PLEASE READ AN! PRETTY PLEASE :)

Hey guys, sorry be being a tiny bit late. Anyways, I have just a few things here I need to say:

*First: This is the last chapter of the Kalos Arc. Crazy, huh? So you'll need to be on the look out for the Final Arc. I'll be posting the list first so that you will get plenty of time to follow the Arc before the first actual chapter is posted.

**Second: The first actual chapter of the Final Arc will probably not be posted for four or five weeks. I really want to make sure I plan out the last Arc properly so I don't forget anything. For those of you that also follow my DP story, that one will be undated like normal.

***Third: My last year of school is coming up and I'll be super busy this year (at least I'm stressing that it will be) I could be wrong, but with an internship, a year long project to finish up my major, and normal classes to boot, my update schedule may not be as good as before. This won't be a problem really until late August and maybe it won't be as bad as I think it will be, but I did want to give a heads-up to everyone. I certainly don't intend to stop permanently because I enjoy doing this, regardless of anything, finally getting these stories on paper/computer is awesome.

Final Day Count: 174

Thanks for your patience! Enjoy! :D

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Normal Talk

Thoughts

Lucario talking unless stated otherwise

Zoroark talking unless stated otherwise

Mienshao talking unless stated otherwise

Let the journey continue...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The first thing everyone noticed was how deathly quiet it had gotten the further they trekked into the sparse tree cover. Ash was murmuring quiet things to the group, telling them that there were pokemon around, but they were scared and hiding for some reason.

After another tense few minutes of somewhat quiet travel, the group started to finally hear noises in the distance and feel the earth rumbling under their feet. With a quick glance at each other, they ran. Once they got out of the forest and near the rocky base of a medium sized hill, they saw what was causing the disturbance.

High in the air over the valleys and mountains, a large fortress of a ship hovered, firing strange rings and weapons from its underbelly. A red and yellow pokemon, shaped something like a lion, dodged the attacks and fired great blasts of steaming and boiling water up at the ship.

"That's Volcanion!" Max cried out.

Ash clenched his fists when he recognized the ship. "It's Lawrence. He's trying to capture Volcanion."

Everyone glanced at Ash and then each other before automatically pulling out a few poke balls each.

zzz-Kalos/Lawrence's Ship-zzz

"Ready a few more nitrogen based missiles, computer. Volcanion is not quite off guard enough to be caught," Lawrence expressed, watching as his computer's data streamed across the screen. "The shield system is still accessing the Articunos' and Regices' cold energy, right? I'm pretty certain the wiring couldn't take too much of that scalding water if it hit us directly and got in the cracks."

"Yes master, the shields are still accessing the energy and no damage has been reported from Volcanion's attacks."

"Excellent." Lawrence grinned passively before suddenly alarms started to go off. "What is going on, computer!?"

"Intruders sir. A hole has been formed in the cargo hold."

"By what means?"

"An intense Flamethrower it seems. Accessing cameras…"

Lawrence watched the video feed as a wall in the cargo hold had a hole formed in it through intense heat. Finally a burst of energy blew the plug of melted iron, inside. Several trainers and their flying pokemon landed and started looking around at his trophies.

Lawrence growled. "Not… acceptable." He glanced up at his computer monitor. "Computer, keep firing missiles at Volcanion and then use the slot W.S.210C capture rings as we did with Groudon."

"As you wish, master. Warning, there are other trainers on the ground fighting with Volcanion."

"I don't care. They're the ones that came into range."

"Processing…"

Lawrence then clicked a button, making his chair start to descend. He was ready to meet his guests.

zzz-Ash, Ritchie, Gary, Drew, Dawn, Iris, Solidad, Barry, Cameron/Lawrence's ship-zzz

"This is seriously messed up," Drew muttered out-loud as he got off his Flygon and started looking around.

"Articunos, Latios, Latias, Raikou, Regices, Registeels-" Solidad had started listing off the copious amounts of legends frozen, caged, or otherwise restrained inside the ship, even the multiples of the same kind.

"Holy crap is that a Groudon and a Kyogre!?" Barry yelped out, rushing away from his Staraptor to get a better look around.

Gary grit his teeth when he noticed a familiar ghost dragon type in the very back of the room. He was within a large tube, floating as though asleep. "Even Giratina…"

Ash clenched his fists and searched around the room frantically. Pikachu was tense on his shoulder and muttering dark things in his own tongue.

"We have to do something," Cameron muttered, standing near his Hydregion for support.

Ash's Charizard glared at the tubes while Zippo looked about in concern. Solidad's Pidgeot, Gary's Aerodactyl, Iris' Dragonite, and Dawn's Togekiss stayed near their trainers ready for the next instruction.

Ash flinched and looked over as Lawrence's chair suddenly lowered into view. Ash locked eyes with the man and took off running towards him, fists blazing blue.

"What the hell have you done!?" Ash yelled. He leapt into the air to give the still sitting man a double dose of an aura punch, when his fists collided with a large bubble of energy that was invisible before. Ash was bounced back and struck the floor as the field faded.

"Ash!" Gary yelled out.

"PikaPi!" Pikachu shouted before growling and firing off a lightning bolt at Lawrence. The same thing happened, though the attack was merely absorbed instead.

Ash pulled himself up as Lawrence started to talk.

"Now now, must we behave like animals?" Lawrence asked plainly before grasping his hands together.

"You're the only animal I see!" Iris snapped back in anger. Her Dragonite added his own call to his trainer's words.

Lawrence tsked. "I'm merely fulfilling my dream. Is that wrong?"

"Pokemon aren't meant to be captured in this manner," Solidad stated, more calmly but not without tension in her voice.

"I suppose that's the point that's debatable, but no matter. I'm going to ask you all to leave. I have a Volcanion to collect after all."

Barry put his hands on his hips and scoffed. "What makes you think we're going anywhere? We outnumber you and I don't see any pokeballs on you."

"Staraptor!" Barry's flyer cried out.

Lawrence only smiled darkly and then started to laugh.

"What the heck's so funny!?" Cameron asked angrily.

Lawrence finished his laughter before gesturing grandly to the tubes and cells around him. "Dear boy, my pokemon are all about you! The simple starters, birds or…" Lawrence eyed Pikachu. "Rats, aren't enough to satisfy me. Now playing with gods? That sounds far more entertaining, don't you think?"

"You can't be serious!" Dawn cried out, she double-taked when she noticed how tired her Togekiss seemed, the negativity in the room was too much.

"Of course. Now I'll ask you again. Will you leave?"

Ash stood his ground. "No."

"In your dreams," Ritchie added.

Lawrence frowned. "Very well, let's battle, shall we?" He then clicked a button on his armchair. "Computer, test serum into T638C."

Everyone flinched when they heard a loud release of steam and glanced over to see something being introduced into one of the many tubes. When Ash saw which pokemon it held, his stomach fell out.

"Lugia…" Ash murmured.

They watched in horror as the strange purple liquid filled and spread through the solution containing a suspended Lugia. Before long, they could no longer see the beast of the sea as it darkened within.

"Team Rocket doesn't have everything it needs to perfect this serum, but they're almost there. Only one additive left. I will be providing it for them in due time. I would try to gather you as well guardian, but alas, pokemon are my speciality, not whinny humans."

Lawrence then clicked another button and the tube slid away, making the dark liquid splash across the floor and reveal Lugia… or what had been Lugia. Lugia's white feathers now pulsed a dark purple, his scales and belly were a deep black and his eyes were white and blank with no pupil.

"No." Iris gasped as Dawn covered her mouth and everyone else gapped.

Lawrence then slowly and dramatically pointed at Ash and the others. "Kick them out, if you will?"

Lugia turned his head and neck towards them before the rest of his body followed his flexible neck. Once he was facing them, he let out a loud roar of pure rage followed by an Aeroblast that ripped through the hold and tore towards the trainers and their pokemon. They were all first met with a high speed blast of wind that pulled at their clothes and bodies, but Ash and many of the other trainers knew that that was only the headwind. There would be no time to run, so Ash did the only thing he could think off and formed and sphere of aura around everyone. Pikachu aided him while Charizard barged in to use Protect as well on the group. Then the actual power behind Lugia's signature move struck and Ash couldn't help but cry out when the pure strength of the move almost caused enough pressure on his shield to break both his wrists in one go. Regardless of the shields however, the entire group and their pokemon were slid backwards until they all toppled out of the fortress and started to free-fall.

Lawrence rose his hand and Lugia halted. "Checkmate." And the evil man smiled.

zzz-Everyone-zzz

"Sceptile, Leaf blade!"

"Toxicroak, Poison jab!"

