Here is chapter. I wanted to update this story everycouple of weeks but with christmas and everything it took me longer than I thought it would. Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 3
Beauty in the Battle
Standing in the doorway was a figure from Ash's past, a trainer he had battled years before. She greeted them with a warm smile and turned to May saying.
"May It's great to see you again. How have you been?"
"It's great seeing you again too. I've been competing in contests and training a lot since we last met. You mightn't recognise him but this is…"
"Ash Ketchum. Of course I recognise him, we did some training together last year. Ash stopped by the Battle Pike on his way to Rota. How's Serperior doing?" the woman said finishing May's sentence.
May looked between them in shock, Ash had told her that he'd trained with a lot of strong trainers but she didn't think that he'd trained with her.
The woman standing before them had long black hair with black and red bangs, her skin pale in contrast to the darkness of her hair. She wore purple gloves that stopped just before her elbows, a purple sleeveless top that left her toned stomach visible, a gold diamond shaped belt and long black pants which hid most of her purple high heeled shoes. She stood with regal poise and a confidence that only experienced trainers could manage. She was the Pike Queen Lucy of the Kanto Battle Frontier.
"She's even stronger now. Your advice helped a lot, we're battling a lot better now. So how have you been Lucy? What are you doing here at Brock's house?"
Lucy blushed slightly and started to stutter so May turned to Ash before saying.
"Brock went to see Lucy about a year ago to ask for her help with his studies on serpentine Pokémon. While Lucy helped Brock they got closer, Brock stopped professing his undying love to every girl he met and only said things like that to Lucy." Ash looked at Lucy and saw that her blush had deepened.
"So their best friends?" Ash asked. May face palmed amazed at how dense Ash was capable of being.
"No, Brock asked Lucy out on a date and they've been a couple for nearly a year now." May explained. Lucy nodded her head with a smile on her face as she remembered how nervous Brock was when he asked her out and how happy she was when she accepted.
Ash had a slightly shocked look on his face but he hid it quickly. Wow, Brock actually got a girl to go out with him. Ash thought Oh well stranger things have happened. I'm named in an ancient prophecy and I've encountered nearly every Legendary Pokémon there is. May's the mother figure of Manaphy, Max is the best friend of Jirachi, a Pokémon that only wakes up every thousand years for a few days before going back to sleep. May nudged Ash when she saw that he was lost in his thoughts.
"May how do you know about Lucy and Brock?" Ash asked.
"I've kept in touch with Brock and he told me. I've become quite close friends with Lucy as well. Right?" May explained before directing a question at Lucy.
"That's right. Ash why don't you go and see Brock he's in the Gym, May and I are going to be talking about girl things and I'm sure that you don't want to hear any of it." Lucy said.
"Okay see you later." Ash said before walking back to the Gym's main entrance.
"Lucy when did Ash train with you?" May asked.
"Roughly a year and a half ago. He wanted help with Serperior because she's a snake like Pokémon." Lucy replied waiting for Ash to get to the Gym's entrance.
Lucy noticed that something had changed in Ash and May's behaviour. They were standing close together, their hands and shoulders kept brushing against each other and they both had a slight blush on their faces when she had opened the door. Knowing that she was more likely to get an explanation from May if they were alone she knew that girl talk was the one thing that could get Ash to stay away from them and by sending Ash to the Gym to talk to Brock was another way of making sure he didn't interrupt.
When Ash was out of sight Lucy pulled May into the house, walking her into the lounge before turning to her and saying "Tell me everything."
"What do you mean?" May asked.
"You know exactly what I mean but if you want me to say it I will. What is going on between you and Ash?" May's face went red. "I knew it you like Ash. Don't you." Lucy said.
"I don't know!" May shouted. She took a deep breath the blush on her face fading before carrying on. "Sorry about that, I'm been really confused lately. Lucy you know how I said that Drew was bothering me." Lucy nodded listening intently. "Well I told him that I had a boyfriend he asked who it was, I panicked and said Ash. So I was on my way to Pallet Town to ask Ash to pretend to be my boyfriend in case Drew asked him. When I was in Viridian City Ash came into the Pokémon Centre so I had to spell it out for him what I was asking and he agreed." Lucy started to smile, May then explained what had happened while they had been in Viridian Forest and how they had just met Drew in the Pokémon Centre.
"May your leaving something out I can tell what is it." Lucy said. May sighed and continued "When Drew was talking to me Ash was handing our Pokémon over to Nurse Joy. Drew asked who I was with and Ash came over saying I was with him. Drew didn't recognise him at first." May paused and touched her cheek. "Ash stood next to me, put his arm round me and kissed my cheek." She finished turning red again.
Lucy's eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open her minded raced for something to say but it was a choice between saying nothing or saying everything at once. Eventually Lucy composed herself. She looked at May and said "We have a lot to talk about."
While Lucy and May were talking Ash opened the doors of the Gym and stepped inside. The Gym was the same as it had been the first time he had entered it at the start of his journey, it was dark with only just enough light to see where he was going. Ash smiled a little and said "I'm here to challenge the Pewter City Gym Leader!" A spotlight came on to Ash's right it showed a 27 years old man sitting on a boulder. Ash turned to look at the man knowing it was his friend, the closest thing that he had to a brother, Brock. He had tanned skin, spiked dark brown hair and his eyes were thin lines. He wore a green short sleeved shirt with a vest over it the top of the vest was dark brown and the bottom was light brown, olive cargo pants and blue trainers. "Who challenges the Pewter City Gym?" He doesn't recognise me Ash realised he kept his head down to see how long it took Brock to realised who was standing in front of him. "I challenge the Pewter City Gym."
"And who are you to think you can defeat the greatest Rock-type Gym in Kanto?"
"Someone who has beaten it before." Ash stated
"Oh" said Brock raising an eyebrow "And which Pokémon did you use?"
Time to show him who I am Ash thought "I used this one. Come on buddy lets show him who we are." Ash said as Pikachu walked out from behind Ash's legs. Brock looked at Pikachu and smiled. "Well it's been a long time since I saw you last Pikachu and you as well Ash." Brock said standing up and walking over to Ash giving him a hug. "It's good to see you Ash."
"Good to see you to Brock. Looks like you managed to change the Gym back to the way it should be." Ash said returning the hug. Brock laughed saying "About 6 months ago Mom found something else that grabbed her attention so I changed the Gym back. How have you been?" Ash laughed "I've got a lot to tell you but you need to promise me that you won't tell anyone else not even Lucy. Congratulations by the way."
