I'm so sorry it took me so long to return to this story. And I'm also sorry this newest chapter isn't exactly the most exciting, but I wanted to do something easy just to get me warmed back up. Also, I seem to get most of my writing done when I'm sick. Very strange to say the least. So without further ado, let me address all the anonymous reviews I've gotten...over the past two years.

Harrison: Interesting guess, that would be quite a twist.

II: I'm glad you've enjoyed this story, and I hope this at least quenches your thirst a bit.

Guest1: Ah yes, the Giratina trilogy. I did a lot of reworking on that one. Glad you enjoyed it.

Guest2: Here's that update.

Samprikta: I'm glad that my story was able to help get you through the pandemic, it means a lot to hear that. So here's another chapter for you to enjoy.

Alright, that takes care of that. I'll leave more of what I'd like to say below, but for now, on with the show. I own nothing except the story.

Chapter 76

Misty's POV

With the departure of Lyra, Khoury and Kenny, our group is back to normal size. It's always interesting when someone new is added to the group, I'm sure Dawn felt the same way when I joined up. But sometimes, it's nice to just have the old dynamic. We've become a real family, us four. There's something to be said about familiarity and being able to let your guard down around the people you're with. Whenever someone new comes in, there's always that lingering feeling that you have to stay on your best behavior, if that makes sense. Now though, it's back to status quo.

I will say though, I can't help but notice that Dawn seems a little melancholy now that Kenny's gone. I think she got used to having him around...and I can't blame her. I think in the short time Kenny was a member of our group, he and Dawn grew much closer. I think he was even about to finally confess his feelings for her, and chickened out at the last second. He went home to Twinleaf Town, and we continued on our way to Sunyshore City. Poor Dawn was this close to finally finding the happiness Ash and I have, and now she has to wait even longer.

For a while, I admired Dawn for sticking to her guns and letting Kenny come to her first, but now I think she's taking it too far. The reason she came to that decision in the first place was because she had both Kenny and Barry vying for her affection. Once Barry got together with Candice, that eliminated the competition, and the circumstances changed. Dawn didn't change her stance though. She was convinced that if Kenny really cared about her, he would come and confess his feelings for her. I know that I promised to stay out of her business...for the most part, anyway...but like I said, we've become a family. I'm used to being the youngest of four sisters...but now, Dawn is basically my little sister, and I just can't sit back and watch her be miserable any longer.

Normal POV

While our heroes walked towards Sunyshore City, Misty dragged behind a bit, bringing Dawn with her so that she could have a one-on-one talk without the boys eavesdropping. "Hey you, we need to talk."

"About what?"

"You, Kenny, this thing that's got you dragging your feet like you don't wanna be here."

"Oh." Dawn sighed and grasped onto the straps of her backpack a little tighter, looking down at the ground as she walked. "I dunno Misty, I guess I was just...really hoping that maybe Kenny and I could finally get together. But he still hasn't said anything, and I can't help but wonder if he'll ever be ready. It's like...he's trying, but something's holding him back."

"I understand what you're going through." Misty nodded sagely. "Remember, I liked Ash for a really long time before he finally worked up the nerve to tell me how he felt. And it took Brock giving him a wake-up call before it really sunk in."

"I know." Dawn covered her face with her hands and shook her head with a moan. "Why is this so hard, Misty? Even preparing for contests isn't this difficult."

"Relationships aren't easy." Misty shrugged with a sympathetic frown. "Believe me, there are days where I question why I love Ash all the time. He's got a lot going for him, but he's also got a lot of flaws that drive me absolutely insane sometimes." Misty looked up into the sky, a thoughtful expression spreading across her face. "This journey we're on, him and me...it's been tough. We've had our fights, almost broken up over the dumbest things...but we keep coming back when all is said and done. I can't speak for him, but the way I see it, it's all about commitment. And that's not easy."

"How do you do it? How do manage to keep that commitment going even when you get on each other's last nerves all the time?"

"Well...I guess it helps that we've both matured over the years. Also now that our feelings are out there, we both are trying to make an effort to maintain the relationship. We care about each other, watch out for each other...it can't really be defined."

"That's...not encouraging." Dawn sighed hopelessly, tilting her head to look over at Misty when the redhead placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Do you think...he'll ever be able to tell me, Misty?"

"Yes. Yes he will." Misty replied with an intense gaze. "He cares for you so much it's scary, he just doesn't know how to handle that yet. But there is another alternative, you know."

"And what's that?"

"You tell him."

Dawn reeled back. "You want me to tell him first?! B-But after all that time and effort I put into making sure he went first! And you encouraged me!"

"Things change, Dawn! Before, you had two boys who wanted your attention. Now, Barry isn't a factor anymore! There's nothing stopping you except for yourself!"

