Omega: Alright, time for another Gym. *looks at Faux and Gem* So, what crazy or embarrassing thing happened here that Trix will obviously dodge?

Faux: *eye twitch* Celadon was the only place, alright?

Gem: *blinks in surprise* What? Didn't we get pinned to a wall by shuriken?

Faux: GEM!

Omega: *snickers* Oh man. I wish I could've seen that.

I don't own Pokémon or Ben 10.

.

.

The Gym Hidden in Fuchsia

.

Ash soared high in the air in braviary form and scanned the current mountain range for the Fuchsia Gym. It had been five days since he and his friends took some time off at the Giva Hot Springs Resort and Ash was down to the last mountain.

Needless to say, he was not happy that is took until the last one to find it. He also asked Pidgeotto to come along for a second set of eyes.

The Valiant Pokémon grumbled as he scrutinized the dense forest below, 'Freaking Yvel. It just had to be the smallest mountain, didn't it?' He shifted to a thoughtful frown, 'Though, in hindsight, it kind of makes sense. Not a lot of people would think to check the least significant mountain so early.'

He glanced back at the other Normal/Flying-type, "Do you see anything?"

Pidgeotto jerked and looked at the ground with a heavy blush, "N-no. Nothing yet."

Ash frowned and pulled back to soar next to her, "Hey, is everything alright? You've been blushing ever since we left the Resort."

The Bird Pokémon flinched slightly but kept her eyes towards the ground, "I-it's nothing. Really. I'm fine."

Ash's frown deepened and he flew ahead and in front of Pidgeotto; startling her. Pidgeotto stopped in her tracks- uh, flight path I guess and looked to the side.

Ash looked at her sorrowfully, "Pidgeotto, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?" Pidgeotto asked; still looking away.

"Pidgeotto. Please look at me."

Pidgeotto flinched again and she looked up to face him. Her eyes widened in slight awe upon seeing the larger bird in front of her.

"What's going on?" Ash asked; still frowning, "I'm still your trainer here. It's my job to take care of you and everyone else. So, please, tell me what's wrong."

"I- I-" Pidgeotto gulped and glanced to the side, "It's girl stuff."

Ash flinched and looked away with a heavy blush, "Sorry! Sorry. I-I shouldn't have pried like that."

Pidgeotto smiled sadly, "It's okay. You were just worried."

Ash sighed in relief, "Thanks for not being mad. Whatever it is, you can talk to Soot and maybe Misty about it later."

Pidgeotto nodded, "I'll be sure to."

Ash smiled, turned around, and took off, "Come on, we still need to find the Gym."

Pidgeotto sighed, 'I have got to get this under control.' She flew after him.

.

*Giva Hot Springs Resort

Misty, Vulpix, Zubat, and all of Ash and Misty's Pokémon relaxed happily in and around the Hot Spring. Brock was away at the moment asking nearly every girl in the lobby for their phone number. Every so often, Soot snickered from the sound of a faint slap in the distance.

Pikachu's ear twitched when heard flapping. He looked up and smiled, "Hey. Ash and Pidgeotto are back."

The Pokémon all followed his gaze. Misty followed theirs soon after.

True to Pikachu's words, the braviary and pidgeotto could be seen flying down towards them.

Ash dove into the water and a green light flashed from under the water. Pidgeotto landed lightly and settled in a shallow part of the water with a relaxed smile.

Ash reemerged from the water in his swimsuit and leaned against a rock.

Misty smiled, "How'd it go?"

Ash smiled, "We found it. Located just off the base of the smallest mountain."

Soot snickered, "Of course it was the last one you checked."

Ash sighed in annoyance, "Very funny, sweetie."

Soot pouted, "Don't call me sweetie"

Misty snickered before looking at Ash with a sad smile, "I'm guessing you'll want to head their soon?"

Ash shrugged, "Maybe in a few hours." He rubbed his shoulder, "I've been flying for over seventy-eight non-consecutive minutes. I could use some rest."

Misty sweat dropped, "Not a lot of trainers can actually say that, y'know."

Soot snickered. She glanced over at Pidgeotto and frowned upon seeing her expression. She glanced back at the others before swimming over to the Flying-type.

Soot looked at her sorrowfully and whispered, "Is everything okay?"

Pidgeotto sweat dropped, "More or less. Ash noticed me blushing and tried to make me tell him why."

Soot blinked in surprise, "Really? What happened?"

Pidgeotto looked down, "I froze up and went with the 'girl stuff' thing."

Soot smiled sadly, "Yeah, crushes can be tough." She glanced at the trainer to see him already asleep, "Odds are he'll chalk all of your blushing up to that now."

Pidgeotto grumbled, "I just can't help it. Every time I see those big, strong wings, his fierce but kind eyes, that big beautiful plume, and that sharp, powerful beak that you just can't help but want to-"

"Okay! Gonna have to cut you off there, Pidge." Soot blurted in a harsh whisper; blushing, "You are still talking about my father here."

Pidgeotto chuckled nervously, "Right, sorry. I guess I got caught up in the moment."

Soot snickered, "It's okay." She shifted to a kind smile, "Look, if you ever feel like it escalates to more than a crush, you can count on me to help however."

Pidgeotto looked at Soot in surprise, "Wait, really? You'd be okay with that? He's your meema."

Soot smirked, "Yeah. And, as a result, I know how hopeless he is with this stuff."

Pidgeotto smiled softly, "Thanks."

Soot smiled back, "No problem. What are friends for?"

The pair sat back contently in the water.

Pidgeotto looked at Soot with a raised brow, "Did you call me 'Pidge' a minute ago?"

Soot snickered, "Can you blame me? Your species name is four syllables long."

.

**Time Skip**

Ash and his friends continued on their journey towards the Fuchsia Gym and Ash's sixth Gym Battle. Ash lead the way through the dense forest.

Misty looked around at the trees curiously, "It's hard to believe the Gym is really out in the middle of nowhere like this."

Soot smirked, "Well, part of the Gym's theme is ninjas. Publicity isn't really their thing."

Clefairy raised a brow, "Ninja?"

Ash glanced at her with a smile, "They're skilled fighters who are known for their deception and athleticism. The Gym Leader, Koga, is known to be an incredibly skilled one."

Pikachu blinked in surprise, "Deception?" His eyes narrowed, "Like cheating?"

Ash chuckled, "Luckily, no." He frowned and looked up thoughtfully, "At least, not once the battle starts." He looked at Pikachu again, "Koga is still a licensed Gym Leader and, as such, has to follow the rules of battle." He smirked, "But that isn't going to stop him from using some considerably underhanded tactics."

Brock sweat dropped, "Sounds kind of unfair."

Soot snickered, "Exactly."

Ash heard leaves rustling and looked towards a tree before smirking, "And it looks like he's already started."

Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Clefairy jumped and followed his gaze. Soot calmly looked over. The venonat they found flinched and ducked into the tree it was in.

Brock stared in confusion, "Was that a venonat?"

