My Wings

by DestinyHead123

This vast world is filled with uncertainties, from ancient myths to urban legends. Stories passed down for centuries have become intertwined with current cultures, producing this reimagined world in which our hero, Ash Ketchum, chases the answer to an age-old question. What does it mean to be a Pokemon Master? – AU, adult characters, real-world cultures

11. Disruption

Chapter 11

---

Saturday, April 10th (1408)

8:06am.

Ash sat in the passenger seat of Brock's car with his forehead pressed against the window. The beginning of his journey was marked by a sight that he was all too familiar with. They drove along an elevated thruway to leave Vermilion City that cut right through the northern suburbs. These densely populated neighborhoods thinned out with time, and the woodlands of Route 6 began. Soon enough, the thruway was lowered into the ground, and it quickly shrunk into a two-lane road that twisted through the forest. There were hardly any differences as far as Ash could tell, and that thought made him chuckle as he looked forward. His small laugh didn't go unnoticed.

"What's got you so smiley?" Gary asked from the back seat. Gary sat alone with his Pokedex in hand while Brock commanded the vehicle from the driver's seat.

"Oh," Ash looked back at Gary. "This is the way that Brock, Pikachu, and I would take to meet with Giselle to practice a few years ago."

"Yeah, you guys never missed practice," Brock noted.

"Who's Giselle?" Gary inquired.

Ash pursed his lips as he looked at Pikachu on his lap. "She was sort of my mentor and a practice partner," Ash explained. "She and her Cubone helped me and Pikachu work on the basics. She could be a real slave-driver when she's ready."

"And let's not forget that she was a total babe!" Brock added with rosy cheeks. Ash tried to laugh off Brock's comment while Gary rolled his eyes.

"By the way, have you heard from Giselle?" Ash asked to help Brock refocus.

"Not recently, but I know that she went to Alola train with her Cubone. I heard about her was through a professor based in Alola named Kukui," Brock added as an aside. "But apparently, she's teaching a course about Pokemon battles at a school."

"She became a teacher?" Ash exclaimed as he looked up in thought. Considering her work as his mentor, the idea of her as a teacher was very fitting. Ash could picture her explaining the value of consistent practice to her students alongside her Cubone. At least, until Brock invaded Ash's imagination with comments about her dressed as an alluring school teacher. Her hair tied in a bun, sharp glasses, high heels, form-fitting skirt…Ash waved his hands through the image and shot a glare at Brock. "Brock, keep that stuff in your head, not mine!"

Brock laughed without care for Ash's expression, and Pikachu snickered at his trainer's expense.

They drove for another ten minutes before a thought crossed Brock's mind. He pulled over onto the shoulder of the road and brought the car to a stop.

"What's going on, Brock?" Ash inquired.

"Since we're pretty far from the city now, I figured it was time we get all our Pokemon out here and let them enjoy the ride with us," Brock declared.

It sounded like a great idea in theory. But it was far from it in practice, coming primarily at Gary's expense. They started driving again, and Gary was wedged into the back seat, which he shared with Wartortle, Rockruff, and Greninja. It was a tight fit, so Umbreon abandoned the chair to rest on the carpet floor. Rockruff barked merrily as his tail wagged subconsciously, swatting against Wartortle and Greninja.

Greninja didn't seem pleased with Rockruff since his tail struck Greninja's 'tongue scarf' earlier, a sensation Greninja absolutely hated, though Rockruff remained blissfully unaware. Weary of the pup going forward, Greninja kept his scarf in hand to protect it. Wartortle, on the other hand, didn't even feel Rockruff's tail hitting his shell, but Gary quickly noticed that his partner seemed a little out of sorts.

"You're looking a little…purple," Gary noted as he furrowed his brow. Wartortle's skin lost its usual color, and instead, it was practically magenta. Wartortle raised his head slowly to look at Gary, and there was a wobble in his posture. Suddenly, his cheeks bulged as a warning. "Brock, pull over!"

"For what?"

"Pull over now!" Gary's request became a demand.

The instant the car stopped, Ash was forced out of the passenger seat for Gary to push it forward and make way for Wartortle's escape. The moment Wartortle was outside, he sprinted to the bushes near the roadside. Even at a distance, the group could hear him retching.

"What's wrong with Wartortle?" Ash asked as he looked back into the car at Gary.

"It looks like he gets carsick," Gary noted with a frown. "I think I'll be keeping him in his Pokeball then."

Gary's statement was an open invitation for Greninja and Umbreon to request the same. Gary complied without question while Ash attempted to reason with his partner. However, Greninja didn't want to be reasoned with. He didn't like the experience of being crammed into a car, and that was after only a few minutes. Ash doubted he would find any joy in it a few hours from now, especially when a Pokeball could offer a more comfortable setting.

They gave Wartortle a few minutes before he returned. His skin color was still off, and he looked drained, almost as if he'd seen a Ghastly. Gary recalled him to his Pokeball for the time being with a promise to check on him when they reached the first rest stop on their trip. With most of their Pokemon called back to their Pokeballs after only a few minutes into their experiment, the group got back on the road.

As their ride through Route 6 continued, Gary understood why Melissa, Charles' assistant told Brock to 'behave himself' as her parting words. Brock rolled down the windows and turned up his music to the point where it was deafening. He sang along with the music, practically screaming while Rockruff would bark to the beat and howl whenever the singer held a note. And Brock's taste in music was probably the most peculiar that Gary ever encountered. One moment, it was electronic pop music, and the next, it was the theme song of an old television sitcom.

Gary requested that Brock lower the volume, and he complied. But this unleashed a greater evil...Brock's singing. It was far more challenging to tolerate than the music itself. Gary quickly advised him to turn the volume up again. Gary would've bought a pair of soundproof headphones before leaving Vermilion City if he had anticipated this. His only option was to tough it out for the time being. Gary wondered how Ash was dealing with this, so he leaned forward to check on Ash in the passenger seat.

Ash and Pikachu were…sleeping.

"How are they sleeping through this?" Gary asked aloud, though his voice was drowned out by the noise pollution within the car.

With limited options, Gary buried his face in his Pokedex. He passed the time reading about Umbreon and their behavioral patterns on the PokeHub. This was a topic he looked into regularly. However, it was challenging to find an answer with the sheer quantity of the information offered on the PokeHub. Gary immersed himself in a selection of articles on his phone screen, and the music became nothing but background noise. During previous attempts, Gary sifted through documents and research papers about Umbreon, some of which were written and preserved from over a century ago. While they provided further insight into Umbreon and his abilities, the subject Gary was looking for didn't appear.

So, he broadened his search, and he quickly learned that Umbreon's temperament wasn't exclusive to him. It was something about dark type Pokemon in general. Their whole psychology was different. They were among the most emotionally charged Pokemon, fueled intensely by their experiences. His carefree days as an Eevee were over, and now he was entering an adolescent mindset.

Gary scratched at his chin. Umbreon was almost three years old now, and that was especially young to experience evolution. Was it too early for his Umbreon? Did he need to adjust to how he experienced everything? After all, as an Eevee, he lacked any sort of maturity. Perhaps he didn't understand what he was feeling, and that's why he was so tricky to gauge…

The car slowed, and Gary raised his head. Looking out the window, he saw a sign that read 'Route 6 – Rest Area #8' pass by, then he looked forward. They entered the first rest stop on their journey, and Gary raised his brow at the sight of it.

A large clearing was cut out of the dense forests of Route 6 for this rest stop. In fact, the size of this rest stop rivaled the town square in Pallet Town. It offered a gas station, fast food, a souvenir shop, and cheap lodging in the form of a motel. There were dozens of cars present with people moving in and out of the building, but as they got closer, all heads turned to the source of the obnoxiously loud music. Brock didn't care as he found a parking spot near the building, and Gary sunk down further into his seat to conceal himself.

Once Brock turned off the car, the music went silent, and Gary's ears began to ring. "Alright, guys, let's stretch our legs a bit. We've been driving for a while," Brock looked to Ash, who was still sound asleep and shook his shoulder to awaken him. "Ash, wake up. We're at a rest stop."

"Uh…ah," Ash opened his eyes and raised a hand to shield them from the sunlight. The movement caused Pikachu to stir on his lap. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Like an hour, we got here in good time," Brock replied.

Gary glanced at the clock on his phone. He didn't even realize an hour had passed while he was reading. At the very least, he had something to fall back on if the boredom ever got too intense. But then again, there might be headphones for sale within one of the shops. Brock exited the care and called for Rockruff to join him. The pup sprang out of the car with a yip and pranced around Brock's feet.

"Wait, you're taking Rockruff in there with you?" Ash called out to Brock.

"My bad, I forgot you've never been to a rest stop," Brock noted with a weak laugh. "Things are different on a Route compared to in a city. The people who work out here see trainers and Pokemon more frequently than city folk. If you spent the day here, you might even run into a few trainers."

There was a sparkle in Ash's eyes. "Can we?"

"No," Brock's voice was flat. "I said you might run into trainers here, and there's no point in wasting time sitting here all day."

Ash made a face at Brock. "I didn't want to see other trainers anyway," He retorted with a huff. Ash gave a call to Pikachu, and the tiny Pokemon took his place on Ash's shoulder. Together they marched off to the main entrance of the rest stop, and with Brock's earlier insights in mind, they ventured into this establishment together. Ash chewed on his lower lip at first as he looked around. It was sparsely occupied, but it took a little while for him to spot someone else accompanied by a Pokemon. It was actually a security guard with a Machop beside him. He tipped his cap at Ash as they passed, and Ash returned the gesture.

Vermilion City was a curveball when Ash first returned. He was spoiled in Ecruteak City since he could go everywhere with Frogadier and Growlithe. But in a modern setting, his Pokemon had to be hidden. It was easy enough since Greninja and Growlithe would return to their Pokeballs, and Pikachu would stay in the car or his backpack. It wasn't fair that his companion had to hide, but there wasn't much of an option, not if he didn't want the police to get involved. So, this rest stop was that breath of fresh air that Ash was looking for.

He had Pikachu on his shoulder, and he wasn't receiving any undue attention because of it. Ash wanted to call out Greninja, but Brock added a warning on their way in.

'It's one thing to walk around with Pikachu and Rockruff, but Greninja's a different story,' Brock said. 'There are still regular people that make pit stops here, and no offense to Greninja, but I think he might spook some of them…at least, inside the building. I don't think it'll be a big deal if you're outside with him."

The layout of the building closely resembled a mall, with a choice of restaurants and small shops to visit. Brock went off to visit the bathroom while the others ventured into the first gift shop.

"Man, they've got so many snacks here," Ash marveled at his selection of chips and candy. This was his opportunity to stock up for the rest of their trip to Saffron City.

Gary rumbled his lips as he saw Ash quickly obtain an armful of treats, some suggested by Pikachu and Rockruff. Instead, he kept any comments to himself and opted to search the store for headphones. Just as Gary was about to give up, he spotted a small section in the corner of the store. It was like a radiant light shined down from the heavens as Gary found a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Gary finished before Ash despite the time invested in his search. That armful of snacks was now a basketful, and Gary felt that Ash probably spent more money than him.

Without a reason to hang around inside, Gary decided to return to the car. He used this time to call Wartortle out of his Pokeball to see how he felt. Wartortle shook out his legs before he looked up at Gary and grinned.

"Feeling better now, huh?" Gary asked him, and Wartortle nodded. "I didn't think you'd get carsick...but then again, you've never been a car either," Gary noted. "Sorry about that."

"Tor-tle," Wartortle responded, and he tapped the front of his shell.

Gary took a seat on the hood of Brock's car and decided to unbox his headphones. They covered Gary's ears completely, and he was glad to plug them into his phone. He searched for a song to test them, but as he made a selection, Gary saw that Wartortle was suddenly accompanied by two young women. They kneeled down to address Wartortle, who blushed as they admired the smoothness of his skin.

"Wow! Are you his trainer?" They asked with a glance toward Gary.

He removed his headphones and nodded. "Yeah, Wartortle and I have been together since he was a Squirtle."

"He's such a cutie!"

The pair introduced themselves as sisters named Daisy and Lily. At first, Gary didn't mind their company as they wanted to know more about Wartortle. However, they both shared more with Gary than he cared to know. Apparently, they were heading back to Cerulean City after spending the last week in Fuchsia City. According to Lily, they could've flown back home, but the road trip was to ease tension between them with the ultimate cure-all: 'shopping!'

