pokemon Fighting Dreamers

After setting things with Ash and Bea, Nessa called her limo which quickly Made it to the dock.

"There it is." Nessa pointed at the vehicle once it arrived, the three then walked to it. "Alright Ash, my butler will help you in any way they can."

''Pleasure to meet you, Master Ash." A middle aged man in a butler outfit suddenly appeared next to Ash.

"AGH!" Ash exclaimed.

"Yeah, he likes to do that." Nessa said.

"My name is Fredricks." The man introduced himself with a bow. "I shall take you to Miss Nessa's mansion and act as your personal helper as long as you stay in her residence.''

''Oh, great, you're her butler, right?'' Ash asked.

''Of course not, sir.'' A blonde woman opened the companion door of the limo. ''I am Miss Nessa's butler, my name is Matthews.''

''...Who is he then?'' Ash pointed at Fredricks.

''Fredricks is my butler.'' Mathews said.

''...Your butler has a butler?'' Bea asked.

''Pretty much.'' Nessa said.

''Alright, I'll help Valerie as much as I can.''

''I know you will.'' Nessa gave Ash a quick kiss on the right cheek. ''Safe travels.''

Nessa then sniffed. ''Uh, something's burning..." She then turned around finding Bea glaring her to death. "Oh, it's just Bea's eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.''

''It's time we go, Master Ash.'' Fredricks opened the door for him.

''Uh, of course." Ash entered the limo and lowered the window to wave goodbye. "Have fun, Bea.''

''Yeah...''

''Bye then!'' Nessa waved goodbye as the limo left.

''Alright, Bea, where would you like to-" Nessa looked around and noticed Bea was walking away. "...Hey, Bea! Where are you going?''

''I'm going to the Pokemon center.'' She answered.

''But you said you'd spent the day with me.''

''Yeah...I lied." Bea answered blankly. "Look, Ash keeps telling me that you're a good person-''

''He does?!'' Nessa exclaimed with a blush.

''...Yeah, but I don't buy it.''

''Maybe you could give me a chance!''

''Maybe you could leave me alone!''

"Not today!" Nessa stood in front of her. "You told Ash you'd spent the day with me, you can't just back down now."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I mean that you promised Ash you'd come with me because he said so, so I think he'll be pretty disappointed of you if I tell him you suddenly backed down."

"...I swear I hate you."

"Now follow me!" Nessa led the way and Bea simply sighed following her. ''Hulbury is such a great place, there's so many things to do, I wish I could have had my date with Ash here, but our date in Motostoke was quite good, what about you? You had a date with Ash already, right?''

''Yeah, I mean kinda.''

''I know! Would you like to go fishing with me?''

''I don't know how to fish.''

''Well, I'm gonna teach you, silly.'' Nessa opened the bag she was carrying pulling out some rods, fishing vests and fishing hats.

"You just carry all that stuff around with you?" Bea asked.

"Once a fisher, always a fisher." Nessa said with pride.

Meanwhile with Ash, he had just arrived to Nessa's mansion, the size of the place alone was more than enough to impress him, it was way bigger than Lillie's family mansion.

''We have arrived, Master Ash." Fredricks opened the door of the limo to let Ash get out. "It was a pleasure to take you here.''

''Wow, this place is really bi- ouch!'' A small green Pokemon suddenly jumped on Ash's head and then jumped away to one of the Mansion's outer walls. "What the?"

''Groo?'' The Pokemon looked back at Ash.

"...what is that?" Ash quickly searched for his Rotom Phone and opened the Pokedex app. 'Grookey, the Chimp Pokemon, When it uses its special stick to strike up a beat, the sound waves produced carry revitalizing energy to the plants and flowers in the area.'

Grookey then jumped away one more time, but the stick on his head fell off without him noticing.

"Hey, wait! You forgot-..." Ash tried to call the Pokemon, but it kept running away, the stick then fell to the ground and some plants and flowers started to grow around it, much like the Pokedex said, Ash looked at the stick for a moment, he then took it from the ground and put it inside his backpack.

Ash then walked to the main door of the mansion and as he tried to reach it, the door was opened by someone else from inside.

"Oh, hello Sonia."

"Ash? Hey, it's been a while."

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Well, Nessa's a friend of mine, we were having a little chat here, then she ran away, telling me there was something important that she needed to attend, I suppose that something was you."

"I guess, Nessa is spending the day with Bea right now."

"Is that so? Then I suppose she's not coming back anytime soon, I better get home." Sonia was about to leave the place but she stopped to look back at Ash. "By the way Ash, how are things between Nessa and you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that Nessa likes you, you know that already, don't you?"

"I do, but...I still don't understand what Nessa sees in me, or what everyone else sees for that matter."

"Well, let me think." Sonia began to say. "You're always so sweet and gentle but you're still so strong and even if you're a bit younger you're definitely one of the most reliable people to ever exist, just to name a few things."

Ash blushed a little by all the compliments. "Uh, that's not-"

"Hey, I'm just repeating things that Nessa told me, she is totally head over heels for you...but that makes me think, what is Nessa for you?"

"Well, I...I think Nessa's great, I like having her around, she's really beautiful and kind and-"

"Do you love her?" Sonia interrupted noticing the blush that formed on Ash's cheeks.

"N-No...I mean...If I had the chance I guess I'd like to but...I'm not sure...love has been playing rough with me lately."

"Yeah, Nessa told me something about that, you're quite the ladies' man, aren't you? Not like I blame them." Sonia interrupted with a giggle. "To be honest, if Nessa wasn't my friend, I'd probably be hitting on you too." Sonia gave him a wink.

"...Excuse me?"

"But you don't have to worry about me for now." Sonia assured. "Still, Nessa...Ash, I've never seen her so happy...just promise me you won't break her heart."

