Its a Whole New World We Live In

by BookWyvernWolf

Summary:

When performing human transmutation to get Al back, instead of trading his alchemy, Ed is sent to another world. One with magic animals running around. He at least has a guide, a kid with tired eyes, like his.

Ash Ketchum has just arrived in the Kalos region when he meets a boy with eyes older than his and no idea and no idea how the world works. At least he doesn't seem like he wants to hurt anyone.

 

Obviously, they become best friends.

Notes:

Hey so, this is just an excuse for me to put two of my favourite characters together and shake them around, so don't take it too seriously.

Chapter 1: A Life For A Life (kind of)

a life in this world for a life in this world makes much more sense, don’t you think?

“Huh?” Ed blinks.

you are correct in all of your assessments of the Gate. The Truth tells him. and it is also True your Life's Passion for your Life's Purpose is equivalent. however, for your brother to continue to live his life in this world, i think it's fairer that you aren’t able to. i'll take you and put you somewhere else, Alchemy intact, and put your brother back.

Ed wants to yell, wants to scream about the unfairness of it all. Wants to beg to be in the same world as his baby brother. But he’s too tired. Everything aches, and his soul itself still hurts from fighting Pride. As long as Al is alive and in his body with their family friends, he’ll take whatever he’s dished.

“Will he know what happened to me?” Ed asks, quietly, and the Truth cocks its head, considering.

i think so. it won’t do either of us to have him lose himself in an attempt to bring you back from a place where you are not. It is silent for a moment for, and then. i will have to take your arm back for this. I will return your automail completely as it was before you fought the dwarf.

“Thank you.” Ed murmurs because he’s so tired and can’t do anything else.

They stand together, in the void before Ed’s Gate, and the Truth says:

remember, Alchemist - be thou art for the people. that will help you in your new world.

And Ed is dragged through his Gate.

---

Ash has made his first friend in Kalos.

Though maybe he doesn’t count, because he’s definitely not from Kalos, and he’s already friends with Alexa. But Ash thinks he counts, and that’s what matters.

Anyway, new friend!

Edward, he’d called himself. He doesn’t speak any language Ash recognizes - and he knows a lot of languages. Especially now that he’s traveled through six regions. What he does speak sounds, to Ash’s ears, like a mix of Kalosian, Galrain, and something else that he hasn’t heard spoken before. So their conversations are a mix of mime and pointing.

Edward is... probably not from this world. At least, that’s what the feeling in Ash’s gut says, and Ash has a pretty good gut when it comes to things like this. His eyes are like Ash’s - far too old and tired for his youthful face. They’re even the same age! Almost, Ash still has a month to go.

His Aura looks a little weird too, but Ash doesn’t actually know how to do much more than see the Auras and the tether’s between people, so he’s not sure if that’s a ‘from another world thing’ or not.

Ed’s aura is, for the most part, bright blue - like Zekrom’s lightning - and gold - like Uxie’s head. The only bits that aren’t are his right arm and left leg, which are a bright, swirling white that spreads like splinters up to where his brain is. Ash has no idea what any of that means, but it’s interesting nevertheless.

He doesn’t seem like he wants to hurt people, though, and Pikachu doesn’t seem to mind him, so Ash thinks he’s gotten pretty lucky with His First Friend In Kalos.

“A library would probably help.” He tries, first in Galarian, then in Kalosian. At the shake of a head, he gestures to the bookshelf on the wall of the Pokémon Center they’re sitting in. Understanding flashes in Ed's golden eyes, and interest. He makes a ‘go on’ gesture.

“We’ll find one.” Ash says, “You can stay here at night. I’ll book you in for tonight. I’ve got something to do -” He’s not explaining the gym challenge. Not with the language barrier. It will take too long. “I’ll meet you here tomorrow morning?” He repeats it again in Galarian, but pauses halfway through when Ed shakes his head. He understood enough to get the gist.

Ash gestures for Edward to follow, and Pikachu jumps up onto his shoulder, chirping. He pushes himself up and wanders after him. Ash leads them over to the huge map of Lumiose on the wall of the Pokémon Center, and notices how Ed stiffens as he stares at it.

The shape of a city isn’t the weirdest thing to freak out about; Ash himself gets jumpy whenever the weather takes an unexpected turn for the worse (side effect of both Shamoutii and almost freezing to death that one time. He doesn’t hate his life, because he has so many friends and loves them all too much to hate the life that brought them together, but sometimes it’s a close thing.) He just points to the library, which, thank Arceus, is nearby, and drags his New Friend towards it and away from the map.

They part ways at the library because Ash has a gym to fight, and he shoves some money into Edward’s hands. “For food.” He says, and when Ed looks like he’s about to argue, continues, “I have so much money. Just take it.”

He’s got a gym to battle, after all!

Or not.

Several hours, an electrocution, two new friends, a Team Rocket encounter, and meeting Professor Sycamore later, he’s almost forgotten about Ed.

He feels incredibly bad, but Froakie’s still healing up, and he thinks Ed will understand. The older boy seemed reasonable. Maybe - Ash is good at understanding people, not reading them.

Then Team Rocket shows up again, and Garchomp is on a rampage, and he’s throwing himself off Prism Tower to save Pikachu, and himself being saved by Mega Blaziken, and he passes out in his Pokémon Center rented bed, exhausted.

---

Serena stares at the TV screen, because she knows that boy.

At least, she thinks she does. The eyes and hair look the same, and she swears the voice sounded the same as it had all those years ago - if, slightly older.

She stares, until her mother hollers that dinner is ready, and she gets up, grumbling and groaning as she goes, because all her mother is going to talk about is Ryhorn racing.

She glances back to the television, still reporting on the Garchomp rampage in Lumiose City, and Professor Sycamore is asked to make a statement.

She narrows her eyes, and an idea forms in her head.

“Maman?” She asks, poking at her steak “Would you... could I, maybe, uh...” she trails off, unsure how to ask.

“Could you what, Serena?” Her mother prompts, gently. Serena takes a bite and chews, then asks.

“Could I go on a Pokémon Journey? Go to Lumiose and get a starter, travel Kalos...”

She trails off, suddenly unsure. Does she really want to do this? Is it a spur of the moment thing, it might not even be Ash.

“If that is what you want to do.” Her mother says, slowly, carefully “Then I will support you.”

Serena frowns, “I’m sensing a but...”

“This seems very sudden.” She is informed You’ll sleep on it today, and if you feel the same tomorrow, you can go.”

Serena smiles up at her mother “Yes maman!”

“Now eat your steak. You’ll want your protein if your going to be any good at Ryhorn racing!”

She groans into her dinner. Its always Ryhorn Racing.

Chapter 2: New Friends Are Important. Ask anyone.

Summary:

Ed meets his Partner Pokémon

Notes:

Suspend your disbelief when it comes to the language thing please.

Ed has done his best to get the gist of this world as fast as possible. Never has he ever been more grateful for his above-average intelligence, because picking up a new language - albeit one that has similarities to Amestrian - is not a quick or easy task.

He focuses on it, listening to Ash talk, watching him mime, and trying to pair up the noises he makes to the ones that Ed knows.

Ash is a weird kid. His eyes are tired in the way Ed’s are, but he’s so cheery in an intense way that makes the hair on the back of his neck stick up. He’s also, seemingly, made it his mission to help Ed - a person he found in a literal dumpster (because the limb-stealing bastard had a sense of humor) out in between what he’s been doing himself - the Gym Challenge, whatever that was. He reminds Ed of Al, back when they were kids and everything was bright and happy - that cheerfulness and need to help. It makes something in his chest hurt.

Maybe he was trying to keep an eye on Ed. He’s pretty sure the other kid knows he’s not from this world - he’d done a very bad job at hiding it from him, specifically. But he’s not getting the sense that Ash is trying to do anything other than be a decent person, and Ed’s pretty good at getting a sense of people, no matter what anyone else says.

While he’s at the Library that Ash led him to before he ran off - shoving some money into his hands for food - he cracks down on as many books as he can find. He’s not fluent in the language by the time he resurfaces from his reading-induced apathy, but he can string together a sentence and get meaning from someone else.

He wanders around the city to stretch his legs and stops at a cafe, lured by the smell of food. He stares at the pastries and buys the cheapest one he can get for the money Ash has given him. He starts wandering back to the library and almost trips over a small, green, and white creature.

“Shit, sorry.” He coughs, turning then frowning.

Right. Pokémon.

He’d done some reading on them, because they seemed to be everywhere. Ash had a yellow, overgrown mouse-looking thing he called ‘Pikachu’, and the librarian who’d directed him to the language section of the library had a purple cat with a split tail she’d called ‘Espeon’.

He looks over the little one. Green helmet-thing with pink horns. Little white body that looks kind of like a dress.

“Raaa.” It murmurs, shying away from him.

“Sorry.” He says again, because the poor thing looks terrified. “Look, here.” He hands his half-eaten pastry to it. “I’ve eaten some of it, but it should still be good. Unless you can’t eat pastries, then I’d look real fucking stupid.”

“Ra?” It murmurs, taking the food. It looks at the pastry for a moment, then breaks it in half and hands the eaten bit back to Ed.

“Oh.” Ed blinks, takes it, and bites into it. “Uh, thanks?”

He watches the little Pokémon - and he needs to learn what it's called - as it munches on the pastry, then looks up at him.

“You all good?” He asks, “Nothin’ hurt?”

He’s speaking Amestrian, and he wonders if the little Kalosian Pokémon understands what he’s saying. Maybe they’re like normal animals, and they hear and sense the meaning rather than the words themselves.

“Ralts!” It chirps, and Ed gets a sense that it’s happy.

“Okay, cool.” He sighs, standing up, “That’s good. I gotta’ go now, glad you're okay.”

And he turns and leaves.

He pretends not to see it out of the corner of his eyes for the rest of the day, peering out behind shelves and table legs. Then, when he makes his way back to the Pokémon Center, he loses sight of it entirely. He feels... a little lonely, but he can’t place why.

He settles with the tablet the Librarian had given him - “Free with every Library Card!” He’d eventually deciphered “Can’t have young Pokémon trainers running around without a way to borrow books, can we?” He’d grinned and laughed with her, then borrowed every book on what the ever-loving fuck Pokémon Trainers were - and was about to look up what the little Pokémon that was stalking him was, when the news turned on.

Rampaging Garchomp, he translates, internally, kid climbing up Prism tower- holy fuck is that Ash?

So apparently, his new friend/guide is either an insanely competent fifteen-year-old, just flat out insane, or has no self-preservation. As a former insanely competent fifteen-year-old - currently insanely competent sixteen-year-old - he’s pretty sure it's all three. He’s proven right when the kid jumps off the giant tower.

He keeps a laser eye on the TV to make sure that the flaming comet - another Pokémon, he presumes - actually saves his new friend (his friend something in him screams, then damn Greed rubbed off on me) - then he stumbles up to his room to pass out.

He manages to hound Ash down in the morning, “I watched the news.” He says, fiercely, “Off a building?”

“I had to save Pikachu,” Ash says, ignoring the mouse in question, slapping his head with its tail.

Ed feels his eyes soften because the unrepentant tone is so familiar, and he is hardly one to judge. He shakes his head to make his disapproval known, but leaves it.

“Are you heading back to the Library?” Ash asks, and Ed shakes his head again, holding up the tablet.

“They showed me how to work it.”

“Then you can come with me!” Ash cheers, “I’ve gotta’ meet with Clemont and Bonnie at Sycamores' lab.”

Ed blinks, frowns, then nods. Sure. He might as well.

---

Ash walks with Ed in the direction of Sycamore’s lab. He’d mentioned him to Clemont and Bonnie, saying that he was traveling with someone, which was why he couldn’t stay the night, and Sycamore had insisted he bring his friend over in the morning.

Ash was just happy he got to do it - both of them could do with a Pokedex, and Sycamore could (maybe) set Ed up with a starter.

Ed would be a good fit for Froakie. Ash muses. They’ve both got an air of confidence about them. Plenty of attitude and a good heart under it all. But then again, Ed was probably too inexperienced in battling for the water-types' taste.

They’re about halfway to the lab when Pikachu starts sparking.

“What is it, bud?” He asks, turning. Ed does too, slipping into a practiced defensive stance that gives Ash a very slight pause, because for a moment Ed looks dangerous. Then he blinks, and the feeling is gone.

“Hello, you.” He mutters, catching sight of the Ralts following them. He crouches down, and Ralts comes running up to him, crying a little delighted “Ra!”

“You’ve met?” Ash asks, curious, delighted. Because Pokémon don’t just stalk random people for no reason. Mostly.

“Mm,” Ed hums, “Yesterday, Library.” He mutters a bit in his language, then says, “Ate with it. Her? Him?”

“You shared your food? Ash prompts. Pikachu is still on his shoulder, picking up on his excitement. He can’t, but Ash can see it. The slow creeping of a Bond Tether towards Ed from Ralts. He’s been here for one day.

“Yes.” Ed murmurs, “It's been following me since. I don’t...” he frowns, clearly not knowing the words. But Ash can put it together because he’s good at this. Edward showed a small Pokémon a kindness he didn’t have to, the psychic type reciprocated and decided it wanted a trainer, and this one specifically.

Ash himself has never trained a psychic type, but he knows they’re always more certain in who they want to train them, especially telepathic and empathetic inclined ones.

“You should catch it, ” Ash says, because Ed would seem less suspicious as a 16-year-old if he had a Pokémon already. Because Ralts clearly wants to follow Ed wherever he goes. The tether glows between them, as it curls into Ed’s aura, colouring the white cracks a faint lavender, for a moment.

He frowns and looks up at Ash, “Catch?”

“mhm.” Ash nods, “Did you read up on-”

“Catching. Battle Circuit. Yes.” Ed hums, brow furrowing, “Are you sure?” That’s directed at him, then he blinks and looks at Ralts. “Do you want to be caught?”

Ash’s heart swells.

Ed has been in this world for a single day, and he’s also grasping something that takes most trainers their entire adolescence to learn. The Pokémon's opinions are just as valid as yours. If the Pokémon doesn’t want to be with you, then you shouldn’t force it.

Pikachu coos, clearly approving as well, even if he can’t see the glowing tether between the two of them.

“Ra...” The Ralts says shyly, moving closer. Ed frowns, “I don’t have a- the- Pokeball.”

Ash had been buzzing, because this is exciting! This is wonderful! He can actually teach someone how to battle and train - he’d almost gotten there with May before she’d decided to be a co-ordinator, and Dawn had accepted some help back in the beginning (not that he’d ever begrudge his friends their Dreams. His is so important to him to do that to someone else.) He has to stop, though, because he hasn’t picked up any since arriving in Kalos either.

“We’re going to Sycamore’s lab anyway, and he’ll be able to get you some Pokéballs and a Pokédex.” Ed blinks up at him, and Ash wonders if he was speaking too fast, but then he looks down as Ralts hugs his leg. He sighs, “Lab. Yes.”

Ralts floats itself up to Ed's shoulder as he stands and settles, hanging off and hiding itself under his long golden hair. It’s down, which presumably makes it much easier.

They arrive only a little later than they meant to, which Ash counts as a win, because he’s so rarely on time for anything. He notes Ed eyeing the books on the shelves jealously, and thinks about how he’d compared the gold in Ed’s Aura to the gold of Uxie’s head.

“Ah, Ash! Bonjour!” Professor Sycamore calls from the banister, where he’s speaking with Clemont and Bonnie. Ash startles because he hadn’t noticed them, and Pikachu immediately ditches him to go say hi to Bonnie. He grins and waves back up at the three of them, “Is this your friend?”

“Yeah, This is Edward.” Ash says, “He doesn’t speak a lot of Kalosian yet, so we’re sticking together for now!” Which isn’t far from the truth, not really. He hopes they stick together afterwards, too. Statistically, a voice that sounds like Max’s mutters in the back of his head if he sticks around you, he’s bound to find out how to get home.

Ed is stiff as he waves, eyeing Professor Sycamore’s lab coat. Which is great, they can bond over a natural distrust of scientists! “Bonjorr“

“Bonjour.” Sycamore corrects, gently, “It is fantastic to meet you, Edward!” his eyes are soft and kind, and makes Ash think of Professor Oak, back when he was younger.

“Call me Ed.” He says, and Ash watches as he slides into a skin that looks more personable, more easygoing. Huh.

“That’s Clemont and Bonnie. They saved my butt yesterday.” Ash gestures. Ed nods, eyeing each person critically, Ralts clinging to his soon-to-be trainer's leg. “Like I said, Ed.”

Clemont waves, flushing a little for some reason, and Bonnie bounds down the stairs to crash into Ash and give him a quick hug and introduce herself. Ralts hides itself in Ed’s long Red coat, and Pikachu laughs at him, the traitor.

“Ed’s not a trainer yet, and Ralts,” Ash explains, quickly, nodding at the little psychic type, “Has gotten very attached to him. I was just bringing him ‘cause you told me to, but...”

“Ah, yes!” Sycamore smiles, and that is a man who loves his job. It reminds him of Professor Birch’s enthusiasm, “Ed, Ralts, follow me, I shall get you set up! The rest of you, meet me when you are done conversing.”

Ed and Ralts trail after the Professor, and Ash walks over to Clemont with Bonnie on his tail, and “Hey Froakie!” He crouches down, and the little frog croaks at him.

“You feeling better?” He asks, “And is Garchomp okay?” He directs that last at Clemont.

“Tired.” The boy tells him, “But okay. Cosette says that she was concerned when you weren’t here this morning. She thought she’d hurt you.”

“We’d better go say hi then!” Ash grins, lifting Froakie up and feeling warm when the water-type settles. “C’mon!”

---

Serena frowns, looking between her two favourite hats. She needs to pick one given that its recommended to only take a small bag on your journey, and she’s already stuffed her Makeup bag, travel baking supplies and sewing kit into hers, but she can’t quite decide...

“Serena?” Her mother calls, and opens her door “If you want to get to Lumiose before night, you’ll want to leave soon. What on Xerneas’ green earth is taking you so long?”

“Mère, which hat should I wear?” she spins around, showing off each hat. “This one, or.... this one!”

“hmmmm....” her mother looks between the two offered hats. “I like this one best.”

“Okay!” Serena smiles at her, placing the other one on her head.

“If you knew which one you wanted, why did you ask for my opinion?” her mother asks, frowning, and Serena grins at her, cheekily.

“Because I knew whichever one you didn’t pick was cuter!”

Her mother looks entirely unamused “I see...”

About an hour later, she’s walking away from Vaniville town, up the path towards Aquacorde town, waving at her mother as she calls reminders about practicing her Ryhorn racing. Hah, as if.

She makes it to Aquacorde at by around midday and stops at one of the many cafes for lunch.

“From here,” she finds herself saying aloud “I have to go through the Aquacorde half on Santelune Forest, skipping the city entirely, so that I can get to Lumiose today.”

Sycamore’s lab will likely be closed to visitors by then, but her mother gave her enough funds to book a night at a hotel before she got her trainer ID and could stay at a Pokemon Centre for free.

So, more walking it is. Her feet already ache.

Serena finishes her lunch and thanks the waitress, before setting off once again.

Chapter 3: The Older Brother Struggle

Summary:

Ed and Clemont are both older brothers. Also, Clemont's pretty gay here.

Professor Sycamore leads Ed and Ralts to a different room in the Lab. Ed wants so badly to crack into the books on the shelves he’s seeing, but he has a sneaking suspicion he wouldn’t understand a lot of it. Not yet, at least.

“Here we are!” Sycamore opens the door to an office area and pulls a brown messenger bag off a shelf. “I’m sure you’re aware of all of this, but I am supposed to go over this for every trainer I hand these out to. Let me know if you don’t understand what I’m saying, and I’ll go from there. Ralts might be able to help.”

Ed nods, frowning. Ralts coos, and he feels a little... nudge is the only word he can describe it, what he feels in his brain. Right. Psychic type.

“I give something like this bag to every new trainer. In it, there is a Pokedex and a Holocaster in the front pocket here.” He flips it open to reveal a thin red square device and a blue device attached to a lanyard. “We used to give out Pokegear, but since Lysander Labs started sponsoring my research,” he gestures with the lanyard, and hands them both devices to Ed.

A small, timid voice accompanies the next nudge, translating the words Ed doesn’t understand into Amestrain in his head. He puts the holocaster around his neck and looks at the Pokedex, yelping when it slides up into a rectangle.

Please input full name:

A keyboard appears on the screen, and Ed, after an encouraging nod from Professor Sycamore, types in ‘Edward Elric’.

Trainer Registered.

The device shrinks back into a square.

“You just point that at a Pokémon, and it will give you information about it.”

Ed blinks and points it at Ralts.

Ralts. The Feeling Pokémon. A Psychic and Fairy Type. It is highly attuned to the emotions of people and Pokémon. It hides if it senses hostility. If its horns capture the warm feelings of people or Pokémon, its body warms up slightly.

Information about abilities and moves appears on the screen, and Ed decides he’ll ask Ash to walk him through it later.

“In here, there is a town map and a set of Go-goggles, should you travel somewhere with heavy rain, snow or in the middle of a sandstorm.” Sycamore pulls each item out and places it back into the bag. “Each trainer begins with ten Pokéballs, and there are some potions, and in this berry pouch are some Lum berries, which heal status conditions.”

He hands the bag over to Ed, and he slings it over his shoulder, sliding the Pokedex into one of his pockets, next to his watch.

“Usually, I give a new trainer the option between three starters - Froakie, Fenniken, and Chespin. However, you have already bonded with Ralts here, so instead,” Professor Sycamore hands Ed a Pokéball, full-sized.

“You can use this one to catch it.”

Ed takes it, saying “Thank you, Professor”, and crouches down to be somewhat level with Ralts. He holds out the Pokéball, and the psychic type puts its hand on the button in the middle.

He starts when the ball opens, and Ralts turns into a mass of energy, going inside. The Pokéball shakes once, then there is a click.

Ed stares at it for a long moment, then presses the button again. Ralts appears in a glow of energy and throws itself at Ed’s leg.

“Fantastic!” Professor Sycamore says, delighted, “You are all set! Let’s go to the others now. I assume they will be with Garchomp.”

The Professor leads them to an outdoor area at the back of the lab, where all sorts of Pokémon are fluttering around. Ed recognises exactly none of them, and holds his Pokedex up to one who looks like three honeycombs stuck together.

Combee. The Tiny Bee Pokémon. A Bug and Flying Type. The trio has been together from birth. It constantly gathers honey from flowers to please Vespiquen. It collects and delivers honey to its colony. At night, they cluster to form a beehive and sleep.

Ash spins around from where he’s petting the large purple land-shark looking Pokémon - Garchomp, he recalls, from last night.

“Ed! You got a Pokedex! Which means that you’ve also caught Ralts, right? That’s awesome. C’mon, I’ve gotta introduce you.”

Ed tenses when Ash grabs his right wrist, half because being touched so suddenly is weird, and half because he’s nervous he’ll have to explain the automail. He’s been mostly focused on learning Kalosian and what the ever-loving fuck Pokémon were, then what the prosthetics technology was in this world. Given the advanced nature of technology here, he wouldn’t be surprised if something akin to automail existed. But he wasn’t about to accidentally admit to having a prosthetic that doesn’t exist.

Don’t reveal all your cards until absolutely necessary. Hawkeye had told him, back when he first joined the military. Your automail is nothing to be ashamed of, but it could very easily be a secret weapon in a dangerous situation.

Ed, who had been raised by the combined badassery of Trisha Elric, Sarah Rockbelle, Pinako Rockbelle, and Izumi Curits, had always respected Hawkeye’s opinion more than the Bastard, who had given him the exact same not advice two hours before.

His nerves are unfounded, because Ash doesn’t seem to notice, tugging him over to the group gathered around Garchomp. Ralts timidly steps out towards the small blue frog Pokémon near Garchomp's foot. It doesn’t seem to care beyond what Ed can only describe as a polite “Froak.” The young girl - Bonnie - crouches down and chirps excitedly, “Hi! I’m Bonnie!”

“Raa...” Ralts murmurs, shyly, but seems to like her enough to allow itself to be picked up.

“Big Brother, look!” Bonnie cheers, and Ed is reminded painfully of Nina. Of Elicia. Bonnie’s older than the two of them combined (older than Nina will ever be), but for a moment, a strange mix of the two is all he can see.

“Bonnie.” Clemont sighs, exasperated, and turns to Ed, presumably to apologise, before he chokes up slightly, and his face goes bright red. In his peripheral vision, Ed notes that Sycamore has moved away to talk with two other people in lab coats. His assistants, maybe?

After a moment of staring, and Ash crouching down next to Bonnie, the two talking a mile a minute, Ed goes to talk, but hesitates, searching for the word. Ralts’ horn glows slightly, and the timid voice from before translates what he wants to say into Kalosian for him.

“Do I have something on my face?”

Clemont squeaks, “No! No- I uh - Sorry. About my sister. She’s really excitable, and really likes Pokémon-”

“As long as Ralts is okay with it, she can hug all she wants,” Ed says, after the quiet because Ralts is its own Pokémon, and Ed knows how siblings are (Al. Nina. Elicia. His heart burns. He’s a terrible older brother).

Clemont settles, but only slightly, and holds out his hand. “Ash introduced us earlier, but, uh, I’m Clemont. My sister’s Bonnie, and over there’s Bunelby.” He points at a brown and grey rabbit taking a nap in a patch of sunlight next to Pikachu.

“Edward. Or Ed.” He says taking it “You’ve met Ralts.”

Clemont flushes again, nodding.

“What’s the plan, then?” Ed asks Ash, “’cause you're doing the... gym challenge, right? You mentioned that on the way here.”

“Right!” Ash nods from where he’s sitting. Garchomp has buried its head in its lap, and the blue frog is sitting on the larger Pokémon’s head. “I wanted to challenge the Lumiose Gym first, but you need four badges under pain of electrocution.” What. Clemont flinches, which is... interesting. “So I’m gonna head to Santelune and see if Alexa’s sister is back, and challenge her first. Then I’ll figure it out from there.”

He grins at them, “You’re all welcome to come, if you want!”

It's such a sincere offer that Ed is slightly taken aback. But he’s nothing if not good at re-adjusting. “I’m still learning Kalosian.” He points out. “And Ralts can only do so much.” He also wants to stick with the only person he actually somewhat knows in this new world.

“We’ll come!!” Bonnie cheers, and Clemont squawks, but doesn’t disagree.

---

It’s three hours after Clemont meets Edward for the first time. They’re sitting outside the Pokémon Center, waiting for Ash to register for the Kalos League.

“Would you register, Ed?” He asks, trying not to stare at the way the leather around his legs makes his muscles incredibly obvious. “For the league.”

“Maybe.” Ed shrugs, eyes fixed on the guide on his tablet, where is has some care tips for psychic-type Pokémon. “I’ll watch Ash’s match in Santelune and decide then.”

Clemont hums, keeping a quiet eye on Bonnie, who is lying on her stomach with Ralts and Bunelby on the ground. It's a little strange because at 16, Ed should probably know if he’s interested in battling or not. But that’s a pretty personal thing to focus on, so he shouldn’t ask about that.

“How’d you and Ralts meet?” He asks because that doesn’t seem too personal. Just a genuine inquiry.

“I wasn’t looking where I was going and almost tripped over him,” Ed explains, leaning back and stretching. Clemont tries not to be too obvious when he looks away. “I gave him some of my pastry, and he started stalking me. Ash noticed and insisted we stick together.”

Clemont hums again. He thinks of Shinx and wonders how he is. Wonders if he’s forgiven Clemont for leaving and not coming back. He shakes his head and turns to look back at Edward.

He’s only two years older than Clemont, but Ed is slightly shorter. Ed’s hair is golden, compared to the regular blonde of him and Bonnie. His eyes are a striking gold, and so are his freckles, under the sun.

Clemont feels a little plain, sitting next to him.

“Hey Ed, if you're sixteen, how come you haven’t gone on a Journey yet?” Bonnie asks, pushing herself up to sit.

“Bonnie!” Clemont admonishes, despite his own curiosity, because he has suddenly decided that it is personal. And besides, Clemont hasn’t been on a Journey yet either. He’d been busy with school, then he’d become a gym leader and was planning on waiting for Bonnie to be ten. He guesses that if he sticks with Ash and Ed beyond Santelune - beyond figuring out how to get his gym back - this will count.

“Don’t worry about it.” Ed tells him, “I get what little siblings are like.” Then he turns to Bonnie, “I’ve always had other stuff going on in my life, and it just... didn’t happen.”

“Until now!” She gasps, stars in her eyes “’cause you came here and met Ash and Pikachu and Ralts?”

Ed laughs a little. “Exactly.”

She’s so pleased by the answer, she goes right back to lying on the floor with Bunelby and Ralts.

“You have a younger sister?” Clemont asks, because that’s what he’s decided to focus on, instead of the way the Ed leant forward in the sunlight made his hair blaze gold and his eyes sparkle.

“Brother.” Ed corrects “And my... guardians’ friend has a daughter, and she calls me big brother.”

Clemont nods, “Then you’d be good with kids, huh?”

Ed makes a face, but doesn’t answer because Ash comes bounding out of the Pokémon Center with Pikachu on one shoulder and Froakie on the other, waving a badge case. Clemont feels a little swoop in his stomach at the blinding grin.

He feels terrible every time he looks at Ash, because it is his fault that the older boy got electrocuted by his robot in his gym. He hopes, when he plucks up the courage to tell them about this, he can be forgiven.

“Registration, get!” Ash cheers, and Bonnie leaps up off the ground with a grin, making a “duh duh duh duh!”

“Are you sure you’re okay with us coming with you?” Clemont asks, a sudden burst of anxiety in his gut. “Not that we’ll be in the way! Or anything. But- you know.”

“Of course!” Ash frowns, “We’re friends, yeah? And a Journey’s always more fun with friends!”

Clemont flushes, because they’ve known each other for a day, but Ed raises an eyebrow, and Bonnie looks so hopeful, and Ash’s face has gone from beaming confidence to a tentative concern. And Clemont is a weak man.

“Of course.” He smiles. Bonnie whoops and grabs Ash’s hand to tug him along. Ed walks in step with Clemont after them.

“Good choice.” Ed murmurs to him, “I think you’d regret it if you stayed here. And Bonnie’s certainly happy about travelling.”

Clemont startles and thinks about the first half of that statement. He finds that he agrees. Then he says, from one older sibling to another, “Isn’t that what it's all about?”

Ed smiles back at him, something very tired in his eyes.

---

Serena stumbles into Lumiose with aching feet, looking at her town map as it downloads the most recent data for the largest city in Kalos. She is eternally grateful for the closeness of the nearest hotel with decent reviews when it loads, a place called The Lunar Horn, because she’s been walking all day.

The owner, a kindly looking person in their seventies with a Delcatty asleep on their desk, whose name-tag reads Madam Camille Calvet, welcomes her with a laugh “New trainer are you? I swear, you youngsters make up half my business.”

Serena smiles politely back at her, and hands over the money for a single nights stay. ““I am, yes.”

“Good timing on your part, arriving today.” Madam Calvet tells her, handing over the room keys ““Just yesterday some crooks broke into Professor Sycamore’s lab and dosed his Garchomp with some chemical that increased aggression. I didn’t understand most of the science talk, but it sounded like the poor thing was in a great deal of pain. And there was that boy who climbed the tower to calm her down! Now if my grandson had that drive, he’d be doing something with himself, rather than rotting in his mother’s basement.”

“Lucky me.” Serena agrees, voice a little weak “Do you think the Professor’s lab will be open tomorrow?”

“Certain of it.” Madam Calvet nods “Once, about five years ago, a Kangaskhan punched a hole through the side of the building, and it was open all through reconstruction.”

“Well that’s good.” Serena breathes ““Thank you, Madam Calvet.”

“No worries, deary.” The old lady pats her on the back. “May Cresselia watch your slumber.”

Notes:

I've got a pretty good idea of what I want Ed's team to be, but I am open to suggestions.

Chapter 4: Do I want you, or do I want to be you?

Summary:

The gang begin making their way to Santelune City. Serena gets two steps closer to meeting Ash again.

The path to Santelune, down route four, isn’t supposed to be a long one. There’s a garden with Flabébé and Budew running around just outside the city, and both Ash and Ed are staring. Clemont supposes neither has seen a Flabébé before; they’re not very common in Eastern regions, where Ash is from.

Ed raises his Pokedex to one.

Flabébé. The Single Bloom Pokémon. A pure Fairy type. It draws out and controls the hidden power of flowers. The flower Flabébé holds is most likely part of its body. When it finds a flower it likes, it dwells on that flower its whole life long. It floats in the wind's embrace with an untroubled heart.

“Fairy type.” Ed murmurs, “Like you.” He glances at Ralts.

“The Fairy type is a pretty recent discovery.” Clemont says, unable to stop himself, “Their type energy is really similar to normal and psychic, see? It was only recently that technology got advanced enough to differentiate it.”

Ed turns to him, eyes sharp, “Type energy?”

“Yeah. Think - what we call ‘types’ is a sort of energy that the Pokémon gives off.” Clemont explains, “Each Pokémon gives off an energy that corresponds to a point on an 18 by 18 plane. We used to think it was 17 by 17, but then the fairy type was discovered.”

Ed hums, and Clemont immediately feels self-conscious. He probably didn’t want to hear all of that.

“It's so cool!” Ash gushes, energy to blinding and infectious that Clemont automatically feels better for it, “We keep on finding out new things about Pokémon - like Professor Sycamore’s studying Mega Evolution, and the Fairy type. And new Pokémon are constantly being discovered!”

“Really?” Ed asks. He looks at Clemont, though, and he gratefully takes the chance to talk.

“Documented is perhaps the better term. Because most of the Pokémon that are ‘discovered’ as such are revived fossils, myths turning out to be real, or Pokémon from newly league-associated regions. Galar and Paldea, for example, have only recently signed on to being a part of the ILA, and as such, a lot of Pokémon native to those regions have been newly documented in other regions that never really had cause to include them in their Pokedex.”

Ash and Ed both stare at him, naked enthusiasm on Ash’s and an intense interest on Ed’, and Clemont flushes. Before he can apologise for rambling, Bonnie leaps up, “My brother is so smart! He’s got all these rules and regulations memorised, it's so cool.”

Ed smiles at her, “It must be awesome, having someone so smart as an older brother.”

Clemont squeaks, and his expression must be particularly funny because Ash snorts at him.

“It is! Except for when he’s being an idiot, and that happens all the time.” Bonnie glares at him, and Ed laughs.

They continue until they leave the garden and enter the actual meat of route four. wild Ladyba flutter around, and a Skitty runs across the path.

“Ralts is probably from around here somewhere.” Clemont tells Ed, “There have been sightings of wild Ralts along Route Four and in the Garden for years now.”

Ed looks down at Ralts, who is floating down by his elbow. The psychic type whines a little and moves closer to his elbow. “I don’t think we’ll be looking for them.” Ed murmurs, and Clemont grimaces.

As they walk, a tree shakes and something small tumbles out, landing on the ground. A Dedenne rights itself and grips the berry it fell with. Pikachu chirps and jumps off Ash’s shoulder, running over to the other electric type.

“Who’s that Pokémon?” Ash mutters, reaching for his Pokedex.

Its voice is different from Ed’s Pokedex - likely having the data from the previous regions uploaded to it, and therefore an older voice module.

Dedenne. The Antenna Pokémon. An Electric and Fairy type. Its whiskers serve as antennas. By sending and receiving electrical waves, it can communicate with others over vast distances. It uses its tail to absorb electricity from power plants or from outlets in houses, and then it fires the electricity from its whiskers

“Dedenne.” Ed murmurs, then “It looks kind of like Pikachu. If you squashed him and painted him orange.”

“What are they doing?” Bonnie asks, because Pikachu and the Dedenne are standing to attention, electricity sparking between them. Literally.

“Some electric types can use electricity to communicate,” Clemont explains to her, sure he’s explained this before. Bonnie doesn’t seem to be listening to him, transfixed on Dedenne, then she whirls around to him.

“Catch it for me, please, Clemont!?”

He yelps, because what? He glances at Ash, who looks encouraging, and then at Ed, who shrugs, but the look on his face is considering. He looks back down at Bonnie, whose eyes are shining. He is a weak man.

“I’ll catch it. But you have to look after it, yeah?” He tries for serious, but Bonnie only squeals, delighted. She picks up the berry that fell and goes to give it to the Dedenne

He draws out the Pokéball, frowning in concentration, but before he can throw it, a red and grey streak swoops out of the sky and steals the berry.

“De-de-ne!” The Dedenne cries and bounds a few steps towards the Fletchling in the tree, then flees. The flying type lets out what sounds like a laugh, and Froakie steps forward, determined.

“I think he wants to get back at Fletchling for stealing the berry.” Ash comments, sounding a little delighted. Battle trainers. Clemont thinks, Are a different breed entirely.

Ed raises his Pokedex with a frown.

Fletchling. The Tiny Robin Pokémon. A Normal and Flying type. These friendly Pokémon send signals to one another with beautiful chirps and tail-feather movements. Despite the beauty of its lilting voice, it's merciless to intruders that enter its territory.

“Is it friendly or merciless?” Ed asks, quietly to himself. He is ignored as Froakie lunges towards the bird, throwing some frouble.

The Fletchling dodges easily, and chitters another laugh, and Froakie throws a Water Pulse, which is evaded by Fletchling’s use of Double Team. Clemont grimaces. This is one speedy Pokémon

“Froakie.” Ash calls, “We need a strategy-”

Ed yells something in another language that, judging by the tone, is some kind of curse, and Ralts yelps, hiding in his coat. They just managed to dodge out of the way of Fletchling’s retaliatory Peck.

Ash lunges forward and catches Froakie in his arms, as Fletchling swerves back up. “Froakie.” He soothes, “I get you're not used to teamwork, but right now we’re not gonna’ get anywhere without a strategy.”

Froakie goes limp with a grumbling “Froa-kiee”

Fletchling's wings start to glow, and Clemont calls, “That’s a Razor Wind! Watch out!”

All of them just manage to dodge, again. Ash crashes into a tree, and his Pokémon both make anguished noises.

The Fletchling flies off, and Froakie scowls after it. Ed holds out a hand to Clemont, and he flushes.

“Why was Froakie so mad?” Bonnie asks, and Ash grins at her, lopsided, and it makes Clemont’s stomach do loop-de-loops.

“I think he wanted to get back at it for stealin’ the berry, is that right?”

Froakie flushes, looking embarrassed, and Bonnie scoops him up in a delighted hug.

“We were kind of useless there, weren’t we?” He asks the older boy, feeling incredibly self-conscious.

“A little.” Ed agrees, “But battling is Ash’s thing, isn’t it? It’s his Pokémon that demanded the match.” Then he frowns, “That’s how it works, right?”

“Kind of.” Clemont agrees, a feeling of shame running through him, because he’s a gym leader. Battling is also his thing. He was, once, confident enough in his skills that he set a recommended four badges before challenging him, to give himself and the challengers a good fight.

He doesn’t know where that confidence went. Charred by Clembot’s malfunction, most likely. All he’s got now is Bunelby, who is wonderful, but not the type he specialises in, and whatever’s in his head.

He glances at Ash, who has sat down with Froakie to talk out a strategy, and the feeling of inadequacy grows. Because Ash is strong and brave and didn’t hesitate to lunge into an active fight to calm his Pokémon down. Didn’t hesitate to run after a rampaging Garchomp. Didn’t hesitate to jump off a building to aid his Partner.

He looks back at Ed, who is an entire enigma wrapped in a mystery, but smart enough to learn most of a language in two days, who’s also an older brother, but so much more sure of himself than Clemont. Who carries himself with the air of someone who knows exactly what hey can acomplish.

Maybe, if he travels with them long enough, he’ll learn how to be brave and strong, how to be smart and confident. Maybe he’ll be able to get his gym back.

Ash bemoans not being able to lure Fletchling back to the clearing, and Clemont steps forward, eager. “I’ve got something that might be able to help with that.”

---

Clemont, Ed thinks, as the boy takes out his machine, would get along with Feury. Then his heart aches, because he’s never going to see Feury again. Never going to see Breda or Falman or Havoc. Never going to see Hawkeye, or Mustang, or Darius or Heinkel. Never going to see Ling or Winry or Al again.

He doesn’t regret it, because as long as Al is alive, as long as he gets to live out his life doing whatever the hell he wants, Ed will be fine. It still hurts, though.

The machine, he decides to focus on, because anything else hurts too much, looks like the record player in the military archives. According to Clemont, it’ll (hopefully) lure Fletchling back to them.

“What do you plan on doing once you and Froakie beat Fletchling?” Ed asks, and Ash frowns.

“Catch it? Sometimes, when a wild Pokémon respects your strength in battle, it will allow the Pokéball connection to work.”

“I see.” Ed murmurs, deciding that he needs a moment to start reading on his library-gifted tablet again. Or ask Clemont, he seems like a fountain of knowledge, at least where the scientific side of things is concerned.

“Okay!” Clemont calls, and the two of them make their way over to the siblings. “So, may I present the Flying-type Pokémon Attracting Machine! It’s meant to emit different types of frequencies that attract different types of Pokémon! If we dial it up like this...” He spins a dial, “And turn it on, it should attract flying-type Pokémon!”

