Pokémon Trix: Tales of Soot and Ash

by Ohirume

Imagine a version of the Pokémon world where Ash Ketchum came into possession of the most powerful device in the world of Ben 10. Now imagine that written by some psycho. Yeah... Pokémon/Ben 10 crossover, sort of. Weird censoring. Tell me what you think. Due to this websites regular glitches/breakdowns, chapters and status updates will be posted on DeviantArt. Username: Ohirume1

67. Mewtwo Part 1: Hope

**To switch to Reader View and (possibly) get rid of the google ads– go to the URL and replace the 'www' with an 'm'

It's less detailed, so navigation is more annoying. But that's the fault of the website for letting the ads start appearing**

Omega: Wow. This took way too long to come out.

Ohirume: *eye twitch; arms crossed* I'm aware…

*sighs* I said before that I wouldn't know for certain when this'd come out, didn't I?

Seishin: *sweat drops and smiles sheepishly* Yeah, but aren't we less than a month away from a full year?

Ohirume: *groans* I get it, okay?

…

Seishin: *pops up and grins* Alright readers, here's the game plan.

This is part 1 of 4. Each part will be posted Monday at 8:00pm CST. With luck, we'll be back to a semi-regular schedule after that. Enjoy.

Omega: Hold the **** up!

Seishin: *salutes* Aye aye captain! *reaches down and holds up a cinder block over his head with the word "The" followed by four asterisks written on it in marker*

Omega: *stares at Seishin; deadpanned. Turns and glares at Ohirume* So, not only did people have to wait almost a year for this piece of ****, they have to wait another month for the entire thing?!

Ohirume: *frowns* Well, when you put it like that…

Seishin: Hey, can I put the **** down now? It's heavy.

Ohirume: *steps in front of Seishin* Also, I will say that this part is the shortest of the four.

.

.

The Calm

.

An unmarked, black airship sat a distance from a massive metal building located in the middle of the forest. The building was comprised of a central tower with four red-domed turrets mounted at the corners and a large satellite dish located on the roof and a set of wings with blue domed roofs.

Giovanni -in his black suit- stood outside the ship with Persian by his side and stared at the building. A woman with green hair and brown eyes wearing a black Team Rocket uniform was standing next to the ramp extending from the vehicle's hatch.

"Master, this can't be safe." Wendy said worriedly, "If your inhibitor really lost power, then Mewtwo might have-"

Seishin: *pops up* Quickie. Don't read into that 'master' thing. It's just a canon quirk of hers.
I'm serious. You can look up the character. *drops down*

"I'm afraid there is no 'might'." Giovanni cut her off; making the pilot flinch, "You saw how Mewtwo acted after the mission."

Wendy stared fearfully, "That's all the more reason we have to leave!" She put a hand to her chest and smiled hopefully, "The building's already evacuated, right?! We can just lock it in and come back with enough manpower to restrain it!"

Giovanni just glanced back at her, "And you believe that will work?"

Wendy flinched and looked away anxiously, "W- well…"

Giovanni stared for a moment before sighing in defeat and turning to face her, "Get me a tablet."

Wendy perked up before rushing back into the airship, "Yes. One moment." She stepped back out with a tablet in hand and handed it to him, "Here."

Giovanni took the device before tapping it repeatedly. After a few minutes, he nodded, "Alright. The security cameras in its chamber are still functional."

He handed the device back to the pilot, "You can watch from here. You won't be able to hear Mewtwo, but this should help ease any worries." He and persian started walking towards the base before she could respond.

Wendy smiled softly and whispered, "Thank you, master." She took a seat on the airship's ramp and watched the feed intently.

On the screen, a large Pokémon stood on a platform on the lower level of the dim room. Every limb of its body, its torso, and its waist were covered in cybernetic armor with thick wires stretching from the gear to the ceiling. In front of it, on a floor above, was a small circular balcony with a guard rail.

After a moment, a light appeared from the balcony as The Boss and his Classy Cat Pokémon walked up to the rail. Mewtwo looked up at him; expression hidden under the mask.

"You've seen the truth." Giovanni said, "Haven't you, Mewtwo?"

Silence followed. Wendy assumed it was due to Giovanni letting Mewtwo speak.

"I see." Giovanni said calmly, "So, where does that leave us?"

More silence followed. Wendy gulped.

"Do you understand why you were created, Mewtwo?" Giovanni asked.

Wendy perked up and blinked in surprise.

"Wrong." Giovanni said. The pilot noticed the edge of the man's lip curl; likely from a smirk, "You exist to serve your master. You were created to fight for me."

Wendy smiled and glared determinedly, "Yeah. Show it who's boss."

"Equals? Partners?" Giovanni proclaimed, "You were created by humans to obey humans. You will never be our equal."

Mewtwo clenched a fist. Wendy tensed up and her smile faded, 'Uh oh.'

Giovanni glared angrily, "You dare defy me?!" He immediately reached into his pocket.

Wendy smiled excitedly, 'That's right! The restraints!' Her smile faded when Mewtwo flared with light blue energy.

Telekinetic energy flared around it, and it began sparking wildly. The wires around it started breaking off. Wendy's eyes widened fearfully.

"What are you doing?! Stop that this instant!" Giovanni shouted before shielding himself as a few sparks flew his way. He turned and ran back the way he came, "Persian!" The feline followed him.

Wendy jumped to her feet when the feed cut off, "What?!" She started shaking the device, "Come on! Not now!"

She flinched when, without warning, a pillar of light shone ahead. She looked up right as a massive explosion erupted from the building. Wendy could do nothing but stare in shock as the smoke settled enough to reveal the entire base reduced to rubble and flame. She failed to notice a being shoot out of the smoke and into the air; leaving shrapnel it their wake.

Wendy dropped the tablet and screamed, "MASTER!" She broke into a sprint towards the destroyed base and started looking around frantically.

She perked up when she heard coughing and looked over to find Giovanni sitting amongst the rubble with an uncomfortable frown on his face.

Wendy hurried over to him, "Master! Are you okay?!"

Giovanni groaned and put a hand to his head, "I'm fine."

"WOAH!"

Giovanni perked up and Wendy flinched before looking over to find the quaRtet standing near them and looking at the ex-building in shock.

Wendy started in shock, "Wha-" She glared at Jessie, "What the Yvel are you doing here?!"

Jessie stared in surprise before glaring back, "Well, for your information-"

Growlie coughed into his paw. Jessie tensed up and frowned in annoyance. Wendy perked up and looked at the Fire-type in surprise.

The red-haired Rocket cleared her throat, "I- I mean," She looked at The Boss and saluted, "Sir, we were continuing our assignment as normal when we heard the explosion and came to investigate."

Wendy just stared at Jessie blankly. James and Meowth shared a quick high-five behind Jessie's back; wrongfully thinking their superiors didn't see it.

'There go those doubts.' Giovanni thought before standing back up and dusting himself off, "I see."

Growlie perked up upon noticing something and looked around, "Growl growlithe?"

Meowth's eyes widened before he looked around. He looked at Giovanni, "Wait, where's Persian?"

Giovanni reached back and pulled out an Ultra Ball, "Where do you think?" He tossed the capsule into the air.

It burst open and Persian emerged to glare at his trainer while pouting sourly.

Giovanni noticed, deadpanned, and pointed at what used to be a metal fortress.

Persian looked at the rubble and flinched, "Nya nya-nyan."

"Fair enough." Meowth translated before looking at the former base, "Also, what actually happened here?" He flinched and looked at The Boss in shock, "We're not under attack, are we?"

"It's not an enemy attack." Giovanni answered; expression stoic again, "We're handling it. What's the status on Ketchum?"

James blinked in surprise, "Oh, um, we haven't run into him since the water ballet in Cerulean City a few days ago and got a little sidetracked recently with a circus and a pair of Mr. mime. But we're pretty sure he's returning to his hometown."

Wendy blinked in shock, "Cir- Mis- w-what?"

'So that's why they went to Cerulean.' Giovanni thought; expression still stoic.

Jessie smiled determinedly and clenched a fist, "We're already planning a big ambush for after he gets there. We'll get that Phantom mutt for sure this time."

Wendy flinched and shouted, "Wait, what?!" The agents looked at her in surprise as she continued, "Ash Ketchum's hometown?! As in Pallet?! But that place is-"

"Home to the laboratory belonging to Professor Samuel Oak." Giovanni interrupted; making Wendy look at him in surprise, "Even if it isn't the target, I'm afraid it's too high-profile of a location. Agents so much as showing up in the town is too much of a risk. But, given the reason, I'll make a limited exception for you four."

Wendy stared at Giovanni in pure shock.

He glared at the quaRtet harshly and spoke coldly, "While in the area, you will strictly be on reconnaissance with zero exceptions allowed. If you are so much as seen by the locals while in uniform or seen by anyone who would recognize you, you will all be stripped of your ranks and all of your Pokémon will be confiscated. Do I make myself clear?"

Jessie, James, Meowth, and Growlie stared fearfully before saluting forcefully and blurting out, "YES SIR!"

"Good." Giovanni said in his usual tone before walking past them and towards the aircraft with Persian by his side.

Wendy stared at him in shock, glanced at the quaRtet, and then ran after The Boss.

They got in the aircraft, it whirred to life and lifted off before disappearing into the distance.

After it left, James slumped forward sadly, "Well there goes Growlie's ambush plan…"

Jessie grumbled and crossed her arms, "perfect…"

Growlie frowned as his ears drooped, "Sorry. I didn't think about the actual area or the risks."

Meowth sighed, "Eh. Not like we thought of 'em, eitha." He frowned worriedly, "Though, I'm more worried about when Da Boss is gonna ask about dat tank we borrowed."

James flinched and grimaced, "Oh, crag! I completely forgot about that!" He looked at his teammates frantically, "What do we do?!"

"We'll tell him it was hit by a meteor!" Jessie blurted out suddenly.

James cried out, "He'd never believe that!" before looking down, "What if-" and snapped before smiling and pointing, "it got eaten by an aggron!"

Jessie smiled brightly, "Brilliant!"

"Or" Growlie started; catching his teammates attention. He pointed a paw ahead, "we say we dropped it off this morning, put back the pieces, and char them a bit for good measure?"

Meowth raised a brow, "What? How's dat gonna-" His eyes widened in realization before he looked at the rubble.

The humans stared in confusion before sharing a confused look.

James looked at the Normal-type again, "Meowth? What did Growlie say?"

Meowth muttered the translation. Jessie and James's eyes widened before they followed Meowth's gaze.

"Does anyone remember where the drop-off was?" James asked.

Growlie raised a paw.

James smiled determinedly and clenched a fist, "Then let's get to work!"

"Right!" His teammates cried out. All four hurried back the way they came.

Meowth looked up at the woman, "Hey, Jess? Who was dat green-hair girl anyhow? It seemed like she knew ya."

"Beats me." Jessie said with a shrug.

.

*Aircraft

"Master," Wendy said; keeping her eyes ahead, "I was always told the penalty for trespassing into Pallet Town was-"

"I know what it is, Wendy." Giovanni interrupted, "I'm the one who made the rule."

"But I don't understand." Wendy said, "Why did you let Jessie and her team-"

"It's nothing you need to be concerned about, Wendy." Giovanni jumped in, "Just know that I made the choice for a reason."

Wendy frowned, "Understood…"

Giovanni glanced at her for a moment; seeing her keeping her eyes on the sky ahead. He pulled his sleeve back slightly, put his hand on his telepathic inhibitor and tapped a button.

A small light on it lit up.

.

*Meanwhile; Pallet Town

"Aw, look at the little kanga-rito." Delia said happily while petting the fast asleep Ash who was swaddled in a blanket, "Isn't he just the cutest?"

Brock and Misty sweat dropped and smiled awkwardly.

Pikachu, Clefairy, and Electra were still upstairs with Togepi now having joined the exploration team. Delia asked Mimey to go along to supervise.

The mother, Normal-type, and Gym Leaders were all still downstairs in the living room. Misty and Brock just sat across from the pair.

Delia smiled at them; still petting Ash, "Alright, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

The pair tensed up.

