Aoi Hyoudou: What's up, everyone! So far, the series has shown promise to be a long-term investment, which is great news! Although there were some mixed reviews about the shipping and Gou in general. Still, I will proceed forward despite a few nitpicks. You will see a good amount of focus on Ash/Black Raven and Goh's side this time around. Like I said before, there will be twists and turns in each chapter, so be prepared! Without further ado, enjoy the chapter! Please don't forget to drop a review afterward.

Chapter IV

Reunion and Old Grudges!

~(...)~

Melemele Island - Alola region

"I'm back, Alola!" Goh's airplane has just arrived in the Alola region and it was traveling towards Melemele Island's airport, with the landing estimate time to be within a few minutes. Goh was gazing through his seat window, relishing the familiar scenery, which was Melemele Island. It was as big and extraordinary as he remembered. He wished Chloe was here with him. She would've loved Melemele Island and met Ash's Alola family. Unfortunately, she had other obligations so she wasn't able to accompany him. Her graduation was in a few weeks, so missing time away from her studies wasn't ideal.

Meanwhile, Ash's Pikachu was relishing a bottle of ketchup in his seat, not minding what was going on around him.

The plane finally arrived at the airport, allowing all the passengers to leave their seats and exited the plane. Goh with Pikachu riding on his shoulder exited the station where Professor Kukui was waiting for them in front of his parked car. "Goh! Pikachu!" He waved his hand up high, drawing the young researcher's attention.

Goh smiled and walked up to Ash's Alolan father figure. "Alola, Professor Kukui!" He greeted the professor.

"Alola, Goh!" Professor Kukui returned the greeting with a smile. "Glad to see you made it here in one piece."

"Thanks, professor." Goh smiled again. "It's been a while." Kukui nodded in agreement.

"It sure has." The professor glimpsed at the young researcher up and down, studying his features. "You have grown a lot since then," he commented at the teen's matured appearance.

"Only a little." Goh blushed slightly and scratched his cheek sheepishly.

Kukui laughed. "Come on, Goh, I can tell you have worked very hard to make it this far. The very least you could do is cut yourself some slack," he advised.

Goh heaved a soft sigh but then grinned. "You're right, professor!" Kukui was pleased to hear that.

"Now then, are you ready to go?" He grinned. "Everyone's waiting at the Pokémon School to meet you again."

"Everyone?" A frown was plastered on Goh's face, which didn't go unnoticed. "Does that mean Kiawe's there too?"

Kukui's expression softened. He was aware of Goh and Kiawe's little argument from a few years ago, which led to the now current Kahuna of Akala Island, not on speaking terms with the young researcher. "Don't worry Goh, I'm sure he will be happy to see you again even if he's still holding a silly little grudge against you." He tried to reassure the teen, however, Goh didn't look too persuaded.

"I hope you're right, professor..."

~(...)~

Virbank City - Unova region

A suspicious black car was cruising through the streets of Virbank City. Occupying in the backseat and gazing through the window with his face resting in his open palm was Ash Ketchum. He was wearing a blue and black sleeveless jacket, a dark teal T-shirt, a pair of black jeans, a pair of black sneakers, and a fingerless black glove over his right hand. Around his neck was a necklace with a raven-like pendant.

Occupying in the driver's seat and the passenger's side were two grunts assigned by J, to accompany her apprentice while he's still on a temporary break from his duties. Rather than being cooped up at Raven's Nest all day, Ash decided to take a car ride to Virbank City so he can revisit some of its tourist spots and perhaps enjoy some Bearticone ice cream.

His eyes immediately perked up when the car drove past the familiar Bearticone ice cream stand he encountered several years ago. "Stop the car," he ordered without looking away from the window.

"Excuse me, sir?" The driver diverted his gaze away from the road and glanced over his seat at the apprentice.

"I said stop the car. Now!" Ash repeated, raising his voice a bit higher.

Not wanting to agitate Black Raven any further, the grunt slammed his foot on the brake, prompting the car to skid into an immediate stop. Ash exited the vehicle before concealing his eyes with black shades, to somewhat hide his true identity from the public. He was about to head off and backtrack his way to the ice cream stand when the grunt in the passenger's seat rolled down the window and called out. "Sir!" Ash paused momentarily but kept his back turned against the henchman. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm getting some ice cream," the young apprentice stated simply. "For me. And for Master J," he added.

