Seishin: Hey readers! Rob's got commentator's writers block!

Omega: *sweat drops* I'm not sure that can happen to Fanfiction writers.

Seishin: Don' matter! He got it!

Ohirume: What that basically means -in this context- is that I can't think of anything to write in the pre/post chats of this chapter.

Although, that isn't why this chapter took so much longer to post. That was something else …

But I did think of something. In this chapter's post chat, we're doing a pseudo-comment response.

Yugo: 'Pseudo' because we're only answering reviews and/or portions of them that are relevant to the "deleted form" mystery. We'll do this in the future Post-chats until someone gets it right.

Gem: YUGO! You're finally in a chat with us!

Ohirume: Only because of the context of this chat.

I'm doing this topic because I sure as Yvel don't wanna wait three chapters to give you guys an answer to your guesses.

I don't own Pokémon or Ben 10.

.

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Chu-pika Ka-pi
Good Morning World

.

It was an experience unlike anything the Gym Leaders could've imagined. The world itself was bigger, clearer, and even seemed brighter. New scents, new sounds, some new appendages that they were still getting used to.

Their fur was incredibly soft to the touch and the wind blowing through it felt so refreshing. The electric sacks on their cheeks sent a literal surge of energy through them after messing with them a little too much.

The tails … they were still adjusting to the tails. They weren't exactly used to having … anything poking from their tail bone. Right now, they mostly were trying to get the appendage to stop randomly slapping them in the back of the head.

And, thanks to Staryu and Starmie, they finally found out what a genderless voice sounded like when you can understand it. It was not what they expected.

Seishin: *snickers* Ain't that a kick in the teeth. ;P

The craziest part was the new rush of energy they felt every second. Electricity literally coursing through their bodies like blood. And in a way that they could painlessly feel! It was exhilarating!

Soot sweat dropped, "It's like watching infants play with their feet."

Squirtle snickered, "Or hatchlings chasing their own tails."

Misty's ear twitched and she glared at them, "Hey! I heard that!" She stopped and blinked in surprise upon seeing how far away they were. She grabbed and rubbed her pointed ears, "Wow. These things really pick up on a lot."

Vulpix smiled slyly, "Definitely hatchlings."

Misty glared again and hissed. She flinched and covered her mouth in shock, "D-did I just-"

Ash chuckled, "Yeah. Hissing can feel weird at first."

Geodude looked over at Brock's backpack and smirked.

Brock was still feeling his new form in awe.

"Hey, Brock! Catch!"

Brock looked over and caught what Geodude threw at him with both paws. He opened them to reveal a piece of Pokémon food.

He raised a brow, "Huh?"

Geodude smirked and called out, "I think it's about time you got to try your own recipe."

Brock frowned and his ears drooped, "Are you sure about that?"

Ash smiled, "It'll be fine, Brock. Trust me, I know."

Brock glanced back at the piece and took a deep breath before popping it into his mouth.

"Chaaa!"

Brock flinched and covered his mouth.

Pikachu snickered, "Yeah. That's involuntary."

Brock chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head. He stopped when he heard something beeping. Two somethings, really.

Brock looked down to see the Lens on his chest flashing red. The one of Misty's stomach was the same.

Ash frowned, "Oh, right. The Lenses have a time limit of"

A pair of red flashes covered the pair and they reemerged as themselves. The Lenses fell to the ground; back to their clear state.

"Pi Pikachu" Ash finished.

"Five minutes." Soot translated.

Ash blinked in surprise, "Pi?" He looked at Brock and Misty and his ears drooped, "Oh."

He hit the symbol on his stomach and changed back to himself. He walked over and picked up the Lenses, "Sorry about that. I'm still working on the time limit."

Brock smiled brightly, "Still, that was … I'm not even sure what to call it."

Misty looked at Ash curiously, "Do the Lenses have to recharge like the watch?"

Ash gave an unsure expression, "Sort of." He brought out, opened the red case, and placed the Lenses back in it, "They become inactive after timing out and remain like that until they spend at least half a day in the carrying case." He smiled, "But the cooldown is a lot more instant than the watch. You don't even have to wait a full second before you can use another one."

Brock raised a brow, "Cooldown?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah. When I was working on the Lenses, I found out that the watch isn't actually recharging after a transformation. It's cooling down to separate the form's DNA from the user. Which kind of explains why I need to wait so much longer after a Lockdown." He smirked, "But Power Integration makes that a lot easier. Since a portion of the DNA is already in me."

Misty perked up, "That's right! Power Integration!" She smiled brightly, "Is stuff like that gonna happen to us too?!"

Brock sweat dropped, "Wait, do you want something like that to happen?"

Misty looked at him; deadpanned, "You mean understanding Pokémon?"

Brock perked up and looked at Ash, "Will anything like that happen?"

Ash rubbed the back of his head with a frown, "I'm afraid not. Power Integration wasn't something I could replicate."

Misty frowned before smiling again, "Still, that was really cool." Her eyes widened upon realizing something, "Wait did you say 'another one'?"

Ash smirked and opened the case to them. It held six Lenses; four of which had a green light under them, "Well, I did make more than to two."

Brock and Misty smiled brightly.

.

**Short Skip**

On their second go with the Change Lenses, Brock and Misty took the time to relax with their Pokémon and get to know them a little better.

Brock and his Pokémon moved off to the side to talk about ways he could improve his dishes and talk about breeder … stuff with Vulpix. He almost couldn't believe how smart she really was. It put Suzie on an even higher pedestal than before.

Misty and her team relaxed in the pool. Except for Psyduck. What is it with that guy and fainting? The Water trainer was ecstatic to have a portable pool that she could actually swim in instead of just having to lay around.

"OW! Stupid tail!" Misty cried out as she rubbed the back of her head and glared at the lightning shaped appendage.

Also, that was still happening.

Goldeen pouted, "This wouldn't happen if that guy just gave you the vaporeon form."

Horsea tilted his head, "Huh? I thought vaporeon had super big tails."

Starmie made a snickering noise, "She's still just annoyed that Misty became an Electric-type again."

Goldeen glared at them, "Oh, like you're not?!"

Misty just looked around the group with a soft smile and started tearing up some.

Staryu noticed and turned to face her, "Everything alright, Mist? Your tail didn't hurt you, did it?" 'Still not used to saying that.'

The other Water-types overheard and looked over in worry.

Misty wiped her eyes and shook her head, "It's not that. I just- I almost can't believe it."

Horsea blinked in confusion, "Huh?"

Misty smiled softly, "Actually getting to hear all of you. Knowing what you have to say. I never knew how much I was really missing out on."

Starmie chuckled, "Well, of course you've been missing out." They said in a playfully smug tone, "You humans have terrible language skills."

Misty chuckled, "Yeah. I guess."

Goldeen smiled softly, swam over to Misty, and nudged up against her; minding the horn, "But we won't have to worry about that anymore, will we?"

Misty nodded -still with a soft smile- and hugged her, "Yeah."

Goldeen pulled back and smiled, "Plus, when that trainer finally wises up, we can all do some deep diving."

Misty smiled brightly, "Oh, Yvel yeah! I've always wanted to try breathing underwater!"

Staryu chuckled before speaking in a sly tone, "We know. Seel told us stories about how her meema had to save you from the pool. Weekly."

Her team laughed. The Electric-type blushed and turned away with a pout. Misty's ears twitched and she looked over to see Psyduck recovering.

Misty smiled at seeing her subject change, "Hey look, Psyduck's awake." She swam over to the edge, pulled herself up to it, and smiled at the Duck Pokémon, "Hey, Psyduck. How are you feeling?"

Psyduck looked at her with a blank expression. He held his head and titled it, "Psy Duck?"

Misty sweat dropped and spoke to her other Pokémon without looking back, "Does he just not talk or something?"

