Sometime later, Ash and Amber, reunited with their friends, before they all left the Crossgate Town, and continue their journey, though in two groups, and toward two different locations.
Amber, Marina, Macy and Casey left toward south, while Ash, Serena, May and Max, went toward the north, to the Fortree City.
For the next few days, it was a calm journey for the gang, as they simply traveled, made some stops to train, and for Serena to rest, but besides that, nothing else happened.
While they were traveling, Ash said to his friends, some of the things that he and Amber talked about, like what Amber and her friends have been doing, along with what they plan to do now. He also told them about the Swap Meet in the Lilycove City, making Serena, May and Max excited about it, but when they heard that they won't be able to get to the Lilycove, by the time the swap meet starts, they were sad, as all three wanted a chance to see many Pokemon from different Regions, which they haven't visited yet.
Hearing about the Swap Meet, which she hasn't heard of before, May really wanted to go and visit one. When Ash asked her why, as he doubted that it's just to see Pokemon from other regions, May said that she wants to trade her Magnemite, Golduck, and Wooper.
"I haven't really made any connection with them, like I did with my other Pokemon," May voiced, as she and the others, were walking through the forest, just outside of the Fortree City. "The same goes for my Marill and Azurill, but in their case, I'll just give them to Max."
"What, really?" Max asked, when he heard what May said.
"Yes," May said. "The Azurill I gave you, and the Azurill and Marill I have, are all related. I caught them all on that abandoned ship. Because of that, I don't want to separate them, so I'll just give all of them to you, so you can train them, while I'll use the other three Pokemon I haven't been able to make a connection to; to trade them for three Pokemon from the two types, I'm interested in."
"You still haven't told us which types you are interested in?" Max question.
"Can you guess?" May asked all three of her companions, but none had an answer. It could be almost any type, so why guess.
"I told you that I already have one Pokemon from one of the types I'm interested in," May decided to simply tell them. "And that Pokemon is Sableye."
This was a shock for everyone, as Sableye is a Dark/Ghost Type, and none of them could see May as a trainer interested in either of those two types, especially if it's a Ghost Type.
"You can't be serious?" Max asked. "Sableye is a Dark/Ghost Type, so which of the two types are you interested in?"
"Ghost Type Pokemon." May replied.
"But why," Serena couldn't help but ask? "I've got nothing against the Ghost Types, but why do you like them. It seems strange. I just can't picture you for a Ghost Type trainer."
"I don't know… I guess I just feel some sort of a connection to them," May said. "Toward the other types, I feel care and love, but not the connection, but toward Ghost Types, I really feel a connection and feel like they would be perfect for me. On top of that, I feel like Ghost Type Pokemon are misunderstood, and that they are not creepy as many assume. To me, they are more funny, then creepy.
"I will admit though, that when I first saw a Ghost Type, it was a Duskull, and it scared the life out of me. It was that same Duskull, you caught, Ash," Ash knew of this, of course. "But since then, all the time I've been around your Duskull, and then after I caught my Sableye, I really felt like I'm close to them, and I realized that I can see myself as a Ghost Type Pokemon trainer.
"Besides; I don't have to look scary to be a Ghost Type trainer. Just look at Phoebe. She looks even less innocent then I do."
"Who is, Phoebe?" Serena asked.
"She is a member of the Hoenn Elite Four," Max said. "And May is right. That girl does look less scary and innocent then May. I have never met her face-to-face, but every time I've seen her on TV, she was smiling and had a face of an innocent little girl."
"Ok," Ash finally spoke. "Well, anyway, it's your choice, and if you feel like you have a connection to the Ghost Types, then go ahead, pursue them, and train them as best as you can."
"I will." May promised.
"What about the other type you mentioned?" Serena asked.
"Ah, it's actually a Rock Type Pokemon." May said.
"I did not expect that one." Max said with a sigh.
"Why Rock Types?" Serena asked.
"Well, at first I saw them as any other types, as I didn't have any preferences when I started my journey," May spoke. "But then we were in Rustboro City, and I watched your battles against Roxane, and from then on, I started liking Rock Type Pokemon. I saw that they can be strong attackers, great at defense, and you can use them for other things, and not just battle. If you look at them physically, they are the strongest Pokemon Types, along with Fighting and Steel Type Pokemon. On top of that, they are the best defensive types.
