Jhoto - Blackthorn City

Ash, "Again Tyrantrum, dragon tail."

Tyrantrum rushed towards the target his tail glowing with draconic aura, "Rummmmm!"

Lucario, "Ri... ", -This is going to take a while.-

Abra, -No kidding.-

Lokoko, -Yes, I respect the work you put into this Meowth.-

Meowth, "Dun mention it. Also it tuk nyarth years ta strt talkng lik humans. Even den, it's difficult ta get rid of the tick."

Casey's Hypno who had been interested shook her head, -That may be so but that doesn't change the fact you can communicate with your partners easily. I truly envy you.-

Meowth became flustered then coughed, "It took nyarth years so, dun be sad cause you can't get it rite away. Be patient! Dats da key."

Ash, "Okay let's change things up a little."

Tyrantrum, "Tyrun?"

Ash, "Come here buddy. Look Professor Oak sent me a new list of moves you can learn."

Tyrantrum perked up at that and trotted happily to Ash's side as he went through the moves for Tyrantrum. The Dragon type had a gleam in his eyes as Ash explained how the moves worked and how to use them, plus the effect the moves have. After that Ash took out Snorlax, he was debating whether to use Snorlax or not but Snorlax himself had approached him. The big guy wanted to try his paw at higher level battle and had been training with other Pokemon to reach it. Ash had been surprised but understood, Snorlax had a family back in the Orange Islands who was currently living happily with the Grapefruit farmers.

Ash smiled, 'It is normal to want to become strong for loved ones.'

Ash, "Snorlax, Pikachu come on, you are training together. I heard you wanted to learn electric type moves more?"

Snorlax nodded, "Lax."

Ash, "Pikachu buddy, shall we?"

Pikachu grinned, "Pika, pikapi pika pikachu."

Ash, "Listen to what Pikachu says, I will be supervising."

Snorlax nodded, "Snor."

Ash, "Okay now for the last Pokemon I'm using for Ace battle. It has been a while Wigglytuff."

Wigglytuff smirked at him, "Tuff!"

Ash, "So ready to learn fairy type moves?"

Wigglytuff made a face, she prefered fighting type moves, "Wiggly wigglytuff tuff."

Ash, "Hey, a power move is a power move. It doesn't matter what the typing is if you know how to use it."

Wigglytuff looked away then nodded reluctantly, she had been really miffed when it was announced the Wigglytuff line was part of the fairy types. When the Professor had told them about how Pokemon were showing new typing around the world, Wigglytuff had been hoping to be part of the fighting type Pokemon. She had been learning all the many different punches, kicks and moves from Primeape and from time to time Lucario only to be told she was fairy type. It had infuriated her a lot but Ash had reassured her she could learn all the fighting type moves she wanted and be herself.

Ash, "I know you want to be a fighting type but fighting types also learn other typing moves you know? Lucario has a splattering of steel type moves and a few dragon types. Pikachu has added ground and water type moves to his. Snorlax learned ice moves before and now is learning electric type moves. Even Tyrantrum over there is learning moves that are not dragon type in nature."

Wigglytuff was staring at her fellow Pokemon, "Tuff wig."

Ash, "Also you don't have to learn an entire list, just a few, okay? Especially the attack types."

Wigglytuff nodded, "Tuff."

The pink Pokemon could do that and chose to focus on three moves, Misty terrain, Play rough and Disarming voice. Ash nodded and showed her how the moves worked and what the effects are before turning his focus on the three Pokemon for the badge. He would be using Bayleef, Croconaw and Quilava to fight for the badge this time. The three of them had been working together and wanted to face the final Gym together. Ash would have asked for a six on six challenge but it was impossible because he was doing Ace battles too.

It did not stop his other Pokemon from jumping in to train however and Noctowl and Gengar was quiet the opponent for them. The owl and ghost were a little bit miffed when Bayleef used her aromatherapy on them to gently knock them out of the running. It had become habit for them to have a test among each other to see who would battle in the gym. Ash was surprised in the beginning but admitted it was a fun way to prepare and ready for the gym battle. Ash supervised them during training, he had went to book a battle slot only to find he could battle after three days as Claire was on Ranger duty.

Max approached them after three hours, "Ash, everyone, Brock says lunch is ready."

Ash grinned, "Thanks for telling us Max, we will be there in a few minutes. Just let us warm down."

Max nodded, "Okay, I will go get Casey, Gou is already there with Brock."

Brock looked up as Ash joined him and Gou, "How was your training?"

Ash smiled, "It's good, Wigglytuff finally came around to learning fairy type moves. I think we will be ready to fight Claire on A - level battlefield if we keep it up."

Gou, "Oh yeah, she was pretty upset at not being labeled as a fighting type."

Brock, "I mean we can't blame her for that."

Casey joined them at that moment, "Blame who for what?"

Gou, "Wigglytuff being upset over not being a fighting type."

Casey looked at where Wigglytuff was chatting away with Lucario, "Yeah, I don't blame her, she worked so hard to master the fighting type moves too. She gives my Machamp a run for her money when it comes to fighting type moves. What did you even teach her?"

Ash, "Honestly, she has always been fascinated by fighting type moves and I think she has a thing for Primeape too really."

Max blinked, "Oh, that makes sense. I heard some Pokemon learn moves of other Pokemon to show they are a good choice for a mate."

