Part XVIII: Catching Up With Old Friends
"Now that you have a girlfriend I had better go find one myself, eh Ash." Morrison boomed to Ash, clapping him hard on the shoulder. "Can't have you being one step ahead of me in anything now can I?"
"I would expect no less Morrison." Ash replied with a smile at his old friend, not noticing Misty slip away as Ash caught up with old friends.
"Course it can wait." Morrison said with a laugh. "I'll start catching up tomorrow."
"I'm amazed you can slow down for a moment." Tyson said with a smile at Morrison as he came up to shake Ash's hand. "Ash, good to see you again. It's been too long since we last met."
"I agree." Ash said gripping Tyson's hand firmly. "So, what have the pair of you been up too since the Hoenn League?"
"Well after Tyson here won it and beat you after you beat me I knew that I had to train even harder." Morrison said pounding his chest. "So, I took a year off and went through a lot of hard training in the most dangerous areas of Hoenn. Me and Metang braved all the elements from the desert sandstorms to the mountain blizzards and trained harder than ever. When it evolved into a Metagross I knew that my training had paid off and that I was ready to return."
"So you went after a new league I take it." Ash said knowing Morrison would do just that. "Which one?"
"Yup, I decided to go to Johto and take it on." Morrison said proudly. "Caught a bunch of new Pokémon and got all the badges. Came in the top 8 when I entered the Silver Conference and instantly went to Kanto. Repeated it last year and made top 4. I know next time is the charm."
"So Sinnoh next?" Ash asked. "That's the usual choice at least."
"You bet." Morrison said with a nod. "This time nothing will not stop me. I had just finished up on Indigo Plateau when I got the invite to come here for your birthday. I figured I could delay my trip and come. Then it is off to Sinnoh."
"Well a bunch of my Sinnoh friends are here and I was there a few years back so I can help you out a little when it comes to understanding that region." Ash said. "Plus Misty is from Sinnoh so I have a little soft spot from it."
"So that is her name and where she is from, I definitely have to go there now." Morrison said happily. "If a girl out there can get Ash Ketchum to fall for her then they won't be able to resist me."
"I think they will." Zoey said shaking her head and giving Ash a wave. "Hey Ash, thanks for the invite."
"Thank Misty, this was a surprise to me." Ash said not noticing a flash of sadness cross Zoey's eyes at Misty's name.
"I could tell." Zoey said recovering, she wasn't going to let her feelings ruin this fir Ash and Misty, it had been a long shot that Misty would feel the same for her as she did for Misty. "Misty was the one who invited me so I couldn't resist."
"We shall see about the girls from Sinnoh." Morrison said not known who the other redhead was but taking it as a challenge and butting in. "I am a major catch for any girl."
"Anyway, Tyson, what happened after you won the Hoenn League?" Ash asked causing everyone to look at the taller, older man and changing the subject. Tyson was the only trainer here who had won a league so Ash was curious as to what he had done after his victory. "I am sorry I couldn't stay but I had to get home for a bit after the league ended."
"Well as the winner I got the right to challenge the Elite Four." Tyson said getting everyone's attention. "And I lost, to all of them. I wasn't expecting to win but I gave it a go, even got Sidney down to his last Pokémon but his Absol was too much for Meowth. I was just honored for the chance to face them. After that it was a little traveling for a few years and recently it has been training for an upcoming special tournament in Hoenn that I have been invited too."
"Special tournament?" Morrison asked. "I've never heard of it and I make sure to keep abreast of all Hoenn tournaments."
"That's because it is an invite only tournament and only past league winners can be invited." Tyson said with a smile and Morrison groaned. "A special one-off tournament."
"What for?" Ash asked confused.
"An upcoming opening in the Elite Four." Tyson said proudly. "Drake is retiring at the end of the next conference and sailing the world to look for more Dragon Pokémon so they need a replacement."
"Wait as in the Drake?" Iris interrupted and gushing at the mention of the Dragon master of Hoenn. "Only the second greatest Dragon master in the world Drake."
"That is him." Tyson said with a nod to the girl with the massive amount of hair. "He is getting up there and has decided that it is time to retire from the Elite Four and see the world. I believe he is first heading to a place in Unova called the Village of Dragons to meet with the elders there. Apparently he's been wanting to try and catch a Deino for a while and they are hard to find on this continent."
