"You know which gym we're doing next, right?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, Dewford," Max nodded. "Fighting-type, right?"

"Won't that be a problem for Max?" May frowned. "I mean..."

She waved her hand. "Whatever he's called at the moment-"

"He's going back to Arc for a bit," Max supplied.

Arc barked and nodded.

"Right. Arc would be okay, and depending on his moves I guess Guy would be too, but I kind of wonder about Cinder."

"Yeah, it'd be best to not use her there," Max agreed readily. "What about you, Ash?"

"Well..." Ash frowned. "I was thinking Swellow and Latios should get their turns, but apart from that I'm not sure – if it's three or more Pokémon, I mean. Tyranitar's probably not a good idea..."

Brock winced. "That wouldn't go well, no, not when he's having trouble walking."

"So!" Max said. "Does that mean we're heading straight to Dewford?"

"Not likely," Dustox muttered, speaking up for the first time in a while. "I want to make sure we're not sailing directly away from Jessie."

"We don't know where they are," Ash reminded her. "They could be on Dewford... but you're right, we should try to look."

"Thanks," the Bug-type said, a little mollified.

"And we're not heading straight to Dewford," May said. "We're going shopping!"

"Didn't you do this last time?" Max asked.

"Well, it's not as if I still have what I bought last time," May replied. "So I'm going shopping, and that's that."

Max looked skeptical.

"Actually, there's something I'd like to get too," Ash said. "So I'll be going shopping for a bit, at least."

"Traitor," Max muttered. "So what should I do?"

He looked hopefully at Brock, who shook his head. "Sorry, Max," the mixed-type specialist said. "I've got a few things to get as well."

"...fine, I'll just sit around in the park or something," Max decided.


"Let's see..." Ash looked at the next pair, checking the size and shape, then shook his head. "Not quite right. They need to be pointier."

Pikachu examined the latest reject. "No complaints about the colour? These are a bit blue..."

"I doubt he'll care if they're the wrong colour... or indeed leave them the wrong colour," Ash replied. "Hm, these look about right."

His Starter looked at them. "Could be. Dexter?"

Scanning... they appear to be the right size.

"Great!" Ash grinned. "Exactly what we were after!"

"Thank goodness," the sales clerk muttered. "You've gone through the entire collection on the floor."

"I have?" Ash repeated, and looked around.

He had.

"Oh... uh, sorry for being a bother..."

"No, it's no problem," the clerk assured him, not sounding like he meant it. His smile became a bit less wan as Ash replaced all the ones he'd taken off the rack. "Thanks for putting them back, though, I'd have had to otherwise."

"That's okay," Ash smiled. "Uh... hm, I was thinking of getting something for Mom, too..."

"What Pokémon does she have?" the clerk asked.

"Well, she's kind of got a Mr. Mime..."

"She might like a charm fired from Light Clay, then," he suggested. "There's some just over here..."

"Thanks!"

"That actually looks pretty reasonably priced," Pikachu observed.

"What do these do, again?" Ash asked, examining one. He liked the design – it was all clean lines and shimmers.

"They make barriers, like Reflect and Light Screen, stronger," the clerk said by way of a reminder. "Perfect for a Mr. Mime."


May was... honestly going a bit wild. She'd saved up the money she'd got for helping Professor Birch out at the lab, and there was a lot here to buy – all kinds of things!

Some Pokéball seals were a good idea, and a few outfits she'd had her eye on, and a couple more outfits which just looked good...

She got a supply of five cheap-o scarves that were on special, too, in case she could do something nice with them in a routine for Blaziken. Oh, and there were a few of the things she'd missed the first time – little things which made travelling around for months more easy, like a nice shampoo and that kind of thing.

Then, as she headed for the checkout, a smell that was hauntingly familiar stopped her in her tracks.

Backtracking a few steps, she found the source. It was a display of incense, with one of them in the burner.

It was a peculiar scent. Not exactly unpleasant, but nothing which would especially stand out... there was a slightly fishy tone to it, and seaweed, and some salt-spray, and what actually seemed to be a tiny bit of gypsum.

But together... it made May blink away tears, and she swallowed.

