Last Time, Team Plasma and Team Rocket had another scuffle, and our heroes got caught up in the cross fire, how terrible, thanks to Rufflet evolving into Braviary however, they escaped, meanwhile Missile was storming the tower and found out what project M.C. is, turns out it's a mind control machine that Colress invented, after some struggling he beat Colress, who proceeded to flee, Missile meets Ash and the gang, and almost gets away with their pokemon, but after a high speed chase, he was left with nothing, the information Team Rocket gained however was invaluable, well it probably was invaluable we didn't get to see it, well no use moping around, let's get to it already!

In a nearby cave…

A computer turned on.

"Good job" Giovanni said, for once a smile was on his face.

"Thank you sir" Missile said.

"Their entire database has been leaked to us, many things have been found out, only a few pertain to you though, we found out the true leader, a man named Ghetsis"

"Ghetsis, that's a weird name" Jessie said.

"His true intentions are unknown, but we suspect it is not liberation"

"How do we know?" James asked.

"Some files say otherwise, they are rather interesting" Giovanni said, before pausing a bit. "Jessie, James, Meowth, you are dismissed"

"Wait, but why not Missile?" Meowth asked, even though he knew he wouldn't get an answer.

The rocket trio left, confusion filled their faces.

"What do you need me specifically for?" Missile asked.

"This is a mission only you can do" Giovanni said, more serious than usual.

"What is it then?" Missile asked, intrigued, and also a bit worried.

"This mission is a top secret one, it is only between you, me, and a few admins" Giovanni said, before turning on a large screen behind him. "You will need know a few things before hand"

"I'm all ears" Missile said, on the screen a large white dragon of sorts appeared.

"This is Reshiram, said to be a fragment of a powerful dragon from long ago, it still possesses great power, if we can get it under our control, we'll be unstoppable" Giovanni said, holding a fist out in front of him. "Missile, do you remember that crystal we got from Castelia?"

"Yeah, I do, you never told me why we got it though" Missile said, yeah we'd like to know what that crystal was for, it's been a giant plot hole for a while now!

"Well you see, Reshiram was destroyed long ago, and it's body was transformed into a white gem called the Light Stone, this crystal is part of that gem"

"I see"

"The interesting thing about this is that the other half of the dragon, Zekrom seems to be free, and roaming Unova as we speak, the last reported sighting was in Nuvema Town, we know this because of those stolen files, it seems Team Plasma is trying to hunt down Zekrom as well" Giovanni said, holding a document.

"So what do you me to do about it?" Missile asked.

"Get the other part of the Light Stone, we must get Reshiram before Plasma gets Zekrom"

"But where do I even look?" Missile asked.

"We do not know" Giovanni said, Missile frowned. "However, we have narrowed down the area a bit, it is around the north west corner of Unova"

"North west huh? That's where Iccirus is" Missile said, mostly to himself. That's where I got my seventh badge, and where Ash probably will too

"Yes Iccirus, it's a pretty mountainous area up there, but I expect that you can handle it, do you understand your mission?"

"Yes, I do"

"Good, you are dismissed" The computer shut off.

"Damn, I can't fly there, it's too cold! That means I'll have to take it by foot, great, better leave ASAP, can't stick around too long, actually, there might be a plus to this"

In a Mistralton Motel, during the morning…

"Alright let's do this!" Ash said, putting on his cap.

'Yeah let's go beat Mistralton gym!' Pikachu said, jumping up.

"Well no use moping around then, let's go" Iris said.

"Don't you still wonder where Cody's been though, he wasn't here when we came back" Cilan said.

"Maybe he already left" Iris said.

"But you'd think he'd say goodbye right? I mean he's not the type to just leave folks in the dust" Cilan elaborated.

"Come on already! We gotta get there quick!" Ash said, rushing for the door.

Ash and the gang arrived at the Mistralton City Gym shortly thereafter, they entered to find Skyla in the back of the gym.

"Good morning Skyla" Ash greeted.

"Hello Ash" Skyla replied. "I got some provisions now, so I can open the gym up again, I take it you came for your gym battle?"

"You bet"

"Well then, let's start!"

Skyla and Ash got to opposite ends of the battlefield, while Cilan and Iris went to the sidelines.

"Alright, are you ready?" Skyla asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be" Ash answered.

