Ash's Pokémon:

Rayna: A Riolu (Female)

Known Moves: Quick Attack, Foresight, Force Palm, Counter, Endure, Metal Claw (Learning) and Blinding Rush (combo of quick attack and force palm).

Ziggy: A Noibat (Male)

Known Moves: Tackle, Supersonic, Screech, Absorb, Gust and Agility (Learning)

Fletcher: A Rowlet (Male)

Known Moves: Tackle, Leafage, Growl and Peck. Is currently still recovering from starvation and not training or battling.

Ophelia: A Misdreavus (Female)

Known Moves: Growl, Psywave, Spite and Astonish.

Noelle: An Alolan Vulpix (Female)

Known Moves: Powder Snow, Baby-Doll Eyes and Ice Shard (Learning)

Amaryllis: A Milotic (Female)

Known Moves: Splash, Tackle, Flail, Wrap (Learning) and Water Gun (Learning)

Amaura Fossil

In the early hours of Monday morning Ash, Gary and Riley made their escape from Viridian. It seemed strange to flee what was once such a welcoming city the way they did but for the boys to avoid the attention of the metropolises dubious Gym Leader their actions were necessary. Ash would return one day to confront Giovanni on even ground once he had collected all the other badges from the Top Eight, but for now he settled on taking the easiest way out of the city.

The three companions checked out at dawn before anyone other than the on-duty nurse was up. They then quickly slunk their way through the shadows to the training grounds to meet Professor Oaks Alakazam.

Teleporting felt weird for lack of better word and wasn't something Ash enjoyed. The teens stomach dropped out from under him, but without the adrenaline rush, weightlessness and wind blowing through his hair that such a feeling would usually be accompanied by. Combine that with the tingling in his limbs and buzzing in his head Ash would take flying any day no matter how much longer it took.

They reappeared on the beginnings of Route 2, the glowing lights of Viridian about half a mile behind them. Dew dripped off blades of grass sparkling in the early morning light and the sounds of bird Pokémon could be heard from the surrounding trees.

They were still technically in Pallet Woods, which would continue on for another 10 or so miles before giving way to the Hollywood Hills, and if one were to cut left to the city of Hollywood itself. The Hills eventually turned back into woods once more which would thicken into the notorious Viridian Forest. Ash hoped to reach the outpost outside the forest by Wednesday.

"Are you sure you don't wanna come with me to Pewter?" Gary asked as he hoisted his bag further up his shoulder. "The forest is full of bugs and little kids dedicated to training them. Trust me, you're not missing much."

Ash rolled his eyes. This had become an old argument over the last two days.

"I'm positive. I want more time to train before facing Brock. Besides, the woods are practically a rite of passage. I can't just skip them."

"Yes, yes you can," Gary deadpanned.

"There's no changing Ash's mind once he's set on something," Riley injected. "Besides, I would like to train with him away from the prying eyes of a city."

Gary shrugged, unable to argue with that.

"Call me before you enter Mt. Moon?" Ash asked.

"As long as you contact me before you enter the forest."

"Deal."

Off to the side Alakazam gave an impatient huff, gesturing at Gary with one of her spoons to get him to hurry up.

"Guess I gotta go," Gary said as he stepped closer to the psychic's side. "Smell you guys later!"

"By-" Ash tried to say, but his friend was already gone.

Riley's lip twitched in amusement at Gary's abrupt exit, his Lucario appearing besides him in a flash as they prepared to set off. Ash followed his mentors lead and released Rayna, Noelle, and Ziggy. Rayna's eyes lit up at the sight of her final evolution and bounced toward the older Pokémon jabbering away excitedly. Ash was slightly taken back when Lucario swooped down to pick Rayna up, nestling the Emanation Pokémon in the crook of his arm.

"Lucario is Rayna's father," Riley answered Ash's unspoken question.

"Really?"

"Yes. You didn't think I just went out into the wild and caught you any old Riolu did you?"

"No, I know Rayna came from the Lucario Kingdom but I didn't expect her to be connected so personally to you," Ash said as he rubbed his head self-consciously. By his feet Noelle and Ziggy watched the two Aura Pokémon in bewilderment not used to seeing their team leader acting so…childish.

"Rayna was eager to set out on her own journey and I happened to know an up and coming Aura Guardian who she would match perfectly with. Also, Lucario wouldn't hear of his daughter going to anyone else once he knew that you would be getting your starter soon."

"Huh," Ash murmured, very aware of Lucario's warm eyes on him. "Thank you for trusting me even though I know I haven't done a good job lately."

Riley offered one of his small mysterious barely there smiles.

"You're an aura adapt Ash. Trouble will always find you and you will always feel compelled to help. It's who you are and its my job to prepare you for that future. But until you become a full Guardian I would appreciate if you could keep the heroics to a minimum."

"No promises, but I'll do my best," The teen replied, knowing himself well enough that he couldn't guarantee that he would stay out of danger, though for his Pokémon's sake he would try. Unlike with his parents Riley seemed to understand that.

"I guess that's all I can really ask for," Riley said with a shrug. "Now I think it's time we went over the homework I assigned you. Ready for a little quiz?"

Ash gulped.

By the time they stopped for the night both Ash and his team were exhausted. Riley quizzed Ash relentlessly on the placement of every bone, muscle, and nerve in the human body, having the teen point to all of them on a laminated picture the Aura Guardian had pulled from his pack.

