Hello Fanfiction Readers! How are you doing? I'm doing fine. Anyway, what's that I see? Another update. Guess what is in this chapter? It's Ash Ketchum's second battle with Trip! Don't get too excited and/or bring out the torches and pitchforks yet. Read it first and see which side of the line you stand on.

Disclaimer: This Disclaimer is a lie! As are all Disclaimers!

Ash: What makes it lie?

Misty: The pretentiousness perhaps?

TM24: Blasted Pokémon Trainers...Why are you still here?

Ash crossed his arms indignantly: What? Is it a crime?

Misty shrugged, her mallet somehow appeared in her left hand as she held it against her left shoulder: Not our fault that you can't seem to fix the Fourth Wall.

TM24 rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger: It isn't like I haven't tried.

Anyway, on with the story.

Chapter Ten

Ash's Point of View.

Yesterday sure proved to be interesting. The day started off with Cilan and Pansage battling against Iris and Axew in a training battle to get Axew used to battling. As I watched the battle, I thought of how it isn't just about winning, but connecting with your Pokémon and forming friendships. I have to admit though, I think Iris was stroking Cilan's ego a little when she said that he and his Pansage were gentlemen as Cilan said that they were only use twenty percent of Pansage's power.

As I tried to give Iris a little piece of advice about using moves other than Scratch, she said that she didn't want it and then advised me to let her have her battle and be quiet. As the battle went on, I saw moves used in a way I had never seen before. As I tried again to advise Iris to use others moves and battle for real, I think it did the trick as she said confidently that they would. Iris then told Axew to use Dragon Rage which I think took everyone else present off-guard. Before the attack could launch however, it exploded in Axew's face, leaving behind a crater and an explosion of black smoke. It kind of reminded me of when I tried to teach my Gible to master Draco Meteor when I was in Sinnoh. The explosion of Dragon Rage left Axew unharmed as the rest of us took the brunt of the explosion.

After me and Cilan commented that Axew's Dragon Rage should be renamed Dragon Sneeze, to which Iris angrily pointed out is not a sneeze, I related to her of when I had to train my Gible to master Draco Meteor. How I trained for several times but eventually got it down right as Cilan commented that Axew's potential was huge. That brightened her up as she thanked us. Cilan then offered that Iris have a battle with me, to which she refused on the grounds that she didn't want to lose. And she calls me a little kid? Anyway, after asking her where she got Axew in first place, Iris said she got it from an Elder in her hometown where they specialize in training Dragon-type Pokémon. The information reminded me a little of my friend Misty who aspired to be a Pokémon Water-Type Master. As we continued the conversation, we then noticed Pikachu and Axew were gone.

We then saw an explosion appear nearby, which I recognized and commented jokingly as Axew's Dragon Sneeze. Iris was not amused by that. As we neared the explosion, Pikachu came flying out of a bush and started to explain what had happened, but he was talking so fast I couldn't understand him. We then saw an Scolipede trying to shake Axew off before chasing after us.

As the powerful Scolipede overpowered my Snivy, Iris soon entered the battle hesitatingly with her Excadrill. As the Pokémon came out and basically refused to doing anything, it brought to mind how I had to deal with a disobedient Charizard before finally it started to listen to me after a tense battle with a Poliwrath in the Orange Islands. I was also reminded of Dawn's Mamoswine and Misty's Gyarados.

Iris then declared that she would do it herself and after we distracted Scolipede with a Solarbeam, an Ember, and a Thunderbolt, she swung from a vine and rescued Axew. As Scolipede refocused its attention, it angered Excadrill by kicking it backwards, causing it to end the battle by sending it flying into a deeper part of the forest.

After assuring her that Excadrill will listen to her eventually, and Cilan told her that she would perfect Axew's Dragon Rage and battle with Excadrill, me and Pikachu then had a battle with each other and, I'll have to admit, I'll be feeling the electricity surge from that for a while. But anyway, we headed to the next town, determined to go battle against the Nacrene Gym. Before that though, we stopped in Luxuria Town, where we are now.

Normal Point of View

"There it is, found it!" Ash exclaimed as he saw the Pokémon Battle Club there.

'Yeah, wow!" Ash said as he entered and ran towards one of the machines and began fiddling with it. "Let's see what kind of trainers I can battle to get ready for the Nacrene Gym."

"We finally caught up!" Cilan said after recovering from panting.

"Running off like that..." Iris began as she and Cilan walked over. "The battle club isn't going anywhere, you know. You are such a kid!"

"Getting excited isn't exactly kid-exclusive Iris." Ash said as he continued to look at the machine.

"Sure it isn't Ash." Iris said sarcastically.

