Author's Note: Hey everyone so happy to be back on here, been a little bit busy with so much stuff happening but now taking my time to post a new chapter and also seeing the poll is coming along with so many of you voting for your favs, so happy and will note what has been so far but anyways hope you enjoy this and please leave your comments to me. Read and review. Oh and I'm going to show the poll of what is being voted so unless you guys want to show and see who to add into the story, please leave your reviews for me to see, deadline is around the Pokemon Island so hurry up!

Natsu - 2

Gajeel - 3

Laxus - 5 (nice bro!)

Sting -3

Norm Rogue - 6 (Dang tall dark and handsome but let's keep going)

Lyon - 3

Cobra - 4

Suzaku - 2

Mercphonia - 3

Mystogan - 1

Mars Geer Tartaros - 2

Ignia - 1

Norm Loke - 1

Future Rogue - 1

Eclipse Loke - 1

Also I don't know if any had other Fairy Tail characters to throw in as I'm sure most have seen the new chapters and note the new hunks and sure to throw their hats into the ring so remember, voting is still a go! C'mon let see some votes people!

Disclaimer: Blue Kitsune does not own Fairy Tail or Pokemon


Chapter 20 - Practice is Key and Encountering with the Squirtle Squad!

The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on Ashi and her companions as they continued their journey down the seemingly endless road. Despite facing numerous hardships in the past few days, everyone remained in surprisingly high spirits. Ashi couldn't help but feel content watching her brother walk with a childlike skip, flanked by Lisanna and Sherria. The three were deeply engaged in lively conversation, laughter and smiles adorning their faces.

Ashi's gaze then wander down towards their Pokémon walking beside them, enjoying the fresh morning air and warm sunshine just like their trainers. Sharlene, the Charmander, held onto Sherria's hand with trust and companionship while Azalea, the Bulbasaur, walked comfortably next to Lisanna. It was heartwarming for Ashi to see the Pokémon thriving under their new trainers' care.

She smiled at the scene before her, grateful that these two were doing well despite their traumatic experiences with their former trainer and his goons. A growl threatened to escape her throat at the thought of those despicable individuals, but Ashi pushed it away. Justice had been served, and those criminals were now facing prison for their heinous crimes.

Taking a deep breath, Ashi turned to face the two young mages and their Pokémon once again. She was grateful that Professor Oak had entrusted Lisanna and Sherria with the care of these Pokémon, and that she was able to act as their Poke-mentor. After watching their first battle, Ashi saw potential in them to become skilled trainers. It wouldn't be easy, but she had faith in their abilities, especially with the support of everyone who had offered a helping hand.

In the past few days, each person had contributed by sharing their own experiences and offering advice on training methods and battle strategies. Even Brock had joined in, providing his old Breeder's Digest magazines filled with useful tips for caring for Pokémon. Lisanna had found a recipe for a medicinal oil supplement that rejuvenated Azalea's bulb, while Sherria had learned exercises to improve her Pokémon's stamina. In the mornings before breakfast, the girls would practice these activities, while the boys watched in admiration at their companions' workout (well, actually it was more specifically focused on Ashi's incredible flexibility during stretches).

As their journey continued, Ashi reflected on how far they had come since she and Toshi started their adventure together. They still had a long way to go, but each day they grew stronger and closer with everyone by their side. To Ashi, the bonds they shared with their Pokémon and with each other were the most important thing.

A shadow swiftly passed over Ashi, prompting her to look up and see their group's Flying-type Pokémon gliding through the air. Her Sera led the pack, trailed closely by Benimaru and Zephyr, followed by the rest of their companions. Ashi couldn't help but smile as she made eye contact with her shiny Charizard before it rejoined its teammates in formation.

She gazed at the scene for a few moments longer before feeling a gentle poke on her chest. She looked down to see her Axew wriggling in its makeshift pouch, giving her a sulky expression as if to say, "Hey, pay attention to me!" The Dragonslayer chuckled and reached out to affectionately stroke the back of Axew's head, tilting it up to meet her gaze.

"Don't be jealous now, Lex. There's enough of me to go around, so don't worry," she reassured with a warm smile, planting a small kiss on the tip of Axew's horn. That seemed to satisfy the little dragon as it settled back into its pouch. With that taken care of, Ashi turned her attention back to their group and noticed they were falling behind. She picked up the pace to catch up with their friends and continue down the path towards the next town according to their map.

After some time, they stumbled upon a beautiful meadow overlooking a peaceful stream. It seemed like the perfect place to take a break and rest their tired feet. It also happened to be an ideal spot for a practice match between Sherria and Lisanna's teams while the others observed and gave feedback afterwards.

Ashi suggested starting with a simple two-Pokémon battle and explained the rules to them, "Each trainer can use one Pokémon in battle but can switch if necessary. The goal is either to defeat both of the opponent's Pokémon or have them yield if they cannot continue. Got it?" Both Sherria and Lisanna nodded, showing that they understood perfectly.

"Good, now please take your places at the marked spots to give your Pokémon enough room to battle," Ashi instructed. The two girls obeyed and faced each other from across the field, their expressions determined and eager. Leon, who was acting as their referee, saw that they were ready and shouted, "Begin!"

Lisanna and Sherria sent out their first choices: Lisanna called upon her Sawsbuck, Prancer, while Sherria summoned her newly named Beautifly, Harmony. The two Pokémon emerged onto the field, ready for action.

"Prancer, use Jump Kick!" Lisanna commanded as her winter Sawsbuck gracefully leaped into the air, aiming a powerful kick towards Sherria's Beautifly.

"Harmony, dodge and counter with Silver Wind!" Sherria countered, her Beautifly swiftly avoiding the Jump Kick before unleashing a dazzling flurry of silvery wind blades towards Prancer.

The two attacks collided in mid-air, creating a stunning display that left everyone watching in awe. While Prancer managed to dodge most of the Silver Wind, cuts appeared on its fur from the strength behind Beautifly's move.

Both trainers were intently focused as they quickly strategized their next moves. Meanwhile, Toshi cheered loudly from the side with open encouragement. "That's it Lisa! You can do it! And you too, Sherria!" Even Toshi's Pokémon joined in on cheering for their friends' battle.

The match between the two trainers was heating up as their Pokémon danced and battled on the field. "Prancer, use Bullet Seed!" The Sawsbuck began to gather energy, launching rapid-fire seeds towards Beautifly. But Sherria's quick reflexes kicked in as she shouted, "Harmony, use Gust to blow the seeds away!"

A powerful wind emanated from Beautifly's wings, dispersing the Bullet Seed attack before it could make contact. The ivory-haired teen was impressed by Sherria's quick thinking but also knew she had to step up her game if she wanted to outmaneuver her friend in this battle.

"Prancer, follow up with Stomp!" Lisanna commanded as her Sawsbuck charged towards Beautifly with impressive speed, aiming to land a crushing blow.

Sherria remained calm under pressure, carefully assessing the situation. "Harmony, evade and strike back with Bug Buzz!" she directed, guiding her Beautifly to swiftly dodge the incoming Stomp and retaliate with a powerful burst of buzzing energy.

The Bug Buzz attack hit Prancer head-on, causing the winter Sawsbuck to brace itself but still receiving the full impact of the attack. As Prancer staggered back, it was clear that neither Pokémon was ready to give up in this match. Both Lisanna and Sherria also noticed their determination, knowing they needed to go all out with one final attack.

"Harmony!/Prancer!" Both trainers called out to their Pokémon as they yelled, "Use Quiver Dance!/Megahorn!" The Beautifly and Sawsbuck glowed with an intense light as they performed their moves, each showcasing their power and grace in the intense battle.

