SZ: *looks over his Pokemon in Ultra Sun*what team sounds perfect...hey guys, tell me if this team sounds good. Lucario, Gardevoir, Zeraora, Salazzle, Dhelmise, and Hydriegon.

GT: Well...You got Lucario for covering Hydreigon's Fairy-Type Weakness, Gardevoir can handle the Poison half of her weaknesses with Salazzle handling Steel-Types and Dhelmise...um...is a good anchor for whacking Water, Rock, and Ground-Types? I'm sorry, never really used that one before.

Z0: It's easy. *swings around a giant anchor before swinging at the others*

SZ: Ahh! *ducks under a swing*dude! The heck!?...oh and as for Zeraora, which has Fire Punch, Close Combat, it's signature move, and Hone Claws?

GT: Good overall coverage. Hone Claws to boost its attacks, CC for types that would be bad for the Mythical Legendary, Fire Punch for pesky grass, ice, and steel, and a good water-zapper.

SZ: Ahh...thanks. Overall a good team…*looks at the readers*oh! Ehheh..hay there!*tosses 2DS into a safe*Welcome to another chapter of Remix Hearts!

Z0: GT did it *points at anchor shaped hole in the wall*

GT: Wait, what?

SZ: No fighting. We got a story to get to guys, so let's cut it short. We don't own anything in this story aside from OCs and the like.

Z0: You heard the man! *pulls out a giant cartoon-ish bomb with a short fuse*

SZ: 0-0

GT: ...He's gonna wreck the stage…*sniffles* I'm so proud! *stage blows up*

Entry 037: Hey guys~! Makoto Nanaya bringing ya the update! You see while we were travelling, it started to rain hard and we had to find shelter. Luckily, we came across this place owned by Duplica and her Pokemon Ditto...who's face kept staying the same whenever he transformed...wait. Do Ditto even have gender? ...Questions for later.

Ahem! Anyways...while we were helping Duplica out-our last attempt was with La's Mimikyu, Kyo, who was actually cute rather than the image I had in my head-, we came across a 'wild' Mimikyu who...who-and I kid you not after some translation from La and Luca-outright wanted to kill Pikachu, Berry, and Cherry! Apparently, Kyo told La that Mimikyu was called a 'bad one' and boy was it bad! Seriously, none of our attacks could touch it! Oh and to make things worse...it belonged to Team Rocket, who took Duplica's Ditto just as their Mimikyu sent it flying. We thought we had them thanks to Takuma's quick timing...but White Truth was there as well and...hoo that Staraptor or..whatever it was called was FAST! None of us even saw it use any attacks!

They managed to get away...so we needed to think of a plan to get Ditto back...luckily I had a plan...give Team Rocket a taste of their own medicine, and one up them! Kajun was against it at first because we would have to dress up as Team Rocket...but thanks to a suggestion from Ken-thank Arceus we can at times speak Japa...er, Ranseinese on occasion, we went with the Super Sentai approach~! ...Did not think Kajun or Noellie would partake in it, but they went along with it just because we needed eight people for all the costumes Duplica had made.

Oh and as for our 'debut'...*giggles*oh we BLEW Team Rocket out of the water in the intro part, and we defeated their Pokemon, including that sociopathic Mimikyu. Things looked like they were going swimmingly-funny considering I was the water based blue ranger-...and then White Truth decided to join in on the act as the typical 'Sentai villain'. She even had Ditto act as the 'Monster of the Week' by taking the form of a Venastoise! ...Kajun nearly did it again with trying to record a Venatoise and apparently Alakai thought it was real, too...at least until La, dressed up as an Eevee-based member, had Ash's Eevee use the Eeveeium Z Z-Move-which was adorable and awesome!-to take them out. Speaking of...it seems the aftereffects gave Ash's Eevee new moves...ones exclusively for him!

Oh and to add the further good news, a TV producer somehow saw our battle and decided to make a show based on the team we made with Duplica as one of the stars! And her Ditto's not making weird faces anymore, too! Ah, don't you just love it when a plan comes together with good unexpected results? Well, we're going to be near a town soon, but we're taking a small training break to practice new moves.

"Char~!" Charmander shouted as he fired a blast of flames at a rock Geodude had pulled out of the ground before looking at Eevee and motioned to the rock, "Char? Charmander-char-char."

"Vui~!" Eevee replied before inhaling...and started coughing from the smoke that came out of his mouth when he swallowed by accident.

"Okay...so it's not a breath type fire move…" Kajun whispered as she took down notes, "...Ashton, try having Eevee charge at it. Perhaps it's a move like Flame Charge."

"...Think you can try that, Eevee?" Ash asked his pokemon.

"Ee…" Eevee nodded before planting his paws firmly on the ground, growling as his fur began to frizzle up as he began to charge, engulfing himself in flames for a moment...before running headfirst into the rock, "Vui!"

