"We're finally in Pewter City!" Bonnie said, running around and waving her arms.

"Denne denne!" the orange mouse in Bonnie's agreed happily.

"I can't wait to see the museum," Clemont said. He wasn't wheezing for once as he gazed at the city.

Serena didn't comment but she felt that Pewter City was very grey and boring. There were no towering skyscrapers nor interesting architecture, not to mention it was much smaller than, say, Lumiose City. Again. What was with Kanto and all of these towns that were called cities?

"Chu Pikachu!" Pikachu said, raising an arm.

"That's right!" Serena said. "After the last few days, Pikachu is all pumped up. Let's go challenge the Pewter City Gym."

"Wah, already?" Bonnie said. "But we still have to take a shower! I'm all filthy from the forest."

"Right, I almost forgot," Serena said. She giggled. "I'm turning into Ash, am I?"

"Chu chu pika!" Pikachu whined.

"Wait!" said Clemont. "I've created a machine for this type of situation! The future is now, thanks to science! Citronic gear, on!"

"By the way, Clemont," Serena said. "Why do you call it Citronic gear instead of Clemontic gear now?"

Citron blushed and his Aipom arm almost dropped the large, pinball-like machine. Bonnie whispered, "He was sitting next to a Johton person on the plane here who told Clemont his name in original Johton. He likes the name."

"Anyways," Clemont said, brushing his blue jump suit. "The No-Hard-Feelings-Fair-and-Square Lottery Device Mark 2 will help us decide where to go. Now everyone put up your pictures onto a path."

"Dedenne!" the orange mouse said, its face bright with anticipation. It looked like he was saying "Technology is incredible!"

"I remember this machine," Serena said. "It didn't explode the first time we used it. But why did you make Mark 2?"

"Because there's three choices this time," Clemont said. His nose appeared larger and more pointed when Serena complemented his invention. It looked like a pinball machine with three trails, but the tops of each trail were obscured.

"Same machine and same bad name," Bonnie said. "And why can't we play rock-paper-scissors?"

Nevertheless Serena and Bonnie put their chibi pictures onto the middle path, Pikachu put his picture on the right path, and Clemont put his on the left.

"Let's start!" Clemont said, and all the faces began traversing along the path. The paths twisted and turned, avoiding obstacles such as hand-drawn trees and bad pictures of Team Rocket.

"Chu pika," Pikachu grumbled as his avatar fell into a hole.

"You can do it!" Bonnie said, clenching her fists and jumping up and down. "I believe in you! We can beat Clemont! Wait, no, don't go there! Noo!"

Serena's and Bonnie's pictures got shocked by a Magnemite, leaving Clemont's avatar to cross the finish line. When it crossed the finish line, confetti spewed out of the machine.

"Are you sure you didn't rig it, brother?" Bonnie said, crossing her arms and putting on a pouting face. Some confetti fell onto her head.

"Hey! Its name is the No-Hard-Feelings-Fair-and-Square Lottery Device, not the Make-Clemont-Win Device!" Clemont said, his nose growing even bigger. "Now let's go to the Pewter City Museum."

With some help from Serena's navigator, the trio found the building. It was large and plain and for once Clemont was ahead of the group, telling Serena and Bonnie to hurry up.

"You're really excited about this, aren't?" Serena said.

"Of course!" Clemont said. "The Pewter City museum is second only to Hoenn's museum for space exploration! There's also fossils of ancient Pokémon only found in this Kanto."

"Ooh, Pokémon?" Bonnie said, looking interested. "I hope the Pokémon are cute!"

After they paid for the tickets, Clemont dashed away. "Take care of Bonnie for me, will you Serena?"

"Hey, wait up!" Serena said, but the gym leader had already vanished. She sighed, putting her hands on her hips. "Let's go find the fossil Pokémon, Bonnie."

The two walked around, Pikachu pointing out and exclaiming at some of the model spaceships. Various meteors and meteorites were also on display, shining brightly as they caught the light.

"Ooh! So pretty!" Bonnie said.

"Dedenne!" the Pokémon agreed.

