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"The Battle" By Lenora

Ash has arrived in Nacrene City to face the Gym Leader Lenora for his second Gym Badge. As the impressive curator of the Nacrene City Museum, Lenora seems to have a challenge in store. One cannot help but wonder what her battle style will be. We’ll soon find out, as their battle is about to begin!

“Lenora?”

“Yes, Ash?”

She didn’t turn to Ash as she spoke him, continuing to walk down her library. It was a grandiose place, multistory and filled to brim with books of all kinds, to a child it seem an endless amount. The visitors were a tad scarce at the moment, last night’s Team Plasma incident

“I’m just wondering where the battlefield is,” Ash said. He, Hawes, Iris, and Cilan trailed after Lenora.

“Right, it doesn’t seem like it be in here,” Iris said.

“Oh, you’ll see soon enough.”

She stopped just before the library wall. Hawes stepped beyond her, and placed his hand onto an electronic keypad. With the hum from the technology, the metallic doors in front of them separated to open the group to an even deeper section of the library.

“We’re entering an area which is closed to the general public,” Hawes said.

Ash, Iris, Cilan, and Pikachu felt out soft gasps as the doors finished opening. Lenora held up a hand, welcoming them to enter.

It was simple, really. A long hall of library rows that reached from floor to ceiling. It was almost claustrophobic if one were to be honest.

Lenora spoke, “This part of the library is reserved for rare books and study materials. Only visitors with special permission from us can enter here.”

“This is the finest collection in the entire Unova region,” Hawes gave a show of the place with a sweep of his arm, “You can learn everything about Unova’s history and culture right in here!”

Cilan scanned over the book titles, “Incredible! You even have books on Pokémon connoisseurs.”

“That’s because Unova is the birthplace of Pokémon connoisseurs,” Lenora joined him, “Are you interested?”

Cilan put a hand to his chest, “Of course! I’m in fact on this journey to hone my abilities as a Pokémon connoisseur by meeting as many different Pokémon and trainers as I possibly can.”

“Well well, there’s nothing better than experience, so best of luck.”

Cilan raised himself high at her words, “Thanks!”

Lenora hummed, “Now, let’s see…”

She walked up behind Ash, interrupting his directionless looking around session with Iris and Pikachu with a strong slap of her hand on his shoulder.

“Alright, Ash!” she ignored his sound of surprise, “I’d think you want to study up on the Unova region before our Gym battle.”

Ash frowned, “Well, uh, not really.”

“Pikachu…” his partner agreed.

Ash brightened a bit, raising up a hand, “You see, we’re both pumped for our next badge, so a Gym battle is what we really came here for.”

“Of course it is!” Lenora nodded at him, “That’s why I brought you to our library first.”

“Huh?” Ash titled his head.

Lenora crossed her arms, “You see, the only people that are allowed to use this section of our library are either researchers or Gym challengers.”

“Challengers?” he asked.

“Good, very good,” Lenora said to herself as she began walking past him.

Ash and Pikachu shared a glance.

“Knowledge can be very important in a Pokémon battle,” Lenora had reached the end of the room, and turned to face Ash with a bookshelf behind her. With the back of her hand, she tapped a book, “I recommend you have a peek at this book.”

Ash stared disappointedly, “Uh…”

Iris was quickly whispering at his side, “I could think of worse things to do than read.”

Then Cilan was on his other, “Truth is, this may be a part of your Gym challenge. It’s quite possible that everything Lenora is doing is her manner of testing you.”

“Testing me?” Ash looked back at Lenora, Pikachu parroting the question, “Pika?” Lenora’s expression did not change even as Ash met her gaze. She gave only a hum of a giggle.

Ash stared back at her for a moment. It was quiet, but not as a library typically is.

Then, the young trainer erupted, “AH! Fine, if it gets my Gym battle started, I’ll read anything!” He marched up to the metaphorical plate and the literal bookshelf. He went to grab the book Lenora advised him, “This one right?”

He tried to take it from its place, but to his shock moving the book caused the whole shelf to rumble. As Ash, Pikachu, Iris and Cilan gasped and Lenora and Hawes just looked on knowingly, the bookshelf moved itself back. Underneath it this whole time was a descending staircase.

Ash sputtered, “Wh-what’s down there?”

Lenora simply had a smug expression, “Why, Ash, it’s the battlefield, of course.”

“Tell me, dear,” Hawes said, “Don’t you think this challenger is quite direct?”

“I sure do,” Lenora looked over to the trio, “It's just as connoisseur boy was saying.”

Cilan held an awkward smile on his face, “Uh, connoisseur boy?”

“You see, I’ve been studying you from when you first stepped foot into my Gym.”

Ash and Pikachu both titled their heads, “Really?”

Lenora turned to another shelf, tracing a hand over its collection of books, “You see, when a recommend a challenger read up before our battle, nine times out of ten they’ll rush through a book that personally interests them, even though every time I show them the quickest way to their battle.”

Cilan raised an eyebrow, “But, why do you do that?”

“Seeing a trainer’s thought process reveals quite a lot about them.” Lenora pulled out a book, “Some trainers will select a book about a topic they enjoy-” she returned it, before taking another- “while others pick thin books so they can read quickly. Very interesting, isn’t it?”

Back on the shelf it went, before Lenora returned to the group, “I can generally tell how a challenger will behave going forward by how they react in this situation.”

Iris grabbed Ash by his shoulders, excitedly asking, “So what kind of trainer do you think Ash is?”

Lenora smirked, holding herself high, “What you see is what you’ll get. Ash rose aggressively at my challenge, and I’m looking forward to seeing how that aggressiveness plays out on the battlefield.”

Hawes nodded, “Although, I do imagine our current challenger may be a bit tunnel visioned.”

Ash gave a faint awkward chuckle as Iris did the same, “Looks like they’ve got your number, Ash.”

After a second of Pikachu laughing at him, Ash shook his head, raising himself up, “Fine then! Watch me all you want, I’m still stoked!” “Pika paka!”

“I like your spirit,” Lenora smiled. She went to the stairs with her husband right behind her, “Let’s go then.”

Ash and Pikachu grinned, before following her down with Iris and Cilan following him.

“So here we are!”

The battlefield’s lights flickered on as they entered. Besides the title sidelines, the floor was dedicated to the flat battlefield.

“Wow!” “Pika!” “Awesome!”

Ash ran to the battleground’s center cheerily. He spun around in place, giving them an eager look, “Kay, let’s get going!”

“Let’s take a deep breath,” Lenora corrected. She walked up to join, “I meant what I said about studying up before our battle. Perhaps you should do a little research on what kind of Gym Leader I am?”

Ash tilted his head, “Uhh…”

Lenora took out a Pokéball, and threw it with a proclamation of, “Let’s start with the Pokémon you’ll be facing today!”

“Lillipup pup!” coming out of the blue light was Lenora’s own Lillipup, sitting oh-so politely with its tongue hanging out its mouth.

“Oh it's so cute!” Iris immediately gushed. She went over to the battlefield, kneeling down to pet Lillipup, “Hello there.”

“Lilli!” Lillipup jumped into her arms, licking at her face and making her giggle.

“I’m totally in love with your Lillipup!” she laughed.

“I believe you’re familiar with the species?” Lenora gave Ash a glance.

“Yeah I am! Just like Cheren’s!”

Lenora nodded, “Correct. You see Cheren takes after my Normal type speciality. They’re perfect for Gym battles, possessing none of the limitations of Pokémon that are bound to a specific element. Which is why my other Pokémon is-” she retrieved another Pokémon, throwing it to the ground with a bolstering voice, “Watchog, come out and help!”

Out revealed a tall, red-brown meerkat-like Pokémon with frankly, terrifying eyes. The Pokémon crossed its arm, “Watchog!”