"Then we'll start, the rules are easy, four pokemon each, no substitutions allowed, Swanna fly time!" Skyla sent out Swanna, popping out majestically.

"Alright, Pikachu you got this?"

'You bet!'

"Alright, Pikachu I choose you!" Pikachu leapt forward, sparks flying out.

"Battle begin!"

"Swanna, use Bubblebeam"

"Dodge, and Volt Tackle"

Swanna shot out a beam of bubbles, but Pikachu dodged and tackled into Swanna, covered in electricity.

"Iron Tail now!"

"Ice Beam its tail!"

Pikachu rounded up an Iron Tail, but was his tail was frozen by Ice Beam, causing Pikachu to crash to the floor.

"Air Slash!"

"Break the Ice and dodge!"

Pikachu slammed his tail on the ground breaking the ice and jumped out of the way just before Swanna came down with Air Slash.

"Use Thunderbolt!"

"Block with Bubblebeam"

Pikachu's Thunderbolt overpowered Swanna's Bubblebeam and hit it.

"Swanna, use Brave Bird!"

"Iron Tail!"

Swanna swan dove into Pikachu, before taking an Iron Tail to the face, knocking it out.

"Swanna return, well great job Ash, but I'm not done yet, Archeops come on out!" Archeops came out with a roar.

"Uh oh, this could be tough"

"Archeops use Earthquake!"

"Careful Pikachu"

Pikachu got shaken around, but he was still standing.

"You okay buddy?" Ash asked, Pikachu nodded. "Alright Thunderbolt!"

"Block with Stone Edge"

Pikachu shocked out a Thunderbolt, but Rock Blast absorbed it, Pikachu dodged backwards.

"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"

"Dragon Claw!"

Pikachu jumped up and struck Archeops, but it slams down on Pikachu with Dragon Claw, knocking him out.

"Pikachu no!"

"Too bad Ash, such a good run too"

"Grr, Oshawott I choose you!" Oshawott came out battle ready as usual.

"Alright then, Archeops Acrobatics!"

"Dodge with Aqua Jet!"

Archeops dashed towards Oshawott, but he jetted away with Aqua Jet, Archeops chased after, but Oshawott swooped around and struck it instead.

"Archeops Dragon Claw"

"Dodge and use Razor Shell!"

Archeops swung at Oshawott, but he jumped above, and struck down with Razor Shell.

"Stone Edge!"

"Aqua Jet!"

Oshawott used Aqua Jet, but was stopped by a Stone Edge.

"Oshawott use Razor Shell once more!"

Oshawott sliced Archeops with a massive Razor Shell, knocking it out.

"Archeops return! Well two down two left to go, Sigilyph up and away!" Sigilyph came out making weird noises.

"Alright, Oshawott use Water Gun!"

"Dodge and use Energy Ball

Oshawott shot a jet of water but Sigilyph dodged and fired an Energy ball, which hit Oshawott.

"Use another Energy Ball!"

"Dodge with Aqua Jet"

Sigilyph shot another Energy Ball, but Oshawott jetted away and struck it dead on.

"Fury Cutter now!"

"Use Tailwind and dodge"

Oshawott leapt up to slash at Sigilyph but it got faster and dodged, while Oshawott plummeted to the ground.

"Now go around and use Aerial Ace!"

"Uh no, we can't dodge, try to intercept it!"

Sigilyph went around and around, getting chip damage, while Oshawott spun around trying to hit it, eventually though the otter struck Sigilyph with a critical Razor Shell.

'Huff puff, I don't think I can go on much longer' Oshawott panted out.

"Well, I've still got one pokemon left, Mandibuzz wings up!"

"Alright then, Oshawott use Fury Cutter!"

"Use Dark Pulse!"

Oshawott leapt up and sliced Mandibuzz, but it fired back with Dark Pulse, Oshawott struggled to stand up.

"Hang in there Oshawott"

"Mandibuzz use Air Slash!"

"Dodge it!"

Oshawott too tired to jump, got Air Slashed, and knocked out.

"Oh well, return, let's see how this goes, Braviary come on out!" Ash sent out Braviary, who looked more invigorated than ever before.

"Alright then, battle of the birds" Skyla said. "Let's do this, Rock Tomb!"

