Author's Note: Have you seen my new Pokémon story yet? Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Cosmic Destiny is a Mystery Dungeon story featuring the Pokémon of Tenno.

Episode 114: Quibbling Rivalry

Ash, Brock, and Brenda stand at the entrance to an elegant city. Most of the architecture looks well over a hundred years old, made of mostly red bricks, greatly contrasted by the modern and sleek towers that line the coastline, apparently hotel buildings. Visible all the way across the city, the central structure of the city is a large and graceful old-style building. Brock announces, "Welcome to Penum City."

Ash places a fist in front of his face in a show of determination. "Penum Gym, here I come."

You heard that right! At long last our heroes have made their way Penum City, a city with a gym personally suggested to Ash by Astrid, the Opti City Gym Leader

Ash excitedly runs up to the gym. It's built in the same old-world style as much of the city. He promptly comes to a stop when he notices a sign on the gym's front door. "Closed!?"

Brenda catches up and ponders, "Why is it that gyms are always closed when we first arrive at them?"

Brock points out, "I know from experience, gym leaders can lead very busy lives in addition to their work at the gym. You can't blame a gym leader for not always being at their gym."

Ash sighs. "So, I guess that means we'll have to find this gym leader to ask for my battle."

Nearby, a young man asks, "Excuse me, did I hear you right? You're looking for the gym leader?"

Ash nods. "Yeah, do you know where we could find them?"

"I'm afraid he may not be willing to battle you right now, but if you want to ask him yourself, you can find him in Fir Hall, room 1200."

Ash tilts his head. "Fir Hall? What does that mean?"

Brock points to the nearby city center. "It's a building at the University of Tenno, Tenno's primary college."

Brenda questions, "I wonder what he's doing there."

Ash sets off. "Let's find out."

Ash, Brock, and Brenda walk into the back of a massive lecture hall. It's nearly completely filled, with hundreds of students watching a professor on the opposite end of the room. The professor walks back and forth in front of a blackboard as he lectures. He's fairly young for a professor, and dresses in black formal pants, a dark purple tweed coat, and black thick-rimmed glasses. His hair is jet-black, except for an unruly patch of dark purple hair that looks to be shaped like a spiral vortex.

Ash, Brock, and Brenda take three vacant seats in the back of the hall. Brock whispers, "I looked it up in my Pokéssistant, the professor is the gym leader. His name is Blake."

Brenda remarks, "Wow, he's the gym leader and a professor at Tenno's largest university. And he's so young, too."

Brock adds, "He's not just a professor, he's the head of the entire astrophysics department, at a school with the most prestigious astrophysics program in the world. To call the guy a prodigy would be an understatement."

Blake continues his lecture, "Seeing as the actual singularity of a black hole is infinitely small in size, we instead define the radius of a black hole by the distance at which light can no longer escape its gravitational field. And since this radius is determined purely by the strength of its gravity, that means that the more massive a black hole is, the smaller it will be. This radius is known as the Schwarzschild radius. So how do we calculate this radius? As we know from a previous lecture, escape velocity v is equal to the square root of two times the gravitational constant, G, times the mass of the object, divided by radius of the object escaping. So, let's set the escape velocity value at c, the speed of light. By definition, we have described a black hole. Now all we need to do is solve for the radius to find the equation for the Schwarzschild radius. The result is the equation on the board, r equals two times the gravitational constant, times the mass, divided by the speed of light squared." He pauses to look at a clock on the wall. "That will be all for today. Please remember that the midterm is next Wednesday, and that the problem set is due the following Friday. See you on Monday." All at once, the students stand up and begin to file out of the room.

Ash shakes his head in dismay. "I have no idea what he just said."

Brenda nods. "You're not alone."

Once everyone's left the lecture hall, Ash, Brock, and Brenda walk down to the front of the class. Blake glances at them as he gathers papers and asks, "You're all a little young to be students. What brings you here?"

Ash responds, "I'm here for a gym battle."

Blake sighs and sets down his papers. "Look, I hate to break it to you, but the Penum Gym is currently closed. I'm not accepting challengers. Haven't been for a while."

Ash objects, "That can't be right. We were told to come here."

Blake looks back to Ash. "Told by who?"

A voice announces, "By me."

Everyone looks to the source of the voice. The Opti City Gym Leader, Astrid, stands at the entrance.

Blake sighs. "Figures."

Ash asks in surprise, "Astrid, what are you doing here?"

