You're a Star, Pikachu!

Ash and his friends were walking across Skyarrow Bridge, walking along the side path which was meant for trainers as the road portion of the bridge was reserved for vehicles traveling to and from Castelia City. "I can't wait to get there, it feels like it's been forever since my last Gym battle!"

"Pi Pikachu!"

"It's only been a week and a half." Hilda sweated.

"And it'll be another week before Burgh gets back to Castelia." Cilan added on.

Ash uttered out a groan, sure they could skip Castelia as Unova had more than enough Gyms to get the eight badges he needed but that would feel like a wasted trip. There had to be something they could do to kill time while they waited for Burgh to return to his Gym. Gym Leaders were perfectly free to wander and leave their Gyms unattended for a time, though Ash heard that in some regions such as Galar the Gym Leaders had to wait for the current League season to end if they wanted to take a vacation but he also heard that it was why they frequently swapped out Gym Leaders to give others a much needed break or cause they retired.

"Well it is Castelia City, one of the largest cities in the world." Cilan spoke while enthusiastically gesturing towards the large city that was forming in the distance. The buildings stretched towards the sky above and the city seemingly stretched out for miles. It was certainly one of the most impressive cities that Ash had seen, the buildings even put some of Saffron's most notable structures to shame.

"What about that City out there?" Ash asked while pointing across the river that bordered Castelia City. Cilan followed his gaze towards a smaller city that appeared to be a port city as it was full of cargo ships, smoke and fog covered up a majority of the view from where they were standing making it impossible to see much else.

"Oh, that's Virbank City. You never want to go there." Cilan frowned while shaking his head. "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than you will in Virbank."

"It's that bad?" Brock asked.

"Oh yeah, my brother used to have a bicycle but he ended up losing it within a minute of leaving it unattended there." Hilda spoke. "He went around on foot ever since."

"Why was he over there? It looks out of the way." Ash commented while squinting towards the fog covered city.

"To battle the Gym Lea-" Hilda paused as Cilan hastily waved his arms while shaking his head at her, all while having a pleading expression. They all knew how Ash got as soon as he learned there was somebody that he could challenge to a Pokémon battle.

"There's a Gym in Virbank City?!" Ash excitedly exclaimed.

"Pikachu..." Pikachu flattened his ears as he wasn't exactly sure about going over there after hearing what Cilan and Hilda told them.

"Wait are we waiting for?! We'll take a boat to Virbank then come right back to Castelia once I got my third badge!" Ash exclaimed before excitedly rushing off down the bridge path. "Let's go!"

"Pika..." Pikachu sighed out before chasing after his trainer. Brock, Hilda and Cilan shared grim expressions before following after Ash.

"Hello?" N called out upon waking up in a dark room. He tried moving his arms only to find himself tied to a chair. "What...?" He struggled to break free when the door began creaking open. N was about to call out before a figure rushed forward, covering his mouth with her hand.

"Relax, I'm not here to hurt you." N's eyes widened as he realized the individual that had gotten the drop on him was Brooke.

"B-Brooke?!"

"Shush!" Brooke hissed while shooting a panicked glance towards the door. "Believe it or not, we're on the same side!"

N was rather skeptical about that. "How do you know...?"

"Because I'm actually a spy for the International Police, it's my job to read people." She explained.

"So you're not that silly dimwitted girl after all?" N questioned.

"No, that's just an act. An act which many people fall for. 'Oh look at that blonde girl, isn't it cute how dense she is?'" She giggled out. "Being a flirt works wonders too, puts away any doubt that you're playing them for fools."

"Then why are you talking to me?"

"Because you're the only one here that could be woken up to the truth and can help me. Well Brick might know but he can't talk and I've got the feeling he's going to run the first chance he gets, it's crucial we get Hilda's brother out of here. He is part of Ghetsis' plan to take over the world, something about being the 'Hero of Ideals'?"