Max and Brock's pokemon leapt into the air and cut through another porcelain ring that had appeared, trying to trap Volcanion. The same legend was still firing off streams of steam and boiling water, destroying most missiles before they came close to the group.

"Alakazam, Protect!" Trip screamed out, blocking three more missiles and making them explode before they got too close.

"Gyarados, Flamethrower!"

"You too, Magmortar!"

Misty and Paul shouted at the same time, turning a ring into charred black remnants.

"Luxray, Thunderbolt!" Clemont yelled. Luxray dodged a few friends, before leaping into the air and discharging his attack. He struck down another missile that had barely even gotten out of it's slot.

"Audino, Heal pulse on Cilan's Crustle and May's Nidoqueen!" Serena commanded. Her Audino nodded in determination before focusing the healing energies on her allies.

Kenny ended up backing into Brock, Paul and Misty. "Do you think the others are doing okay?"

Misty shrugged. "It's hard to say. I don't think Lawrence was expecting us and I don't think he even has any pokemon to defend himself."

A loud and piercing cry of rage echoed from the fortress at that very moment.

"You were saying?" Paul asked with a hint of worry, but mostly sarcasm. It turned to full worry when the trainers spotted several forms all falling from the ship.

Bianca gasped as her Electrode rolled up to her side.

Misty gritted her teeth and everyone that happened to be watching let out a breath of relief when the other trainers' pokemon started righting themselves and catching their trainers in the air.

zzz-Lawrence's ship-zzz

Lawrence huffed as he glanced over his controls and tried to ignore the sound of explosions and battle outside. He'd already returned Lugia to his tube even as the beast had started to lose his purple and darker coloring. The serum still wasn't complete, as if Team Rocket would actually trust him with the final product even if it was done.

"Sir, fuel levels below thirty percent."

Lawrence growled under his breath. "Are you serious?"

"I'm afraid so sir."

Lawrence let out a sigh of frustration. "Very well. We'll have to retreat and forget about Volcanion. I can't risk the cargo I currently have for a single legend. There are still a few pieces I must collect before returning to base, pieces much more important than this."

"Shall I put up cloaking and set a course towards the western part of Kalos?"

"Yes, computer." Lawrence then clenched a fist. "A single battle won, does not win a war, silly trainers."

zzz-Everyone-zzz

"Hyperbeam!" Gary snapped, watching the energy build in his Aerodactyl's mouth. The others had provided an opening for him and he was taking it. That was right before the entire fortress vanished from sight. "Damn it!" Aerodactyl fumbled the attack and it died before firing. "Can you see it, Ash!?" Gary shouted as loud as possible down to Ash, who was seated on Charizard. Ash glanced around as everyone grew silent.

"It's moving too fast for us to keep up," Ash replied in frustration.

"We'd have to have destroyed the correct part immediately, regardless, otherwise he could've sent any other legend at us," Solidad said in defeat.

Everyone started to calm and even land if necessary. Volcanion stood as the others talked and returned their tired pokemon.

Thank you.

Everyone flinched, even Ash, when Volcanion suddenly spoke out-loud.

"So you're another legend that can speak using telepathy," Zoey expressed.

Indeed I am. I am certain I would have been captured by that hunter. I wish to thank you for your aid, guardian and friends.

"We were happy to help!" Max piped up.

"Yeah, couldn't stand around and do nothing!" Stephan nodded.

Ash smiled at his friends right before Volcanion spoke again.

I fear it doesn't matter much though. I am not a very strong legend, compared to the auras of the ones I sensed in that man's clutches. It seems even in this day and age, I can hardly do anything to protect my fellow kin.

"What do you mean?" Georgia asked.

Volcanion bowed his head as his two hose-shaped arms on his back locked together in a loop over his head, steam hissing as the action was finished.

For the legends that inherit Kalos, Hoopa and I were the first created for this place. It wasn't until after the Corruption that we were joined by the morality trio and Diancie's legacy. Me and Hoopa tried to stem the spread of the corruption in the day; however, the others wouldn't travel through Hoopa's rings because they were too busy with their own lands and we were not powerful enough on our own. Again I was not strong enough. All I can do now is try and balance the earth's movement in Groudon's place. My Heatran children will aid me.

Ash nodded. "Is there a place you can hide for a time?"

Volcanion nodded. I use volcanoes to travel the world. There is one in this area that I call home. I can use it to travel somewhere else and try to stay in the abandoned lava tubes for a time.

"Good. You need to hide until Team Rocket stops capturing legends," Ash expressed. "As much as you can hide anyways." The young guardian thought sadly of how Giratina had been right about its own fate.

I will do so. Good luck guardian and friends. I hope to meet you all again.

The group then watched as Volcanion turned and started running off towards the distance, clawing up mountains, towards the active volcano in the distance.

With collective thought, the trainers turned and started making their way back to the train station.

zzz-Train-zzz

"I totally can't believe we've gotten the last token," Cameron expressed, watching the little six coins rotate on the screen of his pokedex. "I mean yeah, world possibly ending, but there is that bright side."

Stephan huffed and shook his head. "You are a really backwards dude."

Cameron laughed nervously. "Heh, I guess I kinda am, huh?" Cameron then blinked and looked over the back of his seat. "Hey Barry, think fast!" Barry yelped as the other trainer snatched the peanut snack bag from Barry's hands and started to try and open it himself.

"Hey! Those are mine! I'm totally fining you for those if you don't give em back right now!" Barry growled and started a small tug of war with the other trainer and peanut sack.

Across the way Paul snorted, just as the pack erupted and scattered peanuts on his head and lap. Dawn laughed nervously as Paul turned slowly to give the two offending trainers a death glare. The two froze nervously as a peanut fell from Paul's head.

"You two are idiots."

"Now, Paul…"

Solidad chuckled to herself as she listened to the small fiasco, before a deep snore from Harley made her face deadpan.

Even farther away, Ash, Misty and Max were sitting and talking.

"And he was purple and black with white eyes?" Max asked. He grimaced when Ash nodded. "Spooky."

"Yeah, spooky," Ash echoed. He had a thoughtful look come to his face before he shook it away. "We'll stop them though, all of them, somehow."

Max nodded determinedly before glancing down at his pokedex and starting to looked through entries. Misty placed her hand over Ash's.

zzz-Route 19/A Day Later-zzz

"This place is ever so muddy," Burgundy whined as the group dredged through the wet environment.

"It shouldn't last too long. At this rate we can make it to Snowbelle by noon tomorrow if we stop to camp at nightfall tonight," Brock expressed.

"Preferably we'll camp on drier ground?" Harley asked disdainfully.

"Uh, yeah? Otherwise we'd get cold and sick," Georgia smarted back.

Harley grumbled in irritation.

"Basic stuff," Trip added.

Gary snorted and couldn't help but smirk.

"Tch, I'm not exactly used to camping out. I usually made use of modern transportation until these last several months," Harley replied.

Ash rose a brow and gave a glance towards Gary. "I'm starting to think you're the only trainer I know that used your own car, at ten I might add."

Brock and Misty immediately started to laugh and Gary chuckled sarcastically.

"Ha ha ha Ashy-boy. It got me to every gym before you and earned me two extra badges to boot, so you shouldn't talk."

Ash sobered at that. "I swear you got those extra badges to hurt me emotionally."

Gary glanced away. "No comment."

zz

Eventually it started getting late and the group found a good place to set up camp before night arrived. It was during such work that Ash noticed something and headed towards a large boulder near the clearing they'd found.

"Come on out Meinshao," Ash commanded. Pikachu and Ellie were to busy helping Misty set up her tent, so another pokemon would have to do.

What is it you need, master?

"That rock. I think there is a mega stone in there. I'm not accurate enough with my Sacred sword technique yet to try."

I can see it. One moment. Meinshao pulled back a paw and steadied himself for a moment, before striking the rock with a single blow. The rock cracked in half and when Meinshao moved one half away, it revealed a large mineral in the stone. The majority of it was a light green, but the surprising part was that there were three swirls of dual orange and darker green.

"Wow… three different cores in this vein!" Ash exclaimed, finally gathering the attention of some of the others. Before long Ash had sat down and concentrated; he finished reaching out his aura and gave everyone a wide grin. "This swamp is full of stones, most of it is way too far under the peat and soil to reach, but there are veins that creep up to the surface in places. There must have been a large meteorite that struck this place a long time ago and formed a bunch of different kinds of stones."

With that being said, several people split up into groups to go to the places that the stones were located, while most stayed behind to pull out the Sceptilites and finish setting up camp. Ash lent each group with one of his partners so that they could lead them and tell them what kind of stone it was.

zzz-Ritchie, Iris, Cilan, Zoroark-zzz

"So can you tell, what kind it is from here?" Iris asked as the small group walked.

