Davis and his friends continue on their journey towards Davis' second gym battle, but they might have to hit another detour.
As they continued on with their travels, they didn't notice that someone was behind the trees and was following them. Imperialdramon did sense something, but he didn't see anyone when he looked.
"Something wrong, pal?" Davis asked.
"For a moment, I thought there was someone there." Imperialdramon said as he was sure there was someone there. "You guys ever get the feeling that you're being watched?"
"Uh... Well, I was always being watched when I had a gym battle. I had a lot of people watch my battles." Cletus claimed.
"You only feel that way because we're in a forest. I'm sure it was just some wild pokemon looking at us with curiosity or something." Tetsu claimed.
"Or maybe there really is someone there." They all got spooked when they heard someone speaking to them.
It's a big big world, but you know where to find me
We'll be together and we're gonna do it our way
We'll discover we believe in each other
On adventures with my friends like every day
And we're already on our way
The journey stars today
OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh OH OH Oh
The journey starts today
OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
The journey starts today
(Davis' voice) Head in the Computer
All of them were a little spooked because they thought no one was in the forest but them. They all looked and saw a man with gray hair that framed his face and a mustache with him wearing a beige kimono.
"Forgive me. I did not mean to startle you." The man claimed. "My name is Zetsu. You three are pokemon trainers, are you not?"
"And what if we are?" Davis asked.
"Is there something we can help you with?" Cletus asked.
"There just might be. I'll explain more when we get to my school." Zetsu claimed.
"School?" All of them questioned.
...
Zetsu's School
Zetsu showed the way to the school he was talking about. It was like a dojo with dorms for the students. When they got there, they saw trainers and their pokemon training, battling, and much more. Davis and the others were rather impressed with what they were seeing.
"Welcome to my school." Zetsu said.
"I've never heard of this place. What is it?" Cletus asked.
"This is a dojo for trainers." Zetsu claimed. "This is where young and inspiring trainers come to hone their skills and abilities. Then, when they feel they are ready, they take off on their own journey."
"This sounds like my kind of school." Davis said as he liked what he saw saw. "So, what do you need our help with?"
"Well, there is one student that I'm most concerned about. I'm worried that if he doesn't get out there, he won't become a real trainer." Zetsu claimed. None of them quite got it, but it did sounded like there's one troubling student here that needs to get their head on straight. Zetsu showed the way and they found one student that was a little isolated from the others. This student was a male with him wearing a burgundy leather suit that had no sleeves with matching gloves and boots. He also had lavender hair with his hangs hanging over his forehead with a pair of large shades. He worked on a computer and it looked like the computer was hooked up to his glasses.
"Is that him?" Cletus asked.
"It is. That's Shade. He's actually my best trainer around here." Zetsu said. "He's the strongest trainer here and all his pokemon are in great shape."
"Seriously? From what you just said, I was expecting a more troubled student." Tetsu said.
"Shade!" Zetsu called and got his attention.
"Sensei?" Shade said as he removed his glasses. "Who are these guys?"
"Your next opponents." Zetsu claimed.
"Opponents?!" Davis questioned since Zetsu didn't say anything about wanting them to battle.
"This again? Sensei, there's no point in continuing this. I don't see why I should battle when I already know the outcome. I've told you that before." Shade said as he had no interest.
"That's not the point, Shade." Zetsu claimed.
"Hold on. You didn't say anything about battling." Cletus pointed out.
"Oh... I apologize for that. I just assumed that since you are all trainers, you would be interested in battling." Zetsu said.
"I am! I'm always up for a battle!" Davis said. "You also said this guy is your strongest student? That just makes me want to battle him more."
"This again. Oh brother." Shade said as he was getting annoyed.
"Nice to meet you." Davis said as he and Imperialdramon stepped forward. "My name is Davis, and I'm aiming for the Centros League."
"I'm Imperialdramon." They introduced themselves, but Shade just jumped back into his computer.
"Davis Motomiya and Imperialdramon..." Shade said as he was doing some research on his computer about them. "It says here you, Imperialdramon, are a one of a kind pokemon. There hasn't been another one like you. It also says that you won the Hoenn League, Davis."
"Yeah. I'm that good." Davis boasted.
"After that, you went in a downward slump. You didn't even try taking on the Hoenn Champ." Shade said and that bruised Davis' ego. "According to my research, the chances of you beating me are only thirty-five percent."
"What?! You've got to be kidding?!" Davis said as he felt offended by that. "What the heck are you looking up anyway? What's the deal with those glasses and computer anyway?"
"This computer of mine holds all the answers." Shade said. "It allows me to access the global network to get me research on other trainers. As for my glasses, they are a computer as well. They assist in my analysis, and when I use them during a battle, I can calculate my opponents moves, powers, limits, and more. Basically, with these pieces of equipment, I can predict how a battle is going to go. If I know the outcome, there's no point in me battling."
"What?" Davis said as he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "No point in battling? Where's the fun in that? Come on, battle me right now."