Thankfully, the cavalry arrived…or more specifically, Brock's theatrics came to Gary's rescue.

At the sight of Daisy and Lily, Brock broke out into a sprint. As he came close, he dropped to one knee and took one of their hands in each of his. "Well, hello there," Brock lowered his voice as he spoke. "I must be in a dream if I'm seeing two radiant beauties at the same time. You're both clear evidence of why men fall in love at first sight!"

Lily snatched her hand away from Brock. "And you're the reason why women don't!" She snapped back before she turned away with a huff.

Daisy offered Brock a small smile. "I'm sure you're a nice guy, but the flirty type doesn't float with us."

"Tor-pe-do!" Gary called out before he mimicked an explosion. Brock's face sunk with his ship, and Gary laughed openly at his expense. Ash looked on, scratching the back of his head as Daisy and Lily gave Gary and Wartortle a proper goodbye. As the girls left, Gary placed a hand on Brock's shoulder.

"I forgot that you don't waste any time putting your foot in your mouth," Gary commented.

Brock's eyebrow twitched. "And what was wrong with what I said?"

"Maybe try to focus on one girl at a time next time," Ash suggested.

"I don't know, Ashy-boy," Gary interjected. "Going one at a time would just delay the inevitable for him. They were both going to tell him to buzz off regardless," Gary stifled a laugh before adding. "I mean, this is Brock we're talking about."

Brock leered at Gary as his comments about him continued. "Oh yeah, yuk it up while you can," Brock muttered.

The guys took one last opportunity to stretch their legs out before they piled back into the car once again. Brock volunteered to drive for the next leg, so Ash and Gary decided to swap seats. This placed Ash in the backseat, where he had the company of Rockruff and Pikachu.

As they got back onto the main road of Route 6, Brock warned both Ash and Gary that they would be driving for at least three hours. Hopefully, their next stop would be at the 'Route 6 – Rest Area #6,' the first major rest area on their trip to Saffron City.

---

11:13am.

There was tension between the passengers at the front of the car. Both Pikachu and Rockruff could feel it, and they were glad to be seated in the back with Ash, where they were out of harm's way.

It probably started with Brock's failed attempt to woo Daisy and Lily, which sparked several comments from Gary. From that moment forward, Brock was like a Luxray on the prowl, waiting for Gary to show any sort of weakness. And as fate would have it, an opportunity arose.

Gary requested that Brock stop as they approached rest area number seven for him to use the bathroom. But…without a word, Brock ignored Gary's request and drove right past the rest area. There was a moment of silence before Gary started to shout at Brock. After a few minutes, Gary demanded that Brock pull over onto the side of the road. While Gary stepped out of the car to relieve himself, Ash inquired about Brock's behavior.

"You can say many things about me," Brock answered with a nefarious twinkle in his eyes. "But I won't have my babe attraction skills trampled upon. Gary will pay for this…blasphemy."

Brock didn't hesitate to make his declaration of war when Gary returned to the car.

"On this road trip, the strongest bladder determines the pit stops, not the weakest," Brock announced as he stared right at Gary.

At that moment, Ash sensed that a 'battle' was beginning. One that he wanted no part of.

---

12:46pm.

Route 6 – Rest Area #6.

'Major' was definitely the right word to describe it. Compared to the two rest stops they had seen so far, this one was gigantic! From what Ash could tell as they entered the parking lot, it was a mall that rivaled the biggest one in the heart of Vermilion City. There was also an extension, a three-star hotel with enough rooms to house a small community.

"It does," Brock explained. "The major rest stops are like a home base for the people that work at the smaller rest stops, and they get a room and free meals for working on Route 6. And here's a little surprise I kept for you, Ash," Brock said as he glanced back at his friend. "A good chunk of the people that work at these rest stops are Pokemon trainers."

"No way, really!?" Ash exclaimed.

Brock nodded. "Ye-up. Since the people at rest stops are more relaxed when it comes to Pokemon, it gives trainers more freedom to focus on training," Brock went on. "But wages are super low at these rest stops, so I wouldn't say these trainers are really living a comfortable life. It's all about Pokemon for them, but it's not for everyone. I can't blame anyone who doesn't want to spend all their time just scraping by. That's why you'll find more trainers in major cities than out here."

"So, these trainers must be pretty tough," Ash remarked.

"There might be some strong ones, but don't make any sweeping assumptions," Brock cut in. "These trainers have to work to get a room and meals. Plus, a commute to whichever rest stop they work at," Brock pointed out with a frown. "Honestly, I don't think they get that much time to train either."

Ash lowered his shoulders and looked down at Pikachu on his lap. "But for some people, it beats trying to hide a Pokemon while living in a city," He noted. Pikachu tilted his head as he returned Ash's gaze.

"It stinks, but don't get sad about it," Brock concluded. "Hopefully, the Pokemon League will fix that."

Ash took a deep breath, and his chest swelled. When he exhaled, his cheeks were tickled, and Ash couldn't help but snicker. "The Pokemon League…man, now I'm starting to get that itch again."

They did skip their morning practice sessions in favor of an early departure from Vermilion City. Ash requested that they take a break at this rest stop to do a little training, especially since he could see other trainers doing just that near the edge of the property. Despite his desire to train, a more pressing issue presented itself to Ash. His stomach growled.

Once Brock parked the car, the first order of business was lunch.

As they ventured into the establishment, the guys were floored as they stepped through the main entrance. The interior of the rest stop could easily compete with some of the shopping malls available in Vermilion City. Hanging lights and potted plants, skylights through the roof, and an array of dazzling shops. More options were available at this rest stop than its smaller counterparts to make the most of its increased traffic.

Ash and Gary went straight to the food court while Brock searched for a bathroom again. The food court was large, with two seating areas, one at the center of the room and another at the back. The second seating area was where Ash spotted a jumble of peculiar-sized bodies. Each belonged to a different Pokemon that accompanied their trainer.

He saw a young woman seated with a Pidgeotto perched on the back post of the opposite seat. At another table was a middle-aged man with a Furret who devoured a pile of oran berries. Ash didn't recognize every Pokemon in the room. That aside, his stomach reminded him of his priorities before he could get distracted.

It only took a moment for Ash to decide where he would get his lunch. There was a buffet that offered cuisine that almost mirrored what he used to eat every day in Ecruteak City, so Ash couldn't resist. He collected a tray after circling the buffet, and the fun started. As Ash filled his plates, he explained how each dish was made to Pikachu. Rice balls, dumplings, spring rolls, steamed vegetables, noodles…Ash couldn't wait to eat! At least until he reached the register. A scale weighed his collection to determine the price, and the thirty-dollar price tag was like a punch in the gut.

Ash exhaled before he pulled out his debit card to pay. 'Foreign cuisine' might have been enough to justify the price, but this was home cooking for Ash, and he would happily pay for it. Although…there were now plans to be more frugal in the future. His contract with Charles Goodshow was designed to cover expenses as he traveled, but Ash didn't want to waste the bulk of it on food.

Having paid for his meal, Ash thanked the cashier and returned to the seating area. Pikachu spotted Gary near the back in a large booth with his Pokemon.

"Hey Gary, check this out," Ash announced as he approached. Gary looked up from his Pokedex, and Ash waved his hand over the array of delicacies on his tray.

"Ehh," Gary frowned. "I was never really a big fan of the food in Ecruteak City."

Ash's eyes grew wide. "How could you not? Everything there was delicious!"

"I'm pretty sure you think everything is delicious," Gary muttered, and Wartortle snickered at his comment.

Ash paid no mind to Gary's remark and sat down. Once settled, he cut small portions of his meals to let Pikachu sample them. Unfortunately, Pikachu didn't care for most of it aside from the rice balls. While Ash was a little disappointed that Pikachu didn't like this style of food, he would find something that suited his partner's taste. Ash tilted his head as he looked at Wartortle and Umbreon. Both of them were tearing through a bowl of mixed berries with gusto.

"Where did you get the berries for them?" Ash inquired, and Gary set down his Pokedex to point out the shop closest to their seating area.

Ash rose from his seat with Pikachu, and they went to investigate. The shop Gary pointed out offered fresh fruits, vegetables, and berries. According to one of the shopkeepers, there was a field behind the complex where they grew these berries. They offered them in small portions that could be eaten at the rest stop, or they could package them in bulk for trainers to take along on their travels. Ash purchased an order for Pikachu and Greninja.

They returned to the booth, and as Ash and Pikachu began to eat, Brock arrived. Gary was the only one who spared him a glance as he greeted them. However, Gary's eyes widened slightly as he noticed a minor detail about Brock's appearance that clearly went unnoticed by the person in question. Brock's pants zipper was down…

"What's a good place to eat?" Brock asked as he eyed what his friends were eating. Rockruff did the same as he approached Umbreon and Pikachu, though they gave him clearance to eat from their bowls. Gary didn't look like the type to share, and at the rate Ash was stuffing his face, Brock saw a high probability of his hand being bitten if he reached in for something.

"I went to the pizza place over there," Gary said with a slight nod in its direction. "It's pretty good, and Ash found a place that serves food like what we ate in Ecruteak City. I don't know if you might want to try that."

Ash looked at Brock to add his thoughts at the mention of where he got his meal. As he did so, he caught sight of Brock's current predicament. Ash's mouth was still partially full, so his words were muffled as he tried to speak. Suddenly, the table shook, and Ash jolted as his shin was struck by Gary's foot. Ash began to hit his chest as he struggled with the food he swallowed unintentionally.

"Come on, Ash, I always tell you not to talk with your mouth full," Brock mumbled as he hit Ash's back a few times to help him out. Ash coughed and hacked for a few moments before he snatched up his water bottle to drown what remained lodged in his throat.

"Hey Brock," Gary noted with a smirk. "There's a girl a few tables down checking you out right now."

Brock raised an eyebrow as he looked in the direction Gary nodded his head. Just as Gary said, there was a young woman with a Pidgeotto with dark hair and dazzling eyes. By the time Ash regained his composure, Brock was already gone.

"Gary, are you really going to let him go off with his zipper down?" Ash asked as he watched Brock begin one of his many routines.

Gary pursed his lips as he directed his smirk at Ash. "If a man's zipper is down, that's his problem…you didn't see anything," Gary had a glint in his eyes.

When Ash turned to look back at Gary, he gulped. That tension he felt between Brock and Gary was…growing.

More proof of Ash's sentiment was provided when Brock returned with his meal a few minutes later. There was a dark cloud about his head, and it began to produce lightning as he sat down across from Gary with a glare.

"How could you suggest that I talk to her with my zipper down?" Brock asked in a harsh whisper.

"How did you leave the bathroom with your zipper down in the first place?" Gary asked in return. "There are mirrors in there for a reason."

"Urk," Brock cringed before he pointed at Gary. "That was an act of sacrilege, and you know it," Brock leaned forward and wrinkled the bridge of his nose. "It will not be forgiven."

"Do your worst," Gary challenged him.

The kid gloves were off, and Ash wanted no part of whatever would follow.

---

Ash and Pikachu were the first to finish eating lunch, so they left Brock and Gary with the hope that their 'battle' wouldn't escalate any further. That thought aside, Ash decided to focus his concern on something that did matter.

"Greninja, are you in the mood for lunch?" Ash asked as Greninja was released from his Pokeball.

Greninja took shape on the grassy field, seated with his legs folded beneath him. He opened one eye, first to take a quick look at the area, then he opened both to look at Ash and Pikachu, and they smiled at him.

"We stopped for lunch," Ash continued as he pointed to the rest stop. "I found something I'm sure you're going to enjoy."

Ash proudly presented Greninja with a lunch tray on which three rice balls were waiting and a selection of delectable berries. Greninja raised his brow as Ash set the tray down in front of him, and he immediately snatched up one of the rice balls. His scarf concealed his smile, but Ash saw a sparkle in Greninja's eyes as he ate a rice ball for the first time in just over three weeks.

"I thought you might be happy with that," Ash noted with a snicker. "Pikachu and I already ate, so we're going to stretch and get a little workout in. You're free to join us after you eat, but make sure you warm up first."

