Pokemon: Reborn As Ash; Hoenn

After spending a relaxing day and night at the beach the group started to travel again early in the morning. Ruby had risen up along with Ash to get some extra training done, the run in with Butler had ignited a fire inside the Champion to focus on becoming stronger again. Especially since it looks like the next challenges they faced would be protecting the Legendary Pokemon from questionable groups and entities. Ash on the other hand had been distracted by his last poke egg, the one he received after clearing the Silver Conference.

Diance, "Ance dian."

Ash, "The aura is stronger but I don't know if they are ready to hatch yet."

Lucario, -Diance is excited to become a big sister.-

Diance nodded, "Ance di."

Abra, -We understand the feeling Diance.-

Eevee, "Vui."

Absol rumbled, "Abbb."

Phanphy cooed at the egg encouraging it to hatch soon, "Phan ~"

Ash, "All of you are so sweet."

Max, "Molly what are you up to?"

Molly, "Mudkip found something so I am going to check it out. Want to join us?"

Max, "May, we are going with Mudkip for a while. Do not worry we will be back for lunch."

May who was training with her Pokemon, "I see, as long as you return by lunch time. I will go in search of you if you are late. Keep your walkie talkie on you. Internet is zero in forest zones."

Molly, "Got it! Let's go Mudkip."

Ruby, "Max, Molly, the Head Ranger in charge of this area goes by the name Swampy. If you run into him, give this to him, will you?"

Max and Molly nodded aggreeing to do the errand for Ruby and rushed off after Mudkip who was very excited for some reason. The water started moved through the tall grass then started to move around rocks heading up hill. Max was looking at his map explaining how this area was a river reserve and the only way to catch Pokemon here was through the special poke balls the reserve allowed. Molly hummed as she listened to Max's ramble about the rules and regulations followed by a river reserve and what they need to do to be allowed to catch a Pokemon. Max already had six Pokemon so he could not catch any more Pokemon before he became a trainer though Molly could if she wanted.

Molly, "I don't know. I mean I already have two water type Pokemon."

Max, "And I cannot add a water type because my line up is already full."

Molly, "Let's just enjoy the activities."

Max, "It will be a fun way to get Charmendar here used to her weak elements."

Charmendar, "Char? Char charmendar."

Max, "I know you are worried but don't worry we will be having fun while doing it."

Charmendar tilted her head looking skeptical but nodded in agreement with the fun part. It was true, training with Max was fun unlike when they joined the senior trainers when things would get very intense and strict. Max mostly focused on keeping the training fun with his cheers and hilarious commentary when they get really into it. The fire type was not complaining however especially since it helped them figure out different ways to use their attacks. As they were heading upstream Mudkip gave an excited shout and rushed ahead prompting everyone to run after him.

Molly, "Wait for us Mudkip."

Max, "What's the hurry?"

Charmendar, "Char charmendar?"

Breloom chuckled she had sensed the other Mudkip up ahead, "Loom bre."

Molly, "We have to sign in at the reserve office first, remember buddy?"

Mudkip gave a sheepish grin, "Kip mudkip."

Max, "He is just excited. Houndour come join us?"

Houndour appeared yawning, "Orrrrr."

Max, "Had a good nap?"

Charmendar, "Char?"

Houndour yipped, "Ourrrr houn."

Max and Molly headed to the reserve office and greeted the receptionist saying they had a package for a Ranger Swampy. The young woman, Grace nodded smiling softly at the two, thanking them for the hard work and calling in one of the Ranger lines. After a while a man in brown Ranger jacket walled in accepting the package from the two kids though he was questioning what two non trainers we're doing at a reserve. Max had to explain they were not alone, his older sister and trainer guides were training their Pokemon in the forest. They were at the reserve to take a break from the intense training session the older teens followed.

Swampy nodded, "Got it! Come along then, I will show you kids around."

Molly, "Thank you Mister Swampy."

Mudkip, "Mud."

Swampy, "Isn't that one of Professor Birch's Mudkip. I see you received him."

Max, "The Professors got twins instead of one Pokemon hatching from the poke eggs."

Molly, "Yes, I got really lucky."

Swampy laughed, "I can see that. Oh, I almost forgot you are in for a treat today if you stay till evening."

Molly, "A treat?"

Swampy grinned, "Yes, stick around till evening for it."

Max, "Now we have to stay. Well, we are already planning on staying for the night for training so."

Swampy, "Good, good, call your seniors too, I feel like they will enjoy it."

Max and Molly nodded and then Molly followed Mudkip to the Mudkip pod while Max helped Charmendar and Houndour adjust to the area. The two fire types were okay with the ground around the river bit aside from that Houndour did not mind swimming around while Charmendar was reserved about it. They stayed till it was time for lunch then returned to where Ash, May, Gou and Ruby were setting up the items for lunch. The smell of the fresh made curry and bread toasted with garlic butter made their mouths water with hunger

Ash, "There you are. Come join us."

Molly, "It smells so good."

Max, "We had a lot of fun. Charmendar is more comfortable with smaller bodies of water though larger bodies like rivers is still a challenge. WWewillHget through it though, right Charmendar?"

Charmendar nodded, "Char."

Max, "Houndour though just jumps in like a boss and swims around."

