Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter One-hundred and fifty-five: Bonjour, Santalune!
Over in Vaniville Town, Serena and her mom were watching the news as things were wrapping up. The crisis was resolved and now Dawn Berlitz and her group were being interviewed about their role in resolving the crisis. At one point during the interview, Ash pulled out the wrecked remains of a high tech collar of some kind and said he found it on the Garchomp he confronted, saying he had reason to believe it's what had made Garchomp freak out in the first place. It was as Ash was right there on the news that Serena focused even more intently.
She knew it. It really was him, the boy she remembered from so many years ago. Her heart practically stopped when she saw him on the news leap from the very top of Prism Tower in Lumiose City as he dove after his Pikachu, even though Ash got a ride from his Charizard and the Pikachu ended up being saved by a Mega Blaziken that then leapt away after returning Pikachu to Ash. But Ash was safe and sound, and that's all that mattered to Serena as she was able to force herself to calm down from the fright of seeing Ash fall from such a height.
Although she intended to go out eventually on her own to achieve her dreams, Serena now wanted to leave more or less right away, as she intended to meet up with Ash. She wanted to know if he remembered her, like she remembers him. She also had something of his that she wanted to return. Also, above all else, she wanted to be with Ash. As such, Serena decided that she was going to take off first thing in the morning on her own journey so as to meet up with Ash, as well as get to know his companions that were with him right now. But mostly it was just for Ash.
Serena was betting that her meeting up with Ash again will be quite the surprise for him, and didn't know what could top it.
...
"Team Scorn raided the lab for your research after all of us took off?!"
Back in Lumiose City, everyone returned to Sycamore's lab after the interviewing was done, also Ash handed over the broken collar pieces he got so they could be examined. While that happened, Sycamore and his assistants Sophie and Cosette gave the group the story. "After you all had taken off," Sycamore began to explain, "A second group of Team Scorn members came in. There were seven total, six rank and file level members and an Officer calling himself Captain James. He was this blue haired fellow and he was accompanied by a Meowth that to my surprise was able to talk."
"And there's the rest of the Team Rocket trio of idiots," Kenny scowled.
"Three of the rank and file subdued me and my assistants here," Sycamore explained, "While Captain James, his talking Meowth, and the other three rank and file got copies of what all research I've done on Mega Evolution. Once they got what all they wanted, they took off."
Trip pounded a fist into his hand. "This toads the wet sprocket," Trip said, "Team Scorn got away with their evil goals while we were distracted."
"We shouldn't beat ourselves up," Dawn advised, "We had to stop the rampaging Garchomp, and make sure civilians were safe. What matters is that everyone's alive and more or less unharmed."
Sycamore nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Well anyway, you all ought to stay the night. We can look into other matters in the morning." The group all agreed before they were directed by Sohpie and Cosette to sleeping quarters at Sycamore's lab. There, they all rested the night, and given what all they had done, the lot of them certainly could use the rest.
The next morning, Sycamore gave Ash a Kalos pokédex, as well as upgrade the pokédexes of the reborn trainers to be able to recognize Pokémon living in Kalos. While the group were all getting ready to head out for Santalune City, they were surprised when Froakie came over to Ash with its pokéball while looking up expectantly at the Kanto born trainer. "Yeah, it seems Froakie wants to be with Ash," Sycamore said, "It seems to think that he may be the one."
Ash, smiling gently, nodded in agreement and collected Froakie's pokéball after Froakie went back into it. As such, Ash with a new Pokémon was all the more eager to get going on the journey through Kalos, with Clemont, Bonnie, and the reborn trainers. Their travels will first take them to Santalune City, where the first Kalos gym that Ash and the reborn trainers could challenge awaited them.
A storm was coming for that gym, not that it or the gym leader managing it knew what was coming.
Over in Vaniville Town, Serena was getting ready to head off towards Lumiose City to get a starter Pokémon from Professor Sycamore so as to head off on her journey. "Don't forget to practice your Rhyhorn racing!" Serena's mother called out as Serena left, eliciting an annoyed looking scowl from Serena although her mother didn't see it as Serena was facing away from her when the door closed.
With all due respect to her mother, Serena had more important things in mind for her journey. Mainly meeting back up together with Ash, who she saw on TV. Serena was wanting to reunite with that boy from Pallet Town, Kanto after remembering him as the one she had met so long ago. Just thinking about seeing Ash again made her heart go all aflutter as she nervously wondered what Ash was up to in Kalos right now.
Something awesome befitting an awesome person like Ash, no doubt.
...
