A few days after Yelena's fashion expo, the others and I returned on our journey through Johto. I glanced at my side and smiled at Nina, Kat, Eric, and Elsu.

The four of them decided to keep wearing the outfits Rina made them. They look incredible, and something about their energy is different. It's a good kind of difference, and I love it!

"So, where to now, gang?" Kat asked.

Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through Johto's map.

"Well, if we head north from Violet City, we'll reach Ecruteak City," I said, "It's a city filled with a rich history."

"I love places that have a rich history!" Elsu said excitedly.

"Because your home does?" Nina asked.

"Yep! Come on, let's go!"

We smiled at our native friend as we sprinted down the dirt road. Upon arriving at Violet City, we ran through the small city and left through the northern exit.

"All we gotta do now is head north to route 37." Eric said.

Nodding to our friend, we started walking along the dirt road.

"So, what do you guys wanna do when we get to Ecruteak City?" Rina asked.

"Why not have a battle?" Elsu suggested, "I've yet to test my strength against Eragona and Nina, and I've been waiting for a chance to do so."

Nina and I glanced at one another and smiled.

"We're okay with that," Nina said, "Who do you wanna battle first?"

"Why not you, Nina?" Elsu retorted, "I want to test my mettle against your Fairy-type Pokémon."

Nina chuckled and nodded.

"Sure! I'd love to battle you, Elsu!" Nina said, "Last one to Ecruteak City has to let the winner go first!"

The redhead then sprinted down the dirt path.

"Hey! No fair!" Elsu laughed, chasing after the redhead.

The others and I glanced at one another and laughed.

They're always in a rush.

"And here I thought Eric was the only one who'd pull a stunt like that." Kat commented.

"Hey!" Eric said in mock offense.

I chuckled as I shook my head fondly.

"Well, I don't want them to start the battle without us there," I said, "Let's catch up to them."

My friends nodded, and we sprinted after the two Ezonians.

I really admire Elsu's willingness to battle at any chance he gets. Maybe I should start doing the same.

Once at the top of a hill, we smiled when we saw the city before us. Surrounding the metropolis were trees of scarlet, orange, and gold. In the distance was a tall tower that looked run-down.

"Wow! It's beautiful here!" Rina said, "Look at the colors!"

"Getting inspiration for a new design?" I asked.

"Big time!"

Smiling, we walked down the hill and entered the city. Walking under the traditional archway, the smell of autumn leaves filled the air.

It feels like we've crossed into an entirely different world! Everything is so traditional and ancient; I love it!

I glanced at Rina to see her eyes sparkling.

Yep, she's enjoying this.

"So, where's the Pokémon Center so we can battle?" Nina asked.

Looking around, I spotted the traditional-looking building in question.

"This way, follow me!" I said.

With a gesture of my hand, the others followed me to the Pokémon Center. Once we arrived at the center, we walked inside and gave our Pokémon to Nurse Joy.

"So, what Pokémon are you gonna use?" Elsu asked.

"Hm... Maybe my Floette," Nina said, "I want her to gain some battle experience."

Elsu nodded as he took his Pokémon from Nurse Joy. Mimicking our native friend, we walked out of the center and onto the battlefield. Nina and Elsu stood on opposite sides of the battlefield and grinned at one another.

"Floette, I choose you!" Nina cried, throwing out a Pokéball.

"Fletchinder, let's do this!" Elsu said, doing the same.

At once, the Single Bloom and the Ember Pokémon appeared with cheer-filled cries.

"Your move, Elsu." Nina said.

"With pleasure," Elsu said, "Fletchinder, use Peck!"

The Fletchinder cried out as its beak began to glow. It then darted toward the Floette like an arrow.

"Dodge, then use Fairy Wind!" Nina cried.

The small Pokémon cried out before dodging the bird Pokémon's attack. As it swung its flower around, the Floette stirred up a pink mist that targeted the Fletchinder.