Brock move out of the hug and looked at his friend even though he knew it was Ash he still had trouble believing that the person in front of him was the same 10 year old he had met years ago. Ash was more grounded now and seemed to give off a quiet aura of power and confidence. Brock sat back down and Ash sat on a boulder opposite him "So Ash what have you been up to since you got back from Unova?" The friends spent the next hour talking about how Ash had trained, captured some new Pokémon and how he was going to challenge the leagues again but as he did with May, Ash kept some of the details the 3 year gap to himself only saying that he'd give all details when the time was right.
"Brock why are you in the Gym isn't Forrest the leader now?"
"Forrest is out training for the next week or so. He asked me to take his place so he didn't have to close the Gym, my studies have finished I'm just waiting on the results of the exam so I said okay to take my mind off it."
"I'm sure you've passed the exam." Ash said. Brock noticed that there was something different with his friend, Ash's hands kept fidgeting and he seemed to be thinking of something while he was talking.
"Ash what's wrong?"
"What do you mean Brock?"
"Something's on your mind. I've known you long enough to know when something is bothering you. You can talk to me, you know that. Trust me what's happened?"
Ash sighed and started to tell Brock what had happened since he'd left Pallet Town. How he'd met May, how they were now travelling together again, the favour, Team Rocket and Fearow and finally what had happened shortly before coming to the Gym. Brock smiled when he heard that May was here and talking to Lucy, his jaw dropped when Ash said told him about the favour and that he'd agreed to it. Ash has changed more than I realised Brock thought. When Ash mentioned that he had kissed May on the cheek Brock fell off the boulder he was sitting on.
"You okay Brock?"
"Fine" Brock said standing up "Ash go over everything again tell me the details even if you think their unimportant." Ash gave Brock a confused look before doing as his friend asked.
When Ash finished Brock was deep in thought It's about time he started thinking about things other than Pokémon but he doesn't realise it. Maybe he hasn't changed as much as I thought. I'm sure that Lucy is getting the story from May now. I'll talk to Lucy to see how May feels then we can give them the push they need.
"So Ash shall we start the Gym battle?"
"I'd love to but I've signed up for the contest that's taking place today." Brock looked at his watch the contest was starting in half an hour.
"In that case lets go get May and Lucy the contest starts soon."
"Okay" Ash said getting up following Brock out of the gym.
Returning to the house they found May and Lucy waiting for them outside.
"We were just about to come and get you two." Said Lucy before giving Brock a look that said We need to talk about these two. Brock returned the look before turning to greet May giving her a hug.
"It's great to see you Brock" May said.
"It's great to see you too May. Now let's go your contest starts soon." Together the four of them walked through Pewter City to the hall the contest was taking place in.
"Ash do you need to change your Pokémon?" May asked.
"No I did it before we left the Pokémon Centre."
"Oh okay." May said she had hoped to see which Pokémon Ash was going to use. When they got to the contest hall Ash and May walked up to the main desk to sign in. After they signed in the lady on the desk told Ash and May how to get to the participants room, Ash and May turned back to Brock and Lucy
"We'll see you later." Ash and May said
"We'll be in the stands rooting for you." Brock said.
"Good luck." Lucy said before giving Ash and May a hug. When they had found seats Brock turned to Lucy putting his arm round her before saying.
"We're going to help them get together aren't we?"
"Of course we are. It's obvious to anyone who knows them, we'll need to call Misty and the others so they can help if they run it to Ash and May."
"Your right saying that it's obvious I saw it when we travelled together. They so alike it's quite scary. Now let's watch the contest."
A woman walked onto the contest stage she had blonde curly hair and wore a blue hair band. She was wearing white shorts and a light blue t-shirt with a short dark blue jacket over it. In her hand she had a microphone. It was Julia the Contest Announcer.
"Hello everybody and welcome to the Pewter City Contest. My name is Julia and I'm your announcer. The winner of today's contest will win this the Pewter Ribbon." Julia held up a ribbon it had a Boulder Badge in the middle and 3 light grey ribbon loops sticking out from each side. "We'd like to thank Brock the current Pewter City Gym Leader for donating a gym badge for use in the ribbon." A loud cheer came from the audience as a spotlight blazed into life pointing at Brock. He stood up and waved before sitting back down as the spotlight went out. "We also have a special prize for the winner of the contest but we will only reveal what it is after the final battle. Now here are our judges firstly we have Mr Contesta"
"It's a pleasure to be here" He said
"Secondly we have the Mayor of Pewter City Mr Greystone." Julia announced
"I wish all of the contestants good luck." He said
"And last but by no means least we have Pewter City's very own Nurse Joy"
"I look forward to seeing everyone bringing out the beauty of their Pokémon." She said smiling.
"And now let's get this contest under way shall we. Here are our participants and we have some well-known faces today." Julia waved her arm to the side of the stage as the people competing in the contest walked onto the stage.
"We have two co-ordinators from Hoenn so please give a cheer for May Maple and Drew Larousse." The audience went crazy when May waved and Drew just flicked his hair. "We also have a very accomplished Pokémon Trainer with us today, he hasn't been seen for a while but he's here now so please give it up for a trainer who has defeated the Battle Frontier Ash Ketchum." There was a minute of silence before the audience went absolutely insane. Ash scratched the back of his head before waving sheepishly. Drew snarled at the audience's reaction to Ash and his face turned purple when May walked over to Ash and put her arm around him which made the audience cheer so loud they could probably be heard in Unova. When the audience had calmed down the appeals round started. As May and Ash sat next to each other in the contestants room watching the other appeals take place on the TV that was attached to the wall.
Some of the appeals went really well for some and not so well for other. One contestant was hit by their Vileplume's Stun Spore and had to be taken to the Pokémon Centre, Nurse Joy went with them. The contest was about to be cancelled when Lucy stood up saying that she would take Nurse Joy's place so the contest could carry on. The time for May's Appeal came and she ran onto the stage "Venusaur!" she shouted "Take to the stage!" May threw a Pokéball releasing her Grass Pokémon.
"Venusaur use Petal Dance" Venusaur fired a tornado of small pink petals towards the ceiling.
"Now use Poison Powder, Sleep Powder and Sweet Scent." Venusaur released a cloud of purple, blue and pink powders into the petals coating them in the different colours.
"Okay now Sunny Day" A ball of golden light shot out of the flower on Venusaur's back. "Venusaur finish this with Synthesis" Venusaur started to shine with white light. The combination of light from Sunny Day and Synthesis made the powder covered petals to sparkle in the different colours. The audience oo'ed and aw'ed at the sight as May bowed.
"Now let's hear from our Judges." Julia said
"A beautiful appeal. Well done." Mr Contesta said.
"The skill displayed by Venusaur was incredible." Said Mr Greystone
"Venusaur's control was amazing and May's timing of the attacks was top rate." Lucy commented.
"Thank you judges and thank you May. Now for our next Co-ordinator Drew." Said Julia
Drew walked to the centre of the stage and flipped his hair before throwing a Pokéball into the air saying "Let's go Flygon."
