Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter One-hundred and ninety-one: Master Rank Mania (part five)
It had been an hour after the Team Scorn siege on Gloire City had ended and all of Team Scorn had pulled out. Dawn, an exhausted Ash, and May after they had reunited with everyone else in their circle, got it from Kenny that after Admin Hero and the Team Scorn men pulled out from Sabine's summer home, Kenny himself saw Sabine's corpse laying at the base of some stairs in the main parlor, drawing some shocked and sad crying from Grace as she had been friends with the Grand Duchess. Sabine's first daughter, Sarah, was also killed, and testimony from Kenny had strongly suggested that Hero had killed her by chopping her head off with the edge of his heater shield. That could not have been done cleanly.
The others in the Kalos portion of the heroes' group were surprised to hear that Ash had temporarily achieved a perfect synchronization with Greninja, and May somehow was able to take a picture of the perfected transformation of Ash's Greninja, which had been dubbed by Kenny as Ash-Greninja. However, the transformation soon wore off after Ash with help from Dawn and May defeated Boss's Assistant Ayane and the men with her. Dawn also confirmed that Ayane had been the one to wreck the vast majority of the Gloire City Showcase hall by having Reshiram lob Fusion Flares at the castle. Dawn and the others won as quickly as they did by having Dawn and Ash use their respective legendary/mythical Pokémon all gang up on Reshiram.
As for the rest of the heroes, they were able to fend off Team Scorn for long enough until Ayane called for a retreat. There were many injured, humans and Pokémon alike. But thankfully, and surprisingly enough considering the sheer size and scope of the Team Scorn siege on Gloire City, there were only two deaths; Sabine and her oldest daughter Sarah. Kenny also supplied it that Maaya has suspicion that at least part of Kaito's plans for Kalos will see to the elimination of the royalty and nobility of the region. This alarmed the heroes, although Dawn was curious; if Team Scorn led by Kaito was going to off the royalty and nobility of the Kalos region, why didn't they off Maaya when they had her at their mercy?
While things were getting cleaned up in Gloire City, the Kalos Showcase Committee made an official statement at a press conference, citing how, due to the Team Scorn siege on Gloire City, the rest of the Master Class Showcase had been canceled, meaning that Aria's position as Kalos Queen for Showcases remained as is. Serena wasn't sure how to feel about it; she's sad that she didn't get to become Kalos Queen herself, but at the same time confused as she didn't technically lose to Aria either. The fans living in Kalos of the Showcase scene were reportedly not too amused that Aria was able to retain her title due to a ruling by the committee rather than keep it due to proving she was still the best on stage.
To make things worse, word had gotten out that the judges for the Master Class Showcase were supposedly acting with bias against Performers using shiny Pokémon, as they ruled in favor of Serena, who didn't use shinies, two separate times when she tied with other performers in audience votes, and the performers in both occasions were using shiny Pokémon. To highlight how bad this looked, it was revealed that the lead judge, Palermo, had personally mentored Aria; that revelation spawned some rather unflattering accusations had been hurled at Palermo, painting her as someone trying to rig things in favor of her student in a blatant form of nepotism.
Next year's season was already starting to look a little lean, and Palermo would later on not help things out at all by using her connections to change rules for Pokémon Showcases to bar the use of shiny Pokémon, as well as legendary and mythical Pokémon (Palermo didn't think this would ever have to be addressed, but Serena's efforts in the Champion's Favor Showcase showed that there was a leak that had to be plugged) in Showcases. Additionally, after learning that a lot of big moves had been done because Performers were borrowing Pokémon from others, Palermo also had removed the rule that permitted borrowed Pokémon to be usable. Palermo, in her bid to restructure the Showcase scene in Kalos to align with her sense of fair play, shot down her reputation somewhat.
Things were not looking good for Kalos right now. It needed heroic trainers now more than ever before. Fortunately for Kalos, however, the heroes consisting of Ash, Dawn, and the others were all in the region at the time. The portion of their journey where they focused on Serena's budding career as a Performer was over, meaning that the heroes can now put the rest of their focus in Kalos on the quest for Ash and the reborn trainers to earn their respective final gym badges each, allowing for Ash, Trip, and Kenny to enter the Lumiose Conference when it's held; Dawn, already being the Champion of Sinnoh, would just earn the final Kalos gym badge then watch the boys as they all competed.