“Science is so cool,” Ash whispers in awe. Ed debates asking Clemont for the blueprints for the materials. His hand itches with the desire to perform Alchemy, but from his research, that would immediately cause immense suspicion.

Bonnie scowls next to him, “His naming skills need some work.”

Ed ruffles her hair. “You got that right.”

She grins up at him, and his heart aches. He ignores it (he’s good at that).

Clemont turns it on, and in line with Ed’s luck, everything immediately goes to shit. The machine shrieks, and all of them clamp their hands over their ears.

“You sure this is the right frequency?” Ed calls to Clemont, who already looks devastated.

“I’m sure-” He’s cut off by a loud buzzing, and Ed snaps into action instantly, grabbing Bonnie by the shoulders and yanking her behind him.

A swarm of human-sized and shaped bees with large drills for hands arises from the bush.

“Maybe it's not high enough!” Clemont yells and cranks the dial.

Ed swears viciously enough that even Havoc would blush, and plants his feet.

“Ralts, eyes on Bonnie.” He calls, lifting his hands.

His Pokémon drops and floats over to the eight-year-old and crawls into her arms. Ash seemingly had the same idea, because Froakie hops onto Bonnie’s shoulders.

One of the large bugs gets too close to him, and he decks it as hard as he can with his automail arm. It shrieks, flying backwards. Clemont yells in dismay about something, but Ed can’t take his eyes off the swarm and-

The machine explodes.

Ralts glows and tries to grab all of them with his telekinesis, but Ed knows without knowing that he’s not strong enough. He tries to think at Ralts what he wants and-

He hits the ground roughly, as do Clemont and Ash. Pikachu is wrapped in his trainer's arms, and Froakie lands on Ed, then hops over to the other boy.

Bonnie lowers much slower, trembling in the air with the effort for Ralts to carry them. Clemont scrambles up and catches his sister out as it becomes too much. He sets her down, and Ralts scrambles from Bonnie to Ed.

“You did so well,” Ed tells him, picking up his panic. “I’ve fallen further, and Ash has made it clear he doesn’t care how hard he hits the ground.”

Ash lets out a pained-sounding laugh, and Clemont helps them both up.

“Thank you, Ralts, Ed.” He whispers, “I’m so sorry, I must have got some calculations wrong. This is my fault - Xerneas, I should have tested it more before even considering taking it out-”

“Hey!” Ash grabs a trembling hand. Bonnie is clinging to her brother's leg, eyes a little wild with fright. “It was still so cool. It managed to summon a whole swarm of Beedrill, and hey!” He points to the sky, “It kinda worked, didn’t it?”

Circling up above them, tittering with laughter, is the Fletchling.

“Huh. It must want a rematch, too.” Ed muses, glancing at Ash and Froakie. Pikachu scowls, scrambling up to his trainer’s shoulder and jumping onto Bonnie’s, squeaking with what sounds very much like rage. The girl giggles, a little breathless.

Ash tears off with Froakie to battle the flying type, and Ed turns to Clemont, “None of us are badly hurt.” He points out, “Yeah, you should probably be a bit more careful, but failures’ part of the process.”

“None of us are hurt because Ralts was fast enough.” Clemont points out, “and you immediately tried to defend Bonnie when the Beedrill showed up.”

“That was so cool!” Bonnie yells, suddenly bursting back to life, and startling a laugh out of Ed, “You, like, changed, and suddenly it was like you were in charge of everything, and then you punched that one that came towards us, and it went flying. You have to teach me how to do that!”

Ed laughs and looks at Clemont for help. He has gone bright red again and chokes, so he turns back to Bonnie.

“I’d have to talk to your brother about it.” He decides, finally, “But knowing how to defend yourself when your Pokémon aren’t around is useful.”

Bonnie turns her puppy-dog eyes on Clemont, then Pikachu goes running towards Ash and Froakie, and she goes bounding after them.

“What do you think?” Ed asks Clemont, and he squeaks “Self defense is important. And she's not going to have a Pokémon for... two more years?”

(If he can help protect her in any way, maybe it will make up for failing Nina)

Clemont face becomes serious very fast. “Yes, I- I know. I- if you were willing, I wouldn’t mind learning either. I-”

Ed waves him off “I don’t usually ask about things unless I mean to do them. Learn that.” He tried to fuse as much Riza Hawkeye into that order as possible.

“Fletching Caught!” Ash’s voice carries over to them, interrupting, and Bonnie’s cheering follows.

“Sorry for missing it.” Clemont smiles, and Ash laughs, bright and happy.

Ed watches Ash release the Fletchling from its Pokeball, and it does a little loop in the air. Bonnie scolds it for stealing the berry. The bird looks only slightly cowed, and he expects far more berry stealing in the future.

---

Serena knocks on the door of Sycamore Pokémon Labs and opens them tentatively.

“Hello? Professor Sycamore?”

She hears footsteps up on the banister, and the man himself appears, “ah, Bonjour! Would I be correct to assume you are a new trainer? Here for your first Pokémon?”

“Yes.” She steps deeper into the building “I’m Serena Yvonne.”

“And I am Kalos’ very own regional Professor, Augustine Sycamore! Welcome. Sophie, could you please..?” He turns to a woman in a lab coat behind him, and she nods, darting off.

“Would you be comfortable stepping into my office?” The Professor asks her.

Serena nods, “Of course, Professor.”

“Right this way then!”

Serena hurries to catch up with him, and when she does, asks “Professor, could I ask a question about the boy from the news last night? The one who helped calm down Garchomp.”

“Ash? Of course!”

Serena’s heart sores, and the handkerchief is warm in her pocket.

“Is he still in Lumiose?” She asks, hopeful.

The Professor opens a door and waves her in, shaking his head “Unfortunately not. He left for Santelune city yesterday morning.”

“Ah.” Serena hums “I see.”

Professor Sycamore walks her through Pokédex set up and Holocaster, and after he’s handed her ten pokéballs, the woman from before, Sophie, walks in with a tray holding three pokéballs.

“Thank you, Sophie.” Professor Sycamore smiles at her ”Serena, this is one of my assistants, Professor Sophie Mugo.”

Sophie greets her, quickly, then excuses herself, pointing out she has plenty of work to do.

“Now Serena.” Sycamore lifts the three pokéballs “Almost every new trainer who comes by my lab gets a choice of these three Pokémon.” He throws the pokéballs in the air, realising the Pokémon inside.

“Chespin, Froakie and Fenniken. Which will you pick?”

Notes:

Be prepared for there to be no update schedule. New chapters will be added as they are written.

The Mugo Pine is a French tree. Yvonne is the original name for the female character for the X and Y games, like how Callem used to be Xavier.

Chapter 5: Cause and Effect

Summary:

Our heroes continue on their way to Santelune City. Serena meets a man who surely isn't important to the plot :)

Bonnie is so excited.

Yeah, Clembot went nuts, and Clemont can’t get into his own gym, and they haven’t told dad what’s going on. But they’ve made new friends!

Bunelby, for one.

But also Ash and Ed and their Pokémon!

And both of them are so cool. Clemont certainly thinks so, too, if the blushing and and stuttering means anything. He said that they were just sticking around with a Battle Trainer to try and get his gym back, but Bonnie knows better.

Ash is super brave and kind and he and his Pikachu are super close, like Heroes and their Partners are in the stories. And Froakie apparently didn't want any trainer until Ash came along, so there's obviously something really cool about him.

And Ed is super smart, like Clemont is. Bonnie's never learnt another language, but she does know its hard, and Ed learnt a whole new one in two days. He's also been keeping up with Clemont's rambling in a way Bonnie hasn't ever been able too.

And the Pokémon are all awesome too! Pikachu is both adorable and strong, because not just anyone can beat her brother. Froakie's a gentleman and was so determined to make Fletchling be sorry for stealing Dedenne's berry, and Fletchling is fast and cheeky. Ralts is a sweetheart who managed to hold her up for long enough that she didn't take the tumble that Clemont, Ash and Ed did.

They all said they weren't hurt, but they'd all definitely been bruised. Bonnie had seen it. She's so grateful.

They've stopped for lunch, after the excitement of the morning, and Bonnie has a napkin and is wiping the dirt of Pikachu. The electric type chirps at her, happily.

"Stroke his tail." Ash offers to her, from where he's helping Ed pack away the camping table for Clemont.

Bonnie hums, and does it, and Pikachu chirps again, even happier than before.

"Oh he likes that!" She exclaims, and the three boys smile at her.

Pikachu stretches, and leaps away to climb up onto his trainers shoulder, and Ash barely moves.

Ralts lifts a pan with his psychic and moves it over to Clemont, who takes it with a hum of surprise. "Thank you."

"Raa…" He murmurs, then runs over to Ed to cling to his leg.

Fletchling lands next to Bonnie, preening, and she gasps aloud. "Hey Ash? Can I help Fletchling clean her feathers?"

Ash glances up, "If she's okay with it. Just remember, you've gotta be careful."

"Right." Bonnie nods, determined. Ash hands her the feather-brush that he'd said he always had on hand.

"I've caught a bird Pokémon in every region I've been to so far." he laughed, when Clemont expresses his surprise at him simply having one on hand, "My friend, Brock told me to just start carrying one around instead of buying a new one each time." 

Bonnie gently helps Fletchling clean, the little flying type chirping happily each time she gets some gunk out of her feathers. When she finishes, she sets the brush aside and asks if she can feed Fletchling a berry.

She's given one, but before Fletchling can take it, a small, orange blur swipes it out of her hand.

"De-de-ne!" It calls, cheekily, from a distance, chowing down on the berry.

"Oh why you!" Bonnie yells, sick of wild Pokémon stealing berries she's actively trying to give other Pokémon.

"I think Fletchling might have deserved that one." Ed muses, walking over "Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's the Dedenne from before, isn't it? It's got the same small patch of darker fur on its leg."

Bonnie hadn't even noticed that, and judging from the way both Clemont and Ash blink, they probably hadn't either.

"It would make sense." Clemont says "If its trying to get back at Fletchling for stealing it's berry from earlier."

Ash gives his Pokémon a look that's something like the one that dad gives Clemont when he stays up all night tinkering, exasperated but soft, and Bonnie leaps up to her brother.

"Catch it for me, please Clemont? You promised."

"I did." Clemont sighs, lifting a Pokeball. Before he can throw it, the little electric type shrieks and bolts.

"After it!" Bonnie yells, and Ed looks mildly unnerved.

Pikachu and Bunelby chase to to a system of burrows, and Bonnie has no idea what's going on under the ground. Until it rumbles, Bunelby leaps out, but Pikachu and Dedenne do not.

"Well shit." Ed says, sounding tired, as Ash scrambles to see if he can find Pikachu, then sends up Fletchling to do the searching.

"That's a bad word." Bonnie sniffs "Daddy says I'm not allowed to say bad words until I'm fourteen."

Ed looks… sad. Really sad. "Sorry, Bonnie."

"Is it my fault?"

Clemont makes a noise, that sounds garbled.

"You could easily blame yourself." Ed says, sounding far away "But In this case, I don't think so. The cliffside here's very eroded. Something would have happened, even if we'd gone about it differently. And even if you are directly at fault, that doesn't mean you're guilty."

Bonnie sniffs, and Clemont crouches down next to her "We'll find them. They can't have gotten too far."

Ash throws back a thumbs up, looking a little insane "Pikachu can handle himself. He'll look after Dedenne too."

Ed raises an eyebrow, and ruffles Bonnie's hair and strides forward to Ash. Ralts pats her hand, and then floats after him.

"I don't know if I feel better or not." She says to Clemont, as they walk. "I don't really get it. How can I be at fault but not guilty?"

"You remember how I taught you about cause and effect?" he asks, and she nods, brow furrowing, "I think, what he's saying, is that in this case, that even though the cause can be traced to you, you aren't responsible for the effect."

"Like you and your machine, earlier." Bonnie realises.

Clemont frowns "I guess, yeah. Like my machine earlier."

---

Ash can only be relieved when Fletchling comes circling back, chirping that he's found Pikachu. He'd meant it when he'd said to Bonnie earlier that Pikachu could look after himself, but still.

His skin itches. Nothing good ever happens when they're separated.

Ed bumps his shoulder with his own, and says "Fletchling would be more panicked if something had happened, yeah?"

"Yeah." Ash agrees, because Fletchling is more panicked, is chirping found them. safe. sickness.

What sickness?

"Fletchling found them!" Ed calls back to Clemont and Bonnie, and Ash only feels slighly bad that he's sped up without the siblings, but even though Fletchling says safe she also says sickness and and Ash can only be worried.

"That's good." Clemont calls back, and Bonnie comes running up behind them, and grabs Ash's hand as she speeds past.

"I'm sorry." Bonnie mumbles "Ed says its not my fault that this happened, but I still feel bad."

Ash feels a swoop deep in his gut, but ignores it, because Bonnie's a child and she shouldn't be blaming herself.

(Ash should have noticed. Should have been calmer. He's been so excited since he got to Kalos he's forgotten he has to slow down. By the swords, Ash, you're such a kid.)

Fletchling leads them to the spot by the cliff side where Pikachu and Dedenne are. The relief that pierces Ash's chest when Pikachu yells "Pikapi!" and leaps into his chest is a physical thing, and so overwhelming that he almost doesn't notice Dedenne sparking sadly.

Ed crouches next to the electric/fairy type, and frowns. "Is it sick?"

"Electricity drain." Clemont calls, huffing as he catches up with them "Its common when electric types overexert themselves."

"Do we need to take it to a Pokemon Center?" Ed asks, picking it up. Dedenne looks so small in his hands.

"No, actually! We just need to supply enough electricity that it can get back on its feet. I've been." He cuts off, and frowns "I've been developing a portable generator that uses static electricity to supply enough for a charge, based on my- I mean inspired by the Electricity Showers that some cities have."

"But your not sure if it will work." Ash asks, and Clemont grimaces.

"After earlier, I'm not sure bringing out a Prototype would be the smartest idea. I could easily accidentally overcharge Dedenne, and then we have a whole different issue. One that I don't have a prototype to fix. It would probably be safer to just run the rest of the way to Santelune"

"Overload is really hard to get to, though." He points out, hoping for the love of Mew that this specific instant isn't a thing that Pikachu is wierd about. He has never trained another electric type.

"…true." Clemont mutters, and being relieved is a feeling Ash is getting aquainted with today

Pikachu whines, and he makes up his mind.

"Get it out. If overcharge happens, we can get Dedenne to cook some berries for lunch."

Ed is sitting with Bonnie, quietly assuring her that Dedenne will be fine. Ash moves over to them as Clemont sets up the machine, and hears;

"See? cup your hands like this…" he says softly, and when Bonnie does he gently placed Dedenne in them. Ash watches a bond tether coil around Bonnie's buzzing, orange aura, and Dedenne snuggles into her hands.

He also notices Ed calm, as if holding Dedenne had made him tense. Before he can wonder at it, Clemont announces that he's done.

"Presenting the Electricity Generator! As I said before, it uses static electricity to recharge electric type pokemon suffering from electricity drain. Just place Dedenne here…"

Bonnie carefully places Dedenne where Clemont indicates, under a rubber board and her aura has a greenish tinge. Ash grabs her hand, trying to offer some comfort. Ed holds Ralts close to him, and Ash thinks he's worrying about what type of illnesses his Partner could come down with.

"Okay, now we just turn it on…" Clemont pulls the lever.

The machine starts up, the board moves back and forwards incredibly fast, and Ash knows how static electricity works, he has an electric type as his Partner. Still…

"Science is so cool!" He finds himself gushing, because when it's not being used to end the world, it really is.

Dedenne perks up quickly, and looks very happy to absorb as much electricity as possible. Pikachu makes a jealous noise on his shoulder, and Bonnie's aura returns to its bright orange.

Then, because Ash's luck is absolute Tauros-shit, the machine starts to go haywire. It speeds up, far to fast to be needed, and Dedenne bounds out.

"Clemont." Ed snaps, alert, sounding almost like Officer Jenny. "Turn it off."

"Uh, I uh…" the blonde lifts the lever in his hand, very broken.

Ed swears violently, - or at least, Ash assumes he's swearing - in several languages Ash has no clue about, grabs Bonnie and yanks her away from the malfunctioning machine.

Ash, thinking yeah that's probably smart, grabs Clemont and does the same.

When the machine does explode, they are well out of the blast radius. Dedenne leaps out of the way too, and bounds towards Pikachu, cheeks sparking.

"Now that shes' better, can you catch her, Clemont?" Bonnie asks, shoving running right past the remains of the Electricity Generator. Ash is forever wowed by humanities ability to keep moving forwads.

"The only people who will be doing any catching today is us!"

Ash groans, spinning on his heal to the sight of Team Rocket's baloon. How is that thing so stealthy?

"Who in Truth's limb-stealing name are you?" Ed snaps, and Ash realises that Ed has never met or heard of these two before.

"Oh? A new twerp?" Jessie looks far too interested "Well, we can't be rude and not introduce ourselves now, can we?"

"Of course not!" James agrees, and Meowth makes a snide comment about collective intellegnce level that Ash elects to ignore for his own mental health.

They launch into their motto, and Ed looks a mix of confused and horrified. He turns to Ash.

"Team Rocket." He explains, as the trio gets to their names "They're bad guys who are obsessed with stealing people's Pokemon, usually Pikachu."

Ed tilts his head "Like some kind of poacher?" And Ash frowns, because are they?

"Sort of." he decides on "Poachers usually catch Pokemon to sell because they look pretty, or something like that. Team Rocket catch pokemon because they're strong and they want to give them to their boss."

Ed opens his mouth to ask another question, but the ignoring of the trio's motto has been noticed.

"Hey! We're introducing ourselves to you and you can't even be bothered to listen!" Meowth yells, and James sniffs.

"Perhaps New Twerp is so close to the ground he couldn't hear us."

Ash notices the minute something snaps in Ed, and his Aura flashes, for a moment, entirely red.

"Who are you calling so short that he can't hear a person three steps above him?!" the older boy screams in rage. Ash is taken aback. From the look of things, so is everyone else.

Ralts - and Ash recalls that their species are incredibly in tune with emotions, especially of their trainers - lunges forward into a battle stance. Then looks suddenly unsure. Because he's never battled before.

Ash recovers first, because everyone has their vices. Cilan pretends he's soup when taking a bath, Brock falls in love with every girl he meets. He's seen weirder than insecurity about height. Pikachu jumps forward as well. And, surprisingly, so does Dedenne.

A small, blue Pokemon takes the battling stage on Team Rockets side. Ash lifts his Pokedex, as Dedenne luges for it.

Inkay. The Revolving Pokemon. A Dark and Psychic type. It flashes the light-emitting spots on its body, which drains its opponent's will to fight. It takes the opportunity to scuttle away and hide.

"Inkay! Psybeam!" James calls, and Ed yells for Ralts to aim a confusion back.

Ash - who thinks that Team Rocket is perhaps one of the worst ways for Ed to learn how to battle, yells "Pikachu, Thundershock."

Ralts' attacks hits, and Pikachu's Thunderbolt stopps the Psybeam before Dedenne gets close. When she does, though, she rubs her antenna-whiskers and slams into Inkay, electrocuting it.

"Oh that was adorable!!!" Bonnie squeals "Clemont, you have to catch it when they're done!"

Clemont makes a pathetic whine, and Ash can only feel sorry.

James orders Inkay to fire off another Psybeam, and Ralts only just manages to jump out of the way. Ed calls for a Double Team, and he responds instantly.

They're fast learners.

Pikachu and Dedenne Spark at each other, and Meowth yowls, "Aw, that's not fair, I don't speak electricity!"

"Pikachu, Tunderbolt!" Ash calls again, realising what they're planning whilst Inkay spins, trying to parse out which Ralts is the real one.

Dedenne joins in the lightning, and Inkay is thrown into the a balloon and blasting them away. He squints after them, trying to figure out where they landed, then decides he really needs to stop trying when it comes to those three.

Ralts's double team dissolves, and the small psychic type runs over to Ed, who lifts his Partner up, whatever rage had been powering him before gone in an instant.

"That was great!" Ash calls, "Especially for your first battle!"

"Raaa…" Ralts murmurs, shyly. Ed smiles at Ash, softly.

"Will those three be okay?" He asks, not worried, but a little concerned. Ash groans;

"They'll show up again before long. They always do."

Ed looks a little unsure, but nods.

"Piiii" Pikachu calls, and Ash looks over to where he and Dedenne are communicating. Dedenne looks considering, for a moment, then follows the trail of her Bond Tether towards Bonnie and chirps.

"I think does want to come with us." Ash laughs, and Bonnie squeals, delighted.

Clemont lifts the Pokeball he'd pulled out earlier, and throws it with a little "Pokeball, go!"

It clicks, sucess and Bonnie grabs it, letting Dedenne out.

Ash leaves Clemont to lecture his sister on looking after her new Partner, and Ed, who is poking at the ground where Clemont's machine exploded, picking up little pieces of metal and examining them.

He picks up Pikachu and holds him close, settling down with his Partner's presence.

---

"I don't know who to pick." Serena whispers, looking between the three of them.

"Use your Pokedex." Professor Sycamore suggests "That will give you some extra information."

"Oh! of course." Serena gasps, pulling the small device out and pointing it at each of them.

Chespin. The Spiny Nut Pokemon. A pure Grass type. The quills on its head are usually soft. When it flexes them, the points become so hard and sharp that they can pierce rock. Such a thick shell of wood covers its head and back that even a direct hit from a truck wouldn't faze it.

Froakie. The Bubble Frog Pokemon. A pure Water type. It secretes flexible bubbles from its chest and back. The bubbles reduce the damage it would otherwise take when attacked. Beneath its happy-go-lucky air, it keeps a watchful eye on its surroundings.

Fenniken. The Fox Pokemon. A pure Fire type. Eating a twig fills it with energy, and its roomy ears give vent to air hotter than 390 degrees Fahrenheit. It intimidates opponents by puffing hot air out of its ears.

"Huh." Serena murmurs, looking over the three again.

She has no idea what she wants to do with her journey, but she can hear her mother in her ears, telling her that Chespin and Froakie would help her keep rowdy Ryhorn in line.

She huffs, and makes her descision, crouching down.

"I'll take Fenniken, if that's okay Professor."

"Of course!" the Professor says, returning the other two to their balls, and handing the third to Serena. "I hope the two of you have a wonderful journey full of new discoveries."

Serena lifts the fire type, who gives a little happy "Fen!" and goes says goodbye to the Professor.

As she leaves, a very tall man with a mane of flaming red hair is talking to Professor Mugo and another women.

"Thank you, Professors." He says, voice awefully familliar in a way that Serena can't quite place. He sees her and raises an eyebrow "I assumes this means that Professor Sycamore is free?"

"Free isn't the word I'd use." the second woman, whose nametag reads Cosette Pedunculate, says, sternly "We're always busy here, even without crooks causing rampages. But if you must, I'm sure he'll make time for you. But can you please book a meeting next time!"

"Of course, Professor Pedunculate." The man says, smoothly. "I just wanted to check in on him, after the break in."

"Of course, Mr Lysander." Professor Mugo nods, blushing a little "That's very kind of you."

The man turns to walk up the railing, and Serena hurries down, as to not get in his way.

She knows where she recognises the man now. Mr Lysander, CEO and head of Lysander labs. He's always on the Tv, talking about whatever new thing his lab had discovered.

He stops at the top of the stairs as she reaches the bottom. "This world… there is so much ugliness in it. My desire… it is to make one far more beautiful…" He shakes his head and continues.

"Fen?" Fenniken chirps, and Serena holds him close, a little unnerved.

"Okay." Professor Mugo sighs "Serena, hon? You get moving. If you need anything, the labs phone number is already on your Holocaster. And, if you find a pair called Senia and Dexio on the road, they're the lab's fieldworkers, they'll help you out."

"Thank you, Professor." She says. "Remind me, Santelune is…"

"Down Route Four." Professor Pedunculate tells her "Good luck."

Notes:

I don't think I did Team Rocket justice, but they get a much better show later. In other news, Ed gets to yell at someone for calling him short!

This is where we start to ever so slightly divert from Anime canon, beyond Ed existing. My favourite parts of X and Y (the game) were when Lysander would just... show up and yap about how he wants to create a perfect world, entirely unprompted, because it was like "is no one else listening to this???"

The Pedunculate Oak is another French Tree.

Chapter 6: Santelune Gym Part 1, Part 1

Summary:

Our Heroes arrive in Santelune, and Ash challenges Viola.

Notes:

I'm not used to writing Pokémon battles, so get used to my very obvious ways to avoid writing them.

Santelune city is incredibly different to Lumiose city, is what Ed thinks first, after finally arriving. They'd camped the night on the route, and just arrived that morning. Where Lumiose city had been large and bustling, somewhat similar to the cities in Amestris, Santelune is much smaller, and feels more like Dublith than any city, though with the futuristic look that Ed has realised is everywhere in this world.

The thought of Dublith makes his chest hurt, so he busies himself with looking at the wide, concrete slopes that take up an entire section of the city. People whizz past on roller skates, and Ed is glad to recognise something.

Roller skates were one of the few good things to come out of Amestris. Not that Ed had ever skated before, he'd been a bit to busy trying to bring his mum back to life, then trying to get Als body back.

He tears his eyes away. They are here so that Ash can participate in a gym battle. Not for Ed to fulfil a childhood fantasy.

The boy in question is practically vibrating with excitement. He'd settled down considerably since he and Pikachu had reunited, and Ed makes a mental note to try to prevent such separations from happening again.

Nevertheless, he's so excited he runs into a pole.

"Ash!" Bonnie yelps, running forward. Clemont whines from somewhere behind all three of them, and Ed turns to see him barely keeping up.

A second mental note, then - either manage the walking speed better, or make Clemont run a marathon every morning. He'll decide later.

"You all good?" Ed asks Ash as he stand up, and the younger boy laughs, entirely too happy.

"I've hit harder!"

Ed doesn't like the sound of that, but he can hardly judge. Pikachu seems to agree with his sentiment, nipping his trainers ear lightly.

The sound of a camera shutter snapping makes them all jump.

"So sorry!" A blonde woman calls to them, "It's just, you and your Pikachu looked so Photogenic in that moment! I just had to capture it!" She waves her camera.

The familiarity the roller skates gave him leaves in an instant. Is that what cameras look like here?

Ash laughs, and sounds entirely too used to having his photo taken unannounced "It's no problem, ma'am!"

Clemont looks scandalised, and whispers to Ed "You're supposed to ask permission before you take a photo of someone! That's Camera Etiquette 101!"

Bonnie rolls her eyes at her brother, then gives Ed a very 'what can you do' look, which makes it hard not to laugh.

"Hey, er, miss…"

"Viola." The woman grins, fingers twitching on her camera as Pikachu and Ash make the same confused expression.

"Viola! Which ways the gym?"

Something fierce glint in Viola's eyes, she glances over at the rest of them. Her eyes stop, suddenly, on Clemont, but she moves on fast. Interesting.

"To the east! It's just by the entrance to the Santelune Bug Sanctuary, just turn right from the Pokémon Center." She nods towards the red building.

"Thanks miss!" Ash yells over his should as he takes off. Ed waves as he moves to catch up, and Clemont calls; "Slow down! Not all of us are athletes!"

"Your just slow." Bonnie mutters, as the two catch up to Ash and Ed. Ash is still twitching every second he stands still, but Ed is focused on one of the screens in the window of the Pokémon center.

A Pokémon with similar colours to Ralts, but taller and with eyes for the world to see dances around a battle field, attacking a large buffalo with wild hair. The trainers, one a red and orange haired man, who recalls his defeated Pokémon with a booming laugh, and the other black haired and wearing all white, move to shake hands.

Ralts is staring at the tall Pokémon. Gardevoir. Ed recalls. One of the possible evolutions of Ralts.

"That's Diantha, in the white." Clemont says, startling Ed.

"Sorry!" He blushes, when Ed glares at him "I mean, the lady on the screen. Her name's Diantha. She's the Champion of Kalos" He sounds awed. "And the man is-"

"Alder." Ash offers "Unova's Champion. He's a bit of a goof, but a really strong trainer." There's a mix of respect and weariness, and Ed would bet his pocket watch that Ash has met the man and not been all that impressed with his behaviour.

Champion. He thinks, trying to recall what he'd read. The strongest trainer in any given region, both with their Pokémon and mentally. Has a hand in the governing of their home region. If defeated in an official match, they must relinquish their title to the challenger.

"Do you plan on battling her?" Ed asks Ash.

"If I get the chance, yeah." Ash nods, then bounces from foot to foot "Can we go? I've got a gym to fight."

Bonnie, who was staring at the interview with Champion Diantha that is now playing, turns to them. "Yeah come on! I want to see Ash battle!"

Ralts leaves reluctantly, and Ed looks down at his Pokémon. He'd stared at the battle with such an awe filled expression, and Ed wonders…

He has no idea what he's doing, beyond following Ash around. He doesn't even know what the options are.

He thinks of that first moment, when the blue-haired Team Rocket member - James? - had insinuated he was short. Ralts had shot out in sync with his desire to fight. He thinks of the moments after, too, where he'd tried to recall what little he knew about battling and seem somewhat competent in the face of two assholes. If Ash hadn't stepped in, the two of them probably would have lost.

Not that he wouldn't have jumped straight to physical violence if he had lost, but it's the thought that count.

He thinks, maybe, if Ralts wants to, they might try head for the league, too.

---

Ash stops in front of the Santelune gym, excitement coursing through his body. Pikachu is matching his energy beat for beat.

It's been so long since they've fought a gym.

"Helio!" A small voice chirps and a familiar electric type comes running up to him, jumping up into his arms. He catches it, and looks up with a grin to see her trainer running up to them.

"Helioptile! Alexa! Hey!" He calls, and the journalist stops with a laugh.

"Hello Ash. And…" She looks over his companions. "You've made some new friends!"

"Yeah! This is Ed, Clemont and Bonnie." He gestures to each of them "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?"

"When Viola called me to tell me she was back, I figured it wouldn't be long before you came here." She opens her arms, and Helioptile jumps into them then scrambles up onto her shoulder "And there's a scoop that needed investigating here, so I figured I'd come here myself instead of sending one of my assistants to do it and watch your gym battle whilst I'm here!"

"That's great!" Ash says, delighted. "But, uh, where's your sister?"

He peeks around her into the gym building.

"That would be me!" The photographer from before calls. "I'm Viola, Santelune city gym leader. When Alexa told me a challenger was on the way, I had to come check you out."

"So are you a photographer?" Ed asks, sounding a little off, but Ash can't place it.

"Oh no, I am." Viola smiles "Most gym leaders have their own hobbies and other jobs they do on the side. I'm a photographer, and like most bug gym leaders, I help out with the bug type sanctuary of my region. Along with some other stuff."

Ash knows. The Sensational Sisters were actresses on the side, Jasmine ran the lighthouse, Roxanne was a teacher, Fantina a co-ordinator and Skyla's a pilot.

"Huh." Ed murmurs, his voice still odd "I wonder what the Lumiose gym leader does."

Clemont squeaks. Bonnie coughs.

Ash ignores the whole thing, and grins at Viola "I guess you know I'm here to challenge you, then?"

"Oh yes." Viola grins back, eyes glinting in the way of passionate battle trainers everywhere. "Let's get to the field, shall we?"

Alexa groans, in the way of the family of passionate battle trainers everywhere, as they move into the gym.

Viola gestures to the other end of the field, and Ash makes his way over and pivots to face her. Alexa leads his friends over to the watching deck, right next to a an indoor garden. Pikachu sparks next to him, delighted to be in a gym again, just like him.

The referee stumbles in huffing, and has a quick and quiet conversation with their boss. They are clearly used to spontaneous battles, however, as they quickly take their place and take a deep breath, before calling out to the field.

"Alright, the gym match between the leader, Viola, and the challenger, Ash Ketchum, is about to begin. Each party is allowed to use two Pokémon each. Switching Pokémon will be allowed after a knock out. Send out your first Pokémon."

Viola raises her hands in the way Todd used to to get a image of how a photo might turn out. "I've got my eye on victory, and nothing's going to ruin this shot. Now, lets go, Surskit!"

The little bug type takes the stage. Ash grins "Alright, Pikachu, I choose you!"

His Partner leaps onto the field with a delighted "Pika!"

"Alright." The referee calls "Battle Begin."

"Pikachu, quick attack!" Testing the waters.

"Protect"

Pikachu crashes into the barrier Surskit throws up, and uses it as a spring board to jump up as Ash calls "Iron tail."

"Dodge it!" Viola calls, and Pikachu's tail hits the ground, cracking it. Surskit slides, much stiffer than their species usually does on the water, but elegant all the same. Pikachu does a little flip to land on his feet, and Ash calls for an Electroball.

Viola orders Surskit to counter it with Ice Beam, and Ash grins, feeling his blood pumping. He calls for another quick attack, which does manage to connect, but only because Viola's calling her next instruction.

"Right, Surskit, lets make this field more our style. Ice Beam!"

Ash yells at Pikachu to stay light on his feet, then grits his teeth as the ground freezes over.

He hates Ice battle fields. The only times they haven't caused him grief were when he trained Lapras and Glalie. His own Ice types.

"Okay, Pikachu, Iron tail!"

He misses twice, as Surskit skates around, and he himself slips and stumbles and gets struck by Signal and Ice Beams. He manages to land the third, but its too much.

A final Signal Beam slams into him, and sends him flying.

"Shit!" He hears Ed yelp, and Ash darts over to where his Partner landed. He nods at the referee.

"Pikachu is unable to battle. Leader Viola, would you like to switch Pokémon?"

Viola shakes her head. The Ref nods, and turns to Ash.

He thinks, for a moment, and decides the risk of Ice Beam is worth the lack of Ice Battle field.

"Fletchling! I choose you!" He calls, heart thumping.

Its going to be hard to beat Viola. Ash has always loved a challenge.

---

Serena had had… a day yesterday, certainly.

She'd left Sycamore's lab and walked the scenic route towards the Route 4 gate. Fenniken had picked up small twigs along the way to snack on, and she herself had bought a cookie from Cafe Introversion on the way.

The garden outside of Route four is gorgeous, with Flabebe and Ladyba fluttering around. Combee buzz from flower to flower, and she catches sight of a Pachurisu darting behind a tree.

The road beyond is… urgh. There's charred ground in two separate places, which she assumes where battle grounds, and she grabs some plastic out of the river. It looks like it was part of one of those inflatable boats. People of the past had spent so much time ensuring the entire world had easy ways to deal with pollution, but there are still so many careless people still! It's ridiculous.

The sun begins setting, and she gets nervous.

"I don't want to sleep outside." She whispers to Fenniken. "Its gross and- oh!" She catches sight of a woman in a striped dress behind a tree. "Excuse me, miss? How close are we to the nearest Pokémon Center - oh!"

She turns, and Serena realises that she was talking with a Vespiquen. Who is not happy.

Serena turns and bolts, the buzzing is right behind her. Fenniken leaps up and shoots of one, two, three embers, which seems to convince the bug type that chasing them is not worth it.

The Nurse Joy that had come across her had led her to a Pokémon Center for the night, and checked her over to make sure neither she nor Fenniken had been injured, then sent them up to bed.

But, its a new day, and she's in Santelune city. She's near the gym. At the gym, actually. She'd put Fenniken in his Pokeball to make the treck from the Antoris Pokémon Center faster.

She enters the gym, and is so absolutely excited that Ash is right there that she almost doesn't notice he's in a battle.

"Oh, hello!" An woman calls from the viewing deck. "You can watch from up here."

Serena blushes, because she is embarrassed that her almost-mistake was viewed by four people. She makes her way over to the group - three blondes and the woman.

She sits next to the one whose hair is closer to gold than blonde, and they hold out their hand; "Edward. Call me Ed."

"I'm Serena." She shakes it.

Ed jerks a thumb to the rest of the group. "That's Alexa, and the siblings are Clemont and Bonnie. And Ralts" he nods at where the Pokémon in question is standing at the edge of the deck.

All three of them offer waves and smiles. Bonnie gets up to shake her hand "Your hat's really cute!" She gushes, eyes sparkling. A small Dedenne pokes its head out of her bag and chirps at her.

Serena blushes again. "Thank you."

"Alright, Fletchling!" Ash's voice calls up from the battlefield, and Bonnie squeals, darting up to where Ralts is standing.

Serena finds her own eyes drawn back to the field. A Surskit and Fletchling are on the field, and the referee calls;

"The challenger has chosen his second Pokémon! Battle, recommence!"

Notes:

The gang is all here! Ralts has discovered a dream of his own (sort of), and Ed's putting some things together. Not that Ash notices, he's here for his gym battle!

Roller Skates were invented in 1750 in London. Antoris is a town I made up where the upcoming Furfrou episode will take place.

Chapter 7: Santelune Gym Part 1, Part 2

Summary:

Ed learns about the Gym Challenge, Ash loses the battle, and his dream is discussed by his friends.

Notes:

We are so close to the gang being official travelling companions. Two more chapters, by my outline.

"You can watch from up here!" Alexa calls suddenly, unprompted, and Ed turns to look in the direction she's waving.

There's a kid - around Clemont's age, standing there. Long brown hair, red skirt, pink hat and bag. She startles a little at Alexa's call, and turns to them, tearing her eyes away from the battle.

Ed holds out his flesh hand when she sits next to him, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Edward. Call me Ed."

She smiles a little at him, and shakes it. "I'm Serena."

Ed jabs a thumb at his companions, "That's Alexa. the siblings are Clemont and Bonnie. And Ralts." He nods at his Pokémon, who is looking at the ongoing battle with interest.

Bonnie gets up to come over and shake Serena's hand. She compliments the older girls hat, and she blushes.

"Oof." Clemont mutters "Out to a signal beam. That'll be an unpleasant headache."

"So what is the Gym Challenge meant to test, exactly?" Ed asks, turning back. A thousand questions he wants to ask, but too many would be suspicious "As I understand it; gyms themselves are meant to be a training ground for any sort of trainer, and then the gym leader is a final test."

Clemont hums "You're correct. For any trainer not interested in the Gym Challenge, a gym is simply a place to train and get stronger. But for trainers aiming for the league they are to challenge the leader and defeat them in battle, and sometimes in a second, less battle oriented test. The Cyllage city gym leader, Grant, has his challengers do a rock climb with their Pokémon to test their perseverance."

Clemont, Ed thinks, knows an awful lot about gym rules. Its not the weirdest thing to have a lot of knowledge about. Al could rattle off every butterfly found in Amestris and their exact life-cycle. But it is interesting.

"Huh. Does Viola have a secret challenge?" Ed asks Alexa, who makes a so-so motion.

"My sister has a real eye for the bonds between trainers and their Pokémon. She less so tests them, and more so tries to capture a photo of them displaying it. The better the photo, the less Gym Trainers she has to fight."

"Gym trainers?" Serena asks, brow furrowed. Ed mentally pumps his fist, he's not the only one asking questions.

"Some gym leaders." Alexa explains "Take on apprentices of a kind, and they get to be in the employ of the gym and battle the regular trainers who come in. My sister has a few. Usually, the help non-battle trainers, but she'll call them in for build up to official matches."

"Ash and Pikachu must have really impressed her, if she skipped straight to the battle." Bonnie gasps, and Alexa smiles at her.

"They did. Though, that might be partially my fault. I told her that he was coming and she did some research. That's why she's going tougher than him than she usually does on trainers with no badges."

"Once a Battle Trainer - what trainers, like Ash, who aim to take on the league are called." Clemont continues, sounding rather irritated that his explanation was interrupted, "Once they defeat the leader, they are awarded a gym badge. There are, of course, other ways to get badges, if you for some reason can't travel. Once a Battle Trainer collects eight gym badges in a league season, they are invited to participate in the League Conference. The winner is invited to challenge the Elite Four of the region, and if they beat all four, are invited to challenge the Champion."

"And if they win that, they're considered the strongest trainer in the region!" Bonnie cheers "They get, like, a government role. And super famous."

"Razor Wind!" Ash calls, louder than before, cutting into the conversation, and Surskit hits the ground in in an explosion of dust. Ed, not for the first time, wonders at the physics of this world. There is no way something that light created that much dust.

The court is covered in ice and sticky cobwebs.

"Surskit is unable to battle. Leader Viola, select your next Pokémon!" The referee calls, and Viola sends out a large butterfly. Ed raises his Pokedex.

Vivillon. The Scale Pokémon. A Bug and Flying type. Meadows pattern. Vivillon with many different patterns are found all over the world. These patterns on this Pokémon's wings depend on the climate and topography of its habitat. It scatters colorful, toxic scales from its wings during battle.

"Toxic?" Serena whispers, concerned. Ed has to take a deep breath and remind himself that the rules here are different. Insects are ten times larger and can shoots beams of ice, Butterflies with toxic scales are hardly the weirdest thing he's seen here. Pikachu is an electric rat, for fuck's sake.

"Viola's Vivillon doesn't know any poison type moves." Alexa assures her "But, you know, battle trainers need to be prepared for everything. Ophelia has poison types covered for Kalos, though."