A disheveled looking Ash, followed by Dawn, Kenny, Trip, Clemont, and Bonnie who all also looked disheveled, wandered into a Pokémon Center. The Nurse Joy, who recognized them from earlier as Ash was showing a Froakie he caught to Professor Oak of Kanto over the video phone before Dawn, Kenny, and Trip rotated some Pokémon around in their respective parties, looked surprised to see the states that the group were all in. "My goodness!" Nurse Joy said as Ash began handing over his Pikachu (which ALSO looked disheveled) and two pokéballs, "What happened to you and your friends here?!"
"Good news," Ash said, sounding a bit bemused, "I caught a Fletchling. Bad news, Clemont's little sister Bonnie over complicated things because she just HAD to try and make Kenny's Purrloin and Skitty go after it!"
"But they're adorable cat Pokémon!" Bonnie insisted, "Cat Pokémon go after bird Pokémon! It's nature!"
"You made Kenny's Purrloin and Skitty freak out, Bonnie," Clemont admonished, sounding tired.
"You are no longer allowed to play with my Pokémon without my concent and supervision," Kenny said firmly, "Also, you owe both Lin and Jibanyan an apology."
Eventually, Serena made it to Professor Sycamore's lab. Looking around, she saw that the place was still partly wrecked from the rampage that Garchomp had gone on earlier on the news. As Serena looked on in concern, she heard Sycamore's voice call out, "Ah, you're Serena!" Serena quickly turned to see Sycamore come walking up to her. "I take it you're here to recieve your first Pokémon?" Sycamore asked.
Serena nodded in the affirmative. "Indeed. But first, I was wanting to ask about the boy I saw on the news who helped deal with that Garchomp that went berserk."
"Which boy?" Sycamore asked, "Because there was technically four boys who helped out."
"The one who had a Pikachu and a Charizard," Serena clarified, "He jumped off of Prism Tower to catch his Pikachu when it fell off, but his Charizard got him and helped him fly after Pikachu."
Nodding in understanding, Sycamore said, "Ah yes, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, Kanto. He and his friends are headed to Santalune City, if you're looking to catch up to him for some odd reason."
Serena nodded once in confirmation. "So it WAS Ash. Good to know." Now that she had official confirmation not only on Ash being in Kalos but where to go to find him, Serena was ready to hit the road, but first she had to pick her first Pokémon. At that point, Sycamore had his assistant Sophie bring out one each of the Kalos starter Pokémon, those being Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Serena was also given a pokédex by Sycamore, letting her scan all three Pokémon with it. After she checked out all three of the starter Pokémon, Serena put her pokédex away.
"I already setteled on wanting Fennekin before I left home," Serena said, "So I'll take Fennekin." This elicited a happy cry from the Fennekin.
"Ah, Fennekin, you say?" Sycamore said, "It seems to be a popular Pokémon among girls."
Serena, as she recieved Fennekin, gave Sycamore a curious look. "What do you mean?"
Gesturing to Serena, Sycamore explained, "Three of the companions who are traveling with that Ash boy you're asking about are Sinnoh Champion Dawn Berlitz and her companions Kenny Harris and Trip Barley. They're here in Kalos to, in addition to earning badges from Kalos gyms, help with dealing with the growing threat of Team Scorn here on Kalosian soil. As a show of thanks for the efforts they'll give, I let Dawn, Kenny, and Trip each pick one of the Pokémon that I offer to trainers starting out here in Kalos. Dawn, same as you just now, had picked Fennekin."
Serena nodded in understanding before recalling her now Fennekin and taking off. It was a tad late in the day, so Serena decided to find a place in town to rest for the night before heading off to Santalune City to meet up with Ash again. A part of her was also interested in meeting the companions that Ash was traveling with, especially Dawn given that she was the Champion of Sinnoh. However, a small part of Serena was... worried... about Dawn being with Ash. She knew it was crazy, but Serena was unable to help but think that Dawn may try to... get close... with Ash.
That's something Serena wanted to do, and wouldn't be happy if another girl tried it.
...
The group made their way to the Pokémon Center in Santalune City late at night, looking disheveled again, only this time a Dedenne was now accompanying Bonnie, sitting on her left shoulder. "What happened to you kids?" the Nurse Joy asked in clear concern.
"I caught the Dedenne that's sitting on my little sister's shoulder to let her take care of it and also to help teach her how to take care of Pokémon," Clemont said, "But things got way more hectic than we had anticipated because we had to drive off a group of Team Scorn members."