Ash, "I was thinking of doing a little sight seeing after lunch. Everyone has been training since waking up. A break would be good before jumping into training again."

Brock nodded, "We could all use a break. I have been helping Nurse Joy and Jim since we woke up. As the Dragon festival is in full swing right now, many trainers are taking part in the competition."

Max, "I would have taken part but I was a little late in registering."

Ash, "We can drop in next year if you want."

Casey, "Yeah and hopefully I'll be there to welcome you as a new Elite next year."

Max grinned, "That would be awesome."

After lunch they cleaned up the dishes and went on a sight seeing tour around the well known Mega City. One tourist guide was telling the tourist about how Blackthorn was originally a village thousands of years ago and how it turned into a commercial town and finally a City. The guide was also sharing a few trivia about the City but Ash wanted to see the Dragon temple and decided to head further west where the Dragonite temple was located. Max and Meowth being curious about it followed Ash while Casey, Gou and Brock decided to check out the museum instead promising to meet up at the Pokemon center.

Casey murmured, "Somehow I think it's aura that's compelling Ash to go to the temple."

Brock, "Considering he has an Alpha Dragon type beside him. I would not be surprised, his aura and Tyrantrum's aura are intertwined in a very powerful manner."

Gou hummed, "I think you may have a point about that. Aren't dragon types usually difficult to handle, which is why most Dragon type trainers keep a smaller number of Pokemon?"

Casey paused, "You are right about that."

Meowth was on Ash's left shoulder, "Wat cha luking fr kit?"

Ash, "We'll know it when we see it."

Tyrantrum sniffed the air, he could smell other dragon types, "Rummmmm."

Lucario, -It is a temple for Dragonites, so I'm not surprised there are others around.-

Lokoko, -I think learning about them should be interesting.-

Ash walked up the old stairs and saw a check point and used his ID, 'This ID has to be a cheat code. I can access places trainers normally can't.'

"Hey, who are you? ... Ash?"

Ash looked up at the familiar voice, "Claire?"

Claire was dressed in hiker gear, "What are you doing here?"

Ash, "I wanted to check out the Dragonite temple, Lance told me about it. And Tyrantrum here was curious about other dragons."

Claire squealed, "Oh my gosh! I heard so much about your Tyrantrum. He was the first to be discovered in Kanto, right?"

Ash grinned, "You are right about that. He is my baby. I was pretty shocked too when I learned the old egg I found was Tyrantrum's egg but I would not change it for the world."

Tyrantrum purred nuzzling him, "Rum."

Claire watched with bright eyes, "Is he always so gentle?"

Ash, "He is only dangerous towards those who try to harm others like Team Rocket or poachers. But yes, aside from that he is a sweetheart not to forget a very chivalrous Alpha. Right baby?"

Tyrantrum rumbled pleased, "Tyrrrr."

Claire, "You know many of the trainers in Blackthorn are looking forward to our match."

Ash, "Well, I will be pleased to give them an Ace battle worth remembering."

Claire's eyes glinted, "Ace battle. He is already Ace level."

Ash chuckled, "He is Charizard's number one student and he would not let Tyrantrum go till he was at least Ace level. Now, it's up-to me to make him Champion level."

Claire was getting giddy with excitement, "You have me all fired up, I can't wait to battle you guys."

Claire then looked at the river, "But first I have to wait for Dratini to finish his journey up river."

Ash, "Oh I heard about this from Lance. That's the youngest Dratini right?"

Max, "He is adorable... and scratched up."

Claire nodded, "Yes, he is and before you ask he sneaked out to do this journey."

Ash chuckled, "Sounds like you have your hands full."

Claire, "That is an understatement. He won't even let me heal his wounds."

Ash, "Um, perhaps he can learn dragon dance then?"

Claire shook her head, "He refuses to learn it as well."

Meowth, "Waoza! N I thought Jess was stubbrn."

Claire turned to Meowth surprised, "You really can use human speech."

Meowth, "It tuk years but yes I did."

Claire nodded, "I can only imagine. Your trainer must be proud."

Meowth, "He ws not my trainer. Jus a kind old man who I impressd enough ta teach me."

Ash was not surprised to hear that though the details about Meowth's past always caught him off guard. He had to remember this Meowth was older than the one from the anime and experienced things differently from anime Meowth. It was still a sad story to hear obviously but at least Meowth was not alone from the very beginning. Ash raised a hand and pat Meowth's back getting a smile from the feline.

Meowth, "Dun worry bout me kit. Nyarth is an old veteran."

Ash, "Maybe but I do care about you. You are family to me."

Meowth, "Awww, come on kit. You are makng old Nyarth blush."

Claire smiled at them, "I think you match each other a lot."

Max laughed, "Oh if Ash had his way, Meowth would never leave us but unfortunately, Meowth has many responsibilities he must fulfil so we would never hold him back."

Meowth, "You can alwys call me wenevr you nid me kit."

Claire coughed, "It looks like Meowth adopted you not the other way around."

Ash grinned, "Pretty sure half of my Pokemon did at this point."

Claire's smile softened, "Oh, Dratini is moving again."

Ash, "You know that's the stubbornness of a dragon right there."

[A. N.: I adore Claire. She's cool.

Yes, she will reappear in Hoenn at some point.]