Welcome back everyone! Last time we left off, Ash managed to befriend and eventually capture a Houndour after spending time training it. Also Surge received a call from Looker asking for his help in Johto.

Ch 5: An Off Day

The sight of the Pokémon Center brought a smile to Ash's face as the boy picked up his pace. His stomach growled slightly as the thought of a nicely cooked meal entered his mind. It had been a few days now since he had a real meal as he had been forced to eat nothing but berries during the trek to Ecruteak City.

Pikachu cried out happily at the sight of the building, leaping from Ash's shoulder and running ahead. Ash called out to his best friend before breaking into a sprint himself. They passed by a few different buildings along the way, one having a line out its door as it looked to be some sort of show. Further in the distance past the Pokémon Center looked to be a large tower, Ash wondering if that was the one mentioned by the elder back at Sprout Tower.

His feet didn't stop to allow him to continue staring, instead carrying him to the Pokémon Center as the building obstructed his view of the tower. Entering the building his nostrils were attacked by the smell of the restaurant within the building, his stomach growling as Pikachu scurried ahead happily. Ash had a feeling why as he watched Pikachu leap over the back of a couch. The Pallet town native chuckled at that, walking over to the piece of furniture as he saw Pikachu sitting in Janine's lap. Next to her was Leaf, the girl on her Pokégear reading some sort of message.

"Took you long enough. And here I thought we were going to have to send a rescue party for you," Janine teased as she scooted over. Ash took up the now opened space, resting as his body sunk into the couch. For the first time in days he wasn't walking or sleeping on the ground, the softness of the cushions made him drowsy as his body fought off the urge to sleep.

"It was a hassle. Jackson is an idiot," Ash admitted as he yawned. A pair of footsteps echoed through the room; the noise joined by the sound of wheels squeaking. Ash sat up at that as the sight of Brock and a Chansey were now before him. Happiny was also there, sitting atop the cart as Ash smiled at the group.

"Before you think about resting it might be best to have your Pokémon checked out. I'll take them in the back for Nurse Joy," Brock admitted as he brushed some gunk off his white coat. Reaching onto his belt Ash unclipped the four pokeballs before placing them gently on the cart. Pikachu was the last to join them as he leapt from Janine's lap and onto Brock's shoulder. The doctor in training scratched behind Pikachu's ear as the Electric-Type cried out happily. "I'll make sure they're all in top shape in time for your next Gym Battle."

"Thanks, Brock," Ash replied as his friend began to walk away. The Pokémon Center's Chansey followed behind him, the cart being pushed slowly so that the pokeballs atop it would roll off. The doors to the backroom slid open for the small group, Brock vanishing from sight as they slammed shut behind Chansey.

Ash leaned back once more, his eyes growing heavy as they shut for a second. He wanted that moment of rest to last longer but a slight jolt woke him back up. Blinking for a moment he turned towards the sudden sensation as he realized it was Janine rocking him back and forth.

"So you did manage to catch something," she said with a slight smirk. Ash blinked at her statement, slightly out of it to piece everything together. "You don't have to keep it a secret. I saw you place four pokeballs down. Before your little trip you only had three since Pikachu doesn't go in a pokeball."

Ash chuckled at that, a slight blush of embarrassment appearing on his face. Due to his fatigue he completely forgot to introduce Houndour to the group. Or at least Janine and Leaf since Brock would meet Houndour in the back.

"I guess I kind of forgot, but yeah," Ash admitted. Part of him didn't see the issue with not immediately introducing Houndour, especially since they had just gotten to the Pokémon Center. It wasn't like he had no plans to introduce the latest member of his team but rather his fatigue got the better of him. "We found this Houndour while in the woods. After we helped it, Houndour decided to come along with us."

"Houndour?" Leaf asked, poking her head up from her Pokégear. Ash nodded at that before watching his childhood friend pull out her pokedex. An image of a Houndour appeared on her digital encyclopedia as she shook her head. "Those things are pretty tough to train. You'll have your hands full."

Ash thumped his chest softly, a proud smirk on his face as he turned towards Leaf. "Houndour and I will get along just fine. We've already worked well together and besides, Houndour has been training with the other members of the team."

"That might be the case, but will Houndour be fine working as part of a team? What if it looks to be the leader?" Leaf asked as she placed her pokedex away.

