My Wings Chapter 7: Epilogue of the Prologue, a pokémon fanfic

Chapter 7

Sunday, September 20th

A pair of Aipom pranced through the tree canopy of northern Ecruteak City, using all five of their appendages to masterfully maneuver through the treetops. Their actions startled a group of Pidgey that were hidden within the trees, and the birds filled the air with their chirps as they took flight. The Aipom snickered but continued on their way. However, as they went, they raised their ears at the sound of something familiar.

Despite the competition of sounds, from the chatter of the Pidgey to the roar of the nearby waterfall, the Aipom could still distinguish something else. A rhythmic shout. They followed it to the waterfall where they found a duo standing in the delta near Bell Tower.

A young man and a Frogadier stood in the water where they practiced their martial arts. A Mienshao and Mienfoo stood at the edge of the water, carefully observing their movements, nodding occasionally. The Aipom remained concealed in the trees and watched curiously.

"Hah!" Ash shouted as he struck the air and left his arm fully extended. Frogadier mirrored his action perfectly. Then together they turned counterclockwise, leaned to the side, lashed out with a kick, and held their legs in place.

They continued through their forms, paying no mind to the growing audience around them. Not only were they under the scrutinizing gaze of the two fighting type Pokemon, but an elderly gentleman accompanied by a Venusaur and Growlithe also sat at the edge of the water. And there was a variety of Pokemon hidden in the canopy that stopped their activities to observe.

Spenser wore a proud grin as he watched Ash and Frogadier flawlessly transition through their stances in unison. They stood with the courage of a Pyroar, moved with the swiftness of a Nuzleaf, and struck with the passion of a Hawlucha. If their polished stances weren't proof of their skill, the black sashes that Mienshao and Mienfoo awarded them certainly were.

"They passed…as expected."

Today was their final day as students of Mienshao and Mienfoo, and they received black belts as a symbol of their graduation. The duo tied their black belts around their waists and shared a nod. With the conclusion of their final exam, Spenser invited everyone to gather for lunch, and that included the audience of Pokemon hidden in the shrubs and trees.

Ash raised his brow as he caught sight of all the Pokemon that would be joining them for lunch. There were Aipom, Pineco, Ledyba, Hoothoot, and many more who revealed themselves and gathered around Spenser.

"Whoa," Ash exclaimed and Spenser chuckled.

"They've all been watching the two of you work for the last few weeks, so I'm sure they must want to celebrate your accomplishment," Spenser remarked. Venusaur picked up the basket of rice balls on his back with his vines and set it down on the grass. He shared rice balls with each of the Pokemon, who accepted them graciously, although everyone stepped aside when Frogadier joined the line to receive his portion.

He was baffled when a pair of Aipom came up behind him and pushed him to the front of the line, patting his back the whole way. There were no qualms from the others, in fact, they all took the opportunity to give a nod or offer a high five as Frogadier passed them. Ash stifled his laughter as Frogadier stiffened with his fan club around him. He certainly didn't expect a little fame to make Frogadier uncomfortable.

"Congratulations Ash," Spenser remarked as he approached Ash. They watched the gathering of Pokemon from a distance as they noisily devoured their meals together. "What you and Frogadier have learned is nothing to take lightly. Practicing those forms together will help the two of you to remain in sync."

"Right," Ash said with a nod. The purpose of that training was to build a bond between them. Even though they finished learning from their Pokemon mentors, it was a constant process to maintain their newly established bond and further refine it. "So, um…what comes next?"

"I'm glad you asked," Spenser replied as he made eye contact with Ash. "Starting tomorrow, I want the two of you to decide what you will focus on."

"Wait…so does that mean we don't have any more lessons to learn from you?" Ash asked him.

"I wouldn't say I've run out of things to teach," Spenser answered with a laugh. "But rather, I think it would be best for the two of you to decide what skills you should develop, and you are free to use me as a resource as needed."

Ash wasn't expecting Spenser to give them total freedom over their training decisions so easily, but he wouldn't complain about it either. Independent training meant they could begin to address some of Frogadier's glaring weaknesses. One example being, Frogadier was a water type Pokemon who could only use one water type attack. Not to mention, his ability to use that move could be an eyesore at times.

For a change, Ash found himself eating lunch with only his thoughts as company. Both Frogadier and Growlithe were preoccupied with the extra Pokemon that were present today, and Spenser was giving him some room to think about what he and Frogadier would work on next. Frogadier wasn't great at manipulating water. In fact, he was pretty bad at it based on the one other water type Pokemon Ash was somewhat familiar with: Cedric Juniper and his Dewott.

It was one of his early matches at the Hidden Cove when he faced the Pokemon researcher in a battle, and his Dewott was no slouch. He could manipulate the moisture in the air to dampen the field and coat the surface of it with water. Plus, he could surround the scalchops he carried with water to enhance the damage they could deal and expand their defensive capabilities. Dewott was a master at using water to his advantage.

That was the next step. Ash nodded to himself and crammed the remains of his rice ball into his mouth. To begin their independent training, they would learn how to use Water Pledge!

Friday, September 25th

As always, Ash and Frogadier could be found in the delta near Bell Tower, up to their ankles in the water as they practiced their forms. With a shout, they transitioned to a different stance, but today, this action triggered something new. As Frogadier turned and thrust his arm forward, a ripple was sent out through the water in front of him which sent a few waves to the shore. His next stance involved repositioning his feet, which summoned a pillar of water beside him that doused Ash, though there was no complaint from his trainer.

They raised one leg to perform a high kick, and that launched the pillar across the delta where it crashed against the surface of the water. Ash and Frogadier returned to a rest position and looked at each other, their brows raised.

"You're getting pretty good at this," Ash remarked, and Frogadier smirked. Together they went to the shore of the delta to take a seat, and Growlithe was waiting for them.

Despite Water Pledge's status as a 'basic' water type move, its development was truly fascinating to Ash. Frogadier's inexperience revealed some things that Ash never even considered about water type attacks. Like having a source of water amplifies the power of their attacks tenfold. But if they lacked a source of water, they could draw moisture from their surroundings, the air, and ground, and use that to craft their attacks. Unlike Water Pulse, Water Pledge required a significant amount of water for this move to even be a threat. Without a source of water, it lacked the 'oomph' it needed but that could be addressed through time and practice.

While this move felt natural to use for Frogadier, he still needed guidance, and Ash was surprised that he had plenty to offer. He drew inspiration from their lessons about Brick Break with Bruno. Their conversations about how to wield their energy as an extension of themselves proved to be invaluable as it applied perfectly to teaching Water Pledge. Then the bonding exercises they did over the last couple of months proved their worth as Ash was able to experience what Frogadier felt as he learned water manipulation.

It reminded him of the first time he connected with Frogadier and experienced numerous sensory overloads. While frightening at times, they experienced greater control over it and it was unlike anything he felt before. The ability to control something outside of his body included the ability to perceive it. It was bizarre to feel his body where he stood, but then another part of himself moving in the form of the water. This didn't seem to bother Frogadier in the slightest, and Ash could only shake his head.

Not only did Pokemon battle each other with these skills and abilities, but they came with strange and disorienting sensations. How could they battle each other so effectively while experiencing all of this?

"You guys sure are amazing," Ash muttered as he looked to Frogadier and Growlithe as they sat together. And it was his responsibility to help them master these incredible powers that were at their disposal. It was no wonder every trainer he met possessed their own style of teaching. He drifted back to thoughts of his former mentors in Vermilion City, Giselle and Volkner.

Giselle was very rooted in the basics of combat and practiced them diligently with her Cubone. It was because of Giselle that he adopted the right attitude about having a regular training schedule to develop a good foundation as a trainer. Volkner prioritized the practical application of skills and abilities. His knowledge of how to wield lightning-based attacks was second to none, and with it, he could dismantle his opponents.

When compared to Volkner, Bruno was the opposite end of the spectrum. Where Volkner focused on the science to back his strategy, Bruno depended on strength in its purest form. Bruno's teachings were all based on exploring the full physical abilities and drawing out every ounce of strength possible. Spenser was perhaps the oddest of the bunch. His focus wasn't on improving the skills of the Pokemon and trainer, but rather, the relationship between them.

All of them had a different approach that came with varying results. The development of Pokemon hinged on so many different factors, and Ash grew more excited as he realized that he had the rest of his life ahead of him to learn and teach as much as he could.

Growlithe's barking brought Ash back from recesses of his mind. He looked to where he saw her last, but she was no longer beside Frogadier. Following the sound of her voice, Ash spotted her rushing to greet the duo who entered the training area. Naoko and Espeon.

Espeon and Growlithe touched foreheads as a greeting, and Naoko kneeled down to scratch Growlithe's ear. In the past few weeks, Naoko would pay them a visit as they trained in the delta. Some days, she would observe their practice sessions, and other days she would actively participate and even battle them with Espeon. Ash assumed she would come during her breaks from council duties during the day, but he never bothered to ask her directly. Today, Naoko came alongside him at the shore and took a seat. After saying hello to Ash, Espeon nestled herself beside Naoko as the conversation began.

"Is your training going well?" Naoko inquired.

Ash pursed his lips as he looked up in thought. "I think so. Frogadier has been making some really good progress with his newest move."

"Very good," She remarked. "How much time do you allot for practice each day?"

"Uhhh," Ash squinted for a moment. "Ever since Spenser let us start our independent training, I haven't really been keeping track."

"I understand," Naoko noted. "That reason I'm asking is that we would like to ask a favor of you."

"Me?" Ash questioned as he raised his brow. "What do you need?"

"Earlier in the summer, I made a suggestion to the council to implement daily lessons for the citizens of Ecruteak City to gain more battling experience," Naoko explained and Ash tilted his head.

"So, you want me to battle everyone?" Ash tilted his head as he came to this conclusion.

Naoko stifled a laugh before she answered. "Actually, I want you to teach."

"Teach?" Ash exclaimed. "Are you sure you want me? I'm not much of a teacher."

"You're more than capable of filling the role. Aside from the watchmen, there are very few people that actively participate in Pokemon battles. Anything you teach them will likely be new information and experiences for them," Naoko pointed out. "Think back to the phoenix festival. You and Froakie breezed through your battles before you made it to the main stage, wouldn't you agree?"

"Well, I wouldn't say we 'breezed' through them," Ash stammered as he scratched the back of his neck. "I'll admit that very few people really…stood out."

"My point exactly," Naoko stated with a nod. "Most people live or work with a Pokemon here, but they have yet to explore the relationship they can form with a Pokemon. I want to expose the average citizen to their Pokemon more. That's why I want you to help teach these lessons. Lady Satsuki suggested that the younger generation of the Kimono Girls teach these lessons, and we decided to enlist you and Gary."

Naoko waited for a few moments, watching Ash mull over the idea. Growlithe came close to him and leaned against his side, so he raised a hand to scratch her chin.

"Wouldn't you prefer someone like Spenser? I mean, he knows way more than I do," Ash reasoned with her.

Naoko shook her head and made a gesture toward him. "Spenser recommended you."

"Figures," Ash muttered.

"Will you help us?" Naoko asked plainly.

They shared a glance and Ash exhaled. What did he have to lose? He had nothing, to begin with…

"I'll do it," Ash replied and Naoko gave him a great smile.

"Wonderful! Our first lesson will take place during the first full week of October," Naoko explained. "We're looking forward to working with you."

Friday, October 9th

The sun's rays caused Ash to wince as he sat upright on his futon. He rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand and smacked his lips to start the day. As his vision cleared, Ash felt a warm body climb into his lap that could only belong to Growlithe. She wagged her tail and gave him a cheerful yip. He greeted her with a nod before he heard the floorboards creak and looked around in search of the source. Frogadier was in the corner of the room, already going through his usual stretching routine.

