Hello dears!

It has taken a sudden no having internet for me to sit and write a new chapter XD It's harder for me to focus on fanfics, my attention mostly on roleplays, but well I knew eventually I would write something ^^" The main even/hints in this chapter happen way earlier than I would have thought, but still, I like this chapter, so enjoy~~

Japenese to English: Barrierd = Mr Mime. This chapter has been edited too (Pokemon names have been changed from English to Japenese).
Warning: None, except a Pokemon battle.
Pairing: Shigeru/Satoshi. This chapter features a tiny little hint of one-sided Kasumi/Satoshi (but tiny XD).


The Joy of Time Travel

Chapter 3: Past vs Future.

"Man, I can't believe you two had to do that again!"

Shige's eyes drifted to the raven haired at his side, a smirk forming as he slide his arm around Sato's shoulders. "Well, they certainly took after you, when it comes to clumsiness."

Sato's eyes twitched, and he pinched at Shige's side, earning himself a stifled squeak. "You can speak, tree-head. You're the one who fell into a pool, remember?"

Shige's protest at the nickname was shadowed by the surprised sound from both Satoshi and Shigeru, and some choked laughter from Kasumi and Takeshi. Both older boys gazed at them, eyebrows raised in question. Then they seemed to realize something, and Shige let his arm fall from Sato's shoulders, coughing. "So, you two are going to train now right?"

Satoshi brightened and nodded, but Shigeru kept his narrowed locked on his future selves. The way his future self interacted with Sato felt both similar and different than his own relationship with his rival. Sure, he heard the same snark he used, but it didn't sound as… sharp as his own. If anything, he would call it teasing.

Well, it wasn't as if he didn't mean to tease Satoshi, it was fun to see him get riled up. But Shige and Sato… It seemed so natural; not to mention how Sato replied!

Shigeru made a startled sound as a hand suddenly ruffled his hairs. "Stop thinking, mini brunet. You shouldn't try to do that. You should train instead."

If the voice hadn't already betrayed who it was, Shigeru had the confirmation when he glared up. Still, he couldn't quite believe it was Sato gazing down at him, a smirk of all things on his face. The younger boy snorted, and with a huff he let out, "As if I needed that! I can beat you anytime!"

Sato let out a small laugh. "Oh really? Careful here, that sounds awfully like a challenge. You should know better than anyone I don't pass a challenge." He paused, frowning faintly. "Too bad I can't really battle…"

The helpful voice of Prof Ookido came then, the smile almost obvious in his tone. "Well, we all have seen Pikachu, and we all have seen he looks stronger, so I guess it is alright if Pikachu battles."

It looked as if a child had been allowed to eat every candy he wished for. Sato grinned at the older man, eyes alight with the fire of battling. Shige crossed his arms, pensive as he looked at his younger self and Satoshi, until his grinned matched Sato's one. "Why not make it a double battle? Me and Sato versus our younger selves? With Pikachu and Blacky?"

A moment of silent replied first. Had Shige just suggested that he teamed up with Sato? That Shigeru and Satoshi teamed up too for that matter? Satoshi and Shigeru exchanged a look, almost angry. But then, the idea of matching themselves against… well, themselves, attracted them too much.

"Just don't let me down." Shigeru told Satoshi with an arrogant smile.

"I'll show you!" Satoshi vowed, and almost no one noticed how Shigeru's smile seemed more genuine for a brief moment.

No one except Shige. He chuckled, walking to Sato. Both stood side by side, Pikachu and Blacky at their feet as they waited for Satoshi and Shigeru to get ready, while Kasumi, Takeshi and Prof Ookido went to the side. Hanako joined them, helped by Barrierd in setting chairs for everyone.

"Oh! It's been so long since I've watched them battle! This is going to be interesting."

Prof Ookido smiled at Hanako, storing for later the words to analyze them. He had once known the future, when Celebi transported him into the future, and so he felt sure he would still try to understand things without influencing the future.

Or well, influencing them to match. There was a reason he gave Satoshi his Pikachu, after all… When he had seen the quite wild Electric Type, he had just known it had been the one he had seen with Satoshi, had known he needed to keep him for Satoshi.

"For us and you both, dear." The Professor replied, and he smiled almost sheepishly as Hanako gave a look very close to knowing.

