I was invited to the Twinleaf Festival to give a lecture on the first day. Of course, I accepted, and gave out a lecture on "the interrelation of Pokémon and Evolution stones." It is Sinnoh after all, and Professor Rowan's main study area is evolution. So, I decided to give my fellow Professor a nod, while also teaching the young minds of Sinnoh about the importance of pokemon bonds. Not only because I love teaching, but also because it gave me a good excuse to check on Ash. He's been going through so much lately, Legendaries attacks, hunting down Team Galactic, Team Rocket lurking in the shadows... it was too much for a young boy like him. So, I flew to Sinnoh, with a little gift in my pocket for Ash, hoping it will cheer him up.
It did not take me long to realize that Ash was acting strangely, and after reaching out to Riley I realized what was going on. Ash had finally reached his limit. So, I decided to stay for the duration of the whole festival and try to get a moment to have a serious conversation with him. The moment finally came when Dawn and Barry had gone running after a Xatu, with Riley and Lucario following close behind to keep an eye on them. Seeing Ash about to follow them, I got in front of him with a smile.
"Professor!" Ash exclaimed startled. "What is it? Do you need something?"
"I was wondering if you would mind taking a walk with me," I answered calmly, pointing at the little pathway Johanna had shown me, on my first day in town, which lead to a beautiful lake.
"Of course!" Ash replied with a cheery smile... one that I could easily see was forced.
"Well, then, follow me," I replied, starting to walk away, with Ash following me close by. We strolled in silence, which on its own was a big sign that something was wrong with Ash. However, I did not dare to break the silence until we had both reached the lake. I heard Ash sigh in delight, I quite agreed with him, it was scenery worth ten sighs of delight. I took a deep breath, taking in the clean air, and bracing myself for this difficult situation. "Have you thought about talking to someone?"
"About what?" Ash tried to go for a gullible approach, before sighing in defeat under my warning look. "No... not really. It's not like anyone would believe a word I said."
"I do, and so do the Champions and the rangers. You should not expect the worst from other Ash... me having to tell you that should be proof that you need help," I told him solemnly. "Champion Lance has offered the services of some of the best therapists from the Wataru Clan. They can be trustworthy and know about the legend of The Chosen One. We can also contact the queen of Rota, for a more Aura Guardian approach. There are options... that is if you open yourself to them."
"That sounds... like a good idea," Ash admitted with a bemused smile.
"Really?" I asked carefully not to show my excitement when in reality I was squealing in my head. Gary and Deli will be delighted with the news! I exclaimed internally
"Yeah, I need help Professor, that much I know," Ash sighed, turning to look back at the lake with a lost and faraway expression. "I just... didn't think of asking for help."
"Well, you can, ask for help, that is," I assured him. The smile I received was the world to me, it was pure and honest, even if it was much smaller than I was used to receiving from him. It was then that I knew that he was ready to receive my gift. Before he would have used it to try to ignore the issue at hand and push his problems into a box not to think about. However, now I can be the one to reunite two old friends the right way. "By the way, Ash, I've got a gift for you."
"A gift?" Ash asked me startled.
"Well, more than a gift, I am acting more like a mailman," I replied with a sly smile. Taking two Poke Balls from my pocket and releasing them into the air. "You'll know my surprise when a pink Butterfree appeared in my Lab with another Butterfree that had your whole bunch going crazy."
"Bu-Butterfree!" Ash stuttered before rushing forward to hug his first 'released' pokemon, the first pokemon he caught and helped reach his last evolutionary stage, all the way from a Caterpie. Pikachu was squeaking from Ash's shoulder like always. "H-how..."
"How did they get to the Lab?" I took pity on the poor stuttering boy and began to explain. "Well, from what my Alakazam has told me, they've finally decided to come back home and rest, after they've enjoyed their time together traveling all over the world. Especially, with their children all grown up, all the way to Butterfree. One of them even joined a Coordinator... what was his name? Dean? Dirk?"
