Chapter 13

“Froslass standby for battle.” Paul said coldly as he released Froslass in the courtyard behind the Pokémon centre. Iris flinched at the sight before stepping forward and withdrawing her pokeball.

“Come on out Emolga!” there was a flash of light and Emolga flew forward, delighting in her freedom.

“Emmoo! Emolga!”

“Pikachu!” came from Pikachu waving from his seat in Misty’s lap. Next to her Ash chuckled as he held Axew.

Emolga made to fly over to Pikachu and Axew but Iris stopped her.

“Emolga, I brought you across so that we can use that secret weapon of yours. I want to use your attract on Froslass to help Paul train.” Emolga nodded in agreement.

“Why don’t you let out your other Pokémon?” Drew said releasing his Roserade and Absol.

“Good idea. They can observe and learn something.” May said releasing her Blazikin and Wartortle. Cilan nodded and released his Pokémon next followed by Iris, Dawn and Paul. Looks were cast towards Misty and Ash.

“I only have Pikachu on me remember?” Ash said inching his way across the bench so he was pressed up close to Misty.

“Marill is with Nurse Joy, and somehow I don’t think Psyduck is going to learn anything. It doesn’t even have much sense most of the times.” Misty laughed.

“Okay then.” Iris said turning back to Paul. Keeping an eye on her Dragonite she saw it immediately slump to the ground looking for a rest, sighing she called the little Bagon over.

“Watch this battle Bagon okay? Make sure you look closely.” Nodding in obvious excitement the Bagon stood right next to Iris.

“I will be the referee of this match.” Cilan announced. “This match is to be a one on one training battle, when one Pokémon cannot continue the battle is over! Begin!”

“Emolga, use Attract!” Iris cried out.

“Froslass take it!” Paul said no emotions crossing his face.

“Eeemo! Emo!” Emolga said as she spun around and winked at Froslass. Hearts spread out and began to circle Froslass. Iris held her breath as she watched the ring of hearts circle and tightened. The hearts sank into Froslass and she was ready to wait on Paul’s next move when she realized something.

“Froslass isn’t infatuated Paul!” Ash yelled. “That means that both of them are girls!”

“Oh boy. Iris said tiredly. Now what are we going to do? Suddenly Bagon leapt forward.

“Bagon!” it cried out before twirling and winking at Froslass. Iris found herself watching in shock as hearts appeared and circled Froslass before sinking in to its skin.

“Fross.” Froslass dazedly said.

“Bagon just used Attract and it worked!” Misty said her eyes widening. “That means Bagon is a guy!”

“But what is a guy dragon Pokémon doing learning a move like Attract?” Cilan said asking the question that was haunting Iris at that moment.

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The battle was adjourned until Iris was able to gather her wits. She found herself with Misty contemplating Bagon while Paul kept watch over Froslass.

“I still don’t get it, why would a male Dragon Pokémon go out of his way to learn such a move?” She confided to Misty worriedly.

Misty sighed, “Why else do Pokémon learn moves? Maybe it was useful to its environment.”

Iris threw Misty a dark look. “Attract? Useful to its environment?”

“Yeah, why does your Emolga use Attract? Why does any Pokémon? To manipulate or to distract them so they can get away.” Misty gave Bagon a soft smile.

“But that still doesn’t explain it; Bagon is a dragon type, why would it need to learn it? When you think about it, it doesn’t make any sense.”

“Remember Iris, some Pokémon learn moves that suit their nature, like what Cilan would say, they are compatible that properly controlling the moves shows the bond between you and your Pokémon.”

“But still.” Iris moaned. “Why?”

“Then ask Bagon.” Misty said gently. Bagon gazed up at Iris. Sighing Iris hugged it.

“I’m not mad just surprised Bagon, I knew that you were special.” Iris leaned back to stare Bagon in the eyes. “Just not how much. You really are full of surprises.”

“As it should be.” Misty said winking at Iris.

“Yeah, now I feel a little better, I mean there are some cases of Pokémon using moves that they should not have right?”

“Ummhmm! Back in Kanto Ash’s Bulbasaur learned Dig! And May’s Venusaur knows Petal Dance. Pokémon are amazing.” Misty and Iris exchanged a smile of understanding.

