Chapter 34

Ash liked nothing better than walking through clearing his hands wrapped around his hat as he travelled with friends. In fact he loved that travelling feeling. When you got up and prepared and stepped through the door to meet which ever adventure awaited you.

Pikachu adjusted himself on Ash’s shoulder and Ash grinned as he tipped his head up to see the sky peaking down from among the various trees. Leaving Misty and the others was not as hard as he thought it would be.

It ended up being more fun than he had anticipated. It could be because he had a secret. Could be because he was in the free and clear or it could be that he was going to see her again soon. With his hat on her head she had promised him that when they met up in Rolkving town she would be wearing his hat.

He had originally wanted her to wear it back then but that would have been a problem. Daisy would surely have recognised it. If not her Brock certainly would. Along with Tracey, Gary and the Professor. There was no need to be trying to cause her any unnecessary stress.

Misty was happy. Enthusiastic determined and fun. Ash felt a bit uncomfortable as he recalled the night of her birthday. When they had done that.

It was nice but James had scolded him for it when he went back to see the Team Rocket member. Apparently you were supposed to work up to that. Kiss the hands then the cheeks then on the lips.

At least that is what James had said. Personally Ash did not understand why you had to work up to it. The other person knew where you wanted to kiss so just kiss them there already. Stifling his grin as he tipped his hat over his eyes Ash heard Drew humming softly next to him.

As usual Drew was full of surprises. Who would have thought that the guy would have snagged himself a Zorua? That was something anyone would trade anything for. And his was jus wickedly cool. It stuck close to Drew and even now it was slumped over his shoulder quietly taking in everything.

Drew was so lucky. Ash had heard Drew say to Cilan, Iris and Paul that Zorua would be his top class card. Only used against trainers that had enough strength style and class worthy of it. In the meantime, Zorua would be going through some harsh challenging training.

Iris had certainly been ecstatic over getting to see such a Pokémon. Cilan had placed a calming hand on her shoulder before she could leap on Zorua to cuddle it.

But with that out of the way they made fast progress. Paul had an event the moment that they got into the town they were going to Ulfrege Town. Ash had one little tournament as well. In fact they all did so when they finally managed to make it there in the afternoon they would be spending a whole day and some there. Training hard.

Starting to whistle a merry tune Ash put more energy into his steps. He was beginning to get his body into it when he heard something startlingly familiar. Voices yelling something. Voices that usually at that tone usually brought immense pain.

“Get out the way! Get out of the Way!! Coming through!”

A voice yelled fast approaching from behind them to the left. Ash felt himself tense.

“Look out! Lookout look Out!!!” A female voice shrieked coming up fast as well from the right.

“Duck! Run!” Ash yelled recognising both voices. “Don’t let them crash into you!” He warned. He himself with Pikachu leapt into a bush while Iris along with Paul escaped into the trees. Cilan himself leapt into a bush while Drew frowning ducked behind a tree.

He was just in time as the sources of the two voices collided at a great force sending them both recoiling backwards onto the ground. Just as always except it was not Ash they were bowling over.

“Ow ow ow o wow.” A blonde haired boy moaned as slowly sat up. A rather familiar figure he was as one hand went to the back of his head to gently probe the injured area and the other hand flew to massage his striped green and white shirt.

“Oh, so sorry so sorry, ouch ouch ouch.” The female voice moaned as she too sat up. Pikachu moaned on top of Ash’s head and he had to agree. It was some good karma going on that these two managed to run into each other instead of smacking into him like they always did.

Barry, a sort of friend Ash had not seen since Sinnoh sat up like he usually did after running smack into someone. In a vicious temper ready to fine someone.

“How dare you run into me and knock me down?” Barry demanded as he struggled up. His angry gaze was on his dusty clothes and he continued as he looked up to the blond girl in her red dress. “I’m in a big hurry so I’m going to fine you for what you just, did.” He stumbled.

Barry looked around his surroundings the same time the girl did. “I’m so sorry, this always happens to me.” Bianca moaned. “No good luck at all.”

“Least it isn’t me this time.” Ash spoke up drawing attention to himself and Pikachu.

