Read the author's note at the end, please.

"We're here!" Korrina shouts, gleefully, as she dashes ahead with Lucario. "Shalour City!"

Ferno smiles at his girlfriend's enthusiasm and runs after her with Charizard flying overhead. "Hey! Wait up!"

The group races to the Tower of Mastery, Ferno winning by flying on Charizard.

"Hey! No fair! Cheater!" Korrina says when they reach the Tower.

"How can I cheat if there aren't any rules to break?" Ferno says with a smirk.

Korrina pouts when she is not able to think of a response.

Ferno chuckles and kisses her on the cheek. "Don't be a sore loser."

Two years ago

"Alright, doc. How is she?" Ferno asks. 'How do I get myself into these situations?' He thinks to himself.

"Better than last time." The doctor says. "She should recover within the next few days."

"Good to hear." Ferno says.

"Can we not do this again?" Korrina says.

"Agreed. Team Rocket is a nuisance." Ferno says. "I hope a different criminal team never springs up in Kalos."

"Lucar." Lucario says in agreement.

"Absol?" Astrid's Absol says, concerned. The doctor seemed to recognize the tone of voice.

"She hasn't woken up yet, but she should soon. Don't you worry, Absol."

"Absol." Absol nods.

"Alright, Korrina and I will be at the gym. If anything changes, you know where to find us." Ferno says.

"Right." The doctor says before walking back inside the clinic.

"See you later, Absol." Korrina says.

"Absol!" Absol says before following the doctor.

"So, nephew," Ferno turns around to see Officer Jenny walking toward him with her Manectric. "how'd you get yourself into that?"

"Aunt Jenny!" Ferno runs over to his aunt and hugs her.

"It's good to see you, Ferno." Jenny laughs.

"Manectric!" Manectric says.

"Electrike!" Electrike pops out of his Pokéball.

Present Day

"How are we telling Gurkinn?" Ferno asks.

"We just tell him." Korrina replies.

"A-are you sure?" Ferno says.

"Ferno… are you… nervous?" Korrina asks, incredulous.

"I've faced Team Rocket multiple times and faced many life-threatening challenges, but how I feel right now… that doesn't even compare to how I felt then." Ferno admits.

"Ferno, relax." Korrina laughs. "Grandfather isn't going to kill you or anything." She reassures him. "At least, not in front of me." She mutters under her breath.

"What was that?" Ferno asks.

Korrina turns around and faces him. "Besides…" She leans in closer to him. "… I'm right here with you."

"Right…" Ferno says. "Right… I'll be fine."

Korrina smiles at his boyfriend. "Exactly."

Ferno smiles back. "You're the best girlfriend I could ask for."

"Oh? But we've only been together for a few days. We haven't even gone on an official date yet." Korrina says.

"Really? So flying over Reflection Cave didn't count?" Ferno says. "That seemed pretty romantic to me."

"We had a third wheel." Korrina points to the sky where Charizard is flying.

"Charizard's not a third wheel. He's my wingman! Literally." Ferno says. "Without him, we would've been falling over Reflection Cave. That doesn't sound nearly as romantic."

Korrina laughs. "Fair enough. But I still want a date that's just you and me."

"I'll see what I can do." Ferno says.

"And it better be goo-" Korrina starts before Ferno's lips crash into hers.

They continue to kiss for a moment until Ferno breaks from her.

"I thought that if I didn't do that, you'd never shut up." Ferno explains.

Korrina bursts into laughter at that.

"Oh… you are so in for it!" Korrina says.

"Whatever for?" Ferno feigns innocence, putting his hand to his heart for dramatic effect.

"You're obnoxious." Korrina says.

"But you love me, anyway." Ferno says in a singsong voice.

"Let's just head inside." Korrina starts walking into the Tower of Mastery, Ferno following suit.

"Lucario car cario?" Lucario asks Charizard. "Do you think they're always gonna be like this?"

"Charizard char… char." Charizard replies. "If I know Ferno… probably."

"Lucar…" Lucario sighs. "Oh boy…"

"What do you think Cassidy meant?" Jessie says.

"I don't know. She might've been messing with us." James suggests.

"That is a possibility." Jessie says. "But I highly doubt it. I have a feeling she meant what she said."

"We'll deal with it later. Look! It's our new balloon!" Meowth points out.

And sure enough, the signature Team Rocket hot-air balloon is floating towards them.

"Wobbu wobb!" Wobbuffet celebrates.

"Now let's go steal Pikachu!" James says.

"Those twerps should prepare for trouble from the skies!" Jessie starts.

"From beyond the stars, a nasty surprise!" James continues.

"An evil as old as the galaxy…"

"… sent here to fulfill our destiny!"

