(Next Morning after the Warm up is Complete)

"The first gym you will be challenging is the Cyllage city gym. Tell me who is the gym leader and what does he specialize in?" Dragon Emperor says.

"Well Grant is the Cyllage City gym leader. He specializes in Rock types." Serena replies.

"Rock types. Interesting. One of the most weak when it comes to defense but quite powerful when it comes to attack. So let us start with defense. Ash tell me What are rock types vulnerable to?" Dragon Emperor asks Ash.

"That's easy. They are weak against water, grass, steel, fighting and ground types." Ash replies.

"Good. Now that we are studying battle strategies the pattern of study will be different. Both Theory and Practical shall be studied together. In the night before dinner you will drop your tired Pokemon at the Pokemon center before going to bed and bring them back in the morning. Is that understood?" Dragon Emperor asks.

"Yes." They both reply.

"Good. Now let us come to the first type with an advantage over rock type and that is water. Before we discuss that tell me what is water?" Dragon Emperor asks the duo.

"U mm. It is a colorless, tasteless and odorless liquid with a chemical formula of H2O." Serena says.

"Yes. But it is much more than that. Water is the element of flow. An element of life. Water teaches us acceptance. To master water Pokemon you must release your emotions and allow them to lead you to wherever they take you just like a stream of water finding it's own path." Dragon Emperor says.

"But how does that help us?" Ash replies.

"You will never be able to master a Pokemon of a particular type if you haven't mastered that type first. By mastering I mean understanding the essence of that Type's characteristics."

"But if we allow your emotions to take us wherever they lead how are we to take informed decisions in heat of battle?" Serena asks.

"A very good question. That is also why I am starting with water type first because it can be tricky. How to battle while releasing your emotions yet ensuring that your mind only takes strength from these emotions and uses them against your enemy in the battle and not drift with the flowing emotions is the key to mastering water type Pokemon." Dragon Emperor replies.

"But I don't have a water type Pokemon." Serena says looking crestfallen.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Ash says with a grin to the confusion of both Dragon Emperor and Serena.

"What do you mean?" Serena asks while Dragon Emperor is also eyeing Ash with a suspicious eye.

"U mm. Well you see the thing is that before we left for Cyllage city do you remember we had our big fight. Before I came back to our apartment I also thought of getting you a present as an apology. So I was racking my brains very hard when I ran into Lucy." Ash says.

"The Battle pike queen who is dating Brock?" Serena enquirers.

"Yup. One look at my face and she figured out something was wrong. When I told her everything and what I was doing she gave me the perfect idea for a present." Ash says.

"Which was?" Serena asks with a feeling of excitement.

"She told me that her Milotic ha given birth to a Feebas which she had raised into another Milotic. After Lucy came to Kalos she released the Milotic in a lake nearby. Since the lake was one route to KIP I stopped by and caught it before coming back. Well here you go." Ash says while taking out a Poke-ball and tossing it revealing a Milotic. Serena was speechless for a moment after seeing it.

"Ash it's beautiful. I love it." Serena says before tackling Ash into a hug which he reciprocates. Meanwhile Dragon Emperor is examining the Milotic.

"This is Milotic has been raised very well Serena. A fine Dominant Water and Recessive Dragon type Pokemon. You should keep it. It will be excellent for Performances and Contests too." Dragon Emperor says while petting the Milotic.

"How can you tell?" Serena says after separating from Ash and walking towards Milotic.

"A Milotic's quality is determined by the beauty of the color pattern of it's tail which is unique to it. This one is a female." Dragon Emperor replies as Serena places her hands on Milotic to stroke it.

"So Milotic tell me would you like to become one of my Pokemon?" Serena says while petting it with a sweet smile.

Milotic instantly wraps itself around Serena and starts to nuzzle with her to display her affection.

"Alright now that both of you have a water type let us begin." Dragon Emperor says.

"Right both Ash and Serena reply with a tone of seriousness.

(2 weeks later on a Morning)

"Alright. Time to move to the next site of training. We go via Cyllage City. Pack up the camp." Dragon Emperor says.

