16,17

"Want to do the Seaking catching competition again?" Ash asked.

"Yep," Misty confirmed. "I'm going to use it to train Kingdra a bit."

"Sounds good," Ash agreed. "Not sure who to use, myself... perhaps Totodile could use it."

They both looked over at Brock.

Brock sighed. "I wish I had a Water type..."

"You don't have to use a Water type in the contest," Misty pointed out.

Brock hummed. "Actually... that gives me an idea."

"Okay, Forretress!" Brock said, hefting the big Bug/Steel type up onto the lip of the pier. "Use Explosion!"

With that, he dropped her off.

Four seconds later, there was a plume of water, and it rained Water-types.

Brock opened out his big net and started running around trying to catch a Seaking.

"That seems wrong..." Ash commented, as a Magikarp bounced off the head of the fisher next to him.

A splashing sound drew his attention, and he looked down at the water. "Nice work, Totodile!"

Ash grabbed the Seaking out of the air, and Totodile stopped firing his water-gun to support it. "Thanks! That was fun!"

"Thank you," Ash returned, catching the Seaking with a Lake ball. "Now, that's that done... we've got at least half an hour left. Want to juggle Magikarps?"

"Do I? You bet I do!"

"That is not how you fish..." Misty muttered, looking with disapproval at her friends.

"How do you, then?" Kingdra asked. "I mean, what Ash is doing looks sensible enough..."

"Yeah, but..." Misty shrugged. "Anyway. I've got my good old special lure for this. What you do is, you tie the lure to a fishing rod..."

Kingdra watched carefully as she did so.

"Then you cast the fishing rod." Demonstrating, Misty sent her lure whipping out over the water and plopping into it a good twenty feet from shore. It gradually drifted back in, bobbing up and down.

"What do we do now?"

Misty sat back. "We wait."

"Ah." Kingdra looked over at Totodile, juggling three Magikarps and a Goldeen – no, four Magikarps and a Goldeen, now – and then further over as another plume of water soared skywards from Brock's pier. "Their methods seem... faster."

"But they're not really fishing," Misty said flatly.

"Well, at least we're able to enjoy our time by the lake," Ninetales observed. She used her tails to shield herself from a splash of water kicked up by Stantler, and retaliated with a laugh.

"Speak for yourself," Quilava muttered. "Swimming isn't great for my health."

She stood. "I'm going to see how everyone else is doing the fishing thing."

An explosion rang across the water again.

"Because, you know, not everyone's as nuts as our trainers."

"It's funny because it's true," Psyduck said, gingerly dipping a toe in the water.

Then he got a faceful of splash from Ninetales.

"Sorry!" she said, wincing. "Stantler made you look like him!"

Psyduck's reply was to raise a flipper-arm, lifting a large globe of water from the lakeside with telekinesis, and aim it directly at Ninetales.

"No hard feelings?" she tried.

In truth, Quilava probably could play on the water. Not in it – that was still a problem – but she thought she could get up enough speed in Flame Wheel to skip across the water surface.

It was, at least, an interesting idea.

Looking around the competition, she saw all kinds of methods used to knock out or catch the Pokémon once they'd been brought up to the surface. One girl was using a Pidgeotto to snatch Seaking from the water, evaluate them, and then release them if they weren't heavy enough.

Another was using a Bellsprout, with his vines the major player, reeling in a catch without even needing a fishing rod – just bait scattered on the surface.

As Quilava went from pier to pier, she saw all kinds of inventive techniques. (She also heard a loud splash as the Pidgeotto tried to lift a Seaking weighing more than it did, and failed.)

Then she spotted something singularly bizarre.

A Wartortle took something off the top of her head, between the ear-fins, and threw it in a long looping horizontal trajectory out over the water. Like a boomerang, it came back – barely missing a leaping Seaking – and she threw it again.

"Uh..." she said, nervously. "What are you doing?"

"Huh?" The Wartortle caught her boomerang, revealing it to be a King's Rock. "It's my King's Tiara Action!" She threw it again.

"I understood maybe three of those words," Quilava said, deadpan.

The Wartortle turned to her, catching the King's Rock in one hand and a concussed Seaking in the other. "You don't get the reference?"

"No." Quilava shrugged. "Should I?"

"It's from an anime." Wartortle tossed the Seaking to her trainer, who used a Lake Ball on it. "You don't watch Sailor Moon?"

"...no, I've never heard of it."

"Not even the dub, Sailor Cresselia? That's a crying shame." Wartortle sat down. "Your trainer doesn't need you for anything, right?"

"No, not especially."Quilava glanced over at Ash – who seemed to be passing Magikarp back and forth between himself and Totodile – and nodded. "I've got some time."

"Right." Wartortle grinned. "So, first off – this is probably the girl power series." She waved an arm dismissively. "Sure, some people say it's girly, but that's the point. There's Sailors for each of the planets, and one for the moon – all girls – and they get phenomenal cosmic power from their celestial bodies. There's..."

"We got one!" Kingdra said. "What now?"

"Now," Misty said, hauling on the line, "When I actually get it into the air, you weaken it enough to catch!"

With an almighty heave, the Seaking went hurtling into the air.

Kingdra spat a stream of pink-purple flames, bathing the Seaking in Dragonbreath, and jumped out of the water to bat it towards Misty with a tail whack.

Misty caught it smoothly in a Lake Ball, and blinked. "That seemed... excessive."

"You bought me the TM, I'm going to use it." Kingdra fluttered his fins.

"How'd you do, Misty?" Ash asked.

"First place!" Misty announced. "What about you guys?"

"I think something like eighth," Ash replied.

"Sixth and told off," Brock chipped in.

Ash looked around. "We should probably get everyone else together... guys!"

Pokémon stampeded over, being returned one by one. Pikachu took up his customary place on Ash's shoulder, and Lucario and Ninetales by the sides of their respective trainers.

"...hang on, there's one missing," Ash said, counting. "Where's Quilava?"

"Sorry I'm late!"

Quilava hurried over. "I was writing something down. I had a nice chat with a Wartortle, and lost track of time."

She glanced up at Ash's waist. "Hey, Dexter, can you play TV?"

I can, yes. Why should I?"

"Because I'd really like to see this TV series someone just told me about?" she tried.

...sure, why not. Not more than one episode a day, though, I have other things to do.

Gary's hands balled into fists, and he gaped. "Seriously?"

"No dancing, no Heart Scale."

"This region is just... aaargh!" Gary fought the urge to throw his map to the ground and jump on it. "Who the heck wants to see a Pokémon that can dance?"

Umbreon walked up to him, worried. "Gary? Are you alright?"

Dee whispered her translation in his ear, and after a few more incoherent syllables Gary sighed. "I... just... grrrrgh!"

He sat down heavily. "You know, if we'd just started flying from here to Kanto we'd have got back by now?"

"...I'd kind of guessed, yes," Umbreon admitted.

