Hello Fanfiction Readers! -Dramatic Organ Music- I'm back! But seriously, I'm glad that I can get this out. I've kind of missed updating this story and seeing reviews. Hopefully I can get the next chapter published sooner than this one. But alas, I make no promises. Well, remember to read and review and favorite and follow! I love it when that happens.
Disclaimer: …...I own nothing!
Pokémon Black and White
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Normal Point of View
Cilan hummed as he ladled a pot clockwise. "Today's secret ingredients include the gentle forest breeze, which carries the scent of fresh grass, and the trees, laced with sunlight."
Misty sweat-dropped as she stood in front of their Pokémon.
Pikachu, Marill, Axew, and Pansage sighed contently as they raised their arms in agreement.
"You smell those aromas too, right, Pansage?" Cilan asked.
"Pansage!" ("Yep!")
"This is truly a dish filled with forest essences."
Ash cheered from above as he was swinging on a vine. Iris added her cheers as she did the same.
Cilan cleared his throat as Ash cheered once more.
"What a blast!" Ash declared, his hat on backwards. "Try it, Misty!"
"Yeah, c'mon, Cilan!" Iris added.
The four Pokémon watched them swing back and forth as Misty shook her head at her boyfriend's antics. "Honestly Ash..."
Cilan increased the pace at which he was ladling what was in the pot as the two Pokémon Trainers cheered overhead.
The Pokémon Connoisseur gasped as he saw a stray leaf fall into the pot. He tightened his grip on the ladle as it looked like he might explode.
"Will...you...stop..." He thrust the ladle upwards, causing the pot to tumble. "it?!"
They all looked in shock as they saw that the pot was falling to the ground.
"Looks like it's emergency time!" Cilan commented as his hands were on either side of his forehead and blue lines appeared on it.
XXXXXXX
Iris and Ash, the latter of whom were holding their hat, looked ashamed as Cilan straightened the pot. Misty stood off to the side as she held her Marill.
"Sorry, Cilan." Ash said.
"Yeah, sorry." Iris added.
Pikachu, Axew, and Pansage tried their best to console the green haired man as blue lines were over his downcast head. Axew held the ladle while Pansage patted Cilan reassuringly.
"Look, you two..." Cilan said as the lines disappeared. He looked up somewhat. Misty unconsciously took a step backwards, unnerved by Cilan's expression. "Do you have any idea what this means?"
While not particularly unnerved, Ash and Iris were unsure how to react to the green haired man.
"On this beautiful afternoon?" Cilan continued. He looked up completely and Misty consciously took a step back at Cilan's seemingly crazed expression. "We now have nothing to eat!"
"Of course we do!" Iris said as she pulled out three apples from her outfit. "Here's one for Ash and one for you!" She threw an apple at Cilan as she handed one to Ash.
"It's good!" Ash commented after taking a bite before glancing at Misty. "But what about Misty?"
A mischievous smirk crossed Iris' face. "I guess you're just going to have to share the apple."
"Wait, what?" Ash asked.
"Share the apple?" Misty echoed.
At the implications of that, their faces turned a shade of crimson.
"I was just kidding," Iris said as she suppressed a chuckle. She pulled out an apple from her outfit. "here you go!"
"Thanks." Misty said before taking a bite.
"I suppose an apple is fresh." Cilan relented. "Oh, well." He picked up the pot. "I'll simply make lunch again!"
"I'll call you when it's done," Cilan continued. "but meanwhile, could you take your games somewhere else? And Misty? Can you be sure to keep on them?"
"Yeah." Ash, Misty, and Iris said in unison.
XXXXXXX
"Man, I feel so bad about what happened." Ash said.
"Well, it's your fault for acting like a kid!" Iris said, the back of her hands on her hips.
"What do you mean me?" Ash asked.
"You're the one who said we should swing from the trees!" Iris answered.
"I just wanted to show that you're not the only one who's good at swinging from trees!"
"Oh, yeah?" Iris asked. "Then let's just see who's better!"
"You're on!"
Before Iris could continue though, Misty spoke up, "Speaking of swinging from trees, did anyone notice how Cilan seemed to act, well, out of character?"
"What do you mean Misty?" Ash inquired.
"Didn't he seem rather angry about what happened?"
"Hmm," Ash uttered thoughtfully. "now that you mention it, it did seem rather strange."
"I think your imaginations are just running wild," Iris interjected. "what a pair of little kids."
However, Iris turned away from them and pointed off into the distance before they could respond. "Anyway! I'll race both of you to that Oran Berry tree and back again! And whoever gets back here first, wins!"
"Hey, hold on!" Ash looked in the direction Iris had pointed at. "Oran Berry tree?"
"Over there!" Iris said.
"Where over-" Ash said before he spotted it. "Oh! Now I see it!"
"Really?" Iris asked skeptically.
"Yeah!" Ash responded before pointing in the direction Iris pointed in. "Right next to that tall tree!"
"How can you manage to see that far out there?" Misty asked.
"Where I come from, we all see that far!" Iris exclaimed proudly. "So, are you two ready to run?"
"Uh, yeah!" Ash said.
"Yep." Misty said.
Iris jumped away from them into the trees as Ash and Misty both climbed up the tree behind them.
"Ready?" Iris asked as they stood on their branches. She leaped from the branch. "Go!"
