The peace that follows after a battle, right?

"Geodude, Return..." Brock calls back his pokemon as he looks at Max with a small smile.

"Guess you are stronger then..." He chuckles while caressing the back of his head in a sheepish way.

"Anyway, Here is your badge..." Brock reaches on his pocket, taking out a box.

He opens the box with dark lead and red inside. Reaching out his hand and taking out a shiny Boulder Badge.

"This is the Boulder Badge, here, This is yours now..."

Max reaches out his hand taking the badge with a simple handshake.

"Thank you," He said with a small smile drawing on his lips.

Click!

The Rotom Drone's eyes flashes as it clicks the photo of the moment.

"The Indigo League Data will be updated... Stay tune..."

It said as it flew away.

"So... Wanna have dinner with me?"

"Huh?" Max exclaims his surprise, he certainly didn't expected Brock to offer that... Was there something that he saw?

Brock was flashing a wide smile full of hope, although he will feel bad, but he had to turn him down for now.

"Sorry, I have other things to attend to."

Brock does feels disappointed, but he masks it with a smile of his own. "It's ok, don't worry, I just thought we could get in good terms you know... Haha,"

"But sheesh, was I not surprised to see your Charmander suddenly evolving."

Oh yea! Charmeleon!

Max turned his gaze to his newly evolved Kaen.

Kaen stood a little far away, watching the exchange between Brock and Max with her now sharp eyes.

While still Charmander, Kaen looked like a child exploring the world filled with awe, now she looked more like a teenager figuring out the world with their Calculating gaze.

Now Max was starting to get worried, Charmeleon is infamous for not following their trainer's they deemed unworthy of. Will it still follow Max like when it did like Charmander or will it start it's rebellious teenager phase like Ash's Charmeleon did.

"Uhmm... Kaen?" Max whispered, slowly approaching Charmeleon, he was excited about the new form, but was equally as nervous.

Char....

Kaen tilts her head slightly towards the left, looking at Max as he slowly extended his hands.

Meleon!

Suddenly, Kaen jumps at Max tossing him at ground and nuzzling his chest.

"H.. Hey! S.. Stop.. Haha.. I.. It tickles! Ahaha"

Max laughed as he hugged his Charmeleon tightly. He was glad alright, glad that Kaen overcame the hurdle and still put her faith in him.

Weirdly enough, he felt really proud of himself. And the badge on his hand, was the proof of his pokemon's unwavering faith in him.

Kaen slowly lifted her face and looking at Max, who, to her surprise, puts a hand on her forehead and slowly caresses it.

"You did really great... I am proud of you..."

Hearing that, Kaen's eyes slowly tears up, the earlier wetness burst out in small sob, burning her face deeper in his chest.

The fear she felt, the helplessness... Everything... It was actually worth it...

As Max slowly turned his face down at her, he was greeted with the peaceful sleeping face of Kaen, her breathing slow and steady.

The heartwarming sight beings a smile on his face, She must be tired, He thought.

It reminded him of yesterday night. He remember how nervous she was, scared even, after training, she slept close to him, hugged him tight and refused to let go the entire night.

"Kaen..." He whispered slowly.

Feeling the presence of Brock behind him, he knew the heartfelt moment now had to come at it's end.

"Rest in ball for a while, ok... " He slowly called Kaen back on her Pokeball.

Max slowly turned towards Brock who stood behind him.

"Well... Sorry to bother you... But it seems we have another challenger at the moment... So... " Brock said, reaching his hands towards Max.

"Ah! Done worry, I was about to leave anyway..." Said Max, taking Brock's hand who helps him lift up.

With the final firm hand shake, Max was about to leave but suddenly.

"Hey Brock!"

"Hmm?"

"After I defeat all 8 Gym Leaders, let's battle again, full power no holding back, and when i beat you at your best, then, let's have dinner together then..."

Surprise fills brock face, but soon a small smile makes it's way as he nods. "Yes, and don't think you can win then, cause i will slam you, Hahaha"

And with a chuckle, he lefts the Gym, the First Gym badge on his hand.

Why is his eyes always closed though? How does he sees?

______________

As Max enters the Pokemon league with a sigh, he is greeted with eyes of everyone, some with admiration, some envious, some with conflicting emotions while some with hate.

A sweat runs down his forehead as he wonders why he is suddenly the center of attention.

As his gaze falls on the Television that was still broadcasting the highlights of the match, that's when his eyes widens in realization.

Ahem, he makes his way towards the Counter, hiding his gaze from everyone.

Yup, it will take time to get used to this attention.

"Welcome to the Pokemon Center Mr. Max,"

Nurse Joy greets with her vibrant smile, her enthusiasm clear in the calm voice of her. Whoever named her Joy knew what he was doing.

Nurse Joy takes Max's pokemon from him, updating him on further as she did so.

"Oh.. Yea, there is many things you need to know now..."

Now, Max was officially able to use the battle corner of the Pokemon Center. Not only that, his official earning through Pokemon League have also started, the more battle he fights and higher is his fame, higher will be his earnings.

Nurse Joy also informed him about the Official Pokemon League website, a site where all the information about trainers was kept, including his own as he after his first Gym badge is a trainer recognized by the Pokemon League itself.

But currently he won't be able to access it as his information is still being loaded, she informs, which will be completed by morning, and after that he can log in through his own offical account which will be provided by Nurse Joy.

He can Log In through any device Phone, Pc e.t.c as long as they are connected to Wi-Fi or internet, which, throughout the whole world is free.

Yup, this world is awesome ok.

And lastly, his Trainer Privilege have been removed, as he is starting to earn, he will need to pay for his own, expect for some basic needs, like shelter and healing in pokemon center which will be absolutely free.

With all the new information now gained, he walks and sits on the waiting couch around the pokemon center.

"Mister!!"

Max opens his eyes amd turns towards a little girl running towards him.

She stops in front of him and looks at him with sparking gaze.

"Please... Battle me..." She says, her adorable voice traced with a hint of naivety, echoing around the Pokemon center.

At first he wanted to turn her down, but that cheerful face with those expecting eyes made him think otherwise.

Releasing a small chuckle, he nods, accepting the challenge of the little girl. "Okay..."

"But," He continues. "My pokemon are being healed so we have to wait for a bit ok?"

A wide adorable smile reaches the lips of the little girl as she nods her head vigorously.

"Anyway what's your name?" Max asked, slowly wiping away the shards of hair covering the little girl's face.

"My name is-..."

"MAX JASPER!!"

The loud voice echoes around the pokemon center, the voice that was filled with hatred and anger.

Cut out of her speech, the girl jumps in fear and hides behind Max, who now stood up for the voice that was calling him out with such anger.

A person stood at the main door of Pokemon Center, walking towards him, each step more forceful then earlier.

"You..."He growls. "How dare you...!"

The man standing in front of him looked around 16, 2 years older then him.

He had a black jacket with red stripes and a blue jean with white sneakers. His brown hairs similar to that of Average side characters, but his deep green eyes was what that truly stood out.

"Is something wrong?" Max asks, holding the little girl behind him as she clutched his legs.

By now the whole pokemon center had it's attention on him, which was bothering Max as no matter how much he tries, there is always an idiot who comes and argues with him in middle of pokemon center in middle of all crowd, drawing every last bit of unwanted attention.

Just let me have peace!!!