"..." That sudden thought really scared Ash.

"Ash?" Sonia called him again.

"...I'll try." Ash said with a sigh. "...I swear I don't want to hurt anyone."

Sonia then walked away and Ash got inside the mansion, surprising himself again as the place looked even bigger from inside.

''...uh, hey, Fredricks?'' Ash called him.

''Yes, Master Ash?'' The butler suddenly appeared behind him.

''AH! huff, could you take me to Valerie's room? I honestly think I'll get lost if I try to find it myself.''

''Of course, Miss Valerie's room is in the third floor, please follow me.''

After quite some stairs and halls, Fredricks and Ash made it to Valerie's room.

''And here we are.''

''Thanks, Fredricks.'' Ash said.

''My pleasure.'' Fredricks took a bow and then walked away.

''Valerie, it's Ash!" He called from the door while knocking. "Can I come in?''

''Meh...'' Valerie answered after a while.

''Valerie, you okay?''

''Leave me alone...''

Ash then checked the knob of the door and noticed that it wasn't locked. ''...Valerie, I'm coming in.''

Ash opened the door, seeing several dresses and other kind of clothes that were thrown in the ground, on top of a pile of clothes was Valerie, face down, wearing only a towel.

''What are you doing here?'' Valerie got up to look at him and the towel started to fall off.

''V-Valerie!" Ash quickly covered his eyes. "could you put something on?!''

''Uh...sure.'' Valerie put on a big white shirt with Nessa's Gym logo that reached her knees.

''There, uh, I came here because Nessa told me you were feeling down.''

''She's just exaggerating.'' Valerie sat on a pile of clothes.

"Uh..." Ash looked around. "I don't know, I honestly think she fell short."

''Sigh, sorry that you have to see me like this.''

''What's this Trouble all about?''

''I'm out of ideas!" Valerie shouted. "I can't make good designs anymore! I need inspiration! I need a Cou de Crayon!''

''Cou de crayon?'' Ash asked. ''Doesn't that means pencil neck?''

''...AH! Yes, it does!" Valerie started to freak out. "I can't even speak french anymore! What's happening to me?!'' Valerie then dropped herself on the pile of clothes again as these drowned her sobbing.

Ash and Pikachu then heard a ringing noise and started searching for it, they had to move plenty of the clothes on the floor, but eventually Pikachu found Valerie's Rotom Phone.

''Uh, Valerie, someone is calling you.'' Ash moved her a little trying to get her to get up.

''Shut up and let me die.'' She said without looking up.

''Who could it be?'' Ash then looked at Valerie's phone, seeing how the number was not registered, he simply answered out of curiosity, the phone received a video call and the first thing Ash saw was a yellow ponytail and a white helmet.

''Valerie, finally, what are you...''

''Korrina!''

''AAAAAAAAASH!'' The Shalour girl accidentally let her Phone fall after the scream.

"Korrina, you okay?" Ash asked.

"S-Sure, I'm here." Korrina picked up the phone and looked at him.

''Uh, what was that?''

''Nothing, I'm...uh.'' Korrina was totally lost of words and Ash simply gave her a smile

''Korrina, it's nice to see you again."

''Uh, yeah, this is...nice, quite nice...why do you have Valerie's phone?'' Korrina asked with a slightly jealous tone.

''I'm just paying her a visit.''

''Oh, and where is she? I wanted to talk with her.''

''Valerie is...'' Ash looked back at the Fairy expert.

''You know, Ash?" Valerie said still on the floor. "Life is a very overrated phenomenon.''

''She's a little indisposed right now.'' Ash explained.

''W-Well, I'll call later, bye Pikachu!'' Korrina quickly shut the call down.

''Korrina, wai-!''

''Aaaaah, I bet now he thinks I'm a freak!" Korrina hid her face in a pillow due to the embarrassment. "I wasn't ready to see him again just yet! I messed it up!"

''Ca...'' Her Lucario simply looked down at her.

Korrina's phone then started ringing.

''It's him again." Korrina sighed as she took her phone. "You think I should answer?'' She looked at her ace who simply nodded.

The blonde accepted the call and there was Ash with a worried look.

''Korrina, is something wrong?''

''N-NO! You know, the signal is bad right now, I'll call Valerie later...when you aren't around.'' Korrina whispered that last bit, but Ash heard her clearly.

''You don't want to talk with me?''

''That's not what I said! I'm really happy to see you!''

"You don't look happy."

"I-I-I just-"

''Ca!'' Korrina's Lucario jumped onto the call trying to save the situation.

''Hey there, Lucario!'' As Ash greeted the Pokemon, his own Lucario came out of his Poke Ball with a fighting stance. ''Oh, sorry, Lucario, I was talking to Korrina's." Ash's Lucario looked at him and then at the phone, watching Korrina and her Lucario.

''You got a Lucario too?! That's great!'' Korrina exclaimed. ''This is really good! We just found another Lucarionite some days ago, I was saving it in case some challenger came with a Lucario and gave me a good battle, but if you have one then I'll give it to you!" Korrina then started blushing. "Y-You could come to Shalour! We could help you with Mega-Evolution just like you helped us! It'll be great to meet in person again!''

''That sounds great...but.''

''B-But?''

''I'm taking the Gym challenge in Galar, I only have three badges and I just came back from a break in Sinnoh, I can't go right now.''

''Oh...I-I see.'' Korrina tried to hide her disappointed face.

''Hey, don't be sad, I promise I'll go soon, in a month or two after I've won some more badges, how does that sound?''

"I-I...sorry, right, you must be busy, forget it all, I'll just send you the Lucarionite, I don't want you to feel like you're obliged to come."