Zoroark cocked her head as she continued to walk. I don't think so. I haven't practiced or met as many pokemon as Ash. I'll have to sit and concentrate unless it matches any pokemon we have within our fold.

"Makes sense," Ritchie nodded.

The three trainers had let out three pokemon to help light the area around them, since only Zoroark could see in the dark. Iris' Charmander was walking along holding her lit tail, Ritchie's Elektrik, Nano, was using glowing body, and Cilan's Parasect was doing much the same as Nano.

Everyone stopped walking when Zoroark did, except Iris' Charmander who accidentally bumped into Zoroark and burned her rear. The dark type yelped in pain and turned with ears back to look at the small fire type, who simply waved sheepishly.

"What's wrong, Zoroark?" Cilan finally asked.

The first stone isn't far away, but we have company.

Almost as soon as she'd said that, many eyes started to glow in the woods around them. A large group of Karrablast started to flood out of the woods to surround them. Zoroark growled deeply before lunging into a group of them and preforming Night daze. Iris asked for a Flamethrower from Charmander and Ritchie commanded a Charge beam to snipe a few trying to be more sneaky. Finally Cilan's Parasect used Stun spore to scare the rest away.

"I wonder why they attacked?" Iris questioned out-loud.

Probably their territory. Some bugs types will band together to defend large pieces of land while others do not. Karrablast is one of the bugs in the other group which will do either. Zoroark started to walk forward and just beyond a few more trees, they found a bluff with large pieces of stone jutting out of the dirt face.

One is in near the base… Zoroark walked over and pointed her muzzle towards a crack. I'm fairly certain it's a Garchompite and the other… Zoroark gazed upwards before leaping into the air and landing on a higher ledge. Is up here. I think it's a Pidgeotite. I'll get this one. She then turned and started to dig and claw at an obscured spot.

The three trainers nodded to each other before Iris released her Garchomp and directed her to where she needed to dig.

zzz-Dawn, Paul, Ash's Lucario-zzz

"This swamp is way creepy in the dark," Dawn murmured nervously.

Paul glanced over from watching his Lucario talking to Ash's. "Only if you let it. It's really the same in the day as it is at night. It's only because you can't see as well that it frightens people. It's a mental thing."

Dawn perked up and looked at Paul in thought. "Huh, I never thought of it that way. Thanks Paul!" She reached out and grasped his hand which merely made him smile a bit. Dawn's Illumise floated near their heads to give light as Bunneary walked at their feet. Paul looked over at the two Lucarios, watching them hold spheres of glowing aura for more light as well. He'd thought it a good idea for his Lucario to learn from Ash's as much as it could, even how to detect mega stones.

Can you feel it? It feels almost as a true living thing would, but it is more dynamic and not as flowing and calm of an energy. It does not have a pulse as a true living creature does.

"Lu-wrao."

Good.

They walked for a bit longer before Ash's Lucario stopped and flared his aura. We're being attacked. Three Drapion.

One Drapion charged from the front, prompting Ash's Lucario to flip backwards and land on a tree branch. He started to form a Bone rush as a second one charged in from the right of them, tearing down the same tree and forcing Lucario to dodge again, farther away from the others. The third came from behind and a little to the right, snapping his claws at Paul and Dawn.

Paul kept Dawn next to him as he stepped back to dodge. His own Lucario lunged at that one, using Metal claw. Dawn turned her head to see Ash's fighting the second one and so she pointed to the first.

"Buneary, Ice beam!"

Buneary focused and then fired a beam of blue at the large poison type, freezing it solid. She turned to fire another beam at the one Paul's Lucario was fighting, when Dawn screeched.

"Look out!"

The Drapion that had been frozen broke free from the ice and snagged Buneary in one of his claws. Paul's Lucario growled, but was too busy fighting his own Drapion.

"Illumise, Dazzling gleam!" The bug type flew right towards the Drapion's face, which was holding a struggling Buneary and a bright pink light flared out on the darkness, making Drapion screech and drop the normal type.

"Dizzy punch!"

Buneary bounced forward powerfully and gave the larger pokemon two sharp jabs to the side of his face, topping him.

"Lucario!"

Buneary looked over her shoulder and saw that Paul's Lucario was pinned by both arms to the ground with Drapion's pinchers. The purple pokemon was about to use a Crunch attack.

"Bun! Buneary!" Buneary cried out and bounded towards them. She jumped as her foot started to glow and spun into a roundhouse type kick, which was actually a High jump kick. Drapion wailed and crashed onto his side. The second Drapion scampered past them as Ash's Lucario shot another Aura sphere after it. Ash's Lucario then used Close combat to kick and punch both of the remaining downed Drapion, causing them to snap out of their daze and run off.

Bullies. They grew cocky thinking they could corner trainers and their pokemon. I hope they will learn a lesson.

"Are you alright?" Paul asked and kneeled next to his Lucario, that was sitting up. His friend nodded and then smiled brightly at Buneary.

"Lu-wa!"

Buneary gazed at him for a moment before she blushed and slowly hid her face in her fluff. "Bun."

Dawn smiled. "You did great everyone, thank you." She nodded to Ash's Lucario. "Thanks to you too, Lucario."

Of course. They were not very skilled, really. A shame. Ash's Lucario then turned and started walking into the forest again. It's still a bit away, but I'm quite certain they are both a Venusaurite and a Lopbunnite.

At Lucario's words, Buneary had a thoughtful look cross her face. Then she glanced up as Paul's Lucario as he walked, without him ever noticing.

zzz-Camp-zzz

"In the middle first. Then I think Pikachu can use Iron tail to cut around all three, if it cracks right," Ash spoke before sticking his tongue out of the side of his mouth.

It will crack properly. This I promise.Meinshao aimed carefully and then made one clean jab in between the three cores of Sceptilites. Cracks spiderwebbed out from the strike almost separating the three inside.

"Wow!" Ash exclaimed.

At the temple, we were taught accuracy or we did not eat.

Ash looked at his pokemon and sweat dropped with Pikachu. "Yeesh, sounds like an strictly Anti-Ash location."

"Pi pika…"

Ash shook his head and then nodded to Pikachu. "You're up, buddy."

Pikachu patted his chest proudly. "Pika!" He then went to work fully separating the three stones.

zz

First Ritchie, Cilan and Iris returned, followed by Paul and Dawn several minutes later. The group finished up setting up their tents before retiring their pokemon and getting some sleep.

zzz-Snowbelle-zzz

"What the actual hell? How did it get so cold from that last mile?" Barry asked and rubbed his arms roughly.

"The geography is pretty strange around this part of Kalos," Cress spoke up.

"Mmmm…" Iris groaned, hugging her Charmander to her chest like a warm water bottle. The position didn't seem to bother the fire type, who simply reached up to lick Iris' chin every once in a while.

Serena zoned out and glanced over at a pin-up board to see an advertisement for a Showcase in the town. It was a simple Autumn festival themed showcase that wasn't League supported, seeing as everything but the Master Challenge had been shut down until further notice. There was no key as a reward, but… Serena looked back at her group as they walked on without her. She smiled, thinking everyone deserved to relax a bit. They needed to focus on what they had accomplished; they needed to celebrate some. Clemont stopped, noticing she'd stayed behind.

"Hey, Serena?"

Everyone paused and looked back, seeing her standing next to the advertisement. "I was thinking we could relax here for the day and night. This evening is the showcase and they're holding a festival afterwards."

Everyone exchanged glances with each other and seemed to agree to the idea. They made their way to an Inn, which had a bathhouse as well, and got rooms for the evening.

zzz-A few hours before the Showcase-zzz

"Come on, Georgia! It'll be fun!" Bianca whined as Burgundy watched in frustration. Georgia huffed and looked away. "It's dumb and girly."

"But all the girls are doing it! They've already headed out," Bianca expressed.

Burgundy rolled her eyes as Georgia ignored the exited blonde. "Iris could win."

Georgia launched out of the chair and grabbed both girls by the arms. "Let's go shop for outfits already, sheesh!"

zzz-Showcase-zzz

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen," A elderly man spoke, gaining the crowd's attention. "I thank you for for joining us at the near start of autumn. Though the League has been forced to shut down most events, we can still enjoy the same activities on our own. We also don't have the voting system of a typical Showcase seeing as they are supposed to remain turned off for the time being, so we will be having several women in the community act as our judges." The man, who appeared to be the major, gestured towards three older women near the stage. "Natalie, Sarah, and my wife Kate. We would have liked Wulfric to be here for the festival, but he is too busy aiding the League. Now without further ado, we'll show you all our lovely ladies and get to the first half of the showcase!"

Everyone cheered within the grand hall. Almost every person there was dressed in a kimono, even Pikachu and Ellie had their own.

