The day when we left to the forest Dawn wanted to try and catch her very first pokemon, but it wasn't going as well as she wanted to and Ash's advice wasn't getting her anywhere.
It was leading the two trainers to argue while Brock and Harmony sat and watched with sweat drops. "At this rate, she'll never catch it, I think Ash needs to just let her figure it out herself." Harmony whispers to Brock just as the Buneary hops away from Dawn.
"Well, I hope you're happy now!"
"Don't look at me!" Ash says and Harmony groans.
"They're gonna be at this all day, oi! You lot stop it! Break it up!" Harmony says having heard enough of it and moved between the two. "Ash, Dawn, calm down, please. Ash, you're putting too much pressure on Dawn. Dawn, you need to let it go if you want Ash's help that's how he's gonna do it, otherwise you'll figure it out yourself."
As the four trainers continued on their way Dawn and Ash kept making snide remarks at each other.
"To think, I would have had a Buneary if it weren't for some big mouth." Dawn snidely remarks.
Pikachu was looking at Ash with a sad expression as his trainer bit into the remark and replied with "Oh yeah, I could get a Buneary in spite of your big mouth."
"Next time butt out!"
"That is if there is a next time." Ash goads on causing Harmony to shake her head.
"I'm catching lots of pokemon"
"You won't if you keep doing stupid stuff"
"Are you calling me stupid!?"
"No, but I'm thinking about it now"
"How can you think without a brain?"
"You tell jokes as good as you catch pokemon!"
"You're both hurting my ears!" Brock cries out frustrated with all the arguing.
"You know if you two are going to do this I don't think I want to travel in a group, arguing isn't going to get us anywhere. I'm sorry Buneary got away Dawn, but there are plenty of them, I'm sure you'll find one again."
It was then a beautiful mist of sparkles was released out into the sky, a Sunny Day move making everyone finally chill.
"That's beautiful." Harmony whispers in awe.
"What's that?" Ash asks.
"Pretty," Dawn says in awe.
"That's Sunny Day." Harmony and Brock say at the same time.
"It's a fire type move. Ire types use it to temporarily raise their power." Brock explains.
"All of a sudden I feel so much happier," Dawn says making Harmony hum in relief.
"No more arguing that's great," Harmony says with a grin as a small pokemon comes in making her squeal.
"Awww a Budew! I love Budew my Mum keeps four in her garden, they're great with plants!" Harmony coos moving to gently pet the pokemon.
"Budew?" Ash asks pulling his Pokedex out.
Budew the bud pokemon. In winter it keeps its bud closed to survive the cold but then opens it again in the spring.
"I wonder if this is where Sunny Day came from?" Brock questions.
"It was, hardened words, but reflect harden hearts let the sunny day soften yours." A man in a green coat and hat on, a Mew harp in his hand as he started playing it, "for when your heart is light your mood is happy and bright. Tell me don't you feel better now?
"Huh? Yeah, you're right." Ash and Dawn say together.
"As it should be"
"Thanks, I'm Ash" Ash explains Pikachu saying out his greeting.
"I'm Harmony." Harmony states Chu hopping off her shoulder to greet the Budew in excitement, she always loved Harmony's Mum's Budew.
"I'm Dawn."
"And I'm Brock."
"And I am the Pokemon Bard, Nando." Nando introduces, "This is my Budew. We travel the world bringing joy to all"
"Awesome," Ash says with a grin.
"You must have a great time," Brock says.
"Hey! I've got it, Ash, now I can show you how strong I've gotten." Dawn says coming up with some idea.
"How?"
"Nando, would you mind battling with me?" Dawn asks.
"If that pleases you," Nando responds.
"Great, this is gonna be fun." Harmony says with a grin, "But Dawn don't you want to do a contest battle? That way you get a feel for it?" she suggests.
"So you are on a quest for the Grand Festival?" Nando questions, "Then a contest battle it shall be. There's a clearing up ahead that will be perfect for our needs."
"Great!" Dawn says getting pumped.
Once they were at the clearing Dawn let her Piplup out, which made Harmony think and let hers out as well.
"Alright, Pip! How about you watch this, it'll be important for you to learn how to do contests and battle, so this will be perfect to watch," she says holding the shiny Piplup in her arms who responded happily. The two had bonded then the night before hence giving the nickname Pip to it.
