"Hmm…" Professor Birch said, inspecting the nests. "So… the Wingull tend to nest lower down than the Pelipper… and the Pelipper tend to have a larger clutch. That might mean…"

He wobbled a little, then caught himself. "Whoops…"

"Professor Birch?" a familiar voice asked. "Is that you?"

"May, good afternoon!" the Pokémon Professor replied, looking down from the tree he was balanced in. "How is your Torchic doing?"

"Great!" May replied. "He's really good at Fly now, and we're working on what looks like it's going to be Flame Wheel!"

That made Birch blink. "Sorry, you said Fly? I… actually didn't think Torchic could learn that move. That's fascinating!"

He rummaged in his pocket, then took out a Pokéball. "Tropius, can you help me get down? The Wingull are still going to be here tomorrow, I think."

Birch's Tropius appeared in a flash, and flapped his wings to support Birch's weight as he climbed down from the tree.

"Thank you," he told the Grass-type.

"You're welcome," Tropius replied.

Birch did a double-take. "Pardon?"

"I… said you're welcome?" Tropius repeated, a little more confused now. "I thought it was polite. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, this is just the first time the Professor's been around me," a Vulpix explained. "It's Hypnosis. Good, isn't it?"

"She's very proud of that trick," Brock contributed.

"My word," Birch muttered. "I… suppose I should make the most of this opportunity… but first, May, how is your journey going so far?"

"Well, I've got Torchic, you know about him," May said. "And an Azurill and a Silcoon, too."

She sent out Torchic first, who waved hello to Professor Birch, then Azurill and Beautifly.

"...I thought you said you had a Silcoon?" Professor Birch asked.

"Don't look at me," Beautifly replied. "I was one when I got in the Pokéball fifteen minutes ago."

He did a flip. "Still, I'm glad to be able to fly!"

"Hey, watch out, you might hit a tree," May told him.

"Just for the record, Mr. Birch?" Max said. "He evolved into a Silcoon during lunch. It was less than half an hour ago."

Ash scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, that was probably something to do with me…"

Not far away, in an underground base, three groups squared off against one another.

"All right, let's get ready for this," Shelley said. "On my word!"

"You're not going to stop us," Courtney replied. "Nor are these interlopers!"

"Interlopers!" Jessie huffed, adjusting her grip on a large sack. "Say that again when we show you a trick the Silver Conference Champion taught us!"

"By bitter experience," James added.

Jessie huffed. "Yes, all right, but we still learned it, didn't we?"

"Can't argue with that," James admitted.

"Hey, uh… I got a question?" Meowth said, raising his paw. "So, uh… why exactly are we fightin' in here? 'cause it's some kid's Secret Base, right?"

Jessie, James, Courtney and Shelley exchanged glances.

"I… actually don't know?" Shelley admitted. "It sort of escalated."

"Tch," Courtney snorted. "Then I'm not going to fight it out if there's no point."

She left, with her goons, and a few seconds later so did Shelley with her entourage.

"...I'm actually kind of disappointed," Jessie admitted. "I was kind of hoping to see what happened when they found out every Ekans in the bag knows Seed Bomb…"

One of the Ekans in question hissed, and Jessie put down the bag before letting them all out.

"I know, you wanted to ruin their whole day, didn't you?" she asked. "And Meowth ruined your fun!"

"Hey, don't pin dis on me!" Meowth protested.

When they returned to Dewford, May vacillated a bit before asking Torchic if he wanted a go at a Contest.

The Fire-type gave an enthusiastic yes, which May couldn't really argue with, so she got herself signed up and ready. Then things sort of seemed to pick up their own momentum, and she found herself stepping out in front of the gathered audience in a bit of a daze.

The MC announced her, and she threw Torchic's Pokéball – letting him emerge in a flare of light, ready for the Appeal round.

"Okay, Torchic, show them what you can do!" she said, with a flourish. "Fly!"

"That's a lot better than he was even a few days ago," Vulpix noted, watching as Torchic shot Embers into the air – sending them out in bursts of three, then flitting around to catch each one and balance them on his beak and wings before firing up the next shot. "He's got the trick, I think."

"Right," Brock agreed. "He's not trying to get it the same every time… he's trying to get it similar and then trusting in his ability to make up for the slight differences."