"Manaphy," she whispered.

That was what he had smelled like. It had been years, but the smell brought it all rushing back like they'd never been apart.

"You seem to like that one, dear."

May jumped. "Sorry! I didn't mean to-"

"No harm done, dear," the elderly woman said. She sniffed it in herself, and smiled. "There's all kinds of incense they sell here, and I know them all. This is an interesting one, indeed."

"What's it called?" May asked, a little nervously.

"Heart incense," the woman told her. "I don't know why they call it that, of course, but it's a nice name."

Seeing the pile of stuff already in May's arms, she smiled. "I'm not sure if you've got the space to carry anything else, but I think they do free burners here if you get your first bundle. Since you seem to like the Heart incense, you should think about it."

"Thanks," May said. "I will."

She did. In fact, she purchased two bundles of the salty incense, and picked out a nice blue burner to go with them – despite the larger-than-intended hole that made in her finances.

It would be a reminder of their promise. A promise she intended to fulfil.


"Exercises done..." Max said, looking down at the panting Electrike. "Okay, Kris, let's see how that worked."

Agreed.

The Porygon formed out of her projector, then hovered up a few inches and took a kind of planar triangle form.

"Okay, Arc!" Max said. "Spark!"

Arc duly did so, jumping at Kris' form and hitting with a crackle-thwack.

That jump was higher than last week, Kris confirmed, reforming. It's working.

Arc barked happily.

"Okay, Cinder, your turn!"

This may not be as optimal, Kris observed, looking at the much bigger canine. If she jumps at me, it will hurt.

"Excuse me, young man?"

Max looked around. "Yeah?"

"Is that a Porygon?"

"She is," Max confirmed. "She's Kris."

He looked closer. "Wait... aren't you Mr. Stone?"

"I see my disguise wasn't good enough," Mr. Stone said, with a theatrical sigh.

"I don't see a disguise," Max blinked.

"Told you it wasn't good enough," Mr. Stone quipped.

Cinder sniggered.

"Would you mind if I had a look at your Kris?" he went on. "I've only seen a Porygon once or twice before..."

"Kris?" Max asked.

I do not see why not.


"So, what do you think?" Brock asked.

"It's a nice idea," Crobat replied. "Thanks. I know I weigh a lot..."

The rack he was perched on creaked slightly, and he gave it a worried look before switching to hanging upside down from a sturdy-looking banner pole.

"Yeah, I thought maybe you could rest on there so it'd be easier to carry you," Brock nodded. "Hmm... what hat to get, though? It's an important question..."

"Why's it an important question?" Crobat asked. "You're not trying to attract girls any more."

"No, but I'd rather one that Philena would like... or at least find funny," Brock shrugged.

Ludicolo emerged from his Pokéball. "Doesn't she like your sombrero?"

"Actually, I don't think he has one this time," Crobat frowned, bringing one wing up to his cheek as he pondered.

"Que?"

Brock blinked. "Did you just-"

"What does he mean, you don't have a sombrero?" Ludicolo asked, looking shocked. "Why don't you have a sombrero?"

"Never really saw the need to get one," Brock shrugged. "I mean-"

"You should get a sombrero. And some maracas while I'm at it. Two pairs."

"Uh..." Brock took a step back, getting a little more distance from his Water-type. "You're enthusiastic..."

"You look good in a sombrero, hombre," Ludicolo insisted. "And it's big enough for Crobat to perch on. So I say...sombrero."

"Thanks for the advice," Brock said, looking around at the other hats as well. "What about-"

"Sombreroooooo..."

"...oh, fine," Brock sighed. "I guess maybe it'll be good for a laugh."

"Pick a really colourful one," Crobat suggested. "Oh, and learn more than one Mariachi song while you're at it."

"Slave drivers," Brock muttered. "But I'm getting Ludicolo castanets, not maracas."


"Really?" Ash asked, blinking. "They had something which... wow, that's pretty good luck."

"Yeah, and remember his big thing was Heart Swap," May added. "I kind of wonder if that's why it's called Heart Incense. Makes as much sense as anything."

