"Ash's algorithm shows that a likely spot for Regirock is in Johto's Mt. Mortar." Professor Cerise said. "Ash, what's your plan."
"Goh and Chloe, this will go without saying for if we go again, but bring your Regis. Having that much extra power might be needed if Regirock gets the drop on us. Other than that use your best judgement for what to bring." Ash said. "Meet back here once you're ready."
"Don't you think they could use more guidance than that?" Professor Cerise asked.
"With five spots left, Chloe has seven Pokémon to pick from. We both know Eevee and Boltund will be with her, Araquanid seems logical, and she's smart enough to pick from Koffing, Lumineon, and Corvisquire. Goh will bring what he knows we'll need to get there, and random chance problems. Serena only has four Pokémon, and that leaves me." Ash said. "And I have my six already."
"So you've thought this all through." Professor Cerise retorted.
"Not in the slightest, I just want them to have options." Ash said. "Goh ran the team by the books, and it drove us to pieces, when I first led, I only took charge when things got heated. This time I'm trying to prevent things from getting too heated."
"You'll find exactly what works if this doesn't." Professor Cerise said. "If not, your best ideas come when you have none."
"Thanks, I think?" Ash said.
On the mag train
"So I have a question for you guys." Serena said.
"Go for it." Ash responded.
"What's with the matching jackets?" Serena pointed out.
"I knew we were forgetting something!" Chloe exclaimed.
"Sorry about that Serena, they're a way to signify us as a team, and with everything that's happened, I guess we forgot to get you one." Ash apologized.
"Are they required?" Serena asked.
"No, but they are comfortable." Chloe replied.
A while later the group arrived in Goldenrod City
"Alright, here's the plan, Mt Mortar is split into two sections. The lower area is surrounded by waterfalls, and can only be accessed from lakeside, while the upper sections are more scalable, and can be accessed by dry land." Ash said, showing a map. "Chloe and I will take the lower areas, Goh you take Serena to search the upper areas. Keep your phone on, and radio for help if you run into trouble."
"Golurk let's go!" Goh called out, before taking off with Serena.
"Are you sure those two together is a good idea?" Chloe asked.
"They have to work together sooner or later." Ash pointed out. "Now come on we have a mountain to explore."
On top of Golurk
"So I guess this is our first mission we're really working together on." Goh said awkwardly.
"Yep." Serena said, a bit distantly.
"Come on, at least be a little excited." Goh said.
"I'll be excited when we're on the ground." Serena responded.
"Okay, I got why Ash and Chloe were angry at me at times, I haven't even done anything to you though." Goh said.
"Ash told me what you did though." Serena said.
"I was wrong, I'm getting help, I'm… I'm trying." Goh said, trying to stay calm. "I try so hard every day to not be that guy again, and it's hard when I'm not even given the chance."
"Understand this, if that part of you comes out and hurts Ash again, it's not Pikachu you'll have to be afraid of." Serena threatened.
On Dragonite
"I wonder what they're talking about?" Chloe asked.
"Who knows, I just hope they're getting along." Ash said, staying focused.
Back with Goh and Serena, now on the ground
"Aren't you coming?" Serena asked.
Goh held up a finger, indicating to give him a minute. "Yes, I know I'm not scheduled to call today. No, I haven't had a break down. Yes I remembered the steps. No, I didn't do anything to them, it's what I did to Ash. Okay, I'll try and keep that subject away." Goh said over the phone. "Sorry about that, I had a call I needed to make."
"It's fine, but we should get moving." Serena said, pulling out a flashlight.
"No need. Pumpkaboo come on out!" Goh called. The extra large Pumpkaboo coming out of its Pokeball, its eyes illuminating the area in front of them.
In the lower parts of the cave
"Remind me to work on riding Araquanid." Chloe said, struggling to stay on.
"It's got to be better than Lumineon." Ash pointed out.
"That's debatable. Hey Ash, any plans to get us up there?" Chloe asked seeing a waterfall.
"Chloe, I'm on Dragonite." Ash said. Dragonite gracefully lifted himself out of the water, flying up the waterfall.
"Yeah, but what about me." Chloe said, before a rope dropped from atop the waterfall.
"It's moments like this I wish Corvisquire had evolved." Ash gasped.
"That makes two of us." Chloe said.
Back with Goh and Serena
"Don't move." Serena said.
"Look, you might've had more time with Ash, but you can't order me around." Goh said, taking a step forward, only to barely miss an attack fired right at him.
"I wasn't ordering, I was advising." Serena said, pulling out her phone.
'Absol the Disaster Pokémon, watch out for its horn.'
"Still better than Ash's." Serena said, putting it away. "Now that we know what it is, we can fight it. Pancham, you're up."
"Nidoran, let's go."
The two smaller Pokémon popped out of their pokeballs, ready for battle.
"Pancham use Circle Throw!"
"Nidoran use Double Kick!"
A slice came from Absol's horn, blasting the two Pokémon away.
"Who knew horns had range." Serena said shocked.
"We can play hard too! Pokeball go!" Goh shouted, throwing a curveball.
'Absol has been registered to your Pokédex.'
"Let's see what it was protecting." Serena said.
"Ahh, through here, I think I hear something." Ash said, hiding aside an entrance.
Ash and Serena charged straight into each other, Serena just barely catching Ash before he fell.
"What are you guys doing here?" Chloe asked.
"We were looking into the upper parts, what are you doing here?" Goh responded.
"We were looking through the lower parts, and this was all that was left." Ash said.
"I thought Regirock was supposed to be here?" Chloe accused.
"It was only a chance, don't worry we have plenty of other places it could be though." Ash said.
"Let's hope it's at one of them." Goh said.