Serena's POV

"What do you think is going on?" I ask Ash as we speed walk towards our room. 

"I don't know," He shrugs. "Whatever it is maybe we can help out."

"Of course," I nod.

We burst into the room, closing the door behind us to ensure no one hears us. Inside, Gold is pacing around, not even noticing that we came through the door.

"What's going on Gold?" I question with my arms crossed.

"I wish I knew," He sighs. "Green just told me to go hide here. Did something happen after I left?"

"President Triton came in," Ash states and immediately Gold's expression changes.

"So I guess I do know why," The trainer sits on the bed. "I probably shouldn't tell you this but you guys deserve an explanation. You're not the only two foreigners."

"Wait what?" I question. "You were invited here too?"

"Not exactly," Gold takes off his hat and runs a hand through his hair.

He continues to give a rundown of how he ended up in Elemente and has some mysterious connection to Arceus.

"So basically I'm here to save Arceus," He concludes. 

I can tell there's a bit more like their plan, but we probably shouldn't push too hard. "Sorry for not telling you guys but I can't put you guys in danger."

"Danger finds Ash so it's no problem," I chuckle. "But I think we understand. The more people you get involved the greater chance President Triton finds out."

"But can't we help somehow?" Ash pleads. "I can't just sit back."

I put my hand on Ash's shoulder as Gold fails to convince Ash otherwise. "We'll find a way to help," I suggest. "Even if we don't know what's going on."

"You guys are already helping," We turn to the boy. "Green and I will eventually have to go to some of the more isolated areas and would stand out if you guys weren't also going everywhere. Plus you're helping bring Elemente back to normal which I think is our main goal."

"You think?" I raise an eyebrow.

"We haven't really talked about what happens when we save Arceus," Gold sighs. "It's a bit complicated with Green's Dad basically being Triton's Vice President and top battler."

Oh this is getting even more complicated.

"That's why she agreed to battle Wayne when President Triton showed up," Ash realizes.

Gold stands up. "She's what!?"

"We should go watch her," I say to Ash. "I'm assuming you can't Gold?"

"No I can't meet President Triton because of a little fake Pokedex thing," He states. "Also, I really need to beat Wayne for multiple reasons so I should train."

"i can train you," Ash states. "We'll do some more special training."

I giggle at Gold's sigh.

"It'll be hard to train in this room," I say uneasily. 

"There's a mountain not too far from here," Gold motions to the window. "We'll sneak out while everyone is watching the battle. You go cheer on Green for all of us, not that she'll need it."

Green's POV

"It appears I grabbed the wrong level of Pokemon," Wayne declares from the other side of the battlefield.

I try not to look at the cameras or the crowd that's building. I need to stay focused and give Triton and my Dad a good show. 

Wayne started the battle with a Pidgey that Litleo quickly took care of. We have been training but the lucky burn from an Ember helped.

"Lucky start," I smile.

"Let's see how you handle this!"

A more exciting Pokemon comes out, Kecleon. Another popular Pokemon in the Normal District. The green chameleon Pokemon can camouflage into the environment, becoming invisible to the naked eye.

"Slash."

Kecleon disappears and all of a sudden Litleo is hit backwards along the ground. His dark grey fur becomes dusty from the slide but otherwise appears fine.

I don't know how we're going to land an attack.

"Slash again."

"Hold out an Ember attack."

Litleo holds a ball of fire in front of his mouth, using it as a shield. Except Kecleon decides to hit Litleo from behind this time. Getting another direct hit in.

"Are you alright?" I ask in concern and my fiery Pokemon gets up quick.

"Again Kecleon."

Not this time.

"Run around and cover yourself in flames."

Litleo turns an Ember attack into a dress of flames, covering his entire lion cub body while he runs around. After a few good strides he gets knocked over for good.

Except I notice a random burst of flames in midair. Looks like we got lucky twice.

"Thanks Litleo," I return the fainted Pokemon. "Come on out Whismur."

"Interesting choice," Wayne raises an eyebrow.

"Leooon!" Kecleon cries in pain as more flames engulf it. It's green body is visible for a moment before disappearing again.

"Whismur use Echoed Voice and don't stop!"

The battlefield being an enclosed space strengthened the attack as Whismur's attack rattles Kecleon and probably the entire city. I close my eyes and hold my hands over my ears to weaken the sound but I'll probably have a headache after this.

It was worth it though.

The sound stops and I open my eyes to see a fainted Kecleon and a happy Whismur.

"You did it!" I cheer and the Pokemon jumps into my arms. "One more. Go show them more."

