Kanto - Saffron City

Misty and the others decided to relax a bit in the lounge area before heading to bed, and at the same time wait for Jessilina. She wondered what they were doing, they did say they were heading towards the bar and since she was underage she knew she was not allowed. She grumbled a bit at that, if she was old enough to travel and battle of all things, she was old enough to drink. But she guessed her older siblings would not be happy if they heard that she had started drinking. As she was thinking about it, her pokenav started to ring startling her from her daze and turning to her pokenav.

Misty, "Hello, Misty speaking, who is it."

A very familiar voice came from the pokenav, "Mistyyyy..... I missed you. Bonjour everyone!"

Misty brightened, "Serena, long time."

Ash, "Serena? Man, Zoey works fast."

Serena, "Hey Ash! He told me about what you told him and I'm happy you guys are doing better."

Misty smiled, "He did huh? I missed you too Serena, how have you been? Oh these are our new friends Brock and Jameson."

Brock, "Hello!"

Jameson, "Nice to meet more of Ash and Misty's friends."

Serena, "Bonjour bonjour, I'm doing great, although I'm a bit jealous of you guys. The legal age for trainers in Kalos is fifteen, unlike Kanto where it's thirteen. Mom has been trying to get me into Rhyhon racing with her but I'm just not into it. I rather be training for showcases."

Ash brightened, "I saw some showcases before they are pretty cool."

Serena gave Ash a grin, "And I saw your impromptu performance online, Ash. I didn't know you could sing."

Ash gave a pout, "I'm just a beginner."

Misty gave him an exasperated smile, "But still a good singer, don't sell yourself short."

Ash sighed, "You just sing once on stage and people think you're a an upcoming singer. I don't know how to feel about that."

Serena, "Welllllllllll, it was pretty good, you know even Diantha loved it."

Ash gave a grin, "Flattered."

Serena, "You better be, anyways I called to check up on you guys and I'm really happy to see you doing well. How are you doing with your plan on becoming water Master Misty? I watched your performances on TV Ash, they were amazing."

Ash smiled, "Thanks Serena."

Serena, "And I saw your live battle on the ship as well, congratulations Misty, has your egg hatched yet?"

Misty shook her head, "Afraid not but I'm excited, according to Nurse Joy they'll hatch soon, in four days maybe."

Serena grumbled, "Why can't I get or find a poke egg as well? I'm really envious of you guys."

Ash chuckled, "Patience Serena, no rush. You could always help out at the breeding centres you know?"

Serena huffed, "Yeah, but it's not the same."

Misty laughed, "I get what you mean."

Jessilina came in at that moment, "I'm back everyone, have you all been waiting for me? I am flattered."

Jameson, "We were just chilling, Jess and meeting another one of Ash and Misty's friends."

Jessilina turned to the pokenav and gave a grin, "Oh, hello I'm Jessilina. It's a pleasure to meet such a beautiful girl. No wonder Misty turns other ladies down, she already has such a beautiful woman."

Serena blushed, "B B Bonjour Jessilina. You are very lovely too."

Misty, "JESSILINA! It's not like that!"

Ash laughed hard making Phantump who heard him giggle while Lucario smirked, "Well Jessilina, she's actually one of our oldest friends. And yes, she is very beautiful and sweet girl, don't tease her so much."

Serena who had her blush under control cleared her throat, "Ahem, it's a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for taking care of my friends."

Jessilina's eyes softened, "Of course, they are our friends too, you know?"

Serena grinned and the group chatted more before they decided to turn in for the night and Serena had to help her mother out at the track. Misty grinned as she went to sleep that night, while battling helped Ash, talking to her friends really did help her out. She sighed as she realized what happened before may happen again, no matter how small the possibility and the best she could do was brace herself. The next day Jessilina and Jameson left saying they probably wouldn't be back for the day as they needed to handle their family business. Ash simply sighed before nodding and wishing them luck and to not force themselves too much.

Misty looked at Ash, "What was that about?"

Ash looked at her, "Honestly speaking, I'm just not sure. I mean I saw them a few days ago snooping around their own company and when I asked them why..... well, I'm not sure what the full story is."

Brock hummed, "Tell us anyway."

Ash, "Well they said there have been a few troublemakers in their company and they were in disguise to catch them. I'm just worried what exactly the trouble is, I hope it's nothing dangerous, you know?"

Misty frowned, "That is a little worrying, well as long as they aren't hurt, I guess I'll trust them to handle it."

Brock nodded, "Besides that we don't really know much about the intricacies of business do we?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah, but I still offered to help them if they need it. I don't mind staying a few days either after the contest, if they need the extra time."

Brock, "We can use the time to relax and enjoy the Butterfree migration next week."

Misty blinked, "Butterfree?"

Ash tilted his head, "Migration?"

Brock bit back a squeal and a laugh, "Yes, it's actually time for them to find a mate and then migrate overseas to have eggs."

Ash, "My Butterfree already has a mate, do you think he'll want to take Beedrill with him?"

Brock, "Why not ask them both? You have not returned them to the lab yet, so ask and see what they want."

