Well, here it is, the thirty-ninth part of the fifth and final installment in my 'Heart' series. Dawn has suffered a major Contest upset but it's not one that will annoy or upset her given who beat her and how well earned the victory was. Thankfully there's another Contest in the very city that our heroes have to travel through to get to Ash's potential battle with Piers at the Spikemuth Gym and the Contest is soon so Ash and Dawn are heading to the city of Circhester for that Contest and hopefully this time Dawn will secure her needed Galar Ribbon. That does mean traveling through more Galarian wilderness and enjoying the region and all that can happen when Ash is just traveling between cities, towns and/or events. Let's see what happens on this travel leg as that is all the administrative stuff I have for this Part and there are no guest reviews that need responding or questions to answer. Do please keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all. That is it for this pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Heart of Champions. Part CCXXVIII: Standard Regional Travels.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.

Part CCXXVIII: Standard Regional Travels

"How far out are we?" Ash asked as he, Dawn, Pikachu, and Piplup finally reached the base of the mountain that they'd been silently, and carefully, making their way down and into a decently wide U shaped valley between those mountains and the ones in the distance that they'd seen as they descended. "It shouldn't be too far to Circhester, right?"

"Shouldn't be." Dawn said as she paused for a moment and pulled out a map that she'd picked up from a stall at the fête the day after her Contest loss to Emily and looked at the route that the vendor had made on it and then up at the slightly dense but small wood that was at the base of the mountain and back at the map to confirm. "This should be the final obstacle that's not on a standard path. It's unnamed as this is a wild area of Galar but the map indicates that this wood is between us and the mountains that are just to the north of Circhester apparently. Once we reach the other mountains there should be a few tunnels through them that lead directly to Circhester."

"Sounds good." Ash said as he headed into the woods with Dawn rushing a bit as she put her map away. "So we should be on time for your Contest then."

"Yes, Mamoswine saved us some time by carrying us over the mountain and through the snows up there so we saved a day thanks to him." Dawn said with a nod. "I'd say that we're about two days walk from Circhester give or take. The vendor that sold me the map and marked the best route to take said that once you hit the tunnels through the mountains it's less than a day as they're man made direct paths, just finding them can take a bit of time. The Contest isn't for 4 more days but I would like to be in Circhester as soon as possible to settle in and prepare for it."

"I agree so let's try to find some kind of clearing here and set up camp as it's already mid afternoon and tackle finding the path in the morning." Ash said looking up through the trees and noting that the sun was already past it zenith and on the way to setting in the next few hours. "This wood didn't look too thick from above so it shouldn't be hard to find a good spot."

Dawn just nodded in agreement as they picked their way through the wood making sure that they were going south the entire time and checking for somewhere good to set up camp. Both of them were used to this and it was basically routine for them at this point when they were traveling between cities and towns while off the beaten path so it was a comfortable silence as they moved, the sound of the wind blowing through the trees and the chitter of various wild Pokémon that lived here accompanying them as they walked.

It had only been 3 days since Dawn had been shockingly upset in her first Galar Contest by her friend, and occasional mentee, Emily, and they'd already made good time through the Galarian wilderness on their way to Circhester. Regardless of the Contest's outcome, Ash and Dawn would have still had to take this route to Circhester as that was the nearest city to the rural Contest that Dawn had competed in and it was connected by a standard route to Spikemuth where Ash would have his first battle in Galar with the Gym Leader there. As such it was just sensible to go to Circhester first.

The fact that Circhester had a Contest and that it was scheduled to take place a week after the rural one she'd competed in helped as if the worst case scenario happened, which it did, Dawn was within striking distance of the Circhester Contest. She still needed to be prepared for missing it or worse losing in it as while Dawn had been lucky so far only facing one fellow Top Coordinator in May, which was planned due to traveling together though they only met in one of the two Contests they both participated in, that luck might not hold out and she could easily face another Top Coordinator at any time.

Therefore Dawn really needed either a plan for after Circhester and Spikemuth, or between them if there was Contest in that area at the right time, or she needed to try to go all out at Circhester and ensure she won it. In all honesty, and with their schedule meaning that they'd have to leave shortly after visiting Hammerlocke for Ash's battle with Raihan, providing that that happened of course, it likely had to be the latter.

