Lucario, -Take this!-
Cheryl, "Be careful."
Diance, "An."
Jason, "Always am little sis. Go Gyarados blow them away."
Shelly, "That is the Champion's paramour and I didn't know she had a brother."
Another grunt, "Miss Shelly we really do not know much about his paramour only that she is a powerful trainer. She has the Kalos region's Pokemon Princess under her care."
Shelly tched, "We need to collect more information then. Back down for now."
"Yes ma'am. Return now!"
The group watched as Team Aqua used their submarines to escape though Jason' Gyarados narrowed his eyes. The large water Pokemon eyed 'Jason', he does not really understand why his trainer has to dress up to be someone else. His trainer is already powerful and should not have to hide himself ever but the water Pokemon decided to not question it. He dived in after the submarines and started to follow them under water though it seems his presence freaked them out. The submarines picked up speed and started to move faster through the waters which made Gyarados narrow his eyes, a hunt it is.
Ash took off his disguise, 'So much for a relaxing day at the beach.'
Gou, "Damn Team Aqua. Are we going to run into these like this over and over again?"
Max grouched, "Looks like it."
Molly, "We need a plan to make sure they do not bother us in the future. But I cannot think of any plans."
May pat her shoulder, "I know how you feel, I was looking forward to a relaxing day."
Ash, "Hey, look at the bright side, Dewford town is tight next door. You mentioned you wanted to try some of Dewford's delicacies."
Max perked up, "Oh yeah! Dewford is a district now and the town is the main hub of the district."
May, "And they are pretty famous for its sea urchin cuisines. Sea urchin salad, sea urchin soup, smoked sea urchin, etc. I can't wait."
Gou nodded, "Speaking of the sea, isn't it time for their annual beach festival?"
Ash, "One sec... Ah! Here we are, the Dewford beach fest. Come one and all to take part in the big wave contest. Huh! This reminds me of our friends Victor and Puka."
Molly, "You told me about them once. Do you think they could be taking part here?"
Ash, "Who knows? We can find out tomorrow when the surf contest starts."
Ruby, "Agreed! Tonight we all should try to unwind and relax. Especially after having to deal with Team Aqua."
Max, "Right!"
May, "I do feel tired now that you mention it."
Gou, "Dealing with organizations like Team Aqua can be exhausting after a while."
Nurse Joy greeted them though she pulled Ash aside, "There is a visitor who wishes to meet you. He is waiting in the private lounge."
Ash, "Alright, I will see you guys in a bit."
Ruby, "Hold it! I am going with you. Do not give me that look, your brother will have my head otherwise."
Ash sweat dropped, 'Really Red?'
Ash shook his head, "Fine, but do not complain if you get bored to tears."
Ruby, "Yes, yes."
Ash entered the room, "Ah! Director Kuroda, it has been a while."
Kuroda got up, "Indeed young Ash. It is wonderful to see you again. Greetings to you, Champion Ruby."
Ruby nodded, "Pleasure to meet you Director."
Kuroda, "The cast for the second movie has been picked and I must admit I am very excited especially about bringing news elements to the movie."
Ash smiled, "I look forward to watching it come alive in the big screen. You did a really fantastic job with the first movie too."
Kuroda smiled, "Glad you approve."
The Director then took out papers and showed Ash the list of actors who would be in the next movie. There were very familiar faces in the list and then he went through the story line for the next movie. They would start filming in a few weeks and the biggest challenge would be the giant Basilisk in the basement. The Director was planning on getting a snake Pokemon that could Dynamax originally but scrapped that idea after it became apparent there was no Dynamax like that yet. Ash hummed softly as they went through the payment contract under Ruby's hawk like eyes and cane to an agreement after some back and forth.
Gou looked up as they returned, "You are back."
Ash smiled, "Yeah, I am starved. Want to grab something to eat?"
Max, "It is time for dinner so let's go."
May, "Molly, we are going out to eat."
Molly came out of the bathroom wearing cotton pants and T - shirt, "Okay, let's go. I am done freshening up. Do you want to freshen up too?"
Ash, "After dinner."
Ruby nodded and held the door open for them as they headed out. The dinner was thankfully a peaceful affair with the young Pokemon fussing for attention from time to time. There were advertisements about the big wave competition that would happen the next day and contestants had till midnight to sign up. Max wanted to but his age prevented it and he had pouted about it earlier before deciding to take part in the future when he started his very own trainer journey. Ruby chuckled while ruffling his hair in encouragement, while May was telling them she was taking part.
Gou, "Are you sure about surfing?"
May, "Don't worry mom and I practised surfing before. It is a fun way to get your balance in the water."
Molly's eyes twinkled, "Can you teach me? I want to train like that with Mudkip."
May, "Sure, we can wake up early tomorrow to train."
Ash, "You will have to try to sleep early for that though."
Molly, "I will... I think I will skip on desert tonight to sleep early."
Ruby, "Of course, why not. Tomorrow we can get you a large ice cream Sundae after you finish training."
Gou, "Yeah Molly, I recall seeing a Sundae shop nearby. By the way what will you be doing?"