“Hey! You ready over there? Froslass has recovered!” Drew yelled.

“It’s just practice.” Misty said as she turned to step away Iris grabbed her hand.

“Misty, I really want to be a Dragon Master, but I don’t know who to ask you see I don’t know if to.” Iris trailed off looking dejected.

“It’s okay.” Misty said turning Iris to look up at her. “To truly understand one type you have to be in contact and have understanding of all Pokémon types. Sometimes there is a mixture of types. Electric types are dangerous to water types, but there are some water types that are electric types too. A perfect blend you could say. The right strengths in them. Harder to define weaknesses.”

Misty broke off to give Iris a hard look. “You should never abandon your friends because of what they cannot change. You want to become a Dragon Master Iris but there is nothing wrong with travelling with your non-dragon types. Nothing can be achieved by one thing alone.”

Iris nodded before turning to go back to Paul.

“I’m not judging you Iris.” Misty said softly. “Just saying that your friends are the best companions  you can ever have. Even I have a few non water types to train and keep, and love.” Her voice broke on the last few words.

“They were not water types, but I still loved them, and they helped me understand and get stronger.” Misty turned away and head back to the bench where Ash and Pikachu was waiting. Iris watched her go sadly, she never wanted to leave Emolga and the others behind but deep down she thought they were holding her back in a way.

Misty was right, she could not abandon her friends, if she did because they were not dragon types why did she catch them to begin with? Still this was just a training course, so maybe she could switch the others out occasionally. Keep her bond with them strong.

Friends were forever.

“Come on Iris! I want a chance to battle Bagon too!” Drew yelled.

“Coming!” Iris laughed running up to her place. “Bagon, use Attract!” Bagon nodded before spinning and using the required move.

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“If I do say so myself.” Cilan said wearing a smug smile. “This training session worked out great! Froslass was able to fully obey Paul despite being infatuated.”

“Which is good in case a Pokémon uses Attract or has the ability Cute Charm.” May put in returning her Pokémon. The area behind the Pokémon centre had grown dark and the group was looking to head back inside.

“I have been thinking of ways that we could use Attract and counter shields in our next competition!” Dawn gushed. “Well after the Pokémon collection for Pokestylists. I was thinking on bringing back Buneary for a while, but I know she is still working hard.”

“All those adoring fans must get to her right?” May asked wining at Dawn. “And the fact that she is in the spotlight doesn’t hurt one bit.” She finished while Dawn burst into giggles and picked up Piplup.

“Nope, no need to worry!” She laughed as she settled Piplup on her head. “It is going to be just fine. Buneary would want us to concentrate on what we are doing here.”

“And that is what we are going to do!” Iris laughed.

“I hope so.” Drew butted in. “I would hate to know you are going to go through this whole thing all happy go lucky and clueless. Like some people I know.” May gritted her teeth.

“Lay off it DREW!”

“What? Just saying.”

“Well we will be seeing how good YOU are won’t we Drew?” May gritted out with her hands on her hips. Drew eyed her lazily.”

“I don’t get why you are all fired up June. I’m just remarking on your dedication or lack of for a training journey. Those soft emotions you indulge in really do leave you vulnerable June.”

“It’s MAY, and you keep forgetting that you use those same soft emotions, Mr. Rose!”

“Mr. Rose?” Iris said looking confused.

“It’s nothing Iris.” Drew said flushing. “That has nothing to do with anything May. It just says I know my style. The flush he had accumulated disappeared and he looked just like the normal arrogant Drew.

“Whatever Drewrose.” May teased.

“Drew ignored her. “I was planning on running through my routine one last time for the night. Iris and Misty, not that I need it but would you be my judges and tell me where it appears I’m going wrong?”

“I would love to!” Misty said lifting Pikachu from her arms so he could sit on her head. Iris nodded in agreement.

“But Iris your event is tomorrow too so you don’t have to stay for the entire thing.”

“I want to Drew.” Iris smiled.

“What about us?” May said gesturing to herself and Dawn. “Don’t we get to watch too?”

“No.” Drew said firmly. “You will see at the competition and not a minute sooner.

“Fine then, if you are so nervous that you need others to watch you..”May trailed off.

