Disclaimer: I am back! Back to writing! Back to taking all these stories forward! Back for good! Also, I don't own Pokémon.

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Chapter 10: Relax! Pikachu's Old Nemesis!

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Ash and co. were almost in Vermillion city, they could see the city from the top of the hilly region they were walking on.

"So, Vermillion! Our last stop in Kanto, that is, if we don't run into Team Rocket again." Ash remarked.

"It's relieving, knowing that we stopped Team Rocket and foiled their plan, and probably it's good news they haven't resurfaced since their failure." May sighed.

"MAYBE. It just might be the silence before the storm!" Max exclaimed.

"Don't be a buzzkill, Max, no one likes it!" Misty complained.

"Hey, I was just putting out my opinion!" Max protested, folding his arms. Ash's eyes lit up. He felt pumped up for more of Team Rocket's crazy antics and slipped into the fantasies of how he will be defeating them again, drooling.

"Uh, Ash, are you okay?" May asked worriedly. Ash snapped off his dreams and shook his head.

"Yeah, I am alright, Max is not wrong, you know, Team Rocket may still appear somewhere." Ash said, rubbing his head sheepishly. Max grinned at Misty who scoffed.

"Enough about Team Rocket! I am tired, can we just rush to Vermilion Pokémon Center, I need to rest!" cried Dawn. No one else said a word, they just nodded and rushed off to the city, leaving Dawn in the dust.

"I didn't mean literally!" Dawn shouted, before running off in the others' direction.

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Our gang reached Vermilion city in no time. They all headed to the Pokémon Center to rest for a while, before deciding what they had to do next. All of them were exhausted from the constant worry of Team Rocket's next move. Well, most of them were. Ash was still running scenarios through his head about how Team Rocket will get them back.

Dawn didn't understand why they had dragged themselves into this ruckus with Team Rocket, they were not affected by whatever Team Rocket was planning. But, since they had got themselves into this mess, she was up for any battle they had to fight with those grunts.

While everyone was dozing off in their rooms, tired, Ash was still up, late at night, thinking what he had to prioritize, stopping Team Rocket, or, heading to Mt. Quena? He was also finding it strange that Team Rocket started acting up just when he was heading to Mt. Quena, it was no coincidence. What was their motive? He decided to do some research on the past, he needed answers. He got up and went to the library, late at night, searching for history books.

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The next morning, everyone got ready, had their breakfast, and met up at the entrance of the Pokémon Center.

"So, what's the plan?" Dawn asked, hanging her backpack.

"Max, check when our ship's departure is," ordered May. Max took down his bag and took out a vibrant looking ticket.

"According to this ticket, our ship leaves tonight, we still have plenty of free time!" Max exclaimed. May noticed Ash was not paying attention to all of them.

"Is something wrong, Ash?" She inquired. Ash shook his head, hearing his name.

"Huh? Oh, nothing, May, I was just wondering if we all should be leaving Kanto after the encounters with Team Rocket so soon…" Ash said, heading back to his thoughts.

"Ash is right, you know, maybe, some of us should stay behind to handle Team Rocket, right?" Brock asked. Most of the others nodded. They knew that all of them leaving Kanto would certainly be bad if Team Rocket appeared again.

"So, who all are willing to stay in Kanto?" Ash asked. Most of the others glared at each other.

"I guess, I have no problem staying here…" Tracey started.

"Yeah, I guess I don't have a problem too!" Max informed.

"So, it's decided! Tonight, the rest of us will leave for Goldenrod and Max and Tracey will stay behind." Ash sighed. Everyone else seemed to be in accordance to the plan.

"So, since we have a full last day here in Kanto, what should we do?" Misty asked.

"I heard that there is a Pokémon Contest being organized today!" LJ informed. May and Dawn's eyes gleamed.

"I am signing up for the Contest! I can use some practice!" May exclaimed.

"Me too!" Dawn joined in.

"I don't think I will be joining the Contest, besides, I have an old rival to meet, Brock, come with me?" Ash asked.

"Sure, I would like to meet him again too." Brock said and Ash and Brock went off.

"What are they upto?" Max asked. Misty squinted her eyes at them, surprised that they forgot she was also with them the last time they were here.