As Astrid walks closer, she says, "Hi Ash, great to see you again. I'm sorry, I must confess that I had an ulterior motive for asking you to come here." She looks Blake. "This is the boy I told you about. He is one of the most passionate trainers I have ever met. Give him a chance. Battle him."

Blake crosses his arms. "You know I'm done with being a gym leader, and until the Tenno League selects a new one, the Penum Gym is closed."

Astrid objects, "Come on, Blake. Remember when we were kids? You wanting to be a gym leader is what encourage me to want to be one. Being a gym leader was your passion."

Blake nods. "Yes, but so is astrophysics. My job at the university takes too much of my time. I can't continue as gym leader."

Astrid jabs jokingly, "Come on, if I can handle being a gym leader and performing actual observational work in the real universe, surely you can do your theoretical mumbo jumbo while being a gym leader." She chuckles.

Blake glares at her, not with anger, but with annoyance—not resentful annoyance, but an almost playful annoyance. With a slight grin on his face, he jabs back, "Sure, because all you need to do is stare at the sky all night. Some of us have to do actual calculations." They both chuckle together.

Ash finally speaks up. "Could someone please explain what's going on?"

Astrid explains, "What I didn't tell you when I asked you to come here next was that Blake is my brother, and I thought that if he battled you, it would remind him how much he loves being a gym leader."

Blake goes back to packing his papers away in his bag. "Sis, I'm sorry. But I just can't be a gym leader any longer."

Astrid sighs. "Just give Ash a gym battle. One last battle as a gym leader. Then you can decide what you want to do moving forward."

Blake closes his bag. "I really can't."

Astrid pulls out a Pokéball. "Fine, then why don't we settle this like we used to? You battle me, and if I win, you battle Ash. You win, and I'll drop everything. Think about it this way. You win, I leave you alone; I win, you battle Ash, then it's up to you what you do, and I leave you alone. Either way, I'll stop bugging you."

Blake sighs. "Fine, for old time's sake, I'll battle you. But you have to swear you'll never bring this up again."

Brenda says, "Wow, this means that we get see two gym leaders battle. That's so cool!"

Ash comments, "I just hope Astrid wins…"

Who's that Pokémon!?

It electrifies its claws and tears its opponents apart with them. Even if they dodge its attack, they'll be electrocuted by the flying sparks.

Blake has led them back to the gym. He unlocks the door and lets everyone in. The inside of the gym is invocative of a lecture hall, with its bleachers that look more like layered desks, earthen colors, and brick with wood paneling architecture.

Everyone takes positions, Blake and Astrid on the battlefield, Ash, Brock, and Brenda in the bleachers.

In perfect unison, both Blake and Astrid pull out a Pokéball, throw it, and call their Pokémon. Astrid shouts, "Go, Yang-Xing!"

While Blake shouts, "Go, Yin-Xing!"

The same Pokémon Astrid used against Ash appears on her side, while a new Pokémon appears on Blake's It's very reminiscent of Yang-Xing, but is colored entirely black instead of white. Where Yang-Xing is canid in form, Yin-Xing is felid. Its tail is long and thin, while a thick mane of hair surrounds its upper body and neck. On either side of its body, at the spot where its front leg connects to its body, is a smooth and shiny white gemstone.

Ash says, "I remember Yang-Xing, but what's that other Pokémon?"

To answer the question, he consults the Pokédex. "Yin-Xing, the Dark Pokémon, and a Dark-Type. Yin-Xing is the opposite of Yang-Xing in every way. It is said to embody everything that is dark in the world. Evolves into Yin-Yang-Xing by merging with a Yang-Xing."

Brenda concludes, "So just like Astrid and Blake, Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing must be siblings."

Brock comments, "We're about to see a battle of polar opposites. Should be quite the show."

Astrid leaps right into action. "Yang-Xing, use Solar Force!" Yang-Xing crouches, moving its head low to the ground and raising its tail upwards. Its gem begins to glow, and from it flashes an intense pulse of golden light.

Blake counters calmly with, "Yin-Xing, Nightstorm." Yin-Xing stands on its hind legs, and from the gem on its shoulder, a burst of black shadows rushes out.

The two attacks meet mid-field and begin to swirl around each other, before annihilating each other in a burst of fluorescence.

Brock nods. "Just like I thought, those two Pokémon are equal and opposite forces. They completely cancel each other out."

Seeming to know this would happen, Astrid quickly follows up, "Get in close! Photonic Impact!" Yang-Xing rushes at its foe, and becomes cloaked in a harsh light.

