Chapter 5
As Ash and Serena are now outside of the Pokemon Trainer's School, they notice a commotion as a Team Aqua Grunt just run past. "Out of the way, move it!"
Ash and Serena blink as they see the man leaving, and then the same researcher from before yells, "Wait! Pleeeaaase! Don't take those parts!"
Ash turns to Serena, "Looks like the researcher is in trouble."
"We should help it out." Serena says as they head to Route 116. The researcher notices them and he says, "You two are the fantastic trainers who helped me in Petalburg Woods! Help me out, I was robbed by Team Aqua! I have to get the Devon Parts back! If I don't...I'm going to be in serious trouble..."
"Don't worry, we'll help you." Ash says as they head forward.
As they look at Route 116, they eventually reach the cave and they hear a man groaning in pain, "Ohhh, what am I to do? We were just out on our walk, Peeko and I, when we were attacked by an odd thug… And then the scoundrel made off with my darling Peeko! Where are yooouuu?! Peeeeeeko!"
Ash recognizes the man and he says, "Mr. Briney! It is great to see you again!"
As he helps him up, Mr. Briney notices Ash and he says, "I recognize you, you're Ash, right? A few years ago, you have boarded my ship to Dewford City, right?"
"Yes, and I remembered back then your Peeko was stolen by Team Aqua..." Ash says. "Oh, Serena. This is Mr. Briney, he is a famous sailor in Hoenn."
"It is nice to meet you." Serena bows and Ash asks, "We heard your cry, did you say that Peeko was stolen?"
Mr. Briney says, "I need your help, if you can help me from before, then you can do it again."
"It must be the same Team Aqua grunt..." Ash says, "Don't worry, we are chasing after that thief as well. We'll get your Peeko back."
Mr. Briney nods as Ash and Serena rush into the Rusturf Tunnel, once they get in, they find the Team Aqua Grunt with the papers in his hand and Peeko the Wingull in the cage.
"What? Are you coming? Come and get some, then!" The Aqua Grunt says.
"Here you are, give us back Peeko!" Serena says.
"Grah, keelhaul it all! This hostage Pokemon turned out to be worthless! And to think I made a getaway...into this tunnel to nowhere! And you! Now you're here to battle me. Really?" The grunt mutters as he sends out Poochyena. This time Serena is going to battle him as she uses Sylveon. With the Fairy Wind, it manages to knock out the Poochyena with ease.
"Nice work, Serena." Ash says, and Serena smiles.
"This is plain not right...the boss told me this would be a slick-and-easy job to pull. All I had to do was steal some parts from Devon. Tch! You want 'em back that badly, then take 'em!"
He tosses the papers to the ground and Ash and Serena are trying to pick them up. Serena notices the grunt runs away and she yells, "Oh no! He's running away!"
"It's fine. At least all the papers are here." Ash says.
Mr. Briney rushes into the room and Peeko flies to him, hugging him. "Peeko! Am I glad to see you're safe!"
He turns to Ash and Serena as he says, "My Peeko owes her life an' freedom to you, Ash and Serena! If there's ever a thing I can do to help you in turn, don't you hesitate to tell me. If I'm to be found, it will always be at my cottage by the sea near Petalburg Woods."
"Sure, we will really need some help once we send the papers back to Devon Corp." Ash says.
Mr. Briney nods and he turns to Peeko. "Come, Peeko! High time we're underway to home!"
As they are heading back to Route 116, they see some Whismur in the cave, Ash says, "Whismur is very timid. If it starts to cry loudly, it becomes startled by its own crying and cries even harder. When it finally stops crying, the Pokémon goes to sleep, all tired out."
"So we must not disturb them and quickly get out of the cave." Serena says.
On Route 116, Serena notices some Nincada and she asks, what are those?"
"They are Nincada. Nincada lives underground. It uses its sharp claws to carve the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. This Pokémon can't withstand bright sunlight so avoids it. It is a Pokemon that can evolve into two Pokemon." Ash says.
"Two Pokemon? That is creepy..." Serena says, Ash says, "I am not joking, one is Ninjask and the other one is Shedinja."
Just then, Serena notices a kitten Pokemon running around chasing its tail, and Serena is attracted to it. "How cute..."
"That is Skitty, I remembered that May has one. Skitty is known to chase around playfully after its own tail. In the wild, this Pokémon lives in holes in the trees of forests. It is very popular as a pet because of its adorable looks."
"It really is adorable, and I am going to capture it!" Serena says as she tosses a Pokeball, and Skitty is captured. "I did it."
Ash says, "Wow, Serena...I mean, that really is something."
Serena smiles, "It is."
They also notice some Eevee and Joltiks, and one of them is attracted to Sylveon. Ash decides to capture it so that it can be with Sylveon and the group, and Sylveon even agrees to it even though she was shy at first.