"I'm interested in seeing the big finish," Pineco told them all. "Does this version have one?"

"That's up to May, but I think it does," Ash said.

Max, meanwhile, was just watching his sister and her Pokémon perform.

He'd been watching Torchic train for just this routine for days, but seeing it all come together… it was pretty amazing.

"Now, swoop down and make a Flame Wheel!" May called.

Torchic did a loop, all the Embers he was carrying flickering off around him and sending a cascade of fire raining down in front of May, and then curved around in a wide sweep that got lower as it moved.

He timed it just about right, arriving as the Embers were raining down, and fired a few extra Embers to add to them – then landed with a skid, whipping up the puddle of flame on the floor with his feet, and doing two complete cartwheels before coming to a stop and posing.

"Not bad," Vulpix judged, magnanimously. "I'd say she's probably through."

"Well, you are the expert," Brock grinned.

"Exactly," the Fox Pokémon said, tossing her head. "Of course, the judges might get it wrong…"

"That looked great!" Max said, when they met up with May after the Contest. "It kind of sucks that you had to meet a guy with a Politoed right after the Appeal, though… you were kind of working uphill there."

"Yeah," May agreed. "We worked so hard on the Appeal we weren't properly ready for the Battle… at least, not against someone who we couldn't deal with just using Ember."

She patted Torchic. "Still, that was really exciting – right, Torchic?"

"Yep!" Torchic agreed, chirping happily. "I already know a few things where we can work on them… I guess there's a lot of improvement to do, though, to get to the point where we can work them all into the flying dance."

"I'm looking forward to it, Torchic," May smiled. "And – Ash, you were right. This is something I've enjoyed."

"Great!" Ash grinned. "And that means I can challenge the Dewford Gym!"

"And it means I have to worry about you teaching Shroomish and Mightyena to dance battle in secret," Max added. "...actually, that was a joke but it sounds vaguely plausible."

May stuck her tongue out. "They're technically my Pokémon, so I could do that… I won't, though."

She winked. "Or would I?"

Brock shook his head, chuckling.

"If you'd like, May, I can go through your options with Torchic," he said. "And I've been watching the training Azurill and Beautifly have been doing, as well, so I might be able to help with that… I know Eevee's eager to help too…"

Not far south of Viridian, Paul checked his map.

Pallet Town was down this way, and he was interested in visiting to pick up a Starter Pokémon before his Kanto challenge. It would probably be worthwhile.

"Hm," he said, then looked up.

And watched as a Raikou went flying past, beating a pair of shimmering wings.

Paul watched until the Raikou had gone out of sight, then turned around and walked back to Viridian City.

That kind of sight was usually a warning sign of too many Weezing in the area.

"Okay, kid, here's how this is going to work!" Brawly said. "Three Pokémon! Three battles! Impress me, and you win the badge!"

Ash waited for a moment.

"...any other rules?"

"Nah, not really," Brawly shrugged. "I guess we could add a surfing competition?"

"I think Pikachu would be willing to take you up on that," Ash said. "Hey, have you been to the Orange Islands? They have stuff like that in some Gym Battles."

"Yeah, neat place," Brawly agreed. "Anyway, got your Pokémon picked?"

"You bet I have!" Ash confirmed. "Though, uh, it's okay if I send out the Pokémon I've not picked so they can watch? I had a couple of other Pokémon who were interested."

Brawly shrugged. "It's a free beach, man, I'm not going to stop you."

Ash sent out Silver and Zacian, and the Flying-type folded his wings under him for support while Zacian just sat down on her haunches next to Zygarde.

"Afternoon," she said. "Should be an interesting battle."

Brawly had his first Pokéball ready. "Okay, Sirfetch'd, you first!"

"Heracross!" Ash replied. "And – huh, Sirfetch'd is a pretty cool Pokémon!"

"My lady," Sirfetch'd said, bowing towards Zacian, then straightened up with his shield ready and his spear raised.

While Heracross was trying very hard indeed to punch Sirfetch'd, the leader of Team Magma examined his subordinates.

"Report," he invited.

"While investigating a report of some mysterious orbs on Dewford, we ran into Team Aqua," Courtney said. "In addition, we met representatives of Team Rocket."