...Little did they know that things will be going down during the Lumiose Conference. Things that none of them could foresee, things that will send what all the reborn trainers recalled from the Kalos anime in their previous lives into upheaval. There would be more Rapidashes entering the running there, and one contender who would be there anyway was going to have a different reason for entering the Lumiose Conference. The heroes would be having their plates full indeed, but they have done a lot more, had experienced a lot more, had a lot more Pokémon than they normally would have. Even the likes of Team Scorn would have to be careful in dealing with things when the heroes popped up on their radar.
Elsewhere, the members of Team Scorn were treating their defeated Pokémon, as well as licking their own wounds. Admin Hero was personally treating his own Pokémon, which now included his shiny Chesnaught who he was able to get back. Getting back his Pokémon was the most vital and important task Hero had for the siege on Gloire City; so long as that objective was accomplished, Hero would be happy. Well he not only got Chesnaught back, Hero also was able to take out the bitch who stole Chesnaught from him in the first place, the bitch who ruined his life because he wouldn't just hand Chesnaught over when asked slash told.
It was as Hero was applying a Hyper Potion to Chesnaught that the mysterious grunt he had as an agent came in. "My Pokémon who fought have all been treated," the mysterious grunt said.
Hero nodded in acknowledgement. He recalled Chesnaught, having finished its treatment. "I got it that you saw to the task of offing the Grand Duchess."
"I was going to do as you assigned me," the mysterious grunt said, "But when I approached her on the stairs, she took a step backwards and tumbled down on accident. That's how she was finished."
Hero nodded in understanding. "Yes, random chance works just as well."
"I confess a curiosity as to why we didn't off the Grand Duchess's second born daughter, Maaya," the mysterious grunt admitted, "Even though we got both the Grand Duchess herself and her first born daughter." Gesturing to Hero, the mysterious grunt said, "I heard rumor that you're planning to lead the Shield Sector in taking out all of the Kalosian nobility, as well as the royal family. We had Maaya there, we could have eliminated one more noble."
"Maaya is actually being excused," Hero explained, "Mainly because she's the Shield Sector's Fourth Captain. She's currently doing some undercover work for me, work that will help set things up to see to the Shield Sector's ultimate goals for Kalos to be carried out and accomplished more easily."
The mysterious grunt took off his sunglasses, lowered his gaiter mask, revealing himself to be Alain in the process. Alain even undid the voice modifying dial on the collar he wore under the gaiter mask's portion that covered his neck. The look of surprise on Alain's face made it clear that the Mega Charizard X user wouldn't be able to hide his surprise. "A girl that young in a Team Scorn Officer?" Alain asked, "But she can't be any older than Mairin, or your and Xander's respective assistants."
"There isn't exactly a strict age requirement for one to be talented," Hero replied, "And Maaya has proven she's wholly on board with my ultimate goals for Kalos. Plus, having someone on the inside of the world of Kalosian nobility will give Team Scorn an edge in accomplishing its goals here in Kalos." Hero cracked his neck a bit, as if to relieve a bit of tension. "Anyway, if I recall correctly," Hero went on, "You have seven Kalos gym badges so far. One more, and you'll qualify for the Lumiose Conference. I suggest that you make your way over to Snowbelle City as soon as you can so you can best the gym there and earn what you need to qualify."
Alain gave Hero a knowing look. "...And Mairin will be under your care in the meanwhile, no doubt."
Hero nodded only once in the affirmative. "I got it that the Snowbelle City gym uses ice Pokémon. But then again, with a name like Snowbelle, you'd figure the local gym would use ice types." Gesturing to Alain, Hero said, "And wouldn't you know it, multiple Pokémon of yours, including that Charizard of yours who can Mega Evolve, have type advantages against ice types. The gym over in Snowbelle City ought to be a piece of cake for you."