"Razor Wind!" Elsu said.

Before his Pokémon could react, Fletchinder got blown away by the Fairy Wind.

"Follow up with Razor Leaf!" Nina said.

The Single Bloom Pokémon cried out and sent sharp-edged leaves at the Ember Pokémon.

"Counter with Razor Wind, again!" Elsu cried.

The Ember Pokémon chirped out before beating its wings violently, whipping up a whirlwind, causing the Razor Leaf attack to scatter.

"Now!" Elsu cried.

The whirlwind soon turned into wind blades and fired itself at the Floette.

"Dodge!" Nina exclaimed.

The little Pokémon twirled out of the way of the attack in a dancer-like fashion.

While Fletchinder is quick and cunning, Floette is delicate and graceful—an exciting combination.

"If Fletchinder uses a Fire-type move, Floette is toast," Eric commented, "After all, Floette is a Grass-type."

Then, Kat and Rina started laughing at Eric's comment.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"You see, Floette isn't a Grass-type at all," Rina chuckled, "It's a pure Fairy-type Pokémon."

Our eyes widened at what our friend said.

"You're kidding?" Eria and I asked.

"Nope," Kat said, "Flabébé, Floette, and Florges are all Fairy-type Pokémon. It's a common misconception across other regions."

I thought Floette, its previous evolution, and Florges were all Fairy/Grass-type Pokémon. Why look like a flower if you're not a Grass-type?

"It's happening! It's happening!" cried a stray voice.

Turning to the side, we saw some people sprint past the Pokémon Center in a hurry.

"What's going on?" Kat asked.

A man stopped and turned to us with a smirk on his face.

"Didn't you hear?" he asked, panting slightly, "The Heracross Migration is happening!"

"The Heracros Migration...?" we parroted.

"Yep! It's when all the Heracross come from the north to the south. Ecruteak City happens to be one of the cities they pass by!"

The man soon sprinted away with a wide smile.

"Do you guys wanna go check it out?" I asked.

Elsu and Nina looked at one another and grinned.

"To be continued?" Elsu said.

"Sure!" Nina said.

After they returned their Pokémon, we followed the crowd to see the Heracross fly over the city.

I wonder what a Heracross looks like.

As my friends and I stood in the center of town with a few other people, we waited patiently for the Heracross.

This migration must be annual if everyone is excited about it.

As I watched the crowd grow, my eyes widened when I saw a familiar blue uniform.

You have got to be kidding me...?

When the two supposed Team Xenon grunts walked away, I saw a young boy follow them. Curious, I strayed away from my friends and followed the trio.

"What could Team Xenon possibly be doing here in Ecruteak City?" I questioned.

"To steal the Heracross, of course." answered a voice behind me.

Swallowing hard, I turned around to see it was the boy I was following.

How did he end up behind me so quickly?

He had tan skin, black hair, and dark brown eyes. He wore a blue jacket with beige and white shorts and black and white sneakers. On his head was a dark blue hat and a light blue bag over his shoulder.

"To steal the Heracross?" I parroted.

"That's my guess," the boy said, "And I'm not about to let them steal 'em and ruin this migration."

"Count me in!"

Libby smiled and happily cried out. The boy looked at us with a smug look and scoffed.

"As if," he said, "Leave this to the adults, kid. You'll get in the way."

He patted my shoulder as he walked away from me. I only blinked in surprise.

I'll get in the way. We'll see about that. He clearly doesn't know that I have more experience with this organization.

Putting on a brave face, I continued to follow the boy. By the time I saw him, a buzzing sound gradually got louder. Looking up, I saw a swarm of blue Pokémon with long horns. I took out my Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon flying overhead.

"Heracross, the Single Horn Pokémon. It gathers in forests in search for tree sap, its favorite food. It's strong enough to hurl foes. Its powerful legs and claws give it enough power to hurl foes over great distances."

Whoa! They look so cool!

