Stuff in Between with Other People

**"Stuff in Between with Other People"** is the twenty-ninth (thirtieth and thirty-second in Archive of Our Own and Royal Road) chapter of *Pokémon Reset Bloodlines.* As Ash and company continue their adventures on the way to Cinnabar Island, Ash decides that it's time for them to begin their training to break the four-move limit. The group passes through several places, including a village/market run by the People of the Water, the Grampa Canyon, and eventually the Princess Day Festival.

Due to the chapter's length, the plot section will be split in parts, following the numbering on AO3 and RR, and including the canon omakes at the chapter's end.

## Plot

### Part I

Sometime after the group has left behind the Snorlax hippie (who seemingly resorts to extort money in this timeline, and did something that annoyed Charizard), Ash decides that it's time for them to try and break the four-move limit. Several of Ash's Pokémon recall having been able to use more than four moves at once in the Old Timeline, while others never got to do so, and they end up blaming it on Cyrus. The Pokédex explains that a Pokémon can learn five or more moves after reaching a certain level of power, and working on a move that doesn't overlap with the current ones so a previous move does not get overwritten by accident. Thus, the Pokémon begin working, albeit with little success: Pikachu tries to relearn Volt Tackle by running fast and trying to electrify himself; Charizard uproots trees and tosses them to the ground from high up to relearn Seismic Toss; Servine tries to smash a rock to learn Iron Tail; and Butterfree gets a coughing fit when trying to use Hyper Beam. Ambipom succeeds at learning Shadow Claw, but at the cost of losing Astonish, much to her chagrin.

In a city near Vermilion City, Ritchie and his partner Sparky are watching a battle between Red and another trainer in a public battlefield, both of them lamenting that they entered a Bug-Catching Contest and didn't even catch anything, due to Sparky getting hit by spores from a Paras, and time running out on them by the time he woke up. He then gets a message on his PokéNav from Silver, who seems to have learned of his recent failure, and tells him of an old rival of his that lives near Ritchie's current location, and is willing to offer him an egg of his Tyranitar. After marking the address on the PokéNav's map, they immediately head there.

Back with Ash, he's run into the twins Elwood and Aideen, currently battling both of them at once. The twins both call out a Solar Beam attack from Elwood's Venusaur and Aideen's Bellossom, after the latter uses Sunny Day. Ash, who is using one of his Tauros and Servine, has the latter use Leaf Storm to delay the attacks enough for Tauros to charge with Take Down. As Tauros is about to hit Bellossom, Venusaur blocks his path with a Power Whip, which Servine counters with Aerial Ace, allowing Tauros to hit Bellossom. The twins can see why Ash won the tournament, but they press on with another double Solar Beam attack. Servine attacks once more with Leaf Storm, and the twins remember a bit too late that she has Contrary, and thus she matches both their Pokémon's attacks with hers, clearing the way for Tauros to ram them with a Giga Impact. Bellossom is knocked out and flies into Aideen's arms, but Venusaur remains standing and Elwood orders him to use Skull Bash, managing to defend first and then counter back at Tauros. Capitalizing on the Giga Impact effect, Venusaur fires a Sludge Bomb poisoning Tauros, but Servine charges with a Leaf Blade and defeats him, winning the match for Ash. As the twins approach to congratulate Ash with a handshake, they notice his hand is unusually grainy, full of a green sand-like substance. Ash tells them something similar happened to him during his match with Lilo in the tournament, suspecting that the Z-Ring might have to do with it, much to the twins' intrigue. Aideen tells him to be more careful next time, lest that he could hold hands or hug Serena with that dust in his hand, while Elwood think she wouldn't probably be uncomfortable by that. Aideen takes notice that Ash's been working out, and ponders that somewhere in Kalos, Serena is probably smiling and doesn't know why (unaware that she's actually at a waiting line in the pharmacy, and not smiling at all).

Sometime later, Ash thanks Professor Oak for his advice and then approaches the five Pokémon he has on hand once he's done with Iris' training. With Charizard going back to Oak's place to continue his training (with the help of Gary's Golem), Ash brings Krabby, who seemingly managed to break the four-move limit himself, showing Metal Claw, Crabhammer, Stomp, Bubblebeam and Mud Shot, and thinks he might be able to help the rest. An hour later, Pidgeot successfully learns to use Air Slash, but the Pokédex informs that the move evolved from Gust, and Pidgeot is still at four moves. Then Misty calls his way and Ash sees she and the others have arrived, with Anabel looking extremely tired after Iris took her for a run. After talking a bit more, the Pokédex chimes in, asking if they, as Bloodliners, should be able to break the four-move limit themselves, which seems to gives Iris an idea, and then she takes Ash for training, much to Servine's displeasure as they've been left without their main instructor.

