Chapter 7: Route 3 Adventures

After bidding farewell to Professor Oak and Professor Bamb'o, they head east as they are going to Route 3. In their path are rocks that block the way, with the help of Aurora, they manage to break the path open and arrive at Route 3.

"Wow, I can see the ocean just from here." Serena says as they look at the sea.

Aurora says, "You'll be surprised. We are in the southern part of the Tandor Region and you can both see the forest and the breakwater at the same time. This is also an ideal place if you want to learn swimming since there are rocks blocking the tides from getting in or out."

As for Ash, he is still thinking about what happened to Aurora and his parents when he was just a baby in his mother's arms. And he can't believe that he actually has a blood-related sister that changed into an Arceus.

"Ash, are you okay? You have been silent ever since this morning." Serena says.

Ash says, "I was just thinking of something important. Aurora, can I talk to you about something in private?"

Aurora looks at Serena, who nods back and she and Ash go somewhere private. Aurora asks, "Ash, what's wrong?"

Ash says, "The truth is, do you remember that I was missing yesterday afternoon?"

Aurora says, "Of course, but we thought that you were just shocked about me and we didn't want to disturb you. Why is that?"

Ash says, "The truth is...I want to try out something else." He takes out a poster and Aurora widens her eyes. "Pokemon Contests? Are you going to partake in the Pokemon Contests?"

Ash nods and says, "I want to, and I entered it without you guys noticing." He takes out the ribbon and it causes her to get surprised. "I got help with Buizel and Pikachu to win it."

"Then why are you hiding from Serena? You are already a couple and I don't think it is a good thing to keep a secret from her." Aurora says.

"I was scared. She was supposed to do this in Hoenn, but she decides to give up going to Hoenn for Contests and comes with me on this journey...I thought if she knows about it, she would be mad at me...and I don't want to break her heart."

"You know I can't always be mad at you." The two of them see Serena leaning against a tree. "It is true that I wanted to try Contests, but I don't know anything about it."

"How much did you hear, Serena?" Ash asks with fear, Serena notices his fear and says, "Since the beginning, I know it is suspicious and I decide to find out the truth. But promise me next time you are letting me watch your Contest battle."

Ash nods and he hugs Serena, "Thank you for not hating me, how about I show you some contest moves that I come up with?"

"That will be great." Serena says with a smile as they go to the beach to train.

While they are playing beach ball on the beach with Pikachu, Eletux, Orchynx, and Fortog, they accidentally knock the ball really hard as it rolls away. Aurora says, "I'll go get it, don't worry."

And just as she rushes toward the direction of the ball, she notices a Feleng staring at it before putting its paw on it. Aurora says, "Excuse me, that is our ball."

The Feleng looks at Aurora and then it starts to purr cutely at her, causing her hard to resist. Aurora says, "Please, I really need the ball."

"Sis? What is taking you so long?" Ash and the others rush towards them and Aurora sighs and say, "I was stuck because of this Feleng."

"Yeah, we all know how strong its evolution is since we just beat Maria's Gym." Ash says. "So are you going to capture it?"

"I think I want to, but I kinda find it hard to resist its pleading look at its cute meowing..." Aurora says.

Serena says, "Don't worry, Aurora. I am sure you can do it. Don't give up until it is over."

Aurora nods and she decides to use the move Sing on the Feleng. Not long after, the kitten falls asleep and then Ash captures it. At the same time, Orchynx also gets the ball back.

"Well, that is kinda easy." Aurora says as she sends back the Pokemon. The Feleng is surprised that Aurora holds it up in his hands, but it doesn't mind as Aurora is rubbing his skin and he likes it.

Feleng: The Kitten Pokemon: Normal Type. Although Feleng is small and weak, it can manipulate other Pokemon just by giving them a pleading look and meowing cutely.

"You are not weak, Feleng. I am sure you can be stronger." Ash says, but just as Feleng notices Orchynx, he jumps down and starts a cat fight with it, causing both Ash and Serena recall their Pokemon before the matters get worse.

"Never thought I would see a real cat fight." Ash jokes and Serena says, "Totally."

Then they continue forward as they see a Lotad resting under the sun. Serena says, "If I remember correctly, Lotad is a Pokemon from the Hoenn Region, right?"

"Yeah, and it can evolve into Lombre and even Ludicolo." Aurora says. "Speaking of which, I remember that your friend Brock has a Ludicolo, right?"

Ash says, "He has, but he sends him back home so he can play and sing with his siblings."

Aurora uses her Cubbug to String Shot at the Lotad, and then it uses Fairy Wind to deal some damage so that she can capture the Pokemon. Not only that, but Aurora's Cubbug also evolves into a bigger bug Pokemon.

"Now it is a Cubblfly, I remember that Theo has one." Ash says.

"Yeah, let's see both Pokedexes." Serena says as she scans them.

