"Pikachu? Snom? Are you two out here?" Ash said groggily.
"Oh, hello there. I'm guessing these two are your's?" A woman said.
Ash snapped awake, adjusting his shirt, now realizing that he isn't alone.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Are you one of my Gordie's friends?" The woman asked.
Ash saw Pikachu and the Snom enjoying some food.
"I'm Ash, sorry if we're intruding." Ash said.
"Not a problem at all, I'm Melony, the local gym leader." Melony said, introducing herself. "So are both of these hungry little guys yours?"
"Pikachu is, but I met Snow the other day in Hammerlock." Ash said, relaxing a bit.
"So are you here for the festival, or just passing through?" Melony asked.
"Yeah, me and my friends are here, we heard this festival is also in part to evolve Snom." Ash said.
"Fross." A bug said, fluttering down next to Snom.
"Who's that Pokemon?" Ash said pulling out his phone.
'Snom, the worm pokemon.'
"Again, wrong pokemon." Ash said annoyed.
"This is my partner, Frosmoth. The evolved form of Snom actually." Melony said. "The festival will be starting soon, I'd recommend wearing warmer clothes though."
"Yeah, I was just looking for Pikachu, then I was going to get ready. I hope to see you at the festival." Ash said, walking back to where he'd come from.
A bit later, at the festival proper
"So where do we see the evolving Snom?" Chloe asked.
"It's not a where, it's a when." Gordie pointed out. "The end of the festival is marked by their evolution, which happens at night, under the full moon."
"So until then, how about we just enjoy the festival." Goh said.
"Krookodile use Stone Edge!" Ash's voice was already heard in the distance.
"Is there a tournament during the festival?" Chloe asked.
"No, no there isn't, most people avoid battling, as it's a ceremonial style event." Gordie said.
At Ash's battle
"Frosmoth use Ice Beam!"
Krookodile's stone edge was easily dodged, as he spun out of the way of Frosmoth's attack.
"I told you this kid was good." Opal said from the sidelines.
"I would hope so, Leon seems to trust them too." Raihan said.
"Krookodile use Dragon Claw!"
"Frosmoth use Tailwind!"
Krookodile lined up the shot, but just as he was about to strike, Frosmoth was gone.
"Krookodile use Crunch!"
"Frossmoth use Bug Buzz!"
Despite the dual weaknesses on Krookodile's side, he was keeping up a good fight, chomping down on the bug.
"Krookodile use Stone Edge!"
"Frosmoth use Hurricane!"
"Here's the problem. You aren't the first ice trainer Krookodile's fought." Ash said smugly.
As Krookodile's attack had been broken apart again, he grabbed onto two shards flying straight towards Frosmoth, striking it with both stones.
"I have to say I'm impressed. Despite the disadvantage, you turned the battle to your advantage." Melony said.
With Goh
"Pokeball go!" Goh shouted, chasing after an Eiscue.
"You won't catch one in those shoes boy." An older gentleman said.
"Then how do I catch one?" Goh asked.
"There's a frozen lake they like to slide about on, try skating there." The man said. "If you need skates, I'll trade you for them."
"I can pay, how much are they?" Goh asked.
"Oh, I don't want money, what I want is something far more valuable.
"Which is?" Goh asked.
"Follow me, I'll tell you in a minute.
Three hours later
"And that was the last day I worked in the mill, or ever." The man said.
Goh was crying at the story he was told.
"But what about your son? Did he get the heart? And what about your wife, did you ever take her to the pier?" Goh cried out.
"Wait you want to hear more?" The man said surprised.
"You can't just end on you losing your arm! There's so many unfinished questions!" Goh cried out.
With Chloe and Gordie
"Come on." Chloe said concentrating her aim.
"Mine isn't working." Gordie said, fiddling with the water gun, as the pressure shot back.
"And to the little lady!" The attendant said, handing Chloe a Wave Ball.
"Cool." Chloe said a bit disappointed at the prize.
"Yes, it's very cool." The man said with a laugh.
"Ca-ca-Can we get some hot chocolate?" Gordie pleaded, shuddering.
With Ash and Goh
"Are you sure about this?" Ash asked.
"No, but I forgot to get the skates, and I don't know if I can take another of the mans life stories." Goh said, his eyes red from the crying.
"Okay, charge at me." Ash said.
Goh charged forward, as Ash's instincts kicked in, sending Goh hurddling towards an Eiscue.
