The Fossil Expedition

"Wow Galar sure is beautiful!" Dawn exclaimed, her eyes were filled with amazement as she took in the view. Her arms were currently wrapped around Zach's chest as Corviknight flew the pair across the region on a quick sightseeing tour, they had some time to spare before the fossil exhibition started and Zach wanted to make the most of it by showing her the sights!

"Pip?!" Piplup's eyes widened before he quickly darted his head back to give a wild Pokemon a second look as he could swear that he saw a Piplup with a block of ice covering it's head! "Pip Piplup!" He anxiously cried out upon spotting the black penguin Pokemon.

"Huh?" Zach glanced back and let out a light chuckle upon seeing what freaked Piplup out. "Don't worry Piplup, they're supposed to look like that! That's an Eiscue, they're an Ice type Pokemon that live around here!"

Piplup began to calm down shortly after the explanation while Dawn let out a sigh of content as her head began resting atop Zach's shoulder, her head gently pressed up against his. 'He's so good with Piplup, he'd definitely make a great boyfriend!'

Zach smiled at the touch before something on the ground captured his attention causing him to quickly jerk his head. Dawn let out a light gasp as he pushed away from her, the girl was quick to give him a questioning look before noticing his gaze was focused upon the ground below. She followed his gaze but didn't see anything there, he appeared to be staring at a blank blanket of snow?

"What do you see-?"

"Corviknight land over there please!" Corviknight turned his head and appeared to spot whatever it was that Zach saw. Dawn tilted her head in a questioning manner as she wondered what was up with the two of them as Corviknight landed on the empty snow bank. There wasn't a single Pokemon nor even foot or pawprints in sight!

"It's you again!" Zach gazed up at the shield wolf. The wolf silently gazed back at him while Cinderace and Lucario watched on.

"What are you all staring at?" Dawn questioned as she stared right where the wolf was but wasn't able to see a thing!

"It's that wolf Pokemon I was telling you about, it's here!" Zach motioned towards the wolf who continued to silently stare at him.

"You mean that wolf Pokemon that you and Ash saw yet Marnie couldn't?" Dawn glanced towards Piplup and saw fear in the penguin's eyes as he appeared to see something.

"P-Piplup..." Piplup shivered.

"Don't worry Piplup, he won't hurt you." Zach placed his hand atop Piplup's head and offered the penguin a comforting smile before turning his attention back towards the wolf. "What's up? You've never showed yourself for no reason, you helped us get out of the forest then the two of you led Ash to Toxel's egg. Is it my turn to get an egg?"

The shield wolf shook his head before slowly making his approach, Lucario tensed up for a moment before calming down as he remembered the Pokemon couldn't attack them. The wolf leaned forward and pressed it's snout against Zach's shoulder causing him to feel a light chill. "Darkness is coming..."

"Darkness..? W-What do you mean by darkness?!" The wolf didn't give any further details as he quietly turned his back to Zach before walking towards the nearby woods, his body disappeared as soon as he stepped foot within the woods! "Hey come back, don't leave! If that's a warning I need more to go on than that!"

Zach's eye twitched from annoyance as the wolf vanished from view. "And I thought vague warnings like that only happened in cartoons. 'Darkness is coming', what on earth does he mean by that?"

Dawn's gaze was fixated upon Piplup as the wolf disappeared. One thing was for sure, Zach and Ash weren't going crazy as Piplup was able to see the wolf too! Dawn quickly shifted her gaze towards the sky before shrugging. "I haven't got the foggiest idea, we should probably head back to the others though. It's getting late, hold up what is that?" Dawn's gaze became fixated upon a beautiful white moth Pokemon that practically blended in with the snowy environment!

"Hm? Oh that's a Frosmoth, they're Ice and Bug typed!" Zach was quick to explain as he caught sight of the Pokemon. "I'm guessing that you want to catch it?"

"Oh yes!" Dawn's eyes lit up as they followed the moth's movement. "But we'll be late..."

