"SLAM THEM TO A PULP."

Almost immediately as Diana commanded, as if in near-perfect sync with its trainer, Tangrowth extended its leafy appendages and reached for Espeon, who quickly hopped out of the way and landed on one of the counters laid out with the boutique's famous perfumes. Undeterred, Tangrowth swung its arms toward Espeon, knocking over most of the products on the counter before Espeon jumped over them like a pair of skip-ropes. Realizing that it wasn't getting anywhere, Tangrowth changed its strategy, lifting its arms and mashing them together, so that it looked like a collection of vines hovered above Espeon. Tangrowth moved to strike its opponent with the vines-turned-guillotine, but its arms were bounced back by a light-blue and translucent dome that surrounded Espeon just before the attack hit. In that brief moment when Tangrowth's guard was thrown off, the Eeveelution dashed and struck it with a Quick Attack, forcing it to stumble backwards and retract its arms.

"We're not done yet!" Diana exclaimed with a renewed fury, inspiring Tangrowth to regain its footing and prepare for another attack.

'Well, at least she's putting in decent effort now,' Red mused.

"If that little shit is going to keep running around," Diana snarled, "then we'll just have to stop it! Get your Razz berry ready, Tangrowth!"

'Wait, what?' Red was caught off guard by that command. A berry? She wasn't going to make Tangrowth throw a damn berry at Espeon, was she? Maybe she just wants Tangrowth to eat it, but that didn't explain how it'd supposedly stop Espeon. Beneath the helm of his cap, Red narrowed his eyes. If there was one thing Red never bothered to learn about, it was berries…

Tangrowth rummaged through its mess of vines and leafage, soon pulling out a red fruit, vaguely resembling a strawberry. Coiling its hands around the berry, the vine Pokémon raised the item above its head. Espeon tilted his head curiously, his trainer also feeling the same kind of confusion. That woman really DID want to chuck the berry over to their side?

"Use Natural Gift!" Diane exclaimed, prompting Tangrowth to swing its arms down and slam the floor, creating small cracks and shaking the entire boutique, even causing the spectating Johnny to fall over. Sensing the coming danger, Red stood his ground and braced himself, Espeon mimicking him. Amidst the shattering of perfume bottles and the store shelves hitting the ground, the duo could just barely make out a rumbling underneath them, that steadily rose in volume and seemed to be coming closer…

'Directly under!'

Espeon sprung upon his hind legs and stood up-right, parallel to a steel beam that burst from underground, having just barely dodged a direct hit. But they could still hear approaching rumbles, making them realize that whatever this "Natural Gift" was, it wasn't stopping with just one beam.

'45 degrees…30 degrees…60 degrees under you!'

Assuming a quadrupedal position once more, Espeon dashed forward, rushing past another steel beam that emerged from the ground. He then jumped about 15 feet into the air, avoiding a second beam that appeared and pointed at a lower angle, finishing his dance by turning in mid-air to face the ground and dive-bomb straight down, his tails just inches away from one last steel beam that broke through the shop floor at a higher angle. Landing once more on his four legs, Espeon purred, perhaps in apparent satisfaction over that little workout, or maybe to mock the Tangrowth he now stood right in front of. Behind the overgrown garbage bag, Diana nearly tore her green pigtailed hair out of her skull, fuming at Espeon's mockery of her attack. Nostrils flaring like the raging fire of Moltres, she was about to throw another obscenity at Red, when the latter noticed that, within his peripheral vision, a stream of purple ooze was slithering its way over to Espeon from his left…

'That's a Toxic. You'll wanna Protect against that.'

Still facing Tangrowth, Espeon surrounded itself with his dome-shaped Protect, the toxic ooze, although moving and expanding to surround it on immediate contact, quickly evaporated into thin air. As Espeon's shield faded away, Red cocked his head sideways and found Marilyn, eyes as wild and fierce as Diana's, and her Vileplume with a purplish smoke emitting from the center of the flower on its head from which it released the Toxic.

"Freakin' coward," Marilyn spat, "that Protect won't last you forever. Vileplume, back up Tangrowth! Use Bullet Seed!"

"Pluuume!" Vileplume screeched as it aimed its head at Espeon, a series of what appeared to be small bright lights forming a circle throughout the center.