Misty stared blankly, "Okay, how?"

Delia smiled happily, "I just kinda doubt you decided to stick around here without a better reason than being tired. Especially since Ash left for Professor Oak's laboratory, of all places. So, go ahead."

She waved a hand, "Oh and, if it's supposed to be private, don't worry about Ash overhearing. Without Power Integration, he's actually a pretty heavy sleeper." She looked down at her son curiously, "And I don't think a kangaskhan's hearing is too sensitive…" She shook it off and smiled, "Anyway, he shouldn't wake up as long as we don't talk too loud."

The Gym Leaders stared blankly before sharing a look.

'Yeah. I'm so happy. But mostly because … my baby has friends he really trusts.'

'Normally, I can control it and use it at will, but sometimes it just happens when I get too angry. It makes it hard to make friends.'

They frowned and nodded before looking at her again.

"Miss Ketchum," Brock started cautiously, "does Ash … not have friends around here?"

Delia perked up and her eyes widened as her smile faded. She looked down and smiled sadly, "Oh … I guess it's not like Ash or Soot to talk about that too much…"

Misty frowned and her eyes widened, "So it is true?"

Delia just gave a small nod; still looking down.

Brock frowned, "But, I don't get it. I know Ash said it wasn't easy because of Intimidate, but he never seemed like someone who has trouble socializing."

Delia smiled softly, "Well, it's not like he doesn't have any friends." She glanced down, "Just … not human ones." She shook it off and looked at them, "I don't suppose they told you about the day we found out about Intimidate?"

The Gym Leaders perked up and stared in surprise.

Delia chuckled softly, "I'll take that as a no." She took a deep breath, "I wasn't actually there when it happened. Not too long after the accident at Dr. Schaffer's lab and after Power Integration progressed enough for Ash to understand Soot, I got a call from the school to come and pick them up."

She frowned, "When I got there, Ash was just sitting in a chair with Soot in his lap and a teacher next to them. They were both okay," Her frown saddened, "but-"

.

**Flashback**

The teacher kneeled down, "Ash, could you please tell us what happened?"

Ash looked at him worriedly and blurted out, "I didn't hurt any-"

"We know you didn't hurt anyone, Ash." The teacher interrupted calmly, "Please. Just try and describe what did happen."

Ash looked at him worriedly before looking up at his mother. Delia smiled kindly and nodded.

The six-year-old looked down anxiously, "u- um … Soot and I were just playing and there were some other kids who were kicking a ball around kinda close. One of them kicked it too hard and another missed and …" He looked down at the poochyena in his arms, "it hit Soot."

Soot looked up at him with a frown as her ears drooped, "poochy…"

"They said sorry and said it was an accident," Ash continued, "but I still got angry. Then I felt something weird and I glared at them. But … they all just …" His eyes widened, "stared at me." He started trembling slightly, "Like- like I was gonna hurt them… everyone was. And then that weird feeling went away and they all ran. S- someone even started crying and- and-"

Delia hurried up and put her hands on his shoulders, "Ash. Ash, sweetie, it's okay." She smiled softly, "It's okay. I'm not mad or anything. Promise."

Ash sniffled and pulled her into a hug; still trembling. Delia hugged him back.

"Na!" Soot barked.

Ash and Delia flinched and separated. Soot panted now that she could breathe again. The human Ketchum's chuckled.

"Miss Ketchum," The teacher said; catching her attention. He gestured back.

Delia smiled at Ash, "I'll be right back, sweetie." She petted Soot, "We'll all go home right after, okay?"

Ash nodded, "Okay."

"Chy." Soot said in agreement.

Delia and the teacher walked around a corner.

Delia frowned worriedly, "Please tell me he isn't in trouble."

The teacher waved a hand, "Don't worry, he really isn't. But" He frowned anxiously, "is there any chance that Ash might have some … psychic abilities?"

Delia blinked in surprise, "What?"

"We checked the security camera footage." He continued, "Ash didn't seem to leave out any details. Every student on the playground just stopped what they were doing and looked him like he was a…" He stopped, frowned, and cleared his throat, "well, it looked like they were afraid of him. And then they just … snapped out of it all at once."

Delia frowned, "And that makes you think he's psychic?"

The teacher held his hands to the side, "Well, I'm really not sure what else it could be. Besides, his poochyena didn't seem afraid or even aware of what was going on. Dark-types have an immunity to psychic influence, after all." He put his hand down, "If this is the case, we can help you get in touch with a specialist to help him control his abilities."

Delia blinked in surprise before looking over at Ash. She looked down thoughtfully before looking at the teacher again, "I think I'll take him to Professor Oak first and get a more professional opinion." She tensed up and frowned nervously, "Oh, uh, sorry…"

The teacher chuckled softly and waved a hand, "Don't worry. I get it." He smiled softly, "I hope you find an answer."

Delia smiled and nodded, "Thank you."

.

*Oak's lab; later

Ash flinched and his eyes widened fearfully, "What?!"

Sam smiled kindly and waved his hands, "It's okay, Ash. We just need to see what this is."

Ash frowned worriedly, "B- but, I don't wanna scare you guys, too." He looked at the banette in the room, "Or Monger."

Monger grinned and waved a hand, "Bane banette banette ette. Bane banette."

Ash perked up and stared in surprise. He smiled, "Hey, I think I understood some of that, this time."

Monger perked up in surprise before smiling excitedly, "Bane, banette-banette?!"

The boy grinned. Soot smiled happily as her tail wagged.

Oak smiled and waved a hand, "We can check that in a moment." He perked up in realization before reaching back, "But, that does bring something to mind."

Everyone looked at him again as he pulled out a pokéball and held it out. The ball burst open as a large charizard with a white line across their snout appeared. They looked down at the Ketchums curiously as Ash and Soot looked up at him in awe.

Oak smiled, "If you're starting to understand the shuppet line as well, let's see if whatever this is can affect a Pokémon you can't turn into."

Charizard looked at his trainer and cocked his head in confusion.

The professor noticed and looked at him with a smile, "Right, I suppose I should introduce you, first." He gestured to the boy, "Charizard, this is Delia's son, Ash, and his poochyena, Soot."

The Fire/Flying-type perked up slightly before glancing down at the boy and Bite Pokémon.

Monger deadpanned, "Bane banette…"

Oak looked at him and chuckled sheepishly, "Yes. My apologies, Monger." He looked at Charizard again, "Charizard, we need to test something that might be a form of psychic influence. I hope you don't mind."

Charizard blinked while staring at him curiously. He smiled and nodded.

Delia kneeled down in front of her son, "You remember what to do?"

Ash smiled anxiously, "Focus on the weird feeling and see if I can do it again."

Delia smiled softly and put a hand on his shoulder, "It'll be okay, sweetie. The professor and I will just be in the other room if you need anything."

Ash's smile brightened and he nodded. Delia stood back up as she and Oak left the room. Oak glanced at Delia. She glanced back and nodded.

Oak pressed a button and spoke into the microphone, "Go ahead, Ash."

Ash nodded, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Soot, Monger, and Charizard watched curiously.

After a few minutes, Ash's hair began shifting slightly. Samuel and Delia perked up in surprise as it did. The boy's hair began floating upward as if blown by an updraft and the adults' eyes widened almost immediately.

Ash perked up and open his eyes to reveal his pupils constricted into slits. He looked around at the Pokémon in the room.

Monger perked up in surprise. He smiled and pointed to his own eyes, "Bane, banette banette."

Ash blinked before frowning, "I didn't get a lot of that."

Soot smiled, "Poochy, 'na, poochyena'."

Ash perked up in surprise, "Really?" He looked towards the one-way glass and stared in surprise. The adults started shivering as he smiled, "Woah, my eyes do kinda look like yours, Monger." He perked up and looked at Charizard.

The adults gasped as eye contact broke. Charizard looked down at Ash in surprise before tilting his head curiously.

Ash smiled hopefully, "You're not scared either?"

The Fire/Flying-type shook his head.

Ash smiled brightly. He perked up, closed his eyes again, and took a deep breath. His hair fell back down as Samuel and Delia snapped out of it. Ash opened his eyes again; revealing they were back to normal. He looked at his reflection again to be sure.

"My word…" Oak muttered in shock. He looked over at Delia and his eyes widened.

.

**End Flashback**

"We did another test with Ash transformed while another Pokémon used their Intimidate ability." Delia continued; looking down at the Normal-type and petting him lightly, "What he said he felt sounded about the same as what the professor and I felt."

"Professor Oak 'came to the conclusion'" She said while doing air quotes with one hand, "that it was an ability the Phantom gave Ash to protect Soot and that none of us, not even Ash, knew about it until now. He said it lets Ash project intense anger in a way that makes other humans feel fear with effectiveness based on proximity and eye contact. We tested it with other emotions and made sure he could control it before going back to school. Later, we tied it to Marionetter."

Brock frowned, "But the damage was already done, wasn't it?"

Delia frowned and nodded; still looking down, "Most of the kids wouldn't even get close to him. And those who did would always cover their eyes around him. It's even part of why Soot took up babysitting and tutoring jobs to mingle with the students. It just didn't work the way she and I hoped."

She took a deep, shaky breath before smiling at them softly, "But that's why I'm so happy that you know about the watch. Ash has never had someone his own age who he could trust with it."

Misty and Brock stared for a moment before sharing a glance. One thought went through their minds, 'Let Ash tell her about everyone else…'

They looked at her again and Brock smiled softly, "Well, I think it's safe to say we don't regret staying with Ash. Even after the Intimidate incident at Mt. Moon."

Delia perked up slightly.

Brock looked down with a soft smile, "If he never challenged me, I might still be taking care of my siblings back home and studying breeding as nothing more than a hobby." He stopped and reconsidered, "That is, unless Ash saying what he did wasn't entirely why my dad worked up the courage to come back. Ash and Soot said they weren't exactly sure how much they influenced that."

He shook it off and smiled at Delia, "But I do know I probably never would've caught Zubat and couldn't even guess how meeting Suzie and Vulpix could've changed. And I definitely wouldn't have gotten to know my Pokémon like I have." His smile saddened, "Plus Electra might still be stuck at her tribe."

Misty looked down with a sad smile, "And I'd probably still be avoiding my sisters if he never destroyed my bike. I'd still just be throwing my Pokémon in to battles without a care. Basculin and everyone else would still be stuck in the tank at home. Seadra, Psyduck," Her smile saddened, "Togepi…"

She snapped out of it and shook it off before smiling at Delia, "Yeah. We definitely made the right choice."

Seishin: *arm pops up to point at last few paragraphs* And this is part of why 90% of betrayal stories don't make sense. *pulls arm back down*

Delia just smiled softly before glancing away thoughtfully. She looked at them again, "Hey, I know this is out of the blue, but… could I ask you to promise me something?"

Misty smiled, "Let me guess, you want us to promise to stay with Ash."

Delia glared at her incredulously, "Of course not." Brock and Misty flinched and stared in shock as she put a hand to her chest, "Do you have any idea how upset he'd be if I made you two stay with him instead of letting you go your separate ways to pursue your own dreams? He'd never forgive me." She sighed, "But," She smiled softly, "could you promise you'll all keep in touch when you are apart?"

The water trainer and breeder perked up before smiling softly again.

"Yeah." Misty said, "Easy."

"I think that would've happened no matter what." Brock followed.

"Thank you." Delia said before smiling happily, "Now then, what do we talk about next?"

Misty blinked in surprise, "Huh? Oh, um…" She looked at Brock.

Brock looked at her and shrugged. He looked back at Delia, "I didn't really have something else in mind."

Delia giggled, "Very funny. You both decided to stay at my home instead of going to the most prestigious Pokémon research laboratory in the Kanto region. Even if it was just to ask about Ash's social life, I intend to take full advantage of our time together in one way or another."

Brock and Misty tensed up and sweat dropped while smiling nervously.

"Plus, you just brought up so many interesting topics." Delia said. She closed her eyes and smiled happily while she had a hand on Ash's head, "For example, what was that about your bike, Misty?"

The Gym Leaders tensed up slightly.

