As Twilight, Matthew, Fluttershy, Mason, and Chris arrived back at Ponyville Station, it was late at night. Walking back to Twilight's castle, they were surprised to see Grace and Serena awake, watching Serena's Braixen play with the Swablu Grace had found earlier.

"Hey." Twilight said. "What are you two doing up?"

"We wanted to wait for you. Everyone else is already asleep." Grace said. "Plus, Swablu woke us up with it's crying, so we decided to care for it while we waited."

"Good move." Matthew said. Grace visibly blushed at this.

"Ash?" Serena asked. "Can we talk in private?"

"Sure." Ash replied. As they headed upstairs, followed by Pikachu and Braixen, Grace stretched and yawned.

"You tired?" Matthew asked.

"Yeah, I am." Grace said. "Really tired. But there's some things I need to get off my chest."

Matthew nodded and escorted her to the couch. They sat down next to each other, and Grace sighed.

"Matthew, back on the train, I really meant it when I said I think of you as more than a friend."

Matthew blushed, and looked her in the eye.

"You...like me?" he said, slightly nervous.

"Yeah. I mean, since I first met you, I really liked being with you." she said. Matthew sighed and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.

"I like you too." he said in reply.

Grace smiled warmly and leaned on his chest in content. Matthew smiled, knowing she was comfortable.

"You wanna head to bed?" he asked.

"Yes." she replied. As the two of them headed upstairs, they saw the guest room was packed with sleeping bags, each holding a trainer. Matthew and Serena slipped in, and carefully made their way to theirs, which were right next to each other's. Sliding into their respective bags, they were soon asleep. Ash and Serena, whose faces were crimson, came in not long after that.

As the morning sun pierced through the window, Ash and Serena woke up to a beautiful sunny day. They slipped downstairs to find Twilight helping Brock and Clemont move tables to the backyard patio.

"There's not enough room for all of us, so we're eating outside." Twilight said.

"Maybe some of us could stay at your friend's houses? You know, as not to overload you?" Grace asked.

"I'll see." Twilight said. "Mind getting the chairs?"

"Sure." Matthew said as they took the chairs outside, where a large patio greeted them. Three tables had been set up, and as Matthew and Grace set up the chairs, Ash and Serena walked downstairs, carrying Swablu, who was humming contentedly.

"Hey, Swablu." Grace said, giving the Cotton Bird Pokemon a quick pat on the head.

"He roosted inside my hat." Ash said, scratching his head. "Took us a while to get him out."

Grace laughed and took the avian Pokemon and set her down onto a bench, to which Swablu sang a note of happiness.

"Seems Swablu likes you." Brock said. "I would see if you could catch it."

"Maybe later." Grace said.

"Morning!"

Everyone turned to see David walk over, his Absol by his side.

"Hey, dad." Matthew said. "How'd you sleep?"

"Pretty good." David replied. "Anyway, I think the best thing to do now is locate Corvo. It won't be long before he strikes again."

"True." Twilight said.

"But how can we stop him if we don't know where he is?" Ash asked.

"Well, I can make an estimate." David said. "I noticed the helicopter was heading east at around sixty miles per hour away from the castle. Seeing as a helicopter of that size probably has plenty of fuel, I'd wager it's far, but not too far away, seeing as Corvo likes to keep an eye on things. Speaking of…"

David snatched a object out of the air, and showed it to Twilight.

"What is it?" Twilight asked.

"Fly drone." David said, inspecting the small robot. "He's been watching us this whole time. This fly drone can't have a long range due to size, so I'd wager his main receiver is close. As for this little bug..."

David stomped on the drone, smashing it.

"...It's not a problem anymore."

As the other trainers filed into the patio and took their seats, Brock and Clemont began to serve the food. The trainers ate their fill, and soon, the plates were clean.

"That was good." Ash said.

"Really good." Diantha added. "I admire your cooking, Brock."

Brock blushed slightly.

"Thanks."

"Anyway…" Twilight said. "I think it's time you all get some time out in town. Form some groups and head out. David, would you help me with something?"

"Sure." David said as the trainers formed their groups and headed out.

===========================

Ash, Matthew, Serena, and Grace headed towards Sweet Apple Acres, only to hear a commotion.

"I tell ya, I don't know where the pie went!" Applebloom cried to Big Mac.