'It's setting up the shots. Scurry behind that overgrown Tangela and…'

"Bind!"

Red's eyes quickly darted over to Tangrowth, who had already extended its mess of vine-like appendages and encircled the ground Espeon was standing on.

'Jump-'

The red tips of Tangrowth's arms shot up and wrapped themselves around Espeon, encasing him in a net held together by the jumbo Tangela. Grunting in what sounded like apparent satisfaction, Tangrowth tightened its grip on Espeon, making him wince and growl quietly at the small dash of pain that followed.

'Ah, shit.'

"Oh no, Espeon!" Johnny cried out at seeing the predicament Red's Pokémon was in.

"Aha! Looks like you finally slipped up, big shot!" Diana cackled. "Your little furball won't be weaseling his way out of this one, not while my Tangrowth's got him!"

"Brenda!" Marilyn called out to her friend. "Don't you worry, we'll avenge Butterfree proper! This asshole's about to get pumped full of lead! … Well, seeds, but you get the idea!"

For her part, Brenda could only hiccup in affirmation in between sobs as she cradled Butterfree on her knees and watched on as the battle continued without her. Her precious friend, her very first Pokémon given to her by the Gym Leader Erika herself, laid on her legs defeated, and it was his fault. Overcome with grief and sorrow, she silently prayed that the culprit would pay, that the soul of her departed partner would fight on through Tangrowth and Vileplume and seek justice. And with Diana's Pokémon capturing Espeon in a tight prison and Marilyn's aiming and lining shots of Bullet Seeds, to her it seemed that the criminal's death sentence was staring right at him…

"If you actually bothered to check, you'd know that Butterfree's not even close to dead."

Tangrowth's grip on Espeon loosened just slightly. Vileplume's aim adjusted a bit higher. They were taken aback at this sudden revelation, as were their trainers. Diana looked quizzically at Marilyn, who mirrored her confusion. Similarly, behind Red, Johnny gaped, astounded by not only what the older trainer said, but how plainly he said it, as if the implication – that Butterfree lived – was obvious.

Brenda, on the other hand, bit her lip, clenching her fists so hard that her nails (which she had just gotten done by Diane) nearly broke. Her immense fury leaked out of her along with her now uncontrollable tears. How DARE he try to play them like that! What nerve, downplaying her dear companion's tragic fall in the line of battle! This absolute FILTH, this monster spawned in the hellscape of Haunter's all-devouring jaw, seemed to practically feed off of their misery and sorrow. No. This could go on no longer. This trainer's Pokémon not only had to be stopped. This man had to be destroyed. His very existence was a blight upon the land, and by whatever means necessary, it was up to them, the employees of the Celadon Boutique, to remove this disgrace from any and all levels of reality—

"Fwee…"

Brenda's breathing abruptly stopped for a moment, before it returned in shudders as she slowly, hesitantly, moved her gaze down to her beloved partner. She was scared that if she had imagined that noise, she would be crushed even more. But, her curiosity got the better of her, and she held on to the small hope that Butterfree was still with her, as she looked at the Pokémon.

She gasped – Butterfree's eyes were not empty and hollow like she was afraid of, but dazed, whirling as if it had just fainted in a slapstick animation. Its breathing was steady, and its pulse was slow and relaxed, as if it were taking a nap. Brenda screamed in relief and allowed tears – this time of joy – fall down her face as she nuzzled Butterfree, letting hiccups of "Thank Arceus" in between her sobs.

Her co-workers, and their respective Pokémon, turned to look at what had gotten Brenda riled up, and similarly gasped as they saw Brenda clinging on to her still-alive Pokémon in joy and relief. Diane squeaked in happiness at the sight before her, while Marilyn stared in shock at this miracle that befell Butterfree. From behind Red, Johnny had a wide grin plastered on his face at the touching scene, and was (rather poorly) trying to hold back tears; although these girls were the bullies that took his Eevee away, he couldn't help but share their elation at this turn of events. For a moment, it seemed that this entire battle would end in tears, love, and joy, a literal happy-ever-after…

'Fuck this shit.'