The curtains were pulled back and all the girls in the group as well as some from Snowbelle were lined up in their normal clothing.

Kate stood slowly and nodded to the girls. "The theme performance will be pokemon grooming. Girls, begin!" She then slowly sat back down as the girls all turned to their various pokemon with a smile on their faces.

Misty had chosen her Floatzel for the show and was brushing through her golden fur and waxing her fins and inner tube. May had gone with her Liepard which required a brushing; Dawn had gone with Buneary and was cleaning her cotton balls and brushing her fur. Iris had been a bit more bold and chose her Hydregion; he needed waxing for his scales and oiling of the strangely shaped feathers in his thin wings. Solidad brushed her Ninetales, Zoey her Leafeon, Bianca her Cinccino, and Georgia her Snubull. Burgundy had to brush her Sawsbuck as well as wax his antlers and check for leaves in his autumn bush that looked too dead. Serena had gone with Furfrou and was starting with brushing the older pokemon before she had decided to practice one of the more difficult trims, the Kabuki style.

The other girls worked on various pokemon, including a Zoroark, a Noctowl, a Trevenant and oddly enough, a Ditto.

By the end of it, Everyone had done a decent job. Only ten competitors could continue however and the judges started looking over all the groomed pokemon. Every girl in the group had at the very least been skilled enough and knowledgable enough to make their pokemon's coats shine.

The judges returned to their seats. Natalie stood up and gave their results.

"It was truly a hard decision, ladies. You all made your pokemon really shine and in the end it came down to Sarah's knowledge of specific pokemon grooming techniques she learned as a breeder. The ten girls moving on are…"

Slowly each judge took turns showing pictures of the girls who made it. Ultimately Misty, Dawn, Iris, Serena, Burgundy, Georgia and four other girls from Snowbelle made it to the second part of the contest.

"And now our girls will go and change for the free performance."

As the remaining contestants went to do that, Zoey, Solidad, May, and Bianca came and joined the boys in the ground, now in kimonos to match everyone else.

"Heh, had no idea how hard grooming could be," May chuckled nervously as Liepard moved gracefully by her side.

"I also believe they were looking for something a bit unique too," Solidad spoke. "After all, our pokemon only required brushing for the most part. The others require fluffing, cutting, waxing and oiling in addition to brushing."

"Makes a bit more sense," Bianca smiled and Cinccino chirped in her arms.

"It doesn't matter because you were amazing anyway, Bianca," Barry declared loudly, making Bianca giggle.

Kenny simply rolled his eyes at the display. Drew and May drew close to each other as Solidad grinned at Harley.

"Out of you Cacturne suit again? It must be the end of the-" Solidad sighed. "We've got to stop using that joke."

Harley scoffed. "It's a shame, because I'd be much warmer in it than this."

"What'd you think of Misty's Floatzel, Floatzel?" Ash asked.

His Floatzel simply shrugged, trying to act disinterested.

"You do realize I can sense your emotion, right?"

"Float! Floatzel zel Float!" Floatzel suddenly growled in frustration.

Dawn's Piplup sat on Paul's shoulder while his own Lucario stood beside him. Most everyone had let out at least one pokemon.

Sarah then stood and spoke. "First up, we have Misty and her unique Floatzel!"

The curtain parted to show Misty in a blue one piece bathing suit, holding a beach ball that was yellow and white. She smiled and tossed the ball at Floatzel.

Floatzel chirped and nosed the ball back towards Misty. They started playing a game of volley ball before Floatzel caught the ball and balanced it on a spout of water. Then the spout froze over before exploding into shower of ice glitter. Floatzel dipped and caught the sphere using her two tails.

Everyone clapped as Misty and her Floatzel bowed and left.

"Next we have Clarence and her Zoroark."

"Everyone is showing such a degree of grace and skill," Nando expressed calmly. His Marill nodded.

"Marill-mare!"

"Next is Iris and her Hydregion!"

Cilan was eating takoyaki when Iris walked out on stage, wearing a black dress that stopped at right above her knees and flowers in her hair that resembled the purple frills on her Hydregion; true to Iris she actually didn't wear shoes with the outfit. Hydregion was waiting behind her as she rose both arms. The dragon fired Dragon breath from the two smaller heads while a Flamethrower came from the main head. The dark type then turned his heads to make the streams wrap around each other and make a beautiful multicolor spiral of flame. Hydregion then cut off the display before flying back; he turned to fly right at Iris who wasn't looking. Iris kneeled and preformed a back hand spring, placing her hand on Hydregion's moving head and landing on his back before he rocketed into the air and let out a roar above the crowd.

Cilan swallowed one of the takoyaki balls with a large gulp, while Chili wiggled his eyebrows and elbowed his brother, making the green-hair connoisseur flush and scowl at Chili.

"And next is-"

Another couple trainers went, including the Ditto, who surprised everyone by turning into copy of its trainer and performing an intricate dance with her.

"Next is Dawn and her Buneary!"

Dawn appeared on the stage in a cheerleading outfit, Buneary wearing the same, but with small streamers in her ear fur to make them more like pom poms.

Dawn and Buneary started by pumping their pom poms left and right, then they began to use their legs to kick, followed by spinning. Buneary focused and did well following the right moves, seeing as she was well practiced in performing. She noticed Lucario in the crowd who was smiling at her; she felt something inside her warm and she didn't stop it.

A bright light took over the stage as Buneary's form grew and changed. She burst from the light and performed a kick, reaching to the same height as Dawn. Their performance finished sometime right after that.

The crowd cheered loudly as the two performers left the stage. Dawn was excitedly talking to Lopbunny as they left.

Pikachu and Ellie exchanged a brief look of shock that turned into smiles.

"And next is Burgundy with her Sawsbuck!"

Bungundy stood next to her Sawsbuck. She was wearing an orange kimono with autumn colored leaves decorating her hair. She pulled out several frisbees and tossed them. Using a combination of Energy ball and Jump kick, Sawsbuck was able to destroy each one before they struck the ground.

Georgia and her Snubull were next. Georgia was wearing a pink kimono with a large belt of blue beads around her waist as well as a tiny blue bow in her hair.

"Alright, Snubull Charm!" Georgia struck a pose right as Snubull did; a large heart formed behind them and burst into a bunch of smaller ones. Georgia then smirked and pointed at the hearts. Snubull ran forward and used Ice fang, Thunder fang, and Fire fang on each one making them burst into pink and red, pink and blue, and pink and yellow lights and sparkles. They both struck a pose again once they were done as the crowd applauded.

Another Snowbelle citizen went, before Serena took the stage for the final performance. Serena was wearing a small top which covered her chest much like a bikini top would, with a sarong; both were orange. She also wore two wrist bands and a neckpiece that looked almost like cotton. Clemont gasped out loud on accident, before he noticed Gary grinning mischievously at him.

"Cotton guard!" Serena commanded, right before a storm of cotton balls swarmed around her and her Furfrou. "Odor sleuth." A bright light streamed out from the center and parted many of the cotton balls. Both Serena and Furfrou started to dance an intricate step by step dance. "Protect." A sphere of green pulsed outward, pushing the cotton and light even further away. The display almost looked like the sky, filled with clouds and light from the sun. Furfrou then used Sunny day to finish the dance and display, making the entire thing fade away like a mirage.

The crowd went wild.

"Some truly amazing performances!" the mayor declared. "Now, we will announce the winner later tonight at the end of the festival."

zzz-Festival-zzz

After visiting the hot springs, to clean up and wind down, everyone had once again put on their kimonos and walked about the streets with their pokemon, enjoying the lights and atmosphere.

zzz-Zoey, Kenny, Barry, Bianca-zzz

"I mean. I wonder why Showcases are girls only things, ya know?" Kenny expressed. He watched a batch of children run past with a paper Gyarados kite.

"They aren't too different from a Contest, but they are different. They offer more of a practical skill element to them, while Contests focuses more on usefulness in battle. Regardless, you're right, a boy could be a breeder or groomer, a baker, and anything in the theme performance really. Take Brock or Cilan, they are or were both of those things," Zoey replied.

"Yeah, totally. Maybe they could remake them some." Kenny added. He deadpanned when he saw Barry and Bianca down from them at the long table, whispering and laughing to each other. "Huh, didn't know Barry knew how to whisper."

Zoey smirked at the comment. "You learn something new everyday."

A silence dragged on between them before suddenly, Kenny placed a bit of oran berry sauce from his pastry he'd gotten on Zoey's nose. She looked at him in udder confusion before he stuck out his tongue.

"Looks good on you."

She looked at him for a minute before she leaned in. "Really?"

Immediately, Kenny's face went red and chuckled nervously. "Uh, well." he couldn't seem to find words as Zoey got closer and closer, until-

SPLAT!