Horsea sweat dropped, "We've been wondering that for a while too."

The Cerulean Mouse Pokémon just stared at the non-swimming Water-type in confusion, 'I sure hope Ash hurries with that Calm Mind.'

Her thoughts were interrupted by her tail whacking her again.

.

*Brock and co.

Brock rubbed the back of his head and groaned, "Ow." He looked at Vulpix, "You wouldn't happen to have any pointers on how to control this thing, would you?"

Vulpix gasped before glaring at him, "I can't believe you, Brock! Don't you have any idea how rude it is to ask my kind about their tails?!"

Brock grimaced and waved his paws defensively, "N-no! I'm so sorry Vulpix! I-I really didn't know! I just- I-"

Vulpix started cracking up, "Oh dear Arceus! I can't believe that actually worked!" She looked at Geodude with a wide smirk, "I'm so sorry for doubting you."

Geodude snickered, "Told ya."

Brock stared in shock before looking at his Rock Pokémon disappointedly, "Geodude…"

Geodude laughed, "Aw, calm down, Brock." He moved closer to him, "We were just havin' some fun now that you can understand us." He patted the Electric-type on the back.

"Wah!" Brock cried out as he was slammed into the ground; face first.

Zubat flinched, "Woah!"

Vulpix and Onix stared in shock.

Geodude's blinked in surprise, "Oh. Sorry, Brock. I guess I'm a little more used to you being bigger."

Brock gave a thumbs up; voice muffled by the dirt, "I'll live."

Onix chuckled, "I got ya Boss." He used his tail to get under the Mouse Pokémon and get him back to his hind paws.

Brock smiled up at the Rock Snake, "Thanks Onix." He perked up and raised a brow, "Wait, 'boss'?"

Onix frowned, "Oh, sorry. Would you rather I call you master or teacher? I could also go with something like G.L. for Gym Leader."

Brock frowned and shook his head, "No, I mean- You know you don't have to call me any of that stuff, right?" He smiled softly, "We're friends, aren't we?"

Onix's eyes widened in shock, "W- we are?"

Brock's stared at him in shock before looking at him sadly with his ears drooping, "Onix … of course we are. Did you really think we weren't?" He walked closer and put a paw on him, "You were my first Pokémon. My start-" He shook his head, "No. You're my partner. And my best friend." He flinched -ears perking back up- and looked back at his other Pokémon with a nervous smile, "That's not to say I don't think of all of you as friends too."

Geodude blinked in surprise before deadpanning, "Seriously, dude? You've known this snake since you were ten. Honestly, I'd be questioning your sanity if he weren't your favorite."

Brock frowned, "Okay, wait a second. I don't have favorites. I care about you all the same."

Vulpix raised a brow, "So, you're saying that you -A Rock-type Gym Leader- care about me -a Fire-type you've known for about a month and who belonged to someone else- in the exact same way that you care about a Rock-type who you've known for five years and practically grew up with?"

Brock sweat dropped, "Well… I mean… I'll still take good care of you and give you the same amount of attention."

Vulpix chuckled, "Brock, you're hopeless."

Brock pouted and his ears drooped, "Hey."

Onix looked down at Brock, "You really mean it, Bo-" He jerked and shook his head, "I- I mean, Brock?"

Brock smiled up at him, "Of course, I do." He hugged the Rock-type … as best he could with the stubbier arms, "I'm so sorry for never telling you that."

Onix smiled softly and moved his head down to nuzzle the Electric-type, "There's nothing to apologize for, Brock. You never did anything wrong."

Brock smiled softly, "Thanks, partner."

Vulpix, Zubat, and Geodude just watched the pair with soft smiles; not wanting to interrupt.

.

*Ash and his Pokémon

Ash, Soot, Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Muk sat/laid a few feet away from the groups and watched them all enjoy themselves.

Ash, Charmander, Pidgeotto, and Clefairy were playing around a few feet away from them.

Mankey tried to drag Muk away to use as a punching bag again. This time, Muk refused and remained steadfast. So instead, the Pig Monkey Pokémon just laid on side; bored out of his mind.

If those first two lines were misinterpreted as a typo, Ash is in kangaskhan form(s).

Soot smiled softly, "It's nice to see all of them enjoying themselves so much."

Bulbasaur smirked, "Well of course their enjoying it. They're a pair of humans finally getting to have a real conversation with their Pokémon. Not a lot of trainers get to have that."

Muk snickered and nudged Ash with an 'elbow', "Except for this freak, that is." He glanced up at the Parent Pokémon and flinched when he saw tears in his eyes, "Ash, I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean the freak thing seriously! I was just joking around!"

Everyone else looked up at him alarm.

Ash chuckled softly and wiped the tears away, "It wasn't you, Muk." He looked back ahead with a soft smile, "I just- after all this time, we're finally at this point. I'm finally able to share this with them."

Pikachu looked up at Ash and blinked in confusion, "All this time? I thought you just started on the Lenses a few days ago."

Soot smiled sadly, "Not exactly. He didn't have a way to finish them until he got Porygon." He ears drooped slightly, "But, he's actually been working on them for over two years."

Bulbasaur jerked and looked up at Ash in shock, "Wait. Seriously?"

Squirtle put a paw to his mouth and whispered to Muk, "Hey, what's a porygon?"

Muk shrugged, "Yvel if I know."

Ash smiled sadly and nodded, "Yeah. I came up with the idea over two years before starting my journey." He looked down sadly, "But, I gave up a little while before we left home. I didn't want them to draw my focus away from traveling."

Mankey glanced over with a raised brow, "Then what got you started again?"

The adult kangaskhan frowned, "I overheard Brock and Misty talking about being jealous. Not in an angry way, more … left out. And I hated making them feel like that." He looked back at the groups and put a paw to the watch's symbol just above his pouch, "I've been waiting for so long to be able to share this thing with them." He chuckled lightly, "Or anyone, for that matter."

Pikachu, Soot, Bulbasaur, and Muk smiled softly and nuzzled up around him. Ash smiled and pulled them all into a group hug.

*sigh* And then Squirtle-

"Um…" Squirtle spoke up with a raised finger; catching the others attention, "Sorry to interrupt the moment-"

Soot's eyes narrowed, "Then, why do it in the first place?"

Squirtle chuckled nervously, "Just, uh, speaking of sharing," He looked up at Ash, "do you think I could try one of the Lenses too?" He clenched and paw with a determined smirk, "I wanna see what that Overheat thing can really do."

Mankey overheard, sprang to his feet, and ran over with a determined glare, "Oh, Yvel Yeah! Dibs on Hammer Arm!"

Ash frowned, "Uh, sorry guys. They're only designed to work on humans and can only access Pokémon forms."

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

Ash sighed, "I mean currently. The Lenses are still in their prototype stage. They function and everything, but I'm working on upgrading them."

Bulbasaur blinked in surprise, "So, we will be able to use them some day? Like, to turn into other Pokémon."

Ash put a paw to his chin with an unsure expression, "Maybe… I can look into it, but I'm not sure I can promise anything like that."

.

*Ash and his Pokémon … no, the other Ash

Charmander blinked in surprise while looking at the other group before turning back around to look at Ash, "Hey, are you alright?"

Ash cocked his head, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

Charmander shook his head and pointed back, "No, I mean that you. You- uh, he, looked like he was crying."

Clefairy flinched, "What?!" She ran over to the infant and put her paws on his shoulder, "Ash, what's wrong?! You're not hurt, right?!"

Ash blinked in surprise, "Uh…"

Pidgeotto sweat dropped, "Clefairy, they don't act the same. Remember?"

Clefairy chuckled nervously, "O-oh, right."

Ash chuckled nervously, "Yeah. I can't say for sure why he was crying." He looked over at himself and smiled softly, "But, if I had to guess, he's probably just that happy to share the watch with Brock and Misty." He glanced over at the pair of groups and put his paw on the watch's symbol, "I know I am."

