Arceus, are you still here?!

Ash shouted, "ACE!" Ace woke up in a daze, "Huh?" Ash waved, smiling, "Come on! We're going back to beat Brock!" Ace let out a breath and recovered from his state, "If you don't beat Brock, don't tell anyone I'm your teacher!"

Ash chuckled and swiped his nose with his thumb, "You got it!" as he ran off with Pikachu on his shoulder.

Ace followed along with a sigh as Misty chased after Ash, "Wait for me!" Flint walked next to Ace with his hands behind his back, "They're a lively bunch." Ace looked at the duo running and nodded with a smile, "That's what it's like to be young." Flint's lips twitched and he looked at him, "You're young too."

Ace paused and his eyes twitched, "I'm 20, okay? Not young anymore." Flint rolled his eyes and shook his head, "I've seen your videos. You should be a Dragon Type Trainer, no?" Ace looked at him, as Flint asked with doubts, "Why are you a Rock Type Gym Leader…"

Ace scratched his cheek and replied, "I'm just holding down the fort for a friend… When his son comes into his own, I'll probably leave." Flint looked at him with raised brows, "Oh? That's nice of you." Ace rolled his eyes and looked at him, "Anyway, Flint, are you going to return to the Pewter Gym or what?"

Flint was shocked!

You could tell from his eyes(??????????????)

He coughed, "Ahem! What? I don't know what you're saying- Haha!" Ace's lips twitched and he replied speechlessly, "I have better eyes than most people, I can see your face under that hat…" Flint froze and pulled back the hat, slightly, revealing two lines!

He sighed and clenched his fists, "How can I go back now? I left Brock alone this whole time…" Ace patted his shoulder, "There's always time to make up for your mistakes, unless you're an author, in which case, your readers will stab you as fast as humanly possible." Flint sighed again, shaking his head, "I don't know…"

Ace smiled at him, "Think about it. We have a similar situation, except I'm the one who ran away from my home." Flint looked at him as Ace sighed, turning back, "Then my sister tracked me down like a hunting dog." Flint's lips twitched.

You know, talking to you really makes me want to beat you to death!

They came to the Gym and Flint looked at the doors before shaking his head. Ace walked inside, waving over his shoulder, "Well, you think about it, Flint!" Flint looked at the doors in silence for a long time…

Ace walked into the Gym, going up into the seats and sitting down to watch the match. Misty looked at him and pouted, "Oh, that strange old guy is here…" Ace almost choked to death, "I'm not old!"

What? You said he just said he was? No no, you're delusional not him!

Misty nodded, "Oh… Oh!" Ace crossed his arms and looked at the Mystery Gift prompt in front of him, grumbling as he pressed the button.

[Child of the Sea Power]

??????????

[Child of the Sea Power- Unnatural connection to Water Types. Will make all Water Types more friendly towards you. Allows for extended periods of time in the water without losing your breath. Allows for communication between you and Water Types.]

Ace blinked slowly, turning to Misty as his lips slowly twitched.

Super Lucky Period… For whomst?!

Well, look on the bright side! Now that he knows it works, he might be able to trip and fall over a Devil Fruit or something. And just imagine the untold riches if he was to jump off cliffs!

You have to know, under every cliff is a Super, Insane, Mega, Otherworldly, Impossible, Hiding-In-Plain Sight, Treasure!

Sometimes you even find the Ultimate prize, Paraplegia!

He put the crystal away as the Battle below started.

Brock threw out a Pokeball, "Come out, Geodude!" a Geodude popped out, "Dude!" Ash looked at the Geodude and finally threw out a Pokeball, "I choose you, Pidgeotto!" Ace slapped his forehead in disbelief, Misty held the bars, sighing, "What an idiot!"

Ace's lips twitched.

Rounding up, you're calling me an idiot?

No no…

Back to the battle!

Brock was speechless. Ash pointed forward, "Go ahead Pidgeotto, Sand Attack!" Ace's eyes lit up, hey! This kid learned something? Maybe he has a strategy???

Brock shouted, "Geodude, Defense Curl!" Ash pointed and said excitedly, "Use Gust!" Geodude looked at Pidgeotto in the winds with a calm look, "Dude…" Pidgeotto looked at Geodude before sighing.