"I don't feel obliged." Ash said. "I feel like I want to see you."

"You do?"

"Of course!" Ash assured her. "So hold that Lucarionite for me, I'll be there before you know it."

''...Fine, I'll be waiting, I'll have a Key Stone ready for you too, what would you like? A ring? A Glove? A belt?''

''Surprise me.'' Ash said.

''Well, I think I have an idea." Korrina set her sight on Ash's hat. "We'll have a rematch, right?''

''Of course we will!''

''Great! You know what? Let's make this a challenge, I'll give you the Lucarionite but only if you beat me in the rematch, deal?"

''Deal." Ash accepted the challenge. "Korrina, you Gym leaders are always in contact, right? Have you heard anything from Bonnie and Clemont?''

''Of course, we talk from time to time, they're doing great, I think Bonnie is going to start her own journey soon.''

''Really? I'm sure she'll be an amazing trainer! ...Have they told you about Serena?''

''Nope, sorry.''

''I see, a friend of mine told me she met her in Hoenn, but I know nothing else.''

''Maybe you should try to contact her.''

''Yeah, I know.''

The two simply looked at each other smiling, Korrina started to blush again, and that's the thing with Korrina, she looked way too cute when she was blushing, even Ash had to admit it.

"Hey, what's with that face?" He asked with a small laugh.

''It's... it's so great to see you again, it feels like it has been forever and...the fact that after all this time we're only meeting through a screen...I wish I could jump there and give you a big hug...I'm just trying to say that...I've missed you."

"I've missed you too."

"G-Good, um...gotta go, it's kinda late over here in Kalos, I'll be waiting your arrival, take care.''

''The same goes to you, bye then.''

''Bye, love you.'' Korrina cut the call and then she heard herself. ''AGH! You think he heard?!''

''Luca...'' Her Pokémon simply sighed.

"...Either way, I can't wait to see him again...Serena...I'm so sorry."

''Korrina...'' Ash simply said under his breath.

''Miss Valerie! I highly suggest you not to jump!'' Matthews' voice was heard.

''Valerie?'' Ash looked around noticing Valerie wasn't in the room anymore. ''Wait a second, jump? ...VALERIE!''

After changing themselves, Nessa took Bea to the pier, luckily, there wasn't anyone else there, so they'd be free to fish quietly, Nessa then pulled out a wooden staff topped by one big metal loop, with several smaller metal rings bound to it.

"What is that supposed to be?" Bea asked

"This is the wanderer's staff." Nessa started to explain. "A relic that has been passed from generations of my family, my uncle Fisher gave it to me."

"You mean your fisher uncle, right?"

"Nope, my uncle Fisher."

"...Your uncle is named 'Fisher'?"

"Yup." Nessa assured.

"...Well, that's great and all but if I'm really going to do this, I'd rather use a rod."

"The staff is not for fishing, look at this." Nessa put the metal end of the staff in the water, drawing circles on it, the circles shone with a bright white light and expanded along the water disappearing in the distance.

"What was that?"

"Those waves will attract the Pokemon, that way it'll be easier for us to catch, I thought it would be a good idea since this is your first try." Nessa said. "Alright, first I'll show you the basics." Nessa pulled out a fishing rod and tossed the line to the water, sitting in the dock.

''Ever wondered why is it called fishing?" Nessa asked. "I mean is not like there is Pokemon called fish.'' As she said this, something bit her line.

"Oh, you got one."

"Now all you have to do is pull!'' Nessa quickly took the line out of the water along a Pokemon. ''A Basculin! oh...it's a red-stripped.''

''Is that a bad thing?'' Bea asked.

''Not at all, but I already have one, I've been looking for a blue-striped but they are rare in these waters, it depends on where you are, I'm just gonna let him go softly.'' Nessa tried to release the Pokemon from her line, but once she did it, the Basculin made a quick jump, smacking Nessa's face with his tail and then jumping back onto the water.

''Are you okay?!'' Bea asked her.

''Of course." Nessa said rubbing her face. "It's all part of the experience, now it's your turn, here, I brought this extra rod for you.'' She offered Bea an orange fishing rod.

''Thanks, I guess.'' Bea said as she looked at the device.

"Alright, you saw what I did, first toss the line and then we wait."

"Alright then." Bea tossed the line and this started to move as soon as it entered the water. "I-I got something!"

''Come on Bea, don't let it go.'' Nessa cheered on her.

Bea quickly used her strength to return the line but all that she hooked was a dirty boot.

''Uh...''

''Hehe, classic." Nessa laughed. "Let's try that again, shall we?''

This time, the two girls tossed their lines together, during the next thirty minutes, Nessa kept getting catches.

''A Kingdra!''

''A Huntail!''

''A Lumineon!''

''An Alomomola!''

As for Bea...

''This isn't funny anymore, this is just sad.'' Bea had only caught shoes and some empty cans.

''Looks like this is one of my lucky days." Nessa said tossing her line once more. "How are you doing Bea?''

''I think this is my fifth shoe.''

''Well, don't worry." Something else bit Nessa's line and she started to reel. "I'm sure my luck will run out in a min-...A FROAKIE!''

''Could you warm me before screaming like that?!'' Bea complained.

''Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I'm gonna-'' Before Nessa could do anything the Froakie tossed some Frubbles on her face and escaped onward to the city.

''Hey, wait! Please come back!'' Nessa cleaned her face and then ran after the Froakie trying to catch it. "I'll be back in a moment, Bea! Just keep trying!"

"...She really is trying to get along with me." Bea said to herself. "I honestly thought this would be some kind of trap, but she actually taught me and she hasn't been mean at all..."

-Nessa is really sweet, she may have this facet when she's in TV, but when you get to know her...well, maybe you could give her a chance- Ash's words resounded on her head.