"Sssp…" A familiar purple glimmered in Espeon's eyes, and soon enough the vines that surrounded him began to glow the same color before suddenly burst into an untangled mess that landed on the floor beside him. Tangrowth, feeling an odd sensation at its arms, turned back to its opponent and reeled back in horror seeing the freed Eeveelution. Frantically pulling its appendages back, it cried out in desperation, catching Vileplume and their trainers' attention. They all yelped, Marilyn and Diane stuttering, trying to find the words to command their Pokémon, but…

"Esp." Espeon's Psychic met its mark, Tangrowth's entire body suddenly pushed back by a telekinetic wave just barely visible to everyone in the vicinity, making it slam into the wall next to Brenda and Butterfree. Tangrowth slid down and sat there knocked out, groaning as the same dazed look that Butterfree had showed in its eyes. Vileplume, in a panic, tried to awkwardly move out of the way, but too late – another telekinetic wave had been launched and hit it right in the face, though instead of being sent flying into the wall, Vileplume was able to stand its ground… only to stumble in place before falling over to its side, fainted.

"OH MY GOSH, TANGROWTH!"

"VILEPLUUUUUME!"

Diane and Marilyn rushed to their Pokémon, completely flustered and trying desperately to shake them awake. Still crying, Brenda watched her friends, and although she worried for them, she was sure that the Pokémon were okay, having a rekindled spirit knowing that Butterfree had survived the encounter. Her head turned over to Red, as did Johnny's, looking completely thrown off guard at how abruptly the situation had turned from a fairy-tale ending to a psychic beat-down. Espeon trotted back to his owner, purring gently against his leg, while Red himself tilted down his hat down over his calm but piercing crimson eyes.

"Here's a tip," he growled. "Don't ask for trouble if you don't know how to fight."

"Well, there it is."

Ash gazed over the pure-white buildings adorned with bright red roofs of his hometown that he could see in the distance. He, Pikachu, and their companions stood atop a hill that unofficially marked Route 1's separation point between Viridian City and Pallet Town, and they all followed the Kanto native's gaze at the countryside village.

"It's quite small," Clemont commented, "but I think that adds to its charm. I definitely feel a lot calmer looking at it than all the bustle in Lumiose."

"It's been a really long time," Serena said. "I haven't been here since Professor's Oak Summer Camp back when we were 8… Remember, Ash?" She turned to Ash, who responded with a small chuckle but wide grin at the memory.

"De-De!" Dedenne bounced out of Bonnie's arms in glee, eager to get a move on to their destination.

"You're right, Dedenne!" Bonnie happily agreed. "I'll race you over there!" She took off down the hill, Dedenne bouncing after her, much to Clemont's chagrin as he followed them and called for them to slow down.

Serena couldn't help but giggle at the three as she watched them run off. "Never a dull moment with them…" She looked at Ash, who had returned his gaze to Pallet along with Pikachu. Both smiled softly at the sight, a feeling of nostalgia washing over their faces. "Ash?" Serena tried to get his attention, hoping to hear what was on his mind.

"Can't believe how far we've gotten when we're barely started," Ash murmured, Pikachu quietly squeaking in agreement.

Serena tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"The two of us left home for the first time 7 years ago. Back then, I was a complete idiot who didn't know a thing about Pokémon or what being a trainer meant."

"Pika…" Pikachu replied while nodding – he definitely could attest to that.

Ash narrowed his eyes at his best friend, pretending to be hurt. "It didn't help that I had a starter who wanted nothing to do with me," he added while Pikachu laughed heartedly.

"But you've really grown up since then," Serena said admirably. "From when I met you again back in Santalune City, I could already tell you matured…But you never lost that spark and will to never give up to the end."

Ash laughed, his mind being brought back to when he told Serena those exact words back when they were little. His mind shifted to his life and journey from then on up until this point – watching all of those Pokémon battles on TV when he was 7, and then actually experiencing Pokémon in a close capacity in Professor Oak's camp at 8, and finally embarking on his journey with Pikachu at 10. He remembered all of the comrades he met along the way, and the competitions he fought in and grew from: the Indigo League when he was 11, and the Orange League a few months after that. Journeying to Johto and taking part in the Silver League at age 12, before moving on to Hoenn and fighting in the Ever Grande Conference when he turned 13 and climbing his way to the top of the Battle Frontier soon after. And that life-risking hell of an adventure up to the Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh when he was 14 before being humbled in Unova at the Vertress Conference a year later. And then, of course, what he thought as the turning point – his first try in the Lumiose Conference, where at 16 he had just barely lost to Alain for the title of champion, only to claim the honor of the first champion of the Alola League. And before reuniting with Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie (and re-adding Greninja and Goodra to his team, of course), he had traveled around the world and met fierce opponents in the Pokémon World Championships, Now, here he was at 17, the new Kalos Champion… what a hell of a ride.