"Right." Ash, Clemont and Serena reply as they start packing everything up. Ash and Serena have been training hard with special emphasis on water and fighting type Pokemon. Clemont now also at least manages to be on the back of his Tauros for a while instead of being sent flying immediately.

As they are packing suddenly Ash's holocaster starts to glow and ring.

"What is happening?" Dragon Emperor says.

Clemont inspects the holocaster then informs him that Champion Diantha is calling Ash.

"Alright. If she asks you about what you are doing tell her that you were training. Ash and Serena ere training with water and fighting type Pokemon while Clemont was doing some training as well. Remember not a mention of me or any of the details of the training or knowledge you have received. Also no mention of the Alolan Pokemon as well." Dragon Emperor says while waking away.

"But why this secrecy?" Clemont asks.

"The time is not right yet. Everything must happen at the appropriate moment. I am asking you to trust in my judgement. Call me when your conversation is over." Dragon Emperor says while walking out of sight.

Ash presses a button. A computer screen comes into focus with Diantha, Sycamore, Prof. Oak and Grace visible in it.

"Hello. Long time no see." Ash, Serena and Clemont says.

"Hi Ash. How are you? I hope you have been taking care of my Serena." Grace replies.

"He has mom. He even got me a Milotic." Serena says as she tosses a Poke-ball.

"Hmm. Looks well raised. You have done a good job." Oak and Sycamore say in unison with smiles.

"Thank you." Serena replies with a curt bow.

"So tell me Ash. How many badges have you earned? At least 3 would be my guess. But since you are you I wouldn't be surprised if you actually got 4." Diantha says.

"Actually. I haven't challenged any other gym since the Santalune Gym." Ash says in a nervous manner while scratching the back of his head.

"What? But why?" All 4 of them say in unison.

"Actually the 3 of us have been training in the wild till now." Serena says quickly.

"Training I understand but avoiding gyms is also not good. Gym leaders provide their challengers with a unique challenge which can't be obtained while training in the wilderness. I want you to start challenging gyms again. There are only 3 months left in the Kalos league. You still have 7 gyms to go. Or do I take it you are not interested in becoming one of the elite four." Diantha says in a serious tone.

"No no. Nothing like that. In fact we were actually on our way to the Cyllage city gym right now." Ash says quickly.

"Very well. But the next time I call you which will be in 2 weeks time I should see at least 2 more gym badges otherwise I will take the offer of being an elite four off the table and you will come back with Serena and rejoin your classes like all other students." Diantha says.

"Don't worry I shall." Ash replies with a determined smile.

"OK. Now we have to sign off. But before signing off I must inform you that your rival Paul is planning to challenge you for your position as KIP Champion. He will challenge you shortly. Right now he is training under Cynthia's tutelage. You will have to come back and defend your title on an informed date. Should you lose then the offer of the elite four goes as well. Bear that in mind."

"I will. Bye for now." Ash says while disconnecting the call.

"That was intense." Serena says while wiping the sweat of her forehead.

"You are right." Ash replies while doing the same.

"if you find such a trivial and insignificant thing intense then maybe you aren't cut out to be my students." Dragon Emperor says in a serious tone while walking towards them.

"No. No. We were just kidding." Ash and Serena quickly shout while waving their hands frantically.

"Right. Just get on with the packing. We leave for Cyllage city within 5 minutes." Dragon Emperor replies in a dismissive tone.

(10 minutes Later)

"We are all set. Harry will be herein 2 minutes." Serena says.

"Good. Challenge the Cyllage city gym. You should win the badge. Then come to the outskirts of the city and take the route which goes to Shalour city. I will find you." Dragon Emperor says before walking away.

After he has left. Clemont speaks up "Guys. I am getting a little suspicious of Dragon Emperor. If he is so strong and knowledgeable why does he want to remain in the shadows. I for one don't feel comfortable hiding the truth from Diantha and the others."

"I know. We don't either. But you know what. I am still willing to take a chance on him." Serena replies.

"But why?" Clemont asks.

"I don't. But whenever I am around him I get this fatherly feeling from him. He lets us try our strength. At the same time also teaching us our limits and pushing us to move past our limits. Beside he should get the benefit of doubt." Ash replies to which Serena nods.