Pidgeotto smiled softly and nuzzled the baby Normal-type, "Yeah. Sounds like you."

.

**Time Skip**

Night rolled around and the group set up camp. Using the last two Change Lenses -for the next seven or so hours- everyone kicked back to do some stargazing.

The three male pikachu, Vulpix, Charmander, and Clefairy laid against Soot as they looked into the night sky. The female pikachu laid back on an innertube in the currently half-buried pool with Goldeen and Horsea next to her; also looking into the sky.

The rest of the Pokémon were returned; either feeling too tired to stay awake and join in and just not interested.

"Wow." The viridian-eyed pikachu with a ponytail said in awe, "Even the stars seem brighter."

Pikachu blinked in surprise as he continued looking into the sky, "Really? They seem normal to me."

Soot snickered, "That's because you're always a pikachu."

Misty chuckled, "Still, Ash. Best. Invention. Ever."

Ash smiled at her, "I'm glad you guys like it."

"It's incredible. It feels like all of my senses are on overdrive." The squinting pikachu said before looking at Ash, "Is this really how it feels every time you transform?"

The brown-eyes, hat wearing pikachu chuckled, "I guess." He looked into the sky and smiled softly, "Due to Power Integration, everything actually seems a little duller."

Pikachu pouted, 'Really?'

Misty looked at Ash in shock, "This is dull to you?!"

Ash chuckled lightly, "I mean, kind of." He put a paw on watch's symbol on his stomach, "I've had this thing for so long, that I've gotten used to it all."

Goldeen sighed, "Okay, sure." She glared at Ash, "But seriously, is it that hard to just let Misty use vaporeon?"

Ash looked at her and frowned, "That's not really the issue." He looked back and forth between Brock and Misty, "This is still kind of new to you guys. I'm thinking we should stick to the pikachu forms for a while so you can adjust."

Brock looked over at Ash in confusion, "'Adjust'? You mean to transforming?"

Ash smiled, "Kind of, yeah. Pikachu's probably the easiest to adjust to form that I have and can help ease the two of you into the others." He raised digit on his paw, "Pikachu are dual-pedal so you can ease into walking on all-fours. Their reasonably enhanced senses help make it so you're not overwhelmed. And the massive, balance reliant tails help you adjust to … well, having a tail. Physically speaking, they're the whole package deal."

"Woo! Chu's for the win!" Pikachu cheered.

Soot snickered, "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Ash, Brock, and Misty chuckled.

Ash looked back at Goldeen and continued, "Once they get some practice in, we can move on to some other forms. Like vaporeon."

Goldeen sighed again, "Fine."

Vulpix smiled, "Hey, it's not that bad. No matter the transformation, they can still understand us."

Horsea nodded happily, "Yeah. I think that's my favorite part about them."

Goldeen smiled softly, "Yeah. I'll give you that."

"Look! A shooting star!" Charmander called out as he pointed up.

Everyone looked into the sky to see the star shoot past.

Clefairy smiled brightly, "Wow!"

Pikachu put his paws together, "Make a wish!"

Misty smiled softly, "I think I'm good." She reached over to pet Horsea, "I already had a wish come true today."

Horsea nuzzled up against her happily. Goldeen smiled and followed suit.

Brock smiled and put an arm behind Vulpix's back, "Agreed."

Vulpix smiled and nuzzled up against him.

Ash looked at the pair in surprise. He smiled softly before looking back into the sky.

Brock leaned closer to Vulpix and whispered, "Hey. You weren't really upset about the tail thing before, were you?"

Vulpix snickered, "Nah. I was just messing with you." She sweat dropped, "Still, my kind can be a little sensitive about our tails. While you'll actually have to put effort into it to insult me, I wouldn't complain about the tails of any others of my kind. Most will make you regret it."

Brock frowned, "Do I want to know how?"

Vulpix chuckled nervously, "They'd probably burn your … well, in this form, it'd be your throat."

Brock raised a brow, "This form? What do you mean by th-" He caught on, paled, and gulped.

Vulpix cleared her throat, "Yeah…"

.

*The next day

Continuing on their journey to Cinnabar Island, the group stopped to take a break in a peaceful spot of the forest. Ash and Brock were lying against a tree with Soot and Misty lying on the ground next to them … that last part will make more sense in a few lines.

Pikachu was climbing around some nearby berry trees. Clefairy was at the base of the one he was currently in and looking up at him.

Soot smiled, "Fresh air, clean and calm water, great shade and sunbathing pots." She stretched, "We really found a good spot."

Brock smiled as he laid down with his hands behind his head, "Yeah. It sure is nice to kick back and relax after traveling so much."

"Hey, speaking of the water," The viridian-eyed pikachu said before looking at Ash, "Are you sure I shouldn't try vaporeon yet? There wouldn't really any risk of me drowning."

Ash looked back at her with a frowned. "That's not really the-"

"Wait." Soot interrupted before looking at the Water trainer with a sly smirk, "How about this? If you can make it to the water on your own four paws, dad'll give you Vaporeon."

Misty smirk cockily, "Ha! Easy!"

The Mouse Pokémon stood up and slowly got on all fours. Her forepaws were wobbling like crazy.

Misty frowned, 'Okay. Already harder than expected.' She shook it off and glared at the stream ahead, 'Doesn't matter. You've waiting for this moment for a long time Waterflower.' She stared moving a forepaw forward, 'Just one step at a-'

"CHU!" She cried out as she fell flat on her stomach.

Soot laughed wildly, "Freaking Yvel! I at least expected you to make it a few steps!"

Misty glared at the Dark-type, "I hate you."

Soot rolled her eyes with a smirk, "If you wanna insult me, say it when I don't deserve it."

Brock sweat dropped, "Are you alright, Misty?"

Misty got back to her hind paws and glared at him, "Chu pikachu?!"

Brock sweat dropped, "Uh…"

Ash glanced at him, "She said 'what do you think?'" He looked over at Misty, "Sorry Misty but it's like I said earlier. You'll need a little more practice. This doesn't come naturally for humans."

Misty groaned, "Crag." She walked back over to the tree, sat down with a pout, and her arms crossed.

Ash looked at Brock, "Are you sure you don't wanna use a Lens? The other five should be active by now."

Brock smiled, "Yeah. I'm good."

Misty put her paws behind her head and laid down with smile, "Well, you're missing out."

Soot snickered, "Yeah, he is."

Ash rolled his eyes with a smirk.

Brock sweat dropped, 'Starting to think I should have taken the offer.'

"Hey! Wait up!"

Ash jerked and blinked in surprise. He, Misty, and Soot looked over to see Pikachu running into a bush with Clefairy chasing after him.

Ash got up and ran after him, "Wait Pikachu!"

Soot ran after him and Brock followed soon after.

Misty flinched and jumped to her feet, "Wait a second! I can't move that fast like-"

She was cut off by the Lens on her chest blinking red and beeping.

Misty blinked, "Oh. That works."

.

*Pikachu and Clefairy; earlier

"Any luck, Pikachu?!" Clefairy called up to the Mouse Pokémon.

Pikachu continued looking around the branches, "Almost!" After a few seconds, he bound over to a small cluster of berries and sniffed them.

Pikachu smiled blissfully, "That's the good stuff."

He picked a handful of the berries and jumped down from the tree.

He handed one of them to Clefairy, "Here you go."

Clefairy smiled and took it, "Thanks." She bit into it and smiled brightly, "mmmm."

Pikachu smiled, "I know, right?" He bit into one too, "I can't believe we could actually find them out here. Maybe the geezer was right."

Clefairy looked at Pikachu and tilted in confusion, "What? Geezer?"

Pikachu chuckled, "The major elder from my old tribe. He said that if you find these of berries, then you're probably really close to another tribe."