Flygon flew out of its Pokéball and somersaulted before landing next to its trainer.
"Flygon use Sandstorm." Flygon flapped its wings causing a whirlwind of sand to appear.
"Now shape it!" Drew said and Flygon flew into the air circling the whirlwind slicing pieces out of it.
"Flygon finish it with Flamethrower." Flygon opened its mouth releasing a stream of fire at the Sandstorm starting at the bottom and working up to the top. When Flygon was finished the shaped Sandstorm had turned to glass and looked like an Onix. Everyone in the contest hall stared in awe at the giant glass statue that stood in the middle of the stage before cheering at the top of their lungs.
"Judges what do you think?"
"A spectacular display. I've never seen anything like that before." Said Mr Contesta.
"A marvellous appeal and quite fitting for this city." Said Mr Greystone
"Flygon's power and speed are amazing. It has been well trained." Said Lucy.
"Now we will take a short break before our final appeal so that this statue can be removed from the stage." Julia told the crowd.
Ash walked from the participant's room to the stage, he had left Pikachu with May, meeting Drew in the tunnel he said.
"Good appeal Drew."
"You don't stand a chance here Ketchum" Drew said flicking his hair. "Why don't you just leave now and save yourself the embarrassment."
"You'll see what I can do Drew." Ash said smiling and walking past May's rival before stopping and looking over his shoulder. "Drew you know something, if you get a haircut you won't need to keep flicking it out the way." Ash then carried on walking to the stage. Drew clenched his teeth and his hands curled into fists, turning round he ran up behind Ash throwing a punch at the back of his head.
Ash's eyes shone light blue briefly as he tilted his head out of the way and as Drew's fist passed by his face he grabbed Drew's wrist, spun round and twisted Drew's arm behind his back. Drew's expression went from anger to shock. Ash then started to speak without thinking as he let his anger towards Drew out, all of the dislike and fury that Ash had held for Drew since they first met fuelled his words "I care for May more than anything else in the world and I won't let anything hurt her so long as I can do something to stop it. Don't bother May again. If I find out that you've upset her in any way then you'll have to deal with me. Do you understand me?" Drew nodded nervously "Leave. May. Alone." Why did I just say that Ash thought releasing Drew's arm and walking to the stage, Where did that come from? Do I really feel that way? Think about it later I've got an appeal to do.
Ash walked out on to the stage and said to Julia "I can move the statue so there's no need for a break." Before Julia could say anything Ash then took a Pokéball from his belt and threw it in to the middle of the stage.
"I Choose You, Lucario." The Pokéball burst open releasing a tall jackal-like Pokémon with blue and black fur covering his head, arms, legs and tail, white fur on its chest, spikes coming out of the backs of his paws and the centre of his chest, glowing red eyes and four black appendages coming from the back of his head (these were used to sense aura). The aura Pokémon stood on the stage ready for anything.
May had been asking Pikachu question about what Ash had been up to over the past three years but Pikachu wouldn't say answer any of them. When May saw Ash walk on to the stage both she and Pikachu cheered and she wanted to see exactly what Ash was going to do and which Pokémon he was going to use. As Lucario appeared on the stage May flashed back to what Lucy had said earlier about Ash going to Rota and their adventure with Sir Aaron's Lucario. I'll have to ask Ash about this later and I won't stop until he tell why he went to Rota. May thought I wonder what he's going to do.
"Lucario can you use Psychic to move that statue off the stage." Lucario nodded and briefly closed its eyes before opening them again. His eyes glowing blue Lucario raised an arm and pointed it at the glass Onix a blue light enveloped the statue as it rose from the ground and floated off the stage. Lucario's eyes returned to their usual red as he waited for further instructions. Ash turned to Julia and asked
"Can I start my appeal now?"
Julia smiled, turned to the audience and spoke into her microphone
"Okay everyone it's time for the final appeal from Ash Ketchum." She waved an arm in Ash's direction as she walked off the stage.
Ash took a deep breath and looked at Lucario. Without speaking they understood each other and what they needed to do.
"Lucario use Aura Sphere." Lucario jumped into the air his paws close together as he concentrated his energy in to a ball before firing it and doing it again so that two Aura Spheres where above him. The Aura Spheres were a deeper blue than a normal Aura Sphere.
"Now use Bone Rush." Lucario put his paws together then pulled them apart while forming a bone of glowing blue energy.
"Push Bone Rush into the Aura Spheres." Ash said as the audience watched Lucario put either end of the Bone Rush into the Aura Spheres causing the Bone Rush to look like a baton as he landed at the centre of the stage.
"Okay Lucario you know what to do now." With that being said Lucario then started to spin the combined attacks around his body while jumping and spinning in the air. This display caused gasps of wonder and awe from the audience at the speed, agility and ability of Lucario.
"Lucario launch the Aura Spheres." Ash cried as Lucario flicked the Bone Rush hard firing the Aura Spheres back into the air.
"Now Dark Pulse." Lucario put his paws together forming a ball of black and purple energy before firing a beam of black circle surrounded by purple energy at the Aura Spheres causing them to burst in a shower of blue, black and purple sparks that fell to the ground.
It's beautiful thought May Where did he learn to do something like that? That's just something else I'll have to question him about.
"Now Lucario lets finish it use Psychic on the sparks." Lucario's eyes glowed blue once more as he used Psychic to bring the sparks together and shape them to look like another Lucario. The audience, judges and contestants all watched in stunned silence as the two Lucario turned and bowed to the judges, the audience and finally Ash who returned the bow. Lucario then stopped using Psychic and let the spark fizzle out of existence.
The audience exploded from their seats cheering and applauding for the spectacle they had just seen, the judges were also standing and clapping as Julia tried to regain control so she could get the judge's comments.
In the contestants room May way on her feet clapping and cheering for Ash with Pikachu perched on her shoulder with a large grin on his face. Drew stood at the back of the room rubbing his sore shoulder and glaring at the screen in disgust.
"Now let's hear what our judges have to say shall we." Said Julia after calming the audience down.
"This has to be the finest appeal I have ever seen and the ending was totally unexpected." Mr Contesta said.
"I can't put in to words how wonderful this appeal was." Said Mr Greystone.
"After all my years as a trainer I have never seen a trainer and his Pokémon so in sync." Said Lucy.
Once again the audience stood up applauding. Ash stood there embarrassed scratching the back of his head before waving.
"Thank you ash now we'll take a short break so the judges can decide which four co-ordinators will continue on to the next stage." Julia shouted so she could be heard above the audience. Ash returned Lucario and walked back to the contestant's room to wait for the judge's decision.
As Ash entered the room he was knocked down by a blur which wrapped itself around him. It was May. The other co-ordinators just stared at Ash in awe. Pikachu jumped from his place on May's shoulder back to Ash's squeaking his approval at the appeal.