"Dodge and use Fury Attack!" Braviary dodged the unearthing rocks, and slammed into Mandibuzz with Superpower! "Nice!"

"Air Slash now!"

"Counter with an Air Slash of your own!"

The two birds traded blows in the air.

"Mandibuzz use Double Team!"

"Keep on guard!"

Multiple Mandibuzz clones appeared, Braviary looked left and right, only to find a good three dozen or so Mandibuzzes.

"Rock Tomb now!"

"Dodge it!"

From out of nowhere a Rock Tomb came and hit Braviary knocking her back, which Mandibuzz fired it was a mystery.

"Chase them down and destroy the clones with Slash!"

"Sneak in a few Dark Pulses"

Braviary chased Mandibuzz after Mandibuzz, but each one she Slashed was a mere illusion, she got hit with three Dark Pulses during this.

"Braviary focus harder" Ash called, Braviary took the advice, and squinted her eyes, she saw a darting figure from the corners of her vision, quickly she chased it down and Slashed it, revealing the real Mandibuzz, and destroying all the illusions.

"Nice one, now Mandibuzz use Dark Pulse!"

Mandibuzz blasted Braviary right in the face with Dark Pulse, the bird got knocked back.

"Braviary use Superpower!"

"Block with Air Slash!"

Braviary rammed into Mandibuzz, whose Air Slash did little to stop the valiant pokemon.

"Tons of Rock Tombs now!"

"Dodge it!"

Mandibuzz uprooted a mountain of rocks, which sent Braviary high in the sky.

"Dark Pulse!"

"Watch out!"

Mandibuzz shot Dark Pulse to the sky and hit Braviary who fell down into a pile of dust.

"Braviary no!"

"Is it still going?"

Braviary however, stood up, and roared in defiance.

"Yeah!"

"Very resilient, but it won't stay for long, Dark Pulse!"

"Dodge and use Air Slash!"

Braviary flew above the Dark Pulse and struck Mandibuzz with Air Slash, making it flinch.

"Air Slash again!"

Braviary got off another Air Slash, Mandibuzz didn't flinch this time though.

"Air Slash once more!"

"Air Slash again!"

The two birds got one last Air Slash in, but the one who fell was.

"Mandibuzz!" Skyla cried out as Mandibuzz fell to the ground, swirls in its eyes.

"That means, we won!" Ash cried out, Braviary ran over, and trampled Ash, pecking him in happiness.

"Great job Ash" Cilan said, walking over.

'That battle was amazing Braviary' Axew said, hugging his friend.

'Thanks!' Braviary said, snuggling up to Axew.

"Pikachu and Oshawott made a good effort too" Iris said, also there.

"Well, I suppose I should give you this then" Skyla said, handing over the Jet badge.

"Aw heck yeah, I just got my 6th gym badge!" Ash said, holding it up in the air.

Back to Missile…

"Hey guys!" Missile called out to the rocket trio.

"What is it?" Meowth asked lazily.

"I'm gonna be flying solo for a bit" Missile replied.

"What for?" Jessie asked.

"Special training" Missile said, of course it wasn't for that, it was a secret mission, and a little something else.

"Can't you do that with us?" James asked.

"Nah, I need to be alone for this" Missile replied.

"Well, see ya I guess" Jessie said.

Missile left the cave, not to be seen again for a while.

"I guess I better tell my pokemon" Missile released all his pokemon to explain them his mission, and his way of handling it.

'I see, so we'll be walking a while' Gothitelle said.

'Great, I hate the cold' Druddigon said, looking down.

"That's not all though, I'm afraid some of you might not like this"

'Oh come on it can't be that bad' Mienshao said.

'We will travel to the ends of the world for you' Bisharp said.

"We will be traveling with Ash for a bit" Derik revealed, truly this was an unnecessary risk, but the reward was too high to give up.

'What!? This can't be!' Volcarona shouted out furiously.

'Why do we have to travel with them?!' Eelecktross shouted out, angrily.

"Look I know your mad, but it's just what the boss says" Derik said, although he was lying.

Bisharp picked up on this, and his look shifted from annoyed, to intrigued. What could possibly be worth it to go through all this trouble

"Take one last look around, we're leaving as soon as Ash is" Derik said.