Ash, "Me? Well, I am going to observe the G Leader Brawly."
Ruby, "He is the best surfer in Hoenn."
Ash, "Exactly I think it will be interesting to observe him. I have heard her has a very good balance."
Lucario hummed, -Sounds like a good plan Meema.-
Abra, -Meema, surfing sounds fun. Can we try it?-
Ash, "Sure why not? The beach is large. We can practice at one of the empty slots before the contest starts."
Molly, "We can have fun together."
Max, "Yeah, that sounds fun."
The next day they headed to the beach and searched for an empty area where they could set up. They found a spot that had a good view of the screen and gave them space for practice. Ash looked around for his old friends and found them in the line up for the older contestants. Ash perked up and nudged Gou to point out their old friends making the dark haired boy beam as well, it was nice to see the old friends that made during travel again. Both Victor and Puka seem to be doing well and looked excited about the contest.
"Ash? Gou? Goodness! It is you guys."
Gou, "Eh? Cassandra?"
Ash, "What are you doing here? It is great seeing you again though."
Cassandra smiled, "It is wonderful seeing you guys too."
May, "This is Cassandra the very famous and popular mushroom expert."
Cassandra turned pink, "I just love my Paras, Parasect and mushrooms. Lately I have a pack of Brelooms, Shroomish, Foongus and Amoongus join me."
Ash eyed the mushroom Pokemon behind her, "Hello there."
Max, "Wao! Breloom look so many mushroom Pokemon."
Breloom eyed them, "Loom bre."
May, "So adorable!
Ruby, "You are definitely living up to your reputation as a mushroom lover."
Cassandra, "I try my best. Are you here to take part in the surfing event or to observe the Gym Leader?"
Ash, "I am here to observe and to help my Pokemon learn surfing. It is a good way to gain balance."
Cassandra nodded, "Agreed! I met with Brawly once and he helped me train a bit to gain some balance. It was not easy but his help has been really great."
Ash eyed the flush on her face, 'Oh ho! It has been more than great.'
Molly, "Would you like to join our practice Miss Cassandra? We are helping May prepare for the competition."
Cassandra, "Of course why not."
Ash grinned as the older teen joined them and it turned into a fun training session till the competition started. May was not in the same group as Brawly but she was competing with other trainers who fell under the beginner banner. Brawly was competing among the professionals while Victor and Puka were in the older grouping. May lost to a surfer that hailed from the Alola islands though she did her best and cane in fourth position. Max was proud of her, this was her first surfing competition after all and cheered for her loudly, which made the brunette girl blush in embarrassment. She was still happy to see her Pokemon enjoy themselves despite the loss and decided to keep up practice when possible.
On the professional group Brawly was going against a surfer from the Orange Islands or to be more specific from Sevii islands. The woman was really good at surfing and the two of them had a draw which made the judges decide on one more surf to decide the final result. Brawly looked like he was enjoying the challenge and to make things interesting he proposed to use two Pokemon instead of one. The other challenger agreed smirking and swore she would bring him down. Cassandra watched looking both excited and worried about Brawly which made Ash grin.
Ash, "After the competition you should check up on them."
Cassandra, "What?"
Ruby nodded, "Yeah, as fun as surfing is, it can be exhausting."
Cassandra nodded, "You are right. I will start with May as she has finished with her turn."
Gou watched her head towards May, "What are you planning?"
Ruby, "Oh nothing much ~"
Ash, "Just helping an old friend out."
Gou, "Really?"
Ruby, "Just watch her reaction when Brawly comes up. You will get it."
Gou, "Wait, you mean she... "
Ash, "She cares about him, from what I have observed so far."
Ruby, "But we have to watch them together to be sure though. Just because someone likes another it does not mean they can be compatible with each other."
Gou, "You two are a terrifying duo."
Ash, "I think it's the Aura doing the work."
Ruby nodded, "I am still new to it. Like I only just started awakening it in small doses."
Ash, "So our Auras bounce each other off better then anyone who has been using it for longer like Yellow or Riley."
Lucario, -Well you are not running into danger so I have no problem with it.-
The yet was left unsaid as it could change any time for many reasons. Around late afternoon the competition ended and Ash gathered everyone to go greet Victor and Puka who had won in their group. The older man was very happy to see the younger lads and their friends while Puka nuzzled Lucario happily. Ash noticed an elder Lucario beside Victor and the man introduced them to the Pokemon. The Lucario was one of the few who retired from being a Knight of Rota and joined Victor and Puka on their journey as surfers.
Victor, "As much as Aura is interesting I have come to realize it is just one part of me. I am a surfer at heart."
Ash, "But it is confirmed you can use Aura."
Victor nodded, "Yes, it is more water type but yes you could say that."
Ruby, "It has only been a few months since I awakened I am still not sure what type I am."
Victor, "It is possible your Aura has not decided yet. Take your time my good friend I am sure you will find out."
Lucario, -Is something wrong Elder?-
The older Lucario was eyeing Ash, -Your trainer has many facial characters that he shares with someone I know.-
Lucario, -Should I be worried?-
The older Lucario shook her head, -No, I don't think so. Unless he can time travel.-