Traveler

by The Straight Elf

Ash Ketchum has been determined to become the best since he was a toddler. He has his eyes set on a charmander, but a twist of fate led him to the humble Nidoran. Note: Mix between anime and the games.

34. Chapter 34: The Oak

He sat numbly through the rest of the applause and waited as the girl in the ridiculous outfit kept on talking, even though her impassioned words met one ear and went right out the other.

No, his attention was focused solely upon Daisy Oak. The young woman – she was…seventeen, he thought? – looked much the same as she had when she'd been his and Gary's babysitter when they were younger. Same brown hair, same soft smile, same green eyes that set her apart from the rest of the Oak family.

The Eevee was new, though. Well, not literally. From the deep brown of its coat it was clearly in its prime rather than a young specimen of the breed. Not to mention that its appearance in the Contest must have been rather impressive to have won the Contest.

He wasn't an expert on Contests, but anything capable of impressing that many of the crowd couldn't have been a newcomer. It took hard-earned skill and technique to win these experienced Contest-goers and no young Eevee could have put forth that kind of performance.

"Well, it was great seeing all of you again!" The girl finished with a cheery wave. "Ali and I just can't WAIT to watch everyone in the Contest season this year! It'll be fabulous!"

The impressive Altaria fluffed its wings and lightly nuzzled its trainer with obvious affection as the crowd started to disperse into smaller groups to talk amongst themselves.

He could care less about that, however, and kept his sharp eyes on Daisy and the girl that seemed to be in charge of the whole event. They were the only ones relevant to him in the least.

Ash could detect a few odd looks from the people around him as they mingled – some even seemed to recognize him, although nobody seemed brave or interested enough to approach him.

Imagine that.

It took a few minutes while their adoring fans and fellow competitors swarmed them in an eager bid to talk with the highly skilled coordinators, but eventually Ash saw an opening to speak to the two and took it.

"Daisy!" He called out as he stepped closer to the duo. Ash had to hide a wince as his throat protested the loud noise that irritated the seemingly permanent damage done to him by Moltres' ash.

The teenager turned to him, surprise evident on her tanned features as he moved closer.

"Hi, can I help…" she faltered and stared at Ash for several seconds until he came to a stop in front of her. "Ash Ketchum? Is that you?"

"In the flesh," Ash sent her a slight smile. Daisy just stared at him until she finally let out just the shortest of laughs.

"You've certainly grown up a lot!" She exclaimed and playfully lined up a callused hand with the top of his head. "Look at you: you're almost as tall as I am now!"

Ash rolled his eyes as Daisy took her hand away. "I'm not sure that's something to take pride in."

"You've been hanging out with Gary, haven't you?" Daisy sighed and put her hands on her hips. "I don't remember you having this attitude when you were a little baby."

"Just a little bit," Ash let a ghost of a grin slip on his face. It felt far less foreign than it once did. "We made up."

"Grandpa told me about that stupid feud," Daisy frowned before she exhaled a long-suffering sigh. "Guess you can't stop kids from being kids."

Ash snorted. "And you're surprised?"

"How is my baby brother?" Daisy leaned forward, ignoring his remark. "It's been years since I've seen him without it being through a screen…wow. Time flies, I guess."

His face revealed little. "I doubt you'd recognize him."

Daisy's young face grew weary beyond her years at that and it wasn't until Eevee gently licked her cheek that the tension drained away. Ash just kept careful track of her – Daisy was an enigma to him.

When he'd last seen her she had about as old as he was now. After this many years he might as well be meeting an entirely different person, even if he still felt comfortable enough around her to act with something resembling friendliness.

Before he or Daisy could say another word to wash away the awkward silence, her odd companion finally butted in.

"Excuse me, but did you say your name was Ash Ketchum?"

His attention snapped to the strangely dressed girl and her Altaria and gave her a stiff nod. "Yes."

"Wow!" She gushed and thrust her hand out for him to shake, which he did after a moment's surprise. "Hi, Ash! I'm Lisia. It's fabulous to meet you! What're you doing here in Hoenn? None of the magazines said anything about you coming out here."

"Magazines?" Ash mouthed, not sure he was hearing it right. He knew he'd attracted a good bit of attention at the Conference, but he hadn't realized any publications would be trying to keep tabs on him. It seemed that his strategy of escaping the media whenever possible had worked out for him after all.

"Yeah," Lisia grinned. "There were all sorts of people trying to figure out what you would do next – I even saw a few saying you got inducted into the League. Crazy, right?"

Ash blinked. "Yes. Crazy."

Finally, Daisy interrupted. Ash was almost grateful for it as questions tumbled through his mind as though carried by storm gales.

"What are you doing out here?" She examined him with the same sharp intelligence that lived in the Professor's eyes. "I thought Grandpa would have mentioned if you were coming. He thinks the world of you, you know."

Ash couldn't stop his lips from turning upwards at her words, although he managed to wrench his mouth back into its neutral expression a moment later. "He's actually the one that told me to come to Sootopolis – not that he mentioned you'd be here."

"Of course," Daisy grumbled and muttered something about meddling old men. "Well, it's nice to see you again, regardless. Are you staying in Sootopolis long?"

"At least another day," Ash rolled his shoulders noncommittally. "I'm not in a rush."

Daisy sent a dazzling smile his way. "Great! Do you want to catch lunch, then? I'd love to hear about what's been going on in Kanto – especially in Pallet. I don't get to call quite as often as I'd like."

"That sounds good," he nodded with a hint of a smile. It took a fair bit of effort to avoid snorting derisively, however. With how long it'd been since she'd spoken to Gary in person it seemed that her "often as I'd like" was anywhere in the range of months to years.

"Great. I know a decent place not too far from here. Cheap too." The Oak laughed before her attention slipped to Lisia. "You're invited, of course!"

Lisia sighed theatrically and clasped her hands together over her chest. "I so wish I could, but I already told my uncle I'd meet him! You know he'd be super sad if I cancelled!"

"It's fine," Daisy chuckled breezily. "Go meet your uncle and tell him I said hi. I know you don't get to see him often – just make sure to tell me what you two figure out tonight! I haven't been to the Wallace Cup in a few years and I can't wait to see what you do with it!"

"Of course!" Lisia flipped her hair back in a motion that seemed impossibly well-choreographed. "He'll be so excited you're coming back – he thinks you're just fabulous, you know! He says seeing you perform is like watching a Beautifly dance in the night sky!"

Daisy rolled her eyes, although a light smile played over her lips. "I'd almost forgotten he fancied himself a poet. I can't imagine how he fits it in with all of his other responsibilities."

"Because he is utterly fantastic," Lisia giggled and snapped her fingers. "That's why. And he still has so long to go before his story's complete. I think he's only on the fourth chapter!"

Ash blinked, utterly lost at this point. He just watched the interplay between the two friends and patiently awaited Lisia's departure. After spending most of the day flying with Plume he was understandably hungry and he trusted that Daisy knew somewhere with very good food – while not extravagant, the Oaks tended to enjoy the finer things in life and food was no exception. They had the means to acquire it and didn't hesitate to do so.

"Oh, sorry!" Lisia giggled when Ash's stomach suddenly rumbled. "You must be absolutely starving – I bet you came from so far away! I'll let you two go – wait, is that a PokeNav? Can I see it?"

A little overwhelmed by the girl's energy, Ash nodded dumbly and unclipped the device from his belt before he placed it into Lisia's soft hands. She obviously wasn't a traveler.

"Thanks!" She chirped and focused intently on the PokeNav as she opened up a menu and typed something in. A moment later she smiled at him and handed it back.

"There's my number!" She winked as their fingers brushed together. "Call me if you ever want to talk! And if you have any questions about Contests or anything just let me know! I'm always happy to help!"

Ash nodded steadfastly as he clipped the PokeNav back onto his belt and struggled not to show any reaction despite the slightest bit of heat that had flooded his cheeks.

He didn't say anything, but his short nod seemed to be enough for Lisia. She giggled and sent a quick glance to Daisy. "I'll talk to you later, Daisy! Bye, Ash! Have fun writing your chapters!"

With that she flounced off with all the energy Ash had come to expect from her over the course of their short meeting. He watched her and her Altaria go for a few moments before he turned to the Oak.

"She's…interesting."

"She's very good at what she does and a lot like her uncle," Daisy remarked airily before she glanced down at him. "But yes, she can be pretty weird. Then again, what great trainer isn't?"

Ash gave a noncommittal grunt in response. He wasn't about to try and make a compelling argument against that.

"You should be happy she's so taken with you – Lisia's not an easy girl to impress!" Daisy teased. "Maybe you should take her up on her offer."

"Maybe," Ash shrugged noncommittally. He didn't bother elaborating on that. Daisy would just continue to go after him regardless if he gave her any bait…if he remembered correctly she was exactly like Gary in that regard. Best to just shut them down early.

"You're no fun," the Oak sighed and crossed her arms. Just as she opened her mouth, she shut it and plastered a smile on her face. "Ash, if you don't want to let everyone watching the news to know you're here you should probably head out. I'll send you where to meet up…this might take a while."

Ash started to tell her his PokeNav number, but she waved him off. "I can get it from Gramps. I should probably talk to him anyway. Look, Ash, I'll talk to you later."

He was about to protest, but the excited murmurs that sounded exactly like the interviewers that had approached him during the Conference tipped him off. Ash gave Daisy a quick nod before he turned away and made his way past the pair of interviewers to the entrance.

Maybe he'd gotten used to the media during the Indigo Conference, but that didn't mean he wanted to advertise his presence in Hoenn. The less attention he had the better.

A grimace worked its way onto his face at the thought of broadcasting his movements. He could deal with it, but all he wanted was to travel without anyone truly recognizing him. Maybe a flash of familiarity, a few surprised glances…but anything else was a bit too much for him.

So he didn't even look back as he stepped out into the bright day.

XX

Ash looked out at the crystal pool that was Sootopolis' most distinctive feature from one of the outer rims. It was a bit precarious, but he had no problem with the great height.

The view made everything worth it.

"Stay safe," he tiredly warned Sneasel, who was edging dangerously close to the cliff's edge. "I know that Plume did her best, but I'm mostly sure you never learned how to fly."

Sneasel hissed at that and nodded as he dug his claws into the white stone for support. Despite Ash's warning he still peeked his head over the edge so he could examine the sheer walls that had been polished smooth by countless years of salt and whipping wind.

Plume circled high above, happily soaring through the blue sky in the light of the midday sun. The trip to Sootopolis had barely even tired her and it was clear she was itching to really cut loose – Ash just hoped she wouldn't go too far. If Sneasel ended up needing someone to catch him then Plume was really the only option. Dazed couldn't exactly teleport a dark-type, although he supposed she could teleport the pokeball and manipulate it to catch Sneasel mid-fall.

That is only if I was willing to catch the brat in the first place, Friend-Trainer. It has done little to garner my support.

"He, Dazed," Ash absentmindedly corrected as he watched the shadows of a small group of Wingull dive down to the water's surface. "I think he's earned that much."

Its improvement has not been so dramatic as to merit an individual identity.

"Give him time. He's learned to leave you and Bruiser alone, hasn't he?" Ash grinned back at his friend, who supported herself on the slightly narrow ledge with a slight platform of psychic power.

I would almost be disappointed if he hadn't with how frequently we played the game of your devising. My compliments on that idea, Friend-Trainer. The Caretaker and I most appreciate it.

