Chapter fifteen (AKPKMN)

Review Responses:

Lezaroth: Yeah, Ash has too improve even if he's already kinda OP. No, I'm not a fan Z-Moves. That's why I had no plans to go that route with Containment Balls, plus they capture inert Pokemon without a fight. They easily catch Jirachi, Deoxys, and the like. Ash and Dawn won't be traveling together, IMO there is little or no benefit for them except companionship. You may enjoy the Pokemon battle in this chapter.

Phenomenal Ultra Instinct: Yeah, its unfortunate. I think you'll like the battle in this chapter.

Yaw6113: Thanks. I hope you like this chapter too.

Ash was just resting in Sinnoh, having walked for a while now and needing it. Pikachu went exploring, likely hunting for fruit or Pokemon to help Ash catch... most would worry but Pikachu was probably the strongest of his entire species. Imagine Ash's surprise when he heard Pikachu use Thunderbolt... leaving Charizard in charge, Ash ran to check on Pikachu as he unleashed another Thunderbolt.

"What's going on here?!" Ash asked furiously, arriving near a blue-haired girl and her defeated Piplup.

"I was trying to catch that Pikachu, but I underestimated it," Dawn replied, tending to her Piplup.

"Because it has a trainer, me, who's won three conference championships," Ash replied, checking up on his own Pokemon. After confirming that Pikachu was okay, Ash helped the girl heal her own Pokemon up.

"Why was your Pikachu away from you?"

"He likes to forage too and he's powerful enough to beat almost any opponent," Ash replied, healing Piplup with a Super Potion and feeding him with some berries. "I was only a few seconds of running from him, anyway. I'll have to supervise any future foraging though. Pikachu could have hurt Piplup very badly if he didn't hold back his full power."

"Your Pikachu was holding back?" Dawn asked in shock.

"Of course. You're a new trainer and your Piplup is visibly young and inexperienced... Pikachu could have killed him with one Thunderbolt." Piplup looked indignant. "No offense Piplup. You'll get stronger with time, but we've trained and battled intensely for four years. If you and your trainer work hard then you might catch up." That placated the young Penguin Pokemon.

"Lets head back to my campsite. I have my other Pokemon being watched by my Charizard," Ash said, and Dawn nodded and pushed her bike while following Ash.

The firsts words out of Dawn's mouth when she saw Ash's Pokemon? "Wow! You have so many Pokemon with you!"

"Yeah. As a child I learned from Professor Samuel Oak and eventually became a Professor myself... I have no real carry limit, but I generally limit myself to twenty Pokemon or no more than twenty-five." Dawn drew her Pokedex to scan Brionne, Spiritomb, Jangmo-o, Poipole, and Dhelmise, but Ash stopped her and then recited their information from memory and added little facts to it. Dawn confirmed the Pokedex information for Spiritomb and she was shocked.

"How'd you do that?"

"I helped program the Pokedex at age 8... I put the Sinnoh dex into numerical order and inputted a lot of data for the Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos Pokedexes. Brionne, Jangmo-o, Poipole, and Dhelmise are all from the Alola region, a region which lacks an established league and gyms. I'm not planning to travel through it, but I wanted some Pokemon from there for battles. Brionne evolves into a Water and Fairy-type and can really damage Dragon-types when properly trained. Jangmo-o evolves into a Dragon and Fighting-type, which is quite unique. Poipole evolves into a Poison and Dragon-type and Dhelmise is a Ghost and Grass-type that doesn't evolve."

"You sure know a lot about Pokemon," Dawn admitted, admiring Brionne's cuteness.

"Yeah, I've worked hard for my positions," Ash replied, checking Piplup over once more. "Piplup should be completely fine now, he has no lingering effects from the Thunderbolt attacks."

"Thanks! I'm sorry about attacking your Pikachu though. I didn't know that it had a trainer." Dawn said.

"It's fine. Pikachu wasn't harmed and Piplup only suffered temporary damage. I do need to get moving again though. I need to catch four specific Pokemon before flying to Oreburgh City to challenge the Gym Leader there." Ash replied.

Dawn was very understanding, she had probably inconvenienced him by attacking his Pikachu.

**Minutes later...**

Ash quickly captured a Shinx, Kricketot, and Bidoof and had just captured a low-level Starly mere moments ago.

"That was a weak Starly that you caught," a cold detached voice said.

Ash quickly located the source. "Yes and although I'll have to invest more time in it, the end result will be a superiorly trained Staraptor with a greater flying ability. I'll train specific traits and muscles for the desired result and it'll steadily develop control and experience."