“What’s that Pokémon?” Ash asked aloud, pulling out his Pokédex.

“Watchog. The Lookout Pokémon. A Normal type and the evolved form of Patrat. They make the patterns on their bodies shine in order to threaten predators. Keen eyesight lets them see in the dark.”

“Wow!”

“Showing off her Pokémon before the battle even begins, what an aroma of confidence,” Cilan’s voice raised in increasing vigor, “And then they’re both Normal types, neutral to most Pokémon and in this case possessing no weakness to which Ash’s team can exploit! What a dramatic battle recipe!”

“I’m so pleased to hear you say that connoisseur boy,” Lenora smiled, “That’s the kind of battle I just love.”

She looked to her husband, “Hawes, if you would please explain the rules?”

“Of course, dear,” he adjusted his glasses. He walked his way over to the opposite side of the battlefield, standing parallel to the middle as Iris returned to Cilan’s side.

Hawes in a rehearsed tone, “The battle between Ash, the challenger, and Lenora, the Gym Leader, will be a two-on-two battle, ending when one side’s Pokémon are both unable to battle. As the rules dictate, either side may recall and switch their Pokémon at anytime.”

“Each Gym bases it rules on the leader’s own battle style,” Cilan said to Iris, “A recipe crafted to bring out the most of the challenger.”

“Watchog, return,” Lenora recalled Watchog back to their Pokéball. She looked at Ash, “I’ll be starting off with Lillipup, what do you say we start?”

“You bet!” “Pika!”

Lenora nodded, and went to the left end of the battlefield as Ash ran to the opposing position.

“The Nacrene City Gym battle is about to commence, challenger has the first move, and-” Hawes threw his arms out, “-battle begin!” Lenora raised an arm, “Lillipup, battle ready!”

“Pup!” Lillipup hopped onto the field from beside Lenora’s feet. They dropped to a crouching position, growling and barring its teeth, “Lill!”

“Oh my, Lillipup’s tough!” Iris’s eyes widened.

“Quite the change from that playful Pokémon a minute ago, Lenora’s trained her Pokémon well to behave appropriately to the current situation,” Cilan said.

“Go get em’, Ash!” Iris cheered, Axew making an appearance to add a supportive, “Ew Axew!”

“Lillipup’s sure ready to rock and roll,” Ash chuckled. He took out his own Pokéball, throwing it to the battlefield, “We’re ready too. Alright, Oshawott, I choose you!”

“Oshawott!” he proudly announced his presence, banging his scalchop.

“Alright, Oshawott, let’s start off with a Water Gun!”

“Oshawott!” he fired off the water stream from his mouth, aiming for the Puppy Pokémon.

Lenora smiled, “Lilliepup, Roar, now!”

“Lillie-pup!” Lillipup released a overwhelming bark, sound waves ripping forth and dissipating the Water Gun. Oshawott gawked at the sight, before the roar stuck him, knocking him back all the way back to his Pokéball. He was reabsorbed in red light, followed immediately by a blue streak of energy jumping out of Ash’s pocket. Out onto the field was Pidove.

“Dove?” Pidove’s eyes fluttered open, before looking around in panic at the new location, “Dove pidove Dove?!”

Ash stared on, weakly muttering, “What… happened?”

Lenora chuckled, “I see you haven’t had Roar used against you, have you? You see, Roar is a powerful move that will force the user’s opponent to switch out to another Pokémon. Now, I think I’ll switch my Pokémon as well. Lillipup, return! Watchog, get to work!”

Lillipup was recalled to their Pokéball before Lenora threw another to the battlefield, letting out the Lookout Pokémon.

“Chog!” he glared, leering down at his opponent.

“Pidove!” Pidove squeaked in fear, cowering at the far taller Pokémon.

“Pidove, return!” Ash took out her Pokéball.

“Not so fast,” Lenora threw an arm forward, “Watchog, use Mean Look.”

Watchog grinned, its eyes glowed a harsh light. Everything around Pidove was nothing but a dark haze. Eyes upon eyes were summoned from the haze, peering at the horrified Pokémon. Pidove was coated in a purple aura. She looked over herself in question, but the aura quickly faded.

The move was done, and the red energy from Pidove’s Pokéball finally reached her, but did nothing. She looked back at her trainer, her worry clear.

“But how-”

“You’re wasting your time, Ash!” Lenora cut him off, “Mean Look traps its opponent and prevents them from switching out. It’s Pidove or nothing.”

“Quite the combination,” Cilan’s brows furrowed, “Lenora’s strategy seems to disrupt her challenger’s own plan, and force them to battle on the fly and on her own terms.”

Iris cringed slightly, “Well, Ash is good as thinking on his feet, right?”

Cilan hummed, “In this instance, we’ll have to see.”

Ash balled his hand into a fist.

“I was going to start off with Oshawott and finish off with Snivy and Attract, but now I can’t use the combination I wanted,” Ash thought to himself. He stared at Lenora, who only reacted with a smirk.

He grinned, “Alright, Pidove, we’ve still got this!”

Pidove shook her head, shaking out her fear. She held a wing up, “Pi Pidove!”

“Use Gust!”

Pidove flew up, flapping her wings to send the air attack down at Watchog.

“Watchog, evade!”

“Watchog!” he jumped back, letting the Gust hit the ground. Pidove made quite a disappointed face.

“Alright then, get in close with Quick Attack!”

“Pidove!” she dove down in a white streak.

“Watchog, whip around!”

Watchog dug their heel into the ground, before twisting around. It’s stiff tail collided with Pidove as she tried to connect with Quick Attack. She cried out, the movement smacking her down to the ground.

“Now, use Low Kick!”

“Chog!” whipped around once again, its outstretched leg striking Pidove and knocking her on her side to the ground.

“Low Kick once more!”

“Up in the air, Pidove!”

Despite the damage from the previous attack, Pidove hoisted herself back into the air and out of Low Kick’s reach with a mighty flap of her wings.

Ash smiled, “Great, now use Double Team!”

Pidove nodded, and with a coo she summoned three copies of herself, flying in perfect sync with her.

“Gust, again and again!” Ash instructed.

“Dove dove dove!” they, all in harmony, said with each flap of their wings, sending the attack to their grounded target.

“Not bad, Ash,” Lenora smiled, “Now, keep moving, Watchog!”

“Chog!”

Watchog had no idea which of the serval incoming attacks were simply an illusion or were the real deal. he leaped backwards once more, but with more Gusts still incoming he dodged from left to right on repeat. Eventually, a Gust hit Watchog, knocking him off pace and allowing the following Gusts to land and knock Watchog down.

“Watchog, get up!”

“Pidove, Quick Attack, hurry!”

Watchog shoved himself back onto his feet, glaring as the four ‘Pidove’ went to attack with increasing speed.

Lenora threw an arm out, “Watchog, lights on!”

“Watchog!” he nodded. Seconds before Pidove made contact, Watchog’s stripes erupted in harsh yellow light. The young trainers all covered their eyes at the blinding light as it overwhelmed the whole room. Lenora, however, did not flinch. The light blasted Pidove, destroying her Double Team clones and leaving her dazed and struggling to adjust her eyes as Watchog’s light faded as quickly as it came.

“That light is from Watchog’s special ability, Illuminate,” Cilan said.

“Seems like that would’ve been useful yesterday,” Iris said under her breath.

Cilan raised a hand to his chin, “With Team Plasma’s anti-battling convictions, Lenora must have wanted to keep her Gym Pokémon out of their sight.”

Ash gasped in panic, “Pidove, you gotta get back!”

“Watchog, use Thunderbolt!”

