Chapter 12: Lenora's challenge and bitter memories.

Jessie, James, and Meowth were counting their ill gotten gains with glee. Things were going great for the trio of bumbling evildoers since they'd finally stopped their obsession with capturing Pikachu. They had gotten their own secret base in the bustling and massive Castelia City. It was cafe, mostly a front for their pokemon smuggling operations, but the coffee turned quite a profit. It had been used by a local small time gang as a hide out, but Team Rocket had managed to bring the gang under their thumb by a hostile takeover, as if the large R on the wall wasn't all the proof they needed. On the wall by the R logo was a communicator phone, and some transporting equipment, Jessie, James, and Meowth heard the phone, ring, and flash the R symbol. They turned away from the pile of money they were counting and gave their full attention to their leader who hid himself in the shadows.

"Agents, I have an update for you on your mission." Giovonai stated while stroking his Persian.

The three looked up the find a the image of man that looked like an adult version of the twerp. Same facial structure, minus the z marks on his cheeks, The hair was a graying black, long and unkempt. What was most disturbing part about this man's profile were the eyes and smile. It gave off a cold, detached, and intimating feeling, The spots of blood made the skin on their backs crawl. Not that any of them would admit it.

"I have intelligence that this man will be headed to the Unova Region, if you or anyone in our new Unova Branch find him. You are to take this man out." Giovonai stated in a filtered voice.

"You want us to take him out to dinner?" Meowth asked.

"Oh yes, take him out the finest restaurant. Have a grand time, all of you enjoy the best wine along with-NO YOU IDIOTS I WANT HIM DEAD!" The Boss of Team Rocket snapped while pounding the desk with his fist, causing his three stooges and his pet can to flinch.

"This man is dangerous, a serial killer. He's even taken out quite a few of our members, his most recent victims were agents Butch and Cassidy." The Boss stated causing Jessie, James, and Meowth to sweat. The fact that their rivals in Team Rocket were six feet under by this guy didn't give them confidence.

"You will be granted more pokemon, and if you succeed in this, I'll even promote you to Admins." The Boss promised causing whatever fears his minions to have were overwritten by ambition, and greed.

"Do not fail me." Giovani ordered firmly.

"Yes sir." All three of them said slightly shaking.

"Good Giovonai out." The Boss stated as the screen blipped out ending the call, only showing a criminal profile of their target. Shinji Hethrone.

"Ya don't think this guy looks like a scary version of the Twerp do ya?" Meowth asked.

"Oh course not, don't be stupid," Jessie denied while James watched as the transfer machine gave out quite a few ultra balls.

"Alright we'll test these new pokemon out, after that we'll get started a heist on that meteorite ." Jessie said as the other two nodded.

James couldn't help but give one last glance at the picture of one of hitter targets, and wondered where he'd seen or heard of this man before. In spite of Jessie's claims, he did look like the twerp. As much and the three wanted to quit cold turkey on Pikachu capturing, it was hard to break a obsessive habit, The blue haired eccentric criminal couldn't help but wonder what their former target and his trainer were doing right now.

Our fine heroes were about to take the day head on, full of optimism, determination, and with a song in their hearts.

"We…" Ash started to sing.

"Are the Crystal Gems!" Iris, Cilan, Bianca, Cheren sang.

"We'll always save the day!" The five sang out running to the gym. The Pokemon that are out of their poke balls were making the music for the song.

"And if you think we can't." Bianca sang cheerfully taking on the role of Steven.

"We'll always find a way." The rest picked up in sync. Even Purrloin went along with Pikachu, Cheren's Snivy, Axew, and Pansage.

"That's why the people of this world." Ash, Iris, and Cilan sang.

"Believe in Garnet." Ash sang while trying to sound cool

"Amethyst" Iris shouted full of sass.

"And Pearl." Cilan sang with a soft elegance.

"And STEVEN!" Bianca finished, and everyone gave a good laugh.

Everyone had been watching Steven Universe yesterday, and the theme song got stuck in their they were starting think about turning into the group's theme song.

They all faced The Nacrene City Gym. It looked to be both the largest and most well kept building in the town. It made sense for that to be the case, since it was doubled as a library and history museum for the whole region of Unova. While it did have the warehouse outer look like the rest of the town, the door and stairs were made of glass and marble.

"Well you four go have fun, I have to keep my appointment with Ms. Burgundy. Good luck everyone, do your best." Cilan waved good bye while Pansage gave a small bow.

