Omega: Welp, it's the powerplant chapter. Are we taking Ricardo753's suggestion about Trix evolving his mouse form?

Ohirume: Pikachu. Also, 'fraid not. But we are doing something developmental.

Omega: … Are you going to say what?

Seishin: Nerp! *sticks tongue out*

Ohirume: *chuckles* You'll see after a few scene changes.

I don't own Pokémon or Ben 10.

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Dreary Murky Gringey City

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Ash and his friends finally made it to a forest and set up camp for the night. Much to Clefairy's excitement.

Ash smiled at her, "You ready?"

Clefairy smiled brightly and clenched a fist, "Yeah! Let's do this!"

Ash chuckled though the zipper mouth. He turned towards a tree and spread his arms, "Let's get started, then." He started to glow with a sparkling light.

Misty and all of the Pokémon sat at and around the table and watched. Brock was cooking.

Vulpix looked at Pikachu, "So, your trainer's really teaching her a new move?"

Pikachu smiled and nodded, "Yeah. He's a surprisingly good move tutor." He pointed a thumb at himself, "For example, he taught me Iron Tail."

Onix looked over with a smile, "Me too."

Geodude smirked, "And he's been working with me on Hidden Power." He looked up thoughtfully, "I just wish I knew what type it was."

Soot blinked in surprise and looked at him, "Wait, you don't know? Dad said it was Ghost-type."

Geodude blinked, "Really? Remind me not to use it against Normal-types, then."

Krabby spoke up, "Speaking of-"

Vulpix looked at Ash and cocked her head, "Is there anything he could teach me?"

Mankey glared at her, "Whatever it is, your gonna have to wait. He still owes me Fire Punch."

Vulpix blinked in surprise, "Which of his forms know that?"

Charmander smiled, "Dragonite."

Squirtle smirked, "Yeah! And that form knows Aqua Tail too!"

Soot nodded, "And Dragon Rage and Hurricane."

Pidgeotto jerked and looked at Soot in shock, "Hurricane?!"

Horsea looked over from the pool, "And his vaporeon form is teaching us Ice Beam."

Vulpix raised a brow, "So, there's dragonite, banette, and vaporeon. Can he turn into anything else?"

Pikachu smiled, "Well, there's Pikachu."

Soot smirked, "Mightyena."

Pidgeotto blushed, "Braviary."

Bulbasaur smirked, "Also butterfree, clefairy, and the five who-knows-whats."

Vulpix blinked in surprise, "The what now?"

Soot snickered, "The watch has a few forms that aren't Pokémon and are very … unique. They tend to freak beings out."

Vulpix smirked with a raised brow, "It can't be that weird."

Soot smirked, "One of them is named Overheat. He looks like a human made of hardened magma with a head engulfed in flames."

Vulpix's eyes widened, "Uh-"

Pikachu nodded, "Another of them is Stone Edge. He also looks human but is a lot bigger and completely made of jagged, green crystal."

Mankey sweat dropped, 'Yikes.'

Bulbasaur went next, "And then there's Quick Attack. He looks like a black and blue, striped heliolisk without the frills and can outrun sound."

Soot frowned, "He's not exactly that fast. Quick Attack's tried breaking the sound barrier before, but his top speed, last time we checked, was around five-hundred and thirty-"

"Okay! I get it! They're weird!" Vulpix blurted out before sighing, "Sorry I asked." She smiled softly, "Still, the two of you must be pretty lucky to have a meema like that."

The Pokémon all looked at her in confusion.

Soot raised a brow, "The two of us?"

Vulpix looked at her and pointed to Charmander, "Isn't he your sibling?"

Charmander flinched and waved his hands, "N-no! It's not like that!" He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "He's just my trainer."

Vulpix blinked in surprise, "Really?"

Charmander nodded, "Those Pokémon and trainers in the salon just assumed that he was my meema." He chuckled nervously, "They wouldn't really let us explain."

Vulpix shook her head, "It's not that. It's the way you look up to his dragonite form. Like how a hatchling would look at their meema. He really seemed to care for you like that, too."

The Lizard blinked in surprise and looked at Ash, "I … never realized."

Soot looked at Vulpix with a raised brow, "How do you see that so easily?"

Vulpix smiled, "Don't forget that my original trainer was a famous breeder. I may not be a genius, but I picked up on a lot."

Soot chuckled, "Fair enough."

Misty sighed in annoyance, "Yup."

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*Three Omnitrix time-outs and re-transformations later

"Dazzling Gleam!" Clefairy shouted with her arms spread. She lit up in a sphere of rainbow light. She held out her hands towards the tree and glared, "Fire!" Clefairy kept her arms out and tried to fire the attack. But, after a few seconds, the light faded around her.

Clefairy pouted, "Oh, come on! I thought I had it!"

Ash frowned and put a hand to his chin, "I don't get it. Your form was on point. It should've worked. Unless…" His eyes widened, "Clefairy! Form the move again! But, this time, run at the tree like you're tackling it!"

Clefairy looked at him in surprise, "What? What would that do?"

Ash smiled and nodded, "Trust me on this."

Clefairy frowned, "If you're sure." She turned to face the tree again and held her arms out to the side, "Dazzling Gleam!"

The light shined around her again. This time, Clefairy broke into a sprint, jumped, and headbutted the tree. An explosion went off and Clefairy was flung backwards.

Pikachu's eyes widened, "Clefairy!" He ran over with Agility and propped her up, "Are you okay?"

Clefairy shook vigorously and blinked, "Uh, yeah. I think so." She rubbed her forehead, "It didn't really hurt." She looked at the tree and her eyes widened, "Whoa!"

Pikachu followed her gaze and stared in shock. The tree had a large crater in the side of it; just over the size of Clefairy.

"Wh-what the?" Clefairy said in shock.

Ash smiled and walked up, "That's what was wrong. Your Dazzling Gleam is Impact style."

Clefairy and Pikachu looked at him in surprise, "Impact style?"

Ash nodded, "It means that your version can't fire off like mine and that you have to use it head-on. But it's actually a lot more versatile." He raised a finger, "For one, your version involves shrouding yourself in Fairy-typed energy. So, you can use it a shield to weaken a lot of attacks." He sweat dropped, "But, maybe not Steel or Poison-type moves." He perked up, "Also, despite how it sounds, Impact style will still deal special damage. It can act as a pretty good fake-out against less experienced opponents."