"Misty, I can't!" Dawn shook her head in refusal, her hair swishing violently from the exertion. "I've come too far to turn back now! If I change course again I feel like I'll go crazy! I finally settled on a way to handle this, I spent too much time changing my mind over and over again and it drove me insane!" She clenched her fists and put on a determined pout. "No, Kenny's just gonna have to man up and face me! If not...then...then maybe he's not the one for me after all!"

"Dawn, no!" Misty grabbed the shorter girl by the shoulders, stopping her in her tracks. "Listen to your big sister, I'm speaking from experience here...there's no shame in the girl being the one to confess to the boy! There are so many times I wish I could've worked up the nerve to tell Ash how I felt, and every time I caved because I was too scared. I don't know how it would have turned out, but I do know that it hurt to wait around, especially knowing I could have done something...but you have an advantage, you know how Kenny feels! And you feel the same! If you have the power to make it easier for both of you, at least think about it! Promise me you will!"

Dawn blinked, stunned by Misty's intensity on her behalf. "You sound just like Leona..." She said quietly. "She made me promise I wouldn't let Kenny slip away too."

"Sounds like we both have your best interests at heart."

The coordinator relinquished a small smile, gazing up at Misty with her eyes slightly watery from the sentiment. "Thank you, Misty...I'm lucky to have a big sister figure like you."

"Hey, that's what I'm here for!" Misty pulled her in for a hug. "After being the youngest for all these years, I intend to make sure that you're treated with the love and respect I wish I'd gotten growing up."

"Like I said...I'm lucky."

"Misty, Dawn!"

The two girls were pulled out of their bubble when Ash called out to them, waving them over as he and Brock had stopped in their tracks. They hurried over, noting the concerned expression on Brock's face. "Is everything alright?" Dawn asked.

"I'm not sure..." Brock put away his guidebook and pulled out the Pokégear that Khoury's father gave him before they left, trying to hone in on their location. "It's strange...I'm almost certain we're on the right path."

"Wow, Brock...it's not every day we get lost when you lead the way...this forest must be one heck of a maze." Misty then heard the cawing of a Pokémon, and upon looking towards the source of the sound, she pointed up at a tree branch where the Pokémon was perched. "Look, it's a Murkrow!"

The Murkrow stared them down intensely for several moments, then flew overhead cawing at them, leaving them in a bit of a stunned haze. "You know what they say..." Brock finally started. "Something bad may happen when a Murkrow flies over your head late at night..."

Dawn groaned, her forehead creased with worry. "Wow, it's bad enough that we're already lost, but now something worse is gonna happen?"

"Nah, that's nothing but superstition!" Ash waved it off dismissively. "Plus it's not even night yet, so it doesn't count anyway."

"Yeah, that's true." Brock smiled. "Guess I've been spending too much time talking to Khoury."

"For sure, him and his doomsday scenarios." Misty laughed. "Being superstitious is just plain silly, we've been lost before and we'll get outta here just like we always do."

But then the ground began to shake, throwing the teens off balance as they shouted in shock. "Misty, I think you may have spoken too soon!" Dawn exclaimed.

The shaking intensified, the sound of stomping footsteps becoming louder as if something was coming...then seemingly out of nowhere, the group blinked, and right in their path and glaring down at them with rage in its eyes...was Giratina.

"G-Giratina?! What's it doing here?!" Dawn shrieked.

"And why does it look like it wants to kill us?!"

"Giratina, it's us! What's wrong?!" Ash's shout went unacknowledged, as the giant Pokémon raised a foot with the full intention of crushing them all in one fell swoop. "Run for it!"

They ran as fast as they could down a path through the trees, hoping that the obstacles would either stop or at least slow Giratina down. They could hear the angered roars of the beast echoing through the forest, but eventually the sounds stopped, and the four exhausted trainers slowed to a stop, hands on their knees and gasping for breath. "I think we're safe now." Brock said.

"Man, my heart." Ash sighed as he stood up straight. "You'd think with an aura that strong, I would've noticed Giratina coming without even trying, but I didn't feel a thing!"

"Hold on," Misty raised up a hand. "I hear something else...it sounds like...water."

"Are we near a river?" Dawn asked.

Misty paled. "Only if the river's coming right at us! Run!" But before they even had a chance to turn, a rush of water came flowing down the path, and they were washed away in the rapids, the air being forced from their lungs as they desperately tried to claw their way back to the surface. Their vision began blurring, fading to black as exhaustion overtook them, until finally-

"Come on, snap out of it, please!"

With a sudden start, everything stopped. Breathing was easy, their clothes were perfectly dry, and they found themselves laying on the dirt path they were originally on. "Hold on...what just happened guys?" Ash asked as he looked around in confusion.

