"Next stop Goldenrod City." A woman's voice called out over the intercom.
"There's only two stations, why have an announcement?" Goh bothered to point out.
"No clue, but we're only here for the day. We have to make this quick." Ash said.
"Sorry, I lost track of the days." Chloe apologized.
"Just be grateful we're helping with this." Serena said.
Chloe had failed to mention a project on a historical landmark due Monday first period, which was about 24 hours away.
Day 6 of being in the wrong rooms.
"The plan is simple, Goh and I will get the photos on the outside." Chloe said.
"While Ash and I take care of the ones on the inside, and then you write up the report, along with whatever else you need to do." Serena said.
"Then let's stop wasting time and get to the burnt tower." Goh said impatiently.
Ecruteak City
"The upper floors can't be gotten to from the inside, ground floor." Goh said.
"So, I'll get some photos in the upper floors." Chloe said. "Goh you get some of the top and statues. Serena get the ground floor, and Ash you get the basement."
"So, about that." Ash said looking at his phone. "I just got challenged."
"Seriously Ash, I need your help with this." Chloe said.
"Honestly Chloe, you've had a month and a half for this project, be thankful Ash even made it this far." Serena said plainly.
"Fine Ash, just go. We'll handle this I guess." Chloe said.
"Ash left already." Goh said.
"You must be Phoebe from Hoenn. You're a long way from home." Ash said approaching the girl.
"Big talk from a kid from Pallet Town." Phoebe said, spinning a Pokeball.
"It's a big big world, and somehow you knew where to find me, why?" Ash asked grabbing one of his one.
"You've made yourself a big target, I'm not the only one that will be coming to beat you. You ended up number nine last time around and have been training with number eight since then. As a member of Hoenn's elite four, I won't lose." Phoebe said, holding out the pokeball.
"Neither will I." Ash replied. "Donphan I choose you!"
"Dusknoir come out!"
"Donphan use Rollout!"
"Dusknoir use Fire Punch!"
Donphan spun forward into the large ghost Pokémon, who managed to send the elephant barreling backwards.
"Donphan use Earth Power!"
"Dusknoir use Ice Punch!"
Dusknoir's speed and strength were too much for Donphan, as the Pokémon fell onto his back, struggling to get back up.
"Donphan return!" Ash called out. Like it or not, they weren't called elite for nothing.
"Pika!" Pikachu said waiting to run in.
"Hold on buddy, maybe a different approach this time. Greninja, come on out!" Ash said. "Let's do this, full power. Use Water Shuriken!"
"Use Thunder Punch!"
Ash-Greninja easily outmanuevered the Dusknoir, sending a shuriken directly at it.
"Now use Night Slash!"
"Use Thunder Punch again!"
Greninja seemed to dissappear right before striking Dusknoir only to reappear right behind the Pokémon. Dusknoir, doubling over, clearly having taken the attack.
"Thunder Punch quick!"
"Use Double Team!"
Dusknoir turned around, striking where Greninja was, only for four to surround it.
"Now use Water Shuriken!"
The water struck Dusknoir from all sides, knocking it out.
"Dusknoir return! Sableye, come on out." Phoebe said. "You and that Greninja aren't the only one with tricks. It's time to Mega Evolve!"
"Greninja use Water Shuriken!"
"Sableye use Power Gem!"
Out from Sableye's gem fired a blast, dissipating all three Greninja clones, as it was hit by the singular attack.
"Use Night Slash!"
"Use Shadow Claw!"
Try as it might, even with the boosted power, Greninja wasn't able to break through Sableye's gem.
"Greninja come back! Donphan you're up! Use Rollout!"
"Sableye use Power Gem!"
Donphan's armor protected it from the blast as it launched right into Sableye's gem. While Donphan wasn't able to push through, he was pushing back.
"Sableye use Shadow Claw!"
"Donphan use Rollout again!"
Donphan spun out of the way of Sableye's attack, before launching back into the gem, this time pushing Sableye back a bit as a result.
"Donphan use rollout one more time!"
"Sableye stop them with Power Gem!"
At this point Donphan's attack was strong enough that even a direct attack didn't phase his spinning. He charged straight into Sableye's gem sending it flying out of the Pokémon's hands.
"Now finish them with a final Rollout!" Ash called out.
"Use Shadow Claw!"
Donphan spun circles around Sableye, the ghost Pokémon unable to keep up, as Donphan struck Sableye sending it tumbling into the air, then straight back down to the ground.
'Phoebe is no longer able to battle, the winner is Ash.' The Rotojudge declared.
Ash took a quick look at his phone, his number slowly climbing now at 1006.
"Fun as this was, I promised to help my friend." Ash said, dashing off. Pikachu and Donphan on his heels.
"Remember what I said, the others are coming!" Phoebe yelled after him.
Later back in Vermillion
"Okay, the burnt tower is the site of…". Chloe trailed off, looking at her notes.
"Ho-oh reviving the legendary beasts. Raikou representing the bolt that struck the tower. Entei as the fire that spread. And Suicune for the rain that doused the flames." Ash said from the door.
"Thanks. Could've used your help earlier though." Chloe said angrily.
"Sorry about that, but you also can't blame me that you have to push so hard for this now." Ash retorted.
"I know, thanks for the information though, think you could at least help with that for a bit." Chloe asked.
"I think that's fair." Ash said pulling up a chair. "If you can tell me what you know about other regions elite four, apparently they're coming for me."
"If they're coming for you, this tournament is going to be far more difficult.
Authors Notes
Obviously by what's been said, Ash will be fighting less trainers of the day, and more trainers that are known this time around, be it trainers he hasn't fought, or those he's lost to and hasn't beaten yet.