Misty shivered, 'Bug-types.'

Soot smirked, "Venonat are natural born trackers. Literally."

Ash smirked as well, "In a matter in minutes, Koga will know we're on our way to his Gym."

Brock and Misty sweat dropped, 'Yikes.'

The group continued on their way and came up to a ravine with a stream rushing below and nothing but a long wooden plank spanning it. Ash's eye twitched at the sight.

Misty looked over the edge of the ravine and gulped, "Are you positive this is the route to the Gym?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah." He pointed into the distance; still glaring at the plank, "It's right there."

Everyone else looked over to see a massive, old-fashion mansion in the distance.

Brock put a hand over his eyes, "Wait, that's the Gym?"

Misty raised a brow, "I don't see a symbol anywhere."

Soot smirked, "I guess the rumors are true then."

Everyone, except Ash, looked at her in confusion, "What rumors?"

Ash spoke up, "The rumor that Koga was given permission to repurpose an old, abandoned building into a Gym and was allowed to do so without adding the Gym symbol. It adds to the 'find it' part of the challenge."

Brock looked at Ash with a raised brow, "Then how do you know for sure that this is the Gym?"

"It's the only seemingly abandoned place on any of the mountains in this area." Ash stated matter-of-factly. He glanced at the building, "I should probably mention now that the rumors also say that the Gym is full of booby traps."

Misty's eyes widened and she looked at the plank warily, "Wait, so this thing could be a trap?"

"If it is, we're not gonna find out." Ash responded before removing the Pokémon off his shoulders and putting them on the ground, "Give me a minute." He walked back into the forest before a green flash shone from where Ash went.

Everyone flinched as a stretch of green crystal -twice the length of the plank- shot out from the side of the ravine and lodged itself in the other side. Another green flash shone, and Ash walked back over to them. Pikachu and Clefairy took back their places on his shoulders.

Brock looked at Ash with a raised brow, "Stone Edge?"

Ash nodded, "Yup."

Misty sweat dropped, "Isn't that a little much?"

Ash's eyes narrowed, "I swore off rope bridges a while ago and this was too close for comfort." He started walking across the crystal slab, "Come on."

Misty looked at Soot, "Since when did Ash have a problem with rope bridges?"

Soot raised a brow, "I actually don't know." She ran after Ash, "Come on."

Brock and Misty followed.

.

*Meanwhile, on the other side of the Gym

"You're sure this is the place?"

"Positive. Da twoip and his bird said dis was da Poison-type Gym."

James raised a brow, "Really? It looks like an old restaurant."

Meowth sweat dropped, "I don' get it eitha."

Jessie smirked, "Still, if they're right, that means that theirs are lots of precious poisonous Pokémon to plunder."

Meowth smirked too, "And, even if dey're wrong, we'll be able to set up an ambush for da Phantom."

James smiled proudly, "Look at us. Ready with a regular plan and a backup plan. We must be getting better at this."

Omega: Neither of those are actual plans.

Faux: *sweat drops* It's Team Rocket. What do you expect?

Jessie took a step forward, "Let's go." Her teammates followed.

They all stepped onto a back porch simultaneously. The floorboards dropped out from under them.

The tRio's eyes widened, and they looked down in shock.

Meowth gulped, "Crag."

Team Rocket screamed as they plummeted into the Gym's sub-basement. The floorboards moved back into place.

.

*Ash and others

The group walked through the main gate and front entrance.

"Hello?" Brock called out, "Is anyone here?"

"Anyone home?" Misty followed.

Ash smiled, "We're not gonna get an answer. We have to find our way to the battlefield ourselves."

Misty sweat dropped, "Let me guess. More rumors?"

Soot snickered, "Well, they've been right so far."

Brock pointed at the hallway ahead of them, "It looks like our path is pretty clear then."

Soot frowned, "I'm not sure about that. It seems too easy." She started looking around. Upon looking at a nearby wall, she stopped and blinked in surprise, "Huh." He walked over to the wall.

Ash looked over at her, "What is it, Soot?"

Brock and Misty looked over in surprise.

Soot sat down in front of and looked up at the wall, "Take a look at this horizontal beam."

Ash looked closer and his eyes narrowed, "It's cut." He glanced across the beam, "In two places." He moved a hand along the wall, "Symmetrical to the planks."

Ash knocked on the wall.

Misty blinked in surprise, "What the- It sounds hollow."

Ash smirked, "So that's it." He pushed on the wall and it curved forward.

Brock stared in shock, "A secret door."

"Woah." Clefairy said in awe.

Pikachu blinked, "And I thought automatic doors were crazy."

The group walked into the dark room. It was empty and lead to another hallway around a corner.

Soot sweat dropped, "Gonna be honest, I expected more."

The group heard footsteps and looked over to see the venonat from before coming around the corner.

"Hi." Venonat said casually.

Misty grimaced.

Pikachu raised a brow, "Um, hey."

Clefairy spoke up, "Do you think you could help us? We're trying to find-"

Venonat walked past the group and out of the room.

Clefairy pouted, "Rude."

Ash looked out the room at the leaving Insect Pokémon.

Venonat jumped the threshold to the other hallway and turned to face him, "Come on."

Ash blinked in surprise and glanced at Soot, "What did they say?"

"She wants us to follow her." Soot responded.

Pikachu frowned, "I don't know about this. She could be leading us to a trap."

Ash frowned, "Still, we need to find the battlefield. We'll play along for now." He glanced back at friends, "Keep your eyes peeled and step carefully."

Brock and Misty nodded.

Clefairy stared at Ash in shock, "Do what with their eyes?!"

Soot deadpanned, "It's another expression, Clefairy."

Clefairy blinked in surprise, "Oh."

Ash chuckled and ran after the Bug/Poison-type. Brock and Misty followed.

They turned the corner. After a second, Ash lit up with a massive surge of electricity; making Brock and Misty flinch.

Ash blinked in surprise and took a step back, "What the?" He looked down and saw a voltorb glaring at him and sparking.

Soot smiled, "Oh. A voltorb. I guess he's one of the traps."

Misty stared at Ash in shock, "Wha- how are y-" Her eyes widened in realization before she deadpanned, "Right. The electric conducting thing."

Brock raised a brow, "Wait. Didn't you say you had to discharge after a second?"

Ash grimaced and started shivering as his body lit up with electric, "Y-yeah." He raised a finger, "Give me a second." He ran back to the entryway to the room they came from and held out two fingers towards the still open door.

Everyone's eyes widened when they saw Ash unleashed a large bolt of lightning from his fingertips and through the doorway.

Ash sighed in relief and walked back over to the others, "Thank Arceus." He looked back at the others and blinked in surprise upon seeing their expressions, "What?"

Misty blinked, "Just, uh- Still getting used to that."

Pikachu gulped, "Remind me to never electrocute you."

Voltorb stared at Ash in absolute shock, "Wha- wha- bu- I- how-"

Soot snickered and walked past voltorb, "Come on. We still have to catch up to Venonat."