"Bye Cilan, good luck with your duel or whatever." Iris said waving.

"Kick her butt!" Cheren and Ash cheered with their respective pokemon cheering along.

The four went inside to find inside looking even better then the outside. The gym walls were covered in book, stacked shelf after shelf. The fancy velvet carpet was covered by a nearly endless rug. They could see quite a few people in already checking books and or using computers by the desks. Many fossils in guarded glass cases could be spread around the book sections.

Iris however wasn't interested in any of that. No what she was focused on the large Dragonite Skeleton on display. She and Axew gazed at it in awe. Cheren was wondering where the gym leader was, along with his Snivy, while Bianca looked a little intimidated. The blond girl figured the best she could do was read the little kid picture books. Ash was looking around with Pikachu for any signs of Lenora while Purloin was clearly looking for something.

"Oh you all must be the challengers Cilan told us about. Welcome to our little fountain of knowledge." They all heard a friendly but meek and southern accented voice say.

They all turned their head to find the owner, they found a big headed, mild mannered, skinny, short haired man with thin glasses, in a gray suit that had an id badge over his right side.

"Greetings my name is Hawes, I'm the assistant director of the Museum." The man named Hawes introduced him.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Ash, this is Pikachu, Iris, Axew, Bianca, Cheren and Snivy." Ash introduced.

"So where's Lenora? I'm ready for a battle." Cheren shouted with fire in his eyes.

Hawes just looked amused.

"Ah well in order to have your battle , you'll need to find my wife's location in the gym.

"What?" Everyone yelled.

"You and Lenora are married?" Bianca asked baffled at the new information.

"Really that's what your focusing on?" Cheren said n a deadpan tone.

"Well, he's a bit scrawny. I figured Lenora would get a totally buff super hunk." Bianca muttered unaware that she kind of hurt poor Hawes feelings.

"Anyway, as I've said before you'll need to find my wife's location. You'll only be able to do that by answering questions, and learning key phrases…good luck, and try not to get the questions wrong." Hawes said while turning away from the challengers and walked off.

The four trainers then looked around the liberty/museum.

"…Okay, so where do we start?" Iris asked as everyone looked wondered the same thing.

—-

Cilan was a man of patience. While he would have rather be with his friends and watch a gym challenge from a trainers point of view for a new perspective, he did have an obligation to keep. So the gym leader triplet, with his faithful Pansage awaited for his duel with Mademoiselle Burgundy. The coffee helped, still what was the most annoying part of waiting was wondering what he could have possibly down to have her so infuriated with him. The man sat his cup down thinking it would be better to simply ask her. Pansage was meditating, since he had a cup of green tea. Cilan spotted his opponent making a mad dash to his table. She looked unkempt as if she had just gotten out of bed. After gasping and panting for air, she went over to Cilan's table.

"Pardon my lateness, I over slept. I did not mean to keep you waiting." The Kalosan connoisseur politely apologized. A contract to her first impression.

"Oh It's quite alright I wasn't waiting too long. In fact, you seem a bit tired why not have cup of coffee or a pastry on me," Cilan offered thinking that she might not have eaten breakfast yet. As a chief that wouldn't do.

"Why that would lov-OH NO YOU DON'T CILAN! I see what your trying to do, worming your way out of my revenge with bribery. I think not! No, you shall suffer the wrath of my revenge in full!" Burgundy declared while pointing an accusing index finger.

"…I'd do no such thing however if [your] ready to get this duel underway, then after you." Cilan muttered as an anime sweat drop began to drop down the back of his head.

"Fine, let us get this under-" Whatever Burgundy was going to say died with a loud roaring from her stomach, making the girl blush.

"It seems you body is telling you it needs food madam. It wouldn't seem fair for Pansage and I to battle with a full, while you are running on half or empty. You could rest a bit or we could battle another day." Cilan offered once more.

"I DON'T NEED YOUR PITY YOU-"The angry young woman yelled her stomach started to growl and she nearly fell to the ground. Cilan and Pansage offered her help by helping her stand.

"…Fine darn you. I will delay my revenge for now." Burgundy growled, she took her seat unhappy.

"Since you are offering you shall pay for my coffee and meal. Coffee hot, Kalos blend, three sugars one cream. And five pastries." She ordered. Cilan left along with Pansage, there was always a line. This however would buy Cilan some time to remember, and come up with a battle plan.

Cheren and his Snivy stared down their opponent's Patrat. Ash and Bianca were cheering their friends on. Iris and Axew were further away gazing at a painting.

