It's come to my attention that some clarifications need to be made.

Firstly, I seem to have accidentally implied in last chapter's author's notes that the boss of Team Rocket could have been a Legendary Pokemon, and thus humans can be replaced with Pokemon in the randomizer. That is not true. My intent was to state that Meowth could have been randomized to a Legendary Pokemon. Human characters cannot be replaced with Pokemon. So no, sadly, we're not getting Ash battling Gym Leader Mimey.

Secondly, I realized that a quick gag last chapter mentioned Litleo being on the S.S. Anne, even though he was on Professor Archie's ranch at the time. This has been corrected. Sorry for any confusion that might have caused.

Anyway, bit of a breather chapter today - though next chapter, I hope, will make up for it in the 'major events' department.

"So." The voice of the boss of Team Rocket came, filtered as always, through the device. "No Pokemon successfully captured, twenty valuable Grunts captured, and you went against my express orders and attacked the boy with a Genesect, resulting in the sinking of a cruise ship."

"I told you not to include that part," Drake growled to Liza.

"Ain't…ain't sinking the ship a good thing?" Aron asked. "I mean - actually, not necessarily a good thing, but ain't it not really a bad thing, either?"

"Hardly," said the boss of Team Rocket. "Pokemon theft is just that, Pokemon theft. But sinking an actual cruise ship - that costs companies quite a bit of money. And when we cost companies money, they put more resources into ensuring we stop costing them money. Put another way, all you have succeeded in doing is making life harder for Team Rocket. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y…yes, sir," said Aron.

"Now," said the boss of Team Rocket, "I doubt I need to remind you what I said would happen if these losses became a pattern."

"It - it's not a pattern!" Liza attempted.

"The fact that you attempted to engage the boy," the boss of Team Rocket countered, "shows that it has become a pattern. I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice."

"No, sir, please!" Drake cried. "We'll try harder!"

"You are, as of this moment, reassigned to Johto," said the boss of Team Rocket. "And Falkner and Korrina are taking your places."

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Aron wailed. "Not Falkner and Korrina! Dey're always talkin' down to us!"

The boss of Team Rocket noticeably heaved a sigh. "Given that they've completed several successful missions while you've been running around half of Kanto on a wild Ducklett chase, I'm inclined to believe they have every right to at this point. I trust you can get to Johto on your own; I expect a report once you get there." The device crackled with static as the boss of Team Rocket hung up.

Liza at once rounded on Drake. "Why did you have to go and fight the kid? You know how the boss is - I'm sure we might've gotten another chance if you hadn't sunk the boat!"

"I thought Ditto could beat that Genesect!" Drake cried.

"Ditto wasn't even trained!" Liza retorted. "I know you, Drake. You spent years training up Dragonite before throwing it into serious fights! So where did this come from?"

"I got it!" Aron cried. "You enjoy fighting da kid, don't ya?"

Liza stared at Drake, who nodded slowly. "Yes, I do. It's been years since Dragonite…since I…had a proper challenge. And now that this kid's shown up and beaten me…he's given me something to actually work towards. On the S.S. Anne, I was hoping he would be there. I was itching to fight him again. So yeah, Aron, I enjoy fighting the kid."

Liza huffed. "I can't believe you sometimes. Well, now that little rivalry's been curtailed, so I guess it's back to normal, right?"

"Hardly," said Drake. "Because, no matter what the boss says, we are gonna run into that kid again. I've just got a feeling. And when that time comes, I want to be ready to surpass him. So I'm gonna keep training. Ditto, Dragonite, and whoever else we find that catches my eye."

Drake grinned as he looked around at Liza and Aron. "We're all gonna get strong enough to challenge that kid, and eventually - not tomorrow, not even next week, but eventually - I'm gonna beat him. No matter what it takes."

"Word on the street is we owe you one, kid," said Spenser. "So thanks for your help."

"What Leader Spenser said is correct," Officer Goh added, his Luxray nodding beside him. "A lot of men and women owe you the safety of their Pokemon."