"If I become an expert in Ghost and Rock Type Pokemon, I can have both offense and defense covered, and I could become one of the best trainers in the world."
"Do you have a connection to the Rock Types, just like with the Ghost Types?" Ash asked.
"No, I haven't felt anything so far," May said. "But I didn't meet that much Rock Type Pokemon, so maybe once I have one or two of them, I'll feel something."
Ash nodded. "Well then, you better start catching some Ghost and Rock Type Pokemon," he said.
"I'll catch them, when we run into them," May said. "I can't just go looking for them. I don't even know where to look."
"The Rock Types can usually be found on mountains, in caves, tunnels, and other such places," Ash explained. "As for the Ghost Types, it's usually dark forests, abandoned towers, and other abandoned sites, which have low amount of humans coming and going."
"Well, I lost my chance to get some in the Granite Cave," May sighed. "I already knew I liked Rock Types back then, and yet, I didn't catch a single Rock Type Pokemon, and there were a lot of them."
"Don't worry about it," Ash said. "There are many places in the Hoenn Region, with Rock Type Pokemon, so you can get them when we get there. The same goes for the Ghost Types. In fact. We can make a stop at Mt. Pyre on the way to the Lilycove City, and you can get some Ghost Pokemon there."
"That's right," Max added. "My Pyre is the place in Hoenn, with the greatest amount of Ghost Type Pokemon in the entire Region. There is no way you cannot catch two or three of them, when we get there."
"Rock Types though," Ash spoke again. "Maybe you can get some on some of the Islands we will be visiting between Lilycove City and Mossdeep City."
"Ok, if you say so." May said.
"Can we stop at the Hoenn Safari Zone?" Serena suddenly asked.
Everyone looked at her in surprise. "Why?" Ash asked.
"I was thinking of catching some Flying Type Pokemon," Serena said. "Unlike with Rock and Ghost Type Pokemon, Flying Types can't be found at some specific places, so I thought that Safari Zone might be the best choice."
"Ok," Ash said. "I've got no problem with that. What about you two?" He asked May and Max.
"No problem with me." Max said, with May agreeing as well.
"Then I guess we will be stopping at the Safari Zone first, and then from there, go South to the Mt. Pyre," Ash said. "Once we finish there, it will only be few days until we reach the Lilycove City."
"Lilycove doesn't have a gym, right?" May asked.
"No," Ash said. "But I think that they have a Pokemon Contests held there. After Fortree City, the closest next gym is in Mossdeep City, which is quite far from here, and it will take us a while to get there, especially since we have to travel a lot of the route, by sea."
"I think it would be good to travel by water for a while," Serena said. "We've been going on foot for some time, and traveling by boat, will be a relaxation."
"We won't travel by boat," Ash said, getting curious looks from the others. "I have two Lapras's, remember? We will use them to travel."
"Right," Max said. "You do have those Lapras's. We've already traveled to Dewford Island with them."
"That's right," Ash said. "And I've traveled through the Orange Islands on the back of a Lapras. So I know that it's a quite good way to travel, though probably isn't as interesting as traveling by boat or a cruise ship, as there is nothing to do all the time we are traveling."
"It's fine," Serena said. "As long as we don't have to walk for a while, I'm fine any way."
Ash, May and Max realized then and there, that Serena - even though she isn't saying it - still has a problem with walking, because of what happened to her.
"You know," Ash spoke to Serena, getting her attention. "If you want, I can always carry you in my arms," Serena blushed crimson at the offer, "it won't be a problem for me."
"W-what," Serena yelped? "Why would I want you to c-carry me?"
Ash looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Because you have issues with walking because of your injuries, and because I'm still your boyfriend, even though we've had some problems lately. As such, it's my job to make sure you are comfortable."
Serena wanted to argue with that. She wanted to deny him and say that doesn't have a problem with walked. She also wanted to say that they don't have a problem in their relationship, but she didn't say anything, as she knew that – even though she won't say it out loud – she does have a problem with long walks, and she still is a little angry at Ash for what he has done in Lavaridge Town.
