Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon or any such stuff

Before anything, I would like to thank everyone for your support. 130 Favourites and 162 Follows means a lot for a beginner like me

Hello everyone, and welcome to the ninth chapter of The Journey. This is going to be the first part of the two part travel arc between Vermillion and Saffron. A bit of spoilers, but this travel journey would be pretty normal and incident free, nothing crazy would be coming up as I believe it's a bit too early for villain action. There are a lot of elements I still haven't introduced yet, some I will be introducing in this two part. Also Ash's main rival will be introduced in this two parter. He neither will be Gary since Ash didn't grow up in Pallet Town so the childhood rivalry doesn't make any sense, neither he is going to be OC. He is a character already introduced in Pokemon world….so stay tuned…I guess.

So, with that being said, sit back and enjoy…

Chapter 9: Route 6 - Road to Saffron…Part 1

"So, Ilima...you think we should a break for a while...and probably get some training done?", Ash asked.

He and Ilima had been walking through the forest for two hours. Just at the outskirts of Vermilion, there was a fixed path...or a path made by uprooting patch of grass through a forest. But as they progressed down the road, the forest became denser and the path became more and more... nonexistent. The only way to navigate now is the GPS and compass.

"There is a clearing ahead, there we can stop for a while", Ilima said carefully studying the map.

"There is? In the middle of a forest? That's strange", Ash said.

"Map shows there is a small lake their also... probably have been one of the camping spots".

"Not a lot of people goes camping these days", Ash said.

"Can't really blame them. Travelling like this can be dangerous...think about it- there is chance of getting robbed, encountering a dangerous pokemon, getting lost in the middle of nowhere...O..look we reached".

Indeed they arrived reached a small patch of plain land with a lake in the middle of it. Putting down their bags Ash and Ilima sat down on the soft grass to catch their breath.

"So, Ash, you are planning to challenge Celadon Gym next?", Ilima asked.

"Yeah!", Ash replied," Got any pointers?"

"In fact, I do. Say, your Dartrix knows Synthesis?"

" I don't think so", Ash said, "I was busy teaching him how to fly"

"Then I highly recommend that you should teach him Synthesis. Most of the trainers using grass pokemon prefers dragging the battle, tiring opponents little by little. Synthesis would help you fighting that long battle".

"Hmmm...interesting", Ash replied, "Do you know how to learn Synthesis?".

"Well, in theory...a prolonged exposure to red and blue lights of a spectrum activates the regenerative stem cells of the body", Ilima said.

"So, in simple words...keep standing in the sun till you can heal yourself ", Ash translated with deadpanned expression.

"Exactly, hey, let's have a practice battle. I believe I can give you a challenge similar to your next gym battle", Ilima offered.

" I like the sound of it...but better consider what are you asking for", Ash said with a challenging smirk.

"Underestimating your opponent isn't a good strategy ", Ilima replied with his own confident smile.

Ash and Ilima took their position keeping a large distance between themselves, both ready, confident and determined with their pokeballs in hand.

"Try to take as much pointers as possible Ash...Go Shiinotic", Ilima called sending out his pokemon. Ash is familiar with the slim, white mushroom Alolan pokemon...a grass and fairy type pokemon with LED lights fitted inside the mushroom cap. This pokemon is also infamous for draining other pokemon or people's energy and adding it to their own metabolism.

"Shiinotic huh...Alright...Dartrix... I choose you!", Ash said releasing Dartrix from his pokeball. Dartrix materialized from the energy released from the pokeball and started grooming itself after landing on the ground.

"Ahh...Dartrix, we are in battle...so could you please cut it out", Ash asked.

Dartrix stopped grooming himself and eyed Shiinotic with a sharp glint in his eyes. Spreading his wings Dartrix gave a loud battlecry in form of a shrill hoot and took off into the air. Shiinotic though seemed unfazed by all the threat Dartrix probably had issued it, maintaining the naive innocent look.

"Alright Ash...you may have the first move", Ilima said calmly.

"If you say, Dart Razor Leaf!" , Ash ordered. Dartrix immediately shot several sharp leaf shaped quills from his wings at Shiinotic.

