Pokemon: Advanced Wishes Black or White

Chapter 9: Don't Be Cruel

"You ready for us, Iris?" Cilan asked.

"Ready when you are," Iris responded. Pansage and Cilan positioned themselves for battle against Axew and Iris. Iris hoped Axew and herself would earn experience by training with Cilan. To train with a gym leader was the perfect opportunity.

Ash, May, and Pikachu watched from the sidelines. Pikachu sat on Ash's lap as May rested her head on Ash's shoulder. Ash stared at the two battlers with disappointment. May took notice of his attitude and lifted her head, asking, "What's wrong, Ash?"

The boy sighed, "I wanted to battle Iris. I still don't get why Iris didn't pick me after begging so much."

Iris addressed him after overhearing his whining, "Sorry, Ash, but I think it's better if I trained with Cilan instead."

"But you know how much I like battling. I would've made a great opponent," Ash pouted.

Iris crossed her arms, "That's the problem, Ash. You'd battle to win and go too hard on Axew in the process. You would probably use a Volt Tackle the moment the battle commences, and that's too much for Axew. Cilan is much more experienced, and with his abilities, Axew will be trained a lot better."

Ash crossed his arms, "Aren't battles supposed to be about going all-out and aiming to win? That's what makes a battle a battle."

Iris narrowed her eyes at him. He's such a kid. "Just sit back and watch the battle!" Iris startled Ash. The prospective Dragon Master huffed at him and turned her attention back to the battle.

Cilan and Pikachu laughed off their unease. They found Iris just as intimidating when she got upset. May ran her fingers through Ash's hair. "Don't worry, Ash. We'll have a battle of our own after this is over if that will cheer you up," May comforted her boyfriend.

Ash appreciated her attentiveness, "Thanks, May." The lovebirds and Pikachu turned their attention to Iris and Cilan's battle.

The match was underway now. "Axew, use Scratch!' Iris commanded.

"Axew!" the dragon ran to Pansage with glowing claws.

Cilan smiled at the innocent Dragon-type, "Pansage, dodge with Dig!"

Axew couldn't inflict damage since Pansage went underground. The little dragon looked around the battlefield, expecting Pansage to pop out at any minute.

"Axew, stay cool. Wait for Pansage to appear, then use Scratch," Iris instructed her Dragon-type Pokémon.

Pansage burst from underneath. The monkey stood a few feet away from Axew. That's when the Tusk Pokémon rushed toward him again. "Repeat," Cilan's Pansage went back down again.

"Axew!" the dragon tried to hit Pansage but missed and fell.

Iris frowned, "Don't worry, Axew. Move faster when Pansage pops back up, alright?" Axew nodded and prepared itself for Pansage.

"What is Cilan trying to do? He hasn't even attacked yet," May motioned back and forth between Iris and Cilan.

"He must be up to something," Ash suspected. The connoisseur could be a tricky opponent.

Cilan's Pansage popped up again. Once more, Axew tried to fight back with Scratch, but Pansage was too fast and went back underground. Cilan repeated his strategy until Axew became exhausted and could no longer catch up. Iris clenched her fists, "Cilan, please stop toying with us and start taking things seriously!"