"It will be an honor for the village to host him." Iris said her eyes wide, Axew too as he poked his head out from her hair. "I must make it back there when I have time to meet him. His Salamence is as legendary as Cynthia's Garchomp and Lance's Dragonite."
"I take it you are from the Village of Dragons then." Tyson said and Iris nodded. "Should have expected, there not many Axew are out here in Kanto, or this whole continent for that matter."
"Ax, Axew." Axew said proudly before hopping out of Iris's hair and running into the ranch.
"Um, where is he going?" Tyson asked confused.
"Oh, I think he smells Ash's Scraggy nearby." Iris said dismissively. "They are best friends and he wasn't expecting to see him so soon after our last parting. I will go make sure he is ok and finds Scraggy safely. It will be nice for them to spend some time together."
"She's an interesting character." Tyson said to Ash as Iris ran off. "So, you were in Unova recently?"
"My last league challenge." Ash admitted. "Didn't go well, top 8 so a step back after Sinnoh but I will bounce back. Elite Four though, that is big Tyson."
"It is and I have been training hard for it." Tyson said seriously. "An opening like this is rare and I want to win the tournament so I can join them. Like Morrison I will be spending the next year out in Sinnoh. I will be on Iron Island preparing."
"Why Iron Island?" Ash asked a little confused. "I've been there, almost accidentally blew up in fact, and there's not much there but a bunch of Pokémon, fossils and ancient ruins."
"That is true but it is also the best place in the world for steel types." Tyson said. "Wait, you almost blew it up?"
"Long story." Ash said dismissively. "I attract trouble apparently and that was just another incident."
"I see." Tyson said. "I remember the trouble you occasionally got in."
"Yeah it's not my fault." Ash said sheepishly and everyone laughed, they all knew Ash and had dealt with his magnetism for trouble."
"So, you're going to specialize in steel Tyson?" Max asked joining them. "I take it that you have to declare a specialty for the spot in the Elite Four."
"You are right Max." Tyson said remembering the youngest friend of Ash's from the Hoenn League. "I have to be a specialist in one type to be in the Elite Four. Only after becoming Champion can someone return to being a balanced trainer. In addition, I can't be a specialist in a type that is already in the Elite Four or a Hoenn Gym."
"So that rules out a lot." Max said as he began to tick of the types on his fingers . "Rock, fighting, electric, fire, normal, flying, psychic, water, dark, ice, and ghost types if I recall correctly."
"You know Hoenn well." Tyson said. "That is correct though. The trainers in the tournament are limited to steel, grass, bug, poison, dragon and ground types and their roster must have at least 5 of one of those types. Makes it more interesting in my book. I was torn between grass and steel but I felt the later was more my style."
"Well I should know; I am Norman's son." Max said proudly. "And a trainer currently challenging the gyms of Hoenn."
"That's right, you would have gotten your first Pokémon last year." Ash said remembering Max's age. "Why wait a year to challenge the gyms?"
"Well unlike you Ash I am not impatient." Max said in his usual explaining tone as he adjusted his glasses. "I learned a lot from you and realized that I should spend a year training and really getting to know my Pokémon first before entering the league so I did just that. I already have 2 badges now."
"So, we can have that battle you asked for." Ash said with a smirk. "I've been waiting years for it."
"Same but only if it is a full 6 on 6 battle." Max said. "I brought my A team to face you for this reason."
"And can I know them?" Ash asked. "Your dad did that for our gym battle."
"I will tell you my team but only if you agree to face me with your Hoenn team." Max said. "I want to face you again but I need practice against my own region first and this is the team you had for the majority of the time we were traveling together."
"That can be arranged." Ash agreed seeing Max's logic and it would be fun to face him with the Pokémon Ash caught in Hoenn. "So that is Pikachu, Sceptile, Torkoal, Glalie, Swellow, and Corphish for me."
"And for me it is my starter Marstomp and my top 5." Max said. "Kirlia."
"Wait is that the Ralts that you saved?" Ash interrupted remembering the sick Pokémon who's life Max had saved.
"It is." Max said proudly. "As soon as I got Mudkip I went to find her. She was my first capture. I promised her that I would come back for her and I did. I am hoping one day she becomes a Gardevoir."
