Omega: *looks at title* Okay, then. *shouting* Guys! Rob's drunk!

Ohirume: You know fair and well that I don't drink!

…

Faux: Wait, diglett are moles. Not groundhogs.

Ohirume: Give it a rest! I wanted to make it "Diggin' Digletts Done Dirt Cheap" but I already did that reference!

Seishin: *smirking* Yeah, and he did not do it well.

Omega: Couldn't you have saved the D4C thing until now?

Ohirume: *pouts* I didn't plan ahead.

I don't own Pokémon or Ben 10.

.

.

Groundhog Day, Except The Groundhogs Are Diglett And Uh … That's Pretty Much It. This Has Nothing To Do With The Movie.

.

Muk blinked in surprise, "Gotta admit. When I saw myself getting a trainer, I didn't expect this."

Pikachu snickered, "Not sure anyone could expect Ash."

The rest of the Pokémon stared in awe at Ash's newest form. Except psyduck … who fainted again.

Standing before them was a ten-foot-tall black and yellow creature with a massive upper torso and giant, bulky arms. It had a grey tail stretching to the ground, three-toed, grey, clawed feet, and four-fingered, grey, clawed hands. The arms each had a giant metal piston jutting from the elbows and an opening on top of the them; revealing what appeared to be springs. The head resembled a medieval helmet with a slanted 'V' making up the face and two small, grey ears poking on the top. The watch's symbol laid directly in the middle of its chest.

"Woah." Misty muttered; awestruck.

"It's huge." Brock said in awe.

Soot smiled and called out, "Hey dad! How does it feel?!"

Ash continued looking over himself; ignoring them.

Soot frowned, "Dad?"

Ash perked up and looked over at them; expression unclear on the helmet-like face. Brock and Misty frowned.

Soot's eyes narrowed and crouched down, "Dad? You still in there?"

Ash blinked in surprise, "I … am … Soot." He said in a deep voice. He tilted his head, "Why … do … you … ask?"

Soot sighed in relief and sat down with a smile, "Good. He's still himself."

Misty raised a brow, "But why is he talking so slowly?"

Ash blinked again, "Slowly? … I … am … not … talking … slowly."

Soot smirked, "Aww. So, that's the glitch. Slow talker."

Brock sweat dropped, "No kidding."

Mankey ran up to Ash and looked up him; bright eyed, "Dear Arceus. Ash, you're huge!" He took up a fighting stance with a determined glared, "I don't care if you can't teach me anything like this! We are sparring now!"

Ash titled his head, "What … did … you … say?"

Mankey blinked in surprise, "Wait. Can you not understand me?"

"Yeah. That's something we probably should have mentioned earlier." Pikachu said; catching all of the Pokémon's attention. The mouse sweat dropped, "Ash can't understand any kind of Pokémon language when he's in one of these forms."

"What?!" All of the Pokémon, except Soot and Clefairy, blurted out.

Clefairy pouted and crossed her arms, "It's really not fun."

Soot snickered, "Hey, don't worry. It all comes back when he switches again, remember? But, first thing's first." She looked back at Ash, "Alright dad, let's figure this thing out."

Ash nodded and took a knee; cracking the ground under his leg.

Soot blinked in surprise, "Definitely a heavy weight." She walked closer and put a paw on his left arm. Her eyes widened slightly, "It's metallic."

Brock and Misty overheard and ran over. They each put a hand on the arm.

Misty's eyes widened in awe, "You're right."

"It's almost like a Steel-type." Brock commented.

"Pikachuuuuu!"

Ash cried out in pain as the electricity swept over him. He fell back and crashed on the ground. Everyone felt it. It even scared off most of the Flying-types in the surrounding trees.

Everyone looked at Pikachu in shock.

Pikachu stared at Ash in shock before looking at the human-speakers, "You said Steel-type! I thought it wouldn't hurt him that much."

Soot's eye twitched, "Pikachu, this isn't a Pokémon! Having a metallic body doesn't mean the same being a Steel-type for this thing! … apparently."

"Well, how was I supposed to know?!" Pikachu shouted.

Soot sighed and looked back at Ash, "At least now we know this thing is weak to electricity."

.

*Skip

Ash recovered shortly and the group moved onto a much easier and probably obvious test. Strength.

Soot looked around at the trees before settling on one and nodding, "Perfect." She looked at Ash and smiled, "Over here, dad. This one's uninhabited."

Ash nodded, "… Alright." He walked over to it as Soot ran past him and back to the group.

He grabbed hold of the tree and yanked it out of the ground in one quick motion. As well as a giant patch of earth with roots sticking out.

Brock and Misty's jaws dropped.

Soot's eyes widened, "Yikes."

Squirtle's eyes lit up in awe, "Awesome!"

Pidgeotto stared in shock, "You can say that again."

Ash looked at the tree in shock, 'It's … so … light.' He shook his head and looked over his arm; noticing the piston sticking out of the elbow.

Ash raised a brow, "… Hmm." After a few seconds of trying, he managed to slam the piston into place. Only for his hand to spring forward and launch the tree into the sky.

Misty stared in shock as the tree disappeared, "Freaking Yvel."

Brock raised a brow, "Where do you think that went?"

Soot frowned, "Wherever it went, let's just hope it doesn't hit someone."

.

*Team Rocket

The tRio was flying thought the air in the balloon; playing cards to pass the time.

Meowth looked at Jessie, "Got any sevens?"

Jessie grumbled and handed him a card.

Meowth smirked and took it, "You're up Jess."

Omega: That's not how you play Go Fish.

Seishin: MAH HAH!

Jessie looked at her cards than back at Meowth, "Any threes?"

Meowth smirked, "Go fish."

Jessie's eye twitched and she snatched a card from the deck. Her eye's narrowed upon seeing the card, "Seriously?!" She angrily put the card in her hand and crossed her arms, "Take your turn already, James."

James looked at Meowth, "Got any-" He flinched, and his eyes widened, "TREE!"

