Sorry for the wait. When I'm writing this it hasn't even been 12 hours since last chapter came out and this story is already at 1k reads. Holy shit. You guy are insane. Stay tuned. This chapter is where the plot is going to pick up. The last two previous chapters were just to Introduce new characters. The idea of this chapter was because of the people who have been begging me for Pearlshipping. Your wait is over.
With Ash and Max:
Ash sat on the ground in a stadium waiting for his battle to start, retying his shoelaces. Black Combat boots that hugged his legs tightly. He was versing Max. Ash remembered what Max had said to him last night, "this can be the battle we promised each other all the way back in Hoenn," Max said, "yea," Ash replied, "back in the day." That's where we find Ash with Max eying him from the other side of the battlefield. Max was suddenly startled by a voice playing on the loudspeakers, "hello hello people. Ladies and Gentlemen. Boys and girls. We are now entering our blitz stage of the tournament. Basically what this means is a faster way for everyone in this tournament to verse each other. The Blitz rounds will go on for 4 more days including today which leaves the finals to be held on the last two days of this tournament. Let me remind you if you've forgotten. The top 256 competitors will go and compete in the finals from there it is a standard league knockout tournament. Now get on with the battles," Mr. Goodshow yelled into his microphone. "This battle is between Red of Pallet Town, Kanto and Max of Petalburg City, Hoenn. Trainers please send out your first Pokémon," the ref announced. "Sceptile, stand by," Ash yelled throwing a Pokeball into the air. "Scep sceptile," the Pokémon cried. "Peliper, I choose you," Max yelled, "pel peliper," Peliper cried. Ash inwardly cringed at his old saying. "Battle begin," the ref yelled. "Peliper use Ice Beam," Max yelled. "Sceptile use Leaf Blade," Ash yelled. Peliper was managing to use Ice Beam on where Sceptile was and never actually hit it. "Wing Attack," Max yelled as Sceptile jumped up to attack. Peliper never got the chance. Sceptile had already attacked and landed before it could react. "Peliper is unable to battle, the winner is Sceptile. Will Trainer Max please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. "Let's go, Camerupt," Max yelled. "Use Flamethrower," Max yelled, "Dragon Claw," Ash yelled. Sceptile stood still and let Flamethrower come to it. At the last second it put its claws out to block the attack. Sceptile looked unfazed. "Now use Night Slash," Ash yelled, "Camerupt quick use Flamethrower," Max cried. Sceptile cut through the Flamethrower like a hot knife through butter. "Camerupt is unable to battle the winner is Sceptile, will Trainer Max please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. "Go Slaking," Max yelled. "Sceptile use Dragon Claw," Ash yelled, "Slaking use Fire Punch," Max yelled back. Sceptile didn't seem like it was trying very hard while Slaking was putting everything it had into the attack. Sceptile pulled back, studying the giant sloth. "Use Slack Off," Max yelled. "Slaaa," Slaking yawned as it healed its lost health. "Use Night Slash," Ash yelled. "Sceptileeee," Sceptile cried as it slammed Night Slash into the ground where Slaking was. "Shaking, hold on just a little longer," Max said. "What are you up to," Ash whispered to himself. "Leaf Blade," Ash yelled. Max waited. Waited for Sceptile to get closer. Until it was just about to strike Slaking. "Now use Counter." Max yelled, "Protect," Ash managed to yell back. Sceptile managed to protect itself from most of the damage but it was send back from the impact. "Slaking use Slack Off," Max yelled, "Sceptile, Dragon Claw," Ash yelled, "Slaking use Giga Impact," Max yelled back. "Sceptileee/Slakingggg," both Pokémon cried as they met in the middle. It wasn't long before Sceptile managed to overpower Slaking and Slaking was on the ground with Sceptile staring at Max, menacingly. "Slaking is unable to battle, the winner is Sceptile," the ref announced, "will Trainer Max please send out their next Pokémon." "Manetric, let's go," Max yelled. "Sceptile use Leaf Blade," Ash yelled, "Manetric use Ice Fang," Max yelled. Manetric bit down on Sceptile's claw preventing Leaf Blade from hitting it. "Get away Manetric," Max yelled. Sceptile held up its hand which had been frozen. "Sceptileeee," Sceptile growled angrily before shaking the ice off its hand. "Manetric keep your distance, use Flamethrower," Max yelled. "Sceptile close the distance," Ash yelled. Sceptile would get to Manetric but it seemed to slip away at the last second. "Manetric now use Wild Charge," Max yelled when Manetric was behind Sceptile. "Manetriccc," Manetric cried. Sceptile turned around and swung its arm knocking Manetric into the ground. "Now use Night Slash," Ash yelled. "Sceptileeee," Sceptile cried