Ash shrugged at the question. The boy remembered from the pokedex that Houndour usually traveled in packs but he couldn't picture this Houndour causing any issues. He didn't have a chance to reply, however, Leaf's Pokégear beginning to ring as she jumped up.

"Bugsy finally calling?" Janine teased with a sly smirk. Leaf glared at the girl, Ash unaware of what was going on. Leaf turned her back to Ash and Janine but continued to speak.

"Of course not," she huffed out. For some reason Ash felt a bit of annoyance present in Leaf's answer, as if she wanted to hear from Bugsy. "He's on his way now but this call is more important. It's the expert we're meeting about the tablets."

With that Leaf excused herself as it left Ash and Janine alone now. A group of trainers entered the Pokémon Center, Ash noting one of them holding a Gym Badge. He had a feeling it was from the Ecruteak Gym and it took all of his energy to keep himself from going to talk to the trainer. Instead he remained seated, a nervous smile on his face as he looked at Janine.

"Guess it's just you and me, huh?" Ash said, scratching the side of his cheek. While things hadn't changed much between them, it was also the first time they were truly alone since they had their talk in Goldenrod City. And while they had agreed to give a relationship a chance between them, Ash still wasn't sure what that meant. But being alone with Janine at that moment had him nervous.

"Yep," Janine responded as she kicked her feet back and forth. Her hands rested against the cushions, Ash thinking back to his words before he took off with Vincent.

"So..." Ash started to say, the boy standing slowly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "About what I said before, how about we go check out the city?"

He ended his sentence with a nervous chuckle, Janine smiling softly as she stood up. Ash was surprised to see her get up so fast. Janine made her way over to the front desk before placing her pokeballs within a tray on the counter. Ash could only watch as he struggled to hear what was said between her and Nurse Joy though the conversation ended as the healthcare worker took the tray into the backroom.

Ash began to walk forward before meeting Janine on his way to the front door, the duo walking out together as the sunlight struck their faces. Janine raised her hand to block the light while Ash lowered his hat slightly before the duo took a left down one of the roads. As they walked along quietly Ash took in the sight of the older looking town. It was similar to the village they stopped in and yet it was closer to being modern. Despite the traditionally styled homes there were an occasional number of stores that looked right out of the other cities in Johto.

"So what's the plan?" Janine asked, her arms resting behind her head. Ash turned to look at her, the girl meeting his gaze halfway as they turned down a different street. He didn't know how to respond. It wasn't as if he actually planned anything it had just been a spur of the moment to go explore the town.

He ended up shrugging, throwing his own hands behind his head as he felt Celebi move around in his backpack. The little creature popped its head out before waving to Janine, the girl returning the gesture with a warm smile.

"Who knows. I figured we could just do whatever."

"Not this," Janine replied with a small chuckle. Her hands waved about as she motioned towards the town. Realizing what she meant, Ash felt a bit of embarrassment creep up on him as he nervously laughed. "Your Gym Battle. You must have thought about it by now."

"Of course!" Ash replied enthusiastically. Off in the distance he could see the tower from before, shining brightly in the midday sunlight. Though off in the distance was something that had his curiosity. A smaller building rested further back. Or rather what remained of it. He could only make out the tip of it due to tree branches that blocked his view, but it appeared to have been in a fire based on the condition of what remained. The wood also looked rather old as some of it was missing. Janine looked at Ash, the boy realizing she was waiting a response.

"Well, I know for certain that Pikachu is battling against Morty. And after his training I'd like Hoothoot to have another chance, especially after what happened against Whitney," he explained, one hand resting underneath his chin. He couldn't shake the fascination with that ruined tower, the boy wondering that was the one the elder meant. It made more sense considering its condition.

"Really the only thing set in stone is Croconaw is sitting this one out. I want to give him a chance to rest up."

"I think he'll be upset over that decision," Janine replied. Ash nodded at that but he figured it was best. Considering that the battle was likely to be a three-on-three he wanted to have Houndour or Heracross get a chance. And if he wanted Hoothoot to avenge his past performance then Croconaw would be required to sit out.

The couple turned down another street as Ash could see the crowd from before. The line seemed a bit smaller yet they were still crowding around the building. As they approached the location he saw the sign in front of it, an image of Ho-Oh drawn circling around a different creature he had never seen before. It was white with a blue underbelly, its arms looking more like wings as Ash wondered just what it was. Janine saw the poster as well, the girl coming to a stop as she grabbed the collar of Ash's jacket.

