Chapter 2
The sun rises over Sevestar, casting a soft glow across the land as the group gathers outside Eve's lab. They thank her for her hospitality during the night, but their attention is soon drawn toward the castle in the distance.
As the group watches, the gates of the castle slowly open, and Ash steps out with Alice by his side. Pikachu walks along beside them, his ears perked and his eyes bright as always.
"So, where are we going first?" Alice asks, her voice light and curious. "Your friends are still at Eve's lab, right?"
Ash's expression darkens slightly as he glances toward the lab. "Yeah, they're there," he replies, his tone more hesitant. "But I'm not sure if I can call them friends anymore... not after they didn't believe me. I told them Team Rocket killed my mom and knocked out Professor Oak, but they didn't listen."
A frown tugs at Ash's lips, and Alice places a comforting hand on his arm. Pikachu looks up at him with concern, sensing his trainer's discomfort.
"I understand," Alice says gently. "But maybe things can be different this time. People change, Ash."
Ash shrugs, still uncertain. "Maybe."
As Ash and Alice walk closer to the lab, they spot Lillie leading the group toward them. The others pause in surprise, eyes widening as they take in Ash and Alice's outfits. Though both of them are dressed in relatively simple attire, the elegance of their clothes makes them look like they've stepped straight out of a fairy tale—Ash, like a prince, and Alice, like a princess.
"Ash, you're finally here," Lillie says with a relieved smile.
Ash looks at the group, his eyes scanning each face. "Only you eight?" he asks, noticing the smaller gathering. "Where are the others?"
Lillie sighs softly. "They have other things to do right now, but they'll be here for the ceremony."
"I see." Ash nods, his expression softening slightly as he turns to the others. He hesitates for a moment before speaking. "It's... been five years since everything happened."
His words hang in the air, and the group shifts uncomfortably, the weight of those years between them evident. After a beat, Ash gestures toward Alice. "This is my fiancée, Alice."
Alice smiles warmly at the group, and Pikachu chirps from beside Ash, as if to further introduce her.
"Nice to meet all of you," Alice says kindly, breaking the lingering tension with her gentle demeanor.
The group exchanges glances, still processing the many surprises. Ash's words stir up memories, but the presence of Alice—a new chapter in Ash's life—seems to shift the mood, even if just slightly.
"It's nice to meet you," Dawn says with a tentative smile. "And… those outfits look great on both of you."
Ash nods in appreciation. "Thanks. We made these ourselves." His eyes glance toward the horizon before settling back on the group. "You guys are a month early for the ceremony, huh? I take it you're planning to spend some time exploring the region?"
The group nods in unison, and Serena speaks up, her voice carrying a note of hope. "Will you guys come with us? I mean, it would be nice—just like the old days."
Ash's expression softens, but there's a lingering sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry, but things aren't going back to the way they were." He lets out a sigh, the weight of the past heavy on his shoulders. "Ever since what happened five years ago… I've been busy with a lot of responsibilities. It's just not possible."
The group falls silent, feeling the distance between them even more now.
Ash glances toward Lillie. "But Lillie knows the region well. Maybe you can ask her to show you around."
Lillie smiles and nods. "That's right. I'd be happy to help you explore the Sevestar Region."
The group, while still processing Ash's words, exchanges glances and nods. The conversation shifts, but the air remains heavy with the unspoken feelings of the past.
Alice gently touches Ash's arm. "Ash… it's time to go. Remember, we have to visit Namie for our Pokémon."
Ash nods, glancing back at the group. "Right." He pauses, then adds, "As much as I'd like to catch up with all of you, we really need to get going."
With that, Ash and Alice head toward their car, Pikachu hopping in after them. The engine hums to life, and moments later, the car pulls away, leaving the group standing in silence.
As they watch the car disappear down the road, a shared sense of unease hangs in the air. The distance between them and Ash feels more real than ever, and each of them can't help but frown, wondering just how much things have changed in the past five years.
As the car disappears from sight, Brock furrows his brow. "Who's Namie?" he asks, curiosity evident in his voice.
Lillie turns to him and replies, "Namie is one of two Pokémon Stylists that Ash and Alice have been training with."
May's eyes widen in surprise. "Wait, when did Ash become a Pokémon Stylist?"
Lillie smiles softly, recalling the story. "It all started when Ash and Alice first set foot on this island. They stumbled upon an old diary… it belonged to Ash's father. Apparently, his father was a man of many talents, and one of his skills was Pokémon styling. Ash was inspired and decided to follow in his father's footsteps."
The group listens, intrigued by this new piece of Ash's life. Serena folds her arms thoughtfully. "So… he's been building a life here, beyond just being a Champion."
Lillie nods. "Exactly. He's been working hard, both in his role as Champion and in learning all these new skills."