"Maybe Ash is right...Maybe I misjudged her."

Bea stood alone for a minute or so, simply hearing the sound of the water as no Pokemon bit her line, Nessa suddenly came back and sat next to Bea panting exhausted.

''So, what happened to the Froakie?" She asked.

''He escaped, damn it.'' Nessa answered disappointed.

''Sorry, better luck next time.''

''It's alright, the fact that I got to see one is already pretty impressive, Froakies are extremely rare here in Galar, they're from Kalos, you see, I tried to get one while I was there but I couldn't make...''

"You okay?" Bea asked noticing the sudden pause.

''...A Lapras.'' Nessa trailed off looking at the Pokemon from the distance.

''Wow...'' Bea trailed off as well, Nessa suddenly took off her vest and hat and jumped onto the water.

''Hey, where are you going?!'' Bea asked.

''I'm just gonna take a closer look, come with me!''

''Are you crazy?! I'm not getting into the water!''

''Ugh, fine.'' Nessa jumped back to the dock and searched for a Poke Ball on her vest, calling upon her Drednaw ''Hop onto Drednaw's shell, she'll take you with safety, right?''

''Naw!'' The Turtle nodded.

''Alright, follow me.'' Nessa took a free Dive Ball from her vest and jumped into the water again.

"What's with her?" Bea then saw Drednaw waiting for her on the water, she sighed and jumped onto her shell as Drednaw began to swam behind Nessa.

''Wait a second...'' Nessa stopped for a moment and saw several shells rising from the water. ''It's a whole herd!'' Nessa squealed as the rest of the Lapras emerged to the surface.

''That's quite a sight.'' Bea said as Drednaw stopped next to Nessa.

''This is so beautiful! Aren't they marvelous? Years ago, they almost went extinct, but now thanks to effort of the people, they aren't endangered anymore.'' Nessa then took the Dive Ball. ''Agh, I want to catch one, but how can I choose?''

Suddenly, one of the Lapras got closer to the girls and looked at them for a moment, the Lapras then smelled Bea and started nuzzling with her.

"W-What's this one doing?" Bea asked between some laughs.

''How curious" Nessa said. "It's like it recognized your scent.''

''That weird considering I've never seen a Lapras before.''

The Lapras then looked at Nessa and did the same, smelling her before nuzzling.

''My scent too?" Nessa said. "Hmm, I don't know, I think I'd remember a face like yours." Nessa then looked at the Lapras for a moment. "...I see.''

''See what?''

''Every five years, the Lapras herd change their leader, looks like this one was a leader recently, but not anymore.''

''How can you tell something like that?''

''Kind of an instinct, well, if you're retired would you like to come with me?'' The Lapras nodded while singing with a sweet voice, Nessa then offered the Dive Ball to Lapras and this got caught without resisting.

''I'm so happy!'' Nessa raised the ball in the air.

''Well, congratulations.'' Bea said.

Nessa then got closer to Drednaw and whispered something on her ear. ''What are you- agh!'' Before Bea could ask, Drednaw took a sudden dive, letting her fall onto the water.

''Hahaha! You honestly should have seen that coming."

''I'm gonna kill you!'' Bea shouted once she got her head out of the water.

''You'll have to catch me first!'' Nessa quickly swan back to the dock, Drednaw followed her from behind and Bea had no choice but to follow her as well.

''See? That wasn't too hard.'' Nessa finally made it back to the dock still laughing, Bea did it as well and then suddenly launched a punch at Nessa, who barely avoided it by ducking.

"B-Bea! What are you-" Nessa was about to ask but seeing Bea's face it was kinda obvious what she was trying to do.

Nessa then took her staff and pointed it at Bea, starting to shiver. "I-I don't wanna fight you, Bea."

"I wouldn't wanna fight me neither!"

Before Bea could land a punch, Nessa quickly smacked her arm with the staff, of course, Bea didn't feel a thing, she then launched a punch to Nessa's elbow but she didn't feel anything either.

"Huff, it worked." Nessa sighed relieved.

"What the..." Bea then noticed a floating broken chain over her head, she tried to knock it off but the symbol was intangible. "What the hell is this thing?!"

"T-The Wanderer's Staff is enchanted with 'Weakness', giving a chance to weaken the enemy's melee attacks by 75% for 5 seconds after a successful hit." Nessa explained and Bea blinked a few times.

"Oh, well thanks for the explanation...4...3...2...1..." The chain over Bea's head disappeared. "Done!"

Bea started to launch punches and Nessa jumped back to try and avoid them, Bea then tried to go for a kick but, Nessa moved her staff, catching Bea's foot in one of the rings, Nessa then spun the staff around and tossed Bea to the ground. She may not be a natural fighter like Bea, but Nessa's still pretty agile and capable of defending herself.

Bea quickly got up with anger and Nessa walked back a few steps. "B-Bea, please this is not necessary."

"I was right..." Bea sighed as she gave Nessa a cold glare. "I just can't understand what Ash sees in you." Bea then walked away and Nessa simply stayed behind.

"Drednaw, I...we were doing so great, why did I have to ruin it?" Nessa asked but she quickly made up her mind. "No! I can still make it work!"

Nessa was about to go after Bea, but then she noticed something was pulling Bea's rod.

''...Stupid fisher instincts!'' After reeling and catching the Pokemon on Bea's rod, Nessa ran in the same direction as her.

Back with Ash, he ran to where the voices where coming from, he eventually made it to one of the empty rooms, Matthews and Fredricks were at the door and Valerie was sitting on a window, looking down.

"Don't get any closer..." Valerie warned them.

''Valerie, what are you doing?!'' Ash exclaimed.