Kasumi and Takeshi gave the adults a puzzled look, then glanced at each other and the young breeder shrugged his shoulders. "I have to admit, I'm really curious to see this battle. Sato and Shige seem to have taken good care of Pikachu and Blacky."

Kasumi nodded, watching Sato while petting absent-mindedly Togepy. "I'm having trouble believing Satoshi has grown into this…" Something in how Takeshi looked at her made her blush, but both said nothing more as the four Trainers stood ready to battle.

This would really prove to be interesting, they all knew that. Especially Sato and Shige, as they waited for their younger self to announce their Pokemon with crossed arms and matching grins.


"There's only one choice for me… Right, buddy?" Satoshi smiled as Pikachu cried happily, jumping down to stand ready. "I'm just glad you rested a bit at home…" He added more softly, the loss against Shigeru still fresh in his mind.

Shigeru's eyes drifted to Satoshi and Pikachu, then right to his older self. "Make me proud, Kamex!" He kissed his Pokeball before sending his starter out. The turtle roared once, then blinked as he registered his opponents. He looked backward at his Trainer, taking on how Satoshi and Pikachu seemed to be their partner, and decided to just focus on the battle.

"Come on, call your attacks. We're letting you have the first call." Sato yelled at them from the other side of the field.

"If it's what you want! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Kamex, stand your ground and be ready!"

Shigeru didn't need to see the slightest victorious smile appear on the older Trainers to know letting them have the first call was most certainly part of their strategy. Satoshi seemed surprised by how Shigeru didn't attack, but soon he would understand.

"Quick Attack!"

It took everyone a second to realize that Sato and Shige had given their command together, and a sound of surprised passed Kasumi, Takeshi and Prof Ookido's lips at the speed suddenly displayed. Pikachu and Blacky shoot forward, jumping left and right as if dancing with each other, completely evading the Thunderbolt-and aiming straight for Pikachu and Kamex.

"Sh-Withdraw!"

"Quick Attack too, Pikachu! Evade them!"

Kamex went into his shell, while Pikachu darted to the side. And once more, Sato and Shige called a single command together. "Up and at them! Iron Tail!"

Before their opponents could have the time to question the strange way the attack was called, Pikachu and Blacky suddenly used their speed and jumped up. Their tail glowed silver as they fall back down, Pikachu aiming for Kamex and Blacky for Pikachu.

"Try Thunderbolt again!"

"Hydropump, quick!"

Pikachu slide to a stop, charging and sending the electricity at Blacky. Meanwhile, Kamex popped out of his shell fastly, canons pointed at Pikachu and releasing the powerful Water Type attack.

"Ah! Show them!" Sato called out, Shige adding almost at the same time, "Let's roll this!"

Pikachu and Blacky cried out in agreement, and curled on themselves while continuing their fall toward their target. They ended up spinning fast, their tails still glowing silver making them look like silver wheels. Between the speed and the strength hiding in their attack, they slashed through the Thunderbolt and Hydropump, cutting the attacks in two as they kept their path on their target without breaking out of it from the damages they still received.

By the time Satoshi and Shigeru realized they needed to get Kamex and Pikachu out of harm way, it was too late. Pikachu and Blacky hit both opponents harshly, making dust fly all around them from the wind of the impact. Pikachu and Kamex cried out, the mouse forced to lie down while the turtle took some steps back. Blacky and Pikachu were sent flying a bit again.

"Time to end this! Thunderbolt/Shadow Ball!"

"Pikachu!" Satoshi called with urgency.

"Get out of the way!" Shigeru called, worry slipping into his voice.

But still too late. Pikachu send his attack at Kamex, the turtle Pokemon crying out as he felt how powerful the zap was. Meanwhile, Blacky opened his mouth and send the Shadow Ball at Pikachu, creating an explosion with Pikachu crying out too.

And when Pikachu and Blacky landed side by side with a proud stance, the dust clearing, Pikachu laid down, very much like Kamex. The match was over, won by Sato and Shige under the shock stares of Satoshi and Shigeru, the proud look of Hanako, the awed ones of Prof Ookido and Kasumi.

And the only thing Takeshi could think of was how natural the older Trainers had looked together, how natural the two Pokemon had been battling together.

To be continued…