Ash and his friends were gathered around one of the Pokemon Center's video phones. They had just gotten into contact with Ash's mother.

"So that was that!" said Ash. "I got the Boulder Badge!"

"That's amazing, sweetie!" said Delia. "I can't wait for you to become the champion!"

"And you know we're gonna make it all the way!" said Meowth.

"Well, you two sure are confident," said Sam. "You'd better make sure you don't get too cocky, though. There's a whole bunch of trainers who want to win the championship too."

"Pikachu, pika."

"Not to mention that a lot of them have a lot more experience than you," said Maria. "You sure you have what it takes to win against all of them?"

"My Ash wouldn't be on his journey if he didn't think he could," said Delia. "And I for one think he will win!"

"Yeah!" said Mikaela. "Ash will win everything!"

"Eev-eevee!"

"Well, nobody ever got anywhere by dreaming small," said Sam. "So we'll make sure to support you the whole way!"

"Yeah!" said Maria. "You can do it!"

Ash smiled at the words of encouragement his friends were sharing with him.

"Well, I am very happy that Ash has found such a dependable group of friends to travel with him," said Delia. "And with such lofty dreams! A future Pokemon breeder and G-Man? You two are so lucky to be traveling with my Ash!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Ash's mom!" said Mikaela.

"Yeah," said Sam. "That's really nice of you, ma'am."

"Sure," said Maria as she looked downwards. "Though I don't really know what I want to do."

"Well, I'm sure Ash can help you figure it out," said Delia. "He has that effect on people!"

This made Maria perk up once more, and she smiled at the encouragement.

"Well," said Delia, "please make sure to take care of my Ash. He may be a lot to handle sometimes, but his heart is in the right place!"

"You can say that again!" said Meowth.

"Thanks Mom," said Ash. "I'll make sure to keep in touch."

"You'd better," said Delia. "I need to make sure you're changing your underwear every single day!"

Ash's face went red as the rest of the gang struggled to hold in their laughter.

"I… make sure to do that every day," Ash said in embarrassment.

"Good," Delia said as she smiled. "Now, I'll just leave you guys to your journey. Don't forget to call soon!"

"Bye mom!" said Ash, and the rest of the gang said their goodbyes as well. As the screen went blank, Meowth looked at him.

"So, your mom looked pretty happy that you won," he said. "Anyone else we're telling?"

"Yeah," said Ash. "I need to tell Cody about this."

"Who's Cody?" said Meowth.

"Oh yeah," said Ash as he started to plug in a number. "You guys haven't met him yet. Cody and I met ages ago at a summer camp that Professor Oak was hosting. Ever since then we've been best buds."

"Oh, neat," said Sam. "So, I'm guessing there's a reason why he isn't traveling with you?"

"Well, he's not gonna be old enough to be a trainer until next year," said Ash. "Also, he lives in another region, so we don't get to hang out as much as we would like to."

"That stinks," said Mikaela. "Oh! Maybe next year you can go wherever he lives and challenge that league, so that way you can travel with him!"

"Maybe," said Ash. "For now I just hope I can show him everything about my journey."

He smiled as an image appeared on the screen. Before them stood a boy with dark red eyes and purple hair. He was wearing a pair of yellow and black pajamas, and was holding a plush Electabuzz.

"Ash!" the boy said excitedly. "It's you!"

"Hey Cody!" said Ash. "It's great to see you!"

"Then you should have called earlier!" Cody said angrily. "You said you would call after you got your first Pokemon!"

"Sorry, Cody," Ash said nervously. "I meant to call you before, but I've been having a lot of stuff to do since I'm a trainer now, so I didn't have the time to do so before. You know how it is, right dude?"

Cody huffed in irritation, causing a drop of sweat to roll down Ash's forehead. However, the anger on his friend's face quickly dissipated.

"Eh, I guess that's cool," he said finally. "So, did you get that Squirtle you wanted?"

"Noooot exactly," said Ash as he lifted Meowth up. "I got something way better."

"A Meowth?" said Cody. "That's kinda lame."

"Hey!" Meowth said. "Who are you calling lame?"

"HE CAN TALK?!" said Cody.

"LIke I said," said Ash, "I got something way better than a Squirtle."

"That is so awesome!" said Cody. "You got yourself a power hitter for sure!"

"Power hitter?" said Sam, his face somewhere between confusion and incredulity.