It wasn't long before Dawn and Nando's battle started with Dawn rushing in with a flying type move only for Nando to evade it. Nando was very calm with his commands and was rather focused.
"Wow, he's great isn't he Chu and Pip?" Harmony says in awe. "Dawn, don't get too distracted! Pay attention to Piplup and try to keep moving!" she calls out.
"It wasn't that strong!" Ash calls out towards Dawn after her failed bubble beam attack.
"And remember this is a contest battle Dawn! Using your opponents moves against them is what it's about, utilizing that move like that would have cost you points!"
With that failure eating at Dawn she ended up losing her focus and lost to Nando, especially after Piplup took a direct solar beam attack.
"Dawn, I wouldn't have guessed this was your first battle, you were so good," Nando compliments Dawn.
"Wow, that's such a nice thing to say, thank you," Dawn says as she gets up with Piplup in her arms.
"You can be sure it was a good experience, those two really know how to battle." Brock compliments.
"Yeah no doubt it'll help you get a lot stronger," Ash says with a grin raising his fist excitedly.
"Yeah,"
"I'm off, best of luck," Nando says turning to walk away.
"Awe man, I can't catch a pokemon and I can't win a battle," Dawn says defeated as the group continued along the path.
"Hey chill out, have a nice dinner, get a good night's sleep, and you'll be fine tomorrow," Ash says.
"Dawn you worry way too much, everyone loses battles, eventually you'll get the hang of it," Harmony says softly putting her hand on Dawn's shoulder.
"Get a good night's sleep? How do you get that without a bed?"
"Hey look there's a Pokemon Center not far from here," Brock says looking down at his map book.
"Really? Hurray! A real bed and a real room! I can join civilization again!" Dawn cheers making Harmony laugh.
"Better not get used to it though, it takes days to get to other towns." Harmony teases, "And seeing stars are nice."
"Alright, Bonsly let's go!" Brock says tossing a Pokeball into the air and catching the pokemon in his arms.
"Awe isn't he cute." Harmony coos out.
"Bonsly we're going to a pokemon center, and you're going to be checked out by Nurse Joy!" Brock says getting lovey-dovey again.
"So that's a Bonsly," Dawn says taking out her pink Pokedex.
Bonsly the bons eye pokemon, being a rock type it can get weak if it's body has too much water so it secretes water from both sides of its body to regulate it.
"So did you bring your other pokemon too?" Ash asks.
"Nope, my brothers and sisters are watching them at home back at the Pewter Gym."
"Wait you're a gym leader?" Harmony questions, "Wait I remember the Pewter Gym, but it wasn't you I battled that's for sure." she says furrowing her brows.
"You were the gym leader in Pewter city! That's awesome!" Dawn says with a grin on her face.
As they walked Brock told stories about the gym to his companions.
At the pokemon center, Brock was being lovey-dovey towards Nurse Joy. "Ah, Nurse Joy!"
"Good evening and Welcome to the Pokemon Center." Nurse Joy says greeting them at the door.
Dawn had a confused look on her face, "Hold on are you from Sandgem Town?"
"Not me, the Nurse Joy from Sandgem Town is my sister." Nurse Joy explains.
"Sister, really?" Dawn says blinking just as Brock shows her a picture of all the Sinnoh Nurse Joy's. "You mean there are that many Nurse Joys?" Dawn says sweat dropping.
"Isn't that great? All Nurse Joys are related! Every gorgeous one!" Brock says turning to look at Nurse Joy lovingly.
"Wow, you like that…" Dawn says sweat dropping.
"And we'll have to go through this every single time." Harmony mutters, "I only there was a way to get him to stop."
"My dear!" Brock says grabbing Nurse Joy's hand and going on his knees with hearts in his eyes, "Although all Nurse Joys are beautiful your beauty stands out."
"But wait Brock was acting the same exact way with Officer Jenny. What's up with that?" Dawn points out.
"He gets that way around both it seems"
"Yeah, that's a question with no answer," Ash states with a small sweatdrop.
Now that they were at a Pokemon Center Dawn decided to let her mom know she was traveling in a group.
"I certainly appreciate you looking after y Dawn I realize of course that she can sometimes be a handful," Johanna says through the video call as Brock, Harmony, and Ash stand behind her.
"Huh?" Dawn says confused.