"i suppose so." Clemont says. In a few moments Serena's limousine comes in front of them.

"It's been too long Serena." Harry says as the 3 get in the car after putting all their luggage into the back of the car.

"I know. More than 2 weeks I guess. But don't worry I am alive and well as you can see. Still in one piece." Serena replies in a reassuring tone.

Harry gives a small laugh. Then he says "Where to?"

"Cyllage City Gym. ASAP." Serena replies.

"OK." Harry says as the car starts moving.

(4 hours later)

"The match between the Cyllage City gym leader Grant and the KIP champion Ash Ketchum will now take place. The gym leader will have the use of 2 Pokemon while the challenger can use up to 3 Pokemon. Furthermore only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokemon in the middle of the battle. Now please bring out you first choices." referee says.

"You may be the KIP Champion but I won't hand the Cliff badge over to you without testing you first. Time for you to meet one of my most powerful and loyal Pokemon. Go Onix." Grant says while tossing a Poke-ball.

'Onix a dominant rock and recessive ground type Pokemon. Predictable. A rock type gym leader having an Onix.' Ash thinks to himself. Then he he tosses his Poke-ball as well revealing Froakie.

"You may have the first move Ash." Grant says

Ash at first does nothing. He surveys the battlefield first taking all of it's characteristics into account. Then he closes his eyes and reminisces all of his previous encounters with Onix of other people especially gym leaders like Roark and Brock.

'Better to start of with a long range short burst attack like Dragon Emperor told me.' Ash thinks to himself before saying "Water Pulse. Short burst."

"Counter with Flash Cannon." Grant says.

Both attacks neutralize each other.

'I see. He intends to use steel type moves to defend and counterattack. Since it's a rock type. He may use stealth rock or rock polish to increase it's speed. Best bet is to use Froakie's speed and small size to attack it's large body.' Ash thinks to himself while saying "Alright Froakie. Use double team then into bubble beam."

"Onix stop it with rock tomb." Grant counters.

Ash smirks upon hearing that command because he knows how to get past this move sine he trained with the Dragon Emperor's Steelix and Dragon Emperor showed him several ways to deal with this problem.

"Froakie use your quick attack while maintaining double team to climb through those rocks then follow up with bubble beam." Ash says calmly.

"But how?" Grant shouts as the bubble beam hits Onix causing it to wince in pain.

"Onix use Dig to get away then follow it up with iron tail on coming out." Grant says.

"Bad move." Ash says.

"Why?" Grant says.

"You will see. Froakie aim a continuous water pulse into the hole. Then finish it off with bubble beam." Ash says.

"Oh no." Grant shouts as he realizes what is going to happen.

(A few moments later)

"Onix is unable to battle. Please bring out your next Pokemon." Referee says as Grant returns his Onix.

"I see you already had a counter set for every move I made. Well should have expected nothing less from the person who beat Seibold. But my next Pokemon is no pushover either. Go Tyrunt." Grant says while tossing his Poke-ball.

'A Tyrunt. A Dominant Rock and Dragon type. Need to be careful.' Ash thinks to himself.

"Froakie use water pulse short burst." Ash commands.

"Tyrunt use crunch. Followed by sunny day." Grant counters.

"I see. Using Sunny Day to reduce the power of my Water Type Attacks. Very clever. But don't think a little sun will stop my Froakie." Ash says.

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Now Tyrunt use Rock tomb." Grant commands.

"Use double team and quick attack to get in close then water pulse." Ash counters.

"Bad move. Tyrunt jump then Draco Meteor." Grant commands.

Ash watches in horror as Tyrunt jumps over all the copies of Froakie and releases a Draco Meteor which swats all of them. An explosion takes place as Froakie is slammed into the ground after being hit by Draco Meteor.

"Looks like that is that." Grant says while Ash is trying to get Froakie back on it's feet as hard as possible.

The referee is about to make the call when suddenly Froakie struggles to get to his feet.

"But how?" Grant asks with a shocked expression.

"You forgot Grant. This is my Froakie. Like me it is a fighter till the very end." Ash says.