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"Hey, Brock?" Ash asked.

"Yeah?"

"Last night, I did some research on our world's history and found something…" Ash trailed off.

"Found what?" Brock inquired. Ash took out a book from his bag, dusted it off a little and opened a page he had bookmarked.

"This! It says here that earlier humans had certain abilities, which was why we were always the dominant species on our planet. Different families had different powers, Axels had mind controlling powers, Dortons had psychic abilities, Mansons had enormous strength." Ash informed.

"Yeah, I have read that book, what is your point, Ash?" Brock interrupted.

"Well, it says that somehow, we lost such abilities, until only Axels remained with their abilities and then the rest of the humans enraged by their loss killed them!"

"Ash, get to the point!"

"Well, maybe, I think, some Axel survived because the logo which this book has for them is quite similar to the one I saw on Anderson."

"What?! You are telling me Anderson may have mind controlling powers?!" Brock was baffled.

"I can't be sure, but I think that is pretty much the case…" Ash said.

"So, is that why you wanted to meet Surge? About the war?" Brock was finally seeing the reason as to why Ash wanted to revisit Lt. Surge.

"Yeah! Also, as of now, don't tell the others about our conversation, it would just be panic for us, until we are sure, I think you should keep this a secret, okay?" Ash confirmed. Brock nodded, smiling. He was glad that Ash trusted him with such an important secret.

"Sure, Ash, you can count on me! I guess we should hurry before challengers come for Surge." Brock joked. Ash chuckled and they both went on towards the Vermilion Gym.

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"Guys, we are here!" May and Dawn exclaimed simultaneously. While Ash and Brock went on their own, rest of the group decided to attend and compete in the Pokémon Contest. It was not just a Pokémon Contest, it was a special Pokémon Contest! It was like Wallace Cup of Sinnoh, but in Kanto. It was the 'PokéConQuest' which was a special contest held all across Kanto each year and gave a special prize at the end.

"So, who all are going to sign up?" May asked.

"Me!" Dawn exclaimed.

"I guess I'll take a shot at this too." LJ sighed.

"Well, since rest of the girls are going, I might try this too." Misty shrugged.

"All right, let's go!" May exclaimed and the girls all went on for their signups. Max and Tracey felt a bit bad as the girls didn't even remember that they were also present. They both walked towards the stands, disappointed.

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"Is anyone home?" Ash shouted, opening up the Vermilion Gym's door.

"Uh, we are sorry, we are not open for challengers right now, the League is coming up soon…" came announcing a man who survived the war!

It was Lt. Surge, the man himself, he stopped in his tracks, looking at the visitor. "ASH?! PIKACHU!" He shrieked.

"Hey man, long time no see!" Ash said, waving his hand, not exactly sure how he should respond.

"If it isn't the man who proved that Evolution and progress are very different…" Lt. Surge claimed while crossing his arms. "Oh, Brock, you are back too! What brings you guys back here?"

Ash shot Brock a quick glance. "Well, we sort of started on a new journey and we are leaving Vermilion today, for Johto and since we were free, we thought that we might pay you a visit. How's the gym doing?"

"It's a little down right now, with the League Conference coming up, but ever since we fought, Raichu got a lot stronger and faster, your Pikachu might not be able to keep up with him now."

"Is that a challenge? There's only one way to find out, right?" Ash asked. Brock smirked.

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu imitated Ash

"Oh, Bring it on!" Lt. Surge said, clinching his fist.

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"Tracey, do we really want to spend our last day with everyone watching the girls perform in a contest?" Max asked.

"When you put it like that, I think we should be doing something else, right?" Tracey questioned.

"Right, so, should we head over to Ash and Brock? They might be doing something fun." Max wondered. "But I don't know where they are…"

"Don't worry, I have an idea where they might be. Let's get going!" Tracey said and both of them walked out of the stands of the Contest Hall.

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"Are we all signed up?" May asked. Dawn and LJ nodded.

"I am going to be right back, just have to submit this form." Misty said and raced through the locker room.

"This will be fun!" Dawn exclaimed. "Piplup and I have been waiting for something like this, right Piplup?" Dawn said.

