Yessir, another chapter up! Just in case there is any confusion with this one, the use of 'italics' in this is to portray Pokémon speaking to each other. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Chapter 13

Pikachu roamed through the vast room that was empty before Ash and his friends had let all their Pokémon out. All of Ash's Pokémon alone took up a lot of room.

'It's a good thing Ash only brought one Tauros.' The electric-mouse thought as he made his way past the aforementioned bull.

'So how is the bright light of Pallet Town been doing?' He heard a cool female voice from behind him. Pikachu turned to see a blue quadrupedal Pokémon standing behind him. Despite her cold appearance she was anything but on the inside.

'Hello Glaceon, how have you been?' Pikachu asked happily.

'Can't complain.' She answered with a smile. 'I assume you're still training hard for battle as much as you can.'

'Of course.' He responded. 'This is really the first time we all got to hang out since we were back in Professor Oaks lab really.'

'You're right its nice.' Glaceon replied.

'Look at you two back together again.'

The two looked to there right and saw Blazekin standing tall.

'Just like old times.' She spoke fondly.

'Speaking of old times…' The trio looked above them to see Ash's Sceptile stood proudly in the trees. He then leaped nimbly down from the tree to stand in front of the others. 'How about an old-fashioned sparring match Blazekin.'

She simply rolled her eyes in response.

'That's all you're ever after.' She scoffed. 'Why don't you try spar with that Sceptile over there? She was Max's first Pokémon so she's pretty strong.'

'Nah, it's not the same. It isn't a challenge unless there's a disadvantage.'

'I think you're just scared to lose.' Pikachu teased.

'I'm never scared.' Sceptile replied defensively.

'What's all the ruckus?' Piplup asked as he approached the group with Axew at his side.

'Sceptile was just saying he was afraid of fighting any Pokémon here.' Glaceon joked.

'I was not!' He shouted in defence. 'I'm going to ask Infernape.' With a sigh, Sceptile began leaping through the trees.

'He's too easy to wind up.' Blazekin laughed.

'You can't resist, can you?' Glaceon shook her head with a smile.

'Speaking of, Pikachu you better watch out Lopunny is on her way over here.' Axew warned.

'Damn it, I tried to avoid her.' Pikachu said, frightened at the affection coming this way.

'You can try hiding in the trees.' Piplup suggested.

'She'll find me, she always finds a way.' Pikachu sounded defeated. 'Wait, maybe I could hide in Torterra's back, she probably won't look there.'

'I wouldn't try it.' Psyduck mentioned as he limped towards the other Pokémon. 'I just tried napping there and he threw me off.'

'Why were you napping there?' Axew asked incredulously.

'It seemed like such a good idea at the time.' Psyduck answered innocently. 'I hit my head after he threw me and now, I have a headache.'

'You always have a headache.' Pikachu reminded him.

'Oh yeah.' He remembered.

Glaceon took a scan around the room and watched what some of the other Pokémon were doing. Most were just relaxing or talking like they were but there were a few that were outliers. Serena's Sylveon was rehearsing her dance in one corner of the room while Ash's Gible was practicing his Draco Meteor in another corner. All normal activity from what she knew of the Pokémon. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

'So, you feel it too.' A voice came from above them once again. It wasn't Sceptile this time though, it was Gaz's Absol instead.

'What do you mean?' Pikachu asked.

'Something is coming, and it's not good.' Absol explained. 'There is a tenseness in the air. There is foreboding danger, our trainers can feel it too. There is danger approaching. Especially for you Piplup.'

'What? Why me?' Piplup wailed in fright.

'Don't mind him, he's always a downer.' A Roserade told the group as a blue Meowstic peered nervously from behind him. 'Although I have to admit, ever since that day Gaz caught him, his instinct has been spot-on.'

Meowstic nodded quickly behind him, her eyes darting nervously.

'What could it be though?' Blazekin muse.

'Heads up.' They heard a shout from afar. They all turned to see a multicoloured ball of energy flying towards them. Everyone ran away from the wayward Draco Meteor as quickly as possible.

