My Wings

by DestinyHead123

This vast world is filled with uncertainties, from ancient myths to urban legends. Stories passed down for centuries have become intertwined with current cultures, producing this reimagined world in which our hero, Ash Ketchum, chases the answer to an age-old question. What does it mean to be a Pokemon Master? – AU, adult characters, real-world cultures

2. Enju City

Chapter 2

---

Thursday, March 19th

"Attention passengers, this is your pilot speaking. We are now roughly twenty minutes from the Ilex Airport, just outside of Goldenrod City. If you are using any electronic devices, please shut them off once we begin our landing sequence. Once again, thank you for using Kanto's Finest Airlines."

Ash stared blankly out of the window beside him, watching the vast blue skies the stretched out endlessly. The six-hour flight to Goldenrod City was nothing special. Ash found himself in the economy class, though he was fortunate to only have to share the row with one other person who sat in the aisle seat.

His final days in Pallet Town were a blur. Daisy took him shopping for some clothes to wear despite Samuel's protests. In the end, Ash picked out three changes of clothes that he packed over the weekend along with some of the essential items that Samuel listed for him. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, sunscreen, rain gear, extra shoes…his list went on and on, but surprisingly the majority of fit into the sizeable backpack that Daisy purchased as a gift for him.

Another step in the process was getting him a passport. Thankfully, Samuel could function as a witness to help prove Ash's identity since all he had was an expired driver's license from when he was still in high school. Plus, since the post office of Pallet Town was under-utilized, the two staff members that worked there were able to put together his passport just in time for Ash to depart for Viridian City.

The nearest airport was in Viridian City. Samuel and Daisy came to see him off at the gate. It wasn't an emotional goodbye like in the movies. It wasn't very personal either, but both Samuel and Daisy wished him the best during his time in Ecruteak City. And he wouldn't be alone, he came with company.

Tucked away in his backpack was a miniaturized Pokeball. Growlithe was in tow.

Ash couldn't explain it, but the moment he agreed to go to Ecruteak City, Growlithe insisted that she join him. She barked and yipped and Daisy provided a translation…that Growlithe wanted to watch over him. Growlithe was watching him since he first arrived at the lab, and Samuel finally offered an explanation for it.

"Most Growlithe are very territorial, but I don't think she ever perceived you as a threat," Samuel noted, causing Ash to look at Growlithe. "There was a study I read that said Growlithe's sense of smell is so powerful that they can read emotions with it. She may understand what you need more than Daisy or I ever could, perhaps even more than you do."

Recognizing Growlithe's sincerity, Ash accepted her request to join him during his time in Ecruteak City. Growlithe gave a fond farewell to the Pokemon at the lab, though according to Daisy, she didn't disclose where she was going or who she was going with. Ash could only imagine what the other Pokemon might think of her if she told them that she was leaving to travel with him for some time. He certainly didn't want the other Pokemon treating Growlithe differently because of him.

But as they were getting ready to leave the ranch the day of his flight, Ash suggested one last time that Growlithe stay in her more familiar surroundings where her friends are. But Growlithe made it abundantly clear that she was prepared to go with him. Her eyes were filled to the brim with courage and determination! Seeing her strength, Ash couldn't deny that he was envious of Growlithe, and that envy caused him to make a promise in his heart…to one day possess a fraction of Growlithe's noble qualities.

---

As one of the mainland regions, the people of the Johto were natural English speakers, though Johto had a very diverse populace, especially among its many seaside towns. Goldenrod City was considered the largest tourist attraction as a glimmering metropolis. The Ilex Airport sat at the outskirts of the city where Route 34 began, named after the grand forest that occupied the coastline several miles to the south.

Old folklore in Azalea Town described the forest as being locked in permanent darkness and advised brave travelers to consult the forest guardian for guidance through Ilex Forest.

Ash sighed as he put the traveler's guidebook back on the shelf of the gift shop in Ilex Airport. Such tall tales would've fascinated him years ago, but now he struggled to believe in such things. Was it because he was older now…?

He shrugged his shoulders and pulled at the straps of his backpack. He thought that it would be a good idea to learn a little more about the Johto region, but now he found himself hesitating to open another book. Perhaps it would be best if he got moving.

The rendezvous point was on Route 35 to the north of Goldenrod City. He was expected to be there at two o'clock in the afternoon. With a glance at his watch, Ash saw that it was only eight o'clock in the morning. It would only take an hour for a taxi to get him across town, and he would have to travel on foot the rest of the way. Being early couldn't hurt…and it beat sitting around in an airport lobby.

He disembarked from the facility, hailed a taxi, and ventured across Goldenrod City. It was just him and the driver for the entire ride, and fortunately, the cab driver didn't care to make conversation. That worked out in Ash's favor as he sat in the back and quietly observed Goldenrod's different city districts. However, it all reminded him of Vermilion City.

From the beaches to the shipping yards, it even had a radio tower. Just like his old home.

Ash was happy to see the city begin to thin out as they approached Route 35. The buildings and homes were sparsely placed, creating a quiet area that was more accepting of its natural surroundings than the densely populated city. The taxi came to a stop at in a small parking lot that belonged to a truck rental business.

"This is the last stop before the checkpoint kid, this is as far as I'll go," The cab driver stated, getting a nod from Ash.

He dug into his backpack, fishing out the envelope that he received from Samuel and Daisy. Originally it held one hundred dollars, the money Ash would need to buy meals before and after his flight, as well as any additional or unexpected costs before he reached Ecruteak City. Paying the fee for the ride, Ash bid the driver farewell as he climbed out of the taxi.

As the yellow vehicle began its return trip to Goldenrod City, Ash took a gander at the rental place beside him. The lot was filled with pickup trucks and all-terrain vehicles, likely for civilians that had to make the trip through a Route to reach other cities. Ash stretched his legs a bit, doing a quick set of squats before he went into his backpack again to retrieve the map Samuel gave him. It was a small map specifically for Route 35 to instruct him on how to pass the north gate of Goldenrod City, and reach the rendezvous point.

Johto was very different from Kanto according to Samuel. He said that as a warning to Ash during the trip to Viridian City's airport. Samuel made it a point to tell him that under no circumstances, was Growlithe to be let out of her Pokeball while they were in a public location. The Great Crisis left many scars on the people of Johto. It was said that the Johto region stretched far north beyond Mahogany Town and Blackthorn City before the Great Crisis, but those areas disappeared, being swallowed by fissures or uprooted by the newly raised mountains. The entire northern landscape was thrown into disarray by the rampage of the Pokemon.

And thus, the fear of Pokemon ran deep.

While other regions could restore their civilization, Johto was left with constant reminders of what took place during the Great Crisis. Gates and checkpoints were set up around every town and city to establish a perimeter that could deny the entry of Pokemon. A phobia of Pokemon developed in Johto. The people there wanted no part of them.

"You'll be arrested on the spot if they catch you with a Pokemon."

For his safety and Growlithe's, it was best that she remained in a Pokeball until he was deep into Route 35. Getting past the checkpoint was the next order of business. The map outlined the locations of the guard towers and a pathway for Ash to follow in order to slip through the perimeter undetected. But like most things, it was easier said than done.

Ash took a deep breath and began his journey into the sprawling woodlands. The perimeter was close, so he kept his distance from the main road and used the foliage around him as cover. He used the road as a reference for how close he was to the checkpoint, so Ash did his best to keep it in view. As he pushed through some bushes, Ash remembered his many trips into Route 6 with Pikachu to train with Giselle.

Pikachu would always take the lead, guiding him through the forest to the clearing where Giselle practiced and warding off any Pokemon that wanted to challenge them. Ash found himself looking up at the sky through an opening in the canopy, thoughts of his partner plaguing his mind.

"Are you okay…Pikachu?"

---

The journey past the checkpoint went smoothly as an introduction to traveling on a Route thanks to the guidance from the map Samuel provided.

There was a high fence that acted as a border between Goldenrod City and Route 35, with signs warning of high voltage all over the place. Climbing the fence was impossible, and passing through the gate would've meant getting checked by the security staff. But the map led him to a spot where several trees were rather close to the fence, and they possessed large and impressive canopies that met above the fence. Concealed within the dense foliage was a web of vines that were finely knit together. It was practically solid as Ash crossed! The branches shook, but there wasn't any evidence of strain since the vines and tree branches reinforced each other.

"The trainers of Johto work together to maintain little ways to get past each of the checkpoints around the city!" Samuel explained proudly. "In this case, I'd imagine something like Bayleef or Chikorita was responsible for this!"

Once he was past the fence, Ash continued north until he was at least a mile from the checkpoint. With the gate and fence no longer in sight, Ash returned to the main road and followed it from there at a leisurely pace. Even after an hour of walking, he had yet to see even one Pokemon. Perhaps the presence of the fence caused all of them to move further into Route 35? Or maybe they can all sense the fear from the people living in the cities and kept their distance? All of the above seemed like the right answer.

Looking down at the map, Ash reached his next landmark. There was another parking lot off to the side of the road that was currently unoccupied. Based on the map, there was a pathway that would lead to a nearby lake, his rendezvous point. It took no more than twenty minutes to reach the secluded lake. There was a couple of old benches set up around the lake, the wood splintered and metal bars rusted from rainfall.

Ash frowned at the bench and opted to take a seat on the grassy shore of the lake. Even though he hadn't seen any Pokemon, Ash followed the direction Samuel gave him and released Growlithe from her Pokeball.

"As I've said before, things are very different in Johto," Samuel explained, his expression firm and unyielding. "The extreme prejudice toward Pokemon has made them more defensive and territorial…there's no trust. You'll need Growlithe to vouch for you in the event that you run into a pack of Pokemon."

Considering that almost a century passed since the Great Crisis, Ash could only imagine the atrocities that must have taken place in Johto. If he so much as possessed a Pokeball or Pokemon in a city, he would be arrested. But if he wandered into a Route without a Pokemon to function as a mediator, he was equally screwed!

