Chapter 4 Start of the Trial
After Ash and Serena leave the Galaxy Hall, they walk towards the gate as they see Akari talking to a blonde-haired man that shocks Ash. The person has a resemblance with Cynthia, his aunt from his father's side, which means the person in front of him must be his ancestor.
"Oh? What a curious getup you have there, I can already tell you're quite the character!" The man says.
"Um...who are you?" Serena asks.
"I'm Volo of the Ginkgo Guild, the go-to choice for any of your mercantile needs here in Hisui!" Volo says. "I've heard talk about you two. Feel from the sky, didn't you? Now that's certainly a tale I'd like to hear..."
"He acts just like aunt Cynthia..." Ash thinks.
"Oh, and you've a Pokemon! You're certainly full of interesting surprises..." Volo says after seeing the Pokeballs. "Investigating the odd and novel is key to any good merchant's success! So what do you say? How about one of you and I see how our Pokemon stand up to one another in battle?"
"I guess that's fine for me." Ash says, "Serena?"
"Sure, I'll leave the battle for you." Serena nods.
"I like you two better and better! What a delightful find! I've also heard about this trial you're to attempt. Let's have a quick battle to get your blood pumping before you head out!"
He sends out a Togepi, and Ash is surprised. "A Togepi...that sure is unusual."
Serena says, "Sounds like you have a hard time with this Pokemon..."
"Pikachu though, he refuses to battle Togepi because of some specific reasons." Ash says in a bitter tone in the end, and Serena knows what he means. "Rowlet, use Gust!"
Rowlet spreads his wings as it creates winds to deal some damage to Togepi, and then he continues to use it while Togepi goes with Tackle, in the end, Togepi is defeated as the battle ends.
"It's always good fun to have your Pokemon do battle, don't you think?" Volo smiles after recalling his Pokemon.
"Yeah. I know." Ash says after recalling Rowlet.
"But so few people here have their own Pokemon. If only more knew how to use Poke Balls!" Volo sighs. "At any rate, let me help our two battlers recover from their little exercise."
He takes Rowlet's Pokeball and heals the Pokemon by using Potions and other things. "And to you, my sky-fallen friends...I present some Potions in thanks!"
They receive five Potions as they put into their satchels. "I'll be hoping that you're successful on that trial of yours!"
After he leaves, Akari turns to Ash and Serena. "That's really something! Not only can you catch Pokemon-you can lead them in battle!"
"Well, we do that a lot in the future after all." Serena shrugs.
"Now, to the Obsidian Fieldlands!" Akari cheers. "When you're leaving Jubilife Village, make sure you choose a destination from your map and tell Ress the guardsman where you're going. That way, someone can come to your aid if you're knocked out by a Pokemon."
"That sure sounds dangerous..." Ash frowns.
"Your trial begins just a short way past that front gate!" Akari says as they are about to pass the gate, Ress the guardsman stops them and says, "You're Ash and Serena, correct? I was informed you'd be passing through. Your trial will take place outside the safety of the village. Please take care to come back alive."
"We will." Ash says, "We're going to the Obsidian Fields."
The guardsman nods as they walk towards the base camp.
Once they arrive at the base camp, they can see some tents setting there as Akari says, 'This is our base camp-the last safe haven before you reach the wilds. For your trial, you two must catch three species of Pokemon: Bidoof, Starly, and Shinx! Are you ready to get started?"
"You bet we do." Ash says, but then they also see that Professor Laventon is there.
"Oh, Professor? Is something wrong?" Akari asks.
"Ah, well, you see..." Laventon makes a frown face. "Captain Cyllene got hold of me after you left...She impressed upon me that I bear full responsibility for whatever happsn to "our sudden guests."
"That's our unsparing captain. But what help exactly can you offer out here, Professor?" Akari asks.
"To be honest, my dear girl, I don't intend to lift a finger! Ash and Serena's talents are the real deal. They'll pass with flying colors-you'll see!" Laventon adds.
"Ah. So the responsibility for them still lies, in fact, with me, then." Akari sighs. "Well, I'm sure Ash and Serena will be fine. Let's begin the trial!"
"Okay, so first, we need to catch a Bidoof." Ash says as they walk forward, but both he and Serena are amazed at the great view from the top of the hill.
"This is amazing..." Serena gasps in awe.
"This is Aspiration Hill. The species of Pokemon you're meant to catch all live here." Akari says as a Bidoof appears in front of them. "And along comes a Bidoof! Time to get ready to catch it. The key is to aim carefully. Not that you seem to need my advice-I'm just sharing what I know. Bidoof has a mellow disposition. That means it tends not to run from people, so this'll be easy!"
Serena rushes and throws a Poke Ball at Bidoof, and immediately it is captured. "That was easy."
"Well done, time to find your next Pokemon." As they move forward, they find a Starly pecking on the ground while walking past.
