Their journey to Driftveil was interrupted briefly by having to take care of a Deino – which, in complete defiance of what Ibid's Pokédex files said was normal for a Deino, turned out to be very shy, but then again it was a good reminder that normal was just normal and not everyone was normal – but then the friends reached Driftveil Drawbridge and crossed to Driftveil City itself.

"This is called the Charizard Bridge!" Cilan informed them, as they reached the halfway point.

"Why?" Ash asked.

Cilan shrugged. "Beats me! Maybe it's because it's red and Charizard Bridge sounds better than Throh Bridge. Though it can sort of fly, because it's a lifting bridge that can let tall ships go past underneath it."

"Then they should have painted it white and yellow and called it the Emolga Bridge," Emolga suggested. "At least we're Unovan Pokémon."

"She's got a point," Ash said. "I wouldn't expect to run into the Watchog Lighthouse in Kanto, though that would be a good name for a lighthouse!"

He shrugged. "But, then again, maybe it'd be better to have a Reshiram or Zekrom lighthouse? Their turbines could provide the light for it."

"I don't think there's enough Reshiram or Zekrom for any of them to work in a lighthouse," N said, looking around.

"Weirdly enough, we actually did once run into a Reshiram who worked a lighthouse," Pikachu told him.

N's Reshiram companion leaned out of his mane.

"You're telling the truth," he said. "I know that you're actually a very truthful Pokémon, I just want to highlight that in this specific case that's particularly notable."

"I don't see how it's strange, because Reshiram has a Light Stone," Ash shrugged. "I guess it'd be different for Zekrom with a Dark Stone, though… is there such a thing as a Darkhouse? Sending out signals of darkness in the daytime to help people, uh, either find where they are or get lost?"

At that point, perhaps fortunately, Cryogonal Man and The Accelguard started having a fight up ahead.

"This place is amazing," Iris said. "There's costumed heroes! In fact, I want to be a costumed hero now."

"You could be Wonder Zoroark, whose illusion of being a girl who looks sort of like a Zoroark is totally unbreakable," Cilan offered.

"Nah, I don't think that one's very good," Iris decided. "Though, I have this idea… hey, Marshadow?"

"You can't stop me this time, Accelguard!" Cryogonal Man said. "You may be able to deal with one Pokémon, but my minions will put you on ice!"

"Accelgor!" Accelguard said, as two Vanillite and a Vanillish sprayed his Accelgor with ice.

"Not so fast!" a gleeful voice declared, and Iris jumped down in front of them. "You won't get away with this, you frosty fiend!"

Cryogonal Man sighed. "You're not doing this right," he said. "You're supposed to be wearing a disguise as part of your costume. You seem to have forgotten the costume part, let alone the disguise part."

"I am disguised," Iris replied. "But that's not important! What's important is that I'm Dragonizer, and I'm here to stop you!"

"Minions!" Cryogonal Man decided. "Deal with this amateur!"

"Wait, hold on," Iris asked. "Amateurs are people who aren't paid, right? You get paid? I thought all this was a hobby!"

"She's got a good point," one of the minions admitted. "We should be professionals. And get paid."

"You get a cut of the proceeds, idiots," Cryogonal Man said sharply. "Now, stop her!"

One of the minions sort of reluctantly took a swing at Iris, and there was a blue flash as her Illusion broke to reveal her to be Iris But A Zoroark.

She reached into her hair to bring out Axew, re-Illusioned herself as a Dragonite, and grinned. "Axew, Dragon Rage those Vanillite!"

"...I have to admit, I did not expect that," Cryogonal Man confessed. "Well done. That was a disguise."

"All right, here we go!" Ash said, the next morning. "Time to challenge the Driftveil Gym!"

"Do you already know who you're using?" Cilan checked.

"Well, I know one of the Pokémon I'm using," Ash replied, shrugging. "More than that, it depends on what the rules are of the challenge."

"This should be an interesting test," Pikachu said.

"Actually, hold on," Cilan added, pointing. "Because that looks a lot like Chili."

"And Dragonite!" Ash realized. "What brings you two to Driftveil?"

"I did," Dragonite said.

"Good answer!" Ash replied.

"I believe what Ash was asking is why you are in Driftveil," Zygarde said. "Then he got distracted by how right that answer was."

"That's about how it is," Ash agreed. "So, why are you in Driftveil?"

"Because Cilan is," Chili explained. "I've been feeling a bit… lacking in spice, lately. And that's not how I should be."

He shrugged. "I was hoping that Cilan could set me on the right path."

"Well, Chili, it's your lucky day!" Cilan replied. "Because if what you want is a new move for Pansear, I thought of one!"

He spread his hands. "Grassy Terrain!"

Chili blinked.

"...how is that a good move for Pansear?" he asked.

"Because that way he can then set the Grassy Terrain on fire," Cilan answered.

N raised his hoof. "I think that's a violation of Pokémon League Rule 385 point 16B?"

"385 point 16B," Arc began. "Misquoting this rule counts as a misdemenor."

N looked at Arc, blinked, and looked again. "...that can't possibly be an actual rule."

"I'm just as surprised as you are," Arc said. "Fortunately they forgot the a in misdemeanor."

The Keldeo-ified human looked very confused.

"So, um, anyway?" he said, hesitantly. "Firstly, am I in trouble, and secondly, is there a rule against burning the arena down for a brief tactical advantage?"

"You are not in trouble," Arc confirmed to him. "Not for that. And there is a rule but it only applies to landscaped terrain on a Grass-type gym, the rule having been introduced after Ash Ketchum…"

The phone trailed off.

