It's been a few days. Ash was sitting in Jubilife City, sipping on a cup of tea and enjoying himself. Meanwhile, next to him, his Riolu, Ralts, and Chimchar were sitting and eating together calmly.
Meanwhile, Ash was enjoying Sinnoh's delicacy, the Old Gateau, which was pretty good, and Pikachu and Vee were enjoying it too.
As for his little trio of Riolu, Ralts, and Chimchar, well, Riolu kinda took the current role as the boss of the trio, while Ralts and Chimchar clapped for him and nodded along. After all, both of them were shy right now, meanwhile Riolu would go nose-first if Ash even mentioned the word fight.
As they were hanging out together, and Riolu was showing off his own moves, taking the role of the big brother (even though he was the youngest one there, yes, even Chimchar was older than him), Ash was scrolling on his phone.
Today was the day that Dawn and Barry would start, and he promised he'd be there. He also texted Verity that he was heading over to Sandgem Town. He texted both of them early in the morning, so they were probably asleep when he did, but now he got a text back.
—
Pokemonenjoyer: Hey Dawn, you still sleeping, or you getting ready?
Piplupsupremacy: Ashhhhh!!! I'm having breakfast with my mom, I'll leave soon
Ash stared at the username for a few seconds before slowly typing.
Pokemonenjoyer: ...Piplupsupremacy?
Pokemonenjoyer: That's really what you went with? 😭
Piplupsupremacy: Yes.
Pokemonenjoyer: You had the entire internet at your disposal
Pokemonenjoyer: And you chose Piplup Supremacy
Piplupsupremacy: I made my choice 😌
Pokemonenjoyer: You know what
Pokemonenjoyer: I respect it
Piplupsupremacy: Thank you 😌
Pokemonenjoyer: Still judging you tho
Piplupsupremacy: I don't care 😎
Pokemonenjoyer: Sooo
Pokemonenjoyer: You excited?
Piplupsupremacy: Obviously??
Piplupsupremacy: I've been waiting for this forever lol
Pokemonenjoyer: Awwww
Pokemonenjoyer: You missed me that much? :3
Piplupsupremacy: Yeah, actually
Pokemonenjoyer: ...Oh
Pokemonenjoyer: I wasn't expecting you to actually admit it 😂
Piplupsupremacy: Why wouldn't I?
Piplupsupremacy: I missed hanging out with you guys
Piplupsupremacy: And yeah, I'm really looking forward to seeing you again
Pokemonenjoyer: Well, now I kinda feel bad for teasing you
Piplupsupremacy: You shouldn't
Pokemonenjoyer: Damn
Pokemonenjoyer: Cold
Piplupsupremacy: You'll survive
Pokemonenjoyer: Probably
Pokemonenjoyer: Anyway, I'm already in Jubilife
Pokemonenjoyer: Gonna head to Sandgem soon
Piplupsupremacy: Wait, you're already there?!
Pokemonenjoyer: Yep 😎
Piplupsupremacy: Show off
Pokemonenjoyer: Says the girl with Piplupsupremacy as her username
Piplupsupremacy: Leave my username alone >:(
Pokemonenjoyer: Fine fine
Pokemonenjoyer: See you soon then
Piplupsupremacy: See you soon!!
Piplupsupremacy: Don't disappear before I get there >:(
Pokemonenjoyer: No promises ;)
Piplupsupremacy: ASH
Pokemonenjoyer: 😂😂😂
—
Ash chuckled under his breath as he took his tea and took a sip from it, enjoying it. Talking to Dawn was much different than May. May would get flustered, while Dawn rolled with it. It's gonna be harder to tease her, but Ash will find a way.
But as he was thinking that, he got another message, this time from Verity. Looks like she finally got his message. He picked it up and took a look.
—
Lakeverity: YOU'RE ACTUALLY IN SINNOH?!
Pokemonenjoyer: Yes?
Lakeverity: AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME?!
Pokemonenjoyer: I literally texted you this morning saying I was in Sinnoh 😭
Lakeverity: Yeah, but I was asleep!
Pokemonenjoyer: That's not really my fault
Lakeverity: IT IS NOW
Pokemonenjoyer: How does that even work?