Riley wasn't quite satisfied with Ash's knowledge. While the boy could name and locate everything he'd been assigned he couldn't do so without hesitating or stopping to think on occasion. Both things Riley pointed out were unacceptable in an emergency. Ash should know the body just as well as any health professional and until he did Riley wouldn't be teaching him how to manipulate it.

That didn't stop Riley from giving Ash his next assignment though; to memorize the names and locations of all the major arteries and blood vessels in the human body.

By then all the other trainers who'd been camping in the area were awake and challenging Ash to countless battles. While there were a few challenging bouts thrown into the mix it was still too early in the season for Ash to face any real competition on the road. Most of the rookies were still figuring out how to train, and Ash wasn't ready to face any veterans yet. Still, the money and practice his Pokémon got in was nice.

At lunch Riley and Ash sparred. Ash, having spent the last month getting ready to and then becoming a trainer had let his martial art skills fall on the wayside, something Riley's precise strikes were quick to punish him for. By the time they were done the teen was covered in blooming bruises and was faced with a slightly irritated mentor.

Tuesday went almost the exact same way as Monday except Ash insisted they stop periodically for his Pokémon to do actual training. They'd left the woods behind them long ago and were now traveling up and down hills, the road lined with tall grass that came to Riley's hips.

Although trees for Amaryllis to practice on were scarce by the time evening rolled around Ash declared that the water type had perfected Wrap and started teaching her Water Gun. Like Ziggy, Ash began by teaching Amaryllis to meditate and sense the different kinds of energy around her.

The Milotic technically knew Water Gun upon evolution and could learn to sense water type energy by repetitively practicing the attack, but Ash thought that was the easy way out. She'd have to learn eventually, and this way Amaryllis could perfect Water Gun much faster and easily pick up other water type moves.

Another unexpected benefit was how good a teacher Amaryllis was. Under the Milotics gentle tutorage Ziggy was finally able to sense energies and began actively trying to identify what was psychic. To Ash's pleasant surprise the dragon seemed to be enjoying his new challenge now that he knew what he was doing.

By noon Wednesday, Riley and Ash reached the Pokémon center outpost at the entrance of Viridian Forest.

"Are you sure you can't stick around for another few hours?" Ash asked his teacher as they walked through the glass sliding doors, a weird piece of modernity in the middle of nowhere.

"I'm certain," Riley answered as they came to a stop about ten feet from the nurse's station. "I'm needed back home. Besides, you'll be plenty busy today preparing to enter the forest. You don't necessarily have the time to be entertaining me."

Ash grimaced, that was true. First Fletcher, who was currently dozing in his knapsack, was due for his three-week checkup and hopefully get cleared for training. He needed to check in with his parents and Steven, stock up on supplies and take the last chance he'll have for over a week to do laundry and shower. Not to mention the training he hoped to get in.

He was also hoping to call his friends in Alola, Gary, and Ella who he hadn't heard from in while. It was long overdue that he connected with the fire type trainer.

"Get in touch with me around the 17th or 18th and let me know where you plan to be around this time next month."

"Will do."

"And I expect to see improvements in your karate next time I see you."

Ash nodded sheepishly, rubbing a sore spot on his arm. He wouldn't be willingly submitting himself to that kind of beating again.

"Good. Take care of yourself and good luck in your upcoming gym battle."

"Thanks. Have a safe trip."

And with that Riley offered Ash a quick squeeze on the shoulder before striding away towards the business side of the center to arrange teleportation back to Sinnoh.

Ash sighed, remising the days when he was younger and Riley had more time to spend with him. He didn't wallow long though; his mentor was right about him having a lot to get done.

"Hey Fletch," the teen called as he reached around to poke the flying type. "Time to wake up."

The Rowlet hooted softly, signaling that he was in fact awake while simultaneously burrowing further into his pack.

"None of that," Ash lightly scolded, bouncing on his feet to keep the Rowlet awake. "It's time for your checkup. You want to get back to training, right? And not fall too far behind the others?"

Fletcher whined tiredly but did as asked, no doubt aware of how much further ahead Rayna and Ziggy (who'd joined Ash's team around the same time Fletcher did) were of him.

Rolling his eyes affectionately at the grass type Ash headed towards the counter, eager to hear the nurses report.

Two hours later, clothes in the washing machine and bag restocked, Ash stood out on the training fields with his team arranged in a semi-circle around him. To everyone's immense delight Fletcher was among them.

Nurse Joy had given the Rowlet a clean bill of health. He had finally achieved a healthy weight and shaken off the last lingering effects of his time in the wild. The grass types mental health still had a long way to go but at least he'd settled into the team okay, no longer getting into territorial disputes with Ash's other Pokémon.

"You ready to show me what you got bud?" Ash asked Fletcher after setting everyone else to work. He made a mental note to check on Ophelia later. Her Psywave was looking pretty perfect.

Fletcher nodded resolutely as he spread his wings and took to the sky. Ziggy, who was doing flying drills, squawked when his teammate easily zoomed past him.

"Nice!" Ash cheered. Having watched multiple videos on training Rowlets over the last few weeks Ash knew Fletcher had the potential to be much faster but he was still happy with the flying types speed given he'd been resting for almost a month.

"Use Tackle," Ash ordered, throwing one of the training balls into the air for Fletcher to hit. The Grass Quill Pokémon zipped forward, ramming himself into the projectile and sending it flying back in Ash's general direction where it slammed into the ground, sending up a plume of dust.

"That moves good," the teen remarked, making a note in his pokenav. "Now let's try Peck. Aim for that tree by the light post."

Fletchers beak glowed and elongated slightly as the Rowlet aimed for a particularly tough looking knot of the bark and proceeded to viciously jab into it with his new weapon.