"The captain's less happy," Spenser pointed out, "given what happened to his ship. But that ain't your fault. I'd say you did a mighty fine job!"

"Um…thanks," Ash stammered. "I…uh…thank you, I guess?"

Spenser let out another one of his loud belly laughs. "Kid, you're not the one who's supposed to be saying 'thanks' here! Gimme a break! I daresay you've earned yourself a reward!"

Officer Goh and his Luxray nodded.

Ash's eyes sparkled. "What kind of reward?"

"Well," said Spenser, "I figured a strapping young'un like you might wanna make your Pokemon stronger!" He withdrew a bright green disc from his pocket. "And I think I've got just the thing…"

Ash, Clay, and Cyrus left Vermillion City the next day and almost immediately headed to the nearest grass patch for a well-earned day of restful training. Scizor and Kricketune had been returned to the ranch, and Aegislash and Litleo were back on the main squad. The various Pokemon immediately set about exercising, talking, or trying out new moves - aside from Genesect, who merely began to wander, glancing around for something that Ash wouldn't mind getting leveled. After all, Genesect knew that it needed to practice, something it hadn't done in a while. If Genesect encountered that Ditto-Genesect again, it wanted to be able to win that fight without outside help.

"Hey, Genesect!" Kubfu's voice broke into Genesect's thoughts. The artificial Legendary turned to see the non-artificial Legendary straining against some sort of device that looked to resemble a network of bungee cords. "You should try this!"

Genesect stared at it. "WHAT - IS - IT?"

"It's called a Strength Intensifier!" said Kubfu, struggling to keep the device fully extended. "I got it from this guy called AJ, and it's been really useful for me! A few days ago I could barely extend this fully, and now I've held this for nine…ten…eleven…twelve…"

Genesect cocked his head. "I - SUP-POSE - IT - COULD - NOT - HURT."

Kubfu relaxed, allowing the Strength Intensifier to snap back to its normal configuration, then took it off. "Here you go!" he cried, handing it to Genesect.

Genesect took it, putting its legs in the leg-holes and its arms in the arm holes. "AC-TI-VA-TING - SER-VOS," Genesect droned. "CAL-I-BRA-TING - AR-TI-FI-CIAL - MUS-CU-LA-TURE. COM-MEN-CING - STRENGTH - IN-TEN-SI-FI-CA-TION." Bracing itself, Genesect extended its arms and legs.

There was a loud SNAP as Genesect's arms and legs extended to their full length, which just so happened to be too much for the Strength Intensifier.

"…OOPS," Genesect stated, staring at the remnants of the device.

Kubfu stared forlornly at the same remains. "It…It's all right, Genesect. I didn't really need it anyway."

"Ha!" Sneasel cried as he slashed down with his claws. Tympole's eyes widened as he saw a silvery sheen wreathing the Dark/Ice-type's sharp talons. "Metal Claw," Sneasel explained. "Picked it up from Drilbur - pretty much a straight upgrade over Scratch. Not perfect, but good enough for at least a demonstration."

"Not bad," said Houndour. "And I'm pretty sure I've got Bite down - thanks for that, Sneasel. Anyone got any tips on learning a stronger Fire-type move?"

"Ask Hisuian Growlithe or Litleo," Tympole advised. "I'm sure either one of them would be happy to help."

"Good point," said Houndour.

Murkrow chuckled. "Just keep Litleo away from me. I'd rather not have my feathers singed, thank you very much. Anyway, Zubat, how's Wing Attack going for you?"

"Pretty well," Zubat replied. "You?"

"Well enough," said Murkrow. "Still a little hard to adjust to using my wings rather than my beak."

"Then I guess we've all got some more practice to do," said Sneasel. "Let's get started."

As Sneasel, Houndour, and Murkrow headed in different directions, Tympole looked up at Zubat. "Tight-knit group."

"I mean, they are the team of a Gym Leader," said Zubat. "It's funny, you know? With how close they are, you'd think they'd be less open to outsiders, and yet within a day of me joining the team they were acting like I'd always been there."

