"So why aren't you flying?" Cassie asked.
"Not really sure, I asked Dragonite to try flying and this is what happened." Ash said, as Dragonite galloped south towards the mountains. "But that's not my big concern right now, all I have to worry about is my next gym, these gym leaders are tougher than the ones in Kanto."
"You also used a fighting type against a flying gym." Cassie reminded.
"Egguardo had to get his first fight in eventually." Ash said. "And I think he has great potential, so I'm working to help him unlock that potential."
"You still could have thought it through more, use Rapidash, or if you wanted to use someone new, why not Teddiursa?" Cassie asked. "Either would have been better than Egguardo."
"I beat Brock with only Pikachu, how is that any worse of a choice?" Ash countered.
"You didn't choose to fight Brock with just Pikachu, you only had Pikachu back then, you have plenty of options now." Cassie said with a sigh. "Why am I the ghost and still the one pointing out the problems."
"Just relax, besides I'm planning on getting some training in before going into the mountains." Ash replied. "Teddiursa could use some training and there are plenty of Pokemon out here to pick from."
"Really, where?" Cassie asked.
"Just have to look around." Ash said, clambering off of Dragonite. "Plus I want to expand my team more."
"Is that because of those other two?" Cassie asked.
"A bit, I mean neither of them had Pokemon I recognized from Kanto or Johto aside from each of their Pikachu." Ash commented. "Can you blame me for not wanting to keep up with them?"
"What did Professor Oak say?" Cassie asked.
"That he wanted to have Dragonite, not just Rapidash and Vileplume." Ash said with a chuckle. "He agreed that it's not a bad idea to grow my team now that I'm here in Johto, but also that I can always call them back for any reason."
"Wise words." Cassie remarked.
"He is a wise man." Ash replied. "There is no reason that I can't have my Pokemon from Kanto on reserve at a moments notice, while I travel about."
"And you kept Dragonite because?" Cassie asked.
"Because he's a Dragonite and I can still use his power while training the new guys." Ash said, looking around the trees.
"What are you looking at?" Cassie asked.
"There is something in there." Ash said, his eyes glowing purple.
"Another ghost." Cassie said in shock as something rushed towards her.
"Teddiursa use Lick!" Ash called out.
Teddiursa leapt in the way of the ghost, attacking it and causing them to shake off the saliva.
"Now use that new move from the gym, use Mud Slap!"
Teddiursa dug one of his paws into the ground, before launching a ball of mud at the ghost, revealing their form.
"Alright, now that it's visible." Ash said, pulling out his Pokedex.
'Misdreavus, the Screech Pokemon, a Ghost Type. It likes playing mischievous tricks such as screaming and wailing to startle people at night.'
Misdreavus let out a cry as they shook again, sending a wave of energy at Teddiursa, sending him stumbling back just a little.
"Now use Lick!"
Teddiursa licked the Misdreavus, causing the ghosts body to stiffen up.
"Alright, now seems like a good idea to catch a new Pokemon. Pokeball go!" Ash called out.
The Pokeball spun out of his hand, bouncing on Misdreavus before engulfing the ghost in a red light.
'DIng. Ding. Ding.'
"Hey does the Pokedex still have that scan function?" Cassie asked.
"Sure, let's see what everyone has." Ash said, pulling up the screen.
'Pikachu, an Electric type, known moves are Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Thunder and Mimic. Dragonite, a Dragon and Flying Type, known moves are Slam, Dragon Rage, Hyper Beam, and Fly. Tyrouge, a Fighting Type, known moves are Tackle and Dizzy Punch. Teddiursa, a Normal Type, known moves are Fury Swipes, Lick, and Mud Slap. Misdreavus, a Ghost Type, known moves are Growl, Psywave and Attract.'
"Egguardo knows Dizzy Punch?" Ash questioned.
"You really need to keep better track of what moves they know, all of this is really important if you want to train a whole new team. I mean at this point in Kanto you hadn't even caught Oddish." Cassie reminded.
"I remember I had a very specific list of Pokemon I was looking to catch back then." Ash countered.
"I never once forced you to catch those Pokemon and only them. Back then you thought I was nothing but a hallucination from grief." Cassie recounted.
"Look, I understand that my choices in Kanto were a bit biased, but I was just trying to deal with everything that had happened." Ash sighed, knowing Cassie was right. "And now it feels like I have so many new options and choices to make, I'm worried I might make a wrong one."
"Then don't make a wrong one." Cassie commented.
"How?" Ash asked. "How can I make the right decisions if I don't know what they are?"
"You've never once had this doubt, it was only when you met those other yous. You're doubting your old team, and now you're doubting your captures. Plus those questions you asked Xia and what even is a Darkrai?" Cassie rapid fired.
"I faced things more terrifying than even my own disfigured clone made solely to command a combination of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres." Ash admitted. "What happened there, it's why I don't sleep well right now, because I'm worried that when I do fall asleep it will be there in my dreams."
"Maybe one of the other versions of you could tell you it will all be okay?" Cassie asked.
"It's not exactly like I know how to contact them, can't just call home." Ash sighed. "I'm sure they'd have some answers, they both were a fair bit older and more experienced."
"And they still needed your help, which tells me that you were just as important in the long run." Cassie reassured. "So if it does come, you can handle it, I'm sure of that."
"Thanks Cassie." Ash sighed in relief. "I should find somewhere to set up camp, it'll be getting dark soon."
"Good idea, and try to get some rest tonight, alright?" Cassie begged.
"Alright, alright." Ash said with a chuckle as he and his Pokemon went to find a safe spot to sleep the night away.
Ash's Current Team and their Moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Thunder - Mimic
Dragonite: Dragon Rage - Slam - Hyper Beam - Fly
Egguardo: Tackle - Dizzy Punch
Teddiursa: Fury Swipes - Lick - Mud Slap
Misdreavus: Growl - Psywave - Attract