Ash set down his bag, flopping down on the bed. He had gotten a room for the night at the Ecruteak City Pokemon Center. Looking at his phone, his number now sitting at 127. Flipping to another page, he saw the remaining elite four trainers of each region, his next opponent was Karen of Johto. She had family in town and said she'd be more than willing to meet him here for a match. Switching the screen again, showed the team. It was a silly photo the four of them had taken a while back, before the secrets, before the chaos. He missed being with them, lounging around the lab, finding obscure events to investigate, but knew he couldn't take it right now. Switching to another screen one last time, he called someone.
Back in Kanto
"Who's calling me at this hour?" Serena said picking up her phone, answering it on autopilot.
"Hey Serena." Ash was heard.
"Ash!" Serena said, almost tossing the phone in shock.
"Sorry, I know it's late." Ash apologized.
"No, it's fine. How have you been feeling?" Serena asked.
"Good, this journey has really helped my stress." Ash said. "How have you been?"
"Bored, they're still dragging their feet on letting us research again. Apparently some of the parents decided to play a bit more dramatic with what actually happened." Serena said.
"I should be there, defending the lab." Ash said.
"No. If you were ready to come back, you'd be back right now." Serena said. "I don't always get what's going on in your head, but I know you have the best intentions at heart. You'll come back when you're ready."
"Okay, hey I have an idea." Ash said.
"What's that?" Serena asked.
"After this, I'm heading to Sinnoh. Canalave City is a huge port town, I'll send some tickets, you three can come out for a bit." Ash offered.
"Are you sure, last time all three of us were with you, you had a panic attack and passed out." Serena worried.
"It won't be lab work, it'll be a meet up." Ash said. "And I think I can handle that much."
"Okay, I'll talk to the others about it and let you know." Serena said.
"I'll talk to you soon." Ash said.
"Do it when I'm awake next time." Serena said jokingly.
The next afternoon
"Well Ash, are you ready?" Karen questioned.
"Ready as I'll get." Ash said.
"Then, let us begin. Weavile I choose you!"
"Heracross, come on out!"
"Weavile use Ice Punch!"
"Heracross use Focus Punch!"
The Pokémon's fists collided resulting in a shockwave, blowing dust out of the battlefield.
"Weavile use Night Slash!"
"Heracross use Mega Horn!"
Heracross did a quick U Turn, diving downwards, striking Weavile then swinging back up, narrowly avoiding the opposing attack.
"Weavile use Icy Wind!"
"Heracross use Horn Attack!"
Weavile created an icy slope, allowing it to safely glide back to the ground, before firing an attack towards Heracross. The dark type was too slow, as Heracross landed it's final blow, knocking out its opponent with little to no damage on itself.
"Weavile return." Karen said. "You won't be that lucky twice. Houndoom come on out! Use Flamethrower!"
"Heracross use Focus Punch!"
Heracross easily outmaneuvered Houndoom's attack, striking the dog from high in the air.
"Houndoom use Sludge Bomb!"
"Heracross dodge it!"
Heracross flew back into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack, and positioning him in a spot to strike.
"Heracross use Mega Horn!"
"Houndoom use Flamethrower!"
With Heracross having the sun behind him, Houndoom was unable to get a good shot, missing entirely, as Heracross landed another hit.
"Houndoom use Nasty Plot!"
"Heracross use Mega Horn!"
With the final hit, Houndoom's body slumped to the ground in defeat.
"I normally don't go for this one, but I don't intend to loose." Karen said. "Spiritomb, I choose you!"
"Heracross use Mega Horn!"
"Spiritomb use Sucker Punch!"
Heracross closed in on Spiritomb, only for the shadowy force to launch a counter attack, sending the beetle crashing to the ground.
"Use Curse!"
"Heracross use Megahorn, aim low!"
As Ash watched his Heracross get knocked back again, he remembered a day three years ago.
"The problem is Heracross is a close range fighter, if they can hit it from a distance, you'll never land a hit." Seb pointed out.
"So that's why you work so hard with Bullet Seed?" Ash asked.
"Exactly, if you can control its aim, and even how many, the attack can be just as powerful as a Focus Punch. Watch." Seb said.
Seb's Heracross easily blasted a clean hole through a boulder, firing seed after seed at the same point.
"Come on, I'll have my Heracross teach it to yours, maybe next time you'll even beat me with my help." Seb gloated.
"Yeah, in your dreams." Ash countered, going off to get Heracross.
Back in present day
"Heracross! Use Bullet Seed!" Ash shouted.
Heracross fired a beam of seeds at Spiritomb's stone, breaking the ghosts concentration, and giving them an opening.
"Let's do this! Use Mega Horn!" Ash called out.
As Spiritomb retreated into its stone, Ash knew the victory wasn't right.
"I have to say, that was an impressive tactic, I didn't know Heracross could attack from that distance." Karen applauded.
"Yeah, we learned it from an old friend." Ash said. "At least, I thought we did."
"Troubles with your team?" Karen asked.
"No, but if you know where I can find a move expert that would be appreciated." Ash said.
"If you're looking for a new move, I'm proficient in Night Slash, but I have to ask, are you sure you want to get rid of Bullet Seed, it's why you won." Karen pointed out.
"Yeah, it doesn't feel right, not after what he's done." Ash said.
"Okay, let's get to work then." Karen said, switching out Spiritomb for an Absol.