"I assume you were victorious," Maxie stated. "Were the orbs what we were after?"

"No, sir," Courtney replied. "Just rumours, no sign of the Red Orb. And there was no battle, largely because there was nothing significant to fight over."

"Still, it confirms that Team Aqua are after the Orbs as well," Maxie mused. "Very good, Tabitha. Now, Courtney-"

"I'm Courtney, sir," the Magma Admin said. "He's Tabitha."

Maxie frowned, then looked at the two of them. "Really? I could swear it was the other way around."

"What, because I'm a man?" Tabitha said.

Courtney rubbed her temples. "Oh, now you've got him going again."

"Look, I can be trans and still like my birth name, okay?" Tabitha insisted. "And boss, it's kind of contributing to a hostile work environment that you got that confused. It's not like I'm not loyal, is it?"

Courtney waved her hand. "Don't say it. Do not. Say. It."

"I'm a Team Magma die-hard!" Tabitha said. "I identify as Trans-Continental."

His fellow admin sighed.

"...this is why nobody else wants to team up with you, you know," she said.

"Anyway," Maxie said. "Tabitha. Your report?"

"I got hold of the Blue Orb," Tabitha reported. "I know we wanted both, but the museum was moving them from one place to another and they weren't in the same place."

"Unfortunate, but still potentially useful," Maxie declared. "Good work. We'll simply need to find out where the Red Orb is now."

"Based on comments made by Shelley during our confrontation, I think Team Aqua has it," Courtney said.

"Hmm," Maxie pondered. "Depending on how we play our cards, that might be to our advantage."

He adjusted his glasses. "Oh, and… get some name tags."

"Hah!" Sirfetch'd declared, flicking out with his lance, and Heracross skipped aside before retaliating with an Ice Punch. He lashed backwards, making it into an arm block as much as anything, then hopped into the air and opened his wings.

"Hmm…" Ash frowned, then glanced at Zacian. "I think…"

"You're right," Zacian told him. "Why don't you tell him? See how well you understand it?"

"Sure," Ash agreed. "Heracross! Keep an eye on your measure – you're fighting at a range Sirfetch'd wants to fight at!"

"Oh, right!" Heracross realized. "So what you're saying is-"

"Close in!" Ash agreed. "Knock that lance aside and get close, then don't let him get away again!"

"Slam!" Brawly countered. "Do what he says not to let you do!"

"Of course, sirrah," Sirfetch'd agreed, using a shield-bash to knock Heracross away, then jumped back himself with the same impact and jabbed forth again. "Take that!"

"Knock Off!" Ash replied.

"How does that one go again?" Heracross said.

"You knock away what the other Pokémon is holding," Zacian clarified. "Just a guess, mind you…"

"No, that makes sense," Heracross said, and knocked away Sirfetch'd's leek.

"...ah," Sirfetch'd said, shifting to hold his shield in both wings. "This is awkward."

Once that battle was over – Heracross had gone to the trouble of retrieving Sirfetch'd's lance for him, which was presumably appreciated – Ash switched out Heracross for Bayleef, and Brawly sent out a Medicham.

"That's kind of graceful for a Fighting-type," May said, impressed. "Isn't that one of the Pokémon that has Mega Stones?"

"I've seen a Mega Medicham, but I've not got a Mega Stone for one myself," Brawly replied. "It's kind of on the list, but Medicham only evolved a few days ago so we've not had the time."

"Well, I'm sending out Bayleef!" Ash declared.

Bayleef set herself, shifting her hooves slightly in the soft sand of the beach. "It's nice to meet you. I am a Solarmancer by Royal Appointment. Might I ask who you are?"

"...honestly, mostly I just hit things and surf," Medicham admitted.

"A fine goal," Bayleef said.

"Let's do this!" Brawly said. "Fire Punch!"

Medicham's fist hammered into Bayleef, Pure Power knocking her out to sea, but her vines coiled around Medicham's wrist even as she went flying backwards. They yanked, hard, pulling Medicham off his feet and staggering forwards, and Bayleef reversed direction entirely before hitting Medicham with an impactful wham that sent the Fighting-type staggering away.

Also, Bayleef was on fire.

"Sunny Day!" Ash ordered, and the sun blazed brighter overhead.