Ash then exclaimed when he saw something on the machine, surprising Iris and Cilan.

"You scared me to death!" Iris shouted.

"Look, it's Trip!" Ash said. "Trip's here at the battle club!"

"So who's Trip?" Iris asked.

"I had no idea he was in town." Cilan interjected.

"Cilan, I assume you know Trip through him challenging the Striaton Gym, right?" Ash asked.

"Yes, he challenged the Striaton Gym, too." Cilan replied. "And he won himself a badge."

"He must've done really well then." Ash said.

"Will you two please stop the private conversation and tell me who Trip is?" Iris inquired.

"Yeah, he's a trainer I met at Professor Juniper's lab." Ash answered. "And the first trainer I battled with in the Unova region."

"All right," Ash exclaimed determinedly, his fists clenched in the same determination. "I'm gonna get to battle Trip again!"

"Right, got it!" A man said from behind them. "When it comes to battling, you leave it to us and welcome to the Pokémon Battle Club! So you want to a battle with Trip, eh? What's your name, son?"

"My name's Ash." Ash said hesitantly then remembered something. "Say, hold on..."

"Uh, is there something wrong?" Don George asked.

"There's nothing wrong," Ash replied. "But I met someone who looks just like you in Accumula Town."

"Accumula Town?" Don George wondered. "Of course, you must have paid a visit to my cousin's club!"

"Your cousin?" Ash inquired.

"Indeed! Look over there!" Don George replied, pointing to a nearby picture on the wall.

"Whoa!" Ash said. "It reminds me of the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys of the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh Regions!" Except for the fact that those people are sisters.

"This is the Don George that you met in Accumula Town," Don George began, pointing to a man in the picture who was clenching his fist and then pointed to another person on the picture. "and that's me over here, Don George of Luxuria Town!"

"Wow, talk about lookalikes." Ash commented.

"Allow me to get Trip for you." Don George said, walking over to lean over a machine. "I'll contact him on the Xtransceiver."

"Xtransceiver?" Ash asked.

"It is a watch that lets you communicate with anyone anywhere!" Don George answered. "So no matter where they are, you can contact them easily."

"Hello, Trip!" Don George greeted as the trainer turned answered his Xtransceiver. "I have someone here who'd like to have a Pokémon Battle with you!"

"Hey Trip, long time no see!" Ash said as Don George made room for the trainer.

"It's Ash!" Trip said to himself. "So you're in town, too?"

Iris and Cilan then got in front of Ash as they filled the screen.

"That's right, he's traveling with us and my name's Iris!" She said with a wink. "Glad to meet you!"

"Looks like you're doing well, Trip!" Cilan added.

Trip was taken a little aback by the gym leader's appearance. "Cilan? From the Striaton City Gym?"

"Right." Cilan replied. "You see, Ash, Iris and I are traveling together."

Pushing Iris and Cilan out of the picture, Ash spoke up. "So you wanna have a battle with me? Whaddaya say, Trip?"

"Thanks, but no thanks." Trip answered. "It'd be a waste of time."

"No way!" Ash exclaimed, getting a bit irritated as he started to stomp his feet. "A battle is never a waste of time!"

"Now take it easy!" Don George said, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Calm down!"

"And quiet down while you're at it." Trip added as he walked into the building.

"It's Trip!" Ash commented.

"I could hear that loud mouth of yours all the way down the street." Trip said, a bit exasperatedly.

"Great!" Ash said, ignoring the loud mouth comment. "So Trip, you're gonna have a battle with me?"

"Maybe." Trip replied simply. "If we're gonna have a six-on-six full battle, I guess it's worth doing."

"A full battle? I really can't do that!" Ash said before putting his hand on his neck. "I only have five Pokémon still..."

"Just five?"

"Yeah, but look!" Ash said, digging around in his pocket. "I already won a badge!"

"I already won two badges." Trip said.

"Two badges?" Ash asked. "You mean it?"

"It's basic, Ash." Trip said. "Don George, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to take a pass on this battle."

"You're serious?" Don George asked.

"What's the point?" Trip said. "Ash has only got five Pokémon and one badge."

"It doesn't matter how many Pokémon I have!" Ash exclaimed, irritated. "What matters is the bonds I forge with them."

"Amazing." Trip said, sighing. "Where you get all that groundless confidence is beyond me. Are all trainers from the Kanto region boonies just like you?"

"What'd you say?" Ash asked. This guy is lucky that a certain orange-haired water trainer isn't here or he'd have a serious head injury from her mallet.

"Think I'll look for a better opponent in the next town." Trip said. "See ya!"