"Aw man...so close," Ash slumped.

"But we do know it's a tackle-like move," Kajun pointed out, "So far we already have figured out the capabilities for Eevee's Water and Electric type moves...though.." she paused as she sighed a bit, "I wish the names didn't sound so...ugh…"

"What's wrong with 'Bouncy Bubble' and 'Buzzy Buzz'?"

"That…" Kajun deadpanned as she glowered at Makoto.

"What? He's a little cinnamon bun, so his new moves should be adorable sounding," Makoto defended herself.

"(I'm not a little cinnamon bun…)" Eevee muttered, rubbing his sore forehead.

"(Eevee tend to be cute appearance wise..)" Celsius pointed out with a yawn, curled up with the other Eeveelutions as they sat near Koko and Booster.

"(I ain't cute! I'm cool like big bro!)"

"Aw~ look he's pouting...his cheeks look so puffy and cute!" Makoto stated as she scratched the top of his head.

"Mmm~!"

"Ooh~! We should call his Fire Move Sizzly Slide!"

"Ugh…" Kajun facepalmed at that, "Perhaps we'll call it for today then…"

"Good timing. We're near a Pokemon Center that's not too far from here," Ken pointed out, looking up from the map, "We need a bit of resupplying on medical supplies."

"True," Brock agreed, "And some more food supplies as well. We've barely got enough for lunch."

"This is a great emergency…" Takuma agreed, "Mainly cause I'm starting to get hungry!" he laughed, making most of them facefault.

"...Maybe it's because you, Ash, and Makoto are the heaviest eaters out of the group?" Misty pointed out.

"We don't eat that much," the three that were mentioned stated in unison.

"..."

"...What?"

"...Maybe if Eevee sees a Fire-Type in action, we'll have better results in the Fire-Type move," Mai suggested.

"Ash, would you mind if Sorin and I fought you and Charmander for the demonstration?" Tsubaki asked, her Rockruff barking in agreement with a wagging tail.

"Sure! I don't see any problem with that!" Ash answered.

"Char!" Charmander agreed.

"This should be interesting," Ken noted as the group sat down...with Noel tending to her new Mareep's wool.

"Mmm...feeling any better, Mary?" Noel asked.

"Maa~!"

"(So soft…)" Nymph mumbled happily, peeking out of Mary's wool.

"(Pay close attention now,)" Ho'oilo gently spoke to Yuki, "(Even though we may be of the ice, we were once of the flames. It still burns within us and could come from within in times of need.)"

"(O...okay,)" Yuki nodded as Ash and Tsubaki stood apart from one another.

"Okay...I'll start off," Tsubaki whispered, "Sorin, use Tackle!".

"Awo!"

"Charmander, Ember!" Ash quickly ordered.

"Char…" Charmander began as Sorin closed in on him.

"...Howl."

"AWO~!" Soren howled loudly, resulting in Charmander being sent skidding back a bit from the force of the soundwaves.

"Huh? What j-" Ash began.

"Rock Polish."

"Awoo~!" Sorin howled as he ruffled his fur, rubbing the rocks on his neck with his neck fur until they began to shine a little.

"She faked Ash out with a Howl hidden inside of a Tackle and now with Rock Polish, she's bringing up Sorin's abilities," Brock noted.

"Alright, Sorin, let's make sure to give them little to no space," Tsubaki stated, "Now use Rock Tomb!"

"Awo!" Sorin bared, raising himself on his hind legs before slamming his front paws down, causing pillars of rock to appear around Charmander.

"Ahh! Charmander!" Ash gasped, 'Come on, Ash, think...wait..maybe…' "Charmander, use Metal claw!"

"Hmm?"

"Char!" Charmander replied before tying his blanket around his neck like a cape before his claws began to glow and extend, taking on a silver sheen as he jumped at the rock pillars, "CHAR!" he roared as he began to slice through them with his claws before smacking them with his tail, sending them at Sorin.

"AWO?!" Sorin yelped as he scrambled around, dodging the sliced rocks coming at him.

"Perfect!" Ash beamed, "Alright! While he's distracted, use Flamethrower!"

"Char...mander~!" Charmander roared as e released the stream of fire at Soren...only for a large stream of fire to deflect it, "Char?!"

"What the?!" Ash yelped.

"...Makoto…"

"I swear that wasn't me," Makoto held her hands up in defense.

"...Takuma? La?"

'That was neither my or her Incineroar," Takuma answered.

"...then who…" Tsubaki began.

"Incineroar, wh...oh..it's you weaklings again."

"..." Ash's face formed into a frown as he looked over...seeing Cross and his Incineroar standing far across from them.

"Who's that?" Takuma asked.

