Capturing Their Hearts(HIATUS)

Chapter 10: Distraught

Distant squawking was what made Ash to wake up. He rubbed his eyes, and was shocked when he saw all of his pokèmon, except Gardevoir, is huddling up on top of the small hill near their camp, looking at something.

"Hey ladies, what's happening there?" Ash sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Mewtwo turned to look at Ash. "Hey Ash! Come here quick!"

Ash groggily stood up and walked towards the group. As he near them, he felt the ground lightly shaking, followed by some explosions a bit away from them. There he saw a foreign pokèmon duking it out with a Roserade, Cynthia observing near them.

"Roserade, focus on weakening your enemy with you abilities. Go! Togekiss use your superior aerial affinity and defeat Roserade!"

Ash stared down at Cynthia. 'She's training her pokèmon after waking up... I wouldn't expect less from the Sinnoh champion.' Ash thought as he grin. Then, he thought he could ask Cynthia to help him train his pokèmon.

Ash ran to Cynthia, and talked to her. "Hey Cynthia! You're serious as usual again. Can you also help me train my pokèmon?"

Cynthia thought about it. Then she smiled. "I don't see why not. Also, this will be thank you for letting me sleep with your group."

Cynthia pointed at Ash's pokèmon watching over the small hill. "All right! Get down here, and let's start this." A glint of excitement flashed in her eyes.

Celebi and the Articuno can't help but gulp.

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Cynthia wasn't even better than Ash, speaking about how rash she train them. But, this was all for them, and they are sure this training will be very useful when they start fighting stronger trainers. Cynthia exploited their weaknesses, and worked on them. Celebi's strength, Articuno's speed, and Ash's intelligence.

But strangely, Gardevoir was distancing herself away from them. Whenever Ash would talk to her, or Cynthia trying to train her, she would rush off away from them. She said she can train herself, without anyone's help. Ash was concerned about his starter, but he thought maybe she just needs her alone time. They've been through a lot, so he guess that was understandable.

Three days have passed, and now they finished the training and proceeded to travel towards cerulean city. At around 11:00 am, they arrived at the city.

After resting and eating, with Gardevoir still not talking to them, Ash rushed to the cerulean gym. Cynthia traveled with him, earning some gasps and shock faces from the people around them.

"I-is that Cynthia? The champion of Sinnoh region?"

"Wow! She's so beautiful!"

"Cynthia-sama! Notice me!"

That last comment surprised both the two, both nonetheless, they continued.

After some few minutes, they are already inside the gym.

"Ash, are you ready? This will be your first battle after all." Cynthia said.

Ash just turned his cap around, and grin. "I'm ready! My first battle, and second gym badge, here I come!"

Ash and Cynthia trudged deeper inside. Ash was a bit surprised when he saw that it looked more like a water stage show than a battlefield. Still, Ash announced his presence.

"I am Ash Ketchum from pallet town! I challenge this gym for my second badge!" He yelled.

An orange haired girl, wearing a yellow sleeveless shirt and shorts, came outside from one of the passage down the stage.