"Should we-"

"Don't even bother." Ash abruptly cut off the henchman before he could even ask. "I will contact you if something comes up so go do whatever you like, I don't care." He proceeded to take his leave, leaving the henchman baffled. "And besides-I don't need dead weight slowing me down," he muttered under his breath.

Ash coolly walked on the sidewalk towards the ice cream stand. It was up ahead a few blocks. When he strolled past a store, something piqued his interest at the corner of his eye. It was a wanted poster, featuring nine distinguished individuals. The poster was plastered on the glass window. Ash momentarily changed course and approached the poster. His eyes fixed on each image, studying the details that were put into them. He noticed something peculiar about the wanted poster the more he stared at it. All but one face was blurred out, which was his face. While his true identity wasn't exposed due to his goggles, anyone could tell who he was. What also piqued his interest in the wanted poster was the respective bounties given to each individual. He had the biggest bounty at one hundred million Pokémon Dollars while the others didn't even come close. Their bounties ranged from twenty to fifty million Pokémon Dollars.

An amusing smirk was plastered on Ash's face. The authorities can place a bounty on him and his Elites all they want but they will never stop them. When he looked back at the poster, he noticed something else that caught his attention underneath the photos. The contract information-it had a few names he was familiar with yet haven't heard in several years.

Looker.

Anabel.

"Looker...Anabel..." It tingled his lips to say their names again after all these years. A sadistic grin tugged against his lips. "I'm looking forward to the day when our paths cross."

~(...)~

The Pokémon School - Melemele Island

"Here we are!" Professor Kukui announced as the jeep pulled up right in front of the Pokémon School.

Something instantly caught Goh and Pikachu's attention when they arrived. In between them and the school was a massive, tall golden statue of a grinning Ash in his Alola outfit performing the Electrium Z pose. On his shoulder was of course Pikachu. There was a plaque designated within the statue, which stated:

"In honor of our first Pokémon Champion of Alola, Ash Ketchum."

"Whoa! Did you guys built this just for Ash?" Goh asked in awe.

"It was Kiawe's idea." The young researcher flinched when Kukui responded.

"I see," Goh said quietly, lowering his gaze sadly, which didn't go unnoticed.

"Goh, it's not your fault." Kukui tried his best to reassure his young guest as best as he could.

"I could've done something." Goh clutched his fists and bit down his lower lip in frustration. "Then maybe Kiawe wouldn't be so-" Kukui stopped him there.

"We all wished we could've done something, Goh!" He placed a comforting hand on the teen's shoulder, causing Goh to glance in his direction. "No point in pondering over the past. Just move forward to the future and smile. That's something Ash would say, right?" he asked with a warm smile.

"I suppose so," Goh said with a weak smile.

...

...

...

An awkward silence fell upon them until Goh had something on his mind he wanted to get off his chest. "Say, professor, there's something I'm meaning to ask you for a while now."

"What is it, Goh?"

"Who's the current Champion?" Kukui heaved a deep sigh. He had a feeling that question was going to surface at some point. He was dreading this day would come.

"Truth to be told-" The professor had his hand behind his head. "-we decided to postpone all Island trials until we figured something out," he explained. "So as of now, there's no Champion. This was also something Kiawe wanted us to do. Until he defeats Ash for the championship, he believed no one's worthy to be the next Champion." Goh smiled. That was so like Kiawe.

'I see he hasn't changed one bit.'

~(...)~

Professor Kukui and Goh entered the classroom where they noticed a banner was hanging above the ceiling, which says: Welcome back, Goh!. Directing their attention straight ahead, Goh took notice of Mallow, Lana, and Sophocles were preparing his warm greeting with Melemele Island's delicacies, which were made by Mallow. The young researcher smiled at how much Ash's Alola family has grown since he last saw them.

Mallow's green hair was styled into a bun with a pink scarf tied around her head and over her front bang. She was donning a pink blouse with green tight jeans and a pair of pink sneakers with white dots. Tied around her high ankles were green vine-like straps.