Blake points out, "We've battled like this time after time. I know all your moves. This is pointless. Counter with Night Slash." Yin-Xing runs to meet Yang-Xing head-on, and slashes down with its claws. Both Pokémon are flung backwards as the colliding attacks create blowback.

After a moment of recovery, Blake says, "I guess we should take the offensive, if we want to win. Yin-Xing, give yourself cover with Darken."

"Yin!" As Yin-Xing shouts, the very light in the room seems to fade away, leaving behind an impenetrable darkness.

Through the darkness, Astrid is heard shouting, "You're not the only one who knows the other's moves! Yang-Xing, get rid of the darkness with Flash!" At first, Yang-Xing becomes visible, then an intense flash expels the darkness. However, Astrid quickly realizes that Yin-Xing is nowhere to be seen. "Huh!?"

Blake asserts, "You don't know all our moves. Do it, Yin-Xing."

Yin-Xing leaps at Yang-Xing from the side, prepared to attack with Night Slash.

Surprisingly, Astrid grins. "You may have surprised us, but that doesn't mean we don't have a counter ready! Use Swift!" Yang-Xing quickly launches a barrage of glowing stars at the incoming attacker, forcing Yin-Xing to instead use its Night Slash to fend off the attack.

Peeking in through a window is none other than Team Rocket, scheming as usual. Meowth starts to say something, but Jessie cuts him off, "No, don't say it. You think we should try to steal both of those Pokémon, even though I don't know why."

Meowth prepares to explain why, but Jessie cuts him off again. "And once again, don't tell me. You were about to tell us to imagine The Boss." And with this, Jessie launches into her own version of one of Meowth's Boss fantasies. "The Boss is up late at night, filling out his employee evaluation reports." Of note, the fantasy Giovanni is looking at a paper with a picture of Jessie, James, and Meowth. A's are marked across the paper. "But then the lightbulb in his lamp goes out." Giovanni is left in the dark. "Whatever shall he do?"

James posits, "Replace the lightbulb?"

Jessie snaps, "And why would he do that when he has the Yang-Xing we gifted him waiting for this very moment?" Yang-Xing leaps into the fantasy and uses its Flash to light the room, allowing Giovanni to go back to his paperwork. He draws pluses next to all the A's. Jessie continues, "But that's not all. Now it's the next morning, and due to how late The Boss had to stay up to complete his evaluations of a certain group of losers," she coughs, "Butch and Cassidy," she coughs again. "All The Boss wants to do is sleep in, but the light flooding in through his window is too bright. Whatever could he do?"

James suggests, "Close his curtains?"

"Of course not! He'd call in Yin-Xing to get rid of all that light!" Just like Yang-Xing before it, Yin-Xing leaps into the scene and uses Darken to make the room dark. "Then, as The Boss drifts peacefully back to sleep, he'll say, 'Not only has my late-night productivity gone way up, but so too has my peaceful sleep. For giving me this new peace of mind, I will ensure that Meowth and friends get a piece of my fortune."

The fantasy ends and Meowth looks surprised. He prepares to say something, but Jessie once more cuts him off. "I know, you couldn't have said it better yourself."

Meowth tries to say something else, but Wobbuffet appears and announces, "Wobbuffet!"

Back in the fight, after watching his most recent attack fail like the others, Blake sighs and commands, "It's time for a decisive blow, use Lunar Beam."

At the same time, Astrid is ordering, "Let's show them your power! Solar Beam!"

Both Pokémon begin to take energy into their gems, charging for their strongest attacks.

While they're charging, Brock comments, "Ash, I hope you're watching this closely. Blake is clearly the type to contemplate his each and every move. If it wasn't for Astrid knowing him so well, he would have taken down nearly any other opponent by now."

Ash is absorbed in watching the fight. He slowly nods. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing…"

In perfect sync, Blake and Astrid both shout, "Now!" Just as they shout in unison, but before the attacks are fired, both Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing both glow an intense white for a split moment.

While Yang-Xing unleashes an intense golden beam of light from its tail, Yin-Xing attacks with an equally impressive beam of purple shadows. When the two attacks collide, they amass into a swirling globule of light and dark. It pulsates several times, then explodes, blasting both Pokémon off their feet.

With worry, both siblings shout the name of their Pokémon. "Yang-Xing!"

"Yin-Xing!"

Once again, the Pokémon briefly flash, even while on the ground. Both Pokémon show that their trainers' concern for them was unneeded by getting up, ready to fight some more.