"Not a chance." Shade said as he gathered his stuff and left. "If I know the outcome, there's no point. It would just be a waste of time, and the data says you would lose against me. Data never lies."
"Hey! You can't just run your mouth like that and run off!" Davis said as he felt greatly offended by what Shade said, and he didn't like how Shade feels about battling. Zetsu was also concerned about this himself. After that, Zetsu brought all of them to a room so they could talk about this.
"I'm sorry I just dragged you into this. It's just that I'm desperate to get Shade battling again, but I'm running out of ideas." Zetsu said. "I believed if I found a trainer that's willing to battle him, and maybe prove his results wrong, he would change how he feels about battling. I'm worried Shade might be loosing the will to even battle."
"Is Shade really one of your best students?" Tetsu asked.
"Yes. When he first got here, he was a talented trainer." Zetsu claimed. "He originally used those computers of his to find ways to improve his pokemon's strength and abilities. I allowed it at the time, but he soon became quite dependent on those gadgets of his. He says he can predict how a battle is going to end, and doing that means there's no point in him battling."
"That's ridiculous. He might make a prediction, but that computer can't know everything." Davis said.
"That's exactly why I'm looking for trainers to prove him wrong, but it's hard when it seems like he's not interested in battling anymore." Zetsu said. "It tarnishes what I teach here. I'm sorry for dragging you into this, but I'm desperate and don't know what to do."
"No worries. I'll do it." Davis claimed as he wasn't going to back down that easily. "I had a friend that always had his head in the computer, even while he was battling. He had to learn the hard way that you can't rely on a computer to battle. If I got through to that big red-head know-it-all, I can get through Shade!"
"How are you going to convince Shade to battle you?" Cletus questioned.
"By not taking no for an answer." Davis claimed.
"In other words, you're going to annoy him." Tetsu said as he could see where this was going.
...
Shade
Shade was up in his room and continued working on both of his computers. It seemed like research and analyzing is really all he can do. That's why Davis is going to do what he has to in order to get him to battle.
"Hey, Shade!" Davis said as he came straight in his room.
"Didn't anyone teach you to knock?" Shade said as he lifted up his glasses. "What do you want now?"
"A battle, of course. Zetsu says your the best trainer in this school. I want to see what you're really made of." Davis said. "So, come on. Let's have a battle."
"I told you that I'm not interested." Shade said as he just went back to his work. "There's no point. The data says you will lose."
"Data, shmata." Davis said as he didn't care. "You don't know what I'm capable of. All that stuff is from my past. I'm stronger than now then from before."
"Doubtful. It says here you have two pokemon that haven't been with you for very long." Shade said. "How can you beat me with pokemon like that? Even if you were to use your strongest pokemon, you still couldn't beat me."
"How can you be so sure if you won't even battle?" Davis said as he was insistent on this. He grabbed a hold of Shade's arm and tried to pull him off his desk, but Shade was resisting. "Come on. What's the harm in having one battle? If your so sure that you'll win, why resist?"
"Why can't you take no for an answer? Get away from me." Shade said.
"It's just one battle." Davis insisted.
"It's a waste of time." Shade said. As he tried resisting, he pulled his arm free, but he ended up knocking over his computer. Panicking, Shade moved fast and caught it before it hit the ground. "Hew... That was close." Seeing that gave Davis an idea. He didn't like it, but Shade needs to get off that thing. That's why he grabbed Shade's computer and pulled it away from him. "Hey! What are you doing?! Give that back!"
"Not unless you agree to battle me." Davis said as he kept the computer back. "I don't want to do it, but I will mess this thing up."
"Are you serious? You want to battle me so badly that you'll wreck my computer if I refuse?" Shade said.
"I'm just trying to get you to see that this computer isn't necessary. Battling is about using instincts, heart, sometimes you just need to act. If you think I'm wrong, just prove it by having a battle." Davis said. Shade could see that Davis isn't going to drop this. Maybe if he does beat Davis, he'll see what Shade's talking about.
"Fine. One battle if it means your drop this." Shade said with Davis glad he agreed to it.
...
The Battlefield
Shade and Davis stepped out on a battlefield. Seeing Shade battle was a big deal around here. A lot of the students wanted to see it. Cletus and Tetsu watched as they were impressed that Davis convinced Shade to battle.
"This battle will now commence!" Zetsu said as he acted as ref. "Each side will use one pokemon! The battle will be over when either pokemon is unable to battle!"
"Let's do this, Imperialdramon!" Davis said.
"Yeah." Imperialdramon said as he walked out on the field.
"Here's my partner. Let's go!" Shade said as he chose his partner.
"Gallade!"
"It's a Gallade!" Cletus said as they were impressed he had that pokemon. Davis pulled out his pokedex to learn more about it.
"Gallade, the Blade Pokemon. A psychic and fighting type, and the evolve form of a male Kirlia. Gallade uses its elbows like swords with it attacking fast, fierce, and with much power."