That was because the time frame to qualify for the first Majestic Festival was tight and Dawn wanted to achieve it so she knew that if she lost a Contest it might be best to use a strong team and secure the next one as a win to move onto the next region. All that depended on the Galar Contest schedule and how she did of course, and so far she was on schedule even with a loss in the region but she didn't want to take too many chances and wanted Ash to have his battles before they had to leave the region as well so she needed to make sure that she had a good chance in Circhester and the right plan for it.

Part of that meant getting to Circhester with plenty of time to prepare in the city itself so during the final day if the fête Dawn had found a vendor specializing in Galarian wilderness exploration and gotten a local map and directions for the quickest way to Circhester. Thankfully, the city was due south of where the fête had been and not that far from as the Murkrow flew but the issue was the mountains that were between the rural Contest and Circhester.

This part of Galar was notorious for high, snowcapped mountains and deep valleys so on foot, which was how Ash and Dawn were currently traveling as they would see the region better that way, it could take several days to cross. As such they would need an expert path to ensure that they had the fastest route they could take to Circhester.

Said path took them into the first mountain range and up it to a path between two peaks as there were no convenient tunnels through those mountains. To expediate that part, and because of the snow, the the vendor had recommended that they use a Pokémon to carry them over it, or at least plow through the snow. After that they'd have to climb down the mountain and travel through a U shaped valley that was filled with trees and with a small stream that flowed through the center of it to reach the final mountain range to Circhester which was easier to pass through due to the man made tunnels.

So long as they could get over the first mountain range in good time they'd make it to Circhester with days to spare and Dawn had a Mamoswine so that wasn't an issue. She brought him in when the fête ended and they were clear of the area after saying goodbye to Emily and Adam who were heading straight for Hammerlocke to make their own plans and to be there for Ash's battle with Raihan as Mamoswine might be a bit disruptive at the fête. Then, she and Ash had set out for the mountains.

Thanks to Mamoswine it had only taken a day rather than the standard two to get over the mountains and after camping out in a cave just below the snow line on the other side, they'd made their way down them this morning and into the woods. That had taken them most of the day, including a break on a small plateau for lunch, but now they were in the wood and soon they'd reach the stream and hopefully a place to set up camp for the night and getting ready for the final push to Circhester in the morning.

That didn't take as long as Dawn had expected as less than an hour into cutting through the woods they came to the clear, cold, stream that flowed through it. After finding a good place to cross it they walked along it for a half hour to see if they could camp by it, which they found.

It wasn't a clearing per se, both teens had noted that the grass and foliage in the woods was significantly lusher and healthier than seemed natural even in an untouched wood so there didn't seem to be any real clearings in it, but it was clear enough to set up a tent or some sleeping bags away from the stream while also being close enough to get fresh water and wash their dishes after dinner. Therefore it was the best place that they could find and with the sun setting in a few hours and Dawn needing to get at least some more training in before dinner it would have to do.

"It's a little early for food but this is probably the best spot that we'll find." Dawn said looking around the area. "So how about we end here for the day? So long as we wake up early we should reach the other side of this wood by mid-morning and find a tunnel through the mountains by lunch."

"Works for me." Ash said as he took his bag off and sat down with a sigh, resting his back against a tree, and relaxing for a moment. "We don't even need the tent so long as the weather holds."

"We'll keep an eye on it but so long as it's warm enough I like the idea of sleeping under the stars in this remote place." Dawn said with a smile as she took her bag off as well and plopped down on the ground, reaching into it for something. "And as there is a little time before we need to make dinner I'm going to go over the Contest schedule and see how I should plan things out if Circhester doesn't go well. I need to be prepared after all."

"I'm sure it will be fine; I know you can do it." Ash said with a smile and Dawn flushed a bit at that but Ash's confidence in her always helped boost her own confidence especially after a loss. "You've got this."

"That may be but as we just saw anything can happen in a Contest." Dawn said as she pulled out the schedule and opened it. "So I need to be ready but with Mamoswine already in my current rotation I think I'll go for a little more experience this time round."