Clefairy blinked in surprise, "So, I didn't do anything wrong?"

Ash shook his head; still smiling, "Not at all. We were just focusing on the wrong style." He chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head, "If anything, it's my fault for assuming what style it would be."

Clefairy looked at her paws in awe, "Woah." She smiled brightly and jumped for joy, "Alright! I did it!"

Pikachu smiled, "Congratulations, Clefairy."

Ash smiled, "Nice work. Practice on your own for a while." He hit the symbol on his chest; switching to Dragonite.

He looked back, "Alright, Mankey. Let's get to work on Fire Punch."

Mankey clenched a fist with a determined glare, "Finally!"

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*Around the same as before later

Omega: … what?

Ohirume: Same as the previous time skip

Omega: You couldn't have just copied it?

Seishin: ;P Less fun.

"Fire Punch!" Mankey and Ash called out as they threw the attacks at each other. They met in a stalemate.

After a few seconds, Ash got the upper hand and launched Mankey backwards. The Pig Monkey crash landed on the ground.

Mankey sat up and crossed his arms, "Crag. You beat me again."

The dragon smiled proudly and crossed his arms, "Hey, come on. You lasted longer than last time."

Soot walked over and nodded, "Yeah. You should be proud. You've made a lot of progress."

Mankey's eyes narrowed confidently before he jumped back to his feet and took up a fighting stance, "Well then, how about another go?!"

Ash chuckled and got into a fighting stance, "Alright. If you're sur-" He stopped when he heard beeping. He looked down and saw the symbol on his chest flashing red.

Mankey deadpanned, "Seriously? Again?"

A red flash overtook Ash and faded to reveal him in human form.

Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Sorry. Guess we'll have to take a break."

Soot smirked, "Besides, it smells like lunch is ready."

Ash nodded and started walking over to the table, "Sounds good. We could use some food."

Mankey grumbled and followed, "Fine. But I want that rematch as soon as we're done."

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*The next day

Pikachu stirred awake and yawned. He rubbed one of his eyes with a smile, "Morning Ash."

No response.

Pikachu blinked in surprise and looked over to see his trainer still sleeping, "Ash?" He looked up into the sky, 'He's usually up by now.'

Soot yawned; catching Pikachu's attention. She started stretching, "Morning dad."

"He's not up yet." Pikachu responded.

Soot blinked in surprise and looked over, "Wait, what?" She looked into the sky, "But it's already past 7:00."

Pikachu frowned, "You don't think he's sick, do you?"

Soot walked closer and put a paw on his head, "No. His temperature is still too high."

Pikachu blinked in surprise, "Huh?" He remembered and deadpanned, "Oh right. Power Integration."

Soot snickered before she started shoving Ash, "Dad, wake up."

Ash grumbled and rolled over, "Don't wanna."

Soot's eyes narrowed, "Dad, seriously. You overslept." She grinned wickedly, "Do you want me to get Squirtle?"

Ash groaned and sat up, "Fine. I'm up. Happy?"

Pikachu's eyes widened in shock, "Wha-"

Soot deadpanned, "Oh. This again."

Pikachu flinched and looked at her in shock, "This has happened before?!"

Ash raised a brow, "What are you guys talking about?"

Soot rolled her eyes, "Dad, feel your ears."

Ash raised a brow but complied, "I don't see what-" He stopped, and his eyes widened in shock. He started rubbing his ears; finding them elongated, pointed, and … furry. He looked at the pair in shock, "I have pikachu ears, don't I?"

Pikachu nodded; dazed, "Wha- How- How did this happen?!"

Ash raised a finger, "Hold that thought." He lit up white and disappeared; kicking up a gust of wind.

Brock and Misty jerked awake from the sudden gust.

Pikachu stared in shock, "Did he just use Agility? As a human?"

Soot sweat dropped, "Yup. Odds are, he ran to the river to see else was added on."

Pikachu flinched and looked at her in shock, "ELSE?!"

Brock and Misty ran over.

"Soot, what was that?!" Misty asked in alarm.

Brock looked around, "Where's Ash?"

Soot chuckled nervously, "That actually was Dad."

Misty blinked in surprise, "Really?" She looked in the direction he went, "That seemed a lot faster than forty-miles an hour."

"There's a … reason for that." Soot responded.

Brock raised a brow, "What do you-"

Ash sped back into the clearing in a white flash. Everyone else looked over. Brock and Misty's jaw dropped in shock.

Ash didn't notice them yet and rubbed the back of his head, "Well, it seems pretty tame this time. Aside from the ears, my upper torso is covered in yellow fur. So, at least we don't have to worry about hiding a tail this-" He looked over and flinched upon seeing Brock and Misty, "O-oh. Hey guys."

Brock and Misty just stared; slack jawed.

Clefairy stirred away and grumbled, "What's with all the noi-" She noticed Ash and flinched, "Whoa!"

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**Small Time Skip**

After a few minutes, everyone settled down a bit, brought out their Pokémon, and sat at and around the table. Everyone, except Soot, was still looking at Ash in shock.

"So … the watch just does this sometimes?" Misty asked; unable to take her eyes off his ears.

Ash chuckled nervously, "Well … more or less."

"What?" Brock asked in surprise.

Ash looked at him in confusion, "Hm?"

Brock sweat dropped, "You just said 'Chu or less.' What does that mean?"

Ash's eyes widened in realization, "Oh. That's right." He cleared his throat and spoke slower, "I mean, that's right. Also, I meant to say more or less."

Soot snickered, "That's part of the glitch. Unless he's careful, he frequently slips into Pokémon language."

Misty and Brock sweat dropped, 'Of course.'

"So," Misty started, "What actually causes this?"

Ash and Soot shared a smirking look before Soot responded, "Something awesome."

Bulbasaur sweat dropped, "Could you be more specific?"

Ash looked back at him and smiled sadly, "Right. Sorry."

Pidgeotto's eyes widened, "Wait, what? Did you just understand him?"

Ash around looked at his Pokémon and smiled, "Yeah, that's part of the glitch. There isn't a limit on my translation during this."

Charmander blinked in surprise, "Really?"

Ash smirked, "Really."

Soot smiled sadly, "But don't get too excited. This'll all wear off by tomorrow."

