Hey guys! been a long time hasn't it? I was actually going to make this chapter longer, but since I started writing this fic, my writing style has changed considerably. I skimmed over this and decided that it was good enough to pass for chapter 4. You'll probably notice a HUGE change in my writing when I finish chapter 5, because again, yeah, my style has developed and changed over the past... five years (wow...)

I still remember my over-arching plot for this, and I suppose I will take chapter 5 as a... set up chapter for that. HM. We'll see! Hope you enjoy it regardless! (Also yes I previously posted this then saw that it was REALLY EFFED UP AND I QUICKLY DELETED IT AND AM RE-UPLOADING IT NOW-)

Chapter 4: Out in the woods; out on the town.

A week had passed since the cruise had taken place. Castelia was as busy as it usually was, people bustling here and there, going to work, heading to other cities. Even the park was packed, and Cilan was busy enjoying a soda, sitting on a bench next to the fountain. Ash was darting about, having a battle with an energetic break dancer, and Iris was playing a game of hide and seek with Pikachu and Axew. The Sommelier sighed, shaking his head; Pansage had joined the game of hide and seek. Iris was seemingly it.

'It could have been worse,' he thought, 'I could be forced to participate.' He narrowed his eyes, though, when he saw a green figure dart amongst the trees. No one with Iris had noticed it, so he shrugged and gazed up at the sky. By the time the sun was high, he, Ash and Iris would be heading out, onwards to Opelucid City so Ash could challenge Drayden – 'it will be about time for him to challenge the Dragon master too! But I don't think Iris is too excited about going back there.' He set his gaze on the plummette again, frowning. He saw that flash of green once more and his frown deepened. Cilan was about to get up when someone sat down next to him.

He gave the person his attention, swallowing lightly when he saw it was Aislynn. She put him off; made him nervous. Being the league Champion, he was sure had something to do with that. She turned her red gaze to him and nodded towards the woods, "my Scyther making you nervous?"

Cilan blinked, only to have relief flood through him, "oh," he leaned back against the bench, closing his eyes, allowing himself a small smile, "it's just your Scyther... I... thought it may have been something else."

Aislynn scoffed, a smirk on her lips, and called out, "Skrell!"

The Scyther sped past Iris, making her yelp and fall onto her rump; but she was forced to look up at the trees and exclaimed, "ah-hah! Axew, I've found you!"

The little dragon cried out in dismay, and hopped off the branch. Pikachu had followed after Skrell, as had Pansage, and the Scyther pressed his face to Aislynn's, an odd grating purr in his throat. Aislynn raised her hand, stroking Skrell's skin, scratching him behind one of his horns. She tossed her head, her dark skin making the red of her eyes all the more vivid when the light of the rising sun caught on them. "Well, what do you think, Sommelier?"

Cilan shook his head, clearing his throat, "well..." he scrutinized the Scyther; Skrell stared right back at him, wings twitching. Aislynn pulled a Pokeball off her belt, "Raptor," she said, her voice taking an edge of authority.

A Gallade stood tall in front of the bench now, baring his teeth at Pikachu when the smaller Pokemon moved towards him. A vicious snarl tore up the Gallade's throat, and Aislynn snapped at him, "Raptor, no. Don't you do that."

He obeyed, crossing his arms over his chest, the snarl dying in his chest. Cilan felt a fear rising up his throat like bile; this Gallade... he looked so violent. Not only that but he had sharp teeth, unlike the teeth of any Gallade Cilan had seen before, 'then again, I've only seen two but... not one quite – quite like this...' Raptor even appeared to be wearing a helmet of some kind, though half of it had been broken off, a nasty, ragged scar making its way down the back of his head and slightly onto his shoulder before it disappeared back over his shoulder. And even his coloring was different, slightly darker greens and grays. Cilan soon became aware that the Gallade was growling at him and he averted his gaze.