"Oh no." Brock, Harmony, and Ash say denying it.
"Come on Mom, there's nothing to worry about."
"When you tell me there's nothing to worry about that's when I get worried the most. Don't forget I'm counting on you three." Johanna says making the trio behind Dawn chuckle nervously.
"We won't!"
"Then you all have a great time. Ash, Harmony lots of luck in all your gym battles," she says before the screen goes black.
"My mom, what a mom" Dawn says putting her hands on her hips.
Nurse Joy walks up behind all of them, "Oh Ash, Harmony, by the way, have you two registered for the Sinnoh League, you'll need to…"
Ash and Harmony get a horrified look on their faces, "No! Not yet!" the two cry out.
"Not yet is right," Dawn says
"Otherwise you won't be able to compete." Nurse Joy explains putting in Ash's Pokedex, "Now, let's see here. Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. That's all there is to it. Here." She says handing his Pokedex back to him, "You're all set and ready to roll."
"Thanks Nurse Joy!" Ash says excitedly.
Harmony was worrying more which caused her to bite her lip. "I don't have a Pokedex like Ash does Nurse Joy, I've got a Rotom Phone. It's got my trainer ID and all that on it," she explains as Rotom swiftly flies out of her pocket and brings up said information.
"I meant to figure out how it was done, usually I have to do it manually since most regions don't have more advanced systems like Galar does. I think Kalos is a bit more advanced." Harmony says sheepishly. But Nurse Joy waves her off.
"If you've got everything there it won't take too long, just have to type it in as you said." she says Rotom hovering so Nurse Joy could type it all out. "And all set!"
"Thank you so much!" Harmony says as Rotom lets out a beep letting her know she had an email "Oh Ash I got an email back from Professor Magnolia about Pikachu, though she said she has more on Riachu but it should be similar enough." she says reading through it briefly.
"Can I register for Pokemon Contests here?" Dawn asks making Harmony look up in confusion.
"I thought that was through the Contest hall though?" Harmony says confused.
"Yeah, you need to do that at the Area, you can get contest passes there as well." Nurse Joy explains.
"Great! Thank you!" Dawn says happily.
"Nurse Joy! We're back! Can you take a look at our pokemon?" a young kid with brown hair asks as he and his two friends come in, with a Chimchar, Turtwig, and Prinplup.
"Wow Chimchar, Turtwig, and would you look at that a Prinplup! Doesn't it evolve from Piplup?" Dawn asks as she makes her way over to the trio.
"Right it just evolved yesterday." The girl trainer says.
Dawn pulls out her Pokedex.
Prinplup the penguin pokemon and the evolved form of Piplup. A strike from its fins can be harmful as it searches the oceans for prey.
"Wow," Dawn says in awe.
"Well, Dawn," Nando speaks up from the door of the Pokemon Center.
"Nando! What a surprise!" Dawn calls out causing
"Yes, a pleasant one," Nando says as Nurse Joy moves to bring Budew out.
Harmony turns her head from the guys over to Nando. "Hi, Nando! It's nice to see you again!' she calls out.
"Here you are your Budew is feeling 100%," Nurse Joy says with a smile.
"I am in your debt," Nando says and Dawn starts to talk with him again.
"Are you staying at the center too?" Dawn asks Nando.
"No, there are several things I need to ponder elsewhere. And so, good evening," Nando tells her as he picks Budew up and walks out.
"What's he pondering?" Ash questions.
"Nando divides his interests between gym battles and contests. I think he's trying to decide between the two."
"Yeah? With a strong Budew like he's, he should choose gym battles." Ash says.
"No way! It's contested he sure knew how to show off his Budew!" Dawn counters.
"They gyms the way!"
"He should choose contests!"
Ash and Dawn start arguing again. This made Harmony frown, "Why can't he do both? I always do both, sure it's hard, but that's why we start early enough before the Grand Festival and the League, gives us enough time between the two and as long as you try really well you get to compete in both."
"Maybe we should just let Nando decide himself!" Ash calls out.
"Yeah, maybe we should!" Dawn says the two butting shoulders as they race off to find Nando.
"I'll go follow them, they're gonna get into trouble at this rate," Harmony says with a groan, "Why did I choose to go with all of you again?" she mutters as she walks out following the arguing pair, "Right because Ash is kinda cute and Chu really likes his Pikachu," she mutters.