Looking back, I saw that the young man had disappeared. Mentally kicking myself, I wandered around the town searching for the boy and the Team Xenon grunts from earlier. When I reached the western exit, I saw some Team Xenon grunts with net launchers. Ducking behind the gate's post, I peeked around to see them loading the net launchers. Beside each grunt was a different Pokémon, ready to defend their masters.

So they are trying to snag the Heracross. Guess that boy was right. Speaking of which, where is he?

Looking around, I saw the boy sneaking up on the evil organization.

He's going to get hurt if I don't do something!

I pulled out my phone and called the others.

"Era? Where are you?" Nina asked, "We've been looking everywhere for you."

"Sorry, gang. Got a little sidetracked by some friends of ours," I said.

"You're kidding, right?" Eric groaned.

"I wish I was. I'm by the western gate. Some guy has been following them, and I don't want him to get hurt. He has no idea what he's getting himself into."

"We're on our way!" Elsu said.

Dismissing the call, I pulled out a Pokéball and gripped it.

Until they make their move, that's when I'll make mine.

Then, a loud pop rang in my ears. Looking up, I saw that one of the grunts had fired a net at a Heracross.

"Jet, slice that net with Dragon Claw!" I said, throwing the Pokéball.

When Jet appeared, he roared as his claws started glowing green and growing in size. In seconds, Jet sliced the net into ribbons. The Heracross Jet saved cried out in shock before flying away.

"That was way too close." I said.

"Bring it down!" cried a voice.

Another loud pop rang through the air, and another net was heading Jet's way.

"Dragon Claw!" I cried.

Jet's claws turned green once more as he sliced through the net.

It makes sense they would try to snag Jet for themselves. They're gonna have to try a little more complicated than that.

"Eragona!" said a familiar voice.

Looking ahead, I saw my friends running up to me.

"What's the plan?" Rina asked.

"Protect the Heracross at all costs, and drive Team Xenon away." I said.

"We can handle that!" Rina and Kat said.

"We'll make sure there aren't any Team Xenon members anywhere else in the city." Eric said.

Nodding to my friends, Eric, Elsu, and Nina ran in the opposite direction. Breathing out a sigh, I came out of my hiding spot and waved over the evil organization.

"Hey! Team Xenon! Over here!" I called out.

The grunts looked over at me and glared.

"It's the brats!" said a female grunt.

"Capture the Heracross and that Garchomp!" ordered a male grunt, "Now!"

Three grunts raised their net launchers and fired them upward at the incoming Heracross and Jet.

"Cyndaquil, get out here and use Ember to burn the net!" Rina said, throwing out a Pokéball.

When the Fire Mouse Pokémon appeared, it gaped its mouth and released small flames that burned away the nets.

"Shadow Ball!" cried a male grunt.

Three Golbat appeared and hurled three Shadow Ball attacks at us.

"Flamethrower!" cried a voice.

In seconds, a ribbon of fire appeared and burned away the shadowy blobs. Turning to the side, I saw it was the guy I was following. Beside him was the Legendary Pokémon, Arcanine.

"It's you!" I said in surprise.

"Couldn't let you kids have all the fun." he said with a smirk.

"Great, now there's another brat!" a female grunt groaned, "Keep firing nets at the Heracross, and get me that Garchomp!"

Some grunts positioned their net launchers and fired nets at the incoming Heracross.

"Dragon Claw, Jet!" I cried.

Jet growled as he sliced through the nets. Unfortunately, he missed one, and the net snared an incoming Heracross, bringing it down.

Darn it!

"Get that Heracross!" cried one of the grunts.

One of the female grunts nodded and sprinted up to the snared Heracross.

"Oh, no, you don't!" the boy said, "Extreme Speed!"

The Arcanine barked before dashing towards the grunt, knocking away the Team Xenon member. The Arcanine stood in front of the Heracross, waiting for one of the grunts to make a move. The young man ran over to us and dropped to his knees beside the Heracross.