Lakeverity: Don't worry about it
Pokemonenjoyer: I'm worried
Lakeverity: Good 😎
Pokemonenjoyer: So are you coming to Sandgem?
Lakeverity: Obviously!
Lakeverity: You think I'm gonna let you show up here and not come see me?
Pokemonenjoyer: I figured you'd want to hang out
Lakeverity: Yeah, no kidding
Lakeverity: We've got like 2 years of catching up to do
Pokemonenjoyer: That's the first thing on your mind?
Lakeverity: You vanished on us after that whole Ho-Oh thing
Lakeverity: Then I hear from Sorrel that you're going to Sinnoh
Lakeverity: So obviously I'm finding you
Pokemonenjoyer: You sound like you're hunting me down
Lakeverity: I am
Pokemonenjoyer: Should I be scared?
Lakeverity: Very
Pokemonenjoyer: Damn
Pokemonenjoyer: Guess I'll have to run
Lakeverity: Don't you dare
Pokemonenjoyer: 😂
Lakeverity: Seriously though, where are you?
Pokemonenjoyer: Jubilife right now
Lakeverity: Oh, that's easy
Lakeverity: I'll meet you in Sandgem
Pokemonenjoyer: You're already in Sandgem?
Lakeverity: Nope
Pokemonenjoyer: Then how is that easy?
Lakeverity: Because I'm awesome
Pokemonenjoyer: That's not an answer
Lakeverity: It's the only answer you're getting
Pokemonenjoyer: Fair enough
Lakeverity: Oh, and Ash?
Pokemonenjoyer: Yeah?
Lakeverity: Don't get yourself into trouble before I get there
Pokemonenjoyer: I make no promises
Lakeverity: I swear, you're worse than I remember
Pokemonenjoyer: And yet you still want to see me
Lakeverity: Shut up 😑
Pokemonenjoyer: Knew it
Lakeverity: SEE YOU SOON, IDIOT
Pokemonenjoyer: See you soon, tomboy
Lakeverity: WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!
Pokemonenjoyer: 😂😂😂
—
Ash hung up and chuckled, standing up and stretching his back. He also texted Barry, but he hasn't texted back. Knowing him, he probably forgot his phone at home and was already running to meet up with Dawn.
Ash chuckled at the thought. Anyway, he might as well start the path there, but he should get there soon. The walk isn't too far, and since he's on his own, he can try something he's been wanting to try out for a bit.
Once he was out of town, he tapped his sneakers together, and they started letting out a magnetic push, making Ash float a bit. Yeah, it was some prototype hover shoes Ash made from repurposing some of the magnets from Iron Moth to let him fly slightly.
Again, these were a prototype, but hover things weren't that hard to figure out. There are Hovercars in this world. Heck, Ash recently found out Brock's parents bought a hovercar, so with Porygon and Rotom's help, making some was no problem.
And hey, he gets to test these out. So, letting his Pokémon jump up into his backpack, he took off, trying to keep control of these things. It was wobbly at first, but he got the hang of it pretty quickly. He even got in the zone a bit and put on his headphones to listen to music while he glides.
—
{Meanwhile}
Dawn was combing her hair neatly and checking herself in the mirror. She smiled once she was done, and she put on her yellow ribbons in her hair.
Meanwhile, her mother Johanna was in the back, chuckling at seeing her daughter fixing her hair so much, even when she was gonna wear a hat anyway. She also took the liberty of helping Dawn pack some things into her bag, otherwise Dawn would just fill it with nothing but clothes.
"Are you almost done, dear?" Johanna asked.
"Yep, almost," Dawn said as she quickly adjusted her skirt and had the great idea to also wear a long red scarf.
Johanna chuckled and zipped up Dawn's bag before handing it over to her, "Do you have the postcard for Professor Rowan?"
"Yep," Dawn said happily as she pulled out a postcard from the table and held it up proudly, "I have it here and filled it out!"
"Then I suppose you already know who you're going to get?" Johanna asked warmly as she sat down at the table.
"Yep, and once I get my partner, I'm gonna work hard and become a Top Coordinator just like you, Mom!" Dawn announced excitedly as she sat down and put on her pink boots.