That is except for Piplup who was frozen in fright and could do nothing as the ball of energy hit him in a mini explosion.

'Oh, maybe that's what I foresaw.' Absol muttered.

The smoke cleared and there lay Piplup in a small crater with swirls for eyes.

'How does that happen every time?' Pikachu asked in bemusement.

'Well, even though there feels like there is something big on the way, it's good to know that some things never change.' Glaceon spoke with a small smile.

"I wonder how the Pokémon are doing?" Max pondered.

"I bet their fine what could go wrong?" Cameron asked.

"You obviously don't know our Pokémon well." Iris laughed.

"If we manage to make it to Tohjo without sinking the boat I'll be pleasantly surprised." Brock mentioned.

"Ritchie what brings you to Tohjo by the way?" Misty asked.

"Just making my journey around, thought I'd stop by Johto again." Ritchie answered. "Why are all of you coming along?"

"Well we decided on taking another journey together while Ash trains for his Elite 4 Challenge." May told him.

"You're battling the Elite 4?!" Ritchie asked in surprise.

"Yep, you're looking at the newest champion of the Kalos League." Ash said proudly.

"You won a league? Really?" Ritchie asked with doubt.

"Yes, I did," Ash answered beginning to get annoyed. "Do you not believe me?"

"I'm not saying you're lying, it's just a bit hard to believe." Ritchie shook his head with a smile.

"What's that supposed to mean?" May asked angrily, not liking what Ritchie was insinuating.

"Calm down, why are being so defensive over him?" Ritchie fired back.

This caused May to freeze and she felt a rush of small heat to her face. Luckily there were others around her to step in.

"Maybe it's because we've seen all the work Ash has put in over the years to reach this point and now, he's got his rewards." Dawn told him.

"If you were a rival of Ash's at one point you would've realised that." Leaf backed up.

"Hey, why are you all ganging up on me? I didn't even say anything bad." Ritchie spoke, getting angry himself now.

"Well, how about we settle this the old-fashioned way." Gary suggested. "When we land in Tohjo, we'll have a 1 vs 1 Pokémon battle between Ash and Ritchie."

"I like the sound of that." Ash said confidently.

"Fine, it'll just prove I'm the better battler and that nothing has changed since the Indigo Plateau." Ritchie shrugged. "I'm going to go get my Pokémon now actually, looks like we'll be there soon."

He turned from the group and headed down into the boat to retrieve his Pokémon.

"What a jerk." Serena muttered. "Was he always like this?"

"No, the other couple times we met him he was really nice." Brock told her. "Something must have changed.

"It doesn't matter what changed," Misty spoke angrily. "It still gives him no right to act that way."

"You're right but there is a positive to this." Max pointed out.

"What do you mean?" Serena asked.

"We get to see a Pokémon battle." He told excitedly.

"Good to see you're still as excited as you used to be." Brock laughed.

"You'd think now that you're a trainer you'd be used to seeing battles all the time." May scolded.

"I am used to them I just like watching good battles." Max spat back.

"Well, you're in for a good one Max," Ash said with confidence. "You're about to watch the Kalos League Champion go to work."

"Now I'm definitely rooting against you after you said that." Gary rolled his eyes.

"You better win this one Ash," Gaz warned. "I didn't lose to you in Kalos just to see you get beat by a trainer like that."

"Not a chance." Ash replied.

"Well we better go get our Pokémon. We'll be arriving soon." Iris suggested.

The group all went down and collected their Pokémon from the room they were in. They expected to run into Ritchie, but he was nowhere to be seen when they were down there.

"Hey was that crater in the floor there before?" Serena asked quizzically.

"Oh crap, which one of you did it?" Ash asked all his Pokémon.

All the Pokémon turned as one to look at a sheepish Gible, Oshawott even nudged him forward to make sure he was seen while Piplup was shooting daggers at the Land Shark Pokémon.

"It doesn't matter, let's just go." Ash shook his head while recalling all his Pokémon.

