@Meteoryte You'll just have to wait for Serena. Fun fact though, Anthony just started off as a one off character, but I had so much fun writing him, well you'll see.
"Professor, I promise what happened last time was just a one time fluke." Ash said as he followed Professor Birch to his car. "Ashley, stop worrying. Research is nothing without a hiccup every now and then. This assignment is close enough I thought I'd join you, and perhaps see your methods in action." Professor Birch said putting the last of the equipment into the truck. "Can you at least tell me where we are going?" Ash asked, not wanting to get in a car with Professor Birch longer than needed. "No can do, you probably wouldn't be able to find it on your own anyways." Professor Birch said. "Now hop in!" "Great." Ash muttered under his breath as he and Pikachu got in.
"Professor! I'm sure Dragonite would have had no problem flying us to wherever we're going." Ash said as they flew over another numb. "Just relax Ashley, with me driving we'll be there in no time." Professor Birch said, completely oblivious to his temporary assistant. Ash saw the shore up ahead, and was nervous. He was pretty sure this car wasn't a boat as well. Just before it was too late Professor Birch made a quick maneuver and got the car ready to get on a boat. "Professor, if I may ask, how long until the boat gets here?" Ash asked. "Oh it should be here in about 30 minutes." Professor Birch said looking at his watch.
Ash and Pikachu got out of the car to stretch and relax for a bit. The hour drive from Littleroot seemed far longer at the speed they were going. Ash looked at his phone, 980. All he had to do was find Bea, and she'd be in for a surprise. In the meantime though, he was still stuck here in Hoenn. Not that it was bad here, just harder to find someone, when you're trapped in one place. Not wanting for him and Pikachu to be the only ones enjoying the warm air and water, Ash grabbed his other Pokeballs. "Dragonite! Lucario! Farfetch'd! Lileep! Mudkip! Come on out!" His 5 other Pokémon appeared, and instantly seemed to enjoy themselves. Lileep seemed to just enjoy being in the sand soaking in sunlight. Pikachu and Mudkip were happily splashing in the water. Farfetch'd and Lucario were off to the side sparring, while Dragonite was stretching its wings with a quick flight. Professor Birch watched from the car. At times Ashley reminded him so much of an adult, but at times like this he saw just how much she enjoyed the world.
A short while later they were on a boat, for a destination Professor Birch still refused to reveal. Ash felt his phone go off with a message from Chloe. 'We need to talk. Call me when you see this.' Was all the message had. Ash called up Chloe wondering what's wrong. "Ash have you seen the headlines of any major newspaper today?" Chloe asked over the phone. "No, why?" Ash asked wondering if Goh had made a big discovery or something. "You're on it!" Chloe practically screamed. "What, what do you mean I'm on it!" Ash asked in amazement. "There's a photo of you and Lord Anthony Marcov on what looks like a date. It's front page news!" Chloe shouted. "How do you know it's me?" Ash asked now worried. "So it was a date?" Chloe accused. "No. No. No, it was just a dinner, I did a favor for him and he repaid me with dinner." Ash defended. "Did you know he was a lord?" Chloe asked. "All I knew was his name." Ash said, trying to keep calm. "Anyways you didn't answer my question, how do you know it was me?" Ash asked. "The necklace from Olivia. You said it was custom made, and I recognized it." Chloe said plainly. "So you couldn't see my face?" Ash asked. "Nope, it's blurred out. He probably paid to keep it quiet about you once he got wind of the photos." Chloe said with a laugh. "Now stop worrying so much, a Lord from Kalos likes you. Think of the perks. We need to get you a new dress when we get back!" Chloe started excitedly rambling. "Chloe, like I said, it was a favor being repaid. He even said that after the dinner it was done." Ash said trying to intimidate her hundreds of miles away. "That's not what he said in an interview." Chloe said mockingly. "What! What did he say?" Ash asked, worried. "Sorry Ash, I gotta go. Talk to you later." Chloe said hanging up. "Chloe! Chloe!" Ash yelled but it was no use, the other side was dead.
"Come on Ashley, road ends just up ahead." Professor Birch said slowing the car. They had arrived on Dewford Island, and Ash was surprised that the car had made it even this far. "Umm, Professor it's a cliff. We came all the way out here for a cliff?" Ash asked, knowing that this wasn't it. "No, but if I may ask for Dragonite's help, unless you want to take the long way up that is." Professor Birch said, putting on his pack. "Come on out Dragonite!" Ash said, calling out his faithful friend. "You go on ahead Professor, so Dragonite knows where to take me." Ash said politely. A few minutes later Dragonite returned ready to pick up Ash. In truth Dragonite could probably have made it in one trip, but Ash didn't want to test that out just yet. "Just a bit further." Professor Birch said as he kept walking forward. Had Ash known there'd have been this much trekking, he would've brought better shoes. How Professor Birch did this in flip flops was beyond him. "I think I hear a river up ahead." Ash said hearing a bubbling sound. "Good, then we're just about here." Birch said.
As they came through the clearing, Ash saw them Mudkips. He had been here once before, of course Professor Birch didn't know that. "Mudkips, what are all these Mudkip's doing here?" Ash asked, trying to keep up the guise of not knowing. "This is where I get the Mudkip's I give to new trainers, much like the one I gave you." Professor Birch said. "If I may?" Ash said, holding out a Pokeball. "Of course, I need to talk with Old Man Swampy, but go ahead do your habitat research and enjoy yourself while I take care of buisness. "Thank you Professor." Ash said, sending out Mudkip. Ash then pulled out a phone to make a few calls.
"No Goh, I didn't know it was going to be a date." "Yes Goh, my feelings still haven't changed." "No Goh, I don't know if he wants to call me or not."
"Yes Mom." "Of course I was polite-ish…" "No Mom, I don't plan on bringing him home to meet you."
"Now onto the research." Ash said putting his phone away after putting out some fires before they started. Observing his Mudkip, along with the wild ones as he made notes.