“Oh, him.” Paul muttered rolling his eyes.

“Paul! Ash!” Barry exclaimed excitedly.

“Cilan! Ash! Iris!” Bianca cried out her eyes dancing as she clasped her hands together. “What good luck!”

Barry eyed Bianca. “A rude person such as you know Ash?”

“What about you? Such a person as you, blaming others for which you are half to blame.” Bianca sniffed.

“This may be the perfect time for a break don’t you think?” Cilan offered looking very uncomfortable.

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Instead of the break Cilan had suggested it had ended up that a hasty introduction was held before they continued on. The reason was mainly Paul who had pointed out stopping for two crash prone idiots was nothing he would ever sign up for.

Drew had hastily agreed with Iris nodding her approval so the group had trudged on. It was fine with Ash because this meant that they were that much closer to Ulfrege town. Barry had fallen into a sullen sulk as he walked along with them with his hands resting at the back of his head.

Ash was not too sure if having Bianca and Barry tagging along was such a good idea but to stop and argue it out was a delay he wanted to avoid.

With Barry sulking and Bianca and Iris chatting happily the group moved along without him required to act like his normal self. Because he felt anything from normal.

Reaching the outskirts of the town Ash and the group stopped to look down into the valley. This town was going to hold entertainment and practice for them all.

First up Paul, then Drew, Iris and Cilan had an event together and he himself had something to compete in. Barry and Bianca came to compete as well. Hopefully they could keep from throwing the town into chaos.

Ash glanced across to Paul to see the silent trainer gazing at the mountain behind the town. That was right, his event would take place there. It was why they chose to come in the first place.

“We won’t get there if we don’t move on.” Cilan stated as he hefted his bag higher on his shoulders and headed down the hill. “The sooner we get there the sooner we can sign up for events check in and do our own thing.”

“I prefer go our own ways.” Paul sighed as he fell into a step behind Cilan, Drew at his side. The two girls followed with Barry left standing to Ash.

“I want to enter my event and get outta here.” Barry mumbled pulling a frown from Ash. That was mighty uncharacteristic of Barry. Usually he would still be gripping about fines and how he was going to win. At first he had sworn that Barry had not changed at all but was it possible that he had?

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With relief Paul took his Pokémon back from Nurse Joy. His event was not for another two hours but he was ready to go there right that minute. The tag alongs just irked his spirit. Barry from Twinnleaf town. Bianca from Unova.

Bianca he should have had more of an issue with than Barry because he did not know her. But it was because he knew Barry that he resented the guy’s presence now. The guy said he admired him and considered him a rival but Paul no longer saw the guy with amusement.

Personally he wished the guy had picked another region to be in at this time. For his own reasons, reasons he was beginning to get annoyed by more and more. Even though he felt like he was drowning everyday he thought of it.

To fight in front someone as annoying as Barry. Someone in the heavens was having an intense laugh at him. Walking to the front of the lobby Paul did not bother to look for Drew. He knew the guy had gone off to go scouting. He knew without having to be even told.

Hopefully Ash would not want to tag along. Paul gritted his teeth, he would not mind if Ash came but he knew Barry would tag along and that was a big no.

Hands in his pockets Paul was minding his business when a Luxray dashed across his path startling him. spinning around he saw the Luxray tackle Ash throwing him and Pikachu to the ground. Except Ash was surprised but the Pikachu was happily leaping on the Luxray. A friend then?

A girl dashed out of the crowd running straight for Ash. A sort of tall girl with gold eyes and hair like Drew. That stand out green, bushy and short on her frame. Paul paused to look at her charging towards the fallen Ash.

“Angie! I thought this might be yours.” Ash laughed from the floor as the girl came to a halt blushing in front of him. Paul felt his eyebrows left considerably. So that is how it was.

Clueless Ash would miss the implications of the blush or the nervousness she carried but not the casual observer. Looked like wherever he went Ash managed to gain the affections of someone.

Shrugging Paul continued on his way out. It was none of his business and he did not care. He was sure of Ash’s feelings for Misty. There was no way anything was going to happen beyond the normal cluelessness. Besides he had an event to win.

