Chapter-2: Crushing Defeat

Suzuran Island - Day after the Sinnoh League Finals

Ash Ketchum looked down on his hotel room, his face show that he was in a deep depression. He could not believe it, after everything he went through. The training he did, the teamwork of his Pokémon, the bond he had with his Pokémon. It was all for naught. Ash's entire team was decimated by Paul and his Ursaring. Paul's Ursaring picked off Infernape, Staraptor, Buizel, Torterra, Gible and Pikachu, one by one. That combo of Paul's cost Ash the match. Ash knew about the Ability, Guts. He never knew about the Facade move before. Ash's strategy fell apart fast, thanks to Ursaring's Guts/Facade combo.

Ash covers his face with his hands. This was his biggest loss ever. Sure, he lost a few times in other League Conferences, but this was different. He had lost to his rival, twice, in a full battle. The first time was at Lake Acuity and now here, at the Sinnoh League Conference. This loss greatly upsets Ash. He was so close to winning the League Championship.

Tears swell from his eyes. Ash wonders what he should do now.

Snowpoint City

Many people watched the replay of Ash's team being annihilated by Paul's Ursaring. Most of the trainers could not believe that Ash was beaten so easily. Zoey, on the other hand, was shocked about Ash losing. She knew about how cold Paul can be, she never knew how brutal he could be. Zoey wondered if Ash would be able to recover from this.

Suzuran Island

There was a knock on the door to Ash's hotel room. Ash opened it and revealed his friends, Brock and Dawn. Ash smiled slightly as his friends came into the room.

"Are you alright, Ash?" Dawn was the first to break the silence.

Ash nodded, "Yeah."

"Ash, I know how upset you are," Brock said, "you should not let this bring you down."

Ash sighed, "I know, Brock, but I just can't get that match out of my mind! It was like a repeat of what happened at Lake Acuity!"

"Except Ursaring did not know the move Facade back then," Brock replied, "Paul must have taught Ursaring that before the Finals began."

Ash shook his head, "I still can't believe I lost to Paul again."

Dawn watched as her friend kept sinking into a deep depression. She had to do something...but what? Suddenly, she remembered something.

FLASHBACK

"Ash. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, you can tell me."

"After the Sinnoh League, will we see other again? Before leaving the Sinnoh Region?"

Ash smiled, giving Zoey a thumb's up, "Of course we will! We will see each other after the Conference! Promise!"

Zoey smiled at his response, "Promise!"

END FLASHBACK

"Hey, I know!" Dawn said suddenly having an idea, "Let's go to Snowpoint City!"

Ash and Brock looked at her confused.

"Why do you want to go to Snowpoint City?" Brock asked.

"Well, we should at least visit Zoey before we leave," Dawn responded, "I'm sure she'll be glad to see you again, Ash."

Ash blushed slightly. It had been a month since they were together back at Sunyshore City, ever since the incident with that Team Rocket Elite, Ivan. Going to Snowpoint would be a great idea. This would give Ash his chance to tell Zoey his feelings for her. This would also take his mind off losing to Paul in the Suzuran Conference.

"That's a good idea! Thanks, Dawn!" Ash said as he got up and began to head downstairs towards the Pokémon Center.

Brock smiled, "Well, that cheered him up."

Dawn nodded happily, "I'm glad he's back to his old self."

Ash was reunited with his Pokémon, especially Pikachu, who happily jumped onto his shoulder.

"How are you feeling, buddy?" Ash asked his best friend.

"Pi-kachu!" Pikachu responded, feeling recharged and ready to fight.

Ash smiled, "I'm happy that everyone's alright."

Pikachu smiled back.

"We may have lost in the finals, Pikachu, but next time, it'll be our turn!"

"PIKA!"

Ash jumped in the air, as he was psyched on heading to Snowpoint City, and to see Zoey.

Celestic Town - One Week Later

Ash and his friends made their way back to Celestic Town, just as the sun was setting. They decided to rest for the night at the Pokémon Center and head out to climb Mt. Coronet tomorrow. Ash looked outside and turned to his friends.

"I'm going out for a walk guys," Ash said as he headed outside the Pokémon Center.

"Be careful out there, Ash," Dawn said as she watched him go outside.

Ash and Pikachu walked around a bit as they looked up and saw the stars slowly appearing in the sky. He smiled; hopefully Zoey was watching the stars as well. Ash stayed still for a while, until Ash realized what time it was.

"Aw, man, it's getting late! We better get back, Pikachu!" Ash said quickly.

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded, knowing that Brock and Dawn might be looking for them.

Ash started to run back to the Pokémon Center as fast as he can. He was running so fast that he bumped into two people.

"Sorry!" he called out to them, but never looked back at them.

If he had paid any attention, he would have noticed that the two people were watching him running back to the Pokémon Center. The white-faced boy with red hair and markings on his face and a blonde haired woman watched as Ash went into the Pokémon Center.

"Was that Ash Ketchum, Koal?" Tia asked her partner.

"Indeed, it was, Tia," Koal replied, "however, his girlfriend is not with him. We shall keep our distance, to prevent them from detecting us. We shall wait until those two are together. Then, we shall strike."

Tia nodded to Koal's idea. The two Team Rocket Elites disappeared into the darkness, waiting to strike at their victims.

Chapter-2: END