"Pip, Piplup." Piplup said volunteering instantly and reminding Dawn how amazing he was. "Piplup. Pip, pip, Piplup."

"Thank you Piplup." Dawn said smiling at her starter. "I know you're eager as well so you're on call for this Contest as well. I'd like to get Sizzlipede some experience in it if possible but that depends on the competition, field, and other factors as winning it is a must after losing the last Contest. Let's plan, shall we."

"Piplup." Piplup said nodding emphatically as he waddled up to Dawn and looked at the schedule with her not understanding it but it at least looked good. "Pip, Piplup."

Ash just smiled as he rested against the tree and Pikachu played around for a moment while he watched Dawn plan. His battles could occur whenever, providing that the Gym Leaders in question were available to battle him, and agreed to of course, so he was easy going in their plan and worked around Dawn's and thus left things up to her. He was just enjoying seeing a new region with his fiancée and preparing for the PWC while supporting Dawn in her own quest to reach the Majestic Festival.

There were of course things that Ash wanted to do while he was in Galar, mainly obtain the ability to Dynamax and use it at least once, but all that was around Dawn's plans as hers were more important due to the need to qualify for her event which he didn't need to do for the PWC, so he just relaxed as she poured over her schedule. In a few hours he'd start to prepare food while Dawn set up camp but for now it was a good rest after the trek this far and Ash was going to enjoy it.

Alas for Dawn it wasn't so relaxing as the more she looked over the schedule the more it was looking like she'd need to really go all out in Circhester and not try to get Sizzlipede experience or try some new things out that may or may not work. Contests were frequent, especially in the expansion regions that needed plenty to make sure there was a good turnout for the Grand Festivals, but there were still limitations to them based on the availability of judges and the size of the region in question so after Circhester there wasn't one that was convenient between it and Spikemuth where they had to go.

There was one in 18 days' time that was a special Contest held in a large, natural, cave that was part of a tunnel system between Spikemuth and Hammerlocke that could be useful but that would be tight with Ash's battle against Piers so Dawn was starting to get the feeling that Circhester wouldn't be experience but just a quick win. It wasn't ideal but with the path to the Majestic Festival so tight sometimes going all out even if it was a bit much was a must.

Of course anything could happen and there could be multiple Top Coordinators in Circhester waiting for the Contest as well so going all out would be mandatory if she wanted to win in that scenario so it could happen regardless. As such Dawn decided that it was best to do just that and use some of her best to make sure she got her Galar Ribbon and was prepared for anything to happen there. She'd still like to use at least one of her new Pokémon to get them some more experience, especially Sizzlipede, so that was a factor too and as such Dawn needed to prepare.

"I need to borrow the portable transfer device." Dawn said putting the schedule away and standing up as she decided on her team for Circhester and at least who would be her appeals Pokémon. "I've got to get started right away."

"Huh, oh sure it's in my bag." Ash said gesturing to it and Dawn came over to it. "Should be in the bottom of it."

"Thanks." Dawn said as she rummaged in Ash's bag for a moment before finding the device, getting it out and then putting Ash's bag back down. "I'm going to head a bit further into the woods and towards the mountains to see if there's space to train there. I'll be back in a few hours."

"Sounds good I'll be here and sorting out dinner by then." Ash said knowing that Dawn would be on cleanup if he cooked the meal. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Dawn said with a smile as she headed off while Ash went back to relaxing.

Ash watched her leave knowing that she'd be back and not get lost, they had plenty of Pokémon with good senses for tracking purposes and Dawn had the portable transfer device so if need be she could bring in a Pokémon that was especially good at that, so he didn't worry as he relaxed. However, it wasn't just Ash who needed to relax, his Pokémon did as well, and so as Dawn left he let them out to do just that.

Usually he'd have Rowlet and Meltan with him as they were new but with Spikemuth coming up and Professor Oak really wanting to check out Meltan to learn more about the newly discovered species, he'd sent the pair back to Pallet Town for a bit. As such he only had Pikachu, Florges, and Farfetch'd as Ash wanted some alone time to work with Farfetch'd with Florges helping him get stronger due to her type advantage though once he reached Circhester he'd bring in three more Pokémon that he'd already decided would be in his rotation for his battle with Piers.