"I have to admit this is a little bit more interesting than I thought," Serena said. "But I don't get why Clemont likes all of these rocks so much."

"Hey look!" Bonnie said, pointing up ahead. She started running "There are the fossils! Come on come on, let's check them out!"

"Bonnie, look out where you're going!" Serena said, raising a hand in concern. "You're going to crash—"

The young girl slammed right into another boy, sending him sprawling on the floor. "Bonnie's nose hurts!" she said, clutching her nose and spinning around until she tumbled over a guard rail and into an exhibit.

"Pika…" was the only noise heard after the skeleton crashed to the floor. The sign in front of the exhibit read "KABUTOPS – DO NOT TOUCH."

The boy that she collided into made loud echoes with his feet as he got up and stomped his way towards Bonnie.

"There's no running in the museum!" he said. He had dark skin and very narrow eyes that were crossed as he glared at Bonnie. "Do you know how much that cost!? It's priceless! That used to be a real Pokémon!"

Bonnie's tears welled up as she started crying. "WAHHHHH I didn't mean it!" she said, running over to Serena and hugging her. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"There, there, it's okay," Serena said, hugging Bonnie back. "Um, is there any way we can pay for the skeleton?"

The boy shook his head. "No, unless you happen to—"

"Such a fair maiden like you does not need to pay compensation," another man said. Somehow Serena found one of her hands cupped in grasped in his hands. He looked remarkably similar to the other boy, only older. "Perhaps I could convince the museum staff if you would go on a date with me?"

"D-date..?" Serena said. Her face was turning red faster than the time she contemplated about holding Ash's hand.

"Chu! Chu!" Pikachu said, tugging Serena's hair, but Serena was too out of it to notice.

"Brock!" the younger boy said. His face was somehow redder than Serena's. "Stop doing that! Now she'll report you to Officer Jenny for harassing yet another girl! Do you remember that if she catches you one more time then you'll have your medical degree revoked?"

Serena mentally noted there were Officer Jenny sisters in Kanto, too.

"Ah, Forrest, I forgot!" Brock said, his brown hair leaping on his head. "It was just when I saw this dashing damsel I forgot my senses!"

"Brock..?" Serena said. Then it hit her—she couldn't believe she didn't pick it up earlier. She thought she memorized all the information about Kanto from her navigator. "You're the gym leader of Pewter City! You use mainly rock-type Pokémon!"

"Er, technically—" Brock started to say, but he was cut off by Forrest.

"You want to battle him?" Forrest said. He looked at Pikachu, who waved his hands at him. "You're a trainer, right? I'll make you a deal. If you win against Brock, then we'll pay for all charges of the Kabutops skeleton, and you get to report Brock to Officer Jenny. But if you lose, then not only you'll have to work here the rest of your life, but you have to keep your mouth silent about Brock, too!"

"Wait," Serena said. "What about if I just keep quiet about Brock and you can pay for the broken Kabutops statue?"

"I don't value my pervert brother that much," Forrest said, snorting. Brock's jaw dropped to the ground. "And besides, I want to learn about future challengers to my—I mean, Brock's gym. Not to mention Brock doesn't intend to lose, and I like risky gambles!"

"You have a deal then," Serena said. "I'm Serena, by the way. And this is Pikachu."

"Pi-ka chu," Pikachu said.

"Um, I'm Bonnie," she said, looking down at everybody's feet and poking her two pointer fingers together. "And this is Dedenne."

"Dedenne!"

"Oh no, the Kabutops statue is in ruins!" Clemont said, appearing from the nearby set of stairs. "Wait, what's going on here?"

Outside the museum, a trio put down their binoculars.

"It's that brat boy again!" Jessie said. "It's been forever since we've seen him!"

"Wasn't he a Pokémon doctor now?" James said. "What is he doing battling the brat girl?"

"Never mind that!" Meowth said. "Apparently they're loaded! They can buy one of those rare fossils! How about we break into their house and become rich for the rest of our lives?"

"All right!" they all said, giving each other hi-fives.

"Wooobbuuffet!"