"Patrat, use scratch!" The gym trainer ordered as the normal type charged at him.

"Snivy wrap!" Cheren countered. The sly green snake jumped into the air, and wrapped himself around the patrat, restraining it's movement, binding it's arms and claws to the sides.

"Now keep on being nice and tight till he faints." Cheren said with a smirk.

"All too easy." His Snivy stated as he put the squeeze on him.

"Patrat, throw him off!" The gym trainer called out. The Patrat tried to throw Cheren's Snivy off and Cheren took note of that.

"Hold steady buddy, but use Vine whip, just to be safe." Cheren ordered, his glasses gleamed Ash, Pikachu and Purrloin took note.

As the patrat tried to struggle, Snivy kept getting tighter and tighter. A quick strike from one of his vine whips did give the battle a quick end. The trainer returned his pokemon back into the ball.

"You did well, if you'd like I can recommend a book to you. Nice to meet you Pokemon! You can find it on the bottom left shelves." The gym trainer said.

"Thank you, hopefully I'll enjoy it." Cheren said as his Snivy traveled his [his] shoulder. The two did a small victory fist bump. Ash, Pikachu and [Purrloin] were looking around for that book. Bianca was doing it too, but she was also making a mess by haphazardly taking books out at random.

Ash had found the found the book in question. Showing his companions, expect for Iris who was still drawn to the painting. They just noticed a Liberian walking toward them.

"So tell me, do you remember what was the first pokemon you've battled at this gym?" She asked while tossing poke ball in the air, almost like a warning.

"Ummm Patrat?" Ash spoke. While he hadn't fought, it was the first pokemon Cheren did. Pikachu was expecting a battle, but she smiled.

"I'll allow it, your next clue…try to find a book called the Biology of Patrat for your next clue."

They nodded Bianca and Cheren looking around for the next book. Purrloin wished she knew what the final book would be so they could just skip all this and go into the gym battle. Still she knew this would good training for everyone. Case in point as she watched Ash bring out Tepig for a battle with another gym trainer. Pikachu sat on the sidelines watching the battle with Purloin and Cheren's Snivy as his trainer was looking for a book and trying to give out encouragement to Bianca and Munna in a battle of her own.

Cilan in the middle of his own fight, Burgundy sent out her Dewott, and all Pansage could do was dodge.

"Dewott, use Revenge!" Burgundy shouted in a dramatic fashion as her water otter pokemon lashed out the negative energy into an attack. Both gym trainer and pokemon noted the look of utter loathing in their challenger's eyes.

"Pansage dodge!" Cilan called out. The forest monkey did [has] his trainer instructed, dodging from side to side narrowly avoiding the angry and damaging lashes.

"Keep at it, X-Sissor!" Burgundy roared pumping her fist in the air, getting more and more aggravated at not landing a hit on her hated foe's pokemon. Cilan and Pansage both saw this, got an idea.

"Keep dodging Pansage." Cilan said giving a coy smile.

"Oh ho, he he, nice try, too slow, oh so close." Pansage teased as he kept dodging Dewott's attacks, making both opposing trainer and pokemon looking like boiled up tea kettles. Dewott's last attempt at an attack by razor shell, would have hit…if Pansage hadn't jumped into the air, and the pokemon's prized shells were jammed into the concrete. Both Burgundy and Dewott were taken aback. Dewott desperately tried to get them out.

"Now Bullet Seed!" Cilan commanded. Pansage shot out a barrage of deadly bullets, swiftly causing the water type to give in to his weakness.

"Dewott, Aqua Jet get away!" Burgundy shouted as Dewott was able to finally escape out of Pansage's range.

"Dig!" Cilan commanded and his partner quickly dug underground, now making a guessing game for the water otter. Dewott was trying to keep an eye on his precious shells and on the ground where Pansage could spring up from.

"Alright monkey…where are you?" Burgundy whispered acting as another pair of eyes for her pokemon.

She was so focused on looking for where Pansage was, that she didn't notice Cilan was using his foot to tap morse code to issue another command to his pokemon.

"Mama, Mama, come on…lets go I'm bored!" Axew complained, he had popped out of his trainer's hair, only to find that she still was gazing at this picture. He didn't really get it, it looked scary to the young tusked dragon.