Mankey rolled his eyes, "Yeah. Yeah. Whatever. Can we get back to work on Fire Punch soon?"

Ash smiled sadly and his ears drooped, "I'm afraid not. I can't transform while this glitch is in effect."

Mankey groaned and crossed his arms, "Perfect."

"Uh, Ash?" Misty said.

Ash and Soot looked back to see Misty looked back with an annoyed expression. Brock was sweat dropping.

Misty's eye twitched, "You do realize how little of that we understood, right?"

Ash cleared his throat and smiled sadly, "Sorry. I was saying that my translation ability doesn't have a limit during this glitch and that I can't transform."

Brock raised a brow, "I'm not sure whether to call an upgrade or a downgrade."

Ash smiled, "Well, there is one other upside. Last time this happened, I woke up with mightyena ears and a tail. When I woke up the next day, they were gone and" he shifted to a sly smirk, "the watch had Quick Attack."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock; except Ash and Soot, "WHAT?!"

Brock stared in shock, "Y-you mean-"

Soot grinned, "Yup. This glitch means, dad's getting a new non-Pokémon form."

Misty smiled brightly, "Cool!"

Brock raised a brow, "Wait, then what's with the ears? I don't remember this happening when you scanned butterfree."

Soot shrugged, "We're a bit iffy on the logic but we know it has to do with Power Integration. Also, this only happens with the non-Pokémon forms."

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*Breakfast

After the announcement of the new form, everyone got a little too excited and started speculating. They managed to settle down enough for breakfast … and then went right back to speculating as they ate. It got on Soot's nerves pretty fast.

Misty smiled brightly, "Maybe it'll be made out of water and can control the water around."

Soot sweat dropped, "How would that work? Even the most aquatic Water-types have some kind of internal or external structure to keep together."

Misty raised a finger, "What about Ice, then? Like an opposite to Overheat."

"So, a skinny Regice." Soot responded; deadpanned.

Brock went next, "What if it was made of rock instead?"

Onix smiled, "Yeah, like Regirock."

Soot responded, "If it is that, it'd be pretty redundant. He already has Stone Edge."

Pikachu smiled, "What if it's made out of electricity and can control stuff magnetically."

Soot looked at him; still deadpanned, "That sounds like an electric version of Misty's water monster."

Squirtle grinned, "I'll bet it's a fifty-foot-tall monster loaded with all kind of sword and cannons. Something with no weaknesses!" He grinned wickedly, "With something like that on our side, nothing will stand I our way!"

Ash and the Pokémon all looked at him warily.

'How do I even respond to that?' Ash and Soot thought.

"Oh! Oh! I have an idea!" Clefairy called out, "What if it's big blue human-looking thing with Bug-type wings. It can breathe Ice and walk through stuff like Soot can."

Ash and the Pokémon all stared at her in surprise.

Soot blinked, "Um … wow."

"How did you come up with that?" Ash asked in surprise.

Clefairy shrugged, "I dunno."

Brock looked over, "What did she say?"

Soot sweat dropped, "Put simply, a giant Ghost, Bug, and Ice-type."

Misty blinked in surprise, "Huh." She looked at Ash, "So, what do you think Ash?"

Ash shrugged with a soft smile and spoke slowly, "I'm not sure. I'm actually a little anxious."

Everyone, except Soot, looked at him in surprise.

Brock raised a brow, "What do you mean? I thought you'd be excited."

Ash nodded, "I am." He smiled sadly, "But don't forget that this is a non-Pokémon form. There's a chance that it'll have some kind of over the top personality glitch or even be too powerful to control right away." He looked down sorrowfully; ears drooping, "I don't want to end up hurting anyone."

Everyone looked at Ash in concern.

Except for Soot who rolled her eyes, "Dad, you said the same thing about Quick Attack."

Ash looked back at her amd rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Okay sure, but-"

"But nothing." Soot interrupted; deadpanned. She smiled softly, "Dad it'll be fine. And, if you're right, we still have the backup plan, remember?"

Misty blinked in surprise, "What backup plan?"

Soot smirked wickedly and shifted her eyes to their inherent state, "This!" She charged towards Ash.

Ash flinched and waved his hands, "Wait, Soot, don't-" He was cut off when Soot jumped and disappeared into his chest. The boy slumped forward.

The Pokémon all flinched, "WOAH!"

Brock stood up in alarm, "What the Yvel?!"

Misty stared in shock, "Ash, what was that?! What happened to Soot?!"

"What do you guys mean?" Soot's voice asked.

Everyone jumped in surprise.

Ash looked back at Brock and Misty and smirked wickedly; eyes mirroring Soot's in their inherent state, "I'm right here."

Misty and Brock's jaws dropped.

Soot snickered, "Oh, come on. It's not that-" She stopped, frowned, and started trembling.

After a second, Soot fell out of Ash's back and crashed on the ground. Ash laid on the table.

Soot stood up shakily, "ugh." Her cheeks swelled up and she ran over to a bush.

Ash sat back up and held his head, "I tried to warn her."

Brock looked at Ash in shock, "What just happened?"

"Soot can possess beings." Ash responded.

Misty flinched, "Seriously?! How are we only just hearing about this?!"

Everyone flinched when they heard Soot vomiting.

Ash sighed, "That's why. If she tries to hold a possession for more than five seconds she starts throwing up." He glared in the direction she went and shouted, "And that's exactly why I don't like her using it!"

"Not the time, Dad!" Soot shouted back. She threw up again, "Oh, crag. Why?"

Ash groaned and looked around, "Essentially, the backup plan is for her to possess me and change me into something I can control."

"Uh, right." Brock said before looking in Soot's direction, "Is she gonna be okay?"

"BLEEEGH!"

Everyone grimaced.

Ash sweat dropped, "Yeah. But, uh, don't be surprised if I end up carrying her later."

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**Time Skip**

Ash and his friends continued on their journey towards the Fuchsia City Gym.

Misty smirked slyly, "Y'know, when you said you'd probably end up carrying Soot, I expected it to be in her pokéball. Not this."

Ash had his arms wrapped around Soot as she was slung over his right shoulder … in a position similar to someone holding an infant to burp.

Pikachu had to lay on Ash's head for the time being; not that either of them minded.

Soot shot Misty a sideways glare, "Yeah, laugh at the dog who just puked her guts out."

Brock chuckled, "Well, you kind of brought this on yourself."