"Why not go for it?" Iris asked before Trip walked out the door, crossing her arms behind her head. "It's just a battle. It's obvious you're quite the talker, but big talkers like you are such little kids who can't walk the walk."

"Little kids?" Trip inquired.

"As for me, I'd really enjoy seeing the two of you have a battle!" Cilan added, before placing his hands on his hips. "It's like passion and coolness colliding, creating a crisp and flavorful combination, with lots of depth. This is just the kind of battle I'd like to see!"

Trip then sighed before turning around. "I take it back. Don George, please be the ref for our five-on-five battle."

"Sure, love to." Don George said as Trip walked up to him.

"Hey, Trip, thanks a lot!" Ash said.

"Thing is, I already know what the result will be." Trip said dismissively. "It could end up being a total waste of my time."

"The five-on-five Pokémon battle between Trip and Ash will now get underway." Don George announced. "Each trainer may use five Pokémon and can substitute at will and the battle will be over when all five Pokémon from either side are unable to battle!"

"Get ready..." Don George began, his arms behind him to make a "X" gesture. "Go!"

"Okay then, Tranquill..." Trip said, an undercurrent of excitement in his voice. "I need your help!"

"Wow, Tranquill!" Ash observed, pulling out his Pokédex.

"Tranquill, the Wild Pigeon Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pidove. It is believed that a peaceful place without conflict exists deep in the forests where Tranquill live." The Pokédex uttered.

So Tranquill's a Flying-type, that would make the best choice to go up against it would be the an Electric-type. Ash thought to himself.

"All right Pikachu!" Ash said. "Get in there."

"You mean Ash is actually using type advantages?" Iris asked, thinking back to the Striaton Gym.

"I must say." Cilan added. "It does leave an interesting taste in one's mouth."

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt."

Tranquill however simply glided past the attack.

"Use Aerial Ace!"

As Pikachu was able to miss the first attack, he wasn't lucky enough to dodge the second attack as he was sent flying into the air.

Pikachu descended on his feet, but couldn't hide the fact that he was panting faintly.

"How'd Pikachu take so much damage already?" Ash asked as Tranquill flew over next to Trip.

"You see, my Tranquill has the Ability Super Luck." Trip replied.

"What's Super Luck do?" Iris asked.

"It raises a Pokémon's chances of landing a critical hit." Cilan answered. "And that Tranquill must be well-trained to land such an attack when Pikachu's resistance to Flying-type moves should've halved it.

"Well, we're not out yet." Ash said. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt."

As Tranquill took the full brunt of the super-effective attack, it was not going down that easily.

"Tranquill, use Work Up and follow up with Aerial Ace."

Tranquill's body then glowed red as it prepared the attack.

"What's that?" Ash asked.

"It's a move that raises the user's attack powers!" Cilan said.

As before though, the Wild Pigeon Pokémon hit the first time, but when it came in the second time, Pikachu was ready.

"Pikachu, grab Tranquill!"

The people present couldn't help but be taken aback as the Mouse Pokémon grabbed onto Tranquill's claw as it hit it with an Aerial Ace and pulled it to the ground.

"Now, give Tranquill a throw!"

"All right, Volt Tackle!" Ash said as Pikachu threw the Wild Pigeon Pokémon into the air.

"Quick Tranquill, dodge it!"

Before Tranquill could comply, it was hit by the attack and fell to the ground, fainted.

"Tranquill is unable to battle." Done George announced. "Pikachu is the winner!"

"Yes!" Iris exclaimed.

"Great job, Pikachu!" Ash said. "I'd say that Pikachu's really strong don't you think?"

"I guess so." Trip replied, returning the fainting Pokémon. "But you'll never be able to beat my Servine!"

"A Servine?" Ash pondered as the Pokémon in question appeared. "That Servine..It's gotta be what evolved from the Snivy Pikachu battled."

"I trained it and it evolved." Trip said. "That's basic."

"Snivy, ready to go?" Ash asked as he threw out the Grass Snake Pokémon's Poké Ball.

"Snivy!" ("Ready!") The Grass Snake Pokémon exclaimed calmly.

XXXXXXX

Before the battle waged on, in a different part of town, a certain trio was observing their surroundings.

"It seems like we've arrived earlier than planned." James commented.

Just then though, they were not alone in the dump as a woman appeared.

"End of the line, Team Rocket!" Officer Jenny exclaimed as a whole group of officers appeared around her. "Thanks to Officer Jenny from Striaton City, your arrest warrant puts you on the most wanted list all over the entire Unova region!"

"My, my." Jessie said, collected. "So many friendly faces here to greet us."

"Quite a warm welcome." James added coolly.