Sometime after, Ash thinks that perhaps if one of them has a breakthrough, they could help the others, recalling that Lucario has other moves and skills for learning. Anabel finally collapses in exhaustion and decides to take her sweaty shirt off to focus, much to Ash embarrassment when he sees her wearing only a bra. She blushes, but then reminds him that he saw more of Iris before, while he does take a glance to her and admits to himself that he finds her body attractive as much as Misty's or Iris'. Wishing to have something to help her feel better, suddenly his hands begin to glow green while irradiating a warm energy, Anabel feels it and tells Ash to approach her, explaining that it's a Psychic-type move called Heal Pulse. Somewhat embarrassed, Ash gets closer until she finally tells him to touch her directly, so he grabs her by the shoulders. They stay that way so Anabel can get a feel of the energy to use it herself. Meanwhile, the girl mentions that she can't believe she lags behind so much behind Ash and the others on the physical department, while Ash replies it must be because they've all been used to physical activities more than her. Anabel does feel she's growing stronger, but it's hard for her to catch up. Ash then tells her that she helped him a lot coming up with strategies for Janine, and while she stayed a few steps ahead, he's certain he'd have done much worse without her help, adding that she could be a great trainer if she wanted. As the conversation continues, Anabel finally manages to use Heal Pulse, but noticing that it only works to heal others and not herself, so they have to heal each other. The conversation continues and Ash asks if she'd like to try for the league, while Anabel isn't sure about it, as aside from the fact that she's unable to talk and wouldn't be able to hide her telepathy, but she'd like have a place where everyone could compete without preventing others from continuing or having to wait for a whole year due to a slip-up. Ash suggests something like a Battle Tower where every victory takes you higher, an idea she seems to like.

While Pikachu continues to fail in his attempts to learn Volt Tackle (with Psyduck having to put out the grass he set on fire), Ash tries to learn to use Dual Chop, a Dragon-type attack, with Iris. The wild girl finds it odd that Ash is having so many difficulties to learn the move, given that the Pokédex said he should be able to, but ultimately reasons that Ash has the will, but still lacks the power level, and they can work on that later. She then inquires about Ash's goal to become Pokémon Master, and what Ash plans on doing one he becomes one. Ash replies that he'll probably find out after he gets there, adding that being a Pokémon Master is a rather abstract thing, since you tend to become one when other people consider you such. Iris seems to understand it as it being a "flexible" goal, which gives Ash the goosebumps as he wonders if she has some kind of training in mind.

Later, Ash trains with Misty trying to learn to use Water Pulse, but neither of them has much success at it. The electricity crackling nearby alerts them of Pikachu's training, and shortly after the Pokédex informs them that Pikachu has successfully learned a fifth move, albeit it's Wild Charge instead of Volt Tackle. The redhead at not being able to get it right, mentioning that she has it easy to create a water vortex or waves, but can't make a sphere of water. Ash asks how Misty managed to pull off those moves before, which Misty replies she needed to do so, explaining that she learned Waterfall to avoid falling off an actual waterfall once. Ash recalls that somehow he tends to learn moves much better under that kind of situations, either by accident or under danger, but when he suggests telling Iris about it, Misty stops him, telling him that it might give her ideas like setting things on fire for them to put out, and he agrees she might have a point.