Johanna smiled, "Okay, and one more thing before you go." Johanna went to a desk and opened the drawer, and pulled out a small orange ribbon. Then she walked to Dawn, took her hand, and placed it inside her palm.
"Here, this was my first ever Ribbon. I keep it close for good luck. Now I want you to have it, dear." Then Johanna winked, "Just promise not to lose it, okay? Or I'll have to tell your Aunt Yanase~"
"Oh no, please don't!" Dawn said, clasping her hands together, "I promise I'll keep it safe." She was really worried at the thought of her Aunt Yanase thinking she was a bad girl.
And that just made Johanna chuckle, "You know, when you talk like that, you make me wonder if you're really my daughter or your aunt's~"
Dawn blushed, looking embarrassed, "Mom, stop it."
Johanna just chuckled again and walked up to her, adjusting her hat. Then she gave her a little kiss on the forehead, "Stay safe. Remember, your uncle is waiting for you in Professor Rowan's lab."
"Okay! I'll go there soon!" Dawn said excitedly as she turned, grabbed her bag, and quickly gave Glameow a quick pet before walking out of the door.
But as she stepped out, she saw someone waiting for her, someone she was very familiar with, one of her neighbors, Verity.
She saw her leaning against the wall, waiting for her with her Piplup.
Dawn stepped outside, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder, when she immediately noticed someone leaning against the wall nearby.
"About time," Verity said, pushing herself off the wall.
Dawn blinked, "Verity?"
Verity grinned, her Piplup standing proudly beside her, "Who else?"
Dawn smiled, "What are you doing here?"
"I heard you were heading to Sandgem Town to get your first Pokémon, so I figured I'd come along and protect you."
Dawn raised an eyebrow, "Protect me?"
"Yeah." Verity nodded seriously, before immediately breaking into a grin, "You know, in case some scary wild Pokémon shows up."
Dawn crossed her arms, "Verity, I've known you since we were little. You're not fooling anyone."
"Damn."
"You're going to Sandgem anyway, aren't you?"
Verity shrugged, "Maybe."
"Verity."
"Fine, yes, I was going there anyway." Verity laughed, "I saw Barry take off like an hour ago, so I figured I'd wait for you since you were the last one left."
Dawn rolled her eyes, "Of course Barry left that early. He probably sprinted the entire way."
"Probably." Verity looked down at Piplup, who nodded proudly, "He said something about being first."
Dawn sighed, "Yeah, that sounds like Barry."
They had known each other for years, after all. Dawn, Verity, Kenny, Leona, Barry, and Noelle had all grown up around each other. They had spent years running around Twinleaf Town together when Dawn was here and not in Kanto, getting into trouble, competing with one another, and generally making their parents regret letting them out of the house.
Verity laughed as Piplup waddled over toward Dawn, looking up at her before giving a small, "Pip!"
Dawn crouched down and smiled, "Hey, Piplup. You ready to go?"
Piplup proudly nodded.
Verity crossed her arms, "He's been ready since breakfast. I'm pretty sure he's more excited than I am."
Dawn stood back up, "Well, you already have your Pokémon. You got Piplup from your mom early, so this is basically just another adventure for you."
"Exactly. Which means I get to watch you panic when you have to pick one."
"I am not going to panic."
"You absolutely are."
"I've already decided what I'm going to do."
Verity raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
"I'm going to become a Top Coordinator."
Verity smiled, "Yeah, I figured you'd say that."
Dawn adjusted her hat proudly, "I'm serious. I'm going to be just as good as Mom someday."
Verity smirked, "Sure you're not gonna freeze up immediately~"
Dawn bumped her shoulder against Verity's, "Shut up."
Verity laughed, "In all seriousness though. You're gonna do great."
Dawn smiled, "Thanks."
She adjusted the red scarf around her neck before continuing, "But, I'm not completely going in alone."
Verity raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
Dawn smiled slightly, "I'm actually expecting someone to meet me in Sandgem."
Verity's expression immediately became interested, "Ohh, is it a guy?"
Dawn blinked, then her cheeks turned slightly pink, "What? No! I mean-well, he's a guy, but that's not-"
Verity immediately started laughing, "Oh my Arceus, Dawn."
