Rewatching the third episode of Black and White felt more like a comedy than anything else. I mean, I know all these characters are supposed to be ten or something, but even when I was ten I was never that stupid. I don't care if it was the beloved family dog in the firing line, my weak ten year old ass would never try to choke out a crocodile. Also, does the animation, apart from the battles, look like crap to anyone else? The attacks all look incredible, but everything else...

It feels like they were trying to improve everything that didn't need improving. Character development? Whuts dat lol sounds like novice bullshit. An underlying message for the audience? No fuck that shit this show's been airing for like a decade let's make the explosions bigger!

And that Sandile bridge...oh God, my lungs hurt. Please, take some of the stupid away, I can't handle it all.

Note: Scenes that focus mainly on Pokémon will have their dialogue, which shall be written in italics.

XxX

Ash sighed happily as he reclined against the back wall of the Pokémon Center, absently stroking Pidove as both he and his latest addition to the team watched the event before them.

As per the new regime he'd imposed upon himself, he'd woken up just as the sun was becoming visible over the horizon. Being sure to take enough food for himself and his Pokémon from the cafeteria of the 'Center he'd managed to find the previous afternoon, he'd eaten alongside his friends, before the field around them finally began to fulfill its purpose.

Training.

In an instant, they'd all appeared before him, Quilava finally being able to stretch her legs for the first time since before boarding the plane. After allowing him to catch his breath from the unanimous hug they'd spontaneously given him, they were off, spreading across the land and skies to begin their training for the morning.

He hadn't bothered trying to contain a smile as Pidove immediately flew to Swellow, the two taking off towards the tree line with the telltale blinding energy of a Quick Attack bleeding from their wings. Having allowed himself a few more seconds to follow their movements, he'd turned to focus on his own training, hanging a sandbag that had been borrowed from the Pokémon Center on a particularly sturdy looking branch.

Having already removed his shirt, Ash had pulled a glove upon both his hands, focusing for a brief moment as he flared his Aura. The spiritual energy had rushed forth, eliciting a shiver as it flooded through his body.

Ignoring Pikachu's laughter whilst trying to apologise to a rather flustered Nurse Joy over a broken sandbag (and tree) had been irritating, though Ash would have to face down a few more rampaging legendaries before he would be allowed to call the experience harrowing.

After a full two hours had passed, Ash had called off the training, fully expecting to be swamped with various Pokémon bodies as he slumped against the rear wall of the 'Center. Instead, he'd hurriedly called Pidove down from the skies, watching with interest as his older Pokémon slowly gathered in a wide circle.

Well, this was interesting. Normally this game would be reserved for locations a bit further away from destructible buildings.

Pidove spread her small wings, accidentally knocking Ash's cap over one eye. She was about to take to the air, intent on joining her new friends...

Until Swellow beat his wings, unleashing a Boomburst that robbed many trees of their leaves as he launched himself into the air.

Pidove stopped dead, one leg still balanced precariously on Ash's shoulder as the ground no less than twenty meters away blew apart, clumps of detonated earth and shredded grass bouncing from the transparent, green tinged shield that had erected itself before her trainer. Through the cloud of dirt, electricity and flames clashed, the resulting explosion uprooting even more of what nearby foliage had survived.

Ash watched silently as Kingler blurred out of existence, reappearing to swing a Crabhammer over a Minimizing Muk before activating Agility once more, disappearing before an Eruption completely devastated whatever he had been standing on. Even with the pride swelling within his heart, no light seemed capable of shining on that shadow of guilt that remained.

He hadn't helped his Pokémon learn many of these moves. They'd figured them out, with nobody but each other and occasionally Professor Oak to guide them.

Working hard, for him, even when he did nothing for them. Even knowing that no ill will was being harboured against him, it still felt as though there should have been.

Garchomp's roar, as well as the subsequent barrage of meteors further obliterating the landscape, snapped Ash rather violently from his thoughts, unconsciously feeding more Aura into the Protect shield he'd been maintaining as Pidove cooed softly. She had been watching silently, her eyes shifting at almost dizzying speeds as they followed Swellow through the air.

Heracross had followed him into the sky, sending the bird plummeting to the ground after his Focus Punch broke through a Steel Wing-powered block.

"Point, Heracross." Ash muttered, wincing lightly as the Bug Type was blasted out of the air with a massive Hyper Beam. "And point, Muk."

The rules were standard. A Pokémon gets hit ten times, or faints, they're out. The winner would get the satisfaction of knowing they won. There wasn't many prizes one could get a Pokémon, after all. And if Ash knew anything about his Pokémon, it was the fact that glory would be a fine reward. Though not having to hold back as they devastated the landscape could probably be considered one also.