"Yahoo!" Iris exclaimed as she jumped on top of a tree.
As Ash and Misty did the same, the former stumbled somewhat while the latter managed to keep their balance.
"It's like a walk in the park!" Iris declared as she was swinging on a vine. "Admit it Ash!" She glanced behind her. "It's easy to see who's better at this!"
"Whatever!" Ash shot back. "I'm just getting warmed up!"
However, in an attempt to grab onto the next vine, Ash ended up falling. He and Pikachu tumbled down the hill.
Misty suppressed a chuckle. "As graceful as ever." She leaped down from where she was swinging. While she attempted to walk briskly down the hill though, Marill in hand, the Water-type Pokémon Trainer lost her balance and tumbled after her boyfriend.
"Uh?" Iris wondered as she landed safely on a branch. "Hey, Ash? Pikachu? Misty? Marill?"
XXXXXXX
The Vanillite formed a light blue orb of energy at the top of his head before firing multiple light blue beams at the Palpitoad he was facing off against.
The Palpitoad struggled somewhat as his feet were encapsulated in the ice.
"Nice work, Vanillite!" Trip congratulated from behind his Pokémon, a Poké Ball in his right hand. He threw it. "We caught a Palpitoad!"
Before the Poké Ball could capture the Pokémon though, it was at that moment that Ash came down the hill and was hit in the face with the Poké Ball. The Pokémon Trainer fell backwards onto Palpitoad, freeing him from the ice. It wasn't over though as Pikachu landed on his trainer. Before the two of them could get up though, a tumbling blur of orange hair fell on Ash.
"Sorry about that Ash." Misty said apologetically as she attempted to smother a laugh.
"S'okay Mist," Ash muttered as spirals began to form in his russet eyes and Staryu and Starmie were floating around his head. "I've been through worse."
Regaining his senses after Misty got off of him and was sitting cross-legged at his side, Ash took recognition of the Palpitoad. "A Pokémon!" The aforementioned Pokémon began to run off. "Hey, wait up!" Ash shouted as he was pulling out his Pokédex.
The Palpitoad took him no heed as he ran off anyway. Fortunately, Ash managed to catch a glimpse of the Pokémon on his Pokédex before he ran away.
"Palpitoad, the Vibration Pokémon and a dual-type of Water and Ground. Palpitoad can live both underwater and on dry land. It captures prey by using its long, sticky tongue." Ash's Pokédex uttered.
"Huh, a Palpitoad?" Ash muttered. As he put his Pokédex away, he saw that the viridian eyes of his girlfirend were sparkling.
"A Water- and Ground-type?" Misty murmured in awe.
Ash sweat-dropped before a tender smile graced his features. "Who knows Mist, you might catch one of your own someday."
"Yeah, maybe." Misty mumbled noncommittally.
"Hey, kids!" Trip called, breaking the two out of there discussion.
"What?" Ash inquired as he turned to face the dirty blond. "Trip?" He took notice of what was next to him. "Who's that Pokémon?"
"Vanillite, the Fresh Snow Pokémon and an Ice-type. Vanillite's breath is more than fifty degrees below zero when it exhales, creating ice crystals and causing it to snow." Ash's Pokédex uttered.
"Wow, an Ice-type Pokémon!" Ash commented.
"Heads-up!" Trip held the Poké Ball he had in his right hand. "Just so you know, people normally don't end up getting caught by Poké Balls! Pretty basic stuff."
"Sorry about that!" Ash pulled his hat up a bit. "Did I keep you from catching that Pokémon?"
"Yeah, big time!" Trip said bluntly, the back of his hands on his hips.
"There you two are!" A feminine voice called.
Trip and his Fresh Snow Pokémon turned their attention to the tree nearby. Standing on a branch of the tree was Iris.
"Iris!" Ash and Misty said in unison.
"Oh, Ash." There was an admonishing edge to her voice. "I guess he brought you down to, huh Misty?"
Before the two of them could react indignantly to that comment, Iris was unnerved by what was behind her.
Iris recoiled away as shudders ran through her entire body. "I'm freezing!"
"What's wrong?" Ash asked curiously.
Misty shrugged. "Doesn't seem cold to me."
"What do you mean "what's wrong"?" Iris asked. Her voice most likely would have been incredulous had she not been shivering so badly. "And how can you not feel the overpowering chill?" Iris shuddered again. "What's an Ice-type doing here?" Another shudder. "Hurry! Get that Pokémon away from me!"
"Hmph." Trip turned to his Vanillite. "What a weirdo..."
"Vanill!" ("I agree!")
"Vanillite," Trip pulled out his Pokémon's Poké Ball. "return!"
"Next time, stay out of me face." Trip sneered, picking up his backpack and walking away.
"Okay, sorry, Trip." Ash shot back as he was now standing up, the back of his hands on his hips. It was clear from the snide tone in his voice that he wasn't completely sorry.
"What a charming person." Misty quipped before Ash turned to Iris as she was shivering on the ground in fright. It seemed that she was surrounded by blue.
"Iris, you okay?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu?" ("Iris?")
Iris breathed a sigh of relief as she stood up. She held a hand to her heart, as if it might burst from the strain it had just underwent. "I was so scared!"