"Early start today, huh?" Ash asked them. Growlithe barked in response and Ash tapped her on the nose. Then he raised a hand to his mouth to shush her and she whined. "Not everyone is awake yet."

Now that the trio was awake, Ash and Growlithe joined Frogadier. They stretched out their limbs to get their blood circulating and went out for a brief jog. Only fifteen minutes today as opposed to the usual thirty. Today was a big day after all, and it showed as the attendants of the Izumo Estate started to appear.

"Ohayo!" They would exchange greetings as they passed along with a big smile. Everyone was excited about today. This would be the first day that the Kimono Girls would be teaching lessons in Pokemon training to the citizens of Ecruteak City.

While Ash might have been recruited in late September, preparation for these lessons began as early as August. Of course, Ash only began to assist two weeks ago, but Naoko wanted his input on the lessons they designed. Naoko held a meeting with him every other day to discuss various topics, and Gary would join them every now and then. Ash didn't consider himself to be much of a teacher, but he did his best to share his thoughts and ideas, some of which were later implemented on their 'test subjects.'

According to Naoko, the three youngest girls all lacked experience around Pokemon. Each of them had their own reasons, but if they were expected to function as instructors or assistants at the very least, they would need a crash course. Ash and Gary were the teachers of said course and it proved to be an interesting experience. Nevertheless, the girls made fast progress, to the point where they could operate in the capacity that Naoko desired.

Naoko was truly on top of everything. She planned every last detail that she could, from lesson planning to advertisements. She would discuss anything involving the lessons with anyone available. Despite her best efforts, there was still one oversight.

The inaugural lesson was set to start at nine o'clock in the morning and the courtyard of the Izumo Estate was crowded with visitors a full hour before the start time…and people were still arriving! Naoko stood on the porch as she stared at the massive crowd, her spine rigid and eyes twitching. Ash walked along the porch, accompanied by Frogadier, hardly able to hold back a smile as he saw all of the people in attendance. When he caught sight of Naoko, he knew that there was no way he could turn a blind eye.

"Are you okay?" Ash inquired as they came close to her. He raised his voice over the chatter of the crowd.

"I wasn't expecting so many people to attend," Naoko muttered with a frown on her face. "We advertised this for over a month so I don't know why I didn't expect this."

Ash raised a hand to stop her. "It's okay," He reasoned. "You can't predict everything. Besides, the more the merrier, I always say."

Naoko tilted her head to give him a sideways glance, but Ash shot her a grin of reassurance.

"This is supposed to be fun, for them and us," He insisted. "We'll be fine."

By the time it was nine o'clock, a massive audience was packed into the courtyard of the estate. Most of them were seated on the grassy field, while some of the older ones present were given cushions and invited to sit on the porch. A section of the porch was left empty, where the 'instructors' gathered. A hush descended over the audience as all eyes went to the new generation of the Kimono Girls and the pair of young men that accompanied them.

"Ohayogozaimasu!" Naoko called for everyone's attention. She bowed and the other girls joined her. While delayed, Ash and Gary also mimicked their actions. Naoko continued her introduction in Japanese and Ash did his best to stay engaged. She spoke briefly and bowed again as their audience clapped.

One by one, each of the Kimono Girls came forward and offered a brief introduction to the audience and they shared something that they intended to teach in the near future. Soon enough, Gary was invited to stand at the front of the group and do the same while Zuki translated for the audience.

"My name is Gary Oak, and I'm the grandson of a Pokemon researcher that lives in Kanto. I spent a few years studying Pokemon with his guidance," Gary explained. "I've looked into subjects such Pokemon biology, habitats, and regional variants. If you have any questions about your Pokemon, I'll be more than happy to answer them for you."

Gary bowed to the audience and now it was Ash's turn. He stepped forward and all eyes went to him. He hesitated when he felt a chill run up his spine, and the introduction he practiced vanished from his mind.

"Oh boy," Ash muttered, but thankfully, there was a nudge at his leg. Frogadier stood beside him, and when they made eye contact, the Pokemon gave Ash a firm nod. Ash breathed out and relaxed his shoulders, then he bowed to the audience. "Hajimemashite!"

This greeting was one of the most common ones he heard as he met with shop owners and such in town. The Kimono Girls clarified the meaning of this phrase for him as 'nice to meet you,' and they encouraged Ash to use it when appropriate. For most of the citizens of Ecruteak City, English was their second, third, and sometimes fourth language, so Ash's use of Japanese was always appreciated when he could.

"My name is Ash Ketchum," He continued as he stood upright. "I'm twenty-two years old and I've lived with Pokemon for most of my life, and I've learned that Pokemon can be your greatest friend, through thick and thin, if you let them into your heart. Life can be filled with realizations of what you can't do, but when you have a Pokemon by your side…it's like your mind and your muscles get a whole lot stronger. I call it, Pokemon power and I hope to help you all to utilize it in near future!"

Ash felt his cheeks grow hot as he replayed what he said to the audience and bowed to conceal his face.

'That sounds like something a ten-year-old would say,' Ash palmed his forehead mentally, but nevertheless, the audience clapped for him. Naoko clapped with the audience as she stepped forward to resume control of the presentation.

Zuki raised her brow as she observed the reactions to Ash's introductory speech. A brief scan of the audience made it evident that quite a few people were excited to learn more about what Ash was talking about. However, the most amusing reactions took place among the instructors. Kuni placed a hand on her chest, her cheeks flushed as she watched Ash return to his spot in line beside Gary. It took a moment for Kuni to remember she was in front of a crowd and she hid her face behind the sleeve of her kimono.

"Pokemon power?" Gary repeated with a whisper. He snickered before he added, "How lame can you get, Ashy-boy?"

Gary's amusement was short-lived as Kuni jabbed him with her elbow. When Gary shot a glance in her direction, he saw the narrow stare that she was giving him. It was Ash's turn to snicker, but ultimately, the exchange between this trio was brought to an abrupt end when Naoko cleared her throat and glared at the three of them. There was going to be a lecture about their behavior later, that was for sure.

Naoko concluded the introductions and they transitioned to the first lesson. The subject was the relationship between people and Pokemon. She praised the citizens in attendance for getting to know their Pokemon and developing a friendship with them. Then she explained the possibilities of what else they could do to build upon the bond. This was a topic that Naoko could discuss at great length, but through her many practice sessions with the likes of Miki and Sayo, Naoko understood that she couldn't spend the whole time talking. She arranged for a demonstration in the form of Ash and Frogadier.

The two of them came to the front of the group and bowed to the crowd. They drew in a deep breath in unison before they bent their knees and placed their hands together. They shifted through the stances they learned, including some of their own variations that earned some exclamations from the crowd. Ash and Frogadier were in perfect sync as they showcased an incredible sense of balance and sharp footwork. At the end of their demonstration, Naoko listed the benefits of training with a Pokemon, which ranged from improved health and fitness to a deeper understanding of how Pokemon interacted with and affected the environment around them.

Following this, Naoko explained what each of the instructors would be focusing and she invited the audience to break off into groups and meet with their instructor of choice. Soon enough, Ash found himself speaking with a group of at least twenty people, recommending some simple exercises for them to perform with their Pokemon between now and their next lesson. With the variance in age, Ash adjusted the exercises he taught. For some, it was nothing more than daily cardio with their Pokemon. For those with ample time or that were in better physical condition, Ash and Frogadier shared some of the basic stances and forms for them to practice. As his group dispersed, Ash found himself with a few moments of solitude, and he looked around the courtyard.

There were well over a hundred people in attendance, all of them accompanied by their Pokemon. They were excited to learn more about the secrets of Pokemon and it was evident in the chatter and conversation that was taking place. It brought a smile to his face to see people so accepting of Pokemon.

"Maybe it is possible," He reasoned.

Their Pokemon lessons became a hot commodity among the people of Ecruteak City, so much so that following the second lesson, they could no longer host these lessons at the Izumo Estate. There were far too many people for the courtyard and the staff to accommodate. However, Naoko was able to speak with the city council and make the arrangements to secure a better location.

There was a sizeable amphitheater near the shopping district that was used on weekdays for shows, reenactments, and other forms of entertainment. The city council reached out to the manager of the amphitheater who happily agreed to adjust the schedule for the Kimono Girls to host their lessons during the week. Not only that, but various shop owners offered to supply food for those taking lessons to advertise their business. Ash had to admit that the change in location worked out even better, as the amphitheater offered a sizeable stage that could be used for battle demonstration, and it provided better seating arrangements and acoustics to make sure everyone got the most out of each lesson.

The amphitheater could only host one lesson per day, so they held their lessons throughout the week at different times during the day. Typically, they taught in pairs or trios depending on the subject for that day.

Gary was like a science teacher, focusing on Pokemon biology and helping the citizens to look into the more in-depth interactions between Pokemon and nature. The Kimono Girls functioned as counselors, helping their students to build bonds with their Pokemon, and Ash…well, he felt like the gym teacher. Admittedly, the role was actually pretty fun. Ash worked with every age group in Ecruteak City, and every interaction gave him many opportunities to get to know the people better. The language barrier came with its challenges, but Ash found himself learning the meaning of different phrases and how to respond in Japanese, Mandarin, and oddly enough, Italian. Apparently, there was a small section of Ecruteak City that was home to a small Italian-speaking community.

Ash found himself teaching with Kuni primarily, and he was grateful for this. He worked with the others on a few occasions, but Kuni was his favorite by far. Sayo was inexperienced, so more often than not, she was more of a student as opposed to a teacher. Miki was very gung-ho and often had to be kept in check. Zuki would quietly cause some mischief when he wasn't looking. Naoko could be frightening to work with if you crossed her, and Ash found himself trying to outdo Gary which could be exhausting.

When compared to the others, Kuni was easy to work with. It was as simple as that. She was good company, so their conversation helped to pass time during the slow points of the lessons, and she worked hard so he never felt overwhelmed by a sudden workload. This was especially true in the afternoon when they expected a large audience of teenagers and children.

This new aspect of teaching others about Pokemon also served as a method for him to improve as a trainer. Speaking with so many people, Ash was exposed to their thoughts and ideas regarding Pokemon and their abilities. Concepts and techniques that were basic to him were considered difficult to the people he was teaching. It made him examine what he knew and break it down further so that he could not only teach it but refine it with Frogadier.

His days raced by, and Ash would often catch himself wondering what he would do in the future. There was a part of him that would say that he was content to stay here in Ecruteak City.

After all, everything he could've wanted was here. The people were nice and accepting of Pokemon. He could train with Frogadier anywhere and anytime. He was well respected by the locals, so he was sure he could find a place to live and a job if he intended to stay.

But…every time he entertained the idea of staying in Ecruteak City, the question Froakie posed to him one night would replay in his head.

"What are you running from?"

He wasn't going to turn his back on what he left in Vermilion City.

Sunday, December 6th

"Lady Satsuki, you wanted to see me?" Kuni asked as she stood at the entrance to Satsuki's chamber.

"Oh yes, come in," Satsuki called out to her, and Kuni slid the door open to enter. Satsuki stood by the window of her room, tending to a pair of plants that sat on her windowsill. As Kuni approached, Satsuki turned and greeted her with a cheery smile. "I don't get to see you that often these days with how busy you girls have been. How are you?"

"I'm well," Kuni answered as Satsuki motioned for them to take a seat at the low table.

"It's been about two months since you and the girls started those lessons. How do you feel about those responsibilities?" Satsuki inquired once they were settled.

"I thought it would be overwhelming at first. I'm not exactly a people person," Kuni confessed. "But it turned out to be a lot of fun getting to know the people of Ecruteak City."

"And would say that this would help you as you transition into a role with the council?" Satsuki continued.

"Yes, very much so."

"As I'm sure you've heard, Zuki is already preparing to accept her position on the council, which means you're next," Satsuki pointed out and Kuni nodded. "Once you become a matriarch, your duties to Ecruteak City will be your top priority."