''Don't try to stop me, Ash! If I can't design anymore then my life is worthless!''

''Don't say something like that! Listen, I'm sure you can make it work, but I need you to come back inside and get far from the window slowly, let's talk calmly.''

"You don't understand, I feel...I feel so useless...what are you supposed when the one thing you've done your whole life doesn't work anymore?!"

"You have to keep trying!" Ash exclaimed. "Life can knock us down, but we choose whether to get up or not."

"Ash... I told you to leave me alone...I'm simply not worth the trouble."

"Valerie..." Ash tried to take a step forward, but Valerie got closer to the edge of the window.

Ash looked around until he thought of something. "Yeah, you're right..." He said. "You're not worth the trouble..." Ash then ran away leaving the butlers and Pikachu alone with Valerie.

"M-Master Ash, where are you going?"

"Ash..." Valerie sighed defeated. "...what am I doing?" She then realized her mistake and tried to get back inside the house, but she ended up stumbling.

"Miss Valerie!"

Valerie fell outside of the window and closed her eyes, waiting for the impact, an impact that never came, she opened her eyes and there was Ash, carrying her on his arms.

"Gotcha." Ash simply said, Valerie started to cry and gave him a big hug while he still carried her. "There, this place is really big, I'm glad I could find the right window in time."

"I thought...I really thought you had gave up on me."

"I never give up on my friends." Ash assured her. "Now, come, let's take you inside."

Ash took her back to the mansion, leaving her on a sofa in the living room where Mathews covered her with a blanket and Fredricks gave her a cup of tea to calm her down.

''I feel so ridiculous.'' Valerie said. "I'm really sorry you have to see me this way, Ash."

''How are you feeling?''

''Fine I guess, I mean, I haven't ate in like 40 hours, but-''

''YOU WHAT?!''

''Ah, yes, Miss Valerie doesn't want to eat any of the things we prepare for her.'' Fredricks explained. ''We have tried with Ratattatouille, Souffles, Creme Brulles, Omelettes and Flans.''

''Well that sounds like things you'd eat.'' Ash said.

''That's the problem!" Valerie exclaimed. "I need something innovating! I need a new flavor! Literally!''

''...Then how about I cook you something?'' Ash offered her.

''You know how to cook?'' Valerie asked.

''Of course! I have some tricks, come on, let's go to the kitchen.''

''I shall take you there.'' Mathews offered and took them to the place.

''...This Kitchen is bigger than my house.'' Ash said looking around. ''Anyway, what would you like?''

''I'm not sure.'' Valerie replied.

''Let me think, you said you wanted a new flavor, but I still think you should have something familiar to you, something not totally different but that somehow sticks to your old ideas...I think I got it, wait right here, fine?''

Ash was about to look for some ingredients but Mathews and Fredricks stood on the way.

''Just tell us what you have in mind and we'll cook it for you, Master Ash.'' Matthews said.

''There's no need to." Ash assured them. "As I said, I can cook, I'll do it myself.''

''Ash, you don't have to-''

''It's alright, Valerie." Ash interrupted her. "I promised Nessa I'd help you, after you eat and regain some energy I'll help you design something, okay?"

"...ok." That was all Valerie could mutter.

Ash spent a while of shifting around, trying to find the right ingredients, after roughly 35 minutes, Ash went back to Valerie with a bowl of steamed rice and eggs.

''Ash...this is?''

''Well, if I remembered correctly, you're from Ecruteak, right?'' Ash asked.

''I am.'' Valerie answered.

''My mom owns a restaurant and we went to this kind of restaurant owner reunion there and they served us this, I know you are used to more fancy stuff and this might be too simple for you, but-''

''No Ash, please, this is perfect...Thanks for the food." Valerie took the chopsticks and gave the first bite.

''Well, how is it?'' Ash asked.

''I...This is delicious!'' Valerie's eyes illuminated more than they already are.

''See? I told I could do it.''

''This is so great! I honestly thought you would intoxicate me...huh.''

''Well, thanks for the honesty.''

''Sorry, it's just that you don't look like the cooking type.''

''Well, I've had plenty of teachers and as I told you, my mom owns a restaurant.''

As Ash explained, Valerie started to eat rapidly, shen then abruptly stopped embarrassed.

''Oh my, where are my manners?''

"Don't worry about me, enjoy yourself."

Ash said and Valerie then kept eating until the bowl was empty.

''That was so good! ...could you...make me another one? 40 hours is quite a lot, you know?''

''I'm already on it.''

Ash prepared another bowl and Valerie pretty much squealed.

''This is heaven, I don't know how this could get much better but this is even tastier than the first one!''

''Uh, thanks, but I think you're exaggerating." Ash laughed a bit. "Mom always says that hunger is the best condiment.''

''No way, Ash! This is better than some things I've eaten in Kalos restaurants, you're a like a dreamed husband!''

''Uh, thanks?''

''That was so good! Now I just need a quick bath and I'll start fresh!''

"Happy to see you're better."

Ash and Valerie then went back to the her room as she took the towel again.

''Ash, would you like to...wash my back?''

''...V-Valerie, I think the lack of sleep is affecting you so I'll wait outside the room until you're done, alright?''

''Uh, sure.''

Back with Bea, Nessa has been following her for a while but she simply kept walking away, after a few more minutes Nessa eventually caught up to her.

"Bea, wait!"

"Just stop bothering me!"

"I'm just trying to-" Nessa finally reached her, putting a hand over Bea's shoulder, she quickly took it off and raised her fist, Nessa was about to move to dodge but she stood fim instead.

"F-Fine! Punch me if that'll make you feel better!" Nessa said.

"Don't mind if I do!"

"But think about what Ash is going to say if you do it!" Nessa has activated her trap card.