"What's gotten into you?" Ash pressed.
"I've never seen someone so scared of a particular type of Pokémon before," Misty commented. She felt a chill run down her spine as a pair of russet eyes were focusing on her. "What?" She asked defensively.
"Nothing, nothing." Ash answered, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly before turning back to the frightened Dragon Master-in-Training.
"Dragon-type Pokmon have a disadvantage against Ice-types," Iris explained which didn't really answer much. "so they don't like cold temperatures."
"Huh?" Ash asked as Misty was just as perplexed as he was.
"You see, I really don't like cold temperatures either." Iris continued. "I think raising a Dragon-type's rubbed off on me!"
Unbeknownst to the trio of Pokémon Trainers, a certain dirty blond as stopped as he became intrigued in the conversation he was eavesdropping on.
"But if people from the Village of Dragons like Dragon-type Pokémon so much..." Ash started.
"It's kind of hard to say." Iris said. "Though the Elder said she doesn't like the cold, either."
"To be fair though," Misty interjected. "I think most people can agree that they don't like the cold."
"Oh, I don't know," Ash had his arms behind his head as a light pink dusted his cheeks. "I rather like the cold, somewhat anyway. Gives a certain excuse for people to huddle together for warmth."
Misty felt her face heat up at the implications of what her boyfriend had said.
"Not that I would actively try to look for a cold scenario to show itself," Ash continued, the pink giving way to red as he became embarrassed. A wistful smile creased his features. "although that does remind me of when I was trapped in a cave and me and my Pokémon had to stay together for warmth."
Their conversation was interrupted though by a certain abrasive Pokémon Trainer.
"Hey, you!" Trip interjected as he stepped between where Ash and Misty were talking to Iris. "So you're from the Village of Dragons?"
"That's right." Iris answered.
"Of course!" Trip said. "And that's why you train an Axew. You're the first person I've met from the Village of Dragons." He pulled out his camera to take a picture of Iris.
"Huh?" Iris wondered as Trip took a picture. "'Kay, what's with the camera?"
"Chronicling my journey." Trip answered as he took a picture of Axew.
"I didn't say you could take my picture." Iris said, looking to be put-off by the dirty blond's actions.
"True..." Trip admitted as he put his camera away. "Do you know you're not making any sense?"
"Huh?" Iris asked.
"Dragon-types have a disadvantage against other Dragon-types, too." Trip explained. "But still, you don't mind hanging out with Axew."
"Uh, so?" Iris asked, wondering where this conversation was going.
"Thing is, Iris is training to become a Dragon Master!" Ash interjected.
"Let's not get into this now..." Iris said, holding a hand up.
"This is basic stuff." Trip commented. "Man, it seems to me that being scared of Ice-type Pokémon won't help you become a Dragon Master. You're being disrespectful to Ice-types."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, well, excuse me!" Iris muttered as a faint shade of crimson was on her cheeks from embarrassment.
XXXXXXX
Cilan smelled the air as he stirred the pot. "Oh my! What a fragrance!"
"Pan!" ("Yeah!") The Grass Monkey said as he held up a ladle and the top of the pot.
"All right." Cilan said, the back of his hands on his hips. "I think it's time to call the others!"
"Pansage!" ("Looks like it!")
"Oh, Ash," Cilan cupped his hands on either side of his mouth. "Iris, Misty? Come and get it! It's finally lunchtime!"
"Oh dear..." Cilan said as there was no response. "I hoped they would stay close by!"
"Okay!" The green haired man held up a Pecha Berry. "I'll make something else with...this Pecha Berry!"
Pansage voiced his assent.
XXXXXXX
"Hey, kid." Trip held up a Poké Ball.
"Huh?" Iris pointed to herself. "You mean me?"
"Let's have a battle!" Trip said.
"Now, hold on, Trip!" Ash interjected as he came behind the other Pokémon Trainer. "Have a battle with me!"
"Hmm." Trip said noncommittally.
"Hey!" Ash pressed, indignant.
"I haven't had a chance to battle against a Dragon-type yet." Trip said, ignoring Ash. "You must have lots more Pokémon than Axew. If you're aiming to be a Dragon Master, it's worth battling you!"
"Uh, well..." Iris trailed off as she thought about her unruly Excadrill who refused to battle and her rebellious Emolga who felt that battling was overrated. "See, the truth is..." Axew retreated in Iris' hair. "I'm really not in top form today!"
"Top form?" Trip echoed skeptically, eyebrow raised. "That's disappointing."
"C'mon, battle with me!" Ash interjected insistently. "What have you got to lose?"
"My time and my patience." Trip quipped. "Having a battle with you won't help my Pokémon get stronger."
"This guy is irritating me." Misty muttered under her breath.
Trip sighed, the back of his hands on his hips. "What a waste of time. Maybe I'll try to find that Palpitoad."
"Hey, wait!" Ash exclaimed as Trip started to walk away.
"He's full of excuses." Iris commented, her arms crossed. "It's obvious he doesn't think he can beat you in a battle." She turned her head in his direction. "What a little kid."
Misty, catching on to what Iris was attempting, spoke her thoughts as she crossed her arms : "If you ask me, he's probably just scared that he might lose."
"Hmm?" Trip stopped walking. "Well, I guess I'll have to show you otherwise. And get it through your thick heads!"
