The following morning sees Ash and Hilda meet up, and they get a message,
"Can you please hang in Undella Town for a day? Nate, Rosa and Hugh are on their way" can Professor Juniper's message. Ash looked to Hilda, and said "How about we stay here and catch up with them"
"Sure" Hilda replied. Ash then briefly glanced out and spotted a familiar lady with extremely long, blonde hair, grey eyes and wearing black clothes, what was Cynthia doing in Unova?
"Who's that lady out there?" Hilda asked Ash, to which he replied "That's Cynthia. Champion of the Sinnoh region and, its rumoured, the most powerful trainer in the world"
"Oh wow, so she must be crazy powerful" Hilda replied, to which Ash nodded. After a minute or two, Cynthia approaches the Pokémon Centre and enters.
"Hey Ash, fancy seeing you here," Cynthia said, to which Ash replied "Hey Cynthia, and I'm on the latest leg of my journey"
"Oh, that cool. Who's your girlfriend?" Cynthia asked, to which Hilda replied "I'm Hilda, and I'm Ash's student"
"Oh, that's cool. It's nice to see you passing your knowledge on Ash" Cynthia replied, to which Ash responded "Thanks Cynthia"
"So, what brings you out here?" Hilda asked, to which Cynthia replied "I've got a holiday house here in Undella Town, so I'm taking a quick break"
"That's so cool" Ash replied, which made Cynthia smile.
"Would you like to see it?" she asked, to which both Ash and Hilda nodded. Cynthia then led them out, and towards her Holiday home.
They soon reached a large villa near the ocean.
"Here we are," Cynthia said, to which Ash and Hilda both replied "Wow, this is amazing. I didn't know you had this"
"I'm flattered, thanks" Cynthia replied as her Milotic looked up from nearby.
"Ah, I see your Pokémon are relaxing here too" Ash responded as he politely nodded to Milotic, who respectfully returned it. As Cynthia entered, Ash and Hilda got to see the sitting room, the couch already inhabited by Lucario, Garchomp and a large, blue and light yellow Lamprey-like Pokémon.
"I've never seen any of these Pokémon" Hilda said, and she scanned all of the Pokémon she could see.
"Eelektross, the EleFish Pokémon. Eelektross's mouth locks onto its opponents, whereupon it delivers an electric shock." Hilda's Pokédex called. She then turned it to Lucario.
"Lucario, the Aura Pokémon. Lucario has the power to detect their opponent's thoughts and actions by reading their aura." Hilda's Pokédex called. She then turned to Garchomp. Or, she would have, except Garchomp didn't register in her dex.
"Huh? I guess this one isn't a Unovan native" Hilda said, looking at Garchimp. Cynthia smiled, and Ash replied "That's because it's a Pokémon from the Sinnoh region", and Cynthia nodded.
"That'd explain it" Hilda replied, smiling.
Ash looked around, and commented "Wow, this villa has quite the view" to which Cynthia replied "Thanks Ash, and yeah, I have a view of most of the ocean from here"
"Well, once I'm done with this journey, would you be OK with me popping around here from time to time Cynthia?" Ash asked and, after a few moments, contemplation, Cynthia replied "Sure"
"Thanks" Ash replied. Then, Hilda notices a strange rock.
"What's this?" Hilda asked Cynthia, pointing to the rock, to which Cynthia replied "That's not a rock. That is part of a Pokémon called Spiritomb"
"You know what? How about you show the Pokédex entries of the Pokémon that won't appear in Hilda's Pokédex" Ash suggested, to which Cynthia responded "Sure" and she uploaded the Pokédex entries for Spiritomb, Garchomp, and a large, bird-like Pokémon with a blue and a red horn, with big wings.
"Hey Togekiss, did you have a good flight?" Cynthia asked as she patted the Jubilee Pokémon, who cheered and gave Cynthia a couple of letters.
"Tell you what. How about you take a look at the Pokédex entries for Garchomp, Togekiss and Spiritomb" Cynthia said, giving her Pokédex to Hilda. Togekiss firstly turned Cynthia's dex to Togekiss.
"Togekiss, the Jubilee Pokémon and the evolved form of Togetic. It is said that Togekiss never appears where there is conflict." the Pokédex said. Hilda smiled and said "That's a gorgeous Pokémon. Is it OK if I pat it too?"