Giving a single nod in agreement, Alain replied, "I won't argue with that. Anyway, I do have that last badge to earn, so I'll be taking my leave here." Hero nodded in acknowledgement and excused Alain so he could go about continuing his quest to qualify for the Lumiose Conference. As Alain took off, he wondered why in blazes did Team Scorn need someone on the inside at the Lumiose Conference. What exactly was it that Team Scorn had planned for Kalos's regional League tournament this year? But Alain shook those questions from his mind for the time being. His own curiosity be damned, Alain still had a job to do, and given what was on the line for him, Alain wouldn't rest until he accomplished his objectives.
...Doesn't mean he still can't wonder what exactly it was that Team Scorn had cooking, though.
Over in Gloire City, as city wide cleanup efforts were still going on, the heroes were having lunch, and they were joined by Grace and Johanna, as well as May and Max. During lunch, Johanna actually hugged Trip like a mother would when being loving towards their child. "Oh Trip, you haven't officially been my child for a week yet and yet you've already proven to be a total sweetheart," Johanna said, "It was real sweet of you to insist on sticking close to me to protect me from Team Scorn."
Trip nodded once in agreement. "Yeah, I'm not exactly in the mood to lose everything again."
Letting go of Trip, Johanna said, "I can understand that. I also would of understood it if you did go with Dawn, May, and Ash to confront the Team Scorn member who attacked the Showcase hall with Reshiram. You and your Dialga would of helped Dawn and her Palkia wrap things up there a lot quicker."
"Well Dawn and Ash still took down that girl's Reshiram by siccing Palkia, Darkrai, Zapdos, and Moltres on it," May pointed out. Gently shaking her head, May said, "I already knew that Dawn had an awesome Pokémon like Palkia, but then I learn she's also got Darkrai. And then Ash comes in with Zapdos and Moltres. Remind me to never get on your bad sides."
"Multiple Pokémon thought to exist only in legend and myth," Max said, "I bet you'd make even Pyramid King Brandon look twice."
"Oh, that reminds me," Kenny said, "Apparently, Brandon the Pharaoh of the Pyramid isn't allowed to use his legendaries against challengers for the Brave Symbol anymore, except in very special circumstances. Someone blowing a gasket at Brandon over the blatant unfairness of him spamming Regirock, Regice, and Registeel got the attention of the guys running the Battle Frontier, and they determined that the guy blowing a gasket actually had a valid point and whacked Brandon with the nerfing stick in order to give challengers for the Brave Symbol a better chance of actually winning."
Both May and Max looked surprised by the revelation Kenny just made. "You're kidding me," May said, "He can't use his legendary Pokémon anymore?"
"Obviously the Battle Frontier Committee in charge has similar reasons as what I have for trying to ensure Showcases are won fairly from now on," Palermo's voice called out, making everyone turn to see her come walking up. "The various Showcases this year have proven that there were issues needing to be addressed to ensure that Performers can only win if they have the real, actual talent to deserve it," Palermo said, "Many Showcases this year were won mainly because the winning Performer had used a shiny Pokémon. The use of shiny Pokémon in Showcases this year has proven that it's a source of cheap, easy wins that that had allowed for fresh rookie Performers to win without putting in what I feel is the necessary level of training, practice, and dedication."
"So you had a few strings pulled in order to ensure that everything in the Showcase scene from this point moving forward aligned with your selective sensibilities," Trip reasoned.
"Training, dedication, and practice ought to be what allows for Performers to win," Palermo said, "A Performer winning primarily because they just so happened to have a rare and flashy Pokémon not only breaks the spirit of the competition in Showcases, but it unfairly punishes Performers nowhere near as lucky to have such rare and flashy Pokémon themselves. The rules have to be adjusted to ensure that all Performers have a fair chance." Folding her arms over her chest, Palermo went on, "It's also an effort to make the audiences understand and appreciate real talent, instead of allowing themselves to be swayed solely by a flashy look."
"In all fairness," Dawn spoke up, "The idea of Showcases, as well as similar events like Contests, is to look good in front of an audience. If shiny Pokémon help with that, then why not use them?"
