pokemon Fighting Dreamers

After spending the day training, Bea and Cinderace went to the Pokemon center to past the night, while Bea was talking with Nurse Joy to get a room key, Cinderace was looking at the place, the Pokemon then spotted a certain boy with a Pikachu sitting on a couch.

''Hey, isn't that the boy from before?'' The rabbit asked to her trainer.

''Hmm, yes, his name was Ash, right?'' Bea said as she took the key from Nurse Joy.

''Why don't you go talk to him again?''

''I don't think that's a good idea...'' Bea was about to differ but Cinderace was already walking towards the boy. ''...Sure, let's have a little chat.''

''Hey, Ash, How you doing?'' She asked.

''Hi, Bea, My back hurts a little after our encounter so I came here for a little check.''

''Your back?'' She then remembered what happened earlier. ''Please don't tell me I broke you something!''

''What? No, no, look, I'm not going to say that the smack didn't hurt, but it wasn't big deal. Nurse Joy checked me and I'm alright, but she insisted to keep me in watch til' tomorrow just in case, so I'll have to stay here at Hulbury.''

''You were going to leave?''

''Since the Gym Leader isn't here I was going to challenge the Turffield Gym in the meantime.''

''Gosh, I'm really sorry for keeping here.''

''Don't be sorry, this just means Pikachu and I will have more time to train before our first Gym battle.''

''Still, there has to be a way of make it up you.'' Bea said still feeling guilty.

''Why don't you go on a date?'' Cinderace whispered to her trainer.

''Why don't we go on a date?'' She said without thinking.

''A date?'' Ash asked too see if he heard correctly.

''A DATE?!'' Bea was shocked at her own words.

''Yes, Bea, pfft.'' The rabbit could barely contain the laughter. ''A date.''

''Uh...Yes, You know, like a friendly date to a cafe or something.'' She tried to explain herself.

''Well, I saw a cafe near the Gym, do you want to go now?''

''NO! I mean, there's something I need to do now, but since you're staying here let's go tomorrow.''

''Sounds good, How about we meet at noon?'' Ash suggested.

''Noon? Niiice, I'll see you there.'' Bea hurried to her room leaving Ash and Pikachu with confused looks, Cinderace who was also left behind smiled at Ash and then followed her trainer.

''HAHAHA, you-you're so helpless, haaaaaaaa!'' Cinderace was rolling on the floor of their room laughing while her trainer looked like she was going to have a mental breakdown.

''W-what did just happened?''

''You just asked a boy out, that's what happened!'' The Pokemon got up and gave her trainer a little slap on the back. ''But don't worry, your trusty Cinderace here will be your wingman...Wingwoman?...Wingmon!''

''You won't be anything because I'm not going!''

''What?! But you were the one who asked him out!'' The Pokemon complained.

''What do you mean? That was your fault!'' Bea defended herself.

''Was it, though? It's true that I made you say that, BUT you were the one who played along, you could have said any other thing and he would thought he just misheard you, but you stuck for the date. Not to mention you said you wanted to make it up to him.''

''Don't try to play mind games with me.''

''Don try to say I'm not right. Why are you so scared?''

''I'm not scared, it's just that I'm still not sure if I can trust him.''

''That again? He looks like a nice boy, the worst that could happen is that you and him turned this into a lemon fic.''

''A what?''

''You'll get it when you're older...or when you discover the internet, whatever happens first.''

Bea sighed and thought for a few seconds before talking. ''Alright...I'll go.''

''YES!'' Cinderace celebrated.

''But you're staying in your Poke Ball.''

''What?! But what about the wingmon? You're gonna need my help!''

''I've had enough of your help for now.''

''How do I know that you just won't go? I mean, I won't be outside to see it.''

''If you stay in the ball, I promise you I'll go to the cafe.''

Cinderace was still a bit unsure about her trainer's words so she had to draw upon her most powerful weapon to make sure Bea will go to that date.

''Pinky swear it.'' The pokemon said firmly raising her hand.

''Pinky swear it? Cinderace, how old do you think I am?''

''Do it.'' The rabbit said this with a surprisingly serious face considering the silliness of the request.

''Fine...'' Bea locked her finger with Cinderace's accepting the promise.

''Now, say it.'' Cinderace ordered still not satisfied.

''Cinderace, I'm not going to-''

''Say it!'' She interrupted her trainer.

''...I pinky swear I'll go to the cafe with Ash.''

''And I pinky swear I'll stay in the ball until you're done...and then you'll tell me all the details.'' Cinderace made a smug face to tease her trainer.

''You're so ridiculous.'' Bea sighed and they prepared to sleep.

