In this chapter the contents of the letter are revealed. As are the Pokémon Ash received with the letter. Thanks to everyone who has put their suggestion in for Ash's third Pokémon in his Gym battle which will be in the next chapter. There will be a familiar face returning in this chapter.
So without further ado here it is.
Enjoy.
Chapter 10
The Letter
May held Ash tightly as she slowly rocked back and forth trying to comfort him, whatever was written in that letter had shaken the young Aura Guardian to his core. She spoke softly telling him that everything would be alright and not to worry because she'll be there for him, whenever he needs someone to talk to. Ash heard all of this but didn't react to it, he just knelt there tears streaming down his cheeks and released the torrent of pent up emotions he had towards his father. The anger of him leaving, the pain of growing up without a father to teach him things, the grief of not knowing if he was alive or not, the joy that his father had contacted him and every other possible emotion that currently rampaged through his mind.
Misty had calmed Ash's Pokémon, the most difficult one to deal with was Pikachu. He continued to struggle in Misty's arms trying to get to Ash but Misty wouldn't let go, she just kept stroking the electric type to try and calm, not only him but herself as well. Misty was hoping that in his current mind frame Pikachu wouldn't shock her just so he could get to Ash. She had never seen Ash in a state like this, she had seen him hurt, angry, sad even dead but she had never seen him..., she searched for the word to describe Ash's current condition and the only one that came close was broken. Whatever was written in that letter had broken Ash, he had lost his centre and the barrier that held back all of the feelings he had towards his father had crumbled leaving him in an emotional wreck. Curiosity was starting to get the better of Misty as she looked between Ash and the letter, she slowly reached out to pick it up when Gardevoir took hold of it first and held it tightly. Even though words weren't exchanged Misty understood what Gardevoir meant, the letter was for Ash's eyes only unless he said otherwise. Glaceon was helping Misty with Ash's Pokémon knowing that May would be able to help Ash on her own.
Half an hour passed and Ash had finally stopped crying, he was completely drained of emotion, his arms that had been hanging limply by his sides were now wrapped loosely around May, as he could hardly muster the strength to return the hug properly. Another few minutes passed before Ash started to move, with May's help he stood up and moved over to the bench sitting down again with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Misty and May saw that Ash's brown eyes that had always warm, bright and caring were now cold, dull and lifeless. Glaceon rubbed gently against Ash's leg but he didn't notice and just continued to stare at the floor. May sat down next to him with her arm over his shoulders. Seeing Ash like this broke May's heart, she was near tears herself but held them back for Ash's sake. Misty sat the other side of Ash with Pikachu in her lap an arm wrapped around him, she put her hand on Ash's shoulder and Pikachu put a paw on his leg, they all sat together like that for a few minutes signifying their support for their friend in his time of need.
"Wh...Where's the letter?" he asked, his voice hoarse from crying. Misty was about to answer when Gardevoir held it out to Ash, slowly he reached out and took it. "Thanks Gardevoir." He said with only a hint of gratitude in his voice, Gardevoir simply nodded knowing that Ash was grateful but in his current state he was unable to express it properly. Ash stared at the letter, not reading it just looking at it as if he was unsure that it was real, Pikachu finally managed to escape Misty's arms and leapt onto Ash's shoulder. Pikachu rubbed his cheek against Ash's while softly giving him words of encouragement. May and Misty stood from the bench giving Pikachu the chance to help Ash.
"Pikapi, Pikachu Kachu Pika Chuka Pika Pika Pipichu Pikachu Chu. Pikapika Chu Kapi Chukapi Piiiiika Pika Chupika, Pi Pichu Kapika Chukapi Pichuka." Ash turned to look at Pikachu, the one Pokémon that had never left his side for more than a day since he began his journey and smiled.
"You're right Pikachu, thanks." Ash said scratching Pikachu behind his ear.
"Chaaaa." Pikachu squeaked happily. Ash looked at Misty and May, they saw his eyes were no longer cold and dull but not yet back to their normal lustre, he slowly stood up and pulled them both into a warm hug.
"Thank you." He said holding them both close, the girls returned the hug and after a minute pulled back. They both looked at Ash seeing that their friend was slowly returning to his normal state of mind but it would take a while before the effects of the letter fully faded. Ash held the letter out towards them, "Here," he said, "read it."
"Ash, we can't. Whatever's in that letter is meant for your family to read, not Misty and me." May said, Misty nodded in agreement.
"May, my...dad...left when I was three. I barely remember him, since then me and my mom have found a new, better family." Ash saw the questioning look on both May and Misty's faces, they both wondered what Ash meant but they could also hear a change in Ash's voice when he mentioned his dad, "I'm talking about my Pokémon and everyone I've travelled with," he put a hand on each of their shoulders, "you are my family now along with Brock, Tracey, Max, Dawn, Iris and Cilan. I couldn't ask for a better family and I wouldn't have it any other way." Ash was then knocked to the floor by both girls as they hugged him with tears in their eyes.
"That's so sweet Ash." May said with her arms wrapped tightly around Ash's neck. Misty had her arms around Ash's chest and tried to speak but couldn't think of the words to say. (AN Neither can I)
Eventually they let go of him and helped him off the floor, Ash held the letter out again. "If like May said this is meant for my family then you can read it."
"Wait a minute Ash," Misty said sensing an opportunity to help Ash and May get together, "I want to know something. If we're your family then how do you see us?"
"What do you mean Misty?"
"What sort of relation do you see us as?"
"I didn't really think about it like that," Ash replied, "What do you think?"
"Well, I can see Brock, Tracey, Max and Cilan as your brothers. Me, Dawn and Iris I can see as being like sisters to you but I don't see May as a sister."
"Well, what do you see May as?" Ash asked, May realised what Misty was about to but it was too late to stop her.
"Seeing how close you and May are I can see her being your wife." Misty said smiling wickedly, both Ash and May turned a dark red not looking at each other.
"We're just friends!" They said in unison causing them to blush even more and Misty to burst out laughing.
"You sure?" she teased.
"J..Just read the letter." Ash said thrusting it into Misty's hands, "Misty, can your phone talk to more than one person at a time?" he asked, the question caught Misty off guard but she still answered it.
"Yeah it can, one of the things about being a Gym Leader is that every couple of months there's a phone meeting between the League and the Gym Leaders. So the phones in the Gyms are conference call enabled. Why?"
"I need to make a couple of calls and I don't really want to say the same thing twice. Can I borrow your phone?"
"Sure, it's in the office. Just walk back to living area and it's the first door on the right."
"Thanks Misty." Ash said taking Pikachu from his shoulder and sitting him on the bench. "Sorry buddy I've got to do this alone." He said before turning and walking to the office. Misty turned to look at May and saw the angry look on her face.
"If you do something like that again. I will take your mallet and sho..." May started before Misty clamped a hand over her mouth.
"I did it to help you," she said, "It's got Ash thinking about you in a different way now. You should be happy." May wasn't too convinced about that and glared daggers at Misty but decided to let it go for now.
"What does the letter say?" May asked after Misty removed her hand. Both girls sat down on the bench while Ash's Pokémon gathered around them, holding the letter between them they started to read.
Ash,
This is your dad, I know that you probably hate me but please finish reading this letter.
I left you and your mom to continue my journey when you were three years old. I didn't think that it would take me so long and I still haven't finished. As much as I want to, I couldn't and still can't return home until I've completed what I set out to do. I had hoped that we would've crossed paths in our travels but sadly that never happened.
I'm sorry that I've missed so much of your life, all of your journey and for the amount of pain that I've caused both you and your mother. I know that words aren't enough to make up for not being there for you both but words are all I can give you, for now at least. When my journey has ended I will return to Pallet Town and hopefully I will once again have a home there with you both, I know that is a lot to ask but I hold onto that dream as it drives me to complete my journey as soon as possible.
Now to explain the Pokéballs I've sent to you. Each year, since you began your journey, I have caught and sent you a Pokémon as a birthday present, I sent two when you turned ten to celebrate the start of your journey, two when you turned eighteen for when you officially became an adult and now that you've turned twenty one and have become a man I'm sending you three, these will be the last Pokémon I send to you.