Gesturing to May, Palermo replied, "For the same reason that guy May spoke of can't use legendary Pokémon against challengers anymore. It's not fair for the many who don't have the same advantage to compete against the few who do. Everyone has to be on equal footing in order to ensure fairness, to ensure that the competition is kept healthy."
Surprisingly enough, Johanna turned to look at Palermo. "You know, I actually have an in with the Contest circuit in my home region of Sinnoh. I can understand why you would care so much about ensuring that all competing Performers or Coordinators go in with roughly the same level of chance to win as one another. But I fail to see why some competing persons have to essentially hold back."
"Obviously you and I can't see eye to eye," Palermo said. Turning to look at Serena, Palermo went on, "And what about how you feel about this, Serena? I know that you can understand where I'm coming from. I saw from footage your performances in Rookie Class Showcases. In my honest opinion, you have an overall greater level of skill and talent than that Ochaco girl, and yet she always beat you when you faced against her in the Rookie Class because she made generous use of shiny Pokémon. You only won when you didn't face Ochaco, or against another Performer using a shiny Pokémon that lost its wow factor from overuse, or when you had used a pair of legendary Pokémon which by the way you didn't need, you could have won easily without them in that Showcase."
Serena looked down at her place at the table everyone was seated at, a look of consideration on her face. "...I will admit," Serena said, "It was rather frustrating for me to lose multiple times in a row to Ochaco despite all of the practice and training my Pokémon and I had done in preparation for Showcases. I can also see how Ochaco's use of shiny Pokémon gave her a blatant edge that very few could hope to match."
Looking to Serena, Palermo said, "I don't exactly approve of your use of legendary Pokémon, it's even more blatantly unfair than using shiny Pokémon in my opinion hence why I included that on my list too. But given what you had been put through due to your struggles against a less talented but far luckier Performer, that plus what obviously had to be sheer desperation on your part could be used to excuse you. Just don't use shiny Pokémon, as well as Pokémon thought to exist only in lore, in Showcases again, especially as you don't need it."
Looking surprised, Serena and the others turned their full attention to Palermo. "For a rookie who started her Performer career literally earlier this season," Palermo said, "You did amazingly well. With what all that I had seen, I have every confidence that you would have made it to the final round of the Master Rank Showcase either way, to compete against Aria to see who between the two of you would be the Kalos Queen. You can give even May here who has lots of experience in a similar field a run for her money." May nodded in agreement with what Palermo had said. Holding a hand out to Serena, Palermo said, "If you want, I can train you to help you reach the potential that I know you can reach."
The group all looked surprised by Palermo's offer to Serena, although the reborn trainers looked like they had sort of expected this, not that anyone else saw their expressions. Smiling gently and appreciatively, Serena said, "I'd like to at the very least finish going around with Ash and the others through Kalos, seeing them take part in the Pokémon League, before I consider accepting. But the offer is very tempting and generous."
Palermo gave an amused, understanding smile. Leaving a business card with Serena, Palermo said, "Here's my card. The offer will remain open." Palermo then turned around and took off, saying as she left, "Call me when you're ready, Serena."
After Palermo had taken off, May spoke up, "Yeah, the Showcase season's over, but there's still the Pokémon League."
"Speaking of," Max said, "I suspect that I'll be seeing at least Ash, Kenny, and Trip at the Lumiose Conference, as I'm one badge shy from entering."
"Wait a minute," Kenny said, "Aren't you a bit young to be doing what is usually the work of legally licenced trainers?"
"Hoenn's government actually lowered the legal age requirement for trainers, allowing for kids Max's age to become legally licenced earlier if they want," May explain, "And if he's legally recognized as a trainer in one region, then all regions will recognize him as being legal."
Dawn arched a wry eyebrow at May. "...And the reason for Hoenn lowering the minimum legal trainer age is because..."
"...Because Hoenn's government recognized that there were skilled and strong talent that wasn't available to help fend off the antics of Team Scorn due to minimum age laws," May said, "So the government lowered the minimum legal trainer age to free up said talent."
