"Finally out of that forest." Brendan said in relief.

"Not the worst timing." Ash said. "I've been stuck in one's much longer than this time."

"So our next stop is the gym, right?" Brendan asked.

"Not quite, Mudkip, Seedot, and Taillow are in no condition to fight a gym battle." Ash said.

"Right, Pokemon Center." Brendan remembered. "Then the gym?"

"Then the gym." Ash relented. "At least, maybe. We still don't know what type they specialize in."

"We can handle it, no matter the type." Brendan said.

"I've heard that one before." Ash sighed. "You go on ahead, I'll catch up."

"Are you sure?" Brendan asked. "You've been acting odd ever since we encountered Team Magma."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be good, I just need a minute to breathe." Ash said.

"Okay, I'll wait at the Pokemon Center for you." Brendan said.

As Brendan left, Ash looked around before relaxing.

"Alright come on out." Ash said.

"Tree?" A Treecko said, hopping out from the trees.

"You followed us all the way from your tree." Ash said in surprise. "Is everything okay? Did those other people return?"

"Tree. Cko." The Treecko said, picking up a twig and putting it in his mouth before taking an offensive stance.

"So you want a battle, huh. Alright then." Ash said. "Pikachu I choose you! Use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu sped at the Treecko, only for the grass type to dodge out of the way.

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

A bolt of electricity shot through the air, zapping the grass type, and grounding it.

"PIkachu use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu ran at the immobilized Treecko, slamming into it, and knocking him off of his feet.

"Alright, Pokeball go!" Ash exclaimed.

'Ding ding ding!'

Later on at the Pokemon Center

"Hello, and welcome to the Pokemon Center. How can I help you today?" The Nurse Joy said.

"Hi, I'd like to have these three Pokemon looked at." Ash said, holding out a tray.

"Three? What did you catch?" Brendan asked.

"A Treecko followed us all the way out here." Ash said.

"We should let my dad know. He'll be thrilled to find out we've obtained one." Brendan said.

"Go for it. I'm going to look into when the contest is." Ash said.

"Okay, if you find out the gym leader's type, let me know." Brendan said.

"Will do." Ash said with a nonchalant wave.

"So I heard you are looking at entering the contest." A trainer with long blonde hair said.

"Yeah, do you know where I need to go?" Ash asked.

"I'll show you, but understand I will win this ribbon, just like my last four." The trainer said.

"You've already won four ribbons! That's incredible!" Ash said excitedly. "How many more do you need?"

"You really don't know how this works. Any coordinator wishing to compete in the Grand Festival needs a total of five ribbons." The trainer exclaimed.

"So you're almost done. That's great!" Ash said.

"Yes, well here you are, best of luck tomorrow." The trainer said.

"Thanks." Ash said.

Back with Brendan

"A wild Treecko horde huh." Professor Birch said, thoughtfully.

"What are you thinking dad?" Brendan asked.

"While it's not unheard of, it is strange that one would also choose to leave their family to follow Ashton." Professor Birch said. "He must have done something to truly impress that Pokemon."

"Do you think he could be dangerous?" Brendan asked. "He was going on about this energy like power that he used."

"Brendan, I can't make that decision for you. If you believe Ashton to be dangerous then you are free to leave, but considering he gave you a chance, I'd at least give him a fair chance as well." Professor Birch said.

"Thanks dad." Brendan said. "I'll call again soon."

A few minutes later

"So what did your dad have to say?" Ash asked.

"Apparently these kinds of colonies are a normal thing, just rare to find. How about our goals?" Brendan asked.

"I got us each a contest pass, and found out that the gym leader is named Roxanne and she teaches at the Pokemon School." Ash said, handing Brendan a pass.

"Any reason you got me a pass as well?" Brendan asked.

"Nurse Joy said they were required if you wanted to watch a contest even." Ash said. "I just figured you'd be cheering me on."

"Of course, we're a team, aren't we?" Brendan said with a smile.

"Right." Ash said. "Now how about we check out the Pokemon School, maybe you can learn a thing or two."

At the Pokemon School

"Are you two here for someone?" A man in a black suit asked.

"We're just traveling trainers, and I was hoping we could stop in for some classes for the day." Brendan said.

"Very well, come right in." The man said.

"He sure is friendly." Brendan snickered.

"Alright class, now who can give an example of a good choice against a Nosepass?" A woman's voice said from a classroom.

"Nosepass?" Brendan asked, sticking his head in. The classroom was filled with adults, all writing notes.

"Oh, it seems we have some new students." The woman said. "Would you like to introduce yourselves?"

"Oh, I'm Brendan and this is…". Brendan turned around to see that Ashton was gone by this point. "Never mind, and an answer is Mudkip."

"Very good, you know general type matchups." The woman said. "My name is Miss. Roxanne, go ahead and take a seat. Now can anyone tell me a move that would be good against a Nosepass?"

Ash had kept going, while that class was good for Brendan, he was hoping to find something more pointed for his new focus.

"Alright Roselia use Magical Leaf!"

Ash poked his head outside to see a boy about his age training with a Pokemon with two flowers on its hands.

"Now use Solar Beam!"

The beam of light shot through the leaves causing colorful foliage to flutter around the Roselia.

"Wow, are you training for the contest as well?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, the names Drew." The boy said.

"There is some tough competition here." Ash admitted. "I'm Ashton by the way."

"Well Ashton, you saw my combo, how about you show me what your plan is for the appeal round, maybe even give you some pointers." Drew said.

"That would be great!" Ash said. "Alright Pikachu, lets do this! Use Thunder!"

A storm grew above the trainers as electricity crackled from Pikachu's cheeks.

"Now use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu sped around collecting a few thunderbolts before Drew suddenly yelled stop.

"What's going on? Did we do something wrong?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, contests are on a stage, and Pikachu just ran off the edge." Drew said pointing at the line in the dirt Pikachu had crossed over. "You can't just go in with full power on these. The contest is about showing off your Pokemon's capabilities, and not just those in battle."

"Oh. I didn't know that." Ash admitted.

"It's fine, I think you're on the right track with you appeal, but let me give you a few pointers." Drew said.

"Thanks Drew." Ash said.

Later on back at the Pokemon Center

"Hey, you disappeared on me!" Brendan said angrily.

"I went and did training for the contest." Ash admitted. "How'd the class go?"

"Good, but we have a problem, I think I need to learn some new moves before fighting the gym leader." Brendan said.

Ash's Current Team and their moves

Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Agility - Thunder - Quick Attack

Surskit: Bubble - Quick Attack

Treecko: Pound - Quick Attack