"Cody likes baseball a lot," Ash said with a shrug. "Half the time I have no idea what he's saying."

"Well, you clearly need to learn about how awesome the game is," said Cody. "Anyway, are you gonna introduce me to your friends?"

"Oh yeah!" said Ash as he turned to his friends. "So, this is Sam."

"Hey there," said Sam.

"Pikachu, Pi."

"And this is Mikaela."

"Hiii!"

"Eevee Eevee!"

"And that's Yellow!"

"I told you," Maria said in exasperation, "my name is Maria."

"But you said A-ma-ri-ya meant yellow!"

Maria sighed and turned to Cody.

"Is he always like this?" she asked.

"He… can be a bit of a dork sometimes, yes," said Cody.

The boy's eyes then widened as he looked at Maria.

"Wow! I love your clothes!"

"Really?" said Maria. "Well, thanks. I mean, I don't think it's that special."

"Of course they are!" said Cody. "Yellow and black are the best!"

"Oh yeah," said Ash. "Yellow and black are his favorite colors. They remind him of Electabuzz."

"Cool," said Mikaela. "Electabuzz is a pretty cool Pokemon."

"Don't they have a baseball team named after it, though?" said Sam.

"Yeah they do," said Cody. "And it's the best team ever!"

"That's debatable," Ash muttered.

"Anyway," said Cody, "have you gotten any badges yet, Ash?"

"Oh yeah," said Ash as he pulled out his Boulder Badge. "I just battled the Pewter Gym today!"

"Awesome!" said Cody. "You won your first inning!"

"Yeah, I guess," said Ash. "My team was awesome today."

"Neat," said Cody. "So, what other Pokemon have you got?"

"Well, I have a Metapod and Spearow," said Ash.

"I have a Pikachu and Pidgeotto," said Sam.

"Pika."

"I have Eevee and Weedle!" said Mikaela.

"Vee!"

"And I just have Ratty," Maria said as she lifted her partner up.

"Rattata!"

"Wow," said Cody. "That's a weird Rattata."

"Apparently, he's from Alola," said Ash. "Alola is probably pretty weird too."

"Oh, cool," said Cody. "So, are you guys challenging the gym too?"

"Nah," said Sam. "I'm trying to join the G-Men."

"And I wanna be a Pokemon breeder!" said Mikaela.

"I… don't really know what I want to be," Maria admitted. "But I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually!"

"Cool," said Cody. "I'll bet you'll find something you want to do sooner or later! You're traveling with Ash after all!"

"Well, I hope so," said Maria. "I mean, my friends are really interesting. And sometimes they can be kind of weird. Like, when they met me they actually thought I was a boy."

Cody looked at her in surprise.

"They… thought you were a boy?" he asked.

"In our defense," said Sam, "she was holding all her hair in her hat, so we didn't realize how long it actually was."

The purple haired boy looked at Maria, then looked back at the rest of the group.

"But… you're definitely a girl?"

"Last time I checked, yes."

"Well… okay, I guess."

Cody then looked away from the group for a moment as a voice called out to him.

"I'm coming!"

"What's up?" said Ash.

"Mom's calling me," said Cody. "I need to go."

"Oh, okay," said Ash, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Well, we'll have to make sure to talk again soon."

"Yeah," said Cody. "You'd better make sure to call me soon, buster!"

"Of course I will!" Ash said quickly. "I promise!"

"And if he forgets we'll make sure he remembers!" said Meowth.

"Cool!" said Cody. "Well, good luck on your journey, Ash!"

"Thanks Cody!" said Ash. "Talk to you soon!"

"Take care!" said Meowth.

"Pikachu."

"Eevee!"

"Rattata!"

"It was nice to meet you!" said Sam.

"See you!" said Mikaela.

"Adiós!" said Maria.

"Bye!" said Cody. And with that, the transmission ended and the screen went blank.

"Well, he sure was nice," said Meowth.

"And fun!" said Mikaela.

"Well, he's my best bud," said Ash. "Of course he's great."

He got up and stretched his arms.

"So, what now?" he said. "It's kind of late for training, and there isn't much else we can do right now."

"Well," said Sam, "the Pokemon Center recently opened up that new section."

"New section?" said Mikaela.

"You mean the coffee place?" said Ash.