"The Hero of Ideals?" N's eyes widened. When he was younger, Ghetsis always told him a story about two brothers known as the Hero of Ideals and the Hero of Truth who battled against an evil wizard named Kyurem with the help of their dragons Zekrom and Reshiram. Perhaps there was some truth to that story? "You mean he can summon Zekrom...?"

"Yes, Ghetsis gave him the Dark Stone ages ago but all he can do is control the lightning within the sword. He can't summon Zekrom from it." Brooke explained. "It's only a matter of time before they figure out how to do it though."

"So that's what he wants, he wants to use the Dragons to take over the region." N frowned before realizing something. "Hold up, if he's the Hero of Ideals then who's the Hero of Truth?"

"That I'm afraid I can't answer as I don't rightfully know myself." Brooke shrugged. "We got to figure out a way to get him out of here, it's clear that he's still the same person despite the brainwashing and torture they did. I'm willing to guess he built up a resistance to the brainwashing over time." It wasn't unheard of, certain people who were constantly hit by the same attacks were more resistant to the attack than most humans. However it wasn't always consistent, electricity still seemed to hurt him despite that being the main means of torturing him. So much so that Pikachu threatening him triggered some PTSD.

"If that's the case then why didn't he just leave with Hilda once she found out who he was?" N questioned.

"That is what I'm coming to you for, you never have to leave Plasma Castle and are usually forced to remain here while I'm constantly sent out on missions. I believe that one of his Pokémon is still alive and held somewhere in the castle. I need you to find it."

"But even if I do, how can I possibly free it without getting caught?" N questioned.

"That's simple, soon enough there will be a war between Team Rocket and Team Plasma. Everyone apart from you and your concubines-"

"They're not my concubines; I have no interest in that stuff." N simply spoke.

"Regardless how you feel, my point stands. It's just going to be you three here as Ghetsis will be bringing everything he has to the fight against Team Rocket, so you'll have an opening to find the Pokémon and free it. As soon as he no longer has reason to stay, Ghetsis will be down a dragon and be an easier target for us to take out!"

"You don't mean you aim to kill him, do you?" N questioned.

"Nope." Brooke shook her head. "We want him to stand trial, we're starting to believe that he's tied to another organization running around and he could prove useful in taking them down."

"I'm not sure he'll cooperate." N stated before giving Brooke a nod. "But I'm willing to help, I want Hilda to be happy and if he really is holding a Pokémon hostage then I need to set it free. I couldn't live with myself otherwise."

Ash and his friends arrived in Virbank City and within a few minutes, Ash was shown that Cilan wasn't wrong about Virbank. They were nearing the Pokémon Center where a group of thugs in black leather jackets could be seen graffitiing the walls.

"Heheh. 'You suck, Alder!' Nice one!"

"Thanks!" The leader of the punks smirked while appreciating his work. Ash's eyes narrowed and his fists clenched as he quickly made his way forward. "Hey!"

The punks quickly turned around and looked Ash in the eye. "What?"

"Clean that up now, a Pokémon Center is a sacred place where people go to heal their injured Pokémon!"

"So?"

"We don't own any Pokémon, Team Plasma's right about one thing. You trainers are a bunch of punks!"

"Say that again?!"

"Pika?!"

"Ash, don't-" Hilda spoke but it was too late.

"Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachuuuu!" Sparks flew from Pikachu's cheeks as he gave the punks an electrical shock.

"Ahhhhhhh!" The trio cried out as the electricity flowed through them before promptly collapsing on the spot as swirls filled their eyes. "Ugh..."

"What did you do?" Hilda groaned, shaking her head while several onlookers began muttering.

"Team Plasma is right."

"Those punks had no Pokémon and that boy just electrocuted them with his Pikachu!"

"We should kick his butt!"

"No, he'll just do the same to us. Let's get out of here." Hilda narrowed her eyes.

"See? You need to be careful how you interact with civilians, we can't be having more people enlist with Team Plasma. They're the villains!"