I have watched you compete in every league you have entered and couldn't be more proud of you, I have even seen you compete in some contests. I haven't seen you battle with any of the Pokémon I have sent to you, I can only assume that your mother has kept hold of them and not told you that they exist, as I know you love Pokémon too much to do something like that because of what I have done.
Don't be angry with your mother if she has done that, as I would've done the same thing in her position, she's angry with me for not being there for you and wants you to grow strong without any help from me. I respect that decision, I have sent help for your mom over the years as well. Every month I've sent money to help with bills and anything else your mother might need it for but I know that doesn't make up for the fact that I have been an absent father and a terrible husband. That is something I have regretted every single day and will always feel guilty over.
Hopefully you will collect the Pokémon I have sent you and treat them as well as you have treated your other Pokémon. Do not hold anything against them because I have sent them, they are not to blame for my mistakes. I know that you will make me proud whatever you decide to do.
I've sent this to your friend so it will get to you eventually, if I had sent it to the house your mom might have put it with the other Pokémon I have sent you. All the Pokémon I have sent are well trained, as healthy as they can be and willing to have you as a trainer, they will make you proud just as you have made me proud. Look after them and they will look after you. The Pokémon might be angry that you haven't accepted them but I thought that your mom mightn't tell you about them so I explained the situation to them so if you tell them what has happened then they will start to trust you.
One last thing, I want both you and your mom to know that no matter how you feel about me, I will always love you both. I hope that one day both of you can forgive me as I will never be able to forgive myself for leaving you for so long.
With love,
Dad
Tears fell onto the paper as Misty and May finished reading, they now understood why Ash had broken down the way he had. The girl's shoulders heaved as they looked at each other, without words being said they understood what they had to do next. Misty then realised what Ash had meant when he said he had to make a couple of calls, Ash's mother wouldn't be able to hide the Pokémon at the house and she wouldn't keep them in their Pokéballs for so long. She'd have gotten help from only one person, the one man in Pallet Town who could look after the Pokémon without Ash asking questions, she would have asked Professor Oak for help. May released her hold on the letter as she stood up and walked towards the office with Misty following behind her, holding the letter in her hand. May wore a look of concern for Ash while Misty's face had a look of quiet fury at how two of the people that were closer to Ash than anyone else had betrayed him. Pikachu watched them go before picking something up from the bench and following them.
A few minutes earlier
Ash walked into Misty's office and sat down in front of the phone, it took him a minute to work out how to use the conference call option. He dialled his home number and after a couple of rings his mom answered.
"Hi honey, I didn't expect to hear from you again so soon," she said cheerfully but her voice was soon full of concern when she saw the cold expression on Ash's face, "What's wrong?"
"I'll tell you in a minute. I'm calling Professor Oak as well, I don't want to repeat myself." He replied in a cold voice causing his mom to shiver slightly, he dialled the number for the lab and Tracey answered the call.
"Hey Ash, what can I help you with?" he asked.
"Hey Tracey, could you get Professor Oak for me I need to talk to him. It's important." The tone of Ash's voice worried Tracey but he did what Ash asked trying to ignore the cold feeling that now sat in his stomach.
"Er...sure Ash, just give me a minute." He said before disappearing from the screen, a minute later the Professor sat down in front of his phone.
"Ash my boy, what can I do for you. Oh hello Delia," he said when he saw that Ash's mom was included in the call.
"I wanted to talk to both of you about my Pokémon." Ash said, his voice sending a chill down the Professor's spine.
"Of course Ash, which Pokémon do you want to talk about?"
"The ones I don't know about." Ash replied, he saw a flicker of worry on their faces.
"What do you mean by that honey?" asked his mom nervously.
"I mean, the Pokémon that Dad has been sending since I started my journey." There was silence as they looked at each other, Ash's eyes bore down on both his mom and Professor Oak. Two of the people he trusted most had been keeping this a secret from him and he could barely contain the anger that he felt towards them.
"Ash, how do you know about them?" Professor Oak asked, looking ashamed of himself.
"He knows because of this letter his dad sent here for me to give him." Said an angry voice. Ash turned around and saw that Misty and May were stood in the doorway, May smiled at him. Ash could see that their eyes were slightly red and there was an anger in their eyes from finding out what had been happening.
"We thought that you could use some support." May said walking forward and putting a hand on his shoulder, Ash put a hand on top of hers and nodded his thanks. Misty stepped forward and held the letter up to the phone's camera so that Delia and Professor Oak could read it. After a few minutes Misty moved the letter away from the screen, Delia had tears running down her cheeks and Professor Oak looked even more ashamed. Having Misty and May standing by him helped Ash to calm himself and think clearly about what he wanted to say but Misty spoke first.
"How could you do something like this to Ash? Those Pokémon could have helped Ash place even higher in the Pokémon Leagues then he already has. Ash has trusted both of you all of his life and now he find out you've done this. You've betrayed him and I for one have completely changed my opinion of both of you, you are no longer the kind, generous people I've known for eleven years, right know I don't know who either of you are." Misty ranted before Ash put a hand on her shoulder and used his Aura to calm her down. Ash had been staring at Misty during her rant, shocked that she had reacted for greatly to the letter, he looked at May and saw the same type of expression on her face as on Misty's. She was angry as well but she was holding her anger back for Ash's sake. He returned his attention to the screen seeing the shocked and guilty expressions on the faces of Professor Oak and his mom. Tears rolled down Delia's face as Misty's words had hit home harder then a Snorlax using Heavy Slam.
"Ash, I think that I can speak for both your mother and myself when I say that we are sorry for keeping this from you. We didn't want to hurt you but we thought that it was for the best. The Pokémon that your father sent are here in at the lab and I'll transfer them to you trainer profile as soon as we finish talking. They're health and well looked after, they have made friends with your other Pokémon without actually knowing that they are yours." Professor Oak said. Delia nodded with the Professor's words as she was unable to speak through her tears and once he had finished.
"Ash, please forgive us. Your dad is right I only kept this from you because I was angry at him for leaving and wanted you to be strong without his help. I..," his mother sobbed, "I made sure to tell the Pokémon he sent how your journey was going and how I wanted you to get on with your life without your father's help. I told them that I would one day tell you about them, I wanted to every time you came home but I didn't know how to start I..." she couldn't talk anymore as her guilt and sadness overtook her. The hard expression on Ash's face softened and his voice was starting to return to normal.
"Mom don't cry, I do forgive you," Ash then spoke to Professor Oak as well, "I forgive both of you but I am angry about what you've done. I understand why you did it but even though I was ten, it was still my decision to make whether I wanted to use the Pokémon or not. I'm going to need some time to deal with this so I'll call you when I'm ready." Ash stopped talking when he felt a tapping on his leg, he looked down and saw Pikachu holding the parcel with the three shrunken Pokéballs in it. Ash took the Pokéballs from the parcel and scratched Pikachu's head, "Professor, what Pokémon did my dad send?"
"Just give me a minute to find out," the Professor said, turning to type on a nearby computer, "You have two Eevee's, a Rhyhorn, a Houndour, an Elekid, a Magby, a Trapinch, a Bagon, a Poochyena, aSkorupi, a Shuppet, a Shinx, and a Tynamo. That's quite a strong group." Ash was surprised by the number of Pokémon his dad had sent him and all of them could evolve into formidable battlers.
"I've got three more here Professor," Ash said, "How do I register them?"
"Point you Pokédex at one of them and scan it, a message should come up on the screen asking for a code," Ash did what the Professor said and the message came up, "you need to enter the following code 'OAK150-PTK-24' after that it will take a minute to process it and the Pokéball will be registered to you." Ash typed in the code and then repeated the process for the other two Pokéballs the centre button on each turned red. "Ash, I need you to keep that code a secret as I'm not supposed to tell it to anyone and if anyone else knows it then it will allow them to register another person's Pokémon as their own. I've given you the code Ash because I know that you wouldn't do such a thing, so please don't tell anyone." Ash nodded in understanding with Misty and May nodding as well.
"Professor, my Pokédex doesn't say what type of Pokémon are in these Pokéballs."