Kenny eventually was able to open his eyes after he wiped some of the blue filling from his face. Pieces of golden pastry slid down his forehead and cheeks.

Zoey smiled smartly before taking a finger and wiping off the small amount on her nose and eating it. "Oran berry, huh? Sitrus is my favorite."

Kenny snorted before a smile came to his face.

zzz-Solidad and Harley-zzz

"Gah!"

"Nope."

"ERRRG!"

"Sorry, missy."

"Whyyyyyy!?"

"T'day's not your day."

"Pfft, that's just pathetic, hun."

Solidad let out a frustrated whine as the man behind the counter pulled the money towards himself. The three overturned cups sat on the table, taunting her, as well as the Slowpoke plush that was far behind the man that she knew her Slowbro would love… and maybe her too.

"It's just a doll. You could by one at the next big mall we come across," Harley pointed out.

Solidad sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

They turned to walk away, only to hear the man speak up. "It's okay, no one's fast enough to keep up with me anyway. Was an decent try, though."

Solidad tensed in annoyance. "It's just not the same…"

Harley eyed her for a moment before a devious glint entered his eyes, eyes that were not hidden by the shadow of his Cacturne hat since he was not wearing it. "Do you really want that doll, Sol?"

Solidad cocked a brow and put her hands on her hips. "Even if I do, what exactly are you doing to do about it?"

Harley snorted. "I'm going to win it." He turned on his heel a walked back to sit in front of the man.

The man grinned. "Come to win a prize for your lady-friend?"

Harley nodded. "You bet, darling."

The man gave him a strange look but shrugged. "Whateva. Watch close, neva take yer eyes off the cups. Which one is the ball under, which one?" The man spoke as he switched, swapped and moved the cups at a rapid pace before stopping. Harley didn't even hesitate and picked up the one on the left, revealing the ball. The man scoffed. "Huh, lucky go, so what prize do you want?"

Harley nodded to the Slowpoke. "How many wins for that?"

The man grinned. "Two more, but if you even lose one, you get nuthin. You sure you wanna do that?" Harley nodded right as the man started swapping the cups. Then he stopped. "Well?" Harley scoffed and picked up the left one again. The man grumbled and started up again. "And?"

Harley reached towards the right and then picked up the center, showing the ball. "Seems I win."

"Tch, you've got a good eye."

"Like an Braviary!" Harley added, inflating his own ego. He then passed the plush to Solidad.

When they were far enough away, she looked at him. "How on earth did you follow him?"

Harley smirked. "Sol, it's about following the ball, not the cup. I know all the tricks of that game and the most skilled can skip a ball into another cup really quick. I used to cheat all kinds of creeps out of their money when I used to visit Castelia more as a younger man."

Solidad rose a brow.

Harley shrugged. "Hey they cheated so I had the right to cheat, didn't I?"

Solidad only laughed and shook her head at him.

zzz-Nando, Brock, Max, Ritchie, Cameron, Stephan, Chili-zzz

The boys had gotten bored and well that's almost never a good thing. The boredom ended when Chili had run up to them holding a bag.

"Hey guys, guess what I found!?"

Cameron reached over and poked the bag, making multiple somethings shift. He pulled his hand back quickly. "It isn't alive, is it?"

Chili blinked. "Psst, no. They're Touga berry fire snacks!"

"Toga berry fire snacks?" Max asked.

Chili shook his head. "Touga."

Brock put a hand to his chin before his eyebrows rose. "Those are supposed to be very spicy berries, even more so than Tamato. I think only pokemon that can breath fire actually enjoy them."

"So they're fire type pokemon snacks?" Stephan asked.

Chili smirked. "Mostly."

Ritchie sweatdropped. "Why do I have the feeling that you're going to say something to really make me question your mental health?"

"Pika-chuu…" Sparky nodded.

Chili snorted. "I used to eat them when I was a little kid. You can't find them very easily anymore, but this vendor was selling them so I got some for my pokemon and some for me!" Chili then grinned at the group. "However…"

"Oh no." Max stood and waved his arms. "I am not going to try one."

"Aww, someone scared of a little heat?" Chili giggled in a slightly insane manner.

"It seems like it would be a health risk," Nando spoke up nervously.

Chili nodded. "Yeah, but that's why I have this." He slammed a large bottle down on the table. Sparky ran over to sniff it while Cameron massed his face against the table to read the label.

"Eggant berry juice?"

"The driest stuff you'll ever drink. Far as I can tell they're only really useful as an additive in pokeblocks or poffins but not as an main ingredient," Chili explained. "It'll take away the spicy taste immediately."

"So what are we talking about here?" Stephan questioned.

Chili smirked. "Who ever goes for the cure first, looses."

Everyone glanced at each other and shrugged. What could go wrong?

zzz-Ash, Misty, and ?-zzz

"Sort of reminds me of Maiden's peak, only much more active and a little more chilly," Misty spoke.

"Yeah and without the ghosts-" Ash deadpanned as someone walked past with a laughing Haunter. "Sorta…"

"Heh, yeah." Misty nodded and then noticed people dancing around the center of the town. "Hey, let's go dance."

Ash smiled at her and nodded. Hand in hand they made their way down to the center and started to perform the dance's steps with everyone else. After dancing for a bit, they made their way towards the edge of the surrounding forest to watch the town and it's lights from above. They sat down on a log together.

"It's nice that we've gotten all the tokens," Misty murmured.

"Yeah, that's at least one thing off our shoulders. Now it's just dealing with Team Rocket and the Tournament. Who knows what order that will be in though. For all we know Team Rocket could attack in the middle of the Tournament," Ash rambled.

"I think that would be too long of a wait…" Misty replied and furrowed her brows. "They're too excited to get things moving and shaking."

Ash let out a big sigh before he leaned down and kissed the side of Misty's mouth. She looked at him and came closer so that the second kiss would let their lips meet. Ash moved his hands down to her waist as she rested her hands on his shoulders. They slowly started scooting closer and closer to each other and before long, Misty was on Ash's lap, messing his hair while he trailed his kisses lower to her collar bone.

For a moment they locked eyes in a hazy sort of euphoria before a voice shattered the calm and the mood.

"Holy crap! I did not need to see that!"

Ash whipped his head around as Misty glared at the intruder. They both growled.

"Gary!"

Gary held his hands up in a placating manner. "What!? How was I supposed to know this part of the woods was taken!?"

"What exactly are you doing here any way?" Misty hissed.

Gary huffed. "I was trying to find a quiet place to call and check on Gramps. Every place is too loud with partying and I don't think he wants to hear drunk people yelling while we talk." Gary then turned and waved a hand dismissively. "Whatever, have your fun."

He then walked away.

"You couldn't have warned us with aura?" Misty asked Ash with a grumble as she slid off of his lap.

Ash huffed and blew some hair out of his eyes. "I was kinda preoccupied, scratch that, majorly preoccupied."

Misty snorted, but could help but smile at his mischievous face.

zzz-Paul and Dawn-zzz

Paul snorted was he saw about the twentieth couple walk past, giggling like fools. Sure, it was great having someone to share your time with and really it was he that would be the least likely to ever take that for granted again, but why on Arceus' green earth did they have to act like school kids.

Dawn laughed a bit. "You seem really offended by other people having a good time."

Paul rolled his eyes. "They just act so overly emotional. It's merely irritating."

Dawn smiled. "Well some of them have probably had something to drink."

"True."

Dawn looked at the bright lights, candles, and decorations as people slid in and out of her view. "Do you think Piplup and the others are having a good time?"

"I'd imagine. Lucario and Lopbunny can definitely handle themselves and Piplup is very strong for a first stage evolution. Mawile should be fine with him."

Dawn beamed at the praise as well as took the time to remember what had happened during the showcase. "I can't believe after all this time, Buneary decided to evolve."

"I think there's a pretty obvious reason for that."

Dawn glanced up to get a glimpse of what Paul was looking at. Lucario and Lopbunny walked side by side through the crowd. Lucario was yammering about something like an excited child and Lopbunny was listening closely with a large smile on her face.

Dawn and Paul stood quietly for a moment before Dawn spoke absently. "You know once Ash told me that pokemon start taking after their trainers, be it personality or habits or likes and dislikes."

"I could see that. Most likely a survival technique."

"Or like they say, to be copied is the highest form of praise."

Dawn drew closer to Paul by holding all of his left arm in both of hers. She rested her hand on his shoulder.

"That could also be true." Paul then looked down at Dawn smiling face and kissed her deeply. They ignored the sound of a little kid whining about icky grown ups.

zzz-Drew and May-zzz

"I checked Beautifly the other day."

