Going forward and beyond {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book I}

II Pikachu's P.O.V

"Nice to meet you!" Dawn called out happily. "My name is Dawn, and this is Ash!"

"Hi," Ash finally recovered his speech, it made me chuckle. I paid no mind to his glare and continued laughing at my silly trainer. "These are my friends Honedge, Jolteon, and this annoying little rat is Pikachu," he kneeled to ruffle the fur on my head.

"Rat?!" I squeaked astonished. "I am no rat! I am a mouse!" I growled, playfully shocking him slightly.

"It's nice to meet you," Jolteon greeted them, excitedly to meet new people and pokemon.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," the ever polite Honedge said.

"Nice to meet you all," Nando said with content and comforting smile. "If it is no trouble may I ask for a battle?" He said, directing his gaze towards my trainer.

"A battle? We are always up for one of those!" I exclaimed, excitedly for a battle.

It's been a while since I fought someone outside our family. While many of my brothers and sisters had various mock battles with Gary's team, I simply stayed clear from them. Umbreon's betrayal is still fresh in my memory.

"Sorry buddy, but you won't be fighting this time around." Ash apologized, ruffling my head one more time as I whined. "Look closer, that Budew is close to evolving. That's why you want this battle right? To help her evolve into a Roselia." Ash asked him, Nando looked surprised for a moment before smiling again and nodding his head calmly. "It wouldn't be fair to pit you against her and would rob her of the chance to gain that little push she needs."

"Ok," I sighed. "I understand. But the next time I'll fight!"

"I promise, buddy," Ash replied with a smile, before standing back up. "I would love a fight! I recently caught a pokemon who I would give some experience. However, why don't we move away, we might hurt someone by accident fighting here."

"What a marvelous idea," Nando said, following us into the forest.

"One on one?" Ash asked, just to be sure. When Nando nodded, Ash beamed and threw a Poke Ball. "Starly, I choose you!"

"Budew, if you may," Nando said.

"My pleasure," Budew bowed, taking her place on the makeshift battlefield.

"Starly, Quick Attack!" My trainer called out.

"Dodge my friend." Nando countered, dodging at last moment and when Starly had his back on Budew he called: "Now Bullet Seed."

"Double Team to dodge." Ash rapidly ordered, Starly was too close to dodge normally. The Bullet Seed took out four of the seven clones. "Surround her! Follow up with Gust."

Soon Budew was caught by a small Twister formed by the three Starly around her.

"Counter with Mega Drain my friend," Nando called out when Budew was finally released from the handmade twister.

"Starly, Wing Attack."

A direct hit!

"Ash won this!" Dawn cheered beside me.

"Not yet." I chuckled, seeing the familiar glow appear around our opponent. "If you want your pokemon to evolve, get them to Ash. He'll always do the trick".

"Amazing my friend! Now Solar Beam, Roselia!" Nando ordered, his smile did not change but I could see his eyes glinting with excitement when his pokemon evolved.

"Fast! Aerial Ace!" Ash called out, with Sunny Day in the action of course he would be wary of the attack's speed.

Luckily Aerial Ace did the job to dodge the Solar Beam and deal the last blow. Honestly, only two days with Starly and he already learned Aerial Ace. With so many Flying Types Ash has truly learned how to train them fantastically. Still, Starly needs to up the speed and strength of the attack.

"That was a wonderful battle," Nando said, recalling his Roselia. "Thank you, Ash."

"Thank you, Nando, we had a lot of fun." Ash chuckled, nuzzling Starly, who landed on his shoulder. "What about you my friend? Did you have fun?"

"I did it!" Starly chippered, happily.

"Of course, you did! And you won. Well, done!" Ash congratulated the newest member.

"Thank you!" Starly replied, as excited as Ash for having won the very first battle he's been on.

"Would you like to travel with us to the city?" Dawn asked our new friend.

"I would love to, thank you," Nando answered, smiling at both of them.

Though Ash was the only one who blushed. He has always been a fool for pretty princelike faces. I laughed at my trainer, especially after he stuttered a piece of advice to Nando about following his heart and doing both Contests and Gym Battles.

This journey will be fun, I thought amusedly as my trainer continued to blush and Nando checks Ash out. Too much fun.