"Really?" Ash inquired, confidence exuding off of him. "I've got three Badges, you know!"
"Oh yeah?" Trip challenged back, glancing over his shoulder. "Well, I have four!"
That took Ash aback as a sweat-drop formed on his head. "Yeah? But, all my Pokémon are a lot stronger than last time!"
"His Pokémon probably are too." Misty added, causing Ash to sweat-drop again.
"How about a three-on-three?" Trip suggested. "Best two out of three wins."
"Hey, I'm up for a full battle!" Ash said.
"And I'm not up for wasting my time." Trip said before placing his backpack on the ground. "Let's do it."
"Just you wait!" Ash said. "You're gonna be shocked at how strong we've gotten!"
Ash and Trip stood on opposite sides of the clearing they were in as Iris and Misty sat on a felled tree. Their Pokémon sat next to them.
"Servine, go!" Trip said as he released the Grass Snake Pokémon.
"And here comes Ash's Pokémon..." Iris said before turning to the female next to her. "What do you think it will be?"
"Who knows," Misty shrugged.
Okay, Servine's a Grass-type so...
"Tranquill!" Ash exclaimed before releasing the Wild Pigeon Pokémon. "A Flying-type for a Grass-type!"
"Technically Tranquill's a Normal/Flying-type," Iris interjected. "I suppose its a good move."
"Even though Ash has a tendency to make mistakes," Misty added before a wry smirk appeared on her face. "lots and lots of mistakes."
Ash face-faulted. Quickly recovering, a slight cross-popping vein appeared on his forehead. "Misty!"
"Sorry Ash!" The Water-type Pokémon Trainer called back as she attempted to smother a chuckle.
XXXXXXX
Cilan took a whiff of the cake he had made. It was a simple brown with a Pecha Berry in the center of it. "It's like a fragrant dream!"
Pansage leaped nearby from branch to branch before landing on the ground.
Dwebble approached him from behind. "Dwebble?" ("Seen them?")
The Grass Monkey Pokémon appeared crestfallen. "Pansage, Pan." ("No, I haven't.")
"Hey, you two." Cilan said as he looked at his two Pokémon. "I assume you didn't find them?"
"Pansage!" ("Nope!") The Grass Monkey Pokémon said with a shrug and a shake of his head.
"Dweb Dwebble!" ("Sorry Cilan!") The Rock Inn Pokémon shook his claws.
"This is not good!" Cilan glanced to the side. "All right!" He exclaimed, facing forward. "Then, I'll make a full-course meal! We'll surprise Ash, Misty, and Iris with a feast they'll never forget!"
His Pokémon spoke their agreement to that.
XXXXXXX
"Well, this is certainly an interesting development," Trip commented. "And here I was thinking that you were going to use your Grass-type."
He shook his head before looking straight ahead. "But still, your Tranquill hasn't evolved? You'll never beat me if you keep ignoring basic stuff like evolving. Get with the program already!"
"I'll do it my way!" Ash declared proudly.
"Must be the way they do it in the boonies." Trip commented flippantly. "What a joke!"
"That little punk!" Misty muttered, holding her fist in front of her angrily as a snall cross-popping vein appeared on her forehead.
"You becoming a Pokémon Master?" Trip continued. "You've gotta be kidding! You don't have a chance winning the Unova League."
"Oh, and you think you do?!" Misty interjected.
"Whoa there Misty, calm down." Iris had a small sweat-drop on her forehead from Misty's outburst.
"A better chance than this guy." Trip responded, waving his hand dismissively in Ash's direction.
"The truth is, the bigger the dream you have, the better!" Ash said. A certain determined gleam entered his russet eyes as he held a fist in front of him. "And the more you try to make it a reality!"
"Keep on yapping!" Trip shot back. "So when you lose this, it'll make it that much sweeter!"
"Well, when I win," Ash challenged. "it'll make my Pokémon stronger and one step closer to victory!"
"Are you two done talking yet?" Iris asked, obviously bored of the back and forth.
Misty cupped her chin thoughtfully. "I wonder if Trip knows that he is at a disadvantage."
"He probably doesn't care." Iris said.
"Axew!" ("Right!")
"Ready to rock, Trip?" Ash asked.
"Yeah!" The dirty blond replied.
"Servine, Leaf Tornado!"
The Grass Snake Pokémon jumped and began to spin on his head with his tail straight up in the air. Servine then started to spin his body as a large light green, green and dark green torndo with glowing light green leaves inside of it appeared around the end of his tail as he spun around with it. Servine the spun around on his side in an attempt to catch Tranquill inside of the tornado.
However, Ash was ready for that.
"Tranquill! Attack with Air Cutter!"
The Wild Pigeon Pokémon responded by waving her wings in an "X" like motion and a light blue "X" shaped energy was released from the tips of her wings at the oncoming Grass-type move. The two attacks collided and matched in power.
"They're even, Axew!" Iris commented as she shielded her eyes from the leaves heading over to where she sat.
"Axew!" ("Looks like it!")
"Well, that's something!" Misty commented as Marill shielded her own eyes.
"Now, try this on for size!" Trip said. "Use Cut!"
Servine's arms glowed light blue as he charged at the Normal/Flying-type.
"When it gets close, use Gust!"
