The festival ended on a high note with the song and surprise performance and the cameras capturing all of if plus Abra teleporting away once it was all over. Ash, Wigglytuff, Eevee, Phanphy and Abra appeared in the changing room with giggles and Ash took off his red wig. He let out a sigh of relief after the cool air hit his head and started to release his own black hair. He had plated it and pinned it around his head using pins to at as a base to hold the red wig. He took off the outfit and the corset and put on his regular travel clothes, quickly folding the outfit up properly into the dress suit. Abra, Eevee and Phanphy were chirping and talking about the fun performance and song, they enjoyed the stomping while Wigglytuff kept an eye out for any curious eyes. Ash smiled as he gathered all of his Pokemon and went out to regroup with his friends again who were waiting for him outtside the festival grounds.
Max, "Ash! There you are."
Ash grinned, "I had to be careful, I did not get caught. And get my Pokemon out without creating a fuss."
Molly looked around feeling a little worried, "Oh yeah!"
Max, "Hey Lugia, I forgot you were here because of your ability to disappear."
Lugia looked smug, "Aaaa."
Misty looked at him in concern, "The reporters were asking stuff like... What happened to Diance? Why she was not there this time? And other such questions."
Ash huffed, "Meh! Let them speculate, what happens between a Legendary and their chosen human is between the Legendary and their chosen."
Rudy was holding Misty's hand, "Well said. I really have to return now. The last few days had been fun and as much as I trust my sister, I should head back to the Gym."
Misty was smiling, "And we are heading back to Jhoto as well."
May, "This festival was definitely fun with so many friends are=ound."
Serena grinned, "Yup, I am taking part in the showcase in Jhoto. I received the verification for the next showcase next week in Azalea."
Melody smirked, "And I am taking part in Jhoto's Pokemon contest. It will be fun."
Max, "I have no doubt you girls are gonna take Jhoto by storm. Think about it, three ladies winning the Conference, Grand Festival and Masterclass."
Chloe chuckled, "We should exchange notes through mail, Gou."
Gou nodded in agreement, "Definitely! The stuff you told me about is definitely different from what we experienced back in Jhoto. I bet, Misty has already attracted Suicune."
Chloe, "That is a fool's bet."
Ruby, "You guys are here."
Rudy, "We are going to be leaving now."
Ash, "Before we go... Group hug!!!!"
They laughed and then dogpiled on each other giggling and snorting at how ridiculous they no doubt look for just jumping into hugs and pulling each other in. After a while they started to distangle from each other and waved goodbye as Rudy joined the girls to go to Jhoto and then would change planes to head to the Orange Archipalego. Ash and his group then got back on the road and started to talk about their plans. There was a Pokemon contest schedulew a few towns over and May got excited about her third ribbon. Gou offered to help her with the training as he also needed to be battle ready despite the profession he had chosen as his main line for career. Molly and Max happily offered to be training partners as well making May grin at the two while Ash and Ruby were talking about what Ruby had been upto. Apparently, the palace was connected to a Togepi paradise and when Ruby had just started travelling his Togekiss had saved the paradise once.
Ash, 'So, instead of Misty getting kidnapped, Ruby became the main character... Yikes!'
Ruby, "Hmm... Want to camp over there?"
Molly, "Where?"
Max, "That looks like a farm."
Ruby smiled, "That's because it is a farm. One of my dearest friends and oldest rivals actually came from this farm."
Gou checked the sign, "It says Winstrate Camprupt farm. Do you mean Vito Winstrate? I saw your old battle clips before."
Ruby nodded, "Come on! I will introduce you and then request if we can camp on one of their empty farm areas."
Ash hummed, "I think that would be nice."
Gou, "It would be peaceful that's for sure."
Molly, "We can camp out under the stars."
May, "Farm style roast dinner!"
Max whooped, "Yeah!"
Ruby laughed at the enthusiasm, "Alright then! Yo, Vito!"
Vito, a young man perked up, "Ruby, it is you. With young friends too."
Ruby, "Been a while Vito, I wanted to request an area to camp out."
Vito smirked at him, "Of course, you know the drill. Give my family a satisfying battle and the camp area is yours."
Victoria appeared, "Oh my! If it isn't young Ruby with younger friends."
Vito, "They want to use the camp area, mum."
Victoria, "I see, you know the drill. Sadly, your dad took grandma to the hospital or they would be excited to battle."
Ash, "Hospital?"
Victoria, "Do not worry, it is just her regular check up. The three of us will battle you. Vivi dear, come here."
Ash's eyes sparkled, 'Vivi? Now, that is a very familiar name, isn't it? Ah! Later! Later!'
Vito, "I am sure dad and grandma would love to battle after they return tomorrow though."
Ruby, "I am sure they will."
Vito pointed at a battle field, "Shall we, Ruby?"
Ruby smirked, "Bring it on, old friend."
Victoria, "So, who wants to battle me?"
May, "I would Miss Winstrate. It will be a good warm up for my next contest."
Vivi, "What about you guys?"
Max, "I will battle you."
Molly, "Guess we referee?"
Ash smiled, "We referee!"
Gou, "I will referee Ruby and Vito."
Ash, "I will take May and Miss Winstrate."