A smile comes to Blake's face. "It's been too long since we've battled like this, sister."

Astrid grins back. "Yes, it's just like the old times."

The Pokémon begin to glow again.

Astrid adds, "So does this change your mind? Have you been reminded of how much you love battling? Does it make you want to change your mind about this gym leader thing?"

Blake's smile turns to a frown. "I never denied I enjoyed battling. That just isn't the point." As he says this, the glowing of Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing abruptly cuts off.

Astrid stresses, "But it is the point! I won't let you give up what you love!"

Before the quarrel can go any further, it's interrupted by the earsplitting sound of shattering glass. One of the gym's large windows has been punched in by a large metal fist. Floating on the opposite side of the window is Team Rocket's balloon, outfitted with two robotic arms.

Ash leaps up, "Team Rocket!"

Jessie stands up from the balloon to announce, "Prepare for trouble, from a blinding light!"

James joins her, "Make it double in the darkest night!"

"To bring a shining glow to this dark place!"

"To embrace the shadows darker than space!"

"To shine bright enough to light up the night!"

"To bring a darkness and obscure all sight!"

"Dazzling light! Jessie!"

"Darkest night! James!"

"Team Rocket glitters with great brilliance!"

"Surrender now, our shade has great resilience!"

Meowth leaps up for his part, but is shoved aside by Wobbuffet, who shouts, "Wobbuffet!"

"Mime mime!"

Blake demands, "What is this!?"

Astrid explains, "These are those Team Rocket clowns I told you about, the ones who broke Cycloptic's lens."

He asks them, "And what do you think you're doing here?"

Meowth, more than ready to speak, prepares to explain, but James speaks up before he can. "Isn't obvious? We're here to do what we do best! Steal some prime Pokémon."

Meowth crosses his arms with annoyance. Then, with wordless resentment, he moves to activate some controls. The mechanical arms launch at Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing.

Ash and Blake both have the same thought at the same time. Ash leaps down from the bleachers, and both leap in-between the incoming arm and the Pokémon it's aimed at.

The arm ends up grabbing not just Ash and Blake, but the Pokémon too. As Ash is grabbed, his Pokéballs fall from his belt.

Jessie shouts, "We got them! Let's get out of here!"

Meowth prepares to make a celebratory remark, but James asserts, "No time for platitudes! Let's go!" Meowth resentfully drives the balloon away.

Pikachu shouts, "Pika-pi!" as it runs to the point below the broken window, attempting to catch Team Rocket, but it's no use.

Brock says, "Oh no, Ash!"

Brenda shouts, "We have to do something!"

Astrid says, "They got Blake and the Pokémon too. We have to go after them."

It's Zeraora!

Ash and Blake have been locked in a cage, while Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing are locked in a specialized containment unit, surrounded by a semi-transparent wall of gray energy. Team Rocket has brought them to a basecamp in the woods.

Yang-Xing attempts to break out with Solar Force. The light attack impacts the energy barrier, which immediately turns an opaque dark purple color as it absorbs the attack. Yin-Xing tries to do the same with Nightstorm, but this time the wall turns gold as it absorbs the shadowy attack.

Team Rocket is sitting down to a meal of canned food. James laughs. "Not going to happen. Those cages were specially built to contain light and dark Pokémon. No way you'll ever break out."

Ash shakes the bars of his cage vigorously. "Team Rocket, you'd better let us out of here!"

Jessie swallows a bite and laughs. "Or else what? You're just a hopeless twerp without any Pokémon or friends present to help break out. Face it, Twerp. You're trapped."

Ash continues to angrily shake away. Blake advises, "Ash, conserve your energy. These bars are solid."

Ash objects, "But we can't just give up."

Blake shakes his head. "I'm not suggesting you give up. Sometime a body in space will be trapped in what seems to be an inescapable orbit, only for it to be perturbed later in the orbit by a passing object."

Ash is unsure of how to respond to that. "What does that mean?"

Blake chuckles lightly. "I suppose it's my way of saying that good things come to those who wait."

Ash reluctantly crosses his arms and sits on the floor of his cage. "Okay, fine."

And so, they wait. It's now night, and Jessie and James have fallen asleep. Meowth wordlessly keeps watch on their captives. Blake is staring up at the night sky. He comments, "The stars really are beautiful. Despite how much I tease her about it, I can see why my sister wishes to observe them for a living."

Ash asks, "Why are you two fighting so much? From what I can tell, you really care about each other."