"Not a Gallade?" Zoey asked. "Kirlia can evolve into Gardevoir or Gallade. I have one and he's great, really helped me win the Grand Festival."
"A Gallade would be good." Max admitted. "A fighting type will be useful when I face my dad but I feel like Kirlia wants to be a Gardevoir, she grew up with one and a Kirlia as her friends."
"Also you can't get a Gallade if your Kirlia is female." Garry said butting in and shaking Ash's hand. "Sorry for interrupting, this is something I am well versed in after serving as Professor Rowan's assistant for the last few years."
"What do you mean?" Ash asked his oldest rival. "I thought that Kirlia had a branched evolution, I didn't know that there were limits on it."
"Yeah what?" Zoey asked confused. "I used a Misty Stone on my Kirlia and he evolved into Gallade."
"And that is precisely why yours could and Max's can't." Gary said not clearing anything up and sighing before he continued. "Gallade is a gender specific evolution of Kirlia, one of the handful gender specific ones out there. Only male Kirlias can evolve into Gallades with a Misty Stone, the females are unaffected by it. It is the reverse for Snowrunt to Froslass. Only female Snowrunts can evolve with Misty Stones. It is an odd evolution quirk and one of the many research papers Professor Rowan has worked on over the years."
"Ah that makes sense." Ash said though not fully understanding it himself. "If anyone would know its Gary."
"Ah yeah I didn't know that." Zoey admitted. "I found a Misty Stone while training for the Grand Festival. As soon as Kirlia saw it, he came over and touched it and evolved. Useful as Misty, no pun intended, wasn't expecting it."
"Oh well a Gardvoir is what I am hoping for anyway." Max said not dejected at all. "My others are Lairon, Shednija, Mightyena, and of course a Slaking."
"A good, balanced team." Ash said with a nod. "I look forward to our battle tomorrow."
"Well I want one as well." Morrison demanded. "I will take on any challengers."
"You're on!" A voice called out that Ash thought might be Stephan or Richtie.
"I just want to take down Iris." Georgia called out as Iris returned from making sure that Axew had found Scraggy. "That wannabe dragon master is going down, I promise it."
"Bring it." Iris said and they glared at each other as sparks flew between the bitter rivals. "I was hoping you would be here, I need to beat you properly this time."
"Wouldn't miss it knowing you would be here." Georgia said back. "Plus, I need to travel outside of Unova more, it is too restricting to my development. Ice types are the rarest type out there and I want an arsenal if I am ever to take on the Village of Dragons."
"If it is ice types you want you should come back to Sinnoh with me after this." Zoey said to the attractive redhead causing Georgia to look over at the other redhead in surprise. "I know a lot about them."
"Why would I do that?" Georgia asked skeptically but not uninterested.
"Because I am from Snowpoint City, the farthest northern city on this entire continent." Zoey said, unaffected by Georgia's tone. "And my best friend is the gym leader there and she just happens to be an ice type master. If you are looking for ice Pokémon and training, I am your best bet out of anyone here. Course, if Candice is to train you, you are going to have to impress her first."
"Very well, I can at least check it out." Georgia agreed. "What kind of ice Pokémon are we talking about. I am looking for power enough to challenge dragon types so I need the best."
"Abomasnow is the top there but there are others." Zoey said. "Weavile, Glalie and Froslass for sure. If you have an Eevee, the only place to evolve it into Glaceon that I know of is up near Snowpoint. There is also the chance of a Mamoswine but those are rare and the only ones who are stronger than Abomasnow. Misty got lucky in that her Swinub evolved into a Piloswine that new Ancient Power so it could evolve into a Mamoswine."
"Mamoswine." Georgia said with a wide grin at that Pokémon. "I remember that Pokémon. That red haired girl who seems to be Ash's girlfriend now almost beat Iris used one in the junior cup who and I was amazed at its strength and power. Alright, you have a deal, I'll come with you and learn all I can from this Candice after I prove my worth to her. Then, Iris, you are mine."
"Good and we can talk about Unova on the way." Zoey said with a smile. "I am only heading back to Snowpoint for a week or so because I am going to spend the next year in Unova helping set up a Contest circuit there, except for a brief trip to Hoenn for the Wallace Cup. I was asked to help because I am former Ribbon Cup winner and Top Coordinator. I was given a choice of region and I chose Unova as the region I wanted to go to. It will help to have a native to talk to about how that region works."