Serena makes a slight, pained noise. Ed glances at Ralts, who is more concerned with the battle than discussions of poison.

Fletchling spins forward with a glowing beak, but is very easily stopped by a Psychic and Gust into the cobwebs.

"Now Vivillon! Solar Beam!" Viola calls, and Ash yells to Fletchling to peck her way out of the webs. She isn't fast enough.

"Fletchling is unable to battle. The challenger has run out of Pokémon, which means the match goes to the Gym Leader Viola!"

Ash holds up Fletchling's Pokeball, and the bird is sucked into it.

"You are always welcome to re-challenge me when your ready." Viola says, as she and Ash move to shake hands.

Ed pushes himself up to pick up Ralts, who looks very dejected at the loss. He murmurs "Raa…." and Ed hums.

"He'll win next time I'm sure." Clemont says to an equally dejected Bonnie. "And, it was wonderful to meet you, Serena. I hope we see each other again."

"Oh!" The girl jumps, as if she wasn't expecting to be addressed. "Right, yes. It was lovely to meet you too."

Ed waves over his shoulder and makes his way to Ash. He looks pretty dejected too.

"I underestimated her." He mutters to Ed, who knows the feeling well. Ling put on a wonderful act precisely for that to happen, and then kicked butt. Or at least, Lan Fan and Fu would kick butt. And Mei is literally twelve years old. One of the most competent twelve year old's in the world, but still a twelve year old. He himself was quite often underestimated, back home where no one expected the Youngest State Alchemist to actually pack a punch.

"You did." He agrees "But you won't do that again, will you?" Clemont and Bonnie catch up with them, and they begin to walk towards the Pokémon Center.

Ash nods, eyes glinting. "I've gotta train."

---

Ash doesn't like being tense. But he can't help it when he's separated from Pikachu. He's worried about Fletchling too, of course, but he doesn't have incredibly solid proof that their separation is Always Bad.

Like he had said to Ed, he'd underestimated Viola. First gyms are usually far easier.

There had been something burning in Ed's eyes when he'd said "You won't do that again, won't you?" It had sounded more like an order. And he'd sounded like he was used to giving them.

Ash decides that he's not going to focus on that, because he has to do strategy. He won't be able to come up with something if he's wondering about what Ed's life used to be like.

"Um. Hi!"

Ash jumps and turns, and he's always more easily spooked when Pikachu's not nearby.

"Hi! I'm Ash!" He slaps a grin on his face. The girl looks… familiar. But he can't really place where he's seen her before.

She holds out a bag. His bag "I know. I- You left this at the gym."

"Oh!" He'd been so caught up in his head that he hadn't even noticed leaving his bag behind. Grow up, Ketchum. "Thank you!"

"Your welcome." She says, and blushes. "I-uh- Did you-"

"Oh, Serena!" Clemont calls, running over from where he was trying to distract his sister from flirting with random women for him. Bonnie runs after him, abandoning her task, waving excitedly. The lady looks incredibly relieved. Ed follows at a much calmer pace. "Hello! I didn't think we'd see you again so soon!"

"Ash left his bag in the gym." Serena explains, smiling "So I came to deliver it."

"You've met?" Ash asks, looking between his travelling companions and Serena.

"She caught the tail end of your gym battle." Ed explains, and smiles at her. Serena flushes again.

"Yes. Fletchling did very well." She says to Ash, and he grins with pride. Before he the conversation can continue, the front desk of the pings. He runs over and catches Pikachu as he jumps. He takes Fletchling's Pokeball too, and thanks Nurse Joy.

"But, how did you get here from Antoris so fast?" Serena asks her, and she laughs.

"Oh, you must have met my cousin!"

Ash, well acquainted with the various Joy's, Jenny's and other such families, does not react. Ed, on the other hand, looks incredibly concerned.

"Those are some strong genes" He murmurs, as a blushing Serena asks for Nurse Joy to look over Fenniken.

"Of course. It is my job." She smiles, then looks at Ed. "Would you like me to look over your Ralts, too?"

"Sure." Ed nods, and places Ralts on the counter. The little psychic type murmurs a little sadly, but goes.

"Oh, Hey Alexa." Ed says as he turns around. Ash spins to.

"Hello Ed." She smiles at him, then looks at Ash "I've come to offer my assistance with training to take down my sister. My Noivern knows Gust, see."

Ash feels a lightening. That's one issue down, and if he uses Froakie's froubles as a stand-in for the Sticky Web, that's two. All he needs to do is figure out the Ice Battle fields.

Alexa sends out her Noivern, and Ash ties a pair of balloons around his Pokémon.

This exercise is, mostly, endurance. How long can they hold out whilst in the face of a gust. Can they figure out a way to steady themselves in the face of it.

The first time, the answer is no. He lunges to catch the two of them, and after a few encouraging words, sets them at it again.

Alexa calls for a second gust, and both of his Pokémon brace themselves. Froakie watches very judgementally, and Ash is half-tempted to chuck a balloon on the water-type and see how he fairs, but he refrains.

Pikachu and Fletchling hold on longer, but end up getting blown away again.

He wishes, for a moment, Pidgeot was at Professor Oak's lab, because she had a powerful gust and was a wonderful sport. But Pidgeot is in Viridian Forest, protecting her flock. None of the other birds are very good sport; Unfeazant is as vain as she is fast, Staraptor would only sulk that he wasn't the one actually battling. Swellow and Noctowl don't know Gust.

He groans on the floor. He hasn't been in the training groove in a few months. Travelling through the Decolore islands made him rusty.

"Uh… Ash?"

---

Serena waits in the center with Ed, Clemont and Bonnie, waiting for Fenniken and Ralts to be finished with their checkup.

She stares out after Ash. "He's very dedicated, isn't he?"

Ed hums, and Bonnie grins at her "Ash is always saying that its his dream to be a Pokémon Master!"

"What even is a Pokémon Master anyway?" Ed asks, and Serena is glad she's not the only one who doesn't know.

"Its a kind of like." Clemont frowns, and wrinkles his nose "The wording is terrible, but it's someone who has a deep understanding of all Pokémon. And is an incredibly good battler. Amongst other things."

"That's frustratingly vague." Ed murmurs, and Clemont gives a little shrug. Serena wonders how that can be a goal, if the guidelines are so vague. She wonders if Ash cares.

"Excuse me miss, sir?" Nurse Joy calls. "Your Pokémon are all good to go."

Ralts jumps off the bench and makes his way to his Partner, hugging his leg.

Serena pats Fenniken on the head before returning him to his Pokeball.

"Do you not put Ralts in his Pokeball?" Serena asks, curious. Ed looks at her, considering, then replies.

"Is he meant to be?"

"Not necessarily." Clemont explains "Ralts is considered a 'small' Pokémon, which means he should be good to be out of his Pokeball in almost all instances, like Pikachu. Its just that most trainers carry their Pokémon in their Pokeballs when travelling."

"Huh." Ed hums, but makes no move to put Ralts in his Pokeball. She flushes and looks away, towards the field where Ash is.

The four of them make their ways outside. Alexa is scratching her Noivern under its chin, complementing it's skill. Ash is sitting of the ground, looking deep in thought. Fletchling and Pikachu are on a shoulder each, and Froakie is taking a nap on the nearby bench.

The handkerchief is warm in her pocket.

Serena plucks up the courage to walk across the field.

"Uh… Ash?" She calls. He looks up at her, startled.

His eyes are a lovely, warm shade of brown. She remembers the deep kindness he'd shown her, all those years ago.

"I- um. I have to know. Do you… remember me?"

Notes:

The idea of Viola going harder on Ash than she would usually go on a trainer with no badges is from grainjew's fic, Crumbs and Challenges (https://archiveofourown.org/works/20396653). Its a short and sweet fic, which is one of my favourite types of fanfic. (Looks at my three one shots)

I'm going to add these to the bottom of each chapter where a new Pokémon is caught, an evolution happens or a new move is learnt, I've decided

Ralts. Ability: Telepathy. Timid Nature. Moves Known: Confusion, Double Team, Draining Kiss,

Pikachu. Ability: Conductive. Hasty Nature. Moves Known: Thunderbolt, Iron Tail, Electro Ball, Quick Attack

Froakie. Ability: Torrent (Battle Bond). Relaxed Nature. Moves Known: Water Pulse, Bubble, Pound

Fletchling. Ability: Flame Body. Brave Nature. Moves Known: Double Team, Peck, Razor Wind, Steel Wing

Bunelby. Ability: Huge Power. Serious Nature. Moves Known: Dig, Double Slap, Mud Shot

Dedenne. Ability: Cheek Pouch. Cheeky Nature. Moves Known: Nuzzle, Thunder Shock, Tackle

Fenniken. Ability: Blaze. Sassy Nature. Moves Known: Ember]

 

"Many fellow Trainers that Ash has encountered have been shown to have Badges that do not exist in the games, such as Gary Oak earning ten Badges in Kanto. Other Badges observed in Pokémon the Series which do not correspond to known Badges suggest that there are at least nine Gyms in Hoenn, 11 in Sinnoh, 14 in Unova, and 11 in Kalos." - the Bulbapedia page for Gyms
Ophelia is made up poison type leader of Couriway town. The other two I've made up for Kalos are Amelia, flying type leader of Camphrier town and Edgar, ghost type leader of Geosenge town.

 

Conductive is an ability I made up as to why Ash's Pikachu can electrocute Ground Types. I am aware Pikachu's ability is canonically static, but I've always headcanoned that he had a Scrappy-esque ability. This is my fic, I get to make the rules (except when I don't)

Chapter 8: Santelune Gym Part 2

Summary:

Ash trains, Ed cares deeply and the battle is won

Notes:

Welcome back to 'An AroAce person attempts to write crushes'. I hope you enjoy.

"I- um. I have to know. Do you… remember me?"

She holds her breath, trembling. He frowns, and she finds herself talking, before she can stop herself.

"At Professor Oaks' summer camp. We were, oh, four and five? I, uh. I tripped and you gave me this. I've been meaning to give it back to you." She pulls out the handkerchief.

He stares at it for a long moment.

"Uh, sorry I don't remember." He smiles at her, its apologetic and his eyes are kind and she can't even be mad "Like, I remember the camp itself. It's the only one I was ever on time to! But uh, not you. Sorry."

Her heart falters, slightly, but she takes a deep breath and makes a more deliberate 'take it' gesture.

"You told me something then. When you gave me this." She says, as he takes it. He stares at the handkerchief. "I really wanted to go home. And you told me - you said that I should 'never give up until its over.'"

He looks up at her again. Her face is so warm, she must be blushing furiously.

"I hope." She says "That those words can help you now, the same why they helped me then."

Ash gets up, and puts the handkerchief in his pocket. "Thanks, Serena. D'ya wany to stick with us for dinner? If you haven't got anything planned."

She must be as red as a tomato. "I- of course! If you'll have me."

He grins at her, lopsided, and it makes her heart do somersaults. Pikachu gives her a look that makes it clear he knows how she feels about his Partner. Fletchling chirps happily, and takes to the skies.

"We." He announces "Are going to get right back to training. Hey Alexa!" He calls to the woman. "We're good to start again if you are!"

Alexa looks up from where she's patting her Noivern. The dragon type doesn't have the correct anatomy to smile the way its trainer does - cheeky and determined - but Serena could swear they have the same expression. "Of course!"

Serena clears the field as the pair and their Pokémon get back to it.

She goes to sit next to Ed again. Clemont and Bonnie are further on, Clemont tinkering with some machine that she can't make heads nor tails of from a glance, and Bonnie is playing with a Dedenne and a Bunelby nearby.

Ed's Partner is sitting nearby, lifting small rocks with its psychic powers and holding them for as long as possible, then lowering them gently to the ground.

Edward nods at her as she sits, and looks back down at his tablet.

She lets Fenniken out of his Pokeball, because that seems to be what's happening. He makes his way over to where Ash's Froakie is napping. Serena thinks that, perhaps, they met at Professor Sycamore's lab.

She sits in silence for a few minutes, watching as Pikachu and Fletchling get better and better at handling themselves against Gust.

"Edward." She says, looking at him "Can I ask you a question?"

Ed looks up at her, and his eyes are tired. "Sure. What do you want to know?"

"Why are you travelling?" She asks, "With Ash? If that's nothing too personal."

He hums, thoughtfully. "Ash… helped me out of a tough spot. I didn't know much Kalosian when I first arrived here. He helped teach me some, and introduced me to Professor Sycamore. I've stuck with him because he was literally the only person I knew, and he doesn't seem to stingy with who he travels with."

Her lips go slightly dry. "So you don't have a goal?"

He looks at her, and then says "Not really. Ralts seems interesting in battling, but that's the only direction I have." his gaze turns curious "Why do you want to know? if you don't mind me asking."

Serena debates telling him for a moment, then says "My mother is a famous Ryhorn racer."

His brow furrows "Yeah, and?"

"She wants me to be a Ryhorn racer too." She says, and then it all comes out of her, in a torrent of words that she can't stop "And - I get it! She loves me, she loves racing, and she wants me to love it too! She says it once a day. But I don't want to be a Ryhorn racer. I don't know what I want to do, but its not that. Every time I try and tell her that, or try and spend time on anything that isn't Ryhorn racing, she gets so, so judgemental. That's part of why I left. I just- It makes me so mad! And she won't leave me alone until I figure something else out. And so I need to stay as far away as possible until I do but-"

Her chest heaves, and Ed looks taken aback. She feels suddenly guilty.

"I'm sorry." She whispers "I didn't mean to rant to you. We just met"

"It sounded like you needed to get that off your chest, though." Ed points out "So I don't mind. And, I guess your mum just needs to figure out that you aren't a- a fucking carbon copy of her."

She smiles a little. "Thank you."

They sit together, in silence for a few minutes. Fenniken abandons bothering Froakie to come and settle by her leg. Ralts also comes over and jumps onto the bench and sits on Eds lap. He pats her hand, and she laughs a little.

"You should come with us." Ed says, suddenly "When we leave Santelune. You said you don't have plans, so you should stick with us. Ash won't mind, and Bonnie thinks your wonderful already, so Clemont won't object."

She looks at him, surprised. His expression is angry, almost, his hands clenched on his lap and eyes staring forward and not at her.

"Are you sure?" She asks, feeling suddenly nervous. Her job was done, the handkerchief handed off. Ash didn't remember her, but he'd been so sincere in his apology, and she'd always forgive him.

But to continue to travel with them…

"I said it to Clemont and I'll say it to you." Ed tells her, tone fiercer than a mother Pangoro "I don't make a habit of offering things I don't mean."

---

"I've figured out how I'm going deal with the ice battle field." Ash tells his friends over dinner - a vegetable stew called Ratatouille. Like from the movie Ratataouille. Its delicious.

"Oh? Do tell." Alexa prompts, taking the final bite of her own.

"Nah." Ash grins at her "You'll see tomorrow, when it works."

He means it as a cheeky little quip, but Ed nods. Deadly serious. "Good. Keep your cards close to your chest." He says it with the tone of a Mentor imparting important wisdom to their trainee.

All of them look at him, very concerned. He doesn't seem to notice, too busy eating his dinner with a gusto Ash has only ever associated with himself.

"I have an idea to help you with the Sticky Web!" Clemont says, quickly, very clearly unnerved. "I've been working on it all afternoon!"

"Really?" Ash asks, because his friends don't usually help him train beyond battling each other. Brock would have if he'd asked, but back in Kanto he'd been both too proud and too scared of Misty discovering he was asking for help. That fear had carried over to Johto, even as they stopped fighting with each other as much.

May and Dawn had always been co-ordinators, and he'd been sort of mentoring both of them, and he'd been terrified of seeming weak. Especially in the face of Paul.

Then in Unova…

Cilan and Iris were great. He cared about both of them deeply. But there was always an air of 'I'm-better-than-you' about them when it came to Ash, and he hadn't wanted to deal with asking them for help.

"Of course." Clemont adjusts his glasses. "Your my friend. I want to help and I can help, so I will."

He says it so simply, like Ash himself had to said to Paul, years ago. Ash thinks, if he were any worse at hiding his expressions, he might cry.

"You seemed like you had a good handle on Gust." Alexa tells them "So I hope you won't mind if I head out? I probably won't see your battle tomorrow either. The curse of adulthood - I have a job to do."

"Of course not." Ash tells her, feeling bad because he completely forgot she'd mentioned she had a scoop and he's kept her here all day "It was wonderful to see you again, Alexa!"

"Same. And it was wonderful to meet the rest of you." She smiles at them.

As she leaves, Serena asks "How did you meet her?"

"We were both at the Decolore Islands." Ash says around a mouthful of food, "And there was this… sumo competition? Anyway, we were heading in the same direction and started travelling together. She's why I came here, actually."

He's glad he decided to come here. Kalos, in the first few days, has been great for the most part. No legendries sapping Pikachu's electricity, no fried bikes, no Asshole Rival. Its been so calm.

"I'm glad you did." Ed tells him, pushing his empty bowl away. "Who would have found me if it weren't you?"

"Were did he find you?" Clemont asks, curious "I assumed you came here together, but if that's not the case…"

"In a dumpster." Ed informs them, matter-of-fact. Serena looks horrified and he laughs "I've been showering, don't worry."

"That's not what I'm worried about." She mutters, and Ash shrugs. Finding random people in dumpsters is hardly the weirdest thing that happened. Beats electricity sapping legendries.

They finish up and head back outside to continue training. Clemont wheels what looks like a canon to the other end of the field, where Alexa had stood, and explains the "Sticky-Web-Sticky-Wicked-Whacker-Wonk".

"I analysed the DNA makeup of sticky web." He explains "And this should produce and shoot it at varying speeds."

"We." Bonnie announces to Serena and Ed "Should sit over here." she leads them far away from the prototype.

Clemont stares after his sister, a little wounded, but it's telling that he doesn't object.

The machine works. Pikachu and Fletchling jump and fly between globs of sticky web. Clemont continues to dial the machine up, and the globs fly faster. Pikachu almost lands in one of the webs, but manages to twist in the air. Fletchling gets globbed and Ash helps her out.

Then, well. The machine clogs. Clemont yelps. It blows up.

This is becoming a pattern. Ash likes patterns, they make the day easier to deal with, if there is a script to follow.

Clemont looks dejected, and sighs, picking up the remaining pieces from the explosion. He stuffs them into his bag and trudges over to the rest of their friends.

Ash waits to see if he'll need to comfort him, but Ed seems to have it covered, immediately engaging in a conversation about how he found the specific chemical makeup of sticky web, and Ash has never had a brain for science, so he turns back to the court.

"Okay, Froakie. You can stand in for sticky web."

The four of them continue into the night, far after when Clemont and Serena take Bonnie up to bed.

Ed comes over and taps him on the shoulder.

"You've gotta get some sleep." He says "All of this training will be for nothing if you can't think straight."

Ash grumbles, but Pikachu slaps him, and Ed looks like he'll stay out the whole night if Ash does. Fletchling lands on Ed's shoulder, very clearly taking his side.

"They've all gotta sleep too." Ed points out, and Ash is a weak man when it comes to the health and safety of his Pokémon, so he goes.

He'll win tomorrow. They've put to much effort into their training to not.

---

Bonnie is buzzing with excitement.

Yesterday was disappointing, but back before Clembot kicked them out, Clemont always liked the rematches. He said he enjoyed seeing the way strategies changed to counter his Pokémon.

From the way Viola is bouncing on her feat at she and Ash take their places on the field, she must be excited too.

"My sister told me to expect some neat tricks from you today." Viola grins across at Ash "I said you'd need more than tricks to beat me!"

"We'll see about that!" Ash grins.

The referee coughs. Bonnie's always felt sorry for them, having to deal with two keyed up Battle Trainers as their job. At least they get a front row seat to the awesome battles.

When she and Clemont return to the gym, she's gonna ask if she can be his referee.

"Did you see anything of his ice-field counter?" Clemont asks Ed, behind her.

"Nah." The older boy says "They were dodging until eleven."

"Is that what battle training is?" Serena asks, curiously.

"Sort of." Clemont explains "Uh- as I understand it, its just general battling, testing strategy. But there are always late nights before Official matches."

Bonnie tunes out the technical jargon as the referee calls "The match between Gym Leader Viola and Challenger Ash Ketchum is about to begin. The rules are the same as yesterday; two Pokémon, switches only after knockout. Select your first Pokémon."

"Surskit, center of the frame!"

"Pikachu, I choose you."

"Huh." Clemont mutters "I was sure his strategy would just be Fletchling. Ice battle field can't affect you if your in the air."

Both Pokémon stand on the field, staring at each other. Bonnie frowns, because nothing is happening. Ralts moves forward to stand next to her.

"He's waiting for Viola to make the first move." Ed murmurs, "He's not used to waiting though, you can tell by the way both he and Pikachu are twitching."

"You can't take a photo without closing the shutter." Viola calls "And you can't win a battle without making an attack. Now Surskit, Sticky Web."

"Dodge it!"

"There are several ways to win a battle without making an attack." Clemont murmurs. "They're all just very difficult to implement, so not many people use them."

Nerd.

Pikachu twists out of the way of a the sticky web, and then responds to Ash's call for a Thunderbolt. Viola has Surskit counter with protect, then orders it to use Signal Beam.

"Well, at least the training yesterday paid of." Serena says, as Pikachu sidesteps and lands a hit with Iron Tail.

"Lets make this easier on us, Surskit! Ice Beam on the battlefield." Viola yells.

"Latch on and use Thunderbolt, Pikachu!"

Bonnie watches in awe, as Surskit tries to shake Pikachu off whilst using Ice Beam. The trees around the field are almost entirely frozen by the time the little bug type manages.

Pikachu lands gracefully on his feet, and Surskit unleashes a second Ice Beam on the field before he or Ash can react.

"Now its time to release the shutter. Surskit, signal beam!"

"Plant yourself and counter with Thunderbolt!" Ash calls, grinning.

Pikachu sticks his tail into the ground and the two attacks collide into an explosion of dust.

When it clears, Surskit is out cold.

"Surskit is unable to battle." The referee calls. "Will the challenger switch his Pokémon?"

Ash nods, and Pikachu slides off the field.

"Go, Fletchling!" "Vivillon, your up!"

"At least he doesn't have to worry about Sticky Web this time." Serena offers, and Bonnie hears her brother make a noise of agreement.

"He had his gust countermeasures down pat yesterday, so this won't be a repeat of last time."

"Don't be too confident in a victory before it happens." Ed murmurs "But he's got Pikachu on side in case something goes wrong with Fletchling."

He's awfully negative. Bonnie thinks, frowning.

He ends up being correct too. Fletchling holds her own; pecks and steel wings landing hits, but Vivillon's psychic is harder to beat than its gust, and Viola pulls her out her own trick.

"Sleep Powder!"

Fletchling hits the ground.

"If Fletchling were to wake up." Ed asks "Would she be allowed to continue to battle?"

"Only if Ash left her on the field and she woke up of her own accord." Clemont informs them "If Ash recalls her now, he's effectively giving Viola a free win."

"But leaving her in would likely just lead to being knocked out anyway." Ed concludes, as Ash sends Pikachu back in.

Pikachu, Bonnie thinks, as the two trainers start again, is clearly an experienced battler, the way Clemont's Heliolisk is. He's tired though, from the match against Surskit.

Then Vivillon uses sleep powder, and Bonnie is sure there done.

"Electroball on himself" Ed murmurs, as Serena gets down from yelling encouragement, blushing "Like slapping yourself to get heat back into your skin. But with a hundred times more electricity."

The battle ends… pretty fast after that. Two Electroball, crashing into lamps and a Thunderbolt later-

"Leader Viola's Vivillon is unable to battle." The Referee calls "Which means the match goes to the challenger!"

Notes:

Serena, ranting: And she keeps trying to force me to be a Ryhorn racer-

Ed, externally: She needs to stop doing that.

Ed, internally: What in the ever-loving fuck is a Ryhorn and why in Truth's limb stealing name would you race it?

Ed is being a flaming hypocrite when it comes to forcing Ash to sleep. But his friends are clearly more important and better people than him. He deserves the delirium of sleep deprivation. Obviously. (Get this boy a therapist).

Why I chose to write a Pokémon fic when I have no idea how to write engaging battles, I have no idea. I'll get better as I go, I guess. You can tell I lost motivation at the end.

Chapter 9: On The Road To Lumiose

Summary:

The gang convince Serena to go with them, Race Ryhorn Offscreen, and discuss Partners

Notes:

I'm not really happy with this chapter, but the next two I'm really excited for, so I'm putting this out now.

After congratulations are shared and the night slept through in the Pokémon center, Serena finds herself also sharing breakfast with Ash and the others.

It's nice, eating with other people when no one is nagging her about Ryhorn racing. There's something warm in her chest as she's easily included in the general chatter.

"What are you planning on doing next, Serena?" Clemont asks, politely. "I initially assumed you were also at the gym for a battle, but…"

"I don't know." Serena confesses quietly, ignoring Ed's pointed look. Asking to travel with them feels enormous, because what if they say no? "I guess I'll just be travelling."

"You should come with us!" Ash grins at her enthusiastically. Her heart seizes in her chest. That solves that issue, she guesses

Ed gives her a 'what-did-I-tell-you' look, while Bonnie and Clemont both enthusiastically agree with Ash.

"I- if I won't be a bother." She smiles at them.

"You won't." Ed tells her sharply, before holding up his lab-gifted holocaster. A map of the Kalos region is projected on it. There is a red glowing line connecting several towns. "And now that that's decided, We need to decide our route. I was doing some research last night, and Kalos has eleven gyms available to challenge for this years Conference. One of them is only available to be challenged for a week every month and one leader is so busy with their other jobs that they only fit about three hours worth of gym matches in a day. We'll hit every single town, however, if we follow this route."

He places it on the tables "We leave from here and go through Lumiose City, then head out to Camphrier town and Cyllage City for your second badge. Maybe third, if Camphrier's leader is in town. If we follow this path, we should hit every gym and be in Lumiose City for the conference well before November. How does that sound?"

"You've been here for seven days." Clemont says, a voice a little weak.

"Did you even sleep last night?" Ash asks at the same time.

Ed blinks at them all, as if he cannot understand why they're taken aback. "No." he says to Ash, who mutters something that sounds suspiciously like 'hypocrite' "How does that sound?" He repeats.

"That sounds great." Ash says, sounding a little irritated. Probably by the lack of sleeping "You gonna finish your food?"

Ed glares at him, and swipes the holocaster of the table "Keep your slimy ass hands off of my fucking food."

Ash laughs, irritation gone, and it makes Serena's stomach swoop.

They finish their food, and go back into the Pokémon Center to have Pikachu and Fletchling looked over again.

"If nothing else." Ed tells Ash "You inspired someone yesterday."

Ralts is staring over in the corner, and his moving rocks had turned into throwing them into the planter. There's a fierce little frown on his face.

"Does that mean you'll be doing the gyms too?" Ash asks, eyes sparkling.

Ed nods, but he looks unsure. "Ralts wants to."

Serena wonders at that. Ralts wants to. What does Ed want, then?

"That's great!" Ash grins and drags Ed into a side hug, arm wrapped around the older boys' shoulders. The height difference is somewhat comical.

Ed pulls himself away. "I'll register when Pikachu and Fletchling are done."

About an hour later, they're on the road towards Antoris. Serena frowns at her shoes. They're scuffed and dusty. She swears she can see some mud.

"I think I need new shoes." She mutters.

"You're going to want ones like mine." Bonnie tells her, nodding "Cute but practical, daddy says. The best way for things to be. Unlike Clemont. He's only practical some times, and never cute."

Her brother splutters.

"Since we're heading back to Lumiose, d'ya reckon I could challenge the leader there this time?" Ash muses "Surely someone's complained loud enough to get someone investigating."

"I'm sure it'll be dealt with!" Clemont practically shouts, and Ed looks at him weirdly "But if they've got the four badge rule then they'd be super strong, right? So you'd want to train some more. Or catch some more Pokémon. Especially you, Ed."

"You're right." Ash mutters, sounding a little dejected. Bonnie makes a face, but says nothing.

"So, Serena. Why did you decide to start travelling." Clemont asks, polite and curious. A very strange shift from literally three seconds ago "Most people your age have already decided whether they want to go on a journey or not."

Serena grimaces. She'd told Ed the other night, but that had been a spur of the moment decision. She hadn't meant to, but it had come spilling out. Today though…

"I met Ash at Summer camp, years ago." She say, finally. "I fell over and he helped me up. He gave me the handkerchief. I wanted to return it, when I saw him on the news."

Ed makes a noise at the back of his throat, but doesn't reveal anything she told him yesterday. She's grateful.

"Holy shit!" Ash yelps, and Pikachu jumps from his shoulder to hers in fright. She stumbles at the weight "You were straw-hat-girl!"

Serena blushes, bright red. "I did wear a straw hat back then, yes."

"That's incredible dedication." Clemont tells her, impressed "Coming all this way to return a handkerchief."

"I also thought it would be exciting to see Ash again." She tells him, then scowls "Even if he didn't remember me."

"I'm sorry!" Ash grins at her "But I do now - by Mew, Gary called me a lying prick when I told him about helping you. Just 'cause the one time he didn't go on a camp I helped someone out…" he trails off into grumbling.

Serena looks at Ed, and he just shrugs, then tenses. She does too, after a moment. There's a thundering noise coming down the track that she recognises.

Ryhorn Racers.

---

"So that's what Ryhorn Racing is." Ed whispers to himself, everything aching as Officer Jenny gives them a ride away from the race track.

"Minus the interruption." Clemont breaths, trembling a little. He's clearly not used to so many high stress activities in so few days. Ed gets the feeling they'll all be used to it before long. Mostly from how Ash is completely unsurprised when they show up.

It had been fun, and Ryhorn had looked epic. Even though the one he'd been riding - who he'd been affectionately calling 'Falman' for his deadpan stare - had jabbed him in all the painful places.

He'd probably do it again, if he could, but he couldn't comprehend doing it for a living.

"Antoris is home to one of the most famous Furfrou groomers in the world." Serena sighs. "I'd love to visit his salon, even just for a look."

"I'm sure we can make time." Ash tells her with as soft smile. She smiles back at them. Bonnie squeals, excited, and Dedenne coos at her.

Ralts pushes at his leg and he grins at his Pokémon. "We'll start training soon enough." he promises. Ash grins at him, then.

Jenny drops them off in Antoris, and they make their way through the town. Serena opens her own town map and is looking for the Furfrou groomer's store.

Its not long before they run across one of the Pokémon in question. Ash raises his Pokedex.

Furfrou. The Poodle Pokémon. A pure Normal type. Trimming its fluffy fur not only makes it more elegant but also increases the swiftness of its movements. Historically, in the Kalos region, these Pokémon were the designated guardians of the king.

"It looks different from the one in the Pokedex." Ash mutters "That means its been to a groomer, right?"

"Yes! Maybe we can ask-" Serena is cut off when, out of the bush, a second Furfrou leaps out of a bush and lands on Ed. Bonnie, who was standing close to him, also goes stumbling.

"Ow!"

"Shit!" He wheezes , because falling jarred his aching muscles "Fucking- Dogs."

"Oh my Xerneas!" A high pitch voice calls "I am so sorry! Furfrou, please."

"It's okay ma'am!" Bonnie calls, as the dog gets off of Ed. "It's not your fault."

"It kind of is." She says, holding out a hand to Ed whilst Clemont pulls some band aid's out of his bag for Bonnie's knees "Furfrou is my Partner, you see."

Ed accepts the proffered hand, letting her pull him up, wondering at that. Partner, the capital evident. Pikachu is Ash's Partner, but Bunelby isn't Clemont's. He wonders what the difference is.

"Dogs just do that to me." He tells her, trying to go for reassuring. It's not a tone he's good at. "I'm not surprised."

"Still." She frowns. "She shouldn't have." She takes a deep breath "I'm Jessica, an apprentice Pokémon groomer."

"I'm Ash, this is my Partner, Pikachu." The boy in question grins "That's Serena, Clemont, Bonnie and Dedenne, and that's Ed and his Partner, Ralts."

Is Ralts his Partner, by the rules of this world? He wonders, as the psychic/fairy type pats him on the leg. "I'm alright. You don't have to worry."

"Raaa…" He scowls at the Furfrou, who sniffs, uncaring. Ed is touched at the loyalty.

"Your an apprentice groomer?" Serena asks, eyes shining. "I've always wanted to see a grooming salon!"

"I you can walk with me as I go back to work, if you want." Jessica offers, "It's the least I could do." She smiles apologetically at him again.

That's how they find themselves getting a tour of the salon. Sherman, Jessica's boss and the famous guy that Serena mentioned, ends up being far more humble than Ed expected of someone lauded as a superstar. Jessica gives them a tour of the salon, pointing out all of the different berries they have to keep the Pokémon healthy, and all the different shampoos and tools they use.

Ash looks a little overwhelmed buy it all. Ed thinks about the one time he'd seen the Bastard's bathroom. His chest hurts a little. Not that he misses the asshole or anything, but he'd probably know what's going on here - hair obsessed as he is.

Jessica takes them out to show them around Antoris, and they're waylaid by a strangely familiar looking duo. Ed can't place a finger on where he'd seen them before though.

"Beauty and Grooming Expert" Jessica asks the lady - pinkish red hair. He's sure he's seen her before.

"Yes!" The man grins "Jessalie's won several awards!"

They get taken through a show of a single Pokémon in different styles. Wabuffet. Team Rocket had one of those, didn't they?

There's a sinking feeling in his gut.

Jessalie offers to groom Pikachu, which is when Ed cuts in.

"I dunno if we've got the time. We're here on our friends lunch break, see?"

Jessica startles, as if out of a trance, then nods "Yeah. And we haven't even hit the marketplace yet! Maybe later this afternoon?"

"You can leave a Pokémon here to pick up later." The man offers, looking irritated. Before Ed can shut that down, Serena asks if she can leave Fenniken, and Bonnie gets excited.

He might be wrong. He doesn't know how this world works. Maybe all grooming places are suspicious. Sherman's wasn't, but that could be the exception, not the rule.

"I'll stick nearby." He says, when Fenniken is dropped nearby, his friends look confused, but say they'll see him later, and he sits down on a bench outside, stuffing his nose in his tablet.

Hughes taught him how to make this trick actually work. How to look distracted, but not be distracted. Ralts sits next to him, doing his rock throwing exercises.

Ten minutes later, Ralts taps him on the leg as he notices the noise from inside the building has died down. Ed leaps up as the rest of his friends come tearing back down the street. With Officer Jenny.

"A different one to the one from before." Serena whispers to him, "Like the Nurse Joy's"

"How strong are the genes in this- here." Ed grumbles.

His gut feeling was right, hurrah, Jessalie and her team are thieves. Furfrou picks up their scent, and they're on the move. He curses himself, a little, because obviously there would have been a back door.

"Ed was suspicious of them, weren't you." Ash says, curious. "How'd you figure it out so fast?"

"They were incredibly suspicious." Ed sighs, as they run "Boarded up building, insisting on grooming now. And they immediately had eyes on Pikachu. Also, Jessalie? Jessie, for sure."

"They always manage to trick me." Ash grumbles, sulking.

They arrive at the park, and it was Team Rocket. Ed's pretty sure they went flying in the other direction, earlier. Maybe their are multiple Team Rocket Trio's with talking Meowth and Wabuffet's who want to steal Ash's Pikachu. Maybe this world doesn't give shit about making sense. Who knows.

The rattle through their motto, and the battle begins.

Jenny's Manetric is confused by James' Inkay and attacks her instead of the thieves, and Ash and Pikachu take the field. Pikachu manages really well, until he gets hit with ink in his eyes.

Ed steps forward, with Ralts, but Ash waves him off. "We've got this!"

Ed frowns, but trusts him. He's been dealing with these guys for years. Even if he still gets tricked by their disguises, he knows how to handle them.

"Furfrou!" Jessica calls, and Ed swears.

Ralts and Bunelby take the field, as Wabuffet steps in front of the electric cage Jessie has trapped Furfrou in.

"Confusion!"

"Mud Shot!"

Both attacks are reflected, and Ralts stumbles back.

"Bunelby, dig under!" "Ralts, Double Team."

Ralts shudders and a group of fake-Ralts appear around Wabuffet, who spins around, trying to find the real one.

"Don't focus on the Ralts, under-"

Jessie is cut off by Bunelby erupting from under the ground. Wabuffet flies up next to the real Ralts, and Ed calls for a Draining Kiss.

Jessica breaks Furfrou's cage with a stick, and comments in awe that Ash and Pikachu are still at it, despite Pikachu being unable to see.

"They're Partners." Clemont explains, as if that means anything. As if it means everything. "It's indicative of their bond."

"Their bond huh." Jessica mutters, and her Furfrou barks at her. They share a moment, as Pikachu's Thunderbolt blasts Inkay into the group, and the girls try and wake Dedenne up. The electric type would probably sleep through the end of the world, though, so its no use.

"Alright, Furfrou. Charge Beam."

The dog opens his mouth, and a beam of electricity shoots out. Ed is mildly unnerved, because why can the Poodle shoot electricity?

Team Rocket goes flying, Fenniken is back with Serena, Jenny returns all the other Pokémon. The day is saved. Maybe. Team Rocket will show up again before long, Ed wagers to himself.

"That was some good battling." He says to Ash, as they wait for Jessica to finish. She's offered to treat them to dinner as thanks for inspiring her and Furfrou. "Uh- Clemont said it was because you and Pikachu were Partners. What does that mean. What's different between you and Pikachu and Clemont and Bunelby"

Ash frowns, and thinks. Probably because this is the type of common knowledge that the mysterious third shaker was for in Xerxes. Al better be interrogating Hohenheim about that sort of stuff. He'd get such a good paper out of it, too.

"Its like. I've known Pikachu since I was ten. We've been through a lot and we're super close. He was my Starter, like how Ralts was yours." He chews his lip "It's… the Pokémon you've got the deepest Bond with. I guess Clemont has more Pokémon than Bunelby, and one of them is his Partner."

"How do your other Pokémon feel?" Ed asks "Like, I'm assuming they can tell."

"They can." Ash nods "Pokémon are much better at telling that sort of thing. And its… they just get it, you know? I love all my Pokémon - from Butterfree to Fletchling - but Pikachu's just… different, you know? He's my Partner."

Notes:

Furfrou continues the trend of dogs jumping on Ed. He can't escape it, even in another universe.

 

Ed: I don't miss Mustang at all. In fact, I'm actually glad I'll never have to see him again.
Also Ed: I am reminded of him by every makeup product and asshole I see.

Ed will not be interrupting all of Team Rocket's schemes, for the sole factor that it wouldn't be very fun. He doesn't even really interrupt this one, he just makes it so Team Rocket will disguise themselves better in future.

I'm not sure if Ash explained it very well, so I'm trying again here. The way its working is that your Partner is the Pokémon you have the deepest bond with. There's a special connection between the two of you. Its usually your starter because that's the Pokémon you've known the longest. Ash and Pikachu (obv), Clemont and Luxio (when they sort their shit out), Bonnie and Dedenne, Serena and Fenniken and, in this fic, Ed and Ralts.

Chapter 10: Clemont's got a secret!

Summary:

We meet Meyer, one of the best parents of the Pokémon Universe. Ed begins collecting parental figures once again, his old collection of pseudo-mums and dads left back in his world. Clemont reveals his secret.

Notes:

A little shorter than usual, but the next chapter is BEEFY. And should include Ed's next Pokémon, so be excited.

Yes, the title is taken directly from the episode.

They get back to Lumiose the middle of the next day. They'd stayed up, and therefore woken up, late, because Bonnie had begged Ed to stick to his promise of teaching her how to throw a proper punch, and he'd ended up running all of his friends through it.

(All four of them have super-powered animal friends who would kick but for them, but if Ed can provide anything that will protect them, maybe he can redeem himself for all the people he'd failed back in his world. Maybe he can make it up for not saving Nina and Alexander, for getting Hughes killed and leaving Elicia without a father.)

Ash had decent enough form, but he'd clearly never actually been shown how to punch. Clemont's arm were limp like noodles and Serena couldn't keep herself steady. Bonnie was the best at it, but she had been so excited she'd tripped over her own feet and almost gone crashing to the ground.

They'll learn.

Lumiose is as big and bustling as it was last time they were here. People and their Pokémon everywhere, talking in rapid-fire Kalosian. Ralts hugs tighter to Ed's leg, and he bends down to lift his Partner up.

(The word feels right, and Ed wonders if the Truth of his universe fucked with his brain. Or maybe just… adjusted it so he could better feel this universes' Truth. He wonders what he gave up for it to do so. Maybe his arm had been able to cover the cost of more than one thing?)

"The tower looks so magnificent." Serena breathes "It must be a spectacular sight at night."

Bonnie nods, excited "The whole thing lights up! My-" She cuts herself off, suddenly looking shifty. Ed frowns.

"That's where the gym is." Ash tells Serena. "I tried to challenge it, but this, uh, Robot, I think, kicked me out when it found out I didn't have four badges."

"Are they allowed to do that?" Ed asks, concerned. "That feels illegal."

Clemont makes a noise at the back of his throat, and Bonnie coughs.

Ash shrugs "Blaine in Kanto hid his gym so well everyone thought it shut down. Erika refused to let me battle her because I insulted her perfume. Gym Leaders are weird."

