"Alright Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!" Ash commanded.
Pikachu sped forward, but there was no spark, nothing.
"What's Ash trying to do?" Professor Cerise asked.
"Him and Pikachu have been at this all week, they're trying to figure out Aura Soul to impress the master of the dojo." Chloe sighed.
"How's that been going?" Professor Cerise asked.
"Well, their current idea is for Ash to be upside down, so you tell me." Chloe commented.
"I should talk to him, he shouldn't be trying this hard right now." Serena said.
"I think he should." Goh commented. "Eventually he's going to want to use it, either against another trainer, or against Darkrai. The more wrong ideas he rules out, the better."
"And what happens when he's comatose when our plane is here?" Serena shot.
"Okay, maybe it can wait until after we get back." Goh realized.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have an idea." Serena said heading out to the park.
"Okay, one more knot, and I should be all set." Ash said, tying a rope to his leg.
"Ash, whatever it is you're planning, just stop." Serena sighed.
"I think I'm getting close, I felt something when I was upside down, I just need to do it for longer." Ash said.
"What you felt was the blood rushing to your head. If you want to impress this Mustard guy, show him what you can prove." Serena said. "You have a one of a kind Lycanroc, a mythical Pokémon in Melmetal, a shiny Noctowl, a Charizard blessed with the flame of Reshiram, a Sceptile that can Mega Evolve, all eighteen core Z Crystals and then some, your battle bond with Lucario. Don't push for something dangerous."
"I guess Infernape's Blaze, and Buizel's Ice Aqua Jet are also impressive." Ash said, untying one of his feet.
"See, Pikachu is incredible, but if you want to gain their approval, show them the best of everything you can offer." Serena said. "Have you even started packing?"
"Of course I have." Ash said, untying his other leg.
"Something other than binders?" Serena questioned.
"You know that's not fair." Ash argued standing up.
A bit later, Serena found Ash's in his room looking at his case of Z crystals.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Serena asked.
"Did I ever tell you how I got this one?" Ash said holding up an orange Z Crystal with little crystals on each end.
"Maybe, I don't know for sure." Serena said.
"I got it from Nebby, when they fully evolved. I had promised I'd look after them, and I was thinking that summoning a legendary is pretty impressive." Ash sighed. "But we were the last ones to see Nebby. Not even the Aether Foundation has been able to relocate him."
"I'm sure he's fine." Serena reassured.
"I know, him and Naganadle can handle just about anything, but it still makes me wonder how they're doing." Ash said, putting the Crystal back and closing the case. "But if I'm going to impress him with how strong me and my Pokémon are, I shouldn't be using any extra boosts."
"That's the spirit." Serena said encouragingly.
"Go back to the lounge, I'll be out in a bit." Ash said.
"You've packed?" Serena asked.
"Yes." Ash said pointing to a bag that was almost filled. "Just a few things left."
The next day
"Alright, is everyone all set?" Professor Cerise asked. "Four suitcases, four applications, four tickets, why do I only have three researchers?"
"Ash isn't in his room." Goh reassured.
"I don't think he's in the lounge either." Serena commented.
"He'd better hurry, we need to get going." Chloe said impaitently.
"Sorry, sorry. There were complications." Ash apologized.
"Is everything alright?" Professor Cerise asked.
"Not quite." Ash said, holding up a mangled bag. "Not sure who, but something found my binders, I found this out back."
"Do you have any others?" Chloe asked.
"Including the one I have on, one." Ash said.
"Well we can just stop and get some real quick, right." Goh offered.
"I have to order them." Ash said. "And that usually takes a week."
"Are you going to be okay?" Serena asked concerned.
"Not how I planned on spending the entire trip, but I'll make do. It's not the first time, and it won't be the last." Ash said.
"Just be grateful they didn't ask for gender distinctions on the applications." Professor Cerise said. "And remember you are representing the lab while you're there."
"What were you even doing out back?" Chloe asked as they packed their things into a lab van.
"Last minute team change. Apparently they have a working transport system at the dojo, so I wanted something a little different to wow Mustard." Ash said.
"A safe different, right." Serena said.
"Yes, probably, most likely. No one will be hurt by this choice, I hope." Ash said.
"You hope?" Goh questioned.
"I think your Registeel technically died from this one." Ash said.
"My what did what now?!" Goh said in shock.
"I'll tell you along the way." Chloe reassured.
The Adventures of the Mysterious Pokémon
"No, wait don't go!" The Pokemon cried out as it saw the human get in a large metal object. He quickly ran in the back without anyone noticing, stowing away inside of a bag.
"I will have to approach them one on one, my other attempts have led to less than ideal results." The Pokemon said to itself as they began to move.