"...ARGH!" Bea simply shouted and lowered her fist as she walked away again.

''Bea, stop! I'm trying to get along with you, why don't you let me?''

''Maybe simply because I don't want to!''

''But why not?"

"Because I hate you!"

"But why do you hate me?" Nessa kept asking.

"Why do you think?!"

"No, that's not the reason! It's not because I like Ash, other girls like him as well, why do you hate me so much?! Why am I different?''

Bea stopped walking and clenched her fists. ''...Because Ash likes you too."

''He...He what?''

''He won't admit it, but I know he does." Bea looked firmly and Nessa and pointed at her. "Everytime someone mentions you, everytime you talk to him, he always make those eyes, it doesn't matters how many girls make a move on him, he's still thinking about you and that's why I hate you, because it seems like you've somehow made more progress in the four times you've met than me in a whole month!''

''Bea, I-''

''No! Shut up! Isn't that what you wanted anyway? Why am I even trying?! Of course he'd choose you! You're a model! You're a Gym Leader! You're super rich! Your butler has a butler, damn it!"

"If you think Ash cares about those things then you don't know him at all!" Nessa shouted. "That's one of the reason I like him so much, because he doesn't mind that kind of things!"

"That doesn't matter! Compared to you I'm just a nobody! Just look at me! What do I have to offer?! Why would Ash choose me over you?!''

''...Because you're his traveling companion.''

''What does that even means?''

''Bea, I'll ask you something, when Ash and you started to travel together, you asked him to do so or did he ask you?''

''He...He asked me, at first I declined but in the end I accepted.''

''Bea, I don't think you realize how important that is, you're his traveling companion, you're someone Ash trust his life to and he expects you to trust your life to him as well, you two spent day after day together, I wish I could have a bond like that with him, you tell me I've done more progress than you, well, that's because all you've said, I'm a Gym Leader, I'm a model, I barely have time for myself, that's why I make sure to do the most I can everytime I see Ash, and if you're telling the true then I guess those efforts worked.'' Nessa laughed at this as Bea lowered her head. ''But that doesn't mean you have to give up. I'm sure you have some great qualities too, you just have to show them to Ash, but even with all that, I'm not giving up either, specially not now that you told me that he might like me.''

''Yeah, that was definitely a mistake.'' Bea admitted.

''It seems like in the end we were both kinda jealous of each other...We can be friendly rivals from now on, what do you say?''

''Friendly rivals? ...I guess I can live with that, Ash doesn't likes to see me fighting with you after all.''

''Yeah, hating on each other doesn't help anyway, in the end is up to Ash to decide.''

''I suppose you're right.''

Nessa offered her a handshake, Bea sighed but accepted nonetheless.

''That's great, now one last thing.'' Nessa handed over a Dive Ball. ''This fella was on your rod before you ran away, I caught him for you, and well, I think you should have it.''

''Thanks." Bea accepted the Dive Ball. "So in the end I caught one at least...Hey, I still don't get one thing, why did you want to go out with me?''

''Well, on one side, if I did, we could finally end this drama; and on the other side, showing Ash that I wanted to get along with you would give me some points with him.''

''So in the end it was all for Ash?''

''Perhaps, but I'm not gonna lie, Bea, I enjoyed this little girls' day out with you.''

''Well, I guess I liked it too.''

''Maybe next time the three of us could go out together, you, Ash and me.''

''Guess we'll see.''

''Alright, it's time for me to leave, I'll be calling my limo, do you want me to take you to the mansion too?''

''No thanks, just tell Ash to meet me at the Pokemon center...Hey, would it be okay if I stayed with the rod.''

''Uh, you sure?''

''Yeah, I might need it some time later, you know?''

''Of course, Bea, that would make me really happy.'' Nessa handed over the orange rod and Bea took it.

''...Nessa, one last thing, how do you do it?''

''Do what?''

''How can you always tell Ash that you love him and always give him a kiss as if it wasn't big deal?'' She asked with difficulty. "I can barely touch him without blushing like an idiot, how am I supposed to confess at this point?"

''Well, that's just my heart speaking for me, I'm simply being honest with Ash, that shouldn't be hard, right?''

''Honest..." Bea sighed. "Of course.''

"So?"

"I'm still blank."

After Valerie bathed herself and put on actual clothes, a pink shirt and black shorts, Ash helped her clean the room, now they were both standing in front of the mannequin, simply looking at it, expecting some ideas to rain over Valerie.

"What do you usually do when you're designing?" Ash asked.

"I don't know, the ideas just come to me on their own, this is the first artist block I've had in years."

"And what did you do when you had that artist block back then?"

"I think I was 12 or something, I repeated in my head a phrase from a TV show I liked when I was a kid."

"And what phrase was that?"

"I don't know, it's kind of embarrassing...no, you know what? F*CK it!"

"..." Ash was simply surprised by the sentence enhancer.

"Hehe, I mean, I guess I don't lose anything." Valerie thought for a moment until she remembered the phrase. "When you're trying to design outfits, They tell you all you need to know is who and where, but there's something else, it's more than threads, needles and colors, it's about the heart."

"Isn't that from Junior Express?" Ash asked.

"W-Well, it is, but-"

"No way! You watched that show too?!" He exclaimed.

"Uh, yes, I-"

"I loved it when I was a kid! My favorite song was the cab one. Let's go, let's go, to the control console-"

"Off we go, off we go." Valerie continued singing. "Soon we'll make it to the next station on the road."

"Attention, folks!" Valerie and Ash sang together. "Come along to the cab, we'll have some fun, have some fun. Cha-ra-ra-ra. Soon we'll make it to the next station on the road!"

"Oh, that was...that was so lovely." Valerie giggled. "I'm feeling like a child again."