Houndour puffed up, "Rrrrr."

Breloom huffed, "Loom bre."

Max, "Breloom could relax a lot. I appreciate the tickets for the Pokemon massage service."

Ruby, "No problem, Max. Sit and eat. What about you Molly?"

Molly, "Mudkip and I checked out the Mudkip pod. Lotad and Shroomish were very impressed by the huge size too. It was so cool and the older Mudkips were so nice to us."

Max, "Oh yeah! We are invited to a special event."

May nodded, "Okay why not. We are moving out tomorrow anyway."

The two kids grinned and after lunch they jumped into endurance training along side the older trainers. Ash took breaks in between and re - worked on his papers for the Master thesis. Despite completing the first draft and submitting it, more drafts were becoming necessary with other younger researchers and Professors requesting for video proof about his Pokemon's move set, skill set, etc. Ash did not mind adding the extra observations however it took time and planning to create them, he had already finished the second draft for Lucario and Milotic. The request for information on his Annihilape was going to be shelved for now however, the fighting type still did not receive his clearance for travel yet.

Ruby, "You good?"

Ash sighed, "I just don't know how long the paperwork for Annihilape will take. If I can't clear him then I will not be able to clear Tyrantrum. I want them to travel and gain experience, you know?"

Gou nodded, "I get it. I recall trying to get clearance for my Galar starters. It took a whole year I was a little afraid I might have to return to Galar just to be with my Pokemon. I was not ready to give them up."

Ash nodded, "Yeah, it is really frustrating but I guess I have to wait. My Pokemon are not troublemakers so they are clear in that area."

May, "Don't worry I am sure we can have our Pokemon join us soon."

Gou, "You have a Pokemon you can't bring with you as well, May?"

May, "I went to Alola with Dad for a meet and greet and to check out the school. I met a really cute Sandshrew there. An ice type of all things, we connected but I do not have the clearance to bring him with me."

Ash, "Right! Alolan Sandshrew have very different requirements compared to normal Sandshrew. So, I think I can help you out with the requirements, I have an ice type too."

May, "I appreciate it."

Just before dinner Max and Molly took the older teens to the reserve for the special treat Swampy promised them and they joined a small crowd. Ash wondered what they would be doing when they noticed the poke eggs that the Mudkip were taking care of and he had an idea. Just as Ash had suspected the Pokemon eggs started to hatch making the crowd go quiet with small gasps being the only thing heard. Then in front of them were baby Mudkips, a few Seals and Woopers, cooing happily at the caretakers.

Ruby, "Makes you excited for the Pokemon egg you have, doesn't it?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah, hope they hatch soon."

After the event was over Swampy invited them all for an open barbeque dinner, the Pokemon were excited and dived in. The trainers joined in as well enjoying the evening before either heading towards their lodging or camping area. The next day May woke up to her Wrumple had evolved into a Silcoon, apparently it had eaten all it could as a Wrumple and had evolved. May was very flabbergasted, she wanted to record Wrumple evolving but had missed it because it happened while they were all sleeping. May pouted for a bit before becoming excited over her Pokemon's evolution and congratulating Silcoon.

Ruby, "Hey, look there is a beach nearby."

May, "A beach?"

Gou, "Cool I want to train my larger water type with your Feraligatr Ash."

Ash, "Sure, I can call Blastoise over if you want as well."

Gou, "Would you? I would really appreciate that actually."

Ash, "Great.... Hey, is that?"

Max, "Professor Birch."

Birch looked at them from the window of his truck and slowed down, "Kids, this is a lovely surprise."

Ruby, "It has been a while Professor."

Birch, "It certainly has. Care to join me? It looks like we are both heading to the beach."

May got on, "Sure!"

Ash smiled following her, "I am not one to turn down a free ride."

Gou nodded, "We appreciate this Professor."

Max, "I want to sit up front.... But the seat is full with equipment."

Birch chuckled starting up the truck after they settled in, "Well I do need these items to observe Wingull. I am meeting with a new horn researcher Keanu to observe the flying water type."

Ash had a sudden thought, 'Keanu Reeves: John Wick. I should write that down tonight.'

Diance, "Ance di."

Birch brightened, "Hello, hello there, little Princess. It is an honour to meet you."

Diance flushed and hid in Ash's arms, "Di di."

Birch laughed, "Shy little one, ain't she?"

Ash, "Only for now. Just wait till she gets comfortable with you. She will start fussing over you like a mother Queen."

Birch, "I can imagine. I heard Pokemon that was considered to be part of the royalty line are very parent like towards others."

Ruby, "Accept for Ash, yes, she is."

Ash, "That's because I am her Meema."

Birch, "Mind if I record all this? Legendary are rare to find and observe you see."

Gou muttered, "Rare find, sure they are."

May pat his shoulder, "I get it. I get it."

Max, "Travelling with Ash changed that perspective for us."

Molly, "What sort of observations are you planning to make Professor?"

Birch, "Mostly about the evolution. It is a fascinating species and here we are."

Ash got off the truck, "This place is more rustic then I thought. I like it though."

A young teen smiled, "Thank you, and welcome to my research base. My name is Keanu."

Gou, "We appreciate it."

May, "Where do we start?"

Keanu chuckled, "Let's set up the equipment first."