Later with Ash and the gang…

"Alright, so we'll get lunch, grab some supplies, and then head to Iccirus city" Cilan said.

"Sounds like a plan" Iris said.

"Well then, let's eat some lunch!" Ash said.

"Hey Ash!" A voice cried out.

"Oh it's Cody" Iris said.

"You mind if I join you for a little bit" Cody asked.

"Sure, we're leaving for Iccirus in a bit though" Ash said.

"No not just for the noon, I'm actually thinking of traveling with you until then" Cody said.

"Really, why?" Cilan asked.

"I'm actually heading to Iccirus myself, just thought it be fun for us to go together" Cody said. "Heard there's a battle tournament happening there too"

"So can he come Ash?" Iris asked.

"Yeah sure, the more the merrier after all" Ash said.

"Thanks, you guys getting lunch?" Cody asked.

"Yeah actually" Cilan said.

"Well what are we waiting for then, come on let's go" Ash said, running off.

In a nearby restaurant…

"Man Cody, you are too kind" Ash said, gulping down a burger.

"It's nothing, really" Cody said, he was paying for this, being overly nice to gain trust.

"Hey Axew, want some fries?" Iris asked.

'Sure' The dragon type said, chomping on some fries.

"Man this is the best" Cilan said.

"Hey Ash, how's your pokemon?" Cody then asked.

"Oh yeah they're great, om nom" Ash said, gorging on more burgers, even Pikachu was getting a little grossed out.

"Can you go into more detail?" Cody asked.

"Well Rufflet evolved into Braviary, she's even more energetic than before, Whirlipede's doing fine, Servine seems alright, but I can't help but notice that something's been bothering her, as for Krokorok and Oshawott, I worry about them sometimes, Oshawott seems sadder than the others, and Krokorok hasn't been the same recently, I guess they haven't been doing that great, I just wish I knew why"

"Hmm, interesting" Cody said. Something's bothering Snivy? Does it have anything to do with me? I hope not

"Wow, look at the time, it's already 2:00" Cilan said, looking at his device.

"I guess we better get moving then" Iris said.

At a pokemart…

"Oh man the line's long" Ash said, disappointed.

"Oh well, we'll just have to wait" Iris said, getting in line.

"A good nap never hurt anybody" Cilan said, lying on a bench.

"You know Cody it's a pretty good time and place for a battle, wanna battle?" Ash asked.

"Eh, sure" Cody responded, he and Ash got into position.

"Whirlipede, I choose you!" Ash sent out Whirlipede, ready to battle.

"Volcarona, take them out" Cody sent out Volcarona, a scowl was on her face.

"Alright, let's do this, Rollout!"

"Fire Blast!"

Whirlipede dashed forwards through Volcarona's Fire Blast and struck her twice.

"Rollout, once more!"

"Dodge and use Hurricane!"

Whirlipede dashed again, but Volcarona dodged and hit her with a Hurricane.

"Use Poison Sting!"

"Dodge it!"

Whirlipede instead used Twineedle poisoning Volcarona.

"Nice you learned Twineedle" Ash exclaimed.

"Good for you, but we'll still win, Fire Blast!"

"Dodge it!"

Whirlipede got hit anyway, sending her flying, Volcarona winced from poison.

"Use Rollout!"

"Dodge it!"

Whirlipede struck Volcarona three times.

"Use Fire Blast!"

"Power through!"

Whirlipede dashed through Fire Blast and struck Volcarona down with one last Rollout.

"Return, well congrats Ash, it's not every day one of my pokemon go down" Cody said. He's getting stronger too, better look out

"Finished!" Iris said, running out the pokemart with supplies.

"That was a great nap, I didn't even notice there was a battle going on" Cilan said.

"Well I noticed, it was very distracting" Iris said.

"Come on guys, it's nearing evening, we got to get moving" Ash said, hastily.

"Okay let's go" Cilan said, standing up.

"This is gonna be fun, now that Cody's traveling with us" Iris said, holding Cody's shoulder.

"Yeah, alright, let's go!" Ash said.

"Yeah, let's" Cody said, Ash and the gang, now with Cody, headed off to Iccirus, what new shenanigans will happen with Cody on board? How will his and the gang's pokemon interact? Is all this really worth it for Derik? What happens when some start suspecting him? Find out, eventually!