Out Of The Ashes (A Pokémon Fanfiction) ~on Hold

chapter 18: We're going to win this

Chapter 18:
We're going to win this

"Work on Metal Claw a bit more and you should be set to challenge the gym," Brock told him, his footsteps crunching through the gravelly earth. He squatted on his heels and likewise began lavishing the rock/steel-type with praise. "You've got a very good Aron. You should be proud."

"I am," Ash said warmly. Then he frowned, remembering his earlier thought. "Why would you help Tank learn that move? It's really effective against your Pokemon, so what do you have to gain by teaching it to a future challenger?"

Brock raised his tanned hands in defense. "Hey, I never taught him it. I just gave him the extra push he needed to get there on his own. And besides, one of the gym leader's duties is to guide trainers and encourage personal growth. We're supposed to be difficult, yeah, but not impossible. Or at least that's what I think."

The older trainer blushed sheepishly. "And…I may have been a little bored lately."

Ash chuckled, then stood up and stretched. The sun was starting to set, a sinking ball of flaming orange hovering low over a distant mountain ridge. Streaks and chevrons of orange and pink glowed radiantly around it and ignited the swathes of clouds into color. It was the most magnificent sunset Ash had seen in a while and for a moment he simply stared at it, feeling refreshed.

"Well, I better be getting back to the gym. It was a pleasure meeting you," Brock said. Ash saw him suppress a yawn and smiled.

"You too. Thanks for all you've done," Ash said sincerely. He clasped hands with Brock and they shook once before breaking apart.

"So I guess I'll see you sometime tomorrow for your official challenge, huh?" Brock asked as they carefully slid down the hill to the gym's back entrance. He held the door open for Ash and closed it securely after they had passed through.

"I think so," Ash said. "Like you said, I want to work on metal claw a bit more and work with my Gastly as well."

"Well, as far as I know I don't have any challengers in the evening time slots," Brock told him. They were making their way back through the gym's main battlefield. All of the minimal damage that Tank had managed to inflict upon the controlled environment had vanished. Ash frowned, chalking it up to the advanced technology available to gym leaders.

"I'll keep that in mind," Ash answered. They said their goodbyes at the gym's entrance and Ash walked out. Whatever the purpose of Brock's exercise had been, Ash was left feeling more sure of himself than before. Through their practice fight, he had demonstrated that he was capable of controlling his Pokemon and guiding them to victory. He also felt a measure of inner peace. Although it had hurt at the time to be reminded of his mother's murder, what Brock had said was true—he couldn't let his strong hatred for Team Rocket overcome him to the point where he couldn't think clearly anymore. Ash had already experienced that sort of mental loss once and he promised himself he would never sink that low again.

They had a quick meal at the PokeCenter and Ash decided to turn in early. He left the shower running for Tank, who had become very prideful over the state of his armor and demanded to be cleaned up. When he came back in to brush his teeth, Tank was rolling blissfully in the light spray, allowing it to rinse off the mud and dust. When Ash dried him off with a towel, he nearly shone.

Ash set his alarm for early in the morning and settled in the bed. PokeCenter beds were comfortable but not anything spectacular—although he supposed anything was considered luxurious next to camping out in the wild. Slight scuffling sounds reached his ears and he assumed Tank was settling down on the floor to sleep, but the next thing he knew, a great weight had launched itself upwards and landed on the mattress beside him. Ash was lucky Tank had missed his legs or he'd be developing a very nasty and large bruise.

He raised himself on his forearms. "You want to sleep in the bed?"

The Pokemon gave a single grating click as an affirmative and collapsed gracelessly, already half asleep. Smiling, Ash burrowed back into his blankets and was just entering a light doze when he remembered Shade. He frowned and sat upright. It wasn't fair of him to allow Tank free reign but keep Shade cooped up in his Pokeball. Though the Pokemon could be malicious at times, none of his pranks towards Ash had been made with lethal intent and Ash trusted him enough to be able to control the gaseous matter of his body.

He grabbed the Pokeball from the nightstand and released the catch mechanism.

Shade's eyes burned in the darkness and that same eerie feeling of other-worldliness that accompanied him swept over Ash. He brushed it off after a moment.

"You can lurk under the bed tonight, if you'd like," Ash offered hesitantly. He was hoping that Shade would recognize it as the peace offering that it was. Fortunately, the ghost-type seemed rather intelligent. With a delighted cackle, he zoomed right under the bedframe and melded with the shadows.

Ash wasn't sure if Shade actually slept at night or not. That was when he was most active, but Ash wondered if Shade was really able to stay in place without getting bored for hours on end or if he wandered while Ash slept. Since Shade hadn't done anything last night when he had accidentally been given free reign, Ash decided it was okay.

That matter settled, Ash was finally able to relax. He laid back down and nuzzled his head into the pillow. So much had happened today and Tank had made serious improvements. Ash had no doubt that they would be able to challenge the gym tomorrow—and win.

However, if he kept thinking of the battle tomorrow, he would never get to sleep, so Ash forced the matter from his mind and soon drifted off to the sound of Tank's light snores.

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Find out what happens in the next chapter as the journey continues!