Ash had insanely good luck, and she was quick to credit the rainbow feather that clung to the skin over her heart. Not only were Swablu and Houndour the cutest little things, they were the sweetest too! Swablu hadn't even cared that Pikachu had knocked her clear out of the air, she was just happy for company, and she instantly befriended Oberon and Titania. And Houndour… recently hatched indeed, the puppy was a cheerful, dorky goofball that was in Ash's lap mere seconds after being released from his Pokeball.
After spending an hour or so getting to know her two newest teammates (warning Oberon not to drag Houndour into his little schemes, the brat), Ash took the rest of the day to train. Well, her three older partners trained, perfecting their moves, and Ash took Swablu and Houndour aside to see just where they were at.
Swablu's moves were refined and had a decent amount of power, but her accuracy wasn't the greatest. Ash set her to work with exercises to fix that. As for Houndour, he just needed all-around training to master his moves. Ash wouldn't even think of teaching him more until he had perfected his current move set of Ember, Smog, Bite, and Counter. The fact that he even knew Counter told Ash he had a lot of potential, and she couldn't wait to help him maximize it.
By the time evening rolled around, she was pleased with how well her team was growing. She was only one slot away from a full team already, but she decided not to catch any more Pokemon unless they were really rare, or called to her in a way she couldn't ignore. Better to focus on a single team during the first year of her career than have to rotate several.
Ash stopped by the video phones on her way up to her and Misty's room, dialing Professor Oak's number. Pikachu was perched on one shoulder, Swablu half-asleep on the other, and she had Houndour in her arms while Oberon and Titania sat on the little desk area in front of the phone. That was the picture that greeted the professor when he picked up, and he smiled at her, eyeing her Pokemon.
"Looks like you've found yourself some more Kanto-rare Pokemon," he noted with amusement. In their home regions the Pokemon were fairly common, but in Kanto they were nearly unheard of. "How on earth did you obtain a Swablu and Houndour between Pallet and Pewter?"
"Swablu was in Viridian Forest for some reason I don't know, and I actually traded a Scyther I caught then too for Houndour here. I caught Scyther with luck and a lot of electricity, but it was just too strong for me. But you know Bugsy, the Gym Leader from Johto? He was here! He actually had been wanting to catch that same Scyther, so we traded," Ash explained, smiling down at the puppy, who yipped at her happily.
Samuel nodded in approval. "A wise decision, Scyther are not Pokemon to take lightly. An individual specimen that attracts the attention of a foreign Gym Leader even more so! In any case, it looks like you're doing well, and are building a well-rounded team. Psychic, Fairy, Electric, Dark, Fire, Normal, Flying, and someday Dragon? A few more Pokemon and you'll be a difficult challenge to most trainers your age."
"Thanks, Professor," she smiled softly, before she remembered something important. "Oh, you're never going to believe what I saw when I was heading towards Viridian. Can I send you pictures taken with my PokeDex?"
"Yes, just insert it into the slot beneath the phone, it will automatically send me a system backup. What did you see?"
Ash fumbled with her PokeDex, murmuring a soft thanks to Titania when the Fairy type assisted with her nimble ribbons. Instead of answering, she waited for the photos to send, smirking when the professor's eyes widened comically. His jaw fell open, mouth flapping but no sound emerging. It took a long minute for the man to regain control of himself.
"W-why, this is－!"
"I've been having pretty great luck ever since, which would explain Swablu and Houndour," she commented wryly.
"That it would," Samuel muttered, before he shook his head and looked back to the camera, an odd look in his eyes. "According to the legends associated with Ho-oh, it promises eternal happiness to those who see it, and it's feathers are said to bring joy. Ashka, do you realize that you have provided me with solid proof of its existence, and its true appearance? These photos are wonderful, you were able to catch several different angles… Magnificent…"
Ash took a moment to check the lobby behind her, and only reached beneath her shirt once she was satisfied she was alone. She gently removed Ho-oh's feather from her chest, and her Pokemon released noises of awe, drawing Samuel's attention. Once again, he was shocked into silence.