Greninja nodded before Ash and Pikachu took some distance to let him focus on his meal. Together, the duo went through their usual routine of stretches to loosen their muscles. After spending so many hours seated in the car, they were glad to get their bodies moving. As they stretched, Ash and Pikachu observed some of the activity on the field. A battle took place at the edge of the area near the tree line with a few stray observers. Closer to the rest stop were some children playing soccer under close supervision from their parents. It was odd to see a battle in such a public area with no cause for concern, but Ash grinned nonetheless. Hopefully, they would get a chance to participate in a match too.

Ash and Pikachu concluded their fifteen minutes of stretching with some rhythmic arm circles. Pikachu set their pace, giving a small shout of 'Pi!' with each turn of their arms. Ash chuckled inwardly as he recalled when Pikachu struggled to do some basic stretching after their reunion. Pikachu's conditioning was improving slowly but steadily.

"Alright, are you ready, Pikachu?" Ash asked, and Pikachu nodded.

They started with a brisk jog, traveling around the field's perimeter. After a quick breather, they began Pikachu's footwork exercises. Despite all Pikachu's efforts during the past three weeks, his mobility was still lacking. It would take more time to shake off the rust than Ash first anticipated.

Greninja arrived during a short break for Pikachu, a time that Ash used to explain how this exercise would apply in battle.

"The whole point of this is to make sure you can keep your balance at all times, Pikachu," Ash explained, though he nodded to Greninja as this lesson would apply to him as well. "Good balance and posture will ensure that you are comfortable moving from any position."

Once Pikachu resumed his exercise, Ash and Greninja took some distance to begin their usual sparring. Back on the beaches of Route 11, their spars would regularly garner some attention, and it did the same here. Some of the Pokemon trainers at the edge of the field came closer to observe. Ash and Greninja even earned the attention of some of the tourists seated outside.

Ash was still primarily defending himself during these spars. Greninja was always in control, thanks to his quickness. Ash might have been the bigger body physically, but Greninja's blows could pack a punch that Ash did his best to block or avoid. In their various spars, Ash rarely scored a hit, which was often through exploiting his advantage in size and reach on Greninja. But these days, Greninja was quick to notice what Ash was doing and deny him those opportunities.

Ash slid his foot into position and threw an open palm toward Greninja's abdomen. Greninja impeded the path of the attack with his forearm and parried away Ash's attack, which left him open to retaliation. Greninja used the pocket created in Ash's guard to strike, a punch straight to his jaw that sent him forced him back a few steps.

"Ah, can't you let me look a decent at least once?" Ash asked as he rubbed his jaw. When Ash looked at Greninja, he saw a glint in the Pokemon's eyes, and then Greninja raised a hand as an invitation for Ash to try again. "Alright, you asked for it!"

It didn't take much to convince Ash to return for more punishment, and Greninja didn't hold back. Greninja went airborne and attacked with a trio of kicks, all of which Ash blocked with his forearms. On the final kick, Greninja used Ash's arm for leverage and performed a forward flip to land behind his trainer. Ash predicted Greninja's landing spot and lashed out with one of his legs to kick Greninja's legs from underneath him. His balance was gone!

Ash immediately spun around with one arm extended. The back of his fist connected with Greninja's jaw to return the favor from earlier. Once Greninja recovered from the blow, he narrowed his gaze at Ash, who shot him a grin.

"You want some more?" Ash asked him, and Greninja darted forward to continue.

With each exchange, they refined the other.

---

Whispers of a trainer in a sparring match with his own Pokemon spread among the trainers at the rest stop, which eventually traveled to the food court. Brock couldn't conceal his smirk as he saw some of the nearby trainers hustle through lunch to see this for themselves. Of course, that got Gary riled up as well.

It was evident that Gary was trying to conceal it. Still, Brock saw his eyes twitch as a table nearby was gushing about this 'trainer and his Greninja' and how they wanted to challenge him. Gary tried to preoccupy himself by reading a Pokedex entry, but he chewed on his lower lip instead. Once Wartortle and Umbreon were finished eating, Gary rose from his seat to throw out their garbage and called for his Pokemon to follow him outside.

Brock shook his head and chuckled at Gary's behavior. From what he knew about Gary, Brock never imagined that someone like Ash could get under his skin so easily. In fact, it wasn't even Ash himself that seemed to bother Gary, but rather Ash's rapidly developing skills and reputation as a trainer.

That thought aside, Brock knew that if the two of them got involved with the battle scene, it could be a while before they were ready to leave.

"So much for this just being a pit stop," Brock remarked as he finished his lunch. "I guess I better find something to do to pass the time."

It didn't take long to realize that he was also sitting on a valuable opportunity. At this very moment, Ash was doing something to help promote the Pokemon League, and Brock would do the same.

'You and Brock will also try to create relationships with trainers in each town to get an idea of how this system can be crafted to better fit the needs of each trainer…'

That was part of the instructions they received from Charles Goodshow; to learn more about the needs of Pokemon trainers and enthusiasts all over the world. This rest stop did have something that Brock wanted to know more about, which led Brock back to the shop selling produce and berries.

Brock entered the shop and requested to speak with the manager, who was actually a Pokemon trainer. He was a man named Jerome who was in his late thirties that was partnered with a Quagsire. Brock had a list of questions for him centered around how they produced the supply of berries that they sold. Who were their suppliers? How often did they receive deliveries?

To Brock's surprise, Jerome shared that more than fifty percent of the produce they sold at this rest stop was grown in a greenhouse on the property. Jerome gave him a full tour and explained the entire process. There was a group of Sunkern and Oddish who visited the greenhouse daily. With their ability to interact with plant life, they accelerated the growth of vegetables and berries. Crops that usually took months to grow were harvested weekly and sold.

"Wow!" Brock exclaimed as he got to see a pair of Oddish in action. They pranced from one plot to the next, spreading golden dust onto the soil that caused it to glow for a few moments. Brock's eyebrows practically shot off his forehead when he saw seeds grow into sprouts and sprouts develop into their unique forms.

While Oddish worked from above ground, the Sunkern tended to soil from below. Brock couldn't see their actions, but Jerome explained that the Sunkern revitalized the soil since it was used so frequently. Their little sprouts could be seen moving everywhere, and Rockruff pursued them relentlessly. In addition, any leftovers were turned into compost to support the effort of the Sunkern. Brock read about the influence grass type Pokemon could have on the environment, but it was fascinating to see it in action!

After they toured the greenhouse, Jerome allowed Brock and Rockruff to sample any berry of their choosing. One, in particular, caught Rockruff's attention and, in turn, Brock's. It was a plump green berry with hairy skin.

"That's a rabuta berry," Jerome explained. "We recently got a couple from Cinnabar Island, and we started to grow them in bunches."

Brock pulled one from the short stalk that it hung from. He frowned as he felt its prickly exterior. "Are you supposed to peel it?"

"You can," Jerome replied before he tapped his stomach. "But eating the peel is good for the digestion, a lot of fiber. Although, if you're going back out on the road, I'd recommend driving with your windows down."

There was a twinkle in Brock's eyes, and a devious grin cropped up on his face as he looked at the rabuta berry in his hand.

---

5:16pm.

By the time Ash concluded his exercise, a few challengers were waiting to battle Greninja. Ash and Greninja would take a short break between matches, which allowed Gary to face anyone that wanted to battle. The two of them racked up victories at a blistering pace, and it reached the point where the other trainers requested that they face each other.

While Ash didn't mind, Gary turned down the suggestion. He 'claimed' that he didn't have any interest in battling Ash and Greninja unless both sides were at their best. Even though their battles weren't tough, both Greninja and Wartortle were worn out from the extended action they received. However, Brock still had to drag both of these trainers away from the battlefield to resume their travels.

"I can drive to the next rest stop," Gary offered as Ash climbed into the backseat with Pikachu and Rockruff.

"Don't worry about it; I'll drive," Brock insisted. "The two of you battled a lot, so I'll take the rest of today."

Gary shrugged his shoulders before he took his spot in the passenger seat. Brock visited the trunk of his car and opened a brown bag that he had recently stored there. In it was the rabuta berries that he received from Jerome. Brock fearlessly bit into it, though his lips puckered in response to the taste, and his eyes watered at first. He quickly got used to the taste and continued.

"Brock, what are you doing?" Gary called out.

"Just a quick snack," Brock replied as he finished off the last few bites. With a content tap on his stomach, Brock returned to the driver's seat, and their journey continued.

They lowered the windows and got comfortable as they got back out onto the main road. They were off schedule now with how much time they spent at the last rest area. There was no chance of them reaching Saffron City before sunset, so now their goal was to get as close as possible. Ash chuckled as he looked at Pikachu, who was already sound asleep. Considering how much exercise Pikachu did, it was no surprise that he fell asleep. Rockruff snuggled against Pikachu, acting as a pillow for him. For all the energy Rockruff displayed, he was also capable of tapping into a state of tranquility.

Discussion between the young men was limited as wind gusts drowned out their voices…until Brock raised the windows. Gary furrowed his brow as he looked at Brock. There was a smirk on his face.

"What'd you raise the windows for? Are you putting on the air conditioner?" Gary asked as he reached for the controls.

There was a pause before Brock answered. "No, I put them up for this," Brock rose up slightly in his seat, and a trumpet resounded from his rear end.

It took a second for Brock's action to register in Gary's mind. "There's no way you just did that!" Gary shouted as he dropped his hand down on the switch to lower the passenger window.

Brock did it again for good measure.

Ash burst into a fit of laughter in the back. But it was short-lived as the smell punched him square in the nose. "Dude, that smells awful!" Ash exclaimed as Pikachu and Rockruff stirred. When the scent reached them, they both buried their faces in the seat cushions for protection. "Gary, put your window down!"

"I can't!" Gary hollered in return as he pinched his nose and glared at Brock. "The windows are locked!"

"Brock! There are innocent bystanders in here!" Ash yelled.

Brock cackled like a tickled Haunter as the car remained sealed.

---

It was nearly ten o'clock at night as they pulled into the small parking lot of rest area number three. They were roughly three hours from Saffron City by car, but the group collectively agreed that they would prefer to stop for the night. If they attempted to reach Saffron City during the night, they would likely arrive around one o'clock in the morning. Then they would still have to find a hotel and get settled. It was easier to get a whole night of sleep and an early start the following day.

Brock dropped Ash and Gary at the main entrance of the motel for them to get starting on the rooming arrangements while he parked the car. Ash yawned audibly as he and Gary entered the lobby, and their eyes needed a moment to adjust to the lights. An older woman was seated behind the front desk, her nose buried in a magazine to pass the time.

"Excuse me," Gary said as he approached the desk. "Do you have three rooms available?"

Gary handled the arrangements while Ash and Pikachu stood off the side. It was pretty quick, and Ash provided his debit card to pay the deposit for their rooms.

"I hate to be a pain, but can I get an extra key to one room?" Gary asked the receptionist. "I can be a little forgetful, and I'd prefer not to bother you later."

The receptionist complied and tucked in an extra copy of one of the room keys for Gary. After thanking her, the two went back outside to meet with Brock and retrieve their bags. Gary passed out their keys, and they ventured up a stairwell to the second floor. They parted ways as each of them arrived at their doors.

Ash slid his card through the electronic lock, and it flashed green. He opened the door and took a gander at his room. There wasn't much to it, but his expectations were low because it was only fifty-three dollars for each room. Ash shut the door behind him, and Pikachu scurried up onto the bed in the middle of the room.

"Greninja," Ash said as he released Greninja from his Pokeball. "We stopped at a motel for the night. I don't know if you wanted to sleep with us or if you'd prefer your Pokeball tonight. It's up to you."

Greninja stretched out his limbs as he looked around the room. His gaze eventually settled on Pikachu, who gave him a salute. Greninja responded with a nod, and Ash beamed.

"Great, you can get comfortable with Pikachu," Ash said as he removed a small box from his bag and placed it on the nightstand. "I got some extra rice balls for us before we left the rest area earlier today, and I thought we could share them after I take a quick shower."

Everyone nodded, and Ash quickly disappeared into the small bathroom. Greninja and Pikachu remained in silence. There were a few attempts to make eye contact, but one or the other would avert their eyes if their gaze met. They could hear Ash run the water before he stepped into the shower, but their silence continued for some time. Finally, Greninja took a breath and sat down on the edge of the bed.

It was over two weeks since they first met, yet Pikachu and Greninja had yet to really speak with each other. They didn't say much to each other beyond quick greetings in the morning and during their practice sessions. But they had one thing in common, and Pikachu decided to use that as their first point of discussion.