"You fought Team Scorn off successfully?" Nurse Joy said, "Oh my, you must certainly be talented trainers!" Nurse Joy proceeded to treated the Pokémon of the group that needed treating while Bonnie was given a lecture by Clemont and Kenny on caring for Pokémon. The group ended up being led to some bunk rooms to stay the night, and Kenny and Trip thought that Bonnie looked cute in her Tyrantrum themed sleep outfit.
"They're popular among girls!" Bonnie remarked.
Turning to look at Dawn, Kenny said, "Hey Dawn, would you-"
"I think Bonnie meant girls her age specifically," Dawn clarified.
"Actually," Clemont began, "I have seen girls your age and over walking around in public wearing outfits like Bonnie's sleep outfit, although they wear them without the hood up. It's not as uncommon as you'd think."
Sighing, Dawn said, "Sure. I'll wear one if you can find an Infernape themed one in my size." Kenny said he'd make it his mission to do so before everyone went to bed, citing how he actually wants to see Dawn in such an outfit, a clear look of amusement on his face. Trip also felt it'd be amusing to see his foster sister in such an outfit, leading Dawn to tell both boys to put things on the back burner for now so they could all go to bed. They had a big day ahead of them tomorrow, given that they had to find the Santalune City gym leader.
The next morning, Serena who had just arrived in Santalune City herself at that moment made it to the local Pokémon Center. After having her Fennekin checked by Nurse Joy, Serena asked, "Excuse me, but can I ask you if you had seen someone who I was told would be passing through Santalune City?"
"Who are you looking for?" Nurse Joy asked.
"I'm looking for a..." Serena began, stopping short due to nervousness. Serena's face got a bit red in the cheeks as she took a breath to steady herself. "...I'm looking for a boy named Ash Ketchum."
Nurse Joy was able to tell that Serena was looking for Ash due to having interest in him. Smiling a bit in amusement, Nurse Joy said, "As a matter of fact, yes, I have seen Ash Ketchum. He and his friends came here last night, stayed the night, and made their way over to the gym here in Santalune City with the gym leader Viola after she and Viola's photographer older sister Alexa came by here because Alexa needed her Pokémon checked out."
Serena looked surprised by the information. "Ash and his friends are at the local gym?"
"Ash, as well as those Kenny and Trip boys and that Dawn girl," Nurse Joy began, "Are all aiming to earn gym badges here in Kalos. That being said, Viola's got her plate full for a while."
Gesturing to Nurse Joy, Serena asked, "Do you know who's battling Viola first?"
Nodding once in the affirmative, Nurse Joy said, "Why as a matter of fact, yes, yes I do. It's actually that Ash boy who's battling Viola first among his peers who are aiming to earn Kalos gym badges. As a matter of fact, Ash's battle with Viola should be happening right now."
Serena, as soon as her Fennekin was finished being checked, left the Pokémon Center to make a mad dash to the Santalune City gym in the hopes to see Ash battle against Viola. Serena hoped to see at least a little of Ash's battle, but also was a bit concerned about him; gym leaders were strong, so Ash may struggle against Viola in his battle against her.
...
"Vivillon is unable to battle!" the referee at the Santalune City gym announced as Viola's Vivillon laid on the battlefield in defeat while Ash's Charizard flew overhead; the scoreboard also showed that Viola had also used a Surskit that was also defeated, but Charizard was the only Pokémon that Ash had used. "The winner is Charizard!" the referee went on, "Victory of this battle goes to the challenger, Ash!"
In the bleachers, the rest of the group and Alexa cheered for Ash given that he defeated Viola. Dawn also noted in her mind that Ash beat Viola on his first try here; in the anime in Dawn's previous life, Ash lost on his first try at Viola's gym, but here Ash won on the first try instead. Dawn was attributing that to the fact that Ash here had brought his Charizard with him to Kalos, in addition to Pikachu, as well as the shiny Steelix that Ash got during their travels in Unova.
Sighing, Viola said, "Well I guess that I can't win them all. Nice job, by the way." Viola then walked over to Ash and presented him with a Bug Badge. Viola then told the reborn trainers that her Pokémon needed to be rested and treated before she can take a challenge from any of them. They all understood, and with spirits high due to Ash's surprising win here, they took off from the Santalune City gym. Alexa stayed behind to catch up with Viola as they are sisters, allowing the group on their own to take off from the gym.
It was right when the group walked out of the Santalune City gym that someone crashed right into Ash, knocking the both of them onto their respective fannies. When everyone was able to see what was going on, the reborn trainers saw that it was Serena who had crashed into Ash. Although they knew who Serena was, the others didn't know that they knew, so they had to play dumb. "Yo yo yo," Kenny said to Serena, "Who you bez that goes crashing into one of my homies?"