"You're right, I'm sorry." Ash sweated while rubbing the back of his neck. He couldn't help it, he always got hotheaded whenever people insulted him or his Pokémon.

"Hold up there, my good sir! Jesse, make sure you get a good angle of that Pikachu!"

"Yes sir!" What appeared to be a director and his cameraman came racing up onto the scene, Pikachu uttered out a cry of alarm as the camera was practically shoved into his face.

"Chaaaa!"

"What's going on?!" Ash exclaimed from alarm while the others backed off.

"My boy, I'm going to make that Pikachu a star!"

"I think Ash just met a lunatic." Cilan sweated.

"What?! I'm no lunatic!" The director shouted out. "I've wrote tons of movies and they're all major blockbusters! Have you never seen Full Metal Cop, Brycen-Man-"

Cilan squealed at the name. "Brycen-Man?! I'm a huge fan and a big movie connoisseur! Ash this is Mr. Gold, he's the director of countless beloved films such as those and the Big Monster and Giant Woman franchises!"

"Giant woman?! Where?!" Brock excitedly looked around.

"He wasn't talking about an actual giant woman." Hilda facepalmed. "Anyways aren't those movies only popular because you fill them with explosions and hot chicks?"

Mr. Gold's eye twitched. "No! Who told you that?!"

"My brother, I don't watch movies." Hilda stated.

"Well your brother must have poor taste then cause my movies are great! Let me guess, he's one of those people that love the maniac who runs around in a mask and bedsheets as he stabs people."

Hilda sweated. "Yes actually, he was a huge fan but I don't see-"

"Uh huh, I don't want to hear another word from you. You're dead to me." Mr. Gold held up his hand towards her causing Hilda to silently scowl.

"Look kid, how would you and your friends like a trip to Pokestar Studios?" Mr. Gold asked while gesturing further along the street. "We're actually filming a movie that you and that Pikachu would be perfect for! It won't take too much of your time either!"

"Is it the new Brycen-Man?!" Cilan excitedly asked.

"Huh? Nope, that's rebooted. We need to recast the villain as the last actor turned out to be a real piece of work."

"Not again." Cilan groaned out.

Ash looked thoughtful for a moment as he turned towards Pikachu. "What do you say, Pikachu? You want to star in a movie?!" He thought it could be a fun way to kill some time, even if he went straight to the Virbank Gym he still needed to wait for Burgh to return to Castelia.

"Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu excitedly cried out.

"Then it's settled, let's go!" Mr. Gold excitedly grabbed Ash by the hand and began dragging him through the streets of Virbank.

"Just you wait, Pikachu! If he does make you a star, the female Pokémon won't get enough of you! You're going to be a lucky guy!" Brock exclaimed while wiping tears from his eyes, silently wishing that it could be him.

"Pika..." Pikachu flattened his ears at the idea, hoping that it wouldn't be the case.

Pokestar Studios was quite the opposite of the rest of the city as it was quite colorful and lively, with a security team guarding the gates to stop punks from coming in to spread their graffiti. The studio even had its own movie theatre complete with a set of red carpet for stars to walk on for the movie premieres.

"Wow." Cilan breathed, snapping pictures of various actors and actresses as they walked through the studio. Croagunk ended up jabbing Brock at least six different times within the short period of arrival.

"Right this way please," Mr. Gold led Ash further along the studios, passing a sidewalk that had several Pokémon pawprints formed into it.

That's the walk of fame where the Pokestars leave their footprints!" Cilan squealed, his eyes darted back and forth before eagerly pointing out two sets of pawprints in particular. "Look those pawprints belong to Brycen's Beartic!"

"Whose Brycen again?" Ash questioned.

"He's the Ice type Gym Leader of the Unova region." Hilda spoke, recalling that he was the seventh Gym Leader her brother had beaten.

"Ah cool then I can battle him as well!" Ash clenched his fists together as he quickly shot around with an excited look. "Where is he at? Is he here?!"