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The mountaintop was not as cold as he thought it would be. Paul mused to himself as he stared down the mountain. Actually considering he could see down it quite well he was loathe to call the thing a mountain. A very large hill yes. But mountain?

He had trained on much larger ones than this. And the top of those had been unbelievably icy. Unforgiving. Everything to teach one about sacrifice and training.

“You rather early up here youngster.” A raspy voice called from the mountain lift. Paul turned away from the edge to see a man that had to be in his 50’s emerge from the lift door.

“I didn’t think, young people had it in them to come here early. Most don’t take this event here seriously. Just because it’s in the late evening see?” The man laughed as he walked to the edge.

“I take this seriously.” Paul answered looking back down to the town. “I’m going to win it.”

The man broke out into laughter. “I here that too, but I’ve been winning this for the last 6 years son, you look like you have the strength, they all do. But do you have the trust? That is how you win this race.”

“Trust. You talking about bonds?” Paul asked the man.

“It’s more than that. I mean that unconditional trust. Deeper than marriage, as deep as a mother for their child. Except you would be the child. Do you trust your Pokémon to have the instincts to protect you down the slope? Do you trust their intellect. Do they have that? Are you willing to put your life into their hands? Can you close your eyes to everything and feel the land like they do. Can you put them in the front seat and let them guide the show for once? That is the sort of trust you have to give to win this.” The man said as he stared not down at the town but down the slope they would have to travel.

“I do have that faith in my Pokémon.” Paul frowned. After all the training that they had gone through. He knew that Torterra was capable of winning.

“Ah ah ah.” The man sighed. “It’s more than knowing that you trained them to do it. It’s more like they are the trainer now. This is a strength building contest. Not because the Pokémon will get stronger but because you will get stronger. Not physically although that happens but your mind opens o the world of Pokémon, you see what they see how they think and you can advance better, when you get there. Then you can win not a moment before.”

The sound of gravel crunching alerted Paul to the fact that the other contestants had arrived. Looking back he saw a scattering of various ages and people. They looked determined they looked strong. But this man was the only one that looked calm.

He frowned again looking down the slope again. It was such a dangerous looking slope. Surely to give yourself over to your Pokémon. Give yourself over to nature was asking to be killed. Thinking on it he brought out his Torterra.

“Torterra. I leave the navigation to you.” Paul spoke as Torterra loomed at his side. He felt the surprise that went through the Pokémon as they looked down. “I’m just here for the ride. It’s all up to you to get us down safely and quickly.” Paul spoke.

Feeling Torterra lightly rest it’s chin against him before stepping back Paul recalled the man’s words again.

“I mean that unconditional trust. Deeper than marriage, as deep as a mother for their child. Except you would be the child. Do you trust your Pokémon to have the instincts to protect you down the slope? Do you trust their intellect. Do they have that?”

“I-I won’t take the wheel from you Torterra.” Paul murmured feeling a strange sense of calm wash over him. “This is all you. Even I can say that.”

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The race itself was nothing like he had ever experienced. Paul was apprehensive. This sort of thing was not only dangerous but crazy. He found himself doubting himself as he approached the line, he could see others doing the same as they climbed on their Pokémon.

But then he had looked over to the old man and seen him climb on the back of his Golem like he was looking forward to a calm ride down.

That is what convinced him. That is what had him now resting on Torterra’s back not letting one word escape his mouth. The path, the trail was dark all he could hear was the sliding of the others and the crashes from those around him.

“We’ve been here together from the very beginning.” Paul spoke up his head tilted to watch the sky. “You know me better than anyone, you know what I want, what I expect and you always perform as good as or better than my expectations. Even if we don’t win this. What I feel right now is the best prize they could ever give me.”

Torterra’s small trees brushed lightly across his face and Paul grinned. The old man. He was right. If he had babbled on about bonds Paul might not have listened but he spoke about something deeper than a simple bond. Right now it felt like he was linked to his Pokémon.

He could feel the precision that Torterra was taking. He could hear nature itself in every turn they took. He had no fear of falling off. He had no reason to take charge. Because Torterra was in his element. And that was enough. He had no control here and that was okay.