"That's because trainers usually know what type of Pokémon they have in their Pokéballs. This type of things rarely happens so the Pokédex doesn't show the Pokémon in the balls from a transfer or trade." a computer beeped behind the Professor, "Ah, the information on those Pokémon has just come through. Do you want me to tell you what they are?"
"No thanks Professor, I want it to be a surprise."
"If that what you want, I can't argue with that."
"Professor I'm going to send you the Pokéballs I have, can you sent me the two Eevee's please, They've waited long enough to meet me." The Professor nodded and ended the call to collect the two Eevee's. Ash turned to his mom, "Mom, I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry but I'm still a little mad at both you and the Professor, just give me some time and I'll call you soon okay." Delia nodded.
"Okay honey." She said wiping her eyes.
"I'm sorry too Mrs Ketchum, I was just angry about what happened." Misty said.
"That's okay Misty, I would have done the same." Delia answered, she turned to look directly at Ash "I love you Ash."
"I love you too mom." Ash replied blushing about having to say it in front of Misty and May. Ash ended the call and sighed before smiling to himself slightly, I've got a lot of new Pokémon and it's a good selection as well. They fit well with the Pokémon I got after trading some of my Tauros and now I've got some serious training to do, he thought. Ash got up and walked to the pool he returned Gyarados, he then turned to Misty and May.
"Thanks for the support, I don't know if I could have done it without you." He said.
"Not a problem Ash, it's what families do. They support each other when they need to." Misty said. "Besides you'd do the same for us so it's only fair that we stand by you when you need us." May nodded in agreement.
"I'm going back to the Pokémon Centre to get the two Eevee and sent my other Pokéballs back to the lab. I'll be back soon" Ash turned to leave when May's voice stopped him.
"Ash, aren't you going to take Lucario and Gardevoir back with you?" she asked.
"No, Professor Oak told me about a loophole in the Pokéball system. The system only registers the number of Pokéballs you are carrying with Pokémon in them not whether they actually have Pokémon in them or not. That's how a few times I've been able to be in a six on six battle and Pikachu has been in the stands I've sent Pikachu's Pokéball back to the lab but kept Pikachu with me."
"I always did wonder how you managed to do that." Misty said before letting Ash continue talking.
"I did it when I was travelling on my own so I could train seven Pokémon at a time instead of six, I'm keeping Lucario and Gardevoir with me because Pikachu will need some help with the new Pokémon seeing as there's going to be five of them." Ash explained, he saw a confused look on Misty's face so explained a little further, "Pikachu is basically the team leader," the electric type jumped on to Ash's shoulder and pushed his chest out in pride, "whenever I've caught a new Pokémon Pikachu introduces them to the rest of my team and lets them know what type of person I am. Right buddy." He finished looking at the yellow mouse.
"Pikachu."
"Can you stay here with Misty buddy. I'll only be a few minutes and it'll give you and Misty time to catch up." Pikachu nodded and jumped into Misty's arms.
"Glaceon you stay here as well and keep everyone company." May said to her loyal Ice type. Glaceon nodded and stood next to Misty looking up at Pikachu.
"Hey Ash," Misty said, "I've got an idea because the Gym's closed today while my Pokémon are getting their check-ups, why don't we use the pool? It might help your new Pokémon relax and it'll be fun."
"Great idea Misty," Ash answered, "Come on May, let's go and get our stuff."
"Sure Ash." May said, as she followed Ash from the Gym and when they were out of Misty's sight May put her hand in Ash's intertwining their fingers. Ash gave her a quizzical look, "We need to look like a couple again." She explained, Ash nodded and tried to work out why he enjoyed holding May's hand so much.
"Oh, one last thing," They heard Misty shout, "tell Nurse Joy she can have the room at the Pokémon Centre back, both of you are staying here."
As they walked to the Pokémon Centre May decided to ask a question that had been bothering her since Ash made the phone call.
"Ash," she started, "When you were talking to your mom and Professor Oak about...you know..."
"My dad." Ash said understanding what May was trying to say.
"Yeah, you didn't react the same way that you have in the past."
"And you're wondering why."
"Yeah." She said softly.
"I don't really know," Ash sighed, "I mean I'm still angry that he left and hasn't called or visited over since but knowing that he's been watching me battle and sending me a Pokémon every year, well that's helped me calm down a bit." Ash paused for a minute trying to figure out what to say next, "Don't get me wrong, if I ever see him I'm going to shout and maybe knock him out. He does deserve it but it's just nice knowing that he still cares."
"Of course he cares about you Ash, everyone does. Now hurry up," she said walking a little faster pulling him along behind her, "I want to go swimming." Ash chuckled lightly and picked up his pace, he wasn't sure why but being around May was helping him cope with everything that had just happened.
Arriving at the Pokémon Centre while Ash sent his Pokéballs back to Professor Oak and retrieved the two balls holding his new Eevee May went to the room they had booked and changed into her bikini before putting her clothes over it. Ash came to the room a few minutes later, changing out of his Aura Guardian Uniform and into his swimming trunks, putting his jeans and a black t-shirt on over them. They then collected their things and gave Nurse Joy the room key back telling her that they would be staying at the Gym. Nurse Joy gave Ash Sandshrew's Pokéball saying that he was feeling better and just needed to rest before training or battling. Ash thanked her and clipped the ball onto his belt, he then shouldered his bag and went to meet May at the entrance. He quickly found May and holding hands again they left the Pokémon Centre, they slowly made their way back to the Gym enjoying the beautiful day as they went, both of them wondering what types of Pokémon Ash had been sent.
Misty was waiting for them when they returned from the Pokémon Centre. After they entered the Gym Misty locked the doors behind them, hanging a sign in the window saying that the Gym was closed for the day.
"Misty, why have you locked the doors?" May asked.
"They should have been locked before but my sisters opened them to let Arthur in and didn't close them again when they left to go shopping." She explained sighing, "I don't know what I'm going to do about them. They say that they want to help around the Gym but they never do." May put a reassuring hand on Misty's shoulder. The group then made their way to the pool seeing Pikachu floating in the pool on a water ring, Lucario meditating again and Gardevoir standing close to him, as she was still wary of Misty. "I tried talking to Gardevoir but she didn't answer and moved over to Lucario. I think she's still scared of me." Misty said sadly.
"It's okay Misty, May's been with me for a couple of weeks and Gardevoir's still a little shy around her. I'll talk to her and see what I can do." Ash said trying to cheer his friend up, Misty managed a small smile.
"Thanks Ash. Did you get your Pokémon?" she asked.
"Yeah I did, time to meet some new friends." Ash answered throwing six Pokéballs into the air. "Come on out." The six Pokéballs opened in a flash of light revealing some of Ash's newest Pokémon. Ash knew that he had a Sandshrew and two Eevees but the other three Pokémon surprised him, standing in front of him was a black and white cat-like Pokémon with a scythe-like horn on the side of his head, a tall blue humanoid Pokémon wearing a white gi and a small floating silver Pokémon with a cone shaped body, one red eye and three gold prongs on its base. The second that the two Eevee appeared they were scooped up by Misty and May, who squealed at how cute they were.
"Wow Ash, you've got an Absol and a Shiny Beldum but what's that other Pokémon?" asked Misty, still cuddling one of the Eevee. May held up her Pokédex, pointing it at the blue Pokémon while holding the other Eevee, who was rubbing against May's neck making her giggle.
Sawk, the Karate Pokémon. Sawk seclude themselves deep in the mountain and train without sleeping in the desire to have the strongest karate chop. They tighten their belts to pump themselves up and make their punches more destructive. The sound of them training can be heard from far away.
"Sawk is a Pokémon from Unova, I battled one during the Unova League with my Leavanny. They're really strong and I've always wanted to train one." Ash said. He turned to the Pokémon, "Hi guys, my name's Ash I'm your trainer and I know that together we'll be great friends and that we can take on anything." Ash went on to explain to the Pokémon what had happened with is dad and apologised for taking so long to meet them, even though Sandshrew was only caught that morning Ash still explained everything, "Today we're just going to relax and get to know each other, so let's have some fun. Misty, May can you let Eevee go now? Please."