"That's Cross, the guy we told you about," Ken answered with his own frown.

"The guy who 'threw away' Ventus," Mai added with a scowl.

La scowled, 'And we meet again.'

"...what are you doing here?" Ash was the first to ask.

"Simple. I was training my Lycanroc when I noticed Incineroar being attracted to something," Cross answered, "...Unfortunately, it had to be you worthless excuses for trainers."

=Worthless excuses?!= Alakai repeated.

"What? I speak the truth considering how poorly they raise their Pokemon," Cross scoffed before noticing Ash's Eevee, "...a scared Eevee…"

"...If you think I'm trading.."

"Trading? What would trading be good for?" Cross asked, "I want you to give it to me."

"...what?" Ash's frown evolved into a scowl.

"It's obvious it went through a rough battle, so it's wasted on your hands," Cross stated coldly.

"One punch. Just one punch!" Makoto growled out as most of the others were holding her back.

"You have no right to do that." Takuma spoke, walking forward, "You are hardly in any place to demand such a thing." he explained as he raised his hand and flicked his forehead, knocking him on his rear.

"...He's right," Tsubaki spoke with a frown, "What gives you the right to demand Ash something like that, especially after interrupting our practice Battle?"

"Practice...tch...I thought you were playing," Cross scoffed as he got off, "But if it was a battle….Incineroar, double Throat Chop on those two Pokemon."

"Char/Awo?" Charmander and Sorin blinked before Cross' Incineroar was before them, his claws bathed in dark purple energy before slamming them into their necks, making them gag out as they were sent crashing into some trees.

"Charmander/Sorin!" Ash and Tsubaki gasped.

"What was that for?!" Noel demanded.

"I was making my point...they should've been ready for battle there and then," Cross argued, "They should be lucky...if he wanted, Incineroar could've made it so they wouldn't talk nor use any breath attacks ever again."

"So that's the type you are….." Takuma sighed as he grabbed Cross by his arm and twisted it behind his back before pinning him to the ground, "You lose." he said simply.

"...do I?" Cross simply asked, his Incineroar already behind Takuma...before it was blocked by both his and La's.

"Yes...you did." Takuma spoke simply, "Your strength is empty." he said, letting him go.

"...what did you just say?" Cross asked in a dark tone.

"I said your strength was empty," Takuma answered as the two glared at one another, "You believe this to be strength...I've faced far stronger...you don't measure to the strongest I've seen...you don't even measure to me...and your potential is drying up." he went on, "Unlike you, I see something even stronger in someone like Ash...he has what you lack...endless potential." he turned around, "Enjoy this level...it's all you'll reach."

"...you…"

"He's right…" Ken spoke as he stood up, "Your whole talk of strength only mattering is empty...Pokemon are not beasts...there's no survival of the fittest when it comes to Pokemon Battles between Trainers. What you did to Ash and Tsubaki's Pokemon just now wasn't a battle...that was assault, because you wanted to 'assert your dominance'...if you were in a Gym...Brock, Misty?"

"I'd be invoking several Articles," Misty replied.

"A primary one being Article 37-E," Brock added.

"...you think I honestly care?"

"?!"

"To me, Pokemon Gyms are the ultimate symbols for weaklings," Cross stated, "If strong trainers have time to waste on weaker ones...then they should just retire and release their Pokemon back into the wild."

"THAT'S IT!" Makoto snapped, about to break free before…

*SMACK!*

"...did I touch a nerve, Alolan?" Cross whispered, his cheek red from La slapping it hard.

"Save your time everyone." Takuma spoke up with a sigh, "He's already a lost cause, a failure of a trainer. Getting angry over what he says will just feed his ego and drive for conflict and attention. You're better off leaving him to wallow in his plateau of power."

"..." La trembled before Manny gently put his paw on her shoulder.

"(Listen to Takuma on this,)" Manny gently spoke, "(He's in the right and you know it. Don't fall to his level.)"

"...Let's go…" was all La said as she walked away.

"(Tch...weak words to comfort a weakling,)" Cross' Incineroar scoffed before Takuma's and Manny glared at him, "(What? You want a fight?)"

"..." Manny huffed before following La, "(Only cowards strike those weaker than themselves unless they strike first.)"

"Come on, let's take your Pokemon to be checked on." Takuma spoke up to Ash and Tsubaki, "That cheapshot must have got them bad." he sighed in concern, "They need your attention more than that little brat."

"...you're right," Tsubaki slowly nodded, carefully holding Sorin in her arms as she stood up, "Don't worry, Sorin...we'll get you healed up in no time…"

"Mmm…" Sorin gave a weak whimper.

"Easy, Charmander," Ash whispered, picking up Charmander.