Everyone else followed.

.

*Team Rocket

The tRio came to and found themselves in a dimly lit room with nothing but a staircase opposite to them and the mattress they landed on.

James held his head, "Now I know what they mean by 'pride before the fall'."

Meowth shook his head and looked up, "Da Gym Leada really needs ta get dat porch looked at."

Jessie groaned, "No kidding." She stood back up and started walking towards the staircase, "Come on."

James and Meowth got up and followed. The tRio made their way up the staircase.

James grabbed the handrail and blinked in surprise upon feeling his hand slip, "Hey Jessie, I think there's something slippery on the rail."

"Well then, don't grab it." Jessie responded matter-of-factly.

James shrugged and let go.

Once the Rockets were halfway up, the staircase shifted into a ramp. The trio scrambled as they lost their footing and slid back down the staircase before landing in a heap.

"Y'know," James said in a daze from under Jessie, "I'm starting to think that thing with the porch wasn't an accident."

Jessie glared down at him, "Ya think?"

"GET OFF ME!" Meowth screamed from under his teammates.

Jessie got off the others and glared at the ramp, "I'm not gonna let some little slide make a fool out of me!" She charged the ramp, "I'll just use the handrail!"

James flinched and held out a hand to her, "Wait, Jess! Remember what I-"

Jessie grabbed the railing, immediately lost her grip, "huh?" and faceplanted on the ramp.

James sweat dropped, "It's slippery, remember?"

Jessie groaned.

Meowth glared up at James, "Get. Off. ME!"

.

*Ash, Soot, Brock, Misty, Pikachu, Clefairy

The group made their way up a flight of stairs.

Clefairy looked around, "Where'd Venonat go?"

Ash looked down the hall and pointed ahead, "There she is."

Everyone else looked over to see the Insect Pokémon at the end of the hall. Venonat ran off around the corner.

Soot broke into a sprint, "Come on!"

Everyone else chased after the Dark-type.

After a second Ash's eyes widened and he skid to a halt, "Soot, stop!"

Soot's eyes widened and she stopped in her tracks. Brock and Misty flinched and did the same.

Soot looked back at Ash in surprise, "Dad, what is it?"

Ash walked ahead with a frown, "I was something glinting. Right" He stopped and stared at the hallway apprehensively, "here."

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

Ash's eyes narrowed, "Hm." He reached out a hand and flicked.

Everyone else flinched when they heard a thump and saw the 'air' shake.

"What the Yvel?!" Pikachu cried out.

Clefairy stared in shock.

Brock walked up and put a hand against the apparent wall, "It's a glass wall."

Misty blinked in surprise and put a hand against it as well, "Woah. You're right."

Soot walked up and ran a claw across the glass, "And it's high quality. Scratches barely show up on it." She looked around the wall, "Or smudges for that matter."

Brock frowned, "We should try going back the way we came."

Misty nodded, "Yeah."

Ash, Soot, and Pikachu eyes widened when they heard something sliding behind them.

Misty turned around and started walking.

"Wait." Ash said as he grabbed her shoulder; stopping her.

Misty looked back at him in confusion, "What is it?" Brock stopped and looked at them in confusion.

Soot frowned and walked ahead of them, "Look." She moved a paw forward and everyone heard her claw 'tink' against the new wall.

Misty's eyes widened before she put her hands against the wall, "What?! Where did this come from?!"

Ash's eyes narrowed, "It only just slid into place. Around the time we decided to head back."

Brock looked around the area, "Maybe we hit pressure plate?"

Soot shook her head, "We didn't. Dad or I would've heard it."

Ash clenched a fist, "In other words, someone had to activate the wall manually." He looked around apprehensively, "We're being watched."

Brock and Misty flinched and started looking around warily.

Clefairy frowned and grabbed Ash's head, "Creepy."

Pikachu gulped.

.

*Rockets

The tRio were still trapped in the room. Meowth was pacing back and forth with a paw under his chin. James was looking back up the way they came in with a frown. Jessie was sitting down in front of the staircase/ramp; glaring at it.

She had already tried using the newel posts as an awkward ladder. Turns out they were designed to break off.

James sighed, "It's just too dark. I can't see any kind of foothold." He looked back, "Find anything, Jessie?"

Jessie continued glaring at the ramp. She gasped; catching James and Meowth's attention. She slumped forward, "I got nothin'."

James and Meowth crashed on the ground.

Meowth sat back up with a frown, "Great." He stood up and started walking towards a wall, "If we're stuck in here, we'll never get da twoip." He leaned up against the wall, "Dere's gotta be somethin' we- WAH!"

Jessie and James jerked and looked over to see nothing but the wall.

"Meowth!" James cried out before he and Jessie ran over to the wall.

They looked around frantically.

"Where is he?!" Jessie cried out.

"Meowth!" James shouted, "Where are you?!"

"In here!" Came a muffled shout from the wall.

Jessie and James looked at the wall in shock.

Jessie crouched down, "Meowth, how did you get in there!"

James crouched down too, "Can you get-" He was cut off by the wall swinging forward and hitting him the face. He fell back and put a hand over his face in pain, "ow."

Meowth chuckled nervously, "Sorry James." He perked up and pointed behind him, "But look!"

James and Jessie looked over to see a corner leading to another hallway.

Jessie's eyes lit up and she smiled brightly, "It's a way out!"

James pumped a fist, "Alright! Dumb luck for the win!"

Meowth smirked and ran towards the corner, "Come on!"

The humans ran after the Scratch Cat.

.

*Gang

Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Clefairy sat and watched in a mixture of confusion and interest as Ash sat in the middle of room; cross-legged and eyes closed. Soot watched intently; sitting next to them.

Misty looked at Soot and whispered, "So, what's Ash doing?"

Soot looked back with a smile, "You don't need to whisper. All of dad's senses are out of commission right now." She looked back at Ash with a soft smile, "He's meditating. By doing this, dad can gain a sort of sixth sense with accuracy so sharp that he can pinpoint a joltik a mile away in a field of drying grass." She shifted to an annoyed frown, "The problems are that it takes forever to finish, he has to do this until it's ready, and -worst of all- it only lasts for a minute. In other words, it has almost no practical use in the real world. As for how he can do this, we're still not sure. None of his …" She glanced around warily, "'unique aspects' point towards anything like this."

"Cool." Clefairy said.

Brock put a hand to his chin, "That's definitely useful in a situation like this." He looked at the canine, "How long does it normally take?"

Soot sweat dropped, "Three hours."

"WHAT?!" Everyone else blurted out.

Soot snickered, "Calm down. That's only for the full mile." She looked back at Ash, "We figured out a system pretty earlier. It takes ten minutes to kickstart and every five minutes after adds one-hundred and fifty-five point two-nine-four-one-one-seven-six-four-seven-zero-five-eight-eight-two-three-five repeated feet."

"Huh?"