The young trainer (and correspondence student) pulled his Pokédex out of his pocket. "Dee?"

Yes? His Porygon's face appeared on the screen, displacing the screensaver.

"Do I have anyone – anyone at all – who can dance?"

...doesn't look like it, I'm afraid. Pokémon flashed across the screen by the dozens. Everyone's a battler, none of them are trained for contests.

"That sucks." Gary sighed, and stood. "Right. Right. Umbreon, we have a choice."

"Go on."

"Either you learn to dance, or we catch a Pokémon who knows how."

"...let's go for the catch option."

"Okay." Gary rummaged. "Where's Electivire, he knows Thunder Wave..."

Brock muttered to himself as he typed. "...thanks for your last email... thanks for the tip on that hotel in Ecruteak, we'll be sure to check it out... miss you. Hope you get the chance to visit some time soon..."

Misty and Ash exchanged a wondering look.

"Still can't believe Brock is going steady," Ash said quietly.

"Me neither."

Brock finished the email, and fired it off. "Right! That's-"

The computer pinged again.

"Huh? That was quick..."

Checking the inbox, he blinked. "Huh. Looks like Suzy's around. She wants to use..."

Brock paused, then leant back with a groan.

"What?" Ninetales padded over to the computer. "I assume it's me she wants, right?"

She inspected the email. "Oh."

"Yeah." Brock put his hands over his face. "She wants to use her Vulpix."

"You never told her?" Ninetales asked, aghast.

"I sent pictures of my whole team! I guess she just assumed you were hiding behind the beautiful Ninetales or something!"

"...well." Ninetales winced. "That could be awkward."

"Oh, you look so lovely!"

Ninetales emitted a rumbling purr as Suzy stroked her, one long silky tail at a time.

"I should have evolved you before – if I'd known you were going to be this beautiful, I certainly would have!" Suzy laughed, as a tail tickled her nose.

"I'm glad you don't mind," Brock said, rubbing the back of his neck. "She and I discussed it, and she said she wanted to evolve – and she's certainly done a lot with it."

"Yes, I agree!" Suzy tickled Ninetales under the chin, eliciting a vulpine giggle. "Oh, could you send me all the photos you have of her? It might be a little crass of me, but I'd adore having her on the walls – my greatest success, even if you deserve much of the credit..."

"That's fine," Brock agreed readily. "Sorry again for not letting you know."

"Oh, not a problem," Suzy said readily. "She's clearly flourished under your tutelage – in truth, I knew you'd work out from how well you two got along together. I suppose I should make it official – if you want her, she's yours for good."

Brock blinked. "That's... quite flattering, Suzy."

He looked to Ninetales. "What do you want?"

Ninetales responded instantly. "I love Suzy, but I'd rather travel with you for a little longer, Brock. I think Hoenn sounds lovely."

She padded over to him and licked his hand, then looked back at Suzy. "If I ever decide to retire... I don't know. But until then, you're stuck with me."

"Oh, that's lovely," Suzy said, correctly interpreting their body language. "I couldn't possibly get in the way... though it does leave me without someone to use for the contest."

Brock tapped his foot, frowning. "Actually, I did have an idea..."

"I look ridiculous," Stantler muttered, blushing.

Ninetales hid a smile with one of her tails, using two more to tie another bow on his horns. "You look lovely."

"And ridiculous," Stantler added stubbornly. He tried to look back at Suzy brushing his coat, and tugged on one of the bows.

"Don't," Ninetales chided gently. "You'll pull them out."

She smiled, tails flicking. "Don't worry. You do look nice, really."

The Big Horn Pokémon pouted slightly.

"Come on," she coaxed. "Is it really that bad?"

"Well, I guess the bows aren't too bad," he allowed, slowly. "But the bells?"

"They sound lovely," Ninetales told him. "Really. They're a set of Soothe Bells, which produce a lovely calming jingle."

She stepped back. "There. That's all of the bows."

Stantler shook his head, producing a faint and harmonious tinkle.

A smile forced its way onto his face. "I guess they do sound alright."

"There," Ninetales smiled. "See?"

"But they still look silly," Stantler said stubbornly.

Brock bent down and rubbed Stantler's ear. "You look fine, Stantler," he said, smiling. "Remember, you just need to act naturally – don't be too stiff, just stay calm."

"...well, that was unexpected," Suzy said, some minutes after the judging. "I didn't know your Stantler could dance."

"Oh, he wasn't dancing," Brock said, hiding a smile. "He was invisible. He made an illusion which danced."

"That's one way to do it," Suzy admitted.

Misty tapped Zane, Suzy's rival, on the shoulder. "Excuse me?"

Zane turned. "Yes? Oh, you're Suzy's friend's friend."

"Yep, that's me," Misty sighed. "Also a Cerulean Gym leader, but who cares. Anyway, as I understand it your view on caring for and presenting Pokémon is that it's external appearance that matters."

"That's right," Zane said. "Well, I'd been wondering whether I was right, in all honesty... but I still think my view is generally true."

Misty held up a book. "Counterpoint. Feebas."

Zane blinked. "Ew. That looks awful."

The Water-type specialist turned the page.

"It evolves into this if you care for it properly."

The Breeder grabbed the book. "Wait, that's- what?" He turned the page back again. "That thing is what evolves into Milotic?"

"Game, set, match," Misty informed him, taking the book back.

"...wow."

"Suzy?" Zane asked. "I... guess I'm sorry for being kind of a jerk."

"Oh, that's not too much of a problem," Suzy told him. "In all honesty, your views do have some merit – of course presentation matters – but what I certainly don't agree with is the idea that it's only the surface appearance. Grace, beauty, poise, charisma... all go together into a truly beautiful Pokémon."

Zane looked down at his silent Ninetales, who nodded. Emboldened, he reached for her hand, and she let him take it.

"Suzy..." he paused. "We should work together!"

She smiled. "That sounds perfect."

"Sure was nice of Suzy to let us keep that Soothe Bell," Brock smiled.

"Yeah," Stantler agreed, shaking his antlers slightly and making it ring. "I think I do like the sound of these, after all."

A wind plucked at the stalks of the rice fields around the mouth of a great river.

Two Croconaw moved down the rows, muttering to one another, then looked up at the sound of hooves.

Other Pokémon and humans looked up along with them, until every eye followed the three blurs running along the river's southern levee – and, beside them in the river, a great rooster-tail of spray headed by a moving flash of red.

"Guys!" Keldeo called, turning in towards shore by adjusting the force of his water jets. "I think we've reached the ocean!"

"Finally," Terrakion grumbled, as spray splashed at him. "I feel like I've been running for a week."

"We've been following the Long River for only four days, Terrakion," Virizion chided. "And it's been faster, right?"

"I suppose." Terrakion shrugged, then grinned at his teammates. "I'll just be glad of the rest!"

Cobalion nodded. "Keldeo?" he asked. "Please see if you can arrange us the next leg of our transport."