"Huh," Paul replied indifferently. "Do you know where that massive Thunderbolt came from earlier?"

"From this living embodiment of cuteness on my shoulder," Ash replied, pointing at Pikachu.

"From a Pikachu?!" Paul asked in shock.

"A very high level one with specialized training to remove his need to evolve into Raichu." Ash replied, taking some offense.

"Doesn't look like much to me," Paul replied mockingly.

"Neither do you. You don't know who I am, do you?" Ash asked.

"No, but you must not be very important," Paul said taunting.

"How much money do you have in your account?" Ash asked, eager to humiliate the arrogant brat.

"A few million," Paul replied, sensing where Ash was going with that.

"100k per Pokemon defeated and my Pikachu will sweep your entire team. If he loses a battle then you get 100k for each Pokemon you have on you." Ash replied, smirking at Paul and silently daring him to accept.

"Deal!" Paul replied confidently despite not having his Torterra with him. "Elekid stand by for battle!"

"Attack whenever you're ready!" Ash replied calmly, but he was also very focused.

Paul had Elekid use Brick Break which Pikachu dodged and then used Iron Tail before knocking Elekid into a tree with a Brick Break of his own... Elekid was unable to battle.

"Chimchar! Stand by for battle!"

Chimchar used Flame Wheel but it was met by a Volt Tackle and Chimchar was quickly left unable to battle...

"Pathetic," Paul said to Chimchar.

"Yes you are," Ash said, looking directly at Paul and causing him to glare at Ash angrily.

Paul's Nidoking was beaten after using Earth Power which was copied by Pikachu's Mimic and then being attacked with Earth Power and then Slam.

Paul's Murkrow, Starly, and Azumarill quickly fell to Pikachu and Paul ran out of Pokemon.

"I believe you owe me 600,000 Poke dollars..." Ash said pleasantly, annoying Paul even more.

"Fine!" Paul said, transferring the money into Ash's account.

"I'll escort you to the Pokemon Center since you have no way of defending yourself," Ash said, but Paul didn't care.

"Whatever," Paul replied before walking away. Ash followed him, amused by Paul's anger.

"Anyway, I never introduced myself... I'm Ash Ketchum; a three time conference champion, holder of three national records for winning conferences, holder of a world record for winning three in a row, and I'm also a world recognized Professor at the age of fourteen. I've also completed the Pokedex for three regions in my spare time where my Pikachu defeated Ho-Oh."

"Do you really expect me to believe all that?" Paul asked snidely.

"You can check my trainer page to confirm it," Ash replied dismissively. "Which you really should do if you intend to participate in the Sinnoh League."

Paul did confirm that at the Pokemon Center and he was shocked by Ash's numerous accomplishments, but he refused to accept that Ash could defeat him.

"I'll still defeat you and win the championship," Paul replied.

"You? You're a lazy trainer who doesn't seriously invest in his Pokemon and only catches strong ones and you only have average potential." Ash replied, angering Paul. Ash was done with the idiot though and just left.

After evolving his Kricketot and Bidoof and returning them to their homes, and advising a guy named Nando to compete in both contests and the league until he decides on one or the other, Ash flew to Oreburgh City on his Charizard.

After training until Roark could battle him; leveling Starly and Shinx up to level twenty and evolving them, it was finally time for Ash to battle Roark.

"This will be a three-on-three Pokemon battle for the Coal Badge with no substitutions! The first trainer to lose three Pokemon will lose the battle!" The referee said. "Trainers send out your first Pokemon."

"Go Geodude!"

"Go Brionne!" Ash said, having already studied Roark.

"Use Rollout!" Roark ordered, thinking that Brionne would be very slow.

"Bubble Beam!" Ash ordered, aware of his Pokemon's weaknesses and Roark's own. Geodude went to its own demise and was one hit by a close range Bubble Beam.

"Geodude is unable to battle! Gym Leader Roark, please send out your next Pokemon."

Taking precautions, Roark sent out Onix and had it use Stealth Rock, but Ash had Brionne use Encore to undo any strategies. That was followed up by Aqua Jet and then a close range Bubble Beam.

"Onix is unable to battle! Gym Leader Roark, please send out your final Pokemon."

Roark was impressed by his opponent. Beating two of his Pokemon without losing even one of his own was very impressive, but Roark still had his strongest Pokemon left.

"Go Rampardos!" Roark said. "Use Zen Headbutt!"