Sherria's Beautifly was surrounded by an aura of mystical energy, boosting its speed, special attack, and special defense with the help of Quiver Dance. On the other side of the battlefield, Lisanna's Sawsbuck charged forward like a lightning bolt, its horn radiating with a dazzling light as it aimed to land a powerful Megahorn attack.

The two Pokémon collided in an epic clash of energies, the twirling Quiver Dance attempting to withstand the immense force of Megahorn. The air was filled with vibrant colors and immense strength as the two attacks battled for superiority.

When the dust settled and the glow faded, both Pokémon remained standing but were visibly exhausted from the intense fight. It was clear that they had put their all into this match, leaving nothing behind to showcase their incredible power and determination.

Ashi and Leon took a moment to assess the condition of their Pokémon, noticing the significant damage they had taken during the previous move. As Sherria and Lisanna prepared to give another command, Prancer suddenly collapsed from exhaustion.

Leon briefly considered giving Prancer a chance to recover, but it was evident that the tired Sawsbuck could not continue and he called it. "Prancer is unable to battle, point goes to Sherria and Harmony!" he declared. Sherria beamed at her Beautifly's triumph while the exhausted Pokémon rested on her shoulder with pride.

Lisanna kneeled beside her worn-out Sawsbuck and gently stroked its fur. "You did an amazing job, Prancer. Take a good rest now," she said before returning the Pokémon to its Pokeball. She returned to her position, ready to face the next round with determination as she chose her next Pokémon.

"That was impressive, Sherria, but let's see how you fare against this one. Go Leida!" She threw out her pokeball and her Parischu appeared, ready for battle, while Sherria decided to switch out Harmony in this round.

"Alright, if it's sparks you want, it's sparks you'll get! Go Shila!" The Godslayer released her Emolga from its capsule and the energetic Pokémon let out a cheerful chirp. Leon and Ashi prepared for the second round as the Galar Monarch announced the start of the battle.

"Leida, use Thunderbolt!" Lisanna commanded with determination as her Parischu unleashed a powerful bolt of lightning towards Sherria's Emolga.

Sherria remained unfazed as she quickly ordered, "Shila, dodge and counter with Discharge!" The Emolga skillfully avoided the Thunderbolt before releasing a burst of electrical energy towards Leida.

"Wow, look at them go!" Misty exclaimed as she watched the intense match unfold alongside Brock. "Both of them are using everything they have. Let's see how this plays out." The battlefield lit up with sparks as the two Electric-types clashed, demonstrating their speed and power. Lisanna and Sherria watched intently, strategizing their next moves.

"Leida, use Quick Attack!" Lisanna commanded, as her Parischu darted forward with incredible speed towards Shila.

Sherria quickly countered with "Shila, Double Team and then follow up with Air Slash!" Emolga split into multiple illusions, confusing Leida before launching sharp winds towards her.

Leida narrowly dodged the attack, but she remembered something Ashi had taught her during training while working with Aratiri. She decided to give it a try. "Leida, use Iron Tail!" The Parischu's tail began to glow with metallic energy before delivering a powerful strike towards one of the illusions created by Shila's Double Team. The impact revealed the real Emolga, who staggered back from the unexpected attack.

Sherria was in awe of Lisanna's calculated move and knew she had to respond with equal skill to turn the tide of the battle. "Shila, use Electro Ball!" Sherria commanded with determination as her Emolga conjured up crackling energy into a sphere.

The Electro Ball surged towards Leida, who prepared for impact. But Lisanna wasn't going to let her Parischu take a hit without a fight.

"Leida, counter with Thunder Wave!" Lisanna directed, and her Parischu emitted waves of electricity that intercepted the incoming Electro Ball, creating a dazzling clash of energies on the battlefield.

The spectators held their breath as the two attacks collided, causing a loud explosion that echoed through the air. When the dust settled, both Leida and Shila were panting from exertion, showing their determination to win this fierce battle.

Lisanna and Sherria exchanged glances, both trainers fully aware of what was at stake in this match. With sweat glistening on their foreheads and hearts racing with excitement, they knew that every move from now on could determine the outcome of this intense battle.

"Leida, use Agility to increase your speed and then strike back with Volt Tackle!"

With a quick and calculated motion, Sherria countered Leida's attack with a precise plan. "Shila, use your acrobatics to avoid the attack and then follow up with Aerial Ace!" she commanded, her eyes focused and determined as she prepared her Emolga for the battle.

Leida's fur crackled and sparked with electric energy as it charged forward at an incredible speed, fueled by Agility. Its target was Shila, and it aimed to strike with the powerful force of Volt Tackle. However, Shila proved to be a master of agility and gracefully dodged the oncoming attack with flips and spins, showcasing her mastery of Acrobatics.

Before Leida could adjust its course, Shila closed in swiftly with Aerial Ace, delivering sharp strikes of wind to the Parischu. The impact sent Leida stumbling back and flying through the air.

"Leida!" Lisanna rushed forward to catch her falling Pokémon, but upon inspection, she found that Leida had been knocked unconscious from the powerful blow. Leon swiftly made the call, "Leida is unable to battle, which means Sherria wins!"

The pink-haired trainer cheered loudly before holding out her hand for Shila to give her a high five upon flying towards her trainer. In the process, Shila playfully swatted Sherria with her tail. "We did it, Shila!" Sherria exclaimed with pride. She then turned to Lisanna who had just returned Leida to its Pokeball and headed over to congratulate her opponent. "That was an amazing battle, I really enjoyed it!" Sherria said with genuine admiration.

"Same here," Lisanna replied as she shook hands with Sherria. Her competitive spirit still burning strong, even though she had lost. "But next time we'll win, so you better watch out!"

"I'm counting on it!" Sherria responded, thrilled by the prospect of having another battle against her fellow mage and future Pokémon trainer. Ashi and the others approached the girls, with Steven providing revives for Lisanna's team while Brock brought out potions to heal the injured Pokémon. After they finished tending to their partners' wounds, Ashi gave the girls her evaluation of their match.

"Sherria, you did a fantastic job utilizing both Shila's strength and Harmony's agility in battle. Lisanna, your strategic thinking and quick decision-making were impressive as well. Both of you demonstrated great teamwork with your Pokémon. Keep at it, but be mindful not to lose your focus even if things look bleak. Remember, your Pokémon are counting on you just as much as you are working to overcome the challenges they face. Keep honing your skills, and I have no doubt that you will both become exceptional trainers. Overall, you both did an excellent job back there." Ashi praised them with a warm smile. The others also added their own compliments, agreeing with Ashi's assessment of the battle.

Sherria and Lisanna took everyone's words into consideration and felt proud of themselves and their Pokémon for their efforts in today's practice match. Ashi then had an idea to put on a demonstration involving her brother, as she knew he would also want to train his Pokémon.

"Okay, so you all did splendidly, but how about we focus on exploring the capabilities of Fire and Grass-type movesets? Specifically for your Charmander and Bulbasaur!"

This caught their interest, especially Sharlene and Azalea who were standing by their trainers. Everyone else was now also keen to see what Ashi had in mind. She turned to where her brother was and saw that he must have figured out her plan when she brought it up. His eyes shone as she said, "Toshi, would you be willing to help me out with this?" It was a rhetorical question considering Toshi immediately jumped to his feet, eager to get started. "Yes, absolutely! One hundred percent!"

Everyone chuckled at his enthusiastic response, but they were all eager to see how this would play out. Ashi and Toshi took their designated places in the same spots where Lisanna and Sherria had stood before. Toshi already had Aelius and Silas out, while Ashi retrieved two Pokeballs from her mini-pouch attached to her belt.