“Watch-og!” Watchog’s body became coated in electricity, before firing it off at the still dazed Pidove. She cried out as her body quaked, the electricity coarsing over her before it threw her across the battlefield towards her trainer.

“Ah! Pidove!” Ash gasped, eyes wide in horror.

Iris brought a hand to her face, “Poor Pidove, that looked like it hit hard.”

Cilan had a sympathetic tone, “Quite the unexpected move, the perfect match up to take out Pidove.”

Her subsequent landing kicked up dust, obscuring her. Everyone watched with baited breath as Lenora smirked.

It dissipated, Pidove was knocked out, swirls in her eyes.

Hawes threw a hand up, “Pidove is unable to battle! The first match up goes to Lenora.”

“Your Pokémon gave a good showing, Ash,” Lenora said to him,

Ash nodded at her. He knelt down to his Pokémon, “I’m sorry, Pidove. Have a good rest,” he said, Pikachu adding his own sympathetic words, before recalling her.

He gave his partner a weary look.

“Pika pi,” Pikachu assured him. Ash gained a small smile, fixed his cap, and stood back up.

“Alright, Oshawott, let’s do this!”

With the throw of his Pokéball, Oshawott returned to the battlefield. Oshawott’s eyes slowly blinked open, before shotting wide open and looking around frantically, “Oshawott? Wott?”

Ash chuckled awkwardly, “Your first turn got cut a bit short, buddy.”

Oshawott gave him a blank look, muttering, “Osha oshawott.”

Ash sweat dropped, “Hey now, I didn’t plan on switching out either.”

“Looks like Oshawott’s not amused,” Iris said.

Cilan nodded, “I didn’t consider that Lenora’s strategy doesn’t only disorient her opponents, but their Pokémon as well.”

Ash shook his head, “Alright! Use Water Gun!”

Oshawott copied the motion, firing off the water stream with a “Oshawott!”

Lenora smiled confidently, “Watchog, dodge it.”

“Chog!” Watchog side stepped to the left, letting the water attack fly right past them. Watchog gave Oshawott a disgustingly smug expression, to which Oshawott responded with a repulsed look, his tongue sticking out.

“Now, Thunderbolt, Watchog!”

Watchog quickly fired off the electric attack.

Ash grinned, “Deflect it with your scalchop!”

“Wott!” Oshawott nodded, holding out his shell out against Watchog’s Thunderbolt. It struck his scalchop, before jumping off and striking the ground, wasting Watchog’s efforts.

“Yeah-ah! Go Oshawott!” Ash cheered on his Pokémon, who was currently showing off his scalchop to all who could see. Yapping away with, “Osh oshawott osha.”

“Huh,” Lenora nodded, “So Oshawott is able to guard against Electric moves with that? Consider me officially impressed.”

“Osha!” Oshawott raised his head up at the praise, bagging his scalchop on his chest.

Lenora quickly returned to her overwhelming demeanor, “If a close range battle is what you want, its what you’ll get. Watchog, use Low Kick!”

“Chog!”

Ash flinched back, “Oshawott, use Tackle!”

“Wott!”

The two Pokémon charged each other head first. Watchog’s lanky body slinking just above the ground. He grinned, being moments away from making contact with Oshawott.

“Oshawott, jump and use Water Gun!”

“Osha!” Oshawott leaped from the ground and over Watchog. His opponents eyes went wide as he began a shot of water from his move.

Lenora, however, remained unfazed, “Watchog, spin around and strike with your tail!”

“Watchog!” his body spun over, tail whipping Oshawott in the chest, knocking the breath out of him and stopping his move. The smaller Pokémon was sent back towards his trainer.

Ash gasped, “Oshawott, you gotta get back up!”

“Osha…” he groaned, holding his head. Still, he shoved himself up, and went to grab his scalchop.

Which was not there.

“Osha?! Oshawott?!” Oshawott looked around the battlefield frantically. With the shine of the overhead lights, he saw it abandoned on the ground. With a gasp, Oshawott ran after the shell without abandon.

“Oshawott, wait!” “Pika pika!” the partners cried in vain.

“Watchog, Low Kick,” Lenora instructed.

“Chog!”

Watchog rushed over to stop him, sweeping his leg under Oshawott’s feet mid-run and knocking him on his face to the ground.

“Oshawott, no!” Ash gasped.

“Now, Thunderbolt, let’s go!” Lenora held an arm forward.

“Get up, hurry!” Ash paled.

“Osha…” Oshawott, eyes barley open, forced himself back up with a heavy breath. He strained his vision back up, just in time to see the close range Thunderbolt.

“Osh-!” Oshawott’s cry was cut off by being electrocuted. His body shook until the attack finished. Still, he stood, immobile.

Iris and Cilan looked on.

Hawes watched carefully.

Lenora raised an eyebrow.

“Oshawott…?” Ash asked.

“Wott…” he mumbled, before falling to the ground, swirls in his eyes.

Hawes raised an arm, “Oshawott is unable to battle! The victor is Watchog and Lenora the Gym leader!”

“It seemed like the battle was going to start going Ash’s way with Oshawott,” Iris said.

“I’m not sure it was,” Cilan thought out loud.

“Really?”

He hummed, “Lenora immediately identified how to remove Oshawott’s advantage. A close range battle was simply her way of luring Ash in.”

Ash stared at his defeated Pokémon, unmoving just as Oshawott had been moments ago.

“Pika?” Pikachu rubbed his cheek against Ash’s own. His ears folded back as he looked at his partner.

Ash blinked, eyes adjusting to look at Pikachu.

He nodded, “I’m alright buddy.”

Ash stepped onto the field, crouching down to support his Pokémon. Oshawott’s eyes fluttered open at the movement.

“Hey, Oshawott,” Ash said, “Thanks for battling so well. I’m sorry we didn’t do better.”

“Osha…” he said softly, before Ash recalled him to his Pokéball.

Ash let out a sigh, but his staring at the floor was interrupted by Iris’s and Cilan’s shoes stepped into his vision.

“A shame about the battle,” Cilan offered, leaning over with his hands behind his back.

Iris gave Ash a hand, “Yeah, that was really intense.”

He looked at the hand for a moment, before accepting it and being helped to his feet.

“Thanks,” Ash said. He looked over at Lenora, who had been joined by Hawes.

“Excuse me, Lenora?” Ash caught her attention. He bowed at her, “Thank you for battling against me.”

“I like your attitude, Ash. You’ve really got spirit,” she smiled, giving him a thumbs up, “Come challenge me again anytime.”

…

The sky was orange in hue. The sun casting the last of the day’s light onto Nacrene City. In particular, it was painting a Pokémon Center just as any artist did to the buildings of this city.

Inside this Pokémon Center, Ash was at the seating area, his egg carrier in his lap and his hands on top of it as he rested his chin on them. Pikachu sat next to him, looking at his trainer with a frown at his unmoving expression. Ash’s head was low and his eyes closed.

“Ash?” Iris asked, “Are you okay? It’s not like you to get all depressed like this after a loss.”

Ash sighed, “It wasn’t just a loss. Pidove and Oshawott fought so hard for me but I couldn’t keep up with Lenora. I completely let them down.”

Cilan held up a hand, “While it is a trainer’s responsibility to bring out the best of their Pokémon, I highly doubt they’re disappointed in you, Ash.” He smiled, “I’m sure they’ll be as eager as you always are to try again.”

Ash met Cilan’s gaze, “But if I put them into battles they can’t win, if they get hurt because of me, do I even-”

He looked to the ground, voice quiet, “Should I even have them? Is N right?”

Iris and Cilan’s eyes widened. They looked at each other, both unable to say a thing.

A moment of silence passed.

Iris broke it with a huff, “Well, if I lost a battle with Axew, would you say I’m a bad trainer?”