It may be just them but that didn't mean that they couldn't all enjoy this moment in this peaceful part of Galar that Ash was glad he got a chance to see. That peace lasted a good half hour while he rested against the tree, Pikachu and Florges gathered some berries for them to snack on or carry for later use as Florges knew what berries would be good for various ailments or status effects and Farfetch'd trained with a tree for a bit as he wanted to work alone on some swings that Conkeldurr had been helping with.

It was nice and calm so when there was a loud rustle and a chittering sound from the branches of a nearby tree, Ash noticed it and looked up just as a Pokémon leapt down from a branch that hung out over the stream and landed right on the banks of it. The Pokémon was one that Ash didn't recognize, not that that was to be expected as he was still learning about the many Pokémon native to, or at least originally from, Galar. As such he took a moment to study it as it chittered and took a drink from the stream.

It was only about a foot tall if Ash had to guess and clearly a monkey-based Pokémon with an orange slightly beak-like nose and green fur over most of its body except for its brown tail and ears, lime green the fur around its white eyes with black irises that was in a mask like pattern and burnt orange paws with the fur of the forepaws coming up to the elbow. It also had five fingers on said forepaws opposable thumbs with three on its hind paws adding to the monkey aspect. The only slightly odd thing was that it had a cylindrical stick that was sticking between two leaf-like tufts atop the Pokémon's head.

Whatever it was, to Ash it was clearly both a grass type and either a first stage or non-evolving Pokémon. That said there could be more to it than just that and naturally he wanted to learn more about this Pokémon and find out what it was so he took out his Pokedex and scanned it as the Pokémon drank.

"Grookey, the Chimp Pokémon." The Pokedex chimed, it's voice getting Grookey's attention and causing it to turn and look at Ash without fear, just a quizzical look in its eyes as it studied the human. "When it uses it special stick to strike up a beat, the sound waves produced carry revitalizing energy to the plants and flowers in the area."

"Huh interesting, never heard of a Pokémon that can do that." Ash said as he put the Pokedex away not realizing that Grookey was the Galar region's grass type starter though it had confirmed his suspicion of Grookey's type. "So your stick is responsible for why this wood is so nice, cool."

Grookey chittered at that and nodded before he bounded forward a few leaps to get closer to the strange human that was there. As he did Pikachu moved to keep an eye on the newcomer but felt no threat to him while Florges smiled at the little Pokémon deducing that it was a first stage so she could mother it if it joined them, or not as she'd mother any Pokémon that needed it.

Meanwhile Farfetch'd just gave the Pokémon a side eye as he knew what it was and hoped that if it came to a battle he'd get the call to face it so he could see how the Grookey wielded its stick. Ash noted his Pokémon's actions but ignored them as he continued to look at Grookey.

For his part Grookey was intrigued by the calm and good hearted human who was resting against a tree watching and talking to him. His Pokémon clearly trusted and loved him and were wary of Grookey which was fair but Grookey meant them no harm and did his best to show that. He was just curious and wondered if this could be the one for him that his troop leader talked about. He'd need to test this human and see if he fit Grookey's personality and drive but if he did, well then he'd found his match as his troop leader called it and could leave the wood and see the wider world.

That was because the troop of wild Grookey's, run by an old Rillaboom who's owner had released him to protect this wood and work to restore it and who's drumming was second to none as far as Grookey was concerned, had a strange philosophy when it came to humans. Only the troop leader had ever been a starter Pokémon, all other Grookeys, as well as the few Thwackeys and Rillabooms that had returned over the years, had been born in this wood but he believed that for a Grookey to truly understand harmony he or she had to join a human and learn harmony with that human and his or hers other Pokémon.

As such, it was encouraged that all Grookeys try to understand their own personalities, natures, goals, and dispositions so that if a human who met them ended up passing through their territory they could join that human if they wanted to. That would mean that they would leave the wood, and see the wider world to truly understand harmony in with humans and other species of Pokémon but many of the Grookeys in the troop wanted that.