"Got it!" Keldeo skidded to a halt briefly, using his water-jets just enough to stay on the water, and turned to nod to Cobalion and the other Swords. That done, he skated back around to face seawards and accelerated in a huge plume of water.

The other Swords stopped and raised a foreleg each, warding off some of the artificial deluge.

"...kid doesn't do things halfway, does he?" Terrakion muttered.

Cobalion's lips quirked for a moment. "We should make sure we reach the shore as well," he recommended.

They had, indeed, reached the lowest portion of the estuary – but distances were deceptive. It was another forty or so miles to get to the sea proper, which consumed the remainder of the morning.

By the time the Swords of Justice had reached their destination – and stopped to have lunch from a lush patch of beach-grass – Keldeo was already well into negotiations.

Looking up for a moment, Virizion saw him conversing with a Gyarados. As she watched, the big Water-type nodded and plunged back into the water, before returning with an Azumarill and a Quagsire.

Keldeo talked to them for several more minutes. Virizion went back to her lunch for a bit, and the next time she glanced up there was a Lanturn there instead of the Azumarill.

Fascinated, she watched as Keldeo dickered with a succession of Water-types. Eventually, he was looking between a Gorebyss and a Sharpedo, and at that point he turned to canter back towards shore from the little silty island just off the shipping channel.

"Cobalion?" he asked, a little early, and he had to repeat it to get the Steel-type's attention. "Cobalion!"

"Yes, Keldeo?" Cobalion replied.

"We've got two options. Either we get one Wailord to take us, or there's a Lapras pod who might be inclined to listen – they're a bit further away, so it'll take longer, but I get the idea they're cheaper."

"What were you going to pay them with?" Terrakion asked.

Keldeo blushed. "...autographs. At least, the Sharpedo said that the Lapras pod was interested."

"What?" Cobalion was a little taken aback. "Autographs?"

"Yeah, I know," Keldeo admitted. "Apparently they've heard of me, though I can't imagine how."

The Swords discussed that among themselves.

"I think it seems that the Lapras are the simplest option," Cobalion decided.

"Right! I'll let Sharpedo know he can go and get them!"

That said, Keldeo galloped back out to the island he was using to meet with the Water-types.

It turned out to take about three hours for the Lapras to arrive.

The three older Swords used the time to spar, drawing appreciative looks and applause from the nearby Pokémon as their Sacred Swords flashed back and forth, and produced almost-musical clashes when they parried or came together in prise-de-fer.

Virizion took Terrakion two falls out of three, but Cobalion managed to hold her to a draw and then match the recovered Terrakion blow-for-blow until he could gain a finishing strike.

Keldeo watched the whole thing with hungry eyes, longing for the day he would be able to stand as an equal.

When no-one was looking, he crossed his eyes to see his forehead and tried to form his own blade.

Come on... come on! I should be able to...

Faint sparks of Aura skirled around his horn for a moment, then faded, and he sighed.

Not today...

A call from the shoreline made him look up.

"So, you're the Swords of Justice?" a male Lapras asked.

"...they are," Keldeo said, nodding. "I'm... sort of a trainee."

Was it his imagination, or did some light of understanding form in the eyes of that Lapras?

"Well, then," the Lapras said, nodding. "I've heard of you – noble Pokémon, all of you. I don't think there's a problem."

Gesturing, the Lapras told off four others to approach. One was noticeably smaller than the others. "These three and I will transport you – pick who's to go with who, and don't forget to pack food. It'll go faster if we don't have to stop."

"What about her?" Cobalion asked, pointing a hoof at the smallest one.

"She's my little sister," the Lapras told him. "She's got a rock for you all to autograph."

Virizion chuckled. "Hardly an onerous transit fee, I must admit!"

The rock was duly passed around – it was really a very nice rock, hard and light and with flotation bladders made of pumice attached to ensure it would be hard to sink – and once all four Fighting-types had made their mark the young Lapras received it with a huge smile.

"Pleasure doing business with you," the Lapras told them, turning to allow his passenger to board.

"How do you know about us all the way over here?" Keldeo asked, curious.

"A friend told me the story of the Swords of Justice," the Transport Pokémon answered him.

Accepting that, Keldeo settled down for the trip to Honshu.

A tiny light on Giovanni's desk flashed for a moment.

He looked up and faced the door, just as Agent Domino walked in.

"Ah, Domino," he said genially. "How is Kodachi?"

"Not well," Domino replied, with a shrug. "Some kind of blight – they caught it early, but she'll be in the medical bay for a few weeks."

"Shame," Giovanni nodded – the Roserade was a tough Pokémon and worked well with her trainer. "Well, hopefully she won't be needed for this mission."

"Mission, sir?" Domino stood to attention.

Giovanni smiled, waving her to a chair. "Nothing too demanding – the statistics department has a lead I want you to follow up."

Curious, Domino took the sheaf of papers he indicated on the desk, and skimmed through them. "Interesting. Is this valid?"

The boss of Team Rocket shrugged. "I don't know, that's why I'm sending you to scout it out. Scout only, Domino – don't engage unless ordered, though I'm having backup mobilized in case of trouble."

Giovanni pointed to the cross on the map. "This is uncomfortably close to the second city, and to the old Imperial capital to boot. If we cannot confirm he is non-hostile, then I may find myself forced to take action."

Sitting back, he steepled his fingers. "Be as inconspicuous as possible. Just another tourist, unless you're looking at long range – and report in using a disposable phone if you do confirm."

The boss slid an ancient mobile across the desk. "The only number in it is keyed to a similar phone in my desk."

Domino nodded – it was a standard trick. Throw away the phones once the call was made. "I won't let you down, sir."

"Of course you won't," Giovanni agreed.

"Rocky place," Ash noted, looking around.

"Yeah, it's one of the passes leading to the former imperial capital," Brock commented. "There were a couple of battles here in the Sengoku era."

"Name me one place that's not true of," Misty muttered.

"Point taken," Brock agreed.

"Hey!"

Ash looked up. "Yeah?"

A trainer jogged over. "Are you up for a battle?"

For Ash, that was a simple question at the moment. There was no major danger in place; therefore, yes. "I sure am!"

"Great!" the other trainer said. "I'm Alex Davis. Uh... you don't have your Charizard with you, right?"

"People keep asking that," Ash said, to no-one in particular. "No, he's off training."

There was a woosh of relief. "Good. Anyway, how about... four one on one battles?"

"Suits me!" Ash nodded. "Want to alternate who goes first? I'll start."

"Go for it." Alex's hand went to his belt.

Ash plucked a ball off his own belt. "Bayleef!"

Bayleef materialized, and set herself. "Let's see what happens..."

"Cloyster!"

"Oh, a Cloyster," Ash said, interested. "I somehow seem to see them a lot more than Shellder..."

"Well, that's because they're better," Alex said matter-of-factly. "Okay, Cloyster, Icy wind!"