Ash smiled, and nodded to her. "Don't worry. We'll work something out when we save him again."

The confidence in Ash's voice made May smile back. "Thanks, Ash, that..."

She stopped, and Ash followed her gaze.

"Brock, what the heck are you wearing?"

"A sombrero," Brock replied, adjusting it and trying not to look too silly.

He failed.

"This is pretty comfy," Crobat said, from his perch inside the hat bowl.

"Just don't expect me to wear it all the time," Brock told him. "I'm kind of worried about narrow doors..."

"...right," May said, shaking her head. "Anyway. Let's go get my brother, and we can head to Dewford."

She led the way out of the building, trying to make sure she didn't drop anything.

"Ash?" she asked. "That bag of yours – can I use it to put stuff in?"

"Sure," Ash replied. "It'll make it easier to carry everything. Just ask me when you need it."


I am capable of producing the data required to run a high-quality render. The issue is the data bus to my hologram generator.

"I see," Mr. Stone said. "So the projector is capable of sustaining only a very small number of independent polygons?"

"Yeah, a few dozen," Max confirmed. "It still means she can change shape a bit more than the basic Porygon form allows, but it's not much. I understand that there's been an upgrade just around the corner for more than a year now."

"I'm familiar with the syndrome," Mr. Stone smiled. "Actually-"

He stopped, and looked up. "Is that Ash Ketchum I see?"

"Yeah, I'm travelling with him," Max confirmed, turning to see the others returning from their shop. "Hi, guys!"

"Well, well!" Mr. Stone said, standing. "This is a treat! I've been having a lovely time talking with the young man and the..." he paused. "Would young be appropriate?"

No, but lady is quite polite.

"Thank you," he said courteously. "And now I have Ash Ketchum to speak to as well!"

"Why me?" Ash asked.

Both May and Brock looked at him like he was an idiot.

"Did you forget your league wins?" May asked. "The Legendary Pokémon? Charizard? Pikachu?"

"Well, no, but..." Ash shrugged helplessly.

"You've been lucky enough not to be recognized much," Brock said.

"I guess..."

"Actually, it's not that young mister Ketchum has won his qualifications that makes me want to speak to him," Mr. Stone explained. "You see, my wife was a member of the Chosen... and Steven is."

"Wait," Ash said. "So it's Steven who Ho-Oh meant when he said there were people in Hoenn?"

"I don't know about that, but certainly Steven is a very impressive person," Mr. Stone said. "You'll have to meet him some time, I'm sure he'd love to see you."

Ash nodded.

"Actually..." Mr. Stone frowned. "I'd like to check something, and I know you have Pokémon with Mega Stones... would you mind coming with me?"

"That'd be fine," Ash agreed. He looked around. "Wait, where'd Dustox go? She was supposed to be in sight of you..."

"Well, she is her own Pokémon," Brock said. "Or Jessie's, anyway. She can look after herself."


"Oh, it's so good to see you!" Jessie said, as her Dustox fluttered down to her. "I was so worried when we couldn't find you... should have guessed Ash and his friends had found you instead."

Dustox nodded. "They've got a Latios, in case you didn't-"

"Yeah, we know," Meowth interrupted. "Hey, Jess, you got dose bows?"

"That's right!" Jessie said. "James, hand me the bag!"

James muttered something.

"I didn't hear that," Jessie admitted.

"I tink he's sayin' he don't got no hands free." Meowth reached in delicately and plucked the bows from the appropriate bag. "Here ya go, Jessie!"

"Thanks." Jessie tied the bows on Dustox' antennae. "There you go."

Her Bug-type fluttered happily. "Thanks!"

"Can we put the shopping in the plane now?" James asked, from behind the stack of boxes and bags he was holding. "I don't get why we need this much medical supplies."

"We're not always able to get hold of a Pokémon Centre," Jessie pointed out. "And I do have training, but sometimes you need potions to help with that."

"And da perfume?" Meowth teased.

"That's... personal."


"You know about Mega Stones, of course," Mr. Stone said, leading them into an empty boardroom. "But do you know how to find a Mega Stone?"

"...I hadn't put much thought into it," May admitted.