"Lup!" Piplup nodded.

"I know who I am using today, come on out…" May said, throwing a Pokéball in the air.

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"This will be a one vs. one Pokémon Battle, when one side's Pokémon faints, they lose. On my right, at the challenger's side is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. On my left is the Gym Leader, Lt. Surge." Brock announced, being the stand-in referee.

Ash and Pikachu were looking at Lt. Surge and his Raichu. Pikachu and Raichu were smirking at each other.

"BEGIN!" Brock shouted.

"All right, Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash exclaimed and Pikachu made his way to the battlefield.

"Raichu, you're up!" Lt. Surge said and Raichu took his designated spot.

"Pikachu, use Agility." Ash said. Pikachu started running around Raichu. He soom became a blur. "Now, Slam!" Out of the circle Pikachu created around Raichu, he jumped out and slammed Raichu.

"I see you still got that signature Pikachu speed, but, we have a few aces up our sleeves as well!" Lt. Surge said. "Raichu, Close Combat." Raichu got up and his hands glowed bright as he punched Pikachu rapidly.

"No! Pikachu, get out of there!" Ash exclaimed but Pikachu was pretty beaten up to dodge.

"Now, Raichu, Volt Tackle!" Lt. Surge ordered. Raichu jumped away from a fallen down Pikachu and started running towards him, electricity surrounding him.

"Pikachu, jump." Ash ordered. As Raichu was about to hit Pikachu, he jumped and Raichu stopped in his tracks. "Now, Iron Tail!" Ash said and Pikachu's tail glowed like steel as he hit Raichu, who skidded on the ground.

"Pikachu is still faster than Raichu, I guess that Agility in the beginning helped." Lt. surge acknowledged. "Raichu, it's about time, use Agility."

"Raichu can use Agility too?" Ash asked, surprised at the revelation.

"You think you are the only one who can go faster?" Lt. Surge said. "We are just getting started, Ash!"

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"So, where would Ash and Brock be?" Max said as he and Tracey were walking down the pavement of the Contest Hall.

"At the Gym, from what I have known them." Tracey informed. Suddenly, they noticed two painters and a Meowth by the side of the road. "Don't they seem awfully familiar?"

"Who, the painters? Now that you mention it, they really do. ESPECIALLY, the Meowth." Max said. "Do you think we can get some info on Team Rocket's next plans from them?"

"There's only one way to find out." Tracey said and they both walked over to the not-so-painters. "If it isn't my favorite villain trio!"

"What?" The purple-headed painter asked in a fake voice. "Villain trio? I see you are mistaken, young man."

"Don't. We know who you are and don't even dare to do your theme song right now!" Max ordered.

"All right, what do you twerps want?" James asked, taking off his disguise.

"We can talk somewhere else?" Tracey asked.

"Why should we help you people?" Meowth asked.

"If you don't, I will set my Slaking and Makuhita on you, if you don't want that, you better help us." Max warned.

"Ugh, fine, we will help you, what do you want?" Jessie questioned, her stomach gurgled. She sheepishly rubbed her head. "Can we get something to eat first?"

Max and Tracey looked at each other in disbelief.

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"May, you are up next, are you ready?" Misty asked.

"Yes, I already have my outfit ready, Blaziken's ready, right?" May asked.

"Ken" Blaziken agreed.

"Let's go!" May exclaimed, tapped a PokéBall on Blaziken's head which took him in.

"The next contestant is May from Littleroot Town!" Announced the MC. The judges were Mr. Contesta, Mr. Sukizo and Vermilion City's Nurse Joy herself. May rushed to the stage and waved to the audience which cheered in response. Some of the people recognized May from the past contests.

"Blaziken, take the stage!" May announced and out came Blaziken, roaring.

"Use Stone Edge!" May ordered and Blaziken suddenly made big rocks appear out of nowhere. "Use Brick Break on the rocks!" Blaziken's right hand glowed white as he smashed the rocks to pebbles which flew high into the air. "Now, Overheat!" Blaziken's body glowed a fierce yellow as all the pebbles turned to meteors coming down and it looked like a beautiful meteor shower.