"Sure Ash." They said putting the normal type Pokémon on the floor, both of the Eevee then ran over to Ash and rubbed against his legs.
"You two are really friendly aren't you." He said crouching down petting them gently, causing them to purr happily. Pikachu jumped out of the pool and ran over to the new Pokémon with Lucario and Gardevoir following him. Pikachu and Gardevoir started talking to the normal types and Sandshrew, together the five of them walked towards the bench and sat down as Pikachu started to tell them about his travels with Ash. Sandshrew sat the furthest from the pool for obvious reasons.
Ash turned to look at Sawk and Absol, he bowed to Sawk who returned the gesture. Ash walked up to Absol and gently stroked his head.
"Nice to meet you Absol." He said but Absol pulled away slightly.
"Sol Absol Ab Ab Solab Abso Absol." Said the Disaster Pokémon. Ash looked at him confused, he knew that eventually he would be able to understand what Absol was saying but right now he had no idea.
"Lucario, what did he say?"
He said that he doesn't want to have the name of his species. He has chosen a name that he wants.
"What's the name?"
He would like you to call him Grimm.
"Grimm?," Ash turned to Absol, "You really want to be called Grimm? It's a little dark isn't it?" Absol gave Ash a look that said 'really?', it was then that Ash realised what he had said and chuckled lightly. "You sure you want me to call you Grimm?" Ash asked, Absol nodded his head, "Alright then, nice to meet you Grimm." Ash stroked Grimm's head again and looked at Sawk, "Why don't you and Lucario get to know each other?" Sawk bowed again and started to talk to Lucario.
"Saw Sawk Sa Awk Sawk?" he asked, Lucario smirked and nodded.
Master, you said that today was a day to relax and have some fun. Sawk would like to spar with me, is that acceptable? Asked the Aura Pokémon, Ash chuckled again.
"Sure, it'll be good to see how strong Sawk is," Ash looked back at Grimm, "Grimm, why don't you go and introduce yourself to Pikachu and the others." Grimm nodded and walked over to where Pikachu was talking to the others. May had let her Pokémon out of their Pokéballs and most of them were sat around Pikachu listening to his story about how HE saved the world by guiding Ash through the dangers surrounding Shamouti Island, to collect the treasures from the nests of the legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres.
"Hey Ash," May shouted from the pool, "are you going to swim with us or what?" Ash turned to answer her but when he saw her his mouth couldn't form the words nor could he think of any. May was sitting on one of the floating platforms wearing a light blue bikini that showed off her perfect curves, flat stomach and beautiful skin. Ash could feel his face burning from the amount of blood that rushed to it.
"May, I think you've broken him." Misty giggled. "Ash, hello Earth to Ash. Anyone there?" Misty said waving her hand in front of his face. Ash snapped out of his daze and turned away to see Misty stood next to him grinning, she was wearing a red bikini with a small yellow border.
"Yeah Misty, I'm okay. I'm just going to go and get changed." Ash said before running to the changing rooms.
"Didn't Ash change before coming here?" Misty asked.
"Yeah he did." Answered May confused by the way Ash was acting like that, though she had a small idea why which brought a small smile to her lips.
Ash lent back on the door of the changing room taking deep breaths What's going on with me? He thought I need to calm down and go back out there. Ash quickly took his clothes off leaving him in his swimming trunks and then splashed some water on his face. He walked back to the pool putting his clothes on the bench by Gardevoir, he saw Lucario and Sawk sparring in the corner and smiled at the determination on Sawk's face as Lucario kept dodging his attacks. Ash was so busy trying to keep track of the moves that the two fighting types were using he was caught completely surprised when Misty pushed him into the pool.
"Sorry Ash, you were taking too long." She laughed while May was rolling about on one of the platforms giggling hysterically, waiting for Ash to surface. A minute passed and they started to worry when suddenly an Aura Sphere shot out of the pool sending a wave of water crashing down on Misty, causing the Gym Leader to scream in fright, drawing the attention of the Pokémon. May laughed at the now soaked Misty but soon stopped when she felt something grab her legs and drag her off the platform and under the water so fast she didn't have time to scream. She surfaced a couple of seconds later and was prepared to enact her revenge on Ash but he didn't appear, she felt something brush past her legs and kicked out but missed her target. May started to make her way to the side of the pool to get out but she was once again pulled under the water, she saw Ash's grinning face under the water an reached out to slap him but he quickly swam away. May took her chance and swam to the side of the pool not looking back to see if Ash was following her. She started to climb out of the water with Misty's help when Ash struck again, wrapping an arm around May's waist and started pulling her back into the water. If I can't fight this then I'm not going in alone. May thought with a wicked grin as she tightened her grip on Misty's hands pulling her into the pool as well with a scream.
Misty and May surfaced and glared at Ash, who was laughing loudly, he was so distracted that he didn't notice Misty and May moving either side of him until it was too late. They jumped out of the water, put their hands on Ash's head and dunked him under the water. Ash surfaced and saw them glaring at him again until he grinned at them, soon they were all laughing and just having fun.
After an hour they decided to get something to eat and went to the kitchen. Misty was a little hesitant when she heard that Ash was going to cook.
"May, I don't want to eat Ash's cooking, I'm too young to die." She protested.
"Misty, calm down. Ash is a great cook, even Brock said so." May said and after calling Brock to confirm it, Misty decided to give Ash a chance. While Ash was cooking Misty and May fed the Pokémon, he couldn't help himself as his eyes kept stealing glimpses of both girls. Even though he knew shouldn't look but he just couldn't help himself. Both of them had amazing bodies, May's was curvy while Misty's was slightly more athletic. Ash found that his gaze was drawn towards May more than Misty, his eyes taking in every curve, every strand of hair, every little thing that made May who she was. Once May and Misty were out of sight Ash was able to focus on his cooking, though his mind did wander back to the images of May that were now burned into his brain. Damn, he thought shaking his head as he boiled some water, I'm turning into Brock.
In Pewter City Brock looked up from his lunch and turned towards Mount Moon.
"Are you okay Brock?" asked Lucy.
"Huh..." Brock looked back at his girlfriend. "Yeah, I'm fine I just... thought I heard my name." He replied taking one last look to the east before shrugging his shoulder and returning to his lunch.
"It's obvious Ash likes you." Misty said as she poured some food into a bowl for Wartortle.
"W...What do you mean?" May said flustered while making sure Ash wasn't around to hear them.
"The look on his face when he saw you in your bikini. He really liked what he saw." Misty teased.
"Misty stop, I know that you want to get me and Ash together but I told you I can't do it. I don't want him to get hurt trying to protect me. Now please drop it." May said sadly but sternly, "and don't go trying to talk to Ash about it he's still as dense as ever, if you say anything it'll probably just confuse him mess with our friendship."
"Okay May, I'll stop but you need to tell Ash at some point otherwise it will just eat you up inside and ruin your friendship that way. Take the risk and tell him, I've known Ash for a long time now he would never let anything get in the way of a friendship. No matter how awkward it might be a first." Misty said. May nodded sadly knowing that her friend was right.
"May, Misty, food's ready." Ash shouted from the kitchen.
"Coming." May said happily as she put the last of the food into a bowl for Grimm. Misty just smirked as she watched the brunette basically skip to the kitchen. I hope Ash realises how he feels soon otherwise May's going to tear herself up folding her feelings in. She thought solemnly before following May, wondering just how good Ash's cooking could be to have gotten Brock's seal of approval.
"Ash, this is amazing. Where did you learn to cook?" Misty asked between mouthfuls, Ash had made a simple noodle soup and used some berries to add flavour to it.
"Before I left to travel on my own my mom taught me to cook, so I wouldn't have to rely on the food from Pokémon Centres. The berry flavourings, that was just trial and error. Never put Chesto Berries in an omelette, it tastes worse than Muk smelt when I caught him." Ash said shuddering slightly from the memory, Misty laughed a little at Ash's advice. May looked between them in confusion.
"Ash, when I've been to Professor Oak's lab, Muk didn't smell that bad." She said remembering how the poison type once smothered her with a hug and though he smelled it wasn't that bad.
