Chapter 3

A Pokemon Battle!

Ash stood ready in his trainer stand, clenching his fists as he is facing against a very formidable opponent who stood motionless in his stand. One false move would easily become defeat. He must choose his moves very carefully if he wants to stand a chance.

His Pikachu was in his battle stance, four paws on the floor, ready to move quickly, his ears standing upright, able to sense the environment much easier and faster, his cheeks sparking wildly as he awaits his master's command.

The hooded trainer's Kirlia also stood ready for battle. Her legs were pressed together and her elbows are extended laterally while her hands almost touch each other, making her look like a ballerina. Her large crimson-red eyes staring at Pikachu very closely, also awaiting his master's orders to strike.

"Challengers can go first." The hooded trainer grinned.

"Fine then, Pikachu use Quick Attack!" Pikachu immediately leapt from his position as it began dashing towards Kirlia at a high speed.

"Kirlia, Calm Mind." Kirlia closed her eyes as her body began glowing with a blue aura.

"Hey Brock, what does Calm Mind do actually?" Misty asked, confused on what that move does.

"Calm Mind is a move that increases the special attack and special defense of a Pokemon, making it both a offensive move and defensive move as it can increase the power of the moves they're using like Flamethrower and Psychic." Brock exclaimed. "And also it reduces the damage taken by those kind of moves."

"Yeah, and since he likes to use it often whenever he has a chance, he can easily turn the match around in one move only." Harrison added, since it was that mistake he made that he easily lost the match.

"Not only that, since Special Attacks are a Psychic pokemon's specialty, it could only spell trouble for Ash." Brock also added as he watched the match closely.

Pikachu sprinted as he drew closer and closer to Kirlia who was still using Calm Mind. Pikachu made a final leap towards Kirlia, hoping to tackle it.

"Psychic!"

Kirla's eyes opened immediately as it glowed brightly. Pikachu's movement immediately stopped and was only inches away from Kirlia as his body began floating mid-air away from her.

"Now slam it to the ground." The trainer made a fist in the air, then swinging it downwards.



Kirlia made the same gesture that his master did as the helpless Pikachu began to fall fast to the ground below as he could only do was close its eyes and try to endure the incoming pain he's going to experience.

Pikachu crashed to the ground as dust and pebbles flew across the field covering the entire field. Ash was sweating hard as he could neither see Pikachu nor his opponent.

As the dust cloud settled, Pikachu's body began to appear, still standing on his paws and is panting heavily. His body is covered with few bruises and scratches as it shook off the dirt from its body.

"Pika,pika!" Pikachu shouted as the sparks on its cheeks grew stronger and is still able to battle.

"Impressive, many pokemon have already fainted from that attack alone but your Pikachu is still standing." The hooded trainer grinned, he knew that this is be a good battle.

"Heh, I told you my Pikachu is very strong, now let me show you his true power." Ash pointed to Kirlia as he shouted, "Now Pikachu Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu's body became enveloped with electricity as it charged a Thunderbolt attack towards Kirlia.

"Use Psybeam." The hooded trainer calmly ordered.

Kirlia's eyes shined brightly as it released a powerful Psybeam attack and collided with the Thunderbolt, as the two pokemon exerted more force in their attacks, the Psybeam slowly pushed its way through the Thunderbolt.

Ash knew that he isn't going to win this battle by doing that, he immediately ordered Pikachu to stop, not to waste energy.

Damn it! Ash thought to himself, there has to be some way where Pikachu can successfully attack.

Wait a minute, that dust cloud earlier… of course! Ash grinned as he thought of a strategy to be able to win this one-sided battle.

"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Pikachu leapt sideways and barely escaped the Psybeam as it shattered the ground, and began running at high speed towards Kirlia.

That move again? The trainer was confused why he chose Quick Attack again, Kirlia easily countered it with Psychic before, but why is he using it again. He must have something in his sleeve.

"Kirlia use Psybeam to stop Pikachu!"

Kirlia's eyes began to glow again and started unleashing a barrage of Psybeams, Pikachu dodged almost every one of them but Kirlia managed to hit one of its paws, slowing it down.

