Part LXXXIII: New and Old Introductions
"Hello Kalos!" Ash yelled from the top of the stairs leading off the plane. "I'm here to…"
Before Ash could finish, he slipped on the first step and proceeded to fall down the stairs in spectacular fashion, Pikachu falling with him in the process. Misty just face-palmed from behind her boyfriend as he crashed into the ground while May chuckled, and Max rolled his eyes before they followed Ash down the stairs though without the falling.
Piplup laughed from Misty's head at the whole scene but he did feel bad for Pikachu. A Pokémon shouldn't have to be put in pain because of the stupid clumsiness of his trainer, Piplup knew that way too well.
"Not your most graceful arrival." Misty said as she helped her dazed boyfriend up and took his hand, something she would have done regardless but May made it clear to do so given Bonnie's Brock like habit of proposing to every pretty girl of her brother despite Clemont not wanting it. "But we made it. We're here at last, your first new region in almost 2 years."
"I've had worse." Ash admitted. "When I first arrived in Unova Pikachu got zapped by Zekrom in Nuvema Town, one of the legendary Pokémon there. That was a rather interesting arrival."
"Pikachu." Pikachu agreed with a wince, that had not been a fun experience and he'd lost his electric powers for a bit because of it.
"Why does that not surprise me." Misty said shaking her head as they made their way into the terminal building to meet Serena and May's other friends. "Trust you to find a legendary right off the bat."
"This is Ash, meeting a legendary Pokémon is a monthly occurrence for him." May pointed out. "Zekrom was just accelerating the process."
"So true." Misty said shaking her head. "Stick around Ash long enough and a legendary will appear."
"You really met a legendary Pokémon as soon as you went to a region?" A young, excited female voice said, and they looked up to see who had spoken. "That's so cool. We met one last year but not until the end when Squishy revealed it was part of Zygarde."
The speaker was a young girl who looked about 10, which they knew she was thanks to May, who was practically bouncing as she stood with two other people in the arrivals area. She was short even for her age with blonde hair that fell to just above her shoulders in the back in a spiky pattern and wide blue eyes. Her fringe was an off style of 4 clumps of hair and all her excess hair was gathered in a side ponytail on her left side and held with a dark yellow clip.
The young girl's clothes were as unique as her hairstyle. She wore a near sleeveless brown top with a black bow thing at the center of the collar, a short cream-colored skirt of sorts and cycling shorts that came to just above her knees. She finished the look with a pair of pink shoes and a yellow satchel bag that was a shade lighter than her hair clip.
Misty knew at once that this had to be Bonnie, the youngest of May's friends from Kalos. That was confirmed when a small, dark yellow, mouse looking Pokémon popped out of her bag to look at them. It had red cheek sacs with barb-like whiskers from them and large ears. Misty had never seen one before but based on what May had said that Pokémon had to be a Dedenne, the Pokémon that Bonnie's brother had caught for her early in their journey together.
Speaking of Bonnie's brother, he had to the guy standing next to her as he was the only male of their welcoming party. He had the same blonde hair and blue eyes as his sister though his hair was longer and free flowing with a large cowlick on the top of his head. His fringe fell normally with two sides jutting out and a single strand in the center that fell between his large round glasses.
Misty could tell that Clemont was an inventor or engineer of sorts just by looking at his outfit. He wore a simple light blue jumpsuit with large cuffs at the wrists and ankles and deep looking side pockets that was clearly for utility rather than fashion. There was a little color to the jumpsuit as it had a dark yellow collar, yellow bands just above the knees and a stripe bisecting the ankle cuffs. He also wore a large back pack on his back that seemed to be nuzzling slightly.
The remaining person was someone who Misty and Ash had met relatively recently. Serena was much the same as when they'd seen her at the Kanto Grand Festival where she'd been May's guest though she was in her casual clothes and not the formal ones they'd met her in. Misty had heard the girl had changed her style midway through last year, but she had to admit that this style worked for the Kalos girl that Misty was certain had feelings for Ash.
Serena wore a simple sleeveless pink dress with a white collar and blue ribbon tied in the same style as Bonnie's black one at her throat. Over this she wore a blood red sleeveless vest thing with pockets in the sides that Misty had to admit was a great idea as it worked for the style and dealt with the classic problem of a lack of pockets in women's clothing. She also had thigh high black stockings on with brown boots. She topped it all off with a pink hat that had a black band on it.
May had said that her friends would greet them here and here they were. That meant that it was time to meet the siblings that May had traveled with while saying hello to Serena again, and getting a gage on the honey blonde as Misty she would be traveling with them.