Ash snorted and let a small smile play over his face as he watched Sneasel bare his upper lip to reveal a set of sharp canines and fire off several Ice Beams at the flocks of Wingfull, although he let out a yip of surprise when a curved psychic barrier manifested itself and absorbed the jagged arcs of ice until it finally dispersed into wisps of deep blue energy.

"Calm down you two," he sighed and leaned back onto the stone to watch Plume's shadow. Dazed shifted and teleported away with a small flash of light rather than physically move to make room for Sneasel, who whined and snuggled up under Ash's arm to try and wipe away some of the frost that clung to his face. "Think any of the others would appreciate this view?"

Dazed was silent for a moment before the cool, svelte voice echoed lightly in his head. Ash took a moment to appreciate the marked improvement from her first attempts at telepathy before her words flooded into his mind.

Thank you for the compliment. My efforts have not been in vain, it seems. However, I do not feel that many of the others would appreciate being released on such precarious footing. The Seeker would fear the Sun's heat, the Caretaker the height. The others would merely be bored, or attempt something foolish.

"You're probably right," Ash muttered to himself as thoughts of Tangrowth playfully collapsing the vast crater walls in pursuit of some sort of game came to mind. He hid his wince, although the amused upturn of Dazed's sharp eyes showed that she'd caught it. "I suppose we should try to find somewhere else to explore while we wait on Daisy. I'd like to let everyone out sometime today – it's hot, but that's not necessarily a bad thing."

Sneasel hissed in agreement and finally pried himself from Ash's arms only to seat himself comfortably on the boy's chest, the soft weight not a bother to him in the least.

Dazed's eyes focused on Ash as he shut his eyes thoughtfully. There honestly weren't too many places in Sootopolis to explore. Despite its immense historical importance, the Rune City was a rather small settlement with much of its space devoted to living quarters.

There were a sizable number of historical sites chronicling the rich empire that had been built up around Sootopolis for centuries that Cynthia's book had mentioned but he wasn't sure he was willing to rush through those. If he was going to look at the relics of gone-by ages he was going to take his time to fully appreciate them.

Of course, there was always the obscure –

I believe it would be of interest. There is power in this city, Friend-Trainer. It is an ancient thing, rooted in the foundations and diffused in the water.

Ash nodded slowly, although he grew wary when the icy fire in the back of his mind flared in interest. It simmered to the level he could ignore, but he was already on guard.

The fact that the Feather reminded him of its presence at the mention of his next destination didn't help matters. His spine tingled and skin burned and that wasn't nearly as comforting to Ash as it once was.

"Can you find it?" Ash asked at last, his voice a raspy whisper. His hand brushed the PokeNav, hoping desperately that Daisy would call at that exact moment.

I have felt it since you released me.

At that moment Plume dove down with a fearsome screech before she spread her wings to brake and hooked her claws into the bleached stone in a way that still somehow managed to convey all the grace of a Milotic in her motions.

The massive bird lowered herself and chirped at Ash, obviously for him to get on. He grinned at her and eagerly pulled himself up onto the great avian and sent a pointed look at Dazed.

"How long have you been planning this?"

Dazed eyes squinted at him and she didn't respond for a few moments. A light smirk played across his lips at the subtle – almost glaring for someone who knew her as well as he did – signs of the Hypno being flustered for once.

Before we left the Old Mentor suggested it. When you released me here I knew I must follow her words.

"Was that so hard?" Ash said playfully as he absentmindedly stroked Plume's glossy feathers. "You should have just said so from the beginning. It's not as if I don't want to explore."

Dazed was silent for a few moments until Ash felt a slight mental nudge. He rolled his eyes at his friend's response before he followed her suggestion and recalled the Hypno.

"I'm guessing you know where to go?" He asked the Pidgeot, who cooed softly back in response. Ash nodded at that and took off his hat to place into a storage container. "Well, let's get a move on then. I don't know how much time we have."

Plume nodded at that and outstretched her wings. Ash had just a moment to grip tightly to her huge body before she propelled herself hundreds of feet off the white stone of the crater walls and into the eternal blue of the sky. He shut his eyes as the wind whistled past his face and the slightest hint of the Song whispered into his ears and let himself fly.

And then it was over.

Ash sighed when he felt Plume's wings spread out and the wind around them die down to almost nothing. Seconds later he felt his stomach rise and reflexively clenched his arms around Plume all the tighter, although that forced him to let out a short grunt as Plume swooped down and dug her talons into the earth to reduced the impact.

"Thanks, Plume," Ash gave her a few more pats before he jumped off onto unsteady legs. His face was a little number and he wobbled just a little on the white rock, but he wasn't sure if he'd ever felt better. "Take a rest while you can. I doubt we'll stay in Sootopolis for too long, so you've got another long flight ahead of you soon."

Plume cooed once more and leaned forward to nip his hat – he winced in sympathy for it as the bill nearly snapped under the force of her gentle bite.

"Rest up," he repeated with a short laugh and stroked her crest one last time before he returned her. Ash stared fondly at the pokeball for just a moment before he shook his head and clipped it to his belt.

Once he was sure Plume's pokeball was secure he finally took in his surroundings.

It was satisfyingly simple. The Cave of Origin was hidden away from the rest of Sootopolis towards the northern end of the city, normally accessible only by following a series of paths towards one of the lowest points in Sootopolis prior – the only reason it wasn't drowned with the rest of the crater was because it existed in a deep hollow just high enough to feel the full light of the sun.

The Cave itself was shielded from the eyes of the surface by a large, rounded structure that hung over the dim black entrance of the most ancient legend of Sootopolis. Thick pillars of harshly hewn stone held the overhang from collapsing under its own weight and two ornate, branching designs were carved into either side of the structure.

He stepped forward and breathed. The Song echoed from the deepest bowels of the Cave and he could scarcely steel his will in time to avoid sprinting off into the sacred site.

There was power here, he realized with a clear head. Dazed had been more right than he ever could have imagined.

"You may not enter the Cave of Origin," a voice that sounded like the crack of stone called out. Ash tensed and turned to look at the speaker who had appeared as if from nowhere. A man and woman with twelve pokeballs on their belts and the League insignia woven into their shirts flanked the ancient man, whose face was hardly recognizable beneath the winding lines age had cut into him. "It's a restricted site, I'm afraid. Not even the Champion Wallace himself may know what lies within."

"I won't intrude," Ash said quietly and continued to look at the entrance to the Cave. It was ancient…older than the buildings that circled it hundreds of feet above for sure. Timeless. "I just wanted to see it for myself."

The ancient man frowned. "And seen it you have. Now you will leave."

Ash nodded but didn't move, fascinated as he was by the mysterious symbols carved into the stone. There was something more to them than just an interesting geometry…they were alive, in a sense.

"I was not making a suggestion," the guardian said more firmly. "This is hallowed ground, boy. Let's not disturb the tranquility here."

"Of course not," Ash said absently. He ignored the two League trainers that had their hands placed threateningly on one of their dozen pokeballs. They couldn't stop him. "No need to try and stop me. I was just curious."

"As I said, your curiosity is assuaged," the wizened man allowed an edge to fall into his voice. "Leave. It is not your place to know the secrets here."

At that Ash smiled humorlessly and unclipped Plume's pokeball. The League trainers tensed and prepared themselves, but couldn't have prepared for the sight of the massive Pidgeot that coalesced from the scarlet energy after Ash released her.

She glared at the trio with eyes of steel as she picked up on their wariness and shrieked threateningly at them for having the audacity to challenge her trainer, although a calming hand on her head soothed the irate Pidgeot.

"That's enough, Plume. Sorry you didn't get quite as much rest as I'd promised," Ash said quietly as he mounted her and hugged himself close. Easy as the journey away from the Cave would be he'd rather be as comfortable as possible. "Let's go, girl."

She nodded and cooed just loud enough for him to hear before she squawked at the three adults and arrogantly flared out her wings just a moment later to launch herself out of Sootopolis' heart.

XX

"This is a nice place, don't you think?" Daisy asked with a grin as she watched Ash tear into his food as though he were starving. The only breaks he took were to make sure to give some of the unfamiliar Hoenn cuisine to the array of pokemon that had circled around him. "Grandpa actually took me here when I was little…he was attending the Ever Grande Conference, I think, and managed to convince my parents into letting me come with him."

He paused at that, curious to hear more. Ash just had a hard time picturing the Professor ever leaving Pallet, the town he'd practically built with his own two hands. The most renowned Oak loved his research as though it were a member of his small family and to think of him taking a real break from it was almost mindboggling.

"He actually left Kanto?"

Daisy giggled at that. "Crazy, I know. But he always wanted Gary and I to be well rounded. Grandpa used to travel a lot, you know. Then he settled down and started his current work. But he's still got that old wanderlust in him."

Ash felt his lips turn up. "Trust me, I know. I've heard a lot about him since I left Pallet."

"Funny how that happens," Daisy nodded sagely. "Leaving home opens your eyes in more ways than one. Just part of growing up, I suppose."

He nodded thoughtfully and picked at what little food was left. Most had been tossed over to his team, who had eagerly snatched it up. Ash was happy to share food trainers normally reserved for themselves with his team, but given that he essentially ate the same tasteless, highly nutritious gruel as his friends on extended trips to the wilderness it was a rare occasion that he got to spoil them.

There was a mostly comfortable silence between the two. Ash wasn't really sure what he thought of Daisy. She was certainly a pleasant person to be around – smart, kind, and very knowledgeable. Not to mention highly skilled.

But she also seemed to contact her family only occasionally, which was something Ash couldn't really fathom. Sure, he'd been absolutely terrible at keeping in contact with his mother at first, but he'd grown out of it.

Daisy seemed to have never learned that lesson, and it wasn't something he could approve of.

"So, what exactly are your plans here in Hoenn?" Daisy paid close attention, genuinely interested. "You haven't been here before, right? Are you meeting anyone?"

He took a moment to rest his hand atop Nidoking's leathery head, just above the deadly horn that jutted from his skull, before he even said a word.

"I'm meeting up with a friend in Rustboro," he said at last. "He won't be there for a few weeks so I'm just wandering in the meantime. The only thing on my list at the moment is to deliver a package to Professor Birch in Littleroot Town."

"Really?" The girl leaned forward, soft eyes opened wide. One hand came up to brush her brown locks out of the way as she absentmindedly adjusted her green headband. "How were you planning on getting there?"

"I was going to take the water routes down to Dewford past Pacifidlog," the boy answered. "I've heard there's a lot of interesting places to visit along the way and I'll probably spend plenty of time on the mainland with my friend."

Daisy nodded thoughtfully but didn't say anything. The only sign she hadn't completely separated herself from the world was the slight twitch of her lips as Eevee squirmed in her arms and stretched as much as the little creature could to lick her face.

"You know," she started off carefully, "I'm actually headed to Petalburg to meet up with a few of my old Coordinating friends next week…if you want you could tag along with me on the way there. I could use the company and it'd be nice to catch up with you, Ash."

Ash paused and set his chopsticks down. Daisy watched him closely – he could detect just a bit of anxiety in the way she held herself: slim shoulders bunched together, mouth drawn tight, hands tense.

Was she afraid of him declining her offer or was she afraid of him accepting?

To tell the truth, he hadn't put much thought into the idea of a traveling companion. Not one of the human variety, anyway. He was happy with his family, proud to venture off into the unknown with just his brothers and sisters at his side.