Blake sighs. "I think that's the problem. She cares a little too much about me. To tell the truth, she's not entirely wrong. I don't want to give up being gym leader, but I need to if I'm going to progress in my career as an astrophysicist. I don't have much of a choice."

Ash ponders something for a moment, then comments, "So you really are passionate about being a gym leader then, but your ultimate goal involves your work in astrophysics?"

Blake nods. "Yeah, that about sums it up."

"You know, I've got an ultimate goal, too. Something that I won't let anything get in the way of. One day I will be a Pokémon Master. Nothing will stop me."

"So you know what I mean when I say I have to choose between my goal and my passion, then."

"Actually, your situation kind of makes me think of one I used to be in. You see, back when I started my journey, challenging Pokémon gyms was just a way for me to achieve my goal, but somewhere along the line, they became more than that. The gym battle itself stopped being a means to an end and became something I was passionate about. They're important to me as way more than just a way to become a Pokémon Master. But, at one point in my journey, I got to a place where I decided I needed to branch out, try other ways to improve myself to become a Pokémon Master. First it was attending the Pokémon School in Alola, then it was traveling the world. While I was doing all that, I stopped participating in gym battles altogether. I could have still been finding gyms while traveling the world, but I didn't. I was focused fully on doing what I thought was best to help me become a Pokémon Master. In other words, I gave up on my passion in favor of my goal."

Blake slowly nods. "Clearly something changed, as you seek to battle my gym now."

Ash nods back, then looks up at the Moon. "Yeah. One day it just occurred to me. What's the point of becoming a Pokémon Master if I'm not getting there the way that I enjoy most? Being a Pokémon Master may be my ultimate goal, but I've also got to enjoy the way there as much as possible." Ash pauses to look back at Blake. "Look, I don't know much about astrophysics, and clearly you're dealing with some more serious life choices than I ever have, but I think your sister is right. And since she knows you better than anyone, if she thinks you can manage both, then you can manage both."

Blake takes a deep breath. "Ash Ketchum, you are wise beyond your years." He looks down and notices that Meowth has drifted off to sleep, leaving them unguarded.

Ash comments, "You're pretty wise yourself. What do we do now?"

Blake grins. "We don't need to do anything. They will."

On his cue, Astrid lead Brenda and Brock into Team Rocket's basecamp. She smiles at Blake and whispers, "Sorry about that, we had to wait until night for Cycloptic to able to track you down."

Blake grins. "Just glad to see you."

Pikachu runs to Ash and Blake's cage. "Pika-pi!" It leaps up and uses Iron Tail to break the lock. "Chu, pika!" The cage door swings open.

Ash steps out and grabs Pikachu. "Thanks for coming for me, buddy."

Blake steps out too, and says, "Okay, now all that's left is to get Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing out."

Astrid laughs. "That should be the easy part. I don't know why you haven't done it yet. Yang-Xing, use Photonic Impact."

Blake asserts, "No, don't!"

But it's too late. Yang-Xing does as its ordered and rams into the wall of the cage. The energy barrier turns dark purple once more as it absorbs the attack and forcefully sends Yang-Xing flying back against the opposite wall.

Blake says crossly, "Don't you think we already tried that? That cage was designed specifically to absorb light and dark attacks. Maybe if you stopped just looking at things on the surface, and started thinking about the underlying mechanics, you wouldn't have hurt Yang-Xing."

Astrid objects, "Hey, maybe if you would stop feeling the need to understand everything, you would stop overthinking things and actually do something right, rather than making choices that you're going to regret later."

Blake is about to argue back, but suddenly freezes. "We're not talking about freeing Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing anymore, are we?"

Astrid crosses her arms. "I don't know. Are we?"

Blake sighs. "Astrid, you're right."

She's ready to object, but then realizes what he said. "Wait… what…?"

"I said you're right. Maybe I was making my decision a little too soon. I can't make any promises, but I'm at least willing to battle Ash before I make my decision."

Astrid's eyes widen. "Really?"

Blake nods. "Yeah. You know me better than anyone, and if you think I can manage both my dream and my passion, than maybe I can. The least I owe you is to try." Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing have begun to glow like before, this time stronger than ever.

Astrid smiles. "Wow, what changed your mind?"

"You were right. It was Ash. That's why I want to battle him before I make my final decision."

"I can't wait to see that battle."

Brenda speaks up, "Um… guys…? What's going on with your Pokémon?"

