Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 43: Revival Flavor

Driftveil City's Pokémon Center felt quieter than it should have after everything that happened at Rood's house. I still felt Zoroark walking beside me like an old promise that had finally found the road again.

Zoroark did not hide as me or as N now. He stayed in his own shape, close enough that his dark mane brushed my sleeve whenever he checked the doors.

Alice noticed before anyone else. She did not say anything, but her hand rested near mine, steady and ready if the past tried to pull too hard again.

We had barely reached the front counter when the Center doors burst open. A red-haired boy stormed inside with a Pansear at his heels, both of them wearing the same furious expression.

"Cilan!" the boy shouted, pointing across the room. "I challenge you to a battle right now!"

Cilan turned with one hand pressed elegantly over his chest. "Chili, my fiery brother, what an unexpected entrance. Your timing has the spice of a pepper thrown into soup."

Iris blinked beside Axew. "That's your brother?"

"One of them," Cilan replied with a warm smile. "Chili, the Fire-type specialist of the Striaton trio."

Chili stomped closer, and Pansear copied him almost perfectly. "Enough introductions. I came here to prove I can beat you."

Cilan studied him carefully, and the theatrical light in his eyes softened into concern. "Then I accept. If a battle is what you need, I will taste what your heart is trying to say."

We moved to the small battlefield behind the Pokémon Center. Chili sent Pansear forward like he wanted the battle finished before doubt could catch up with him.

Cilan sent out Pansage, who stretched calmly and glanced back at his trainer with easy confidence.

"Pansear, Flamethrower!" Chili shouted, his voice too sharp.

"Pansage, dodge with Dig!" Cilan called, letting the command fall smoothly.

Pansage slipped underground before the flames could catch him. Pansear spun around, angry and confused, and Chili shouted another order before Pansear had time to breathe.

"Use Flame Burst when it comes out!" Chili yelled.

The ground cracked beneath Pansear. Pansage popped up behind him, struck cleanly, and followed with a quick Seed Bomb that sent Pansear tumbling back.

"Pansear is unable to battle," Golly declared from the side, because she had volunteered to judge and had taken the duty seriously.

Chili stared as if the loss had insulted him personally. "Pansear, what was that? You are supposed to be stronger than this!"

Pansear sat up slowly, smoke curling from his fur. His eyes widened, then hardened.

Pansear's meaning came hot and wounded. "I fought with your fire, and you threw the burn at me."

"Pansear, wait!" Chili shouted as Pansear turned and bolted toward the street.

Chili ran after him, but Pansear vanished between two buildings. The red-haired trainer stopped there, fists clenched and shoulders shaking.

Cilan watched the alley with a sadness he tried to hide behind manners. "That was not the flavor of a single loss."

Back inside the Center, Cilan called Striaton Restaurant. Cress appeared on the screen with his usual composed expression, but concern sharpened his eyes when he saw Chili was not smiling.

"Cress," Cilan said, "Chili came to challenge me and lost. Pansear ran away afterward. What happened before he arrived here?"

Cress closed his eyes briefly. "Chili has been losing often. He asked for advice, and I told him that his commands had become predictable and emotional. He took offense and left before I could continue."