Bayleef turned and ran away from the shimmering icy blast, which created a kind of wedge-shaped area of frost and icy ground spreading out from Cloysters' shell opening.

"Okay, good!" Alex added. "Now, use Ice Beam!"

Bayleef ducked under the first blast, was clipped by the second, and hid behind a small rock.

Ash frowned. "Okay, so the icy area is going to protect his front..."

"That's right!" Alex grinned. "So, want to run at Cloyster from the front, or come around the back where his armour is?"

Bayleef looked to Ash for inspiration, as frost-shatter started to slowly erode the rock she was hiding behind.

"Hmmm..." Ash opened his Pokédex. "Dexter – how much do Cloyster weigh?"

One hundred and thirty kilos.

"Right!" Ash nodded. "Bayleef, use Sweet Scent – as thick as you can! Make a cloud of it!"

Bayleef nodded. Her little shoots on her neck unfurled and pumped out nice-smelling pollen.

Within twenty seconds or so, it was so thick that it was hard to see.

"Run around the side and get behind him," Ash said, pitching his voice low.

Bayleef set off at a run. For about two seconds, the ice beams continued pounding the rock – then she left her impromptu smokescreen, and Cloyster shifted his aim. She got hit two more times – once on the leg, and once which iced up along her side – before managing to get out of the firing arc.

"Good!" Ash called.

"Spike Cannon!" Alex said. "Turn around and get her!"

Bayleef curved in just behind Cloyster and pumped out a Stun Spore, interrupting the bivalve as it tried to turn to fire at her and forcing it to stay still.

"Okay, Bayleef!" Ash called. "Charge a solarbeam, and then use your vines to swing around Cloyster to the front!"

"Oh, no..." Alex winced. "Cloyster! Can you close?"

Cloyster made a negative noise.

"Right..." Alex waited until Bayleef had nearly charged, and her vines lashed out to tie onto the spines of the Cloyster. As she swung into the air, using its much larger weight as an anchor for her swing, he pointed. "Shell smash!"

Cloyster's shell exploded.

Without her anchor, Bayleef went flying further than expected. Her Solarbeam went wild, slightly browning an erratic path in the grass, and she hit the ground hard.

The form of Cloyster was a bit blurred by a glowing white cloud of sparkles, revolving rapidly around something indistinct which glowed bright red.

"Bayleef!" Ash shouted. "Look out!"

Bayleef staggered upright, shaking her head, and had her feet frozen to the ground by an Aurora Beam. Cloyster followed up with a Blizzard, knocking her out.

"Not bad," Ash said, returning Bayleef. "Is he alright?"

Cloyster flashed red, and Alex shrugged. "It grows back."

"Huh. Okay, who's next?"

"Alakazam!"

Ash grinned. "Okay, this one's an easy choice. Time for your first battle, Houndour!"

...well, damn it, Alakazam broadcast. Alex, why did we never teach me Miracle Eye?

"Because I never remember how annoying it is!" Alex called back. "Okay, try Dynamicpunch!"

Houndour rolled his neck, and pawed the ground. "Right!"

As Alakazam came in with a Dynamicpunch, he ran to the side and into the shadow of a tree. For a moment, the darkness of the shadow made him disappear, and when he came out again there were five Houndour all going in different directions.

"Use Psychic to tell which-" Alex stopped himself. "Never mind. Okay, try moving the ground under them!"

Alakazam nodded, and started frowning. Ground cracked under one of the Double Team images, then burst upwards – making the image evaporate.

The remaining four Houndour faced him from different directions, and howled – a chilling, antiphonal chorus.

Dark-type energy resonated in the air, clinging to Alakazam and in particular his spoons. The Psychic type staggered, and his ongoing telekinesis fell apart.

"What was that?" Ash asked, blinking. "That was neat!"

"Snarl," Houndour answered, looking over at Ash with tail wagging. "Father taught me before I left. It makes it harder to use attacks."

"We're not out of this yet!" Alex said, determined. "Use Shockwave!"

Alakazam brought up his spoons, focusing electricity together. It pulsed out in a dome, hitting all four Houndour, and making the three double-team ones dissolve.

"Alright," Houndour said, "You asked for it! Beat Up!"

Double team clones formed again, four on either side of him. They crackled with dark energy, and changed shape.

Oh, Dexter observed. This should be interesting.

"What the heck?" Alex asked, as he stared at the shapes in front of him.

Going from left to right, from his perspective, they were – a Pikachu, a Lucario, a Porygon, a Quilava, Houndour himself, Bayleef, a Heracross, a Totodile and a shiny Noctowl.

They charged. (Apart from the Bayleef one, which fell over.)

Several complicated seconds later, Alakazam was lying on the floor in a state of some unconsciousness.

"...okay," Alex said, deciding to accept that. "Why did the Lucario and Heracross ones have to punch so hard?"

Houndour walked back to Ash, wincing a little occasionally. "Was that alright?"

"I'm not entirely sure what that was, but – yeah, that was fine!" Ash bent down, and gave him a scratch. "Nice work for your first battle!"

"It's Beat Up – normally, that calls on the rest of the pack," Houndour explained. "It uses their strength instead of mine. Father taught us so that we'd be able to fight tough enemies when we were young."

He scratched his ear, and shook his head with a sneeze. "It gives me a bit of a headache, though..."

"Why did the Bayleef one just fall over?"

"She was knocked out." Houndour shrugged. "That's how it works."

Oak picked up the phone. "Yes?"

"Gramps," Gary said, without preamble. "I need to borrow Dragonite."

"...you what?" Oak said, after a moment.

"I. Need. To. Borrow. Dragonite." Gary repeated, deadpan.

"Why?" the Pokémon Professor asked, confused.

Gary took a deep, deep breath.

"Right. So, I need to have Dragonite to show a man in Geosenge city, because he's got a fossil which he's offering to someone who shows him a fully evolved Dragon type. That fossil can then be revived to produce an Anorith. I can trade the Anorith for a Liepard for a Swoobat for a Clefairy for a Gyarados, who I can then show to Marie in Camphrier."

Gary took another breath.

"I then get the letter she gives me to Parfum to Jacques, who's promised me a Farfetch'd. I can trade that to get a Beartic, trade that to get a Froufrou – and a shiny one at that."

Oak was typing on a computer console as Gary rambled on.

Another breath. "Once I've got the Froufrou, I can eventually convince a stylist in Luminose City that I'm enough of a fashion setter for him to agree to give it a haircut which is really, really stylish. Once I show that to the gym leader Valerie, I can get a Focus Sash."

Gary's voice was becoming increasingly raw by this point.

"That Focus Sash can be traded in Anistar for a Silk Scarf, which I can then give to a girl in Luminose for a Pokémon that can dance. Then I can get a heart scale, which I can pay the move reminder to teach my Alakazam to use teleport."

Oak heard Umbreon clapping through the phone. "Well done, you remembered the whole chain!"