"That one's good too. Now what about Leafage?"

This time Ash wasn't so satisfied with the results. Fletcher could preform the move correctly but couldn't produce the amount of leaves Ash knew he was capable of.

"Leafage is gonna need some work. Do you know how you would practice summoning more leaves or is that something we need to work on together?"

Fletcher, landing on Ash's shoulder, nodded his head.

"You can do it on your own?" the trainer asked for clarification, not quite understanding.

Fletcher nodded again.

"Let me know if that changes," Ash said before calling for his starter. "Hey Rayna, can you come here! Fletcher needs someone to practice Growl against."

Sighing, the Riolu did as asked, resigned to her future as the test dummy.

After checking the move off as mastered Ash set Fletcher free to work on Leafage and then turned his attention to Ophelia.

"And what do you think you're doing?" the trainer demanded, struggling to keep the amused smirk threatening to appear on his face at bay.

Ophelia froze, her guilty eyes wide. The poor Minun she'd been chasing through the branches of a nearby tree took the chance to escape, but not before sticking its tongue out at the ghost. Ophelia slowly drifted down, her powerful puppy-dog eyes coming out in full force. Ash had to work harder to keep his face emotionless.

"Aren't you supposed to be training?" Ash asked, cocking an eyebrow like his parents had done so many times to him when he was caught doing something he wasn't supposed to.

Ophelia whined, sagging pathetically onto Ash's head.

"Ah-ah," Ash scolded while lightly shoving the Misdreavus off. "I was gonna get you started on learning a new move today but if you rather goof off…"

"Mis!" Ophelia squealed, shaking her head desperately. This time Ash did allow himself a small grin.

"Are you really going to focus?"

The ghost nodded, eager to learn a new trick.

"The move I want to teach you can hurt people if used incorrectly. You promise to only use it when I order you too and never as a prank?"

Ophelia nodded more eagerly, her entire body moving up and down.

"Alright. What do you know about Confuse Ray?"

After splaying a towel across the pillow to protect it from his wet hair Ash fell into bed, his limbs heavy from pulling himself out of the long hot shower he'd just indulged in. Noelle growled at Ash as he carelessly jostled her but didn't take long to rejoin the warm cuddle pile of tired Pokémon taking up one side of the bed.

Ash grabbed his pokenav with one hand from where it was charging on the desk and used the other to pull Ziggy into his lap who was about to roll onto Rayna's head. The dragon grumbled slightly at being woken but dutifully made himself comfortable on his trainers' torso, curling his head into the boy's neck. Ash watched Ziggy snore fondly for a few minutes before turning his attention to his pokenav once more and dialing Ella's number.

"I was starting to wonder if you were ever gonna call," Ella drawled as she answered the phone.

"Then why didn't you just call me?" Ash snorted while curling his fingers through the black tuffy fur around Ziggy's neck.

"I'm too lazy."

"Sure," the boy replied incredulously. Ella had probably forgotten just like Ash had. Neither of them meant too, there were just so caught up in their new adventures.

"How's Cinnabar?" Ash asked.

"It's so hot! Whoever designed the shopping district was drunk! The sidewalks are completely black! The rubber on my shoes was literally melting today!" Ella was the only person Ash knew who would be excited about that.

"That's…nice. Have you caught any fire types?"

"Yep! I caught a Growlithe, Ponyta, and Vulpix."

"…What is with you and Jerome just sprouting out what Pokémon you have for your rivals to hear."

"It's not like there's very many fire types in Kanto to find. I'm going to catch them all before the conference. Except maybe a Flareon. And Jerome is Jerome."

"True," Ash mused. "Have you just been training?"

"Pretty much, mostly because it took forever to find Blaine's stupid gym," Ella grumbled.

"What? Why?"

"The asshole got tired of all the tourist flocking to his gym in the city, so you know what he did? He set it on fucking fire and then moved it into a volcano! Not on the volcano, in the volcano! The battlefield is suspended over a pit of honest to Arceus lava!"

"And he doesn't advertise it at all! The only reason I found it was because the Pokémon Center ran out of rooms and Nurse Joy told me I could stay at an inn up by the volcano that was funded by the League. That's when I put all the pieces together. And all that time Blaine was in disguise stalking me! He'd show up out of nowhere and start sprouting the most ridiculous riddles that were apparently supposed to help me find the gym! Like what the hell!"

"So I take it you'll be leaving Cinnabar as soon as you can?" Ash asked as soon as he was able to stop balking, a giant bead of sweat dripping down the back of his head.

"Oh no," Ella replied, suddenly cheerful. "Blaine agreed to train me for the next month. Apparently, he never gets challengers this early in the season. The guys crazy but he's a fire type genius."

"Well…I guess crazy really does equal genius."

Ella let out a tired sigh, making the speakers buzz. The girl already knew she'd spend the next month struggling not to strangle her new mentor.

"So how was Alola?"

Happy with the change in subject Ash launched into an abbreviated story of his time on the islands (leaving out exactly what Pokémon he caught), the week he stayed in Pallet, the tournament and then ending with the Team Rocket attack.

"You've been a trainer for less that a month and you've already run into two teams," Ella breathed. "That has to be a record."

"Don't remind me. Anyways there's a few other calls I gotta make before bed so I'm gonna cut this short. It was nice talking to you."

"Yeah, you too. Feel free to get in touch anytime you want. Arceus knows I'll need the sane conversation from time to time."

Ash snorted.

"Will do. Bye."

"Talk to you later! And for the love of Mew at least try to stay safe!"