Misty glanced down at the kangaskhan before looking at Delia again and raising a finger, "Before I go into detail," She pointed and quickly said, "he has already paid me back and I personally handed it to him because of an emergency."

.

*The next day; distant bushes

"This is so stupid." Jessie complained while looking through a pair of binoculars. She removed them and glared ahead sourly, "Why the Yvel are we even doing this? We have no idea what's going on in there."

James removed his binoculars too and looked at her sympathetically, "I know, but you heard what The Boss said. This is all we can do."

Jessie glanced away, "Doesn't mean I have to like it." She glared at the orange-roofed house again, "Can't we at least use the listening device so we can hear what they're saying?"

Meowth removed his binoculars and looked at her, "Ya know it ain't one of dem models dat works through walls at dis range. We already trie-"

"Growlithe!" Growlie blurted out suddenly; looking through a pair binoculars on a stand.

"Movement?" Meowth repeated in surprise.

The original tRio quickly looked again as the squinting twerp and redhead twerp holding Togepi exited through the front door. They started walking down the road.

Jessie grumbled, "It's just them."

"Should we set it up?" James asked, "We might pick up something useful."

Jessie put the binoculars down and waved a hand, "Why bother? Our focus is supposed to be the Phantom. Not the other twerps."

Growlie watched curiously, "Actually, I think James has a point. If they really do know the truth about him, we could learn something." He looked at his teammates and his eyes narrowed, "Like the reason he isn't with them, right now."

Meowth perked up and translated. Jessie and James perked up as well and shared a look.

They hurriedly set up the device and all four slipped on a pair of headphones as Brock and Misty walked down the road. James held out the satellite dish-shaped receiver.

Misty was looking down with an uncomfortable frown on her face. Togepi was looking up at her worriedly.

Brock looked at her for a moment before frowning, "You worried about Ash?"

Misty sighed, "Not really." She looked down anxiously, "I know he'll be okay, but it was … kinda surreal to see him like that. I never thought I'd actually see him, of all people, get bedridden by a headache of all things."

Jessie, James, and Meowth flinched and put down their binoculars; slack jawed.

"Bed ri-" James muttered in shock, "The Phantom is-" He nearly dropped the receiver.

Jessie smiled excitedly, "He's … he's completely helpless."

Meowth grinned greedily, "Dis could be da opportunity we've been waitin' for. We can finally nab him here an'-"

"Guys." Growlie said abruptly while still looking through his binoculars; catching the others' attention, "Where is the Phantom Child?"

Meowth's eyes widened before he looked back through his binoculars and at the Gym Leaders. He frowned and translated. Jessie and James tensed up and looked too.

The three of them groaned.

Meowth sighed, "Well, it was a nice thought…"

"Sti.., l'm su.." Came Brock's distorted voice.

James perked up and adjusted the receiver.

"his mom knows what to do." Brock continued, "She's been dealing with this kind of stuff a lot longer than either of us."

Misty smiled softly, "Yeah, I guess you have a point."

Meowth's eyes narrowed, "His mo-" He jerked, put the binoculars back down, and stared in shock, "Wait." He shakily turned to look at his teammates, "Guys … what da Yvel kinda bein' would da Phantom call it's meema?"

Jessie and James looked at him in surprise before jerking and staring in shock.

"Y-" Jessie stuttered, "you mean-"

James looked over at the Ketchum residence in shock, "Arceus…"

"Or he was adopted by a human." Growlie said bluntly.

Meowth jerked and glanced at him harshly, "Do ya have ta keep killin' da mood like dat?" Jessie and James snapped out of it and looked at Meowth.

Growlie looked at him, "Partially, I'm being realistic. But mostly, it's because we saw them all walking back to their home yesterday accompanied by an older woman who was actively coddling him as an infant kangaskhan and there's no known legend about Arceus being able to transform. Also, there's the fact that we're all still alive despite the fact that the Phantom has undoubtedly told his mother about us. And, if that's still not enough, I remember seeing her at that circus … and we're still alive."

Meowth's eyes widened, "…good point." He relayed what Growlie said; making the humans mimic his expression.

James blinked, "I somehow feel a mixture of disappointment and relief at the same time." He slumped forward, "But mostly the first one…"

Jessie groaned, "Just when I thought we were onto a big score."

Meowth sighed sadly, "Guess it's jus' to good ta be true…"

Growlie looked at his teammates for a moment before sighing, 'Not like it'll make a difference, anyway.' "Well … there is one other possibility."

Meowth perked up and looked at him in surprise, "'Notha possibility?" Jessie and James looked at Growlie in surprise.

Growlie glanced away, "It's … possible that the 'Phantom' we've been chasing is the real 'Phantom Child' and Soot is actually the Phantom's grandchild…"

Meowth flinched and nearly blurt out, "GR-" He flinched and glanced at the Gym twerps before looking at Growlie again, "Grandchild?" The humans' eyes widened.

"So, you mean," James said in shock, "his mother is the real Phantom and the Phantom we've been chasing is the Phantom Child?"

Growlie looked at his trainer and frowned, "Well … it doesn't make more sense than the adoption thing but it's … not off the table, technically?" He said unsurely. He smiled sheepishly and waved a paw, "But it's just a theory. It's not like we have any evidence aside from Ash being able to transform into Pokémon."

Meowth looked down thoughtfully, "Actually, dat might jus' explain some stuff."

Growlie jerked and looked at him in shock, "Wait, what? What are you talking about?"

Jessie looked at Meowth with a raised brow, "How so?"

Meowth looked at her, "Rememba dat stuff he told us durin' da snorlax cha-" He jerked when Jessie's eyes narrowed and sweat dropped; making Growlie looked back and forth between them in confusion, "Uh, dat stuff durin' dat time with da snorlax blockin' a river dat I called malarkey on?"

"Better." Jessie said, "Also, what about it? I thought we just decided he was telling the truth and made himself weaker."

"But what if he really was lyin'?" Meowth responded, "Just not for da reason we was thinkin'. Maybe him tellin' us he weakened himself was just a cova for how old he actually is."

Growlie's eyes widened.

Jessie smiled and nodded, "Oh." She then deadpanned, "Yeah, I'm still lost."

Meowth sighed in annoyance and put his binoculars on the ground, "Okay, I said before dat da Phantom's old as all get-out and dat forgettin' how ta transform inta certain things don't make sense, right? So, what if he didn't forget and is actually still learnin'? What if da real Phantom Child is still developin' and just ain't as experienced as his meema, yet? What if he was jus' sayin' he was da original Phantom ta throw us off da original's scent?"

James and Jessie perked up and turned to look at each other, "Ooooh."

Meowth pointed at them, "See? Even if dat brown hair woman ain't da main Phantom and he is adopted, da twoip bein' a younga Phantom would make more sense dan him weakenin' himself."

The Fire-type stared blankly, 'That- that actually makes sense…' He looked down in a daze, 'I just came up with that 'grandchild' crag to cheer them up, but … a legitimate young Phantom … could that actually be the case?'

"Yvel," Meowth continued, "dat Phantom Child story we read about mighta actually been what happened to dat woman and dey jus' tweaked it ta make it sound like some kid got supa lucky."

James put a hand to his chin, "Huh … yeah, I can kinda see that." He frowned and looked at Meowth, "But, wait, what about him not understanding certain Pokémon when in his human disguise? You said that didn't make any sense either, right?"

Meowth shrugged, "Maybe Phantoms just develop different from otha Pokémon? Afterall, most legendary species are ageless. Dey got all da time dey could eva want."

James looked up thoughtfully, "I guess that makes sense. I guess that meteor we read about really was just a coincidence."

Growlie flinched and looked at James in surprise, "Wait, what about a meteor?"

Meowth perked up and looked at him in surprise, "Did we neva tell ya about dat? 'Pparently a meteor or somethin' crashed around here not long before da Phantom Chi-" He perked up and shook his head, "Uh, da mightyena supposedly hatched. Almost got James theorizin' she was some kinda alien."

James glanced at the Normal-type sourly, "That was a random thought, at best."

"Okay, wait. Back up." Growlie said while waving his paws. He pointed at his teammates, "A meteor crash landed around here within a short enough time frame that you almost thought that the banette inherent mightyena was an alien …" He deadpanned "and you never thought to go find the crash site?"

Meowth translated before looking at Growlie with a frown, "Well, not like it'd do us much good, anyhow. Da article said it was never recovered. Dere was jus' a crata."

Jessie shrugged, "Yeah. Would've been a waste of time."

Growlie's eye twitched.

.

*Late that night

Jessie and James panted heavily while slumped forward. Meowth was half asleep on James's back.

"See?!" Jessie whispered furiously while gesturing forward, "Waste of time! We've been searching all day for nothing!"

Growlie just stared ahead in shock, "This is not nothing." He leapt down into the crater.

"He said it ain't nothin'." Meowth muttered.

Jessie groaned and followed the Fire-type. James frowned tiredly and followed as well. Growlie looked around the divot curiously.

The crater looked to be about twenty feet in diameter and deep enough that Growlie could just barely peek over the rim while at the bottom of it. It was almost completely lined with grass; save for a few patches that looked like they were dug up.

James looked around tiredly, "Growlie, I really don't see anything. Whatever crashed here, it's definitely gone."

"Where it is isn't what I'm concerned about." Growlie said running a paw over the ground, "This crater is way too big. If a regular meteor was big enough to make this after burning up in the atmosphere, there's no doubt it would've caught the eye of Rayquaza."

"He's sayin' da hole's too big." Meowth mumbled, "Rayquaza woulda stopped it."

Jessie raised a brow, "Maybe it took a day off?"

Growlie glanced back, "Rayquaza taking a day off means a possibility of the world ending." Meowth flinched -feeling much more awake- and translated properly; making Jessie and James flinch.

Jessie blinked in shock, "Noted." She raised a brow, "So what's that mean?"

Growlie looked at the ground again, "It means this … thing didn't burn up in the atmosphere. It kept its size while falling. But the only things from space that are supposed to be able to do that are minior."

Meowth translated again.

James smiled, "Then it was a minior. Mystery solved."

Growlie looked back at him, "Except that minior don't leave behind craters when they crash."

The quaRtet flinched when they heard a bush rustle and turned towards it. Acting fast, they ran out of the crater in the direction opposite to the sound, hid in the bushes, and peaked through.

An aron appeared from a bush and started looking around.

James smiled excitedly and whispered, "An aron!"

Jessie smirked, "Pay day."

Growlie deadpanned, "And what do you think are the odds that she doesn't live at Professor Oak's ranch?"

Meowth flinched and translated. The humans flinched too.

Jessie groaned and mumbled, "Hate. This. Mission."

The Iron Armor Pokémon smiled before trotting up to the rim of the crater and jumping into it and out of sight. A few seconds later, digging could be heard.

Growlie stared in confusion, 'What the?' He glanced at his teammates, "Stay here and don't come out for anything." He carefully walked out of the bush.

Meowth translated quickly. Jessie pouted sourly and James watched Growlie curiously.

Growlie approached the rim of the crater and looked down to find the Steel/Rock-type scratching at the wall of the crate with a forefoot. She then sniffed the spot she was scratching, grumbled, and moved to a different part of the crater and started digging again.

Growlie watched curiously as she repeated this. Though, this time she perked up and excitedly took a bite out of the dirt. The Fire-type blinked in surprise before jumping down into the crater and landing behind Aron.

Aron flinched and started coughing before quickly turning to look at the Puppy Pokémon. She sighed in relief. "Oh." She smiled, "You startled me." She perked up, took a step back, and glared, "Wait, you're not here with a trainer are you? 'Cause I'm not wild."

'She really does live at the ranch.' Growlie smiled and spoke up, "Don't worry. I'm here alone." He quieted down, "My trainer just lets me wander a little before bed. Our campsite isn't that far away." When Aron eased up, Growlie looked around her at the soil, "Hey, uh, are you eating that dirt? I thought you're kind were more ferrovorous than geovorous."

Aron cocked her head, "Fura…"

Growlie sweat dropped, "Ferrovorous means you eat metal."

Aron perked up and smiled, "Oh." She looked back, "Yeah, sometimes I still find some."