"Meet it with Aqua Jet," Ash ordered calmly.

The two attacks met with Rampardos losing the contest of power and Brionne followed it up with a Bubble Beam... leaving Rampardos unable to battle.

"Rampardos is unable to battle! The winner is Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!"

Ash and Roark returned their Pokemon and met in the middle of the battlefield.

"Very impressive, Ash. You beat all three of my Pokemon with just one of yours and did it quickly too. It is with great admiration that I award you the Coal Badge and 1000 Poke dollars will be transferred into your account." Roark said.

"Thanks, Roark," Ash replied.

Ash left to train his Pokemon for the next Gym... or that was his original intention, but he eventually used his magic to locate fossils of Pokemon native to Sinnoh... Then Ash had to restore them, but that had added four more Pokemon to his Pokedex. After that, then Ash trained his Pokemon... winning battles and money, catching Pokemon and working on his Pokedex, and leveling up and evolving his Pokemon. Ash enjoyed battling and getting his Pokemon up to level 35 gave him plenty of chances.

Brionne evolved into Primarina, Poipole evolved into Naganadel, Jangmo-o evolved into Hakamo-o, Grotle evolved into Torterra, Staravia into Staraptor, Luxio into Luxray, and Bronzor had evolved into Bronzong.

Things seemed to be going great, but like in the past Ash's good life was briefly ruined.

Pokemon Hunter J was trying to steal a Gardevoir... Ash, of course, stopped her and she tried turning his Pikachu to stone to sale... Ash, of course, snapped.

Ash crushed her device and her arm, took her Poke Balls and returned her Pokemon, and then went to wipe out her entire operation, her clients and minions, and then obliviated all the witnesses and their Pokemon. For his trouble Ash took a lot of money and Pokemon including some that were Elite Four level and only the stolen ones and ones with families were returned. J later bled to death in the dirt before having her body destroyed.

Needing to distract himself and remembering that it's the day that Max would leave on his journey, Ash teleported to Professor Birch's lab in Hoenn.

It took hours for Max to arrive but Ash patiently waited in hiding for Max to choose his Treecko. Once Max was leaving, Ash revealed himself.

"Ash?!" Max asked in surprise.

"Hey, Max," Ash returned with a smile. "You know, I seem to recall you befriending a Shuppet and Ralts... wouldn't it be nice if you had a friend with a powerful Psychic-type Pokemon that could take you to them?"

"You'd do that for me?" Max asked excitedly.

"Of course I would Max. I want to see what you can do and I want to see you grow as a trainer... getting your two friends early in your journey would help you." Ash replied.

With Alakazam teleporting them around it didn't take long for Max to be reunited with his friends, but this was important. Ash wanted Max to have his Pokemon friends and he wanted Max to grow as a trainer and have an advantage over his competitors... Ash saw Max as a potential great rival when he grew some.

"Thanks for doing this, Ash. It means a lot that you came all the way here just to do this for me." Max said seriously.

"Don't worry about it, Max. It didn't take up much of my time and I needed a break. I nearly lost Pikachu to a criminal and after defeating them I rescued some Pokemon, but I still nearly had Pikachu taken from me. It scarred me a little and I just needed a little break."

"I'm glad both of you are okay," Max said. "What about the Pokemon?"

"They suffered abuse and need to be rehabilitated. The Salamence will be placed with a Dragon Master and the others will be turned over to the Pokemon League... sorry but you aren't experienced enough for violent Pokemon who'll try murdering you and eating you." Max thankfully understood. "You have enough money to throw around to buy a Bagon from a breeder once you're more experienced though but I'd avoid it. All known Salamence are extremely violent, blood thirsty, and unstable when Mega Evolved."

"Yeah, I think I'll get another dragon-type. Maybe an Altaria, Flygon, or Dragonite." Max replied. "Anyway, I need to get moving, Ash. Thanks again for your help... I'm glad that I was able to get Shuppet and Ralts before someone else did."

"No problem Max and good luck on your journey," Ash replied.

After saying their goodbyes, Ash was teleported out of sight and then Ash returned his Alakazam before teleporting himself back to Sinnoh.

J's Salamence was later given to Clair through Lance and her Drapion was given to Koga.

Ash went on to catch a Pachirisu, Buizel, Shellos, Gastrodon, Finneon, Drifloon, and a Lumineon near the Valley Windworks.