Because Torterra had the guts and the smarts to make it through. That was why Torterra was his. Paul closed his eyes and rested back comfortably.

The old man, he was beginning to like the old man.

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Paul shook his head in just the bit of disgust at the finishing line as the old man slowly rolled into view. “Just what kind of 6 time winner are you?” He demanded.

“The kind that takes things slowly.” The man laughed. “I thought you might win. Just before you looked mighty different from the others. I knew then you would make it. I’m not even mad. I’ve had my time and it looks like you gained something of value.”

Paul glanced at Torterra behind him. “I have, something I will work on and use.”

“I see that happening.” The man mused before reaching in his pockets and taking out a crumpled paper. “You grasped the meaning of this here rather quick so what do you say about trying these places? These events are not as popular but they work on the trainers soul rather than ability.”

“I’ll go.” Paul said before he even looked at the paper. Even if he had to split from the group for a while he would go.

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It was darker than Drew had anticipated it would be. As he trudged through the town back to the Pokémon centre he admitted to himself that the contest might have just gone a bit too heated than it needed to.

Double battles were always something to be wary of time wise because you had two Pokémon to show off and battle with. However with the inexperienced trainers he had seen there he had though everything would have been over and done with after two hours.

He had not anticipated that the strategy of the many there would be to hold out for a draw. Their attempts at enduring had cost him points and irritated him greatly.

Now he was late for dinner. He had expected that he would have finished up by the time that Paul’s event would finish but instead it looked like he and Paul would be finishing around the same time.

Looking ahead Drew saw the two figures of the girl Bianca and Ash walking on their way back as well. Their event was supposed to have ended earlier too. No guessing who was the winner.

Bianca had the slump of someone who was disappointed in her performance but was happy to lose against a friend. Drew smirked he knew that kind of posture well.

There was no question whether he was going to catch up to them or not. He would rather keep his distance away from them.

Footsteps behind him lately alerted him to the fact that someone had caught up to him. flicking a glance he saw it was the hurried one, Barry.

“Yo.” Barry mumbled reminded Drew for just a moment of Paul. Barry seemed to have the sulkiness down pat. Looking ahead again he dimly realized that Bianca and Ash had stopped for them as well.

“Hey.” He sighed feeling the euphoria from his win evaporating.

“Barry did you win?” Ash called back.

“Yeah, not really a fight though.” Barry answered back as they caught up.

“Most things here aren’t.” Paul’s voice came from a shadow as he emerged from the street corner.

“Yeah, makes me wish I’d not listened to Dad when he said come here and rack up training.” Barry moaned.

“You know Dawn’s here too.” Ash offered. “If you stay with us you might see her.”

“Her? I’m not surprised, I mean I’ve run into Kenny almost constantly since I came here.” Barry sighed. “Not surprised that she’s here too. Not that she needs more training I went to a contest featuring her the other day. She need inspiration not training.”

Drew noticed the small flinch that went through Paul’s hand and hid a grin. Ash considered what Barry said before using his hand to nudge Pikachu to his other shoulder.

“I guess so.” He said as they continued back to the centre.

“I’ll see her eventually don’t worry, if not here then back home. I heard that she’s going home a lot more often now so she is bound to run into me. If not now I guess we will run into each other in Hoenn.” Barry sighed kicking at a rock.

“That’s where you are now?” Paul asked his voice low as he kept his head low.

“Yeah! Training with the various people. Oh while here I met the guy who beat my Dad a while back. He was trying to get me become like my Dad and become a Tower King. Told him no thanks not for a long while.”

Drew tensed up. Was that guy everywhere? Sticking his nose into everything? He gritted his teeth and shoved his hands in his pockets just a bit deeper scraping his fists against the material rasping it.

With relief he noticed that they had made it to the centre. He could get away from this conversation. Away from the thought of that guy. The only Tower he wanted to hear about with that guy is the Tower he was going to be thrown off of.

“Where did you see Brendan?” Ash demanded making Drew wince as they walked into the lobby.

“He was with Kenny. At least some of the time.” Barry mused before stopping. “You know Brendan too? As usual you really know your celebrities.”

“Not really.” Ash laughed. “Just meet interesting people.”

