Chapter 10

*Lacunosa Town*

"Well, lucky that was just a legend." May said, as the trio continued their journey through Lacunosa City.

"You really think it'll suddenly come out? You're so naïve. Can't believe I have a sister like you…" Max said, mumbling the last sentence.

"Excuse me, what was that?" May asked sternly

"So what should we do now? It's still early morning." Brock asked

"Oh I know! Brock, don't you think we should stock up some of our supplies?"

"Hey sure May, that's a good idea. Should we split up or something? I don't think you two are interested to come along." Brock said, looking at Ash and Max.

"Nahh, of course not. Max and I will just walk around to see if there's anything interesting. You guys go ahead!" Ash said

"GREAT! LET'S GO, BROCK! May exclaimed, dragging poor Brock along to walk the streets. Of course she had something up her sleeve.

"Bet she's pulling him to do HER shopping…" Max stated plainly, to which Ash sweat dropped.

"Come on, we should find something fun to do." Ash sugguested

"Like what? There isn't really anything here."

"Hmm… Hey let's go to the pokémon center."

"AGAIN? Ash, aren't you tired of pokémon center by now? Or are you becoming like Brock…?"

It took Ash a while before he understood what Max meant. Max chuckled at his slow reaction.

"HUH? No way! I'm not like him! Besides Nurse Joy is too old for me…"

"Ohh, what about my sis?"

"Wha-Why do you keep asking me that?"

"Well, you never answered at the first place..."

"That's because I DON'T WANT TO!" Ash exclaimed, right into Max's face, and walked off in such a fast pace that Pikachu had to held on to Ash's shoulder tightly.

"Okie dokie. Never mess with a hot-headed Ash…" Max reminded himself, following behind Ash.

* At Twinleaf Town*

The ringing tone sounded continuously in the phone as Dawn waited, gripping the edge of her dress tightly.

"Hello?-"

"Hello this is Dawn- err, sorry Mrs Ketchum! I shouldn't have been so rude." Dawn quickly apologized for her outburst, as Johanna gave her a stern look.

"Oh! No worries, Dawn. You must be missing Ash a lot, I suppose?" Mrs Ketchum asked over the video-call. Dawn noticed a small blush on Mrs Ketchum's face, but it disappeared as soon as it appeared.

'Lucky mom can't hear this conversation. I'd be so embarrassed!' "Oh, well, of course! How are you, Mrs Ketchum?"

"I'm fine as usual, sweetheart, thank you! Oh! I'm sorry to say, Dawn, but Ash already left travelling to Unova! Didn't he call you to join?"

"Oh yes, he did… But… I-I was kinda busy at that time. You see now I'm actually really free."

"Oh I'm sure he hadn't traveled too far into Unova, perhaps you can give him a call or message. Would you like me to do it for you, dear?"

"Oh no no no! Its fine, Mrs Ketchum, that's really nice to you! I'll call him myself."

"Okay sweetheart! By the way his friends are with him. There's Brock, as you know, and May and Max as well. I don't know if you know them, but I'm sure they'll be glad to have you joining them for their little journey!"

"Wow, okay. Thank you so much, Mrs Ketchum!"

"Anytime, Dawn. Hopefully you can come by next time for lunch!"

"I will. Bye!"

"Bye~"

As soon as she put down the phone, Dawn sighed a relief. It can be quite tough talking to Ash's mom, since she seemed and sounded so hyper all the time.

*Lacunosa Town Pokemon Center*

Ash sat down and dialed a number. Max walked around to see new pokémons of other trainers'.

"Hello? OH Ash! It's good to hear from you. How are your battles? Oh wait, I forgot you aren't battling right now. Oh my, silly me!" Professor Oak answered the phone in a such comedic way that Ash couldn't help but chuckled at him. Sometimes he wished Professor Oak was his grandfather instead.

"Haha. Well, I'm doing fine if that's what you're trying to ask. How are you?"

"Of course, of course. I'm feeling great too, thank you."

"Pika!"

"Oh hello Pikachu! You look energetic as ever!"

"Pika! Pikachu!"

"Haha! So Ash, where are you in Unova now?"

"Oh, I'm in Lacunosa Town now. You see, I called you because-" before Ash could finish his sentence, Max popped his head right in to get into the video-call, pushing his ear near the phone as well.

"Professor! How have you been?"

"Oh my, if it isn't May's brother, Max. I see you're travelling with Ash at the moment!"

"Of course! Professor there's so many new pokémons here! I've met-"

"Wait! You could… tell Professor Oak about it when we go back…" Ash said quickly to Max, while trying to be polite in front of the Professor.

"Oh it wouldn't matter to talk a little, unless there's something important you wanna tell me about, Ash?" Professor Oak knew Ash well, since he had watched him grow up from a baby. He knew exactly how Ash is.

"Erm, yeah, sorta…"

"Hey, it's okay. Don't have to worry about it. I'm not busy now either, you can just talk to me."

Ash looked down, not sure how to begin. Pikachu jumped down and stood on Ash's lap, looking up at him. He already knew what he was going to say.

Max thought for a while before asking, "What's wrong? Is it… about your aura?"

'Jeez this kid is surprisingly smart sometimes…' "Yeah…It's because of my aura…" Ash said, watching Professor Oak's reaction carefully

"Your…aura?" Professor Oak asked, giving a confused look. Ash could almost see question marks hovering all over his head.

"Yeah… remember that time I told you we met Sir Aaron and his lucario?"

"Oh! But I remember that time you used it through Sir Aaron's gloves. You mean, now… you can just use it?"

"Yeah…"