So I can see a lot of you were surprised by the last chapter. I don't know if that was a good thing or not but whatever it is I guess I should just stick to it and continue on. Anyway, as usual, a thanks to the reviewers Guest, knight7572, Amourshiper35, Ri2, another Guest, and Rajiv A. Rajaram, and other thanks for everyone following, adding the story to there favorites, and reading it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon and I think its pretty clear that Game Freak owns it.

Ash held the TM Trainer up as he tapped on the screen for Rock Polish. The move teaching device started to play in front of Torterra. "So this move is supposed to help me with my speed?" The grass and ground type looked at the instructions as the video showed a slow Onix moving extremely faster after using the move.

"Yeah, I figure we could give it a try." The group stopped next to a calm river taking time out to for Ash train both for his upcoming gym battle.

Torterra did his best to shrug. It was worth a shot. "Alright, can you replay the video I want to make sure I'm ready."

Mawile sat on a small rock next to the river watching Froakie summon up a Water Pulse and tossing it as fast as he could. The steel and fairy type jumped down and decided to ask the water type a question. "So what exactly are gyms?"

The bubble frog pokemon stopped what he was doing and looked at her. "Well, you see it's something to do with this organization called the Pokemon League." Mawile's mind started to picture a group of Pokemon running out to stop crimes and save the world.

"So your training to be heroes?!" Froakie blinked wondering how she would think that.

"No none of that you see the Pokemon League is a bunch of trainers competes against gyms for badges." Froakie was surprised how difficult it was to explain this to her. Then again he was raised by a league-licensed breeder and spent a long time with humans. Mawile was mostly raised in the wild with not much in the way with contact with humans, or contact with people who had contact with them. "Once they get eight badges they then compete with each other to see who would win."

Mawile was starting to understand. "Oh so what do they win?" She was excited by this and couldn't wait to compete. "A lifetime supply of food?"

Froakie chuckled at her question. "I think a few Snorlaxes wish that was the case." He shook his head at that thought. "No the winner gets a trophy and can challenge the Elite Four and the standing Champion for the title."

Mawile didn't quite understand the rest of it but she didn't care. She actually didn't mind the idea of competing in this Pokemon League. "Oh so is Serena competing in it as well?" She motioned to Serena as she and her team got to work on a routine for the showcases.

Froakie shook his head. "No, she's practicing for Pokemon Showcases." That cased Mawile to tilt her head in confusion. "You have no idea what a Pokemon Showcase is either do you?" She gave him a nod which he completely expected. Froakie let out a low sigh. This was going to take awhile. "All I know is that they are shows that people and Pokemon perform in."

Mawile figured she was starting to get it. "Oh, so it's like the plays the Carbink invited my mother and me to watch?" Froakie shrugged having no idea what a Carbink play even looked like. In fact, he didn't even know what a Carbink looked like.

Regardless he didn't want to explain it to her on account he didn't really understand it either. "Maybe you'll have to ask Serena when she is done though." He was about to go back into training when a thought crossed his mind. "Hey, do you want to join me? I could use a training partner."

"Sure!" Mawile got into position as she was ready to help. "What you say we promise to win the League together?" She held her hand out to him a smile on her face.

Froakie looked at her hand for a short while before he took it. He gave her a smile as he thought about this goal. "If you think we can win then I'm sure we can win." The two of them shook there hands as Froakie jumped back a bit. "Alright, you get the first attack."

"Alright." Mawile didn't waste any time as her tiny fists were covered in a dark purple before she threw a punch aimed at his stomach. The Sucker Punch was rather sudden and hit Froakie in the stomach sending him back. Froakie righted himself from the sudden blow.

A small blade forming in his hand as he raced to her with a Cut ready to hit. Mawile reacted her body glowing with an Iron Defense. At the last moment instead of hitting her, he instead canceled his attack and tossed his frubbles at her knocking her on the ground in surprise.

Mawile pulled herself up with some difficulty as the sicky frubbles tried to hold her down. "What the… hey, wait did you plan that?" She stopped surprise at this.

"Not at the time no." Froakie chuckled as he helped her out of the bubble like substance. "It just made it as I went along." Froakie now had a question for her. "Mind me asking how many attacks do you know?"

Mawile got to thinking as she didn't use them offend. "Sucker Punch, Iron Defense, and Fairy Wind." Froakie waited for her to finish listing but Mawile didn't add a fourth move. "That's about it."