The attack was a lot more effective than I thought it would be. Battlefield walls are a good thing to look out for I guess.

Wayne releases a Stufful, the pre-evolution to the Bewear he used against Ash. The final test is to overcome type advantage.

I study the matchup but I don't know if anything Whismur can do will be stronger than that previous attack. If it works once, keep rolling.

"Echoed voice!"

"Fight through and use Tackle!"

Apparently nothing can stand up to the little purple Pokemon's voice. Stufful trudges about halfway across the field before collapsing, the intensity of the bouncing soundwaves acting like mud.

"Wow," Wayne mutters as his Pokemon falls defeated.

Battling is easy.

I finally take a look at the crowd and pick out Triton clapping with an approving smile on his face. Not far is Serena who is cheering loudly.

I wave and then meet Wayne in the middle of the field.

"Impressive as expected," He laughs. "I hope we can have a rematch sometime to redeem myself."

"Thanks," I blush.

"You're going to become quite the trainer," He says and I nod slowly.

"I'm always looking for top battlers," President Triton walks up. I notice a briefcase in one of his bodyguard's hands which is new. "Maybe you can take your Dad's job?"

"Maybe," I laugh along.

"Thanks Wayne, I'll have to stop by again soon," Triton addresses the leader.

"Of course," The man puts his hands in his lab coat. "So where to next Green?"

"I do-"

"Actually I have the answer," Triton interrupts. "I have your first special assignment Green."

"Oh really?" I fidget with the pokeball in my hand.

I haven't even had a chance to talk to Gold yet about how everything is going. Really don't need another excursion.

"I thought you'd like to come to the Capital with us tonight and we can discuss in the morning. Unless you have something keeping you here?"

"No of course," I nod. "I just need to get my stuff."

"Okay awesome," Triton claps. "Come find me when you're ready to go."

I need to find Gold.

"Serena!" I call out to her as I get back into the city's concourse. "Where are the boys?"

"Training," She answers. "You look in a rush."

"I'm going to the Capital with Triton," I explain as we walk into our room.

"Oh yes," Serena grabs her and Ash's packed up bags. "President Triton asked us to come too. Apparently he has some guidance for us."

"I see," I frown. "I really need to talk to Gold but I guess he won't come back until we're all gone with Triton."

"I figured," The honey blonde hands me a notepad. "Gold told us about some of what's going on. Just leave him a note and we can meet up in the Capital when he's done his battle."

"Good idea," I write a quick message out. "Does Ash know we're leaving?"

"On his way."

"Okay," I set down the note on the bed. "Good luck Gold. You'll need it."

Gold's POV

I feel like every one of our days has a week's worth of stuff going on. The sun sets over New Oldton as I return to the city, but there's still work to do. 

I have to somehow pull off this battle.

"Gold!" A gruff voice calls me over.

Wayne walks over in his usual wardrobe."I've been looking all over for you."

"Sorry," I adjust my hat. "I heard you were battling another trainer so I thought I'd get some more training in."

"No worries," Wayne waves. "Thanks for understanding. We can push off our battle to tomorrow if it's too late."

"I'm ready now," I declare. "Nothing like a late night match."

"Fair enough," He chuckles. "We're really giving everybody their battle fix."

"Let's hope less people watch this battle," I try to joke but it's too true.

We step back onto the familiar field and a referee steps up.

As expected, there's way less people at the windows or finding a set in the stands. But still a few interested people to make me feel important.

"Come on out Stufful!" Wayne releases his first Pokemon. "Time to get some redemption."

Sounds like Green's battle went well.

I pull out my Pokedex. "A fighting and normal type. Better watch out."

Swablu comes out as my first Pokemon. 

"Take the air Swablu," I say and the cloud Pokemon flies above Stufful. "We need to keep our distance so use Disarming Voice!"

Swablu sings a harsh tone towards Stufful, delivering a powerful sound attack. Stufful bows its head to endure the pain but doesn't take too much damage.

"What's with all the sound moves today?" Wayne mutters. "Lure it in with Baby-Doll Eyes."

The small pink bear Pokemon gives Swablu an endearing look that causes my Pokemon to drift downward. And within range.

"Brick Break!"

"Snap out of it and fly back up!"

In the nick of time, Swablu catches an evening gust of wind and blows upward. Stufful jumps but not high enough and fails to land the attack.

Can't risk that again.

"Sing!"

Swablu chirps a lovely lullaby into the evening air. I'm ready for bed now but I have to stay up sadly.

Stufful chose to take a nap though.

"Finish it with Fury Attack!"

Swablu dives in and nails the defenceless Pokemon with multiple attacks. This is the first time things have gone right.