"Stop it!" Dawn waved her hands, "He's just a really good friend!"
"Uh-huh."
"He is!"
"Sure."
Dawn sighed, but she was smiling.
"He's really cool," Dawn continued, "We've known each other for a while now, and he's really strong."
Verity's eyebrows rose, "Really?"
"Yeah."
"How strong?"
Dawn thought for a moment. It was kinda hard to say how strong Ash was considering the fact he's won 3 leagues, so she shrugged, "Very."
Verity laughed, "That's not an answer."
"It's the answer you're getting."
Verity narrowed her eyes playfully, "So you have a mystery Kanto friend who's strong?"
"Yep."
"Well, funny you mention that."
Dawn looked over at her, "What?"
Verity puffed her chest out proudly, "I'm also waiting for a special friend from Kanto."
Dawn stopped walking for half a second, "You are?"
"Yep."
Verity smiled smugly, "And he's probably way stronger than any guy you know."
Dawn stared at her, then she smiled, "Oh, really?"
"Really."
"You're pretty confident."
"I know him. He's awesome."
Dawn crossed her arms, "Well, my friend is stronger."
Verity blinked, "Oh?"
"Yep."
"Stronger than mine?"
"Absolutely."
Verity laughed, "You haven't even met my friend."
"And you haven't met mine."
"That doesn't matter."
"It definitely matters."
Verity pointed at Dawn, "I'm telling you, this guy is seriously strong."
Dawn pointed back, "And I'm telling you, mine is stronger and cooler."
Verity's Piplup looked between the two girls as the argument continued and sighed.
Verity grinned, "You know what? Fine."
Dawn raised an eyebrow, "Fine what?"
"Race you to Sandgem."
Dawn's eyes lit up, "You're on."
Verity immediately took off running.
"HEY! That's cheating!" Dawn quickly chased after her, laughing as Verity looked back over her shoulder.
"Can't hear you!"
"You literally just challenged me!"
"Then catch me!"
Dawn grinned and sped up, her bag bouncing against her back as she chased after Verity.
Meanwhile, Piplup was just struggling to keep up with the two girls that, for some reason, couldn't tell that the friend they were both talking about was the same person.
Together, the two girls ran through Route 201. There were some wild Pokémon that just watched them run, but they couldn't be bothered to try anything, so they just very carefully pretended not to see them and walked away.
"Come on, Verity!" Dawn shouted as she ran after her, "You're not getting away that easily!"
Verity laughed as she ran ahead, "You said you were fast!"
"I am fast!"
"Then prove it!"
Dawn gritted her teeth and sped up, her boots pounding against the dirt path as she slowly started catching up.
Verity glanced back and saw Dawn getting closer, "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me."
Dawn grinned, "Gotcha!"
She reached forward and grabbed the back of Verity's shirt, but Verity immediately twisted away, causing Dawn to stumble forward.
"Hey!"
"Almost!"
"You cheated!"
"How did I cheat?!"
"You dodged!"
"That's not cheating!"
"It absolutely is!"
Piplup was still struggling behind them, waddling as fast as his little legs could carry him. He stopped for a moment, panting heavily, then looked ahead at the two girls who were already several dozen feet away.
"Pip..." He sighed and continued after them.
The two girls continued racing down the route. Eventually, they reached the end of the route, and the entrance to Sandgem Town came into view.
Dawn pointed ahead, "There!"
Verity looked over and immediately realized Dawn was catching up again, "Oh no you don't!" Verity pushed herself harder and sprinted toward the town.
Dawn laughed and chased after her, "You're not winning!"
They both reached the entrance at nearly the same time, stumbling to a stop.
For a few seconds, they stopped trying to catch their breath, then they looked at each other.
"I won," Verity said.
Dawn blinked, "What?! No, I won!"
"I was ahead of you."
"By like half a step!"
"A win is a win."
"That is not how races work!"
Verity grinned, "Sounds like something a loser would say."
A few seconds later, Piplup finally arrived, practically collapsing onto the ground.
"Pip...Piplup..."
Verity looked down at him, "Oh, right. We forgot about you."