"...goodness," he said, eventually.

"Yeah," Gary agreed, and chuckled. "Fearow would be too fat to fly, with all the bribes, except he's certainly been earning them."

"Right." Oak looked at the notes he'd made. "Er... Gary, my boy?"

"What?" Gary asked. "Oh, you've not leant Ash Dragonite, have you?"

"What? No!" Samuel Oak said. "He's got enough powerful Pokémon to be getting on with, and I prefer Dragonite sensible. Anyway, I'd be happy to lend you Dragonite, except..."

"Go on," Gary said, when Oak paused.

"Well... firstly, Ash's friend Misty has a Gyarados," the Professor pointed out.

There was a stunned silence, then the sound of a facepalm and Umbreon's quiet voice.

"Oh, no..." Gary groaned.

"That's not all," Oak said apologetically. "I believe I know someone who has a Clefairy, I've got a Focus Sash and a Silk Sash from my time battling, Ash's Totodile can dance, and I've got about twenty Heart Scales."

A series of thuds came down the line.

"Also, Muk didn't manage to eat my Teleport TM."

This time, there was a loud clatter.

"Hello?" Umbreon said, a few seconds later. "He fell off his chair, and dropped the phone."

Damos translated for his Professor, and then there was a scraping sound as Gary picked the phone up.

"Right," Gary said, with a sigh. "Right. Can you send me through the TM, Dragonite, and ask Misty for a loan of her Gyarados?"

"...certainly," Oak said, uncertainly. "But why?"

"I spent all that time putting together the list, I may as well get something out of it."

Oak duly did so.

Eight minutes later (he counted), his grandson appeared in the lab with his Alakazam.

"That was a lot more effort than it could have been," he said, slumping down on the sofa. "I think I need a bit of a rest now. Hey, Gramps, meet Anorith and Froufrou."

He threw two Pokéballs, which opened to reveal one just-revived fossil and one really rather snooty canine Pokémon – the latter appearing in a shower of sparkles which heralded her Shiny nature.

With that, Gary passed out.

Umbreon emerged from her own Pokéball. "Thanks for the lift."

Alakazam waved a spoon.

Umbreon then addressed Froufrou. "He's normally a bit better than this... he's had maybe ten hours of sleep in the last three days."

"Heracross, your turn!" Ash called, releasing his burly Bug/Fighting.

"Well, I've not lost yet!" Alex said, grabbing another Pokéball. "Gligar!"

"Oh," Heracross said, squinting up into the sky. "Any ideas?"

"Don't suppose you know any Ice attacks?" Ash asked, hopefully.

"That'd be a no."

"Gligar, use Acrobatics!" Alex ordered.

Gligar complied, flying high into the air to gain momentum.

"Right!" Ash called. "We can manage this. Okay, grab a chunk of that rock Cloyster was smashing!"

Heracross ran over to the rock, breaking off a big piece with his horn.

Gligar came down in an attack run.

"Counter!" Ash said.

Heracross nodded, dropping the rock, and flashed red. The attack came in, sending him skidding backwards and staggering – and the red energy pulsed and recoiled, blowing Gligar backwards as well.

The flying scorpion tumbled for a bit, recovered, and came back around – much slower now.

"Oh, ouch!" Alex said, wincing. "Okay, Gligar, don't use any more attacks just yet. Screech!"

Heracross used his arms to cover his ears from the horrible noise. After a moment of thought, he flipped the rock up with his horn and kicked it at Gligar.

"Dodge it and use Swords Dance!" Alex instructed.

I see where he's going, Dexter said. He wants to knock out Heracross too fast for him to use Counter.

"Right," Ash agreed. "Uh... okay! Keep throwing rocks!"

Gligar dodged them all with ease, alternately using Swords Dance and Screech.

"That should do it!" Alex pointed. "Now, Acrobatics again!"

Ash waited until Gligar was heading skywards to gain momentum. "Right – now!"

Heracross set his stance, with his back to the heavily damaged rock he'd been using for ammunition, and waited.

Gligar came back in, tail flagging from side to side to steer, and hit with an almighty boom.

Rock shrapnel went everywhere, as Heracross went backwards through the boulder he'd been using as a backstop.

Alex coughed, trying to see through the cloud of dust. "Gligar? Are you okay?"

Ash closed his eyes, using Aura Sight to look closer. "Heracross is still standing – but where's the Gligar?"

As it cleared, Heracross rubbed his heavily bruised chest with one of his forearms.

The other one was firmly holding Gligar, pinned against his chest.

"All right!" Ash called. "Now – get him!"

Heracross nodded. "Reversal!" he said, took a step forwards – and fell over.

Unfortunately for Gligar, Heracross landed on top of him.

A few seconds passed.

"I... think they've both fainted?" Ash said uncertainly. He withdrew Heracross, and revealed Gligar in a crater.

The Flying/Ground type was also clearly out of it.

"Clever move with the Endure," Alex complimented. "Okay, my turn for the last one. Ambipom!"

Ash considered. "Totodile!"

Ambipom waved with both tails. "Hi!"

"Hi yourself!" Totodile replied. "This should be fun!"

"I play to win," Ambipom warned. He dodged a Water Gun and started pacing steadily around Totodile, rummaging on the ground with his tailhands.

"What's he doing?" Ash asked.

"Oh, right," Alex replied with a shrug. "He has Pickup, he often finds interesting stuff."

"Aha!" Ambipom held up what he'd found, and then passed it from one tailhand to the other. Using his free tailhand to push off and jump over another Water attack, he flung a large iron ball at Totodile.

Totodile ducked, and the ball went over his head. "Whoa!"

"Hold still!" Ambipom said, throwing a Sun Stone this time. Totodile didn't quite dodge in time, and it hit him in the leg.

"Totodile!" Ash called. "Use Aqua Jet to dodge this time!"

Totodile nodded, jumping and Aqua-jet boosting out of the way of an incoming can of Pokémon Repellant.

"Who throws some of this stuff away?" Ambipom asked, continuing his barrage. "Hey, cool, a heart scale!"

That one bounced off Totodile's forehead.

Gary Oak muttered something in his sleep.

Totodile continued to duck and weave around a barrage of thrown objects, not always successfully. Among the things he was hit with over the next few minutes were an empty Potion bottle, a coil of rope, a Moon Stone and a TM for the move Rest.

"This isn't working!" Ash called. "Try hitting them back instead!"

Totodile nodded. He spun around, knocking away a Dawn stone with his tail, and fired Water Gun straight at the can of Repel which came next.

Ambipom had to jump away from his position as it nearly hit him in turn. "Hey!"

"I thought we were playing?" Totodile said, frowning.

"Take this!"

Ambipom flung another iron ball.

Totodile stood his ground, and blasted it with a stream of high pressure water. This slowed it, but didn't stop it, and when it hit Totodile it sent him skidding backwards from the impact. His skid ended when his heel hit a fragment of rock, making him fall over backwards.