"Gary says he has a special Key Stone that tracks them down," Ash volunteered. "But mostly he just chases rumours."

"Oh, you know Gary Oak, that simplifies things," Mr. Stone said. "You're right, the stones resonate, and a strong enough one can harness that. But what if I said I'd worked out a way to find Mega Stones without a Key Stone?"

"That sounds pretty amazing," Max said. "It sounds like it'd make it much easier to build up enough Mega Stones to swap around and get ones you could use."

"Well, yes, though Steven doesn't much need the help," Mr. Stone smiled. "He's got quite the collection... those of us a little less well equipped, though, sometimes need some help."

He rummaged in his pocket, and pulled out a small card. Fitting it into the computer, he signed in with quick keystrokes and activated the program.

"It's the Stone Stone Detection System," he announced, as the application booted up. Seeing the surprised looks his audience was giving him, he winked. "Working title."

"Huh," Max said, looking at the interface. "Looks... complicated."

"It is, a bit," Mr. Stone admitted. "The real trick is getting it to run properly... it keeps crashing, but it can detect both Mega Stones and Key Stones with a bit of care – aha!"

The screen fuzzed for a moment, then showed a map of the room they were in. For a fraction of a second, there were images-

-then the whole thing collapsed back to a cursor.

"Always happens," Mr. Stone said, with a sigh. "There's just too many threads for the processor to handle... I can run it on the mainframe, but that's about it."

My whole processing system is outrageously overengineered, Kris suggested. My projector and main body are independently capable of supporting... well, me.

"Really?" Max asked, blinking. "I didn't realize there was that much spare space..."

Professor Oak's idea of appropriate processing power is being able to scan and analyze a new Pokémon in about fifteen seconds, Dexter supplied from his own position. You may recall I came about by accident.

"That's right," Ash agreed. "Wait, does this mean that one of you could run the program?"

I'd like to give it a try, Kris said.

"Well..." Mr. Stone considered. "I can't see the harm, not really. It's proprietary, but I can give you a few trial licenses – it's not as if stealing from a Porygon is really possible."

We have a tendency to get violent over data protection, Ethan noted, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.

Chuckling good-naturedly, Mr. Stone removed the data card from his computer and held it out. "If you can load it..?"

Analyzing. Kris' scanner flashed for a moment, then an arrow appeared on her screen. Appropriate data port is here.

Max took the card and slotted it in.

Thank you. Loading... setting up... parsing...

There was a long pause.

Loaded. I will be using my projector to run the scan.

Max let out a sigh of relief, and reached his free hand into his pocket to get the prized projector out.

Once it was on his palm, it lit up and displayed a kind of compass-like screen about six inches across. There was a dot right in the middle of the screen, and after a moment range ticks appeared followed by a number of bright dots.

"Aha!" Mr. Stone said, happily. "That's the one! Now, what does this tell us..."

May pointed. "That's Ash, isn't it? There's two dots close together – and he's got Latiosite and Heracronite."

Three, Kris clarified, highlighting a much fainter dot with a caret.

"Oh, interesting – I've not seen it do that before," Mr. Stone said, leaning in. "It looks like... wait, it's moving!"

There was a quiet swish as Ash moved his staff through the air. "Looks like it can sort-of pick up my staff, then."

"What's that?" Mr. Stone frowned, then smiled as he recognized it. "Ah! The Key Stone you used in the Silver Conference, of course!"

This seems useful, Dexter remarked. Is there a range limit?

In reply, Kris made the holo-display pull back a bit. The image got fuzzier and fuzzier, but before it hashed out into complete uselessness a couple of dots appeared at the edge of the screen.

"Ah, that must be my rock collection!" Mr. Stone chuckled. "Interesting."

"You have Mega Stones in your rock collection?" Brock asked, a bit startled.

"Only one Mega Stone at the moment, Steven's out looking for more," Mr. Stone clarified. "We built up quite a collection over the years, but they really deserve to be used – I've been passing them out to people who can use them. I've got a few Key Stones, but the only Mega Stone is Pinsirite – you don't have a Pinsir, any of you?"

He got shakes of the head.