Clefairy blinked in surprise, "Is that true?"

Pikachu shrugged, "Before now, I wasn't sure. He was always super vague. But these did actually grow around my old tribe grounds. Who knows, we might actually run into some of my kind out here."

Clefairy blinked again before looking around curiously. She stopped on a bush and smiled, "Oh. Now, I see."

Pikachu looked at her in surprise, "Wait, what?" He followed her gaze and saw a pichu looking at them curiously from the bush.

Pikachu smiled and waved, "Hey there!"

Pichu flinched and ran away into the bush.

"Hey! Wait up!" Pikachu called out before running after them. Clefairy followed soon after.

.

*Ash, Brock, Soot

The trio ran after the Electric and Fairy-type. Soon enough, they came up to a clearing and their eyes all widened in surprise. Standing before Pikachu and Clefairy were a large group of pichu, pikachu, and a raichu.

All of the Electric-types were either relaxing, eating, or playing in the wide-open clearing. The raichu seemed to be keeping a lookout.

"Woah." Brock said with a smile, "Look at them all. I've never seen so many in one place."

Soot smiled, "Yeah. It looks like a tribe."

Ash perked up and looked down at Pikachu, "Wait, this couldn't be your old tribe, could it?"

Pikachu looked back and sweat dropped, "Ash, do you have any idea how overly convenient that would b-" He stopped, blinked, and deadpanned "Okay, never mind. I just remembered our track record." He shook it off, "No. This isn't my old tribe. Mine was super deep in Viridian."

Soot frowned, "Aww, really? We could have visited them."

Brock looked at Ash.

Ash looked back at him, "He said-" He stopped upon realizing something. He smirked, "Actually, I have an id-" He stopped again and blinked in confusion, "Wait, where's Misty?"

He heard panting and looked over to see Misty with her hands on her knees.

She glared at them, "You … forgot … me." She held up the inactive Change Lens, "And this."

Ash smiled, "Nice timing." He looked down at his Mouse and Fairy Pokémon, "You two go mingle for a bit. We'll be back soon." He grabbed Brock and Misty's wristed and dragged them away before anyone could respond.

"WAH!" The Gym Leaders shouted from the sudden force.

"Wait up!" Soot shouted before chasing after them.

Clefairy blinked in confusion before looking at Pikachu, "What do you think that was about?"

Pikachu sweat dropped, "No idea."

Clefairy smiled, "Well, whatever. Let's go say hi." She ran through the bush towards the Electric-types.

Pikachu flinched, "Clefairy wait!" He ran after her.

Clefairy continued running and waved her arms, "Hi there! Nice to meet you a-" She stopped and stared in confusion.

All of the tribe had stopped whatever they were doing and were staring at her either fearfully or warily. Raichu was glaring at her.

Clefairy frowned, "Is everything alright?"

"Intruder!" Raichu called out to the tribe.

Clefairy's eyes widened in shock as all of the Electric-types ran to the other side of the clearing.

Clefairy blinked in shock, "Wh- what the-"

"Clefairy…" She turned around to see Pikachu looking at her somberly.

Pikachu sighed, "I'm sorry about that. Sometimes, my kind are shy like this."

Clefairy looked down sadly, "Oh, sorry."

Pikachu smiled sadly and patted her shoulder, "Hey, don't worry. We're not usually that stubborn." He walked in front on her and called out, "Hello! I'm sorry for intruding like this! I'm from the Viridian Forest tribe!" He gestured to Clefairy, "My friend here really doesn't mean any harm! She just got excited!"

"Sorry!" Clefairy called out.

The pikachu all stopped glaring and looked at each other warily. The pichu perked up and blinked. A few tried to run towards them but were stopped by some of their upper evos.

Raichu broke from the tribe and walked towards the pair. The other mice all watched anxiously.

Raichu towered over Pikachu and Clefairy and crossed their arms, "You say you're from the Viridian tribe." His tail swiveled around to point at Pikachu, "Then prove it. Sparks don't lie. Right?"

Pikachu smiled and nodded, "Sparks don't lie." He turned around and held his tail against the other one. The pair let out a small jolt of electricity.

Raichu chuckled lightly, "Alright."

Clefairy frowned, "Do I have to do that too? I don't know any Electric-type moves."

Pikachu looked at her with a smile, "Don't worry. 'Sparks don't lie' is a tradition from my tribe." He looked back at Raichu with a raised brow, "How did know about that, anyway?"

Raichu smiled at him, "I've made sure to figure out that kind of stuff for when we have guests." He looked back towards the next of the tribe and raised a paw.

The Electric-types all shared a look before smiling and bounding over to the pair. The pikachu and some of the pichu all gathered around Pikachu and started greeting him. The rest of the pichu gathered around Clefairy.

"woooah." One of the pichu said while looking up at Clefairy in awe.

Another's eyes lit up, "So cool! What kind of Pokémon are you?!"

Clefairy smiled, "Oh, I'm a-"

A female pichu put a finger to her chin, "She kinda looks like a pink pikachu."

Clefairy sweat dropped with a nervous smile, "Uh, actually-"

Another pichu cocked her head curiously, "But I thought different colored pikachu just had darker fur."

The first pichu gasped before smiling brightly, "Maybe she's like raichu from alolo!"

The female pichu looked at him, "Alola."

Clefairy frowned, "I- I'm not a-"

"Yeah! Like a pinkachu!"

"Pinkachu! Pinkachu!"

Clefairy sweat dropped, 'I can't get a word in.'

One of female pikachu laughed and walked over, "Hatchlings, she's not a pikachu. She's a clefairy."

The pichu cocked their heads in confusion.

"Cle"

"Fa"

"Ry?"

The female chuckled, "Yeah. They're Fairy-types." She glanced at Clefairy, "Rather rare ones if I remember correctly."

Clefairy blinked in surprise, "I'm rare?"

Pikachu chuckled before looking at her with a raised brow, "Well, yeah. You never knew that?"

Clefairy deadpanned, "I didn't know I could float until Ash told me so."

The pichu all perked up and looked at her in awe, "YOU CAN FLOAT?!"

Raichu blinked in surprise before looking at Pikachu, "Who's Ash?"

Pikachu jerked, 'Crag! That's right! Trainer!' He rubbed the back of his head nervously, "W- well, Ash is-"

"Over here." Came Ash's voice came from behind.

Pikachu and Clefairy looked over and flinched. Ash, Brock, and Misty stood their; all in pikachu form. What concerned the two of them the most were the blue symbol/disks on all of their stomachs.

The pair ran over and Clefairy asked, "What's going on? Why'd you guys Lockdown?"

Misty shrugged, "Well, why not? We thought it'd be fun."

Brock nodded, "Plus, this'll give us a chance to closely observe a Pokémon society without alarming them."

Ash smirked and patted Brock and Misty on the back, "And It'll give these two a chance to practice."

The Gym Leaders chuckled.

Pikachu sweat dropped, "I guess. So, how long are you all stuck like this?"

Misty rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, "Weeeell-"

.

**Flashback**

Ash smiled, "you guys, ready?"

The Gym Leader-mice nodded excitedly, "Yeah!"

Ash nodded back and started rotating the symbol on his stomach. After a few more seconds, he hit the rotated symbol. It turned blue; as did the Lenses on Brock and Misty's stomachs. Three overlapping, electronic voices rang out in the clearing.

Lockdown Mode Engaged, Approximate time until release: one-hundred and twenty hours

Ash's smiled disappeared as he stared at the symbol in shock.

Misty blinked in surprise, "Di- did I hear that right?"

Soot stared in shock, "If you heard five days, then yeah."

"What?!" Brock blurted out, "I thought you said it only lasted up to eighty-four hours!"

"I thought it did!" Ash blurted back, "It's never been this long before!"

