"Can't believe we went to see a show, and it turns out, they couldn't have one because you were having a heart to heart with Sakura." Casey complained.
"Oh will you just relax." Molly countered.
"Guys, hold on for a minute." Ash said.
"What, don't tell us to hold on." Casey said, before noticing it too.
"Why is Suicune just standing there?" Molly wondered aloud.
"Last time I ran into Suicune like this, it was south of Ecruteak, right before I met with Eusine." Ash said. "Wait here, things might get messy."
"Is he planning on fighting Suicune?" Molly wondered as Ash walked towards the legendary beast.
"What are we looking at this time?" Ash asked, walking next to Suicune, the dog not even moving an inch, only pointing towards the town ahead.
"Mahogany Town, is there something there?" Ash asked, only for no response. "I don't get it, my powers work for almost everyone else when I don't want them to, but the one I would love to be able to speak with, they do nothing! What are you warning me about?"
Suicune stood in their nevermoving position, looking at the town.
"Something, please, anything." Ash begged.
Suicune's ribbons fluttered in the wind before leaping away into the sky.
"Wait come back!" Ash called out.
"What is it with you, that you've been chosen to be visited by Suicune time and time again, and yet here I am, and any time I get close they run off!" Eusine said angrily, rushing over.
"Eusine, thought I saw the end of you back in Cianwood." Ash commented.
"Oh, you think it would be that easy to get rid of me? Sure you might have beaten me before, but I am far stronger now, and I will still continue my quest of one day capturing Suicune, and I will show you just how serious I am right now!" Eusine said, sending out his Alakazam with ease.
"Pikachu use Zap Cannon!"
"Alakazam use Teleport!"
Alakazam disappeared quicker than Pikachu's attack could even charge up, appearing right behind the electric type.
"Now use Fire Punch!"
"Pikachu use Thunder Punch!"
The two Pokémon's fists collided with each other, sending Pikachu tumbling backwards.
"Alakazam use Psychic!"
Pikachu and Ash were lifted effortlessly into the air as Eusine smirked at the duo.
"Why?! What is it that makes you so important to Suicune?!" Eusine demanded.
"I. Don't. Know!" Ash struggled. "I've been asking myself that same thing lately!"
"Well, I will surely find out what it is." Eusine said, walking up to Ash and checking his belongings. "Now what is this?" Eusine asked, holding up the rainbow wing.
"Hey put that back! It's a gift!" Ash shouted.
"A gift, and from who might I ask?" Eusine asked curiously. "Perhaps from Suicune herself?"
"You're insane, why would that come from Suicune?!" Ash demanded.
"And why would a Pokemon as elegant as Suicune even bother with a child like yourself, what have you accomplished that I haven't!?" Eusine demanded.
"I earned my victories." Ash grunted, his jacket showing his six badges.
"Perhaps you are right, maybe I need to show my worth through victory and I'll start with you." Eusine said, snapping his fingers as Alakazam dropped Ash and Pikachu onto the ground. "Haunter let's do this!"
"Blastoise get in there now!" A new voice called out, the fully evolved form of Squirtle getting between Ash and Eusine.
"Gary am I glad to see you." Ash said, as Blastoise shot Haunter back with water.
"I saw your friends and they said they were worried, that this strange force kept them from getting closer, I'm guessing that was him?" Gary said.
"Hey I may be a two timing swindler, but even I can't do that!" Eusine said, pointing the Rainbow Wing at Gary.
"That thing is important and mine we can't let it get damaged or taken by him." Ash whispered.
"Got it." Gary responded.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Blastoise use Hydro Pump!"
Pikachu sped forward with Blastoise's two cannons shooting out powerful streams of water, knocking into both of Eusine's Pokemon.
"And what was the plan with Pikachu?" Eusine questioned.
"Take a look." Ash said, showing the Rainbow Wing back in his possession.
"How did you?!" Eusine demanded in shock.
"Pikachu is quite fast, especially when you're paying attention to everything but him." Ash chuckled.
"No matter! Alakazam use Psychic! Haunter use Shadow Ball!" Eusine called out.
"Pikachu use Zap Cannon!"
"Blastoise use Hydro Pump!"
Pikachu and Blastoise's attacks combined, slamming into Eusine's two Pokemon for a double knockout.
"I'd recommend you leave before you try another dumb mistake." Gary said, showing his other Pokeballs at the same time as Ash.
"I will prove myself to Suicune, and I will beat you on my way to that path! I swear it!" Eusine said, as he exited quickly.
"Ash!" Casey called out, finally being able to make it through.
"Casey, Molly, I heard you two were worried about me." Ash said, seeing the girls approach.
"Gary, we can't thank you enough for risking yourself, dropping into there." Molly thanked.
"Not a problem, Ashy boy and I might be rivals, but who would I beat in the Silver Conference if he never made it?" Gary joked. "Smell ya later Ash. I've got more training to do before the league."
"See you there Gary." Ash said, shaking his oldest rival and friends hand.
A bit later, as the trio entered Mahogany Town
"What's on your mind Ash?" Molly asked.
"What the Unown said, about me needing the help of another." Ash said.
"Didn't you decide it couldn't be someone like Eusine already though?" Casey asked.
"Yeah, but what if it's Gary." Ash said. "He did say he'd help me out, even in his own weird way."
"But didn't the Unown also say you didn't know them yet?" Casey asked.
"Maybe I didn't know the real Gary, I mean he's always been my rival, nothing more nothing less, and yet lately I've been seeing a whole new side of him, maybe I'm finally getting to know the real him now." Ash said.
"If you say so, I guess time will tell." Molly said in response.