Molly, "Awesome, looks like I referee you guys."
Victoria, "Oh? An official referee? How kind of you ~"
Ash grinned, "Today we have a one on one battle, between Miss Winstrate vs May. Choose your Pokemon."
On Ash's right was Gou, refereeing between Vito and Ruby who had already called out their main starters and started battling. On his left was Molly, refereeing young Vivi and Max who were still deciding on their Pokemon. The battle ended with Ruby as the winner whille May lost to the older and Max ended up with a tie. Vito had given Ruby a tough battle as expected from one of his strongest rivals, and Victoria had more experience than May while Vivi trained with her brother everyday. The matches were actually filled with interesting eye opening incidents and May requested to train her Cutiefly with Victoria's Roselia. The beautiful sleep powder and stun spore combo being used in a kaleidoscope of colours had given her a great idea for her own contest match. As they chatted, Vito could not believe the adventures that Ruby got involved in and wondered if his friend was cursed or not. Vito's father returned with grandma the next day and they greeted them joyfully as they explained the day's events.
Victor, "Ah! Are my eyes deceiving me? Is that Lugia?"
Ash, "Yup! Probably not the same one you most likely met but this little guy is ours."
Lugia puffed up, "Aaaa."
Diance rolled her eyes, -Humph! Only because I have to be under cover.-
Ash patted her head, 'Just till we get somewhere away from civilization.'
Grandma hummed, "I suppose you will be heading out now?"
Gou, "That is the plan. We want to reach Fallabor town in time for the Pokemon contest."
Victor, "Come on, mom. I am sure you can battle the next visitor."
Ash chuckled, "I do not mind battling you. It will be a one on one though."
Grandma perked up, "Oh ho! Young man, you know how to make an old woman proud."
Gou, "I suppose I could battle you, Sir."
Victor laughed and agreed to the battle and the two pairs went to different areas for the one on one fights. The fight was as Ash said a quick one, Wigglytuff had been itching for a last battle before returning to the ranch. Camerupt and Wigglytuff was an interesting combo but Wigglytuff made free use of her punches to keep Camerupt from losing his temper. If he was dazed he would not erupt then hit him with her sing ability to put him to sleep. Grandma could not help but laugh at the win and commented there were a lot of strange ways to win and lose during a battle. Ash chuckled agreeing and then turning to Gou's battle with Victor that was also coming to an end. Gou and Victor ended up with a tie but both looked pleased with the outcome and just before they left Vito handed a package to Ruby.
Ruby, "This is?"
Vito, "From a mutual friend."
Ruby, "I see. Thank you."
The group bowed in thanks and then started to walk down the road that crossed the desert and Absol looked up barking. Ash looked at where Absol was pointing and saw the road lead to a more green area. Ash called his Treecko to join him now that they were in a more grassy area and the grass type appreciated the offer. Treecko ran to a tree and used the branches as a trampoline to move from one place to another. Ash smiled seeing the excitement, his younger Pokemon were exhausted after travelling through the desert area and were resting in their heal and cherish balls. Lucario hummed by his side as he held Diance who was asleep in his arms while Lugia was draped over Ash's shoulders and Ralts was in his arms. Ash would not say it out loud but after months of carrying around his sleepy babies in his arms while walking he had devloped some muscle in his arms and legs. Not as prominent as Lt Surge but he no longer had baby fat on his body so, he was not complaining.
Molly, "Hey, I see a restaurant over there."
Ruby, "Here? Must be new."
Gou looked at his phone, "Hmm... I got network and this is the Lover's Nook restaurant. They give a discount every Saturday. Ah!"
May drooped, "Today is Thursday, so no discount."
Max, "We were too early."
Ash, "Do they give discount every Saturday?"
Gou, "Ah! Only on the first Saturday of the month."
Ruby, "It is the middle of the month."
May, "Noooo! We missed it either way."
Max, "We were not early, we were super late."
Molly, "Next time, I say!"
Ash chuckled, "Next time! But let's try it out. I can see a section for Pokemon too."
A woman came out, "Welcome to Lover's Nook. My name is Juliet, would you like a table?"
Ruby, "Yes please, for six people."
Juliet, "This way, follow me. We have a six person table on the second floor balcony."
Max, "Awesome! Our Pokemon can come out too."
Juliet giggled, "It was build with the Pokemon in mind. Here are the rules, no battling, no wasting food, no food wars, be respectful. Thank you. Now, here are the menus and I will return in five minutes to take your order."
May, "Thank you! We will."
Ash looked at the menu, "I want to try a Cassoulet with some la citronnade and jus de grande as well. What about you guys?"
Gou, "I want the same. It sounds delicious."
May, "These bread look really good too."
Max, "Bread with the two dishes?"
Ruby's eyes gleamed, "Sounds good, we can have Pot-au-Feu with the Ficelle, Boule de Pain and Brioche."
Molly clapped, "For desserts let's order eclairs and macarons."
Ash nodded and looked at Lucario who said the Pokemon had decided to order one of every dish from the menu. May and Gou simply laughed and agreed to ordering one of each and divide the bill among all of them, except Max and Molly. The two kids though made a quiet promise to earn a lot of money from battling other trainers on the road and then treat them later on down the road.