Then, when a Grookey decide to one day return be it due to their human releasing them or dying or for any other reason, then they could add their own stories to the tales of humans to the younglings adding to the troop's philosophy. Few returned, however, though when they did they were often now Thwackeys or Rillabooms so had a lot of experience and would help run and educate the troop.

This Grookey was no exception and he had a playful, fun loving, good hearted nature but also a strive to get stronger, evolve, and grow like the seasoned Pokémon in his troop. There was no question that this human was strong, Grookey could sense it as he saw how strong the Farfetch'd looked to say nothing of the strange electric mouse-like Pokémon that he'd never seen before and the clearly fully evolved, probably grass type, Pokémon, so that much was met but did this human meet his other requirements. Was he fun loving and playful?

"Grookey." Grookey said with a nod and a smile at what the human had said about his stick so he decided to show that off to the human as he got up on his hind paws and pulled out his stick which he then twirled in his hands with a flourish to show off a bit. "Grookey!"

At that Grookey began to beat out his favorite rhythm with the stick using the ground and a nearby tree trunk, twirling, and tossing it between his paws as he did. With each strike revitalizing waves of emitted from the blow in ripple rings from the point of contact and the grass grew while being restored to full luster and the bark of the tree seemed to get healthier. All the while Grookey was smiling and chittering happily while Ash grinned at it the fun of it and the way the striking of the stick revitalized the area.

"So that's how it works, that so cool!" Ash said a wide grin on his face as he pushed himself to his feet and looked around the area. "I've never seen anything like that before and it looks fun so mind if I join you?"

"Grookey!" Grookey agreed happily and picked up his rhythm while Ash found a stick. "Grookey!"

"Great!" Ash said his playful side coming out in full force as he knelt down opposite Grookey and began to match its rhythm with the stick that he'd found. "Like this?"

"Grookey!" Grookey chittered with a nod of his head and slowed down a bit so that the human could match his moves as he knew he was good with his stick.

Ash picked it up quickly and soon he and Grookey were in tandem and working off each other as they pounded on grass and trees with Grookey moving around to even distribute his regeneration of the grass and Ash making sure that he didn't throw off the Pokémon's rhythm or beat. It was such a sight as they worked together and Grookey happily danced around that Farfetch'd stopped his training and hefted his leak onto his shoulder to watch while Pikachu got into it as well finding a stick of his own and adding a third part to the drumming as best he could and Florges just smiled at what was going on.

It wasn't serious, just some fun for them to have with a new wild Pokémon. These moments were just as needed as training and Ash and his Pokémon had a great time with Grookey, playing and drumming for a good half hour at least before suddenly Grookey's stomach roared and he stopped to put his free paw over his tummy. Clearly the little Pokémon had worked up an appetite and so Ash stopped as Grookey chittered with embarrassment at the sound.

"It's ok, we're having fun but all this movement makes you hungry, right?" Ash asked Grookey and Grookey nodded, he'd been enjoying the fun so much that he'd forgotten that it had been a while since he last ate. "Then here, Pikachu and Florges gathered some berries earlier, have as many as you want."

At that Florges used her hands and some vines to pick up the berries that she and Pikachu had gathered and brought them over to Grookey. She could tell that it was a grass type but she didn't know how its physiology would affect its tastes having never been around monkey-like Pokémon before though she knew that Ash had one back in Kanto that she'd yet to meet, so she just got a range of useful berries with various kinds of taste and crouched down to offer them to Grookey.

"Florges." Florges said smiling as she presented the options and asking what he liked so that she could help out as best she could. "Flor, Florges."

"Pika pi." Pikachu said nodded and coming over to get one he'd been eying while Grookey chittered happily and took a few that were his favorites and explained what they were to Florges when she asked as she didn't recognize them. "Pikachu, pika pi, Pikachu."

"Grookey." Grookey said thanking Florges and eating while Farfetch'd came over to get something as well.

"Florges." Florges said as she picked one of the berries that she recognized out of the pile and handed it to Farfetch'd explaining that it would help his muscles and restoring energy after his workout. "Flor. Flor, Florges."

"Farfetch'd." Farfetch'd said thanking Florges with a nod.