In the Celadon City Battle Club, Gary has just cleared the 50-trainer challenge set up by Don George, apparently due to Erika's ban on male trainers, showing a holographic image of his Pokémon after winning, albeit with a misspelt "Congratulations" on top of it. Leaving that aside, Don George offers to teleport Gary to Gardenia City for another training program. Gary accepts and they're teleported by Don George's Abra. Having cleared the challenge has given him back a lot of his confidence and makes him feel more pumped for his eighth gym badge, and he feels ready to take on anything or anyone that comes his way. However, he then spots Paul battling another trainer in a nearby arena using a Magby with four Pokémon on standby, while his opponent has four Pokémon knocked out and the fifth, a Pidgeotto, struggling to stay up. Gary also notes that Paul's opponent has only one badge against Paul's five, and after the latter wins, Gary approaches him, sarcastically saying that he must feel proud of himself for defeating a newbie trainer. Paul explains that he's training some of the Pokémon he recently caught to get them to catch up to the rest of his team. Paul takes notice of Gary's newly evolved Arcanine, calling it a "waste of a stone", which Gary replies that Arcanine helped him win his Rainbow Badge. Paul states that he'll hold that one back for last to make it worth even more. Gary then challenges him to battle, but Paul replies to hold off until tomorrow, and telling Gary to bring his best team, since they've both battled a lot today. Gary accepts, being ready to defeat Paul and knock him down a peg or two.

Off the beaten path, Ash plays around with the Moon Ball he got from Karen, with the Pokédex explains it's functional for any evolutionary line that uses the Moon Stone, and he already successfully duplicated it for him to use. Ash wonders if he'll ever get to use it himself, since he never owned any such Pokémon and only May owned a Skitty, recalling that the only Pokémon of such kind he frequently dealt with was that Jigglypuff that used to chase them around. As if on cue, said Jigglypuff appears behind them, much to his horror, and he tries to cover his ears while flailing around his arms in panic, trying to think of other things. After five minutes he doesn't hear any singing. At first he's relieved, until Pikachu points out in the direction Jigglypuff was, and they see a vanishing Moon Ball, clueing them in that in his panic Ash accidentally threw it at Ash and caught Jigglypuff. The Pokédex scans it and reveals that this Jigglypuff has an unusual condition that affects its Sing attack, sending the effect out in the sound waves as opposed to making solid musical notes as normal, while also revealing that it's female, much to Ash's surprise, but Pikachu's reaction makes it clear he already knew.

At Oak's lab, Jigglypuff arrives, much to the scientist's surprise. Bulbasaur immediately leaves off to tell everyone of it, right before Jigglypuff begins singing and doodles the faces of everyone nearby who hears her song, including two of Ash's Tauros.

Back with Ash, he's off doing some training with Iris by climbing on a cliff. She seems pleased with Ash's efforts, and she begins thinking about J and her family, also recalling some training she did with Misty earlier (by throwing her acorns to try and get her to learn new moves). Then, they hear someone cursing nearby, and upon checking what's happening, they run into the Samurai, whom Iris recognizes from having battled him before, and Joshua, who gloats after winning and showing that he has four badges over the Samurai's three. Iris takes notice that Ash seems unusually angry, and then Joshua takes notice of them and recognizes Ash, who also recalls him from the summer camp. Joshua seems surprised that Ash made it this far, and the Pokédex quickly quips that Ash scored second below Gary Oak on the final test. He then glances at Iris, and makes some comments comparing her to Serena, seemingly dismissing her as unattractive for her height. Iris recalls that Ash told them about Serena and how they met and befriended each other in Oak's Summer Camp, and how she was forced to leave earlier because of an accident caused by Joshua. As Joshua taunts Ash into showing him his gym badges, the albino youth finds himself shocked when Ash opens his jacket to reveal that, not only he's been working out, but he also got the Rainbow Badge. After trading some more barbs, Ash challenges Joshua to a battle, which the Samurai cheers him on to avenge him for his defeat.

The battle goes underway, and Ash easily defeats Joshua without losing a single Pokémon. While Ash does well, Iris takes notice that he seems to make some sloppy calls and makes mistakes, which she attributes to him being angry, and recalls what happened with Paul, but this time around it's different, having it buried for some time rather than being a spur of the moment. She ponders that Ash's anger towards Joshua is possibly rooted on him being the cause of his separation from Serena, and after his talk with Belladonna it seems something rooted in his nature (inherited from his father), and decides she will train him to control those anger outbursts. Ash wins the battle, and Iris approaches to congratulate him, which seems to mellow down his anger somewhat, much like Misty did before when he fought Paul.