"Char…"

Ash gave Cross one last glare before he and the others began to leave the area,

'One day...I'm gonna beat him and show him Pokemon are not meant to fight like that…'

"...come on, Incineroar…" Cross spoke as he turned and began to walk away, "Let's go...the sooner we no longer have to see them, the better."

"Roar…"

"Oooh that Cross! He...oh hoho ho! He makes me so MAD!" Makoto snapped, pacing outside the waiting room with the others inside a Pokemon Center, "I mean who does that?! Not only cheap shotting someone's Pokemon IN THE MIDDLE OF A BATTLE, and adding salt to the wounds by more or less saying 'if he wanted, my Pokemon could've permanently damaged your Pokemon's voice box and make sure it can't do breath moves again'!"

"Makoto th-" Mai began.

"I know what he really said but still!"

"Cross...no one would miss him if he were gone," Noel coldly stated.

"Ah…" Takuma sighed as he walked over with a rolled up magazine as he tapped Noel and Makoto atop their head, "Alright alright that's enough of that nonsense."

"...try telling La that," Makoto muttered, pointing at La as she sat by herself.

"Ever since we left Cross, she's being silent all the way here," Misty added, "...Not that I blame her...Cross…"

"Like I said, you can't focus on him." Takuma spoke, "The world will always have that one person who's lost their light and fallen to this path...you'll find more over time...but trust me when I say in this vast world...they are quick to learn how far their ways go."

"...what about the Pokemon that are forced to follow their Trainer's way of life...or worse embrace it…?" La quietly asked, her hair shadowing her eyes.

"Hmm?"

Manny and Alakai shared looks before Alakai produced Ruby's Pokeball, letting the Typhlosion out.

"Sion?"

"Rrowrl…"

"...Ty…" Ruby nodded as he nuzzled into La, letting her rub his head on reaction.

=There was a time I was separated from La= Alakai noted softly to the others =It was when she met Ruby and the Pokemon she befriended in Johto and her first time in Kanto. I don't fully know the story, but there was this boy who stole a Starter from Professor Elm - a Totodile - and each time she saw it, it got worse and worse, adopting the boy's traits. Cross reminds La so much of that boy...especially down to the fact he has a Pokemon La does...or, rather...did…=

"Did?" Misty repeated before Alakai displayed a picture of a thirteen-year-old La, smiling happily as a Totodile danced around her and an annoyed Torracat wearing a red bandana on his arm, "Oh! A Totodile!"

=Laule'a= Alakai continued =We found him in a cave on Melemele Island when we helped a friend find her Pokemon. He was dancing around on the water and when he realized La was applauding, he was quick to come over to her and want to come with her. The Tapus gave her the gift to speak to Pokemon after her Grand Trial on the island and Laule'a...he said he wanted to be with her and show her the best dances in the world. But...the world is cruel at times and before the Firium Z Trial...we were ambushed by two Salandits that targeted La with Dragon Rage attacks. Laule'a...pushed her out of the way and by the time we got him to a Center, it…= he sighed.

"...oh my Arceus…" Misty gasped in realization, holding her hands to her mouth in shock.

=She swore to never have another of his line, afraid that if she did she'd only be capable of comparing them to Laulea. But that boy...I never met him, but from what Ruby and the others have told me and the others from Alola...it just only opened wounds that we all thought had healed and Cross...I'm worried that she's afraid of how it'd be if it were Manny in place of Laulea=

"...La…" Mai wisphered, looking at La in worry before the sound of Kajun closing her book broke the silence.

"...excuse me," was all Kajun said as she stood up and walked off.

"...did...Cross get to her too?" Misty slowly and cautiously asked.

"I hope not…" Brock added.

"Pi…" Pikachu whispered in worry as he laid on top of Ash's head, whom was waiting outside the ER with Tsubaki.

"They'll be okay," Luca assured, his eyes closed and growths sticking out to the sides, "Their auras are strong."

"...That Cross…" Ash whispered, his hands balled up in anger as they shook a bit.

"Ash, getting angry won't do any good," Tsubaki spoke, "No one could have expected him to show up and do what he did."

"...I know, but..he…" Ash paused as he growled a bit, "He had no right to…"

"It's why he'll be proven wrong," Luca informed, earning Ash's attention, "As Takuma said, he's stagnated as a Trainer. His current level is all he's at. Yet all of us have so much more to go. You especially, Ash."

"...not with the Pokemon I have," Ash whispered, the two unaware that his shadow had glowed a bt as a pair of eyes briefly appeared in it.

"Pi?" Pikachu blinked at that.

"Ash?" Tsubaki whispered in surprise at what Ash just said.

"If I had them evolve, then maybe I could've beaten…" Ash began in a cold tone.

"Ashton, don't you dare finish that."

"Hmm?" Ash blinked, turning to see Kajun approach, "Kajun?"