"Plus, there's me!" Meowth adds.

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"And James!"

"And Meowth are the names!"

"Wherever there's peace in the universe…"

"… Team Rocket…"

"… will be there…"

"… to make everything worse!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Wait, isn't that an old motto?" James says.

"So, how has your mother been?" Jenny asks.

"Mom's been doing well." Ferno says. "LCPD has been treating her well."

"That's good to hear."

"How is Elise?"

Jenny's face turns crimson. "Sh-She's fine. She's doing great."

The pair had walked to a nearby cafe after Korrina had left for the gym. They were now sitting at a table outside the cafe, drinking coffee.

"Really? Because the last time I was here you told me-"

"I haven't asked her out yet, okay?" Jenny tries to keep her nephew quiet.

"Come on! Aunt Jenny, you need to get your head in the game." Ferno says.

"I know, Ferno, it's just…" Jenny starts. "What… what if she's not like me?"

"'Like you'? What do you mean by tha…" Ferno starts before trailing off. "Oh, you mean, like, sexuality-wise."

Jenny nods.

Ferno sighs.

"I don't even know if she's lesbian." Jenny laments.

"Well… does she know that you're lesbian?" Ferno asks.

"I… I think so." Jenny says. "I never actually told her, but I definitely left subtle hints."

"Well, maybe you should start by telling her, outright." Ferno suggests. "Then she might tell you whether she is the same way."

"Are you sure?" Jenny asks.

Ferno sighs. "No, Aunt Jenny, I'm not sure. It's possible, but… there's no guarantee about any of it."

Jenny frowns and looks down when she feels Manectric rubbing his head against his trainer's thigh to see him looking at her with concern. She pets him in return.

"But you'll never know unless you try." Ferno says. "And I personally think that it's a risk worth taking."

Jenny is about to say something when Manectric gets her attention and nods his head behind her. She turns around to see a woman her age with dark-scarlet hair and sky-blue eyes.

"Jenny! It's so great to see you here!" The woman says with a smile.

"Elise!" Jenny says, flustered. "I-I didn't think you'd be coming to the cafe today."

"You sound like you're not happy to see me." Elise pouts before laughing. "I got out of work early, today. Seems like you did, too."

"Well, it's not everyday my nephew shows up in town." Jenny says.

Ferno takes this as his cue to lean into Elise's view. "How are you, Elise?"

"Ferno! I'm well, thank you." Elise says, cheerfully.

"How about you sit with us?" Ferno suggests. "You can have my coffee, if you want. If I drink it, I'll get hyper and start challenging random people to Pokémon battles." He rubs the back of his neck, sheepishly. "I must have forgotten about that when I ordered it."

"Is that true?" Elise asks.

"It is, just ask his mother." Jenny laughs.

"Electrike." Electrike agrees.

Elise chuckles. "Well, that is certainly interesting, but I think I'll pass on the coffee. I'd be more than happy to sit with you, though."

Ferno sighs. "Well, I wasted five bucks."

"Sorry." Elise says.

"It's fine." Ferno waves her apology off. "My paycheck's bigger than that."

Elise giggles a little. "Fair enough." She says, sitting in the only other empty chair at the table.

"So, Elise, how's work?" Ferno asks, attempting to strike up a conversation. "Nowhere near as dangerous as the work all of my family members, I'd assume?"

Elise laughs at this. "No, not nearly as dangerous as chasing criminals through the streets."

"I don't do that every day, you know." Jenny mumbles.

Ferno is about to say something when his holo-caster rings. 'Right on time, Blaze.' He thinks to himself when he takes the communication device out. "Blaze. Gotta take this." He says to the two ladies before standing. "Don't be afraid to talk while I'm gone." He says before walking out of their earshot. He takes the call. "Blaze, whatever could you be calling me for?" He says with complete sarcasm in his voice and a smirk on his face.

"You texted me and told me to give you an excuse to leave the conversation with your aunt." Blaze says, confused.

Ferno deadpans. "You were supposed to play along."

"Oh, right. Sorry." Blaze chuckles. "It seems that the Champion of the Zabaktua Region wishes to speak with you." He says, with sarcasm.

The smirk returns to Ferno's face. "The Zabaktua Champion? What Zabaktuan issue could he possibly wish to speak to me about all the way in the Zabaktuan Zabaktua Region?"

"I don't know. But the Zabaktuan Champion of the Zabaktua Region said that he wanted to have a very urgent and Zabaktuan conversation with you all the way from the Zabaktuan region of Zabaktua." Blaze says.

Ferno tries to say something, but breaks out in laughter. "'Zabaktua.' Where'd you come up with a name like that?!"