"Raptor seems like quite the character," he started, "a very intimidating and powerful taste. I – I hope you don't have trouble controlling him? He also seems quite violent..."

Aislynn rolled her eyes in distress, "oh you don't know the half of it, Cilan. I named him Raptor for good reason. He's been this aggressive since he was a Ralts. Anyway, the reason why I called him out. Raptor," the Gallade tilted his head at her, his growling cut short, "spar with Skrell."

Cilan's eyes widened, "a-are you sure that's a good idea?" He was concerned, of course, Skrell seemed so much younger, and weaker than the vicious looking Gallade.

Aislynn smiled, "remember, Raptor, I said spar."

The Gallade grinned and charged at Skrell; the Scyther darted away, vibrating his wings. Raptor pursued him, elbow blades extending. Skrell hissed, bringing up his scythes – and Cilan's worry diminished when he saw that the two Pokemon were doing just as she had said; sparring, using no unique attacks. 'Aislynn must have them spar together a lot! They're rather familiar with how the other moves,' the Scyther and Gallade matched blow for blow, Raptor crouched down to the Scyther's height, and Skrell levitating every now and then. Bone clashed with blade, and Skrell suddenly shot into the sky. He spun, one of his blades emanating a strange lavender-blue; he sent the attacking careening towards Raptor – Cilan recognized it as Air Slash, as it made a whistling sound as it sped through the air. The Gallade dodged by teleporting back, snarling, crouched on all fours. His elbow blades were now glowing purple, and there was a malicious shadow in his brilliant yellow eyes.

Aislynn stood abruptly, "Skrell, Raptor, that's enough. Raptor, return," but instead of going back inside his Pokeball, Raptor dodged the red beam by teleporting again, appearing next to Aislynn. He rested his chin on her shoulder and she sighed lightly, muttering, "you really are spoiled," before she ran her fingernails over the part of the Gallade's head that wasn't covered by his helmet. Cilan was amused when the Gallade began to purr, and Skrell settled on the ground in front of Cilan, his head cocked to the side.

"Ah, well... that was impressive. Your Scyther has a skillful taste, which leads me to believe his ability is Technician." Cilan nodded his head as Raptor finally returned to his Pokeball, "and I was sure Raptor would give you more trouble, but you are quite familiar with the personalities of your Pokemon."

"Thank you, Cilan. And yes, Skrell's ability is Technician. I'm impressed, but then again, I expect nothing less from a Sommelier like yourself," she bowed slightly, giving her attention to Skrell when he walked over to stand next to her. Cilan shook his head, pride swelling in his chest at her words, 'yes, a good relationship with her Pokemon. A very good trainer indeed.'

"I'm the one who's impressed," he managed as he watched her inspect Skrell's blades, then his wings; once she was done with her inspection, she recalled her Scyther. Ash ran up to her but she held up her hand.

"Sorry, I have to be going. Perhaps when we meet again, you and I can battle," she nodded at the trio then went on her way, her pace brisk. Raphael was waiting for her at the westernmost path, and Cilan watched the pair go.

He stood, stretching, and moving to toss his empty can in the closest recycle bin. Pansage scampered onto his shoulder and he looked at his Pokemon, smiling. Ash came up on his right, staring up at him, "so..."

"I say we head on our way," he laughed when Iris complained under her breath, "oh come now Iris, we can't stay here forever! Let's move on, and get to Opelucid city."

"But we weren't gonna' leave until the sun was up higher!" she exclaimed, pouting. Cilan quirked an eyebrow at her.

"Is it that hard to have a change of plans?" he inquired, and gave a satisfied smile when Iris shook her head, "then, let's be on our way."

Cilan hitched his bag up higher on his back as Ash and Iris fell in step with him; Ash just had to dash ahead, however, and Cilan shook his head at the younger man. He felt Iris move closer to him, and he glanced down at her.

'… that's right, I never asked how her walk with Stephen went,' he cleared his throat, causing Iris to look up at him.