Ash rubbed her back, "Just relax, sweetie." He smiled slyly and held her tighter, "Also, consider this punishment for possessing me without permission."

Soot groaned.

Brock chuckled before looking at Ash with a worried expression, "Hey Ash. Are sure shouldn't wait until tomorrow to head into town? Because, y'know…" He set his sights on Ash's ears.

Ash chuckled, "Don't worry Brock, it'll be fine. If anyone asks, I'll just say it was a poor decision involving a costume party and super glue."

Misty smirked with a raised brow, "You have a cover story for pretty much anything, don't you?"

Ash rubbed Soot's back, "More or less. After a while, we just got pretty good at hiding stuff involving the watch."

Soot snickered, "Lucky, we try to limit the lies to that. Like everything we've told you guys that contradicts what we've been saying since Porta Vista."

Misty sweat dropped, "Good to know."

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**Time Skip**

The group made their way through the desolate, heavily polluted, factory-filled Gringey City. Ash had to put on the doctor mask again and Soot managed to recover enough to walk on her own and void her sense of smell again.

Pikachu took back his place on Ash's shoulder. Although his ears and tail were drooping, and his face was flushed red.

Misty looked around with a frown, "Geez. Look at this place. Lots of factories but no people."

Brock looked over the map, "Apparently, we're in Gringey City."

Soot sweat dropped, "Fitting name."

Ash sighed, "It's not exactly a happy place. It used to be pretty busy until all these factories came in. The pollution ruined everything."

Misty looked at Ash in surprise, "Did we pass a statue without noticing again?"

Ash chuckled, "Not this time. I just make sure to research as many native Gyms as I can."

Clefairy looked at him in surprise, "This place has a Gym?"

Ash frowned; hidden by the mask, "It used to have a Poison-type Gym. But the pollution became such an issue that it went out of business."

Misty flinched, "Wait what?! Since when can Gyms go out of business?!"

Ash sighed, "Since it didn't have any challengers for an entire year."

Brock gulped, "Yikes."

Soot spoke up, "All in favor of getting through here as quick as possible?"

Misty raised a hand, "Aye."

Brock raised a hand, "Aye."

Clefairy raised a brow in confusion, "Eye?"

"Whoa!" Ash cried out as he caught the falling mouse.

Everyone looked at him in alarm. Brock and Misty flinched when Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt while the trainer held him.

Ash ignored the shock, "Pikachu, what's going on?!"

"Are you okay?!" Clefairy cried out worriedly.

Pikachu just panted as he was flushed red. His cheeks sparked every few seconds.

Misty grew worried, "You don't think it's all the pollution, do you?"

Ash squinted, "No. But it definitely isn't helping." He put a hand on the Electric-type's forehead, "High fever and sparking electric sacs can indicate a cold." He looked at the others, "Still, we should get him to a Pokémon Center, just in case."

Brock and Misty nodded, "Right."

Soot sweat dropped, 'So much for getting through here fast.' She sighed, "Let's hurry."

They broke into a sprint.

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*Later; Pokémon Center

Ash ran up to the counter, "Nurse Joy! We need your help!"

Joy walked into the room; yawning, "Do you kids have any idea what time it is? Don't you know that you should be asleep by-" She stopped and blinked in surprise upon seeing Ash, "Isn't it a bit early for Halloween?"

Ash sweat dropped, "It was a poor decision involving a costume party and super glue, alright? I'm still waiting on the solvent." Ash sighed, "Look, my pikachu is sick." He down at the mouse worriedly, "It looks like a cold, but I can't be certain."

The nurse yawned again and glanced at the mouse right as his cheeks sparked again, "Yeah. Looks like a cold alright."

Ash sweat dropped, "Could you do a little more than just look at him?"

Joy yawned yet again, "Look, you were right the first time." She pointed at Pikachu, "Sparking cheeks are an early cold symptom in electric rodents." She reached under the desk, pulled out a pair of rubber gloves, put them on, and held out her hands, "Just leave him here overnight and I'm sure he'll be fine by morning."

Ash nodded, "Sure." He held out Pikachu to her.

Pikachu grabbed Ash's hand and looked up at him sadly, "No. P-please. I don't want you to le-"

"Pikachu." Ash interrupted as he pulled down his mask, smiled softly, and pet him, "I promise you'll be fine. I'll be right here until you're better."

Pikachu stared at him somberly but nodded. He let go.

Nurse Joy smiled softly, "I promise to take care of him." She walked to the back with the mouse in her arms.

Misty sweat dropped, "Is it me, or does she seem like an oddball compared to the other Nurse Joys?"

Ash shrugged, "She's definitely a lot more straightforward."

Soot grinned, "Which, for a Nurse Joy, is pretty odd."

Clefairy frowned, "I hope Pikachu will be okay."

Ash smiled sadly and pet her, "I'm sure he'll be fine, Clefairy."

Brock looked at Ash with a frown, "Speaking of, are you alright Ash?"

Ash looked back in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Misty raised a brow, "You were … Thunderbolted at pointblank."

Clefairy blinked in surprise, "Huh?" She looked at Ash in surprise, "When did that happen?"

Ash chuckled and looked at her, "It was after I caught Pikachu." He cleared his throat, "That and the other seventeen involuntary shocks on the run over here."

Brock and Misty's eyes widened in shock, "WHAT?!"

Clefairy flinched at the outburst.

Soot shushed them before whispering harshly, "Guys, quiet! There are probably sick Pokémon here!"

"Sorry." Brock whispered, "But Ash, seriously! That much electricity can do some serious damage! Why aren't you more worried?!"

Ash smirked and raised a hand, "This is why. Thunder shock." His arm started to crackle with electricity.

Brock, Misty, and Clefairy's eyes widened in shock.

"What the actual Yvel?" Misty asked; still shocked.

Brock jerked, "Electric conductivity!" He smiled brightly, "From Power Integration, right?!"

Ash chuckled, "You're right for the most part." He dispelled the sparks, "Normally, I just absorb electricity and have to discharge it after a literal second." He pointed at his ears "I'm pretty sure the glitch makes me a lot more like an Electric-type."

Soot smiled, "Although, glitch or not, he's insulated in a way that prevents electricity from conducting through him to others."

Ash nodded, "Right." He petted Clefairy without looking, "Which is why clefairy didn't feel it."

