Soon Ash and Calem started working together, helping Professor Sycamore unload some new equipment for his lab off a pick up truck and helping their Pokémon carrying it inside the lab. The task was simple, Calem had his Male Meowstic and Trevournent unload the equipment while Ash had his Charizard, Sceptile and Krookodile carry the equipment into the lab. Surprisingly the two worked in total silence while not saying a word to each other.
It took them about half an hour, but at last the job was finished.
"Thank you so much boys." Professor Sycamore said, as Ash helped Sceptile carry the last piece inside. "Now I'll be able to study the effect that Dynamax has when a Pokémon is Mega Evolved." And Professor Sycamore walked back into his lab.
"Well, Ashy-Boy I almost admit you work well." Calem said, as he returned his Pokémon to their Pokéballs. "For an amateur who only beat Leon with luck."
Though Ash was out of breath he thanked Calem for the compliment after returning his Pokémon to their Pokéballs, except Pikachu.
"Oh, thank you Calem." Ash said, out of breath. "I must admit your Pokémon do have their great uses when you tell them to." Ash wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Phew! Anyway, Leaf said she'd be here to help out. I'm gonna go and get some water and rehydrate me and Pikachu. We'll be right back."
And with that Ash walked away to find the nearest water fountain with Pikachu on his shoulder. Calem started thinking devious.
"Oh that's splendid." Calem said. "Now my Pokémon and I'll be doing your work as well as our own, while you and Leaf sit on the bench to make a lovely conversation with your girlfriend."
Suddenly Ash came back, but he hadn't found water for him and Pikachu, he was cross.
"What did you just say about Leaf?!" Ash snapped.
"Pika, Pika?!"
"Oh, come on Ash." Calem said coolly. "We all know about you and Leaf are in a relationship, but let's be real. Honestly between you and me, she's not really into you, she prefers really mature boys, not clueless little boys like yourself. I hate to tell you that but it's the truth. The truth stings sometimes!"
Calem didn't know this, but he was starting trouble, if he continued he would see a side of Ash that no one had ever seen.
Along the way, Leaf had finished her job at Cyllage City Gym earlier than expected, and was on her way to help Ash.
"I hope my Ashy's okay." Leaf said. "I bet he's scared to the edge of his bones." Or so she thought.
As Leaf turned the corner and entered into the walkway by Professor Sycamore's Lab, she noticed Ash and Calem face to face. She thought Ash was about to start a fight.
"Oh no!" Leaf gasped, as she hid behind a corner. "It looks like Ashy's in a fight! I'd better wait here and watch what happens."
Calem, who saw that Leaf was hiding around the corner, looked at her and then looked back at Ash.
"Besides, Ashy-Boy." Calem said. "Leaf's not really interested in clueless Trainers like you, she prefers mature, sexy boys like Lance or Steven or any other kind of man. You'd be better off with a clueless girl like yourself."
Ash, who was now furious, couldn't believe what he was hearing. Pikachu couldn't believe it either as sparks started coming out of his cheek sacks.
"You're wrong, Calem!" Ash said, stepping forward. "Leaf loves me for who I am! You have no clue of what she wants or who she loves! Your jokes or tricks won't work on me anymore! I'm not that gullible little kid that I was 20 years ago!"
"Don't think this is one of my tricks Ashy-Boy!" Calem retorted. "You think you know what she wants and needs, but you really don't! Besides she could be using you and you'd be too delusional to her. But if you really want me to take it back, then prove it. Prove to me that you're strong enough, and maybe just maybe I'll take it back."
Now Calem had really pushed Ash to his limits, but he wanted this to happen, he knew that Leaf was still watching Ash, and soon Ash would make his mistake.
"You want me to show you?" Ash retorted. "All right then! How's this! Pikachu! Use Thunder Punch!"
Pikachu jumped off Ash's Shoulder, as his hand glowed with electricity and then he used Thunder Punch right into Calem's face. And then Ash punched Calem and pushed him to the wall.
Leaf had seen everything and was horrified by what she saw.
"I need to stop them now!" She cried, and she rushed to the two Trainers.
As Calem was hit right into the wall behind him.
"Ouch!" Calem groaned.
Now Calem had seen the other side of Ash Ketchum the World Coronation Series Champion and it wasn't good. Ash then walked up to Calem with fury and grabbed him by the collar.
"Now you listen to me and you'd better listen well, you good for nothing scheming Pokémon Trainer!" Ash shouted. "I understand Leaf, more than anyone in the Pokémon World! I've been there for her since the very beginning since she was starting out on her journey! When she made a mistake I reassured her and helped her no matter what the other Trainers said! So don't you dare disrespect my friend again! Or I'll have Pikachu use Volt Tackle on you so many times THAT YOU'LL FORGET YOUR OWN NAME!"
"PIKACHU!"
Calem was now in a state of fear from hearing Ash stand up for his loved one, he was terrified, until…
"ASH KETCHUM!" Leaf shouted, and then slapped Ash's face. "What do you think you're doing!"
"Uh, um, Leaf!" Ash stuttered. "I was, uh-"
"Bullying Calem and threatening him with Pikachu!" Leaf shouted. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Ash had now realised what Calem was planning, he wanted Leaf to see Ash and Pikachu be the bad guys, and make himself look like the victim.
"No, no, Leafy! You've got this all wrong!" Ash said. "Calem was telling lies about you and I didn't appreciate it!"
"So it's okay to punch other Trainers and threaten them with your Pokémon or act like a big bully?" Leaf accused.
"Leaf! I was only being a-"
"Stop it Ash!" Leaf cut Ash off. "I don't want to hear it! I know what I saw and you're a very selfish Trainer!"
Ash couldn't believe that Leaf was taking Calem's side, he felt betrayed and hurt.
"Are you okay, Calem?" Leaf asked, as Calem got back on his feet.
"Y-Yeah, I'm okay." Calem said, in an innocent voice. "I just can't believe that Ash would do that, just to prove he's the bigger Trainer."
"You're lying!" Ash shouted. "You kept saying that she should be with either Lance or Steven, and that I had to prove that I was willing to keep her!"
"I can't believe you did that!" Leaf shouted, and then slapped Ash's face even harder. "This isn't like you at all! You're the most brave and noble of all the other Trainers! I'm sorry Ash, but we can't keep being together if you're gonna keep threatening or pushing the other Trainers around! We're now through!" And with that Leaf tossed the engagement ring that Ash gave her on the ground and walked away, regretting to help what she believed was a bully champion.
Ash was now having tears running down his eyes, as he picked up the ring. "LEAF! WAIT!" Ash shouted. "It's not what you think!" Ash ran after her with Pikachu following him.
"PIKACHU!"
Calem felt victorious as he watched the two Trainers run away.
"Now with that Ashy-Boy out of the way heartbroken now, I can finally be able to get my way without being caught!" And Calem grinned in triumph.
To be Continued…