After a moment, he came back to his feet, panting. "Ow."

"Totodile..." Ash winced.

"One more attack should finish him!" Alex enthused. "Close in and use Double Hit!"

Ambipom loped forwards on all fours, his tails ready and glowing as they clenched into fists.

"Don't give up, Totodile!" Ash called.

Totodile nodded, took a deep breath, and opened his mouth.

A huge torrent of water erupted from it, surprising everyone with how much there was. Ambipom was sent shooting backwards as fast as he'd come forwards, bounced off three hummocks and a tree, and landed with a wet splat on the ground.

Totodile was as astonished as anyone. He went rocketing backwards, limbs flailing wildly as his unexpected Hydro Pump delivered far more recoil than he'd been expecting. Ash made a diving catch and caught him, directing his attack upwards and resulting in a sudden rain shower on his side of the battlefield.

After about ten seconds, Totodile worked out how to stop using Hydro Pump, and the water died away to a trickle before ceasing entirely.

"That was cool," Ash said, and lifted Totodile onto his feet. The little Water-type tottered a bit, then steadied, and gave Ash a tired smile as his trainer stood.

"How's your Ambipom?" Ash called.

Alex lifted one of the hand-tails, which flopped back to the floor. "Washed up, by the looks of it. You win. Good match!"

"Thanks!" Ash replied, smiling.

"It's too stormy, I'm afraid," Lapras said, craning his head around to look at Keldeo. "We can't make it into Johto Bay, that typhoon is right across the strait."

Keldeo looked up at the stormy sky off their port beam, then back to Lapras. "How bad is it?"

"It'll be quicker to make landfall in Kanto than Johto," Lapras explained. "It's that bad."

The colt nodded his thanks. "Can you take me over to Cobalion?"

"Sure."

When the two were closer, Keldeo raised his voice. "Cobalion!"

"Is this about what to do next?" Cobalion called back. "I've already heard the problem."

"What do we do?"

"...I'm not sure," Cobalion admitted. "How far west could you land us?"

"I might be able to make Cherrygrove," Lapras told them. "But I also know somewhere almost as close where there's some people sure to help."

"Trustworthy?" Cobalion pressed, and Lapras nodded. "Well, then, that sounds best."

"Got it." Lapras beat his flippers on the water in a high-speed rhythm, and the pod all turned to him. "New course – to Pallet Town. Follow me."

With that, he turned east a little and forged ahead, the rest of the pod falling into formation behind him.

"So, we're agreed," James said. "She needs therapy."

"Yeah, dat's about what I was tinkin'," Meowth agreed. "Any ideas where we could get it?"

Jessie frowned. "Hmmm... I'm not sure. I did have one..."

17

At the next junction, turn left.

Ash and friends duly did so, and then stopped at the sight before them – a route that was barely a track, winding off up a hillside and disappearing as it went.

"Are you sure?" Ash asked, looking dubious. "We were headed straight for Ecruteak, right?"

"Yes, I think so," Houndour contributed. "I've been looking at the landmarks, and I think I know where we are..."

We have an appointment, Dexter said cryptically. Best to get a move on.

He emitted a ping noise, and a Pokéball emerged. Ah. It seems Pidgeot has arrived.

"What appointment?" Ash asked, scooping up Pidgeot's Pokéball. "Where are we going?"

You should remember this one, Dexter said pointedly. We're only a few miles from Mount Quena here.

"...oh, right," Ash said, nodding. "That other other time I met Mewtwo. It'd be nice to visit, you're right."

"You met who?" Houndour asked. "Two Mew?"

"No, only one of them is Mew," Ash replied. "The other's Mewtwo."

"...no, I still don't understand. Who is Mewtwo?"

"Ash, remember," Misty pointed out. "We haven't talked to Houndour about everything yet – we simply haven't had the time."

"That's right," Brock agreed. He started walking again, and the others fell in around him. "Well, Houndour, Mewtwo is a clone of Mew created by scientists working for Team Rocket. He's a very powerful Psychic Pokémon who-"

"Hold on," Houndour said, even more confused. "Why isn't he just another Mew, then?"

"...actually..." Ash admitted, slowly. "I don't think any of us know?"

"He might," Misty said. "But he never mentioned it to us."

"Okay..." Houndour decided to move on from that for a moment. "So, is Mewtwo a Legendary?"

"Yeah!" Ash confirmed.

"What's he the Legendary of?"

"Come to think of it, what's Mew the Legendary of?" Pikachu asked.

"I think Mew's the legendary of... evolution?" Misty said, uncertainly.

"I'm pretty sure that'd be Deoxys," Ash said. "They seemed kind of like DNA..."

Deoxys suggests a DNA connection, yes – Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid is the chemical name for DNA.

"What about that Genesect you met once, then? That's got gene in-"

"Hold on, hold on!" Houndour looked from Ash to Brock to Misty. "Okay – how many Legendary Pokémon have you met? I mean, Dexter said you'd... but- how many?"

Ash frowned. "Well, all the ones I've heard of, which is nearly fifty... if you mean how many have I actually befriended, that's..."

Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Suicune and possibly her brothers, Celebi, Latias, Latios, Jirachi-

"Okay, I get the idea!" Houndour interrupted. "I repeat my Absol comment."

"I think we got a bit distracted." Ash hefted Pidgeot's Pokéball. "Why did you request her from the Professor?"

At that point, they topped the low hill, and saw Purity Canyon.

Well, it's that or go rock climbing again, Dexter pointed out unnecessarily.

"Yeah, good point," Ash agreed. He released Pidgeot. "Hey, girl."

"It's always nice to see you, Ash," she said, chirpily. "Now – I assume you want a lift?"

"Yeah," Ash nodded.

"All three at once? I can, but it might be a bit slow..."

"Might be easier to go one at a time," Ash agreed. "I'll go first, and show you where to land."

"I've been here before," she reminded him. "Climb on."

Pidgeot flew down, landing in a storm of wind from her powerful wingbeats.

Ash jumped down and collected Pikachu. "Thanks!"

"Never a problem," Pidgeot assured him. She let him get a few feet more clearance, and then took off again with a single downbeat.

The two watched her heading back over the crater wall, on her way to pick up first Misty and then Brock.

"Oh! Hello!"

They turned, and saw a Riolu approaching them at a jog.

"You're... Ash, right?" the Riolu said. "I didn't know you were coming here."

Ash snapped his fingers. "Oh, right! You're Riolutwo, right?"

Riolutwo skidded to a stop just in front of them, and nodded. This close, they could see the mottling over the top of what a normal Riolu looked like – darker patches, irregularly shaped and distributed, on the bluer parts of his fur.

Ash took a Pokéball from his belt. "You know, my Riolu evolved a few months ago – so I guess you're not exactly the same any more."

"We never were," Riolutwo said. "No more, nor less, than two Pidgey are the same."