"I understand," Kuni stated.

"Unfortunately, I'm not convinced that you do understand," Satsuki replied and Kuni furrowed her brow.

"What do you mean?"

"I can tell that your heart is divided because of the feelings you're harboring," Satsuki responded as she pointed to Kuni's chest. Before Kuni could open her mouth to question her, Satsuki went on with her clarification. "I'm talking about the feelings you have for Ash."

Kuni sat stone-faced for a moment. Then she lowered her gaze with a sigh.

"I'm sure you've realized it by now, but he won't stay in Ecruteak City forever…and as a Pokemon trainer, it's unlikely that he will return here once he leaves," Satsuki said as she studied Kuni's expression. "As I said before, your duties to Ecruteak City come first and foremost. It would be unwise to hold onto these feelings that could draw you away from the city. A conflicted heart is a dangerous possession, especially for someone in a position of leadership and power."

"I agree with you," Kuni said reluctantly. "These feelings are powerful. I've never felt the urge to be around someone so strongly."

Satsuki chortled, raising a hand to conceal her mouth. "I can tell. I heard that you pounce on every opportunity to be his assistant when he's teaching."

Kuni's cheeks flushed red. "Umm…That's…" She stammered before she lowered her shoulders and pouted. "So?"

"There's no shame in having those feelings. Ash is a special young man, certainly worth your affection," Satsuki remarked. "But as a former matriarch, I want to advise you of the danger of keeping those feelings once he is gone. My recommendation is that you release those feelings now so that they don't weigh down your heart in the future."

"A conflicted heart is a dangerous possession," Kuni repeated the words of her advisor. Then she looked Satsuki in the eyes and gave a nod.

Kuni didn't waste any time. She had a plan in mind, something that she considered from time to time, but was on the fence about it. At least until today. But she knew for her sake that this needed to be done.

She left the estate and went straight to the delta near Bell Tower, where she knew Ash would be. She found him practicing with Frogadier in the shallow water, but her arrival didn't bring an end to their practice. She waited at the edge of the water with Growlithe and watched as and Frogadier practiced their stances, giving a shout with each transition. After a few minutes, they stopped to take a break which gave Kuni a small window of time to speak with him.

"Hey Kuni, what are you doing here?" Ash asked her as he stepped out of the water, allowing his feet to dry on the grass.

"I wanted to talk with you briefly," Kuni began. "Or actually, I wanted to ask you something. Do you remember the phoenix festival?"

Ash nodded to her. "Yeah, it was a blast, though I wish I went around to try some more of the food at the booths."

"Well actually, we hold a similar festival at the beginning of each year," Kuni pointed out.

"That means the city will be decorated like during the phoenix festival, right?" Ash asked and she answered with a nod. "Nice. We were so focused on the tournament that I didn't really get to appreciate all the work that went into the festival, you know, during the festival."

Kuni chuckled along with him. "Well, um…I can show you around to the best booths, and I'm sure there are some games that I'm sure you'll enjoy."

"Yeah, that sounds like fun," Ash said as he grinned at her. "It's a date."

Kuni spun away from him to hide her face. "R-Right! I'll uh…I'll see you later!"

She didn't even wave as she rushed off. Her heart was soaring. She would set everything straight to start a new year.

Thursday, December 31st

It was almost ten o'clock at night when Ash stepped into the garden at the back of the Izumo Estate, accompanied by Growlithe and Frogadier. He was garbed in the formal yukata for the festival, delivered to him by Koji earlier this afternoon. Admittedly, Ash was quite fond of the wool robes and coats. They were comfortable, though the formal wear could be a little restraining around his legs.

They remained on the porch, which was elevated enough for them to see over the wall of the property. This gave them an excellent view of Ecruteak City's shopping district, producing a golden aura from the lanterns that filled the streets for tonight's event. Earlier this week he had a chance to head down to the shopping district to help decorate, and the city looked marvelous in daylight, but nighttime was when it would look truly spectacular.

"So will you two be alright without me tonight?" Ash asked as he looked at the Pokemon beside him.

"Froga," Frogadier scoffed and turned his nose upward. Growlithe yipped in reply and ran a circle around Ash's legs.

"Well, I'm glad you won't miss me," Ash said with a chuckle. He looked back to the glowing shopping district and licked his lips.

Frogadier heard footsteps approaching and looked to the nearby walkway where Kuni stepped out. He raised his brow at the sight of her, dressed in a white Swanna themed kimono that glowed under the golden light of the lanterns. Her hair was always tied into a bun, sometimes with a braid added around it for a special occasion, but tonight, Kuni let her hair down. It was long, reaching her lower back, and a water lily was tucked into her bangs. Her choice of makeup was also different from formal events. Her natural skin tone wasn't concealed, and with only a little eyeshadow and lipstick applied, her natural beauty was on full display. Frogadier gave Ash a nudge to direct his attention to Kuni.

Ash tightened his jaw to keep it from dropping. He saw Kuni all dressed up for different occasions during the past few months, but he'd never seen her like this!

Kuni approached him and gave a shallow bow. Ash continued to stare at her, his expression locked in a stoic state. Kuni bit down on her lower lip and fidgeted with her long locks of hair.

"I'm sorry, was this too much?" She asked him. "I never let my hair down when I'm leaving the estate, but I felt it would be right to do something different tonight."

Ash continued to stare until Frogadier elbowed his calf. That woke him up. "Oh uh, no no! I've never seen you like this, it surprised me," He admitted and then he concluded with, "You look fantastic."

Kuni's cheeks turned bright pink, but she refused to look away from him. "Thank you," She then motioned to the walkway. "Are you ready to go?"

The streets of the shopping district were as lively as ever, lined with booths serving all sorts of food, goods, and souvenirs along with thousands of people. It was so crowded that Kuni had to lead Ash by the hand as they slipped through the crowds to avoid being separated. She needed a moment to muster the courage to commit to the idea, but it didn't take her long to get over it. She became far more absorbed in showing Ash all the best attractions in the shopping district.

They ventured to the heart of the shopping district, visiting different shops and booths that supplied everything they could imagine. Ash devoured a trio of berry kebabs from one stand and a pair of crepes from another. Then they visited a shop that was giving away festive Pokemon-themed masks. As Ash perused the selection, he found a familiar yellow face in the form of a mask, beaming at him proudly.

"Pikachu," Ash said softly as he lifted the mask from the shelf.

Kuni stood beside him, and she peeked at his expression out of the corner of her eyes. The smile he wore reminded her of how he would smile back when he first came to Ecruteak City…contrived - designed to conceal what he truly felt. Ash caught sight of her stare and his grin morphed in a half-hearted attempt to avoid the subject.

Kuni left the matter untouched and selected an Eevee mask from the shelf for herself. She then ventured to the mirror to see how she looked in the mask, but as she observed her reflection, she saw some familiar faces in the background. It was Zuki, Sayo, Miki, and Naoko. She tensed at the sight of them. Were they…spying on her?!

Kuni spoke with Zuki earlier in the week to plan a route for her to follow with Ash during the festival. Zuki promised that there wouldn't be any mischief during the festival. But…Kuni was certain that Zuki wore a devilish grin with her fingers crossed behind her back as she made that promise.

"Are you ready, Kuni?" Ash asked as he approached her, having settled on the Pikachu mask. Kuni gave a nod and together they approached the shopkeeper to inform him of their purchases. Once again, Kuni caught sight of the squadron that was following them, and she shot a glare in their direction.

Having been discovered, the girls decided to go incognito, obtaining masks of their own before they resumed their pursuit of Ash and Kuni. Naoko refused to put one on, but Zuki obtained a Haunter mask, Sayo a Hoothoot, and Miki a Hawlucha. Kuni happened to catch a glance of them, having already memorized each of their kimonos, not that it mattered because of Naoko's uncovered face.

With their masks tied around their foreheads and angled to the side of their head, Kuni took Ash by the hand and led him to their next destination. Across the square was a roadway that was lined with booths that featured little games offering prizes. Kuni hoped that this would take Ash's mind off of the mask, and it seemed as though she succeeded. He cheered after winning a game of ring toss and he allowed Kuni to make a selection from the prizes at the back of the booth. There was a variety of items available, and Kuni was allowed to step in and examine some of them closely. She paused at a section that offered a variety of necklaces holding small charms with calligraphy inscriptions. Her eyes darted about in search of one in particular, and she smiled fondly when she found it. It possessed the same inscription as the Pokeball that she gave to Ash earlier this year. 'Courage.'

"I'll take this one," She announced to the owner of the booth, and he allowed her to claim it from the rack. She didn't hesitate to tie the necklace around her neck as she returned to Ash, and she lifted the charm for him to see it.

He squinted at first and then gave a weak chuckle. "You'd think after like nine months I would've learned to read something in Japanese," He muttered and Kuni giggled. "It's familiar, I just can't place it. What does it say?"

"That's a secret," Kuni replied as she tucked the charm into her kimono, keeping it close to her chest.

As she looked up, she saw a Haunter mask slipping through the crowded streets and she rolled her eyes. No more games, she wouldn't provide any Zuki with any more amusement tonight.

"I have somewhere special I want to take you," Kuni said, and Ash raised his brow.

"Sure, I can't wait to see it," He said as an invitation for Kuni to lead the way.

Admittedly, he was a little confused by the pathing of their journey from here. Kuni led him through a few tight alleyways and backstreets, but Ash didn't voice his concern. It must have been another one of her secrets. Gradually, they left the well-lit streets as they ventured to the outskirts of the shopping district. Then they arrived at a stone stairway that traveled up a steep hill, and at its peak, a bench waited for them. There was just enough light from the glow of the shopping area below for them to see each other.

Kuni went straight to the bench, took a seat, and motioned for him to join her.

"This is my little hiding place," Kuni explained as she motioned the area. "I come here when I need a little peace of mind."

Ash envisioned Kuni sitting up here by herself with a pad of paper, a small bowl of ink, and one of her calligraphy brushes. This was the perfect place to practice with no distractions. Ash leaned into the bench and raised his head to observe the starry skies above.

"If there's one thing that I love about Ecruteak City, it's that I can see the stars so well here," Ash commented.

Kuni wrinkled her forward. "But the sky is the same no matter where you go? Why can't you see the stars in Kanto?"

"There's too much light pollution in Vermilion City," Ash answered.

Kuni still held a puzzled expression. "Light pollution?" She repeated and he stifled a laugh.

"Sorry, that's something you guys don't have here. I didn't pay much attention in school, but light pollution is caused by artificial light sources," Ash explained to her. "Vermilion City looks amazing at night when you see all of the lights, but I guess the tradeoff is that no one gets to see the stars the way you all do in Ecruteak City."

Kuni was fascinated by the different conditions that came with living in a modern city, which brought a myriad of questions to mind. How many trucks and cars were there? "Let's go with…a lot." What was an air conditioner? "Something you can't live without in Vermilion City." Are you thinking about going back?

That last question caused him to sigh, and he removed the Pikachu mask from his head. He held it firmly in his hands, staring at it intently.

"For a while, I wasn't sure," Ash confessed after a brief pause. "I feel comfortable here and I mean, there are lots of things I could say to justify staying. It's been so much fun teaching those lessons with you all, and to be honest, I didn't put any real effort into learning more about the culture here. I'm sure I could spend at least a few years here learning how to fit in properly."

Ash poked at the nose of the mask he held and laughed softly.

"But that would be like taking the easy way out," He went on. "There are friends and family in Vermilion City that I left there, and I need to get back to them. I'm still not sure what to expect when I finally come face to face to them…and I guess I'm using that as an excuse to stay here still."