"Ash you can't just go asking a celebrity to battle you like that! Brycen only accepts challengers at his Gym, you'll have to wait until we get to Icirrus City!" Hilda shook her head.

"And those footprints belong to Sabrina's Alakazam!" Cilan gushed.

"So Kadabra evolved, eh? Bet it's even stronger than before!"

"Pi Pikachu!"

"I wonder if Haunter's still with her..." Ash pondered off in thought.

"Who?" Hilda questioned.

"Haunter is a Ghost type that Ash befriended in an attempt to beat Sabrina, only he never officially caught it so Haunter wasn't behaving properly and decided to leave him hanging. He showed up in the end though and is how Ash ended up with the Marsh Badge."

"Hold up, are you saying Ash never beat Sabrina?" Hilda questioned as she turned towards Ash.

Ash began to sweat as nerves flowed through him. "Yeah, so?" He wasn't ashamed of it but he wasn't proud either. He'd well moved past that era and had definitely earned his badges, there shouldn't be any doubt about any of them.

"Speaking of Sabrina, she's actually your love interest in this story!"

"She is?!"

"Pika?!"

"Lucky!" Brock exclaimed while Ash and Pikachu shot him a look. They couldn't believe Brock was honestly thinking about a woman that kidnapped and turned him into a doll in a romantic sense. He must be really desperate at this point.

"Don't worry, there's no intimate scenes!" The director assured Ash. "This movie is meant for all ages to enjoy!"

"You don't understand, I-" Ash was about to tell the director that he'd never kissed a girl let alone dated one before when he was suddenly shoved into a dressing room.

"Get dressed!" Mr. Gold shouted from behind the door. "The outfit should be on the counter."

Ash looked towards the trailer's counter and sweated upon noticing a rather old fashioned and tacky looking outfit fitting of a squire in medieval times. "I have to wear this?" Ash groaned.

Ash emerged from the dressing room a few minutes later and Hilda couldn't help but snicker at the sight of him in the outfit he was now wearing. "That old attire looks ridiculous on you!"

Ash cast her a light glare.

"It looks great Ash, don't let her teasing get to you!" Cilan placed his hand on Ash's shoulder as he offered him a smile.

"So what do I do?" Ash asked the director. "Just read the script, Ketchup! My assistant will hold up cue cards and you'll read them!"

Suddenly Brock let out an excited shout as a familiar purple haired woman appeared wearing quite the long gothic dress along with a black crown atop her head. The woman's eyes landed on Brock and Ash and she took a brief pause as she began recognizing them.

"Ash..? Brock...?"

"Sabrina!" Brock raced forward and quickly dropped to one knee as he extended his hand to her. "You're looking even more remarkable than last time, unlike most girls age has been a blessing to you! What do you say we go out after you finish things here? It's fate that brought us back together can't you see we're destined to be?!" Brock then let out a loud shout as Croagunk Poison Jabbed him, the Pokémon doctor fell to the floor as Croagunk croaked out in laughter before dragging him away.

"That was weird..." Sabrina commented.

"Sabrina, hey!" Ash gave her a wave before suddenly leaping back with a surprised shout as Haunter appeared in front of him, the Ghost type stretched out his face while sticking out his tongue, showing that he hadn't changed a bit since Ash last saw him. "And Haunter! How's it going?!"

"Haunter haunt haunt!" Haunter pointed at Ash and laughed at him leaping back in fear, before showing a genuine smile and affectionate look as he looked Ash over.

"Haunter's doing great though he's a bit bored lately, he's grown tired of sticking around the Saffron Gym and scaring the celebrities around here hardly works anymore as they've gotten used to his jump scares." Sabrina explained as Haunter nodded in agreement. Ash tilted his head as he wondered if Haunter was perhaps regretting choosing Sabrina over him? He had been looking forward to Haunter joining his team but the Ghost had decided to stay behind with Sabrina for some reason.

Mr. Gold clasped his hands together. "Okay enough chatter, off to the set both of you, we must begin filming at once!"