A few minutes later Serena found herself inside the gym. Bonnie had clung onto her, apologizing every five seconds. She had told the little girl not to worry about it. Now though, Serena found herself worrying about it. A lot.

"Because the challenger has zero badges, this will b battle!" Forrest said, at the sidelines and acting as referee. "The challenger has the right to substitute her Pokémon."

Bonnie and Clemont were in the audience seating. The little sister's hands were near her face, her eyes about to burst into tears again. Clemont had a serious expression, his eyes narrowed almost as much as Brock's and Forrest's. Sitting next to them were eight boys and girls that had the same eyes as Brock and Forrest.

"Go go Brock!" a girl said. "Beat her up! Don't go to jail!"

"This is Serena's first gym battle since Gary, isn't it?" said Clemont.

"I'm worried brother!" Bonnie said. "And it's all my fault! What if Serena loses?"

"Chu. Pika," Pikachu reassured Serena. Pikachu leaped down onto the sandy battleground floor, ready to battle. Until then, she didn't notice that her palms were sweaty.

"Sorry Pikachu," Serena said. "I don't think I'll use you. You'll have to cheer today."

"Pi-ka," Pikachu said, falling flat on his face.

"Serena, while you have no badges so I have to use weaker Pokémon, that doesn't mean I'll go easy on you as a trainer!" Brock said. "I choose you, Geodude!"

"Geo!" the boulder-shaped Pokémon said, flexing his arms.

"Geodude. The Rock Pokémon," Serena's Pokédex said. "They are found in fields and mountains. Mistaking them for boulders, people often step or trip on them."

"In that case," Serena said, tossing out a Pokeball "Go, Pancham!"

The panda Pokémon came out, kicking the ground and looking at the Geodude.

"Good choice," Clemont said. "Pancham's fighting type will be useful against a rock-type Pokémon like Geodude."

"But isn't Geodude the pre-evolution of Golem?" Bonnie said. "She lost against Golem with Pancham before!"

"Battle begin!" Forrest said, motioning both of his hands downwards.

"Pancham, use Arm Thrust!" Serena said.

"Geodude, Magnitude!' said Brock.

Both Serena and Pancham froze at that.

"Pika! Pika pi!" Pikachu said, trying to snap Serena and Pancham out of it, but the fighting Pokémon took the full blunt of the attack, nearly falling into one of the cracks caused by the mini-earthquake.

"Pancham, are you okay?" Serena said. Pancham nodded and then slowly got to his feet.

"Keep the pressure up!" Brock said. "Use Sandstorm!"

Geodude grunted, and the room filled up with a tempest of sand just seconds later.

"It's Brock's mega strategy!" one of Brock's brothers said.

"Pancham! Pancham! Can you hear me?" Serena said, cupping her hands.

"You seem to be scared of battling, miss," she heard Brock say, sounding like it was both everywhere and nowhere in the Sandstorm. "You won't be winning if you don't attack! Geodude, use Magnitude again!"

"That's ingenious," Clemont said as the room shook with tremors once again. "Magnitude hits everywhere so you don't have to see the opponent in order to hit them. Meanwhile, Serena can't do anything in return!"

"Brother, don't say that!" Bonnie said. "Serena has to win!"

"What should I do?" Serena thought, trying to keep her hat on as the wind whipped around her. "Neither Pancham or I can see the Geodude. I'm not even sure if Pancham can hear me! If there was a way to get rid of this Sandstorm—maybe I can substitute another Pokémon? No, Braixen and Sylveon and Pikachu can't do anything either! I wish I had Ash's Charizard, he could…wait."

"Pika pika!" Pikachu said, smiling.

"That's right," Serena said, also smiling. "Ash would just act with whatever tools he has. Pancham, use Stone Edge! The old one!"

"Pancham!" the Pokémon said. Serena let out a sigh of relief. That was one obstacle down.

"Geodude, Magnitude!"

"Avoid it by jumping onto the Stone Edges, Pancham!" Serena shouted. "And use it again!"

"I'm not sure what you're doing, but I don't think those Stone Edges are doing much damage to Geodude!" Brock said. "Again, Magnitude!"