Meowth sweat dropped, "Like I told Jessie, no. Go fish."

James jumped to his feet and pointed into the distance, "No! There's a-"

He was cut off when said tree crashed into their basket. It tore the basket from the balloon and carried them into the distance.

"WE DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING YET!"

They disappeared with a ding.

.

*Ash and others

Pikachu's ears twitched and he turned around with a confused expression, "huh?"

Ash looked at his hand in shock, "Freaking … Arceus." He flinched when his clawed hands retracted into his arm and a large drill sprung out.

Bulbasaur's eyes widened, "Is that a drill?!"

Ash's drill-hand started spinning without warning, "Wo-o-oah!" The behemoth flailed his arm in an attempt to turn off the drill. Instead, the piston on his other arm started banging wildly; causing his corresponding hand to move like a jackhammer.

"Oh … come … on!" Ash groaned. The vibrations from his arms gradually travel down his body and shake the ground around him.

Everyone started to fumble from the vibrations.

Misty fell back, "Wah!"

Soot grimaced, "Dad! Hands above your head! Now!"

Ash complied and the shaking died down some.

Soot nodded, "Okay, good. Now, just change back. Nice and slowly."

Ash nodded, moved the drill hand downward, and managed to just barely tap the symbol on his chest. He lit up green and reemerged as himself.

Ash immediately ran over to his friends with a worried expression, "Are you guys okay?!"

Misty sat up and held her head, "I'll live."

Brock nodded, "I'm okay. Stuff like this happened a lot when Onix was learning Dig."

Onix flinched and would have blushed if it was possible for his species.

Ash sighed in relief, "Thank goodness." He held out a hand to Misty and helped her up, "I'm sorry about that. I guess I need a little more practice with Hammer Arm."

Misty smirked as she stood back up, "Maybe a bit." She blinked in surprise, "Wait, Hammer Arm?"

Soot looked up thoughtfully, "Now that you mention it, that did look and sound like a jackhammer."

Ash nodded, "That, and I thought it seemed more appropriate than Bullet Punch. Or Earthquake."

.

**Time Skip**

The group of Soot, Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, and Clefairy made their way towards the mountains. Their final stretch on their route to the Fuchsia Gym. Now they just had to find it.

Brock's eye twitched as he looked over a map of the local area.

Misty noticed and looked over, "Everything alright, Brock?"

Ash smiled sadly, "You can't find the Fuchsia Gym, can you?"

Brock grumbled and shoved the map into Ash's hands, "Just take it."

Ash took the map, looked over it, and smiled, "Actually, we're right on track."

Pikachu looked at the map and raised a brow, "Huh?"

Brock looked at him in surprise, "Really? But I can't find it on the map at all."

Soot nodded with a grin, "Exactly. Because the Fuchsia's exact location isn't on any maps."

Misty, Brock, Pikachu, and Clefairy jerked and looked at her in shock, "What?!"

Ash nodded, "Yeah." He raised a finger and smiled, "The Fuchsia Gym is one of the most secluded and well-hidden Gym's in Kanto. Part of the challenge is just finding it." He held up the map, "The only thing they ever print is that it's over one of these mountains. And they never say which one."

Misty's eyes widened, "So we have to check over all five mountains?!"

"Seven actually." Ash responded; still smiling. He pointed to the center of the map, "This smaller mountain in the middle is still a possibility." He then pointed to the corner of the map, "And this one cuts off on the map."

Misty's eyes narrowed, "That isn't any better."

Clefairy pouted, "That's not fair!"

Soot snickered, "Guys, we don't actually have to check all of them on foot."

Ash nodded, "Right." He held up the watch, "Dragonite, Braviary, Butterfree, Quick Attack, and Overheat. All forms that can scan a mountain in a matter of minutes. Three of which without raising alarm if they're seen."

Misty blinked, "Oh. Right."

Brock rubbed the back of his head, "I guess we don't have to worry, then."

Ash smiled, "Exactly." He looked over the map again, "Still, I won't be able to scout the whole area in a day. So, we should find a place to set up camp for a while." He pointed ahead, "There's a road up ahead. We should be able to-"

He was cut off by a massive explosion shaking the area.

Brock, Misty, and the shoulder-riding Pokémon fumbled for a moment. They managed to keep their balance in the end.

Ash blinked in surprise, "Whoa."

Misty looked ahead in shock, "What the Yvel was that?!"

Soot tilted her head, "A wild electrode?"

Brock looked ahead with a determined glare, "Whatever it was, we should make sure no-one's hurt."

Everyone nodded and broke into a sprint down the road.

Once they were out of earshot -mostly- a large tree crash landed right where the group was.

A trembling hand popped out of the leaves and Jessie pulled herself out; breathing heavily. James climbed out soon after and threw up.

Meowth stood up in a daze and raised a paw, "Go Fish." He fell back and lost consciousness.

Soot smirked, 'Well. That answers that.'

Ash sweat dropped, 'Great. Now I owe Team Rocket an apology.'

.

*Road

Everyone skidded to a halt and their eyes widened in surprise. Driving down the road, towards a construction site, was a large convoy trucks carrying tarped cargo and pipes, and a cement mixer.

Ash blinked in surprise, "What the-"

He was cut off when the ground collapsed under one of the trucks; causing it to tip over and crash into another truck. This kickstarted a massive domino effect where every truck ended up crashing into each other.

Misty flinched, "Oh, crag!"

They noticed someone wearing a hardhat exit one of the trucks and fall to his knees.

Brock ran ahead, "Come on!"

Everyone else followed.

Ash got to the bottom first and ran over to the man, "Hey, are you al-"

"I can't take it anymore!" The man shouted in anger as he hit the ground; not noticing the group, "Why can't those freaking diglett just leave us alone?!"

Soot blinked in surprise, "Diglett?" She looked around and noticed a handful of the Mole Pokémon popping in and out of the ground playfully.

Misty followed her gaze and smiled, "Aw. How cute."

The man ran up to her and shouted, "CUTE?!"