Tympole nodded, saying nothing in response.

"So…" Zubat hesitated. "I have to ask - how are you holding up? Big change and all."

"Yeah," said Tympole. "It's a big change…and I'd be lying if I didn't say part of me still feels sad for leaving Clay. But…I can't deny I feel better. Like an actual part of the team instead of the fifth wheel. Oh, Zubat, I almost forgot - check this out."

Inhaling, Tympole unleashed what could only be described as a Bubblebeam into the nearest rock. It wasn't a perfect Bubblebeam - in fact, calling it 'good' was somewhat charitable - but it was clearly a Bubblebeam.

"Have you shown Ash yet?" Zubat asked.

Tympole nodded. "He was so excited. Urged me to show it off - that's why I came over here, actually. I'm sorry if I interrupted your tight-knit group, by the way."

Zubat smirked. "You've got nothing to apologize for, Tympole. I'm glad you've found a team that you feel more comfortable in, and I'm glad you're doing better."

"Thanks, Zubat," said Tympole gratefully.

"Genesect?" Ash called. "Can you help translate? I'm about to release Aegislash and would like to understand what he's saying."

"I - AM - NOT - YOUR - PER-SON-AL - TRANS-LA-TOR," Genesect stated emphatically.

"You're the only one of my Pokemon I can understand," Ash pointed out.

"THAT - IS - COR-RECT," Genesect admitted.

"So, until I get another, you're my personal translator," Ash concluded.

"I - SUP-POSE." Genesect stepped over.

"Great!" Ash released Aegislash from his Pokeball. The Steel/Ghost-type at once drew himself up. "Ah! My so-called 'Trainer' deigns to release me! And what dost thou and thy abomination want from Sir Leopold VI of the House of Olivine?"

"YOU - WILL - RE-FRAIN - FROM - REF-FER-RING - TO - ME - AS - AN - A-BOM-I-NA-TION," Genesect growled.

"Thou dareth to give me orders?" Aegislash's blade began to glow with energy. "I shall-"

"Aegislash, enough!" Ash cried. "Look, I don't want to have cheated my way into capturing you! I just want to know what I could do to make you willing to become one of my Pokemon. Genesect is here as a translator, that's all. And please don't call him an abomination."

Aegislash glanced back towards Ash. "Very well," he said, with Genesect beginning to translate for Ash's benefit. "If thou wanteth to earn my respect, thou must defeateth me in a fair duel."

"Oh," said Ash. "Well, that can be arranged. Genesect, if you-"

"No," Aegislash interrupted. "Thou shalt not send your soldiers to battle for thee. Thou shalt face me thyself."

Ash blinked as Genesect finished the translation. "You want me to…fight you myself?"

"Yes!" Aegislash exclaimed. "Blade to blade, an honorable duel!"

"But…I don't know how to use a sword," Ash murmured. "I've never held a sword in my life."

"Then," said Aegislash, "it is simple. Thou art not worthy to wield me in combat."

Ash looked at Genesect, who shrugged. The boy turned and stepped over to Clay, who was standing nearby and watching Sandile trying to teach Drilbur how to use Sandstorm. "Hey, Clay! I need to learn how to use a sword! Do you know where I can find a sword? Oh, wait, there was that Samurai guy back in the forest where I caught Kubfu and Scizor! He had a sword, right? Maybe we could head back there, and I could ask him if I can borrow his sword!"

Clay blinked. "…what."

"So here's the deal," said Litleo. "You teach me Flamethrower, and I'll teach you Fire Spin, okay?"

"Deal," said Hisuian Growlithe. "So, Flamethrower's basically just a larger version of Ember. You've got Fire Spin, so just…instead of turning the fire into a circle, try exhaling it in a stream, okay?"

"Okay," said Litleo. He inhaled, then exhaled flames, only for them to immediately twist into a spinning disc that proceeded to fly away into the sky.