Most importantly, Ash got laid again. The lovely ladies name was Cheryl and they found the Amber Castle together... and then they had sex again to celebrate. Ash was truly blessed to have convinced another adult woman to sleep with him. He firmly refused to sleep with a minor... him physically being a minor wasn't an issue to him because he was actually centuries old in mind and spirit. Yeah... Ash had issues.

After catching another Buizel; this one having attacked trainers and their Pokemon, and catching it with his Pikachu and training a little more, Ash flew to Eterna City to challenge Gardenia.

"This will be a three-on-three Pokemon battle for the Forest Badge with no substitutions! The first trainer to lose three Pokemon will lose the battle!" The referee said. "Trainers send out your first Pokemon."

"Go Cherubi!" Gardenia said.

"Go Spiritomb," Ash said, aiming for another team sweep.

Gardenia allowed Ash to make the first move... which was, unfortunately for Gardenia, Hypnosis, and was then quickly followed up by Dream Eater, Confuse Ray, and another Dream Eater. Cherubi was defeated in no time at all.

Next up was Turtwig which used Leaf Storm, which was dodged and countered with Spite by depowering it completely. Ash repeated his Confusion/Dream Eater combination that defeated yet another of Gardenia's Pokemon.

Not even Gardenia's Roserade could put up a good fight and the extremely boring battle was over.

"Roserade is unable to battle! The winner is Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!"

Ash and Gardenia returned their Pokemon and met in the middle of the battlefield.

"I present you with the Forest Badge, proof of your victory over me, and 2000 Poke dollars will also be transferred into your account." Gardenia said, putting on a happy facade despite the boring battle.

"Thanks," Ash said politely.

Ash left the gym dissatisfied with the battle but was resigned to it. Something that cheered Ash up was his capture of a Buneary and a Rotom... something else that cheered him up was needing to get his Pokemon all up to level 50 to defeat Fantina in Hearthome City. Ash really wanted to defeat her with only his Sinnoh Pokemon and give them a chance to shine.

Getting his Pokemon to level 50 meant one thing...

Battles... glorious battles... and lots of 'em.

While training, Ash's Prinplup evolved into Empoleon, Gabite evolved into Garchomp, Snover evolved into an Abomasnow, Hakamo-o evolved into Kommo-o, and Snorunt was evolved into Froslass.

After achieving his training goals, Ash flew to Hearthome City.

Ash was excited to finally battle Fantina and hopefully win his third gym badge. And then Ash discovered that the gym was closed and that the Gym Leader was gone 'on a long journey.' Ash sighed and decided to go to Mt. Coronet and level up and evolve his Nosepass and Magneton before travelling to Veilstone City... he was going to do that later but he had time for it now.

Evolving the two Pokemon only took Ash a few hours since Magneton was kept close to leveling again and Ash had even caught and released a Chingling during that time, but after that and after having over trained his Sinnoh team, Ash decided to train his Hoenn Pokemon too while maintaining and slowly leveling up his Sinnoh team.

Ash had just easily beaten Maylene, the Veilstone City Gym Leader, and was awarded his badge and prize money when he noticed that Maylene looked sad and humiliated.

"Don't look so sad," Ash said gently. "You actually did pretty good considering that my Pokemon were level 50. You would have done better if I hadn't prepared to battle Fantina before realizing that she wasn't at her Gym." Maylene nodded. "Teaching your Pokemon some moves to cover their weaknesses would help too or you can develop a strategy to reduce or remove them. Or maybe even both. Being a Gym Leader or a member of the Elite Four is a tough job."

"Thank you," Maylene said gratefully.

After beating a guy named Sho, with Pikachu sweeping his entire team after he insulted him, Ash had heard the location of Cynthia, the Sinnoh Region Champion, and Ash was eager to battle her. Battling another champion wasn't an opportunity that Ash could just pass up, and once he had chosen his desired team, he teleported away to her location.

When Ash arrived near Cynthia, the physically perfect champion of Sinnoh, he was just about to state his challenge and then Paul beat him to it; causing Ash to groan in annoyance and attract the attention of Paul who smirked at Ash.

"Don't look so cocky. I'll just challenge her after she sweeps your entire team with a single Pokemon. You should be used to that by now." Paul glared angrily at Ash while people laughed at Paul before beginning the battle.

Paul's Chimchar was quickly beaten, and then insulted by the arrogant jerk.

Paul's Weavile and Murkrow were both one-hit like low-level trash.

Paul's second powerful Pokemon, a Torterra, was also one-hit and Paul forfeited amidst laughter and mockery from the audience.

