S.R: Sorry about the delay. M.R was busy last month, and then the last few days I've been distracted.

M.R: He means he's been too busy playing the new Fire Emblem game.

S.R: I can't and won't deny that.

M.R: But he's here now, so we can get the new chapter already.

S.R: More like she's holding the Switch hostage until we've done this. But that's fine. I'm not mad.

PhoenixWyvern & co. : *Rolling their eyes at the blatant lie*

M.R: Why don't we shut up and get to the story already?

S.R: Okay.

ASH'S POV

After finishing our morning routine, and agreeing to introduce Brock to the Pokemon professors at the lab, Pikachu and I led the way towards Cinnabar Islands science lab. I peaked in and waved at professor Kukui who was the only one in the room at the time of us arriving.

"Mornin' there Ash. I see you've got a friend with you today."

"Yeah, this is my friend Brock."

Smiling as he gestured for us to enter the room the professor introduced himself. After a moment he explained why he was the only one at the moment.

"Professor Rowan just left, apparently he received a call from a lab assistant of his so he needed to find somewhere with better reception for his National Dex. Our fellow researcher that was here yesterday is home sick too. Normally we wouldn't be able to get as much done without all hands on deck, but I think Rowan and I can handle it. After all, we're only studying Pokemon moves and how they connect to evolution. It is our specialties mixed together so I doubt anyone else would be as knowledgeable about our experiment."

"Aw, I wanted to introduce Brock to both of you."

I grumbled, but the professor just smiled.

"Maybe I can help out with the project? My dream is to become the world's top Pokemon breeder. So I might be able to help with making sure the Pokemon are in peak condition for your experiment."

Brock commented which drew a happy nod from professor Kukui.

"That's a-okay with me. Professor Rowan would be fine with it too. He may come off as serious and hard to approach, but the man is always happy to chat with others who are passionate about Pokemon beyond just Pokemon battles."

Since it seemed like Brock had the rest of his day planned I told him and the professor I'd be by again later and left the room to head towards the lab where I'd met professor Horner. Before stopping right outside the door. I had a full team and all three of my researcher slots were in use, so I wouldn't be able to keep Amaura with me. Thinking quickly I chatted with everyone and found that Scyther was curious about the ranch and my other Pokemon. So after he agreed to spend some time at professor Oak's ranch, I used my Nation Pokedex's feature to transfer him to the professor. Since that was settled I smiled at Pikachu, who smiled back. With Pikachu on my shoulder I entered the room only to hear a strange yet excited cry.

"Good morning professor."

"Ah yest good morning young man. As you can see I successfully revived your Amaura fossil."

The man responded with a happy smile on his face as he gestured towards Amaura who was the source of the sound when I walked in. I'd heard about them from professor Kukui, but he said Amaura were typically blue in color, yet the one looking back at me was white. Giving another excited cry it rushed towards me and threw it's body into my side, knocking me down to the ground before nuzzling against me.

"Nice to meet you too Amaura."

I chuckled when the Pokemon finally let me stand back up. Since it was being friendly already I decided to make an Aura Bond before scanning it with my Pokedex.

'Hi there Amaura, I'm Ash.'

'I'm not just Amaura. I'm Albus. My name is Albus. Nice to meet you Ash!'

'Albus. That's a nice name.'

'My mother told me it means white in the human tongue.'

"I know you're excited to meet each other but why don't you use your Pokedex on him already? You'll accomplish nothing if you just stare at each other."

Professor Horner commented, drawing our attention away from the private talk we were having. I did agree that I should use my Pokedex on Albus, though I decided to keep quiet on the fact I was an aura user.

"Amaura. The Tundra Pokemon. It lived in cold areas in ancient times. It's said that when Amaura whinnies, auroras appear in the night sky. This Amaura is male. It's ability is Refrigerate. It knows the moves Growl, Powder Snow, Thunder Wave, Rock Throw, and Icy Wind. This Amaura does not have an egg move."

"Well then. Since you've already got a few moves that were likely learned on your own I'd say you're old enough to be allowed to battle. I don't know if you'll catch up with the others in time for my next gym battle, and the last gym after that would have you at a type disadvantage… I think we'll have you debut at the Indigo League."