Kanto and Johto were part of the same land, but somehow it felt like Ash was in a completely different world. No matter what he felt right now, there was no denying that he lived a very sheltered and narrow-minded life in Vermilion City. He never would've imagined the relationship between people and Pokemon would be in such a poor state and yet, in Johto, that was the reality.

No trust between man and Pokemon.

Ash exhaled and ran a hand over his short hair. Was that something he cared about? Years ago, he was passionate about it! But now, Ash wasn't sure what he felt.

There was a nudge at his side, and Ash was reminded that Growlithe was seated next to him. They made eye contact, and Growlithe yipped at him and wagged her tail. Her eyes glimmered from the sunlight coming from above them, but Ash held a blank expression. Growlithe remained earnest as she looked at Ash innocently. She waited to see what he would do, and clearly, her patience knew no bounds as their staring contest continued.

Ash conceded the match to her and looked out at the glistening water. The surface was smooth, completely undisturbed.

"Growlithe?" Ash began, though he didn't look at her. "Thanks for coming with me."

She barked in return and snuggled up against his side. Ash reached for his backpack and dug into it for one of the nutrition bars that Samuel gave him for the journey. He ripped open the packaging, broke it in half, and devoured his part of it. The other half he placed in front of Growlithe, and she sniffed at it curiously before she gobbled it up.

For the next three hours, Ash spent his time doing some light exercise to distract himself. He jogged around the edge of the lake, did pushups, squats, crunches, everything he could think of. And before he knew it, his escort arrived. It was a bald-headed man dressed in a light blue yukata who Growlithe began to bark at as he approached.

Ash was caught in the middle of another lap around the lake when he heard the commotion from Growlithe. However, the man was unfazed by Growlithe and he kneeled down in front of her and offered her one of his hands. She became quiet and took a step forward to sniff at his hand. Then she looked up with a cheerful yip, allowing the man to pat her head.

"Ah, and you must be Ash Ketchum," The man said as Ash finally reached the two of them. He bowed respectfully to Ash. "Ohayo!"

"That's me, but what did you say?" Ash asked, his forehead wrinkled.

"It's a greeting in Japanese," He replied with a smile. "That's the primary language in Ecruteak City, though we speak a mixture of languages including English, Mandarin," He gave a chuckle. "I don't want to name too many though."

Ash raised his brow. It never even occurred to him that he might run into the people that spoke other languages.

"My name is Koji, it's nice to meet you," He continued, bowing to Ash once again. "I'll be taking you to Ecruteak City. I have Rapidash waiting about a mile from here, and I don't want to leave him alone for too long."

Ash gave him a nod in return and went off to collect his belongings that he set down against a nearby tree trunk. Once he had his bag back on his shoulders, he joined Koji and Growlithe as their adventure began.

Ash studied Koji closely as he followed him just a few paces behind. The man wore a cheerful smile and moved with caution, mindful of all the plant life around him. He even avoided stepping on the small flowers that started to sprout now that spring was setting in. Koji certainly seemed like a decent person, not to mention how well he handled himself with Growlithe when he first arrived. If Growlithe was comfortable with him, 'decent' seemed like a safe bet.

Ash felt a chill when Koji suddenly glanced back to check on him.

"Are you alright back there?" He asked. Ash gulped before he gave a nod. Growlithe barked as her reply. "You're awfully quiet, have you always been on the shy side?"

"I wouldn't say 'shy,'" Ash replied softly. "I'm just not much of a talker these days."

"Ah, we all go through ups and downs," Koji noted, causing Ash to raise his brow. Koji was very perceptive. "I was speaking with Lady Naoko before I left, and I understand this is your first time visiting Ecruteak City," Ash nodded again. "Well, I can promise you that it's unlike any city you've seen before."

"How so?" Ash asked curiously.

"You could describe it as an ancient city," Koji noted as they continued along the dirt pathway between the trees. "It was first built near the end of the feudal era, roughly six hundred years ago though it was almost destroyed during the wars. Our ancestors survived the turmoil and became isolated, so you could say we missed a few eras," Koji chuckled as he said this. "We still follow the same way of life that we started with."

"Wait, you don't have phones or internet?" Ash asked incredulously, causing Koji to stifle a laugh.

"No, but we've adopted some modern luxuries, like indoor plumbing," Koji remarked with a grin. "That was a happy day for us all!"

Koji provided Ash with some insights into the daily life of someone living in Ecruteak City. He described it as an agricultural society, dependent on the work of both people and Pokemon to get by. Koji stressed how strong the bond was between the Pokemon and the people of Ecruteak City. They relied upon each other…

Ash glanced at Growlithe as she walked alongside him, and for a brief moment, he saw an image of Pikachu. His chest became tight at the sight of his partner and he looked away from the Pokemon beside him.

They traveled east for at least thirty minutes and the vast majority of this time was spent in the woodlands of Route 35. Their destination was a sizeable clearing where a familiar Pokemon was waiting for them. Koji's Rapidash was resting in the shade at the edge of the clearing with a few other Pokemon sleeping with him.

The sight of Rapidash's fiery mane reminded Ash of the last time he battled a Rapidash. Laura was no slouch as a trainer, and her Rapidash was amazing. Ash recalled how Rapidash's muscles bulged before he sprung up into the air to use Bounce and how the whole field became hot as he summoned a Flame Wheel…or how his chest swelled with pride as he and Pikachu were declared the winners of the battle.

Ash blinked and focused on the scene in front of him. Koji's Rapidash raised his head as they entered the clearing and his movement disturbed the Pokemon the slept soundly beside him. Upon being awakened, the two Nidoran scanned the area and caught sight of their new company. In response, they scurried off into the bushes while Rapidash shook his head a bit and got back onto his feet, greeting Koji by tapping his front hooves.

"Did you make some new friends, Rapidash?" Koji inquired as he peered at the bushes the Nidoran rushed off into. Rapidash turned to look at the bushes where he identified the small eyes of the Nidoran hidden within the leaves. After a few moments, both Nidoran stuck their heads out to observe Koji, Ash, and Growlithe. Their gaze became fixated on Ash and he twitched ever so slightly.

They withdrew further into the bushes, and Rapidash flapped his lips as he turned back to Koji.

"Oh, that's too bad," He noted with a shrug before he gestured to Ash and Growlithe. "This is Ash and Growlithe, they'll be going back home with us."

Koji stepped aside for Ash to introduce himself, but Rapidash was the one who stepped forward, observing Ash closely. Once again, Ash felt his skin crawl as Rapidash looked right through him with his amber eyes. Ash slid backward, attempting to distance himself from Rapidash, but something hit the back of his leg. He looked back and saw that it was Growlithe, and she yipped at him, wagging her tail as she did so.

"There's no need to be nervous, Ash," Koji reassured him. "Rapidash wants to get to know you a little bit better."

Growlithe nudged at the back of his leg again, and Ash knew that he had nowhere to go. Rapidash took another step forward, closing the gap between them. He lowered his head slightly, beckoning for Ash to reach out.

There was a moment of hesitation from Ash.

His throat became dry as he took another step backward, his mind flashing back to his introduction at the lab. What did Rapidash want? To scrutinize him like the Pokemon at Samuel's lab? To judge him against his actions?

Growlithe brushed her forehead against his leg and did her best to push him forward, but it was to no avail. He maintained his distance from Rapidash and shook his head.

"I'm sorry…" Ash stated as he looked away from them, shrinking as he did so.

Koji studied Ash carefully, though he held a smile on his face.

"It's alright," Koji assured him as he stood beside Rapidash and placed a hand on his snout. "I'm sorry, Rapidash, he's not that comfortable around you."

Ash's heart sank.

"It's not that," Ash interjected, but he paused to bit down on his lower lip.

"Perhaps you're…afraid of Pokemon?" Koji suggested as he looked at Ash, his brow wrinkled.

"No," Ash shook his head.

"Then…what are you afraid of?"

Ash froze, his gaze unfocused. What was he afraid of? Himself? Or was it, what he was becoming?

"I don't know," Ash admitted after a moment. "I came here to…to find out."

Koji raised his brow.

"Well then, remember this, 'the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.'"

---

Sunday, March 22nd

It took three full days to reach Ecruteak City. They spent most of that time seated in the small wooden carriage that was pulled by Rapidash. Considering the fact that the carriage was comprised entirely of wood, Ash would've expected there to be at least some distance between them and Rapidash since his fiery mane grew larger as he ran.

But Koji explained that Rapidash had full control over his flames. He could decide when they were capable of burning, and when they could not. While Koji couldn't explain the actual science about it, something Ash was certain that Samuel could discuss for hours, Koji did point out that Pokemon possessed a deeper connection to the natural elements of the earth. They could learn how to accelerate the growth of a plant, or decide if their fire could burn...things that humans couldn't influence or control. How? Koji merely laughed, stating that it was one of the many wonders of the world around them.

That was one of the few discussions Ash had with Koji during their journey to Ecruteak City. Ash didn't talk all that much, using the time to carefully observe their surroundings. Route 35 strongly resembled Route 6, from the climate to the atmosphere created by the dense foliage. But there was far more to it than Ash could've imagined. When they made camp each night, Koji would show Ash the different kinds of berries that grew in bushes and in the treetops. The majority of them were safe to eat, offering a variety of flavors to suit anyone's tastes.

Ash only possessed a map of Route 35, but Koji explained that they had to pass through a total of three Routes in order to reach their destination. Koji had a map of his own, but when compared to the map Ash had, Koji's seemed to be dated. It didn't show any of the main roads that were used by vehicles, but Koji was quick to explain that there were landmarks along each Route that he was using to track their location. Regardless of the quality of his system, it clearly worked as they arrived at their destination.

Ascending to the top of a sizeable hill on Sunday morning, Koji called for Ash's attention and gestured to the landscape below them.

It was simply breathtaking.

The whole city seemed to exist by itself in an enormous valley. The shades of green that filled the trees of the surrounding Routes went ignored by the trees of Ecruteak City. Golden leaves filled the trees, and sakura blossoms floated in the air to mark the beginning of their spring. It truly was an 'ancient city' as Koji described it, like they had gone back in time. Everything was built in a style Ash assumed was long forgotten, only kept in the history books for people to catch a glimpse of the days of long ago.