"After Ash Ketchum what?" Pikachu said. "There's several things it could be."

"Oh, I see," Arc said. "The documentation states: after Ash Ketchum take a wild guess. I was attempting to take a wild guess."

"I think I want to go back to Striaton now," Chili decided.

"Not before I've passed on my idea for Cress's Panpour!" Cilan said. "Have him carry a bag full of seeds, and spray them with Water Gun for an instant forest! Everyone knows that plants watered by a Panpour grow larger, after all."

"Okay, now it's time to challenge Clay!" Ash resumed.

"Well, kid, I'm afraid it's too late," Clay told him, coming out of the Driftveil Gym. "I'm busy."

"You are literally right here," Pikachu said.

"That's true," Reshiram contributed. "Trivial, but true."

"And I'm about to not be here," Clay replied. "I've got hours I keep as a Gym Leader, and that's because I also work in business – I've got meetings scheduled."

"That's not ideal," Zekrom grumbled.

"Are you two competing to see who can bring their aspect up most often?" N asked.

"They are," Arc confirmed. "I am keeping score as a neutral party."

"I guess if you're busy, then that's not really something I can complain about," Ash sighed. "Oh well… we'll just have to find something else to do, then."

"Plus, I need to move operations to the spare underground battle area," Clay added, in a softer voice. "I'm not risking my main arena against Ash Ketchum, no way, no how."

"I'm surprised you're not more annoyed," Iris admitted, as they got to the Pokémon Centre to work out what they'd be doing until Clay was free again. "I'd be annoyed by that. I sort of am, but by proxy."

Ash shrugged. "I just think that, well, it is annoying but that's just because of bad luck," he explained. "There's no point making a fuss about it, and even though I'd have been on time if Chili hadn't shown up that's not anyone's fault and it's certainly not Chili's."

"You're a good friend, Ash," Pikachu said.

"Excuse me?" someone asked. "Can I get your help? You seem like a group of reliable trainers."

Iris looked at the man who'd spoken, tilting her head slightly, then brightened. "Accelguard?"

"...I'm in my civilian identity," the not-costumed man told her. "That means, as far as you're concerned, I'm Charles."

"The Heartbreaker!" his Accelgor added.

"...is that what you've been saying whenever I introduce myself?" Charles said. "...well, anyway, I was wondering if you could help sort something out for me. They say there's something strange going on on Milos Island, and that's the only place around here where Revival Herbs grow."

"Where is Milos Island?" Zygarde asked Charles. "Coordinate system data is ideal, but in a pinch I can work from a vaguely waved hand and the word island."

Charles waved his hand vaguely. "Somewhere over that way? Protecting the city is what I have to do, so I've not gone over there myself."

"Extrapolating," Zygarde said. "Climate anomaly detected."

"You could have just asked me," Arc pointed out. "I have coordinate system data."

"Yes, but I wished to be helpful to this person specifically," Zygarde replied.

"If there's a climate anomaly, we should go and check it out in a hurry," Ash decided. "What do you guys think?"

"There might be Pokémon in trouble, from trainers or other Pokémon," N said. "Or trainers in trouble. I'm trying to say yes."

"I agree!" Cilan nodded.

"I'm glad to help out a fellow incognito costumed hero," Iris said.

Ibid made a questioning noise. "Should I define the word incognito for you?"

"So, how are we going to get there?" N added. "How far away is Milos Island anyway?"

"Is working out ways to do this the kind of thing you do all the time?" Iris asked, looking at the setup as they were about to set off. "Because I'm getting the sort of feeling that this is one of the reasons your Suicune can fly."

"It's more like being able to get around quickly is important, it's a fun way of testing creativity, and this way we don't need to wake anyone back in Kanto up!" Ash replied. "It's important to pay attention to time zones."

"Don't worry, Iris," Archeops told her. "The rope around my waist is very secure, and I will have a good grip on your arms just like you have on my ankles. Just let me know if you need a rest."

"Oh, I'm not worried about you dropping me, Archeops," Iris told her Rock-type. "I even think Zekrom's going to do a good job towing us. I just look over at the other two and I sort of… see potential trouble."

"I'm staying like this," N said, sort-of-awkwardly positioned on Reshiram's fluffy back.

"And I think this should go just fine!" Cilan agreed, holding on to a windsurfer's handle attached to Reshiram and standing on his Electric-type. "Stunfisk's electrostatic levitation can lift me, so all Reshiram needs to do is pull me along!"

"...let's just say I'm glad that Cilan's Pansage can use Roar of Time if he really, really needs to," Iris summarized. "More importantly, let's go!"

An exciting journey across the sea later, they reached Milos Island.

"Milos Island is rumoured to be the home of Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus," Arc told them, as Cilan brushed sand off his shoes.

"They are not currently here," Zygarde said, firmly. "That appears to be the potential cause of the climate anomaly."

"That's right," agreed a soft voice, which belonged to a flying pink turtle-snake hybrid with white smoke around the rim of the coiled structure serving as her upper shell. "I'm managing the island while the three Forces of Nature who normally live here are on a long-overdue holiday."

"Oh, hi!" Ash waved. "You're Enamorus, right? Or an Enamorus, I'm not sure how many there are."

"Correct," Enamorus said, nodding to him. "It is nice to meet you."

"Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus just… left?" Cilan asked. "Why would they do that?"

"According to the note they left, they wanted to see what Hisui was like," Enamorus said, twitching her fore-legs in a shrug.

"But… hold on, isn't it not Hisui any more?" Iris checked. "I remember that much, it's Sinnoh now."

"I said that their holiday was long overdue."

AN:

Because sometimes you just want to be the heroine.