Clefairy blinked in surprise, 'I didn't even notice.'

Soot smirked, "In other words, grab and get behind dad when we're about to be shocked."

Ash shrugged, "She's not wrong."

Misty snickered, "Got it."

Brock crossed his arms, "That definitely keeps you from being hurt by electricity." Brock raised a brow, "But, will you have to worry about absorbing too much? I'm not sure how electrical overload would affect a human."

Soot chuckled, "That depends on your definition of 'human'."

Ash rolled his eyes with a soft smile, "Very funny, Soot." He looked back at Brock and Misty and smiled sadly, "I have to admit that that has crossed my mind. Normally, that wouldn't be an issue but, due to the glitch, I'll probably need to be careful for a while." He held up his hand again covered it in electricity again, "But now I know I can handle over a hundred and twenty-thousand volts without consequence."

Brock and Misty's eyes widened, 'Yikes.'

Clefairy looked at Soot, "Is that a lot?"

Soot shrugged with an unsure expression, "Sort of. By human standards at least."

Without warning, the lights went out in the Center.

Brock, Misty, Clefairy, and even Soot looked at Ash in shock.

Ash shot a quick glance at the sparks on his arm and shook his head, "That wasn't me."

"OH NO!" Joy cried out.

Soot frowned, "That can't be good."

Ash shook off the electricity, and everyone ran to the back.

.

*Back of Center

"Nurse Joy!" Ash called out, "What's going-" He stopped and stared in shock at the room filled with injured Pokémon. All of them were in padded chambers with glass domes.

Misty looked around with a frown, "What happened to these Pokémon?"

"They're in intensive care units." Soot responded; wide eyed, "Without power, there's no chance of them-"

"Please." Nurse Joy interrupted in a fearful tone; not looking back, "Please. Don't say it."

Ash looked at Joy, "You have a backup generator or something, right?!"

The nurse looked down somberly, "I'm afraid not. All of our energy comes from the power plant."

Brock clenched a fist, "Then that's where we should check."

Misty looked at Joy, "Where is it?"

The nurse looked back at them, "It's very hard to miss. It's a large building with smokestacks. Some reach high enough to be seen from almost anywhere in the city."

Ash nodded, "Thank you." He pulled his mask back up, "We'll be back soon."

Ash, Brock, Misty, and Soot turned to leave.

"A-Ash, wait!" Pikachu cried out.

Ash stopped and looked back in surprise, "Pikachu?"

Pikachu looked at him sorrowfully, "Don't leave me, please. I don't want you to leave me behind."

Clefairy looked at him sorrowfully, "Pikachu."

Soot relayed the message; mostly for the sake of Brock, Misty, and Joy. Nurse Joy looked at Soot in surprise.

Ash's eyes widened and he ran over to him. He pulled the mask back down and put a hand on his head, "Pikachu, you know I'd never do that. I promise we'll be back as soon as-"

Pikachu grabbed the hand and held it tight, "Don't leave me behind, please."

Soot frowned and translated again.

Ash frowned, 'He isn't thinking straight.' He smiled sadly, "Alright."

Ash looked up at the nurse, "Nurse Joy, I know this sounds strange, but would you mind if I took Pikachu with me? I promise to keep out of any battles."

Nurse Joy nodded with a soft smile, "I'm not sure I'd be able to keep him here if I tried." She handed the mouse back to him.

Ash held Pikachu tightly to his chest; ignoring the constant shocks, "You're not leaving this spot, buddy."

Clefairy looked down at him, "And I'll be right here too."

Pikachu smiled weakly and cuddled him, "Thank you, Ash."

Ash smiled softly and looked back at the nurse, "I'll bring him back once the power's on."

Ash pulled his mask back up and ran out with the others.

Joy watched as they left with a somber expression, "Good luck."

.

*Outside Power Plant

Everyone looked up at the structure with determined glares.

"This is the place." Soot said.

"Let's check inside." Misty followed.

The group walked through the main entrance. The entire place was as dark as it was outside.

"Hello?!" Brock called out, "Is anybody in here?!"

No response.

Ash frowned under his mask, "This isn't right. We should look around."

The group walked deeper into the area and looked around warily.

Brock frowned, "Something's really weird. Why isn't anybody working here?"

Misty walked over to a map and squinted, "Crag, it's too dark. Does anyone have a-" She flinched when a flickering light appeared from behind her. She turned around to see Ash holding his hand out; sparking again.

Pikachu stared in awe, "Woah."

Ash glanced down at him with a kind expression and looked back at Misty, "Is that better?"

Misty blinked in surprise and looked back at the map, "Actually, yeah." She looked over the map again before pointing down a hallway, "It looks like the central control room's down that way."

Soot nodded, "Alright."

Everyone continued down the darkened hallway. Ash kept his arm lit up to light the way.

Misty looked around warily before she flinched and started shivering, "Something's following us."

Everyone else looked back in alarm. Ash held out his arm to light the path they came from.

Brock raised a brow, "I don't see anything."

Ash blinked in surprise, "And I didn't hear any footsteps or slithering."

Misty's eyes narrowed, "I'm telling you, there's something back there." She frowned and started looking around, "I just got this weird feeling all of a sudden." She looked back at Ash, flinched, and pointed at him with a scared expression, "Ash! Above you!"

Brock looked over and flinched upon seeing something floating over the boy.

Ash looked up in alarm and blinked in surprise, "A magnemite?"

"Huh?" Brock and Misty said in surprise.

Ash held up his hand to reveal the Magnet Pokémon staring down at him. Or, more specifically, at Pikachu.

"Oh." Misty said before her eyes widened in realization, "Wait a second! Could Magnemite have caused the blackout?!"

Soot raised a brow, "On their own? Doubtful. It would take at least a twenty-year-old magnezone to single-handedly shut down a place this big."

Brock frowned, "But then, what's it doing here?"

Magnemite floated downward and closer to Pikachu.

The mouse grew nervous, "Um, hi?"

Magnemite didn't respond and started orbiting Ash; staring intently at Pikachu whenever it circled back around.

Clefairy stared in confusion, "Uhhhh. What's going on?"

Brock smiled, "I think Magnemite likes you Ash."

Soot watched the half-Steel-type closely, "They seem a lot more focused on Pikachu."

Pikachu pulled himself closer to Ash's chest with a frightened expression, "Well, make them stop. It's freaking me out."