Somehow, just by seeing the thoughtfulness on his face, Serena had an idea of what Ash was thinking, and filled with admiration, she whispered to him. "You really are an amazing person…" She clasped her hands over her mouth once she realized what slipped out of it. 'Crap! I didn't mean to say that out loud!' Blushing furiously, she quickly looked away, too afraid to see what she thought would be Ash's confusion.

"No way. I'm still green."

"Huh?" Serena faced her longtime crush again, ironically sporting the same confusion that she thought he would have.

"Champion of Kalos or not, we're not even close to finished yet. There are still more trainers and leagues I have to rematch or discover, and new Pokémon waiting to be found. If I'm gonna be honest, I'm pretty sure we're still a long ways away from being a Master." Ash let his fingers reach the brim of his cap, a smirk etched on his face. "That's why I can't relax or be satisfied, not until I know that I'm the very best, like no one ever was." Quite suddenly, he spun his cap backwards, mimicking his actions from when he was younger and full of energy – just like he was now.

"Pi-ka…" Pikachu's cheeks sparked slightly, but fiercely. Just like his trainer, he too was bursting with passion and excitement at the new challenges ahead. With a love for battle and adventure rivaling that of Ash's, Pikachu could hardly wait for their next journey, wherever it took them and whatever the challenges they would face.

"Alright, bud." Ash eyed Pikachu, recognizing his eagerness. "Let's get a move on." He extended his arm to let Pikachu run and jump off of it before grabbing Serena's hand, bringing her out of her stupor and making her blush and yelp furiously as he practically dragged her to follow Pikachu and the Lumiose siblings ahead of them.

"Where the heck is everyooooooone?" Bonnie's whining drawled on. Ever since they set foot into town, she and her friends have constantly come face-to-face with… absolutely no one. No human nor Pokémon were anywhere to be seen outside, and all windows had been closed shut with the blinds down, making it near impossible to check if anyone was in their houses.

"It is... quite eerie," Clemont added, not even bothering to chastise his younger sister for her incessant complaints. He had to admit that he was becoming uneasy at the state of their surroundings – the seemingly total lack of life, coupled with the small size and quaint nature of the town, made the blonde feel like he was walking through a ghost town.

"Hey, Ash?" Serena softly asked. "Do you have any clue where everyone might be…?"

Said trainer and his Pikachu were forced to stifle a smirk. As a matter of fact, they did know. Though they had to hand it to the townspeople – they definitely were doing a good job keeping with the suspense. Usually, Ash would be inclined to visit his mother at home upon arriving in Pallet Town, but thanks to a certain glasses-wearing friend's royal screw-up, he and Pikachu knew exactly where to go.

"Gosh, I dunno." Ash feigned ignorance. "Maybe we should try checking Professor Oak's?"

"Chu!" Pikachu agreed, hopping off Ash's shoulder and leading the way to the famed Pokémon Professor's residence.

"I-is it really alright for Pikachu to take the lead like that?" Clemont nervously questioned. "We don't know what trouble might be out there…"

"Don't worry, bud," Ash reassured his friend. "Call me crazy, but I think trouble's the last thing we're gonna find…"

"Sure hope so!" Bonnie piped up. "'Cuz the only trouble I know is those Team Rocket goons sticking their ugly heads out of nowhere!"

"Oh, yeah. Haven't seen 'em in a while. Wonder what they're doing…"

"Chu-chu, Pikachu!" Pikachu called out from ahead.

"Sorry, buddy! C'mon guys, let's get a move on." Ash jogged after Pikachu, his other friends following shortly behind him.

Shortly after, the group found themselves at the top of the stairs leading up to Professor Oak's laboratory – like the rest of the town, the windows were closed and there was no discernable light coming from the inside of the building.

"It doesn't look like anyone is here, either…" Clemont pointed out quietly. "I'm… more than a bit perplexed, to be perfectly honest."