Well, Ash thought, watching as Pikachu danced around a Dragon Claw, managing to force Garchomp's feet from the ground with an Iron Tail to the cheek, glory and a hospital visit.

XxX

"That was a dirty play, you damn rat!"

"So says the Ground Type!"

"The Ground Type that could bury you with a thought!"

Pikachu rolled his eyes, detonating a Sludge Bomb with a Thunderbolt whilst it was still a safe distance away. "I'd like to see you try!"

His answer came in the form of a barrage of artificial minerals, forcing him to dodge to the side with a Quick Attack. Garchomp's Stone Edge collided against Heracross', the Bug Type's attack having flown directly through Muk's gelatinous body with little to no consequence.

Pikachu watched, bemused, as Garchomp folded his arms against his body, accelerating to half the speed of sound from takeoff as he slammed a glowing fist into Heracross' stomach, receiving a Brick Break that glowed slightly silver with the effects of an Iron Defense in the side for his troubles. He would have stayed to taunt the large dragon, had a Brave Bird from overhead not forced him halfway across the field in a sea of Double Team clones.

Though he'd never admit it out loud, he missed the lack of light that would shine in his old friend's eyes, every time he tried to eat a rock. But bodies weren't the only things that would change over evolution.

He was still easy enough to live with, even with his tendency to take training far too seriously. Not that he could honestly fault the dual Type for wanting to become the strongest Dragon in the world.

Battering a Flame Wheel-cloaked Quilava away from him with a Tail coated in Iron, Pikachu sprang into the air, multiple arcs of electricity discharging from his body to home in on what appeared to be an oddly coloured stone.

"Minimize is bullshit, Muk!" Pikachu called, the Poison Type in question returning to his normal size with a wince. "You're the reason I even learned Shock Wave to begin with!"

Muk grumbled something lowly, visibly perking up as Pikachu was suddenly making an impressive indent in a tree thirty meters away, courtesy of Kingler's Crabhammer.

The prospect of his long time teammate being severely injured wasn't a particularly amusing one, but even Ash was laughing as Pikachu peeled his face from the bark.

There was just something inherently entertaining in watching a normally graceful athlete teeter on their own feet, all the while mumbling about cannons and seafood.

XxX

Ash glanced towards his rider, who looked quite proud of himself in spite of the large bandage that now adorned his forehead.

"Did you have to Volt Tackle that tree into the Pokémon Center?"

Pikachu shrugged, his ear flicking as a bush behind the duo rustled.

"This better not become a thing this region." Ash warned, glancing at one of the trees beside the path. Had he seen a flash of blue behind that trunk? "Unless you want to survive on sandwiches, we need them for food."

"Pika Pi." Pikachu crossed his stubby arms, staring pointedly away from his trainer.

"Hey! I didn't see you ever volunteering to learn how to cook! Or to apologise to Nurse Joy, for something you did!"

The 'conversation' probably would have continued, had Ash not chosen that moment to plummet into an irritatingly hidden hole, landing rather painfully on his back with Pikachu thumping down heavily on his chest.

Ash sighed, air rushing through clenched teeth as it burned his lungs.

"I hate Unova and everything that resides in it."

XxX

Ash brushed a clump of soil from his shoulder, making sure to thank Swellow for his assistance before returning the Swallow Pokémon to his Poké Ball. Glancing upwards, he spotted Pikachu, the mouse's gaze fixed to the sky.

"It wasn't them." Ash said confidently, trying with all his might to convince himself along with his best friend. "It's been months. There is no way in Hell they know we're in Unova. I don't - no, I refuse to believe they've followed us again."


Hidden away in a strange laboratory halfway across the continent, three figures, each garbed head to two in a dark trench coat, sneezed simultaneously, drawing many odd looks from the scientists sharing the room with them.

"Dat was...weird." The shortest of the three commented, his two taller companions quietly agreeing.


Ash glanced into the pit, deciding that, yes, it looked quite like a hole. "Doesn't explain why it's here, though."

"Are you OK?" Ash and Pikachu jumped, quickly locating the source of the voice. A young boy, no more than twelve years old, stepped over the top of the small rise in the path, a myriad of emotions playing across his face. Amused to concerned to resignation, in the space of a few seconds. "I knew I heard the sound of somebody falling into a hole."

"Yeah. Wait, I mean, someone fell into a hole? What, really? Where? Hope they're alright." Ash rapidly scanned the landscape, gasping dramatically as his eyes landed on the hole beside his feet. "Oh my Arceus! What a catacalysmit drop!"