"I can answer that!" A young woman with forest-green hair garnered their attention as she helped them all up one by one. "What you all just experienced was an illusion from Murkrow's Confuse Ray."

"Ahh!" Then Brock came charging in, knocking Ash back down to the ground as he grabbed onto the beautiful young lady's hands with hearts in his eyes. "I'm Brock and I'm not really confused! I'm sure your beauty is as real as real gets unless you somehow could be an illusion that Murkrow's Confuse Ray created too!" Then Brock felt the all-too familiar pain of a Poison Jab in the worst place bring him to his knees. "No...confusion..." And he groaned as Croagunk dragged him away to recover, much to the girl's utter bafflement.

"Heh...don't give it a second thought," Dawn sweat-dropped. "It happens all the time. I'm Dawn."

"I'm Ash."

"And I'm Misty, thanks for helping us out."

The girl smiled. "I'm Rhyanna! And you're welcome, I live in a village very close to the forest."

Then Brock slid on over again, this time sobered up as his curiosity took priority, though Rhyanna still seemed somewhat disturbed. "So how did you know we were seeing illusions then?"

"Boy you recovered fast this time." Misty deadpanned. "But that is a good question, illusions from a Murkrow's Confuse Ray is a pretty specific explanation for what just happened to us."

"Well there's a reason for that," Rhyanna sighed. "I know because that Murkrow is my little brother's Pokémon." The group gasped at the revelation. "I'm so sorry for what happened, if there's anything I can do to make it up to you, please just tell me."

Brock was about to speak up, but Misty quickly intervened with a tug on his ear. "Down boy." She said warningly before releasing the breeder. "Really the only thing we'd like is an explanation, why would your brother do something like that?"

"It's a long story..." Rhyanna sighed again and led the others over to some rocks that were smooth enough to be sat on. "The truth is, he's never been like this before...I haven't the foggiest idea what's made him change like this. Mitchell, that's my brother, he's a Pokémon Trainer just like me. Whenever we have the time, we always used to battle each other. We were constantly competing against each other, so I guess, in a way...that made the two of us true rivals. But one day, Mitchell suddenly decided to go up on the mountain and train with Murkrow, and that's when...he started playing pranks on travelers, like you four."

"That's awful!" Misty said sympathetically. "But why not just ask your brother why he's doing it? I mean...you're his big sister, and it sounds like you really care about him. Doesn't he trust you?"

"Of course I care about him!" Rhyanna exclaimed before sighing sadly. "But for whatever reason, now he's always avoiding me so I can't even talk to him. Whenever I try, he just runs away from me!" Then Rhyanna pulled out a green Pokédex, looking longingly at the image on the screen. "And that's why I've been trying so hard to find a Dusk Stone."

"A Dusk Stone?" Ash asked as Rhyanna turned the Pokédex so he and the others could see the picture.

"Right. There should be a Dusk Stone somewhere in the forest. I'm going to use it to evolve my Misdreavus into a Mismagius."

Ash tilted his head in confusion. "Why do that?"

"It's what I heard from Grandpa," Rhyanna replied. "He said Mismagius can chant spells that may bring people happiness...now maybe if I were to use that spell on Mitchell...then-"

"Then perhaps you and Mitchell will make up," Brock cut her off. "Right?"

"Do you really think Mitchell would be happy with a spell?"

"Don't know," Rhyanna answered Dawn's question with a hopeless groan, slouching heavily from her emotional exhaustion. "But I've...kinda run out of ideas."

Then without warning, Brock broke into another love-crazed rant. "Now, Rhyanna, wipe the sorrow from those pretty eyes! Ah, if only I could rid you of your sadness for just a little while! Of course! The only thing for me to do, Rhyanna, is pitch in and help you!"

"Really? You will?! Oh I'm thrilled!"

"No, I'm the one who's thrilled!" Brock again grabbed her hands. "Because...in accepting my offer, you are opening yourself up to-"

"Being harassed by a hung-up loon? You're right!" Misty grabbed onto Brock's ear again, causing the breeder to cry out in agony and beg for her to let go. "That being said, we'll all be glad to help you. And with no strings attached, right, Brock?"

Brock nodded with tears in his eyes. "Mhmm..."

"Well...I appreciate all of you for volunteering." Rhyanna raised a finger. "And I think I know just the place to start! Follow me!" Getting up from her boulder-seat, Rhyanna led the trainers deeper into the forest, where they soon came across a little shrine. "Here we are."

"Rhyanna," Brock spoke up in awe. "What's that?"

"Grandpa told me about this too." Rhyanna replied with a glance over her shoulder. "Back when he was young, he said people used to mine Dusk Stones somewhere near this shrine."

"Wow!" Dawn exclaimed. "Maybe there are some of them left!"

Rhyanna's face fell as she shook her head. "Problem is, I've looked around here several times, but I've never found anything."