"Don't worry, I'll take the fall for you!" Zach waved it off with a light smirk. Dawn offered him a warm smile and pulled him in for a quick hug before backing away, her cheeks burned bright red as she tossed a Pokeball forward.

"Typhlosion use Flamethrower!"

"Phlo!" Dawn's Typhlosion burst out and quickly shot a steady stream of fire towards Frosmoth, the moth Pokemon cried out as the flames struck her body. She turned her attention towards the Fire type and glared lightly as her wings began rapidly flapping about causing a fierce blizzard to whisk across the field! Dawn instantly began shivering as she wasn't properly dressed for this sort of weather, it wasn't as if either of them planned on landing there! Zach noticed Dawn shivering and edged closer to her before gently placing his arm around her in an attempt to help her get warm.

Dawn's cheeks burned brightly from the interaction and she flashed him a quick look of appreciation before returning the gesture as she wrapped her left arm around his body, it was still cold but the two provided each other a bit of warmth! Dawn's head leaned slightly against his as she called out another attack!

"Typhlosion use Flamethrower once more!"

"Typhlo!" Typhlosion shook off the snow and ice that pelted his body before opening his mouth to fire off another stream of fire, upon contact Frosmoth let out a panicked screech as her body lit aflame! The moth flew back and forth for a brief while before promptly dropping from the air, her body crashed into a nearby snowbank as Dawn let out a victorious shout.

"Alright Typhlosion!" She reached for an empty Pokeball before briefly pausing as she felt Zach place a different ball into her hand. "Hm?" She cast him a questioning glance.

"Try that one, Net Balls are better suited for catching Bug types!" Zach explained before blushing lightly as his gaze shifted away from her. "I-I'd hate for you to miss your shot at it, it looks like you really want one."

Dawn gave him an appreciative look before redirecting her attention towards the moth Pokemon as she pulled back her arm. "Alright, here goes!" The Net Ball soared through the air as it made it's approach before opening up as it homed in on Frosmoth. The ice moth found herself absorbed in a beam of bright red light shortly before she was sucked into the Net Ball. The ball hit the ground and started shaking back and forth before chiming out to announce the capture complete!

"Frosmoth the Frost Moth Pokemon, it shows no mercy to any who desecrate fields and mountains. It will fly around on its icy wings, causing a blizzard to chase offenders away!"

"You did it!"

"Thanks to you," Dawn leaned her head against his once more and smiled as the ball containing Frosmoth was whisked away to Professor Rowan's lab. "Now how about we get out of here? I'm freezing!"

"G-Good idea," Lucario and Piplup flashed each other a smirk as their trainers began walking back towards the waiting Corviknight, their arms still wrapped around each other.

"Sorry we're late, I saw this amazing Pokemon and just couldn't pass up the opportunity to catch it! U-Unfortunately it got away." Zach was quick to cover for Dawn as they landed on the outskirts of Stow-on-Side, the fossil expedition was taking place on the rocky terrain outside of the city as entirely new fossils had been recently unearthed there!

Marnie narrowed her eyes at Zach's rather obvious lie. She knew he had to be covering something up but she didn't know what it was.

"That's alright now how about we get to finding some fossils? I can't wait to finally have one of my own!" Ash excitedly exclaimed.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu excitedly cried out alongside his trainer.

"Tox tox!" Toxel burst out from his Pokeball and took his place atop Ash's other shoulder causing Pikachu to shoot the rival Electric type a quick glare.

"Pika..."

"You're not going to tell them about that wolf?" Dawn whispered to Zach as they began walking towards the expedition grounds.

"What would I tell them? I don't even understand what it meant!" Zach whispered back.

As they got closer to the expedition sight they could see quite a few archeologists, scientists and even some fellow trainers already there and in the midst of unearthing fossils and in some cases rare gemstones!

"I found a diamond!"

"I found a pearl!"

