When they got to route 104 they decided train for a bit resulting in May's Wurmple evolving into a Silcoon, Alain catching a Ninjask and Ashlyn rescuing a shiny Feebas who was being abused by a fisherman when they got to Mr. Briney's cottage
"The nerve of that moronic fisherman" Ashlyn fumed as she cooked lunch for everyone as Mr. Briney started up his boat and Alain helping May teach her Torchic Aerial Ace
"Ashlyn-nee do you need help?" Max asked softly afraid of his eldest sister's ire
"Can you take those sandwiches over to the everyone else" Ashlyn said softly smiling at Max who sighed in relief
"Got it!" Max said happily before he took the sandwiches and ran towards the others
Once they were on their way to Dewford Ashlyn had introduced her team to Feebas and Hydreigon to which all of them greeted happily while May was reading on what Beautifly like to eat, Max talking to Mr. Briney and Alain reading over the data on the new Mega stones while talking to his dad about it, everything was peaceful until Pikachu and Lucario got Ashlyn's attention
"What is it?" she asked before she saw a Meowth drifting on the water badly injured and unconscious "Altaria can you get that Meowth onto the deck, please"
"No problem Ashlyn" Altaria chirped before she took the poor thing onto the boat where Ashlyn was getting out several Potions, Bearries and a Revival Herb
"Ashlyn-nee what happened?" Max asked when he saw his sister cradling an injured Meowth
"I don't know" Ashlyn said sadly as she placed the Revival Herb into the poor Scratch pokemon's mouth
"How could a Meowth be here in Hoenn aren't they supposed to be found in Kanto?" Alain asked as he surveyed the injuries on the pokemon
"Do you think a trainer could have done this?" May asked Ashlyn and Alain in a quiet tone as to prevent Max from hearing
"Possibly" Ashlyn whispered
Unknown to them all a pokemon was watching them from above the clouds watching them intently, ready to strike at the slightest misstep. When they arrived on Dewford Ashlyn made her way to the Pokemon Center with Meowth in her arms in her jacket
"Nurse Joy we found this Meowth floating in the sea injured I already gave him first aid but it's not enough" Ashlyn said looking down at the Scratch Cat Pokemon
"Of course would you like to stay in the center?" Nurse Joy asked politely
"Yes please" May said before Ashlyn gave Meowth over to Nurse Joy who immediately went to work
"Ashlyn-nee maybe we should head to the gym now" Max said trying to get his sister's mind off of the upsetting situation
"I'll stay here and give you all the updates on Meowth's health" May said smiling reassuringly at her elder sister
"Thanks May" Ashlyn said smiling
"Well then let's go" Alain said before they headed to the gym
"Maybe a battle would take my mind off what happened to Meowth" Ashlyn thought softly
As they made their way to the gym Alain noticed that people outside the gym were all scowling and grumbling
"Excuse me but what's going on here?" Alain asked a young man
"The gym leader ain't here man it's been five days now" he said angrily
"Where is he?" Max asked knowing that a gym leader would only be allowed to take a maximum of a week off for personal matters and under those circumstances they need to request a substitute
"There" the young man said pointing to the waves
"I think I should call aunt Winona" Ashlyn said with anger in her eyes as she pulled out her contact list on her PokeNav
"You should, that is no way for a gym leader to act" Max said also angry
?? :Hello?
Ashlyn:Aunt Winnie I just wanted to ask if the Dewford Town gym leader has been permitted a leave of absence because I think he forgot a substitute
Winona:Strange, Brawly didn't request for a leave of absence at all, wait are you in Dewford right now?
