Chapter 9

Paul was stuck at trying whether to read over the article he had been reading for a tenth time or stripping out of his clothes and gorging his eyes out. He was seriously deciding on the latter when he sensed Drew approaching.

“How’d it go?” Drew said dropping in a chair next to him.

“Most of them were pathetic, but I won, stretched out the last battle to give Froslass more practice.” Paul spoke keeping an eye on Drew from the corner of his eye.

Drew flicked back the front of his bang. “As expected. This IS a training ground, some these people here I feel have never won a battle in their LIVES! What about Ash?”

“He won his too.” Paul turned his full attention to the article again. Just what was he going to do with his prize? Why was it even a prize?

Drew leaned forward so he could see the article that Paul was studying. “What are you DOING? What is this ‘ish?” He asked at the last minute spying a woman and her child passing them on their way to Nurse Joy. “What do you want to do with a Destiny Knot?”

“It was the prize today.” Was Paul’s terse response. Drew flinched.

“It’s a useful item if you are being attacked by attract all the time, but how often do you run into that in battles?” Drew said as he flicked his hair back again. Paul paused as he remembered his third battle in the tournament. The girl had used attract constantly and he had ordered Froslass to used Ice Shard and Hail as a shield. When he was confronted with that move, his usual habit was to treat it the same as normal status effect. He did not use it himself, as it was too much of a risk; but he was here to shake up his strategy.

After all, he had promised that Froslass could keep the thing after all. And to tell the truth it would make a good defence once he could get Froslass to work pass the influence of Attract. Paul did his own hair flick as his features brightened.

Drew eyed him warily before breaking down in laughter. “I just helped you in some way then huh.” He said then laughed harder to Paul’s nod.

“Guess you’re gonna hold onto it for a while longer then, but you have to train your Pokémon in a way that they will be able to work past the influence of Attract. Me I just have to worry about ruining my opponents attempt at it, but I just may try what you are thinking.”

Paul was not surprised that he and Drew were on the same wavelength, in some ways they were more alike than people would think. Shutting down the terminal Paul went looking up for the others and saw Ash and Iris apparently in some sort of a beginning of a standoff with the stuff shirt nearby his nose in a tour guide book, except the book was upside down.

Interesting...Paul thought. There may be something here if I care to look closer.

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Dinner in the Pokémon Centre was something that Iris loved. Surrounded by Cilian, Ash, Drew, and Paul to her the conversation flowed marvellously. Sometimes Cilian seemed a little out of it but Iris was certain that was because he was thinking about his own competition coming up. She sure was. The next town held a tournament for her and she just could not wait. It was a downhill journey so she was planning to walk down with the others.

Especially as Drew was such good company. She was just elated when Drew had admitted to owning a dragon Pokémon; he spoke so fondly of it. Iris shivered a little thinking about it. Another Dragon lover was in her mist.

He had spoken seriously when she had admitted her dislike of ice type Pokémon. “That makes no sense, they can’t help how they are, and the more you know about your weakness the easier it is to make it your greatest strength!” He had told her.

Iris sighed a little inside she was planning to take those words to heart they made sense. She heard Cilan drop from the conversation again and she snuck another look at him observing his spaced out look. Before she could comment on it he seemed to snap back and join them again. Meanwhile during all that time Paul had no spoken a word, just given appropriate grunts. He had an ice type Pokémon, just maybe he would be willing to just maybe practise with her so she could get over her distaste.

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Ash was full and content, the day had gone just perfect, he had won his matches, the information he had wanted was easy to get. He turned over in his bunk so that he could face the window. The moon was out bright and full. In just three days he would be able to see Misty again.

Ash’s movement slightly jolted Pikachu and the electric rodent lifted its head with a soft squeak.

“It’s nothing Pikachu, just thinking a bit.” Ash said sitting up a bit fuller. Cilan, Paul and Drew appeared to be heavy sleepers but he was not in the mood to test that. He was wondering if he could chance walking around but decided against it. It really was not worth it, presides outside the blankets felt somewhat frigid.

“Pikaka Piika Pikapi.” Pikachu said keeping its voice low as it moved from Ash’s pillow to sit on his head. Ash stifled a sigh Pikachu was really going to make him talk. If he kept it quick, he could quickly soothe Pikachu’s concerns and rush it back to sleep.

“Just thinking about sort of everything Pikachu, our journey, us, and Misty.”

“Pikachu Pi.” Pikachu said looking excited. Ash sighed again.

“Figures you would want to hear about Misty, guess you really missed her too huh?” Ash softly rubbed Pikachu’s head as he stared at the ceiling. “Iris reminds me of her sometimes, I mean she has far to go before she becomes the tyrant Mist was, but it’s nice I suppose.”

“PikaPika Pikaka.”

“Guess I’m still sort of disappointed that we couldn’t just travel together like we used to, I mean we were just kids back then and Brock was with us back then.”

“Pi Piika Pikachu.”