"Ash, you might be convinced that you haven't changed much since you came to Ecruteak City…but I can say without a doubt that you've changed a lot," Kuni stated, and Ash perked up as she said this. "It's not like you've spent all your time doing nothing. It was no secret how hard you were working to help Frogadier improve when he was still a Froakie, and your workload practically tripled when he evolved. I know you don't always understand what people are saying, but that hasn't stopped you from trying to connect with them, and you do an amazing job of that through Pokemon," She leaned toward him, her eyes brimming with the lights below. "You don't need to worry about what you'll face when you go back to your home because...with the type of person you are, I'm sure that you will find success with the help of Pokemon."

Ash leaned back; a bit surprised at how close Kuni came to him as she was making her speech. But as always, Kuni knew just what to say to him.

"Thanks, Kuni," He remarked. "You always seem to lift my spirits when I need it."

"It's…" Kuni's intensity deflated as she realized that she spoke without thinking, and her cheeks turned dark red. She stiffened up in her seat and hid her face behind the sleeve of her kimono. "I'm glad I could help."

Ash's attention was drawn back to the shopping district as the lighting became dim.

"What's happening down there?" He asked as the shopping district went dark. In fact, the whole city went dark. There wasn't a single lantern lit. The whole area was pitch black.

"This is…" Kuni took a breath to compose herself. "This is the best part of the festival. It's almost midnight, so a fireworks display should be starting at any minute!"

They waited in silence under the moonlight, and Kuni took one more breath.

"The moon sure is beautiful tonight," Kuni said, and her cheeks grew hot.

Ash focused his gaze on the moon, admiring the near full sphere that was visible tonight. The night sky in Ecruteak City was brilliant, but the moon stood out as its crown jewel.

"It sure is," Ash stated with a smile. He was certain that he heard Kuni giggle, and she said something softly in Japanese. Before he could ask about it, a streak of light flew up into the sky. It burst overhead with a brilliant flash and the sky was plastered with orange sparklers for a moment. Then the show began.

They could hear the shouts and exclamations from the shopping distract as the audience applauded the show. Kuni couldn't help but look to Ash during the display. As the fireworks went off, they would provide a brief instance of light for her to see Ash's face. Timing was everything and as the next streak of light rose into the air, Kuni seized her opportunity.

She tapped Ash on the shoulder and he turned his head to look at her. As he did so, she leaned toward him, and their lips met. Ash's eyes grew wide as the firework went off overhead. Kuni didn't close her eyes or look away as she kissed him, and as the darkness returned, she pulled away. Ash was rigid as he stared at Kuni, but by the time the next firework burst for him to see her, her attention was firmly on the show. He opened his mouth to speak, but the constant booms and fanfare drowned out his voice.

He returned his gaze to the skies. He felt something rest on top of his hand, and his skin crawled at first. He recognized it as a hand, Kuni's hand. She left it on top of his and he went along with it. They watched the fireworks, and the visual display continued for thirty minutes before it ended with a showstopper. The sky was bombarded with bright flashes, filling with a rainbow of sparkles that dazzled all who saw it.

As the lanterns of the shopping districts were lit once again and everyone celebrated the start of a new year, Ash and Kuni sat in silence on the bench. Ash hunted through his brain for a way to address the subject that was looming over them, but all that came to mind was the last time he kissed a girl and how that almost ruined their friendship. He wanted to rip his hair out, but he could still feel Kuni's hand resting on top of his own. However, she did catch his glance toward their hands.

"Sorry, that was selfish of me," Kuni began as she pulled away.

"No, I wouldn't call it that," Ash responded softly.

"It was," She continued. "I had a feeling that you were thinking about leaving Ecruteak City, and Lady Satsuki mentioned that you would leave at some point…and then you confirmed it tonight. So, I knew that I needed to express how I felt now I or might never have the chance."

"Then are you…asking me to stay here?" Ash asked her tentatively.

"No, of course not, I could never ask you to do that," Kuni answered and sighed. "It's clear that you need to go back, and I wanted to leave these feelings I have with you instead of holding on to them," Kuni explained as she looked to him. "I spoke with Lady Satsuki a few weeks ago to discuss the duties of being a matriarch, but she made it a point to tell me that I can't have a heart that could distract me from my responsibilities."

Kuni paused, her lips pursed as she considered what to say next. Ash took that as his opportunity to ask her a question.

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

Kuni's expression didn't waver in the slightest. "Definitely. Becoming a matriarch is the highest honor I could receive. I'll be in a position to help this society progress and I will be able to help the people here learn more about Pokemon," Kuni explained as she wore a smile. "You helped us to create an outline to teach everyone, and I intend to follow that as best I can," She stopped for a moment and looked upward. "As a child I watched Lady Satsuki make subtle changes to the culture of this city, making improvements here and there, but the generation of matriarchs that I am a part of has a chance to make some significant changes to our way of life. I want to do my part in that."

"Wow, that's really noble of you," Ash commented as he scratched at the back of his head. "So basically, I've been one giant distraction for you, huh? Sorry about that."

Kuni giggled at his apology. "Don't apologize for that Ash. I'm grateful for it, actually. I'm not very social, so I've never really been in any relationships. I didn't think they could be so…intimate," She hid her face as she said this. "But it helped me realize that I need to get to know people better, especially if I'm going to serve as a matriarch."

"Well with that attitude, you'll do a fantastic job," Ash remarked with a grin.

Together they admired Ecruteak City from Kuni's hideaway. Ash left his hand on the bench and Kuni took the opportunity to place her hand on top of his again. He didn't mind it. That was their connection and it would serve as one of his memories of Ecruteak City.

The city itself preserved the connections to its history. Nothing was forgotten, and Ash intended to uphold that standard even if he left. He wouldn't forget about Ecruteak City or the people here that helped him. He would definitely return to such a wonderful place.

100 Years since the Great Crisis

Monday, January 18th

Zuki sighed as she entered her private chamber, having returned home well past midnight. Despite the duties she would have to attend to early in the morning, rather than go to sleep, she was compelled to write. Once she obtained the scroll that functioned as her journal and a bottle of ink, she situated herself at the center table of her room and opened the scroll. She already knew the subject that she wanted to discuss, and she scribbled upon the paper at a breakneck pace.

'Tonight, I witnessed another Pokemon evolve, and once again, this Pokemon was partnered with Gary Oak. It was his Eevee that evolved into an Umbreon. Honestly, I'm not that surprised that they achieved this,' She noted and paused briefly. 'They've been working very hard over the last several months to improve, and the drive they have is thanks in no small part to their relationship with Ash and Frogadier.'

Zuki moved to a new paragraph as she continued. 'I've been thinking about the benefits of a rivalry, using Gary and his Pokemon as my points of research. Before Ash arrived in Ecruteak City, the development of Gary's Pokemon and his abilities as a trainer followed a natural learning curve. But then following that loss at the festival, that curve went on a sharp incline. The rate of progression shown was significantly higher as Gary and his Pokemon established a rivalry with Ash and Frogadier.'

Zuki tapped at her chin with her pen for a few moments. 'This has made it clear to me that a rivalry can heavily influence the rate at which Pokemon and trainers can develop their abilities. But why? What does a rivalry do that it triggers this growth?'

She stopped there, her mind running with all sorts of ideas to explain the subject at hand.

'Does a rivalry trigger some sort of survival instinct in Pokemon?' She went on. 'Do they perceive a rival as a threat that they must overcome for their own sake, or for their kin? Or is there a more human element involved and they view a rival as something to help them improve?'

Zuki held her pen in place, her other hand holding down the scroll as she felt her lips curve upwards.

It was no wonder Ash and Gary could obsess over Pokemon. Everything about these creatures was far deeper than she could have ever imagined.

'It's not my place to make sweeping assumptions about Pokemon. There are people like Gary's grandfather that have spent their lives studying Pokemon to answer the questions I have,' Zuki concluded. 'But as you learn about Pokemon, it creates new questions, and all you're left with is a desire to know more.'

"Check this out, gramps!" Gary proclaimed as he turned on the video feed of his Pokedex. Broadcasting the video to Samuel, Gary grinned proudly as they observed his newly evolved Umbreon who was curled up in the corner of the room with his eyes shut. "What you think of him?"

"Incredible, when did this occur?" Samuel exclaimed.

"Yeah, about twenty minutes ago," Gary replied. "We just got back home. It's late so I wasn't sure if you'd be awake still."

"No, I'm glad you called!" Gary was certain that his grandfather had his face pressed against his computer screen to observe every detail he could about Umbreon. "Eevee is truly one of the most astonishing Pokemon I've studied. There's something in Eevee's genetic coding that tracks their development from birth to determine how they will evolve. In fact, recently we discovered that Eevee has a third form that they can evolve into."

Samuel dove into a full explanation of the patterns that led to Eevee's evolutions, discussing how the time of day was originally the only influence on what form Eevee could evolve into. But according to some studies in Kalos, if Eevee prioritized the development of fairy type abilities, it could trigger an evolution into a new form dubbed Sylveon.

"So, you must have been training late into the night with Eevee?" Samuel inquired and Gary nodded.

"It wasn't intentional. Eevee's stamina was much better than Wartortle's, so whenever Wartortle was done for the day, I would practice exclusively with Eevee after sunset. I guess the undivided attention must have played a part," Gary concluded and Samuel agreed.

"Fascinating," Samuel noted. "Though I should warn you now, Umbreon are notoriously hard to handle at first."

"Hard to handle?" Gary repeated with a smirk. "Doesn't sound like anything I can't manage."

"Don't treat it so lightly, Gary," Samuel added. "Dark type Pokemon can be difficult to work with until you've earned their respect."

"I've always had Eevee's respect," Gary declared in return as he kneeled down beside Umbreon and reached out for him. Umbreon's eyes snapped open, there was a nasty snarl and Gary gave a shout.

"What happened?" Samuel asked as he heard Gary groaning in pain.

"Umbreon just bit me!" He shouted angrily, sending a leer at his partner. Umbreon arched his back and hissed at Gary, which forced Wartortle to intervene. However, as soon as Wartortle was in between them, Umbreon relaxed and spoke calmly with Wartortle. He even allowed the water Pokemon to pat the top of his head. "What the hell?"

Samuel couldn't help but laugh as he saw this series of events. "This is all a part of living with Pokemon, Gary. As they change, they have to adjust to their new circumstances and you will have to make adjustments as well. It won't always be easy."

Gary winced as he looked at the hand Umbreon bit. His teeth produced some shallow puncture wounds on the junction between Gary's thumb and index finger. It probably could've been a lot worse, but Gary could see that he would have his work cut out for him…not that this was anything new to him.

As long as Ash and Frogadier were around, Gary knew that he needed to work twice as hard for his sake and his Pokemon. The old saying, 'iron sharpens iron,' described their relationship perfectly. Every week they had a mock battle against Ash and Frogadier, and each contest was often determined by how much each party improved from one week to the next. What might have earned them a small victory one week gets countered effectively the next. Every match is close, but that wouldn't satisfy Gary. He wanted a convincing victory over Ash and Frogadier.

Perhaps it was time to forgo their weekly contests and spend a few weeks doing everything they could to prepare.

Tuesday, February 23rd

Ash pursed his lips as he walked along a dirt pathway through one of the outer districts of Ecruteak City. It was early in the afternoon, and on most days, he would either be at the delta by Bell Tower or at the amphitheater teaching a class. However, today his schedule saw an aberration. An invitation from Spenser and Satsuki brought him to the pastures where he could see Mareep and Miltank grazing the fields. They met him under the shade of a tree and motioned for him to join them on a walk through the fields.

"Thank you for joining us today, Ash," Spenser began with a nod to Ash. "I'm sorry to interrupt your training with Frogadier."

"It's fine, he's got Growlithe and Mienfoo at the delta for company," Ash replied. "I was going to meet him there once you're finished with me."

"Let's not waste any time then, I'm sure you must be wondering why we invited you out here today," Satsuki added and Ash shrugged his shoulders. "Well, we've heard whispers that you're thinking about leaving us."