"Brilliant, just look how they're shining!" Another individual spoke up.

"Zach!" The group's attention was dragged away by the arrival of Chloe who'd ditched her school uniform for more appropriate traveling attire. Eevee and Yamper trailed after her as she raced towards Zach before throwing her arms around him as she pulled him in for a hug! Dawn's eye began to twitch as a result of Chloe's action but the maroon haired girl seemed oblivious to it. "I'm so glad you came, I didn't want to have to do this alone! I've never done anything so dirty before..."

"I'm always happy to help a friend, Chloe!" Zach grinned before motioning towards Dawn. "You two haven't met yet, right?"

"I don't believe so?" Chloe turned to Dawn before offering her a smile as she extended her hand in greeting. "Hello there, I'm Chloe!"

"I'm Dawn." Dawn forced a smile as her eyes met with Chloe's, giving the girl a cold gaze. 'He's mine!'

"Well Dawn it's a pleasure to meet you!" Chloe smiled before taking hold of Zach's hand as she offered her best friend a smile. "Come with me, I've already picked out a spot for us! You can bring Dawn with you if you like, Ash and Marnie there should be a free spot over there." Chloe motioned towards an empty area of the expedition that appeared to be free of other individuals.

"Thank you Chloe," Marnie gave Chloe a quick appreciative bow. "It was nice getting to see you again!"

"Alright now let's start digging!" Ash whisked a shovel out of thin air before he raced off towards the empty area with an excitable look as Pikachu and Toxel gave chase!

"Pika pi!"

"Toxel tox tox!"

Marnie sweated lightly before making her way after them however she couldn't help but pause as one of the expedition members looked familiar. Marnie squinted her eyes as she looked the young man over, the sky blue eyes and light skin were the only real signs of familiarity as her friend appeared to have dyed his hair black and received a nose piercing. His formerly bright attire had also been tossed aside in favor of a black leather biker jacket and a pair of torn black colored jeans along with a pair of sleek black biker boots. "Adam..?"

"It's Azrael now," The man dismissed his former name before his eyes flickered towards the source of the voice, his eyes were quick to light up at the sight of Marnie and he quickly rose to one knee before taking hold of her hand, giving it a swift kiss. "Why if it isn't the shining light of my gloomy heart, Marnie my muse!"

Marnie gave her friend a look of disgust as she shook her hand before backing away from him. "Sorry Ad-Azrael but I don't feel the same way, I'd appreciate it if you didn't do that again... why are you dressed like that though? Please tell me you didn't-"

"Go goth for you? But of course!" Marnie facepalmed at his words as an audible groan escaped her lips.

"Arceus, for the last time I'm not goth! I just like wearing black clothing!" Marnie sighed out.

"But your brother-"

"Piers is, I'm not! Just because we're siblings doesn't mean we act the same!"

Azrael just gave her a blank stare.

Marnie facepalmed as she uttered out a sigh of annoyance. "Whatever, I'm going to go help Ash find some fossils."

Azrael watched Marnie walk off as determination filled his gaze. "Don't worry Marnie, I'll find you a Dark type fossil... then I'll be sure to win your love!"

"Oh I really hope I find a fossil belonging to a velociraptor Pokemon, they were my favorite dinosaurs in Cretaceous Park!" Zach exclaimed as he shoveled through the dirt. Lucario leaned back against the nearby wall and silently watched his trainer, remaining on alert while Cinderace was fast asleep next to him as she found the whole experience boring.

Chloe let out a light giggle as she shook her head. "Nobody's actually found a velociraptor Pokemon, that was one they designed exclusively for the film as their was a distinct lack of carnivorous prehistoric Pokemon!"

"You mean I won't find a velociraptor?! Aw man!" Zach groaned out.

Chloe giggled out before placing his hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find something you like!"

Dawn narrowed her eyes at Chloe's reaction and began hastily digging as she was determined to find something.