Growlie jerked and looked at her in shock, "Wait, what? Do you mean there are pieces of a machine buried here?"

Aron looked at him and shook her head, "No, it's more like a lot of small bits." She smiled happily, "But it's got a really unique taste to it." She turned and took another bite out of the ground.

Growlie stared in shock, 'Small bits … metal sediment?' He glanced around the crater, 'Here?' He looked at Aron, "What do you mean by 'unique'?"

Aron looked at him; still chewing. She swallowed, "I mean it doesn't taste like any alloy I've tried before. And my trainer's a connoisseur so I've tried a lot. Though something about it reminds me a little of metal that's-" She stopped and looked up thoughtfully, "what'd he call it? Defined?"

Growlie's eyes widened, "Refined?"

Aron smiled and pointed at him, "Yeah, that." She turned, started digging again, and took another bite out of the soil.

Growlie stared blankly, 'Refined metal? As sediment? How the Yvel does that even-' He was cut off and perked up when Aron flinched and started spitting.

She glared at the ground and grumbled. She sighed and trotted to another spot of the crater and started digging again.

Growlie blinked in surprise, "Are you okay?"

Aron continued digging, "Yeah. That spot just ran out and I got plain dirt again."

'Ran out?' Growlie raised a brow, "Does that happen a lot?"

Aron looked back at him with a frown, "Kinda. The aggron who told me about this said there used to be a whole lot back when they were a lairon, but it gets harder and harder to find overtime."

Growlie stared in surprise, 'Back when they were a lairon…'

''Pparently a meteor or somethin' crashed around here not long before da Phantom Chi- Uh, da mightyena supposedly hatched.'

'If that lines up with the time frame, then-' Growlie frowned, 'No. If I pry too much, it might seem like more than just curiosity and small talk. I can't risk her telling someone at the ranch.' He perked up and looked in the direction his teammates were hiding, "Oh, trainer's calling. I've gotta head back."

Aron looked back at him; still chewing, "A'ight. 'Ice 'alking t'you."

Growlie smiled, "Likewise." He climbed back up the rim of the crater.

The Fire-type walked up to the bush, jumped through it, and pointed ahead before putting his paw to his mouth in a shushing manner. Jessie, James, and Meowth nodded, and the quaRtet quietly got up and walked deeper into the forest.

James looked down at his Fire-type and whispered, "So, what did you find out?"

Growlie shook his head, "I hardly know where to start. Let's get back to base first."

'Base' was a campsite located off route 1 comprising of their deflated hot air balloon, a three-person tent, and a campfire. Once they got there, they all sat around in a circle.

"It was not a meteor." Growlie said, "Whatever it was, that thing was made by someone. It was strong enough that it could withstand reentry and made of possibly unknown metals and/or alloys." Meowth translated.

Jessie looked down thoughtfully before looking at Growlie again, "So like a space satellite?"

Growlie shrugged, "Maybe? But it was ground up into powder. Powder fine enough for it to mix into the soil. I have no idea what could cause that."

Meowth translated again before crossing his forepaws and looking down with a frown, "Yeah … dat's a real head scratcha." He looked at Growlie again, "And what's it gotta do with da twoip?"

Growlie raised a paw and opened his muzzle to say something … and then sighed sadly, "I actually don't know if it does. Without something to examine, there's no way to look into it any further."

After the Normal-type relayed, James frowned, "But you just said there's a lot of it dusted up in that crater."

Growlie looked at his teammates with a frown, "And do any of you know how to examine metals at a molecular level?"

Meowth translated before saying, "Well no, but dere's a ton of Team Rocket scientists who could-" He stopped, perked up, and his eyes widened, "Oh, wait. Unless dat thing is connected to da twoip and we end up revealin' somethin' dat sends other teams afta him." He frowned worriedly, "Or worse, reveals dat we've been hidin' stuff from Da Boss."

Jessie and James flinched and stared fearfully.

Growlie pointed, "Bingo. It's a complete curve ball from everything we've learned about Ash so far. Whatever crashed there really could be something unrelated and I can't think of any plausible way to connect them. The only thing I can think of is James's alien theory and that actually makes less sense than Ash being a second-Generation Phantom and Soot being a third Gen."

The Scratch Cat Pokémon relayed the message again.

Jessie deadpanned, "So, what you're saying is that meteor hunt really was a waste of time and we stayed up late for nothing."

Growlie frowned and looked down shamefully; ears flat, "yeah… I guess so. Sorry."

Jessie frowned and her eyes widened. She glanced to either side of her and found the other two guys shooting her harsh glances.

Jessie looked at Growlie again before groaning and glancing away in annoyance, "Or … maybe it could lead to something worthwhile." Growlie glanced up at her. "Sure, it might not involve the twerp, but who's to say it's not worth looking into?"

James smiled happily, "Yeah. If we can find proof it's not related to the twerp, we'd be free to deliver the news to The Boss and let the scientists take over."

Meowth smiled excitedly and rubbed his paws together, "Which might lead to us gettin' a pay bonus for findin' it!"

Growlie looked around at his teammates and smiled softly, "Yeah. Maybe. Whatever the case, I've kept us up long enough. Let's hit the hay."

.

*The next day; Lab

"There you are!"

Ash and the Pokémon perked up and looked into the sky. Brock, Misty, and the professor followed their gaze.

A dragonite with a mailbag at his hip smiled happily before touching down in front of everyone. He walked up to them and leaned closer to look at Ash, "Okay, yeah. You're definitely the one from Fearow's camera."

Ash's eyes widened, "Huh?" He looked up and around the sky. He looked at his team, "Did anyone see a fearow, earlier?"

Dragonite perked up and his eyes widened as most of the Pokémon shook in disagreement. Except for the kangaskhan, doduo, pidgeotto, beedrill, golem, krabby, blastoise, arcanine, scizor, nidoking, alakazam, and fearow who looked at Ash in surprise.

Also except for Nincada who perked up, "Oh!" He pointed a foreclaw at Gary's fearow. Fearow sweat dropped.

Ash chuckled softly, "I don't think he meant Gary's fearow."

Nincada tensed up and put his claw down while looking down anxiously, "oh…"

Bulbasaur patted him sympathetically with a vine.

Dragonite just stared at Ash blankly, "W-wait, can you-"

"You liar!"

Dragonite flinched and looked over to see a brown-haired trainer glaring furiously.

Ash immediately looked at the boy; deadpanned, "He's not the same one and he's not mine!"

Gary blinked, "Oh." He smirked before pulling out a pokéball and enlarging it, "Well then, don't mind if I do."

Dragonite frowned and sweat dropped, "Uh…"

Soot deadpanned, "Gary, what part of 'mailbag on the hip' makes you think he doesn't have a trainer?"

"…" Gary groaned in frustration, "Son of a glitch." He put the pokéball away and walked up to the Flying/Dragon-type, "Alright, whatever. What do you have for me?"

Dragonite reached into the bag before pulling out a black and gold envelope and handing it to Ash, "Dra."

Gary stared blankly before glaring at Ash, "Oh come on. You just got a nincada, what else were you expecting?"

Ash looked at him with a raised brow, "Actually, I'm in the dark too." He took the letter, "Thank you." He opened the envelope and pulled out a purple and gold … metal card with a blue glass bead in the center.

Pikachu looked up at it with a raised brow, "Uh-" He stopped and perked up in surprise as the bead lit up and a woman wearing a gown and headwear that hid her hair took form on top of the card.

Most of the Pokémon stared at the 3D projection in shock and/or awe. Pikachu and Clefairy jumped back up to Ash's shoulders for a better view.

Please forgive this surprise message from a stranger. The woman said.

Brock blushed while smiling goofily. After a second, he perked up. Electra didn't respond to that as she simply stared at the hologram in bright-eyed awe.

You three have been acknowledged as up-and-coming Pokémon trainers.

Gary's eye twitched, 'Three?'

As such, you are invited to a party held by my master, the world's greatest Pokémon trainer.

Soot, Bulbasaur, Muk, and the humans all perked up in surprise. Aerodactyl, Squirtle, and a few of the tauros grinned excitedly and Primeape's eyes narrowed determinedly.

The location? The image shifted to a small map with a marker in the middle of a body of the ocean. A dotted line connected the marker to a port on the mainland, Pokémon Palace, on New Island. On the third day from now, in the afternoon, a chartered ferry will leave from Old Shore Wharf to take you to the island. We ask that you RSVP whether attending or not, by checking the box on the return card.

Ash perked up before bringing up the envelope again and pulling the lip forward with his thumb; revealing an electronic card with an X and O on it.

The image returned to the woman, The greatest Pokémon trainer alive invites you. We beg you to accept. She bowed before disappearing back into the bead.

"Hey, could we replay that?" Brock asked.

Misty blinked in surprise, "Huh. Well, that was something." She looked around, "So do you think this is legit or another Team Rocket thing?"

Gary looked at her; wide eyed, "I'm sorry, what?"

Ash looked at her, "Well, I don't think it's that. That wasn't Jessie in a disguise."

Samuel sweat dropped, 'They were serious about that…' He shook it off and frowned unsurely, "Still, this is rather abnormal. As your sponsor, I have to advise against accepting such a vague invite to a remote island." He sighed in defeat, "Or, rather, I'd advise against it if you were anyone else. If other trainers are also invited and this does end up being a shady matter, it might be safer for everyone if you did go."

Gary glanced away sourly and mumbled something under his breath.

Soot smiled and nodded, "Glad we're in agreement." She looked at Dragonite casually, "Any chance you could give us a hint on who this trainer is?"

"Nope." Dragonite told her cheerfully. He looked at Oak, "But, I will say I've handed these out to" He frowned unsurely and looked up, "uh… I haven't been counting." He shook it off and looked at Ash again, "Point is, you're not the only human I've given one of these too and don't think you'll be the last, either. Anyway, do you accept?"

Soot went ahead and translated that, causing the professor to frown uncomfortably.

Ash looked at the inactive invite again, "Hm…" 'Verification message tied to a beacon… a feature for just the map… Oh, so we can replay it.' He looked around at his Pokémon, "What do you guys think?"

Nine of Ash's Pokémon erupted into an excited group cheer. Pikachu and Clefairy cheered softly since they were still on their trainer's shoulders, and Nincada and the tauros joined the cheering soon after. Soot just smiled.

Gary's twelve Pokémon jerked and looked at them in surprise.

"I'd call that a 'yes'." Soot commented.

Ash chuckled and waved a hand, "Alright, alright." His eyes narrowed as he raised a finger; still smiling, "But don't forget you're all still on break for three more days." Most of Gary's Pokémon's eyes widened as Ash looked back at Brock, "Can I see your map?"

Brock perked up and reached back, "Oh, yeah." He handed the paper map to Ash and frowned, "But, seriously, could we replay that?"

"In a bit." Ash said as he took the map and unfolded it. He smiled, "Looks like it should only take about a day to get to the Wharf so your last day off would be spent camping." He smiled at his team again, "So, if anyone doesn't want to come along, I'll be fine with-"

"Like Yvel!" Primeape shouted before raising a hand, "I call dibs on a spot!"

"What he say!" Aerodactyl followed; mimicking him.

Bulbasaur sweat dropped, "Saw that coming."

Pidgeot frowned, "Hey, that only leaves us-" She perked up and looked around for a moment before nodding and looking at them again, "Five spots."

Doduo, Beedrill, and Kangaskhan jerked and looked at her blankly, "Huh?"

Pikachu jumped down and grinned at her, "Aw, you thought of us."

Clefairy jumped down too and smiled, "Thanks, Pidgeot."

Charizard snorted.

Blastoise blinked in surprise, "Wait, he really does have an increased party limit?" Some of his other teammates looked at him blankly.

Nidoking blinked in surprise as well, "Go figure."

Ash glanced at Gary's Shellfish and Drill Pokémon, 'Oh, that's what they're talking about.' He smiled and waved his hands, "Okay, calm down. I know some of you are eager to come along, but I'll let you decide it amongst yourselves." He raised a finger, "But I will ask that you leave a space for Nincada. He could use the experience."