She didn't say anything at first, and just kept quiet, but then a few minutes later, the group arrived in front of a huge tower-like building, which seems to go all the way up to the sky, because they can't see the top from where they are standing at the bottom.
"Is the gym supposed to be here?" May asked in surprise at the huge tower.
"It would seem so," Ash said. "We have to get to the top, though." He then looked at Serena. "So. Do you accept my offer? It sure beats climbing up all of these stairs."
Serena looked at Ash, before she looked at the stairs, which seems to have no end, as they go up. She sighed. "Fine," she said. "If you want to carry me, then do so."
Ash smirked, before he approached to Serena, and much to her surprise, gave her a little kiss on the lips, making the girl blush. May and Max also blushed and looked away, as Ash kept his lips on Serena's for a few seconds. He finally pulled away, and looked at Serena's crimson face. "Your wish is my command, your majesty." Ash joked, before he suddenly grabbed Serena and lifter her off her feet. He held her bridal style, as he looked at her eyes.
And so, Ash walked up the stairs, with Serena in his arms, while May and Max followed from behind.
XXX
For 10 minutes, Ash, May, and Max climbed up the stairs toward the Fortree Gym, and yet… they still aren't there.
"Are we ever going to get there," May complained, as she seems to be tired from the walking all the way here, and then climbing up the never-ending stairs? "I'm tired."
"Well, don't expect me to carry you," Max said, getting a dirty look from May. "I can barely walk myself. Maybe Ash can carry you, as he is already carrying Serena, and yet, he looks as fresh as if he just got out of the bed, while the two of us are tired and covered in sweat."
Before May could ask him, Ash said. "Sorry, May. But I can't carry both Serena and you, AND my backpack. I'm not a Superman."
"Yeah, I know you are not a Superman," May sighed. "That would be Clark Kent, and you are Ash Ketchum."
Ash and Max stopped climbing when they heard what May said, and along with Serena, they looked at May, before all three burst into a laughter, confusing the young girl.
It took them a full minute to stop laughing, only to see a glare on May's face. She wasn't happy that they were laughing at her. Then again, she did say something funny, so she can't blame them for laughing.
"Wow, look at that!" Max said, as he looked at the distance, and all the small houses, which could barely be seen through the forest. "Look at all those three houses."
"It's an old tradition here," Ash spoked. "A lot of the people in Fortree City, live in the tree houses."
"I bet it would be awesome, living in the tree." Max said.
"If you say so." Ash shrugged. "Come on. Let's get to the gym, and we can check those houses and the City, later."
Ash started climbing again, with May and Max, following behind. "I wish this place has an elevator." May whined.
XXX
After what felt like forever, Ash, May and Max, have climbed up the stairs, and have managed to get in front of the entrance of the Fortree City Gym.
The entrance is rather large, and sort of looks like some temple. In front of the entrance, there is a big plateau, and at the sides of the entrance, there are statues of Charizard and Skarmory.
When they arrived at the entrance of the gym, Ash let Serena down on the ground, so she can stand on her own legs. He has done enough by carrying her all the way up there, and now that they are at the gym, she can stand by herself. Also, Ash doesn't wish to explain to the gym leader, why he was carrying Serena.
"Well, that took forever." May sighed, as she was all sweaty and tired. Even though she's been traveling for months now, she still doesn't have the stamina for such long climbs.
"Come on, May," Max spoke. "That wasn't so bad."
"Tell that to my legs," May said back. "I can barely stand."
"You'll have time to rest later," Ash said. "Let's see if there is a gym leader in here, because if she isn't, then we've come all the way here, for nothing."
"Where could she be, if she isn't here?" Serena asked.
"For all we know, she could be down in the Town." Ash shrugged, before he called. "Hello, is anyone in there!?"
A few moments later, a red-haired guy came from inside of the gym. "Welcome, to the Fortree Gym." He said, as soon as he came out.
"Hi," Ash said. "My name is Ash. We are here to challenge the gym. Is the Gym Leader here?"
"Hi, Ash. My name is Zachary, and I'm the assistant here at the Fortree Gym." The man introduced himself with a smile, before he frowned a little. "As for the gym leader. She is at the town, and is pretty busy right now."
"What's she doing down there." May asked with a groan. It seems that all the climbing, was for nothing.