The two humans then smirked in bemusment as some sun glared off the bottom rim of Jessie's glasses.

XXXXXXX

"Ash and Snivy look like they mean business. This is gonna be great!"" Iris commented.

"Trip defeated Chili's Pansear using that Servine, which allowed him to win the Trio Badge." Cilan added. "There's no doubt this battle is robust and densely rich! They'd better stay sharp."

"But wait, why's he using Snivy?" Iris asked. "He still has Pidove, who's a Flying-type and Tepig, who's a Fire-Type!"

"No, I'm sure Ash must have some sort of plan of his sleeve." Cilan commented.

"Wish I was sure!" Iris said.

"Your Electric-type worked, so why a Grass-type?" Trip observed. "Talk about straightforward."

"Hey, straightforward's just fine with me!" Ash said. "You can do it, Snivy!"

XXXXXXX

"Team Rocket..." Officer Jenny said before pointing at the people in question. "I'm putting you under arrest!"

The Team Rocket Trio simply chuckled at that as a truck horn was heard, coming from a nearby truck as it surprised two guards when it entered onto the scene.

"Get in." The male driver said.

"Who are you?" James asked.

"Just be quiet and get in!" The man said.

"You're not getting away!" Officer Jenny said. "After them, men!"

"Stop this vehicle at one!" Officer Jenny demanded as she and the other police officers followed the truck. "You're resisting arrest!"

"No!" Officer Jenny said as the truck continued. "The bridge is out!"

Before the truck exploded after it went off the bridge, Team Rocket and the driver escaped with their jet backs.

"The Boss said this is for you." The man said, handing James a briefcase.

"I'll take it, thanks." James said as he accepted the briefcase.

"So you must be the new agent!" Meowth interjected.

"The name's Pierce." The man - Pierce - said, before going up to leave the rockets. "And don't forget it!"

"So he's the new team member..." Jessie commented.

"Impressive!" James and Meowth said.

"Of course, there's other one agent though that I'm interested in." Jessie said, a faint blush on her face.

"I wonder who that could be." James wondered aloud, rhetorically, also faintly blushing.

"Oh brother." Meowth said, rolling his eyes as they flew off.

XXXXXXX

"Snivy, Vine Whip, go!"

"Now use Leaf Blade!" Ash said as Servine merely dodged the Vine Whip attacks.

"Dodge and use Leaf Tornado!"

As Servine dodged Snivy's glowing tail, it swept up Snivy with it's Leaf Tornado.

"Snivy, no!" Ash said as Snivy was hit into the ground.

"It's like I said before." Trip said. "I trained my Snivy and it evolved into Servine!"

"It takes a lot more than just evolving to become strong." Ash retorted. "My Snivy's gonna win, no doubt! Vine Whip, one more time!"

"Now, Snivy, use Attract!" Ash said as Servine continued dodging the attacks.

"Snivy knows Attract?" Trip pondered.

"I forgot Snivy can use that move!" Iris said.

"I told you Ash had a plan!" Cilan said.

"Snivy, use Vine Whip!"

As Snivy unleashed a furious barrage of attacks on the enamored Servine, he eventually collapsed on the ground.

"Servine, no!"

"All right, Leaf Blade, go!"

"No, Servine!" Trip exclaimed after getting hit by the Leaf Blade attack.

"Servine is unable to battle!" Don George announced. "Snivy is the winner!"

"Yes!" Ash exclaimed. "Wow, Snivy, great job!"

"Pikachu!" ("That was great!")

"Snivy." ("It was nothing.")

"Well, wonders never cease." Trip said, returning his fainted Pokémon. "Using Attract was a surprise to me."

"I'm gonna switch Pokémon, so you get some rest." Ash said.

"Go, Frillish!" Trip said, releasing his Pokémon.

"Gotta check this out..." Ash said, reaching for his Pokédex.

"Frillish, the Floating Pokémon. Frillish can constrict its foes using its veil-like tentacles and numb them with poison. It is said to live in den some five miles below sea level." The Pokédex uttered.

"Pidove, I choose you!"

"Quick, use Air Cutter!"

"Frillish, use Protect!"

The Air Cutter attack then simply deflected off the green shield.

"Water Pulse!"

The Tiny Pigeon Pokémon was then engulfed in a ball of water, taking the damage and blasting off into a wall, landing on the ground fainted.

"Pidove!"

"Pidove is unable to battle." Don George announced. "Frillish is the winner!"

"That Frillish sure is powerful." Cilan commented. "Its battling style has quite a sharp flavor."

"That leaves Ash with four Pokémon and Trip with three Pokémon." Iris said.

"Thanks, Pidove, take a good rest!"