Lana grew out her blue hair until it touched her ankles. It was braided and tied together at the end of a hairpin, which was shaped like a ship anchor. She was wearing a blue robe with a waterfall design over a full-body swimwear that extended to her high ankles, and a pair of matching sandals with golden straps.

Sophocles didn't change too much unlike his friends. His orange hair did grow out a bit, touching his shoulders and it was combed. He was bearing an orange jacket over a white dress shirt with orange collars, a pair of brown pants, and a pair of brown sneakers.

Professor Kukui pretended to clear his throat and then announced their presence. "Alola!"

Ash's former classmates paused what they were doing and glanced over to the classroom entrance where they saw Professor Kukui waving at them and a smiling Goh. "Goh!" they shouted in unison as they darted over to the teen and embraced him. Goh laughed as he was unexpectedly part of a group hug.

"It's so nice seeing you again, Goh!" Mallow chirped. "How you been?" she asked.

"Have you catch any new Water-type Pokémon?" Lana abruptly cut in and asked her question next. Her eyes were sparkling with anticipation.

"Do you still have your Rotom Phone? I want to try out a few new upgrades on it!" Sophocles' eyes were also glittering.

Professor Kukui stood by and observed the heartwarming reunion with a smile.

Goh was having a tough time answering all the questions that were being bombarded at him. He took a brief second to look past the group, eyes wandering around looking for a certain tanned individual. When he realized Kiawe was nowhere to be seen, a sad frown tugged against his lips. He figured as much, knowing that Kiawe still had a grudge against him and wouldn't show up to his welcome back party.

The reunion wasn't complete without him, or Lillie and Gladion for that matter.

"What the hell are YOU doing?!" a familiar voice growled from the doorway.

Virbank City - Unova region

"Here you go, sir! One Bearticone for you!" The ice cream stand employee handed Ash his ice cream with a smile, to which Ash accepted without an issue. "And per your request sir, I placed the other Bearticone inside a sealed box to keep it cool." The employee placed the box into a plastic bag and then handed it to the teen. "There you go! You're very lucky. Those two were my last ones!"

"Thank you." Ash thanked the employee with a small smile. "You can keep the change."

"Thank you very much, sir!" The employee looked extremely happy. "You have a wonderful day!"

Ash walked away from the stand and then glimpsed at the bag with a smile. 'I hope she likes ice cream.'

While the young apprentice was walking down the sidewalk, he diverted his gaze away from his bag and gazed ahead at a group of local street punks who were hanging around near an alleyway. When they noticed his approaching form, they grinned, and then they stood in his way. "Well, well, well, guys and gals, what do we have here?" asked a street punk with facepaint.

Ash walked into a halt and frowned upon the annoying bunch standing before him. "Move!" he barked, in which the punks mocked him with a fake scared expression on their faces. "I don't have time for weak fools like you."

"Look it here, guys. We got ourselves a tough guy." The gang burst into laughter as the facepaint punk walked up to Ash and got into his face. He didn't pay much attention to the firm glare he was receiving from the young apprentice. "Listen here, bud. If you keep talking like that to us, you might find yourself in a world of hurt by Big Ron the Crusher!" he warned.

...

...

...

"Big Ron the Crusher?" Ash simply gawked at the punk with a deadpanned expression on his face. "What a stupid name." The gang gasped.

"The hell you just say, punk?!" the street punk snapped.

Ash's lips curled into a smug smirk as he responded. "Your boss must be weak if he sent idiot fools like you to do his dirty work. How pathetic." A vein formed on the punk's forehead and throbbed in annoyance.

"That does it!" he hissed. "We're going to take you to meet our boss!" The other members circled Ash, who was unfazed by the fact he was outnumbered. "He's going to shut that big fat mouth of yours once he's done with you!" The street punk grinned, in which Ash chuckled in amusement.

"Since I have some time on my hands, I'll humor you and go along with this stupidity." The punk glared sharply at the young apprentice. "Lead the way."

After Ash finished his Bearticone, he followed the street punks into the dark alleyway. He kept his guard up while following the punk deeper and deeper into their secret hangout, glancing back now and then to make sure the other members weren't going to jump him from behind. When they approached a seemingly dead-end area, a massive, muscular man with a mohawk draped in a skull biker vest and biker jeans with chains and tattoos all over his body was sitting in a throne chair against a graffiti wall. He was attended by more members of his street gang. He had a massive smirk on his face when he noticed Ash.