Ash hadn't even gotten a mile into Viridian Forest when he fell into the first trap. One moment he, Noelle, Rayna, and Ophelia were trudging along and the next he was dangling feet first from a tree.

Ash, well aware of the traps the many bug type trainers who frequented these woods liked to set, sighed dramatically. Below him his Pokémon were freaking out, Noelle pacing back and forth under him while Rayna attempted to scale the tree. Ophelia was fine though; she seemed the think they were playing some kind of game as she chattered happily to herself while she circled Ash's head.

"Noelle, aim an Ice Shard for the top of the webs," Ash ordered, recognizing the strands that his feet were stuck to.

Noelle took a deep breath, locked her eyes on her target, and released the attack. About ten little sharp shards of ice went hurtling through the air and easily sliced through the netting holding her trainer captive. Ash yelped as he fell to the ground, his back hitting the forest floor hard and crushing some of the freshly fallen leaves under him.

"Owwwww," the boy moaned miserably, the bruises Riley's training had left him with aggravated by the fall. Rayna, who'd been staring helplessly so far, dashed to Ash's side.

"Ri," the Riolu whined, gingerly running her paws over Ash's hurting form. Ophelia was starting to catch onto that something was actually wrong and floated down to rest in the teens lap, cooing pitifully.

"Nothing's broken," Ash assured them as he sat up, turning his head towards his savior. "Nice aim Noelle. You're Ice Shards looking really good."

The ice type preened under the praise; her head raised haughtily in the air.

"Strange," a new voice spoke, coming from the bushes.

Noelle and Rayna growled, each of their hackles raised as they came to stand defensively in front of Ash. Normally the teen would put a stop to such behavior but when faced with the person who was most likely the cause of his latest ordeal he wasn't feeling so giving. Which was also why he didn't stop Ophelia when she vanished into the shadows.

"I take it you're the person who set the trap?" Ash asked, pulling himself to his feet and brushing the dirt off him.

"Yes," the voice said, shrill and quiet. "Most of th-"

Ash's assailant was cut off by Ophelia's unearthly shriek, which the boy figured had originated from directly behind their unwanted guest. Screaming, a tall girl and two Pokémon dashed onto the open trail followed by a now giggling ghost.

The human fell at Ash's feet as she huffed and stared wide eyed at Ophelia, her Spinarak and Ledyba right beside her. The bangs of the girl's short evergreen hair fell almost to her nose, leaving little of her eyes uncovered. She wore worn brown hiking clothes; her steel toe boots lathered in dried mud. A dream catcher neckless was settled against her huffing chest.

"Thanks for feeding Ophelia," Ash smirked as his Misdreavus came to settle in his waiting arms. The ghost was still giggling periodically as if she'd just remembered something funny.

"Yo-you're welcome," the stranger stuttered, pushing herself away from Ash as she clumsily pushed herself to her feet.

"I'm Ash," the boy introduced himself, offering his hand as a peace offering. He figured they were even now.

"Katherine," the girl mumbled, barely touching Ash's hand before yanking her own away. Noelle had decided her trainer was no longer in danger and sauntered towards Katherine's Pokémon, a dangerous grin on her face. Rayna continued to glare at the new arrivals, crossing her arms and leaning against Ash's leg in an attempt to look cool and intimidating.

"This is not usually how this goes," Katherine said as she twiddled with her fingers, looking at the ground.

"And how do situations like these usually go?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Usually trainers will fall into Spinarak's trap and we don't let them down until they agree to battle. But you got yourself out…"

"Why don't you just ask for a battle instead?"

"Because that involves talking directly to people."

Ash sweat dropped.

"Maybe you should try that. It looks like you might need the practice," the boy said, trying not to sound too condescending.

Katherine flinched.

"Ah, yeah. So, ah, do you wanna battle?"

"Sure, why not," Ash shrugged. He couldn't exactly tell Katherine to do something and then shoot her down when she did it.

Katherine didn't bother to answer, instead jogging back a few paces to give their soon to be battling Pokémon room.

"Two on two sound good?" Ash called across the trail.

"Yes," Katherine answered, Ash barely being able to pick up her shy voice. "You're up Spinarak."

"Do either of you want a shot at it?" Ash asked Rayna and Noelle.

Rayna stepped forward; scowl rigidly fixed on her bug type opponent. Just like its trainer the Spinarak didn't seem to like having anyone's direct attention on it if the slight shaking of its many legs were anything to go on.

"You can have the first move!" Ash told Katherine.

Ash could vaguely see Katherine's lips moving across their narrow battlefield, but he had no idea what her quite voice was saying. Well two could play at that game.

"Evade whatever it throws at you with Quick Attack for now," Ash ordered, keeping his voice low. "And keep an eye out for any traps."

Rayna nodded, deftly dodging a thick strand of web shot her way. She continued to do so over the next few minutes as Spinarak shot String Shots and Poison Stings her way.

"Hit it with Quick Attack," Ash said once he was confident Spinarak wasn't going to advertise any other moves.

Rayna's sudden change in direction took Spinarak by surprise, allowing the fighting type to easily ram into it at top speed and then dash away again before the bug could react.

Spinarak's head tilted slightly to the left, which Ash had figured out meant that Katherine was giving orders, before spitting thick globs of sticky web everywhere within a five-foot radius of it. Ash narrowed his eyes, thoughts swirling. Rayna wouldn't be able to hit Spinarak again without getting caught in the trap if she tried a physical attack on foot again, which meant they'd have to try something else.