"Pi…Pikapi?" Pikachu sat upright as he posed his question. What was Ash like in Ecruteak City?

Greninja was always more reserved, but he had a lot to say when the subject was Ash. Pikachu raised his ears as he listened to Greninja share some of his experiences with Ash during the past year. Greninja spoke about the highs and the lows, but there was one moment in particular that he revealed because Ash wasn't present.

At first, Greninja learned about Ash in bits and pieces. Parts of his past would come out, but it would still be some time before Greninja knew the context behind certain events in Ash's history.

"I chose to abandon my Pokemon at the time…I fully intend to go back to Pikachu and apologize," Ash announced. "I don't know if he'll accept me, but I want to make things right at the very least. I understand if this is a dealbreaker between us, and you'd rather not travel with me."

But when Ash and Pikachu were reunited, Greninja understood how strongly Ash felt about his first Pokemon. A part of him was restored now that they were together again! Ash was so happy! If Pikachu had that sort of effect on Ash, then Greninja had the utmost admiration for him.

Oddly enough, Pikachu viewed Greninja in a very similar light. After all, Greninja triggered something in Ash that Pikachu had never seen before. During their battles when Ash was a teenager, Pikachu could recall a few instances where Ash could create some sort of magic to turn the tide. But Greninja proved to be a far greater outlet for that magic than Pikachu ever was!

"I've spent the last year learning how to be a better trainer, and you're about the see the result of all the training. Please…please watch this battle, Pikachu."

Pikachu would never forget seeing Ash's movements perfectly mirror Greninja's. Pikachu always knew Ash was extraordinary, and there was something in him that dragged out 'more' from those around him. Greninja raised his brow as Pikachu said this, and together they shared a nod. Both wanted to see what else was in store for Ash.

Greninja rose from the bed to retrieve their dinner from the nightstand, and he opened the box to take a rice ball for Pikachu and himself. While the two had vastly different starting points, their paths intersected at Ash. It looked like they would be walking side by side for the foreseeable future. To cement this new partnership, they bumped fists.

---

Sunday, April 11th

Ash got up early to go for a morning run with Greninja and Pikachu. From what he could remember, their complimentary breakfast wouldn't start until 7:30, giving him ample time to run to his heart's content. Their practice schedule was thrown off as a sacrifice for the traveling they would have to do by car, so Ash didn't want to pass on the opportunity to start the day off right.

It was still fairly dark when they finished stretching and began to run around the edge of the motel property. Soon enough, the sky brightened as a signal for their first break. They watched the sunrise and shared a nod at their new beginning together.

Once their warm-up was complete, the trio returned to their motel room to get ready for breakfast. Ash took a quick shower and dressed up since the plan was to reach Saffron City and contact Joe today. However, all of that would have to wait until after they ate. Pikachu and Greninja were waiting for Ash by the door with calls for him to hurry up, and his stomach sided with his Pokemon.

"Let's go!" Ash declared as he snatched his hat from the nightstand and pulled it over his head. He stepped outside with his Pokemon and shut the door to his room.

Greninja walked alongside Ash while Pikachu fearlessly walked on the banister that guarded the walkway's edge. As they made their way to the stairway that would take them down to the first floor, they passed Gary's room and then Brock's.

"Pssst," A whisper caused Ash to stop as he looked around. "Ash, back here."

It was Brock's voice, and Ash turned back to his friend's room entrance. The door was partially open, and only a tiny portion of Brock's face was visible.

"Mornin' Brock, what's up?" Ash asked as he approached the doorway with Pikachu and Greninja.

"Ash," Brock whispered. "I need some help. I don't know what happened, but uh…I think I got robbed."

Ash blinked. "Robbed?" He repeated.

"Yeah," Brock continued. "But it's weird. I didn't lose anything valuable."

"Well, what did they take?"

"Uh, all of my…my clothes," Brock confessed.

"What the heck," Ash muttered. "Did they break in during the night?"

"Yeah. I stupidly put Rockruff back in his Pokeball last night because I thought everything would be fine in a motel," Brock explained. "That backfired."

"What are you waiting for then? Let's go down to the front desk and report this," Ash exclaimed. In response, Brock opened the door a bit more to reveal his current state of affairs. He was wearing nothing but a pair of bright pink boxers with hearts on them.

Ash deadpanned.

"They took…all your clothes?" Ash questioned, and Brock nodded. "Even the clothes you were wearing? How did you sleep through that?"

"No one could sleep through getting stripped of their clothes, Ash," Brock whispered harshly, and Ash couldn't help but chuckle. "I just prefer to sleep like this. So, I need you to find the maniac who did this and teach him a lesson."

Ash's gaze grew unfocused as the events of last night came back to him. He remembered that Gary had requested an extra key to one of their rooms. Suddenly, Ash had a hunch about who was responsible for this.

Ash nodded to Brock. "Yeah, I'm at your service," Ash stated. "I just hope you learned to at least wear some pants to bed going forward."

"Hey, they call me the 'love machine' for a reason," Brock grooved in place as he said this.

Ash, Greninja, and Pikachu deadpanned.

Tragically, a housekeeper passed behind Ash during their exchange. She had a checklist in hand and a bubblegum bubble protruding from her lips. She paused briefly and took a glance at them. Her bubble popped, and she raised one eyebrow before going on her way. Faintly, Ash and Brock could hear her mutter, 'I don't get paid enough for this.'

"Wait, it's not what you think!" Brock hollered from his room.

---

Ash found Gary in the small dining room downstairs, seated off in the corner with his Pokemon, where they ate breakfast. As soon as Ash mentioned Brock's name, Gary snorted and tossed him the keys to Brock's car.

"His stuff is in the backseat," Gary stated before he motioned to the opposite seat. "But why not make him stew a little?"

Ash raised his brow.

"You were in the car too," Gary continued. "You can't tell me you didn't suffer a little bit."

"I mean…that's Brock," Ash muttered at the thought of his friend. But the reminder of Brock's noxious gas was also a fair point. Ash accepted Gary's offer and sat across from him while their Pokemon greeted each other. "Look, Gary, don't you think this is getting a little out of hand?"

Gary paused midchew and narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to have the last laugh."

Ash palmed his forehead. "You know, I didn't think you could be so petty," Ash commented.

"Well," Gary leaned back into his seat and looked up. "I wouldn't call it petty. I'm not trying to get even with Brock. This is more of a challenge to me, and I plan to one-up him every time," Gary corrected him.

"That's exactly my point," Ash interjected. "You got Brock embarrassing himself in public yesterday, and he's blowing up the car to get back at you. At some point, something really stupid is going to happen."

Gary took a glance around the room before he looked back to Ash. "I get where you're coming from. And I gotta admit, Brock is pretty fearless. I don't know him too well, so I wouldn't expect him to follow through on some of those things. He really knows how to terrorize people if you get on his bad side, and I didn't really think he was capable of that."

"Tell me about it," Ash mumbled. However, the description of 'fearless' put a smile on Ash's face. Perhaps, in this case, it wasn't exactly a positive trait. Still, it brought to mind several instances where Brock proved he was dauntless.

There was the time Brock got into a fistfight with three guys on Ash's behalf…and won. Then there was Ash's first match at the Hidden Cove stadium, and Brock jumped down to the field to congratulate Ash before he was tackled by security. Brock was 'fearless.'

With the keys to Brock's car, Ash rose from his seat and went outside to retrieve Brock's belongings. Pikachu and Greninja remained with Gary to eat breakfast while Ash delivered Brock's clothes. Once Ash revealed that Gary was responsible for this, Brock got himself dressed in seconds as he started to formulate his next plan. However, Ash wasn't going to allow that.

"Brock, are you really going to keep going back and forth with him?" Ash asked him.

Lo and behold, Brock had a similar level of respect for Gary.

"You know, having so many siblings, it's always pure chaos," Brock laughed. "We'd do all sorts of stuff to each other. But I was the oldest, so I couldn't do something terrible to any of my brothers or sisters. My mom would have my head," Brock shivered, which caused Ash to laugh since he knew of Lola's wrath. "So, Gary's like a challenge, especially since he can take it and dish it right back. He can make snap decisions or plan something clever. I still can't believe he thought to get an extra room key so that he could steal my clothes during the night. He's going to be hard to beat."

Ash chuckled as he put his hands behind his head. After his experiences with Gary in Ecruteak City, Ash had to agree. Gary was brilliant! There is a reason he was treated like a sort of philosopher when he took on his teaching role back in Ecruteak City. The same applied on the battlefield since he could carefully plan for opponents and then make snap judgments to adjust to them.

With these thoughts in mind, Ash took Brock down to Gary to get the matter settled.

"Alright," Ash began as he looked from Brock to Gary. "I spent all of yesterday as a bystander in a battle that…" Ash paused for a moment and sighed. "I have to admit, it was pretty good."

Brock and Gary shot the other a glare, so Ash went on.

"From what I've seen, you've got two strong-minded people," Ash motioned to Brock. "You've got one guy who has the fortitude to crash and burn spectacularly in front of other people. But then he'll get right back into the fight to keep throwing haymakers," Brock nodded as Ash motioned to Gary. "And the opponent is a super quick thinker who can make the most of any opportunity," Gary smirked in response to Ash's words. "Two worthy competitors that I believe should call a truce."

"A truce?" Brock exclaimed.

Ash gave him a nod. "Yeah. I think you're both too good…which means there won't be a winner. Just the two of you trying to upstage each other," Ash explained.

"Well, I know I'm 'pretty good,'" Brock remarked with a chuckle.

Gary leaned back in his seat with a smirk. "I can't say I disagree with ya, Ashy-boy."

"So instead of tearing each other down, why not work to build each other up?" Ash suggested.

Brock and Gary shared a glance. Then they looked away from each other. "Not a chance!"

"Wha-Why not?" Ash exclaimed as he looked between them.

"I don't know," Brock sent a leer at Gary. "I just get this feeling that if I signed a peace treaty with Gary, he'd stab me in the back as soon as I turned around."

"And I'd never trust a guy that locks the windows in a car and cuts loose," Gary added.

Ash pinched the bridge of his nose. He should've seen something like this coming. "Alright," Ash muttered. "Then how about a cease-fire? Earn each other's trust."

Ash's second suggestion proved to be more acceptable as Brock and Gary agreed. However, they warned the other that they were prepared to retaliate at the first sign of trouble. It may not have been the best end result, but a cease-fire was a start. Negotiating peace was never easy.

---

Once breakfast concluded, the guys piled into the car and got back out on the road. Saffron City was three hours away, and that time passed quickly for them. For the first time, Brock wasn't the driver. As a show of good faith, Gary was allowed to get behind the wheel of his car, the 'Regal.'

Brock joined Ash in the backseat of the car, where he gave Ash a crash course on the features of the Pokedex. Having only received it two days ago, Ash only tinkered with it for a few minutes with little success to show for his time with the Pokedex. But Brock quickly showed Ash the amazing secrets stored within it.

They used Pikachu as an example and followed the same process that Charles showed Ash when he first received his Pokedex. After briefly recording an image of Pikachu with the camera, the Pokedex delved into the entry on Pikachu. "Pikachu, the Mouse Pokemon. Pikachu can generate electricity through motion and then discharge it through the electric pouches on their cheeks. Their tails not only function as a lightning rod, but it can also be used to check their surroundings." It was the same information that the Pokedex shared the first time, but Ash listened closely this time.

"I didn't even know that," Ash exclaimed as he looked at Pikachu, who was in the car's front seat with Rockruff. "Your tail is like sonar, Pikachu?"

Pikachu looked back at Ash and tilted his head. "Pi?"

Ash chuckled. "It's no wonder Macy could never catch you off guard back in the day," He noted before looking back at Brock. "So, what else does the Pokedex know about Pikachu?"

Brock guided him through the series of menus within Pikachu's Pokedex entry, and they accessed the archives. "The Pokedex can connect to the PokeHub's database, so you can pull up any research paper or publication that was cataloged under Pikachu from there. You'll find all kinds of stuff there, some of which was actually written over a century ago," Brock explained. "And considering you've had Pikachu for years, I'm sure you might have some stuff to add to the Pokedex entry."

"Eh…" Ash scratched at the back of his neck. "I don't know about that. I never really tried to understand all the science and stuff about him."

