Ash finally joined his group late at night after Drew released him from his formidable questioning and clutches. Ash swears up and down, Drew was not this invested in whatever happened with Ash and his group in the anime. So what changed? Why the heavy interest? Did he change because of the butterfly effect? Lucario and Abra who were always connected to his thoughts shared a look between themsmelves and shook their heads. Of course, Drew would care about Ash, the green haired teen had a crush since Kanto. Not like Ash was interested but was it so strange that he worried about his crush? It was obvious to them but apparently not to their Meema or Ash just did not think it was enough of a reason. Diance and Ralts fluttered behind their older siblings questioningly about it. The two of them liked Drew and even Lugia liked Drew and the silver scaled Pokemon did not like humans that much. Lucario sweat dropped at that and did not have the heart to tell them Lugia only tolerated Drew because he cared for Ash nothiing more than that.
Ash, "I am back."
Gou, "Welcome back! I am surprised Drew let you go tonight."
Ash muttered, "With the way he was questioning me; I am surprised too."
Ruby chuckled, "Sounds like you gave him quiet the heart attack, Ash."
Ash sighed, "Honestly speaking, he really should look at his own actions first. He was very literally sneaking around Team Aqua's base."
Gou deadpanned, "What?"
Max, "I think your luck is rubbing off on everyone without you even noticing."
Ash, "I swear I am innocent."
May appeared then with a towel over her head and pyjamas on, "Oh! You are back, Ash."
Molly was in pink pyjamas behind her, "Drew let you go?"
Ash, "Yup! I survived the questioning."
May laughed, "Bathroom is free for you and your Pokemon. All of us are done with our washing."
Ash, "I appreciate it. Is there hot water?"
Molly nodded, "I left the Geyser on after we finished our bath."
Ash patted her head, "Thank you, I appreciate it. Do not worry about dinner, I already had it with Drew earlier. He would not stop nagging me about losing weight. Honestly, you would think he was my mom."
Lucario mumbled, -You mean a disgruntled husband worried about his wife.-
Max, "Huh? What was that Luc?"
Lucario, -Nothing, just saying Drew had all the rights to worry considering half the madness we get involved in.-
Abra sighed, -No kidding.-
Ash pouted but let it go ushering his Pokemon to the bathroom to clean up. He washed up the youngest group first making sure the water temperature was just right for them. With Diance, he gently washed her stone structure making sure to dry her up once she was clean. Then Ash used a solution, courtesy of Professor Oak and Steven Stone, that he rubbed all over her structure to ensure she had a healthy shine. Abra and Ralts watched the process being curious about it and asking questions and keeping their own notes on the care. Diance was shining like a pretty gem under the bathroom light once Ash was done then he turned to the rest and followed his personal notes on their care. Treeko grunted at being babied by Lucario but relaxed once Ash started to massage him using a plant based oil. Taillow was very pleased with the meticulous preening and cleaning both and crooned her satisfaction.
Eevee, Absol and Phanphy were relaxing in the bathtub the temperature fitted to their desired satisfaction while Ash cleaned up the main battlers. The teen observed his Pokemon as they relaxed around the bathtub and noticed, Abra, Eevee and Phanphy were larger in size, in fact they were reaching the height and weight meant for battlers. They were training well and eating well but it looks like he will not be able to call them baby Pokemon anymore. Ash realized it was unavoidable and he knew his little ones were training behind his back, it was obvious with how much they ate. He would not stop them of course, as long as they stayed safe and followed the rules he set for training even if he was not there. Ash finished his own cleaning and relaxed in the hot bath for a few minutes before getting out and dried himself to change into comfortable pyjamas. Ash dried the rest of the Pokemon leaving Lucario for last and spending extra time with his oldest egg born and then turning in.
Ash, "Ready to train May?"
May, "Damn right, I am. I may have lost to Drew yesterday but next time I am defeating him."
Ruby watched them go, "Well, they are off. Ready for your training Molly?"
Molly, "Yes, I appreciate the offer."
Ruby, "Of course, don't mention it."
Gou, "We are going on our own training session. See you at lunch."
Max, "Let's go!"
Gou, "Slow down Max. Save your stamina for the long hike."
Max, "Right!"
The group went off in different directions as they trained coming together at the chosen camp area to eat lunch. It consisted of spicy, garlic and cheese fondue that had cut bread, fruits and nuts around it. For drinks they had milk, water and freshly squeezed sweet fruit juice which they finished with relish. As they were chatting Max mentioned LaRousse City which was nearby and pretty famous for it's high tech services and appliances. That got Ash a little wary, the City sounded familiar but not in a great way. He could not pin point it but had a feeling he would remember when they got there and then kick himself for not remembering sooner. After they cleaned up they decided to head in the direction of the City while Molly talked about the many Junior competitions the City held. Lucario nudged Ash but the dark haired teen shook his head saying he would tell him if he remembered later which got Gou's attention.
Gou, "Did you forget something?"
Ash, "I am not sure, I think I did but I cannot remember what it was for the life of me."