"I can help you there but don't go near the Village of Dragons." Georgia said. "I want it unspoiled for when I destroy it with all my new ice types."
"Such a little kid." Iris said before glaring at Georgia. "But bring it. I am in Blackthorn City training with the Dragon Clan now so go and train in Snowpoint City. I will be stronger when we next meet, I will enjoy beating you."
"Another gang of dragon trainers to bust." Georgia shot back. "I can't wait for it. It will be a pleasure beating you and proving you aren't a dragon master."
"How is Blackthorn Iris?" Ash asked Iris as he tried to diffuse the situation. "I know you only just got there but it must be something else."
"It's amazing!" Iris gushed turning back to Ash and beaming with joy. "I am learning so much and they are happy to have me there. Turns out they knew of the Village of Dragons but never sent anyone because not many make the trip to Unova."
"True, it is far away." Ash agreed. "It was worth the trip though."
"However, now that I am there we have set up an exchange program and one of their trainees is now in Unova." Iris said ignoring Ash as she continued to gush about her life in Blackthorn. "There are even trade discussions as they have Dratini, Bagon, and Gibles who can be traded for Deino and Axews, with evolved forms being used to trade for Druddigon. It is great and I am so happy to be there."
"I can tell." Ash said with a smile at Iris's childlike joy. "So have you caught any new Pokémon?"
"I have." Iris said with a nod pulling out two Poke Balls and opening them to reveal a Horsea and a Swablu. "The Clan tasked me with catching them as part of proving myself to them. It took a while but I got them in the end."
"Those aren't dragon types." Georgia scoffed shaking her head. "And you call yourself a dragon master, pathetic."
"I don't call myself a dragon master, only a trainee dragon master." Iris snapped back returning her new Pokémon and glaring at Georgia. "And for your information, both Horsea and Swablu, like many Pokémon do when they evolve, change type or add a type and for both that new type is dragon."
"Everyone knows that." Georgia said dismissively.
"Then you should have known that some Pokémon have dragon type evolutions." Iris said. "Kingdra is Horsea's last evolution and is a water/dragon type while Swablu evolves into an Altaria which is a dragon/flying type. As part of my training I have to train them well and see if I can do a good enough job to evolve them. Kingdra requires a special scale so that will be interesting."
"That will be the day." Georgia said and the rivals went back to glaring at each other.
"They will never change." Ash said aloud shaking his head as the Unova lot laughed while the others just looked confused at what was going on. "Some rivals will always be the same."
"I am sure that there is a story there." Harrison, they guy who had inspired Ash to go to Hoenn said as he shook Ash's hand having waited patiently to speak. "And I expect to hear about all your adventures Ash tonight. It has been years and you always seem to be in the middle of everything."
"I don't know why but I am and it gets weirder each time." Ash said shaking hands with one of his Silver Conference rivals. "So how have you been Harrison? Been a long time since Johto."
"About the same as you, traveling and challenging various places." Harrison said with a shrug. "Went to Kanto after Johto, then Sinnoh and recently spent a year in Kalos seeing as I've challenged all the leagues on this continent. No titles unfortunately though I was runner up in Kalos when I challenge the league there. I am sure that the next one will be it."
"Kalos?" Ash asked. "Never heard of it. Where is it?"
"It is a large region a fair ways away from here." Harrison said. "I had to fly there for it. It was a lot of fun and I caught a bunch of new Pokémon while out there but now I'm back here. I met a guy called Scott on my way to Pallet Town and now I am apparently about to challenge the Battle Frontier here in Kanto. Figured I could use a break from gyms for a while so I accepted his offer."
"I did that a few years back; it is hard but worth it." Ash said with a nod. "Good luck in it, it will challenge all aspects of yours and your Pokémon's abilities."
"Thanks, it sounds like something worth doing." Harrison said with a smile.
"What about the rest of you?" Ash asked his gathered friends. "What are you doing now?"
"Well a bunch of us were talking last month in Vertress, after the conference ended that is, and decided to challenge the gyms in Kanto." Stephan said loudly. "So, me, Trip, Cameron and Bianca are here to take on the Kanto League."