"Don't you dare try to listen to that...that rapscallious barbarian and his putrid words," Kajun warned, "He surprised you, a shameful tactic that only Team Rocket would dare try. If we don't listen to them, why listen to him?"

"...but...what he…"

"But nothing!" Kajun snapped, making him flinch as his shadow changed back to normal, "Ashton Satoshi Ketchum...you are not cold hearted. You care deeply for your Pokemon, and treat them with respect. You even care for Pokemon that live in the wild and belonging to other Trainers…all concepts that Cross clearly doesn't want anything to do with."

"She's right, Ash," Tsubaki agreed, "It's your way of thinking that's done amazing things. Look at something big you did, like helping Sabrina by making her laugh. Everyone else thought you had to beat her through force, but you took it in a different direction."

"...That...is true…" Ash whispered.

"Pi pika!" Pikachu spoke as he jumped off Ash's hat into Kajun's arms before he flapped his arms like wings and stretched his face to try to make it resemble a bird's face, "Ka ka ka!" he stopped and sparked his cheeks and beamed, "Pi-p-pika-ka-chu!"

"Pikachu says you protecting him from the Spearow even with the dangers of dying just because you wanted to be his friend was something he'll never forget and made him want to do all he can to help you," Luca translated.

"Pikachu…" Ash whispered, lowering his head as he trembled a bit, "I...I'm sorry for acting like that. I...don't know what came over me...I guess...Cross got to me more than I thought."

"Pikapi!" Pikachu beamed as he jumped onto Ash's shoulder and nuzzled his cheek, "Pika~!"

"Heh heh...thanks, buddy," Ash gave a small chuckle, gently rubbing Pikachu's head, "And next time we see Cross...we'll definitely show him strength doesn't only matter."

"And there's the Ashton we know…" Kajun whispered with a soft smile.

"Yeah…" Tsubaki nodded with her own smile.

"...There was something in his shadow," Luca whispered to both Kajun and Tsubaki, making sure Ash wouldn't hear him.

"Hmm?"

"I'm not sure what, but..there was something in there that was affecting his aura, making him think those dark thoughts," Luca explained.

"...Should I ask Hikari to get Gengar?" Kajun asked softly.

"Please do...I had a bad feeling about whatever affected him."

"Same…" Kajun nodded a bit, "Hikari?"

"Kirlia…" Hikari replied as she used Psychic to discreetly take one of Ash's Pokeballs and left before coming back with Gengar's, opening it to reveal a plume of confetti and Gengar popped out in a carnival uniform.

"Gengarrrrr~!" Gengar cheered, trilling his 'r' while shaking the maracas in his hands.

"Gengar, can you go into Ash's shadow? I feel there's something hiding in it," Luca stated.

"(Gotcha!)" Gengar replied before switching his carnival outfit for a diving suit and hopped onto Ash's shadow, "(Up periscope! Dive, dive, dive!)" he declared as he dove into Ash's shadow...before he was rocketed out with his face pushed all the way in, as if someone punched it, "(...Okay...he's got a shrimpy in his shadow...but it packs a mean punch and shouts in a weird tongue.)"

"Shrimpy? ...what did it look like?"

"(It looked like a mini ghost...but the moment it got serious, it got a power boost that….that…...oh cruds…)"

"?" Luca raised a brow.

"(Keep it between your master and friend, but...that's a Marshadow in his shadow!)" Gengar replied.

"Mar...shadow?" Luca repeated.

"(A mythical Pokemon that mimics the powers and movements of those it's trailing within their shadow...it's even said it can affect someone's personality negatively if they have dark thoughts.)"

"That explains Ash nearly saying terrible things aligning with Cross's mentality," Luca noted.

"Luca, what did Gengar find?" Tsubaki asked.

"...Kajun, I want a promise out of you to not freak out or, for the love of all things aura, go into Science Mode," Luca informed.

"Very well, why?"

"A Mythical Legendary Pokemon called Marshadow is hiding in Ash's shadow and was the cause of causing Ash to start acting like he was a few moments ago," Luca stated.

"..."

"...Kajun?"

"...Ashton…."

"Hmm?" Ash blinked as he turned to face her.

"Please go wait with the others… We'll let you know how Charmander is doing," Kajun said...in a even tone.

"She's about to enter Science Mode," Luca noted.

"Gh?!" Ash tensed.

"Pika?!" Pikachu panicked before the two fled.

"Kajun, calm...down…" Tsubaki said..in hopes of calming Kajun down.

"A...mythical Pokemon...in Ashton's shadow…." Kajun whispered, "...must….study…."

"No, this is why you promised!" Luca yelped, "Gengar said to not tell Ash!"

"Oh no. I'm completely calm."

"Eh?"