Rapidash came to a full stop, allowing them all to come out of the carriage and marvel at it. Ecruteak City stretched for miles, but despite its size, it didn't remind Ash of the bustling metropolis like Vermilion or Goldenrod City. It possessed an old-world charm. Even though the buildings were expertly built and well maintained, the nature that filled the city captured its true essence. Beauty in simplicity.

Ash turned his head, scanning the entire city briefly. His eyes drifted from one spot to the next, picking out small locations that stood out to him. Naturally, he was drawn to the tallest building. A tower that stood at the far north, watching over the city. Ash felt his heart thump against his chest, and that single beat reverberated in his ears.

His head snapped to the left as he looked at Koji.

"Did you say something?" Ash asked him, but Koji shook his head.

"Come on, Ash," Koji said as he climbed back into the carriage. "I'm sure everyone is anxious to meet you."

Ash returned to the carriage with Growlithe and they completed the final leg of the journey. Descending into the city, they passed through a tall gateway and greeted the man posted at the gate. He also wore a yukata like Koji, and beside him was a Pokemon that Ash had never seen before, but he fit the theme of the entire city. Koji caught Ash staring and snickered.

"That's a Bisharp if you've never seen one," Koji replied as Ash observed him closely.

As much as Ash wanted to look at Bisharp, his attention was dragged to the city as they went in. It was even more incredible up close! There were all sorts of Pokemon moving about in the streets with total freedom.

A pair of Mudsdale pulled a long wagon that was filled to the brim with vegetables and berries. On a nearby field, there was a flock of Mareep quietly grazing on the field with a Herdier watching over them. A Pidgeotto flew by overhead with a small letter tied to his leg. As they journeyed through the shopping district, Ash couldn't help but chuckle at a squad of Wooper who stood at the entrance of a restaurant, welcoming clients with an adorable dance. Hearing some commotion from above, Ash looked up and saw a pack of Aipom chittering as they bounded from rooftop to rooftop with large smiles on their faces.

It was like all the dreams he had while he was in high school. People and Pokemon living together in harmony. It was right here in front of him!

They first traveled through the heart of the city, the shopping district which was packed with small businesses that ranged from restaurants to shops and markets. It took them roughly and hours to pass through the crowded streets, and Ash's clothes garnered some attention. Many people would wave or bow as they passed by, and Ash would tentatively return their gesture. Growlithe continued to bark and whine from within the carriage, so Koji suggested that she walk alongside Rapidash. That didn't go quite as well as Koji envisioned, as Growlithe stopped to speak with every person and Pokemon along the way. But no matter how far behind she fell, one shout from Ash would bring her all the way back.

Gradually, things grew quiet as they left the shopping district and entered the northern province of Ecruteak City. Ash noticed that the same tower he saw from a distance was now looming overhead. Ash preferred this area, and he was glad when Koji announced that they reached their destination. Rapidash took them up to the top of a small plateau where a sizeable estate was situated. A tall wall surrounded the perimeter with gates at different points to provide entry. Koji brought them to the nearest gate that led into the courtyard, and once Rapidash stopped, they disembarked from the carriage.

As Koji thanked Rapidash for making the journey with him, Ash looked up as he heard shouts from within the courtyard. There were both Pokemon and people shouting, so Ash could assume that it was a battle. Growlithe was the first to react as she scampered off through the entrance to enter the yard, and Ash could hear her barking.

"You don't need to wait for me, Ash," Koji stated as he fiddled with the harness on Rapidash. "Go on ahead."

Ash took a deep breath before he followed after Growlithe. His heart was thumping his chest, causing him to furrow his brow. Why was he nervous? He took in another breath of air, shook it off, and proceeded into the courtyard. It was surprisingly large, offering enough space for a Pokemon battle, which was exactly what was taking place.

"Eevee, use Swift!"

"Espeon, counter with Swift!"

A dazzling array of stars met overhead, filling the air with sparkles as they collided together. Growlithe looked up with starry eyes, hopping around with delight as the sparkles rained down on her. The two attacks canceled each other out and a stalemate persisted between the two trainers.

Ash took a moment to look at each of the trainers. One was a beautiful woman dressed in a traditional long pleated dress that stopped just above her ankles. She stood proud and virtuous as she commanded the Espeon on the field. The other trainer was a young man with spiky brown hair that looked familiar to Ash, and beside him was a Squirtle that cheered on his Eevee.

"You and Eevee have improved remarkably since you first arrived, Gary," The woman remarked with a small smile, but then she looked toward their newest audience members. "But I think that will be all for now, I'd like to get acquainted with our guest."

She made a gesture toward Ash, and the tension of the field subsided. Eevee and Espeon both relaxed their posture and gave the other a nod of respect for their showing in the battle. As the Pokemon began to speak to each other on their makeshift battlefield, their trainers approached Ash. The woman greeted him with a deep bow, causing Ash to scratch at the back of his head sheepishly.

"Ash Ketchum, hajimemashite," She began once she straightened up with a stern expression. "You may refer to me as Lady Naoko."

"Na-o-ko?" Ash repeated to check his pronunciation.

"Yes, but say it as two syllables rather than three," She corrected him, then she motioned to 'Gary' beside her.

"And I'm Gary Oak, but we've already met," Gary stated, causing Ash to gaze at him wearily.

Oak…

"Gary…as in, Samuel's grandson, right?" Ash asked him, and Gary smirked.

"The one and only!" He proclaimed, tapping his chest. "I'm sure you must remember me."

"Uh…not really," Ash admitted and Gary deflated. Naoko had to stifle her laughter at the change in Gary's expression.

"That aside," Naoko cut in to direct their attention away from Gary. "I'd like to formally welcome you to the Izumo Estate. It's not often that we have a foreigner stay with us."

Ash furrowed his brow and pointed toward Gary.

"I'm not staying here," Gary answered quickly. "I only come here to practice with Naoko."

Naoko leered at him.

"Lady Naoko," Gary quickly corrected himself.

There was a stampede of footsteps coming from the main entrance to the estate which earned their attention. Four Eevee's came rushing out, shouting as they made a beeline for Gary's Eevee where they dogpiled on top of him. Squirtle didn't hesitate to jump in as they all wrestled, and Growlithe couldn't help but bark at the sight of it all. All the movement stopped as they looked to Growlithe the newcomer, and before anyone could get a word out, the dogpile was moved on top of Growlithe.

"That will be enough!" Naoko announced as she raised one hand, causing her Espeon to step forward. A blue hue appeared around each Eevee and Squirtle to lift them off of Growlithe. She continued to bark at them all as they were suspended in midair by Espeon. Naoko began to scold the group with no remorse. "Is that how you treat our guests?"

Espeon lined up each of the Eevee and Squirtle in the air for Naoko, and she flicked their noses one at a time. Once this was completed, Espeon set them back down on their feet, and each of them remained still, knowing full well that Naoko wouldn't stand for any more of their antics. Naoko gave a quick apology to both Ash and Growlithe for the behavior of the Pokemon, but the calm that set in was shattered as a pair of rambunctious girls arrived.

"I beat you!" The shorter of the two announced as she arrived at the courtyard first, jogging in place as she looked back at her younger sister. They both wore kimonos, but they tied up the length of the traditional garb to move their legs freely for their footrace, though Naoko didn't appreciate their decision to do so. "Too bad Sayo, it looks like you'll be washing the dishes tonight!"

"No fair, Miki, you got a head start!" The other said in protest, but before their argument could continue, both of them were lifted in the air by Espeon's psychic grasp. Recognizing this ability, their heads slowly turned to see Naoko approaching them, sporting a glare.

"Where is your decency? Our guest just arrived!" She exclaimed, and they received the same treatment as their Eevee. They were set down on their feet while Espeon undid the knots they made on their kimono to hold it up, restoring their clothes to the state they were 'supposed' to be in.

Miki, Sayo, and the Pokemon were all humorously lined up, remaining completely still as the rest of the household arrived, Koji included. Most of the family couldn't help but snicker at the sight of them. They had a pretty good idea of what led to their current circumstances.

"Koji, it's good to have you back," Naoko remarked as the man gave her a short bow.

"I went around and gathered everyone for you," He explained and Naoko thanked him graciously.

Ash looked around at all the people standing before him in the courtyard. They all were one tremendous family, and in unison, they all bowed to him.

"Hajimemashite!"

That was his introduction to the Izumo Estate. Home of the Kimono Girls of Ecruteak City.

---

His first day at the Izumo Estate was more insightful than Ash could have ever imagined. Ecruteak City was a matriarchal society, and he was now living with the women who governed the city. It was a little hard to wrap his head around it at first, but after meeting everyone that lived in the estate, one of the girls was instructed to provide Ash with a tour and answer his questions.

"I'm Zuki, the second eldest, twenty-four years old," She reminded him as she led him into the tremendous garden at the back of the estate. She was very pretty, with her lengthy black hair tied up and held in place by a sparkling barrette. "Since you're from Kanto, is it weird to come to a place where women are in charge?"

"Not…really," Ash answered after a moment. "I mean, men and women are treated as equals in Kanto. Are men like, considered inferior here?"

"Oh, most definitely, you all make excellent slaves," She stated, causing Ash to stumble and look at her with wide eyes. She giggled at his expression, covering her mouth with the long sleeves of her kimono. "I gotcha! There's no slaves or anything of the sort here."

Ash relaxed and gave a weak chuckle, much to Zuki's delight.

"But if you're wondering how women became the governing body here, it's part of an old legend about the origin of the city," Zuki explained as she came to a stop beside a pagoda tree and looked off into the distance. Ash followed her line of sight and saw that she was looking at the tower that he noticed when he first arrived in Ecruteak City. "It was said that just before the global renaissance began, the entire world was plagued by warfare. That was until a great phoenix descended from the heavens and circled the globe. He brought peace everywhere he went until he arrived here."

Zuki paused and reached for one of the blossoms on the pagoda tree.

