Chapter 18 - Hoenn

Ash started to perform as Cheryl Blossom to the as 'she' started to sing the anniversary song for Genshin Impact called, 'Passing Memories'. It was a very beautiful song with a deep meaning about going on a journey and the multiple memories made. Ash still remembers the fun he had while playing that particular game, it was a pity he could never complete the game. He wonders if any of the theories were true, like one of the twins, depending on which one you chose was the final villain. Or if it was a certain little innocent bard that was the final villain of the game after all and the twins were just pawns in his game.

The crowd cheered as Cheryl, Abra, Eevee, Milotic, Phanphy, Absol, Lapras and Diance performed together using the crystals and water moves. The three Pokemon were well received by the very excited audience who were very shocked and surprised by the Kalos Legendary in Hoenn. And Ash was very relieved inside, now, people knew that Diance was under the protection of hoenns champion and 'girlfriend'. It was a very risky gamble but Ash does not regret it one bit with this, no one will think Ash Ketchum had a baby Legendary with him. If any crazy organizations tried to hunt down Diance, they would search for Cheryl Blossom instead of Ash Ketchum.

Ash, "Phew! That's over with."

Lucario, -That was fantastic Meema.,-

Ash, "Yes, though I was not expecting you to perform so beautifully. I am very proud of you my sweet baby girl."

Diance giggled at the snuggles, "Ance an."

Jessika called, "Let's give a big round of applause for the amazing performance by Cheryl Blossom. We were able to see one of the most beautiful Legendary Pokemon perform, how lucky ~"

Ash chuckled hearing the audience cheers loudly, "Haha ~ She knows how to distract the crowd."

Abra, -Meema, let's perform again soon.-

Ash, "Of course darling. Anything you want."

Lucario, -I suppose Phantump is going to be focused fully on battles.-

Abra, -He wants to become a protector to Meema so he is going to focus on battling completely instead.-

Ash, "That is fine Phantump. I am glad you are focusing on what you want."

Phantump cooed happily, "Ummmmp."

Ash giggled as Phantump joined cuddling Ash with Diance snuggling him on his left while the other Pokemon were settled around him. They were in a protective circle around Ash who made himself comfortable as he started to watch the performance on the screen. They watched as every single contestant gave a very imaginative and fun performance as they relaxed. Ash had already changed into a more comfortable cotton pants and shirt from the Lolita dress and hair. While he enjoyed dressing up and acting as a character the best part was taking off the outfit and relaxing.

Ash, "Look May is next."

Lucario, -I believe she has a plan for her Ponyta this time.-

Abra, -I hope Ponyta does not get nervous again.-

Ash, "I am sure they will be awesome. They have been practicing hard after all."

Diance nodded cooing at the screen where Ponyta appeared looking a little bit skittish but doing her opening to perfection without getting terrified. May then directed Ponyta to use flame thrower that created circles of fire through which Ponyta jumped through as her flames shone brightly as she passed through every hoop. May then ordered Ponyta to use Fire spin to create tiny fire tornadoes that she danced around making the audience clap and cheer. Ash also clapped and cheered for his friends as they performed on stage and got high points for their hard work.

Lucario, -We should move.-

Ash, "Someone coming this way?"

Lucario nodded, -The movement is suspicious.-

Ash got up grabbing a shawl, "Alright everyone return to your pokeballs. Diance come here. Lucario grab the pokeballs."

Diance huffed as the shawl was wrapped around her, "Ance."

Ash, "Sorry, little one but till we return to Kalos, you will have to pretend to be human."

Diance sighed nodding, "Di."

Diance was not happy but she would do it for her Meema who always let her do what she wanted whenever they were alone with their most trusted family. She liked those days with her family when she gets to play and have fun as much as she wanted, she did not like it when certain groups disturbed their time though. Ash and his Pokemon left after a few minutes and headed to the Pokemon center where he requested Nurse Jim to check his Pokemon. The Nurse smiled softly at him and the young Diance in his arms who cooed up at him in delight, she had come to trust the nurses because her Meema trusted them.

Nurse Jim, "Your Pokemon are alright though Lucario looks a little tense."

Ash, "Yes, about that it seems someone tried to find our room earlier."

Nurse Jim pursed his lips, "I see, I am glad you came here directly instead of confronting them yourselves. I will raise an alert to check for IDs before allowing anyone inside."

Ash nodded, "Much appreciated. I apologize for the trouble but I will protect Diance no matter what."

Lucario, -I believe they were looking for Cheryl Blossom.-

Nurse Jim, "Instead they thought you were her because you were with very similar Pokemon."

Ash, "Looks like it, if it was someone we knew they would contact us directly."

Nurse Jim nodded, "Understandable, I will help you. Do not fret."

Ash turned to the screen where May was now chosen to take part alongside three others in the second round. May was doing really well against her first opponent Janet who used a Beautifly against her Ponyta who burned off the pollen that was used against her. May moved to the final rounds which was Chaz who turns out was Janet's boyfriend and made a grand promise to win the ribbon for her. May thought it was adorable but she was not going to go easy on her opponent, that would be insulting to trainers and coordinators. They soon moved to finish the final round and the last round started with Chaz taking out his Venomoth and May calling Ponyta.

