Chapter 19 Wedgehurst Date
Ash and the group finally arrive at the Wedgehurst, And Ash says, "So before we go to the gym, how about we go have some fun?"
"I guess so." Alice says, "So whose turn is it to go along with you?"
Ash looks at the females, and then he says, "How about Lillie? I am sure that you will want to see a lot of things, right?"
Lillie beams as the other girls are jealous, she says, "Thank you, Ash. I am sure that your trust won't be in vain."
"Hold on a second." Serena says, "Ash, why are you choosing her first?"
Ash says, "Does it matter who I choose? I mean, you'll have your next chance in the next city. I mean, once Wedgehurst is over, there is Hulbury, and then Motostoke."
"I guess that's fair." Alice says. "I mean, we shouldn't try to make Ash uncomfortable.
The other girls can only sigh as they respect Ash's choice, and then they bid farewell as they go to visit the city themselves, Ash and Lillie then go to a park so that they relax. In the park, they can see a lot of children shaking trees to give Hoothoot and Skwovet to eat, but once the berries are fallen, some Pidove just comes and snatches it.
Ash says, "So Lillie, did you call your mother and your brother about the search of your father?"
Lillie shakes her head and says, "They still haven't found him yet, the last time I know, they have gone to Motostoke to find some clues."
"I see." Ash says, "Since we are here, how about we visit the lab? I wonder if Professor Magnolia is there."
"That will be fine for me." Lillie says as Ash grabs her hand and goes there, Lillie blushes at how Ash just causally grabs her hand without hesitation.
When they enter the lab, they see Sonia checking up on an Obstagoon. She says, "Oh, Ash and Lillie! What a surprise."
"Hello, Sonia. Is Professor Magnolia here in the lab?" Ash asks.
"Sadly, my gran is back at her home in Route 2." Sonia says. "Since you are here, I suggest you already have the Grass Badge from Milo?"
"You bet." Ash shows her the badge. "Milo is really tough with his Gigantamax Appletun."
Lillie says, "But Ash still beats him without any problem. By the way, what kind of Pokemon is this?"
"It's an Obstagoon. You see, some Pokemon in Galar have different forms, and those different forms might also have a new evolution from it. Like Linoone can evolve further into this Pokemon."
"Wow...I never know that." Ash says in awe at the Pokemon. "I can't wait to try evolving my Zigzagoon."
But when Obstagoon shouts, Ash and Lillie have to cover their ears, Sonia says, "Obstagoon has a tendency to take on a threatening posture and shout, so you have to be wary about that once you train it."
"I guess you're right about that." Ash sweatdrops.
"By the way, where are Gloria and the others? I thought they were with you?" Sonia asks.
"Well, they are somewhere in the city since we decided to split up and look around the area. We didn't get to do it last time since Gloria and Alice want to get their endorsements first."
Sonia says, "I see. You can spend a lot of time just in this city. Here in the Galar Region, you are the Prince, and people like you. By the way, have you guys met the Gym Leader of the city yet?"
"We have decided to do so after this is over." Lillie says. "Why do you ask?"
Sonia says, "I have heard that our queen is visiting the gym leader, that reminds me, the queen is your mother, right?"
"You mean Mother is there? Great, we should go find her." Lillie nods as they all go to the Gym Stadium. Once they arrive at the place, they see a school where children are playing with the Wooloo, Bunnelby, Minccino, and Stufful. Delia and a girl are also there as Ash and Lillie greet them.
Delia says, "Where are the others? Why only you two?"
Ash says, "We decide to split up as I promise to give each girl alone time in every city."
Delia smirks, "I see, so you are having a date with Lillie I assume?" This causes the two of them to blush.
Namie walks towards them and shares a hug with Ash. She says, "Greetings: Hello to you, Brother."
"Good to see you as well, Namie." Ash says as he turns to Lillie, "This is Namie, she is the Gym Leader of this city and she is also the Princess."
"It is nice to meet you." Lillie bows at the girl. "But why are you talking like a robot? I mean...it is a little weird."
Delia says, "You can say that she is a little traumatized when she is little, but she is trying to recover."
"I see." Ash says as he looks around the area. "This doesn't seem like a usual gym field, so I guess this is not only a gym but a school as well?"
"Correct: I want children to take part in the Gym Mission for Gym Challengers." Namie says.
"I see. So that means you are also a school teacher." Lillie says, "It is really cool if you think about it."
Then Namie decides to take them around as they are greeted with a lot of children who are happy to see Ash as the prince. So Ash decides to show them his Pokemon so that they can play with him. The Pokemon he sent is Eevee, Snorlax and Pikachu, who have been the children's favorite.
Namie asks, "Request: I have to take some things to my sister Shelia, can you help me take care of this class? Ash? Lillie?"
Ash and Lillie smile and they nod, so they go help out the class as they do their best to play with them, while Namie just rides her Braviary and leaves the town for now. While walking towards the classrooms, Delia says, "By the way, I heard from Adam that you captured a total of 63 Milcery and each of them evolve into a different form of Alcremie, right?"
"Yeah...I don't know why it happened, though. I mean, I just saved them from a poacher, and all of them just like me like that." Ash sighs.