"That's because of the food Professor Oak gives him, it's made to reduce the amount of fumes Muk gives off. When I caught him you could smell him through the Pokéball, it was really, really bad." Ash explained, May nodded in understanding.
"So Ash, what are you going to do with all of your new Pokémon?" Misty asked.
"I'm going to ask Professor Oak to introduce them properly to my other Pokémon, to let them know that I'm the trainer to all of them and ask them to help train the new members of the team and let them know what type of trainer I am. Then I'll bring some into the team I carry with me and spend some time with them, you know train a little, have some fun just get to know them."
"Are you going to evolve them?"
"You know me Misty, if they want to evolve then they can but if they don't want to then I won't force them. I'll just have to wait and see what they want to do."
"You might be older but you're still the same Ash Ketchum who puts his Pokémon before himself." Misty said smiling, May nodded her head in agreement. They finished their lunch and returned to the pool to find most of their Pokémon playing, Lucario and Sawk were sparring again and Gardevoir sat on the bench, with Grimm napping by her, watching the other play.
"Ash, how did you catch Gardevoir?" Misty asked, a sad look flickered across Ash's face. He walked over to Gardevoir and spoke softly to her, she looked at Misty then back to Ash before nodding her head. Ash put his hand on her shoulder, silently thanking her and returned to where Misty and May stood.
"I had to ask Gardevoir if I could tell you her story. It's not a happy one and only a few people know it." He said before starting to tell Misty how he met Gardevoir. When he finished Misty had tears in her eyes and so did May, even though she'd heard it before it still made her cry.
"That's so sad, poor Gardevoir. What happened to the trainer?" Misty asked, wiping her eyes.
"Last I heard his Trainer's License was taken away. I don't know what happened to him after that." After a couple of minutes Ash dived into the pool to swim, while Misty and May sat on the side of the pool with their feet in the water talking. Misty's sisters came back from shopping about an hour later and started to drool when they saw Ash on the diving board in his swimming trunks, they disappeared for a minute before re-appearing wearing bikinis and flaunting their bodies at Ash. Ash dove under the water trying to get away from them but it was no use, even though they spent most of their time on clothes and make up they were still strong swimmers and soon cornered him at the bottom of the pool. The hungry look in their eyes made Ash's life flash before his eyes, he settled into a fighting stance ready to defend himself if necessary. He was debating whether to form an Aura Sphere, though he didn't want them to know about his Aura abilities, when a Wartortle swam in front of him and used Aqua Tail to push Misty's sisters away from him. Ash nodded his thanks and swam to the surface, quickly exiting the pool.
"Good job Wartortle." Ash looked in the direction of the voice and saw May kneeling in front of Wartortle.
"May, did you send Wartortle to help me?" he asked.
"Sure did. I can't have other girls trying to steal my boyfriend can I." She said winking at Ash, making him blush. Misty's sisters surfaced from the pool spluttering and glared at May.
"Like, what's the big idea?" Daisy asked angrily.
"Like, yeah." Agreed Lily and Violet.
"You were throwing yourselves at MY boyfriend and you think I'm going to let it happen? Dream on." May said standing up and putting her hands on her hips.
"Your boyfriend? He's Misty's and after all sisters share." Daisy replied looking at Ash with a predatory glint in her eyes as Lily and Violet did the same, nodding in agreement moving forward. Ash took an involuntary step backwards and saw that Lucario and Gardevoir were stood behind him, just in case.
"Sorry guys," Misty said, "He isn't my boyfriend and since when have you shared anything with me?"
"That's not the point?" Lily answered.
"I lied to you earlier," Ash said, "My name's not Aaron. I'm Ash Ketchum." Misty's sisters looked at him in shock. This is the kid that Misty travelled with. Damn, he's grown up well. They thought still looking over Ash's body with desire burning in their eyes, Ash walked closer to May and put his arm around her shoulders, Lucario and Gardevoir following close behind.
"May is my girlfriend and I couldn't be happier." He said.
"Prove it." said Lily, "If she's your girlfriend, kiss her." Ash and May looked at Lily in shock before turning to face each other blushing furiously. They knew that if they wanted to keep the charade going then they had to kiss, Misty's sisters wouldn't be able to keep their mouths shut and then Drew would start harassing May again. Even though May wanted to kiss Ash the thought of doing it in front of Misty and her sisters scared her.
Misty was also in shock at what Lily had said, so much so that she wasn't able to try and defend her friends and help them from the embarrassing situation.
Slowly inched their faces closer to each other Ash and May closed their eyes, Misty looked on in amazement without knowing it Lily was actually going to get Ash and May together. If they kiss then Ash might realises his feelings for May and she might get over her fear of Ash getting hurt. she thought. Ash and May were seconds away from having their lips connect.
"Well now I've seen everything, who'd have thought that Ashy-boy would get a girlfriend." Said a male voice, Ash flinched when he heard the voice. He straighten up quickly and turned to face the entrance of the Gym seeing the familiar figure of his old rival standing there smirking. May pulled away flustered and slightly annoyed by the interruption taking a few steps away from Ash.
"Hey Gary. What are you doing here?" Ash asked while Misty and May covered themselves with their towels, not liking the fact that Gary was seeing them wearing their bikinis. Misty's sisters having performed in their bikinis for a few years weren't bothered about being seen like that.
"Hey girls, there's no need to cover up. If it will make you feel better I'll get into my swimming trunks." Gary said ignoring Ash and looking between the gathered women.
"Gary, if you even try to do that Pikachu will blast you out of the building before you can blink." Ash retorted, Pikachu's cheeks arced electricity to emphasize Ash's threat.
"How did you get in here anyway?" asked Misty.
"The doors were open." He replied, Misty looked at her sisters.
"You three know that the Gym's doors are supposed to be closed today because all the Pokémon have gone for their check-ups." She said.
"Like sorry Misty, we forgot." Lily answered. Misty sighed and shook her head in defeat.
"Who, might I ask is this vision of beauty?" Gary asked approaching May. Ash move in front of May instinctively, knowing that as Gary had gotten older he had taken a slightly 'Brock' approach towards good looking women. May was both happy and surprised by Ash's reaction and took a small step to the right so that she was completely behind Ash and Gary couldn't see her.
"This is May, MY GIRLFRIEND." Ash hissed as Gary tried to work his way around the young Aura Guardian, to get to May. Hearing the tone of Ash's voice Gary back away then turned his gaze to Misty, he slowly walked towards her.
"Misty, might I say that you..." Gary started before he was interrupted.
"No, you can't say anything except telling us why you're here." Misty said folding her arms over her chest, keeping a tight hold of her towel. "and stay were you are. I don't want you coming any closer while I'm like this." Gary slowed down even further but kept moving towards Misty.
"I'd do what she says Gary, she still has her mallet." Ash said causing Gary to stop in his tracks, Ash had told him about the number of beatings he had had from Misty and her mallet with one rule above all else Never Anger Misty.
"I'm here to ask for your help. I'm doing some research on how Water type Pokémon evolve and Grandpa said that apart from Loreli you're the best person to ask. Loreli is somewhere in the Orange Islands doing her own research so she won't be able to help me with mine, I was hoping that you would." Gary said with sigh. Misty was silent as she thought about Gary's request, after a minute she nodded.
"I'll help you but come back tomorrow, I'm spending today catching up with Ash and my Pokémon are at the Pokémon Centre." Gary nodded in agreement and turned to leave when he stopped and turned back to look at Ash, a grin plastered across his face.
"Hey Ash, wanna battle?" he said staring directly into Ash's eyes, "It's been a while since we last battled and I want to see how far your Pokémon have grown." Gary looked at the assembled Pokémon, "Whose Pokémon are those? There's too many for just you and May."
"Professor Oak's loophole." Ash said and Gary nodded in understanding, "I sent Pikachu's, Lucario's and Gardevoir's Pokéballs to Professor Oak's lab and he sent me some of my Pokémon."
"How did you get them?" Gary asked, Ash's face dropped slightly and he didn't answer. May put a hand on Ash's shoulder and looked at Gary.
"Ask your Grandfather. He knows." She said, Gary tried to get a better answer from Ash and May but they wouldn't say anything. So Gary tried something else to try and cheer Ash up. "So how about that battle, or are you scared of losing to me again?" Ash looked at Gary with a defiant fire burning in his eyes.