Soot sweat dropped, "One thirty-fourth of a mile."

"Oh."

Soot sighed, "Anyway, the minimum he has the reach is fifteen minutes. If he stops even a second early, and he gets nothing." She looked back at Ash, "Right now, he's aiming for thirty minutes. Just in case we have to go through a whole maze."

Misty grumbled, "Great."

.

*Meanwhile; in the ceiling

'Thirty minutes?! Seriously?!' A figure thought as their eye twitched.

They put a hand to their chin, 'They already know they're being watched.' They gritted their teeth, 'It must be a bluff to test my patience.' They shifted to a sly smirk, 'But I have to admit, they acted it out very well.'

They chuckled quietly, 'Fine.' They looked over to the Bug/Poison-type across from them and nodded.

Venonat nodded back and jumped down through an opening in the ceiling.

.

*Gang

Misty looked at Soot in surprise, "You're kidding."

Soot smiled, "Nope. Completely by accident. Oak suggested meditating after dad's 'mind' got a little too cluttered. Or, y'know, not 'calm'." She said gesturing towards Ash, "And he just … stumbled upon this."

Pikachu blinked, "Huh."

Everyone -except Ash- heard something creaking and looked over to see Venonat standing in front of the now opened wall.

Pikachu blinked in surprise, "Venonat?"

Venonat waved for them to come, "Come on. The battlefield is this way."

Clefairy jumped to her feet and smiled brightly, "Really?!"

Soot's eyes narrowed, "Wait. Why are you just letting us in?"

"Trainer's orders." Venonat responded before jumping into the room.

Soot frowned, "Hmm."

Brock looked at her, "What's going on?"

Soot glared at the entryway, "Venonat's leading us to the battlefield. She says it's right through there."

Brock and Misty looked at her in surprise before looking at the opening warily.

Soot stood up, "I'll wake up dad."

Misty blinked in surprise, "Wait, what? But what if it's another trap?"

Soot glanced back at her, "Venonat said it was her trainer's orders to let us into that room. Whether it's a trap or not, we still need to find the battlefield before getting out of here. And, if it is a trap, we'll need dad's help. It's already been sixteen minutes, so he at least as the minimum."

Brock nodded, "Alright." He raised a brow, "So, how do we wake him up?"

Soot smirked wickedly, "Not 'we.'" Her eyes shifted to their inherent state, "Me."

Soot pounced towards Ash and went straight through him before landing on the other side.

Ash's eyes shot open and he gasped in shock. He started breathing heavily.

Misty, Brock, Pikachu, and Clefairy flinched, stood up, and ran over to him.

Misty crouched down, "Are you alright, Ash?"

"Y-yeah. I'm okay." Ash held his head, "Waking up from that isn't pleasant."

Soot snickered and shifted her eyes back to normal, "Yeah, but there's no other way."

Ash chuckled softly, "Yeah yeah." He blinked in surprise before glancing around, 'What the Yvel?' He looked back at Soot with a raised brow, "How long have I been out?"

Soot frowned, "Sixteen minutes." She glanced at the door warily, "Venonat's inviting us to the battlefield." She looked back at Ash, "Is she telling the truth?"

Ash glanced at the door and whispered, "Yeah. But, she's not alone. There's a woman in the rafters; looking ready to pounce. A man, likely Koga, is down a nearby hallway." His eyes narrowed, "He's waiting."

Soot looked down thoughtfully, "So one last trap and maybe a battle until the leader."

Ash nodded, "Seems like it."

Brock and Misty stared at Ash in shock. Pikachu and Clefairy looked up at their trainer in awe.

"I- Wow." Misty stuttered.

"So" Brock said in a daze, "You just- know all that now."

Ash chuckled, "For the next minute, at least." He stood back up, "Come on." He started walking towards the opening. Everyone else followed.

Ash pushed at the trick wall. Immediately after he did, his eyes widened in shock. He brought out the claws on his hands, cut off one of the planks from the wall, and spun it.

Everyone else flinched from the sound of something hitting the wood. Technically, eleven somethings.

Brock ran over, "Ash, what was- WOAH!" He flinched upon seeing all the shuriken planted in the wood.

Misty ran over and flinched too.

Pikachu and Clefairy stared in shock.

"Very impressive."

Everyone looked over right as a green-haired woman wearing a pink ninja kimono dropped down from the ceiling and landed in a crouch.

Mizuro: Wait, those things are actually called 'ninja kimonos'?

Ohirume: As far as may research says.

Seishin: In other words, that's what a two-minute Google search says. .˽.

Ohirume: *groans*

She stood back up with a sly smile, "I am Aya, ninja warrior."

Soot's eyes narrowed, "So you were the one watching us."

Aya smirked, "Correct." Venonat poked out from behind her. Aya moved to pet her, "I must admit, when Venonat came to me about some approaching trainers, I expected you all to be novices who would fall for every trap." She set her sights on Ash, "But you're far beyond what I expected."

Misty sweat dropped. Brock just stared at her with a dumb smile and blush.

Ash smirked, "Thanks." He threw the shuriken littered plank to the side, "Let me guess, I have to defeat you to face Koga."

"Correct again." Aya replied; still smirking.

Ash grinned, "Well the, let's get started." He reached behind and pulled out a pokéball, "What's the match-up?"

"One Pokémon each." Aya responded, "Choose yours now."

Ash nodded, reeled back, and threw the ball, "Bulbasaur, take the field!"

Bulbasaur emerged in a flash.

Aya performed a ram hand sign (or would it be skiddo in this case?), "I select Venonat!"

Venonat jumped into the battlefield.

Ash blinked in surprise and glanced to the side. He looked back at Aya with a raised brow, "No referee?"

Aya shook her head, "I'm afraid not. Having a full-time ref know about the gym's location heightens the chance of it becoming public." She sweat dropped, "They can be bribed for information like that."

Ash snickered, "Fair enough." His eyes narrowed and he held out a hand, "Bulbasaur, Sleep Powder!"

Aya held out a hand as well, "Venonat, use Supersonic!"

Bulbasaur's eyes narrowed before he shot a large puff of the blue powder towards Venonat. The Bug-type retaliated with a clamor of powerful sound waves. Supersonic tore through the somniferous powder and shot towards the Seed Pokémon.

Omega: Where the **** did you hear the word "somniferous?"

Ohirume: What do you mean?! I just know about this kind of-

Seishin: Rob. -_-

Ohirume: *sigh* I looked it up.

Ash grimaced, "Bulbasaur! Jump with Vine Whip!"

Bulbasaur's vines appeared and he pushed off the ground and to the side. The Supersonic shot past him harmlessly.

Aya didn't let up, "Now Psybeam!"

Ash and Bulbasaur's eyes widened, 'Seriously?!'

The trainer held out a hand, "Counter with Hidden Power!"

Bulbasaur nodded, formed a trio of the blue spheres on his head, and immediately shot them. The first intercepted the opposing beam in the middle of the field and they canceled each other out in an explosion. The other two continued moving towards Venonat.

