Chapter 7 Accidental Encounter
Right now they are outside the lab, they see a chef chasing a Grookey, who has an Oran Berry and a Sitrus Berry tied on a branch that he is holding with his mouth.
"Somebody help me catch the thief!" The chef yells while panting for breath, and both of them run past all five people. Alice says, "It seems like there is a Pokemon stealing a berry..."
"Should we help that man?" Gloria asks.
"We will help him." Ash says. "Though I wonder which Pokemon will be best to use against that Grookey..."
"Nickit is a good thief, we can use it to steal the berries he stole and then give it back to the chef." Rotom suggests.
"Looks like your Rotom sure gives you some good information." Mark says.
Ash sends out Nickit and asks him to do what Rotom suggests, after it gets the berries and gives them to Ash, the Grookey is mad as he starts attacking Nickit, but four Beat-Ups are enough to stop him.
"Here are your berries." Ash says as he gives the berries back to the chef.
"It's the prince, thank you so much." The chef says.
"No problem. But why is the Grookey trying to steal your food?"
"He has been a headache to us ever since a trainer abandoned him a few days ago." The chef says. "I hope that someone can get this monkey to stop stealing."
Ash nods as he walks towards the monkey. He says, "Grookey, I know your pain, why don't you come with me, I'll take good care of you."
"Why do you care?" Grookey glares at him. "You humans are the same."
"He is the prince." Nickit says, causing him to widen his eyes as he knows the story of the Galar Prince. "And I stole all the time, but he decided to give me a family."
Grookey then ponders the words Nickit says to him, and then he nods as Ash captures him.
Grookey: The Chimp Pokemon: Grass Type. When it uses its special stick to strike up a beat, the sound waves produced carry revitalizing energy to the plants and flowers in the area.
After the capture, the chefs thank Ash for the help and then they give him a lot of discounts so that he can use it whenever they stop by at their restaurant. Ash thanks them and then they go to the Pokemon Center.
Once they get to the Pokemon Center, they meet Hop, who just comes out of it. He says, "Hey guys, I saw everything, it is nice how you found that Grookey."
"Yeah. So why are you here? Hop?" Gloria asks.
"I was at the Pokemon Center healing up my Pokemon. Since I am going on with the Gym Challenge." Hop says.
"So you just signed up for the Gym Challenge?" Ash asks.
"Not yet, this is an annual competition where Trainers can battle it out for the right to challenge the Champion. But the trick is that you've got to be endorsed if you want to take part."
Ash takes out two letters and says, "So that is why Mom give me these..."
"Wait, you got your endorsement from your Mother? The Queen of Galar herself? That is so awesome." Gloria says.
"Yeah, and Lee doesn't think that I am up to something like this, so I am going to talk to the Professor and see if she can help. You have to take part as well, Gloria, Alice. A proper rival is just the thing every Trainer needs to keep growing stronger, after all."
"I know, we will go to the house." Gloria says, "But first, we have to see what this place has to offer."
Alice says, "You are right. So we'll see you later, Hop." Then Hop leaves.
Once they heal their Pokemon as well as transferring Butterfree to Alice, Ash turns to the two girls and asks, "So where should we eat for now?"
Gloria says, "How about the restaurant that we saved the chefs from the Grookey? I am sure that they can give us some discounts."
"You're right, they did give us some discounts." Alice says as they decide to go there.
At the same time, Dawn, Serena, and Lillie are also in the same restaurant, and then they are now talking about their goals, Pokemon and fashion. Dawn says, "It is nice to hear a lot of different Pokemon in Alola, I would like to go there one day."
"I am sure that you will like it, you see, my goal is to be a researcher, I want to pass on the knowledge to others." Lillie says.
"Good for you." Serena says. "Just don't give up and I am sure that you can achieve it."
Just then, they hear a commotion as some people yell, "It's the Princes!" "No way! They are here in Wedgehurst!"
Then the girls turn around and see the group blocking the gate, Ash sighs, "If you excuse me, can we have something to eat? We are kinda starving if you are in our way."
Then the crowd nod as they leave a path for Ash and his friends to sit at the table. Gloria says, "Well, you three sure are a celebrity."