Ash scoffed, “No, but I-”

“Would you say I should release Axew? Give up, never try again, listen to one random guy and never touch another Pokéball?”

Ash set aside his egg carrier, standing against Iris, “No! Of course not!”

She leaned towards him, “So what would you say to me?”

Ash glared, “I’d say that everyone loses and you and your Pokémon have to work together to get stronger-”

Ash paused. Iris smirked. He blinked.

He fixed his cap, sitting back down, “Thanks.”

Iris leaned back into the cushion, looking very pleased with herself, “Don’t mention it.”

A ding sounded out in the Pokémon Center.

The three of them turned to doors by the reception stand sliding open. Nurse Joy wheeled in her cart with Oshawott and Pidove standing on top.

“Osha!” “Pidove!” they both exclaimed, happy to return to their trainer.

“Thank you for waiting,” Nurse Joy smiled, “Your Pokémon are both happy and healthy.”

“Thank you, Nurse Joy,” Ash nodded. He got up to meet Oshawott and Pidove, “We might have lost today, but we’re going to get to training to beat Lenora! Promise.”

Oshawott’s and Pidove’s eyes sparkled. They both responded in affirmation.

“Alright!” Ash grinned.

Cilan joined him, “Oshawott and Pidove both have their own defensive tactics, but they can’t keep up with Lenora’s team’s speed and strength. Improving that is your target to defeat her.”

Ash nodded, “You’re right. We’ve got some work ahead of us.”

“Oh, another Gym challenger?” Nurse Joy said, gaining the group’s attention, “If you want to do some training, then why don’t you visit the Battle Club?”

“The Battle Club? Isn’t that just for battling other trainers?” Ash tilted his head.

“Don George is a battle specialist,” Iris said, “If you want special training, he’s your ticket.”

Ash grinned, “Well alright then!”

“Pika!” Pikachu agreed, jumping onto Ash’s shoulder.

“You two ready?” he asked Oshawott and Pidove. They both nodded eagerly, Oshawott smacking his scalchop and Pidove ruffling her feathers.

…

Bird Pokémon chirped as the morning sun shined over the Battle Club. Though, the subject of interest laid inside this establishment.

“If it’s battle related I’m your man,” Don George folded his arms, “I welcome you to the Pokémon Battle Club.”

“Heh, you look exactly like the other Don Georges do.”

Don George raised an eyebrow, “If I were to take a guess, you’re here because Lenora gave you some trouble?”

“Yeah!” Ash’s eyes widened, Iris and Cilan making their own expressions of interest behind him, “How’d you know?”

He nodded, “You’d hardly be the first trainer sent my way after losing to her. That tricky Roar and Mean Look combination of hers has sent many trainers stumbling.”

“So her strategy is famous,” Cilan hummed.

Iris nodded, “But if you can meet her power and raise your endurance, you could totally get past her.”

“That’s right,” Don George said, “Now, young man, I believe I know exactly what you need.”

The man’s body stiffened, and his expression intensified and fire burst from his eyes, “SO GET READY! You’ve come to the right place for some proper training.”

“Yeah-ha!” Ash joined him, “I’ll do whatever it takes!”

“Pika pikachu!”

Don George nodded, “Very well, though I warn you my brand of training is not for the faint of heart.”

Ash and Pikachu both nodded, “Right!”

“Alright, follow me through these doors,” he turned to stand in front of two large, metallic sliding doors. Giving a serious look at the young trainers, Don George stood as the doors lumbered open. The group strained their eyes against the blinding light that escaped from it.

Ash’s battle with Lenora ended in a crushing defeat, but his commitment train with Don George’s specialized methodology. Will Ash be successful in his quest to power up his Pokémon? Find out…

As the journey continues.

#pokemon best wishes #pokemon bw rewritten #pokeani #ash ketchum #gym leader lenora #pokeani fanfiction

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pkmnrewritecenter · 3 months ago

Text

Knights in the Museum

(Reading List Here)

“Come on!” “Pika paka!”

Ash and Pikachu ran down the dirt path, leaving the forested mountain in their dust.

“Ash, slow down!” Iris called out to them, pausing to take a breath, “What a kid.”

Her partner popped out, nodding in agreement, “Ax axew.”

“You can’t deny his excitement is rather contagious,” Cilan said, trotting past her. Iris’s eyes widened before she ran to catch up with them.

After a trek across the mountain, our heroes have finally arrived in Nacrene City for Ash’s second Gym battle. What a sight this city is to behold.

Ash and Pikachu stepped foot onto the pathed city streets, and gazed up in astonishment at the city. It seemed like every wall of the city was covered in art. Agglomerations of colors and portraits of Pokémon. The town was accented with Pidove wind vanes and an abstracted statue as the centerpiece.

“Wow!” Iris joined him. Her eyes jumped off every piece of art, “This place is so pretty. Look at all those cool buildings.”

Then came Cilan. “They’re actually out of use warehouses. The city leases them out to artists. For that, Nacrene City is known as the City of Art,” Cilan put a hand in his pocket, crossing his leg over the other, “Though, it also makes the city admired for its style, and so it is called the City of Admiration as well.”

“Is it also called the city of too many names?” Iris said, leaning over to Ash. He snickered as Cilan narrowed his eyes at them slightly.

“Call it whatever,” Ash said, “I’m getting my Gym battle either way.”

“Pika ka!” Pikachu agreed.

“So you’re taking on the Unova League?”

“Huh?” The group turned to the voice. A blacked haired boy walked up to them.

“Sorry, but I couldn’t help but overhear,” he walked up to them, fixing his glasses. He was wearing an unzipped, blue jacket. “Am I correct? You’re here to take on the Gym Leader?”

Ash grinned, “Oh, you bet!” He pointed a thumb at his shoulder riding partner, “I’m Ash, and this is Pikachu. We’re here from Pallet Town to compete in the Unova League.”

“And I’m Iris,” she added.

“Axew!”

“My name is Cilan,” he bowed slightly.

He nodded at them, before looking at Ash, “So the Kanto region? That would explain your non-Unovian partner. I’ve only seen Pikachu in photographs until now. I’m Cheren, and if you want I would be happy to show you the way to the Nacrene Gym.”

“Hey, thanks!”

Cheren turned on his heel, beckoning them to follow, “Let’s go then.”

The trio gave each other a nod, and followed after him.

…

In the woods outside the city, three trenched coated figures had stopped their travels for a brief while.

“James, are you ready to go yet?”

At Jessie’s sharp voice, James, resting on a stump, turned to her, “We’ve been walking for days now. Sue me that my feet are killing me.”

“Hey, nun’ of us are enjoying this wilderness trek,” Meowth said, picking dirt off his cloak.

Jessie scoffed, “Three minutes, and then we’re leaving.”

“I wasn’t aware of our new authoritarianship,” James mumbled out of the corner of his mouth.

“What was that?!”

“Oh nothing.”

After a glare, Jessie turned away to look at nothing in particular. James let his shoulders slump, content to simply sit. Until eventually he caught something red and white out of the corner of his eye.

“A Pokéball?” he glanced down at what was currently peeking out from the corner of the stump base.

The ‘Pokéball’ looked up at James, and tilted its head at him, “Foongus?”

“Oh, you’re not a Pokéball at all! You’re a-” James paused, taking out a little black guidebook from the open supplies case and skimming through it before looking back down at the Pokémon- “a Foongus, a Grass and Poison type that resembles Pokéballs, aren’t you?”

“Foon!” the Pokémon nodded, jumping up a little and clearly becoming more confident.

“But what are you doing sneaking over here…” James questioned. His eyes drifted back to their opened supplies case, spying the canister of Pokémon food. His eyes lit up, “Oh, are you hungry?”