Serena asks, "So Ash, if you capture an Eevee, what are you going to evolve it into?"
"I am not sure." Ash says, "But either one of them is good to use."
Serena nods and she says, "The Pokedex says that Joltik attach themselves to large-bodied Pokémon and absorb static electricity, which they store in an electric pouch. Is that really true?"
"I remember how Pikachu has his electricity sucked off back in the Unova Region..." Ash says.
Once they get back to Rustboro City, they find the researcher and he asks, "Oh! How did it go? Did you get my Devon Parts?"
"We have them." Ash says as he hands the papers over, the researcher is joyous and he says, "You did it! You really are a great Trainer! I know, as my thanks, I'll give you a Great Ball as a reward."
As Ash and Serena get the ball, the researcher also asks them to come inside the Devon Corp. Much to their surprise.
As they enter the building, they go to the top floor and the researcher says, "This is the top floor of the Devon Corporation. Our president's office is on this floor. I can tell you how grateful I am for what you've done for our company. Could you just wait here for just a moment?"
As the researcher goes into the office, Serena asks, "So we are just going to see the president like that?"
Ash says, "I guess so. It will be great to see him again."
"Again?" Serena is confused, and then the researcher comes out and says, "Our president would like to have a word with you. Please come with me."
As they follow the researcher, they get to see Mr. Stone sitting at his table. "It really is you, Ash Ketchum. It has been a while."
"It is nice to meet you again, Mr. Stone." Ash says. "This is Serena, she is my girlfriend and she is also traveling with me in this Hoenn once more."
"I see, it is nice to meet such a young lady." Mr. Stone says. "I heard just now how we have quite a bit to thank you for. So you helped out my staff not just once, but twice!"
"It is no big deal, we like to help others in need." Ash says as their Pokemon also nod in agreement. "By the way, is Steven also here? We will like to thank him again for helping us stop Team Flare a few months ago."
"I am sorry to say that Steven is not here in this company as he is outside." Mr. Stone says, and Serena is confused, "Steven? Wait...are you telling me that the Hoenn Champion Steven Stone, who helped us stopped the Kalos Crisis back a few months ago, is his son?"
Ash says, "Of course, we have met before, that is why we know each other when we met again in Kalos. Though at that time, Steven was not the Champion while Wallace was."
Mr. Stone says, "Indeed, Wallace decides to give away the Champion to Steven because he heard that his master Juan of the Sootopolis City Gym Leader is retiring, so he becomes the gym leader instead."
"Wallace...as in the famous Wallace Cup? That Wallace?" Serena asks, and Ash says, "You're right, it is that Wallace. I still remember how we met in Sinnoh and how he helps me with my Buizel back then."
Mr. Stone chuckles, "Sounds like you have a lot of journeys and meeting famous people. You see, Ash, Serena. There's a favor I'd like to ask of reliable Trainers like you. Now I want you to know I'm a president you can trust. I'd never been so mean as to ask a favor for nothing in return. Here, give me your PokéNav Plus for a moment."
Ash and Serena gives the president their own PokeNav Plus, and he does some work until he gives them back.
"That function that I just added to your PokéNav Plus is called BuzzNav. It is an indispensable tool for any Trainer who is traveling out in the world. Use it, and you'll be able to get the latest news from around the region and from your own friends, anytime and anyplace. Now let me get to the important issue of what it is I need you to do..."
"What is it?" Serena asks.
"As you can see, my son Steven is at Dewford Town. I want you to help me send this letter to him." Mr. Stone takes out a letter and gives Ash, who is excited, and says, "Steven is in Dewford Town? That's awesome! That's where we are going since we are challenging the gyms."
"I am glad to hear that." Mr. Stone says, "You'll have to cross the sea to reach Dewford, of course. I'll ask Mr. Briney, the old sailor who lives in that hut on Route 104, to help with the crossing. Go find him, and he should agree to help you. I'm counting on you, Ash and Serena!"
Ash and Serena nod as they leave the company, and Serena says, "I can't believe it, we just met Steven's father and we learned where Steven is."
"Yeah. It will be great if we can have a battle with him." Ash says with determination.
Here is a new chapter, and Ash and Serena manage to meet Mr. Stone and Mr. Briney again. Mr. Stone is going to send a letter to Steven and he wants Ash and Serena to help him out. As for Ash and Serena's new captures, I have already planned what Eeveelution I am going to give Ash since it will be paired with Serena's Sylveon. If some of you ask Pikachu, then let's say that I have also planned a Pokemon to be paired with him. I hope you like this chapter and in the next chapter, we will be heading to Dewford.
Ash's Pokemon: Pikachu, Charizard, Eevee, Sceptile, Ralts, Egg, Glalie, Gible, Leavanny, Boldore, Noivern
Serena's Pokemon: Braixen, Pancham, Sylveon, Mudkip, Silcoon, Skitty