Bayleef stopped being on fire.

"...the sad thing is, that's actually what Leaf Guard does," Max admitted. "But it still makes no sense that making the sun brighter stops a Grass-type from being on fire."

"Fire Punch again!" Brawly called.

"Jump!" Ash called. "Then an orbit!"

Bayleef jumped into the air, launching herself with a burst of sunlight and steely energy, and her left vine wrapped around Medicham's midsection. She pulled, making both Pokémon swing around, then when she was below Medicham her right vine snagged the ground and pulled that way instead.

Both Pokémon hit the ground, but Medicham had been moving in a larger circle and so hit the ground harder, only to spin around and spring to his feet before charging back in on the attack.

"Weather Ball!" Ash called, and Bayleef hit Medicham with a fireball just before Medicham hit Bayleef with a Fire Punch. "Now, Morning Sun!"

Bayleef glowed with golden light as she healed herself, and Brawly punched the palm of one hand with the other fist.

"She's healing, too! Well, looks like you'll have to overwhelm her – Bulk Up!"

"Bind!" Ash called. "Then a close-range Solarbeam, and keep it up!"

"I wonder if I can ask Dragonite to make me something by royal appointment," Silver mused. "Or maybe dad? I haven't thought about what to get him for his birthday this year."

"Do you normally get birthday presents?" Pikachu asked.

"Not really, but it seems polite," Silver said. "Hmm…"

"All right!" Ash called, as this time Medicham didn't seem inclined to get out of the latest Medicham-shaped crater. "That's two! Now, time for my last Pokémon!"

He held out a Pokéball. "Zapdos!"

"Oh, huh," Brawly mused, looking at the Pokémon standing in front of him. "I heard you had a Zapdos, but I thought it was the other type."

Ash shrugged. "I do call all my Pokémon by their name, which is usually their species name, except with Silver and Lokoko because they had names before then!"

Brawly nodded, considering, and recalled Medicham before sending out Hariyama. "Okay, Hariyama, let's do this!"

"Thunderous Kick!" Ash ordered.

Zapdos dodged left, right, then left, and finally hit Hariyama with a kick that went wham and sent out a visible pressure wave.

"Hm," Brawly said. "Hariyama – Whirlwind!"

Hariyama punched forwards with both palms, producing a whirling gust of wind, and Zapdos was knocked away easily – much more easily than the Fighting-type should have been.

"Thought so," Brawly added. "It's that Noctowl. The kick didn't look right."

Noctowl's disguise dissolved, and he used Extrasensory instead – an attack which Hariyama blocked by kicking up a cloud of sand – then Ash pointed.

"Freezing Glare!" he said.

Hariyama waited, one palm back and glowing faintly blue while the other was forward and ready to block, then the moment the attack was about to trigger he kicked up another puff of sand and the Freezing Glare wasted itself on the sand.

Swapping places with his palms, Hariyama threw a Brine attack, and Noctowl took a glancing hit that left him sputtering.

"Okay, I see how it is," he said.

"Noctowl!" Ash called. "Up a bit higher – get a Psycho Cut ready to block – now, start inhaling! Prepare an Aeroblast!"

"Be ready to block, Hariyama!" Brawly said. "An attack like that will give you only one chance!"

The Aeroblast began to build up, then Ash clapped his hands. "Cancel it!"

Not quite enough focused air had gathered in Noctowl's beak for the full Aeroblast, but what was already there didn't go without a fight – instead a wave of pressure blasted out, sending Noctowl tumlbing backwards from recoil.

More importantly, though, the wave was entirely different to the other attacks which Hariyama had successfully blocked. It hit the sand he kicked up, overwhelmed it, and the pressure simply slammed Hariyama hard enough to knock him out to sea with a splash.

"Wow, that's really cool!" Silver said, jumping upright and hovering into the air. "I know I did that once in Olivine, but now it's not just a weird thing, it's an official Move! What do you think it should be called?"

"Whatever it's called, you've done a great job," Brawly said, as Brock sent out his Mudkip to tow Hariyama back in to shore. "And that means you've won the Knuckle Badge!"

AN:

Noctowl's collecting signature moves at this point…

Also, this fic has a TVTropes page but the information on it runs a little ahead of what has been posted on this site, so be warned.