Drew glanced over at his girlfriend at they walked. Her comment was sort of random in comparison to what they'd been taking about before then.

"Yeah, and?"

"She's carrying eggs."

"Oh… wait, what?"

May beamed. "Two eggs! I can even feel both."

Drew smirked. "Masquerain, you sly dog. He's really getting some." May snorted and elbowed Drew hard enough to make him stumble and chuckle. "Ah come on, just a funny."

May eyed him sneakily from the corner of her eye. "Hmph. You act as though Beautifly isn't getting anything."

Drew snorted as a bit of red tinted his face. "Ha, you're getting better at that."

"I know." May declared before holding her hands behind her back. Drew looked at her before he caved and allowed himself to look over his girlfriend's body. May stood normally again when she noticed him. "And what exactly do you think you're doing, Mr. Hayden?"

Drew cocked a brow. "Looking at my very pretty girlfriend, Miss Maple."

May looked at his face and hair and trailed down to see the small part of his chest that showed through the top of the kimono. "No fair at all."

Drew smiled and rose a brow. "Do you want to make it fair?"

May looked at him for a moment before she saw a meadow a bit away. Most everyone had abandoned that area since it had gotten a bit later in the evening and more people wanted to be near the town center.

Once they got there, they started exploring and that didn't include the meadow. A make-out session commenced at that point that got dangerously close to something more, if Drew's kimono around only his waist and May's riding up her thighs and falling off one shoulder gave any clue.

Tonight was a celebration after all. They'd gotten all the tokens.

zzz-Cress and Burgundy-zzz

"Adding certain berries to a meat sauce only really works if they are the right kind. You can use rawst, wepear, salac and even mago if you really know how to mix the flavors," Cress explained as he and Burgundy enjoyed a small meal of fish and aprijuice.

"They just seem like they would be so sweet, even too sweet," Burgundy replied.

"For some it is," Cress nodded.

Burgundy smiled before she leaned across and kissed him. "I do think I love you, Cress."

Cress gave a large and bright smile before he kissed her on the forehead and held it there before talking. "I do think I love you as well, Burgundy."

zzz-Cilan and Iris-zzz

"You did a wonderful job in the showcase, Iris. You looked stunning, especially with Hydregion's fierceness there to complement," Cilan expressed.

"Thanks, Cilan. To be honest, that's the first time I've ever actually worn a dress," Iris chuckled.

"Not true, don't you remember when Ash, you and I dressed up-" Cilan was silenced by a finger over his lips.

"We will not speak of that. I have no idea why I thought that was a good idea." Iris sighed and then grinned. "Although I did get to prove that girl wrong."

Cilan laughed. "I suppose." He noticed her shiver a bit. "Cold?"

"Yeah, even though it's only autumn, Snowbelle is still chilly to me," Iris answered. She paused when Cilan gave her a lingering kiss.

"Better?" The connoisseur's eyes twinkled a bit at his own daring.

Iris smiled as a rosy blush colored her cheeks. "A little." She leaned closer for a little more 'warmth'.

zzz-Floatzel and Floatzel-zzz

At first they had been resting in the town's fountain, since the cold temperature of the water didn't bother them with their coats. However, after one too many kids walked past asking their parents if they could get in the fountain too, they fled for the quiet of an icy creek near the town. They swam there in the moonlight, chirping and splashing water. Eventually it got to the point that they were nipping at each other's tails and chasing one another through the grassy hills.

zzz-Golduck and Ducklett-zzz

Golduck walked along with Ducklett blankly staring as he held her under his arm like a football. Golduck spoke lavishly, in his own dopey way as he walked. Some people would stare, but it never was for too long.

It was when the first fireworks went off that Ducklett actually jerked and started to glow. Golduck placed her on the ground in slight shock, as the blue water type grew larger and more graceful. Once the process was complete, Swanna craned her long graceful neck around to look at Golduck. She got up on her feet and curved her neck to rest her head against his. He stared into her eyes in pure awe until a big dumb smile cross his face.

"Gol gol gol- Gol-duck."

zzz-Piplup and Mawile-zzz

"Pip pip pip pip pip~" Piplip huffed as he rushed with Mawile behind him, holding his flipper.

"Maw-ile?"

"Pip!" Piplup chirped back and pointed up at the first firework that had exploded. Mawile's eyes grew large. She'd never seen fireworks before.

Piplup eventually found the Pokemon center and used Water pledge to launch them both up to the roof. Once there, they sat as the fireworks really started to go off.

zzz-Pikachu and Ellie-zzz

At first they had danced with the humans, copying their movements and even dancing with each other. The problem with this is that most everyone else found it adorable and would either watch, or to the mice's horror, take pictures.

It wasn't fair! Would you like me to take pictures on your date!? This is stalking! Pikachu huffed to himself before running off, leading Ellie away from the crowds.

After a few well placed jumps they were on a roof of a random building. No humans to stop them from dancing here, under the fireworks.

zzz-Trip and Georgia-zzz

"So you seriously did the showcase just for your pride since Iris was entering?" Trip asked with slight amusement tinting his voice.

"Yeah, what of it?" Georgia huffed. Instead of getting a new kimono like most of the girls had, Georgia was still wearing the same outfit from the showcase.

"Nothing of it," Trip replied cheekily. "By the way, that kimono is pretty nice."

Georgia glanced over at him and snorted. "It's girly, but I guess you would like that stuff, huh?"

Trip rose a brow. "Yeah. Then again for me these are a bit exotic. Unova doesn't hold many festivals like this at all, especially from Nuvema."

"That's true. I guess we just used to wear them a lot in Icirrus. We were pretty close to the Dragon spiral tower after all."

"Would you mind if I... took a picture?" Trip asked.

Georgia smiled and looked around. "This would be something neat for your mom to see. Okay, blondie, only if we can take a picture together too."

Trip smiled back as he pulled out his camera.

zzz-Serena and Clemont-zzz

"The performance you did was amazing, Serena. You really did make it look like the atmosphere," Clemont stated.

Serena nodded and smiled worriedly. "Hey Clemont?"

Clemont looked over at the honey-haired girl and blinked. "Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

Serena smiled more confidently. "For being my friend."

Clemont felt the butterflies in his stomach die. "Yeah. Of course." He smiled as well as he could. "A pleasure, honestly."

Serena reached over, much to Clemont's surprise and took his hand. "I want to get to know you better. Can we try to do that?" She gazed up into his eyes. "I'm sorry for pushing you away so much. It was very wrong of me. I must have hurt you."

Clemont blinked, trying to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He nodded a little more excitedly than he meant to. "Yes! I mean uh… yes. I would like that."

Serena smiled and rested her head under his chin so they could start to dance. "So an experiment then?"

Clemont chuckled nervously. "Yeah. Sounds like it!" I just really hope this one doesn't blow up in my face like the others.

zzz-Everyone-zzz

"Oh brother."

Drew snorted. "What in the hell did you guys do?!" He then commenced to loosing his shit. "You guys-gasp-guys!"

"You look almost like a bunch of Jynx."

"That would be an insult to Jynxes."

Max pouted, which made Kenny snort and then he also started dissolving into laughter as well. May was trying to help Drew but couldn't stop laughing herself.

"Alas, we should've known," Nando murmured in barely hidden embarrassment.

Cress facepalmed and Cilan sighed. "Chili, again!?"

"What!?" Chili exclaimed in defense. "It's such a fun game!"

"You too, Brock?" Misty asked in surprise.

Brock shrugged. "I honestly didn't consider the consequences."

"When do you ever consider the consequences?" Gary returned which made Brock snort in irritation.

"Ha ha. That would be with girls and that is history, thank you."

The boys that had been with Chili, stood before the rest of their group with lips slightly swollen and tinted red from Chili's Touga berry fire snacks. The Eggant juice had indeed stopped the pain, but did nothing for their lips.

Chili merely grinned, being the only one of his group of guys to not have tinted swollen lips since his body was used to them. "What can I say. I'm the king."

Barry sighed. "I wish I could think of a prank like that."

Eventually everyone got to hear the announcement of the winner of the Showcase and it turned out to be none other than Serena. She was awarded another nice new kimono and everyone then made their way to the Inn. Just a little more traveling to go.

zzz-Route 21-zzz

Everyone was walking calmly along a high path with low cut grass. The sun was shining and the sky was clear. Ash tilted his head up when he sensed a pokemon coming towards them.

The group saw it was a mega Pidgeot with a rider on its back. It landed carefully before allowing its rider off. She was wearing a sky suit so she popped up her visor and smiled at everyone.

"Hey there! My name's Yvonne. I heard you guys would be coming through here so I've been hanging out nearby for a while," Yvonne spoke.

Gary hummed. "That's right, you're Xavier, Trevor, Teirno and Shauna's friend, right?"