"You only know three moves?" Froakie was a bit surprised to hear this. Mawile was a bit embarrassed about this fact as she saw him look at her in disbelief.

"Yeah." She turned her head to the side as she looked away. "I was going to learn Brick Break from my mother though, I didn't quite finish learning it."

Froakie turned his attention to Heracross who was nearby. "Well, we might have someone who can finish teaching you." Froakie hopped over the bug and fighting type with Mawile following behind him. "Hey, you know Brick Break right?"

Heracross turned to the water type stopping from eating a berry he had picked for himself. "Yeah, why you ask?"

Froakie motioned to Mawile before explaining why asked it. "Mawile was learning it from her mother and didn't quite finish it, we're hoping you could teach her so she can."

Heracross gave the steel fairy type a wave and a smile at this. "Well sure I'll be happy to help teach you."

"Oh thank you!" She couldn't wait and got into position. As Heracross started to show her how to use Brick Break on a few stones near the river.

Back with Torterra the grass and ground closed his eyes focusing on the instructions in his head before opening them his body suddenly glowing for a bit as he could feel his body almost speeding up. "I think I finally got it!"

"That's great!" Ash picked the device in his hand happy that Torterra had a more permanent move to help with his speed alongside Rock Climb. "What you say we test it out?"

Torterra looked forward as he started to run as fast as he could. His bulk had been a bit of a problem for him and while he didn't feel as fast as he once was it felt good to at least have some of it back. Yet as he did he couldn't help but think about what this actually was costing him.

He remembers Paul's Torterra how he would take the attack or strike back when they got too close. During his brief periods at the ranch, he learned that Ash's Pokemon tend to keep themselves busy either training, playing games, watching tv or in the case of Bulbasaur helping with the ranch, which was becoming far more difficult for him as Oak was taking in more trainers pokemon. He even found himself helping with the problem on more than one occasion. 'I wonder how my friends are doing?'

He stopped and walked to the water his mind thinking about this. Ash jogged up next to him a smile as he stopped next to Torterra. He looked at him for a moment before speaking up. "What is it? I know it's not much." Torterra shook his head.

"It's not about that." Torterra gave him a thankful look. "I'm grateful for learning Rock Polish." He looked back at his reflection. "I just kinda miss my friends is all." Torterra pulled himself from his reflection. The two walked back to the others in silence for a brief time. "Ash after Cyllage, I think I want to head back to the Ranch."

"Sure, if that's what you want." As soon as they got back to the others they saw Mawile breaking the rocks in front of her using what Ash recognized as Brick Break. A small smile formed on his face as he walked up to her. "I can guess someone's ready for the Cyllage gym."

Mawile gave him a nod in agreement. "I sure am!" She gave a few punching motions in the air before she paused and remembered she didn't have a clue as to what the Cyllage gym was. "Wait who are we facing at the gym?"

Ash had a light chuckle at this. "The Cyllage City gym leader, I was told they specialize in rock type pokemon." Mawile nodded now understanding what they were up against.

"Ok so me, Froakie, Torterra, and Heracross would be perfect for this!" She turned to Pikachu with an apologetic look. "Sorry Pikachu, looks like you and Fletchinder have to sit this out."

Pikachu just looked at her in confusion before he realized why she did so. "I know Iron Tail." He motioned to Ash. "In fact, he taught me how to use it just for a Rock-type gym back in Hoenn." Mawile felt a bit embarrassed for that. "Plus I know Magnetic Rise on the off chance they plan to use a ground type move on me."

Mawile looked back at Ash amazed after hearing this. "Yeah, I tend to see the type chart as another challenge." Now that he thought about it Mawile only had to really worry about ground and fire type attacks. "Actually I didn't ask but what moves can you do besides Brick Break?"

"Sucker Punch, Iron Defense, and Fairy Wind!" She answered as soon as he finished. "My mom said that some pokemon could learn more the four moves I was wondering if that true?"

"Well yes, I know six moves." Mawile turned back to Pikachu in surprise. She then looked back at Ash feeling excited by this.

"Oh, can I learn a fifth move?" Ash shook his head as did the others around her. "What I can learn more than four moves can't I?" She crossed her arms in a pout.

"It's not as simple as that." Ash let out a sigh as he knelt down to her. "Learning to go over the four move limit is something that up to a lot of things, power, training, and personality at least that's what Oak told me." The Professor had informed him about then after he noticed pokemon using more than the usually agreed on four moves. Even the foremost researcher on pokemon had no idea how to tell when a Pokemon was ready to break this limit. "Even if we just train for it I don't know if we're guaranteed success in you learning a fifth move."