"This was a forsaken land at that time, razed to the ground by the wars. Recovery was difficult for the people here, but despite the conditions, one of our ancestors, her name was Lady Okuni," Zuki smiled faintly, "She would dance for the people that lived here to take their minds off of the struggle. The phoenix stopped to watch her dance and he was very pleased. It is said that her service for those around her reminded the phoenix of the princess who he served that was lost during the wars. The phoenix met with her and offered to give her anything that she desired, so she requested that he restore Ecruteak City for the sake of the people that had lost their livelihood," Zuki remarked with glee. "Because of her choice, the phoenix blessed the land and decided that he would remain in Ecruteak City and serve Lady Okuni as he did for his princess. That set the pattern going forward. The female descendants of Lady Okuni would become the leaders of Ecruteak City."

"Oh, so it's hereditary," Ash commented, receiving a nod from Zuki.

"As the city expanded, we adjusted. It used to be one ruler, but now we created a council of five matriarchs that work until a successor can take their place, so it's a duty that keeps getting passed down from one generation to the next." Zuki added, causing Ash to raise his brow. Ecruteak City had a fascinating history based solely on what Zuki had shared with him. Perhaps staying here wouldn't be so bad.

"And you're part of the next generation?" Ash concluded.

"Yup," She chirped. "Naoko, myself, Kuni, Miki, and Sayo are the next five successors. As each of us reaches the age of thirty-five, we will succeed one of the members of the council that's presently comprised of Lady Satsuki, Sumomo, Tamao, Koume, and Sakura."

Ash did his best to recall everyone that he met so far, but he struggled to attach a face to each name.

"It's alright if you can't remember us yet, it's only your first day here and I just dumped ten names on you, not including husbands, attendants, and slaves," Zuki pointed out, earning a leer from Ash. She giggled again, "Just kidding."

Ash pushed her comment aside and picked a more relevant topic to himself. "Whatever happened to the phoenix?"

Zuki raised her hand to direct his attention to the tall tower in the tall tower in the distance.

"Bell Tower was built as a home for the phoenix, and it still stands centuries later, but no one has seen the phoenix for nearly one hundred years, it was said that he took flight one day and never returned," Zuki explained, but she held a faint smile. "We hold a festival every year in May with the hope that he will one day return to us."

Zuki started moving and motioned for Ash to follow her.

"The land is still rich for us to live off of despite the absence of the phoenix," She noted with a gesture to their beautiful garden. The fruit and vegetables looked absolutely vibrant, practically sparkling from the sunlight that reflected off the water droplets on them. And it wasn't just quality, there was quantity as well. The garden was overloaded, not to mention the trees beyond the perimeter of their property were also bearing fruit. There was an abundance! "I hope you have a big appetite; our meals are very large and hearty."

Ash suppressed his urge to smile. If there was one thing he could do right, it was eat! But he kept that comment to himself.

Zuki led him out of the garden to show him his rooming accommodations. His room was modest, filled only with the necessities. He did get a laugh out of Zuki when he asked her where his bed was, not realizing that the 'mat' on the floor was his bed. Zuki explained that this was a futon, though it was far from complete. There were still additional covers that could be added as padding, and she assured Ash that it would be just as comfortable as anything else he slept on.

The property was tremendous in size with a garden to supply their daily needs and a staff to maintain the residence. But considering that this household was built for the leaders of Ecruteak City, it was no surprise that it was so well taken care of.

As they continued, Zuki led him to a small shrine that stood by itself. It was nothing more than a small room, with at least a hundred candles resting on the floor and on various shelves. But the centerpiece was a painting that illustrated an exquisite woman garbed in a stunning kimono as she held an oil-paper umbrella.

"This is…Lady Okuni," Zuki said as an introduction. "If it wasn't for her, there's no telling if Ecruteak City would even be here today. That's why we've all made it our mission to follow in her footsteps and maintain the peace and prosperity we have here."

Ash observed the painting fondly as he began to grasp how revered this woman was.

At long last, the tour came to an end as they went full circle, returning to the courtyard at the main entrance of the estate. As if he'd gone back in time, Ash found himself staring at the conclusion of another battle between Gary's Eevee and Naoko's Espeon. The two Pokemon traded attacks, bounding around the field in pursuit of one another while their trainers rattled off commands. Ash spotted Growlithe seated on the porch alongside the squadron of Eevee that they met earlier. All of them remained completely still, watching the battle closely.

With one final exchange of Swift attacks, Naoko called for an end to their contest.

"Excellent work today Gary and Eevee," Naoko declared with a glance toward the amber skies above them. "Today I must assist the attendants with the preparations for dinner, so we can resume our session tomorrow morning."

Gary gave her a nod as he kneeled down to thank Eevee for his hard work today.

"How was the tour?" Naoko inquired as she approached Ash and Zuki.

"It was pretty nice," Ash said with a nod.

"And did Zuki discuss our rules regarding the bathhouse?" Naoko pressed with a firm tone.

"No, I don't recall," Ash replied with a glance toward Zuki. Her cheeks had turned pink as she looked away from them.

"Men are not to use or enter the bathhouse until the sun has set," Naoko stated with an air of authority, and she looked to Zuki before she continued. "And women are not to enter or use the bathhouse after the sun has set. We haven't had any incidents recently, and I'd like to keep it that way with the addition of you to our household."

"Incident? Did something happen?" Ash inquired.

"Let's just say some people used the bathhouse for inappropriate conduct," Naoko went on as the blush on Zuki's cheeks darkened.

"Naoko, do you really need to bring this up again?" Zuki whined, sporting a pout.

"I'm simply trying to ensure that there are no more incidents," Naoko answered and Zuki gave a huff.

"Just out question," Ash began after observing their dialogue. "Are you sisters?"

"With her?" Zuki exclaimed as she crossed her arms. "As if!"

"We're not sisters, per say," Naoko interjected, ignoring Zuki's comment. "More like cousins."

"I asked them the same thing when I first got here," Gary cut in as he joined the group. "They're all extended family, that's why they get along so well."

"That's correct, thank you, Gary," Naoko said with a small nod toward him.

"But they seem like sisters, don't they?" Gary asked and Ash gave a nod of agreement. "By the way, Ash, how about a battle between Eevee and your Growlithe over there?"

"Uh, first off, she's not mine," Ash replied. "She's just traveling with me for a while. And secondly, I'm not interested in a battle."

Gary made a face and creased his forehead.

"What do you mean?" He exclaimed incredulously.

"I'd rather not have a battle, simple as that," Ash responded.

"Huh, I've never met a trainer that would turn down a battle," Gary noted as he crossed his arms.

"I'm not a trainer," Ash interjected, and with that, he went on his way.

---

Saturday, March 28th

When compared to the repetition and monotony of prison life, the Izumo Estate was a drastic change of pace. He was grateful for those few days he spent on Samuel's ranch, otherwise, the culture shock would've been even more pronounced. It was a big adjustment. He didn't need to look over his shoulder constantly, both in the estate, and when he was out in the city itself. Everyone was so friendly that Ash had to remind himself to return their smiles and waves. There was no sort of ill-intentions with their kindness…it was genuine, and it took a couple of days for Ash to begin to accept that.

For example, when he woke up in the mornings, the first thing he would do is stretch and go out for a run around the estate. But he wasn't the only one who was up at the crack of dawn. Miki, the second youngest of the Kimono Girls at twenty-one years old, was the first to wake up every morning to get a head start on the breakfast preparations. She would greet him with a cheerful 'ohayo' as he passed her on his way out, and even after a week, it still didn't feel natural to respond to her. All his time in prison was met with blaring alarms as a wakeup in the morning, and the staff wasn't too friendly, so Ash grew accustomed to the solitude. Now that he was surrounded by open-hearted people, he had to remind himself to accept it and return it.

During his first few days, the Kimono Girls allowed him to come and go as he pleased. But Naoko was quick to point out that he would have to help out with various tasks around the estate if he expected to live with them for free. The menial labor that was expected of him was nothing he couldn't handle. He assisted with the harvest of the garden, re-seeding the field, obtaining water, preparing meals. It was a lot of work considering how many people they serviced, but it helped to fill all of the free time that Ash had.

The door to Ash's room slid open, forcing him to stop mid-pushup and glance at the entrance. Growlithe yipped as she ran into his room while Koji remained at the entrance.

"It's good to see you, Ash," Koji began with a bow as his greeting. Ash quickly got on his feet and returned the gesture, having been told by Naoko countless times that it was a formality in Ecruteak City that he would also have to do. "Are you available to run an errand for me?"

"Sure, anything," Ash replied in between deep breaths as he cooled down from his workout.

"You see, on Saturdays, all of the Kimono Girls have duties to attend to outside of the estate, so that leaves us in charge of preparing their meal when they return," Koji explained and Ash gave a nod of agreement. "There is a restaurant in the shopping district called Nakamura's, that we receive a supply of spices and seasonings from, and I'd like it if you could go retrieve them for us."

"I don't mind, but is someone going to come with me to show me how to get there?" Ash inquired. He only went out into the city twice since he first arrived, and both times he was accompanied by Zuki.

"Not to worry," Koji assured him. "I will have Rapidash lead you. He's done this pickup with me numerous times, and is more than capable of guiding you there."

"Alright then, and is there anything I need, like as proof that I'm getting this stuff for you guys?"

His question caused Koji to laugh.

"We have a legacy of honesty here; the owner of the restaurant will trust your word…" Koji donned a more solemn expression. "So, use it wisely."

Ash gulped and nodded to Koji.

"I will," He said before Growlithe barked.

"Ah, did you want to tag along, Growlithe?" Koji asked and she skipped in place. Koji looked at Ash. "Would you like her to come along, Ash? She hasn't been outside the estate at all, and I imagine she must be getting restless."

Ash looked down to Growlithe as she ran circles around his legs. He didn't pay much attention to Growlithe since their arrival. He left her outside her Pokeball to do as she pleased around the estate. Every now and then he would catch a glimpse of her parading about with the Eevee gang. Was she just anxious to get out and see the rest of Ecruteak City?