Ash now stood before a backdrop of a spooky forest, bare trees were set up around the set to give the actors the impression that they were actually in the forest!

"Alright so the royal prince of the Unova region finds himself lost in a mysterious land when he suddenly finds himself facing off against a mysterious army of knights, servants to the vile mistress of the dark arts, the Enchantress!"

"Huzzah!" Several men clad in black knight armor leaped out from behind the prop trees, the aspiration was clearly based on the armor that Zach was forced to wear.

Hilda saw red and inwardly fought the desire to blast them all with Shadow Ball.

The knights grabbed at their Pokeballs and released a vast array of Pokémon including Watchog, Herdier, Grimer and Muk!

"And now our royal prince must face against these vile servants of the Enchantress so that he can reach her lair and return home to our beloved region!"

Ash stared at the Pokémon before looking towards Pikachu.

"You sure you want me using Pikachu here?"

"Of course, Pikachu will sell plenty of merchandise! Everyone loves Pikachu!" The director shouted.

"Well alright then, Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika... chuuuu!" Pikachu unleashed a powerful thunderbolt that struck through the set, cutting tree props in half while also shocking all of the knights and their Pokémon before they all slumped to the ground in defeat! The director's jaw dropped as he looked at the script before quickly ripping a few pages out and tossing them behind him! Sabrina and Haunter stared in amazement at the sheer power that Pikachu had displayed here, Ash and Pikachu had definitely grown quite powerful since they'd last seen him!

"And so after defeating the Enchantress' men, facing off against the dreaded dragon that terrorized a village, and meeting the mythical Pokémon Mew, our fair prince has finally arrived at our vile villain's evil lair and must now face her in battle if he is to free the people of this realm and return home!"

Sabrina put on an evil cackle and Ash had to admit she was quite good at it as he couldn't help but shiver upon hearing it. "You really think that you can beat me?! You're but a child!"

The director's assistant held up a cue card from behind Sabrina as Ash began to speak. "Yeah well I just beat all of your men to get here, there's no way that I'll lose here!"

"Pi Pikachu!"

"Fitting last words, you'll die just like your beloved princess!" Sabrina cackled as Alakazam teleported in front of her. The cue card now simply read 'Fight, give it your all and don't hold back!'.

"Fight, give it your all and-Oh I'm not supposed to read that am I?" Ash nervously chuckled as Iris facepalmed. Pikachu shook his head lightly before leaping off his shoulder with an eager expression.

"Pika!"

"Alright Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika!" Pikachu's cheeks sparked before the electrical mouse fired off the powerful blast of electricity, sending it flying straight towards Alakazam!

"Stop it with Psychic." Sabrina smirked while a bright blue glow surrounded the electricity before it burst away leaving Alakazam untouched! "Now teleport behind that rat and use Psycho Cut!"

"Hey don't call Pikachu a rat!" Ash growled out, Pikachu's tail flickered from annoyance at the word. It may just be acting but it still got on their nerves! Alakazam quickly teleported and reappeared behind Pikachu, blades of telekinetic energy appeared within the Psychic type's hands as he began slashing away at Pikachu!

"That wasn't a smart move getting up close like that." Ash calmly spoke before throwing out his arm. "Thunderbolt!"

"Pika... chuuu!" Pikachu's cheeks sparked as a bolt of electricity surged through the Psychic type!

"Ala..." Alakazam began teetering back and forth in a dizzy fashion before quickly shaking his head as he teleported off and reappeared before Sabrina!

"Recover!"

"Ala!" Ash clenched his fists as a glow surrounded Alakazam while his injuries began to disappear!

"I always hated that move..." Ash muttered to himself. "Pikachu use Volt Tackle!"

"Pika!" Pikachu got onto all fours, an blue electrical glow surrounded his body as he began racing across the field towards Alakazam while chanting out his name!

