"Hello students, and welcome to the Cerise Laboratory." Professor Cerise said greeting the young children.
"Aren't weekend field trips the best." Goh joked, watching the class of kids go through to the main lab.
"Nope." Ash said, grabbing a cup.
"What's going on?" Goh asked.
"One of us has to be down there to assist with the day's activities." Chloe said.
"So what's with the cup?" Goh asked.
"It's easier than remembering whose turn it is, so we draw straws to decide." Serena said.
"Short straw goes down." Ash said. "Chloe, you lost last time so you get to pick first."
Once everyone had drawn a straw, they compared their results.
"Oh come on." Goh whined.
"Have fun." Chloe said with a smile.
As Goh dissappeared behind the door, Serena turned to the others.
"Do you think we can do it again without him noticing the short straw is another color?" Serena asked.
"He has five years of catching up to do, but let's not make it too obvious." Ash said.
"Speaking of obvious, we need to be elsewhere." Chloe said dragging Serena off.
"Well buddy, just us now. What do you want to do?" Ash asked Pikachu who was on the banister.
'A challenge has been issued in Saffron City.' Ash's phone said.
"Oh Ash, if you're heading for Saffron, can you grab a piece of lab tech while you're there?" Chrysa asked.
"Sure. Let me grab my keys." Ash said.
Ash went to the garage where the lab vehicles and some personal ones were stored. When he had visited Alola, Kukui had been adamant about teaching him to drive, and made sure he was fully prepared by the time he left. Turns out, Professor Burnett had gotten Ash a jeep that was waiting for him back here. Ash preferred being on his Pokémon or walking, but for larger errands like this, it was easier to use his car.
"Hmm, says the challenger is at the main gym." Ash said looking at his phone, as they walked through Saffron.
"Hello Ash." A monotone voice said.
"Woah. Sabrina?" Ash said in shock. Her hair was no longer green, and her skin wasn't as pale, even her face was a bit more emotional. "Are you my opponent?"
"Yes, I thought it was time for us to have a rematch." Sabrina said.
"Sounds good to me." Ash said, grabbing a Pokeball.
'This will be a two on two match for the Normal Class match of the world coronation series, trainers prepare your first Pokémon.' The Rotojudge said.
"Ready!" Ash said.
"Ready." Sabrina replied.
'Battle begin!'
"Impidimp, I choose you!"
"Alakazam come on out."
"Impidimp use Thief!"
"Alakazam use Thunder Punch."
Impidimp scrambled around Alakazam's attack, before flipping back off of it.
"Now use Mega Punch!"
"Use Thunder Punch again!"
The two fists collided, as Impidimp went tumbling back from the impact.
"Let's try something a little different. Impidimp come back!" Ash called out. "Gigalith I choose you! Use Sandstorm!"
"Alakazam use Future Sight!"
Sand swirled around the arena, as Alakazam tried to take aim.
"Now use Rock Blast!"
"Use Psychic!"
Alakazam was unprepared for the sheer power of Gigaith's attack, unable to stop all of the attacks as it was hit with the final rock.
"Don't let up use Flash Cannon!"
"Use Teleport!"
Alakazam dodged the attack just in time, appearing right behind Gigalith.
"Gigalith use Rock Blast!"
"Alakazam use Psychic!"
At the close range, the shrapnel from the rocks blasted into Alakazam, sending it backwards.
"Gigalith finish them with Flash Cannon!"
"Alakazam use Teleport!"
Alakazam was still recovering as it was hit by the beam of energy knocking it out.
"You've gotten far more confident in your choices since our last battle." Sabrina said, returning Alakazam.
"I was ten and had three badges, two of which I barely earned. I'm a better trainer now." Ash said.
"Don't get to overconfident, this next Pokémon has an odd way of battling. Gengar, come out." Sabrina said.
"No way!" Ash said excitedly.
"Gengengengengar!" Gengar said flying at Ash, giving him a big kick.
"Wow! Last time we saw you, you were just a Haunter!" Ash said in amazement.
"And last time he saw you, you were all guy." Sabrina said calmly.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked confused.
"I have conflicting memories, one of you who looked like a young girl, and one where you looked like a young boy, the boy memories are far more vivid though." Sabrina said.
"You remember the old me." Ash said in amazement.
"Yes and no. Like I said I remember both, as do most with more advanced abilities will likely." Sabrina said. "All that time with that doll, it broke my mind, whatever happened, my mind being broken is what kept me from being fully affected."
"As amazing as that is, can it stay between us, I chose to do that change." Ash admitted.
"If that's what you want, I'm not one to judge, however we still have our battle." Sabrina said.
"Right, Gengar, I know we're friends, but right now we're opponents. Give me it your all." Ash said.
"Gen!"
"Gigalith use Flash Cannon!"
"Gengar use Lick!"
Gengar flew forward, giving Gigalith a big lick, momentarily paralyzing it. Ash saw a spiral open up above Gigalith, as it was hit with the Future Sight attack.
"Time to switch back to tricks. Gigalith, come back! Impidimp you're back up! Use Taunt!"
"Use Lick!"
Impidimp spun out of his Pokeball, pulling down an eyelid and sticking out his tounge at Gengar, who charged at him, only to stop in front of Impidimp, rolling his eyes back, and spinning his tounge.
"Truly a battle fitting of Gengar, a battle of laughs." Sabrina said.
"It's unconventional, but this is Impidimp's style as well." Ash said, as Impidimp turned around, stuck his head through his legs and slapped his bottom.
"Gengar stay focused, use Shadow Ball."
Impidimp was caught off guard as the Shadow Ball went right at his upside down head.
"Impidimp use Thief!"
"Gengar use Posion Jab."
The two Pokémon charged at each other, Impidimp bouncing off of Gengar and out of the way of its attack.
"Now Impidimp use Play Rough!"
"Gengar use Poison Jab!"
Impidimp scurried around Gengar, hitting it before Gengar could spot him, again and again.
'Gengar is unable to battle. The winner is Ash and Impidimp.' The Rotojudge declared
"Good work Ash. I'd give you a gym badge, but you already have it." Sabrina said.
"This time I can say I earned it." Ash said, pulling out his phone. His rank going up to 1047.
"Don't be a stranger." Sabrina said, waving Ash off.
At Silph Co.
"I'm here to pick up some equipment for the Cerise Lab." Ash said.
"Uhh, right here." The man at the pickup area said. Handing Ash a wooden crate.
"Any idea what it is?" Ash asked.
"Nope, I was hoping whoever picked it up did. Not many packages from the president leaving the building." The man said.
"That's interesting, I'll have to ask back at the lab." Ash said.