"Are you ready for this?" Brendan asked.

"Yeah, I'm as ready as you can get." Ash said.

"Actually I was asking that to Cyndaquil." Brendan joked. "He could use the training too."

"Trust me Cyndaquil is fine, just a bit rusty since Johto. I don't have any other fire types." Ash admitted.

"Are you two going to train or should I pour some tea?!" Wally called out, shocking both trainers for a moment.

"Right training." Ash said. "You want to work with Raticate, and I want to work with Cyndaquil.

"Exactly, ready Raticate!" Brendan asked.

The newest member of the crew was at Brendan's side, after having calmed down from being captured it showed a great interest in battling. Brendan was already planning on using the normal type in his next Frontier Battle.

"Let's show them how a Pokemon fights from Johto!" Ash said. "Cyndaquil use Flamethrower!"

"Raticate use Super Fang!"

Flames lit up from Cyndaquil's back as he shot a stream of flames at Raticate. The normal type rushed forward, leaping at Cyndaquil, only to get burned by the flames coming from the back.

"Cyndaquil use Smokescreen!"

"Raticate use Pursuit!"

Raticate shot through the smoke, tackling Cyndaquil out of it on the other side.

"Cyndaquil use Swift!"

"Raticate use Hyper Fang!"

Raticate dug it's fangs into Cyndaquil as the fire type cried out in pain. The attack never going off as a result.

"Raticate use Super Fang!"

"Cyndaquil get it out of there with Flamethrower!"

The flames from Cyndaquil's back grew an incredible amount before surrounding the fire type as Cyndaquil launched Raticate off of him finally.

"I think that was Flame Wheel!" Brendan said. "Well then let's slow it down with Scary Face!"

"Cyndaquil use Flame Wheel!"

Raticate bared its fangs and glared at Cyndaquil as it deftly dodged the flames charging right at it.

"Raticate use one more Hyper Fang!"

"Cyndaquil use Flamethrower!"

Raticate was fast, keeping its eye on the fire type and waiting for a good opening when he could land the finishing blow.

"Great work Cyndaquil." Ash said, picking him up. "We'll keep getting stronger and you'll be just as strong as… well you'll be strong."

"Hey Ash, maybe the problem is that." Brendan said.

"What do you mean?" Ash asked.

"Well you said you didn't have any other fire types besides Cyndaquil now, and maybe Cyndaquil is having the same problem you were having when we met." Brendan said.

"Is what Brendan is saying correct?" Ash asked Cyndaquil. "Are you worried about what happened to Charizard?"

"Cynda." Cyndaquil said with a sad sigh.

"Hey, we're smarter than we were back then, I won't let that happen again!" Ash said.

"Cyn! Cyndaquil!" Cyndaquil said in frustration.

"Man I wish I knew what he was saying." Ash said. "Cyndaquil is a great battler, I just wish I knew what was really bothering him."

'IF YOU WOULD JUST ASK!' The Primal Force said angrily.

"Look, I'm going to go for a quick walk, I'll be back soon." Ash said.

"Are you okay Ash?" Wally asked.

"Yeah, just going to go think on my own for a bit." Ash said.

'WHAT AM I NOTHING!' The Primal Force shouted.

'No, but I can't just hold a conversation with you without looking really weird.' Ash thought back.

'BRING THE CYNDAQUIL!' The Primal Force demanded.

Ash didn't even have to motion as Cyndaquil followed behind him along with Pikachu as the three went off a ways.

'NOW ASK HIM WHY HE ISN'T FIGHTING AT HIS FULLEST!' The Primal Force said.

"I told you that you don't need to yell." Ash said, kneeling down in front of Cyndaquil.

'IT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU LISTEN TO ME!' The Primal Force said.

"Okay Cyndaquil is everything alright. I mean first Butterfree and now Raticate, I thought you wanted to come with me again." Ash said worridley.

"Cyn Cynda Cyndaquil. Cynda Cynda Cyn Quil Quil. Cynda Quil Cynda Cyn." Cyndaquil said rapidly.

"Did you catch any of that?" Ash asked.

'OF COURSE I DID! I AM A POKEMON AS OLD AS THE EARTH ITSELF DO YOU DARE QUESTION ME?!' The Primal Force demanded.

"I'm beginning to question my sanity." Ash retorted.

'HE SAYS HE IS WORRIED ABOUT BECOMING CHARIZARD. WHATEVER THAT MEANS.' The Primal Force informed.

"I already told him I won't let that mistake happen again." Ash said.

'I CANNOT ACCESS YOUR MEMORIES OF CHARIZARD, BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO IT ISN'T WHAT CONCERNS CYNDAQUIL. HE IS WORRIED HE WILL REPLACE THE IMPORTANT SPOT IN YOUR HEART THAT BELONGS TO CHARIZARD IF HE GETS STRONGER.' The Primal Force said.

"Cyndaquil." Ash said, hugging the fire type. "I'm not forgetting about Charizard and I never will. But I don't want to see you not trying in battles just because you're worried you'll replace him. No one can replace Charizard, just like no one can replace you."

"Cynda?" Cyndaquil said, tearing up slightly.

"I know loosing him was hard but he'd want us to keep fighting and getting stronger. And I'm sure if he knew you were stepping up your fire game, he'd be proud of it." Ash said. "Now come on, I'm sure Brendan and Wally are worried about us."

"Cynda!" Cyndaquil said happily.

Back in Hoenn

"What luck! Team Aqua truly is gone!" James said, as the trio entered the abandoned base.

"Good, now let's set up our equipment and tell Giovanni we're here before they decide to come home." Meowth said. "We's got an important job to do."

A few minutes later

"Jessie, James and Meowth reporting in sir." Jessie said, saluting the video screen.

"Good." Giovanni said. "The information on the base is being sent now, but it's size looks promising."

"Sir, what are our next orders?" James asked, not moving.

"In the red case are your new uniforms. Put them on and head for west of a place called Pacifilodge Town, there take Relicanth and Wailord to look for an underground cavern. From there use the instructions provided from base." Giovanni said.

"Sir, if I may. This job seems important, how long are we supposed to wait for someone to be at base?" Jessie asked.

"For this assignment Meowth will be staying at base. His skill set will not be required for this part. Understand this is a STEALTH mission, don't be seen, and don't go off the plan. Get in gather the needed information, and then get out." Giovanni demanded, before cutting off the video feed.

"I didn't want to say it, but I'm glad to be on comms for this one. I hate getting my fur wet." Meowth said.

"What do you think he meant by our new uniforms in the red container?" James asked, pressing a button on it.

"Ooh. Jessie likely." Jessie said with an evil smirk reflected in the glass.