"I heard that you already got the Boulder Badge." Ash said remembering his talk with Forrest. "I didn't know about the others but I had heard that at least you were here Stephan."
"You did?" Stephan asked surprised, so surprised that he didn't try and correct Ash for mispronouncing his name. "I only just got that badge before the invite. I was planning on heading to Cerulean City next but the gym there was closed for maintenance so everything worked out."
"One of my closest friends is the former Pewter Gym Leader and older brother of the current one." Ash explained. "We stopped off in Pewter on our way home to see Brock and while there Forrest mentioned you had challenged him. A good match from what I heard."
"It was." Stephan said proudly. "Went down to the wire. Never faced a Steelix before so that was fun. Can't wait for the next one. Kanto leaders are nothing like Unova ones."
"Well Dawn is the Cerulean Gym Leader and she's here so you will meet the next one tonight." Ash said. "Though I am pretty sure I know why the gym is closed for maintenance, I was there when Dawn almost destroyed it."
"You were?" Stephan asked. "That must have been one hell of a battle."
"It was." Ash said with a nod. "But I won't say anything to preserve Dawn's abilities."
"Makes sense." Stephan conceded. "I'm just excited for the gyms here."
"They are all going to be a challenge." Ash said. "What about the rest of you? Trip, Bianca, Cameron? How is Kanto going for you?"
"I lost my first battle here." Trip admitted, the old arrogance long gone from the blond boy. "Got into Cinnabar Island a few weeks ago as it was the easiest place to reach for me. Did a little training, caught some Pokémon, and then I took on Blaine. For a boony gym leader he's good. Going to have to train and catch some more Pokémon here first before heading to my next one in Viridian. Basic stuff."
"Told you that they are good here." Ash said and all Trip could do was nod. "Blaine is one of the toughest Kanto has to offer, probable not the best one to have started with."
"Well I just love Saffron." Bianca squealed. "They have a dojo there and they Pokémon are top notch muscle wise, so strong, so muscular. I could barely leave but once I caught a Machop I was happy, I can't wait to evolve it. I challenged the gym there but I lost my battle with the gym leader Sabrina handily so I am going to go elsewhere for a bit and get other badges."
"Sabrina is a challenge, her psychic types aren't easy to beat and her own powers make here even harder to beat." Ash admitted remembering his experience with her. "Ghost or dark types are best there, not fighting types."
"Well I am heading to Lavender Town first." Cameron said. "That's where the Celadon Gym is and Lucario and I want to take on."
"Er Cameron, the Celadon City gym is in Celadon City." Ash pointed out. "It's not in Lavender Town."
"Are you sure?" Cameron asked confused.
"I am from Kanto, I know." Ash said with a nod at his slightly confused friend.
"Huh, well then that is where I will go." Cameron said with a nod. "Lucario and I have a lot of training to do. This time we will win when it comes down to the league."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Stephan said and they all laughed. "Looks like we will all be rivals again come the end of the year."
"Well not me, I am not staying in Kanto." Barry declared running into the group and stopping just in time to avoid colliding with Bianca. "I need to go to Johto and win there before I come to Kanto. I was in Hoenn and got to the last 16. I need to show Ash that I am better than him or else I will fine him. I am already fining him for not telling me about his new girlfriend."
"Barry, I was in the top 8 in Hoenn." Ash pointed out as they all laughed while Barry just grumbled and ran off again to do whatever it was that he did when he ran places so Ash turned to the other Sinnoh natives there. "Nando, what of you? still doing both gyms and contests."
"I am." The bard said in his singsong voice as he strung a cord on his harp. "Thanks to you I know that it is my journey to wander this continent and do both. I was in Hoenn last year and lost in the finals of the Ribbon Cup while losing to Barry in preliminaries of the conference there. Now that my path has taken me to Kanto thanks to Misty's invite, I feel that I shall see this region now."
"Well then I will be facing a lot of you." Ash said with a smile causing a few of them to blink in surprise. "I am going to be competing in the Indigo Conference again this year. It will be year of hard training here in Kanto for me and then I will see you all there."
"Ah so it is Kanto that I will compete in this year." Conway said from right behind Ash causing him to shiver and look at the other trainer, the light reflecting of his glasses and hiding his eyes. "After all, I lost to you in Sinnoh Ash, I need to beat you this time. I must show Misty that I am better than you."
