"Here we are, Verdanturf Town." Ash said, as they reached the top of the hill overlooking the bustling town.

"So when's the contest?" Brendan asked.

"Uhh, it's happening in a few days." Ash admitted, looking at his Pokenav. "I guess in the meantime we can check out the battle tent."

"Are you going to participate this time?" Brendan asked.

"I don't see why not, I don't think there's anything else I need to do while we're here." Ash said. "But you know the first rule."

"Right, we head to the Pokemon Center first thing." Brendan said. "And then we find out the rules for the battle tent."

"So you do listen to me." Ash joked, before rushing out of the way of Brendan pushing him for the remark.

At the Pokemon Center

"Really, you're back already?" The Nurse Joy asked the boy at the counter.

"I'm trying to get stronger, and they want to as well." The boy said. "It's just…"

"I know I know, the wild Pokemon, and even other trainers out here are a bit strong for beginning trainers, you'll make progress soon enough." The Nurse Joy said with a warm smile. "I'll have Chansey take care of them right away."

"Thanks Nurse Joy." The boy said walking off.

"Hello there, and welcome to the Pokemon Center, I'm sorry about the wait." Nurse Joy said, seeing Ash and Brendan.

"We'd like our Pokemon looked at if that's okay." Ash said.

"Not a problem." Nurse Joy said, pulling out two trays.

"Then why was it a problem for the boy before us?" Brendan asked.

"It's just, he just moved here with his Aunt and Uncle, and he keeps trying to get stronger, but he pushes him and his Pokemon to the point where they're exhausted when they get here." Nurse Joy said. "I worry that soon, he may go too far."

"We could talk to him, maybe show him a few things once we have all our Pokemon back." Ash offered.

"Ashton, what are you agreeing to?" Brendan asked.

"If you could do that, it would mean a lot to me, and his family I'm sure." Nurse Joy said. "He probably went home to get patched up, I can give you his address."

A bit later

"Okay, this is where he lives apparently." Ash said, putting the piece of paper away.

"So what, we just knock on the door and say, "Hey, we're here to teach you how to be a better trainer." How do you think that will go over?" Brendan asked.

"Okay, maybe we need to think this through." Ash said.

"Brendan? Ashton? What are you two doing here?" A familiar voice asked.

"Wait, Wally." Ash said, turning around.

"That's what I was forgetting." Brendan said, trying to be quiet.

"It's been a while, how have you two been?" Wally asked.

"We've been good, Brendan's earned three badges, and I've gotten two ribbons." Ash said, grabbing his ribbon case.

"That's great, so why are you two outside my house?" Wally asked.

"Well, Nurse Joy told us there was a new trainer here that was struggling to make forward progress." Brendan admitted.

"Oh, are you two offering to help?" Wally asked.

"Yeah, I can show you how to properly battle." Brendan said.

"Actually, can Ashton show me?" Wally asked.

"Me?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, I mean you showed us how to catch our first Pokemon, so I feel you might know a few things more than Brendan." Wally said, not noticing Brendan's dismayed look.

"Sure, come on, we can give it a go. Do you still have Ralts?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, right here." Wally said, holding a Pokeball.

"Well, come on, we have some work to do." Ash said.

"But… I could train as well." Brendan whimpered, following behind them.

Outside of Verdanturf

"Okay, so this will be a training match, a way for us to carefully monitor how Ralts is doing." Ash said.

"Okay, come on out Ralts." Wally said.

"See, easy enough. Come on out, Surskit!" Ash said.

"Ralts use Confusion!"

"Surskit use Quick Attack!"

Surskit dodged the energy wave coming out of Ralts's horn, as he sped towards the psychic type.

"Ralts use Double Team!"

"Surskit use Bubblebeam and Bubble!"

A whirlwind of bubbles spread out from Surskit, covering the area, and destroying all the duplicate Ralts.

"That's a combination move, right?" Wally said excitedly.

"Yeah it is. One of our better ones too." Ash said.

"I've always wanted to try one." Wally said. "Let's see what I can do!"

"The floor is yours." Ash said.

"I could do a combination move if I wanted to, I just don't." Brendan huffed.

"Okay Ralts use Double Team!" Wally commanded.

"Part of a combination is using two or more moves, remember that." Ash said calmly.

"Okay, now Ralts use Confusion!" Wally said.

"It's a bit slower than you'll want it to be, but that's the idea." Ash said, as Surskit easily avoided the attack.

"Okay Surskit use Bubblebeam!"

A stream of bubbles shot out, hitting the real Ralts, knocking the small psychic type out.

"Hey, you did great." Ash said, walking over to Wally. "You won't win every match."

"But, I'm not winning many." Wally said, defeated.

"Hey, you don't have to give up, we can keep working on getting better at this." Ash said.

"Do you mean it!" Wally said, excitedly.

"Of course, we'll be in town for a few more days, you can tag along." Brendan added. "We'd be happy to have you along."

"Thanks, come on, I'll show you around, and then we can have dinner with my family." Wally said with a big smile.

Author's Note

What, the description does say a new group of trainers, did you really think the group would only be Ash and Brendan?