Next day

It was almost noon and as promised Bea was walking to the cafe, even though she still wasn't totally sure why she was going.

''Argh, what am I even going to do? I don't know how to have a date! I barely know how talk to people!'' She stopped freaking out and took a deep breath. ''No, no, calm down, Maybe he won't come and everything will be fine.''

''Hey, Bea, over here!'' Her monologue ended when she saw Ash waving his hand at her, he was sitting on a table outside the cafe with pikachu on his shoulder as always.

''...Sure, let's just get this over with.'' She approached the table slowly to think what she was going to say. ''Hi, Ash, made you wait, didn't I?'' Despite the fact that she wasn't fully confortable with the situation she didn't want to be rude.

''Not at all, Please have a seat.'' Bea then sat down and put her backpack behind the chair.

''Ah, so this is the person you were expecting.'' A waiter that was cleaning a nearby table approached Ash and Bea. ''What would you like to order?''

''So, Bea, what would you like?'' Ash asked but didn't receive a response.

'Maybe if I act uninterested he'll grow bored and this will end sooner.' Bea thought, ignoring the question.

''Bea?'' He called again getting her attention.

''Uh, I don't know, it's my first time here.''

''Well, it's mine too.''

''I...I guess any sweets would be nice.''

''You like sweets?''

''Well, yeah. Who doesn't?''

''Why don't we ask for some chocolates then?''

''Yeah, chocolates is okay.'' Bea looked to the side still trying to look uninterested, on top of that she couldn't help but feel awkward, one day you're running for your life, the next you're in a date with a boy whose back you almost broke.

''Chocolates then, How about a plate full of them for you to share?'' The waiter offered them.

''Sounds good, what do you think, Bea?'' The girl simply nodded trying to stick to her plan. The waiter left and they both stood silent for a few minutes, that silence eventually got awkward...but just for Bea, while Ash was playing with Pikachu she was alone with her thoughts.

'This isn't working, it'll be easier to just talk already, but what can I even talk with him about? I shouldn't have come, I should just-'

''Bea, are you from Hulbury?'' Ash noticed the girl looked a bit off so he decided to break the ice.

''Uh, n-no, i'm...not.''

''Where do you come from then?''

''Uh, it's a little town over there...Postwick, that's the place.'' She still was a bit distrustful toward Ash, so he just said the first town that came to his mind.

Once again they stood silent a few minutes, but this time, Ash was the one who got tired.

''Bea, you didn't want to come, right?'' He asked.

''What?! W-What makes you think that?'' The girl got nervous as her cover got blown off.

''I kinda supposed it when you ran away yesterday. You are acting weird because you want me to leave, right?'' Ash may be a moron sometimes, but there was some brain in that head, way deep, but it was there.

''What? No, of course not...yeah, you saw right through me.'' Bea admitted. ''Look, Ash, It's not your fault, I'm just not used to this kind of things.''

''Well, I ain't no dating expert either. I just came because you asked me to.''

''I just invited you because I felt bad about what I did to you yesterday.''

''It's alright, I already told you there's nothing to pay off, we can end it here if you want.'' Ash said.

''I...'' And now she felt guilty, just what she needed, What should she do now? Ash said they could end the date right here, this is what she wanted, right?

''Here we are.'' The waiter came back and pulled her out of her thoughts. ''A plate of chocolates for you two, please enjoy it, I'll be inside if you need anything.'' The waiter once again left them alone, they both looked at the plate, it was full of black and white chocolates with some little designs on top, by pure instinct Bea stretched her arm first, took one of the chocolates and quickly ate it, she then stood silent a few seconds until...

''THIS IS SO GOOD!'' She rose up from the chair and slammed the table, forgetting for a moment she was in company.

''You really like sweets, huh?'' Ash commented with a sweatdrop on his head.

''So-Sorry, I got carried away.'' Bea sat down a bit embarassed.

''Nah, it's fine, let me have a taste.'' Ash took a chocolate and once he ate it, he made a big smile and his eyes turned into stars. ''This is really good!'' He was going to take another one but he noticed Bea was containing her laugh. ''What?''

''You should have looked at your face.'' Bea let out a small laugh.

''My face? Tell that to the table!'' Ash defended himself while also laughing. Happy to see the girl loosened up a bit.

Bea took a good look at Ash, he was just there smiling, but it was sincere smile, Bea was somehow sure of that, that same smile from yesterday, once again making her feel more confortable, the distrust started to disappear and eventually she was the one who broke the silence.

''You said you were from Kanto, right?'' Finally relaxed, Bea decided to ask and Ash was happy to be the one answering this time.

''Yes, Pallet Town to be more specific.''