Piplup slowly looked up at her with the most offended expression a small penguin could possibly make.
Dawn covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Verity crouched down, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry."
Piplup turned his head away.
"Come on, don't be like that."
Piplup continued looking away.
Verity sighed, "Fine. I'll buy you some food."
Piplup immediately looked back at her and raised a flipper, asking for two instead.
"Well, so much for you being an experienced trainer~" Dawn teased.
"Hey, I said I did it for longer, not that I was the best, Dee Dee."
Dawn flinched when she called her that, "Hey, don't call me that!"
Verity laughed and waved her hand, "Sorry, sorry, I just had to. The last time I got to do that was last summer."
Dawn huffed, "Whatever, you're just lucky I haven't thought of an embarrassing nickname for you."
Verity laughed, and Dawn pulled out her map, looking at it, "Okay, according to this, we should just have to follow this road and then take a left."
Verity looked over her shoulder, "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure."
Dawn confidently started walking, with Verity following behind her.
They walked for about ten minutes.
Then Dawn stopped, "...Okay, maybe we were supposed to take that other road."
Verity stared at her, "Dawn."
"It looked right on the map!"
"You said that ten minutes ago."
"Okay, okay, we just have to go back."
So they turned around and started walking again. Then they took another turn, then another, then another.
Eventually, Verity stopped walking and looked around, "Dawn."
"Yeah?"
"Where are we?"
Dawn looked down at the map, then looked around, "...I have no idea."
Verity stared at her for several seconds before sighing, "Give me that."
"What?"
"The map."
Dawn reluctantly handed it over.
Verity unfolded it, looked at it for a few seconds, then slowly turned toward Dawn with the most blank expression imaginable, "Dawn."
"Yeah?"
"You've been holding the map upside down."
Dawn froze, "...What?"
Verity held the map up, "Upside down."
Dawn stared at it, then slowly looked at Verity, "...Oh."
Verity sighed and shook her head, "I can't believe you."
"I thought it was right!"
"How did you not notice the words were upside down?!"
"I was focusing on the roads!"
Verity shook her head as she started walking, "Come on. Before we somehow end up back in Twinleaf."
Dawn hurried after her, "Hey! I wasn't that bad!"
"You got us lost in the same town we were born next to."
"That's different!"
"Sure."
After following Verity for several minutes, the two finally reached the Pokémon Research Laboratory.
Dawn looked up at the building and smiled, "Finally."
Verity nodded, "See? Easy."
Dawn crossed her arms, "I knew where I was going."
Verity looked at her, "...You were holding the map upside down."
"Okay, you don't have to keep bringing that up."
Before Verity could respond, they heard someone shouting from nearby.
"Come on! Hurry up! Why are you taking so long?!"
Dawn and Verity both looked over. Standing outside the laboratory was Barry, who was stomping his feet impatiently while talking to Professor Rowan.
"Professor! We don't have time to waste! I need to get my Pokémon and start my journey!"
Professor Rowan sighed, "Barry, you have been here for less than five minutes."
"Exactly! And that's five minutes I could have been training!"
Standing beside Rowan was another boy around their age. He had a tired expression on his face and was calmly munching on a piece of dango as if none of Barry's shouting had anything to do with him.
He also wore a scarf despite it being summer.
The boy slowly looked over at her while still chewing. He took another bite casually and gave them a nod, "Hey, names Lucas."
Dawn blinked, "Oh, I'm Dawn."
Verity waved, "I'm Verity."
Lucas gave them a small nod, "Nice to meet you."
Barry suddenly turned around, "Dawn!"
Dawn smiled, "Hey, Barry!"
Barry immediately ran over, "You're finally here! I was starting to think you weren't coming!"
Dawn crossed her arms, "I was coming. We just...took a slightly longer route."
Verity immediately added, "She got us lost."
"I did not!"
"You absolutely did."
Barry laughed, "That's hilarious!"
Dawn glared at him, "You're not helping."
"Also, Barry, I don't think you have much room to talk. Didn't you leave an hour before us and you still got here five minutes ago~" Verity teased.
"Hey, I was busy exploring. That is slander! I'll fine you for that!" Barry pointed frantically.