"Wow, what a performance, using only 3 moves, May has won over the judges as well as the audience!" the MC announced as May ordered Blaziken to return to his Pokéball.

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"Raichu, use Swift!" Lt. Surge ordered as Raichu swirled its tail towards Pikachu, stars shooting out of the glowing tail. Pikachu tried to dodge but the stars shot him, vanishing on the spot. "Even if you are fast, you can't dodge this now, can you?" Surge grinned.

Ash gritted his teeth, "All right, Pikachu, use Electro Ball.", he ordered. Pikachu jumped and swirled in air and a ball of yellow electricity formed on the tip of his tail which he directed towards Raichu.

"Raichu, jump on that ball!" Lt. Surge ordered.

"What?" Ash thought.

"Now, Brick Break!" Surge shouted and Raichu jumped off the electric ball, his arms glowing white. Raichu hit Pikachu on his head with the glowing arm, grinning.

"Quick thinking on the feet." Brock acknowledged.

Surge and Raichu grinned as Pikachu struggled to get up, scratches all over his body.

"Pikachu, you okay?" Ash asked.

"Pika" Pikachu replied focused on Raichu.

"Don't get your hopes high, Surge, the main battle has just begun!" Ash exclaimed. "Volt Tackle, Pikachu!"

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"Ah, I am full!" Meowth exclaimed, petting his belly. Jessie and James also were doing the same. Tracy and Max shot each other a look.

"All right, now, tell us what Team Rocket's plan is." Max ordered.

"What, plan? You mean the…" James started but was hit by Jessie. "Ow…"

"Plan? About what?" Jessie acted.

"Don't play any games, we know you are planning something," Tracy stopped her. "Now, just tell us what it is you guys are after!"

"Look, fine, we will tell you what we know, all we know is, Team Rocket is about to do something related to an old legend. That's all we know." Jessie informed.

"Legend? What could that be?" Max thought.

"We need to go to the library." Tracy said, seeing the villainous trio was not in front of him, he looked around, Meowth was just rushing out of the restaurant.

"THANKS FOR THE MEAL, TWERPS!" He exclaimed and rushed out, laughing.

"It's fine, let them go, they aren't a major threat right now." Max said, pulling Tracy by his shoulder. "We should head to the library."

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"Our next contestant is Misty of Cerulean City!" MC announced as Misty came out in a shiny, glittering dress.

"Come on out, Starmie!" Misty ordered and threw a Pokéball in the air out of which a wooden-like purple star appeared, with a red crystal at its middle. It spinned until it reached the ground.

"Starmie, use Bubble!" Misty ordered and Starmie jumped and surrounded itself with bubbles. "Now, Water Gun!" Starmie shot water from all of her ends and the bubbles popped making it a beautiful drizzle of rain drops. "Use Swift, now!" Starmie shot stars and it appeared as if a meteor shower occurring in rain.

"Wow, the image of a night sky was beautifully instilled by that Starmie in our eyes, good job, Misty!" The announcer shouted as Misty took off the stage.

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Pikachu ran towards Raichu and electricity surrounded him. He hit Raichu and a blast brewed. Raichu tried to stay in place but was pushed back by the force. He looked tired.

"All right, time to show our new moves, Raichu! Electro Ball!" Surge ordered and Raichu jumped in the air.

"WHAT?! Pikachu, use Electro Ball!" Ash was baffled. Pikachu jumped in the air too.

Raichu and Pikachu threw the balls of electricity at each other at the same time, as a result, a blast brewed. Both the Pokémon were blown away but they stood on their feet.

"Raichu, Volt Tackle!" Surge exclaimed.

"Not this! Pikachu, dodge using Agility!" Ash ordered and Pikachu started running around from place to place at a very fast pace. Raichu began running towards Pikachu with electricity covering him but just as he was about to hit Pikachu, he vanished from his place and Raichu missed.

"Drat." Surge complained.

"It's not only you who has new moves, get ready for the end of this!" Ash exclaimed. "Pikachu, it's time for…"

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"Max, did you find something?" Tracy asked.

"Uhh, I don't think any of these proven myths can be of any use." Max said. "We need more info on Team Rocket's plan on where they might attack next."