before attacking Manetric. Smoke moved to poop cover the battlefield, obscuring everyone's view. When the ref could finally see the result he began to speak, "Manetric is unable to battle, the winner is Sceptile. Will Trainer Max please send out their next Pokémon." "Go Sceptile," Max yelled. "Use X-Scissor," Max yelled, "use Night Slash," Ash yelled. "Use Dragon Pulse," Max yelled, "Protect," Ash said. "Leaf Blade," they both yelled. "Sceptileee," both of the Sceptile's cried. "X-Scissor," Max yelled. Ash waited. Max's Sceptile ran, ran at his. Waiting for it to make a move. "Grab it," Ash yelled, "toss it." "Sceppptiiiileeeee," Ash's Sceptile cried as it tossed Max's Sceptile into the air. "Use Dragon Claw," Ash yelled. Ash's Sceptile jumped for Max's Sceptile knocking it further into the air. Ash waited for Max's Sceptile to descend before he called out a command, "Sceptile use Night Slash." "Sceptile use X-Scissor," Max yelled. Ash's Sceptile did a flip under Max's Sceptile avoiding the attack before diving after Max's Sceptile. "Goooo," Both trainers yelled. "Sceptileeeee," both Sceptile cried as the struck each other with their attacks. Smoke and dust appeared where both Sceptiles hit the ground. When the dust cleared Max's Sceptile was on the floor with swirls in its eyes while Ash's Sceptile stood looming over it with its stick in its mouth, arms crossed. "Max's Sceptile is unable to battle, the winner is Ash's Sceptile. Will Trainer Max please send out their last Pokémon," the ref announced. "I choose you, Gallade," Max yelled. "Galladeeee," Gallade cried as it exited its Pokeball. That's when Ash noticed something on Gallade. A Mega Stone lay on the end of its blade. Ash looked at Max who was now holding something in his hand. A key stone. That he must've pulled out of his pocket. "Listen to me," Max said speaking to the key stone, "respond to me. Respond to Gallade. Feel our bond. Mega Evolve." "Galladeeee," Gallade cried as it began to change. When the transformation finished a rainbow symbol appeared in front of Gallade before disappearing a few seconds later. "Gallade use Close Combat," Max yelled. "Sceptile dodge," Ash yelled. Sceptile barely managed to avoid the attacks before Ash yelled out another command, "use Leaf Blade." "Psycho Cut," Max yelled, "use Poison Jab." "Night Slash," Ash yelled. "Psycho Cut," Max yelled. "Protect," Ash yelled. "Sceptile create distance between you and Gallade." 'Gallade is very tired,' Ash observed, 'it went for a swift counter attack and it failed. Now this battle is over.' "Sceptile use Leaf Blade," Ash yelled, "Gallade use Zen Headbutt," Max yelled. "Sceptileee/Galladeeee," both Pokémon cried as their attacks clashed. "Sceptile other hand use Night Slash," Ash yelled. Max could only watch shocked as Sceptile materialised and dematerialised Night Slash in less than a second. Gallade fell to its knees before hitting the ground reverting to its normal state. "Gallade is unable to battle, the winner is Sceptile so the match goes to Red of Pallet Town," the ref announced.
In the Stands with May and Dawn:
May was fuming. Ash had just humiliated her little brother in front of thousands no probably millions of people to see. If course she was ashamed of herself for betraying Ash but they knew each other. Couldn't Ash of been a bit nicer. "Hey. Hey," Dawn said, "they're trying to find the best. And you and I both know it's not Max. Besides, Ash isn't even winning." "I guess so," May grumbled. The two girls walked out of the stadium looking for two people. As luck would have it the two people they were looking for just happened to be together with two more people. A trainer with black hair as well but not as dark as Ash's and a trainer with purple hair and a navy blue jacket. Then of course there was Max and Ash. "Hey," Dawn said. Jimmy looked at her for a split second before nudging Ash. Ash turned around. "Hi," he said with a shy wave, that's when Dawn noticed that his cheeks were tinted a light pink. "Hey," Dawn said again awkwardly feeling herself start to blush as well. Paul was smirking and Jimmy was holding back laughter. Meanwhile May was just smiling and Max just looked confused. "Would you uuuh, like to g-go o-out on a d-date with me l-later today," Dawn stuttered, "I uuuh w-would love t-to," Ash also stuttered, "7pm," Dawn asked, "that's great, I'll uuuh s-see you there," Ash replied before walking off with Jimmy and Paul. Dawn looked at them as they walked off, Jimmy and Paul were slapping him on the back in congratulation as a joke before Ash pushed Jimmy away and punched Paul in the arm before they started laughing and walked out of sight. Dawn turned around to face May and Max, "I'm gonna go get prepared for my next battle," Max said before running off seeing the tension between Dawn and May. May smiled slightly before speaking, "did you seriously just ask out Ash Ketchum?"