''Why did you came all the way here? Just for the Gym challenge?'' Bea asked this since from what she has seen in maps Kanto was pretty much on the other side of the world.

''Kind of, I am really excited for the Gym challenge, but Pikachu and I love to explore new places, meet new Pokemon, see new things, that's what we do.''

''Well, they say Galar is a good place to explore, my Pokemon and I really wanted to see it too.''

''Now that you mention that, where's your Cinderace?''

''Uh? She's just in her Poke Ball.''

''Really? I though she was like Pikachu, he's always outside the Poke Ball.''

''Always? Well, I do keep her outside most of the time, Actually, I officially caught her a few years after we met, still tho, even her wants to get inside the Poke Ball sometimes.''

''I see, Pikachu never wants to get inside his Poke Ball.''

''How long have you been with him?''

''A couple of years by now, Pikachu is someone I can always trust.''

The conversation got interrupted by a small burp, they looked down to the table noticing the plate wasn't there anymore, another burp made them look under the table only to find an empty plate and an almost passed out Pikachu with a full belly. They got so much into the conversation that they didn't even notice when the Pokemon did that.

''Well, he has quite the appetite.'' Bea said jokingly.

''Sorry about that.'' Ash grabbed Pikachu and got up embarrassed by the behavior of his partner. ''I will go inside to ask for more, do you want something else?''

''No thanks, the chocolates are going to be enough.''

''Alright, then I'll also pay the bill.''

''Hey, I was the one who invited you, I should be the one paying.'' Bea tried to differ.

''Nope, I insist, be right back.'' Ash entered the cafe and once again Bea was left with her thoughts, but this time they were positive thoughts unlike the ones she has had all day.

''Well, this isn't going half bad.'' She said to herself, but her happy moment stopped when she heard a noise behind her chair, she turned around and saw a Zigzagoon trying to snatch her backpack, The raccoon then looked her into the eyes and started walking backwards dragging Bea's backpack with him.

''Now calm down, little one, I don't want any trouble.'' She got up and walked slowly towards the Pokemon. ''Just give me that back.'' When Bea was just close enough to take the backpack the Zigzagoon shot a Shadow ball to her and although it didn't hurt her, the attack created a little explosion that blocked Bea's vision.

''What the?!'' From the inside of the cafe, Ash heard the explosion and saw the smoke through the window.

''Think you're pretty funny?!'' Back outside Bea got out of the smoke screen and complained but the Zigzagoon was already fleeing with her backpack on his mouth.

''Argh, what's with Pokemon taking my things? Is the whole travel going to be like this?'' The frustrated girl started following the Raccoon from behind. A few moments later Ash got out of the cafe to see what caused the explosion, but he couldn't see anything, when the dust cleared he noticed the table where he was sitting with Bea was now empty.

''Where did Bea go?'' Ash looked at his surroundings and still didn't see the girl, that's when he started to worry, an explosion right where she was and she disappears at the same time? That couldn't be a coincidence. ''Something must have happened, we have to find her, Pikachu!'' Ash was about to leave the place but a voice stopped him from doing so.

''Excuse me, young sir.'' The waiter called Ash from inside the cafe. ''You still haven't paid for the sweets.''

''Uh, sorry.'' An embarrassed Ash got back inside the establishment.

Meanwhile some streets away Bea was chasing the Zigzagoon through the city, after a few streets the Pokemon entered on a dead end alley and the girl thought the chase was over.

''End of the road, buddy.'' Bea said as she cornered the Zigzagoon, When she was just a few feet away the Pokemon released a cry making a group of Linoone come out of a dumpster, the Linoones then stood around the Zigzagoon protecting it while looking menacingly at Bea.

''...Of course...'' She started running yet again.

''Where could she be?'' Not far away, Ash was looking for Bea, still worried by her mysterious disappearance.

''Just when I was starting to enjoy the day, this happens, perfect, JUST PERFECT!'' Bea thought still running from the Linoones.

''Bea, there are you are!'' She heard Ash's voice and noticed she was running towards him, Bea drifted and stopped not hitting Ash but falling on to the ground due to the momentum.

''Bea, are you okay?'' Ash asked as he kneeled down to see if the girl was injured.

''Yeah, I'm fine.'' She said getting up.

''Why were you running? Is everything alright?''

''Well, now that you mention it...''

''LINE!'' The Pokemon stopped as they caught up to her.

''Are those...Linoones?'' Ash looked at the pokemon that while somewhat familiar were very different from the ones he had seen before, The Pokemon gang then screeched and jumped to attack Ash and Bea.

''Pikachu, Thunderbolt!'' Ash ordered and Pikachu released a big Thunderbolt making all the Linoones faint almost instantly.

