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Episode 50b: Lost Leader Strategy (part 2)

Previously, on "Pokemon Shine Diamond..."

"So is Maylene able to take challenges now?" Ash asked. "Has Paul has already won a Badge here?"

"Yes--he handily defeated Maylene." Reggie replied, prompting Maylene to sigh.

"I'm...not taking challenges now." she softly replied.

[What?] the Lucario gasped. [You're starting this again? I know you are stronger than this! The Maylene I know would never give up!]

"See, Maylene took her loss to Paul hard, and so her Lucario Kiiroha is simply trying to encourage her." Reggie explained

Dawn watched as Kiiroha continued "speaking" to Maylene. I see...she's in the same boat as I am!



Reggie watched as a crowd of fighters crowded around Maylene. "Maylene is well respected as a battler. But her short time as Gym Leader is causing her to have doubts about her fighting abilities."

"I see..." Ash mused as the fighters did their best to console Maylene.

The flash of an Aura Sphere got the group's attention. [My deepest apologies, Reggie...I had to do something to get Maylene to snap out of it.] Kiiroha explained.

Reggie knelt down to Maylene's eye level. "Did my brother upset you by what he said? Tell me the truth."

"Forgive me for interrupting, but what did Paul do to crush Maylene like this?" Ash asked.

"Let me fill you in on the story so far..." Reggie began. "You already know that the Veilstone Gym is a Fighting-type Gym. So Paul brought Flying-type Pokémon to gain a type advantage."

"Okay..." Ash motioned for Reggie to go on.

"Paul's Murkrow Mystic had recently evolved into a Honchkrow. Mystic then took out Kuto, Maylene's Meditite, and Tana, her Machoke in no time flat." Reggie explained. "When Maylene brought out Kiiroha, Paul used a Magmar--I forget what he said its name was. Since Lucario is part Steel, Kiiroha was defeated as fast as Kuto and Tana were.

"I acknowledge and accept responsibility for not doing well." Maylene mused. "Maybe what your brother said was true..."

"What was it that Paul said?" Ash asked.

"He said--and I quote: 'You're the weakest. The weakest leader I ever fought, and this lightweight Badge is just like you'." Maylene replied as hot tears of anger and rage welled up in her eyes.

Reggie watched as Maylene burst into tears, hurrying off towards a nearby pavilion. "My little brother has never been afraid of speaking his mind--sometimes brutally so. If you came to challenge right now, I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess."

"Maybe we need to find another Gym for the time being..." Brock suggested.

"Wait!" Dawn interjected. "Maybe Maylene would open up if another girl talked to her, since I'm in the same boat as her right now."

Kiiroha nodded. [Come on, then--Maylene went towards the Sunrise Pavillion.]

Ash watched Dawn and Kori follow Kiiroha to the pavilion. "Whatever you're planning, Dawn, I hope you get through to her." he mused. "No one should ever be talked to like that--ever!"

---------

Elsewhere, Maylene did her best to calm her emotions as she meditated by a river near the pavilion. "I cannot control everything that happens to me; I can only control the way I respond to what happens. In my response is my power.” she mused.

She took another deep breath. "I will not get caught up in what could’ve been or should’ve been. I will look instead at the power and possibility of what is, right now.” She continued musing the comforting mantras for a while:

"I have to accept whatever comes my way, and the only important thing is that I meet it with the best I have to give.”

"Making mistakes is always better than faking perfections.”

"A challenge only becomes an obstacle if I bow to it.”

A rustle got her attention. "Who is it?"

[It's me.] Kiiroha replied as she arrived with Dawn and Kori. [Miss Dawn has been through similar struggles as you, and feels a one on one talk would help you.]

"Really? Did you receive harsh words after a battle too?" Maylene asked as she invited Dawn to join her.

"Not really--I'm more of a coordinator." Dawn explained. "My mother is a great coordinator, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. But the road to glory has been rough."

She went on "In a contest, there are three events. The first event has the Pokemon dress up using a box full of random accessories. The second event has the Pokemon dance to a song of their master's choice. The third event--and the hardest--has Pokemon and master work together to make appeals out of the Pokemon's moves. The appeal event is where I struggle--no matter what approach I tried, I lost. All those chokes and flat out losses took their toll. For a little while, I entertained the thought of quitting."

"What spurred you to keep going?" Maylene asked.

"One of my team is a Ralts--she gave me the strength and courage to keep going by reminding me why I'm on this journey." Dawn replied. "She also gave me a few tips on how I can do better next time."

"But, aren't you afraid of holding your friends back?" Maylene asked.

"No--if anything, seeing how Ash and Brock bounce back from a loss has inspired me too." Dawn replied. "They go back and see what went wrong, then go back and work on where they failed."

There was a moment of silence before Dawn asked "Maylene...is it okay if I can battle you? Just so I can see what a Gym battle is like?"

A weak smile formed on Maylene's face. "Okay...I'll give you a taste of battle."

---------

"You know, I think I know where Maylene is coming from, here..." Brock mused as he watched Reggie feed Tintri and Diddy. "Before I focused on being a full time Loremaster, I was once the Gym Leader for my hometown of Pewter City. I can say first hand that it's not easy running the gym. You want every young trainer to succeed. Seeing how crushed some of them get when you beat them makes your heart ache for them too. There's other responsibilities too. Between training, maintaining the Gym, caring for the Pokemon, and publicity, it's no wonder many new Gym Leaders get burnout in the first year. Not all of them, though--a few thrive in the fast paced and intense environment."

"It may be possible that Maylene may be experiencing burnout on top of my little brother's harsh words." Reggie mused. "I hope your companion gets through to her."

He smiled as he petted Diddy. "Your Chimchar reminds me of my little brother's Chimchar, Goku. What do you think of Paul's tactics, since he sees you as a rival?" he asked Ash.

Ash took a few deep breaths to calm himself, then told Reggie "To be honest, I don't agree with Paul's tactics at all. "I believe loving your Pokemon has the potential to unlock the innate power inside of them."

He showed Reggie his Mega Ring. "He says he wants power, but mistreating your Pokemon and working them to the bone isn't the answer. This ring, combined with a Heart Song, creates the ultimate sign of love and trust between trainer and Pokemon--Mega Evolution."

"It's beautiful..." Reggie admired the teardrop-shaped ruby set in white gold. "Do you have any induceable Pokemon?"

"Not currently..." Ash admitted. "I wouldn't mind a Lucario of my own--unless Diddy can Mega Evolve."

Reggie showed Ash a picture of a pure white Infernape with red and gold chest fur that resembled armor and a long torch-like tail. "This is Mega Infernape--I look forward to the day you can show my little brother that!"

"I'll keep on training Diddy, then." Ash smiled.

---------

"Are you sure?" Reggie asked Maylene some time later. "You really want to try battling again?"

"Yes." Maylene replied. "But before I face Ash, I want to give Dawn a taste of battle."

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT?" everyone gasped.

"Dawn, you're serious about this?" Ash asked. "Battling is way different from a contest."

"I know." Dawn replied. "But I think that win or lose, it would inspire Maylene like everyone inspired me!"

To Be Continued...