Ash approached Cynthia. "Do you still have time for a five-on-five Pokemon battle, or a Full Battle with substitutions?" Ash asked, and Cynthia instantly recognized him.

"I can do five-on-five with substitutions," Cynthia replied. "I heard that you defeated Steven Stone's Mega Aggron and one hit his Mega Metagross with your Charizard without even Mega Evolving it, and I definitely need a real challenge." Ash noticed that several people looked shocked by that reveal.

"I'll be all too happy to provide with one," Ash replied, mildly annoyed by that reveal.

"Go Lucario!" Cynthia said, going with her second strongest.

"Go Charizard!" Ash said.

Cynthia allowed Ash to have the first move, much to Ash's annoyance. Ash ordered Charizard to use Fire Spin, but Cynthia had it countered with Psychic and Rock Slide which Ash had Charizard destroy with Flare Blitz and then use Flamethrower. Again, Cynthia had it countered with Psychic. Ash ordered Charizard to use Blast Burn and then follow it up with Flare Blitz; obscuring Charizard while dealing damage to Lucario and then letting Charizard deal more with his second attack. Lucario was left unable to battle, much to the nearby people's shock.

"Go Spiritomb!" Cynthia said.

Ash returned Charizard and sent out his Gardevoir, deciding that Charizard should save his strength for other battles.

"Use Hypnosis!" Cynthia ordered.

"Dodge and use Misty Terrain!" Ash replied, and then the battle began. Gardevoir used Moonblast, which was met by Shadow Ball, but Ash had Imprison snuck through to hinder Spiritomb further. That shifted the battle to his favor and stripped Spiritomb of several moves. "Restrain Spiritomb and use Moonblast." Ash thought that he heard Cynthia say something to Spiritomb, but he wasn't certain.

Spiritomb was severely damaged, but it took one more Moonblast to defeat it.

"Your Pokemon are at a very high level and all very well trained, Ash. I can see how you defeated Steven and only lost one Pokemon during the battle... Steven was very annoyed by that defeat." Cynthia said, blabbing more about Ash's true power and skill.

"He's a type specialist, and I did my research and brought my best Pokemon to the battle." Ash replied, still wanting people to under-estimate him.

Cynthia sent out her Togekiss next, and after briefly thinking Ash sent out his Electivire. Cynthia was already considering substituting Togekiss for her Gastrodon, but Cynthia might need her later.

"Extreme Speed!" Cynthia ordered.

Ash watched his Electivire get pushed back some and had it use Thunder Punch, which was evaded and countered with an Aura Sphere that knocked Electivire back. Ash waited for the next attack and then had Electivire use Discharge and follow it up with a Thunder Punch that only briefly connected. After a few more Aura Sphere's and Cynthia's Togekiss using Extreme Speed to horribly annoy both Ash and his Electivire, they both grew annoyed and Ash had Electivire use Thunder on the entire battlefield... Togekiss was left unable to battle.

Cynthia and Ash both returned their Pokemon. Electivire needed to save its remaining strength saved for Cynthia's Milotic. This also put Cynthia at even more of a disadvantage and forced her to fight blind at first. Cynthia smirked at Ash, knowing what he was doing and waited, forcing Ash to take the disadvantage. Ash sent out his Charizard and Cynthia her Gastrodon.

Cynthia was very concerned when her opponent smirked.

"Blast Burn!" Ash ordered, actually causing Cynthia to be briefly relieved. Ash wanted the ground around Gastrodon's feet super-heated and unsafe to walk on. Why? For this! "Use Solar Beam!" The Solar Beam went through the smoke and heat and struck the unaware Gastrodon, leaving it unable to battle.

Cynthia returned her defeated Gastrodon, truly shocked at how this went. Ash relied on over-whelming power, skill, and strategy. Cynthia was very impressed!

"You are going to dominate the Lily of the Valley conference," Cynthia admitted, to the nearby trainers shock. "I've never forfeited a battle... until now. I can't beat you, but I will be training to do so in the future." Cynthia said, garnering even more shock from those watching and listening.

"I look forward to the challenge," Ash said, before returning his Charizard.

Ash noticed that Paul, who lost to Cynthia, was walking away without having his Pokemon treated and Ash was just about to say something, but Ash beat him to it. Thankfully Cynthia actually stopped Paul; being respected by Paul helped greatly with that.

Ash opted to join them; needing to heal his Pokemon anyway, and maybe even flirt with the lovely Cynthia.