The boy glanced at Pikachu, watching as the small Pokémon ran a hand down his face. "...Right. Anyway, my name's Dan."

"Oh, names! Excellent!" Ash stepped away from the hole, moving as though it would jump up and swallow him at any moment. "Ash Ketchum. Say, why is this hole that I totally saw and avoided here anyway?"

Dan looked skeptical for a moment, before sighing and beckoning Ash to walk with him.

"My family owns a Spa Resort a bit further down the path." Dan said, his uneasy gaze shifting towards the trees that flanked the dirt track. "I'll explain everything there; it's not safe around here right now."

Ash and Pikachu, the latter having scaled his trainer's body with experience only he could have, shared a mutual look, before Ash shrugged, following the young boy before them as he traversed the path at a noticeably increased speed.

XxX

Ash shielded his eyes from the sun, his eyes barely registering the time as somewhat after noon as they flicked down to his Pokédex. He had to admit, these mountains didn't look like the sort of place a group of Ground and Dark Types would choose to live.

It was too...bright. And happy.

Ash and Pikachu both scanned the canyon they'd found in their journey, having traveled in an almost perfectly straight line, heading in the exact direction Dan had pointed. One silent exchange later, and Ash was closing his eyes, feeling Pikachu awaken his reserves of electricity as his unsteady version of the Sight swept through every natural alcove.

The group of Pokémon terrorizing the resort had been described as strong. If there was any truth to that, their Aura would be quite easy to feel.

All he had to do was unearth a nest that hadn't been found for a few years, at the very least. Easy.

Extending his other-worldly reconnaissance to its limits, a sudden burst of energy came into view. A lighthouse of power atop the mountain adjacent, on the border of blindness.

"Got them." Ash smiled, reaching for one of the Poké Balls that adorned his belt.

XxX

Unruly. Tough. A complete disregard for the law, and one hella fine pair of shades.

A ruler of his own gang, and a glare that was designed to melt through the very bones of his enemies.

Ash knew, then and there, he'd found the next member of his team.

Ash felt himself choke up a little, sliding off Garchomp's back before the Dragon and Ground Type's feet had even touched the ground. The emotions had all come too fast, memories of his first little delinquent and all their adventures together raging through his mind.

As the stylish Sandile before him growled in warning, Ash returned Garchomp, switching his 'Ball out for another.

He'd considered allowing Pidove some actual battle experience, but the time just didn't feel...right.

"I challenge you." He stated, hefting the 'Ball into the air as Sandile switched from hostile to confused.

Why was this human so unafraid of him? Was there something in his teeth?

Ash turned a confident smile to the Sandile, though it shrank slightly as Quilava erupted from her Poké Ball. "You are the one causing trouble on Route 1, right?"

The Sandile hesitantly nodded, bringing Ash's smile back full force. "Great! Let's do something a little different. Quilava!" The mid level Fire starter glanced in his direction, never quite letting her opponent out of her peripheral vision. "This is your battle. Do whatever you want!"

Quilava's response came in the form of a Flamethrower, barring the incoming Mud Slap from touching her.

XxX

"I've never seen a Pokémon like you before."

The words sounded kind enough, though the glowing fangs and charge that accompanied them were much less so.

"I come from Johto. Halfway around the world, or thereabouts." Quilava curled into a ball, the flames on her back flaring to three times their normal size to repel the Bite. "We've been in Unova for a couple of days."

"Johto?" Sandile dove behind a boulder, barely disappearing into the ground before a Flame Wheel charred his position. "The name sounds kind of familiar. Don't know why."

Quilava shrugged, not that anyone could honestly tell, before leaping away with Quick Attack as the ground beneath her began splintering. "I'd never heard of Unova until I was on the plane, so it's not like I can say anything."

A Stone Edge announced the surfacing of the Unova native, the jagged stones melting in transit, courtesy of another Flamethrower.

"Why attack a Spa Resort?" Quilava asked suddenly, the stars of a Swift attack slamming into the ground as Sandile Dug once more. "Did they instigate something?"

Sandile chuckled, the sound low and evil as it echoed through many pre-dug tunnels below. "My group has lived here many years. We're bored, and we're the strongest to claim this area. You are one of the first to last this long against me, come to think of it."

"That's not really saying much." Quilava leapt skyward as Sandile burst from the ground at her feet, her attempt at an Aerial Ace being stopped forcefully by a wall of Sand. "This is the path leading out of Nuvema Town. Every trainer you've faced had probably just gotten their first Pokémon."

"Doesn't matter to me." The Sand Tomb began closing in, forming a cylinder with Quilava in the center. "I'm still the most powerful."