Everyone flinched.

The man continued, "Thanks to them, we can't finish building that dam!"

Faux: Woah!

Omega: Wrong 'dam', Fox-thing. Check the spelling.

The construction worker fell to his knees again, "With the way things are going now, we'll never be able to complete the Great Giva Dam."

Ash blinked in surprise and looked at construction site in the distance, "You mean that thing?"

Everyone looked over right as an explosion knocked a boulder to the ground.

Brock raised a brow, "Wait, so all that blasting is part of building a dam?"

The man stood back up; hunched over in a slump, "Yes, it's part of building a dam." He started scratching his head furiously; despite the hardhat, "But those diglett keep messing with our progress and cutting off our supply routes!" He sighed, "We've resorted to creating a special division for developing strategies to fight off the diglett. We called in any able Pokémon trainers in the area, people with real Pokémon know-how, to help get rid of them."

Ash looked back at him and his eyes narrowed, "What do mean by 'get rid of them'?"

The man blinked and looked at Ash in surprise, "Huh?"

Brock glared at the man, "You're not trying to exterminate them, are you?"

"WHAT?!" He blurted out, "Of course not! What the Yvel kind of monster do you think I am?! I was just talking about catching or relocating them or something!"

Everyone stopped glaring and shared a look.

Ash raised a finger, "Give us a minute."

The group took a few steps back and huddled up.

Misty spoke up, "Okay, anyone else getting Nastina flashbacks, here?"

Brock nodded, "I know what you mean. I'm not sure we should help him."

Ash frowned, "Something doesn't add up, though. Diglett are a relatively peaceful species. They wouldn't retaliate like this unless it was for a really good reason."

Soot nodded, "And, in all fairness, a dam is a pretty justified construction project. Given his reaction, it looked like he was just fed up with not being to get his work done."

Misty raised a brow, "So, what do we do?"

Ash looked at the diglett in the distance, "I'm thinking we should get their side of the story. We might be able to find a compromise."

Pikachu smiled, "On it!" He jumped down and ran over to them.

"Hey, wait for me!" Clefairy called out as she jumped down and followed.

A few minutes later, they ran back and jumped onto Ash's shoulders. They started explaining everything.

Ash and Soot's eyes widened slightly.

Ash put a hand to his chin, "Makes sense."

"What did they say?" Brock asked.

Soot looked up at them, "It turns out that dam is actually threatening to flood the nearby forest. It'll become uninhabitable."

Ash followed, "Yeah, and the construction crew doesn't even realize it."

Misty smiled and clenched a fist, "Okay then. Let's tell him and clear all of this up."

Ash smiled and nodded, "It's worth a shot."

The group made their way back over to him.

Ash spoke up, "Sorry about that. But there's something you need to know."

The man raised a hand, "One thing first. I forgot to mention that we're compensating all volunteers with a free six-night, seven-day stay at the famous Giva Hot Springs Resort."

Misty and Soot's eyes widened at the news. Brock took on a shocked expression.

Pikachu and Clefairy each raised a brow, 'Hot Springs Resort?'

Ash smiled sadly, "That's very generous, but-"

He was cut off by Misty slapping a hand over his mouth, "Give us just another minute."

She dragged Ash a few feet away. Brock and Soot followed.

Ash pulled away Misty's hand and looked at her with a raised brow, "Okay, what was that about?"

Misty smiled innocently, "I just was thinking, maybe we could volunteer."

Ash's eyes widened, "What?"

Misty nodded, "Yeah. He's not really planning to hurt the diglett."

Ash's eyes narrowed, "You just want that time off at the Hot Springs, don't you?"

Misty chuckled nervously, "Well, that would be a perk."

Soot smiled, "Plus, we do need a place to stay until we find the Gym."

Ash frowned, "You too, Soot? Do you even realize how dishonest this is?"

Soot deadpanned, "Dad, there are bound to be other trainers who are only coming for the Resort deal."

"But, what about the diglett?" Ash responded; still frowning, "If we agree to help, we're agreeing to help drive an entire species away from their home just for trying to protect it. So are all of the other trainers on their way here."

"Actually, I'm not sure about that." Pikachu jumped in, "Even before we went over to talk to them, my conscience -I think- has been saying not to attack the diglett."

Clefairy nodded, "Me too."

Soot blinked in surprise, "Wait, really? Why haven't I gotten that?"

Pikachu raised a brow, "Uh, I'm not sure. It's just our instincts."

Soot deadpanned, "Ah. That's why. My instincts have gotten pretty dull over the years."

Misty and Brock looked at Ash in confusion.

Ash noticed, "Their instincts have been telling them not to attack the diglett."

"Oh." Brock said before smiling, "That probably also means that most, if not all, of the other trainers' Pokémon will feel the same. So, the diglett won't be in danger."

Clefairy pouted and crossed her arms, "I don't like it."

"Thank you!" Ash blurted out.

Pikachu looked at the three human-talkers in disappointment, "What's so special about this Hot Spring thing anyway?"

Soot smiled, "Put simply, it's like a really hot bath loaded with minerals. But truthfully," She shifted to a blissful, dreamy smile, "it's an amazing stress and pain reliever. The piping hot waters leave you feeling loose, fresh, and rejuvenated. They can even cure certain skin problems. There are some springs in the world that are so inclusive that Fire and Rock-types can enjoy them."

Pikachu and Clefairy's eyes widened and they shared a look.

Pikachu smiled, "On second thought, I'm in."

Clefairy smiled too, "Yeah! I'm sure no one will hurt the diglett"

Ash stared at his Pokémon and friends in shock before pinching the bridge of his nose, "Son of a glitch."

Soot smiled, "And that's a disappointed 'fine, I'll go along with it' from dad." She ran back towards the man, "Let's go tell him the good news."

"Woo!" Pikachu and Clefairy cheered.

Brock and Misty smiled and followed her soon after.

Ash groaned, 'I cannot believe we're doing this.' He followed the others back over to the man.