"This is kinda scary…" Bonnie confessed. "Ash, what happened to everyone…?"

"De-denne!" Bonnie's tiny friend answered instead, its ears wiggling as it approached the front door of the lab. Bonnie herself mimicked its action, walking up to the door and jiggling the handle.

"Bonnie! Be careful!" Clemont scampered to try and grab his sister out of what he perceived to be harm's way, but stopped when she held out her free hand to him.

"Hey, I think the door's unlocked!" Bonnie exclaimed. "Dedenne, did you hear something inside?" The tiny mouse chirped in confirmation.

"But… Is it safe…?" Serena asked hesitantly, before gasping as Ash and Pikachu approached the door as well.

"Only one way to find out," Ash shrugged as he took the handle and swung the door open, walking in alongside Pikachu. They were greeted with total darkness, and could hear their friends, somewhat humorously, shiver behind them. "Hey, anyone there?" Ash called out casually despite his friends' reactions.

At that, the lights suddenly flashed on, glitter and confetti dancing in the air while what appeared to be the entirety of Pallet Town's residents – human and Pokémon – revealed themselves, Ash's mother at the front of the crowd, loudly cheering and replacing the tension that accompanied the ghost-town ambience just moments before. Flying-type Pokémon hovered in the air, holding a large, colorful banner that displayed a drawing of Ash and his Pokémon alongside the words "WELCOME HOME, CHAMPION!"

"WHAAAAAAA!" Bonnie, Dedenne, and Serena cried, scared out of their wits.

"HOLY SHIT" Clemont roared in surprise, quickly clasping his mouth when he realized his profanity and silently thanking the heavens that the crowd's cheers were far too loud for anyone to notice him.

"AAAAHAHAHAHA!" Ash and Pikachu, despite knowing exactly what was awaiting them, still couldn't contain their excitement and joy at seeing all of their friends and family gathered together for him. "You guys… you didn't have to go this far for us!" Ash managed to say in between chuckles.

"Ash Ketchum, being modest?" Misty feigned shock as she made her way near the front of the crowd. "I never thought this day would come…"

Before Ash had time to quip back, his mother embraced him in a bone-crushing hug, knocking all air out of him.

"You have no idea how proud I am of you," Delia choked out as she cried sincere tears of joy. Behind her, people and Pokémon cooed and gushed over the open display of affection between mother and son.

"I-I think…I kind of have an idea… right now…!" Ash managed to gasp as he went red in the face – from embarrassment or asphyxiation, he didn't know.

"And you, Pikachu…" She pecked the mouse on his nuzzle, making him gush and his cheeks even redder than usual. "And to all of Ash's friends, thank you…" Despite her tears, she beamed brightly at everyone in the room. "Thank you for always sticking by his side!"

With that, everyone bellowed out another grand cheer, one that could be heard throughout the town of Pallet.

The next few minutes entailed everyone going up to Ash to offer their congratulations as well as general mingling, made more pleasurable by the general excitement and joy in the air. Ash's current traveling companions got adjusted quite nicely; Clemont hit it off with Sophocles immediately as they marveled at the machinery and technology within Oak's lab, eagerly listening as the Professor and Tracey explained their workings. Serena had found herself chatting with May and Dawn, the three finding much in common with each other, as well as between Pokémon Contests and Pokémon Showcases. And Bonnie had, much to Clemont's chagrin, took to asking each of Ash's female classmates from Alola to marry her brother. As for Ash himself…

"Well, well, well. Could this really be the same kid?"

Pikachu's ears twitched at the shrill voice, picking up on it while Ash was distracted catching up with Iris and Cilan. He shuffled around on his friend's shoulder to see where it came from, and was met with the petite and elderly Agatha sporting a wild and dangerous smirk. Recognizing her from during her temporary status as Viridian Gym Leader, Pikachu let out a small shock at Ash's neck to get his attention.

"Ow! What's your deal, Pikachu…" Ash grumbled, turning his head to look at his Pokémon, before noticing Agatha within his peripheral vision.

"Ms. Agatha!" Ash exclaimed, turning around to face her fully. "You came too? How did you even know?!"

Agatha shrugged. "Happened to drop by. Wanted to see how the old coot was doing."

