Ch. 16: Growth

 

Inside the Dojo, a group of disciples sit around in front of a large table alongside their Pokémon waiting for dinner with Guam sitting around in the middle of them all. Soon Gwen comes in alongside her Mienshao carrying a large pot with Aire and Lee with the pair now wearing the karate uniforms alongside their Pokémon carrying plates and bowls.

            “Okay everyone dinners ready.” Gwen says happily slamming down the pot.

            “This is impressive; I can’t believe you make dinner for all of them.” Aire says impressed by the sight.

            “It’s no big deal I do this every day so I’m used to it.” Gwen says embarrassed by Aire’s praise.

            “Oh please, all she does is cook the same gruel every day; I just hope her cooking has improved.” Lee says responding to her statement.

            “Lee, you should be quite.” Gwen says threatening Lee.

            “Oh please, I’m not scared of you.” Lee says shaking at the sight of her.

            “Oh Lee whatever do you mean.” Gwen says in a threatening monotone.

A while later the entire group eats alongside their Pokémon as Aire looks around at all of them.

            “Do you all eat dinner like this every day?” Aire asks curiously.

            “It’s to foster a sense of community among us alongside our Pokémon, and strengthen our bonds.” Guam explains to Aire.

            “Yeah, it’s like this every day, all the disciples and our Pokémon eating Gwen’s gruel.” Lee says responding to Aire.

Suddenly he’s punched in the face and falls on the floor.

            “Oh Lee, you need to know when to shut up.” Gwen says to Lee.

            “So Lee and Erin grew up here?’ Aire asks trying to ignore the sight.

            “Yes, I found them when they were just kids, and me and my Machamp, back when it was a Machoke were competing.” Guam says explaining things.

            “Yeah, you took in us little orphans and decided to raise us.” Lee says sitting back up.

            “Yeah, and you’ve been a pain in my neck ever since.” Gwen says giving her opinion.

            “You should’ve seen the two of them as kids, Lee was always following behind Erin like a puppy, he even choice a Pokémon like his because he idolized him.” Guam says laughing.

            “Shut up, when are we going to battle anyway?” Lee asks annoyed.

            “Lee, you should remember how things go around here; we’ll battle after everyone has finished dinner.” Guam says explaining things.

            “Lee, is the only reason you came out here to fight against Guam?” Aire asks curiously.

            “You could say that, but you’re really the reason I came out here.” Lee says answering her.

            “Lee, I’m not coming back just yet and you can’t make me.” Aire says to Lee.

            “Wait, you misunderstand me, after you left everyone started to train, not wanting to get outdone by you.” Lee explains to Aire. “So I came back here to fight the master in hopes of getting stronger myself.” Lee explains to Aire.

            “Wait so everyone’s trying to get stronger?” Aire asks curiously.

            “Yup.” Lee says answering her.

            “Great, now even if I do become stronger I’ll still be the weakest.” Aire says thinking about the situation.

            “Okay then Lee, let’s go to the arena.” Guam says to Lee.

            “Finally.” Lee says excitedly.

 

Guam then leads the group to the center of the temple a large arena in the middle of a small moat.

            “This is where you’ll have your battle Lee.” Guam says to Lee.

            “Wait you’ll, I thought I was fighting you master?” Lee asks curiously.

            “No, at the moment you aren’t ready to battle me and Machamp.” Guam says with Machamp nodding along with him.

            “But I wanted to battle you master not any random disciple.” Lee says complaining.

            “No, you won’t be battling a random disciple; you’ll battle the Dojo’s number two.” Guam says looking at Gwen.

            “You shouldn’t underestimate me Lee, now even Erin could win against me no matter how many times we fought.” Gwen says taunting Lee.

            “Fine then let’s do this.” Lee says getting ready for the fight.

 

Soon both sides stand on opposite ends of the field alongside their Pokémon with Guam standing outside the arena in the middle watching and Aire standing next to him.