“Foongus!” it nodded at James.

“Well, here you go,” he opened up the canister, emptying the food just in front of Foongus. The little Pokémon let out a sound of excitement as they began to dig in. James smiled.

“Alright, blue boy, we’re outta here,” Meowth called over to him, the Pokémon and Jessie standing ready to leave down the trail.

She nodded, “Yes, need to be in position-”

“My hair is lavender.”

“-to receive the transmission from headquarters.

James stood up and went to join them, their equipment in tow.

“Foon?” the Foongus tilted its head, watching as James left.

…

“So Cheren, did you grow up here?”

Cheren looked back at Iris’s question. The group were walking at a leisurely pace down the street, Cheren allowing the travelers to take in the sights of the humble city.

“No, actually,” he said, “I’m from Nuvema Town.”

“Hey, that’s where me and Pikachu arrived when we came here!”

“Pika!”

Cheren nodded, “Yeah, that tracks. Nuvema Town isn’t far from the coast, and is near a premium plane landing spot.”

“If that’s so, what exactly inclined you to Nacrene City?” Cilan asked.

Cheren crossed his arms as they walked, “Well, that’s rather simple. I left on my journey with the chance to challenge the Pokémon League. Though I did win against one gym, that was simply to gain experience for what I truly had my eyes on.”

Cheren, without warning, stopped in his tracks, making his capture audience stumble. With a grandiose swing of his arm, Cheren threw his hand towards the building before them.

“The Nacrene Gym!” Cheren proclaimed. He looked at the trio, a smirk sneaking onto his face. There was a gated fence around the front of the building, with a open gap in the center to the path leading to the museum doors.

“The Gym is a museum?” Iris’s eyes scanned the building’s signage.

“That’s totally cool!” Ash said. “Pika!”

Cilan turned to Cheren, “Your goal was to face the Nacrene Gym?”

Cheren shook his head, “My goal was to join the Nacrene Gym.”

“Say what?” Ash paused his gawking at the Gym, the trio looking at him questionably.

Cheren put a hand to his chest, “You are all currently speaking with an official employee of the Nacrene City Museum, specializing in the assistance of all Gym related matters. And someday,” he grinned, “I’ll become a Gym Leader myself.”

“Cool! Alright,” Ash stopped looking at Cheren very quickly. “Time for a Gym battle!”

Cheren could barely manage a “Hey wait!” before Ash and Pikachu had rushed into the building.

The Gym doors opened to a simple wallway, decorated by paintings. In the middle stood a thin man in a grey suit.

“I’m here for the Gym Leader!” “Pika!” the partners announced.

“Hawes!” Cheren caught up to them, Iris and Cilan following behind them with notably less urgency. He prevented himself from stumbling, before continuing, “This is Ash, he’s here to-”

Hawes held up a hand, “Challenge the Gym, I gathered.”

Cheren rubbed the back of his neck, looking away to the side awkwardly.

“So you’re the Gym Leader?” Ash asked.

Hawes chuckled, adjusting his glasses slightly, “Oh, not in the least. That would be my dear wife.”

“Awesome! Where do I go to battle her?”

The man frowned, “I’m afraid we can't proceed with any Gym activity at the moment.”

“Huh?!”

“But Hawes, for what reason?” Cheren asked, voice rising in worry.

He looked away from them, “There’s a…” his voice drifted off, “...situation at the moment. I suppose it's better to just show you.”

Hawes turned down the hallway, walking to the main area of the museum.

The group shared a concerned look, before they followed him.

The Nacrene Gym had no issue with its exhibits. Glancing around revealed quite the collection of unique pieces of history. A glass display of surely priceless artifacts. A variety of ornate cultural items. Though the most eye-catching was the complete Dragonite fossil skeleton in the center. Even then, this was only the first room of the museum.

For you see, the Nacrene City Museum’s problem was that it was filled with Team Plasma members.

“Team Plasma?! What are these guys doing here?” Ash glared, as did Pikachu.

“Who are these people?” Cilan asked, “And you know them?”

“They convince people to release their Pokémon!” Iris said to Cilan, voice rising.

“What? Why and how do they do such a thing?”

A new voice entered, “They believe the unification of people and Pokémon is inherently mistreatment.”

Our trio made sounds of surprise, moving to see the woman the voice belonged to. She was dark skinned, tall, and dressed with a white dress shirt. She smiled, and walked over to close the gap between them.

“Though, I believe history shows that’s anything but the truth.”

“Hi, honey,” Hawes waved, with an admittedly goofy expression.

She giggled at him quietly, “Hello, dear.”

Ash brightened, “So you’re Lenora? The Nacrene Gym Leader?”

Lenora pointed a finger at him, “That’s correct.”

“And the director of the Nacrene City Museum,” Hawes held up a finger.

“Lenora!” Cheren walked up to meet her, “This is Ash, a Gym challenger, and his friends Iris and Cilan.”

“Hello,” the three said in unison.

She nodded, “Lovely to meet you trainers.”

“Miss Lenora, do you know why all these people are here?” Iris asked.

Lenora’s eyes shifted. She caught the occasional glances of Team Plasma members, but otherwise they seemed content to ignore their existence and look at the exhibits in silence.

“We’re not sure,” she put her hands on her hips, “They’ve hardly said a thing since arriving, but because of their philosophy around battles, we’ve halted Gym activities for the moment.”

“Oh come on!” Ash kicked nothing, “We can’t just let them win that easily.”

“Right now, this isn’t a battle for either side to win,” Lenora said, “In this situation, we’re only trying to not escalate the situation into one where anyone could be hurt.”

Begrudgingly, Ash nodded.

“I am pleased to hear your reasonableness, Lenora.”

The group made a sound of surprise and turned to the subject of interest. Before them was a tall man, dressed in a grand, brown robe with a yellow chest piece wrapping around over his shoulders, with the Team Plasma symbol in the center. His beard was short and well managed, and his eyes were open only by the thinnest margin. Another two plasma members hung at his left and right.

“And may I ask who you are?” she asked.

He nodded, “I am Rood of Team Plasma.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Well then, Rood, what brings all of you to our humble establishment?”

Rood lifted an arm, “Our chosen mission revolves around Pokémon, and your museum is a treasure trove of Pokémon history, of their relationship between humans, and even before their lives were burdened with such a thing.”

“Well, we’re grateful for your kind words,” Lenora said, cautious, “But I find that a rather large statement is being made when you all appear at once in full uniform.”

Rood chuckled, “We weren’t aware this establishment had a dress code. If you can point us to whatever rule we are violating, we’d be happy to correct our mistake.”

Lenora stared at him for a moment. The others looked between the two opposing forces with baited breath.

Then, finally, she lifted her arm to the rest of the museum, “Enjoy your visit.”

Rood nodded, and peacefully carried on his way into the museum with his followers. Which had the effect of revealing the green haired young man behind him.

Ash controlled a gasp, “N?”

N glanced at him briefly, and gave a nod, “Ash,” before gliding deeper into the museum.

“Hey, wait!” “Pika!” Ash went after him.

“…Ash knows this ‘N’?” Cilan, after a moment, asked Iris.

She sighed, “We’ll fill you in later.”

Ash walked up next to him. N’s eyes trailed over the ancient remnants.

“What are you doing here?” Ash asked, simply. Despite the circumstances, Ash’s posture was relaxed.

“The museum’s collection of artifacts,” he answered plainly.

“And what about all of them?”

His fingers hovered above the glass. N started walking down the room, gaze locked onto the artifacts. “The same.”

Ash blinked at him, and walked after him.

“And what have you done since we last met?” N asked.

“I won my first Gym battle, and we’re here for my second,” Ash pointed a thumb at himself, proud. Pikachu nodded with him, “Pika.”