As with the others, he'd pretty quickly warmed up to the motherly nature of Florges and appreciated how she looked out for them in ways that Ash couldn't really understand. However, he also could tell that she was a strong, fully evolved, Pokémon and she'd already told him that her type, this fairy type that he'd been aware of but seldom encountered in his time, was super effective against his fighting type so he really wanted to train with her and get stronger against such a type. That would come in time, for now he enjoyed the berry and thanked Florges.

"Grookey?" Grookey asked as he finished his own berries and looked up at Florges a question in his eyes that he asked when she looked at him and nodded for him to go ahead and ask it. "Grookey?"

"Florges." Florges said with a smile and a nod and began to answer Grookey's question. "Florges. Flor, flor, Florges. Florges…"

The question had first been a clarity as to what she was as he'd never met a grass type like her, which she'd explained that she wasn't actually a grass type but a fairy type from a different region, and after that he'd asked how had she come to be with this human. This was because Grookey was curious given her nature and strength so she told him the whole tale as to how she joined the human she called Ash.

Florges happily told Grookey the tale without out minimizing the mistakes and villainous actions that she'd taken along the way to joining Ash. Pikachu piped in where needed, and mentioned that he was Ash's starter and had been with Ash since the very beginning almost 10 years ago which stunned Grookey, but for the most part Florges told Grookey of how she came to join Ash. It was quite the tale and Grookey was impressed by everything especially how it showed the kind nature and work that Ash and Goodra had put into helping Florges out and Florges's own commitment to atoning for her actions.

After that Grookey turned to Farfetch'd and asked the same question so the Wild Duck Pokémon told his own tale of how he'd been fighting any trainer and Pokémon who wanted to fight him on a bridge in some far off, well far off to Grookey, city and how Ash had been the first to beat him. However, after he was beaten by a grass and flying type called Rowlett that wasn't with Ash at the moment, Ash took him to get healed up rather than capturing him outright which surprised Grookey. Then, and only after Farfetch'd was healed up, did Ash ask Farfetch'd to join his team, an offer which Farfetch'd accepted.

The two tales were very different but at their hearts was the same thing, a deep understanding of Pokémon and their nature. Clearly Ash wasn't just a good trainer, a Champion apparently when Grookey asked how strong Ash was and Pikachu proudly proclaimed that Ash was one of the best in the world and the Champion of some place called Kalos, but also a good human who truly understood Pokémon.

Grookey knew this first hand as Ash had seen what Grookey wanted to do and played with him showing a fun side as well and that coupled with everything that he'd just been told by Ash's Pokémon had solidified it in Grookey's mind. He'd found his human like his leader had said he would.

"Grookey." Grookey declared standing up and nodding as he put his stick away in the tufts of hair atop his head. "Grookey. Grook, Grookey."

"Farfetch'd?" Farfetch'd asked surprised at the sudden declaration of wanting to join their team and asking why.

"Pikachu." Pikachu said smiling at it as this was pretty normal for him at this point. "Pika pi."

"Grookey." Grookey said as he explained what his troop's beliefs were regarding humans and that he'd seen several pass through in his time, one had even tried and failed to capture him through force though clearly that had failed, and that Ash alone fit his personality so he wanted to join up. "Grookey. Grookey, grook, grook, Grookey."

"Florges." Florges said with a smile agreeing with Grookey's assessment and welcoming him to the team as she got up to her full height and turning to Ash. "Florges."

Ash blinked in confusion as to what his fully evolved fairy type wanted. He'd been watching the whole exchange and smiling at how his Pokémon were becoming friends with Grookey while he began to prepare the materials for dinner. Dawn should be back soon so he wanted to be getting ready when she did but he was getting distracted by his Pokémon chatting with the wild Grookey so he was still setting things up. Now, though, he stopped setting up because Florges was addressing him and he didn't know why.

"What's up Florges?" Ash asked. "Something going on?"

"Florges." Florges said with a nod as a vine snaked out of her flower, Grookey watched this still confused as to why she wasn't a grass type at all despite the whole flower thing, and to Ash. "Florges. Flor, Florges."