"Counter with Dazzling Gleam", Ilima replied maintaing his calm. In return Shiinotic formed an orb in it's hand and shot a multicolored beam from it clashing with Razor Leaf. Both the attacks fought to dominate each other resulting in a minor explosion releasing a lot of smoke.

"Peck!", Ash said as Dartrix burst through the smoke with his beak glowing with energy. As Dartrix charged towards Shiinotic...gaining momentum for the attack, Ilima just stood in his place without issuing a counter measure...and Shiinotic also seemed too relaxed...when it should worry about getting hit by a move it is weak to. This immediately alarmed Ash as something might be wrong, but before he could figure it out...BAMMMM!

Dartrix hit Shiinotic with full force resulting in Shiinotic releasing a dense cloud of spores from it's mushroom head. The spore spread everywhere engulfing Dartrix completely.

"Dartrix blow it away", Ash said with urgency

Dartrix tried flapping his wings, but failed to produce a wind strong enough to blow the spores. Instead Dartrix flew up in the air distancing itself enough to stay out of reach of the spore cloud, allowing the natural wind to disperse it as Shiinotic slowly recovered from the huge blow it received.

"You alright?", Ash asked worriedly, getting a clearer picture of what actually happened. Dartrix checked himself and gave an affirmative hoot. Ash turned his attention to Ilima and asked, "Effect Spore?"

Ilima smiled nodding his head, "A very annoying move to go against. You are lucky to get out of it without any status ailment".

Ash smirked confidently and replied, "Well we also have similar tricks...Ok Dartrix, give them a taste of their own medicine...Confuse Ray!".

Ilima's eyes narrowed slightly and urgently countered, "Oh! You won't...Shiinotic use Flash quickly!".

Shiinotic's mushroom head glowed so brightly that not only Dartrix had to promptly shut his eyes but Ash and Ilima also covered their eyes to block the blinding light. Once the glow stopped, it took a minute for their vision to become normal as all everybody was seeing were rainbows.

"What was that?!", Ash asked with still feeling slightly dizzy.

"You can't use confuse ray with eyes closed", Ilima said returning to his usual calm self.

This got Ash riled up and kicked up some mud in frustration, "Ranged moves are countered...Physical ones are like gambling and even Confuse Ray is being countered... Tell me one move which I can use ", he said with Dartrix equally annoyed of the failed attempts.

"You have to figure it out yourself. That's not the end of it, Shiinotic knows healing moves to recover from your attacks ", Ilima said," There is no point of continuing the match"

"Wait!" , Ash protested, "It's not over".

"This isn't your regular battles Ash. I proposed this battle to show where you are lacking. I think now you understand that ", Ilima said.

"I do?", Ash wondered.

"Ok, let's analyze the battle. What do you think was lacking?", Ilima asked walking to the nearest tree and sitting down in it's shade. Ash, Shiinotic and Dartrix followed him and sat down beside him.

Ash thought for a while and answered, "Well, for starters...Razor Leaf was countered. I need a more powerful ranged move".

" Right", Ilima agreed, "Razor Leaf has the potential to do lot of damage...but it's very situational. Next"

"Dartrix couldn't blow away the spores" , Ash said, "I was planning to train him to learn ominous wind though".

"A logical decision...but a slightly wrong move", Ilima said. Ash raised an eye in question to which Ilima replied with I will tell you later

"And finally...I think Dartrix would need something else along with confuse ray...if one doesn't work then other will", Ash said.

"Another good analysis, but the Decidueye line is one of the more aggressive grass pokemon lines in the world. It doesn't learn any ailment inducing move other than Confuse Ray", Ilima said.

"Now what about that wrong move you said?", Ash asked.

" Look, Dartrix is a grass and flying type pokemon...and Ominous Wind is a ghost type move. Any pokemon which is not a psychic, dark or ghost type struggles a lot in learning ghost moves. Why...I don't know, there are theories but those are beyond my knowledge. My point is theoretically it may seem possible...practically it would take ages for Dartrix to learn Ominous Wind, a complete waste of time in my opinion. Probably your Dartrix will evolve before it learns Ominous Wind...instead, I suggest go for Defog", Ilima explained.