Aya smirked, "Venonat, mat block!"

Ash's eyes widened in shock, "What?!"

Venonat stomped on the ground and a floorboard popped up and blocked the attacks.

Brock glared, "Hold on a second! That wasn't a Mat Block! Venonat can't even learn that!"

Misty glared and clenched a fist, "They just used a rigged floorboard! That can't be allowed!"

"Cheater!" Pikachu shouted.

"Fight fair!" Clefairy followed.

Soot smirked, "Actually, this is completely allowed." The two humans and Pokémon looked at her in shock. Soot continued, "This is what dad meant earlier. Koga and his trainers know the exact threshold between fighting fair and fighting dirty and abuse the Yvel out of it. What we just saw can be chalked up to using the terrain to their advantage. Like hiding behind a tree. And her calling out 'Mat Block' can be argued as a keyword to a special technique; as opposed to the actual move." Soot smirked wickedly, "Our arguments are invalid."

Misty gulped and looked back at the field, "Wow."

Brock crossed his arms with a frown, "Ash really has his work cut out for him on this one."

Aya stared at Soot in surprise, "Huh." She looked back at Ash, "That's one Yvel of a mightyena you a have."

Ash smiled happily, "Thanks." He looked at Soot with a kind smile, "She's my pride and joy."

Soot deadpanned, "Dad, stop."

Aya couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

Ash smirked wickedly, 'Gotcha.' "Bulbasaur! Hidden Powder!"

Aya flinched, 'Wait, what?! Did I mishear that?!' "Mat block!"

Bulbasaur smirked, aimed the point of his bulb at Venonat, and fired another Hidden Power from the bulb. Venonat stomped the ground again and a board shot up again; blocking the attack. This time, however, the sphere exploded and a large mist of blue dust shrouded Venonat.

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

"Woah!" Pikachu and Clefairy shouted.

Misty stared in shock, "What just happened?!"

Ash smirked and raised a finger, "That was a combined attack. Bulbasaur charged Sleep Powder in his bulb and formed a Hidden Power around it. Which is why he fired it from his bulb this time."

Brock smiled and clenched a fist, "Ash that's brilliant!"

Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Well, I really can't take the credit. Bulbasaur's the one who came up with it."

Soot spoke up, "I can vouch for that."

Everyone, except Ash, Soot, and Venonat, looked at Bulbasaur in shock.

Bulbasaur looked around and shrugged, "What? It just made sense."

The dust cleared to reveal Venonat on the ground; fast asleep.

Ash capitalized immediately, "Hidden Power! One more time!"

Bulbasaur complied and fired a small barrage of the Psychic-ish attack at the half-Poison-type. They nailed the Insect Pokémon head on and threw her back. She crashed onto the ground; eyes in swirls.

Aya sighed before smiling softly and holding out a pokéball, "Well done, Venonat. Return."

Venonat disappeared in the red beam.

Bulbasaur walked back over to Ash, "So, how'd I do?"

Ash smiled and crouched down to pet him, "You were great. Nice work out there."

A voltorb rolled into the room; catching everyone's attention.

Misty grimaced, "It's that voltorb again!"

Ash's eyes narrowed when voltorb sparked. He quickly returned Bulbasaur, jumped back, and grabbed Brock and Misty's arms. Pikachu and Clefairy jumped back onto Ash's shoulders and Soot ran over and nudged up against Ash.

Aya looked over at them in confusion before voltorb exploded; kicking up a large cloud of smoke.

Ash's eyes widened and looked around in confusion, 'What the- The field wasn't this'

Soot looked around too, 'dirty. What kind of explosion attack causes this?'

A male voice came from the smoke, "You fought well, Aya. But it seems you still have some learning to do."

Aya turned around to see a man with greying teal hair and black eyes. He was wearing a blue ninja kimono with a red scarf around his neck.

Ash smirked, "Koga."

Aya took a knee in front of the man, "Honored brother, I have failed."

Soot blinked in surprise, "Koga has a sister?"

Misty looked at Soot in surprise, "There wasn't a rumor about that?"

Soot sweat dropped, "Apparently not."

Brock ran over with a smile, "You're Aya's older brother?" He gestured to himself, "My name's Brock. You sure have a very nice sister. It's a pleasure to meet- AH!"

He was cut off by Misty hitting him over the head with stumped end Soot's detached leg, "This is no time to kiss up, Brock!" She grabbed him by the ear and dragged him to the side, "Come on."

Brock groaned.

As she passed Soot, Misty lobbed the canine's leg above her, "Thanks Soot."

Soot caught the leg in her mouth and reattached it. She smiled, "Anytime."

Koga stared at the group in shock. He looked at Ash, "Do things like that happen often?"

Ash sweat dropped, "Often enough that it's not surprising anymore." He perked up, "I'm gonna guess that you already know why I'm here."

Koga smirked, "Aren't you the wise one. How many badges do you have?"

Ash pulled open his jacket, "Right now, five."

Koga looked at the badges closely and before his eyes widened slightly, 'Wait a second!' He composed himself, "Those are all main eight Badges, aren't they?"

Ash nodded, "That's my goal for the league. I don't plan on anything less."

Koga smirked, "Very well." He pulled out a scroll and opened it the reveal a pink, heart-shaped badge, "Our battle will be a four-on-four with this Soul Badge on the line."

Ash nodded, "Fine by me."

Aya walked over to the side of the field, "I will act as referee." She cleared her throat before starting, "This Gym Battle will be between the Fuschia Gym Leader, Koga, and the challenger, Ash. Both sides may use up to four Pokémon, but only the challenger may substitute. The battle will be decided when one sides Pokémon are unable to continue. Should the challenger be victorious, they shall be awarded the Soul Badge. Are the rules clear?"

Both sides nodded.

Aya raised an arm, "Then" she brought it down forcefully, "BEGIN!"

Ash brought out a threw a pokéball, "Pidgeotto, take the field!"

Koga followed suit, "I shall lead with Venomoth."

The combatants appeared on the field and hovered above the boards.

"Venomoth, Stun Spore." Koga declared.

Ash's eyes narrowed, "Pidgeotto, Gust!"

Venomoth flapped and unleashed a cloud of yellow spores. Pidgeotto retaliated with a large Gust of wind. Gust overpowered the Stun Spore dispersed it harmlessly.

Ash held out a hand, "Close in with Quick Attack!"

Pidgeotto lit up and shot towards Venomoth at an alarming rate.

Koga frowned, "Venomoth, stop them with Venoshock!"

Venomoth fired a large glob of purple liquid from between their mandibles; towards the bird.

Pidgeotto's eyes narrowed, 'I can do this!'

"Pidgeotto dod-" Ash shouted before he was cut off and his eyes widened at Pidgeotto's next action.

The Flying/Normal-type cut off her Quick Attack and lit her wings up with Steel Wing. She held them out to her side, straightened up, and started to rotate.