"Attack Spinarak like you would if it were using Rollout," Ash said, chewing on his bottom lip and hoping Rayna had the clearance to pull this off.

Rayna dashed forward again, a near blue blur, before flinging herself into the air and just as she passed over Spinarak releasing a devastating Force Palm. The power of the blast was enough to propel Rayna over the rest of the web traps.

While the fighting type attack didn't have much effect on the bug the point-blank explosion did, causing Spinarak to be forced into the ground, its six limbs giving out from under it.

"Again," Ash ordered.

This time Spinarak was ready. Just as Rayna's feet left the ground the spider swung its head around and released an angry Poison Sting, shooting glowing purple darts into Rayna's thigh. The fighting type yelped, loosing her momentum, and falling into the webs below her.

Panicking, with poison starting to make its way into her system, Rayna struggled to free herself. She turned one way and then attempted to turn the other, only succeeding in tangling herself further.

Spinarak took it's golden opportunity to go on the offensive, an iridescent green light connecting itself to Rayna in what Ash recognized to be Absorb.

"Calm down," Ash said gently, trying to bring Rayna back to the present while also attempting to take his own advice. "Try to cut the webs with Metal Claw."

Rayna stopped struggling but her blown out eyes alerted Ash to the fact that she was still pumped full of anxiety. Her claws glowing a hard silver color as the Emanation Pokémon attempted the move she was learning. Rayna would swipe her paw at the bands holding her and start gaining some momentum only for her glowing claws to flicker out. All the while Spinarak was still sapping Rayna's energy.

A cheer was halfway through Ash's throat when Rayna finally managed to free herself, only for it to be strangled when another fresh glob of web landed on her. Ash's wonderful, amazing, hearty little Riolu didn't give up even though at this point just the action of raising her arm was a near impossible feat, much less using Metal Claw. Not wanting to see Rayna suffer anymore in what was now a pretty hopeless battle Ash returned her.

"You did amazing," Ash whisper before tucking Rayna's pokeball away on his belt. Beside him Noelle and even Ophelia had gone quiet.

Ash considered his options. Amaryllis was out. She was too easy a target for Poison Sting. So were Fletcher and Ophelia. Ash didn't think they were yet able to handle both Spinarak and whatever fresh Pokémon came afterwards leaving Noelle and Ziggy as his options.

"Do you want to take a crack at it?" Ash asked the ice type at his feet.

Noelle nodded slowly; her head tilted in thought as she regarded her potential opponent. Her long-range attacks could succeed where Rayna's short-range ones couldn't.

"Start off with Baby-Doll Eyes," Ash said, knowing he had the first move since he'd lost the last battle.

Not having any warning since Katherine couldn't hear what Ash said Spinarak was glaring straight into Noelle's eyes when they flashed pink, effectively lowering its attack. Then, in typical Noelle fashion, the ice type pranced away as a retaliatory Poison Sting was shot her way.

"Powder Snow. Let's slick up the battlefield."

An icy gust shot out of Noelle's mouth and towards Spinarak, who scurried out of the way quicker than what its spindly six legs looked like they could achieve. It was a game a chase after that, Noelle's attacks just missing the bug as it ran as fast as it could. Ash didn't mind though. What was missing Spinarak was still turning the ground into an ice rink.

Inevitably Spinarak slipped up, literally, by stepping onto the frozen ground and in its haste to right itself fell victim to Noelle's icy attack. Not one for mercy the Fox Pokémon didn't let up once she hit her target, instead keeping it up until Spinarak was frozen to the ground. Knowing Noelle still had another battle ahead of her Ash wasn't about to stop her.

Only when the bug was well and truly frozen did Noelle step forward to inspect her work, only to startle backwards slightly as a beam of red light cut through the ice to return Spinarak to its pokeball. Ash could just make out the upset twist of Katherine's lips.

The Ledyba at the girl's side buzzed forward to take its place on the battlefield, facing Noelle with a confidence that did not befit a young flying type facing an ice Pokémon. Ash, who had fought and won against countless Ledyba before in the last week, wasn't as concerned as he should have been.

A snap of Katherine's fingers had Ledyba flying towards Noelle, firing off Supersonic at the same time. Noelle, being smart, didn't wait for Ash's command to get the heck out of there. As soon as the ice type turned tail to run Ledyba's Supersonic attack cut off, the air waves being replaced with golden star like projectiles.

The Swift attack hit the back of Noelle's knees, causing her to lose her footing and slide across the ground. Before the Fox Pokémon could stand up Ledyba was on her, a glowing fist slamming into her head. Noelle's head rammed into the ground from the force and she was unable to recover before another glowing fist came down on her temple.

"Ice Shard!" Ash called desperately.

Before Ledyba was able to get another smack in Noelle's head snapped around to hit it point blank with about a dozen icy daggers. The bug was forced to retreat but not before firing off another Supersonic as it did for good measure.

Noelle wobbled to her feet, the consecutive hits to the head and confusion effecting her balance. Across from her Ledyba hovered in the air, bruised and leaking blood in places but somehow paying its injuries and the pain they must be causing it no mind.

Ash grit his teeth and waited for Katherine to make her next move. There was no way Noelle could run or hit Ledyba from far away in the condition she was in. They'd have to wait for their opponent to come to them and hopefully get it with a point-blank attack. Too bad Katherine wasn't gonna give them that option.

Katherine snapped her fingers twice and Ledyba responded by flapping its flimsy wings even harder, sending a silver tinged gust of wind Noelle's way.

"Get out of the way!"