"Defog?", Ash asked in confusion," Isn't that an egg move...Dartrix already knows Confuse Ray?"

"Yeah...but pokemon can learn only one egg move is a general theory...there are exceptions and loop holes to it", Ilima said. Seeing Ash's blank face in response Ilima took a deep breath and prepared for another lecture, "Ok, I will try to explain it to you. The thing is, egg moves are moves inherited from parent pokemon...and as Professor says, the information or code to any move lies in the pokemon's genetics" .

Ilima looked at Ash who nodded his head, signaling him to continue, "Alright, now the thing is a pokemon can inherit multiple genes from parents, no restrictions in that...but naturally only one expresses itself which is termed as Active while the others are termed Dormant...and I am saying Dormant...not Extinct".

"I know what Dormant and Extinct are, get to the point", Ash said.

"Right, so this had lead to development of only one egg move theory. Now tell me, among the dormant moves, which moves is more...let's say...more compatible for lack of better term...with Dartrix, provided that Confuse Ray is your egg move. You know what are Dartrix's egg moves right?"

"Yeah, in my opinion Defog, Curse and Ominous Wind", Ash replied. Immediately something struck in his mind," Wait a minute...Ominous Wind!?", Ash wondered.

Ilima smiled at it," You have literally answered your own question, though a bit wrong. The correct answer would be only Defog. Yes, there are Decidueye's recorded in Alola with both Curse and Ominous Wind or Confuse Ray and Ominous Wind. It has everything to do with pokemon typing and move's typing ".

"Please explain, even though it is starting to make sense to me...I still want to listen", Ash said.

"Again I don't know details, just facts...in this case, Dartrix has a greater and easier chance of learning Defog because Dartrix is part flying type and Defog is a flying type move and not Curse or Ominous Wind. If Dartrix evolves into Decidueye, it loses the flying typing for ghost typing. Then a Decidueye will have easier time learning Curse and Ominous Wind than Defog. That one egg move theory holds good because most of the time the move's typing doesn't match with the pokemon's typing, for Dartrix line something like learning Haze. So what am I telling is as long as Dartrix is...well...Dartrix, train it to learn Defog. Defog is very useful and you won't get a second chance if Dartrix evolves. Once it evolves then go for Ominous Wind".

"Well, that is something I never thought of...or probably wouldn't have thought of. Well, would you mind looking into my other pokemon as well...and probably help me coordinate training?", Ash asked humbly, even if he knew the answer.

"Ofcourse, that's why I am here. I think we can practice for an hour before resuming the journey", Ilima replied.

Ash released all the pokemon he currently had, Poipole, Jangmo-o, Duskull, Ralts, Mimikyu, Goomy and finally Wyvern. Vibrava and Lampent he had sent back to get some rest.

"Alright everyone, this is my friend Ilima. He and his team of pokemon are going to be joining us in our journey. So, would you welcome him to our family!", Ash said. Most of the pokemon gave their respective roars as gesture of Hello or Welcome, well...except for Mimikyu who was just standing.

"Impressive", Ilima complimented watching each and every pokemon carefully, "What is their current program?".

"Well, Poipole's training schedule is being sent by Professor Kukui and Lusamine. They recommended Dragon Pulse and Venoshock. Jangmo-o needs to perfect Dragon Tail and Headbutt...also his egg move is counter. Duskull I don't have a clue how to proceed...he knows Leer, Night Shade, Foresight and...Destiny Bond", Ash added a bit distastefully. Destiny Bond is move which is fully legal, but people don't see the move kindly," Anyways, Ralts is practising his psychic and teleportation capabilities, Mimikyu I want her to learn Hone Claws and Goomy I haven't started training. As for Wyvern, he just used Heat Wave under influence of Blaze, so that he would be doing, or atleast that is what I was planning ".