Now Pikachu decided to add in. "Plus trust me once you do learn a fifth move it becomes harder and harder to learn more." Mawile understood what he was getting at. It wasn't something she could just do. She could work on it but as it stands it's up to numerous factors for her to be ready to push past this limits.

She turned to Froakie with a smile. "Well, what about you do you think you'll be learning an extra move sometime soon?" The bubble frog pokemon just shrugged at this. If he was going to learn it he probably would be fully evolved or something else "I say we try regardless, what do you say?"

She gave him a big smile as Froakie just found himself agreeing with. "Well if you think we should then I guess I'll try."

Fletchinder landed on a rock next to them. "Hey, are you talking about breaking the four move limit?" Her question was answered by Mawile who gave the fire flying type a nod. "Oh I count me in I want to learn an extra move as well."

Ash had a smile as he watched the tree of them talk about this. It was always good when his pokemon became good friends. He looked at Torterra and started to understand why he wanted to return to Oak's ranch. "Hey, Ash?" He turned to Heracross who seemed a bit in thought. Do you know when we could have lunch?"

That was a good question actually, he felt a bit peckish himself. "I'll ask Audino about it."

Pancham jumped and hit the ground as Braixen and Lucario took their positions jumping on the top of the ring of stones as they formed around Pancham. Each time they jumped on the tip they would jump off it and flip about. A trial of fire following Braixen's ignited stick tip before after they each circled halfway they leaped towards one another and mid-air she tossed Lucario her wound.

Pancham took his cue and hit the ground with another Stone Edge forming platforms for the both of them as they went about jumping again in a half circle dissipating the stone edge before the leaped away from each other with Lucario tossing the wand back to Braixen who caught it reuniting it's colder flame as she twirled around landing with a bow. Lucario did a full backflip and landed striking a martial arts pose.

Applause came from Serena as the three of them turned to her. "That was amazing I think we're ready for our first showcase." Serena know had to figure out what she was going to wear for it.

Lucario, however, shook his head at this. "I don't think we are." The fighting steel type started to look at everyone in thought. "We still have much to do perfecting that routine but there also the fact I believe we are still thinking in terms of contests."

Zoroark gave him a confused look. "Aren't Contests similar to Showcases?" Lucario gave her a nod as she had no idea but she had proven his point.

"Yes they are similar but they aren't the same." He stressed this having realized how quickly they throw themselves into this. "Showcases do not have a battle round and as such performers have no pressure to make sure their pokemon can still win in a battle, furthermore the performer herself is as much a part of it as well." Serena knew he was right and part of this made her realize that despite all the practice she didn't really have much planned for what she would do with them.

"I guess we do have a lot to work on." She also turned her gaze to Popplio, Zoroark, and Absol. "I also think we need to figure out a routine for each of you." She gave the trio a smile.

Popplio was excited at this. She was finally going to join her mama on stage! "Can we start now! Please, mama can't wait any longer!" Serena giggled at how eager she was. She's been thinking about what they could do for a while now and she figured it was time.

She looked at Absol who just gave her a smile and a nod. "I'm up for it." He thought to himself. "Hm on by any chance would I need an outfit? I don't know if people even think about outfits for Absol's let alone make one." He also wanted to talk about the Absolite they were given but realized he was probably rushing it.

"Oh don't worry." She pulled out her designer kit. "I can make you one no problem." She actually made the outfits her pokemon tend to wear during there contest days. She even made the one she was wearing right now. "Maybe we can even style your fur."

"Alright but no ribbons." Absol thought about that for a few moments picturing himself with ribbons in berries styles. "Ok maybe some ribbons, depending on the outfit of course." Serena had a light giggle at this.

She wasn't thinking about them until he brought it up. 'Maybe a nice pale blue then.' Finally, she turned to Zoroark who remain quiet during this whole thing. "Hey, Zoroark do you think you can use Illusions on your Double Team?"

She realized where she was having been in deep thought after watching the routine. It's only now that she realized where she was. "Oh sorry, I didn't quite hear you." The group looked at her as Zoroark started to feel rather nervous. "Could you repeat the question?"

Serena and the others had noticed how Zoroark seemed to be acting as of late when it came to Showcase training. "I asked if you can use your illusions on your Double Team."

