Frustrated, the Charizard’s trainer ordered Flamethrower. He smirked at the small pokémon's attempt to counter with it's own Flamethrower. "How pathetic..." he thought, but was torn back to reality as the small pokémon’s attack easily overpowered the Charizard’s, enveloping the pokémon and causing an almost instant K.O.

Butch grinned and returned Blaze, clipping the Pokéball to his belt. A few scientists by the sidelines took a few notes and muttered among themselves. The experiment was a complete success, and the wrist bands where a great idea. They raised the Pokémon's attack, defence ect. to the most powerful level, giving the already powerful pokémon an unnecessary power boost.

"Let's see how the next match goes." Butch smirked, withdrawing another Pokéball. He tossed it and in a burst of light, a new pokémon appeared. It was a Meganium, only smaller, about the size of a Bayleef, with a Chikorita leaf on it's head and a smaller tall. It's fur was more creamy, like a Bayleef's, and it's eyes where a bright ruby red. "Don't fail or it's back to the lab again." He warned, the Pokémon shivering visibly.

"The Team Rocket HQ is believed to be around here. We had to search quietly, but silently. Move out." The Pokémon, along with the two Pikachu, nodded and took off in a blur. Absol and the Pikachu's size made it easier for them to conceal themselves in the surrounding foliage, while Sceptile colour camouflaged it very well.

Misty watching with interest. Ash sure had changed in the years they had been apart. He was a much better commander, he thought more strategically and his Pokémon where among the most well trained she'd even seen. Still... there was something missing. Where was the Ash she remembered? The happy, stupid, hot-headed teen she had known all those years ago?

"Am I ever happy with him?" she thought. At first, she always complained about how immature hi was, and how he should grow up and get serious. But now that he had, she wanted him to be childish again. She came to the conclusion it was Ash's childish antics and immense over-confidence that Misty found, oddly enough, charming.

Ash and Misty where alone in the clearing, in total silence save for the odd rustle of a tree in the wind. Misty folded her arms and shifted uncomfortably on the spot. Finally, Ash spoke up, causing her to jump.

"Why did you do it?"

"What?" Misty looked up, but Ash had his back to her. "What are you talking about?"

"Kandi." Ash answered simply, looking back at her icily. "Why did you do it? Don't you care about me?"

Misty looked over at him, slightly confused. "You think I... That... Ash what the heck are you talking about?"

"Who's the father?"

Misty froze. Is that what was bothering him these past few days? Is that why he was avoiding her? "You think I went with someone else?" She asked, her heart skipping a beat as Ash turned his back to her again. "Ash you don't understand. The father..." She trailed off slightly. How was she supposed to put this?

"Who?" Ash turned to face her, arms folded, expression interested, but with slight anger.

Misty sighed heavily. "I guess the only way is to say it straight out." She took a deep breath and looked Ash in the eye. "Ash, Kandi is-"

"Pikapi!"

"Wha?" Ash looked over towards the Pokémon's panicked voice, but received a powerful blast of electricity, surging through him. The force of the attack threw him back, slamming him into a nearby tree. He groaned and looked up. His eyes grew wide as what he saw. "What the...?"

The Pokémon in front of him was like none he'd ever seen before. It was like an orange, brown and yellow Pikachu, the same colour as a Raichu, with a long, black Raichu tail and Pichu ears. It grinned as yellow sparks erupted from its checks targeting the trainer again. A yellow blur shot past the attack and stood in front of Ash. Pikachu used his tail to absorb the attack, though it was a painful process.

"Ash what is that thing?!" Misty asked as she tried to help him to his feet.

"I have no idea." Ash confessed, pulling himself to his feet and looking over at the creature. Pikachu and the other Pokémon where fighting, and Ash was surprised to see the opponent was doing well against Pikachu. Pikachu had already used a Thunder attack on the Pokémon and it was still going strong. "Pikachu Double Team!" "Pika!" Pikachu nodded, creating about six other versions of himself. Sceptile, Absol and Pikachu's clone arrived back at the battle scene, but remained at the sidelines of the battle, watching curiously.

The Raichu/Pikachu Pokémon looked around at the Pikachu surrounding hi, before swinging it's long tail in a circle, knocking each Pikachu until the real one was found. Pikachu was whipped across the face and struck down, the Pokémon taking advantage with a tackle attack.

Ash watched in disbelief as Pikachu was struck back, rolling along the floor. As he tried to get to his feet, Pikachu was struck with a powerful Thunder attack. Ash clenched his fists and ran forward as the Pokémon powered up for another attack. He grabbed Pikachu and rolled out of the way of the attack, but just in time. "Sceptile go!"

The grass Pokémon ran forward and insanity released a Leaf Blade attack.

Misty watched in disbelief at the power of the other pokémon, but was relieved to see it weakening. "Go Sceptile!" She cheered, though Sceptile didn't hear her.

"Misty look out!"

"Wha?" Misty looked over at Ash as he called, but suddenly felt something wrap around her and lift her off the ground. "What the-? Hey! Put me down!" She yelled angrily. Suddenly, a wave of blue powder surrounded her and her eyes began to droop. She tried to fight off the sleep, but it was impossible. As she slowly slipped into a deep sleep, the last thing she heard was Ash calling her name, before all was black....