"Just talk about it. Just because we are royalty doesn't mean we want to have attention." Mark says.
"Fans are pain." Trenor says. "I just don't like dealing with them."
Ash says, "Right now let's just eat, you guys can pick what you want, it's on me."
"Wait, are you serious?" Alice gasps.
"Sure, after all, you are my friends." Ash smiles as the two girls thank him. Mark and Trenor also smiles at Ash's actions.
Rotom says, "The Ash has become very thoughtful? The world is going upside down, what is going on here?"
Pikachu says, "Calm down, Rotom. It is not a big deal."
Ash says, "Pikachu is right, you should calm down, Rotom. We don't want to make a scene."
As Ash's group is chatting, Dawn, Serena, and Lillie notice the prince and then Dawn says, "Hey, look at those three, they all look just like Ash!"
"You don't think that one of them is Ash, right?" Serena asks.
"But I heard that Ash is the prince of Galar and that's why I'm here to find him..." Lillie says, then after a silence, then Serena says, "Wait, you guys know Ash?"
Lillie says, "Yeah, how did you guys know him..."
Dawn says, "I did travel with him in Sinnoh..."
"And I travel with him in Kalos." Serena says.
"I travel with him in Alola..." This causes the three girls to get surprised. "So it seems like we are really similar." Serena says.
"Yeah." Lillie says. "Should we go greet him?"
"Well, I am curious about who are the other four people that are sitting with him." Dawn says with a little jealousy.
Serena says, "I know one is Alice since we met back in Kalos and her mother is Valerie, the famous fashion designer. But I have no idea who the other three are...I don't remember Ash has siblings..."
At the same time, Ash, Mark, Trenor, Gloria, and Alice's meals come and then they are eating. Pikachu tries to gobble on his food, but Ash says, "Pikachu, remember your manners."
Pikachu flinches at Ash's tone and he nods, then he starts to gobble down quietly. Alice says, "Wow, you are so strict to Pikachu."
"I am sorry." Ash says. "We are in a public place, as a prince, we need to behave and make sure we have a good image."
"What Brother Ash said is true. Though I was surprised that you've already acted like a prince." Trenor says, and the others are chuckling.
As they continue to eat, Dawn, Serena, and Lillie are looking at them with unease. Then Ash eating his food slowly and gently made them horror. Dawn says, "I have never seen Ash eating so politely like this..."
"Same here, he usually gobbles the food like his stomach is an endless pit." Serena says.
Lillie says, "Not to mention that he also tells Pikachu to eat politely...he really behaves just like a prince."
At the same time, Alice notices the three girls, and then she asks, "Ash, I somehow see Serena with two other girls that I didn't know over there."
"What?" Ash flinches as he stops eating, then he notices the girls as they are now looking at one another. Ash asks, "Dawn...Serena...Lillie...Is that you?"
Dawn, Serena, and Lillie realize that Ash was calling out their names, and without hesitation, they rush towards Ash and give him a group hug. "Ash! It really is you!"
Gloria and Alice are confused and jealous at the same time, while Mark and Trenor are just surprised to see Ash with 3 more girls. Ash says, "I am sorry, but you are crushing me, can you please let go?"
"Sorry." Serena says as they break the hug. Dawn says, "So you are here in the Galar Region?"
"Yeah. Ash says. "Since my family is the royal family of this region, I am back here as a prince."
"I see." Lillie says. "No wonder you are so famous."
Serena turns to Alice says, "Alice, it is nice to see you again."
"Same here, Serena. It sure has been a while when I last see you." Alice says with a smile as they greet with each other.
"Alice, Gloria, Mark, Trenor, this is Dawn and Lillie, they are my travel companions in Sinnoh and Alola respectively. And this is Gloria and Alice, they are my current companions in the Galar Region, and they are Mark and Trenor, my brothers."
"Gloria, right? It is an honor to meet you." Dawn says.
"Same." Gloria says as they shake hands.
"I never knew you have brothers, Ash." Lillie says.
"We got separated at a young age, I guess that's why Serena hasn't met them before." Ash says.
Pikachu and Rotom stop their eating and then they also greet the girls. "Pikachu, it is nice to see you as well." Dawn says as Piplup greets him.