Ash smiled watching her go all out, "She's doing really well."

Lucario, -She has practiced hard.-

Abra, -Little Ponyta looks more confident.-

May was really giving it her all but Chaz was not someone who would go down that easily and gave her a challenge. May and Ponyta were stubborn however and pushed to perform their best against their very tricky opponent. It took a lot of moves and patience but May got the upper hand and won the ribbon. Chaz was a little down on losing the ribbon but perked up when Janet answered she would accept his proposal mKing him grin. It was seriously cheesy and cute which made May accept the ribbon and leave as quickly as possible to give the couple privacy.

Jessie, "There you are."

Ash, "Hi Jess."

Tomo, "Mama!"

Jessie, "You two look comfortable."

Ash, "We are comfortable. Want to join us?"

Jessie hummed, "Perhaps later, I still have a few interviews to attend."

Ash, "Have fun Jess. Do not worry about us, Ruby will join us soon."

Jessie, "Hmm? Gou, May, Max and Molly with not join you?"

Ash, "Molly and Max found an Eevee who got separated from their trainer. Gou is keeping an eye on them."

Jessie, "I see, as long as they stay safe."

Tomo, "Mama will you take long?"

Jessie, "Don't worry I will be back in two hours most."

Ash, "Yeah, besides Ruby will join us so we can have fun with Orion."

Tomo smiled, "Ok, have fun mama."

Ruby joined them a few minutes after Jessie left, "Everything good?"

Ash, "Nurse Jim informed you?"

Ruby nodded, "We are investigating what that man was doing in the strictly performer zone in the first place. No one who are not a performer should not be there in the first place."

Ash, "I see that is very suspicious."

Ruby, "Orion come join us."

Orion appeared joining them in the backyard, -Hello, we meet again.-

Diance chirped, "Ance."

Orion grinned, -We saw your performance together. You were very impressive.-

Diance giggled, "Ance di."

Ash leaned on Lucario who was now relaxed and releasing a relaxing wave of aura to help them all calm down. Ruby hummed as he sat next to Ash and started to tell him about how his day went starting from joining the rest of the security and going through the rounds. Ash listen and shared how his own day went and how his rest was disturbed by the person who was acting suspicious and looking through the rooms. Ash was really annoyed by the disturbance especially since he was using it to calm and wind down from the persona he used.

May flopped into the couch when she returned, "I am back. Ugh! I hate interviews they ask questions that have nothing to do with the performance."

Ash chuckled, "Yes they can be very rude from time to time. I just say no comment and to talk to my lawyer."

May, "I might do that next time."

Ruby, "Do you have a lawyer?"

May, "I know a family lawyer."

Ash, "Do it! It will stop most of the questions they ask you."

May nodded, "Right! Hey Ruby, is there any news about Emerald?"

Ruby, "She is training to become a Ranger."

Ash, "Why do you ask? You know that Ranger training can be intense, especially since they end up dealing with poachers and organizations during the training period."

May, "One of the reporters asked and I simply said she was going through personal training."

Ruby nodded, "Good answer."

Gou, "We are back."

Ash, "Welcome back."

Max, "What's for dinner? I am hungry."

Molly, "Me too. We have been running everywhere."

Ruby grinned, "Yes, I was informed. Good job helping Eevee find her trainer again."

Eevee chirped at them happily, "Vui."

Max, "I mean we could not just ignore the little girl."

Ash nodded, "I am sure her trainer was happy to have her back."

Gou, "About that.... Molly?"

Molly, "Eevee joined me actually."

Ash sat up, "What happened?"

Ruby sighed, "I figured as much. Do not worry about the legalities. I have covered them."

Gou, "Turns out the Eevee originally belonged to an elderly man. He passed away a week ago."

Ash's face softened, "Poor thing. Was she the one who saw him alive last?"

Abra, -She was Meema.-

Ash's Eevee was licking the younger Eevee comforting her, "Vui vui vui."

Max, "We visited his grave so Eevee can say goodbye for one last time. Molly offered to take her along on the journey."

May, "Congratulations on getting a new Pokemon Molly."

Molly smiled, "Thank you though I wish it had been under better circumstances. I do understand some things are out of our control though."

Ash ruffled her hair placing a plate in front of her, "Well you got her now. Have you given her a check up?"

Molly nodded, "Yes, since she has not eaten well for a week she has a mild malnutrition but it can be dealt wother in a month."

Ruby nodded, "Good! Now eat up everyone, we are moving early in the morning so make sure to sleep early."

"Right!"

The next day everyone woke up early around five to five thirty in the morning to get ready to head out. Max was sleepy but moved around grabbing his toiletries and getting ready while Ash helped Molly prepare her Eevee for the journey. Ash's Eevee was telling Molly's Eevee about their journey so far and the younger Eevee was listening with starry eyes. Molly hummed as Ash helped her get ready as well, he was combing her hair into two partitions that he was plating. After he finished plating the hair into two he placed it in the mermaid braid position, she looked adorable and Ash was proud of his work.

Ruby, "Ready?"

Ash, "Yup."

May, "Let's go."