"Snivy, I choose you!" Ash said as the Grass Snake Pokémon appeared. "Snivy, Vine Whip, go!"

"Oh, no!" Cilan exclaimed as Snivy complied.

"No, no, Ash, don't do it!" Iris exclaimed.

"Yeah, Snivy, keep it up!" Ash said, then noticed that something seemed to off about Snivy. "What's the matter, Snivy?"

"It's obvious to me you don't know any of the basics at all," Trip began. "especially if you directly attack a Pokémon like Frillish who has Cursed Body!"

"Cursed Body?" Ash asked.

"Cursed Body's an ability that may disable your moves if you attack it directly!" Iris exclaimed with agitation. "You are such a little kid for not knowing that!"

"Now, now, no need to get riled up!" Cilan said as Ash had a sweat-drop on his head.

Well excuse me if I've never seen certain abilities and moves used before. Ash thought before telling Snivy to attack. "Then how about trying on Leaf Storm for size?"

"Use Protect!"

As before, Frillish merely deflected the attack.

"Now use Night Shade!"

Frillish's eyes then took on a menacing red glow as it waved itself about while emitting red waves.

"Snivy, I know you can do it!" Ash encouraged as Snivy felt the brunt of the attack.

"All right, Leaf Storm!" Ash ordered as Frillish was laughing happily to itself.

Frillish was then taken off-guard as it was hit with the attack.

"Now use Attract!"

"It dodged it!" Ash commented as the Floating Pokémon jumped above the circling hearts.

"It dodged Snivy's Attract." Cilan commented. "That Frillish is fast. Quite a robust opponent and tough indeed!"

"Snivy, Leaf Blade, let's go!"

"Not Leaf Blade!" Iris exclaimed.

"Snivy's move's doomed from the start!" Cilan added.

"Use Water Pulse!" Trip said as Snivy felt the effects of Cursed Body once more.

Snivy was then sent back reeling in confusion after the attack took its toll.

"No, now Snivy's confused!"

"According to plan. All right, Frillish, use Hex!"

Frillish's eyes then took on another menacing red glow as it lifted its arms to prepare the attack. Dark energy coming from them to form an eyeball emitting purple waves.

"What's with Hex?"

"Well, while Hex does more damage to an opponent if it is Burned, Frozen, Paralyzed, Poisoned, or Asleep," Trip began. "it should be more than enough to take down Snivy."

The statement would prove to be correct as Snivy promptly fainted from being assaulted by Hex.

"Snivy is unable to battle!" Don George announced. "Frillish is the winner!"

"Snivy, are you okay?" Ash asked as he knelt next to his Grass Snake Pokémon before returning it. "You battled really well."

Ash then prepared his next Pokémon. "Pikachu, you ready?"

"Pikachu!" ("Ready!")

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Frillish use Water Pulse!"

As Pikachu prepared the electricity to be shot at the Floating Pokémon, Frillish shot forth his ball of water.

However, Pikachu, while taking mild damage from the Water-type move, Frillish took the full brunt of the super-effective Electric-type move. Frillish then promptly fainted.

"Frillish is unable to battle!" Don George announced. "Pikachu is the winner!"

"That was great Pikachu." Ash commented.

"I believe that's enough battling for now." Don George said. "Both sides battled hard and I think the Pokémon need their rest."

"That's fine, I do believe I have other more immediate concerns." Trip said.

"And that proves my point of this battle being a waste of my time" Trip continued, disinterested in the battle as he walked over to Don George and Ash. "I guess Pikachu and Snivy were okay, but that Pidove and perhaps even your other Pokémon are complete jokes and so is their trainer."

"What was that?" Ash exclaimed indignantly.

"Thanks for everything, Don George." Trip said, diverting his attention. "I'm leaving."

"Hey, Trip!" Ash said. "Let's battle again someday!"

"We'll see." Trip replied coolly. "After all, battling is basic for a trainer, of course."

"Well, that was something." Cilan commented. "Better luck next time."

"Until then, you'll just have to train extra hard!" Iris added. "Now don't you be upset that he left without finishing the battle."

"I'm not upset, don't worry!" Ash said reassuringly. "I'm going to finish my battle with Trip someday but until then I'll train hard and get a lot stronger!"

Author's Notes: And there you have it. Ash and Trip's second battle. Honestly, I could of made the battle go either way, but I wasn't exactly sure on what Pokémon Trip had exactly. But, eh, I digress.

TM24: Hmm. I wonder where Ash and Misty went off to?

TM24 then looked around suspiciously before a sly grin was on his face: I have a feeling I know what they're doing. Most likely making out.

Well, see you guys later. Remember to read and review. Those are always great.