The cool, brisk morning atmosphere greeted Ash once he stepped onto the battlefield outside the Pokemon Center, placing cans of Pokemon food, bowls, and his breakfast. It was currently 6:12 am and the sun was gently rising. Bringing out all his Pokemon, Ash was greeted by various " good mornings " from each of them. Pikachu went to stand beside Frogadier, Fletchinder, and Hawlucha and turned his attention to Ash.
" Okay, guys listen up. As you know, Valerie's fashion show happened yesterday, so the Laverre Gym is closed for the week. We won't be having our gym battle for a while so we can take a break for today. " Ash smiled. " We'll be going to take a tour of the city after breakfast, and I know that you guys want to train right now, even harder than before, Frogadier you especially... "
Ash glanced at Frogadier, who slowly turned his head away to avoid contact. Ash let a soft sigh as he looked up at the sky.
" I know... that my decision back at the wetlands to release Goodra there means that he won't be participating in the league with us after everything we've been through since he joined as a Goomy... " Ash said, as his Pokemon looked downcast at the remembrance of that moment.
" But! " Ash said, gaining their attention. " That doesn't mean we don't carry his efforts along with us! He's given us his all in the time he spent with us and now, he's staying with his friends and family in the wetlands as their protector! When we fight from now on, we carry his legacy with us. He's not here physically anymore... "
Ash then raised his fist and placed it against his chest, over his heart.
" But he's always with us. "
Pikachu, Frogadier, Fletchinder, and Hawlucha stared at Ash, his words caused smiles to break out on their faces. Mimicking him, they placed their fist/wing over their heart. Ash smiled at the sight.
" I know we haven't had the chance to fully come to terms with it. I still feel sad. So, let's take the day off and let it sink in. We'll head into town by ourselves and go with the flow. We'll pick up training from tomorrow. Okay? " Ash asked and his Pokemon gave cries of agreement.
" Great! " Ash smiled. " Alright, now then time to have breakfast. Come on. "
Heading towards the table, followed by his Pokemon who were eager to have their breakfast, Ash placed their bowls and gave them their breakfast, watching them start to eat before digging into his own. His mind thought back to wetlands, to the night he asked Goodra what he wanted to do. Underneath a star-filled sky, he talked with Goodra,
" We are going to win the Kalos League and we'll only be getting stronger from here on out. Training, facing stronger opponents, we will be doing that as we travel. Will you be able to grow stronger and keep up with us? " Ash asked.
" If you can, then I can bring you along when the league starts at least... " Ash said, then felt a paw on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Goodra smiling at him but his eyes were wet. Goodra softly shook his head as he looked across the large wetlands.
" I see... " Ash replied, his hat hiding his eyes. " We're gonna miss you Goodra. "
Goodra softly pulled him in for a hug, one that Ash reciprocated.
Softly sighing, Ash drank some water as he looked up at the sky, leaning back slightly in his seat. Looking at his Pokemon and seeing that they also finished eating, Ash got up and cleaned up.
" Okay, guys. We'll go keep the bowls back and return the plates to Nurse Joy, then we will leave. " Ash said, getting a cry of confirmation from each of them. Returning Hawlucha, Fletchinder, and Frogadier to their Pokeballs, Ash took the bowls and plates inside with Pikachu walking beside him.
After placing the bowls and plates inside, Ash left the Pokemon Center. Sometime later, Sawyer frantically ran though the hall and looked around the Pokemon Center, his Treeko doing the same. Noticing this. Clemont called out to him,
" Hey, Sawyer! "
" Huh? Oh, hey Clemont... " Sawyer responded, once he registered Clemont's question and turned around to face him.
"You've been running around the Pokemon Center for a while now. What's going on? " Clemont asked.
" I'm trying to find Ash. Have you seen him? " Sawyer asked.
" He went into town. " Clemont said. " But why... "
" Thanks, Clemont. " Sawyer said once he got what he needed and got ready to bolt out of the Pokemon Center, Clemont stopped him by grasping his shoulder.
" Hey, what gives? " Sawyer asked after removing Clemonts hand from his shoulder.
" Ash had decided to take a day off today. " Clemont informed. " Just a day with just himself and his Pokemon. Whatever you need him for, you can wait till tomorrow. "
" But I... well, you're not wrong. " Sawyer said, then his shoulders slumped. " Yeah, you're right. "
" What did you need him for anyway? " Clemont asked.
" I wanted to battle with him and ask him for some pointers. " Sawyer said.
" I see... but why did you want to so badly? " Clemont asked.
" I saw his battles when he participated in the Hoenn League. " Sawyer said excitedly. " Once I watched those, I watched other videos as well! He's really strong and some of the tactics he used were so out of the blue but super effective. I never thought that using Flare Blitz underground to get rid of Toxic Spikes was an option! "
" Ash is extremely creative, " Clemont acknowledged, and then his brain caught up. " Wait, he removed Toxic Spikes with Flare Blitz?! "
" Yeah! He had Infernape use Dig then used Flare Blitz underground to remove Toxic Spikes! " Sarywe said.