Misty smiled and saluted, "We'd be happy to help, sir!"

He raised a brow, "Wait, so you're not a part of the first squad of trainers we called in?"

Brock scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "Well, no but-"

His eyes narrowed, "Then how can I know that you really know what you're doing here?"

Ash smirked. That broke when-

"Well," Soot said with a smirk; making the man look at her in shock, "My name is Soot Ketchum." She gestured to her father, "And this, here, is my dad. Ashton Satoshi Ketchum."

Ash looked at Soot in shock.

The man blinked in surprise, "Ketchum?" After a second, he jerked and looked at Ash in awe, "Wait a second! You're that prodigy who founded Inheritance!"

Ash glared, "I'm not a-" He took a deep breath before speaking monotonously, "Yes, I'm that Ash Ketchum."

The man clenched a fist with a bright smile, "That's perfect! You must know hundreds of ways to drive away those pesky Ground-types!"

Ash's eyes twitched with a crooked smile, "Yeah … a few."

A screeching wheel caught everyone attention. They turned to see a familiar brown-haired boy in a red convertible -this time being driven by a female chauffeur- with his six female fans/cheerleaders in the back of the car.

Ash deadpanned, "And the day just keeps getting better."

Gary stood up in his car with a smirk, "The first Pokémon trainers have arrived! The rest are in these buses." He finished by gesturing to the four large vehicles behind him.

Soot growled, "Gary."

Clefairy's eyes narrowed, "Not him again!"

Pikachu hissed at the boy.

Gary flinched from the angry noises and looked over to find Ash and the others. He took back his usual cocky smirk, "Well, if it isn't Ashy-boy. Don't you know that only the best were invited?" He gestured to himself, "Like Pallet Town's number one, Gary Oak." He pointed at Ash, "We won't be needing Pallet's fourth-place loser."

Soot, Pikachu, and Clefairy's glares intensified.

Ash deadpanned, 'Real mature.'

Misty sweat dropped, "He's about as annoying as I remember."

"More like 'detestable.'" Brock followed with his arms crossed; also sweat dropping.

Gary smirked, "So, Ash, caught any good Pokémon lately?"

Ash nodded with a bored expression, "Yeah. I currently have ten."

Gary laughed heartily, "Only ten?!" He smirked slyly, "I happen to have collected over fourty-five."

Soot's eye twitched, 'Collected?!'

Gary glanced at Clefairy's bow, "I guess you've been a little too preoccupied with accessories."

Clefairy glared, "Hey!"

Gary smirked again, "I mean, what's the point of some dumb little b-"

Ash flashed Intimidate. Gary, Brock, and Misty flinched. The girls and the construction worker jerked and felt a shiver run down their spine. And, although unseen, everyone in the buses flinched and started looking around in confusion and shock.

Ash glared at Gary, "First, Clefairy wears the bow because she likes it. I'm not taking that away from her." His glare deepened, "Second, you can say whatever you want about me, but don't insult my Pokémon."

Gary gulped, "G-got it."

The construction worker blinked in surprise, "Um. Alright, then." He gestured down the road, "If you'll please follow this road to the construction site, we can get this job done and all of you can be on your way to the Resort."

Gary saluted, "Can do sir!" He jumped into the car. He looked at the chauffeur and spoke through clenched teeth, "drive!" The car took off down the road.

The worker got onto one of the buses and they left soon after.

Brock looked at the others and smiled, "We should head over their too."

"Yeah," Ash said in a cheerfully sarcastic tone, "let's go rip-off an exhausted man who's just trying to get his job done."

Soot smirked, "Sound's good to me."

Ash glared at Soot, "I really thought I raised you better than this."

Soot snickered, "Oh please. You know that only works when grandma does it."

.

*Construction site

"We greatly appreciate all of you talented Pokémon trainers interrupting your training to come here and help us get rid of the diglett!" The worker said through a megaphone.

Ash glanced around the area with a frown, 'This many people showed up?' He gulped.

A picture of a crossed out diglett dropped down behind the man, "Pokémon trainers," He pointed up to it, "here you see diglett! The greatest parasitic bug Pokémon of the century!"

"Just a minute." Gary called out from the crowd, "Technically, diglett is not a bug Pokémon. As a matter of fact, the term Mole Pokémon would be more appropriate. With a height of eight inches and a weight of two pounds, they're hardly candidates to be called the greatest anything of this century."

Brock and Misty looked at Ash.

He shrugged, "In terms of the statistics, he's right." He glared at the Oak boy, "Can't say the same about him downplaying the species like that, though."

The construction worker frowned, "Individually, the diglett may seem weak. But, together, they can cause massive destruction." He noticed something beyond the crowd and grimaced, "It's the diglett! The diglett are here!"

Everyone looked back to see a trail of upturned earth travel towards the buses. They all flinched when the ground collapsed under one of them and half buried the vehicle.

Gary ran to the front of the crowd, "I'll take care of this!"

His fans started … doing the Can Can(?) and sang, "Gary doesn't dig the diglett! Oh no! Gary doesn't dig the diglett! Let's go!"

Mizuro: *shivers* That is, by far, the cringiest thing I've ever heard.

Seishin: *snickers* Oh, the irony.

Gary pulled out a pokéball, "Now everyone will be able to see the top Pokémon trainer in action." He threw the ball, "Go, Nidorino!"

Gary smirked as the ball opened. His smirk went away as the energy from the pokéball retracted and the ball closed.

Gary's eyes widened in shock, "What the Yvel?!"

Ash smirked slyly.

Misty blinked in surprise, "I didn't even know that could happen."

Soot blinked too, "Same. I actually thought they would just come out and ignore him."

The upturned earth popped the pokéball up and carried it back to Gary. A diglett sprang up in front of Gary with the capsule on their head.

Gary blinked in surprise before crouching down to retrieve Nidorino, "Um, thanks?"

"Diglett." The Mole Pokémon said happily before retreating into the ground.