I said with a smile, already planning to give Albus a couple days to get used to being revived, before he joined the others in training. Because he was a bit large to be following me around I grabbed a Poke-ball out of my bag and activated it before holding it out towards him. Albus having instinctively known what to do just tapped his head against the ball before disappearing inside. It didn't shake in my hands at all, instead the red light signaling that it was in the process of catching a Pokemon faded and the ding that meant it was a successful capture sounded.

"Thanks professor. I can't believe I almost forgot to thank you for reviving Amaura."

"It's not problem young man. You aren't the first to have waited this long to say it. A few have even managed to get out of the room before remembering. I heard you mention gym battles. Since you're here I take it Blaine is the next gym you wish to face?"

I just nodded my head.

"Here's some helpful advice then… The best counter for his Rapidash is a sturdy Pokemon that can take a few hits without flinching. While not his strongest Pokemon it is his fastest. Tanking it's attacks can save one of your faster Pokemon for dealing with his Arcanine or Ninetales. But I'd say to use your strongest Pokemon against his Magmar, and only against his Magmar if you can swing it."

"I see. Well I still have some time for training to make sure we're ready for him. But thanks for the advice."

I responded to the professor's wisdom before leaving the room. Since I'd been told a spare key to the gym was hidden inside the old and crumbling mansion that sat not too far from the gym itself, I figured that I would do some exploring and see if I could find a good place to train before heading towards the mansion. But when Pikachu and I left the science lab we saw a few Raticate running into the building.

After asking the nearest person about the mansion we learned that it was abandoned so wild Pokemon had begun living there.

'So we can train while we search for the key. Besides just because we find it doesn't mean we have to use it right away.'

Pikachu told me through our bond. I smiled as I told him we'd be taking it slowly just to make sure we got a good amount of training in.

A month and a half later

We found the key for the gym after a week of searching through the mansion, but none of us were satisfied with the progress that was made, so we pushed on in training. Ivysaur wasn't sure she was ready to handle a type disadvantage as a gym battle, so she asked me to swap her out to my researcher slots. In her place brought Gengar back to my team. Other than that I did my best to make sure everyone grew stronger. I even used the PC at the Pokemon center to buy TMs and have them delivered so that everyone could learn new moves. Wartortle really pushed herself, enough so that after a month of training she evolved into Blastoise. Charmeleon was extremely jealous of that, and tried his hardest to catch up. Yet when we all felt ready to take on Blaine and his gym he still hadn't evolved.

"I'd ask what took you so long, but I already know the answer."

I heard when Pikachu and I entered the Cinnabar gym with Brock behind us. It was the same man that had told us about the gym being closed unless you could find the spare key.

"My Pokemon and I may have come this far, but we all knew the main reason was just how lucky we are. I've tried to make sure we always have the type advantage going into our battles, but that isn't always going to be enough. Sabrina beat me in our first battle, and when I challenged Koga he made it hard for me to keep the advantage. But both of them, and even Erika mentioned that you and Giovanni have monstrously powerful teams. I had to make sure we were prepared. Besides I still have about four and a half months till the Indigo League. I can afford to slow down a bit."

Blaine just nodded his head as he motioned for us to follow him to the battlefield. As we walked he spoke.

"Yes, yes. I've chatted with several other gym leaders about you, and Lance himself has told me about your potential. It's good to see you've got a smart and strong head on your shoulders. I'm looking forward to this battle."

When we got to our spots a young man in a pair of blue shorts and a light green shirt stepped up to the referee spot.

"This is a five on five Pokemon battle. The gym leader Blaine shall unleash his Pokemon first, while the challenger Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town has the first move. Substitution is only allowed for the challenger."

"I recently finished training this one up to my standards. Let's see how she performs then."

Blaine commented as he tossed a Poke-ball forward. When the Pokemon was revealed I had to use my Pokedex to scan it, to learn it was a Pokemon normally found in Johto.

"Houndour huh. Well that doesn't change my plans at all. Let's go Gyarados!"

With that our Pokemon took the field. Since we had the first move, I decided that Gyarados should start off strong with Surf, since she learned it in order for us to travel to and through the Sea Foam Islands to get to Cinnabar. Seeing it in battle was strange though, since she summoned a massive torrential wave of water from nowhere.