Ash looked at Satsuki and then at Spenser. Both of them wore bright smiles as they looked at him, despite the topic at hand.

He gave a sigh. "How did you find out?"

"A gift arrived, courtesy of a messenger Pidgeotto from Pallet Town," Satsuki explained. "A small envelope with a plane ticket to Vermilion City."

"When did that get here?" Ash inquired.

"I must apologize for intruding," Satsuki admitted with a chortle. "I was feeling a little nosey this morning when Pidgeotto arrived."

Ash gave a weak laugh. "It's not a big deal, I had to tell you at some point, right?"

"I see, and when did you make this decision?" Spenser asked curiously.

"I've been thinking about it for the last few months," Ash answered. "And I got a chance to speak with Professor Oak last week and told him that I was considering the idea of leaving in March. I didn't really expect him to just go out and buy a plane ticket."

"Let me ask you this, then," Spenser went on. "Are you ready to go back?"

Ash fell silent as he considered his answers. "Well, I've been here for about eleven months and I've definitely given this a lot of thought. The decisions that I made that led up to me getting arrested must have affected a lot of people that I cared about, and I owe it to them to actually meet them face to face and give a proper apology. When I first got out of prison, I couldn't imagine trying to face any of those people. I came to Ecruteak City because I wanted to run away from it all," Ash confessed. "But as I spent more time here, I kept meeting people that helped me to correct my mindset and make amends with myself so that I could make amends with everyone else."

Spenser raised his brow before he glanced at Satsuki. She smiled softly and gave a nod.

"I'm so glad to hear you say that Ash," Spenser remarked with a grin. "You've grown considerably since our first encounter at Bell Tower all those months ago…in fact, I think it's safe to say that you have a much clearer idea of who you want to be as a person and what you want to be now. Would I be correct in saying that?"

Ash stopped in place. Who was he? Who did he want to be?

He finally had answers to those questions. He was Ash Ketchum, a Pokemon trainer from Pallet Town, and one day, he would correct the awful stigma that was attached to the reputation of Pokemon and trainers alike.

"Yeah," Ash said with a nod as he looked at Spenser. He realized that the elderly duo was a few steps ahead of him, looking back. He scratched at the back of his neck bashfully before he beamed. "You're correct."

Satsuki clapped her hands together happily, but Spenser wasn't quite finished.

"So, Ash, tell me who you walk with," Spenser smiled as he made this request. He could see the glimmer in Ash's eyes. There was an answer ready.

"I walk with Pokemon," He stated.

With a large nod to Ash, Spenser then said, "Then you are a Pokemon trainer."

Such a statement was…perhaps, obvious at this time. But as Ash recalled the number of times that he said he wasn't a trainer, hearing those words from Spenser caused his chest to swell. He bowed to them as thanks.

"It's great to see that you've had a change of heart," Spenser continued. "I think you're finally ready to meet someone that has been waiting to meet you for a while."

Ash blinked and tilted his head. "Who's been waiting to meet me?"

"One of my closest associates," Spenser responded as he looked to Bell Tower that stood proudly in the distance. Ash gasped as he stared at Spenser's back, watching as a pair of wings reached out to the skies above. They were simply enormous, the feathers being a mixture of cyan and violet with specks of white scattered about. Spenser glanced over his shoulder once more to make eye contact with Ash and raised his brow at him. "Did you see something interesting?"

Ash gulped and bit down on his lower lip. "I think…so,"

"Well let's not dilly-dally, I don't want to keep my friend waiting any longer," Spenser motioned for them to get on a move. Despite Spenser's suggestion to pick up the pace, neither he nor Satsuki moved particularly fast. Ash laughed inwardly as he matched their pace, deciding to fill the time with conversation as best he could.

"So, can you tell me a little bit about your…friend?" Ash asked Spenser who snorted. "What are they like?"

"I think I would prefer to tell you why they want to meet you," Spenser noted as he stroked his beard. "Do you remember just after the phoenix festival, you asked me about the Unown?"

"Oh, the Unown," Satsuki interjected. "I heard little tales about them during my time here."

"I promised Ash to give the best explanation I could about the Unown, though my understanding of them is nothing to be impressed by," Spenser noted. "But my friend will probably be able to do a much better job than me."

"Hmm, now I'm looking forward to this," Satsuki said brightly as they continued on their way. "And is this friend who I think it is?"

"It is indeed," Spenser replied with a nod.

Lacking the context to keep up with their exchange, Ash snorted and listened as they continued to go back and forth. It was always fun to listen to the Spenser and Satsuki when they were together, and their trip to Bell Tower passed quicker than Ash expected. As the tower loomed overhead, Ash couldn't help but wonder if perhaps the phoenix was going to return and that was the 'friend' that Spenser was referring to. However, he scratched that idea off the list as Spenser led them past the tower's entrance and onto the familiar dirt pathway that Ash used every day.

They traveled to the delta and as they drew close, they could hear splashes of water and Growlithe barking repeatedly. Once they entered the clearing, they found Frogadier dueling with Mienfoo in the shallow end of the water. At the sight of Ash, Spenser, and Satsuki, Growlithe rushed over to greet them, much to Satsuki's delight as she kneeled down to address the Pokemon. Ash and Spenser kept their eyes on the spar that took place in the water. Despite their arrival, neither Frogadier nor Mienfoo was distracted. Frogadier kept one arm extended, using that to parry away Mienfoo's jabs as he searched for an opportunity to counter.

"Such diligence," Satsuki noted as he looked to the pair of Pokemon.

Frogadier caught Mienfoo's fist, which invited Mienfoo to lash out with a side kick in an attempt to break away. Frogadier stepped into his space, using his shoulder to shield himself from the kick, and delivered an elbow to Mienfoo's torso. He followed up this attack with a knee to the same spot that knocked the wind of Mienfoo, which gave Frogadier ample time to turn for a roundhouse kick that knocked Mienfoo away. With the stalemate broken, Frogadier relaxed his stance and approached Mienfoo to help him back to his feet.

"Good show," Spenser said as he and Satsuki clapped for them. "I don't want to take away from your performance, but someone is waiting for us."

Spenser motioned for everyone to follow him to the small pathway of rocks that led to the alcove behind the waterfall. They carefully took their time crossing the stone pathway to make sure Satsuki made it across safely. One by one, they entered the alcove and the waterfall became thunderous as it echoed around them.

They waited for a few moments, and Spenser approached the edge of the water. He raised his walking stick and tapped against the surface of the cave floor three times. He raised his arms and left them outstretched, and Ash's eyes grew wide as the water droplets that splashed in the air became frozen in place. Everyone looked around for a few moments, and their eyes were drawn to the water which gained a cyan glow. There were gasps from the Pokemon and Ash felt his fingers twitch. From within the water, a shadow rose up, surfacing just beyond the wall of water at the mouth of the alcove. Its eyes flashed with the same light that filled the water below, and the waterfall parted to allow it to enter the alcove.

Ash felt faint as he stared at this creature. Its magnificent purple mane and speckled fur matched the grandeur with which this Pokemon walked on the surface of the water. As it stepped into the alcove, it gave a mighty roar which silenced the waterfall and a deathly silence was left in its place. Its footsteps on the water could be heard as nothing more than a single drop touching the surface of the water until it finally arrived at the rocky surface where they all stood. Spenser and Satsuki bowed to this Pokemon, and Ash quickly followed their actions. With his head lowered, Ash stole a glance at Frogadier who stood beside him, and his partner was frozen, his mouth agape and cheeks rosy.

"Ash, this is Suicune," Spenser began as Ash raised his head to look at this Pokemon once more.

"Sui…cune," Ash repeated, his voice caught in his throat. He'd never felt a Pokemon emanate a presence that inspired so much awe in him. Suicune's appearance, the way she carried herself, was unlike any Pokemon that he had ever seen. Her mane still continued to flow in the air behind her, and she stood with her head held high. "This is…your friend?"

Spenser gave a nod as Suicune approached Satsuki and the elderly woman giggled as she was allowed to stroke Suicune's back.

"It's so good to see you again, old friend," She said softly to Suicune.

"I've never seen a Pokemon like Suicune," Ash exclaimed as he leaned from one side to the other, trying to take in every detail of this new Pokemon. Suicune demanded his attention, but at the same time, if they made eye contact, it felt like Ash's breath was being stolen from him.

"You see, Ash, among Pokemon there are standouts that are considered one of a kind, and then among that group as Pokemon that are regarded as legends," Spenser explained as he and Satsuki stood upright. "These legends exist all over the world, and in some cases, have become intertwined with different cultures."

"A legend," Ash breathed out.

"Yes, it's said that Suicune was born through the mercy of the phoenix when he first came to Ecruteak City," Satsuki explained. "And when the phoenix took flight a century ago, Suicune became the protector of Ecruteak City in place of the phoenix."

Ash looked back to Suicune once again but averted his gaze when their eyes met. Instead, he looked to Frogadier, but his partner was still entranced by Suicune's appearance. Spenser noticed the exchange between them and chuckled.

"It's difficult to be around Suicune at first," Spenser interjected. "It will get easier as you spend more time around her."

Ash wanted to take a step forward, but he didn't want to test his balance. The alcove was warped in his vision, but he could clearly make out the other Pokemon as they approached Suicune. This 'legend' was much larger than them, but she lowered himself down to address each of them. If these Pokemon felt comfortable around Suicune, it was only a matter of time before Ash did. Suicune looked to Ash, the only person who had yet to give her a proper greeting. She rose up and approached Ash, who refused to move for fear that he would fall over.

Their eyes met again, and as Ash stared into Suicune's crimson eyes, they flashed and Ash was blinded momentarily. He stumbled backward and lost his footing. He waited for his bottom to meet with the hard floor, but the impact never arrived. Ash blinked his eyes rapidly as his vision was restored, and he saw that he was floating in midair with an unmistakable blue hue around his body.

"Psychic," Ash noted as he saw the same color in Suicune's eyes.

"I suppose we could call it that," A feminine voice answered. Ash took a glance around the room as he was set upright on his feet before he looked back to Suicune.

"Was that…you?" Ash exclaimed and Suicune gave a nod as she returned to Spenser's side.

"The legends are special in their own unique ways, but most of them have some form of telepathy," Spenser stated. "With these abilities, they have played a pivotal role in shaping human history. In most cases, they select a human operative to help them influence the outcome of certain events."

"Does that mean, they've been manipulating the course of history?" Ash asked curiously.

"I wouldn't say that we're the ones manipulating everything," Suicune interjected. Ash wondered how her alluring voice could reverberate in the alcove if she was speaking through telepathy. At this point, Ash wasn't even sure what to question.

"When a legend selects their partner, they receive a special mark that identifies them as such," Spenser continued. "They gain colored wings and the ability to perceive the wings on the backs of other people."

Colored wings…

"Then that means, I'm one of these people," Ash concluded and Spenser gave a nod.

"I must say, your wings are quite beautiful, Ash, I've never seen wings as colorful as yours," Spenser remarked with a wink. "The color of our wings helps us to identify one another. For example, Bruno has some very earthy colors on his wings, while mine is a mixture of teal, purple, and silver, though I can't say I care much for that color scheme."

Suicune leered and gave Spenser a nudge with the crest that protruded from her forehead, which earned a laugh from her partner.

"My apologies, old friend, perhaps I'm speaking too candidly," Spenser said as an apology.

"Among other things," Suicune noted in reply.

"You're losing me here," Ash cut in, placing his fingertips against his temples. "How does all of this tie into the Unown?"

There was a sigh from Suicune as she lowered her head. "The Unown act as…overseers. My history with them isn't as extensive as some of the other legends, but to my understanding, they've been obsessed with testing how humans progress under different circumstances from the moment they first encountered them."

"Testing how we progress…?" Ash repeated in question and Satsuki frowned as she tilted her head.