Brock shouted, "Tackle, now!" Ash countered, "Fly up!" Pidgeotto flew into the air as Geodude missed, rolling around. Brock smiled, "Geodude, Rollout!" Ash looked confused as Geodude rolled around the rocky terrain, shooting up a stone and flying into the air!

Pidegotto: !!!!

Ash was dumbfounded, saying "Blow it away, Whirlwind!" Pidgeotto flapped his wings and shot a gust of wind, throwing Geodude back where he came from into a boulder. Brock shook his head and continued, "Rock Throw!"

Ash shouted anxiously, "Dodge it!" but a rock flew out of the smoke and hit Pidgeotto in the face, sending him down to the ground. Brock added, "Rollout!" Ash took back Pidgeotto, "Return!" before looking at the Pokeball, "You did good, Pidgeotto."

Brock crossed his arms and laughed, "Now you know the hardness of Rock Types, right? Hahaha!" Ash turned his hat backwards, "Oh you! Don't be smug! Pikachu, I choose you!"

Pikachu ran out, "Pika!" Brock snorted, "Again? Geodude-" Ash shouted, "Thunderbolt!" A stream of lightning flew out and blasted Geodude into a Rolycoly!

Brock was dumbfounded, "WHAT?!" Ash wiped his nose with his thumb, "Alright!" Brock took back Geodude, "You did great, Geodude." before looking at Ash, "Huh… So you improved! How's this?! Onix, finish this!"

A large Onix appeared, roaring at Pikachu, who cracked his knuckles, looking like he was going to give Onix a few punches and kicks.

Ash pointed forward, "Alright, Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Pikachu cried out, "PikaCHUUUUUUUU!" lightning went everywhere, even hitting Onix, making it cry out in pain! Brock shouted, "Onix, Tackle!" Onix smashed into the ground as Ash said anxiously, "Dodge, Pikachu!"

Brock laughed, "It's too late! Remember this? Onix, Bind!" Onix scooped up Pikachu like before, squeezing him. Ash shouted, "Oh no, Pikachu!" Brock snorted, "Do you want to surrender, Ash?" Ash shouted, "No way! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Pikachu screamed, "Pikachu!" as lightning exploded wildly, making Onix roar in pain!

Ash covered his face, "Come on, Pikachu! It's working!" Brock shouted anxiously, "Keep Binding him, Onix!" But it turns out that Onix had enough HP and survived!

Brock suddenly said, "Onix, stop." Onix let go of Pikachu as Ash said with a frown, "No, Brock! I wanna play this through to the end!" Brock replied calmly, "There's no point in going on, I really don't want to hurt your Pikachu."

Ash hesitated when the sprinkler system turned on, Misty shouted, "Ash! Rock Type Pokemon are weakened by Water!" Ash was stunned and shouted, "Pikachu!" Pikachu let out some lightning as Onix roared before falling over.

Brock was dumbfounded, "Onix?!" Onix shook slowly, still alive. Ash raised his hand, "Pikachu! Finish it off-" before pausing with his eyes closed, "My conscience is holding me back! I can't bring myself to beat Brock! I'm imagining his little brothers and sisters stopping me from beating the one person they love!"

Ace rubbed his eyes, sighing as Brock's little brothers and sisters were really stopping Ash… But that's not the point.

The point is… why are you so stupid!!!

Misty sighed, "Ash, you'd better open your eyes!" Ash saw his conscience in a real form! No! Brock's little siblings were really holding him back! He was stunned and they said, "Hey, you'd better stop, you big bully!" Ash retorted, "Believe me, kid. I'm no bully!"

Brock frowned, "Stop it! Get off him! All of you! This is an official match and we're going to finish it, no matter what!" The siblings cried out, "But Brock, we know you love your Pokemon so much! That's why we can't watch Onix suffer from another attack!"

Ash thought for a moment and shouted, "Pikachu, return!" Brock was shocked and angry, saying, "What do you think you're doing?! This match isn't over yet, Ash!" Ash looked at Brock, "Those sprinklers going off was just an accident. Winning the match because of that wouldn't have proved anything. Next time we meet, I'll beat you my way. Fair and Square!"

Before walking out of the Gym.

Ace sighed and walked out of the Gym. Although, Ash's IQ was a bit worrying… He was as kind as ever. Ace smiled a bit before gritting his teeth, chasing after him.

Brock was stunned in place.

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Btw if you're gonna complain about being nice and giving things away... please read the next chapter! I'm begging!

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