The picture looked like a fully grown but heavily injured Haxorus protecting a young woman that reminded Axew of his own Mama, with the dark skin and flowing dark almost purple hair. The woman worn a torn fancy looking white dress, and Axew spotted that she was carrying a baby wrapped around in cloth. The part of the painting that frightened Axew the most were the ice type pokemon and scary looking humans carrying swords. Axew noticed that Iris looked a bit frightened to, and like she was far away even when her body was right there. Axew noticed their friends were running around all over the place and batting without them.

"Mama, Mama, Mama." Axew muttered as he tried poking Iris trying to get her out of her trance. He finally got a response as the dragon trainer shook her head. "Ah oh sorry Axew. I didn't mean to just stand here." She muttered sheepishly to herself.

"Well I see you've taken quite a liking to The Last Queen's plea." Lenora's husband noted, causing Iris to jump to the side startled.

"H-How long were you standing there?" Iris questioned, thinking that nether her or Axew heard him.

"Oh not long. Say would you like to know some history about that painting, since you seem so interested. " Hawes offered. Iris felt a bit guilty for not doing her part to help out, but a quick glance showed her that all of her friends wrapped out in their own battles. So she had a bit of time.

"Yes please." Iris asked being quite curious.

"Well back three thousand years ago. Unova was busy trying to pick up the pieces after The Dragon split in two. Causing the battle between the Heroes of Truth and Ideals. The woman was the last Queen of Unova. What was left of her kingdom was being pursued by usurpers as you can see. Sad since what we could dig up shows she was kind and willing to do whatever for her people. A shame because the unknown head usurper brought the queen to an end." Hawes said which made Iris looked rather sad at that bit of news.

"However some historians and artiest wonder if she had a child or that could have survived. Some theorize that this very painting was made from one of the queen's last relatives, or that it was just made from legend. Sadly we're still unsure of that era in our own history. Hawes went on, Iris listened, it wasn't really much but Iris felt an odd sort of kinship with this painted long dead queen.

"After the battle, you can always check out a few history books. [Im] sure you could find a few on the Village of Dragons, Opelucid City…or even a dragon training books[]" The skinny man offered, causing Axew to smile and Iris to beam.

"Thanks," Iris said. While she knew quite a bit of her hometown and the city of her old teacher, anything that would help her with dragon pokemon training would be a wonderful advantage. Iris and Axew left returning to helping her friends out with the challenge.

"Just give my wife a good battle." The man requested.

Speaking of battles.

—-

Dewott and Burgundy saw movement near Dewott's still stuck shells. The Pokemon ran after his prize only to feel himself be yanked downward by a green arm until he was buried underground up to his neck. Both were a bit baffled, as Dewott blinked before seeing Pansage dig his way back to the surface. Another Pansage did the same but vanish after he appeared, showing the two foes that it was double team.

"Alright Pansage, lets finish off this battle with Solar Beam." Cilan commanded his partner.

"No!" Burgundy and her Dewott whispered as their mind triggered a memory of a younger Burgundy in her home region of Kalos. It was the same battle all over again. No was the daughter of one of the Battle Chateau's Barron. A Baroness herself, she could not lose again to one the weakest gym leaders.

Pansage started to charge of his attack in the same motion as Son Goku. Dewott started to shake trying to pull his body out of the ground, but he efforts gave no fruit.

"No, no!" Both thought in a panic, while Pansage's attack was just about ready to fire. Burgundy couldn't bear to face her family with the shame of losing twice to some lowly peasant. She just couldn't, no her vengeance must be complete. Her honor had to be restored.

"Dewott, Water Pulse!" Burgundy shouted trying to have one last ditch attack. Passaged fired his Solar Beam and Dewott fired out Water Pulse. The attacks countered each other, struggling for a few seconds, but the water otter pokemon's attack quickly lost traction. Dewott was blasted out of the hole he was stuck in, flinging him to his trainer. The force and power wiped out any power he had left. Now the gym leader thought in retrospect a bullet seed wouldn't have been so dramatic and still have similar effects. Pansage thought he might have over done it as well since their opponents were on top of one another.

Burgundy let out a loud blood curdling frustrated scream as her mind went back feeling the shock, anger and shame all over again. She grabbed held on to her pokemon cradling him in her arms. The sting of defeat hurt all the same, and she could still hear the words of disgust from her mother and father. To be undone in such a quick and shameless display. She was still an embarrassment to the rest of the family, and it was all his fault!

"Curse you Cilan! Curse You! How dare you and your Pansage make a mockery of me again!" She snarled.

"Again?…Madam… I must ask, what did I do to make you so vexed?" Cilan questioned.