.

**End Flashback**

Pikachu and Clefairy's jaws dropped in shock.

Ash sweat dropped, "Yeah. It could have gone better."

The tribe looked at the new trio warily. Raichu's eyes narrowed before he walked up to them.

The large Electric-type crossed his arms, "Viridian triber, is this the 'Ash' you were talking about?"

Ash smiled and nodded, "Yup." He gestured to himself, "My name is Ash." He gestured to the Lens users, "And these are my siblings, Brock and Misty."

Pikachu and Clefairy blinked in surprise, "…huh?"

Brock smiled, "Hi."

Misty waved a paw, "Nice to meet you all."

"I see." Raichu said as he looked around them warily, "Why do you all look like this? I've never heard of regional variant pikachu. Or three for that matter."

Misty's eye twitched before she took a deep breath, 'It's not personal. It's not personal. It's not personal.'

Brock sweat dropped, 'Ash and Soot weren't kidding.'

Ash chucked nervously, "It's not that. It's because of our female meema. Well, 'female' really. They were a ditto with some … odd ideas. Namely, messing around with their DNA a lot when our eggs were forming."

Raichu blinked in surprise, "When your eggs were-" He raised a brow, "How could you possibly know that?"

Ash sweat dropped, "Meema told us."

Raichu sweat dropped, "Oh." He shook it off, "What tribe are you all from?"

Ash looked down somberly and his ears drooped, "We're aren't from any tribe. Meema was a free roamer. We don't know who our male meema is, so we don't know which tribe we're really from."

Raichu's look softened before they looked down to the side, "I see. I'm sorry."

Ash looked back at him with a sad smile, "It's alright. We've come to live with it. We know we're not like others."

Raichu smiled softly before raising a brow, "One more thing, I'd like to ask. Why do all have names?"

Ash smiled, "We grew up in an area that humans would travel to a lot and were always really curious. Eventually, we gave ourselves human-like names based on words we like." He reached up to grab the visor of his hat, "That's only how Misty and I got this stuff."

Raichu smiled softly, 'Just like her.' He glanced at Pikachu, "Do you trust them?"

Pikachu blinked in surprise before smiling and nodding, "Completely. Ash is my best friend and I trust Brock and Misty just as much."

Clefairy nodded with a smile too, "They're all really really nice."

One of the pichu cocked his head, "Really?"

Clefairy looked at them and nodded again, "Really really."

Pichu looked at the group before bounding over to Misty. He looked up at her curiously, "You look funny."

Misty sweat dropped and forced a smile, "Y- yeah. I get that a lot."

Pichu sniffed her before cocking his head, "You smell funny too."

Misty flinched, 'Crag! We didn't cover this!' "I-"

Ash looked at the small Electric-type in surprise, "Wait, what?" He brought up and sniffed his arm before sniffing Raichu. He sweat dropped, "Oh." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "I guess hanging around humans so much caused some of their scents to rub off on us. I never really noticed."

Brock and Misty perked up some, 'That's what they meant!'

Misty grimaced and covered her face with her paws, "I can't believe I missed something like that. So embarrassing."

Brock sniffed his arm and he frowned as his ears drooped, "Hm." He perked up when he felt something poking him and looked down at one of the other pichu poking at the Lens on his stomach in confusion.

Pichu looked up at him; still poking, "What's this thing?"

Brock sweat dropped, "O-Oh. It's-"

"part of our bodies." Ash said as pointed at the watch's symbol on his stomach, "Meema added DNA from Mineral Pokémon. These circles are the result of that."

Pichu looked back at him; still poking Brock's Lens, "But why does yours look different?"

Ash chuckled, "I don't really know either. Probably the same reason Brock, Misty, and I look so different."

Brock looked down at Pichu, "Can you please stop doing that? It feels weird."

Pichu perked up and took a step back with her ears drooping, "Sorry."

Brock smiled softly, "It's okay. I'm not mad or anything." He crouched down to pet her, "Just try to remember for later."

Pichu just smiled blissfully as Brock pet her, "Okay."

The other pichu looked over at the pair curiously before looking up at Misty.

Misty noticed, chuckled, and crouched down to pet him too, "Feels nice, doesn't it?"

Pichu smiled, "Uh huh."

The rest of the Electric mice looked at them curiously.

Raichu looked at the pair with a soft smile before looking at Ash, "Your siblings seem to be good with the hatchlings."

Ash chuckled nervously, "Well, uh, speaking of hatchlings." He looked back at a bush and called out, "Come on out, sweetie!"

The pichu, pikachu, and Raichu all looked at the bush and flinched upon seeing a red-eyed mightyena appear and walk over to them. The canine walked towards the hat wearing pikachu; growling ferociously.

One of the pikachu started trembling, "It-it's a mightyena."

"How did it get here?" Another said in alarm.

The Dark-type stopped in their tracks; towering over the brown-eyed pikachu and glaring at them angrily.

The pichu next to Brock grimaced, "Hurry! Get out of-"

"Stop calling me sweetie!" Soot shouted at Ash.

Ash laughed and put a paw on her nose, "Aww, come on, Soot. Don't be like that."

The tribe Chus all stared in shock.

Soot huffed, "Just because I'm your hatchling, doesn't mean I have to go along with your dumb little nickname."

The Electric-types' eyes all widened in shock; except for four of them obviously.

Ash smirked and whispered, "There is always the alternative we talked about."

Soot groaned, "Fine."

Raichu stared at Soot in shock, "Th- this mightyena is your hatchling?"

Ash looked back at him with a smile, "Yeah. This is Soot."

One of the tribe's pikachu glared at Soot, "How do we know we can trust it?!"

Soot deadpanned, "I was raised by three pikachu since hatching. Why the Yvel would I hurt any of you?"

The pichu next to Misty looked up at her worriedly.

Misty noticed and smiled, "Don't worry. Soot really is nice. I promise she won't hurt anyone."

Pichu looked over at Soot before gulping. He walked towards her slowly with a frightened look.

He stopped and looked up at Soot with a frown and his ears drooping, "H- hi."

Soot looked down at him; making Pichu flinch and tremble.

Soot gave a somber look, 'Poor guy. He's terrified.' She took a deep breath and cracked her neck, 'Haven't had to do this in a long time. Time to see if it works on hatchings.'

Soot stuck her tongue out playfully and laid down in front of the Mouse Pokémon; tail wagging excitedly.

Pichu stopped trembling and stared in confusion, "Uh … what are you do-"

He was cut off by Soot licking his cheek before cocking her head innocently; making Pichu laugh. The rest of the pichu all smiled before bounding over to Soot.

Soot just smiled and laid there as the hatchling climbed all over her; licking them on the cheek occasionally.

Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Clefairy stared in pure shock as this happened, 'What?!' 'The?!' 'Actual?!' 'Yvel?!'

The rest of the tribe seemed to have calmed down and watched in curiously and/or in awe.

Ash smiled softly, 'She's still got it.'

Raichu blinked in surprise, "I- I didn't think a mightyena could be this gentle. Especially with hatchlings."

Ash's eye twitched, 'It's a justified stereotype. It's a justified stereotype.' He sighed before smiling, "Well yeah. Soot used to babysit all the time."

Brock and Misty jerked and looked at Ash in shock.

Raichu looked at Ash in surprise, "What? Why would anyone sit on hatchings? They aren't eggs anymore."

Ash chuckled, "No, sorry. It's a human term that means to watch over hatchings while the meemas are away."

Raichu sweat dropped, "Oh." He looked back at the Dark-type and flinched slightly.

Soot was currently balancing her detached foreleg on her nose; middle claw on the tip. The pichu were all watching in awe. A few of the tribes pikachu had also gathered around her.

Soot smiled, "Now remember hatchlings" She glanced at the pikachu, "and others, never try and do this. The only reason I can do it is because of my-"

"Banette inheritance!"