Ash wasn't sure what Florges was going to do but he trusted her so he didn't stop her, just watched as the vine reached him and then looped around his back to where his empty Poke Balls were should he want to catch a Pokémon on his way to Circhester. Then, before he could react, Florges plucked on off with her vine and brought it around to Ash and held it up to him. As soon as he extended his hand she dropped it into his palm.

"Florges." Florges said as she retracted her vine and pointed at the Poke Ball in Ash's hand and then at Grookey who'd turned to Ash understanding now that Florges was helping him out by making it clear to her, and soon his, trainer what Grookey wanted. "Flor, Florges."

"Grookey wants to join us?" Ash asked and Florges nodded so Ash looked at Grookey to add. "Really? You want to join my team?"

"Grookey!" Grookey said happily, nodding and leaping up and down to show that he wanted this. "Grookey!"

"Well who am I to say no to that, you're a cool and fun Pokémon Grookey so I'd love to have you on the team." Ash said as he tossed the Poke Ball out. "Come and join us! I can't wait to see what we can do together."

"Grookey!" Grookey said excitedly as he leapt up and at the Poke Ball.

As he did he reached up and drew his stick from his hair again, Florges had explained that he needed to just touch the Poke Ball to be captured but he wanted to add a flare to it so he used his stick to strike it in the button in the center as that looked like the right thing to hit. The moment that he did a wave of rejuvenating light emanated from the impact point and the Poke Ball burst open and sucked him into it with a flash of red light.

Thanks to the hit the ball was knocked back towards Ash and landed just in front of his feet where it shook and flashed for a few moments before it clicked with a slight ding to signal a successful capture. It wasn't the most orthodox catch, not that many of Ash's catches were orthodox, but Ash didn't care as he grinned and bent down to pick up the Poke Ball.

"Alright, I caught a Grookey!" Ash said cheering as he thrust his newly caught Pokémon into the air above him in its Poke Ball in his usual victory pose while Pikachu, Florges, and Farfetch'd celebrated around him and just as Dawn got back from training with all her Pokémon that she was going to choose between during the Circhester Contest.

"I go away for a few hours and you've already caught a new Pokémon and one that I don't recognize the name of." Dawn said recovering from her surprise with a laugh as Ash looked over at her a little embarrassed that he'd not realized that she was returning though not embarrassed at what he'd done as he'd done it many times around his fiancée. "So? What happened? How'd you catch this Grookey Pokémon? Also what is it?"

"Well it's a native Pokémon to Galar that's a grass type and a first stage Pokémon at that with a monkey-like appearance so it's not really surprising that one would live in a habitat like this." Ash said. "But basically it showed up to get a drink and noticed the berries that Pikachu had gathered so…"

At that Ash began to explain how he'd played with Grookey and then, with the aid of his Pokémon, caught it, letting it out so that Dawn could see and meet it, while also finishing setting up dinner for them. Dawn couldn't help but smile and laugh at another classic and unorthodox Ash capture story and wishing she'd been there to see it unfold as it sounded amusing to watch. It just reminded her why she fell for Ash and why she enjoyed traveling with him.

Everything was going great and another day was drawing to the close as they continued through Galar on their way to Dawn's next Contest. Soon they would be in Circhester, the second Galarian city that they would visit, wondering what awaited them in Circhester as Dawn's second Contest drew near.

I think this is a good place to end this part on, a nice little tease for the upcoming Contest which will be the next chapter. This was the standard transition chapter to move the story along and of course Ash managed to find and capture a new Pokémon along the way and a regional starter as well so classic Ash though he still doesn't realize that Grookey is the Galar grass starter. For those wondering why I selected Grookey over the other two, the reason is simply the area of Galar that Ash was in at the time. One of the things that I disliked about Journeys was that Ash didn't get a Galarian starter even though he'd always gotten a regional starter so I was always going to give him one in Champions and the choice came down to which one fit best for where Ash was in Galar when he caught it and I felt that Grookey was the best one for it hence why he has one now. Now Ash has his second Galar Pokémon capture and first non-canon one. Other than that there really isn't much to say about this Part as it is the standard transition one so I will leave it off here. As always if you like my work then please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), if possible leave a review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.

Stringdog