Amber was in her room at the Pewter City PC, standing on top of her bed while Pip gazed in awe and amusement.

"I am a Pokémon and Archery Master…That is what I—"

"What are you doing?" Jay interrupted.

Amber fell flat on her face. She was a bit annoyed and embarrassed, but that went away once she saw the innocent and clueless expression on her best friend's face.

"I was making a pose," she explained.

"Like, for when you win a badge?" he asked.

"Yep."

"Awesome! I need one too!"

They stood on the bed together. Pip giggled and used Amber's phone to snap a picture.

Amber took the bow of her back, loaded an arrow, and posed to make it look like she was about to shoot.

"How's this?" she asked.

"Threatening," said Jay, cringing.

"Suggestions?"

Jay watched her keenly. When he got an idea, he confiscated the bow and took her arms in his hands.

"Go like this," he said, pulling her arms upwards and crossing them over.

"Well, it's cheerier," said Amber. "But not Amb."

"Well, we can do this pose together whenever one of us wins a battle. It's even better than a secret handshake."

"Pichuuuu!"

"Togetic!"

"The Pokémon like it. You come up with some good ideas, kid," Amber replied.

They jumped off the bed, and after getting scolded by Nurse Joy for climbing the furniture, they headed to the cafeteria.

"They're here!" Jocelyn announced.

"Flaaafy!"

"Good, now let's get going," Annastasia replied.

Michio walked towards the front of the group for the first time since their journey began, surprising almost everyone there. No one said anything for a while, worried they might set him off. Annastasia was the exception—she didn't care about taking that sort of risk.

"I see you finally decided to acknowledge us as your traveling partners," she said as she stepped next to Michio.

"It's not about that," he replied.

"Then what?"

"Um…I'm sick of being in the back. All the slow Pokémon walk next to me and they are annoying to listen to. So, unless you put them in their balls, I'm walking here for now on."

"Hmmm. Okay."

Michio was annoyed and confused (but mostly confused) by the way she continued to watch him.

"Do you think there's a different reason?" he asked.

"Well…I thought maybe it was because you were getting lonely," said Annastasia. "We've had about three actual conversations, and other than to Jocelyn, I don't think you've said more than a few words to any of the others. We'll be journeying for months. Unless you have some something, you'd like to share…"

"Why are you grilling me?"

"It's just a conversation."

"Look, you may act all nice but I bet deep down you have just as many issues as I do. In fact, I bet I'm a lot more 'normal' than you."

"If you're gonna be grumpy, why don't you just go to the back again and sulk by yourself? At least it was more peaceful that way."

"I finally start doing what you want and you start getting all crabby. You're supposed to be the nice one."

Nolan, Lexi, the Pokémon, and the kids paused their conversations to watch the two, who looked ready to battle.

"If you weren't so insensitive, you'd realize that something was bothering me and that I am not in the mood to deal with you right now," Annastasia asserted after Michio resumed his inquiries.

"I'm asking questions," said Michio. "You practically begged me to 'act involved' but then put me down as soon as I do."

"It's more complicated than you realize."

"Clearly. I don't need this shit. I'll meet you at the Pewter Gym."

Michio stomped off into the forest, an emotional Pikachu running behind him. A few moments later Annastasia started walking again, and everyone followed.

"What was that about?" Lexi inquired.

"You okay?" Jay asked.

"Michio's so proud," Annastasia murmured. "…I won't let that bother me. I really don't need his drama in my life."

"I have an idea of what might be going on," said Nolan. "I'll talk to him."

"And say what?" Lexi inquired. "What do you think's going on in his head? The rest of us aren't sure if he's even human."

"You know I can stick up for myself," said Annastasia. "Plus, I'm the one with the power—crap, I promised to give him a double pass for his actions from the other day…"

"What actions?" Takeshi asked.

"Nothing. Don't worry about Michio; I'm the one getting paid to watch him so I'll do the worrying."

"Don't push yourself," Nolan said quietly, loud enough for only Annastasia and Lexi to hear.

"Trust me, I know more than you know about what I know," said Annastasia. "And I promise it—and Michio—is under control."

Lexi and Nolan smiled, and the other members of the group were no longer worried about what had just happened.

"I wish that he wasn't so mean," said Soledad.

"Maybe once he has friends, he will be nicer," Takeshi mused.

The Pokémon were enjoying a game of tag as they headed through the woods. They all thought about Takeshi's comment.