Sandile glared at the small tornado through his glasses, visibly panting. This new challenger was a Fire Type, that much was obvious. He was strong, and he had the clear advantage.

So why did her trainer not look concerned at all?

Sandile squinted as the sun suddenly started glowing brighter, the uncomfortable heat growing exponentially as his Sand Tomb was effectively blown apart by a Lava Plume.

"That's all I needed to hear."

Sandile's eyes widened behind his glasses as Quilava appeared directly before him, forcing him bodily into the air. The flames on her back flared, more and more irritated with every passing moment.

"H-How!?"

"Sunny Day. Made it easy, not that it wouldn't have been without." An enormous torrent of flames shot from Quilava's back, the Eruption connecting cleanly with Sandile's unprotected underside. "I also know Agility, for whatever reason."

A Poké Ball connected with Sandile's unconscious and slightly singed body, dinging an instant capture before it managed to hit the ground.

XxX

Ash heaved a breath, feeling both Pikachu and Quilava take up position on either side of him, their respective elements crackling from their bodies. The group of Sandile probably wouldn't have appreciated what had just happened to their leader.

Ash picked up the Poké Ball belonging to his newest (hopeful) friend, tapping the release button before reaching into his backpack.

Silently, he thanked Arceus for allowing him to remember medicinal supplies.

Sandile appeared in a flash of light, his sunglasses slightly wonky on his snout as he groaned. His face, though contorted slightly, soon began to lose its tension as Ash carefully spread a Burn Heal across his body.

Impressively, the small Dual Type didn't cry out as the subsequent Super Potion worked its magic on his injuries.

Opening his eyes, Sandile glared at Ash, before switching his gaze to the Poké Ball in the human's hand.

His eyes widened slightly.

"I caught you." Ash confirmed his suspicions, drawing the little reptile's attention back to himself. "But the choice for what you're going to do is yours, and yours alone."

Ash slowly lowered his Sandile to the ground, sweeping a brief gaze over the horde of Desert Croc Pokémon still present. None seemed to be growling anymore, preferring to watch the exchange in silent interest.

"You've got a life here. So if you want to stay, that's fine. So long as you promise to stop causing trouble, this," Ash raised the Poké Ball, turning it over in his palm, "can be destroyed with one attack. But if you decide to come with us, I can promise you'll get stronger. I am going to be the Master, after all. And I think it's pretty obvious that I want you to come along."

Sandile silently regarded Ash, his eyes flicking down to the Poké Ball in his grasp, before they landed on Quilava.

His decision made, Sandile turned to his gang, his head held high in spite of the small injuries that remained.

"Sandile!" He called simply, before swinging his tail towards Ash's hand.

It connected with the Poké Ball, returning him into its depths with nary a protest.

Ash smiled down at the 'Ball in his grasp, feeling Quilava and Pikachu both relax as the bask of Sandile slowly made their way towards the caves they'd come from.

"Good job, Quilava." He said, grinning as his Fire type smiled at him. "Let's get going, Accumula Town isn't too far away."

Recalling Quilava and pulling the global positioning app up on his Pokédex, Ash felt Pikachu leap atop his shoulder, casting one last look around the beautiful mountain they'd found themselves upon before turning away.

XxX

Sandile joins a little sooner here than in canon, because I like him. Even though he kind of felt like a clone of Charizard. Who is forever Ash's greatest Pokémon, at least for me.

A few things I should say: first off, I haven't completely forsaken Iris. I've...revised my view of her, mainly due to the insistence of people here, and I'll just say that I believe my deep hatred of the season she was introduced in may have been a large part of why I dislike her. I still don't like her, per se, but that's off the topic. She'll still be a part of this story, just not a travel companion.

Egg Moves. Quite an interesting subject. I'm not about to type an essay on the theoretical possibilities of a Pokémon learning any move, so I'll just say that Egg Moves are viable options for a Pokémon to learn, they will just need to work harder to perfect them if they weren't born with them. Otherwise, the neurological and physical ramifications of what knowledge of an Egg Move may equate to are things that I don't want to even think about. Do not ruin this franchise for me!

What do you guys think about romance between Pokémon? They're intelligent beings, with emotions of their own, not to mention it happened all the time in the anime. I wouldn't mind writing it in, maybe make this story a little unique.

Oh yeah, no limits to how many Moves a Pokémon can learn, either. 'Cos that's more fun.

Well, that's all from me. The poll is still up on my profile, for who Ash will get paired with. Apart from that, I hope you enjoyed yourself here.

See you next chapter, and happy New Years. .o/

X