"I'm just seeing this as too...coincidental…" Kajun explained, "Ever since we found out about the Rainbow Wing…'interesting' things have been happening to us as of late...the Elemental Trio from Johto being a prime example."

"...Now that you mention it…" Tsubaki frowned, "We know that Ho-Oh is tied to the three...but how does Marshadow fit into it?"

"That's what I'd like to know…" Kajun answered as she held her chin in thought, "...We may need to ask La if she knows anything."

"Good idea."

"Marshadow?" La repeated, looking up from the snoring Ruby's head in her lap to Kajun and Tsubaki, "One of the three Mythical Pokemon of Alola?"

"That's correct."

"There's one in Ash's shadow," Tsubaki quietly explained, motioning over to where Ash was being distracted by Makoto with a routine by Berry, Cherry, and Pikachu.

"A Marshadow is in his shadow? Hmmm…" La muttered before pulling out an old book from her backpack and looked through it, "Ah, here it is. Apparently, Marshadow acts as a judge of the Rainbow Hero. Should they start going into a deep self-doubt, they will intervene with putting the Rainbow Hero into a dream that would help them move past their doubts and be able to progress ahead. Should someone challenge the Rainbow Hero to become the new one, Marshadow will act as judge of the battle."

"...Excuse us for a moment," Kajun said before turning around with Tsubaki and whispered, "It's agreed. We make sure Team Rocket NOR Cross finds out about the Rainbow Wing at any cost."

"Agreed," Tsubaki replied, "Luca, do you know Cross's aura?"

"Yes," Luca replied, "As we get closer to the Raizen Mountain Range, I'll be checking frequently."

"Make sure you do," Tsubaki nodded, "I fear what would happen if Cross got his hands on the Rainbow Wing…"

"Perhaps the very bad thing La told us about when we first learned about the Rainbow Wing," Luca replied.

"Exactly..." Tsubaki slowly nodded.

"Wonder what they're talking about?" Ash pondered, looking a bit.

"Eh, nothing much," Makoto replied, "Just science talk."

"Huh? What do you mean? You can hear them?"

"I got sensitive ears," Makoto replied, "That and I learned how to read lips. I'm wanting to be a spy some day, ya know?"

"Really?"

"Yup. In fact, close your eyes for a sec."

"...okay," Ash nodded as he did, "..but what d-" he began as he opened his eyes, seeing no trace of Makoto anywhere, "?! Wh...where…?!"

"Boo."

"Gah!" Ash yelped, jumping around to see a grinning Makoto, "How the...what the…? Hah?"

"I found these super old comics from nearly a century ago in a time capsule when I was little and the guy in it would be able to do what I did when people were talking to him," Makoto giggled, "Boy, did I get in trouble the first time I was able to do this right. But it did help me sneak out before a few study classes"

"What?"

"...uh oh. Shouldn't have said that out loud," Makoto's ears drooped, feeling Tsubaki glaring at her, '...uh...Cerry, Berry, Smokebomb tactic!"

"Chipa/Mol!" the two panicked as they jumped into Makoto's tail and threw out a smoke bomb, setting it off and engulfing Makoto in it before it dissipated, revealing the trio were gone.

"...Luca…"

"That way," the Lucario replied, eyes closed and pointing down the hallway.

"Thank you," Tsubaki nodded before walking off, "Makoto Nanaya…"

"Curse you, Luca the Lucario!" Makoto yelped in a bad accent.

"...Huh...Now I want to wear a fedora," Luca 'muttered' before looking over at Ash, "So what will you do now?"

"Huh?" Ash blinked at that.

"What will you do now?" Luca repeated, "Will you continue your journey and chase after your dream, or persue Cross to prove who's the better trainer and prove his methods are wrong?"

"...What I want to do now...is see Charmander," Ash replied as he looked at the ER sign, still lit.

"...He'll pull through. He has faced worse before," Luca assured.

"...true, b-" Ash began as the ER sign dimmed, "?!" he quickly rushed over just as Nurse Joy walked out, "Are they…?"

"So long as you give both Charmander and your friend's Rockruff a few days rest and no battling, they'll be just fine," Nurse Joy answered before frowning a bit, "But next time don't force them into such a dangerous you hadn't brought them in time, their vocal chords could've been damaged to the point where they couldn't even use any breath or voice moves."

"They were not forced, it was an ambush by an Incineroar-not them!" Luca explained before shouting when Joy looked at Manny and Dark, the former trying to get the latter to try on an Alolan shirt and failing.

"It was another trainer," Takuma added, noticing her looks towards the two, "He seems to have...a terrible attitude and disposition. Believe me, none of this was intentional or anyone's fault but his and his horrible attitude."

"...What was this trainer's name?"

"Cross," Ken answered.

"...That name again," Joy whispered with a frown, making the group look at her, "The other Joys contacted me about a Trainer with that name before, mostly because of the Trainers who lost to his Pokemon."