As if sensing that Ash wanted to ask her a question, Growlithe paused and returned his gaze, smiling up at him. She yipped with a small skip to confirm his suspicions.

"Yeah, let's go, Growlithe," He said.

"Excellent, I'll prepare Rapidash and meet you in the courtyard."

---

Ash sat on the porch beside Growlithe, staring out at the courtyard absent-mindedly as he waited for Koji to arrive with Rapidash. It was early in the afternoon, and the estate was as quiet as could be, though that was largely due to the fact that all of the Kimono Girls, both the older generation and the younger, went out for the day.

When he considered how peaceful the town was, Ash expected the younger Kimono Girls to emulate their surroundings. But that was hardly the case! They all seemed to find trouble on a regular basis and Naoko was often the one sent to diffuse the situation. It was no wonder she spent so much time preaching decency and etiquette to her cousins.

Spotting Kuni's hammock hanging between two of the pagoda trees, Ash couldn't help but snicker. Kuni was the middle child of the five at twenty-three years old, and when she wasn't wearing a stone-faced expression, she was sleeping. If found napping, she would receive a lecture from Naoko about her sleeping habits, though it was probably a miracle that Kuni was still awake by the end of those lectures.

Then Ash looked to the open grassy field that Naoko and Gary used as a training area. He viewed a few of their practice session, but he never stayed for long. Watching Gary and Eevee work together only brought up the memories he had with Pikachu and it put a frown on his face. Ash furrowed his brow and gave a sigh.

The love he had for Pokemon, for training and battling…where did it go?

Growlithe whined and nudged his side with her head. Ash looked toward her and made eye contact. She tilted her head, remaining completely still. There was a glimmer in her eyes, almost like a manifestation of her perceptive abilities. A chill shot up his spine as Ash found himself unable to break away from Growlithe's gaze, but thankfully, Koji and Rapidash arrived.

"Alright Ash, Rapidash will take you to the restaurant," Koji stated. "When you reach the restaurant, just ask the hostess for the owner."

"Right, I'll be back," Ash said as he gave a wave to Koji. Rapidash took the lead, though he moved at a slow pace for Ash and Growlithe to walk alongside him as they left the estate.

Their journey into Ecruteak City was pleasant under the afternoon sun. Ash placed a hand over his eyes to shield them from the sun as he looked up at a group of Pidgeotto that soared overhead in a 'V' formation. They chirped and squawked as they went on their way, and Growlithe barked at them, but her voice was ignored.

As they entered the more populated areas, Ash passed various people that were walking on the road. Older couples went by, umbrellas in hand to conceal them from the sun. A squad of children ran past them, chasing down their ringleader as he fearlessly led them through the streets. Growlithe ran off to pursue them, but as she got a certain distance from Ash, she came to a stop and barked triumphantly. Ash held in his urge to snicker and wondered if Growlithe had been trying to chase them away from him and Rapidash.

As they entered the shopping district, Ash was reminded of the sharp contrast between this and the residential province that bordered it. Business was booming and the streets were packed. Ash kept close to Rapidash and continued to glance down to make sure Growlithe was beside him as they moved through the crowds.

They pressed onward, but the overcrowding only got worse! There was hardly any room to move, but at this point, Rapidash became patient and waited. Slowly but surely, they were able to proceed as the crowd moved until they entered what had to be the heart of the shopping district. An incredible plaza that was well decorated with carts and mobile shops set up, offering delicacies such as ice cream and candy to the crowds. Ash eyed one of the carts as they passed, spotting a berry kebab that looked absolutely succulent with a rainbow of colors on each of them. Perhaps he would stop by after they found the restaurant.

Rapidash finally came to a stop in front of a well-crafted building. The woodwork that adorned the sides and rooftop snatched Ash's attention, causing him to raise his brow at the sight of it. He never cared much for architecture, but the building style of Ecruteak City was mesmerizing. Rapidash remained stationed in front of this building and flapped his lips, nodding toward it.

"This is it?" Ash asked and Rapidash confirmed with a nod.

He was grateful that Rapidash knew it. The sign that hung over the entrance was written in Japanese, and Ash didn't have the slightest idea of how to read it. Ash then stepped up to the large double doors with Growlithe and entered. The lobby was small and secluded with a long bench on both sides and a podium for the hostess. She was accompanied by a small black and white Pokemon that had a small leaf protruding from his mouth. He was the first to notice Ash.

"Pan-cham!" Her Pokemon exclaimed, causing the hostess to glance up at Ash.

"Kon'nichiwa!" She exclaimed with a bright smile and beckoned for him to approach her. She continued to speak in Japanese and posed another question for him.

"I'm sorry," Ash injected as he raised a hand to stop her. "I don't speak Japanese."

Her cheeks flushed red as she bowed to him repeatedly and her Pancham mimicked, though he was somehow bowing at twice her pace.

"No, you don't have to apologize!" She replied immediately, "It's my fault!"

"Well, I mean, it can't really be your fault," Ash pointed out as he scratched at the back of his head. "Either way, don't worry about it."

She took a breath and regained her composure per Ash's request.

"Right, so are you here to make a reservation, or are you joining a party?" She inquired.

"I'm actually here from the Izumo's," Ash responded, causing her to raise her brow. "Koji, one of their attendants, sent me to pick up some spices and seasoning."

"Ah, you're here for Koji," She said before she looked to her partner. "Pancham, can you watch the front entrance while I take him to the kitchen?"

"Cham!" Pancham replied as he gave her a salute.

"Great, and just remember, if anyone comes in, just tell them to wait until I come back," She added before she motioned for Ash to follow her.

"Can Growlithe tag along?" Ash asked her.

"Of course! Just follow me," She said as she motioned for the duo to follow her. "My family owns this restaurant. I'm Megumi Nakamura, by the way."

"Ash," He replied and Growlithe gave a cheerful shout as her introduction.

"It's nice to meet you guys," Megumi began as they entered the restaurant itself. Compared to the open concept restaurants Ash knew back in Vermilion City, this restaurant was very private. Every party had its own room behind closed doors. "So where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Vermilion City, in Kanto," Ash answered, causing Megumi to glance back at him in shock.

"That's far away. What are you doing in our little town?" She inquired.

"I'd hardly call this little," Ash interjected.

"Compared to those big cities, this is little," Megumi insisted. Ash merely shrugged his shoulders and went back to her previous question.

"I'm just visiting,"

"Oh, so if you're staying at the Izumo Estate, does that mean you're a friend of the Kimono Girls?" She asked hopefully.

"Uh, I wouldn't say friend, I'm just staying with them while I'm visiting."

"Well, we're happy to have you while you're here," Megumi stated as they arrived at a sliding door. She opened it, granting them entry to the kitchen. The room was filled with wonderful aromas as a team of chefs skillfully prepared their orders. The first thing that caught Ash's attention was an Octillery that was set up on a bar stool wielding two knives with her tentacles, allowing her to dice up some vegetables with the finest precision. But as Ash watched Octillery work, his nose was assaulted by the scents that filled the kitchen and his stomach made an appeal to him. "Sofu!"

Megumi shouted over the noise, causing a rather elderly man to look away from the wok he was working with. He tapped one of his associates on the shoulder and motioned for him to watch the food that was cooking before he approached Megumi. They held a short conversation in Japanese, in which Megumi gestured to Ash on a few occasions before the man gave a nod.

"That's my grandfather," Megumi noted as the man went off into the back of the kitchen. "He's worked here for over fifty years."

"Fifty?" Ash repeated as he looked toward the doorway where her grandfather went off to. He was filled with a sudden sense of admiration for the man.

"Mhmm, he had a knack for cooking when he was young," She said fondly. "But he said that he fell in love with it when he saw how happy his cooking could make people."

Ash creased his brow as he looked down. Was that…what he was looking for?

Growlithe stepped into his line of sight, looking up at him with those same eyes she had earlier. Ash blinked, snapping out his little daze as he heard Megumi giggling beside him.

"…He has weird tastes too," She went on, and Ash realized he missed whatever she said earlier. "There have been some strange dishes he's made that I had the honor of taste testing for him, and let's just say those dishes never made it to the menu."

Ash gave a weak laugh before her grandfather returned with a box in hand. He came straight to Ash and bowed before he placed the box in his hands.

"Give my regards to the Izumo household," He said to Ash. "And tell them that they're all welcome at the restaurant anytime!"

Ash remembered to bow to Megumi's grandfather and assured him that he would pass along his offer. He thanked Megumi for her help as she guided him back to the entrance of the restaurant where Pancham was waiting for them. He and Growlithe bid them a farewell before they rejoined Rapidash out in the crowded plaza.

"Alright Rapidash, we can head back now," Ash said, but a bark from Growlithe drew his attention. He turned and spotted her squeezing into the crowd, heading toward the center of the plaza. "Growlithe!"

Despite his call, she continued on her way, but she gave a bark that was just loud enough for Ash to hear. With a sigh, he went off to pursue her. Thankfully, some of the bystanders noticed his shouts for the Pokemon that passed by them, and they moved aside for Ash to gain ground on Growlithe. As Ash caught up to Growlithe, he saw that she stopped at the base of a makeshift stage where she wagged her tail happily.

Ash looked up and saw a group of familiar faces on the stage. It was all ten of the Kimono Girls, both the current and next generation. Together, they performed a graceful dance on stage, and Ash could only raise his brow at how dignified they all looked on stage, contrary to how he saw most of them at the estate.

Their dance came to an end, and the audience applauded the performance. The older generation then came off the stage one by one, accompanied by an attendant to keep them steady as they came down the steps. Only the younger generation remained on stage. Naoko raised her arms to silence the crowd, and then she addressed the audience in Japanese. Ash furrowed his brow until she was done speaking, and then the girls took their positions on stage.

After a few moments, they began to move and Ash was captivated by them. They moved in unison, transitioning from one stance to the next seamlessly. It was different from all of the other dancing he'd seen before. With a three-stringed guitar as the musical accompaniment, it matched the description he gave to Ecruteak City.

