Greeting and Salutations. People say 'continue', it continues. This ones got Gary getting' hammered (so sue me. I don't like him).

The next day, the four of them gathered in one of the fields. True to his word, Tracy had managed to get some clothes off Ash's mother and Dawn was now dressed in denim jeans and a T-shirt.

"This battle will be with one Pokemon or Digimon each," Professor Oak said, "It will be Gary versus Dawn. Trainers ready."

"Let's go," Gary said.

"Let's make it interesting," Dawn said, "We win, and you have to help us get home."

"And if I win, you have to… go on a date with me," Gary said suddenly.

"Is that only way you get dates, Gary boy?" Dawn said teasingly, "It's a deal. Get ready, Renamon."

"I was born ready," Renamon said, glaring at the boy, "I hope you don't mind eating alone."

"We'll see about that," Gary sad. He wasn't taking any chances, "Go, Gyarodos!" He threw the ball in his hand into a nearby lake, releasing a giant, blue sea serpent.

"Waddaya think, Renamon?" Dawn said.

"Champion level at the most," her partner evaluated. Dawn nodded.

"Just to clarify, she fights like we normally do, right?" She asked Gary.

"Yeah, whatever," he said wondering what she was up to.

Dawn, meanwhile, was fishing out her D-Power and a card, "Prepare for the surprise of your life," she said, bringing it in front of her, "Digi-Modify! Digivolution activate!"

"Digivolution," her digivice announced, releasing light that hit Renamon.

"Renamon, digivolve to… Kyubimon!"

"Hey, wait a sec," Gary said, "One only, remember?"

"But I haven't changed Digimon," Dawn said with a grin, "She digivolved, that's all."

"You didn't tell me you could do that."

"I asked if we could battle as normal," Dawn said, "You said yes. You should have asked what normal was."

"That's not the same evolution we saw yesterday," Tracy said.

"That was her Ultimate form," Dawn explained, "Third form, pretty much. This her Champion form, second form."

"Unbelievable," Tracy muttered, getting out his sketchbook, "I have to sketch this."

"Alright," Oak said, absorbing the information he'd just received. She skipped a level? What else could these two do? "begin!"

"Gyarados!" Gary yelled, "Take no chances. Hyper Beam!" The Pokemon reared back and released a powerful beam of energy.

"Not good," Dawn said, pulling out a card, "Hyper Jet activate!" Kyubimon disappeared before the attack could hit, reappearing behind Gyarados.

"FOX TAIL INFERNO!" The Champion Digimon's tail straightened, igniting on the tips. The flames leapt forward, hitting Gyarados with no effect.

"Jokes on you," Gary said, "Fire moves don't work on Gyarados."

"Thanks for the tip," Dawn said, pulling out a card, "Digi-Modify! Elecmon's Super Thunder Strike Activate!"

"What?"

"SUPER THUNDER STRIKE!" Kyubimon yelled, straightening her tails again. This time, electricity flew forward, running through Gyarados, and the water it was sitting in.

"No!" Gary said, "Gyarados!" The Pokemon gave a pain filled roar, before collapsing.

"I think we can safely assume Dawn and Renamon are the winners," Professor Oak said, too stunned to follow protocol.

"That was awesome," Tracy said, drawing furiously. He then held the pad up to Dawn and Kyubimon, "Waddaya think?" The partners looked at the drawing.

It was of Kyubimon, at the moment she released her final attack, with Dawn in the background, arm extended.

"Did I look like that?" Dawn said, "Cool!"

"Very good," Kyubimon said, seconds before reverting to Renamon, "Very impressive," she looked over at Gary, who was recalling Gyarados, "Your partner needs work."

"Alright, how'd you do that?" Garu demanded, "Fire Pokemon don't use electric moves."

"Get a clue, bone head," Dawn snapped, "She's a Digimon, not a Pokemon. Your rules don't apply to her. Example, Renamon uses an ice move, and her Champion form uses fire moves. Plus, these," she held up her D-Power and Cards, "allow me to modify her attack powers. That includes digivolving and using attacks used by other Digimon, as well as her speed, strength and stamina."

"So you can actually make her stronger and faster with that thing, as well as restoring energy, by swiping a card?" Gary asked. Damn, he really should of checked her abilities first. Looks like the story she'd told last night was true.

"Yep," Dawn said, "Now, I believe we had a deal about helping us home after I won?"

"I've got no intentions of breaking my word," Gary said solemnly, "Besides, travelling with you just might be fun," Dawn grinned.

"And you still want to talk me around to that date, right?" She asked.

"Hey, I had to get something if I won," Gary said defensively as they walked into the lab.

"Sure," Dawn said, "So, any ideas how I might get home?"

"There are lots of legends that may help," Professor Oak said, "Celebi for one. The Unown are another type Pokemon we recently discovered existed that can open doorways between space and time."

"Wait a minute," Dawn said, "These are some kind of myths you've discovered actually exist?"

"Yup," Tracy said, "We've found lots of different types of Pokemon we only thought were legends that actually existed. Why, I even met Lugia once."

"Okay, no offence, guys, but this is all going way over my head," Dawn said, "Alternate reality girl, remember? No speak-a Pokemon?"

"You already got it," Gary said, "Myths and legends. So how the hell'd you meet Lugia?"

