Story of Clair (DragonFangShipping)

"You wish for me to give him this test because you don't think he deserves a badge?" the Dragon Master asked.

"Of course!" Clair barked. "This runt doesn't deserve a badge!"

"Why not?" Ash stomped his foot in frustration. "I won that battle fair and square!"

"Whatever! You use your Pokémon like they're tools!"

"What? How dare you say that! And you don't think carrying a whip isn't treating them poorly?"

"Hey, don't you—!"

"You really—!"

"Hey, stop fighting!" the Dragon Master stepped in between the two trainers. "I'll ask this boy the questions to see if he's worthy of the Rising Badge."

"Fine…" Ash sighed. He wasn't sure what kind of questions he would be asked, but he would do his best to answer to the best of his abilities. Maybe. If it was something about math, he may be in trouble.

"Question one," the Dragon Master started. "What are Pokémon to you?"

"Pokémon?" Good, it wasn't math. "Pokémon are…" he glanced over at Pikachu, who was eyeing him curiously, "my friends. My best friends!" Ash was confident in his answer.

Clair didn't budge.

"All right… Question two, what helps you to win battles?"

"Um, proper training. If you don't train your Pokémon well enough, you'll never be able to win battles."

"Hmm, that's good." The Dragon Master nodded his head. He glanced at Clair and she turned her head.

"Okay. Question three, what kind of trainer do you wish to battle?"

"What kind?" Ash repeated for clarification. "I'll battle anyone who wants to battle me! What does that matter?"

"Maybe it doesn't," the Dragon Master said. "Question four, what is most important for raising Pokémon?"

"Most important…" Ash pondered. "Well, caring for your Pokémon, telling them when they do a good job, feeding them good meals. I have a friend that makes the best Pokémon food! I mean, for the Pokémon. I've never tried it. Maybe…"

This kid… Clair gave Ash a meaningful look.

"Question five, strong Pokémon or weak Pokémon, which is more important?"

"Strong or weak? Pokémon are all in how they are raised. Strong Pokémon aren't everything and weak Pokémon may have attributes about them that make up for a weakness. But I'll raise any kind of Pokémon!" Ash said confidently.

Clair's eyes widened. This was the kind of trainer she just battled?

"Last question, Mr. Ketchum," the Dragon Master said. "Do you love Pokémon?"

"What kind of question is that?" Ash raised his eyebrow. "I love Pokémon! That's why I'm a trainer! And my Pokémon," Ash picked up Pikachu and hugged him, "mean a lot to me!"

"Pika!" Pikachu agreed.

Clair couldn't believe it. There was so much more to Ash than she realized.

And…

"Wow, Mr. Ketchum! I have to say, those were some thoughtful answers. You seem to care for Pokémon very much. I think you are more than qualified for the Rising Badge," the Dragon Master smiled.

"Really? Yay!" Ash raised his fist in the air, still holding Pikachu. "Hear that, Clair?"

Clair stared at Ash. She was more than shocked; she definitely wasn't expecting Ash to pass the test. But not just that, he proved to her that he really did train his Pokémon with love and care. She hadn't met a trainer like him in quite some time.

"I heard," she spoke calmly. "Here. I have to say, if anyone deserves this badge, it's you." She handed him the badge.

Ash made a face. "You weren't saying that a few minutes ago."

Clair smiled. "I seemed to have changed my mind. Maybe we should talk a little more about it."

"Huh?" She smiled as a look of confusion crossed his face.

This boy intrigued her very much.