" Where did he do this? " Clemont asked.
" From his fight vs Paul at the Sinnoh League. Didn't you know about it? " Sawyer asked.
" I... actually never watched any of his previous battles. I know he traveled to other regions before he came here, but I never thought about watching them. " Clemont admitted.
" Well... since Ash has taken the day off, you wanna watch his battles with me? " Sawyer asked. " I wanted to ask him some questions about the battles he's fought in, but since he's not here, maybe we could watch and discuss them... "
" Sure. I'm free for the day. " Clemont smiled.
" Awesome. Hey, what about Serena and Bonny? Should we ask them if they want to join? " Sawyer asked.
" No, that's not possible. Serena and Bonny left for their day off in town. " Clemont said.
" Oh... Well, I guess it's just you, me, and Treeko. " Sawyer smiled.
" Guess so. Let's go, we can use my laptop. " Clemont said.
...
Having the feeling of your body demanding to wake up even though your mind wants to continue sleeping is a frustrating experience. Valerie understood this very well, especially after having a fashion show. Yet, that paradox didn't occur when Valerie gazed at the man she had fallen for.
She smiled upon remembering yesterday's events and in response, she shuffled closer to Atsumu's body. Feeling her movement, Atsumu grunted as he gently pulled Valerie closer to him, making them snuggle on the bed. Valerie giggled softly, placing her head underneath Atsumu's chin.
" Good Morning. " Valerie whispered.
" ... Morning. " Atsumu replied, his eyes opening and adjusting, as he kissed Valerie on her head.
" So... Shall we get up or do you want to keep doing this? " Valerie asked.
" Isn't it a day off for you? " Atsumu asked, before rubbing her back in a soothing manner. " Go back to sleep. "
" That'd be nice... " Valerie smiled. " But I still need to be present for the removal of the stage. "
" Can't you have someone else be there to supervise? " Atsumu whined. " I want to sleep some more. "
" I can, but I won't. " Valerie said. " It's still my responsibility till I retire. "
" Then take a test run. Retire for today and get a replacement to handle your responsibilities. " Atsumu whined. " Just stay here with me like this. "
" As lovely as that sounds, we both know we must get up eventually. " Valerie giggled, gently pushing Atsumu away as he whined the entire time.
" Nooooooooooo... " Atsumu said as Valerie pushed him away.
Valerie chuckled at his reaction, leaning in to kiss him on the lips, making sure to stay like that for a good minute.
" Come on. Let's have some coffee and freshen up. I never got to give you that tour and I think it's about time I did. " Valerie said.
" So you're not going to work today? " Atsumu asked, hopeful.
" I'm giving retirement a test run. " Valerie smiled.
" Yes. " Atsumu cheered while Valerie chuckled.
Meanwhile at the local park,
Sitting under a tree at the park, Ash and his team stopped for a small snack break. Taking out boxes, Ash opened and gave each of his team their Pokepuffs, two for each, watching as they went and admired their Pokepuffs, crying out in excitement. Ash chuckled as he brought out his sandwiches and bottle of orange juice.
' These look so good! ' Fletchinder said, waiting patiently as Pikachu brought one of the 2 Pokepuffs Fletchinder chose.
' Indeed. ' Hawlucha agreed, scrutinizing his Pokepuffs before taking one out to eat. Taking a bite, Hawlucha had a pleased expression on his face. ' These are delicious. Much better than the ones we got in Lumiouse. '
Pikachu hummed in agreement as he chewed on his Pokepuff, as did Fletchinder who gave happy chirps. Frogadier ate his Pokepuff in silence but did give out grunts of satisfaction in between bites. As Frogadier went for his next bite, he paused for a brief moment. Sensing something from his left, Frogadier continued to eat as if he hadn't sensed anything.
' Hey Pikachu, can you take the next one out? ' Fletchinder asked, after finishing his Pokepuff rather quickly.
' Sure. ' Pikachu replied, walking over to help take out Fletchinder's next Pokepuff from the box. As he did that, a soft blue hue surrounded Pikachu's box. Frogadier and Hawlucha noticed Pikachu's box floating in the air, moving away.
" Hey Pikachu, your box is moving. " Ash called out.
' It is?! ' Pikachu said, turning his head to see his Pokepuff box drop to the ground. ' Huh, I guess someone's hungry nearby. '
' Hey, if you're hungry you can come out now. I don't mind sharing. ' Pikachu called out.
After a few seconds, no one made themselves known. Pikachu shrugged and went back to taking out Fletchinder's Pokepuff from the box. As he did so, his box was once again floating in the air.