Beauty in simplicity.

"Have you ever seen our traditional dances before?" A voice asked, causing Ash to jump. To his left was Lady Satsuki, the head of the current generation.

"No, I've never seen anything like it," Ash replied and Satsuki smiled warmly at him.

"This one, in particular, is a rite of passage," Satsuki explained to him. "Lady Okuni performed this dance for the great phoenix, and it is performed during our annual festival as well. They're all practicing for the day that they will perform this dance from the top of Bell Tower to honor Lady Okuni..." Satsuki chuckled. "My, I'm talking a little too much. I don't want to distract you. Enjoy," She said kindly and made a gesture back to the stage.

Ash returned his gaze to the performance and he focused on each of their movements. This triggered a memory of what Zuki shared with him on his first day at the estate.

"That's why we've all made it our mission to follow in her footsteps and maintain the prosperity and peace we have here."

Ash recalled the picture of Lady Okuni that he saw back at the estate. Like an echo from the past, resounding for but a brief moment in the present, Ash felt as he was watching Lady Okuni herself. The girls moved with elegance and poise that matched their ancestor.

Despite their quirks, it was more evident than ever what each of these girls aspired to be. It was such a lofty goal and yet…seeing them dance on the stage filled Ash with a reassurance that they could achieve all that, and much more.

Ash lowered his gaze and looked down once again.

What was he working toward?

What did he want to become?

---

Monday, March 30th

Ash was among the last to arrive for dinner, but his arrival went almost unnoticed due to the constant commotion within their dining room. A low and lengthy table sat at the center of the room with a well-prepared feast on it. All the residents of the estate gathered around the table, enjoying the open discussion with one another as they ate.

"Ash, you can sit here!" Sayo called out to him. There was an open seat beside her and Miki. She waved to him as he approached, while Miki ate at a pace that could put a Munchlax to shame. "Kuni is always late to dinner, so you can have her spot."

"Thanks," Ash replied as he looked around at the table. There was a bowl of rice beside his plate, something that went with every meal they ate. He picked up the chopsticks next to his plate and used them to skewer a few of the berries from the large bowl at the center of the table and lift them to his own plate. Naoko caught sight of his actions from further down the table and cleared her throat. Ash met her gaze and gave a weak chuckle. "Sorry, I still haven't quite figured out how to use these things."

Gary laughed at Ash's expense as he began to twirl his chopsticks between his fingers to demonstrate his dexterity.

"Don't worry, Ash," Zuki interjected when she caught sight of his frown. "Gary was doing the exact same thing as you when he first got here."

"Oh, you didn't need to tell him that!" Gary exclaimed, earning a laugh from the table.

Ash stifled a laugh, but he was still at a loss as to how they all ate with chopsticks. Everyone else used them so masterfully, picking up gobs of sticky rice or noodles with ease, yet all he could do was make a mess. There were no forks or spoons, so at one point he gave up trying to use them and ate with his hands, but he was seated next to Naoko that night and she tapped his wrist furiously with her own chopsticks as punishment. Since then, he had been making a kebab on his chopsticks and eating like that whenever Naoko wasn't looking.

"Here, I can show you a little trick," Sayo offered as she gained his attention.

She showed him various ways to hold the sticks, explaining that first he has to find a way that feels comfortable to him, and then he just has the practice. Sayo, the youngest of all the Kimono Girls at sixteen years old, assured him that it would feel natural with time. Despite his struggle, Ash stuck with it through his meal and left the dining room content with himself.

The sky was dark now that the sun had set, so Ash went off to his room to retrieve a towel before he made his way to the bathhouse. He stripped out of the yukata he wore and deposited it into the laundry basket before he entered the bathing room. Taking a bath here was a daily luxury when compared to Kanto.

After a brief shower to wash the sweat off his body for the day, there was a sizeable hot spring in the back. It was one large pool with a wall that split it in half between the men and women's side of the bathhouse. Ash looked forward to relaxing in the hot spring at the end of each day.

With a small smile at the empty bathhouse, Ash knew that he would have the hot spring to himself, at least for a little while. Stepping into the steaming water, Ash quickly submerged himself and swam to the other side of the spring where he leaned against the rocks.

He relaxed, allowing the water to extract the exhaustion from his muscles. The hot spring seemed to do an especially great job today considering he assisted the other attendants in cleaning it from top to bottom. It was a lengthy process to empty the pool and scrub it down, but it sparkled at the end and Naoko was pleased with their work when she passed by to inspect.

His time here felt eerily similar to his first few days on Samuel's ranch where he worked tirelessly each day to keep his mind clear. Ash didn't enjoy thinking…his mind always drifted back to the same subjects. How was everyone back in Vermilion City? What happened after he went to prison? How was Brock? How were Casey and Macy doing? Was Cassidy alright? Would he ever see Pikachu again?

Ash shook his head and thought back to his workout session earlier in the afternoon. It felt strange working out without any weights at all, but at the same time, Ash saw it as an opportunity to drop some of the muscle he put on while he was in confinement. It was no longer necessary that he be this big. He could focus more on cardio, especially since his running form wasn't particularly elegant.

Ash thought back to his afternoon run, and he felt a pang in his chest. Anytime he thought about running, Growlithe always came to mind. She somehow knew when he was getting ready for a run, and would be waiting for him in the courtyard where she would offer to join him. Ash always turned down her offer. He wanted to be alone as he ran and use that time to clear his mind. Seeing Growlithe only ever reminded him of the days where Pikachu was at his side…and he wanted to spare himself that heartache.

He just wanted to be alone.

"Ash?"

His head snapped to the side, but nobody was there. He could swear that it was…Serena's voice.

"Ashy!"

Ash scanned the room frantically, his eyes growing wide. Why was he hearing Macy's voice?

"Pikapi!"

Ash straightened up in the water and swiveled around in search of the voices. They haunted him…the people that he abandoned.

He rose out of the water and groaned as he ran a hand over his low hair. Perhaps a walk was in order before he attempted to go to bed. He dried himself off as he made his way back to the dressing room, collecting a new yukata from the dozens that were hanging in a closet. Once he was fully garbed, Ash left the bathhouse and ventured outside, circling the perimeter of the estate. His mind was empty as he focused solely on how he walked, checking the placement of his heel with each step and how he sprung off his toes.

In time, he arrived at the courtyard, just in time to see Gary and Eevee as they were getting on his bicycle. Eevee was the first to spot Ash and perked up at the sight of him, causing Gary to look up at him.

"Hey Ash," Gary said as he set his bicycle against the wall in order to approach Ash. Eevee hopped out of the basket of the bike and joined his trainer. "I wanted to talk to you."

"About what?"

"What else? A battle!" Gary stated as if it were obvious.

"I've already told you, I'm not interested in a Pokemon battle," Ash replied with a neutral expression.

"But why though?" Gary asked immediately.

"It's…just something I don't want to do right now," Ash offered as an explanation, but Gary wouldn't budge.

"That doesn't answer my question, why don't you want to battle?" Gary stood by his question, waiting for Ash to give him an answer.

"Look man, I lost interest in them," Ash stated as he tried to step past Gary and continue on his walk. But Gary placed a hand on his shoulder to hold him back.

"You…lost interest in them?" He said incredulously. "I've seen you battle, Ash, I saw every match you were in when you were in the underground circuit. You loved battles back then! I could see it on your face, anyone could!"

"Not anymore," Ash muttered as he shook himself free of Gary's grip.

Gary frowned at Ash.

"You know, I had a lot of respect for you back then," Gary began, causing Ash to halt his walk. "I couldn't convince my gramps to let me become a trainer when I was seventeen, at least until I showed him your battles on the PokeHub. What you achieved at your age…you were something special."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Ash snapped as he turned back to Gary.

"Because you've got all this talent, but look at you now!" Gary barked back with a gesture toward Ash as he came close. "You have huge fans out there waiting for you to come back! There are people out there that believe in your ability! But you're sitting here like a total loser!"

Ash's stare darkened, but it went ignored by Gary as he continued.

"I don't know what actually happened or why you went to prison, but I still remember the day gramps and I were watching the court case," Gary went on as he leered at Ash. "Even after you pleaded guilty, gramps just sat there said you were innocent. I didn't know what the heck he was talking about, but he spent the next three years trying to get you out of jail…and he did! You have no idea what he went through so I was expecting you to be some sort of amazing person when I finally met you face to face," Gary pointed at him. "But I think it's a damn shame the way you're acting after all these people have helped you out. Such a disappointment…"

Disappointment.

Disappointment…

Ash didn't quite remember throwing a punch, but his knuckles hurt and Gary was splayed out on his back, holding his jaw, wide-eyed. Before either of them could make some sense of what took place, Gary's Eevee took action and threw himself into Ash's torso.

"Ee-vee!" He shouted and Ash gasped from the sudden blow. His nose and brow became wrinkled in fury as he studied Eevee for a few moments, watching as the small Pokemon bounced on his toes, preparing for another attack. Seeing Eevee shift his weight forward, Ash anticipated the attack and shielded his chest with his arm to absorb the blow. He maintained his footing despite the force of the attack and retaliated, throwing his arm out at Eevee with all the strength he could muster. For how hard Eevee could hit, his small body was easy to throw...

Eevee was sent flying into the trunk of the nearby pagoda tree, hitting it with enough force to cause the modest tree to shake. Eevee dropped to the ground with a grunt and Ash was granted clarity as he saw Eevee resting on the ground.

He did it again…he overreacted and hurt someone.

Why did he keep doing this?!

This isn't what he wanted! He didn't want to hurt anyone!

There was a shout, but Ash didn't have enough time to react. Gary tackled him, throwing his shoulders into Ash's waist while he took a hold of Ash's legs to throw him off balance. In a flash, Ash was laying on his back with Gary on top of him, his fist poised to strike. Gary struck his cheek twice, shouting at Ash as he did so, but Ash couldn't make out what he was saying. He only stared up at Gary.