"For my team, I'll go with Arlette and Alucard," she announced. Before she could release them, Lisanna quickly raised her hand, seeking permission to speak up. Ashi didn't mind postponing the match to hear what Lisanna had to say.

"But won't Toshi's team be at a disadvantage, given that Alucard is a dual Flying Dragon-type? As far as we know, Flying types are resistant to Fighting, Bug, and Grass-type moves, and for Dragon-types, it's Grass, Fire, Electric, and Water-type moves."

Sherria also thought Lisanna made a good point and chimed in as well, "Yeah, and while Arlette is a Fairy-type and may be weak against Poison or Steel attacks, the only likely move Toshi's team has is Poison Powder because Silas is a Grass-type. Even so, Alucard could take them both out if that's the case."

"That's good observation coming from the both of you, I'm pleased by your excellent assessment!" Ashi saw both girls beam at her compliment before she continued, "Yes, my Noibat would indeed be a challenging opponent for Toshi to defeat, but that's exactly why I want to show you. In any event where you face opposing Pokémon with certain advantages or in specific environments, it's important to know how to overcome these obstacles. It requires tactics, adaptability, and observing your opponents to find the right means to win. So let's see which of us will come out on top in this battle?" She then turned to her brother standing a ways from her and asked him, "Are you ready to go, Toshi?"

Toshi nodded confidently, his determined gaze shining brightly. "Heck yeah, I'm all fired up! Aelius, Silas!" He called to his two Pokémon, who immediately stepped forward, ready for battle. Ashi released her own two Pokémon and Leon resumed his role as referee before giving the signal, "Ready...and begin!"

"Aelius, use Flamethrower on Alucard! Silas, use Poison Powder on Arlette!" Toshi yelled as his Charmander and Bulbasaur moved to unleash their attacks on the Noibat and Clefairy. But Ashi saw this coming and quickly responded with her own commands.

"Alucard, use Air Slash! Arlette, dodge it!" The Noibat unleashed a powerful Air Slash that pushed back Aelius's Flamethrower and caught him off guard. Meanwhile, Silas released a cloud of Poison Powder towards Arlette, but she managed to evade most of it. However, some of the powder still landed on her, causing discomfort as the poison took effect. "Arlette, use Moonblast now!"

Ignoring the effects of the poison on her, Arlette countered with a dazzling beam of moonlight that struck Silas head-on, causing the Bulbasaur to stagger back in pain. Before Toshi could react, Ashi seized the opportunity to press her advantage.

"Alucard, follow up with Dragon Pulse on Aelius! Arlette, use Dazzling Gleam on Silas!" The Noibat gathered energy and unleashed a powerful Dragon Pulse that slammed into Charmander, knocking him down. At the same time, Arlette released a blinding burst of light with Dazzling Gleam, enveloping Silas in a radiant attack that left the Bulbasaur struggling to stay on its feet.

Despite being at a disadvantage, Toshi refused to give up. "Aelius, shake it off and hit Alucard with Fire Fang! Silas, try to counter with Vine Whip on Arlette!" As both sides continued to battle intensely, their friends watched and observed the tactics being employed.

"Gotta say, Ashi has the higher chance of winning, but Toshi is determined not to go down without a fight," Lisanna remarked, her eyes glued to the intense battle unfolding before them.

Sherria nodded in agreement, admiring the resolution on Toshi's face as he strategized his next move. "It's impressive how he's managing to hold his own despite the tough situation he's in. And Ashi is proving to be a formidable opponent with her clever tactics and quick thinking."

They refocused their attention on the intense match, watching as Ashi had her Alucard dodge another one of Charmander's Flamethrowers. But when she noticed her brother's expression and realized he had anticipated it, Toshi quickly shouted, "Silas, now use Sweet Scent!"

The Grass-type Pokémon wasted no time in releasing an overpowering fragrant aroma that left Arlette and Alucard momentarily dazed and distracted by the potent smell engulfing the entire battlefield. Not one to waste a golden opportunity, Toshi commanded his Charmander to strike while the Pokémon were still disoriented. "Aelius, now use Metal Claw on Arlette!"

Aelius lunged forward with newfound speed, his talons extending and obtaining a metallic sheen as he struck at the distracted Clefairy, even as Ashi shouted for her to dodge. Despite her attempt to evade, Arlette couldn't avoid the surprise attack and was hit by the powerful Steel-type move.

Sherria and Lisanna were impressed by Toshi's tactic, especially since they never guessed he had taught Aelius a Steel-type move. However, upon hearing a small chuckle from Raihan next to them, they realized that he must have known about this all along and most likely had a hand in teaching that move. The Hammerlocke gym leader was pleased to see the result of all their training for Toshi's Fire-type finally paying off.

"But still," Raihan muttered to himself as his eyes looked towards Ashi on the other end, "don't think that's going to be enough to take out Ashi's team just like that..." Ashi saw her Clefairy skid backward from the impact of the attack, visibly weakened from the super-effective blow. Yet she quickly got back on her feet, shaking it off and still able to continue battling despite the heavy damage she received.

She then glanced over at her brother and had to admit that was a clever maneuver he had pulled off, "Not bad little brother, that was a good plan." Toshi grinned, as did his Charmander who was just as pleased with their effective strategy. "Yeah well, like you always told me, I should trust my instincts and know when to strike when the iron is hot."

Ashi nodded, glad he took her words to heart, "Good, I'm glad to see you did but I'm afraid you'll have to do better than that, Alucard!" She looked to where her Dragon-type was and upon hearing his trainer's voice, he regained focus and turned towards her, waiting for her next command.

"Use Dragon Pulse! And Arlette, use Metronome!" She called out, seeing the two Pokémon carry out their moves. Meanwhile, Toshi also got his Pokémon ready to counter the incoming attack with his own commands. "Aelius, use Fire Spin! Silas, use Takedown!"

Aelius whirled around, engulfed in a blazing vortex of fire, creating a fiery barrier to intercept Alucard's Dragon Pulse. Silas charged forward with determination, ready to unleash a powerful Takedown on Arlette. But just as he was about to make contact, Arlette's Metronome ability kicked in and she unleashed a sudden burst of power, launching a blinding Solar Beam towards Silas.

The blast struck him head-on, sending the grass-type flying and crashing into Aelius. Both Pokémon were left severely injured by the impact.

"Aelius! Silas!" Toshi cried out as his Charmander and Bulbasaur lay unconscious on the ground. Leon saw both Pokémon were down for the count and quickly declared Ashi as the winner, putting an end to their battle.

Ashi noticed her two Pokémon heading over towards her now that the match was finished. She found that they were tired and a little scuffed up, but Arlette and Alucard were smiling broadly as she moved to praise the duo for their excellent performance.

"You both did incredibly well back there, I'm so proud of you. Now, you two need to take a nice long rest," she said before recalling Clefairy and Noibat to their respective Pokéballs. She then turned to where her brother was and saw that Brock was already administering revives and potions to Toshi's Pokémon before Toshi returned them to their designated capsules to recover. He then looked in her direction and seemed less upset about losing, stating it had been a great battle.

"That was really something else, sis!"Ashi nodded, agreeing with him. She could see how much Toshi had improved during their impromptu match and couldn't help but say, "You're right, Toshi. I have to give you credit for what you did back there. It was a really good tactic." She was thoroughly impressed by his quick thinking, as it showed he took her lesson and everyone else's to heart. However, she still believed he had a long way to go before he could take on the big leagues at his current level. But he had proven himself capable of handling any challenges thrown his way and would continue moving forward by staying on the right course.