' Pikachu, your box. ' Hawlucha pointed out.
' Guess they're shy. ' Pikachu notes, placing Fletchinder's Pokepuff down. ' Well, I did say I didn't mind sharing. '
' And quite cunning. ' Frogadier replied, glancing at a tree where a floating pebble lay.
' Well, since we have a mysterious guest, why don't we go see who they are? ' Fletchinder suggested, pieces of Pokepuff stuck to his beak.
' Not a bad idea. But let's see if they won't be spooked by all of us going. ' Pikachu said, watching his Pokepuff disappear behind the bushes.
' Sounds good. ' Frogadier said, then handing Pikachu half of his Pokepuff. ' It doesn't look like you'll get your half back. '
Suddenly, the pebble shot forward towards Frogadier's outstretched hand and was met by a quick Thunderbolt from Pikachu, destroying it.
' They didn't like your insinuation. ' Hawlucha said.
' Yes, I saw. ' Frogadier replied. ' A Pokemon that can learn a Psychic type move or is Psychic themselves and can hear us. '
Ash watched from a distance as his Pokemon interacted with their unknown soon-to-be friend. Feeling a tug on his sleeve, Ash looked down to see Pikachu's box turned with exactly half of his Pokepuff remaining.
" Exactly half, huh? You know, you can come hang out with us if you want. We won't hurt you. " Ash replied. Not hearing a reply, Ash turned towards his Pokemon and called out, " Hey Pikachu, the other half of your Pokepuff is here. "
' Oh, they really didn't like your comment. ' Fletchinder said to Frogadier.
' Thank you, I hadn't noticed. ' Frogadier replied.
Pikachu chuckled then ran up to Ash to get his half. Once he got his half, Ash and Pikachu turned towards the newcomer who came out of hiding.
An Espurr.
" Yo. Glad to finally see ya. How was the puff? " Ash asked gently.
' It was good. ' Espurr responded dully.
" Did they like it? " Ash asked Pikachu.
' Yeah, they did. ' Pikachu said. ' Are you male or female? '
' Female. ' Espurr responded.
' Female. ' Pikachu said to Ash.
" Oh, We're glad you liked it. " Ash smiled.
' You wanna hang out with us? ' Pikachu asked.
' Can I have some more food if I do? ' Espurr asked.
' She wants more food while hanging out with us. ' Pikachu said to Ash.
" More food huh? Sure. This is only a snack. We'll have lunch later. " Ash replied. " So you wanna come along? "
' Yes. ' Espurr said as Pikachu gave Ash a thumbs up.
" Alright then. We'll be leaving soon, but for now, you can get to know the others first. " Ash said.
' Okay. ' Espurr said.
' Follow me. I'll introduce you to them. ' Pikachu replied, guiding the Espurr to the others.
Ash smiled as Pikachu led Espurr to his other Pokemon. He watched as Espurr's face remained neutral as ever, while his other Pokemon made various faces.
' This will be more fun than I thought. ' Ash thought.
" Hey guys, how about we get going now? " Ash asked and got cries of agreement from his Pokemon, and Espurr nodded.
...
Under the brilliance of the shining sun, People and Pokemon spend their days. Some days are lived with barely anything interesting happening. Some days are lived where you feel yourself drown in negativity. And, some days are lived to the fullest, spent by simply existing with each other.
This could be done by going shopping, getting lost in a world full of colors—the sea of clothing designs and finding clothes that speak to you, dressing up with a friend.
Another way of spending time speaking about a topic that is common ground between all, not realizing how much time has passed by in the process.
Visiting historic places, going through museums, riding a boat down a canal, and taking pictures to capture these beautiful moments is another way.
Or you can walk around, taking in the sights for what they are with individuals who care for and cherish, while making new friends along the way.
For all the complicated dark aspects that are there in this world, this world is equally just as simply bright. It's up to the ones living in the world to decide what to seek out.
...
" Xerosic. How are things progressing? " Lysandre asked over the phone.
" The same as the last time you called which was- Oh yeah. YESTERDAY! " Xerosic screeched over the phone, then calmed down. " Sir, I must ask this out of concern for your well-being, but are you okay? I will exceed your expectations as usual but that requires time and patience, I'm creating innovations to subdue Legendaries. "
" So, are you alright sir? " Xerosic asked.
" ... I apologize Xerosic. You are right. Please give me a call when you are done. " Lysandre said.
" Sir! You haven't answered- " Xerosic said before Lysandre cut the call.
Lysandre slumped in his chair, his eyes glazed over, no light shone within them.
' 2... 3... 5... 7... 11... ' Lysandre thought, staring dispassionately at his desk of paperwork and reports.
___________________________________________
Sup everyone.
Here's a new chapter. What are your thoughts about it?
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Hope you enjoyed it.
Have a nice day.