle when he asked, "But… I lost. How did that count as a win?"

The Dragon Elder answered, "It is something that quite a few whippersnappers such as yourself tend to overlook when they are faced with a challenge such as the one you have just endured. You had the opportunity to prove yourself triumphant across the previous three battles and believed that domination was the only way to be considered one of us. But it was through your actions of this battle today that you determined your understanding of another of the five virtues. Neamhspleáchas."

Ash looked down when he realized what sort of virtue the elder was referring to. He translated the virtue, "Humility… That's what I had to learn today… I didn't even have much of a chance at winning but knowing when I'm beat is something I just have to recognize sometimes…"

The Dragon Elder confirmed, "That is precisely what you had to learn. If you did in fact somehow win, you would have been one of the most miraculous trainers to ever live. But being able to recognize this is everything that you had to do to confirm that you are in fact a trainer that we can call a promisingly honorable member of the clan. Should you remember this throughout the remainder of your life, your line will always be a revered one among us."

Ash smiled when he told him, "Thank you Master Elder. I can say that it was at least quite the experience to do battle with you on something of that scale."

The Dragon Elder agreed, "And you still have more resolve than you need to come close to being victorious. Just remember boy that you are going to have a final battle tomorrow. I don't want you to take away from tonight that you have an excuse not to give your greatest effort to clasp victory when it is in fact obtainable."

Ash stood up and agreed, "Just watch Master Elder. Tomorrow, I'm going to give a final battle that everyone here will be excited to see."

The Dragon Elder nodded, "We shall see if you are in fact so dedicated Ash Ketchum."

As Ash prepared to make his way back to the upper level of the Gym where his bedroom was, he was greeted with the sight of one person who was key to his decision earlier that night. "Clair?"

Clair stood next to his bedroom door when she confirmed, "Can I have a word with you in private Ash?"

Ash shrugged when he agreed, "I guess it can't hurt can it?"

The two made their way into the bedroom and the two were given the privacy she hoped to have. When Ash turned to see Clair, he noticed how serene her face had become since the passing of the battle. It was after a few moments that Clair brushed some of her hair with a finger and told Ash, "I just want to thank you… For what you did earlier tonight."

Ash was surprised to hear those words when he told her, "I have to admit, a big part of it is because you sort of gave me the okay to do that."

Clair agreed, "I didn't think that you would have ever had to endure a loss such as what you did today. For a long while I had a hard time believing that you could have lost anything."

Ash agreed, "Yeah. And I thought losing anything would have led to me getting chewed out or something. It's nice to see that you aren't too angry about what just passed."

Clair confirmed, "There are few who could ever hope to stand against something as the mighty Rayquaza himself. You were able to hold your own for what you had, but the outcome was effectively what could be expected. I honestly don't know why it is that I feel so different than I normally would in such a situation."

Ash asked, "What sort of feeling did you have?"

Clair answered, "A sense of… being equal. Even though you proved yourself to be so powerful so many times before, being reminded that you are in fact a trainer like me just reminds me that… I'm not being given away to just anyone."

Ash brought his hands to both of Clair's shoulders when he told her, "I honestly never even thought of the idea. I don't know if you still don't believe me or not, but I really just want you to know that you aren't just someone I would toss to the side."

Clair brought one of her hands to Ash's left wrist when she told him, "You're right. I do need some kind of confirmation. That's why I want to see you win tomorrow… I believe that having you as my husband… may in fact not be the worst fate for me after all."

Ash agreed, "And being stuck with you isn't so bad for me I'd say. I mean this in the best possible way Clair, but you are not the same person you were when I first met you."

Clair accepted the compliment when she told him, "And you aren't the same boy when I first met you either. It is amazing what only a few months such as what we went through can do." She brought her gaze back up to Ash when she told him, "I want you to remember that there is no guarantee that you have no guarantee of victory other than what you strive for. So don't assume that you already have to be prepared for a life with me."

Ash agreed, "Yeah, that's about what I can imagine. I just want you to remember that we have a lot to look forward to tomorrow. Anything could happen, just like what I saw today."

Instead of a reply, Ash was given a response that he did not assume was in character with Clair. Clair leaned in and planted a kiss on his lips. The two had been brought themselves into the first lock of lips they had ever since they were engaged on that day months ago. For all of Clair's inexperience, she was able to feel what Ash had certainly accumulated from his relationship with Sabrina.

The two parted from one another when Clair told Ash, "Consider that incentive. I want to see you victorious tomorrow Ash."

Ash smiled when he told her, "I'm going to make sure of it Clair."

And there we go folks. Another chapter is done. Some more action and some developments that you probably didn't see happening. I hope it was all to your liking and I hope that you are looking forward to what will be another wrapping up of another key arc in this ongoing saga.

And now that everything has reached where they are, we only have one more battle before we see just how worthy Ash is to be considered a worthy trainer of the Dragon Clan. And that is a big question that will be tackled and answered another time.

Until then, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.