Max:Yup and a lot of trainers are outside his gym and from what they said it's been 5 days
Winona:Is that so, don't worry I talk to the gym director to clarify if Brawly sent him a notice and if he didn't you'll be seeing me in two days give or take
Ashlyn and Max:Ok we can't wait to see you again
Winona:Me too
"So you know the gym leader supervisor?" Alain asked
"Yup she's our adopted aunt and my therapist when I was younger" Ashlyn said softly making Alain raise his eyebrow and look at Max who shook his head
When they got back to the Pokemon center Nurse Joy was telling May about Meowth's condition which got Ashlyn's attention immediately
"Luckily no vital organs got damaged but I'm afraid that he may have a hard time recovering" Nurse Joy said sadly
"May I help him recover Nurse Joy?" Ash asked curiously "Looks like we'll be here for a while"
"In that case would you also like to help me with preparing some starter pokemon for a new trainer?" Nurse Joy said making look up at her in surprise
"Is that allowed I thought that only regional professors are the only ones that could give out starters?" Max asked curiously
"It's allowed Max, In fact since not everyone can go to Littleroot just to get their pokemon. Nurse Joys or the resident gym leader is allowed to give starting trainers pokemon to start their journey whether it be the official starters or a different pokemon as long as they'll listen to their trainers any one with an official position and the correct authority could in theory hand out a starter"Ashlyn explained smiling when Max made an 'ohhhh' sound
"That's absolutely correct but some of these starters are from a different region and one extra pokemon" Nurse Joy said smiling before she led them to the back where they found the Hoenn Starters and four other pokemon, one was a black and red cat, the other was a blue seal with a pink nose, the next one was a brown owl with green under feathers and the last was a white Sandshrew
"Wow what pokemon are these and why is Sandshrew white Nurse Joy?" Max asked
"These three are Litten, Poppilo and Rowlet the official starters of the Alola Region and this Sandshrew is an Alolan Sandshrew an Ice and Steel type" Alain explained for Max as he started to take pictures of the pokemon as Ashlyn pulled out her pokedex and scanned them
Rowlet
The Grass Quill Pokemon
This wary pokemon uses photosynthesis to store up energy during the day, while becoming active at night. It feels relaxed in tight, dark places and has been known to use its trainer's pocket or bag as a nest.
Litten
The Fire Cat Pokemon
While grooming itself, it builds up fur inside its stomach. It sets the fur alight and spews fiery attacks, which change based on how it coughs. If you try too hard to get close to it, it won't open up to you. Even if you do grow close,giving it too much affection is still a no-no.
Popplio
The Sea Lion Pokemon
This Pokemon snorts body fluids from its nose, blowing balloons to smash into its foes. It's famous for being a hard worker. The balloons it inflates grow larger and larger as it practices day by day.
Alolan Sandshrew
The Mouse Pokemon
This pokemon's ice covered body let's it slide across the ground with bullet like speed sending its enemies flying when it hits them. An ancient tradition of Alolan festivals, still carried on to this day, is a competition to slide Sandshrew across ice as far as one can.
"Cool" Max said smiling
"Ashlyn do you mind if I train with Silcoon for a bit" May asked
"Sure thing May thanks for keeping an eye on Meowth's condition for me" Ashlyn said before hugging her younger sister before she ran outside
"Well Nurse Joy what can we do first?" Max asked grinning
As Nurse Joy gave each Pokémon a check up Max would play with the ones who were done while Ashlyn and Alain would feed the ones that haven't had their check up yet
"Which one do you think the new trainer will pick?" Ashlyn asked as she petted Rowlet as she cut two more Pecha Berries for the homemade Pokémon food
"Depends I find that trainers usually go with the one they find most interesting" Alain said as he petted Litten who was wrapped around his neck like a scarf
"What are the Kalos starters like?" Ashlyn asked as she placed the mixture into the machine to convert it into Poke Pellets
"Well there's Frokie the water type, Fennekin the Fire Type and Chespin the Grass type" Alain said as he showed her a picture of all Kalos Starters
"Hm they all look very interesting I think we were able to see Galar's starters when we were there... Ah here they are Sobble the water type, Scorbunny the Fire type and Grookey the Grass type starter" Ashlyn said as she showed Alain her sketches of the Galarian starters