"Who's this little squirt?" Big Ron berated the young apprentice when asked.

"Boss!" the facepaint punk stepped forward and reported. "This nobody said your name was stupid!"

"What?!" the leader roared angrily, a throbbing vein surfaced on his forehead.

"Oh, great. A typical meathead as a street gang leader. How original," Ash said sarcastically with a deadpanned expression plastered on his face.

"What was that?!" Big Ron stood up from his throne with the vein throbbing and twitching violently. "You got a big mouth for a scrawny punk." He glared sharply at Ash. "I can easily snap you like a twig so you had better watch what you say, brat!" he threatened.

"A typical meathead response. Yawn." Ash simply mocked, which was getting on the man's last nerves.

"Why you little!" Big Ron stomped his way up to the smug apprentice and towered over him like a small child. Ash wasn't intimidated by the leader's monstrous presence.

"Teach him why you're known as the "Crusher", Boss!" one of the street punks cheered gleefully.

Big Ron cracked both his knuckles and then glared down at Ash. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy every ounce of this, brat!" He grinned.

"Let's just get this over with." Ash has already grown bored with these punks for one day. He needed to return to base so he can give J her Bearticone.

Big Ron's eyebrow twitched violently. Then he launched his massive fist downward at Ash, who easily caught it without moving a muscle from his spot. The street gang gasped in shock, including Big Ron. "I-Impossible!"

Beads of cold sweat drenched the leader's face as his eyes followed Ash placing his bag down and then lowering his shades, revealing a pair of beautiful blue eyes and a sadistic smirk soon afterward. A horrifying scream escaped from Big Ron's mouth, which echoed within the alleyway.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!"

The Pokémon School - Melemele Island

A punch was thrown and it connected.

Goh was sent tumbling into a student's desk. "Goh!" Lana and Sophocles hurried over to check on their fallen friend. Even Pikachu was worried about Goh.

Kiawe, who delivered the powerful punch, was now huffing and panting heavily while glaring down at his former friend and rival in disgust. Professor Kukui stepped into his view and glared sharply at his student with anger and disappointment. "That's enough, Kiawe!" he scolded the current Kahuna of Akala Island.

An agitated Kiawe gritted his teeth and then brushed his former professor aside as he stepped forward and proceeded to berate Goh's sole existence. "I told you. I told YOU so many times not to come back here yet you refuse to listen to my warnings! Are you that stupid?!"

"Kiawe, please!" Mallow pleaded, trying to be the peacekeeper. "Goh has a good reason why he's here."

"Reason?" Kiawe laughed hysterically, finding it very amusing. "What other reason is there when he's already tarnished the legacy Ash left behind?" he asked, waiting for an answer from his former classmate.

"I-I'm here for Ash." Goh's weak response immediately plastered a frown on Kiawe's face as he glanced back and watched the young researcher was being helped up to his feet by Lana and Sophocles. "I know he's still alive."

"Any proof?" Kiawe quirked an eyebrow, still looking skeptical.

"No, but my heart-"

"There you go again with your heart, Goh!" Kiawe abruptly cut off the young researcher and snapped. "And here I thought you were smart!"

"Kiawe!" Mallow didn't appreciate Kiawe talking down on Goh like that.

"Mallow, don't tell me you believe in his lies." Kiawe frowned.

"Well, he hasn't told us anything yet."

"Then how do you know he's telling the truth?" the Kahuna argued.

"Let's hear him out at least," Sophocles suggested, which Lana agreed with a nod.

"I agree. Perhaps Goh might know something that we don't and there's a possibility Ash could still be alive."

"If Lillie was here, she would've said the same thing," Mallow added.

Kiawe couldn't believe what he was hearing from his former classmates. How could they believe a guy who was one of the key factors why Ash was gone in the first place over him? It didn't make sense. He grasped both fists and glared sharply at his so-called friends. "Fine! He raised his voice, startling the group. "If you want to believe in false hope, then so be it! I don't want anything to do with it!" He turned his back and was about to take his leave when Goh questioned his integrity.

"Are you running away?" the young researcher asked.

Kiawe stopped into a sudden halt and glanced back at Goh, a little irritated by the question. "What?"