"This feather came down as it was flying past," she said quietly, holding it up to the camera. She took a long moment to consider her next action before deciding to trust in the man who helped raised her. With a few taps to the small keyboard, she activated the transporter connected to the phone. Normal transporters could send items instantaneously, and securely, and Poke Transporters could transfer Pokeballs safely. She set the feather on the transporter with care, stroking it once more before sending it over.
"I'll want this back eventually, but for now you can hold onto it. It stuck to my skin like glue wherever I put it, and only I could take it off, so I'm sure you'll find it worth studying. I think I've had my fair share of luck because of it, so I don't mind."
Samuel's expression was one of sheer wonder as he lifted the feather into view.
"A Rainbow Wing… Oh, Ashka, this is incredible! I'll keep it safe for you, you have my word!"
Honestly, to Ash, seeing that look of wondrous joy on the old man's face was more than enough, but she kept that thought to herself. She knew he wouldn't do anything crazy like try to track Ho-oh down. Check for genetic material on or in the feather to study, yes, but he had a bone-deep respect for the Legendaries and would never put them in harm's way.
She spent a few more minutes conversing with the professor before she decided to head to her room.
"Tell Daisy I said hello, and that I'm doing fine," she said.
"I will, she'll be happy to hear from you. Arceus knows that Gary hasn't called us once! Honestly, that boy… he's caught almost twenty Pokemon but he can't be bothered to send an email."
"He's probably just excited to finally be out on the road," Ash shrugged, readjusting her grip on a dozing Houndour. Her chest felt a little cold without the constant, soothing presence of the feather, but she felt it would be selfish to hoard its existence. "If I see him I'll remind him to check in."
"Thank you, Ash, we appreciate it." He sighed, then, and his mood seemed to lower significantly. "… I spoke with your mother, after you set off."
Ice.
Her entire body was cold, suddenly, blood frozen in her veins and throat tight.
"... Ah," she forced out, vaguely aware of her Pokemon, even the new ones, crooning softly at her, worried. Swablu's beak swept across the side of her face, the sensation grounding Ash a little even as the ground threatened to drop away from beneath her feet.
It had been nearly two weeks since she last thought of that argument.
"You did nothing wrong, Ashka," Samuel said gently, firmly. "She should not have tried to prevent your journey in such a manner, and I made sure she knew that. You are a brilliant young lady who loves Pokemon very much, who has a lot of potential, and your journey will be good for you. You deserve to be able to enjoy it."
Ash nodded jerkily, offering a strained smile that somehow held. Samuel recognized that she'd reached her limit on this topic, and let it drop.
"Well, it's getting late. Get a good night's sleep, and good luck with your Gym Match!"
"Thanks, Professor. You too. Good night."
Ash ended the call, and took a slow breath. Titania's ribbons were wrapped around her arm, and she leaned forwards to press a kiss to the top of her Sylveon's head. Then she gave one to Oberon, one to Pikachu, one to Swablu, and one to Houndour. The affection settled their concern somewhat, and she forced herself to relax.
"You guys are the best," she told them softly, and then led the way up to their room for a much-needed shower.
XxXxX
Misty listened, a little entranced by the melody as Ash hummed softly and guided the brush over her Sylveon's fur, freshly washed just like the rest of the team. The young trainer had spent nearly two hours after her own shower bathing and grooming each member of her team, the repetitive motions likely soothing to both her and the Pokemon.
She'd done her newer, younger Pokemon first, saving Sylveon for last since, as Ash explained, she was as vain as could be and never accepted any less than thirty minutes of thorough grooming after being bathed. The Sylveon was purring in contentment as Ash brushed her fur until it shined, perfectly glossy with not a single hair out of place.
Misty watched from the top bunk, one eyebrow raised as Sylveon used her ribbons to prevent Ash from pulling the brush away. The redhead hid a smile as Ash went along with it, continuing to brush the Pokemon's already perfect fur. She had to admit, for a new trainer, Ash really cared about her Pokemon.