"He has a point," Clemont said. "Stone Edge is not very effective against Geodude. Not to mention, if Pancham is using the flower-shaped Stone Edges, then it's weaker than a normal one."

"Ignore him and hang in there, Pancham!" Serena said. "Do you remember the spot where Braixen goes? Use Arm Thrust there, now!"

There was a faint glow in light in the center of the battlefield, followed by a "Geoo!" as the Pokémon was ejected out of the sandstorm, nearly missing Forrest and slamming into the area under Clemont and Bonnie. The sandstorm dissipated a few seconds later, leaving a tired, disheveled, but a grinning Pancham that waved his hands.

"And Geodude is knocked out!" Forrest said, almost in disbelief.

"Oh no! Geodude!" a sibling said. Some of them were actually crying.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu said, waving a flag around.

"You did it Pancham!" Serena said. She pumped a fist into the air. "I knew I could count on you!"

"Pan pan!"

"You've done your best, Geodude," Brock said, returning the Pokémon back to his Pokéball. "Dear lady, if I may ask—how did you manage to that? Challengers usually try to clear the Sandstorm somehow, but you hit Geodude while blind!"

Serena lowered her head and put on a small smile. "Pancham has a special kind of Stone Edge—it hits everywhere around him as you can tell," she said, waving to the jutted blue rocks around the battlefield that started disappearing. "By getting on a rock, he could avoid the Magnitudes."

"And how did he hit Geodude with that Arm Thrust?" asked Forrest. He had a notebook out, scribbling notes on it.

"I…I have my Pokémon practice on Pancham's Stone Edges all the time," Serena said. "My Braixen is somersaulted into the air by Pancham's Stone Edges. We used to practice that for hours. I assumed Pancham knew where Geodude was, and when Geodude was propelled, where he would be…"

"Woah! That's a lot of trust between trainer and Pokémon!" Brock said. "And ingenious! I would have never thought of that. It reminds me of a former traveling companion."

"Chu chu!" Pikachu said.

"I was only using the tools I have at the time," Serena said.

Brock nodded. "Well, I better try harder if I don't want to get thrown into jail. Come on out, Sudowoodo!"

"Sudowoodo. The Imitation Pokémon," Serena's Pokédex said. "It disguises itself as a tree to avoid attack. It hates water, so it will disappear if it starts raining."

"Pancham, do you think you can handle this?" Serena said. Her Pokémon nodded. "Great! Use Arm Thrust!"

Pancham dashed towards the Sudowoodo, his arms glowing.

"Sudowoodo, use Mimic!"

"Sudo!" the Pokémon said, his tree branches also glowing white.

"Mimic?" asked Bonnie.

"Mimic copies the move of whatever Pokémon attacks it!" Clemont said. "This will hurt!"

The two Pokémon smacked each other at the same time, their faces recoiling away. Stumbling back, while both rubbed their cheeks, neither went down.

"Sudowoodo, you're feeling great? Good, use Double Edge!" said Brock.

"Dodge it and then use Dark Pulse!" Serena said.

Pancham was about to jump—but he cringed, falling to his feet.

"He can't get up," Clemont said. "Those Magnitudes earlier did too much damage."

"Pancham, no!" Serena said as the fighting-type Pokémon was nailed right in the chest.

"And Pancham is out of the fight!" Forrest said. "Both trainers have one Pokémon left!"

"Go Brock!" his siblings said. "Go Brock! You rock! Wash our socks!"

"I will, after this battle!" Brock said.

"Good job, Pancham," Serena said, returning Pancham in the burst of red light. "For my next Pokémon, I'll use Sylveon!"

"Sylvie!" Sylveon said. She looked at the audience, but then stopped. Her pupils quivered as she saw Brock's siblings making a lot of noise.

"Sylveon? Are you okay?" Serena said.

"Oh no!" Bonnie said. "Sylveon is getting stage-fright."

"But she performs with Serena in front of audiences all of the time," said Clemont. "Why now?"

"Maybe because it's a battle?"

"If you're not going to move, I will," Brock said. "Sudowoodo, use Flail!"

