Bonus Chapter Part 3
(Cain)
Victoria: And I suppose that's everything... It'll still be some time before we get the resources needed to put it into action, but the planning and coordination can begin already.
Ash and Victoria are now in the basement of the Grand Hall, where a lot of workers are working with the League participants.
Victoria: Frankly, I'll be happy to have it off my plate. The new project manager should be here any moment...
Ash: Yeah, he was just on a brief trip to Kalos, so I'm sure he's had a busy return.
Victoria: (Smiles) But personally, I'm glad he came back at all. I wondered, for a bit. I've got to hurry off to another session, but it shouldn't be long.
Ash: Well, please be careful. I'm sure you can do it.
Victoria smiles as she gives Ash a kiss before leaving, and after a while, Cain finally comes.
Cain: Heyyy, I'm not late, am I? Kalos was awesome- I'll have to tell you all about the stuff Dad and I saw later.
Ash: I'm looking forward to it, but you're totally late, I think that's fine right now.
Cain: (Walks towards his seat and sits down) So, are you my cute-as-a-button secretary~? I know you had that Champion thing going on, but I'd understand if you gave it up for me. After all, who wouldn't wanna work under me~?
Ash: Sorry, I'm already taken.
Cain: (Chuckles) You know, I never expected to have an office job. I always felt like, once you turn 20 or whatever, it's over. You're gonna blink and wake up one day and you're 65 and hated every moment of it. Like, the 9-5 workday might as well be a prison sentence. Buuut, I realize now maybe that was maybe a teensy bit overreactive. It's easy to get swept up in the idea of months and years passing without your control because until that happens, it's just an idea that exists in that instant. But in reality, you still have all of those moments to question, every step of the way, if this is the path you really want to be walking. When you realize you can turn away at any time, it makes it that much easier to take the next step forward ...At least, that's what I've been thinking. As long as the work is worthwhile, I think I can do that.
Ash: Well, I'm glad. Now, this is the project. The Byxbysion Restoration. (Gives him the paper)
Cain: Well, that feels pretty important. I'm still a little shaky on calling it 'home', but maybe that's only because I was so desperate to get away from there. I don't know what it's like to call somewhere home and feel it, but I think maybe this is how I find out: By trying to build one there.
Ash sighs, after the incident in Blackstream Shelter, Cain decides to travel around to find his birth father, and that's why he finds him in Kalos. He's glad that he has done it.
Cain: ...So, the first order of business! There's a giant semi-intelligent Garbodor that desperately wants a hug but, unfortunately, is made of Garbodor. So I'm thinking- and stay with me here- Hug suit. Eh? Ehhh?
(Cal)
Cal: Well, let's go ahead and get started. Now that we've settled on a site, we'll each do proper introductions. Afterward, we can get the tents up and take a rest. Let's each of us begin by saying who we are, and what we hope to get out of this week. For my part, I'm someone who's just learning to take the first true steps towards agency and peace. I've got a lot of self-discovery left to do, which is why I'm grateful, not just for the chance to be here, but for the chance to lead this trip, and have some of my closest friends alongside me during it. I hope that by the end of this week, I have a clearer picture of myself disconnected from the recent chaotic events, and that I will have earned the genuine trust and vulnerability of each of you, both as an individual and a leader in the Academy.
Ash and Cal are leading a group of students from Apophyll Academy to the Chrysolia Deepwoods, and they are planning to have a camp here. Even though Victoria has forgiven Cal already, some students still disagree with Cal.
Lettie: I still can't believe Victoria picked YOU.
Cal: I can hardly believe it myself, so I understand your concerns. But despite- or, perhaps because of- my past, I have the sincere belief that I can give my all to Apophyll Academy and live up to the opportunity. Now, who would like to go next?
Preston: Sure, I'll go. My name's Preston, and I'm hoping to just have a nice week out in nature and unwind for a bit.
Cal: And who are you?
Preston: I... just said, my name's Preston.
Cal: I'm not asking for your name. Who are you?
Preston: Uhh... Well, I work as a system manager for a preservation initiative on Azurine Island-
Cal: Is your profession who you are?
Preston: I- Man, what do you want from me here?
Cal: I apologize if I'm coming on strong here, but you've fallen for the trap. "System manager" maybe your job title. But- and you can answer 'yes' to this, if you'd like- is it who you are? Who do you want to represent yourself as? Or is it just a summative label of how you spend your time under the notion that one's profession is the thing most people want to know about you?
Preston: I, uh... (Turns around) Well, shit.
Cal: Take your time. It is not an easy question. But if we can't be faithful to ourselves in how we represent ourselves, how can we hope for anyone else to see us faithfully? The work begins now.
At the same time, Shelly comes back with a bunch of firewood in her hands.
Shelly: Sorry that took so long! I got the rest of the firewood!
Ash smiles at how Shelly and Cal seem to get closer to each other more and more. He is glad that the two of them are having a relationship, as Shelly is just like a sister he and Heather like to have.
(Champions)
Ash is now having a meeting with the Champions, as he was just talking about the regulations representing the Reborn Region.