Gary looked at the ball in confusion, 'What was that?' He put the ball away and pulled out another one, "Fine, then. I'll just bring out my best Pokémon." He threw the new ball, "Go, Wartortle!"

Ash grimaced, 'Crag! His starter!'

The ball fell to the ground and opened … and then closed almost as soon as it opened.

"Oh, come on!" Gary shouted in annoyance.

Ash sighed in relief, 'Thank Arceus.'

Gary glared and pulled out his remaining four pokéballs, "Alright! I'll just use every Pokémon I have!" He threw them rapidly, "Growlithe! Kadabra! Graveler! Scyther! Go!"

"Please, somebody stop them!" The worker shouted through the megaphone, "Stop the diglett!"

Every other trainer -minus Ash, Brock, and Misty- followed Gary and started throwing as many pokéballs as they had.

"Go, Zubat!" "Haunter, go!" "Bellsprout, go!" "Magikarp, go!" "Come on out, Vileplume" "Dugtrio, let's go!" "Eevee, I need you!"

After about a minute, the unopened pokéballs were piled up in the middle of the area. The diglett started divvying out the capsules back to their trainers with surprising accuracy.

Misty blinked in surprise, "Wow. Not a single Pokémon came out."

"Just goes to show how influential Pokémon instincts can be." Brock commented.

Soot pouted, "Lucky."

The construction worker stared in shock, "H-how is this possible? Why aren't any of the Pokémon helping us?" He looked at Ash and spoke through the megaphone again, "You there! Prodigy, Ketchum boy! Use that Pokémon know-how and help us here!"

Ash flinched at the words and his eye started twitching.

A lot of the crowd looked at Ash in surprise, "Wait, a prodigy? Really?" "Ketchum?" "Where have I heard that name before?"

Gary stared in shock for a second before he broke into laughter, "O-oh man, that's rich! Ash?! A prodigy?!"

His fan club started giggling.

Gary pointed at Ash with a cocky smirk, "He just got lucky is all. I'm betting that not a single one of his Pokémon will come out!" He did a 'come at me' taunt, "So, come on, Ashy-boy. Let's see how well your Pokémon listen to you."

Ash sighed in annoyance, "Fine." He removed seven of the pokéballs from his belt.

Gary noticed and blinked, "Wait, why did you bring ou-"

Ash tossed the balls into the air lazily, "Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Krabby, Mankey, Muk. Come on out."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock as the pokéballs burst open and the seven mentioned Pokémon appeared in a flash.

"It actually worked?" "I can't believe it." "Maybe he really is a prodigy."

Gary's jaw dropped in shock.

A diglett popped out of the ground and took on a worried expression.

The worker smiled brightly, "Hah! Perfect! Now get to attacking those diglett!"

Ash gave the man a thumbs up, "Understood, sir!" He leaned a little closer to Pikachu and whispered, "Whatever I say, make sure they don't listen."

Pikachu almost broke into laughter and nodded, "C-can do." He and Clefairy jumped down and ran over to their teammates. The quickly started explaining the situation.

When they got to the part Ash telling them to ignore his commands, Charmander's eyes widened in shock, "Wait, what?"

Gary ran over to Ash and glared, "Now hold on a second!" He pointed at the group of Pokémon, "Why on earth do you have nine Pokémon with you?! The legal carrying limit is only supposed to be six!"

Soot's sweat dropped, "Uh, Gary."

Gary glanced at her before glaring at Ash again, "Like I said, why do you have ten Pokémon with you?!"

Ash sweat dropped, "Ask your grandfather. He increased my limit to ten without telling me." He reached behind his back, "And if you don't believe me," He pulled out, opened, and held out his Pokédex, "see for yourself."

Gary looked at the screen and his jaw dropped in shock again.

Ash closed the dex and put it away, "Let's get this over with." He looked at his team, "Alright, guys! Listen up! We need to drive off the diglett by any means necessary! Are you ready?!"

Pikachu held back his laughter and pretend to yawn. He stretched and laid on his back. Clefairy giggled and joined him.

Ash smirked briefly before blinking in 'confusion', "Uh, Pikachu? Clefairy?" He looked around at the rest of them, "Anyone?" He nudged his head in the direction of the relaxing pair.

Bulbasaur blinked in surprise, "Wow. They were serious." He yawned, walked over to the pair, and laid down too.

Squirtle looked at Krabby and pointed at a nearby boulder, "Target practice?"

The River Crab shrugged, "Alright."

The Water-types made their way over to the boulder.

Mankey looked at Muk with a raised brow, "So you can shrug off any attack, huh?"

Muk gave an unsure expression, "Not all of them. Just the physical and projectile stuff."

Mankey's eyes narrowed slyly, "So moves like Fire Punch, Karate Chop, and Pursuit would just bounce off?"

Muk sighed, "I already know where this is going and fine. You can use me as a punching bag. Besides, we have to do something that makes it look like we're not listening."

Mankey cracked his knuckles, "Sweet." He made a fist and reeled back.

"Hold on a second." Muk said with a raised hand. He pointed towards Squirtle and Krabby, "We should probably do it farther away like them, so we don't hit any diglett in the crossfire."

Mankey rolled his eyes, "Fine."

The pair walked/slithered towards the Water-types.

Pidgeotto sweat dropped, "I, uh- I guess I'll go rest in a tree for now." She took off and flew over to a tree.

Ash faked a deadpan, "Great." He noticed Charmander looking around nervously and frowned, 'I was afraid of this.' He looked at the lizard 'hopefully', "Charmander, you'll help right?"

Charmander flinched and looked at the diglett with a frown, "I- I gue-"

"Psst. Charmander." Clefairy called out in a whisper, "Don't listen, remember?"

Charmander frowned, "But, Ash said-"

Bulbasaur jumped in; eyes closed, "He's saying that because he has too. He wants us to leave the diglett alone without anyone knowing. What better way to do that than by secretly telling us to not listen to him asking us to listen to him."

Charmander tilted his head in confusion, "Huh?"