Soot chuckled before dropping, catching, and reattaching her foreleg, "Very good. And remember, you have to hatch inherent. There's no gaining it."

One of the pichu raised a paw, "How can you tell if you're inherent?"

Soot smiled, "Very good question." She crouched down, "Take a look at my eyes. These eyes aren't normal for a mightyena."

Another of the pichu tilted her head, "Really?"

"Really." Soot responded; still smiling. She closed one eye and reopened it to reveal the standard red and yellow with a smaller black slit pupil; making all of the Electric-types' eyes widen in surprise. Soot chuckled, "This is what a normal mightyena eye looks like. Being inherent means that I can switch them back and forth between my birth and inherent species." She winked and shifted her eye back to the Banette theme, "When my eyes are like this, I can do things that only Ghost-types can normally do."

"So cool!" One of the pichu said excitedly.

One of the pikachu's eyes lit up, "So, you can walk through stuff and turn invisible?!"

Soot smirked, "You tell me." She vanished on the spot.

The pichu and pikachus' eyes all widened, and they started looking around for Soot.

"boo." Soot said quietly.

The Electric-types all jumped and turned around to see Soot laying down behind them.

Soot smiled, "Surprised?"

The Pokémon in front of her all started laughing and/or applauding.

Raichu blinked in surprise before smiling softly, "The tribe seems to have taken a liking to her."

Ash smiled, "Honestly, I'm not surprised. She's my pride and joy after all." He smiled happily and said in a babyish tone, "She's such a sweet puppy."

Soot's eye twitched in annoyance, 'Dad, you son of a glitch!'

"Is everything alright, Ms. mightyena?"

Soot perked up before looking down at the pichu with a smile, "I'm okay. And, you can call me Soot."

Raichu chuckled before saying, "I almost forgot to ask: what brings your group out here?"

Ash smiled up at him, "We were actually just free roaming. We found you all randomly." He looked at his starter, "Well, technically Pikachu and Clefairy did."

Pikachu looked over and nodded with a smile, "Yeah. My old tribe's major elder told me about the berries around here."

Misty looked at him with a raised brow, "The berries?"

Clefairy nodded, "Yeah. Pikachu said they tell you that a tribe is nearby. That and I saw a pichu in a bush."

Brock perked up, "Really?"

Clefairy nodded with a smile, "Yup." She looked over at Soot, "I think it was that one swinging on Soot's ear."

Brock shook his head, "No, I mean the berry thing." He looked at Raichu, "Is that true? Like, do y- uh, our kind set up tribes around the berries or do you start planting them after establishing the tribe? And if it's the former, is it some kind of tradition that was established a long time ago or some kind of instinctual urge?"

Raichu blinked in surprise, "Um…" He sweat dropped with a nervous smile, "I think that's a question better meant for the major elder."

"Oh." Brock said before looking around at the tribe, "So-"

Raichu chuckled, "No. He's back at the tribe grounds."

Ash blinked in surprise, "Are you inviting us?"

Raichu shrugged, "Well, yeah. I believe I've seen enough to trust you all." He turned around and motioned for them to follow, "Come on. The grounds aren't far."

Raichu walked towards and disappeared into a bush. The partial tribe and Soot -covered in pichu once again- followed.

Misty blinked in surprise, "That was a lot easier than expected."

Pikachu sweat dropped, "No kidding. I guess this tribe isn't as stubborn as mine."

Brock smiled, "Well, let's hurry. We don't wanna get too far behind."

Clefairy nodded happily.

The quintet ran after the Electric-types.

"Hey, when did you guys come up with that cover story?" Pikachu asked.

"Before the Lockdown." Ash responded.

.

**Flashback - Full**

Soot shied away slightly as the massive green flash lit up the clearing. She looked back and smiled at the sight of the three pikachu before her.

"This is so exciting!" Misty said with a bright smile, "I've never seen a Pokémon tribe up close and personal before!"

Brock smiled as well, "We'll actually be able to interact with them as equals! This is an opportunity most breeders would do anything for! I almost can't believe it!"

"Not so fast." Soot jumped in as she walked over and sat down next to Ash, "We need to go over a few ground rules first."

Brock looked at her in surprise, "Ground rules?"

Ash nodded and crossed his arms, "You two are new at this, and I don't mean transforming this time. Interacting with a wild Pokémon tribe is uncharted territory with different rules and ways of thinking. We wanna make sure you're prepared."

Misty shrugged, "Okay, shoot."

"First." Ash started, "while we're like this, the three of us are siblings."

Brock and Misty stared in confusion, "… huh?"

Ash chuckled, "It's part of our cover story. They can't exactly know that we're humans."

Misty sweat dropped, "Okay. But why do we need to be related for that?"

"Because of this second thing … partially." Soot started, "You all look like freaks of nature."

Misty jerked before glaring at her, "Hey!"

Ash sighed, "She's right, Misty." He held up a paw to point at one if his eyes and used the other to grab the tufts of fur poking out under his hat, "Our hair may be passable, but our eyes are completely unnatural for this species. And our headgear doesn't help."

Brock raised a brow, "Well, sure. But you said that would happen when we used the Lenses. It's not that bad of a glitch."

Ash frowned and shook his head, "That's not what I mean. To Pokémon, pointing out weird stuff like this isn't normally considered rude. Mostly because of how rare it is for someone of the same species to look this different without them being a regional variant. Our teams are all fine with it because they know the full truth."

Misty frowned, "So, we're going to be getting weird looks as long as we're with them."

Ash sighed, "Pretty much. It's something we'll have to put up with." He shook it off, "Anyway, our cover story is that our quote-un-quote female meema was a creative ditto; namely one who messed around with their DNA a lot while they were forming our eggs. Also, that we grew in an area that humans visited frequently and that we don't know which tribe we belong to. Because we don't know who our male meema is."

"Regardless," Soot followed, "none of that will stop them from giving you all weird looks."

Misty groaned and crossed her arms, "Great."

Brock raised a brow, "Wait. Why are we telling them that we grew up near humans? Wouldn't that make them trust us less?"

Soot shook her head, "Not as much as telling them that you are humans or claiming that you haven't had much contact with them."

Ash put a finger to his temple, "Our minds are still one-hundred percent human. As a result, a lot of our habits and what's normal to us may confuse the tribe. The 'living near humans' part of our story means that we have a justified answer if we do or saying anything 'weird.'"

Soot nodded, "Your main excuse should be that the humans' habits rubbed off on you. Like all of you having human-sounding names. If we went with the 'little to no interaction' story, we would all be under constant pressure to try not to slip up around the tribe."

Misty blinked in surprise, "Huh." She looked at Ash, "So, is that everything?"

"Almost." Soot said.

Ash raised a finger with a serious look, "There's one more thing you need to know about and it's probably the most important."

Brock frowned and his ears drooped, "What is it?"

"NO KISSING!!" Ash and Soot shouted in unison; causing the Gym Leaders to flinch.

Misty recovered and sweat dropped, "I uh- don't think that'll be a problem."

Brock sweat dropped as well, "Yeah. I get that I try to pick up girls a lot, but we are talking about Pokémon here."

Ash shook his head, "It's not that. We're in Pokémon forms. So, if any of us kiss anyone of the opposite gender from the same Egg Group -even accidentally- someone's laying an egg."

Misty blushed heavily and waved her paws, "Okay, woah. That's a pretty big leap from kissing, don't you think?"

Soot sighed, "Again, not what he means. For Pokémon, there's literally no difference between a mouth-to-mouth kiss and" She paused and cleared her throat, "mating."

Brock perked up in surprise, "Oh, right." He put a paw to his throat, "Pokémon don't have the same … organs as humans." He shivered from the thought of his conversation with Vulpix last night.

