Hey everyone, bet you're surprised at the fast update. I'm a bit surprised as well, but I guess I just wanted the first episode of season 7 over with. Anyway, today is my birthday, so I hope to have a good one as this was my 21st. Now let's get to answering the reviews.

Guest: Your idea is interesting, I'll give it some thought.

Cipherdragonite: I'll see what I can do.

Advance shipper: After giving it some thought, I've decided to use your idea and let Sapphire join in on the story. I'll think about those special Contests.

Tony Anderson: I am glad to hear that you've enjoyed my last chapter. I'll do what I can for you to enjoy my story.

Reader: May and Verity are not getting a Plusle and Minun. And no, May is not getting that Spoink. Maybe Sorrel will get that Absol, or not. And how would I do Sawyer so soon? I might include Nicholai and Guy in the Hoenn League, but I'll need help giving them more Pokémon to enter. Vito will be mentioned, but not part of the story. Verity will get her own Togepi, but Salvia won't be making an appearance. Finally, it will be Ash and May V.S Oscar and Andi.

Guest(2): Ash will battle Wattson again with his Torkoal, but will lose. And no, Flannery won't be apart of Ash's harem, no offense, but she isn't my favorite Gym Leader. Ash won't battle Flannery's grandfather, but will be impressed with him. I don't know how to get Hodge so early in the story.

Okay everyone, all the reviews have been answered, but before you guys start reading, I have something to say. As I said to Advance shipper, I'm gonna have the character Sapphire join the story and look exactly like May, but she'll complete in Gym battles. I already have her appearance in mind, and it'll be soon. I did research on her and found out that she liked Ruby, which the former name for Brendan, so I'll have her paired up with him. And another thing, I've decided to have the Hoenn contests become like the Sinnoh Contests with the allowance of two Pokémon in both rounds and also the dressing up part. May will be informed of these new changes on the episode she catches her Skitty, but she'll still win her next contest, which will be different than the anime. Also, I want to hear your opinion about something concerning Ash's Dragonite. Is it a male, or female? I really have no idea.

As some of you have noticed, I've set up a profile for this story, showing the main characters Pokémon, their moves, abilities and items. I hope you all enjoy it and that it helps you all out. Now, the chapter won't be as long as the last few ones, but I hope you all enjoy it regardless.


Chapter 21: What You Seed is What You Get.

The sun shinned high in the sky above Mauville City, the start of another day for the Pokémon World. At the Mauville City Pokémon Center, the front door opened and the Rainbow Hero walked out with his trusted best friend on his left shoulder. Both Ash and Pikachu smiled brightly, full of confidence as the door closed behind them, before the Rainbow Hero held up his right fist. "Alright Pikachu, are you ready to go to the next Gym?" Ash asked his best friend with a confident voice.

"Pikachu". Pikachu answered with a smile on his face, before the door opened again and their traveling companions stepped out as well. Verity and Max were carrying Piplup and Jirachi in their arms, while Lucario was walking besides Sorrel. May stretched her arms out and gave a yawn. "I slept like a Snorlax last night, and now I'm full of energy!" The brunette exclaimed with a grin full of energy, getting Verity and Piplup to chuckle at her. "Well, let's be on our way". Brock told the gang, getting everyone to nod to him, before they all took off on their way to leave Mauville City.

2 minutes later, the gang was walking through the streets of Mauville on their way out. Just then, Max turned his head right and up to look at his idol with a curious look. "Hey Ash, what's the name of the next town we're going to?" The 8-year-old boy asked his idol, getting Ash's attention as the gang stopped walking. Sorrel brought out a guide book with his right hand and opened it to a random page.

"According to this guide book, we have two choices. The Lavaridge Town's Pokémon Gym and the Petalburg Gym to travel to, but there's only one problem. You can't challenge the Petalburg Gym until you have 4 badges, so that only leaves the Lavaridge Town Gym". The Pokémon Professor in training informed the gang as he read through the page, getting Ash to look at his sworn brother with a grin, before he nodded.

"Well, that settles that. It's on to Lavaridge Town!" The Rainbow Hero declared as he held up his right fist into the air. "Pi-pikachu!" Pikachu cried out from Ash's shoulder, getting Lucario and Jirachi to smile at him. "Hold up cowboy, we've got somewhere else to be!" May interrupted with a grin, getting everyone, but Verity and Piplup, to look at her in confusion.

Verity nodded in agreement, before she turned to look at her boyfriend. "She's right. In Fallarbor Town, there's gonna be another Pokémon Contest". Verity revealed with a grin, receiving understanding looks from the gang now on why May wanted to go there. "Another Pokémon Contest, huh? And knowing you, you probably got your sights set on winning it, right?" Brock questioned the brunette, getting May to nod at him with an excited smile.

"You bet! Fallarbor Town is gonna be where I win my first Ribbon!" May exclaimed in high spirits, getting everyone to smile at her, before Ash turned to look at his girlfriend. "And what about you, Verity? Are you gonna enter?" The Rainbow Hero asked the Twinleaf girl, getting Verity and Piplup to look at him.

"Nah, we're gonna sit this one out". The tomboyish girl answered, much to everyone's slight surprise as they redirected their attention to her. "Why's that?" Max asked in a curious tone as he wondered why Verity wasn't gonna enter. 'Yeah, why?' Jirachi commented, getting Verity and Piplup to look down at him and Max. "We're just gonna take a little break for now, practice our Contest appeals, combinations and train a bit". The Twinleaf girl answered with a small smile. "Piplup pi". Piplup said from her trainer's arms, having discussed a break with Verity beforehand.

Everyone gave the Twinleaf girl understanding smiles as they understood her reasons. "Well, I guess that's that then. But that still leaves the problem of both Lavaridge Town and Fallarbor Town". Ash stated as he crossed his arms, getting Brock to nod in agreement. "Ash is right. If we travel to one of them, who knows how long it'll take for us to reach our second destination". The former Gym Leader explained as Max brought out his PokéNav with his right hand and turned it on.

'I could teleport us all there. Right now even'. Jirachi suggested to the group with a happy smile on his face, getting Ash and Pikachu to smile down nervously at him. "Sorry Jirachi, but using Teleport kinda takes the fun out of traveling, so no thanks". The Rainbow Hero politely declined the Wish Pokémon's offer, getting Jirachi to moan in sadness. "Why not just do both?" Max suggested, getting everyone's attention as they looked down at the 8-year-old boy and saw him looking at his PokéNav.

"Those two towns are almost right next to each other". The 8-year-old informed the gang as he turned to look up at them. "Max is right about the two being next to each other. Let's first go to Fallarbor Town for the Pokémon Contest, then Lavaridge Town". Sorrel told the gang as he looked through his guide book once more, getting May to smile happily. "Sounds like a good plan to me!" The brunette stated happily that they'll go to her Pokémon Contest first, getting Ash to smile with a shrug.

"Alright, I got no problem with that". The Rainbow Hero told his traveling companions, getting May's smile to grow wider as she thrust up her right fist. "Then let's hit the road you guys, and Fallarbor Town, look out!" May exclaimed as she jumped up and thrust her right fist up with a wink, getting everyone to smile at seeing her so excited.

Ash then turned to look forward, before he and Pikachu widened their eyes in surprise, and then they narrowed them. At 15 feet away from them were two male Team Magma Grunts, facing each other in the direction that leads out of Mauville City. "Guys, up ahead". The Rainbow Hero told his travel companions with a serious voice, getting all of their attention as they looked, before they widened their eyes upon seeing the Team Magma Grunts. May narrowed her eyes angrily at the sight of them. "Team Magma!" The brunette growled out at the sight of them, while Brock narrowed his eyes.

"But what could they be doing here?" The former Gym Leader questioned, getting Sorrel to look at him. "Let's listen in and find out". The 12-year-old boy suggested, getting Ash to nod to him, before they all listened in on the conversation between the two grunts. "Where are we supposed to be, um… Where are we going, again?" One of the Grunts questioned his teammate, getting the second Grunt to groan as he slapped his forehead with the right hand.

"It's Mt. Chimney!" The second Grunt answered in annoyance, before he lifted his hand off of his forehead. "Stay spaced out, and you'll get scolded by Maxie!" He added, getting Ash to narrow his eyes in confusion at the name that the Grunt said. "Mt. Chimney… It'll be a long walk going along Route 112 to get there. I wish I'd brought snacks…" The first Grunt said in a longing voice, before both he and the second Grunt took off and disappeared from view.

"Mt. Chimney?" Verity questioned with a confused face, while Sorrel looked back down at his guide book. "It's a mountain between Lavaridge Town and Fallarbor Town. People take a cable car to get up the mountain". The Pokémon Professor in training informed the group, looking through his guide book as it showed a picture of a cable car station.

Ash was silent as he held his chin with his right hand and was deep in thought. 'Who's this "Maxie" guy that they were talking about? Is it a high ranking Adaim like that Tabitha guy and Courtney girl?' The Rainbow Hero questioned in his mind, before he shook his head as he knew that his questions won't be answered by standing around here. "Come on guys, let's head to Fallarbor Town. We'll deal with them later". Ash told his friends as he began walking off towards the exit to Mauville City.

The gang followed after the Rainbow Hero out of Mauville City, their thoughts about Team Magma currently out of their heads, but their words stayed in the back of the Rainbow Hero's mind for when they reached Mt. Chimney themselves.


(Play Pokémon Journeys opening: 1, 2, 3, version 2)

With a green background, three mirrors appeared, one vertical with a rainbow background, the second with a blue background and the third had a green, with all three mirrors showing three familiar pairs of legs to three certain trainers. These windows then closed before opening again, this time showing Ash, Verity and Sorrel all running with eager looks. Ash was running forward, Verity was running right and Sorrel left. The mirrors all closed and disappeared to reveal the title "Pokémon Legend of the Rainbow Hero" in colorless letters, before the Rainbow Wing fell past it, changing the letters all into a rainbow color.

'Hey, you still not ready? C'mon, hurry up!'

The three old friends were standing in a triangle position with their backs towards each other with different coloured grounds below them. Ash's ground was a rainbow colour, Verity's an electric blue and Sorrel's a green color. Ash put his cap on his head with a grin, before adjusting his backpack. Pikachu and Espeon then appeared, jumping onto his shoulders, much to the Rainbow Hero's joy.

'You all packed and ready to leave?'

Verity knelt down for a moment, before she stood up to reveal that she was holding Piplup in her arms with the two partners smiling happily at one another.

Sorrel and Lucario were standing right besides each other with the two looking through Sorrel's notebook that he was holding with his right hand. The two partners looked at each other and smiled.

'I'll show you this wide mysterious world'

Ash, Verity, Sorrel, Pikachu, Espeon, Piplup and Lucario were all gathered together, talking to one another happily. It changed to show Sorrel adjusting his right shoe with Lucario stretching his paws out next to his trainer, while Verity had her arms wrapped around her boyfriend's right hand as she gave him a peck on the cheek, resulting in Ash's face turning flushed with Pikachu, Espeon and Piplup laughing in front of them. It then changed to show Ash and Sorrel standing in front of one another, giving a fist up to each other, before Verity appeared from below and wrapped her arms around her two old friends' shoulders, bringing them into a group hug with her eyes closed happily and the two males smiling.

'And skip the slow send-off'.

Ash, Verity and Sorrel then ran out of a Pokémon Center into the outside world. Inside the Pokémon Center, Brock watched them ran out from a bench next to a window, Max and Jirachi were playing together, before they turned to look out the door. May was handing in her Pokémon to Nurse Joy, before she turned around and gave a warm smile.

'Be it through fire or through water'.

'I'm fumbling blindly through the days'.

'When I don't even know what the next second will bring'.

Ash, Verity and Sorrel were all standing in front of a computer screen as it showed pictures of the legendary trio of Kanto, Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno in three separate pictures with the background showing a map of the Kanto Region. The screen then changed to show Lugia and Ho-Oh in two separate pictures with the background showing a map of the Johto Region.

The computer screen changed to show three separate pictures of Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza with a map of the Hoenn Region as the background. The screen changed to show a single picture of Dialga, Palkia and Giratina together with a map of the Sinnoh Region as the background. It changed once more to show a single picture of Zekrom and Reshiram flying around each other with Kyurem in the center with a map of the Unova Region as the background.

The computer screen changed to show two separate pictures of Xerneas and Yveltal with a map of the Kalos Region as the background. The screen then changed once more to show two separate pictures of Solgaleo and Lunala with a map of the Alola Region as the background. Finally, it changed to show a single picture of Zacian (Crowned Sword) and Zamazenta (Crowned Shield) in front of their shrine in the Slumbering Weald.

Ash, Verity and Sorrel were looking over a folding map, before Ash turned excitedly to Sorrel and said something to him, getting him and Verity to turn their attention to him with the Pokémon Coordinator telling her boyfriend something. Pikachu, Espeon, Piplup and Lucario all sat down besides one another and snacked on some cookies gathered around their trainers.