"She went to the village square to help out," Zachary said, again with a smile on his face. "The Feather Carnival is here."
"What's a Feather Carnival?" Max asked
"It's a big festival, which is held here in the Fortree City, once a year, where we celebrate a sky." Zachary said.
"That could be fun." May said.
"Well, I guess we can go and check it out," Ash sighed. "If we are lucky, we can run into the gym leader, and ask her for the battle."
"In the meantime, we can enjoy ourselves a little," May said. "We haven't been at the carnivals or big celebrations, so far, so it will be fun."
"I'm fine with that," Serena agree. "But let's first find a place where we can stay. We might not be able to leave from here in another two days."
The other agreed, before they turned around, and started to walk down the stairs. This time, Serena was walking by herself.
XXX
Sometime later, Ash, May, Serena, and Max were walking down the road, which had a bunch of shops on both sides, with people inside selling many things, from food, to the toys for the children, then there are some small jewelry shops, and an ice cream stands. Of course, there are also a bunch of different games for the children, and some for the adults to enjoy.
There are many people walking down the road, just like Ash and the others, and they all seems to be enjoying themselves, or looking at the stands, for anything that might catch their eye.
"Allright, there is a ton of food!" Max said in excitement. He seems to be hungry, judging by his reaction to the food, and the smile on his face.
"And the jewelry shops, games, and other stuff!" May added.
"Yeah, there sure are a lot of stuff here," Serena said, as she looked around. "I am actually surprised that this carnival is this big. I was expecting it to be smaller."
"Considering that it's held only once a year," Ash spoke, "I'm not surprised by its size."
Max drew the attention of the others, when he pointed to the sky. "What's that?" He asked.
The group looked at the sky, only to see a Skarmory, with a woman riding it. There was a small boy riding as well, and being held by the woman.
"What's up with that Skarmory," May asked. "It's huge. I've never seen one that big."
"Well, some Pokemon can grow to be bigger then they normally would," Ash said. "But I admit I have never seen a Skarmory that big, even though I've seen other Pokemon, who have grown to be rather large in size."
The woman said to the boy, to hold tight, as they were going to land, and the boy nodded, while still wearing a smile on his face.
"It seems that they are going to land right on the square." Max said.
"Let's go and check it out," Ash said. "It think that that woman might be the gym leader."
The others were surprised by this, so they followed after Ash to check it out, and see if he was right.
Few minutes later, they were all on the large open ground, with the plateau, being at the middle of it. On top of the plateau, there was a Skarmory, and its trainer, along with a bunch of kids, all around them.
"Ok then," the woman spoke to a bunch of kids. "Who here wants to be my next co-pilot?"
A little red-haired girl shouted. "Me, Winona. I'm next! I'm next!"
"Ok," the now-named Winona, said, as she took the little girl and lifted her, before she placed her at the back of the Skarmory. "Hold on tight."
"I will be next, Winona," a little boy said to Winona. "But when I do, I'll go by myself."
"Aren't you the brave one." Winona said to the boy, while smiling at him.
Before Winona was to turn around and climb back on her Skarmory, she was called.
"Winona," Ash called to the woman, who turned around and looked at him. "Do you happen to be the gym leader here in the Fortree City?"
"Yes, that would be me," Winona replied as she looked at, what she considered to be the best looking kid she has seen in her life. She gained a small blush on her face, as she was looking at him, and didn't even notice the looks she was getting from those around her, who were all curious about her blushing face. She couldn't take her eyes off of Ash, but not just because of how he looks, but also because he looks very familiar to her. After a minute of looking at Ash, without paying attention to the others. "Are you here to challenge me?"
"Yes, I am," Ash replied. He noticed the look and blush on Winona's face, and smirked. "My girlfriend, Serena, also wishes to challenge you." Ash pointed at Serena, and then watched as Winona and Serena looked at each other, before their eyes narrowed as they landed on the other girl/woman.
Ash only watched in amusement, while May, Max and the other kids, were confused as to what's going on.
Eventually, Ash decided to interrupt the glaring match, before some… unfortunate accident happens.
"So… about that challenge?" Ash's voice made Serena and Winona turn and glare at him for a moment, before they realized what happened, and both girls turned their heads, and looked away.