Noelle made a valiant effort to dodge in the throes of her confusion, but her unbalanced form caused her to tumble to the ground and be thrown against a tree by the oncoming attack. When Noelle slumped to the forest floor she didn't get back up.

Ash grimaced at seeing the normally regal Vulpix brought so low as he returned her, whispering sweet nothings to her pokeball before clipping it to his belt. He turned to congratulate the victor as was the sportsmanlike thing to do only to find the spot Katherine had been standing empty. The girl was gone and with her a sizeable chunk of Ash's money as her winnings.

Three days later, the first day of October, Ash and his team were settling down for the night by a stream that gurgled its way through the now thick forest. Above them the leaves of the trees were starting to take on more noticeable red and gold hues and the weather was starting to chill. Ash now needed a jacket in the evenings.

Since his battle with Katherine Ash had earned back the money he'd lost and then some battling bug trainers. Only a few of them had been able to give Ash as much of a challenge as Katherine had and the teen was happy to report that he'd lost to none of them.

After her spectacular lost Rayna had doubled down in learning Metal Claw. She could now reliably use the attack without it fizzling out like before. Currently she was working on extending the energy from her tiny claws to form even bigger blades.

Noelle was also getting the hang of Ice Shard. She had launching the attack down, easily being able to fling the ice daggers across any official League battlefield. Now she was just perfecting her aim which at the moment tended to be a little wobbly further than 200 feet out.

Ophelia was getting nowhere with Confuse Ray as far as Ash could tell. He thought he'd seen her eyes flash a few times with something but that was it. Of course, Ash hadn't expected her to make any progress yet. The fact that Ophelia had a firm grasp of the theory behind the attack was achievement enough.

Fletcher was still working on bringing Leafage up to Ash's standards. It had also become obvious during training that his stamina sucked. The demonstration he'd given Ash at the Pokémon Center had apparently been all he could do without starting to flag.

Ziggy was finally, finally, practicing Agility. He could technically use the move, manipulate psychic energy to lessen the pull of gravity and allow him to move faster, but not enough to be noticeable. It was minor progress, but progress worth celebrating considering where they were a week ago.

Amaryllis was also starting to put Water Gun into practice. It was kinda disgusting actually. She was starting to summon water but couldn't launch it yet, which basically meant that she was throwing up giant globs of liquid repeatedly. Ash made sure to give the worn serpent extra love and attention after each training session to make up for her discomfort.

Other aspects of their training had taken a hit. It was a little difficult to run laps or do flying drills in a dense forest that was crawling with bug trainers waiting to jump out at you. They made up for it by carrying large rocks as they traversed the trail. The method wasn't perfect, but it would have to do for now. At least all the battles were a workout in themselves.

Ash held Ziggy in his lap as the others chowed down on dinner, trying to work out a particularly stubborn bur that had gotten caught in the thick fur around his right thigh.

"We might just have to cut it off," Ash sighed, ready to give up. Ziggy's fur was always so wind swept the missing chunk probably wouldn't be noticeable anyways. Ziggy shrugged, more concerned with the bowl than the state of his appearance. Noelle bared her lips though, upset at the very mention of cutting fur even though hers wasn't on the chopping block.

Ophelia, sensing the opportunity for mischief levitated closer, eyeing the bur with glowing eyes. Fletcher hooted warningly at her from his perch on Amaryllis's head, having taken partial responsibility for the baby ghost upon seeing as he would be one too upon reaching his final evolution. Ash didn't understand what the distant connection had to do with anything, but he wasn't going to be upset about extra eyes on the little prankster.

Ash exchanged a look with Rayna, both of them fondly rolling their eyes in synch.

"You had a Milotic this whole time!"

Now used to strange voices drifting from the undergrowth Ash didn't react to the unwelcome visitor other than tilting his head, trying to place the familiar voice.

"Depends on how you define this whole time," the boy answered cryptically.

Stepping into the light of the fire was Belinda Gains, the girl who'd won the Viridian Rookie Tournament. Her tall willowy form was still drowned in an oversized sweatshirt, dark blue hair falling in curtains around her face. The same humorous smile lit up her face. On top of her hooded head was a Spinarak.

"Since the tournament!" Belinda exclaimed, plopping down uninvited in their circle, using Amaryllis as a backrest. Ash blinked at the girl's audacity but since Amaryllis didn't seem to mind, cooing softly at the new human, Ash didn't tell her to get lost.

"Yeah," the boy replied, shrugging his shoulders. "She had just evolved and wasn't ready for any serious battling yet."

Belinda hummed, smiling widely as she petted Amaryllis's nose. Fletcher hooted violently at being brought so close to a stranger and flapped away, landing on Ash's shoulder.

"Are you heading to Pewter?" Ash asked.

"Not yet," Belinda said, shaking her head. "I'm heading home to Sable City to challenge the gym there."

"Right. You're a bug type trainer, aren't you?"

It was an unspoken rule that trainers committed to a certain type would first seek out a gym specializing in that type before challenging another. The area around the gym was usually crawling with Pokémon of that type so rookie trainers could start building their teams. Also, gym leaders were often willing to mentor specialty trainers if you could prove yourself to them.

"Yep! You're heading to the Pewter Gym?" Belinda asked, turning the conversation to Ash.

Ash nodded; soothing Fletchers ruffled feathers as he did.

The two chatted for a while longer about their experiences in the forest before Belinda departed. Ash offered to let her spend the night with them but the girl claimed that she liked to travel at night when the stronger bugs came out, hoping she could catch one. Once again Ash balked at her audacity.