"Pity..."

Sir? Ethan asked, vocoder sounding a bit troubled. I just got completely unrestricted access to your entire corporation computer network.

Mr. Stone looked up. "What?"

The change was quite surprising. In a single word, Mr. Stone had gone from a jovial gentleman showing off his achievements to a no-nonsense businessman.

The firewall just went down completely, Ethan clarified. I wasn't even trying to get access, just seeing what networks were around – then suddenly the main corporate wireless let me in automatically.

"That should not be happening," Mr. Stone said firmly. "Our security is-"

Compromised, Ethan interrupted. A virus just tried to infect me.

"Are you okay?!" May demanded, snatching him out of her bag.

I'm fine, Porygon were designed to fight viruses. It's been sandboxed.

"Can you tell anything about it?" Mr. Stone asked urgently.

It appears to be called ArdentSharpedo, Ethan reported. It's not very sophisticated, fortunately – I doubt it got in from outside.

Dexter, Ethan, Kris said. We should have the resources to sort this out. With your permission, sir?

"If it'll solve this, then fine!" Mr. Stone agreed readily.

Thank you. The scanner field collapsed as Kris redirected her processing power. Dexter, you're the most experienced – you get rid of the virus. I'll be firewall.

Got it, Dexter replied.

Ethan – if this virus took down the security, it's to do something. Can you access the cameras?

I can.

"How can we help?" Ash asked. "Do we need to go in and help fight the virus?"

I don't have a digitizer – quite apart from anything else they're the size of a room, Dexter reminded him. You might be needed soon, though – we think someone's in the building.

"Right!" Mr. Stone said, nodding. "If someone took down the security then they'd be doing it to steal something. Let me know if you find anything – we have to stop this!"

Firewall established, Kris reported. I've stopped the copy – Ethan, check the fourth floor.

"That's only two floors up!" May said, heading for the door. "Come on!"

Everyone piled out of the room, May first and following Ethan's quick directions based on the building map.


"Come on!"

Wavel slapped the computer, which refused to start the file transfer again. "This was all going well! The heck happened?"

After a moment more scowling at the screen, he flipped open his phone. "Boss?"

"Don't call us during a mission!" the distorted voice came back.

"Boss, the transfer stopped. I got some of their files, but not all of them."

A sigh came down the speaker. "Then send on what you have and leave."

"Right!" Wavel agreed, nodding, and pulled the transfer card out of the slot before slipping it in his phone. "Sending now!"

Slipping his lab coat back on, the Aqua grunt paced back and forth until the files showed as sent.

As soon as that was done, he turned his phone off and put it back in his pocket, before heading to the door. With luck, he could sneak out and no-one would be any the wiser.

The door crashed open before he reached it.

"What's going on?" he asked, keeping the charade going as a large Blaziken lowered his kicking leg. "I was-"

"That him?" a girl's voice asked from behind the Fire-type.

Affirmative. He just put on the lab coat.

Wavel stepped back, then his hand went to his belt. "Okay, screw this! Crawdaunt, get them!"

The big crustacean clashed his claws together. "Craaaw!"

"Okay, Blaziken!" the girl said. "Double Kick!"


Make sure that the lockdown has a portal for Ethan to keep using the cameras, Dexter reminded, as he delved into the computer systems of Devon Corp.

Already on it.

And put a tracer on that portal, too, in case something escapes, Dexter added. It looks like the ICE tripped, but this ArdentSharpedo virus stifled all the active alerts. Passive ones are going, of course.

His tone changed. Aha! I think I found the source. It's a drive that's still plugged in. Hold one moment...

There was a pause.

There. Drive locked down, now we just need to clear out what's already in here.

If there'd been a human along, the visualization making sense of the virtual world would have shown Dexter reforming from his normal avian shape to an icosahedron, then into a three-petalled shape which screamed attack.

Of course, no-one was.

Dexter was applying the visualization anyway, because he liked how it looked. Engaging.

Light stabbed out at one of the viral agents, which burst into a sparkle of light.

What does that even represent? Kris asked, engaged in data-sharing and following the events herself.