'Each and everyone one of my memories'.

Ash's left rainbow colored eye showed the brightly flashing Rainbow Wing, before the screen zoomed out to show the Rainbow Hero in his transformed state, falling towards a bright light when Ho-Oh came by and flew around with the camera sinning around as well. Ho-Oh flew off as Ash did a flip as he pulled out a Master Ball with his left hand that gleamed with psychic energy, before it burst open with a white beam coming out.

'Can always be found inside a Ball'.

The white beam cleared to reveal Latios flying in the sky, before Latias joined him from his right with Marshadow on his back.

A Poké Ball hit the ground and rolled over to Ash's feet. The camera changed to the inside with round shadow showing the outside with the red top transparent. Ash, Verity and Sorrel gazed at the Poké Ball in wonder, before the Twinleaf turned to look at her old friends. The three stepped back at the device opened with a blue light filling the screen.

'On 1, 2, 3, dive in!'

A spot light shined down on Ash as he thrust his right hand out with a grin, before all his Pokémon charged ahead with spot lights on all of them as well. Pikachu, Espeon, Venusaur, Blastoise, Grovyle, Raikou, Zoroak, Snorlax, Timber, Sableye, Corphish, Meganium, Tauros, Kingler, Muk, Typhlosion, Nidoking, Gallade, Kabutops, Skrelp, Rapidash, Gengar, Primeape, Hitmonlee, Ampharos, Ursaring, Donphan, Feraligatr, Tyranitar and Trevenant all charged ahead on ground, while Latios, Latias, Charizard, Tailow, Pidgeot, Heracross, Scizor, Lapras, Dragonite, Magnezon, Skarmory and Noctowl flying above them with Marshadow riding on Latios' back and Lapras floating through Espeon's Psychic attack.

Pikachu suddenly sparkled with electric, before he leaped and fired Thunderbolt at Sorrel's Aerodactyl, who dodged it by flying by.

'I've got the future plans I imagined in my pocket'.

Verity's Milotic came out of nowhere with a spot light on her and fired a Mud Shot attack at Sorrel's Lairon, striking the Rock and Iron-type and sending it sliding across the ground past Sorrel, who cried out in surprise. From the side jumped in Lucario with his paws together with an Aura Sphere in between them, getting Sorrel to smile as his Aura Pokémon fired the Aura Sphere, causing the camera to turn around to show Verity standing behind her Milotic, having wide eyes as the blue sphere grew closer.

The screen changed to show Team Rocket all together in the forest with Jessie standing to the right, James to the left and Meowth in the middle. Then from the side, their Pokemon came out and stood behind them. Jessie had her Pokémon Seviper, Dustox, Wobbuffet, Trubbish and Gothita gathered behind her, while James had Cacnea, Axew and Parasect behind him.

The three losers gave confident looks, before the two humans brought out Poké Balls and threw them as their Pokémon cheered, before the devices burst open to reveal bright white lights.

'Greeting someone new is always fresh'.

Ash stared up at the sky in amazement as Mega Latios faced off against Primal Kyogre in the air above with it raining heavily around them. Latios charged up at Luster Purge, before he fired at Kyogre, who narrowed its eyes at the approaching attack.

'No need to hesitate! Try!'

Atop a grassy hill with dark cloud covered skies, Verity's Lopunny and Sorrel's Poliwrath stood 10 feet away from each other, before they charged in and began sparking in hand to hand combat with neither of them having the advantage.

Ash, Pikachu, Espeon, Latias, Zoroark, Donphan, Corphish and Dragonite all jumped up and cheered with a rainbow background. Verity, Piplup, Furret, Glameow, Vaporeon, Tangrowth, Kingdra and Lopunny all jumped up and cheered with a blue background. Finally, Sorrel, Lucario, Luxray, Accelgor, Lairon, Victreebel and Poliwrath all cheered with a green background.

'Let's have a fight!'

Atop the Sky Pillar, Ash, Verity and Sorrel all stood side by side with Pikachu riding on his trainer's right shoulder with Mega Sceptile, Mega Houndoom and Mega Gardevior in front of them, all facing up at the sky where a shiny Mega Rayquaza was roaring down at them.

'1: Once the battle is done'.

The Hoenn Region champion Steven and his Mega shiny Metagross appeared with a silver background. The screen changed to show a stadium, where Steven waved his left hand out, giving a commanded as Mega Metagross unleashed a Flash Cannon attack. The camera shifted to show a Dragonite counter the Flash Cannon with a Hyper Beam attack with Lance standing behind the Dragon and Flying-type, having an excited grin on his face.

'2: And we're laughing or crying'.

The Johto Region champion Lance and his Dragonite appeared with a dark blue background. The screen then changed to various photos, the first showing Ash holding up the Johto League Silver Conference trophy in his hands, the second showing Verity holding up the Slateport Pokémon Contest Ribbon in her right hand, the third revealing Sorrel researching a set of ruins with his back turned to the camera.

The fourth photo showed all three friends and their partner Pokémon all together. Verity was in the middle, having a wide smile on her face with her eyes closed with her right hand wrapped around Sorrel's shoulders and left hand around Ash's shoulders, bringing the two smiling males into a group hug. Piplup, Pikachu and Lucario were all in front of their trainers in the photo, smiling wildly at the camera. The final photo showed them all leaning in towards the camera with happy faces.

'On 3, let's be friends!'

The screen changed to show Professor Oak, Tracy, Misty, Delia, Azora, Togepi and Slyvia all together in Professor Oak's backyard with Misty and Azora holding their Pokémon in their arms. Professor Oak and Tracy smiled at each other; Misty hugged Togepi happily with the Fairy-type crying out happily. Delia placed her hands down on Azora's shoulders and smiled down at her, getting Azora and Sylvia both to smile up at her.

The screen changed to show Forina with the sky black, before Jirachi flew through his homeland, leaving a sparkling trail with various nocturnal Pokémon about. A wild Ludicolo jumped into view in a forest, surrounded by several confused Marshtomps, before they all began dancing.

'Any day and every day, that's always been my rule'.

Ash, Verity, Sorrel, Pikachu, Piplup and Lucario stood on a cliff overlooking a city next to a tree with a blue sky filled with clouds. Time began changing as the sky changed to reveal a more clear blue one, then an orange sky as the sun began to set and then a beautiful night sky filled with stars.

The screen changed to show the Raizen Mountains, then to Mount Tensei, right where Ash battled Ho-Oh so long ago.

'With this unpredictable, boundless world awaiting'.

In the Petalburg City Gym, Norman opened his determine filled eyes, before the camera zoomed out to show that he was in the Petalburg Gym's battlefield with his Slaking in front of him. Norman crossed his arms, while Slaking roared as it began pounding its chest like a gorilla.

The screen changed to show Ash kneeling down, before he got up on his feet and walked into an opening surrounded by a white light with Pikachu by his right side.

'Let's go! Every time you trip and fall'.

With a yellow background, Pikachu's ears perked, before both he looked up at Ash as he walked forward with a wild smile that grew wilder as he looked down at Pikachu with a rainbow background. With an icy blue background, Piplup cried out as she looked up.

'Let's go! You pick yourself up by my side'.

Verity walked forward with a grin, before it grew as she looked down at her partner with a blue background. With a silver background, Lucario's ears perked, before turned his head right to look at Sorrel as he walked forward, before he turned to look at his trusted partner with a green background.

Three mirrors appeared and showed the three old friends in separate mirrors with their Pokémon team. Sorrel was in the left mirror with his Lucario, Entei, Luxray, Aerodactyl, shiny Ariados and Poliwrath around him, facing their direction with a green background. On the right mirror, Verity stood with her Piplup, Suicune, Lopunny, Vaporeon, Kingdra and shiny Gardevior besides her as they faced right with a blue background.

In the middle mirror in between the three was Ash with Pikachu, Flygon, Grovyle, Magnezone, Timber and Tauros, all facing forward with a rainbow background.

'I choose you'.

Sorrel lifted his left hand, Verity raised her right hand and Ash held up both of his hands, before all three friends hi-fived each other.


(Opening song finished)

2 hours has passed since the gang left Mauville City and resumed their travels with their destination being Fallarbor Town. Right now, the gang had stopped to take a break in an open field near a stream of water. Brock was sitting down on a small rock, string around a soup in a pot with a metal soup spoon with a fire underneath.

Sorrel was kneeling down in front of Max, who was holding Jirachi in his hands, with Lucario standing behind him, and was holding a notebook with his right hand, writing down on it with a pen. He was continuing his research of Jirachi, having asked Max to stop playing with his best friend so that he could examine the mythical Pokémon a bit more, which the 8-year-old allowed.

A little bit away, May was sitting down on the ground on her knees with her back to the lake with a small sandwich basket on her right, full of different kind of sandwiches, eating a healthy salad sandwich that she was holding with her right hand. Finally, Ash, Verity, Pikachu and Piplup were away from the group, having a practice battle with the two trainers using their starter Pokémon.

The two were standing 15 feet away from each other with Pikachu on all four feet in front of Ash, while Piplup stood in front of Verity, who was holding up her fists as she focused on the battle. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out as he held up his left fist and swiped his right hand out to the side. "Pika…chu!" The Electric Mouse cried out as he leaped high into the air, before he released a powerful bolt of yellow electricity from its body at Piplup, who looked up at the approaching bolt of electricity.

"Piplup! Use Ice Beam to create a wall!" Verity commanded, thrusting her right open hand out. "Pip…lup!" The Penguin Pokémon cried out, opening her beak as a light blue ball appeared in front of her. She then fired light blue beams from the ball at the ground, causing it to turn to ice, before she directed the blue beams up, causing the ice to grow larger.

Piplup then stopped using Ice Beam as an ice wall was formed in front of her. The powerful bolt of electricity struck the ice wall, but was deflected into two and struck the sides instead. "How clever". The Rainbow Hero remarked as Pikachu stopped using Thunderbolt, before he fell and landed in front of his partner on all four feet. "Pi-pikachu". Pikachu said in agreement to his best friend.

Piplup leaped onto the top of the ice wall and glanced down at Pikachu, who was staring up at her. "Piplup pi". The Water-type said with a smirk on her face, while Verity had a smug grin on her face. "I figured out a new way to protect against Electric-type moves, and this was a demonstration to test it out. And I say that it was a success. Piplup, Drill Peck!" Verity commanded with a grin, swiping her right hand out to the side.

"Piplup!" Piplup cried out as she leaped into the air, before her beak glowed white and she started spinning like a drill down towards Pikachu. "Pikachu, counter with Iron Tail!" Ash called out as he held out his right hand. "Pika!" The Electric-type called out as his tail glowed white, before he leaped towards Piplup. He then spun around and slammed his tail into Piplup's glowing white, spinning beak. The two attacks clashed against one another and created a power struggle for a few seconds, before the two broke it and leaped back.

Pikachu and Piplup landed back in front of their partners and stared at one another with narrowed eyes. Ash and Verity made eye contact with one another and gave each other a rivalry grin. May watched the battle with slightly narrowed eyes, taking notes of the two more experienced trainers' styles of battling. What she didn't notice was that something climbed out of the lake and started walking up towards the sandwich basket next to her.

"There's so many ways to use a Pokémon's move. I can't believe that Verity used Ice Beam to defend against Thunderbolt". The brunette commented, turning her eyes back to normal as she took the last bite of her salad sandwich. She looked down at her right hand with slightly wide eyes, before she gave a shrug. Meanwhile, the unknown creature stopped right behind the sandwich basket, leaning over it to stare down at the sandwiches.

"Lucky, I've got more than one sandwich". May said with a smile as she reached out for her second sandwich, only to grab onto something else than her sandwich. "Marill". An unknown voice cried in surprise, getting May's attention as she blinked in surprise, before she turned her head right and looked down.

To her surprise, she saw an unknown Pokémon leaning over her sandwich basket. It was a small, blue, bipedal Pokémon. It had a nearly spherical shape with a white belly, and had round ears with red insides. Its arms and feet were short and possessed no visible digits. There was a blue, bubble-like ball at the tip of its zigzagging black tail. May had her right hand on the unknown Pokémon's left ear, who was looking up at her in surprise, before it went back to staring down at the sandwiches.

"W-What the!?" The brunette exclaimed in a surprised voice as she let her grip go and lifted her hand away, getting everyone's attention as they looked over to her with Ash and Verity stopping their battle, where they all saw the unknown Pokémon leaning over May's sandwich basket. "Well, what do ya know? A Marill". Brock said in surprise, identifying the unknown Pokémon. Brock's words caught May's attention as she turned to look at the Pokémon Breeder.