"Jet, lend Arcanine a hand!" I said.

"My Arcanine doesn't need your help," the boy jeered, glaring up at me, "Flamethrower on the Golbat!"

The Legendary Pokémon barked as it fired a ribbon of fire at the bat-like Pokémon, knocking them to the ground.

What's this guy's deal...?

"Jet, use Dragon Pulse!" I cried.

Jet let out a cry as he fired a multicolored shock wave.

"Slice through it with Poison Tail, Seviper!" said a male grunt.

The Seviper hissed as the tip of its tail started glowing purple. It then sliced through the Dragon-type move with no effort.

"Keep firing at the Heracross and Garchomp!" said a male grunt.

A small squadron of Team Xenon grunts aimed their net launchers at Jet and the Heracross, firing them at once.

"Swift!" Kat and I said.

Angel and Libby leaped up and released star-shaped rays, slicing away at the nets. When I looked down, I saw the boy pulling away at the net.

We're at least buying him time to get that Heracross free.

"Fire again!" said a female grunt.

Following her orders, the squadron fired their net launchers once more.

"Flamethrower!" the boy and I said.

"Ember!" Rina said.

The three Pokémon released their Fire-type attacks, burning away the net.

"Dragon Claw, Jet!" I said.

When Jet's claws turned green, he dashed past the grunts, leaving a dust cloud in his wake. When the dust cleared, Jet was standing behind the evil organization. When Jet looked back, all the net launchers fell apart in the grunts' hands.

Whoa! I've never seen Jet move like that before.

"You little brats!" cried a male grunt, "Sneasel, use Shadow Ball!"

The small Pokémon turned around and fired a shadowy blob at Jet.

"Burn it up with Flamethrower!" I said.

Jet then roared a ribbon of fire, burning away the Shadow Ball and knocking out the opposing Sneasel.

"I think it's time for you guys to leave." Rina said.

The grunts looked between us with scowls.

"This won't be the last time seeing you brats," said a male grunt, throwing up a Pokéball, "Xatu, get out here and use Teleport!"

At his command, a green bird-like Pokémon appeared. Its eyes glowed, and they all disappeared.

Good riddance.

After thanking my Garchomp, I returned him to his Pokéball and looked down. When the boy stripped away the net, the Single Horn Pokémon stood up and shook away the pain.

"That was a nasty fall," I commented, "Are you okay, Heracross?"

The Heracross nodded with a friendly smile. It then turned to the boy and his Arcanine and happily cried out.

"I think it's thanking you for helping it out." Kat chuckled.

The boy looked at the Heracross and grinned.

"I think I should be the one thanking you guys," he said.

"What for?" Rina asked.

"Even though I could've handled myself perfectly fine against those freaks in blue, it was nice having some help."

I promptly rolled my eyes and smiled at the boy.

"Well, we were happy to help," I said, "We've dealt with Team Xenon many times before, so they're always a pleasure to beat down."

"However, they are getting craftier, and it worries me what other tricks they may have up their sleeves." Rina said.

The young man promptly nodded before looking over at the Heracross, surprised to see that it hadn't left.

"What are you still doing here?" the boy asked.

The Heracross cried out before jabbing the air with its horn.

"I think it wants to battle you." I said.

The young man glanced at the Heracross and smirked.

"Alright then," he said, "You ready, Arcanine?"

The Legendary Pokémon stepped in front of its trainer and barked. The Heracross cried out as its horn started glowing a bright green.

That's Megahorn!

The Single Horn Pokémon unfurled its wings and darted toward the Arcanine.

"Extreme Speed!" the boy cried.

The Arcanine barked as it dashed toward the Heracross at incredible speed. When Arcanine was close enough, Heracross got on all fours and slipped its horn underneath it, only to fling the other Pokémon behind it, slamming it into a nearby tree.

Way to utilize that horn!

"Arcanine, are you okay?" the boy asked.

