Hey, everyone. A thousand and one apologies for taking so long to update. It's taken me a while to sort out my priorities between school, work, and my personal life. Please bear with me. And another apology for not making this chapter as long as it probably could've been given the amount of time between this update and the last one being months ago…
The following day…
"Electivire, use Thunder Punch!"
"Use Reflect!"
Electivire darted forward with a sparking fist, throwing it forward as fast as it could against its opponent. The opposing Pokémon, however, raised its large hands up and instantly erected a transparent, solid barrier in between itself and Electivire's attack.
The resulting sonic waves from the impact of the Thunder Punch resonated loudly from within their training grove. Electivire retracted its fist and kept some distance from its target, visibly irked that its attack wasn't able to deal as much damage as intended.
"Clever," Paul remarked, unfazed. "But not clever enough. Brick Break, let's go!"
Electivire stormed in again with a second powered fist, smashing the top of the Reflect barrier in the form of a chop. Sparks of white energy flared from the collision before glowing cracks of the same energy quickly crawled throughout the Reflect. The excessive force Electivire held was more than enough to cease the Reflect and force the defending Pokémon tumbling from its spot.
The Pokémon, however, was quick on its feet and was ready to fight back as it slid back from the attack.
"Your offensive power is more refined than previously as my Mr. Mime's Reflect can't be brought down that quickly, even when against someone using Brick Break," Sabrina commented. "I can assume that you're still fired up from yesterday's match."
"There's nowhere but up for me now."
Electivire charged forward, both fists crackling with electricity for a Thunder Punch barrage. Mr. Mime was quick to anticipate its movements, ducking and side-stepping with the occasional surprise slap on the wrist to throw off Electivire's momentum. Paul and Sabrina were quick on their commands with their respective Pokémon quickly adapting to the shifting situation.
The sun was descending lower to the point that a sunset was simply over the horizon. Much time had passed and both Trainer and Pokémon pairs were exhausted and considerably done for the day.
Paul sat on the ground alongside where his Electivire was resting near a tree while Sabrina and Mr. Mime watched them recover from a short distance. Their little training grove in the forest was slowly darkening since they concluded their training session.
"You weren't tired out from yesterday's battle as proven during today's training," Sabrina noted.
"Thorton was a small sample to expect from Brandon at his full strength," Paul answered back. "I have no doubt he'll make it far up in the Champions League ladder, and that's where I want to go to prove my inner strength."
"You're already strong as is, Paul. Why do you still insist on focusing on taking down Brandon?
"You know full well why, Psychic Mistress."
"Perhaps… But do you?"
The Veilstone City Trainer froze in place before sending an indignant glare at the woman who claimed to be helping him for her studies. Sabrina returned his expression with her neutral stare. He stood full height while maintaining eye contact, though she could tell that her prying words had some effect on him.
"You think I should know why I want to fight him in the first place," Paul muttered, breaking contact and looking away. "He forced my brother to give up and retire as a Trainer all because he couldn't find his own strength to use against him."
"I really hope revenge is not your main purpose in seeking him," Sabrina said.
"No," Paul stated simply, resuming eye contact. "I guess I can see part of my desire involved in avenging Reggie's loss, my main desire to prove that I won't give up like he did and continue striving to be the strongest Pokémon Trainer."
"As I recall, you also faced Brandon quite a ways back, and even lost all six of your Pokémon against him while he used only three, all of them still able to battle. You're still an active Trainer despite that loss."
"Hmm…"
Paul looked down again, now fully consumed in thought. Training with Sabrina had helped him focus more on his goals as a Trainer, both long and short term. He wondered why it took him this long to consider what he was really fighting for and if Pyramid King Brandon was his main reason to fight. There were a lot of strong Pokémon Trainers out there aside from himself and Brandon, one notable example being the Trainer from Pallet Town that defeated Brandon and conquered the Kanto Battle Frontier, as well as defeat him in the Lily of the Valley Conference years ago.
"Why do I walk the Pokémon path?" Paul mused to himself, quoting from his first battle against Brandon at Snowpoint City. "… Why do I battle?"
Sabrina recalled her Mr. Mime back into its Poké Ball before making her way to the grove's exit. Haunter had reappeared and floated next to her as she reached the opening between the trees. She glanced back to see that Paul was still pensive, feeling rather sympathetic to his conflict as she was well aware of his plight within priorities. She was well aware that he was finally taking a proper step in raising his Pokémon, treating them more as friends every time she trained with him, even if he still was stoic, presumptuous, and a bit abrasive time after time.
"I can see you still have a lot on your mind," Sabrina commented with a quick monotone giggle. "I hope you get back before it gets too dark. Have a good evening, Paul."
"Thanks, you too," Paul replied back, managing a polite nod as Sabrina and Haunter left.