"That's fair./Fine./Thought so." His Pokémon responded in a clustered mess. Though Ash only heard 'that's fair' and 'fine' thanks to Pikachu, Clefairy, and Squirtle.

Nincada's eyes lit up before he jumped up to Ash again, "Cada!"

Ash jerked and caught him. He chuckled softly and petted him, "From now on give me a little more warning when you do that."

Misty glanced at the Trainee Pokémon warily and took a step away from Ash.

Dragonite glanced around before clearing his throat.

Ash looked at him and smiled sheepishly, "Right, sorry." He put Nincada back down, took out the RSVP, clicked the O on it -making the symbol light up-, put it back in the envelope, and handed it to Dragonite.

"What about the other one?" Ash asked despite already knowing the answer.

Dragonite took the envelope, "That one, you keep. You'll need to present it to my master's servant when you get there." He put the letter away and spread his wings, "Thanks and see you there." He lifted into the air and flew off.

Gary watched as the Dragon Pokémon disappeared into the distance before looking down at Soot while sweat dropping, "Did you actually think it'd tell you anything?"

Soot shrugged, "Eh, it was worth a shot." She then relayed to the humans what Dragonite said before leaving.

"Guys, I'm serious." Brock said, "Could we try and replay-"

"We get it, Brock!" Soot blurted out in annoyance, "It's a hologram of a pretty lady! We'll let you stare at it in a-"

"No, really." Brock interrupted sternly, "I think I recognized that person."

Everyone else looked at him in surprise. "What?" Misty asked.

The breeder nodded, "Yeah. I'm pretty sure I've seen her face before." He looked down unsurely, "But … I've never seen that outfit and something about her attitude isn't sitting right with me…"

Ash, Misty, and all of the Pokémon looked at him in surprise; except the nincada and tauros. Nincada looked around at his teammates and trainer's friend's Pokémon in confusion and the herd shared some confused looks and shrugs. Oak looked at Brock with a raised brow.

Gary deadpanned, "Oh please, I bet you're just making excuses."

Ash just continued looking at Brock before glancing at Gary, "I don't think he is." He looked at the invite before perking up slightly and glancing at Gary again, 'Oh, right.' He looked back at the invite, 'alright, fake testing.'

Ash flipped the card around in his hand while looking over it and feeling for a button or switch that weren't there. Then he pressed the bulb in the center. Everyone else perked up in surprise when the map hologram popped back out.

Ash blinked in 'surprise', "Oh." He shook it off, pressed the bulb again to retract the map, and continued fiddling with it.

After a moment, he perked up and glanced away thoughtfully, 'Okay, that should be enough.' He looked at the invite curiously before slipping it into his jacket pocket, pulling it back out, and holding it out.

The woman appeared again; making some of the extended group perk up in surprise.

Please forgive this surprise message from a stranger. The recording began again.

Ash handed Brock the invite, "I think it's a series of light sensors to go along with coming out of an envelope. I'm not sure if there's a way to pause it."

'Meaning we can't pause it.' Brock thought as he took the card, "Alright." He held it up and stared at the image intently as the message continued. A small smile and blush appeared on his face before he flinched, shook it off, and glared intently again. Though, he still grumbled when it went back to the map.

Electra watched as well while glancing at her trainer in confusion every so often.

We beg you to accept. The message ended again.

Brock frowned unsurely before shoving it into a pocket and pulling it out again to replay the message.

Please forgive this-

After another moment of staring and then a third replay, the Pewter Gym Leader perked up in realization and blurted out, "That's it!" Everyone flinched -with Electra grimacing and covering her ears- as he smiled at them, "It's Nurse Joy!"

Misty's eyes widened in shock, "What?!" She hurried next to him and looked at the figure, "Woah, I think you're right. I didn't recognize her at all." She stepped back and scratched the side of her head, "So, wait, does that mean this is actually a League sanctioned event?"

Ash blinked in surprise, "Uh… maybe?" He raised a brow, "That or she could have just been hired in case of a battle and was playing a part for the message?"

Gary crossed his arms and looked down thoughtfully, "That'd make a lot more sense. Afterall, the League wouldn't host something like this now with the Indigo League right around the corner."

Oak smiled, "Plus, whatever the reason, a League official being present does quash some doubt."

Clefairy looked at Gary in confusion and looked back at the lab, "Wait, which cor-" She tensed up and deadpanned, "Right, expression. Duh."

Soot smiled at her, "Hey, you're getting better at it." She looked at Brock, "By the way, sorry about before. We should've listened to you the first time."

Brock snapped out of watching the message again and looked at her, "Sorry, what was that?"

"… never mind." Soot said; deadpanned.

After a moment, Alakazam looked at Muk blankly, "You get multiple days off? In a row?"

Muk chuckled softly, "Yeah. We got a good one." 'In more ways than one.'

.

*Distant bushes

"Old Shore Wharf …" James muttered to himself while taking notes, 'Thank Arceus they replayed it so many times.'

Growlie was watching the twerps, Oaks, and Pokémon through his binoculars, 'A nincada, huh? A ninjask could be trouble down the line. Though I guess I should be thankful that I've got the shedinja covered…'

Meowth watched Dragonite as they left, 'I wonder if it's too late to catch up to him…' He frowned, "Hm."

Jessie was the one holding the audio receiver towards the group and sat against a tree with a bored expression on her face.

.

**Time Skip**

The rest of Ash and everyone else's time at the lab went a little less casually than they originally hoped. Namely because Gary stuck around and kept trying to show off to Nincada every now and then.

It never worked but he eventually swallowed his pride and give up. Though, he still stuck around to train some of his Pokémon.

During the attempts, Ash relaxed with some of his team and watched some of the others play with Nincada and watched Primeape spar with a few tauros. He wanted to -finally- prove the watch to his tauros and show Nincada, but that never happened due to Gary. Still, after all of that, Pikachu helped him talk to Nincada to get to know him a little better … that is, when Gary wasn't watching.

Misty got off free by deciding to take her team out to the lake with Squirtle leading the way. Ash managed to slip Soot a Lens so Misty could spend a few hours swimming around with her team. Speaking of, the Bite Pokémon went with them to babysit Togepi and return Psyduck whenever Calm Mind wore off.

Brock and his team joined Ash and his team in playing/relaxing and Electra watched Oak work … What? She enjoyed it.

Though the professor was mildly upset since they had to postpone his talk with Ash about the new form glitch. He definitely couldn't ask his own grandson to leave.

Eventually the sky began turning orange and Ash and co. made their way back to the Ketchum residence after Misty got back. All of their Pokémon, minus the Electric, Fairy, and Dark-types, stayed back at the ranch.

The Breeder and Water trainer walked on either side of the watch user, and Soot walked a little ahead of them. Electra was curled up on Brock's backpack and Togepi was in Misty's backpack; both sleeping soundly. Pikachu and Clefairy were leaning back against Ash's head. They weren't asleep, just relaxing.

Misty looked at Ash and whispered, "Alright, real talk. What'd you see about the invite?"

Ash looked at her and whispered back, "Honestly, not that much." He pulled out the invite upside down and stared at it again; covering a portion of it to keep the light sensor from playing the message, "It's really nothing more than a standard hologram recording."

Omni Force: *deadpan; thoughts* 'standard'?

"That is, if you ignore the fact that there's no record function on the card, itself." Ash said before looking at Misty again, "Also there is an extra message that doesn't come up unless it's near a beacon, but it just seems like verification. The only other thing was the map and you already saw that."

Brock looked down thoughtfully, "Hm." He looked at Ash with a raised brow; also whispering, "And what about that thing with a fearow?"

Ash looked at him, "I'm not completely sure. Dragonite just said I'm 'definitely the one from Fearow's camera'."

Brock tensed up and frowned nervously, "Wait. Does that mean we were being spied on?"

Soot sweat dropped, deadpanned, and whispered loud enough for the Gym Leaders to hear, "Probably. I'm starting to think this could just be some overconfident rich guy literally asking to get knocked down a peg." She smirked, "Something I'll be happy to help with."

Misty sweat dropped, "Well, if it is that, don't worry about us holding you back." She shook it off and smiled, "Anyway, how'd things go with-" Her smile turned nervous and she cleared her throat, "uh … Nincada…"

Soot snickered, "Mist, you know you're gonna have to get used to him eventually. He's our new teammate."

Misty shot her a glance, "Just give me some time to adjust, alright? I haven't had to travel with a Bug-type since Butterfree."

Everyone else chuckled softly.

Ash smiled, "I'd say it went pretty well. We talked over some ideas for move sets and I suggested a few moves that he can learn before evolving. Though, I'll have to get another Everstone to make sure he'll learn Dig." He chuckled again, "That took some convincing and a lot of explaining."

He smiled again, "Also, interestingly enough, I found out he's shed-born."

Brock perked up in surprise, "Woah, really? I've heard shed-born nincada are pretty rare."

Soot smiled up at him, "Actually, it's only rare to find a nincada like that in the wild. Remember that he came from a breeder who's friends with a relative of a foreign Gym Leader. It'd be surprising if they didn't have a few ditto."

Brock looked up thoughtfully, "Yeah, I guess you have a point."

Misty sweat dropped and raised a hand, "Uh, guys?" The awake human speakers looked at her. "Water trainer who's uneasy around Bug-types, here. Doesn't know what shed-born means. Explanation?"

Ash chuckled softly, "Sorry. It just means that Nincada's meemas are a shedinja and a ditto."

Misty blinked in surprise, "Oh." She raised a brow, "So is that something special or…"

Soot shrugged, "Somewhat, but probably not in the way you're thinking. It's not like arbok patterns or pumpkaboo sizes."

Ash frowned, "But there is something else he said that… well, it's something Soot and I need to talk to him about later."

Soot frowned and Pikachu and Clefairy looked at Ash in confusion. Brock and Misty stared at him before sharing an uneasy look.

Brock looked at Ash again, "This isn't something about his health, right?"

"No no. Nothing like that." Ash said while waving a hand. He smiled sadly, "But it's something that I think I should talk to him about first. I'll tell you later depending on how he reacts. Sorry."

Misty smiled and waved a hand, "Nah, that's fine. Don't worry about it."

Brock smiled, "We won't pry."

"Thanks." Ash said.

.

*Ketchum residence; that night

After everyone got back, Brock, Misty, Togepi, and Electra went on up to the guest rooms for sleep. Soot took the tired Pikachu and Clefairy up to Ash's room.

Meanwhile, Ash and Delia were on the couch talking about-

The greatest Pokémon trainer alive invites you. We beg you to accept. Nurse Joy bowed before the message ended.

Delia frowned and put a hand to her cheek, "Aw. And you just got home."

Ash smiled apologetically, "I know. I'm sorry. This just … happened." His smile brightened a bit, "But, we shouldn't even be gone a week and I don't need to leave until the day after tomorrow. I can stay home all day tomorrow if you want."

Delia smiled softly and pulled him into a hug, "I appreciate it, sweetie. But you don't have to stay all couped up here instead of spending time with your friends."

Ash smiled softly and hugged her back, "Thanks, mom. But I mean it. I already asked my team to take care of choosing the party and Brock and Misty, of all people, would understand."

Delia glanced at him, "Aw come on, sweetie. You really don't have-"

"Alright, alright." Ash jumped in, "Middle ground. I stay home until at least two, tomorrow."

"Deal." Delia said as she let go. She smiled brightly and put her hands together, "Oh! And come to think of it, I never really got time with your pikachu form before you left-" She cut herself off and her smile faded. Ash perked up in surprise.

Delia glanced away for a moment, smiled sadly and looked at her son again, "Or maybe some other time. It wouldn't be that long unless you locked down and we can't risk you being stuck as a Pokémon during that party." She glanced down and mumbled under her breath, "or possibly getting another headache…" Unfortunately, it was just loud enough for Ash to hear.

Ash just stared at his mother in surprise for a moment before frowning sympathetically, "Mom, really, I'm not-"

Delia quickly stood up; cutting Ash off, "But I have something else in mind." She walked over to Ash's bag on the counter and rummaged through it for a bit.

