Ash, "So Natalie, do you live around here?"
Natalie beamed, "Yes, see that house over there. I live there with my sisters."
May, "This place is very peaceful. When I become an adult and no longer want to travel I am getting a house near a lake too."
Max, "That sounds like a plan sis. I think I was a house with a farm though. I really enjoyed helping mom with her vegetable and fruit garden before."
Molly, "I want to live in the City first and then move to the countryside. I enjoy staying in Greenfield, don't get me wrong but you know?"
Ruby, "I understand. We all need a change in scenery from time to time."
Ash nodded, "I do not think I want to settle down till later on in life. There are so many uncharted places to discover and find out in this world. Right now I am following the trainer path but once I am an official adult I plan on traveling through the uncharted regions."
Natalie, "That sounds pretty exciting."
Ruby, "Ash is our very own map maker and blogger. How are the Jhoto and Orange Archipelago blogs coming?"
Ash, "It's going okay. James helped me prep a team before coming to Hoenn. They keep it updated and running. Misty and the rest of the girl's input have been a big help too."
Molly, "Cool! We will help with the Hoenn one since we are travelling together."
Ash, "I appreciate it. Thank you."
They were now camping a bit further above the lake where the Lotads, Lombres and Ludicolo were still dancing. Only this time they were dancing for the summer full moon that was shining brightly in the clear night sky above them. Natalie's sisters had come searching for her earlier and the young girl had begged them to allow her to camp out with her new friends. She had hit it off with Max and Molly and spent the whole day till dusk running across the shore of the lake checking the place out. They played with the Pokemon and then the water started to get cold so now they were sitting around the camp fire enjoying dinner that consisted of mixed curry and toasted bread.
The next day they bid Natalie farewell and headed to one of downtown areas of Rustboro City where there was a very big announcement. The Co - ordinator Master Jessika was making an appearance in the Pokemon contest bring held in town. This made May and Ash excited for two very different reasons. May was excited because one of her favorite idols was appearing in town to perform, she was taking part. Ash was excited to meet up with an old friend and someone he adopted as his younger brother. Max and Molly were affected by both of their excited energy while Gou and Ruby simply smiled seeing them happy.
Ash, "There it is, the place for the Pokemon contest. I am going to go meet up with Tomo."
May, "And I am going to register. This is my chance to impress."
Molly, "I will go with you May."
Max, "Me too. There are so many people here."
Ruby smiled at them, "I will go ahead to talk with the organizers to make sure the security is tight. We do not want any incidents."
Gou chuckled, "Right then. I will be joining Ash. I have a few things to talk about with our old friend."
Ash, "Let's meet up at that diner for dinner."
May, "Good idea. I want to train right away for the contest."
Max, "I will help May train."
Molly, "Me too. This will be fun."
Ash waved them off for the day and went in search of Jessie and Tomo with Gou who was just as excited to meet them again. Ash then took out his phone and checked the messages to look at the address that James had sent him. Ash looked around and found the hotel Jessie and Tomo were staying at and headed to the building to talk to the receptionist. James had insisted when he asked for Jessie, Ash should say he was one of her kids to the receptionist. Ash had gaped but after a bit of arguing agreed to it and now he was hesitating out of pure embarrassment.
Gou, "Is everything okay?"
Ash shook his head, "Uh... Yeah, let's just get this done. Uhh.. Excuse me!"
The receptionist smiled at him, "Hello, welcome to Hotel Fitchrun. How may I help you gentlemen?"
Ash could feel his ears turn red, "Umm.. I am one of J's kids. I was told she's here."
The receptionist's eyed twinkled, "Oh! Of course, of course. She is waiting for you in one of the lounge rooms."
Ash felt his neck warm at the bright look he was receiving, "Uhh.. Yeah, the lounge is... "
The receptionist smiled, "Third room from this one."
Ash, "Thank you."
Gou was squealing inside seeing the cute expression on Ash, 'I did not realize Ash could look so adorable while blushing from feeling shy. Just adorable.'
Gou, :Asdfghjkl! I swear I saw an angel.:
Gary, :What?:
Misty, :Let me guess Ash got a new outfit?:
Serena, :Seriously?:
Gou, :No, not a new dress.:
Brock, :Did he get a new baby?:
Drew, :Well Gou?:
Gou uploaded a picture of Ash blushing, :I got something even better.:
Red, :Huh! I have not seen Ash turn that red since he turned ten.:
Blue, :Yeah, he became a lot calmer after he hit his two digits.:
Cynthia, :So cute. I am saving it.:
Diantha, :Me too.:
Ruby, :Dang it! I missed it. Weren't you heading to meet Jessie?:
Gou, :Yup, I see her. Chat later.:
Melody, :Thanks for the pic.:
Chloe, :Saving it but do not let protective Pokemon know.:
Mallow, :I mean considering everything that happened we can't blame them.:
Kiawe, :That's just how fire type Pokemon are actually. They even get other types on their side too. Don't ask how, they just do.:
Sophocles, :Speaking from experience, are we?:
Lana, :lol:
Ash hugged the young boy, "Tomo, good to see you again. You have grown taller."