"Well that's why we're gonna help ya!" Ash pumped a determined fist. "We'll split up and find a Dusk Stone in no time!"

"Thanks so much!" Rhyanna beamed at the trainers. "You have no idea how grateful I am for all your help."

"Alright, Ash, Misty, Dawn, why don't you three look over there?" Brock said as he pointed east. "While Rhyanna and I will look over this way!"

"And leave you alone with Rhyanna again?" Misty crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow. "Not happening. Ash, you go with Brock and Rhyanna. Dawn and I will go this way."

"We don't need a chaperone." Brock crossed his own arms as he glared at Misty.

"Hmm, I seem to recall saying the same thing a while back. You remember, don't you, Ash?"

Ash snickered. "How can I forget? Brock was goin' crazy!"

"Okay, fine. No need to reopen old wounds." Brock watched as Misty and Dawn walked off to begin their search, then he turned his attention back to Rhyanna. "Okay, how about this? Let's ask your Misdreavus to come out and give us a hand while we look for it."

"Misdreavus? Why?"

"Well, Murkrow and Misdreavus are the only Pokémon that evolve with a Dusk Stone." Brock replied. "So maybe Misdreavus might be able to find it!"

"Wow, I never even thought of that," Rhyanna scratched her chin thoughtfully. "It sounds like it just might work...okay! Let's do it now! Misdreavus, go!" Grabbing a Pokéball, Rhyanna wound up and tossed it into the air, releasing the wispy ghost-type from its confines. "Would you please help us find a Dusk Stone?" With a brief nod, Misdreavus floated off in search of its target, and within moments it seemed to hone in on a very specific location. "Wow, Brock, I think you were right! I think Misdreavus is sensing something!"

"Well let's not wait around," Ash exclaimed. "Let's go check it out!"

"Now, Piplup, if you find a Dusk Stone, you let us know right away, alright?"

"Pi plup!" (Will do!)

"Say, Misty, what do you think of Rhyanna's plan to use a Mismagius spell to make Mitchell feel better?"

Misty hummed and placed her hands behind her head in thought. "Honestly, I'm not a fan of the idea. Kinda feels like she's dodging the problem by forcing her brother to feel better, rather than actually trying to solve their dispute."

"Yeah...on the other hand, if Mitchell is refusing to talk to her and runs away whenever she tries, what else can she do?"

"That's the big problem. Mitchell doesn't seem interested in patching things up with Rhyanna. If that's true, I can understand why she's going to such drastic measures."

"Is that how it was with your sisters back in Cerulean City?"

"My sisters...well, with them it was more like they didn't really appreciate me. That's not the case with Rhyanna, she obviously loves her brother very much. But there were times where I felt like I would do anything to make my sisters show they actually cared about me. Maybe that's kinda how Rhyanna is feeling."

"Guess what you said earlier is true." Dawn said as she looked up at the redheaded water-trainer. "Relationships aren't easy, whether it's significant others or siblings." As they continued to walk, the two girls stopped when they heard a flapping sound come up behind them, and then they heard the pained cries of Piplup as the penguin fell off of Dawn's head and landed face-first on the ground. "Hey, it's that Murkrow! What's the big idea hurting Piplup like that?!"

"We're not falling for that Confuse Ray nonsense again!" Misty reached for a Pokéball. "Shellos, come on out and use Icy Wind!" With a loud pop, Shellos appeared and blew a freezing wind at the retreating dark/flying-type, and once it made contact, the Darkness Pokémon fell out of the sky and landed on the ground with swirls in its eyes. "Yeah, that took care of Murkrow, nice work, Shellos!"

"Oh, Murkrow, no!"

Misty and Dawn gasped as a young boy appeared from behind the nearby trees, running up and cradling the fainted Pokémon in his arms. "Misty, I think that's Mitchell!"

"Alright!" The boy stood up and glared at the two girls. "What are you doing to my Murkrow?!"

"Now hold on just a second," Misty shot back. "You two are the ones who snuck up on us!"

"So you're Mitchell?" Dawn added as she held her dazed Piplup in her arms. "Why do you pull pranks on people like that?!"

The boy growled and took a step back. "Knock it off!"

"Listen, I dunno what your problem is, but your sister's been worried sick about you!" Misty took a step forward, causing Mitchell to move away again. "We volunteered to look for you so we can resolve whatever's going on between you, aren't you tired of fighting with her?"

"Ha! Gimme a break!" Mitchell scoffed bitterly. "She doesn't care about me at all!"

"Now that's just a lie!" Dawn shouted angrily. "She's been trying everything she can to fix things between you and her, she's even gotten desperate enough to try and find a Dusk Stone so that she can evolve her Misdreavus into a Mismagius so she can make you happy with its spells! Does that sound like someone who doesn't care?!"