"Cyndaquil has always had me, but I can tell he is even happier now that he has more Pokémon friends," he continued. "The Pokémon that come to the doctors and the ones my mother raises are all nice, but they eventually leave when their trainers come to pick them up. I know that all of us and our Pokémon will be friends forever, and Cyndaquil doesn't have to ever worry about saying good-bye forever."

"I don't like Michio," said Amber. "We tried being his friends and he rejected it."

"Maybe it just needs more time," said June.

"Maybe Amb's right…" said Jay. "Uh, I dunno. I don't wanna think about that now."

"Me neither," Annastasia agreed. "We're almost there. Which of you squirts is going first?"

"I wanna!" called June, raising her hand and jumping up and down in excitement. "Bulbasaur and I can't wait another moment!"

"Then go for it," Soledad giggled, glad to see June so excited.

"We don't mind, right Amb?" Jay asked.

"Fine with me," she responded.

"And me," said Takeshi.

"Squirt, Squirtle squirt", said Lily and Logan's friend Squirt Gun.

"He says he wants to battle for you since you made a really good team when you were practicing earlier," Logan translated.

"You'd do that for me?" June asked.

"Squirt Squirtle," he nodded.

"Great!"

"Squirrrtle!"

"I wanna go after June," said Takeshi.

"I'll go last," said Jay. "Since I was one of the first to go last time."

"I'll go after Takeshi," said Soledad.

"And I'll go after Soledad," said Amber.

"Great. Thanks for figuring that out," Annastasia praised. "Go, team!"

"Yeah!" the children cheered.

"Flaaa!"

"We better get going," said Lexi. "Alyssa's waiting…and who knows, maybe Michio's already in there battling."

"Then only three could go today since the gym leader doesn't want to take on more than four opponents a day," said Soledad.

"I wouldn't put it passed Michio to get started without considering our plans," said Lily.

"Either way, everyone will get a chance," said Annastasia.

"I wanna see some battling!" Amber shouted as she ran towards the front of the gym. "C'mon!"

"Pichu!" Pip cried excitedly.

They walked down a short walkway until they came to the enclosed battle area. Brock's younger sister Gym Leader Alyssa was walking around the sidelines, talking on her cellphone. They decided to wait until she was finished to let them know that they had arrived.

"I'm here," said Michio, coming up behind them.

"We can see that," Lexi replied.

"Good to see you," said Annastasia. "I was worried you might not come back."

Michio crossed his arms and half-grinned. Annastasia continued.

"June's battling first, then Takeshi, Soledad, Amber, and Jay offered to go last. Are you going to try?"

"Yeah, I'll battle," said Michio.

"Yay! Now I can finally see you and Pikachu in action. I'm super excited," said Jocelyn. "Yeah!"

"Flaaa!"

"Thanks," said Annastasia.

"For what?" Michio replied.

"For…I'll tell you more later. Just thanks."

"Okay."

Alyssa hung up her phone and welcomed them into the arena.

"My name is June Gaulle from Saffron City. I would like to battle first please," June announced.

"I'll officiate," Annastasia offered as she walked to the judge's platform.

"Ready when you are," said Alyssa.

The two trainers, one ten, the other twenty, stepped onto their respective platforms.

"This will be a three on three Single Battle against Challenger June and Gym Leader Alyssa," Annastasia. "Only the challenger may make substitutions. No time limits."

Alyssa released Brock's Steelix.

"Go, Bulbasaur!" June nervously exclaimed. "Use Razor Leaf!"

"Dig, Steelix!" Alyssa ordered.

Steelix tunneled underneath the arena.

"You should use Squirt Gun now!" Lily called from the sideline.

"Squirtle Squirt!" the Pokémon offered.

"But I didn't even give Bulbasaur a chance!" June exclaimed.

"Pay attention!" Jay yelled.

"It was too late; Steelix had come up from underground and used a sneak attack on Bulbasaur. The small grass type flew twenty feet and then landed harshly on the ground. Annastasia declared him unable to battle.

"Bulbasaur!" June cried, running over to the injured Pokémon. "I'm so sorry!"

June returned the Pokémon to her ball and hung her head.

"Your friends are right," said Alyssa. "That Squirtle would be a smart choice to go next, and you have to stay focused when you are having a gym battle."

June started to cry softly. Logan and Lily brought her a handkerchief and patted her on the shoulder. They whispered a few things to make her feel better, and then convinced her to borrow Squirtle.