"Well, you need four badges." Bonnie chirps really fast, "And like Clemont said yesterday, Ed you and Ralts defiantly need to train more! So we should just keep moving and head straight to Camphrier town and-"

"Clemont, Bonnie!" A deep voice that sounds like Sig's calls, and Ed feels a piercing pain in his chest. "Is that you?"

The siblings freeze up, and Ed glances at Ash and Serena. Both shrug. Pikachu rolls his eyes at them, because he's a prick. Ralts coos, lightly.

The man is broad and tall, with brown hair and eyes. He's smiles down at the siblings and slaps them on the shoulders "It's been so long!"

Bonnie squeals and jumps at the man, who gathers her up in a hug, booming laughing. "How's my little girl?"

"Do you want to introduce us?" Ed asks, eyebrow raised, ignoring the pain in his chest.

"Ah, yes. Ed, Ash, Serena, this is our father, Meyer, and his Partner Ampharose. Dad, these our new friends! Ash and Pikachu, Serena, and Edward and Ralts." Clemont says, shuffling his feet and gesturing.

Meyer puts Bonnie down and looks them over, critically. Ampharose comes forward to hug her, and she hugs it right back "Its good to see you making friends." He tells his children. "And, your Pikachu, Ash? You take good care of him, I can tell from here."

Ash blushes "Thank you, uh, sir."

Meyer laughs "No need for that sir business. Any friend of my children is a friend of mine!" He grins at Ed, and looks slyly at Clemont "Especially when they're-"

"Dad!" Clemont shrieks, blushing bright red. Ed glances at Serena again, looks like she's about to burst out laughing. Whatever.

"Ah alright!" Meyer laughs again. Big and booming. "You must come for lunch, the two of you have been so busy lately."

Which is how they find themselves seated at the table in the house above Meyer's mechanic shop. He dishes out lunch, and sits in between his children, at the head of the table.

"You two have to stop by more, you know." He says to his kids, gently. "I know you're off being the Pride of Lumiose, Clemont, but you've got to be less strict on the challengers."

Ed stiffens. Okay. What the fuck.

"Dad-" Clemont says, and his father cuts him off.

"You push yourself too hard, and then you turn that on your challengers. You're job is to guide them, remember."

"Not in front of my friends, please." Clemont begs, voice weak, and Meyer's eyes soften instantly.

"Sorry, kid."

Clemont accepts this with a nod, then Bonnie distracts their father by introducing Dedenne, and Ash opens his mouth.

"Don't." Ed mutters to him "We can ask him later, when he's not trying to seem put together."

Serena nods, staring "He should have told us-"

"He should have." Ed agrees, wondering when he became the Voice of Reason. It's not a job he likes "And we can grill him about it later. Lets just enjoy lunch for now."

That seems to placate them. Clemont looks at him gratefully, having probably overheard them. Ed gives him a sharp, pointed look, stolen directly from Izumi Curits. His friend blushes and looks away.

"How long have you lot been in Kalos?" Meyer asks, curious.

"I moved to Vaniville from Kanto when I was six." Serena explains "Ash and Ed arrived here, oh, Eight days ago?" She directs that last at them.

Ash flashes a thumbs up over his lunch.

"Not long, eh?" Meyer grins at Ed. He smiles back, trying not to think of Hughes.

Lunch goes by, and Meyer waves them away after extracting a promise that they'll come around for dinner.

"So." Ed starts, as they walk towards Prism Tower "Pride of Lumiose, are you?"

Clemont goes bright red. "I- I suppose I should explain. Shouldn't I?"

---

"I'm the Lumiose Gym leader." Clemont says.

He feels like he's admitting to something heinous. A grave sin that could never be forgiven.

His friends are staring at them. Bonnie looks small, scared. Ed crouches down next to her and pats her shoulder. At least he's not mad at her.

"Being a gym leader is a time consuming job." He continues, voice trembling "I never had any time for inventing anymore. So I- I made a substitute. Not forever! I chose to become a gym leader! But, just so I could have some time for myself. Lumiose is the biggest city in Kalos, and its a where all the tourists come. Half of my challengers weren't even serious."

He can't look at them.

"I made Clembot. Just to substitute for me sometimes. But, something went wrong when I tested him out. He recognised me as a challenger with no badges, I messed up on the voice module, and he threw me out."

They stare at him, and he feels peeled. Bare.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you." He whispers.

"This just got a million times more complicated." Ed mutters, a strange expression on his face, at the same time Ash says;

"So we've gotta get your gym back."

Serena hugs him, tight, and Bonnie sniffs a little.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, you probably should have told us." Ash continues "But I've hardly told you everything about me, and we know nothing about Ed's life." Ed flips him off "So we can't be mad mad about that. And-"

"I hope Yveltal comes for that fucker." A guy snaps, and Clemont whips his head around.

"Are you alright?" He asks, because his hair is slightly singed.

"No." The man snaps "I challenged the fucking gym, and when I lost, the stupid robot electrocuted me and opened a trap door under my feet."

Clemont's stomach sinks "Electrocuted you?"

That's what his dad meant, wasn't it. About being less strict. Clembot what are you doing?

The man leaves, grumbling about the 'stupid robot'.

"We need to visit the gym." Ed decide, eyes sharp.

---

Meyer watches his children leave with their new friends.

He's glad. Clemont has always had trouble with people, some finding his rambling annoying, some thought he was stuck up, and well, when it came out that he liked men…

Children can be cruel. And have weirdly outdated opinions. Meyer knows all to well.

Bonnie has always trailed after her older brother. It made her weird in the eyes of her classmates. She was too loud, her teachers used to say, her head was always in the clouds.

He wishes she had more friends around her age, but any will do. Truly, he's just glad they have any.

"Ampha." His Partner murmurs, lifting a piece of clothing he'd forgotten to hide.

"Ah, yes." He chuckles "We're lucky none of them saw that, aren't we?"

"Rose." She grumbles. Ampharose has always been of the opinion that he should tell his children about his, ah, nightly activities. But Meyer can't. Since Charles' death, he's been unable to even consider putting them in any sort of danger, even just vaguely being connected to Blaziken Mask.

Although… He thinks of the gentleness of Ash's scarred hands, the warm way Serena spoke to his children, and the fierce protectiveness in Ed's eyes when they first met…

They've got some pretty good protectors now, in any case.

"They'll be fine." He tells Ampharose "They have to be."

Notes:

Meyer: literally just being a good dad.
Edward "daddy issues" Elric: Why Do You Torment Me So.

 

Yes, Meyer instantly clocked Clemont's crush. He knows his kids well.

 

Clemont: Oh Arceus my friends hate me because I didn't tell them I'm a gym leader.
Ash, has died several times, met every god so far, has funky soul-powers: I'm not mad.
Ed, a member of the military from another world, has funky science-powers: Neither am I.
Serena, has basically spilled her entire life story by now: I am. But you look very sad, so I'll forgive you.

 

This also marks the first non-main character point of view! We'll get more later, but Meyer deserves some love. Also yes, Charles is his husband. How did Clemont and Bonnie come about? You decide.

Chapter 11: Mission: Reclaim Lumiose Gym

Summary:

The Gang sneaks into the gym, Bonnie and Clemont reminisce, Serena offers some comfort, Ed makes a new friend, and Ash makes a deal.

Notes:

I'm so happy to be writing this chapter.

Ed leads them towards the tower at a speedy pace, face set and determined.

Ralts has burrowed his way into Clemont's arms, cooing at him. It's sweet of them both, and makes Clemont blush.

"Why did you become a gym leader in the first place?" Ash asks, and Bonnie leaps in, talking very fast.

"Brother's so cool. Back at his school, they called him 'The Electric Type Prodigy', because he was so good at working with them!"

"I wanted to get stronger. To master electric types." Clemont confesses. He wants to make Shinx proud. To make his dads proud. "And, well, the old gym leader, Soliel, was looking for an apprentice and successor. They saw my work, back at school, and asked me personally to be it. Said I had a lot of potential."

Soliel had died two years after Clemont officially took over the gym, last year. If there is an afterlife, they must be so disappointed in him.

"That's so cool!" Ash grins at him, "To be asked personally by a gym leader, because of something you made? You're so cool."

He's so genuine, it actually hurts.

Serena puts a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get your gym back," she assures him, and he smiles at her.

"I doubt it. Even if I remember the voice module, I've only got Bunelby."

Bunelby is wonderful, but they've only been trainer and Pokémon for a few weeks. Compared to Heliolisk, Emolga, Magnemite, and Magneton. And Soleil's Electevire and Elektross would crush almost any competition - though Clembot should only use those if someone has eight or more badges. That's how he'd programmed it.

"You should still give it your best shot," Ash says, his face deadly serious. "Maybe, if you do, you'll both figure yourselves out." Then his face turns a little sly. "And you shouldn't underestimate Bunelby. Or your other Pokémon."

Clemont looks at him, then looks at Ed, who is waiting for them by the hole still in the side of the tower left over from Garchomp's rampage. When had he gotten so far ahead?

"This is a national landmark, isn't it?" Ed asks, as they get closer, "It's weird they haven't fixed it yet."

"They need my permission." Clemont mutters, "As Gym Leader, I own the tower. I'll have so many emails…" He shudders at the idea of it.

Ed nods, "All the more reason to get it back then." He spins on his heel.

There's something different about his body, something practiced as he slips into the gym silently. Clemont wonders where he learnt it - the fluidity and grace he walks with now.

It's very hot.

Serena and Ash go after him without hesitation, and Bonnie smiles up at Clemont.

"We have some really cool friends." Her voice wavers slightly.

Clemont nods, his own voice quiet, "Yes. We're very lucky."

They follow.

Ed breaks open the vents and gestures for them to follow. His eyes gleam, excited and knowing. Clemont's glad someone is having fun. He certainly isn't. Ralts pats his arm and climbs around onto his shoulder.

Ash climbs into the vents easily, and Clemont wonders why his friends are insane. Serena, being a normal person, needs some help. Bonnie's excited because she's obsessed with spy movies. Ed offers a hand to Clemont and pushes him up.

"I'm so glad I'm wearing tights," Serena mutters, ahead of them. Bonnie giggles.

Ash pushes out a grate and slides out of the vent. He catches Serena as she goes down, and Clemont hears her squeak. They both help Bonnie down, then him.

Ed lands the second Clemont out of the way and turns to him.

"Which way?"

"Nemite."

They whip around, and Clemont's heart wells with delight.

"Magnemite!"

They're the youngest and newest of his Pokémon, other than Bunelby. He hadn't realised just how worried he's been about his other Pokémon until now, the relief at them - or at least Magnemite - being okay lifting his spirits like an Air Balloon.

They chirp and zip up to him happily. The buzz excitedly at Bonnie, happy to see her too.

Then Magneton comes up the hall, and Clemont realises what's happening.

"Clembot has them patrolling." He murmurs, because sometimes he asked them to do it too, and Magnemite whines. Magneton makes a nodding motion towards Clemont, but sparks. It looks entirely performative.

"Battle it is, I guess." Ash narrows his eyes, calling Froakie out.

The water type leaps into a battle position, and Mangemite whines again, floating next to Magneton.

Clemont's resolve strengthens.

"Ralts, standby." Ed barks, and his Partner jumps off Clemont's back and lands on the ground next to Froakie.

The water type throws his froubles at Magnemite, immobilising them. Magneton lets out a horrible screech, and Clemont curses. Metal Sound. Damn League standard move sets!

Ed yells something that Clemont can't hear over the noise, and Fenniken also hits the ground, shooting off an ember. It distracts Magneton enough to stop the screeching, and Ralts uses Confusion.

It works better than the last few times he's done so, because Magneton floats shakily in the air and electrocutes Magnemite. Froakie throws some more froubles, and they continue.

"I'm sorry," Clemont tells them, quietly. "I'll get you to a the healing machine the second I get your Poké Balls back."

They're not too heavy to lift, so he and Bonnie take one each - Bonnie with Magnemite, who is smaller, lighter, and far less aggressive - and lead their friends through the building.

"My secondary challenge." Clemont explains as they walk, "Is a Pokémon-related quiz. If you answer enough questions correctly, I battle you. It's meant to ensure that any trainers heading for the League have some actual knowledge. It's mostly easy stuff; what berries do certain Types of Pokémon like, which abilities do what. I haven't got any gym trainers employed, not yet, but when I do, I'm planning on making it so if you answer wrong, you have to fight one."

"I'm garbage at those types of quizzes," Ash grumbles, and Clemont attempts a cheeky smile. It's probably a little weak.

"Then you've got to get better, if you want my badge."

Ash starts a little, then grins back at him. Its mostly teeth.

"Soliel was the quizmaster, for a while." Bonnie tells the group, "But they let me sit in when they did 'em, and when-" Her voice breaks "after they, uh, left. I became the quizmaster. It's sooo fun."

Ed smiles at her, "You must have picked up a lot of stuff from them, then."

"Yeah!" Bonnie grins at him, and Clemont remembers (and curses himself for forgetting) that Ed's also an older sibling. He's good at this. "For example, the ability Hustle makes Pokémon hit harder, but they're more reckless in their attacks, and as such, their accuracy decreases."

That's recited straight from one of his quiz cards, Clemont thinks with a little smile, readjusting his hold on Magneton. The Froubles have come off, but neither of his Pokémon seems to care.

It's a cheeky type, the electric type.

They arrive at the main battlefield soon enough, and the lights snap on, and Clembot's voice echoes across the room.

"Welcome to the Lumiose Gym. I am the stand-in gym leader, Clembot. Query: How many badges do you have?"

Ed choaks and stumbles, staring. Ash coughs. Serena taps him on the shoulder and offers to take Magneton.

Clemont hands them over and steps into the Challenger's Post, with a feeling like he's sealing his fate.

He thinks of Ash's courage on top of the tower in the face of a rampaging Garchomp, he thinks of Ed's confidence in his own skill the night before, teaching them to fight, he thinks of Serena's determination in starting on her journey to return a handkerchief and tell the person how much it meant to her.

He thinks of Bonnie. He thinks of his Dads. He thinks of Soliel.

He can do this.

"Clembot. Activate voice module override." He calls.

---

Bonnie holds Magnemite close to her chest, feeling the cool metal on her skin. They buzz at her, quietly, and she swallows.

"What if it goes wrong?" She asks Ed because he seems so at ease compared to the others. Is it because he's the oldest, she wonders, or is he used to this sort of thing?

"Your brother will be fine." He assures her, quietly, "He's stronger than he gives himself credit for."

"You said at Santelune not to be too confident in a victory before it happened." She reminds him, and he grimaces.

"I did say that. But that doesn't mean you can't have faith in them." He tells her and ruffles her hair, "I've got faith that my younger brother can win any fight he takes part in. You're allowed to have faith that your older brother will do the same. You just have to be careful."

She nods and shifts so that she can hold Mangemite in one hand and grab his with the other. His gloves have a really nice texture.

Clembot has accepted Clemont's command, and her brother's eyes are narrowed. He's trying to remember what the passcode is.

Ash nudges Pikachu, who runs over to stand next to Clemont. In case Bunelby can't win, probably. Serena is tense, chewing her lip. Bonnie wishes she had enough hands to hold all of theirs.

"You can start today." Clemont says, staring straight ahead but not seeming to see anything, "I'm Clemont, the Gym Leader."

"That's a mouthful." Serena murmurs. Bonnie giggles.

"It was meant to be 'Sandwiches.'"

Ash snorts, and Ed squeezes her hand with his. Ralts pats her leg, gently.

"Voice Module Confirmed. Starting Battle Mode."

Bonnie relaxes as Clemont does, then he tenses again, calling on Bunelby. But it's tense in a different way, in the way he tenses before a gym battle.

Ash grins, "I knew he was a Battler. It's in the way he stands."

"Is it?" Serena asks, sounding a little unnerved. "I can't tell."

"You get a feel for it, after a while." Ash explains, "Telling different trainers apart by glance. It took me years. But it's really obvious now."

Ed hums and tugs her to the bleachers. "Let's sit down."

Bonnie didn't realise her legs were about to give out until she sat on the bench. Magnemite floats up and zaps at her hair, gently. Magneton joins them.

Serena sits next to her on her other side and holds her other hand as Ed lets go. He moves to stand next to Ash, and Ralts goes with him.

"Ga?"

"Oh Emolga!" Bonnie gasps, "Hi! Are you okay?"

"Emol!" The flying type glides from the railing to Bonnie's lap. She squeaks with surprise when she finds Dedenne.

"Get along, please."

Both electric rodents spark at each other, and settle on her lap.

Clembot selects Heliolisk, and the Electric/Normal type cheers at the sight of his trainer.

"Heliolisk, give it your all!" Clemont says to his Pokémon, and he nods.

"Heliolisk. Thunderbolt." Clembot calls, and her brother grins, calling for Bunelby to use dust to block it.

"How does that even work?" Ed mutters, sounding pained. Ash shrugs. Emolga runs up Serena's shoulder and jumps onto Mangeton, maybe for a better look. Bonnie strokes Dedenne.

Bunelby bounds forward at Clemont's command with a Double Slap. The first ear is countered by Heliolisk's tail glowing green, and Bunelby is thrown away with the force. He runs up for his second hit, and that one does connect, right on Heliolisk's head.

"Now, Bunelby, dig!" Clemont calls, and the normal type spins himself into the ground.

"How deep is the 'ground'?" Ed asks, "And does it get filled in after every battle? Is there a repair committee for the fields once a gym battle is done?"

"Depends on the gym." Ash explains, "and, yeah. There's usually a team that comes in and fixes the field up. Most gyms have more than one, though."

"We're on the lowest field." Bonnie offers, trying to remember Soleil's rules, "There are two more on higher floors. They don't allow use of moves like Dig and-"

"Heliolisk. Bulldoze."

Clemont chokes, and Bonnie sits up straighter. "Heliolisk didn't know Bulldoze when we left." Serena squeezes her hand.

Bunelby is forced out of the ground and flies into the air, and Heliolisk immediately follows up with another Dragon Tail, which sends him flying.

Clemont shouts, "Double Team, then Mud Shot!", panicked.

Clembot orders Heliolisk to use Parabolic Charge, and he spreads his frill. It glows, and Bonnie stands up, worried. Serena tugs her back down. "He'll be fine."

Bonnie nods, and Serena draws her into a hug. Emolga jumps onto her head.

The double teams are vaporised, and the real Bunelby crashes into the ground with a thud. He gets up, but he trembles.

"They have to finish this fast." Ash mutters, "Or Bunelby's out. Pikachu'll take over, of course. But I think-"

"Clemont wants to do this, just him and Bunelby." Ed nods, "He's trying to prove himself to be worthy of the gym again, without any help."

Bonnie doesn't get that, because Soliel was a serious, no-nonsense sort. It contrasted greatly with their Partner, Belibolt. If Clemont wasn't worthy, they wouldn't have asked him to be their successor.

And why wouldn't Clemont be worthy? Yeah, he's a nerd and weird, but he's smart like Papa was. One of the smartest people Bonnie knows. And he's a good battler.

It doesn't make sense.

"Bunelby, Dig and Double Team!"

Bunelby corkscrews his way back into the ground, and Clembot's head jerks.

"That strategy did not work." It says, "Why would it do so now? Double Team will not help you. Heliolisk, Bulldoze."

Clemont grins and Bonnie recognises it. It's the grin Ash had when he tricked Bunelby into taking the full brunt of an Electroball. He's got a plan.

Hundreds of Bunelby's burst out of the ground, all looking pained. Clemont doesn't look concerned, though. Heliolisk unleashes another Parabolic charge, and-

Every Bunelby on the field disappears.

Clembot jerks, and its head spins, attempting to find the actual Bunelby. Clemont grins.

"Now!"

Bunelby slams into Heliolisk from below and spins in the air, shooting off a Mudshot.

The dust clears, and Heliolisk is unconscious.

Bonnie leaps up and runs for her brother, crashing into him with a hug.

"You did it!" She gasps. Clemont laughs and wraps his arms around her, crouching down.

"I did it."

---

Serena laughs as Bonnie suffers the brunt of a happy Heliolisk. She's giggling too, and her hair is frizzed up by an Eletivire.

"He's got such strong Pokémon." She comments, not sure where she's going with this.

"Most gym leaders do. They don't set the same difficulty for every trainer." Ash explains, and Ed makes an interested noise.

Ralts, Fenniken, Pikachu, Froakie, and Fletchling are all playing with Clemont's Pokémon. The feeling in the air is pure relief at everything being over. Serena's surprised she has the strength to stay standing.

She never thought she'd be doing this when she left home.

"Yeah, uh- so like, Viola used her Vivillon and her Surskit on me, yeah? But a trainer with six badges isn't going to be challenged by that. So she'll pull out some stronger Pokémon for that match." Ash continues, looking at Ed.

"Makes sense. Meyer said a gym leader's job is to guide trainers."

Ash nods.

Bonnie comes running over to her and slams into her with a hug.

"He did it." She gasps, and then Serena's shirt feels wet. She crouches down.

"Are you okay?"

"Why am I crying?" Bonnie mutters, "Everything's good. We won. Why am I crying"

Serena gathers her into a hug. She's not sure why Bonnie's crying either, but she can handle a wet shirt.

---

"So you've got your gym back."

Ed leans against the wall of Clemont's computer room at the very top of Lumiose Tower. And these computers seem so much more useful than typewriters, holy shit. His friend is typing away at the main keyboard, with several different things open. He's got Clembot hooked up to one of the screens, programming updating.

Clemont slides his chair back and looks over at him, taking his glasses off to rub his eyes.

"Yeah?"

"What are you going to do now?" He asks. "You wanted to be a gym leader to get stronger, right?"

Clemont puts his glasses back on and frowns at the screen.

"Once I've thoroughly tested Clembot again." He decides, "I'm going to keep travelling. With you guys, hopefully."

Ed hums and glances out at the window. "D'ya need a trainer to test him on?"

"Well." Clemont frowns, "I was planning on being the trainer, but it would be better if it wasn't the recognised gym leader."

"I don't have any badges," Ed tells him, making his decision in an instant. "And as much as I'd like to battle you…" He trails off, leaving the offer hanging.

"Really?" Clemont asks, "Are you sure?"

Ed nods with a shrug, trying to go for nonchalant. "If you're good with it. But that's not why I'm here. It's almost sunset, and your dad invited us for dinner, remember?"

Clemont stares at him, then drags himself back to the desk to look at the screen. "By Yveltal, when did it get so late?"

Ed shrugs, because he'd either been training with Ash or nose deep in his tablet for most of the day since Clemont beat his robot. He has no idea what his friend was up to.

"Damn it." He mutters, "I hoped I'd get through all the official stuff. Reprogramming Clembot took longer than I realised."

Programming. As Ed always understood it, a Program was a list of things that would be performed at a concert. But apparently, here, it means many different things.

"Well, are you coming or not?" Ed asks. He'll drag Clemont out by the back of his jumpsuit if he has to, but the younger boy acquiesces.

"Clembot won't be done updating until much later, and I'll have to manually turn him on anyway." He informs Ed, as if he cares beyond how his friend is doing.

They make their way down to the main battlefield, where the rest of their friends and their Pokémon are. From there, they all go to Meyer's place. They leave the Pokémon with Ampharose in the shop, with the expectation they'll come up when they're done eating.

"I set up your rooms so you and your friends can stay the night," Meyer tells his children. "If you want, you can all drag your mattresses into the lounge, but I doubt you'll all fit."

"Our rooms are fine." Clemont smiles, "Thanks, Dad."

"No problem! Quiet day at the shop, and I had time. Now sit, tell me what's been happening!"

Meyer's blatant affection for his children reminds Ed, once again, of Hughes, and his chest twists painfully.

Clemont, haltingly, explains to his father what had happened with Clembot and the gym. Bonnie interjects with little statements about the coolness of everyone involved, and the rest of them are occasionally prompted into commenting.

"And, it's just that." Clemont bites his lip. "I've experienced so much in such a short time. I would, once Clembot is actually working, like to continue to travel with them."

Meyer bursts up from the table and envelopes his son in a hug in such a way that Ed half expects his shirt to come off. It doesn't, thank whatever forces are out there.

"I'm so proud of you." Meyer sobs into "My little boy, all grown up. Your father would be so proud."

"Dad!" Clemont shrieks, "Not in front of-"

He's cut off by Bonnie getting up to join in. Ash and Serena glance at each other, probably feeling as out of place as Ed feels.

Dinner, eventually, is finished, and Ed offers to help Meyer take everything into the kitchen. As they finish washing up, Ed turns to go back out to his new friends.

They're laughing and chatting together, grinning and smiling at like they'd known each other for years. Ed suddenly feels… uncomfortable. They look so happy, and Ed's never been allowed to be happy. Not for long, not without costing someone else something important. He doesn't want to ruin the mood.

Instead of confronting the feelings bubbling, he turns to Meyer, who is watching him with a curious expression. He needs to do something.

"Is there anything you need help with?" He asks, determined. Hoping Meyer doesn't ask questions.

He doesn't, "Clemont said you were smart, good at putting things together." When? "If you really want to help, some food's been going missing."

Ed's brow furrowed. "Stolen?"

"Definitely." Meyer nods, "Not that I'm mad. From what I can tell, it's a Pokémon, and I'm sure they need it. I'd just like to know where it's going."

Ed nods, "Show me."

He spends the next ten minutes looking at the holes gently chewed into bags and the small, muddy footprints.

"Smaller than Pikachu." He mutters, "But just larger than Fletchling. Some type of mammal, judging by the fur. Based on the footprints, I'd say our culprits snuck in through the window."

"I leave it open most nights." Meyer agrees, and Ed sways, a little unsure.

"I'll head out there and take a look around."

"Be back soon," Meyer ruffles his hair, and Ed's chest hurts.

He doesn't deserve this kindness. Not after everything.

The small alleyway outside Meyer's shop/house is silent. There are a couple of trash bags piled up on one side, and orange graffiti on the other. And a flyer on the floor.

Ed picks it up. 'Want to help shape the future? Join Team Flare for-'

He chokes, staring at the price "5,000,000 P?"

Some kind of scam, probably. He tosses the flyer over his shoulder and keeps looking. There's a scuffling at the end of the alley, under some cardboard boxes.

He takes a few steps closer and catches sight of what looks like a cat. His mind instantly goes to the strays that Al always begged to take in, and his heart hurts.

"I don't want to hurt you." He tries, because Al always told him to be gentle. "Can I just..."

It looks less like a cat up close, and more like a cat-dog-fox. But it trembles and shakes the way Al did after mum died, its skin and bones the way Al's body was in the gate, and its eyes are wide and warm and scared. He notices a slash on its leg.

"I can path that up." Thank the Truth for Military-Standard first-aid training and Breda's ability to actually explain shit. It can't be too different on a Pokémon. "But you've gotta trust me, yeah?"

It moves towards him, sniffing, scared. Ed stays as still as possible until it lets him pick it up.

Gently. He reminds himself. Gently.

He goes back into Meyer's house, and the man looks up from the book he was reading. "Your friends were worried about you." He says, mildly.

"I found." He starts, ignoring the warmth spreading through his chest, and raises the little cat gently. "It's- he's hurt."

Meyer moves to clear the table and delivers a first aid kit. Ed could weep with the relief of recognising the items in it.

"Once you're done." Meyer tells him, "Remember to give him an Oran berry - the blue ones."

"Right."

"We'll take him to see Nurse Joy in the morning. For now, he'll stay with you."

"Eee…" the Pokémon whines, and Ed gets to wrapping up his leg.

"It's okay, Alphonse." He murmurs, though, who he's talking to, he's not sure, "It's gonna be okay."

---

Ash lies on the mattress Meyer offered, staring at the ceiling.

"Clemont?"

"…yeah?"

"We meant it, you know. When we said we weren't mad." He's not sure why he feels the need to assure him like this.

"I know."

That moment, just after Clemont beat Clembot, had been beautiful in a way only Ash could see. Spiralling Bond Tethers, so many leading to Clemont, some to Bonnie. He'd spent a moment just staring at it all.

"Ash?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you upset you didn't get to challenge the gym?"

"I mean…" He starts "Kinda? But you prefer four badges, right?"

"Yeah…?"

"Then I'll get three more." Ash decides. "But only if you're the one to battle me. Not Clembot."

Clemont is silent, and then his voice is steely, "I'll give you a battle worth remembering."

"So will I."

Notes:

Soleil is another made-up character. They are, as stated, Clemont's mentor and the old Lumiose Gym Leader. They were very old (like, Opal aged) when they passed about one year before this story takes place. They would be very proud of Clemont, but every single one of these kids has self-worth issues, so he's not sure about that.

Personally, if I were writing the XY anime, I would have made Luxray a gym Pokémon and Heliolisk the Pokémon that travelled with Clemont, if only to show off the new Pokémon more. However, I did not write the XY anime, and the Luxray line is cool as all hell. No hate to Heliolisk, love the guy, but we're gonna stick with Luxray.

Magnemite, Magneton, Heliolisk and Emogla: Go Clemont Go Clemont Go Clemont.
Clembot: Silence!
Mangemite, Magneton, Heliolisk and Emogla, unenthusiastic: Clembot, Clembot it's our man, if it can't do it GREAT!!!!

Bonnie: You said at Santelune not to be too confident in a victory before it happened
Ed, internally: Goddamit, children listening to me talk.
Ed, externally: Uh, your brother is very cool. I would know, I also have a brother who is very cool.

Meyer: Holy shit, this kid is so sad I need to adopt him faster. Wait, no, Clemont has a crush. I need to find someone to adopt him faster. I can't ruin my sons chances at Romance.

Honourable mention to Team Flare's ludicrous joining price. I had to work it in somewhere.

Clemont's gym Pokémon:
Magnemite. Ability: Sturdy. Mild Nature. Moves Known: Thundershock, Electroball, Gyroball, Supersonic
Magneton. Ability: Sturdy. Serious Nature. Moves Known: Metal Sound, Thundershock, Tri Attack, Discharge
Emolga. Ability: Static. Quirky Nature. Moves Known: Thundershock, Acrobatics, Volt Switch, Quick Attack
Heliolisk. Ability: Dry Skin. Sassy Nature. Moves Known: Parabolic Charge, Bulldoze, Dragon Tail, Thunderbolt

If you want to yap at me on Tumblr, you can find there under BookWyvernWolf.

Chapter 12: Macaroons and Mechs

Summary:

Serena, Professor Sycamore and Bonnie get kidnapped, A Reveal (or two) Occurs, and Diantha on enters stage left

Notes:

This chapter is part of a double update! You will probably not understand it unless you read the last chapter, so go check it out.

Serena wakes up before the sun rises.

She was so tired yesterday that she fell asleep the second she hit her mattress. Fenniken is curled up next to her, snoozing away. Bonnie is on her bed, blankets kicked back.

She stands up quietly, not wanting to disturb either of them and, her hands itch. She needs to bake something.

She quietly creeps out of Bonnie's room and down the stairs. Ed is already in the living room, talking quietly to a bundle of fur in his arms. Ralts sits next to him on the couch, watching intently.

"Good morning. What time is it?" She calls softly.

Ed looks up at her. He doesn't look like he got any sleep last night. "Morning, Serena. Uh- 6."

"Is anyone else up?" She asks, "And who is this?"

"Meyer's down in the shop. He said we could help ourselves to the kitchen. And this is Phonse. Uh, I mean, Eevee, I'm pretty sure. I found him last."

The Eevee has a bandage wrapped around his leg, and Serena draws in a breath.

"It wasn't bad." Ed assures her, "Just a gash. But he's so small. Meyer says he hasn't been eating enough, and he doesn't have the blood to lose."

Serena nods, eyes soft.

"I'm going to do some baking." She tells him. "Is there anything you want?"

"I was reading up on Pokémon Healthcare last night." Ed tells her, and she frowns at the subject change. Maybe the lack of sleep is effecting him more than it initially seemed. "That's why I didn't sleep. I'm looking after him, so I need to know what I'm doing. Anyway, uh, Meyer has some Oran berries. D'ya know how to make Pokepuffs? The study I was reading said they were good to get the nutrients that the Pokémon needs into them."

"I do." Serena gives him a look, as she makes her way to her bag to get out her baking supplies "But I meant for you."

"Oh. No, I'm good."

Serena sighs and makes her way into the kitchen. She takes the ingredients out of Meyer's pantry and starts.

About an hour and a half later, Ash comes stumbling down the stairs with Pikachu and Fenniken. Serena is sitting with Ed as he tries to coax Phonse the Eevee into eating one of the Pokepuffs.

"That smells good." He says with a grin. Serena blushes. Then, his eyes find Eevee, and something strange crosses his face. Pikachu jumps up to join Ralts, whining.

"Where'd you find it?" He asks, gently, and sits down, eyes fixed on something between Ed and Phonse that Serena can't see.

"Outside last night. It's what Meyer had me looking into." Ed explains quietly "He's so small."

"Underfed Pokémon usually are." Ash explains "My Pignite was tiny as a Tepig. When are you taking him to the Pokémon Center?"

"Once everyone's awake." Ed smiles as Phonse takes a bite into the Pokepuff.

Serena stands up and wipes dust and crumbs off her legs. "I've got some more stuff in the oven. Ash, could you help me out?"

He gets up and helps her pack the macarons into little baskets. Then helps her with the wash up.

Clemont and Bonnie both make their way downstairs in the following hours, and Ed stands to leave.

"Before you go." Serena calls, then looks at her friends. She's nervous, is this her place to speak? She hopes she's not overstepping.

"I was thinking we visit Professor Sycamore. Just to say hi, and we can bring some of the macaroons I've baked."

Ash nods, eyes sparkling "That's a great idea! I bet Froakie and Fenniken wouldn't mind seeing him again, either."

Bonnie says something about wanting to see Garchomp again, and Clemont also agrees, but Serena doesn't quiet hear them properly over the warmth of her ears.

"I'll meet you there later." Ed tells her, gathering Phonse into his arms and standing. He looks at Ralts, and then pulls out his Pokeball.

"D'ya want to stay in here for now? Just so I know where you are?"

Ralts nods, decisively. He's such a sweetheart, Serena thinks.

Ed leaves for the Pokémon Center, and the rest of them stick around for a while longer, to eat breakfast and say goodbye to Meyer, before making their way to the Professor's Lab.

Ash knocks, and opens the door. His confidence in himself is admirable. Serena has no idea how to emulate it.

"Professor!" He greets the man and Professor Sycamore laughs "Ash, it is wonderful to see you again! And Clemont, Bonnie. And Serena! How is Fenniken?"

"He's doing wonderfully." She smiles shyly at him. "How are you, Professor?"

"I am well. The lab is back to normal and my studies have been going well." He frowns "Has Edward stopped travelling with you?"

"Nah." Ash scratches his neck. Pikachu slaps his hand away. "He found a hurt Pokémon last night and is taking him to the Pokémon Center. He'll catch up with us later."

Professor Sycamore nods "I see. Well, you must stay and chat for a while. Unfortunately, I have some things to do, but Sophie can entertain you until I'm done."

Professor Mugo shakes her head, "You work so hard, sir. Follow me." She nods at them and leads them to a sitting room. A Garchomp - the one from the rampage, Serena recognises, a little nervous - stomps in, and Ash lets out Froakie to say hello.

"They're very close." Professor Mugo explains at Serena's curious look, "Tea?"

"I brought some macaroons." Serena tells her gesturing to the basket she placed on the table "I baked them this morning - oh!"

Several of them are missing.

"Huh?" She mutters "There were more…"

Her eyes follow the trail of crumbs to behind a pot plant, where a Chespin is munching happily on her hard work.

"Chespin!" It cries, bolting, but Professor Mugo catches it and scoops it up.

"I'm so sorry." She sighs "Chespin here's a bit of a glutton."

"Its fine." Serena tells the scientist, despite the irritation boiling in her gut. "It could have just asked."

Ash snorts a little, and morning tea continues. Professor Pedunculate drops in to say hi, before going on with her tasks.

Then, they hear a crash.

Professor Mugo orders Serena and Bonnie out to check on the Professor, and asks for Ash and Clemont's help wrangling the Pokémon that suddenly run through the lab. Serena nods, and grabs her basket as she goes.

It's Team Rocket, because of course it is. It's only by Xerneas' grace they go unnoticed as they slip into the back of the truck.

Not the smartest idea, Serena realises mid untying the Professor, as the doors slam shuts and it starts to move.

They get the tape off of his mouth, and he immediately asks "Are the two of you okay?"

Serena nods, and Bonnie sniffs a little. Sycamore gathers the younger girl into a hug, and she curses herself for not noticing. Bonnie's eight, and she's barely recovered from the stress of yesterday.

"I won't let anything happen to either of you." Professor Sycamore promises them "Not if I can help it."

She feels warm inside, the way she did when she was younger and scared of the dark, and her mother would come in and sing her to sleep. That was around the time she started teaching Serena how to bake.

Wait.

She pulls out the container of macaroons. "I have an idea."

---

Ash thunders out to the back in a panic the second they're done rounding up the Pokémon, Clemont hot on his heels.

Ash knows that if he were faster, Clemont would be the one shoving open the door and crashing into the outside area of the lab. He's learnt from both May and Brock that not even Arceus can save you from the wrath of an older sibling.

(Sometimes, he misses Brock so much it hurts. Life was so much easier when he was there. He refuses to examine this closer.)

The wall is shattered. There's no sign of their friends or the Professor. Which is, you know, very bad. Pikachu jumps off of his shoulder and runs forawrd to sniff at the hole in the wall.

"I'll call Officer Jenny." Cosette calls, behind them. "Sophie, call Senia and Dexio."

"Yes ma'am." Sophie responds, and the two women run back into the lab.

Clemont looks terrified, his hands are trembling, and he looks from the shattered glass to Ash, desperate.

"We'll find them." He pats his friend on the shoulder "They aren't going to get far."

"Pin! Chespin!" Both of their heads snap up, as the Chespin from before dances ahead of them, holding something up.

Clemont runs up to it and calls back "Serena's Macaroons! She's dropped crumbs and- its a trail."

Ash's heart soars in relief. He calls on Fletchling to fly ahead, and Pikachu jumps up onto his shoulder. "C'mon. We've gotta catch up!"

They run, and almost barrel over Ed.

"What happened?" He barks, holding Phonse the Eevee close to his chest. "I came running-"

"Someone's kidnaped the Professor, Serena and Bonnie." Ash explains. "They've left a trail."

"Less talking more moving." Ed snaps, spins on his heel and runs after Chespin, who is pausing to eat every macaroon.

They arrive, eventually, at a warehouse towards the edge of Lumiose City. Ed asks Clemont if he's familiar with the place.

"Slated for deconstruction." He pants "Not many people come by here anymore. They're old Quasator Inc places, but they've got better ones."

"The perfect place for a kidnapping." Ed mutters, and goes to creep forward. Then stops, looking down at Phonse.

"Put him in his Pokeball." Ash prompts. Ed glares at him.

"He doesn't have one. I'm not taking advantage of the fact that he's to weak to fight back."

Ash is so proud that Ed's caring about his Pokémon, but he can also see the Bond Tether from Phonse, wrapped so deeply into Ed's aura. He's given him a nickname for Lugia's sake.

No, not Lugia, actually. Ash is still mad at him. For… Keldeo's sake. That will do.

"It would be safer for him." Clemont tells Ed, eyes fixed on the warehouse "And you can always release him later."

Ed chews his lip, but he pulls a Pokeball out of his bag and taps Phonse on the head. The Pokeball clicks with a successful capture, and Ed places it on his belt.

"We have to be quiet. In and out, we don't know who these guys are. It'll be safer for everyone if they don't notice us."

Clemont nods, and Ash finds himself actually having time to wonder at Ed's ease in these types of situations. What was his life like, back in his world, he wonders. He hopes it was a safe one, if only because he doesn't like the idea of his friend being hurt. But he doubts it. It's not a safe life that gets you dragged into another world with no way back.

They make their way into the warehouse, and Ash hates the way he relaxes at the sight of Team Rocket. Its just them. And something very large under a blanket. He hopes its not a mech, but given who it is…

The three of them make there way to where their friends and the Professor are tied up on a couch. Its probably mouldy.

"Gah!" Meowth yowls, and Ed swears, violently.

Ash glances over to where Chespin has been caught trying to steal Serena's basket of Macaroons. Mew help them.

"Oh, what do we have here?"

"It's a whole pack of twerps!"

Jessie and James launch into their motto, and Ash turns back to untying Serena. He usually listens, out of respect for all that they've gone through together, but today is not the day for this.

"Team Rocket blast off- Hey! We're saying out motto here!" Jessie yells. Ed flips her off, and helps Sycamore up.

"I'm fine." Bonnie tells Clemont, whose so busy fussing over her that he hasn't even noticed Team Rocket have noticed them. "Professor Sycamore made sure they didn't do anything."

"The downloads finished!" Meowth calls "Motto or no motto, we're stealin' Pikachu today!"

They pull the sheet off the Mech and Ash groans.

"Its a marvel of engineering." Professor Sycamore says admiringly, as he hurries them out of the warehouse "But. We need to go."

They run, but then Clemont skids to a halt.