Brock stifled a laugh. "I'm not surprised, but that's no big deal. Even if you don't feel like what you record in the Pokedex isn't important, it can help someone else or even one of the professors make a new connection. Every little bit helps us to understand Pokemon more."

Ash smiled a little. "Yeah, I'm with you there," he said with a nod.

"But just a word of advice, the Pokedex doesn't have auto-correct like our phones," Brock warned him. "So don't forget to check your verbiage before reporting something."

Gary blew a raspberry. "That's not how you use that word," Gary interjected.

"Oh, so you're a human dictionary now?" Brock asked him in return.

"At least I speak correctly," Gary said with a smirk.

"I have more of those rabuta berries in the trunk. Do you want me to eat another?" Brock's second question silenced Gary for good, though they made eye contact through the rearview mirror. Brock shot him a crooked smile, and Gary responded by flipping up the mirror.

Ash leaned back into his seat as he pulled up a blank log to add some of his own input on Pikachu's Pokedex entry. What did he have to offer in terms of knowledge about Pikachu? Ash chewed on his lower lip as he thought about this.

It…didn't feel like he had much to add. Almost everything he learned about Pikachu was taught to him by Volkner. Back then, his biggest concern was helping Pikachu learn and refine new skills to compete with the trainers in the underground circuit. And now, years later, they were in the same boat. There wasn't any time to study the science…not when they had to find ways to make up for the gap between them and their current competition.

Ash was pulled from his thoughts by a shout from Brock. In the distance, they could see a cityscape. Saffron City!

"There it is, boys!" Brock proclaimed. "The first stop on our grand adventure!"

Saffron City didn't have the glitz and glamor of Vermilion City. It wasn't much of a tourist attraction, offering a few museums, parks, and historical landmarks. Saffron City was very industrial, as it relied heavily on manufacturing products. Since this city rested at the center of the Kanto region, it was the perfect home base for trucking companies.

As they traveled into the downtown area of Saffron City, Ash liked that this city had its own distinct feel. It felt gritty and tough, like the city itself cared more about working hard than how it looked.

Even the diner they were looking for, Copycats, gave that impression. It was a modest little diner, with a television mounted in each corner to broadcast the local news network. They were greeted at the door by a short brunette who introduced herself as Chelsey. As she looked at them, her eyes stopped at Ash, and she squinted.

"Oh, wait a second, you're that guy I'm supposed to be looking for," She noted.

Ash pointed to himself. "Me?"

Chelsey nodded, and that set things in motion. She guided them to an empty booth, gave them menus, and left to contact 'Joey.' Chelsey returned a few minutes later to take their lunch order. She announced that Joe would be there soon to join them since he had been waiting all weekend.

Their lunch was delivered and devoured before Joe arrived. In fact, he approached their booth to find Chelsey taking away their empty plates and offering dessert. All eyes went to Joe and his checkered vest, sharp bowtie, and sparkling shoes.

"Aren't you a little overdressed today, Joey?" Chelsey asked him.

Joe adjusted his bowtie and offered her a grin. "It's Sunday; can't I dress nice?" He asked in return as he occupied the remaining seat in their booth.

Chelsey raised her brow. "No, I think you just wanted an excuse to dress up," she said with a shrug. "That aside, do you want to order anything?"

"Just water is fine," Joe replied, and Chelsey departed. Joe sat next to Ash in the booth, and he couldn't help but study Ash's muscular frame. "Man, I've seen you on camera, but now that I'm seeing you in person, how did you get so big?"

Ash chuckled in response. "I'm still trying to slim down, actually, but I have a lot of time, so I exercise a lot…maybe too much," Ash explained.

"I'm actually not surprised that you're some kind of workout freak," Joe remarked. He then looked at Brock. "It's good to see you again," Brock gave him a nod, and Joe then looked to Gary. "And who might you be?"

Gary introduced himself and shook hands with Joe. Chelsey returned with a glass of water for Joe and some napkins. She spoke with them briefly, and the group agreed to skip dessert to continue their discussion. After, Joe continued to look back and forth between Ash and Brock.

"Man, seeing you guys takes me way back," Joe remarked. "Makes me think of simpler times."

"Simpler times?" Brock questioned. "All that nonsense between the White Lotus and the Red Skulls was 'simpler times?'"

"Hey, I'll take all that over the Vanguard breathing down our necks," Joe commented.

Brock pursed his lips and nodded. "True," Brock agreed. "But you can't act like there wasn't some madness back then."

"What do you mean?" Gary cut in.

Joe's expression became a deadpan. "Well, like five years ago, before the Vanguard came to Vermilion City, Pokemon trainers kind of went around doing whatever they wanted," Joe stated. "The public saw us as gangs and thugs…and honestly, you can't really blame them. There were some rivalries between our 'gangs,' and there would be some pretty gnarly battles. Those would usually show up on the news and in the papers telling everyone how crazy we are and, well," Joe trailed off as he looked at Ash. "Our friend Ash here sort of took the dial and turned everything up to eleven."

Ash's eyes widened. "Me?"

"Mhmm," Joe nodded. "I still remember the night you battled your dad, which was awesome, by the way," Joe added as an aside. "But N called a meeting for everyone in the White Lotus and told us to leave Vermilion City. He suspected that something was going to happen after that battle, but I don't know if he could've predicted what did happen."

"So, you're saying what happened is my fault?" Ash asked him incredulously.

"I'm saying you were a trigger. That whole announcement thing you did with Malcolm Berlitz put a lot of people on edge. I think that it led to the big incident in the steel mill, which is why the Vanguard came to Vermilion City."

"Well, I guess I can understand your point of view," Ash mumbled as he crossed his arms. "But shouldn't we just blame Malcolm? He was a nutjob."

"Good point," Joe said with a nod as he looked at Ash with a grin. "But the past is the past. I'm focusing on the here and now, and that's the battle we've got to have soon."

Ash's lips curved upward at the mention of his favorite word. "Yeah, I'm with you on that."

"You know, I got to see you battle Flint all of those years ago. It's still one of the craziest battles I've ever seen," Joe commented. "Flint and Magmar climbed to another level during that battle. Like, my jaw was on the floor for most of that battle because of them. But the even crazier part is…" Joe stared at Ash for a moment. "You and Pikachu somehow managed to keep up and then surpass them. Performances like that are frightening if you ask me."

Gary raised his brow as he leaned forward to listen to Joe.

"If you talk to enough trainers, you'll start to hear a consistent theme about Pokemon battles," Joe went on. "They're more than just a show for the audience; a Pokemon battle can be like a test of life all packed into five or ten minutes of combat. Someone can grow and improve as a person instantly, and that will be reflected by their performance on the battlefield," Joe explained. "For some people, they have to run into the right trainer to trigger all of this. And then sometimes, certain trainers are the trigger for the people they encounter."

"Are you trying to say that Ash is a trigger? Or he needs to find his?" Gary interjected.

Joe shrugged his shoulders and donned a smirk. "Whichever it is, I don't intend to give Ash a chance to find out against me."

Ash narrowed his eyes as he met Joe's gaze. "I like the confidence," Ash replied. "Now, I really want to battle you. How soon do you want to do it? Later today? Right now?"

"Slow down," Joe remarked with a laugh. "I need a few days. I've been traveling more than battling, so I want to get my Pokemon up to speed."

Ash exhaled through his nose. "So, what are we talking about here?"

"How about…this coming Wednesday, at noontime. There's a clearing near the closest rest stop on Route 6 that many trainers tend to gather at," Joe explained. "The PokeHub can show you the exact location. We'll do it there."

Ash punched his palm and bit down on his lower lip to contain his smile. Joe wasn't just an average, run-of-the-mill trainer, and his examination of Pokemon battles was proof of that. If anyone could challenge Ash and Greninja to unlock that transformation again, it was Joe!

---

Monday, April 12th

"Raaah!" Ash threw his head back and roared. Pikachu and Greninja mirrored his actions without the theatrics that caused Gary to roll his eyes.

Everyone, their Pokemon included, were in a clearing out in the woodlands of Route 6. It was just after one o'clock in the afternoon, and now that lunch was over, Ash and his Pokemon were stretching before they resumed their training. This was an opportunity for discussion for Brock and Gary before Ash got too involved with his craft.

"So, Ash," Brock began as he and Rockruff approached them. "Have you decided who you're going to battle with against Joe?"

Ash looked from Greninja to Pikachu, and then he chuckled. "Pikachu's still out of shape, if you get what I mean," Ash replied. "So, I already decided to battle with Greninja."

"Pikachu did look pretty rusty at first, but he's been looking a lot better during practice if you ask me," Brock pointed out.

"Yeah, he has," Ash reasoned. "But I just want to be on the safe side. Joe will be really tough, and I'd prefer to ease Pikachu back into battling, you know what I mean?"

"I understand," Brock said with a nod.

"Since you're using Greninja, have you at least done some research on what kind of Pokemon Joe might use?" Gary inquired as he looked up from his Pokedex.

Ash gave a weak chuckle. "Uh, not really," He confessed. "I want to focus more on bond-building with Greninja, so I don't think it really matters what kind of opponent we have."

"That's still not an excuse to skip out on research," Gary interjected.

"I'm not skipping out on it. I'd just…" Ash pursed his lips and shrugged. "Rather focus on this. After all, Greninja and I agreed that we would work on mastering that transformation we used against Volkner."

Gary frowned. "I haven't seen you guys use it once since that battle…do you even know what to do to bring it out?"

"It's…hard to explain," Ash mumbled. "This has only happened a few times so far, but it feels like Greninja and I really connect. It's like we're inside of each other's heads. That was something we were practicing in Ecruteak City, but that was always outside of battles. But now, I think we're getting close to doing that in combat too, which is awesome," Ash beamed at Greninja. "The only thing I can really say is that we only feel it during super-tough battles, like when we battled Volkner, Bruno, and even you, Gary."

Gary raised his brow when Ash included him on that shortlist.

"I think Joe will be strong enough to push enough to learn a little more about that transformation," Ash concluded.

"Basically, you're going to wing it," Gary summarized Ash's thoughts.

"Er, well," Ash couldn't come up with a defense for Gary's claim.

"No use denying it, Ash," Brock added. "Research and preparation were never really your forte anyway. But keep in mind, Ash," Brock continued. "You've been away for a while. All the trainers you used to compete with have gotten a lot tougher. Don't underestimate them."

Ash nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Volkner was way stronger. I mean," Ash chuckled before he said this. "It kind of took a miracle on our part to beat him. And that's why we're trying to figure out how to replicate that. We're going to need it, right, Greninja?"

"Gre," Greninja agreed.

They began their stance practice again, and as their movements began to match the others, Gary saw a flash of that red hue in their eyes. Gary inhaled sharply, a familiar tingle in his chest. Despite his reservations, he felt like Ash would find a way to surpass the challenges ahead.

---

Wednesday, April 14th

As Joe said, there was a large clearing roughly twenty minutes into Route 6 from Saffron City where the local trainers gathered. At any given time during the day, at least fifteen trainers were present to observe and compete, and on weekends, that number doubled.

However, 'Gateway' Joe was a local legend of sorts, and whenever he was in town, everyone came to see him battle. Brock did a quick count of those in attendance twice, and there were well over seventy people present for today's battle. Ash 'Quest' Ketchum would face 'Gateway' Joe.

To follow the same process for Ash's last big match-up, Brock signed into Charles Goodshow's account on the PokeHub to open a live stream of the battle. Considering how Ash performed against Volkner and the announcement of this battle days prior, thousands of people tuned in from the moment Brock started the stream, and that number was climbing fast!

"Pokemon trainers and fans alike," Brock began as he turned to give the viewers a panoramic of the battlefield. "We've got a good one for you today," Brock went on as he stopped to zoom in on Ash, who stretched on his side of the field. "Quest versus Gateway, Ash versus Joe," Brock said as he turned to Ash's opponent.

Both trainers stared at each other from across the field, waiting for the signal from their acting referee. Several people were enlisted to help record it from different angles with the attention on this battle. The referee was waiting for the signal that all hands were ready to go.

"Ash and Joe have a bit of history that goes back to Vermilion City a few years ago. But they never got a chance to face each other in an official battle until now," Brock explained to his virtual audience.

"For those of you who aren't aware, Ash Ketchum was named the liaison of the Pokemon League. So, he will be traveling around Kanto for the next few weeks accepting challenges from any and all trainers. If you're interested in facing him and his Pokemon, feel free to reach out to us on the PokeHub," Brock explained before there was a tap on his shoulder. He glanced and saw that it was the referee.