"Now use Psybeam, full power!"

"Now Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on the ground!"



Pikachu unleased its signature move to the ground in front of it as dust and pebbles quickly scattered and enveloped the field, creating a thicker dust cloud and was able to dodge the powerful Psybeam heading his way.

Kirlia used Psychic to stop the rocks from hitting her but as she became distracted from the rocks, Ash ordered a Thunderbolt attack to Pikachu who was still hiding inside the thick layer of dusts.

The Thunderbolt attack struck Kirlia directly, she screamed in pain as electricity flowed through her body but she quickly endured it thanks to Calm Mind.

"It's been a while since I had an opponent who used the environment to his advantage." He mumbled to himself as he is getting excited.

"Now Quick Attack!" Pikachu suddenly appeared from the dust cloud and tackled Kirlia who was still disoriented from the Thunderbolt attack.

"Kirlia, use Psybeam!"

Kirlia managed to use her Psybeam and aimed it at Pikachu's face. The yellow rodent pokemon was pushed back by the powerful attack as Kirlia panted heavily.

"Now use Recover!"

"What?" Ash was shocked to know that his strategy to win the battle suddenly becomes wasted.

Kirlia closed her eyes as her body glowed brightly as her bruises and scratches vanished away completely, as she made a battle cry against Pikachu who was now disoriented by the attack.

"Hey Pikachu, are you alright?" Ash was worried what was wrong with Pikachu's sudden daze.

"This is bad, that Psybeam on the face may have made Pikachu confused." Brock told the gang as they are concerned that the outcome may have already been decided.

"Now lets wrap this up Kirlia, use Psychic!"

Kirlia's eyes glowed as the confused Pikachu's body began to be enveloped by blue energy; she raised one arm, levitating Pikachu into the air. She then swing her arm downwards as Pikachu started to descend quickly.

"Pikachu, NO!!" Ash shouted as he saw his best friend and jumped from his stand to the field and ran towards his best friend, he barely caught the falling Pikachu in his arms by leaping towards it.

Everyone was surprised by his act to save his Pikachu including his opponent and his pokemon were amazed.

"Are you all right Buddy?" He asked as he stood to his knees and stroked Pikachu's head.

Pikachu smiled and licked his master's cheeks, thanking Ash for saving him from further injury.



The hooded trainer approached Ash and extended his hand.

"That was a great battle you gave me, I'll give you my respect."

True sportsmanship, Misty's eyes watered as she saw the two trainers shaking hands with each other after a great battle. She began to clap continuously, slowly the others followed and soon the entire crowd was clapping their hands, cheering for them.

"You're a great trainer; even the crowd's cheering for you now." The hooded trainer said as he pulled Ash up to his feet.

"Yeah, and thanks for the battle, I learned a lot from that one."

"No I should be thanking you."

"Why?"

"You showed everyone on what a trainer should really be, a selfless person who would protect his pokemon from any harm, unlike the opponents I had earlier whose concern is to win, not thinking about their pokemon's safety."

He then smiled and released the handshake, turned around and began walking away; his Kirlia bowed to the two and followed his master.

"Wait! I didn't get to know your name!" Ash tried to chase him, but he stopped when he heard his friends calling out to him.

Brock, Misty, Harrison and Gary came running to the field and congratulated Ash, Misty hugged him causing him to blush lightly while the two patted his shoulders.

"That was a noble act you made, Ash Ketchum." Misty said as she released the hug.

"Yeah, even those who badmouthed you earlier now respect you now." Brock said as he brought his arm around Ash's neck and began rubbing his head.

"Well, Pikachu should be a really lucky pokemon to have a great and caring trainer like you, Ash." Harrison said making Ash blush with embarrassment by all the things they've said.

"Aww, shucks, thanks you guys. Pikachu is like a little brother to me, that's why I will always protect him from any danger." Ash said as he hugged Pikachu with affection, Pikachu cooed as he returned the hug.

"Come on you guys, we should head back to the Pokemon Center and have Pikachu treated." Brock suggested as the gang agreed. They made their way back to the Pokemon center while Gary trailing behind them, mumbling something to himself.

