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

VIII Max's P.O.V

As I observed the unfolding events in Laverre City, a mix of emotions churned within me. I couldn't help but notice the somber mood that hung over Ash, Pikachu, Riley, and Gary. It was evident that something was amiss, something weighing heavily on their hearts. It troubled me to see my friends carrying such burdens, and yet, I felt a sense of helplessness as the adults of our group kept their secrets closely guarded.

Meanwhile, the city buzzed with excitement as Serena shared the news about Gym Leader Valerie, who was not only renowned for her battling skills but also for her talents as a fashion designer. The unfortunate timing meant that the Gym was closed for a fashion show, leaving aspiring challengers like me and Sawyer, my new rival and friend, disappointed. It was disheartening to realize that there would be no battles to be found in the immediate future.

Sawyer, on the other hand, seemed to be in awe of Ash, idolizing him as the "Saint" and the future Champion of the Orange Archipelago. His enthusiastic fanboying filled the air with a mix of admiration and amusement. I understood that Ash's incredible journey and unwavering spirit had touched the hearts of many, including Sawyer.

As Serena and Bonnie got recruited to join the fashion show as substitute models, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between their excitement and the reserved demeanor of the others. It was as if they were trying to shield us, the younger ones, from the weight of their worries and the secrets they held. But I still tried to be happy for them. An excitement I did not need to fake when the realization that Valerie would choose a challenger from the audience at the end of the fashion show was revealed.

I was disappointed when it was Sawyer the one chosen, but I still cheered for my new rival as it was his turn to step into the spotlight. It's not like the fashion show was useless to me, I got to see Bonnie dressed in a kimono! She looked so cute! So, I watched as his Bagon faced off against Valerie's Spritzee, with a smile on my face. Though deep down I knew that the outcome was inevitable. The power gap between their pokemon was vast, not to mention the type disadvantage, but Sawyer's appreciation for the experience shone through. He eagerly took notes, determined to learn from this encounter and improve for future battles.

In the midst of the fanfare and excitement, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something deeper, something significant happening behind the scenes. It left me with a sense of unease, a desire to understand the reasons behind the concealed worries and the heavy atmosphere that enveloped our group. But for now, all I could do was observe, support my friends in their endeavors, and trust that the truth would eventually come to light.

I went to sleep that night with a heavy heart, but woke up with a smile on my face. Today I was going to have my gym battle, not only that! I was meeting with Sawyer!

As we sat down to have breakfast and patiently awaited the opening of the gym, Sawyer and I struck up a conversation. It didn't take long for us to find common ground and become fast friends. The topic of our dreams naturally emerged, and we both shared our aspirations of winning the Lumiose Conference. Sawyer's admiration caught me off guard, as he mentioned having seen me compete in the Vertress Conference. His words were sincere, and he expressed his admiration for both me and my Gallade. I felt a mix of surprise and warmth fill my chest, a feeling I wasn't accustomed to experiencing. It was usually Ash who received the lion's share of admiration and attention.

"Wow, thanks, Sawyer!" I beamed. "I didn't expect you to know about my battles in the Vertress Conference. It means a lot to hear that you admire my Gallade and me. Ash usually gets all the attention, so it's a bit strange, but I'm really grateful."

Gallade nodded in agreement, seemingly appreciating the admiration from Treecko, who looked up to him with awe in his eyes. "Treecko, Tree!" The Grass-type exclaimed towards my partner, who blushed. I snickered when Gallade translated to me what Treecko meant, and I could only agree with the Grass-type. Gallade is amazing!