Chapter 20 Dreams Are Made of These
"It's your scheduled wake-up time!" Rotom Phone yells as an alarm clock, and Serena just presses the button to stop, and she says, "Ash...It's morning..." But by the tone Serena is making, she is still sleepy as well.
Pikachu tries to wake up Ash, and then he sees Chloe getting into the room with an angry face. "Ash! Serena! Wake up! Did you forget what day it is?"
This causes the two of them to be fully awake, and in the lab, Professor Cerise has gathered a lot of children, and he says, "Thank you all for coming to the Pokemon Orienteering event! I'm Professor Cerise, the director of this Laboratory."
"I am Chrysa, an assistant." "And I'm Ren, also an assistant." The two assistants say.
"And your guides today will be these two special people!" Professor Cerise says.
Ash and Serena are standing in front of them, and Ash says, "I am Ash." Serena says, "And I'm Serena. It is nice to meet you."
"Hey! Ash!" Ash notices a boy beside Chloe and he says, "Parker! It is nice to see you again!"
But Chloe is frowning and she says, "Quiet down, Parker..."
Professor Cerise also sweatdrops at his son, and he says, "So, does everyone know what we'll be researching today?"
"Pokemon!" The kids yell in unison.
"Correct. Pokemon are the strange creatures that live on this planet! All kinds of Pokemon live in all kinds of places in this city. I want you to learn new things about these Pokemon, and grow to love them more!" Professor Cerise says. "That's what made me come up with this Pokemon Orienteering day!"
"We had you split into three teams, correct?" Chrysa asks.
"Look over here." Ren says as he shows the map. "All three teams will soon set off for their goal: Vermilion Harbor. And you'll be competing to see which team finds the most Pokemon before reaching the goal."
"Try to find as many Pokemon as possible!" Chrysa adds.
"Yes!" The children reply and Ash says, "Serena, let's get started!"
"The Pokemon Orienteering...let's go!" Serena says as they also cheer with the others.
Ash is handling the Blue team as they see a Persian. Ash asks, "Do you know what that Pokemon is?"
The children don't know the answer, and Ash says, "The answer is..." He takes out the Pokedex and it says, "Persian, the Classy Cat Pokémon. A Normal type. Persian detects its surroundings by using its six whiskers to sense movements in the air."
Persian gives out a roar, and then they also see some Meowth coming towards him. "And they are wild Meowth." Ash says as he also shows them the Pokedex. "Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. A Normal type. When Meowth encounters something shiny, the charm on its forehead gleams."
They see that Meowth is looking for something, and Ash says, "Let's follow them."
The kids are also excited as they chase after them, they notice three sleeping Rattata. "Rattata, the Mouse Pokémon. A Normal type. Rattata can live in any environment."
"As you can see, a battle might start." Ash says as Persian roars, waking the Rattata up, but then, a Raticate comes and jumps down to help the Rattata. Ash also scans the Pokemon.
"Raticate, the Mouse Pokémon, and the evolved form of Rattata. Raticate can gnaw through anything with its ever-growing teeth."
As they are fighting, Ash has been showing them the moves that the Pokemon are using, until Officer Jenny comes and she says, "Watching them this close is too dangerous, Ash."
"Officer Jenny? I just wanted to show everyone from the Pokemon Orienteering what battling is like." Ash says, but then he notices that the children are hiding behind a wall, and Officer Jenny says, "You shouldn't leave small children unattended like that."
"Sorry." Ash says with a sigh, but after seeing Officer Jenny's Growlithe, Ash lets the kids to pet the Pokemon. Unknown to them, Team Rocket is spying on them and as usual, they are trying to find a chance to steal their Pokemon.
While on the Red Team, Serena and Chloe are the ones helping out as Parker is also on the same team. They are lost as Parker is looking at the map. "If that's the big building on the map, that means we're going this way!"
"Yeah!" The other child says as they run, Serena says, "This kind of reminds me of Professor Oak's Summer Camp."
Chloe frowns as she remembers the memory, it is also the first day that she met Serena, along with Ash of course. Serena notices her frown face and she asks, "Chloe, by the way, I want to ask you about something?"
"What is it?" Chloe asks.
"It is about what Ash ask you that other day. I heard that you were under pressure because people think that you are going in your father's footsteps, right?" Serena asks.
"You heard about it from Ash, right?" Chloe asks.
"Yeah. I was the same, a lot of people think that I might become a Rhyhorn Racer like my mother. But I just don't like doing those, which is why I tried to become a Performer and Coordinator."
"But now you are into battling and capturing Pokemon as well." Chloe says.
"I know...because I am satisfied by my own achievements that I want to try something else." Serena says. "Being with Ash encourages me to find out my own dream."