Delia giggles and says, "But your goal is to be a Pokemon Master, I guess that should be fine for you, right?"
Ash shrugs as they open the classroom to greet the children in Namie's class.
In the Pokemon Center, the other girls are waiting for their Pokemon as they see a Helioptile sunbathing outside. Dawn says, "I wonder what they are doing now?"
"Probably doing something very great I assume." Alice says as the Indeedee called them to take their Pokemon back.
"Now that we have already had our Pokemon healed, how about we do some training?" Gloria asks.
"I can train with you guys if you want to." Mark says. "Even though we aren't going to challenge the gyms, we can still help you with the training."
"That will be nice. But what should we do then?" Dawn asks Serena. "We've already gone through a lot of the stores here since our last visit."
"I don't know." Serena shrugs. "How about trying to come up with a new performance? I mean, even though we are taking a break from contests, we can still try to come up with some new ideas."
"That sounds really amazing, Serena." Dawn says as they also ask Trenor to help them with the mock Contest battles.
After a while of training, all of their Pokemon are tired again as Mark feeds them with the food. Mark then gets a call from Namie as he says, "Well, looks like Ash and Lillie are already at the gym."
"What? They are going to start it without us? How could they do that!" Gloria yells.
"I don't think that's the case." Mark sweatdrops. "The whole Wedgehurst Gym is actually a school, so Ash and Lillie are asked by Namie to help her take care of the children. Not only that, I heard that Mother is also there."
Trenor says, "Maybe we should also help them out, I know for sure how troublesome those kids are."
The other girls also agree as they all head to the gym to find Ash, Lillie, and Delia. In the gym, they see how Oranguru and Drampa are teaching the children, with Ditto pretending to be other Pokemon and making the children laugh. They also find Ash and Lillie there along with Delia.
"Ash, Lillie what are you doing here?" Gloria calls out to them as they turn around. Ash says, "Hey guys, you see. We are asked by the Gym Leader to play with those children."
Lillie says, "Yeah, and it is so much fun. I mean, there are some naughty children, but some of them are really well-behaved."
"I see." Dawn says. "Then I think we should join in the fun as well."
The others also nod as they send out their Pokemon, and both Dawn and Serena decide to show their new ideas of performing to the children, who are in awe at the sight of them performing.
As for others, they are having the children trying to pet their Pokemon. But they have to be careful as Pokemon like Chewtle will bite their small hands.
Once Namie is back to Wedgehurst, she notices Gladion coming from the Pokemon Center. Namie says, "Greetings: Hello, Gladion. I see you are still in Wedgehurst."
Gladion shrugs and says, "My mother and I decided to split up so that we can have better chances of finding Dad. And I just came back to Wedgehurst a few minutes ago by train."
"Realization: That reminds me, I just met Ash and your sister at the gym. Now: I asked them to help me take care of my students in the gym."
"You mean Lillie is here, huh?" Gladion says. "Well, it sure has been a while since we split up. You say that they are at the gym? Maybe it will not be bad to visit them."
Namie nods as they all head back to the gym. When they get there, they already see Ash walking out of the classroom as he sighs, "I guess all that playing makes me a little tired."
Ash then notices Namie with Gladion as he asks, "Wait, Gladion? Is that you? What are you doing here?"
"Good to see you again, Ash." Gladion says as they shake hands, "Well, I was asked by Namie to come, since we have become close friends when Mom and I are here searching for Dad. How is Lillie?"
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Ash says as the 2 boys and 5 girls decide to step out of the classroom. Lillie notices her brother and gasps, "Gladion? Is that you?"
They share a sibling hug and then introduces the other girls to him. Namie says, "Question: Are you ready for our Gym Battle? You guys should stay out for a while since we have to prepare it."
Ash and the others nod as they all head out of the school grounds so that Namie can prepare the Gym Mission.
Here is a new chapter. I decide to give Gladion a pairing in this fic. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be Gym battle.
Ash's New Pokemon: Thwackey, Skwovet, Rookidee, Dottler, Nickit, Gossifleur, Wooloo, Chewtle, Yamper, Carkol, Arrokuda, Zigzagoon (G), Meowth (G), Alcremie x63
Mark's Pokemon: Blaziken, Magikarp, Arrokuda, Alcremie (Strawberry, Ruby Cream)
Trenor's Pokemon: Skwovet, Oddish, Swampert, Pumpkaboo, Onix, Basculin, Noibat
Alice's Pokemon: Wooloo x30, Butterfree (Pink), Sizzlipede, Drizzile, Gossifleur, Pikachu, Eevee
Gloria's Pokemon: Minccino, Pidove, Purrloin, Raboot, Chewtle, Ferroseed, Eevee, Woobat, Ralts
Dawn's Pokemon: Buneary, Hoothoot, Mudbray, Duskull, Piplup, Quilava, Wingull, Oddish, Pachirisu, Mamoswine, Togekiss
Serena's Pokemon: Bunnelby, Pancham, Drifloon, Budew, Combee, Drilbur, Braixen, Bounsweet, Nuzleaf, Sylveon
Lillie's Pokemon: Eevee, Tyrogue, Gastly, Magearna, Shellder, Yamper, Cherubi, Vulpix (A)