"Ash that was amazing. When did you get a Lucario? Where did you learn how to do that?" May asked.
"I'd like to know that as well." Said a voice at the back. Looking towards it Ash saw that it was Drew that had spoken.
"Well I caught Lucario shortly after I started training 3 years ago. As for where I learnt to do that." Ash started "Do you remember that I said I trained with some really strong trainers?"
"Yes" Drew said impatiently his temper rising.
"One of them was Wallace." Ash finished.
Drew's jaw dropped, his face turned as white as a Togetic and everyone in the room gasped. "You trained with Wallace. Why?" May said in a small voice.
"When I used to watch yours and Dawn's contests along with the few I took part in I realised that if I found a way to combine the two styles, contests and battling, it would improve my own battling style. So when I ran into Wallace while training in Hoenn I asked him for help and he agreed." Hearing how Ash had found her contests inspiring, May jumped from her seat and hugged him. Drew stood at the back of the room glaring at the pair fuming silently as May started asking Ash hundreds of questions about what he learnt from Wallace.
Ten minutes later
Julia walked to the centre of the stage and pointed to the screen above the judges.
"Welcome back everyone the judges have made their decision for which co-ordinators are going to continue to the next stage of the contest. If you look to the screen the chosen four will be revealed now."
Four rectangles appeared on the screen turning over one at a time.
The first showing May's picture.
"Yes I made it!" May squealed.
"Of course you did May you're the best co-ordinator here." Ash said. May blushed and hugged him.
The second showed Drew's picture.
"Well done Drew" Ash said extending his hand. Drew just looked at it and turned away May was about to shout at him but Ash stopped her.
The third showed the picture of a co-ordinator called Sue. She had short curly red hair and green eyes, she wore a short yellow dress and yellow shoes. Her appeal Pokémon was a Beautifly which had used a combination of Silver Wind, Poison Powder and Gust to make a tornado of sparkling powder. May walked over to congratulate her as Ash watched the screen to see who else had passed on to the next stage.
The fourth and final rectangle spun around to reveal Ash's picture.
The other co-ordinators gathered round Ash congratulating him and wishing him good luck. Ash thanked them all and was about to find May when she jumped at him smiling whilst shouting.
"Ash you made it through!"
"Yeah I know I can't really believe it."
"What do you mean? Your appeal was better than any other appeal I've seen before."
"Thanks May but your appeal was better than anything I could ever do." Ash said blushing. May smiled at what Ash had said and wondered why he was blushing.
"Okay now we will match up our semi-finalists for the Battle Stage." Julie announced. The four pictures glided off the screen before reappearing at each of the corners with a vs. between the rectangles on the top corners and another between the rectangles on the bottom corners. "We will now reveal which co-ordinators will be battling each other."
The rectangles turned over reveal that May would be battling first against Sue meaning that Ash would be battling Drew.
"Good Luck May." Ash said "Don't hold back."
"Don't worry Ash I'll win this. Just make sure that I see you in the finals."
"I'll do my best."
May started to make her way to the stage when she suddenly turned walked up to Ash and kissed him on the cheek.
"Good luck to you too." She said before running from the room as a blush started to cover her face. Ash stood their shocked staring at the door with Pikachu waving a paw in front of his trainers face trying to bring him back to reality What did she do that for? He thought.
May ran to the stage grinning. Maybe Lucy was right. She thought before pushing it to the back of her mind focusing on the battle ahead.
Drew walked out of the room leaving the other co-ordinators and a bewildered Ash to watch the battle between Sue and May. Drew walked out of the contest hall and into a nearby alley before he screamed his frustrations as he kicked and punched the wall How could she choose that second rate loser over me? I'm smarter, better looking and a stronger trainer. I'll prove it to her by beating that loser then May will see that she made a mistake and come running into my arms. Drew thought as he stopped hitting the wall and started to laugh manically. After a few minutes he returned to the co-ordinators room to see May's Blaziken land a final Sky Uppercut on Sue's Piplup winning the battle and her place in the final.
Ash was waiting in the tunnel that led to the stage clapping as May took a bow, returned Blaziken to her Pokéball and shook hands with Sue. May saw Ash standing there and ran towards him.
"Great battle May." He said
"Thanks Ash now it's your turn to win." May replied.
"May? Why did you kiss me before?"
"For good luck." She said "Thank for reminding me." Ash looked at her in confusion as she kissed him on the cheek again, then she turned on her heels and ran back to the co-ordinator's room. Ash stood there dumbfounded blushing and looking at May's retreating figure before Pikachu gave him a small shock to bring him back to reality.
"Thanks buddy. Go sit with May while I'm battling. I'll see you later." He said scratching Pikachu's chin. Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder squeaked his encouragement then ran after May.
"Okay, let's do this." Ash said, he turned his focus to his upcoming battle as he walked on to the stage.
"What a battle!" Said Julia "Our winners are May and Blaziken they will be advancing to the final but who will join them? Well we're about to find out. Please welcome to the stage Drew LaRousse and Ash Ketchum." The audience started clapping as Ash walked on to the stage from the right and Drew came from the left.
"We have five minutes on the timer, our judges are ready, co-ordinators please release your Pokémon." Julia said.
"Roserade Let's go." Drew shouted throwing his Pokéball into the air. His Roserade appeared in a flash of light and twirled in the air before landing on the ground bowing with one arm across it's chest and the other pointing behind.
"Nice to see your Roselia evolved Drew." Ash called across the battle field. "I Choose You Gardevoir." He said throwing his own Pokéball in to the air. The ball opened and in a burst of white light a beautiful humanoid Pokémon appeared. She had green hair that covered one red eye and stopped at her chin. She looked like she was wearing a ball gown and had two red triangles at her waist one at the front and another at the back. She landed on the ground and started to dance round the field curtsying to the judges and the audience before taking her place in front of Ash ready to battle.
"Begin!" Julia shouted
"Roserade use Poison Sting and Petal Dance." Drew said. Roserade spun in a circle and released a flurry of pink petals at Gardevoir followed quickly by a volley of small purple missiles. The Poison Sting struck the petals changing their colour from pink to violet and speeding them up. Ash's point metre dropped slightly but he didn't seem bother by it. Gardevoir stood still as the combined attacks came closer until Ash said in a calm voice "Teleport then use Double Team followed by Psychic." Gardevoir nodded then disappeared in a flash of multi-coloured light evading the attack re-appearing behind Roserade and creating copies of herself until Roserade was surrounded then all of the Gardevoir's eyes glowed blue.
"Your Psychic attack missed." Taunted Drew "Roserade isn't effected."