Soot snickered, "Bingo. Pokémon -male, female, and genderless- have an extra tube in their throats known commonly as the reproductive esophagus. The name pretty much says it all."

Ash spoke up in stern tone, "So, unless you're ready to become a real meema, keep your lips to yourselves."

Misty gulped and put a paw to her throat as well, "Okay. Warning received."

Ash nodded, "Good. Now that that's over with," Ash smiled, "you guys, ready?"

The Gym Leader-mice nodded excitedly, "Yeah!"

Ash nodded back and started rotating the symbol on his stomach. After a few more seconds, he hit the rotated symbol. It turned blue; as did the Lenses on Brock and Misty's stomachs. Three overlapping, electronic voices rang out in the clearing.

Lockdown Mode Engaged, Approximate time until release: one-hundred and twenty hours

Ash's smiled disappeared as he stared at the symbol in shock.

Misty blinked in surprise, "Di- did I hear that right?"

Soot stared in shock, "If you heard five days, then yeah."

"What?!" Brock blurted out, "I thought you said it only lasted up to eighty-four hours!"

"I thought it did!" Ash blurted back, "It's never been this long before!"

Misty pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned, "Great."

Soot chuckled nervously, "Well, look at it this way. Now you have more than enough time to practice walking and even get to mingle with your teams after we split from the tribe."

Misty sighed, "Yeah, fine. I'll give you that." She pointed at Ash, "But I wanna use Vaporeon right after we timeout!"

Ash smiled, "Spend at least half a day exclusively walking on all fours and you have a deal."

Misty was about to argue … until she remembered what happened by the river, "Okay. Fair enough."

Brock smiled and clapped his paws, "Alright. Now that everything's settled, how about we go meet up with Pikachu and Clefairy?" He stopped and perked up upon realizing something, "Wait, what do we with our backpacks and pokéballs?" He said while looking over at the items in question.

Soot smiled, "I'm on it."

The Dark-type shifted her eyes and walked over to their supplies. She bit down on the strap of Ash's backpack and flung it into the air. Brock and Misty flinched slightly when it fell towards Soot's back and disappeared into her upper torso. She then proceeded to toss Brock just under where Ash's went and swallow Misty's backpack.

Misty blinked in surprise, "Uhhhh-"

Ash snickered, "It's selective intangibility. She's phasing everything into her body."

Soot looked over with a frown, "Unfortunately, I can only hold it for about forty-eight hours. So, I'll need to hide away for a break if we're spending more than two days with the tribe." She walked over to the belts and flung Brock's into her right hindleg.

Brock sweat dropped, "Is that uncomfortable at all?"

Soot slung Ash's belt into her left hindleg before looking at the Pewter Leader, "Incredibly so. Yes." She shrugged, "But I've built up a tolerance."

Misty sweat dropped, "Uh … right." She glanced at Soot warily, "Is my stuff gonna be okay in there?"

Soot snickered, "If you're worried about me digesting your bag; not gonna happen." She held up a paw to her throat, "It's still in my throat, not my stomach."

'Doesn't make it any less weird.' Misty thought; still sweat dropping.

Ash smiled at Soot, "Good work sweetie."

Soot glared at Ash, "Don't call me sweetie."

Brock looked at Soot with a raised a brow, "Hey, something I've been wondering for a while. Why are you so against Ash calling you that?"

Soot huffed, "Because it's embarrassing. Who the Yvel calls a mightyena 'sweetie'?"

Ash frowned, "You don't have a problem when mom calls you that."

Soot glared at him again, "Yeah. Because I'm not an idiot."

Ash smirked slyly, "Well, if I can't call you 'sweetie', how about I just start using your middle name?"

Soot blushed heavily, ran over to him, and shouted, "DON'T YOU FREAKING DARE!"

Misty blinked in surprise and looked up at the Bite Pokémon, "You have a middle name?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah. It's-"

"NO!" Soot shouted at Ash.

Ash deadpanned, "Soot, it's not that bad of a name."

Soot glared angrily, "Says you!"

Ash sighed, "Fine." He smiled, "Sweetie it is, then."

Soot groaned.

.

**End Flashback**

Raichu looked at Soot with a raised brow, "Are you sure you're okay with that? Some of us can carry the hatchlings instead."

Soot looked back at him with a smile; one Pichu on top of her head with the rest curled up and asleep on her back, "Nah, I'm good. Besides, I think they like it."

Pichu nodded happily.

"Still." One of the pikachu said, "isn't it heavy to be carrying all them at once?"

Soot snickered, "Don't forget about my inheritance. I can turn intangible and spread it to whatever I'm touching. Right now, I'm only doing it to the point that they weigh less than normal."

The pichu on her head blinked in surprise and looked down at Soot, "Really?"

Soot smiled up at her, "Yeah. Try touching one of my ears. They're still tangible."

Pichu looked at Soot's right ear and reached over to it. Her paw went straight through it instantly.

Pichu's eyes lit up, "Wooooah." She started moving her paw through the ear repeatedly and laughing, "It feels so funny!"

Soot chuckled, "I know, right?"

Misty blinked in surprise and whispered to Ash, "So Soot seriously used to babysit?"

Ash smiled and whispered, "Yup. It took some time to get started, because- y'know, mightyena. But it really kicked off after she started throwing in tutoring sessions."

Brock looked at Ash in surprise, "Tutoring? Like in Pokémon care?"

Ash shook his head, "Nope. Calculus."

Brock and Misty perked up and stared at Soot in shock, "Seriously?"

Clefairy looked at Pikachu in confusion, "Cal-calus?"

Pikachu shrugged.

Raichu stopped in front of a bush and smiled, "Here we a-"

"HEY!"

Ash, Misty, Brock, Soot, Pikachu, and Clefairy jumped and looked up to see another raichu jumping down from a nearby tree.

The new raichu glared at the other raichu, "What do think you're doing?! Bringing their kind to the tribe?!"

The first Raichu held up a paw, "Please hear me out. I understand that they may look strange, but there's no rule against inviting other pikachu to visit. And I assure you that the clefairy is far from a threat."

Brock and Misty sweat dropped, 'Did he have to say that first part?'

Guard Raichu continued glaring, "And the mightyena?! You've heard what they're capable of!"

Ash's eyes twitched slightly before held up his paws defensively, "Look, I understand why you're worried. But I promise everything's okay." He gestured to Soot, "This mightyena is my hatchling. My biological hatchling."

Guide looked at the other full evo with a frown, "She has been looking after the hatchings since we met and even playing with them. I truly believe that she means no harm."

Guard Raichu glared at Guide, "Even if that's true," They pointed at Soot accusingly, "no matter how 'gentle' that beast acts-"

Guard was cut off by a massive gust of wind blowing in his face; forcing him to shield his eyes.

"Care to rephrase that?" Ash asked angrily.

Guard opened their eyes and looked down. Their eyes widened in shock at seeing Ash's glowing paw an eighth of an inch away from their throat and the Electric-type giving him a murderous glare. The rest of the tribe stared in shock as well.

Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Clefairy sweat dropped, "Oh boy."

'He was standing behind me!' Guide Raichu thought; still staring in shock, 'How the Yvel did he move that fast?! It couldn't have just been Agility, could it?!'

Soot blinked in surprise, 'Since when did that form know Brick Break?'

The raichu Ash had at claw point gulped, "I- I- It's just- the bea-"

Ash snarled.

Raichu flinched, "Th- the mightyena! Sh- she still has those large claws and f-fangs. E-even if she means no harm, I-I'm worried for the hatchlings."

Ash stopped glaring and sighed, "Fine." The glow on Ash's paw faded and he made his way over to Soot. He stopped in front of her and turned to face the tribe, "Show them, Soot."

Soot frowned, "Are you sure about-"

"Yes." Ash jumped in, "I'm sure."