Everyone looks over to the twin Pokémon to find them now completely enveloped in light, Yang-Xing in a harsh white, Yin-Xing in a deep black. Abruptly, the two Pokémon seem to be converted entirely into light and shadows, which then merge together, swirling around each other to form a yin-yang. There's a flash of light, which, once subsided, leaves behind one Pokémon where there was once two. The Pokémon seems to be a fusion of the two yin and yang Pokémon, now forming a complete yin-yang. It's split right down its middle, with one half resembling Yin-Xing, and other Yang-Xing. It has two tails, the white and fluffy tail of Yang-Xing with the black gem, and the black straight tail of Yin-Xing. It maintains the mane of Yin-Xing, but the white gemstone that used to be situated on its side is now on top of its head.

Brock exclaims, "No way, Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing evolved into Yin-Yang-Xing."

Ash checks his Pokédex. "Yin-Yang-Xing, the Balance Pokémon, and a Dark and Light Combo-Type. Upon reaching maturity, a pair of Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing will merge together to form this Pokémon. It's said to represent balance and unity. Evolves from Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing fusing together."

Brock says, "This is great, Yin-Xing and Yang-Xing are polar opposites. They only merge together like this when they're perfectly in-sync. And since Pokémon are a reflection of their trainer, this only happened because you two worked out your differences."

Astrid and Blake both smile. Astrid says, "That's great, but it still doesn't solve our problem."

Blake gets an idea. "Wait, maybe it does. That cage could absorb light and dark energy individually, but maybe it can't handle both at once."

Astrid nods. "Yeah, that could work. Shall we?"

"Yes, let's."

Together they command, "Yin-Yang-Xing, use Chaos Burst!"

"Yin-Yang!" Yin-Yang-Xing's two gems begin to glow, the black gem white, and the white gem black. First an intense burst of white energy blasts from the black gem, which is immediately followed by an equally intense burst of black energy explodes from the white gem. The light attack hits the wall first, turning it purple, but then the dark attack hits. The cage tries to adapt but can't manage both attacks at once. It begins to rapidly blink back and forth between gold and purple, then disintegrates away.

The noise of the cage breaking down wakes up the sleeping Jessie and James. James shouts, "It's a jail break!"

Jessie kicks the sleeping Meowth. "Hey, what gives? You were on guard duty!"

Meowth is about to defend himself, but Jessie doesn't give him the chance. "Don't even try. We'll discuss this later."

Jessie and James throw their Pokéballs to send out Buzzsaw and Haking.

Ash and Pikachu step forward to battle, but Astrid and Blake step in front of him. Blake says, "How about you let us handle this?"

Ash nods.

Astrid says, "You start things off."

Blake nods. "Yin-Yang-Xing, use Nightstorm!" The Pokémon leaps up and attacks with a Nightstorm from its white gem.

Jessie and James both shout, "Dodge!" Their Pokémon leap out of the way.

Jessie adds, "Buzzsaw, use Night Slash!" Buzzsaw flies at the opposing Pokémon from the side.

Astrid orders, "Now use Solar Force!" The yin-yang Pokémon pivots to the side and blasts Buzzsaw away with a burst of light.

James attempts to provide back up. "Haking, use Sludge Bomb!"

Blake counters, "Night Slash!" Yin-Yang-Xing leaps up, slashes through the sludge, and continues on to slash its claws down on Haking, knocking it back as well.

The siblings look to each other and communicate wordlessly. In perfect sync they order, "Now put an end to this! Chaos Burst!" Just like before, the merged Pokémon attacks simultaneously with both the powers of light and dark. The dual-natured attack strikes Team Rocket and their Pokémon, sending them hurtling away.

Jessie and James shout, "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" Meowth would have joined, but he's tumbling so much that he's unable to speak up. He manages to stabilize and is about to add something, but before he can, they all disappear in a flash.

Brenda exclaims, "Wow, that was so cool! You two were in perfect unison! I've never seen anything like it!"

Blake chuckles. "I think that's the first time in a long time that could be said about us."

Astrid adds, "But when we do get in sync, we're a force to be reckoned with."

Blake turns to Ash. "So, Ash, you still want that gym battle?"

Ash smiles. "You bet I do, and after seeing that, I can't wait for it."

Blake smiles back. "In that case, we'll battle tomorrow. I think I can fit you in before my afternoon lecture."

Ash holds up an arm. "Alright."

It seems Ash has inspired yet another on his journey towards becoming a Pokémon Master, and brought a brother and sister back together. And now we find ourselves on the eve of his penultimate Tenno gym battle. Stay tuned!

To Be Continued…