"I... don't know how to feel about that," Grace replied, drawing a nod of agreement out of Johanna. After lunch was wrapped up, May and Max took off, with the idea to head straight to Snowbelle City. Similarly, Grace and Johanna took off as well, Grace to go home and Johanna to return to Sinnoh. This left the Kalos group of heroes to themselves. There wasn't much left for them to do, so once they were ready, they headed off on the road to continue their journey.
Later in their journey, the heroes came across a girl who looked to be a really promising candidate to be Celmont's wife, at least as far as Bonnie was concerned. But a nightmare Bonnie had prior to meeting the girl made Bonnie wanna hold off on seeing Clemont get a girl. And the girl herself, Lilia, wasn't sure if she was ready to settle down anyway, citing that she had a lot on her plate before she could make any hard decisions. She did go with the heroes to the nearest Pokémon Center, but broke off from them there and went off on their own. After the reborn trainers and Ash did some party rotation, they continued their journey.
...Little did they know that their next adventure would see Serena make a big move for Ash's sake.
...
The heroes stopped off at a stream to camp out for the night. It was dark, and Ash was training with Pikachu and Greninja. Dawn who stood nearby watched on with Chi-Chi and Tobias, deciding to end their training for the night. As Ash trained on, Clemont and Bonnie both watch on in admiration. "Wow, look at 'em go," Bonnie said, "It's like nothing can stop Ash."
Clemont nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but given we're getting closer to the gym in Snowbelle City, can you really blame Ash for going all out?"
As Ash continued training, he stopped short when, after a splash from the river was thrown against him, a towel was thrown over to him by Serena. "Ash, you'll get sick if you don't dry off," Serena pointed out.
Ash, smiling, replied, "Thanks, but it's not like I can ge- *ACHOO*" Ash stopped short as he sneezed suddenly, then proceeded to dry off with the towel Serena had thrown to him.
...
The following morning, everyone but Ash had gotten up. "Hey, Ash is still sleeping," Bonnie commented.
"Well he was training hard last night," Clemont said as he, Kenny, and Trip got breakfast going, "Bonnie, why don't you go get Ash up."
Bonnie nodded in agreement and made her way to the tent Ash was in. However, Bonnie only got about halfway there before Ash came out, rubbing his eyes and muttering something weakly. As Serena went up to him, Ash got to her only to collapse and hold onto Serena, making her nervous given that he's Ash and he's holding onto her. "Now's... our chance..." Ash said weakly, making Serena light up red like a tomato, "...I... I..."
"Oh snap, Ash is confessing to Serena," Kenny whispered to Dawn and Trip.
However, everyone stopped short when Ash said, "...Iron Tail, Pikachu..." before falling over onto the ground, breathing hard with a tired, mildly pained look on his face as his eyes were closed. His face was also getting slightly red, but not for the same reason as Serena, who instantly calmed down from her embarrassment before she instantly went into fretting mode over Ash.
...
After the rest of the heroes got Ash back into his sleeping bag, Kenny said, "Well, the dude's sick. I blame how Ash had gotten soaked last night. He must not have dried off properly and was still a little wet, and it was a bit chilly last night."
As Serena put a cloth on Ash's forehead to try and bring his fever down, she looked to the others. "There should be a pharmacy around here, we can get medicine there to treat Ash's sickness."
Dawn nodded in agreement. Turning to Trip, Dawn said, "Trip, you take Clemont and Bonnie with you to that pharmacy. Serena, Kenny, and I will stay here to look after Ash, as he obviously can't be left alone the way he is right now." Trip nodded in agreement, then got directions to the pharmacy before taking off with Clemont and Bonnie while riding on Deelia to speed things up.
...
While Trip was gone with Clemont and Bonnie, Serena with help from Dawn and Kenny looked after Ash. While Serena applied a fresh cold washcloth to Ash's forehead, a loud guitar screech startled her as well as the others, aside from Ash who was still out of it. "What fresh manner of hell is that?" Kenny muttered as he and the girls left the tent to investigate.
When Kenny and the girls got out of the tent, they spotted a punk rocker with a Pikachu theme, and he was accompanied by a Pikachu with some hair on its head done up like a rocker's Mohawk. Spotting Ash's Pikachu who followed Serena out of the tent, the rocker said, "Is that the Pikachu that belongs to Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, Kanto?"