Soot sighed, "Okay." She looked up at the pichu on her head, "Close your eyes. Please."

Pichu frowned but nodded and put their hands over her eyes.

Soot brought up a claw and thrust it into the back of Ash's neck. The Electric-types stared in shock at the sight of the claws poking out of Ash's throat.

"Is this proof enough?" Ash asked in an angry tone.

Guard Raichu stared in horror, "How- how are you alive?"

Soot sighed, "Intangibility. Right now, my claws and teeth only exist to be seen. They can't hurt anyone; even by accident."

Guide Raichu gulped, "Y- you couldn't have just told us that?"

Ash glared at Guard, "Would he have listened if we did?"

Soot pulled her claw out of Ash's neck and looked up at the pichu on her head with a soft smile, "It's okay. You can look now."

Pichu slowly moved her hands away and looked down at Soot with a worried frown, "Is everything okay?"

Soot smiled, "Yeah. Don't worry." She laid down on the ground before looking at her back and shaking slightly, "Alright kids, nap's over. Time to wake up."

The pichu on her back started stirring. A few sat up -either yawning or rubbing their eyes- while others started waking up the rest.

"Wha's goin' on?" One of the pichu asked tiredly.

Soot smiled, "Your back home. Time to get off the doggy."

"Awwww." The now-conscious pichu all complained.

Soot smiled sadly, "Sorry, but your meemas are gonna get worried if you're not home soon. I don't want any of you getting in trouble."

"Okaaaay." The baby Pokémon whined.

The pichu all started climbing down and walking towards the bush in a slump. A few went to the pikachu and held up their paws. The pikachu picked up the hatchlings and made their way into the bushes.

Soot blinked in surprise, 'So some of them were their parents.'

"Soot?"

The Bite Pokémon looked down to see the pichu that was lying on her head looking back up at her with a frown.

Soot crouched down to her level, "Everything okay?"

Pichu's ears drooped, "You're coming to visit, right?"

Soot smiled softly and glanced at Guard Raichu, "Am I?"

Pichu looked back at him hopefully.

Guard frowned and glanced around at everyone. He groaned, "Fine." He pointed at Soot, "But, I'm keeping a close eye on you."

Soot smiled, "Fair enough. Thank you."

Pichu smiled brightly and hugged Soot's snout, "Yay!"

Soot chuckled, "Now go on home. We don't want your meemas to worry."

Pichu nodded with a smile, "Okay." She started running back to the bush, "See ya soon Soot!"

Soot smiled, "See ya!"

Misty looked at Soot with a sly smirk, "So … Doggy?"

Soot shot her a death glare; making the Gym Leader flinch, "What about it?"

Misty gulped, "N-nothing."

Soot nodded, "Thought so." She walked into the tribe grounds; leaving Ash, Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Clefairy in the small clearing

Ash leaned closer to Misty and whispered, "I wouldn't try to do that again. Soot takes babysitting really seriously."

Brock sweat dropped, "Then, why do you provoke her so much?"

Ash smirked, "I'm her dad. It's part of my job." He started walking and motioned for the group to follow, "Come on."

Pikachu, Clefairy, the trainers made their way through the bushes.

Ash, Misty, Brock, Soot and Clefairy's eyes widened in awe at the sight of the tribe grounds. Pikachu just smiled softly at seeing it.

The tribe ground was made up of a MASSIVE clearing with countless average sized, hollowed out trees littered around it. Berry bushes could be seen in all directions and a river -likely extended from the one they were by earlier- could be heard nearby … they assumed. Countless pichu, pikachu, and raichu could be seen all around. They were picking berries, sleeping, running around, playing, and running up and down the trees.

"Woah." Clefairy said.

"An actual tribe." Brock muttered in awe, "It's incredible."

"No kidding." Misty muttered.

Raichu looked at them in surprise, "You act as though you've never even seen one of our kinds' tribes before."

Ash sweat dropped with a nervous smile, "Because we haven't. Well, expect Pikachu."

Pikachu raised a paw, "Yup."

Ash continued, "Most of the tribe groups way came across never gave us a chance."

Soot chuckled nervously, "Yeah. And, if they did, I scared them off immediately."

Raichu frowned before shaking it off and smiling, "In that case, welcome to our tribe. Please make yourselves at home."

Pikachu smiled at him, "Thank you." He ran up to Clefairy and grabbed her paw, "Come on. If this tribe's anything like mine, we should be able to find some berries that are way sweeter than the ones earlier."

Clefairy smiled brightly, "Well, what are we waiting for?!" She looked back at Ash and the others, "Let's go guys!"

Misty pumped a fist, "Yeah!"

Raichu held out a paw, "Actually, there's something I was hoping you could do for me."

Everyone looked back at him in confusion.

"What is it?" Ash asked.

Raichu smiled at him, "Well first off, really I only mean you, your hatchling and your siblings."

Pikachu smiled brightly, "Works for me!" He lit up with Quick Attack and sped off while holding onto Clefairy.

Misty sweat dropped and muttered, "Really?"

Soot sighed before looking at Raichu, "You were saying?"

Raichu smiled at the group, "I was hoping you would all come and meet my sibling. I can say for sure that she'll really want to meet you all."

.

.

*****Pseudo-Comment Response*****

(Guessing the deleted form)

From Johnathen Youngs (chapter 42):

(Full response will be posted in next regular comment response)

… could the aliem be a vreedle or is it mabey eon species cant wait to find out

Seishin: *game show announcer voice* Not a bad GoGo, JoYo! But, I'm afraid that's incorrect!

Ohirume: Still, those are pretty good guesses.

Yugo: Decagon Vreedle -the canon vreedle form in Ben Tennyson Prime's Omnitrix- does match the hint we gave in the last comment response. It was never used and has been verified to exist.

Seishin: It was given the official name by Derrick James Wyatt; Omniverse's art director.

Yugo: However, Ash did say he used the form before it was deleted. I think he would have noticed the gray skin and lack of nose.

Ohirume: Chronians -Eon's retconned species- could literally be one decision change away from being correct. They perfectly resemble humans -namely at a younger age-, did exist in the "Race Against Time" Omnitrix, and has a more than fair chance of being included in the story on account of the multiverse concept.

But I can neither guarantee, nor deny, that I'll include chronians in the story. I'll think it over.

Omega: Also, there is one problem. But, not with your guesses.

Revealing the deleted form in the story won't be as easy as you may think.

It's long gone and the only person who would know what the form was would have to be someone who fully knows what the Omnitrix is and who knows that the 'non-Pokémon' are aliens from another dimension. In other words, nobody from Trix's Pokémon world.

Ohirume: Still, it won't be impossible. Just … near impossible without pulling a Yukiro-level Deus Ex Machina.

Seishin: *GIR voice* Yaaaaaaaaay!

Omega: No, freak. That's bad.

Seishin: *GIR voice; pouting* Awwwwwwww.

.

From Guest (chapter 42):

I'm Gonna guess it's Ash's Human form isn't it.

.

Klipper

Seishin: *game show announcer voice* OOO! So sorry, Klipper the ripper! That's strike two of … infinity. There's no limit to how many times you're allowed to guess.

Omega: *glances at Seishin; sweat dropping* Uh … right.

Yugo: While human DNA has been verified to be in the Omnitrix -or more specifically the Argitrix-, it's never been verified that an Omnitrix user can access their own birth species.

Ohirume: Still, you're close.

.

.

Seishin: *game show announcer voice* Well, it doesn't seem like we have any winners this time around! *remote click*

Fake audience: Awww.

Seishin: *game show announcer voice* But, don't fret readers! Keep at it and I'm sure we'll hit our answer in due time! *remote click*

Fake audience: *various cheering/applause*

Omega: *deadpanned* Why did you give him that remote?

Ohirume: *sweat drop* I'm starting to wonder why as well.