"W-What?" Mitchell reeled back in shock, but then his face contorted into a snarl as he turned to run. "You're a liar! All my sister cares about is beating me over and over again! And I never wanna see her again!" He bolted, and Misty and Dawn quickly gave chase. "Leave me and Murkrow alone!"

"No way, Mitchell!" Misty churned her legs harder, and eventually she caught up to the young boy, grasping onto his wrist and stopping him in his tracks. "Stop!" The redhead grunted when Mitchell violently tore his wrist away from her. "You can't mean that!"

"I'm warning you, back off!" Mitchell clenched his free fist threateningly. "I need to find the Dusk Stone before Rhyanna does!"

"Are you even listening?!" Dawn exclaimed incredulously. "The whole reason Rhyanna is looking for the Dusk Stone in the first place is to help you out!"

"I told you, Rhyanna doesn't care about me!" Mitchell spat at the two girls. "The only reason she wants to evolve her Misdreavus into a Mismagius is so she can beat me every time we battle and that's all!"

Misty glanced over at Dawn. "That's not what Rhyanna told us, not by a long shot."

"What makes you think like that anyway?" Dawn asked.

Mitchell growled. "Fine. You really wanna know? Okay." Mitchell grumbled as he sat down on a nearby rock and told his side of the story. "See, every time we battle, Rhyanna always beats me. Obviously I want to beat her, so I decided to go train up on the mountain, and become stronger!"

With a bunch of baseballs in hand, Mitchell began throwing them at the Darkness Pokémon, ordering the crow to attack them instead of just deflecting them away without any fanfare. "Hit it! Use Wing Attack!"

Mitchell increased the speed he threw the balls at Murkrow, one of them actually hitting the Dark/Flying-type in the side of the head, much to the Pokémon's annoyance. "That's not what I said! USE WING ATTACK!"

The next three balls also struck Murkrow, angering it as a vein bulged on the Pokémon's head. Then Murkrow flew up higher, leaving a furious Mitchell behind. "Hey, where are you going?! Murkrow, come back here!"

"And that's it. Now...Murkrow won't listen to a single thing I tell it!"

"Wait," Dawn replied. "So you're saying that you had nothing to do with Murkrow's Confuse Ray or any of those illusions we saw?"

"Right! Nothing!" Mitchell glared up at the girls again. "If you wanna know the truth, the whole thing is Rhyanna's fault, period!"

"Nope, sorry!" Misty threw her hands up. "After what you just told me, Rhyanna's not to blame for all this!"

"What?!"

"What did you want her to do, let you win? Do you think you would've been happy if Rhyanna purposely battled at less than full strength just so you could put a notch in your win column?!"

"Well...I..."

"And more importantly, you should be thinking about your Pokémon's feelings!" Dawn added with a disapproving stare. "The way you treated Murkrow, it reminds me of another trainer we know who trains his Pokémon that way! He's really mean and almost no one likes him! You're never gonna get strong unless you and Murkrow work as a team, maybe you should start thinking about Murkrow's feelings instead of yours! Think about what you just told us! You threw baseballs at your Pokémon's head! What were you thinking?!"

Mitchell reeled back, looking down at his unconscious Pokémon as tears welled up in his eyes. "I-I...never thought of that..." He said with his voice cracking. "I'm so sorry, Murkrow...I was angry that I couldn't beat Rhyanna, so I took it out on you. I-It must've hurt...getting hit all those times!" He held back a sob, a tear escaping and landing on Murkrow's face, bringing the Darkness Pokémon back to consciousness. "M-Murkrow?"

As Rhyanna, Ash and Brock continued following Misdreavus through the forest as fast as they could, the girl's hope began to rise as her Pokémon's cries increased in volume. "Misdreavus is getting a lot louder! I think we might be closing in on a Dusk Stone after all!"

"Don't worry, Rhyanna, we'll be making your brother happy again in no TIIIIIIIIME!" Brock and the others suddenly ran out of road, as they went over a steep cliff and slid down to the bottom with a crash. "Oh man, my aching back."

"Where are we?" Rhyanna looked around in confusion. "I've never seen this in the forest."

"It looks like a mine." Ash replied. "Do ya think this was the real place your grandfather was talking about when he said they used to mine for Dusk Stones around here?"

Before Rhyanna could answer, Misdreavus floated over to a large boulder, looking down at it with interest. "Misdreavus, something over there?"

"I bet it's a Dusk Stone!" Brock got up, his aches forgotten as he grabbed a large tree branch and used its leverage to lift it up. "Allow...me...to get it...for you!" The boulder finally flipped over as Brock wiped his brow of sweat. "Rhyanna, look, that stone!"