And to be honest, he felt the same sense of unease as he suspected Daisy did. He hadn't actually traveled with anyone since before the sinking of the St. Anne – he had to focus his will just to keep a grimace from slipping across his tanned face as his blood felt as though it had been dipped ice – and had come to love walking the earth on his own more than he'd ever enjoyed doing so with humans.

But at the same time he found himself wanting to accept. Daisy was a highly skilled trainer even if she didn't seem to be much of a battler. There was a lot he could learn from someone as experienced as her, plus she could tell him more about Hoenn and the subject of Coordinating. He wasn't so prideful as to deny his own ignorance about it.

Even more than that, she was Daisy Oak. She was the closest connection to his home that he'd find outside of the messages from his friends and family. He wouldn't be able to see any of them for months at the very least, so some sort of bond to Pallet was appreciated.

Besides, it wouldn't be permanent. One week. That was it.

One week to get to know Daisy Oak.

To be honest, that was probably the deciding factor in his decision. He didn't like to be bound to people and he wouldn't have been able to travel with her once he met up with Steven. Ash felt that Steven would probably want to keep their training a relatively quiet affair, with little input from others.

Even Lance of all people had wanted to keep their training far from prying eyes – if the boisterous, outgoing Dragon Master who loved to show off his awesome power kept it so secretive he couldn't imagine the much more reserved Steven to do any different.

"Sure," he flashed Daisy a genuine smile that she quickly returned. It looked like his acceptance had settled her nerves a bit. "I'm looking forward to it. How long will you be in Sootopolis?"

She frowned. It looked incredibly foreign on her ordinarily smiling face. "With the Contest over I'm free to go anytime. I'd like to wait until at least tomorrow so I can gather my supplies, though."

"Of course," Ash nodded. He wouldn't expect anything else. "Where do you want to meet up tomorrow?"

"Pokemon Center's good for me," Daisy replied with just a moment's thought. "That's where you'll be staying the night, right?"

He nodded again.

"Great!" She cheered and ruffled the fur on Eevee's head. The little pokemon just yipped happily and stared at Ash with almost ridiculously huge eyes for such a small creature. "I'll see you around noon then, alright?"

Despite himself he couldn't help but smile back as he started portion out the remnants of his food for his friends. He'd bought them their own shares since he had more than enough money to do it at this point, but he wasn't going to finish and might as well keep it from going to waste.

Maybe this would turn out great after all.

XX

"Having fun, Torrent?" Ash called out from where he leaned back on Nidoking's leathery stomach. He was perched on a small, upraised section of Sootopolis' rim that overlooked the part of Sootopolis' lake he'd claimed for the day. Most of his friends were arrayed around him in some way, a majority of them either napping or close to it.

Torrent rumbled happily at him and dived back into the lake, an act which nudged the vast ice floe he'd created for Sneasel to play on slightly into the water. The little dark-type hissed and dug his claws deep into the thick platform to avoid from slipping in.

Ash counted out the rest of his family. He liked to know where they were, just in case.

Nidoking was behind him, of course. He'd been unconscious for the last hour or so, ever since they left Daisy to take care of her affairs. Only the peaceful rise and fall of his hulking form ensured that Ash knew he wasn't just a Nidoking-shaped statue.

Plume was doing laps around Sootopolis, although he wasn't able to keep track of her now that the sun had finally begun to fall. She was probably miles away, although he knew she would return.

The others, with the exception of Infernus, were all collapsed somewhere behind him. He could hear most of them, although he could see Bruiser sitting peacefully a fair distance away, eyes just and body tense.

He was meditating, Ash assumed. It was an exercise he'd picked up from Bruno, although it was only recently he really practiced it. The relaxed atmosphere they'd found since the end of the Conference helped Bruiser focus and Sneasel's slightly better behavior – and well-earned fear of the mighty Machoke – had finally given him the peace he needed.

Dazed sat in front of him with her pendulum swaying back and forth, an eerie blue glow emanating from the pendant and her narrowed eyes. It looked like the fighting-type had seen fit to assist Dazed's help in the exercise, which brought a flush of warmth to Ash.

It was nice to see his team work together so well. Ash knew that they had their fair degree of problems helping each other – quite a few disliked at least one another for some reason or another – but it seemed like this time of peace was finally helping those small rifts to mend.

And finally there was –

"Oh, hello," Ash murmured to Seeker as she landed on the small patch of moss behind him. He looked at her expectantly. Normally she'd land on his back or his hat, not around him. "Is everything alright, Seeker?"

She squeaked an affirmative and laid herself just a little awkwardly on the cool moss, thick blue fur slick with sweat.

"Do you want Torrent or Nidoking to help cool you down?" Ash frowned as he idly brushed her with his hand and felt that she was a little too hot for comfort. "You don't feel too good."

Seeker wriggled and shook her head in a way that Ash construed as a 'no'. She settled and stared out at the Sootopolis Lake as it reflected the fiery orange glow of the setting sun over its mirror-like surface.

Ash shrugged and kept on brushing the short, soft fur as he watched Torrent dance through the lake, exploding out in massive geysers and sinking to its darkest depths at the bottom of a newborn whirlpool with ease.

That went on for an eternity. The sun set and settled into a murky glow of orange and red and gold. The lake shimmered and darkened into an inky sheet as night swallowed the day.

And through it all he thought. Thought of his journey, his future, his family.

"Seeker…" the boy began almost hesitantly. The Zubat's ears twitched and she turned to look up at him with sightless eyes. "Are you happy? With us – with me?"

Seeker squirmed up onto his leg and squeaked almost violently – his ears stung at the sound and he had to withhold a flinch. Her fangs were bared and her blue fur stood straight as her ears in that moment.

He almost deflated with the force of his relieved exhale. It wasn't something he'd really thought of before. Seeker was always happy around him, especially since Lance had removed the six pokemon limit ever since their training.

But while she'd seemed happy, he knew he hadn't spent as much time personally with her as some of the others. She was with him while they trained and never showed any sort of discontent, but he knew that he'd never really tried to involve her. Protect her from Sneasel and keep her taken care of as best he could, yes.

Involve her – or even offer to involve her – no. He'd done a poor job integrating her into the team. When the others cared about her it was because they'd come to like her on their own. Ash had never truly tried to facilitate it aside from making sure she stayed around him and, therefore, the team.

"Good," he breathed and wrapped a gentle arm around her tiny body. It was always strange to remind himself of just how vulnerable Seeker was, even if her meek demeanor and the damage she'd taken saving him from Golduck's murderous Water Gun should have branded that knowledge into his mind forever.

But then, she wasn't really vulnerable. Physically, yes. Mentally, no. She bore many scars from her slavery to Team Rocket in every aspect. But she wasn't broken. Seeker had stayed strong and brave. She'd presumably survived battles with opponents far stronger than she was. She'd willingly taken a Water Gun for him even when it might have killed her.

Seeker might not look like much, but she was brave. As brave and strong in spirit as she was small in body.

"Do you want more?" He continued with a frown. "Do you want to fight?"

She stilled at that word. He felt every muscle tense and a slight shiver wrack her body.

"It doesn't matter to me," he did his best to reassure her. Ash couldn't hope to discern what her true thoughts were – she didn't give enough of a tell for him. "All I want is for you to be happy, Seeker. Peace or battle…the choice is irrelevant. All that matters to me is that you're happy with us."

Seeker curled slightly closer to him and disregarded the uncomfortable heat of Hoenn, which only seemed to have changed into heavy, muggy humidity as night fell across Sootopolis.

After what could have been an eternity she finally wriggled her head back and forth in a definite decline of his query. Seeker squeaked up at him nervously, as though she were still afraid of whatever judgment he would cast.

"You won't fight," Ash promised the smallest member of his family. "Not unless you want to."

The Zubat was silent and just laid still underneath his hand as the endless chorus of bug-types started to echo throughout Sootopolis' smooth stone walls. She tensed at that – it was her natural instinct to go after the bugs, after all – but kept still.

"Whatever happens, just know that I'm proud to have you on the team, Seeker," Ash smiled down at her. "Don't ever think otherwise."

She squeaked again at that and was practically twitching with energy, but didn't try to move. Instead she just relaxed and slowly let the excited tension flood from her muscles.

He leaned back against Nidoking again and felt his lips twitch as he stared at the stars, which were just now visible in the onset of twilight. They were different here in Hoenn. There were so many of the gleaming masses of burning gas that he recognized from the endless nights of watching the night sky with his friends, but they had shifted far from where he'd usually find them.

But they were there.

Gyarados' Maw, Umbreon's Spots, Starmie, and the Eye of Mew…they still watched over him.

And as he shut his eyes he decided that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to forgo the comforts of the Pokemon Center for just one night.

The last thing he saw were two gleaming blue eyes and a swaying circle of vibrant light.

Sleep well, Friend-Trainer.

XX

Ash rolled his neck in an effort to smooth out some of the stiffness as he waited in front of the Pokemon Center with crossed arms. He ignored the comers and goers as they passed in and out of the large building. He only cared about one trainer in this city.

Sleeping by the lake had turned out to not be such a great idea after all. After all of his experience out in the wilderness he honestly should have known what was coming, but he had been so relaxed that he'd thrown his prior experiences out the window.

He was sore, stiff, and before he'd rushed into the Pokemon Center to take a quick shower and brush his teeth he'd felt like a thin layer of sweat, dirt, and salt had practically coated his body.

But it had still been satisfying and both his thirst and hunger had been rather easy to take care of. Storage compartments really were useful things – he had enough supplies stocked away to last him and his team at least two weeks in the wilderness if he had to. Three if he was careful.

"Ash, there you are!" Daisy's soft voice, sunny as Hoenn itself, rang in his ears. He smiled back and stood up straight as she approached, having been teleported in by a particularly impressive Gardevoir. "Ready to go?"

"Of course," he responded easily. "Where are we headed and how are we getting there?"

"I figured we'd fly – where's the fun in teleporting everywhere?" Daisy giggled. Gardevoir rolled its scarlet eyes affectionately. "But there's a few nice islands I've visited before that I figured we could stop at for the day. We could make it to the Pacifidlog Archipelago today, but I'd rather not. It's not like we're in a rush, after all. I've got a full week to make it to Petalburg and you've got even longer until you need to be in Rustboro."

Ash nodded. That was acceptable.

"Then, we could get to Pacifidlog pretty early on the second day. It's a nice little town we could rest in – not a lot to do but a nice place to stop at," the Oak mused, tapping her rounded chin with a delicate finger. "I don't really know any of the islands or their communities past Pacifidlog, so I thought we could just fly straight to Dewford the third day. Granite Cave could keep us occupied for two days, probably. From there it's a pretty short flight to Littleroot – you said you needed to go there, right?"

He nodded for a second time. "I have a delivery for Professor Birch."

"Must be pretty important if the runner up of the Indigo Conference is personally carrying it," Daisy teased. "But don't worry, we'll get it delivered in no time."

"It's a little bit important," Ash acknowledged. It was just information that could prove vital to the survival of the Leagues. Nothing major enough to get in a rush over. "But as long as there aren't significant delays the timing of the delivery doesn't matter too much."

"Whew, that's a relief!" The Oak said as she unclipped a pokeball and released a Pidgeot of her own - one of the nearby pedestrians jumped in surprise, although Ash barely twitched. He was used to sudden appearances at this point. "Well, let's get going then!"

He nodded and reached for Plume's pokeball, although he took a moment to examine the new Pidgeot. It was a far cry from the massive Pidgeot he came across rather frequently. The bird certainly wasn't built for battle like Plume or Gary's. Instead it seemed almost delicate, as though it were meant to float along with the air instead of master it.