"It sounds strong, but it's nothing we can't handle." Davis said.
"We'll see about that." Shade said as he got his hi-tech glasses ready. "My glasses will analyze every bit of your pokemon, so I'll know just how to counter."
"You can't predict how a battle is going to go, and I'll show you." Davis said. "Imperialdramon, let's show him what we're all about! Start out by using Focus Punch!" Imperialdramon went through as he gathered power in his fist, but Shade was analyzing it. Imperialdramon charged straight at Gallade, but Gallade stood perfectly calm.
"Power: 30.8%. Speed: 15%. Gallade, jump straight up!" Shade ordered. Gallade shot straight up and Imperialdramon's attack completely missed. "Now use Night Slash!" Gallade gathered dark power around its arm and slashed against Imperialdramon with some effective damage being dealt. As the battle went on, Shade kept his focus more on the data in front of him. "Our most effective attack now would be Psybeam." Gallade blasted Imperialdramon with a powerful beam and knocked him back.
"They weren't all talk. Gallade and Shade are tough." Tetsu said.
"Yeah, but Shade is more focused on the data than the actual battle." Cletus said.
"Dragon Pulse!" Davis ordered.
"Dodge to the left and use Close Combat." Shade said. Gallade jumped to the side like Shade said. When the attack missed, Gallade charged in and attacked Imperialdramon with a series of assaults. "Now use Psycho Cut!" Gallade unleashed another powerful slash against Imperialdramon and knocked him down. "That should do it. Gallade's attacks were all precise and struck effectively. It's over and I was right."
"No! Nothing's over!" Davis called.
"Yeah." Imperialdramon said as he tried getting back up. "I can still battle here." Shade just couldn't believe they were this stubborn.
"Why bother fighting a pointless battle that you can't win?" Shade said.
"Because you don't know if it is. Imperialdramon, Focus Punch!" Davis ordered.
"It's useless. After all that damage, it won't be as strong as..." Shade noticed something with his data and it didn't seem right to him. Imperialdramon still managed to land an attack against Gallade. Shade couldn't believe it. "What is this?! The power and speed have gone up! How could they have gone up after taking all that damage?"
"Told you that data isn't everything." Davis said.
"Nonsense. I must have made a mistake somewhere. I just need to recalculate." Shade said as he tried adjusting the data.
"Brick Break!" Davis said as he wasn't going to give Shade the chance. Imperialdramon went on with the attack and smashed Gallade against the ground.
"Gallade!" Shade called as he tried to figure this out. "No! This can't be right!"
"All that stuff you saw was from the past, but we're stronger in the future and that strength becomes our present. Dragon Pulse!" Davis called with Imperialdramon blasting Gallade. Davis kept the battle going and Gallade was just kept taking those attacks.
"Look at Shade! He's really struggling!" Cletus said.
"He can't watch the battle and analyze that data at the same time. This could be Davis' chance." Tetsu said. Shade was trying to figure out
"Now use Dragon Pulse again!" Davis said with Imperialdramon blasting Gallade again. Gallade was knocked down from that attack and it looked like it was all over. Shade couldn't take it anymore as he ripped off his glasses, surprising everyone.
"No, Gallade! Get up, Gallade! Get up!" Shade encouraged and it was working. Gallade was getting back up and was back in the fight. "That's it, Gallade! Now use Psybeam!"
"Dragon Pulse once again!" Davis said. Both pokemon attacked at the same time and caused a large explosion. "Now use Dragon Rush!"
"Psycho Cut!" Shade said as he was actually enjoying himself with Zetsu enjoying it. The two of them charged right at each other with their attacks and collided. The two of them tried to push back, but Imperialdramon was the one that won that struggle and knocked Gallade back. Gallade was knocked out from that attack.
"Gallade is unable to battle, Imperialdramon is the winner!" Zetsu claimed. All the students were shocked. Shade lost when the data said he would win. Shade fell on his butt, but he was laughing.
"What a rush. I almost forgot how fun battling can be." Shade said.
"Told you." Davis said as he walked over and helped him up. It looked like this was a success. Shade now remembers how fun battling can really be.
...
Later
"Thank you for what you did." Zetsu said as Davis and his friends were ready to leave. "I'm glad to see Shade remembers the joy of battle."
"Thanks for reminding me, Davis. I still tend to use my computers, but I should learn not to be so reliant on them." Shade said. "In fact, I think it's time I hit the road myself. Let's battle again, Davis, but in the Centros League."
"You're going for the Centros League yourself? Sounds great." Davis said. "We will battle again. You can count on it." The two of them held up their fists and bumped it. Once that was done, they were hitting the road with Zetsu and Shade seeing them leave.
Sometimes the fun part of battling is the surprises that come from it. The truth is that you never know how a battle will end until it actually does. Gaining a new rival, Davis looks to get even stronger than he was today. He'll grow even stronger as his gym battle will soon be at hand.
To Be Continued...