Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon... but I wish I did xD

A/N: Rewritten on June 15, 2017.
Oh My God, I seriously couldn't believe how much mistakes the original chapter had. I really had to work hard to make it a little bit better. Hope you guys like it.

Chapter Two: Shaken Hope

"Mind if I join you?" Ash heard a familiar voice and turned his head to see the champion herself standing behind him.

Anybody else would've been startled by her presence, but to him she was just another friend.

"Cynthia" Ash said under his breath.

"What are you doing here" he said now looking back to his feet.

"Just out for some fresh air" She said with a faint smile on her face.
She could sense that something was wrong. First there was no Pikachu with him and second his voice was very low and lacked the usual energy it possessed.

"But the point is, what are you doing here?" she said with somehow curious tone. When she got no answer she continued, "Shouldn't you be resting right now for your match tomorrow?"

"I just wanted some lone time" he said while his head still bowed down.

"Something troubling you Ash?" She asked, her voice doing nothing to hide the concern she held.

(…) He just kept his head down. Now Cynthia was a very patient person. It wasn't like her to get upset quickly but after waiting for a few minutes and still not receiving an answer, it was just too much.

"Ash Ketchum… I know that you might not see me as a friend but still, at least you should answer the questions asked by a champion unless you do not respect them" She started softly, her voice clearly containing some disappointment but by the end of it, the seemingly disappointment changed into anger.

(…) He just stayed silent. He didn't even flinch to show that he had even registered her words.

Now more irritated than hurt, Cynthia opened her mouth to say something when Ash finally spoke up.

"I am scared Cynthia" he finally confessed, now looking straight towards the open field. His eyes were clearly not concentrating on anything particular just like his voice.

Now, even if there were situations when gave in to her irritation. There were only a few times when she could honestly say that she was caught off guard and this was definitely one of those times. She was shocked; she had never expected this to come from him. Anybody but him. After gawking disbelievingly at him for a few minutes, she finally settled her mind down and tried to make an eye contact but he used his cap to cover them. Now having blown past her limit and completely irritated, she snatched his cap before continuing.

"Scared of what exactly?" she tried to keep her face and voice as straight as possible but there was still a hint of disbelief on both.

And then, he met her eyes with his own. She could see the emotions urging to flow out. His eyes contained a mix of emotions. A mix of sadness and defeat. These emotions seemed to be alien in his eyes as he had never shown any glimpse of them up until this point, ever. He then averted his gaze to look at the moon, clearly not comfortable with the whole conversation.

"I am scared to battle out there tomorrow. I am scared to face 'him'" he said while almost tearing up at the end of the sentence.

Then she got what the whole situation was all about and for the first time in her time till she'd met him, she felt sorry for him. She knew who he was going to face tomorrow. Anybody would feel the way he was, if they were in his shoes. But still she hadn't expected him to do it. She had always taken him as a guy who would meet his challenges head on. Finally after contemplating for a few moments, she figured out what he needed. She now knew that he had lost the never dying 'hope' that he possessed and she wasn't just going to let it be like that if she had a say in it. She sighed deeply and then returned him his cap while trying to find the right way she should proceed and then took the place on the bench beside him.

"Ash I never thought I would ever hear you saying these words." She said in a soothing voice, trying her best to comfort him. "And besides… there is nothing bad about losing. You better than anyone know winning or losing doesn't matter." She looked at him trying to gauge his reaction to figure out if she was helping.

But to her surprised, Ash let out a humourless chuckle to that.

"There is no point to that Cynthia. I know that man is a 'monster' and there is no way I am going to defeat him tomorrow. He said without showing any hint of emotion. Cynthia stood up, stunned from his word but before she could retort, Ash continued "I should very well give up the match and not show up tomorrow" he paused for a moment before continuing "This way, at least I won't get my friends hurt". He said in a shaking voice.