"Yes, when I visited the Unova region 2 years ago now." Ash said with a smile at the young girl. "Pikachu here got blasted by some lightning from Zekrom that messed up his electric type powers for a while, but it was all sorted out by the time we left Nuvema Town. My friend Iris will attest to that."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said in agreement remembering his first meeting with Iris well.
"He's so cute!" Bonnie squealed as she finally couldn't contain herself and ran up to them with Clemont trotting up behind her to keep an eye on her. "Can I hold him?"
"It's up to Pikachu." Ash said looking at his buddy.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said as he leapt off Ash's shoulder into the young girl's waiting arms as he could tell she had a pure heart and that electric type with her was clearly well cared for.
"What a cutie!" Bonnie exclaimed again as she hugged Pikachu tightly causing Misty to instantly backed away and drag Ash with her as Serena reached her young friend before she did something stupid.
As soon as Bonnie had made her exclamation Misty knew at once what was going to happen. Pikachu was an adorable Pokémon, but he was a little sensitive to being hugged tightly, especially by overly excited females he'd just met shortly after arriving in a new region and Bonnie was being a little too tight. Pikachu had to remind her that he was different from that other electric type in her bag.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt into the girl to teach her a lesson and mark his arrival in a new region as this was a tradition now it seemed given how odd human females were around him whenever they first met.
Clemont had seen what was coming, he knew his sister well enough to know what would happen and as an electric specialist he backed away quickly before diving for cover. Serena had not seen this and had just reached Bonnie with her mouth open to tell Bonnie to lessen up when Pikachu let lose. She was too close to Bonnie to avoid the inevitable.
Bonnie yelled as the electricity coursed through her while a bolt slammed into Serena and fried her as well given how close she was to Pikachu and Bonnie. Then something truly odd happened. Two more bolts shot off Pikachu before the attack ended.
One hit a startled May in the forehead as she was about to try and stop Bonnie from setting Pikachu off as she'd seen it coming as soon as Bonnie started hugging Pikachu. The final one went further and behind Pikachu before it slammed right into Misty's chest just below her locket and right at the moment Ash let go of her hand to go and check on his starter.
Misty was too startled to scream as she was fried and fell back to the ground spasming as her hair stood on end in a very unattractive fashion. Piplup had been on her head at the same time and the super effective attack coursed through him before blasting his charred and unconscious body off Misty's head and into the ceiling. He then fell down and landed on his equally charred trainer lying on her face with swirls for eyes and revenge in his heart.
The other three girls were all on the ground with equally impressive looking hairstyles and smoking slightly as they twitched on the floor. Even Dedenne had felt it showing just how much more powerful Pikachu was compared to him.
Pikachu just looked around at the destruction and smiled sheepishly from Bonnie's chest where he'd ended up after his attack. This had been a little more spectacular than usual and he'd gotten all the females, and Piplup apparently. He wouldn't be hearing the end of this.
"Well Bonnie that's why you have to be careful when meeting a new Pokémon." Clemont said once it was done and he'd gotten up to check on his sister. "Dedenne may like that but a Pikachu may not."
"Noted." Bonnie said as she coughed and sat up causing Pikachu to leap into her back. "Sorry Pikachu, I'll be gentler next time, if you let me hold you again that is. I am good at grooming so please trust me."
"Dedenne." Dedenne said confirming his trainer's words and showing off his gleaming coat to his fellow electric type.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a nod as the girl had learned her lesson and her Pokémon did have faith in her skills so he could allow it as he had shocked her pretty hard. "Pi, Pikachu."
"Did, did Pikachu just shock all of us." May said as she groaned and sat up, her hair everywhere under her bandana but thankfully it was more hidden than the other victims. "Nope just the girls it seems. Really Pikachu? All four of us?"
"Pikachu." Pikachu said embarrassed, he hadn't meant to hit them all and actually had no idea how Ash's mate got hit as she wasn't near enough. "Pikachu, pika pi."
"So that's what you had to go through when you met Ash." Serena said as she sat up knowing it would be a nightmare to deal with her hair though at least it was short now. "I guess it had to happen."
"It was just our bikes, but Iris got a blast in Unova apparently." May said as Misty groaned but didn't get up yet due to Piplup lying on her face. "This was more than usual for Pikachu."
"Pikachu has to mark a new region by frying a girl's bike or a girl herself." Misty said as she finally sat up her hair really bad, but she didn't blame Ash this time and caught her crispy starter as he fell off her face. "Though Piplup is a guy so Pikachu got one male this time, but electricity hit me, he was just collateral damage."
