Pokemon: Reborn As Ash; Hoenn

The next day cane bright and early with new trainers appearing to grab their Pokemon starters. Molly was now contemplating on which started she wanted to choose from the six Pokemon present. There were six trainers including her and a male and a female Torchic, a male and a female Mudkip as well as a male and a female Treeko. Ash was actually impressed the Professor was able to get both genders of the trio starters for the trainers. The two girls aside from Molly looked interested in the Torchic but Molly wanted a Pokemon who she could get along with.

Professor Birch, "Kids, if you are having a hard time deciding then, why don't you spend some time with the Pokemon? You can find out who you match and get along with the best that way."

Molly, "That might be the best way."

A boy wearing a white hat nodded, "Agreed Professor. Hey Treeko, wanna go tree climbing."

The male Treeko perked up, "Tree."

Professor Birch laughed, "Looks like your cousin already picked a starter Julie."

Julie who was playing with Torchic nodded, "I am not surprised. Brad has always loved grass types."

Molly looked around and finally made a choice, "Hey Mudkip, want to play in the water with me?"

Mudkip nodded and followed her outside to the lake side where another boy was already training his sibling. Ash, Gou, May and Max smiled seeing her get along with the young water type Pokemon. Professor Birch though called them inside while Molly was spending time with Mudkip to talk about a very pressing matter. Ash and Gou had no doubts it was about the Hunters from the day before while May and Max looked a little tense. Officer Jenny was waiting for them inside the room and exchanged greetings with them.

Birch, "Officer, shall we begin?"

Officer Jenny nodded, "I have heard you had dealings with Hunters before."

Ash, "Yes, first time was in Lavender town and the latest was yesterday."

Gou, "Neither was a good experience."

Officer Jenny nodded, "Okay, I am here to get more details. So, how did you run into them?"

Ash snorted, "I did not run into them. It was the opposite Officer. They attacked my Pokemon and I unprovoked."

Officer Jenny nodded writing it down, "Okay, so why were you at the forest? There were training grounds near the Centre."

Lucario, -Peace, some of Meema's fans can be a bit airheaded and end up alerting the media by posting on their socials. Our training can be intense and start attacks can be dangerous.-

Officer Jenny stared at Lucario then nodded acceptin the answer, "I see."

Ash, "They attacked us because they wanted my Eevee and Abra. They are a shiny and an albino."

Officer Jenny looked at the two Pokemon who were sitting comfortably with Ash, "Yes, they would be perfect targets for the black market buyers and sellers."

The debrief went on and half way the good Professor had to excuse himself to verify the Pokemon and trainer status. He returned with Molly and a smug Mudkip in tow and after a few more questions the Officer thanked them. She pocketed the recording Ash had given her, it would come in handy during the trial. Gou was just glad Ash made a habit of recording the training time to re - watch and fix mistakes made or add more ideas and techniques. Before they left however Professor Birch called Gou and May aside and gave them a present each.

Gou, "Poke eggs, from the Hunters?"

Birch nodded, "Indeed, now I trust you can handle these poke eggs. I know Ash has his hands full with two already."

Ash, "I do, unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it."

May, "I have take care of Kakuna since he was a Poke egg too."

Max grumbled, "I am at my limit so I can't get one."

Molly, "Since I don't have a proper trainer license yet only an approval letter my Pokemon limit is fixed at six too. And I have never taken care of a Poke egg before to confidently accept one."

Birch, "About that, we had a talk and I would like to give you a Poke egg on the future."

Molly, "Future?"

Birch smiled, "Yes, you just started with Mudkip after all. Also, you require at least two Pokemon under your belt to qualify for a Poke egg."

Ash nodded, "It is the most basic of needs and requirement. Having Pokemon around makes it easier to care for a Poke egg."

Molly nodded, "I will do my best."

Mudkip chirped, "Kip."

After exchanging a few more words the group left Professor Birch's lab and hit the road as Lucario sniffed the air. The Aura Pokemon mentioned there was ozone in the air and it might rain at night, so camping outside was out of the question. They had decided to head to Oldale Town where May could register for the Pokemon contest while Ash registered for the Gym challenge and Hoenn region's shadow Gym. It had been in Ash's mind for a while now, back in Jhoto he had been distracted by Team Rocket's darker faction a little too much. This time he was going to find the shadow Gyms and challenge them.

May, "Hey, those clouds look darker."

Max, "I don't think we can reach Oldale by evening."

Molly, "We should find some place to stay in then."

Ash, "I agree."

Gou, "Hey, there is a Pokemon center up ahead. We could stay there for the night."

May moved quickly, "Yeah, I don't fancy getting wet at night. The last time I got wet Honchkrow would not stop bugging me."

Honchkrow cawed with a look sent at May from above, "Krow."

Lucario, -He has a point. You are a human and therefore you do not have fur or scale or anything to automatically warm you.-

May, "I have towels for a reason and I would have been fine."

Max snorted, "Honchkrow disagrees."

Abra, -Meema.-

Ash, "Yes, Abra."

Abra, -Will we be allowed to battle other Pokemon in Hoenn?-

Ash, "Yes, Brock gave you the green remember? That is why we have been training."

Absol perked, "Sol."

Eevee, "Vui."

Phanphy cheered, "Phaaaaan."

Lucario chuckled, -They have been very impatient to battle. Looks like you will get your chance now.-

Ash looked up and saw a familiar face, "Is that you Zoe?"