"There's a Starly. They're skittish little things-they'll run if startled." Akari says.
"Really? I mean, my Starly didn't do that when I caught him, though." Ash says.
"But you should be able to get close to them if you crouch-you'll be harder to spot!" Akari says as Serena decides to do it as she sneaks around Starly, and then she finds a chance to throw a Poke Ball and captures it.
Ash says, "Wow, Serena. You're good at this. But make sure you leave Shinx to me, or else I didn't do anything."
"Sorry, but you did capture two Pokemon back then and I only had one, it is only fair if I do the same." Serena says back.
"Sure." Ash says as he sees Akari staring at the berry tree. "Akari, what are you doing?"
"You can also try throwing your Pokemon's ball at rocks or trees like this one to have it investigated. If your Pokemon finds any Berries or other items, it'll bring them to you"
Ash has Rowlet do it, and then he finds three Apricorns, which are used to make Pokeballs.
"Now we've reached your final hurdle: catching a Shinx." Akari says as they move forward to find the Shinx.
"Shinx has an aggressive disposition. Could you already tell that?" Akari asks.
"I know. Considering Clemont has one." Serena says.
"I thought you might! I can never tell until I focus on a Pokemon carefully." Akari nods. "Once aggressive Pokemon get irate, they'll knock aside any ball you throw at them."
"So all that needs is to battle them." Ash says.
"Indeed, I've got no doubt you'll hold your own in battle!" Akari says.
Ash throws Rowlet to battle the Shinx, by using Leafage, it deals some damage, and Ash uses the chance to throw a Poke Ball, capturing the Pokemon in the end.
"You approached those Pokemon without a hint of fear...and caught each one! You're like gifts the sky dropped to us!" Akari gasps.
"I guess so?" Serena asks with confusion.
"With you two at our side, I think the Survey Corps has a real chance of compiling a complete Pokedex as we've been ordered! This is wonderful! I'm still curious why on earth you came falling from the sky like you did...but for now, let's tell the Professor we're ready to head back!"
"Sure." Ash says.
After getting back to the base camp, Laventon says, "Oho! I said you'd pass the trial with flying colors, and it seems you went and did just that! Congratulations, Ash, Serena! You've taken your first step toward seeking out every Pokemon! This calls for a commemorative photograph."
Ash and Serena are surprised to learn that the Professor has a camera, an old fashioned one, though.
"With skills like yours, I suppose this was a foregone conclusion!" Akari says.
"Now then, we'd best report to Captain Cyllene. Time to head back to Jubilife Village, eh?"
"Sure." Ash and Serena nod as they walk back to the village. While on the road, Akari says, "In time, you'll be able to send Pokemon you've caught to live in the village pastures. You can bring up to six Pokemon with you into the field, in theory."
"I was just wondering what will happen if we capture more than six...that was great, I guess..." Serena says.
"Though we've never had anyone skilled enough to do so!" Akari chuckles.
"Come now, you three - let's not dillydally! Captain Cyllene awaits our report at headquarters." Laventon says.
"I bet Captain Cyllene will be very pleased." Akari says.
After entering the hall and to her office, Cyllene says, "It seems we won't have to leave you to die, after all. Congratulations. You've passed your trial. You can hold on to those satchels."
"Is that all you have to say?" Ash mutters a little and Serena agrees.
"I must admit the both of you've impressed me. I set a high hurdle to judge whether strangers like yourselves could be worthy, but you cleared it. These are yours - the official uniforms of the Survey Corps."
After taking the outfits, Cyllene adds, "Get changed in the room you used last night. Then you're to report at once to the third floor. Present yourself in uniform to our commander. This is your first official order from your captain!"
"Yes." Both of them nod as they rush back to their place to stay as they are going to change their outfits, but much to their surprise, they find a giant portal in front of them and Ash asks, "What's going on here?"
"Look, Ash! There is a letter!" Serena says as she opens it. "It's from your mother!"
"My Mom?" Ash quickly takes the letter and reads it, "So this portal is a linking to the Aether Foundation with the past we are in?"
Serena tries to touch the portal, but it is just like Mr. Mime's blockade. Ash says, "I guess we can't get inside the Aether Foundation...but looks like my Mom and Lillie can come and go back."
"That's great...though it seems that we missed them..." Serena frowns. "Well, I think that was better since we really miss them..."
"And according to my Mom...we can still use the Arc Phone to contact them. I really want to do that, though, but we need to hurry up and change our clothes so that the commander won't be waiting."
"Yeah...we can call them once we have finished our meeting with the commander." Serena nods as they start changing their clothes.
And here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, Ash and Serena capture a Bidoof, Starly, and Shinx, and Ash also meets Volo, the Ginkgo Guild Merchant. Ash and Cynthia are related in this story, so Volo is Ash's ancestor as well. I hope you like this chapter. The next chapter will be meeting the commander and some reunions with their family.