"It's all right, I didn't get it on the first try either." Hisuian Growlithe shifted. "So, Fire Spin is the…opposite of that? Like instead of a stream, I try and make a disc?"

"Sort of," said Litleo. "You don't just make a disc - you have to make it swirl. Try twitching your head a little to the side as you form it; that'll send it spinning pretty nicely.

Hisuian Growlithe obediently twisted his head and shot a Flamethrower outwards. While it didn't make a swirl, the flames did curve slightly as their flight path followed the motion of Hisuian Growlithe's head.

"Not a bad start," Litleo admitted. "Let me try again."

Ten minutes later, Litleo was growing frustrated. While Hisuian Growlithe had gotten further along - his last Flamethrower had formed into a nice curved arch - Litleo didn't seem to be doing any better at turning Fire Spin into Flamethrower. As he shot out another disc, Hisuian Growlithe let out a quiet cough. "All right, I've got another idea. I think we've been going about this wrong. Fire Spin's not the right starting point for Flamethrower, and vice versa. It's like growing a plant from a seed versus trying to turn the plant into a different plant - we need to start from Ember and work our way up."

"Huh." Litleo blinked. "I guess I could try that." Again he inhaled, readying Ember this time, but instead of firing Embers out one by one, he tried to gather several in his mouth at once.

Then he exhaled, and while it wasn't quite a stream, what emerged from Litleo's mouth was a flame-trailing fireball much bigger and longer than any Ember he'd used before.

"I think you're onto something!" Litleo cried cheerfully.

"I think so too," said Hisuian Growlithe. "That was pretty good, especially for a first attempt. Now I'll try-"

It was at this point that the two Fire-types heard Ash yelling and realized that Litleo's proto-Flamethrower may have been somewhat poorly aimed.

"Tympole!" Ash cried. "Please put out Aegislash!"

"This is not endearing me towards thee any further," the flaming Steel/Ghost-type stated angrily.

A few minutes later, Aegislash had been extinguished and recalled, and Ash was talking with Clay and Cyrus.

"Look, you don't need to learn how to fight with a sword," said Clay. "There's gotta be some other way to earn Aegislash's trust."

"Aegislash was pretty clear," Ash replied. "If I don't beat him in a so-called 'proper duel', there's no way he'll accept me as his Trainer."

"You could try playing a game with him," Cyrus suggested.

"Be serious, Cyrus," Clay griped.

"I am being serious," Cyrus countered. "Knights from medieval times engaged in competitions with one another all the time, even in rather ridiculous games. You could learn to throw dice, for example. Or perhaps engage in a rousing round of backgammon?"

"You are not teaching him to gamble, Cyrus," Clay chided. "I ain't watching an impressionable young kid get sucked into the Celadon Game Corner." He shivered. "Not again."

"Then perhaps the answer to this puzzle lies in sport," Cyrus offered. "Archery, perhaps, or maybe even-"

"Heads up!"

Ash, Clay, and Cyrus all turned to see a blue-haired man and a blonde-haired woman striding confidently out of a nearby copse of trees, wearing black uniforms with bright red Rs on the fronts.

"And who're you supposed to be?" Clay asked. "Drake and Liza's backup band?"

The blonde glared at Clay. "Don't compare us to those losers! We're much stronger, much crueler, and much more refined than they could ever hope to be!"

"I'm Falkner!" said the blue-haired male.

"And I'm Korrina!" said the blonde female.

"We're agents of Team Rocket!" said Falkner.

"And we're here to take your Pokemon, so hand them over!" Korrina threw out a Lucario, while Falkner did the same with a Pidgeotto.

Ash, Clay, and Cyrus all eyed the Team Rocket agents rather scornfully. "Let me get this straight," said Cyrus. "You honestly believe that those two Pokemon are enough to take on this?" He gestured to the field of no fewer than twelve Pokemon, all of whom (even Aegislash) were glaring at the two members of Team Rocket.