Pikachu smirked, "Just come relax with us. If you're worried about making Ash mad, don't be. He really wants us to do this."

Charmander frowned and glanced at Ash. The trainer gave a small smile and nodded slightly.

Charmander nodded back and took a deep breath before joining Pikachu, Clefairy, and Bulbasaur.

Ash rubbed the back in his head, "Aw man. No one will listen."

Soot smirked, "Bummer." She walked over to resting quartet and curled up around them.

Misty and Brock stared at the unfolding scene in surprise and walked over to Ash.

Misty leaned closer and whispered, "You planned that. Right?"

Ash smirked and whispered, "Bingo."

Brock sweat dropped, "Still, it's weird to actually see them ignoring you."

Ash shrugged, "Had to be done."

Gary snapped out of his shock and grinned, "Hah! None of Ashy-boy's Pokémon are listening to him. Not even his little Phantom pup."

Misty smirked slyly, "At least Ash's Pokémon actually came out."

Soot glared at Gary, "And will you stop calling a pup, already?! I'm five! I'm old enough to be a mother!"

Ash jerked and looked at Soot in surprise.

Soot deadpanned, "Oh, please. That's how old you were when I was born."

The construction worker stared in shock, 'E-even a prodigy can't get his Pokémon to help.' His eye started to twitch before threw the megaphone to the ground in rage, "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" He pulled out a wooden mallet, "You won't get away with this you little bugs!" He jumped down, ran over to a small group of diglett, and started trying to hit them with the mallet, "Go away! Go away!"

Everyone watched him; sweat dropping.

"Should we stop him?" Brock asked.

Gary shook his head, "That won't be necessary. Diglett can retreat back into the ground at one-hundred and eighty-six thousand, two-hundred eighty-two miles per second."

Misty raised a brow, "And that translates to what?"

"Light speed" Ash stated.

Mizuro: Those moles can Time Travel?!

Gem: What? What do moving at Light Speed and Time Traveling have to do with each other?

Nuevo: … Okay, was that a Gem thing, or a Pokémon thing?

Faux: Pokémon. Organic beings traveling at the speed of light and traveling through time are both separate and backed by biology.

Gem: What did he mean Gem th-

Mizuro: How does that even make sense?!

Faux: Well how do beings in your world Time Travel?

Mizuro: *blank stare* I- I-

Omega: Stand down, Mizuro.

To answer your question, Faux, we don't. In our world, Time Travel is a theoretical and fictional concept.

Faux: Geez. The more I hear about your world, the less I envy it.

Illavera: Hey! Our world isn't that bad! What else could your world possibly have that ours doesn't?!

Seishin: Proven religion.

Illavera: … Yeah, I'm out.

Gary sighed, "Well, that's it. I'm gone. Since no one's Pokémon will battle, there's no reason for any trainers to be here unless they want to watch this arcade game." He finished; gesturing towards the man flailing and failing to whack the diglett.

Misty raised a brow, "You're not staying for the Resort?"

Gary smirked, "Of course not. I have to continue my journey to become a Pokémon master." He ran over to his convertible, jumped in, and waved to the crowd, "See ya later! Come on, fans, let's ride!"

"Bye bye!" The cheerleaders called out in unison before getting in the car.

It sped off down road and Gary called out, "Good luck!"

Brock looked at Ash and Misty with a smirk, "So, Hot Spring?"

Misty smiled brightly, "Yeah!"

Ash groaned, "No shame."

.

*Giva Hot Springs Resort; night

Ash, Brock, Misty, and most of their Pokémon were lounging around happily in the Spring. The odd ones out were Charmander, Geodude, Onix, Muk, and … Psyduck.

Onix and Geodude turned down the how water for obvious reasons and decided to stay in their pokéballs.

Omega: How is that obvious?

Faux: Because they're Rock-types.

Mizuro: I don't get it.

Gem: Rock-types are weak to water.

Seishin: And before you ask why that makes sense, rocks don't float.

Nuevo: Pumice.

Seishin: … Tushy.

Ohirume: You mean "touché."

Seishin: Sure, but tushy's funnier.

Omega: *deadpans* It really isn't.

Charmander was weary about his life flame but still decided to sit on the side to enjoy the warmth.

Muk laid next to the lizard.

Last was Psyduck who they had only just let out. Everyone's eyes widened in shock upon seeing him flail violently.

"I- how-" Misty stuttered upon seeing her Water-type fail to swim.

Soot stared in shock, "What kind of Water-type can't swim?"

Ash swam over, lifted the Water-type out of the water, and set him down next to his Fire-type.

Charmander looked at Psyduck with a worried expression, "Are you okay?"

Psyduck just started holding his head again.

Pikachu raised a brow, "Okay?"

Clefairy smiled blissfully in the water, "Whatever. This Spring thing feels great."

Squirtle floated on his back, "I never want to leave."

Krabby looked down at the water warily, "It feels kind of weird to me."

Soot looked over at Muk and Charmander, "Are you guys sure you don't want to join in? The water's plenty hot for a Fire-type."

"She's right." Vulpix called out.

Soot continued, "And, Muk, Poison-types don't normally have a problem with water."

Charmander rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "I'm okay. I'm not sure I want to risk it." He perked up, "Besides, the steam feels really good from here."

Muk shook in disagreement, "It's not my typing that I'm worried about. It's the fact that I'd rather stay at this level of consistency and I doubt any of you want the water to turn purple." He sweat dropped, "Sludge and purifying water don't mix too well. For anyone."

Gem: Wait, what? How does that-

Ohirume: We're not doing this again!

Soot chucked nervously, "Fair enough."

Ash laid back in the water with an annoyed expression; grumbling.

Brock looked over at him, "What's wrong, Ash? Are you not enjoying the Hot Spring?"

Ash sighed, "No. The water feels great." He glared at his friends, "It's the matter of how we got in here that's bugging me."

Misty smiled and waved a hand, "Oh, come on, Ash. Everything turned out fine. None of the diglett got hurt and you guys got that bus out of the ground."