Ilima listened everything Ash said carefully and said," Well, I don't have experience in training Dragon pokemon, so I won't be much use there. So for Jangmo-o, whatever you decide, and for Goomy...roll with basics. Same for Poipole. As for the rest, I think I can help...Com out everyone",Ilima said releasing his own pokemon. A number of pokemon materialised in the area, some Ash recognised like Kangaskhan, Oranguru, Pidgeot, Smeargle, Gumshoos, Eevee and Araquanid. Two pokemon he didn't recognise was quadrupled, leonine pokemon with long red and gold mane and another quadrupled, hooved pokemon with a grassy mane.

"What are those two pokemon?", Ash asked pointing at them.

"That's Pyroar...female, Normal and Fire type and that's Gogoat, Grass type. Both are native to Kalos", Ilima replied," So, here is the plan...let Ralts train with Oranguru. I believe he would be able to guide Ralts better than anyone else. Mimikyu is with Gumshoos. Double Team will help Mimikyu learn Hone Claws better. Duskull I will give Shadow Ball TM, then with Eevee he will try to perfect it. Dartrix will learn Synthesis from Shiinotic and Defog from Pidgeot. After learning Synthesis, it would be a cakewalk to use Solar Beam. Jangmo-o can try his power on Kangaskhan. And Goomy...probably Smeargle would be the perfect opponent. Goomy should practice what it already knows in the beginning. Smeargle can use Sketch and copy Goomy's moves and fire them back providing the required challenge at this stage".

"You all heard him, go get your groups", Ash said. All the said pokemon scrambled around the area with their respective partners to practice, except for Poipole and Wyvern who wasn't assigned anything, Duskull who was waiting for the TM and Dartrix who couldn't decide where to go first, since he was assigned with two partners.

"Sorry, my bad", Ilima laughed sheepishly, "Dartrix, go with Shiinotic first...while Pidgeot can have an Aerial Battle with Charizard. Just don't cause a forest fire as none of us have a water pokemon", Ilima said. But as he said it, a small dark cloud formed right over his head and started raining, drenching him slightly. Ilima tried his best to escape it but the cloud kept chasing him wherever he went.

Ash looked around and almost laughed when he found Goomy nearby staring at them with bemused expression while Smeargle was laughing his ass off. Apparently Ilima only noticed it and started apologising, "Ok...Sorry!Sorry!...my bad ...I didn't want to insult you!". Soon enough the rain cloud disappeared. Ilima gave Duskull the Shadow Ball TM and sent him to train with Eevee and everyone got busy with their routine. Ash was helping Poipole to train while Ilima was monitoring Mimikyu's progress," Mimikyu focus, don't just blindly charge. The technique behind Hone Claws is to concentrate your power...study the movement...predict the next move...go for the blow". Mimikyu surprisingly did what was said, and attacked with a more and more controlled, even though it was missing.

"That's what it takes?", Ash asked walking towards him after assigning exercises to Poipole.

"Hone Claws is a move that tests the neural coordination between a pokemon's senses and reflexes. This is often termed Reflex Arc. Once a pokemon improves it's coordination to a certain limit, the neural impulse triggers the genes of Hone Claws. Once awakened, the genes trigger a certain hormone which not only further boosts the reflex arc, but also the attack power of the pokemon. That's why under the influence of Hone Claws, a pokemon hits harder with more accuracy", Ilima said nodding his head, "The exercise of trying to hit Double Team will help Mimikyu improve it's reflexes, senses and coordination between them...making it easier to learn Hone Claws".

"So, according to you which pokemon shall I use against Erika?", Ash asked.

"You tell, it's your team...so you should make the decisions. I am here to just correct it", Ilima said.

"Then I choose Dartrix, Lampent, Vibrava and Mimikyu. Anyone from this four", Ash said.

"Fine, but I suggest you get Mimikyu X-Scissor and then send it to battle. Infact I would say, go for Mimikyu, Dartrix, Lampent and keep Vibrava as back up", Ilima said.

"Alright, probably we will hit the Department Store before the Gym", Ash said.