''Wow...That was quite something.'' Bea said for herself surprised by the power of the attack.

''You okay, Bea?''

''Uh, yes, thanks for the rescue.''

''I didn't know Galar had regional forms.'' He said as he took a closer look to the fainted Pokemon.

''Regional forms?'' Bea asked.

''What I mean is that these aren't 'normal' Linoones, look at this.'' Ash pulled out his Rotom Phone showing a Hoennian Linoone to Bea.

''Well, I've never seen those before, these are normal Linoones for me.''

''I see, Why were they chasing you tho?''

''Oh, nothing, you know, they're just wild Pokemon doing their wild Pokemon things.''

''I guess so...'' Ash noticed the girl was looking a bit nervous. ''By the way, what happened at the cafe?''

''I...I received a call and had to leave, I know I should waited to tell you, but it was something very important.'' She quickly made up a story not wanting to tell Ash what really happened.

''And what about the explosion?''

''Explosion?! I-I didn't see any explosion? It must have happened after I left.'' She scratched her head.

''When I heard the noise and didn't see you around I was worried that something had happened to you.''

''You were?...Well, Thanks for worrying, but I'm fine, sorry for leaving you.''

''It's ok, I'll be on my way. Hope to see you again soon.'' Ash still had his suspicions but he had no other choice but to believe what Bea was saying.

''Me too, thanks again.'' She said as Ash started walking away.

Yet again she was lying to him, even thought they were having a fluid conversation a few minutes ago, Why did she hardened again? Why didn't she tell him the true? He has done nothing but be nice to her, Why couldn't she trust him? What was the problem with him?

''Eventually you'll have to rely on other people too.'' Cinderace's voice sounded in her head, that made her remember that now she was all alone. She didn't have her Pokemon and she couldn't ask for help, could she?...Yes...Yes, she could. Perhaps Ash wasn't the problem.

''Ash, wait!'' She called out and Ash turned back to see her.

''Did something happen?'' He asked once he was again in front of the girl.

''I...it's nothing...I-I just...'' She knew what she had to day but the words wouldn't come out. She stood silent, she even started shivering. 'What a Prodigy I am.' She thought.

Seeing the girl was having trouble to talk Ash decided to speak out first. ''Bea...I know we don't know each other that much yet, but if you need anything, I'll do everything I can to help you.'' Ash looked her into the eyes and Bea simply sighed defeated.

''I...I actually could use some help.'' She finally admited.

''Help with what?''

''Uh, how shall I put this?'' She scratched her cheek a bit embarrassed by the situation she got herself in. ''A Zigzagoon stole my backpack with my Poke Balls inside.''

''A Zigzagoon stole your backpack?!'' Ash yelled out, something that Bea was not expecting at all.

''Uh, yeah...that's why I left the cafe.''

''That's why you left the cafe?! So that was the explosion?!'' He yelled out again.

''...Yeah, I tried to chase him up, but then those Linoones appeared and I had to retreat.''

''You HAD to retreat?!'' Ash said this time a bit more angry grabbing the girl by the shoulders, this scared Bea a little despite the fact that Ash was a bit shorter than her.

''Stop repeating what I say, you're not helping at all!''

''Why did you lie?!'' Ash wasn't just angry just for the lie itself, but rather for the fact that all her Pokemon were lost and instead of searching for them or asking for help, she was here making up stories.

''I...'' Bea tried to find an answer to that question, but she couldn't think of something good enough to excuse herself. After all 'I'm not sure if I can trust you' doesn't sound like something she should say right now.

''PIKA!'' Pikachu stopped the discussion and jumped on Bea's arms smelling her, he then jumped to the ground and smelled the air, after a few second the rodent started running.

''Where's he going?'' Bea asked.

''He's got your scent and is searching the backpack, let's go!'' Ash ran after Pikachu leaving Bea behind.

''Hey, wait for me!'' Bea quickly caught up to him up and Ash returned to their discussion as soon as she did so.

''Why you weren't going to tell me any of this?!''

''I...didn't wanted to bother you, you must be very busy and all.''

''Busy?! This is something serious! Your Pokemon could be in danger! Don't you care for them?!''

''Of course I do, I'd do anything for my Pokemon!'' Bea said this with face filled with determination.

''Then I'm going to help you get them back!'' Ash looked at her and smiled.

''...Thanks.'' Bea smiled back.

After a few minutes the trainers made it to a junkyard on the city outskirts, they then walked to an area of it where there was a bunch of bags and purses and a pack of roughly 50 Zigzagoons and Linoones sleeping close to all those things.