As Servine attempted to swipe Tranquill, she flew above him and away before flapping her wings once, releasing a powerful gust of wind from them at the Grass Snake Pokémon. Standing his ground for a few seconds, Servine was blown back to where his trainer was. He managed to stay on his feet.
"It seems that your Tranquill is slowly leveling up." Trip commented. "But that's nothing compared to Servine!"
"We'll just see about that!" Ash shouted.
"Hmph." Trip murmured. "All right Servine, show them how strong you are! Use Leaf Tornado once more!"
Servine did as he did before.
"Tranquill, fly right through that and then use Gust!" Ash said. "And then use Air Cutter!"
"Tranquill." ("Okay!")
"Wait, what?" Iris half-shouted incredulously. "Ash wants Tranquill to do what?"
Before Misty could answer that, Tranquill charged straight Servine's Leaf Tornado. While a turbulent ride, the Wild Pigeon Pokémon managed to maintain her bearings. She flapped her wings once she broke through, sending Servine back.
Tranquill then glowed white before releasing several multitudes of light blue crescent shaped blades from her wings at Servine. And soon enough, after barrage and barrage, Servine fainted from the super-effective type move.
"Yeah, way to go!" Ash cheered.
"Well," Trip returned his fainted Grass-type. "I must say that that wasn't half bad." He smirked. "Going to take a lot more than that to win though."
"You'll see Trip!" Ash returned his Normal/Flying-type. "Because I'm just getting started!"
"Can't argue with that I guess." Iris murmured noncommittally. "Seems the two of them are trying too hard though."
Misty shrugged. "That's just Ash. He usually gives one hundred ten percent."
"Oh yeah," Iris said. "then what's Trip's excuse?"
Misty sweat-dropped at that, but said nothing.
"So, you wanna go on?" Trip asked.
"You bet I do!" Ash replied.
"Even though you guys are probably still lacking?" Trip pressed. "Amazing. Anyway, the last thing I'm going to let you losers do is drag me down with you. While I will admit that you improved slightly, it won't help me in getting better. And if I don't do that, how do I face the champion?"
That piqued Ash's interest. "The champion?"
"You don't know the champion?" Trip asked, looked a bit offended by that.
"Well, to be fair," Ash scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "this is my first time in Unova so..."
"Who's the champion?" Misty asked.
"Haven't you heard of Alder?" Iris inquired.
"Nope!" Ash responded.
And he sounds so proud of it too. Iris thought with a sweat-drop. "Alder's only the Champion Master of the Unova Region! Everybody dreams of having a battle against him!"
"Cool!" Ash exclaimed. "Have you ever met him?"
"No, Ash, I haven't." Iris admitted before turning her attention to Trip. "Have you?"
"You bet!" Trip answered, his tone sounding satisfied.
"So, is he nice?" Ash asked before a thought hit him. "Is he anything like Cynthia from the Sinnoh Region?"
"Well, I don't know who Cynthia is," Trip started. "but why don't you find out yourself the type of guy Alder is?"
"I was just asking..." Ash said.
"Hmph." Trip scoffed. "Next! Let's keep battling..." He held up a Poké Ball. ""Battle with everything you've got, no matter who you're up against"." He quoted. "That's what Alder would say." He looked at the Poké Ball in his hand. I'll never forget the promise I made to Alder that day, long ago...
XXXXXXX
Several years ago, when Trip was just a child, his pale gray eyes sparkled with glee instead of the abrasiveness and coldness in his eyes today as he saw Alder.
It was awesome. He thought. I met Alder at a festival...
"Bouffalant!" Alder called as his Bash Buffalo was in front of him. "Head Charge!"
The Pokémon charged forward as the afro on his head glowed red. The front of it was glowing yellow. The Bash Buffalo Pokémon slammed the yellow part of his afro into the opposing Herdier.
The crowd applauded as Alder and his challenger met in the center of the field. The brown haired challenger with a red headband, blue vest, white shirt, and blue pants had a hand to his head sheepishly.
The guy I'd watched on TV for so long was battling right in front of me! Trip thought. I was super stoked!
Trip was giggling intermittently as he petted Bouffalant's impressive hairdo.
"It's fine." Alder said, coming up from behind the young child.
"Here, give Bouffalant this!" Alder insistented as he place some Pokémon Food into Trip's hands.
As Trip allowed Bouffalant to eat off his hands, the Bash Buffalo Pokémon was licking his palm, causing the little boy to laugh.
"Good!" Alder commented. "Say, young man. What do you want to be someday?"
"Oh, that's easy!" Trip answered. "I want to battle you and win! Then I can become champion!"
"You've sure got spirit." Alder commented. "You should battle a lot, then you can become strong!"
"I'll battle every day!" Trip said, turning to the champion as he finished feeding Bouffalant. "Wow! I can't wait to become a Pokémon Trainer!"
"That's fine!" Alder put his hand on Trip's head and ruffled his hair. "You hurry and grow big and strong! I'll be sure to stay champion." He removed his hand. "Then, I'll be ready on the day you challenge me!"
"'Kay!" Trip took Alder's hand and shook it. "Wait for me!"
"It's a deal." Alder said.
XXXXXXX
Alder promised he'd wait for the day I came back to challenge him! Trip thought before looking up. To me, winning the Unova League is just a stepping-stone to enter the Champion League! I've got to become strong. Then, I can make my dreams reality!