"Sure takes a bit of effort but I can change them." She closed her eyes focusing on her doubles formed and when she opened her eyes they all were consumed by a flash and changed into copies of the group. She raised her hand and they watched the illusion double's struggle to do so before they disappeared in a flash. "I'm still working on getting them to move without canceling the illusion though."

Braixen walked up to her follow Vuplian pokemon with an inquisitive look. "Zoroark you mind if we talk for a moment?" She turned back to Serena with a smile. "This should only take a minute." The fire type dragged the dark type away from the others Once the were out of earshot Braixen turned to her and crossed her arms. "Alright, what's the matter?"

Zoroark just knew that Braixen didn't bring her to the side for any reason. "So straight to the point then?" Zoroark sighed as she knew this was going to happen eventually. "Look I'm still not quite sure about this."

"You're not sure about doing showcases?" Braixen raised an eyebrow wondering if this was the reason but Zoroark shook her head.

"No, not that I already decided I would like to try them out." She looked away from Braixen averting her gaze as she thought about her first time she was with the group. "I'm not sure if I should be with the group or be on stage with Serena." She turned away as she thought about all the ways she could mess up the showcase for her trainer.

Braixen placed her hand on her shoulder as she gave her a comforting look. She had a feeling that there were a few lingering doubts in Zoroark. "Hey listen there no need to beat yourself up over it." Zoroark turned to her as Braixen gave her a smile. "It's all in the past."

"Maybe but I'm afraid of what can happen." Braixen shook her head at this.

"It doesn't matter." She walked at the dark type in the eyes. "Listen we're a family and your apart of that family, Serena happy that your back with us." She thought about when they had to leave her and hoe Serena handled it. "Don't let doubt destroy yourself or the bond you want to make."

Zoroark thought about it and realized that Braixen was right. She still held doubt, about herself and her relationship. Both with Serena and with the others. "You're right." She focused forward and stood to hold herself up. She was told that her fears came because of human she was abused by humans and that was true to an extent. She was afraid, afraid of losing another family like one she once had. "Come on we've let them wait long enough don't you think?"

The two of them walked back watching as Popplio was practicing with Sylveon using a combination of Sylveon's Fairy Wind and Popplio's Bubblebeam. The bubbles rose into the wind swirling as the wind blew up. "Alright now use Swift!"

"Alright!" Sylveon jumped up and twirled her feelers sending a barrage of stars into the swirling Fairy Wind. The stars meet the bubbles as the two hit and destroyed one another. In a burst, the wind broke causing it to also rain stars as the sparkling remains of the three moves slowly fell down.

"Yay let's do it again!" Popplio was in awe as she looked at the sparkles. "Oh, this time maybe uncle Absol can join in!" Popplio's words brought a chuckle to the Disaster Pokemon.

"Uncle Absol? Well, that makes me feel a bit older than I should." He gave the young water type a smile "Well then perhaps were room in it for a Shock Wave or an Ice beam?"

"Maybe a Shock Wave," Sylveon gave it a bit of thought. "Ice Beam would just freeze the bubbles." Absol nodded in understanding before noticing that the Braixen and Zoroark had rejoined the group.

"There back." The others turned their attention to the two.

Serena looked at Zoroark as a bit of worry come over her. "So is everything alright?" Zoroark looked at her before a smile formed on her face.

"Of course there nothing to worry about." Zoroark got to thinking about something. "You know I have an idea of what we could do during a Showcase and it's a way you can use your ability to use pokemon attacks." This caused the group to look at her wondering what she meant when they were given their answer as Zoroark was covered in a flash before Serena was staring right at herself. "What you think?"

It was like looking into a mirror. Zoroark managed to get it almost perfectly. "Oh, I see Serena can use her attacks and everyone would think it's you." Zoroark "Serena" gave him a wince as the actual Serena thought about this.

"It could work though we'll need to look practice a bunch so we don't mess up." Especially if she used something like Dazzling Gleam. She was pretty sure no one would buy that a Zoroark could use the move. 'Unless we can explain it as her illusions.'

Zoroark was covered in a flash as she dispelled her illusion. "Also I think I might need to expand a bit on my moves, maybe break the four move limit?" She was sure using just illusions and Double Team would get repetitive if its all she could really do for showcases.

"What about replacing one with another?" Sylveon questioned going for the more easier route. Zoroark waved her off though.

