Jhoto

Ash, "Where is Gonzalez hiding?"

Annie, "Now, now, where is the fun in that?"

Gou tched, "We should just defeat these assholes and let Sabrina have a go at them."

Lucario, -She has been furious with Team Rocket, especially since they tried to kidnap Sabra.-

Charizard, -Understatement, I would be furious too.-

Ash and his team attacked Annie and her Pokemon aiming to take them down and get rid of those collars. The raven haired teen still remembers the first time he saw those collars back in Viridian City around those Pokemon. He also remembered how pained the Pokemon looked when they could not perform the orders given to them. Yeah, they were going to destroy those items from hell and teach Annie a lesson she will never forget. Phantump had been working on his other types of powers which were illusion nightmares that caused the target to experience the worst nightmare.

Max was watching from one top of Charizard worriedly, "Hey Charizard, you should help them. Breloom and I will be fine. Beedrill can carry us and keep us safe."

Charizard, -Are you sure?-

Breloom, "Loom loom bre."

Max, "Absolutely sure. Besides, those Growlithes look like they are in a lot of pain you know."

Charizard nodded, -They are. They are being mind controlled.-

Max, "Ah!"

Charizard, -Call Beedrill.-

Max nodded and called for Beedrill but before Charizard handed Max to the large bug Pokemon Charizard rumbled something to him. Beedrill frowned at whatever was said but nodded in agreement in the end being allowed to hold his trainer after that and flying in the opposite direction. Max had been surprised but looked back only to see another member call an Ursaring to field with a loud roar. Max could understand why he was sent away, Charizard wanted to focus on the fight without having to worry about Max's safety. Charizard let out a roar as his overheat and a hyper beam exploded and Beedrill got Max's attention he was heading to the Ranger's station.

Max, "Let's raise an alarm. That explosion earlier already no doubt caught everyone's attention at this point."

Casey gasped feeling tremors, "What the hell?"

Meganium held her up, "Mega meganium."

Referee, "Is everyone alright?"

Egan, "I am alright. Feraligator, are you okay?"

Feraligator, "Tor."

Casey looked at the stands, 'Oh no! Don't tell me Ash is facing someone dangerous again.'

Referee, "Participant Casey, you cannot just leave."

Casey, "I forfeit! My friends are more important than a victory."

Egan, "Excuse me? You cannot just forfeit! Get back here woman!"

Feraligator screeched as well, "FERALIGATOR!"

Referee, "Wait participant Egan!"

Egan, "Sorry but we can continue after we return. I do not accept her forfeiting."

Gold chuckled as the both rushed off, "Well, I cannot just stand around and do nothing either, can I?"

Karen smirked at him, "They know what their duties are. Maybe, this time we will have a good Elite who will not quit three months in."

Will, "Agreed, last year's Elite was unable to deal with the pressure and quit because of public scrunity."

Gold, "Max?"

Will, "The kid that Ash is tutoring?"

Karen, "Bruno is not here."

Will, "Neither is Koga."

Gold, "No doubt went after Ash. Come on!"

Casey, "Max, what happened?"

Max, "Ash is battling Annie, the crazy woman from Altomare."

Casey, "How did she get here?"

Max, "Probably escaped from prison. Who knows with these people? Ash is really pissed off. He attacked them first, not like I blame him."

Casey glared at the forest then at her wrist pressing some buttons and sending a quick message to Professor Elm. The Professor did not ask for details, instead sending Casey her Pokemon while promising to take care of the ones she sent him. Then she headed to the forest followed by Egan who did the same thing and followed after her saying he was helping. Gold hummed and took a different route and rushed to the area followed by Karen and Will. On the way they ran into other Team Rocket members and Will and Karen told Gold they would handle the rabble.

Gold, "Ash!"

Ash was standing on top of Annie, "Gold."

Gold slowly approached him, "Hey, it's ok, it's over."

Ash, "I am not broken and she's alive. But she is going to wish she was not alive after this."

Phantump nodded, "Phannnn."

Gold stared, "What did you do exactly?"

Ash, "While my Pokemon were battling the Pokemon underwater her control, I fought with her physically. Phantump here helped knock her out and we are trying something he has been practicing."

Phantump puffed up, "Phan."

Casey, "Ash, the Pokemon are alright."

Ash, "That's a relief. Now what are you two doing here? Weren't you battling?"

Egan, "You probably didn't notice but the explosion of attacks caught our attention."

Casey, "Yup, the stadium was shaking because of the explosion. So, you can imagine I was worried."

Ash, "I see. Unfortunately the head is not here. Only her."

Lucario, -I do not think he is anywhere near by.-

Ash narrowed his eyes, 'Is he going to take the og Ash's Team Rocket's actions? I hope not, he is absolutely crazy compared to the og trio.'

Charizard rumbled, -Ash, you are hurt.-

Ash, "I will have Venasaur check me later."

Annihilape appeared, "Ape Ann."

Bruno, "I must say Ash. Your Annihilape is something else. I must admit I want one for myself too now."

Ash, "You dealt with the ones on the East?"

Bruno, "Yes, Koga took care of the one in North side. I am afraid your target Gonzalez was not there."

Ash blanched, "No, he is no target of mine, he is a headache. A headache I wish would disappear already."