Cynthia has had enough. She couldn't believe that this was the same trainer who she had known. The same person who used to meet any difficulties head on, from what she knew about him. She had even concluded that he would make it to the Champion's league someday to face her and now he'd said he should give up. In her moment of rage she did something brash.

She slapped Ash right across the face, leaving 'fingerprints' on his cheek. Ash never anticipated that one coming and was caught off guard, as he fell off the bench. Blinking for a few moments while sub consciously bringing his hands over the now red cheek, he gritted his teeth and yelled at her.

"What the hell was that for and who the hell do you think you are to slap me!" With anger and frustration leaking from his voice.

"That's it, I've heard enough of your mourning, who the hell do you think you are to do this with your Pokémon, 'your so called friends' and yourself." Ash now took a step backward, scared of her outrage as she continued.

"You have no right to give up now after everything you've done and after everything your Pokémon have done to be here. You couldn't just walk away on them."

She paused for a moment and averted her gaze to now look away from him, "And if you are that weak, that you could not stand up against a trainer just because he is stronger than you…. Then you should very well give up on your dream to become a Pokémon master. At least that way you won't fool your Pokémon." She said coldly now glaring daggers right at him as if challenging him to say something.

Seeing him flinch brought her out of her sudden moment of outrage. Then she stopped and realised that she had yelled at him. She looked into his eyes which now contained some unshed tears and she cursed herself for that. She hadn't meant to say something like that. She just couldn't hold herself and now she was dearly regretting her actions.

Then silence took over the whole place for few moments. Cynthia just stared into his eyes waiting to see his reaction toward her words and she could've sworn that she saw some regret and shame in them.

Ash realised that she was right. It wasn't just about him. It was about all his Pokémon and all his friends, who helped him get there. It was about all the trainers he defeated to get there. And the moment he realised it, he felt acute shame of himself. He had never loathed himself for anything but right now, he couldn't even believe it was actually him that had thought something like giving up.

"How could I do this?" he thought to himself.
"How could I be so selfish?" He cursed himself mentally before averting his gaze to stare his feet again. But this time it was because of shame. He didn't have the courage to make an eye contact with her.

After a brief moment of silence, he sighed, "You are right Cynthia." He said while raising his gaze to meet her and she could see that now his face had a small nervous smile on it.

"I was just being selfish" he continued.

"I forgot about my Pokémon…. They deserve a shot on him after doing everything to be here. I couldn't just give up"; he said while standing up from his seat.

Seeing his rebuilding resolve, she sighed in relief. She gave him a warm reassuring smile before commenting, "Besides Ash, I think that you are selling yourself short. I believe that if anyone could defeat Tobias, that's you… beside me of course" she finished with a slight smirk.

Ash chuckled himself to that. "I guess you are right." He looked straight at her with an apologetic expression on his face.

"Um uh… I… I'm sorry Cynthia" He started while shuffling his feet nervously.

"I'm sorry that you had to see me like that." He said after pausing for a bit. "And thank you very much….. I think am ready for tomorrow now" he said with a resolute look on his face.

"Oh you better be Ash Ketchum, because my money would be on you." She winked playfully at the end of her sentence.

Ash was pleased to know that a champion thought so high of him. He showed his gratitude by giving her a small smile and nod of his head.

"I guess you better go and get some sleep now"

"Yeah you're right. Thanks a lot Cynthia". She just gave him a genuine smile before starting to leave for her hotel.

"Good night Ash Ketchum"

"G 'night Cynthia"

Ash then headed for his own room. His mind still trying to process all that it could about the conversation he just had. But he was brought out of his stupor as the moment he opened the door, he saw Dawn and Brock glaring at him intensely. He gulped unconsciously, while taking a step back.

Seeing that he was back, Dawn was the first one to speak her mind, "Ash Ketchum where do you think you were at this time without any of us knowing." She scolded.

"Thanks Pikachu" he said as he delivered him a death glare.

"Ash could we know what were you doing outside 'alone' at this time?" Brock added patiently, showing that at least one of them was trying to see his reason.