"I think for the next few days, we should focus on training your team's defense so they can handle more brutal strikes or find productive countermeasures so you can hold your own in battles," Ashi suggested. This received nods not just from Toshi, but also from the others who felt it was good advice. They were willing to lend their own assistance in that matter.

"Yeah, but that was an impressive battle you both had and-" Misty's words were cut short when they all heard two loud gurgling sounds. As they looked towards the source of the noise, they saw both Toshi and Ashi looking a bit embarrassed as they put a hand to their growling stomachs, trying to quiet them down.

Ashi released a nervous laugh, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush as she tried to avoid the intense stares of their friends. Meanwhile, Toshi's stomach growled loudly, reminding him of his hunger after the intense battle. (Arceus, I could eat a Wailord right now!) Lisanna and Sherria couldn't help but find this amusing, knowing all too well about the insatiable appetite of a Dragonslayer.

"Looks like we finished just in time for lunch," Brock commented, noticing the sun high in the sky and everyone's rumbling stomachs. He stood up and grabbed his bag, ready to whip up a meal for the group. "Why don't you guys find a spot by the river while I cook?"

"On it!" Everyone sprang into action, setting up a large blanket and laying out utensils. The girls and Toshi worked together to take care of their Pokémon and feed them while waiting for Brock's mouth-watering creations.

In less than fifteen minutes, the Pewter Gym leader had a feast laid out on the blanket. They all eagerly dug in, thanking Brock between bites. Sherria couldn't help but gush over their impressive battle skills, especially Toshi's use of a Steel-type attack with his Charmander.

"I didn't even know Charmander could learn that move! Can you teach my Sharlene too?" she asked eagerly.

"Of course!" Toshi happily agreed, taking another bite of his third BLT sandwich without hesitation.

Lisanna watched dejectedly as Sherria got Toshi's help with training her Pokémon. She had been about to ask him as well, but Sherria beat her to it. Ashi noticed her disappointment and stepped in.

"If you want, I can give you some tips for training Grass-types. We can work on them together and see which moves work best for Azalea, Prancer, and Fleur," Ashi offered kindly.

As Ashi's mind momentarily drifted to her own Bulbasaur back in Pallet Town, she remembered how she had to send one of her Pokémon, Hinata, back to the research facility after catching Sera and Lex. She hoped that Hinata was enjoying the wide-open spaces of the ranch and getting along with the other Pokémon there.

Her mother had told her that Hinata was doing well and even helping out with gardening at the lab. Just a few days ago, she had come over to their house to help Delia tend to her vegetable patch. The professor was happy to allow Hinata to stay with them for the weekend before returning to the lab.

Ashi smiled at the thought of Hinata having a green thumb – or vine – and being able to contribute in such a helpful way. It made her proud as a trainer and grateful for her diverse team of Pokémon.

Lisanna eagerly accepted Ashi's offer and the two started discussing different training ideas. Suddenly, the Dragonslayer's attention was diverted by something bobbing in the nearby river. A medium-sized orange ball was floating downstream.

"What's wrong, Ashi?" Misty asked, noticing her friend getting up and heading towards the water. The rest of their group followed Ashi's gaze and saw her wade into the river, removing her shoes and socks as she went. When she reached the object and brought it back to shore, everyone could see that it was an unconscious Pokémon. They saw that it had tiny black ears with the inside a pale yellow, a small nose and an upper incisor that came to a point, as well as two prominent black whiskers on each cheek connected to orange electric sacs. Its back was adorned with a thick stripe of black fur that contrast against its orange fur, while its underbelly was a pale yellow color. Its short limbs ended in three digits, and its long tail sported a tuft of fur at the end.

Those that instantly recognize this Pokémon and knew wasn't of this particular region and couldn't help wondering how it ended up here in Kanto of all places. But Ashi didn't dwell on these thoughts for long as she noticed the Dedenne was barely breathing when she pulled it from the river. Looking closer, she could see that its injuries were consistent with a horn attack, likely from a Goldeen since this was their territory.

Without hesitation, Ashi wrapped the Pokémon in a towel and Sora rushed over to share his own body heat to help it warm up. Lisanna quickly grabbed a spare Potion from their pack and handed it to Ashi to use on the wounded creature. As the liquid was applied to its wounds, they all waited anxiously for any sign of improvement.

Slowly, the Dedenne began to stir from its unconscious state. Its beady eyes fluttered open, taking in its surroundings before finally resting on the group of people and Pokémon gathered around it. "Dedenne?" it muttered weakly, still disoriented and unsure of what was happening.

"Don't be afraid, little one," Ashi's voice was soothing as she kept her distance, not wanting to startle the small creature. Aratiri stepped forward with Sherria and Lisanna's voltaic Pokémon by her side, knowing they would be the best ones to communicate with their fellow rodent. The group watched as the Pikachu conversed with it, Shila and Leida adding in a comment or two from their own discussion. Gradually, the Dedenne's wariness dissipated until suddenly it froze in place. It seemed to remember something and now was in a total panic.

"Dedenne, Dedenne Denne!" It jumped up and began rushing up the slope towards the road. Halfway up, it turned to face them and made wild gestures, indicating that it wanted them to follow.

"I suppose there's a problem and it wants our help?" Everyone concluded this was true and some of them stayed behind to gather their things while others followed the Dedenne. Ashi, her brother, Leon, and the two mages joined the electric Pokémon as it led them back onto the trail they had been traveling on. They ran down the familiar graveled path until they came across a large hole in the middle of the road.

"Does anyone else feel like familiar to anyone?" Sherria couldn't shake off a feeling of déjà vu as they approached the edge of the hole. Before anyone could respond, they heard cries for help coming from below.

"Hello? Is someone up there?" A scared voice echoed from within the hole. Ashi called out in response, "Hang on, we'll get you out!" She quickly instructed Lisanna and Toshi to use their Bulbasaurs to lower vines into the hole. With careful coordination, they were able to rescue a young girl and her two small Pokémon companions from the depths.

As they helped the shaken girl to her feet, she expressed her profound relief and gratitude. "Thank goodness you all showed up. I didn't know what I was going to do if no one came to help me."

The girl was about Lisanna's age and had a similar short hairstyle, but her light blue hair was messier. Her bangs were stuck to her flushed face, and a dark blue rose was crookedly perched on her head. Her teal tank top and black mini skirt were rumpled, likely from falling into the hole. Despite being covered in dirt and looking unkempt, her brown eyes expressed immense relief as she gazed at her rescuers.

Her two Pokémon also seemed grateful to be saved from the pit. One was a water-type mouse with sleek blue fur, round ears, and a bubble-like ball on its tail. The other Pokémon was petite with a humanoid appearance and possessed pinkish-white skin, thin arms and legs that widened towards the feet, and a wispy extension trailing off the back of its feet resembling a nightgown or oversized dress. Its face was mostly covered by light blue hair in a bowl cut style, with two flat, light red horns on top of its head.

The two Pokémon immediately zipped over to their trainer, both hopping into her arms and clinging onto her tightly. The girl quickly comforted them, understanding how scary it must have been to be trapped in the hole for hours before rescue arrived.

"I don't know how to thank you for what you guys did. We've been down there for a few hours and I was starting to think no one would come this way," she said gratefully.

As her eyes scanned the faces of those who had come to their rescue, they landed on Sherria. Recognition flashed across both of their faces as the Godslayer blurted out, surprising everyone there with the knowledge that she knew this person. "Yukino, is that you?"

The attention in the group shifted between them and as Ashi and Toshi both had the same startling conculsion that the girl here was from the same dimension as that of Sherria and Lisanna.