"Pokeball, go!" Goh shouted, throwing the pokeball, as he zoomed past the Eiscue, into a snowbank.
"Sorry!" Ash shouted.
"Hey, I caught it!" Goh exclaimed happily.
With Chloe
"Go ahead, stick your feet in." Melony said walking up.
Chloe was at the hot springs in the center of town.
"Oh, no I'm just looking at the depictions on the wall." Chloe said.
"Apparently the heros of Galar came here to relax at one time." Melony said. "I'm so proud to have that be a part of my towns history."
"I wish Vermillion was known for something like that." Chloe said. "All it's know for right now is a cave, and my dad's lab."
"Every legend has to start somewhere, why not make yours be in Vermillion." Melony said. "Then one day people might visit just to see a mural or statue of you."
"Do you think that's possible?" Chloe asked.
"I don't see why not." Melony said with a smile.
With Ash and Gordie
"Okay so the water guns weren't my thing, but I know I've got this one down." Gordie said.
"You sure about that?" Ash asked.
"Alright everyone! You know the rules, hands behind your back, and no Pokémon allowed. On my mark. Ready. Set. Go!" The judge yelled.
Ash and Gordie dove headfirst into their pies, in the hopes of beating the other.
"Ahh! Blueberry in my nose!" Gordie shouted, before diving back in. "Ahhh! Another!"
"And we have a winner!" The judge proclaimed, lifting Ash's clean plate.
With Goh and Gordie
"So help me out. Guy to guy. What do Ash and Chloe like?" Gordie asked.
"Chloe likes, honestly I have no clue, same for Ash." Goh said stumped. "Trust me I've tried connecting with them through shared interests, but I can't out battle Ash, and I can't out think Chloe."
"Thanks for the help man." Gordie said, running off.
"You're welcome?" Goh said confused.
With Ash and Chloe
"There you go Snom, you should be all set here for when it's time to evolve." Ash said, taking Snom out of his hood.
"I'll miss the little guy, it was kinda fun having him around." Chloe said.
"Ashley! Or Ash, and Chloe too! Wait up!" Gordie shouted running up towards them.
"Ash, I challenge you to a battle, to try and win you over!" Gordie proclaimed.
"No." Ash said honestly.
"Wait what?" Gordie said.
"For one, I'm not something to be won, and secondly I don't let battles decide that kind of thing for me." Ash said.
"Well then, Chloe how about some ice cream?" Gordie said, not giving up.
"If you hadn't gone for Ash first, sure. I'm no ones second choice." Chloe said.
"I tried to warn you, but you left too quickly." Goh said, hopping down off of Skarmory.
"I thought if I tried, I could at least get one of them. I usually have no problem with the ladies." Gordie said.
"Gordie, I stuck my neck out for you last night." Ash said. "Yet you turn around and try something like this?"
"With the interviewers?" Gordie asked confused.
"No, I called a friend. You're a great trainer in double battles, I saw some more evidence when I looked you up." Ash said.
"Exactly! But my mom wants me to be the gym leader, and our gym isn't double battles. Also what does this have to do with you rejecting me?" Gordie said confused.
"Ash just got a response from who they called." Chloe said.
"I have a friend who runs an arena in Orre. All they do there is double battles. He said if you're interested to call him." Ash said, handing Gordie a slip of paper. "Giant arenas, adoring fans, and a region far away from your mom."
"What will my mom say?" Gordie said.
"That you should have just told me you didn't want to be the leader." Melony said. "Also, i raised you better than to ask two girls out at once, or to treat them like trophies. Apologize."
"Sorry Ash, sorry Chloe." Gordie said.
"No hard feelings, besides I'm taken." Ash said. "Even if you had asked normally it'd have been a no."
"Whoever they are is a lucky guy." Gordie said. "To be able to keep up with you, I'd love to meet him one day.
"She sure is, and I think you two'd get along great." Ash said.
"And that's three strikes." Raihan said with a laugh.
"I never stood a chance." Gordie said, quietly sobbing.
That night
"Ey James, you did capture them, right?" Meowth asked.
"I completely forgot!?" James exclaimed, watching the Snom now Frosmoth fly away.
"So which one is our Snom?" Chloe asked.
"I'm not sure, but wherever he is, he must be happy." Ash said.
Elsewhere
"nom, nom, nom." The small Snom said, having found a jelly filled doughnut, enjoying every bite.