"Old coot?" Iris whispered to Cilan, the green-haired waiter pointing with his thumb to Professor Oak while engaging with Tracey and Clemont. "Oh…"

"Let me tell ya, boy, I'm sure as hell glad I came. Seeing a new champ hot off his victory – perfect thing to see before retirement, y'know? Though I would've preferred it'd be for Indigo…"

"Wait, retiring?" Ash asked. "But I didn't even get to take another shot at you and Gengar yet!"

"Gng?" Ash's Gengar appeared at his side, surprising Iris and making her fall over.

"No, I mean her Gengar…"

"Ha! You're hurting an ol' lady, kid. I mention retiring, and the first thing that comes to your mind is a rematch."

"S-she's right, Ash!" Iris stammered as she recovered from her shock. "You could at least try to be more polite before bringing that up… still just a kid, I guess."

"Huh?! Who's a kid?!" Ash shot a nasty look at his Unovian companion, while Agatha laughed heartily at the situation.

"Bah, don't worry about a thing, missy!" the soon-to-be former Elite Four member brushed off. "I was just messing around. In fact…" Her teeth flashed as they formed a sinister grin. "Nothing would make me happier than a rematch…"

Iris gaped at her sudden attitude change, and Cilan explained. "For an elite trainer like Ms. Agatha, nothing is more joyous than the art of battle. For the trainer and their Pokémon, life's greatest passion is nothing less."

"Exactly," Agatha confirmed. "So, how 'bout it, kid? Before I run outta whatever energy I got left, you think you could gimme a better fight than that old fart Oak?"

"Pika…" Sparks cracked dangerously from Pikachu's cheeks. Ash donned a similar smirk to the Ghost-type master he was talking to.

"Me and Pikachu have gotten loads stronger since our last battle. And I still got a way to go before becoming a Pokémon master… but winning against you would be a pretty good next step."

"Oho… Careful, boy. I'm not outta fire yet."

"It wouldn't be any good if you were."

The two opponents faced off against each other, and the tension that they produced was so potent that not only Cilan and Iris, but soon the entire room, had to pause and gape at them, some even sweating nervously. A fight was about to break out, and here in this very room – and as much as some wanted to stop it, they somehow knew that their pleas would fall on deaf ears. A battle between a new Champion and an old Elite Four trainer… even if they took it outside, the chaos and damage it could cause would be too much for the coral to handle. And any minute now, it would begin…

"Oh, wait. I gotta do something else first." And just like that, Ash broke all the tension, making Pikachu, Agatha, Iris, Cilan, and everyone else comedically face-fault, like they were in an anime or something.

"Aw man, I thought something exciting was about to happen…" Max muttered.

"Hey, Max!"

"Huh?" Max looked up at Ash once he called his name. Said trainer smiled viciously at him.

"You remember our promise?"

Max reeled in slight horror, but slowly nodded in understanding. "Yeah…"

'He's so cool…'

That was the only thing Johnny could think of to describe "Jack," and it was the only thing he could think of at all, even as they were being led to the Celadon gym by the ladies who just moments ago acted so vicious toward them. In fact, Johnny was pretty sure that, despite the girls scowling and saying nothing on the way, they also felt the same way. It was kind of a 180 – after Red wiped the floor with his opponents, he silently approached the bawling employees and offered them weird bottles and capsules. Apparently, they knew what these items were, because they desperately took them and used their contents on their fallen Pokémon, which woke them up almost immediately and made away with some of the damage they had sustained. When Brenda asked why he would do that, Red simply muttered "to save time." Johnny remembered seeing all three of their faces heating up, and though he was a kid, he knew a blush when he saw one. And now as they walked to get Eevee back, it was hard for Johnny to NOT be awe-struck at how his temporary guardian took control of the entire situation.

"We're here," the three perfume shop workers chorused.

Johnny and Red stopped and looked up at the building in front of them; marble steps led up to large glass dome, on which the intense light of the sun reflected magnificently off of. Standing in front of the door to the gym were two female trainers, both of whom looked on at the group, confused. Johnny shuddered a bit – the last time he was here, those two girls inflicted a very harsh punishment onto his face…

"Wait here," Marilyn ordered. She and the other girls went up the steps and to the two other trainers, drawing them closer to explain the entire situation.

"Hey, Mr. Jack?" Johnny inquired. Red grunted in response. "How'd you fight without talking to Espeon, anyway?"