There were more voices suddenly, and someone grabbed Gary by his arms, yanking him away from Ash. It was Koji, Naoko, and Growlithe. Naoko offered to help Ash back to his feet, but Ash rejected her offer, stood up, and dashed out of the estate.

"Ash, wait!" Koji shouted but Naoko raised a hand for him to stay put as Growlithe went off in pursuit.

---

Ash ran.

And ran…and ran.

To where...he wasn't even sure.

The only assurance he had was that he was alone. Running in total darkness.

"Ash!"

"Ashy!"

"Pikapi!"

Their voices, it felt like they were close. Ash sprinted with all his might, trying to escape their calls. He narrowly avoided a couple that was out on a walk, keeping his pace as he ventured into an area he had yet to visit.

Why did his friends continue to come to mind? He was sure that they all must have moved on and forgotten him. So why couldn't he do the same? Why did he continue to look back on what was lost? Why couldn't he move forward?

His pace finally drained him of the stamina he had, and Ash came to a stop, gasping for air. It was then that he realized how much his cheek hurt. He placed a fingertip against it and winced from the stabbing pain. That was definitely going to be a bruise in the morning and the sight of Eevee resting on the ground beside the pagoda made Ash sick to his stomach…

"Damn it!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. "What's wrong with me!?"

Ash took a few breaths and looked up. Bell Tower loomed over him, looking ethereal in the moonlight. In all his trips around Ecruteak City, he'd never gone so close to Bell Tower before. His breathing relaxed and Ash began to focus which enabled him to observe his surroundings. He wasn't in the residential area anymore. He unknowingly ventured up into the woodlands around Bell Tower and he could hear the sound of running water in the distance and there was a loud splash.

Ash furrowed his brow and continued forward along the path, now realizing that he was no longer on the stone pathways around the town, but a small dirt road that cut through the forest. The roar of the water became louder until Ash finally arrived at a clearing with a raised plateau at the border where a waterfall emptied into the basin of a delta. But even with the running water, the sound of the splash was caused by something else.

There was a Pokemon standing in the shallow water, though he kicked at the water with a shout of frustration.

"Froak-kie-kie!" He yelled before he clapped his hand together again. As he separated his hands, a blue sphere began to take shape. Wisps of cyan-colored energy circled around the core of the ball as the Pokemon held it tightly. Then he thrust his arms forward to launch the attack, but it only flew a few feet from him before it dropped into the lake like a heavy stone. "Froakie!"

Ash raised his brow as he remained hidden in the bushes at the edge of the clearing, watching as 'Froakie' attempted this attack several times. However, the end result was always the same. It was nothing more than rock when it dropped into the lake and disappeared. Froakie's aggravation was proof enough that the attack wasn't working as intended.

Froakie tried again, summoning the glowing sphere in his hands that reflected beautifully off the surface of the water. It was practically as big as Froakie's tiny body when he finally launched it, and Ash identified the issue. Froakie was having the same problem that Pikachu had when he first learned Electro Ball…

Ash placed a hand on his chest, vividly remembering the day he and Pikachu proudly demonstrated their Electro Ball for Volkner. He began to shake his head and turned. He couldn't watch…

There was another splash as Froakie's attack fell into the lake, leading to yet another myriad of shouts from him.

"Froa-kie?! Froa…" He muttered as he slapped at the water with his hands. "Why can't I do this right?!"

Ash whirled around, almost resembling a Noctowl with how far he turned his neck. He heard that voice before! When he first came to Vermilion City! He heard it!

But why? Why was he able to hear Froakie's voice?

There was a rustle in the bushes beside him, and Ash quickly jumped to distance himself from the source. He breathed a sigh of relief as Growlithe stuck her head out of the bush. She pulled herself free from a vine and approached Ash, wagging her tail as she came close.

"Did you follow me out here?" Ash asked her. She gave a large and proud nod.

Ash exhaled, surprised that Growlithe would chase him this far. But another shout from Froakie gained their attention. Ash raised a finger to his lips in a gesture for Growlithe to remain silent, and they watched Froakie. Now that he finished his most recent fit, Froakie resumed his practice and attempted his attack once again. The result was still the same...

With a breath, Ash knew that he couldn't turn a blind eye to Froakie's struggle. Not when he had the answer resting on the tip of his tongue.

"Hey!"

Froakie whirled around in search of the new voice. He spotted Ash as he stepped out from the bushes with Growlithe, and together they approached the lake.

"That's not how you use that attack," Ash went on.

"Froakie-Froa," Froakie replied with a huff as he crossed his arms.

"I'm just trying to help you out, that's all," Ash stated. "You're not going to make any progress the way you're doing things. You'll just make yourself more frustrated."

"Froa…Froakie-kie?" Froakie asked as he looked back at Ash.

"I know a thing or two because…I used to be a trainer," Ash admitted before he gave a deep sigh. "If you don't believe me, just hear me out for a sec. If what I tell you sounds stupid, you can pretend we never met."

Growlithe raised her brow, beaming at Ash, though her expression went unnoticed by him. Froakie stopped for a moment to consider his options. His Water Pulse attack was looking downright putrid, so he had no reason to turn down someone's help. He went to the edge of the lake where Ash was standing and gave him a gesture to proceed.

"First off, that attack is a projectile, which means once you let go of it, you won't really be able to control it anymore," Ash began as he looked at Froakie. "That also means you can't develop it any further once you launch it. You're rushing, and it ends up being premature when you try to use it."

"Froa…kie?"

"Just wait…that's all I'm saying,"

There was a brief silence between them as Froakie thought about Ash's advice. Then he went back into the water to make an attempt at it. He charged up another Water Pulse quietly, but he remained patient. As he grasped it, he could feel it become denser and weightier which he took as a signal to throw it. It hovered out over the lake before it dropped in with a massive splash, sending several ripples across the entire lake.

Despite the end result, Froakie looked at his hands in wonder. He saw the improvement and went right back to work. He tried again and again. Each time, he refined it further.

Froakie adjusted the proportions of his Water Pulse, shrinking it down to increase its density. With each attempt, Ash could see some improvement in the quality. But just before Froakie would use Water Pulse, he would always steal a glance at Ash, and the young man was quick to take note of it.

"One more tip," Ash called out, receiving Froakie's attention. "Forget about me. I'm not here to judge you, so just focus on your attack."

But despite Ash's suggestion, Froakie began to regress. His Water Pulse lost the refinement Froakie had added, and he began to voice his frustrations and kick at the water.

"Damn it! What's wrong with me?!" Froakie hollered and Ash felt a chill run down his neck. That was the same question he asked himself earlier.

Ash watched as Froakie vented for a few moments, and then he relaxed.

"Come over here," Ash said as he motioned for Froakie to come to the edge of the lake again. Once the two were close, Ash kneeled down and looked Froakie in the eyes. "You just need to clear your head. Let's just breathe for a moment."

Ash inhaled deeply and gestured for Froakie to do the same. Froakie mimicked his actions, tilting his head back slightly as his tiny chest swelled. They exhaled. Then Ash closed his eyes and instructed Froakie to join him, then they did it again. One long deep breath.

As they breathed, Ash furrowed his brow. He could…feel Froakie in front of him. The apprehension and uncertainty. It was like a haze that surrounded him, but it was pushed away as they exhaled. They opened their eyes together, and Ash raised his brow as he saw that Froakie's eyes gained a red hue, almost glowing in the darkness. Froakie stared back at Ash, seeing a red glow that surrounded Ash's irises. They both raised their left hand and withdrew it as if to test the other.

Growlithe watched on closely, as did the rest of their audience.

"Don't you feel better now?" Ash asked to break the silence. "Go ahead, give it a shot now."

Froakie nodded and he returned to the shallow waters and began the process once again. He clapped his hands together; a sphere began to form between his palms before he could separate them. The core of this Water Pulse shined brilliantly as it grew in Froakie's hands, well beyond the size of the previous ones he made. But he took his time to compress it and his arms trembled as he did so. Ash felt a tingle in his forearms and furrowed his brow, but he kept his attention on Froakie as the Pokemon neared the completion of his preparations.

Rather than just throw it as he had before, Froakie leaped into the air over the lake. As Ash watched him float, his heart thumped in his chest and the sound threatened to blow out his eardrums.

For but a brief instant, there were wings on Froakie's back!

However, just as soon as they appeared, they vanished and Froakie continued with his actions. He pitched the Water Pulse down into the center of the lake. It collided with the surface of the water and erupted which sent a sizeable pillar of water into the air. A brief rain shower occurred as Ash marveled at the true strength of the Water Pulse attack.

Froakie landed on his feet, staring at the result in awe before he began to celebrate.

"Ho ho, most impressive!" An old voice exclaimed. Ash and Froakie turned and spotted a small old man with a lengthy white beard and a bald head that looked luminescent under the moonlight. In his hand was a walking stick that matched him in height, but the most noteworthy detail about him left Ash standing, mouth agape.

Wings! Large wings sprouted from his back, the feathers decorated with splashes of cyan and violet, and speckled with white diamonds. His wings spread with all the majesty of a Pidgeot descending upon her roost, and then they faded away.

Froakie ran over to the man and put his hands together as he bowed. After completing the greeting, Froakie excitedly told him about his progress with Water Pulse, even offering to show it to him in case he didn't see it fully. Froakie returned to the lake while the man lagged behind him, taking his time with each step.

"Froakie!" Froakie shouted as he used Water Pulse to a similar level of success, bathing his audience with a quick mist. Froakie beamed and began to practice his attack more to memorize the feeling of using it to that level, and Growlithe began to cheer and bark with each use of the attack.

The old man that joined them came and stood beside Ash.

"Hello there, young man," He said as he gave Ash a grin and a peace sign. "What are you doing here at this hour?"

"Uh," Ash frowned. "I don't really know."

"That's alright," He noted with a smile as he watched Froakie summon another Water Pulse. "I'm just glad you finally made it."

Ash paused for a moment and looked at the man with his brow furrowed.

"What do you mean?"

"Froakie," The man said simply with a gesture to the Pokemon. "He's been waiting for you for a long time."

