Lance walked through the corridors of Team Magma with his head down and hair dyed black instead of the vibrant crimson that he was used to. A few days right before he was about to infiltrate the Team Magma, he had received an encrypted message. To be more specific, his Porygon had received one from Jessiebell, wife of one of the richest men in Kanto. The red head had become wary on receiving the message expecting the worst but when he met with her, he was surprised on learning her reason. Apparently, her son Tomo had joined the yearly sudent programs that Kanto Gyms provided, where the students would stay at different Gyms for approximately one month to study. While most families were unable to afford the program, the rich ones happily spent a lot of money on it. The kids hat belong to these families had no idea what sort of training and education they would receive and any sort of arrogance went out the window once they realized how unprepared they were.
Of course, not every kid was a nightmare brat, Tomo was, according to the reports he received, a hard working and practical child. Flint, Brock's father had put Tomo and five other kids through the wringer, so to speak and only Tomo had completed all the training courses. Flint had been very impressed by the tenacity and had written positive reviews about the child. Lance was looking forward to how well the kid would do in the future. Now, back to Jessibell, Lance was not sure what to think of that particular woman. The pink haired woman had just met him and then proceeded to disguise him while critiquing his choices. According to her, hats only worked for Red and Ash because they avoided the media spotlight a lot of times, unlike him. Lance wanted to protest, he had to attend those meetings and it was not his fault the press vultures followed him everywhere he went.
The Dragon Master in disguise could actually understand how Ash may or may not have devloped an acute sense of avoiding the public. Since the teen travelled with this woman, it was safe to say Jessibell instilled some lessons on avoiding public scrutiny. He was getting off topic now, the team Jessibell was part of had returned and they looked serious as they sent whatever information hey gathered to the main office. Lance stood beside one of the terminals and worked on the catalogue available while listening to what they Admins of Team Magma were talking about. From what he could hear, it seems Jessibell or Jenna as she decided to go by had impressed the Admins. They would be taking her on more information and time sensitive missions in the future with some more training. Lance was impressed by her tenacity and decided if they returned home alive he would get to know her and her equally mysterious husband better.
Ash was enjoying the quiet, well as quiet as it could get for trainers, townside. Nicolai had been in the town for a while and knew the best places to train and hang out without their privacy being interrupted by curious eyes. Ash noticed May had become quick friends with the green haired teen and was asking him questions about his costumes, where he got the items to create and what pallette he normally used. Gou was writing the information down and asking him about the whole experience and what was the difference between the success and failures he had. Nicolai looked a little embarassed as he answered, he had only tried this method four times which meant two success and two failures. Ruby hummed from beside Ash, definitely curious but not wanting to overwhelm the young man. It was pretty obvious to anyone with eyes that Nicolai looked up to and adored Ruby.
Ash, "What's on your mind?"
Ruby, "He is a sweet kid... Kind too, most trainers would be reluctant to share information like he does."
Ash, "I see what you mean Ruby."
Nicolai, "You know, now that I think about it, there is a kid who looks like you Max but he is much older and kind of arrogant."
May, "A doppleganger?"
Molly, "Arrogant?"
Max, "Older me?"
Nicolai nodded, "Yes, he can be really stuck up sometimes and not as sweet as you are."
Max turned pink, "I see, although I never expected to know there would be a dopple ganger around here."
Ash, "Well, as long as we do not have to deal with whatever trouble he creates, I think it is fine."
Ruby, "You think it will be trouble?"
Ash, "Not the evil kind of trouble, if that's what you are worried about but more like the drama kind of trouble."
May laughed, "I think I get what you are trying to say."
Nicolai smirked, "He is not a bad kid, just short tempered. Although he seems to have calmed down a little after catching his second Pokemon."
Molly, "Yeah, people change when things change."
Nicolai nodded, "Catching the second Pokemon can do that to many beginners."
Max, "Yeah. Sometimes, I still can't believe I have more than one."
May smiled, "That's because your Pokemon chose you as their trainer and refuse to accept anyone else."
The group talked for a little more before going separate ways. Nicolai was going to train with his new Pokemon while May was getting registered for the contest. May then went off to find a place to train after the registration was done. Ash meanwhile was on a call with his family giving them updates about what happened. To say Delia looked ready to reach through the screen to drag him back was an understatement. Ash had to reassure her, that he was fine and unhurt multiple times before she was satisfied. Ash did not blame her though considering the sort of events that had transpired and was greatful she cared about him. His Aunt was just as worried about him and made him promise to stay safe and to avoid any type of danger out there and let the adults handle most things. Gou was also reassuring his own parents and grandparents who had overheard what happened. Ruby though busied himself with paperwork that he had asked Wallace to send to him, he had already finished the previoous stack.
Ash finally hung up his phone and lay on the bed of their shared room, "Phew! They got worried because my signal went offline for too long and I forgot to tell them we would be training."
