Chapter 22 Goodbye, Friend!
Ash and Serena are sitting on the train in the Hoenn Region, Ash says, "Let me get it first."
As he shows the picture from the Rotom Phone, Serena chuckles and says, "What's that? Where is its face?"
"Oh come on, Serena! It's right here!" Ash says as he points at the seemingly Garchomp's face. Serena says, "I'll show you how I can draw Garchomp better."
As she draws on the phone, it is just as bad as Ash's, and Ash also laughs. "What do you call that? What's wrong with its body?"
Serena says, "It's because we are on the train and it is bumpy!" Serena says while blushing.
They decide to ask Pikachu whose picture is better, but Pikachu just says that both of them are bad, and Raboot is still ignoring them. They frown a little, but their attention is changed to the outside of the window as they see the ocean.
After getting to Littleroot Town, Ash says, "I can't believe we are at the Hoenn Region once again."
"Yeah. We have four days here to do a thorough job as research fellows for the Cerise Labs. And that is the Beautifly migration." Serena says.
"But if you think about it, we can see it somewhere along the Littleroot Coastline, right?" Ash asks.
"Yeah." Serena says as she remembers Professor Cerise's information.
"Beautifly migration is a rare phenomenon that can only be observed for a brief time each year. I hope you can study it as carefully as you can." Professor Cerise said before they go to Hoenn.
Serena says, "In order to find an easier environment to live in, they fly thousands of kilometers together with their kin. Isn't that amazing?"
"I know, and I'm excited." Ash says.
Just then, a Wurmple crawls in front of them, and Ash decides to catch it. When Raboot refuses to help, Ash's Poké Ball throw loses all effort and fails to hit the Wurmple, but the Wurmple just looks at the ball and touches it, getting inside in the end.
"Even though we capture it...but what if we get a Dustox instead?" Serena asks.
"I don't think it will be a problem..." Ash says.
At the local Pokémon Center, Ash and Serena ask Nurse Joy about the Beautifly migration. Nurse Joy says, "I'm not sure where you can see it, since the spot is different each year...But the migration always happens on days when the north wind is strong."
Ash says, "I see. The Beautifly are heading south, so they wait for a strong Tailwind from the north to fly."
Serena says, "I don't think that Beautifly can just go straight into the wind without being flown away..."
The two head to the coast, but as the winds are blowing from the southeast, both of them glance at Raboot first before looking at the Rotom Phone. "The wind is blowing from the Southeast today."
"I guess there won't be any Beautifly migration today." Ash says. "Perhaps we should check the Pokedex first."
"Beautifly, the Butterfly Pokémon. A Bug and Flying type. Beautifly is recognized by the distinctive colorful pattern on its wings. Sweet flower nectar is its favorite food."
"Flower nectar, huh?" Serena says. "Let's check over there."
Ash and Serena leave to find the flowers, and Raboot just quietly follows them. While searching, they come across a Zigzagoon laying on the ground.
"Hey, are you okay?" Serena asks, but Ash knows that it is faking and he says, "Wait, Serena!"
Just then, Raboot spots another Zigzagoon and it stops him by stepping on its paw. The two of them quickly flee, and Raboot notices that they have a leader, a Lombre.
"I think it is just fine." Serena says.
"It is faking." Ash sighs, "Though I don't know why it did..."
As they turn to Raboot, who is looking in the Lombre's direction, Serena asks, "Raboot? Is there something wrong?"
Just then, Raboot just shrugs as they continue to find the Beautifly migration. But after failing to find a single Beautifly, Ash and Serena go to a hotel to sleep.
"None of the flowers that might have pollen were in bloom either." Serena frowns.
As Pikachu and Sylveon are playing with the Wurmple, it evolves into Silcoon and Ash says, "It evolves, and it's a Silcoon."
"I think I've got it." Serena says, "Maybe we should find Silcoon instead of Beautifly, that way we can see their migration after they evolve."
"That sounds like a good plan." Ash smiles. "Let's check out if there are any places nearby where we can find Silcoon."
They look at the Rotom Phone and they find a grove that they can find the next day. But in the middle of their sleep, Raboot wakes up and sneaks out, which is noticed by Ash after it gets back.
"Raboot? Where were you?" Ash asks, but it just ignores him again.
As they are having breakfast, Serena asks, "Ash? You seem to be quite upset..."
"It's nothing. Let's just continue to eat so we have the energy to find Silcoon." Ash says, but Serena is still worried, but decided not to say anything.
Once they finish their breakfast, they go to the grove and they find a horde of Silcoon. "We did it." Serena says. "And there'll be a headwind all day so there's a high chance the migration will happen tomorrow."
"Then let's check it out tomorrow." Ash says.
While heading back to the hotel, they are interacting with Pikachu and Sylveon as they talk about evolution. But Raboot stops in front of the apple stand and Serena asks, "Are you hungry? Raboot?"
"But didn't you have breakfast?" Ash asks, but Raboot is pleading and they sigh, buying a bunch of apples for him. Ash says, "You have bought a lot of them, how about you share two for Serena and me?"