"Chespin!" Clemont yells, and runs back. The small grass type has tripped and is trying to pick up the macaroons she dropped. Clemont grabs her and rolls out of the way just before the Mech runs over them.

"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Ash calls, and bite down on a curse when it is reflected. Damn it.

He can't see where Clemont and Chespin are, and worries at it, but worries about Pikachu slightly more, given that he's the one in direct line of fire.

The mech reaches down to grab Pikachu, then freezes, powered down. Clemont and Chespin run out from behind it, and down into the small valley they're currently in. "We pulled the plug on their-!"

The Mech powers up.

"Auxiliary power!" Meowth's voice cackles, and Clemont's grin drops. Chespin attempts a pin missile.

No attacks work. They've been stopped for to long. Clemont is in the worst position to be in, stumbling back as the Mech continues to move forward. He can't go to either side, not any more.

Ed steps forward, eyes wild and desperate, and claps his hands together.

His aura surges with blue, almost blinding Ash, and it sparks into reality, crackling around him. Ed slams his hands into the ground, and it erupts, a fist made of dirt and rock punching up into the Mecha, blowing it up and sending Team Rocket flying in one motion.

Clemont flies forward a little with Chespin, and the fist returns to the Earth.

"That's not how explosions work." Ed mutters, sounding mildly irritated.

"That's not how the ground works." Ash responds, a little shellshocked. Ed stiffens, and whips his head around.

Ah, he'd forgotten the rest of them were there.

---

Ed hadn't planned on using Alchemy. He hadn't even known if it would work. But he was tired, he was worrying about Phonse, he was stressed, and his friend was in danger.

He stands and turns to the others, feeling guilty. He hadn't told them for a reason, but would they understand? Would they care?

Clemont joins the rest of them, holding Chespin close. He uses his free hand to grab onto Ed's shoulder.

"Thank you." He whispers to Ed, trembling "I don't know what you did but-"

"Is everyone alright." Sycamore asks, and checks them all over. Ed curls in on himself and wishes Alphonse was here. Al the human, not Phonse the Eevee.

He's more thorough with Clemont, makes him put Chespin and pulls out a first aid kit and rubs some alcohol on his hands. He sucks in a pained breath. Chespin gabs onto his jumpsuit leg, concerned "Pin?"

"Edward." the Professor says softly, when he gets to him "You don't have to explain what you did. You've kept it a secret for a reason, I assume. But I need to know, does it put you in any danger?"

That's not what Ed expects.

"No." He responds truthfully, ignoring the eyes of his friends "I doesn't hurt me" Unless he does human transmutation "and no one else knows I have it."

"Okay." Sycamore ruffles his hair gently. "Lets get back to my lab"

They head back quickly, and are forced to give statements. Sycamore and Ash both make something up about the combined moves of Pokémon blasting the mech away. The others take their lead.

Sycamore lets Clemont take Chespin with him, because the grass type hasn't left him be since they got back. He then sits them all down in the room they'd been having tea in earlier, and leaves to get some food.

"What did you do back there?" Serena blurts out, then blushes "You don't have to tell us but-"

"Alchemy." He tells her, because its the least they deserve for being good friends "It's the science of understanding, deconstructing and reconstructing matter. I'm… I'm very good at it."

She nods, and they sit in silence. Clemont, as if on a whim, grabs his hand (the flesh one) and squeezes it. Bonnie curls into his side.

He doesn't deserve them.

"If we're sharing secrets, 'cause that seems to be the theme of the week." Ash trails off, and looks conflicted, then his face sets. Pikachu looks at his trainer, concerned. "I can see people's Aura."

---

"Surely you want to remain young and beautiful forever, though." Lysander says, brow furrowed.

Diantha holds back a groan. Lysander is a genius and a wonderful conversationalist, until the topic of her other job comes up. He has some… very outdated opinions, that she only entertains him on because of their long history together. Anyone else, she would have shut them down in an instant. And decked them, probably.

"But where's the fun in that?" She smiles at him "Everything grows and changes, and that's the true beauty of the world. Besides, It would be terribly boring to play the same part forever."

He huffs, "Agree to disagree, I suppose. It is good so see you again, after the break in at Augustine's lab-"

"Oh is it back to Augustine now?" She teases "What happened to professionalism, Mr Lysander?"

He coughs, blushing slightly "It takes less energy to agree than to argue. As I was saying, after the break in at his lab, I found myself reminicing on our travels, defeating thieves and the like. I do miss it sometimes."

Diantha sighs and places her cheek in her palm. The good old days, truely.

Something crashes into her leg and she pushes her chair back.

"Hello Ralts." She says, leaning down. The species really like her, nowdays. Gardevoir always laughs at her when she brings it up, which is entirely unhealpful. The little psychic type coos up at her and she laughs a little.

"I'm so sorry." A voice calls, and she looks up to see a kid with golden and eyes, running up to their table. "I took my eyes off him for a moment-"

"It's quite alright." She smiles at the geniune concern on the boys face "It's always a good day to meet a fan."

Ralts's trainer relaxes. "That's good. I'm glad he's not bothering you."

Lysander coughs, and Diantha glares at him. He, wisley, shuts up.

"Diantha." She holds out a hand "Though I'd guess by the little one, you probably know that already."

She uses the other hand to lift Ralts into her lap.

"Ed." He introduces "I'd shake but…" He nods at his arms, where he's holding a small Eevee with a bandage on his leg. Poor thing. "He's not allowed to walk yet."

"Ah." She lowers her hand "It's a pleasure."

"It is. I'd love to chat, but you're clealry in the middle of something, and we're meant to meet up with some friends soon." Ed smiles. Its awkward, but Diantha notices something sharp in his eyes, something knowing. "It was an honour."

"Don't be so formal." She laughs, wondering at it, "I hope I see you again. Maybe when Ralts and Eevee are a bit stronger, we could have a battle."

The small psychic type jumps off her lap and grabs his trainers leg, "Ra! Ra!" and the Eevee makes an interested noise.

"Maybe." Ed inclines his head. "Goodbye, Champion Diantha."

He leaves, complettely ignoring Lysander, Ralts levitating after him, and her smile becomes reminicing, as she turns back to Lysander "I love meeting the new generation of trainers, don't you?"

He frowns at her "Some are not worthy of being trainers."

Not this again. "Perhaps." She aquieses, because there are some truely aweful people in the world "But there are more who are. And as the older generation, is it not our duty to guide them to be worthy of such an honour?"

He doesn't look like he agrees, and she sighs. Conversation with him is a nightmare, nowdays. He's so nihilistic, nothing like the idealistic boy he was when they first started their journeys. She wonders, sadly, what happened to break him so.

Notes:

If Ralts is the Ed equivalent of his team, Phonse is (as named) the Al. Be prepared for unhinged Ralts and Phonse shenanigans (hopefully) because Ralts took one look at Edward 'Overprotective Older Brother' Elric, then at the Pokémon named after his younger brother and was like 'I will be your overprotective older brother'.
Originally, Phonse was going to be called Al, but I decided I didn't want to get them confused or call him 'Al the Eevee', so Phonse it is.

I really want to capture the fact that Bonnie is literally eight years old. Like, they're all kids, but she's young, even by Pokémon-world standards. She's not going to start crying every time something bad happens, but its been a stressful few days.

God bless Professor Sycamore for caring about the safety of these kids. Arceus knowns that few adults do.

Ash, who travelled with Brock - one of the few contenders with Ed for Best Older Brother Award - for years and May, who was such an older sister, seeing Bonnie got kidnapped: Haha you fucked up.

Ash: I hope Ed had a safe life. Its unlikely, but I can hope.
Me: I'm the funniest person alive.

Ed: My friends hate me because I didn't tell them I can do alchemy.
Clemont: Didn't we have this conversation like, two chapters ago?

Diantha POV! This is meant to take the place of the cafe conversation in the games. Ralts gets to meet one half of his idol, and Lysander is mildly suspicious. He hasn't said anything too bad in front of Ed yet, but the vibes are already somewhat rancid. Its only a matter of time.

 

Phonse (Eevee). Ability: Adaptability. Brave Nature Moves Known: Tackle, Growl, Quick Attack, Tail Whip
Chespin. Ability: Overgrow. Impish Nature. Moves Known: Tackle, Pin Missile, Vine Whip

Chapter 13: Volt Badge Acquired

Summary:

Ed has his first gym battle, the girls do some shopping, and Professor Sycamore talks to his assistants.

Notes:

Very low stakes compared to the last two chapters, as will be the next few chapters! More time for shenanigans!

Edit: I accidentally didn’t add the first line 😭

"You're challenging Clembot?" Ash asks him. "Like, today?"

Ed nods, running his hand over his automail. "Yeah. I think Ralts and I can do it. What are you going to do?"

"Cheer you on, duh." Ash says, Like it's obvious, "What else would I do?"

After the… reveals yesterday, Ed would have thought that they'd want some distance. Whenever he and Al fought, they'd spend time in different rooms of whatever building they were staying in. He'd assumed it would be similar with his new friends.

And besides, after Ed had spilled his beans, Ash had spilled at least one of his. Ed would assume that he, especially, would have wanted some distance.

"I've gotta go get Serena and Bonnie!" He tells him, turning on his heel to go to a different room of Meyer's house.

"Vee?" Phonse murmurs, and Ed starts petting him.

"You're gonna be able to walk by yourself pretty soon." Ed tells him, "Nurse Joy says you've got one more day."

"Eee." He grumbles. Ralts, who is sitting on the table, pats him on the tail.

It reminds him of Al, really. Everything Phonse does reminds him of his brother, which makes no sense because Phonse is a cat-dog-fox thing and Al is a human (not that Ed will ever see it). But there's something in the desperation to do anything that makes his chest hurt.

Clemont had left earlier to finalise some things with Clembot that Ed didn't understand. There's so much new stuff in this world, so many technological developments, whole new histories and sciences to learn, on top of the whole 'Pokémon' thing. It's sort of overwhelming.

But, well, Ed is considered a genius for a reason. He can handle it.

Ash seems to be more excited for Ed's gym match than he himself is, dragging all three humans and various Pokémon out of Meyer's house. Bonnie's excited too, running ahead of them and calling them Slowpokes for not keeping up.

If he's been entirely honest, Ed has, so far, not entirely enjoyed battling. There's something about being in sync with Ralts that gets his blood pumping; he hasn't found it fun. Maybe it's because he's only really battled Team Rocket, bar some training with Ash. He hopes the gym battle is better; otherwise, he's signed himself up for pain.

They arrive at Prism Tower and enter the gym. Bonnie darts up to a quizmaster Podium and taps a button.

"Oh, Xerneas," Serena mutters as the lights burst on and almost blind all of them. Ed himself mutters a quiet "fuck"

"This didn't happen last time we were here." Ash muses, and Bonnie huffs.

"Clembot was doing everything wrong." She tells them matter-of-factly and lifts a stack of cards with the gym symbol on the back. "Now, can the challenger step into the elevator? And return all Pokémon to their Pokéballs, or they can take the stairs with the Spectators."

Serena quietly offers to take Phonse so that Ed can have his hands free. It takes all of his effort not to snap at her. Ralts taps him on the leg and tilts his head in a very pointed way.

Personally, Ed can't wait for his Partner to evolve so he can tell if his eyes are rolling or not.

He puts Phonse, very gently, into Serena's arms, and the Eevee scowls at him.

I'm not fragile. He can practically hear him say. It's in his brother's voice. You don't need to treat me like glass.

He steps into the barred elevator, summoning Ralts into his ball. It's far more technologically advanced than the ones he's used to. Bonnie smiles at him, bright and happy. He's glad she's feeling better.

"Okay! Challenger, you will be asked three questions. If you get one wrong, another will be asked. This will continue until you get three right."

Time to find out if his basic research is enough to pass quickly.

"Question One! There is a classification of Pokémon called the 'Electric Rodent'. Every ILA region except for one is the native home to only one of these. Which region is the outlier?"

Well shit.

ILA regions; Clemont had explained that. Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and, more recently, Galar and Paldea.

Pikachu was from Kanto. Emolga from Unova. Dedenne from Kalos.

He grits his teeth. Shit.

"Uh- Johto?"

"Incorrect!" Bonnie shakes her head, and Ed groans, "Whilst the Pikachu line is considered native to Kanto, it's close enough to Johto that it's native to both! The answer is Hoenn! Home to both Plusel and Minum!"

Okay. Not so terribly incorrect that he looks stupid. He can save this. Bonnie shuffles her deck of cards. He wonders how much she's reading from them and how much she knows off by heart.

"The Cheri Berry cures paralysis, the Pecha Berry cures poison. What berry cures every status condition?"

He knows this. "The Lum Berry?"

"Correct!" Bonnie grins, jumping from foot to foot, grinning, "Too the next floor!"

The elevator jerks, and they both go up a floor. It looks almost identical to the last one, and Ed feels slightly sick.

"Question Two! Is the Pokémon Heliolisk a part of an evolutionary line?"

"True." Ed answers instantly, because he knows this: "It evolves from Helioptile."

"Yes!" Bonnie actually jumps this time. "That's correct! They're both super cute, too! Next floor!"

She doesn't even wait for him to recover; "Question Three! How many electric-type legendries and mythicals are there?"

Ed frowns. He hasn't read up on the legendries all that much, just a preliminary search on what the ever-loving fuck they were. Some type of god, he assumes from said research. This is going to just be a wild guess.

"Er- nine?"

"Baw-bow!" Bonnie pouts, "There's only five! Zapdos, Raiku, Zekrom, Thundorous, and Tapu Koko! Unless you count the fact that Arceus is considered every type. But, the quiz doesn't!"

Damn it.

She shuffles her cards again. "Kalos is generally considered to have two native legendries, Yveltal and Xerneas, but some ancient histories mention a third. What is it?"

He thinks. He's read more about Kalosian history than the other regions, given that that's where he currently is. Has he heard of it?

"The Dragon Snake, right?" He says, suddenly remembering a passage in a book of children's stories he'd picked up on the first day. They usually had more basic and easier language. This one had been about a king who sought immortality and attempted to force the Tree of Life into giving it to him. His kingdom had burned for his hubris.

He remembers it because it seemed eerily similar to the story of Xerxes that Hohenheim had told them. "The one that protects the order of the cycle Xerneas and Yveltal represent?"

Bonnie grins at him, delighted. "Usually, we'd make you say the name, but given that you aren't from Kalos, I'll give it to you for knowing it and its role! Zygarde is considered a defender of Order."

Ed prefers science to religion himself, but sure. If he can walk around with a tiny child that can turn your mind to mush, there can be order-protecting dragon-snakes and trees that can grant eternal life.

The elevators jerk again, and he finds himself on a battlefield. It's different from the one Clemont had faced Clembot on, this one having electric lines and crossing from each corner. Bonnie runs out from where her elevator stopped at the center of the field and joins their friends in the stands.

Clemont smiles at him, from outside the field, about halfway down. Clembot stands opposite him. When the robot had first spoken, Ed had freaked the fuck out. A voice trapped in a body of metal? He'd been ready to deck Clemont on the spot.

Then he had remembered that Alchemy didn't exist here, as far as he was aware, and how to Pokedex could talk, and settled down. Still, its unnerving. Ed takes a deep breath. Keep it together.

"The match between the substitute gym leader, Clembot, and the challenger, Edward Elric, is about to begin," Clemont calls, voice strong. Beating Clembot had been good for him. "Each trainer is only allowed one Pokémon, no switching. No use of moves such as Dig and Bulldoze are permitted on this field. Choose your Pokémon."

"Ralts," Ed calls, throwing the Pokéball. His Partner appears, attempting to look fierce, but it just comes across as cute.

Bonnie certainly thinks so, judging by the squealing, and when Ed glances at Ash, he gives him a 'what-can-you-do?' shrug.

"Emolga, Go." Clembot's arm turns into a cannon and shoots a pokéball. The electric rodent glides up onto a wire. That would be why those are there; giving the leader an automatic advantage.

No matter. Ed's good at evening the odds.

"The challenger gets the first move. Match begin!" Clemont calls, and Ed makes himself focus only on the field in front of him. On his opponents (Emolga and Clembot) and his ally (Ralts).

"Confusion!" Ed orders, testing the waters from a distance.

Ralts throws his hands into the air, and they glow. Emolga leaps from one wire to another, but it's hard to dodge a mental attack. She veers suddenly to the left and scrambles to catch herself on a different one.

Clembot yells for Emolga to use Thunder shock, and she begins sparking. Ed calls to dodge too early, and she redirects the lightning to get Ralts. He skids slightly, and Ed grits his teeth.

This goes on for a few more minutes, Ed calling for confusion or a desperate Double Team to dodge, Thunder shock, and Acrobatics being far too useful. Emolga has the battlefield advantage, what with the wires.

Clembot has no face to read, and Emolga is specifically trained for battle. Ed's been told that he wears his heart on his sleeve, and Ralts is inexperienced. The new move they learned yesterday is especially useless, type match-up wise.

"Thinking outside the box." Ash had told him yesterday "Is just as important as raw power in a battle."

Or is it?

"Ralts. Magical leaf, but spread it wide out." He barks. Ralts grounds himself and pulls a group of leaves from bumfuck nowhere and sends them flying towards the ceiling. Emolga dodges, the leaves too far apart to do anything but slice into the wires.

Clembot calls for Emolga to use Acrobatics, and Ralts doesn't move fast enough. Something they'll have to work on in the future. She swoops back to a wire, and Ed takes a deep breath.

"Again!"

Ralts turns his head slightly as he does it, clearly unsure about whatever strategy he's going for. But he listens, and though Emolga dodges out of the way, when she re-lands on the wire, it snaps under her.

In her fright, she doesn't have time to right herself, and slams into the ground. Ed grins.

"Now, draining kiss!"

Ralts darts forward with and gives Emolga a small peck on the cheek, before jumping back to ignore a tired swipe. He'd stolen a lot of energy.

"Emolga. Thunder shock." Clemont yells, and it connects, yes, but Emolga can't fly. She's grounded unless she can get to a pole, and the nearest ones require her to get past Ralts.

"Confusion!" Ed calls, one final time, and Emolga thuds to the ground.

"Emolga is unable to battle!" Clemont sounds far too excited for an impartial referee. "Which means the match goes to the challenger!"

---

Bonnie can't help herself as she flaps her hands, gushing about the battle she'd just seen.

"And when Ed started using magical leaf, it was like whaaat? Especially when Emolga kept dodging. But then the wires snapped! And it was like woosh!"

Serena nods along, looking a little overwhelmed.

"Ash's battle in Santelune was cooler. And Clemont versus Clembot was more meaningful." Bonnie continues, "But for his first battle - not against Team Rocket? Oh, it was good."

"It was rather impressive." Serena agrees, "I thought for sure he was going to lose. And after what he said at Santelune, I was pretty sure he'd slap me for being surprised if he did."

"Nah, he'd make you run laps." Bonnie grins, and Serena giggles.

That's the current torment Clemont is going through. He'd made the mistake of complaining about how fast everyone walked, and Ed got this scary look on his face and told him the best way to get faster was to practise. And Ash was having a wonderful time at Sushi High Roller, kicking everyone's butt and eating as much food as humanly possible.

She and Serena are in one of the malls on Vernal Avenue, looking for some more clothes and another tent. They only had a two-person and a one-person tent, so Ed had spent the single night on the road sleeping outside. Which would be fine, but there was going to be a lot more tent sleeping in the future.

Serena also needed some new shoes and better travel clothes, and Ed needs new clothes in general. He hasn't changed since he got to Kalos.

"My luggage got lost in transit." He had explained.

So: Pajamas in Ed's size and maybe a second change of clothes. New shoes and a jacket for Serena. Three-person tent.

The tent is easy enough, but Bonnie quickly realises that they should have gotten it last.

"We're going to be lugging this around all day." Serena huffs as they take a rest stop on one of the benches. "I feel sorry for Clemont. He's carrying all of our camp stuff and his inventing things."

"He's still really slow without all of that," Bonnie informs her, because Clemont lost his school's track event by a whole minute every year he was there.

"It can't help, though." Her friend points out, and then they keep moving, grabbing a trolley solely for the tent.

Serena gets a really cute yellow jacket with red sleeves that looks like Fenniken's colours, and some sturdy walking boots. Bonnie pointed out the shop where Dad gets their shoes.

"He's always got stuff lying around the house." She says. "So we've gotta have tough shoes." She gestures at hers. They're white and have little embroidered Pichu's on them. "Papa did these before…" She trails off, suddenly sad.

She misses him terribly.

Serena pats her shoulder and very tentatively says, "I can show you how to do embroidery? I'm not as good at it as I am at sewing, but…"

"I'd like that," Bonnie replies, then takes a deep breath. There is no time for tears! They are on a mission!

They get Serena's shoes, which end up being pale brown boots that she says remind her of her Ryhorn racing boots back home. Bonnie wonders why she didn't just bring those.

They find some plain pajamas in the exact same shade as Ed's jacket, which Bonnie insists are the ones they should buy.

"We're colour coded! I'm yellow, you're pink, Ash is dark blue, Clemont's light blue, and Ed's red! We have to get red!"

Serena acquiesces with a little giggle, and Bonnie cheers. They then find a very fluffy jacket styled after a Flareon, and Serena says no to every set of pants Bonnie points out - including a pair of white ones that flare like Ralts' legs! - for a set of black ones.

"I think he'll prefer these." She smiles at Bonnie, who pouts, but agrees that it is more his style. Serena puts several into the trolly, then grabs some plain black tees.

Bonnie argues until they get him a set of rainbow scrunchies, though, so she considers that a win.

They meet up with Ash outside the Pokeball Boutique. He smiles at them, and Serena goes bright red. Pikachu jumps from his shoulder to Bonnie's and coos at her.

"It's so cool how Pokeball technology has evolved. Like, I met this guy in Johto called Kurt who made Pokeballs by hand, but also, there are so many now. I'm thinking of one to get Ed and Clemont. They've had a tough couple of days."

Right. Clemont had only reclaimed his gym two days ago, and yesterday both Ed and Ash had revealed some pretty big secrets.

"What does mine look like?" She asked, because anyone would ask about the colour of their soul when the got the chance.

"A really bright orange, mostly." Ash had told her, smiling slightly, "It fades to yellow in some places, particularly around your head."

He'd gone on to describe everyone else's. Clemont's was yellow and light blue, with some silver. Serena's was a warm brown with hints of purple and red. Ed's was gold and blue. Like his hair and the sparks of his alchemy.

Ed had looked sad at that, and Bonnie had burrowed further into his side, the way she does when Dad misses Papa so much he can't get out of bed.

"Get Clemont a Quick Ball," Serena suggests, sending Bonnie a quick smile. "It matches his colour scheme."

"Then I'd have to get Ed a Repeat Ball, and those are terrible in all but really specific circumstances." Ash points out, and Bonnie sighs.

Ash leaves with a Dusk Ball, because plenty of electric types live in caves, and a Luxury Ball. He also gives Serena a Friend Ball, almost spontaneously. He promises to get Bonnie one when she's ten, and she is going to hold him to that!

Serena had told Bonnie that, before they leave tomorrow, she'd be coming back here to get Ash one, too. Bonnie knows why and advises against a Love Ball. It would be far too obvious and would go right over his head.

They make their way back to Dad's house. Ed is sitting at the bench, gently unbandaging Phonses' leg.

"Just don't walk on it." He tells the Eevee. "Ralts, make sure he doesn't walk on it until tomorrow."

"Vee." Phonse grumbles, and Dedenne - who up until that point had been asleep in her bag - leaps out to curl up on Phonses' tail and goes right back to sleep. The little Eevee looks so affronted that Bonnie has to bite her lip not to laugh.

"Clemont's asleep." Ed tells them, "I might have pushed him a bit hard."

When she'd left, Ed had threatened to sic Eletevire on her brother. The Electric type had seemed delighted at the prospect.

"Only a little." She assures him.

Ash presents the Luxury Ball and reminds Ed that they're friends, and he doesn't have to tell them anything until he's ready. The blonde stares at the ball like it's an alien, then takes it.

His hands are shaking slightly, Bonnie notices, and he blinks furiously. She wonders if he had many friends where he came from. She wonders if she'll ever get to meet them, if he did.

Serena gives him the clothes they bought, and Phonse gives the jacket an approving sniff.

Ralts picks out the green scrunchie and holds it out to Ed, pointedly.

Bonnie, realising what he wants, asks if she can do his hair.

"Clemont and Dad have short hair." She pouts, "Soliel taught me how to braid! I can do it!"

Ed sighs and nods, twisting so she can kneel behind him. She grabs the brush from the bench and begins.

"I'll go make sure Clemont hasn't, like, died." Ash grins, "and give him this. Serena, d'ya want to look at something we can do for dinner? Like, to thank Meyer for letting us stay. I'll help."

Serena nods and opens her holocaster. "There's some simple stuff we could do. I'll go look at what he has."

Bonnie feels warm and fuzzy inside. When she finishes and ties Ed's hair up, she flops down, head on his leg, and falls right asleep.

---

Senia and Dexio arrive back at the lab midday, the day after Team Rocket attacked the lab. Both are incredibly concerned. And irritated, which is uncalled for. He was the one kidnapped!

"You must keep your Pokémon with you, sir." Dexio sighs into his tea, "You're an influential figure. I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often."

"You sound like Diantha and Lysander." Augustine laughs, good-naturedly. "Always worrying! "Augustine, you must be more careful!" "Augustine, it would be very detrimental to the region if you died." I'm fine, am I not?"

"Be as that may, sir, it's better to be safe than sorry." Senia points out, looking utterly done with his behaviour.

"I will endeavor to keep Garchomp, Aromatise, and Chesnaught on me in the future." He promises, then frowns. His voice turns serious, "I wanted to ask you something, though. Next time you head out, could you please find me some books on some things?"

"Isn't that what you always do, sir?" Dexio asks, a little amused.

"Unrelated to our research. Or to keeping an eye out for Alain. And, please keep it quiet."

His fieldworkers' brows furrow in the exact same manner. Their Glaceon and Espeon look up from their bowls in sync.

He hadn't meant to overhear the kids' conversation yesterday, and it certainly was not intended for his ears. However, he has found himself feeling responsible for the quintet's safety.

He's already organised a meeting with Clemont and Bonnie's father to speak to him about yesterday's events. He called Serena's mother and Professor Oak earlier this morning (the former had been far more concerned than the latter). He just needed to know certain things. And become Ed's legal guardian, but that's a little further in the future.

"I need you to look into Alchemy and Aura."

Notes:

Ed is actually correct, if you don't count Arceus and do count Miridon and Raging Bolt, there are nine. However, Zeraora, Regieleki, Miridon, and Raging Bolt haven't been discovered yet in-universe.

I hope I'm much better at writing battles by the time we get to the league. It would be very lame if I were writing Ash v Sawyer, and it's just… boring.

Bonnie, holding a bright pink shirt with hearts and smiley faces on it: Ed would love it!
Serena, internally: He'd despise it. He'd wear it to make you happy, but he'd hate every second of it.
Serena, externally: He seems to like black clothes. Let's just get him some black clothes.
Bonnie: Okay.
Bonnie: Can we at least get him the Flareon Jacket?
Serena: We can get him the Flareon Jacket.

Ed, in the face of life-threatening danger: Is one of the most competent people in the room. No fear whatsoever. Kicks ass.
Ed, faced with genuine expressions of emotions from people who aren't Al: shaking and trembling like a leaf, almost in tears.

Sycamore: I need to protect these kids with my life. I am going to do thorough research on the abilities two of them have that I have never heard of before, keep in close contact with their parents (and Professor Oak), and keep a close eye on their progress to ensure they do not get hurt. I will invite them to lunch every time they are in Lumiose and give them free invites to my Summer Camp.
Also, Sycamore: I keep forgetting I'm famous and important in the running of my region, and as such, forget to keep by incredibly well-trained and dangerous Pokémon with me! Oopsie! I keep getting kidnapped!

Ralts has learned Magical Leaf!

Chapter 14: Bamboo is Important - Pangoro, right before he decks you.

Summary:

Ed explains Alchemy a bit more to his friends, Ash freaks out, the Pokémon get a POV, and Serena decides she doesn't like battling.

They leave Lumiose City early the next morning. Ash is in high spirits. His friends are all okay, they're all together, he and Ed have a badge each and they're on the way to badge two.

They settle down for lunch, and two Pokémon he hasn't seen before burst out of the bushes. Serena raises her Pokedex.

Pancham. The Playful Pokémon. A pure Fighting type. It does its best to be taken seriously by its enemies, but its glare is not sufficiently intimidating and it can't help grinning if anyone pats its head. Chewing on a leaf is its trademark.

"It looks different from the one in the Pokedex." Ed muses. "Ah - desperate to intimidate its opponents."

"They should change it." Serena mutters "These ones look cuter."

The two tumble around, arguing about something. Ash has always had a harder time understanding Pokémon not Bonded directly to him.

"I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about the Pokedex image." Clemont laughs a little, and Serena yelps in surprise.

"Really?"

One of the Pancham walks up to her and yells "Pan! Cham Pancham!"

"Aha! I have the machine for this!" Clemont cheers, and Bonnie groans.

"Oh brother."

The Pokémon Translator Device works, but they don't believe it, despite Ed's objection to feeding wild Pokémon, and Pikachu's warnings. All their food gets devoured.

Then Team Rocket show up, insult Ed's height, which sets him off, and Ash has to hold him back from climbing a tree to physically assault the TRio. They almost manage to steal their Pokémon, and Ash lets go because obviously, but Fletchling is knocked out of the sky, the balloon explodes and they watch all of their Pokémon fall down at a distance.

"By the fucking Truth!" Ed yells, pissed not a strong enough word to contain fury he seems to be feeling "Can they stay away for longer than a single fucking day?"

Ash can relate. Mostly because he's trying not freak out about being separated from Pikachu for the second time in just over a week. Fletchling trills sadly in his arms, and he distracts himself by assuring her its not her fault.

Clemont taps his shoulder "Dedenne will be able to sense Pikachu's electricity." He says softly, clearly trying to ignore Ed's cursing. Serena has clamped her hands over Bonnie's ears. "She'll let us know if she picks up anything, and they'll be making their way back to us. Lets pack up and get walking."

Ash nods, slowly, and Clemont walks over to Ed to tap him on the shoulder.

As they start walking in the direction their Pokémon fell in, Bonnie runs up to Ed, who is powering ahead. Ash would be to, but Clemont has had a vice grip on his hand since he noticed Ash was scratching at his arms. Serena is holding Fletchling, who refused to go into her ball.

I have sharper eyes than you. She'd told him. And hearing. I would notice them first.

You think you failed. Ash wanted to correct her. You're trying to make up for it.

(He refuses to examine why he knows that.)

"I've been wondering." Bonnie says "Where people'd usually say, like Arceus or Xerneas, you say 'Truth' or 'The Truth'. Why?"

Ed hums, then slowly "Alchemy is.. its built upon the concept that humanity cannot gain something from nothing. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is the law of Equivalent Exchange."

He says the words 'Equivalent Exchange' reverently, as if it is something to be respected and feared. The way most people talk about legendries.

"That is the Truth of it. Of the world As an Alchemist, I don't really believe in a higher power, but I do believe in Equivalent Exchange."

"You believe in the Truth." Bonnie surmises, and Ed snorts, a little derisively. The way Ash thinks about most legendries.

"Sure. You could say that."

___

Phonse is infinitely lighter than Bonnie, and he and Fenniken are all lighter than all their trainers combined. For that, Ralts is grateful. He can only carry so much with his psychic, and the three of them is the limit.

You could have grabbed all of us. Pikachu grumbles. Shit, were'd Froakie-ally go.

Sorry! But since your trainer has so much experience hitting the ground, I assumed you would to. Ralts snaps back I can only carry so much, and Ed-Partner would be furious is Phonse-brother jarred his leg again.

Pikachu flicks his tail at Chespin, stuck in the ground, and Ralts shrugs. I have no excuse.

Thank you, Ralts-friend. Fenniken says, very pointedly as Pikachu darts away to find Froakie. Say thank you, Phonse-friend.

I have manners! Phonse sighs. More than the rest of you, actually. Thank you, Ralts-Brother. Had I jarred my leg, Ed-Trainer may have never let me walk again.

There's nothing wrong with being held. Fenniken reproaches.

I know! I like being held! But I'm not made of glass, and I can walk.

Ralts sighs, and gets to work pulling Chespin out of the dirt.

Thank you, Ralts-friend! Chespin cheers Your telekinesis is going to be so strong if you evolve!

I am trained by one of the best. Ralts sniffs.

Not necessarily at battling, they're both to new for that. But Ralts has seen his Partner's memories, and knows that fact well. 

As if. Froakie calls, because he's a picky bitch, Mine's the best-

Please don't. Fenniken sighs. If you two fight here, there is no healer to fix you up. Behave.

May the Lake Trio bless Fenniken for being sane.

Now lets go. I have dirt. In my fur. And Serena-Partner will clean if off because SHE is the best.

Never mind.

They begin their walk in the direction that they came from, and Froakie cleans Fenniken's tail as best he can with froubles. They eventually come across a-

Meowth-bitch. Pikachu snarls.

"Hey now, buddy, there are kids here." Meowth scowls, tied up in vines, nodding at Phonse.

Shithead. He responds, deadpan.

"Okay, jeez. Do the short-stack's Pokémon have a potty mouth.

You're lucky he isn't here, Meowth-enemy. Froakie says dryly We'd have to leave you here. That would be such a shame, in fact, in defense of Ed-ally's honour, we should do just that.

"Wait, wait, no! If you lot help me down, we can truce? Until you guys get back to your trainers?"

You always say that. Pikachu grumbles, as Chespin frees Meowth with a pin-missile. He never means it either. Be careful.

"You wound me!" Meowth wails, thinking distinctly traitorous thoughts. Ralts pats Phonses' back, and they continue to walk. Fenniken finds a twig and starts crunching on it. She offers Chespin one, who takes it, slightly confused.

They walk for a long while, then Pikachu stands bolt upright, cheeks sparking.

Dedenne-sister? Chespin asks, excited.

Dedenne-friend. Pikachu confirms.

Yeah! Dedenne-sister means Bonnie-friend! Which means Clemont-Trainer! She cheers, throwing her stick.

It hits a fucking Pangoro. Who. It snarls. Threw a stick. At me.

Chespin freezes, and raises a hand. Sorry, Pangoro-stranger, I didn't see-

I. Will. End. You.

The all run, except for Chespin, who stands as if struck by a Mean Look. Perhaps she has been.

She curls up, and launches a Pin Missile, which hits, and Pangoro freezes. The twig in his mouth floats to the ground as he falls over.

"Pikachu! Froakie!" Ash calls from the distance, and thank the Eon, their trainers arrive.

I'm glad you are safe, Flock. Fletchling chirps, landing next to them.

"Phonse, Ralts." Ed starts, then sees Meowth "Oh you son of a-"

"Ed!" Clemont whines, gesturing at Bonnie "Please."

"I know all the curses." Bonnie frowns at him "Daddy just says I'm not supposed to swear until I'm fourteen- Hey, is that the Pancham from before?"

Dammit. Ralts had been so overjoyed about reuniting with his Partner that he'd forgotten about the situation at hand. Ed would be so disappointed.

One of the Pancham leaps forward. Stupid Chespin-idiot broke Pangoro-dad's leaf!

The other one tugs her brother back. Pancham-brother… she turns to them Please get him a new one. We can't reach The Rock. Her thoughts are full of worry, and so Ralts tugs at Ed's jacket.

"Your dumbass Chespin broke Pangoro's leaf." Meowth translates "They say that you need to pay them back by getting him a new one!"

I did not say that. She snaps at Meowth. Her brother, on the other hand…

Yeah! I'll take them to The Rock.

The Rock? Ralts asks, as Meowth translates what the male Pancham says.

It's got a very specific species of Bamboo. The female Pancham explains. It's best for Pangoro health. Pangoro-father says we are not allowed to have it unless we evolve, as there is not always enough to go around for Pangoro.

Apologise for eating all our food first. Phonse snaps, and She glares at him.

Okay. Sorry. Will you go now?

"Someone should stay with Pangoro." Ed suggests. "I don't trust Meowth."

"Hey!" Meowth yowls, but the trainers chatter and agree, and Serena volunteers.

"I can offer some food. For Pangoro." She says, pointedly, looking at the Pancham "Even if it won't fix it, it will make him feel better."

"I'll stay too!" Bonnie grabs Serena's hand "You boys can handle yourselves!"

I'll keep her safe. Dedenne swears, like a mantra. No harm will come to Bonnie-Partner whilst I can prevent it.

Try not to fall asleep, Dedenne-ally. Froakie suggests, You'd be a terrible guard if you did.

---

Serena takes a deep breath as the boys run off, and opens her bag. She has a few macaroons left, and some macarons she baked last night. And some Pokepuffs!

She offers one of the Oran Pokepuffs to Pangoro, who eats it sadly, but otherwise, does not stir.

"Is there anything else I can do?" She asks the Pancham that stayed "Or do we have to wait."

"Chaam." they murmur, shaking their head, and Serena sighs

"Alright."

"Serena!" Bonnie yells, and she whips around.

Jessie and James have nets raised, and Serena scowls "Fenniken, Ember."

"Oh you little brat!" Jessie screeches, as their nets burn to cinders. "I'll show you! Pumpkaboo! Get her!"

"Inkay." James calls, and Serena's heart stutters. She's never battled before.

"Dedenne! Nuzzle!"

"Shadowball!"

"Psybeam!"

"Ember again." She yelps.

She has no idea what she's doing, and its so stressful. How can anyone like doing this for fun?

Bonnie's doing better than her, but she's been watching her brother battle for years.

"Cham!" "Gotcha!"

Serena whirls, because Meowth has snuck around behind her and tied up Pancham and Pangoro.

"Not cut out for this life are you?" James sneers, when Fenniken bounces with a yelp towards her. "Your short friend picked it up so much faster than you have!"

"Who're you calling so short the kiddie pool feels like the ocean?!" Ed's voice shrieks, and Serena laughs a little in relief.

"Pumpkaboo, Leech Seed!" Jessie calls and the vines wrap up all of the Pokémon.

"Fuck." Clemont mutters, and Bonnie gasps.

"Ed, get the stick to Pangoro!" Ash yells, as Clemont reaches for what must be Bunelby's Pokeball.

Ed changes direction in one fluid motion, and Serena has never truly appreciated just how fast her friend is, as he thunders past her with his odd, mismatched pace, one foot hitting the ground harder than the other.

He slides under Meowth's claws, whilst Serena gathers Fenniken in her arms.

"I don't think we're battlers, Fenniken" she whispers, watching Ed seemingly dances out of the way of Pumpkaboo and Inkays attacks, and the second Pancham lands behind him to fight Meowth.

Ed shoves the sprig into Pangoros mouth and leaps back. The dark/fighting type bursts out of its bindings and charges towards Team Rocket, blasting them off with a Hammer Arm.

"I'm so sorry." Clemont apologises for the seventh time "None of us meant to cause any harm."

"Chespin! Pin Ches!" Chespin agrees.

Pangoro waves them off, and the two Pancham dance around them in celebration.

"Your sister has picked up a lot of tricks from you." She says to Clemont as they walk away "You should have seen her and Dedenne."

He smiles at her, and opens his mouth, but Ash cuts him off.

"Damn it! The suns setting and we never got to have lunch!"

Notes:

Who do you guys think Ed should battle:

Ophelia (Poison, Couraway, Badge 7) - will remind Ed of General Armstrong
Amelia (Flying, Camphrire, Badge 5) - will remind Ed of Winry
Edgar (Ghost, Geosenge, Badge 3) - will remind Ed of Havoc
Viola (Bug, Santelune, Badge 5) - Ed has already met her.

 

The way I'm writing Pokemon speech is that they refer to everyone (in speech) as name-opinion/relationship, because Pokemon don't give each other names.

Thank you, Echoing_Silence, for pointing out that Serena makes Macarons, not Macaroons.

Also, chapters are probably going to slow down so I don't crash and burn.

Chapter 15: Don't Smuggle Pokémon. It Won't End Well.

Summary:

Smugglers and Poachers, for once we don't say Goodbye to a Butterfly and Serena catches her second Pokémon!

Notes:

I know I said in the last chapter I was slowing down a bit, but enjoy chapter 15!

"What is that?" Ed asks, brow furrowed.

Serena wonders, at first, what he is talking about. Then notices a purple box up on the road ahead. She follows him as he jogs ahead, leaving the others behind.

"Some kind of cage." Ed mutters, as they near it, "Could hold a small rodent, but anything that would fit in there comfortably would escape easily. This isn't the work of a nice person."

Serena crouches down beside it, and gasps "Oh, hello, are you okay?"

There's a small, grey green Scatterbug half crawled out. She hears the voice of Es's Pokédex,

Scatterbug. The Scatterdust Pokémon. A pure Bug type. When under attack from bird Pokémon, it spews a poisonous black powder that causes paralysis on contact. The powder that covers its body regulates its temperature, so it can live in any region or climate.

"We don't want to hurt you," Serena assures it, as the rest of their friends catch up. "Here, a macaroon. For you."