"Tobias," Dawn said as she called out her named Darkrai, "Confiscate that guy's guitar with Psychic." The named Darkrai aimed its right hand at the rocker's guitar, which glowed with psychic energy same as Darkrai's eyes. The guitar then was jerked out of the rocker's hands and floated straight to Tobias, who caught it and handed it off to Dawn.
"Hey!" the rocker said, "What was that for?! Give my guitar back!"
Pointing at the rocker, Dawn said, "Settle down and shut it for a moment, we need to explain a few things to you!"
"Not until I battle Ash Ketchum, Pikachu to Pikachu!" the rocker declared, "The name's Jimmy, and I aim to prove my Pikachu, Spike, as the toughest Pikachu around! Also I want my guitar back!"
"Dude, be quiet!" Kenny said, "Like, seriously! We got a si-"
"I don't care what you guys have!" the now identified Jimmy loudly declared, "Bring me Ash Ketchum so that I can-"
"I'm right here!"
Jimmy was cut off when he and the others heard a girl imitating a boy's voice call out, making them turn to see Serena dressed as Ash. "If it's a battle you want," Serena said, "Then I'll give you one! The name's Ash Ketchum!"
Kenny was about to speak up, but Dawn cut him off. "Yes, finally!" Jimmy said, "Now we can see who has the best Pikachu! But I'm warning you, Spike here is on a totally different level!"
"We'll see about that!" Serena said as she and Pikachu moved away from the tent so as to give Ash more quiet to rest. Serena, still imitating Ash's voice, said, "So you wanna see who the best Pikachu is, huh?"
"Yeah, ain't none there is that can beat Spike!" Jimmy declared. When they were both ready, Jimmy and Serena began their battle. "Spike, use Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu, counter with your own Thunderbolt!" Serena called out. The two Pikachus both cast Thunderbolt, with the two attacks colliding and hitting one another. After that ended, Serena looked to Jimmy. "Not bad," Serena said, still impersonating Ash, "You trained your Pikachu well, I can tell!"
Jimmy then made a move to strum his guitar's strings, but stopped short when he strummed empty air. "Oh yeah, that girl with the Darkrai took my guitar," Jimmy said, "I can't rock out withou-" Jimmy then stopped short, a wide-eyed look of realization on his face. He then turned to look to see where Dawn and Kenny both stood, and Dawn's named Darkrai was still out next to Dawn. "...Does that girl have a Darkrai?" Jimmy asked, sounding a mix of dumbfounded and mildly surprised.
Seeing that Jimmy was now a lot calmer, Dawn said, "Yes, that girl does have a Darkrai." Arching a wry eyebrow at Jimmy, Dawn said, "Now that you appear to be settled down enough, maybe you'll be willing to listen to us as we explain a few things to you?"
Jimmy was actually a bit nervous to be near so powerful a Pokémon as Darkrai, so he meekly nodded in agreement. "Sure thing."
...
With Jimmy settled down, Dawn, Serena, and Kenny proceeded to explain everything to him; yes Ash was really there, but he's sick and in no condition to battle. Jimmy, due to how he was being loud and unwilling to listen, didn't get that, so Serena resorted to impersonating Ash just to make Jimmy calm down, also Dawn still had the guitar that she had Tobias confiscate from Jimmy. When Jimmy tried arguing on how he didn't appreciate being lied to, Dawn retorted to Jimmy that he wasn't giving them a chance to explain things to him, and that if he had continued with being loud then Ash would have gotten up and tried insisting on battling even though he's sick, thus Serena sort of had to lie to Jimmy in order to let Ash rest.
Jimmy, after Dawn had countered his argument, relented. "Yes, that is a good point," Jimmy conceded, "I guess that the fault here is mine more than yours. Sorry."
As Dawn nodded in understanding and was about to offer to return the guitar on the condition Jimmy not play it until Ash is recovered, Trip came back with Clemont and Bonnie. "Hey, why is Serena dressed like Ash?" Bonnie asked.