"Well Ashy-boy, you have amazed me once again."

--



Back at the mini-pokemon center, Ash and Misty waited at a bench silently as Nurse Joy treated Pikachu. Brock, Gary and Harrison went back to the stadium to watch some matches more before going back.

FLASHBACK

"Come on guys, you don't need to wait for me. Besides all of you want to watch those battles going on right?"

"Come on Ash, you know us, we never leave any friend all by their lonesome." Brock said while putting his hands on his hips.

"Its fine really, I'll join up with you guys as soon as Nurse Joy finished treating Pikachu."

"How about I'll stay here instead, just to keep Ash company." Misty said while blushing, "And we'll catch up with you guys later."

"Really Misty, you'd do that for me? Thanks Misty, you're really a great friend." Ash hugged Misty, causing her to blush even more.

"Ah… its nothing at all Ash, that's what friends are for, right?" Misty hesitantly said as she she released the hug to stop her heart from pounding even more.

"Well we'll see you guys later, kay?" Ash waved as the three men went back to the stadium.

"Come on Ash, let's sit somewhere." Misty grabbed Ash's hand as they went to an empty bench.

END OF FLASHBACK

--

Misty was really happy inside her as she had Ash all by herself, no friends to disturb her and other trainers who minded their own business walking past them. The opportunity was perfect for her to finally express her real feelings to Ash. Misty had a crush on Ash back in high school they were studying before, at first she really didn't mind it since crushes never last long and most boys think that she's a tomboy, and Ash would think the same.

But too bad, she was 2 years older than him, and she doesn't see him often because all of the schoolwork she had, and since she's a honor student, studies must always come first before anything else.

But no, he was different than the other men she had with. He was a really nice person, cheering people up, funny, and also handsome. Misty thought of all the good qualities he had. But the only problem is that he's so dense… Misty sighed as confessing her feelings to him would become harder than she had hoped.



But she shook her head, this might be the only chance she got, even at a public place where people always roam around; No, she's not embarrassed at all, all she wanted was just to say three words that would at least be understandable by Ash and all that hard-kept feelings she had inside her would vanish.

"So… Ash?" Misty finally broke the silence with a smile.

"Hmm, what is it Misty?"

"I was wondering, what… do you think of me?" She blushed as she said that, she cannot say those 3 three words right out her mouth, she needs to fix the mood between them first, well that's what articles in some love magazines she read before had written.

"What do I think of you?" Ash looked up while his brain started to work,

"Well I think of you more as a friend, Misty." Ash said with a wide smile.

Wow, he thinks me more as a friend! She happily thought as her blush grew redder than before.

"You're one my best friends!"

Misty felt stabbed, as her blush became lighter, she hoped that he will say something deeper about their relationship. She shook her head, and tried a different approach.

"Ash…do you like me?" She slowly said that to the dense Ash.

"Of course Misty! –" Ash quickly said

Misty's mind jumped with joy! Finally he realized that-

"Friends always like each other, right?"

Misty was dumbstruck by his answer, her opportunity became crashing down like a bullet piercing a glass vase.

She only sighed and stared at his face.

Okay, this is it Misty, It's Now or never! She thought to herself.

"Ash!" She stared at the trainer's eyes seriously while holding his hand,

"I love –"

"Excuse me, Mr. Ketchum, here's your Pikachu good as new."

Nurse Joy suddenly appeared with Pikachu in her arms who leaped towards his trainer and hugged him tightly as he returned the hug affectionately.

"Thank you Nurse Joy."



"No problem, it's my duty and responsibility to treat pokemon after all." She said with a smile, then bowed and went back to her counter.

"Uhh, were you about to say something earlier Misty?"

"Oh, its nothing." She said while faking a laugh.

"Come on Ash, let's go meet with Brock and the others." She grabbed his hand and proceeded to the stadium.

Next time, Ash Ketchum, next time…

To be continued…

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A Pokeshipping chapter! But I kinda feel sorry for Misty in this chapter though, But I also need to bring out Ash's denseness in here to bring out his character, to make this fic much more interesting. So Read and Review.