"I would, but be very careful. She's picky about who she lets touch her, and she's unfathomably powerful" Cynthia responded. Hilda offered her hand for Togekiss to sniff, but she seemed reluctant to let Hilda pat her. Ash, on the other hand, Togekiss let pat.
"I think she knows about Dawn's Togekiss," Ash said as he patted Cynthia's Togekiss, to which Cynthia replied "Probably. Sorry Hilda, as I said, Togekiss is picky about who she lets pat her"
"I understand" Hilda replied. She then turned to Garchomp.
"Garchomp, the Mach Pokémon. When it folds up its body and spreads its wings, it can fly like a jet plane at the speed of sound." the Pokédex said, to which Hilda replied "Wow, that's incredibly fast", to which Garchomp replied by waving and smiling. Finally, Hilda turned to the strange rock.
"Spiritomb, the Forbidden Pokémon. As punishment for misdeeds 500 years ago, it was imprisoned in the fissure of an Odd Keystone." the Pokédex said, to which Hilda replied "That's spooky, doesn't sound like something to be messed with"
"Definitely" Cynthia responded, and Hilda was shocked when Spiritomb decided to materialise.
"Hello, Spiritomb. Did you sleep well?" Cynthia asked, to which Spiritomb called in response. Hilda was surprised to see Cynthia approach Spiritomb, completely fearless. Ash smiled, walked up to Hilda, and added "She's almost fearless. She's an incredible person. She's gone out of her way to learn as much as she can about the Sinnoh region"
"Oh, wow, you're amazing Cynthia" Hilda replied, to which Cynthia smiled, and replied "Thanks Hilda"
"Well, we'd better get back to the Pokémon Centre, a few young chargers are going to be here soon," Ash said, to which Cynthia replied, "Sure, I'd be interested to see the next generation of trainers". And the three of them headed back.
As Ash, Hilda and Cynthia arrive, Nate Rosa and Hugh also arrive at the Pokémon Centre.
"Ah, hello, you three must be the young charges I've heard about," Cynthia said, to which Rosa replied "Yes. I'm Rosa, and these are my friends Nate and Hugh", as they each offered their hands to Cynthia, which she shook.
"Nice to meet you Nate, Rosa, and Hugh. I'm Cynthia, and I'm a powerful trainer from another region, vacationing here"
"Awesome" all three of them replied. Ash then asked, "So, what have you guys added to your teams?"
"Well, I'll go first here. My Dewott has evolved into Samurott" Nate replied, and he released his Samurott, who stood proudly next to his trainer. He then grabbed a second ball and added: "And I have added a Klang to my team" and a Klang materialised.
"My other two team members are Stoutland and Duosion" Nate concluded with as they also materialised.
"I have two members left to obtain. Route 13 has Wild Heracross, one I want to add. And I intend to go fishing for a Chinchou" Nate concluded. Ash nodded, then said "Sounds like a good team you're working on"
"Thanks" Nate replied.
"So, what about you Rosa? How's your team coming along?" Ash asked, to which Rosa materialised her entire team. Swanna, Emboar, Escavalier, Tynamo, Seismitoad and Excadrill.
"Wow, you've already decided on your full team. Just like I have" Ash said, to which Rosa nodded, and responded "Got a couple of these guys to evolve still, but we're getting there. I want to go as far as possible into the Tournaments with this team"
"That's nice to hear" Hilda replied, smiling at her, which Rosa returned.
"Alright Hugh, what new additions have you made to your team?" Hilda asked, to which Hugh responded "I too have a full team. However, I need to step outside to show one of them"
"Alright. lead the way" Ash said, and Hugh nodded and headed out with the others following.
When they reach outdoors, Hugh asked "You may be wondering how Rosa was able to obtain an Escavalier, if none of us has a Shelmet, correct?", to which Hilda replied "Yeah"
"Well, here's the answer to both" Hugh replied, and he showed off an Accelgor and an Onix.
"These are two of the three new additions to my team, Accelgor and Onix. Onix is the reason why I couldn't release my full team inside" Hugh commented. Ash then asked, "What's the rest of your team like?"
"Well, here we go" Hugh called, and Serperior, Azumarill, Unfezant and Litwick materialised.