“Oh yeah, when he left us for Professor Ivy it was just me, you Misty and Togepi. I almost forgot about that because we met Tracy soon after. It was a short time, but it was nice. But I'll always carry the memories of those times with me.”

“Pika Pikaaa.”

“You will too, right buddy? Misty will always be us no matter what where it matters, our hearts.”

“Chaaaa.” Pikachu squeaked settling back down near Ash; but Ash was not ready to finish the off the conversation.

“Pikachu I have a question. What is up with you and Misty? I find it somewhat strange how you two were always clinging and hugging, and don’t think I didn’t notice your whispered conversations. I'm not mad, but buddies share everything right?”

Pikachu raised his head and stared into Ash’s eyes sadly before giving a soft cha. Pikachu lowered his ears and shook his head before trying to speak again.

“Is it something that Misty wants to keep secret?” That got a fast pace nod. Ash crashed his head back against the pillows sighing forgetting temporarily about the other occupants in the room.

“Is it dangerous stuff that would affect the others?” This got a no from Pikachu. Ash frowned.

“Something I should be worried about then?”

A hesitation from Pikachu before a small shrug and a few squeaks. Ash felt even more confused, this was harder than trying to guess what Pikachu’s mimics were.

“Something that I COULD be worried about but Misty doesn’t want me to be?” Pikachu jumped up in happiness. Ash did not know if to be so elated. Misty was keeping a secret from him? Something he could worry about but he should not because she did not want him to worry? Just what was Misty mixed up in? Or maybe.....

“Pikachu, could this thing.....make me angry? This thing that she wants kept quiet.” Pikachu fell silent. Ash could feel the anger burn in him starting from low down in his stomach spreading up to his heart and squeezing in.

“Pikachu, I want an answer.” Ash kept his voice low but his gaze on the ceiling. He was pretty sure that he was going to say something he would regret if he was to look directly at Pikachu. He felt a small tug on his shirt.

“PikaPi  Pika Piiika Pikachuuu chuuu.” Pikachu sounded like it was on the verge of tears. Ash felt some of the anger dissipate then he felt Pikachu try to bury into his neck.

“Chuuu Pikachu Pi chuuu Piikaa.” Pikachu was sounding desperate so Ash turned his head to look at him. Pikachu was on the verge of tears as he tried to snuggle even closer to Ash.

“I’m not that mad buddy. It’s not your fault, just I don’t get why you kept this from me.” Pikachu’s tears cleared up as it hopped onto Ash’s chest in his line of sight as it squeaked.

“You gonna explain why you were trying to keep it a secret from me? You have an explanation?” Pikachu nodded before pointing at Ash repeatedly.

“umm me. Me! Something about me.” Pikachu nodded before imitating a slowpoke. Ash froze in horror.

“Wait a minute, you are saying I’m a slowpoke?.....No then slow you think I’m slow and won’t get it. It is that complicated? But it would make me mad when I do understand right?” Pikachu stopped imitating and nodded.

“Was Mist going to explain whatever it is to me?” Pikachu started scratching his head with his tail. “Oh, she wasn’t then.” Pikachu shook his head violently causing Ash and the bed to shake.

“Hey! Watch it! So she was going to tell me.” Pikachu nodded before imitating another pokemon. It had a big mouth. Ash narrowed his eyes; Pikachu began to jump up and down before switching to something that looked Misty like. Pikachu went from imitating the big Mouth Pokémon to the Misty shape over and over again. The big mouth Pokémon was on the rampage and the Misty shape was trying to stop it but it was not working.

Ash was sure that he got what Pikachu was trying to tell him now. “That’s a Loudred, that’s suppose to be me when I find out. And the other one is supposed to be Misty trying to calm me down right?” Pikachu gave out a soft cha before continuing with the pantomime. 

The Loudred Ash was using attacks while the Misty shape was trying their best to stop it while getting more and more upset then the Misty shape ran away. Pikachu stopped at the end of the bed while Ash sat up slowly in shock.

“Pikachu am I going to take it that badly? So much that I would hurt Mist, hurt Mist’s feelings?”

Pikachu nodded sadly at Ash.

“But if she tells me what it is, would I still get mad.” Another nod. “Do you think I would hurt Misty on purpose.” A violent no, Ash sighed in relief.

“Would I want to hurt someone else?” A quick nod. “Would Misty be upset if I hurt the someone else?” A nod. “So someone else is involved in this then.” Pikachu froze before making its cheeks spark lightly.

“It’s okay buddy, calm down, at least I know a little more now, you said it’s not my business but that I would be mad and worried. It is Mist you KNOW how much she means to me. So I think a little trick is fair play. I’ll let this lie only if you answer this last question. Would she be worried for the someone else if I was to hurt them or would she be worried for me?”

Pikachu fell silent and twitched his ears. It was not a no but Pikachu seemed to be searching for a way to answer Ash without breaking some sort of promise.

“Pikapi Pikachu Pi pi kakaka Pikapi.” Well it did not take a genius to figure out what that meant.