Gou followed suite and lay on his bed, "Grandma got worried too which ended up making the whole family worried as well."
Max who had freshened up headed out, "I am going to check on May and tell her to call mom later as well."
Molly hummed, "Dad was mostly fascinated while mom was worried. She got kidnapped by the Unown before so she is wary about Legendary Pokemon. No offence to you two though."
Diance, -None taken.-
Lugia, "Aaaa."
Ash, "Maybe we should introduce her to Diance later just to reassure her."
Molly's eyes widened, "Can we?"
Ash, "Yes, I think your mom is right to worry and we can trust her with this."
Ruby was typing away on his laptop, "Wallace and Steven wants to meet up with me as well while we are in town."
Ash, "Go and meet them, Ruby."
Ruby paused but resumed typing, "You don't mind?"
Ash snorted shaking his head, "I have this strange feeling that Wallace and steven are to you what Red and Green are to me."
Gou smirked, "Overprotective older siblings. Yeah, you should go meet them. It will give them a peace of mind if they see you are doing well."
Ruby hummed as his eyes never left the laptop, "I will go meet them after completing this work or I will keep thinking about work and will not be able to spend time properly with them."
Ash, "That's fine, I have my own papers to tackle."
Gou, "Gonna use this chance to deal with my own work as well."
Molly, "I am glad I do not have to work on my papers so seriously yet. I am collecting notes to work on though."
Max found his sister in a heated discussion with a green head, "Drew?"
Drew, "Ah! Max, you are here as well?"
May scowled, "You know this guy?"
Max, "Well, he is friends wth Ash so, yes."
May, "I see."
Max looked between the two, "Did I miss something?"
May sighed, "Nothing Max, do not worry about it."
Drew snorted, "Well, if Ash is here, I am meeting him. I have not seen him in a while."
Max smiled, "Ash would like that."
Drew, "Is there a reason Ash is not taing part in contest?"
Max, "He is avoiding the lime light. If you ask around, you will see his name in the Gym challenge roster but his matches are not aired."
Drew, "Ah! Paparazzi?"
Max winced, "Yeah, they tried to break into Professor Oak's ranch and were attacked by both Ash's and his older sibling's Pokemon."
Drew stared, "Seriously?"
Max nodded, "Like a heart attack. Yup, that is why we are keeping the travel through Hoenn quiet. For our safety and his as well."
May muttered, "Well as quiet as we can. Bloody team Aqua and Magma. Don't know how to mind their own business."
Drew's eyes sharpened at that, 'Team Magma and Team Aqua already clashed with Ash? I will have to ask him for details.'
Max, "Here we are... Hey guys, look who the Meowth dragged in."
Drew, "Ha! Ha! Ha! Real funny Max."
Ash perked up when they returned, "Drew, long time no see."
Drew smiled, "Yeah, how have you been? And who is this, lovely young lady?"
Ruby chuckled, "It is nice to see you too, Drew."
Gou, "I have been great, got new Pokemon that are native to Hoenn the last few days."
Ash, "This is my baby cousin Molly. Gou is showing her the ropes of becoming a trainer."
Molly waved her hand shyly, "Hi!"
Drew pulled a white rose, "I see, for you, little lady. I look forward to seeing what type of trainer you become in the future. Especially since you have such amazing people looking out for you."
Molly blushed, "I will work hard."
Drew smiled, "So, any news I should know about."
Ash, "Depends on what type you wnat to know about."
Drew, "Rumours have it, you are being targeted by Legendary Pokemon again."
Ash looked at him, "I would not say I am being targeted."
Drew sent a look in the direction of baby Lugia playing with Diance, "Uh huh! So, they just made you a single mom then."
Ruby choked, "Oh sweet Mew!"
Ash stared at him with incredulity, "It sounds so wierd to hear you say that. I am not some maiden who lost her virginity, Drew."
Drew, "Just pointing out how it looks to others that's all."
Gou looked at him with a wry glance, "The Legendaries did kind of just dump you with their kids, Ash. You had to open extra non - battling slots just for them. I thought the Professors were going to have a conniption."
Ash sighed, "It is not my fault I am the only Aura user for miles around. Riley is in Sinnoh, Yellow is busy with her healing. I am not sure about Red though I swear he has activated Aura but just not teling me."
Drew frowned, "That is quiet the responsibility though, Ash. This is not just Legendaries but rather borderline crossing International relations slash politics issues."
Ruby, "You are telling us."
May sat next to Molly, "Ash is not alone. We are here to help him. I will also do my best to help him every way possible."
Drew teased her, "Strong word from someone who had a fireball burst in front of her face."
May, "Why!!! You!!!! It is a new move and act. I just have not mastered it yet. Just watch I will make you eat your words."
Ash looked between the two and smirked, 'Oh ho!'
Gou, 'What do we have here?'
Ruby, "Heh!"