"It happens and I'm a new trainer, so I am still getting used to this." Bonnie said as Clemont helped her and Serena to their feet. "Sorry everyone for that."
"Oh, so you've got your first Pokémon then?" May asked as Ash helped her and tried to help Misty but she waved him off for a moment as she had to sort something out.
"Fennekin." Bonnie said happily. "Just like Serena. Dedenne is officially mine now as well so I have 2 to start my journey."
"That is great and your Dedenne looks really well cared for already." Max said as he approached and looked closely at Dedenne who was still in Bonnie's bag. "Yes, this Pokémon has been raised with love and care. You will be a great trainer if this is how you care for your Pokémon."
"Thank you." Bonnie said with a slight blush at the praise. "You must be Max, May's brother."
"Yes, sorry for not introducing myself." Max said holding out a hand to Bonnie who shook it after a slight start at the greeting as few saw past her age. "That was a bit of a wild series of events for a first meeting, but I've heard Ash likes to make an impression on a region."
"No need we've heard everything about you from May." Clemont said as he shook Max's hand as well. "And Ash as well, she talks about your adventures a lot. It is a pleasure to finally meet you both."
"Same to you." Ash said with a grin as he and Clemont shook. "May's said a fair bit about you two as well when we saw her in Hoenn and on the way here. We met Serena at the Grand Festival but it's great to meet her other friends as well."
"I had so much fun at that." Serena said with a smile. "Really showed me how much I could grow as a Performer if I became a Coordinator for a bit to round out my skills. I'm not a big battler but I can see how that will further deepen the bonds with Pokémon, Aria is a big believer in that, and help with Performances in the future."
"Well, it was great to have you there to support Misty as she won it." Ash said. "Shame you couldn't stay for the Indigo Conference, that was a wild one."
"Alas I had to get back, I really wish I had as looked amazing." Serena said with a blush as Ash spoke to her again. "I did get that Rhyhorn in the end as well as a Scatterbug so now I have 5 Pokémon which is more than enough for Contests here."
"That's great Serena." May said with a smile. "I can't wait to see them."
"We did watch the Indigo Conference though." Clemont said. "Thanks to the delay of the Lumiose Conference to clean up the city we watched all of it. It was epic even if you lost like that in the end."
"It is what it is." Ash said with a sigh, he'd made peace with his loss, but he wouldn't forget it. "But I am using it as fuel to make me stronger so I can win this time in Kalos."
"Unless I stop you, I'm here to win the Kalos Conference as well." Max said as the others laughed at the budding rivalry.
As the others were talking Misty was dealing with Piplup. He'd been hurt and she had to care for her overly dramatic starter as he milked it for all its worth and explain to him that this time it actually wasn't her fault that he got injured.
Still Piplup was hurt so Misty had to tend to him as any trainer should. Fortunately, they had plenty of supplies with them to deal with it as there was always the risk of injury around Ash, well that and Pikachu did have to mark his territory after all, so they'd been prepared for it.
It didn't take long for Misty to get Piplup back and improve his health to move though he was clearly pissed at Misty. She gave him a few Poffins to appease him and stood up with him still in her arms so she could rejoin the conversation.
"Well, I won't be facing you right away Clemont." Ash was saying as Misty rejoined them. "I need to catch a few more Pokémon first and get some experience with them before we battle so once everything is sorted here, we're heading to Santalune City."
"Makes sense if you just have Pikachu and Riolu with you." Clemont said showing that Ash had told them who had had on him while Misty was dealing with Piplup. "But you are staying in the city for a few days, right? May said you guys would and I know Professor Sycamore is eager to meet you."
"Yeah, we will be around for a few days so that we have everything ready." Ash said. "I could actually use your help Clemont. I'm looking for a romantic spot here in Lumiose City for Misty and me. Our one-year anniversary was last month but we couldn't properly celebrate it as it was right after the Conference and before my party, so we decided to do it here."
"I think I may be able to help, I have an idea that will be really good." Clemont said thinking not noticing that both May and Serena flinched slightly at Ash's words. "But we should discuss this later at the gym."
"Good idea brother." Bonnie said as she looked at the injured Piplup in Misty's arms and finally got to address the pretty coordinator while changing the topic having noticed what Clemont missed regarding the girls' feelings for Ash. "Misty, I'm Bonnie and I'm really sorry about Piplup. It was my fault you got shocked and thus Piplup got shocked."
