Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 93: Beautiful Resolve

The road after Lake Acuity brought us toward the village where we had met Aaron before.

Cynthia had sent the message while we were preparing to follow Barry's noisy clue toward Snowpoint City. The note was short, polite, and very Cynthia. If we wanted our path toward her to begin properly, Aaron would meet us first.

That meant Barry's ship would have to wait for a little while. None of us liked ignoring a message from Barry, because his emergencies were usually either real or loud enough to become real, but the Elite Four challenge was not something we could treat like a side trip.

Lillie had read Cynthia's note three times before folding it away. I had understood why. Winning the League had been one kind of proof. Facing the Elite Four was another kind, and this time there would be no stadium bracket guiding every step for us.

Snowpoint's cold air still clung to our coats when we left the lake behind, but the village itself felt warmer because of the people moving between small houses, berry gardens, and open practice fields. It was not the formal Pokémon League building, but that made Aaron's challenge feel more personal.

Dawn looked around with a smile. "This is where we helped Aaron and Beautifly before."

Lillie nodded, holding her scarf close against the wind. "It feels different coming here as League winners."

I looked down at Pikachu, who walked beside me instead of riding on my shoulder.

Pikachu's meaning came with a small spark of excitement. "The next road is not softer just because we won."

"That is what makes it exciting," I said.

Gladion crossed his arms. "That is one word for challenging the Elite Four."

Tox gave him a calm glance. "Stressful is another accurate word."

Daniel looked toward the nearby field. "Both can be true."

Aaron was waiting near a training yard bordered by flowers and carefully trimmed bushes. Several Bug-type Pokémon moved around him, and his Beautifly rested on his shoulder like it remembered us.

Aaron waved when he saw us. "Ash! Lillie! I heard from Cynthia. Congratulations on winning the League."

"Thank you," Lillie said, bowing politely.

Aaron grinned and scratched the back of his head. "I have to admit, I was surprised when Cynthia said there were two winners. That does not happen very often."

"It surprised us too," I said. "But we are going to battle Cynthia eventually, and you are our first stop."

Aaron's smile sharpened into the look of an Elite Four member.

"Then I should explain myself properly," Aaron said. "I am a huge fan of Bug Pokémon. Bug Pokémon are nasty-mean, and yet they are beautiful too. Would you like to know why I take on challengers here?"

Barry's voice was not here, but I could almost hear him shouting that we had better start already.

Aaron spread both arms as his Bug-types stirred around him. "It is because I want to become perfect, just like my Bug Pokémon. All right! Let me take you on!"

Lillie stepped beside me. "Ash should go first. I will battle after him."

Aaron nodded. "Two League winners means two battles. I hope you both make my partners shine."

The field was cleared quickly. Dawn, Gladion, Tox, and Daniel moved to the side with Lillie while Pikachu climbed onto the railing to watch.

I took my place across from Aaron and held my first Poké Ball.