"Who said Roserade was the target of Psychic." Ash called back pointing towards the ceiling. Drew looked confused and when he looked up his jaw dropped as he realised what Ash meant. He had been so busy watching Gardevoir he didn't notice that Psychic on had been used on Roserade's attack, turning it round and sending it back at the Grass type.
"Roserade dodge it." Drew shouted as he saw that his point metre was dropping. Try as it might where ever Roserade move Gardevoir used Psychic to follow it. The combined Poison Sting, Petal Dance and Psychic collided with Roserade's body and lifted it off the ground.
"Gardevoir use Future Sight." Gardevoir stopped using Double Team and her body glowed light blue for a few seconds before it faded.
"Gardevoir now use Focus Blast." Gardevoir put her hands together in front of her body and formed a ball of light blue energy, which seemed to have a slight pink tinge. She then threw the ball at Roserade just as it landed on the ground with a thud.
"Roserade Dodge it!" Drew cried but it didn't matter as the Focus Blast crashed into Roserade's chest sending it backwards. Drew's points falling to the half way mark.
As Roserade slowly got to its feet Drew knew that Roserade couldn't take much more and he was steadily getting more and more frustrated at how Gardevoir was easily avoiding all of his attacks.
"Roserade use Magical Leaf then Solarbeam." Roserade nodded at its trainer and spun around its roses glowing white launching a multiple glowing green crescent shaped blades of energy at Gardevoir. Then Roserade raised it roses above its head and started to collect energy as its roses glowed white.
"Gardevoir get ready." Ash said waiting for the right moment to act.
"Fire the Solarbeam." Drew shouted. Roserade levelled its roses at Gardevoir and fired the Solarbeam. As Roserade fires the last of the Solarbeam's energy it was hit by Future Sight.
"Now Gardevoir Grass Legend." Ash said with a smile on his face. Surprise Drew I've learnt a lot while I've been away he thought. Everyone in the contest hall looked confused whereas Drew's face showed a very worried look as he saw that time was quickly running out and his point metre was low while Ash's was still above half. How's he beating me? What's this Grass Legend? I've never heard of any move by that name. He thought.
"Grass Legend? What's that?" May said looking at Pikachu. "Do you know what it is?"
"Pika" said the electric type nodding and pointing back at the screen not wanting May to miss it.
Gardevoir's eyes filled with blue energy and the same blue energy surrounded Magical Leaf and Solarbeam twisting the energies together and shaping them into the form of Celebi. This final move caused the audience and the judges to give Ash a standing ovation at how skilled his Pokémon was and at how imaginative he was to create a move like that. Drew's point metre dropped to zero and Gardevoir moved the Celebi shaped attack, which had the combined power of Magical Leaf, Solarbeam and Psychic, towards the worn out Roserade, knocking it out and winning Ash the match.
"Ladies and Gentlemen the co-ordinator moving onto the final is Ash Ketchum having both depleted his opponent's points and knocked out his Pokémon." Julia shouted into her microphone so that she could be heard over the cries of the audience. "We'll now take a short Break so both of our finalists can heal their Pokémon before they battle to see who will win the Pewter Ribbon."
Drew looked at his Pokémon lying on the ground spirals in its eyes and fell to his knees as the light and sound of the contest fall faded How? How did he do it? Drew thought. Drew was snapped out of his daze when he saw that Ash was standing in front of him with his hand outstretched.
"Great battle Drew." He said. Drew just stared at Ash's hand before returning Roserade standing up and walking away from his opponent.
"This isn't over Ketchum." Drew called over his shoulder as he left the contest hall.
May ran from the co-ordinators room with Pikachu trailing behind her. When she got to the stage she saw Drew walking from the stage while Ash stood there with his hand out and a confused look on his face. May walked onto the stage and tapped Ash on the shoulder. Turning round he smiled when he saw May standing behind him and said to her "Looks like we made it."
Gardevoir turned to see May as well and hid behind Ash looking scared.
"It's okay Gardevoir this is May. She's one of my best friends you don't have to be shy around her." Ash said to his Pokémon. Gardevoir slowly stepped out from behind Ash and nodded to May.
"Nice to meet you Gardevoir." May said to the shy Embrace Pokémon. "Ash where did you meet Gardevoir?"
"I met Gardevoir in Johto. I'll tell you the full story later." Ash said with a look that told May there was more to the story of how Gardevoir joined his team.
"Why was Gardevoir's Focus Blast blue and pink?" May asked changing the subject.
"I have no idea it's always been like that. I asked Professor Oak about it and he didn't know either." Ash replied
"Gardevoir return for now. I'm so proud of you. Get some rest." Ash said as he raised Gardevoir's Pokéball returning the Psychic-type.
May turned her attention back to Ash.
"Both of us in the final of a contest just like the Terracotta Contest." May said protruding something from her pocket, it was her half of the Terracotta Ribbon that she and Ash had won years before. The pink and white ribbon was still clean and the semi-circle of orange metal shone in the light.
"It's good to see you've still got your half." Ash said
"Of course I've still got it it's my good luck charm I carry it all of the time. What about you? Where's your half?" May asked.
Ash reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and brought out his half of the ribbon, it was in the same condition as May's.
"I keep it with in my pocket during every battle." Ash said staring at his half of the ribbon. "It's been with me since we won it, I keep it in my bag when I'm not battling." He started to blush as he said that.
Ash is cute when he blushes. Thought May I think Lucy was right about how I feel about him.
Ash and May walked off the stage and healed their Pokémon then after wishing each other good luck May went to the other tunnel so that when she was called to the stage she would be ready. Ash stood watching May walking away and felt a strange sadness seeing May's retreating figure. What is happening to me he thought I'll figure it out later right now I need to focus on the battle.
"Pikachu can you go find Brock and stay with him during the battle. Okay?" he said looking at the yellow mouse on his shoulder.
"Pika." Pikachu said as he jumped from Ash's shoulder and running down the corridor before stopping, turning back and looking directly at his trainer.
"Pikapi Pika Chu Kachu Pika." Ash laughed.
"Thanks buddy. I'll need all the Luck I can get battling May."
Pikachu smiled at Ash then turned and ran to find Brock.
"Can Ash Ketchum and May Maple please report to their entrance tunnels the final battle will start shortly." An announcement said over the speakers.
"Okay. It's now or never. Hope your ready May cause I'm not going to hold back." Ash muttered under his breath. Little did he know that on the other side of the contest hall may had said the same thing about him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. I welcome you to the Final of the Pewter City Contest. The winner of this battle will win this Pewter Ribbon." Julia shouted while holding the ribbon above her head. The audience was even larger than it had been during the appeals and semi-finals put together. "Now without further ado welcome on to the stage the Princess of Hoenn, the co-ordinator who placed second in last year's Sinnoh Grand Festival losing to Solidad by only a few points give it up for MAY MAPLE!" Julia pointed to one of the tunnels and May walked out waving to the cheers of the audience There was no need to mention the fact that I lost to Solidad. May thought while she smiled and waved as she walked to the centre of the stage.