"A Marill?" The brunette said in confusion, before she turned to look back at the Water and Fairy-type Pokémon, who was still staring down at her sandwiches. May brought out her Pokédex with her right hand and held it up to the Marill to scan it. "Marill, the Aqua Mouse Pokémon. The tip of its tail floats in water, so it can swim in any current no matter how rough". The Pokédex buzzed, getting May to look back at Marill and saw it still staring down at her sandwiches with wide eyes of wonder and a happy smile on its face.

"Are you… hungry?" May asked the Water and Fairy-type as she placed her Pokédex away, getting its attention as Marill turned to look up at her. "Marill mar". Marill answered with a nod, getting May to smile down at the Aqua Mouse Pokémon. "Okay then. Here". The brunette said as she reached down with her right hand and picked up a ham sandwich with cheese and salad, before she held it out to Marill, who gained stars in its eyes.

The Aqua Mouse Pokémon took the sandwich in her hands, before she held it in front of it and stared down at the sandwich. Marill then looked back up at May and gave her a thankful smile. "Marill!" The Water and Fairy-type thanked the brunette with a happy smile, before she began slowly eating the sandwich. May smiled as she watched Marill enjoy the sandwich, while Sorrel stood up and turned to look at the nearby water.

"Marill must have come from the water. Guess it was just hungry". The Pokémon Professor in training said in assumption, getting Max to look up at him and nod. 'Max, I want a sandwich'. Jirachi told his best friend, getting the 8-year-old boy to look down at him with a smile on his face. "Okay then". Max replied to the Wish Pokémon, before he began walking over to his sister, getting May to look at him.

"May, can Jirachi have a sandwich?" The youngest Maple sibling asked his sister, getting the brunette to smile at him. "Sure, go ahead". May answered, getting Max and Jirachi to grow their own smiles, before the 8-year-old boy looked down at his best friend. "Go ahead Jirachi. Pick anyone you like". Max told his best friend, getting the Wish Pokémon to look up and nod to him, before he flew out of Max's hands.

Jirachi floated down towards the sandwich basket and began looking through the sandwiches. 'Which one to choose… Ahh! I'll go with this one!' The Steel and Psychic-type called out as he picked up a grilled cheese sandwich with both his hands, before he flew back to Max and began enjoying his snack.

Eventually, Marill finished its sandwich. The Water and Fairy-type turned to look up at May with a happy smile. "Marill!" The Aqua Mouse Pokémon exclaimed happily, before it shot out and wrapped its arms around May's waist in a hug. The brunette slightly blushed at Marill's affection for her, before she smiled down and gave Marill a soft pat on the head.

"Hey May". Verity said to her fellow Pokémon Coordinator as she walked up to her, getting May to look up at the older female. "That Marill seems to like you, so why not catch it?" The tomboyish girl suggested to the Petalburg girl, getting May to widen her eyes in surprise, while Max grew a wide smile. "Yeah, I agree May. A Marill is a Water and Fairy-type, so it could help against a Dragon-type Pokémon". The 8-year-old boy informed his sister, getting May to look at Max for a moment, before she looked down at Marill.

"Hey Marill?" She said to the Aqua Mouse Pokémon, getting Marill to look up at her. "If you don't mind, would you like to come with me?" The brunette asked the Water and Fairy-type with a hopeful voice, causing Marill to smile brightly at her. "Marill! Mar!" Marill answered with a happy nod, causing the brunette to smile brightly. "Okay then". The brunette said as she placed her right hand in her fanny pack, before she brought out a Great Ball.

May enlarged the device, before she softly tapped it against Marill's head. The Great Ball burst open, before a red stream came and covered Marill completely, before the Water and Fairy-type turned into a red beam and was absorbed into the device. May held the Great Ball up as it shook three times with the center flashing red, before it stopped completely with three stars briefly appearing over it, signaling the capture to be a success. Everyone grew smiles on their faces at seeing the capture be a success.

May stood up on her feet, before she held out the Great Ball with a wide smile on her face. "Yay! I got a new friend! It's Marill!" The brunette called out in joy as she spun around gracefully, before she took a pose, much to everyone's joy for her. "Congratulations May". Ash congratulated his friend, getting May to smile brightly at him, before she turned to look back at the Great Ball in her hand.

The brunette held out the Great Ball with her right hand, before the device burst open and released a bright white beam that stuck the ground. The white beam cleared to reveal Marill, who still had a happy look on her face. "Marill!" The Aqua Mouse Pokémon called out in an eager voice, getting May to smile down at her new Pokémon. She placed her Great Ball away in her fanny pack, before she knelt down in front of Marill and took the Water and Fairy-type into her hands.

The Pokémon Coordinator stood up on her feet and looked at Marill with a happy face. "Welcome to the family, Marill". May said to her new Pokémon, before she brought Marill into a big hug with her eyes closed in joy. "Mar". The Aqua Mouse Pokémon replied to its trainer, returning the hug with its eyes closed in joy as well. Everyone smiled at seeing May bond with her new Pokémon, before the brunette broke her hug and leaned back to look at Marill.

She brought out her Pokédex with her right hand and held it up to the Marill to scan it. "Okay, it says here that you're a female Marill and your moves are Bubble Beam, Aqua Ring, Dig and Hidden Power. It also says that your ability is called Sap Sipper". May said as she read her Marill's summary in her Pokédex, catching Sorrel's attention at something she said. "Sap Sipper? That's pretty rare for a Marill". Sorrel remarked with an impressed look, getting May to look at him in confusion.

"Sap Sipper is an ability that protects a Pokémon from Grass-type moves and increases its attack power. May, with Sap Sipper, Marill won't have a disadvantage against Grass-types. Isn't that awesome?" Max explained to his sister with a wide smile, getting May to look down at him. 'Very awesome'. Jirachi said with a wild smile, before he finished his sandwich up.

May soon grew a smile on her face, before she looked down at her new Marill. "Wow Marill, looks like you're pretty awesome". The Pokémon Coordinator told her new Water and Fairy-type, getting Marill to look up at her. "Marill mar". The Aqua Mouse Pokémon replied to her new trainer, getting May to laugh happily.

"Everyone! The soup is ready!" Brock called out, getting everyone's attention as they turned to look at him. "Alright! I'm starving over here". Ash remarked with a smile, before he, Verity, Pikachu and Piplup began walking over to their travel companion. Sorrel, Max, Lucario and Jirachi began walking over to Brock as well, while May closed her sandwich basket and placed it in her fanny pack. The brunette then stood up and walked over to her friends, still carrying her new Marill in her hands.

A little bit later, everyone was finishing up their lunch. Ash, Verity, Sorrel, Brock, May and Max were all sitting down on rocks around the pot, each holding up a bowl and spoon with their hands. Pikachu, Piplup, Lucario, Marill and Jirachi were next to their trainers, each sitting down and eating different Pokémon food for each of them.

"Wow. That was another awesome lunch, Brock". The Rainbow Hero complimented his old friend, getting Sorrel to nod in agreement as he looked up from his bowl. "I have to agree. I could learn a lot from you". Sorrel said to the Pokémon Breeder, getting Pikachu and Lucario to cry out in agreement to what their trainers said.

Brock gave a good laugh at their kind words as he held up his spoon with his right hand. "That means a lot, guys. And don't be too hard on yourself Sorrel; you're a pretty good cook yourself". The former Gym Leader told his friends, before he turned to look at May. "And how's your Marill, May? Does she like the Pokémon food that I made for it?" Brock asked the brunette, getting May to look down at her Marill and saw her enjoying its food. "Looks like it to me". She answered with a smile, getting Brock to let out a happy laugh.

"This is a pretty nice picnic, don't you guys think?" Verity asked her traveling companions with a smile as she turned to look at the field around them. "Piplup". Piplup answered with a smile on her face, getting Verity to laugh as she looked down at her starter. Just then, Max noticed something in the water nearby, getting him to blink in surprise. "Wait, what's that?" The young boy questioned, getting everyone's attention as they looked towards the river nearby and saw 3 unknown objects coming into view.

"Something's floating down the river". Max pointed out as the objects came closer and was revealed to be 3 watermelons. "Watermelons!" Brock called out in surprise, before Verity and May turned to look down at their Water-types. "Piplup, would you mind picking those up for us?" The Twinleaf girl asked her starter, figuring that it would be best for them to have those watermelons. "You too Marill". May told her new Water and Fairy-type.

"Piplup! /Marill!" Piplup and Marill cried out in response, before they ran over to the river and jumped into it. The two swam to two of the watermelons and grabbed hold of them, before they swam back to the edge. Brock walked over and picked up the last watermelon from the river, while Piplup and Marill jumped back onto shore, holding their watermelons with their hands.

Everyone gathered around Brock as he held the watermelon with his left hand and pat it with his right hand. "I can tell by the sound that they make these guys are ripe, sweet and juicy inside". Brock told his friends with a smile, before Ash snatched the watermelon out of his hand, shifting everyone's attention as they turned to look at him and saw the Rainbow Hero looking down at Pikachu. "Sounds good to me. Pikachu, slice them open with Iron Tail". The raven haired boy told his starter, wanting to eat the watermelon straight away.

"Pika-chu". The Electric-type replied to his best friend, but before he could even use his move, May shot out and grabbed hold of the watermelon in the Rainbow Hero's hands. "No, don't do that!" The brunette told her crush, getting Ash and Pikachu to look at her. "Why not?" Ash questioned, before May snatched the watermelon out of his hands and held it away from him.

"Melons are delicate inside. If you do that, you'll turn the whole thing to mush". May explained to the Rainbow Hero, getting Sorrel to nod in agreement. "Hate to break it to you Ash, but May's right". Sorrel told his sworn brother, before May handed Brock back the watermelon with a gentle smile. "I think Brock should slice them for us". The brunette stated, receiving nods of agreement from Max, Sorrel, Jirachi, Lucario and Marill. Ash frowned and crossed his arms, while Verity and Piplup gave the Rainbow Hero nervous smiles. "Pika". Pikachu complained with a frown at their lack of confidence in him.

A little bit later after the watermelons were all cut, everyone was sitting around a plate with a single watermelon left, eating their own slices happily. "This watermelon is perfect". May said happily with her eyes closed in pleasure, getting Marill to cry out in agreement. "Best I've ever tasted". Max remarked, getting Jirachi to nod as he enjoyed his own slice. 'Yummy!' The Wish Pokémon said happily with his eyes closed in joy, before he took another bite.

"Shaking a little salt on them makes it a bit sweeter". Brock commented as he sprayed a bit of salt on his slice, getting Sorrel to turn towards him with slightly narrowed eyes. "I personally think they're just fine on their own". The Pokémon Professor in training said with a small frown, before he went back to eating. "Rrraaahhh". Lucario said in agreement as he took a big bite out of his slice.

"What do ya think Pikachu? Do you like it?" The Rainbow Hero asked his best friend with a curious look. "Pikachu". Pikachu answered happily with his eyes closed in joy. "Hmm, they're really good". Verity remarked with a smile, getting Piplup to cry out in agreement. The Twinleaf girl took a bite out of her slice, before she began spitting the seeds out to the side. May opened her eyes, before she frowned at seeing Verity's lack of manners. "Real nice there. Ever heard of acting like a lady?" The brunette questioned the older female, getting Verity to look at her with a grin.

"The first thing you should know about me is that there's nothing "lady-like" about me". Verity told her fellow Pokémon Coordinator with an honest voice, getting May and Max to sweat drop at her, while Ash, Brock, Pikachu, Jirachi and Piplup laughed out. Sorrel and Lucario just gave a small chuckle. "At least she's honest about it". Max commented, before he went back to eating his watermelon. May gave a shrug, before she turned to look at Marill and saw her enjoying the watermelon slice given to her.

The brunette hummed in thought for a few moments, before she stood up on her feet. "Hey, how does Marill evolve?" May asked her traveling companions, getting theirs, along with Marill's attention as they looked up at her. "Believe it or not, Marill evolves very easily into an Azumarill. You just need to give it a bit of training and before you know it, Marill will evolve". Ash answered May, telling her how Marill evolves and what it becomes.

The brunette girl grew a massive smile and a confident look on her face after listening to Ash's words. "Really? Alright!" May exclaimed in joy, before she turned to look down at Marill, who blinked at her excitement. "Did you hear that Marill? You'll become an Azumarill before you even know it". The brunette told her new Pokémon with an excited smile, getting Marill to smile up at her. "Marill". The Aqua Mouse Pokémon replied to her trainer with an excited voice.

Just then, many glowing yellow seeds came out of nowhere from above and struck the ground in front of the gang, getting them all to cry out in surprise as they shot up to their feet. "That's a Bullet Seed attack!" Sorrel called out in surprise, identifying the attack, while Ash narrowed his eyes. "What's going on!?" The Rainbow Hero demanded with a serious voice, wanting to know who did that.

