"Flower… Lake…," Serena said slowly.
The name was very simple and almost childlike. While it was confirmed that they were not in Kalos as Serena had never heard of such a place for the rest of the world she had no idea. Looking at Ash she saw that he was just as confused. She knew Kalos had a field of flowers where a pokemon sanctuary was located but there was no town like this near there. This was really weird.
Great, it seems neither of us knows where the heck we are. I guess if we follow Kit she might let out a few things. Serena thought to herself.
"Well since you two know where you are we just have to go on a tour of the town!" Kit exclaimed.
Ash and Serena looked at each other and nodded before turning back to an excited Kit.
"Alright Kit, we'll go on a tour of Flower Town," Serena said, bracing herself for Kit's reaction.
Kit jumped into the air with a smile on her face. "Aww yeah, I have so many places to show you, we better get going!"
Ash and Serena followed Kit as she ran down the path towards Flower Lake. Kit was excited to show them around the town. They were right outside the town when there was a stone bridge that went over a small river. In the middle Kit stopped in her tracks and turned back towards the pair.
"Our first destination is this bridge, you know there's a rumor that people who first cross this bridge together will forever have a deep bond." Kit shot Ash and Serena a wink before continuing to move on.
Serena stood there for a moment and couldn't help but smirk a little realizing that if she hadn't caught Ash he would probably be drifting right under the bridge right now. Thankfully Ash didn't notice but Serena saw that Kit had seen her, however, she kept silent.
On the other side of the bridge, Ash and Serena looked around as they saw houses all around them. Some were way smaller or larger than others and it all looked so vibrant. But what was even more interesting was the pokemon that Ash and Serena saw walking around. From a small rattata to a hulking golem, it was surreal for the pair to see pokemon walking up and down the road like humans. Some gave the three a smile and wave although none stopped to talk.
Kit led them down the road past a bunch of houses, explaining who lived where and what they were like. She would often call them things like generous or really funny. This only made Ash and Serena wonder what made Ern hate this place so much. Finally after a minute of walking down the road, Kit led them into a large open area that was filled with small tents like Kit's and surrounded by buildings of all kinds.
Serena could barely make out what any of the buildings or tents were before she was whisked away by Kit who began to point at each building and tent. As well Serena felt her ears twitch a little from all of the loud sounds.
Pointing to a building that was white and had large windows Kit began to speak. "So there's the Chesto Cafe, which is run by Madame Electra and her friend Mimi. That building the fancy one made out of stone is the local bank run by Shade and she's nice. And let's see what else, oh, that tent that's Gwendolyn's although she's exotic," Kit whispered that last part.
"Wow, this place looks amazing!" Ash cheered in awe at all these buildings the pokemon had set up for themselves.
With all of these places, I wonder if one of them would have a map or a pokemon that could let them know where they were? Serena thought to herself as Kit continued to list off buildings.
"Hey Kit, I had a question, do you know anywhere we could buy a map or at least look at one?" Serena asked.
In response, Kit rubbed a paw against her chin, deep in thought before thinking of an answer. "Ah, I know where you can find a map." Kit pointed towards a large towering building mostly made of wood. "The guild has a big map if I remember right."
"The guild?" Ash asked tilting his head.
"What, you must live under a rock or something if you don't know what the guild is." Kit groaned half-joking. "But to answer your question the guild is for the strongest and bravest pokemon. They do super cool stuff like rescuing pokemon from scary places. But that's an understatement. Well, I better keep you from waiting, once we're done here I can show you the rest of the town."
Kit led them to the large door of the pokemon guild, it towered over Ash and Serena.
I guess they have to make it for pokemon of all sizes and it doesn't help how tiny we are. Serena thought. However, Ash and she were mildly surprised when Kit pushed the door open with ease.
"After you." Kit said as she held the door open.
Serena entered first followed by Ash and then Kit closing the door behind her. Looking around the entrance was spacious but it seemed it was sectioned off for pokemon of different sizes. As well there were three different counters each one getting larger after the other. Kit walked over to the smallest one which still required her to jump up to her hind legs.
