Trauma

"Congratulations on winning your first match son." Delia congratulated followed by the rest of the group.

"Big brother, Samurott was really amazing Altaria couldn't even fight back." an excited Bonnie said.

Clemont who was with the group approached Ash and greeted him with a hug and said, "You really did become stronger Ash, I am really excited about having a match against you."

Ash smiled and replied, "Then you should be ready to lose."

The two young men laughed clearly happy at seeing each other again, Delia then announced, "Now that you have won your first match and seeing that you have reunited with a lot of your friends we will be having a little celebration at the house."

Ash liked the idea and ordered his assistants, "Jessie, you and James will have to buy the ingredients for the celebration."

Jessie and James nodded, they soon left to purchase what was needed so that they could go back early and start preparing.

Ash then looked at Meowth and said, "You on the other hand shall wait here for Iris, she is my companion on my journey at Unova. you should remember her right?"

Meowth tried to remember Iris and nodded, "I remember Boss, is that green-haired connoisseur here as well?"

"I don't know but if he is here then you should also bring him along," Ash ordered.

May who was behind Ash said, "I will also go and tell Max, he is in group C and his match with be starting soon. we will go there as soon as he finishes his match."

"Tell him not to lose in the group stage because we still have our promise to fight each other in an official battle," Ash said with a smile on his face when he remembered his promise with the young Max.

May smiled sweetly and Ash's words of encouragement and nodded her head, she then went towards Stadium C where her brother's match will be held.

After sorting everything out the group then returned to the house and started preparing, Ash on the other hand went to the backyard and released all of his pokemons.

As the group was released Samurott had his head held high and said, "I just won my first battle and my opponent didn't even scratch me."

Infernape rolled his eyes and replied, "It would be really embarrassing if you lose your first match. good thing Master only chooses you if the enemy is weak."

"What did you say?!" Samurott roared.

"You heard me or did your ear get injured during your fight," Infernape replied not backing down.

*BAM!* *BAM!*

Two vine whips smacked Infernape's and Samurott's heads knocking them down, "I will give you two choices. First, continue your argument and I'll knock you both out or Two, you will keep quiet and listen to Master's speech."

Samurott and Infernape shut their mouth immediately and obediently waited for their Master to speak.

Seeing everything quiet down Ash spoke, "In this pokemon league I will be having 14 matches, 10 in the group stage and 4 on the main tournament. I already promised Samurott that he will be participating in 5 of the 10 matches that I will have in the group stage so if anyone of you wants to take the other 5 matches then tell me right now."

Ash scanned his pokemon and continued, "Let me remind you that if you already fought in the group stage then there is a low chance that you will be participating in the main tournament."

"Huh?!" Samurott exclaimed and looked at his Master in terror.

"Ma-master! I won't be participating in the main battles?" Samurott asked.

Ash turned his attention towards Samurott and replied, "There will only be a small chance that you will get chosen and that is if I am already desperate for a win and your type advantage is needed."

Samurott slumped down and knew that he won't get any more chances in the main battles, he clearly knew these Brother's of his won't even lose any matches even if they are in a type disadvantage.

"So who will the one to fight the remaining 5 matches in the group stage?" Ash asked as he looked at his pokemons who were dodging his stares not wanting to get picked.

"Not me, not me, O' Arceus please let me not get picked." This was what all the pokemons were thinking if Ash's stare will lock onto them for a few moments.

Bayleef had an exasperated look on her face when she saw how her brothers' actions and said, "I will fight the remaining battles, Master."

*Phew* A few sighs of relief could be heard when Bayleef stepped up to the plate.

"Big sis! you're really the best! those pokemons won't even know how they got defeated now that you are stepping up." Alakazam the best on bootlicking said.

Garchomp nodded his head, "Alakazam is right, those pokemons will surely get 1 hit ko'ed."

Charizard, Infernape, and even Sceptile started praising Bayleef making her shake her head not wanting to hear any more nonsense.

Ash smiled at Bayleef and announced, "Bayleef will be the one to fight the remaining 5 battles then, the rest of you should condition yourself and stop doing mock battles during the pokemon league."

"Ash! we are here!" A female voice resounded at the door of the backyard.

Ash glanced back and saw Iris along with Cilan walking towards him.

"Ash, it has been such a long time," Cilan said as he gave Ash a big hug.

"I didn't think that connoisseurs can give hugs when greeting someone," Ash said, clearly happy to see his old friend.

"Woah! what a powerful Garchomp!" Iris was about to greet Ash when she saw Garchomp standing behind him and immediately approached it not even afraid of Garchomp's retaliation.

She stood in front of Garchomp and started circling on him inspecting each and every part of his body, nodding her head continuously Iris said, "You are really strong and your body is in perfect condition."

Garchomp stared at Iris and couldn't help but feel a little attachment towards the female human, he looked at his Master and said, "Master, I think I am being bewitched by this woman."

Ash was confused hearing Garchomp, so he patted Iris's shoulders and pulled her back immediately. "Iris, Garchomp told me that he was being bewitched by you."

Iris who was still focused on Garchomp got startled at Ash's sudden pull and explained, "You know that I am a Dragon Master right? so it is normal for Dragon type pokemon to feel attached to me so there is nothing to worry about."

*ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAR!*

Garchomp roared and glared angrily at Iris, he was about to attack when Charizard who was standing beside him locked his arms and took him down.

"Let me go Charizard! I'm going to shred that woman into pieces! she dared bewitch me, I will never get attached to another trainer other than Master! let me go! let me go!" Garchomp roared while struggling to get free from Charizard.

Bayleef then stopped in front of Garchomp blocking his eyes with her vine whip and said in a soothing voice, "Garchomp, relax we are with you. you are not alone so don't be afraid and calm your mind. I am here along with your 5 brothers and we will never leave you behind."

Garchomp started calming down but tears were falling down in his eyes and he started crying, "I will never leave Master, that woman bewitched me she bewitched me big sis please stop her from bewitching me, I don't want to leave master's side."

At this time Ash already told Iris and Cilan to get back inside the house while Alakazam erected a purple shield blocking the others from seeing what was happening inside.

"How is he?" Ash asked Bayleef who was still caressing Garchomp's head.

"He is now sleeping Master, I think he is traumatized at what happened in the past that is why he reacted so violently earlier," Bayleef explained.

Ash nodded in agreement and caressed Garchomp's head who was asleep and said, "No need to worry Garchomp, I know that you will never leave me behind."

He then looked at his other pokemon and said, "I hope that you guys can support each other and report to me if you have any lingering trauma in the past so that we as a whole can help you conquer your traumatic past."

Ash didn't leave and continued to stay with his pokemon until Garchomp finally woke up.

He looked at his surroundings and sighed in relief when he saw his Master along with his brothers and big sis.

"Garchomp did your trauma started when that fateful day happened?" Ash asked.

Garchomp lowered his head and nodded, "That's right Master, I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't even know why I felt so angry at Iris earlier when I felt attached to her."

Ash smiled and gave Garchomp a hug, "You need to trust in yourself and have more confidence."

Garchomp closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth he's feeling right now.