Professor Rowan chuckled as he walked over, "Dawn, it's good to see you again. And you must be Verity."
Verity nodded politely, "Yep. It's nice to meet you, Professor."
"Likewise. I have heard quite a bit about you from your mother. She's the one that asked for you to get your Piplup earlier."
Verity blinked, "Hopefully nothing bad."
Rowan smiled, "Nothing I would consider particularly concerning."
"...I'll take that."
Dawn looked around, "Professor, where's Uncle Berlitz?"
Before Rowan could answer, Dawn's voice echoed into the laboratory. A moment later, someone inside the laboratory called back, "Dawn?"
Footsteps approached, and soon a man stepped out of the laboratory.
Mr. Berlitz smiled when he saw her, "Dawn! You're finally here."
Dawn immediately walked over and hugged him, "Hi, Uncle!"
He hugged her back, laughing softly, "It's good to see you too. I was wondering when you were going to arrive."
Verity smiled, "Hello, Mr. Berlitz."
"Verity, it's been a while."
"Yeah."
Another person stepped out behind him, she was a girl around their age, dressed neatly in what almost looked like a school uniform and looking professional. She looked between Dawn, Verity, and Barry before letting out a small sigh.
"I'm guessing none of you have been told yet."
Dawn tilted her head, "Told what?"
The girl adjusted her uniform before answering, "Well, first, I'm Moon, and before you ask, yes, I'm one of Professor Rowan's assistants."
Barry looked confused, "Okay, so what's going on?"
Moon sighed again, "Unfortunately, we have a problem."
Dawn's expression became concerned, "What happened?"
"One of the batches of starter Pokémon got out," Moon explained, since no one else seemed to want to explain it.
Barry's eyes widened, "What?!"
Moon nodded, "One of the Starly we were caring for broke a window, and the Pokémon escaped into the forest. We've been trying to locate them, but they scattered."
Professor Rowan raised a hand, "It's alright. We can send people out to search for them."
He turned toward Dawn and Barry, "I also have a few extra starter Pokémon available, so the two of you can still choose your partners and begin your journeys today."
Barry immediately shook his head, "No way."
Everyone looked at him. Barry pointed toward the forest, "If those Pokémon got out because something happened to them, then I'm going to go get them. What if one of them is my destined partner?!"
Professor Rowan raised an eyebrow, "Barry..."
"I mean it!" Barry said, already getting fired up, "What if one of them is my best partner for life and I don't get them?!"
Dawn looked at Barry for a moment, then she nodded, "Yeah, I think so too, and I'm going too."
Barry blinked, "Really?"
Dawn smiled, "Yeah. If they're scared and lost, we should help them."
Verity crossed her arms, "Well, if you two are going, I'm coming too, since neither of you two have Pokémon. I suppose I have to protect you both."
Barry smiled, "Alright! Then let's go!"
Moon stared at the three of them, "You're all aware that the forest is dangerous, right?"
Barry pointed toward himself, "I'll be fine!"
Dawn nodded, "Me too."
Verity smirked, "And I'll protect them if anything happens."
Moon looked over at Professor Rowan, and he gave a nod, making Moon sigh, "Give me a moment." She walked back into the lab.
Mr. Berlitz looked at his niece, "Dawn, are you sure about this? You don't need to."
"It's fine, I'd be happy to go. Besides, it's more fun like this," Dawn said happily, making Mr. Berlitz sigh helplessly.
"Well, either way, I wanted to ask you this. I was thinking about hiring some bodyguards to accompany you on your journey. I found some of the best in Sinnoh willing to do it for 10 million."
Everyone had to take a double take at how casually he said that. Even Lucas stopped chewing his dango, and what's worse was that Dawn didn't look surprised or concerned.
She just waved her hand, "Nah. Besides, if bodyguards are willing to do that for that cheap, they can't be that good," Dawn said casually, making everyone else nearly fall over.
"Besides, I have a friend coming who is the best. With him around, I'm not worried about anything," Dawn said.
Before anyone could even try to ask what the heck they were talking about, Moon came back with a few vials and handed them out, "Here, there have been Ariados sightings, so it's best if you all keep some Ariados antivenom. Keep those with you. If you get bitten, drink the whole thing immediately. It should stop the venom from spreading long enough for you to get back here."