Raising herself to look behind the counter Kit saw no one and moved back down. Serena and Ash were getting tired of standing and walking at this point and both decided to sit down at a chair. Ash got into a small chair as normal which included a hole in the back for his tail. On the other hand, Serena was confused about how to properly sit in a chair like this, instead, Serena chose to sit on the bench and curl herself on it similar to how Braixen used to and Sylveon did.
With the thought of Braixen and Sylveon Serena began to worry about where they might be. Were the others in that forest and we abandoned them or were they at camp and wondering where we went? Serena didn't notice but her larger ears drooped down.
Ash noticed Serena's expression and walked over and sat by her and began to whisper in her ear.
"Hey Serena, what's wrong?" Ash asked.
"Well, I'm just worried about the others, do you think they're here as well?"
Ash sat in silence for a moment before answering. "No, I don't think so, and I'm sure they'll be fine although I wish we could leave them a message."
A weak smile formed on Serena's face. "Yeah, but I'm wondering if we even find them is it possible for us to even change back?"
"I'm sure about that, although I kinda wanna spend a bit of time with them like this," Ash said.
I guess it would be nice to get to talk to all of our pokemon, and I'm sure they would enj- Ring, ring, ring, ring!
Serena's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the loud ringing of a bell which caused Ash and Serena to jump in surprise. Looking at the source of the sound the pair saw Kit pushing a desk bell down in a sort of melody. After a moment Ash and Serena heard the sound of a door opening-up. Moving away from the desk and looking to the left a door opened up to reveal a pokemon neither Serena or Ash had seen.
The pokemon seemed to be made up of ancient stones with marking on them. It levitated off the ground and the stones were connected by ethereal looking appendages some of the stones had what appeared to be claws and one which had a surprisingly friendly face. The two could tell that this was a ghost type at the least, and Ash was in awe at the sight of a pokemon that was new to him.
"Oh hello there Kit, I recognized the sound of your tune, and who are your new friends here?" The pokemon spoke in an echoey voice that sounded like a woman.
"Hiya Rune, I'm surprised to see you up during the day. And these here are Ash and Serena," Kit introduced the two to Rune.
Ash could hardly contain his excitement and began to speak. "Wow, I've never seen a pokemon like you before, you look awesome!" Ash cheered, showing his love for pokemon in full force.
Rune giggled at Ash's excitement and waved a claw. "My, aren't you very eager, I guess my species aren't all too common but to explain I'm a runerigus, I'm the alternate evolution of yamask which I'm sure you're familiar with. Anyway's what brings you here today my dears?"
"Well, we were looking for a map as to be honest we're a little bit lost at the moment," Serena said a little embarrassed.
"Oh dear, that's unfortunate. Don't worry I have a surplus of maps in the library that you can view although some of them might be a few centuries old." Rune smiled.
"Yeah Rune, is perfect for this kind of stuff I think the only pokemon better than here when it comes to geography is the navigations expert but I don't know where they are."
Suddenly the sound of a different door opening was heard and back behind the counters Ash and Serena watched as the door opened and closed. Stepping out from behind the counter was an absol. He seemed to hold with him an air of confidence and respect. Serena felt the urge to bow for some reason but held it back.
"I thought I heard some talking out here, hey Kit whatcha doing here today? You know almost all of the guild members were out." The absol had a small smile on his face.
"Oh, yeah you did tell me that didn't you, they're at some beauty pageant or something didn't you Kel." Kit giggled which caused Rune to laugh and Kel to roll his eyes.
"No Kit, they're at an inspection to make sure they're still fit for being guild members." Kel looked down at Ash and Serena. "And I see you have two new pokemon with you, I'm sure you're giving them the Kit Town Tour aren't you?"
Kit gave Kel a mocking salute before returning to a normal pose. "Yes sir, I should give them proper introductions for the guild master. The fennekin's name is Serena and the riolu's Ash."
"Hello." Both said in sync although Ash also saluted like Kit.