"What do you mean again? The last five times we battled I won." Ash retorted smiling slightly.
"Yeah well that was over a year ago, I'm stronger now and I'll beat you easily."
"That's what you think. 3 on 3 okay with you?"
"Sure, if you want to lose that quickly."
"Misty can we use the Gym?" Ash asked. Misty smiled with a wicked glint in her eyes.
"No problem Ash. Teach him a lesson he'll never forget."
"Will do Misty," Ash said smiling before turning to his old rival, "You ready?"
"Yeah, let's do this."
Gary and Ash stood at either end of the Gym's battlefield, Misty stood in the middle on the referee's podium. May and Misty's sisters sat on the bleachers to watch the battle. Ash's newest Pokémon sat with them, Ash wanted them to see how strong they would become with him and how they would become a part of his family. Pikachu was in his usual position on Ash's shoulder, Lucario and Gardevoir stood behind him waiting to be called into battle.
"This is a battle between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and some idiot also from Pallet Town." Everyone except for Gary burst out laughing.
"HEY!" shouted Gary as everybody laughed, When Misty stopped laughing she said.
"Okay fine, a battle between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and Gary Oak also from Pallet Town. Trainers are you ready," both Gary and Ash nodded, "choose your first Pokémon."
"Let's go Umbreon." Gary said throwing a Pokéball into the air. The ball snapped open and released a flash of white light, once the light died down a four legged Pokémon stood on one of the floating platforms. He was covered head to tail in black fur with yellow rings on his legs, ears, tail and forehead. He had full red eyes and black pupils, Umbreon settled into a battling stance ready for whatever would come his way.
"Pikachu, I Choose You." Ash said as Pikachu leapt from his shoulder landing on the nearest platform, Ash knew that Pikachu would want to battle Umbreon there was a rivalry between them since their first battle.
"Let the battle begin." Misty said.
"Gary, you can have the first move." Ash shouted across the pool.
"Umbreon use Shadow Ball." A ball of dark energy formed in front of the Dark type's open mouth and shot towards Pikachu.
"Pikachu, send it back. Thunder Shadow." Everyone looked at Ash in confusion at what he had said but he just smiled and kept his eyes on the battle. Pikachu charged up his electricity and launched a Thunderbolt at the Shadow Ball. The two attacks fused together creating a ball of dark yellow energy with electricity crackling around it, Pikachu's electricity pushed the attack back at Umbreon.
"Umbreon dodge it." Gary shouted, Umbreon didn't need telling twice as he dove out of the way of the combined attack which crashed into the platform where he had been stood seconds before. While the attack hadn't hit Umbreon it had grazed his side giving him a slight burn and a partial paralysis, not enough to fully stop him but just enough to slow him down.
"What did Ash just do?" asked Misty in wonder.
"Ash used one of his combination attacks." May answered, "Ash told me that during his training he started to teach his Pokémon to use their moves together and you've just seen the results of one of them. Ash taught me a few to help me in my Contests"
"That's amazing."
"If you think that's good wait till you see one of his Legends combinations." May laughed.
"What do you mean by Legends?"
"You'll just have to wait and see. I've only seen one and that was at the Contest in Pewter City."
"He could like teach us stuff for our underwater ballets." Violet said, "We could like teach him stuff as well." she continued with a hunger in her voice.
"He's not helping you with anything and you're not going to teach him. Are we clear?" May said threateningly, a fiery glint in her eyes.
"Alright we get it, no need to be so like mean." Daisy replied.
"Pikachu, Agility." Ash called out as Pikachu moved at blinding speed to avoid a barrage of Shadow Balls. The battle had raged while the girls had been talking and both Pikachu and Umbreon were getting tired. Both had taken some damage, Umbreon had taken more than Pikachu but was still willing to fight to the end. "Use Iron Tail on the water full power, hit it with the side of your tail not the edge." Pikachu nodded and did as Ash said. A metallic sheen covered Pikachu's tail as he slammed it onto the water creating a wave that rocked the platform Umbreon was standing on, knocking the Dark type into the water.
"Umbreon quick get out of the water." Gary cried knowing what was about to come, Umbreon swam as quickly as he could but it was too late.
"Pikachu, put our tail on the water and use Thunderbolt." Pikachu put on a slightly evil smile and placed the tip of his tail in the water before releasing his electricity. It coursed through the water and shocked Umbreon as the pool exploded causing the water to fly into the air before crashing down again. The sudden downpour had soaked Gary to the bone and Umbreon had been lifted from the water and fell onto one of the platforms, knocked out.
"Umbreon is unable to battle, Pikachu wins. Gary send out your next Pokémon." Misty said still slightly in shock of how much more powerful Ash was as a battler and as a strategist, thinking up a list of possible move combinations and using Iron Tail to knock Umbreon into the water.
"Umbreon return," Gary said holding up a Pokéball, "Thank you, you did great." Gary attached the ball back on his belt and grabbed another one, "Go Electivire".
"Pikachu return." Ash said Pikachu looked back at Ash wanting to know why he was being taken out of the battle, Ash just nodded his head towards Lucario, Pikachu smirked before nodding and jumped out of the pool. He ran over to May and sat on her lap to watch the rest of the battle, Glaceon jumped on to the seat next to May and sat as close to Pikachu as she could. May started to stroke both of them with a smile on her lips. "Lucario, it's your turn now." Ash said causing the Aura Pokémon to nod and leap onto the battlefield.
"The second battle is between Electivire and Lucario. Begin!" Misty announced eagerly waiting to coming battle.
"Electivitre put your tails in the water. Absorb the electricity." Gary said and Electivire did just that, "Now use Fire Punch." Electivire ran towards Lucario at high speed.
"Lucario dodge with Extremespeed." Ash shouted as the attack barely missed, Motor Drive must have been activated by the electricity in the water, Ash thought as he watched Lucario and Electivire blurring around the battlefield, I need to be careful here. "Lucario use Extreme Rush." Lucario formed an Aura staff. Which was shaped like a bone, between his paws, then spun around and began to launch a blistering assault on Electivire forcing the electric type to break off his pursuit and retreat to a safe distance.
"Electivire use Thunder." Gary called. Electivire collected his energy and fired a powerful blast of electricity at Lucario.
"Lucario deflect it with Bone Rush." Lucario lifted his staff and started to spin it faster and faster until it looked like a solid shield. The Thunder attack hit the Bone Rush and after a few seconds of fighting it was deflected towards one of the floating platforms blasting a hole in the centre of it. "Sorry Misty." Ash said knowing that she would be angry about the damage. "Lucario use Aura Sphere." The Bone Rush shrank down into a small ball of energy and Lucario poured more power into it until it was the size of a basketball. He then threw it at Electivire, hitting the electric type in the chest and sending him to the ground, "Now finish with Dragon Pulse." Lucario formed an orb of turquoise energy and threw it towards Electivire.
"Quick Electivire use Protect." The electric type crossed his arms in front of himself and a dome of translucent green energy formed around him. The Dragon Pulse hit the dome forcing Electivire back slightly but didn't penetrate the dome. "Now use Flamethrower." Electivire opened his mouth and blew out a blast of flames directly towards Lucario.
"Use Aura Sphere on the water." Ash said calmly, Lucario quickly focused some of his energy into a ball and threw it at the water. The Aura Sphere exploded on impact with the pool sending a wall of water into the air stopping the flames from hitting Lucario and creating a barrier of steam blocking the view of the opposing Pokémon.
"Electivire use Iron Tail." Gary said just before Electivire burst out of the steam charging at Lucario.
"Lucario, defend with Bone Rush." Ash said and Lucario once more formed the ground type attack and ran to meet the electric type Pokémon. The two powerful Pokémon then started duel back and forth they battled trying to gain some sort of advantage over the other, until Lucario slipped on a puddle of water and fell onto the platform.
"Electivire grab him with your tails and use Thunder." Gary shouted. Electivire complied with his trainers wishes and wrapped his tails around Lucario's body, pinning his arms to his sides. Ash looked on in slight panic until he remembered a trick that he and Lucario had been practicing, it hadn't been perfected yet but it needed to be done.