"Okay, Squirt Gun, I choose you," said June, wiping her tears.

"Steelix, use Bind," Alyssa instructed.

"Dodge it and then use Waterfall!" June yelled.

"Squiiiirrrrtttt!" Squirt Gun cried as he just barely escaped the Steelix's grasp. He then delivered a surprisingly powerful Waterfall. Steelix moaned in discomfort as its HP drained.

"Go underground again!" Alyssa called out to her Pokémon.

This time June did not let the distraction get to her. She tried her hardest to listen for Steelix, instructing Squirt Gun to do the same. When she realized this wasn't doing anything, she told Squirt Gun to fill the tunnel with water, hoping to drive the Pokémon out of its hiding place. The tactic worked.

"That was a smart move. June is getting good at this," said Lexi.

"She just has to remember to stay focused and believe in herself," said Takeshi.

"And have confidence," Lily added.

"Go Squirt Gun and June!" Jocelyn cheered loudly.

"Flaafy!"

"You can do it!" Soledad, Jay, and Amber yelled together. "Yay, Squirt Gun and June!"

Steelix was getting weak from the tough water attacks. Alyssa was impressed by the Pokémon's endurance and June's comeback. Eventually, the old steel type was declared unable to battle.

"That's one for one. Good for June," said Nolan.

"Yeah!" Lily and Logan cheered, giving each other a high-five.

"Excellent work," Alyssa told June. "Waterfall's a powerful physical attack I did not see coming. You're a quick learner."

"I tried," she replied shyly. "But I really owe that last match to a certain Meowth and Purrloin."

She gave Lily and Logan a thumbs' up, which they returned with the JSL signs for 'win the battle'.

"I choose Geodude," Alyssa announced, releasing her next Pokémon.

"Geoduuuude," it chanted.

"I never saw a Geodude in person before," Jay said as he scanned it with his Pokédex. "Looks impressive."

"It is," Takeshi assured him.

"Geo, use Rock Climb!" Alyssa demanded.

"Dodge and use Waterfall," June instructed.

The tired little water type dodged all but two stones. After five minutes of combat, Geodude knocked out the determined Squirtle.

"Thank you," June said as she returned Squirt Gun to his ball. "You were fantastic."

June handed the Pokéball to Lily then released her next strongest Pokémon, the Raticate she captured during the bush-fire incident. Her friends continued to cheer.

June looked nervously at Annastasia, who gave her a smile of encouragement.

"Raticate, Sand Attack!" June ordered.

Geodude couldn't evade the sand. The dirt hit its eyes, lowering the accuracy of its retaliation.

"It was wise to teach Raticate Sand Attack," Nolan told the young trainers. "It's a status move, which means—"

"It changes a status of the opponent," Soledad interjected. "In this case, it lowers the speed stat."

"Correct."

"Geodude, Stone Edge!" Alyssa instructed.

June's Raticate barely avoided the attack. It's HP—and June's spirits—halved.

"That's the move Tauros used instead of Rockslide during my battle with AJ," Jay noted.

"It's one of the best rock-type moves for a Pokémon to know," said Lexi. "If your other Tauros doesn't know it, try working with both Tauros and see if one can teach the other."

"Will that work?"

"It's amazing what Pokémon can learn without the direct assistance of their trainer," said Annastasia. "The point of training is to help them find their potenial—you'll see that other teammates do that too sometimes."

"Raticate's quick," said Jocelyn. "Look, it used Giga Impact!"

"Flaaafy!"

"Actually, that was Body Slam, but good guess," said Annastasia. "Go, June and Raticate!"

Geodude fainted after a second Body Slam.

"Geodude is unable to battle!" Annastasia declared.

"Only one left!" Takeshi called out.

"You can do it!" said Jay.

"We believe in you!" said Lily and Logan.

"Go June!" said the others.

Alyssa chose Graveler. Raticate insisted on continuing the battle.

"Raticate, jump over it, then Dig," June instructed.

"I wonder what she has planned," said Jay.

"Raticate knows Dig, Sand Attack, and Body Slam," Soledad noted. "It has four moveslots. What's the last one?"

Everyone shrugged.

"I guess we'll find out soon," said Soledad. "Go, June!"

After Raticate tunneled, Alyssa had Graveler follow it.

"This is becoming a theme," Amber noted.