"Alakazam hold him back with Psychic!" Alakazam's eyes glowed blue as a similar glow surrounded Pikachu's body, Pikachu began running in place for a few seconds before the glow faded as Pikachu continued racing before slamming his body up against Alakazam, knocking the Psychic type right off his feet and sending it flying before crashing against one of the many props within the lair!

Alakazam slowly stood up before glaring towards Pikachu as he held up his spoons in a threatening manner. "Ala!"

"Recover!"

"I don't think so, Thunderbolt!"

"Pika!" Pikachu's cheeks sparked before he unleashed another powerful bolt of electricity, the blast went flying through the air before making contact with the Psychic type. Alakazam's Recover was now in a conflict with Pikachu's electrical attack and unfortunately for Alakazam that was a fight that he could not win! The Psychic type's eyes rolled up before he collapsed in defeat, his eyes now reduced to swirls as the director shot from his chair and began rapidly clapping his hands together.

"Brilliant, brilliant! Excellent job, Ketchup!" The director quickly sat down before coughing into his hand. "And so with the vile Enchantress' Alakazam taken out of commission, she now lays at our heroes mercy!"

Sabrina collapsed to the floor and cast a look towards one of her knights' swords that laid on the floor next to her. "W-Well what are you waiting for? Finish it! Strike me down and your quest will be completed!"

"No, I won't do it." Ash extended his hand towards Sabrina.

"What's this?! Our hero recognizes that the girl is actually the princess who fell under a curse and transformed into the vile Enchantress as a result! Perhaps a kiss will help break the curse..?"

"Huh?" Ash turned to face the director. "S-Sorry but I want my first kiss to be special, I don't want to kiss some random girl!"

"Just kiss her cheek, I'm not asking you to lock lips!" The director shouted.

Ash thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I can't. Sorry!"

"Give him a break, can't you see that he doesn't want to do it?!" Hilda shouted.

"Yeah, he shouldn't have to kiss her if he doesn't want to!" Cilan shouted. Brock was staring at Sabrina while inwardly wishing he was in Ash's place.

"Huh?" He asked as Hilda bumped his arm. "Right, he has the right to refuse!"

The director facepalmed before waving his hand. "J-Just get up close and kiss the air in front of her, I can edit it later." Ash leaned towards Sabrina as the director continued. "And so the curse was broken, the princess is free and the two return home back to the ancient world of our beloved home!"

"That was really bizarre..." Hilda commented.

"True but I got to battle Sabrina and I won!" Ash exclaimed with an eager smile.

"Man I'd have loved to taken your place, I'd have loved to kiss the lovely Sabrina..." Brock stated as he stared off towards Sabrina, hearts currently present within the Pokémon doctor's eyes.

"I think it was quite romantic that Ash didn't want to kiss her actually," Cilan spoke up. "Saving your first kiss for your future love is a very smart and romantic decision!"

"But my dream comes first," Ash stated as Pikachu nodded his head in agreement. Neither had an interest in dating until their dream was complete! Or rather they hadn't met the right individual yet to change their mind. "I've been training hard for all these years and I can't afford any distract-"

"Haunt!" Ash let out a shout as Haunter appeared right in front of him, the Ghost type sticking out his tongue while stretching out his face before bursting out in laughter upon seeing the look on his friend's face.

"Haunter what are you even doing here? Shouldn't you be with Sabrina?" Ash questioned. Haunter lowered his head as he glanced towards Sabrina, the Psychic specialist and actress was already preparing to film another movie and Haunter found that rather boring as she was never in horror movies.

"Haunter..."

Sabrina suddenly appeared behind Ash causing him to leap up as she started to speak out. "Actually Ash, I think Haunter wants to go with you. I love Haunter but his place isn't with me, I'm a Psychic specialist and he's well... a Ghost. And he's gotten bored of scaring the same people over and over again, I think his true place is with you!"

Ash turned towards Haunter before looking the Ghost type directly in the eyes. "Is this true Haunter, you want to be my Pokémon?"