"Ooh," Daisy's mouth circled as she cooed at Plume, who cocked her great head at the girl's stare. "She's beautiful! I saw her on TV, but in person…very impressive, Ash!"

Ash couldn't help but feel his pride stoked by Daisy's praise, although he stayed outwardly calm. Plume preened under the kind words, however, and made no show of hiding it.

"She takes care of herself," Ash grinned as he patted Plume and released her saddle as well. Plume nipped at him affectionately, although the force behind it nearly knocked him onto his rear. "I just make sure she doesn't have to work too hard."

"That's all anyone can ask!" Daisy nodded as she put her own saddle – a large, flexible length of what looked to be made of shed Arbok skin – onto the comparatively small Pidgeot. "Anyways, I saw quite a bit from this Pidgeot when you beat Baby Gary – I wonder how much better she's gotten?"

Ash grinned dangerously at that and Plume, if she had lips, would have mirrored his expression. If there was one thing they shared it was that competitive edge that refused to take any challenge lightly.

"You have no idea!" His eyes flashed as he pulled himself onto Plume's back and pulled on the protective head gear that would keep him safe from the whipping winds and dust that permeated the upper atmosphere. "I doubt you'll catch Plume's wind."

His friend shrieked an agreement and flared her wings, dwarfing Daisy and her Pidgeot. The Oak didn't seem too impressed, though, and just kept her lips shaped into a soft smile.

"Don't underestimate us!" She laughed as she happily stroked her Pidgeot's glossy plumage. "We might not be battlers but we're not slouches either – Gary learned that the hard way."

The Feather flared as his spirit burned with the desire to show Daisy just how far of a gap there was between him and Gary, especially in regards to their Pidgeot.

Gary's Pidgeot wasn't built for speed. Every bit of its body was shaped in the pursuit of raw power – the power to dwarf every aerial fighter it faced and tear them out of the sky. Even most Dragonite wouldn't be able to stand against it in a battle of sheer physical might.

Plume was all about speed. That was her power. The force behind her attacks was primarily from her velocity, not mass.

And she excelled at it. Whereas Gary's Pidgeot would tear a Dragonite out of the sky with its massive talons, Plume would tear into them like a missile. They wouldn't even know what hit them before they found themselves lying in the dirt.

"You're on," Ash grinned as he clipped Plume's pokeball to his belt. He spared an absent glance to the Gardevoir that looked exasperated by the impromptu race before it was recalled in a flash of light. "Where are we headed?"

"Follow us to Sootopolis' rim," his opponent instructed as her Pidgeot shot into the air with nary a sound. "Catch us if you can!"

Plume followed less than a second later and loosed an offended screech out into the Rune City's clear skies. Ash held on tight as they gained easily on Daisy and her Pidgeot, who couldn't even hope to surpass the highly trained Plume in the open air.

As they passed over the crater's rim, Ash couldn't help but to look back and stare at the white city.

It really was beautiful, he thought. Simple and utilitarian but still so effortlessly elegant that he wouldn't have minded staying there for a long time yet. Not many cities could claim to be carved from the ancient walls of a crater, after all. Even fewer could claim to such a rich history.

And it wasn't just in the pages of dusty tomes that Sootopolis remained prominent either. Even in the modern era it had clung to prestige that dwarfed the Rune City's size and population.

Cynthia's words came back to him – he had read the gift from his mother through the entire chapter on Sootopolis by this point. It was almost incredible how easily it captivated him. Ash hadn't really thought he'd enjoy history, but something about how the Sinnoh Champion put her research, facts, and own opinions into her book spoke to him.

Perhaps it was her status as a powerful trainer that did it for him. Perhaps it was the fact that anybody who had earned the position of Champion held his respect before he even knew who they were.

Regardless, he'd almost memorized everything he'd read up to this point. His long talks with Alakazam as she elaborated on this point and that had only burned the knowledge deeper.

Despite its rich and influential past, Sootopolis has truly come into its own in terms of impact on the Hoenn region in recent years. In 967 AIL, as the Last War raged on, the Hoenn region was reunited under one banner for the first time since the initial fall of the Volumo Empire roughly one thousand years before.

While several of Hoenn's great cities – Rustboro, Ever Grande, and Lilycove amongst the coalition that pushed for unity as the Unovan forces threatened to break the naval blockade Hoenn relied on for centuries – were instrumental in creating the Ever Grande League, it was Sootopolis that finally forced its creation.

Although Sootopolis' attempts to secure its own city as the capital and headquarters of the League failed, its efforts earned it even greater respect and recognition interregionally once the new League decisively repelled the invaders at the Second Battle of Lilycove.

As the First Champion of the Ever Grande League, Dragon Master Drake Teach, was originally from the Rune City it gained even greater influence in the League's decisions. In the wake of Champion Drake's legendary, singlehanded destruction of a Unovan fleet and the League's solidification Sootopolis' leaders gained access to Ever Grande and retained their influence for many years.

Although its influence has waned as Rustboro has grown as the industrial age and the smaller cities have begun to gain notoriety the Rune City's ancient history and proven power have remained.

It can only be –

Ash was ripped out of his thoughts as Plume was forced to brace herself as a particularly powerful bout of turbulence rippled against the air bubble she'd thoughtfully constructed for him. He held on tight and patted her side as he stared down past the low-hanging clouds they'd shot above and saw the deep azure that called out to him.

An ancient tune echoed through his ears and he relaxed as they drifted lazily through the air. It was almost incredible how fast they were going considering that the ride was almost perfectly gentle. Only a few times had he actually felt the massive gales that rushed through the skies Plume practically owned.

Was this what the Champion Drake had felt when he soared above Lilycove and earned his revered title of Dragon Master?

He thought of Drake, Lance's mentor, as he turned and picked out Daisy flying almost half a mile behind them. Sootopolis was nothing but a white mound at this point and she was just a barely recognizable black dot. If it weren't for her keeping pace with Plume's sedate pace she wouldn't have even been visible at this point.

Ash turned straight ahead to the vastness of the sea and sky. Ash was tempted to pull out his PokeNav right now and search for any information he could find on Drake but figured that was probably the stupidest idea he'd had all morning. The PokeNav was too valuable to risk like that.

Still, he couldn't help but want to research the First Ever Grande Champion as much as he could. The respect Lance held from him was telling enough, but reading about his feats in the Last War had made him an almost mythical figure in Ash's eyes.

Before there were even an Ever Grande Elite Four Drake had taken his position as the undisputed Champion.

He had faced an entire fleet and hundreds of trainers on his lonesome with only his team at his side and won while the Hoenn coalition prepared a defense.

He had killed the Unovan Elite Four member overseeing the attack in the same battle and earned another two Master-level kills before the war was over.

He had earned a flee-on-sight order, unique amongst the three Champions that had banded their Leagues together in order to form the current National League.

And by the end of it all he was named the Dragon Master, recognized as the strongest trainer in the world for decades. It was only Lance, Drake's own pupil, that had earned that same title a few years ago.

After all of that, could Ash be blamed for wanting to meet him? And battle him, but that was a different matter altogether. Ash couldn't expect victory even as Drake the Dragon Master had waned in his older age, but it would undoubtedly be one of the greatest battles in his life.

If nothing else, that would inspire him to learn as much as he could from Steven. The Awakening that Lugia warned him of, the Rockets…they were his strongest motivator. But at the base of all his will to become the greatest he could be was the simple, primal desire for a great battle and that was what Drake would provide.

He'd be ready.

XX

"Oh, you are just too cute!" Daisy giggled as she ran her thin fingers through Sneasel's thick fur. The dark-type purred happily and rolled over, exposing his stomach to the older trainer as she showered him with affection. "You don't mind if I steal him for a few minutes, do you?"

"No," Ash whispered as he stared at the unexpected scene. He was joined by almost all of the rest of his team, who could scarcely believe their eyes. "Just…just keep doing what you're doing."

Daisy smiled beautifully and used one finger to scratch behind Sneasel's feather, an act that reduced him to a happy blob of black fur and sheathed claws.

Is this some sort of trick on the Brat's part? This is impossible. It has never been so…content.

"No, I think he's serious," Ash muttered to Dazed. He couldn't blame her for her suspicion, though. Sneasel had never been so calm, and certainly not apart from Ash. For all of his bad temper, Sneasel was immensely worse when Ash wasn't there to rein him in. For Daisy to tame the obnoxious Sneasel with just a gentle touch was something Ash would remember for a long time.

I would claim she was a psychic to have the effect she does on it, but that is obviously impossible. I find myself dumbfounded, Friend-Trainer.

Ash just nodded, an action mimicked by the rest of his team. Infernus was the only one that wasn't impressed and that was because he was stalking around the small island they'd decided to camp at for the night blasting at the ocean with massive spurts of fire that practically lit up the night sky for brief seconds at a time.

He'd been in an ill temper ever since he'd been released. Infernus had hoped to battle one of Daisy's team but Ash had stepped in before he could challenge his ideal match, her Typhlosion.

Daisy had assured him that Typhlosion was up to the task, but Ash wasn't about to let that matchup happen. For one he doubted that Daisy actually recognized how powerful Infernus truly was. She'd even admitted that she hadn't seen much of the Championship battle to him after they'd landed.

Aside from that, it wouldn't satisfy Infernus. Any pokemon not trained exclusively for battle wouldn't be capable of keeping up with him for more than a minute even without his teleportation.

Not to mention that he'd rather not have to deal with half the island being reduced to cinders and molten glass. He was fairly certain that the Magmortar didn't understand the concept of "restraint".

So now Infernus was frustrated, although Torrent had agreed to spar with him for a few minutes. They'd been at it for longer than he'd expected, although it seemed Torrent had taken advantage of the ocean's proximity and Infernus had decided not to use teleportation.

That evened things out but Ash still kept a close eye on the battle. If Infernus started getting too out of control he'd have to recall him.

He was just too dangerous to battle without supervision at this point. Too powerful, too fast, too smart. And much, much too ruthless.

But for now he let Infernus fight. He might as well let him relieve some stress in a relatively controlled environment. At the very least he couldn't cause much collateral damage on a small island in the middle of the Hoenn archipelago.

"You're a sweet little boy, yes you are!" Daisy giggled as her nails danced across Sneasel's sensitive underbelly. His tongue lolled out contentedly as she pet him. Whatever belligerence and pride hadn't been knocked out of him over the past month of "Catch the Sneasel" was forgotten entirely. "Wouldn't hurt a Zubat, I bet."

"I don't know about that," Ash snorted. Seeker chittered a quick agreement from Bruiser's shoulder. He'd made friends with Daisy's Ambipom and Feebas rather easily and it looked like even Typhlosion and Meganium were warming up to him faster than he'd expected. "I haven't seen him like this since he was a hatchling."

Daisy shook her head gently, causing her light brown hair to dance in the flickering light of the small fire her Typhlosion had made for them. "I'm sure you're exaggerating. Look at him!"

Ash did have to admit that Sneasel looked rather innocent cradled in her arms, but he knew the dark-type far too well to expect this to last. Whatever miracle Daisy had pulled off would wear off quickly when it was just their little family again.

Nidoking grunted and stopped pretending to sleep from where he laid beside his trainer. His beady eyes narrowed curiously at Sneasel but he didn't seem to care enough to break out of his apathetic state.