"Found something!" Chloe and Dawn turned their heads to look at Zach as he unearthed a large cyclone shaped fossil that ended in a swirl. "I'm sure that this will get me a massive fossil Pokemon am I right?!"

Chloe opened up her field book and gave the fossil a quick look before going red as Zach excitedly shook the fossil about. "Um Z-Zach..? T-That is a fossilized Tyrantrum dropping!"

Zach went pale as a look of disgust formed across his face. "Gross!" He quickly hurled the fossil away while Dawn couldn't help but frown at his luck before turning to resume digging.

After about twenty minutes of digging Zach let out another excitable shout as he dragged up another fossil. "Alright this one looks like a tadpole, I've never heard of a prehistoric frog so I'm guessing it's the first of it's kind!"

Chloe quickly went pale and didn't speak as she stared at her field book. Dawn slowly walked over and peeked over her shoulder before giving Chloe a swift look as they shared a look of disgust. The two girls grabbed hold of Zach's fossil before hurling it away from him!

"Hey!"

"Y-You don't want to know what that was!" Chloe flushed.

"Y-Yeah, it was disgusting!"

"I'll be taking this for... research." An expedition member took hold of the fossil and dragged it away

Zach gave Dawn and Chloe a questioning look before shrugging as he resumed digging. Chloe and Dawn gave each other a look of concern as their friend was having awfully bad luck at finding fossils. "Whatever I get, I'm giving it to him!" Dawn quickly spoke up as they watched Zach unearth another fossil only for him to let out a curse as he discovered it was a situation similar to his first fossil!

"I was going to do the same regardless, I-I have no need for a prehistoric Pokemon. I simply thought it'd be fun getting to hang out with my best friend again!"

"He's your best friend?" Dawn questioned as she gave Chloe a questioning look.

"Well of course, he saved Yamper a-and me along with him from Team Rocket and helped me discover that there was an entire world to explore and find my place in! Not to mention the fact that he helped me rescue Eevee from a life of being Team Rocket's experiment, it was fun hanging out with him and I missed it!" Dawn looked Chloe over before frowning. Perhaps she jumped to a conclusion and misjudged Chloe, there wasn't any romantic feelings involved at least as far as she could tell. Chloe seemed to genuinely value her friendship with Zach and wanted to hang out with him.

Clang! Azrael's shovel struck against a hard object causing an excited grin to form across the young man's face as he hastily began unearthing the mysterious object. "At least I've found something... it certainly looks dark... and sinister... perfect! Marnie will be sure to love me once I get it to her, now all that remains is to touch it!" Azrael reached out to grab the odd looking stone, a gasp emitted from his throat shortly upon him touching the stone. His eyes shot a bright green color as a green light whisked up into his head.

"Marnie..."

"Alright I got a fossilized... fish?" Ash tilted his head as this was a new one to him, he could only assume that it was one of Galar's fossil Pokemon.

Marnie unearthed a fossil of her own and brushed it off. "Hm, looks like a Dragon type." She mused as she noted some dragon shaped features etched into the rock. Marnie turned and handed the fossil to Ash. "Here, I think that you should have it!"

"M-Me?! But you're the one who-"

"Yes but I'm a Dark type specialist and as far as I know that ain't one! It wouldn't be right of me to catch it as it wouldn't see much action in comparison to my Dark types, you should revive and raise it!" Marnie informed with a light smirk.

"Really? That's generous of you Marnie, thank you so much!" Ash gave her a quick hug causing the Dark specialist to blush before a light chuckle escaped her lips as Ash fell to the ground shortly upon grabbing hold of both fossils. "They're certainly heavier than they look..."

"Don't carry them both at once ya goof, I'll carry one and you can carry the other!" Marnie laughed while reaching down to help him back to his feet before grabbing hold of the Drake fossil. "I'll hold this one, ya grab hold of the fish!"

"Tox tox!" Toxel tried to pick up the fish fossil in an attempt to impress his trainer but it wouldn't budge! "Tox tox!"

