A few days after the events of Victini, Reshiram, and Zekrom
"There it is, Castelia City, we're finally back." Rosa said.
"It's a shame Zekrom went back to sleep, I'd imagine most any gyms or trainers would not stand a chance against you with them by your side." Elliot commented.
"Yeah, look guys, I'm sorry I didn't let you in on what I was trying to figure out but…". Ash paused unsure how to explain his choices.
"You were holding what might have been a sealed legendary and if that information got out it could spell bad news for you, your friends, your family, and anyone you've ever known." Elliot commented.
"Yeah, that kind of sums it up." Ash admitted.
"We'll keep it a secret Ash, don't worry about that." Rosa assured. "Besides now you know that if someone comes after you for the dark stone, you have us to help as well."
"Right, thanks Rosa, and you too Elliot, I know this is all a lot to take in." Ash said.
"Of course." Elliot responded.
Back on the docks
"So Ash, is your plan to head to the gym now that we're here again?" Elliot asked.
"Yeah, after getting knocked out of the sky, I think Braviary is itching for a fight." Ash remarked.
"What about Hugh?" Rosa asked.
"The guy from the trainer school, I mean sure but what are the chances of, oh its Hugh." Ash said, noticing the boy walking up.
"About time you got here Ash. When I mentioned you to Burgh he said you never challenged him and had left on a trip so I figured I'd wait around until you got back for a rematch."
"Sounds good to me Hugh. I could use a warm up for my gym battle, how many Pokemon?" Ash asked.
"Three on three, if you think you can handle it." Hugh said, holding out a Pokeball.
"Bring it on. Darumaka I choose you!" Ash said, sending out his fire type.
"Daru!" Darumaka exclaimed, hopping back and forth with a pink ribbon tied above them.
"Rosa!" Ash groaned, having known she had gone shopping with Darumaka and Lillipup on their trip.
"What she likes it." Rosa remarked.
"Enough chatter, Trapinch let's go!" Hugh called out. "Use Sand Tomb!"
"Darumaka use Flame Wheel!"
Darumaka rolled up into a ball, engulfing herself in flames as she rolled at Trapinch getting hit by swirling sands along the way, striking the ground type.
"Trapinch use Bite!"
"Darumaka use Fire Fang!"
The two Pokemon bit each other, flailing about in each other's grasp.
"Trapinch use Rock Tomb!"
"Darumaka use Headbutt!"
Darumaka was trapped by a group of rocks, being knocked around by them.
"Trapinch use Sand Tomb!"
"Darumaka use Flame Wheel!"
Darumaka engulfed herself in flames only for the boulders to come crashing into her with a wave of sand as well, knocking her out.
"You've gotten better, I'll admit, but you haven't won yet." Ash said, returning Darumaka.
"You have only seen some of our training." Hugh said. "Trapinch return! Come out Tranquil!"
"This is good, Ash can use Pikachu and easily even out the match." Rosa said.
"Or he can save Pikachu for the final round for something stronger of Hughs." Elliot remarked.
"Braviary come out!" Ash exclaimed.
"And he went for Braviary." Rosa sighed.
"Braviary use Hone Claws!"
"Tranquill use Air Cutter!"
The two birds took to the air, with Tranquill sending out a sweep of razor sharp air, striking Braviary and knocking him back a small amount.
"Braviary use Aerial Ace!"
"Tranquill use Quick Attack!"
Braviary and Tranquill rushed at each other, slamming into one another with great force, knocking them both back.
"Tranquill use Leer!"
"Braviary use Hone Claws!"
Braviary flexed his talons, as Tranquill sent a terrifying gaze at the larger bird only for Braviary to appear to be even more angered and strong from the move.
"Braviary use Aerial Ace!"
"Tranquill use Quick Attack!"
The two launched at each other once more, striking in mid air as Braviary pushed through with Tranquill dropping to the ground below.
"How did Leer not do more, I could have sworn it would've been better than that?" Hugh asked.
"Braviary's ability, Defiant, when you lowered his defense you greatly boosted his attack." Elliot remarked. "Though using Air Cutter with Tranquill was a smart move."
"it was?" Ash asked curiously.
"Tranquill tend to have the ability Super Luck, which increases their chances to land a direct decisive attack on an opponent, and Air Cutter has that increased chance as well. Combine them with an item like a Scope Lense, and it will almost guarantee a critical strike." Elliot remarked.
"Elliot, don't give the opponent advice like that!" Rosa argued.
"We can all learn from battle strategies, no harm in learning from others." Ash said. "I've lost track of how many people I was on opposing sides from that I learned things from. Rivals, gym leaders, even other peoples rivals or siblings."
"You have, I''m sure it was only once or twice though." Rosa said.
"I've lost count of how many times it's happened honestly." Ash admitted. "But round three, my turn. Snivy I choose you!"
"Well then time for my secret weapon, come out Tepig!". Hugh called out.
"Grass vs Fire, Ash has an uphill battle." Rosa admitted.
"Well not when you consider…" Elliot said, getting stopped by Rosa.
"Ehp ehp ehp, no spoilers yet." Rosa reminded.
"Snivy use Aqua Tail!"
"Tepig use Flame Charge!"
"Sni?"
"Teh!"
The two Pokemon saw each other, running over to one another and hugging.
"Wait, I'm confused." Elliot said.
"Yeah, so am I." Hugh admitted.
"Ash, do you think?" Rosa asked.
"Hugh, just curious where did you catch your Tepig?" Ash asked.
"Huh, oh you know the strangest thing, I didn't catch Tepig, I found their Pokeball just floating near the docks when I got here, why?" Hugh asked.
"A bit back, when we were first in Virbank, Rosa and I encountered a traveler bringing three Pokemon to Professor Juniper, my Snivy, a Tepig, and an Oshawott. Team Plasma was trying to take and free them and the Pokeballs were accidentally knocked into the water, I was only able to find Snivy's that day." Ash admitted.
"So you think my Tepig is part of that trio?" Hugh asked.
"There's a good chance based on what you said." Ash pointed out. "But if you're ready to keep going, Snivy all set?"
"Sni!" Snivy declared, leaping back.
"All good to go Tepig?" Hugh questioned.
"Te-Pig!" Tepig said in agreement.
"Alright, Snivy use Aqua Tail!"
"Tepig use Flame Charge!"
Snivy easily swatted Tepig back with his tail by drawing in water from the surrounding area as some embers singed the grass type.
"Tepig use Ember!"
"Snivy use Energy Ball!"
Snivy flipped in the air, unleashing an energy ball that took the ember attack both dissipating in the middle.
"Snivy close the gap and use another Aqua Tail!"
"Tepig use Flame Charge!"
Tepig rushed forward, coating themselves in flames before striking into Snivy, the water and flames resulting in a burst of steam leaving both Pokemon knocked out.
"Good work this time Hugh, you've definitely gotten some strong new Pokemon." Ash said.
"Thanks, but don't you think I should return Tepig to Professor Juniper?" Hugh asked.
"I'm sure when we meet them if we explain what happened it will all be fine." Ash said.
"I am curious about something though." Elliot admitted walking up. "Ash, you have Snivy, and Hugh has Tepig, where did the Oshawott go?"
Elsewhere in Unova
"Osha?" An Oshawott said, having finally gotten out of their Pokeball to see a stadium in front of them but no one or nothing they recognized in sight.