The Arcanine stood up and shook out its fur. The Heracross hopped around briskly as if it were taunting the Legendary Pokémon.

"Flamethrower!" the boy cried.

The Arcanine growled before releasing a ribbon of fire at the Heracross. The Single Horn Pokémon unfurled its wings and dodged the attack.

"Again!" the boy said.

Tilting its head back, the Arcanine fired another Flamethrower, only for the Heracross to move out of the way.

He has to get it back down on the ground first if he wants to beat it.

"Jump up and use Extreme Speed!" the boy cried.

Using Extreme Speed, Arcanine jumped in the air and rammed itself against the unsuspecting Heracross, knocking it back to the ground.

"Follow up with Flamethrower!" the boy said.

Once it landed, the Arcanine fired another ribbon of fire at the Single Horn Pokémon. When the smoke cleared, the Heracross was unconscious.

"Way to go!" Rina cheered.

Angel, Libby, and Snubbull all let out cheer-filled cries. Then, the Heracross woke up, shaking away the drowsiness and pain. It looked up at the boy and smiled. The young man grinned and knelt in front of the Single Horn Pokémon.

"Thanks for the battle," he said, "You were amazing!"

The Arcanine walked up and let out a friendly bark. The Heracross smiled and happily cried out, only to repeat the same cry over again.

"I think... I think it wants to join you." Kat said.

"You're joking?" the boy questioned, glancing back at the beetle-like Pokémon, "Is that true?"

The Heracross smiled and nodded. Smirking, the boy pulled out a Pokéball and held it toward the Heracross.

"Welcome to the team!" he said.

When he tapped the Heracross on the head, the ball opened and sucked the Heracross inside. The ball moved around in the boy's hand before it stopped, and a red light flashed.

"Congrats!" I exclaimed.

"Thanks," he said, "With everything goin' on, I never got a chance to introduce myself. I'm Micheal."

"I'm Eragona, and these are my friends Kat and Rina."

The others smiled and waved.

"Eragona! Kat! Rina!" cried a familiar voice.

We turned around to see Eric, Elsu, and Nina run up to us.

"We cleared away some Team Xenon grunts to the east." Eric said.

"And stopped them from trying to steal the Heracross and Nina's Mawile." Elsu claimed.

"They tried to take your Mawile?" Kat asked in shock.

"They sure did, but I wouldn't let them!" Nina said boldly.

Kat and I glanced at one another with knowing looks.

"Wasn't there a Mawile in a cage back when we first encountered Team Xenon in Cavern Cove City?" I asked.

"There was," Kat said, "According to Team Xenon, it must be a Pokémon that can mega evolve."

"It must be because they were trying hard to take her away from me." Nina said.

They were doing the same to Jet and me.

"Who's this?" Eric asked, looking over at Micheal.

"Ah, right! Meet Micheal," Rina said, "We helped him get rid of Team Xenon."

"Let's flip the script for a minute, dear," he said, "I helped your friends with Team Xenon. You guys obviously know more about these freaks than I do. I just heard about them from this girl with red hair."

"Amora." we said in unison.

Micheal nodded with a grin on his face.

"Now that that fiasco is over, why don't we explore the rest of Ecruteak City?" Eric said, "I wanna explore that large tower over there!"

"Sure, but first, we gotta finish our battle, Nina!" Elsu said.

"We sure do!" Nina said, "Race ya there!"

The natives laughed as they raced to the Pokémon Center. I looked back at the young man and smiled.

"Micheal, do you want to join us?" I asked.

Micheal glanced between us and grinned.

"Someone's gotta keep you, kids, out of trouble," he joked, "Sure, I'll tag along!"

After retracting his Arcanine, Micheal followed us as we returned to the Pokémon Center.

This was not how I expected this day to go. Well, on the bright side, we made a new friend, and he was able to add a new member to his team. A lot can happen in a city full of history, huh?