"Cool team. I'd be curious to see how these Unovan Pokémon go in battle against other Pokémon from other regions" Cynthia commented, to which Hugh responded "That would be interesting, but from what I've heard about you, you're horrifyingly powerful, we wouldn't stand a chance"
"Oh don't be silly Hugh, I was meaning trainers similar in strength to you guys once your quest is over. I may well be the most powerful trainer on Earth, I just want to see how the up and coming trainers from this region are coming along, and see the overall strength of the region" Cynthia replied with a smile.
"Why though?' Nate asked, to which Ash replied by asking "I'm assuming you're wanting to test your strength?"
"Of course Ash, I want to see if I really am the most powerful trainer in the world" Cynthia replied, smiling. Ash nodded, then continued with "I hope so Cynthia. So one day, I'm strong enough to take that title from you"
"Ash, you're one of the trainers I'm expecting to take on someday, I'm sure of it" Cynthia replied with a knowing smile, which Ash returned.
"I wonder how my brother would fare against you, Cynthia?" Hilda asked, to which Cynthia replied "Has he taken on Alder or Iris at their most powerful?" to which Hilda shook her head, and replied "Not as far as I know"
"Then, honestly, I don't think he would stand a chance against me. The Pokémon World Tournament is fairly soon, and that'll be the
big opportunity we all have to see who's the strongest in the world is" Cynthia replied. Hilda nodded, then said "We'll see about that, he's really strong"
"Oh Hilbert is strong, no doubt about that. Cynthia, though, is on another level of power" Ash replied. Hilda smiled, then said "Then if I could be even one-tenth the amazing woman that you are Cynthia, then I'll be happy"
"Heh, and another young lady sees me as her role model" Cynthia replied, smiling. She then continued with "Well, if you all want to head to Undella Bay, I hear the water's nice right now, and Nate, you could probably get your Chinchou. I'll see you all around"
"Alright, Cynthia, see ya" Ash replied, and Cynthia departed. At the same time, the invisible figure from earlier flies past, following Cynthia.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked, having sensed the invisible Pokémon. Ash turned to Pikachu, and asked "Hey Pikachu, what's wrong?", but Pikachu shook his head and cheered that everything was fine. After a pat from Ash, however, Pikachu spent a bit staring at Cynthia's retreating form as they headed back inside.
After about twenty minutes, Ash, Hilda, Nate Rosa and Hugh all had their swimming outfits on and were ready to go. Also, Nate had his Fishing Rod with him.
"What? I checked and Chinchou is only encountered by fishing. Once I have my Chinchou, I'll join you guys, Alright?" Nate said, to which both Rosa and Hugh nodded.
Nate's and Hilda's Samurott, Ash's Frillish, Rosa's Swanna and Hugh's Azumarill all materialised from their balls, also ready to play in the water.
"Ready? Let's go" Ash said, and the group of five headed out.
When they arrived at the water, Hilda and Rosa set up the Picnic for their groups, while Nate set up his fishing spot. The rest filed into the water, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, entertaining themselves with their Pokémon's water moves being put on display.
"Heh, that's cool. I'll join them soon, once I have a Chinchou" Rakutsu said, smiling to himself.
While everyone else was playing in the water, Nate was sitting nearby, fishing. He got a tug on the line, whisked it up, and encountered a Chinchou.
"Alright. Duosion, standby" Nate called and Duosion materialised.
Rosa and Hugh noticed this and swam over to watch the battle, Ash and Hilda not far behind.
Battle: Duosion VS Chinchou
Chinchou started by blasting a spectral ray of light at Duosion, Confusing it.
"This is going to be one of those battles, isn't it," Nate said to himself as his Duosion was Confused.
"Not sure about this guy's ability. Duosion, use Shadow Ball" Nate called, and Duosion shot a ball of spectral energy at Chinchou, dealing Considerable damage.
The Chinchou then show a beam of bubbles at Duosion, a Bubble Beam, dealing Minor damage.
"Let's try Hidden Power Duosion" Nate called, and Duosion threw off its Confusion, then generated balls of electricity to shoot at Chinchou, but they were absorbed and used to heal a quarter of Chinchou's Hit Points.
"What the? Oh wow, this Chinchou has Volt Absorb" Nate said to himself, a bit annoyed at that outcome.
The Chinchou then shot another beam of spectral light at Duosion, Confusing it again.