This surprising turn of events left everyone a bit bewildered. Yukino though was also shocked and seeing she respond, "Yes and you're Sherria Blendy! What are you doing here? Did you also happen to be—"

But before she could finish her sentence, Sherria reacted quickly by running towards Yukino and enveloping her in a tight hug. "Oh my goodness, Yukino what a strange coincidence!" But as she was holding her and though no one save Ashi and Toshi with their sharp hearing heard the Godslayer whispering, "We'll talk later but please play along for now!"

Sherria stepped back but kept an arm around Yukino, who was still trying to process seeing not one but two familiar faces here. The rest of the group there stood there watching this odd intereaction.

Leon spoke up, breaking the tension. "Wait so you two know each other or something?" Sherria took it upon herself to explain, "Yep, me and Yuki, are good friends and I didn't expect to see her here but I'm glad to see my bestie is also in the same place I am, right Yuki?"

She pulled Yuki closer until their cheeks were squished together. Despite feeling slightly uncomfortable with this awkwardness yet Yukino played along with her. "Y-Yes it certainly is, but I am happy to see Sherria and know that it's you that came to help me out which I'm again glad you did."

"Hehe yeah of course anything for my good buddy here…" Ashi and Lisanna exchange quick glances at each other, both thinking that this seemed a bit over the top though looking to see Leon bought it which they both inwardly sigh in relief.

(Hopefully Sherria will give Yukino the heads-up and warn her about keeping mum on Magic and about being from another dimension when around everyone else.) The thought passed both of their minds, but they decided they see to speak privately with their new comrade at a much later date when there's time.

Then they suddenly heard the sound of running footsteps approaching and everyone turned to see their other friends arriving on the scene. All eyes were on Yukino as they noticed her and her Pokémon's condition, prompting Misty to grab some water bottles for the parched trio. They watched as they drank or in Marill's case, doused themselves with the water, looking much more hydrated afterwards.

After quenching their thirst, Yukino moved to introduce herself and her Pokémon to the others. "Thank you all so much for coming to our rescue. Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Yukino Agria, and these little ones here are my friends." She pointed to each Pokémon in turn as they responded with their names. "This one you guys met is Sterope," the Dedenne squeaked, followed by the Marill who bounce happily upon hearing its name," "Merope," and finally the shy Ralts who timidly looked at the group while hiding behind Yukino's leg. "And this little one here is Taygete, or Tay for short."

Toshi was curious about these Pokémon since he and some of the others had never seen them before. He aimed his Pokedex at each one but received an error message stating "Not found in Kanto." Those with a national dex in their Rotom took turns aiming it at the Pokémon so everyone could read what was on their screens.

Steven:Dedenne, the Antenna Pokémon. Dedenne communicates long distances with other Dedenne by sending radio waves through its whisker-like antennas.

Raihan:Marill, the Water Mouse Pokémon. Its sensitive ears can detect distant sounds and its tail can expand and contract to assist Marill in the water.

Leon:Ralts, the Feeling Pokémon. Ralts is the pre-evolved form of Kirlia and can use its horns to read human emotions. It rarely shows itself to humans, but may approach when it senses positive or happy feelings. This one has a different coloration, meaning it's a shiny variety!

Toshi couldn't contain his amazement as he turned to the girl and exclaimed, "Wow, you have an impressive group with you. Your Ralts is especially stunning, with its beautiful color that matches your hair."

Yukino blushed at the compliment but couldn't hide her delight. "Thank you so much for saying that," she replied graciously. "They've been by my side since I first arrived in this...area." She caught herself before revealing too much and luckily, no one seemed to notice her slip up.

Misty was curious about how she ended up in the hole, and Yukino proceeded to tell her about the events that led to their current situation.

"We were traveling down this road towards a nearby town when we decided to take a quick rest. Out of nowhere, someone threw smoke bombs at us!"

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, they could barely see through the thick haze. They felt something moving around them but couldn't make out what it was. Once the smoke cleared, Yukino realized that all of her belongings, including her keyring with numerous keys attached to her belt, were missing. Startled and confused, Sterope noticed tiny footprints leading away from their campsite, followed by boisterous laughter from their thieves who had taken all of their items. Yukino and her Pokémon quickly gave chase but ended up falling into a hidden pit in the ground as they followed the trail. Dedenne continued after the thieves while they were trapped.

"Did you get a good look at them?" Steven inquired, and Yukino took a moment to recall any details she could remember about the thieves.

"They were small and blue with three pointed digits on their hands and feet, and a long tail that curled inward like a squirrel's. The shell I saw was brown on top and yellow on the bottom with a thick white ridge in between. They resembled turtles, but there was one peculiar thing: they were all wearing sunglasses..."

"Turtles in sunglasses? That's certainly something new," Raihan commented while Ashi pulled out her Pokedex to search for a match. After scrolling through various listings, she held up the screen for everyone to see.

"Do they look like this?" she asked, showing them an image of Squirtle, Kanto's water starter. Yukino confirmed it upon seeing it, "Yes, those are them! Those are the ones who took my belongings!" Even her Pokémon nodded in agreement, particularly Sterope who growled upon seeing their picture, whiskers twitching angrily as it glared at the smug little face on display. The memory was still fresh in its mind; how it had relentlessly pursued them until they struck back, catching her off guard with a Skull Bash and sending her flying into the river. As she flailed helplessly trying to make her way to shore, a Goldeen came and struck Dedenne with its horn, causing it to black out.

If it weren't for these trainers nearby, Dedenne may have been swept down the stream unconscious without anyone knowing and her poor trainer would be left trapped in that pit for who knows how long...

The electric-type Pokémon bristled with fury, sparks crackling from its whiskers as it growled under its breath, "Dedenne..." (Just wait until I get my claws on those sneaky little...)

Feeling the tension rising, Yukino quickly scooped up her Pokémon and held it close to her chest, gently rubbing its back. "It's okay, Sterope. There's no need to get upset. I'm just glad you're safe. That's all that matters." Her soothing words calmed the Pokémon down and it nuzzled against her chest, secretly plotting revenge against the conniving turtles when they inevitably cross paths again.

Everyone sympathized with Yukino's situation and Ashi suggested they lend a helping hand by taking her to the proper authorities and reporting the incident.

"We happen to be heading in that direction ourselves and we can drop you off at the nearest police station while we're at it," Ashi offered. Yukino was touched by their kindness but didn't want to impose or inconvenience anyone. However, Leon chimed in and assured her that it was no trouble at all.

"We have a faster way of getting there than walking. Right, guys?" He turned to the others who nodded in agreement and began summoning their Flying-type Pokémon. Ashi also called out Sera to join them and seeing her stand alongside Leon's Charizard, both stretching their wings out and eager to get this show on the road.

Yukino gazed at the group, her eyes filled with gratitude for their kindness and eagerness to lend a hand. She nodded gratefully and spoke, "Thank you all so much. I truly appreciate your assistance in this matter."

With a little assistance, she climbed onto Ashi's Charizard with Toshi sitting behind them. Once everyone was settled and ready to go, they took off into the sky towards the closest town in the distance.

Unbeknownst to them, Meowth and his partners were spying on them from a distance, keeping a close watch on their every move. They had set up a trap along this path in hopes of catching their target, but unfortunately, it seemed like someone else had fallen into it. Jessie groaned in frustration at their failed plan. "We spent hours setting up that trap for those twerps! And now some random girl gets caught in it!" It annoyed her that they had to dig the pit themselves since they didn't have enough money to buy equipment, and her hands were blistered from all the work. She couldn't help but shout, "Whose stupid idea was it to dig a hole anyway?!"

