A Truce

"Are you not going to ask why I surrendered?", asked Norty to Axel.

"I know why you surrendered. Your Gengar had already use that form multiple time. Re-opening it again will be very difficult and you also know my last Pokemon.

Togetic might not be the best fit for Gengar but it is my most powerful Pokemon. So, it is natural for you to surrender. Cause there is no point for further battle.", said Axel.

"Hmm, that is a good reason but there is also another reason. After analyzing the way you have fought, you have already passed. Your Pokemons trust you and you have trained them well.

You also have an aura of a good trainer and those are the things I look for in a trainer.

Now, coming to the rewards. Since I used Gengar and also lost, you have surpassed the requirements of this gym battle. So, I want to give you an additional reward.

So, what do you want? Money? Resources? or other things.", asked Norty.

"I want your Gengar to teach my Shedinja about those 2 new moves that it used.", said Axel outright.

That was what he had been aiming for all this time. If Shedinja was able to learn those 2 moves, then its versatility and power will take a huge leap forward.

"Oh, that is a hard bargain. Axel, I am giving you a hand, you should not take my entire arm.", said Norty.

"Why don't we discuss this over a meal? I am famished. It will be my treat.", proposed Axel.

"I can take a free meal.", said Norty and then took the mike from the commentator.

"Hello everyone. This is Norty, your gym leader. I hope you had a very good experience today. The battle was very thrilling and Mr. Axel Blaze had shown the nature of a true trainer and thus has been eligible to get this gym badge."

The crowd cheered and then started to move. The battle was over and now they were going to have a hearty meal.

Axel finally received the fog badge. This was his third badge of the Johto region.

After the battle was over, Axel had to face a round of questions from the new channels. Norty was a big help on this. Since they both came outside at the same time, Norty didn't let Axel be disturbed by those media people.

He guided Axel to a lavish restaurant, booked a private room, and then ordered a lot of food.

"You know, you are the first gym leader in the Johto region who have shown a sign of friendship towards me.", remarked Axel.

"Axel, you have only met 2 gym leaders till now before me. So, I don't think that you should judge so quickly. There are 20 gyms in the entire Johto region."

"You are not wrong. So, what is your proposal?", asked Axel.

"You are the one asking for something. Why don't you propose first?", asked Norty with a smile.

"Mr. Norty..."

"Norty is fine. I am still not that old.", commented Norty.

"Ok, Norty, I have a Shedinja and it has a ghost core. It is a king-rank Pokemon. Your 2 new moves of Gengar will greatly benefit it. So, I was hoping that as a reward you can teach my Shedinja about this move.

As for what I can give you, I don't know. I am just a simple trainer and I don't have the resources like you gym leaders. So, if there is anything that I can give you as a trade-off, do tell me. I will consider it."

"Haha, Axel. It is not that I don't want to teach this move to your Pokemon. Your way to training Shedinja has also inspired me a lot. Training such a weak Pokemon to such a level is very hard and yet you have done it.

But if I were to teach those 2 moves to your Pokemon, then it would be unfair to the past trainers and the future trainers that will come to challenge my gym. I cannot impart this knowledge to all of them."

"I understand. Then what do you want in return."

"First of all, it is not even a guarantee that your Shedinja could learn those 2 moves."

"I assure you that if Shedinja cannot learn this in 2 weeks then I will accept it as a fate."

"Ok, Do you even know what those 2 move actually do? If you can tell me then I will think of training it to your Pokemon. Also, I have another request. I don't want you to actively tarnish the reputation of the gym leaders of the my region.

I also don't want you to take some sort of revenge on my region. If you can do all those things, then I will agree to this deal."

Knock.. Knock...

The food came and all of them were served at the same time. Norty specifically told them to not disturb them unless he calls them.

"So, where were we? Oh yes, you not poking on our butts."

"Let me make myself clear. I will not poke your butts if you don't poke mine. You don't expect me to give my neck if you want to cut it. I assure you that I will not be the one to start it but I will be the one to finish it."

"That is fair."

"Now, regarding those 2 moves. The first move 'Shadow connect'..."

Norty didn't know what kind of magic Axel had but he told everything about those 2 moves including the move name. He did call the name of the move but during the time of battle, Norty didn't expect Axel to listen it and remember it.

The description of the moves was so to the point that he was not only shocked but also frightened.