"So, you going to stare off into space all day or are you going to continue the battle?" Misty asked.
"Only a little kid would get so easily distracted." Iris commented before sweat-dropping. "Or someone with a short attention span."
"'Kay, Trip, let's go!" Ash said.
"Pokémon number two!" Trip released his next Pokémon. "Go, Timburr!"
"Never seen that Pokémon before either!" Ash examined the Pokémon with his Pokédex.
"Timburr, the Muscular Pokémon and a Fighting-type. Timburr always carries a wooden beam. When it can easily lift its heavy burden, it is close to evolving." Ash's Pokédex uttered.
"I can't wait to have a battle with the Champion someday!" Ash put his Pokédex away before getting his next Pokémon. "Let's get this moving! Oshawott, I choose you!"
At the sight of the Sea Otter Pokémon, Misty acquired stars in her eyes as she clasped her hands. "Aww! He's so cute!" She crooned joyfully. The stars faded from her eyes as she felt Iris' and Trip's eyes on her. "Remember to give it your all Oshawott!"
"Oshawott Osha Oshawott?" ("Would you expect anything less?") The Sea Otter Pokémon tapped his scalchop proudly while his voice dripped confidence.
"Nice save there Mist." Ash chuckled.
Misty narrowed her eyes. "Shut it Ketchum. Just because we're together doesn't mean I won't hesitate to use my mallet on you."
"Well, that isn't very nice." Ash commented in mock indignation before turning his attention back to the battle.
A sweat-drop formed on Oshawott's head as Timburr pointed his wooden beam at him. The Sea Otter Pokémon jumped behind Pikachu and started to push him. "Osha Oshawott, Oshawott!" ("On second though, you go Pikachu!")
"Pika, Pikachu!" ("Hey, wait!")
"Oshawott!" ("You've got this Pikachu!") The Sea Otter Pokémon patted his back for emphasis.
"You'll be fine!" Ash assured. "I'm counting on you! You've got your Scalchop, right?"
"Osha!" ("Yep!") He flexed. "Oshawott!" ("I'm ready!") The Sea Otter Pokémon jumped over Pikachu.
"This should be fun." Trip commented.
"I go first this time!" Ash said. "Oshawott, Aqua Jet!"
Oshawott's body briefly became surrounded in blue energy. As the blue glow faded, his body became surrounded in water and he shot himself like a rocket in Timburr's direction.
"Hit right back!" Trip said. "Use Strength!"
The Muscular Pokémon became surrounded by a red aura as it prepared to hit Oshawott with his wooden beam. He wouldn't get the choice though as Oshawott missed him completely.
"Not again!" Ash complained.
"Oh, no!" Iris bemoaned as she had a hand to her head.
"Oh Oshawott." Misty shook her head.
Trip scoffed as he pressed his left index finger against his forehead. "Look, Ash, are you playing around? It's hard to tell..."
"Of course not!" Ash said as Oshawott stood in front of him. "Oshawott. Aqua Jet again!"
"Heads-up!" Trip said as Oshawott prepared to attack again.
However, instead of hitting his target, the Sea Otter Pokémon swerved about.
"Oshawott, come on..." Ash said.
"I still think you're playing!" Trip insisted before his attention was diverted as Oshawott went by him. Looking behind him, he took a picture of Oshawott in the midst of his Aqua Jet with his camera. The Pokémon in question then crashed between Trip and and his Timburr.
"What's up with taking pictures in the middle of a battle?" Ash demanded as Timburr had a sweat-drop on his head from Oshawott's antics.
"Chronicling your journey again?" Iris asked as she walked over to Ash and Trip with Misty close behind.
"See for yourself!" Trip showed the three of them, plus their Pokémon, the picture he took.
"What?" Ash asked as he approached Trip.
"Let me see..." Iris said as she now stood next to Ash.
"Hmm?" Misty murmured, appearing between the two.
"Oshawott's eyes are closed!" Ash exclaimed in realization as the dirty blond scrolled through his pictures.
"No way!" Iris exclaimed.
"No wonder he couldn't properly aim his Aqua Jet." Misty added.
"I'm amazed Oshawott could pull it off at all." Trip commented derisively as he pulled his camera away. "That makes Oshawott special, in a certain way."
"Oshawott Osha Wott Oshawott!" ("Tell me something I don't already know!") The Sea Otter Pokémon exclaimed proudly before tapping his Scalchop. "Osha Osha!" ("I'm awesome!")
"That wasn't a compliment!" Iris shouted.
"How dare you insult a Water-type Pokémon!" Misty growled, rolling her sleeves up as she prepared her mallet. "Why I ought to..."
"Whoa there, calm down Misty." Ash patted her back in an attempt to soothe her. "No need to hit him over the head with your mallet."
"Honestly, I don't know why I bother wasting my time with you fools." Trip muttered under his breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He turned his attention back to Ash as Marill moved from Misty's left shoulder back to her arms. Misty was breathing in and out to calm herself. "You never noticed that?"
"Nope." Ash admitted.
"Go figure." Trip said. "A Water-type that can't even open its eyes under water."
Calm down Misty. Misty thought to herself as her left eyebrow twitched.
