The beginning of a new road {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book II}

I Gallade's P.O.V

"We did a good job," Max told us back at the hotel, as we all gathered in his room. He was trying to be cheerful, but I could fee through out bond that he was very sad and frustrated. "Top 8 on our first try... not bad at all. We made it farther than Ash did on his first conference!" I looked down in shame as tears began flowing down my trainer's cheeks. "We... hic... did... hic..." I gathered him in my arms as he descended in a full out bawling. "I'm sorry! I should have been a better trainer!"

"No!" Banette screeched, being able to communicate with our trainer through the telepathic bond I've created between all of us. "It was my fault! I lost on the first Dark Pulse I faced!"

"You were facing a pseudo-legendary pokemon," Serperior sulked, coiled around herself in a corner. "I lost against a Ferrothorn of all pokemon!"

"Silence," I commanded, shutting everyone. "It was my fault. I was the one who was felled last. We lost after I fell."

"No! Gallede it was not your fault!" Max tried to comfort me in my arms.

"Stop all that whining!" Meganium snapped, making us all look at him surprised. He might be a Meganium like his mother, but his attitude is all his father's- cool and silence. He has never raised his voice or snapped at anyone, even with his love for battling and hunger to grow stronger. "You defeated an arceusdammit Hydreigon, you don't get to whine! You were tired!" He glared at all of us, standing tall and proud. "We made it this far and worked hard. We gave it all we had and we still lost... it's frustrating and I want to scream to the sky. But I am also proud. We faced strong opponents and defeated them. We were defeated this time, but we will try again next time and win!"

"Well said Meganium," Gigalith praised him. "We will train to become stronger, and win the next time!"

"We will!" Raichu cheered, levitating around the room energetically.

"What do you say partner?" I asked our trainer gently.

Max whiped his tears with the sleeve of his shirt and stood up. "Let's do this! Let's train and succeed!"

Behing Max's back, I looked at Meganium and shared a smile with him. I was grateful to my friend and teammate.

That night we all went to sleep, cuddling in Max's bed. The next day, we parted ways with the Maple family. Norman and Caroline were very proud of Max and were waiting for him once our journey through Unova finishes. My mother and sister were out of their Poke Balls and were enjoying embarrassing me in front of my teammates. I allowed it, because I, secretely, was enjoying their praises and teasing. The loss was still fresh and it stung. After parting ways with them, we headed back towards Nuvema Town, more specifically, Professor Juniper's Lab. On our way there we met with a terrified girl, named Natasha. She was petrified of crossing a bridge because she was afraid she had made it unsafe by tapping on it of all things! Though Max attempted to prove the bridge is safe by crossing first, he ultimately had to come back and bring her across with him.

"Being careful is fine, but sometimes you just have to go for it!" As Max offered some advice to the grateful Natasha, I noticed a thoughtful look on Ash's face.

I did not know what he was planning until we made it to Professor Juniper's Lab and met Natasha once again. The poor girl looked so awkward as she was trying to choose her starter pokemon. Her brain was clearly working overtime as she imagined the worst nightmarish scenarios possible. It was literaly giving me a headache! Evolving into a Gallade was the best option I could have chosen. Being a Ralts had been hard, feeling other's emotions took a toll on you. I don't know how my sister and mother do it. The only bond I kept was the one with my trainer and that was enough for me!