Houndour was unable to dodge the attack and was swept away by the water. When the wave died down it came running back, charging in close before unleashing a burst of flames from it's mouth. The fire was fairly small and weak so I figured it was an Ember attack.

"Let's finish this and move on. Dragon Breath."

I commented, only to be surprised when Houndour withstood the attack and countered by latching onto Gyarados with it's mouth.

"Excellent. Keep using Bite to bring that Gyarados down!"

"Gyarados use Thrash!"

I called out hoping she would throw the small black Pokemon off and get some distance.

"Bite down harder and stay latched on."

Blaine called out to order as well. After a moment of thrashing about Gyarados managed to toss the Houndour off.

"Now quick use Surf!"

"Use Protect."

"Let's try a Twister then!"

"Fire Fang."

Blaine called out when Houndour got free from the twister that Gyarados had caused. But I was ready for him and had Gyarados bat the Pokemon into a wall with it's tail while using Dragon Tail. After the small cloud of dust and debris caused by it's collision with the wall disappeared we were able to see that Houndour was defeated.

"Houndour is unable to battle. Gyarados wins. Gym Leader Blaine please select your next Pokemon!"

"Hoh, she put up a much better fight than I expected her too once I saw you brought a Gyarados to play. But let's see how you're Gyarados handles this. Come on out Arcanine!"

Blaine called to me before unleashing his majestic looking Arcanine.

"Alrighty then. Arcanine use Heat Wave."

A burst of hot air filled the room nearly instantly after he gave the command. It caused me to sweat heavily, and Gyarados flinched as the heat reminded her of the Fire Fang attack she'd taken earlier from the Houndour.

"Stay strong Gyarados! Let's go with a combined attack, try using Twister followed immediately by Surf!"

Doing as I asked Gyarados managed to combine the two attacks int a swirling pool of water that crossed the room and smashed into Arcanine. But the strong Fire type Pokemon withered the attack easily. Before spitting out a large and long plume of fire.

"Yes, nice Flamethrower, good job Arcanine!"

"Dragon Breath Gyarados!"

I called out. The two attacks met in the middle and fought for dominance, before causing a small explosion instead. Blaine wasn't fazed by this and had Arcanine use Extreme Speed to get in close and use a Thunder Fang to bring Gyarados down.

"Dragon Dance! Use the strange movements to dodge that attack!"

I cried out worried that Gyarados wouldn't be able to take it. But Blaine's Arcanine was too fast, and it's mouth closed around one of Gyarados' fins as it unleashed a shock from it's teeth. Crying out in pain Gyarados fell to the ground twitching. She wasn't out cold just yet, but I could see in her eyes that she was in a lot of pain.

"Return!"

I shouted, not wanting to submit Gyarados to that much pain any longer than I had too.

"That was probably a good idea. Arcanine may have gone a bit overboard."

Blaine stated a small frown on his face.

"Challenger, please send out your next Pokemon."

The referee said as he looked on.

"Gyarados gave us a good start so let's follow her lead! Let's go Gengar!"

"Interesting choice."

Blaine admitted when he saw Gengar.

"Let's try this. Dark Pulse!"

I commented. Gengar built up a small bit of power before letting it explode away from her, slamming into Arcanine and causing it to tumble. But Arcanine easily stood back up.

"Bite."

Blaine ordered, and Arcanine rushed for Gengar it's jaw already open to latch onto her.

"Dodge it and use Poison Jab!"

At the last moment Gengar jumped to the side, just barely avoiding the crushing jaws of Arcanine's attack. But she quickly countered with a punch to it's side. The tell tale purple glow lit up before fading from Arcanine's body, signaling that it had been poisoned.

"It'll take more than that to wear us down. Arcanine use Fire Blast!"

"Use Protect!"

"What for that protective barrier to fade and then use Bite!"

"Use Substitute, to dodge then use Shadow Claw!"

Arcanine managed to dodge the attack enough to make it just barely scrape along it's side, so the damage dealt was minimal.

"Try a Flamethrower to distract it then rush in fast with Bite."