"Dunno." Blaze shrugs. "First outrageous name that popped into my head."

"Well it was great!" Ferno says, still laughing. He regains his composure and says "Well, see you."

"See you, Ferno." Blaze says before hanging up.

Ferno turns around to see Jenny and Elise still talking. He smiles at this. He looks closer and sees that they are both blushing.

'Alright… approach slowly. Don't wanna interrupt.' Ferno starts walking back to the table when his holo-caster goes off, again. 'What? I only told him to call me once.'

He takes his holo-caster out again and sees that the call is not from Blaze. 'What's this about?'

He answers the call. "Professor Sycamore, how are you?"

"Bonjour, Ferno! I'm doing well. How are you?" Professor Sycamore appears on the other end. "How is Charizard?"

"We're fine, Professor." Ferno says. "Are you calling for any reason, or just to check up on me?"

"Well, I heard from your mother that you're traveling to Shalour City." Sycamore says. "Why?"

"She didn't tell you the whole story?" Ferno asks. "You know Korrina, right? Gurkinn's granddaughter."

"Yeah. They've been over to Lumiose a few times." Sycamore replies.

"Well, just about a month ago…" Ferno starts explaining how he found Lucario running into Lumiose City with Korrina in his arms and the events that followed. "... and we just arrived in Coumarine City today."

"Well, that's… alarming to say the least." Sycamore says. "Well, I wanted to warn you about a group of criminals that were seen in Coumarine City, today."

"They attacked the clinic?" Ferno asks.

"You were there, weren't you?" Sycamore sighs.

"Yeah." Ferno says. "Remember how I told you about Team Rocket after I got back from Kanto?"

"Yeah." Sycamore says. "Is it those three?"

"No… different people, but they still call themselves 'Team Rocket'." Ferno explains. "It might be a larger organization than I thought."

"Well, I wanted to give you something, but I think you're better off asking Gurkinn when you get to Shalour." Sycamore says. "I'll call him and tell him about it. Just mention it to him after you're done figuring everything out."

"Mention what?" Ferno asks.

"Just mention that I called him about something. He'll know what it is." Sycamore says.

"Alright." Ferno says. "See you around, Professor."

"See you, Ferno. Au revoir!" Sycamore says before hanging up.

Ferno looks back at the table and sees that nothing has changed since he last checked. He walks back over to the table.

"Sorry about that." He says, taking his seat. "Ended up getting more calls than expected."

"That's fine." Jenny says. "But we were just about to head to the park."

"Wanna come?" Elise offers.

Ferno is about to answer when he sees Jenny shaking her head without Elise noticing.

"No…, sorry. I need to go train with my Pokémon." Ferno says. "The IGLC[1] is coming up."

"Oh, well that's too bad." Elise says as everyone stands up.

"Yeah." Jenny says. "Well, see you around, then, nephew." She hugs him. "Thank you." She whispers.

"See you, Aunt Jenny." Ferno says. "No problem." He whispers.

They let go and Jenny and Elise walk to the park.

After a minute or so, Ferno lets Charizard out. "We're gonna do some spying."

"Korrina!"

"Grandfather!"

Gurkinn and Korrina hug each other.

"Lucar." Gurkinn's Lucario and Korrina's Lucario fist bump.

Ferno stands there with Charizard at his side.

"I don't know what's worse: the fact that I was forgotten or the fact that it's so awkward." Ferno jokes.

"Ferno!" Gurkinn waves the Fire-Type trainer over.

Ferno smiles, nervously, and walks over to the Mega-Evolution Guru.

"Well?" Gurkinn asks. "Did my advice help?"

"Advice? What ad… oh… right." Ferno says. "The advice you gave me on how to become Korrina's boyfriend."

"What?!" Korrina shouts.

"Turns out I had no reason to be worried after all." Ferno laughs. "I completely forgot about our conversation in Geosenge Town."

Gurkinn laughs. "Somehow I knew you'd forget."

"What are you two talking about?!" Korrina shouts.

"Don't worry about it, Korri." Ferno says, pecking Korrina on the cheek.

"So, you came back." Gurkinn says. "I assume Lucario can control his aura, now?"

"Actually…" Ferno starts.

"'Actually?!'" Korrina gets in Ferno's face.

Ferno just laughs. "I'm joking! Mission accomplished."

"Well, now I'm having doubts." Gurkinn says. "I'm going to need proof."

"Well, that works out." Korrina says. "I need to train for my gym battle against Ash."

"Good, then." Gurkinn says. "You'll be facing Ferno."

"Oh, really?" Korrina says.

"This oughta be fun." Ferno says. "Don't think for a second that just because you're my girlfriend, I'm gonna go easy on you."