"Lucario use Close Protect!" he shouted as Electivire released his attack, the Thunder was almost blinding causing everyone to shield their eyes. When the light died down everyone looked to the battlefield wanting to know what had happened to Lucario. Electivire stood panting heavily still holding Lucario in his tails but something was different, Lucario was surrounded by a translucent green energy fitting closely to his body. "YES!" Ash cried, "You did it, great job Lucario. Now let's finish this battle." Ash smiled wickedly, "Expand the field." Lucario nodded and slowly the energy surrounding him moved outwards pushing against Electivire's tails causing the electric type to let go, "Now Aura Sphere." Lucario dropped the Protect and charged the Aura attack, once fully charged Lucario threw it at Electivire hitting him in the face. "Let's end this, use Dark Pulse." Lucario nodded and launched the dark type attack. The stream of dark rings slammed into Electivire, sending him across the pool and crashing down into the water in front of Gary.
When Electivire surfaced from the water his eyes were replaced by swirls.
"Electivire is unable to battle, Lucario is the winner." Misty said with everyone cheering as Lucario jumped from the pool next to Ash.
"Well done my friend." He said putting his hand on Lucario's shoulder, the Aura Pokémon nodded in acknowledgement before walking over to where May sat and stood nearby.
"What did Lucario just do?" asked Daisy. Lily and Violet just shrugged their shoulders.
"Lucario used Protect," Ash said having heard the question, "We've been trying to find a way of making it stronger and Lucario suggested making the area protected smaller. I asked Professor Oak about it and he said that in theory it could work, we've been practicing it for about a year and now Lucario's perfected it." Gary saw that Misty's sisters were still having trouble understanding so he tried to explain.
"By having Protect work on a smaller area but keeping it the same strength means that it would be able to withstand more attacks then a normal Protect." He could still see the blank looks on their faces so tried again, "Think of it like this, Protect is like a bubble once an attack hits it it'll break right," Misty's sisters nodded following the idea so far, "now it the bubble is smaller but keeps the same amount of water then the walls would get thicker meaning that you'll either have to attack it harder or attack it more to break it. It's like that but Lucario keep the walls close to his body which gives him maximum protection with the minimal waste of energy. Get it?"
"Like a little," Violet said, "but can't Ash teach us about it...in private?"
"NO!" yelled Misty and May. Ash stayed by the pool and shouted over to Gary.
"Hey Gary, you want to finish the battle?"
"You're going down Ashy-Boy," Gary retorted, "Go Blastoise." He shouted sending his starter on to the battlefield. Ash smirked, he had a feeling that Blastoise would be in the battle, he turned to Gardevoir.
"Gardevoir will you battle with me?" The Psychic type answered by teleporting on to a floating platform.
"Ash," shouted Misty, "can you show us one of your Legend attacks?" Gary looked slightly worried hearing 'Legend attacks'.
"Yeah Ash, please." Added May giving him her puppy dog eyes for good measure.
"Okay, if you want." He answered with a smile causing May to blush.
"Ash, what do they mean by 'Legend attacks'?" Gary asked nervously.
"You'll find out." Ash replied laughing.
"This third battle is between Blastoise and Gardevoir. Begin." Misty said eagerly awaiting the Legend attack that Ash had promised.
"Blastoise use Bubblebeam." Gary said, Blastoise positioned his cannons towards Gardevoir and fired a concentrated beam of bubbles at her.
"Gardevoir block them with Magical Leaf." Ash called out and with a graceful twirl, a multitude of multicoloured leaves surrounded Gardevoir before they flew towards the water type piercing their way through the Bubblebeam and continuing on to Blastoise.
"Blastoise quick, Withdraw and use Iron Defence!" Blastoise stopped firing the Bubblebeam and brought his arms, legs, cannons and head into his shell before taking on a metallic sheen. Magical Leaf impacted Blastoise's shell and did a bit of damage. "Now use Flash Cannon" Blastoise came out of his shell and fired a beam of silver energy at Gardevoir.
"Teleport and Double Team to dodge." Ash said quickly as the beam of energy drew closer and closer to Gardevoir. The psychic type disappeared in a flash of light and reappeared on a different platform before using Double Team and Teleport to make her copies appear and disappear at random around the battlefield. Gary looked at the numerous Gardevoir trying to figure out which was the real one but he was unable to so he decided to try and take them all down at the same time.
"Blastoise Withdraw and use Hydro Pump while in your shell." Blastoise once again disappeared inside his shell and seconds later water burst out and the shell started to spin. The water blew through the copies and found the real Gardevoir, she took the full brunt of the attack and was knocked into the pool. "Now use Bite." Blastoise came out of his shell, dove into the water quickly getting close to the struggling psychic type and bit into Gardevoir's arm.
"Gardevoir!" Ash cried, staring at the part of the pool where Gardevoir had fallen in. The water was strangely calm for a minute before it started to glow light blue and churn wildly, the water blasted upwards falling over everyone and revealing Gardevoir floating in the air with Blastoise still biting down on her arm. Her eyes glowing blue with the same light surrounding her body, this wasn't the Gardevoir that May and Misty had met, the one who wore a shy and kind expression. This Gardevoir had an expression of rage and gave off a feeling that made everyone afraid.
"You've done it now Gary, Gardevoir's angry." Ash said sounding slightly worried, "Gardevoir's had a bad past and when she get angry, well it gets bad. She'll stay calm most of the time but every now and again this happens." Ash shifted his attention from his rival to Gardevoir, "Gardevoir calm down, please!" he pleaded his Aura glowing slightly as he tried to get through to her.
Gardevoir used Psychic to open Blastoise's mouth quickly following with her uniquely coloured Focus Blast sending the water type hurlting across the gym and crashing into the wall behind Gary. Everyone looked on in horror at the sight of Blastoise being slightly embedded in the wall.
"Gardevoir please listen to me, you're safe I'm right here there's no need to be angry or afraid," Ash begged, "I made you a promise that I wouldn't let anyone hurt you and I meant that but you need to calm down and listen to me."Ash's Aura was clearly visible now, shining around him as he spoke but only May and his Pokémon noticed Gary, Misty and her sisters were staring at Gardevoir in amazement and fear. Gardevoir turned to look at Ash and saw his beseeching eyes, she slowly floated towards him getting closer to the ground at the same time until she was stood directly in front of him. "Gardevoir please calm down." Ash said softly putting a hand on her shoulder. The glow surrounding her body slowly faded as she moved closer to Ash and fell forward slightly, Ash instinctively reach out and grabbed her pulling her into a comforting hug. After a few seconds Ash released Gardevoir and looked at her to see an ashamed look on her face.
"It's okay Gardevoir, I know you didn't mean to do it." Ash looked at Gary, "Gary let's stop the match, I don't want Gardevoir to battle now she's a little shaken up." Gary nodded and was about to recall Blastoise when Gardevoir teleported back on to one of the platforms and used Heal Pulse on herself then used it again on Blastoise.
"I think Gardevoir wants to finish the battle." Gary said, Ash looked at his Pokémon.
"Do you want to carry on?" Gardevoir nodded, "You sure?" Ash asked. Gardevoir nodded again and gave Ash a reassuring look. "Alright then let finish this." Ash was about to call out to Gardevoir when he felt something tap his leg, he looked down and saw Pikachu with Ash's hat in his mouth. Ash smiled and knew what Pikachu was doing, "It's been awhile since I did that but why not." Ash crouched down and took his hat giving Pikachu a quick scratch behind the ear.
"Let's end this." Ash said confidently as he put his hat on, grabbed the peak and turned it round so the peak was now over his back. Misty grinned and Gary started to look even more worried than he had before. It had been years since Ash had turned his hat around during a battle but it always proved to be when he battled his hardest. Ash was smiling manically and had an eager fire burning in his eyes. "Gary, get ready to lose."
"Blastoise use Hydro Pump." Gary called out quickly wanting to win the battle. Both of Blastoise's cannons fired a stream of water at Gardevoir, the streams combining into one giant stream. Gardevoir held her ground waiting for Ash's command.
