Ash and Alice are now sitting at the table having lunch, while Misty and the others are sitting at the other table as they are spying on them. They are surprised to see how Ash isn't gobbling down his food, and the fact that he is chatting with Alice while eating gently kinda disturbs them.

"Is this the same Ash that we know?" Max asks. "I feel like he is kinda matured."

"Just who is that girl and what did she do to the old Ash?" Dawn asks with a little frustration.

At the same time, Ash and Alice are focusing on each other so much that they didn't notice the others looking at them. Alice says, "So Ash, are you going to challenge the Cerulean Gym after this is done?"

"I could have done it, but I heard from Mew that Mewtwo is located in the Cerulean Cave. It will be great if we check out the place first." Ash says.

"What is a Mewtwo?" Alice asks in confusion. Ash says, "Mewtwo is a Pokemon that is made by Mew's DNA. We didn't meet on good terms but in the end, all work well."

"How come?" Alice asks, but Ash shrugs, "I am not sure, Mew told me that both he and herself wipe my memory because they don't want me to remember it. And judging by how fearful Mew looks, I decide not to question further."

"I see." Alice says as she decides to drop the question. After they finish eating, Ash stands up and finally notices the group. "Hey, it's Misty, May, Dawn, and Max. Hey guys."

The four are shocked to see Ash find them. They all greet Ash and Ash asks, "What are you doing here?"

Misty says, "I invited them to watch my sister's performance show, and we decide to hang out for lunch. But who is the girl behind you?"

Ash says, "Oh, I think I should explain. This is Alice, she is my girlfriend and my travel partner. Alice, these are my former travel partners back in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh."

"It is nice to meet all of you." Alice bows at them and they are surprised. "You have a girlfriend? Ash?" Misty asks.

"When did it happen?" Max asks. "And how is the densest person in the whole world able to get a girlfriend?"

"Well, you see, I wasn't dense, I just acted like it. Because deep down I know that I will be reunited with Alice." Ash says. "I made a confession when we are five years old and that's when we become a couple."

Alice holds Ash's arm and says, "And after the World Championships, we finally reunite and this time we aren't going to be separated."

The girls are being jealous of Ash, and May says, "Well, good for you, Ash. To be able to keep your love this long."

Dawn says, "But why are you traveling again? I thought you would take a rest after being two region champions in a row."

"About that, I got a request from Mr. Goodshow, as he gives me the requirements of how to become an official Pokemon Master. I was just following the list, which consists of capturing every Pokemon, challenging every gym, Battle Frontier and Contests, and even mastering the Mega Evolution, Z Moves, and Gigantamax."

"That sounds like a lot of work to do." Max says, "So it was really you that won the contest a few hours ago?"

"Yeah. It was my second ribbon and I just need three more for the Grand Festival." Ash says. "How about you two? Are you taking part in the Kanto Contests?"

"We aren't." Dawn says, "We are at the Johto until we decide to visit Misty."

Max mutters, "And they have to drag me along..."

Alice says, "I know how you feel, when I was younger I would also be dragged by my sisters as well."

"You have sisters?" Misty asks Alice. Ash says, "Two of them, I remember Flora wants to be a model while Eve wants to be a Professor, right?"

"Well, they already achieved their goals, but I was still nothing yet, which is why I want to help Ash as much as I can." Alice says.

"That is thoughtful." Dawn says. Misty asks, "So are you going to challenge my gym next? I'll be waiting for you."

"Well, we decide that we want to visit the Cerulean Cave first." Ash says, much to their confusion. "Why?" May asks.

"You can say we have some business to do, so can you wait for both of us a while?" Ash says, much to their confusion, but Ash and Alice just walk off.

"Why is Ash keeping a secret from us? Doesn't he trust us?" May asks.

"Maybe he doesn't want us to be in danger or something. Let's head back to the gym so we can wait for them." Misty says as the other three nods.

In the Cerulean Cave, Ash and Alice arrive at the second floor and Ash yells, "Mewtwo, are you here?"

Just then, a Shadow Ball appears and both Ash and Alice dodge the attack. Then they see the Pokemon standing in front of them. Mewtwo says, "What are you doing here?"

"Mewtwo, do you remember me?" Ash asks, and Mewtwo floats towards him and says, "I remember you, Ash Ketchum, the one who showed me the error of my ways. What brings you here in my secret place?"

Alice notices the copies are also there and she asks, "Why are there so many Pokemon?"

Ash says, "They were created by Mewtwo through the DNAs of the former Pokemon. But I didn't remember what exactly happened."

Mewtwo says, "Mew and I erased your memory because we didn't want you to remember our second last meeting."

Ash nods and says, "I know, and I trust your choice so I won't ask further. But the reason I am here is to capture you. I got permission from the Arceus herself so I can capture every Pokemon. But I am not going to be like those heartless people, if you don't want to be captured, then I won't force you and we will leave."