Cubblfly: The Love Bug Pokemon: Bug and Fairy Type. Evolved from Cubbug at LV:10. It scatters pollen and seeds in order to help flowers grow. It always smells like flower petals.

Lotad: The Water Weed Pokemon: Water and Grass Type. This Pokémon lives in ponds with clean water. It is known to ferry small Pokémon across ponds by carrying them on the broad leaf on its head.

"You can try make Lotad a cool dancing Pokemon as well." Serena says as she remembers how Tierno does it in the League. "By the way, Ash. Can you tell me more about this Brock? From what I heard, he seems to be the one that travels with you the most."

"Sure, he travels with me throughout 4 regions until we decide to part ways in the Sinnoh Region. He was the first Gym Leader I faced in my whole life and since then he has been taking care of us."

"Sounds like he is a good person." Serena says, but Ash just laughs, "But there is one thing, he likes to flirt with other girls and it is until Sinnoh that he captures a Croagunk to keep him in check."

"Um..." Serena sweat drops at Ash's mention, and she decides to stop asking for more about it.

After playing for a while and stopping Feleng and Orchynx from fighting each other, they decide to have lunch. They set up the picnic table on the beach and the food. While they are eating together, they notice that an ant Pokemon is watching over them.

"Ash, Serena, do you feel that someone is watching us?" Aurora asks.

"We didn't." Ash says. "But then again, you are a Pokemon and you have a stronger sense than us."

Aurora decides to find out the problem until she spots the red ant-like Pokemon under the table. She picks it up on the table and Serena asks, "What is that?"

"This is a Smore. Once it evolves, it can be a powerful Fire Type Pokemon." Aurora says.

Serena asks, "Are you hungry? Why don't you eat with us?"

But the ant shakes its head, signaling that he isn't hungry. Aurora turns to Ash and Serena, she says, "You know, Smore is also a Pokemon that people tend to keep away from because when it bites, it burns."

"But it is cute, and I don't see the reason why not to keep it." Serena says. She offers it to the team, and the Pokemon agrees. Then Serena captures the Pokemon and scans it with her Pokedex.

Smore: The Cute Ant Pokemon: Bug Type. If a Smore approaches your picnic, it's not trying to steal your food, it just wants attention. Still, some people are afraid of them.

Before they head into the town, they notice a fish Pokemon with a brain on its head and it freaks Serena out. "What is that Pokemon and why is the brain naked?"

Before Aurora can answer, they hear a voice, "That is a Brailip." They look around and see nobody. Ash says, "Who's there? Show yourself."

As no one replies, Ash asks Pikachu to use Thunderbolt at the sand, and then a ninja just jumps out of it before it lands. Aurora says, "A ninja? Who are you?"

"Forgive me for eavesdropping, I was just training myself to the Max. I am Miki, a ninja in training from the Tsukinami Village of East Tandor."

"I have heard of the place, it is a place where Ninjas train and protect from pirates, right?" Aurora asks as he nods. "My tent is across the ocean and you would need a Water Pokemon to get across."

Ash says, "Don't worry." He takes out what seems to be a Cross, and uses the move Surf to bring Serena with him. Miki is surprised and he asks, "Are you perhaps a ninja as well?"

"No, I am an Aura Wielder." Ash says, "And so does my sister."

Once they get over to the tent, they see that inside are the facilities that used to train Pokemon. Ash says, "Did you train all of these alone? That is so amazing."

"I thank you for your fascination. Young Master Ash." Miki says, "I wasn't training alone as I had five siblings that helped me train, but in the end, we go in separate ways as our Grandmaster's wishes.

"You seem to be a big family." Serena says. "But why did your grandmaster send you guys away from home?"

"We are going to train our EVs and help out trainers in need. In my tent, I train the Attack Stat so I can make Physical moves stronger." He looks at Ash's Pikachu and says, "It has the move Quick Attack and Iron Tail, right? I can help you train it to be stronger."

Ash thanks the ninja as they decide to do it. At the same time, Ash heads outside the tent and notices the Brailip. He asks if he is interested in him, to which he agrees. So Ash captures him in the end.

Brailip: The Brain Coral Pokemon: Water and Psychic Type. This Pokémon is known for its intelligence. It can't swim fast, but it hides among coral reefs, using its psychic powers to detect others.

Once the training is over, they all bid farewell to Miki as they head into Burole Town for Ash's second Gym Badge.

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, I reveal that Ash is also going to partake in the Contests and that he has one ribbon, and they capture some new Pokemon. I hope you like this chapter and the next one is the Gym Battle.

Ash's Pokemon: Pikachu, Eletux, Birbie, Barewl, Dunsparce, Primeape, Brailip

Serena's Pokemon: Sylveon, Orchynx, Chyinmunk, Tonemy, Fortog, Owten, Smore

Aurora's Pokemon: Spiritomb, Raptorch, Cubbfly, Grozard, Magikarp, Feleng, Lotad