"Well, then you HAVE to know where the fritters went, too!" Mac replied. "They can't just...vanish!"

"I don't know about that either!"

"What's going on?" Matthew asked Applejack.

"Something's been stealing all of our apples." Applejack said. "It even stole honey from the beehives."

"Probably a wild Pokemon, most likely a Bug-Type." Matthew guessed. "I know a trick to catch Bug-types. Can I borrow some honey and a paintbrush?"

Applejack widened her eyes at the paintbrush remark, but she fetched what was needed. Matthew went over to a tree populated with apples and lathered a large spot of honey onto the trunk.

"What's all this about?" Big Mac asked.

"Bug types like honey." Matthew said. "So, when our culprit comes to get a snack, he'll get a sticky surprise instead. Then, I can catch it."

"Sounds good." Nate said. "Let's take cover and see what happens."

As the group hid behind some bushes, they were surprised to see a faint blur dashing from tree to tree, swiping up apples. Then, it buzzed over to the honey, and promptly got stuck, revealing the culprit.

"A Ninjask?" Matthew said.

"Ninjask?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, take a look." Matthew said, pulling out his Pokedex.

"Ninjask, the Ninja Pokemon. Ninjask are extremely fast, so fast they are virtually unnoticeable to the naked eye. They congregate near tree sap and honey." the Pokedex spoke.

"So, it's been stealing our apples?" Big Mac asked.

"Most likely." Grace said. "Ninjask can move so fast, they're almost invisible. But I think there's something more to this."

Matthew nodded to Grace walked over and pulled Ninjask free from the honey. Ninjask took one look at Matthew, and then buzzed his wings ferociously, freeing himself from the sticky honey. He buzzed in thanks, and motioned over to a grove of trees near the edge of the farm.

"I think he wants us to go there." Matthew said. As the group followed Ninjask, they were surprised to see the grass had been ripped up and most of the vegetation was gone. Soon, they found a large pile of stones surrounded by apples and fruit, and atop the pile was…

"A Slaking." Matthew said. "I should've known. Slaking are real gluttons, and I bet this one's making Ninjask gather food for it."

"That's why Ninjask's been stealing from the farm!" Applejack said. The Slaking noticed them and barked angrily at Ninjask, who buzzed in retaliation.

"I don't think Slaking's happy to see us." Matthew said, reaching for his Chesnaught's Poke' Ball. Then, Slaking reached upwards, and a large pile of rocks formed around his fist. At this, Ninjask grew visibly frightened.

"I see now. Slaking knows Rock Slide, a move that's doubly effective against a Bug/Flying type like Ninjask." Matthew said. "That's enough, Slaking. You're being evicted."

Slaking gave what was obviously a laugh.

"Really?" Matthew said. "Go, Chesnaught!"

The Spiny Armor Pokemon leaped out of his Pokeball and stood before Slaking. Slaking stood up and pumped his fists, signalling a battle.

"Chesnaught, Drain Punch!" Matthew yelled. Chesnaught threw a punch straight into Slaking's belly. The Super-effective attack damaged Slaking, but Slaking held on and used Chip Away, striking Chesnaught. Ash and Serena flinched slightly at the powerful attack.

"Alright, Dragon Claw!" Matthew cried. Chesnaught slashed with his claws, but Slaking did not respond, barely flinching. Chesnaught attacked several more times, but the only think Slaking did was smile. Then, he drew back, and sent several beams of black energy towards Chesnaught.

"That's Payback! Dodge it!" Matthew yelled. Chesnaught leaped out of the way, and growled.

"So, it knows Payback." Matthew said. "Alright, use Wood Hammer!"

Chesnaught formed a green aura around his fist, and slammed it into Slaking. This time, Slaking flinched visibly, and he tried to use Payback once more. Chesnaught dodged and used Spiky Shield, damaging Slaking slightly.

"Now Stone Edge!" Matthew cried. Chesnaught slammed the ground, and a volley of sharpened stones barreled towards Slaking. Slaking was unable to dodge in time, and took some damage. Slaking then unleashed Giga Impact, and he barrelled towards Chesnaught at a rapid pace. Chesnaught leaped into the air per Matthew's order, and unleashed a Wood Hammer from above. Slaking was knocked for a loop, and when the smoke cleared, Slaking was knocked out, giving off a faint moan.