"Interesting I definitely haven't seen those before" Alain said smiling
"Yeah most people are in aware of how many species there are in the world" Ashlyn said as Max came in to get Kitten and Rowlet
"Careful and don't run" Ashlyn said as she smoothes down Max's hair
"I got it" Max said before he went to Nurse Joy "Oh and the new trainer is almost here"
"Alright then let's go" Ashlyn said as she turned off the machine as the last Pellet fell into the container
When they entered the room Ashlyn noticed a young girl around May's age with long straight black hair the sanded at her waist, chocolate brown eyes, pale skin wearing a pink long sleeve dress, black cycling shorts, white socks, pink shoes and a Grey waist bag
"Well Zoie you're certainly in for a treat" Nurse Joy said smiling at the new trainer who looked nervous "First the Hoenn starters Torchic the fire type, Mudkip the water type and Treecko the grass type"
"Wow there's so cute" Zoie said smiling but then she saw the other starters "Oh my God Litten, Popplio, Rowlet and Sandshrew I can't believe you have them here Nurse Joy"
"Of course your mother was determined to have them for you" Nurse Joy said smiling
"That makes much more sense you must be from Alola" Ashlyn said smiling as she got the young trainers attention
"Mhm I lived in Alola with my grandparents before my mama had me come here" the young girl Zoie said smiling before an explosion was heard outside
"What was that!" Max exclaimed as he and Zoie cling to Ashlyn in fear
"I don't know but it came from outside" Alain said before he guided everyone outside while the pokemon followed
"Gyarados, Aggron please calm down" a young woman said as she was trying to calm down the Atrocious Pokémon and
"What happened?" Nurse Joy asked as Gyarados prepared another attack
"I don't know one second they were peacefully sleeping the next they was very angry Nurse Joy please help her" the young woman said frightened for her pokemon
"I can try but" Nurse Joy said before Gyarados and Aggron fired a Hyper Beam
"Absol!/Metagross!Protect! " Alain and Ashlyn said as they both simultaneously released their pokemon who summoned a green barrier protecting the humans behind them
"Just when you need a competent gym leader" Max grumbled sourly
"Grumble later Spinda" Ashlyn said before Rowlet flew over to her while Litten ran towards Alain
"Looks like they want to help" Alain said amused
"Nurse Joy?Zoie? " Ashlyn asked only for the nurse and new trainer to nod "Well these are certainly strong little fellas, oh well Rowlet Leafage"
"Litten Flamethrower" Alain commanded before Litten sent a powerful flamethrower attack towards Aggron just as Rowlet sent a tornado of Leafs towards Gyarados
As both super effective attacks hit their respective targets both enraged pokemon cried out in pain unfortunately Gyarados managed to knock into the Pokemon center's roof making it fall apart
"Zoie!" Nurse Joy shouted before Sandshrew jumped into the air and used Metal Claw to send the debris away from Zoie
"Skitty sing! Beautifly psychic!" a familiar voice said making everyone look to their left where May had just arrived with her Skitty, Eevee and newly evolved Beautifly
"Perfect timing sis" Ashlyn said as she watched Skitty and Beautifly put Aggron to sleep "Now for Gyarados Absol Dark Pulse! Rowlet Brave Bird!"
Once Ashlyn finished her commanded Absol knew exactly what to do and allowed Rowlet to fly in first before surrounding him with Dark energy strengthing the Brave Brid attack
"Oh wow!" Zoie exclaimed when she saw the combination attack take down Gyarados
"Oh thank you so much" the young woman said before she returned her pokemon
"Your welcome" Ashlyn said smiling
In an hour after giving Aggron and Gyarados a check up to determine what enraged them Zoie was back in the room with everyone else and was about to choose her first pokemon
"I choose Sandshrew" Zoie said happily as she went to pick up Sandshrew
"Congratulations Zoie" Ashlyn said smiling at the new trainer
"Thank you and I hope that could be just as strong as you someday" Zoie said smiling Nurse Joy walked in smiling
"Ashlyn, Alain and May I spoke to professor Kukui in Alola and he said that these three should go with you" she said surprising everyone
"What?" Ashlyn asked in shock
"Well I saw how amazing you two were with Rowlet and Litten so I thought that you would be the perfect trainers for them and May I think that Popplio would love Pokémon Contests" Nrse Joy said smiling happily as she presents them with one pokeball each
"Wow thank you Nurse Joy" Ashlyn said as Rowlet made himself at home in her shoulder bag