Chapter 4: Meeting the Family

It was early the next morning, and Lillie was on the phone with her mother,

"Sorry I didn't call yesterday. There was a big party for Ash, and it went on a little late, and by the time we got back..."

"Don't worry about it dear, I know you would've called if you had the chance. By the way, I heard from Gladion the other day. He just reached New Bark Town."

"Really? Is he going to compete in the Johto League?"

"I don't know, but he did say he was going to see if he could get a proper starter. He left Sivally here at Aether Paradise, after all."

Sure enough, the legendary Pokemon stuck his head into the frame, letting out a happy "Sivally!" when he saw Lillie, making her giggle.

"Hello to you too, mister. Why'd he leave him there?"

"He wanted to grow stronger without him, plus he didn't think the other leagues would be as accepting of a legendary Pokemon as Alola was."

Ash, who had just walked into the room, nearly spat his breakfast out as he held in a laugh.

"Ha, he should've gone to Sinnoh. I still don't know how they let a guy with a Darkrai in..."

"I'll be sure to tell him that next time I see him."

just then, Wicke stepped into view.

"Sorry Madame President, but there's an incident in the labs that requires your attention."

"Bother. Sorry dear, I guess we'll have to continue this conversation later."

"That's okay. Tell Nebby and dad I said hi!"

"Will do!"

With a click, the screen went dark, and Lillie hung up the phone before turning her attention to Ash.

"You ready to head over to Professor Oak's?"

"Sure!"

A few minutes later, the two stood outside the lab. Ash knocked on the door, and after a minute a faint "Come in!" was heard.

"Why did you want to take me here again? I've already met Professor Oak."

"I wanted to drop off my Alola Pokemon before we go on our date later. Plus, I thought it'd be a good chance for you to meet all of my other Pokemon."

Entering into the lab, they found Tracy walking past with boxes of Pokemon food ready to go into storage.

"Hey, Ash! Congrats on the win, sorry I couldn't be here for the party yesterday. I was running an errand for Professor Oak."

"No worries. Lillie, this is Tracey. I met him during my trip to The Orange Islands. Tracey, this is my girlfriend Lillie."

"Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise, Lillie. Ash has told us a lot about you."

Lillie gave Ash a playful smirk, making him gulp.

"Oh, he talks about me?"

"Only every time he called home! Let's see, there was the time wh-"

"Heeeey, who wants to meet my Pokemon?"

Before Tracey could embarrass him further, Ash dragged Lillie out the backdoor, making Tracey laugh.

"Ah, young love."

Ash soon led Lillie out into the back of the ranch, and her jaw dropped when she saw how expansive it was. Acre upon acre of lush, green fields sprawled out as far as the eye could see, with various Pokemon sprawled about.

"Professor Oak owns all of this?"

"Sure does. Now lets see, who to introduce to you first?"

"MUK!"

Before Ash could react, a big purple blob glomped him, making Lillie jump.

"Ash, are you okay?"

To her surprised, Ash was laughing as he pushed the Muk off of him.

"Nice to see you too, Muk. Guess that answered that question."

"You mean this is your Pokemon?"

"Sure is! In fact, I'm pretty sure most of the Pokemon here are mine. At least, I don't know anyone else who drops their Pokemon off here."

Ash then turned his attention back to his Muk.

"Muk, this is Lillie. She's my girlfriend I met in Alola, and I wanted to her to meet you guys. Go ahead Lillie."

Lillie, a little squeamish, nervously stepped forward.

"Um...hi?"

"MUK!"

Lillie yelped as Muk glomped her instead. Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as she thought it'd be.

"Sorry, he loves hugs. He's harmless, really."

"I can see."

After helping her to her feet, Ash led her further into the ranch so that she could meet his other Pokemon. He introduced her to his Quilava and Bayleef, who Lillie had to practically pry off Ash after she tackled him in a hug, Squirtle and Bulbasaur, and so forth. After a while, they were almost done.

"Wow Ash, I know you've been all over the world, but I didn't realize you had so many Pokemon!"

"Yeah, but this is nothing compared to how many Pokemon there are still out there! Let's see, I think all that's left is..."

"ZARRRRRRRRD!"

Ash's thought was interrupted by his Charizard swooping down to greet him, letting out a proud roar as he landed. Ash laughed as the lizard knelt down to hug him and Pikachu.

"Charizard, how can I forget about you buddy?"

"Charizard!"

To Lillie's horror, Ash's face was soon covered by a Flamethrower from Charizard. Once the flames settled down, his face was covered in his namesake, though he quickly shook it off.

"Ash, are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm okay. That's just his way of saying hello. Alright, now all that leaves is Tauros."

"You have a Tauros?"

"Well..."

Just then, the Earth began to rumble as a stampede of 30 Tauros came hurdling towards the young couple. Lillie, scared, hid behind Ash, who remained calm and collected.

"Tauros, stop!"

To Lillie's surprise, all 30 Tauros came to an abrupt stop, waving their tails excitedly when they saw Ash.

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah, I don't have just one Tauros. I have a whole herd of them."

"How..."

"I don't like talking about it. Now then, ready for our picnic?"

Lillie just smiled and shook her head. Ash was always full of surprises. Just one of the many things she loved about him.