"Yes! Great job buddy!" Matthew said as Ash, Serena, and Grace cheered. Ninjask buzzed excitedly, and then it buzzed off, back to its nest.

"See you around, Ninjask!" Applejack said as the group headed back to the farm. They walked back into the farmhouse to find Applebloom being berated by Granny Smith.

"Ah TOLD YOU APPLEBLOOM that if I heard you caused any more mischief, they're be tartarus to pay!"

"Granny, it wasn't me!" Applebloom said.

"Uh, Granny, she's right." Applejack said. "Big old fiend of a Pokemon named Slaking was making another Pokemon called Ninjask gather food for it. It's all taken care of now."

"Well, good to hear. Sorry, Applebloom." Granny said to a shaking Applebloom.

"Well, I wonder what the others are up to?" Serena asked.

============

Chase and Mason, along with Rarity and Pinkie, were helping take orders at Sugarcube Corner. The Cakes were being swamped with the brunch rush, and the two Trainers had volunteered to help with it.

"Lemon Cupcakes for table two!" Mrs. Cake yelled.

"Got it!" Mason said, filling the order and placing the two pastries on the counter for pickup.

"Hey Chase, this reminds me of the Malie City Food Court." Mason said.

"The hustle and bustle?" Chase replied.

"The food." Mason said, and the two trainers laughed. Chase went back to taking orders, while Mason handled the register. Then, Mason noticed two burly stallions shoving people out of the way. Then, they walked over to where a couple was sitting.

"Move." one of the thugs said.

"This is our table!" the mare replied. "What for?"
"Our boss needs a table." the other thug said.

"I certainly do." said a stallion, walking in. He was clad in noble wear, and he carried himself highly.

"Here comes trouble…" Chase whispered to Mason, who nodded.

"Well?" the noble stallion said to the couple, as if expecting them to heed his every word. "Go."

"We were here first." the stallion said. "You'll have to wait for one to open."

"Big Wig doesn't wait for anything, commoner!" the stallion spat. The thugs moved to force the couple out. Then, Big Wig received a tap on the shoulder.

"Sir?" Mason asked. "I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave. You're causing a scene and making good ponies who have waited in line give up their table that they occupied first."

"Hah!" Big Wig said. "What do you plan to do about it? Get 'em, boys!"

The thugs moved forward, and Mason tossed a Poke Ball into the air, revealing his Grumpig.

"Grum!" Grumpig said.

"Grumpig, show these idiots the door with Psychic, will you?" Mason said. Grumpig nodded and his black pearls glowed purple, and the two thugs and Big Wig were thrown out the door by a blast of Psychic energy. As Grumpig gave a bow, the three ponies stood up shakily.

"Now, either be sensible and get lost, or continue, and keep getting your butts kicked." Mason said. "Either way, Grumpig is more than happy to keep going."

The thug ponies stared at the Psychic Pokemon, who gave them a hard stare in return.

"Well, get them!" Big Wig cried. The thugs tried to rush the Pokemon, but Grumpig promptly sent them flying again. Then, the guards showed up.

"What seems to be the problem?" a guard asked Mason.

"Those three stormed in and demanded a table from a couple already there and were going to get physical when I intervened." Mason said.

"Thanks, sir. We'll take it from here." the Guard Sergeant replied. As the three ponies were escorted away, Mason walked back in and stood at the counter.

"Alright, who's next in line?" he asked. Then, the whole of Sugarcube Corner started to applaud. Mason waved sheepishly and got back to work.

"Show-off." Chase said, slapping Mason on the back. "Nice work, though."

"Thanks." Mason replied. "Let's keep at it, shall we?"

==================

At the same time, Corvo watched Twilight and David work on a Portal device through a second fly drone. He turned back to his subterrene camp, newly established in the Everfree. His copy of the Dimensional Shifter had brought his team and their tech into a large cavern complex, and Corvo had turned it into Team Nova's base of Operations.

"Boss, we've got news." A Nova Grunt said.

"What kind of news?" Corvo said.

"Apparently Giovanni's onto us. He's sent some Team Rocket people to Lumiose, to come over to this dimension."

"Never mind them." Corvo said. "Our adversaries can take care of them. Stick to the plan."

"Yessir."