"And also try to get Jangmo-o evolve before Pewter Gym. Counter would be very useful there, but Jangmo-o in it's primary evolution stage won't be able to fight much. You can probably defeat the gym leader wit..." , Ilima was suddenly interrupted by a tug in his trousers. Looking down he saw Eevee desperately trying to get his attention.

"Vitani?, what are you doing...and where is Duskull?", Ilima asked. Eevee replied with her squeaks telling she is not sure.

"Not again", Ash groaned and started looking around for where he could possibly go.

A little distance away there was Oranguru teaching Ralts, though it seemed a grandpa narrating bedtime fairy tales to their grandchildren...but whatever. Then there was Jangmo-o practicing Headbutt on Kangaskhan, though Kangaskhan seem to shrug the attacks of easily. For safety reason, Kangaskhan had placed her baby away under a tree...but wait a minute...what's behind him?

Duskull's sudden scream just behind badly scared the baby Kangaskhan who gave out it's own piercing shriek, startling everyone out in the area. The mother Kangaskhan left everything and came running as quickly as she could towards her baby as Duskull started laughing hysterically. Kangaskhan roared as if threatening Duskull but Duskull shamelessly kept his laughing without a damm care around...ticking Kangaskhan even more.

As the tension grew, Pidgeot and Wyvern who were having an intense aerial battle landed and tried to pacify Kangaskhan, Pidgeot being the peacemaker in Ilima's team and Wyvern used to Duskull's antics tried to calm the situation down to his best ability.

"Your pokemon sure is...entertaining", Ilima said laughing nervously.

Ash gave a huge sigh and said in annoyance,"I have to deal with this regularly. Poipole atleast takes her training seriously...Duskull on the other hand...as if born to play pranks on other".

"Try to appreciate what you are getting. Because on a bland day, these pranks are going to be the only interesting thing that will happen and keep you sane and happy", Ilima said.

Ash was about to reply but something caught his eyes, "Don't even think of worsening the matter Poipole! ", he said sternly. Poipole who was trying make her impression huffed and turned back, causing Ash to shake his head and Ilima to chuckle lightly.

Once everything calmed down and both of them finished making rounds to make sure everybody was training, Ash and Ilima sat under shade beside Pyroar and Gogoat who just acknowledged them with a glance.

"So, where did find your mega stone?", Ash asked.

"Oh!", Ilima said fiddling with his keystone, "I bought it from shop. In Kalos, without a mega stone you won't be able to complete the gym challenge...let alone the league".

"Must have been tough", Ash said.

"Yeah. After I reached the league, I got knocked out in the second round. Then I realized what I lacked, realistic planning. That's why I joined Battle Institute. It made me realize that I had made several bad decisions during my travel".

"If you were given a choice to rectify one of those mistakes, which one will you change", Ash asked.

"Probably enroll in Institute first, then after graduating challenge the League. In Kanto, the League distinguishes between strong and not so strong trainers. But in Kalos they don't, whether you are a starter or veteran, they go by same challenge and rules".

Ash and Ilima talked a bit more, with Ilima talking about his experiences in Kalos, before packing everything up and once again setting out on foot. At this rate they would get out of the jungle by tomorrow noon to Route 6 leading to Saffron.


The day passed by and darkness slowly covered the sky. Ash and Ilima found a place and made it suitable for setting up the camp but clearing the bushes with the help of their pokemon. They are currently in the middle of a thick forest and everyone knows travelling at night here could be dangerous.

The duo set up the their respective tents and with Wyvern's help prepared a fire. Now comes the important part...preparing dinner. They have two options, readymade cheese sandwiches or instant noodles which needed to boiled in water. After quite a debate, they decided to stock the sandwiches for emergency and do with the noodles currently.

Ilima took charge of cooking as he set the water to boil, while Ash served their pokemon...most of them. Pidgeot, Dartrix, Jangmo-o and Pyroar decided to go for a hunt which they loved to do and even if Wyvern wanted to accompany them, Ash strictly restricted him reminding that he is under controlled diet. Wyvern tried to negotiate a deal but Ash was having none of it...looks like he would have to be satisfied with frozen Tauros meat. Goomy decided to feed on the nearby grass and bushes which he licked quite a bit. It's quite hard to find vegetarian dragons.