"Say, Iris. How did your walk with Stephen go?"

The plumette's cheeks darkened; she looked away as well, scratching her cheek, "u-uh, it w-went well. Stephen's really nice. And cuddly, like a Cubchoo – n-not that I like Cubchoos or anything!"

Cilan chuckled at her, "I feel like your fear of Ice types is a little misplaced."

"But they're the only type that can do terrible things to Dragon types!" she argued, glaring at him; Cilan raisedhis hands in defeat.

"That's very true. I stand corrected."

Iris was satisfied with this answer and set her gaze ahead while Cilan kept his green eyes on her. The sommelier would have pressed her further about the walk, only because there wasn't much else to talk about when Ash exclaimed, "Burgundy!"

Cilan immediately raised his head to see that the female sommelier was leaning against the doorway to the small air-conditioned rest station between Castelia and Route 4. She gave Ash an unamused look, then seemed to pout at Cilan.

"You think he could be quieter," she complained and Cilan grinned at her.

"Ash has a very energetic taste. It would be difficult for him to be quiet," Cilan watched as Burgundy's lips quirked up in a smirk.

"And Iris, how does she taste?"

The green haired man would have replied had he not heard the undertone in Burgundy's voice. He stiffened, his lips tight across his teeth, "how funny of you to ask that, Burgundy."

She flipped her hair over her shoulder, the expression dominating her features one of victory, "your taste is rather sour today, don't you think, Cilan?"

"Why don't you come over here and find out?" he retorted, the smile on his lips hostile, a twitch in his brow.

But Burgundy blushed while Ash threw up his hands and looked between the two sommeliers, a purse in his smile.

"Woah, should we leave you two alone for a few minutes?" and then he yelped, covering his head with his arms to defend himself as Burgundy proceeded to attack him, her face redder. Cilan couldn't help laughing at the scene before him, but when his eyes drifted to Iris he seemed to finally realize what he had said.

'I guess that wasn't the smartest thing to say... actually,' he found himself blushing, covering his mouth with his hand, 'did I really just say that to Burgundy? Where have my thoughts been taking me lately?'

Iris was glaring at him and Cilan gave her a look, willing his blush away, "oh come now Iris, don't look at me like that. She was teasing me and I only teased her back."

"Yeah but -"

"You are aware of what she was teasing me about, right?" Cilan interrupted, leaning down to Iris' height; the girl closed her mouth, glancing away.

"... yeah..." she muttered. Cilan gave his head a nod and then grabbed Iris' arm in one hand, tugging her after Ash and Burgundy. The two had reconciled, but Cilan was curious as to why Burgundy had remained by Ash's side. Suddenly, Ash stopped walking, his eyes wide and mouth agape at whatever Burgundy had just said to him. She seemed unamused by his reaction, crossing her arms over her chest.

Iris walked ahead of Cilan to see what Ash was having such a strong reaction to, but before she could ask him he turned to Cilan.

"She's gonna' come with us!"

Cilan blinked, surprised by this news as well. He was about to give Burgundy a questioning look when she was right in his face, glaring at him.

"Don't you dare think that I'm coming with you because I've accepted your offer to be your apprentice," shehissed, prompting Cilan to frown.

"Then for what reason would you – Burgundy..." he let his voice drop considerably in volume, so as to not alert Iris and Ash that perhaps there was something he could possibly be hiding from them (and he was very thankful that Ash had distracted Iris), "you don't need to concern yourself with that Purrloin."

She narrowed her eyes at him, jabbing him in the chest with a finger, "somebody has to keep an eye on you, Cilan."

Cilan's brow twitched, "I-!"

Burgundy had pressed a finger to his lips, whispering, "I won't hear it, A-class. I'm going to come with you and your traveling buddies, and that's final."

She turned on her heel and strode off toward the rest point, where Ash and Iris already were. Cilan sighed, following after her.