Chloe sighs, before she can ask for more, they hear Parker says, "There's a Pokemon!"
Serena says, "That is a Pidgey. It is very common in Kanto."
"And there is something over there!" Serena turns around and she notices two Nidoran, one being male and the other being female. Serena says, "You know, it will be great to add those to our team. Go Pokeballs!"
The two Pokeballs hit both Nido Pokemon, and they are captured. "Now that is a double catch." Serena says.
Chloe frowns as Serena is acting so much like Ash, and she says, "Serena, didn't you have to teach Nidoran before catching them?"
"Oops, sorry. I forgot." Serena says. "I'll do it now."
After sending out two Pokemon, Serena uses the Pokedex. "Nidoran, the Poison Pin Pokémon. A Poison type. The male Nidoran first evolves into Nidorino, then Nidoking. The less aggressive female Nidoran first evolves into Nidorina, then Nidoqueen."
"I'm so glad you're my partners." Serena smiles at them that the two Pokemon are melted into it.
Chloe asks, "So Serena, I want to ask you. You and Ash are a couple, right?"
"We are, why do you ask?" Serena asks after the kids are trying to find more Pokemon.
"Ash told me that if I wanted, he would ask me the be his second girlfriend. I want to know how you feel..." Chloe says.
"If it is other girls, such as Miette...I will not want to share Ash with them. But you, on the other hand, I never really minded, because you are our friend."
"Really?" Chloe asks, and Serena asks, "So what was your reply to Ash?"
"I told him that I am not sure about this, and I needed some time to think...even for now, I still haven't thought about it."
"It's fine, you should take some time." Serena says, "After all, you have a lot of stress."
Back at Ash's side, they are now at the lookout point to take a moment to enjoy the panoramic view of Vermilion City Harbor. Just then, a flock of Pidgeotto and Pidgeot fly past, and Ash says, "They are Pidgeotto and Pidgeot."
"Amazing." The children say as Ash scan the Pokemon. "Pidgeotto, the Bird Pokémon. A Normal and Flying type. Pidgeotto maintains a wide territory, giving any intruders a thorough pecking. Pidgeot is the evolved form of Pidgeotto."
Just then, Ash's Rotom Phone rings and the phone says, "This is an official battle announcement."
"Huh? Now?" Ash looks around and he finds a trainer, the girl in the team asks, What's an "Official battle"?"
"It's a battle between two trainers registered in the World Coronation Series, they battle so that they can increase their ranking." Rotom answers. "Do you want to battle or not?"
"Of course I'll battle! Or, so I'd like to say, but..." Ash says.
The children want to see Ash battle, so Ash can only do it for the sake of the children.
"Official battle appointment has been made." Then the Rotom Drone appears and he says, "Welcome! The World Coronation Series has approved this Normal Class battle!"
"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town." "And I'm Oliver from Goldenrod City in the Johto Region."
Rotom Drone says, "The battle will be a one versus one. Now, allow me to explain the official rules! Whichever trainer incapacitated the opponent's Pokemon wins! I shall be the judge of this battle! All right, both sides send out your Pokemon at the same time."
Ash and Oliver simultaneously send out Pikachu and Meganium respectively. Rotom scans the Pokemon and says, "Meganium, the Herb Pokémon. A Grass type, and the final evolved form of Chikorita. Meganium gives off a fragrance containing a substance that reduces its foe's urge to fight."
"Sorry to say, but Electric-type moves won't be very effective against the Grass-type Pokemon like Meganium!" Oliver says.
"I know, but I won't lose!" Ash says.
Oliver issues the first move, a Razor Leaf. Pikachu successfully blocks the attack with an Electroweb. He dodges three consecutive Body Slams before striking back with a blow of Iron Tail. Meganium makes a quick recovery and fires a close-range Razor Leaf at its opponent. Pikachu returns with a direct Thunderbolt.
Oliver has Meganium shake off the damage and prepare to fire a Solar Beam. Ash needs to act fast, so he calls for a Quick Attack. Pikachu jettisons forward and directly into Meganium's powerful Solar Beam. Pikachu hits a post before landing on his feet, letting out a defiant cry of confidence.
Oliver is stunned that Pikachu is still in the match and calls for a Body Slam attack. Pikachu delivers an Iron Tail to the throat, knocking his opponent out of the battle.
"Meganium is unable to battle, Pikachu wins! And the victory goes to Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" Rotom drone says as he cheers with Pikachu.
"Based on the results of this battle, the World Coronations Series' rankings will be updated!" Rotom drone says as he leaves.