Deleting a file, Dexter informed her. And this is denying something execute privileges.

A sphere of blue energy formed around one of the virtual Sharpedo, which froze before disintegrating.

At about that point, the priority list of the virus copies designated Dexter as the next threat.

Incoming, Kris noted, as several dozen virtual sharks came swimming towards him through the virtual world. Do you need help?

Negative. Engaging Zap Cannon.


One of the techs blinked. "Okay, why is Space Invaders running in the middle of a virus attack?"


"Damnit!" Wavel said, ducking out of the way. His Crawdaunt came past at speed and smacked into a wall, before hitting the floor hard.

He winced as it staggered in a circle and fell over.

"Okay, so you beat him," he muttered. "Walrein, finish that Blaziken off!"

Walrein gave him a look.

"What?" he asked. "Brine, damnit!"

Walrein sighed, turned to his front, and spat out a stream of salty water.

"Steambath!" the girl called.

Blaziken's fists snapped into fire, and he blew flame before punching it forwards. The blast of incandescent fire smacked into Walrein's salt water, producing a hiss and blast of steam, and the water that actually reached Blaziken was much less of a problem.

"So much for the computers in here," Mr. Stone sighed.

"Water Pulse, then!" Wavel ordered. "Hit the-"

As Walrein fired, the Blaziken moved – fast.

He launched himself off the ground, spinning once in mid-air, and brought down a devastating High Jump Kick on the Water-type.

Springing back off as Walrein skidded backwards, he landed with lithe grace on the floor of the room and snapped in a Blaze Kick for good measure.

"Hey, moron!" the girl called, as Wavel watched his Walrein backing away from Blaziken's ongoing assault. "He's an Ice-type too!"

Walrein muttered something, holding his flippers up, and Blaziken's foot swished to a stop a moment before the first of another set of Double Kicks.

"I think it's time the police had a word with you," Mr. Stone said, stepping forwards. "I take a very dim view of people breaking into my building."

Wavel gulped, then straightened. "It doesn't matter!" he said. "I have done my duty. For Aqua!"

"Your duty sucks," a smaller kid said.


"Do we know what they got?" Mr. Stone asked, once the Team Aqua agent had been carted off by the police.

Mainly data related to Mega Stones – theoretical stuff, the actual practical information was not stolen, Kris reported. I can't see what use they could get out of it.

"I see." Mr. Stone clapped his hands. "Well, thank you indeed! Thank you for saving my data, and especially for your gallantry in subduing the intruder!"

"Don't you have a Pokémon yourself?" Ash asked.

"I do!" Mr. Stone agreed. "Several. They're all at home."

"...maybe you should consider keeping one with you," Brock suggested. "Just for safety if nothing else. I mean, we know people are after your research now."

"Excellent advice, Mr. Slate," Mr. Stone said. "I'll certainly do that – Crustle will be glad of the workout, I'm sure."

"Oh, you've got a Crustle?" Brock asked. "They're neat."

"A positive delight." Mr. Stone frowned. "Hmmm... well, now, you most certainly deserve a reward for this... is there anything you'd like?"

No-one spoke up for a moment. Then May cleared her throat.

"Sorry if it's presumptuous, but... I saw a Mega Blaziken at the Silver Conference a couple of weeks ago, and since then I've really wanted a Mega Evolving Pokémon – especially being able to do it to Blaziken-"

"Oh, I certainly agree, it's a wonderful sight!" Mr. Stone interrupted. "Hm – I'll tell you what. I may only have one Mega Stone available, but I have a whole box of Key Stones upstairs! I can certainly spare one for each of you, to bring your dream closer to reality!"

"No need for one for me," Ash said. "I've already got something that works the same."

Mr. Stone nodded. "I understand. Well, that sounds wonderful – follow me!"

As he led them through the corridors, he explained further. "They're not especially strong Key Stones – they're not nearly sensitive enough to detect Mega Stones – but they should be fine for your purposes."

A wink. "Besides, Steven's been complaining he doesn't get good enough fights. I'm sure this'll help give him a challenge!"


"That went really well," Max smiled, touching the bracelet he was now wearing on his left arm. "It was nice of Mr. Stone to give us these, even with how we helped him."