"I wouldn't want it any other way." Korrina smirks.

Charizard falls on the floor.

"That was a long flight over Reflection Cave." Ferno sweatdrops.

"Char…" Charizard says. "Agreed…"

"You can battle later." Gurkinn says. "I bet you want to get settled in before you do anything."

"That would be nice." Ferno says as he calls Charizard back into his Pokéball. "But first I need to pay my aunt a visit."

"How about I go with you?" Korrina says.

"Trying to get away from me already, huh?" Gurkinn teases.

"Yes, I remembered how much I hate you." Korrina sticks her tongue out at her grandfather.

"Then get out of here." Gurkinn waves the two off.

Ferno is about to say something when he hears two Pokéballs pop open.

"Huh?" Both gym leaders turn to see Kirlia and Hawlucha standing there, holding hands.

"Huh…" Korrina says. "Never woulda guessed."

"Me neither." Ferno says.

"I really need a Psychic-Type." Ferno says. "I have no idea what they're saying."

He and Charizard are flying over the park, watching Jenny and Elise.

"We gotta get closer, somehow." Ferno says.

"Char!" Without warning, Charizard stops flying.

"What are you doing?!" Ferno screams. "Fly! Fly! Fly!"

Charizard ignores him and continues to fall.

"Thank you for nothing, you useless reptile." Ferno says.

When they're a few hundred yards from the ground, Charizard spreads his wings.

"Why?" Ferno says when he realizes that they aren't falling anymore.

Charizard simply points at the ground. Ferno looks down to see Jenny and Elise kissing.

Ferno smiles. "Well, what do you know?"

"Char." The Flame Pokémon says, happily. "Yep."

"We probably should train for the IGLC." Ferno says.

Charizard simply smirks before flying to Ramos's gym.

"Ferno!" Jenny hugs her nephew.

"Hey, Aunt Jenny." Ferno laughs.

"It's so great to see you!" Jenny says.

Ferno and Korrina have arrived at Jenny's house.

"Come in! Come in!" Jenny invites them both in. "It's good to see you, too, Korrina."

"Same here, Officer Jenny." Korrina says.

"Please, just 'Jenny' is fine. I'm not in uniform." Jenny says.

They walk inside and Electrike pops out of his Pokéball and greets Manectric. "Electrike!"

"Mane. Manectric." The Discharge Pokémon says.

"So, what brings you to Shalour, nephew?" Jenny asks.

"Well, the thing is I decided to give the gym a break for a bit and travel around Kalos again with an old friend." Ferno says.

"Really? Who's this old friend?"

"Remember when I went to Kanto? The boy with the Pikachu that I met?"

Jenny nods in response.

"That's the one."

"What was his name, again?"

"Ash Ketchum."

"That's right."

Jenny looks at both of them.

"What's the deal with you two?"

"Huh?" Korrina says.

Ferno smirks and swiftly wraps his arm around Korrina, pulls her into his side, and kisses her on the cheek.

Jenny stands there with her jaw dropped.

"Uh oh. I think you broke her." Korrina jokes.

"No… just wait for it." Ferno says. "It'll happen."

"What'll happen?" Korrina asks.

Suddenly, Jenny starts sputtering incomplete sentences.

"This?" Korrina asks.

"Yeah." Ferno says. "I was expecting something like that."

"I can't believe it…" Jenny says. "My nephew has a girlfriend…"

"Yep." Ferno says. "I'm a big boy." He impersonates a toddler.

Korrina and Jenny both chuckle at that.

"Well, how did this happen?" Jenny asks.

"Well…" Ferno starts.

Back in Lumiose City, two people, male and female, walk out of the airport.

"Ah, back in Kalos." The woman says. "Brings back memories, doesn't it?"

"It sure does." The man says. "Now where could those two b-" He stops talking abruptly.

"Butch, what is it?" The woman asks.

"IT'S BUTCH!" Butch screams.

"Again?" Cassidy sighs.

That's the chapter! After four months of waiting!

Sorry about the wait. Writer's block.

Hey, about that poll I mentioned in the last chapter…

It's been four months since I put it up on my profile, and I only got ONE VOTE. ONE. Please vote. I am not basing my decision off of one person's opinion. So vote. If you are that one person who did vote, thank you.

Anyway, now that that's out of the way, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. With Cassidy and Butch back in the Kalos Region, the story is finally approaching the problem that I've been hinting at. Let's see if you can figure out what it's gonna be. No hints other than the ones given (and the story's title). First person to get it right wins… bragging rights. Aren't those fun?!

Anyway, remember to review, favorite, follow, AND VOTE!

PS: The IGLC stands for International Gym Leader Conference. You'll see what it is, eventually.