"So this is New Bark Town." Cassie said as she floated next to Ash's head.
"Yeah, Professor Oak said that his colleague Professor Elm would be here, and I could get my Pokedex upgraded by him." Ash said, looking forward.
"What, not even going to look at me when you're talking anymore?" Cassie joked.
"Well, now that I know not everyone can see you, I don't want another entire region thinking that I've gone crazy." Ash said.
"Just look at me!" Cassie shouted, floating in front of Ash, only for him to walk right through.
"That felt really weird." Ash admitted, shuddering slightly.
"He says to the ghost." Cassie commented.
"What would you like me to say?" Ash asked angrily.
"Just, what happened to the you that was constantly talking to me? The you that didn't think about looking at me?" Cassie asked.
Ash looked around, making sure the area was clear before turning to face his sister.
"I love you Cassie, and I'm really glad that you're still here somehow, but this is a little different now that I know I'm not hallucinating from grief." Ash said. "You exist but most people can't see you. And that makes it hard to have this conversation out in the open."
"You know I'm just messing with you, since you did abandon me for a month, right?" Cassie teased. "Hey, there's the building!"
Ash looked ahead, to see a building that looked a bit like Professor Oak's lab in Pallet Town. Upon entering the lab, Ash saw there were only a few people inside of there.
"Oh, hello there." A scattered looking man said, looking up from a pile of papers. "How can I help you two today?"
"Two?" Ash asked.
"Sorry, old habit of us Professor's referring to Pokemon as part of a group." The man said. "I'm Professor Elm, the head researcher here."
"Oh." Ash said, realizing he was counting Pikachu. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and this is Pikachu." Ash said. "Professor Oak said that we should come and see you when we got here to Johto."
"Professor Oak sent you!" Professor Elm exclaimed. "Well then, he must be hoping for you to get your Pokedex upgraded. Set your things down over there, and I can take a look at it." Professor Elm said, clearing some clutter from in front of his computer. "Now I should let you know that there are many Pokemon here in Johto that you've never seen before. And the trainers are tougher than any in Kanto."
"We'll have to see about that." Ash said, carefully setting down his bag, and checking on Egguardo while looking for his Pokedex. "Sorry Professor, I know my Pokedex is in here somewhere." Ash said, digging through items galore.
"Is that! A pokemon egg!" Professor Elm said excitedly, looking at Egguardo. "Where did you get one!"
"I found it in the woods one day." Ash said. "Do you know what kinds of Pokemon is in it?"
"May I?" Professor Elm asked.
"Go ahead." Ash said.
"This is an incredible specimen. It seems to be in perfect health." Professor Elm said, lifting the egg into the air. "A strong shell, signifying a tougher Pokemon, but this coloring, its so bright and pure, likely a baby Pokemon."
"So do you know what it is?" Ash asked.
"That's the fun of some of these eggs, like this one for example." Professor Elm said. "I can tell it was from wild Pokemon, a professionally bred egg has the pattern of the child, while this is a simple purple color. It could be any number of Pokemon." Professor Elm said, as he handed the egg back to Ash, only for it to hop.
"Ahh! Be careful!" Ash exclaimed.
"It's almost time." Professor Elm said.
"Almost time! Almost time for what!" Ash said in confusion and worry.
"For it to hatch. Quickly let's upgrade your Pokedex!" Professor Elm said, reaching into Ash's bag, and pulling it out.
"Now how come you can't do that?" Cassie asked snidely.
As Professor Elm worked on Ash's Pokedex, the other lab worker set up a space for Egguardo to hatch.
"Are you excited Pikachu, we're about to meet our new friend!" Ash said, looking down at the egg.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, poking his tail at Vileplume's Pokeball.
"Great idea, we should all be here for this. Hey Professor, can I send out my other Pokemon?" Ash asked.
"Huh, sure, just be careful." Professor Elm said.
"Alright, come on out everyone." Ash said. Vileplume, Jigglypuff, Rapidash, Dragonair, and Dewgong came out, all were confused. "Guys, Egguardo is about to hatch, I wanted us all to be here to greet him." Ash said, pointing at the egg.
"Chika!"
"Toto!"
"Cynda!"
Three smaller Pokemon ran up to Ash's larger team, the green one with a leaf on its head, hopping onto Vileplume's petals, the blue and tan one looking curiously at the egg next to Jigglypuff and Pikachu, and the blue crocodile playing with Dragonair.
"Professor what are these Pokemon?" Ash asked.
"Find out for yourself." Professor Elm said, tossing Ash his Pokedex.
"Hey careful, I don't know how fragile this is." Ash said.
"Relax, it would take tremendous force to break that." Professor Elm said. "Now start scanning."
'Chikorita, the Leaf Pokemon, a grass type. A sweet aroma gently wafts from the leaf on its head. It is docile and loves to soak up the sun's rays.' The Pokedex said.
'Totodile, the Big Jaw Pokemon, a water type. This rough critter chomps at any moving object it sees. Turning your back on it is not recommended.' The Pokedex continued.
"Now three for three." Ash said.
'Cyndaquil, the Fire Mouse Pokemon, a fire type. It is timid, and always curls itself up in a ball. If attacked, it flares up its back for protection.' The Pokedex finished.
"Those are the starter Pokemon new trainers here in Johto get to pick from." Professor Elm said.
"Cool." Ash commented. "I never got to pick my starter Pokemon."
"Pika!" Pikachu said angrily.
"Hey, I didn't say it was a bad thing." Ash assured. "Professor Oak kept Pikachu specifically for me." Ash said, scratching between Pikachu's ears. "I started my journey a year late, my sister she got really sick and I didn't want to leave without her. She passed before I was able to go on my journey."
"Hey, I can hear you!" Cassie said angrily.
"Even though she couldn't be there physically, I based my team around her favorite Pokemon." Ash said. "And I felt we did pretty well last time."
"Ash, may I offer some advice." Professor Elm asked. "Just like an egg is a new life when hatched, take this adventure as a new start to your team. I have a transfer system here, call Professor Oak, and start a team all your own."
"What do you mean? This is my team." Ash said.
"You just said that your team was built around your sisters favorite Pokemon, well this egg will be a brand new Pokemon, have them join your team, and make it all new." Professor Elm said. "Not all at once, gradually introduce new Pokemon to your team, as the old ones move out."
"But how can I pick who to send home?" Ash asked.
"Well, think about keeping it balanced. Keep enough power that you won't be in too much danger in case of an emergency." Professor Elm said.
"Keep it balanced." Ash said, thinking back on his journeys.
"Ahh! Something's happening!" Cassie called out.
Ash looked over to see cracks starting to form on the egg.
"Is that supposed to be happening?" Ash asked.
"Yes! I can't believe I'm getting to see an actual Pokemon egg hatch live and in person!" Professor Elm exclaimed.