"If you were Ash's first and only rival in Alola, then you shouldn't be running away from the truth!"

"Excuse me?" Kiawe's eyes were fuming with anger. "I don't run away from anything especially from someone like you who broke his promise to take care of Ash for us!" he growled.

"I know I broke it and I'm sorry, but at least I'm not a coward!" Goh spat. Their friends gasped.

Kiawe's eyebrow twitched as he grasped both fists tightly, hardening his glare at the ignorant teen standing before him. "If I'm a coward, then what makes you any different from one?" he challenged.

Goh clutched his chest and glared back. "Because I believe!" Kiawe's eyes grew a bit, but then he frowned.

"It takes more than simply believing, don't you think?" he spat back.

"It might not be much, but at least it gives me hope!" Goh closed his eyes momentarily, but then reopened them and pointed his finger directly at Kiawe, preparing to issue a challenge. "...That's why I challenge you to a Pokémon battle, Kiawe!" The group, including Kiawe, looked surprised by the sudden challenge. "If I win, then you will have to listen to what I've to say. However-" He paused briefly to collect his thoughts before resuming forward with his next condition. "-if I lose...then I will take all the blame and agree to leave Alola forever!" The group gasped again.

"Goh...that's insane!" Mallow wasn't a fan of hearing that at all.

"I agree. That's something we would expect coming from A-" Sophocles stopped himself from finishing the sentence. He knew better to bring up Ash's name in situations like this. It would only make matters worst.

"Reconsider your options, Goh." It was Lana's turn to try to persuade the young researcher to retract his challenge before it's too late. "We all know you can't beat Kiawe." She was being completely honest with her friend, which stung Goh's morale a bit, but he knew she meant well. The last time he battled Kiawe, it didn't go so well on his part. "If you lose...then you won't be able to visit us ever again."

Goh appreciated his friends' concerns, but he had to do this, to prove he can hang with the big boys, which starts with Kiawe the Kahuna of Akala Island. "Well, what's your answer, Kiawe?" he asked while disregarding the disbelief looks he was receiving.

Kiawe didn't answer right away, still pondering over his decisions rather or not he should even partake in this challenge. After thinking it over some more, a smug smirk crept up to his lips and he quickly accepted Goh's interesting proposition. "You're on, Goh!" he answered.

The group hurried to the school's practice field where Goh and Kiawe took their respective positions from opposing sides. Everyone else stood from the sidelines and observed the inevitable Pokémon battle between former friends. "Just so you know, I won't go easy on you like last time," the Kahuna warned.

"I expect nothing less coming from you, Kiawe!" Goh also looked a bit smug for some reason. "I know you've gotten stronger over the years, but so have I!" He hurled a Poké Ball into the air, emerging out from it, was a familiar fire rabbit in the form of Cinderace. It cried happily while taking its battle stance.

An amusing smile tugged against Kiawe's lips. "So Raboot finally evolved, huh? Interesting." He grasped his Poké Ball, preparing to call forth a familiar face as well. "However, it won't make much of a difference in the end!" He tossed it with all his might, summoning his ace Turtonator into battle. The Blast Turtle Pokémon let out an intimidating cry before fixing its attention on Cinderace with a firm glare.

'Turtonator right off the bat, huh?' Beads of sweat already started to appear on Goh's face. 'He wasn't kidding when he said he wasn't going to hold back.'

The battle commenced.

Meanwhile...

Virbank City - Unova region

"Gaaaah!" A defeated Big Ron slumped over onto his back with his swollen face covered in severe lumps and bruises. Standing over his pathetic, mangled form was a dissatisfied Ash. "All bark and no bite," he spat venomously, scowling at the grunting meathead. "Every last one of you."

Lying around his feet were several male members of the street gang. They too were groaning in pain after enduring a beating of the lifetime by his hands. Some other members were leaning against building walls with swollen faces similar to their boss', being attended to by their female comrades.

"It was fun while it lasted, I suppose." the young apprentice muttered. Then he proceeded to take a huge breath and relaxed. His eyes quickly returned to their natural color as he picked up his bag off the ground. "Time to head back before this melts." He was referring to J's Bearticone. He wore his shades over his eyes again and proceeded to walk out the alley while disregarding the frightened stares from the female punks as he strolled past them. When Ash finally made it out from the alleyway, his ride swiftly pulled up with the grunt in the passenger's side looking relieved about his wellbeing.

