Max was not happy, "Are you okay Molly?"
Molly, "I am fine, Mudkip? Are you ok?"
Mudkip chirped, "Kip."
Kirlia, -Max, over there.-
Max, "The key, good job finding it."
Kirlia, -We should not even have to, this was supposed to be calming.-
Max, "Agreed."
Max looked around as he ran to grab the ruin key and rush back to their hiding spot while Zoe, Ash, Gou and May were protecting Professor Alden from Team Aqua and Team Magma. Zoe was furious, ever since he learned about the ruins in Alolan he had become fascinated and was now well on his path to becoming an archaeologist. Things were going great for him, he had met old friends, made new ones and was sharing what he loved doing when they were attacked. Well to be more specific team Aqua and team Magma both wanted to know about the treasure inside the Relicanth temple.
Team Aqua Admin shouted, "Courtney, give it up."
Courtney shouted, "Fuck no Shelly. Why don't you give up you old sea hag?"
Shelly, "What did you just call me you flat chested she male?"
Courtney, "You heard me you wrinkly old grandma."
Shelly snarled, "You are dead. Go Gyarados."
Gou, "Are they serious right now?"
Ash, "Apparently, I have contacted Champion Ruby. He should be here soon if he uses teleportation."
May, "This sucks. I can't believe my luck."
Zoe, "Luck of a travelling trainer."
Ash, "Okay, while they are focused on each other we can focus on keeping the temple safe."
May, "That might be a tad bit difficult."
Gou, "Understatement."
Alden, "Kids, listen you do not have to do this. I am the Professor in charge here."
Zoe, "So what? We are trainers. I hate to admit this Professor but dealing with Teams like Magma and Aqua is part of a trainer's life."
May, "Dad is here."
Max, "Dad!"
Norman arrived on top of a giant Pidgeot, "I see you two Teams are causing problems for my children."
Courtney, "Tch. Return Torkoal, Poocheyana."
Shelly, "Gyarados, Cloyster return. This is not over."
The two teams slunked away as Ruby joined them and he with Norman sent their strong Pokemon after them. Ash turned to the Professor and spoke to him about reporting this incident and while Officer Jenny may not be able to do anything directly, it would start a paper trail. Ruby and Norman spoke a bit and Max noticed his father had a very fond look on his face while their Champion looked awkward. Max decided the rumours about Champion Ruby being awkward and socially stoic really was true. He decided to introduce Molly to his father as they followed May and went to hug him, he finally had a friend his age joining them.
May, "Dad! Thank Mew you came on time."
Max, "We thought the fight would last forever."
Norman hugged both of them, "I rushed here as soon as I got the call. Those two teams have been a nuisance lately."
May, "I can imagine."
Max, "Hey Dad, this is Molly. She is Ash's cousin and a good friend."
Molly curtsied cutely, "Hello sir, I have heard a lot about you."
Norman smiled, "Hello Molly, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Ash meanwhile greeted the Champion of Hoenn, "Ruby, it has been a while."
Ruby nodded, "Yes, it has been. How are you doing Ash?"
Ash, "I have been doing well, all things considered. I could use some peaceful days without Team Magma or Team Aqua messing things up."
Ruby sighed, "Don't we all. They can be really handful."
Ash, "Ruby I need to ask. What do you want me to do with them?"
Ruby stared curiously, "What do you mean?"
Ash, "You know about my physical condition yes?"
Norman turned to Ash, "Physical condition? What do you mean?"
Gou sighed, "He means, Legendary Pokemon are attracted to him. No, no, not in a sexual way. Calm down!"
Alden, "How else is anyone supposed to react to that?"
Norman ran his hand down his face, "Stop! Just stop. How about we all go somewhere more private and safe first? I do not want what I think you will say next to be over heard by the wrong person."
Alden, "I think I have to agree. This is entering a dangerous territory."
Gou, "I agree on the safe area part. As for danger, that depends on the day and the mood."
Ash deadpanned on hearing Gou insinuate that the Legendary Pokemon were moody creatures who acted on a whim. Ash wished that was the case instead of real dangers being thrown to his face but it was what it was and Norman started to usher them away from the area. He had called a few Rangers and they had agreed to quarantine the place especially with the Relicanth appearing inside the temple and the river next to it. While the Rangers and Professor Birch were happy to see the ancient Pokemon alive and back they were not pleased to learn about the team Aqua and Magma's antics. Norman took them home and Caroline greeted them while smiling and serving tea. Zoe decided to stay back with Professor Alden to keep watch over the ancient Pokemon.
Norman, "Okay, now, please explain."
Lucario, -The Legendary Pokemon are attracted to my Meema's Aura. It is like a presence that gives them hope.-
Ruby narrowed his eyes, "You met another Legendary, here.... No, just before coming here. Rayquaza was agitated a few days ago."
Norman, "Who did you meet?"
Ash, "I met... Well, they are not from Hoenn, but from Sinnoh."
May, "Still in denial?"
Max, "I would be too."
Gou, "Yeah, I can't believe they came all the way to Hoenn."
Molly murmured, "And demanded you deal with Kyogre and Groudon."
Caroline, "Who was it?"
Lucario, -It was Lord Giratina.-
Ruby's breath hitched, "The Lord of the Dead? He asked you to deal with Kyogre and Groudon?"
Ash, "Yeah, so you get why I feel like I am dreaming, right?"