"You're a particularly intelligent Chinchou. Alright, Duosion, use Shadow Ball" Nate called, and Duosion shook off its Confusion enough to generate a ball of spectral energy to shoot at Chinchou, dealing Considerable damage. The Chinchou then shoots another beam of bubbles at Duosion, dealing Minor damage.
"One more should do it. Use Shadow Ball" Nate called, and Duosion fired another ball of Spectral energy at Chinchou, dealing Considerable damage. The Chnchou shot another beam of bubbles at Duosion and dealt Minor damage
"Alright. Now, Net Ball, go" Nate called, and he threw the Net Ball at Chinchou, which captured it.
Conclusion: Chinchou caught.
"Alright, I got a Chinchou" Nate said, and both Rosa and Hugh cheered.
"Nice catch" came a voice from nearby, and they all turned around to see Cynthia, in her swimsuit, and her Milotic standing nearby.
"Hey Cynthia, gonna join us?" Ash asked, to which Cynthia replied "I'm going to catch some rays, but Milotic would love to join you", to which Milotic called happily, to which the other Water-type Pokémon called.
"Well, let's see what this majestic sea serpent can do," Ash said, and Milotic took the invitation to join them.
Ash wouldn't admit it, but his shorts are tight after seeing Cynthia's bathing suit. He just did his best to hide that fact as best he could, and kept playing with the Pokémon on their teams, as well as his new friends. And now, Nate joined them.
"About time you joined us Nate" Rosa commented, to which Nate replied "I did say that I wanted to catch a Chinchou, but now I'm going to really enjoy it"
"Alright, cool" Rosa replied. Cynthia's Milotic swam around them, and the other Water-type Pokémon swam with them.
"Milotic is so graceful, I've never seen anything like it," Rosa said, smiling at it. She then got an idea.
"Hey Cynthia, would it be OK if I petted Milotic?" Rosa asked, to which Cynthia replied "So long as you're friendly, definitely. She may even let you swim with her"
"Awesome" Rosa said, and Milotic swam up to her, and she petted the Tender Pokémon. Milotic then gently snaked herself around Rosa in an embrace, which she returned.
"Aw, that's really sweet," Hugh said, smiling, while Nate added, "Rosa has that gift, she seems to be able to bond with any Pokémon"
"That's really sweet," Hilda said, to which Ash added, "Agreed".
"Well, someone's enjoying themselves," Cynthia said, as she entered the water herself. Rosa turned to face Cynthia, smiled, and responded "Yeah. Milotic is so graceful and tender, they're beautiful"
"Agreed. Also, quite the battler" Cynthia replied. She turned to Ash, and whispered "And I can tell that you like what you see with me", and she smiled, while Ash blushed furiously, and whispered back "Drop it. You look attractive, that's all"
"Heh, I will, don't worry Ash" Cynthia replied.
"Is Ash OK?" Hilda asked, to which Cynthia replied "He'll be fine. Just likes what he sees, so to speak"
"Uh, he's not the only one" Hugh admitted, as he and Nate were also feeling a bit awkward around Cynthia.
"Don't worry, it's fine, I get it all the time. It doesn't bother me" Cynthia replied with a gentle chuckle.
After about an hour and a half of playing in the water, it was time to get out and head back to the Pokémon Centre.
"Well, that was fun," Hilda said, to which Ash replied, "Yeah, it was". Ash then turned to Rosa, and said "You seem to have a special touch with Pokémon"
"Yeah. It's how I managed t convince most of my team to join me, instead of a normal battle. Due to my past, I dislike battling to capture Pokémon" Rosa replied, to which Hilda responded "That's really cool"
"It is, and seeing you interact with Cynthia's Milotic was really cute" Hugh replied, smiling, which Rosa returned. Hugh then added, "Now, where to next?"
"Well, Opelucid City is to the north-east of here, so I'd recommend heading there. The Marine Tube isn't open for another week, so you can't access Humilau City from here yet" Cynthia replied, to which Nate replied "Alright, that sounds like a plan"
"Good. Now I'd better get back to my vacation home, I'll see you later" Cynthia responded, and with a wave to everyone, she departed.
"Well, we'd better wash up, then get ready to head out," Ash said, to which Hilda, Nate, Rosa and Hugh all nodded, and went back to their individual rooms to do so since they all have ensuites.