"While humans have created a fair share of their own problems, the Unown have been responsible for creating multiple conflicts in your history to see how you overcome said conflicts, and what occurs afterward," Suicune explained. "However, they have also maneuvered events to avoid a crisis on more than one occasion, so it's difficult to determine what they are trying to achieve," Suicune exhaled deeply which created a gust of wind within the alcove. "I've had my own reservations about them, especially after they allowed almost an entire generation of their chosen ones to be killed off."

"An entire generation?" Satsuki spoke up.

"The Age of Heroes is what we called it," Suicune continued, and air in the room became frigid. Mienfoo came close to Growlithe, using her as a heat source and Frogadier was still gawking at Suicune. She continued, "Following the reforms that humans made during their renaissance, and the progress they made during their industrial era, it seemed like everything was coming together perfectly to create man's greatest golden age…until that monster appeared. The Unown aided in the creation of it and allowed it to hunt their human operatives to near extinction. Spenser is among the few survivors from the Age of Heroes," Suicune shook her head and relaxed her back. The temperature in the room quickly returned to the climate everyone recognized previously. "A new generation has been appearing, which leads me to believe that we've reached another crucial point in history."

Suicune looked at Ash.

"Like those who came before you…you will play a part in creating an era of peace or conflict. In you is the power to change the course of history and help shape the future," Suicune stated. "What is left to be seen is whether you have the role of the hero…or the villain?"

"So…not all of us are good?" Ash asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"Humans and Pokemon, even the legends, are flawed. None of us are perfect. Some humans embraced the role and became heroes. Others became absorbed in their own selfish ambitions. In both cases, their actions could have been considered right and wrong, but that will only become apparent after the passage of time," Suicune focused on Ash. "Follow your heart, do what you think is right and be prepared to face the events caused by your actions."

Ash raised a hand to scratch at the back of his neck. He raised his brow and tried to speak twice, but he couldn't find any words.

"It's a lot to take in," Spenser said as he came close to Ash and placed a hand on his shoulder. "What I can tell you from experience, is that you can't obsess over every decision. You won't always have a clear picture of the outcome, and there will be times when you have to make a hard decision. It's best to follow what Suicune said, follow what you feel is right, and use that as your guide."

Ash shook his head. "I mean, this isn't the first time someone talked to me about the wings, but I didn't realize that it was…" He motioned to Spenser and Suicune. "All of this," He chuckled though. "It doesn't sound all that crazy to me. My dream was to create a world where people and Pokemon can live side by side. I saw proof that it's possible here in Ecruteak City, but there are so many parts of the world where people are still blinded by fear. Whether I'm special or not, I was going to do what was needed to help people see how amazing Pokemon really are."

"Change is hard to cause on your own." Satsuki's words echoed in his mind, and Ash looked to Growlithe and Frogadier, though only Growlithe returned his gaze. Frogadier was…still staring at Suicune.

"It won't be easy," Ash went on. "But if there's anything I've relearned while I was here, it's how much having a Pokemon by your side can empower you."

There was a yip from Growlithe as support, and Ash looked to Frogadier next for his contribution. However, Frogadier had nothing to say because he was enamored. Ash rolled his eyes.

"Hey, Frogadier," Ash said, but there was no response. He kneeled down to wave his hand in front of Frogadier's face, but that didn't trigger a reaction. Ash rolled his eyes and a chuckle escaped his lips. Frogadier was always so cool, calm, and collected…Ash didn't expect him to fall head over heels for someone at first sight, but then again, humans and Pokemon were more alike than most people would think. "Well, I'm pretty sure this guy will be along for the ride too."

The group shared a laugh, and for Frogadier's sake, Ash asked where Suicune would be going since their conversation was seemingly over. However, there was more in store for them. Suicune wanted to teach the currently paralyzed Frogadier a new skill. She requested that they all go out to the delta, and while they took the stone pathway to leave the alcove, Suicune gracefully walked across the surface of the water. As she exited the alcove, the roar of the waterfall returned.

Frogadier was still frozen in place, so with no other options, Ash carried him out of the alcove while Growlithe and Satsuki giggled at his odd behavior.

"Come on Frogadier, pull yourself together," Ash whispered to his partner as he crossed the stone pathway. "Suicune wants to teach you something, and the last thing I bet you want to do is make a fool of yourself."

That seemed to wake Frogadier up as he snapped out of his daze. Ash was glad to see Frogadier regain his senses, especially as it dawned on him that they would be receiving a private lesson from a legend! How cool was that?!

While the others remained on the grassy plains around the delta, Ash and Frogadier stepped into the shallow area where Suicune was waiting for them.

"I must admit," Suicune began as she closely inspected Frogadier. The thin water Pokemon twitched nervously under her gaze, but Suicune paid him no mind. "I've been watching you practice here for a long time. You've become quite skillful, especially after finding your partner," Suicune said with a nod toward Ash.

Frogadier scratched at the back of his head in the same manner as Ash, a large and rosy-cheeked grin on his face.

"So, what kind of skill are you going to teach Frogadier?" Ash inquired curiously. He wondered what other abilities Suicune possessed that would classify her as a legend when compared to other Pokemon.

"This skill has different names, depending on who you talk to," Suicune noted. "For Pokemon like Frogadier and myself, we call it sky-walking. But you would likely recognize this ability as flight."

"Wait, are you saying that you can fly?" Ash asked incredulously.

"Suicune is also known as the North Wind, Ash," Spenser called out. "She plays a part in maintaining the air currents."

"And with those responsibilities, I learned how to 'walk on wind,'" Suicune explained. "Although, this isn't an easy skill to learn. I myself can only do it for a short period of time."

"So, you can walk on wind and water," Ash noted. "What can't you walk on?"

"Oddly enough, for all that grace and poise, she can't keep her balance on the ice," Spenser interjected. Suicune immediately shot him a glare and a gust of wind blew across the delta as a warning.

"My my, I think you've upset her," Satsuki remarked with a laugh and Spenser gave a quick apology.

Suicune returned her attention to Ash and Frogadier to resume the lesson. Of course, Ash pointed out that air wasn't solid, so how would Frogadier, or even Suicune for that matter, be able to step on it. Suicune elaborated further on the subject, and Ash quickly learned that this was very similar to Bruno's lessons on how Pokemon could manipulate the environment. The same manner in which Frogadier could shape water could be used to make the air more tangible.

"Pokemon are no different from you and I. Nothing is fair about what they are born with or what they can learn. Some are gifted, while others are held back by limitations outside of their control. But they work hard to refine their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, like you and I." Bruno explained.

Sky-walking wasn't a natural ability for Frogadier and there were some obvious limitations. The first being, his body wasn't designed for flight. A flying Pokemon typically possessed wings to read air currents and ride them to remain airborne. Of course, Frogadier didn't have wings, but he did possess the acute senses required to track air currents, and the physical capacity to ride them for a brief moment. It created a few precious moments of 'flight' that opened the gateway for a new attack. According to Spenser, it was called Aerial Ace.

When Suicune performed this attack for them, Ash immediately saw its value as she was able to use the winds to attack from almost any feasible angle. With Frogadier's speed, Aerial Ace could be a frightening attack in their arsenal.

The prospect of Aerial Ace was exciting, but the process of obtaining this move was far from easy. When it came time for Frogadier's first attempt, Spenser suggested that Ash connect with Frogadier to experience this as well. Suicune advised against it with a warning of a potential sensory overload, but that was nothing that Ash hadn't experienced before. Part of him wished that he'd listened to Suicune, but the rest of him was absolutely floored by this new sensation. During the times that he possessed Frogadier's sensory abilities, he never attempted to track the movement of the air around him. When he and Frogadier focused on it, Ash realized just how much was happening around them. It was intense but exhilarating, yet another reminder of how amazing Pokemon could be.

They practiced until the evening, long enough for Frogadier to get a grasp of the concept so that they could continue to practice on their own. As the sun dipped into the horizon, Suicune decided to depart. At this point, Lady Satsuki returned to the Izumo Estate with Growlithe as her escort, and Mienfoo traveled back to his den. This left Ash, Spenser, and Frogadier to say their goodbye to Suicune.

"Continue to practice daily," Suicune said to Frogadier. "You've begun to tap into a power that lies dormant within you, but it will take the diligence that you have displayed to master it. I hope to see you again once you've done so."

Frogadier nodded bashfully, grateful for the compliment. Suicune then looked at Ash.

"You have a long journey ahead of you," She said to Ash. "I'm sure our paths will cross again. I look forward to seeing what you've accomplished by then."

"You and me both," Ash remarked as he gave Suicune a nod.

Last, but certainly not least, she approached Spenser and lower her head onto his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her neck to return the gesture before they separated.

"It was good to see you again," Suicune stated, and Spenser nodded to her. "It seems as though we have some exciting times ahead of us."

"The last hundred years has been very quiet, I suppose the temporary peace we enjoyed couldn't last forever," Spenser noted in reply.

"It never does," Suicune said softly as she stepped out onto the water of the delta. "Give Satsuki my regards, and may she have good health going forward."

Spenser waved to Suicune as she ventured to the center of the delta. The water rippled at her feet before she sunk into the water, and her shadow soon faded. Spenser lowered his arm and bowed again before he turned away from the delta.

"Where is she going?" Ash asked as he and Frogadier matched Spenser's walking pace.

"She slumbers beneath the surface of the delta as the guardian of Ecruteak City," Spenser explained and Ash looked back to the delta once more. "She casts a barrier around the perimeter of the city that wards off travelers that hate or fear Pokemon."

"A barrier?" Ash repeated in question.

Spenser nodded slowly. "Ecruteak City used to receive many visitors, but as the people of Johto became consumed by their fear caused by the Great Crisis, Suicune closed the borders to preserve the way of life here," Spenser explained. "According to Suicune, her barrier can read the hearts of humans and casts a fog that will deter anyone that could threaten our culture."

Ash remained silent as he thought back to when he first arrived in Ecruteak City last year. There was no fog...so even back then Suicune judged him as worthy.

A grin broke out on his face and Ash turned back to the delta once more to offer a bow of thanks to Suicune. From there, he and Frogadier escorted Spenser back to the Izumo Estate since he was invited to join them for dinner.

Dinner was always a lively time among the present, former, and soon-to-be Kimono Girls. Conversation was often chaotic and hard to follow with how many different discussions could occur at one time, but even with guests such as Gary and Spenser in attendance tonight, the room was awfully quiet. The loudest noise was chopsticks hitting the edge of bowls. Ash merely shrugged his shoulders and leaned his head back to empty his rice bowl into his mouth.

"Miki," Ash called out after he swallowed. "Can you pass the rice?"

Ash pointed to the large bowl of steaming rice that sat at the center of the table, though it was just out of reach for Ash. She kept her head down, but reached out and lifted the bowl to move it within Ash's reach. Her hands remained on the side of the bowl, but Ash paid no mind as he took the spoon and refilled his bowl. As he did so, he heard a sniffle from Miki and looked at her.

"Is something wrong?" He asked, and she raised her eyes to meet his gaze. Tears were sitting at the corner of her eyes and Ash froze in place.

"Are you really…leaving us?" Miki lost whatever composure she had as she threw her head and wailed. A waterfall of tears ran down her cheeks and Zuki, who sat beside her, rubbed Miki's back to comfort her.

Miki's sobs were the only source of noise as Ash took a quick glance around the room. All eyes were on him, most of them having paused mid-chew. In Gary's case, his mouth was left open and he dropped his chopsticks which rattled against the table.

"Wait, you're leaving?" Gary repeated the question, his eyes locked on Ash. "Since when?"

"Well…for a while now," Ash admitted as he scratched the back of his neck. "Professor Oak sent my plane ticket to go back to Vermilion City, but the flight is in March. I'll still be here for another month or so."