Caroline, "Have some more cookies, dear. I will get more tea."
May, "I think we all need it mom."
Max, "I will help. I need a distraction."
Norman, "Will you be alright? I have heard about what happened with Lugia."
Ash, "Well, we will survive but I need to know Ruby. How do you want me to deal with the two organizations?"
Ruby, "Well, I would rather you did not."
Ash, "Have you seen my luck? I will not have the choice to remain neutral. Giratina has already made his demands. It will be suicide to ignore it."
Ruby frowned then looked determined, "To be honest I was still unsure of whether I should join you or not. I have decided now, we will travel together."
Ash, "Okay, I do not mind. So your answer."
Ruby, "Leave the final judgment of the two teams to me. I am the Champion of this region. Battling is open grounds."
Ash nodded, "Acceptable, though I hope we do not run into them too much."
May, "Agreed!"
Norman, "You are going with them, May?"
Caroline appeared with a tray, "Even after knowing what sort of danger us ahead?"
May nodded, "Of course. This is my home region. No way, am I going to allow two idiots terrorize my home. It is unacceptable."
Gou smirked, "Good, but we are training you to fight too."
May, "That's fine. Dad had already started my physical training before I got my Honchkrow."
Norman, "Of course, you are my little girl."
Molly, "Dad did not start mine yet."
Ash, "Your father is over protective of you Molly. I do not think it even crossed Uncle's mind to train you."
Molly grumbled, "Does he think he can protect me all the time?"
Norman, "Every father hopes they can protect their kids no matter what. But yes, we should consider training you."
Ash, "I have a few exercises that Lucario and Annnihilape had me working as a beginner, maybe you can start with those."
Molly nodded, "Yes, please."
Lucario, -Meema, I hate to be the one to say it but I don't think this will be a peaceful travel.-
Ash sighed, "I know Lucario, I know. I had that feeling from the moment we met Giratina."
Gou, "Will you be alright Ash?"
Ash, "I have to be to get this mission done, though I have no idea where to even start searching or working on."
Ruby, "It will be alright. I will be helping you."
Ash "Yes, but I still worry things will get really bad around here. A Legendary Pokemon has their plate full with their area. They rarely go out of their way to contact anyone, even among Aura users."
May, "So for Giratina to approach you means... "
Ruby, "There is a black level disaster that will happen in the future."
Norman, "I think I will have to talk with the rest of the Gym Leaders. You kids get some rest and settle in for the night. The last few days have been something else for you."
Ash gave a wry smile, "Understatement of the year."
Ruby, "Ash, I have a question."
Ash, "Yeah?"
Ruby, "Is it true that Mew personally gave you a poke egg?"
Ash sighed, "Yep, it's true. It is with Meganium right now and the one from the League is with Typholsion. Between them and Feraligatr they do school job of taking care of the Pokemon egg. I enjoy the free hands and I am not complaining of course, I adore all my Pokemon even the unborn ones."
Ruby, "Do you think it is a brand new Pokemon?"
Ash hummed, "I do not know to be completely honest. But I look forward to it's birth."
Norman sighed, "Having you around is going to give us surprises, isn't it?"
Ash laughed, 'If only you knew.'
Caroline then showed them where they would sleep, Ash, Gou and Ruby would be sleeping in one room which was Max's bedroom while Max, Molly and May would sleep in May's bedroom. She then ushered them to clean up and join them for dinner which consisted of freshly baked bread and meat with vegetable stew. They enjoyed eating the home made meal and Max even mentioned missing Hoenn cuisine while staying back in Kanto. He assured Ash he enjoyed his cooking but Ash waved it away saying he understood, he would miss food made at home too while traveling through Jhoto.
Ruby tapped Ash's shoulder, "I want to introduce you to someone."
Ash blinked, "Okay, who is it?"
Ruby, "Outside, not here."
Gou watched them go, "I wonder who it is."
May, "Let's go look. As long as we keep our distance it will be fine."
Max, "I hope so, sis."
Ruby, "He has been wanting to meet you for a while now."
Ash eyed the specialized pokeball, "He is not who I think he is right?"
Ruby smiled, "One way to find out."
Ash watched as the pokeball flew up and a majestic Pokemon appeared, 'Yep, called it.'
Lucario deadpanned, -Meema, sometimes I wonder if we are cursed.-
Rayquaza looked at Lucario amused, -That is a question I ask myself everytime my younger siblings fight each other.-
Ash, "You look magnificent, Lord Rayquaza."
Rayquaza, -Just call me Rayquaza. Or like Ruby here, you can call me Orion.-
Ash, "Like the constellation. That is a good choice for a name."
Ruby, "Thank you. What do you think Orion? Can he help us?"
Orion, -Yes, he has multiple blessings.-
Ruby, "He does?"
Ash, "Don't ask. Just don't."
Norman whistled, "Now that is something you don't see everyday."
May nodded beside him, "Yeah, Rayquaza is so cool."
Ash, "We should introduce Orion to the rest as we will be traveling together."
Orion got closer, -You are something else, aren't you?-
Lucario stiffened, -What do you mean?-
Orion, -Normally trainers will challenge my Ruby to have the right to own me. You however are not interested.-
Ash, "Too much paperwork, too much headache, too many would be assassins trying to gun for you. I love Pokemon but I also hate some things out there more."
Orion was amused, -Traveling with you will be interesting.-