"Everyone is good to go. We're going to start the battle," The ref stated, and Brock nodded. The referee took his place at the center of the battlefield and called for everyone's attention. He had a paper in hand with the brief ruleset for this particular battle. "This will be a one-on-one Pokemon battle, and the following rules will be applied. The contest will end when one Pokemon is judged unable to continue, and calls for a forfeit will be acknowledged. Trainers, call out your Pokemon."

Ash held Greninja's Pokeball in hand, and he tossed it into the air with a shout for his partner. Greninja appeared on the field, down on one knee with his arms crossed and head lowered. He set his sights on Joe as he straightened up. As they made eye contact, Joe perked up, and he bit down on his lower lip to fight off a smile.

"You're ready to go, aren't cha?" Joe asked before he pulled out a Pokeball from his pocket and expanded it. "Well, I could say the same, so let's not waste any time. Kecleon, come on out!"

A beady-eyed creature took shape, standing on his hind legs. He took a quick gander at the crowd before his eyes settled on Greninja.

"Kek," Kecleon donned a smirk and showed his tongue for a moment.

"Trainers, are you ready to begin?" The referee called out as he raised his hands above his head. There was a nod from both trainers as well as their Pokemon. "Let the contest begin!"

He lowered his hands, and the Pokemon widened their stance in preparation. Joe was the first to call for action.

"Kecleon, use Camouflage!" Joe hollered as his opening move. Kecleon unrolled his tail and allowed it to sway behind him for a few moments. Greninja bent his knees in response, ready to move at a moment's notice.

"Don't get hasty, Greninja," Ash stated. "Let's take our time at the start."

The red stripe on Kecleon's torso became dark green, enough to stand out against his green skin. But other than that, nothing else happened. Kecleon curled his tail once again, and then he remained still.

"No need to be scared," Joe called out to them. "Give us your best shot!"

"Alright then, let's see how well they move Greninja," Ash responded. "Let's get up close and personal!"

Greninja dashed forward, and the grass whistled as he raced by. Kecleon raised his brow as Greninja was suddenly in front of him. Still, he had no trouble dodging the initial kick that Greninja opened with. Kecleon backpedaled, and Greninja pursued with a variety of punches and kicks. Despite his efforts to create some separation from Greninja, Kecleon couldn't get away. Greninja was always a half step behind, which kept him in striking distance.

"Nice, Greninja!" Ash called out. Greninja predicted Kecleon's movements perfectly by reading the direction he shifted his weight before each step. His execution of this skill was flawless, and he used to keep Kecleon on defense.

Unable to do anything beyond dodge attacks, Kecleon stretched and contorted his body to avoid damage. But even though Greninja wasn't landing any hits, there was something else building. Ash stood in his place at the edge of the field, trying to mirror Greninja's movements as he pursued Kecleon. With each strike, Ash's motions began to sync up with Greninja.

Gary recognized this as he watched from the sidelines. However, he wasn't the only one who noticed this. Joe grabbed a fistful of his shirt as a tingle filled his chest. He knew that feeling all too well. Something was stirring inside of Ash Ketchum and Greninja, and he would put a stop to this.

"There it is, Brick Break!" Ash shouted. Greninja used a hesitation step, which gave Kecleon a moment of breathing room, and his movement paused in that instant. Greninja saw this and lunged forward, and his hand flashed white before it connected with Kecleon. With a gasp, Kecleon was sent tumbling away. Ash and Greninja gave a shout, and their eyes glowed now that they secured the first clean hit of the battle.

Kecleon came skidding to a halt, and he grimaced as he got back to his feet. That shot to his body was nothing to take lightly. Fortunately, the damage wasn't significant…and that damage triggered something else. The stripe on his body that was dark green for the last minute or so now turned into deep mahogany. He felt the changes in his body. His muscles grew denser, and his once lanky form became toned.

"Greninja, let's keep it up! Follow up with Agility and Brick Break!" Ash hollered, and their offense resumed. Greninja dashed forward, but Kecleon planted his feet in response and raised his arms.

Greninja started with a chop, and Kecleon blocked it with both arms. The force of the impact sent out a gust of wind, but Kecleon was undeterred as he invited Greninja to attack again. Greninja responded with a low kick, but Kecleon adjusted his guard and absorbed the blow. The grass waved in response to the wind again, but Kecleon stood his ground. Greninja narrowed his eyes as he withdrew his leg. He could feel the difference in Kecleon's body compared to the first time he landed a Brick Break. Kecleon's body made some sort of adjustment because he had no trouble taking these blows.

"Don't slow down," Ash called out. "He may be tougher, but we'll break down his defense!"

Ash was right, especially since Joe wasn't responding to their attacks yet. This was an opportunity to pile up some damage early in the battle. Ash and Greninja slid back into a fighting stance together, and a barrage of kicks and punches were launched at Kecleon.

That tingle in Joe's chest intensified. He knew what was coming. Ash and Greninja were gaining momentum. Greninja's movements were becoming more efficient, and Ash's actions resembled Greninja's. These minor improvements were enough for them to score another blow. Greninja unleashed a quick combo; he attacked from high to low and followed from left to right. Kecleon managed to block all four, but he was too slow to guard his chest against the front kick that came down the middle.

Joe cringed at the crack that resounded with Greninja's foot connected with Kecleon's body, and his partner was tossed away this time. Joe looked to Ash and Greninja, and he saw them shift into a new stance as Greninja jumped after Kecleon to follow up. As Kecleon stopped, Greninja began to descend, and he raised his leg to deliver a dropkick with his weight as the primary source of damage.

"Dizzy Punch!" Joe interjected. His first call for an attack.

Kecleon was able to reorient himself instantly, now down on all fours. He dodged the dropkick with only an inch of space between himself and Greninja, and then he struck. His sharp knuckles hit Greninja's chest, and the ninja staggered immediately. His breath was caught in his throat, and his vision blurred. Greninja retreated, and their positions were flipped. Kecleon was on the offensive, and Greninja did everything in his power to stay separated from him.

Ash felt short of breath, and his body was heavy. He could only imagine what Greninja was experiencing from that one punch he took. Clearly, it wasn't any ordinary punch, and if Ash had to guess, it was aimed carefully. Probably to strike an area that would dull Greninja's senses. He definitely didn't want to take another punch like that.

"Greninja, use Water Pulse to keep Kecleon away!" Ash shouted. Greninja needed a few moments to correct his breathing. Otherwise, Kecleon would likely score another Dizzy Punch. And Ash wasn't interested in learning if its effects were amplified by consecutive hits.

"Use Camouflage and stay with them, Kecleon!" Joe barked in return. Kecleon went down on all fours, and the mahogany-colored stripe on his body became green once again before he charged after Greninja.

Greninja's vision was hazy, but he could still make out the moving blur that pursued him around the field. He summoned a sphere of spiraling water with one hand, jumped backward, and hurled it at where he previously stood. That achieved the desired effect, as Kecleon met face first with the attack, which stopped his approach for a few moments, which Greninja used to take a few deep breaths.

"They're trying to recover," Joe exclaimed. "Don't give them a chance! Use Hidden Power!"

The water of Kecleon's skin was soaked in, and his stripe became a deep blue. He then clapped his hands together, and a small sphere of water formed between his hands. It was roughly half the size of Greninja's Water Pulse, but it was all Kecleon needed. He chucked the attack at Greninja, but by the time the attack was close, Greninja had recovered enough to respond.

With his vision cleared, Greninja raised a hand and slapped away Kecleon's imitation of his Water Pulse. Despite this action, Greninja quickly realized the real intent of Kecleon's attack. Kecleon had already closed the distance between them, and he was poised to strike Greninja's chest again with Dizzy Punch. Greninja barely managed to intercept the attack with his forearm, but Kecleon was fighting differently now. Instead of fighting on his hind legs, he remained on all fours, which changed everything.

His movements were significantly harder to predict. Up until this point, Greninja could perceive someone's movements based on where they shifted their weight. But Kecleon could spring off any of his limbs at a given moment, including his tail! Kecleon uncurled his tailed and used it as a launching pad to deliver another Dizzy Punch. Greninja's knees buckled from the blow.

Ash gasped, and the glow in his eyes faded completely. Ash clicked his tongue before looking back to the field, feeling his knees tremble. Greninja was frozen in place, struggling to follow Kecleon's movements as he circled around Greninja.

"Greninja, don't panic!" Ash said to his partner. "They're tough, but stay focused. Remember what you've experienced. You can handle this!"

"Pika-pi!" Pikachu shouted as well.

Their shouts reminded Greninja to draw on his old experiences. He remembered facing Wartortle's defenses in Ecruteak City. Greninja crossed his arms in front of his chest in a turtle strategy to protect the area Kecleon was targeting. Then Pikachu's voice reminded him of all the time he spent viewing Pikachu's footwork practice with Ash. It might not have been pretty since he was rusty, but Pikachu displayed something similar to Kecleon. When down on all fours, Pikachu could accelerate using any of his limbs.

Watching Pikachu for the last two weeks, Greninja knew what to look for. Kecleon wouldn't telegraph his movements, so Greninja had to observe every detail. Every twitch and fidget that Kecleon made had to be accounted for.

Greninja opened his eyes once again, and his focus was restored. Greninja separated his arms and took a fighting stance, which Ash mimicked from the sidelines. Kecleon darted across his field of vision before he pounced at Greninja for another Dizzy Punch. Greninja used a quick back step for some space and swatted Kecleon aside. Despite having his attack parried, Kecleon used the momentum to dive to the field and continue his attack. His second Dizzy Punch was also blocked, so he altered his approach.

Kecleon rushed out of Greninja's line of sight for a moment, and his absence was met with one logical conclusion by Greninja. Check your blind spot!

Greninja ducked and twirled out of his current position. His timing was perfect as he evaded a chop from Kecleon that was aimed for the back of his neck. As Kecleon glided by Greninja, he felt his body grow hot, and his speed heightened. He raised his leg for a high snap kick that caught Kecleon and sent him to the ground with a thud.

Ash stood with his leg raised on the sideline just like Greninja, the glow in their eyes now restored. "Nice hit, Greninja!" Ash exclaimed as they straightened up to assume their usual fighting stance.

Joe licked his lips as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He wasn't the only one who felt this sensation. Gary felt another shiver run down his neck.

Ash and Greninja were far from done.

"I'm glad the two of you still got some fight left in ya. I was worried you wouldn't last that long," Joe remarked as Kecleon got back to his feet. "So, let's see what you guys do from here."

"Alright then," Ash said as they accepted the invitation. Greninja looked back to Ash and gave him a nod. A signal that he was feeling fine. "Let's give them a taste of their own medicine. Let's use your double Water Pulse!"

Joe raised his eyebrow at the call, and he called for Kecleon to watch closely. Greninja summoned a swirling sphere of water in each of his hands, one which he pitched at Kecleon. Greninja kept the second Water Pulse in his hands to refine it. It glowed in response before he dashed off to approach Kecleon in the shadow of the first Water Pulse.

"Hmm, okay," Joe said with a grin. "Kecleon, use Foul Play!"

Kecleon's eyes flashed with a nefarious glint before his hands gained a glow. He reached out, caught the approaching Water Pulse, and spun to hurl it back at its source. Greninja's eyes widened as his first Water Pulse was sent right back to him, and he raised the one in his hands to intercept it. The weaker of the two ruptured, which filled the air around Greninja with white smoke. Kecleon took that as his cue and darted into the smoke with Greninja.

Ash's vision blurred as he dropped to one knee. He could faintly hear Pikachu call out to him, but it was drowned out by a high-pitched ringing. All he could do was hold his groin and imagine what Greninja must have felt as the actual recipient of the blow.

Joe cringed slightly as he saw Ash's posture from across the field, and he quickly realized that Kecleon went for a 'low blow.' With a chuckle, Joe watched as Ash forced himself back up onto to feet, and the glow in his eyes was one again. A small gust of wind cleared away the cloud that concealed Greninja and Kecleon, and the two of them were in a standoff. However, Joe could see a visible wobble in Greninja's knees.

"Greninja, are you okay?" Ash asked his partner. Greninja looked back at him slowly, and there was a bit of hesitation before his nod. "Let's just play it safe for now until you recover. Then we'll try again."