"Ummm" was all he could say while a big drop of sweat formed on his head.

It was then that Dawn noticed the 'fingerprints' that remained on his cheek.

"Ash what in the name of Arceus happened to your cheek?" She enquired as concern took over the anger in her voice. As she tried to reach for his cheek but stopped seeing him flinch.

"Don't worry Dawn, it's nothing really." Ash said, trying to avoid the subject as he covered his cheek with his hand while chuckling nervously.

"That's when I worry the most!" She scolded "now tell me what happened"

Ash sighed. 'This isn't going to be easy' he thought and tried to wonder what would be their reaction to know that he was slapped by Cynthia of all people.

"Ummm"

"Ash!"

"I was slapped" he almost shouted with his eyes closed.

"Whaaaat?" Dawn's eyes widened. "And who slapped you Ash" Brock added.

"Ummmm….."

"Aashhhh…" They both leaned onto him with their hand on their hips and their eyes boring straight through his skull.

Ash sighed to that and mumbled "Cynthia" under his breath.

"Whaaaaat" They both said in unison again. The drop of sweat increased in size as Ash let out a nervous chuckle to that. Dawn gathered herself from the shock and couldn't help but feel anxious about the situation that could've led to the champion slapping her friend.

"And what did you do to deserve a slap from her? Don't tell me that you asked the champion out." She joked with a chuckle before she couldn't hold it any longer and broke into full laughing.

"Haa haa very funny Dawn." Ash rolled his eyes whiles mocking her in a sarcastic tone.

After calming Dawn down, he explained them what had happened in detail. They were both speechless to know the actual reason behind 'the slap'. After a moment of silence Dawn added,

"This explains why she slapped you. Well you are lucky Ash Ketchum because if I were her then, believe me when I say that slaps wouldn't even be included in the starters." She said in a frightening tone.

Ash tried to imagine for a second what would it be like if she would have been in Cynthia's place? And believe me when I say that the idea itself wasn't pretty. Ash let out a nervous chuckle, while rubbing the back of his neck, before saying "Yeah I know". Dawn just smiled to that. She just couldn't stay angry at him.

"Hmmmm… Well this was rather interesting but still, you better go to bed now Ash" Brock said with a smile of his own.

"Yeah I'm beat."

Ash wished everyone good night and went to his bed.

"Ash"

"Yeah Dawn?"

He looked at her bed and caught her looking at him with a warm smile on her face. "Don't worry you will do great and remember we are always with you…. I am always with you…" she almost whispered the last part.

Ash couldn't help but smile to that. "Thanks Dawn" he paused before continuing "You couldn't know how much that means to me"

Dawn could feel the heat radiating from her cheeks and was thankful that the room was dark. 'Did he mean that I mean a lot to him' she couldn't help but wonder.

"Good night Dawn" Ash said with now his eyes closed and a smile on his face.

"hmmmmm" she said with a smile of her own.

Ash woke up early next morning. Seeing that everybody else was still sleeping, he thought that it would be better not to wake them up. He quietly brushed his teeth and changed into his attire and left the room with all his Poke balls and Pikachu. In the hall he wished Nurse Joy morning, which she returned while smiling warmly. She was slightly confused though. 'Was this the same boy from last night?' Rather he was, but he seemed completely different. He seemed to be very focused and confident comparing to the last time she saw him.

Once he was outside, he called all his Pokémon out.

"Hey guys what about some warm up before we reach to the finals" Ash said while raising his fist to show his excitement. Pikachu was pleased to see him like this but couldn't help but wonder what the deal about his behaviour was last night. As he jumped off his shoulder. He stared right into his eyes which Ash noticed and kneeled down to his level.

"Hey don't worry buddy. I am fine now and sorry for the last night." Ash said while petting him behind his ears.

"Pi… pikaa pi pika..chuu" Pikachu said as he nuzzled his palm.

"Thank you Pikachu" Ash said with a huge smile on his face.