Casey muttered, "He would be very flattered to know you consider him a target."

Gold chuckled, "Well then, since the problem has been dealt with for now. How about you all especially you two, Casey and Egan return to the temple. We have decided on who the new Elite will be."

Ash smirked, "Impressed you, didn't they?"

Gold laughed, "Yes, yes they did."

Ash nodded and called Phantump to him, the ghost Pokemon hissed at Annie one last time before going to his trainer. Ash held him in his arms this time and left with his Pokemon and friends while the Elite took over handling the criminals. Karen who had reached them picked Annie who was very much shivering and mumbling to be saved and forgiven. Karen raised an eyebrow at that wondering what happened and Gold decided to ask Ash what he did later. Once they reached the temple the captives were sent to the dungeons, something that had Ash raising an eyebrow.

Ash, 'I am not going to even ask why a temple needs dungeons.'

Lucario, -Meema, heal first.-

Ash, "Yeah, let's go."

Charizard, -I am glad you are safe little one.-

Max, "I was careful. Do not worry about me."

Charizard nodded, -Ash has raised you well, little one. I look forward to the day you become a full fledged trainer.-

Max flushed, "Me too. I can't wait to become a trainer. Then I can help Ash deal with the jerks who think they can bully others with force."

Lokoko, -Ash.-

Ash, "Lokoko, Meowth, you are back."

Meowth, "Hey kit."

Ash eyed them, "I am going for a check up. Care to join me?"

Meowth, "Yes, that is probably a good idea."

Lokoko, -Indeed, you are cut up. Was it that bitch down there?-

Ash smirked, "Don't worry I dealt with her. I will tell you come on."

Gold, "Ash, I will need a report but you can take your time."

Ash, "Thank you Gold. I really appreciate it."

Gold nodded then let him go to get checked by Brock who waited with a grimace whole Ash promised to tell him everything to placate him. The last thing anyone of them wanted was for a protective Aura user who was also basically an older brother go on an angry rampage. Angry Aura users are rare but when they appear they were hard to calm down and could accidentally summon an angry Legendary. If that happened it would be problematic for all of them if a passing Legendary sensed his anger and appeared to help. Yikes! Brock took Ash's arm a8made him sit on the bed ordering him to take his top off so he could give him a complete check up.

Ash started to explain what happened from Lucario finding traces of trespassing and searching for clues and running into Annie and getting into a battle. Lucario and his Pokemon dealt with the mind controlled Pokemon Ash attacked Annie and she retaliated using her own baton. They were engaged in a one on one fight and at one point they had both managed to cut each others arms and face. Lucario scowled at that muttering how Ash should leave the battling to him and the others getting an amused rumble from Charizard. Brock was obviously not happy seeing the cut on Ash's face and from time to time sent a glare in the direction of the dungeon.

Ash, "Hey, I am alright."

Brock was not smiling, "I will be the judge of that."

Ash winced at the sharp voice, "Okay, I will put myself in your hands then."

Brock visibly relaxed, "I do not want you going anywhere for the next few days. Let others handle it."

Ash, "Yes sir. I understand."

Brock, "I mean it Ash. Do not make me call Yellow to manhandle you. We will do it, you are basically a younger brother to both of us, you know that."

Ash, "I know. I don't want you to think otherwise."

Brock lowered his voice, "Then you know how protective Aura users are of their family members. We should not have to explain it to you, the whys."

Ash, "I do not blame you. You know that, and I would deserve your ire for letting my anger get out of control."

Brock, "Good! I do not have to explain myself then. Golbat will be with you from now own."

Ash sweat dropped, "Very well."

Gold snorted, "It's amusing how quickly he folded to Brock's demands."

Koga, "I was worried for nothing then."

Gold, "Better to see it with your own eyes though. Now, shall we go deal with those clowns?"

Koga nodded and left to help Bruno deal with the members of the darker faction while Gold headed to the selection grounds. They had to announce who they had chosen as an Elite after all and called for the remaining participants to attend. The four participants were curious how they were going to deal with this when Gold announced they had picked an Elite. The participants were surprised by the announcement and most had thought the test would have to be post poned because of the explosion and trouble but apparently not.

Gold, "Trainers, let me start by saying we are very proud of how far you have come. In fact, many of you did really well, to to the point the Elites who are already established are interested in taking you on as a future apprentice."

Gold watched as the participants murmured among themselves, "Now, without further adieu we will announce who is the new Elite Four to replace Bruno in Jhoto. Bruno if you will please?"

Bruno nodded, "Thank you Champion Gold, i appreciate it. As the Champion said, I have chosen one of you to take my seat. That person is Casey Markashin."

Egan sighed then smirked, "Congratulations Casey."

Casey was gaping, "But I thought I forfeit?"

Gold, "An Elite is more than just winning battles. An Elite must know when to forfeit their fights in order to help another or to deal with a more important matter. Like the safety and security of the region."

Egan, "Go Casey! You acted like an Elite before you became one."

Casey nodded and stepped forward standing in front of them, "Thank you this chance. I will do my best to keep the region safe. I must confess I don't know much about politics but I will learn."

Ash, "That's our girl."

Max, "Woo hoo!"

Gou, "Congratulations Casey!"