"Hey, can I ask when did you start to design?"

"Well, I've always been into fashion but I started professionally when I was 10, a few weeks later I moved to Kalos...I love Kalos as my home, but my days in Johto will always be important to me...hey, I think I got it."

"Got what?"

"Ash, when you looked at my Gym outfit, what did you think about it?"

"Well, you kinda looked like a kimono girl but influenced by the fancy styles of Kalos." Ash started to explain. "But to be honest, I think you exaggerated a bit, the heels were way too high and I seriously don't understand what were you going for with those arms...now that I think about it, it looked pretty heinous."

"...Thanks for the honesty." Valerie said.

"Sorry, traveling with Serena gave me a bit of a fashion sense."

"Anyway, I feel like you're right, I tried to mix Johto and Kalos styles but it didn't quite work."

"Then I think you should try it again, but taking it with a different approach."

"A different approach?" Valerie thought. "...so instead of taking Johto clothes into Kalos, I could do the opposite, I can try make a fancy Kalos dress and then give it some classic Johto tones."

"That sounds like it could work."

"Then let's do it! Fredricks! Matthews!" Valerie called them and the two butlers appeared in the door. "Bring me some threads!"

"At your service." The two said.

"Spritzee! Sylveon!" Valerie released her Pokemon. "I need some needles." The Fairy Types nodded and started looking for that, Pikachu then went to help them.

"And you, Ash!"

"What do you need?"

"...Can you make me another egg and rice bowl?"

"Of course, give me a sec."

-a sec later-

"This is so good!" Valerie exclaimed. "You said you learned to cook at your mother's restaurant?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Wow, I would have expected you to be a restaurant delivery at much."

"Oh, I do that too, we deliver everywhere in Kanto in 29 minutes or it's free!"

"29 minutes? Why not 30?"

"BECAUSE OF THE COMPETITION! ARGH!" Ash shouted and then quickly calmed herself. "...excuse that tiny outburst."

"Alright, time to start." Valerie said once they have reunited all that she needed, it took her less than 10 minutes to make a beautiful long pink dress. "Now for round two." Valerie started changing the dress, she gave it long sleeves, a waist belt similar to an otaiko and a black flower design that rose from the left side, Valerie stepped back with a proud grin.

"How does it look?" She asked.

"Outstanding." Matthews said clapping.

"Perfect." Fredricks added as her phone ringed. "Oh, excuse us, Miss Nessa wants us to go for her, we'll be back in a moment."

Fredricks and Matthews then left the room, leaving Ash alone with Valerie.

"What do you think, Ash?"

"It's great!" Ash continued. "Why don't you try it?"

"Me? ...I don't know, I might design some things for me, but I don't know if this one will do, Nessa's the model here."

"Come on, you worked so hard, at least try it on."

"...I guess I can give it a shot." Valerie gave in and took the dress, she then walked to the bathroom and changed herself, walking out of it now wearing the dress, Valerie looked herself in the mirror, she simply smiled and looked at Ash's reflection.

"Thank you Ash, I owe you a lot."

"It was nothing Valerie, I'm glad I could help you...Hey, is that a tattoo?" Ash pointed at the back of Valerie's neck, where he thought to see something.

"GAH! No!" Valerie quickly turned around to look at Ash directly while covering her neck. "I-I mean yes, but it isn't is not...gah, just pretend you didn't see that."

"Uh, why?"

"It's just that...it's embarrassing, I made it when I was young back in Johto, is not like I'm ashamed of it, but I'd rather don't show it."

"...can I see it again?" Ash asked.

"S-Sure, I mean if you want to."

Valerie moved her hair over her shoulder so Ash could have a clear view of it, the tattoo were two pink butterfly-like wings with black outlines.

"Well, I think it's really pretty."

"You do? ...my, thanks, it's been a long while since I showed it to anyone, not even my Furisode Girls know that I have it.

Ash then heard Nessa's limo coming back to the mansion. ''Looks like Nessa is back.''

''W-Well, you should go greet her, I'll stay here for now.''

''Sure, see ya later Valerie.''

"Oh, Ash, wait a sec." Valerie stopped him. "There's something I'd like you to have." The Fairy expert ran to her closet tossing around some clothes. "Here it is!" Valerie showed Ash an egg incubator with a plain white Pokemon egg inside of it. "This is my way of saying thanks, and as you took so much care of me I know this egg will be better with you."

"Wow, thanks a lot Valerie." Ash took the egg and carefully put it inside his backpack. "Do you know what Pokemon it is by any chance?"

"I don't, all I know is that it is a Fairy Type, that's what they told me."

"Alright then, I'll take care of it."

''I'm sure you will...Ash, thanks for helping me.''

"Thank you for letting me help you." Ash replied as Pikachu jumped to his shoulder an they left the room.

Ash then walked until he made it to the mansion main door where Nessa was waiting for him.

"Hey there, glad you didn't get lost." Nessa joked. "How's Valerie?"

"She's alright." Ash answered. "She finally could make a dress and she's feeling better now."

"Nice, I knew you were the right man for job." Nessa said. "Now don't mind if we talk about us."

"What are you-..." Before Ash could notice, Nessa had him already caught in a classic Kabedon position against the wall, Pikachu jumped away seeing what was coming.

''You look so cute when you're blushing." Nessa began with her tease as always. "I wish I could see that face all the time...I'm still waiting for an answer, you know?"

''Nessa..." Ash muttered. "Could you lean towards me a little?''

''Sure, like this?" Nessa leaned down to Ash until they were touching foreheads. "Or like this?" Nessa then wrapped her arms around Ash's neck and laughed. ''What for?''

"..." Without answering, Ash put his hands around Nessa's hips.

