"So this is the Star Belt Archipelago?" Cassie asked. "Why do you think it's called that?"

"I wish I knew, but according to Pyra, halfway through the set of islands there is a gym." Ash said. "So that's our next destination."

"Any idea how to get there?" Cassie questioned.

"Not in the slightest." Ash said with enthusiasm. "Let's go!"

After a bit of walking, Ash stopped suddenly, causing Cassie to bump into him.

"Ash, why'd you stop?" Cassie asked.

"Shh, look." Ash said pointing into a flowery field. In the center was a Clefairy dancing around, barely touching the flowers. "It's a Clefairy, they're supposed to be from the moon."

"Well, it looks like we aren't the only ones who saw it." Cassie said, seeing a silhouette of a trainer come into obscured view.

"Ivysaur use Leech Seed!"

A small seed shot out of the Ivysaur's budding flower, landing directly on Clefairy's head as roots spread around the body.

"Now use Razor Leaf!"

Leaves shot out at the Clefairy knocking it back a fair bit, before stumbling to the ground.

"Now, Pokeball, go!" The voice called out.

After a few shakes the Pokeball stopped moving and gave a small ding noise.

"Come on let's see who it is." Ash said.

"It could be trouble." Cassie said.

"If they are, I'll just send out Rapidash." Ash said.

Ash went through the opening, to see a familiar face.

"Ash!" Megan exclaimed, excitedly.

"Megan, last time we saw you…". Ash thought back.

"The giant team rocket robot?" Megan said. "How has that been going?"

"Bad they have Zapdos, and maybe Articuno, last I saw she was flying away." Ash said.

"Well, I have good news and bad news then.l. Megan said. "Moltres was spotted nearby."

"I hope that for its sake that Team Rocket hasn't gotten word of that." Ash sighed.

"Hey, I know what will make you feel better." Megan said.

"What's that?" Ash asked.

"Simple, I challenge you to a battle." Megan said with confidence. "Nothing we can do until we see the giant robot anyways, right?"

"Oh, she is good." Cassie commented, seeing Ash getting pumped.

"Alright, five on five." Ash said, remembering the still KO'd Seel.

"Sounds good to me. I'll give you the honors." Megan said.

"Gladly, Pikachu, let's go!"

"Sandslash come on out!"

"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"

"Sandslash use Dig!"

Pikachu sped forward only to fly right over the burrowing Sandslash.

"Pikachu use Mimic!"

Pikachu's tail began to rapidly spin as he tunneled underground after Sandslash.

"That's a new one." Megan said in surprise.

"You haven't seen anything yet." Ash said with confidence.

Suddenly two figures shot out of the ground, unsecured by the cloud of dirt.

"Sandslash use Slash!"

"Pikachu dodge it!"

Pikachu leapt out of the cloud with Sandslash quickly following it.

"I can't attack it on the ground because it will just go back under, and I can't attack it in the air because Pikachu can't get any momentum." Ash said to himself. "Pikachu as soon as you land, launch back with a Quick Attack!"

Pikachu's feet barely touched the ground before he leapt back into the air, slamming into Sandslash.

Sandslash landed on the ground on its back, struggling to get up.

"Alright Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu sped forward, running into Sandslash at full strength, giving Ash an early lead.

"Best of five, Sandslash return." Megan said.

"Alright, Pikachu come on back." Ash said, letting the electric type run up his arm and onto his shoulder.

"Come on out Ivysaur!"

"Dratini I choose you!"

"Ivysaur use Leech Seed!"

"Dratini use Leer!"

Dratini rushed forward staring Ivysaur directly in the eye.

"Is he okay?" Megan asked, looking at Dratini who was just barely not touching Ivysaur.

"Honestly, I'm not sure anymore, this is just him." Ash admitted, as Dratini licked Ivysaur.

"Ivysaur use Vine Whip!"

"Dratini use Wrap!"

Dratini and Ivysaur became entangled in a mess of one another as they rolled around.

"Ivysaur use Take Down!"

"Dratini use Dragon Rage!"

Ivysaur got It's footing together before leaping down on Dratini, and then leaping back up as Dratini fired a Dragon Rage… straight down on the ground.

"Umm…" Megan said awkwardly, looking at the unconcious Dratini.

"Again that's weirdly normal for him." Ash sighed, recalling the dragon type. "Usually he sneezes though."

"Okay then." Megan said. "It's your turn."

"Right, Jigglypuff come on out!"

"Butterfree let's go!"

"Jigglypuff use Body Slam!"

"Butterfree use Gust!"

Jigglypuff was blown back with ease from the wind coming from Butterfrees wings.

"Alright then, Jigglypuff use Disable!"

"Butterfree use Psybeam!"

Jigglypuff stuck out its nub of an arm, before rolling out of the way of Butterfree's attack.

"Now Jigglypuff use Sing!"

"Butterfree use Hyper Beam!"

Jigglypuff's melodious song filled the air, as the charged energy forming in front of Butterfree diminished, the bug type floating to the ground.

"Jigglypuff use Body Slam!"

Jigglypuff was able to drop right down on her opponent now that it was prone to attack.

"Follow up with a Pound attack!"

Jigglypuff slapped the Butterfree with its mic, causing the bug to go skidding away.

"Wow, we bought a strong mic." Ash said in shock.

"Butterfree wake up!" Megan called out.

"Jigglypuff use Body Slam!"

Jigglypuff landed on Butterfree with a cloud of dust erupting from the spot, the bug type clearly defeated.

"Butterfree return!" Megan called.

"Jigglypuff great work, come on back." Ash said.

"Come on out Vulpix!"

"Rapidash I choose you!"

"Really, a little overkill." Cassie commented.

"Vulpix use Flamethrower!"

"Rapidash counter with Ember!"

Despite having size and evolution backing it up, Rapidash's embers still were snuffed out by the larger flames from Vulpix.

"If that won't work, Rapidash use Stomp!"

"Vulpix use Quick Attack to dodge it!"

Rapidash slammed her hooves down on the ground where Vulpix once stood, leaving indents in the ground.

"Rapidash use Agility!"

"Vulpix use Confuse Ray!"

Strange wisps shot from each of Vulpix's tails, only to miss as Rapidash quickly built up speed.

"Rapidash use Agility again!"

"Vulpix use Dig!"

Vulpix dug underground as Rapidash continued charging about.

"Rapidash keep it up!"

"Vulpix wait for the right moment!"

At Rapidash's high speed, the Vulpix underground was unable to get a precise right moment, and came up in front of the fiery horse's hind legs, sending the small fox flying.

"Rapidash use Stomp!"

"Dodge it Vulpix!"

Vulpix shook its head trying to reassess its surroundings only to be hit by Rapidash's hooves, knocking out the small fox.

"And I think that that's game." Ash said, counting three wins for him.

"I'm getting better." Megan said.

"No kidding, we've come a long way since Pewter." Ash remarked.

"Look, Ash I wanted to talk to you about something." Megan said with a blush.

"Cuuuu!" A cry came out.

"What in the?!" Megan exclaimed, seeing Articuno diving nearby. "I thought you said that Team Rocket had Articuno?"

"I wasn't sure, but if Articuno landed nearby…". Ash realized.

"There must be a nest big enough for her." Megan said.

"And Team Rocket can't be far behind. We have to go help!" Ash exclaimed.

"Then let's go already!" Cassie exclaimed.