Just then, a Grovyle stepped out of the forest, ten feet away from the gang. "Grovyle grovyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon cried out, its voice sounding different from Ash's Grovyle as it sounded a bit more female-like. "Whoa, look! It's a Grovyle!" Max called out in surprise as Jirachi flew over to him, facing the Grass-type as well. "What does it want with us?" Verity questioned as she brought out her Sinnoh Pokédex, flipped it over and scanned Grovyle.

"Grovyle, the Wood Gecko Pokémon. Grovyle is well known for its dexterity in treetops, as it is often seen jumping from branch to branch. Even the fastest of Pokémon cannot catch a Grovyle in wooded areas". The Pokédex buzzed, before Verity lowered it to look at the Grass-type. "Grovyle". Grovyle said as it held up its right hand. "Slugma". An unknown voice cried, before a Slugma came up from the forest to behind Grovyle.

Everyone cried out in surprise at the sight of the Fire-type. "Look! That's a Slugma!" Brock called out in surprise, before May brought out her Pokédex with her left hand from her fanny pack. "A Slugma?" The brunette questioned, looking down at her device as it scanned the Lava Pokémon. "Slugma, the Lava Pokémon. Slugma have intensely hot magma, which circulates throughout their bodies, carrying nutrients and oxygen to their organs". The Pokédex buzzed, before May lowered her device and put it away.

Grovyle then cried out as it fired another Bullet Seed attack at the gang. "Marill!" Marill called out with narrowed eyes as she leaped into the air, getting May to cry out in surprise. "Wait, Marill!" The brunette called out in surprise and in concern for her new Pokémon. The Bullet Seed attack struck Marill, but instead of being damaged, the Aqua Mouse Pokémon gained a white aura around herself.

"There's Marill's ability, Sap Sipper!" Sorrel called out in surprise, identifying what was happening to Marill, getting May to smile brightly. The Grovyle and Slugma cried out in surprise though as Marill landed in front of them and gave a confident look. "Marill mar". The Aqua Mouse Pokémon said with a grin, getting May to grow a confident look as she thrust her left hand out.

"Marill, use Bubble Beam!" The brunette commanded with a confident voice, getting Marill to cry out, before she shot out a stream of blue bubbles from her mouth at Grovyle and Slugma, but the Fire-type narrowed its eyes at the attack. "Slugma!" The Lava Pokémon cried out as it released bolts of fire from its mouth at the blue bubbles. Both Bubble Beam and the bolts of fire clashed against one another, before they canceled each other out. Marill landed back in front of her trainer and glared at both Grovyle and Slugma.

"Looks like they're ready to battle!" Ash pointed out with narrowed eyes, holding up an Ultra Ball with his right hand as he was ready to start fighting back. "But what would make them just attack us out of the blue like that?" Brock questioned as he knew that Pokémon wouldn't attack like that without a reason.

Both Grovyle and Slugma narrowed their eyes as they prepared to attack again. "Okay, that's enough!" A female voice told the two, getting Grovyle and Slugma to stand down. "Caught red handed!" The same voice stated, before a young green haired girl stepped out of the forest. She had fair skin, blue eyes and was wearing a red short jumpsuit with a striped yellow center and a blue camisole on the inside. She finished her look off with orange shoes with yellow stripes.

"How dare you! You rotten watermelon thieves!" The girl exclaimed in anger, much to the surprise of the gang at her accusing them as thieves. "What do you mean thieves?" May questioned in surprise, holding up her hands to below her face. "We didn't steal anything at all!" Verity told the unknown girl, who just stomped up to them with narrowed eyes of anger.

"You've got a lot of nerve to say that, when the evidence is right there!" The girl snapped as she pointed towards the remaining watermelon with her left hand's index finger, getting Ash, Verity, May, Max, Pikachu, Piplup, Marill and Jirachi to look at the fruit. Then, the girl snatched it up and began eating it, much to their slight surprise, before she began angrily spitting out the seeds, getting all of the human's eyes to turn into black dots at her actions.

The girl then whipped her mouth with her left arm, before she turned to look at the gang with a frown. "A watermelon like this…" She began as she closed her eyes and held up her left fist. "A watermelon so sweet, so juicy, so perfectly red and ripe…can have only been curved by Natasha, the melon master!" The girl, now named Natasha, cried out as she held up the watermelon in a dramatic style, getting sweat drops from the gang as they stared at her.

"I'm sure you're probably right about that". Brock said in a slightly nervous voice, holding his hands up in a peaceful manner. "But we didn't steal those watermelons. We found them floating down by the river not too long ago". Sorrel told Natasha with a nervous anime sweat drop on his head. "It's true. We didn't know they belonged to anyone". May added with a nervous smile on her face as she raised her right hand up to her face.

"Save it, sister! And confess before this gets any harder!" Natasha snapped at the gang, getting Ash to take a step back as he held his hands up nervously. "Ahh, we're not making this up. What can we say to prove to you that it's not a lie?" The Rainbow Hero questioned with a nervous voice as he preferred to resolve this peacefully.

"Electrode!" An unknown voice cried out, getting everyone's attention as they looked at the bushes. "Electrode! Electrode!" The same voice exclaimed as a watermelon painted Electrode hopped out of the bushes and up next to Natasha, getting the gang to cry out in surprise to see the Electric-type like that. "It's a giant watermelon rolling around on its own!" May called out in surprise, mistaking the Electrode to be a living, giant watermelon. "It's not a melon, it's an Electrode!" Max told his sister in a slightly annoyed voice at her silly mix up as Natasha placed the watermelon down.

Natasha turned to look at her Electric-type Pokémon with a grin and placed her hands on her hips. "Take a good look, Electrode. These are the no good watermelon thieves you ran into before, aren't they?" The young woman asked as she pointed towards the gang with her right hand's index finger. "Electrode?" Electrode said in confusion as it turned to look at the gang, getting Natasha to look at him through the corner of her left eye. "Electrode". The Electric-type replied to its trainer as it shook its head sideways in denial.

"What!? They aren't?!" Natasha exclaimed in a surprised panicking voice as she held her hands up to her face with a sweat drop. "Trode". Electrode confirmed, getting Natasha to look back at the gang with a blush of embarrassment. "Uh-oh. I've done it again". The green haired girl said in a nervous voice, before she gave a nervous smile with her eyes closed and scratched the back of her head with her right hand.

"My mistake. Sometimes I get a little carried away, trying to protect my watermelons. It's perfectly reasonable, I'm sure you understand how it is". Natasha said nervously as she waved her right hand at them, before laughing nervously at the sky. She stopped laughing and opened her eyes, before she faced the gang with her hands folded in front of her lap. "I'm sorry! There's no excuse for it!" She apologized as she bowed her head to the gang.

"Don't blame yourself. We probably shouldn't have eaten them without asking". Ash told the girl to help calm her down, regretting that he didn't consider that the watermelons belonged to someone. "We're both wrong". May commented with a sorry look on her face. "That's true". Max said in agreement as he turned to look at his sister.

Natasha then perked up as she looked at the gang with an exciting smile. "Well, how were they?" She asked in an excited voice, much to the gang's slight confusion at what she meant. "My watermelons, weren't they just the best?" Natasha added as she took a step towards them, getting the gang to smile as they now realized what she meant. "They were the absolute best melons I've ever had". Verity answered with a happy look, getting Piplup to nod in agreement.

"I second that. Best watermelon I've ever had". Brock remarked with his hands on his hips, getting Natasha to smile brightly as she placed her hands on her hips. "That's no surprise. I know! I'll make it up to ya with a tour of my patch! This way!" Natasha told the gang as she began walking away with a wave of her left hand with her Pokémon watching her, before she suddenly cried out in surprise.

"Not again!" She exclaimed, getting everyone to sweat drop at her sudden shot. "What? What happened?" May questioned in concern, getting Natasha to turn around to look at them with an expression of embarrassment with her left hand on the back of her head and eyes closed. "I just seem to forget to introduce myself". She answered as she opened her eyes and lowered her left hand.

"I'm Natasha. What are your names?" Natasha asked the gang, getting everyone to sweat drop again, Ash gave her a smile. "Hi, I'm Ash from Pallet Town". The Rainbow Hero introduced himself with a smile as everyone recovered. "I'm Verity from Twinleaf Town". Verity introduced herself as she gave a wave with her right hand. "Sorrel, from Veilstone City". Sorrel introduced himself quickly, before he crossed his arms.

"And I'm May". May greeted with a warm smile on her face. "My name is Max, and this is Jirachi". Max introduced himself and his best friend as he took Jirachi into his hands and held him up, who gave a wave with his right hand. "And I'm Brock". Brock introduced himself to Natasha as well. "Pikachu!" Pikachu cried out from the ground next to Piplup and Marill. "Piplup. /Marill". The two Water-types greeted with warm smiles, while Lucario gave a small growl as a greeting.

"Nice to meet you all". Natasha said as her Grovyle, Slugma and Electrode walked up next to her, before she looked down at Jirachi with her hands on her hips. "Jirachi, huh? That's quite the rare Pokémon ya got there, kid". The green haired girl told the 8-year-old boy, getting him to laugh a bit nervously, while everyone else smiled at him.

A few minutes later, the gang and their Pokémon stood atop a small hill and stared in awe at Natasha's watermelon field in awe, while Natasha had her hands on her hips as she stared across the field. "Wow, that's rather impressive". The Rainbow Hero remarked in awe at seeing the field, getting Verity to nod in agreement. "Is it really all yours, Natasha?" Max questioned the green haired girl, who pumped her chest with her right fist.

"It sure is". She answered with a happy tone, getting Verity to let out an impressed whistle. "Seems like a lot of responsibility for one person to manage all of this". Brock said with a smile as he turned to look at her. "And I love it!" Natasha exclaimed happily as she held up her fists, getting Sorrel to look at her with a curious expression.

"I must admit that it is impressive that you do all of this, but isn't it a bit difficult to do it by yourself?" Sorrel asked in curiosity, getting Natasha to shake her head sideways in denial. "No, not at all. But don't forget I got these guys to help me out". The green haired girl replied as she held her left hand up and gestured to her Grovyle, Slugma and Electrode behind her. "Grov. /Slug. /Electrode". The three remarked as Natasha turned to look directly at Electrode with a smile.

"Electrode, you better go keep an eye out for those melon thieves". Natasha told her Electric-type, getting Electrode to smirk at her. "Elec...trode!" The Electric-type cried out as he rolled away with everyone watching him, before Ash turned to look at Natasha. "Your Grovyle's Bullet Seed attack was really impressive". The Rainbow Hero told the female trainer, while Max turned to look at Slugma.

"And Slugma's Ember attack was too". The 8-year-old boy stated, getting Jirachi, who was hanging on his head, to nod in agreement. "Thanks, guys. As a matter of fact, the three of us haven't lost a double battle yet". Natasha told the gang, immediately getting Ash and Verity's attention. Ash opened his mouth to issue a challenge to her, but his girlfriend beat him to it.

"In that case, how about we battle right now?" The tomboyish girl said with a confident grin, getting her boyfriend to look at her with slightly narrowed eyes. "Verity, I was about to challenge her". The Rainbow Hero complained, getting Verity to look at him with a smug look. "Well, you were just one second too late. Why not be a gentleman and let a lady like me have the battle this time". The Twinleaf girl told the raven haired boy, getting him to smirk at her.

"I thought you said that there wasn't anything "lady-like" about you". Ash said with a smug smirk on his face, getting Verity to slightly grit her teeth with an anime anger tick mark on her head directed at her boyfriend. "...Okay then, how about we settle this with rock-paper-scissors". The tomboyish girl suggested to Ash, which the Rainbow Hero nodded to her. "Sure. Not a problem". The raven haired boy replied to his girlfriend as everyone watched the two closely. "...!" Ash and Verity then swiped their right hands up, then slightly down, before holding them across one another.

Ash had scissors and Verity went with rock.

The tomboyish girl grew a massive grin on her face, while the raven haired boy's eyes turned anime white in shock that he lost. "Well, that settles that matter". May commented in amusement as Verity turned to look back at Natasha. "Looks like Ash can't win at everything". Max remarked, looking up at his idol as he continued to stare down at his right hand and was twitching slightly. Pikachu gave his best friend a small smile at seeing him lamenting about his lost.

"As I was saying, I'm pretty good myself. I've already got 3 Contest ribbons and only need 2 more away from getting all five". Verity told the green haired girl, getting Natasha to grow an excited look on her face. "Okay then, let's have a double battle right here and now". Natasha replied to the Twinleaf girl, getting Verity and Piplup to grin in anticipation. "You're on!" The tomboyish girl exclaimed, getting Natasha to grow excited as she held up her fists together. "That's great. This is gonna be just fantastic". The young girl said in excitement for the double battle.