"Pika pi..." Pikachu covered his mouth with his paw as he began laughing at his rivals expense.

"Oh man... so tired..." Zach fell to his back as a large pile of discarded fossils sat next to him. "How can one person have such terrible luck?!"

"Found something!" Dawn and Chloe exclaimed simultaneously as they pulled up some fossils before brushing them off. Dawn held up a fossil that had bird like features while Chloe held up one that had amphibious features but wasn't quite the same as the fish fossil that Ash had found.

Zach glanced up to see what his friends had found only to go pale as sweat ran down his face. "Y-You found actual fossils?!"

"Looks like it!" Dawn spoke while giving him an apologetic look.

"Definitely although there's nothing about these two in this book..." Chloe spoke while quickly reflipping through it just in case she missed a page.

"Anyways these are for you!" The two simultaneously exclaimed as they held the fossils out to him with kind warm smiles.

Zach stared at the fossils for a moment as he stood to his feet, his eyes started growing watery before he threw his arm around both of them as a large smile spread across his lips. "You two are the best friends that a guy could ask for!"

Chloe beamed brightly as she felt rather pleased that Zach considered her one of his best friends while Dawn's cheeks lit bright red as a smile formed across her lips, unlike Chloe however Dawn pressed further into the hug and leaned her head up against his once more. Chloe pulled away and was about to speak up when she realized Dawn was lingering into the hug.

'Heh, they sure do make a cute couple!' Chloe smiled to herself as neither one seemed in a hurry to pull away from the other.

Lucario gave his trainer a look before walking over to yank the fossil out from between Zach and Dawn, the jackal held it tightly in his grasp before motioning to Chloe. "Carrr!"

"Huh?" Chloe tilted her head as she couldn't understand him. "Y-You want me to give you the fossil...?"

Lucario nodded in confirmation. "Well okay, I guess he'd be okay with that." Chloe assumed that Lucario was going to start the revival process for them since it took awhile. Lucario promptly walked away upon being handed the fossil, Cinderace saw him walk by so she sprang to her feet and quickly followed. The two Pokemon arrived in the large tent that the revival machines were located in right as Ash and Marnie arrived.

Marnie quickly turned her head as she saw Lucario and Cinderace without Zach, Dawn nor even Chloe in sight! Marnie raised her eyebrow at that before shrugging as she was sure they were alright, she just hoped they weren't doing anything foolish.

"Ace ace, Cinderace!" Cinderace eagerly exclaimed as she hoisted the Bird and Dino fossils out of Lucario's paws and into a singular device causing the jackal to let out an alarmed shout!

"Carrr!"

"Ace Cinderace ace!" Cinderace waved it off before motioning towards the settings with a look of impatience. "Ace ace Cinderace!" Cinderace theorized that if they put both fossils into the same machine then they could speed up the process by increasing the heat to adjust for the two fossils within! Then both Pokemon would warm up and join their family faster than they normally would!

Lucario narrowed his eyes before he shook his head with an impatient growl. It appeared Cinderace's brain took after that of her trainer's, smart but also incredibly stupid at times!

"Ace ace!" Cinderace stuck out her tongue as she slammed the door to the machine shut before Lucario could react! "Ace!" Cinderace slapped the machine's switch, turning it on as waves of heat began pouring down upon the fossils! "Too late!"

"I've got a bad feeling about this..." Lucario muttered.

Ash was in the process of putting his own fossils into the revival machines when he was distracted by Azrael's arrival, the man's formerly sky blue eyes shined a possessive shade of green as he flew across the room like a ghost before stopping in front of Marnie, an Odd Keystone sat within the palm of his hands as he held it out in an offering manner.

"Touch it Marnie, join ussss... and we can be together forever!"