Ash grimaced upon realizing what she was doing, "Pidgeotto! Wait!"

Pidgeotto tried to spin like a top but lost her momentum and fumbled in the air, 'WHAT?!' She turned and stared in shock as the Venoshock hit her dead on. She fell back towards her trainer.

"Pidgeotto!" Ash shouted and he ran forward and caught her. He propped her up, "Hey, are you alright?!"

Pidgeotto stared off into space in shock, "Wha-what happened? Why didn't it work?"

Pikachu bound over, jumped onto Ash's shoulder, and whispered the message.

Ash frowned, "It's because of the momentum. The only reason I could use is was because of that modified Tailwind. It would take an Extreme Speed to perform otherwise."

Pidgeotto stared at him in shock before looking down sorrowfully, "I'm sorry. I just really wanted to surprise you with that." She frowned, "But I shouldn't have waited until the Gym Battle."

Pikachu relayed the message again.

Ash smiled sadly and hugged her, "It's okay. We can still win this." He pulled her back and smiled, "But, next time, make sure to tell me when you want to practice something like this, before a scheduled battle."

Pidgeotto chuckled, "Can do."

Ash pulled put a pokéball and returned her, "Get some rest." He stood back up, put away Pidgeotto's pokéball and pulled out another. Pikachu took this has his cue to go back over to the others.

Aya sweat dropped, "Oookay?" She shook it off and held out a hand towards Ash, "Challenger, please release your next Pokémon."

Ash nodded and threw the ball, "Charmander, it's your move!"

The Fire-type emerged on the field and stared down the Poison-type.

"Venomoth, Stun Spore!" Koga called out.

Ash smirked, "Flamethrower!"

Venomoth unleashed the cloud of yellow spores again. Charmander shot Flamethrower directly through the cloud and hit Venomoth square in the chest.

"AHH!" The Bug-type cried out as they fell back.

Koga's eyes widened, "Venomoth!"

Ash held out a hand, "Now Skull Bash!"

Charmander broke into a sprint and nailed the Poison Moth Pokémon. They flew back and tumbled along the ground; eyes in swirls.

Aya sighed and held up a hand, "Venomoth is unable to continue." She gestured towards Ash, "Charmander wins the round."

"Yes!" Charmander called out in triumph.

Ash smiled, "Nice work Charmander." His eyes narrowed; smiling determinedly, "But, don't let your guard down. The next round's about to start."

Charmander looked back with a determinedly smile and nodded, "Got it!" He looked back at the field and took up a fighting stance.

Ash couldn't help but smile proudly.

Koga held out a pokéball, "Venomoth, return." He put it away before he pulled out and threw another pokéball, "Now come, Weezing!"

The Poison Gas Pokémon appeared on the field across from Charmander. Expression no different than the normal.

Charmander smirked, 'Easy. We've taken down this kind of Pokémon tons of times.'

Ash's eyes narrowed.

"Begin!" Aya shouted.

Ash held out a hand, "Charmander, Flamethrower!"

Koga's eyes narrowed, "Weezing dodge!"

Charmander spat the stream of flames at the gas ball, only for said Poison-type to levitate higher. The flames passed harmlessly underneath them.

"Now Toxic!" Koga called out.

Weezing's heads each shot a glob of purple liquid at Charmander and hit him dead on.

"AH!" Charmander cried out as he fell back. He slowly got back; trembling with a purple tint on his face. He flinched and fell to his knee.

Ash grimaced, "Crag!"

Koga smirked, "Now, Tackle!"

Weezing shot towards Charmander.

Ash's eyes narrowed, "Dragon Rage!"

Charmander's tail flame grew in size before he fired the orange 'fire' ball at the oncoming Poison-type. Weezing's eyes widened in shock as the projectile struck him.

Koga frowned, 'Fine then.' "Explosion!"

Everyone, except Aya's, eyes widened in shock. Before Ash could respond, Weezing lit up white and exploded violently. He large cloud of dust covered the field.

"Charmander!" Ash shouted in alarm.

The dust settled to reveal both Pokémon out like a light … Oh! Figuratively of course! Charmander's flame was still well lit!

Aya gave a small smirk and held up both her arms, "This battle is a draw."

Koga held out a pokéball, "Well fought, Weezing." The Poison-type disappeared in the red laser.

"Charmander!" Ash shouted.

Koga looked over in surprise to see the boy run over the Fire-type and pick him up. This time, the clefairy ran over and jumped onto his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Ash asked worriedly.

Charmander frowned, "I'm sorry Ash."

Clefairy frowned and relayed the message.

Ash smiled softly and pet him, "Hey. No one can blame you for losing to an Explosion. You were great out there."

Charmander smiled sadly, "Thanks. Can I go back in the ball now? Everything is aching."

Clefairy translated again.

Ash chuckled softly and pulled out the ball, "Of course. Get some rest. You've earned it."

Charmander smiled softly as he disappeared in the beam. Clefairy jumped off Ash's shoulder.

Koga watched in interest as the boy walked back over to his trainer area, 'What a strange boy.'

Ash pulled out a pokéball and held it out, "Ready for the next round, Koga?"

Koga's eyes narrowed, 'The bulbasaur.' He pulled out a ball as well, "I am."

"GO!" The trainer said as they threw their pokéballs.

Krabby and Crobat appeared on the field.

Koga blinked in surprise and looked at Pikachu, Clefairy, and Soot in surprise. He looked back at Ash, "Wait a second. How many Pokémon do you have on hand?"

Ash rubbed the back on his head sheepishly, "Uh, ten. The professor that sponsors me increased my limit." He sweat dropped, "Without telling me beforehand."

Koga blinked in surprise again, "Huh." He shrugged it off and looked at Aya, "Go ahead."

Aya nodded, "Right." She raised a hand, "Next round." She brought her hand down forcefully, "BEG-"

An explosion shook the area, and everyone fumbled.

"What was that?!" Brock cried out in alarm.

Aya grimaced, "Something must have provoked the voltorb. I'll check it-"

She was cut off by a Kunai planting itself into the ground; right at Koga's feet. Everyone, except Aya, stared in surprise.

Koga crouched down, pulled out the knife, and pulled out a piece of paper from it like a scroll.

He smiled softly, "That will not be necessary, Aya. It has already been taken care of."

Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Clefairy looked down at Soot in confusion. She shrugged.

.

*Team Rocket; a few minutes earlier

A hidden door in the floor opened and the tRio popped out of it and looked around warily.

"It looks like-" James started.

"the coast is clear." Jessie followed.

"Let's go." Meowth said.

The three of them jumped out of the hatch and landed in the room. They immediately fumbled.

"What's going on!" Jessie cried out.

"Dey built dis place like a fun house." Meowth said, "The floor's slanted."

James scrambled to keep his footing "Help! I'm losing my liqui-ebrium!"

Jessie and Meowth stopped and looked at their teammate in confusion.