"It's nice to meet both of you as Kit said, I am the master of this fine guild. So it's my pleasure to ask what brings you two to Flower Lake and the guild?" Kel asked.
"Well, to be honest, we got lost and we ended up here, we were told that this place was awful but everyone here is nice so far. We asked Kit if there was a map we could look at to figure out where exactly we are." Serena explained to Kel.
"Oh, well I'm glad that you like it here, although I do have a hunch on who could've have told such a lie. Nevermind, Rune would be glad to take you to the guild's library and archive. Wouldn't she. And may I say those are some unique looking head attire you both have on, I've never seen anything like it before."
"You mean our hats?" Serena asked as she looked up at hers.
Now that I think about it I guess they do stand out a little. Serena thought to herself.
"Yeah yours looks super cute that I wanted to ask where I could get my own, it must cost a lot of pokedollars." Kit added in.
"Indeed, they both look familiar although I would have to try and focus on where I've seen hat's like these before," Rune said.
Before Serena or Ash could explain they heard the door that they had entered from burst open. Turning around in shock everyone in the room saw a female pokemon with a white body, and green arms, her body was humanlike with a white gown like appendage covering her legs, her face had tears streaming from it, she looked exhausted and disheveled. Serena recognized the pokemon as a gardevoir due to her immense popularity in contests and in general.
"Kel." The gardevoir took a deep breath and sobbed. "Kel, my baby, Irene, she's gone I can't find or sense her anywhere."
Rune moved over and gently sat the gardevoir on the bench and gently stroked her arm. "Calm down Feya it'll be ok," Rune cooed.
"I agree Feya, panicking will only make this worse, where did you last see Irene?" Kel asked.
Wait a minute if Ern lied about this place then?" Serena realized before speaking up.
"I have a question, is Irene a ralts? She asked.
"Yes, she's a ralts, why are you asking?" Kit responded as everyone in the room turned to Ash and her.
"Well, on our way into town we passed a camerupt-"
"Ern!" Feya interrupted Serena. "That piece of trubbish, what does he have to do with this?" She asked.
"Well, Ern had a sleeping ralts in the back of their cart, he said that it was an orphan."
"No, he didn't," Kel growled.
Serena could only nod in silence.
"Do, you know where he's at, we have to save Irene as soon as possible?" Kel asked.
"I remember! Ern said he was camping the night in Wurmple Woods. There should be enough time left, he wanted us to come with him."
"Then we need to leave as soon as possible, I'll prepare basic supplies and head out," Kel said.
"We'll get on that." Kit and Rune both went out a door leaving just four in the room.
Kel watched them leave before turning down to Ash and Serena. "I know it may be asking a lot, but can I count on you two coming with me?"
"What, no you can't Kel, they're younger than Issac, I'll go!" Feya yelled at Kel.
That remark took Ash and Serena by surprise, were they really that young in her eyes, no one else had said anything like that except maybe Ern?
"I know Feya, but Rune isn't suited to being up during the day, Kit hates fighting, and you just brought up Issac who needs to be looked after, and I cannot go alone!" Kel retorted.
Feya sat in stunned silence and muttered something before looking away.
"It's alright Kel, I'll go," Ash spoke up, he wasn't excited but determined.
This is crazy, he wants us to fight a pokemon way out of our league when we haven't even used a basic move like tackle, we'll get crushed. Serena thought, but when she turned towards Ash she saw that determined look in his eyes that was part of the reason she loved him so deeply, she couldn't just give up, she had to be brave like Ash.
Looking Kel in the eye Serena spoke with fierce determination like Ash. "If Ash is going then I'm going Kel."
"Thank you both, I truly owe you greatly," Kel spoke quiet and calm, it must've been painful for him to ask.
Kit and Rune reentered the room with a satchel that rattled with various things inside. Rune slung the Satchel across Kel's body who thanked her.
"Rune, hold the guild down for me, and Kit, take Feya home for her. Alright, Ash and Serena are you two ready to go save Irene?"