Upon meeting Iris, Misty had learned her lesson and promptly hid behind a tree; a move which saved her from being shocked by Pikachu's Thunderbolt. Iris looked a bit sheepish and muttered an apology to Pikachu to which Pikachu also apologized for.

"I really am sorry, it's my first time seeing a Pikachu, Larvitar, and a Gible." The girl went on and gushed about how rare those Pokemon were and how glad she was to have seen them, especially Gible, since it's a dragon-type.

Ash waved it off, apologetic since he didn't mean to throw a Pokeball at her. "Nah, it's alright, Iris."

"Did you have any bike?" Misty asked, warily. Ash shot her a dirty look but Misty ignored it.

Iris shook her head. "No, I was just traveling by foot. Are you two new here?"

Misty nodded, "Think you can show us the way?"

"Sure! I wasn't doing anything now, I didn't catch up to that storm in Nuvema," Iris exclaimed and began walking the path.

Misty paused in her tracks before continuing, Ash was still searching for new Pokemon to catch after his failed and disastrous attempt to catch Axew. Speaking of which, Pikachu, Axew, Gible, and Larvitar was playing ahead of them.

"Well, that wasn't really a storm. Professor Juniper said it was… Zekrom and Reshiram," Misty shared.

Iris abruptly halted as she turned to Misty. Misty was surprised by the sudden burst of interest.

"What do you mean?! You saw them?!" Iris squealed. Misty chuckled at the younger's reactions.

"No, not really, I saw a silhouette. Ash saw them for a bit though."

Iris's jaw dropped but before she could ask another question, they turned to Ash as he excitedly exclaimed that he will catch a Deerling. Ash chased down the Deerling, albeit unsuccessfully. Iris made an offhand comment how Ash didn't seem to know how capturing a Pokemon works to which Misty only laughed.

"Don't you know you need to battle the Pokemon before capturing it?" she sighed, resigned, and then turned to Misty. "Is he always like that, you know, like a kid?"

Misty snorted. "Oh, you have no idea. You get used to it though."

Three figures can be seen in a small, tiny cave, huddling around a laptop where they were talking to a man whose black hair, brown eyes, and firm lines on his face was enough to instill fear to a lot of people.

"Ah, I see you've arrived safely," Giovanni drawled.

James nodded. "Yes, we infiltrated the Unova region on time."

Jessie added, "We will be chasing after Pikachu and the Unovan Legendary Pokemon."

Giovanni, dismissing the comment about Pikachu, grew interested at the mention of Legendary Pokemon.

"To do this, we would need Pokemon. Thus, we request the Pokemon we have in the HQ."

Giovanni's secretary, Matori, inserted herself in the conversation.

"I'm afraid that won't happen. Using Pokemon not native to Unova can draw attention to you, and that is not something we want. Unfortunately, you will have to catch some new ones," she added, tersely.

James and Jessie had to hide their disheartened expressions and nodded at this announcement.

"If that is all, I'm sure you won't let me down."

The screen promptly went black, signaling that the connection has ended. Back at Kanto, Matori slipped a cup of tea at the table to serve Giovanni. Giovanni took the cup and sipped.

Matori spoke up, albeit unsurely, "Are you sure those three will be successful?"

Giovanni shrugged off the question. "They are my starting move in this game of chess, Matori. They are mere means to the road of victory, but not necessarily the reason."

Giovanni chuckled, menacingly, "Besides, I'm sure their presence will threaten the secret organization from the Unova to come out of the shadows."

Back at the cave, the trio encountered a flock of bats.

Night approached and they camped out, chatting amicably about the events transpiring during Ash and Misty's first day in Unova.

"I'd love to meet Zekrom and Reshiram, someday. I can't wait!" Iris announced to which Misty muttered out, "It might be sooner than you think if you keep traveling with us."

However, Iris hadn't caught this as she had fallen asleep. Misty giggled at the sight and turned to Ash, gaze softening as he saw the trainer lean back with his hands and look up at the twinkling stars in the Unova skies.

"Hey, Ash. How're you feeling?"

Ash, never looking away from the skies, answered, "I feel great, Mist. It's great meeting new kinds of Pokemon."

Misty shook her head fondly as she smiled warmly, "Only you, Ash."

Misty then remembered something and hushed out, "Giratina's following your journey in the Reverse World, right?"

"Yup! I figured that if I brought him with me, I couldn't add members to my team. But if he was roaming, he could come out and help if we were in danger. Besides, I don't think I could use him and let him out while we're traveling, that would attract more attention."