Ash's eyes narrowed, "What about the guy running around with a mallet?"

Brock took on a surprise expression, "Wait, he's still doing that?"

Ash nodded and he pointed behind himself; into the distance, "Yeah. I can still here the banging."

Brock and Misty frowned and shared a look.

Soot sighed, "Dad, just relax for now. We can tell him what's going on in the morning."

Ash groaned, "Fine." He brought up the watch from the water, "But I'm getting into something more fitting." He settled on a silhouette and looked around before hitting the watch.

He lit up in a green flash. It faded to reveal Ash in vaporeon form.

"WOAH!"

The Pokémon all flinched and looked over to see a diglett staring at Ash in shock. Brock and Misty followed their gaze.

Ash sighed in relief, "Oh, thank Arceus."

Clefairy pouted, "Don't scare us like that!"

Diglett blinked in shock, "I- What just-" They stared at Ash again, "You were human a second ago!"

Ash sweat dropped, "Uh, yeah. I know."

"You get used to it." Squirtle called out as he went back to floating.

Pikachu looked at the Ground-type, "Did you want to tell us something?"

Diglett nodded with a worried expression, "Yeah. There's something you need to know about. It's why none of the other Pokémon came out."

Soot smiled, "Oh yeah, the forest. You were protecting your home."

Diglett blinked in surprise, "Wait, what? You knew?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah. That's actually why none of my team here was listening to me. I told them to ignore me."

Charmander looked at Ash with a frown, "Speaking of. You promise we're not in trouble that?"

Ash looked back with a soft smile, "Promise. I'm actually proud of you all for going along with such a difficult order."

Pidgeotto raised a brow, "How is ignoring you a difficult order?"

Soot snickered, "Because it's a paradox. Something that makes itself not make sense. Like some saying 'All Pokémon are equal but some are more equal than others' or 'Does a set of all that sets contain itself?'"

Mankey held his head, "I think you just gave me a headache."

"Hold on a second!" Diglett blurted out, "If you've known what's been going on for that long, why didn't you say anything to that human with the hard hat?! Or whatever humans call it."

Ash chuckled, "It actually is called a hardhat." He frowned, "As for why I didn't say anything," He turned to glare at his friends and hatchling.

Soot chuckled nervously, "Sorry. We got a little greedy when we heard about the Hot Spring."

Misty and Brock caught on at this point.

Misty rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, "Yeah. Sorry about that."

Brock frowned and slumped in embarrassment, "Not our proudest moment."

Diglett stared at the humans in shock, "Uhhh-"

Bulbasaur spoke up, "The mightyena speaks human."

The Mole sweat dropped, "Oh." They looked at Ash again, "So, do you think you could tell the hardhat human, now? He's been trying to hit us since before sunset and we're starting to feel sorry for him."

Ash smiled, "With pleasure." He pawed at the symbol on his chest and switched back to human; startling the Kantonian Ground-type a bit. He looked around with a sly smirk, "Alright, guys. The scam's over. We're clearing all of this up. Now."

"Aww."

Ash rolled his eyes, "Seriously, this has gone on long enough. We'll come back later if he doesn't revoke the reward over this."

"Fine."

.

*Construction site

Soot, Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Clefairy, and Diglett stared blankly at the man still running around trying to whack the other diglett. The other Pokémon had already been returned.

"I'll get you! I'll get you!" The man cried out frantically between heavy breaths.

Diglett sweat dropped, "Sad, isn't it?"

Soot frowned, "No kidding."

Brock walked up and held out a hand, "Um, sir?"

He didn't seem to hear him, "I'll get you! I'll get you!"

Ash walked ahead, "Let me try something."

Misty was about ask what he meant before she flinched from Ash's Intimidate. She and Brock quickly covered their eyes to lessen the effect.

The construction worker flinched and stopped dead in his tracks. Upon seeing this, Ash cut off his ability.

The man looked around frantically, "Wha-what the?"

Ash walked up and tapped up on the back, "Excuse me."

"AH!" The man cried out. He spun around and held up his mallet again. He stopped and blinked in surprise upon seeing Ash, "Oh. It's you." He quickly hid the mallet behind his back and chuckled nervously, "I'm sorry about that."

Ash raised a hand with a smile, "It's alright." He shifted to a frown, "But there's something you need to see."

Soot walked up, "It's about the diglett and why they've been messing with the dam."

The worker raised a brow.

.

*Forest Garden

Ash and his friends looked at the forest below in awe. The worker stared in shock.

"Wow." Misty said, "It's like a giant garden."

Brock smiled, "Yeah. The dugtrio plow the ground and the diglett plant trees."

"It's not just this mountain," Diglett said, "It's all of the ones in this area. Our kind have been working here for generations."

"Woah." Clefairy said in awe.

Soot smiled and translated.

The construction worker dropped his mallet in shock; catching everyone else's attention.

"All this time." He said sorrowfully, "You've only been protecting your home. From us."

Ash frowned, "Not just their home. These mountains are inhabited by countless other species. None of which have the ability to survive if the dam floods the forest."

The worker looked down sorrowfully. He reached back and pulled out a handheld radio.

"Yes, it's me." He said into the device, "We're shutting down the project."

What?!, came a voice from the radio, But sir-

"No buts." He argued, "Something has come up, we cannot build the dam. Especially not here." He turned off the machine and sighed, "It's over."

Ash smiled softly, "Thank you." He frowned, "But I am sorry about all of this."

The man smiled sadly, "It is alright. Besides, I think I have learned an important lesson here."

"Your lesson is just beginning."

Everyone who recognized the voice flinched and looked over to see Jessie and James standing on a tree branch with the moon behind them. The man looked over and stared in confusion.

Jessie smirked, "To protect the world from devastation."

James followed suit, "To unite all peoples within our nation." And queue the switch off.

"To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

The pair jumped down from the tree and struck a pose,

"Jessie!"

"James!"

Meowth jumped in from out of nowhere, "Dey know da rest."

The two humans fumbled.