Red directed his bored gaze down to Johnny. "I was talking to Espeon."

"Uh…?" Johnny tilted his head in confusion. "No, you weren't…were you?"

Red sighed in exasperation. Yes, he COULD explain it to the kid… But that was way too many words. Although he still outlined it in his head now that he was reminded of it.

Of course, Red was a seasoned battler, one of the best of his time, and above all…someone who hated talking. Even as a kid, he preferred to be quiet except for close friends, and not too long after he became a Trainer, he realized the disadvantage he and other battlers put upon themselves by shouting commands for not only their Pokémon, but their opponents to hear, as well. It was a burden he begrudgingly accepted – until a fateful with a powerful Psychic-type trainer in Saffron City. In fact, she seemed to have been reading his mind before he could even declare the attacks he was thinking of. While initially the entire thing frustrated and confused Red that his opponent could even use such a technique to obstruct his offensive, he quickly changed his strategy in that battle all those years ago. He may have not been a true psychic like Saffron's Gym Leader, but he still commanded Psychic-types himself. From then on, he trained his Psychic Pokémon to hone the same mind-reading technique, in the hopes that he would only have to think the commands for his team to obey them. After many trials and errors, which almost cost him the fight, he managed to grasp the skill, and continued to train with it after the battle. Not only did he improve upon his Psychic-types' bond with his conscious, but polished it to such a degree that, as long as one of them were with him, they could transmit Red's "battle thoughts" to even his non-Psychic Pokémon.

"Okay, fine. You can go in now."

Red and Johnny turned their attention to Brenda, Marilyn, and Diane, who now stood in front of the two. Still trying to keep scowls and not blush, they pointed over to the front door of the gym, where the other two trainers, though shooting looks at Red similar to the trio, had stepped aside. Red nodded in understanding and motioned Johnny to follow him, and the two walked forward as the other three stepped aside.

"Just so you know, we're only doing this because we want to see Erika wipe the floor with you!" Marilyn chimed in.

"Yeah!" Diane agreed. "And to avenge our Pokémon and our perfume store, which YOU ruined!"

"That's right!" Brenda chirped. "So don't go thinking we're friends or anything! We wouldn't associate with a brute like you!"

'Even though you ARE kind of hot…' all three thought to themselves, their blushes finally returning. Fortunately for them, Red opted to simply ignore them as he and Johnny walked inside.

The interior of the building was quite expansive, and adorned with lush greenery and shrubbery. A mixture of aromas filled the air, and small Grass-type Pokémon danced and frolicked around. Put together, these components painted a picture of a perfect secret garden. Johnny looked around in wonder, seeing how it was the first time he actually was inside the gym, when he went wide-eyed and focused in at one spot in particular.

"Eeeve!" Johnny called out, making Red turn his head to see where the boy was looking. Sure enough, there was an Eevee playing with a couple of lasses and other Pokémon in a patch of flowers. It appeared that Eevee didn't hear Johnny call its name, or if it did, chose to ignore the child in favor of enjoying some time with its new friends. "Eevee?" Johnny tried again. "Come on, it's me! Please…?"

Red shook his head in pity. It didn't look like Eevee was particularly miserable in the clutches of Erika and her cronies. It seemed perfectly at home here, and after spending a day in the facility, definitely showed no signs of wanting to leave. Looks like that was another problem of Johnny's that he needed to work on.

"Ah, so you're the trainer in question?"

Red looked in front of him again, and saw a gentle-looking, green-eyed woman with blue hair and a red hairband keeping it away from her eyes. That was Erika, alright. Though Red noticed that right now, she was not wearing a kimono like the last time he saw her. Instead, she wore a green dress with white seams around the collar and sides. He also noted that while her face was mostly unchanged, the expression behind her eyes was quite different from the ditzy, sleepy look he remembered. Instead, there was a calm but determined fire that complemented her posture – hands folded behind her straightened back, appearing formal and respectful, but also authoritative.

"Jack, is it not?" Erika asked. Seeing Red nod in confirmation, she continued, "Lillian and Liza outside let me know what my associates at the perfume shop told me. It sems you're quite the trainer; honestly, a pleasant surprise, compared to the usual ruffians who try to stir trouble."