            “Okay are both of you ready to start?” Guam asks seriously, with both nodding. “Okay then, let the match begin.” Guam says signaling the start of the match.

            “Okay then, I’ll take the first attack, Tyrouge Bullet Punch.” Lee says ordering his Tyrouge who charges in at Mienshao.

            “Looks like you haven’t changes, Mienshao Acrobatics.” Gwen says ordering Mienshao.

As Tyrouge gets closer Mienshao starts shaking rapidly and Tyrouge’s attack seemingly passes through it only for Mienshao to appear behind it and kick it over the head knocking it back.

            “Tyrouge, Fake out.” Lee says ordering Tyrouge.

            “You never learn do you?” Gwen asks curiously. “Mienshao Aura sphere.” Gwen says ordering Mienshao.

Soon Tyrouge charges in at Mienshao, but before it can Mienshao unleashes a large energy ball at Tyrouge that blasts it back nearly knocking it out as it tries to get back on its feet.

            “You never learn Lee, and why hasn’t Tyrouge evolved yet?” Gwen asks Lee curiously.

            “Shut up, Tyrouge Strength.” Lee says ordering Tyrouge.

            “Could it be that you were hoping it’d evolve into a Hitmonlee like Erin’s, well you were always following behind him, I mean you chose Tyrouge just because Erin did to didn’t you?” Gwen continues asking Lee as Mienshao dodges Tyrouge’s attacks.

            “Shut up, Tyrouge Bullet Punch.” Lee says ordering Tyrouge.

            “Look Aire, you’ll never be able to grow in strength if you’re lying to yourself about your true intentions and motivations.” Guam explains to Aire watching the match.

Soon Tyrouge is thrown back next to Lee who starts looking over the exhausted Pokémon.

            “So what, so what if I was trying to be like Erin, he’s strong and I decided to be strong I had to be like him, but if that’s what’s holding me back then I’ll have to find my own way.” Lee says thinking about the situation.

As Lee says this Tyrouge is overcome with a bright light as the light fades Tyrouge has changed into a Hitmontop.

            “Well look at that.” Gwen says at the sight.

            “Tyrouge?” Lee asks looking at the Hitmontop. “No, Hitmontop let’s do this.” Lee says energized.

At the sound of its trainer Hitmontop then runs at Mienshao before jumping into the air spinning intently before crashing into Mienshao.

            “That’s Drill Run, well looks like your full of surprises.” Gwen says at the sight. “Now Mienshao.” Gwen says ordering Mienshao.

            “Now Hitmontop.” Lee says ordering Hitmontop.

            “That’s enough.” Guam says as Machamp jumps in the middle of the fight blocking the pair’s attacks.

            “Father, I was just about to win this.” Gwen says insulted by the interference.

            “You were going to win.” Lee says insulated.

            “Yes well. I figured that’d be enough of a battle for today.” Guam says explaining himself. “Lee, did you do what you came here to do?” Guam asks Lee seriously.

            “Yes master.” Lee says answering.

 

A while later the group reconvenes at the gate with Aire and Lee putting back on their regular uniforms and walking off.

            “Is that all?” Gwen asks curiously.

            “That’s more than enough, they both have what they came here for and they can’t grow sticking around here.” Guam explains to Gwen.

            “Then maybe I should go a journey, I could use the strength.” Gwen says jokingly.

            “But Gwen, then who’d cook?” Guam asks cautiously.

            “Well dad I think it’s time you learned how to cook.” Gwen says jokingly.

            “Hey Aire.” Lee says to Aire seriously. “I won’t tell you to come back until you find what you’re looking for, but just be careful.” Lee says to Aire.

            “Of course, and soon I’ll become strong enough to blow you out of the water.” Aire says jokingly.

            “Well we’ll see about that.” Lee says as the pair departs.

            “Yes, I have to grow stronger, I can’t stay weak forever.” Aire says as she looks towards the horizon.