"Stufful is unable to battle!" The referee declares.

1-0.

Let's go.

Wayne throws out his next Pokemon, a purple blob. It has two dot eyes and a little smirk. Ditto.

The purple transforming Pokemon wastes no time taking Swablu's familiar form. Two blue and white cloud Pokemon float in the sky, waiting for a command.

"Let's not waste any time," The leader crosses his arms. "Sing then Fury Attack."

"That's my move!" I proclaim but it doesn't stop Ditto.

The copycat Swablu repeats the real Swablu's earlier actions. Song fills the air, putting Swablu to sleep before attacking it until it faints.

"Thanks Swablu," I return it. "Okay Eevee your turn."

The brown fox Pokemon jumps ahead of me.

The fake Swablu flies down the battlefield before transforming into Ditto's true form again. Except it only takes a few moments for it to transform again, this time into Eevee's form.

"Quick attack!"

"Quick attack!"

The two identical Pokemon charge at each other.

It becomes clear what Pokemon is more trained.

My partner runs straight at our opponent. However, the opposing Eevee zig-zags across the field, allowing it to hit Eevee on the side and not meet head-on.

"Swift let's go!" I yell.

"Swift too Ditto."

I can clearly see his strategy now. Just copy our every move but a little bit better. That's not going to work much longer.

Stars from the Swift attacks collide, creating a sparkle of explosions. A few stray stars fire towards the good Eevee.

"Quick Attack right through!"

Eevee, like the boss she is, crashes through the stray stars and towards Ditto. Her eyes sparkle as the remaining sparkles linger in the air. She strikes across the field like a comet.

The Quick Attack builds up speed, ready to deal a ton of damage.

"Bite."

"Wait what?"

I might have been a bit distracted by the sparkle effect that I didn't notice the bad Eevee hiding in it. As soon as Eevee passed over Ditto, it lunged up with the Bite attack. 

"Now throw Eevee up!"

With its jaw still locked on, the bad Eevee throws good Eevee into the air. Not good.

Ditto launches a Swift attack at the helpless Eevee and all of a sudden I'm down 2-1.

I run up and pick up my starter Pokemon. "You were great Eevee." I try to smile and lay it gently beside me to rest.

Green's gonna be so disappointed. Maybe I'll catch up to her in ten years when I finally beat Wayne.

"Vee," The tired Pokemon looks up at me.

"We haven't lost yet," I nod. "Let's go!"

My third Pokemon comes out of a pokeball and Ditto studies it carefully. But it doesn't transform.

Because my third Pokemon is another Eevee.

"Okay Eevee, you got this," I encourage it. It looks back with a devious smirk.

"Quick Attack Ditto!" Wayne yells.

"Stop it with Scratch!"

The two Eevees meet in the middle of the field, but only one takes damage. Ditto stumbles backwards and my Pokemon isn't done yet.

"Again!"

"Defend with Swift!"

Ditto regains itself to send the horde of stars towards the charging Eevee. Except Eevee runs right through them and nails another Scratch attack. "Keep going."

Wayne looks like he's lost for words as Ditto can't defend itself from the Scratch attacks. Soon it faints and everything is tied up.

"Good job Eevee!" I wink.

Wayne and I lock eyes across the battlefield. He's frowning, trying to figure out what's going on. 

I smirk but then Wayne releases my enemy, a Starly.

It's a different Starly obviously but its large eyes are still mocking me. But I have a secret weapon thanks to Ash this time.

"Patient."

"Wing Attack!"

"Meet it with Scratch!"

Starly dives down, its dark grey feathers blending in with the darkening sky. Eevee jumps forward with its claws extended, meeting Starly in mid-air.

The two attacks land and push the Pokemon away from one another. Except Eevee's form glitches and dissipates to reveal my true third Pokemon, Zorua.

"Clever," Wayne claps his hands. "I should've known."

"I had to try something," I reply. "Zorua let's finish this. Scratch!"

"Keep it away with Gust!"

Zorua, now in its true form with white fur, runs across the battlefield. Starly tries to push it back with wind but it's not strong enough.

Zorua jumps and strikes Starly, sending it crashing into the field. It's over.

"Icy wind!"

I didn't know Zorua knew this attack but training with Ash helped bring out some hidden skills I guess. A little taste of Hisui's harsh winters.

Zorua sends the ice type attack as a cold chilling gust of wind, encapsulating Starly in a block of ice. We all wait for the ice to melt and reveal the defeated Pokemon.

"Starly is unable to battle! Military Recruit Cedar is the winner!"