"Oh stop it Azrael I already told you that I'm not interested in you, I love As-somebody else!" Ash couldn't help but smile as he distinctly heard her about to say his name but there wasn't time to dwell on that now as Azrael released a demonic screech before thrusting his arms forward as he tried forcing Marnie's hand to touch the Keystone. He would have succeeded too had Ash not thrown himself in the way in an attempt at tackling Marnie away from him! His hand grasped the Keystone as green flames appeared in his eyes.

"Hehehehe..."

"Pika!" Pikachu snapped his fingers as a look of annoyance formed. "Sorry Ash but I know you'd prefer this over having Charizard, Sceptile and Latias unleashed on these poor innocents!" His cheeks quickly sparked before he gave the now possessed Ash just enough of an electrical shock to knock him unconscious, the green spirit flew out of his trainer's body and whisked away towards an unseen object as it disappeared shortly upon interacting with it! Pikachu narrowed his eyes, his ears flattened before he released another electrical shock at the air, giving the Pokemon quite an electrical shock!

"Ah!" Azrael dropped to his knees before falling into a state of unconsciousness as the green spirit flew out of his body and into that of the now visible Spiritomb!

"Spiritomb!" Marnie gasped out.

"Pi Pikachu!"

"Carrr!"

"Ace!" Cinderace seemed oblivious to it all for a split second as she took note of Ash's fossils being in the same machine, thinking that Ash had the same idea that she had she promptly closed the door and started up the rival process! "Ace!" Cinderace turned around to give them a thumbs up before quickly going pale as she saw Spiritomb!

"TOMB!" Spiritomb violently cried out as he fired a dark pulse of energy at Marnie from up close! Lucario let out a growl as he leaped in the way, taking the hit for Marnie! Lucario let out a light grunt before quickly getting out of the way as Morpeko emerged from Marnie's jacket. The rodent's fur turned a dark shade of purple as her eyes turned a violent shade of red.

"MORPEK!"

Marnie couldn't help but smirk as electricity crackled through Morpeko's cheeks. "Now ya did it, ya made Morpeko angry! You're gonna regret that as you won't like it when she's angry!"

"MORPEK!" The blue wheel of energy surrounded Morpeko as she violently lashed out, slamming Spiritomb to the floor as several shrieks of pain emitted from the spirit Pokemon. Spiritomb shot her a harsh look and began charging up a black-purple ball of static energy but Morpeko was quick to act by delivering a powerful electrical shock to Spiritomb! Spiritomb's attack failed as he uttered out a loud pained wail! The purple and green lights began retreating into the keystone as Morpeko defeated him but Marnie wasn't going to pass an opportunity up, if Cynthia could rehabilitate a Spiritomb then surely she could!

Marnie grabbed hold of an empty Dusk Ball and enlarged it before hurling it across the tent, the ball opened up as it approached the spirit Pokemon before sucking him in as a bright red light engulfed his body. The ball hit the ground and began shaking back and forth as Ash and Azrael began to stir, Marnie noticed Ash stirring and raced over to help him up. The Dusk Ball chimed behind her being whisking itself away while Azrael's eyes opened up.

"Huh? W-What happened...? Where am I...?"

"Ugh, did I seriously get possessed again?" Ash groaned out as Marnie helped him to his feet.

"Yes, yes you did!" Marnie giggled lightly before throwing her arms around him as she pulled him into a hug. "Thank Arceus you're okay!"

Ash couldn't help but blush from her interaction, a smile formed across his face as their eyes locked with one another. 'Man I want to ask her out but where to start?! I've never gone on a date before!' Ash knew she'd say yes if he asked, he just wasn't sure what to do for their first date and what was even an appropriate destination for a first date. Perhaps he should ask Brock.

Azrael watched on as Ash and Marnie hugged one another, he could sense a romantic tension between the two causing a tear to fall down his face as he turned his back to them before quietly taking his leave.

"Ah!" A feminine scream rang out across the tent.

"Run!"

"It's an abomination!"