Korrina and Falkner suddenly looked a lot less confident. "Um…I've also got a Pidgey," said Falkner.

Korrina sighed. "Falkner, you're making us look like idiots! We may be outnumbered, but we're still senior Team Rocket agents! Quality over quantity!"

"So you really wanna do this?" Clay asked.

"Of course we do!" said Korrina.

"Um…I don't," said Falkner.

"Shut up, Falkner!" Korrina hissed.

"Well, all right then," said Clay. "Ash, do your thing."

"Cool!" said Ash. "Genesect?"

Five Seconds Later

"Don't know where Drake and Liza went," Clay admitted as the sky gained a new twinkle, "but I'm glad they're gone. These new Rockets are much easier to deal with."

"You got that right," said Ash. "So where are we headed next?"

"Some town called Maiden's Peak," said Clay. "It's on the way to Saffron City, which is where the next Gym is. Apparently Maiden's Peak is currently holding a summer festival of some kind."

"Cool!" said Ash. "I hope it involves battling - I want my team to be ready for the next Gym!"

"Is battling all that is on your mind, Ash?" Cyrus asked. "You need not be focused on battling at all hours of the day. It is fine for one as young as yourself to indulge in more frivolous pursuits."

"Hey, you like battling too, Cyrus!" said Ash. "Which reminds me - we should definitely have a rematch sometime soon!"

"Perhaps," said Cyrus. "Perhaps."

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

"Guess what Ash is trying to teach me?"

Scizor looked over at the clearly-excited Kricketune. "What is it?"

Kricketune grinned. "Spenser gave him a TM for Bullet Seed as thanks for his help on the S.S. Anne, and it turns out I can learn it!"

Scizor side-eyed Kricketune. "You can learn Bullet Seed?"

"Yeah!" said Kricketune. "I didn't see that coming, but apparently that's something I can learn! Watch!" Kricketune lashed out with one of his scythe-like arms, and a spray of green energy-formed bullets flew out, scattering across the ground near Scizor.

"Huh," Scizor murmured. "Not bad. Seems you've already got a decent grasp of the move."

"I'm hoping to be able to fire more," Kricketune admitted. "But still - I finally have an actual ranged option!"

"Perhaps I could learn that," Scizor muttered. "I do have Bullet Punch…"

"I don't think Ash has any more TMs," said Kricketune.

"That's a shame," said Scizor.

At this point, Scizor became aware of someone walking up behind them. He whirled in an instant, Bullet Punch at the ready. "What do you want?"

He almost stepped backwards as he saw what exactly had walked up behind him. It was, to put it bluntly, some sort of chimeric abomination; its Gyarados-like blue tail, green scaly front legs, black-purple somewhat blocky body and hind legs, and white-maned head with a ruff cascading down over the front half of said body were entirely at odds with one another, and the strange crest atop its head and the half-metallic mouth didn't help matters.

The Pokemon - if he could call it a Pokemon - blinked at him. "I'm sorry, I was not aware that was to be your reaction. My sincere apologies for disturbing you - I simply wanted to meet some of Ash's Pokemon. I am Silvally, a Pokemon owned by his older brother Gladion. May I trouble you to ask your names?"

"I'm Kricketune." The Bug-type in question stepped forwards, gesturing to Scizor with one blade-arm. "And this is Scizor. It's good to meet you, Silvally."

"Likewise," said Silvally. "I see Ash has chosen the life of a Bug Catcher. An interesting decision, and not one I would have expected. However-"

"He's not a Bug Catcher," Scizor growled. "We both just so happen to be Bug-types."

"Ah." Silvally didn't entirely seem convinced. "So. I believe Gladion would be interested in hearing tales of his little brother's exploits. Would you care to come with me and regale him with a few?"

Kricketune glanced over at Scizor, a rather mischievous grin forming on his face. "Oh, certainly," the Bug-type said with a wink. "I'm sure Ash's older brother would love to hear some of what Ash has been up to…"

Sorry, Ash, but you don't get a sword. Maybe next time.