Tuesday passed the same way as the pervious days had, sporadically traveling with frequent stops for battles and training. Wednesday Noelle mastered Ice Shard.

A few Hoothoot scattered from their roosts in a tree when about two dozen razor sharp ice daggers smashed themselves into a red circle spray painted on the bark, shaking the entire structure. 360 feet away, the size of an official League battlefield, Noelle groomed her paw, pretending her impressive display wasn't as big a deal as it was.

"You did it," Ash cheered, scooping Noelle up in his arms and swinging her around. The Vulpix yowled at being manhandled and attempted to escape her trainer but also couldn't quite keep the pleased smirk off her face.

Noelle glared sideways at Ash when he finally set her down, her tongue already smoothing her fur back into place. The teen chuckled good naturally, well used to Noelle's haughty attitude.

"Do you want the rest of the day off or are you ready to get started on a new move?"

Noelle stopped grooming herself long enough to deadpan at her trainer.

"Thought so. When you're done come find me so I can start teaching you how to meditate."

Noelle took to meditating better than Ash thought she was going too. She figured out how to sense different energies quickly and now she worked on learning which was which, searching in particular for the steel type energy she would need to learn Iron Tail.

While Ash planned to use Noelle in his battle against Brock, he had no expectations that Noelle would have enough of a grasp on the steel type move for it to be useful in the battle. Which was why he wasn't making it the sole focus of Noelle's training.

While all his Pokémon had learned how to counter an opponent using Rollout to a point, a move Gary had warned him that Brocks Geodude was fond of, none of them had it down like Rayna did. If Ash wanted to open with Noelle (he couldn't imagine Brock wouldn't be saving his Onix for last), then she'd have to have the flipping technique down like no one's business.

Another team member showing promising leaps in their training was Amaryllis. Thankfully the water vomiting had stopped, and the Milotic could actually shoot a steady stream of water now. The attack was nothing like the pressurized blast it should be, but Amaryllis was quickly moving in the right direction.

As Ash steadily made his way through the last leg of the forest the air got cooler and the trees thinned slightly as they climbed in altitude. The height wasn't mountain levels, but it also wasn't the near sea levels they had left behind in Viridian.

Their last night in the forest, Friday, Ash and his team collapsed in an exhausted pile when they finally gave up their trek for the night. They had hoped if they'd pushed themselves they could sleep in the Pokémon Center at the exit but hadn't been able to make it, stopped by the increasing number of trainers for battles too many times.

Ash for one was looking forward to not only a hot bath but hopefully also a break in his increasingly worsening nightmares once he escaped the woods. His dreams were constantly being haunted by an undead Skull grunt stalking him through the woods, one hand pointing a handgun at him and the other a bleeding stump.

"What do we have here? What do we have here?" the zombie moaned over and over again with rotting lips, his deformed Pokémon trailing behind him.

The dream always ended with Ash cornered and the bang of a gun going off. Waking up in a dark misty forest so similar to the one in his dreams didn't help Ash calm down any faster.

Dead on his feet the teen hadn't bothered making a fire or setting up camp, only pulling out his sleeping bag for protection against the chilly night air. It was just one more night and they were only an hour or two from the exit. The more dangerous wild Pokémon were behind them in the center of the forest. What's the worst that could happen? Besides, Ash was surrounded by his Pokémon. They were completely safe.

Ash had drastically underestimated how tired his team was.

Ash woke up with a razor-sharp blade resting on his neck.

"Wake up peasant."

Ash's eyes snapped open; meeting Ophelia's confused maroon ones as she hovered over him. The sting of the blade when he swallowed kept the teen from moving.

"Ri!"

Abruptly the cool metal was gone accompanied by the all too familiar thud of a body hitting the forest floor. Ash stayed frozen on the ground for a few minutes as his Pokémon crowded around him worriedly, all except Rayna. When Ash was finally able to turn his head to look at his would be assailant he found his starter standing over the figure, making sure they didn't try anything else. The teen didn't see how that would be possible as the person was clearly passed out.

The stillness was broken by Ash's pokenav going off, its shrill ring echoing through the too quiet forest. His limbs suddenly wanting to work the trainer heaved himself up and grabbed his bag, fumbling the zipper with still shaking hands to grab the demanding devise.

"Hello?" Ash asked, his voice breaking at the end.

"Are you okay?" Lance demanded. "You're SOS alert went off."

"I…think so," Ash answered, looking over at the still form on the ground. "It's just a kid."

For the boy on the ground really was just a kid, maybe ten or eleven years old, dressed in samurai clothes that seemed much too big for him.

"A kid?"

"Yeah. He woke me up by pointing a sword at my neck."

"A real sword?"

Ash's hands grazed the now throbbing cut on his neck that was trickling blood, his eyes on the blade currently embedded in a tree. He gulped.

"Definitely real."

"Are you hurt?"

"It's just a small cut."

"Where is your attacker now?"

"Passed out. I think Rayna hit him."

"Is he breathing?"

Rayna, being able to hear everything, nodded Ash's way.

"Yes."

"Do you see any other injuries on him?"

Rayna, with Amaryllis's help, flipped the kid over, revealing a large bloody spot on the boy's forehead.

"There's a big cut on his head."

"I need you to find a clean cloth and put pressure on the injury. Be careful not to move his head more than necessary. Can you do that for me?"

Fletcher had already fished a clean towel out of the backpack before Ash could, flying it over to Rayna who barked angerly when Ash tried to come closer.

"Rayna won't let me near the kid but she's taking care of it," Ash said, the shakiness lessening in his voice but the numb feeling persisting.