"If we have no actual plans, maybe we should watch this. If it's something about Ho-Oh it could help you," she explained. Ash had no argument for that as they waited in line. The doors to the building remained closed, a thunderous applause echoing the insides of it.

The crowd around them tried to move closer, the action pushing Ash and Janine into each other and nearly into the people standing in front of them. Instead they ended up on the ground as a few individuals moved in front of them. Brushing himself off, Ash offered a hand to Janine as he helped her back onto her feet. The duo glared towards the group in front of them but said nothing. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a man who looked to be in his early twenties, a purple scarf wrapped around his person as it matched his purple headband. A black, long-sleeved shirt and a pair of white pants completed the outfit as he walked right towards the front of the building.

The gathered crowd whispered at the sight of the man, Ash and Janine just looking around as they wondered who it was. Though before they could ask, the doors to the building slid open. The crowd began to move in slowly, Ash and Janine following behind as they entered the building. To their surprise it was a large stage that expanded outwards, a red backdrop present at one end of the stage. In the center was an opening as some moved towards it. On either side of the stage were box seats that were three layers high. Along the poles that ran along them were lanterns designed to look like pokeballs.

"Let's get a good seat," Janine stated as she grabbed Ash's hand. Dragging him forward they pushed through the crowd and managed to grab a seat in the center of the building. Others gathered around them, Ash watching as the man from before strolled easily to the front and sat down.

It took a while but eventually the entire area was filled as people began making their way for the various box seats. Ash looked around the area as he noted various Pokémon gathered. Some were with those who came to watch whatever show this was while others appeared to be a part of it. A few Magnemite and Magneton floated above them, high above where it seemed they were going to hit the ceiling.

"Man, this place is pretty popular," Ash whispered out. Janine nodded at that as the lights in the building went out. The crowd started to applaud at that.

"Based on the reaction we might be in store for something great."

The room was darkened now, the only light coming from the handful of lanterns that gave off little visibility. Before either Ash or Janine knew it, a light flashed on before their eyes. The image from the sign outside was now present on the red screen, Ho-Oh looking just like the day he first met it. Though the other creature confused Ash. It felt like Ho-Oh's equal and yet this was the first he saw of it.

The image spun around slowly as the two creatures broke down, their images becoming a swirl of black ink. As that occurred the backdrop slid open as music began to play through the hall. With the backdrop gone Ash and Janine could now see two pillars at the back of the stage as lights shined from behind them. Between the pillars was a young girl, maybe a few years older than them. At most she was already graduated and had her license.

A spotlight shined on her from above as petals that looked similar to the shape Ash's feather was in rained down around the stage. Ash unzipped his jacket slightly, peaking at his feather as he heard the performer speak.

"A long time ago the people of Ecruteak City built two towers. Both reaching up into the heavens," the girl stated as she moved about the stage slowly. She motioned to the pillar on the left as an image of a painted tower rose along it. Ash blinked at that, the tower looking similar as he recalled the tall tower. There was something about it, a voice in his head speaking to him.

The Bell Tower, the voice stated. Ash began to look around as he wondered if someone had spoken it. To make it worse, the performer on stage spoke the same words.

"The Bell Tower," she stated before turning towards the other pillar. "And the Brass Tower. These two towers were the homes of Johto's guardians. Ho-Oh, guardian of the skies and Lugia, guardian of the seas."

The pillars moved with those words as they slid off the stage. Ash wondered if perhaps a Pokémon had pushed them but he saw nothing. Instead he watched as images of Ho-Oh and Lugia flew across the back of the stage. Looking up towards the ceiling he saw a few Butterfree releasing a spore of sorts to add to the effect.

"So the other one is Lugia," Janine muttered. Ash moved closer to her, the girl continuing to speak. "Based on this there was more to the story than what the elder at Sprout Tower told us. He never mentioned a Pokémon named Lugia."

"Maybe he just never met it. Though if it was the guardian of the seas, what was it doing here?" Ash asked no one in particular.

"Guardian of the seas is an improper translation," a man next to them stated. Ash turned to his right, noticing a man with an overly grown out beard. It covered his entire face except his eyes as Ash noticed he was writing something down. "A proper wording would have been beast of the sea. Huge debates have been caused by this, especially between researchers from Johto and Hoenn. But it's a nice show."