“Humph, not going to work May.” Drew laughed flicking his hair. “I just want to make sure I’m going to be creating the right mood with my performance. I am trying to get even better. Something you should be doing instead of playing around.”

May flushed and looked away. Dawn looked ready to kill and stepped in front of her furiously. Vibrating with rage.

“Where do you come off saying something like that to May?”

“I’m going to win my competition. Can she say she did the same or you? Misty won hers but she has the dedication to grow through and the strength. The people here are barely the ones I would consider rivals losing is definitely not an option.”

“Look I don’t know where you think you are coming from Drew.” Dawn snapped seizing May’s wrist. “May and I are here to improve, and you have no reason to talk to her like that because of a joke. Know what? Go right ahead Drew be all stuck up with your competition and your training. Never have I been so glad that we don’t travel together.”

Turning away and dragging a silent May with her Ash swore he saw a glimpse of tears. “Hey Dawn, May..” He started to only get cut off by May,

“Don’t Ash, you have to travel with this jerk, not us, not me.” Her head snapped up as she glared into Drew’s eyes. “I’m glad I won’t have to, now I’m going to stop wasting time and start ‘training’ hopefully it will take until tomorrow and all through the morning contest.”

Looking surprised Drew stepped forward before catching himself slowly raking his hand through his hair. “Look May.”

“Save it Drew.” With an apologetic look towards Misty and Iris May ignored Drew.

“I’m going and do some training before curfew.” Dawn said making her way towards the path that lead towards the forest. She stopped before looking back towards May.

“Me too.” May said shaking her head sadly, without a backward glance she and Dawn walked off on the path.

“That was the greatest show of stupidity ever.” Paul gritted out. Iris widened her eyes worriedly, if this continued this would definitely end in a fight.

“No, the greatest show of stupidity ever.” Misty cut in smiling at Paul with obvious plans of distraction. “The biggest show of stupidity would have to be a certain trainer who I travelled with, that sent out a Caterpie against a Pidgey, there has to be the greatest bit of stupidity there.”

Paul frowned at her along with Drew, distracted for now.

“Who is that?” Drew asked while Ash groaned causing all eyes to turn to him.

“You didn’t” Iris said flatly while Cilan gaped at him.

“It a few days into my first journey and I was clueless!” Ash protested.

“And Misty was there already?” Cilan asked while a smirk grew on Drew’s face.

“It’s a long story, and I really don’t want Misty getting mad now.” Ash said while keeping his widened gaze on Misty.

“Relax Ash, I got over my bike a long time ago.” Misty said giving Ash a dry look. “You can relax there, Cilan if you want to hear, you can come with Iris and me while we watch Drew go through his paces.” Misty smiled as she directed Drew, Iris and Cilan to another part of the courtyard Pikachu still on her head.

“It’s weird having her as the responsible one.” Ash grumbled glaring at her back. “That wasn’t nice bringing that one up I was trying to forget that one.”

“So you did do it.” Paul stated eyeing Ash in disgust.

“I was really stupid back then. If it wasn’t for Misty, Brock and everyone that I met I still would be the same.” Ash admitted. “I’m thankful that I had Misty to help get rid of my pride or else what others wanted to teach me.”

“She’s really strong.” Paul grunted tucking his hands in his pockets. “That Psyduck of hers if she could control it properly that would become her most powerful water type.”

“Psyduck doesn’t work that way.” Ash laughed sitting down to look up at the evening sky. “It can’t swim, and when I used to travel with her, it had to get a severe headache to use an attack. It seems now it can use some attacks at will and well too, but Misty has a way of getting some really powerful types.” Ash gave a small shrug. “It’s just her way.”

“I want to challenge her to a battle, not a training one.” Paul said his tone dark. “A full out battle not now, but before we separate.”

“If I know Misty.” Ash sighed. “She already knows, and is waiting. Let her get this Ross and Zachary out of the way first, she will be better to battle then.”

“You really know her then.” Paul grunted as he headed off to the Pokémon Centre.

“Yea, but not as well as I thought.” Ash whispered staring in the direction Cilan, Iris and Misty had gone. “That’s going to change though, and you can write that one down because that is a promise.”