"I don't think so!" Joe cut in. "Kecleon, use Grass Knot!"

The stripe on Kecleon's stomach turned dark green once again, and he slapped the field with his hand. In an instant, the blades of grass around Greninja extended to ensnare his feet, and then they began to travel up his leg. Greninja furrowed his brow before he raised a hand to swing at the grass to free himself. His first swing cut through the out layer around his left foot, but when he tried again, the grass reacted and entangled his wrist to hold it in place. With only one free hand, Greninja didn't dare to make a second attempt at freeing himself until he understood what was happening.

"Greninja, use Water Pledge to buy yourself some time!" Ash called out. Based on his restricted movement, this was their only form of defense. They just needed a little bit of time.

Greninja stretched out his free arm to take control of the water on the field. The earlier clash of Water Pulse attacks scattered droplets across the field, which became his newest weapon. Dozens of water droplets were raised into the air, and they were launched at Kecleon in a barrage of tiny bullets. Kecleon raised one arm to shield his eyes, but he was hardly affected by this attack. The water on his skin was soaked in, and the stripe on his body turned blue again.

"Honestly, I think it's time we wrap this up," Joe went on as he raised one hand. "Kecleon, end this with Synchronoise!"

Ash didn't recognize that move, and Greninja still couldn't break himself free from the Grass Knot that trapped him. Kecleon extended his tail again as he remained on all fours, and a white glow enveloped his body. He arched his back, opened his mouth, and concentrated the power there. It was released as a shockwave that traveled across the field. It moved quickly, and even though Ash desperately gave a call to Greninja, it was too late.

Greninja shook violently as the attack washed over his form. It felt as though he was skewered by a thousand needles. The sensation was overwhelming, and he collapsed to the ground. He twitched, so the referee gave him a few additional moments to see if he could recover enough to continue. But Greninja couldn't even sit up after the attack. The referee raised his arms and then motioned to Joe and Kecleon.

"Greninja is unable to battle! Kecleon is the winner!"

The crowd cheered for the victors, who waved in response. Ash lowered his shoulders and let out a breath. They weren't strangers to losing battles, but this was the first time in quite some time that they were beaten so…convincingly.

Joe offered them some oran berries to help Greninja recover from the damage done by Synchronoise. He wanted to speak to them, but after the attention on their battle faded. Hardly anyone aside from Brock spoke to Ash after the match. A fair portion of the audience talked to Joe, congratulating him for the win and asking when his next battle would be.

Greninja got back to his feet, and he found himself staring at Joe's Kecleon as they spoke with the crowd. This battle reminded Greninja of his first few mock battles with Gary's Squirtle and his struggle against Bruno and Tyrogue. Those previous opponents battled in their own unique ways that Greninja was unable to overcome at the time. Despite his progress since then, Kecleon was like a brick wall that didn't budge no matter how Greninja hit him.

Kecleon's body seemed to adjust to different moments during their battle. His movement on all fours was tricky to predict. And he had so many strange moves, from manipulating water and grass to that final shockwave that ended the battle. Kecleon was strong!

"Hehe, I recognize that look," Ash commented as he placed a hand on Greninja's shoulder. "You're thinking about how strong Kecleon was, aren't cha?"

Greninja looked at Ash and then at Pikachu on his shoulder. There was a fire in their eyes, despite the loss at hand.

"There's going to be a lot of that," Ash went on. "I know we didn't really get to experience much in Vermilion City. But there will be more strong opponents as we travel," Ash put on a toothy grin. "It gets you kinda fired up, right?"

Greninja nodded his head, and Pikachu returned the gesture while Ash chuckled.

"I figured as much. That's the exciting part," Ash paused for a moment. "You have no idea what kind of trainer or Pokemon you'll meet. But even though you don't understand each other, you've learned something new about yourself or your opponent when you've finished battling them."

"Pika-pika," Pikachu added with a nod of agreement.

Ash scratched at the bridge of his nose. "We didn't really do a good job of learning during this battle," He noted. "So, we'll have to work on that in the future."

It wasn't much longer before Joe and Kecleon joined them. They all stood at the edge of the clearing, mildly interested in the next battle that drew the audience's attention. Gary also joined them, with only his Wartortle at his side.

"Now that we've got you to ourselves," Gary said as he looked at Joe. "How about we pick your brain a bit."

Joe raised his brow at Gary. "How so?"

"Well, I was listening to you talk with the others about the battle, but I feel you were helping Ash save face," Gary commented.

Joe stifled a laugh. "Well, you've got a point."

"So be honest with us," Gary went on. "How would you grade Ash and Greninja?"

"If I'm being honest," Joe made a face. "I was probably expecting too much from them after what I saw them do against Volkner, so I'm a little disappointed."

"Eh, I hear ya," Ash said with a shrug. "We couldn't stay in sync for very long, so we didn't really get a chance to build any momentum."

"Oh, I know," Joe interjected with a smirk. "We made sure of that."

"Kek," Kecleon added.

"I spent some time in Unova, and it's a tough place to be a Pokemon trainer, but the trainers that you battle there are purists," Joe continued as he looked up in thought. "They all battle just like you, Ash. Up-tempo and reliance on spontaneity. Everything about their style involves a high level of trust between them and their Pokemon," Joe explained. "Facing so many of them, I learned to be disruptive so that I don't get caught in their momentum, as you put it, Ash, because once they get going, you'll get swept away in a hurry. That's why we did everything we could to disrupt your rhythm."

Ash raised his brow, once again impressed by Joe's insights.

"Wow, that's great to know," Brock remarked. "Now I wish I got into more battles when I visited Unova."

Greninja lowered his head, and Joe noticed this. "Don't get down on yourself for getting countered," Joe said. "We did a ton of planning. Like you wouldn't believe."

"Like what?" Gary inquired. He wanted to know everything that Joe did, and thankfully, Joe was happy to share.

"Kecleon has a really cool ability to change his typing in many different ways. He can change based on the type of damage he does or receives. And he can also change it to match his environment. It's part of why we chose to battle you here," Joe explained. "Camouflage lets Kecleon become a grass type in this setting."

"Whoa," Brock exclaimed as he took out his Pokedex to begin annotating what Joe shared with them.

"Kecleon's not that tough, so we change his typing to help him with damage resistance whenever possible," Joe added.

"So, you were using Camouflage to become a grass type…that way, the damage from their water attacks was minimal," Gary concluded as he recalled the battle's events.

Joe nodded proudly. "You got it. We were trying to narrow down the things we had to focus on. Since we could ignore their water attacks, it made it easier to focus on things like landing a good Dizzy Punch."

"That Dizzy Punch," Ash said. "What exactly was it doing? Greninja definitely wasn't a fan of getting hit by it."

"It's nothing special…it's an ordinary punch, but Kecleon has a few specific targets. The solar plexus, the diaphragm depends on our opponent," Joe explained with a nod to Greninja. "But a hit like that can disorient most Pokemon, and we were using that to keep you guys off balance."

"It was definitely working," Gary interjected.

"And what about that last attack?" Brock jumped in. "I've never heard a move called Synchronoise."

"It's pretty rare," Joe said through pursed lips. "A lot of Pokemon won't get much value from this attack because it's only effective against an opponent that's the same type as you. So, the Pokemon that use Synchronoise are usually Pokemon that can change their typing like Kecleon."

"Fascinating," Brock mumbled as he did his best to write down this information. "So Kecleon became a water type after taking damage from the Water Pledge."

Joe looked at Ash and his Pokemon. "I'm not going to lie. We spent the last couple of days practicing like crazy for this," Joe admitted. "We haven't prepared this much for an opponent in a while, but everything worked in our favor. I can tell you're still a bit rusty, Ash," Joe stated, and Ash's shoulders became tense. "There are no shortcuts to competing with the best trainers. You can't be a pair of one-trick ponies and expect to win…" Joe paused for some time to let his words sink in. Then he sighed and continued. "But I guess it's not fair of me to say that because you haven't had a fair chance to reacclimate yourself to this. I'm hoping that we can have a rematch in the future once you guys are in better form. What do you say?"

Ash let out a breath and bumped Greninja with his shoulder. "We would love to, right, Greninja?"

Greninja looked from Joe to Kecleon. As he made eye contact with his previous opponent, Kecleon gave him a smirk.

'Let's do this again.'

Greninja nodded, and they shook hands.

Ash was glad that Greninja seemed to handle the loss so well. Perhaps his lack of experience when competing at this level blinded him to their poor performance. But for Ash, his eyes were opened.

These battles were tough! As he looked back at their battle against Volkner, he and Frogadier struggled mightily until a miracle occurred. With their training in Ecruteak City, Ash believed they could replicate that miracle on command, but what sounded good in theory was hardly the case in practice. Joe did everything to make sure that miracle didn't take place.

This was what Charles Goodshow was trying to tell him before they left Vermilion City.

"The fast progression isn't always the best…" Charles continued. "The consistency you need to be the best won't be there. You'll experience very high peaks, but there will also be valleys and pitfalls as trainers counter those specialized skills."

They would get exposed by future opponents if they remained 'one-trick ponies.'

Joe and Kecleon had layers to their offense. Kecleon's neutral game revolved around his tricky movement, and the use of Dizzy Punch was an excellent foundation. It kept their opponent on their back foot. Then they had several different abilities at their disposal to create combinations and finishers. Greninja might have been superior in a physical sense, but that was far outweighed by Kecleon's masterful use of his own unique skillset under Joe's direction as a first-class trainer.

"We've got so much work to do," Ash concluded. He kept his words to himself.

Greninja had his own foundation, but little was built on it. Their attempt to make his transformation the centerpiece of their style wasn't going to work, not yet at least. Right now, they needed to focus on developing more practical skills that Greninja could use more often.

Ash looked back to Joe. It was his turn to thank Joe for their battle. Perhaps it wasn't the best showing from Ash and his team, but he did learn something.

"Greninja and I are going to work a whole lot," Ash stated, much to Joe's delight. "I'm looking forward to our rematch."

"I can't wait," Joe replied.

They shook hands.

---

6:31pm.

Wartortle widened his stance and thrust one arm forward. He repeated this action, giving a small shout with each attack, imitating the form practice he saw Greninja doing. Umbreon paid him no mind as he lounged on Gary's hotel room bed, curled up with his eyes shut.

Their trainer sat at the small desk, his eyes glued to his phone screen. Displayed on the device was the footage of Ash's battle against Joe on the PokeHub. Gary thoroughly enjoyed everything that Joe shared after the match, but a closer examination of the battle brought new details to light. Things Joe might have kept quiet about…or perhaps he didn't even know about.

Joe did say that they were targeting some of Greninja's moves to create situations that Kecleon could take advantage of. But Gary saw evidence of something even more astonishing. Joe was targeting specific moments as well. There were two instances where Ash and Greninja's actions synchronized, moments that Gary remembered because he felt his chest grow tight. It was almost as if he could sense that Ash and Greninja were improving at that very second…and Joe responded both times.

When Ash and Greninja started to ramp it up, they were disrupted. Joe was actively denying them any opportunity to build on the momentum they gained. It wasn't lucky or coincidental...it was deliberate.

Seeing Greninja take that first Dizzy Punch of the match and how he staggered away from the blow, Gary leaned back into his chair with a smirk. What Joe showed him today was the template for how to dismantle Ash Ketchum. This was the gold standard of Pokemon battling!

This wasn't like Bruno, who was strong enough to brute force his way through Ash and Frogadier at the phoenix festival. Joe cleverly used his awareness of the battle and Kecleon's natural abilities to control the entire contest. Ash got played like a fiddle!

If this was the standard that the best trainers were held to, Gary was anxious to take his next step on this journey. He couldn't wait to see more trainers in action.

"Let's see," Gary said as he opened a notes application on his phone. "We've got the basis for this now. Be disruptive, and cut off their momentum. So next, we need to think of attacks that will disorient our opponent…" Gary paused as he typed his thoughts. "We still need more than this, but it's a start. The next time we battle, Ashy-boy isn't going to know what hit him."

At the sound of Gary's voice, Umbreon raised his head and looked at Gary. Then he narrowed his eyes and placed his head back down on the bed.

---

Joe sighed as he sunk further into the couch in Chelsey's studio apartment. He reached for the collar of his shirt, loosened his bowtie, and released the top button.