The rock Pokémon slammed into Sylveon, sending her flying back further than Pancham did.

"Sylveon, are you okay?" Serena asked.

"Flail does more damage the less health Sudowoodo has," Brock said. "Since your Pancham attacked him earlier, Flail now hurts quite a bit!"

"Brock! Brock! You're as bright as an electric shock! Brock! Brock! Buy us a clock!"

"That doesn't make sense!" Brock said.

"Wah! What can Serena do?" Bonnie asked.

"Oh, Bonnie, I'm sure you know the answer," Clemont said.

Bonnie's puzzled face turned into joy when she saw Serena start snapping her right hand. "Oh! I almost forgot!"

"Sylveon, just pretend we're on a stage," Serena said. "Our audience is sitting in the stands. It's a small and slow night, but that doesn't mean we don't give it our all."

"I'm not sure what you're doing," Brock said. "But Sudowoodo! Use Flail again!"

"Dodge it, Sylveon!"

"It's dancing all around Sudowoodo!" Forrest said, staring at how Sylveon avoided Flail after Flail after Flail. "He can't land a hit!"

"In that case, let's slow Sylveon down! Use Hammer Arm, Sudowoodo!" said Brock.

"Sylveon, Protect!" Serena said, and Sudowood's upper-handed swing slammed into the Barrier,

"Now, Fairy Wind!"

"Mimic, Sudowoodo!"

Sylveon's Fairy Wind left glowing particles as a trail. The two attacks collided but then Sudowoodo's Fairy Wind prevailed, hitting Sylveon. Sylveon let out a cry but she wasn't knocked down.

"Sylveon, are you okay?" Serena asked.

"Sylveon's Fairy Wind is still geared towards Pokémon Performances," Clemont said. "It doesn't have its original strength!"

"You'll lose, Serena," Forrest said. "True, you may be able to dodge all of Brock's attacks, but you can't hit him or you'll be attacked by Mimic. You can't win if you stay on the defensive forever."

Serena gritted her teeth. "What would Ash do?" she thought. "Argh, he probably would take Sudowoodo head-on until the end. Sylveon isn't suited for that though. How can I play to her strengths? Swift will end up just like Fairy Wind. Maybe I could use Double Team—I think that's my best shot."

"Sylveon, use Double Team!"

"Sudowoodo, Mimic!"

"Waah, he copied the Double Team?" Bonnie said as clones of both Pokémon appeared around the field.

"Ladies first!" Brock said. "I have all day."

"Even Double Team didn't work out," Serena said, biting her lip. "I…what can I..."

"Chu! Pika!" Pikachu said, pumping a fist.

"Sylvie! Sylveon!" Sylveon said.

"Sylveon, are you sure?" Serena said.

"Veon!" the Pokémon confirmed.

"Well then, I trust you! Sylveon, use Fairy Wind!" she said. In her head, she thought, "Well, in the end I use Ash tactics after all."

"Sudowoodo, use Mimic!"

All of the clones shot the star-shaped projectiles at each other, sending clouds of dust everywhere. It obscured the arena, leaving no witnesses to the outcome.

"What happened? What happened brother?" Bonnie said.

"Both Pokémon are knocked out!" Forrest said, raising his hands on both sides. "This battle is a draw!"

"Sylveon!" Serena said, running up to her Pokémon. "Are you okay? Can you stand?"

"Syl," the Pokémon said weakly.

"Wow, it seems like Sylveon's attack in the end had its normal power," said Clemont.

"I'm proud of you, Sylveon," Serena said, smiling. "You deserve a good, long rest."

"You too, Sudowoodo," Brock said. Walking up to Serena, he said, "That was an excellent match."

"So what happens now?" Bonnie asked.

Forrest groaned. "Well, in the end I guess you'll have to report Brock to Officer Jenny and we'll have to extort you for money. Not the most ideal situation, but—"

"AND TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" said some familiar voices. Everyone looked to see the hole in the ceiling, and Serena could've sworn she heard a "Wooobbuffet!"

"Was that Team Rocket?" Clemont said.

"Team Rocket?" said Brock. "You know them too?"