After shaking hands with Oliver, Ash checks his phone and now his rankings go to 1512. Ash says to the children, "Battling is about the friendship with a Pokémon instead of being cool. That's why I hope to win in this tournament to become the Pokemon Master."
Meanwhile, Serena is petting an Ekans on the road, and Parker says, "Wow, Serena. You are really good at being friends with Pokemon."
"Thanks, I believe that being friends with them is a way to help you know Pokemon better. Battling is also an option, that is what Ash taught me."
"That's awesome." The children say, but Chloe doesn't seem to agree with Serena, but she decides not to say anything.
Then a Farfetch'd appears, and Serena says, "A Farfetch'd is really hard to capture..."
And just like she says, when she throws a Pokeball, it just uses the leek to toss it away, and then it leaves.
"I will not give up until it is over." Serena says.
Then all the teams arrive at Vermilion Harbor, and Cerise says, "Everyone arrived at more or less the same time."
Just then, Team Rocket appears and they drop a cage on the Pokemon. "What's going on?" Serena asks.
"Prepare for trouble!" "And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation." "To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" "To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!" "James!" "Team Rocket blasts off with the speed of light!" "Surrender now or prepare for a fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!" "Wobbuffet!"
"You three again?" Ash and Serena say in unison.
As they try to get away with the balloon, suddenly, a Dragon Pulse appears and it breaks the balloon, and at the same time, a blue shadowy figure also grabs the cage.
"No way..." Ash and Serena say in surprise. The two Pokemon turn out to be Zygarde in its 10% form and Greninja.
"Greninja...Squishy..." Ash says in surprise, and Greninja gives him a nod, Ash says, "Use Water Shuriken!"
Greninja fires the attack and then it frees the Pokemon in the cage. Team Rocket notices that the Pokemon are freed, and James says, "It's that Greninja..."
"The rare Greninja that the twerp had back in Kalos?" Jessie says.
"And the Zygarde is here as well!" Meowth says, "It will be great if we capture them!"
The Rocket trio calls on Pelipper to deliver the Rocket Prize Master machine. With a twist of the mechanism, Jessie and James receive the powerful Flying duo of Skarmory and Crobat.
Ash says, "Greninja, do you want to battle alongside me again?"
Greninja nods and Ash says, "Okay, now this is our full power!" As Ash raises his hand, Greninja changes into his Bond Phenomenon form and the others are looking in surprise.
"Ash-Greninja! It's finally here!" Serena says and Pikachu is also cheering. Professor Cerise says, "Amazing...I have never seen a Greninja like this..."
"Use Air Cutter!" As two Flying Type Pokemon are attacking them, Ash says, "Greninja, Pikachu! Dodge and use Thunderbolt and Water Shuriken!"
Both Pokemon fire their attacks, but the Flying Type Pokemon just dodge them and then uses Air Slash, forcing Greninja and Pikachu to do the same.
"Greninja, let's try out our new move! Night Slash!" Greninja uses the attack and it hits both Flying Type Pokemon and Pikachu uses Electro-Web at the same time, knocking them out.
Team Rocket tries to retreat, but Zygarde uses Land's Wrath, causing them to be sent flying, leaving their Pokeballs on the ground once more.
Ash walks towards Greninja and he says, "It is good to see you back, old pal." Greninja nods as Squishy says, "The vines from Team Flare's attack have been dealt with."
"Really?" Ash asks in surprise.
"And we wish to join your team." Squishy says, and this causes Ash and Serena to be surprised. "Are you sure? I mean...I thought you would be going with Bonnie..." Serena says.
"You are the one that captures Father, it will be his will to have me assist you in your quest." Squishy says, and both Ash and Serena nod as they capture the Pokemon.
In the evening, Professor Cerise is saying the results, and he announces that his yellow team won the event.
"I'm sorry that we lost." Ash says to his blue team, but the children reply that they have a lot of fun, and so does Serena and Chloe's red team.
"Looks like the Pokemon Orienteering was a huge hit." Professor Cerise says. "Dream big and don't give up, everyone."
Just then, the Farfetch'd appeared again, and Serena says, "Here is the Farfetch'd!"
Ash says, "Did you try to capture it? Serena?"
"I failed, but this time it is not going to run away." Serena says.
This time Serena delays the throw and catches the sly Farfetch'd off guard and adds it to their collection.
Here is a new chapter, Greninja and Zygarde have returned to the series and they are now going to be in Ash and Serena's team. As for Chloe, she is still thinking about Ash's question, and she got Serena's opinion with it. Now she has to decide if she wants to join the Harem or not. I hope you like this chapter. And the next chapter will be Riolu.
New Pokemon: Nidoran (F), Nidoran (M), Greninja(Return), Zygarde, Crobat, Skarmory, Farfetch'd