He looked up to the sun that was about to set and change hue before looking back down to where Electivire was. The Thunderbolt Pokémon was still sitting down, looking up to its Trainer rather expectantly.
"… Vire?" Electivire grunted, tilting its head to the side, wondering why Paul was more somber than usual.
"I can't help but think that she's trying to get me to see the bigger picture behind all of this by getting in my head like this," Paul spoke before looking away once more, closing his eyes, and giving off a quiet exhale. "… And it worked."
The sunset was remarkably gorgeous when viewed over a wide horizon. From one side of the island was the main land of Kanto where the sun was descending over. Finding the perfect view in order to soak in this image of peaceful beauty was difficult, but completely worth it once that spot was found.
Ash, Pikachu, and Marowak found their view at a hill that overlooked both the heart of New Island and the outer reaches of Kanto, wherein tall mountains could be seen at the distance. Marowak had gotten accustomed at staying outside of his Poké Ball, but unlike Pikachu, he was willing to go back in it when necessary or whenever he wanted to.
The Pallet Town Trainer had finished his own training for the day and sought for the serenity that this particular sunset brought. It certainly helped that the area around him had been well kept green and healthy by the Pokémon League Committee since they commercialized New Island more or less as a place to hold special tournaments outside of the usual League Conferences, such as the decennial Champions League.
However, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to host the Kanto Pokémon League Conference between both New Island and Indigo Plateau.
"I seem to have the luck in finding you, even if it's not over training," a familiar soft voice spoke from behind.
Ash, Pikachu, and Marowak turned their upper bodies around to discover Anabel and her Espeon standing behind them. The Salon Maiden gave a friendly wave while her Pokémon mewled her greetings to Ash's Pokémon, to which they promptly returned. Ash placed a hand on the rim of his cap, giving a slight smile to see her again.
"… Hi, Anabel," Ash replied. "… Were you just passing through?"
"I was, actually," Anabel admitted, appearing a bit sheepish. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your quiet moment with your Pokémon. You really looked like you were in peace for the first time when I spotted you out here."
"… It's not a problem… … You're welcome to join in…"
"Thanks, but I actually need to get going."
"… …?"
Anabel felt regretful for saying that as she knew she would have jumped in regardless of the offer. If only Scott had not scheduled a Frontier Brain meeting tonight, then she would be enjoying another moment with Ash. She had chosen to train with Ash every other day as she and her Pokémon couldn't keep up with his, and this day happened to be a day that she trained with Greta only.
Anabel wanted to make sure he was alright by trying to see him at least once each day, training or not. She knew Ash had been complacent with her company at this point, so most likely he wouldn't have minded her intrusion on his sunset moment. However, it was still nice to have his permission to do so.
"Scott needs to see me and the other Frontier Brains tonight for something," Anabel explained, preparing her leave. "Anyway, I don't want to disrupt your alone time with your Pokémon outside of training, so have a great night, Ash!"
Ash waved out to her as she and Espeon went on their way back to the heart of the island. As he watched her leave, he noticed those particular emotions that roused up as of late whenever he was around her, ever since she opened up to him about her doubts about living under her brother's shadow at their first day of training from the past week. These feelings, at first, were no different than the usual emotions he felt towards those he cared about, the bonds of friendship he harbored for all of his friends.
However, Anabel was turning into a new case for him.
The Pallet Town Trainer still wondered why she has been going out of her way to be with him and even help overcome his past unpleasant experiences. He had no doubt that she really cared about him, but now that he matured a bit more, the possibility that she liked him more than what he would normally ever consider started to present itself in his mind.
Was there something more to the modest Salon Maiden than what she appeared to be?
Regardless, Ash felt that he was bound to find out sooner or later about Anabel's true intentions, as well as figure out these new unrecognized emotions that seem to well up every time she was around him. Of course all he cared about in the past was traveling, meeting new Pokémon, and training to become the best that ever was, but given that he had begun to understand more of the world around him, he was now more open to things he normally wouldn't think about.
Perhaps these warm, newly comforting thoughts about Anabel being at his side, though similar to his traveling buddies and yet a whole new story at the same time, could attest to this circumstance. Although he made it far in his Pokémon journey, learning new things and meeting new people and Pokémon alike, he was well aware that there were some things that he stilled needed to learn about. Such things were what made going on a journey all the more worthwhile. Some investigation would be mandatory to understand what was really going on behind the scenes between him and Anabel.
But first…
He gave off a big exhale and looked back towards the setting sun to enjoy the peace of nature. At the meantime, Pikachu and Marowak shared a look after coming to a mental consensus on their Trainer's prior pensive expression.
He's finally starting to get it.
At the Pokémon Center…
"I found you at last!" Georgia declared, sending out an accusatory finger at her target. "And here I thought you had the sense to run away."
