Man in the Mirror

Chapter 17: I'll Be There

May's scream startled awoke Pikachu. The mouse sighed. He was having such a peaceful nap. When he noticed the TV was on, he saw what had May in a commotion. "Pika," Pikachu looked at the screen and then at May.

"What's wrong, May?" Ash ran downstairs.

"You're on TV!" May pointed at the screen.

Ash saw the battle between him and Paul. He was surprised they still had reruns of that tournament. "Yeah, I guess I am," Ash gave her a modest grin.

May crossed her arms, "You never thought to tell me you are a top competitor in the Pokémon League?"

"I didn't think it was important," Ash chuckled. May's leer pierced into him.

"It's a big deal, Ash! I know Pokémon battles differ from contests, but the competition is just as intense," May looked back at the TV. She was impressed by Ash's skill in the match. "You know what this means, right?" May turned her hand into a fist. Her sapphire eyes remained fixed on the screen.

"What?" Ash asked with a clueless expression. Pikachu eyed the spark in her eyes.

May's stare returned to Ash. "We're going to have a battle after dinner," She boasted a confident grin.

"I thought it was getting too dark to do anything," Ash lifted an eyebrow and crossed his arms. He poked fun at her earlier comment.

The girl lost her poise and hung her shoulders. She regretted the remark she made outside. "Aw, Ash," May was eager to test his strength.

Ash placed his hands on his waist. "I'm just teasing you. I can never turn down a battle," he was just as eager to measure his abilities against May. He also never battled a coordinator who was almost as strong as a Contest Master.

"Let's get this started," May said as she ran to the other side of the battlefield.

"I'm ready," Ash ran toward his position.

"We're going to make this a one-on-one battle with no time limit. The first one to have their Pokémon faint loses." May established the rules.

"Sounds good to me," Ash stated as he grabbed a Pokéball. Pikachu stood beside him, wondering how they would put up against May.

May swung her arm back. "Wartortle, take the stage!" The brunette launched her ball.

"Wartortle!" a turtle-like Pokémon came out of the Pokéball.

"Wartortle," Ash recognized their former traveling companion. The trainer and Pikachu decided not to say anything to avoid interrupting the battle. They could address their reunion afterward.

"Tortle," Wartortle looked stunned when he saw Ash and Pikachu.

"Focus, Wartortle!" May ordered. She noticed he seemed a bit distracted but disregarded it. Wartortle nodded. He'd save the courtesies for later as well.

Ash threw his Pokéball in response, "Heracross, I choose you!" the boy brought out his Johto friend.

"Herac!" the Bug-type presented itself on the battlefield.

"This will be interesting," May crossed her arms. "Wartortle, use Rapid Spin and Water Gun!" the brunette commanded. Wartortle retreated into its shell and started spinning while using Water Gun.

"Charge through the water with your Horn Attack!" Ash aimed at Wartortle.

Heracross nodded as it charged forward. It swung its horn to swat away the pressurized water. "Now!" Ash yelled.

"Dodge," May countered. Her frown reflected her focus.

As Wartortle spun, it launched a Water Gun to fire itself upward. The Water-type move successfully moved it out of harm's way, with Heracross narrowly missing his target.