"It may be easier but come on I'm still good at battling and the moves I have are best for that." She gave them a wink. "Just cause I'm a performer doesn't mean I shouldn't be ready to defend my family." A smile formed on Serena's face after hearing this.

Popplio hopped up to Zoroark with an excited look. "Auntie Zoroark could you teach me how to do that thing you just did?"

"Sorry, little one but I can't teach you." It really Wasn't something anyone could just learn after all. "It's just something I can do being a Zoroark you know."

Popplio was a bit saddened by this but she understood. "Oh ok." The young water type turned to Serena. "Mama, is it lunchtime I'm hungry?"

Serena gave her a smile. "Sure we can have lunch I'll go tell Audino and Ash so we can eat together." Serena walked off as Zoroark turned to Braixen.

The Illusion Fox Pokemon had a devious smile on her face. "Say hypothetically speaking how long do you think it would be before she and Ash end up having cubs together?"

Braixen gave her a raised eyebrow almost wondering if she was planning some mischief. "You're not thinking of doing something are you?"

"What me no." She looked away from her as Braixen had a small giggle. Absol caught sight of Sylveon pulling something out of Serena's backpack. A small Ketchum packet.

The disaster pokemon gave the fairy type eeveelution a curious look as he noticed the condiment in her feelers. "Aren't those Ketchup packets?" Sylveon turned him as she hit the packets behind her.

"What ketchup packets?" She tried to hide it but Absol wasn't having any of this. The dark type kept his gaze fixed on her causing Sylveon to slowly gave up. With a sigh, she revealed the packets in her fillers. "It's for Pikachu ok." She looked down with a small blush on her face. "I felt bad for him losing his ketchup and Serena had a few packets she never used so." She pulled her head up and had a smile. "I thought I at least could give him the packets."

Absol stared at her for a second before he gave the eeveelution a clever smirk. "You wouldn't happen to have a crush on him?" That got an immediate response as Sylveon's face went red. Absol resisted the urge to laugh at how obvious she was making it. "Don't worry I'll keep it save just do me one thing." He leaned in as he gave her a friendly and comforting look. "Tell him about how you feel at the first chance you get." Sylveon looked at him before she gave a nod in understanding.

Officer Jenny bragged the Pokemon Poacher into the van as she saw the swarm of Vivillon fly overhead and free. She turned her head over to the pokemon that had helped her finally find him. "Thanks for all the help we've been chasing for years."

She gave him a salute as the pokemon in question a Krokorok, a rarity in Kalos gave her a nod and a smile. "Krokorok." Officer Jenny walked into the van to take him away as the Krokorok looked on to the swarm.

One of the Vivillon flew down to him happily. "Thanks for freeing us mister." He shook his head at this.

"Hey don't mention it." He gave her a smile as the sun seemed to reflect a bit off his sunglasses. "Now run off with your friends and be sure to stay away from any Pokemon Poachers you hear." Vivillon have a nod as she flew off to join the rest of the swarm.

It was by accident that he found himself in Kalos and yet he didn't really mind the change of pace. Just a bit ago he watched a Poacher being chased by one of Kalos' Officer Jennys and knew he had to help her. Looking out at the setting sun he adjusted his sunglasses, and took off for the forest having done his part.

He stopped as he looked to the side his eyes catching sight of something in the trees. He caught only a brief glimpse of it and yet his curiosity peaked. "Was… was that Xerneas?" The Legendary pokemon of Life tend to call Kalos her home and yet she was rather close to humans. "Something big is going to go down."

What else could it mean for a Pokemon like her to come this close to human settlement. Krokorok shades seem to sheen with the sun as he mind up his mind and headed in the direction of the legendary pokemon. Even if it wasn't needed he was going to at least offer is help to the Life Pokemon.

You all know who it is. Yeah, I gave it some thought and I figured I bring my favorite part of his Unova team here for the story. He's still catching Hawlucha before him though. Also yeah this chapter was more of a breather but I felt it really does so a dynamic in how each side treats each other. We need some down time you know. Next Chapter will be Cyllage City, oh and by the way we are nearing the end of the "Welcome to Kalos" Arc of this story. Yeah I just know figured I would give it a name. As far as the next story arc, well you see I have no idea what to call it. If you could even call these arcs.

Before I forget please don't attack me for the Pikachu pairing... I just thought I would add it for fun and the sake of the story. Please don't kill me.

Anyway, I'll cya all next chapter. and always remember your feedback is welcomed.