"A-Ash! What are you-" Before Nessa could say something, Ash gave her a kiss on her right cheek, needless to say, Nessa blushed madly and her brain stopped working for a moment.

''That for.'' Ash answered and Nessa fell to the ground. "Nessa!"

"A-Anikiii!" Nessa said with swirls in her eyes. "I've had dreams about dis place...ain't dis here shangrilaaaa!?"

"Nessa, are you-"

"Ash!" She woke up again and looked around. "Oh, sorry, I had this weird dream where you kissed my cheek."

"Hmm...I did that actually."

"You did?"

"I did."

''Oh, well, that's...W-W-WHAT?!''

''You...you look cute when you're blushing too.''

''C-Cute!" Nessa was about to faint again but she held onto consciousness. "Ash! Why did you...''

''Well, you're always teasing me so I guess we're even now.''

''E-EVEN! Sure! I mean, this is...he he he.''

''Are you okay?''

''Okay?! I'm great! Ash, you have no idea how happy I am!'' Nessa gave him a big hug and then held both of Ash hands, taking them to her cheeks, both of them were blushing, Nessa slightly more, while looking into each other's eyes.

"Ash Ketchum, I love you, I swear I love you more than I've ever loved anyone."

"I...I think I like you too." These words that came from Ash almost caused Nessa's heart to stop flat. "But I still have a lot to think about, I know I'm not being fair with you, but...I don't feel like I'm being fair with the other girls who have confessed to me either...but next time we met, I'll have an answer for you."

"...You promise?"

"I promise."

Nessa then pressed their foreheads together again. "I'll be waiting."

Ash then left the mansion, Nessa told her butlers to take him on her limo, she stood looking at it until she lost the sight of the vehicle, Nessa then walked slowly upstairs, she then started to pick up speed as she remembered what just happened, Nessa ended up running upstairs with the biggest smile she could make, until she made it to Valerie's room.

''Valerieeee!" Nessa knocked the door softly. "I'm respecting your privacy by knocking! But asserting my authority as your best friend by coming in anyway!'' The door was suddenly brought down by Nessa's Barbaracle.

''Nessa!'' Valerie exclaimed.

''Pfft, is my door anyway.''

''Why did you do that?''

''Valerie! I'm so happy! You're not gonna believe it!''

''What? You gave Ash another kiss?''

''No! HE gave me one!'' Nessa shouted with a massive blush.

''The what?''

''YES! I-I was doing my usual tease and then he told me to lean down to him and then he kissed my cheek!''

''Wow, that-''

''It came out of nowhere! A-And he almost had to get on his toes to reach me! It was so adorable! It was so perfect!''

''Ok, ok, calm down and try to breath slowly.''

''CALM DOWN?!" Nessa held her by the shoulders. "Valerie! Don't you get it?! He said he likes me! He fell for me! He really did! He said he's still confused but...He really likes me back, I know I said to Bea we would be friendly rivals, but I'm gonna rub this on her face so much!''

"Nessa, could you-"

''LOVE IS STILL THE ANSWER!" Nessa ran to the window and shouted. "DO YOU HEAR ME, WORLD?! LOVE IS STILL THE ANSWER!''

''Yay.'' A random passerby cheered.

''I FEEL SO GOOD! I'M SO ALIVE!''

''You're really happy, aren't you?''

''W-Well, that's enough about me, how was your day with Ash?''

''My day with Ash...it was great, I think now I understand why you like him so much.''

''That new dress is beautiful, did Ash help you make it?''

''Yes, he did, he was a great help, he even cooked for me and-''

''HE WHAT?!'' Nessa exclaimed. "He cooked for you?! Damn, I'm so jealous!"

''Anyway, why didn't you kiss him back? It seemed like the perfect chance.''

''Valerie, you don't understand, my head went crazy, if I had kissed him back, I probably would have keep going and going and..." Nessa blushed even more at the thought. "Oh, gosh.''

''Wow, and this is only from a cheek kiss? I can't even imagine how would you be if you had gotten a lip kiss.''

''LIP KISS!'' Nessa blushed even more and was about to faint again. ''Next time Valerie! Next time I'm getting at least a lip kiss!''

''And at much?''

''At much?" Nessa giggled. "You might have someone calling you auntie by next year.''

''...Maybe leaving Nessa alone with Ash wasn't the best idea.'' Bea thought as she waited in the Pokemon Center,. Ash then came walking through the door and Bea looked at him.

"You okay?" Bea asked.

"You know what? I am." Ash simply smiled.

''Alright, I guess it's time we head south.''

''Right, have you been in the Crown Tundra before?''

''I haven't, but I've heard it's pretty easy to get lost so we need to be careful.''

''Excuse me." A girl tapped on Ash's shoulder. "I didn't mean to overhear, but you're going to the Crown Tundra for the first time, right?''

''Yes, we are.'' Ash answered.

''Well, I can help you if you want to, I have experience in the field and I'm just happening to go there now.''

''A guide could really help us, name's Ash by the way.''

''I'm Bea, pleased to meet you.''

''They call me Peonia, pleasure is mine.''

Meanwhile in Wyndom.

"There you are, Grookey." A maroon-haired girl said as the monkey entered her house by the window. "Just where were you now?" Grookey simply shrugged his shoulders. "You can't keep escaping like that, I know that staying in the lab isn't the funniest thing ever, but one day you'll have a trainer and you'll explore the world with him so you shouldn't...hey, where is your stick?"

"Groo?" Grookey touched his head noticing his stick was missing. "KEY GROO!"

"Hey, calm down, it probably just fell somewhere."

"Chloe, dinner's ready!" Her father called downstairs.

"I'm going!" She answered. "Sorry, Grookey, I'll help you search for your stick later, alright?"

"Key..."