"Easy there, Dragon Buster," Iris responded, sitting up on her chair and pushing her self-proclaimed rival's hand away. "It's only been a few days since we didn't see each other. Heh, I didn't think you missed me that much."
"I don't, but you better have trained your Dragon Pokémon for our upcoming rematch, just as a friendly reminder to you," Georgia answered, much to Iris's alarmed state.
"What?! It's the end of the week already?!"
"Really, I was hoping more out of you. Still worrying about Ash, I see?"
"You're one to talk, kid! What happened to 'I'm going to be closer to Ash before you'?"
"Hey! My last plan had holes, alright?! At least he's competent in both his strength and his ability to stay hidden from unwanted attention, such as yours!"
"What did you say?!"
Their usual, yet heated confrontation within the Pokémon Center lobby certainly brought unwanted attention once again from Trainers passing by. It was too bad for them, though, that the rest of the gang had went on doing their own thing on the island for the day, excluding Dawn who was the only one actually outside of New Island at the moment, and thus were unable to redirect the attention from the two warring girls. Axew alone was unable to quell the fighting, nor redirect the watching Trainers away, so he simply hid away in Iris's hair and pretended to know nothing until this situation blew over once again.
"Aren't you ever going to take your training seriously?" Georgia quipped. "You're supposed to be Drayden's successor to the Opelucid City Gym, and yet you done anything about strengthening your Dragon Pokémon's power, much less catch more Dragon Pokémon."
"Axew almost beat your Jigglypuff that time, you know," Iris pointed out.
"Beginner's luck," Georgia snorted, waving it off. "And Jigglypuff was still freshly caught around that time. Check us out now and things will certainly be different."
"Fine, I accept your challenge, Georgia!" Iris announced with a fiery grin. "Name your place and time."
"We'll have our rematch early next week at the same forest battlefield we were at the first time," Georgia explained. "However, the rules of our battle will be different this time around, just to mix things up."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Instead of a typical one-on-one battle, we'll have a single round double battle. I'm sure you're familiar on how double battles work, right?"
"Of course, I do. Only a little kid wouldn't know how a double battle works."
"Good. I expect you to be using your Dragon Pokémon in you ever plan on becoming a Dragon Master. That'll also make my victory all the more meaningful."
"Only in your dreams, Georgia," Iris scoffed.
"Did you know sweet dreams are made of fairy dust?" Georgia taunted. "I hope you're ready to handle some at our rematch."
"I'm not scared of your fairies!" Iris quickly retorted. "You caught me off guard that time, but I actually took the time to learn their strengths and weaknesses. My dragons won't fall for your tricks again."
"Then I guess I shouldn't say anything about cold ice, huh?" Georgia added with a smirk. Iris froze in place and said nothing more. "It sounds like you have a lot to prepare for if you still plan on facing me."
"I'm not giving you any satisfaction by running away," Iris huffed, turning away. "I will be there, and I will defeat you!"
"Dragon challenge accepted," Georgia concluded, watching the Dragon Trainer take her leave to the cafeteria.
The Dragon Buster looked through the clear windows and noticed how the darkness of night was starting to befall the island as the sun was nearly out of sight. She was certainly exhausted from her clash with Iris on how the latter had not been taking her priorities seriously enough, in addition to her own training earlier in the day.
Now that she thought about it, it felt like she trained hard one day and relaxed about like a tourist the next day. She wasn't part of the Champions League, but she wanted to become stronger than any Pokémon Trainer that specialized on Dragon-types out there. Speaking of the Champions League, though, talking with Iris had helped her remember something important.
"I hope Ash has been taking care of himself," Georgia muttered under her breath. "From his last match with Lorelei, he's certainly pushed himself farther than anyone could've imagined. I really need to find him again."
As she went on her way as well, a figure and her Espeon looked at each other, having watched the whole confrontation between that girl and Iris while waiting for the other Frontier Brains to show up. Espeon mewled up in concerned, but was quieted by a gentle caress on the head.
"I'm not too concerned about her as she's still unsuccessful in tracking down Ash," she said. "But she does have his best interests at heart and is sincere on reconnecting with him despite her… earlier behavior."
"Ef-fyie?" Espeon asked.
"I have a feeling we'll confront each other much later on without me having to make a move. Boy, now I'm starting to sound like Sabrina with this prediction. Let's see if Scott is ready for us yet."
I know I'm being slow with the development and all, but with good reason. I believe I already mentioned a while back to having an outline of events for this whole story, thus I predict this story to be over fifty chapters long, which include full team battles being split into two to three chapters. So right now, I'm working on keeping a balance between battling and outside development among characters. It's a simple pattern to follow, considering my brother did something similar. But I'll start finding better ways to write out the characters and their battle styles in my free time.
Again, major apology for the months late update.
It's time to measure up on my writing skills. Please review!
L-ater!