"I suppose you can say our group likes being grounded," Annastasia giggled.

"Ah, A…no…"

"Raticate, get out of there!" June cried. "Graveler's coming! Uh…turn around and use Scratch…I mean Sand Attack…Use both!"

Raticate did as June asked, and Graveler was assaulted by its powerful swipes and barrage of sand.

"Rollout!" Alyssa ordered.

Raticate picked up speed and charged at its opponent, dodging every rock on the way.

"Good work, Raticate, now Body Slam!" June instructed.

"It's so fast! Its speed stat wasn't too high when she first caught it, which means they must have been working on it."

"I've seen them train," said Amber. "June can go hard. Raticate too."

"Playing to your strengths while strengthening your weaknesses is an important balance to keep in mind while training," said Annastasia. "Go, June! Almost there!"

"Go June! You rule!"

"Yeah!" Jocelyn agreed, singing her cheer.

"Flaa~ fla~~!"

Raticate continued to dodge and use Body Slam until Graveler was up against a wall and both Pokémon were exhausted. Then Graveler fainted.

"Graveler is unable to continue, June is the winner!" Annastasia declared.

Everyone applauded and hugged June while Alyssa returned her Graveler.

"You're a fighter, just like your mother," said Alyssa. She handed her the Boulder Badge. "Nice work."

"Thank you so much," June responded, bowing in reverence.

"You earned it. I haven't lost a battle yet this year. I'm impressed."

"I wanna battle you after lunch," said Takeshi.

"Sure. I can use some lunch too—I can cook for you."

"You really don't have to," said Annastasia.

"I insist. Plus, I have a surprise."

"Because you insist, we'd love to join you."

"I could use a homemade meal," said Amber. "I love your food."

"And I like surprises," said Jocelyn.

"Flaaafy."

The kids followed Alyssa on route to her house, which was not far from the gym. Alyssa turned to Michio.

"We haven't met," she said as she extended her hand. "I'm Takeshi's aunt Alyssa."

Michio awkwardly shook her hand. "Michio," mumbled.

"Oh, so you're the one from Alola. I expected you to be much younger."

"He's here because he was bad," said Jocelyn.

"Flaaa."

"Jocelyn, Flaafy, that's rude," said Annastasia.

"I understand," Alyssa said as she patted Pikachu. "Your Pikachu looks healthy. You should use her when we battle."

"I'm not interested in earning gym badges," Michio responded.

"Even after you came all this way?"

"I didn't come willingly."

"It's complicated," Annastasia said as she stepped between them.

"Whatever the reason, I bet you'll enjoy Kanto—it's very different from Alola and Annastasia, Lexi, Nolan and all these kids are good people to know," Alyssa replied.

They stepped into Alyssa's home, a condo down the road.

"Well here we are: my humble home," Alyssa announced. "Make yourselves at home."

The children and Pokémon entered the house and were shocked to find a pile of gifts waiting for them. Ash and Misty stood behind them.

"What are you doing here?" Amber asked as she approached her parent. "Dad, what happened to your arm?"

"Pichu?" asked Pip, touching the cast on Ash's right wrist.

"The broken wrist is kinda a long story," Ash replied. "We were gonna watch you all battle, but then we realized that we didn't want to make you all nervous…"

"But we still came by to drop off some gifts from your families," said Misty.

"Sweet!" said Logan. "Anything for me?"

"There's something for everyone."

The group took turns thanking them then began ripping open the gifts. They smiled widely at the treasures: candy, Pokémon treats, charms for their backpacks, stickers and labels for their Pokéballs, and same more spare cash.

"How are the fusions doing?" Annastasia inquired. "My parents said Diablo's awful."

"We discovered that Jigglypuff's song works on calming them down. Gary and a few other professors are working on finding a way to communicate with them better. Even the other Pokémon seem to have a hard time talking to them," Ash replied.

"If we can get them to relax without forcing them asleep, then we might find them to be magnificent additions to our family," said Misty.

"I think my parents feel the same way," Annastasia replied.

They ate the onigiri and dashi Alyssa prepared while Amber's parents explained the fusion situation to the rest of the children, who knew little or nothing about them. They also discussed their journey thus far. After the meal, Ash returned to the Battle Arena, Misty headed to the Cerulean Gym, and everyone else followed Alyssa to the Pewter Gym.

Nolan took the position of referee. After announcing the rules, Alyssa released her first Pokémon, an Onix.