Once all of their pokemon were content, Ilima and Ash sat down with their own dinner by the fire. It was bland...but satisfying at the same time.

"What do you think, who is Kukui's fourth candidate?", Ash asked.

"Hard to tell", Ilima replied," Knowing Professor, he probably has a bunch of trainers in mind. I won't be surprised if Guzma is one of them. You have anyone in mind?"

"Well, Kiawe is a strong trainer, also the grandson of previous Akala Island Kahuna", Ash said.

"I am happy for professor. He always wanted to set up a league in Alola. But one thing worries me", Ilima said in a low tone.

Ash frowned, "What is it?"

"Well, you see Alola doesn't have a lot of strong trainers. Each league and their trainers needs to maintain a minimum standard to be recognised internationally. But with Alola, there isn't a lot of strong trainers, so it's going to hinder participation. Just look at Kalos...most of the trainers there don't even get past the gym challenge. Barely seventy trainers qualify for the league each year. With Alola, I am afraid these would be further less. And keeping island challenge as substitute to gyms, how many trainers do you think would be able to defeat a totem pokemon!".

"Then it's up to us to inspire them", Ash said with a big grin.

Ilima gave Ash a confused look," What do you mean?"

"There is a reason professor send out outside Alola to challenge leagues. Keeping personal growth and experience aside, professor wanted to give a message that Alolan trainers are on capable of winning on international level. He had told me his story once. If we set out the example, people will follow it ".

"That can also work...I guess?", Ilima said hesitantly.

"Oh! Come on! Everything would be fine!", Ash encouraged, patting him on his shoulders.

Both of them finished their meals and cleaned everything up. After making plans for what they would do tomorrow, they decided to call off the night.


Ash was neither a late sleeper nor an early riser. But next day, by the time Ash woke, the sun was starting to shift high up in the head. Last night he couldn't sleep very well...as in the back in his mind he was feeling a bit nervous of some wild animal attacking. Also sleeping bags wasn't the most comfortable thing to sleep on.

Ash stretched himself for a bit got out of his tent. Ilima was out there, organizing some things out. One seeing Ash he greeted," Good morning Ash! Breakfast? Or should I say, it's time for lunch", he said jokingly.

"Man! I am starving", Ash said a bit sleepily. Ilima handed him a sealed can of cereals. Only one need add a bit of powdered milk and hot water, and a hot cereal breakfast is ready.

"What's todays plan?", Ash asked taking a spoonful in his mouth.

"We walk all day…..except for your Dartrix learning Synthesis which it can do by just flying in the sun", Ilima replied.

Ash rose his eye at this sudden out of the blue declaration, "But weren't you pressing on training schedule yesterday?"

"Yeah…but I want to reach Saffron a bit early than planned. We will make up for the training loss there", Ilima said.

"But why all on a sudden? That's what I am not getting!", Ash frowned.

"Because, the Kanto Team Battle Championship season is currently going. And in five days a pretty exciting match will be held in Vista Dome of Saffron City", Ilima said with slight excitement.

Ash on the other hand looked unimpressed," That's it? Last I heard the team league is still in league stages. Probably would be a match between two local clubs. Until and unless the tournament reaches knockout stages it's not worth watching", he said.

"But this time it's not local clubs! It's Morning Stars vs Battle Frontier", Ilima argued.

Ash stopped eating and stared at Ilima with wide eyes. It is very very rare that two strong teams clash at league stages. Kanto Team Battle Tournament is held every year in Kanto where a group of five trainers can participate. There are almost restrictions in entering the tournament, so hundreds of major and minor clubs participate every year. The team which wins the tournament gets to represent Kanto in the World Team Championships. The only rule is any trainer officially related to the league cannot participate in the league, thus eliminating the gym leaders, league trainers, Elite Four and the Champion. Since this tournament is almost open to all, the quality of participants drop leading to mostly boring battles or one-sided matches….. at least in the league stages.