"We know that you didn't intend to stay here forever Ash," Satsuki interjected. "But you've become a part of our family, so your departure will come as a shock to everyone."

"Are you at least going to come back and visit?" Questions gushed out like water from a broken faucet. Everyone posed questions about his plans, and admittedly, Ash didn't really give the subject much thought. His top priority was to repair the bridges that he burned in Vermilion City. Until he accomplished that, he wasn't very concerned with his travels or training.

"So how did you guys find out?" Ash inquired once he answered the majority of their questions.

Satsuki raised one hand and use the other to conceal the lower half of her face with the sleeve of her Kimono. "It was me; I might have let it slip while we were in the kitchen earlier," Satsuki explained.

"It's no big deal, just curious," Ash replied. "I wasn't trying to keep it a secret or anything. I mean, I only found today when my flight would be."

"That's quite alright, Ash," Naoko cut in. "It's been our pleasure to have you as a member of our household. Our estate will always be open to you if you one day come back to visit."

"Thanks, that means a lot," Ash shot her a grin.

"Don't get too comfortable, Ash," Gary said as he rose to his feet. At the call of his name, Ash looked to Gary and could feel the intensity around him. "We still have something to settle. I know we haven't battled in a while, so let's have another rematch, under official rules this time."

Ash felt his lips curve upward at the idea. "Sounds like a plan."

"Then let's do it in two weeks, it'll be our last battle in Ecruteak City," Gary proposed as he sent a smirk at his opponent. "No holding back."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Gary didn't stay much longer. He said his goodbyes to those at the dinner table and called for Wartortle and Umbreon to come along with him. As they returned to their apartment in the residential district, Gary felt light on his feet.

An official battle with Ash…he couldn't wait!

However, listening to Ash talk about his plans once he left Ecruteak City also got Gary thinking. What was he going to do once he left? He'd been here for almost two years, and truthfully, it didn't feel like there was much left for him here. The considerable development his Pokemon went through during the past few months put a significant gap in skill and ability between them and the citizens of Ecruteak City. Ash was the only opponent where the battle was competitive.

Perhaps it was time that he pack up and start traveling too. After all, he knew for a fact that incredible trainers were traveling around the world. The only way for him to keep getting better was to face these trainers and learn from those experiences. But…at the same time, Gary knew that Ash deserved some of the credit for his recent progress. Would it be wise to travel on his own, or follow Ash and use their rivalry to further his development?

"Maybe…" Gary muttered before he looked down at his Pokemon partners. Wartortle returned his gaze, his brow raised, while Umbreon promptly looked away from him. "I guess I should let the battle decide this."

Friday, March 12th

A shining sphere of swirling water met with Wartortle's shell and burst, producing a white cloud and a fierce gust of wind. The entirety of the staff and residents of the Izumo Estate stood on the porch of the courtyard, raising a hand to shield their face as the wind from the battlefield hit them. Spenser sat among the Kimono Girls and lowered his hand as the wind faded to continue his observation of the battle.

Ash and Gary's battles were always something to behold. Watching them battle illustrated the true essence of a Pokemon battle – overcoming obstacles in the search for growth. At every exchange of attacks, Wartortle and Frogadier, Gary and Ash, they were constantly forcing the other to grow…to go one step further.

"Oh, what I'd give to regain my youth," Spenser remarked as he leaned forward, eager to see how the battle would continue.

"That Protect of yours gets better every time we see it," Ash called out as a compliment. Wartortle beamed and tapped at the front of his shell.

It was obvious how much Gary and Wartortle must have practiced since their last battle with Ash. Wartortle used Protect reactively as opposed to waiting on Gary's command. It created some minor inconsistencies as Wartortle might have used this move with no restraint, blocking attacks whenever he could. But, allowing Wartortle to choose his usage of Protect left Gary with one less thing to think about, which gave him a tighter focus on the battle. His decisions were faster, and Ash loved the improvement. Gary always got stronger!

"Frogadier, are you ready to try something new?" Ash called out to his partner, who gave him a nod in return. "Great, you're going to use Water Pledge to get yourself into the air! Then follow up with two Water Pulses!"

It was a string of commands, but Frogadier didn't question any of them. He immediately took action, drawing the moisture in the air to his feet. A pillar of water erupted beneath him, hurling him into the air over the battlefield. As Frogadier left the top of the pillar, he extended both his arms and the water that was in the air swirled into his palms. As soon as the first Water Pulse was completed, he hurled it down at Wartortle while he continued to condense the second one which he kept in his grasp. That water continued to gather into the second Water Pulse, and Gary vividly remembered the last time Frogadier had to physically hold a Water Pulse. The attack strength increased tenfold as a trade-off of it no longer being a ranged attack, and it bruised Wartortle's shell last time. He knew better than to challenge Frogadier's attack with Protect alone.

"They're trying to bait out your Protect, Wartortle," Gary advised him. "So, let's counter with Rapid Spin and Aqua Jet!"

The call for his new combination caused Ash to bite down on his lower lip. This must have been what Gary was working on for the past two months! He couldn't wait to see what it looked like.

Wartortle planted his feet and a torrent of water erupted around his form which propelled him into the air, where he recalled all of his limbs into his shell, spinning violently. The Aqua Jet around him spiraled, as a result, to form a whirlpool as he approached the first Water Pulse. It met with the tip of Wartortle's combination and was pulled into the flow of the water, tossing the Water Pulse aside. It met with the pagoda tree at the far end of the field and exploded, causing the entire tree to shake for a few moments, but it was unharmed.

Wartortle continued on his path toward Frogadier who began to plummet from the air above. As they got within striking distance, Frogadier thrust his Water Pulse forward and their attacks met. Water poured forth as the Aqua Jet and Water Pulse fought for dominance, swirling wildly around the Pokemon. Frogadier could feel the pressure building up. The design of Wartortle's combination was turning the water against him. He took a deep breath and with a shout, he forced his attack through the protective Aqua Jet and it met with the back of Wartortle's shell. The contact ruptured all of their attacks and a brief rainfall occurred on the battlefield.

Wartortle landed on the field within his shell and bounced twice before he came to a stop. Once the movement stopped, he poked his head out of his shell and watched as Frogadier landed on his feet. The rainfall ended and Wartortle grinned as he got back onto his feet and wiped the water from his forehead.

"Oh man, that combination was awesome!" Ash exclaimed as he pumped his fist. "You never disappoint, Gary. I really feel like I owe it to you for reminding me of how awesome Pokemon battles are. I don't think I would've fallen in love with them again if I hadn't met you!" Ash looked to Frogadier and they shared a nod. "Every time you get stronger, it just makes us more determined to see what else we can do surpass you!"

Ash's vision grew hazy and he blinked furiously to hopefully restore his eyesight. As it returned, he saw that was seated at the edge of the mountaintop and Frogadier was leaning against his back. Just like last time, a water cyclone enveloped Frogadier and the white stairway appeared, five steps in total.

There was a whisper, "Ascend."

Ash rose to his feet, and he stepped onto the lowest stair. As he did so, a new step appeared and the process continued as he ventured up the stairway.

On the battlefield, Gary felt his chest grow tight as Ash and Frogadier looked at him together. He saw it again, a red glow in their eyes. They flexed their arms, threw their heads back, and gave a shout. The water that dampened the field was lifted from the grass and swirled around Frogadier, producing a turbulent twister of water. Gary recognized this, having seen it before when Frogadier battled Tyrogue at the phoenix festival.

"Be careful, Wartortle," Gary offered as advice, though he didn't know what to expect.

Frogadier raised one arm above his head, and the water around him then spiraled around his palm. It was first molded into an orb, but then it took a new shape. A four-point star, like the shuriken the watchman wielded. Frogadier took a hold of the attack by one of its points, twisted his torso, and then launched the shuriken toward Wartortle. It hovered just above the grass, slicing any of the taller blades as it approached its target.

Wartortle didn't need to hear Gary's command before he summoned his protective barrier. A white dome formed in front of him, flashing from the sunlight above before it became transparent. Wartortle then raised his arms in preparation for contact, but there was nothing he could've done to reduce the impact when that moment arrived. Gary's eyes grew wide at Wartortle's Protect shattered instantly, the shards of his shield scattering about the field, and Wartortle himself was snatched from his feet by the shuriken.

Wartortle was carried across the courtyard and slammed into the far wall. Everyone cringed as Wartortle's shell met with the concrete wall, becoming wedged in the indentation his collision created. His arms and legs hung limply as he remained on the wall, clearly unconscious from that one attack.

Miki, the acting referee of their battle, raised one hand and motioned to Ash and Frogadier. "Wartortle is unable to battle, Frogadier in the winner!"

Nineteen seconds. That was how long Ash spent traveling up the astral stairway. As he took another step, the stairs faded beneath him and he plummeted into the clouds below. Ash gasped and the glow in his eyes faded as he found himself staring at the battlefield again. He took a few breathes as his arms grew heavy, and Frogadier immediately fell to his bottom with a sigh of relief.

There was applause from their audience for the outcome of the battle as Gary approached Wartortle, and his shell remained lodged in the wall. The young man exhaled as he stared at his partner and scratched at his forehead for a moment.

"Great job out there Wartortle, it felt like everything was pretty even for most of the battle," Gary remarked and he recalled the chill he experienced just before Frogadier summoned his finishing move. "But they always seem to take another step forward when they need to…" He shrugged his shoulders. "What can you say, they're the real deal."

Gary sent a nod toward Wartortle and raised his Pokeball to call him back into the device. As he turned, he found Naoko and two of the attendants standing beside her. With Wartortle removed from the wall, the attendants could assess the damage done while Naoko raised her brow at Gary.

"That was an impressive battle," She began and Gary stuck his hands in his pockets.

"What of it?" He asked in return.

"I suppose you must be wondering what you're going to do next," Naoko went on and Gary pursed his lips.

"I already have something in mind," Gary retorted.

"So, are you going to follow him?"

Gary sighed as he lowered his shoulders. "I hate to admit it…but it feels like there is still more that I can learn from him. I don't think we would've gotten this far if he wasn't here, and I want to know our limits as early as possible so that we can figure out how to surpass them."

"You wouldn't want to let him get too far away, no?" Naoko noted with a small chuckle.

Gary smirked as he looked to Ash and Frogadier on the other side of the field. "We can't have that."

Gary crossed the field, heading toward Ash who stood among Miki and Sayo as they praised the battle they witnessed. As Gary came close, the conversation came to a halt and he was allowed to approach Ash and Frogadier, extending a hand. Ash put on a smile as he accepted the gesture with a nod.

"Ash," Gary began as he tightened his grip on Ash's hand. "I'd like to make a request of you."

"Hmm?" Ash furrowed his brow.

"Let me…come along with you to Vermilion City. I want to see some of those trainers in action and keep getting stronger, you know," Gary said as he looked directly into Ash's eyes.

A broad grin broke out on Ash's face and he gave Gary's hand a squeeze. "You bet! I'm not sure what's going to happen when I get back there, so I wouldn't mind having a familiar face with me."

They shared a nod, but their small moment was interrupted by a wail from Miki who threw herself at them. Her action sent all three of them down to the ground as she cried.

"You're both leaving?!"

While Gary attempted to calm her, Ash looked to Frogadier. Ash raised his brow at his partner and Frogadier gave him a fast wink in return.

"It looks like we'll have some company going back to Vermilion City with us," Ash noted as he looked down. "I'm really going back…"

Ash took a deep breath and placed a hand on his chest. His heartbeat was steady, and he raised his head to look at the sky. The apprehension that used to suffocate him…was finally gone. There was no reason for him to be afraid of what waited for him in Vermilion City. There wasn't going to be a perfect outcome where everyone was waiting with open arms, but he would have to face them at some point. Whether or not things went well, Ash was certain that he would always have Pokemon…and that would be enough for him.