Ash: So in the end, I have full faith in my fellow Gym Leaders and Elite Four to continue our safety of the region. And that's all I want to say.
After the meeting is over, Ash decides to sit down and relax.
Cynthia: You know, it sure has been a while since the whole Anomaly thing back in the Reborn Region.
Ash: The Anomaly might have stopped, but the New World won't be closed. Instead, they will still be open to the public and those who want to capture a Legendary Pokemon for themselves.
Diantha: I was really surprised that Reborn Region has a lot of Legendary Pokemon, but they can only be used in the Reborn League but not others, right?
Ash: Indeed. Every Gym Leader has their own Legendary Pokemon thanks to this kind of a mess. So I guess it will be fair since the challengers have them and use them to challenge our League, however, they can't be used in the other Leagues because of how dangerous and overpowered they are. I don't want another Tobias event happen.
Lance: Sounds like you're still sour about that 2-6 loss...
Ash: Who won't? (Finished packing things) If there is no business, I have some other things to do back in Reborn, so I'll see you guys later.
(Charlotte)
Ash and Charlotte's relationship also begins to grow after Lin's defeat, and eventually, they manage to get into a relationship with each other. Right now the two of them are at the Tanzan Cove, Ash is wearing his Fire-Type outfit while Charlotte is sitting at the lake with Ninetales by her side.
Charlotte: It wasn't our fault. It's easier to say than feel, but being here helps. Easier to feel like I deserve to be. It wasn't your fault.
Ninetales just looks at her trainer with a frown, and Charlotte sighs.
Charlotte: Anyway, enough brooding. I wanted to show you our new friend. (Sends out an Alolan Vulpix) This one started following me around the Grand Hall the last time I was there. So, she's mine now. I figure it might not hurt to start branching out into other types. And Vulpix is still cute.
The Alolan Vulpix then walks towards the Ninetales, and the Ninetales give her a lick on the forehead, causing the Vulpix to squeal in delight.
Charlotte: Good. (Turns to Ash) All right, wrecking ball. Fight me. Fire Types or not, I plan on shooting up in rank. And if I can trust myself to go all out here, then I can trust myself anywhere. After all, true beauty is in having control!
Ash: Sure, Charlotte. I'll be delighted to have a battle with you.
(Ciel)
Ciel: I'll thank you for humoring a silly girl's momentary fancies. It is so exhausting to be in performance mode all the time, and yet, I'm never quite so good at knowing when to let myself step off the stage. When you first arrived, for instance- a run-of-the-mill challenger, no? Why should I think twice? Why should I let my hair down? And yet here we are.
Ash and Ciel are now at the Battle Wheel, and they are watching the whole circus from there.
Ciel: It is pleasant to be able to share a quiet moment overlooking the festivity. Pleasant to not have to mind my tone or posture around you- After all, you've seen worse already.
Terra: GERAWRNIMO!
Just then, they find Terra falling to the ground beside them, much to their surprise, because she lands on the ground with her head facing the ground.
Ciel: T-Terra? What in heaven's name have you done this time...
Terra: nm u? (Ciel is speechless) asl?
Ciel: I'd say standing like that can't be good for your skull bones, but honestly, it's a wonder you've got any left.
Terra: (Gets back up) I've got SO many skullb0nes left 4 u bbgirl, if only you'd gimme the chance to use 'em ;)
Ciel: I won't.
Terra: Ash can come 2 ;)
Ciel: He can't.
Terra: oooo u hear dat? she wants me all 2 herself ;)))))))
Ciel: Terra, can you PLEASE stop pronouncing your winky faces?
Terra: no
Ciel: How in the name of all that is good and righteous can you even stand to go about acting so undignified all the time? And moreover, why am I so envious of you being able to do that?
Terra: could it b bcuz... Dignity as a concept exists in ignorance of and opposition to one's genuine emotional needs, serving only to conform behavior to a standard of self-propagating socially-acceptable expectations?
Ciel: ...What?
Terra: wat loljk its obvs cuz u want me (she wants dis b00ty) ma humps, ma humps...
Ciel: You're right.
Terra: so you admit that u want me!
Ciel: N-no, about that other thing. I realize I've dedicated myself to acting a certain way in defense of my position, when really, I should be using my position in dedication to being authetically myself ...Also, while we're at it, (Blushes) M-maybe that other thing too, wouldn't be so bad...
Terra: (she wants dis b0000000000000ty)
Ciel: No! It's not about that! But I do appreciate that you are without a doubt the foremost expert on "living it up," and all that... I realize I have a lot to learn from you. I wouldn't mind more of an opportunity to do so.
Terra: :o
Ciel: ...Say, what were you doing here anyway? Where did you fall from?
Terra: I slipped when I was tryna break the battle wheel again
Ciel: ...Well then, let's get back to it. It's not going to break itself.
Terra: awwwhhhh fukk yeah.
Ash sweatdrops at how Ciel and Terra are going to break the Battle Wheel again, but he doesn't mind as long as they are having fun.
Now as you can see, some of them are original while some of them are not. I'm doing this because I want to show the reactions of Ash and the other people that he bonds or travels with. I hope you like this chapter.
