"There it is." Ash said looking off the side of the boat. "LaRousse City, we're back."
"So what's so special about this city?" Chloe asked.
"Advanced science, clean energy, and a space program that's unparalleled." Ash said.
"You failed to mention the battle dome high above the city." Goh pointed out.
"Okay so there is a highly competitive arena overlooking the entire city, and I may have tried battling in it once, but that's not all that's out here." Ash admitted.
"Alright if that's the case I offer you a challenge." Chloe said. "During our time here, don't enter the battle dome at all. No battling, no spectating, nothing."
"Fine, but you can't go to the space program, and you can't catch any Pokémon." Ash said pointing at the other two.
"Wait, hold on." Goh began arguing.
"Deal." Chloe said, shaking Ash's hand. "First to break does the dishes for a month."
"You're on!" Ash agreed.
"No dishes for a month. Easy." Goh said.
On main land
"You look like such a girl in your photo." Chloe egged on Ash.
"Yes, because the photo is what made me look like it." Ash countered.
"No, but the peace sign and wink don't help." Chloe said.
"You're just angry because you can't take a good photo." Goh laughed. The flags had gone off too bright for Chloe and her photo was mostly just glare from her glasses.
"It's not my fault that I need these!" Chloe said.
"Okay, clearly the competition is getting to us, so let's just enjoy the trip, and see how it goes." Ash said. "No penalty, but let's try something different."
"Already backing out?" Chloe countered.
"No, adjusting it. Clearly we each have our own style of research, but let's try each other's instead of just avoiding ours." Ash offered.
"So instead of working with officials and current research, I go and catch a Pokémon and participate in the battle dome?" Chloe said.
"It's double battles, so you can compete together, but I think that trying each other's research styles can be enlightening." Ash said.
"Okay, I still say we keep the penalty if you break into your old research." Goh said. "I had my hopes up for not doing dishes."
"Fine, may the best researcher win." Ash relented.
"Okay best way to avoid the battle dome is going counter clockwise around the city." Ash said. "Well, let's enjoy a day of no battling, absolutely none." Ash sighed. "This is going to be a long day."
"Look out!" A mans voice called out.
Ash looked in the direction of the call, only to see a wave of the cube bots falling towards him.
Crash!
"Are you alright!?" The man asked.
"Yeah, I'm trapped, but fine, though I'm either bleeding, or one is leaking." Ash called out.
"We'll get you out of there ASAP." A second voice said. "Just don't move."
"Not a problem." Ash said, an aura barrier an inch from his face, keeping him from being crushed.
Below the battle dome
"Okay, enter the tournament, that shouldn't be too hard." Chloe said. "Except for the hundreds of people watching me, and the live stream, all the judging." Chloe said beginning to panic. "No. I, I can do this." Chloe said slowly working up the courage.
'Identification does not match.'
"Wait what?!" Chloe argued, scanning the badge she'd been given again.
'Identification does not match.'
"Come on! It's just a bit of glare!" Chloe yelled swiping her badge again.
'Identification does not match.'
"Hmm, if I can replicate the camera flash, maybe I can get it to match.' Chloe said. She turned the flash on her phones camera all the way up, swiping her badge, and snapping a photo at the same time, flinching in preparation.
'Identification valid. Welcome visitor 'Chloe''
"Yes!" Chloe said, rushing in, seeing the lobby filled with people. "Oh no."
On the Far East of the City
"Nope, have to avoid looking at rare Pokémon." Goh said, hiding the Pokémon from view.
"Munchlax!" A wild Munchlax cried out running past him.
"Gahh! I can't resist! It's too rare!" Goh exclaimed, chasing after the Pokémon.
Back with Ash
"And that should be enough." The first man said, holding out his hand for Ash.
"Thanks, you guys cleaned them up quickly." Ash commented.
"Not the first time we've had to do it. The city is cycling in new ones while these get updated." The man said. "Oh, looks like one leaked on you."
Ash looked down, most of his clothes had been soaked in oil. At least he hoped that's all it was.