"Split it with Psychic." Ash shouted, Gardevoir eyes glowed light blue and she waved her hand in front of the water that was quickly approaching her. Psychic easily divided the Hydro Pump and lifted the two streams into the air, "Now send if back!" Ash said excitedly. Gardevoir sent the powerful water attack back to Blastoise with a flick of her wrist, the water collided with Blastoise's stomach knocking him backwards. Gary gritted his teeth knowing that there was one move that Blastoise had that could turn the battle around but it was risky.
"Blastose use Hydro Cannon." Blastoise repositioned his cannons and fired another blast of water at Gardevoir but this time it was even more powerful and Blastoise had just started to become surrounded with a dark blue Aura. Torrent had activated.
"Teleport." Ash cried as Hydro Cannon nearly hit Gardevoir with her teleporting out of the way in the nick of time. She reappeared on a platform close to the panting Blastiose who couldn't move after such a powerful attack. "This battle is finished," Ash said, "Gardevoir Thunder Legend." Gardevoir nodded and launched a powerful Thunderbolt into the air before taking hold of it with Psychic and shaping it into the form of the Legendary Bird of Thunder. Everyone looked on in awe of what Gardevoir had created and wondered how Ash had come up with the idea, Gardevoir made her creation circle Blastoise a couple of times before having the Zapdos shaped attack slam into the Turtle Pokémon.
Blastoise was hit by both the Psychic and Thunderbolt attacks, the combined damage was more than he could take as he toppled over and swirls appeared in his eyes.
"Blastoise is unable to battle, Gardevior wins which means that the winner of the match is Ash."
Ash's new Pokémon looked at him in awe, they had been told my Pikachu how great a trainer Ash was but seeing him battle in real life made them proud to be a part of his team. They were also taken back by the connection he had with his Pokémon letting them rest if they needed to and willing to lose a battle just to keep them from getting hurt further, they all ran over to Ash as he celebrated his victory meeting him by the podium Misty had been standing on. Sandshrew and the two Eevee jumped onto him and Beldum rubbed up against his leg while Grimm and Sawk stood close by, respect visible in their eyes.
May smiled seeing Ash with his Pokémon, at how close they were even though they had only just met and at how Ash was treating them all with the same level of love and respect that he had for his other Pokémon.
"I hope you ready Misty." She said looking at the Gym Leader.
"What do you mean May?" Misty asked.
"Ash is here for a Gym Battle remember." May replied, her smile getting bigger and a chuckle in her voice. Misty paled slightly as she turned to look at Ash's Pokémon again, Gardevoir and Lucario are Pokémon he's gotten in the last 3 years and their strength is amazing, so just how strong will his older Pokémon be? She thought but remembered that she wouldn't have to battle Pikachu, he'd never fought her in an official battle, only training matches..
Gary walked over to Ash after returning Blastoise and thanking him for his hard work. Ash saw his rival coming and dug himself out of the pile of Pokémon, standing up he felt Pikachu jump on to his shoulder.
"Hey Ash, great battle but I'm still ahead 15 to 12." Gary teased.
"Yeah, you are but I'm catching up." Ash retorted smiling.
"So what's going on with you and May?"
"Wh-What do you mean?" Ash stuttered, glancing over to see that May was talking to Misty and her sisters.
"Come on you obviously like her and you even said that she's your girlfriend but I've known you all my life Ash I know something's going on and you two aren't really a couple even though you want to be. So what's going on?"
"May's just a friend." Ash said before quickly explaining the situation between May and Drew, leaving out what nearly happened in Rota after the banquet.
"You do know there's an obvious reason she said your name instead of someone else's right?" Gary said only to receive a blank stare in reply, "Never mind you'll figure it out eventually."
"Why does everyone keep saying that and can't you tell me?" Ash asked.
"Because you need to work it out yourself, otherwise you won't understand."
Ash was about to ask Gary what he meant by that when he was tackled to the group and rolled into the pool. Ash broke the surface of the water gasping for air while looking for his attacker, he then saw May surface next to him and tackle him again.
"Ash that was amazing. Can you teach me how to do those Legend attacks for my contests. Please, please, please, please, please, please, please." She said while looking into his eyes. Ash wasn't able to respond as he was transfixed by how May looked. Her hair was wet, a few strands were sticking to her face the rest fell straight down her back, her eyes were shimmering and her cheeks held a slight blush.
To Ash she looked absolutely beautiful, Why am I thinking like this? May is my friend I can't see her like this but I can't help it I need to sort my head out, I have to or I'll do something to hurt her. Ash shook his head to try and clear his thoughts.
"Sure May I'll help you with the Legend attacks but you can't tell anyone else how there done okay?" May squealed in excitement and jumped onto Ash again sending them underwater for the second time. When they surfaced again May saw that Misty's sisters were glaring daggers at her which made May decided to annoy them further. She swam a little closer to Ash and kissed him on the cheek before moving to the side of the pool and climbing out, after the kiss Ash just floated there and watched as May climbed out of the pool taking in each and every curve of her body.
"Hey Ash!" Misty shouted.
"Y-Yeah Misty?" Ash asked as he snapped out of his daze.
"You getting out of the pool or what? We're getting hungry." She laughed.
"I'm getting out now, I didn't mean to get back in but sometimes things happen." Ash replied looking over to May smirking as he climbed out of the pool seeing that when May had tackled him his hat had fallen off his head and on to Pikachu's.
"Sorry Ash, I got a little excited when Misty said that if I asked you about teaching me the Legend attacks that you might do it." May apologized.
"That's okay May, I know you didn't meant to do it but there's one thing I need to do before I start cooking." Ash said as he stood in front of May.
"What's that?" she asked blushing slightly at how close Ash was to her, trying desperately not to stare at his bare chest. Ash smiled.
"This!" Ash said loudly as he picked May up bridal style and threw her in the pool, "Okay now I'll cook dinner." He said as he ran off to the kitchen, with an angry May in pursuit. Misty sighed following them with Gary and her sisters behind her.
After eating the meal that Ash made and changing back into their normal clothes, Gary went back to the Pokémon Centre to get some sleep and Misty's sisters went out clubbing. May, Misty and Ash spent a few hours talking before calling it a night, because of the way Misty's sisters were acting towards him Ash decided to lock the door.
"Night May, night Misty. See you in the morning." Ash said.
"Night Ash." They replied.
"Misty," Ash said before he went to his room, "hope you're ready for our battle tomorrow."
"I hope you're ready as well." She retorted. They stood there glaring at each other before starting to laugh.
"Good luck tomorrow Misty."
"Same to you Ash."
Misty walked into her room and closed the door leaving Ash and May standing in to corridor, Ash turned to enter his room when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned round and May gave him a quick peck on the cheek, Ash was about to ask why when May started talking.
"I'm sorry for knocking you into the water after your battle and thank you again for agreeing to teach me how to use those Legend moves. They'll really help in my contests." She said looking at the ground hiding her blush before walking into her room and closing the door leaving Ash alone. May had no idea what possessed her to kiss Ash's cheek, she knew that she couldn't tell him but she couldn't control herself. May leaned against the door of her room after closing it and sighed, I need to try and stop doing that when we're alone. I only need to do it if I see anyone who might talk to Drew. May shook her head and decided to get changed for bed.
Ash shook his head to clear it and walked into his room knowing that he'd have trouble sleeping tonight and he still needed to pick his team for his battle with Misty. He had taken Pikachu, Lucario and Gardevoir to the Pokémon Centre after the meal and Nurse Joy healed them, he had also sent Sawk, Grimm and Beldum to Professor Oak so they could meet his other Pokémon and retrieved his empty Pokéballs. Pikachu was curled up on a pillow, Lucario was leaning against the wall and Gardevoir lay on the floor with a pillow and blanket that Misty had provided. Ash lay on the bed thinking about his team for the Gym battle, If only Pikachu would battle for me he thought when an idea started to form, a wicked smile slowly appeared on Ash's lips.
He had a plan.
That's it for this chapter. Please let me know what you think of the letter and of Ash's new Pokémon.
That's all I have for now. If you have any questions or anything you want to say, you know the drill.
Put it in a review or send me a PM.
Until next time
Basic Trainer.