"Sir, are you okay?" the henchman asked with a genuine tone of voice.

"I'm fine. Nothing I can't handle," he stated simply as he brushed aside the grunt's concerns and opened the car door, entering the backseat before closing it afterward. "I'm done with this boring city. It's time to head back to base!" he ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The driver was to shift gears when Ash remembered something, which almost slipped his mind.

"Oh! Before I forget!" The two puzzled grunts glanced back at a smirking Ash who slowly raised his hand up and then snapped his fingers.

Boom.

BOOM.

BOOOOOMMMM!

Multiple explosions detonated simultaneously, setting the alleyway up in a fiery blaze.

"Go!" Ash told the driver.

Echoing in the distance were police sirens and an ambulance speeding towards their location. The driver hit the gas and the car drove off, leaving the scene of the crime.

The fate of the street gang was up in the air.

The Pokémon School - Melemele Island

Sunset was setting over Melemele Island, strongly signifying the day was almost over. The fierce battle between Goh and Kiawe seemed like it was nearing its climax. Both Cinderace and Turtonator were at their limits and fatigued, coating in battle scars and drenched in a cold sweat. Their battle has been going on for some time now, leading to both trainers applauding each other's growth.

'Hate to admit it, but Goh's gotten a lot stronger since we last battled.' Kiawe had a pleasing smile on his face.

'No wonder Kiawe is a Kahuna. He's a lot stronger now. Same with his Turtonator!' Goh kept help, but smile back.

When the two competitors realized they were still in the midst of their battle, they brushed aside their mutual respect and remembered what was at stake. There can only be one winner.

"Turtonator, Dragon Tail, let's go!" the Kahuna barked his order.

Turtonator shifted its stance to all four as its tail shrouded in green light and grew in size. Then the Blast Turtle Pokémon leaped into the air and swung its tail downward at Cinderace, which Goh predicted it would do.

"Quick, Cinderace! Jump into the air then use double Blaze Kick on Turtonator!" the young researcher ordered.

The fire rabbit quickly followed its trainer's order, easily evading Turtonator's Dragon Tail as it jumped into the air with both of its feet swiftly engulfed in flames. Soon it dove at Turtonator and delivered the first Blaze Kick directly at its face. Turtonator staggered a bit with a painful cry.

"No, Turtonator!" Kiawe shouted.

Then Cinderace executed the second Blaze Kick and swung its other feet around, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick across Turtonator's face. The fire turtle slid backward and winced in pain soon afterward. Kiawe gritted his teeth in frustration, knowing that Turtonator's barely hanging on by a thread. 'Looks like I'll have to use it after all.' His Z-crystal on his wrist band activated, which didn't go unnoticed.

'Looks like he's going to use it just like our first battle.' Goh felt nervous, knowing what's coming.

"Sorry, Goh, but I'm going to end this here right now!" Kiawe grinned. "I hope you enjoyed your last visit to Alola because it's all over!" Turtonator could feel the Z-crystal's energy surging through its body as Kiawe shifted into his Z pose. "Turtonator, let's do this!" Both Pokemon and Kahuna began performing Inferno Overdrive poses in unison while Goh and his Cinderace cautiously looked on.

"All right, Cinderace, listen carefully," Goh said to his Pokémon who glanced back at him, looking a bit uneasy to hear his next order. "As soon as they perform their Z-move, I want you to wait until it gets close enough then you will use Blaze Kick to kick it right back at them with all your strength, okay?" The group, including Cinderace, looked a bit bewildered by the absurd strategy.

"What...isn't that-"

"It's almost like their first strategy from before." Lana abruptly cut off Mallow and explained. "But rather than using Pyro Ball, Goh's betting on Blaze Kick to be the difference-maker this time around." Mallow looked a bit worried.

"But that's a little-"

"Crazy? We know." This time it was Sophocles' turn to interrupt. "But we also know Goh isn't fighting this battle just for himself. He's also doing it for..."

"...Ash," Mallow whispered and then stared at Goh with soft eyes.

Turtonator gathered a large ball of fire in front of its mouth after completing Inferno Overdrive's requirements. "Now, use Inferno Overdrive!" Kiawe barked.