Everyone else began scrambling out of the tent causing it to collapse around them before being blown away by a strong breeze! Ash and Marnie turned to see what had gotten everyone so riled up and saw an unusual looking prehistoric Pokemon standing before the machine that had housed Zach's fossils. The upper half belonged to a small and slender yellow feathered velociraptor Pokemon while the lower half was much wider and bigger than the upper half and looked to be part of a blue whale or something amphibious it was hard to tell without the front half!

Zach quickly pushed his way through the crowd as he heard them screaming and shouting out, he could sense Lucario was there from his aura connection and feared that something had happened especially since Lucario felt a great deal of alarm and anxiety!

"C-Carrr!" Lucario shivered as he pointed towards the prehistoric Pokemon while Cinderace gleefully leaped about and seemed mighty proud of herself for the abomination she'd brought into this world!

"Ace ace Cinderace ace ace!"

"Oh no, she didn't..." Zach.

"Carr..." Lucario gave him a quick nod. "Oh she did, I'm so sorry! I tried to stop her!"

"Don't worry about it Lucario, it's not your fault."

"Mommy mommy I wanna touch that dinosaur!" A little kid raced towards the Pokemon only for his mother to immediately scoop him up before bolting for it.

"Don't touch that thing Johnny, it's an abomination!"

"It's a freak!"

"A monster!"

"I say we should kill it!" An expedition member pulled out a pitchfork while another pulled out a torch.

"A-Arcto..." Tears began falling from the Pokemon's eyes as he heard everyone call him ugly, the Pokemon felt unloved and began questioning it's very existence as he couldn't help but feel as if he was made solely to suffer a miserable existence. "Arcto..."

Zach raced forward and threw his arms around the prehistoric Pokemon, giving it a hug. "A-Arcto...?"

"You're definitely quite the unusual Pokemon but I don't think you're ugly." Zach smiled up at the prehistoric fossil Pokemon. "There's a place for you in my family if you want it, Arctozolt!" He gave the Pokemon a name showcasing his love for the Pokemon!

"Arcto..." Tears continued to shed from the Pokemon's eyes as he smiled back at his trainer before watching on as Zach turned around and defensively held his arms in front of Arctozolt.

"If any of you want to kill Arctozolt you're going to have to go through me! He's under my protection now!"

"Car!"

"Ace!" Cinderace and Lucario stood by his trainer's side.

"And me, I'm his g-best friend." Dawn took her place by Zach's side, the two shared a brief look and smiled at each other while Chloe silently took her place on the other side of him.

"And me, he saved my life only fair I stand by his side no matter what!" Chloe did find the Pokemon rather hideous looking but she certainly didn't wish it dead!

Ash was about to do the same before the machine beside him dinged as whatever was inside awakened! The machine opened up and upon seeing what laid inside the remaining crowd quickly scattered, especially as the Pokemon opened it's large blue fish-like mouth before biting down upon Ash's head!

"Run!"

"It's another abomination!"

"Leave the kid, save yourself!"

"It's a freak show!"

"UNO!" The dragon-fish hybrid nibbled on Ash's head causing his friends and Pikachu to let out alarmed gasps.

"I-It's not eating you is it?" Marnie couldn't help but question.

"N-No, I think this is his way of telling me he likes me!" Ash laughed.

"Uno..." Dracovish let go of Ash and shot a quick look around the room before bolting off in a random direction with an anxious sounding cry. "Unoooo!"

"Where on earth is it going?" Chloe questioned.

"We'd better get after it, if he stumbles across the wrong person he's liable to get himself killed!" Zach exclaimed with a worried expression. Based on how people wanted to kill Arctozolt he was sure somebody would try and do the same to whatever that Pokemon was called. Zach grabbed an empty Ultra Ball and gave Arctozolt a gentle tap with it, the Pokemon disappeared in a beam of light and the ball started shaking within his hand before chiming out to announce the capture complete! The ball didn't disappear though as he currently had an empty slot on his team, sparing him from an explanation on the Pokemon's existence for a brief while.

