"Thanks again for the lift Skyla!" Ash said as they exited a plane.
"So this is Lentimas Town. Only place to easily access Reversal Mountain." Goh said looking at the sign.
"Technically Undella Town is just as easy to go from, just harder for us to leave coming from that direction." Chloe said.
"Don't you guys see that we're just being moved from the lab." Ash pointed out.
"Don't be ridiculous. We're here doing research." Chloe said, unsure.
"For two weeks? I've never even been to here, or Reversal Mountain, and even I know that's too long." Ash said.
"Professor Cerise values us, why would he want us out of the way?" Goh asked.
"Interviews, grants, who knows. For now we do the job given to us." Ash said. "Besides, I left him a friend."
Back in Kanto
"Get back here Impidimp!" Professor Cerise shouted into the vent. Ash could control the Pokémon, but he didn't listen to anyone else, and they were running out of pens.
Back in Unova
"You know he won't be happy about that." Chloe pointed out.
"We're in Unova, what can he do?" Ash asked nonchalantly.
After getting supplies, the trio met back up at the foot of the mountain.
"Ash, didn't you get anything?" Goh asked the lightly packed trainer.
"I did, but before that, who wants to check out the creepy abandoned house outside of town?" Ash said enthusiastically.
"But the mountain." Chloe interjected.
"Isn't going anywhere, and for now neither are we." Ash said. "Think about the discoveries that could be there!"
"I mean, I guess if we're here anyways it can't hurt." Goh admitted.
As they approached the house, it was clear just how 'abandoned' it was. Broken windows, weeds growing up the walls, even the front door was broken off of its hinges.
"You know, I think I'll sit this one out." Chloe said backing up.
"Come on, a creepy house got you scared now?" Ash taunted.
"No! I just think we don't need to all be here!" Chloe faught.
"Come on Ash. Just the two of us, it'll be fun. It's been a while since it's been like that." Goh said.
"Okay, just stay at the Pokémon Center, and do not tell your dad. We'll be back tonight at latest." Ash said.
"So Ash, second or first floor?" Goh inquired.
"Start at the top, work our way down?" Ash counter offered.
"Sounds like a plan." Goh said.
Outside of a few Pokémon who had made this place their home, the first few rooms didn't seem to hold much of anything.
"Hey Ash, look at this." Goh said, looking at a photograph. "The little girl in this photo looks like she could almost be you."
"Goh, this photo is ancient, besides I'm a guy." Ash said with a chuckle.
"Still the resemblance is uncanny." Goh said.
Ash looked at the photo, and he couldn't argue if he had been born a girl, he probably would have looked very similar to that girl in the photo.
"Come on, this is just creepy." Ash said exiting the room.
"Oh, don't tell me you're scared too." Goh taunted.
"Not scared just weirded out." Ash admitted.
"We'll look who it is from the boonies." Trip taunted from the ground floor.
"Trip, what are you doing here?" Ash asked if in shock.
"I could ask you the same thing, but first a rematch. You won once, and was titled the stronger trainer." Trip said angrily.
"Friend of yours?" Goh asked.
"Hardly." Ash said annoyed, readying a pokeball. "One on one, no substitutions."
"Just like the league fight, very well. Come on out Serperior!
"Pikachu let's go!"
Pikachu jumped from the banister onto the ground floor.
"Serperior use Energy Ball!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu sped around Serperior, striking it from behind.
"Now use Coil!"
Pikachu was quickly wrapped up by his larger opponent.
"Pikachu use Discharge!"
"An electric attack. What have the boonies done to you?" Trip laughed.
Electricity crackled, as Serperior loosened its grip enough for Pikachu to slip out.
"Now Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
"Serperior use Dragon Tail!"
The two tails collided, neither giving an inch.
"Now Serperior use Frenzy Plant!"
"Pikachu launch away!"
Pikachu flew back up towards the balcony as vines sprouted up from the ground.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Serperior dodge it!"
Serperior was still recovering from their last attack as Pikachu struck again.
"Serperior use Energy Ball!"
"Pikachu deflect it with Iron Tail"
The Energy Ball shot back at Serperior knocking it out.
"You win this time Ash." Trip said, leaving.
"Such a fun guy." Goh mocked.
"Hey look, the battle loosened some floorboards." Ash said looking at the ground floor.
Upon closer inspection, they were hiding a staircase downwards.
"What do you say Goh, check out a creepy basement in an abandoned home?" Ash offered.
"Let's do it." Goh said nonchalantly.
What they found in the basement was frightening, a circle with symbols, writing on the walls, and three skeletons. Along with a book.
"Ash listen to this. Our greatest mistake was thinking the dark one would obey. I am the only one left, and I can tell he's coming for me soon. If you encounter him, don't make him angry." Goh read the page. "And look at this." Goh said holding the book up.
The drawing was strange and a bit cryptic, but Ash knew one thing for sure, it was Darkrai.
"Goh, we need to leave. Now." Ash said forcefully.
"Ash it's probably just some prank." Goh said with a laugh.
"Goh! I've been dealing with Darkrai since the fog in Sinnoh! He's after me because he thinks that little girl survived!" Ash exclaimed. "I don't want to be here if he decides to come back."
"Okay, we can go. Sorry about the joke." Goh said as they quickly ran up the steps.
Back at the Pokémon Center
"Ash! Goh! There you are!" Chloe said running up embracing them. "What's wrong?"
After explaining what they had found to Chloe there was silence between the group.
"Ash, I know you're a bit on edge, but my dad wants you to call him." Chloe said.
"Ash, look I'm going to put the speaker up to the vent, we're down to three pens." Professor Cerise said amidst a panic.
"Why are we here Professor?" Ash asked.
"What, to research Reversal Mountain. Did you hit your head again?" Professor Cerise asked.
"No, why are we here for two weeks." Ash replied.
"Oh, that. We're setting up a camp here, so I figured I'd let you three enjoy some time away before it started, and while they're getting everything ready." Professor Cerise sighed. "Now can you please call for Impidimp."
After getting Professor his pens back, Ash and the others called it for the night. Ash however slept uneasily, knowing how close he was to where the Darkrai had been summoned.