The world of Pokémon. Vast, explored and unexplored…there are still many mysteries lingering throughout the world that have yet to be explained. There are those who delve into Pokémon research for the benefit of the world, while there are also those who use their findings for evil…

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Within a lab in an undisclosed location, several scientists were testing something on a Tyranitar. This beast didn't seem too pleased to be confined and trashed about in the containment tube, worrying some of the scientist. "I don't understand why the boss left this thing with us…he knows it's a monster…!" A scientist mumbled.

"I am aware…" Ein spoke. The former scientist from the Cipher Organization spoke. The male remained calm despite the angry Tyranitar, this wasn't his first time dealing with Pokémon of that nature. Though he did have worries of a worst case scenario occurring. "Should things get bad, we will just resort to that one method. Everything is fine, we have contingency plans."

"Haaaaaa…" This voice also belonged to a member of Cipher; Lovrina. This teenage girl waved her hand before placing her hands on her hips. "Ein, please be a dear and hurry it up. The boss is getting a little impatient…."

"Don't rush my genius. I've been in this situation before, Lovrina." Ein spoke with some agitation in his voice. Soon, a red alert started to sound as the Tyranitar became uncooperatively violent, smashing its head against the glass and causing it to crack. "Tch…! It's trying to break out! Everyone, evacuate!" Right as Ein made this order, Tyranitar unleashed a Hyper Beam upon the containment unit, resulting in a large scale explosion…

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Ash and his companions, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie, happened to run into another group of three trainers at the Pokémon center, and were now using the battlefield in the back: A male with black hair and blue eyes, a female with brown hair and blue eyes, and another, shorter female with blond hair and green eyes. Marcus, Grace, and Kasumi, respectively. Whenever trainers met, it was always the first instinct to greet one another with a battle, and Ash was of course always raring to go! "All right then…!" Marcus was serving as the referee for this match; Ash on one end, Kasumi on the other. "This will be a one-on-one! The battle is over when one pokemon is unable to battle!"

"Pikachu! I choose you!" Ash exclaimed with a grin on his face. On that cue Pikachu hopped from his shoulder and landed on the battlefield in a battle ready position, electricity sparking from his red cheeks.

"Pikachu? It's so cute!" Kasumi chirped before pulling out a pokeball from the belt around her skirt. "Okay! Dragonite, take the stage!" Throwing the capsule forward, it opened up, a bright white light emitting from the open ball before revealing Dragonite; the dragon Pokémon let out a powerful roar before turning its gaze to Pikachu.

"Whoa! It's huge…!" Bonnie's eyes widened at the Dragonite, giving a large grin at it.

"A Dragonite…you don't see those often…" Clemont said while adjusting his glasses. "It certainly looks like a strong opponent…"

"Dragonite…" Serena pulled out her pokedex, pointing it to the Dragonite.

'Dragonite: The Dragon Pokemon. Dragonite is said to live in the sea. With its small wings and large body, it is known to fly faster than the speed of sound.'

"Wow…" Serena's eyes lit up at the Dragonite. "It seems really strong."

"Practically the strongest Dragonite I've seen." Grace said while wagging her finger, giving a somewhat sly grin.

"Are both trainers ready…?" Marcus held his hand up, looking between Ash and Kasumi, both of which gave a nod. "Then begin!"

Trainer Battle: Ash vs. Kasumi! 1 v 1: Pikachu vs. Dragonite!

"All right! Pikachu, let's go! Quick Attack!" Ash pointed his hand forward as he and his longtime partner made the first move. With a firm nod, Pikachu rushed forward with incredible speed, darting towards Dragonite while closing the distance rapidly.

"Not so fast!" Kasumi exclaimed. "Dragonite, Heat Wave!" Dragonite wasted no time in rearing its wings back before flapping them forcefully. This caused a powerful wave of heat to fly forward in Pikachu's direction. The opposing force of the Heat Wave slowed Pikachu down considerably and he had come to a halt to hold his ground. "There! Now, Dragon Pulse!" Dragonite then gathered energy in its mouth; opening up to release a multicolored beam of energy that took the shape of a roaring dragon, and it was aimed directly for Pikachu.

The Heat Wave subsided, though Pikachu was only to get right out of the frying pan and into the oven! Dragon Pulse was rapidly approaching; however Ash already had a plan in mind. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachuuu!" Lightning surged around Pikachu's body briefly before shooting towards the incoming Dragon Pulse. The two attacks clashed for a second before ending in a stalemate of an explosion, creating a cloud of smoke.