Rhyanna gasped with joy, reaching down to grasp the dark crystal in her hand. "We found it! It's a Dusk Stone!"

"So we did."

"Thank you!" Overcome with happiness, Rhyanna rushed over and wrapped her arms around Brock, causing the breeder's entire face to turn bright red in an instant. "I never would've found it if it wasn't for you and all your hard work!"

"Well...thanks to Misdreavus!"

Ash just shook his head in amusement, but then his eyes widened as he turned towards the bushes with his fists clenched. "Guys, we're not alone!"

"Ash, what's wrong?" Brock asked.

"I think...oh no!" Ash saw that Misdreavus had sensed something too, and was checking out the bushes as well. "Misdreavus, get away from there, now!"

Unfortunately it was too late, as Misdreavus suddenly got caught up in a net that burst out of the foliage. "Misdreavus?!" Rhyanna gasped. "What's going on?!"

Then none other than Meowth came walking out from behind the bushes, shaking Misdreavus around without a care in the world. "You're grounded, pal!" The cat cackled.

Then Jessie and James also appeared. "Happiness in a net!" Jessie laughed.

Rhyanna pointed accusingly at the trio. "Now who in the world are you supposed to be?!"

Ash facepalmed. "Don't ask them that!"

"We're out of this world, can't you tell by our suave demeanor?"

"Our grass is always greener!"

"On the wind!"

"The stars!"

"Neener neener!"

"Happy searching at a breakneck pace!"

"Dashing hope with a smile on my face!"

"Joy by any other name's just as happy!"

"While you twerps are so sappy!"

"Jessie!"

"And James!"

"Meowth's da name!"

"Putting the do-gooders in their place!"

"We're Team Rocket!"

"IN YOUR FACE!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Mime mime!"

"Okay, so I'll ask again." Rhyanna deadpanned. "Who are these three supposed to be?"

"They're Team Rocket, and they're a less than successful..." Brock stopped midsentence. "Scratch that, disastrous bunch of crooks!"

"I see." Rhyanna scowled at the thieves. "Give me back my Misdreavus, now!"

"No." Jessie turned her head to mock the green-haired girl. "You think I'm turning over my happiness to a twerp with a 'tude?"

James also waved off Rhyanna's threat. "We're soon to evolve this Misdreavus utilizing a Dusk Stone. And then Mismagius will happy us to our heart's content!"

"One Dusk Stone please," Meowth demanded. "And make it fast!"

"No way!" Rhyanna clenched the Dusk Stone tighter in her fist. "Misdreavus, rip the net and come here!"

Responding to Rhyanna's call, Misdreavus started to struggle in hopes of breaking free, but Meowth was undeterred as he just held onto the handle of the net even harder. "Dis may come as a shock, but..." Then Meowth pressed a button on the handle, and Misdreavus was suddenly shocked with enough electricity to cause it to faint inside the net. "Dat's what ya get for misbehavin'!"

"Oh, Misdreavus!" Rhyanna gasped in horror. "How could you be so awful?!"

"It's easier than you think for them!" Ash grabbed a Pokéball and turned to face Brock. "Let's get Misdreavus back!"

"Right! Sudowoodo, come out now!"

"Monferno, I choose you!"

"Meowth," Jessie grinned evilly. "Let's get that Dusk Stone and dust those dum-dums, stat!"

"Where it's at!" Meowth reached behind him and revealed a black remote control with a singular red button. "I'm down wit dis dilemma! So I've brought my happy place robo-remote! Emote!" With a press of the button, a giant Pidgey robot appeared over the horizon.

This sudden appearance did not go unnoticed by the others, either. "Whoa, I've never seen a Pidgey that big!" Mitchell exclaimed in awe.

"That's because they don't get that big!" Misty glanced at Dawn. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Without a doubt! Team Rocket!" Dawn and Misty both took off running after the machine. "Come on, Mitchell! Your sister's in trouble!"

"R-Right..."

As the robot landed in front of Monferno and Sudowoodo, both Pokémon were blown back towards their trainers. "Monferno, are you okay?!"

"There's no way that's a Pidgey!" Rhyanna exclaimed.

"It's Team Rocket's robot!" Brock replied. "We've gotta destroy it!"

"It's into da Porta-Pidgey Mk. II for you!" Meowth tossed the unconscious ghost-type into a hatch on the belly of the robot, then he and his cohorts leaped into the robot to take control of it. "Now whatcha gonna do, twoips?!"

"Misdreavus is trapped!" Rhyanna turned to Brock. "We can't destroy it now! Not while Misdreavus is inside!"

"Sudowoodo, use Double Edge and break that container!"

As Sudowoodo came charging at full speed, Jessie leaned to look over Meowth's shoulder. "Meowth, you do have a plan, correct?"