''Wow, there are a lots of them.'' Ash said.

''Makes sense, they're nocturnal, But the one who stole me was wide awake.''

''How does that make sense?'' Ash said not getting the point.

''When there are too many of them, some make reconnaissance missions during the day, those then sleep at night, while the others who sleep at day go out.

''I see, that's really interesting. You surely know a lot.''

''I...I had to be prepared for my journey...'' She blushed a little by compliment but quickly got back to focus. ''At least I'm not the only one getting stolen.'' Bea searched with the eye, trying to spot her backpack.

''So, they're all a bunch of thieves? Funny considering normal Zigzagoons tend to give things back if you lost them.'' Ash looked at the Zigzagoons and Linoones sleeping and then spotted a Pokemon similar to them but way bigger.

''Woah, what is that thing?'' He asked.

''It's an Obstagoon, For someone who came to Galar you don't seem to have investigated much about this place.''

''I tend to learn along the way.'' Ash pulled out his Rotom Phone and listened to the dex entry. 'Obstagoon, the Blocking Pokemon, the evolution of Galarian Linoone and the final evolution of Galarian Zigzagoon, It evolved after experiencing numerous fights. While crossing its arms, it lets out a shout that would make any opponent flinch.' The phone explained and quickly flew back to Ash's pocket not wanting to have anything to do with an Obstagoon.

''Hold on, Linoones evolve in Galar?'' Ash asked in disbelief.

''Uh, Yes...They do.'' Bea was getting a bit tired of Ash's disinformation.

''But why? They don't evolve in any other region.''

''They don't?'' That made Bea notice that Ash wasn't the only one who had a bit of disinformation. ''Well, Maybe here they have to, I guess life is tougher in Galar.''

Meanwhile in Hoenn a Linoone is being chased by a group of Salamance

''Can you see your backpack?'' Ash asked.

''Yes, it's over there. the white one with the orange details.'' She pointed.

''I see it, let's try to take it without waking them up.''

The trainers walked between the sleeping Pokemon trying to reach Bea's backpack, meanwhile Bea was concentrated in the mission, Ash was looking at the things the Pokemon have stolen, mostly food, some battle items, TMs, he even saw a few badges from other regions.

''These guys surely are troublesome.'' Ash said to Bea, but he didn't receive a response, the girl was a bit ahead of him.

''I almost got it.'' She said just a few steps away from her backpack.

''ZIG!'' Without noticing Bea stepped on a Zigzagoon's tail waking it up, the Pokemon started crying, waking up the rest of the pack. The girl tried to reach her backpack but all the Pokemon started running around and moving things making her lost track of it.

The Obstagoon was the last one to get up and once it did, it stood in front of Ash and Bea not looking exactly friendly.

''Why do I have to run every eight minutes of my life?!'' Bea was about to ran away but Ash held her wrist.

''Hold on, maybe if we talk to them, they'll understand.''

''What?!''

''Obstagoon, we don't want to fight! We just want to get back something your friends took and we'll leave your territory!'' Ash wanted to go for the pacific route but the Obstagoon had other plans.

The Obstagoon laughed and let out a big shout that made Ash, Bea and Pikachu cover their ears, after hearing the shout the Linoones and Zigzagoons stopped running and made a circle around their leader and the trainers, they then began stomping the ground and roaring as Obstagoon crossed its arms.

''They're challenging us.'' Bea pointed out.

''Yeah, I kinda guessed, Looks like there's no talking.'' Ash looked at his partner who jumped to the ground ready to battle. ''Pikachu, Thunderbolt!''

As Pikachu charged the Thunderbolt, the Obstagoon's fur turned spiky and glowed white, it then shot Pin Missiles that exploded in the air when they crashed with the Thunderbolt.

''Use Quick Attack!'' Pikachu quickly ran against the Obstagoon who responded to the attack with a Mega Punch outpowering Pikachu and knocking him back, But he quickly got back up.

''Pikachu, Iron Tail!'' Pikachu jumped and charged the attack, the Obstagoon again used Mega Punch, but this time Pikachu received the upper hand beating the punch and landing the Iron Tail directly onto the badger's face, knocking him onto the ground. The badger tried to get up but was covered by yellow static electricity.

''Alright, he's paralyzed!'' Ash celebrated his recent good streak but then the Obstagoon roared, its eyes turned into a bright red and his body was covered by a crimson aura. ''...It has Guts, right?'' Ash asked disappointed.

''Yes, yes it does...'' Bea affirmed.

''I knew two times in a row was too good to be true...'' Ash let out a small sigh. ''Pikachu, Iron Tail again!''