It nibbles on it, then crawls all the way out of the cage. Serena lifts it in one hand. Ed picks up the cage and opens his holocaster.

"There's a Pokémon Center nearby. Just West." He tells her, and they set off.

Ash has a funny look on his face. "Why are we bringing the cage?"

"Evidence." Ed explains, grimly, "I don't know how reporting things works in this wo- uh, here, but where I'm from, you need evidence,"

Sick, Serena realises, Ash looks sick.

"Do you know what's going on here?" She asks, and he gives her a long, serious look. It feels out of place in his usually goofy face. Pikachu's ears pin back against his head.

"Poachers, most likely. Scatterbug probably evolves into a pretty-looking Pokémon that sells for a lot of money on the black market."

Serena sucks in a breath, holding Scatterbug closer. Bonnie makes a little pained sounds, and Clemont grabs her hand.

"Which is why we report it. From what I can tell, your Jennie's know how to do their job and how to do it well." Ed assures her, and shakes the cage a little.

They make their way to the Pokémon Center, and Serena beelines for the desk.

"Oh!" Nurse Joy looks between her and Ed, who is still holding the cage "What is this?"

"We found her in there." Serena explains, softly "On the road. Could you check her over?"

"Of course! Poor dear's come so far…"

"How can you tell?" Ash asks.

"The Scatterbug line looks slightly different depending on where they're from. Vivillon looks far more different between each other. Scatterbug and Spewpa have different flecks, this little one has purple ones, see?"

Serena nods, and Nurse Joy gets her Wigglytuff to use Sing on Scatterbug so that she can look over her easier.

"She looks perfectly healthy. Just stressed. If-"

"Halt!" A voice calls "You lot are under arrest for conspiring with Pokémon smugglers!"

Ash groans, as his arm is lassoed by a rope, as if this is not the first time an Officer Jenny has threatened to arrest him for something he didn't do. Serena wishes she could be calm, like him and Ed, but she tenses up and almost trips over herself turning around.

"As the Officer Jenny of these parts, I order you to-"

"Jenny." Nurse Joy snaps, "These lovely lot are here to report the smuggling, I'd wager. Not partake in it. No Poacher is stupid enough to come into a Pokémon Center with their cargo and the cage."

Jenny blushes, "Nurse Joy. I-"

Clemont steps forward, and pulls something out of his pocket. "I'm the Lumiose Gym Leader, ma'am. These are my travelling companions."

She looks over the Id -that's what it has to be - then over them again, She frowns "By Arceus, you lot young. I apologise. I saw the cage and the Scatterbug and assumed." She loosens the lasso, and it falls of Ash's arm.

Clemont and Bonnie both relax as if their strings were cut as Jenny hands the Id back, and Serena accepts her apology graciously. She's just glad they weren't arrested.

"Is it common for people here to accuse and arrest the first people they see?" Ed mutters, irritated, to Ash.

"Kinda."

"Well shit."

"I'll come and get you when I've finished looking over Scatterbug." Nurse Joy assures Serena, "You lot best explain how you found it to Officer Jenny."

They sit down opposite of the officer, all five of them piled onto one bench. It's a squeeze, and Bonnie sits on her brothers lap just so there's enough room. Serena is squished between Ash and Ed, neither of whom seem to notice her bright red face (Thank Xerneas).

"Right." Jenny nods, finishing writing her notes as they explain. "Thank you. Dolan's been giving us trouble for years."

"You call him a Smuggler, not a Poacher." Ed points out, eyes narrowed. Serena feels Ash stiffen next to her. "What's the difference?"

"It's a little arbitrary." Officer Jenny explains, tapping the table. "But we Jenny's usually refer to Smugglers as people who sell Pokémon in and out of regions, and Poachers as people who work within a single region. Poachers are also generally considered more dangerous, for various reasons. A few years ago, my cousins in Sinnoh had to deal with a particularly notorious one who called herself Hunter J-"

Ash inhales sharply

"-thank Xerneas she's dealt with. I only ever heard horror stories." Officer Jenny shakes her head. "Dolan is a Smuggler who specialises in Vivillon. He catches them as Scatterbug and Spewpa, waits for them to evolve, then sells them to collectors."

"Its fucking disgusting." Ash snarls, and Serena jerks in surprise. She doesn't think she's ever heard him actually angry. Even when Team Rocket almost got away with their Pokémon yesterday, he was more scared than anything else.

Clemont and Bonnie look equally concerned, and Pikachu coos, butting his head against his trainers. Ralts buries himself in Ed's coat, and Dedenne whines, hiding in Bonnie's bag.

"Sorry! Just, people actin' like Pokémon aren't living, thinking, breathing beings and selling them as if their, I dunno, furniture, really pisses me off." He tries to smiles, but his jaw is tense.

Jenny nods "It should. It's abhorrent."

Nurse Joy returns and Scatterbug crawls over the table to Serena. "Bug!" It calls, happily.

"She likes you." Nurse Joy smiles "You should have seen how she wriggled when she woke up."

"I'm glad she's okay." is all Serena can say.

---

Nurse Joy told them that Scatterbug looked like she was about to evolve, so Officer Jenny herded them outside.

"It's an explosion of dust." She explains "I doubt Nurse Joy wants to clean that up."

Clemont thinks of the small vents on the inside of the cage that Ed had handed off to Officer Jenny. Meant to sift out the dust into a second compartment, likely. He wonders if the dust sells particularly highly on the black market, it would be the only reason to save it.

"So how does evolution actually work?" Bonnie asks "Like, I get it, but not really."

Ash tries to explain, but it ends up being more onomatope than anything else, and leaves her looking even more confused, so Clemont takes over.

"Evolution occurs when a Pokémon reaches a certain point. For some, its a location, and other its a level of strength. They change their appearance, species and sometimes even type. They usually get stronger by evolving."

"Take Phonse for example." Clemont continues, catching sight of him by his trainers leg "He's an Eevee, which means he could evolve in to eight different things, depending on the time of day, relationship with his trainer, location, what moves he knows, or what evolution stone he's exposed too."

"Vee.." Phonse looks slightly overwhelmed.

"They don't have to evolve either." Ash adds "Pikachu, for example, never wants to evolve."

"Pika!!" Pikachu agrees.

"Oh!" Serena calls "Scatterbug-"

The light envelopes her, and her form glows and changes, becoming stubbier and rounder. Chespin-sized. Even Officer Jenny's face looks gentler in the aftermath. Clemont notices, amidst the purple and yellow flecks on her fur, something small and dark.

"May I?" He asks, and pulls it off. "A transmitter of some kind. Dolan probably put it there to track his "merchandise.""

Ash scowls again, but Ed's eyes spar with interest, he steps forward and takes the transmitter from Clemont.

"Good eye." He says, and Clemont feels the heat go into his cheeks. Yveltal strike him down, please, he cannot keep blushing whenever his friend is remotely nice to him.

"We could use this." Ed continues "If Dolan's using it to track Spewpa's location, then we could trick him into revealing himself and leading us to the rest of the Scatterbug."

"You think like an officer." Officer Jenny compliments, and Ed freezes like a deer caught in headlights. "Yes, that would work. If we put Spewpa back in the cage and watch from a distance…"

"I could make something that can pick up the transmitters frequency!" He offers. "I have something half built meant to pick up Pokémon Center Wi-Fi so we can tell where the nearest one is, but if I adjusted it…"

"I don't know. What if Spewpa gets hurt?" Serena asks, lifting the bug type.

"We could disguise someone else AS Spewpa." Ed offers "Someone with more battle experience, and could defend themselves better."

"Ra!" Ralts offers, running over to stand next to Spewpa, gesturing between them, as if to show of the similar sizes "Ralts."

Serena relaxes. Clemont wonders if she's realised how attached she's gotten to the bug-type. "I'll sew a little costume."

"Are you sure?" Ed asks, and when Ralts nods, takes a deep breath "Okay. Be careful."

Clemont finishes adjusting the machine at the same time Serena finishes Ralts' new costume. Ash is pacing, a thunderous expression on his face, and Ed is muttering the periodic table under his breath.

Ash has travelled for a while. Clemont muses. He must have encountered Poachers before. His anger seems more than just a knee jerk reaction to something horrible. It seems personal.

They hide along the road, all Pokémon bar Pikachu, Ralts and Spewpa (Who is riding on Serena's shoulder) in Pokeballs, watching as Dolan's truck thunders up. They follow him until a wooded area, where Clemont's machine begins to malfunction.

Clemont throws it to the ground and scrambles back as it explodes, cursing his Furfrou-shit luck. Prototypes.

"It worked. I should be able to track him from here." Officer Jenny assures him "Thank you for your assistance, Gym Leader Clemont."

Right. He has a certain level of authority here. "It's no issue!" He tries a grin, the way Ash does. From Pikachu's deadpan look, it does not work.

Officer Jenny leaves them, and Ash calls Fletchling out to look. She circles away, observing the woods, then flies back.

"Chling!"

"She found him!" Ash grins.

They're lead to a small building that Clemont assumes use to be some old storehouse for Quasator Inc. or Lysander Labs. Quasator, by the run-down-ness of it. They're the only competitor Lysander Labs hasn't bought out or run out of the market, but its close.

"We need to get in and break the other Spewpa out!" Serena hisses. She takes a step forwards, but Ed blocks her.

"If Dolan's in there." He mutters "He's gonna use the other Pokémon as hostages. Stay here, I'll scout it out."

"Take Froakie with you, at least." Ash insists, returning Fletchling "He's sneaky."

Ed moves carefully and quietly, up a wall and through a window, Froakie close behind him. The water type pokes his head out to inform them that there are no humans there.

"Where is he, then?" Serena asks, then yelps, Spewpa leaping off her shoulder in alarm. Clemont yells too, as the ground below them springs up in a net.

---

Ash spins around as Dolan approaches, holding Ralts' cage, his costume askew.

"I figured out your little trick." The man sneers "The costume came of during the ride here! Buch o' kids playing hero, are we?"

His voice is gross, and there are bits of his aura that are a putrid looking shade of purple.

He shakes the cage, and Ralts cries out, hitting one wall. "Maybe I'll sell it too. Little fucker ain't rare, but someone'd be willing to pay a pretty penny for a Ralts."

White hot rage surges through Ash. He hates Poachers.

"Give him back." He demands. Mostly because he hates Poachers and all of the Pokémon he's caught need to be freed. Partially because if something happened to Ralts, he thinks Ed would beat this guys face in.

Not that he doesn't deserve it, but its the principle of the matter.

"Sure. If you give me back my Spewpa. We can make a trade like adults."

Serena sucks in a sharp breath behind him, and Spewpa quivers on his shoulder. The bond that's connected between them shakes.

Ash glances towards the building. Froakie is watching from the window, tensed and ready to fight. On your word.

Ed is nowhere to be seen, but Ash can see the Tether leading from Ralts to inside the warehouse. Ralts doesn't seem too worried, either, only shaken up.

"Not on your life." Ash snaps.

"Well then." Dolan reaches for his Pokeball "I'll be taking it back one way or another. Diggersby?"

The large Rabbit bursts out of its Pokeball. Ash has never been able to understand how Pokémon can help trainers who are objectively terrible people.

"Froakie, bubble!"

His Pokémon lunges from the window, but Diggersby blocks the attack with his ears. Bunelby's evolution, maybe?

Diggersby, at Dolan's word, digs into the ground and burst back out, hitting Froakie. Ash calls for Water Pulse, but Froakie is tossed around by Double Slap and Hammer Arm.

This is what Ed would call, A Fucking Problem.

Spewpa, all of a sudden, lunges forward and rams into Diggersby with a Tackle, and blocks the responding Double Slap with Protect, and ties it up with String Shot.

Ash is all for ganging up on Poachers.

"Damnit!" Dolan shakes Ralts' cage again as Diggersby breaks out of the string. Spewpa starts running in circles. "The little bugs are weak and useless until-"

Spewpa starts to glow. Wings unfurls and a Vivillon takes to the skys.

Her wings are the same shade of purple as Serena's aura is, sometimes, Ash notices, and Bonnie calls that she looks really different to Viola's.

"Oh dear." Dolan grins "You'll fetch a high price! As I was saying, all the little bugs are useful for is money."

Ash can't keep his anger down this time. "Oh your disgusting. Your foul! You- you piece of shit!"

Dolan rolls his eyes "Kids with morals. Diggersby, Mud Shot."

Vivillon protects herself with safeguard, then uses stun spore. A loud clicking noise comes from inside the warehouse, and a wave of Scatterbug and Spewpa pour out the open door.

"No!" Dolan screams, and Ed darts out after the last one. "No, you- You brats! I would have had a fortune if it weren't for you blasted kids-"

Ed's fist connects with his face. It looks very painful.

"Thank you, Officer Jenny." Serena gasps behind him, and Ash turns to see that she had arrived and helped their friends out of the traps "Oh- Ed please don't spit on him, that's gross."

He deserves it. Ash thinks, as Jenny ties Dolon up. Ed unlatches Ralts' cage and pulls the psychic type out gently.

"Are you okay, Vivillon?" Serena asks. She's surrounded by a swarm of Spewpa and Scatterbug. "Nothing hurt?"

"Vi!" She trills, and lands on the back of Serena's head.

"Aw! She looks like a bow!" Bonnie coos.

As the sun sets, the watch the swarm glow, and hundreds of different coloured Vivillon burst into the sky, filling it with colour. The way they soar away reminds Ash of Butterfree. It hurts his heart a little.

The Vivillon they'd saved first doesn't leave. "Viii."

The Tether between her and Serena hums.

"I think she wants to stay with you." Clemont observes "She doesn't look like she wants to leave at the very least."

"Really?" Serena asks, then looks at Vivillon "You do?"

"Vi!"

"Okay." She chews her lip and looks at Ash. "So I just- Pokeball, go?"

Vivillon slaps the Pokeball in the air, and it clicks with a successful first catch.

Ash smiles at her as she introduces Vivillon to Fenniken, then follows one of his own tethers with his eyes. He hopes his own first catch is doing well.

Notes:

Goddam Pokemon and not defining words. Anyway, enjoy my pulled-out-of the ass explination.

Hunter J mention! I imagine, given her how infamous she was in Sinnoh, that other regions also heard about her.

Ed learns that Eevee has a lot of evolutions. Currently, Phonse has a planned evolution, but I can be swayed anywhere except for Sylveon (Due to Serena having one later).

And I'm still willing to hear arguments for Pokemon you think Ed should catch! I've only got the next two planned.

Not me making Quasator Inc. lore that will be instantly non-canon the second Legends ZA comes out.

Serena gets Fenniken in Episode 3, and doesn't catch another Pokemon until Pancham in Episode 47. I'm changing that here. I feel like Vivillon is a good Serena Pokémon, and I tried to have them build a connection. Not sure how well I did.

Vivillon (Elegant Pattern). Ability: Compound Eyes. Docile Nature. Moves Known: Safeguard, Stun Spore, Struggle Bug, Gust (Protect, String Shot and Tackle)]

Chapter 16: Rainy Days and Haunted Mansions go hand in hand. Also, Ninjas and Princesses.

Summary:

A thunderstorm, we barely avoid an automail reveal, and Serena and Ed have a moment, Ash and Froakie meet some Ninjas and Clemont is VERY gay.

Notes:

This chapter spans three episodes.

Ed scowls.

The rain is thundering down, and every move he makes with his automail aches. He can barely hear himself think.

His friends have noticed. It would be hard for them not to, he's walking slower than Clemont when he's usually at the head of the group. Here's to hoping they stop soon, so he can collapse.

He still hasn't done any reading on prosthetics, which is dumb. That needs to be the next thing he looks into. Will he have to do his own maintenance and just pray to whatever forces exist he doesn't break his automail? Or is there a market for them. He hopes there's a market. As much as Winry would kill him for letting someone tamper with her babies, he likes to think she'd prefer he have working limbs.

He drags himself forward another few steps and stumbles.

"Okay." Ash calls, over a crack of thunder, glancing back at him, worried "I see a building ahead. Lets hope it has a roof."

If he were in any less pain, Ed would make a snide comment. But right now, he can only glare. Serena looks at him concerned, and it takes all his effort not to snap at her.

Never has he ever wished he'd been at a kindergarten, but they should have taken up Penelope's offer of a place to stay for the night. They could have waited out the storm.

Serena had offered some painkillers when he'd gritted his teeth and half-lied about old injuries, and he'd taken them, even though he knows that they'll barely do anything.

The scars are a pain on their own, but then he as 20 pounds of metal screwed into them, which only makes it worse.

They enter the mansion that Ash had seen before, and Ed collapses on the nearest couch, head too fuzzy to really take notice of his surroundings.

(Mustang would grill him for that. Point out that just because his pain-tolerance is insane, he shouldn't push himself and get killed. Or worse, fuck up a mission. It would be too much paperwork, apparently. Lazy bastard.)

The lights turn on on their own, and the door slams shut. Ed's friends discuss the mansion being haunted, and Ed groans.

Great.

"Do ghosts actually exist." He asks, "Like, ghost types do, sure, but ghosts."

"Yes." Ash answers instantly.

That's unfortunate.

"It's never been scientifically proven. That ghosts exist." Clemont assures both him, Serena and Bonnie "So its just- OH BY YVELTAL THAT SHADOW HAS EYES!"

Ed rolls over, cursing and aching, and says into a muffled pillow "Come get me when you've sorted the ghost thing out. Or found another way out, I guess."

"I'll stay!" Serena offers, voice high pitch "In case the painkillers wear off."

"You don't have to-"

"No, no, I will." She cuts him off.

Clemont whines that he wants to stay, but Ed hears three sets of footsteps leaving.

"Is there anything else I can do to help?" Serena asks, gently. Her voice is still quivering. She must be trying to distract herself. "Clemont says that Soliel had electricity burns that hurt in the rain, so we assumed this was something similar. Ash told us not to ask until you were ready."

Bless their souls.

When he was in Resembool and they knew a storm was coming, Winry would disconnect the limbs and would massage them. He and Al tried it in East City and Central sometimes, but his brother couldn't sense pressure, which often meant he made them hurt more. She might have moisturiser, but he doesn't want to show her. Not yet, even if it’s just his friend.

He doesn't want them to see his body - all three pieces - and be disgusted with him.

"You're not more of an adult for suffering when you don't have to, chief." Havoc's voice echoes around his head. "I think it makes you more child-acting-like-an-adult, actually."

"Do you have a heat pack?" He asks, and Serena nods. She pulls out the pack and sets it to heat up.

"Where do you want me to put it?"

Where would be less painful?

"My shoulder." He decides. There's more metal there. "Thank you."

It only takes the edge off, given that he has an entire throbbing leg. But he's grateful.

Serena hums, and he hears her let Fenniken out and start a fire in the fireplace.

"Do you want to move closer? Or are you okay there?" She asks.

"I'm not moving."

She sits on a different chair, and jumps when they hear windows banging and shouting. "Do you think the others are okay?"

"Sure." He groans, rolling back over and hating his life. He looks at her "They can handle themselves."

She nods.

They listen a little longer, and Serena bites her lip "Would you mind listening to me rant for a bit?"

"Course not." He grunts "It'll distract me."

"I don't know how you three do it." She begins "You, Clemont and Ash. Battling's horrible."

"Eh." Ed grunts "It's better when its not Team Rocket. Or Poachers."

"I'll take your word for it." Serena grumbles, but continues "And, your all so confident. Ash started fighting Dolan without a second thought, like he always does with Team Rocket, and you're always so sure of yourself and you don't hesitate to do dangerous things, and Clemont always has an invention ready even if it doesn't work. I don't understand."

"I- I'm jealous, I think." She sighs "I admire you all so much, because you're all so strong, but I'm so plain, especially next to you and Ash."

She's talking about their abilities.

"I know a person." Ed begins, voice straining around the pain "Who dedicated her entire life to building prosthetics because she wanted to support her friend. She didn't have a lick of funky powers" slight lie, but Winry gives so little shits about Alchemy she might as well not have any "but she's gotta be one of the fiercest people I know."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." It hurts, to think about Winry, especially with his Automail in the forefront of his mind. "She has no interest in fighting whatsoever. You don't… You don't have to be a battler, or be able to do what- what Ash and I can, to be cool, yeah? You walked all the way from Vaniville to return a handkerchief. You can outbake an entire kitchens worth of chefs and make a costume from scratch, you figured out a way to let us know where that van took you really fast. You're awesome. You've just gotta learn how to see it."

She smiles, looking a little teary "Thank you Ed."

"You're welcome. Now leave me to wish I was dead in peace, please."

---

"Alright." Ash takes a deep breath "Froakie? Let's go again."

"Kie!" Froakie nods, and turns back to the waterfall.

When Ed stopped sucking in a sharp breath every time he moved, Elise had offered to take them to her house for the night, then they'd set out the next morning and gone on until sunset. Ed had forced them to get up early to make up for the time lost, the absolute freak. He was literally dying on a couch the day before.

They'd stopped by the waterfall a rest, because Ash had begged Ed to stop biting their heels about lost time and let them train. Serena's sitting on a nearby rock, sketching in her book whilst Vivillon poses for her and Fenniken naps. Ralts is practising aiming his Magical Leaf. Pikachu and Phonse are playing with Dedenne, Bunelby and Chespin, and Fletchling is napping in a tree.

Bonnie had begged Ed to teach her more about how to fight, and he'd insisted Clemont join in. So there they are.

Froakie goes another two rounds of just pure speed training for his attacks, and Ash can't help but feel they're getting nowhere. He's trained Pokémon for years, he knows that it takes a while to get anywhere, but he's an impatient person by nature, even when it comes to battling.

"You still need to train a lot." A voice comments from behind them.

Ash whirls, and Froakie throws some froubles directly at a tree. Ed spins on his heel from where he's correcting Clemont's stance and throws a rock at a bush.

"DIER!" The bush yells in pain, as a piece of paper falls of the tree.

There's a fucking ninja, because of course there is.

"Good job on noticing me though." He compliments. Then vanishes.

Ed is tensed, eyes a little feral. "Maybe." He grits "You and your friend can just talk like a regular fucking person."

Ash kind of wishes he was scary enough to convince a Ninja and his Partner (Their Bond Tether glows) to appear, looking slightly cowed. But only kind of, because Ash also prefers to be friendly and approachable.

"Froga." The Pokémon says, nodding at Ed in respect. Ed only untenses slightly.

"I am Sanpei." The ninja introduces himself "And this is my partner, Frogidier. You have good aim." He looks at Ed.

"And what do you want?" Ed asks.

The rest of their friends and Pokémon have stopped what they're doing to watch.

"We overheard your training, and simply wanted to observe." Sanpei's voice is careful.

Ash is blood is pumping, and Froakie croaks next to him.

"Well I'm Ash! This is Froakie, That's Ed, that's his Partner Ralts, and Phonse, his Eevee. Clemont, Bunelby, Chespin, Pikachu, Dedenne, Serena, Fenniken, Vivillon, Bonnie, Fletchling." He gestures to them as he says their name.

"I am honoured to be meeting a Gym Leader in the flesh." Sanpei bows to Clemont. It's reminiscent of a Kantonian greeting, and Ash wonders at it. But not for long, as he continues "I assume you three are related, then?"

Clemont goes bright red. "No, no! Bonnie's my younger sister, But Ed's not from Kalos. As you can… probably tell. Also, we really look nothing alike beyond vaguely similar hair colour!"

He's referring to the accent. And the difference in… skin tone, eyes, freckles, face shape, everything else.

"I apologise for assuming then." Sanpei nods between Ed and Clemont, then bows a little to Bonnie, which makes her giggle. He's good with kids, Ash notes. "I merely thought the way he trained the little miss was reminiscent of how my brothers trained me when I was young."

The way Ed treats Bonnie. Huh. Ash has always thought the gentleness and protectiveness reminiscent of Brock, himself. Which makes sense. Clemont has always had a more May-vibe when it came to younger siblings.

Ed looks… really sad, when Ash looks for his opinion on the comment. Like Sanpei has said something that poured salt in an open wound.

"I mean, Ed's also an older brother." Clemont laughs, a little nervously "So that makes sense."

"You are?" Serena asks, surprised, but she notices the look on their friends face, and quietens "Oh, I'll ask later."

Everyone looks really awkward. Ash feels really awkward.

"We should battle!" He suggests, stepping forward. Partially to break the tension, partly because he wants to battle this guy. So. Badly "If your so interested in how we train."

They loose. Badly.

"We didn't plan. We just ran into that blindly." Ash sighs to Ed, when he raises an eyebrow.

"That you did." Sanpei agrees. Ash grits his teeth, because there's a smugness to him, beyond a winners pride. Iris had that sort of smugness in spades. "You need far more training."

"They've known each other for two weeks." Ed scoffs "Of course they need more training, dumbass. You want me to shower you in compliments because you did?"

He's still irritated by the pair sneaking up on them.

Sanpei blinks "Two weeks? I assumed-"

"Pikachu's my partner." Ash explains, realising what he's getting at "You recognised that I've got experience with Pokémon, didn't you."

Sanpei blushes "Ah - yes. I assumed Froakie was your partner, as Frogidier is mine, and that Pikachu belonged to the electric gym leader. Here," he holds out a small green pill "It's made out of energy root. Bitter, but effective."

Froakie is outraged at the taste.

"Can you train us?" Ash asks "You and Frogidier are clearly skilled."

Sanpei frowns, and looks at Frogidier. She doesn't look impressed, but he looks back at them. "I will, under one condition."

He turns to Ed "I saw you teaching your companions earlier, and you clearly know what you are talking about. I would request to spar with you, and I will train your friend."

Ed looks considering. "Fine. It's Equvalent. But I'm rusty."

Sanpei looks pleased, and turns back to Ash "I must warn you that my training strict, and will require you to train as much as Froakie will."

Ash grins. That's the best kind of training.

As they do so, Serena sews Bonnie, Dedenne and Pikachu ninja costumes. Clemont shows off a machine that should help Froakie strengthen his muscles, but goes flying.

Ed stands with a sigh "I'll go find him." Phonse and Bunelby run after him.

Ash and Sanpei are training with their Pokémon late into the afternoon, and Ash's muscles ache with hours of hard work. Sanpei and Frogidier have them jumping between rocks and running on water (Froakie and Frogidier, not him. Though he gives it a go!).

They stop for lunch, and as they all lay under a tree, Ash has to ask.

"What's your hometown like, Sanpei?"

The ninja hums "It's very hidden. You can only find it if you've been shown the entrance. My older brothers, Ippei and Nihei live there, with their partners Greninja and Venasaur respectively. They're six and twelve years older than me respectively, and they've been looking after me since our parents passed. Ippei is the strongest and fastest ninja in the village, and Nihei is only just behind him in strength and skill.

He sits up, and for the first time he looks like the kid he is.

"My dream is to defeat them both in battle, and become the best ninja in the village."

He grins at Ash "What's your hometown like, then? What's your dream?"

"Pallet Town's this little town in the Kanto region." Ash explains "It's got the cleanest air out of anywhere in the Eastern Regions'. Maybe in the known world. It's why its called 'Pallet' - a clean slate. Professor Oak's lab is there because Pokémon love it and get especially energised. He looks after all of the Pokémon of the trainers he sponsors. Most of mine are there. As for my dream…"

He too, sits up.

"I'm gonna be a Pokémon Master."

Sanpei's grin falters "What's that?"

"Its a person." Ash says, eyes far away "Who is friends with every Pokémon in the world. Someone who's strong and brave enough to help everyone they can - people, Pokémon or otherwise. Someone who's kind enough to want to."

He grins back "Also, only the best battler in the world."

"That's very ambitious." Clemont murmurs. Ed had, apparently, found him headfirst in some mud. He's still really dirty. "I guess that makes the two of you rivals, in a sense."

They get back to training after that, jumping from tree branch to tree branch. Ash almost falls off a cliff at some point. Sanpei is much more tolerable, after their conversation under the tree.

After Sanpei declares Ash and Froakie ready to practise Quick Attack, they take a quick break.

"A battle-ready body is a well-rested body." Sanpei quotes, then giggles "Or, that's what Ippei always said when Nihei and I would overwork ourselves."

"Your brother sounds like someone I used to know." Ed murmurs, voice a little pained "I'd like to meet him someday and see if he's as wise as he sounds."

He sounds like Brock, Ash thinks, and ignores the longing in his heart. He'll call him next time they're at a Pokémon center.

"Oh he is!" Sanpei looks awed. "But - ah - I don't think I should say more! We have a move to practise!"

They begin, but are interrupted by Team Rocket. In a giant Meowth Mecha. Because of course they are.

"That's the second time this week." Serena mutters.

Froakie gets hit by one of the coins that the machine spits, but he manages to avoid the net. Frogidier gets close in order to attack, but isn't so lucky.

"Pikachu! Iron Tail!" Ash calls, but his Partner also gets caught up.

"Fro!" Froakie yells, trying to dodge the coins. He jumps between places so fast that he starts to blur, and suddenly Ash can't tell where he is.

Froakie learned Double Team, he thinks, gleeful.

Froakie, Frogidier and Pikachu blast the Mech off, and Sanpei seemingly teleports to his Partner.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"Dier…" The water-type mutters, exasperated.

They make their way back to the group, and when Sanpei challenges Ed to their fight, while Clemont cooks dinner.

"Are we fighting until one of us wins, or simply sparring?" Ed asks, groaning as he stretches.

"Simply sparring." Sanpei decides "So we can keep going until Clemont is finished with Dinner."

Ash has always felt awe when watching master battlers. Matches between Champions, Frontier Brains and Elite Four members are a whole different breed. He saw a match between Cynthia and Lance, once, and it rewired his brain chemistry. 

He feels something similar watching Sanpei and Ed spar.

"Dinner's ready!" Clemont calls, and the two pull away. When Ash glances at his friend, he's bright red, staring at Ed.

"If that's you sparring rusty." Sanpei huffs, "I'd hate to fight you serious and fresh."

"You're not so bad yourself." Ed agrees.

Sanpei stays with them for dinner, then goes on his way, promising to battle Ash again when they next meet.

Ash looks forward to it.

---

Two days later, they get to Camphrier town.

Ash is grumpy, because Amelia's away for the next few weeks, overseeing the Sky Trainer examinations, and Bonnie is excited about the markets; Camphrier's being pretty famous.

As it turns out, helping catch criminals gets the monetary reward. And they'd caught Team Rocket in Antoris, who had a pretty decent reward. Not as hefty as the reward they'd gotten for helping catch Dolan, however. On top of Serena's allowance, Clemont's Gym Leader salary and Ash's seemingly infinite amount of money, they're set.

Ed didn't seem to have a single coin on him pre team-rocket-in-Antoris. and refuses to give an explanation why.

His sister drags them to the market stalls, and Serena takes quick pitstop at a place selling fabrics, looking at a particular swath of purple cloth and Ed gets distracted by a stall selling stone carvings. He leaves with the most hideous gargoyle of the lot, smiling brightly.

Ash has been sent off on a mission to buy a whole bunch of heat packs, half because of the Storm Incident, as Clemont calls it in his head, and half because Bonnie had woken them all up screaming, convinced she was dying because of all the blood.

She grew up with people who didn’t have periods. The ones who did hadn’t had them in years, but the time she was born. Then papa and Soleil had died… They'd forgotten to explain them to her altogether.

Serena had, very graciously, offered some of her painkillers and her heatpack. They would be lost without her.

Suddenly, a loud clanging that makes his head hurt.

"What was that?" He asks a local, who gestures for them to follow. She leads them all to the center of the town, where a Snorlax sleeps, and explains that they have a symbiotic relationship with the Snorlax. He gets leftover food and roots, they get tilled fields.

"Our Festival has not come to completion, because Lord Shabboneau has not played the Pokeflute."

Clemont perks up, but before he can suggest they use Bonnie's old alarm clock, Ed places a hand on his shoulder.

"Lets just get the flute. There's gotta be something else going on if its happened every year but now."

So they go. And Ed was, as usual, right. Lord Shabboneau explains that Princess Allie of Parfume Palace had taken it. He looks ashamed that he let her take it, but says he owed to much to her father to argue.

"I hate fetch quests." Ash groans, as they make their way to the Palace.

Its so large and grand, and Princess Allie is a spoiled selfish - as Ed would say - bitchass motherfucker.

She won't hand over the flute, tries to demand and then buy Pikachu. When she challenges Ash to a battle for both Pikachu and the flute. Ash accepts, because he and Pikachu are seasoned battlers. The second Allie's Furfrou's fur is messed up, she forfeits and has her Pokémon taken away for grooming. Then tries to demand Pikachu again.

"Your selfishness." Clemont tells her "Will get you nowhere in the real world. Not everyone owes your father a debt."

He hates people like her, who roll in their wealth and feel they're entitled to everything they want. As a person whose been raised on hard work, and had only gotten to where he was through hard work, its very insulting.

She, however, seems to like him.

"I'll tell you what. If you leave Clemont with me. You can take the flute!"

"Fuck no." Ed snarls, immediately "You took that flute for nothing. Its only Equivalent we take it back for nothing."

"Don't cause a scene." Serena whispers to him "Please don't punch the princess."

"I'll punch who I want." Ed mutters, but unclenches his fist.

"I took the flute because I liked it, but I like Clemont more. So I'll take him!" Allie explains, as if Ed is very stupid "Although… you are rather exotic, aren't you?"

"Never mind" Serena decides "Let me at her."

Even Bonnie, who had initially seemed excited at the idea of a pretty girl his age wanting to 'keep him' - and oh Xerneas he needs to tell her he's gay, so she's flirting with hot guys for him at the very least - looks a little sick at the way Allie is talking.

"We'll discuss this for a moment!" Clemont calls, and they huddle, then "We need the Pokeflute."

"We aren't leaving you." Ed insists, eyes a little wild. "You can't make me."

Oh. That is doing terrible things to his heart. His face must be redder than a tomato. Xerneas help him or Yveltal strike him down, this crush is becoming something dangerously genuine.

Serena looks only slightly less incensed.

Ash, for the love of Arceus, is the only one who looks calm. He takes a breath and leans away from Ed.

"We won't leave you." He says to Clemont. "We'll do the… trade."

Clemont remembers his very personal disgust at Pokémon Poachers. It must be taking every part of his self control to even seem calm, given the way he spits the word trade.

"And pretend to leave. Bonnie, Serena and I will head back and wake Snorlax, Ed you'll double back and break him out. If any of us stuck with you, it would just cramp your style."

Ed takes a deep breath. Serena relaxes. Bonnie reaches forward to grab his hand "You'll be okay, big brother. Your stronger than you know."

She sounds like she's quoting someone. It makes him more confident.

"Okay. We'll do what Ash suggests."

Allie is delighted, and it breaks him a little to see them walk away, even if he knows Ed will be back.

She's terrible, but she doesn't do anything, beyond dragging him to her bedroom that's bigger than his house and insinuating that they should kiss once.

"Oh! Your probably starved by your… poor people food." She did not just say that out loud "I'll go request something actually good!"

She leaves, and Clemont's legs give out under him. Then, he gets to work.

Luckily, he only has to wait about ten minutes before the window creaks and Ed is there. Ralts is next to him on the railing, clapping his little hands together with excitement. Clemont's traitorous heart soars at the sight.

"C'mon." He says to Clemont, "You already look like your hands are softening by just being here."

They slip out together, and Ed lifts him up bridal style to run the rest of the way back to Camphrier.

They meet up with an irritated looking Ash, Serena and Bonnie. Team Rocket interrupted the Snorlax awakening. Because of course they did.

They leave Camphrier town the next morning, having been given free accommodation from Lord Shabboneau in thanks. Ed grumbled about the entire time, and Clemont couldn't help but agree because he just escaped a castle.

But they leave, and Clemont is left to wonder how Allie reacted to the little… surprise he left. He hopes he never sees her again.

Notes:

Penelope is the Sylveon trainer from the kindergarten episode. I didn't write it out, like the Ryhorn episode, so here's some crumbs. Elise is the Espurr episode lady.

Dealing with scars in storms is not something I have experience with, so this is the result of a google search. And unfortunately, there's no instructions for scars with metal drilled into them.

We meet Sanpei for the first time! He goes to the Pokémon Universe School Of Spilling Your Entire Life Story To People You Have Just Met.

Ash: Ed's older sibling-ness reminds me of Brock, whereas Clemont's reminds me of May. I wonder why.
Ed and Brock: Were forced to care for their younger siblings from a young age.
May and Clemont: We had a dad.

The 'Pallet Town has the cleanest air' thing is from the Pokémon Adventures Manga! I've (unfortunately, because its AWESOME) only read up to the end of the Ruby and Sapphire arc, but who knows? There might be some references to the X and Y arc in here.

And we get an explication of what ASH believes Pokémon Master to mean, which lets be real, is the important thing, not the official definition. It's his dream, after all. In his final episode in the anime, Ash says that to him a Pokémon Master is a person who has befriended every Pokémon in the world, and I wanted to honour that definition, but with my own spin.

I can't believed I googled "what contraceptive measures stop periods" for a fucking Pokémon fanfiction.

The "surprise" is the fake Clemont he made in the anime, btw.

Also, tell me why I'm getting invested in Ed/Clemont. I wrote Clemont's crush to be a funny thing. What the hell.

Chapter 17: Mind Controlling Malamar

Summary:

Our heroes (and Meowth) save the world, for the first time in Kalos.

Notes:

here we go

Clemont crouches over Meowth, potion in hand.

"Those scratches look nasty." He comments. He doesn't like the talking Pokémon, as interesting as the fact that he can talk it, but he's not so terrible that he would deny anyone medicine.

"It had to be." Meowth mutters "There was a - you've gotta be careful. There's this… its a Pokémon. Malamar. We was plottin' to steal Pikachu, as we do, and it came up on us. Its got these lights and… Twerp."

Ash frowns.

"You remember Cassidy and Butch, back in Kanto, right? With their Drowsee? It flashes its lights, and then…" He trails off shuddering. Ash's face turns concerned.

"You've pulled stuff like this before." He points out, quietly. Clemont has no idea what's going on, and judging from the way their friends and Bonnie are frowning, they don't either.

"This ain't like Unova, Twerp." Meowth… he sounds like he's begging "I'm dead serious. Would I scratch up my beautifully handsome face for nothin? No! Bein' in pain's the only way for the funky lights to not work. And the Malamar's trainer - Madam X? She's creepy as the Distortion world."

Jessie and James come out of the bush then, demanding Meowth hurry up. It seemingly proves Ash's point, but Meowth runs, scrambling behind his leg. And there's something off about them. No light in their eyes, no dramatic entrance or motto.

Clemont also backs up. He reaches for Bunelby's pokéball, but Ed grabs his hand. "If Meowth is telling the truth." he says "Sending our Pokémon out could give us more enemies than allies."

He doesn't let go, either, as he turns, then freezes. Clemont twists around to see, what is certainly a Malamar, alright. And a woman with a cloak covering her entire body.

"Hand it over." She says, and her voice is as dead as Jessie and James'. "The Pikachu."

"Absolutely not." Ash snaps, eyes burning. That's the second time in two days someone has demanded he just give up his partner. "Electroball!"

In the dust, they all turn to run - even Ed doesn't seem to think he could fistfight a floating mind-control squid - but are blocked off by Jessie and James.

Malamar uses Psychic to grab Pikachu, Jessie and James, and the lot of them simply float off into the sky.

"Pikapi!"

Ash insists that there going to get Pikachu back, obviously, despite Meowth objecting that they should all just book it. Bonnie asks Clemont, quietly, for Dedenne's pokéball.

Ed returns Ralts and Phonse to their balls too, and Clemont has an idea on how they can find Pikachu, at least.

"I started planning this after the Pancham incident." He explains "You always panic when Pikachu isn't close by, so this Automatic Pikachu Retrieving Device should sense his electrical energy and lead us straight to him!"

They turn the APRD on, and it leads them up a hill, towards a radio observatory. A shut down one.

"Why." Ed asks "Are there so many suspicious shut down buildings in Kalos?"

The APRD gets caught up in the wire gate and stops working, so they have to guess once they get into the building. Bonnie points out Officer Jenny's bike, resting beside the wall. Ed frowns.

"There's a whole layer of dust." He calls back after investigating "It's been here… I'd say a week at most."

That's not ominous at all.

The inside of the building is circular, and dark. The smell of mold is everywhere, like it hasn't been used in ages.

"We should split up." Ash suggests "Cover the building faster."

"No. No we shouldn't." Ed disagrees "Something goes wrong and there's no way to keep in touch. Sticking togethers' slower, but safer."

They eventually decide groups of three. Serena and Meowth go with Ash, and Ed goes with Clemont and Bonnie.

"I don't like this place." Bonnie whispers, as they pass a room with red vines peaking out "It's creepy."

Clemont grabs her hand and squeezes it. Ed doesn't seem to hear anything they're saying, eyes darting from one door in the hall to another.

He will forever wonder how Malamar snuck up on them. All three were on such high alert, Ed zeroing in on every sound and shadow, Clemont and Bonnie jumping at every movement. But before they know it, the Psychic/Dark type is in front of them.

He can feel everything go fuzzy. All he can see is the glow.

He thinks he maybe hears someone shout an apology, but he can't make sense of anything. Its hard to think. Its easier not to.