Mewtwo just stares at Ash and then he says, "Very well. If you can beat me in a battle, then I will be captured.

Ash nods and he calls out Mew. Mewtwo stares at her and Ash says, "I know you want to battle her, so I'll let you finish what you haven't finished back then."

Mew and Mewtwo just looked at Ash with surprise, since he wasn't supposed to remember all of it. Ash says, "I just feel that I did something to stop you two battle. I didn't know what exactly is."

The two Pokemon nods and they battle, they start to throw Aura Sphere at each other and then Shadow Ball. But in the end, Mew manages to defeat Mewtwo with a struggle and Ash captures the Pokemon with a Cherish Ball.

After he sends the Pokemon back out, Ash asks, "Mewtwo, are you alright?"

"I am fine, I lost fair and square. As promised, I will be your Pokemon." Mewtwo says. "But can you tell me what is this ball that you captured me?"

"This is the Cherish Ball, it is a special Pokeball that helps you teleport to where you need to go. So you don't need to worry about leaving the Pokemon when you come with me."

"I see..." Mewtwo nods and then both Ash and Alice bid him farewell. Alice says, "That was a nice battle, I never seen a battle like that in my life."

"Me neither." Ash says. "But we should go to the gym, we have already wasted a lot of time here."

Once they are back at the gym, Max asks, "So what were you doing back at the Cerulean Cave?"

"Well, we just go meet an old friend so I can ask him for help." Ash says. "But now that we are here, can we have our Gym Battle?"

"Sure, Ash." Misty says as they go to the battlefield. Alice says, "Wow...the field is a swimming pool..."

"That is the basics of the Water Gym." May says. "I remember a lot of gyms look like that."

"Cool." Alice says.

"Okay, Misty calls out Starmie!" Misty says as she sends out her first Pokemon. Ash says, "A Starmie huh...if that's the case...I am going to use Raticate."

As the Pokemon is sent out, Misty says, "I see you have a new partner."

"I had to capture all the Pokemon." Ash says as the battle begins.

Raticate starts off with Quick Attack, but Starmie jumps into the water pool to dodge it, then Starmie uses Psychic, trying to let Raticate fall into the water, but Raticate counters with a Hidden Power, which is Grass Type, much to his delight. Starmie uses Power Gem next, but it is blocked by Crunch. In the end, an Assurance made Starmie faint.

"You win this round, but you aren't going to win against my Gyarados." Misty sends out her ace, Ash says, "We shall see. Raticate, return." Then he calls out Pikachu, who jumps into the stage.

Ash has Pikachu attack with Thunderbolt, but Gyarados blocks the attack with Hydro Pump. "My Gyarados is trained so it can block Electric moves, remember?"

"I know, but I am not going to lose that easily." Ash says.

Pikachu then charges in with Quick Attack, hitting Gyarados straight in the face. Ash tells Pikachu to follow up with Electro Ball, but while the attack is charging up, Misty has Gyarados use Rain Dance, causing a rainstorm to appear inside the Gym. As Pikachu launches his attack, Misty calls for a Hurricane from Gyarados, which dissipates the Electric attack before it can hit the Atrocious Pokémon and blows Pikachu back in the process.

"Now let's take it to the next level." Misty says as Ash knows that she is going to Mega Evolve.

Ash smiles at the sight of this, and Misty has Gyarados attack with Hydro Pump, which sends Pikachu flying into the water below it. Gyarados follows up with Crunch, but Pikachu manages to get back onto a solid surface, allowing him to use his full maneuverability to avoid the attack.

Ash tells Pikachu to use Iron Tail, which he manages to execute after climbing onto Gyarados's back, striking the massive Water Pokémon across the face and sending it underwater.

"Wow...that is so cool." Alice says. "Misty sure is well trained." Max mutters.

Gyarados uses Hurricane underwater, creating a cyclone of water around Pikachu. Pikachu tries to use Thunderbolt on the vortex, but the electricity just gets stuck on its sides. "You are able to get past for the first time, but I am not going to let you get out of it for the second time."

"We should see." Ash says as he asks Pikachu to use Surf, much to Misty's surprise. "Can Pikachu really learn that?" Dawn asks in shock.

"Maybe only Ash's." Alice smiles, knowing Ash is going to win. In the end, Ash tells Pikachu to use Thunder again, and it defeats the Gyarados.

"I think you really are stronger." Misty recalls her Pokemon and says to Ash. "So Ash, do you still have the Cascade Badge I gave you before?"

"Of course." Ash takes it out and Misty registers it so that it can be used again. Max says, "You can do that?"

"If a trainer beats the gym for the second time after the league, he or she is able to re-register the badge. Because we need to save some materials for the badges." Misty says.

"I see." Dawn says. Then they decide to stay for a while so that they can talk some more.

Here is the Gym battle, and Ash beats Misty again. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be another Pokemon capturing.