### Part II

As Ash's group arrives to the coastline, he wonders if he's taken the wrong turn on his way to Cinnabar, as the Pokédex informs them they'd be heading to Sinnoh's western edge. Before Anabel teleports them back, Misty spots what looks like an Onix in the water, but as it turns out is just a boat shaped like an Onix, that's heading for a little seaside village to dock. Iris explains that they're the Boat People, a tribe of nomadic people who were born and live in their boats. The Pokédex adds some additional info, as they were driven away from their original home by a mountain fire, part of them were sent adrift to Hoenn and stayed there when their boats were stranded by a Corsola colony, while the rest continued to travel around as nomads with no fixed points, but having some remote places for gathering, with their culture revolving around a temple named Samiya, and now include Draconid, Sootopolitan and Alolan ancestry in their genes. Ash and Pikachu seem to remember them somewhat from The Old Timeline.

As the boat people set up shop, Ash and company decide to check what they've got in store, climbing down the cliff to approach the village. Misty checks a stand full of Corsola horn pieces, crystal statues and other varied stuff. Seeing a notice that they accept barter and physical money, Misty winces as most of their current money is on digital, forcing her to barter. She sees that Ash is trading some Nest Balls with an old man, apparently duplicated by the Pokédex, for a full service meal for the four of them. Misty decides to check out her stuff to see if she has something to barter. As she checks the Corsola horn pieces and crystal statues, she accidentally mistakes a Croagunk for one of them, which when she approaches moves and leaves a pile of golden bottle caps there as if to pay. She notices that the old woman running the stand has a lot in stock, including some modern gaming systems, and also what looks like a Mega Stone, a piece of old amber and an ice-like gem. Misty becomes interested in the Mega Stone, wondering if she could give it to Ash as a gift that would help him achieve his goals. She decides to barter, offering some Red Shards found by Staryu, poison barbs from the Tentacool army back in Gringy City and a scale that fell off of Gyarados. The old woman doesn't seem to find it a fair trade, but allows her to go and find other stuff if she wants, though warning her that she doesn't need Poké Balls so going to Ash for duplicate ones won't be an option. The woman does say she accepts berries, so Misty sends Wingull to find some while she continues to check what she has: an Everstone, a towel from the S.S. Anne, a Rydell Bike Voucher to be usable in Mauville City (that her sisters gave her as a prank when she said she wanted a bike), and the Water Stone that Ash gave her. Seeing her hesitation, and noticing that she wants the Mega Stone for someone important, the old woman offers her another deal: she has a granddaughter about the same height as Misty and is at a shortage of clothes that fit her. The woman informs Misty that there will soon be a holiday event in Kanto where women will be able to get clothes easily, so Misty agrees to trade her spare clothes for the Mega Stone.

After eating their meal, they go back to the beaten path and Misty gives the stone to Ash, which turns out to be a Sceptilite. She's disappointed that it's not for a Pokémon Ash already owns or could easily find in Kanto and apologizes, but he's nonetheless grateful for her gesture, and tells her he might perhaps find a Pokémon that can use it sooner than he expects. His gratitude makes Misty smile, and Ash notices that there's something about this smile that's different from other times and he likes it. After asking for the next destination, Misty mentions about the shopping event that's coming soon, and tells Ash he might also be needing some new clothes. Ash agrees, thinking about Iris' training, and since neither Anabel nor Iris have any objections, they head for the next town.

On the way to the shopping event, Anabel wakes up to find that her hair is covering her eyes, and it seems to have grown quite long lately. She flings it out with her powers and exits her secret base, approaching the nearby water hole to use as a mirror and check it out. Indeed, her hair has grown below neck length now, and while she would often be mistaken for a boy, she liked to keep it short. Right then, Ash wakes up, wearing only his sleepwear, making Anabel touch herself to make sure the shirt she wore for sleeping was on to avoid awkward situations. Both are surprised to see the other up so early, and Ash explains he wanted to shave his facial hair, making Anabel think when was the last time she did so herself. She then asks if he has something she can use to cut her hair, feeling that it's grown too long, but all he has is his razor and that doesn't seem to be of help. Ash comments that, while her bangs need a trim, he likes her hair longer now, thinking that it looks good on her. Anabel can't help but feel flattered and asks Ash if he has a thing for girls with long hair. He doesn't reply, but his awkward silence make her suspect that he actually does.