Pikachu charged the attack and jumped towards the Obstagoon but the latter crossed his arms and blocked Pikachu's move with Obstruct, Obstagoon then tackled Pikachu with a Cross Poison enhanced by Guts, making the rodent fall to the ground poisoned. Pikachu tried to get up but the Badger charged a Night Slash and landed the Critical Hit onto him, knocking him out. with Pikachu on the ground and unable to battle the Obstagoon tried to charge another Night Slash but his arm was stopped in the air by the paralysis.

''Pikachu!'' Ash ran towards the fight while Bea tried to stop him unsuccessfully.

''Ash, what are you doing?!''

He managed to take Pikachu out of the way before Obstagoon could continue the Night Slash. Barely avoiding the attack in time the boy then made his way back to Bea with Pikachu on his arms.

''Are you out of your mind?!'' Bea grabbed the boy by his shoulders. ''That slash could have seriously hurt you! You could have even died!''

''I had to...take Pikachu...out of the way.'' Ash sat down and tried to catch his breath.

''And now our only Pokemon is poisoned and knocked out. This is Fantastic!''

''And I don't have any antidotes.'' Ash said searching inside his backpack.

''I have some on my backpack, but as you can see...That's not gonna be possible right now! ...You should put him back in his Poke Ball, is the best way to endure the poison.''

''I can't do that, I told you Pikachu hates getting in his Poke Ball.''

''Then we'll have to retreat. We know where this place is, we can go heal him and come back later.'' Bea helped Ash get up and they tried to leave, but the Linoones and Zigzagoons bited in the air, preventing them from doing so. The Obstagoon again released a loud shout still with his arms crossed waiting for the next attack.

''Uh, not like I complain, But why isn't Obstagoon attacking us?'' Ash asked.

''Obstagoons never attack first, they prefer to taunt their opponents to do it.''

''Seems like they want us to keep fighting then.''

''We can't stand against a Pokemon like that! Unless...''

''Unless what?'' Ash wondered.

''You gave me an idea, Obstagoon is a Normal/Dark type, meaning he has a x4 weakness to Fighting moves, if I could land a hit strong enough maybe I'll be able to knock him down.''

''Wait, wait, you are going to attack it by yourself?'' Ash knew by his experience that that wasn't exactly a good idea. What was he thinking when he tried to punch a damn Mewtwo?

''Yes, excuse my humbleness, but I'm very strong.'' Bea on the other side was pretty confident about the idea, she had already had some friendly matches with Fighting Types so this shouldn't be a problem.

''I know you're strong, I noticed that when we met.'' Ash rubbed his back that still hurts a little.

''I told you I was sorry.''

''Look, the point is that he is weak to Fighting Pokemon moves, but how do you know you're gonna damage it?

''If you throw a Leavanny onto a bonfire what do you think it's going to happen?'' She said making Ash imagine the situation.

''That's...rough.'' Ash was honestly a bit scared by that statement.

''Trust me, it will work.'' She was going to face the Obstagoon but Ash stopped her.

''You say that, but I don't think it's safe.''

''Safe?! you ran towards a Night Slash just now!''

''That's totally different!''

''No, it's not! You did it to protect your Pokemon, I'll do it to protect mine!''

The Obstagoon once again shouted, as he was getting tired of waiting.

''Besides these guys aren't going to let us leave, do you have any other ideas?'' Bea asked.

''I...'' Ash knew he should be thinking of something else but that thing simply didn't come to his mind. ''I don't, If this is really our only option...'' He looked down at Pikachu who was still suffering from the poison. ''... go ahead, but be careful.''

''Don't worry...'' She cracked her knuckles. ''...I've got this.''

The girl then stood in front of the Obstagoon evaluating her situation, The pokemon was still under the effect of paralysis so it wasn't going to be fast, but the attack raise of Guts was still present, She couldn't afford to receive one single hit from it or else she probably wouldn't be able to tell the story, But she knew all she need was one or two strong hits to take down the Pokemon, on the other side the Obstagoon while pretty reckless wasn't dumb, it knew perfectly what Guts and therefore paralysis did, so his strategy was simple, let the human attack and block her until she was tired to the point where she couldn't avoid an attack from him, even with the paralysis.

Bea made her first move, a small leap followed by a right cross punch directed to the Pokemon's face, the hit was fast but the Obstagoon blocked her using Obstruct, she then jumped back and forth and tried to land a front kick but was again stopped by Obstruct. Bea took a few step back to think of a strategy, but the Obstagoon stuck out his tongue to taunt her, The girl then got frustrated and falling for the taunt she started launching punch after kick after punch after kick without thinking, she looked as if she was a Pokemon using Close Combat but the Obstagoon blocked every single hit. Meanwhile Ash was behind, still with Pikachu on his arms, looking at the movements of the girl, of course he had seen people fighting before, but this was on a whole other level, She was so quick and precise and her attacks surely had a great impact but her effort so far has been worthless. Even with paralysis, Obstagoon could move just what he needed to keep blocking, Bea eventually stopped tired and tried to catch her breath while the Obstagoon simply laughed seeing his plan as a success. Now he just needed the right moment to fight back.