"And now for our second finalist. He isn't a co-ordinator which makes the fact he's in the final all that more amazing. He's an accomplished Pokémon Trainer who has competed in five Pokémon League Tournaments, beaten the Orange League and the Kanto Battle Frontier so let me hear you welcome to the stage ASH KETCHUM!" Julia pointed to the other tunnel and Ash walked to the stage waving sheepishly, when he saw the amount of people, while the audience clapped and cheered. Seeing how uncomfortable Ash was May started to clap and cheer for him as well, when Ash saw May clapping for him he felt his confidence rising like it did when he was in a battle. He carried on waving but this time he was thinking of the audience as one that would go to the Pokémon League not the Grand Festival. He walked with more confidence and when he reached the centre of the stage he looked at May and mouthed the words Thank You.
Ash and May shook hands then went to their positions on the battlefield and waited for the match to start.
"Please release your Pokémon." Julia said
"Blaziken Take to the stage!" May cried as she spun throwing a Pokéball into the air. The ball opened and released a tall Pokémon which somersaulted before landing in a fighting stance. Blaziken was mostly red with cream coloured feathers on her chest and top of her head which continued down her back and looked like May's hair style. Blaziken's hands were grey with flames erupting from the wrists and she had yellow feathers from her knees to her feet.
"Gardevoir I Choose You!" Ash shouted and he launched his Pokéball into the air at the same time as May releasing his Gardevoir, who twirled in the air and once again curtsied to the judges before turning and doing the same to May and Blaziken.
"Now we have five minutes on the clock. Begin the battle." Julia announced.
"Blaziken use Quick Attack." Blaziken ran forward at high speed leaving a trail of white light behind.
"Gardevoir Teleport." Gardevoir glowed with multi-coloured light and disappeared just before Blaziken hit, reappearing on the other side of the battlefield. "Now use Focus Blast." Gardevoir formed a ball of energy between her hands and threw it at Blaziken.
"Blaziken" May called "Send it back with Blaze Kick."
Blaziken's foot burst in to flames as she pivoted on her other leg and kicked the Focus Blast back to Gardevoir but now it was covered in flames.
"Gardevoir Magical Leaf." Ash said calmly. Gardevoir nodded and spun round releasing a flurry of leaves made of energy. They shot towards the Focus Blast and when they collided both attacks burst into a shower of multi-coloured sparks.
May looked at the points to see that hers had taken a steep dive while Ash's points were only slightly less than full. I've got to think of something quickly. May thought It's a good job I made him promise not to use and of those legend moves he's thought up. I wonder what the other are.
"Blaziken get close with Quick Attack then use the move you just learnt." May said to the Blaze Pokémon. Blaziken nodded and once again shot straight towards Gardevoir with one hand covered in a black energy.
"Gardevoir use Future Sight. Then use Teleport to dodge." Ash said Gardevoir glowed light blue for a few seconds but before she could Teleport to safety Blaziken struck with her energy covered hand multiple times causing Gardevoir to cry out in pain and collapsing to the floor.
"May's Blaziken has just delivered an assault of Night Slash attacks to Gardevoir." Said Julia.
"GARDEVOIR" Ash shouted "Are you okay?" His points had dropped but he didn't care, he only cared if his Pokémon was alright. Gardevoir slowly rose to her feet and nodded to Ash.
"Are you sure you're okay" He asked again. In response to this Gardevoir formed an orb of pink energy between her hands and held it close to her body the pink energy was absorbed in to her body and Gardevoir stood up showing hardly any sign of Blaziken's attack.
"Amazing" Julia said into her microphone "Gardevoir just used Heal Pulse on herself."
"Gardevoir do you want to continue?" Ash asked. Gardevoir replied by forming a ball of black energy and throwing it at Blaziken."
"Blaziken dodge it and use Flamethrower." Blaziken jumped high into the air over the Shadow Ball and opened her mouth to launch a torrent of fire at Gardevoir but found she was unable to move. A blue light surrounded Blaziken's body, Gardevoir had used Psychic on Blaziken.
"Blaziken Use Flare Blitz to break out of Psychic." Blaziken's body erupted in fire causing Gardevoir's hold to break and Blaziken to fall to the ground before charging towards Gardevoir.
"Double Team and Teleport." Ash said. Gardevoir created multiple copies of herself then all of them started disappearing and reappearing around the battlefield. Blaziken stopped her attack and stood in the middle of the field looking at all of the Gardevoir. May looked on in confusion How am I going to find the real one.
"Now use Shadow Ball." All of the Gardevoir formed a ball of dark energy and launched them towards Blaziken.
"Blaziken jump as high as you can!" Shouted May. Crouching low Blaziken put all of her strength into her legs as she jumped above all of the Shadow Balls. May knew what she had to do to stop Gardevoir. "Now use Overheat on the field!" Blaziken flipped in the air and released a blast of red and white fire. The blast hit the centre of the field it spread out covering the field and the copies of Gardevoir in a wave of fire.
When the fire faded from existence the field was scorched black and Gardevoir stood in front of Ash breathing heavily and Blaziken landed in front of May in a similar condition.
"Gardevoir use Focus Blast."
"Blaziken use Quick Attack then use Night Slash."
As Gardevoir charged a ball of energy Blaziken ran forward with her hand being covered with dark energy. When Blaziken was half way across the field Future Sight hit causing her to stumble slightly before carrying on with the attack.
"Gardevoir release the Focus Blast now" cried Ash knowing that if Blaziken's attack hit Gardevoir would be knocked out. Gardevoir threw her attack as Blaziken's hit. A cloud of dust and smoke came from the collision and the timer went off.
"The time has run out for this match. When the smoke clears the winner will be decided." Julia said.
May looked at the board and saw that both she and Ash had lost all of their points. Ash didn't look at the screen he just stared into the dust cloud trying to see what was happening. Eventually the cloud cleared to reveal that both Gardevoir and Blaziken were still on their feet but they were leaning on each other for support. Ash and May ran to their Pokémon only to find that both of them were knocked out.
"Both Gardevoir and Blaziken are unable to battle." Julia announced "And both of our finalists have lost all of their points so I have to announce that this contest ends with a draw. Please give our winners and their Pokémon a round of applause." The audience stood up giving both Ash and May a standing ovation. "We'll now go to our judges to hear their comments." Julia finished.
Mr Contesta said "I've seen a lot of contest finals but I have to say that I've never seen one where the finalists have battled as hard as they have today."
Mr Greystone added "This is the first time I've judged a contest and I have to say I'm glad to have judged this one."