"Everyting I eva loined about Pidgey I programmed into da Porta-Pidgey Mk. II including an awesome Gust like you wouldn't believe!" As Meowth started pressing multiple buttons, a giant fan emerged from the top of the robot's head, blowing wind so hard that Sudowoodo was stopped cold, unable to fight the resistance. "Whatcha tink?!"

"I'm a fan of your work, Meowth," James chuckled. "But this is silly!"

Moments later, Sudowoodo was lifted off the ground by the wind and blown into the mine. "Sudowoodo, no!"

"Wow," Jessie beamed. "I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

"Alright, it's our turn! Monferno, use Mach Punch!"

"No ya don't!" Meowth triggered a pair of arms to emerge from the robot, and it formed a giant broom. "Next, Sand Attack!" The robot began sweeping at a breakneck pace, causing dust and dirt to swirl all around the fire monkey. "I love stirrin' tings up!"

"Monferno, hang in there!" Unfortunately, the fire/fighting-type wasn't able to keep going, his vision completely blurred by the artificial sandstorm. "No, Monferno!"

"How do you create doom and gloom with a broom?" James asked.

"That way," Jessie replied. "Since it's working!"

"And now it's dat time ta shoot a wing!"

"A wing?" James looked over at the cat curiously. "Surely you speak of Wing Attack, yes?"

"No, a wing!" Meowth pushed up on a large gray lever. "Watch while I hit da gas! Wow, what a blast!" The right wing of the Pidgey robot suddenly came loose. "Rocket Wing away!" And it flew at full throttle towards Monferno, slamming him back while he was still rubbing the dirt from his eyes. Monferno crashed into Sudowoodo who was just making his way back out of the mine, and both Pokémon were rendered unconscious. "Check it! A two for one special ta be proud of!"

"Excellent!" James grinned. "I love when you speak literally!"

"So let's get our gloves on that Dusk Stone and glide away!"

"A'ok!" Meowth pressed one more button. "Time ta play!"

"Monferno, return!" Ash recalled Monferno just as Brock did the same with Sudowoodo. "Thanks for trying, buddy."

"Give it back!"

Ash and Brock turned around to see Rhyanna fighting with a giant purple hand for possession of the Dusk Stone. "Oh no," Brock ran over to help. "Rhyanna!"

"Stop! Let go!"

"Hand ova da Dusk Stone and you can have your hands back!" Meowth shouted over the loudspeaker.

"I'll never let go!" But then Rhyanna shrieked as she was lifted off the ground, her refusal to release the Dusk Stone making her an unwitting passenger of the Porta-Pidgey Mk. II. "Put me down!"

"Those twerps just don't tire!" James exclaimed.

"Meowth," Jessie declared. "The time has come to drop her midair!"

"Dat sounds fair!"

The robot spread its mechanical wings and slowly ascended into the sky, past the cliff where Misty, Dawn and Mitchell had just reached to watch everything happening. "I knew it was Team Rocket!" Misty clenched a fist.

Dawn then gasped in horror as she pointed towards the arm sticking out of the robot. "Misty, look!"

"Oh no," Mitchell shouted. "Rhyanna!"

"You can't have Misdreavus and you're not getting the Dusk Stone!" Rhyanna shouted up at the criminals. "I need them both to make Mitchell feel happy again and that's that!"

"Ash!" Misty shouted from the top of the cliff. "You've gotta stop them before it's too late!"

"I know!" Then Ash looked down next to him as Pikachu was warming up a Thunderbolt. "Pikachu, wait! You can't use Thunderbolt while Misdreavus is in there!" Ash grabbed two more Pokéballs and threw them into the sky. "Staraptor, Charizard, I choose you!" Both Pokémon appeared and immediately went after the robot without any prompting. "We're counting on you guys!"

"I wanna help too!" Mitchell threw his own Pokéball. "Murkrow, come on out!" The Darkness Pokémon reappeared from its Pokéball without a sound, and flapped in place in front of Mitchell with a blank stare. "Murkrow, work with Staraptor and Charizard to save Rhyanna!" But Murkrow didn't budge, and just kept staring at its trainer. "Please, Murkrow, for me! Save my sister!" Mitchell's eyes began to water as Murkrow still didn't budge. "Murkrow?" Then finally, Murkrow smiled and cried out its agreement, flying off to join the other two flying-types in the rescue mission. "M-Murkrow, thank you!"

It didn't take long for the Pokémon to reach Team Rocket, as Charizard grabbed onto Rhyanna while Staraptor reeled back and unleashed a Brave Bird attack that shattered the hand holding onto the Dusk Stone.

"Gyaah!" Jessie shrieked. "No, not our Dusk Stone!" Then when Murkrow used Peck to free Misdreavus from its confines, Jessie smashed her face against the window to see it all happen. "I feel my happiness slipping away!"