Not too long later, everyone was gathered around an open field that acted as a battlefield. Natasha stood at the left side with Grovyle and Slugma in front of her, while Verity stood at the right side with Piplup standing beside her on her left. Brock acted as the referee, while Ash, May, Max, Pikachu, Marill and Jirachi sat down on nearby concrete acting as seats for them, while Sorrel and Lucario stood nearby. "The Double Battle will now begin as soon as both trainers are ready and give the okay!" Brock called out from the referee position of the battlefield.

"Okay!" Verity and Natasha called out at the same time, both smiling with confidence. May, Max, Pikachu, Marill and Jirachi all watched with excited smiles on their faces with the two Maple siblings holding their Pokémon in their arms. May turned her head left to look at Ash and saw him still looking down at his right hand with anime wide eyes of disbelief, getting her to sweat drop.

"Ash can sure hold a defeat". The brunette remarked with her eyes closed nervously. "Marill". Marill said in agreement with a natural expression, before the two turned to look back at the battlefield. "I wonder which Pokémon Verity will use against Natasha's Grovyle and Slugma". May said in wonder, wondering if the tomboyish girl will use Piplup, Suicune, Lopunny, Vaporeon, Kingdra or Gardevior.

"Most of Verity's Pokémon are Water-types, so they would be good against Slugma. Lopunny or Gardevior could be a good choice against Grovyle though". Max commented with a smile, getting Jirachi to look up at him. 'Suicune could win the battle single-handedly". Jirachi told his best friend, getting Max to look down at him with a smile. "But I'm sure that'll be a bit unfair to Natasha". The 8-year-old replied to the Wish Pokémon, getting Jirachi to lower his head in thought.

"Piplup, you're up". Verity told her starter with a grin as she looked down at her. "Piplup!" Piplup cried out in joy, holding her flippers up into the air, before she ran into the battlefield and stood across Grovyle and Slugma. Verity then brought out a Dive Ball with her right hand and held it up. "As for my second choice, I'll go with you!" The tomboyish girl called out as she kissed the device, before she tossed it into the air.

The Dive Ball soared through the air, before it burst open and released a bright white beam. The beam soon cleared to reveal Verity's Kingdra, who stared at Natasha's Pokémon with narrowed eyes. "Dra!" The Water and Dragon-type called out, floating in the air besides Piplup, who smiled up at her fellow Water-type. "She chose Kingdra and Piplup". Ash remarked as he finally got over his defeat to Verity and tilted his head up.

"They're both Water-types, so they'll be great against Slugma, but I'm not too sure about Grovyle". Max said with a slightly confused face at seeing Verity's second choice. "Don't forget that Kingdra is part Dragon-type, so Grass-type moves won't be super effective against it". Brock reminded the young boy with his arms crossed without turning to face him, his main focus on the battle.

"Besides, Kingdra can learn some moves that'll work against Grass-types like Grovyle". Sorrel commented, holding his phone up with his right hand, doing a bit of research on Kingdras and what kind of moves it could learn. "He's right. Any Pokémon can learn a counter measure for type disadvantage". The Rainbow Hero said in agreement to what his sworn brother said, having taught his Pokémon certain moves for type disadvantage.

(Verity, Piplup and Kingdra V.S Natasha, Grovyle and Slugma)

(Play Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire - Battle! Trainer Music (HQ))

"Go ahead! You can start things off!" Natasha told Verity with a confident smirk on her face, getting the brunette to grin at her. "You're gonna regret that. Piplup, Rain Dance!" Verity commanded with a confident voice, swiping her right hand out. "PIPLUP!" The Penguin Pokémon cried out to the sky, holding her flippers out towards it.

Then, out of nowhere, dark clouds appeared out of nowhere in the sky, before it began raining heavily, getting everyone to look up. "Well, that's just great. Now my clothes are getting wet". May complained, before she turned to look at her Marill and saw the Water and Fairy-type looking happy at the rain. "Rain Dance is a Water-type move that causes it to rain. It has many purposes as it powers up Water-type moves and reduces the power of Fire-type moves". Sorrel explained what Rain Dance did, getting May, Max and Jirachi to look at him for a moment, before they went back to watching the battle.

"Nice starter, but it isn't gonna help! Grovyle, Bullet Seed on Piplup!" Natasha commanded with narrowed eyes, holding up her right fist. "Gro…vyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon cried out, before firing many glowing yellow seeds from her mouth at Piplup. "Piplup, jump onto Kingdra and Kingdra, dodge!" Verity told her Pokémon, holding her right hand out.

"Pip!" Piplup exclaimed, before she leaped and landed on Kingdra's snout. "Dra!" The Dragon Pokemon cried out, before he shot out with amazing speed and dodged the Bullet Seed attack. Natasha, Grovyle and Slugma cried out in surprise as Kingdra flew around the battlefield at fast speeds. Even the gang were surprised at this, while Verity continued to grin confidently.

"Wow, Kingdra is faster than I thought". May commented in awe, before Brock widened his eyes in realization as he realized something. "Of course! Kingdra's ability is Swift Swimmer!" The former Gym Leader called out in surprise, getting Max to look at him with wide eyes. "That increases a Pokémon's speed if it is raining! That must be one of the reasons why Piplup used Rain Dance!" The 8-year-old boy called out, now seeing another reason why Verity had Piplup use Rain Dance.

The Twinleaf girl then swiped her right hand forward. "Kingdra, Iron Head on Grovyle! And Piplup, Drill Peck on Slugma!" Verity commanded with a confident voice, getting Piplup to grin. "Piplup! /Dra!" Piplup and Kingdra cried out, before the Penguin Pokémon jumped off and headed towards Slugma as her beak glowed white and she started spinning like a drill. A jagged shiny pattern appeared on Kingdra's head, before he charged towards Grovyle.

Kablam! Pow!

Both Kingdra and Piplup landed direct hits on both Grovyle and Slugma, sending the two crashing onto the ground on their backs, getting Natasha to cry out in surprise. "Ahh, Grovyle! Slugma!" The green hared girl exclaimed in concern for her Pokémon, while Piplup stopped drilling and landed on her feet and Kingdra floated next to her.

"Those were direct hits". Brock commented with his arms crossed, while Max had a confused look. "But why didn't Piplup attack Grovyle? Drill Peck would have done massive damage, so why?" The 8-year-old questioned in confusion, getting Ash to turn towards him. "It must have been because this way, both Slugma and Grovyle took damage". The Rainbow Hero said in assumption, figuring his girlfriend went with this approach to deal damage to both opponents.

Slugma and Grovyle got back on their feet and glared at both Kingdra and Piplup. "Slugma, show them what you got with Flamethrower!" Natasha commanded with narrowed eyes, swiping her right hand out. "Slugma!" The Lava Pokémon cried out, releasing a stream of red and orange flames from its mouth at Kingdra and Piplup. "Kingdra, protect Piplup!" Verity told her Dragon Pokémon with narrowed eyes, holding up her right fist.

"Dra!" The Water and Dragon-type cried out, before he flew over to in front of Piplup and took the Flamethrower attack head on, but it didn't seem to do any damage. "Fire-type moves don't do much against Water and Dragon-types, especially if Rain Dance is in effect. Kingdra, Hurricane!" Verity commanded, thrusting her right fist out, getting Max to widen his eyes in surprise. "Hurricane!?" The young man cried out in surprise to hear that Kingdra knew a powerful Flying-type move like that.

Kingdra cried out, before releasing a strong gust of wind from its mouth at both Slugma and Grovyle, but Natasha wouldn't allow it. "Not on your life, sister! Slugma, Protect!" The green haired girl commanded her Fire-type Pokémon, getting Slugma to narrow its eyes. "Slugma!" The Lava Pokémon exclaimed, before he jumped over in front of Grovyle and formed a turquoise force field in front of it. The strong gust of wind slammed into the fore field, but didn't break through, before eventually dispersing.

"Now Grovyle, Dragon Breath!" Natasha commanded with a confident grin on her face. "Vyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon cried, leaping over Slugma and its force field, before light blue waves of energy appeared and swirled around Grovyle. It then fired a light blue beam of energy from her mouth at Kingdra, landing a direct hit and making the Dragon Pokémon flinch. "Alright!" The green haired girl called out in joy at seeing the direct hit.

"That's a bit of a surprise. I wasn't expecting a Grovyle to know Dragon Breath". Ash commented with wide eyes, having not expected a Grovyle to know a Dragon-type move. "Awesome". Max remarked in surprise at seeing the surprise Dragon-type attack. "Kingdra, Skull Bash!" Verity commanded, pointing her right hand's index finger out, getting the Dragon Pokémon to shot open his eyes.

"Dra!" Kingdra cried out as its body become surrounded by a silver aura, before he charged through the Dragon Breath attack and slammed into Grovyle, getting the Wood Gecko Pokémon to cry out in pain as she slammed onto the ground on her back. "Grovyle! Slugma, Ember!" Natasha commanded with narrowed eyes.

"Slugma!" The Lava Pokémon cried out as it released bolts of fire from its mouth at Piplup. The Ember attack landed a direct hit, but Piplup didn't even flinch at the damage. "Piplup, use Ice Beam!" Verity commanded, thrusting her right open hand out. "Pip…lup!" The Penguin Pokémon cried out, opening her beak as a light blue ball appeared in front of her. She then fired light blue beams from the ball at Slugma, landing a direct hit and pushed the Fire-type back, but didn't do too much damage.

"Not bad Verity. Guess you really did earn those three ribbons fair and square". Natasha said with an impressed smile on her face, getting Verity to smirk back at her. "I've got more tricks than that, Natasha". The Twinleaf girl replied to her fellow female, getting Natasha to smirk back at her. At that moment, Grovyle got back on her feet and stepped up next to Slugma.

"We've got more tricks as well. Grovyle, Leaf Blade and Slugma, Body Slam!" Natasha commanded with a confident voice, still believing in her Pokémon. "Grovyle! /Slugma!" Grovyle and Slugma cried out, before the Lava Pokémon jumped into the air and the three leaves on Grovyle's right forearm glowed green and combine into one long sharp blade. Grovyle charged towards Piplup, while Slugma dived down towards Kingdra.

However, surprisingly, they changed targets as Grovyle landed a direct hit on Kingdra with his Leaf Blade, while Slugma slammed down on Piplup, making the two Water-types cry out in pain. "What the!?" The Twinleaf girl called out in surprise at the expected moves, while Natasha smirked at her. Kingdra was pushed back a bit, while Slugma stayed atop Piplup, who struggled to get free.

Verity narrowed her eyes, before she swiped her right hand out. "Okay, time to get serious! Piplup, Hydro Pump and Kingdra, Ice Beam!" The Twinleaf girl commanded, getting Natasha to widen her eyes in concern. Piplup opened her eyes, before she turned to look up at Slugma. "Pip…" The Water-type began as she opened her beak; while a light blue ball appeared in front of Kingdra's snout.

"Grovyle, dodge! And Slugma, Protect!" Natasha commanded with her eyes narrowed. "Grovyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon exclaimed, leaping back and dodging the Ice Beam, which struck the ground and froze it. "Slugma!" The Lava Pokémon exclaimed, forming a turquoise force field in front of itself as Piplup released a powerful stream of water with white rings of water around it, striking the force field, undamaging Slugma, but pushing him off of her.

Piplup got back on her feet and glared towards Slugma as it landed besides Grovyle. Kingdra floated up next to Piplup and glared at the two opponents. Both Verity and Natasha made eye contact with one another, both having confident grins on their faces as they were enjoying the battle.

(Music end)

"They look like they're having fun". May commented with a smile on her face, noticing the two enjoying themselves. "That's what happens when two trainers battle against each other with a strong Trainer will. They're having fun because their spirits as Pokémon Trainers are clashing against one another". Ash explained to the brunette with a smile on his face, happy to see his girlfriend enjoying herself. May watched the two with wide eyes of wonder, wondering if she'll ever find something that'll give her that kind of feeling.

Just then, the rain slowly began to cease, before stopping completely with the dark clouds clearing. Natasha looked up with a smile on her face at seeing the Rain Dance end. "Alright, now's our chance! Grovyle, Solar Beam!" The green haired female commanded with a confident smile on her face. "Grovyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon cried out as the long leaf on her head sparkled, before it began glowing white as it absorbed energy from the sun.

"This might be a problem, but I still got this. Kingdra, Hurricane!" Verity commanded her Dragon Pokémon, swiping her right hand out. Kingdra cried out, before releasing a strong gust of wind from its mouth at Grovyle. "Slugma, counter with Flamethrower!" Natasha commanded her Fire-type Pokémon, holding her right fist up. "Slugma!" The Lava Pokémon cried out as he leaped in front of Grovyle, before releasing a stream of red and orange flames.