---

Ash twitches. They've all been walking for several minutes, with no sign of Pikachu. Meowth stops to sniff the air every now and again, but shrugs each time.

"Just mold. And… some kind of plant." he says.

Footsteps come thundering up the hallway, and Ed turns the corner behind them, skidding to a halt.

"It got the others."

"Huh?" Serena squeaks, and Ed shakes his head.

"I blocked of the hall, but it came from nowhere. We're in its territory; it knows this place far better than we do."

"We can't leave." Ash points out, and Ed agrees with a nod.

"How come it didn't get you? D'ya bust out some insane move that blocks out intense mind control?" Meowth asks, curiously "Or was it your… thing."

"I used my "thing" to block of the hall." Ed explains as they continue to walk "But no - I'm just always in pain. I've learnt to deal with it, but its enough to block out Hypnosis, I guess."

Well that's not comforting at all.

"We will talk about this later." Serena tells him "When we aren't in the middle of a horror movie scenario. We shouldn't have split up."

"Hindsight's 20/20." Meowth grumbles.

They continue on for a few more minutes, and then Ash learns what Ed meant by 'coming out of nowhere', because Malamar is suddenly in front of them. Ed tenses up, fully ready to fight.

"Meowth." Ash whispers, as the glow starts "Scratch us up."

"Got it."

Fury Swipes hurts, but it works. Meowth turns to Serena, who nods for him to do it to her as well, but instinctively flinches back from the first scratch, which is enough for Malamar's Hypnosis to work.

The only way to go, Ash realises, because he hears footsteps behind him, is through the Malamar, but how.

Ed's head snaps up, as Serena stumbles towards him, face dead and blank. Her aura is dull and faded, overrun by something else. It's horrible. Ash looks up so he doesn't have to see it, and notices what Ed did.

"Meowth, that string there…"

The normal type nods, determined. He leaps into the air and with a slash, cuts down an overgrown hanging plant. It crashes into Malamar, and the three of them run past it.

"It was trying to herd us somewhere." Ed mutters. Ash grabs Meowth before he can fall behind "Or keep us cornered until it could dial up the intensity enough that it broke through the pain."

Meowth shudders in Ash's arms. Ash gets it; having your Will drained away and leaving you nothing but a sack of meat is a horrifying thought. Ash feels the little tether that once bound him to Azelf shudder.

Ed kicks down a door with practised ease, and they all stumble into a large, circular room with a pile of technology in the center. Ed freezes up in the center, something far away in his face, and Ash notices Madam X holding Pikachu on top of the pile.

Ash catches sight of the rest of Team Rocket, as well as Clemont and Bonnie, almost piled to the side of the room like tossed aside toys, eyes blank and dead, auras dull. Ash scowls.

"You should give up." Their voices echo. Ed looks at Ash, eyes wide and pained.

"Uh, hell no." Ash snaps for the three of them. Never give up until its over.

"There is no point." Madam X murmurs, and a door opens to reveal a group of five Pokémon, eyes dead. She tosses Pikachu to the floor, and Ash grimaces as he takes a fighting stance, jerkily. His cheeks spark.

"Oh fuck this." Ed whispers, he glances between Ash and Meowth, Pikachu, and where Malamar has floated towards Madam X.

You remember Cassidy and Butch, back in Kanto, right? With their Drowsee? Meowth had asked, trying to warn them.

Cassidy and Butch's Drowzee.

"Ed," Ash whispers as Madam X monologues about ruling the world, "Meowth. If I distract X, can you guys try and fight Malamar? If it breaks concentration…"

Ed takes a deep breath, and he forcefully calms himself, nodding. "Will you be okay?"

"I've taken worse than my Partner's electricity." He tells Ed grimly.

Meowth drops to the floor, and Ash steps forward, towards his Partner.

---

Ed forces himself to focus and not get swallowed by his memories. The echoing voices remind him of Envy's True Form, the circular room reminds him of the place he first met Father.

You're going to be in situations that bring up terrible things in your mind. Hawkeye had told him, when he was twelve and new to everything, It is imperative that you learn to push those down until you are out of them.

She'd looked so sad, when she said it, and Ed had thrown himself into every excersise she gave him with the intensity he'd done everything with.

He shoves the way the shadows at the edge of the room reminds him of Gluttony's unending stomach, and lunges for Malamar. Meowth goes with him, claws extending into glowing white.

Ash makes a pained noise as lightning crackles, and Ed forces himself forward. I've taken worse than my Partner's electricity.

One of the Pokémon that X is controlling lunges forward - Ed doesn't recognise it, purple and two legged, covered in… pipes? - Ed sidesteps and rolls.

Fuck.

Meowth yowls, and scratches at the Pangoro, but backs up. He's small, compared to all five of them.

Ed dodges out of the way of glowing claws from the Pokémon that looks like a wyvern, and slams a fist into the Beedrill. Ash yells in pain.

"Talking will not work. Malamar's power is… what?" X trails off, emotion entering her voice for the first time. "What is this-"

Ed jumps out of the way of the Beedrills retaliatory swipe, and grabs Meowth out of the way of the giant, four legged centipede. He whirls, and comes face face with the Pangoro.

"Fuck." Meowth curses on his back, then "You are a terrible influence, angry twerp."

Ed rolls out of the way of another attacks, and lunges towards the Malamar again, as Meowth leaps off of his back towards the hoard of Pokémon.

It tries to Hypnotise him, but aside from a slight fuzz, it doesn't work.

He whirls into a kick, and it jumps back, lashing out with glowing beams. Ed rolls out of the way.

Then, something yellow zooms past him and crashes into Malamar, sending it flying into the pile of technology Madam X was using as a throne. It comes tumbling down in a crash, and X's coat comes off.

Its the fucking APRD.

"That worked!" Meowth calls.

Ed's a little more focused on the fact that Madam X is Officer Jenny. She sits up with a groan, and looks around "What. Where- Noivern!"

The wyvern flaps over to her, also freed, and gathers her in its wings, Ed looks over at Ash, who is holding Pikachu close, and their friends, who are rubbing their faces, confused. Meowth goes running to Jessie and James, wailing.

Serena helps Clemont get his spare glasses out of his bag, and Ed feels a stab of guilt at the bruise forming on his face.

Ed turns back to the Malamar as it rises out of the ruins of the pile. It starts monologuing. Meowth has to translate.

It fits together neatly, there was never a Madam X, just a puppet for Malamar to be sneaky with. Jenny came here to investigate strange reports of noises. The Pokémon were her team. Malamar leads them to a room overgrown with black goop, red glow emanating from it like eyes.

"Some kind of… Ultimate Weapon, I'm getting around the 'reshaping the world' gibberish." Meowth explains, then his eyes widen "And he's gonna blow it- MOVE."

They escape just in time. Ed notices the form of Malamar floating off into the distance. His skin itches.

"Thank you." Jenny pants, leaning against Noivern "I don't remember anything that happened in the last week. I- We need to get to a Pokémon Center so I can report this to my superior."

"Sorry for breaking your glasses." Ed says to Clemont "You tried to grab me, when Malamar's hypnosis didn't work. I decked you. Then you ran into a wall."

"No wonder my head hurts." Clemont grumbles, as they walk on.

"We're all okay." Ash says out loud, his grip on Pikachu tightening. "We're gonna be fine."

Ed certainly hopes so.

Notes:

This episode was so wild and out of pocket. Just - goofy shenanigans, then episode 19: Evil Malamar brainwashes all your friends to reshape the world. There is nothing you can do. The world is saved by pure chance. Then it went right back to being goofy.

And Ed assumes its his automail and various injuries that didn't heal properly that made it so Malamar couldn't hypnotise him, but I like to think going through The Gate a few times had something to do with it.

Chapter 18: A moment of Respite

Summary:

Our heroes take a break after the intensity of the last chapter. Bonnie is adorable, Serena and Clemont talk while Ash and Ed train, and the Pokemon get a spotlight!

Notes:

BACK TO LIGHTHEARTED SHENANIGANS! I'm so glad.]

Bonnie is quiet as they walk as far as they can from the observatory. She doesn't remember what happened whilst she was under Malamar's control, but she remembers the feeling of her brain turning to much, and her body moving without her say.

Paired with the stabbing pain in her gut, her body barely feels like hers. She half-wishes it hurt this much yesterday, if only because she thinks it hurts enough to block Malamar's hypnosis.

The part of the route they've entered into is covered in flowers, and the brightness of it all lifts her spirits.

"We should stop for lunch." Serena suggests "There's plenty of room for us to set out a table, and to relax!"

They'd made their way to a Wayside Pokémon Center with Officer Jenny and her team after… everything. Bonnie had fallen asleep fast, but her dreams had been full of black goop and glowing eyes. She'd woken early, and found all of her friends (And Clemont) in various places of the chairs in their Pokémon Center room, all of them looking tired and sad.

She'd climbed out of her bed and beelined for Clemont, who was sitting next to Serena on the couch. She'd been sketching in her book, and Bonnie had caught a glimpse of ribbons that looked far to sharp.

Her brother had lifted his arm and let her slide under there. He was holding, in his other hand, an ice-pack to his head where Ed punched him.

Ash is stroking Pikachu on the table, eyes far away. Ed is scribbling furiously in one of the notebooks he picked up in Camphrier.

So, she's tired. They're all tired. They're so tired, that even Ed doesn't say anything about stopping earlier than planned, and he usually at least grumbles about messing up the schedule.

She flops down onto the grass and groans. Dedenne darts out of her bag and kneads her stomach, settling down to sleep.

As the others set up the tables, she hears Ash ask; "Ed, yesterday, you said that your always in pain-"

He had?

"And that's why Malamar couldn't control you. Does it have something to do with your scars?"

Ed is stiff where he's lifting Clemont's cooking utensils. He's silent for a while, and then; "Yeah. It does."

He doesn't say anything else, and Bonnie watches all the others frown, but none of them push. She's not quite sure why they don't - surely they can help him be in less pain if they know what's going on?

But Ash had said they should leave it until Ed was ready, and Clemont and Serena were listening to him, so she would.

She dozes, for a bit, and jerks awake when lights start glowing behind her eyes.

"Lunch is ready." Clemont calls, and she forces herself up around her cramps.

The five of them eat, and Ash seems to gain more life as they eat. He keeps coming up with different conversation topics and almost forcefully engages with the rest of them. The whole group seems to have more energy at the end, and not just because of the food.

They all pack away the lunch stuff, and Bonnie sits on the grass next to Serena, who has pulled out some of the fabrics she bought in Camphrier. She takes out her sketchbook and keeps rearranging how the fabric looks on the ground.

Clemont sits on a rock nearby, with a large spread of blueprint paper and a pen, chewing on it as he makes adjustments to whatever he's working on.

Ash has gone back to training his Pokémon - does he have any other hobbies? - and Ed has joined them.

"Where did you learn how to sew?" Bonnie asks, as she strokes Dedenne.

Serena looks up. Vivillon has settled on the back of her head, and Bonnie is again reminded of a bow.

"Maman taught me." She explains "She always says that people should learn the old ways of doing things, like fixing their clothes. And then I saw an interview with Valerie a few years back, and…"

She nods at her book.

"Valerie's the fairy type gym leader." Bonnie recalls. She's never met the other gym leaders, but Clemont has once or twice, when Soliel was still the gym leader. "We'll be meeting her, most likely."

Serena nods with a small smile, and Clemont calls Bonnie over to hold some metal for him, and she groans but goes.

The things she does for her brother.

---

They arrive at the next Wayside center late in the afternoon, and elder two of their number immediately take to the battlefield as they get back to training. Bonnie goes out with them to watch.

Serena sighs, and wishes she had a sewing machine. She'd seen so many things that had given her so many ideas, but there's only so much you can do on the road.

Clemont seems to be facing the same issue as her, and he's actually lugging all of his gear around. He has no workbench or safety equipment. When they arrive in Pazon, she's going to look into a larger, sturdier bag, and a portable sewing machine.

She pushes her sketchbook away and looks out the window. Ed and Ash are battling, Phonse vs Fletchling on the field.

"He's so passionate." She murmurs, watching as Ash sweeps his arms in and arc. Fletchling twirls in the air and spins down towards Phonse, who responds by swishing his tail in a circle and throwing a bunch of stars.

"He sure is." Clemont agrees from where he's looking over their food. "We're gonna have to eat out tomorrow, and do a grocery run in the morning."

"I wonder what its like." She mutters, only half hearing him "To have something your that dedicated too."

Serena has many hobbies. She likes designing clothes and sewing them. She likes baking. She likes drawing just, in general. But she's not… those are hobbies, not dreams.

"Serena?" Clemont asks, concerned.

"Sorry." She shakes her head.

Clemont gets up from his bed and sits down next to her. "I don't know about having a dream the way Ash and Sanpei do." He starts, "But I know that sometimes its best to just have a goal. Not even a big one."

"Yeah?"

He nods "Right now, I want to make something useful. Like my Aipom arm, or the Heliolamp." pulling a blueprint out of his bag, he gestures to it "You weren't here for this, but I've been trying to make a Portable Electricity generator for electric types suffering electricity drain."

He's trying to be comforting, Serena can tell, but this is part of the issue, because he's so earnest, and yet he's got such skill in inventing its… making her feel worse.

He seems to realise that it hasn't worked, as he puts the blueprint away and says; "Sorry."

They sit in silence together, watching their friends train. Phonse hits the ground hard, and is sucked into his Pokeball. Ash swaps Fletchling for Froakie, and Ed sends out Ralts.

"You know, I get it. Both of them are so strong and confident and brave. Its as inspiring as it is humbling." Clemont murmurs.

She looks at him. He's staring out the window the way she had just been, but to the opposite end of the field.

"I wish, sometimes, I had that confidence in myself." he admits, then smiles at her "So, I do get it, even its not in the same way."

---

Is this what travelling with you is usually like? Froakie asks Pikachu Is he usually in that much danger?

Pikachu is silent, for a moment, two moments. This is usually the part he dreads.

Yes. He answers, honestly, and looks at Froakie and Fletchling, and can't help the sharpness in his tone Is that too much for you?

No. Fletchling trills A flock is important, I understand that.

I specifically chose this. Froakie reminds Pikachu After he jumped off the tallest tower in the region. Ash-Trainer getting in danger frequently does not negate the qualities I chose him for.

It's never happened, anyone leaving because of the danger, but for all his prickliness, Pikachu gets attached pretty quickly. Not to people he outright hates (unless they attempt to fistfight a whole flock of Spearow for him), but he's almost as much of a bleeding heart as his Partner is.

But only sometimes. Ash needs to put some bandages on his heart, stat.

Pikachu looks at their companions Pokémon. And you.

Were Clemont-Trainer goes, I go. Bunelby says calmly. There is no question.

Pikachu appreciates Bunelby, because he's not utterly insane. A soothing balm on the either high energy or weirdness of the rest of them. It reminds him of Bulbasaur.

Friends don't leave friends. Chespin points out, a little sadly. Your my friends.

Chespin is a bit overly excitable and young, but she has a good heart.

I don't like Serena-Trainer being in danger. Vivillon whispers but I will not leave.

Fenniken, who is getting her tail brushed for the third time today, sniffs at him. As if he's stupid for worrying.

I am Bonnie-Partner's protector! Dedenne announces, because she has to start every Bonnie-related sentence by reminding them all. What protector abandons their charge when she is in danger?

What protector sleeps on the job 90% of the time? Froakie asks, dryly. He takes personal offence, Pikachu thinks but is unsure why.

My kind. Dedenne snaps If you can do a better job, then-

Froakie-ally, Dedenne-teammate. Bunelby sighs, sounding so tired of having to deal with this Please.

He's got more patience than Bulbasaur. If the grass type were here, they'd have been slapped after the third go. This was the tenth.

What about you two? Pikachu asks Ralts and Phonse Are you two gonna be cowards and leave?

Phonse snarls at him I didn't spend the entire afternoon specifically learning dodging extendable appendages just to be called a coward.

That's what you wanted my help for? Chespin asks I would have pretended to be more menacing then! Get us in the mood.

They all stare at her, and she grimaces yeah that came out wrong.

Ed-Partner has been through some… stuff. Ralts says to Pikachu, as the rest of their teammates and allies devolve into arguing and conversation. I knew this when I met him. His thoughts are quieter than he is, but their presence is stronger than most. I would not be scared off by an overgrown Octillery.

I've met some perfectly nice Octillery. Pikachu reproaches Don't insult them by comparing them to that dickhead.

Ralts levels him with a look, which is impressive given that half of his face is covered by his helmet. Why are you so scared of us deciding to leave?

I'm not scared. He snaps.

I can literally feel your emotions. Ralts deadpanned. You're scared.

Pikachu lowers his ears in embarrassment, and says Someone always leaves, I guess. They have a different dream, or another family… and they go. One day, it might be because of us.

Ralts hums, and pats him on the back. I don't know how to comfort you, Pikachu-friend. But none of us are going anywhere unless our trainers do, and they don't seem too keen on separating.

It's true, Pikachu thinks, and he'll have to take that as his assurance then.

Pikachu-friend! Chespin calls You've travelled pretty far, tell them that its true!

That what's true? Pikachu asks, hopping over to the conversation circle. He'll take that assurance, he thinks, as Chespin launches into a long-winded rant that Pikachu only half gets.

He turns to Bunelby.

I said that the wood of that table looked nice. He thinks I was assessing its usefulness as a shield.

Notes:

Bonnie's adorable. She does not deserve this.

Also, Serena's sketchbook! It's mostly costume and clothes design. I really liked that she was good at sewing and making clothes in canon! So here we are! Unfortunately, I do not know a lot about sewing. I was listening to sewing videos whilst writing this chapter.

Look, the Pokemon universe is super technologically advanced. They can have fully functional portable/travel sewing machines as a treat. And whilst bag space does not extend like in the games, its a bit wishy washy.

Pazon is another made-up town.

Look forward to next chapter! I've got a fun thing planned.

Chapter 19: Battle Chateau time

Summary:

Ash and Ed take part in the battle chateau, we meet Grant, and something special occurs

Notes:

I'm rather excited for this one.

"The Battle Chateau is on the way to Panzon town." Serena says, holding her holocaster. "You'd probably enjoy it, Ash, Ed, It's supposed to be huge Battle Mansion."

Ash sits up in his seat, eyes burning with delight "Yeah?"

Clemont thinks back to his conversation with Serena yesterday. Passionate is one word to describe him. Fanatical is another.

"Apparently," Serena reads "People who battle and win there get prizes."

"What kind of prizes?" Ed asks curiously "'Cause I read that only gyms and super specific places with league certification give out badges, and prize money is a little basic to advertise."

"I hope its cake!" Bonnie gasps, clasping her hands together. "Or something else delicious."

Clemont shakes his head, a little exasperated.

"Is this about the Battle Chateau? Cause there, you win a rank." a voice behind him calls.

Two boys with a Fletchling and a Fletchinder respectively introduce themselves as Nico and Chester.

"Ranks?" Ash asks, which turns out to be a mistake because they launch into one of the worst raps Clemont has ever been made witness too.

"That was terrible. 0 out of 5." Ed tells them when they finish.

"Ignore Ed, he forgot to sleep again last night." Ash grins at the brothers, as if any of them slept well last night. "Have either of you battled there before?"

"My brother's a Baron!" Chester's eyes sparkle "He's only got to win one more battle before he becomes a Viscount!"

Nico coughs, cheeks reddening. Fletchinder trills happily, landing on his shoulder.

"We can take you there if your interested. Make up for our terrible rapping!" the younger continues, which is how they find themselves making their way to the Battle Chateau behind the brothers.

"You need to win a debut match to earn any rank in the chateau." Nico explains. "There's always trainers debuting, so there should be plenty of competition."

The Chateau is a beautiful building, weathered stone and blue tiled ceiling, stained glass windows with scenes of Pokémon mid-move. The large wooden doors creak as the open, and the walls inside the entrance are covered in tapestries.

It looks more like a museum or an art gallery than a Battle Facility.

"Baron Nico, welcome back!" A straight up maid - who later introduces herself as Molly - calls with a bright, sunny smile. "And who are these?"

"This is my brother Nico, who would like to request a debut match. And these are other trainers."

"My friend Ed and I also wanna request a match!" Ash grins.

Clemont thinks Ed looks a little too startled at being included to have even considered battling here, but he nods when Molly looks at him. A man walks through one of the doors and greets Nico warmly, and then turns to the three prospective battlers and introduces himself as Duke Turner.

He explains how the Chateau works, trainers, called knights, can request battles with other knights, which, he supposes makes sense. They're in a castle. If a knight battles enough and follows the correct codes of chivalry, they can advance to higher ranks. A trainer can only battle another trainer of the same rank as them.

"Debut matches are different." Turner continues "Because you have no rank, your names are randomly chosen."

"Why is there a man climbing up the walls?" Ed asks, staring out the window.

"That's Grant." Turner answers, without even looking. "He does that."

Nico asks for a challenger, and a boy called Ferral accepts. Turner leads them to the viewing platform and-

"Viola!" Ash grins. "Hi! What are you doing here?"

"Me?" Viola grins "I'm a Duchess of the Chateau! Gym battles aren't enough sometimes, especially when most of my challengers have one or two badges."

Clemont knows the feeling well. It's part of why he made Clembot, after-all.

Nico wins his battle and is promoted to Viscount, and the man climbing the wall hits the ground with a thud.

"I wanted to clap!" Gym Leader Grant laughs as Viola helps him up. "But I couldn't keep a hold on the wall and applaud such a wonderful battle!"

"Then climb down first." Viola grumbles, as if this is a conversation they have often. "No one is stopping you."

"The wall is!" Grant says with good cheer, then takes in sight of them. His eyes find Clemont first, and he holds out a hand "We haven't met since your promotion, Gym Leader Clemont!"

"Yes." He coughs awkwardly as he shakes it, feeling his friends (And Chester's) eyes on him "Thank you for continuing to write. It really helped."

Clemont had first met Grant when Soliel had dragged him to a function 'to show off his wonderful apprentice'. Grant had offered to email some tips that helped him when he was first staring. Clemont had accidentally agreed, a little distracted by a Handsome Guy being nice to him.

Then after Soliel had died, well. It was nice to talk to someone who wasn't his dad.

"Of course. And your friends?"

"This is my little sister, Bonnie" Clemont begins, as Chester is called away for a match, "And these are our friends, Ash, Edward and Serena."

Grant nods "Any battlers among you? Other than you, of course."

"I am!" Ash steps forward with a grin "I'd guess you're the Cyllage City gym leader, then aren't you?"

"That's me." He grins "I assume I'll be battling in the near future then?"

Ash agrees, and Clemont turns away for the tail end of Chester's battle. He just ekes out a win.

"We have a second debut match today, folks!" Turner calls "Between Edward and Ash!"

"May the best trainer win, I suppose." Ed sighs, and he and Ash move to take her places.

---

Ed calls on Ralts.

He's unsure about this. A battle, he's learned in the last two weeks, are as much based on skill as they were on how quickly you can think on your feet.

And how well you know your Pokémon. That, he's learnt, is pretty fucking important.

Ash calls on Froakie, which makes Ed settle, ever so slightly. He's pretty sure Pikachu would have swept the floor with them.

"Remember, knights." Molly calls "Fighting with the Code of Chivalry is as important as victory."

Ed's pretty sure the Code of Chivalry was never explained to either of them, but whatever.

He didn't even really sign up for this. The fancy capes remind him too damn much of Amestris, and he has a complicated relationship with the clothes of the military.

The relationship being that he despises them and everything they stand for, but they remind him of home and the Team, so the sight of the blue version of the coats that some people are wearing makes his chest ache.

"Battle, begin!"

"Froakie, Quick Attack." Ash yells; and Ed loves being correct. The kid's as impatient as they come.

"Ralts, Double Team!" Ed shouts.

Both Pokémon launch into action, Froakie speeds towards Ralts, who raises his arms and glows, throwing up the illusion. The water type stops, and spins.

Ed focuses on Ash's face. Its set with the intense focus he only ever gets mid-battles. His eyes flicker between the illusory-Ralts, and he zeros in on one. Ed grins.

"Froakie, to your left,"

"Ralts, Draining Kiss!"

Froakie lunges towards the real Ralts, who takes it and uses the contact to lean in close. He spins away once he's done, and Ed calls for Confusion.

"Focus, Froakie, and use Water Pulse!"

Froakie stumbles from the psychic attack, and his hand shake a little as he throws the water pulse, but it hits.

"Confusion, again!" Ed calls, trying to press an advantage. Froakie stumbles to the side, and hits himself with the Pound meant for Ralts. "Now, Magical Leaf."

Froakie gets sliced by one of the leaves, but it seems to shake him out of whatever comes over a Pokémon's whose mind is addled by psychic attacks, and when Ash calls for Bubble, the water type follows through with practise.

"Follow that up with another Quick Attack!"

"Magical Leaf!"

Sanpei's training has paid off; because Froakie speeds past the leaves and connects with Ralts, who stumbles back.

Ed grits his teeth and calls to Ralts to dodge the incoming Pound as he tries to think. Ash's grinning, because the second quick attack basically secures his victory, as long as he keeps up his momentum.

"Confusion!"

Froakie doesn't even hesitate, too focused on the battle for the psychic move to take effect.

Ralts ducks under another Quick Attack, and leaps back, panting. Ed calls for another confusion. He didn't want to sign up for this damn Chateau, but he's a competitive motherfucker.

They're going to win this.

Being a cocky little asshole will get you killed one day, Fullmetal.

What does that prick know?

"Finish this off with one more Pound, Froakie."

"Ralts, dodge-"

The Pound hits, but nothing happens, because Ralts' whole body starts to glow. Ed doesn't realise what's happening at first, but then he warps.

He visibly grows taller, legs becoming thin and sides spreading into a skirt. The horns on his head split and fuse into two fins on either side. His helmet grows out on either side, and splits at the front.

The light fades to his old colours, and he twirls in a circle.

"Kirlia!"

"Cool!" Ash grins, "but don't think we're just gonna let you win 'cause its awesome!"

Evolution provides an immense amount of energy. Ed recalls. Mid battle Evolution almost guarantees a win.

Ash is grinning, cocky and confident.

Don't be too confident in a victory before it happens.

"Kirlia! Magical leaf!"

Kirlia spins in a circle, fast, and the leaves swirl and go flying. Froakie doesn't dodge all the way in time, and Ed grins "Follow up with Confusion!"

"Froakie, Water Pulse!"

Kirlia does not follow up with confusion. In fact, he follows up with a spin and a move Ed's seen from Team Rocket's Inkay.

Psybeam.

The beam slams into Froakie, he flies back.

"Draining Kiss!"

He darts forward as Froakie pushes himself us, and places a quick peck on his cheek, spinning out of the way. Froakie falls to the ground.

"The winner of the match, and the Knight who earns the title of Baron, is Edward!" Molly calls.

---

Ash flops down in the spectators seat, panting.

Viola and Grant take the stage, because while Ed and Ash were shaking hands and Ed had been lead off to get the fancy Baron coat, Grant had challenged her to a battle, and he's vaguely paying attention because he's gonna be battling Grant soon. But well,

That battle was so intense. Ed's whole being had changed in a way Ash isn't quite sure he realised, like back in the Lumiose Gym. His eyes have sharpen and his face becomes laser-focused and intense. He always seems like he's about to jump forward and start fist fighting the opposing Pokémon himself.

He probably would.

Ash is only kind of bummed that he lost. Like, sure, he'd have loved to gain access to a seemingly infinite source of battles whenever he dropped by. And the fancy coat looks really cool. But also, he's half-mentoring Ed, at least battle-wise, and he's so proud of his friend.

And Kirlia! The psychic type had been twirling and dancing around with glee at his evolution, and went trotting after his trainer with a little spin. Even Pikachu, who puts on a little perfunctory act of disappointment whenever another Pokémon evolves, is really happy for him.

So he's disappointed he and Froakie lost. But he's not upset. That's a thing he's spent years working on; not being a sore loser.

Brock would be so proud of him.

Ed reappears, looking distinctly uncomfortable in his new white and red coat.

"You look good!" Serena says as he sits down.

"I look stupid." He hisses.

Clemont assures him he doesn't, face bright red, and Bonnie look between the two, squinting.

Ash turns back to the battle in time to see Grant's Onix use Rock Tomb, Surskit manages to dodge, due to the ice battlefield, but it's going to cause issues in their future battle.

He says as much to Ed, who leans forward.

Grant wins with Rock Tomb/Flash Canon combo, which makes his friend grimace.

"And two badges is going to be two Pokémon." Ed points out "Who knows what else he's got up his sleeve. Besides carabiners."

Molly announces that Grant has reached the rank of Grand Duke, the highest one you can reach in the Battle Chateau.

They meet up with Viola and Grant outside later in the afternoon, after they've eaten a provided lunch. Ed had neatly folded his coat and shoved it aggressively into his bag, so he's back in his usual thigh-length red.

"Congrats on the evolution, Ed, Kirlia." Viola grins "I hear the two of you are taking on the league? Perhaps you should double back to Santelune for one of your badges?"

"I'll think on it." Ed agrees. Ash thinks he should, just so that he personally can see Viola whip out her higher badge team.

"And I can't wait to see what you two battle trainers can do in my gym." Grant nods "Clemont, it was wonderful to see you again, Bonnie, Serena, it was wonderful to meet you."

He leaves with a jaunty wave. Viola shakes his head after him.

"I'll see you around too. Take good care of Vivillon, Serena! I'll get a photo of the two of you next time I see you! Gotta get back to Santelune."

She walks in the other direction, then grasps her Camera and runs off towards a painter and their Smeargle, begging for a photo.

"We've gotta hit the road to." Ed tells them "We lost too much time on the Chateau, as fun as it was. We need to make up for it."

"Time spent training isn't time lost!" Ash sing-songs, specifically to make Ed's eye twitch, and he grins "In fact, I think we should head back to the wayside center and train more!"

Ed flips him off, causing Bonnie to start giggling.

That's fair.

Notes:

In the anime none of the gym leaders know who Clemont is, which is weird because they know every other gym leader just fine. So I'm changing that a little here - he's familiar to them, but only the Grant (kept in contact), Amelia (close to Lumiose, probably talks Sky Trainer equipment with him), and Viola (closest to Lumiose, her sister is a reporter based in Lumiose) recognise him as Gym Leader Clemont.

The Amestris is vaguely based on various European Countries (hence Amestrian being described by Ash as 'a mix of Kalosian (French), Galarian (English), and something else he hasn't heard before (German, as there is no Germany based region yet)), and according to the wiki "the Military attires [have] a close similarity to those used by the French Military Forces at WWI, among others." The Battle Chateau coats are knight cloaks, but I decided to toss that out in that name of mild angst.

Anime evolutions are bullshit. If we were going by game logic, half of their Pokémon would be at their mid-stages by now. So we get Kirlia before anyone else!

So! Ed wins against Ash. If it were Pikachu, I'd say that Ed would lose, even with the evolution. But Froakie has only slightly more experience working as a team, and Ed is really good at thinking on his feat and readjusting himself. And the evolution high.

Ash: Froakie and I lost, but we aren't disappointed :)
Me: I can't wait for the Snowbelle gym

If its not clear, Viola and Grant were yapping with Clemont, Serena and Bonnie while Ash and Ed were battling.

Kirlia. Ability: Telepathy. Timid Nature. Psybeam, Double Team, Draining Kiss, Magical Leaf

Chapter 20: To be a star...

Summary:

Serena gets a taste for the spotlight as she decides to film a Pokevision video. Meanwhile, Team Rocket do their thing.

Notes:

Enjoy!

They arrive in Panzon late that afternoon.

Ed flops himself down into his bed with a groan, and Serena feels a stab of sympathy. The excitement of the day must have finally caught up to him, as well as the lack of sleep last night.

Not that any of them slept well.

Clemont goes out with Ash to find some food and do some stocking up, leaving the three of them alone. Ed, in his sleep, hikes his shirt up slightly.

"We got him pyjamas and everything." Bonnie grumbles, "I don't think I've seen him change clothes once."

It's only by the smell that Serena knows he even is changing shirts, but she doesn't say it out loud. Mostly because her eyes are fixed on the large scar on his torso.

I'm just always in pain. Ed had said, when explaining how Malamar couldn't control him. I've just learnt to deal with it.

Could the scar be the culprit?

But, no, during the storm he'd wanted the heat pack on his chest, just next to his shoulder.

"Sometimes, people aren't nice about the way other people look." Serena says slowly "And it can hurt them a lot. So much that they can feel ashamed of it."

Bonnie frowns, "Why? And-" her eyes dart between Ed and Serena, realising, "He knows we wouldn't be like that, right?"

"I don't know." Serena admits, "And feelings don't always make sense. He'll tell us when he's ready."

Bonnie, placated by this, turns to Kirlia, who watched the entire conversation intently, and asks if he'd be willing to dance with her. Serena wonders if he knows his Partner's injuries, or if he's as in the dark as they are.

The next day, they're sitting around in a cafe for breakfast. Ash had been devastated that the Pokémon Centre battlefield was occupied, and is still bemoaning their combined bad luck.

"I suppose it makes sense." Ed sighs, sounding sick of his complaining, "The Battle Chateau is less than a days walk from here; it would be the best place to train."

Their attention is drawn by one of the large Tv screens in the cafe by a loud announcers voice saying, "And now, the top ten Pokevision videos of March!"

"The hell is Pokevision?" Ed asks, brows furrowed.

An Onix folds itself into a tent for its trainer. An Umbreon sits in the moonlight, glowing softly, A Klefkei and its trainer go through all of the charms and keys on its ring. Nurse Joy and her Wigglytuff skip through a field of flowers. A farmer and his Mudstale trot through a forest.

"Pokevision's a huge platform that host videos made by trainers to show of their Pokémon." Clemont explains, "They're then ranked and rated by viewers, and a top ten videos of the month are presented like this."

"At the end of the year, they present the top one hundred!" Bonnie says, far more chipper than she's been for the last few days. "They're always really fun to watch, because you always realise that everyone has a different Partner, even if the Professor usually gives out the same three Pokémon."

The number one of last month is a video of Aria herself. As usual, but its still incredible to see.

"Aria's usually in the top five." Clemont explains, "Especially since she became Kalos Queen three years ago. She and her Fenniken are incredibly popular."

"I can see why," Ash murmurs, and Serena's heart freezes for a moment, "Her Fenniken's adorable. It knows all the right faces to pull when."

Ed hums, and Serena's Fenniken scowls. She reaches down to pet her Partner.

"I've wanted to make a Pokevision video since I became a trainer." Serena admits, "Its just one of those things you do in Kalos, you know? Head to Lumiose, see if you like battling, make a Pokevision video…"

"Which is why half my challengers were never serious." Clemont mutters, grumpily, "I get figuring yourself out, but at some point most of them were doing it for the novelty of it all. And tourists who just wanted to battle a Kalosian gym, but had no intention of going further."

Serena blushes slightly, and Ed pats Clemont's shoulder.

"Pokevision's second largest studio is here in Panzon, according to my travel guide." Serena points out quietly, "I'd like to try and make one, if that's okay?"

"I want to make one too!" Bonnie gasps, "Can you imagine? Me and Dedenne?"

"Dedenne isn't your Pokémon yet, which is like the main requirement. And you don't have a trainer licence." Clemont points out, and Bonnie huffs.

"We should make one to find you a wife then." Bonnie snaps, and Clemont groans.

Serena turns to Ash and Ed.

"I'm gonna try and find away around Grant and Onix's Rock Tomb, since we've stopped." Ash tells them, then turns to Ed "You wanna come with me?"

"No. I'm going to do some reading. I saw a Library on the way into town." Ed's eyes are still fixed on the Tv "You lot have fun, though."

Kirlia spins next to him with a little trill, and Phonse flops down on his side in what Serena translates as disappointment.

They all split up as they leave the Cafe, Ash running off towards an empty field nearby, Ed scooping Phonse up and walking in the opposite direction.

Serena, Bonnie and Clemont walk to to the Studio.

"I can help with the filmmaking!" Clemont suggest, "I-"

"No." Bonnie grins, and its a little feral "Your gonna be a star big brother!"

---

Let it be known that Clemont has never claimed to be an actor. The presence of a camera or microphone in his face has always made him clam up.

When he first became Gym Leader, Soliel had very steadily lead the conversation during the interview announcing the handing off of the Lumiose City Gym. The interview he'd had to do after their death, he had barely been able to answer a question. Though that might have been due to grief.

Anyway, the point is, he is terrible in front of a camera. Bonnie's video is going to be terrible, its a known fact.

He still does it, lets Bunelby and Chespin out, puts on the costume, because she's his younger sister, and he loves her. But it's going to be terrible.

And it is. Chespin's so excited to be in the spotlight she knocks over the camera several times. Bunelby stares at the damn thing like a Deerling in headlights. Clemont goes bright red and messes up his 'lines' instantly.

She scowls at him "How're you gonna find a wife if you can't string two words together?"

"I'm gay, Bonnie." He deadpans, without really thinking, "I don't want a wife at all."

She stares at him, and as he realises what he said he opens his mouth to talk, but before he can;

"Why didn't you tell me? There were so many guys I could have been flirting with - OHMYGOSH I missed the chance to ask Ed and Ash!"

He's so glad she missed the chance to ask two of his only three friends.

Serena pats him on the shoulder, and he starts, realising that she's still there. He waits for her to ask, to push the way the kids at school did, but she just picks up the camera and checks it over.

"No offence, Clemont, but I don't think you have a career in film." She looks up at him.

"I tried to tell you."

"Yeah. Get changed, then you can help Fenniken, Vivillon and I." She stands up "Now C'mon, Bonnie, we need to find a place to film.

He joins them on a hill near enough to Ash that they can see the flashes of lightning, but only after he drops into the Library to check on Ed. The older boy didn't even notice him, nose deep in a book on the history of film. Phonse and Kirlia had been napping next to him, leaning against a pile of books he seemed to be working through. Clemont leaves him to it.

"So, I'm thinking we take one of the three of us running through the field." Serena sweeps her arms in an arc, eyes sparkling. "Then we bake some treats! We can cut up the footage so that it goes together better!"

Clemont steps forward, idea in his mind, and they pause to allow him to put together an old invention of his.

He'd originally made the Video Shooter to take videos of him making inventions so he could analyse where he went wrong if it blew up. But it turned out that he messed up even more if there was a camera observing over his shoulder, so he scrapped the whole thing.

He still, however, has the plans.

(He needs to make an tablet specifically for holding the damn things. He's been putting off doing it for years, because the idea of it blowing up and losing everything is terrifying)

The Pokestar Shooter goes rouge, instantly, and instead of following Serena and her Pokémon, chases them like some kind of movie villain. They're only saved by Ash noticing and commanding Pikachu to use Electroball.

"That didn't work as well as I'd hoped." He mutter "I am so sorry."

Fenniken, who has gotten dirt on him and slightly charred fur, shoots an Ember at Pikachu, who dodge and it hits Ash. He only laughs slightly, which is wild because fire hurts.

Vivillon bobs near Ash's head and trills what Clemont can only assume is a 'thank you'.

"We'll get you cleaned up." Serena assures her Partner, "In fact, this seems like the right opportunity for a costume change!"

She arrives at the kitchen in the studio with a Fenniken ear headband and tail band, and a very clean Partner. They get about three minutes into filming making Pokepuffs when Vivillon spills some sugar onto Fenniken, and the little fire type blows up again.

"Fenniken!" Serena scolds "I get it, you want to stay clean, but you can't fire Ember's at your teammates! I'll wash you off."

Ash runs Vivillon to the Pokémon Centre to get the burn fixed properly, and Serena finishes washing Fenniken. Gently, and with a damp cloth, obviously. Because fire type.

"There. Now you better apologise when Ash and Vivillon get back." Serena grumbles "Accidents happen. You need to learn to talk to people when you're mad at them. I-"

She cuts herself off, and Bonnie offers a brush "Thank you."

"On the plus side." Clemont offers "If you cut off the bits just before everything goes to hell; the footage isn't terrible."

---

"This is the most atrocious footage I've ever seen!" the lady gasps. "No. If we're to give you something worth putting out into the world, we must refilm all of the bits with Pokémon. Hand them over. We can use CGI for you lot."

Fenniken doesn't like the sound of that.

Do they smell familiar to you? He asks Dedenne, who scowls The perfume is putting me off.

It's too strong. Dedenne agrees, and their trainers hand them over, confused.

"Where's the Vivillon?" The man asks, scowling.

"At the Pokémon Centre, sorry." Serena smiles sheepishly "There was an incident and-"

"No matter!" The woman yells "We'll CGI it in as well. Now go! I work in secret."

It's Team Rocket, because of course it is. Fenniken and Dedenne are halfway away from the town in a balloon, and Jessie is ranting about becoming a star.

She's could do it. Dedenne points out Why doesn't she quit the life of crime and go for it?.

"It's a long and complicated story that you ain't gonna hear." Meowth snaps.

Fenniken flops over, his freshly brushed fur all messed up from the manhandling that was done.

He distantly hears Fletchling trill Found you! We're coming, flock!

Dedenne sparks, threateningly, and jumps at Meowth, but the glass box they're in only shakes.

Wait. He whispers When we land, we use… whatever this is as a distraction and break the cage.