"Wait for me!" Brock calls out to the group.
"Hmmm, nobody's here," Ash says as it had gotten dark really fast.
"That's weird, wonder where Nando went?" Dawn asks as they look around.
Starly comes in for a landing, landing on a rock in the forest.
"Hey, did you see Nando Starly?" Ash asks his pokemon earning a shake of his head.
"If he was here Starly would have seen him," Brock points out.
"Thanks for looking, Starly return!" Ash says pulling the pokemon back into his ball.
"Sorry Dawn, we're gonna have to camp out here." Ash apologizes, which was not what Dawn was expecting.
"What!? We're not going back to the Pokemon Center?" Dawn asks not liking the idea one bit.
"By the time we get back there, it'll mean less sleep. That is if there are still rooms, usually there is a curfew at that too." Harmony points out. "There isn't anything wrong with sleeping outside. I've got a tent if you want to share, it's really roomy Dawn," she says to the younger teen.
However, their luck seemed to change as two strangers who looked awfully familiar to Harmony came to their rescue.
"Worry not! We've got four hots and a cot," The lady with red hair tied in a bun said.
"What you need is what we've got." The guy with blue hair says.
"I dunno that sounds awfully sketchy…" Harmony says hesitantly, "And you look awfully familiar.." she says hesitantly, Chu sniffing the air before a few sparks leave her cheeks sensing her trainers' wariness.
"The Rickety Roof Inn," The two strangers say pointing to what looked to be a really nice Inn.
Ash picked up on Harmony's wariness, "An Inn, in the middle of a forest?"
"You see we love consumers, it's people we can't stand." The lady says walking closer to the group.
"But since you fit neither category then you can stay for free!" the man says.
The word free seemed to get everyone to believe it but Harmony, whos gut was telling her there was something still off about this.
"Well, in that case, it is late, and they seem so nice," Brock says, being the oldest of the group Ash and Dawn seemed to be fine with it.
"Nice is the word!" the duo says just as a Meowth, it was clearly a Meowth to Harmony, dressed in the same robes as the two humans held up a box, which set alarm bells off for Harmony, especially after it spoke.
"And look! Check out this custom fitting box to put your Pikachu's in!" it says holding two boxes with a grin.
"Guys this is even more sketchy...and that's a Meowth for sure." Harmony points out, but the others didn't seem to listen.
"Wow, they thought of everything," Ash says.
A sudden breeze passed through, "When it comes to our customers, we move mountains!" they call out only for the facade of the Inn to fall down and dust to form around them. It was soon revealed that it was Team Rocket the entire time
"Ha! See I was right, they're a bunch of cons!" Harmony says her Pikachu crying out in offense.
"You were supposed to build a hotel! Not a backlot movie set," Jessie cries out in anger at Meowth.
"Let's see what you build with two bucks!" Meowth says sheepishly.
"Team Rocket!" The trio calls out causing Harmony to shake her head "You guys are so oblivious, those costumes weren't even that great." she mutters earning an offensive gasp coming from Jessie.
"Twerps, we can name call just as you can," James says.
"Listen, is that a voice I hear?"
It's speaking to me loud and clear.
On the wind!
Past the stars!
In your ear!
Bringing chaos at a breakneck pace.
Dashing hope, putting fear in its place.
A rose by any other name is just as sweet.
When everything's worse, our work is complete.
Jessie!
And it's James!
And Meowth, now that's a name!
Putting the do-gooders in their place
Team Rocket we're in your face!
"Why do you keep chasing Pikachu!?" Dawn yells out her question.
"Why are you a Twerp?" Jessie counters
James goes to throw a Pokeball out, "Carnivine time to come out and play!"
Harmony narrows her eyes at nodding at Chu who jumps off her shoulder getting in a battle position, only for James' pokemon to bite him on the head making her sweatdrop. "This is what we're up against?"
"No time to play, not time to bite!" James calls out frustrated with his pokemon.
"What's that pokemon?" Ash asks pulling his Pokedex out of his pocket.
Carnivine the bug catcher pokemon. It uses its sweet-smelling saliva to catch its prey
"Guys leave this to me!" Dawn says excitedly causing Harmony's eyes to widen.
"Wait, no Dawn!" she says but Dawn had already called out Piplup to use bubble-beam.