"Is that true Oshawott?" Ash asked.
"Osha..." ("Well...") The Pokémon in question rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Hey, don't worry!" Ash patted Oshawott's head reassuringly. "You worked hard to learn Aqua Jet. Just learn to open your eyes and you won't miss."
"Pika Pikachu!" ("I'm sure you can do it!") The Mouse Pokémon added.
"Oshawott!" ("Thanks!")
"So..." Trip interjected. "Wanna go on?"
"You bet!" Ash answered as he turned back to him.
Ash and Trip and their Pokémon got back into position as Misty, Iris, and their Pokémon resumed sitting on the felled tree.
"Razor Shell, let's go!" Ash punched his right hand forward.
Oshawott grabbed his scalchop before it started to glow brightly. A light blue aura appeared around it as Oshawott swung the scalchop once. The aura around the scalchop stretched and hardened behind it, forming a blade of energy. The Sea Otter Pokémon jumped to attack.
"Use Low Kick!" Trip commanded.
The Muscular Pokémon threw his wooden beam into the air, taking Ash and Oshawott aback before Timburr tripped Oshawott with his Fighting-type move.
"Oh, wow!" Iris commented as Timburr catched his wooden beam.
"Eh." Misty shrugged.
"All right, Water Gun!" Ash shouted.
The Sea Otter Pokémon released a stream of water from his mouth.
"Strength, let's go!" Trip said.
Whilst glowing red, Timburr destroyed the beam of water by hitting it with his wooden beam.
"Timburr, use DynamicPunch!" Trip pressed.
Timburr stood atop his wooden beam as he regarded his opponent.
"Razor Shell!" Ash shouted. "Do it!"
Timburr's fist glowed red as Oshawott prepared his scalchop. The two Pokémon went by each other, hitting each other with their attacks. The result ended with Timburr being thrown back against his wooden beam, knocked unconscious as Oshawott landed in front of Ash. The Sea Otter Pokémon struck a prideful pose before falling to one of his knees as he grimaced.
"You did it!" Ash cheered. "Way to go, Oshawott!"
Trip made a disgruntled noise in the back of his throat as he returned his fainted Pokémon.
"Wow!" Iris said. "It's two to zero!"
"Something tells me that," Misty murmured before cupping her chin. "that the next victory may well be Trip's."
"You were great, Oshawott!" Ash repeated, crouching down in front of him as he held his Poké Ball. "We'll keep working on Aqua Jet for next time."
"Oshawott!" ("Okay!") The Sea Otter Pokémon puffed out his chest before he was returned.
"All right," Ash said as he stood back up. "number three!"
He readied his Pokémon. "Tepig, I choose you!"
"My third Pokémon will be..." Trip started. "Vanillite!"
The aforementioned Pokémon released a puff of icy wind into the air above him.
"Vanillite!" Ash echoed.
"Freezing!" Iris shivered as she hugged a frightened Axew. "Why in the world would he use an Ice-type like Vanillite? A Fire-type like Tepig's totally got the advantage!"
"Wait and see." Trip said.
"Wait and see?" Ash repeated.
"Sometimes Iris, it takes much more than a type advantage." Misty said as she attempted to soothe the other girl down by patting her back.
"Dealing with your off-the-wall battle style is a good chance for me to become stronger!" Trip reasoned.
"Wait a second." Iris murmured quietly as she stopped shivering for a moment.
"Did Trip just admit that battling with Ash will help him instead of hinder him?" Misty added.
"So, I'm simply going to beat you at your own game." Trip continued.
"Okay, sounds good to me!" Ash said.
"You know, they're both such little kids..." Iris commented.
"That may be true but," Misty had a faint smile on her face. "he's mine" She turned to the other girl. "And he is not a little kid!" She snapped.
"Whatever you say Misty." Iris rolled her eyes.
"Let's finish this!" Ash said. "Tepig, Flame Charge!"
Tepig began to charge across the field as he was encapsulated in a sphere of red and orange.
"Ice Beam, go!" Trip commanded.
Vanillite shot several beams of bluish white in Tepig's direction. As the beam of ice collided with Tepig, it caused an explosion of bluish white smoke.
"Whaddaya know!" Trip's voice ringed with smugness as Ash gaped in shock. "You put fire and ice together and you end up with steam!"
"Wouldn't that be fire and water?" Misty asked under her breath.
However, Tepig may have been hit, he was still in it.
"Tepig, keep it up!" Ash cheered.
"Icicle Spear!" Trip ordered as Tepig slammed into Vanillite.
The Fresh Snow Pokémon released a barrage of icy crystals that hit Tepig in the head.
"Use Ember!" Ash swept his arm to the side.
Tepig unleashed his own attack in the form of a spiraling stream of red and orange from his nose that knocked Vanillite back.
"That was a direct hit!" Ash observed. "But it didn't do a thing!"
"It's called good defense." Iris said. "Obviously from training hard!"
"Looks like the attack took Vanillite aback a little." Misty commented, noticing how the Pokémon seemed to grimaced as one of his eyes was closed.
"Use Ice Shard!" Trip said.
Vanillite's body became outlined in light blue. Light blue orbs of energy formed around his body and began to spin around him in a circle. The light blue orbs glowed a bright white before the glowed faded, revealing that they turned into multiple shards of ice. Vanillite pelted the Fire Pig Pokémon with the attack.