Yvonne nodded. "You got it. I'm here on Lance's orders to see if you have anything new for him."

Ash and everyone else exchanged a glance. "There are a few things."

The group then told Yvonne mostly about how many pokemon Lawrence had in his possession as well as the strange serum he had used on Lugia.

Yvonne's carefree attitude melted away. "I see. Well… I guess you guys will head to Kanto pretty soon to turn in the tokens. I'll be heading to Lance ASAP. Be careful everyone."

The group nodded solemnly at her before she climbed on her bird and flew off.

zzz-League Building/Kanto-zzz

"Are you sure?" Lance asked intently.

Yvonne nodded. "They said they were in his ship and saw all of those legends if not more." Wind blew her hair back behind her as she held her com at arm's length.

Lance stared hard at the table and Gold folded his arms. Lance finally looked up and nodded to Yvonne. "Thank you. See you shortly."

Yvonne said goodbye and shut off her com.

Gold let out a long breath. "Have we heard anything from Silver?"

Lance grunted. "Nothing yet. He has been able to name several new places the main base isn't though."

"Perfect," Gold remarked with sarcasm.

Both leaders froze when a TV in the room flickered on, showing Giovanni's face.

"Gentlemen, and more importantly, Master Gold. How are you both?"

Lance stared coldly at the man and clicked a button on something in his pocket.

"Just great, ya bastard," Gold snorted and glared at Giovanni's smug face.

"Now that's no way to start business dealings. I have a proposition for you, Gold."

Gold clenched his fists. "Go to hell."

Giovanni frowned when a third person ran in. The attendant's eyes widened before he murmured something quietly into a com.

"It seems as though we must cut this talk short. Goodbye Gold."

The screen flickered off, just as Lance shouted three varied curses and bellowed at the attendant to follow him. That left Gold to stew in frustration before he broke that TV with a well placed punch. He heard Lance shouting down the hall.

"What do you mean they couldn't trace the call!?"

"You should be happy he didn't break into our files, Mr. Lance..."

zzz-Route 22-zzzz

"Hey look!" Max exclaimed and pointed at a small group of Bunnelby looking about in the grass ahead. Max went to pull out a poke ball and the Bunnelby all looked up and took off running for the woods. "Hey wait!"

"Max!" May shouted in slight frustration. She took off after him, with Drew trotting behind them both. He waved to the others that they would be back soon.

"Well then," Paul muttered and turned before releasing Torterra. The large beast turned before eyeing a Litleo that had been spying on everyone. Ash's glanced out of the corner of his eye to look at the action since he'd been watching Max, May and Drew run off.

"Lit?"

zzz-Max, May, Drew-zzz

Max rushed through the woods, narrowing his pursuit down to one Bunnelby in particular. He groaned when it leapt into a hole in the ground, using a bit of Dig to squeeze in.

"Pidove, Razor wind!" Max's Pidove appeared and focused his energy before sending a small twister of winds towards the hole. It hovered there as Bunnelby was pulled upside-down from the tunnel.

"Bi!" Bunnelby squeaked out.

"Air cutter!" glowing discs of winds shot through the air and slammed into the suspended Bunnelby. The pokemon eventually fell from the air and landed on the dirt in time to see Pidove glowing and changing shape. It growled and launched itself into the air using Bounce to attack.

"Detect!" Max yelped.

"Tranq-uill!" Tranquill crowed before tilting his body, allowing Bunnelby to shoot past him.

"Now Air slash!" Tranquill turned around as Bunnelby started to descend and struck the other pokemon with blades of air, increasing his speed of descent forcing the wild pokemon to strike the ground harder than he would have. He had swirls in his eyes.

"Pokeball, go!"

zzz-Everyone-zzz

The three trainers walked back with Max smiling proudly. They got the chance to notice Paul pocketing a pair of poke balls, before everyone headed out.

zzz-Santalune-zzz

The group walked into the small town, worn out. They would certainly be staying here for the night before traveling to Luminose. This would also give Brock the chance to book some tickets for his group; the second group passed on the same offer, saying that they were going to visit the Safari in Kiloude city once they got to the trains in Luminose, because they had promised Bianca they would.

So they all headed to the Center to sleep.

The next day the group got ready to travel. On the way from Santalune to Luminose, Misty ended up gathering the nerve to capture a small Surskit that was on a pond they passed; Chili also met someone in Luminose that had captured a pokemon at the Safari that his parents said he couldn't have until he was old enough to be a trainer, so the boy ended up giving the Ponyta to Chili as a gift, asking him to take good care of it for him.

It was after all that that the groups split up, one heading to the trains and the other heading to the airport.

zzz-Luminose Airport-zzz

"So what do we do after we turn in the tokens? We have a good amount of time before the tournament," Max asked.

Brock shrugged as he finished pushing his carry-on into the over-head compartment. "I guess train. I'm pretty sure everyone we know will be staying somewhere in Kanto to train, seeing as they have to turn in their tokens and return for the tournament any ways."

"Huh, then there's Team Rocket."

"Yeah, then there's that." Brock sighed as he sat down in his seat. He patted the younger trainer on the shoulder. "Just one step at a time and we'll get to the end of it."

Max nodded before having his attention caught by something Barry and Cameron were doing. Brock looked out the window and watched the workers put the other peoples' luggage into the plane's cargo hold.

Whatever the end of it will actually be, that is. Brock thought worriedly.

So a long chapter huh? I was going to make it much shorter, but I decided to add a bunch of other things as a good finale to Kalos. Hope the slightly rushed ending there wasn't too annoying, I didn't think it would be too interesting seeing Misty and Chili get those last couple pokemon.

So that's all. On to questions and such.

Answers to Questions:

Force Smuggler: Will Misty tell Ash her suspicions about Sammy and they talk to him?

Will the gang meet Yellow or some of the other Dex Holders?
Can't wait to see what they all do to train after being on a team for 166 days. And of course, the villains causing trouble.

NoSignal: That might be touched on in the Drabble Sequel, Yes they will meet them. :)

Samster687: p.s. After you finish the Kalos Arc, how long do you think it'll take before you upload the start of the new arc?

NoSignal: Check the AN at the very top! :)

Dream Guardian King Allen: So how soon till we get to see the start of the final arc?

NoSignal: Check the AN at the very top! :)

Great: Just one problem that I noticed, when Clemont starts talking that he helped build the machine that caused Red's death... if Clemont was 13 when he built it, then Ash was 14 and doing the battle Frontier with his father already missing. And we think that Ash was 6-8 when Red left the house to correct the balance. Which means that, or Clemont is much older than stated in the Kalos list or he was a child genius of 5-7. I suggest that you check that part.

NoSignal: The events he's refering to happened about four years ago, which is close to the time Red died. Red didn't die immediately after leaving his family. He left so they wouldn't have to watch him die, then he searched through info by calling people (during this time he stayed on Mt. Silver, numbing the pain and slowing the decease. This lasted for six years)(This refers to the flashback we saw in Johto on that revealed the truth behind Gary's parents' death) Then he figured that he'd have to go to see if Arceus would help him, since he'd found no help from anyone else. He simply made sure the people who knew about his fate didn't tell Delia or Ash [he thought he was sparing them from a worse pain/an easy mistake for some] So then after three years of traveling, he figured out where Arceus' portal was open, Arceus was still mad at humanity for the Damos thing at that point so again Red couldn't find any relief. Soon after he learned about Kalos being in trouble. Ash was finishing up the Frontier or just heading to Sinnoh at that time. Red traveled to Kalos and a few months after Flare was taken down the first time, he got a message from a calmed Arceus to stop Yvetal and at that point, Red Ketchum had accepted his fate.

I know this is a little wonky, but (because of me trying to mash anime and mange together) this is the best I could do. Hope this helps, thankfully I will not have to worry about these kinds of things with the Anime Rewrite.

23StellaOrgana: Who's going to catch Hoopa?

NoSignal: It's a secret for now. :)

kandykisseshearts: Anyway, I was wondering if you could put in some more Paul/Ash friendship. Dawn may be the biggest reason Paul changed but Ash definitely contributed. It was nice seeing it briefly referred to in this chapter.

I know you have tons of requests but I just thought I'd at least ask.

Thanks for the great chapters

NoSignal: I will be focusing on a lot more types of interactions with the Final Arc. I no longer have to worry about getting the characters from one city to another, so I can focus more on talking and interaction for the next Arc. Yeah I do, but it's okay. I do want to at least TRY making many people happy. Thanks for your review and kind words!

magic135: clemont and serena are close to being a couple soon, right?

NoSignal: Tee-hee, they're experimenting! :D They're a couple!

Guest: this is absolutely amazing your such a fantastic writer!