Ash didn't respond to the man, instead looking back to the stage as the back of it showed the creature known as Lugia flying straight towards the audience. Ash was amazed by the display, eyes wide open as the Lugia appeared to fly right off the display.

The pillars moved slowly back onto the stage as the image of the towers emerged once more. This time however images of Ho-Oh and Lugia were atop them. The performer on the stage began to speak once more, Ash leaning forward as he tried to listen.

"The Bell Tower was the roost of Ho-Oh. And the Brass Tower the roost of Lugia. They became viewed as Gods of this fair region, watching over the people and in turn the people protecting them from harm.

"Until one fateful night."

"You know, the exact date of when this happened is up for debate," the strange man stated once more. He chuckled, Ash noticing that he pulled out a notebook that had various photos attached to it. He slid it towards Ash, the boy missing something on stage in that moment.

"They say it ranges as far back as one hundred fifty years ago, but firsthand reports by an elder in Sprout Tower says he was there when it happened. Assuming he was say...ten at the time, there's no way this could have happened any further back than ninety years tops."

"That's right," Ash said in response, nodding with the older man. He felt Janine pull on his arm, Ash softly laughing before turning back to the stage. To his surprise the performer had switched with someone else, the stage darkened now as it helped to represent a moonlit night. The second performer looked younger than the last, Ash wondering if maybe she was about their age.

"What happened?"

"The first performer mentioned that one night while the towers were basking in the moonlight something bad happened. A lightning storm disturbed their peace."

"Correct. They say that it was in a sense retribution to Ho-Oh and Lugia for becoming so close to humans," the man stated as Janine pulled Ash closer to her. She whispered in his ear.

"Who is that guy?"

Ash shrugged in response, his attention immediately drawn back to the stage as a Jolteon was joined by the Magnemite and Magneton from before in unleashing a storm of electricity all over the stage. The crowd applauded at that as the entire stage was alit with electricity. It ran through one of the pillars as the tower changed shape.

"The city was rocked by the sound of thunder, the sky no safer as it filled with lightning. Yet the storm only grew.

"Finally a single thunderbolt rained down from the heavens and struck the Brass Tower," the second performer stated as the pillar with the Brass Tower presented on it burst into flames. The stage floor opened as a third performer rose up from beneath, taking the center of the stage.

"The tower was set ablaze immediately," the newest performer stated.

"And no one did anything..." Ash muttered as he remembered what the elder told them. However, the performer spoke up as she brought an end to that conversation.

"Lugia attempted to put the fire out with a flap of its wings but the winds only fanned the flames. The city was at risk of being burnt to the ground, so Lugia stopped."

"And instead Lugia called for rain," a new voice stated. Ash and Janine turned to their left as they saw a spotlight shine down at the end of the stage behind them. Another performer walked along the side of the stage as she approached the front of the stage. "And in return the heavens responded with rain."

"So where does Ho-Oh come into all of this? I thought it played a bigger role?" Ash asked as he looked to Janine. The girl shrugged in response as her eyes were stuck on the stage. Ash turned to watch as a Vaporeon and Flareon attacked each other. A Hydro Pump collided with a Flamethrower as both attacks canceled each other out. Smoke began to fill the area, Ash barely able to see the stage now as the two performers and their Pokémon fell to the wooden floor.

"The battle between water and fire was a stalemate. The rain unable to extinguish the flames and the fire unable to claim more land in its wake of destruction."

"This must have been when the people ran," Janine stated as they waited for the smoke to clear out. A few Weezing were visible now as they floated away from the stage.

"Destruction rained down upon the tower and the humans who once protected the Pokémon within it had abandoned them. The fire managed to consume most of the tower, those trapped within having perished," the four performers cried out in unity.

Just like when he heard it before, Ash felt sick at that. He didn't know how many perished in the fire but the thought alone made him want to throw up. His hands shook slightly, only brought to a stop when Janine held one with her own hand.

"But after that dreadful night a miracle occurred," the final performer stated as she emerged on stage. Behind her the screen displayed a morning sunrise along the mountains behind Ecruteak City. "Lugia, distraught over its failure to protect the inhabitants of its tower fled from the city."

"How's that a miracle?" Ash asked only to be shushed by Janine. Ash did as he was instructed and sat there quietly. The screen switched to the ocean, bubbles floating up amongst the waves slowly.