Ruby frowned, "You always keep notes of what is important to you though. Maybe look there about what it is?"
Ash, "I did but nothing stood out maybe I will remember it later."
May patted his shoulder, "It is probably not so important or you would have written it down, don't you think?"
Ash, "I really hope so."
Max, "I agree with May, if you did not remember it then it is not important."
Molly, "Besides if something happen we have your back."
Ash, "Alright then, let's get to the City and check our disguises. Steven contacted me a few days ago about performing for the opening for the conference and Grand Festival."
Ruby, "Yes, I recall you entioned that."
May, "You will really perform?"
Ash nodded, "Yes, but first Cheryl needs an outfit for two performances I was thinking of ordering them from here. Hoenn, as I recall has a lot of futuristic Cities so, I was thinking something with that theme."
Molly, "Let us help."
May, "Please!"
Ash opened his phone, "Sure! Let's see according to the list Emerald sent me; I need two performance outfits one for the Grand Festival and another for the Conference."
Gou, "Tailored or ordered?"
Ash, "Tailored would be best. After that, one day outfit when I have to show my face with Ruby and Emerald and one outfit for the night party that Wallace and Steven will accompany me on."
Ruby, "I will need to get fitted for the Conference too, but isn't it too early?"
Ash, "Well, it gives us time for designing the outfits and making it comfortable."
May nodded, "Yes, we can even pre - order the materials we are the most comfortable with to create the outfits.
Ash, "I was thinking of using soft cotton as a base then silk above it with a crinoline to separate the long silk from the cotton."
May and Molly perked up, they loved puffy outfits and she spoke about making it flowy and adding sequins to make it sparkle under the sunlight. Ash had a sudden thought about the sparkly dress from that one Disney movie, Cinderella. Since, the Conference would be in the middle of autumn, maybe he could add more layers, not as heavy as the movie but some to add some texture. Decisions needed to be made and the girls even dragged Gou and Max into the outfit planning much to their chagrin. Ash just laughed saying they would not regret making plans in advance and getting the outfits ready and out of the way. The boys grumbled but decided to get it done anyway making the girls beam. What started as a simple picking for an outfit for Cheryl ended up with them discussing about cufflinks with different stones and styles that matched them. As they were walking they came across a cave that Skitty ran in and that made May run after Skitty calling for her. Ash blinked then shrugged as they ran after her to make sure they were both fine though Ash wondered why it was warm inside the cave.
Max, "Phew! It is hot in here."
Ruby, "We need to find Skitty and May fast."
Gou, "What's wrong?"
Ruby, "I know this type of heat. It comes from a Slugma or rather a rout of Slugma."
Ash, "Damn! Let's hurry."
Molly, "I see her and there is something read following her."
May came running, "Run! Skitty pissed off the Slugma."
Ruby, "This way, I know a way out."
They followed Ruby towards a series of tunnels while avoiding the flame attacks from the Slugma who were very pissed indeed. Skitty shot back when she saw one of the attacks almost hit May but May stopped her saying they were in the wrong as this was Slugma territory and they were the trespassers. Skitty grumbled but settled down in May's arms as they booked it through the tunnels which were starting to feel cooler and saw an opening with light. They rushed through the opening with Gou pulling Max along while Ash grabbed Molly and Ruby called his Flygon to use sandstorm. When the wall of sand went up they escaped leaving the confused Slugma behind in the tuunnel. They were panting hard as they waited for their sight to adjust to the light outside. Then Ash started to snicker which led to Molly giggling that led to Max and Gou laughing while May burst out in laughter and Ruby chuckled.
Lucario drwled, -You know, that was probably the most normal Pokemon experience we had in a while.-
Ash, "That is an understatement Lucario."
May giggled, "Thank you Skitty. We needed that."
Skitty puffed up, "Ski."
May, "But no more running into dark tunnels okay? I could barely see what was infront of me."
Skitty tilted her head then nodded, "Skitty!"
A voice came, "Hello there! You kids alright?"
Gou, "Yes ma'am, we just had the most normal Pokemon experience is all."
The woman looked relieved, "I am glad to hear you are unhurt. My name is Julie and welcome to my heating plant."
Ash, "Thank you Miss Julie, you have a very handsome Numel."
Numel grunted, "Nu!"
Julie grinned, "Thank you, he is my starter."
The group introduced themselves and Julie was surprised to know Ruby the Champion really did take a vacation after all. Ruby grumbled wondering why that was so hard to believe when May chimed in, he was pretty well known for being a workaholic. Ruby scowled but Ash pulled him along to relax and May noticed Julie had a Delcatty. skitty was very curious and went to sniff the older Pokemon while May asked her ultiple questions. Julie mentioned she was a co - ordinator back in the day before taking over the family business. Her job was mainly to care for the Slugma and make sure they did not caus trouble for the City which was dependant on the Slugma during winter. Ruby nodded recalling LaRousse employed both high tech and Pokemon based tech to tun daily operations and praised her efforts.