"That's the son of the Steelix June battled," said Soledad. "My dad told me about it."

"Go, Cyndaquil!" Takeshi announced. He was annoyed that Alyssa didn't use Steelix, but then again, she did say that she wasn't going to go easy on him, and everyone knew that fire was strong against steel-types. "Flamethrower!"

"Onix, glare!" Alyssa instructed.

"Don't look him in the eyes!" Takeshi warned his Pokémon.

Onix was burned. Alyssa had him dig underground next.

"Follow him!" Takeshi yelled. "As soon as you see him, use Flamethrower!"

Cyndaquil ran into the tunnel that Onix's long body had cut into the ground. He once again managed to burn the giant rock Pokémon.

"Throw Cyndaquil into the air!" Alyssa called out.

"Onnnnix!" the Pokémon called back, swinging its heavy tail towards Cyndaquil.

"Ahhhh! Return!" Takeshi yelled before Cyndaquil was hit.

"Cyndaquil is not out yet; the challenger has chosen to make a substitution!" Nolan announced.

"That's right," said Takeshi. "Go, Rattata! Quick Attack!"

The small purple rodent ran towards Onix and made a direct hit before Onix could react.

"Glare!" Alyssa instructed.

Rattata was almost affected by Onix's glare, but with Takeshi's encouragement, was able to fight against it. It responded by using Fury Swipes. Onix took another direct hit.

"Good job!" Takeshi cheered.

"Go Takeshi!" the children screamed.

"Flaaaa!"

"You can do it," said Annastasia. "Remember all your hard work!"

"Takeshi blushed and coughed. "Uhh…Rattata, finish with Fury Swipes!" Takeshi commanded.

"Onix, Rock Throw!" Alyssa countered.

Rattata was too quick for the Onix. Onix fainted.

"Rattata and Takeshi take the first round!" Nolan declared.

"Yay Takeshi!'" June cheered.

"Way to go!" Annastasia called out to him.

"Next I choose Graveler!" Alyssa announced.

"Raticate just defeated Graveler," said June. "Why's Alyssa using the same Pokémon twice in a row?"

"Gym leaders typically have several sets of the same Pokémon, especially if they specialize in only one or two types," Annastasia explained. "Since Pewter is a historic gym recognized for using exclusively rock and steel-types from Kanto, it is important for her to have more than one of those on hand. After all, there aren't that many different types of rock and steel-types found in Kanto."

"I never thought about that before".

"Rattata, use Quick Attack again, then Tackle," Takeshi instructed.

Graveler responded with Rollout. The Pokémon collided and were both sent flying backwards. The force of the other's attack immediately knocked out both Pokémon.

"Both Rattata and Graveler are unable to battle!" Nolan announced.

"That was quick," Jay remarked.

"That was a weird one," said Amber.

"Sometimes that's how it goes," Lexi replied.

"Just one more to go, Buddy!" Jay cheered. "You can do it!"

"Go Takeshi!" everyone shouted.

"Flaaaaafffyyy!"

"Ryhorn, you are next", said Alyssa.

"Cyndaquil, this next one is all yours," said Takeshi, releasing his number one fighter.

"Horn Attack!" Alyssa called out to Ryhorn.

"Don't let it hit you! Use Flame Charge!"

Cyndaquil created a vortex of fire, stopping the Ryhorn in its tracks.

"Now use Ember!" Takeshi instructed.

"Horn Drill!" Alyssa countered.

Cyndaquil's Ember was too quick. It followed the Ryhorn as it stampeded across the area, causing the whole ground to shake.

"This is intense, Onēsan. I love it!" Jocelyn exclaimed.

"Fla!"

"Me too!" Amber laughed.

"Piiii!" Pi agreed.

Ryhorn fainted after a final Flame Charge attack from Cyndaquil.

"Challenger Takeshi of Viridian City is the winner!" Nolan declared.

"Wow, two losses in a row. I underestimated you," said Alyssa. "Your parents will be proud to hear it."

"You were great," Nolan said as he gave Takeshi a high-five. "Not many challengers beat Alyssa in one try."

After everyone congratulated him, Takeshi and his friends left to go take a few hours break before the returned later that night for Soledad, Amber, (possibly Michio's), and Jay's battle.

AN: The beginning part with Amber standing on her bed was another reference to the first episode of the Pokemon anime. Thanks, everyone for reading:) Please review if you can.