"I look forward to it Conway." Ash said with a smile not knowing the meaning of Conway's intentions. "It will be fun."
"Is Dane traveling with you?" Lyra asked, her arm linked with Khoury's showing that they were now a couple. "I knew you two would get together, by the way."
"Well that made one person." Ash said with a laugh looking at the Johto duo he had met in Sinnoh. "Neither of us saw it coming. However, yes, she is traveling with me and competing in the Kanto Contests."
"That's great!" Lyra said happily. "We look forward to seeing you then, we will be in Kanto this year."
"You will be?" Ash asked surprised.
"Yes Kanto has some great breeders and after meeting Brock I want to learn more here." Khoury said with a nod. "While Lyra is challenging the gyms here."
"Yes I am." Lyra confirmed. "It took 2 years to get all the badges in Johto and I just lost in the last 16 there. I think I will do the same in Kanto, take 2 years to get all the gyms so that Khoury and I can travel and enjoy the region at a more leisurely pace."
"Sounds like a good plan." Ash said. "Shame we won't be facing each other in the conference at the end of the year but we all have our own paths to follow."
"Damn, all you are staying local while I am not." Richie said shaking his head causing Ash to turn to him as second oldest rival had yet to speak. "I'm heading out to Galar to challenge the gyms there in a few days. I would go to Alola but they are still setting up their league and it won't be ready for another year or so. A year in Galar will be good prep in case I need to go to Alola."
"Flying off then, you will have to tell me about it when you get back." Ash said. "I've never heard of those two regions and want to learn about them."
"I will." Ritchie agreed. "I am looking forward to it. I have done all the regions here and managed a best of a semifinal appearance in Hoenn. Then I tried the Battle Frontier but I couldn't get past the Battle Tower so I figured a bit of a change of scenery would do me good. I was out on the Orange Islands last year so time to go a little farther afield."
"You trainers are all the same." Casey said shaking her head. "Always traveling to the next region to take on the gyms there. I am staying here, well actually I am going to Sinnoh but same continent."
"Why Sinnoh?" Ash asked his baseball and Electabuzz enthusiastic friend.
"I hear that an Electebuzz can evolve into an Elctivire there and I want to evolve mine." Casey said simply. "Then I can have my favorite Pokémon fully evolved and at its most powerful."
"I can help you with that." Gary said, once again joining the conversation as soon as evolution was mentioned. "I have an Electivire myself and I am currently in Sinnoh helping Professor Rowan there study the mysteries of evolution. Though I will be here for a bit as gramps needs assistance with his current project but after that I can take you to Sinnoh and introduce you to Professor Rowan if you want."
"Oh, ok." Casey said with a smile. "Then let's talk, I need to know more about Sinnoh and Electivire."
Before Gary could say anything Casey grabbed him and led him away from the group to chat while they all chuckled at this. Ash was about to say something when Angie suddenly arrived in the middle of the group and gave him a hug.
Ash certainly hadn't been expecting that from the tough tomboy but returned it. He felt bad because hadn't realized she was missing as he had been catching up with everyone and there were a lot of friends here.
"Angie, good to see you." Ash said when they broke apart and her tough, tomboy attitude returned. "How's the daycare going?"
"Good but I am about to start my own trainer journey." Angie said proudly. "Mom and Dad are all set so time for me to take on the Sinnoh League and enter the conference there."
"Good luck, they won't know what hit them." Ash said and Angie blushed slightly at that though Ash didn't notice. "I look forward to watching you on TV when you make it to Lily of the Valley."
"Thanks." Angie mumbled, her crush for Ash making itself known despite her recent talk with Misty and acceptance that she would never have Ash.
Suddenly, before anyone else could speak, Ash's stomach roared so loudly that they could all hear it. Everyone around laughed at that while Ash just smiled. He had been so busy catching up with his friends that he had forgotten that it had been hours since he last ate.
"I guess it is time for dinner." Ash said sheepishly. "I haven't eaten in ages so I could use some good cooking."
"Allow me Ash." Brock said stepping forward, he had been in the back as Ash and he had caught up recently so he was allowing Ash the time to catch up with older friends but he wasn't going to pass up the chance to cook for Ash. "It will be an honor to make your birthday dinner again."