Dawn went to help Serena up off of the ground while Trip helped Ash up. "Umm, my name's Serena," Serena began, somewhat nervous, as she introduced herself to the group, "And I saw you guys on the news a few days ago, with that messy business with the Garchomp going crazy in Lumiose City." Turning to look at Ash, Serena went on, "Also, I recognized you on the news from before. You... you wouldn't happen to remember me, would you?"
"We... had met before?" Ash asked.
Clapping his hands together, Trip said, "I say we head out for some lunch so that Serena here can explain herself." The rest of the group agreed, and with Serena in tow, they all headed out to grab an early lunch.
Later while the group was having lunch, Serena explained herself. "You and I had met at a summer camp that Professor Oak had hosted a while ago when we were both little," Serena explained to Ash, "You had helped me when I had fallen and scraped my knee, even tying a handkerchief around my knee to cover the bleeding. You also inspired me to cheer up by telling me to never give up until it's over."
Ash nodded once in understanding. "Well my mom was gushing for a few weeks after the camp about how I had been a 'perfect little gentleman' because I had helped a girl who accidentally hurt herself during the camp." Looking to Serena, Ash said, "You're that girl, aren't you?"
Serena nodded once in confirmation. "I was wanting to catch up to you since I saw that you were in Kalos thanks to that news report. Umm, if you don't mind me going along with you, that is."
"If the rest of us here have no problem with it, then sure," Ash said, which prompted the rest of the group to all say they had no problem with Serena joining them. Serena, happy to be allowed to join the group, then asked about Ash's gym battle against Viola, saying she was told he was having it and was hoping to see it. "Oh, I'd actually already won and got the Bug Badge by the time you crashed into me," Ash explained.
"Wow, you won!" Serena said, "Congratulations! Although I wished that I could have seen it..."
Gesturing to the reborn trainers, Ash said, "Well you can still see Dawn, Kenny, and Trip here battle Viola when they have their goes."
Getting up out of her seat, Bonnie ran up to Serena and said, "Ooh, ooh, Serena! What kind of Pokémon do you have?"
"All I have right now is Fennekin," Serena replied, calling her Fennekin out.
Bonnie, although excited to see Serena's Fennekin, was able to contain herself. "Wow, it's so fluffy!" Bonnie gushed, "Just like Dawn's Fennekin!" Bonnie then asked Dawn to call her Fennekin out because Bonnie wanted to see the two Fennekin together. After telling Bonnie to be respectful, Dawn called her named Fennekin Levy out, who sat next to Serena's Fennekin. Serena's Fennekin seemed happy to meet a fellow Fennekin, and Levy although also happy was a tad more reserved and calm.
"Hey Dawn," Serena began, "I noticed that when you called your Fennekin out, you called her Levy."
"Oh, Dawn, Kenny, and Trip nickname all of the Pokémon they respectively get," Ash explained.
Serena nodded in understanding. "Ah, they nickname their Pokémon. That's something I hear trainers do occasionally. Well I have no problem with it." Turning to look at where the two Fennekin sat, Serena said, "And Levy is just as cute as my Fennekin." Both Fennekins gave happy cries as Serena's Fennekin hopped up into her lap and Levy walked over to Dawn to hop up into her lap. Turning to look at Dawn, Serena said, "Anyway, I got it from Nurse Joy before I ran to meet you guys at the Santalune City gym that you, Kenny, and Trip are also aiming to earn Kalos gym badges. Are you planning to use your Fennekin?"
Dawn gently shook her head in the negative before explaining, "No, I'd like to do more training with Levy before I use her in serious battles." Dawn then excplained how she planned to head into her battle against Viola with Zancrow and Argent, her Volcarona and alpha Hisuian Arcanine respectively, given that battles against Viola saw both trainers use two Pokémon each. Serena was vaguely aware of what Volcarona was, and had no clue about Hisuian Arcanine. That prompted Dawn, as well as Kenny and Trip, to tell the tale of how their alpha Hisuian Pokémon came to live in modern times. They also shared the story of how their friend Ideku Badorigo caught his alpha Hisuian Typhlosion.
Serena had a concerned look on her face as the reborn trainers told her the stories involving Team Scorn. "Yes, I heard about that group," Serena said, "They're one of the most dangerous criminal groups out there. They've carried out straight up terrorist attacks, and I've heard that they had even claimed humans lives. I also heard on the news that a recent Team Scorn attack in Johto saw a high ranking Team Scorn member take a Pokémon's life."