He really wasn't one for larger gatherings, Ash knew. Nidoking took his duty of protecting him very seriously, almost to an obsessive level ever since the events of New Island. It wasn't noticeable around those Nidoking already knew somewhat well, but Daisy and her team were newcomers. Ash was honestly surprised Nidoking had protested as little as he had about Daisy and her team joining them.

As it were he just grunted every now and then and stayed out of the conversation. The only indications he was awake were his upraised ears and curled lip as he stared down Daisy's team.

Ash just tapped his friend on the forehead just below the massive horn. He trusted Daisy and there was no reason for Nidoking to alienate her team before he'd even given them a chance.

Besides, he thought Nidoking might have found a kindred spirit if the fiery eyes of Daisy's Gardevoir locked onto the poison-type meant anything. It seemed Daisy had a guardian just as dedicated as his own.

Otherwise Daisy's team seemed rather lax. They didn't seem to possess the deep-rooted paranoia his own had gained after dealing with so many dangers and ill-tempered teachers.

Not to say that they were weak or unprepared, though. Ash's keen eyes easily picked up on the way they moved. They weren't dedicated fighters like his team but they weren't foreign to the notion. He had no doubt that they could give even powerful trainers a run for their money given their many years of training and the skill necessary for Coordinators.

She had quite a selection, as well. Aside from the Pidgeot, Gardevoir, Typhlosion, Meganium, Ambipom, and Feebas she also had her Eevee curled up by her side, a Quagsire with a rather dim expression, a Delcatty, Ninetales, and Roserade.

Overall it was quite a group. Perhaps he'd be able to take her on rather easily in battle – Lance's training had put him beyond just about any trainer that wasn't a combat specialist, or so he assumed – but the variety was rather spectacular and he was rather interested to see what a Coordinator-trained team was capable of.

He spared one last glance at Daisy's team before he relaxed and laid back against Nidoking's bulk. His first friend curled up around him to assuage his paranoia and kept on staring down Gardevoir, who looked to be in no mood to submit to his will.

Ash just sighed and was reminded dimly of Liza's staring contest with Dazed. A small smirk played over his mouth as he thought of the Twins and he found himself missing them.

They were interesting.

With that he sent a quick glance at Daisy only to realize his new companion was still enraptured with Sneasel, who was so relaxed Ash was almost afraid he'd stopped breathing. It honestly disturbed him somewhat.

Since he didn't think he would offend her he pulled out his PokeNav and checked his messages. He hadn't gotten the chance since he'd typed out his replies yesterday and he'd rather not annoy his friends and family back in Kanto too much.

He checked his mother's message first, of course. Ash didn't expect to actually understand it after the last few incoherent messages, but he was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be legible.

Ashy! I hope you've had a great time in Hoenn so far. Samuel has all sorts of stories about it and I hope you'll have even more when you come back – have you made any friends yet? I know you were interested in those twins from the last message but you didn't say much more about them.

Have you been reading the book I got you? I was so happy to hear that you've enjoyed it so far! I was worried it wouldn't interest you at first, but it's good to be surprised. You have to expand your horizons if you want to be the best you can be, after all! There's more to training than just battling!

Anyways, I just wanted to tell you that I'm going to be headed to Goldenrod a bit early – Professor Elm got some kind of data and has locked himself in his laboratory for the last two days! I can't even imagine what could be that important, but he did apologize and invited me to come study with him again once I'm a bit further along with my education.

So I'm just going to stay with Spencer and little Molly while I wait for class to start! I'll be sure to let them send you some messages next time I get the chance – I'm sure they'll love to talk to you again!

Have fun!

Love, Mom

He smiled at that and put it into a folder with the rest of his mother's messages.

Ash never quite had it in him to delete those.

With that done he glanced over the rest of his unread files. Gary had sent him yet another boastful letter that probably had more profanity in it than Ash had ever actually heard anyone say. It was a little annoying, even if Ash found his mouth quirking up into a slight smirk – Gary didn't seemed to be very impressed with Johto's Gym Leaders so far.

Apparently one of the youngest Gym Leaders that Gary called Bugsy was "an androgynous little shit" but had somehow managed to impress Gary more than Falkner or Whitney. Ash held back a groan at the rather unflattering remarks his friend had made about the girl and her Miltank.

He almost considered showing Daisy the message, but figured that would just be cruel. Daisy was like Plume in that she could be a bit overbearing towards those she chose to take care of – that was one quality that stood out even after all these years – and he didn't want to have to deal with Gary's annoyance at her response.

The two of them got on a lot better after their battle settled their rivalry, but that didn't mean that Gary couldn't be annoying, condescending, and, as Jonathan so aptly named him, a prick. Just because they were closer than they had been when they were younger didn't mean that Ash was blind to Gary's faults, just as Gary wasn't blind to Ash's.

Aside from that Jonathan and Amelia had sent him a joint message. Lance was quiet, not that Ash could say he was surprised. The Indigo Champion had a lot on his plate at the best of times and with the recent crises he was probably about to have a mental breakdown.

Interested, he went ahead and opened it. He'd already responded to both his mother's message and Gary's, so one more wouldn't be a stretch. Plus Daisy was still occupied with coddling Sneasel and their teams had settled down. They weren't exactly tired, but they were more than happy to rest for the night.

Hey Ash! How's it going? It's Jonathan. I just thought I'd get one last message out to you before we go out on a training trip for the next motnh…I don't know how long me and Amelia're going to not send messages again.

So I went after Clair. Take down the strongest first and deal with the rest over ya know. It was a tough battle but I held my own and really pushed her to the limit– this is Amelia, don't listen to him. That battle was embarrassing to watch.

Ash smirked as several rows of random characters were typed out. It spoke of an obvious struggle for control of whatever it was they were using to send the message to him.

For some reason he wasn't surprised.

But I think I might've found a Master to teach me! And just wait I'm gonna learn from them and kick your ass all over Kanto! You might be in the Elite Four right now but just wait and I'll be the Champion by next year. That's right you'd better be ready for me.

Sorry about Jonathan. He's been more excited than usual lately, even after Clair made him look like an idiot. Still, I guess at least he took down two of her pokemon before he fell. That's better than most people could do.

Good luck in Hoenn! Jonathan and I are thinking of going there next year assuming he doesn't have any obligations here in Indigo to hold him back. I've heard a lot about it and I hope to hear even more from you once we're able to receive and send messages again.

Anyways, we wish you the best. Talk to you later!

He smiled at that and set to work typing out an acceptable response. It was hard to really feel sympathetic for Jonathan, though. Ash had warned him about Clair before they'd left but his friend had just refused to listen.

Lance's favorite cousin wasn't someone to take lightly. She was widely recognized as the most powerful Gym Leader in Johto…possibly Indigo as a whole even before Giovanni had left. She was regarded as an Elite Four hopeful one day if she ever took the challenge.

Combined with what Lance told him was an arrogant, abrasive personality that drove most people to the brink of rage and Jonathan had his worst opponent imaginable. He wasn't exactly the epitome of calm and controlled and seeing someone with his worst traits amplified would probably rub him the wrong way.

Actually, now he was a bit disappointed Amelia hadn't taken a video of it. Jonathan's mild tantrums could be just a little bit funny when they weren't directed at him.

"What's so funny?" Daisy grinned up at him. It looked like Sneasel had finally fallen asleep in her arms. He looked very small in that moment. "Anything I shouldn't be seeing?"

"Just a message from Jonathan and Amelia," Ash replied. At her blank look he elaborated. "They're from Pallet. I set out on my journey with them before we were split up."

"Oh, those names do sound familiar!" She snapped her fingers triumphantly. "I think I remember Gary complaining about them."

Ash snorted. "Probably. They didn't exactly get along."

"You mean someone doesn't think the world of my cute little brother?" Daisy clasped her hands to her chest in faux surprise, an almost hurt expression. "I think I'm going to have to have a talk with them."

He wasn't fooled by the stern façade for a moment.

The twitching of her full lips might have tipped him off, and the chime of high, clear laughter cemented his opinion.

"Oh, I can't say that with a straight face!" The Oak giggled and rubbed Eevee, who had tiredly climbed up and curled around her neck, on its furry head.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Ash commented drily, content with reclining against Nidoking's thick hide. "Gary's a very sensitive, understanding person that does his best to get along with everyone he meets."

His new companion blinked before another round of giggles wracked her slim body. "I think your Hypno might be messing with your head, Ashy."

He grimaced at that and subtly shook his head at Dazed, whose eyes had flashed with heatless flame at the joke. She wasn't a fan of careless accusations like that, even in jest.

It wasn't something that came up often, but Ash was well aware that Dazed was still a bit sensitive from when he'd discovered she'd been eating his dreams without his permission. That hadn't bothered him in the least, especially after the terrifying nightmares that he'd finally been forced to face without her help.

Every trainer who had a Hypno as a partner knew it was almost a certainty that they'd draw on the trainer for sustenance. It was an accepted fact. They fed better off of human dreams, which they had adapted to as they encroached upon the sleeping feasts that were human cities over the last few thousand years.

And, as he said before, it was something he was grateful for. Even now Ash wasn't sure if the memories of the St. Anne's destruction or New Island lurked beneath his waking thoughts just waiting to drag him into the darkest depths of his mind.

He squeezed his eyes shut without thinking.

Icy blue eyes stared at him from behind a blank visor. He breathed in water and felt his blood boil and freeze and evaporate underneath the force of the entity's gaze and –

"Are you alright, Ashy?" He heard as a flood of burning ice rushed through his veins and a presence that he just wanted to forget flared and the flashback ended. The Feather burned and tingled, the Song rang in his ears, and he felt very, very tired all of a sudden.

He blearily looked up across the fire and saw Daisy, not his mother as his frenzied mind had thought for a moment when he heard his voice. She leaned forward curiously with a worried frown on her face as she looked the twelve-year-old over. Their teams did the same, not that he was surprised at that. Pokemon were far more sensitive to these things than humans, his own friends moreso.

"I'm fine," he said tersely, his face drawn tight at the unexpected event. Dazed appeared beside him polishing her pendulum in her shiny white mane. Her eyes were narrowed in concern but he shook his head quietly. Nothing lasting had occurred. "Just remembered something."

"Okay," Daisy said doubtfully and retreated. Sneasel was awake and grumbled unhappily at that fact, but he still loyally crawled his way over to Ash when he seemed to pick up on what had occurred. "If you want to talk…"

"I'm fine," Ash repeated firmly, though not harshly. He was just more disconcerted than anything. It had been months since he'd had those flashbacks and their unexpected reappearance was not welcome. "Trust me, it's alright."

She nodded, obviously unconvinced. Daisy Oak was many things but a good liar was not one of them. "Sure, sure."

An awkward silence fell over the camp. Awkward for Daisy, anyway. Ash was perfectly comfortable. It reminded him of his time traveling alone.

Though, to be fair, he also had much more important things on his mind.

"So…" Daisy cheerfully broke the silence. "You haven't introduced me to your team yet! I know a few, but most of them I didn't even know you had!"

Ash smiled as he looked over his team. They were all arrayed behind him with the notable exceptions of Torrent and Infernus. Not that anything within a mile of the island didn't already know exactly where the two titans were fighting.

Flashes of truly massive gouts of fire illuminated the sky like a sun and the crashing of millions of gallons of water against the island and fires released shockwaves of force that summoned gales of wind and vast clouds of hissing steam.

"First thing's first!" His companion continued. "Who's your starter?"

"Nidoking," he grinned as he patted his guardian's cheek just underneath a few venomous barbs. His friend rumbled happily and leaned into the touch even as he kept his staring contest with Gardevoir intense as ever. "He's tough but once he gets used to you he'll mellow out."