“What a shame.”

He glared, “Hey, what?!”

N looked at him, “You have good intentions. I do believe you care about Pokémon, but aligning yourself with these exploitative battles is against what you believe in. You could provide so much more to Pokémon if you understood our convictions.”

Ash stood up straight, “If you think taking away Pokémon from the trainers who care about them is what I believe in, you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

N looked back to the museum’s collection, resuming his walk to his left, “And you believe those bonds are worth the uncaring trainers hurting their Pokémon?”

“Yes! I mean- I don’t know-!” Ash cut himself off again, “We should stop those trainers when we meet them and not make things worse for everyone else. It's not like they’re the ones who’ll give up their Pokémon.”

N hummed, and his eyes set upon the current item he had stopped at.

Iris glared at the Team Plasma members, even if she couldn’t truly do much of anything against them she could at least show her disapproval of their actions. Thus, she walked down the museum with the harsh expression. However, her path was stopped by the centerpiece exhibit. Her gaze traveled up it, letting out a soft gasp at the towering fossilized Dragonite. This was not unnoticed by Lenora.

Lenora was an educator at heart. Whether through her Gym by exposing young trainers to new strategies and giving them the opportunity to learn how to counter them, or through her museum and library giving anyone interested a glimpse into Unova’s vast history. While her Gym was currently inactive, she saw no reason to squander her museum as well.

Iris flinched, a hand suddenly on her shoulder and snapped her out of her amazed trance. She glanced up, and saw Lenora at her side.

“Quite impressive, isn’t it? A fully intact Dragonite fossil skeleton.”

Iris turned to her, smiling, “Right, it’s amazing!”

Lenora hummed, “As I’m sure you know, Dragonite are not native to Unova. This specimen is completely out of sync with our fossil record.”

Iris tilted her head, “Really?”

Lenora gave a nod, “Yes, we theorize that this Dragonite had been flying for so long and at such an incredible speed that its eventual impact in Unova jump started its fossilization process.”

Iris returned to look upon the remains of the once powerful Pokémon, letting out a soft, “Wow…”

Then, the museum went black.

The building was filled with the noise of movement and the young trainers’ cries of what of was happening.

“Hawes, get the power back on!” Lenora shouted through the sounds of distress.

“O-on it!” he called back, struggling his way to the back of the building.

“Nobody move!” Lenora ordered, but the sound of frantic movement continued.

Eventually the lights returned, and not only was the museum devoid of Team Plasma, but the Dragonite’s skull was nowhere to be found as well.

“The fossil!” Iris gasped, “It’s gone!”

“Ah!” Ash gapped, and turning to N. He only shrugged at Ash in response. The trainer grit his teeth, and ran to the doors, “They won’t get away with this!” “You’re right about that!” Cheren shouted, running after him. Iris, Cilan, Lenora, and Hawes shared a group look. Lenora nodded, and they followed after them.

Ash and Cheren rushed out of the museum ahead of the others. They looked around frantically, but Team Plasma was nowhere to be seen.

Cheren ignored the glare of the setting sun and threw out a Pokéball, “Lillipup, emergency time!”

A furr faced dog Pokémon came out of the blue light, barking, “Lillipup pup!”

“Wow, what’s that Pokémon?” Ash asked, bringing out his Pokédex as the others came through the doors to join them.

“Lillipup. The Puppy Pokémon. A Normal type. The long hair covering Lillipup’s face is an amazing radar, which lets it sense subtle changes in its surroundings.”

Cheren spoke quickly to his Pokémon, “Lillipup, something important was stolen from the museum. I need you to use Odor Sleuth and track where they took it.”

“Pup pup!” they replied, and started frantically sniffing at the ground.

“Good plan, Cheren,” Lenora said. Cheren smiled lightly at her words. “You and Ash should stay with Lillipup and follow her once she picks up a scent.”

They nodded at her, “Right!”

She turned, “Cilan, are you able to follow me? We can go along the city borders in case they try to leave before Lillipup can find them.”

Cilan gave her a nod, “Of course.”

“Hawes and Iris?”

“Yes, dear?”

“You both stay at the museum. For all we know, this is just a ploy for us to leave the Gym unprotected.”

“Yes Ma’am!” Iris nodded, Axew adding a “Ew Axew!” of determination.

She ran back into the building. Hawes followed her, but paused to look back at his wife, “Be safe, dear.”

She smiled with a tilt of her head, “Of course, love.”

He returned the expression, and then followed Iris inside.

“Come on, Cilan, let’s not give them anymore time,” Lenora said, already walking opposite to the building.

“Right!” Cilan gave Ash and Cheren a nod, “Good luck to you both.”

“You too!” Ash called out as the two Gym Leaders disappeared into the city.

Lillipup’s head shot up, barking opposite to where the trio entered the city, “Lillipup pup!”

“Did you pick up the skull’s scent?” Cheren and Ash whipped their heads around to her.

“Pup pup!” she nodded.

Cheren threw an arm out, pointing to where Lillipup showed, “After them, girl!”

“Lilli!” the Puppy Pokémon bounded off, Ash and Cheren right at her heels.

…

N listened to Ash’s rapid footsteps until he left the building. A few more, followed by the slamming of the main door, and he was alone in the museum and free to return his attention to the artifact in front of him; a white, spherical stone. Three polished grooves ran down it, all converging to point at its center.

Then, N ripped the off the glass cover.

With that out of his way, N, despite his lack of muscle definition, cradled the stone out of its display.

Another step to saving all Pokémon was completed.

He heard the rustling of the museum’s doors. Soon enough, N would not be alone. With the twist of his heel, he ran, and trusted that the Naceren Museum did not lock its windows.

…

The trench coat-clad Jessie, James, and Meowth stood atop a building in Nacrene City, drawn out by the quickly approaching night.

“This Team Plasma doesn’t seem to know a thing about subtlety,” Jessie commented, glancing down at the fleeing fossils thieves as they tried to escape the city.

“Makes me curious as to who is running this group behind the scenes,” James said as he worked to set up their computer, the screen flickering on and showing Giovanni’s assistant, Matori. She was rarely their biggest fan, but at the very least she always maintained professionality in her work.

“Hello, agents,” she began, “In your recently acquired briefcase you will find a decoy meteonite.”

Meowth opened it up, and sure as the night was dark a mid sized meteonite replica was inside.

“We were informed the meteonite was detected in the Desert Resort,” Jessie said.

“The meteonite that is producing the energy flow. Another fragment of the original meteor is located in the target research station. While it produces no power of its own, acquiring it to study its physical properties while allow us to make full use of the main meteonite once it is acquired.”

The three nodded. “Understood,” they said in unison.

“You will remotely download the station’s own data on the meteonite, disable its security, then perform an extraction of the target meteonite and replace it with its decoy. Is your current mission clear?”

“Clear as the Kantoian sky,” Meowth said.

“Very well, good luck to you, Rockets,” she signed off, the display screen turning to static before cutting to black.

“I feel as if there was an unspoken ‘because you’ll need it’ at the end of that sentence,” James muttered.

…

Lillipup, Cheren, and Ash were in hot pursuit after Team Plasma, the trainers still completely reliant on the Pokémon’s sense of smell to find the knights.

“Why do you think they would do this?” Cheren asked Ash as they ran.

“No clue!” Ash said.

Cheren gave him a side eye.

He shook his head, “It doesn’t matter really, we have to stop them regardless.”

“Pup pup!” Cheren’s partner barked, before skidding to the left. The trainers gasped, and slid to follow the turn. The Puppy Pokémon was leading them out of Nacrene City and to the forested outskirts.

“Are we getting close, girl?” Cheren asked in between huffs of air.