"Long story," Kenny replied, "Anyway, did you guys get the medicine for Ash?"
Clemont nodded in the affirmative as he took out a small light brown paper bag. "This stuff here will get Ash cured in next to flat." Clemont then went about treating Ash while Kenny and the girls introduced Trip and Bonnie to Jimmy.
"Hey wait," Trip said, "Kenny, don't you have Juan on hand? Can't you battle Jimmy in a Pikachu versus Pikachu showdown?"
Instantly, Jimmy turned to look at Kenny. "I heard of a person with a Pikachu Libre named Juan," Jimmy said, "Are you that person?"
Nodding once, Kenny with an amused smirk on his face said, "I am."
"And is your Pikachu really named Juan Carlos Santiago Dominguez Hernandez de la Santa Cruz?" Jimmy asked.
Dawn gently face palmed as she muttered, "Odin damn it."
"He is," Kenny replied to Jimmy while calling out Juan to show Jimmy.
"Your Pikachu Libre..." Jimmy said, "...He's a legend among Pikachu users. To think I'd encounter two great trainers with Pikachus..."
Clapping her hands together, Dawn said, "Okay, why don't you and Kenny here have a Pikachu versus Pikachu battle far enough away from the tent Ash is resting in so that the noise won't wake him up while he's trying to recover? Oh, and play your guitar loudly while Ash is still sick, and I will confiscate it again." Handing the guitar back to Jimmy, Dawn said, "Agreed?"
Nodding once in understanding, Jimmy replied, "Agreed." Jimmy and Kenny then went off to the other side of a hill after Jimmy got his guitar back from Dawn.
While Kenny and Jimmy battled, Dawn, Trip, and Bonnie turned to look to Serena who was still wearing Ash's clothing. "So... you dressed as Ash to get that overly excitable guy to calm down and not be loud enough to wake up the real Ash?" Bonnie asked.
As Serena blushed heavily out of embarrassment while trying to explain things to Bonnie, Trip whispered to Dawn, "Man, I knew she wanted to get into Ash's pants, but I didn't think she meant it literally." Dawn had to snort back some laughter, with her snorting heard by Serena and Bonnie who both turned to look at her.
Waving a hand to excuse herself, Dawn said, "Oh, Trip just told me a funny joke that's too mature for Bonnie is all."
END, CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED AND NINETY-ONE
Author's notes;
This chapter wraps up the arc in Gloire City, showing that Kalos is now feeling Team Scorn's sting. Hero also talks of the plans involving Alain getting into the Lumiose Conference, and Serena gets the offer to be tutored by Palermo. Grace and Johanna also express concern over the implied reason Hoenn lowered its legal trainer age that allowed May's brother Max to become a licenced trainer a few years early for him; it wanted more trainers with decent amounts of talen freed up to help fend off attacks from Team Scorn, basically drafting child soldiers to fight against an inter-regional criminal organization.
After the heroes' time in Gloire City is up, they continue their journey, which sees them run into that Lilia girl who seemed a good match as a wife for Clemont, but she had to back down for her own reasons. Then Kenny, Dawn, and Serena deal with Jimmy while Ash is sick and Trip went off with Clemont and Bonnie to get medicine for Ash. Once they got Jimmy calmed down and talked things out, they were able to resolve things peacefully enough. Anyway, the next chapter will be seeing more strides made toward Ash's goal of mastering Greninja's transformation power. Until then, take care.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Tobias (Darkrai), Germany (male Garchomp), Freed (male Noivern), Leni (female Lucario), Tsukune (Palkia)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Cell (male Scizor; shiny), Goofy (male Houndoom), Juan (male Pikachu; Libre), Godzilla (male Tyranitar), Black (Giratina; Origin Form)
Trip's Pokémon: (on hand) Fourze (male Electivire), Veda (female Abomasnow), Myde (male Empoleon), Kululu (male Greninja), Deelia (Dialga), Todoroki (male Goodra; alpha; Hisuian)
Ash's Pokémon: (on hand) Pikachu (male), Zapdos (gender unknown), Moltres (gender unknown), Greninja (male), Noivern (male), Charizard (male)