Thursday, March 18th

Ash yawned and smacked his lips as he sat upright. The wooden floor creaked from his movements, despite the padding of the futon beneath him. He stretched out his arms and rolled his neck twice before he threw off his covers. As always, Frogadier and Growlithe were already awake and happy to see him rise since they could start their morning routine. They spent time going through a series of stretches, time which Ash would spend talking quietly with them. But today, he found himself looking at the barren room around him.

He didn't decorate his room in the Izumo Estate much since receiving it last year, but since he would be leaving it, he took the few additions he made to the room. It was restored to the state he found it in, completely empty. His belongings were packed up into the backpack he brought from Pallet Town, which was ready and waiting for him next to the entrance of his room.

Today was the last time he would wake up in this room, and he wasn't sure how long it would be before he saw it again. He grew very fond of the Izumo Estate and he thought of his daily activities. His morning run around the perimeter of the property, the conversations that filled the dining room late in the evenings, the battles he had with Gary in the courtyard, and trips through the impressive garden in the back. It was all so familiar, and he didn't want to let go, but…it was time.

During the past few weeks, it became public knowledge that Ash was leaving Ecruteak City, which led to more farewells than he could've imagined. He only taught lessons at the amphitheater for a few months, but clearly, he made a lasting impression on his students as almost all of them came at one point or another to wish him luck and safety during his travels. Of course, those were among the easier farewells to handle. Some were a bit tougher, especially among the people he got to know well…Miki being the prime example. Every day during the past week she was crying at one point or another. Ash was surprised. She didn't seem like the type to get so emotional when saying goodbye, but between the hugs and the tears, he did his best to console her.

His last conversation with Spenser took place on Tuesday. At that point, Ash and Frogadier discontinued their training at the delta to make their final preparations. They stopped to visit Spenser at his small residence near Bell Tower. He was very happy to see them and welcomed them inside to share one last cup of tea. As Spenser served them, he asked Ash about his last battle with Gary and Wartortle, asking him if he saw anything 'exciting.' Ash revealed that he'd gone to the mountaintop with Frogadier once again, however, while he was there, he saw a glowing stairway appear.

"Fascinating," Spenser remarked as he sat across from Ash and sipped his tea.

This wasn't the first time that stairway appeared before him, but it was the first time that Ash climbed up it. He didn't get very far before the staircase disappeared beneath him, but Ash was hoping that Spenser could offer some sort of insight into its purpose.

"I have no idea," Spenser answered and Ash's hopes deflated. Spenser stroked his beard for a few moments before he chuckled. "But I suppose that's the fun part of a journey, no? I'm sure you'll find the answer to this at some point," Ash agreed with him and Spenser concluded. "Just remember to follow your heart, and do what you think is right. It's been an honor and a privilege to teach you and Frogadier. I hope to see the two of you again in the future."

Ash and Frogadier thanked him for his lessons and patience with them over the last ten months and bowed to Spenser once more before they parted ways. Spenser was the source of some of their most incredible experiences in Ecrtueak City, from introducing them to Suicune, to helping Ash and Frogadier develop their bond. But it wasn't just Spenser, the city itself exposed him to so many different things.

The first time he saw the Kimono Girls dance in the public square was amazing. Then there was the phoenix festival and the battle tournament. He would never forget the battles against Gary and Bruno. The lessons he taught about fitness and bonding with Pokemon in the amphitheater. But above all else, the people of Ecruteak City were always willing to talk to him, even when he was a total stranger, and help him sort out his thoughts. If not for this environment, Ash wasn't sure where he would be today. He was truly grateful!

A bark startled him and Ash's vision regained focus. Growlithe was in front of him, wagging her tail and Ash saw that the entrance to his room was open. Kuni stood in the doorway, leaning slightly as she stared at him.

"Kuni, what are you doing here?" Ash asked her.

"Well, breakfast started but no one saw you outside today, I came to check on you," She explained and Ash looked to the clock. A chuckle escaped his lips as he realized that he'd spent quite a bit of time on memory lane. The hour that he would usually devote to his morning run was gone, and it was time to eat. He would forgive the lapse in their routine since today was a special day.

"Well, let's go get some breakfast," Ash said to Growlithe and Frogadier, though he was surprised that they let him sit there and daydream for so long.

As they went to the dining room, Ash walked beside Kuni, though his attempts at small talk were met with silence. He didn't really mind as he stole a glance at Kuni to study her expression. Her brow was knit and her mind must have been wrenched in deep thought. He left her to her thoughts until finally, she came to a stop and bowed to him.

"Ash, I've said this before," She began. "But I want to thank you for coming to Ecruteak City, and for helping me understand relationships a bit more."

Ash then bowed to her. "I should be thanking you, Kuni," He said in return. "Your conversations with me were always timely and a big help. I don't know if this means much, but whenever I feel some doubts creeping in, I think of the Pokeball that you engraved for me. It's a nice boost of courage when I need it."

Kuni felt her cheeks become hot as she looked up to Ash, but a smile broke out of her face. "That's wonderful. I'm always glad if I can help you in any way."

Before their conversation could go any farther, Zuki stepped into the corridor they stood in.

"There you guys are," She called out to them. "We were getting worried. You've been gone for a while, Kuni."

They continued into the dining room and Ash was welcomed by everyone, including Gary, who was in attendance for one last meal at the Izumo Estate. The conversation was light, and Miki kept her composure throughout. As their time in the dining room came to an end, Koji rose to his feet to make an announcement.

"I will head to the stable to prepare the carriage and Rapidash for the trip," He declared, and that was Ash and Gary's cue. They gave each other a nod and rose from their spots at the table. The two of them left their Pokemon in the dining room and proceeded to a room to change their clothes. While Gary received a room near the dining room, Ash returned to his room on the opposite side of the estate. As Ash entered his room, he first folded his futon and placed it in the corner.

He approached his backpack and opened it to retrieve the clothing that he placed at the top of his belongings. Sneakers, a pair of dark blue cargo pants, and a black t-shirt. Ash stripped himself of the robe and cotton shorts he wore and changed into some modern clothing for the first time in nearly a year. He would miss how he dressed in Ecruteak City, but at the same time, wearing pants again just felt right.

Once he was fully dressed and laced up his sneakers, Ash folded his robe and shorts and placed them in the laundry basket near the entrance. He went to his bag one more time to collect one final item.

His hat.

He held it by the visor and snapped it twice to spring the hat back to life. It was still in perfect condition, even after all these years. He raised the hat, but his chest grew tight and he hesitated. Ash bit down on his lower lip and lowered the hat, deciding to keep it in his hands for the time being. With a sigh, Ash shook his head and reached for the side pocket of his backpack where he kept Growlithe and Frogadier's Pokeballs. He took Frogadier's Pokeball and pressed the center to expand it. Once it was full size, he stared at the kanji that Kuni engraved on it.

"Courage," Kuni stated and Ash continued to stare at that particular Pokeball.

"It takes courage to face a challenge when you're not sure if you will succeed."

Ash gripped the Pokeball tightly and exhaled. He wouldn't run away anymore. He would press forward!

He tucked Frogadier's Pokeball into his pocket and grabbed his backpack by the strap to throw it over his shoulder. With one final glance at the room, he bowed and then stepped outside. Ash traveled to the courtyard, and as he drew close, he could hear the shouts of Miki and Sayo. He stepped out of the corridor and smiled as he saw the entirety of the residents and staff of the Izumo Estate present in the courtyard.

Sayo was fawning over Gary as she saw him dressed in clothing that was considered normal by the rest of the world, while Miki was clinging to his waist, crying once again. Zuki stood nearby, giggling at Miki's behavior and Naoko only shook her head. The older generation of Kimono Girls stood under the shade of the porch, quietly chatting with the attendants. When Sayo caught sight of Ash, she gave a shout of his name and all eyes went to him. Their gaze didn't cause his skin to crawl. He was glad, though this feeling was short-lived as he was tackled to the ground by Miki.

"Ash!" She exclaimed. "Make…make sure you come back and v-visit!"

Ash laughed as she spoke between her sobs and assured her that he would. Zuki, Naoko, and Sayo came as a trio to pry Miki off of him and help him to his feet.

"Don't worry about the lessons, we're more than capable of handling your students going forward," Naoko assured him with a bow.

"It was so cool to learn about Pokemon from you, Ash," Sayo exclaimed. "I promise that Eevee and I will be much improved by the next time you visit!" They shared a high five.

"It's been a pleasure having you as a guest," Zuki added as she bowed. "Hopefully next time you visit you'll consider joining our family."

"Uhh…" Ash furrowed his brow as Zuki kept a straight face.

"Well, if you don't want to marry into our family, would you prefer to become one of our attendants? I'm sure someone would be very happy to have you around," Zuki continued and she gave Ash a wink.

"That's enough out of you," Kuni whispered as she yanked Zuki away by the sleeve of her kimono.

Koji entered the courtyard through the main entrance and looked at Ash and Gary. "The arrangements have been set. We are prepared to leave whenever you are ready."

Ash spoke to everyone at different points during the week. As of this moment, there wasn't much left to be said as he and Gary approached Koji at the entrance. Or perhaps, one last thing needed to be said.

"Ash!" The girls called out together and he turned to face them. All of them put their hands together and gave him one last bow. All at once, everyone present shouted one phrase to him. "Ganbatte!"

Ash bit down on his lower lip before he put his hands together and bowed. Through his many discussions with the locals and especially among the Kimono Girls, Ash heard that phrase often and learned the proper response.

He straightened up, raised his hat, and fastened it over his head. His grin extended from ear to ear as he proudly declared, "Hai, ganbarimasu!"

Ash turned back to Gary and Koji and gave them a nod. They returned the gesture and with their Pokemon in tow, the journey began!

Ganbatte - Do Your Best

Ganbarimasu - I Will Do My Best

A/N

And that my friends, concludes the Ecruteak City arc. I hope you all enjoyed it because I had an absolute blast writing it. Now that my inner weeb has left his mark all over this story, he may rest in peace...for now. My translations above are close, but for anyone who knows Japanese better than I do, feel free to correct me because I've only studied the language super casually at best.

So, there you have it. That was my take on the classic trope of 'Ash disappears to train for a while and comes back as a badass' only...he still hasn't attained any sort of badassery lol. I can see why so many people enjoy it. I'm kind of getting Naruto Shippuden vibes since he's been gone for years and is finally headed back home to see everyone that he left.

This was a monster-sized chapter again. I'm still on the fence about whether I want to proceed with them being this big, or if I should break them up. It certainly feels like I can sustain the amount of content required to keep writing these beefy chapters, but the time investment has gone through the roof. I'm not sure if I want to make that trade-off. Maybe I'll keep huge chapters in my back pocket for the special stuff. Eh...we'll see. Sorry for rambling. :P

I'd also like to say that this chapter was special. Ash has had conversations about the wings all over the place in Caged Wings, but here we finally had a real explanation. But now, the wings were merely the first step. The 'mountaintop' is something that has been brought up on a few occasions, but it hasn't been fleshed out. Then on top of that, we have the newly added, 'astral stairway.' Credit goes to the intro of Pokemon Master Quest for the idea, but we probably won't talk much about these subjects for a long time. Forewarning to new readers. I promised to explain the wings as I wrote Caged Wings a couple of years ago. This chapter is where I believe I fulfilled that promise, so don't expect me to revisit the mountaintop/astral staircase for a while. If you have questions, as always, I MIGHT be willing to share some secrets privately.

I know I update super slowly, but as a gift to those of you who put up with me, I'll have two chapters to post in April. They go together, so I don't want the updates to be too far apart for this next story arc. It starts slow, similar to the Ecruteak City arc, but I think you will really enjoy the payoff.

My heart goes out to those of you that reach out to me. Comments, questions, and concerns are respected and appreciated! Share your thoughts with me, I'm open to criticism so don't feel the need to hold back.