Magnemite stopped in front of Pikachu right as his cheeks sparked again. The Magnet Pokémon glowed red as they stared at him.

Misty looked over and raised a brow, "Is Magnemite blushing?" She looked at Soot in confusion, "Do magnemite even have blood?"

Soot shook her head, "It's actually their internal core heating up. The reason isn't any different, though."

Misty looked at Magnemite; brow still raised, "So, Magnemite has a crush on Pikachu?"

Clefairy and Pikachu jerked, "Huh?!"

Brock frowned, "I'm not so sure. If it were an animal Pokémon, I could understand. But how can a Mineral Pokémon, like magnemite, fall in love with an electric rodent?"

Soot sweat dropped, "It especially doesn't help that magnemite are genderless."

"Still," Ash followed, "it's not unheard of for a genderless Pokémon to become attracted to a male. Or anything for that matter."

Pikachu frowned, "Yeah, sure. But can someone stop them now?" He pulled closer to Ash again, "Please."

Clefairy glared at Magnemite, "Hey! Leave him alone already! Can't you see he's not feeling well?!"

Magnemite flinched and floated off down the hallway.

Ash petted the Fairy-type, "Good one." He pulled down his mask and smiled at the mouse, "It's okay, buddy. They're gone n-" He stopped and grimaced before covering nose, "Oh, Crag! What the Yvel is that?!" He pulled his mask back up.

Brock looked at him in surprise and sniffed the air before frowning, "Now that you mention it, something does kind of stink."

Misty grimaced, "Yeah, I smell it too."

Soot raised a brow and shifted her eyes back to normal. She immediately grimaced, "Oh dear Arceus!" She shifted her eyes back to inherent before they widened in realization, "Wait a second, that's a Poison-type's scent!"

Misty frowned and pinched her nose, "What kind of Poison-type smell this bad?"

Ash's eyes widened, "Grimer."

A loud clang rang out from behind them. Everyone looked back in shock as a hoard of the Sludge Pokémon started dropping down from a ceiling vent.

Pikachu grimaced and covered his nose, "Ugh. They stink."

Brock glanced at the mouse, "We shouldn't insult them. It could hurt their pride or make them mad."

Soot raised a brow, "Why would a Pokémon made of pollutive material care about smelling bad?"

Ash blinked in surprise and looked at Brock, "Wait, how did you know what Pikachu said?"

Brock smiled brightly, "I actually got it right? I just saw him covering his nose and guessed."

"Who cares!" Misty shouted, "Whatever Pikachu said, I'm sure he's right! These things stink!"

"What was that?!"

Everyone looked over as a muk appeared from the behind the wall of grimer; towering over the lesser evolutions.

Muk glared, "Who said we stink?!"

Soot blinked in surprise, "I stand corrected."

Misty pinched her nose, "It smells even worse than before."

Muk's eye twitched, "You…"

Brock gulped, "So, I take it we should run?"

Muk pointed at them with a glare, "Get them!"

Soot and Ash nodded, "Yup."

The group broke into a sprint.

"Okay, so maybe insulting them wasn't my best move." Misty cried out as she ran.

"In your defense," Ash responded while he was lighting the way ahead, "I'm a little surprised they took it as an insult. Some Pokémon, like the grimer, trubbish, and stunky lines, actually take pride in their-"

"Not the time, dad!" Soot shouted.

Ash turned a corner and quickly noticed two men in jumpsuits. Before they noticed him, he dispelled the sparks on his arm.

Ash skidded to halt, "Whoa!"

The others looked over to see the men.

One of them shined a flashlight at them and stared in shock, "What are you doing here?"

Brock waved, "Hi. I'm Brock, this is Misty, that's Soo-"

"Save that for later!" Misty shouted, "We have to get out of here."

Soot looked back and grimaced as the grimer rounded the corner, "Crag!"

"Aah!" One of the men shouted in alarm, "The grimer are here too!"

They turned and ran back down the hallway.

"Back to the control room!" The other man shouted.

"Hey! Wait for us!" Ash shouted as he and the others chased after them.

They ran through the door and slammed it shut. Brock leaned against the door to barricade it.

Ash sighed in relief, "That was close." He looked back at the men to see them starring at him in confusion. Ash sweat dropped; deadpanned, "I messed up on a costume, alright?"

Misty glared at the men, "What's going here?! This blackout is threatening all of the Pokémon in the Pokémon Center. If you don't fix this, they're all going to-"

"Misty." Ash interrupted; causing her to look back, "I'm sure they're trying to fix the problem." Ash looked at the workers, "But you can't because of those grimer. Right?"

One of the workers blinked in surprise, "That's right." He shook it off, "There's a horde of grimer clogging the sea water intake pipe. The generator can't run unless we bring the water to a boil."

Clefairy's eyes narrowed, "Then let's drive them off!"

Soot frowned, "I'm afraid that's easier said than done. We would need to get past the other grimer and Muk first."

The men looked at Soot in surprise. One of them spoke up and pointed at her, "Did that Pokémon just-"

"AHH!" Brock shouted.

Everyone looked back in surprise.

"The grimer are ramming the door!" Brock called out in alarm, "I can't hold it!"

Ash grimaced, "Crag!" He looked around and noticed an old desk propped up against a wall. Ash looked at the men and pointed at the desk, "Could we use that as a barricade?"

One of them frowned, "Well, sure. But-"

Ash nodded, "Good." He ran over to it and grabbed onto the bottom.

Misty started to run over, "I can help-" She stopped and stared in surprise when Ash lifted it effortlessly, "Never mind."

The workers' jaws dropped.

Ash looked at the desk in surprise, 'Huh. It's lighter than I expected.'

One of the men stared in shock, "H-how are you doing that? That desk weighs over a hundred and twenty pounds."

Ash blinked in surprise, "Huh?"

Misty looked at Ash; deadpanned, "Seriously, Ash? You can bench press that much and never told us?"

Ash sweat dropped, "I didn't know either. I thought my limit was only ninety pounds."

"Only?" Misty asked; still deadpanned.

Ash chuckled nervously, "Right." He looked at the door, "Brock, move!"

Brock looked over and flinched upon seeing the desk. He moved out of the way and Ash threw the piece of furniture in front of the door.

Misty smiled and clenched a fist, "Alright!"