"...yeah, good point," Ash agreed. He opened Lucario's Pokéball.

"Greetings," Lucario said, kneeling down to his once-copy. "Are you well?"

"I am," Riolutwo confirmed. "As are the other clones."

The clone looked up at Ash for a moment, as Pidgeot dropped off Misty in another miniature hurricane. "Oh – the Rockets are here as well."

"Giovanni?" Ash asked, startled.

"No, not him. The ones who helped you help Mewtwo."

"Oh," Ash said. He exhaled, relieved. "Good thing it's them, not Giovanni."

"Sounds like a reunion," Misty said, dusting herself off.

A call drew their attention overhead. "Hi!"

Togekisstwo spiralled down to greet them. "It's lovely to see you. I'll go let Mewtwo know you're here!"

Twelve miles off and ten thousand feet in the sky, a weather balloon floated serenely amidst light, fluffy clouds.

Domino steadied her long-range camera. "Sir?"

"Yes?" Giovanni replied, through her mobile phone.

"I have eyes on the targets. Two main concentrations – one I can't see all of, but it includes Mewtwo and several verified clones. The other is in the open – sending images now."

The camera whirred as it zoomed in closer, and then transmitted.

Giovanni examined the result for several seconds.

"Sir?" Domino asked, after the silence stretched. "Should I order the combat unit to close in?"

"...no," Giovanni said, softly. "Stand down."

Domino blinked. "Can you repeat that, sir?"

Giovanni did. "Stand down, agent Domino. Do you recognize those humans on the shoreline?"

The Black Tulip examined the image on her camera screen. "...I'm afraid not, sir."

"The boy is the biggest worry. His Lucario and Pikachu confirm it – that is Ash Ketchum."

Giovanni chuckled. "I am not so foolish as to oppose him."

"Pardon?" Domino said. "You're willing to oppose Mewtwo, but not a pre-teen boy?"

"Domino, my agents have reported that he fought Mewtwo. He won the Indigo League, he was at Shamouti, he fought and beat Hunter J – twice. And that is just the tip of the iceberg." Giovanni paused, then spoke again. "I have no desire to see Team Rocket broken."

Another dry chuckle. "Besides, if Mewtwo truly is hostile, then that boy will stop him with ease. And if he is not... yes, that could work to our advantage."

Domino heard a chair being moved. "Remain on station, agent Domino, but have the combat unit stand down. I'm going to have the press division draft a carefully-coordinated leak implicating us in the creation of Mewtwo – and suggesting that we discovered how the scientists we hired had gone against our wishes, and that we let him go once he made his wishes clear."

Giovanni's voice became faintly whimsical. "It's even true, if you look at it one way..."

So, you see, Mewtwo said steadily. It is a question we have all had to contemplate. Are we real? Do we deserve to exist? What is our purpose?

He reached up to Mew, hovering overhead, and touched the tail of his friend. And the answers I found were – we are real. Everything deserves to exist. And to exist is a purpose in itself. All that is necessary is to be, not to do.

"...nice words," Cubone agreed. "I do see some of what you mean – most people don't fight all their lives – but... if I was sent back, why? Why did I live, and my family die?"

I do not know, Mewtwo told her. For my part, though, I am glad.

"Why? I mean, why specifically?"

Because, if you had not been at New Island last year, I would have killed all of Ash's friends. Mewtwo shook his head. I regret every death I have caused, and to more than double the number is a prospect which I most certainly do not relish.

"...I suppose." Cubone shook her head. "But – if I survived this time, why not last time? What purpose did I have last time – or, if I didn't, does that mean I died?"

These are questions I cannot answer easily, Mewtwo said.

Cubonetwo looked up at her alternate. "Do they matter? I mean – you're alive. Why not make the most of it?"

"It matters to me," Cubone told her. "I... my family died. And I didn't. I want to know why." She slammed her club into the ground. "I refuse to believe they died for nothing."

No-one dies for nothing, if they have lived at all. Mewtwo raised a hand. There are young Pokémon on this island – born from clones, created in a laboratory – and they are alive. If they never fight a battle, if they live their days without ever deciding to leave... is that a worthless life? They will still live, still love.

I kind of wish we had a quick answer for you, Mew added. I know, none of this is very happy or simple... but it's the best we've got.

"Maybe Togekisstwo could help, she always seems to know what to say," Cubonetwo suggested. "Where is she?"

Mewtwo's eyes glowed for a moment, and he blinked. Well, that's convenient.

"What?" Cubonetwo asked – though she got her answer a moment later.

"Hello, everyone!" Togekisstwo called, swooping overhead and circling down into the shade. "Ash, Brock and Misty are here!"

Meowth gave a translation.

"Really?" James blinked. "Are we about to see that girl from Hoenn show up?"

"Wouldn't surprise me at this point," Jessie agreed.

Ash, it is good to see you. Mewtwo nodded. Perhaps this time we will be able to talk without the pressure of time hanging over us.

"That'd be nice," Ash agreed. "I mean... we were passing by, and we thought we'd drop in. I hope you haven't had trouble with Team Rocket?"

No, none at all. I make sure to give interviews two hundred miles away.

Excuse me? Dexter materialized. Is that exactly or approximately two hundred miles?

"Huh?" Ash asked. "Does it matter?"

I assumed it didn't matter, Mewtwo admitted. Why?

Because if you're going two hundred miles every single time, it defines the edge of a circle. It would take fairly basic analysis to pinpoint your location.

I see. Mewtwo looked annoyed. I wish I'd realized that. That might be a problem.

"Don't worry about it," Ash recommended. "You may be a bit of a recluse, but that's a lot better than last time – people know about you now, and they know you're a good guy. You can get help!"

He grinned. "Besides – I'll help. Call me if you need me."

I will. Thank you, Ash.

Mewtwo turned, his arm taking in the gathering below – many of the Pokémon were discussing things with their clones or the evolved forms thereof, and those Pokémon who were never cloned were looking around with some astonishment at their body doubles.

Except for one – Cubone, still looking depressed and aloof, all but ignoring her clone and the others trying to draw her into the general enjoyment.

It would be ideal if we could just spend the afternoon in quiet, with friends – but we can't do that just yet, I'm afraid. Jessie's Cubone is quite badly depressed.

Ash winced.

She came here, to me, in the hopes that I and the other Pokémon of Quena could help her. I believe it has helped – a bit – but she is still not as she could be.

Mewtwo glanced back at Ash. I believe, however, that you know an Aura technique which might help her.

"If she agrees to needing it, sure," Ash said readily. "I should probably make sure I've got who I want to take in ready, though..."

That would be advisable, yes.

"Everyone okay to help?" Ash asked.

Pikachu nodded. "Of course. She needs help, and we can give it to her."

The others nodded or otherwise confirmed what Pikachu had said, and Ash smiled.

"Thanks, guys. And – wait. She's got that reality marble, right?" He looked between them. "Lucario – you were in it once?"