“She still worries.....” Ash let his thought trail off. It was okay to him. He had more than one answer answered from that. He lifted Pikachu up causing the Pokémon to squeak happily as Ash settled him on the pillow.

“Night Pikachu, that’s enough questions let’s get some sleep I can get the rest of questions answered another time. We should be thinking about new strategies and new battles. That is how we are going to do even better at the next tournament.

Pikachu squeaked with an expression of shock and wary resignation before curling up and closing its eyes to go to sleep. It mumbled something in Pikaspeak that Ash could not make out.

It did not matter though. Ash had accomplished what he had set out to do.

Misty, We, we are buddies. I can respect your privacy but I WILL know what is going on. I might be busy and travelling a lot but that is no excuse. Even if you think I’m going to get mad and worried, because, I worry about you too and after I calm down you KNOW I listen. Unless this problem can’t be solved by thinking. What could be so difficult to understand? What are you up to Mist?

Sleep was rushing to claim Ash. It was way past curfew and the day had been a long one. “What are you up to.......Misty.” He murmured before slipping away to his dreams. The words were not loud enough to wake the sleeping occupants of the room, but they were heard by one who had been awake for some time. Filled with his own questions.

Drew punched his pillow and turned back over. “And what are you up to May?” His head was filled with his brunette rival, but sleep was long in coming for the green haired teen.

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Breakfast was slow as the conversation was about the prizes that Ash and Paul had received the day before.

“I think these guys could not get more cheaper if they tried. Pokeballs and a Destiny Knot? The Knot is rare, sort of, but the whole pokeball thing, they have no shame.”  Drew said flicking his hair as he tore into his sandwich.

Iris spluttered. “Hey! Thanks not true at all. These prizes are all connected in a way, have you forgotten that dive balls and net balls are rare in certain regions? To a native that would be a prize. And this region is renowned for their breeders so something that would even up the effects of Attract would be useful. This region has an even male to female ratio, makes sense to use Attract most likely you would run up on members of the opposite sex.”

“Maybe, but Attract is still mostly useless all you have to do is block it.” Drew said rolling his eyes.

“Yes, but when I was in a tournament in Unova I used my Emolga’s Attract to buy time until the static kicked in. Then we just finished the match. If my opponent had a destiny knot they could have allowed the attract to hit because we would both be in the same situation, and I would have to hope that static kicks in and Emolga could fight out of it.”

Paul’s eyes narrowed but he said nothing as he ate. Cilan had the impression however that he had just filed away important information that he needed.

“Well let’s hope that when you win, you manage to get a prize that is going to be useful to you. Iris, wouldn’t make sense being a dragon master and getting a prize suited to normal or electric types.”

“Yea, I know but first I have to get some practice in against you know Ice types which reminds me, um Paul?” Iris turned to face the silent Paul, he grunted in response. “Can I practice training against your Froslass? We need to get some practice in.”

Paul raised his head slowly and slumped back in his seat as all attention at the table was centred fully on him. “You can battle Froslass but only if I get something out of this in return. I want to battle your Emolga and its Attract.” There was a continued silence.

“Emolga? But I left her behind. With my Dragonite other Pokémon.”

“Can you send for her?”

“Yes, but I’m trying to build my bond with Dragon Pokémon now. Emolga is happy where she is and I didn’t want to have a mixed team.”

“I’m not saying to bring her for the whole journey just a few days.” Paul swirled his drink in his glass before continuing. “Just for me to practice a bit facing attract. After you send her back I will still battle you and Axew with Froslass. Just that I want something out of this.”

“Well that seems fair.” Iris said appearing to be thinking it over. I’ll talk to the others back home about sending her as well as Dragonite over before we leave. Then when we get to Merche town we can then get some practice in.”

Paul nodded obviously finished with his part in the conversation. Iris rose up finished with her fruit and was going to head off before Cilan stopped her.

“I have the number Iris remember?”

“Oh yea!” Iris said flushing deeply. “I forgot, come with me?” Cilan got up to follow Iris leaving behind Ash and Drew with Paul at the table.

Drew flicked a glance at Ash who was now engrossed in his Pokedex. He guessed the thoughts of conversation were over now; the other too had other things on their mind. Presides so did he, if Iris got the Emolga he could battle it too, just for practice, there were some really weird co-ordinators now that were all for Sweet Kiss and Attract attacks now.

Not that he could not deal with them, but he wanted to discourage these cupid wannabe’s from turning an honest contest to their lovey dovey match up lovefest where it was all about being cute. He did not mind the groupies but the arrogant girls set his team on edge, the ones who thought that co-ordinating was for girls only and thought that cute and beauty were the only categories to concentrate on.

Drew narrowed his eyes on the table counter. He had run into quite a lot of girls with that stupid kind of opinions, he had made sure he had not lost to any of them, but he had still lost in the end. Luckily, it was to someone whom he could respect. A good battle. Something that he felt would be hard to find here, but he was someone who enjoyed the chase whether it was battling, Pokémon or May.