"Man, what a day," Joe muttered as he crossed his legs and glanced at the clock. His battle with Ash took place hours ago, but it was only now that he was getting to relax.

"I mean, it's your fault that you're so tired now," Chelsey called out from the bathroom. "You should've just taken the day off from work. Going in for a half-day, then the battle, and then going back to work was a horrible idea."

"It sounded like the right thing to do," Joe called out. "I didn't want to leave my boss on his own today."

"Then you should've planned to have your battle on the weekend," Chelsey pointed out. She came into the living room with a towel around her neck and joined him on the couch. Chelsey leaned against Joe and placed a kiss on his cheek. "There. Does that make you feel any better?"

Joe smirked. "I think I need a second dose."

Chelsey rolled her eyes but complied. Before she could get comfortable, Chelsey rose from the couch to put on a movie for them. However, Joe's day wasn't over. He received a phone call about ten minutes into the film, one that he couldn't ignore.

"It's Mr. Goodshow," Joe said with an apology to Chelsey before he rose from the couch. He stepped away to answer his phone.

"Good evening, Joe," Charles began, and Joe could hear the mirth in his voice. "I must say, I was quite impressed with what I saw today."

"Hey, I aim to please," Joe responded with a grin.

"I didn't want to you hold back, but I certainly didn't think you would pick them apart like that," Charles went on. "But that's beside the point. I called to get your opinion of Greninja. You didn't give yourself much to go by…but I'm still curious about your thoughts."

Joe pursed his lips for a moment. "Ehh, I would start by saying that Greninja is incredibly raw. His development is all over the place," Joe said as he stifled a laugh. "I mean, he's pretty advanced in hand-to-hand combat. But he's so inexperienced in other areas that he's caught off guard by basic counters, like an opponent throwing one of his attacks back at him."

"I noticed that as well."

"It's weird," Joe continued. "There's definitely something special between him and Ash, and I can feel it. But they're relying on being special to make up for Greninja's lack of experience."

"They certainly are," Charles remarked. "If I remember correctly, Ash told me that Greninja is only three years old, so he'll be a little 'raw,' as you put it, for a while."

"He's only three?" Joe exclaimed. "Well, no wonder then! I did a lot of research on Greninja before that battle. He has a similar ability to Kecleon, where he can change his typing based on his attacks. But I guess since he's so immature, physically speaking, he probably can't use it yet."

"How interesting. So, Greninja has some interesting abilities he hasn't even unlocked yet," Charles trailed off. "Ash and Greninja have frightening potential, and then there is that Pikachu of his. I can't wait to see their progress as they travel."

"Are you sure they'll meet that potential?" Joe asked. "I mean, you're asking a lot of them since they're trying to be your liaison too."

"I gave Ash some unreasonable expectations in the past, and he exceeded them. I'm willing to make that same gamble on him again," Charles stated. "So, I want to thank you for what you did to him today. I'm sure that this battle will help with their development."

"I'll do anything for your Pokemon League, Mr. Goodshow," Joe replied. "If bullying Ash Ketchum and his Greninja are what you needed me to do, I'll do it. I want to help out however I can."

"It's much appreciated, and I'll be sure to reach out to you if I need your help in the future," Charles added. "Have a good night, Joe."

"Back at cha!"

---

Thursday, April 15th

Ash reached for his toes, but his fingertips couldn't make it. Greninja could touch his toes, though his legs trembled during this exercise. Pikachu touched his toes with ease, and he snickered at the plight of Ash and Greninja.

"Ah, good stretch," Ash said as they all relaxed.

They were in Ash's motel room out on Route 6, ready to start another day of training. But Ash wanted to speak with Pikachu and Greninja first.

"Before we head out," Ash began as he called for their attention. "I wanted to apologize for how we battled yesterday, Greninja."

Greninja furrowed his brow in response.

"I know you're not thinking much about how we lost, but that's what I have to do as a trainer," Ash explained. "Now that I look back at our battle, there are some things that I wish I did differently."

Ash took a seat on the bed and invited them to do the same.

"While we were in Ecruteak City, we developed our own style where we sort of mesh during the battle to get stronger as we keep going," Ash said to Greninja. "It worked for us against Volkner and Ampharos, and we saw that awesome transformation. I was hoping that we could do that again…but Joe showed us yesterday that the transformation is worthless if someone can disrupt us the way Kecleon did. I should've realized sooner what they were doing and made adjustments."

Ash paused for a few moments and exhaled.

"But I also realized that we don't exactly have backup plans which won't work for us here in Kanto," He wanted to force a laugh as he said this, but it wasn't something to laugh at. "It's like Mr. Goodshow said to me. You need a good foundation so that you can adjust instead of getting curb-stomped the way we did yesterday when one plan fails."

Ash summarized his thoughts on the matter with the decision that they would put off focusing on Greninja's transformation. Instead, they would shift their attention to working on the basics so that Greninja would have more readily available skills. And, of course, that meant finding the style of battle that would best suit Greninja.

They went to the field behind the motel to start their morning practice. While Pikachu began his footwork exercises, Ash sat down with Greninja to figure out what they would do.

"Okay…so Greninja, what are your strengths?" Ash asked him.

Greninja raised his hands to throw a few punches. His hand-to-hand was superb, and it was how he won all of his battles back in Vermilion City. But that wouldn't be enough against the new level of competition they were facing.

"Yeah, if you had to fight straight up, no abilities, I don't think anyone could beat you," Ash said with a nod of agreement. "And since you trained with fighting type Pokemon, you're physically strong too. So basically, you're athletic, but you've got no skills."

Greninja narrowed his eyes at Ash's comment. "Ja," Greninja crossed his arms with a huff.

"I didn't mean to offend," Ash cut in. "But we've got to be a little more critical."

Greninja relaxed and invited Ash to continue.

"Since you've been doing some of Pikachu's footwork exercises, I think you should work on those full-time," Ash reasoned with him. "You might not be as good as Pikachu, but your Double Team and Agility could become a lot better if your movement improves."

The idea was inspired by a comment from Volkner during their battle. He said that Frogadier's movement at the time resembled Pikachu's. Ash was sure Greninja couldn't replicate Pikachu's ridiculous speed and misdirection. But, his overall movement would make him a hard target to track if he polished his footwork.

Greninja liked the idea, and he rose to join Pikachu. That left Ash to his thoughts. At the very least, Greninja would be preoccupied for now, but this would hardly make a difference for them in the long run.

Pikachu's speed fueled his entire offense for potent attacks such as Thunder Wave and Electro Ball. A speed boost for Greninja wouldn't do much to improve his Brick Break or Aerial Ace. There was no synergy between his attacks and abilities.

"Mmm, what am I going to do about this?" Ash asked himself as he crossed his arms. "What's the next skill that we could add? Something that works with what he's got already?"

Absorbed in his thoughts, Ash didn't even notice that Brock and Rockruff joined them in the field. Rockruff rushed over to Pikachu and Greninja to observe their training while Brock approached Ash with his phone in hand.

"Earth to Ash!" Brock exclaimed, waving his hands in front of Ash's face.

Ash blinked, and his vision refocused. "Oh, mornin' Brock, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I saw a video on the PokeHub this morning that I thought you might want to see," Brock explained as he wrinkled his nose. "It was posted yesterday, but it kind of blew up overnight."

"What is it?" Ash asked as Brock passed him his phone.

"It actually started in the video of your battle yesterday," Brock scratched at his cheek as he spoke. "Let's just say that a lot of people are talking about you now."

Ash saw that the video description of his battle was open, and it had over twenty thousand views and hundreds of comments. He scrolled down to the top comments, and the first four comment threads all discussed the same question.

How did Ash and Greninja beat Volkner, the 'Golden Flash?'

"One of those comments has a link to a reaction video someone posted yesterday," Brock added. "I watched it, and I think you should check it out too."

Ash gave him a nod and opened the link. The video started with a young woman who possessed lengthy ginger-colored hair pulled into a side ponytail.

"Afternoon guys, Misty here," She introduced herself. "My inbox blew up earlier with people sending me a link to a battle with that Greninja that popped up in Vermilion City a couple of weeks ago. I'm going to check it out right now. I did my best not to read any of the comments people sent with the link, so this is a blind watch."

The battle footage rolled, shown in the bottom left corner of the screen, while Misty's reactions were the focus. At first, her expressions were bright as Greninja first appeared on the field, and her eyes glowed as she watched Greninja's offense during the early portion of the battle. However, that glee in her eyes began to fade as the battle continued, and it never returned.

She watched the entire battle once without pausing it, and when it concluded, Misty was furious.

"Oh my god, is that really the same trainer?" Misty questioned as she replayed the battle again. "I really hope it's someone different because that was pathetic!"

"What was pathetic?" One of Misty's friends piped up.

"This battle!" She exclaimed. "Greninja and his trainer are like Magikarp on land! They hardly knew what to do and just flopped around for most of the battle!" This earned a laugh from Misty's company, but she wasn't in the mood for it. "It's not funny! I don't understand how they could look so amazing against Volkner and so awful here!"

"Misty, relax. It's not that big a deal, right?"

"It is a big deal!" Misty proclaimed. "I'm a water specialist, and Greninja showed me something I've never seen before when he battled Ampharos. I was hoping he would've improved by the next time I saw him, but Greninja looks significantly worse, which means his trainer stinks!" She shrieked the last part and gave a huff. "This is so much wasted potential if Greninja sticks with that guy. Whatever they did to beat Volkner was a massive fluke!"

Ash paused the video, but Brock suggested that he finish it completely. It took some willpower on Ash's part, but he continued. Misty needed a few moments to calm herself. Once she settled down, she offered an honest critique of the battle. Her thoughts and input impressed Ash, and he found himself agreeing with what she said.

One point, in particular, caught his attention. Misty paused the battle when Greninja was caught in Kecleon's Grass Knot.

"This shouldn't have happened," Misty began as she pointed to Greninja's arm that was caught in the Grass Knot when he tried to cut himself loose. "Greninja is a water crafter, but he couldn't even make something to cut himself free. There are no excuses for that, especially since he used Water Pledge to try and stop Kecleon. If he was going to do that, he should've freed himself with the water."

Ash furrowed his brow. Greninja was a water crafter?

Misty groaned once more as she shook her head. "Joe set up a brick wall, and Greninja's trainer insisted on running into it headfirst. I can't believe that Greninja is stuck with a doofus for a trainer. It's bad enough that this guy looks like a shaved Mankey, but his brain is as simple as one too."

At that point, Ash was done. He could respect Misty's insights, but he also had words for her.

"Who is this big mouth?!" Ash asked as he looked at Brock.

"I was looking around her profile a bit," Brock replied with a chuckle. He expected Misty to get Ash riled up, and that's precisely what happened. "Her name is Misty 'Salacia' Waterflower. She lives up in Cerulean City, and like she said, she's a water specialist. I think she bought into the Greninja hype, and that's why she's irritated with you."

"Like I care about that!" Ash barked in return, with steam fuming from his nostrils. "I'm going to find her and make her eat those words! We're going to Cerulean City!"

---

A/N

I couldn't think of a better note to end on than Misty's first appearance as a teaser for the next chapter! But I'll leave Misty alone for now and focus on this chapter. This was my first travel chapter, but it's not the conventional style of travel in Pokemon. I hope their travel shenanigans earned a cheap laugh from someone, and I have more hijinks in store as they continue to travel across Kanto. Since they're driving, it only takes a day or two to get from one major city to the next. (I'm definitely with the authors who believe it takes multiple days/weeks to move through Routes, so it does take a measure of survival skill to travel on foot.) So, similar to Caged Wings, I'm more focused on city life and trainer interactions as opposed to the Routes and the 'wilds' surrounding them.

This battle was...well, I'll let you all be the judge of Greninja vs Kecleon.

If you haven't visited my fanfiction profile (for you Ao3 readers), I used to have a trainer profile there for Ash and Pikachu in Caged Wings. I gave it a facelift to reflect events in My Wings, and it will continue to be updated as the story progresses. It offers some insight into Pikachu and Greninja's current skillset, though I haven't written too much there to avoid potential spoilers, and I recommend checking it out if you have a few minutes.

I can't think of anything else to say this time around, so I'll just stop talking. A big thanks to those of you who reviewed, it's always appreciated! I'm sorry if I didn't respond, I've been very busy but I will do my best to answer you guys when I find the time. All the best to you guys, hope to see you again soon!