"I was. It's... quite impressive. It is like her inner world made real. A field of bones, under a stormy sky."

"So, by the sound of it, that's what we'll find in there..." Ash groaned. "And she's a ground type. Great."

He pointed. "I can't take you, Pikachu... Lucario... Quilava's not a good idea either..."

A sigh. "Okay, who's good against Ground types?"

"I am I am I am!" Totodile said, jumping up and down. "Pick me!"

"I'll come too," Bayleef added. "Ivysaur's part Poison, so he's out of the running."

Pidgeot chirped an affirmative.

"Sounds like a fine game," Noctowl offered. "The poor lass needs a right good pep-up, and we're the chaps and chapesses to do it."

"Don't let her hear you calling her a poor lass," Lucario advised.

"A touch, a touch, I do confess." Noctowl looked among the group. "Sorry, old bean, you're contraindicated too."

"Isn't it Bayleef who's a... bean?" Houndour shrugged. "Point taken, though. I'm part-Fire, so I'm no use here."

"Right." Ash took a breath. "And Heracross?"

The Bug nodded.

"Maybe I should grab Kingler, too."

"Of course you can have Kingler," Professor Oak assured Ash. "Actually, he's about the most well behaved of your Pokémon, so in a way I'm sorry to see him go."

"What about Snorlax?" Ash asked.

"Mealtimes," Oak said with a wince.

Kingler was duly collected, and sent off to Mount Quena.

"Thanks, Professor!" Ash said, and rang off.

A moment later, Scizor tapped on the door frame. "Professor?"

Damos beeped. Scizor appears to want help with our new guests.

Oak blinked. "Guests?"

Gary yawned, walking into the main room. "Hi, Gramps. Man, I feel better after that cup of coffee..."

He took in the worried expression on Scizor's face – and that of Tracey, as he appeared in the door behind his Pokémon.

"What is it?" he asked, yawning again.

Behind him, Umbreon walked into the room. "See?" she said, looking behind her. "I told you you'd like it."

Furfrou licked her lips. "It's a bit sweet."

"That's just how I, personally, like it." Umbreon shrugged. "Experiment, I say."

"Uh, Professor?" Tracey said, nervously. "Some Pokémon just showed up, asking for a lift to Johto."

Oak blinked. "What?"

Tracey stood aside, letting the Swords of Justice into the room.

"Wait." Gary pointed. "Were you in Kalos a couple of months ago?"

"Uh..." Keldeo nodded. "Yes, we were. Why?"

"Back in a moment!" Gary darted back to his room.

"What a strange human," Cobalion said. "Now – you are the Professor Oak which the Lapras mentioned, yes?"

"That's right, I'm Professor Samuel Oak." Oak blinked. "A Lapras told you about me?"

"Yes," Virizion said. "He just dropped us off at the waterfront about ten minutes ago – he said you might be able to help."

But... Cobalion, Virizion, Terrakion and Keldeo are Unovan Legendaries, Damos said. What are you doing here in Kanto?

"We're trying to get to Johto!" Keldeo told them. "There's a Pokémon there we want to meet!"

"I'll be honest, I for one had basically forgotten that," Terrakion muttered sotto voce.

"Aha!"

Gary came back into the room with a bag over one shoulder.

Keldeo's eyes lit up. "That's my bag! How did you-"

"I was in Kalos until, basically, yesterday," Gary explained. "I saw you guys fighting that forest fire, and this bag was lying around – I couldn't get to you to give it back, so I decided to take it and give it to my friend Ash."

Virizion blinked. "Why him?"

"He runs into every Legendary he comes within five hundred miles of." Gary returned the bag to Keldeo, who immediately opened it and checked the contents.

As he sighed with relief everything was still there, Cobalion spoke up. "You say you got here from Kalos? How?"

"I-" Gary's eye twitched. "Taught my Alakazam teleport, so he was able to whisk me over here. Since then I've been asleep from a combination of fatigue and jet lag."

He yawned, and scrubbed at his eyes. "But I should be okay for now. What help do you need?"

"That is very kind of you," Cobalion told him.

"Yeah, this kid's got the right stuff," Terrakion grinned.

"We want to speak to the Legendary Pokémon we heard of, Mewtwo," Virizion explained. "It took us a lot longer than we were expecting to get to the right country, though."

"You ready for this?" Jessie asked, worried.

"I said I will." Cubone nodded. "I... at this point, I mainly want to have some kind of peace. Answers would be nice, but... if this will work, then yes."

"It does," Misty assured her. "Worked on me – and on Sabrina, as well."

Ash nodded. "Okay, let's go."

Cubone took a breath, and nodded. She reached out for Ash's glowing hand-

-Ash found himself standing in a shallow depression, between rolling hills cloaked in dry, yellow grass.

"Guys?" he asked, looking around.

Noctowl landed on his arm. "Well, it's every bit as peculiar as you said it would be."

"Yeah," Ash agreed.

Bayleef nodded to him. "Let's go, Ash. Where do we look?"

Ash closed his eyes – then opened them, rubbing at the corners. "Ow. This place is... weird, under Aura Sight. It kind of gives me a headache."

He turned. "Pidgeot? Think we can get a look from above?"

"On it." Pidgeot spread her wings, and hammered the air – producing a blast of wind which ruffled the grass in a series of concentric ripples.

Ash took the opportunity to unlimber his staff, making it ready for use. A moment of concentration, and it flashed blue with Aura.

"Anything?" he called up to Pidgeot.

"I think so! I see-"

There was a crack, and something hit Pidgeot. She cried out in surprise and pain, and dove out of the way of the second speeding object.

"What was that?" Ash asked.

She landed next to him. "Rock Throw – it came from the top of a hill. That direction!"

"Right." Ash took a breath. "Guess this isn't going to be easy. Let's go!"

As they began to jog, however, the ground started to shift.

"What was that?" Ash closed his eyes to shift to Aura Sight, and then winced and opened them again.

Noctowl pointed. "Look!"

As they watched, a patch of ground shifted. The grass on it fell away, revealing a skeleton almost buried in rich brown soil.

Which moved.

As Ash and his Pokémon watched, astonished, a skeletal Grotle pushed its way out of the ground and turned to them.

"Oh... dear," Noctowl said. "'twould seem bones are the theme, here."

"Ha!" Heracross dove forwards, driving his horn underneath the Grotle. It thrashed at him, and scored a blow on his hard exoskeleton, but he then flipped it into the air and off into the distance.

"Nice work!" Ash said, grinning.

"Yeah, that was pretty neat," Kingler agreed. "What about all the others?"

They turned.

There were a lot more skeleton-Pokémon emerging from the rolling terrain, everything from Absol to Zubat emerging into the diffuse yellow light of the cloud-strewn sky. Dozens upon dozens were appearing, all over the place, and some of them were already preparing attacks.

"Run?" Ash suggested.

Everyone else agreed.