NoSignal: Aww... my heart melted a little. These kinds of reviews make me not feel like I don't know what I'm doing to some degree. I really do hope everyone likes it!

pikachu712: Questions:- 1) Can you please add a little more fluff between the couples?

2) When will you make Serena and clemont an official couple?
3) Will the groups meet dex holders in final arc?
4) When will Team Rocket trio make an appearance I am dying to see them?
Thank you :)

NoSignal: Yep! Yep! Yep! And They will be making their appearance in the Final Arc and will get to truly shine! I've been planning their contribution since practically the beginning of the entire series. I have the rough draft of some of their discussions in my files!

Sparkydragon98: I actually just noticed that you misspelled Druddigon as Druggidon.

Are other characters from the anime going to be in other groups? Like Harrison, Morrison, or Luke?
Also, are the 2 groups going to use the break to find the remaining Mega Stones and maybe catch more Pokemon?

NoSignal: Thanks! As for your questions: Oops, I do tend to misspell pokemon's names from time to stime, some of them I do more often than others. I'll try to find the time to fix it, though I do plan to eventually go back and Edit all the Arcs one day. My writing style has changed a bit over the time (in my eyes). Yes they are in groups too, just not in the ones that are featured most often. They will use the break to train, (maybe catch more pokemon in some of their cases/not Ash), battle Team Rocket, and then Tournament. The second team has the rest of the mega stones (we just didn't witness them get theirs). :)

Guest: I wanna know if people like Brock, Gary, Ritchie, etc, are going to trade among themselves to evolve Pokemon like Rhydon, Dusclops, Gurdurr, since they got the required items back in Hoenn.

NoSignal: Yes! The break before the Tournament is a good time to do so. :)

MasterChallenge: What month are we currently in? Will we be having any holiday specials? I think you could right some adorable ?Christmas and Valentine's Day stories!

but aside from the beginning arc, I have yet to see you have the 4 girls interact with one another like normal girls would. I'm thinking Girls Night out! Where idk they get to a nice city and the guys have something romantic planned like date night (even grumpy Paul) but then the girls are like we have plans aka girls day. They shop, hangout, have fun, talk about their boys, and just have quality girl time! The. The guys can go off and do their own thing! Well Ash, Drew, Cilan, and even ?Paul might sulk a little since the girls wanted a day to themselves but then they go and do guy things like play some game, mess with each other

Let's see some Leaf!

So gym leaders are in the challenge and not elites/champions right? Reasoning behind that? Cause they are all official league employees and are under the league. What about frontier brains could they have participated?

Also can a put a list of all the couples at the end of the next chapter or beginning if the next arc both human and Pokemon pretty please!

What's Delia doing at home while this is going on

Why no Tracey?

Will we be seeing and gay couples?

max should at the end think a girl is pretty and everyone be like awe he is growing up/ learning since he didn't like the couples at the beginning. What do you think of fourthwheelshipping aka max and Bonnie?

You da best

NoSignal: From what my notes say, I believe we are in something like September. This is kinda a rough idea, but yeah :) Holiday specials are fun, but I don't think I will get to them in the Master Challenge. Maybe the Drabble Sequel and Hopefully if I can plan out the Anime Rewrite enough to where I know a really good calender of where Ash/etc. will be, I can do holidays in the Anime Rewrite.

I will be focusing on a lot more types of interactions with the Final Arc. I no longer have to worry about getting the characters from one city to another, so I can focus more on talking and interaction for the next Arc. I plan to do more quality time with other groups and friendships in the last Arc (a better focus). I hope the Showcase and Festival kinda helped.

We'll see her again pretty soon.

Elites and Champions are too high in ranking to join. All others can. The Elites/Champions are actually PART of the Master Challenge (which you'll understand more in the future) and so they can't be in the Challenge (they get their own types of opportunities to challenge the Master if they ever want to. The Master Challenge isn't the only way to become the Master after all. :)

I will put those lists on the list for the Final Arc.

Just her typical things, lol.

Tracey has showed up a few times, but he really prefers helping out the Professor more than battling. He'll help in the Final Arc though.

I have nothing against that type of couple, but I am simply uncomfortable writing that kind of couple. I hope you understand :)

Max will have his chance with an old friend of his, but we'll see most of that in the Drabble sequel. Max x Bonnie is pretty cute, but when aging characters, he's sometimes too old for her. (not in the case of this story, but I didn't really plan for a relationship between them in this story.) :)

Thanks!

takedigi: Do you know what have happened in the six months before the next stage of the tournament? I mean great news, arrests, disappearances, etc.

About anime re-write, it sounds good your ideas, and well explained. I love the character of Ash, with its funny moments, sad moments, etc. We all know he has potential. One flaw I see in the anime (and it continues to have 10 years, with all the adventures he had.) It always appears in the league or a few chapters earlier, the character defeats Ash (I love the characters, but it could appear in the middle of the adventure. The more brazen was Tobias and his team of legendary pokemon. Although it would be a great rival in your current story pokemon)

The other flaw was in the violence decreased in the new seasons. I am not referring to the violence of adults, but the leaves on the game and in the Manga. I got used to his childish level stone that I was to see the end of the team galaxy (Hunter J, Cyrus). I know they tried to return to the level they had in the original series in Best Wishes (Black & White) with the renewed team Rocket, and the "big" appearance of Team Plasma. Unfortunately the terrible tragedy occurred in Japan, and returned to the level provided (That made me think that the series would have been incredible, with the whole psychology of their games)

Thank you for following this story. Sorry for my English.

NoSignal: They will be training, and interacting, and fighting Team Rocket!

Yeah I think Ash had potential as a character, but they just let his trip and fall too much over silly things. I agree, I like the characters, Ritchie, Cameron, Tobias, but they kinda just -poof- outta nowhere. I will try and fix that problem!

Yeah I also agree with that. After Hunter J and crazy ol Cyrus, it wasn't as exciting. I will also work hard, very hard to fix that problem! Evil people for the win... kinda :P Team Plasma will definately appear way sooner in the Rewrite of the Black and White season. :D And no problem, you're very good at English considering how tough it can be.

I think I answered all other questions through PM.

NoSignal to Everyone: Thank you all so much for your support and kind reviews. You guys keep me going with this story. I do love this story, but I find more and more flaws with it as I go. it will always hold a place in my heart for being the story I created almost two years ago when I was bored and wanted everyone to travel together. I just have to make it through the Final Arc and Drabble Sequel and then I will be able to use what I learned from this story to one day start writing the Anime Rewrite. ( I think it will be easier since not as many characters will be around at the same time and no Manga crossover. Though I do plan to have Silver and some others like Brendan, Lucas in the Rewrite as well as characters meeting other characters they don't normally meet in the anime. Though characters WILL stop traveling with Ash at times, they will all keep in touch, unlike in the Anime and actual visit and meet new friends, etc.)

Any ways I'm done talking and am tired after working on this monster of a chapter.

~NoSignal

I've decided to give you guys a list of the new pokemon caught after each chapter so that new pokemon aren't spoiled but you also can remember which pokemon are new and aren't on the list at the start of the Arc.

Ash: Honedge (male) / Hawlucha (male)(returned) / Phantump (male)

Misty: Squirtle (female) / Surskit (?)

Brock: Carbink (seen as female) / Bergmite (?)

Gary: Zangoose (male) / Fennekin (male)

Ritchie: Honedge (Edgar)(male) / Pidgey (Zeus)(male)

Max: Drifloon (male) / Bunnelby (male)

May: Spritzee (?) / Helioptile (male)

Drew: Espurr (male) / Frogadier (male)

Dawn: Bulbasaur (female) / Illumise (female)

Paul: Chespin (male) / Litleo (male)

Cilan: Skiddo (male) / Pumpkaboo (?)

Iris: Amaura (male) / Charmander (female)

Cress: Wailmer (?) / Binacle (male)

Chili: Fletchinder (male) / Ponyta (?)

Cilan: Skiddo (?) / Pumpkaboo (?)

zzz

Clemont: Luxray (male)(reclaimed)

Serena: Furfrou (female) / Slowpoke (?) / Pangoro (male)(returned) / Sylveon (?)(returned)

Barry: Noibat (female)

Stephan: Tyrunt (?)

Georgia: Snubull (revealed)

zzz

Bonnie: Torchic/ Dedenne (male)(reclaimed)/ Flabebe (female)

Lyn: Pikachu (female)(previous) / Fennekin (male)

Calem: Lucario (male)

Leaf: Gible (female)

So there you are I hope this helps some :) If you ever need the full list, minus the newest additions, it's at the beginning of the Arc.

Follow, Fav, Review, and most importantly, Enjoy! :D

NoSignal, out!