What happened was that Carnivine ate the bubble-beam causing Harmony to sigh.
"Type disadvantage again Dawn...you gotta make sure you're opponent can actually get damaged from a move." Harmony points out.
"Lucky for us Bite for you!" James commands Carnivine.
"Chu, quick block it with Irontail!" Harmony calls out as her Pikachu races to get in front of Piplup, only for a Budew to get in the way causing Chu to skid to a stop and Carnivine to fly back into Team Rocket.
"Budew?" Ash questions.
"That must mean Nando's close!" Harmony says trying to spot the Bard as Budew starts using bullet seed which sent Team Rocket flying with a "We're blasting off again!"
"Such a shame, I was having such a pleasant evening before they showed up." Nando says coming out from behind the trees, "I trust you are alright?" he questions earning a nod from everyone.
"We're fine!" The four of them call out happily.
"Thanks to you for helping us." Dawn thanks Nando.
"You know, we actually came out here looking for you," Ash admits.
"Me, why?" Nando asks.
After setting up a fire and getting warmer Nando started talking.
"You are correct, I'm feeling torn between choosing contest and gym battles."
"But Budew is so strong, perfect for gym battles," Ash points out.
"No way, Budew's moves were made for contests," Dawn counters.
"If I enter the Sinnoh League I need to win battles in each of the eight gym locations, which gives me eight badges. On the other hand, in order to appear at the Grand Festival I have to win a contest in five arenas, which will give me five ribbons."
"Sounds to me like the gyms your best bet!" Ash says excitedly.
"Sounds to me that the contests are the way to go," Dawn says making Harmony groan.
"Here we go again, can't he just do both? Sure it's a lot of work but it'll be worth it!" Harmony states.
Nando ends the fight, "Alright, keep that up and we won't be able to hear the forest sing." Nando says.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Dawn asks confused.
As soon as they were quiet you could hear all the pokemon singing softly in the distance of the forest.
"All the forest pokemon are singing at once, this reminds me of home in Galar," Harmony says softly her eyes shutting to just listen. Chu moving to lean a bit on her lap calm by the sounds.
"The forest really does sing," Brock says happily.
"It really is gorgeous, I never noticed it before, now I'll always hear it," Dawn says in awe.
"Yeah, sleeping outside isn't so bad after all right?" Ash says with a grin, moving a bit until he noticed Harmony had almost fallen asleep her head leaning towards his shoulder making him smile a bit.
Dawn who was sitting on his other side sheepishly apologized to Ash, "I'm sorry Ash, all the complaining I've done. I guess things haven't been going well for me and I just taking it out all on you."
"I haven't exactly been mister nice," Ash says softly apologizing as well but also trying not to move to wake the now sleeping Harmony up. "Nando I was wondering if you'd have a battle with me in the morning?" Ash asks Nando.
"The honor would be mine," Nando says as the rest shuffle around to get everything set up for the night.
"Mmm? Bedtime?" Harmony mumbles having felt Ash shake her awake. "Alright...night," she mumbles not bothering to really move only to nearly fall not realizing where she was going.
"Woah! Careful, you're sleeping bag is here." Ash says helping her down as she got in it.
"Thanks, night guys," she says sleepily, able to fall back asleep quickly.
The next morning the battle between Nando and Ash went well. It resulted in Budew evolving into a Roselia. Even though that happened Ash was still able to overcome it and he and Pikachu won the battle.
When the battle was over Chu leaped off of Harmony's shoulder and rushed to Pikachu happily giving his cheek a nuzzle full of electricity cooing happily.
"Still have to read what Magnolia sent me…" Harmony says sheepishly watching as Nando returned Roseila into its Pokeball.
"Now to Ash and Dawn. I offer you my thanks. I finally know what I must do," Nando says.
"You're going to try for the Sinnoh League, aren't you?" Ash asks making Harmony chuckled shaking her head.
"You're going for the Grand festival, right?" Dawn asks.
"Both, again Both is good." Harmony points out once again.
"As Harmony said, I've decided to do both," Nando says earning a cheer from Harmony. "I enjoyed battling you two so much that I wouldn't dream about giving up on either one of them. And so, for now, I bid you farewell until we meet again!"
"Sounds great!" Harmony, Dawn, and Ash say with grins on their faces.
They part with Nando waving goodbye as they continue their trek towards Jubilife city.