Barry took his vial and looked at it curiously, "Cool. Do we get anything else?"
Moon stared at him, "You just got antivenom."
"Yeah, but like, a Poké Ball or something?"
"You're going into the forest to retrieve Pokémon, not start your journey."
Barry frowned, "Still feels like I'm getting ripped off."
Dawn rolled her eyes, "Barry, you're getting free medical supplies. Just take it."
Barry sighed and put the vial away, "Fine."
Professor Rowan looked between the three of them before his eyes landed on Lucas, who was still standing nearby, casually eating his dango and watching the entire situation unfold, "Lucas."
Lucas looked up, "Yeah?"
"Why don't you go with them?"
Lucas stopped chewing.
Barry looked over at him, "Yeah! Come with us!"
Lucas swallowed his bite of dango and looked toward the forest, then toward the three of them. He seemed to think about it for a moment before shrugging, "Sure."
Dawn blinked, "Really?"
Lucas nodded, "Yeah. I already have a Pokémon, so I can actually help if something happens."
Barry's eyes lit up, "You have a Pokémon?!"
Lucas nodded again, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a Poké Ball, "Yeah."
Barry immediately stepped closer, "What is it?!"
Lucas looked at him for a second before answering, "You'll see."
Barry stared at him, "...That's not an answer."
Lucas shrugged, "It's the answer you're getting."
Verity snorted, "I like him already."
Dawn smiled, "Well, if he already has a Pokémon, that definitely makes me feel better."
Professor Rowan nodded, "Good. Then you four can go together. Lucas can take the lead and make sure you don't wander too far into the forest."
Dawn immediately glanced at Verity. Verity glanced back, then they both slowly looked toward Barry.
Barry frowned, "What?"
Dawn sighed, "Nothing."
Verity shook her head, "Absolutely nothing."
Barry crossed his arms, "Why are you two looking at me like that?"
"Because you're probably going to be the one who wanders off," Dawn said.
"I am not!"
"You ran here an hour before everyone else."
"That's because I was excited!"
"And you were shouting at Professor Rowan about how five minutes was too long."
Barry pointed at her, "That's completely unrelated!"
Lucas finished his dango and casually threw the empty stick into a nearby trash can, "Sounds like something someone who wanders off would say."
"That's slander, I'll fine you for that!" Barry pointed frantically, but no one took him seriously.
Moon sighed and handed Lucas one of the remaining vials, "Here. You should take one too."
Lucas accepted it and slipped it into his bag, "Got it."
Professor Rowan nodded, "Then that's settled. You four will search the forest and try to locate the missing starters. Do not go deeper than necessary, and if you encounter anything dangerous, return immediately."
Barry nodded enthusiastically, "Got it!"
Dawn nodded, "We'll be careful."
Verity gave a confident grin, "Don't worry. I'll keep them safe."
Lucas simply nodded.
Professor Rowan looked at Barry and Dawn, "And remember, there is no guarantee that the starter you find will be the one you choose. If you find them, bring them back safely."
Barry grinned, "That's fine with me."
Dawn smiled, "Same here."
The four of them started making their way toward the forest, with Barry practically bouncing with excitement, "Alright! We're finally starting!"
Dawn laughed, "You haven't even gotten your Pokémon yet."
"Doesn't matter! This is the beginning of my journey!" Barry announced as they ran back to the forest.
Rowan, Moon, and Berlitz were left at the lab. They decided to go back inside and continue cleaning up and getting things ready, but around 30 minutes later, they heard a knock at the door.
Since Lucas was gone, Moon went to get it. Then everyone saw Ash standing at the door, tapping his foot. When he noticed the door was open, he took off his headphones.
"Hey, Professor Rowan!" Ash waved, seeing Rowan in the background. He pulled out an envelope from his jacket and held it out to him, "Professor Oak sends you this."
Professor Rowan nodded at Ash and took the envelope, nodding thankfully, "Thank you, Ash. It's good to see you. You've grown up. I still remember when you were little."
"Hehe, well, that was a long time ago." Ash scratched the back of his head sheepishly, then he finally noticed Moon.