Paul stalked away to Nurse Joy with Bianca close behind and Drew followed them. He could feel irritation rise a bit more and he wanted none of it.

“Please take care of my Pokémon too Nurse Joy.” Bianca smiled. “They worked really hard.”

“My pleasure.” Nurse Joy smiled back.

“Mine too please.” Drew said offering up two of his poke balls. “It was a hard battle.”

“Hopefully we will have as much fun tomorrow.” Iris commented behind him.” Turning around Drew saw Bianca and Cilan in conversation and Paul missing.

“Just how so?” He asked her.

“Don’t worry about that. Our event is early in the day so you won’t have a thing to worry about. Then Ash has one more event but that is not what I was talking about.”

Drew smirked before flicking his hair back. “Why don’t you take a deep breath and tell me then?”

Iris shoved a pamphlet under his nose making him frown. It was advertising contests. “What about it?” He asked hesitantly.

“It’s talking about trying triple battles. Three Pokémon Drew. Isn’t this something you would like?” Iris sighed in exasperation.

Drew patted her on the head before talking the pamphlet away. “triple battles. Never heard of such a thing. Sounds rather nice though. It would involve a lot more thought and work. Never would see such a thing in the contest world.”

“That’s why I said read the thing.” Iris sighed. “They are testing out the success here. If it looks good. It might as well become a permanent fixture of the contest world. Aren’t you excited?”

Drew grinned. “Three Pokémon? Sky, ground and earth. Or sky earth and water. You could use so many combinations to show the true majesty of nature. Not that many people would be able to take this and turn this into something beautiful though.”

“Exactly.” Iris winked.

“In that case, I should see just where these are going to be held and think up some strategies. Who knows.” Drew mused. “This might be the thing that Zorua needs. She would certainly love to show off everything there.”

“OOOHH.” Iris squealed. “You would use Zorua in this?”

“Why not? She teamed up with Absol and Roserade would make dark, grass and illusion stand out perfectly. The crowd would not know what to do with themselves.”

Iris giggled before breaking off and looking back at the lobby. A short green haired girl had snagged Ash’s arm and talking to him and Barry was nowhere to be seen.

“What’s wrong?” He asked. He was sure that Cilan was where her interest lay but maybe he was wrong.

“That girl.” Iris said softly. “She met Ash when he was travelling with Dawn. The way he spoke of her already cleared how he feels. Misty is it but it seems that she has a bit of a....” Iris faltered off.

“flame for him?” Drew offered.

“Are you blind Drew?” Iris snapped nodding at the girl who was almost glued to his arm as they sat down in the lobby. “That is a bonfire. Something that could become troublesome.”

“I don’t think so.” Drew laughed as Pikachu jumped between them and Ash slid a bit of a distance away and engaged the girl in conversation.

“The guy is clueless but we have nothing to worry about. It’s Misty he is all about trust me on this.” Drew laughed. He felt Iris’s suspicion on his but he just waved her away as he headed to the cafeteria.

After what he had seen. He knew just where Ash’s interest lay. After a kiss like that. The desperate race to give her the perfect gifts. The almost clingy way he was with her.

His jealousy his franticness to get back to her. Not to mention how even he was having difficulty trying to figure out who Pikachu belonged to.

Ash had only one girl. And her hair was red and silky her frame tall, her demeanour ever changing with the strength of a gym leader of Elite measures and intelligence of the craftiest Elite he had ever run into.

The only girl capable of even handling Ash was waiting for them in the next town with a big heart bright smile and awesome strength.

Misty, no way Ash was dumb enough to let that slip away from him. not after the Georgio incident. Not after he fought so hard to tie her properly to him.

Musing down at his food Drew found himself silently laughing. Usually he was way too caught up to be involved in matters like these but he really liked Misty and was rooting for her.

Instead of concentrating on what he should be planning out next he was here laughing over just how things would end up when they Misty again.

Would those two end up kissing again? Just what was going to go on? It was more than enough to wipe away the thoughts of that Brendan and his friend Kenny. Somebody that was going to be trouble.

The next few days, no the next few weeks were going to be highly amusing and he did not know if he could keep an impartial face during it.