Chapter 3!

 

Disclaimer: Go find Nintendo if you’re rich enough to buy pokemon off them. I only own the fic n’ my creations.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics for pokemon talking. Not sure if all of these appear.

Timeline: 1 year into training. Ash age 13

 

Chapter 3: Stability

 

            Ash floated in the waves as his pokemon swam along with him. During the last year, a Mantine and Octillery, both male, had joined him.

            He was breathing underwater currently. At the moment, his breath-holding abilities lasted about forty-five minutes underwater, but he wanted to lengthen the time. It would definitely help.

            Seaweed floated by, thick strands of brown kelp. Here was one of the kelp havens, where the thick strands grew naturally. It was a food source for a large number of pokemon, as well as starting the food chain.

            If it had been harvested and cut by machinery, the ocean would be dead.

            Checking his waterproof watch, he saw that it had been thirty minutes. He climbed on Mantine’s back for a quick jaunt as they sped off underwater again.

            Fifteen minutes later, Ash was feeling a little lightheaded. It was harder to breathe underwater as more energy was required. The percent of dissolved oxygen was quite small.

            He managed to hold on for three more minutes before he shot up to the surface for air. Octillery helped him float.

            You all right, Master Ash?

            Fine. Just give me a few minutes to relax. Ash replied.

            You are getting better, certainly. Squirtle informed him. I am proud of your decision to stick with this training.

            Ash beamed.

 

            From shore, Lorelei waved. Ash waved back.

            She’s a good teacher. Patient. A little cold, maybe, but she is an ice master.

            True, too true. Ash said. But…

            You have a crush on the Dragon Master! Mantine chortled.

            Ash blushed. MANTINE!

            Quiet, she might have heard that. Squirtle warned.

            Octillery bubbled up and down happily.

 

            Lorelei held up a sign that proclaimed ‘Dinner is ready’ in bold pink letters.

            Ash quickly got back to shore and dried himself off, before walking back to the cabin. Lance was waiting with hot soup and yummy grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. The three of them laughed and chatted around the dinner table. There was no stiff, formal discussion.

            “The Indigo League is under investigation.” Lance explained. “We all left the Plateau. I hear they’ll remove Bruno since he is too easy to get by.”

            “Makes sense.” Lorelei nodded.

            “Poor Bruno,” Ash said a bit sympathetically.

            “Well, fighting are weak to psychic and flying, and flying types are ever so common.” Lorelei explained.

            “Oh.”

 

            Lance confirmed her words as they finished the meal.

            Ash sat outside and worked on attracting electricity, he had a considerable amount around him when he stopped.

            Wow! Octillery grinned. That was great!

            Yes. It will do well. Mantine said quietly.

            Ash nodded. A water master who is able to cancel out electric moves… He smiled. It is a great advantage.

            Lorelei came out in half an hour and began teaching him how to do the basic ice attacks, starting with Powder Snow.

 

            Within a week, Bruno had been fired from the Elite Four, and replaced with Charlotte, a fire master.

            At first, the decision looked foolish, but as she proved with her pokemon, it was not easy to get by.

            Ash remembered her. She had dark hair and eyes and a good team of pokemon who had held their own against his water types for a good two hours while they were training, which was exceptional considering his type advantage.

            Even though he was only a trainee, he wasn’t exactly weak.

 

            Another month flowed by quickly. Time was smooth near the caves.

            Ash wondered what misty would think if she saw him again. His lips quirked up into a grin.

            “I have her dream now…she has nothing.”

            It was a perverse pleasure.

            Besides, it was revenge for all that she had done to him. He was glad.

            He had won.

 

            Another year passed, and another, and finally, he left. He was now a water master in his own right.

            He was confident and powerful. He had twelve pokemon, all part water types. Lapras. Gyarados. Cirrus had evolved into Kingdra. Sharpedo. Milotic. Still, there was the legendary Pikablu.

            Lance offered him Agatha’s position when she retired, and he considered it.

            It would be a source of income.

            The league could not get their paws on him.

            He would be higher than Brock and Misty.

            It would also be a chance to boast.

            He was sixteen.

            Besides, seeing the looks on their faces would be fun…

 

            “Lance?”

            “We’re leaving now. Are you coming?” Charlotte asked kindly.

            Ash grinned. “Hai!”

            He pulled up his dark blue cloak and grinned. Underneath, he wore black pants and a jacket with two electric blue bands at the wrists and ankles. On the front of the jacket was an Articuno in picked silver thread.

            He wore boots that would not slip even on watered down ice.

            He was ready.

            Faint sparkles of mist surrounded him as he shifted into water and flew to Indigo Plateau.

 

End Chapter!