Lucy ended the judge's comments by saying "Both of these trainers should be proud of their Pokémon and like Mr Greystone I'm glad I was here to see this final. It was absolutely amazing."
"Now we will present the Pewter Ribbon." Julia said.
Mr Contesta stood in front of Ash and May before saying "We only have the one Ribbon sorry we didn't even consider that there could be a draw."
"That's okay." Ash said "May can have the Ribbon." May looked at Ash surprised.
"But Ash you won it as much as I did."
"May I only entered this contest for a bit of fun. I didn't think I'd win. You keep the Ribbon."
"Okay if you're sure." May said reaching slowly for the Ribbon.
"I'm sure." He said with a smile. The crowd applauded Ash's generosity.
"We'll now reveal the special prize." Julia said as a man walked onto the stage holding a large box.
The man gave the box to Ash then walked off the stage.
"The special prize is this…" Julia said lifting the top of the box off "Pokémon Egg." The egg sat inside a contained with a rounded top with a shrunken Pokéball on top. The egg itself was a pale cream colour with a flame like pattern around the base.
Ash when to pass the egg to May but she said "No Ash. It's only fair that you get the egg if I get the Ribbon." Ash say the look on May's face and knew better than to try and argue with her.
"Ladies and Gentleman I present to you the winners of the Pewter City Contest. Ash Ketchum and May Maple." The audience erupted in cheers and applause as May waved and Ash stood next to her looking uncomfortable and staring at his new egg. May grabbed Ash's hand and started to wave it for him.
After leaving the contest hall Ash and May went to the Pokémon Centre to heal their Pokémon and to get the egg checked. They sat on one of the couches while they waited. May kept looking at her new ribbon and feeling slightly guilty that she should have it went both she and Ash had won it together.
"Ash do you have Sceptile with you?" May asked.
"Not right now. Why?"
"I want us to share this ribbon like the Terracotta Ribbon."
"May I want you to keep it. I want you to have the egg as well. You deserve them, you entered the contest as a warm up for the Grand Festival, I only entered it for fun."
"No Ash if your making me keep the ribbon then you are keeping the egg it's only fair." May's tone told Ash that it was in his best interests not to argue.
"Okay May I'll keep the egg."
"Ash, May congratulations on winning the contest." When they heard the familiar voice Ash and May turned to see Brock and Lucy entering the Pokémon Centre and walking towards them holding hands.
"Thanks Brock." They said together before blushing as they realised what they had done. Brock and Lucy shared look that said They need to get together as soon as possible. Brock and Lucy sat on the couch opposite Ash and May.
"Ash you said you'd explain about Lucario and Gardevoir after the contest. So spill it." May said. Ash leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees.
"Okay I'll start with Lucario. I was travelling around Sinnoh and I'd just left Veilstone City when I saw a group of Seviper attacking a Pokémon so I sent Pikachu, Gible and Donphan keep the Seviper busy while I got the Pokémon. When I managed to get to the Pokémon I saw that it was a Riolu I picked it up, started to run back to the Pokémon Centre and told Pikachu and the others to follow me and keep the Seviper back. Eventually we out ran them and I got Riolu to Nurse Joy. Riolu was in intensive care for a couple of days." Ash's voice wavered slightly as he remembered the fear he had for Riolu's safety. May placed her hand on Ash's shoulder. "I stayed by Riolu's side until he woke up and I realised that I had met him before." Brock leaned forward, his eyes narrowing more than they usually were.
"Ash it's the Riolu we met that could use Aura Sphere isn't it." He asked.
"Yes. Riolu recognised me and started to explain what had happened. He had trained another Riolu as a replacement and started to travel on his own to become stronger. He had been travelling for about a year when he crossed into territory belonging to the Seviper and they had been chasing and attacking him for nearly a week when I found him. I stayed at the Pokémon Centre for a couple of weeks until he was fully recovered. Riolu would watch me training and Nurse Joy let him out a couple of times so he joined in. When I was about to leave Riolu walked out with me and I asked if he could come with me. Riolu jumped on to my shoulder and said yes. When I was travelling in Unova a couple of months later, near Twist Mountain, Riolu was training and I accidentally got between a Beartic and its baby it went to attack me so I ran but got cornered in a cave when Riolu came running in and hit Beartic from behind with an Aura Sphere. They started to fight and to start with they were evenly matched but the Beartic was stronger and soon Riolu was knocked to the ground and Beartic turned back on me. Suddenly a bright light filled the cave I saw that it was coming from Riolu he evolved into a Lucario used Extremespeed to get between me and the Beartic then launched the strongest Aura Sphere I've ever sensed. Beartic was sent flying out of the cave and last time I saw it Beartic was running into the surrounding forest. Lucario has been getting stronger and stronger since then."
"You said 'sensed'". Lucy said "What did you mean by that?" Ash looked at her before taking a breath.
"I have the ability to use aura I can talk to Lucario using it and with a lot of concentration and energy I can make a small Aura Sphere. I found out about having this ability while I was travelling around the Battle Frontier and we visited Rota. I found out that I share the same aura as Sir Aaron, an aura guardian who died a long time ago."
"How did you find that out?" Lucy asked.
"I won a tournament and was named as 'Hero of the Year'. I was told to sit in the chair that belonged to Sir Aaron and given his staff to hold. While I held the staff Sir Aaron's Lucario came out of the jewel that's set into its head. The Lucario told me that I shared the Aura with Sir Aaron."
"I think I understand but…" Lucy started to say.
"I'll tell you the whole story later Lucy. Let Ash finish his story." Brock interrupted knowing that the details of that particular adventure shouldn't be mentioned in public.
"That's the end of Lucario's story." Ash said.
"Okay then now tell us Gardevoir's." May pressed eager to learn more about Ash's adventures and his new Pokémon.
"Gardevoir's story isn't a happy one to begin with. Are you sure that you want to hear it?"
"Yes. Please tell us."
