Ash, "Hey, Lucario, what's wrong?"
Lucario turned to Ash then to the water, -It is nothing Meema. I am just worried about a few rumours.-
Ash, "The ones about Team Magma and Aqua?"
Lucario, -No, not those. I know you have a rough knowledge about what will happen but I am worried. Especially with Gonzalez on the loose.-
Ash stiffened at the name but took a deep breath to calm down, "I understand what you mean. Gonzalez is an unknown variable and very unpredictable."
Lucario, -I was not expecting his obsession over making you his heir.-
Ash scowled at that, "He just wants the fairy tale like power of an Aura Guardian. He does not really cares about anything else. It is very annoying and terrifying to be a subject of such a thing."
Lucario, -Indeed, how are you holding up Meema? I have noticed you were fidgeting staying inside the rooms.-
Ash, "You noticed that?"
Lucario nodded, -We can camp out here if you are feeling suffocated inside.-
Ash, "Thank you but it is alright."
Chimchar claimed Ash's shoulder and protested, "Char chimchar."
Lucario nodded, -Chimchar is correct you should not ignore your discomfort. You certainly do not ignore ours.-
Ash, "Yeah, thanks guys, but I promise I will be alright."
Max, "Ash, guys, there you are."
Molly, "Ashy, I found you."
Ash smiled, "Hey there, you two. What's up?"
Max, "Gou said dinner will be arriving soon so he sent us to tell you."
Ash looked at the darkening sky, "Alright let's go."
The three of them entered the hall not realizing they were being watched. Ash had a prickling feeling but when he looked around there was no one to be seen. Ash shook his head thinking he was being over paranoid because they talked about his more insane relative. Now, wasn't that a very disturbing thought, even though he wanted nothing to do with Gonzalez, the crazy man was still his relative. Ash gave a quiet sigh as he listened to Molly and Max talk about their plans and what they wanted to do in Hoenn.
Gou, "Ah! You three are here. Sit, dinner is still warm. Let's eat."
Ash, "Thanks Gou. I will wash up and join you."
The Pokemon had already been fed earlier and returned to their pokeballs to rest as they traveled. The anime made the travel time look short but reality couldn't much be further from fiction. They were traveling to Hoenn by ship and it would take two whole days to reach the other region. Ash washed up and joined the rest for dinner which passed normally before turning in for the night. Chimchar, Eevee, Absol and Abra were ready to cuddle Ash when he was ready to lie down. Ash smiled at them and kissed them good night while Lucario lay down behind Ash in a protective manner.
Ash would have sweat dropped but understood why, 'Guess they are still not happy about the fact I might get hurt in the future. Then again even I would lose my mind if the ones I cared about got hurt.'
Lucario, 'Meema is thinking about other things again.'
Abra, 'Yup, he is thinking about others instead his own safety again.'
Lucario, -Meema, go to sleep. Worry about others later.-
Ash, "Yes, yes."
The next day they heard the intercom announce they were entering the Hoenn border and there would be a check in by the border patrol at one of the islands. The four of them got their papers ready and went through the check ins as quickly as possible while the security scanned their Pokemon to make sure they were okay. After a few hours they were headed to Littleroot Port town which was a few hours away. Max was very excited, it had been three years since he was back to his home region Hoenn.
Max, "I can't wait to show you around Petalburg City. I will show you all my favorite places around there."
Gou, "I look forward to it Max."
Molly, "Me too! I heard a lot about Hoenn and I can't wait."
Ash, "Yes, I can't wait to challenge Norman, he is Hoenn regions very own Normal type Master. It will be an exciting battle."
Max, "Are you planning on challenging the League?"
Ash, "Yes, it will be easier to travel incognito if I just stick to the League."
Gou, "Ah right! If you take part in a contest, people will recognize you and hound you again."
Molly watched Ash's expression change, "Are you okay Ashy?"
Ash gave a smile, "I am alright Molly and you are correct about that Gou. I really hate it when strangers interfere in a journey. I get interviews are part of becoming a winner but I believe a Pokemon journey should be limited to trainers and their Pokemon."
Max had a contemplative look, "It would be annoying if we had to answer question every time we enter a City. I would hate it if they interfered our training time."
Molly pouted, "I do not have a Pokemon yet."
Gou, "Do not worry Molly, Professor Birch said you could choose one of Hoenn starters as your first Pokemon."
Max, "I can't do it because I already have a full set and it will be illegal without a license to carry more than six Pokemon."
Ash chuckled, "You just need to be patient and train the Pokemon you have at the moment to become strong."
Molly, "I can see the port."
Max, "We are almost... Gah!"
Gou, "Be careful!"
Ash, "Eevee!"
Lucario, -Meema!-
Ash jumped after Eevee who had slipped from the deck into the water below while Gou called for Inteleon. Feraligatr jumped in after his trainer with Lucario holding on to him as they followed Ash and Eevee who were caught in a current. Eevee and Ash held their breaths as they were obvious pulled somewhere by an unknown force through the water. Ash had a feeling inside his gut that this was the work of a Legendary Pokemon and he thought back to the poke egg Meganium was watching over.
Ash would have scowled if he could, 'I hope things do not get too dangerous.'