"Should we tell someone?" Cameron asked.

"If I've learned one thing over the years it's when you cause too much damage to something you just run. So, let's go." Ash said before quickly exiting.

"Sounds good to me." Cameron agreed as he rushed up after Ash.

The group once again emerged on the deck to see Ritchie waiting while leaning against the deck rails.

"The ship is just about to land," He pointed out. "So, are you ready to lose to me again Ash?"

"Big talk from the guy that hasn't won a league yet." Ash teased.

This visibly infuriated Ritchie as he clenched his fist at his side.

"Let's just let our battling do the talking." Ritchie spoke through gritted teeth.

"I think you touched a nerve with that one Ash." Gaz pointed out.

The boat reached the dock, and everyone waited for the ship's crew to lower the staircase for everyone to get off. The group made their way off the boat and stood on the boardwalk.

"Where would be the best place for a battle?" Max wondered aloud.

"There's a small clearing over her, it's at the edge of a small wooded area. I battled some guy there the last time I was in Johto." Ritchie explained.

"Sounds good, lead the way." Ash nodded.

Ritchie led the group to an area just like he described, just past the first line of trees there was a big clearing. It looked all natural yet perfect for a Pokémon battle.

"How convenient." Iris muttered.

"Hey Brock, do you mind refereeing?" Ash asked.

"Of course," Brock smiled. "Just like old times.

Ash and Ritchie took their places on opposite sides of the clearing, there wasn't even a need for them to communicate it, just two trainers following their instinct.

Brock took his place at the side of the clearing as he took up the all too familiar position of referee.

"This will be a 1 on 1 Pokémon battle between Ash Ketchum and Ritchie." Brock spoke with both his arms raised. "No substitutions will be allowed, when I decide a Pokémon is no longer able to battle that will be the end of the match."

"You don't know my last name do you Brock?" Ritchie asked with annoyance.

"Uhhhhh… what makes you say that?" Brock asked trying to dodge the question.

"You would have said it like you did Ash's if you did." Ritchie shouted.

"I'm on Ritchie's side for that one, that'd annoy me too." Gaz conceded.

"It seems to happen quite a lot," Iris pointed out. "I don't even think Ash knows his surname."

The spectators turned to look at Ash who had is brow furrowed while looking at Ritchie.

"I think you're right." Dawn laughed.

"I've been looking forward to the chance at battling you again Ash." Ritchie shouted across the clearing.

"Me too." Ash replied with a smile.

"I wonder who Ash is going to choose to battle." Max pondered.

His intrigue was answered with Ash turning to Pikachu on his shoulder and the Electric-Mouse jumping onto the terrain where he stood ready for battle.

"Old reliable." Gary laughed.

"What will Ritchie counter with though?" Cameron asked.

"Since Ash chose Pikachu, I think I know what Ritchie is going to counter with." Misty said knowingly.

Ritchie reached inside his jacket and took out a pokéball.

"Come help me out Sparky." He shouted as he reared back and threw it.

Out of the ball came a beam of translucent energy that manifested into a large mouse like creature. However, it was not the one Ash, Misty and Brock expected.

"A Raichu? Leaf said. "This should be good."

"Sparky evolved?" Misty said with shock.

"Well Ash, what do you think of the new and improved Sparky?" Ritchie asked confidently.

"I can't believe he evolved." Ash said in surprise.

"Well, we came across a Thunder Stone during our travels through Hoenn and I gave it to Sparky. I think he took to it exceptionally well. You should consider doing the same." Ritchie referred to the Pikachu he was about to face.

"I gave that option to Pikachu before and he declined it. It's his choice and he said no. I'd never do anything that he doesn't want to do." Ash spoke passionately. In front of him Pikachu nodded adamantly and looked back at his best friend with a face of appreciation.

"It's not like I forced Sparky to evolve Ash." Ritchie said with a sigh as Sparky nodded in front of him. "Both of us knew we were only going to get so far if we didn't improve in any way we could. Why would Sparky stay as an inferior Pikachu when he can be a Raichu?"

