Return of the defeated (on hold)

/Part 8/

Forest shook his head and clearing the shocked look from his face, "Steelix is unable to battle. Gym Leader Brock is out of usable pokemon which means the challenger is the winner."

"We did it!" Ash shouted as he and Pikachu ran onto the field giving Greninja a hug. " You were so awesome buddy, I'm so proud of you."

"Ash that was a truly wonderful battle and one I will never forget." Brock said with a smile, he held out his hand "Ash take this Boulder Badge as proof that you have defeated the Pewter City Gym."

Ash took the grey octagon shaped badge from his friend "Alright we won the Boulder Badge." he exclaimed with his trade mark pose with Pikachu on his shoulder and Greninja making the same pose. Making his friends and Lucario laugh and sweat drop at his actions. He might have been gone for five years but he's still the same Ash. After Ash received his badge from Brock, the group made their way to the Pokemon Center to heal their pokemon after the intense battle.

"So Brock how did you get a Rhyperior?" Ash asked his long time friend.

"About two years ago I was doing field work to finish part of school and we were down on the boarders of the Safari Zone. I heard some noises coming from the brush a little ways away and I found a badly injured Ryhorn. It looked like he'd been caught in a trap at some point but broke free." Brock explained. "I spent a few hours treating all of his injuries, when I was done and went to leave he nudged me trying to get my attention. I asked if he needed something else and he nodded towards my poke balls. I asked if he wanted to come with me and he nodded so I captured him. He evolved a year later then again about 8 months later."

"That's an awesome story man, I'm glad you could find him and help him." Ash told him.

"Yeah Brock that is so cool and he's such a powerful pokemon. You've done an amazing job training him." May added.

"You're pokemon are healed and doing just fine." the pink haired nurse called out to the two trainers.

"Thank you Nurse Joy." They said in unison. As they were taking their pokemon back a poster caught Ash's eye.

"Hey May looks like your first contest is in two days." Ash said as he and Brock walked to the brunette coordinator.

"That's good to know so I can finish preparing my appeals. I'm going to go to the practice fields to work on them with my pokemon." she said with a smile.

"Ok May I'm going to talk with my pokemon before I send them back then I'll come help you train." Ash said as the three of them walked out the doors.

While May was with her pokemon Brock took a moment to talk to Ash about their conversation they had back at the lab. "Ash have you had a chance to think about what we talked about?"

"Yes I have, every time I meditate I think about. So far I haven't figured it out, I know I enjoy the feeling even though it scares me a little. I also know that I care very deeply about May, but I don't know how to explain it to her or even myself." he explained to his old friend.

"That's good Ash you've made a lot of progress. Don't get too frustrated with this, it's something new to you, like I said you've only ever thought of food, pokemon and battles. Don't rush things just let them happen naturally." he said to Ash.

"Thank you for your help Brock, I know I can always count on you." Ash said as they stood watching May with her pokemon. Ash was in slight trance watching the she moved, how her hair rippled and seeing her sapphire eyes full of excitement.

Brock seeing this chuckled at his friend and with a slight elbow nudge causing Ash to jump a little making Pikachu laugh and Lucario smirk. "Well Ash I'll let you get to work with your pokemon and helping May. I'll see you at the contest, Lucy should be home shortly and I'm going to cook us a nice dinner."

"Ok Brock have a good night and tell Lucy we said Hi." as they shook hands.

"Bye May!" Brock waved as he left. "I'll be there to watch your contest."

"Ok Brock have a good night." she said back.

After Brock left Ash called out all his pokemon. "Ok guys first I want to say that you were are amazing today and I am so proud of you all. I'm going to send you back to the lab so you can have good rest and do some training with the others. You all looked great so the only thing I want you work on for sure is stamina and over all fitness. Crawdaunt I'm sorry you didn't get to battle this time but I promise you'll get your turn." Ash turned to Lucario and Pikachu, "Will to two go and help May, please?" All the other pokemon nodded in understanding. "May I'll be right back I'm going to go and swap my team around real quick."

"Ok Ash." May said flashing him a smile making his heart flutter.

Ash called the lab and sent back Feraligator, Kingler, Swampert, Gyarados, Crawdaunt and Greninja. In return he got his Dratini, Combusken, Sceptile, Noctowl, Espeon, and Growlithe. He went back to the practice fields and watched May work with a smile on his face. He then released all his pokemon and had them begin training exercises, once he felt like they were doing well he went to May. They spent the rest of the afternoon working together trianing side by side. As the sun began to go down they called training to an end and fed all their pokemon and handed to Nurse Joy so they could get a check up. Once they were given a clean bill of health the ate dinner at the Pokemon Center cafeteria, and retired to their room for the night.

My next chapter is a little tough for me, I've never thought a whole lot about contests or appeals. So just bear with me once I post it.

Ash's pokemon: Pikachu, Lucario, Dratini, Combusken, Sceptile, Noctowl, Espeon, and Growlithe.

May's pokemon: Blaziken, Froslass, Swanna, Glaceon, Wartortle, Ninetales, Altaria, and Minncino

Songs called: 

Dying

No life 

Drip like me