Lillie leads the group along a well-worn path. "Route 1 is reminiscent of other initial paths we've seen in different regions, teeming with a variety of Normal-type Pokémon," she explains, gesturing toward the lush greenery that lines the route. "This route splits into two distinct directions: head west, and you'll find yourself in the expansive Plain Plains. If you go north, we'll reach our destination—Silkan City."
Intrigued, Goh glances down the western path. "What's in Plain Plains?"
Lillie smiles as she describes the grassland. "Plain Plains is a vast area, mostly open grassland inhabited by Pokémon like Tauros, Girafarig, and Bouffalant. But there's more to it than that—deep within the plains is the Regigigas Temple, a place of great significance."
Dawn's interest is piqued at the mention of the temple. "A temple dedicated to Regigigas? Why?"
Lillie's voice takes on a reverent tone. "Regigigas is said to be instrumental in the development of this island. Not only does it summon the other Regis to enhance the region, but it also creates 12 unique Regis—one for each elemental type—to help us. Each Regi plays a specific role in maintaining balance and supporting the people here."
The group exchanges fascinated glances, the scale of the Sevestar Region's connection to Legendary Pokémon becoming even more apparent.
As they arrive at the open fields of Plain Plains, the group's attention is drawn to a small house nestled near the edge of the vast grassland. Outside, a girl is gently brushing a Wooloo, her movements careful and practiced as she hums softly, clearly enjoying the task.
Brock, always quick to notice a pretty face, steps forward. "A lovely sight for such a beautiful day. Perhaps you'd like some—"
Before he can finish, his Croagunk swiftly intervenes, jabbing him with a Poison Jab and dragging him away. The girl, unfazed by the scene, raises an eyebrow.
"So, what can I do for you?" she asks with a friendly smile.
Lillie steps forward. "Namie, it's been a while! These are Ash's friends, and we were wondering if Ash and Alice are around?"
Namie's face brightens in recognition. "Ah, Lillie! Long time no see." She gestures toward the house. "Ash and Alice are inside, using the equipment to trim some of their Pokémon."
The group follows Namie inside. As they step into the room, they see Ash and Alice working diligently. Ash is massaging a relaxed Furret, while Alice tends to a sleepy Komala. Beside them, Audino and Pikachu assist, making sure everything runs smoothly.
"It's impressive how much care they put into their Pokémon," Dawn whispers, watching the scene with admiration.
Ash and Alice glance up when they notice the group entering, giving a brief nod before resuming their work. Their hands move expertly as they finish massaging Furret and Komala, the Pokémon looking content and relaxed.
Ash smiles down at the two. "Furret, Komala, I hope you enjoyed the massage. Audino, Pikachu, why don't you go play with them?"
As the four Pokémon trot off happily, Ash turns back to the group. "This workshop belongs to Namie, but we bought the equipment so that we could use it too." He pauses, then asks, "Would you like your Pokémon to try it out?"
The group exchanges glances, unsure at first, but before anyone can respond, Dawn's Piplup and Chloe's Eevee excitedly rush forward, eager to join in.
Ash chuckles and nods. "Alright, then."
With a smile, he and Alice begin massaging Piplup and Eevee, their movements gentle yet precise. The two Pokémon visibly relax under their care, clearly enjoying the experience. The rest of the group watches with a mixture of curiosity and admiration as Ash and Alice work in perfect harmony, their love for Pokémon evident in every movement.
As Ash and Alice continue their work, Namie turns to the group, smiling. "Pokémon massaging isn't the only thing we can do here. We also offer haircuts, trimming, and other services that help enhance the bond between Pokémon and their trainers."
She glances back at Ash and Alice, their focus still entirely on Piplup and Eevee. "But as you can see, Ash and Alice are busy at the moment, so they probably won't be able to chat right now."
Misty sighs, watching Ash with a look of disbelief. "I can't believe how fluid his movements are... It's like he's been doing this for years."
"A lot can change in five years," Lillie says with a knowing smile. "But Alice… she's really been like an angel for Ash. It's rare to find two people who share the same interests and get so much joy from Pokémon."
Chloe tilts her head, intrigued. "So, you're saying Alice is basically another Ash?"
Namie chuckles softly. "Sort of. They're different in their own ways, of course, but Alice understands Ash's feelings better than anyone. That's why they work so well together—they share that same passion."
The group nods, absorbing the idea of how much Ash's life has transformed alongside Alice, finding new depth in his love for Pokémon and how his life is shaped now.
Lillie glances at Ash and Alice, their focus unwavering as they work on Piplup and Eevee. "Maybe we should head outside and give them some space to focus," she suggests softly.
The group exchanges nods of agreement, realizing it's best not to disturb the duo as they tend to the Pokémon. With quiet footsteps, they follow Lillie out of the workshop, leaving Ash and Alice to their work.
Here is the second chapter, and you can see that Ash and Alice meet up with the group of friends and even though Ash didn't show his distaste towards them, he is showing distance because they did hurt him in the past. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will begin the Normal Type part chapter.