"..." 'It's Gin all over again…' La clenched a fist before Ruby put a paw on the fist and shook his head when she looked at him.

"...Has anyone tried blacklisting him as a t-" Mai began.

"No. Despite the...severe damages his Pokemon have caused to other Trainers' Pokemon, they're not warrant enough for that," Joy shook her head.

"..Wait. What i-" Mai began.

"If you're suggesting the Rufflet that he abandoned, it's not enough," Ken spoke, making her look at him, "You'd need physical evidence and the Pokeball he used to be kept in."

"...and Cross had his Incineroar destroy it…" Mai sighed, 'Guy's smarter than Damien with Charmander…'

"...If you ever come across him again, stay far away," Joy warned them, "If he was capable of damaging your Pokemon's throats with a simple Throat Chop...I fear what else he's capable of."

"...We'll try," Ash replied.

Cross walked along a forest path before stopping, "Your spying skills suck."

For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. It was then Velvet stepped out from behind a tree, holding two sticks that had been broken in two in her psychic grip.

"You've seen Ho-Oh."

"?!"

"Don't bother to lie. My apologies, but it's your main surface thought along with getting stronger," Velvet stated, "My mistress had me keep watch of a Trainer that defeated one of her strongest Pokemon without even a bit of effort, a Trainer that is part of that group you encountered."

"Them? They're…"

"With the one who has the Rainbow Wing Ho-Oh denied you of," Velvet stated.

"...What?" Cross asked with a scowl.

"The youngest member is the Rainbow Hero," Velvet stated, "You may underestimate him, but Ho-Oh's children have already deemed him worthy through their encountering him and leaving three gifts."

"...This is a joke, right?" Cross demanded, "That weakling was chosen by Ho-Oh? If anyone deserve the right to fight Ho-Oh...i-"

"And yet, Ho-Oh gave him the Rainbow Wing," Velvet continued before turning around, "If that doesn't tell you something, then nothing will I suppose. Not even going to the Raizen Mountain Range and going to where the rainbow ends will help."

"...Then I'll go there then," Cross stated as he began to walk off, "I'll show I'm more worthy...that I'm strong enough to defeat a Legendary…"

"...You have no intentions of catching H-"

"No. If I prove to the world I've defeated one of the most powerful Legendary Pokemon, then I'll prove that no one can defeat me. The Elite 4, those weaklings that run the Gyms...no one."

"I see...Then be wary, I suppose. For the bigger of a pillar you put under yourself, the further you will fall and the more likely that fall will end in your death," Velvet informed.

"...Incineroar, Cross Chop."

"Ro…" Incineroar began before Velvet's eyes glowed and she held a hand up, causing the Dark/Fire-Type to stop in midair and grasp his thoat, gagging.

"?! How...Psychic-Type moves don't work on Dark…" Cross began in surprise.

"There are several moves that can let one bypass immunities, even ones that we Pokemon have yet to share with you humans," Velvet replied before flicking her wrist and sent Incineroar crashing through several trees before curling two fingers and Incineroar was dragged through the ground to Cross's feet, "I have parted what my mistress wished to inform you of. Good day. Oh, and I'm sorry, Incineroar." she tapped her staff and Teleported away, leaving behind a coughing and groaning Incineroar and a scowling Cross that glared at where she had been.

"...Get up," Cross ordered his Pokemon as he began to walk away, "We got more training to do…"

"Ro…"

"(S-Shut up! It's not funny!)" Sorin whined to a cackling Izayoi...the former wearing a cone around his neck.

"(It...It's a cone! You have a cone!)" the blade laughed as her blue tassel repeatedly banged the floor.

"(I do not like the Cone of Shame!)" Sorin barked before coughing.

"Don't shout too loud now," Luca advised, picking up the rock-type, "You have several stitches that need to heal and we all know that you can't resist rubbing your neck-where the stitches are-against everyone."

"(But how will they know I like them if I can't leave my rocks and their scent on them?)"

"(How do you think I feel?)" Charmander deadpanned, wearing a brace around his neck, "(I can't use a single fire-type move aside from Ember...with my tail.)"

"(You have that blanket)," Izayoi pointed out.

"(...Oh yeah…)" Charmander recalled before flicking his blanket, wrapping the end around Berry, before using her to whack Izayoi.

"(Eek?!)"

*BZZRT!*

"(...I have this)," Charmander snickered as Izayoi's tassel twitched as both she and a dazed Berry were laid flat out on the ground, the latter sporting a smoking bump.

"(...You had to say something…)" Berry groaned.

"(Yay! Thank you, Charma...oh, wait...stupid Cone of Shame…)" Sorin began to cheer before slumping.

"(There there…)" Pikachu carefully patted his back.