Meowth didn't dare speak up, knowing that the pit trap was actually her idea. James also felt they should have thought things through more carefully.

"Yeah, who would have thought some unexpected person would trigger our trap? But did you see that Charizard?" James exclaimed, thinking he must be seeing things when he spotted Ashi's unique-looking Pokémon through their binoculars. "I've never seen one like that before. Must be one-of-a-kind."

"And you know what that means - it's valuable to the boss, along with their other Pokémon!" Meowth declared determinedly as they decided to follow the group and discover their destination.

"Before we do anything else, let's stop by the Pelipper Drop-off and collect our special 'party favors' that just arrived," they were relieved to have placed an early order at HQ and received confirmation that the 'package' was on its way. The trio couldn't help but smile mischievously, already plotting how they would use these items against their pesky enemies and finally come out on top by stealing everyone's precious Pokémon right under their noses.

(Just wait, you little brats. No one calls me a hag without consequences! I'll get you too, Ashy, along with all your little mons! Just wait and see!) Jessie cackled maniacally in her head, rubbing her hands together with evil glee as she reveled in the thought of their quarry's impending downfall once they were finished with them.


"Achoo!" Ashi suddenly sneezed, wondering why her nose was tingling. She brushed it off as they continued flying until they reached a town with several buildings, realizing they were close to their destination. "According to Rotom, the police station is just down this way," Raihan pointed out, following the directions on his device. They soon spotted the familiar-looking building.

After their Pokémon landed outside the station, they were greeted by Officer Jenny who had just returned to headquarters and was surprised to see these newcomers standing in front of her building. "Hello there, Officer Jenny. Sorry to drop in like this, but we need to file a report about a recent crime," Ashi spoke up politely.

"Oh, I see. Please tell me what happened when you're ready," the green-haired policewoman said as she got off her bike and pulled out her notepad and pen, ready to take notes. Yukino stepped forward to explain the situation, but before she could say anything, Brock suddenly lunged forward and began flirting with Officer Jenny.

"The only crime I wish to report is that my heart has been immediately stolen by none other than you, Officer Jenny! How easily you take my—"

BAM! Brock fell face-first onto the pavement while Misty stood behind him with her trusty mallet resting over her shoulder. She grabbed him by the pant leg and pulled him away from the startled woman. "Honestly Brock, can't you see this is no time for your ridiculous antics? We have real issues that need handling here..."

She dragged him behind everyone else, as Yukino was still processing what had just happened. Ashi decided to take over and report the situation. "It's our friend Yukino. Her things were recently stolen by a group of Squirtles who were wearing sunglasses."

But as she finished speaking, everyone noticed the expression on Officer Jenny's face upon hearing this news. "But judging from your reaction, I assume you're familiar with this?" Not one to deny it, Officer Jenny confirmed that she was aware of these rogue Squirtles causing trouble in the area.

"I regret to inform you that your encounter with the Squirtle Squad is not an isolated incident. They are a group of abandoned Pokémon who are running wild and causing trouble wherever they go. As a matter of fact, I was on my way to investigate a scene involving them, which can be seen on the building across from us."

As everyone looked at the building, they saw graffiti covering its walls. To most humans, it probably looked like random scribbles and cartoonish images of Squirtles making faces. But for Sora, Aratiri, and the other Pokémon who could understand Pokenese, it was evident that the Squirtles were writing "Your Mama" jokes directed at humans. One particularly crude drawing showed a human with a Mankey, Psyduck, Cherri, and...well, let's just say that some of the Pokémon were regretting seeing it. (Ew, those Squirtles have such dirty minds! I'll need Amnesia to erase this from my memory!)

Officer Jenny could feel a headache looming as yet another property was damaged by the mischievous Pokémon. This week alone, there had been thirty-six buildings tagged up and her officers had been unable to catch the culprits. These Squirtles were incredibly slippery, darting through the streets like wild pinballs and causing chaos wherever they went. Officer Jenny's squad had been on endless chases trying to catch them, but it seemed like an impossible task.

The whole town was in an uproar over the constant damage and even the mayor was on her case to do something about it. "I know we shouldn't have a negative view of them, but the locals are really not happy with this situation. If it continues, we may have to call in Pokémon control to handle it." She hadn't meant to vent her frustrations out loud, so she changed the subject quickly and reassured the group that they would do everything in their power to recover Yukino's stolen belongings. "We'll keep you informed if anything happens, but for now, leave it to us." She jotted down some of their phone numbers in case she needed to reach out to them later.

The group expressed their gratitude towards her, and Brock took advantage of the opportunity to make a move on the policewoman once again and declare his love for her. However, Misty was quick to step in and yank him away by his ear. "Calm down, Brock. Don't even think about it, or she might just take you to the pound!" (Or perhaps the vet for a little snip-snip...actually, that might not be such a bad idea...) Misty grumbled as she dragged Brock along with the rest of the group.

Lost in their thoughts about Officer Jenny's words, the group aimlessly wandered down the street until they stumbled upon a park. Yukino's demeanor seemed particularly downcast as she gazed at her shoes with a sorrowful expression.

"Don't be so glum, Yuki. Officer Jenny assured us they'll find your things, so try not to worry and let them handle it," Toshi attempted to lift her spirits, but it didn't seem to have much effect.

"But you don't understand," Yukino pleaded. "What they took was irreplaceable to me, my most cherished possessions!" She had not owned much when she first arrived in this strange dimension, but these keys were the one thing that crossed over from her world, and now they were stolen while under her watch. They may not have understood their true value, but to Yukino, they were a piece of herself that felt missing without them. She couldn't help but wonder if they were safe, or if they were worried and afraid. Did they think she abandoned them? Her mind was consumed with turmoil and she struggled to bear the heavy burden.

"If anything happens to them, I...I..." Yukino's voice caught in her throat and tears began to well up in her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. Ashi noticed her distress and gently escorted her to a nearby bench. Sherria sat on Yukino's other side and comforted her with soft words of reassurance: "There there, everything will be alright."

The kind gesture only made it harder for Yukino to hold back her emotions as she tried not to cry in front of these compassionate strangers. But she couldn't help but question why the Squirtle had targeted her like this. "Why me? Why would they do this?" Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"I don't think it was personal, Yuki," Leon chimed in thoughtfully. Their earlier conversation with Officer Jenny had shed some light on the situation; these Squirtles had likely been abandoned by their trainers and were struggling to cope with their emotions. "It's possible that they're just expressing their own pain in a misguided way."

"He's right," Ashi added sadly. "Unfortunately, this is all too common when Pokémon are treated as disposable objects by their trainers who fail to consider their feelings." She looked around at the others and saw that they all seemed to agree with this sentiment. Even Sherria and Lisanna, who were not originally from this realm, could see that these creatures were sentient beings and it was heartbreaking to witness the mistreatment they sometimes endured, leaving deep scars on their hearts and souls.

The two mages couldn't help but think of their own Pokémon, Azalea and Sharlene, and empathize with the Squirtles, even though what they were doing was wrong but still though—

Suddenly, a loud noise grabbed everyone's attention. A commotion was brewing nearby and the group quickly rushed over to see what the fuss was about.

"Oh man, why do I have a bad feeling about this," groaned Raihan, but they couldn't resist the urge to get a closer look at the chaos unfolding in the town square. They saw something unusual - a vegetable cart being pulled by two raging Tauros. But that wasn't even the most intriguing part.

Perched on top of the cart were two Squirtles, jumping up and down while others inside the cart hurled heads of lettuce (or maybe it was cabbage?) at unsuspecting bystanders. And upon impact, these projectiles exploded into vibrant clouds of glittery paint that coated everything in sight.

