Authors Note
Honestly I didn't plan this big of a break between chapters, but I wanted at least a bit between the gym and the league, and there were a few things I wanted to circle back on, but none were enough on their own for one chapter each, so here's this chapter.
"It feels like forever since we were this way." Molly said, as the group set up for a quick lunch on their trails.
Following Ash's victory against Clair, earning his eighth gym badge and entry into the Silver Conference, our heroes find themselves on the path back towards New Bark Town, the final stop to the Johto League stadium.
"We've all changed a lot since then too." Casey said, setting out bowls of food for Bayleef, Beedrill, and Elekid. "And just like then Ash is nowhere to be found."
"Yes, but last time it was because you had ran off after your battle." Molly reminded.
"Hey, he used Charizard, and in case you forgot, that very same Charizard just took out a Dragonite." Casey argued.
"Where'd Ash run off to anyways?" Molly questioned.
Elsewhere deep in the woods
"I knew it was right around here." Ash said, as he and Pikachu walked to an all too familiar lake. "Last time we were here it was with Bulbasaur, and Charizard, and Squirtle too." Ash said, remembering the first time he'd seen Suicune. "But the new team is just as amazing as they are. Houndoom, Sudowoodo, Feraligatr, Espeon and Scizor. Even Gligar and Wobbuffet are super powerful."
"Pi Pika." Pikachu nodded in agreement.
While the two reminisced a fog rolled over the pond.
"Suicune is that you?" Ash asked, remembering this scene for scene as the water type walked out of the fog.
Suicune gave a simple nod at Ash and Pikachu letting out a low howl.
"I understand a lot more about my powers now, and next time we meet how about we have that battle I started when we first arrived?" Ash asked with a chuckle, walking forward as Suicune gave out a more normal howl, taking an offensive position. "Alright, it looks like we are having that battle now. Ready Pikachu!"
Back with the girls
"You know, in all our journeying there is still one thing we haven't done." Molly said, checking on Teddiursa and Phanpy.
"Look, after the fiasco back in Mahogany I'm all legend out." Casey said firmly.
"No, a battle, we've never actually really fought each other." Molly said.
"I mean I did, sort of. I fought that weird aged up Unown powered version of you and your Pokemon, including Phanpy which is weird because you didn't even have them yet, also they did not look like their evolutions but also did at the same time." Casey said.
"Come on, a real just honest battle, we both started around the same time, got our starters from Professor Elm, doesn't that make us at least sort of rivals?" Molly asked.
"I guess if you really want to, it can't hurt, one on one sound good?" Casey asked.
"That was exactly my plan." Molly said. "Quilava let's do this!"
"Bayleef you're up!" Casey said confidently.
"Quilava use Flame Wheel!"
"Bayleef use Body Slam!"
The two starter Pokemon rushed at each other, Bayleef getting singed a bit before they knocked back Quilava with their larger size and strength.
"Quilava use Cut!"
"Bayleef use Razor Leaf!"
Bayleef sent out leaves one after the other at Quilava as the fire type sliced through them one by one, nearing the grass type.
"Bayleef use Sweet Scent!"
"Quilava use Smokescreen!"
The two Pokemon sent out their area of effect moves, covering the field in a strange sight and smell, obscuring both of their views.
"Quilava just be careful and move forward slowly!" Molly called out.
"Bayleef stand your ground and when you see movement use Body Slam!" Casey called out.
The two girls heard a scuffle in the smoke, hoping to see one of the Pokemon come flying out.
"I won!" Casey cheered, seeing Quilava tossed from the smoke.
"What, you're crazy Bayleef is in no condition!" Molly said, seeing Bayleef struggling to get up.
"Espeon use Psychic to clear the air!" Ash said from the middle, as Feraligatr was shown to be smugly smirking.
"Hey no fair, we were having a fight!" Casey argued.
"All I saw was smoke where you two were. I sent Feraligatr ahead and cleared the smoke with Espeon." Ash defended his actions.
"I guess that Quilava doesn't actually have any scratch marks on them." Casey said, seeing the fire type get back up.
"Same with Bayleef, if Feraligatr actually had fought them at all, there would have been scratch or claw marks easily, and yet…" Molly said seeing outside of the injuries she's caused, Bayleef was fine.
"Anyways, I found the way to New Bark Town, it's not far from here." Ash said, returning Espeon.
"Alright, but I do have a question, if we were really under attack, what would having thrown our attackers at us done?" Casey questioned.
"Ask Feraligatr not me." Ash said. "I just told him to rush in and do what he can."
"You know you are the only one of us who has any chance of actually understanding him, right?" Molly reminded.
"Tushee." Ash countered.
"Touché." Molly corrected.
"That too. Now let's get going, these woods are impossible to navigate once it starts getting dark." Ash responded.
"How do you know that?" Casey questioned as they made their way Eastward.
"Because I got lost in these woods last time." Ash said confidently. "And Suicune showed me the way back then, and reminded me of the way this time."
"Remember when him saying something like that sounded insane rather than actually logical?" Casey asked.
"Personally it still sounds insane, the chances that Suicune truly will always help Ash is nearly impossible." Molly calculated.
"And yet, they haven't turned me wrong yet, even when I didn't know who they were or what they were saying." Ash said, as he made his way through the brush, seeing New Bark Town on the other side.
A bit later, at Professor Elm's lab
"It's great to see the three of you after all this time, the last time we met up was back at the Ruins of Alph, correct?" Professor Elm asked, as the groups Pokemon were being healed via one of his machines.
Authors Note
Fun Fact, Professor Elm is unique in that his lab actually has the only healing machine in a lab from the main series games because the mom in the game works as a bank.
"Well this was a stop on our way." Casey said.
"So that must mean Ash has earned eight badges, allowing him entrance into the Johto League, correct?" Professor Elm asked.
"Rising Badge definitely proved a challenge, but I finally won in the end." Ash said, showing the eight badges in his jacket.
"We were told that this is the quickest path to get to the Pokemon League." Molly said.
"On foot yes, by going back here from Blackthorne you don't have to go through the mountains, but overall the trip is a bit longer by going around." Professor Elm said. "But the last leg of your journey up should be a quick one. Once you're on the path, it is a straight shot, and you likely won't be the only ones heading in that direction."
"A whole bunch of powerful trainers, all with one goal, but I'm going to beat them all!" Ash said excitedly.
"Don't get that ahead of yourself, a league cup is not an easy achievement." Professor Elm warned.
"I know that, I already competed in the Indigo League, and took on the Orange Crew, but I have a good feeling about it this time." Ash said confidently.
"Well then, best of luck, I'm sure you'll have plenty of people cheering you on." Professor Elm said.
"Will you be cheering for someone in the competition Professor?" Casey asked.
"Actually there are two trainers here from New Bark Town competing, so we'll be cheering on them." Professor Elm said.
"Trainers that came from here, so they also have starters from you and Pokédex's?" Ash asked.
"Yes, Jimmy who started with a Cyndaquil, and Vincent who started with a Chikorita." Professor Elm informed.
"Well, it won't matter, I'll still beat them all!" Ash said with confidence. "Nothing can stop me this time!"