"Alright May. I was in Johto a couple of years ago and travelling towards Mahogany Town and near the end of Mt Mortar when I saw a trainer he was about 16-17 years old and was wearing biker leathers his Pokémon were attacking a Ralts. There was an Aggron, Tauros, Ursaring, Ariados and Skarmory all attacking the Ralts, the trainer was throwing rocks as well. I ran up to him and told him to stop but he just laughed and said he was training his Pokémon then he told me to get lost. I could see the pain Ralts was in, she was on the ground, she couldn't stand so I sent out every Pokémon I had, knocked out his Pokémon, grabbed Ralts and ran the rest of the way to Mahogany Town ran into the Pokémon Centre and told Nurse Joy what had happened. She had Blissey run Ralts into the emergency room while she contacted Officer Jenny so I could tell her what happened. When Officer Jenny came to the Pokémon Centre I told her where I found the trainer, what he was doing and what I'd done to get Ralts to Nurse Joy. After that Officer Jenny went looking for him and I waited to see if Ralts was going to be okay. A few hours later Officer Jenny came back with the trainer, that's when I learnt that Ralts was one of his Pokémon." Ash stopped talking and took a few deep breaths to calm himself before continuing. "I signed a statement about what I saw and Nurse Joy filed a report confirming how Ralts had gotten her injuries, the trainer had all of his Pokémon taken away and his trainer licence revoked. Officer Jenny said that his Pokémon would be kept under surveillance for a while to make sure that they got along alright with the wild Pokémon and Ralts would be released when she was better. I was about to leave but Ralts wouldn't let anyone close to her except me so I stayed with her while Nurse Joy treated her. When she was well enough to be released Officer Jenny came to the Pokémon Centre with Ralts' Pokéball but Ralts hid behind me whenever Officer Jenny came close to return her. Then I heard a voice in my head it was Ralts she said that she only trusted me and asked if she could come with me. After everything she'd been through I knew that I had to help her so I asked Officer Jenny for the Pokéball and told Ralts that if she wanted to come with me than she had to be released from her old Pokéball before I could catch her. She nodded and went into the Pokéball I released her from it then held one of my Pokéballs in front of her asked if she was sure and she just pressed the button and I caught a Ralts. She evolved into a Kirlia a year later while we were training and then she evolved in to a Gardevoir a couple of weeks ago. She's a bit scared of people she doesn't know, that's why she hid behind me earlier when you came to the Stage May. It took a few weeks before she was comfortable around my mom and whenever I was changing Pokémon I introduced her to Professor Oak so that if I needed to send her to Pallet Town for any reason, she would be okay with him."
"She seemed okay during your battles." Lucy pointed out.
"That's because she focuses on her opponent and my voice. She said that it helps her deal with the amount of people watching and it keeps her calm." Ash explained. "I don't know why that is and she won't tell me."
"That's such a sad story." May said, drying her eyes as tears had started to form. "But it has a happy ending. You're her hero."
"Hero?" Ash said. "I'm not a hero I just wanted to help."
"May's right Ash. You saved Gardevoir from an abusive trainer and cared for her. You're her hero." Lucy said. Brock nodded in agreement.
"Ash the number of adventures you've been on, like when you were in the Orange Islands and helped Lugia stop the Pokémon collector or when you stopped Celebi when it had been turned evil." Brock said both Lucy and May looked between the two men in amazement and confusion at the mention of these adventures and the legendary Pokémon they had met. Brock turned to Lucy "I'll explain it all to you later." Before turning back to Ash and saying "You do whatever you need to to help people and Pokémon. I've seen you nearly die to save them. Whether you like it not you are a hero."
Ash looked at Brock.
"Do you remember when we travelled around Kanto and we couldn't remember how we got to that ferry port?" He asked.
"Yes just about. Why?" Brock answered.
"I remember how we got there. While I was in Rota I did some aura training and that unlocked the memories."
"What do you mean unlocked."
"If you want I can unlock yours as well."
"Sure what do I need to do?"
"You don't have to do anything." Ash said as he placed his hand on Brock's forehead and a light blue aura covered his hand. Brock tensed slightly as images started to flash through his mind Ash battling a trainer, a Dragonite delivering a message, arriving at the ferry port during a storm, Team Rocket dressed as Vikings, a large cat like Pokémon that could talk, black Pokéballs that captured all of their Pokémon, something about cloning, Ash walking out of a cloud of smoke followed by the captured Pokémon, a small pink cat like Pokémon that flew and giggled, all the Pokémon fighting tooth and claw except for Pikachu and the Meowth, Ash running between the two cat like Pokémon as they fought, Ash being caught in the blast and dying and finally the tears of all the Pokémon bringing Ash back from the dead. Tears ran down Brock's cheeks as he remembered all of the pain that he felt seeing his best friend die in front of his eyes.
"I…I remember." Brock said as Ash leaned back in his seat looking tired. "You…you…"
"Brock we can talk about it later. In private." Ash interrupted. May and Lucy exchanged confused glances wondering what Bock was about to say.
"Ash Ketchum, May Maple your Pokémon and egg are ready." Nurse Joy said halting the conversation. As the group walked up to the counter to collect their Pokémon Lucy noticed the time and said.
"It's getting late lets go back to the house and get some rest."
"We've got a room here." Ash said.
"We don't want to impose." May said.
"You won't be imposing." Brock assured them. "It will give us time to talk." The last part directed at Ash.
"Okay Brock if you're sure." Ash replied knowing what Brock wanted to talk about "I'll tell Nurse Joy that we don't need the room anymore." Just as Ash started to walk back to the desk he felt someone grab his hand turning round he saw that May was holding his hand. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek before whispering.
"Drew's just walked in." Ash nodded slightly to show he understood. Then both of them walked to the desk and told Nurse Joy that they wouldn't need the room as they were staying with Brock. They walked out of the Pokémon Centre, past Drew without saying anything. Ash pulled Brock to one side.
"Brock you can't say anything to Lucy about Mewtwo. We made a promise to him never to tell anyone about him. When I get to Cerulean City I'll offer Misty the chance to remember, knowing her she'll want her memories back so we can talk to each other about what happened but no-one else."
"What about May? She'll want to know what you're doing."
"I don't know. I'll think of something and let you know in case she asks you about it."
"Hey what are you two talking about?" May said noticing they had fallen behind her and Lucy.
"Just telling Brock how badly he's going to lose in our match tomorrow." Ash answered quickly. May seemed to accept the answer and turned back to Lucy to continue their conversation.
When they arrived at Brock's house they sat down and told Lucy about Lucario, the Tree of Beginning and Ash's aura. When a question about the unlocked memories came up Brock looked at Ash nervously and Ash just said that during the time they travelled around Kanto a Psychic Pokémon that wanted to stay hidden had blocked their memories of him. When pushed for more information about the Pokémon Ash replied that the memory of the Pokémon was still hidden from their minds and might never come back. Eventually they decided that it was time to get some sleep. When Ash went to close the curtains of the room he was sleeping in, he saw a figure standing amongst the nearby trees even though he couldn't see the figure's face he knew who it was.
As he drifted off to sleep he heard a deep voice in his head say Soon we will meet again. That night Ash dreamt of his time on New Island remembering how he had willingly sacrificed his life for his friends and Pokémon along with Pokémon he didn't know and he knew one thing for certain if it ever came to it he would do it again.
I'm going to have Ash and May capture some new Pokémon if there are any you want to see let me know but I'm not going to have them catch any Legendaries. I'm also thinking that I might have Ash catch an Electric Type but I don't know if i should or not. What do you think?