"What in the world..." Before Steven could finish his sentence, one of the green leafy bombs flew towards them. Brock managed to catch it before it exploded, but they all heard a faint ticking sound coming from it.

"Oh Magikarp! Quick get rid of that before it-" But it was too late. The ticking vegetable suddenly exploded, splattering the group in pink and yellow glitter body paint.

"Ugh, I hope this stuff washes off easily!" groaned Misty as she and the other girls frantically tried to wipe off the sticky substance from their clothes. Even their Pokémon were covered in glitter, but Raihan...he was fuming.

"Okay that's it I just had it!" Raihan snapped, spitting out bits of roughage from his mouth (ugh, cabbage! I hate it!). But what really infuriated him was seeing that his prized jacket was now covered in this goop. Everyone could see that Mt. Raihan was on the verge of erupting, but Leon quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation before things escalated. "Rai Rai, let's not do anything rash here!"

But his words fell on deaf ears as Raihan grabbed two Pokeballs off his belt and released Kahli and Argo, barking orders like a drill sergeant. "Kahli, go underground and slow them down! Argo, get in front of the Tauros and stop those troublemakers!"

The Sandaconda and Duraludon swiftly followed his commands, with Kahli burrowing through the ground while Argo positioned itself in front of the runaway Tauros.

As the cart tore through the streets, the Squirtles continued to wreak havoc and spread chaos. Their laughter echoed through the air as they watched people frantically trying to avoid them. Suddenly, the ground trembled and a large hump appeared out of nowhere, causing the Tauros pulling the cart to jolt. The Squirtles desperately clung onto each other, their shells rattling with fear.

But their fears were short-lived as they saw a massive Steel-type Pokémon standing in front of them. Its arms were outstretched, ready to grab hold of the charging Tauros and lift it into the air. With impressive strength, it hurled both Tauros and their cargo over its head. The impact sent everything in its cart - including the shellshocked Squirtles - flying behind them. Cabbages exploded in a colorful burst, covering the Squirtles in a glittery rainbow paint mixed with shredded greens.

Just as Ashi and her companions arrived on the scene, Duraludon gently set the wagon back down on the ground. Raihan rushed over to inspect the fallen Squirtles, proudly exclaiming, "Great job, Argo and Kahli!" Toshi was still trying to process what had just happened when Lisanna stood beside him and said with awe, "Who knew someone could turn a cabbage into a glitter bomb? Did you?" He couldn't help but be impressed by the ingenuity of the Squirtles, but he didn't dare say it out loud within earshot of Raihan.

"I think those are Webb Wonder Lettuce," Sherria added from Toshi's other side after reading the words on the cart. She thought she heard someone in the crowd crying out, "My cabbage?!" But their focus quickly returned to the peeved Squirtles, who were still trying to regain their composure. However, it was hard to take them seriously with their new pink and glittery appearance.

Yukino's prediction about the Pokémon wearing sunglasses was correct, but what surprised everyone was the sight of gold chains around their necks. Each member also had a key, like something a rapper would wear as bling. The leader's sunglasses were different from the others - more prominent - and two Squirtles stood behind him with heart-shaped shades, indicating that they were the only females in the group.

But what caught everyone's attention even more was the golden keys all three Squirtles wore while the ringleader's stood out with a black serpent coiled around its blade and bow.

Both Ashi and Toshi felt a surge of powerful magic emanating from the keys, especially the golden ones emitting an incredible essence. Ashi glanced over at Sherria and Lisanna, who also seemed to have noticed the energy before returning her attention to Yukino.

"My keys!" Yukino exclaimed as she saw the Squirtles wearing them as fashion accessories. She made a move to reclaim them, but instead, one of the Squirtles sprayed her with a powerful blast of water, causing her to fall backwards upon impact.

"Yuki!" Toshi and Lisanna exclaimed while hurrying to her side, checking on her well-being. The poor girl was soaked, her clothes clinging uncomfortably to her skin as icy water dripped down her body. Despite trying to suppress her shivers, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious about the attention they were getting and it reminded her of the moments before her excommunication from her former guild. But at least this wasn't as bad, though she still felt upset and embarrassed, especially when she heard the mocking laughter from the Squirtles standing in front of them.

Toshi was not one to back down, immediately turning to face the group with Aelius by his side. The fire-type glared fiercely at the Squirtles as Toshi spoke up, "That was cruel and disrespectful! You have no right to harm our friends or take something that belongs to someone else!"

"Charmander!" (Yeah, who do you think you are? You guys are just plain mean!)

"Squirtle!" (Mind your own business, stinkbreath!) The Squirtles sneered at them while their leader arrogantly laughed and replied, "Squirtle Squirtle!" (We do whatever we want, whenever we want. No one can tell us how to behave!) He then turned to his companions and boasted, "Squirt!" (Right, guys?)

"Squirtle Squirtle!" The Squirtle Squad chimed in agreement, their laughter echoing through the streets. But their merriment was soon interrupted by an angry voice.

"Enough is enough!" Ashi stepped forward, positioning herself between the two groups. She fixed them with a stern glare and continued, "What you're doing is wrong and deep down, you know it. If you find this sort of behavior amusing, then you're no better than your trainers were!"

The Squirtles paused, taken aback by her words. They felt insulted to be compared to their former trainers. But Ashi wasn't finished, "I understand why you're acting out, I truly do. You're full of anger and resentment towards the world because of what happened to you. Your trainers' actions were heartless and cruel. Not only did they abandon you, but they also most likely mistreated you before that, making you believe that you were worthless and weak. But deep down, you know that's not true."

Ashi could see the pain reflected in Yukino's gaze as she stood with Lisanna and Sherria nearby. The Dragonslayer had seen how Yukino reacted earlier when talking to the officer about the Squirtles and suspected that she may have gone through a similar experience before being transported to their world.

She turned back to face the Pokémon standing before her and continued, "You feel burdened by all of this, your hearts heavy from being told that you were insignificant and unwanted. What your trainers did was unforgivable, but taking it out on innocent people will only make it harder for you to move on from this pain and let go of your anger."

The two Squirtles behind their leader shared a quick glance at each other, feeling conflicted by Ashi's words. They couldn't speak up for their fellow shell companions yet, but her words struck a chord deep inside them. The Squirtle on the left looked up from behind its heart-shaped shades at Ashi, feeling like she truly understood their plight.

"Trainers are supposed to show a strong commitment when it comes to the upbringing of their chosen Pokémon," Ashi continued, her voice firm yet empathetic. "To build a powerful bond based on trust and harmony, not to treat them as disposable objects when they no longer serve a purpose. You have feelings just like we do, they reside within your hearts."

The entire street stood in awe, drawn in by Ashi's passionate words. Even the tough Squirtle Squad and Ashi's friends were mesmerized by her resounding speech. Sora and Aratiri stood alongside their trainer, eager to add their own thoughts to the mix.

"Pika Pi! Pikachu!" Aratiri exclaimed. (Ashi's absolutely right. Those douchbag trainers are spineless cowards who couldn't battle their way out of a paper bag. They're nothing in comparison to our trainer cause if you were to look up 'the best trainer in all the universe' in the dictionary, her picture would be there!)

"Pikachu Pika! Pikachu!" (Ashi always listens to our thoughts and treats us with love and respect. She makes sure we all feel equal, even this little fluffball here!) He pointed a paw at the Litten beside him, who snarled back, "Meow!" (Hey watch it Ara!) But Aratiri ignored Sora's growl as he turned back to the Squirtles, "Pika Pika Pika!" (Ashi understands that you guys have been dealt a bad hand. Believe me when I say that you should listen to her and rise above those useless trainers. Show them that you're better than their narrow-mindedness and prove them wrong!)