But Battle Frontier is the official team of Silph Corp. and had won and represented Kanto in world stage three times. Morning Stars is one of the three major pokemon clubs of Saffron and arguably the best among all. They never won the league but reached the finals seven times. He won't miss this match for anything!

"When is the match! Whhiin can wee riich there!", Ash asked shovling the cereals in his mouth.

"Slow down or you will choke", Ilima warned. And indeed Ash choked on his food causing Ilima to sigh. After things settled for Ash Ilima said,

"As I said, the match is in five days. But if we go by the current pace, we won't reach in time. But if we take our ride pokemons, we can reach in two and half to three days. The nearest pokemon centre is like another one day walk from now, but if we take the aerial route then by sunset we can reach there".

"Then what are we waiting for!", Ash said quickly finishing his meal. They have to quickly pack everything and settle out as soon as possible.


The journey is a nightmare for Dartrix. He isn't a flyer like Pidgeot or Charizard, yet here he is, flying non stop for four hours without a break even in the shallow darkness trying to catch up with them to the best of his ability… still he is tailing far behind them. His trainer thought it was a good idea, the extra stress and exhaustion may involuntarily cause his body to regenerate energy from absorbed sunlight. He dosen't mind though. Becoming the strongest is never easy.

It is the dream of every pokemon to be the apex of their respective species, that's why they follow humans. They seem to know the best way to bring their full potential. Funny how they can understand each of their trainers orders but their trainer can't understand a single thing they say.

Dartrix started preparing to descend as he saw the others landing, probably reached their destination. Now he can finally rest his wings.


The pokemon centre was relatively smaller and empty. Most of the people Ash saw were probably rangers tasked with the security of Route 6. The people who seem to be a trainer could be counted in hand. There was no separate dining hall and lobby in this pokemon centre. Aside from the big long couches, several tables and chairs were arranged inside the lobby…..it looked more or less like a bar than a centre. On one side is Nurse Joy's counter where people can deposit their pokemon for treatment while on the otherside is the canteen cum pokemart counter.

Ash went and sat down on one of the table after booking a double bed room while Ilima went to place the order for dinner. None of them had an appetite currently so they settled on bread, soup and salad- simple and light. It isn't that they had a wide menu in a pokemon centre in the middle of nowhere.

While Ash and Ilima were waiting for their order, a particular pokemon caught Ash's eyes.

"Is that a Lycanroc?", Ash asked getting Ilima's attention. Ilima looked at the direction Ash was staring and indeed! There was a midnight form Lycanroc lying next to spiky orange haired teen sitting all by himself on one corner of the room. For some reason Ilima seems to have seen this guy somewhere.

"This guy seems very familiar to me", Ilima said thinking hard, "but I can't pinpoint where I have seen him".

"Probably another trainer from Alola?", Ash suggested. Ilima considered the option for a while and said, "Probably. Either a trainer from Alola, or a trainer who has visited Alola. You won't be getting a Lycanroc anywhere in this world".

Ash was considering to go and have a chat with the teen, but was interrupted by a Chansey who brought their steaming hot meal at their table. Ilima seems to understand Ash's intentions as he said, "Drop it Ash. It isn't that important, we need to get to bed quickly if we want to get up early tomorrow. So better finish up fast".

"But don't you want to know about him…..whether he really is from Alola or not?", Ash asked.

"As I said, not important", Ilima said chewing his food. But whatever he says outside, he couldn't shake the feeling that he knows this person from somewhere…

To be Continued…

And this wraps up the ninth chapter. It took about four months to upload the next chapter, and sorry for being late. Basically college classes, practicals, internships all the factors played part in the delay. Also I was waiting for the new laptop which I bought last month…I will try to get another chapter out by Christmas or New Year, but I don't know I can stick to the timeline since I have exams in January, but still I will try. Also let me know how you liked the chapter.

Oh! And the multiple egg move theory is from the concept, that Mendelian Genetics don't work half of the time. There are concepts of multiple allelism, incomplete dominance etc. etc. All depends on how the chromosomes express themselves.

Thanks everyone for reading, and I will see you in the next chapter.

Suggestions and Criticism are Welcomed.

Fafnir Out ~~~