Omega: …

Seishin: o_o

Nuevo: Uhhh.

Illavera: Wha-

Mizuro: How old is he again?

Ohirume: Age isn't the issue here and neither is his education … I think. I honestly have no idea why he said that in the anime.

Seishin: My money's on the dubbers trying to be funny. In my opinion, it worked perfectly. :D

Omega: Yeah. I guess, I've heard worse.

James looked back at them in confusion, "What?"

"Hello there!"

The Team looked over to see a spinarak on a nearby wall; head pointed towards the ground et still looking at them.

"Nice to meet you!" Spinarak cried out happily.

"Finally!" James cried out in triumph, "We finally found a Poison-type!"

Jessie smirked wickedly and pulled a bug net out of nowhere, "Let's swipe it."

Spinarak blinked in surprise, "Wait what?"

Omega: Spider's don't blink.

Ohirume: Tell that to Pokémon Refresh.

Meowth smirked, "Your commin' with us Bug."

The tRio ran straight at them.

Spinarak's eyes widened in shock. They turned around and scurried up the wall, "Sensei!"

The crash into the wall and tore through it. Literally 'tore.' It was paper.

The trio laid in a heap on the ground and groaned.

Jessie clenched a fist, "This place-" She raised a fist and slammed it into the ground, "I can't take it any-"

"VOL!" Something staticky cried out in pain.

Jessie, James, and Meowth's eyes widened in shock. They looked over to Jessie's fist and found it on top of a voltorb. It glared at them furiously with its eye twitched frantically.

James gulped, "Crag."

Meowth looked around in wide eyed shock, "Uh, guys?"

James and Jessie looked around too and stared in shock upon finding themselves surrounded by voltorb; all glaring murderously.

Jessie grimaced, "Double Crag."

The voltorb all started lighting up.

Meowth sighed and shrugged, "I do even need ta say it?"

Voltorb used Self-Destruct. All twenty of them.

.

*Blast off scene

James flew through the air in a fetal position, "I can't believe it. We didn't even see the Phantom."

Jessie crossed her arms and pouted, "We would've if it weren't for that stupid Gym."

Meowth leaned to the side with his arm propping up his head, "I'm more upset dat's he's finally getting' a normal Gym Battle."

James blinked in surprise and looked at the cat, "Wait, but we didn't do anything at Pewter, Vermillion, or Saffron."

Meowth glared back, "Doesn't change da fact dat we interrupted this battle in the original series."

Jessie glared at them both and shouted, "What did I say about fourth wall stuff?!"

Meowth and James slumped, "Sorry."

"Looks like we're basting off again!"

.

*Ding

The voltorb that were still conscious all glared around the room frantically. Surprisingly, the room was relatively undamaged. Although the explosion annihilated the roof and reduced all of the wood from the walls and floor to splinters; revealing metal barricade walls covered in scorch marks. One of the voltorb flinched and started lighting up.

A figure ran into the room and held their hands out as they spoke forcefully, "Voltorb! Please remain calm! The intruders are gone! Please go back to sleep! Your work is done for the day!"

Gradually, the voltorb calmed down and went back to sleep.

The figure sighed in relief, "Thank Arceus."

They looked at the used-to-be roof and glared harshly, "Good riddance. That's what you get you for trying to take my partner."

"Spinarak!"

The figure looked over to see the Pokémon in question scurry over frantically. They jumped into their arms and trembled.

They smiled softly as they pet the String Spit Pokémon, "It's okay, little one. The bad people are gone now."

They moved the Bug-type to her shoulder, pulled out a kunai, unrolled a scroll section from it, and wrote something down.

They retracted the section and held up the knife, "Spinarak, mind opening the door to the field?"

Spinarak cried out happily and shot a String Shot at the door before pulling it open.

The figure smiled and pet the spider, "Well done."

They threw the kunai at a weapon mounted on the other side of the room. It ricocheted of the weapon, shot up to the ceiling, bounced off with a metal clang, and went through the trapdoor.

The figure stared at the hatch intently and solemnly.

That completely broke when smiled brightly and pumped a fist in triumph, "YES!"

.

*Back to the battle

"BEGIN!"

"Krabby, Bubble Beam!"

"Crobat, Wing Attack!"

Krabby held out his claws and fired a large swarm of blue bubbles at the Bat Pokémon. Crobat responded by lighting up their wings white and charging the River Crab Pokémon. Crobat sliced through the bubbles, destroying them in the process, and shot towards Krabby.

Ash's eyes narrowed, "Quick, Harden!"

Krabby's eyes narrowed, he put his claws up in front of his face, and a sheen traveled across his body. Crobat swooped in and struck but Krabby remain steadfast.

Koga frowned, "Cross Poison!"

Ash smirked, "Metal Claw!"

Crobat flapped his forewings forcefully and a purple, energy 'X' appeared and moved towards Krabby. Krabby parried the attack with his now glowing claws.

Ash smirked and clenched a fist, "Now, Hidden Power!"

Krabby's eyes narrowed further, "Heh." A ball of white energy formed in front of his mouth.

Koga's eyes narrowed, "Crobat, prepare another Wing Attack."

Crobat complied and lit up his wings.

Ash smirked, 'Nice try.'

Krabby's energy ball broke and a white beam of energy fired towards Crobat.

Koga grimaced, 'Beam style?!' "Crobat get out of there!"

Koga's command came too late as Crobat was struck. The move exploded violently and Crobat plummeted to the ground. The Poison/Flying-type struggled to get back up.

Ash didn't let up, "Finish it with Metal Claw!"

Krabby lit up his claws and charged Crobat. Crobat cried out in pain as the Steel-type move slashed them. Crobat laid on the ground; unconscious.

Aya sighed and held up a hand, "Crobat is unable to continue." She gestured towards Ash, "Krabby wins."

Krabby laid on the ground on relief, "Phew."

Ash sighed in relief, 'One to go.'

Misty smiled brightly, "Alright!"

Brock smiled and crossed his arms, "Looks like Krabby finally perfected Hidden Power." He looked down at Soot, "What type is it anyway?"

Soot was about to respond before Clefairy jumped in with a cheer, "Dragon-type! I helped out a lot with target practice!" She giggled, "It was fun."

Soot snickered, "Dragon-type. And as you can see, Clefairy really enjoyed helping."

Ash smiled and held out a pokéball, "Nice work, Krabby. Return."

Krabby disappeared in the red beam.

Ash and Koga each brought out a pokéball. Ash blinked in surprise upon realizing something.

The trainer looked back at his friends, "Guys, be ready just in case! We don't want a repeat of Celadon!"

They all caught on and nodded determinedly. Brock and Misty each brought out a pokéball and looked around warily. Pikachu, Clefairy, and Soot got into a fighting stance.

Koga stared in shock, "What's going on?"

Ash sighed, "A trio of criminals keep messing with Gym battles and usually wait until the final round. Last time, they burned down the Celadon Gym."