"For me?"

The man gave him a nod.

"Yes, he's been calling out to you," The man continued. "Haven't you heard him?"

Ash held back his response. He did hear Froakie's voice on more than one occasion.

"Wh-Why would Froakie be calling out to me?"

The man gave a small laugh.

"Because the two of you are destined to meet…"

"Destined?" Ash repeated in disbelief. "No, there's no Pokemon that's destined to meet me."

"Are you certain?" The man asked as he looked to Ash with a smile. "Didn't you feel something special as you helped Froakie just now?"

For the second time already, Ash swallowed a reply.

"How about this," The man continued. "Did you see Froakie's wings?"

Wings…

That was something he hadn't heard about in a long time. In fact, it was something he had forgotten. The mention of them brought to mind a unique group of people Ash met, that included the likes of Volkner, Flint, and Bianca. And with those 'unique' trainers, can some very unique conversations about wings and destiny…

"I…did," Ash confessed as he watched Froakie as well. But a thought occurred to him. "But you can see Froakie's wings, right?"

The man spared him a nod.

"Then how do you know that Froakie wasn't destined to meet you?" Ash asked him.

"I can see Froakie's potential, but I'm not the one who will bring it out," He answered before he raised a hand to point at Ash. "That person is you."

"That can't be," Ash replied as he shook his head.

"But I just watched you help Froakie," The man pointed out. "Aren't you a Pokemon trainer?"

"No…I don't deserve to be called one."

The man tilted his head as he made eye contact with Ash.

"I'm not a trainer," Ash went on with a sigh. "And I'm not even really sure who I am right now."

The man let out a breath and tapped the ground with his stick to get Ash's attention.

"Tell me who you walk with…and I will tell you who you are." He stated.

Ash stared at him blankly.

"Who I walk with?" Ash stopped to think about who walked alongside him, but the answer was obvious. "I don't walk with anyone."

As the man opened his mouth to respond, Froakie approached them with a cheerful shout.

"Ah yes, very impressive," The man complimented Froakie and he kneeled down to address the Pokemon. "You've made some astounding progress tonight."

"Froa-Froakie!" He declared as he looked to Ash.

"Well, he's being modest right now," The man said with a laugh. "But he did play a part."

Froakie approached Ash and squatted as he looked up at him. They shared a glanced before Froakie raised his hand to point at Ash.

"Froakie-kie, Froa!" Froakie announced and he sent a smirk to Ash. "I want you to be my trainer!"

Ash looked to the elderly man first, and then to Froakie. He could see it in Froakie's eyes, the Pokemon was beginning to trust him already.

"I'm sorry, Froakie," Ash stated as he turned away from them. "I can't be your trainer."

Ash turned to leave and made a gesture for Growlithe to come with him. He refused to look back. He couldn't bear the thought of meeting with Froakie's gaze after turning him down. Froakie's eyes must have been filled with disappointment.

"Young man," The older man called out to him, but Ash kept walking. "In time, you will understand who you walk with…and that will answer the questions you have about yourself."

---

Thursday, April 2nd

Rays of sunlight came through the window of Ash's room, marking the beginning of a new day. Ash normally slept in just his boxers since the nights were so warm in Ecruteak City, and he had to admit that the futon was as comfortable as Zuki promised. He slept soundly each night and was among the first to wake up each morning.

As always, he started the day by changing into his jinbei, which consisted of a pair of cotton shorts and a light coat. Then he quickly fixed his futon to ensure that it passed Naoko's inspection later before he left his room. He slid open the door and was greeted by two Pokemon waiting outside of his room.

Growlithe and Froakie.

As it turned out, Froakie followed him back to the estate that same night they met and he remained there ever since. The residents of the estate didn't have a problem with a new Pokemon hanging around their property, though Froakie spent the vast majority of his time practicing alone in the courtyard. According to Naoko, she offered to let him join her regular session with Gary and his Eevee, but Froakie turned down the offer. He practiced night and day, only stopping for a few exceptions such as a meal, or to sleep.

Ash looked to the Pokemon in front of him and gave a nod as a greeting. They returned it and made space for Ash to pass them. Once he was out in the walkway with them, they went through a quick stretching routine to loosen up.

Ever since Froakie arrived, Growlithe was more insistent on joining Ash for his morning and evening run, and that was because Froakie wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. So now Ash had two running mates, but that was as far as it went. He still exercised and performed his tasks around the estate by himself.

Feeling limber once they finished stretching, Ash led them off to the perimeter of the estate and they started their jog alongside the wall. They traveled around the building as many times as they could for forty-five minutes before they stopped. By then, everyone else was awake and getting started on their day.

The trio went to breakfast together and parted ways there. Growlithe spent her day in the company of the Eevee's that belonged to the Kimono Girls. Froakie went back to his regular practice regime. And Ash met with Naoko to see what his job would be for today.

---

Ash stepped out of the bathhouse with a sigh of relief. Tonight, was the first time his bath coincided with almost every other man in the estate. He was fine with two or three other people in there with him, but when all of the attendants and husbands of the estate came in, Ash found himself thinking back to his time in the shower room back in prison. While the environment was far friendlier, the number of people left Ash on edge.

He was glad to get away from it all and decided that it would be best to use the bathhouse later at night after everyone else going forward.

Ash raised a hand to his head to feel his hair. It was slightly longer now, the longest it had been in years due to the buzz cut that was maintained in the Cerulean Correctional Facility. It was hard to believe that a month passed since his release, and looking back at it all, he did a lot more than he would've ever expected.

Even as he enjoyed this newfound freedom, it felt like no matter how far he went, there was still somehow a reminder of his former life. Trigger words, vivid memories…it was like they were trying to drag him back when all he wanted to do was move forward.

Reaching the courtyard, Ash was greeted by the familiar sounds of Froakie repeatedly striking the base of a wooden post. He gave a shout after each impact, driving his small palms into the post which shook after each blow. Hearing the floorboards creak beneath Ash, Froakie glanced over his shoulder and saw the young man as he watched.

"Froa-kie!" Froakie called out to him and Ash raised his brow.

What came next was a gesture-filled explanation that Ash could summarize in one sentence. Froakie wanted more direction.

Even though Froakie made some impressive progress with Water Pulse back when he and Ash first met, he regressed since then. His Water Pulse returned to the shaky state that it was in prior to Ash's lesson which frustrated Froakie to no end. Ash wanted to chuckle at Froakie's high expectations of himself. He strived for perfection with his Water Pulse, but three days was hardly enough practice to use it consistently at that level.

In view of Froakie's plight, Ash agreed to give him a refresher. First, he watched Froakie use Water Pulse to see if there were any new issues, but it was indeed a simple case of regression. Ash wasn't sure how long Froakie was practicing Water Pulse before, but it was obvious that he rushed this attack all the time. Ash taught him to slow down that night, but old habits are hard to kill.

"It's just like I said last time," Ash began as he and Froakie stood at the center of the courtyard. "You can't rush it otherwise it'll come out half-baked. Just be patient."

Froakie demonstrated his Water Pulse for Ash once again, but just as Froakie was about to launch the attack, Ash told him to take his time and use a few more seconds to refine his Water Pulse. He compressed it, and the attack glowed in response. Froakie then hurled it up into the air above the estate where it burst. A sizeable rippled traveled out from the core and they were gifted with a brief shower that caused Froakie to celebrate. Ash couldn't help but smile as he observed the small Pokemon beside him, but Froakie was quick to take note of his gaze.

Their eyes met, and Froakie made the same request as he did last time.

"I want you to be my trainer!"

Ash's smile faded and he shook his head in reply.

Froakie began to protest as he stomped his feet. He pointed out that Ash was a great teacher. That ten minutes with Ash yielded better results than months of practice by himself!

"I'm sorry Froakie," Ash apologized. "I'm not who you think I am. I'm not fit to be a Pokemon trainer."

Froakie wouldn't yield. He demanded to know what in the world could make Ash think that he of all people, wasn't fit to be a trainer.

"It's not something I want to talk about right now," Ash stated as he turned to leave.

He didn't want to continue the conversation and went on his way, but Froakie posed one last question, and Ash's heart sank.

"What are you running from?"

---

A/N

Woohoo, chapter two! I'm guessing this chapter exposed me as a bit of a web, lol. Let me just say in my defense that I did a fair share of research on Hawaiian culture for my Giselle short story, but I definitely went a lot farther on the research and application of Asian culture for Ecruteak City. Any feedback on it is appreciated!

I've changed the lore behind Ecruteak City quite a bit. The history of how Ecruteak City was established is tied to another story that I MIGHT write in the future. This one is based on a combination of Ransei from Pokemon Conquest and some elements from Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. However, with Legends: Arceus on the way, I really want to see how they establish an old-world Pokemon game before I make a commitment to that particular story. I imagine the whole outline I've been working on could get completely revamped by Legends: Arceus, so I'm going to wait and see. Going back to my original topic, you'll find little tidbits about Ecruteak City as we progress through this arc, but as I said above, I hope you enjoy this setting.

If you have any questions about the Kimono Girls, feel free to ask. I name-dropped ten people that all have the title 'Kimono Girl' so I can understand if you're confused. There was an explanation offered in this chapter, but to simplify it a bit, there are basically two generations of Kimono Girls present in the estate. The older generation serves on the city council as matriarchs, while the younger is being prepared to take on the role in the future. Ash will primarily be dealing with the younger generation, so you don't need to go crazy trying to remember all ten of them.

Sooooo...were any of you expecting the little frog dude to be chilling in Ecruteak City? I've got some big plans ahead for him and I've tucked away some tiny hints into their first meeting at the delta to give you a glimpse of what's in store.

For those of you that are unfamiliar and/or interested in the whole wings motif, it's a running theme going way back into Caged Wings. Their significance WILL be explained later in this arc, but if you want to go searching for some of the hints in Caged Wings and Fallout, be my guest. I might be willing to talk over PM. The keyword is might.

Thanks for your time! Any feedback is welcomed! All the best to everyone and I'll see you all in early November with another chapter!