Meanwhile in Cerulean City, Belladonna has woken up in the middle of the night, checking out the house they broke into to stay for the time being. That day they visited the local art museum at Aurora and Vedia's request, and while she and Evanna didn't understand art the same way they still had fun. However, something is making her lose her sleep, and it has to do with Aurora, who's been acting weird since Tokiomi's death, making her suspect that it has something to do with it, but she's afraid to ask directly since she doesn't want to pressure her. She then hears some footsteps approaching, and spots Aurora. However, upon looking into her eyes, she quickly realizes that this isn't Aurora, but an imposter, and quickly demands to know who she is. The imposter seems surprised upon being recognized so easily, but she introduces herself as Hilda, albeit keeping her appearance as Aurora to prevent Belladonna from attacking her, much to her rage and discomfort. Hilda explains that she works for someone known as the Bloodliner Prince, who seeks to change the world, and wants to recruit her and her girlfriends for the cause, which includes overthrowing the prince's father, the Bloodliner King, and take over his place. She continues to explain that they want to make the world a better place for people like her, Ash Ketchum, Arnold and their many other half-siblings. Belladonna has little interest on that, so Hilda tries to convince her that her girlfriends won't be any less important, but she, like the others who have two bloodlines, is special. Belladonna cares little for changing the world, and the few things she might care about are her girlfriend, the brothers she found and others she might find, and her Pokémon. Hilda continues to make her offers, but she doesn't catch her interest until she mentions something about her girlfriends and many others only existing because of those like her and Ash. Hilda proceeds to elaborate that Bloodliners are much more common lately thanks to dual Bloodliners like her making it possible, which gives Belladonna a terrible thought: if she had never been born, Aurora's father might have never abandoned her. Hilda seems to catch on this, and tries to comfort her saying that thanks to her they're all special now and they can rule the world together, but then, Evanna sneaks up from behind and grabs her by the head. Feeling threatened, another girl appears beside Hilda, who tells them she's called Siri and is a Gardevoir Bloodliner, and that Evanna should let her go if she doesn't want to get teleported along and meet the Bloodliner Prince. Evanna promptly lets Hilda go, and she and Siri quickly teleport away. Seeing that Belladonna is still shocked about the whole thing, Evanna tells her she shouldn't take Hilda's word for it, plus even if what she says is true, she reminds her that, even if she did make Aurora's life worse just by being born, she was the one who helped Vedia run away from her horrible life, and Evanna's own life would have stayed the same either way. This seems to ease Belladonna's mind, at least partially, prompting them to embrace and kiss each other.

Ash's group arrives to the Grampa Canyon, and the trainer is surprised to see they found it before passing through another major city, plus not finding Gary or many other people going to dig for fossils. They're being stopped by a group of burly guards, who are there to stop trainers from trying to steal the fossils they're looking for. Fortunately, a flannel wearing man approaches and explains what's going on, before inviting them to their trailer so they don't risk suffering a heatstroke until after noon passes. The man, a paleontologist named Professor Cycad, explains that he's just trying to prevent random trainers from potentally snagging the discovery of the century just because they're trying to get fossils to revive Pokémon for themselves. He then explains to them about how fossils are formed and what Pokémon species lived in which periods, coinciding with the maps they have. An assistant then comes up, bringing an egg that Ash quickly recognizes as the one Togepi hatched from. Ash is worried they might have to fight for it, but fortunately Professor Cycad says that since it's not a fossil, none of them have any use for it, and offers Ash's group to take it instead, much to Ash and Pikachu's relief.

That night while camping, the Pokédex has already registered the egg to Ash's ownership. Pikachu is holding it with care while Axew looks at it with interest. The Pokédex explains that the egg will hatch into a Pokémon named Togepi, with Ash feeling like it spoils the surprise, and then goes on to explain that Togepi feeds on the emotions of their surroundings to grow better, and that negative emotions can stunt their growth while evil ones can make them cruel and wicked. The Pokédex then explains that Togepi evolves twice and gains Flying-type with the second evolution, while also revealing that it has Fairy-type by default, much to Iris' chagrin. Ash wonders if it's okay for him to keep Togepi, wondering if any of the girls would want it. Both Anabel and Iris refuse, but when Misty does as well, it saddens Ash as he remembers how much she loved and cared for Togepi in the old timeline. The Pokédex quickly breaks to them the news about their funds from their earnings in the tournaments they've taken part into, and Ash is surprised to see they have so much money for themselves.