Pikachu's ears perked up at the word inferior and he reacted angrily.

"Pika, pipiakchu." He cried angrily.

"Rai, raichu, rai." Sparky argued back.

"Well that escalated quickly." Gaz remarked.

"Come on Ash!" May shouted from the side lines causing everyone to jump. "Beat that guy and show him he's wrong."

Ash felt happiness well up inside him at hearing May's supporting words.

"We've done enough talking." Ash turned his hat to the back and turned his focus completely to the battlefield in front of him. "Let's get started."

"Finally." Ritchie smirked.

"Let the battle begin!" Brock shouted, raising up a pair of flags that he seemingly pulled out of nowhere.

Ash took his usual tactic of attacking first.

"Pikachu, start us off with a Quick Attack."

Pikachu darted toward Sparky in a zig-zagging pattern causing a stream of light to follow him. He slammed into Sparky which caused the Raichu to be pushed back a couple inches. When Pikachu turned to face his opponent, he noticed that Sparky looked relatively unphased.

"When a Pikachu evolves into a Raichu they're defence takes a much-needed boost." Ritchie laughed. "Sparky, how about we show them your improved attack too, use Thunderbolt."

"Dodge it." Ash shouted.

Pikachu leaped out of the way of the surge of electricity just in time.

"Pikachu, I know it's been a while, but do you remember how we beat Lieutenant Surge's Raichu back in Kanto?" Ash asked his Pokémon, where he received a nod in reply. "Then let's try it again, start off with a Quick Attack."

"Sparky, when he gets close, grab him and prepare a Thunder."

Pikachu sprinted towards Sparky once again, both Pokémon awaiting their trainers call.

"Sparky, grab him."

"Pikachu, now!"

Sparky went to grab Pikachu only for its pre-evolution to nimbly jump out of the way. He tried again only to once again be unsuccessful. This continued for a few minutes with Sparky getting increasingly frustrated.

"Does something seem off to you guys?" Gaz asked.

"Yeah, this battle seems off." Leaf agreed.

"What do you guys mean?" Dawn asked intrigued.

"The flow isn't right, there's no consistency." Cameron noticed.

"You're so smart when it comes to battling." Serena giggled.

"I'm still confused." Iris admitted.

"I don't think Ritchie's mind is completely on the battle." Gary explained. "He's barely giving any commands and he looks distracted."

"He's probably just not taking Ash seriously." Max said dismissively.

"Well, that's a big mistake. GOOOOO ASSSSHHHHH." May shouted again causing everyone to jump once more.

The group continued to watch the battle. Though now under a closer scrutiny.

"Sparky, fall back." Ritchie commanded as his Raichu jumped backwards still ready for battle. "Let's stop playing around, use Volt Tackle."

"Pikachu, use Volt Tackle as well." Ash said with excitement.

"Here we go." Cameron cheered.

"Watch out everyone." Misty warned.

Ash gripped his hat in anticipation as Ritchie covered his face with his forearm.

The two Pokémon clashed in the middle of the clearing causing a loud explosion. After the initial loud crash heard from the impact, there were another 3 or 4 equally loud noises.

"What the hell was that? What were those other noises?" Gary shouted perplexed, no one could answer though as no one could hear him over all the commotion.

The smoke from the initial collision cleared, the ringing in everyone's ears stopped. Immediately Ash noticed that there were more people that there used to be here.

"You're still as hopeless as ever Ash." A voice spoke out, Ash's stomach dropped as he recognised the voice. He couldn't get it out of his head since he left Professor Oak's Lab. He turned to see Paul walking towards him with his trademark, detestable smirk.

"You're still too dumb to notice a diversion."

Ash felt a metaphorical punch in his gut as he looked across the clearing to see Ritchie with a big smile as he took off his hat to reveal a red capital R on the brim.

Hope you enjoyed that twist and the chapter as a whole please follow and leave a review if you wish. Shoutout Biden, Stay safe!