Ash just watched in confusion before perking up as his mother pulled out the Change Lens case, held it up, and smiled, "Brock and Misty did happen to tell me a little more about these."

Ash blinked in surprise before smiling.

.

*The following morning

Misty drowsily walked past Ash's room, towards the guest room, and let out a yawn. She stopped in her tracks and perked up before taking a few steps back and looking into the room.

Pikachu, Clefairy, and two more pikachu -one male and one female- were all snuggled up against Soot on Ash's bed. The female was noticeably larger, had a long ponytail reaching down to her lower back, and she had her forepaws wrapped around the male. The male also had a very familiar hairstyle and Ash's full-size hat was sitting on the ladder. She could see a small patch of blue on the female's stomach.

Misty couldn't help but smile softly at the sight, "aw…" She then glanced away thoughtfully, 'Where did Miss Ketchum say she keeps the camera, again?'

.

*The previous day

Giovanni entered a large conference room and glanced around. Like before, the Cerulean, Pewter, Vermillion, and Saffron Gym Leaders sat on the side closer to the entrance with Celadon, Fuchsia, Cinnabar, and his seat across from them. The difference this time was that Cerulean's representative was the blond one.

League Inspector Joy sat at the head of the table and Lance was nowhere to be seen.

Surge noticed him and grinned, "Woah, twice in a row? Your secretary didn't get hurt or something, did she?" After a few seconds, his eyes widened and frowned, "Wait she didn't actually, right?"

Giovanni looked at him, "No, Matori's fine. I just felt attending this one would be important."

Sabrina smiled, "Ooh. Social and talkative." Her haunter snickered.

Giovanni just glanced at her before taking his seat.

Joy smiled, "Well, now that everyone's here, we can start. Everyone remembers why we're here, right?"

Sabrina's arms shot up and she cheered, "Movie night!"

"…" Joy blinked, "I actually can't argue that."

Surge smiled, "Don't worry, we know. Ash's Viridian battle."

Giovanni looked around, "But don't forget why we're doing this. We need to watch out for anything out of the ordinary and anything that might tie in to the Overheat."

Sabrina smiled happily and waved a hand, "Yeah yeah, whatever! Let's-" She froze and stared blankly before slowly turning to look at Koga.

The Fuchsia Gym Leader noticed and looked at her. He raised a brow, "What?"

Sabrina glared, "You already watched it?"

Koga tensed up.

Daisy flinched and looked at Koga in shock, "Wait, what?!"

Haunter gasped before pointing at Koga accusingly, "Haunt!"

Everyone else -except Joy and Giovanni- looked at him in shock.

Koga glanced around before sighing, "If you must know, I was given permission to show the footage to the nincada yesterday. I didn't want to leave it unsupervised." He looked around, "But, you all know I'm not one to spoil … anything."

Daisy blinked, "… that's actually a good point."

Erika looked at Sabrina, "Yeah, I don't get why that's a problem."

Sabrina pouted sourly, "Because now he's gonna spoil some part of the battle for me whenever one of us so much as mentions one of Ash's-" She immediately pointed at Koga, "Like that! You just did it!"

Haunter mimicked Sabrina, "Ter!"

Koga deadpanned, "Need I remind you that you're the one reading my mind?"

The psychic glared again, "And need I remind you that I can't turn it-" She flinched and cried out, "Stop it! I wanna see it myself!"

Giovanni groaned, "For Arceus sake." He reached into his pocket and tossed something to Koga.

Koga caught the item and looked at it to find a telepathic inhibitor. He strapped it on without a second thought and looked at Sabrina, "Better?"

Sabrina smiled cheerfully, "Much."

Surge blinked in surprise before looking at the Viridian Gym Leader and pointing at the bracelet on Koga's wrist, "Wait, I thought you wanted that for yourself."

Giovanni glanced at him and pulled back his sleeve to reveal another inhibitor on his wrist, "I've recently decided to start carrying a spare. And I only have two, so don't ask for one."

Blaine looked down thoughtfully before looking at Sabrina, "You're not gonna have a problem with the rest of us, right? I mean, pretty much all of us know something about Ash's team in one way or another."

Sabrina waved, "Nah, don't worry. Knowing about what he can do isn't the same as knowing what he did do." He smiled, "That kids full of surprises."

Haunter smiled slyly and crossed his hands, "Don't we know it."

Sabrina snorted as she held back a laugh. Koga perked up slightly before looking at Giovanni.

Giovanni noticed before looking at Sabrina, "That actually reminds me. Sabrina, you claimed that you can understand that haunter, correct? Could you help translate certain parts that the mightyena or pikachu don't?"

Sabrina and Haunter smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Surge blinked in surprise, "Hold it, what? Ash's pikachu can talk too?"

Daisy looked at him, "I think he means Brock's pikachu."

Flint perked up and looked at her in surprise, "Electra can talk?"

Koga looked at him, "You'll see it in the recording."

Haunter flinched and glared at him.

Koga looked at him, "What? I said I wouldn't spoil anything about the battle. The female pikachu wasn't involved it in."

Haunter grumbled something under his breath.

"Anyway." Joy said. She grabbed a remote, turned her chair around, and clicked a button.

Everyone looked over as the screen lit up to reveal Ash Ketchum and Giovanni standing across from each other on a battlefield. Misty, Brock, and their Pokémon stood back behind Ash and the referee was in their area on the side.

"This gym battle will be between the Viridian City gym leader, Giovanni, and the challenger, Ashton Satoshi Ketchum of Pallet Town!" The referee announced, "Only the challenger-"

Everyone just watched in silence as the feed continued. Up until Pikachu and Clefairy made their comments.

Giovanni glanced at the psychic, "Sabrina?"

Haunter started translating.

"Pikachu said, 'A new teammate? Just like that?'" Sabrina relayed, "Clefairy said, 'Woah! I didn't know this Gym did this!'"

After a second, Ash called out, "Is this prize thing some kind of hidden bonus for the main eight route or a trial run for a new policy? I've never even heard rumors about something like this."

Everyone except the Poison and Ground users perked up in surprise.

"Um…" Blaine pointed at the screen, "was that just a coincidence?"

"I'd like to know that as well…" Giovanni muttered.

Electra blinked in surprise, "Uh, who is … Lance?"

Surge and Sabrina snorted.

"Huh." Blaine perked up in surprise, "You weren't kidding."

The feed got to Ash's response -making Erika smile softly- and then the battle officially started.

Flint perked up in surprise and frowned when Pikachu entered the field, "Wait, he's starting with an Electric-type? But that'll just put him at a disadvantage."

"I thought so as well." Giovanni commented vaguely, "Sabrina?"

Haunter spoke and Sabrina followed, "Nidoqueen said 'A pikachu? Seriously?' Pikachu said 'Yeah yeah. I've heard it before.' and then 'So what are we starting with? Earthquake? Magnitude? Bulldoze? Or did I just happen to luck out by getting you as an opponent?' and Nidoqueen finished with 'Luck out? Don't make me laugh.'"

She looked at the Ground user; deadpanned, "Also, do we actually have to do this the whole time?"

"Only when I ask." Giovanni responded without looking at her.

Sabrina pouted and the first round began. She glanced at Giovanni when Nidoqueen called Ash a fool. Giovanni didn't request a translation.

Erika smiled when Pikachu shot into the air, "Oh, he did teach that to the others."

Pikachu followed with a few Iron Tails while hanging onto Nidoqueen. Nidoqueen tried Sludge Wave only for Pikachu to get away with Quick Attack. Pikachu was called back.

Surge smirked at Giovanni, "Still think it was a good idea to shoot down the hints?"

"I stand by my decision." Giovanni said without looking at him.

Ash kneeled down to his Electric-type and petted him, "Nice job, bud."

"Pi." Pikachu said. It seemed to glanced back for a moment and muttered something too quiet to hear. Ash's head nudged upward slightly.

Blaine, Joy, and Erika perked up in surprise.

"hm." Koga muttered.

"Take it easy for now. We've got a long battle ahead of us." Ash said before Pikachu ran over to Clefairy.

Giovanni looked at Haunter, "I don't suppose you could tell what either of them said?"

Haunter held his hands out to shrug, "No clue. Too quiet."

"No clue." Sabrina said, "Too quiet."

"Arbok, your move!"

Ash's Cobra Pokémon appeared.

"Oh!" Daisy said happily; making the others look at her. She smiled, "It's that really fast arbok!"

"Speed pattern." Koga corrected, "Very low defense and special defense, somewhat low special attack, better attack than usual, and immense speed." He put on a small smile, "And a fine specimen, at that."

Everyone continued watching the recording. Nidoqueen and Arbok exchanged some words, Electra translated, and Sabrina and Haunter verified. Then Nidoqueen shot a non-commanded Flamethrower, lost, and this happened-

"Nidoqueen." Giovanni said; making the Poison/Ground-type tense up and look at him. "I do not recall ordering that last Flamethrower." He said coldly.

Nidoqueen's eyes widened worriedly, "N-Nido-"

"However," Giovanni continued before glancing at Ash, "given the circumstances, I will overlook it, this once."

Nidoqueen let out a relieved sigh before being returned.

Flint looked at Giovanni with a frown, "Little harsh, ya think?"

Giovanni kept his eyes on the screen, "You have your methods and I have mine. Though at least now I have a better idea of why it disobeyed."

Flint sweat dropped, "hm."

And then Nidoking appeared and Arbok got taken out by Throat Chop after getting an Ice Fang in.

"Wow." Brock said, "Never realized how brutal that move actually is."

Misty looked at him in confusion before she jerked and looked ahead again, "Oh … right…"

Togepi looked up at Misty in confusion, "Pi?"

Soot sweat dropped while smirking.

Surge, Flint, and Blaine tensed up slightly and Erika sweat dropped.

Daisy raised a brow, "Huh?"

Erika got up, walked around the table and over to the Waterflower, and whispered something to her.

Daisy perked up and blinked in surprise, "Oh." Her eyes widened, "oh…"

Flint cleared his throat, "yeah…" He looked at the screen before perking up and smiling.

Surge jerked and started in shock, "Is that an aerodactyl?!"

Blaine smirked, "Right? I checked with the lab, and they never revived a fossil for him. I'm pretty sure he either revived them somewhere else or they're a child from one that was revived."

Sabrina perked up and looked at Joy in shock.

Joy looked back at everyone, "Actually, I've already looked into it and it's neither. That aerodactyl was found in an underground cavern at Grandpa Canyon along with various other still-living fossil Pokémon. We're already in the process of gaining their trust so we can move them to a more suitable habitat."

Everyone else in the room -except Daisy- looked at Joy in shock. Daisy looked around at everyone in confusion.

Flint looked at the screen blankly, 'Brock was serious about that?'

Aerodactyl lost during Giga Impact's recharge.

"You ready for your-" Ash said to Soot before Haunter interrupted with a loud yawn. Everyone looked at him.

Sabrina chuckled nervously, "Sorry about him." She glared at her Gas Pokémon, "Say you're sorry."

Haunter slumped forward shamefully, "I'm not…"

Giovanni and Koga glanced at them.

"She's strong." The recording of Giovanni said; catching everyone's attention again.

The Pokémon both moved into their stances.

Giovanni called out, "Earth-"

Before he could finish his command, Soot blasted forward with an explosion and delivered a Sucker Punch to Nidoking's gut and skidded to a halt behind him on all threes.

"Ki-" Nidoking coughed. He fell to his knees and crashed to the ground.

"N- Nidoking is unable to battle!" The referee stuttered.

Everyone just stared in shock.

"Woah." Surge said in a daze.

"Yeah." Daisy said; also dazed, "Like, no kidding."

Sabrina pouted and crossed her arms, "Impressive, right? It would've sucked if that part got spoiled for you," She looked at Koga, "right?"

Koga groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Giovanni and Soot's quick conversation went uncommented. Clay's Flygon entered, Soot returned, and Clefairy entered. The Pokémon exchanged a few attacks before-

"Psychic!" Ash called out.

Clefairy held a hand towards Flygon as their eyes lit up turquoise. Flygon grimaced as an outline of the same color covered them.

Sabrina smiled happily, "Ooh. Not bad."