"Lugia returned to the ocean where it has remained hidden since. Waiting for someone to become its Lunar Knight. A being pure of heart that can show Lugia humans can work with each other and Pokémon again.

"Ho-Oh remained behind, unable to leave despite its aching heart. The last action the guardian of the sky performed was resurrecting the perished Pokémon. Each taking a new shape and name," the final performer stated. Three silhouettes emerged on the screen behind her, Janine gasping at the sight of the middle one.

"Entei!" The first silhouette to the performer's left gave way to the beast. It's design making Ash wonder if it was a Fire-Type.

"And Raikou," the performer continued as the silhouette to her right showcased what Ash could tell was clearly and electric-Type.

"And finally Suicune," the performer finished as the middle silhouette revealed the one known as Suicune. Ash looked at Janine, the girl holding to her wrist now as Ash wondered what was up. Staring at her seemed to only make it worse, the girl turning away from Ash yet continuing to stare at the stage.

"These three beasts represent the lightning, fire and rain of that fateful night. Following Ho-Oh's miracle it vanished. Many have searched for Ho-Oh yet none have seen it since. Both guardians of Johto await the day when their chosen ones will show themselves."

"Bull," the strange man stated. Ash couldn't help but look at him in the moment. "People have gotten looks at Ho-Oh and Lugia, it's just difficult. How else do you think the Rainbow Wing has been seen by many? It's only dropped by Ho-Oh around those it deems as possible Rainbow Heroes."

"Rainbow Heroes?" Ash asked as the lights came back on. The performers and the Pokémon lined the stage, bowing slightly as the audience applauded them. Ironically the show had only left him with more questions than answers now as he continued to look at the man. Janine was quick to join them, scooting next to Ash as everyone else in the performance hall made to leave.

"Well, Rainbow Hero, Rainbow Warrior, all depends on which translation you use. Just like how some call Lugia's chosen the Lunar Knight others call it the Lunar's Might. So many disagreements with these lores."

"How do you find all the crackpots?" Janine asked softly. Ash shrugged at the question, though he exchanged a gaze with Janine. Leaning in close he whispered in Janine's ear.

"Should I show him?"

"Seems like it could go either way. He might be helpful or he might try to kill us."

"I doubt he would try in front of these people. If we were alone I'd agree."

"What's going on? You two don't believe my research?" the man stated as he stroked at his large beard. He chuckled loudly, flipping through his book as he provided images of both the Rainbow Wing and the Lunar Wing. Looking around carefully, Ash unzipped his jacket and reached inside.

"Well, we were talking if we should show you this," Ash stated as he pulled out the Rainbow Wing. The man nearly fell over from the sight of it as he dropped his book. Using his hands to keep from tipping over he pushed off the ground and moved forward.

Nearly on top of Ash he took a deep breath before exhaling through his nostrils. "My what luck I have! To think after sitting through that historically inaccurate show would lead me to my most prized meeting!

"Bonji's the name kiddo!" Bonji stated as he took Ash's hands within his own. Shaking violently Ash wondered if the older man was going to rip his arm out of his socket. "World renown researcher who travels to unlock the truth about our Legendary Pokémon that roam this world.

"So many misconceptions, so little time. I've spent the last fifteen years of my life researching Ho-Oh and Lugia alone. It's times like these I wish the beings of Space and Time would lend their powers to me."

"Beings of Space and Time?" Janine asked as Bonji let go of his grip on Ash.

The older man waved that question off as he stood up. "That isn't important. Maybe another time. Though I have an acquaintance in Sinnoh who knows more on that. Outrageously smart, met her while doing research with her grandmother at some ruins.

"But come on, come on, let's go somewhere more private. You never know what thieving ears are listening."

Ash and Janine stood up at that, the duo joining Bonji as he left the performance hall. Once outside the three began to walk slowly through the city, Bonji looking at the feather closely as a giddy smile rested on his face.

"I've never seen such color in a Rainbow Wing before."

"So you've seen one before?" Ash asked with hope in his voice. If the man could tell him more about the feather he wondered if maybe he could get all the information he needed to pass his assignment.

Bonji shook his head back and forth at the question before handing the feather back to Ash. "Nope, yours is the first. Though I have heard tales about the others. I hope to gather their information down in a book one day."

"You don't just collect the information but you publish it?" Janine asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. The small group came to a stop, Janine leaning against a nearby building as Bonji took his backpack off. Opening it he revealed several different books housed within his bag along with various other supplies.