That was clearly the wrong thing to say as Burgundy looked even angrier.

"You…you have some nerve…YOU DON'T EVEN REMEMBER UTTERLY DESTROYING MY OSHAWOTT?! YOU DON'T REMEMBER AT THE BATTLE CHATEAUIN KALOS?! THE HUMILIATION YOU HANDED ME YOU WEAK EXCUSE FOR A GYM LEADER?!" Burgundy shouted at the top of her lungs.

"I…well-" Cilan started to say, as Pansage jumped into his partner's arms out of fright.

"Know this Cilan…I DESTROYED YOUR BROTHERS AND I SHALL DO THE SAME FOR YOU! YOU SHALL RUE THE DAY OF MY VENGEANCE! YOU HEAR ME?!Rue le jour1!" Cilan's unofficial rival ranted pointing her index finger at her hated enemy, before dashing off the pokemon center.

"Pansage….I have a feeling that we'll be seeing this young miss on our travels." Cilan stated.

"Indeed." Pansage sighed. Cilan and Pansage both thought to give a call to their brothers after viewing Ash, Iris's Cheren's and possibly Bianca's match to Lenora. Hopefully they hadn't missed it anything yet. The two made quick work traveling to the gym. Still as they ran Cilan couldn't help but wonder how one lost battle could create such a reaction. Vowing revenge on him in such a display was quite over dramatic. What could be the reason?" The mint haired man mused as he went into his fellow leader's gym.

Burgundy ran as fast as she could carrying her Dewott, who slowly started to wake his eyes.

"Burgundy Je suis désolé, je vous ai échoué à nouveau." Dewott muttered, only to look up to his trainer putting on a brave face.

"Dewott, hush mon partenaire, nous allons augmenter plus fort qu'auparavant." The trainer spoke tenderly in their native language, making way to the Pokemon Center. Burgundy then thought about her meeting with Cilan the other day…that baboon had friends…maybe she could use them to her advantage.

"Alright, Tepig, Lady Snivy great job you two!" Ash cheered. His pokemon looked victorious as they beat one of the passing trainer. The man adjusted his sunglasses while returning his pokemon to their poke balls.

"Not bad kid, your pokemon are pretty good." The shade wearing traveler stated, making the kanto and trainer and his partners beaming.

"Aw thanks, your pokemon were awesome." Ash said sheepishly.

"Well for giving me such a good battle, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret about the gym." The other trainer said gesturing Ash and his pokemon to come closer.

"Look for a History of Unova, that's the book that'll lead you to Lenora." He said. Ash, Pikachu, and Purloin looked at him.

"That's the secret to finding her. Take it or don't and keep tiring yourselves out. Later." The man spoke before walking away.

While this was great news, Ash felt like if he used this information it might compromise the win. Purrloin however didn't share her trainer's issues and ran off to what would be the history section. Pikachu and Ash followed the purple cat after getting the little fire pig and Lady Snivy into their poke balls.

Cheren, Iris, and even Bianca took notice of this, and wondered where their friends were going in such a hurry.

Purloin found the book in question and tired to jump onto it. Her trainer ran with their other allies and pulled out the history book. They all could hear something moving. Bianca looked at a carpet started to roll up making a stairway leading to a bottom floor.

"Wow, nice work Ash." Cheren said a bit impressed. While he looked at Iris with an annoyed look.

"I meant at least Bianca and him helped out. Where the heck where you for most of all this?" Cheren asked.

"I was busy looking at a painting that caught my eye." Iris muttered.

Cheren gave an annoyed sigh. "Me thinks the little kid needed to focus on the task at hand." Cheren went on.

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Iris snapped.

"It means you're not as mature as you'd like to think you are!" Cheren snapped back.

"Guys…can we just focus on the battle please?" Ash requested trying to focus on the task at hand. They were killing his buzz right now. He was ready for the fight. The group walked down the stair case.

The found a large battlefield being the center stage of the room. To far right was Lenora sitting on a desk sipping a cup of tea. She looked up to find her challengers.

"Ah you've arrived." Lenora spoke, putting down her cup. The look of battle gleaming in her eyes. Ash, Cheren, and Iris had the same feeling in theirs.

End of chapter.

Je suis désolé, je vous ai échoué à nouveau in english is: I'm sorry I failed you.

hush mon partenaire, nous allons augmenter plus fort qu'auparavant. in english is: hush my partner, we shall increase stronger then before.