Gou, "It has been a while Jessie."
Tomo, "Missed you a lot big brother."
Jessie smiled, "It certainly has been a while."
Ash eyed her, "Are you alright? James told me Meowth has not called."
Jessie sighed, "He is a smart Pokemon, I am sure he will get in contact soon. I can't help but worry though."
Ash patted Tomo's hair, "I understand. What is plan for tomorrow? You are going to be the opening performer for the Contest, right?"
Jessie, "Yup and I was hoping you would join me tomorrow."
Ash, "Me?"
Jessie, "Originally, I was going to perform solo and then leave. But today I received a message saying the hostess had gotten into a Vileplume accident. She has been hospitalized for the rest of the week."
Gou winced, "OOF! That sounds painful. So now you are a host instead of a performer."
Jessie nodded sighing, "Which is why I wanted to request you to do a performance opening tomorrow. We can spin it like it was a big surprise being planned all along."
Ash, "Hmm... I suppose as long as I am not held back or have to answer questions it will be alright. I have been planning on calling Lapras and Milotic here and introduce Mudkip to them. Molly has been wanting to train with them too."
Jessie, "Sounds good. Tomorrow will be interesting."
They talked a bit more then settled to make plans for the next day's contest and event which would need a major upheaval. To say Ruby was not happy with the sudden turn of events was an understatement, he was also not sure about letting Ash expose himself in live TV. So, they came up with a plan, Ash would be performing tomorrow but after that he would be seen boarding a flight back to Kanto. Of course, the officials in charge would know it was just a farce and Ash would still be traveling through Hoenn. Ash simply sighed at the things he and his friends had to do to have a peaceful journey.
Ash, 'Welp! I better call my Pokemon and start prepping for tomorrow.'
Ruby, "Hold it! Actually I have a better idea for tomorrow."
Gou, "What sort of idea?"
Ruby, "No one knows Ash loves to dress up in costumes, especially female costumes."
Ash, "Yeah, why?"
Ruby had a grin, "People have been pestering me about my love life. Tomorrow you and I are going on a date."
Ash sweat dropped, "Is that a good idea?"
Ruby, "As far as they know you are a girl I am dating, not Ash Ketchum, not the most popular trainer and coordinator. They will never know."
Gou, "Only if Ash is comfortable with it."
Ash, "Hmmm.... Well I have been trying to come up with a persona for my disguise in Hoenn region. So why not?"
Gou, "Fine! But I will be your other lover trying to take you away from the fair Champion."
Ash, "Uhhh.... Love triangle, really?"
Gou, "It will distract people. We need to change our skin color to throw them off completely however."
Jessie grinned, "Leave it to me."
The next day Jessie dragged the two boys early in the morning to give them both a complete skin color change and makeover that could be safely removed with a palette remover. Ash was now looking at his dark brown skin and green contact eyes while Gou was checking out his light skin with blue contact eyes. Ruby looked them over then nodded before taking out the wigs and passing the orange one to Ash while the yellow was given to Gou. Jessie then took out a Lolita black and pink dress which made Ash twitch a bit, it looked very familiar to a dress that a certain young Master with a butler from hell wore with black base instead of white one.
Ash, "Okay, let's do this. What?"
Gou, "What names should we use?"
Ash, "Hmmm... Well, lately I was thinking of going by Cheryl, Cheryl Blossom."
Gou nodded, "Hmmm... Then I will go by Jomy Franc."
Jessie clapped, "Perfect then, Cheryl go with Ruby. Jomy, you will be on the opposite side of them."
Jomy nodded, "Okay sounds good."
Ruby, "I have informed May, Max and Molly so they will help with the cover."
Cheryl cheered, "Great let's get this show on the road."
Ash was sighing inside, 'At least I don't have to wear a corset.'
Jessie was dressed in a bright yellow sunflower embroidered dress, "Welcome everyone, this is your favorite coordinator Master Jessika."
The audience screamed in cheers and praise on seeing her making Jessie grinned, she still got it. She started the regular introduction of the judges that made Lucario twitch in annoyance, those three were literally everywhere. Just how did they manage to appear in every contest was anyone's guess and wonder of the human race. Max patted his back as he heard the grumbles come from the canine fighting type Pokemon though Max had to admit he had similar questions. Jessie finished with the rule read out and then announced they had a very special performance from a very special person.
Jessika, "Let's give it up for Cheryl Blossom a very talented trainer, coordinator and of course, Ruby's paramour."
Ruby twitched, 'Ah shit! I forgot to inform the rest of the Champions about this update. Oh boy!'
Lance who was watching felt his eyebrows go to his hairline, "Ruby has a lover?"
Claire, "Apparently!"
Wallace twitched in his office, "Someone forgot to tell us something very important."
Steven, "I am sure he has a good explanation for this."
Serena who was in Vermilion was shocked, "Wait a minute. Isn't that Ash?"
Misty pat her back, "Calm down Serena, pretty sure there is a good reason for this."
Chloe, "Let me ask Gou... Ah! He sent us message saying this was the latest disguises they were taking."
Melody, "Who knew he had it in him. I am impressed."
Serena, "I guess that makes sense?"