"Drew?!" Both Ash and Pikachu shouted at the same time.
"Right, Drew!" I snapped my fingers in triumph. "That's the coordinator."
"Drew's Butterfree is my Butterfree's son?!" Ash exclaimed jaw dropped, in total disbelief.
"Daughter," I corrected him, chuckling at the total confusion on his face.
"Daughter... Butterfree has a daughter..." Ash was mumbling. For a second, I worried that I had broken him, but soon he was beaming, in a way that was pure Ash, taking my breath away. "Something you've got in common with Pikachu!" Butterfree fluttered around in shock and said something in reply, which had Ash chuckling. "Yes, Pikachu has a Jolteon, Princess, as a daughter."
Oh, the wonders of Aura, they will never cease to surprise me, I wondered in my head, while I quietly left the lake, so that they would have their reunion in peace.
Once I returned to the Twinleaf Festival I was surprised by who I found there. It was Palmer the Tower Tycoon of the Sinnoh Brain Frontier, having a friendly chat with Lucario, Riley, Dawn, and Barry. Well, that's what the media calls them Because most of their members are from Sinnoh, but that's not it. Scott had confessed to me earlier that he wanted a fresher place to situate his second branch of the Brain Frontiers. The issue he had the most with the one in Kanto was that the Indigo League overshadows them. He needed a new place without a League or with one that was growing, so they could grow with it. Which lead him to decide on basing the second branch on the Seevii Islands, which had recently been annexed to the Orange Archipelago by Lorelei and Drake.
Well, who would have thought a small-town festival would end up getting so many big names, I thought in appreciation as I walked closer to join them. Good job, Johanna.
"Professor Oak!" Palmer exclaimed with a big smile when he saw me approach. "It's so good to see you again, it's been a while!"
"That it has," I replied calmly, stopping a polite distance from the Generalist Master. "How have you been?"
"Good, though the move has been hectic, Scott has been quite excited and so has been the Ice Queen," Palmer replied with what most people would consider an easygoing smile, but I knew better than that. One does not get to the position Scott held by simply being easygoing. "Do you think their little proposal will be well received?" Do you think Ash will accept? Was left unsaid, but I still heard it loud and clear.
After a heated discussion between Scott and Lorelai, which would have escalated, having not been for Drake, they both decided to work together for their objective. Their proposals for Ash to become a Champion and the Chief of the Brain Frontier were united into one big proposal. The Orange Archipelago would receive the extra protection of having the Brain Frontier in their ranks, while the Pummelo League will share their Champion with them. I've been told about this proposal, because my grandson, Gary, has been offered a position as a Brain Frontier for the second branch- which would bring the second branch to a total of seven members, like the originals. Gary had replied that if Ash accepted their proposal, he would accept it as well.
Many people have answered that same way, I thought amused. Ash truly knows how to capture people's hearts and loyalty.
"I believe that's better left to be seen," I answered, with a secretive smile.
Before Palmer could get a word in, Johanna came forward and announced the beginning of the Festival Battle Challenge. Dawn and Barry rushed forward to participate, with an amused Riley and Lucario following behind at a more sedated pace.
"I really hope you all know what you are doing," Palmer commented, as we both watched the battles proceed from the sidelines. "I admire Ash quite a lot, not only did he defeat Brandon, something not even I have achieved, he has the support of so many champions and the rangers. Not to mention, I've seen his Ace Stage fights during The Saint Festival, he has the talent... but aren't you putting too much pressure on such a young boy?"
"The league won't be formed for another couple of years at least, and as for the Battle Frontier, he does not need to be there, he can travel the world and only come back for the battles he needs," I replied, watching as Dawn and her Vileplume reached the finals, after knocking their opponents with a powerful Moonblast. "Only three people have reached Brandon in the original Battle Frontier Challenge, and the only one to have ever won was Ash. I'm sure you guys can keep the challengers from bothering Ash for a few years."