''This isn't...working.'' Bea said breathing heavily.

''He just keeps blocking all of you hits.'' Ash said still watching from behind.

''You don't say, Captain Obvious!'' Bea turned back to talk to Ash and the Obstagoon took this opportunity to jump forward and attack with a Night Slash.

''Look out!'' Ash called out making Bea get her attention back to the fight, she jumped back barely avoiding the slash but couldn't manage to do a safe landing and stumbled onto the ground.

''Are you okay?!'' Ash tried to help her get back up but Bea stopped him from doing so.

''I'll live...'' She got up with a bit of pain. ''But I simply can't get through, I need an opening to strike a clean hit.''

''...Then I'll give you one.'' Ash stood next to Bea.

''What do you mean?''

''I said I was going to help you, Didn't I?'' He then pulled out of his pocket a Poke Ball with a small lightning symbol and took a deep breath. ''Pikachu's never going to forgive me, but I have to keep him safe.'' Ash let out a nervous smile as he retrieved Pikachu for the first time in a long while. ''Just trust me!'' He said to Bea as he ran towards the Obstagoon looking like he was going to tackle it.

''What are you gonna do?!''

''Here I come, Obstagoon!'' Ash kept running and the Obstagoon prepared his Obstruct again but instead of tackling him Ash slide along the ground and under the Pokemon, the latter tried to turn around and attack Ash but the trainer grabbed some dirt and threw it onto the badger's eyes, blocking his vision.

''Would you look at that...'' Bea said not believing her eyes.

''Do it now, Bea!'' Ash said and she nodded to him.

''Alright, Ash, back off!'' Bea ran and jumped into the air landing a spin hook kick onto the Pokemon's face, The Obstagoon unable to block this time, felt knocked out cold, as Bea landed and looked to the rest of the pack, all the Pokemon broke the circle and ran away scared of the girl.

''Wow...you really knocked it out.'' Ash was totally amazed by the strength of the girl, Yes, she looked strong, but strong enough to defeat a Pokemon? That was something else, as he finally calmed down, that thought he was looking for earlier finally flew through his mind, making him facepalm in realization.

''I told you I could do it.'' Bea ignored the facepalm and started searching for her backpack among all the things.

''Here it is!'' She dusted it off as she found it. ''Not gonna lie, that fight ended up better than I expected. You helped a lot.'' Bea then turned back and looked at Ash who had a guilty expression on his face. ''What's with that face?''

''Oh nothing, it's just that...I remembered I had another pokemon.'' As we mentioned before, Ash wasn't always a moron, but when he was, he truly was.

''What?! I thought Pikachu was your only Pokemon! Your telling me I went through all that drama when we could have just used your other Pokemon?!''

''S-sorry, I was worried about Pikachu and the heat of the moment blocked my mind a little and made me forget for a while.'' Ash tried to calm her down without success.

''How could you forget something like that?!"

''How could you let Zigzagoon steal your backpack?'' Ash tried to defend himself but he only made the girl more angry.

''Are you trying to pick a fight with me?!'' She raised her fist menacingly.

''What? No, of course not!'' After that demonstration of strength, Ash would rather fight Mewtwo again. ''Sorry, sorry, still, what you did was really impressive.''

''Impressive?'' Bea then calmed down. ''...Yeah, I guessed it was a little. You have some nice moves too.''

''Thanks.'' They then heard the Obstagoon doing a small roar and saw him trying to get back up. ''Uh, I think we should get out of here.'' Ash suggested.

''Right behind you.'' As Ash left he the place, Bea followed him.

''Here, your antidote.'' Bea took the medicine from his backpack and gave it to Ash as soon as they got out of the junkyard. Ash then released Pikachu and sprayed the antidote over him, curing the poisoning and making him wake up, after the mouse got on his feet it took a deep breath and tackled Ash with a Quick Attack making him fall on the ground.

''I'm really sorry, Pikachu.''

''Pika!'' The Pokemon angrily turned his back on his trainer.

''He really doesn't like the Poke ball, huh?''

''Told...you.'' Ash said with pain and still on the ground.

''I hope mine are in a better mood.'' Bea then released her team to check on them. ''Is everyone alright?''