Her smile faded and she flinched when the door was slammed into again.

Soot frowned, "Unfortunately, it won't hold for long."

One of the men gulped, "What do we do?"

Ash's eyes narrowed, "When they break through, one of us needs to catch Muk."

Everyone, expect Soot, looked at him in surprise, "Huh?!"

Soot nodded, "He's right. Wild muk and grimer are gang-oriented with the strongest muk standing on top. If we beat him, it'll be easier to drive the others off."

Clefairy jumped down and glared at the door, "Okay! I'll give it all I've got!"

Soot frowned, "Not a good idea, Clefairy. You're weak to Poison-types."

Pikachu's eyes narrowed, "I-I'll fight them off, then." He started struggling in Ash's arms.

Ash held him tighter and glared, "Not happening! You're still sick!"

The workers looked at Ash in confusion.

Ash don't notice and continued, "I'm sorry Pikachu, but you can't push yourself." He looked back at the door and his eyes narrowed, "The only Pokémon I have that can fight a Poison-type is Bulbasaur. But he can't take on this many."

Brock looked at him, "What about Geodude and Zubat? They both have a resistance."

Misty nodded, "And Starmie and Psyduck have an advantage."

Soot frowned, "It'll help. But we're still heavily outnumbered."

Ash put a hand to his chin, "Still, if we can organize some plan of attack, then-"

He was cut-off when the door burst open and the grimer started pouring in like mad.

Ash grimaced, "Crag! We're out of time!" He held out a pokéball, "You guys ready?!"

Brock and Misty each pulled out two pokéballs and nodded, "Yeah!"

Soot crouched down and glared at the small army.

Ash reeled back, "Bulbasaur!"

Brock followed suit, "Geodude! Zubat!"

As did Misty, "Starmie! Psyduck!"

"Enter the fr-"

They were cut off by another ventilation grate clanging behind them.

Everyone flinched and looked back in shock; expecting to see more grimer coming from behind. Shock became confusion when Magnemite and a horde of magneton started pouring out of the vent.

Misty blinked in surprise, "Magnemite?"

Brock smiled, "And magneton. They must be friends of theirs!"

"Makes sense." Ash looked back at the group of Magnet Pokémon, "Are you really here to help?"

"Thunder Shock!" "Thunder Wave!" "Discharge!" "Spark!" They all called out as they unleashed their collective attacks.

The grimer all grimaced and cried out as the electricity swept over them.

"BEAT IT!" One the of grimer cried out.

The Poison-types all ran out of the room in a frenzy. The magneton all followed and chased them down the various hallways.

Ash blinked in surprise, "I'll take that as a yes."

The lights flickered back on.

Misty smiled brightly, "Alright!"

"The power's back on!" Brock cheered.

The workers started typing away on the control panels.

"The turbine's moving again!" One of them cheered.

"The magneton must have scared off all the grimer!" The other called out.

Clefairy smiled and pumped a fist, "Yay!"

Pikachu weakly raised a paw in triumph, "woo."

Soot looked ahead; eyes narrowed, "Hold on! We're not out of the woods yet!"

Everyone looked back to see Muk glaring at them, "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

Ash pulled down his mask and smirked, "We'll see about that." He threw a pokéball, "Bulbasaur, it's your move!"

Bulbasaur emerged and glared at Muk.

Ash held out an arm, "Bulbasaur, Hidden Power!"

Bulbasaur complied and fired the blue sphere at Muk. The ball hit Muk directly in the chest. Everyone's eyes widened in shock as the ball bounced right off him and took out a light.

Muk smirked, "Nice try."

Bulbasaur grimaced, "What the?!"

Brock flinched, "What just happened?!"

Ash stared in shock, "Impact repulsion. It's an insanely advanced and powerful technique that only semi-solid Pokémon can achieve. Anything physical or projectile based will just bounce off him without doing any damage."

Muk stopped glaring and blinked in surprise, 'Smart kid.'

Misty looked at Ash, "Okay. So, what does that mean for us?"

Muk smirked, "It means I'm out of your lea-"

"It means we need non-projectile, energy-based attacks." Soot responded before glancing at Magnemite with a smirk, "Namely electricity."

Magnemite floated out in front and started sparking.

Muk frowned and his eyes widened.

Magnemite stopped sparking and turned around to face the pure electric-type in Ash's arms. He started floating closer.

Pikachu glared, "Seriously?! This is not the time for whatever kind of-"

He was cut off by magnemite floating over and touching one of his magnets to Pikachu's cheek.

Pikachu glanced at them in shock, "Ash, please tell me this isn't the equivalent of a kiss to them."

Clefairy flinched; blushing heavily.

Ash sweat dropped, "No. It's definitely not."

Magnemite lit up with electricity again.

Pikachu flinched and started shivering, "Whooaa."

Ash flinched as well when he felt his built-up electricity travel from him to Pikachu. He glanced at the magnet Pokémon in shock, 'He's absorbing our electricity?'

Magnemite started shining brighter and brighter with every passing second.

Muk deadpanned, "Crag."

Magnemite unleashed a colossal Thunderbolt onto Muk. The Poison-type cried out as the electricity swept over him.

After a few more seconds, electricity stopped and Muk flattened in exhaustion.

Ash pulled out a held out a pokéball, "This ends now." He threw it at Muk, "POKÉBALL! GO!"

The ball hit Muk square in the head and absorbed him immediately. It fell to the ground and started beeping as it swayed. Everyone watched in anticipation.

The ball stopped swaying and became silent.

Ash sighed in relief, "Thank Arceus that's over." He held out a pokéball, "Good work, Bulbasaur. Return."

The Seed Pokémon disappeared in the red beam.

Ash looked down at the mouse in his arms, "Pikachu, how do you feel?"

Pikachu blinked in surprise and put a paw to his cheeks, "Now that you mention it: A lot better." He looked at Magnemite with a smile, "I don't what you did, but thanks."

Magnemite blinked and turned away. They started floating around curiously.

Pikachu blinked in surprise, "Huh?"

Soot looked at Magnemite with a raised brow, "Didn't you have a crush on him earlier?"

"That is not the case."

Ash and the Pokémon all looked over to see one of the magneton float back through the doorway. Brock and Misty noticed and followed their gaze. The powerplant workers were still busy at the control panels; not having paid attention since the power came back on.