Turtonator launched the massive ball directly at the anxious Cinderace. Inferno Overdrive was moving in closer and closer until a familiar voice spoke up and intervened. "Snowy, stop it with Ice Beam!"

Suddenly, a familiar snowy white, fox appeared and leaped in front of Goh's startled Cinderace, opening her mouth and fired a direct Ice Beam at Turtonator's Inferno Overdrive. The beam slowly converted the massive fireball into a solid ice ball, astounding everyone, including Kiawe. "N-No way!"

Soon another familiar voice spoke up and joined the battle. "Now, Silvally! Slice it into pieces with Air Slash!"

A series of light-blue blades of energy flew right past Goh and sliced through the frozen Inferno Overdrive. There was a moment of silence before large cracks started to form and then split apart, shattering the once ice-solid Inferno Overdrive into tiny pieces.

Everyone was left speechless.

"Those voices..." Mallow was the first to recover. "It couldn't be..." She immediately glanced back from where the Air Slash came from. The Alola family did the same and so did Goh when they noticed a familiar pair of siblings standing in the distance.

A young blond girl with her hair tied into a side ponytail by a blue flower hairpin. She was donning a long white-sleeved shirt, a long white skirt, and a pair of white boots. She was also wearing a pair of diamond earrings.

Standing next to her was her older brother. His blond hairstyle remained the same when he was younger. However, he was also donning a new outfit, which consisted of a white-breasted trench coat over a high collar sleeveless shirt, a pair of leather pants, and a pair of black boots with brown straps. Around his neck was a green diamond-like pendant, given to him by their dear mother.

Lillie and Gladion have returned.

~(...)~

J's office - Raven's Nest

"What the hell is this?" An annoyed Pokémon Hunter J was glowering at the small box on her desk, which contained her Bearticone inside.

"It's your Bearticone," her apprentice simply stated, standing in front of her desk with an amusing smile on his face.

J diverted her gaze away from her gift and fixed her attention onto Ash with a scowl. "You do realize there's a year's worth of supply in the break room, right?"

"I know." Ash simply shrugged, which plastered a deep frown on his master's face. "I just wanted to bring you one since you barely have the time to go get one for yourself." J simply rolled her good eye.

"Now's not the time for ice cream, idiot!" she hissed venomously. They had far important matters to worry about. "I have a new mission for you," she informed her idiot apprentice, which immediately piqued his interest.

"Oh? Which is?"

Her lips curled into a devious smirk as she answered. "Ending Team Rocket once and for all."

Next preview - Chapter 5: "End of Team Rocket!"

Matori: "Sir! There's an emergency!"

Giovanni: "What is it, Matori? Can't you see I'm busy?"

Matori: "It's, it's..."

Ash/Black Raven: "Well, now...Isn't this quite a reunion..."

Jessie: "Who are you?"

Meowth: "Yeah, this is the first time we had ever met you!"

James: "If you want the Boss, you will have to get past the three of us first, Black Raven!"

Ash/Black Raven: "Consider it done, fools!"

Giovanni: "Chapter 5: End of Team Rocket!"

Giovanni: "I would rather perish than allow my lifelong work to be ruined by a mere boy like you!"

Ash/Black Raven: "Be honor that I will end your miserable life with my special trump card! Behold!"

That's right, everyone! Lillie and Gladion have officially returned haha! I hope you guys also like the brief rematch between Goh and Kiawe before it was interrupted. Originally, I was going to have Goh beat Kiawe, but then people will start complaining so I went with plan B. Goh and Kiawe's friendship is still rocky, but it will get better over time. As for Ash, I hope you enjoy the brief encounter with the common street punks and Ash's mindset to bring J some dessert home lol. xD And yes, I'm putting more emphasis on Ash's aura since he will be relying on it occasionally throughout the story. Ah, yes...and there's also a brief mention about Looker and Anabel if you missed it. They will be appearing in the story pretty soon. Speaking of appearing and returning, a familiar trio will be in the next chapter along with the debut of an Elite member.

Speaking of Elites, I still need three more OCs to fill the remaining slots in Ash's Elite Corp. You guys got one more chapter after this to submit your OCs. Please hurry!