Hurricane and Flamethrower clashed against one another, creating a power struggle against one another. Verity grew a smile as she realized that Slugma was occupied now, giving her the chance to defeat him. "Now Piplup, Hydro Pump!" The tomboyish girl commanded her starter with a wide grin. "Pip…lup!" The Penguin Pokémon cried out as she released a powerful stream of water with white rings of water around it at Slugma from the left side, getting the Lava Pokémon to widen its eyes in alarm.

Kablam!

The Hydro Pump slammed into Slugma's right side, blasting it away and causing the stream of fire to disperse. The Hurricane continued on and struck Grovyle, but the Wood Gecko Pokémon remained strong and withstood the attack. "Come on Grovyle! Fire that Solar Beam!" Natasha cried out, getting Grovyle to shot open its eyes. "Gro…vyle!" The Grass-type cried out, firing a bright white beam from its leaf.

The Solar Beam pushed past the strong gusts of wind and continued onto Kingdra, who widened his eyes in alarm at the approaching attack. "Kingdra, quickly! Use Ice Beam to form a wall to protect yourself!" Verity commanded, thrusting her right open hand out. "Dra!" The Dragon Pokémon cried out as he narrowed his eyes, before a light blue ball appeared in front of his snout. He then fired light blue beams from the ball at the ground, causing it to turn to ice, before he directed the blue beams up, causing the ice to grow larger.

It formed an ice wall, which the Solar Beam slammed into, eventually breaking through and slamming into Kingdra, pushing it back greatly, but the Water and Dragon-type remained conscious. Slugma, on the other hand, went sliding across the ground, before stopping with swirls in its eyes. "Slug..." The Lava Pokémon groaned out, getting Natasha to look down at him in concern. "Slugma is unable to battle!" Brock called out, lifting his right hand out to signal Slugma's defeat. "Verity distracted Slugma with Hurricane, before going in for the finish with Hydro Pump". Ash commented with calculating eyes, leaning forward with his hands clasped and fingers intertwined.

"Now Natasha only has one Pokémon left, while Verity still has her two". Max said with wide eyes, knowing that Natasha was at a disadvantage now. "That may be true, but there's still a chance for her to win the battle. A battle is never really over until one side has lost all six Pokémon". Sorrel told the 8-year-old boy, getting him and Jirachi to look up at the 12-year-old male for a moment, before they went back to watching the match. "It's okay, Slugma. You put up a great fight". Natasha told her Fire-type, bringing out her Poké Ball with her right hand and holding it out to Slugma, firing a red beam that covered him, before he was returned to the device.

The green haired girl placed the device away, before she glanced at Verity with her confidence still visible in her eyes. "I may only have Grovyle now, but that doesn't meant that I'm giving up!" Natasha told her opponent with a grin, getting the Twinleaf girl to return the grin. "That's what I like to hear, Natasha!" Verity replied to her fellow female with a grin. However, before the two could continue their battle, something interrupted them. "Electrode". A familiar voice said out of nowhere, getting everyone's attention as they looked and saw Natasha's Electrode bouncing up to her.

(Battle on hold)

The green haired girl ran up and stopped in front of her Electric-type with her eyes narrowed. "What is it Electrode?" Natasha questioned her Electrode, having a good idea why he came back here. "Electrode electrode trode!" The Ball Pokémon answered, hoping up and down, getting Natasha and Grovyle to widen their eyes in alarm. The green haired girl turned to look at Verity, who walked over to her with Piplup and Kingdra. "It's those watermelon thieves again! I'll be back". Natasha told her opponent as she took off running with Grovyle and Electrode behind her.

"Natasha, wait!" The Twinleaf girl called out, before she turned her head right to look at her traveling companions. "Guys, let's go help her out!" Verity told her friends, before she took off running after Natasha with Piplup and Kingdra right besides her. "Right!" Ash, Sorrel, May, Max and Brock called out as they, along with their Pokémon, chased after the two females and their Pokémon. A few seconds later, the gang heard a familiar trill of laughter up ahead. "I thought that Electrode would never leave. Now let's pick this patch clean!" A familiar voice exclaimed, before everyone saw a giant Cacnea themed machine with wheels as legs, carrying a basket on its back, picking up the watermelons and tipping them over onto its basket. "What do you think you're doing?!" Natasha questioned in shock at seeing her watermelons getting stolen.

(Play Team Rocket's music)

"Prepare for trouble, we're here to poach melons!" A familiar voice began as the Cacnea machined turned around to face the group, before two familiar losers began to rise up from the top of it. "Make it double, we're the watermelon felons!" Another familiar voice began as it was revealed to be Jessie and James again, standing at the top of the machine with their arms crossed. "To protect the world from devastation!" Jessie continued her part of the motto. "To unite all peoples within our nation!" James continued his part of the motto.

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" The wannabe actress added with a grin. "To extend our reach to the stars above!" The former rich boy added with a grin of his own. "Jessie!" Jessie introduced herself as part of the motto. "James!" James introduced himself as part of the motto. Then, the background behind them changed to a sunset over the watermelon field with a giant "R" in the sun. "Team Rocket can pick melons at the speed of light!" The female adult finished her part as she ran through the field, carrying a blue bag full of watermelons, before holding her left hand out. "Carrying baskets, we prepare to fight!" The male adult finished his part as he ran through the field, carrying a basket full of watermelons on his back, before holding his right hand out. "Meowth takes a bite!" Meowth called out as he came down from above, holding a watermelon slice with both of his paws. "Wo...bbu!" Wobbuffet cried out, popping out of nowhere and giving a salute with his right hand.

(Music end)

"You losers again!?" Ash exclaimed in annoyance with narrowed eyes at seeing the three again. "It figures you're the thieves!" May remarked from her spot next to the Rainbow Hero, while Marill stood in front of her new trainer, glaring up at the machine. "So, you've resorting to stealing food instead of Pokémon now, is that it? How low can you go?" Sorrel questioned with narrowed eyes as he didn't like the thought of good food being stolen by crooks like them. Inside the Cacnea machine, the three losers jumped back into their control seats and took hold of the controls with their arms.

"Hahahaha! But this time we've brought our new Cacnea bandit mark 2!" Meowth told the gang with a confident smile on his face, while Jessie laughed in joy as she clapped her hands together. "I've always dreamt of my own melon patch!" The female adult exclaimed happily, pretty certain of their success this time. "But we'll be nice and let you have the seeds". James said as he pulled a lever down with his right hand. The Cacnea machine picked up a few watermelons with its arms, crying out like a real Cacnea as it ate them all, before spitting out a barrage of seeds at the gang and their Pokémon, making them all cry out in surprise as they shielded themselves from the seeds.

(Play Pokémon Anime Sound Collection - Johto Wild Pokémon Battle)

"I'll take care of those crooks!" Brock exclaimed as he brought out a Poké Ball with his right hand. "Marshstomp, Mud Shot!" The former Gym Leader cried out as he tossed the device into the air. The Poké Ball soared through the air, before it burst open and released a bright white beam, which took shape and cleared to reveal Marshtomp, who held his fins up with narrowed eyes. "Marshtomp! Mar!" Marshtomp cried out, opening his mouth and firing multiple small balls of mud, blasting through the seeds and striking the Cacnea machine's head and making it, along with the losers inside, cry out in pain.

"Hey, say it, don't spray it! Dis outta help ya!" Meowth called out as he pushed a lever with his right paw. The Cacnea machine brought out a cannon, hosted it over its right shoulder, before it fired it. What came out was a white cross, which stuck to Marshtomp's mouth, much to the Mud Fish Pokémon's surprise as he widened his eyes. "Marsh!?" Marshtomp exclaimed in surprise, while Brock widened his eyes in alarm. "Oh no, Marshtomp!" The former Gym Leader exclaimed in concern for his Water and Ground-type, while the Cacnea machine brought out a sort of butterfly net and started picking up more watermelons with it.

"Now move along! Unless you want to get harvested as well!" Jessie told the gang as Brock ran over to Marshtomp to help pry the white cross off of his face. "I won't let crooks like you losers steal such good watermelons like this!" Sorrel exclaimed in a slightly angry voice, bringing out a Net Ball with his right hand. "Ariados, Pin Missile!" The Pokémon Professor in training commanded angrily as he reared his right hand back, before tossing the device into the air. The device soared through the air, before releasing a bright white beam into the sky, before it took shape and cleared to reveal his shiny Ariados, which let out a sparkle. The Bug and Poison-type cried out, before the appendages of Ariados's back glowed light green, and it fired light green spikes from them at the strap of the basket on the machine's back.

Pin Missile landed a direct hit as the strap snapped, causing Team Rocket to cry out in horror. The bag fell and all the watermelons inside came out from the force of gravity, all falling down towards the ground. "Catch those melons!" Natasha exclaimed as she held her hands out. Everyone reacted quickly as they held up their hands and fortunately, caught the watermelons. Ash, Verity, Sorrel, Natasha, May and Max caught three, Brock caught 4, Grovyle, Marshtomp and Ariados caught two, Pikachu, Piplup, Marill, Jirachi and Kingdra all caught one each. 'We caught the watermelons!' Jirachi exclaimed in joy, while everyone else sighed in relief as they put the fruit down on the ground gently.

"Pikachu, give them their daily shocking!" Ash told his best friend with narrowed eyes, holding his fists up. "Pika...chu!" The Electric Mouse cried out as he leaped into the air with his cheeks sparking with electricity, before unleashing a powerful bolt of electricity at the Cacnea machine, landing a direct hit, but received no cries of pain and surprise, before it blew up. "That ought to teach those losers a lesson". The Rainbow Hero stated as he crossed his arms, before Pikachu landed in front of him on all four feet. "Don't be so sure, twerp!" A familiar voice called out, getting everyone's attention as they looked up and saw Jessie and James flying in the air with jetpacks on their back with Meowth on Jame's shoulder.

"This battle isn't over just yet!" The former rich boy exclaimed with a confident smirk on his face. Meowth gave a laugh, before he jumped off of his teammate's shoulder and dove down towards Ariados, then his body became surrounded in white streaks. "Have a taste of my new Aerial Ace!" The Normal-type cried out with a grin, making Sorrel narrow his eyes. "Ariados, use Dig!" Sorrel commanded his Bug and Poison-type, getting Ariados to cry out, before it burred underground, causing Meowth to slam into the ground in front of the hole it left behind, face flat. "Aww, come on!" Meowth exclaimed in annoyance, placing his paws on the ground and pushed himself up, before Ariados erupted out of the ground and tackled him, sending the Normal-type flying.

(Music end)

Meowth crashed onto the ground as Jessie and James landed behind him, before the Normal-type shot up to his feet and glared at Ariados. "I'm not done with you yet!" The Scratch Cat Pokémon exclaimed, full of energy as he wasn't down just yet. "And he's not alone! You're up, Dustox!" Jessie cried out as she brought out and threw a Poké Ball with her right hand, which burst open and released a white beam into the air, before it cleared to reveal the Poison Moth Pokémon. "Dustox!" Dustox cried out, flapping its wings with a grin on its face.

"I choose Axew!" James exclaimed as he brought out a Great Ball with his right hand and tossed it, which burst opened and released a white beam, before it cleared to reveal the Tusk Pokémon. "Axew! Ax!" Axew cried out with narrowed eyes, before he landed besides Meowth. Dustox joined besides them and soon, the three of them were facing the gang. "I'll deal with Meowth!" Sorrel told his friends as Ariados back crawled up to him, before he turned to look at Lucario. "Lucario, protect the watermelons". The 12-year-old boy told his partner, which the Fighting and Steel-type nodded to him.

Just then, Brock ripped the white cross off of Marshtomp's face, before he rose up to his feet. "Marshtomp and I got Dustox!" The former Gym Leader told his travel companions with narrowed eyes, getting his Mud Fish Pokémon to nod in agreement. "Marshtomp! Mar!" Marshtomp exclaimed, wanting payback for that little trick earlier. May looked down at her Marill and saw her glaring at Axew with anger filled eyes. The brunette stepped forward with a confident smile as she held up her left fist. "Marill!" The Water and Fairy-type exclaimed as she grew a smirk on her face, ready to battle.

Ash, Verity Max, Pikachu, Piplup, Kingdra, Jirachi and Lucario all smiled at the sight of their travel companions, while Natasha, Grovyle and Electrode didn't look too certain. "Hold up! I appreciate you guys battling for us, but this is our watermelon field, so it's our responsibility to protect it". The green haired girl said in an uncertain voice, thinking that it should be her battling as these were her watermelons to protect. The Rainbow Hero turned to look at her and gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, let them handle this. Besides, you and Verity still have your battle to continue with, so you shouldn't waste your energy on something like this". The raven-haired boy told Natasha, getting Verity to nod in agreement.