"I'm not published yet. Well, not officially. One day I hope to get my findings published but I'm a little nervous on it all. Especially after seeing what happened to Dr. Fuji after he published his findings," Bonji explained with a slight chuckle. Ash and Janine merely shared a look at it each other, neither of them willing to say anything about Dr. Fuji.

Bonji stopped his laughter, looking down at his watch before slapping his forehead. "My oh my! I'm running late!"

"Somewhere important to be?" Ash asked as Bonji threw his backpack over his shoulders. The strange man nodded hysterically as he checked the time again.

"I have a meeting elsewhere in the city today and promised to meet up with them by now. I managed to get it pushed back to watch that average show to corroborate with my own findings but I just know they'll be upset if I keep them waiting much longer," he explained before looking at Ash. Taking a piece of paper from his pocket, Bonji scribbled furiously onto it before shoving it within Ash's hand.

"Here's my contact information. Email, phone number and P.O. Box if you ever decide to mail anything. I'll be in the city for a bit so I pray that we meet back up again. There's so much we can discuss," Bonji stated. Ash went to respond but Bonji took off running. Unsure of what just happened, Ash turned to Janine.

"Why do I always attract the crackpots?"

"That's what I want to know," Janine joked back as she slapped him on the shoulder. With Bonji gone the duo returned to their original plan, walking through the city peacefully.

The day had started to transition to dusk, the sun setting slowly as they weaved between the old and new of the city. It felt like a paradox, one moment you felt like you were visiting the past only to be brought back into the present. For a moment Ash wondered what life would be like in another hundred or so years from now.

Seeing the two towers in the distance, Ash stopped walking and sat down on a nearby bench. Janine paused her own walk, confused by Ash's sudden stoppage as she joined beside him.

"Do you think it's worth it?"

"Is what worth it?" Janine asked as they looked up at the first few stars in the sky. The moon was slightly visible as the sun continued to sink further into the horizon.

"All of this. My project, the badges, but most of all the license," Ash admitted as he pulled out his pokedex. He looked at the device, his junior license present as he spun it between his fingers. "Think about it, ten years ago these weren't needed. Who's to say we'll need them in ten years from now?"

"And you're going to just sit around and do nothing until the League changes things?" Janine asked as she took the license from Ash. She stared at it for a moment, looking at the nervous picture of her boyfriend that was present on it. Ash took it back from her, not caring for the picture on it.

"I wouldn't sit around. There are Junior Divisions that I can take part in," Ash admitted as he held his backpack now. Celebi moved around but remained hidden, Ash smiling at the thought of the baby. "I just think all this research stuff isn't for me. Look at Bonji, he's spent all these years and still feels it isn't good enough."

"Bonji is also trying to publish his work. You're just trying to get a passing grade. There's a huge difference," Janine stated. Ash was about to speak but Janine wouldn't have it. Instead she grabbed ahold of Ash's face and turned it towards her. Slowly she tapped her own forehead against his, a small smile on her face.

"Listen, you'll be just fine. We all believe in you. Pikachu, Brock, Leaf, me, everyone. So believe in yourself."

"I guess you're right. I've just been tough on myself since Goldenrod City."

"You really need to stop that," Janine stated as she leaned away from Ash. The boy nodded at that despite still thinking it was warranted.

That's when he saw it. Off in the distance a rainbow hue lit up the sky. Jumping from the bench he broke into a sprint as Janine called out to him. He ignored her calls, looking ahead as the hue started to fade away. The only thought in his head was that he couldn't mess this one chance up, especially if it was what he thought it was. Reaching the Burnt Tower Ash scoured the area for the rainbow hue only to see it gone from his sight. Janine was right behind him now as she tried to catch her breath.

"What happened? Why did you run like that?" Janine asked between breaths. The girl was hunched over slightly before she stood up tall. Looking at the Burnt Tower she froze for a moment, Ash wondering if the sight of the tower was hurting her too. Finally he turned towards her, rubbing the back of his head.

"I thought I saw Ho-Oh but it was just my imagination. I shouldn't have just taken off," Ash admitted. Off in the distance the same rainbow hue was present in the sky again. This time it was followed by an echoing boom, Ash realizing that it was a firework. He wondered if it was something they did every day or if it was to go along with the show put on earlier in the day.