"So what's our plan now?" Misty pondered.

"...I still want to go the mountain range," Ash noted, "But…" he looked over at Takuma and La, "Takuma, La, can you help me learn how to fight an Incineroar?"

=Huh? You…=

"I just get a feeling he'll be back," Ash replied, "I don't want to go after him, but if he does show up...I want everyone to be ready for him doing this again."

"...It would help just in case," Ken added, "It'll give him the ins and outs of an Incineroar, what moves it can use, and what to be wary of when facing one."

"...Manny?" La asked.

"(As if you need to ask. Tell the kid he and his team better be ready to handle the might of Manny!)" Manny declared, flexing a bit...before his shirt ripped apart, "(Uh...C-Can I have some cash for another shirt?)"

"Manny agrees," La sighed while handing Manny some cash as he went off to the center's store.

"Sure, Ash...I'll help you." Takuma nodded, "These types of Trainers use harsh moves, for you to be ready you'll have to learn what to expect. Then how to counter."

"Neither of us will hold back either," La added.

"I know, and I'm ready to face that," Ash nodded before pondering a bit, "Counter...oh! I think I know what else to practice with during the training?"

"What? Teaching your Pokemon C-" Takuma began.

"Counter Shield."

Hanzo choked on the tea he had been drinking, "Gekkouga?!"

"We're talking later, Hanzo," La whispered before saying aloud to Ash, "Counter Shield?"

"Yeah," Ash replied.

"...Ashton, what are you planning?" Kajun asked, looking up from her notes.

"You'll see," Ash answered with his usual grin.

"And there's his usual cocky grin," Misty noted with a small sigh.

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Maybe that's just part of his charm." Takuma added.

"Yeah...his charm of getting us in trouble or lost," Misty deadpanned.

"You're one to talk," Ash muttered before tensing when Misty pulled her hammer out, "?! ...Pikachu, run!"

"Pikapi!" Pikachu cried out as he jumped onto Ash's shoulder as he booked it from Misty while returning Charmander to his ball.

"Wait up!" Mai called.

"Oh why does it have to always be running?" Brock and Noel groaned.

=A good run after a good night's sleep is always good= Alakai noted =Unless you have an issue with a leg, then it's a bad idea=

"Running sounds good!" Makoto beamed as she ran.

"...well. Might as well get a good run in today," Ken shrugged as he followed suit.

"Misty, don't be too harsh! Takuma and La have priority thanks to their Anti-Incineroar regimen he asked for!" Kajun called as she followed them.

"Wait, what?!" Ash exclaimed at that.

"You asked for them to train you!" Makoto pointed out.

"And we did say we wouldn't hold back!" La added.

"...Pidgeotto, I choose you!" Ash yelped.

"Gengar~!"

"Gengar?! Where's Pidgeotto?! Ah forget it, we need a distraction!"

"Gen~"

*BOOM!*

"Where'd he get a cannon?!" Misty yelped, "Ash, get back here!"

"Ack! It just made her madder!" Ash yelped.

"Gar~?!"

"RUN!"

"Should we stop her before she goes overboard?" Luca asked.

"We should," Tsubaki agreed as she returned Sorin and Izayoi before following with Luca.

"You are telling me about these Counter Shields later, Hanzo," La whispered before following after and shouted, "Manny, get out of there! We're leaving now!"

"(What?! Ah...Keep the change!)" Manny called as he ran out, leaving the cash on the counter as he hastily put his new Alolan shirt on.

"Ash, get back here! We have a lot of work to do!" Takuma shouted, "Don't think this is going to earn you a break anytime soon!"

GT: *banging laptop* Dang blasted…*sighs* I hate my Laptop.

SZ: *stares at email box*..come on...I want that response….*sees the readers*oh! Eh heh...sorry guys. We've been busy...real life and all that, ya know?

GT: And my Laptop is on its last legs, it seems. Will have to get a new one soon.

SZ: And waiting on a response from the fire department I'm trying to volunteer at. And z0...uh...z0?

Z0: What you want me to pick up the mood.

SZ: Please...well that and for some last things to say before we end things off...like any new fics we're working on.

Z0: Oh okay fine, but I'm the neutral one, don't expect me to be your Pinkie pie often. *pulls out a giant bomb* Hit the deck! *blows up the wall revealing casts from our various stories having lunch* Hey wait a minute...this isn't the men's locker room...this was supposed to be fan service to the female readers...who changed the layout of the building?

SZ: 0-0

GT: ON did it!

Z0: Right...well sorry fans, you just get the casts eating lunch. Hey when did we hire Reborn…*gets shot* Sleepy sleepy….

SZ: Wait...Reborn is h-night night..*collapses*

GT: …*blows up into a pile of leaves with a sign left reading 'Read and Review please!'*