Return of the defeated (on hold)

/Part 15/

"Likewise, and this is May my girlfriend." was Ash's reply.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." A.J. said shaking May's hand as well.

"Nice to meet you too. This is quite the training area you have." May said as she looked around at all the equipment and different terrain that everyone was using.

"Thank you." He said with a smile. "Why don't you guys come in and we can catch up some."

They followed him into the main building, where he showed them into his office offering them some chairs to relax in. Once everyone was settled and A.J. had offered drinks to everyone and the pokemon that were out, he sat behind the desk. Ash was impressed at how much A.J. had changed from when they first met, but then again so had he.

A.J. told them that after beating Ash he went and tired his hand at beating the Kanto gyms but only managed to win 6 badges. He came back and got another hundred wins before going to Hoenn. He made the league but only to the second round. He returned once again but didn't have the drive to earn the wins again. One day a group of new trainers showed up wanting to know if they could train in his gym for awhile. He helped them train for a few days and he realized that that's what he wanted to do. He wanted to be a training coach and help newer trainers get stronger to got out on their own with more confidence.

"That's how the new gym came to be." A.J. finished.

"That's impressive A.J., and your gym is top notch." Ash complemented.

"Well I appreciate it Ash, this place is my pride and joy right behind my pokemon." He replied reaching down stroking Sandslash's head.

They talked a little longer trading training ideas and A.J. offered Ash a few ideas to help with his Sandshrew. They bid A.J. farewell wanting to get back on the road to make May's contest on time. They traveled a couple more days continuing with their daily workouts including a few ideas from A.J.. The second day after leaving the training gym, they became surrounded by thick fog Ash and Pikachu immediately knew where they were.

"This fog is so thick, I feel like we're going to get all turned around in it." May said with a slightly worried tone.

"Nothing to worry about May, Pi and me know exactly where we are. Right bud?" Ash said gently squeezing her hand while scratching Pikachu's chin with with the other.

"Chaaa." Was the electric mouse's happy reply.

Ash guided May, Glaceon, Meowth, and Lucario through the fog with Pikachu happily perched on his shoulder. They eventually came to a small clearing where May could see what looked like to her a school house. As they came towards the front she saw a sign that read 'Pokemon Technical Institute.'

"What is this place Ash?"

"Its a school that offers trainers experience and an opportunity to enter the pokemon league upon completion without battling the gym in Kanto. It's not exactly my taste of getting into the league but some of the trainers that come from here are quite strong opponents." He explained while the walked through the court yard.

They came into a grassy area where a group of children sat around listening to two instructors on the importance of instinct in battling.

"I've said this many times before and I will continue to say it, but type advantage does not always dictate the end result of a battle. Both Joe and I speak from mmultiple experiences."

"That's right Gisele, although the most profound one to me was losing with my Weepinbell to Misty's Starmie. I had beaten her many times in simulation but the real thing is quite different." Joe explained.