"Now, Iron Tail!" With the smoke as cover, Ash commanded Pikachu to make the next move. Following up quickly, Pikachu leapt into the air with his tail glowing a bright white light. Before Kusumi or Dragonite could react, Pikachu slammed his solid-steel tail into Dragonite's skull, crushing it into the ground just as the smoke cleared.

"Dragonite, are you okay?!" Kasumi questioned with widened eyes from the direct hit, but Dragonite stood up and nodded, doing its best to shrug off the powerful hit. "Whew, okay!"

The sound of battle attracted a few others from inside the center. Two more females emerged; one with blue hair and hazel eyes, wearing an outfit quite similar to one of those Sinnoh Ace trainers. "What's going on here…?"

Not too far away from the Pokémon Center, another blonde female happen to be watching the battle occurring. Her eyes however were glued to the Dragonite battling Pikachu, quirking a brow at it. "Huh…"

"Dragon Rush!" With that command, multicolored energy surrounded Dragonite's being and it flew forward with the aura of a dragon around its body. It dove directly towards Pikachu with incredible speed.

"Jump over it with Iron Tail!" Ash commanded. Pikachu darted forward, nearly meeting Dragonite halfway before slamming his tail into the ground, propelling high into the air behind and over Dragonite; precisely what Ash was aiming for. "Now! Electro Ball!"

"Pika…!" On the tip of his tail, Pikachu began to form a sphere of electricity that he prepared to launch right at Dragonite.

"I won't let you!" Kasumi spoke with a sudden grin. "Dragonite, Aqua Tail!" Dragonite stopped its charge, allowing the energy from around its body to disperse before pointing its tail up at Pikachu. Several wings of water shot forth from its tail and caught Pikachu all the way up in the air, keeping him trapped temporarily.

"Wha…!?" Ash couldn't believe it!

"No way…!" Serena was in just as much shock.

"Now, slam it down!" Kasumi commanded. On that cue, Dragonite let out a roar before slamming Pikachu down into the battlefield, causing the ground to shake slightly from impact.

"Pi…" Pikachu was on all fours, panting heavily while trying to get his bearings straight. It seemed that moving was difficult for the little mouse at the moment.

"Let's finish it! Dragon Rush!" Once more, Dragonite bolted towards Pikachu with a powerful aura around its body.

"Pikachu, dodge it with Quick Attack!" Ash commanded, and Pikachu, as always, did his best to comply. However he winced and that one second of being unable to move spelt the end. Dragonite slammed into Pikachu and sent him flying into a nearby stone well, swirls in his eyes to signify the KO.

"Pikachu is unable to battle! Dragonite is the victor! Which means…!" Marcus was going to continue, however he was halted by Kasumi.

"Hold on now…!" Kasumi shook her head, leaving the others confused. Especially Ash as he carried Pikachu from the wall to the bench to rest up. "I want a little more from you. That was kinda fun…so one more Pokémon, please?"

"She's making those eyes again…" Grace said while pinching the bridge of her nose. "She better not be trying to do 'that'…that's the last thing we need to deal with now…"

"If it happens I don't know if I should call it or not…" Marcus sighed before complying to Kasumi's request. "Well…if Ash wants to then I don't see the problem…"

"Well…" Admittedly, it was a little strange to change the rules like this. But he didn't mind! "Sure!" Ash nodded before pulling out another pokeball. "Greninja, let's go!" From this capsule, Greninja appeared, crossing its arms while staring at Dragonite. Both of these Pokémon gave one another an intense stare…

Kasumi paused for a moment, being able to detect something oddly familiar about the Greninja before them. "This Greninja…I feel something from it…it makes me excited. Okay, Dragonite, let's give this one our all too, no one can beat us at our best!" Dragonite nodded firmly and got into position.

"Heh…" Ash smirked at Kasumi's confidence; it reminded him of his own and that got his battle spirit flaring. "Let's go, Greninja!"

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Roughly about half a mile from the Pokemon Center, a group of masked people in colored suits set up a small base camp. One of them opened up a map, pointing to the Pokemon Center not too far off. "This is the target. The boss wishes for us to take as many Pokémon as we possibly can. As long as we come back with results, the amount does not matter."

"This is fine…" A female nodded. "We're going to be in and out. If anyone opposes us in this operation, then they will meet their end, simple as that. Does anyone have any questions?" Within their small group, everyone gave several nods of affirmation. With that…the mission was set to start.

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Next Time: Assault!