It would be so much easier if Pikachu-cousin was here to use Iron Tail. Dedenne bemoans, and Fenniken nods.

Once they land, it takes two Hidden Powers and a Nuzzle to get out, and they run. Fenniken skids to a halt.

What are you waiting for? Dedenne snaps from his head Go!

It's mud. He shudders. He can already feel the slimy texture in his fur, the way it dries and crusts. The full bath he'll have to take.

"Fenniken, Dedenne!" Serena calls, and also stumbles to a halt before the mud. See, his Partner knows what's up.

Dedenne doesn't wait, he runs through the puddle and leaps into Bonnie's arms. Bonnie-Partner! I have returned and am safe!

"Oh I'm so glad your safe!" The girls cheers, uncaring of how dirty Dedenne is making her clothes "When we figured out it was Team Rocket we were so worried!"

"You!" Jessie yells from behind Fenniken "Interrupted my filming!"

A battle between Pikachu and Inkay and Pumpkaboo begins, and a stray Psybeam throws Serena into the mud. Gross.

But she doesn't stay down, she gets up and moves towards Fenniken. She's dirty, but she's trying to help him. He shudders.

He steps forward, he can handle a little mud.

Serena catches him, and the feeling on his fur is Revolting. The capital R entirely necessary. But he's in the perfect place to open his mouth for an Ember.

It's not Ember that comes out, but a torrent of flames, that sends Team Rocket blasting off.

"Flamethrower!" Ash grins, "Damn; I'm glad he didn't know that earlier, Flamethrower hurts far more than Ember does."

"You and Ed both need to learn how to be less concerning." Serena says, chewing her lip in worry.

"Ah, I've just trained fire-types before." He grins at her, and Fenniken watches his Partner's cheeks warm.

Where's Clemont-Trainer? Dedenne asks Pikachu, who flicks his tail the way they came.

He's at the Pokémon Centre. Vivillon-ally is a bug type, burns are kind of nasty for them.

Fenniken see's the pointed look the electric-type throws him, and feels shame curdle in his stomach as Ash helps Serena out of the mud.

I'll apologise. He whispers. I - Sugar isn't that bad next to all this mud.

They meet up with Clemont back at the Pokémon Centre, and Serena washes him off, and puts him out of the baths so she can wash herself off.

I'm sorry, Vivillon-Teammate. Fenniken apologises. You didn't mean to spill the sugar on me.

As long as it doesn't happen again. Vivillon replies, coolly.

"What in the ever-loving fuck happened?" Ed's voice calls through the room. "Why are you all dirty? You were filming videos."

Notes:

Ed's not telling them about automail is only slightly because of shame. I don't think he's ashamed of having prosthetics as much as he's ashamed of what they mean (he attempted human transmutation, he failed to bring his mother back, he hurt Al etc). He's mostly hiding them so a) he doesn't have to explain why he has them and b) he's (read: I'm) still unsure whether or not the Pokémon world has an automail equivalent or not. Tell me your thoughts on that one, please. I have to figure this out before I do the reveal.

Aria! It's never mentioned when she became Kalos Queen, so I'm just making stuff up about her here. Be prepared.

Poor Serena hasn't learned that if she wanted to stop their journey for a month and build a house her friends would probably say yes and dedicated that entire month to helping her. They can handle a day to take some videos.

Video was invented in 1951, and Ed has finally had enough of having no idea how it works. As such- TO THE LIBRARY.

Clemont: Please stop flirting with women for me. I'm gay.
Serena: You sure are, buddy.
Bonnie: I will flirt with men for you, then.
Clemont: Please don't.

Fenniken. Ability: Blaze. Sassy Nature. Moves Known: Ember, Hidden Power, Flamethrower

Chapter 21: Showdown at Glittering Cave

Summary:

The gang visit an aquarium, do some fishing, and visit a nearby cave for some training.

Notes:

A lot happens in this chapter. Also, Glittering Cave? They don't go there in the anime…

When they arrive in Ambrette town a day later, Ed stops on the side of one of the cliff edges, staring out at the shore.

Serena turns back to him, "Are you okay?"

"I've never seen the ocean before." He murmurs, then wrinkles his nose, "Does it always smell this strong?"

"Oh yes." Ash laughs, "Pallet's about a kilometre out from the ocean, and when the wind blows the right way, you can smell it from my house!"

"I've gotta tell-" Ed's voice dies, "Never mind."

"There's a really cool aquarium here!" Bonnie gaps, not reading the metaphorical room. "Clemont was telling me about it last night!"

Serena nods and asks if they're going to visit. She'd love to; but if they're going to head straight to Cyllage city, then they probably should skip.

Clemont points out that they should stay here for a day or so, so that Ed and Ash can train. There's apparently a nearby cave that has a lot of rock types that they can practise against.

So, to the aquarium they go!

There are tanks of Corsola, Lovedisc, and Alomamla, Goldeen, and Staryu. All kinds of water-type Pokémon. Bonnie's eyes shine as she takes in the sights, and Clemont trails after her, nervously eyeing the glass.

Ed and Ash have found an older fisher-person, whose talking them through random water-type trivia. Ash seems engaged, but Ed looks focused, committing each bit to memory.

"Then there's the out of battle Aqua Ring." They hit their third finger. "Honestly, the best way to train a fish Pokémon. It's Aqua Ring, but without the healing, allowing them to float outside the water. 'Out of Battle' isn't the correct wording, maybe, but the strategy is as good as any!"

She turns away from them to find Bonnie and Clemont admiring a large golden Magikarp statue.

Questioning the fisher-person on it leads to them telling them about the Golden Magikarp, and the legend surrounding it. They point out the aquarium owner, and tells them to talk to him if they want to learn more.

"Could it be a real golden Magikarp?" Ed asks "And not just an undiscovered Pokémon, or a trick of the lighting? Pokémon don't seem to stray to far from the base colouring."

"There is a gene that's colloquially called 'the shiny gene'." Clemont explains "That makes a Pokémon appear as a different colour and literally sparkle. A year ago, I had a challenger with a Shiny Vibrava come through, so I have seen one with my own eyes, but they are incredibly rare."

"So you think this 'Golden Magikarp' is a Shiny Magikarp?" Ed asks, as they near the owner "I suppose that would make sense."

They spend the rest of the the day fishing with the Aquarium Owner; a man named Rodman, and his partner Clauncher.

Ash throws himself into fishing with the same passion he does everything Pokémon-related, Bonnie plays with Dedenne, Bunelby, Chespin and Kirlia in the sand (Fenniken remaining in his Pokeball so he doesn't get dirty), and Clemont tinkering on something behind them.

Serena sighs as she and Vivillon fail to catch a Corsola, and turns to see Ed and Phonse fighting a Seadra with scarily impeccable aim. The little Eevee sends a Swift flying and the Seadra shoots all of the stars out of the sky with swift water-guns, but gets hit by a Quick Attack. It splashes away and sinks below the wave.

"Good job, Phonse." She calls, and the Eevee preens.

Sharpedo make Clemont's first Magikarp-attractor bow up, and after hours more of fishing and a second machine, they pull up Team Rocket in a submarine.

Why is it always Team Rocket.

"Well, because we're here." James says, over Jessie and Meowth arguing whose fault it is their submarine got caught, "We should just grab all of these Pokémon! Make up for the lack of Golden Magikarp!"

"The boss would prefer a Golden Magikarp, dumbass." Jessie snaps, "Because then it would become a Red Gyradose."

"But Pikachu." Meowth suggests, and she apparently decides that's a good enough argument.

The subs extendable arm goes for Rodman's Clauncher, but its too fast, so they grab Dedenne.

Caluncher cries out in outrage, slicing through the arms.

"I told you to make the damn thing stronger!" Serena hears Jessie snap.

"I didn't expect a shrimp to try and make us fried rice!" James whines.

Ed and Ash deal with Inkay and Pumpkaboo, whilst Clauncher deals with the giant golden Magikarp submarine.

As they blast off, Rodman sighs "argh. That's it for today I think, you lot can keep your rods. As a thank you for keeping an old man company. You lads aren't half-bad battlers, and I think Clauncher'd love to see the little miss again."

Bonnie, who had earlier scared Clauncher with her enthusiasm, perks up "Really?"

"O'course!" He ruffles her hair.

"I'll have to come back on my journey, then." She decides.

Before they leave to stay in the Pokémon Centre for the night, out of the water leaps a Magikarp that shines. Golden scales glint in the setting sun, with long whiskers that denote it as ancient.

"Blimey, she is real. My Grandpappy weren't sniffin' in to much fish shit." Rodman breathes, eyes shiny with tears.

---

They use the Ride Ryhorn to make their way to Glittering Cave. Ash is buzzing because they're going to train and battle and his team are gonna be so ready for Grant.

Serena comments on how her travel guide says that the rocks in Glittering cave shine with their own light, and how it must look really pretty. Bonnie tells them about how a girl in her old school had earrings made from some of the rock.

"They're only allowed to collect the stuff that's already broken off." Clemont explains, "The cave used to be a mine deeper in, but they kept disturbing nests of Noibat, so the Kalosian government banned any further unauthorised excavation."

Ed looks deep in thought as he climbs down from his Ryhorn, and Ash asks if he's been to a mine before.

"I owned one for a bit." He says, "But I sold the deed to the workers for a night at the inn for me and my brother."

"Oh really?" Serena asks, but Ed doesn't say anything else on the matter.

Clemont lights up his Heliolamp, and fiddles with the settings so that the light shouldn't harm the eyes of the Pokémon sleeping in the cave.

The path is thin, and Clemont grabs Bonnie's hand tightly.

There's the sound of loud drilling further down in the mines, and Ash's brow furrows.

"I thought you said that unauthorised mining was banned?"

"I did. And I checked the website; there wasn't anything slated. There's a team coming in next month to fix up the supports deeper, but…"

Ed frowns, and looks around "This place is supposed to be teaming with rock types isn't it? That's why we came here."

Clemont nods.

"We've been walking for five minutes and haven't seen a sign of a single one." He bites his lip "They might be shy, but we haven't heard anything either. They're hiding"

Ash can feel the silence, now that its been mentioned.

"Whatever's happening deeper." Ed concludes, "It's not legal, and its bad."

---

Serena's gut drops at the certainty in Ed's voice. Ash's face has gone hard, and she glances at Clemont, concerned. She can't see his eyes under the glare on his glasses, but mouth is twisted in a concerned frown. Bonnie grabs Serena's hand as well.

"Do you think this is like with… with Malamar?" She asks, voice trembling. Serena squeezes her hand back, reassuringly.

"If you want to go back to the Centre." Ed says, barely hearing her, "Go. I'm investigating."

"Not on your own you aren't." Ash snaps, "And besides, even if this is just a group of invasive Drilbur, Clemont and I are both more experienced battlers than you."

"As a gym leader, I have a, a certain level of authority." Clemont points out, when Ed looks like he's about to argue. His voice only wavers once, "If we get discovered, I can put forward that I was investigating suspicious going ons."

Serena looks down at Bonnie, who bites her lip, but shakes her head. "I'm not leaving unless I have to." She decides.

"Fine." Ed snaps, looking both irate and touched. He glances at Bonnie and his face softens, "But we need to be careful."

They continue deeper, in almost silence. The cave splits and winds, only illuminated by the glowing stones. The glow goes from an assortment of rainbow colours to mostly browns and purples the deeper they go, and Serena picks a piece up.

"What makes the stones change colour?" She asks, and even though its a whisper, her voice bounces around the complete silence of the cave.

"No one knows." Clemont answers, eyes darting around. "There multiple theories, but-"

A loud thud interrupts the sound of distant drilling, then another. She drops the piece of rock.

"Footsteps." Ed mutters, "Large creature, definitely. Bipedal. Very heavy."

He gestures for them to back up.

Around a corner in front of them lumbers a giant Kangaskhan. She's slightly more armoured than she'd thought Kangaskhan were, and its eyes are purple rather than the red they're always depicted at in books. There's a scar on her left leg that looks recent

"Where's her baby?" Ash whispers. "Kangaskhan aren't very active unless they have a-"

She catches sight of them, and charges with a roar.

"GO!" Ed yells, and throws Clemont - objectively the slowest member of the group - over his shoulder. Ash picks up Bonnie in a very fluid motion, and she whimpers, burring her head in his free shoulder. Pikachu jumps from him to Serena, and she has become far better at suddenly taking his weight.

Serena looks back as they run, which is enough see the Pokemon shut its jaws with a snap that seems to shake the air. She doesn't look back again.

They follow Ed, who seems more concerned with putting distance between them and the Kangaskhan than figuring out which way they came. He is, as Serena constantly notices, very fast, even weighed down by Clemont and his bag.

The Kangaskhan roars behind them, and Bonnie yells "That looks like Rock Tomb!"

Ed swears violently and ducks around the first corner they come to. The five of them stumble into a section of cave with mine carts and rails, too small for the large normal type.

Serena pants, and glances over her friends. Aside from being shaken and out of breath, they seem fine. Pikachu jumps from her shoulder back to Ash as he puts Bonnie down, and murmurs to him quietly.

"Kangaskhan aren't usually that aggressive." He murmurs, "Usually they only get like that when someone's hurting their baby. She didn't have one-"

"Someone took it." Ed mutters, "Whoever is working down here doesn't want any attention. What better guard dog than an angry mother predisposed to hate humans because they took her kid."

Serena shudders, and Clemont grabs Bonnie's hand, tightly.

"We can't go back that way." She whispers, "The Kangaskhan is still there."

The drilling starts up again. Much closer than before.

"Then we go deeper." Ash decides.

---

Clemont doesn't let go of Bonnie's hand as they walk further down the old mineshaft. She's still trembling.

"If we get out of here." Serena whispers, "We're staying in Ambrette town for at least two days."

Ed makes a face at his carefully made schedule he's told no one the details of goes up in smoke, but nods. "That's fair."

"When." Ash hisses "When we get out. The second you start saying 'if' you stop fighting as hard to get out. And we are going to get out. I've got a league to beat."

Clemont doesn't like the fact that he sounds so certain about the first bit, but also his optimism is comforting.

Ed rounds a corner and stops short. Clemont almost runs into his back.

"What are a group of brats doing here?" A woman in bright red clothes, with orange hair and a matching visor snaps. "Alastair, you told me there wouldn't be anyone here for another month!"

"W-well madam Aliana." A man dressed in a bright red suit, with matching hair and sunnies stutters, "There are no- no booked teams coming through until next month. But- but this is a tourist attraction. And the Kangaskhan should have been-"

"By Yveltal, you grunts are USELESS!" Aliana yells, "Get back to work."

She turns to them, even below her visor Clemont can tell her face is a twist of disgust "This Cave is currently under the investigation of Team Flare. Scram."

Clemont, despite every instinct telling him not to, steps forward "You're mining here, illegally."

"I swear, brats playing hero-"

"I'm the Lumiose City gym leader." He cuts her off, and watches the man, Alastair, almost trip, "Under the authority of the Kalosian Pokémon League, I am permitted to investigate any suspicious happenings in the region."

She stares at him, her face going from disgust to fury.

"I can pull out my ID if you need?" He offers, voice dying slightly.

Once or twice, the Head Jenny of Lumiose had asked for his assistance, because she needed more manpower. When that happened, he grabs the team that Soliel always swore could take on the Elite Four. He hates those times, the people they dealt with being truly awful.

He only has Bunelby and Chespin here, but he's hoping the Gym Leader reputation scares them off.

"Dammit Alastair! We were meant to avoid drawing attention!" She snarls, and reaches for her belt "Pack up, I'll kick their asses."

She lets out a Mightyena.

"Ash, can you handle this?" Ed asks. Ash nods, face set with something sharp.

"Good. Clemont, your with me. Serena, take Bonnie back to the entrance. We're grabbing as much as we can."

Pikachu lunges onto the ground in front of Mightyena, and Ash calls for a Thunderbolt. Serena gently pries Bonnie's hands off Clemont's, and tugs her away. Ed runs past the battle, and Clemont tries to keep up.

Alastair squeaks where he's trying to type into a large drill, trying to shut it off, most likely. Or speed it up. He reaches for a Pokeball, but Ed skips the battle and decks him, straight on.

It looks very painful

Clemont runs over to the drill, letting Bunelby out to keep an eye on the field while he tries to shut it off. He hears swearing and a pained whimper.

The drill stops, and Clemont sighs in relief. Then, of course, because their combined luck is shit, more shouting.

Two more men, dressed the same way as Alastair, run up, a Minccino and Purloin at their heels.

"Intruders!" One calls back "Call for backup!"

"Dammit!" Ed snarls, and Vulpix shoots an Ember at him when he steps forward. Clemont calls for Bunelby to use Mud Shot, and Ed calls out Kirlia.

"Magical Leaf!"

The battle is over fast enough; the two Pokémon the… grunts, Aliana called them, had were untrained. But it was long enough for more to join them, and a shout to echo from behind them. Alastor has gotten to their computer set up, and deleted the information they gathered.

Ed looks furious, and Clemont understands the feeling.

"Leave it!" Aliana's voice yells through a radio, "We got what we came for anyway. If you aren't at the chopper in ten-"

"Smoke Screen!" One of the grunts call, and the coughing fit that overtakes him.

When the smoke clears, and he can see, they're all gone.

"FUCK"

Notes:

Out Of Battle Aqua Ring is from Chosen Ones Adventures With Legendaries by Kinrah (https://archiveofourown.org/works/27338626/chapters/66796777/). Go check it out if you like chat-fics and shenanigans.

I can't believe the aquarium owners name is (CANONICALLY) Rodman. Also, its just a random legend in the anime, but I gave this character who will never show up again a personal connection to it.

Keep an eye out for that Seadra ;)

Accidentally gave Serena two POVs. Oops.

I changed Mega Kangaskhan slightly, so that she also has very slight physical changes, not just her baby (Purple eyes, bigger, spikier).

I firmly believe that Ed could have rocked their shit. But he does realise that Enemies knowing he has a previously unheard of ability could come back to bite him in the ass (see: people in the Know immediately knowing he's done human transmutation). Also I needed them to get away for plot reasons. :)

Know that Ash kicked Aliana's ass, and that she ran like a coward.

This is straight up the first chapter we're we completely deviate from Canon. I hope you enjoyed it.

Chapter 22: The Aftermath

Summary:

Ed and Clemont have a moment. Bonnie loves her brother.

Notes:

Whoo. A new chapter!

Fucking failure, that's what this was. Ed think, furiously. I can do better than that.

He can. He'd made the assessment that revealing that he had Alchemy to people who would find out a way to use it against him was a bad idea - they clearly have a wealthy benefactor, for a drill that big that worked that well. He should have ignored that and made a cord to tie Alastor up. He should have side-stepped the stupid multi-tailed fire fox and gone fists first towards the nameless shitheads.

No, legs first. Kick those fuckwits in their ugly as sin suits right in the dick.

Kirlia coos, grabbing his hand. Clemont calls his name. He takes a deep breath.

Focus Fullmetal. He tells himself. Your on the job.

"Go check on Bonnie and the others." He orders, the skin of The Fullmetal Alchemist settling over him. He hates the comfort it brings; the way he's been permanently fucked in the head. "I'll do a sweep and see if I can find anything else."

Clemont nods slowly, and reaches forward, then pulls his hand back and whispers "Stay safe."

Edward longs to run after him, to leave. But he's on the job, so he just nods and gets to looking around.

He comes across a tied up and gagged man down a passage, whose face is pure relief when Edward unties him (he knows a captive when he sees one). Kirlia pats his hand, a little concerned.

"Thank you." the man coughs, "I-"

"Head down the passage and turn right at the big drill." He commands, "There's some people there, explain yourself to them."

The man nods. "They had a - it looked like a Kangaskhan, but purple and smaller. Like the baby, but much larger and covered in armour. They took it past here."

Edward nods and goes further, passing smashed up machine after smashed up machine. They broke everything in their hurry to escape and not to be found out. Dammit.

He finds the baby in a cage made of electricity, and next to it is a brown, glowing stone in a machine. Ed finds the button labelled off and hits it.

The baby lunges forward, and Kirlia steps in front of him, because Edward's in Fullmetal Alchemist mode, and instantly responds to the threat by shifting into a defensive stance.

"Lia!" He chirps, and the fight leaves the baby. She moves closer to Kirlia, and he holds her hands.

Kirlia gestures between Edward and him, then turns to his Partner and points at the machine with the stone. He finds the off button on it, and presses it.

A light engulfs the baby, and it becomes tiny. It looks like a baby now, not a teenager. It looks far more scared, but also relieved. How painful was it?

Edward pries the rock out of the device and pockets it, then lifts the cub into his arms. He finishes his sweep and finds nothing else.

He heads back and feels Fullmetal slip away so Ed can wear his own skin. His pace pick up, and Kirlia has to lifts himself in the air to keep up.

"Ed!" Clemont calls when he sees them, and the pure relief in his tone makes Ed's heart stutter. The others aren't there, though, and his worry must show on his face. "Thaddius - that's the scientist you found - said some concerning things. The others are taking him to Jenny's station in Ambrette to report it all - there's a other exit from this section."

"And you stayed?" Ed asks, blinking.

"Of course. Ash and Serena can take care of Bonnie." Clemont explains.

Ed smiles at him a little. Its touching.

(All he's ever wanted, underneath all the prickly shields that he's put up since Hohenhiem walked out the door, is for someone to stay.)

He refuses to examine the way his throat goes dry.

"Is this the-" Clemont nods down at his arms, "The Kangaskhan's baby."

"She looked different before." Ed murmur, "Bigger and covered in the same armour patches her mother was. Fierce as can be. But now she's-"

Small. Weak. Defenceless.

Clemont pries one of his hands off of the baby when it squeaks at the tightness. The automail one, Ed realises, when he tries to squeeze it comfortingly, but it doesn't budge.

His brow furrows below his glasses, and he looks up questioningly.

"You don't have to tell us anything until your ready." Ash had said, back in Lumiose City, holding out the Luxury Ball. "We're your friends. We're gonna worry about you."

Ed has always hated secrets. No matter how much they are for your safety, he hates not being upfront. Not presenting yourself as you are.

They're alone here.

"Take of my glove." Ed whispers, eyes fixed on Kirlia and the baby. "I- It will explain."

"Are you sure?" Clemont asks, gently.

He's so kind to Ed, and he doesn't deserve it.

(Would he still be if he knew?)

"Yeah." He whispers "Don't give me the chance to change my mind, please."

The glove comes off.

---

"Oh." Clemont gasps, staring his friends hand.

Shiny metal stares back.

"It goes all the way up to my shoulder."

Ed won't look at him. Clemont turns his hand over in his, feeling along the grooves.

"What's it made of?" He asks, "Some kind of steal, obviously, but-"

"This models tempered with Aluminium and a high percentage of carbon fibre." Ed says, like he's reciting something someone else had said, "Specifically made for colder climates."

Clemont runs a hand up the arm, squeezing a little; then realises this definitely counts as feeling someone up, and pulls back, face bright red.

"Thank you for telling me." He says, "Its fine craftsmanship."

"Yeah." Ed's voice is choked "She- my mechanic. She's the best."

Clemont doesn't push.

The baby Kangaskhan coos, and puts a paw on Ed's chest. He's still not looking at Clemont.

"Hey." He says, a little more forcefully, "It's a part of you, right?"

Ed nods mutely.

"Your my friend. I like you." Clemont affirms, dying a little inside because Ed doesn't know how true that statement is, "This doesn't change that. I have questions, but I won't ask."

Yet. He will be asking later.

Ed finally looks at him. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Ed wraps his metal arm around the baby and readjusts his grip. "Let's get her back to her mother."

It's brushing past the topic, but Clemont lets it go.

They wander through the caves, until they hear the thudding. Clemont tenses up, and sees Ed do much the same.

Kangaskhan walks around the corner. She's smaller than before, her eyes are red and she's less spiky. But there's the scar on her leg. She snarls as she catches sight of them, then stops.

"Kanga!" The baby calls, and Ed lowers her to the ground.

She goes running up to her mother, and is scoped up. The mother Kangaskhan buts her head to the baby and then hugs her close, spinning around. The cub yips happily as she's slotted into her mother's pouch.

Clemont feels all warm inside, and when he looks at Ed's face, he looks happy too. Kirlia hums, and does a little dance.

They leave, and pick their way through the winding cave, trying to figure out the exit. The glowing rocks aren't brown and purple anymore, they're the same multicolour swirls they were closer to the entrance. As they near, Clemont realises he's still holding Ed's glove.

"Here." He holds it out. Then, quieter "Are you going to tell the others?"

Ed takes it, and slides it back on.

"Eventually. I don't-" he cuts himself off "Not right after this. Sorry I just… dropped it on you."

I asked. Clemont thinks, but doesn't say. Mostly because behind them they hear some thudding.

They both turn, and the Kangaskhan is walking up to them, her baby securely tucked away in her pouch. She stops in front of them, and stares. Then the Kangaskhan pats Ed on the head, and ties a scraggly looking scarf into it. It's not the best work, but her hands are big and bulky, so he can't really judge.

"Thank you?" Ed says, very confused. Clemont can't blame him

She turns and leaves, happy her task has been completed.

---

Bonnie waits for her brother and Ed on the couch of Jenny's office. Ash, Serena and the scientist - Thaddius - are talking to Officer Jenny, telling her about the group in the cave. She'd asked Bonnie some questions about what she remembered, but moved on quickly to the others.

"When your friends arrive here, I'll talk to them." She hears Officer Jenny say, "Thank you for informing me of this, we'll get some officers down there this afternoon."

"No problem!" Ash grins, and Bonnie jumps up.

Serena furrows her brow, "They're not back yet?"

Bonnie shakes her head. Her gut is no longer shredding itself to pieces, but her chest feels very similar. Dedenne pokes her head out of her bag and chirps "Dedennee-"

"What if Kangaskhan got them?" Bonnie asks, not really sure who she's talking to, "I know she was looking for her baby, but what if they couldn't find it? What if-"

Ash crouches down in front of her, "They'll be fine, Bonnie. They're smart enough to figure something out."

"If it helps." Thaddius pipes up, "Your friend in the red coat - Ed? - seemed like he knew what he was doing."

Of course he did. Ed always seems to know what to do, even when no one else does. But that doesn't make her feel any better, because what if this time, something is different?

Every time she blinks, all she can see behind her eyelids is the angry Kangaskhan snapping its jaws closed.

"Tomorrow, at about seven, you should come by the fossil lab." Thaddius tells them, "I'm talking to a reporter, so I'll give you lot the tour as well, as thanks."

Serena and Ash take her to the aquarium cafe to wait, and she tries to get distracted by the Piplup that works with the waiter who serves them, or the Seel and Dewgong in the tanks, but worry gnaws at her chest. Dedenne climbs up her shoulder and rubs against her chin.

"I think that's them!" Serena points, after they've eaten a whole dish made entirely of seaweed.

Bonnie whips around, and the second she catches sight of her brothers' blue jumpsuit, she goes running.

"Ooof." Clemont huffs as she collides into him in a hug. "Bonnie, watch the-"

She sniffs, tearing up, "You're okay."

Dedenne climbs from her shoulder to her head. Kirlia pats her on the back.

"Oh, Bonnie." He sighs and moves her arms so he can crouch down next to her, "See, I'm fine. My glasses aren't even broken this time."

Ed snorts next to them and ruffles her hair gently. Then grunts when Serena collides with him. Ash laughs behind them, at a distance, where he's probably paying for their lunch.

Bonnie doesn't really care. She's just happy they're all okay.

Notes:

I'm trying to portray Ed forcing himself to act a certain way as 'skins'. Ash notices it all the way back in chapter 2 - '“Call me Ed.” He says, and Ash watches as he slides into a skin that looks more personable, more easygoing'. 'The Fullmetal Alchemist' is obviously the big one, but I also don't think Mustang would have let Ed leave his sight without being able to put on a successful mask in front of politicians.

What definitely happened:

Ash: Someone should sta-

Clemont: I will.
Ash: …I didn't finish.
Clemont: I know.

Automail reveal! (part 1).
If you think that the reveals are too quick (they've known each other for about two weeks) in canon, Ed and Al tell people they literally just met (Rose, Armstrong) about committing The Ultimate Taboo. He's being so cautious by canon standards.

Ed: Sorry for dumping it on you.
Also Ed: hasn't told him about the leg, or how he lost it, or that its drilled into his arm.

These Mega Stone will play a part later, but Eds not getting a Kangaskhan.

The scarf is just like a Silk Scarf that some trainer threw away. Kangaskhan, a normal type who gets stronger when she has it, gives it as a very meaningful gift. To Ed, this is literally just a piece of cloth, but he appreciates it.

Thaddius is the scientist from the Amaura episode, but here he replaces the scientist from the game.

Chapter 23

Summary:

Ed meets some dinosaurs.

Notes:

*Jurassic Park Theme Plays*

The next day, Ash drags Ed to a small patch of grass by the Fossil Research, insisting that they do some training before the tour.

His friend loses their mock-match, but he and Phonse put up a good fight. Pikachu trills happily, jumping back onto his shoulder.

He makes his way over to the others as Ed runs back to the Pokémon Centre. Serena is showing Bonnie how to sew with one of Ed's torn shirts. When it got torn, Ash has no idea, but they've been getting up to so many shenanigans that Ash is surprised they don't have more torn clothes.

Clemont has borrowed Ed's tablet and is nose-deep in it, making notes in a book on the bench next to him. He looks up when Ash sits next to him.

There's a sketch of an arm in the book, and a bunch of sciency jargon that Ash doesn't understand. He recognises some metals, and makes out the words lightweight necessary. 

"What's this for?" He asks, curious. Clemont's designs are more often than not Pokémon-inspired. Not human-inspired.

"I'm thinking of making Serena a foldable model that she can take with her to sew clothes on," Clemont explains, but his eyes are a little shifty. He's not being entirely truthful.

Ash doesn't pry because he can't remember a single time in recent years he's been entirely truthful about his past.

He looks back up when he hears Ed call, and double-takes.

"Guess who the mysterious reporter Thaddius is talking to today is!" His friend grins, gesturing to Alexa.

Bonnie squeals and abandons her lesson with Serena to wave excitedly. Heliolisk jumps from Alexa's shoulder to clamber up Bonnie's. Dedenne seems to take offence to this which makes Ash laugh.

When he turns back to Clemont, the notebook and tablet have been swept into his bag.

Thaddius greets them at the entrance to the Fossil Lab with a wide grin. He leads them through and talks about the research they do there, as Alexa records herself asking questions and and hums at the answers.

Serena doesn't seem all that impressed, and neither does Bonnie. Clemont and Ed, on the other hand, seem very invested. Ash is interested, but he also thinks he knows where this is going.

Thaddius gets them to put of some really heavy winter-wear. Out of the corner of his eye, Ash sees Ed sigh, as if in relief. He returns Kirlia, who has spent the morning trailing after him, practising his dances, into his pokéball. The scientist leads them over to an airlock and types a code into it, opening the door.

Freezing cold air whips out and Ash fights the shudder and the creeping memories. Every breath is sharp and his nose goes numb.

They step into the cold, Ash stares around at the artificial tundra.

"Ama!"

A small blue Pokémon runs across the snow in front of them, and turns, crying out in delight. It runs towards them, long neck swaying gracefully.

"This is Amaura." Thaddius introduces them with a soft smile, "She's an ice and rock type Pokémon, the way most fossil Pokémon are."

Amaura jumps around near Bonnie, and she jumps in response. Clemont barely manages to open his mouth before the two go tearing off, running around and chasing each other. He sighs in despair.

Fossil Pokémon, in Ash's opinion, are one of the wonders of modern science. Pokémon from a lost age once again given life? It amazing.

A larger Pokémon, that looks like Amaura, but a darker blue stomps out. It lowers its towering neck and sniffs at Ed.

"And Aurorus, the evolved form." Thaddius pats Aurorus' leg, "We discovered their fossils in the frozen edges of northern Kalos, and there was more than enough DNA to request the funding to revive them."

Serena lets out a delighted little laugh, and Clemont's glasses shine in the light. Alexa switches her recorder to camera mode to get footage.

Ed's expression have gone from kind curiosity to blatant awe. He strokes Aurorus' neck as far as he can reach (which, in all honesty, isn't very far).

"How'd you do it? Bring 'em back?" He asks, and Thaddius, who grins.

"Science has progressed far enough that given enough base DNA, we can recreate an embryo and gestate it until birth. Aurorus was our first successful sample, and we waited until she was fully grown and evolved to even attempt to bring Amaura into the world."

Aurorus buts her head into Ed's chest, and Ash laughs at the pure joy on his face.

"They didn't have any natural predators, back when their kind roamed the earth." Thaddius continues, "So they are incredibly friendly, as you can tell."

Amaura barrels him over as she runs from Bonnie, and Clemont groans.

"I'm sorry, sir." He helps him up, "My little sister gets so full of energy sometimes."

"Ah, don't mind." Thaddius waves him off, "But we should be leaving the Freezer Room now, just to heat up a bit."

Both Ed and Bonnie look very reluctant to leave their new friends, but the former curls up as close to the heater as possible. The scarf that had appeared in his hair yesterday is slightly frosted over.

Serena has pulled out her sketchbook, and shows Ash what looks like a headpiece inspired after Aurorus' frills. Clemont is sitting next to Ed and talking to him so quietly that Ash can't make out.

Whatever Ed says back makes him settle down, and he takes Ed's tablet out again to keep reading.

Bonnie frowns at them, then looks at Serena and Ash suspiciously. He has no idea what's going through her head, but she doesn't seem satisfied by what she sees.

Pikachu, Helioptile and Dedenne all play together in a corner, electricity sparking between them.

Thaddius and Alexa continue their interview, and the scientists stands to grab one of the files of the shelves at the corner of the room, they hear a large crash.

"The Freezer Room!" Thaddius yells.

Ed is already halfway out the room and tears down the hall, Ash hot on his heels. They end up having to wait anyway, because neither of them know the code and Ash talks his friend out of Alchemising the door open.

Once the first scientist to get there punches in the code, Ed is in the room, no care for the cold.

He didn't even need to, given that a whole part of the roof to the habitat is destroyed.

Aurorus cries out in grief-pain-loss, and Ash suddenly has a very clear idea of what happened.

Ed's crouched down by the destroyed wall, and looks up when the rest of them approach. "Two or three culprits judging by the footprints- one of them is a Pokémon. They got Amaura into a van and couldn't get Aurorus, so they drove off."

Ed is, Ash has learned, unfairly smart. He needs to save some brain for the rest of them, its getting rude at this point.

Aurorus leans down and coos at him, eyes sad, and he reaches up to pat her face.

"We'll get your sister back."

Ash stares at the thin string of light that curls between them.

---

"We'll get your sister back." Ed swears.

He's not sure of the exact relationship, but he knows a worried older sibling when he sees one. He stands as Aurorus raises her head to call into the sky, her frills glow. Puffs of cold air are ejected from the blue crystals on her sides.

They're probably made of the same DNA; identical clones of a long dead dinosaur. Which is cool as fuck, in all honesty. Ed's always liked the idea dinosaurs. He's a reptiles kind of guy.

"This bad." Thaddius murmurs, "Amaura's too young to regulate her own body temperature yet. If we don't find her soon, she could very well die."

That makes a horrifying amount of sense; the gems on Amaura's hide are much smaller, and there's only two of them. Even if they work the same way, she probably can't produce enough to cool her whole body, especially in a warmer climate, especially in late autumn.

Bonnie gasps, and Ed doesn't even wait to give chase.

"By Xerneas, Ed!" He hears Clemont whine, and the thundering footsteps of Aurorus following.

"Look!" Serena calls, "There's a aurora!"

"They're communicating through it." Ash realises behind it, then, "Ed! to the left!"

Ed glances up to the sky to see the spread of colour across the sky. He pivots on his heel.

Aurorus skids to a halt, and Ed looks back up at the sky. The aurora fades. Just as they got to a fork in the road, too.

"Shit." He he hisses.

A Seadra pops its head out of the river as he tries to figure out where the van went. It shoots a Water Gun near him, but he ignores it. Now isn't the time. Ash and the others manage to catch up as he and Aurorus look around.

Serena walks over to the river, and steps back; saying, "The bank's damp."

"Of course it is." He mutters, "It's a river."

"No, like, something just jumped in the water. It's been splashed."

Aurorus cries out, louder this time, and then breathes ice onto the river. The Seadra ducks out of the ways as it freezes over, and she continues.

Ed half expects the ice to crack under her, then under them, but it works.

A van is stopped in the centre of the road and, of course, Ed catches sight of blue and pink hair.

Its been a single day.

Ed has started to realise he needs to stop questioning how these three work. On the other hand, he has a desperate need to understand everything he comes across, so he's not going to.

"Alright fuckwits." Ed yells, "One chance, give her back, or we can skip to the ass-whooping."

"Ugh!" Jessie groans, "Why is it always the short twerp?"

Oh they did not.

"Who are you callin' so short he needs help into a car?"

"Arceus dammit, Ed." Ash groans, as they sends out Inkay and Pumpkaboo.

"Phonse, Swift!"

The Eevee appears in a flash of light, and he whips his tail around in a circle.

Clemont calls for Chespin to use Rollout, and both attacks connect. Inkay rolls in the air and fires off a Psybeam, and Pumpkaboo shoots seeds out of her mouth that explode on impact.

Phonse lunges at Inkay at Ed's command with a Quick Attack, and Chespin's Vine whips dodges a Frustration to lash at Pumpkaboo.

Aurorus thunders over to the van with Serena, Bonnie and Ash, and when Jessie goes to follow, Ed and Clemont have the same thought.

"Swift!" "Razor Leaf!"

She stumbles back, and yells, more Frustrated than her Pokémon because the attacks messed up her hair.

She runs at Ed in a rage, ignoring James' call of; "That's against the rules!" to attempt to punch him.

He grins and sidesteps, then jabs her elbow into her side.

---

Serena opens the van, and sucks in a furious breath.

The heaters on, she can hear it running, and Amaura is curled as far away from the front of the van as she can get, sitting in a puddle of water.

Meowth jumps from the front of the van, and is immediately frozen by Aurorus.

Ash climbs past the frozen normal-type and reaches over to Amaura. Serena can't help the blush that overcomes her cheeks when he lifts and settles her on his shoulder. The ice type coos, weakly and Bonnie pats her head when the two get out of the van.

Aurorus looks over at the battle happening around the other side, and unleashes a Blizzard, uses her tail to drag the four of them out of the way.

The van goes blasting off into the sky, Team Rocket and their Pokémon with it. There's still ice on the ground, and Ed slips as he tries to get over to them.

Serena helps Ash gently put Amaura down on the ground, and she stumbles to the side, her head held close to the ground, because she's to sick and tired to even lift it properly.

Bonnie lifts it for her, but it doesn't stop the swaying. Aurorus walks over behind them, and settles down with a gust of cold air.

"She's cooling her down." Serena realises, as the gusts continue.

Amaura stumbles towards the larger Pokémon and leans against her with a tired whine. Bonnie, in her short sleeves and short tights, has to take a step back when she starts to shiver. Ed pats Aurorus' head.

The road rumbles behind them, and Alexa calls out, waving from the window of a truck. A platform behind it, still wet from heading through the river.

"We usually use this truck for transporting really large fossils, or lots of equipment." Thaddius explains from the drivers seat, "But it should just be large enough to take them both back fast. We've called the construction team already to fix the wall and roof."

Aurorus gets up, and Bonnie helps Amaura onto the platform, where the pair settle into the same position. Aurorus leans her long neck over to nudge her, and Bonnie climbs on as well.

They all end up hitching a ride back on the back of the truck with the Pokémon, and Aurorus freezes over the river again. Her ice is powerful and hard to melt, but not infallible. Especially when its almost summer.

They arrive back at the lab, and Amaura is strong enough to run back into the snow. Aurorus goes slower, and flops onto her side with a loud crash that has Serena worrying.

"Is she okay? She didn't make herself sick trying to cool Amaura down, did she?"

Thaddius puts a hand of Aurorus' forehead, and Amaura coos. Clemont feels along her side, and flashes them a thumbs up.

"She's just exhausted, I think." Ed tells her, "She used all her energy worrying about Amaura, and those Ice attacks where a little over the top for what was necessary."

Ash puts a hand on Serena's shoulder, "She'll be good after a long nap; and the wall being fixed."

Bonnie, sufficiently assured by the three of them, runs over to Amaura and asks if she wants to keep playing.

"The five of you will be getting into cold weather gear before you do anything else in here." A second scientist says, frowning, "We will not be held responsible if you catch a cold."

Even with the cold weather gear, the next day they're all sneezing and spend the day in their Pokémon centre room. Ash tries to leave to train, but Ed throws a pillow at him and Pikachu refuses to move.

It was worth it, Serena thinks, looking at the pictures that Alexa had taken and given them, but she hates being sick.

Notes:

I live in Australia and have no idea what snow is like. Enjoy the product of a google search.

TELL ME that Edward wouldn't adore fossil Pokémon. Now tell me why you're lying.

Seadra: Over here
Ed: Can't I'm busy.
Seadra: …

Ash: Lifts Amaura.
Serena: God I wish that were me.

Notes:

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Pokémon Fics