"Well, at least we somewhat know what they are after." Tracy said. "Maybe we can deduce their aim from their previous targets?"

"Let's see, A Fossil Ressurector, a PokéFriender?" Max said. "I think I saw something about a rumored legendary Pokémon here somewhere, here!" Max recalled flipping through the pages of a book. "Look, it says there was a rogue very powerful Legendary that was destroying cities, regions until one day, it simply vanished."

"They are trying to resurrect a rogue Legendary? Why?" Tracy asked.

"They might be after controlling it and try to go for World Domination like every evil organization." Max suggested.

"It might be exactly that, but still, something seems off, they might be planning something much more. We need to inform the others about this."

"So, I guess we should head back to the Contest?" Max asked, Tracy nodded.

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"After that marvelous performance, we have Dawn from Twinleaf Town!" MC announced and the 'Princess of Sinnoh' stepped on to the stage.

"Piplup, Here we go!" Dawn announced, tossing a Pokéball out of which the Penguin Pokémon jumped out.

"Use Whirlpool!" Dawn ordered and Piplup created a Whirlpool on the tip of its beak. "Now, BubbleBeam!" Piplup let bubbles round up from the whirlpool. The bubbles shot straight up and as they reached the top, they burst, drizzling. "Now, use Rapid Spin!" Piplup started spinning very fast. "Finish it with Water Gun." Piplup shot a beam of water and it swirled and covered it.

Dawn and Piplup both did a gesture and as Piplup emerged from the water, it looked majestic.

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"Return!" Ash ordered as balls of energy flew from Ash to Pikachu and he ran towards Raichu, hitting him. Even then, Raichu stood straight. He wasn't ready to give up just yet.

"All right, your final blow didn't quite end it, but ours definitely will!" Surge exclaimed. "Use ThunderPunch!" Raichu ran towards Pikachu, jumped and from mid-air, shot down towards Pikachu with an arm glowing yellow.

"Pikachu, dodge and use Quick Attack!" Ash ordered just as Raichu was about to hit Pikachu. Pikachu rushed away and back towards Raichu, hitting him with his head.

"Wow, you waited till the last moment for that?" Surge was surprised.

"Can say that Agility really helped." Ash informed, grinning.

Both the Pokémon stood at opposite sides, tired, panting. Both had bruises all over their bodies, aching a lot. Both of them grinned.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash and Surge ordered in unison and both the Pokémon shot a beam of electricity from their cheeks and a blast brewed and as the dust cleared, one of the warriors had swirls in his eyes, fallen while the other stood triumphant.

"All right, we did it, Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed and ran to his partner whom he hugged.

"Pikaaa…" Pikachu dozed off in Ash's arms.

"You tried your best buddy, I guess we lost again." Surge said, leaning to his Raichu. "Get some rest buddy." Surge said and put his partner back in his Pokéball.

"Well, Ash, you are a true soldier, you planned out every step you took, right till the end, a commendable job indeed!" Surge exclaimed, praising Ash.

"Thanks… I guess?" Ash sheepishly replied.

"Ash, I guess we should get going?" Brock asked.

"Uh, right! Thanks for the battle again, Lt. Surge!" Ash exclaimed, putting his hand out.

"Thank you for yet another memorable battle, soldier." Surge replied and they shook hands and then Ash and Brock bid adieu to their old friend.

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"Now, our final contestant, LJ from Littleroot Town of the Hoenn Region!" MC announced as LJ took on her spot.

"It's time, Leafeon!" LJ announced as her Eeveelution came out of its Pokéball.

"Use Magical Leaf!" LJ ordered and rainbow colored leafs appeared out of nowhere and they surrounded Leafeon. "Now, Stun Spore!" Leafeon shot a golden powder which paralyzed the leaves in their place. "Razor Leaf, now." Leafeon again made leaves appear out of nowhere and they cut through the leaves previously stopped in their places and the rainbow colored leaves fell down in small shard like structures.

"Beautiful leaves converted into a rainbow drizzle, a new way of using Stun Spore brilliantly!" the MC exclaimed. "And with that, we come to the end of Round I! We will be announcing the 32 coordinators shortlisted for the next round shortly!"