Before arriving to the town on Princess Day, Ash and company receive the Item Capsule package from Oak, and after testing it to see if they work, they quickly put them to good use, by storing a lot of things they buy during the day. Their first stop has them buying some beds and couches, which thankfully don't have as many people as others, and then they head for a furniture store to buy something to store more clothes. However, the real shopping madness begins when they find a 90% discount in socks. The only consolation for Ash is that the girls not only buy them for themselves, but also for him, although Pikachu gets his tail grabbed quite a few times by the mad shoppers all over the place. They later buy four dressers to store clothes, one for each of them, occupying seven of their capsules, before they head to an accessory shop where Ash gets his Z-Ring almost stolen quite a few times, forcing Misty and Iris to stop them a couple of times.

Not too far from there, Meowth continues to watch Ash, while Jessie and James have gone off to their business, after Jessie was in a bad mood and beat up a Lickitung for eating her lunch before catching it and heading for a contest to win a doll collection and forcing James to let her borrow his Pokémon for it. James, for his part, ran off to a knick-knack after a flyer hit him in the face, using a pair of inflatable breasts and a skirt of Jessie's to pass himself as a woman, much to Meowth's cringe. Right then, Team Rocket's Delibird shows up, and Meowth gives him the ball containing Lickitung to put in storage, hoping that Jessie won't later get mad for it.

Back with Ash, he finds himself watching the shopping bags while his female companions are trying out some clothes. A woman he recognizes from the old timeline tries to approach stealthily, as if to stealth something from him, only to get a handshake from one of Ash's Grimer, and then gets smothered by two more and Muk, scaring her away. Pikachu wonders if he really needed to do that, but Ash shrugs and replies that it works to keep would-be poachers away during the shopping madness. Misty comes out of the changing room wearing a red blouse and a pair of denim shorts longer than her usual ones, asking for his opinion. Ash isn't sure he's one to be asked about fashion, and Misty replies that she usually doesn't care either, but she feels like having fun with all this for some reason, and then goes back into the changing room to try something else. Ash briefly checks that Togepi's egg is still where it's supposed to be, and the bracelet the girls bought for him to put his Key Stone, matching his Z-Ring. Then, Anabel comes out, wearing a white T-shirt, a pair of purple short pants, and purple sneakers. Anabel seems to like the shoes, but isn't sure about the pants. After she goes back in, Ash checks if they missed out something at the pharmacy, with the Pokédex listing everything they got, as well as reminding Ash that they don't have to worry about the expenses since they still have plenty of money. Anabel comes out with a different outfit, while Iris seems to be wearing a fairy-tale princess dress of sorts, and isn't sure how she ended up with it, before deciding not to keep it. Misty and Anabel come out again, the former wearing a white elegant dress and the latter with a black three-piece suit that Ash admits looks nice on her. Anabel then says they're planning on getting a suit for Ash as well, and much to Ash's horror, turns out they have a full catalog for him to try.

Later, while they're trying some new swimsuits, Misty admits to herself to enjoy that Ash watches her with interest, making her feel pretty and attractive. While she has pretty much admitted her own attraction to Ash, she still feels unsure about how to take it to the next level, while also noticing that Ash looks at the other girls with interest as much as she does her. At this point, she's also made aware that Iris showered naked with Ash, but she's not mad at them for it, since it was clearly uncomfortable for Ash and he wasn't a willing part, and Iris did not take advantage of the situation to try and seduce him. With Anabel, despite being with them for a shorter amount of time, Misty has also noticed that she too evidences being attracted to Ash and wonders if she'd be on board with Iris' idea of all of them being in a relationship with him. Right then, Ash comes out wearing a pair of swim trunks and Misty takes the chance to admire his physique, having improved quite a bit since Iris put him to train, though she does have an issue with Ash's body hair, and wishes he would shave it. However, much to her surprise and Anabel's, Iris seems to find Ash's body hair attractive and wonders if there's a way to grow it more.

Two days later, Ash and the girls wake up, now wearing some new outfits, and seemingly ready for anything the day has to throw them. However, an Abra suddenly teleports in behind Ash, and then teleports back with him, bringing him somewhere else and away from his companions. As he wonders what's going on, the Abra attacks him and forces him and Pikachu to defend themselves and knock it out. The Pokédex reveals they've been teleported to Saffron City, specifically to the Saffron Gym, right when a wave of incoming Exeggcute come at them rolling down the stairs and seeping a fog of Stun Spore. Ash then grabs Pikachu and tries to run in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, from the top room of the gym, Sabrina watches what's going on while a computer stores the data, which she uses scarcely to analyze properly whether one of her victims is worthy of living or not. She is certain that Ash will prove himself worthy, but she's determined to get him to break his self-restraints. She then checks two spots on the map that are heavily guarded: on the rooftop there's the room where she keeps her Marsh Badges, and on the basement she has Ash's Primeape captive, and she wonders which prize Ash will choose between them. She however then notices that Ash is trying to head for the exit.