"I can't wait!" Daisy smiled at Nidoking, careful to avoid showing teeth to the territorial poison-type. "I bet we'll get along great in no time."

Nidoking snorted at that and just kept glaring at Daisy's own protector. Ash just rolled his eyes and relaxed even further against his first friend.

"My starter is Eevee," she pointed at the ball of fluff curled around her. The Eevee's friendly eyes met Ash's and it yipped a happy greeting to him and the rest of his team before its eyes shut and it fell back into its slumber. "I don't think he'll have any problems making friends."

Ash snorted in an unnerving mimicry of Nidoking. He didn't doubt that at all.

"My second is Plume," he nodded over to the Pidgeot. Plume raised her head proudly and stared at Daisy, who didn't even come close to balking at the raptor's fierce gaze. "You've already met her."

"How could I forget?" Daisy kept her soft green eyes locked onto Plume's even as she spoke. "She's gorgeous!"

The corners of his mouth pulled up slightly as Plume preened under the praise, some of her earlier posturing forgotten. Daisy was a bit more perceptive than he'd expected if she had already picked up on Plume's vanity. It was less pronounced than it was when she was younger, but the Pidgeot still enjoyed her appearance a little more than the rest of his team.

He didn't know what else he'd expected. Ash already knew Daisy was brilliant considering some of the research Gary had mentioned she was involved in but this was a nice little reminder that Daisy was no less intelligent than her brother or her famed grandfather.

…Well, perhaps less than her grandfather. Professor Oak was a genius on an entirely different level than anyone he'd met besides Blaine.

With that thought he decided that he'd have to get the two of them in the same room sometime. It shouldn't be too hard once he returned to Kanto – the Professor was probably invited to most of the League events already.

Ash sighed inwardly. It would probably be harder to get Blaine there than Professor Oak. He took pride in being a hermit and would be content to live in his inn toying with his insane gym forever if he was allowed.

Daisy finally let her gaze drop from Plume, who didn't even seem to have noticed. "Pidgeot's actually my second as well! I caught him pretty much the minute I stepped out of Pallet, actually. Funny story, that."

An annoyed shriek ripped through the peaceful air as Pidgeot made his thoughts about that known but Daisy just giggled and continued on.

"I didn't even mention to catch him, honestly!" She toyed with one of the pokeballs on her waist absentmindedly. It was polished to a shine but Ash was perceptive enough to note the scuffs and scratches on the smooth metal that told of its age. "I walked out, saw this adorable little Poliwag wandering around outside the gates, and decided to catch it."

He nodded, showing that he was following along.

"Thing is that I had nothing resembling aim back then," Daisy admitted as she stared past him. Her lips were raised into a fond smile as she recalled one of her earliest moments as a trainer. "Eevee chased after the Poliwag but it hit the poor little guy with a Water Gun and ran off. So I threw the ball to try and catch it, but I hit a branch instead."

Ash glanced over at Pidgeot and noted that the flying-type had decided to very firmly hide his head underneath his great wing in embarrassment.

"I was really disappointed when the ball fell to the ground since I'd already primed it, but then the next second I saw this sleeping Pidgey fall out of the tree, land on the pokeball, and capture himself!" Daisy fell into another fit of giggles as she looked over at Pidgeot. "He was really, really confused when I released him, but I guess he didn't have anything better to do because he just tagged along."

"I can't say I've made any of my friends like that. Most of them wanted to fight," Ash recalled. "Bruiser – he's the Machoke – we sort of walked in on when we were looking for shelter in the mountains by Fuschia. Tangrowth's probably the most similar. He caught himself too."

Tangrowth gurgled happily at that and wandered forward from where he sat beside Quagsire and Roserade. Daisy smiled at him and didn't say anything as he curiously ran several of his vines over her to try and figure out what she was.

"This is Daisy," he introduced her to the Tangrowth. Technically he'd already told his friends about her and introductions had already been made when he'd first introduced them, but this way he hoped that Tangrowth would actually remember. "Daisy, this is Tangrowth."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said politely and giggled when Tangrowth, mimicking a gesture he'd seen Ash perform several times, shook her hand. "I'm looking forward to traveling with you, Tangrowth!"

He bounced up and down on his feet as he gently pulled back his vines and a high squelching noise Ash knew to be an expression of Tangrowth's happiness emanated from beneath his massive tangle of vines.

Ash eyed Daisy speculatively. He'd heard about how easily she befriended pokemon from Gary – he'd been rather annoyed that he couldn't replicate the feat when it came to some of his more temperamental pokemon – but it was fascinating to watch it up close and personal.

She had quite the gift, although he had no doubt that dealing with pokemon for the better part of a decade honed that inborn talent quite well. Daisy didn't seem to have any truly temperamental pokemon on her team but it wasn't easy dealing with powerful, evolved pokemon like Typhlosion or the Ninetales renowned for their legendary pride and cunning.

And while he doubted that the Ninetales was anywhere near as powerful, intelligent, or flat-out mysterious as Chinatsu – the Feather warmed his chest rather unnecessarily at the thought of the First's partner – no Ninetales could be called weak. Even the youngest and most inexperienced possessed a wily mind that could entrap foes in complex illusions and fantasies.

"I guess Ninetales should come next," Daisy murmured as she caught Ash's attention. The fire-type watched him with open curiosity with its ruby red eyes. "She was actually a gift from a friend when I was just making my first trip around Kanto. I visited my friend's house, we took a shining to one another, and I guess that's that. My friend said that we got along too well to keep us apart."

He nodded, interested in the short story. Daisy really was skilled if she could demand the open admiration of a Ninetales. They were notoriously selective even in the modern age where their legend had faded somewhat.

"After that it's history," she recalled fondly as Ninetales happily raised her elegant head to be pet by her trainer. "You know, there's actually a funny story with her if you don't mind me telling."

"Go ahead," Ash invited as he settled in for a long night of introductions and stories. "We're in no rush."

Daisy flashed him a winning smile at that and started her tale, which slowly bled into more and more about her team and his team until they had reached the point of exhaustion.

It was a good night.

XX

The Song that permeated even his dreamless sleep broke in an instant.

Hail, Storm-Tamer. Your Legend has travelled far indeed for it to have reached my ears. Even now the Wingull and Wailmer scream of your deeds to the sky and sea, spread by the Guardian itself.

His will flexed and his mind grew aware. There was nothing but blackness that boomed around him as a foreign mind spoke to him.

Something unseen was there and a brief flash of a tall, spindly figure with long flaps of skin resembling a dress and thick, green cartilage that covered most of its face echoed in his mind.

"Gardevoir?" He rasped as he took in the unnaturally slender shadow before him. He'd never seen one of her kind this close before and he couldn't help but to regard her suspiciously.

Of course. You couldn't expect me to ignore contact with such a fascinating specimen, regardless of what your Dream-Warrior desires. Besides, you are a potential threat to my trainer.

The world burned with scarlet energy that leaked out of the void like bloody fire at that. Spectral tongues of power licked out from the corners of his nonexistent vision in an aura that demanded respect and fear the likes of which he had never felt.

Unfortunately, this Gardevoir was fairly low on the list of terrifying entities he had matched.

He watched those tendrils with an air of boredom. His family and the shadow that lurked in his mind would not allow a psychic of her caliber to touch him.

I know not what power lies within you, but I cannot find it within myself to care. Fire, Ice, and Lightning…they may be circumvented. The Guardian of the Abyss? I do not doubt its power, but I am certain it is far away from this little island. The Guardian of Life lurks far to the north. And that Abomination…I do not fear its strength, maimed as it is.

Ash snorted at that and half-expected her to be smote by Mewtwo for that little comment. The entity that had protected him from Articuno required more energy in one second than Gardevoir had in her entire body.

But the void went nowhere and his mind was tickled by a mind that was not his own. He found it oddly easy to recognize that she was amused.

You thought earlier that our family is not specialized for combat. And you would be correct. Mistress hates fighting. She understands it to be brutal and disgusting even when necessary. An ugly stain on what training should be.

And I agree. I support our family as we learn grace and elegance and compassion from our mistress. My own skill has grown enormously from her peaceful teachings, as have we all.

Battle is horrific. Every moment of strain, every movement, every blow…it sickens me to watch and wounds me to take part in petty feats of strength. The dance my mistress has perfected is my love.

The tendrils that had slowly receded from his unseeing eyes slowly flared anew in displeasure.

But I am the reason the others may find peace. I shed blood so they may not. I am my mistress' sword and shield. She will never know harm under my vigil.

But those who may bring conflict into her life…I do not abide by their threat. I have taken lives before and if I must I will perform my grim duties again.

I do not wish to do that to you, Storm-Tamer. You have done much for this world, but the world is a small price to pay for the security of Mistress. I doubt you will push me so far in these two weeks, but know that I will end you and your team if one of you brings harm to Mistress.

Ash scowled and his eyes finally saw. The gentle light of the moon was visible as the trainer's eyelids opened by a hair's width.

"Is this all you have?" He rasped as more and more of the night sky was unveiled to him. The scarlet energy fled quickly, although he could see some of it simply lingering at the corners of his vision.

But red held no power over him. No, all he saw was blue.

How are you awakening? My art is not so weak as to be broken by a mere human!

His mouth twisted into a vicious snarl as his eyes were half-open and the scarlet power redoubled its assault. He could care less for her protests right now – all he knew was that this Gardevoir had just threatened his family and he would never accept that.

Blood pounded in his ears as his eyes opened in full, too fast for Gardevoir to slow in this dream-state, and barely managed to stop himself before he broke out of the mental embrace in full.

Even in this state, propelled by righteous anger, he did not do anything rash. Instead he just felt the pounding of his chest and stared.

"Never threaten my team again or I will end you," he growled. Some of her fear bled over to him – the Gardevoir line was uniquely gifted with their ability to detect and transfer emotions – and it grounded him. "I would never harm Daisy or anything with her. If you don't return the favor then I'm afraid you'll never be in a position to threaten anyone again."

With that his body returned to him in full and the boy woke up to a whole new world.

"Ashy!" A worried voice called out to him as he felt his shoulder be shaken. "Are you alright? You were talking in your sleep."

"Yes," he murmured as Daisy's pretty face gazed down at him. "I'm fine…just a bad dream."

"But," she frowned and looked over to Dazed. The Hypno just stared at her unblinkingly until Daisy was uncomfortable enough to break it off. "Never mind. Well, sweet dreams, Ash. We've got a few hours to go before we head out."

He nodded tiredly. "Good night, Daisy."

The teenager took one last concerned glance at his face before she went back to her own sleeping roll. Gardevoir laid next to her, face frozen in slumber.

I apologize for the delay in my assisting you, Friend-Trainer. I did not expect her to take such a rash direction…many psychics have desired to speak with you and I felt this was the most inconspicuous manner to deal with it.

"No, thank you," he said as he pulled himself up to his knees. "It was…educational. What was that?"

A skilled application of her abilities. She simply waited until the rest of us were asleep and attempted to form a mental link with you. Arrogant, but I will admit that if I were not more vigilant she would have been successful for a time.

Fortunately her own dismissal of my abilities proved to our advantage. I watched and waited until you had broken from her grip and trapped her mind in a deep sleep. She will not awaken within the next day.

He nodded and plopped back onto his sleeping mat. Ash grimaced as he felt the itch of sand against his arms – it must have been brought in during his unconscious struggle – but a sweep of Dazed's power removed them from his well-used sleeping pad.