"We're not finished!" Ash exclaimed. "Use Flame Charge!"
"Blizzard!" Trip commanded as Tepig began to charge forward once more as he was surrounded in a sphere of red and orange.
The Fresh Snow Pokémon opened his mouth as the inside of it glowed light blue. He then released a powerful display of ice and snow at his opponent.
Tepig collided into Vanillite, the two attacks exploding into a blue and white mist.
Tepig and Vanillite fell in the direction of their trainers. Trip and Ash watched as they were both panting heavily from the assault. It seemed that it would be too much for the Fire Pig Pokémon as he promptly fainted.
"Tepig's out!" Ash commented.
"Hmm, impressive." Trip said. "I guess." He smirked as he returned his Pokémon. "Good job, Vanillite."
Said Pokémon looked back at his trainer with a smirk of his own before being returned.
"Whoa, who knew?" Iris said. "A Fire-type lost to an Ice-type."
"While I admit it's bittersweet," Misty said. "I told you that type advantages aren't everything."
"I suppose." Iris muttered.
Tepig stared at the ground, feeling crestfallen. He was disappointed to have lost when he had the advantage. It reminded him of when he had lost to a Deerling and was tied to a post in Accumula Town. His eyes started to brim with tears before he quickly covered them up as Ash approached him.
"Hey Tepig..." Ash started. "Thanks! You were great!"
"Pika Pikachu!" ("You really were!")
While the kind words helped to uplift his spirits a little, Tepig was still a bit depressed as he was returned.
"So that's that." Trip said after putting his backpack on and Iris and Misty walked over to Ash. He looked at the Poké Ball that held Vanillite. "Alder's just gonna have to wait." He turned his attention back to Ash. "Ash, I suppose you win this round."
"Yeah, but you battled hard too!" Ash said before a determined gleam entered his eyes as he clentched a fist in front of him. "And I can't wait until our next battle!"
Trip sighed before walking away. "We'll see."
"You know, I think I get Trip a little more every time we battle!" Ash commented as Pikachu jumped on his shoulder. "I'm glad we battled!"
"And now we know why Oshawott's Aqua Jet always misses, too!" Iris added.
"You're right!" Ash said. "It's not quite there just yet!"
"One of these days though, I just know that he's going to master it." Misty added.
"Until then, we'll train hard!" Ash said. "And we'll get to meet the Unova Champion Master! Alder, here we come!"
As the three Pokémon Trainers stood there, a rumbling was heard from Ash's stomach.
"Pikachu Pikapi?" ("Really Ash?")
"Man, I sure am hungry." Ash commented before smirking as he heard a louder rumble than his resonate from the orange haired girl next to him. "Although, it seems that someone else is hungrier than I am."
"Shut it Ketchum!" Misty said, a light tint of pink to her cheeks as she punched her boyfriend in the shoulder playfully. "You're not the only one who likes to eat every once in a while!"
Iris gasped as her left hand flew to her mouth in horror. "What about Cilan!"
"We forgot him!" Ash added.
"C'mon, let's move it!" Iris shouted as she was already running back to where the green haired man was.
"Wait for me!" Ash said as he gave chase.
"Don't forgot about me!" Misty said as she ran after the two of them.
XXXXXXX
"Lunchtime!" Cilan said as Pansage and Dwebble rested on either side of him. "Or more like "Standing Up The Chef" time..." He took a moment to reflect before he stood up in a panicked haste. "Oh no! What if they got lost! Or what if I scared them off!" He paced back and forth from one end of the table to the other. "Oh, what could of happened to them! I sure hope they're okay!" Before the Pokémon Connoisseur could start pulling his hair out, he heard three familiar voices.
"See Ash, I told you it was this way! You're such a little kid!"
"Ash does have a tendency to get us lost."
"Misty! Come on! I haven't gotten us lost in awhile!"
Jumping down from the tree branches, Cilan saw Iris appear before Ash and Misty came following behind her from the ground.
"Sorry we're late Cilan!" Ash said.
"Yeah, we got a little sidetracked." Misty added.
"We would've been here sooner, but we ran into Trip." Iris interjected.
"Oh, I'm just glad the three of you are okay!" Cilan exclaimed before running over to Iris and locking her in an embrace.
A few seconds passed before Cilan realized what he was doing. He quickly released the girl. "Sorry about that Iris! I don't know what came over me!"
A very light pink dusted the Dragon Master-in-Training's cheeks. "Don't worry about it Cilan."
Misty smirked knowingly. Already she could see her matchmaking gears grinding.
"Uh, Misty." Ash nudged his girlfriend. "You've got that devious smirk going on again."
The orange haired female smiled innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about Ashy."
Ash sweat-dropped. "Whatever Misty." He pecked his girlfriend on the cheek before going over to sit at the table. "Anyway, can we eat," He rolled up his sleeves. "I'm starved!"
The three other Pokémon Trainers sweat-dropped at that before they joined him.
Author's Notes: And this chapter is finally done! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Sorry that it took me so long to get this written. Honestly though, I don't think it is one of my best. Anyway, I think that school and a whole bunch of other stuff is sapping my will to write. Oh well! I'll try to get the next chapter published soon!