"They sell more than just coffee," said Sam. "But yeah. From what I heard, it was apparently popular in Alola's Pokemon Centers, and now they're spreading to Kanto too."

"Well, I wanna see if it's any good," said Ash. "What do you say, Meowth?"

"Sounds fun!" said Meowth. "Let's take a look!"

"It does sound interesting," said Maria. "I want to check it out!"

"Me too!" said Mikaela.

Thus the band made their way towards the newly opened section to the left of the Pokemon Center's main desk. They were soon greeted by the sight of a logo of a coffee cup sitting above the words McAdam's Old Coffee House. Below that was a sign that displayed the words No Fighting.

"So this is it, huh?" said Ash. "Not bad."

"I like it," said Meowth.

"Let's go!" said Mikaela.

The group walked into the café, and were met by the sight of several other trainers sitting at their tables. Some were drinking their beverages alone, and others were with friends. There were some trainers discussing strategies, others comparing their teams, and even a few people who weren't trainers, but still seemed to enjoy what the café had to offer.

"Wow," said Maria. "This place sure is popular."

"It sure seems to be," said Sam. "I mean, it just opened, so I guess a lot of people want to see what it's all about, but still."

As they reached the counter, they took a look at the options.

"What's Roserade tea?" said Mikaela. "Is it tea that's made for Roserade? But we don't have one, so we can't order any!"

"Vee!"

"I don't think that's what it means," said Meowth. "I think it's-"

"Maybe it's tea that's made with Roserade!" Mikaela said in horror. "Those poor little Roserade!"

"Eevee!"

"You're so weird, Mikaela," said Maria.

Ash silently wondered what a tea made from Pokemon would even taste like. Fortunately, before he could follow that thought any further, a voice interrupted them.

"Well, you certainly seem interested in what we have to offer, aren't you Mikaela?"

The group looked towards the counter, and were met by the sight of an older man with grayish hair. He was somewhat overweight, though not obese, and he had a short grayish beard. He was wearing a dark brown apron over his orange shirt and brown pants, as well as a pair of round glasses that seemed to completely obscure his eyes. Most notable of all was the kindly look on his face; it was the kind of face that seemed welcoming and reassuring, and yet also held a hint of something far more mysterious.

"Hello," the man said, "and welcome to my establishment. What can I get for you?"

"Your establishment?" said Sam.

"Indeed it is, Sam," the man said. "I'm McAdam, of course."

Ash and the others stared at him in amazement.

"McAdam?" said Meowth. "Like, the guy who's name is on this place?"

"Indeed," said McAdam. "And you must be the Meowth I've heard so much about."

"Wait," said Ash. "You've heard of Meowth?!"

"Oh, I've heard rumors of a trainer of Pallet Town accompanied by a talking Pokemon," said McAdam. "Although I wasn't certain until Flint mentioned the trainer he had been helping."

"Oh, okay," said Ash, wondering how he'd gotten so much attention so soon.

"Well," said McAdam, "now that we've gotten the pleasantries out of the way, what can I serve you fine trainers?"

"Uh," said Ash as he looked over the options, "I think I'll have a… Tapu Cocoa?"

"I'd like a Komala Coffee," said Sam.

"Gimmie a Pinap Juice!" said Mikaela.

"Just some Moomoo Milk for me," said Maria.

"You got anything for us Pokemon?" said Meowth.

"Well, of course I do!" McAdam said with a grin. "We have our own specially grown Poke Beans for all our Pokemon companions!"

The older man then made his way back into the kitchen. A few moments later, he returned carrying several beverages, as well as a bowl full of colorful heart shaped beans. He placed the bowl on the counter, where Meowth and the other Pokemon quickly gathered to eat.

"So, you must have just gotten the Boulder Badge," McAdam said as he passed Ash his drink.

"Yeah," said Ash as he took the cup of Tapu Cocoa. "Did Flint tell you that too?"

"No," said McAdam, "but you carry a look of confidence and joy. Clearly you must have been successful in your battle."

"Oh," said Ash. "Well, thanks."

He then took a sip of his drink, and grinned.

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"Yeah," said Sam. "This stuff is great!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," said McAdam. "I'm proud to serve the very best."

"Well, it sure is!" Meowth said as he chomped on a bean. "These Poke Beans are delicious!"

"Eevee!"

"Ratta!"

"Pikachu."

"Good, good," said McAdam. "So, I assume you'll be headed towards the Cerulean Gym next?"