Soot sweat dropped, "Freaking Yvel."

Ash pinched the bridge of his nose, "Look, can we not do this now? There's been a lot going on today and we're really not in the mood for this."

Jessie waved a finger, "But we're in a good enough mood for everyone."

James smirked and pulled out a pokéball, "Besides, we have a special surprise."

Jessie pulled out a pokéball too and tossed it into the air, "Our new-"

James tossed his up too, "Pokémon!"

Arbok and Weezing appeared in front of the tRio.

Misty blinked in surprise, "Oh."

Brock scratched the side of his head with an unsure expression, "Uh, congrats. I guess."

James smiled happily, "Thank you."

Jessie glared and pointed at the group, "But flattery won't get you anywhere!"

Ash pulled out two pokéballs, "Didn't think so." He tossed them into the air, "Mankey, Muk! Enter the fray!"

The Pig Monkey and Sludge Pokémon appeared in a flash.

Mankey immediately glared at the tRio, "You again!"

Muk raised a brow, "Huh?"

James blinked in surprise, "Is that the mankey I kicked?"

Meowth deadpanned, "Of couise if joined da twoip."

Jessie pointed forward with a glare, "Arbok, Poison String that slime ball!"

James followed suit, "Weezing, Tackle the monkey!"

Muk blinked in surprise, "I'm sorry, what?"

The Cobra Pokémon and Poison Gas Pokémon complied and fired his attack/charged forward.

Ash rolled his eyes and raised a hand, "Mankey, intercept Weezing with Fire Punch."

Mankey glare and lit up his fist with the flaming move. He shot forward and hit the Poison-type directly in the larger face. He was flung backwards and crashed to the ground with a burning fist-print on said face.

Muk just sat there and took the Poison-type attack. The needles bounced off him and fell to the ground.

Muk stared at the needles in shock before looking back at Ash, "They do know that wouldn't work even if I didn't have Impact Repulsion, right?"

Soot snickered, "They aren't what you would call 'intelligent.'"

"HEY!" Jessie, James, and Meowth shouted.

Ash sighed and pointed, "Muk, Mud Bomb on Arbok."

"Arbok, use Acid!" Jessie called out in response

Muk's eyes narrowed as he formed a ball of mud in his hand. He threw it Arbok. Arbok followed suit and spat a stream of purple acid at the oncoming attack. They crashed and cancelled each other out.

"Now Dig!" Jessie shouted.

"Weezing, follow him!" James called out.

Arbok burrow underground and Weezing chased after him.

Ash's eyes narrowed, 'Crag. We haven't worked on that yet.' "Mankey, get on Muk's back and charge a Karate Chop! Muk, be ready with Body Slam!"

Mankey chuckled, "Sorry. Trainer's orders." He jumped up, landed on Muk's back, and held out a glowing hand.

Muk sweat dropped but spread his arms slightly.

Everyone waited in silence for the Poison-types to reemerge.

After a second, Ash and Soot's eyes widened slightly.

Soot looked at the ground in confusion, 'What the-'

Ash's eyes narrowed, "hm." He closed his eyes and listened carefully. He started to hear a kind-of song.

"Diglett, dig, diglett, dig." "Trio, trio, trio." "Diglett, dig, diglett, dig." "Trio, trio, trio." "Diglett, dig, diglett, dig."

"Trio, trio, trio." Jessie and James said out of nowhere. They blinked in surprise, "Huh?"

Everyone flinched when they heard a fight from the hole. After a second, Arbok and Weezing shot out of the hole covered in bruises.

Meowth's eyes widened in shock, "What da?!"

Mankey blinked in surprise, "Huh?"

James frowned, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Jessie gulped, "Me too."

A hoard of diglett and dugtrio started popping out of the ground. Everyone's eyes widened in shock when literal tidal wave of earth swept away the Rockets. They screamed like crazy as the wave crashed into the dam and destroyed effortlessly.

"It looks like Team Rocket's busted up again!"

Misty stared in shock, "Wow. So, they were going easy on you up until now."

The man gulped, "I suppose it's a good thing I called of the project when I did."

Ash looked at him, "Although, you were right about one thing. Together they can cause massive destruction."

Soot looked up at the man with a smirk, "One Yvel of a lesson, huh?"

The worker sweat dropped, "That and don't hire people to scout the local area unless they really know what they're doing." His eyes narrowed, "Once word gets out about this, no one will ever hire that careless fool again."

Brock sweat dropped, "No doubt."

The worker yawned, "I think I've had enough excitement for one day." He started walking back towards the construction site and waved without looking back, "Enjoy you're stay at the Resort."

Ash blinked in surprise and looked at the leaving man, "Wait, we can still stay?"

He stopped and looked back at them in confusion, "Of course, you can. Why would you think otherwise?"

Soot raised a brow, "We kind of assumed that since we ended up shutting down the whole project. I thought the owner would be upset about this."

The man rubbed the back of his head, "I admit, I am a little disappointed." He straightened up with a smile, "But I am a man of my word. You all volunteered to try and help, so you're free to stay at my Resort."

Everyone's eyes widened at his words.

"Wait a second!" Brock called as he pointed at the man, "You mean you're Mr. Giva?!"

"Of course, I am." Mr. Giva said with a raised brow, "How else could I have the authority to give all of you trainers a free stay and shut down the project?" He turned and left without another word.

Everyone still present shared a shocked look.

Muk looked up at Mankey, "Can you get off me now?"

.

.

Omega: Wait a second, how is there Talpaedan DNA in the Omnitrix?

Seishin: What do you mean?

Omega: It's not supposed to have any Andromeda species catalogued. Tennyson didn't get them until he scanned the living specimens.

Seishin: But Humungousaur and Rath are in the reboot.

Omega: Wha- What does that have to do with any of this?! The Vaxasarian and Appoplexian species may not have shown up until Alien Force, but they are still from the Milky Way!

Seishin: Oh. Well, I guess everything adds up then.

Omega: NO, IT D-

*static*