"Outrage." Giovanni commanded.

Flygon glanced back at the man in confusion. As did Surge, but to the present Giovanni.

Clefairy slammed Flygon to the ground and then Outrage started. Ash called for Wake-Up Slap and the clash became a slap fight.

"Hold it." Surge said before looking at Giovanni, "Why the Yvel did you choose Outrage of all moves? Your opponent was a Fairy-type."

Giovanni sighed, "Psychics require a level of control and concentration to hold something telekinetically. The erratic flailing from Outrage likely would've caused a big enough disturbance for Flygon to escape. Afterwards, contact with a Fairy-type would've canceled the attack without consequence."

Erika looked at Giovanni in surprise before looking at the slap-fight, "So why isn't it canceling out?"

"Wake-Up Slap." Koga answered, "Even though it's basic-style, it's still a Fighting-type attack. Outrage isn't-" Flygon's Outrage ended and they became confused. "wasn't actually connecting with a Fairy-type. Ash likely did this for Outrage to run its course and inflict Confusion."

"My thoughts exactly." Giovanni said.

"Wow." Flint said before looking at the recording again, "Impressive."

Flygon hurt itself with Fire Blast and Clefairy finished it with Dazzling Gleam.

"Flygon is unable to battle!"

Steelix appeared next and immediately blindsided Ash and Clefairy with Block. Most of the other Gym Leaders gave Giovanni a harsh look.

Giovanni looked around at them, "What?"

"It's okay, Clefairy! Just give them what you've got!" Ash reassured as the battle began.

Clefairy used Metronome … Clefairy used Parabolic Charge.

Surge shied away, "Oof. Unlucky."

Steelix used Iron Tail and knocked Clefairy back; kicking up a dust cloud around the Fairy-type. The dust faded to show Clefairy using another non-commanded Metronome.

Clefairy's eyes widened in shock, and they looked at Steelix blankly before glaring determinedly. Surge's eyes widened.

Erika frowned, "Huh? Did Metronome not give her a move somehow?"

"No." Surge said with a grin, "I know that look."

Clefairy hurried to their feet and broke into a mad dash towards the Steel/Ground-type.

"Steelix, Rock Slide!"

Steelix took on a red outline again as rocks rained down towards Clefairy. The Fairy-type glanced up for a second and started jumping around to dodge the boulders; continuing forward the whole time.

"Yes yes yes…" Surge muttered excitedly.

Clefairy jumped up to and off one of the boulders and landed on one of Steelix's spikes. Steelix looked down at the Fairy Pokémon in shock right as she hurried up to place a hand on her main body. Clefairy smiled calmly and closed her eyes. Right before her entire body lit up white.

A massive explosion erupted from the Fairy-type and kicked up a large cloud of dust over both combatants.

"HA!" Surge shouted in triumph as he jumped to his feet; making almost everyone else flinch and look at him, "YVEL YEAH! That's how you do it!"

Giovanni and Koga glanced away and Sabrina shot Koga a harsh glare.

"Self-knockout attack! Clefairy is unable to battle!"

As the dust faded, Surge's smile faded when it was revealed that Steelix was still conscious.

"Wha-" Surge muttered before blurting out, "WHAT?! How-"

Koga cleared his throat; catching Surge's attention. The Fuchsia native frowned sympathetically, "I'm afraid that was a Self-Destruct. Not an Explosion."

Surge stared in shock before groaning and plopping back into the seat, "Son of a glitch. Seriously?"

Haunter patted his shoulder sympathetically.

"Um," Flint said cautiously while looking at Surge and pointing at the screen, "how exactly do you know that … 'look'?"

Surge looked at him, "Huh? Oh, I trained the electrode in my six and up badge teams to do that in an emergency. Really catches the cocky opponents off guard."

Flint sighed in relief and muttered, "Oh, thank Arceus." Surge raised a brow in confusion.

"Clefairy!" Ash shouted as he ran out onto the field; making Steelix back up.

Ash picked up Clefairy and walked back to the trainer box; face out of view. Though, he was walking rather slowly and gave a small nod at one point. Giovanni watched intently as Clefairy smiled and nuzzled up to her trainer and Koga put a hand to his chin.

Once in his trainer zone, Ash removed his backpack, placed it on the ground, and placed Clefairy in front of it for her to lie back on. He picked up Clefairy's bow and started putting it back on her, "Take it easy. You've earned some rest." He finished and stood back up.

Pikachu hurried over and sat next to Clefairy.

"Pidgeotto, enter the fray!"

The main reaction for the battle between Steelix and Pidgeotto was Flint, Erika, and Blaine's surprised expression from Pidgeotto using Ominous Wind. Then the Bird Pokémon was Dragon Tail-ed out and Bulbasaur got pulled out and Blocked.

Giovanni got another round of harsh looks.

"What?" Giovanni asked.

The forced round started and Bulbasaur flew up high with Hidden Power and then used Hidden Powder.

Koga smiled, "Heh. He got Aya with that one."

Erika blinked in surprise, "I might have to ask if I can use that."

Steelix was still asleep when they got a face-full of Solar Beam. "Steelix is unable to battle!"

Erika smiled happily.

Next, Moore's Camerupt entered followed by a conversation between Soot and Bulbasaur.

"Hey remind me." Sabrina relayed with Haunter's help, "Block is one of the ones that doesn't wear off until I lose, right?"

"'Fraid so!" Soot called out, "Good luck!"

And then the one between Camerupt and Bulbasaur. Sabrina glanced at Giovanni. He noticed and nodded.

Sabrina grumbled before starting, "Do you actually think you stand a chance? You're not winning this, plant."

"Yeah, I realize that. But I'm stuck out here and it's more detrimental if I don't even try to weaken you for whichever of my teammates takes my place. I might as well do something before going down, right?"

"Oh … okay then." Sabrina cleared her throat before looking around with a frown, "Hey, can I get a drink?"

Haunter saluted, "On it!" He disappeared under the table, reappeared with a soda in hand, and handed it to Sabrina.

Sabrina smiled and took it, "Thank you."

Blaine stared in surprise before ducking down to look under the table and sitting back up, "Where did Haunter get that?"

Sabrina just stared at him before twisting the cap.

"SAUR!" Bulbasaur cried out as Hidden Power exploded against him and threw him into one of the boulders. He bounced off right before getting nailed back into the boulder by a second sphere.

Pikachu perked up and looked at Ash, "Pikapi. Pichu ka."

Ash perked up slightly.

Giovanni's eyes narrowed, "Sabrina."

Haunter frowned and relayed.

The psychic sighed, 'Here we go.' She propped her head up with a fist. "Bulbasaur screamed 'dark' and Pikachu said, 'Ash. He said dark.'"

Giovanni and Koga's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and realization.

Everyone else looked at the psychic in surprise before looking at the screen again; expecting Soot to relay that.

When she didn't, Flint raised a brow, "Um … am I missing something? Why isn't Soot translating that?"

"Because she doesn't need too…" Giovanni muttered in a daze. Everyone looked at him in surprise as he continued, "The ability to understand Pokémon language… It's a rare talent, but not an unheard of one."

The League Inspector and Cerulean, Pewter, Vermillion, Cinnabar, and Celadon Gym Leaders perked up and stared in shock.

"It's known to require incredible amounts of patience, intelligence, and potential to master." The Viridian Leader continued, "That or very high familiarity with Pokémon."

"Well, that's all four checked." Erika commented casually; not entirely surprised.

Sabrina smiled cheerfully; trying not to sweat too much at the moment, "Aw, thank you."

"But psychics are known to be an exception in every regard." Giovanni added bluntly. Sabrina flinched and pouted sourly.

"Okay, but why?" Daisy asked, "It, like, sounds cool but why would he need to learn that if Soot can just translate for him?"

"To keep others from hearing." Koga added on; catching attention. He looked at the video as Bulbasaur's Overgrow took effect, "They'd been engaging in information warfare since the beginning of this match. The exchange between Pikachu and Nidoqueen. The typing of Camerupt's Hidden Power. And-" His eyes widened before he looked at Giovanni.

Giovanni noticed and looked at him too.

Flint looked back and forth between him and Giovanni anxiously, "And?"

Giovanni looked at Flint, "We'll explain when it comes up."

"Woahwoahwoahwoah, wait." Surge said before smirking, "Understanding Pokémon? Seriously? That can't be the only thing that explains-"

"It's Dark-type!" Ash shouted, "Break into Hydro Pump!"

He stopped and everyone else perked up and looked at the video as Squirtle canceled Zen Headbutt, spun using Hydro Pump, and shot towards Camerupt.

Blaine perked up slightly, 'Oh, so that's how he used that info.'

"See?" Giovanni asked, "I've been racking my brain trying to understand how he figured that out for days now." He frowned, "Still, for Ketchum, there are some inconsistencies."

Erika looked at him, "What? What do you mean?"

"In most cases, understanding Pokémon language is known to be universal or limited to an individual Pokémon you have through familiarity." Giovanni said, "The pikachu had to translate for the bulbasaur but none of his Pokémon said anything after the exchange with Nidoqueen. Meaning he either relied on his pikachu's side of things or he can understand the nidoran line but not his own bulbasaur." The Viridian Leader's eyes narrowed, "There has to be a reason for this."

Joy cleared her throat, "Well… it could be because he's a Pokémon whisperer in-training."

Everyone froze and looked at the inspector blankly.

"What?" Surge asked.

Joy sighed, "Not long after his Fuchsia challenge, Ash Ketchum, Brock Slate, and Misty Waterflower visited the Safari Zone. While there, they caught" She sweat dropped, "thirty tauros…" She shook it off, "and while dropping them off, Oak told Kaiser -the Zone's warden- that Ash Ketchum can translate for a select few Pokémon species without his mightyena's help." She sweat dropped and smirked, "Including the dragonite line. Lance had a … mixed reaction to that."

She shook it off again, "In other words, it does seem to be effort-based understanding, but the method he's using isn't immediately universal." She held a hand to the side, "While I'm still looking into the exact method he's using, it does line up with everything you've said so far."

'Oh, thank Arceus!' ran through Sabrina and Haunter's minds.

"…" Giovanni looked around again, "Well, I still wasn't wrong."

Koga raised a brow, "Though, going by everything we've seen, that means the evolutionary lines he can translate for includes the pichu, nidoran, dratini, and possibly cleffa given what we've seen earlier. I can understand why he'd learn for two of them, but he doesn't even have the other two species."

"hm." Giovanni muttered before looking at the screen and perking up, "Wait, pause here."

Joy looked at him in surprise before complying. It froze on an image of Ash holding a pokéball to his pidgeotto with a sad look on his face.

"What is it?" Erika asked.

Giovanni's eyes narrowed, "There was something about this moment that wasn't sitting right with me. And now I have an idea of why." He looked at the Saffron Leader, "Sabrina, this is going to be a long one. If we need to pause for you to take a breath, say so immediately."

Sabrina blinked in surprise, "Um… okay."

Giovanni looked at Joy. Joy stared in surprise for a moment, nodded, and hit play.

.

*The next day

Ash took a deep breath, "Nincada … we can't guarantee you'll become a shedinja like your meema."

Nincada's eyes widened, "huh?"

After lunch, Ash, Brock, Misty, Soot, Pikachu, Clefairy, Togepi, and Electra went back to the ranch and split up to relax with their teams in one way or another.

Though, Gary was training some of his Pokémon in the distance so Ash couldn't risk showing Nincada and his tauros the watch yet … again. But he and Soot were still able to do one thing. The pair and Nincada sat under a shaded tree with Ash sitting against the trunk.

Ash nodded; frowning, "It's how your kind's evolution works. When you evolve into a ninjask, the shedinja will be a separate lifeform entirely. And how their mind works is something we can't know beforehand."

Soot nodded too, "There are four categories for them. Newborn, reborn, mirror, and … husk. Newborns and reborns are basically like newly hatched Ghost-types. A reborn is someone from the past inhabiting the body while a newborn is an entirely new being like any other hatchling."

"And husks are…" Ash said before frowning uncomfortably, "well … let's just say they're similar to first generation golett and leave it at that." He shook it off before smiling, "But that's one of the benefits of being shed-born. It's known to remove husk as an option."