Magnemite overheard and hovered over to Magneton immediately. Their magnets shifted slightly.

Magneton chucked, "The truth is, my hatchling here is incapable of vocal speech. However, we have found an alternative though the use of electro-magnetic waves." They set their sights on Pikachu, "Which your friend there was emitting erratically."

Ash blinked and face palmed, "Freaking, Yvel that's right! If an animal Electric-type builds up too much of charge, they can become magnetized and experience symptoms similar to a cold! How could I have not realized it sooner?!"

Clefairy looked over and blinked, "So, Magnemite doesn't have a crush on Pikachu."

Magneton shook in disagreement, "Doubtful. As far as I can tell, they haven't decided on a preferred gender. Or if they ever plan to."

Pikachu sighed in relief. He then blinked in surprise and looked at Magneton, "Wait, hatchling? I thought your kind were genderless."

Magneton sweat dropped, "Well, yes. However, genderless Pokémon are capable of reproduction."

Soot raised a brow, "Sure. But don't you need a ditto for that?"

Magneton deadpanned, "I am a ditto." They glanced at magnemite, "Come on hatchling."

Ditto flew out of the room. Magnemite followed soon after.

Ash blinked in surprise, "Huh."

Misty sweat dropped, "Um, Soot?"

Soot looked back and sighed before starting, "So magneton-"

.

**Time Skip**

After the fiasco in Gringey City, Ash and his friends got back on the road to Fuchsia. Before getting too far away, they found a clearing in the forest.

Muk raised a brow, "So, what's all this about? Are we training or something?"

Ash smiled and shook his head, "No. Or not yet, depending on your answer. There's something I wanted to take care of first."

Muk's eyes widened, "Can you understand me?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah. But just for a few more hours."

Muk raised a brow, "What?"

Soot snickered, "You'll find out later. Anyway, we wanted to ask if you were okay with joining us or if you wanted go back to your gang."

Muk's eyes widened, "Huh?"

Ash nodded, "I mean, yeah. I thought it only seemed fair. Seeing as I caught you without permission."

Muk stared at Ash in shock, "Permission?" He looked at Soot while pointing at Ash, "What the Yvel's wrong with him?"

Pikachu's, Clefairy's, and Soot's eyes narrowed. Ash blinked in surprise. Brock and Misty noticed all of this and took a step back.

Pikachu's cheeks started sparking, "Care to rephrase that?"

Muk flinched and raised his hands defensively, "Sorry. But, seriously. The kid just caught me -a muk with freaking Impact Repulsion- and is asking if I want to be set free?! I can't be the only one questioning this."

Soot was about to argue until see considered all of that. Pikachu and Clefairy blinked in surprise and shared a look.

Soot shrugged, "Okay, fair enough."

Ash crossed his arms and mumbled, "It's not that weird."

Clefairy giggled and patted her trainer's head.

Soot looked back at Muk with a smile, "Thing is, dad is pretty much the furthest thing from your standard trainer. Out of the nine Pokémon he's caught, seven were without a battle and the other two were a consensual challenge."

Muk blinked in surprise, "Uh … Wow."

Ash rolled his eyes, "Come on. It can't be that weird."

Muk deadpanned, "It can be, and it is." The Sludge Pokémon shrugged, "And, to answer your question, I'll stay with you."

Ash blinked in surprise, "Really? I kind of thought you'd want to go back to your gang. Seeing as you were their boss."

Muk shrugged, "Nah, it'll be fine. When the boss is caught, another muk or the next-to-evolve grimer takes the position. Heck, I'm like the fifth boss to be caught this year alone."

Ash chuckled, "Fair enough." He looked back at his friends and relayed the message.

Misty smiled and held out a hand, "Alright. Welcome to the team."

Muk glared at her, "Don't think you're off the hook, human. I haven't forgotten about that little stink comment earlier."

Soot snickered and translated.

Misty pulled her hand back and chuckled nervously, "Uh, yeah. Sorry about that."

Muk smirked. Muk jerked and looked at Soot in surprise, "Wait, did you just speak human, or can they understand us too?"

"First one." Soot responded.

.

*Later that day

The watch's glitch finally wore off and the group set up the table for lunch. After everything was set up and prepared, Ash got work on finding the new ali- uh, new Non-Pokémon form … Yeah.

Brock, Misty, and all the Pokémon watched in anticipation as Ash moved the dial.

"No. No. No. N- Wait! Found it!" Ash held up the watch to everyone and smiled, "Here it is."

Everyone looked over. The silhouette depicted a creature with a large upper torso, small ears at the top of its head, and clawed hands and feet. Its arms were bulky from the elbow down with what appeared to be bolts poking out the back. It also appeared to have a short, reptilian tail.

"So, that's it, huh?" Brock asked in interest.

Soot nodded with a smirk, "Looks like it."

Misty blinked, "It looks strong." She looked at Ash, "So, how does this usually work? You just turn into it and see what it's like?"

Ash shrugged with a smirk, "Pretty much. We also try to figure out potential weaknesses and the personality glitch."

"And then he names it after a move." Soot continued with a sly smirk.

Ash chuckled, "That too."

Muk leaned closer to Squirtle, "So, what's goin' on here?"

Squirtle grinned, "Something awesome."

Muk deadpanned, "Right." He looked around, "Anyone have an actually answer?"

Bulbasaur chuckled, "I almost hate to agree with Squirtle."

"Hey!" the Water-type blurted out.

"But he has a point this time." The Grass-type continued before looking back ahead, "You're not gonna want to miss this."

Ash looked at the canine, "You ready, Soot?"

She shifted her eyes and crouched down; looking ready to pounce, "Ready."

Ash took a deep breath, hit the watch, and became engulfed in green light. Everyone either shied away or squinted.

When it faded, everyone looked back and their eyes widened in shock and awe.

.

.

Mizuro: Th- that's it? We're not even gonna find out who it is?!

Seishin: Cliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii*heavy breathing*iiiiiiffhanger!

Ohirume: Sorry. Tune in next time to see what the form actually is.

Seishin: And bonus points to whoever can figure out the form from the silhouette alone!

Omega: Okay, you said that last time with your ball-thing.

Faux: Pokéball.

Omega: Whatever. What are these "points" for?

Seishin: … *belch*

Omega: *deadpans* Really?

…

The name of the new form has already been decided. You're free to guess, though.