"It sure was," May agreed. She looked around as they left the building. "Huh, it's later than I thought it would be... I hope Dustox had a good reason for flying off."

"Well, I'm sure Team Rocket will text us if they've got any questions," Ash said. "Hey, should we try sleeping rough tonight, or-"

"Hotel!" May and Max chorused.

"Sounds good," Ash admitted. "Brock? Any idea where we should go?"

Brock shrugged. "To be honest, I'm not very sure of the details of hotels here..."

He frowned. "Can one of the Porygon find out?"

I probably can, Ethan volunteered. Please wait, collating data...

As he worked, May frowned. "Okay, I know what Brock got, and I know I got loads of stuff, but – what did you get, Ash?"

"Oh, right!" Ash nodded. "Dexter? Is Squirtle ready for transfer?"

Indeed he is.

Ash walked into the park a little way, then held out his hand. "Okay, bring him over."

There was a flash, and Squirtle's Pokéball materialized in his hand.

"Ash?" Brock asked.

"Hold on a moment..." Ash pulled some paper out of his pocket. "Right... Squirtle!"

The Water-type materialized. "Hey, Ash! What's up – is it time for a Gym Battle?"

"No, we had one yesterday," Ash explained. "It's something else."

He crouched down, glanced at the paper, and cleared his throat. "Squirtle, I'm not great at speeches, but I kind of want to say this. I'm really glad to have you as one of my Pokémon – you're sometimes exasperating, and kind of worryingly overenthusiastic, but that helps – it makes me... it makes us feel like we can do anything. Because you can, and we can't let you down."

Squirtle tilted his head. "I give that a three out of five."

"Hey!" Ash said, stung. "Wasn't it a bit better than that?"

"You said you weren't great at speeches! Now, I'll show you how a good speech-"

The words died in Squirtle's throat, as Ash handed him a slim plastic case.

Curious, Squirtle opened it – and saw a pair of swooping, pointed orange-black glasses.

His jaw opened slightly, then he swallowed. "For me?"

"Of course," Ash replied, with a smile. "I didn't forget about them, Squirtle. I just wanted to make sure I could get you a good pair."

Squirtle took his new shades, and reverently put them over his eyes.

Then he struck a pose.

"This ultimate bond of brotherhood will not be forgotten!"

"Oh, here we go again," Pikachu muttered.

"What was once broken has been reforged, greater and better than before! My raging spirit has blazed up again, and that's just how I roll!"

Let's go look at hotels, Ethan suggested. I get the sense this could take a while...


"Look, I've said sorry," Gary said, for the fourth time.

"I know you have said it, but that does not excuse it!" Furfrou whined. "My coat is still dreadfully matted! It's awful! It's as bad as could be!"

She made to groom herself, then made a mortified face and shook her head. "Oh, that would have been appalling!"

"At least you managed to weaken him before capture," Gary pointed out, trying to find a bright side.

"Yes, but that meant I got all awful and covered in goo!" Furfrou said, not deterred. "I demand a hot shower, a groom, and a trim!"

"Fine, fine, keep your fur on," Gary muttered.

"My fur is the problem!" Furfrou insisted, shaking herself and sending drops of greenish gunk flying. "Ugh, this will take forever to clean..."

"You nearly got some on me," the trainer pointed out, then sighed as Furfrou turned up her nose. "It was you or Umbreon, you're the ones who could get at him..."

"Then send her!" Furfrou told him promptly. "She's got shorter fur!"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Umbreon commented.

"Man, I hope Ashy-boy's happy with this trade," Gary observed, glancing at the Pokéball. "It was enough trouble to find something interesting..."


AN:


This is basically That Time The Porygon Get To Do Stuff.

Mostly.

That means lots and lots of underline speech, so I may not have correctly caught any errors. (Underline sometimes gets dropped.)

The image I was basing the Mega Stone scanner on is the scan mode of the D-arc in Digimon Tamers, because it's a neat image.

There's also some shopping, with various things to pick up – mostly sentimental.

Oh, and Gary Oak doing stuff in Kalos.