"Hey Ash," Max spoke quietly, as he looked at Ash. "What's going on?"
Ash looked at Max, and said. "Trust me… you don't want to know."
With that, Ash turned and looked at Winona. She looked at him as well, before she coughed, and fought down the blush on her face.
"Yes, about the challenge," Winona spoke. "We will have to do them tomorrow, as today, I'll be busy for the rest of the day. I hope that's not a problem."
"No, its fine," Ash said with a smile. "We can wait. It will also give us a chance to enjoy the carnival, for the rest of the day."
"Great." Winona said, before she turned away from Ash, and climbed up on her Skarmory. She took off, with a sounds of the little girl laughing and screaming in delight, her screaming being heard all over the plateau.
XXX
Having nothing else to do for the remaining of the day, except have fun, or rest, the gang decided to have some fun at the Carnival, before they all go to one of the hotels, so they can rest.
Normally, they would go to the Pokemon Center, as it's free, and their Pokemon can be looked at by the Nurse Joy, all in one place. Surprisingly though, the Fortree City, doesn't have a Pokemon Center, but it does have several hotels and motels, so they will have to go to one of them, unless of course, they want to spend another night sleeping in the bags, on the ground. Since none wanted that, Ash agreed to pay for all of them in a hotel, for three days, so that they can have some good rest, while they wait for the gym battles, and before they continue their journey. Three or four days of resting, will also allow Serena to recover a little more, from her injuries.
Now, though, since they decided to have some fun, the gang spent hours, going all over the carnival, looking at anything interesting, as well as eating, drinking, and having fun with some games, which were for children, and some which were for teenagers, and adults.
During their tour of the carnival, the gang came upon an old woman, who was doing some game with a bunch of people around her. The gang decided to approach, and see what the old woman is doing, and see if they can have a part in it.
"Come on, come on, everyone," the old woman shouted! "Some on and try your luck with the game of 'find the coin'. If you can guess in which hand I'm holding the coin, three times in a raw, I will give you the Dusk Stone, which will allow you to evolve some of your Ghost and Dark Type Pokemon! Come on, boys and girls! The entrance fee is just 1000 Pokemon Dollars."
"Wow, did you hear that?" Max asked the other, while looking at the old woman, and at the set of the Dusk Stones on the table in front of her.
"It's kind of hard not to, Max," Serena said. "She is quite loud."
"Yes, she is," May agreed with Serena. "But why is she doing this? Those stones should be worth more than 1000 Poke Dollars."
"They are," Ash said. "But I doubt everyone who enters the game, wins it. Remember what she said. You have to guess the right hand, three times in a raw, to win. I doubt many people were lucky enough. She's probably made much more money by now, then those stones were worth."
"Yes, but if you do guess right, three times in a raw, you get a Dusk Stone for only a 1000 Poke Dollars, which is much cheaper than if you are to buy it in the store." May said.
"Does that mean that you are going to try it out?" Max asked.
"Sure, why not," May responded. "Dusk Stone will allow me to evolve some Ghost Pokemon, when I catch them, so it will be very useful. The fact that evolution stones can be used up to five times, before they run out of energy and turn into a simple rock, makes them much more useful then they normally would, if they run out after one use."
May moved away from the group, and approached to the old woman, who looked at the girl, and smiled. "Are you going to try your luck, dear?" The old woman asked.
"Yes," May said, before she took her wallet from her backpack, and paid a thousand Poke Dollars, to the old woman. The woman took the money from May, before she placed it in a box, which was seating on the ground, next to the woman's chair.
Then, the old lady looked back at May, before she pulled out a golden coin, about an inch in diameter, and showed it to May.
"Are you ready, my dear?" The woman asked.
"Sure." May responded, before she readied to try her luck.
The old woman smiled, before she drew her hands behind her back, so that May won't see them. A few seconds later, she presented her hands in front of May, with both of her fists closed, so that no one could see where the coin is.
"Good luck." The woman said to May, who looked between the two fists, trying to figure out, in which hand the coin is located.
While May was trying to decide on which hand to pick, Ash, Serena and Max, were watching, along with a bunch of other people and kids, who were all around them.
"Which hand to you think it's in?" Max asked.