"It seems like we're all seeing things today," Janine admitted as she continued to look at the Burnt Tower. Ash followed her gaze, the structure looking ready to collapse now as he hoped no one tried to enter it. Janine continued to stare at the building only to turn away from it with a forced smile. "How about we head back to the Pokémon Center? I'm sure everyone is waiting for us."

Ash agreed to that thought, turning away from the tower as he began walking back towards the Pokémon Center. The night had swooped in on them, lanterns hung around the streets providing light for them. Within minutes they made their way back to the Pokémon Center, the duo greeted by their Pokémon as they walked across the training field behind the building.

Or at least most of them. Houndour remained by itself, curled up on the grass. It rested next to Brock as the older boy appeared to be cooking. Leaf was nowhere to be seen, Ash wondering if she managed to have her meeting.

After greeting their Pokémon Ash and Janine made their way over to Brock, the Pewter City native finishing up what looked to be a pot of spaghetti as tomato sauce boiled in a separate pot. Sitting down at the table Ash placed his head against the wooden structure while Brock yawned out.

"Long day?" Ash asked as Brock nodded. He continued to stir the spaghetti before finally lifting the pot up. He poured the liquid out, the spaghetti being caught in a strainer before being dropped into the now empty pot.

"You wouldn't believe it," Brock answered before turning towards his backpack. Placing three plates out he carefully scooped the spaghetti onto each of them followed by the tomato sauce. "It was crazy, so many Pokémon were coming in injured today. But here's the weird part; about an hour ago they started to heal by themselves."

"Well doesn't that happen naturally? Wild Pokémon heal on their own right?" Janine asked as she took a few bowls of Pokémon food and placed them on the ground. The group's Pokémon moved towards them except Houndour. Ash noted its aversion to the group, instead staying beside the table.

Seeing this, Ash poured some food into an empty bowl and placed it beside Houndour. The Dark Pokémon moved slightly, sniffing the substance before gobbling down the food. A small frown came to Ash from that, he wanted Houndour to interact with the others not stay by itself. His thoughts were broken up by Brock speaking, however.

"No you're right, Janine," Brock admitted as he sat down. He placed three sets of utensils on the table, grabbing one for himself as his fork began to spin the spaghetti around. "But this was different. The entire mood of the building calmed down, an aroma filling the place as the Pokémon relaxed and were healed. I've never seen something like that before."

Ash slurped his spaghetti down, his mind wondering if it happened around the same time as when he thought he saw Ho-Oh. His mind wandered for a moment, thinking back to the show he saw and how Ho-Oh managed to resurrect the Pokémon that perished that day. He had also seen the feather he possessed be able to heal Pokémon as well so he figured it wouldn't be out of the question for Ho-Oh to ease the suffering of the Pokémon today.

He wanted to bring up the possibility of it all, but decided against it. As if a voice in the back of his head continued to tell him it wasn't time. That everything would be revealed soon much to Ash's confusion.

He held at his head slightly, both of his friends looking in concern as Pikachu also stopped eating. The Electric-Type climbed onto the table and stared at him, but Ash just chuckled.

"Sorry to worry you, Pikachu," Ash began to say as he scratched behind his best friend's ear. In that moment he noticed both Brock and Janine holding their wrist, the action making him wonder if there was something going on. He couldn't question it right now though, especially since they would only question him in return. "I was just thinking too much about our Gym Battle. I guess I overdid it and tired my brain out.

"But that won't stop us tomorrow! We'll rest up good tonight and then first thing tomorrow take on Morty!"

Pikachu led the cheer of agreement, raising his paw into the air as the others joined in. The only one to remain silent was Houndour, the Dark and Fire-Type instead eating silently. With that action Ash had decided that Houndour was going to be the third Pokémon tomorrow for certain.

"Just you wait, Morty, because here we come!"

And another chapter finished. This one was a bit slower but there were still some important bits to it. Ash and Janine had some time alone and learned more about the events of that fateful night in Ecruteak. Also they ended up running into Bonji who may or may not be a crackpot. Though even if he is, at least he has information that could be useful to Ash.

And of course then there's Ash's declaration of battling Morty which will take place in the next chapter. Hopefully his team will be able to handle Morty and his Ghost-Type Pokémon better than they handled Whitney and her Miltank.

Thank you to everyone who read the chapter and supports this story. Please leave a review letting me know what you enjoyed and how I can improve the story.