Zoe, "Ash? Gou? Max too! You are already in Hoenn."

Gou, "Zoe, been a while."

Max, "Hi Zoe, this is my old sister May."

May, "Hello, nice to meet you."

Ash, "And this young lady is Molly."

Molly smiled, "Hello."

Zoe, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Molly, May."

Gou, "So where were you heading?"

Zoe grinned, "Battle me one on one and I will tell you."

Ash laughed, "You are on. Looks like you will get your battle, guys."

Abra, -Yes! I will go first.-

Eevee pouted, "Vui."

Zoe chuckled, "Let's go Hoppip."

Gou grinned, "This is a one on one battle. Winner will be decided by the last Pokemon standing. Begin."

Zoe, "Tackle."

Ash, "Teleport."

Abra teleported as Hoppip used tackle and missed but turned and used tackle again making Abra grab the grass type.

Abra, -Caught you ~ Now, what to do next?-

Ash, "Confusion."

Abra, -Good idea.-

Zoe, "Hoppip get away using absorb."

Abra hissed as Hoppip used absorb on him but he used confusion on Hoppip. Abra got away from Hoppip who was now moving around feeling dizzy. Average rubbed his arms from where Hoppip had absorbed energy and huffed.

Zoe, "Hoppi take deep breaths and use sleep powder."

Ash, "Hold your breath Abra and use fire punch."

Abra took a deep breath and then rushed into the sleep powder wave the confused Hoppip was using. After getting in range Abra punched Hoppip very hard knocking him out cold and Abra looked like he could not hold his breath for long. Hoppip flew a bit then landed out cold making Abra relax a bit.

Gou, "Hoppip is unable to battle. Abra wins the match."

Abra, -Meema I did zzzzzzzz.... -

Ash, "Oh dear!"

Zoe, "Are you okay Hoppip?"

Hoppip, "Hop."

Ash, "Return Abra, sleep it off okay?"

Zoe, "Your baby Pokemon are tough too. As expected from you Ash."

Ash, "Do not underestimate yourself either Zoe. That sleep powder was really powerful too. It put Abra to sleep despite him using his psychic powers to protect himself."

Zoe, "We have been practicing hard, haven't we Hoppip?"

Hoppip, "Pip."

Zoe, "Anyway, as promised I will tell you why I am here. I am here to study the Relicanth historic temple located over that hill."

May, "Aren't Relicanth Hoenn region's historic Pokemon?"

Max, "Yes, they are. It is very interesting to study."

Molly, "Could we go there too please?"

Ash, "I don't see why not, but first let's book rooms for the night."

Gou, "Right! Mind if we tag along with you, Zoe?"

Zoe shook his head, "Nah! The more friends the better."

Ash entered the centre, "We will be right back. Excuse me Nurse Joy, rooms for the night please. Also check ups. No complaints you all."

Eevee grumbled, "Vui vui."

Nurse Joy chuckled, "Of course, how many?"

Ash, "There are six of us."

Nurse Joy, "Mmm.... The six bunk rooms are already full. There are two rooms with three beds each."

Ash, "We will take it. Thank you."

Nurse Joy, "Of course, here are the keys."

May, "Awesome let's leave our stuff in the room and head to the site."

Nurse Joy, "You are heading to the Relicanth temple?"

Ash, "Yes ma'am."

Nurse Joy, "Do be careful there have been reports of Team Aqua sneaking around."

Gou muttered, "Of course they are."

Nurse Joy returned their Pokemon balls and the Pokemon to them and gave them some instructions and rules to be back before night fell. Ash just thanked Nurse Joy and left to find the room to place their bags and items and only carry their pokeballs and dinner. Zoe was frowning as they headed to the Relicanth site while his Pokemon were beside him talking with other Pokemon.

Ash, "Is everything okay Zoe?"

Zoe, "Huh? Oh! It's just what Nurse Joy said earlier. I do not like the thought Team Aqua is causing problems."

May nodded in agreement, "I know what you mean. This is something that Hoenn region takes pride in. A relic from the past. Team Aqua causing problems here leaves a bitter taste."

Max, "Can we do something about it?"

Molly, "Good question."

Ash, "At the moment, no. We will need to collect information on them first. They are considered a dangerous group for a reason."

Gou, "So, we observe them for now?"

Ash nodded, "Yes, they had years to settle in Hoenn and their turf wars with Team Magma makes them very dangerous."

May nodded, "Right! Right! I think that's the ruins."

Ash, "Gou, Max and May, stick together. I will be with Molly and Zoe. Do not leave alone."

Gou, "Fine by me."

May, "We will stay safe."

Max, "Do not worry about us."

Molly, "Okay."

Zoe, "I have no complaints."

Ash, "Great let's go."

Zoe took Molly and Ash with him to greet the in charge of the temple that Professor Kukui had told him about before. The man then introduced himself as Professor Alden, he was in charge of caring for the ruins. He gave Zoe his objectives which was to head to the unmapped area of the temple and to map it out. Ash and Molly followed Zoe and watched him work as he started to map the temple marking some of the statues.

Ash, "Lucario?"

Lucario, -There is empty space behind this wall Meema.-

Ash, "That is interesting."

Molly gasped, "Mudkip, did you hear that? A secret door."

Mudkip, "Mudkip."

Zoe, "That changes things for me. Is there a way to enter though?"

Ash, "Let's have a look around. There must be something that can help."