"You bet I will!" Palmer replied with a cocky smirk, walking forwards to meet with Dawn, who had won the Festival Battle Challenge. "I have my pride as the Tower Tycoon after all!"
"Did I make it in time?!" Ash appeared from the bushes behind me, clearly having run back to Twinleaf Town, with two Butterfree buzzing around him and his Pikachu, as always, on his shoulder.
"Just in time, to see Dawn battle Palmer," I answered with a smile.
"Good," Ash sighed, straightening with a carefree smile. A smile that made my heart ache, I've missed those smiles on Ash's lips. "She used Vileplume?" Ash asked confused. "I thought she would have used Ambipom for a battle challenge."
"I believe she wanted to prove to herself that she could do this on her own," I explained. "She did lose her last contest in the second battle round."
"Mamoswine is still new to contest," Ash protested. "He did quite well for it being his first contest. His temper is also getting better with each day, then why wouldn't it be with a team member like Ambipom? She does know how to drive someone crazy."
"She does, but she is quite lovingly about it," I chuckled, remembering the young monkey tenderly. "But still, battles have always been her weak spot and she wants to prove to herself that she is not winning simply because of your help. This is about proving something to herself, you should understand that more than anyone."
"I do," Ash answered seriously. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here in Sinnoh."
We both stopped our conversation when Palmer sent out his choice of pokemon, Rhyperior. Palmer's Rhyperior has had trainers and pokemon alike shaking with fear. However, Dawn did not back out of the fight, if anything she and Vileplume were beaming with excitement at the idea of fighting someone this strong. Vileplume opens the battle with a Seed Bomb, but Rhyperior stands firm and takes it with only minor damage thanks to Solid Rock.
"Your Vileplume is quite strong and well trained in the art of battle," Palmer compliments Dawn. "She is ready to attack and dodge at any moment, it makes me happy to see coordinators taking interest in battling."
Dawn smiled and answered: "My mentor taught me well!"
"That he did," Palmer winked at Ash beside me, who was beaming with pride. "But this is far from over. Rhyperior, Rock Polish!"
"Vileplume, quick! Razor Leaf!" Dawn shouted, but later gasped when Rhyperior quickly dodged. That's the speed boost of Rock Polish for you.
"Sandstorm!" Palmer commanded. Vileplume could do nothing other than standing her ground, as the sand surrounded the battlefield. "Now! Rock Wrecker!" Rhyperior's attack harmed Vileplume even more, but it was not enough to take her out.
"Now it's our chance! Dawn called out, as Rhyperior was recharging from his use of Rock Wrecker. "Giga Drain!"
"Now that will make quite a damage, while also healing her up," Ash murmured beside me with a proud smile. "Neutralize the Sandstorm with Razor Leaf!" Rhyperior recovers and charges with Megahorn, in return, Vileplume seem to be preparing to use Energy Ball, waiting for Rhyperior to get closer. However, when Rhyperior closes in too quickly, he hits Energy Ball with Megahorn, and Vileplume is forced back from the impact. "Vileplume!" There was nothing that could be done, her pokemon was already out. It was a quick battle, but it is to be expected from a battle between a rookie and a Battle Frontier Head. From beside me, Ash made a thoughtful sound, and I knew he had just come up with one of his crazy and amazing battle ideas. "You did good, now rest." Dawn returned her pokemon gently and smiled at the crowd that politely clapped for her.
"You did incredible good," Palmer praised her, as he handed her a trophy. "I can't wait to see how much you'll grow into the future."
"Thank you!" Dawn beamed at him, accepting the trophy and hugging her mother excitedly.
I looked at the scene with a fond smile, especially after Ash joined them with a true smile on his lips. I hummed, patting my back, mentally, for a job well done, and released my Alakazam.
"Is there something you need Master?" Alakazam asked me calmly.
"A trip back home, my job here is done," I answered.
"Of course Master," Alakazam with a bow, before teleporting me back to the Lab.
The last thing I saw, was a smiling at Ash and his friends celebrating Dawn's victory in the Festival Battle Challenge.