"Stop it!"
"Get back here!"
"Thief!"
Ash was walking back through the city towards the Pokemon Center, after meeting with Lucario and training his aura before the strange Pokemon just ran off.
"You landed all the way down here?" Ash asked. "Milotic stop it with Water Pulse!" Ash called out.
Milotic came out of her Pokeball, stopping the rushing Pokemon with her attack.
"Wait you aren't the same Pokemon either." Ash said in realization. "You're a Sneasle! How many Pokémon thief's does Celadon have!?"
"Just the one." Erika said walking up as the Sneasle ran off.
"Erika I had it handled." Ash said angrily.
"I understand your hostility but you need to know the full truth of the situation." Erika said. "I'd have to guess you've met the other two at this point."
"Yeah, but you just said one thief. I count three." Ash pointed out.
"The Meowth came here a few months back and began working with another stray Pokemon called Glameow." Erika said. "The two only take old food, and only enough to survive. The Sneasle on the other hand…"
"It's a menace." Ash said angrily.
"It needs a guiding hand, not unlike a young trainer once did." Erika said.
"I was an idiot back then." Ash admitted.
"We all grow up through our experiences." Erika said.
"What are you doing out here anyways?" Ash asked. "I thought you had a class today."
"I did, but an old friend called at the last minute and I canceled for her." Erika said.
"Well I can handle this if you want to get back to… Mom?!" Ash said, seeing his mother rush up.
"Oh Erika, you ran off so suddenly. I didn't know where you went." Delia said. "Ash, what are you doing here?"
"Brendan, Wally, and I are in town. There's a contest tomorrow." Ash said.
"Oh that sounds fun!" Delia said happily. "I haven't seen one in person since your grand festival"
"Grand Festival?" Erika asked.
"Yeah, I kinda entered the Hoenn Grand Festival and got second place last season." Ash said sheepishly.
"You really have changed." Erika said.
"Miii." Milotic said, looking at Ash.
"Sorry, you did great Milotic." Ash said, pulling out a Pokeblock and tossing it in the air.
"Where are my manners Erika?" Delia said. "This is my son Ashton."
"We've met." Erika said. "A few years ago Ash and his friends attended one of my classes. He actually saved Gloom when the gym burnt down."
"Ash Ketchum!" Delia scolded. "You could have been hurt!"
"He was a hero that day, that's all that matters." Erika said. "Since you're both here, how about we get lunch as a group, the three of us."
At a small cafe
"I don't get it, you could've ratted me out. Why didn't you?" Ash whispered.
"I've known your mother since we were younger than you were when I first met you." Erika said. "You acted irrationally, and I haven't thought about the fact you could have changed. Perhaps we can look at the ban being lifted."
"That's not necessary." Ash whispered, as his mom was coming back.
"So Ash why was Mily out?" Delia asked.
"Oh I was trying to take care of a wild Pokemon that was causing trouble." Ash admitted.
"Well, why not work with Erika? She is the gym leader here." Delia offered.
"Oh I couldn't, this day is for you two." Ash said.
"Nonsense, you know I always enjoy watching you battle." Delia said. "And then I can stay in town for tomorrow's contest."
"Yay." Ash said, remembering he still didn't have an appeal.
"Then it's settled, after lunch, we will find that trouble maker!" Delia said.
After lunch
"Sorry about the wait, I went and got some help for locating them." Ash said, holding up a Pokeball. "If anyone can find them, Noctowl can! Come on out!"
Ash's Noctowl appeared in front of the three giving a nonchalant hoot at them.
"Noctowl, we're looking for a Sneasle here in the city. Do you think you can find them?" Ash asked.
"Coo." Noctowl said, taking off into the sky.
After the group had searched for a while on the ground, Noctowl came back towards them, getting Ash's attention.
"Noctowl found them, let's go!" Ash said, chasing after the flying type.
The group chased after Noctowl, eventually reaching a rundown building just outside of town.
"Stay here, I'll go find it." Ash said, climbing over some rubble.
"Mr. Mime!"
"Tangela!"
The two Pokémon easily lifted their trainers over the rubble, surpassing Ash in an instant.
"I think we can handle ourselves." Erika said, making her way towards the building.
"It's a dark and ice type." Ash said, getting in their way. "And last I checked grass types and psychic types don't do well against those."
"So we're just supposed to stand here while you go in?" Delia asked.
"Mom, I love you, but Mimey would just get in the way in this battle." Ash said. "And this Sneasel is fast, I train fast Pokemon."
"Then lend me Cyndy, he can handle a Sneasel right?" Delia asked.
"He's not a Cyndaquil anymore." Ash sighed. "But you make a good point." Ash realized. "Quilava come out!"
"Quilava!" Quilava said, excited to see his trainers mother.
"Stay close to my mom, and if something tries to attack her, use Brick Break." Ash commanded.
"Qui." Quilava said in understanding.
"Nothing for me?" Erika asked, with a smile.
"I thought that Breloom was yours." Ash said. "Besides with Noctowl, half of my Pokémon are weak to ice too."
"Breloom isn't mine, but I have something that should work." Erika said. "Sunflora come out."
"Coo." Noctowl said, from an upper window.
"Okay, I'll get its attention, you two be ready in case it tries to make a break for it." Ash said. "Ready Pikachu?"
"Pika!" Pikachu replied excitedly.
"I really hope I can reach." Ash said, shooting an aura tendril through the open window, and launching himself towards it.
"Impressive." Erika admitted.
"That's my Ash." Delia said with a smile.
Inside the building
"Alright Sneasel where are you?" Ash asked.
"Snea!" A voice cried out, as a blast of ice shot at Ash.
"Whoa!" Ash said. "That definitely wasn't an ice beam. Pikachu use Shock Wave!"
Pikachu let loose an electric blast, sendi no the Sneasel out of hiding and into the air.
"Now use Quick Attack!" Ash called out.
The Sneasle spun around, launching another piece of ice at Pikachu, knocking the electric type off course.
"Pikachu!" Ash called out.
"Coo!" Noctowl shouted, diving at the Sneasel, sending it crashing to the ground.
"Glad you were here to help Noctowl." Ash said. "Use Tackle!"
Noctowl flew forward, slamming into Sneasel and sending it into a wall.
"Sne." Sneasel said, trying to get up. "Sel."
"Alright, enough of you messing up the city, Pokeball go!" Ash called out.
'Ding ding ding'
"You just need someone to put you on the right path." Ash said, quoting what Erika had said. "And I'll help you get there."
Ash's Current Team and their moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Shock Wave - Iron Tail
Grovyle: Double Team - Leaf Blade - Dig - X Scissor
Milotic: Attract - Dragon Breath - Water Pulse - Ice Beam
Swablu: Peck - Mirror Move - Dragon Pulse - Heal Bell
Quilava: Flamethrower - Lava Plume - Hidden Power - Brick Break
Sneasel: Ice Shard