"Thank you but Piplup will blame me for that shock, he always does." Misty said before realizing that the young girl had identified Piplup. "Wait, you know what he is? I wasn't aware that people out here knew of Piplups as they aren't common outside of Sinnoh. When I was in Unova they didn't know what he was."
"Oh yes we saw a few of them in an aquarium we visited once." Bonnie said happily. "One came up to me to say hello. They were so cute and friendly."
"Piplup." Piplup said with a nod from Misty's arms, the new girl who'd been responsible for his shock was at least making it up to him a little by acknowledging that he was adorable, as she should. "Piplup."
"Yeah, they were all really happy." Serena said. "May said she knew one that was something else though and after watching the Wallace Cup and then seeing yours at the Grand Festival I am sure that she was referring to yours."
"Piplup." Piplup confirmed with a smug grin, he was a cut above the rest and this slightly familiar female who likely liked one of the two males, hopefully not Misty's mate as that meant he'd be in pain when they clashed, here correctly pointed out how special he was. "Pip Piplup."
"Please refrain from heaping too much praise on Piplup." Misty said with a sigh. "Yes, May would be referring to mine and he is something else. I've never met another Piplup like him."
"Piplup." Piplup said glad his human knew his worth, but he already knew that.
"His ego and pride redefine the words." Misty added as Piplup again nodded in agreement not realizing that Misty wasn't complementing him. "But I love him all the same. He's one in a million."
"Piplup." Piplup said happily. "Pip, Piplup."
"Can I groom him?" Bonnie asked bluntly surprising Misty. "I'm very good at it and his beautiful feathers got all singed because of me so I should make it up to him."
"Dedenne." Dedenne said from her bag confirming that his human was amazing at what she said she was good at.
"If that's ok with Piplup." Misty said looking at Piplup in her arms. "Piplup, do you want Bonnie to groom you as a way to repay you for setting Pikachu off and zapping us?"
"Bonnie is great at it." May said. "She cared for all our Pokémon last year. They always loved rest breaks because Bonnie would pamper them."
"I may not really know what kind of trainer I will be, but I know that I love Pokémon." Bonnie said. "I like to take care of them and make them look good."
"Piplup." Piplup said with a nod, if someone was going to doat on him and make him look better after that shock he'd take it plus the girl did owe him for that shock. "Pip, Piplup."
"Alright just be careful." Misty said as she handed Piplup over to a smiling Bonnie. "He is prideful."
"I will." Bonnie said as she took him over to a nearby seat and got out her gear to begin looking after Piplup. "Now Piplup, time to look beautiful."
"He's in good hands." Clemont said as he was finally able to properly greet Misty with a handshake which she accepted. "Bonnie may be overly excited at times but if there is one thing her year with us last year taught her it was proper Pokémon care."
"Really, that is different to how I would do it." Max said looking over at the girl with an analytical gaze. "Bonnie, do you mind if I join you and see your technique for grooming. I learned from a great breeder, but I can always learn more when it comes to Pokémon care."
"Sure, you can come and show me how you would take care of Dedenne." Bonnie called back still working on a now very content looking Piplup. "May said you were good at this as well but different to me at the same time, so I want to see for myself."
Max just nodded and headed over to join Bonnie as he began to assess Dedenne and figure out what was best for a rodent-like electric type. He had to admit sitting and grooming with Bonnie felt more natural to him.
After all, he was 5 years younger than May and Misty, so he was a bit overwhelmed with the older trainers and they dealt with things that he was a little too young for. Bonnie was nearer his age so it would be easier to talk with her about Pokémon and normal things as they were on a similar level.
"Anyway, back to what we were talking about before your Piplup became the center of discussion." Clemont said and Misty hoped her starter didn't hear that as it would only add to his bottomless ego. "How long are you staying in Lumiose City? I can't travel with you this year, so I want to know how long I get to spend with May's friends and brother who she's spoken so highly of."
"About a week." Misty said and Ash nodded. "The first Contest of the season is coming up soon in Odyssey Village which is apparently between here and Santalune City so we're planning around going to Santalune before heading back via Odyssey Village. May and I will be expected to help out at least though not sure about judging."
"It's the first Contest so likely the normal judges will do it as it is the first ever in Kalos." May said to her. "Regardless we can't judge if Serena is competing in it as I am her mentor and friend, while you are her friend and traveling companion. We will still help set up and if there is time promote it, depending on when we arrive."
"Yeah, it's going to be my Contest debut and after winning the Master Class and facing Aria for the title of Kalos Queen I already have a bit of notoriety as one of the Kalos Performers who are on the circuit this year." Serena said with a hint of nerves in her voice. "It's also where there's a Rhyhorn racing track so my mom can come and see it as she's free. Fitting as I rejected her desires for me to be a racer and found my own dream."
