Pokemon: An Unexpected Journey

Chapter no.133 A Challenge

"Just remembered something," Austin replied

Steven and the others didn't pry into it.

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Austin sat outside as the high let out a sigh.

Talking with Lorelei and Steven was exhausting.

He had to stop himself from fanboying over them as they gave a lot of really helpful advice for Pokemon training.

Hearing someone sit near him, Austin glanced to the side to be surprised as Gary was watching the party. "Hey Ashy-Boy," Gary greeted, not looking at him. "Man I thought this week would never end."

"You got bored at the party," Austin asked with Gary nodding.

"Don't get me wrong it's great and all but I like traveling more," Gary said, glancing at Austin. "Something I think we can agree on."

Austin gave a nod.

A silence descended between both Gary and Austin as they looked at mingling trainers, just enjoying the peace. It didn't last long however as Gary sighed.

"Hey, I've been meaning to talk to you, Ash." Gary began surprising Austin as he didn't say the insulting nickname.

"Is something wrong?" Austin asked with Gary eyeing him cautiously no doubt seeing the change in posture.

Shaking his head, Gary continued what he was going to say. "It's just you've been acting kind of weird ever since we started our journey." He said making Austin a little nervous.

"I have?" Austin asked and Gary chuckled feeling some relief.

That right there sounded like the Ash he knew, maybe he was overthinking it a bit?

"You know what, never mind Ashy-Boy," Gary said with a cocky smirk directed at Austin. "Just know that next time we battle you better be ready to lose."

Austin just grinned. "We'll see Gary."

Just like that things seemed back to normal for Gary.

Hearing the ship's intercom go off, both Austin and Gary went quiet as the Captain of the Ship walked up to be seen from his quarters on the top floor on a balcony, a microphone in his hand. "Hello this is your Captain speaking and I am pleased to let you know that the final hours of this deluxe cruise are almost up, we'll be hitting landfall in Celadon City around nine tomorrow morning so it would be best if you do one last sweep of your belongings to ensure you don't leave anything on the ship," He said to the countless trainers listening to him.

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Meanwhile on the deck.

"Seriously, I don't understand the need of this-" Cynthia tried, but Harrison would not, it seemed, accept a no from her.

With Ash deserting her for some fresh air outside, and Lorelei and Steven having to attend to the other invitees who had bombarded her with questions regarding the League, Cynthia had retreated to Misty and the others, her rings active and in full effect.

That was when Harrison had asked her for a favor. A rather… odd favor.

"The entire population is inside the Banquet hall. After your... grand introduction, there's no chance that I'd ever get a chance to hold a private battle against someone like you. Please, please, accept my challenge?" Harrison pleaded once again, as the two stood on the empty deck.

"Uh… okay," Cynthia muttered, feeling slightly embarrassed at the way Harrison was pleading with her. "One match, is that enough?"

"Very." Harrison smiled. "The platform over there then?"

Cynthia shrugged. "It is your challenge."

Harrison nodded as the two walked towards the elevated platform that had served as the battleground for the finals, earlier in the morning. Standing on the blue platform, he glanced at the Sinnoh Champion who stood on the red one. "This is an unofficial challenge against the Sinnoh Champion for a one-on-one battle."

Cynthia's lips twisted in amusement, as she released her pokémon. "Go, Garchomp!"

The bipedal shark-like pokémon that materialized in front of them had a mix of red and blue colorations all over, with two horn-like appendages and a star-like yellow mark on its snout. Its arms had one claw each, and triangular fins emerged from its elbows and back.

"The nigh legendary Garchomp!" Harrison whispered. He had heard about the new Sinnoh Champion and her undefeatable Garchomp, though had never even considered that Shirona would be the Cynthia Shirona.

"Go, Arcanine!" He chose his pokémon. "Let the battle begin!"