Nincada sweat dropped, "Well, thank Arceus for that." He looked at Soot, "So, what about mirror?"

Soot smiled, "That's the one you're wanting. Mirror shedinja are mental copies of their ninjask. Same memories and personality with the only difference being the body. Believe it or not, that's usually the least favored one for nincada eager to evolve. Most of them are excited to be a super-fast ninjask, so the shedinja ends up being pretty upset."

Nincada's eyes lit up excitedly, "But that's great right?! So how do we make sure I'm mirror?!"

Soot frowned again and translated; making Ash frown. The father/daughter pair shared an anxious look.

The Trainee Pokémon looked back and forth between them before taking a worried expression, "What is it?"

"Thing is," Ash started before looking at him apologetically, "there's not actually a way to influence what kind of shedinja you'll have. Or even a way to determine it before you evolve."

Nincada's antenna drooped, "O- oh…" He looked at them hopefully, "But are the odds at least good?"

"It's an even split each way." Soot said, "You have a one-in-three chance of getting mirror."

Nincada looked up at her in shock before looking down sadly, "So … I can't be like meema?"

Soot translated quickly.

Ash put a hand on his back, "Hey, no. That is not what we're saying. It's just … we won't know until it happens." He frowned, "We just thought it'd be better to tell you now instead of waiting until you evolve … just in case."

Nincada didn't look up, "oh…"

Ash took a deep breath ending in a sigh, "Okay." He picked up the Trainee Pokémon -making him flinch- and looked him in the eye … as best he could, "Nincada, even if you don't end up with mirror, there's a lot to look forward to about evolving. You'll not only get stronger, but ninjask are one of, if not the, fastest species of Pokémon in the world. And that includes Legendaries." He glanced away and muttered, "as far as we know…"

He looked at Nincada again, "You have Compound Eyes, so you'll end up with Speed Boost. An ability that passively increases your speed during battle even if you somehow use Splash." He smiled softly, "And no matter what happens," He looked over at his other Pokémon, "all of us will be there to support you and help you adjust."

Nincada looked at him in surprise before looking over at his teammates too. He looked down thoughtfully, "I guess …" He looked up at his trainer again; expression somber yet more hopeful than before, "being fast could be pretty cool."

Soot smiled, "That's the spirit. And, hey, even if you're not mirror, you should still have a shedinja that you can actually get along with. If they're reborn, we'll all have a new friend." She glanced away, 'hopefully.' She looked at him again, "And if they're newborn, it could be like you have a cousin."

Nincada looked at her and tilted his head, "What's a cousin?"

"Hatchling of a meema's sibling."

"Oh. But I have seven of those."

"It could be like you have a genderless cousin who's on the same team as you." Soot said; still smiling.

Ash placed Nincada back on the ground, "And you do have one more option." Nincada looked at him in surprise as he reached back, "if you end up deciding you don't want to evolve" He pulled out and handed an Everstone to him; smiling softly, "then I'll be completely fine with it. Promise."

Nincada just stared in surprise before taking the stone and looking at it. He looked at Ash softly, "thank you…" His look shifted to an anxious one and he looked at the stone again, "but … evolving is something I've wanted for as long as I can remember. Even if it might not go how I hoped, I think I still wanna go through with it after I've learnt Dig." He looked up at Ash kindly, "But still, thank you."

Soot translated.

Ash picked him up again and placed him in his lap; smile remaining, "I'm always happy to help my friends." He petted the Bug/Ground-type on the head, "If you ever need to talk more, I'm all ears."

Nincada laid down in his trainer's lap and nuzzled up to him, "Thanks."

Soot smiled softly and lied down next to them. Ash started petting her head along with Nincada's. Neither noticed Nincada glancing down somberly.

.

*Distant bushes

Growlie stared in surprise, 'Well, crag…'

Behind him, James and Meowth were hugging each other as a tearful mess; trying as hard as they could to not be too loud. It was due to this and the fact that Jessie was asleep that the listening device's receiver was in the Fire-type's mouth.

.

*That night; Ketchum House

Brock frowned, "So that's it…"

Misty tore out a piece of bread with her teeth and grumbled while chewing, "You would find a way to make me feel bad for a Bug-type."

Delia smiled softly, "Well, on the bright side, it sounds like Nincada was still okay after you told him."

Clefairy frowned, "But he still seemed kinda down."

Ash translated for her before frowning, "Yeah, that's to be expected. We essentially told him the future he wanted isn't a guarantee. No matter what he or any of us do." His frowned saddened, "Hearing that couldn't have been easy."

Brock, Misty, Pikachu, Clefairy, and Togepi looked at him sympathetically. Soot just frowned. Electra asked if she could stay the night at the lab after the professor mentioned a steam cooker.

Delia smiled softly and put a hand on her son's head, "Well, I still think you did the right thing. If you waited too long to tell him," Her smiled saddened, "it might've just made things harder overtime."

Ash just stared for a moment before smiling softly and putting his hand on hers, "Thanks, mom."

.

*Meanwhile

After dinner, Nincada resigned to lying on his front under the tree Ash, Soot, and him had the discussion under. He looked down at his Everstone thoughtfully while rubbing it with his claw.

'Nincada … we can't guarantee you'll become a shedinja like your meema.'

'there's not actually a way to influence what kind of shedinja you'll have. Or even a way to determine it before you evolve.'

'It's an even split each way. You have a one-in-three chance of getting mirror.'

Nincada's look saddened and he sighed, 'I guess that's why meema looked so uneasy sometimes…'

"Are you okay?"

"CA!" Nincada shouted in shock before turning around to find one of Ash's Poison-types looking down at him.

Arbok blinked in surprise before chuckling sheepishly, "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He frowned, "Just, you seemed kinda down during dinner. Did something happen?"

Nincada chuckled nervously and waved his claws, "N- no, it's nothing. Really."

"If you're sure…" Arbok said before turning to leave.

'And no matter what happens, all of us will be there to support you and help you adjust.'

Nincada perked up and looked down thoughtfully. He looked at Arbok again, "Wait."

The Cobra Pokémon stopped and turned to look back at him.

Nincada cleared his throat, "What, um … what's it like being fast?"

Arbok blinked in surprise, "What?"

.

*One explanation later

"Hm." Arbok said somberly; coiled up under the tree, "So that's what's going on."

Nincada nodded; lying next to Arbok, "Yeah… I always knew I'd become a ninjask when I evolved, but I never thought that I could just become a ninjask." He looked down sadly, "I've always admired meema. How they could just tank something as powerful as a Hyper Beam and act like nothing happened."

He chuckled somberly, "Of course, at first I didn't know it was because of Wonder Guard. But I still wanted to be like them even after they told me about the ability." His look saddened and he started rubbing the Everstone again, "But … now I'm finding out I might not be able to… and that I can't do anything to change it…"

Arbok looked at him sympathetically before looking down, "I think I get how you feel."

Nincada looked up at him in surprise.

Arbok smiled sheepishly, "I mean, it's not really the same. But it's …" He looked unsure, "similar enough, I think?" He shook it off and took a breath, "When my kind evolve, were supposed to get better in … general. Stronger, tougher, faster, all of it."

He frowned sadly, "But mine didn't go the way I expected. My defense plummeted so much that I couldn't even get hit during training without fainting." He rubbed the markings on his hood with his tail, "And I had no idea why. No one ever told me about arbok patterns."

Nincada looked at him curiously before taking a kind expression, "But you figured out you were a Speed Pattern and got better, right? I saw how good you were in that Gym Battle."

Arbok smiled sadly, "I didn't, actually." Nincada's eyes widened as he continued, "Not back then, at least. I just felt even weaker than I did before I evolved … and I hated it. I'd convinced myself that something was wrong with me and started thinking that I became useless. I didn't even notice that my speed and attack got better and thought the other Pokémon were just letting me win races out of pity. There was even a time where I thought Meowth and Weezing only hung out with me because we were assigned to be teammates."

Nincada blinked in confusion, 'Meowth and Weezing?' He shook it off and looked at Arbok worriedly, "So, what changed?"

Arbok's smile softened, "I got a trainer who knew what I could do."

Nincada's eyes brightened, "Ash!"

"Nope." Arbok said cheerfully; making Nincada flinch and stare in shock, "It was a girl." He looked up happily, "She told me everything. She told me that there wasn't anything wrong with me. That I was just focusing on the wrong things. She gave me a new way to battle. A new way to think. A way I could be usef-" He perked up, shook his head rapidly, and glared determinedly, "A way for me to win."

He smiled softly again, "Thanks to her, I finally won a battle at the exam center without my teammates needing to weaken my opponent first."

Nincada stared in confusion before shaking it off and looking at Arbok, "Wait, but if this trainer was that good, why did you join Ash instead of her?"

"Oh, I did join her." Arbok said before grinning at Nincada, "Or, technically, I joined her trainer."

Nincada stared in confusion before perking up in realization, "Y- you mean the Phantom Child? She was the one who helped you?"

"…" Arbok sweat dropped and smiled nervously, "Okay, Ash hasn't told you yet." He smiled normally again, "But, yeah. It was Soot."

Nincada stared in awe, "wow…" He looked down at the Everstone his trainer gave him, "So … you got something you didn't know about when you evolved, and you weren't happy because of it?"

Arbok chuckled softly, "Yeah, that about sums it up. If I actually had someone tell me all this back then, I probably would've felt a lot better. If I had to guess, that's probably why Ash decided to tell you as soon as possible."

'If they're reborn, we'll all have a new friend. And if they're newborn, it could be like you have a cousin.'

Nincada just looked over the rock for a moment longer before taking a soft expression, "Yeah. I think you're right."

"Feeling any better?" Arbok asked.

"A little." The Bug/Ground-type said before he nuzzled up to the large Poison-type, "Thanks."

Arbok smiled softly and patted the Trainee's back with his tail, "It's no trouble. I know what it's like to be the newbie."

After a moment, Nincada looked up at Arbok again, "Hey, what did you mean about being assigned to a meowth and weezing? Also, what's an exam center?"

Arbok chuckled, "Maybe I should've started from the beginning." He rested his head on himself and looked at Nincada, "So, before I joined Ash, I lived in a place where-"

And after about an hour of backstory involving old friends, sneaking into the center's lounge when the League was on, and some more detail on Arbok's first unassisted win -his battle against Jolteon-, the pair fell asleep.

Unbeknownst to them, Team Rocket … went to sleep earlier and heard none of it.

.

*two days later

In a dark room lit solely by a large monitor, a being sat in the chair before the screen and watched as four trainers accompanied by four Pokémon followed their servant through the entryway.

'Finally.' They stood up and closed their eyes. After a moment, they snapped open to reveal them glowing light blue. Another moment later, the glow faded, and they took a deep breath ending in a relieved sigh.

They looked at the monitor again. The camera focused on the black-haired human as they did.

'You will be our greatest creation. Our greatest achievement. Our greatest weapon.'

The being's eyes narrowed as a smirk formed, 'And one day,' They turned and hovered away from the screen, 'your greatest failure.'

.

.

Ohirume: *sighs somberly* Maybe the code spread around the last chapter really was just wasted effort.

Omega: *pats Ohirume on the back* Aw, Rob. Of course, it was.

Ohirume: *slumps forward*

Nuevo: *glares at Ohirume; deadpanned* Give it a rest, already. Why does it even matter?

Ohirume: *glances at Nuevo harshly* Because it's something I worked hard on. *looks down* Even if people haven't figured it out, I was hoping there'd be some mention of attempts. No one's even Private Messaged about it.

Omega: *raised brow; hand to chin* Did you ever consider the possibility that this code **** was just a bad idea?

Ohirume: *glares at Omega* Well excuse me for wanting to have fun and do a Gravity Falls type thing.

Illavera: *perks up* Wait, is that why you chose that title for the last chapter?

Yukiro: *pops up with a mic* And with that, we think it's time for some hints. Tune in next week for the first hint if no one's figured it out by then.

.

Soot: Next time on Pokémon Trix-

(Menace)
The Storm