"That's okay. You're doing great and help is already on the way. Why don't you tell me about what you've been working on with Rayna lately?"

Ash spent the next ten minutes talking Lance through what his Pokémon had been up to the last week. By the time he started bemoaning how the dense forest hindered physical and flying training he was feeling much better, the shock wearing off.

He was now able to check the boy out himself, shooing away an overprotective Rayna. The bleeding had slowed enough now that Ash could take a good look at the cut, assured by Lance that the fact that he couldn't see any bone was a really good sign.

The boy had just caught him off guard was all. Surprised him. Which as probably all the kid wanted to do and had paid the price for it. Ash was never in any real danger. No one was dying or loosing a hand. Ash was fine, totally fine.

The teen was debating scrounging up another clean towel when he picked up the thunder of hooves, followed by the sight of two ace trainers galloping their way on Rapidash.

"Are you sure you don't want your mom and I to meet you at the Pokémon Center?" Lance fretted ten minutes later.

"Yes," Ash assured. He'd been trying to talk the man down while he waited for the ace trainers to finish up preparing the boy, who he now knew was named Liam, for psychic transfer.

"What about Steven?"

"I'm fine," Ash stressed. "Really! He just took me by surprise and…the woods have been reminding me of what happened in Alola. I'll be much better once I get out of here."

"…Okay. Call if that changes."

"I will."

After hanging up Ash was interviewed by the ace trainer that had been waiting patiently for him, his partner having disappeared with the samurai kid.

"We really are sorry about this," the man stressed, rubbing his head. "Liam likes to sneak up on people and we've been warning him for awhile that something like this will happen sooner or later. I'm just glad he wasn't too hurt."

"He's gonna be okay then?" Ash asked.

"Yeah. He'll need some potion to seal that cut up and probably have a nasty concussion, but no permanent damage was done other than maybe a scar."

"What was with the getup and sword anyways?"

"Liam's grandfather was a samurai and the kid dreams of growing up to be a warrior just like him. I dread the day he figures out exactly what cause his grandfather gave his life for."

Ash grimaced. The samurai were an ancient warrior class from the eastern regions, faithfully serving and protecting the lords and ladies they pledged their lives too. History was riddled with tales of their heroics. While the samurai were still celebrated today the noble house's they'd once so loyally served…not so much.

About sixty years ago the noble houses had led a civil war against the League, hoping to take some of their power and influence back. Promising their followers land and an ease in environmental and Pokémon protections the lords had shored up enough support to lead a bloody revolt, but still an unsuccessful one.

After Indigo had stripped the lords and ladies of the rest of their legal powers and disbanded the samurai unions. The noble houses still clung to power through old family money and business ventures but were ultimately starting to die out.

What was left of the samurai was aimless, drifting from one place to another with no real cause to fight for. While many supported the League, they wouldn't outright join up with their old enemy for traditions sake. At least that was while still calling themselves a samurai.

The ace trainer tilted Ash's chin up, taking a careful look at the break in the skin.

"Doesn't look to bad. Clean and disinfect it when you get up and before bed and you'll be good. If it shows any signs of infection see a doctor."

Ash nodded, staying still as the ace trainer went about doing exactly what he recommended, only flinching slightly at the sting of the disinfectant cream.

"Do you want a ride to the Pokémon Center or do you wanna walk?"

"I'll ride with you," Ash said without hesitation, returning his Pokémon and stuffing his sleeping bag in his pack. He was so done with Viridian Forest.

After getting his Pokémon healed and escaping Liam's apologetic parents Ash hid himself away in his room, giving his Pokémon the day off. After the long trek through the forest and the scare they'd had this morning they more than deserved it.

Ash spent the afternoon and evening giving his Pokémon baths and watching movies after calling his worried mother. He had to talk Delia out of coming to visit, managing to convince her that he just needed a day to relax with his team and he would be fine.

He'd been held at sword point by a ten-year-old samurai wannabe who had called him a peasant in one of the most dramatic voices Ash had ever heard. The whole thing would be hilarious if Liam hadn't gotten hurt. Ash was fine. Completely okay. He'd just gotten a bit of a shock was all. It really was kinda funny.

That night the Team Skull grunt in Ash's dreams carried a sword instead of a gun.

Hey all! I had originally planned to reach Pewter in this chapter but I was at a great stopping point so I just decided to call it quits while I was ahead.

Speaking of getting ahead…This coming week is finals for summer quarter and the next I'm going camping to celebrate being finished. The next chapter will be on time but I'm not sure how long it's gonna be. It might be a chapter that I split into two like chapter ten.

Weird coincidence that I happen to be reading a book on Japanese history the same time the samurai kid came up. I was a little inspired about what I've been reading so the history I just wrote up was unplanned for but fit well in the story. Probably expect more of these elements in the future as I learn more.

If you haven't noticed yet my Pokémon world is a mix of the traditional Japanese elements from the anime and my own western culture. I don't think I have a firm enough grasp on Japanese culture and tradition to write this story completely in that setting and do it justice, but I also don't want to erase it. Hence the mix. I hope I'm not offending anyone with my weird fusion and if I'm making any glaring mistakes please let me know!

Reminder that the Within Discord is up and running! On there I give you guys updates on how the writings coming, there's a list of the major characters teams, you have the chance to submit OC's, maps of the Pokémon world and Indigo, and much more! If you want the link let me know.

Thank you LugiaMoon for coming up with the OC Katherine! I had a lot of fun writing her and expanding upon what you gave me.

And as always let me know your thoughts in the reviews and comments!