"He's right. Leave it to our friends". The tomboyish girl said in agreement, getting Natasha to look at her, still uncertain about this, before she nodded, deciding to trust in what they saw. "Ariados, use Pin Missile on Meowth!" The Pokémon Professor in training commanded, pointing forward with his right hand's index finger. Ariados cried out, before the appendages of his back glowed light green, and then it fired light green spikes from them at Meowth. Dustox and Axew leaped away, while Meowth stood his ground with narrowed eyes. "Oh yeah? Here, have a taste of my Night Slash!" The Normal-type cried out, creating a purple energy sword in the palm of his right paw, before he then grabbed it with his left paw.

Meowth then began swiping the purple energy sword at an incredible rate, deflecting the light green spikes coming at him, slightly impressing Sorrel. "Not bad". The 12-year-old boy remarked with a natural expression on his face. Soon, Meowth finished deflecting all the Pin Missiles, before he held out the energy sword to the right as it dispersed. "Now, take my Shadow Claw!" The Scratch Cat Pokémon cried out as his right claw became surrounded by a black aura with a purple outline. The aura then took the form of a claw, before Meowth leaped and slashed at Ariados with it, landing a direct hit and pushing the Bug and Poison-type back.

Ariados grunted as he shook his head to rid himself of the dizziness, before he glared up back at Meowth, who held up his Shadow Claw with a grin. "It'll take more than that to take out my Ariados". Sorrel remarked with narrowed eyes, still full of belief in his Ariados.

"Dustox, Poison Sting!" Jessie commanded, swiping her right hand out with a massive smile on her face. "Dust...tox-tox-tox!" The Bug and Flying-type cried, opening her mouth and fired purple darts down at Marshtomp. The Mud Fish Pokémon brought up his hands and held them in front of him, before the purple darts stuck him, but he withstood the attack. "Hang in there, Marshtomp! Use Water Gun!" Brock called out with narrowed eyes, holding his right hand out. "Marsh-tomp!" Marshtomp cried out, spreading his hands out and causing the purple darts to disperse, before releasing a spiral of water from his mouth at Dustox.

"Dustox, dodge it!" Jessie told her Flying and Bug-type, which Dustox obeyed as she dodged the spiral of water. "Now, give them a taste of your new Energy Ball!" The female adult commanded with a grin on her face, thrusting her right hand out. "Dustox! Dust!" The Poison Moth Pokémon cried out, opening her mouth as she formed a light green energy ball in front of her mouth, before she fired it at Marshtomp. "Marshtomp, use Protect!" Brock commanded with his eyes narrowed. "Marshtomp!" The Mud Fish Pokémon cried out as its body became surrounded in a green shield, before the Energy Ball slammed into it and caused an explosion. The explosion quickly cleared to reveal the energy shield still intact, before it dispersed to reveal a perfectly unharmed Marshtomp.

"Axew, Focus Energy!" James commanded his Dragon-type Pokémon, swiping his right hand out. "Axew!" The Tusk Pokémon cried out his body became briefly covered in an orange glow, before it disappeared. "Marill, use Bubble Beam!" May called out as she pointed her left hand's index finger out. "Marill!" Marill cried out as she leaped into the air, before releasing white bubbles from her mouth at Axew, landing a direct hit and causing the Dragon-type to flinch. "Don't you take that and allow it! Use Slash!" The former rich boy commanded, getting Axew to open and narrow his eyes. "Ax!" Axew exclaimed as his right claw glowed white, before he leaped through the white bubbles and swung his right claw at Marill, landing a direct hit and making her cry out.

"Marill!" May exclaimed in concern as Marill crashed onto the ground on her back, before she got back on her feet and glared at Axew, who landed a few feet away from her. "Now, use Rock Tomb!" James commanded with a grin, pointing his right hand's index finger towards the Aqua Mouse Pokémon. Axew cried out as its body became outlined in white energy, before he raised its head. Multiple gray rocks outlined in white energy then formed around its head in the shape of a ring, before they began to fall towards Marill. "Marill, quickly! Use Dig!" The brunette commanded with a slightly alarmed voice. "Mar!" The Water and Fairy-type cried out, jumping up, before she began digging underground, causing the rocks to hit the ground instead.

Marill then erupted out the ground underneath Axew and slammed into the Dragon-type Pokémon, making the Tusk Pokémon cry out as he was sent flying. "Ahh! My Axew!" The former rich boy exclaimed in alarm as Axew crashed onto the ground in front of him, while Marill landed on her feet with a confident grin. "Great job, Marill. Now, use Aqua Ring!" May commanded with her own confident grin, thrusting her left fist out. "Marill!" The Aqua Mouse Pokémon exclaimed, before water droplets formed around her body and they combined together to create three rings of water that surround Marill's body, slowly healing her.

"Now Ariados, Swords Dance!" Sorrel commanded, holding his left fist up and swiping his right hand out. Ariados cried out as his eyes glow light-blue, and multiple light-blue swords appeared and circled around it. The swords stopped and pointed towards Ariados, end first, before disappearing. A red aura then burst from the ground underneath it, before a lighter-colored red aura went upwards along Ariados' body, powering him up. "That won't do you any good! Check out my Fury Swipes!" Meowth exclaimed as his claws erupted out of his paws, before he charged towards the Bug and Poison-type.

"Now, use Sucker Punch!" Sorrel commanded with narrowed eyes, getting his Ariados to growl, before it shot out at high speed and began crawling around Meowth, getting the Normal-type to stop running and look around with wide eyes. "What's dis!?" Meowth questioned in surprise, before Ariados appeared in front of him and bashed him into the air. "Owwie!" Meowth exclaimed in pain, before he opened his eyes and glared down at Ariados, who looked up at him. "I'm not done just yet! Aerial Ace!" The Scratch Cat Pokémon cried out, before diving down towards the Bug and Poison-type with his body becoming surrounded in white streaks.

"Fight back with Pin Missile!" The Pokémon Professor in training told his Long Leg Pokémon, which cried out as the appendages of his back glowed light green, before it fired light green spikes from them at the diving down Meowth. The light green spikes all struck Meowth, interrupting his Aerial Ace and sending him flying again. "Not again!" The Scratch Cat Pokémon cried out, falling down from the sky, before he crashed down on the ground with swirls in his eyes. Ariados let out a fierce cry at seeing his opponent defeated and him victories, even lifting his head up a bit. "Well done, Ariados!" Sorrel praised his Bug and Poison-type with a smile, proud of him for obtaining victory.

"Dustox, use Gust!" Jessie commanded her Bug and Flying-type, thrusting her right hand out with her index finger out as well. "Dustox!" Dustox cried out, flapping her wings strongly and releasing a powerful gust of wind at Marshtomp, landing a direct hit and pushing him back a bit. "Hang in there Marshtomp! Use Rock Slide!" Brock commanded as he swiped his right hand out to the side in a dramatic fashion. "Mar!" The Mud Fish Pokémon called out, before lifting its hands up as multiple stones appeared in front of him in the shape of a ring, before the Water and Ground-Type swung them down and launched the stones at Dustox, pushing through the strong gusts of wind and landing a direct hit, making the poison Moth Pokémon cry out.

"Dustox!" Jessie exclaimed in concern, before gritting her teeth and pointed her right hand's index finger out. "Use Poison Sting once more!" She commanded, getting Dustox to fly up higher into the air, before crying out as it released mouth and fired purple darts down at Marshtomp. "Use Protect!" Brock commanded with his eyes narrowed. "Marshtomp!" The Mud Fish Pokémon cried out as its body became surrounded in a green shield, before the purple darts slammed into it, but dealt no damage. "Give them Enery Ball, now!" The female adult commanded angrily, holding up both of her shaking fists. "Dustox! Dust!" The Poison Moth Pokémon cried out, opening her mouth as she formed a light green energy ball in front of her mouth, before she fired it at the green shield, breaking through it and striking Marshtomp, making the Mud Fish Pokémon cry out in pain as he was blasted off of his feet.

"Stay strong! Finish this with Water Gun!" Brock commanded with complete belief in his Marshtomp, getting the Water and Ground-type to open his determine filled eyes. "Marsh-tomp!" Marshtomp cried out as he opened his mouth and released a spiral of water at Dustox, getting the Bug and Flying-type to cry out in surprise, before the Water Gun struck and created an explosion upon impact. "Dustox!" Jessie called out in concern with wide eyes as her Poison Moth Pokémon fell from the smoke created from the explosion and landed in front of her with swirls in its eyes. "Dust...ox..." Dustox groaned out, unable to continue battling as she used up all of her power.

"Axew, remain strong and use Dragon Claw!" James commanded, holding out his right hand. "Axew!" The Tusk Pokémon called out as light-green aura formed around each of his hands and turned into a claw-like shape, before he leaped out and slashed Marill with them. However, to the Dragon-type's surprise, the attack did nothing against Marill as she still had a confident grin, getting Axew to cry out in surprise. "Huh?!" The former rich boy exclaimed in surprise, having expected Dragon Claw to deal some damage. "Hate to break it to you, but Dragon-type moves have no effect on Fairy-types like my Marill". May told her opponent with a grin, having been told about the advantages that a Fairy Pokémon had against a Dragon-type.

"Ahh!" James cried out with wide eyes, realizing his mistake now. "Now Marill, Hidden Power!" The brunette commanded as she thrust her left fist out and held her right fist up. "Marill!" The Aqua Mouse Pokémon cried out, before her body and eyes gleamed green and she formed several green orbs of energy. Just then, the three rings of water around Marill's body began lightly glowing blue as the green orbs of energy changed colors into blue, before Marill fired them all. The blue orbs of energy soared through the air, leaving blue veils of water, before striking Axew hard, making the Dragon-type cry out. "Axew!" James cried out in concern, before he gritted his teeth and thrusted his right arm out.

"Strike hard with Slash!" The former rich boy commanded, getting Axew to land on the ground and slid across it a bit before he stopped. "Ax!" The Tusk Pokémon exclaimed as his right claw glowed white, before he started charging towards Marill. "Marill, finish this with Bubble Beam!" May called out with a wide smile as she pointed her left hand's index finger out. "Marill!" Marill cried out as she released white bubbles from her mouth at the charging Axew, landing a direct hit and blasting the Tusk Pokémon off of his feet. "Axew!" Axew cried out in pain, before he crashed on his back in front of James, who looked down and saw his Dragon-type had swirls in his eyes. "Oh no!" The former rich boy exclaimed in concern for his Pokémon.

"Now's our chance everyone, attack! Ariados, Pin Missile!" Sorrel commanded as he swiped his right hand out. "Marshtomp, Water Gun!" Brock called out, thrusting his right fist out. "And Marill, Bubble Beam!" May shouted out with a smile on her face. Ariados, Marshtomp and Marill all cried out, before they fired Pin Missile, Water Gun and Bubble Beam towards Jessie, James, Meowth, Dustox and Axew, creating an explosion on impact that sent the three losers flying, along with their jet packs being destroyed.

"All of that hard work and battling for nothing". Jessie said in sadness with her eyes closed and holding onto her knocked out Dustox in her hands. "So much for the fruit of our labor". James joked with his eyes closed, also cuddling Axew in his arms as well. "Guess we're just stuck with da we already got". Meowth commented with his paws crossed. "Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet cried out, popping out of nowhere again with a right hand salute.

"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" The three losers cried out as they soon dispersed from view, leaving a twinkle as they left. Everyone smiled in joy at seeing Team Rocket disappear, before Sorrel, Brock and May looked down at their Pokémon. "Great job Ariados". The Pokémon Professor in training praised his Bug and Poison-type. "You were amazing, Marshtomp". Brock complimented his Mud Fish Pokémon with a wide smile on his face. "That goes double for you Marill". The female Pokémon Coordinator praised her Water and Fairy-type, lightly holding up her fists in joy.

Ariados, Marshtomp and Marill all cried out in joy, before suddenly, the Aqua Mouse Pokémon began glowing a bluish white color, getting everyone to widen their eyes in surprise as they knew what this was. "Already!?" May exclaimed with wide eyes at seeing her new Pokémon evolve so quickly since she caught it. The glowing Marill began growing taller, along with her arms and legs. Even her tail and ears grew larger as she evolved. Soon the glowing died down to reveal a smiling Azumarill in Marill's place. "Azumarill!" The Aqua Rabbit Pokémon called out in joy, before she turned around to look at her trainer, who grew a wide smile on her face.

"Yay! Marill evolved into Azumarill!" May exclaimed in joy, before she ran over, knelt down and hugged her new Azumarill happily, who returned the hug. After a moment of hugging, the Pokémon Coordinator broke the hug and stepped back to look at her new Aqua Rabbit Pokémon. She brought out her Pokédex with her right hand and scanned Azumarill with it. "Azumarill, the Aqua Rabbit Pokémon. The evolved form of Marill. This Pokémon uses its large, highly developed ears to hear great distances, even underwater". The device buzzed, before May looked up from it at Azumarill, before she gave her another hug. "Azumarill". Azumarill said happily, closing her eyes in joy as she returned the hug to May.