Lillipup barked, and leaped into the air. It landed on a pair of train tracks, with plant life and dirt grown over the steel. With another sniff Lillipup began to race down them.

“They went down the abandoned train tracks!” Cheren said.

“So they should be down this way right?” Ash asked.

“Yeah…” Cheren’s brows burrowed, “But suddenly escape out in the open then they could leave through the concealing forest?”

“There they are!” “Pika!”

In the middle of tracks were two Team Plasma, the three stopped on their heels. Lillipup continued barking at the knights.

“Hey! Where’s the rest of you?” Ash shouted.

“And the Dragonite skull!” Cheren added.

The knights, in sync, brought a hand to their chests. One spoke, “That is not for us to reveal.”

“Hey! You can’t just-”

Cheren put a hand on Ash’s shoulder, stopping him, “Listen, they aren’t useful to us. Lillipup, you try to pick up the others’ scent.”

“Lil!” she gave a nod, returning to sniffing at the ground.

“I’m afraid we cannot allow you to do that,” the other knight said.

“What are you talking about?” Ash glared at them, Pikachu adding a defiant, “Pika pi!”

The first Team Plasma member spoke, “Our loyalty to our cause is boundless, and it will take far more than you for us to kneel.”

They each retrieved a Pokéball, now at the ready to throw.

“Some loyalty to your cause,” Cheren scoffed, “Did you forget you’re supposed to be against battling?”

“As our lord has spoke,” the other knight began, “With the way of the current world, battling is a necessary evil to eventually rid it from our world.”

They both released their Pokémon; a Patrat and a Purrloin.

“Patrat, use Tackle!” one of the knights commanded.

“Trat!” the Pokémon shouted, throwing its body directly at Lillipup and knocking them both to the ground.

“Lillipup!” Cheren gasped, “Get them off of you!”

“Lilli!” Lillipup shoved herself back up, tossing the Patrat back to its knight.

Ash threw out a Pokéball, “Snivy, let’s go!”

His Pokémon was released in a flash of blue. Immediately out of the Pokéball, she was already glaring at her opponents.

“Snivy, Vine Whip now!”

“Sni!” Snivy sprouted two vines from her back, and both whipped down at Patrat. The rodent Pokémon let out a cry as it was slammed into the ground.

“Purrloin, use Scratch!”

“Loin!” Purrlion leaped into the air at Snivy, claws extended in white light.

“Lillipup, use Take Down on Purrloin!”

“Pup!” Lillipup dashed forward, white energy rushing over her. She nailed the Purrloin in its center, stopping it’s attack on Snivy and knocking it to the grassy ground as Lillipup landed.

“Ash, you and Snivy prepare to attack!” Cheren said.

Ash gave him a thumbs up, “Okay! Snivy, be ready to use Leaf Tornado!”

“Vy snivy,” she nodded at him, shifting her position to be at the ready. The Purrloin and Patrat returned to their feet with a respective hiss and growl.

“Lillipup, use Helping Hand!”

“Lilli!” her body became covered in a multicolored light. She leaped next to Snivy and placed her paw on Snivy’s side. The multicolor aura transferred from the Puppy Pokémon to the grass snake.

“Wow!” Ash said.

“That’ll boost the power of Snivy’s next attack!” Cheren raised his head smugly.

“Purrloin, use Fury Swipes!”

“Patrat, use Bite!”

“Snivy, now!”

The Patrat and Purrloin jumped into air towards Snivy, the former with its teeth glowing and the latter with its white claws extended.

“Snivy!” she summoned the barrage of leaves around her, twisting her body and sending them towards the attacking Pokémon. They could merely cry out before the power-upped attack struck them. Only once the leaves faded did they fall to the ground, swirls in their eyes.

“Great job, Snivy!” Ash said. Snivy raised her head proudly as Ash recalled her to her Pokéball.

“Oh no!” one of the knight’s voice broke, “Come back to rest.”

They both recalled the Pokémon to their Pokéballs. The other glared venomously at the trainers, snarling, “You are monsters.”

Cheren just looked at them blankly, “Oh please, you’re the ones who challenged us to a battle.”

“Ash! Cheren!”

To the boys’ surprise Cilan and Lenora ran onto the scene.

Cilan continued, “We were at the edge of the city when we heard you all battling.”

“So this is where Lillipup lead you,” Lenora held a finger to her chin.

“Yes! It seems that Team Plasma followed the train tracks once leaving the city.

“So did you two find the skull?” Cilan asked.

Ash shrugged his shoulders in defeat, “No, only these two who just kept us busy.”

He jabbed a thumb towards the knights. One of them was crying into the Pokéball of their defeated Pokémon while the other stood firm in place.

Lenore smacked a fist into her palm, “Well, then we’ll just have to follow these tracks down further and find them all.”

“I don’t think you’ll find necessary, Gym Leader Lenora.”

To their shock, Rood emerged from the darkness, Team Plasma members in his tow and carrying the Dragonite skull with them.

…

“R1 to R2, R1 to R2.”

James remained on the roof. His was face was stiff in concentration as he typed away on the electronic keypad. On his screen was the schematics to the research station.

“Hacking successful,” he continued, “All relevant cameras are now playing looped footage and the security system is ready to be disabled at will.”

“Understood,” Jessie, the ‘R2’ in question, said, “Meowth, now.”

He nodded at her, and then slashed the air vent. It now broken, he moved it out of their way. He and Jessie slipped through and out of the vent system, Jessie carrying a rolling container behind her. They landed with hardly a sound on the building floors. There were a litany of items for study in the facility, surely these people wouldn’t miss one little meteonite.

Jessie stood proper, she pressed the side of her slick goggles. Not only were the red security lasers revealed to her, but quickly their target was identified. The rock was held captive in a glass case on a pedestal. Jessie spoke into her ear piece, “Target confirmed. Deactivate system.”

James typed as he spoke, “Consider it done. I’ll give you twenty seconds.”

“Ten would be more than enough,” Meowth said.

“Right, proceeding,” James said, “I’ll give you a count, three-”

Jessie and Meowth shifted into a running position.

“-two-”

They shared a confident glance.

“-one!”

The security lasers fazed off and Jessie and Meowth blasted off, Jessie shoving the container forward to keep pace with them. Meowth hit its top and it unfolded to reveal the decoy meteonite, indistinguishable from the real thing. Jessie swiped it into her hand, and then they both leaped to the air. Meowth landed on the meteonite’s pedestal. He grabbed ahold of the class dome and jumped directly up to the air with it. Jessie was right behind him. Her body twisted, her lower half rising to the air as her head faced the floor, allowing her the perfect position to take the mini-meteonite and leave the fake in its place in one clean motion. Her body kept its twist, letting her land on her feet as Meowth returned with the glass dome. He left it in its original place and then leaped to met Jessie.

Finally, the rolling container, momentum rapidly fading, stopped right in front of them. Jessie placed the meteonite inside and sealed it tight. The red lasers faded back on.

“Mission accomplished-”

“Who’s there?”

Jessie was cut off. A flashlight flickered from down the hall, Jessie and Meowth’s planned escape route. They shared a panicked look, the shaky light coming closer, and quickly hugged the wall, the walkway between them.

“James!” Jessie whisper-hissed into her ear piece, “You saw nothing about a night guard?”

James was in the middle of frantically flipping between screens, “There’s nothing about security personnel anywhere on here.”

“Well, figure something out, quickly!”

He was typing at lightning speed but finding no out. Meowth and Jessie grimaced at each other. They held their breath as the light only become closer and the night guard stepped through the walkway right next to them.

“I know I heard something in here-”

The man was cut off by a green haze directly at his own face. He made a sound of surprise and a statement of “What is this-!?” before his voice slurred. His body went limp, and directly to the floor.