"You too, Rotom. I see you possessed a Cellphone?" Lillie says.
"Yep. Alola, Lillie." Rotom says.
"Since you all are here, why don't we have a seat so we can talk with one another?" Ash asks as they nod.
"Sure. We'd like to." Dawn says.
After that, the girls are now talking happily with each other. As for Ash, he smiles as he is glad to see how the girls are getting along very well. Mark says, "Looks like you are having a harem, brother?"
"What are you talking about?" Ash blushes as he asks Mark.
"Come on, I mean, those girls love you, and so are Alice and Gloria." Trenor says. "You won't be able to choose one as the future queen, right?"
Alice notices how Ash is unease from his brothers' teasing, and she says, "Mark, Trenor. That's enough, you shouldn't make your brother uncomfortable."
"Very overprotective for you, Brother." Mark says, "Though I apologize for making you uncomfortable."
As the girls are watching, Dawn asks, "Gloria, are Ash and Alice close?"
Gloria says, "Well, they are childhood friends before she has to go with her mother to the Kalos Region. It is also said that they promise together to be Pokemon Masters."
Serena says, "Childhood friend? Since when?"
"From born. And they played with each other for seven years." Gloria says, causing the three girls to be jealous. "That is even longer than the time I met Ash..." Serena mutters.
Then they decide to change topics as they continue to chat. Serena then realizes something and asks, "So Ash, since when did you eat this politely?"
"Oh, that is because I learned a lot of manners ever since I was told as the prince and I have to be a model for the group." Ash says.
"I see." Lillie says.
"By the way, Lillie. I thought that you are looking for your father, how is your search?" Ash asks.
"Well, my brother and mother decide to let me go with you ever since we know you are in this region, she thinks that I should try traveling with you again so that we might be able to find my father on the way." Lillie says.
"I see. I'm glad to have you on the team as well." Ash smiles. "And I heard that you two are now Top Coordinators, congratulations."
Serena and Dawn blush, Serena says, "Thank you. And I heard that you have become a Champion of Alola as well."
"Thanks, now I just need to win the Galar League." Ash says. "I assume you are here for a vacation? Since I didn't hear about contests holding in the Galar Region."
"Yeah, but after seeing you again, I feel like I want to travel with you just like old times." Serena says.
"Me too." Dawn adds.
Ash smiles, "Sure. It will be like old times, but with a different style."
Then they show their Pokemon, Ash has Butterfree, Nickit, Grookey, Skwovet, Blipbug, Rookidee, Noctowl, Charizard, Lapras, Sceptile, Garchomp, Krookodile, Greninja, and Lycanroc out. While Alice shows her Wooloo and Sobble, Mark shows his Blaziken, Trenor shows his Swampert, and Gloria shows her Scorbunny.
Greninja sees Serena and he greets him, Serena says, "It is nice to see you too, Greninja."
Garchomp also does the same to Dawn, and Lycanroc nuzzles at Lillie's leg. The two of them are also happy to see them as well.
Dawn then sends out her Pokemon, there are Piplup, Mamoswine, and Togekiss. Ash asks, "Where are Buneary, Pachirisu, and Quilava?"
"Oh, they are at home, since my Mom wants to teach them about the contest stuff." Dawn says. "But I might send them back here in the future so that they can help me."
"I see." Ash says.
Serena sends out Braixen, Pancham and Sylveon. The three greet Ash and Pikachu, as well as Greninja. Ash asks, "You didn't capture any new Pokemon in Hoenn?"
"Well, I just focused on these three..." Serena says. "Without you by my side, I don't feel like having another Pokemon in my team."
And then Lillie sends out Grubbin, Snowy, and Magearna. Snowy sees Ash and greets him. Serena says, "Wait, you have a Magearna?"
Lillie says, "Yeah, it was left to me by my dad."
Gloria says, "Wow, you all have a lot of great Pokemon."
"Yeah." Alice says, "But we can capture some more in Route 2."
"Sure, let's go." Dawn says as the group of eight leaves the town.
Here is a new chapter, and this time Dawn, Serena, and Lillie meet Ash again. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be Pokemon Hunting.