Misty nodded at this and was startled when Ash exclaimed, "Hey, look a shooting star!"

Pikachu and Misty looked up and indeed, a shooting star passed by.

"It's kind of a good luck, right? We sure are lucky. From now on, we'll be traveling under this sky."

Morning arrived and Misty and Ash wondered why Iris wasn't with them when they woke up. Misty figured that she went well on her way to which Ash agreed. Walking the path, Ash and Pikachu looked up only to see a lone, small bird with a large white plume that covers its head, a crown and a large feather on its face, flying overhead and seemed to have a determined look at its face as the Pokemon noticed the electric rodent.

"Hey, look at that, a Rufflet!" a voice from behind said. Iris had caught up with the Ash, Misty, and Pikachu.

Ash then flashed his Pokedex, and the Dex laid out information.

Rufflet, The Eaglet Pokemon. Rufflet's talons are powerful. Able to crack open even the toughest Berries. It often challenges stronger opponents to battle.

"You seemed surprised that a Rufflet's here, Iris. Aren't they native here?" Misty inquired.

Iris promptly replied, "Well, yeah, it is. It's just you don't normally see them around these areas."

Ash took in the information. "Is that so? Hear that buddy? I think Rufflet sees you as a strong opponent. How about it, wanna battle?"

"Pika!" Pikachu replied enthusiastically. Ash addressed the Rufflet.

"Hey, Rufflet! Wanna battle?"

The Eaglet Pokemon let out an affirmative squawk as it dived down to attack Pikachu. Ash promptly ordered a Quick Attack to dodge, and Pikachu just managed to swerve – avoiding the hit from Rufflet. Rufflet wasn't fazed, though. The bird Pokemon turned around and stretched its wings to hit Pikachu with a Wing Attack in his chest.

Ash smirked. "Iron Tail, Pikachu, now that it's close enough."

Surely, the rodent's tail glowed and adapted a grayish-iron color. Rufflet noticed this and attempted to dodge but it was sent stumbling towards the ground as Pikachu hit Rufflet's back. Rufflet seemed to have affinity in battling that it immediately flew after hitting the ground with a thud, flapping his wings fast to send a Gust to Pikachu, which hit the rodent and followed it up with Quick Attack and Air Slash which connected.

Rufflet smirked as it attempted to finish Pikachu with a Quick Attack but Pikachu narrowly dodges and Ash ordered a super-effective Thunderbolt. Pikachu, without hesitation, charged up and the spark of electricity hit Rufflet, the small avian bird started falling as the attack waned but Ash managed to throw a Pokeball before it completely hit the ground.

The Pokeball twitched three times and stilled, signifying a successful capture. Ash and Pikachu did a pose as they celebrated their victory and a new addition to his team. Ash picked it up and promptly sent Rufflet out of its Pokeball. The tired avian emerged with a determined look still on its face.

"That was an… impressively good battle, Ash. You should have done that with the Deerling, I wouldn't have called you a kid," Iris commented. Ash shot back, "Hey, you're younger than me, have some respect!"

Iris stuck out her tongue and Misty giggled at the banter before replying, "Ash mostly let his heart and emotions first, but he can be an unorthodox tactical strategist in battles."

Ash faced Rufflet, as he rummaged his bag for an Oran berry. "Hey, Rufflet! Here, boy, this would make you feel a bit better after that tiring battle."

Ash handed out the berry and the bird promptly chomped it down. Ash chuckled at the sight, "You do have a strong beak, huh? What do you say in joining me conquer the Unova league?"

Rufflet matched his new trainer's eyes as it glinted dangerously. "Rufflet!" 'Let me at 'em!'

Axew climbed out of Iris's hair and called Pikachu over. Splitting the apple he had in half, he gave the other half to Pikachu.

"That was so cool, Pikachu! I want to battle like that, too," Axew excitedly said, as he bit his apple a bit.

Pikachu did too, chuckling. "Well, it's lots of experience and practice. I can help you with it!"

Axew's eyes sparkled, "Really?"

Before the Pikachu can even reply, mechanical hands stretched and captured them.

"Hey! Who are you guys?" Iris shouted angrily. "Give us back our Pokemon!"

Ash answered for Iris, as he growled lowly, "They're Team Rocket, a group of bad guys trying to steal other people's Pokemon."

Team Rocket promptly recited their motto.

"Oh no!" Iris whimpered. "And wait, did that Meowth talk?"

Meowth preened at the attention. "Yes, I did. I'm a genius like dat."

Misty shrugged, "I doubt. Besides, they haven't succeeded for years, though."