"He's right, we better get moving." Marnie nodded in agreement before they all rushed after Dracovish. Corviknight and Latias soared above them as their trainers sent them out to scout ahead, Corviknight found him first as he had keener eyesight but Latias beat him back as she was faster than him!

"Master I found that... thing," Latias wasn't sure what to call the prehistoric Pokemon without sounding as if she was insulting it. "It's swimming in the nearby lake!"

"Swimming?" Ash questioned before recalling that it was part fish. "Oh! It must like to swim!" It'd certainly be happy at Oak's laboratory then.

"UNO!" They heard the prehistoric Pokemon's cries as they got closer to the lake.

"So what are you going to call it?" Marnie questioned. "You're going to have to give it a name so we know what to call it."

"I'm not sure..." Ash thought for a minute as they arrived at the lake shore. It soon came to him as he recalled what Dracovish was a hybrid of, part dragon and part fish. "Dracovish!"

"Unooo!" The prehistoric Pokemon turned towards his trainer and began swimming towards him shortly after his name was given.

"Great name," Marnie laughed out as she gave Ash's arm a light nudge.

Ash smirked lightly as he shot her a quick glance before letting out a loud gasp as Dracovish disappeared beneath the water before bolting onto shore at mach speed with the fish soon nibbling upon his forehead again!

"Gabite and Croconaw are going to become fast friends with him!" Dawn laughed out.

"D-Dracovish," Ash held out an empty Pokeball to the hybrid Pokemon. "W-Would you like to travel the world with me and help me become a Pokemon Master? We'll grow stronger together!"

"Unooo!" Dracovish cried out, he released his grip on Ash's head before headbutting the Pokeball allowing for himself to be captured! The ball shook once upon absorbing Dracovish before chiming out to confirm the capture, Dracovish's ball soon whisked away to Professor Oak's lab though causing Ash to sweat as he realized that he'd have to call Professor Oak up to explain the situation before him or Tracey freaked out!

"Unooo!"

"Zolt!" Dracovish was soon reunited with the others shortly after Ash swapped Gardevoir for him, allowing Dracovish time to adjust to the world before he was stuck with Ash's vast amount of Pokemon back at the lab.

The Pokemon seemed to be getting along just fine with them as Corviknight and Articuno ate alongside Arctozolt and seemed to consider him a fellow bird while some of the others such as Kubfu, Grimmsnarl, Dratini, Obstagoon and Pikachu sat closer to the prehistoric Pokemon simply to help them feel more welcomed and accepted within the group! Latias and Toxel however remained by Ash's side as per usual whenever they were with him.

Ash smiled as he watched Dracovish hungrily scarf down his Pokechow, happily enjoying the Water and Dragon type Pokechow that had been mixed together for him! Ash couldn't wait to see Dracovish in action once the Pokemon had enough time to adjust to the world, the world of Pokemon sure was mysterious and exciting and Ash had a feeling that Dracovish wouldn't be the last exciting capture that he made on their adventure which made him all the more excited for the next one!

"So I guess we'll be parting ways in the morning, eh?" Dawn questioned Chloe.

"Tomorrow yes but after Zach's battle with Kabu, I've always wanted to see a Gym battle in action!" Chloe exclaimed with stars in her eyes before turning to Zach with a questioning look. "T-That is okay, right?"

"Of course Chloe, you're always welcome to come along!" Zach laughed while offering his best friend a friendly smile.

The two wolves watched on from the nearby tree line before turning their gaze upwards with visible looks of concern as sinister purple clouds began forming off in the distance.

And there it is! I thought it should be the trainers giving the Pokemon their names to help them feel more accepted as part of the group rather than Cara Liss giving it to them. I hoped you all enjoyed it and the hint that Ash and Marnie will be going on their first date soon! :)

Darkest Day will be happening a bit earlier than normal but there are plot reasons for doing so and not doing it 'just because'.