"Please, I insist." Cilan said coming forward as well having held back for similar reasons to brock. "My time in Johto has broadened my pallet and skills, I feel that you deserve my latest creation on your birthday."
"You can cook too?" Brock asked turning to Cilan for the first time.
"I can." Cilan said extending his hand to Brock. "Cilan, A-class Pokémon connoisseur, world class chef and formerly one of the Striaton City Gym Leaders at your service. I cooked for Ash while he was in Unova and I was traveling with him."
"And S-class bore." Burgundy mumbled off to the side. "Talks way too much."
"Brock, trainee Pokémon Doctor and former Pewter City Gym Leader." Brock said taking Cilan's hand and shaking it. "I was the cook for Ash while we traveled together in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh."
"So, you are the Brock I have heard so much about." Cilan said causing Brock to quirk an eyebrow at him. "Ash and Misty spoke highly of you skills to me on Onix Island when we first met the girl who would capture Ash's heart and enhance his personal recipe with sweetness it sorely needed. It would be an honor to challenge you to a cook-off on Ash's birthday to see you is best."
"Challenge accepted." Brock said with a grin at the idea. "Anyone who can cook for Ash has to be pretty good at it, though I am the gold standard. I say we make this interesting and have Ash personally judge our dishes. The condition is that we can only use the food here."
"I cannot think of a more interesting flavor of competition." Cilan agreed. "A challenge worthy of my skills and one that I have not had the pleasure of experiencing before. I shall look forward to this."
"Hey if it is a food challenge then I want in as a judge." Morrison said proudly. "I can eat as well as Ash can, if not better, so you will need me as well."
"We need 3 judges to make it fair and I want to see the cooking of the man who predated Cilan." Iris butted in. "I'll be the third judge in this contest."
"Very well but we will cook for everyone so that they can all enjoy our cooking." Brock said and Cilan nodded. "But the final say will be the 3 judges will have the final say."
They all nodded and began to head to the marquee to get ready. Tables were set up for dinner though no seating had been sorted as there was an expectation to change seats throughout so that Ash could spend time with everyone.
The food wasn't ready as Brock had offered to cook before Ash had arrived but was being prevented by Mimey who was not over their feud, though now that there was a challenge he relented, only to go and offer his help to Cilan as an assistant. Cilan accepted but only if someone offered to assist Brock which Burgundy did right away. The cookoff was ready to get started.
That was when Dawn's Psyduck decided to run into the marquee quacking and looking for food. He was followed by a pissed off Dawn who was chasing him while holding Misty's Piplup of all things.
Psyduck stood there and looked confused for a moment. Then when he saw Dawn barreling down on him he quacked, jumped in the air, turned and ran out of the marquee again much to everyone's confusion.
"Get back here you moronic duck!" Dawn yelled as they ran past. "I want to join the party and you are not helping things."
That was when Ash realized that Misty wasn't there, she must have slipped away for some reason and hadn't returned. He also noted that May was not present but he could have sworn he had seen her earlier and Max was here so May had to be around. That meant that both girls were likely together and had to be somewhere.
"Where's Misty?" Ash asked looking around for his girlfriend. "And May for that matter?"
"Over there." Angie pointed out of the marquee and towards a bench just outside of the light. "Talking about something."
"Go and sit down Ash." Zoey said. "I'll go get them for you. I haven't had the chance to say hi to Misty yet anyway."
"Thanks Zoey." Ash said a little embarrassed he had not noticed his girlfriend was missing.
Zoey just nodded as she headed off to get Misty and May, noting a girl who hadn't spoken yet but was watching Ash with the hungry look of someone who liked him but Ash hadn't noticed her yet. It looked like Misty was going to have her work cut out for her tonight, she had a lot of rivals for Ash just as Ash had rivals for Misty even if Ash didn't realize he had them.
Ash didn't notice any of this. He was too eager to get his mouth on both Brock and Cilan's cooking at the same time, something he never thought he would experience. As Ash took his seat in the place of honor, a table that could be seen by the whole marquee, Morrison and Iris taking their seats on his sides, Ash couldn't be happier.
He was with all his friends, catching up and celebrating his birthday. It was going to be a great night, Ash knew it. As the cooks began preparing Ash relaxed, wondering what the night had in store for him. It would be more than Ash could have ever dreamed of.