"Haunter!" Haunter gave an enthusiastic nod resulting in quite the large smiles crossing both Ash and Pikachu's faces as their long time friend was finally joining them on their adventures!

"Welcome to the team then Haunter-" Ash held out a Pokeball before Sabrina lowered his arm.

"That won't work, here." Sabrina dropped a ball into his hand. "Haunter is yours now, take good care of him!"

"Haunter!" And just like that a blue glow surrounded Haunter's body as he began changing form, his hands were now attached to a pair of arms while a pair of legs had also grown out of his body. His eyes turned a bright red color and he now had quite the spooky grin across his face as he smirked towards his new trainer before sticking out his tongue and stretching out his face to showcase that though he'd changed form he was still very much the same Ghost type!

"Gengar!"

Ash let out a light chuckle before holding out his hand to the Ghost type. "Welcome to the team, Gengar!"

"Gengar!" Gengar grinned while eagerly looking forward to all the new people that he could scare while they were off on their adventure!

N glanced back and forth before silently walking into the knight's room. "Psst!" He hissed out upon noticing the knight sleeping in bed as were most occupants of Plasma Castle at this hour, the Shadow Triad were still up and about on patrol though as they seemingly functioned on three hours of sleep a day thanks to some bizarre meditation technique. "Pssst!" N reached into his pocket and tossed an apple at the knight's helmet head causing him to grunt out in his sleep.

"What is it..? Can't you see I'm sleeping..?" He groaned out, not processing the fact that somebody was visiting him yet.

"You're Zach right, Hilda's brother?" Zach was silent for a moment as he looked N over. Although they never met he instantly recognized N to be Ghetsis' son, he had the same hair and eye color and even looked like a younger version of the vile man. "You can trust me, I'm here to help you get out!"

"What kind of trick is this? I could escape at any point I want." Zach narrowed his eyes, suspecting that his had to be a trick. "You know the only thing keeping me from wandering off and not coming back is that Lucario's here, I can sense him. He's here somewhere, I don't know where but I can sense him!"

"So it's a Lucario that I'm looking for?" N smiled lightly while giving him a nod of his head. "Don't worry, I'll track him down and free him. You'll be reunited with Hilda soon, I promise."

Zach's expression slowly changed upon sensing the sincerity of N's words. It had been so long since somebody spoke to him in such a fashion like he wasn't quite used to recognizing it. Brooke was the only one that was nice to him but he always felt that her advances weren't exactly truthful, so he ignored them. Brick may be loyal but he always looked after himself, he was a survivor.

"So you were speaking the truth." Zach smiled lightly. "Tell me, how do you and Hilda know each other?"

"It's quite simple, we used to date."

"Used to?" Zach's fists clenched.

"Yeah, we sort of had a falling out and-Ah!" N ducked as Zach reached for the sword.

"You broke her heart?!" The protective brother instinct took over as a bolt of blue lightning shot from the sword, exploding at N's feet. "Consider that a warning shot, if you're doing all this just to get back with her then I will fry you to a crisp. We clear?"

"Crystal." N sweated while hastily making a retreat. He didn't blame him for it, it was clear that he was suffering from paranoia and had trust issues as a result of what happened to him over the years. It was only logical that he assumed N was using him as a way to get back with Hilda.

Chase was sneaking back to his room with an armful of treats when he noticed N rushing out of the Knight's room. Chase looked after N as he ran off and scratched his chin thoughtfully before venturing into his own room for the night.

If you didn't catch it, Virbank is meant to be the New Jersey of Unova. It's not canon but they're in close enough proximity that it works.

Ash reunited with Haunter, now Gengar and obtained him. He's not getting the whole Journeys and Alola team fitted in for this or whatever I call the Kalos sequel, Gengar just suits him better than Venipede and Litwick/Golurk. I'm also debating changing the rating purely for the Team Rocket vs Team Plasma war since there will be a body count. No gore, just bodies hitting the floor. Not a huge fan of gore despite my love for Ghostface and Jason Voorhees