"Rhyperioorr!" a Pokémon roared. Bonnie, Serena, and Clemont jumped at the sound and turned to see the red and black Pokémon baring his teeth.

"Rhyperior. The Drill Pokémon," Serena's Pokédex chimed. "It can launch a rock held in its hand like a missile by tightening then expanding its muscles instantly."

"Rhyperior? Is everything all right?" Forrest said.

"He has something on his neck!" one of Brock's siblings said, pointing to the steel-like ring on Rhyperior.

"Rhy?" the Rhyperior said, looking at Brock. His eyes were a bright red and they looked crazed. "RHHYPERIOR!"

Brock was launched into the air by Rhyperior's drill. Hitting the side of the gym, he slumped to the floor, unconscious.

"Brock! Brock!" a sibling said. Others were crying.

"Steelix, I'm counting on you!" Forrest said, throwing out a Pokéball. "Use Iron Tail!"

The iron snake swung a glowing tail at Rhyperior, but Rhyperior caught it with his bare arms. Giving another crazed roar, Rhyperior dug his horn into Steelix.

"It used Horn Drill!" Clemont said.

"Steelix! Are you okay?" Forrest said.

"Steel! Lix!" the Pokemn wailed, thrashing around. People ducked for cover as parts of the ceiling started caving in.

"Serena, what are you doing?" Bonnie said. The older trainer was running up to the Rhyperior, trying her best to avoid the falling debris. Pikachu was still on her shoulder, zapping away nearby rocks with Thunderbolt.

"Is she, no way, riding it?" said Forrest.

"Rhyperior! Calm down!" Serena said, jumping onto him. "Hold still! You want to get this necklace off you, right?"

"I can't believe it!" Forrest said. "How is she holding on?"

"Wait, isn't Rhyperior the final evolution of Rhyhorn?" Clemont said. "In that case…"

A particularly angry thrash caused both of Serena's legs to fly out, making Bonnie scream and cover her eyes. However, Serena hung on, trying desperately and instinctively to hold onto any nook and cranny. Funnily, Pikachu was holding onto Serena's shoulder the same way.

"Pikachu! Use Iron Tail on the necklace!" Serena said.

"Pika…pika pika!" Pikachu said, leaping off and swinging his tail. The iron necklace broke off Rhyperior, and after a few more shakes, the Rhyperior calmed down.

"Rhhy!" the Rhyperior said.

"Good boy," Serena said, stroking Rhyperior. "It doesn't hurt anymore, does it? Wow, I can't wait until I tell Mama I rode a Rhyperior!"

"Her mom's a professional Rhyhorn racer," Clemont said to Forrest.

"Brock! Brock! Are you as okay as a rock?" Brock's siblings said, running up to Brock. Groaning, the teenager got up and felt his head.

"Ouch. I feel like I need to spend a day resting," he said. "My head hurts."

"Glad to see you're okay, big brother," Forrest said. He turned to Serena who had gotten off the Rhyperior but was still petting him. The Rhyperior, meanwhile, was licking Serena all over the place.

"I've underestimated you," Forrest said. "I owe you one."

"Huh?" said Serena.

"I really did think Brock would beat you," said Forrest. "You didn't seem that strong. But now, wow, you've taught me strategies that I never knew existed. Not to mention you've showed the courage to jump onto Rhyperior and save the gym. It would be honor to pay for the Kabutops skeleton, and it would be my honor to have our gym match the day after tomorrow."

"Wait what?"

"We would have to repair the gym and that'll take a day or two, not to mention I want Brock to referee and he'll be in the hospital. Oh, and by the way, I'd appreciate it as a gesture of goodwill that you don't tell Officer Jenny about Brock's latest transgression."

"Wait, no no no no, not that, but YOU'RE the gym leader?!" Serena said.

"Oh, yeah. I lied," Forrest said.

"Wait, what, you can't just, I mean that's—" Serena said, spluttering.

"I'll be using these two fellows," Forrest said, motioning to both Steelix and Rhyperior who loomed behind him. "They're my toughest Pokémon. You can use all of yours to compensate. I have a feeling this will be a good match."