"There it is Pikachu, Castelia City." Ash said, seeing the city come up on the horizon.
"Piii." Pikachu said in excitement.
"Yep, Castelia is our biggest city here, why you could spend a week here and still not do everything." Roxie's dad said.
"Well I've got two things on my mind here." Ash said.
"Hey Ash, I know you said neither of us are in charge, but I was wondering." Rosa paused.
"Sure." Ash said with a smile.
"But you didn't even let me finish, you don't know what I was going to say." Rosa said.
"That's how friendship works." Ash said calmly. "We don't always have to do what I want, what do you want to do?"
"Sightseeing? I've never visited a lot of the side streets of Castellia, last time I was here we stuck mostly to the Main Street." Rosa admitted.
"Sure, I have one thing to check at the docks, but then yeah we can do whatever you want." Ash said.
"Okay, but what are you checking at the docks?" Rosa asked curiously.
"The uhh Kingdom of Vale, Brycen recommended I check it out." Ash said, leaving out the part about the mysterious Dark Stone he had somehow.
"Oh, I've heard of that place, I've always wanted to go!" Rosa said excitedly. "I, err, I mean as long as you don't get sidetracked, you still owe me for my room."
"I promise it's just a stop, not a destination." Ash assured. "And hey, it's okay to be excited about going somewhere too."
"Alright we're coming into port you two better make sure you're all set to disembark." Roxie's dad said.
At Castelia Cities Liberty Pier
"Okay, thank you, yes I'll make sure to remember that." Ash said, before walking back to Rosa.
"So I'm guessing we're not going there just yet?" Rosa asked.
"No, the next ferry won't be here for a few days." Ash said. "But I promise since we both want to go, I will make an effort for us to go."
"And what if only I wanted to go?" Rosa asked.
"Then I would make an effort." Ash said. "Hey what's that boat?"
Rosa couldn't help but facepalm at Ash's quick 180 of train of thought, but turned to see a small boat with two people disembarking.
"I don't get why you're having me do work here in the city, I know for a fact my program works." A boy around Ash and Rosa's age said.
"I'm sure it works on a level, but there are too many variables in a battle, and since you don't want to battle anyone back at the academy you need to find other trainers." A woman said sternly.
"Sorry for the intrusion, but you said something about a battle or battles?" Ash asked.
"Excuse him, he has a one track mind." Rosa said. "I'm Rosa and this is Ash."
"It's nice to meet you both Im Professor Briar of the Blueberry Academy and this is one of my more gifted students Elliot." The woman said.
"Hey we ran into another student by the name Crispín the other day." Ash said.
"Yes Crispín is one of our up and coming fighters." Professor Briar said.
"So what were you saying about Elliot needing battles?" Rosa asked.
"I don't need battles, I know how to determine the outcome of a battle simply by analyzing the Pokemon." Elliot said. "But I need to have proof to back that up, and no one wants to battle me."
"He's that good?" Ash asked.
"He gives the results before the battle even begins and it has caused some problems." Professor Briar said.
"Well I'll battle you." Ash offered. "Snivy come on out!"
"Snivy a grass type, two evolutions, victory is certain with my moves. Porygon come out." Elliot said. "Use Signal Beam."
"Snivy counter with Energy Ball!"
Snivy sent out a ball of green energy absorbing Porygon's attack before both dissipated.
"That's not possible, Energy Ball is an attacking move it shouldn't be able to counteract an attack." Elliot said.
"That's not all we've got. Snivy use Vine Whip!"
"Porygon use another Signal Beam."
Snivy's vines extended out, wrapping up Porygon before turning it to face straight up, making the attack go into the air before Snivy flipped Porygon back onto the pier.
"No, Vine Whip doesn't work like that, you can't keep blocking my attack like that." Elliot said in frustration.
"Snivy use Tackle!"
Snivy charged forward, slamming into Porygon, sending it tumbling back.
"Now use Energy Ball again!" Ash called out.
"Wait it's not your turn!" Elliot exclaimed as the energy ball struck Porygon knocking it out.
"That was, honestly not bad considering Snivy's record." Rosa admitted.
"And now you see the problem Elliot, you can't determine victory off of just one or two variables." Professor Briar said. "So we'll stay here for a few days for you to gather more data."
"You know if you want, you could come with us for a bit." Ash offered. "We're going to be in Castelia City for a while and you could get lots of data from that. What do you think Rosa?"
"Considering how often you get into battles, he couldn't pick a better target." Rosa commented.
"So how about it Elliot?" Ash asked, offering his hand to the boy.
"I, I don't do hand shakes, or touching, but if you two don't mind that might be useful." Elliot said. "Is that alright Professor?"
"I don't see a problem with that Elliot." Professor Briar said.
"Alright then let's head to the Pokemon Center to heal Porygon and then Rosa said she wanted to do some sightseeing.
Elliot's Current Team and their Moves
Porygon: Signal Beam