“What was…?” Jessie trailed off. Both of the rocket’s eyes were wide.

“Foon!”

They looked to the floor. Staring back up at them was a rather happy mushroom Pokémon.

“...What is going on over there?” James asked.

…

“Foongus says they wanted to help you out after you gave it that yummy grub.”

Foongus nodded at Meowth’s translation. The rockets had returned to the roof. Despite the hiccup, their mission was a success, thanks to the tiny Pokémon. The little fella was currently being held in Jame’s hands.

“But how did you even get in there?” James asked.

“Foongus foon Foongus,” Foongus answered.

“It saw us sneak in and found a crack in the building to come in through.”

James looked back to the mushroom Pokémon. He smiled, “Well thank you quite a lot for saving our mission.”

“Foon!” they smiled.

James hummed in thought for a moment. He shifted Foongus to his left hand, making it tilt its head and ask, “Foon?”

With his free hand, James dug around in his pocket. He brought out a Pokéball, and held it out to Foongus.

“If you wish, you could join me in this escapade. What do you say?”

“Foongus!” Foongus nodded. He jumped, hitting the Pokéball’s button and popping it open. He was absorbed in red light. With a few shakes in his hand, the device dinged.

“Another Pokémon a part of the Rocket effort,” Meowth grinned.

“That, and the meteonite fragment secured,” Jessie held up the container, “I’m sure the boss will be quite pleased with us.”

Three all shared a grin. As of late, everything was turning up rocket, and they had no intentions of letting that change anytime soon.

…

“What are you doing, Rood?”

The air was stiff even after Lenora’s question.

Rood raised a hand, “I deeply apologize for my compatriots’s actions.”

Cheren squinted, “You what-”

He placed a hand to his chest, “They believed that holding the remains of a once free Pokémon for the observation of humans was an injustice. In the sudden event of the power outage and impulsively attempted to bring it to freedom.”

The group shared a glance between themselves.

Rood continued, “Of course, this act was improper and certainly disrespectful.” He chuckled for moment, “It took me a minute for old me to chance down these young folk but know they’d like to return the skull and apologize.”

He held out his arm to the knight beside him. They stepped forward, bringing the skull to Cheren’s hands. Despite his reservations, Cheren let the knight place the artifact in his grasp. The knight stepped back, and in unison with their fellow knights, bowed towards the four.

“We’re just supposed to accept you had a change of heart after two of you were beaten?” Cheren raised an eyebrow at him.

Rood gave a odd chuckle for a brief moment, “Oh, I simply did not have the chance to speak these two. They were only acting for the good of Pokémon, is that so unforgivable?”

Lenora put her hand on Cheren’s shoulder. He looked up at her, and she gave him a nod. Cheren sighed, and looked back at Rood.

“I suppose its not, but unfortunately we won’t be able to welcome any of you back to the museum.”

Rood bowed slightly, “Saddening, but understandable.”

He stood up, and turned to walk into the darkness.

“Come, everyone, there is nothing more for us here.”

The knights followed him. Soon enough, Ash, Cheren, Lenora, and Cilan were alone.

Cilan sighed, “I suppose we should be heading back.”

…

“They just gave it back?”

“Yes,” Cilan crossed his arms as he answered Iris’s question.

Back in the museum, Cheren was handing the skull over to Hawes. He gave a look over, and gave Cheren a nod.

“It’s real. Not even damaged surprisingly.”

Lenora sighed, “Well, thankfully things worked out as well as we could realistically ask.”

As the younger trainers gathered together to discuss the recent events, Hawes pulled Lenora away. He spoke in a hushed tone, “There is the issue of the missing exhibit.”

Lenora rubbed her temples, before looking over to the empty display case.

“Did we really not see what happened?”

Hawes shook his head no, regretfully.

She sighed, “Well, there doesn’t seem to be much of anything we can do about it right now.”

“So!” Lenora grasped her hands together, speaking up again to gather everyone’s attention, “With them out of our hair, I think it’s well time for our Gym to be up and running again.”

Ash and Pikachu both brighted, smiling wide.

Lenora pointed to them, “Ash, I expect you here bright and early tomorrow for a battle.”

He gave her a bold thumbs up, “You got it! Come on guys!”

“Ash Ketchum, slow down!” Iris said as he ran out of the door. She sighed, and she and Cilan went after him.

Lenora chuckled quietly at the display. Then, she shifted her focus to her apprentice, “Cheren?”

He snapped his head up in attention, walking up to met her, “Yes, Lenora?”

She smiled, “I’m proud of you for how you conducted yourself during this situation. You acted quickly, but not recklessly, and behaved rationally when it would be easy not to. You’ve taken our lessons well.”

Cheren smiled brightly, “Oh! Thank you. I just-”

She held a finger up, “However.”

He shrunk, “However?”

“There are things we alone cannot teach you here.”

Cheren’s face dropped, “Huh?” Hawes joined them, putting a hand on Lenora’s shoulder. The couple smiled at him.

“We’ve been thinking about this for a minute, honestly. Now we just know you’re ready,” he said.

“We want you to finish challenging Unova’s Gym,” Lenora said. Her voice was warm, “You’ve learned a lot here, but you need to experience more than this routine, meet more people than whoever visits the Gym.”

Hawes adjusted his glasses, “We think those experiences will teach you how to be the best Gym Leader you can be.”

Cheren stood there in silence for moment. His gaze concentrated on the ground.

“...Cheren?” Hawes asked.

He hummed with a nod of his head. His eyes met Lenora’s and Hawes’s.

He cracked a grin, “Okay, I’ll do it! If you think it’ll make me ready to be a Gym Leader, I’ll take on any challenge you give me.”

The couple shared a glance, and then smiled.

…

The sun rose over Nacrene City. The Pokémon welcomed by the night scurried into hiding, the Pidove started to chip, and the city art g with life. The sunglow stretched to the Pokémon Center, reaching through its windows.

The light hit Ash’s face, and he jumped awake out of bed like a wrecking ball, “Gym time!”

Pikachu, who had been thrown to the ground by all that, responded very indignantly with a glaring, “Pika Pika!”

…

Finally, Cilan and Iris kept up with Ash’s rush to the Gym. Though, this time they were interrupted by Cheren stepping onto the road just outside the building. He had a a khaki backpack slung over his shoulder.

“Oh, good morning to you all,” he greeted.

“Cheren?” Cilan asked.

“What are you doing?” Iris finished.

He pushed up his glasses, “Well you see, I’m off to finish taking on the Unova League. I’ll give me exactly the experience I need to reach my goal.”

“My, that’s wonderful!” Cilan said.

“Maybe we’ll see you again then!” Iris smiled.

“Totally, good luck to you, Cheren!” Ash grinned.

“Well, same to you as well,” he said, “Be careful, or you’ll be losing to be me in the league.”

“Hah! You wish,” Ash pumped a fist into the air. Pikachu copied him, “Pika!”

The doors to the museum swung open, Lenora stepping out.

“Good to see you’re here, Ash!” she said, “Ready to get this challenge going?”

He gasped, “Oh! You bet!” He run up to the steps, throwing a wave over his shoulder, “See you later, Cheren!”

“Safe travels!” Iris added, waving with Cilan.

Cheren returned the wave to them all, shaking his head in amusement before walking opposite to were our trio had entered the city, starting his travels to his next destination.

With a run in with Team Plasma over, new friends met, and the sun shining, Ash is taking on his second Gym Battle. Will he emerge victorious? Find out…

Far, far way, N grazed his fingers over the white stone, humming a low tune to it. His eyes did not leave it.

…as the journey continues.

#pokemon bw rewritten #pokemon best wishes #ash ketchum #pokeani #pokeani fanfiction

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