Red stayed silent, but he internally was relieved that Erika appeared to not recognize him. Gently, he nudged Johnny forward. The boy timidly looked up at Erika and gulped, but spoke.

"Uh, excuse me…"

"Oh, and you must be the young boy who's accompanying him." Erika smiled sweetly and kneeled down to ruffle Johnny's hair. "I hear you're quite the army general, commanding your friend here to retrieve your Pokémon for you…"

"W-wha?" Johnny stammered. "N-no, that's not what happened!"

Erika giggled. "Ah, I'm sorry! I'm just joking…" She stood up and nodded to the two. "While I do apologize for taking your Eevee away – which, please believe me, was not our intention at all – I cannot help but wonder if it would be better off here…" She gazed at the Pokémon in question, who was still playing in the flowers.

"But… but Eevee's my Pokémon!" Johnny protested.

"Yes, of course…" Erika agreed. "But the fact is that the adorable little thing came to us on its own accord. Perhaps the problem is not who Eevee belongs to, but rather, who shows the most empathy to it?"

"Empa-wha? What's that mean?" Johnny asked, and once again Erika giggled. Red looked down at Johnny and, though he was doing all of this for the boy, couldn't help but agree to some extent with the gym leader. The whole stamping the kid's face thing was way out of line, and so was treating him like a little shit like some of the other girls did, but Johnny's relationship with Eevee, just maybe, wasn't all that strong to begin with…

"But, enough of that. You are here for a battle, correct?" Erika returned her focus to Red, who similarly looked back at her. He nodded once again, and Erika pulled out a Pokeball in response. "Not much of a talker, I see. But, I'm excited to be able to test your skill myself! As Gym Leader of the Celadon Gym, I accept your challenge!" She tossed her Pokéball up into the air, and it burst open in a sparkling rainbow, a mushroom-shaped silhouette leaping out of it. "Go, Vileplume!"

"This will be a one-on-one match between Ash Satoshi Ketchum of Pallet Town and Max Masato Maple of Petalburg City! Each trainer may not switch out their Pokémon at any time, and the winner will be decided by knockout!" Brock announced these words to the entirety of the partygoers, and all of them were now outside. He stood between an excited Ash (and Pikachu), and a nervous Max.

"Of course, only he would end up in something like this…" May whispered in pity for her brother. "Poor guy can't even look Ash in the eye."

"Well, it IS a newly crowned champion he's facing," Dawn added. "I can't really blame him for being so scared…"

"Hey, Max!" Ash called to his opponent.

"Y-yeah…?" Max meekly replied, still looking anywhere but at Ash. He really wish he hadn't agreed to this.

"Don't go holding out on us, got it?! Show me how strong you've gotten!"

Max finally got the courage to look at his opponent and mentor – Ash still looked as determined as ever, but also carried a hint of friendliness and excitement. Max slowly realized that this battle was not just a punishment. After traveling with Ash, the Hoenn native really looked up to him. Despite his downright stupid errors at times, he really was exactly the kind of trainer that Max wanted to be. And now, he was being given a chance by that trainer to prove himself, to show himself worthy of being like his idol.

"Yeah… Yeah!" Max finally found his voice. "Get ready, Ash! You won't even be able to recognize me once we get started!"

Ash smirked at his younger friend's newfound enthusiasm, and from the sideline, May breathed a sigh of relief at her brother's change in attitude.

"Now, trainers, send out your Pokémon!"

"Go get 'em, Pikachu!"

"Chuaaa!"

Pikachu leaped from Ash's shoulder and landed on all fours, sparks crackling and eyeing Max with excitement. Meanwhile, Max pulled out his own Pokéball, and steeled himself before throwing it to the field, a slender, green figure appearing once it opened. "Go, Gardevoir!"

"Voir…"

~Author's corner~

Red versus Erika + Ash versus Max next chapter. Big bad villains may or may not appear next time. We'll see...

Finally done with school. Now onto the real world. Woohoo.

Been almost a year since I updated. Fuck me.

Really excited to get back to this, though. Got a lot of ideas I'm itching to try out. Some of you may have noticed that I changed the description of this fic. This isn't really a remake of Ash's Last Battle anymore, is it? Well, whatever. A lot more excited for the direction I'll be taking this story from here on out.

Thanks for reading. 'Til next time.