"When Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos were fighting," Tracy said, "Remember that really weird weather? That's what that was. I was travelling with Ash at the time. He…"

"Afrlilarln," Dawn muttered. Everyone stared at her, "Finally. I thought I'd never get your attention. Could you people please explain what all this means, 'cause I'm lost."

"Sorry about that," Oak said, "Those Pokemon are, or were considered to be, myths. Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are birds of ice, lightening and fire respectively. Lugia is the legendary Guardian of the Sea. Celebi and Unown are both Pokemon that can travel through space and time."

"So those two are my best bet," Dawn said.

"Problem is they're almost impossible to find," Gary said, "I've heard of maybe one sighting of each."

"Which is why the two of you have to track down Ash," Oak said, "He has managed to befriend several legendary Pokemon, and may be able to help you track them down."

"Not him," Gary said, "There has to be someone else."

"Sorry, Gary," Oak said, "There is no one else I know that has seen any of the ones you need, no one that would help, any way. I've already spread a message to all the Pokemon Centres in Johto. They'll give him a message to meet you in New Bark Town. You can leave tomorrow."

"Give me time to track down some better fitting clothes," Dawn said.

"Don't bother," Gary said, "We'll be taking the Magnet Train from Safron City. So you can get some clothes from the Department Store there."

"You offering to take me shopping, Gary boy?" Dawn asked sweetly.

"Pack your credit card," Renamon muttered.

"No need," Gary said, "She can earn money out of Pokemon battles."

"Not with Renamon, though," Professor Oak said, "We want to keep a low profile. I think I may have a Pokemon for you. Come with me." They followed the professor to a room full of Pokeballs.

"Are these…all yours?" Dawn asked.

"Some of them belong to Pokemon trainers from Pallet Town," Oak said, "These ones, however, are mine, for research purposes," he gestured a large shelf, full of balls.

"Wow," Dawn breathed, "You mean I can have one?"

"I received a Pokemon the other day," Oak said, grabbing one ball, "The poor thing lost its parents to a Team Rocket attack. It refuses to get close to any human."

"Those guys are starting to tick me off," Dawn muttered as Oak handed her the ball.

"I think you may be able to help it," he said. Dawn held it out in front of her.

"How do I…" the ball opened suddenly, releasing a stream light, which formed a small, shivering creature.

"Pi?" The small, almost mouse like Pokemon looked around, "PI!" it squeaked, running into a corner and rolling into a ball, "Chu."

"Oh my God," Dawn whispered, getting as close to the small creature without frightening it any more than it already was, "You poor thing."

"A Pichu?" Gary said. Dawn ignored him, holding a hand towards the frightened Pokemon.

"It's alright," she whispered, "I won't hurt you."

"Chu," Pichu whispered again.

"It's terrified," Dawn whispered, her heart breaking, "and alone," she moved a little closer, "It's alright. I know how you feel, but I promise. I won't hurt you," Pichu looked up at the girl. She seemed… different. Kind, gentle, but its rescuers had too, before shoving it into the ball.

The Pokemon looked at the contraption fearfully, "So that's what you're afraid of," she said, throwing it to the opposite end of the room, "I won't put you in that thing. Not unless you want to go in there."

"Chu," the Pokemon whined, "Pichu, pi chu. Chu, pi pi."

"I don't know what you're saying…" Dawn started.

"She wants you to promise you won't force her into the ball," Renamon said suddenly, "She's scared that she won't get out."

"Renamon, you can understand i… her?" Dawn asked. Renamon nodded, "Cool. Alright, you have my word," she held her right hand up, "I'll never force you into a little ball thing, and I won't let anyone else either. Partners from now on. Deal?" She held her hand out. Pichu looked up at Renamon who nodded. She moved out of the corner and placed her paw in Dawn's hand.

"Chu."

"Deal," Renamon translated.

"Alright," Dawn said, "Welcome to the team, Pichu."

"Pi!" Pichu cried, leaping into her arms and knocking her over.

"Hey," Dawn laughed, "Easy now."

"Fascinating," Professor Oak muttered, "Absolutely fascinating."

"Wow, is that how Ash and Pikachu met?" Tracy asked.

"Actually Pikachu had a fondness to shock Ash at first," Oak told him.

"Oh."

"Hey guys," they turned to look at Dawn, her new partner sitting on her head, "Like my new hat?"

"Chu."

"Oh brother," Gary said with a grin, "It's Ash all over again."

"What is it with this Ash guy?" Dawn asked, "What is he, your boyfriend or something?"

"What?" Gary shouted, "No way!"

"Oh man," Tracy laughed, "I almost wish I could see his face when you two meet."

"Actually, I think Misty's reaction will be more… interesting," the professor said.

"Alright, enough stalling," Dawn said, doing her best impression of Buffy's 'Slayer mode', "We leave tomorrow, right?"

"I'll book some tickets on the Magnet Train for next week," Gary said, "Should give us enough time to get to Safron."

"And it gives me time for some research," Dawn said, "If I'm going to find these Pokemon, I need to know about them. Plus, I need to figure the whole 'Pokemon trainer' angle."

"Sounds like a lot of work," Gary said. Dawn looked at him.

"Where I come from, preparation is one half of staying alive," Dawn told him.

"What's the other half?" he asked. Dawn looked at Renamon, then reached up to scratch Pichu's ear.

"Team work."

Like Dawn's new Pokemon? I couldn't think of anything else. Next, the gang gets a new companion. BREAK OUT THE RUBBER SUITS!

 Stay tuned.

Doc.