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

chapter 22: the Boulder Badge

Chapter 22:
The Boulder Badge

Brock reappeared when Onix's slumped form was broken down into red energy and sucked back into the Pokeball.

He didn't seem to be too upset about losing. "Great job, Ash. You capitalized on your Pokemon's advantages and used your surroundings. You deserve the Boulder Badge." He pulled his arm back and threw something with surprising skill over the ruined battlefield. Ash bounced it clumsily between his hands before managing to grab it firmly.

The pendant glittered softly in his palms. It was rather simple and unextravagant—an octogonal obsidian gem with faceted surfaces. Still though, Ash could barely keep his fingers from trembling as he worked the needle through his jacket and closed the safety lock. It sparkled in the gym's fluorescent lighting.

All of his mother's strict lessons on manners came back to him and he bowed at the waist. "Thank you, Brock. I couldn't have done it without your help."

The older teen, almost a man, really, shook his head good-naturedly and jammed his hands in his pockets. "Naw, kid. You would've gotten it eventually. I just boosted you up a little." He had left his marked area and begun walking around the field's perimeter, completely relaxed now that the thirst for battle had faded. Ash patted Tank one last time and recalled the tired Pokemon to give him a rest.

Brock walked with him to the gym's entrance.

"How'd it go, Champ-to-be?" Ronald asked happily as soon as they made it to the receptionist room. He was kneeling before the Rhydon statue, a delicate chisel in one hand and a name half-carved into the marble. Assuming it must be the trainer who had won before Ash's arrival, he peered closer and could make out "Leaf G—" before Ronald shifted positions and ended up blocking the rest.

Brock grinned and flicked the bill of Ash's hat. "He passed with flying colors. Add his name to the list."

Ronald pumped his fist. "Oh, yeah!" In an excited whisper to Ash, "I knew you could do it, kid, the moment I saw you, I said to myself, 'Ronald, that kid's gonna be the champion one day, just you wait,' and sure enough, here yo—"

"Ronald," Brock said exasperatedly.

Ronald blushed. "Not—not to say it was an easy feat beating you, sir, no, not at all. I bet you made him work for it, huh? Made him beg for you to go easy?" He gave a strained chuckle, sweating nervously.

Brock smashed the palm of his hand into his face, as though he keep wipe away the mental exhaustion.

Ronald bobbed his head repeatedly. "Right, sir, right, I'll, uh, I'll get back to chiselin' and whatnot." He dove back to his task with all the seriousness and focus of an Alakazam. Ash could barely hold back his laughter. Even Brock seemed to be smiling slightly underneath his shielding hand.

"Well," he sighed, facing Ash, "it was nice meeting you. You gonna come back for a rematch when you're stronger?" he asked hopefully.

"Definitely," Ash grinned. They clasped hands seriously for a moment, but then Brock smirked and pulled him in for a noogie. At Ash's annoyed struggles, he laughed and said, "I can't help it! You look so much like my younger brothers when you pull that tough face!"

Red as a firetruck, Ash shoved him off and stumbled away, straightening out his rumpled clothes with affronted pride. The receptionist muffled a giggle behind a dainty hand and Ash worked hard to hide his pleasure. He'd never had a sibling before, and after Gary had declared him a weird outcast, none of the town kids wanted to play with him. Being treated like a little brother was both annoying and… really, really nice.

There was still an hour of good daylight left when Ash finally left the gym. He stopped by the PokeCenter long enough to gather his belongings and enjoy his last quality meal before embarking on the longer road to Cerulean.

The badge might have been simple, but it shone in the rays of the sun well enough.

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