A tic emerged at Jessie's forehead, "Hey! Take that back!"

Misty slyly drawled, "Give back Pikachu and Axew, and I might."

James promptly locked Pikachu and Axew in a glass box. "No way!"

Rufflet growled dangerously as he pecked Ash to get his attention. Immediately getting what Rufflet wanted to do, he nodded.

"Rufflet, go!"

Jessie smirked. "Pokemon from Kanto are strong. Show them, Meowth!"

"With pleasure!"

Meowth jumped and attempted to damage Rufflet with a Fury Swipes but he was sent flying backwards with Gust. Jessie growled, "Well, how's this for size?"

Jessie threw a Pokeball and with it emerged a bat-like Pokemon with a heart-shaped stamp as a nose. A Woobat, they learned the name as Iris exclaimed.

"Hmm, Woobat's name has a good ring to it, and that is a good thing! Woobat, Air Slash!"

Blades of air were produced and sent flying to Rufflet but the persistent eaglet managed to avoid them. Rufflet used Quick Attack but Woobat dodged it and flapped its wings to produce Gust. It sent Rufflet flying but not out for the count. As they faced off, Team Rocket prepared their balloon for escape. Misty noticed that it was a sleek design, not the stupid Meowth one they used from the past.

Misty was going to send a Pokemon from her belt but Ash called for her. "Hey, Misty! Take care of Rufflet's fight, will you?"

Before Misty can even react, Ash dashed off to climb a tree seeing that the balloon was gaining altitude. Iris followed his actions but Ash had already leapt from the tree. He narrowly missed the glass box and fell to the ground. He tuned out Misty and Iris's concerns and focused on how they can get Pikachu and Axew back.

His mind whirred as he thought of the options. Pikachu can use Thunderbolt but he knew Team Rocket put them in a glass box so that if Pikachu tried something, he would also damage Axew. Axew might be resistant to electric-type attacks but Ash figured it would hurt the little dragon since it was still young.

He could send out Gible but Draco Meteor would damage the surrounding area. Larvitar can attack with Rock Smash but the problem was getting him near the glass box, and he knew Rufflet couldn't carry the heavy Pokemon yet. Giratina was now eagerly asking him from their mental link established for their communication.

'Allow me,' Giratina said.

Ash vehemently denied this. 'No, this thing is too trivial for you to reveal yourself. Besides, I don't want Team Rocket catching on that I have you in my team, now. That would put you in danger. As far as they know, the last day in Sinnoh was a coincidence.'

Giratina grumbled but didn't protest. He knew Ash was right.

Ash was running out of options but luckily, an Oshawott emerged from nowhere and promptly threw his scalchop towards Team Rocket, puncturing the balloon and crashing the aircraft. The glass box broke consequently, and Iris and Ash caught their respective Pokemons. Oshawott caught his scalchop back and placed it at his stomach, dancing in joy as he did so.

Team Rocket seethed in anger.

"Ugh, that pesky blue brat of a Pokemon! Woobat, Air Slash!"

The attack hit Rufflet and sent him falling down to which Misty caught the Pokemon before it hit the ground. Woobat went to Jessie's side and sent another Air Slash towards Pikachu and Axew only for Oshawott to intercept it with Water Gun. The Water Gun connected and hit Woobat sending it flying towards Team Rocket.

Ash ordered Pikachu to use Volt Tackle but Team Rocket, surprisingly, made a tactical retreat as James dropped a smoke bomb. Panting heavily, Pikachu dropped to the ground and so did Axew. Worried to the situation of the Pokemon they had, Misty exclaimed, "Let's hurry to the Pokemon Center to get them healed. Ash, you take the Oshawott, too, let's get him checked up."

"Right," Ash nodded as he cradled Pikachu and turned around to talk to Oshawott.

"Hey, buddy. Let's get you checked out at a Pokemon Center, I know you're exhausted too," Ash said with a smile and extended a hand, beckoning Oshawott to come with him.

Oshawott's eyes sparkled as he enthusiastically said, "Oshawott!"

More canon divergence. Idk, I know that Rufflet does come late in-game but it made more sense to me that Rufflet's the regional bird he catches in Unova rather than Pidove. The bird's got that Ash vibe to it than Pidove. XD. As for the "you're younger" comment from Ash, well, it was ridiculous that he's still ten in Unova. So, uh, Ash's 15 - turning 16 - in this fic. Misty's about the same age. Iris would be 13. Cilan would be 17. N would be 20-21.

Anyway, thank you for your mostly positive reviews!