"Gengar use Dark Pulse"

The two traded attacks, before coming to a stand still on the field between Blaine and I. After a moment I told Gengar to use Shadow Ball which was dodged, so I had her use Sucker Punch next. Unable to dodge the Sucker Punch Arcanine was forced to take it, but Blaine had it counter with another Bite. This time it managed to close it's jaw on Gengar's arm.

"You can do it Gengar. Use Shadow Punch twice in a row to make it let go before finishing with a Dark Pulse!"

"Once more, use Bite."

At this point Gengar and Arcanine were punching and biting each other repeatedly as they attempted to gain dominance.

"That's one tough Arcanine..."

I muttered to myself. Between all the attacks it had taken from Gengar and the one powerful combined attack that Gyarados had landed it was panting heavily but still fighting on.

"Finish it. Bite."

Blaine ordered his Arcanine. I didn't seen any reason not to make this battle a drawn and had Gengar use Sucker Punch, the two attacks landing simultaneously. After a moment both Pokemon dropped to the ground unconscious.

"Neither Pokemon are able to battle. This round is a draw. Will both battlers choose their next Pokemon."

The referee commented.

"I must say I didn't expect that."

Blaine spoke, before shaking his head and letting out his Rapidash. Since I recalled professor Horner's advice to counter it's speed with a Pokemon that could tank, I decided to let Blastoise join the battle.

"Kept this one hidden to deal with Rapidash specifically did you? Not a bad idea so long as it can some hits."

"Well I did get the idea from a professor over at the science lab after I revived a fossil Pokemon."

I replied.

"Professor Horner no doubt. That man is probably the only person on the island normally, that could come close enough to beating me to have a strategy like that."

I just smiled, before commanding Blastoise to use Earthquake, hoping we'd throw Blaine and his Rapidash off long enough to get a Hydro Pump off on it. But his Rapidash recovered in time to duck under the burst of water that was Hydro Pump. Charging forward it brought it's two front hooves down on Blastoise as it used Stomp in retaliation.

"Rapidash, use Fire Wheel."

"Mud Slap, Blastoise!"

"Dodge it and use Stomp once more."

"Use Dark Pulse Blastoise!"

the burst of dark energy that came off of Blastoise threw Rapidash back, canceling it's attack.

"Let's try Earthquake again!"

I ordered the moment Blastoise had some free space.

"That move really is troublesome you know. I've had to rebuild this gym a few times because of it… At least this time we're in the city proper, and in an actual building instead of the volcano. You'd be causing some serious problems if that were the case."

Blaine commented, unconcerned about the tremors that caused Rapidash to be thrown to the ground. Because of how tough his other two Pokemon were, I was on the same page, somehow already knowing it was going to take a lot to bring his Rapidash down.

M.R: Before anyone asks, yes this cliff hanger has been planned from the beginning. The battle with Blaine was always going to be split into two chapters.

S.R: We only stopped it there, because that felt like a good place to make a cliff hanger. It's actually much less of the battle than we had originally planned to have in one chapter.

M.R: Yup. But can you blame us? That line is a fantastic ending line for the chapter after all.

PhoenixWyvern: Are you forgetting something?

M.R: You're not going to ask us to list all the new moves that Ash's Pokemon learned in the off screen training session are you?

PhoenixWyvern: Yup.

S.R: No. We've decided to only show the moves they know when caught. Well that and there will be an info chapter before the first battle of the Indigo League tournament. The info chapter will be a list of all the Pokemon Ash has caught mentioning if they were caught at a different evolution, but they will be listed in order, and will also have their move sets. But we've still got a ways to go till then. Anyway. Time for the Pokemon locations.

ON HAND:

1. Pikachu (m) 2. Conan: Riolu (m) 3. Charmeleon (m) 4. Gyarados (f) 5. Gengar (f) 6. Wartortle (f)

TRAINEE FIELD RESEARCHER SLOT ADDITIONS:

7. Ivysaur (f) 8. Albus: Amaura (m) 9. Eira: Alolan Vulpix (f)

AT THE RANCH:

1. Pidgeot (f) 2. Beedrill (m) 3. Nidorino (m) 4. Muk (m) 5. Growlithe (f) 6. Golbat (m) 7. Apollo: Espeon (m) 8. Artemis: Umbreon (f) 9. Scyther (m)