''Uh, yes, Why wouldn't we? Cinderace asked feeling as usual.

''A Zigzagoon stole my backpack with all of you inside, but Ash helped me get it back.'' The girl told to her Pokemon the story.

''Hi there, guys.'' Ash greeted Bea's Pokemon as he stood up.

''My, that's crazy stuff, but that wouldn't have happened if you had left me out.'' The rabbit said.

''I know, I'm just glad you're all okay...guess I am a failure trainer after all.'' Bea saddened, but then received a group hug from all her Pokemon.

''You're anything but a failure.'' Cinderace said causing Bea to start crying

''Guys, I'm so sorry, I promise this won't happen ever again, please forgive me.'' She hugged all her Pokemon between tears.

''There's nothing to forgive, Bea, now tell me...how was the date?'' Cinderace asked with a smug face.

''Don't start with that...''

"You understand your Pokemon?" Ash asked to Bea noticing she looked like she was having a full conversation with Cinderace.

"Hmm...'' Bea forgot Ash was there and was about to negate the statement, everytime she had explained it, nobody believed her, still, after all that happened she though it would be worth it to tell Ash. She had already told too many lies.

''Well...kind of, my hairband let me understand, but it only works with Cinderace for some reason."

''So, it's like an extra pair of ears?'' Ash said listening carefully to the explanation.

''That's one way of putting it.''

''Mind if I try it?" The boy asked.

Bea stood silent for a moment, nobody else has used that hairband besides her. ''Sure, go ahead." She handed it over to Ash, curious to see what would happen.

The boy took off his cap and placed the hairband on his head, Bea and the Pokemon laughed a little by the way he looked.

''Do you feel any different?'' Bea asked.

''Not really.'' Ash then set his sights to Cinderace "Alright, Cinderace, tell me anything.''

''Cinderace!'' The rabbit was also excited too see what would happen.

''Uhm, could you say that again?''

''Cinderace?''

"...No, I can't understand her." Ash said a bit dissapointed. "How about you, Pikachu? Maybe it only works with user's Pokemon.'' Ash said trying to see things from a different angle.

''Pika!" The mouse spoke out loud but Ash wasn't able to understand.

''Nope, still nothing." He sighed disappointed yet again and handed the hairband back to Bea.

"Great, now I'm even more confused...'' She put it back on her hair as usual "...and you probably think I'm crazy."

''No, I believe you." Ash said surprising Bea.

''You do? Why you would believe such a thing?''

''Trust me, I've seen things way weirder than a translator hairband.''

''If you say so...'' Bea gave him a wierd look.

''Hey, I just remembered something, here.'' Ash gave her a small Transparent bag with gold details full of the chocolates he was going to order before the chase. ''Since you liked them so much, I think you should have them.''

''You didn't had to, but Thanks...'' Bea said as she received the bag with a smile. ''This was quite the first date.''

''Yeah, it was pretty fun.'' Ash commented.

''Sure, if you consider that almost getting sliced in half is fun.''

They both shared a little laugh but Bea's face quickly took a serious tone. As much as she was enjoying the moment, she still couldn't understand the kindness Ash has been showing to her so far.

''Ash, why did you do all this?'' She asked.

''What? You needed help and I helped you.'' He simply answered.

''Yes, but why?'' Bea asked again not satisfied with that answer.

''Why what?'' Ash didn't understand the question.

''You were willing to endanger not only your Pokemon but also yourself to help me, Why?''

''Well, I Don't know, I just like to help people. You also care a lot for your Pokemon and that's something I respect.''

''But we barely met yesterday, you..you don't know me at all.''

''Not at all? I know we met just yesterday, But we've done plenty of things together since then and I'd say we both got to know each other, even if it was just a bit, wouldn't you agree, Bea?''

Bea thought about what Ash said and she quickly saw he was right, it has been barely a day since they met and he have done so many things for her, he went to that date, he worried when she disappeared, he defended her from the Linoones, he helped her search her backpack, he helped her fight the Obstagoon, he even believed her about the hairband and now they were here talking, still together, they weren't strangers anymore and still after all that she wasn't treating him as kindly as he had treated her since they met, she was trying to keep him away from her for some reason, even if a part of her didn't want to.

''Yeah...You're right...Sorry.'' That was all she could manage to say. She then lowered her head ashamed.

''Bea?'' Ash asked a little worried.

''Come on! Say something!'' Cinderace said to her trainer.

''Hey, Ash...'' She raised her head and looked him in the eyes.

''Yes?''

''Would you like to...'' She stopped talking mid-sentence.

''Would I like to what?'' Ash asked curious.

''Would you like to...have a battle with me?''