Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or Dave, or RJ.

A/N: I'm afraid I won't be doing RJ in this chapter. When they get to the Fluoride Gym you'll see him, but not before then. Thanks for the clarifications though. If either of you think of any other details about your OCs feel free to tell me… but the sooner the better, before I get too used to my own concept of them. And other submissions will still be welcome, but too many obligatory characters might make me lose my stream of thought.

They trudged their way through the dense forest, keeping to the beaten path which led the way to Fluoride. The trees on either side pressed in on them oppressively, like walls in a maze.

And a really dark maze, too.

The canopy of leaves that hung overhead was dense; remarkably so. Ash and Dave were both on the lookout for Pokémon, but Ash more than Dave, what with him having only one Pokémon and all. There were rustling sounds all around them, signs of Pokémon life; but there was a difference between knowing where a Pokémon was and actually encountering it, and the Pokémon native to the environment kept well away from the path they'd chosen.

That reminds me of a Pokémon theme song, really.

He wondered where the random thought had come from. Erynn was ahead of them now, moving silently through the forest. Occasionally she stopped to wait for them, but most of the time she was just a tiny figure in the distance.

Dave, on the other hand, was still trying to fulfil his daily quota. The two of them watched every shadow for the slightest sound, the slightest movement that would alert them to a passing Pokémon. Ditto was already out, as was Espeon. She had spent several minutes trying to tie vines around Dave, but to no avail. Now she just prowled along, on the lookout for any other Pokémon. Ditto, on the other hand, just waddled onward because it felt like it; it wasn't really looking out at all.

Thus it wasn't surprising when a small red something bowled it over by complete accident. Excited by the encounter, Ash pulled out his PokéNav.

Hoppip, the Cottonweed Pokémon. Whatever. It's a Hoppip, and its only attack as of now is Splash. Should be an easy capture.

This time, the PokéDex turned itself off. Ash sighed and shut the PokéNav, slotting it into his pocket.

"Fine. Ditto, use Wrap."

This time, Ditto didn't even bother turning itself into Tangela. Two vines snaked out from Ditto's pink body, wrapping themselves around Hoppip. The Hoppip just squealed. Not in pain, though. It was actually feeling ticklish. Ditto raised the Hoppip into the air; it seemed to be enjoying this.

Ash and Dave watched the sorry excuse for a Pokémon battle for a while. When Dave couldn't bear the wait anymore, he turned to Ash.

"I think you can try capturing it now."

Ash snapped out of his trance, then dropped his backpack to the ground. After a while more of searching, he finally found the Pokéball.

So that's where it got to…

He turned to the Hoppip again. Somehow the game had tired it out and it'd gone to sleep. Ditto stood to a side, unsure of what to do.

"Just a baby, after all… fine; Pokéball go!"

He made to throw the Pokéball at Hoppip, then thought better of it. He walked up to Hoppip and pressed it against the button set into the red-and-white sphere. In a flash of red light, Hoppip was captured. There wasn't even a struggle.

Somehow… I don't think Hoppip will be a very good battler…

Dave's look echoed his thought. The two of them walked on; four, if you count their Pokémon.

And where's Erynn gotten to…?

Before long, Espeon's fur bristled. They still hadn't found Erynn, who was probably waiting for them further up. It was just like her to run off and all. Dave looked at Espeon, then stopped.

"Behind me…?"

With trepidation he turned and looked behind him, fully expecting a faceful of tree or something. He trusted Espeon, but he wouldn't put it beyond her. Instead, he found himself face-to-face with a floating Weedle. Already its strength was being sapped by the power of Espeon's Confusion attack. His throat was dry as he noticed a Beedrill's nest in the trees beyond.

Trees, because it was a really big nest.

Cautiously, he removed a Pokéball from his belt and tapped it lightly against the Weedle. It disappeared in a flash of red light, and entered the Pokéball. Just in case it broke free, Dave pressed the two halves of the Pokéball together using his hands. There was a small struggle, and then… nothing.