"Yeah." Misty called out angrily, "And before that, they drove a giant vacuum through my family's Gym. Misty Waterflower by the way."

Aya's eyes widened in shock and she looked around warily.

Koga blinked in surprise, "Fair enough." He shook it off and held up a pokéball, "Well then, let's get started before they get a chance to appear."

Ash smirked and held up his ball, "Sounds good." He threw the pokéball, "Muk, it's your move!"

Koga followed suit, "Go Ariados!"

The Sludge Pokémon and Long Leg Pokémon appeared on either side of the field.

Koga smirked, 'Hah. A Poison-type! This battle is mine.'

Ash and Koga stared at the field intently. After a second, they blinked in surprise and looked over to Aya. She was still looking around warily.

Koga sweat dropped, "Uh, Aya?"

Aya snapped out of it and looked back at the field, "Oh right." She quickly brought her hand up and then down, "START!"

Koga smirked, "This battle is already over! Ariados, Smart Strike!"

Ariados's horn took on a metal sheen and charged Muk. Ash smirked.

Ariados struck Muk in the gut. Koga's eyes widened in shock when Ariados bounced off Muk and flew back. Muk's body jiggled before settling.

Muk chuckled, "Huh. Tickled."

"What the Yvel?!" Koga cried out in shock. He looked at Ash; wide eyed, "How on earth did you get a muk with Impact Repulsion?!"

Ash shrugged with a smile, "Random chance. Met him in Gringey City." He raised a finger, "By the way," He pointed ahead with a smirk, "Thunderbolt."

Muk smirked wickedly as he lit up with electricity and unleashed the large bolt on Ariados. The Poison/Bug cried out as the electricity swept over them. After a few seconds, Muk cut off the attack and Ariados laid on the ground; eyes swirled.

Koga stared in shock before sighing, "Crag."

Aya looked at her brother with a sly smirk, "I told you to spring for a Psychic-type attack."

Koga grumbled and crossed his arms, "Yeah yeah."

Misty blinked in surprise, "Since when did Muk know Thunderbolt?"

Soot smirked, "Dad taught him. After Pikachu taught dad."

Pikachu grinned.

.

*Outside Gym

Everyone stood around the Gym's entrance. Pikachu and Clefairy took back their places on Ash's shoulders and Soot stood next to him.

Koga brought out the scroll from before and opened it; revealing the pink badge again, "Congratulations, Ash. You have won the Soul Badge."

Ash smiled and accepted it, "Thank you Koga." He opened his jacket again and placed the badge among the others.

Aya raised a brow, "You are aware they have Badge cases, right?"

Ash shrugged, "Yeah, but I kind of prefer this. Less chance of losing them all at once."

Misty walked over and put an arm across Ash's back and smiled sly, "Alright, Ash. You finally got another badge legitimately."

Ash deadpanned, "Again with this?"

Koga raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

Brock smiled, "It's because-"

"Nothing." Ash cut in. He glared around at everyone, "It's. Nothing."

Misty snickered and patted his back, "Alright alright."

Soot smirked, "Just know that they were still given to him at the consent of the Gym Leader."

Koga and Aya sweat dropped.

Ash and the other turned and walked back into the forest while waving goodbye to the brother and sister. They waved back. The group shortly disappeared into the tree line.

"Father. Aunt Aya."

Koga and Aya turned around to see a girl with purple hair, black eyes, and a darker version of his outfit with pink highlights. She also had a massive pink scarf around her neck. Spinarak stood on her shoulder.

He smiled, "Ah, Janine. Well done earlier. What exactly happened anyway?" He pulled out the kunai from before and opened it. It read 'We're good.' "Your message was a little vague."

Janine sweat dropped, "I was taking care of some … interesting characters."

Koga raised a brow, "More challengers?"

Janine crossed her arms, "That's what I thought at first. They came in from the back and I gave them the usual treatment with a little help from Spinarak." She sweat dropped, "And then they tried to kidnap her."

Spinarak took on a worried expression and nudged up against Janine. The girl smiled softly and pet the Bug-type.

Aya blinked in surprise, "You mean, catch her. Right? They might not have known where they were."

Janine shook her head, "No, I mean kidnap. They knew they were in the gym and tried to use a net instead of a pokéball."

Koga frowned, "So thieves, then. I trust you took care of them?"

Janine nodded, "Yes. They made the voltorb mad and ended up shooting off into the distance." She sweat dropped again, "On a side note, the voltorb's room needs a new roof and wood paneling."

Aya groaned, "Again?" She sighed and started walking back towards the Gym, "I'll make the damage report and phone the League."

Koga snickered before he blinked in surprise and looked back at Janine, "Wait, they were launched into the distance?"

Janine nodded.

Koga put a hand to his chin with a worried frown, "Hm. This could be a problem."

Janine raised a brow, "Actually, I'm not sure about that. They seemed to have seen it coming. Right down to screaming 'again' as they disappeared."

Koga blinked in surprise, "Huh." He looked into the direction that Ash and the others went, "It seems we both had some interesting guests today."

Janine blinked in surprise and followed his gaze, "Interesting how?"

Koga frowned, "The boy that challenged me. His perception and reflexes were far above the human level. He saw through every trap he came across and even protected his group from them." His eyes narrowed, "Some traps he noticed before even his Pokémon. He even managed to block all of Aya's shuriken. After she had thrown them."

Janine stared at Koga in shock, "Y-you don't believe he could become as skilled as you. Do you, father?"

Koga shook his head, "No. If he ever decided to," He looked ahead with a grin, "I believe he could surpass me five times over."

.

*Ash and friends

Misty looked over at Ash, "So what Gym are we heading to next?"

Ash smiled, "Next should be Cinnabar." He smirked, "But, we do still have one more free day at Giva Resort."

Brock looked at him in surprise, "You didn't check out when we left?"

Ash grinned, "Nope. So, what you guys say? One more day to celebrate?"

"WOO HOO!"

"I'll take that as a 'yes'."

.

Omega: I'm just now realizing. I don't think you've ever given the shuttle gang this much attention before.

Faux, Gem, Luke, Pike, Laura, Mewtwo: Shuttle gang?

Ohirume: He meant Team Rocket in a way that would insult anyone that cared. Like the Butch thing.

Omega: Who's Butch?

Faux: *scratches head* Uh, not sure.

Pearl: Cassidy's Teammate.

Faux: Oh, you mean Mitch.

Luke: I thought his name was Bob.

Pike: No, it's Biff.

Laura: I could have sworn it was Bilge.

Gem: *sigh* Guys, it's Buzz.

Mewtwo: *scratches head* Really? All this time I thought his name was Patch.

Omega: Are- are they doing this on purpose?

Seishin: It's a running gag.

Pearl: *sigh* I do not understand it either.

Peridot: Nor do I.

Mizuro: *snickers* I just realized that they probably called him ***** at one point.

Seishin: Actually, no. That word doesn't exist in the Pokémon world. Well, most of them.