But Raboot refuses to share the apples, causing them to frown. Serena says, "Maybe he wants to do something with these apples? If we want one, we can just buy one from the merchant as well."
"I guess so..." Ash frowns as they purchase two of them. "But I still don't get why Raboot is acting like that..."
The merchant says, "It reminds me of my son, acting all cold and distant every day, and never being happy with anything you do...you just have to give it some time. It just happens when it is in a rebellious phase."
"I see..." Serena frowns as well.
That night, Raboot sneaks out again and Ash tries to follow but ends up losing sight of his partner. So he gives up and continues to sleep, knowing that he will be back before sunrises.
The next day, Ash and Serena rush back to the grove. Ash asks, "Serena, how much time do we have left?"
"The north winds are getting stronger by any minute, the migration is starting soon." Serena says.
Once they arrive at the grove, the Silcoon indeed all evolve into Beautifly and ride away on the wind. "Amazing... This is the Beautifly migration..." Serena says in awe.
"Yeah...we saw Butterfree and Vivillon's before...and it is still a new experience." Ash says.
With their research task completed, they're ready to leave the next day. Ash says, "Serena, actually..."
Serena looks at Ash as he tells her the problem. That night, when they see Raboot leaving, Serena says, "So you mean that it has happened yesterday and the day before that?"
"Yeah. I lost sight of it along the way yesterday." Ash says. "We should go together to see where it is going."
Serena nods as they rush to follow Raboot. They lose sight of it but follow a strange sound to an abandoned building, where Raboot is giving dancing lessons to the Lombre and a pair of Zigzagoon from before, while also sharing the apples Ash bought to it with them.
"Raboot is breakdancing..." Serena says in awe. "And those apples...they are the ones you brought."
"I think I've got it..." Ash says as he remembers the past where he is with the three Nickit as a Scorbunny. "Does that mean Raboot has taken in that Lombre and two Zigzagoon as its comrades?"
"So it has become the new leader around here..." Serena frowns. "And this is the first time I see it smiling as a Raboot..."
Just then, three Loudred appears on the scene, and Ash quickly scans them. "Loudred, the Big Voice Pokémon. A Normal type. Loudred suck in lots of air and use their highly developed abdominal muscles to produce a very loud vocal sound."
Both of them are engaged in the dancing battle, and both Ash and Serena are in awe.
"They are having a dance show off?" Serena says. "There are a lot of fruits and trees here, so they're deciding who gets to live here through a dance show off?"
"And Raboot wants to help them so that they can defend their territory." Ash says.
"I think we need to help it out." Serena says as they decide to help Raboot. Raboot is surprised to see Ash and Serena here, and Serena says, "Raboot, just focus on the rhythm and don't let the sounds affect you."
Raboot is surprised that they are going to help him, and he nods as Raboot starts to dance again. The dance and the music also catch the attention of various other wild Pokémon nearby, and they join in the dancing too. The dance battle ends in Raboot's victory, and all the Pokémon congratulate it.
"Looks like Raboot is happy..." Serena says as they look at the Pokemon.
Ash frowns as he says, "Let's go back to rest, Serena."
Serena looks at Ash's expression with confusion, but she didn't say anything as they get to the hotel.
The next day in the train station, Serena and Pikachu are waiting for Ash, as the said person rushes to them. Serena asks, "Where is Raboot?"
Ash frowns and says, "I decided to leave him there..."
"What? What do you mean by that?" Serena asks in shock, and Ash says, "This is for the best...if we could do the same thing to Goodra, then it won't be a problem to do the same with Raboot."
"No way..." Serena realizes what Ash means, and she says, "But..."
"You know how Raboot has seemed so bored lately, right? I think it wasn't because of some rebellious phase, I think it is our own fault...Perhaps it will be happier with them instead of with us..."
Serena frowns and asks, "Is this what you've decided?"
"It has to be...I know we should never give up until it is over, but we should consider Pokemon's feelings as well..." Ash frowns.
They decide not to say anything as they board the train. Serena says, "I won't try to stop you if you are this serious, but...have you ever asked Raboot about it?"
Just then, much to Serena's surprise, Ash starts to burst out tears. Memories with Scorbunny and Raboot have flooded into his mind and he can't help but being sad about it. Serena knows that what Ash did is a tough decision, and she also hugs Ash while dropping a tear as well.
Just then, the door opens, and Raboot walks in front of them. "Why are you crying?" Raboot asks.
The two of them notice Raboot, and Ash stops crying and says, "Raboot?"
Raboot takes out two apples and says, "Here."
Serena asks, "Are those for us?"
Raboot nods as the two of them take the apples, Raboot also takes out one apple and bites on it, Ash notices the smile and asks, "Are you smiling?"
Raboot turns away with a blush and Ash and Serena hug the Pokemon, happy that it comes back to them. Serena says, "That's great, Ash, don't you think so?"
"You're right...perhaps it is too soon to say goodbye..." Ash says, as Raboot is trying to hide from embarrassment, causing them to laugh a little.
Here is a new chapter, and Ash and Serena open Raboot's heart in this chapter. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be back to Ash's Pokemon in the park.
New Pokemon: Silcoon