"Yep!" said Ash. "I can't wait to get my next badge!"

"Jeez, Ash," said Maria. "You just got your first badge, and you already want another one?"

"Oh, don't be so harsh, Maria," said McAdam. "Your friend here is evidently passionate about what he does. And believe me, passion is essential to make your dreams come true. Just look at me and my coffee house!"

"I guess that makes sense," said Meowth. "I was really passionate about learning how to talk, and look at me now!"

"Well, there you go," said McAdam. "And I have no doubt that it will lead you well on your quest, young Ash."

"Thanks," said Ash, a huge grin forming on his face. "I'll make sure to get all the badges and do my best at the Pokemon League!"

"I know you will," McAdam said with a smile. "Although… that was not the quest I was speaking of."

Ash blinked as his grin faded somewhat.

"What… how did you…"

"I can see it in your eyes," said McAdam. "You seek something else, don't you? Or perhaps someone?"

The raven haired boy hesitated for a moment. While the old barista certainly seemed friendly enough, he barely knew him, and it was certainly stranger, even slightly unnerving, that he could tell so much about Ash just by looking at him. And… there was something else about the man that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Still, he hadn't given him any signs that he wanted to do anything but help Ash. And maybe it would be helpful to talk a bit about his other reasons for his journey.

"Well, I wanted to find out what happened to my father," he admitted. "I've never met him, and my mom never talks about him either."

"Ah," said McAdam. "Family can be quite a tricky concept, no?"

"I… guess?" said Ash. He wasn't quite sure what to say to that, but it sounded somewhat helpful, at least.

"Well, Ash is hoping to find his dad somewhere out there," said Meowth. "You think he's got a chance, old man?"

"Any event that isn't impossible has a chance of happening, however unlikely it may be," McAdam said, causing Ash to raise his eyebrow. "What you should be asking is what happens if you succeed in finding your father."

"What do you mean?" Ash asked.

"Family is important, of course," said McAdam. "They are the people you know most of all, and they are always there to support you. And they teach you many of the greatest lessons you will ever know."

"I wouldn't know," said Meowth, "I never knew my family."

Ash looked at Meowth in surprise.

"You don't know your family?" he asked in surprise.

"Is it that hard to imagine?" said Meowth.

"Perhaps not," said McAdam, a frown taking over his face. "While family is truly important, there are those who are not so fortunate to have a loving and supportive family. Sometimes, the family who was supposed to love and support you abandons you when you need them the most. Sometimes they turn out to not be what you wanted them to be. And there are even times when the people you thought would be the most important to you… end up being the ones who hurt you the most."

Ash couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

"Are you saying that my dad… is a bad guy?"

"Oh, I can't say anything for certain,"said McAdam. "But there is something I would urge you to consider: could there be a reason why your mother does not talk about your father?"

Ash looked down at his drink, the old barista's words echoing through his mind.

"Anyway," McAdam said, his jovial smile returning, "I'm glad that you decided to give my establishment a try. I do hope that you'll consider coming back in the future!"

The man walked away, heading towards another table. Ash and his friends watched him head off, then looked back at each other.

"Well, that was interesting," said Maria. "And a bit weird."

"Pikachu, Pika."

"Ratt!"

"Sure was," said Sam. "Still, it was nice of him to get us our drinks."

"Yeah," said Mikaela, "This stuff is great!"

"Eevee!"

Ash and Meowth looked at each other as they pondered McAdam's words.

"You think there might be something going on with my dad that mom didn't want me to know about?" said Ash.

"Could be," said Meowth. "I guess we'll have to ask if we find him."

Slowly, a smile spread over Ash's face.

"You mean when we find him," said Ash. "I know we will!"

"I sure hope so," said Sam. "Sounds like it's gonna be quite the adventure."

"It should be," said Maria. "And who knows, maybe what the old man said can help me find my parents too."

"Ooh, cool!" said Mikaela. "A parent hunting quest! I love it!"

The band laughed, then turned back to their beverages. As they drank, a random thought occurred to Mikaela.

"Hey, how did the old man know our names?"

A/N: So, not much action in this chapter. This one was mostly just about the gang unwinding after Ash's battle. And also having them talk with various other characters who will most likely be much more important later on.

For those of you who are curious, McAdam is another Transformers reference. Ash's new friend, on the other hand, is not.