Moon looked at him up and down and nodded, "So you are the Mr. Ketchum that the Professor talked about. It is a pleasure." She gave a bow.
"Oh, you're Moon. I heard about you too," Ash said, reaching into his jacket again.
Moon looked confused, "Really? From who?"
"Oh, the head of the hospital. I forget his name, honestly. All I remember him for is that he tried really hard to recruit me to work for him after I got my medical license. Anyway, he sent me an email begging me to give this to you." He pulled out another letter and held it to her.
Moon took it politely, but she didn't open it, "It's probably another offer. I'll send him a message to tell him no again. But you also have a Doctorate?"
"Yeah, I have one and my license to be a surgeon."
"Oh, did you also get yours at 6 years old too?"
"Nah, I got it at 11, but I got my license immediately after."
"Oh, that's pretty impressive too. I only got my license at 10," Moon said, genuinely happy to hear there was another smart kid like her, "Oh, in that case, I'm sorry. I should have called you Dr. Ketchum." She bowed apologetically.
Ash waved her off, "Don't worry, you don't have to do all that. Just call me Ash."
"Are you sure? We just met?" Moon asked genuinely surprised. Since, remember, they are still technically Japanese, usually calling someone by the first name means you're close to them, and usually you call someone by the last name to be polite and respectful.
And Ash just nodded, "Yeah, I don't mind at all. I prefer it too."
Moon nodded, "Then call me by my first name too. It is Selene."
Ash nodded, "Alright, Selene."
"Alright, Ash."
The two of them smiled at each other, seemingly completely unaware of the fact that everyone else in the room had slowly started staring at them.
Professor Rowan looked at Mr. Berlitz, Mr. Berlitz looked at Roseanne, Roseanne looked back at them.
Then all three slowly looked at Ash and Selene again, and there was a collective feeling of dread.
Professor Rowan was the first to break the silence, "...Oh Arceus."
Mr. Berlitz sighed, "There are two of them now."
One of the other assistants, who had been organizing some papers nearby, slowly lowered the stack in his hands, "What do you mean?"
Rowan pointed toward Ash and Selene. They were already talking.
"So you specialized in medicine?" Selene asked.
"Yeah, mostly surgery, both Human and Pokémon."
Selene's eyes immediately lit up, "Really? I've been working mostly with pharmacology and Pokémon physiology, but I've been trying to expand into emergency treatment."
Ash nodded, "That's actually really useful. You can use some human medications on Pokémon, but you have to adjust the dosage depending on their species and metabolism."
Selene nodded enthusiastically, "Exactly! Most people don't realize how different their metabolic rates can be. I've been working on a model that accounts for species-specific differences."
Ash's eyes widened slightly, "Wait, you made a model for that?"
"Yes."
"Can I see it?"
"Sure."
Selene immediately pulled out a small notebook, and Ash leaned over and started looking through it.
An assistant opened his mouth to say something, but Rowan stopped him and shook his head. They all already knew what it was like to deal with Selene. The idea that now there might be two of them was terrifying.
Rowan cleared his throat, "Well, it's good to see you, but you just missed your friends."
Ash suddenly looked around, "Oh, right! Where are Dawn and the others?"
That immediately snapped everyone back to reality.
Rowan pointed toward the forest, "They left about thirty minutes ago."
Ash blinked, "They did?"
"Yes. One of the starter Pokémon escaped."
Ash's expression immediately changed, "Wait, what?"
Rowan explained the situation, telling Ash that several starter Pokémon had escaped into the forest and that Dawn, Barry, Verity, and Lucas had gone to retrieve them.
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly, "And you let them go?"
Rowan raised an eyebrow, "They volunteered."
Ash sighed, "Well, can't fault you for that. Dawn and Barry have always been stubborn. Alright, I'll go get them." Ash stretched his back.
And with Ash, Rowan was much more comfortable letting him go, "Alright, they went back into Route 201. Stay safe."
"I will. Be back before you finish cleaning that broken glass," Ash said, turning. He waved behind him as he walked out, "See ya."
Then, as he was out of the door, his smile fell, and he took off running straight for the forest.