He turned back to Espeon, looking to thank it, but was met with a faceful of tree. After Espeon had finished laughing, the four of them crept away from the nest. Erynn was still nowhere in sight.

"You know… this forest isn't terribly exciting."

Dave sighed as the three trainers sat down on some conveniently placed rocks. Erynn shot him a look.

"You're telling me. I spent so much time waiting for you guys and all the time you were off catching Pokémon."

Ash put his hands up as though to ward off an attack; seeing that he was in relative safety, he put his hands down long enough for Oddish to send a Stun Spore his way. Luckily, it wasn't strong enough to do any damage.

"You managed to catch that Oddish, didn't you…"

She sighed. Everyone was getting bored of this huge obstacle. There really wasn't anything but walking through it. Erynn turned to Ash and considered battling him. His Hoppip could do nothing but splash and Ditto… was more of a lover than a fighter. Dave on the other hand, wasn't going to want to battle before they reached Fluoride.

The boy in question was looking among the trees, trying to find his second catch for the day. Ash and Ditto were nudging Hoppip, trying to wake it up. She stood up and dusted herself off. Recalling her Oddish, she turned to them again.

"There isn't much point in staying here, so let's move on now."

Dave looked up from where he sat, and Ash just sighed and recalled Hoppip. It was true. The few trainers they'd met along the way didn't even want to battle them. The forest was like an obstacle where all trainers had some temporary truce.

Packing up, the three of them were almost ready to set off when a girl dressed completely in red ran up to them. It was Vulpix-girl again.

"Hey! You, whatsyourname! Boy from Palladium!"

Dave and Ash turned their heads at the shout, but as Dave didn't recognize the girl, he just stepped back.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your umbrella… here; you can have it back."

Ash had no idea what to say.

"I don't need that umbrella… I've got two more in my backpack."

"But…"

"Look, I don't want my backpack any heavier than it already is, so it'd really be a big favour if you could just keep it. Thanks."

The girl looked at the umbrella with a bit of hesitation, then smiled.

"Alright then. Oh and… have you beaten Seryn, the Gym leader of Rubidium? If you have… can we battle?"

Ash was about to reply a negative when Erynn stepped forward.

"Ash's Pokémon aren't exactly in the mood for battling, but I'm ready!"

The girl considered her for a moment, recognition showing on her face.

"Hey… aren't you…"

"I'm a girl who's going to be the next Pokémon Master. And I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"

Ash gave Erynn a blank stare. Dave backed away slowly. Erynn shrugged helplessly and went on with the act. Resolutely, the girl removed a Pokéball from her belt. Erynn did the same.

Just then, Pidgeotto-girl caught up. Ash wondered where all the trainers were coming from… but only for a second.

"Hey, Taera… you didn't have to run so fast… eh? What's going on?"

The red girl, now known as Taera, filled the Pidgeotto-girl in. After a quick discussion (it took around six seconds) they came to a decision.

"We challenge you to a double battle!"

Erynn looked at Ash and Dave helplessly. Ash shrugged and took a step back. When Dave realized what that meant, he couldn't help but sigh. Taking his place beside Erynn, they got ready to battle.

Just for effect, Ash stood between the two parties.

"I have no idea what to say but I guess I'm going to have to be the judge so Ditto transform into a flag and let's let them start!"

Ash waved the Ditto-flag down to signal the beginning of the battle. Then he paused for breath and went to lie down.

"Come on, Griven!"

"Espeon, don't fail me now!"

"Come out, Vulpy!"

"Fly for me, Fia!"

The four Pokémon exploded out of their Pokéballs. Espeon and Growlithe on one side, Vulpix and Pidgeotto on the other.

Ash, Ditto and Hoppip watched the battle from a side.

This is going to be interesting…

A/N: Yay it's a double battle! I've not much of an idea what's going to happen but we'll all see next chapter! And hopefully you all enjoyed it… I think I'm reverting to my shorter chapters; longer chapters mean more work for me so… hooray for laziness!

Oh and I'm going on vacation in two days so I mightn't write tomorrow… but we'll see it when it comes.