Ash smirked. "It's in her right hand," He said quietly, so that no one, including May, would hear her. Only Max and Serena.
"How do you know?" Serena asked him.
"Surface thought's reading," Ash said, making Serena's and Max's eyes widen. "The woman knows in which hand the coin is in, so I know as well."
"You're kidding me?" Serena asked in surprise.
"Nope," Ash said with a smile, before he looked at May, and saw that she was about to choose a hand. He didn't know which hand she was going to choose, but he decided to help her, so she can win the Dusk Stone, and not end up losing, as he knows that she will be miserable if that happens.
'Chose her right hand,' Ash suddenly said, using Telepathy, so only May could hear him. 'It's in there.'
May's eyes widened for a moment, when she heard Ash's voice in her head. She suddenly remembered that he can do that kind of stuff, because of his powers. She didn't understand how he knows, in which hand the coin is, though.
Anyway, she did decide to listen to him, so May pointed at the woman's right hand. "It's in your right hand." May said.
The old lady smiled, before she opened both of her palms, and showed that the coin, was in her right palm, just as May said.
The crown cheered around, hoping to see someone win the Dusk Stone. May smiled at herself, happy that she has listened to Ash's advice, and also happy that he was right. She did wonder how he knew, because this is a pure guessing game, where the chances of win and loss, are 50/50%. She doubted that he has just guessed.
"Good guess, my dear," the old lady said to May. "But you still have to guess two more times, to win the Dusk Stone. Several competitors, have tried and managed to get it right on the first and the second try, but only one person so far, was able to get it three times in a raw, and I've been here for hours already."
May smiled. "It's a guessing game, so all I have to do to win, is to be lucky… right?"
The lady smiled. "Right. Let's see how far that luck will lead you." She took the coin back into her hands, and again, she reached behind her back, where she grabbed it in one of her hands, while closing that palm and the other one as well, before she offered both of her closed-off palms, to May, so she can take another guess.
May started thinking again, in which hand the coin is. She also wondered if Ash is going to help her again, or if it was just a one-time deal.
She didn't have to think for long, before she heard Ash's voice, in her head.
May smiled, before she said. "It's in your right palm, again."
Again, the lady opened both of her palms, and showed that May was right, and that the coin was in the right palm.
"Nice one," the lady said with a big smile on her face. "You're two down, and one to go. Let's see if you can do it."
A minute later, the lady had her hands extended toward May, her fists closed. She was waiting for May's guess.
May waited to almost a minute, to hear Ash's voice, again… but this time, it didn't come. The people around, looked at May, as she was quiet, and didn't try to guess. Some even noticed that there was slight sweat forming on her forehead and eyebrows, so they assumed that she was stressed as she was really close to win the game, but if she guesses wrong, it all goes to hell, and the two right guesses from before, mean nothing.
Max looked at Ash, and asked. "Why is she sweating," his voice was low, so no one but Ash and Serena, would hear him? "Didn't you tell her the right hand?"
"No, I didn't," Ash said. "I did for the first two, but not for this one. I'll wait and see if she can guess it right by herself."
"And if she's wrong?" Serena asked.
"I'm looking at her mind right now," Ash said. "So I'll know what decision she makes, before she says it. If she is wrong, I'll tell her, if she is right, I'll just let her chose the hand she has decided on."
For another full minute, May was silent, as she was thinking on the hand to choose. By now, she has figured that Ash won't help her with this round, and has left her alone, so she will have to make a choice. The question is, which hand has the right coin. The first two rounds, it was the right hand, so it is possible that this time, it's the left hand. Then again. The old lady might follow that same logic, and again keep the coin in her right hand, just to confuse her. But at the same time, the lady might think that that's exactly what May would think, and she would go with the left hand.
The possibilities were endless, and the chances of choosing the right hand are 50%, which is pretty high, but that's only because there are two options. May knew that the chances would be much lower, if there are more choices, then just two hands.
In the end, May decided to just go for it, and chose the hand. She knew that she was already keeping the people waiting for longer than it was necessary, so it was time to choose, and hope she wins. Besides. She can think on this for the entire day, and it won't change anything,
May pushed her right hand forward toward one of the old lady's hand, to show her choice, while all the people around, waited in silence, to see if May has made the right choice, or not.