"Thank you, Dazed," he said gratefully. Her eyes smiled at him before they hardened when she looked at Gardevoir's still body.

It is of no trouble, Friend-Trainer. I trust you will not mind if I restrain myself from imbibing your dreams tonight? I see a far more appealing target nearby.

Ash sighed when he saw a harsh blue light flash from beneath Gardevoir's frozen eyelids. Dazed had already mentally dominated her. And if Daisy and her team were ignorant to it…well, all the better.

Regardless, he could not support that. His anger had cooled and although he doubted he would ever regard the meddling psychic as a friend, he understood exactly where she was coming from. She'd just gone around in the worst possible way of doing it.

Trouble did seem to follow him, after all.

"You can speak to her, but do not eat her dreams without her permission," he whispered to Dazed. "I want this settled before it grows into an outright grudge."

Understood.

Ash got the sense she was disappointed but Dazed didn't speak on her feelings.

Good night, Friend-Trainer.

With that he fell into a very welcoming abyss.

XX

"You look terrible," Daisy noted as they saddled up their respective Pidgeot. "Did you sleep alright?"

Ash thought back to his encounter with Daisy's guardian.

"I did not."

"Aww, that sucks!" She sympathized as she pulled the last straps just tight enough that Pidgeot wouldn't be uncomfortable. "More bad dreams?"

He shrugged noncommittally. "Something like that."

"You're not a very helpful person, are you?" The Oak huffed and sent him a fondly frustrated glance. "Well, I won't pressure you to talk if you don't want to. Are you ready to head out?"

Ash nodded. "I'm all packed up."

"Good," Daisy smiled. "Let's get a move on, then. It shouldn't take us more than two hours to get to Pacifidlog and then we can use the rest of the day to rest. Then it's off to Dewford!"

He smiled agreeably. Pacifidlog didn't really excite him since it was so tiny and essentially just a small port used for long voyages in the modern day. Ash would not deny its cultural importance – Cynthia's book mentioned it as a hub for the surrounding archipelago to gather at for ceremonies and such, but nowadays its role was seriously reduced.

These days Pacifidlog's cultural history was overshadowed by the scientific interest in the massive Corsola colonies located around the islands it covered. Those colonies were some of the largest in the world and had managed to avoid the damage unintentionally done to the Corsola colonies around the major cities during humanity's first, disastrous forays into the industrial age.

Most of the damage from those days had been easily correctable once humanity had realized what they'd done – a consequence helped along by a dramatic increase in pokemon attacks and open rebellion amongst trained pokemon. But the Corsola colonies were a bit more sensitive to damage and took a long time to recover. It would be centuries before the slowly reproducing water-types would be returned to their former glory.

So Pacifidlog's colonies were a figurative goldmine for scientific research. There were plenty of other Corsola colonies spread throughout the Hoenn archipelago, many of them similarly unspoiled, but most were either smaller or too remote to be easily studied.

But even that didn't especially capture his interest. It was just an interesting little note that made Pacifidlog stick out in his mind. Dewford was what held appeal for him, what with its gym and the Granite Cave.

There were a number of interesting pokemon that lived in the Granite Cave and Ash certainly wouldn't mind adding one or two of those to his team. He still had a few slots that needed to be filled and he would love to fill those in early so that he'd have plenty of time to train them to their utmost.

Aside from that, he knew that Bruiser would love to test himself against fellow fighters. Rampage would be a no-go, of course. It was still too damaging to Bruiser at the moment and he knew that his friend would prefer to test his skill rather than how far he could power up his body.

"Catch me if you can," he grinned at Daisy as he strapped himself into Plume's saddle and secured the large goggles he wore to protect his eyes from the dust and wind of the atmosphere.

Plume screamed her challenge to Daisy's Pidgeot, who shrieked back defiantly as the younger shot into the air like a dart.

It wasn't long before Daisy and her Pidgeot were just specks in the distance.

Not that Ash was worried. They'd slowed down enough. Their companions might be hard pressed, but Plume was traveling sedately enough that it would just take them only a few minutes to catch up.

He'd rather not get lost in the skies of Hoenn, after all. That would be much more trouble than it was worth.

XX

Pacifidlog, he decided, was a nice little city. Certainly not large, even compared to Mossdeep and Sootopolis, but he was the last person to judge a place based on population or territory.

What he really loved, however, was just how integrated it was with the environment.

Mossdeep melded well with its mountains and beaches. Sootopolis was a perfect example of humanity carving their place into the natural world.

Pacifidlog was harmony. A small archipelago connected by vast bridges of logs and massive stones that jutted out of the waves that lapped at the protrusions. The buildings that held a population of just over five thousand were spaced out as far as possible, many of them centuries old. Some even floated out on the water, held aloft solely by massive rafts of logs and connected to the town by the same.

Aside from that, the people were rather interesting. Their skin was darker than most of the people in Mossdeep and Sootopolis. It was natural, unlike the even tans of the sailors and natives of the other islands he'd been to so far.

He had to admit that it was a bit fascinating to him. In Kanto most people were much paler than they were here in Hoenn, much less than the natives of Pacifidlog. Ash was tanner than the norm and even he was a bit lighter than the inhabitants of northern Hoenn, let alone the southern peoples.

Only the ancient mountain tribes of the Pewter territory bore a similar shade, if he remembered correctly. And that was more the kiss of the sun than genetics. Their culture emphasized working outdoors and training ones body alongside their pokemon, so they tended to get a bit more exposure than most of Kanto's people.

Ash attracted his fair share of looks too. A decent number were from people his own age, some of who gave him a second glance as though they recognized him. They lingered and younger children looked up to their mothers and pointed at him curiously.

It seemed he wasn't the only one who'd encountered new people today.

Their style of dress fascinated him as well. Quite a bit was simply regular attire – albeit modified to be open and airy for Hoenn's hot, muggy weather – with floral or shell patterns. Some men opted to go shirtless with only loose swim trunks. Both genders favored loose tank tops and shorts, although quite a few women simply wore skirts that ranged from rather short to almost ankle-length.

He had to admit that he had to stop himself from staring at some of the women who chose to walk around in bikini tops, though. Lance knew what he was talking about.

Ash grimaced at that. He imagined that his mentor enjoyed himself a little bit too much in Hoenn if this was the norm outside the cities.

Still, now he had to deal with the real problem: he had nothing to do. There were no attractions in Pacifidlog besides the research station that he didn't feel like visiting. Just a bunch of normal, hardworking people trying to make a life for themselves.

It was a good place.

That didn't mean it wasn't boring, though. He couldn't even let his friends out to alleviate the tension that had set in his nerves, let alone train with them.

Torrent was just a little bit too powerful to be throwing around his miniature hurricanes in a place like this. Pacifidlog just wasn't quite…solid enough for him to feel confident in releasing his team.

Not to mention he doubted he could even find the space to let them out. With how densely populated the tiny archipelago was the only clear spaces were inside buildings and on a few of the tiny strips of beach, most of which were converted to docks or markets.

With such little space there wasn't much choice but to make use of every bit of it.

He wiped a lone bead of sweat off his brow and grimaced as he was starkly reminded of the brutal heat. Hoenn was even more obnoxiously hot in the south and the humidity somehow managed to be worse than it was in Mossdeep and Sootopolis.

When he breathed he should not be able to practically taste the water in the air.

Ash honestly didn't know how people lived like this. If he stayed out for much longer he'd be positively drenched in sweat, although the short flight with Plume had managed to keep him cool. The winds and high altitude actually kept him comfortable in the hot, humid climate rather than freezing him to the core like their flights in Kanto had.

He supposed he'd just have to get used to it. He'd faced much worse in his travels and he had no right to complain considering he really was enjoying himself.

That didn't mean he wanted to stay out in the heat longer than necessary. Ash shielded the screen of his PokeNav from the light of the sun and squinted to try and get a decent look at the map.

"There we go," he muttered to himself as he mentally oriented himself and headed towards the Pokemon Center. Daisy had gone there and gotten them their rooms – apparently Pacifidlog's Center was usually relatively empty considering its isolated location and low population – but he'd wanted to take a quick look around the town. It was nice to stretch his legs out after so long on Plume and seeing the town itself was just an enjoyable bonus.

It didn't take him long to find himself there. Pacifidlog was so small that the Center was on the same island and less than five minutes away by walking. If the streets hadn't been so packed with people and the buildings clustered so tightly together he probably would've been able to pick it out from where he'd been wandering.

Ash let out a brief sigh of relief as he stepped into the air-conditioned buildings and felt the sweat that ran down his body cool almost instantly. That was probably the most satisfied he'd felt in a long time…well, aside from Dazed letting Gardevoir know that they were not to be toyed with.

He relished in the cold building as he headed to the room number Daisy had sent to him – at least the Pokemon Centers were constructed in the same simple manner as they were in Kanto. The reception area, medical bay, and pokemon holding facilities were on the ground floor while the residential area was on the second floor and up, although this Pokemon Center was small enough that it only had the basic two stories.

"So, what do you think?" Daisy asked with a grin as she opened the door moments before he reached it. Ash assumed Gardevoir had alerted her to his presence. "It's a cute little town, isn't it?"

"Little sounds about right," he nodded. "It's certainly peaceful."

Daisy eyed him knowingly. "You don't sound too happy about that."

"I don't really do peaceful," Ash admitted. "Not when it means I don't have anything to do, at any rate. I've been passive for long enough as is – I just want to stretch my legs and explore at this point."

"I know how you feel," she smiled and opened the door wider to let him in. "Don't worry about it. When we head into Granite Cave we'll have plenty of adventure! I've only been once but it was pretty fun. Lots of rare pokemon to see."

Ash cocked his head curiously at that and stepped into the door. He'd already reviewed the pokemon commonly found in Hoenn and where they tended to live, but he was interested in her own experience. It would be a bit more thorough than a few data tables.

When he stepped into the room he was met with the dull red stare of Gardevoir, who watched him unblinkingly. The skeletal psychic looked absolutely terrible – normally the spindly forms of a Gardevoir offset their somewhat uncanny appearance with a sort of inner grace that shone past their rail-thin bodies. Every movement was fluid and measured, speaking of dignity and nobility of spirit few humans could match.

Right now Gardevoir held none of that. Her scarlet eyes were bloodshot and she slumped in exhaustion. The almost crystalline horn that extended from her chest was dull and erratically pulsed with veins of light. When Ash eyed her carefully the horn seemed almost to droop.

Hail, Storm-Tamer.

There was no malice in the voice, just exhaustion.

He nodded to her. He wanted to end any sort of feud before it could truly begin.

"I'm guessing you want to hear about them?" Daisy observed after she sent a worried glance towards her partner, although she seemed almost frustrated after a moment of unheard conversation. When he nodded to confirm that she motioned for him to take a seat.

"Probably the most common pokemon in the cave are Zubat," his companion began. Ash snorted at that, not surprised in the least. Zubat bred almost impossibly fast and were surprisingly adaptable so long as they had a relatively cool, dark place for them to take shelter in. With how large Granite Cave was it made sense for there to be a massive Zubat population – it was probably one of the only places they could easily hide from the heat and humidity of Hoenn.

"They're pretty passive, though. As long as you aren't alone they'll be too timid to think of you as a meal. And if you have a pokemon they'll do their best to avoid drawing your attention."