"I see. Very well then. Let us keep going." Grant says moments before his eyes get shocked as he sees Froakie beginning to evolve.

"Wow." Ash, Clemont and Serena says in unison as they see Froakie evolve into Frogadier.

"I guess Froakie heard Ash's call which enabled it to evolve." Clemont says.

Serena on the other hand is cheering for Ash in the most ecstatic way as possible.

"Cool. Alright Frogadier use Cut." Ash commands.

"Use Crunch to intercept then shoot Frogadier out with Draco Meteor again." Grant says.

"Oh no." Ash shouts as he remembers what happened in his battle with Conway in the Sinnoh league.

A few moments later Referee says "Frogadier is unable to battle. Please bring out your next Pokemon." as Ash returns his newly evolved Frogadier.

"You battled great buddy. I got careless after your evolution. I attacked recklessly with Cut while forgetting that Tyrunt can use Crunch and Draco Meteor. It won't happen next time." Ash says to Frogadier while it's inside it's Poke-ball. Then he turns to face Grant.

'That Tyrunt can jump alright. It can use Crunch which make attacking from close range dangerous. His Rock tomb and Draco Meteor will take care of my double team. Since that thing is a Dragon Type as well I bet it can use another Dragon Type move as well. Most likely Dragon Tail. Any other Dragon Type move would have already been used. My best bet is to use a Pokemon with Steel type but I don't have any.' Ash thinks to himself.

"Ash we are waiting for you. Your next Pokemon?" Grant shouts.

Suddenly an idea comes into Ash's mind and he says "Pikachu let's go."

Pikachu jumps onto the battlefield ready for battle.

"Why an electric type. What is Ash thinking?" Clemont says.

"Well I think I have an idea. I get the feeling that Ash chose Pikachu for it's Iron Tail." Serena says before closing her eyes and thinking.

"I see. So that's why." Serena says as she open her eyes.

"What? Care to break out the mystery to me as well." Clemont says.

"You will see." Serena says while turning to the battlefield.

"Alright Pikachu use Quick Attack to circle Tyrunt." Ash commands.

"I don't know what you have planned but I won't it wait around for it to work. Tyrunt use Crunch." Grant counters.

'Just like I thought. Now to lure him into using Rock tomb.' Ash thinks to himself before saying "Now double team."

"Draco Meteor." Grant counters.

"Alright now use Iron tail to move from one meteor to another. Then come down with Iron Tail." Ash says.

"So that's what you meant Serena." Clemont says with an expression of shock as he sees Pikachu jumping from one Meteor to the next one.

"Counter with Dragon Tail." Grant says.

An explosion takes place revealing both fine but Tyrunt panting.

"Rock Tomb then Draco Meteor." Grant commands.

"Got you now. Pikachu deflect it with Iron Tail and aim it right into it's mouth." Ash says while smirking.

Grant stands dumbstruck as he sees his own move work against him.

"Now Tyrunt can't use Crunch and it can't use Draco Meteor either. That was a stroke of genius from Ash." Clemont shouts.

"Yes it was. It is similar to what the Dragon Emperor taught us. We were training. It was Froakie vs Steelix. Ash had Froakie throw frubles at Steelix's eye but Dragon Emperor cleverly deflected it with iron Tail causing Froakie to get stuck in it's own frubles." Serena says.

"Unbelievable." Clemont replies.

"Finish it. Give me your strongest thunderbolt. Aim for the rock in it's mouth." Ash commands.

An explosion takes place revealing a fainted Tyrunt.

"Tyrunt is unable to battle. Pikachu wins. Match goes to the challenger Ash Ketchum." Referee says.

"Well done Ash. Here you go. Proof of wining at the Cyllage city gym. The Cliff Badge." Grant says while handing Ash a badge.

"Thanks." Ash says before being tackled into a hug by Serena.

"That was excellent. Here is a reward for your efforts." Serena says as she kisses Ash on the lips.

"That was even better than getting the badge." Ash says after separating causing Serena to blush.

"Let's go. We shouldn't keep him waiting." Serena says. Both Ash and Clemont nod. Soon the 3 of them wave Grant goodbye and walk away.