"Guess this really proves Ash's theory that Marill evolves quickly". Max commented with wide eyes after seeing the evolution, getting Jirachi to nod in agreement. 'Very quickly. May just caught Azumarill not too long ago'. The Steel and Psychic-type said with wide eyes, before he gave a smile. Verity watched her fellow Coordinator happily, before she turned to look back at Natasha, who was looking down at the watermelons in her hand. "Now that that's all done, let's head back and finish our battle". The tomboyish girl said to the green haired girl, getting Natasha to look at her and nod with a grin. Piplup and Kingdra turned to look at Grovyle and saw her staring at them with narrowed eyes.

A few minutes later, everyone was back at the battlefield. Natasha stood back in the left trainer section of the field with Grovyle in front of her, while Verity stood at the right trainer section with Kingdra and Piplup in front of her. Brock stood at the referee section again, only this time Marshtomp was next to him on his left. Ash, May, Max, Pikachu, Azumarill and Jirachi were sitting back down on the concrete, while Sorrel was standing up with Lucario and Ariados besides him. Natasha's Electrode wasn't there as he was back to watching the watermelons.

"Before we resume, I have to thank you guys for everything. I really owe you one". Natasha told the gang with a thankful smile on her face. "You can owe me by giving it your all in the battle". Verity told the green haired girl, getting her thankful smile to change into a confident grin. "Alright then!" Natasha exclaimed in high spirits, more than happy to grant Verity's request. "Restart the battle!" Brock called out as he swiped his hands up into the air. "Marshtomp!" Marshtomp called out, mimicking his trainer as he swiped his hands up into the air.

(Battle resume)

(Play Digimon Adventure (2020) Theme Song : Break the chain - Takayoshi Tanimoto)

"Piplup, Rain Dance!" Verity commanded with a confident voice, swiping her right hand out. "PIPLUP!" The Penguin Pokémon cried out to the sky, holding her flippers out towards it. Then, out of nowhere, dark clouds appeared out of nowhere in the sky, before it began raining heavily, getting May to look up at the sky. "This'll make things difficult for Natasha". The brunette commented, remembering that Kingdra's ability was Swift Swim and that it increased his speed when it was raining. "That won't stop us! Grovyle, Bullet Seed!" Natasha commanded, holding up her right fist. "Gro…vyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon cried out, before firing many glowing yellow seeds from her mouth at Piplup, landing a direct hit and pushing the Water-type back.

"Stay strong Piplup! Kingdra, Skull Bash!" Verity called out as she swiped her left hand out in a dramatic fashion. "Dra!" Kingdra cried out as its body become surrounded by a silver aura, before he charged in from Grovyle's right and slammed into the Wood Gecko Pokémon, pushing her back. "Gro...vyle!" Grovyle growled out as she was sent sliding across the ground, before she stopped and glared at Kingdra. "Let them have it with Dragon Breath!" Natasha exclaimed, thrusting her open left hand out. "Vyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon cried, before light blue waves of energy appeared and swirled around Grovyle. She then fired a light blue beam of energy from her mouth at Kingdra. "Dodge it!" Verity told her Dragon Pokémon, which Kingdra cried out as it dodged with high speed, causing the Dragon Breath to strike the ground instead and caused a mini explosion.

"Piplup, Hydro Pump!" Verity commanded, swiping her open right hand forward. "Piplup!" Piplup cried out, unleashing a Hydro Pump from her break that landed a hit on Grovyle, causing her to flinch. "Grovyle!" Natasha exclaimed in concern for her Wood Gecko Pokémon, while May grew a little sad for her. "This isn't going well for her. Two against one hardly seems fair". The brunette remarked, finding it a bit unfair that Grovyle had to battle Piplup and Kingdra alone. "Azumarill". Azumarill said in agreement from her seat besides May, getting Ash to look at the two of them. "It can't be helped. This is a double battle, and Natasha's Slugma was defeated". The Rainbow Hero told the brunette, before he went back to watching the battle.

"Grovyle, Leaf Blade on Kingdra!" Natasha commanded, holding up her left fist. "Gro...vyle!" Grovyle cried out, holding up her right arm as three leaves on her forearm glowed green and combine into one long sharp blade. Grovyle then leaped out and swung Leaf Blade on Kingdra, landing a direct hit, making the Water and Dragon-type cry out as he was pushed back. "Great, now Bullet Seed!" The green haired girl added with a grin, pointing towards Piplup with her right hand. "Gro…vyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon cried out, before firing many glowing yellow seeds from her mouth at Piplup, landing another direct hit and blasting Piplup off of her feet. "Pip...!" Piplup cried out in pain, getting Verity to grit her teeth, before she thrust her right hand out.

"Kingdra, Iron Head!" The Twinleaf girl commanded, getting Kingdra's attention as he looked towards Grovyle. "Dra!" Kingdra cried out, before a jagged shiny pattern appeared on Kingdra's head and he charged towards Grovyle. He rammed into the female Grass-type, sending her crashing to the ground on her back in front of Natasha, who looked down at her. "Grovyle, try to get up". Natasha told her Grass-type with a frown of concern displayed on her face. "Gro..." Grovyle groaned out, pushing herself back onto her feet, before she began taking heavy deep breaths. 'Grovyle's running out of energy. She won't be able to use Solar Beam again'. The green haired girl said in her mind with gritted teeth, before she held up her left fist.

"Then we'll go with this! Dragon Breath!" Natasha commanded, deciding to bet it all on her Grovyle's Dragon-type move. "Vyle!" The Wood Gecko Pokémon cried, before light blue waves of energy appeared and swirled around Grovyle. She then fired a light blue beam of energy from her mouth at both Kingdra and Piplup, who stood besides one another. "Piplup and Kingdra, use Ice Beam together!" Verity commanded with a grin, holding her right hand out. "Piplup! /Dra!" Both Piplup and Kingdra called as they both formed light blue balls of energy in front of their beak and snout. They then fired multiple light blue beams from the ball, which they all combined to form a single light blue beam.

Both Dragon Breath and the combined Ice Beam clashed against one another, before the Ice-type move completely overpowered the Dragon-type move and continued on to Grovyle, who cried out in surprise. The Ice Beam struck and created a light blue flash that blinded everyone for a moment, before it cleared to reveal Grovyle complete encased in ice, along with having swirls in her eyes. "Grovyle!" Natasha exclaimed in concern, while Brock narrowed his eyes at the sight. "Grovyle is unable to battle, Piplup and Kingdra wins! Verity is the victor!" The former Gym Leader cried out as he swiped his left hand up, signaling Verity's victory. "Mar-marshtomp!" Marshtomp cried out, following his trainer's lead as he held up his left fin.

(Music finished)

(Winners: Verity, Piplup and Kingdra)

"All right! Way to go guys!" Verity exclaimed in joy as Piplup and Kingdra came up to her, both looking happy. "Piplup pi! Piplup!" Piplup cried out with her eyes closed in joy, before she jumped up into Verity's hands, who caught her with a soft smile. "Dra dra". Kingdra said with his eyes also closed in joy, getting the Twinleaf girl to look up at him, before she lifted her right hand up and gave a comforting rub on the snout. Natasha gave a deep sigh with her eyes closed, before she opened them and gave a smile, despite her defeat. "Oh well. Guess we still got a ways to go". The green haired girl stated, then brought out her Poké Ball with her right hand and held it out to the encased Wood Gecko Pokémon.

"Return Grovyle, we'll win next time". Natasha said to her Grass-type, firing a red beam from her device, which connected and covered Grovyle from view, before it recalled her to the Poké Ball completely. "That was a good battle, despite the interruption". Sorrel commented with a smile, getting cries of agreement from Lucario and Ariados. Ash, May, Max, Pikachu, Azumarill and Jirachi got off the concrete, before the brunette looked at Natasha and saw her looking down at her Poké Ball with a gentle smile with no hint of anger. "Natasha looks completely okay, despite losing". May commented, getting Ash to look at her with a smile.

"It's because both her and Verity battled with everything they had and left no regrets. Those kinds of battles leaves everyone satisfied, even the ones who lose". Ash told the brunette, getting May to look at her crush for a moment, before she looked down at her chest and placed her left hand there. 'Could I ever have a battle like that with someone? I've practiced and had practiced battles with Verity, but never a real battle. Maybe I should have a real battle with her'. The Petalburg girl questioned in her mind, wondering if she could get that feeling. "Azumarill?" Azumarill said to her trainer, getting May to look down and saw her Aqua Rabbit Pokémon looking up at her. Azumarill gave her trainer a happy smile, one that May returned with a gentle one.


(Later on)

Some time later in the afternoon, the sun began to set for the day. Everyone was gathered around Natasha's cabin, sitting down on wooden chairs around a wood table, while Natasha was pulling up watermelons from a nearby well. Ash, Verity, Sorrel, May, Max, Brock, Pikachu, Piplup, Lucario Azumarill, Jirachi and Marshtomp were all eating watermelons that Natasha sliced up for them to enjoy. Kingdra and Ariados had been recalled by Sorrel and Verity earlier, but the two had plans to reward them later on.

"There's nothing like a cold, sweet watermelon after a battle". Natasha remarked, finally pulling up the basket up, which was filled with a single watermelon, and took hold of it. "So guys, how is it?" The young girl asked the gang, turning to look over her right shoulder to look at them. The gang was happily munching down on the watermelons with their eyes closed. "It taste fantastic Natasha. Come and have one". May answered with a pleased voice from eating the sweet watermelon in her hand. "Azumarill". Azumarill said in agreement from her spot besides May on her right, holding a slice of watermelon herself.

"Tastes really good". Max commented with his eyes closed to enjoy himself, holding his own slice. 'Yummy'. Jirachi said with a happy smile, eating his own slice of watermelon. "I agree wholeheartedly!" Verity exclaimed, opening her eyes to look down at her slice. "Piplup". Verity's starter remarked from her spot on the table, sitting down in front of her trainer. "You are the melon master, Natasha. Wow". Brock complimented the young girl as he looked down at his watermelon. "Marshtomp, mar". Marshtomp said in agreement, before he took a really big bite out of his slice.

"Wow. That's quite the compliment coming from you. I understand that you and Sorrel are great chiefs, Brock". Natasha said in a flattered expression with her eyes closed, walking over with the watermelon in her hands. Brock started laughing with his left hand behind his head, having always gotten flatted when someone praised his cooking skills. "Well, I guess you could say that. And I agree that you're a great cook too, Sorrel". The former Gym Leader told his traveling companion, turning to look at the 12-year-old boy and saw him quietly eating his watermelon slice with Lucario. "Thanks Brock". The young man thanked his friend with a small smile, before he went back to eating.

"So, where are you guys going when you're finished?" Natasha asked in a curious tone, getting May to look up at her. "We're heading to Fallarbor Town for the Pokémon Contest there. I'm entering, and I'm gonna win the whole thing!" The brunette told the green haired girl with a confident grin, swiping her left fist up in determination. "And after we're done there, we're heading to Lavaridge Town for my fourth Gym Battle". Ash told Natasha with a smile, getting Pikachu to look up at him. "Pikachu-pi". The Electric-type said with a smile, excited for their next Gym Battle.

"Wow, you guys got a lot coming up". Natasha said with an impressed smile on her face, before she turned to look at May. "If you're going to Fallarbor Town, I suggest checking out Meteor Falls". The green haired girl suggested to the gang, getting everyone to stop eating and look up at her. "Meteor Falls?" Max questioned in confusion, getting Natasha to look at him and nod. "Yeah. Meteor Falls is a cave right next to Fallarbor Town. It has a lot of rare Pokémon there, even ones out of the Hoenn Region". She told the gang, getting fascinated looks from them all. "Rare Pokémon, huh? Been awhile since I caught Flygon". Ash commented with interest, considering capturing a new addition there.

Natasha then turned her attention to Ash. "And I heard that the Lavaridge Town Gym is a Fire-type Gym". She informed the Rainbow Hero, getting him to look at her with a grin. "Fire-type, huh? That's gonna be fun". The raven haired boy remarked, getting Verity and May to giggle at him. "We'll got a lot to look forward to. We better get prepared". Sorrel said with a smirk on his face, before he took another bite out of his watermelon. Everyone nodded in agreement, before they went back to enjoying their watermelons.


And that's the first chapter of season 7. I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter and liked May's new addition, Azumarill. Now, the next chapter will take a little bit of time as I plan to do both the fourth and fifth episode in one chapter and add a few things and surprises. Misty will still make her reappearance and will have a few surprises of her own. I'll try to update this story by the end of the month, or early next month, but I've got two other stories to update before this month ends. I only have one thing to question first before I go.

When the gang heads back to Petalburg city, should they pass through Rustbro City. I was thinking of Max seeing his friends from the Pokémon school, Sorrel reviving an Anorith and maybe have May meet up with Janet. Answer in a review, or message. See you guys later.