With Emily, Hudson and Joel:
"Giovanni sir," Joel spoke into his phone, "we've arrived in Lumiose City, what do you want us to do." "Stay hidden and undercover, wait until the plan is underway," Giovanni replied, "keep tabs on some people." "Who," Joel asked, "Ash. Jimmy and Paul. They're the only people I really have to worry about currently. Because they are the only ones that have some comprehension of the plan," Giovanni replied, "sir if I might ask, why Ash. Did he not already prove his allegiance," Joel asked. "I'm just being safe. Keep an eye on Ash. That's an order. Tell Emily and Hudson that," Giovanni said before hanging up the phone. Joel sighed before briefing Emily and Hudson.
With Ash:
"Tangrowth is unable to battle, the winner is Venusaur so the match goes to Red of Pallet Town," the ref announced. "And there it is," Mr. Goodshow yelled into the microphone, "that concludes all of the battles for today and none of the top 8 have dropped out of it. With Red, Paul, White, Silver and Jimmy all battling just then. It is still anyone's guess who will come out on top of this tournament." Ash rolled his eyes at the over enthusiastic tournament commentator. Ash didn't have much time to think of it because when he checked the time it was 6:30 and he and Dawn were meeting up at 7. Ash rushed back to his apartment not noticing the trio of people who were watching him.
30 Minutes Later
Ash arrived at Lumiose Café by himself. Jimmy and Paul had teased him mercilessly all day. It had made him think about Team Rocket. He, Jimmy and Paul were close again. They were talking. They were friends. Maybe Giovanni had been mistaken. Maybe they were putting up an act as well. Or maybe they weren't. He had joined steam Rocket because he had no one but now he had people again. He had his family back. His mother. His aunts. His uncles. His friends. Dawn. Maybe it was wrong what he was doing. But it was too late for redemption. Or was it. That's when Ash noticed someone looking at him. He couldn't see their eyes but he could tell they were looking at him. They got up and he saw their light brown hair wave as she moved. She was wearing dark blue denim jeans and a dark blue jacket. With a black cap. He noticed the woman's olive eyes. She was walking away from him and Ash got up to follow. "Is that..." Ash was taken from his trail of thoughts by a certain voice. "Hey. Where are you going," it was Dawn. "I just..." Ash stopped talking when he looked over and saw that he could no longer see who he thought was there. Emily. "It uuuh doesn't matter," Ash said, "let's just go get a table." Ash and Dawn walked into the restaurant they were at and asked for a table. A waiter guided them to where they would eat. Dawn was reading the menu looking at what she should order but Ash was zoned out. He was sure that it was Emily he had seen, 'but what was she doing here,' Ash thought, 'and she left as soon as I saw her...' Ash was brought from his trail of thought by a small, soft hand gripping his own. When he looked up Dawn was smiling softly in his direction. "Hey, she began, "you know you can tell me anything." "Mmhhh." Ash replied. "So what's on your mind Ketchum," Dawn said pointing to him. Ash was silent not daring to look Dawn in the eyes. Dawn tilted her head a bit as if to say, 'are we really doing this?' Ash relented. "It's just... just before I thought I saw an errr old friend of mine," Ash told her, "ohhh," Dawn said, her head dropping a bit. "No, no, no. It's not like that I swear we were just work friends. That's it," Ash fumbled over his words. He smiled awkwardly. "I'm glad we're doing this. I wouldn't have it any other way," Ash said. Dawn smiled, "a bit cheesy don't you think? Maybe just a little bit," Ash laughed.
2 Hours Later:
Ash found himself walking to Dawn's apartment with her hand in hand. Ash didn't dare to say anything to not make things awkward between them. Meanwhile he enjoyed the comfortable silence between them. They reached the apartment building that Dawn was staying at, Ash held the door open for her. Being a gentlemen. His mother, or Blue. Ash sighed. God this was confusing. Well he had been taught to always be a gentleman. So he followed her up in the elevator and to her hotel door. "Hey," Dawn said, "thanks for tonight. I really enjoyed it." Dawn pulled out her key card to open her hotel door. "S-same. I really enjoyed it as well." Ash stuttered. Dawn smiled before giving him a peck on the lips before walking into her hotel and saying, "see you tomorrow." With a sideways smile.
Celadon Game Corner, Celadon City
With Giovanni and Victoria:
"Yes. I hear you," Giovanni spoke into his phone, "he went on a date?" Giovanni asked into the phone confused. "Did you see who with," Giovanni asked. "Blue hair. Pink and White beanie. Pink dress," Giovanni repeated. "Thank you for the report Emily," Giovanni said before hanging up. "Victoria," Giovanni yelled. "Yes," a feminine voice replied from another room, Giovanni replied to this voice,"can you get in touch with our client from 4 years ago. It looks like they have to do their job again."
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