Glistening Black and Sparkling White (Pokémon Black and White 2 Fanfiction)

What Does It Mean To Be Strong?

"What does it mean to be strong...?" Keaton asked Iris with narrowed eyes. "You're the Champion. That means you have displayed to everyone what it means to be at the pinnacle. What is the true meaning of strength? You've got to know that..." He said to Iris who blinked at him cutely.

"True meaning of strength..." Iris said to herself as she rubbed her chin and looked up at the clouds in the Unova sky. The Dragon Master smiled when she found the answer she was looking for. "Well, you made it sound like I'm the owner of "strength" but that's not true at all. "Strength" is different for everybody, but I can tell you what my definition is if you want."

Keaton only nodded. "Sure..."

"Keaton, it took me a looooong time to get where I am now. When I first started on my journey, my partner Pokémon was incapable of mastering any Dragon-type moves. Hell, I was so bad at being a trainer I couldn't even get one of my Pokémon to listen to me without the enemy enraging it," Iris explained to him while crossing her arms and staring at him. "But...I never stopped moving. I kept pushing on. I never stopped believing in myself. My strength came from the courage I had to keep pushing on, even if the future was full of mysteries!" She chimed in a confident tone before using both of her hands to pat Keaton on his broad shoulders.

Keaton looked down at Iris, thinking, 'She was a bad trainer once...how did she become Champion with so many flaws tied to her...? What made her so special...? Hard work...? Talent...? I'm not sure...but I'm sure of one thing...I have to become stronger, no matter what...I don't know about courage...I have had a hard time feeling anything in my heart anymore...but I want to win...all I want to do is win...'

"That's my definition, but you have to find your own. It may be the same as mine, it may not. It's all up to you." Iris told Keaton and looked up at him. "A lot of that strength comes from your hopes and dreams. Keaton, tell me. What is your dream?" She asked him curiously.

"To...become so strong that losing is a mere illusion...My dream is to get so strong that no one will ever walk over me again..." Keaton responded to Iris with a glint of determination in his eyes as Shade nodded with a prideful smirk on her face. "Shade and I made a vow to never lose again...that goes for all my other Pokémon as well..."

"Mhm! We promised that we'd be the best and emerge victorious!" Shade added pridefully.

Jolyne, Benga, and Cameron were in awe at Keaton's dream. They never met a Pokémon Trainer with such a massive ego to make a vow to never lose again. "Damn, he's awesome..." Cameron and Benga murmured in amazement.

Jolyne suddenly composed herself as she placed her hands on her hips and scoffed playfully. "That's your dream, huh? Too bad you're up against me then. I'm gonna crush it today, here and now!" She declared and pointed at Keaton as Audi stood beside her with a confident smile on her face.

Iris only grinned in excitement at her friend's fighting words and Keaton's head turned to Jolyne. "Is that so? I hate to break it to you, but I already know I'm going to win this. Let's get this battle started so I can show you what a man with a vow can do." The black-haired trainer claimed with a narrow-eyed stare.

Alder laughed and clapped his hands. "Then let's get this battle started! I'll be the referee so take your places on the battlefield you two!" Alder said as Iris and the others walked to the side of the battlefield to watch the battle as Keaton and Jolyne walked onto the field in front of Alder's home.

Alder stood at the center of the field as his Bouffalant and Braviary silently observed from afar. "Pokémon battles are meant to be fun so make sure you enjoy yourselves! This is a match with both sides using a Pokémon each. The match ends when one Pokémon faints or a trainer forfeits! Now trainers, call forth your Pokémon!" Alder shouted as he raised his arm.