"It will be tough though." Clemont said having pulled up something on a handheld computer device he was now holding. "It's the first Contest of the season so some of the potential favorites are going to be there, including one who's said to be a skilled coordinator from abroad."
"Really?" Misty asked curiously. "Who?"
"It won't say as the coordinator hasn't confirmed yet." Clemont said shaking his head as he tried to find more information on the device. "Only that she's from one of the original circuit regions so your part of the world and has Grand Festival experience. She's not the top favorite, that is a Kanto girl with a few years of experience, but this one is also up there."
"I wonder if I know either of them." Misty mused thinking that one had to be Emily as she knew her friend was in Kalos this year. "I'll have to see when we get there because I have a friend on the circuit this year who I don't think I can judge."
"Emily?" May asked and Misty nodded.
"She's in Kalos now with some friend she made on the Plateau and if she's in a Contest I can't judge it." Misty confirmed. "But I will help out with it, as well as some training with Serena if she'd like."
"Really, you'd help?" Serena asked amazed. "I think I might rub a few people the wrong way if I am being coached by two Top Coordinators though. They might see that as unfair."
"You won't be the only one with a mentor though, and it is common for the really good ones to have one." May pointed out. "And Misty will do the same with Emily when they meet so it's not like she's exclusively helping you. Add in that it was known in Kanto that Emily saw Misty as a mentor, and she'll be just as much a target as you once that comes out here."
"True." Serena said. "Thanks Misty, I appreciate it."
"It's the least I could do seeing as you and May are joining us on our travels." Misty said with a grin at Serena that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I think a practice Contest battle is in order as part of your training, once we are on the road of course. I do want to ease into Kalos and sort a few things out first and I will be focusing on Ash's gym battle as that is sooner."
"That would be great Misty, I don't have that much experience in battling, so I'd appreciate the help." Serena said missing what Misty really intended but May knew and sighed knowing she'd have to at least brace Serena for her civil talk with Misty that was no doubt coming. "That is the aspect of Contests that I am most worried about."
"Well, I know little about how performances work, but I am sure there is some way to transition what you know over to both appeals and Contest battles." Misty said. "Though I do have one request for the battle, and it is something I have to sort out first."
"Sure what?" Serena asked.
"I want to face your Sylveon." Misty said going with the blunt approach similar to how Lucy had desired to face Misty's Spiritomb. "With my Espeon. We did discuss this back in Kanto and I feel like an Eevee evolution matchup could be fun."
"That does sound fun and your Espeon is gorgeous, I'd like to see it again." Serena said agreeing to it and recalling how stunned she'd been when she'd seen Misty's green Espeon in the semifinals of the Grand Festival. "I was thinking of using Sylveon more in appeals, but battle experience is always good, and she is a pretty strong Pokémon."
"Mixing it up is key to Contests." May said. "You don't want to become predictable with your battle Pokémon as rivals may figure them out. Some are better than others but don't become reliant on one."
"May's right other than my Pinsir and maybe Buneary these days I don't really have an exclusively appeals based Pokémon." Misty said. "Though Pinsir does get used in double battles with Vileplume as you saw."
"I remember, kinda hard to forget how you used your opponent's Pokémon as a missile to attack his other Pokémon." Serena said. "And I will take that advice to heart and make sure that all my Pokémon can do both."
"Great well that settles our plans." Ash said not realizing Misty's full intentions but getting that there was some Contest stuff going on that he didn't need to pay attention to. "We are going to spend the week here and see the city, meet the Professor and learn what we can before setting off. Can't wait."
"Well on that note shall we head to Professor Sycamore's lab then?" Clemont said to the group. "We are currently standing in the middle of an airport terminal so we should get going."
"Lead the way." Ash said pointing to where he thought the exit was. "Kalos, here I come!"
They all just laughed at that as Clemont called to Bonnie and Max to rejoin them as they were now in a deep discussion over Pokémon care as they showed off their different techniques to one another. The two younger siblings got up and returned to the group, Bonnie giving Misty Piplup back showing that he was looking really good and pleased with her work before accepting a happy Dedenne back from Max.
Misty put Piplup on her head, took Ash's hand and they all began to walk out of the airport as a group. It had been a nice introduction, excluding Pikachu's usually new region welcome, and made Misty and Ash eager to see the region this year.
That sight started with Lumiose City and the Kalos Professor. It was time to finally meet Professor Sycamore as their Kalos adventure truly began.