"So, do you agree to the deal?"

"I do."

"Can I ask you a question? Why do you want to help me? I mean I am just shooting a gun and you took it."

"I don't know what 'Shooting a gun' means but I see potential in you."

"Is that it? I mean I am not even from Johto region. You are not gaining anything from this. You may not know but if my Shedinja learns those 2 moves and it will, it will become even more powerful and almost unstoppable."

"Axel, unlike others I don't think you as an outsider. We are all humans and even though the higher ups don't want to admit it, in the future, we need all the support and power we can get to survive. I don't know how it will happen but it will happen.

You are one of those people that old man like me can keep my hopes on. My son is not as talented as you. He is only a year younger but he doesn't have what it takes.

He is, of course, an exceptional trainer and will be in the future but he cannot compare to you. I don't want to admit it but this is the reality. So, I chose to put my hopes on you but these will not be for free. You will have to earn it and you have."

"I will leave my Shedinja to you for 2 weeks. I have a tide battle to win.", said Axel and told Shedinja about all of the arrangements.

Shedinja didn't want to leave Axel but it had to agree. It was to become strong for the tide battle.

Not losing any soldier in the tide had never happened before. Axel's goal was almost impossible to achieve but if he were able to do it, then he would get a legendary Pokemon.

After saying goodbye to Shedinja, Axel went to his home. He still had around more than 3 weeks to get his team ready for the tide battle. A lot of Pokemons were on the verge of ranking up.

Axel had to see about them.

###

After 2 days,

Axel had finally reached his home city. He always felt peaceful here for some reason. May be it was where he was born or may be it was filled with greenery.

Agnes had come alone to pick him up. She had grown taller than before but only a little bit. She was like a princess of the city. Axel was respected here like a king. It was only due to him that the city was alive and his uncle was the current mayor.

Frankly, Hakone city had become like an actual home for the Blaze family. They were the overlords here and they could literally do anything here.

"Brother, Aurther wanted to meet you so much. You must come quickly. Also, Aron is missing you and Meg has something to say to you."

"Meg has something to say to me?"

"Didn't you catch about Aron and Aurther?"

"I did. Okay, let's go.", said Axel as both of them hurried to home.

###

Aron had recently been born and it considered Axel as an actual family. So, it naturally missed him. But he could not take it to Seafoam islands right now. That place was very dangerous and it needed some a peaceful environment right now.

Axel went down and picked it up. It was very heavy. It was a steel-type Pokemon but for Axel, this was nothing. He was already a pseudo-king rank human right now.

"Hey Aron, how are you?", asked Axel and rubbed its cheeks."

"A... aroon...", it cried softly in happiness.

Aron seemed to be very close to Axel for some reason and it was a good thing. Charizard was also like this when it was just a baby and it turned out great at the end.

Axel played with Aron for an hour and now it was sleeping. This was its nap time. Axel also played with Aurther and then moved to the training ground to meet with his Pokemon.

He first went into detail about the tide battle and also the gym battle.

"Gary was very lucky. Togetic might be pissed that it could not battle.", said Axel.

This was the second time that it could not battle in the gym. Togetic was not feeling good. It was supposed to be the leader of the group. How can it show its awesomeness if it could not even battle?

Togetic had made a secret vow that it had to reach pseudo-king rank as fast as possible. Only then could it assert its dominance.

"Meg, what do you want to talk about?"

"Axel, I feel that I am very close to upgrading 'Ancient power'"

"Really? Is that so? Can it be done in a couple of days?"

"No, I feel that it can be done right now. I have been holding it in for some time."

"Ok then, let's do it. I have all the things that I need."

After just 5 minutes, the place was crowded with all of Axel's Pokemons and his family. Everyone wanted to see if Nidoking could do it. If it became able to do it, then its power would rise up even more.

Nidoking closed its eyes and used the move 'Ancient power'. Rocks started to lift from the ground and it surrounded its body. Axel had seen Charizard and Mamoswine do it and the only similarity in how they did was that they used the move on themselves.

This was a crucial hint and Nidoking was doing the same thing.

The first time that it tried, it failed. Axel patted its back.

"Don't worry, we have enough time. Take a 5-minute rest and do it again."

Nidoking calmed down and then closed its eyes again. It started to gather the energy around itself and used the move again.

Suddenly, its whole body started to glow in a rocky and purple vibe.

----

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