@sethelephant

Ash got the Glacier Badge from Pryce in chapter 72, Pryce Ice Baby. No worries

Authors Note

So for those of you reading this when it came out, where was I this time? Playing Paper Mario TTYD on the switch, I am not ashamed that I have been playing that and not writing, so sue me, actually don't sue me it wouldn't go far on this alone. Anyways onto the story!

"Did Ash tell you what he was up to?" Casey asked, prepping her bag.

"No, I was hoping he might have told you." Molly admitted.

After Ash's failed attempt to even see Clair's full team, he seems to be taking some time to come up with a new winning strategy, but with the power of dragons on her side, is there even a winning strategy to be found?

"So, what's the Pokemon for today, I'm guessing a water type." Molly commented.

"Last one, apparently there are Marill that can swim upstream just south of the city. They get that strong from all the cliffs." Casey explained.

"And you think Remoraid and Qwilfish can help with that?" Molly asked.

"It can't hurt to try." Casey reminded, grabbing any supplies she might need. "You coming along?"

"Might as well, the only other point of interest for me is the Dragon's Den and they wouldn't let me in." Molly said, following Casey out of the Pokemon Center.

South of the city

"Alright, Qwilfish, Remoraid, come out!" Casey called, sending out both water types into the pond. "We're looking for a Marill, when you find one send it back up this way." Casey added, showing a photo of the blue orb like Pokemon.

"So what's your plan next?" Molly asked.

"Catch the Marill." Casey said. "Maybe get some lunch."

"Not today, just I mean what's next for you?" Molly asked, looking at the pond.

"I guess I didn't think much about that. You know maybe go to Kanto take on a few gyms, catch some more black and yellow Pokemon." Casey said. "These Pokemon were a fun challenge to find, but I'm not sure if I want to keep going for rare and unique Pokemon. What about you?"

"I'm going to go home, I want to join my dads research team." Molly admitted. "After all our adventures I'd like to keep learning more about the legends of the world."

"How do you think Ash'll react?" Casey asked. "If we both part ways after the Silver Conference?"

"I mean I think he still believes you're only traveling with us because we get along." Molly teased.

"Shut up! I told you there's nothing to tell him!" Casey argued.

"You like him, you should tell him before you leave." Molly pointed out.

"Look, future Ash, he, he acted as if he hadn't seen us in years, maybe that me did tell him and he reacted poorly." Casey said.

"He hadn't seen us in years, 15 years we probably changed to, plus he didn't seem angry upon seeing you." Molly pointed out. "And that was a different future than the one we'll have. You should tell him before you regret it!"

"I know, I know, just he's always so weird about trying to help, half the time he wants me to do it on my own and the other half he wants to do it for me." Casey said, looking into the pond. "They've been down a while now, haven't they."

"Yeah, they should have been up by now, right?" Molly asked, trying to find Casey's Qwilfish and Remoraid. "Wait I see something coming!"

Casey looked where Molly was pointing to see a pair of red glowing eyes going right towards them.

"That's not mine!" Casey said, grabbing Molly out of the way as the creature launched out of the water.

"Feraligatr?" Molly asked, seeing the large blue croc in front of them.

The Feraligatr turned, showing his missing tooth, with both of Casey's water types knocked out in his hands.

"Qwilfish! Remoraid! What did you do?!" Casey demanded causing Feraligatr to look confused.

"Look at the bruising." Molly said.

"I can see that, Feraligatr lost yesterday so now he's picking on smaller Pokemon?!" Casey said.

"No, look, those bruises are too small to have been made by Feraligatr." Molly pointed out.

"Then what could have done it?" Casey asked.

"A Marill strong enough to swim up stream and even up waterfalls." Ash said, approaching from the south.

"Ash, what are you doing out here?" Casey asked, having thought he was still in town.

"Training, and it's lucky I was by the looks of it." Ash said, walking over. "Feraligatr do you think you can find whatever did this to them?"

Feraligatr nodded, setting the two fish down before diving back into the water.

"This is a deceptively deep pond." Molly said, as Feraligatr disappeared.

"So how's training going?" Casey asked.

"Good, we met with some experts in town, gave us a few tricks and then some from elsewhere." Ash said, waiting patiently. "He's coming, be ready."

"Elekid, let's go!" Casey called out her electric type.

Feraligatr leapt out of the water, landing on a higher cliff as a Marill was left on the other side of the group, keeping it away from the water.

"Elekid use Thunder Punch!" Casey called out.

Elekid rushed forward, swinging their arms and striking the Marill with a charged fist. The Marill got up and retaliated with a Bubblebeam.

"Elekid counter with Swift!"

Stars shot from Elekid's horns popping all the bubbles.

"Now finish it with Thunderbolt!" Casey called out.

A bolt of electricity shot out from between Elekid's prongs, striking the Marill.

"Pokeball Go!" Casey called out, throwing the Pokeball as the Marill.

'Ding Ding Ding.'

"I caught it, that's all of them." Casey said, picking up the Pokeball.

"Are you two good to get back from here?" Ash asked to make sure.

"Yeah, I think we're good, thanks." Molly said.

"Alright, Feraligatr, let's keep going, we still have more training to do." Ash said, as his water type hopped back down.

"Wait Ash!" Casey said.

"What is it?" Ash asked, making sure she's alright.

"Thanks, I know I don't always enjoy you stepping in, but you saved Remoraid and Qwilfish today." Casey said.

"Of course, not a problem. I'm glad we were here when you needed help." Ash said, as he, Feraligatr, and Pikachu jogged back to Blackthorn City.

"You didn't tell him!" Molly hissed.

"I panicked, I didn't know what to say in the moment." Casey argued. "We should head back to town so my Pokemon can rest."

Casey's Current Team and their Moves

Bayleef: Razor Leaf - Vine Whip - Body Slam - Sweet Scent

Beedrill: Twin Needle - Fury Attack - Poison Sting - Pursuit

Elekid: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Thunder Punch - Swift

In Rotation

Rattata: Quick Attack

Pidgey: Tackle

Dunsparce: Dig - Headbutt

Qwilfish: Pin Missile - Bubblebeam - Poison Sting

Yanma:

Snubbull:

Tauros:

Remoraid:

Marill: Bubblebeam - Waterfall