The two newcomers (Misty had been very confused about the Houndour until Ash explained, although she was more than a little relieved to know that Scyther was no longer around) had responded well to the attention and affection, and were now already sleeping on the bottom bunk with the Espeon and Pikachu while Ash finished up the last one. The younger girl was meticulous about grooming, but seemed lost deep in thought while she went through the motions. She looked upset, in a distant way.
Misty wondered what happened, but figured it wasn't her business. After the hours of grooming her team, she seemed fine now, so there wasn't much point in dragging it up again. And she knew all too well what it was like to have secrets she'd rather not be asked about.
XxXxX
Ash thanked Nurse Joy as she took back her Pokemon and felt Pikachu's comforting weight settle on her shoulder. The electric mouse had an air of satisfaction about him, and she didn't blame him. She had just defeated Brock an hour ago, with Pikachu and his devastating Iron Tail ending the battle with Onix after Oberon had taken out Brock's Geodude via a well-timed Confusion, and was about to head to the shops to get more supplies for her journey. Misty had gone to the shops before Ash had even woken up, and so she hadn't seen the redhead all day.
She let Houndour out of his Pokeball too, wanting to spend some more time getting to know him. She'd done the same with Swablu that morning before the Gym match. Houndour yipped, short tail wagging slightly. He was jolly-natured and it showed, as most of his kind came across as serious rather than adorable like he did.
"We're going to stock up on supplies," she told the two, kneeling down to pet Houndour, giggling when he twisted his neck to lick her wrist. "Stay close, okay? I don't want you to get lost."
He nodded, and followed her out the door, nose twitching as he took in the smells of Pewter City. Still, he was nothing if not eager to please, and remained within a foot or two of her legs at all times. Keeping an eye on him anyways, Ash made her way around the main street of Pewter, grabbing Potions, Antidotes, Awakenings, and Paralyze Heals. She'd be headed through Mt. Moon soon and she did not want to get caught halfway through with no battle-ready Pokemon. She paused by what looked like a high-end thrift shop, a digital camera in the shop's front window catching her gaze.
Ash's main thing was battling; it was her passion, and nothing made her feel like a good battle did. She craved that thrill, the rush of all the hard work paying off in a satisfying clash of skills and desires. But she did have a couple side-hobbies, and one of them was taking pictures. She wasn't a photographer, didn't want to be, but she liked having pictures of good times. Plus, the idea of having pictures as her Pokemon grew and eventually evolved was appealing.
She bought the camera, and the first image saved to its memory card was of herself and her team.
She was messing around with it, having stopped in an out of the way park area to release her team, when Brock approached her. A backpack was slung over one of his shoulders, and his lips twitched in amusement when Swablu rocketed past, Oberon close behind and cackling about something. Ash wasn't sure she wanted to know.
It did make for a funny picture, though, and she smirked as she looked at the camera's screen. An indignant Swablu with her beak wide open was at the far right of the image, edges a little blurred from motion, and an all-too-smug looking Espeon with outstretched paws was only halfway in the frame from the left side. Shutting off the camera, she got to her feet to greet the Gym Leader.
"Going on a trip?"
The older teen chuckled, shifting the bag to his other shoulder. "Somehow. My old man finally came back and is going to take back the title of Gym Leader, so I'm free to go on my own journey. I heard you were traveling with Misty… would you mind if I tag along? I'm more into breeding than battling, but I might be of some help."
Ash wondered, briefly, if giving the professor the feather had marked the return of her bad luck, before forcing it down. She really didn't even want to travel with other humans, but to refuse would probably be a lesser version of kicking a baby Pokemon across a room. Not nice.
"Sure, I don't mind."
She did mind, but she'd also known that this would happen. Known from the moment she saw him that he'd be sticking around for a while. She didn't want to know all these things. The knowledge made her feel guilty when she wanted to avoid it.
Brock visibly brightened, and Ash hid a sigh. At least he seemed more level-headed than Misty.