After that Ash stood up and dashed a few feet's before looking back and saying "Race ya?" while jogging on the spot.

All of his Pokémon yelled their name in affirming tone and began to sprint towards him. Pikachu on the other hand was complaining about the head start.

After 15 minutes of running they all stopped at the entrance of the stadium.

"H… hey huff- thh- that was n… no fair Pikachu"

"You cannot use quick attack in races" Ash complained while trying to catch his breath.

Pikachu on the other hand stood proud on his head while giggling a bit before breaking into laughing effectively dropping from his place to ground. This annoyed Ash and he decided to have some fun of his own.

"Oh…. Pikaaaacchhuuu…." He said in a sing-song manner with both his hands behind his back and a devilish smirk on his face.

"Pika?" Pikachu gave a confused expression by tilting his head. As he stood there Ash pulled his arms forward, now revealing a pokeball.

"Pikaaaa?" Pikachu's eye widened in shock. 'He is bluffing. He wouldn't do that to me' he tried to reassure himself but he was proven wrong when Ash tapped the button and a red beam of light came straight towards him.

He somehow managed to dodge it, now panicking, he began to run away from him towards the bushes. After he calmed down, he looked behind to see that Ash was on the ground literally rolling on the floor while laughing.

"Got yaaa!" Was all he could say before a yellow bolt of electricity hit him. Yet it didn't seem to bother him as he continued to laugh heartedly.

"Looks like you're feeling better" came a voice that he was all too familiar with.

"Good morning Cynthia" he said while turning to her with a smile on his face.

"Good morning Ash" she said with a smile of her own before continuing. "Looks like you are ready to go" She said while giving him an appraising look.

"You bet I am" Ash said while raising his fist in excitement.

She chuckled and added "yeah you seem ready"

Ash approached her and looked directly into her eyes before saying, "Thanks a lot Cynthia. You really helped me out yesterday. And now to repay you I will bring Tobias down and after I do that I will win the tournament and challenge you" He said with so much confidence that she had to raise an eyebrow.

"I'm looking forward for that" She said with a chuckle.

"Well… all the best for it" She stretched her arm forward which Ash took without any hesitation and shaking it slightly.

"Thanks" he said before breaking the handshake. She seemed to stare at him for a few moments as if contemplating something, before saying her next words.

"Well Ash I actually came here to talk to you" Ash looked her slightly confused, raising an eyebrow as if prompting her to continue.

"Well you see… I have a proposition for you." This confused him even more.

"Proposition? What kind of proposition?"

"hmmmmm" she looked as if she was thinking really hard for a minute and the way she crossed her arms and furrowed her brows made her look really cute. Wait cute? But before he could think any more about it, she continued.

"I'll tell you after your match about it" she paused a bit before continuing, "For now, you just concentrate over your match".

"Sound's fair" he agreed while nodding.

She gave him a slight nod herself before continuing, "How about we meet where we met last light, same place same time?"

"Fine with me"

"Hmmm good, now that it's decided. I should leave. Good luck again Ash and see you later."

Ash waved her good bye and when she was gone, he turned to his Pokémon who were now playing on their own.

"I wonder what proposal she has for me" he muttered. 'Never mind I've got a match to win' he thought as he recalled his Pokémon to their poke balls.

Then he turned to Pikachu and said; "Say Pikachu how about another race…. This time no head starts and no quick attack?" He said with a challenging smirk on his face.

Pikachu had a smirk of his own as he took the stance next to him.

"Pika" He said confidently. To which Ash's smirk changed into a full blown grin.

"Ready?"

"One"

"Two"

"Three"

Author's Note: So guys there goes my second chapter. Thanks for your reviews and now that I think about it... I guess you guys are right XP but I really thought that it was Electrovire. XD But apologies for that any ways... B.t.w., thanks for the suggestion of Bulbapedia.. It's surely gonna help a lot. The next chapter gonna have Ash vs Tobias and don't forget... the proposition xD It will be out maybe by Tuesday.