Eevee chirped, "Vee."
Ash gasped, "Ah! *cough* I can breath. Huh! An air bubble."
Eevee pointed, "Vui vee."
Ash stared, "What the? Giratina? Why? Why are here?"
Giratina stared, -Hmmm... Mew was right about you little one. You have been touched by death.-
Ash swallowed, "I.. Yes, I was I guess?"
Giratina, -Do not be tense. I only came here to verify their claim. I am very interested in watching how you deal with the continental Legendary Pokemon. Sanity knows the Rayquaza are at their wits end with their clashes.-
Ash, "They have their own clan too?"
Giratina was amused, -Every Pokemon does little one. We are living creatures despite our power and status as Gods.-
Ash started to giggle, "Gary will blow his mind if he learns about this."
Giratina rumbled, -I must leave now little one, your Pokemon are searching for you.-
Ash, "Nice meeting you Lord Giratina."
Before Ash knew the air bubble moved upward away from Giratina's realm which made Ash's eyes widen. He noticed Lucario was with Feraligatr and made sure to grab him pulling him inside the bubble. Lucario coughed and spluttered then turned to Ash to check on him and made sure he was unhurt. Ash reassured him he was alright and started to explain what happened to him and Eevee and how the Pokemon who was considered the Lord of the Underworld appeared.
Lucario gave Ash a flat look, -Meema.-
Ash, "Yes?"
Lucario, -We entered Hoenn territory just a few hours ago.-
Ash had a sheepish look, "In my defense, I was not expecting this."
Lucario, -On top of that it is not even a Hoenn Legendary Pokemon but a Sinnoh Legendary Pokemon.-
Ash, "I don't like where this is going."
Lucario, -They basically tasked you to wrangle the most notorious battle obsessed Legendary Pokemon and we have not even landed yet.-
Ash, "When you put it that way I do feel a little foolish."
Lucario, -I do not fault you for trying to help others Meema. If anything I blame the Legendary Pokemon. They know you will not deny them help. They must have also realized your soft spot for Ghost types, hence why Giratina appeared.-
Ash, "Do you think they will manipulate us that way?"
Lucario looked up as they reached the surface, -Perhaps if they are desperate enough then yes.-
Max, "There they are."
The Captain threw a float at them, "Hold on!"
Ash grabbed the float, "I got it."
Ash, 'It was unnecessary though. I have Feraligatr with me. Ah well!'
The Captain had Ash looked over by the medic on board who lectured him about safety and health. After the medic deemed him alright Gou, Max and Molly surrounded him to check on him. Lucario who was still livid snitched on what happened while they were underwater making Gou's eyebrows go up into his hairline. Max and Molly shared a look between them, at least that is what it seemed like to Ash as they dragged the teen to sit down.
Gou, "Gary will not be pleased. He already has an angry beef with Mew, the Legendary Pokemon. You going to explain that anytime soon?"
Ash, "Turns out Aura Guardians who get involved with Legendaries..... "
Gou narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the mumbling, "Ash, speak up!"
Lucario, -They have short lives.-
Max paled, "What?"
Molly, "You are kidding."
Gou, "My answer is no."
Ash, "No?"
Gou poked Ash's chest, "No, you are not getting involved with any Legendary Pokemon. I swear to all that is living Ash, you better not be going after them."
Ash, "Of course not. They come searching for me, not the other way around."
Gou sighed, "Okay, okay, let's calm down, let's calm down."
Lucario, -Let us talk about this after we disembark from the ship. I don't think we want anyone else to listen in.-
Gou, "Yes, let's do that."
Ash, "Sorry about this guys."
Gou, "It is not your fault. But damn Ash, you need boundaries. Like seriously, you needed them years ago."
Ash gave a nervous laugh knowing what Gou was referring to, he always found it hard to reject a Pokemon. For as far as he could remember, especially when he became aware he was originally from a world where Pokemon was fiction. It was a dream come true for him and he never thought twice about helping a Pokemon despite the fact it caused trouble for him. It was something they had all noticed but did not say anything because Ash always looked happy. But there had to be limits and boundaries on it, especially if it was placing his life in danger.
Ash, "Nurse Jim, one room for four trainers for one night please."
Nurse Jim, "Of course. Here you go."
Ash, "Thanks Nurse Jim."
Gou, "Come on!"
After they settled down Gou went about talking to Ash about saying no, or at least to think about the request before agreeing to helping a Legendary. He understands it may not always be possible to reject the request but he could ask for some time before agreeing. They could use the time given to research on the matter and figure out different solutions. Lucario agreed with Gou on the reasoning and insisted Ash should hold off on making future agreements without his Pokemon around.
Ash, "I hear you and I get it guys, I do but I just can't turn them away without at least trying to help."
Gou sighed, "Of course, you wouldn't."
Max, "Ash, I think you should take it easy while in Hoenn."
Ash, "Max?"
Molly piped up, "You did say you want to travel incognito cousin. You can't do that if you get involved with Legendaries you know?:
Ash, "That is true."
Gou nodded, "Yes, yes, so do not get involved unless it is strictly unavoidable."
Ash nodded, 'I do not have the heart to tell them it will be unavoidable in the future.'