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"Hey, Ash and Brock!" Tracy exclaimed as he walked towards the Contest Hall.

"Oh, Tracy, Max! I thought you guys would be in the Contest Hall already." Brock said.

"We went out and got some new information." Max informed.

"New information? About what?" Ash asked.

"About Team Rocket's plans." Tracy said.

"What? Whoa, how?" Brock asked.

Tracy and Max informed Brock and Ash about their eventful day with Jessie, James and Meowth and the library.

"Whoa, that's some solid info." Ash said.

"Maybe we can do something more about it?" Tracy asked.

"Like?" Max asked.

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"How did I do guys?" LJ asked as she returned to the locker room.

"You did great, I am sure you will get through to the next round!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Guys, we were all caught up so much in our own performances, we really didn't see who else was in the Contest, right?" May asked.

"Yeah, I suppose you are right." Misty said.

"Well, I just came from the other locker room and I saw some familiar faces, Dawn, we should take a look." May said.

"You don't mean that…" Dawn said and May nodded.

"We need to confirm right now!" Dawn exclaimed and they both headed off to the next locker room.

They tried to sneak a peek. "Well, what do we have here?" A familiar voice asked.

"Ugh, Ursula! You are here?" Dawn asked, annoyed. Oh, Zoey, you are here, too? Awesome!"

"Dawn! Long time no see!" Zoey exclaimed.

"Drew, how have you been?" May asked to the green-haired boy.

"Oh, May, you are here, I expected you to be here, honestly. I haven't seen you in a long time." Drew replied.

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"From the looks of it, there is still a lot of time the girls will stay in the Contest Hall, instead of sitting and cheering for them, could we be doing something else, it's our last day here after all." Brock suggested.

"That seems fair, after all, the girls know we are always rooting for them!" Ash exclaimed.

"Hey, I am hungry, maybe we should go to the Contest Hall for some food, then we can go out?" Tracy asked.

"I am hungry too, let's go." Max said and they both walked into the Contest Hall.

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"I would like some…" Tracy said and as the vendor turned to him, he noticed him from the previous painter outfit. "Looks like we meet again! You could have at least used a different outfit!"

"Hey, you don't know how much these cost!" James exclaimed.

"Guys, look who I found!" Tracy shouted and Ash, Max and Brock followed.

"Hey, maybe, we can get some more info!" Max exclaimed.

"Uh, I need to get going for the audience, kids, if you will move along." James acted.

"All right, its over, let's go." Ash ordered and they dragged James out.

"Now, tell us, where is Giovanni, we need to talk to your boss!" Ash exclaimed, seriously.

"Hey, don't kill me, please, Giovanni is here, in Vermilion." James spilled out.

"Wow, wasn't that too easy?" Max asked.

"Where in Vermilion?" Brock asked.

"All I know is he is near the dock, he might have left, for all I know." James informed.

"All right, thanks for your help, James, I always knew you were good at heart." Ash said.

"Hey… w-what are you saying? You twerp!" James exclaimed and rushed back to the Hall.

"Guys, I guess we know what we are doing now!" Ash said.

"LET'S GO!" All of them exclaimed and rushed to the dock.

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Next time on PBiTP: The guys are on a quest to find Giovanni and stop Team Rocket while the girls are battling it out with their past competitors. Will the girls come out on top? Will Ash find out what exactly Team Rocket is after? Will they be able to stop them? Find out in the next installment of PBiTP!

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All right, another long-due chapter.

An year due I guess.

But I am definitely back to writing this again, after some stuff I had to get through. But it's all in the past. Now I will try to punch out chapters every week or two weeks. The time travel is coming soon. I have it all planned out and I can confirm, you will like it, at least I hope so, guys.

There is a lot of things I have in store for PBiT. Hopefully people review and I get the passion for this I once had. Reviews really help, really guys.

Thanks for reading!

….

Misty- It seems we have a lot of old friends in this contest. I also here the guys are going to stop Team Rocket. THIS IS SO UNFAIR I WANTED TO STOP THEM, IT IS SO INCONSIDERATE OF THEM. *breathes* Anyway, I hope they don't stop them, but don't forget to review, people~

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