"I forgot about that, I'm glad it's not blood at least." Ash joked.
"Kassandra, take this little lady for a new outfit, our way of apologizing for the problems." The man said.
"Oh that's not necessary." Ash said.
"Please, I insist." The man said, urging Ash forward.
Back with Chloe
"Are you here to participate?" A worker asked.
"Umm, yeah. I think." Chloe said.
"Well we have a group of three looking for a fourth, would you be willing to join them?" The worker said.
"Oh I don't know." Chloe said.
"Come on, it'll be great." A woman said. "Us girls against them." She said pointing to two guys probably around Ash's age.
"It's just I'm not the best in front of crowds." Chloe squeaked as she and the woman walked towards the elevator.
"Just relax and have fun." The woman urged.
"If you think that'll help." Chloe said gripping a Pokeball. "Wait! These aren't mine!"
Back with Goh
"Come out, come out wherever you are." Goh said, pushing past a bush to see a Bonsly resting nearby. "Spinarak hold it down with String Shot!"
Araquanid popped out, chasing after the small Pokémon.
"Wait, why do I have Chloe's Pokémon?" Goh asked. "Does that mean she has mine?"
"Nid!" Araquanid said proudly, having stopped both Bonsly, and a Poochyena.
"Alright. Pokeballs go!" Goh shouted. "Maybe they won't notice."
Back with Ash
"Alright how does that feel?" Kassandra asked. They had found a place for Ash to wash off the oil, and she had returned with a few different choices of clothes for Ash.
Ash came out in a knee length plaid red skirt with a white blouse and a navy bow tie. Accessorizing with a pair of nude tights, some booties matching the skirt with a slight heel and a hair band, keeping his bangs back.
"Where'd you even find this?" Ash asked, looking himself over. "That's actually popular right now." One of the workers said. "Look around the city if you don't believe me."
On the tv screen above the waiting area, Ash could see a match about to begin. The photos of the trainers he could recognize as Rafe and Sid, against Rebecca and the glare that was Chloe.
"Blastoise I choose you!" Sid called out."
"Come on out Blaziken!" Rafe shouted.
"Metagross I choose you!" Rebecca declared.
"Come on out." Chloe squeaked, as Charizard flew around the arena before landing.
"Wait, why does she have Charizard!?" Ash asked in surprise.
"Blaziken use Flamethrower!"
"Blastoise use Skull Bash!"
"Metagross use Reflect!"
Chloe was in a full blown panic attack, if Ash or Goh had been here, it would be one thing, but they weren't, and she didn't even have her own Pokemon to help. Voices became muffled as her vision faded.
"Chloe? Chloe? Are you okay?" Chloe heard Ash's voice.
"Ash, is that you?" Chloe said trying to sit up.
"Just rest, you did not take well to that arena." The girl she had been partnered with said.
"Thanks for making sure she got here." Ash said.
"No problem, you've only ruined two of my battles now." Rebecca joked.
"This one, not my fault." Ash said.
"It was your Charizard, and she shouldn't have been there, I'm still blaming it on you." Rebecca countered.
"I got here as soon as I could!" Goh shouted, stumbling in.
"Ow. Can you be a bit quieter?" Chloe said rubbing her head.
"Sorry, sorry." Goh apologized.
"So who won the bet?" Chloe asked.
"Well, I was buried alive by cubes, and had to get an emergency wardrobe change." Ash said. "Then you passed out, and I rushed here."
"I… umm, well I was on my way to the space center when I found out you were hurt." Goh tried saying, seeing the disbelieving looks of the three in front of him. "I got distracted chasing a Munchlax."
"So I technically did the best, making it to the arena?" Chloe asked.
"Not my fault I didn't progress, but yes you won, and seeing as Goh is the only one who did their research style, I think he has to do dishes." Ash said.
"Come on guys, can we talk about this?" Goh asked.
"You wanted it to stay a bet, and you lost, no exceptions." Ash said with a smirk.