Dawn nodded grimly in the affirmative. "Yes. Kenny, Trip, Ash, and I have even seen the fruits of those grim labors."
"Although this is the first I'm hearing of someone in Team Scorn killing a Pokémon," Trip remarked, "That's just as bad, if not arguably worse, as killing a human." Dawn said that it was a sign of Team Scorn sinking to a new all time low before Serena asked to hear some of the tales of Dawn, Kenny, Trip and Ash fending off Team Scorn, although Clemont asked that they refrain from giving details that he felt Bonnie, given her young age, shouldn't be hearing. Seeing that Bonnie looked worried given that it had been mentioned that a Pokémon was killed, the reborn trainers and Ash agreed.
Thus they regaled Serena with tales of their heroic efforts against Team Scorn. Serena was particularly scared when they brought up how Ash had personally fought Admin Swordsman in a battle while in Unova, given that Dawn (without giving specific details as per Clemont's request) confirmed that Swordsman was a known killer by the time of his battle with Ash. The group also mentioned how members of the now defunct Team Rocket had ended up joining Team Scorn, and that said members, those being Jessie, James, and Meowth, had been involved in the Team Scorn scheme in Lumiose City where research Sycamore had done on Mega Evolution had been stolen while the Garchomp was being dealt with.
Serena went particularly wide eyed with worry when the reborn trainers confirmed that Ayane, the right hand girl of the boss of Team Scorn himself, had successfully captured the legendary Pokémon Reshiram, who is comparable to Palkia, Giratina, and Dialga who Dawn, Kenny, and Trip all respectively caught.
Letting out a breath, Serena said, "You guys are a lot more brave than I gave you credit for. I bet that Ash felt no fear when he jumped off of Prism Tower to go after his Pikachu because of all of his experiences in fighting Team Scorn."
"What are you talking about?" Ash asked, "Of course I felt fear back then." Serena turned to look at Ash in surprise. "Why wouldn't I have been afraid?" Ash said, "I saw my Pikachu fall off the top of Prism Tower. I feared for his life. That's why I jumped off to go after Pikachu. I also feel fear whenever my friends and I have to deal with Team Scorn."
Serena looked a bit surprised by what Ash was saying. "...But you don't show it! I thought that you were being brave!"
"Bravery isn't feeling no fear," Dawn said, getting Serena to turn to look at her, "Bravery is being afraid but facing what you're afraid of anyway because not facing it will result in a worse scenario than if you didn't face it. I myself am afraid whenever my friends and I have to fight Team Scorn, but we do it anyway because imagine what it would be like if no-one fought Team Scorn when they carry out their schemes."
Serena took the words Dawn said into consideration. "...I see," Serena said, "Yes, that does make sense. Sorry if I had offended, it wasn't my intention. It's just that I'm really impressed you guys face such dangers without looking like you're afraid."
Ash gave a gentle, understanding smile. "It's fine. I know you meant no harm." The group, now with Serena with a member, continued to chat it up for a bit until Alexa found them and told them that Viola was ready to take another challenge from one of them. Given that Dawn was ready, it was decided that she would have the go against Viola. Serena, although disappointed that she didn't get to see Ash battle, was looking forward to seeing Dawn battle. As such, the group was in high spirits as they made their way over to the Santalune City gym again.
END, CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE
Author's notes;
This chapter sees a few episodes skimmed over in adaption in order to speed up the process of Serena joining the group. It also sees Ash win on his first try against Viola and earn the Bug Badge because Pikachu wasn't the only Pokémon he brought with him to Kalos. After that, Serena officially joins the group and, after she is told tales of fighting Team Scorn by Ash and the reborn trainers, learns a different definition for bravery, one that she'll be taking to heart later on down the line here as the story continues. The next chapter will see the reborn trainers have their goes at the Santalune City gym before things proceed onward, so don't adjust your set.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Levy (female Fennekin), Zancrow (male Volcarona), Argent (male Arcanine; alpha; Hisuian), Leni (female Lucario), Tsukune (Palkia)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Cell (male Scizor; shiny), Kermit (male Politoed), Nogla (male Chespin), Godzilla (male Tyranitar), Black (Giratina; Origin Form)
Trip's Pokémon: (on hand) Mr. Popo (male Magmortar), Veda (female Abomasnow), Myde (male Empoleon), Kululu (male Froakie), Deelia (Dialga), Fourze (male Electivire)
Ash's Pokémon: (on hand) Pikachu (male), Charizard (male), Steelix (male; shiny), Froakie (male), Fletchling (male)