"Meowth, unslip it!"

"U-toin comin' up!"

The robot turned around to give chase just as Charizard gently placed Rhyanna back on the ground in front of her brother. "Mitchell?"

"You're safe!" Mitchell dove and wrapped his arms around Rhyanna, tears streaming down his face as he snuggled into her chest. "I was so worried, I thought I was gonna lose you forever!"

"Oh, Mitchell, you could never lose me." Rhyanna hugged him back tight. "I'm just glad you're not mad at me anymore."

"Alright, this family reunion is over!" Jessie shouted.

"Give us back our bounty!" James added.

"No way!" Ash pointed towards the incoming robot. "Alright, Pikachu, now use Thunderbolt!"

"Piiikaaaaa..."

"How come I get da feelin' we're all leanin' into a punch?!"

"'Cause we are!"

"Waaah! Oh my poor exquisitely beautiful face!"

"Chuuuuuuuu!"

The Thunderbolt hit its mark, and within seconds the robot exploded. "We're blasting off again!"

*Ping*

"And that takes care of that." Ash dusted his hands and turned to his team. "Staraptor, Charizard, thanks for your help." He returned the flying-types to their balls. "You did great too, Pikachu."

"Pika!" (Thanks!)

"And thank you Murkrow! I'm so sorry for what I did to you, can you ever forgive me?" Mitchell was answered by Murkrow landing on Mitchell's head, causing the boy to laugh. "I guess that's a yes!"

"I'd say so." Ash nodded.

"I think now might be a good time to talk, Mitchell." Misty said as she placed a hand on Mitchell's shoulder. "This whole thing was just a big misunderstanding, and I know you love your sister as much as she loves you. Go on."

Mitchell groaned, walking up to face his smiling sister with shame all over his face. "Rhyanna, I'm sorry."

"No, I'm the one who's sorry. I assumed those pranks were yours." Rhyanna again wrapped her brother up into a hug. "Just promise you'll talk to me from now on when you're upset instead of running away, that's what I'm here for after all."

"I will. I promise."

"Is anyone else's heart about to burst or is it just me?" Dawn whispered to her friends as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"It's not just you." Misty replied as she wrapped her arm around Dawn's shoulders. "This is how siblings should be."

"Have I mentioned how lucky-"

"Yes, yes you have. And so am I."

Rhyanna and Mitchell finally separated, and then Rhyanna held up the Dusk Stone. "So what should we do with this? I don't need to evolve Misdreavus into Mismagius anymore, because you don't need a happiness spell anymore."

"I've got an idea!" Mitchell exclaimed excitedly. "How about whoever wins the most battles out of ten gets the stone!"

"Yeah!" Rhyanna nodded. "Great idea!"

"Let's do it!"

"It's such a relief to see you guys getting along again, like a family should!" Ash said as he stepped up to the siblings. "Just keep training hard together and there's no telling how far you two will go!"

"Thanks again for all your help," Rhyanna bowed at the trainers. "If there's ever anything I can do to repay you, just name it!"

"As a matter of fact!" Brock shouted. "I would-aaaah!"

"Like to say that isn't necessary? How noble of you, Brock." Misty said as she tugged on Brock's ear. "We really should be going. But you two take care!"

"Will we ever see you again?" Mitchell asked.

"I'm sure we'll meet again someday!" Dawn nodded. "And you can always make sure you tune in to the Grand Festival, because I'll be competing in it!"

"And we've gotta head to Sunyshore City so I can get my last gym badge and enter the Sinnoh League!"

"Oh, wow!" Mitchell's eyes began to sparkle. "You can bet we'll be watching for sure!"

Family disputes can arise, but in Rhyanna and Mitchell's situation, a little help from our own family of heroes has settled their disagreement once and for all. And so the journey continues.

A/N: And so the chapter comes to a close. We're getting close to some serious stuff, which means there are a lot of changes on the horizon to go with it. Again, I want to apologize profusely for the length of time it took for me to return to this story. The time flies so fast, it's scary. I've been making a lot of changes in my life, not the least of which is reviving my YouTube channel.

I'm doing a Pokemon Nuzlocke of Platinum. Fitting, considering what this story is all about. Also, I'm being promoted to assistant manager at my job, a promotion long overdue, IMHO. It's not the job I wanted, but we all have to find a way to survive. I would love to have the chance to entertain you all beyond just this story, so if you want to watch me play Pokemon, maybe ask questions along the way, you can subscribe to my channel: EchidnaPower, and I'll be leaving announcements for whenever I'm planning on streaming.

I thank you all once again for all the years of support you've given me and this story. I promised that I would see it through to the end, no matter how long it takes. I will make good on that promise. So with all that said, let me know what you thought of this latest installment, and I'll see you all next time.