The Squirtles mulled over his words, huddling together to discuss. The onlookers observed as they whispered amongst one another before turning back around. The leader stepped forward and cleared his throat and said, "Squirtle, squirt, Squirtle!"

Misty turned to Brock with a puzzled expression on her face and sure wasn't the only one to wonder what it was trying to say, "What do you think it's trying to tell us?"

"I know exactly what it means," came a deep voice from behind them. They both jumped in surprise as someone unexpectedly placed their hands on their shoulders. Turning around, they saw a tall muscular figure with bronzed skin and slicked back white blonde hair. He wore a pair of oval-shaped sunglasses, a white bandana around his head, and a flak jacket over stone gray slacks with a red sash tied around his waist. Two tattoos were prominently displayed - one on his right shoulder, the kanji for 'iron', and the other, a pair of Taurus horns on his left cheek.

All eyes were fixed on the stranger as he spoke in a peculiar manner, "Look here folks, these Squirtles may seem like troublemakers, causing chaos and playing pranks. But deep down, they just want to be cool like a Growlithe with an unthrowable bone. Unfortunately, others try to bring them down."

"Huh?" Some of the listeners were perplexed by his unconventional rhymes. Just then, Officer Jenny arrived at the scene and overheard the man's words, "He means that although these Pokémon understand what we're saying, it's not easy for them to change their ways," she clarified.

"Like a Vulpix without her tails trying to learn new tricks but always failing," the man added with another rhyme.

"But the Squirtles want to see if you can really prove it. They've made a bet that if your Pokémon can defeat them in a battle, they'll consider changing their actions and leaving this town alone." This definitely sparked the group's interest, especially Toshi who was eager to prove themselves.

"We accept!" He exclaimed confidently, but then the strange man stepped forward and wagged his finger at him. "Hold on now son, this ain't no ordinary battle. We're talking about bringing down some lightning!"

"Huh?!" Toshi wasn't the only one confused by this statement. Lisanna turned to Officer Jenny for clarification and noticed the knowing look on her face. "He said it's a battle, so why isn't it for fighting?" Officer Jenny took a moment to compose herself before explaining, "Well...it's a little different. What he's proposing is a—"

"A POKERAPPIN' BREAKDANCE BATTLE FOOL!"

"SAY WHAT?!" The group and spectators were stunned by this unexpected turn of events.


Asharia 'Ashi' Ketchum - Age 18, Trainer (Beginner)

Team Ashi -

*Litten (m) - Sora

Pikachu (m) - Aratiri

Clefairy (f) - Arlette

Noibat (m) - Alucard

*Charizard (f) - Serafina nickname 'Sera'

*Axew (m) - Lexaeus nickname 'Lex'

Tag-along - Unknown Pokémon (?) - Matcha

Satoshi 'Toshi' Ketchum - Age 10, Trainer (Beginner)

Team Toshi -

Charmander (m) - Aelius

Pidgeotto (f) - Makani

Cleffa (m) - Piyovelt Phelpia Pi Alphonse Piyoderika nickname 'Pip'

Bulbasaur (m) - Silas

*Abra (m) - Houdini

Leon Jordan - Age 20, Trainer (Advance) Galar Champion x5

Team Leon -

Charizard (m) - Benimaru

Dragapult (m) - Tatsuo

Rillaboom (m) - Mori

Cinderace (m) - Homura

Inteleon (m) - Kiyomizu

Mr. Rime (m) - Shimo

Raihan Tarsha - Age 23, Trainer (Advance) Hammerlocke Gym Leader

Team Raihan -

Duraludon (m) - Argyros nickname Argo

Sandaconda (m) - Kahli

Goodra (m) - Gale

Flygon (m) - Zephyr

Misty Williams - Age 12, Trainer (Beginner)

Team Misty -

Starmie (?) - Moana

Goldeen (f) - Laguna

Seel (m) - Ronan

~G~ Slowpoke (f) - Momo nickname 'Sweetie'

Oddish (f) - Poppy

Brock Harrison - Age 16, Trainer (Intermediate) Temp Pewter Gym Leader

Team Brock -

Geodude (m) - Rocco

Onix (m) - Callan

Zubat (m) - Zane

Steven Stone - Age 25, Trainer (Advance) Hoenn Champion

Team Steven -

Metagoss (m) - Magne

Skarmory (m) - Silver

Aggron (m) - Slate

Lisanna Strauss - Age 12, Trainer (Beginner) Secret Ability - Takeover Mage

Team Lisanna -

Sawsbuck (m) - Prancer

Flabébé (f) - Fleur

Parischu (f) - Leida

Bulbasaur (f) - Azalea

Sherria Blendy - Age 13, Trainer (Beginner) Secret Ability - Sky Godslayer

Team Sherria -

Natu (f) - Micco

Beautifly (f) - Harmony

Emolga (f) - Shila

Charmander (f) - Sharlene

Yukino Agria - Age 12, Trainer (Beginner) Secret Ability - TBA in Next Chapter

Team Yukino -

Dendenne (f) - Sterope

Azurill (f) - Merope

*Ralts (f) - Taygete nickname Tay

Professor Oak's Ranch

Ashi's Pokémon:

*Litleo (f) - Sekhmet

*Luxio (f) - Yoruichi

Scyther (m) - Masamune

*Bulbasaur (f) - Hinata

On loan: Beedrill (f) - Suzumebachi

Toshi's Pokémon:

Beedrill (m) - Zorah

Litleo (m) - Simba

Luxio (m) - Thor

Butterfree (m) - Clodius

Transfer ownership to Delia: Clefable x2 (m) Rune, (f) Aurora


Omake: Hinata's latest hobby

"Bulba Bulbasaur!" (I love the sun… Lalalal it's so much fun!) The shiny Bulbasaur hummed happily to herself as she tended to the vegetables with her trainer, Delia. Two Clefables joined in on the gardening, eager to help since it was Delia's day off.

As they worked together for hours, Delia decided they all deserved a break and excused herself momentarily. Meanwhile, Hinata noticed some overgrown shrubs in need of trimming and deftly used Razor Leaf and Vine Whip to tidy them up.

When Delia returned with bowls of Pokefood and a water dish, she was amazed by what she saw. "Oh my!" Delia exclaimed as she saw Hinata's handiwork: near identical topiaries of their Pokémon nestled between verdant plants.

Rune and Aurora inspected their identical doppelgangers and were impressed by the level of detail Hinata had put into each one. They expressed their appreciation with joyful cries of "Clefable Fable!".

Hinata beamed proudly at her creations as she asked Delia, "Bulba Bulbasaur?" (Well, what do you think?)

"I must say, these look incredible!" Delia replied with admiration. Even the two Clefables were delighted with their miniature counterparts. "Clefable Fable!"

"Bulba Bulbasaur!" (Thank you!) Delia then thought about how the topiaries represented her family of four - her children's Pokémon, Arlette and Pip, and the parents Rune and Aurora. She felt a warm smile spread across her face as she see how happy all of them were and felt very content herself with being here with them as well. Delia wish her kids were here to see these as she was sure Ashi herself would be proud in her Hinata's artistic creativity.

"Or I'll simply take lots of pictures and send it to them later." She would also rely this to Samuel sometime tomorrow and thought about how the Professor would be impressed and might even ask for the shiny Bulbasaur's services in the future.

(After all his backyard could use a bit of sprucing up as well, and sure Hinata could work her magic on it too!) Delia then watched as Hinata continue freely seeing as the Bulbasaur wanted to lay out the whole area with her family and friends and share this with her trainer upon her return.