He nodded. The Zubat line could be vicious when threatened and their method of feeding on the bodily fluids – they were renowned for leaving dessicated husks behind when they acted defensively and fed without regard for their victim's health. Otherwise they were relatively harmless and often managed to enter "contracts" of sorts with other pokemon that would allow them to get their required nutrition without being forced to kill off massive numbers of their neighbors to support the large population a Zubat colony entailed.

But as long as they were left alone and weren't absolutely desperate for food he would be fine. He would have to be careful with Seeker, however – Zubat were generally easygoing and happy to accept another of their kind but the Golbat and Crobat were generally a bit more territorial.

"I've heard reports of Abra living there – it would make sense with how isolated it is – but I never came across one myself. Geodude also supposed to have a thriving population in Granite Cave. They generally hunt the Zubat and there's enough of them to support a population larger than anywhere else in Hoenn!"

Ash held back a grimace at that as he imagined Seeker fighting against a Geodude. It was…messy.

Geodude didn't require a lot of energy due to their sedentary lifestyle – most of their time was spent sleeping in the earth – but when they needed to gain energy and supplement their more regular diet of minerals and earth they tended to go after Zubat. They shared habitats and the flying-types were both exceptionally plentiful and vulnerable to a Geodude's abilities.

Not to mention their incredibly potent stomach acid enabled them to make use of every bit of their prey. Fur, muscle, bone – everything was used in their highly efficient digestive process.

"Aside from that there's a decent amount of pokemon that can be found only in Hoenn!" Daisy chattered on excitedly, distracting Ash from his morbid thoughts. "Makuhita live in the upper sections of the cave and I even saw a Hariyama last time. It had a few young Makuhita with it so I had to get away, but it was really exciting!"

"Then there's Nosepass, Aron and Mawile. You can find Aron on the upper levels, close to Makuhita, but Mawile tend to live further down. When we get down there I'd keep a close eye on Seeker and Sneasel – Aron and the odd Lairon won't really care about them as long as they don't try to attack, but Mawile are territorial enough to try and take a bite out of them."

He nodded at that. His mind instantly supplied an image of a Mawile's massive jaws, perfect for crushing similar sized pokemon. And if the Mawile was wild it was unlikely they'd restrain themselves in battle like a trained Mawile would.

Sneasel could handle himself unless he was surprised. He was quick, cunning, and had a solid arsenal of techniques to either scare whatever accosted him away or defeat it. While he wasn't a juggernaut like Infernus, Torrent, or Nidoking he was by no means defenseless. He just hadn't quite caught up was all. To the average pokemon he was a fearsome foe indeed.

"And finally there's Sableye," Daisy actually grimaced. The ugly expression didn't fit her face in the least. Ash looked on with interest as the nearly invisible veins threaded throughout Gardevoir chest-horn flashed scarlet with displeasure.

"Is there a story here?" He felt the corners of his mouth pull up.

She sighed. "Don't get me wrong, most Sableye are fine. They're usually quiet and hide away from most living things – just as scared of us as we are of them. But last time I went to Granite Cave I had to deal with one basically stalking me the whole time."

Ash raised an eyebrow.

"It wasn't trying to hurt me," she clarified. "Mostly it seemed curious. Unfortunately, it decided that its curiosity meant that it should steal my hat, my equipment, and my necklace! Plus it thought it was funny to sneak past Gardevoir and wake me up while it was standing right over me – Ninetales didn't take kindly to that."

He didn't even try to hold back his snort at that. Ash had no doubt that Daisy had just said the understatement of the day – Ninetales that found themselves a partner worthy of their presence were generally fiercely protective of their ally and didn't take kindly to anything threatening them.

Add that protective instinct to powerful fire attacks that could banish the darkness ghosts thrived in and their own relatively unique abilities over the same powers that ghosts drew upon and that was a very, very unlucky Sableye.

"But enough of that – I don't want to ruin the whole surprise for you!" Daisy cheered up relatively quickly. "Where's the fun in that?"

"Where indeed?" Ash muttered as he finally took a seat. "How long would you mind staying in Dewford? I'd like to visit the gym before we leave."

"Ooh, you want to hit up Brawly?" She smirked. "Make sure to tell me when you go – I haven't talked to him in ages. I wonder if he's gotten any better? Last time I saw him he was still just training to be the Dewford Gym Leader."

Ash nodded thoughtfully to that. He would have to make sure Brawly actually used his true team against him. Oz would be up to the task, especially due to her natural advantage against close-combat fighters. Her electricity would do an excellent job of keeping them at bay.

Sneasel wasn't quite up to that level and would lose rather badly to any high-level fighters in a straight up battle. His speed would do an excellent job of equalizing their conflict but if a single hit was landed on him he was finished.

But it was Bruiser he truly wanted a challenge for. He hadn't fought too many fighting-types similar to his level. To truly test his limits against his equal and learn just how he matched against fellow fighters could be the catalyst he needed to push past his current form and become a Machamp.

For many fighting-types a combination of physical fitness and mental balance were required. It was a survival mechanism that restrained those unfit for the strength of their new bodies from potentially hurting themselves or the things around them.

The Machop line was a bit different. Their bodies were naturally powerful to a ridiculous degree – bones almost impossible to break, tendons and ligaments absurdly tough, muscles strong enough to crush stone into a powder. As a result their evolutions were more closely tied to their mental state, their own view of themselves.

And therein lie the problem.

Bruiser didn't feel he was ready and, as such, was limited to the form of a Machoke. Ash wasn't about to try and force his friend to evolve, but he would do his best to walk with him down their path to power. Bruiser was strong, fast, and skilled enough to evolve. He had been for a while.

What Ash had to do was open his friend's eyes to that reality.

"So, got anything you want to do today?" Daisy asked, distracting him. "We've got some time to kill and, while we could just head out for Dewford now, I'd rather spend the night in a nice, warm bed."

He blinked. "What is there to even do in Pacifidlog?"

Daisy opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again, and finally closed it resignedly.

Ash nodded. That's what he thought.

XX

He couldn't sleep that night, even with the Song's soothing notes intertwining about his being.

No, his mind was much too busy. And Dazed hadn't seen fit to push him over the precipice into the black abyss he silently yearned for. Instead she watched him, long fingers carefully rubbing her pendulum with the silky fur of her white mane.

There was so much he had to do before he met with Steven and it looked like he wouldn't have much free time to accomplish it.

Nidoking needed to master several more techniques. Ash had some ideas for him and aimed to develop at least one important supplementary technique before he ran into whatever tests Steven was sure to put him through.

Plume just had her speed. She was excellent as she was but there was always room for improvement. Plus he had a few ideas to make sure she could keep up with the rest of the team in raw destructive power…

The aquatic environment of Hoenn was excellent for training Torrent, of course. It would make it far easier for him to start off with advanced water manipulation techniques since he would have so much of it available. Plus it was hard to wrap his mind around just how happy it made Torrent to be back in his natural habitat – his mood had been more like a playful Horsea than the mighty lord of the seas he had become ever since they'd arrived. His determination was higher than ever.

Aside from that there weren't too many specific techniques he wanted to teach his team – Bruiser's Rampage, Dazed's mental manipulation, Sneasel's general combat training, and Oz's control.

He did have special plans for Tangrowth and Infernus, however.

Tangrowth had unknowingly inspired him during the battle with the Birds. When they'd been near Infernus when he'd had the Fire Sphere embedded into his body the grass-type had playfully attempted to pull up the lava with Ancient Power. From what he could very vaguely remember his friend had some measure of success.

Ash would make that a reality. Lava manipulation, assuming it really was possible, would be incredibly valuable if he could use Tangrowth after Infernus had already ravaged the field.

He couldn't use it against regular opponents, of course. That would break so many laws even his status as an Elite Four trainee wouldn't get him out of it. Besides, he would never use it against something that couldn't survive the magma without dying or suffering severe injuries.

But against something that Tangrowth would ordinarily have very little offensive options against – say a Steelix or other powerful steel-type with the thick armor to ignore his vines and Ancient Power – it would be invaluable. Brutal, but effective.

And considering who his new teacher would be a powerful offensive technique against the impenetrable steel-types was absolutely necessary.

As for Infernus, he was more concerned with his ability to act in a team. Infernus could probably be described as the opposite of a team player right now: he was consumed with a desire to conquer all around him, acted alone almost always, and was egotistical to a degree none of his other family members could match.

That couldn't stand. Infernus had learned something of acting as a single component of a team during their training under Lance but Ash feared that his massive increase in power after his evolution had nullified that development.

It was hard for Ash to argue with Infernus' own view of himself as an unstoppable warrior, after all. He'd gone from one of the strongest of Ash's team to the undisputed top fighter.

His mere body heat could kill easily and for most of his matches in the Conference – against some of the strongest pokemon in Indigo – he'd just had to relentlessly blast flames or teleport in close in order to obtain victory.

He'd only been truly pushed when facing off against Michael, and even then he'd taken down the strongest Jolteon Ash had ever seen and a Salamence before a Snorlax was required to take him out.

Infernus was a monster in combat, plain and simple. It was his oxygen, his love.

And after he tasted the power of the Fire Sphere Ash doubted he'd gone unaffected. Infernus' loyalty was undoubted at this point but his willingness to work with others was.

So Ash needed to reintegrate him into the team dynamic. He knew his duties as an Elite Four trainee would lead him into perilous situations and while he knew he was strong, his family needed to work together in perfect harmony to ensure all of them survived the coming storm.

Gone were the days where he could face threats with a single fighter at his side. If he was working with the League he'd be running headlong into real battles with real consequences for more than just himself and his family.

He needed an army – and that was a role his team could fill quite well.

So if he could get Tangrowth and Infernus to work together and heal the slight grudge that Tangrowth still bore against Infernus in the process he'd be rather pleased.

Small steps.

All he needed was to set Infernus on the right path. The team would take care of the rest.

Sleep now, Friend-Trainer. I believe your mind to be weary enough for one night.

Ash's eyes closed without him even realizing it at Dazed's amused words. A flash of red later and he knew nothing.

And there it is…the long awaited update. I'm sorry if some of it isn't up to par but I was forced to take several long breaks from writing due to obligations in real life and I know there are some iffy parts. I do hope that it serves as a decent connecting chapter before we get into the more adventurous stuff next chapter.

Before I end this, I'd like to thank every one of you for your patience in dealing with this ridiculously late chapter. I know it was annoying – it annoyed me just as much as any of you.

This chapter dealt with numerous setbacks. I wrote most of the chapter in January only to have my hard drive corrupt on me, then real life proved to be more obnoxious than usual so I had only a fraction of the time to write that I normally would. It didn't help that I ended up taking a break since I was frustrated with the loss of the original chapter.

I've actually had this and more – I chose to omit Granite Cave from this chapter and put it into the next one since I felt it was more important to get a chapter out at this point – waiting to be posted for several weeks now. Unfortunately my Internet has been down since early June and I've only just now gotten it back.

I'm going to do my best to catch up to where I should be with the story at this point and would like to let you know that progress in Traveler will continue at a much, much faster rate now. I've redoubled my efforts and would also like to say that there's no worry of me ever abandoning Traveler – it might take me a while to update but it will be updated at some point no matter what. I'm seeing this through until the end.

Before I end this I'd first like to thank Dreams2paper11 for the new story avatar (if it's not up by the time this is posted it will be soon) and whoever it was that made the new TVTropes page for Traveler! I really appreciate both of your efforts and I would love if the creator of Traveler's TVTropes page would message me.

Anyways, thank you again for your patience! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and make sure to review!