Ash and Pikachu try to run to the nearby staircase, and the Pokédex informs them that down means an open door, but the Exeggcute can roll down and chase them, so he heads up instead. A flash of yellow appears atop the stairs, and Ash sends out Roggenrola to charge at whatever it is, hitting with a Headbutt what turns out to be a Drowzee. A Slowpoke gets in their way, and when it attacks them with a Flamethrower, Roggenrola uses Sand Attack to douse it down, before letting out a swear that makes Ash think it'll be just the first of many before they get out of this.

### Canon Omakes

At the same time as Ash and Co. were at the sock sale, somebody else, Midori, is having a similar situation. He and his friends have been doing well in their journey together, with him and Rana competing in the league, Kusa and Hoshi in the Grand Festival, and Monet sketching their adventures and becoming a great artist, as they continue to catch Pokémon and earn badges and ribbons. However, during the holiday, the girls thought Midori could pass off undetected if they sent him to shop for them, but unfortunately that wasn't the case, and they were forced to run away and take shelter in an empty shop, with the girls trying to lock the doors and keep the raging mob outside. Seeing they're stuck in there for a while, Monet suggests that perhaps she, Kusa, Rana and Hoshi might as well enjoy it and put on a fashion show for Midori, as a reward for him keeping their bags safe for them. Midori feels tempted to run away and risk himself with the mob outside, until he heards sounds of swords clashing and realizes he's doomed himself to enjoy his female companions fashion show and get dragged into it as well.

Meanwhile, Ash wonders why this is happening to him, having to keep watching as Misty, Iris and Anabel continue to try one swimsuit after another for him to watch. He's especially puzzled that Misty bought even more swimsuits knowing that she didn't barter the ones she bought in the S.S. Anne. Iris for her part wonders why people would wear clothes like this for bathing, and Misty explains that some places like pools or beaches have it mandatory. Iris replies that she once visited a beach in Kalos where nobody seemed to care about that, much to the others' surprise, while Anabel feels a little unsure as she hasn't gone to the beach in quite a while. Misty replies they might as well be ready and they all disappear behind the curtains. As they all come back out, Ash admits to like what he sees in each of them, and doesn't want to play favorites since they all look very beautiful, thinking that Brock might feel in heaven if he was in a situation like his right now.

In Pewter City, Brock sneezes and gives his challenger (Manna Ornus) an opening to defeat his Onix with her Ivysaur. He wonders where the sneeze came from, as well as why he suddenly feels the urge to invite Lucy to the indoor pool.

## Continuity

* First appearance of Professor Cycad, Togepi's egg, and Manna.
* It's revealed that Ash's Krabby broke the four-move limit by himself, being the first of Ash's Pokémon to do so. Pikachu is the second to do so by learning Wild Charge.
* Ash learns to use Heal Pulse along with Anabel.
* Iris references Ash telling them the events of the *Oak's Summer Camp Gaiden* side story, including how Serena had to leave the camp earlier due to Joshua's actions.
* This chapter reveals that the existence of dual Bloodliners has played a factor in the increase of them in the last few years.
* Ash and company receive the Item Capsule package from Oak.
* Ash, Misty, Iris and Anabel change their default outfits during this chapter, after they buy their new clothes.
* Ash and company receive Togepi's egg from Professor Cycad.
* The battle between Ash and Sabrina begins.

## Trivia

* Due to the chapter's length, and since the next chapter would take place during the same time frame, this chapter was split in two parts for Archive of Our Own and Royal Road, with the next chapter posted in-between in the aforementioned platforms.
* This is the first chapter including omakes that are canon to the main story, as opposed to just extra humorous content.
* This chapter has been released under two slightly different titles on different platforms.
	+ "Stuff in Between with Other People" on FanFiction.net.
	+ "Stuff inbetween with more people" on archiveofourown.org and royalroad.com.