Ash was doing just that, but was sensing that Cynthia was flattered but unwilling to flirt back or date. Sadly, Ash opted to abandon his flirtation and resigned himself to getting to know her until he was legal, and then flirting with her.

After they all learned that Nurse Joy was in surgery, Ash invited them all to his private island to make use of his personal Pokemon Center and teleported them all there. Dawn decided to tag along, having watched both battles.

Ash and his other guests were all admiring his well trained and well taken care of Pokemon.

"This island has my own Pokemon and also functions as a League sanctioned preserve for Pokemon and a refuge for abused Pokemon, so no trying to catch them. I won't hesitate to press charges." With that harsh warning; directed at Paul and which visibly disappointed Paul, Ash lead them into his private Pokemon Center.

"You have a very nice home, Ash." Cynthia said politely.

"Thank you, Cynthia. I personally invested a lot of time and effort into it and its features." Ash replied. "This is my Pokemon Center. Please place any Pokemon that need medical attention into the slots and they will be healed in order of priority."

It seemed that Paul's Pokemon were in the worst shape due to fighting at a major disadvantage and taking major damage, and Paul took this opportunity to insult his Chimchar.

"Actually, Paul, your Chimchar is quite powerful despite its low level. It also has a mutation in its Blaze ability that can grant it even greater power... if you can learn to draw out Chimchar's full potential and guide him through controlling it." Ash said.

"And just how do I do that?" Paul asked rather snidely.

"It requires a bond of trust and friendship as well as decent levels and self-control on Chimchar's part." Ash replied, but Ash doubted that Paul could ever draw out Chimchar's full potential and Paul's scoff proved that. "Bonds are required to unlock a Pokemon's full power and full potential, and that includes Mega-Evolution; otherwise you might just die at your own Pokemon's hands. I'm not saying that training is unimportant; that would stupid, but forming a bond while also training them to greater levels of power has yielded great results for all who've tried that method." Ash felt he was making great progress in convincing Paul until he just rolled his eyes.

"You just keep doing things your way. I'll become stronger in anyway I choose." Paul replied, trying to end that topic. It was ruined by Ash laughing and angering Paul. "What's so funny?" Paul asked angrily.

"You have *one* Pokemon that's Elite Four-level, and that's your Torterra. Your oldest and most powerful Pokemon all seem ironically under-trained despite your professed beliefs in power and strength. If I had to guess, you're sabotaging yourself somehow. To have just one Elite Four-level Pokemon after roughly four years means you're either severely sabotaging yourself or are just a mediocre trainer. What's your highest placing in a conference?"

"Top 16," Paul replied in annoyance.

"How many times have you placed Top 16 out of three?"

"Once," Paul said gritting his teeth.

"Okay... that's terrible." Ash replied, provoking a stream of insults from Paul and once Paul's Pokemon were healed Ash had him teleported to Sandgem Town... Ash *verbally* ordered Alakazam to send him back to where he was, but Ash *telepathically* ordered that Paul be sent there for his insults.

Dawn was sent away next.

"Alone at last..." Ash said to Cynthia flirtatiously, causing her to laugh.

"I thought you stopped flirting when I wasn't receptive," Cynthia commented with a smile.

"I did. I'll just woo you until I'm legal age instead..."

"Oh?" Cynthia asked in amusement.

"Yes... I will woo you like no one in the history wooing has been wooed." Ash said, causing Cynthia to laugh again. Ash could get used to that sound.

"You're very handsome and I'm not opposed to dating you in the future, but I hope you know where the line is. I won't have you using inappropriate pick-up lines, behaving inappropriately, or giving inappropriate gifts." Cynthia said in warning.

"I would never do that. Is giving you a Mega Stone and Key Stone considered an inappropriate gift?" Ash asked.

"Excessive, but not inappropriate," Cynthia replied. "Can you afford to do that?" She asked, not wanting him giving her extravagant gifts to be the norm.

"I actively search for the stones and I have collected 10 Lucarionite and 9 Garchompite, so I can easily give you those. I have no intention of trying to buy your affection, but I know that the stones are practical gifts that you would likely appreciate... and they would also give you a greater edge in battles."

"Okay. Then I guess I'll accept your gifts," Cynthia said with a smile.

"I'm glad," Ash replied, and went to get Cynthia the Mega Stones and matching Key Stones.

Cynthia left once her Pokemon were cleared to travel and also declined Ash's invite to dinner when she learned of the Lustrous Orb being discovered. Ash was very understanding and teleported her to near Celestic Town before returning to his own journey.

Hopefully Ash would actually face some more challenges.