Lucario looked at the two bug types with him, -Well, would you?-

Butterfree shook his head negative before nuzzling Beedrill and both of them flew to Ash nuzzling him and Beedrill pat her stomach and gave a soft buzz.

Ash's eyes widened then sparkled, "You are having another egg. Really?"

Beedrill nodded happily, "Bzzzzz!"

Misty gasped, "Wao, congratulations. I need to talk to Butterfree."

Misty walked to where her Butterfree was playing around with her other Pokemon, "Hey, Butterfree!"

Butterfree flew towards her and nuzzled her getting giggles, "Creee!"

Misty, "Just wanted to tell you that the Butterfree migration is coming up and if you wanted to take part in it?"

Butterfree tilted his head, "Cree?"

Misty hugged him, "I'm not sending you away if that's what you are thinking. It's just, this is the time you find a nice mate right? And I have seen how happy Ash's Butterfree is with his mate and I want you to be happy too."

Butterfree nuzzled her before pointing at the gym, "Cree, creee."

Misty, "You prefer battling for me instead?"

Butterfree nodded making Misty smile at him softly, "You are very sweet Butterfree, but I still want you to have someone to love, you know?"

Butterfree shrugged showing he really didn't care much about it making her giggle, "Tell you what, we'll take part in this mating migration, if you find the one then you find the one, if not then not, there's always next year."

Butterfrees smiled and nodded, "Creee."

Misty grinned brightly and hugged Butterfree promising him, even if he left he would always be welcomed back no matter what. Butterfree simply nuzzled back in return, as far as he was concerned, his family was already right here with him, although perhaps he could help his family grow. Something to think about he decided and followed Misty to the training grounds. Meanwhile Ash was panicking over an exasperated Beedrill and an amused Butterfree.

Ash, "Are you sure you're okay?"

Lucario looked at his worried Meema and sighed he couldn't blame Ash, -Calm down Meema, I'm sure the egg was unhurt, right?-

Beedrill nodded, "Bzzzzzz bzz Bzzzzzz."

Lucario, -Ah, Meema, the egg was born last night so relax, please. The two of them were celebrating their win.-

Ash blushed at that before relaxing, "Really? I didn't send you to battle while you were carrying?"

Butterfree and Beedrill sighed exasperated before nodding and nuzzling their human, in comfort. Truly, they could not have asked for a better trainer, who else would worry about an unborn egg, most trainers did not. Beedrill held Ash close in comfort being careful of her needles while Butterfree nuzzled his neck getting giggles from Ash.

Ash, "That tickles you two. I'm happy though, hey, do you want to return to the lab? It'll be more comfortable to have eggs there."

The two nodded before allowing Ash to return them after another half an hour of cuddles and nuzzles getting laughs from the young trainer. Ash sent the two parents back to the lab where there were admittedly better facilities and was bluntly speaking safer, and had Krabby and Jigglypuff sent to him. He half wondered if he should ask around for anyone who would be interested in having a poke egg to raise as their own. He remembers truly enjoying his time with his first Pokemon and poke egg and made up his mind to talk to Professor Oak about it. Till then he decided to train for his next ribbon and he even promised to watch Drew's performance later during the day. After three hours of training Ash gathered all his Pokemon in the lobby and watched as Drew did his magic and impressed the judges in the appeal round with his Bulbasaur. Ash had to blink at that, he didn't expect Drew to get a Bulbasaur, he wondered where he caught one. During the battle rounds Roserade decimated his opponents very easily all the while making it look so easy, Ash was truly impressed.

Ash thought, 'That guy is gonna be May's boyfriend, and I have to say, I approve.'

Lucario who had heard his thoughts through the aura bond facepalmed at his trainer's thoughts, either his Meema had selective obliviousness or he genuinely wanted them together. He didn't know which one was more worrisome, the fact he was oblivious to other people's romantic feelings for him or the fact he was willing to put aside his happiness for others. He looked at the others and made a silent agreement with them, anyone who wanted to be with Ash would have to go through them first. They got back to training the whole day till dinner after watching Drew win his fourth ribbon.

That night Ash lay awake, as his Pokemon slept around him, he had been thinking about the last few days and couldn't help but remember a story called "La Llorona". It just came to him out of nowhere as he was thinking about the maiden who spent her days wandering around the island as a ghost and Phantump and Banette. He slowly got out of the bed making sure not to disturb the Pokemon sleeping around him peacefully and went to the computer at the end of the room and searched for a story any story similar to the 'Weeping Woman', only to come up with blanks.

Ash stared at the screen before he grinned and grabbed his paper and pen, 'Looks like I got another inspiration to write down.'

The next day Lucario looked at Ash exasperated as he woke up and saw his Meema writing at the desk, instead of sleeping before he put his pen down, "And it's done..... Morning already?"

Lucario growled, -Yes it is morning and you should have been sleeping. Why were you up whole night writing? Do not give me that innocent look Meema, I can see the bags under your eyes.-

Ash looked away guiltily, "Sorry Lucario, I just couldn't sleep, so I thought writing would help me sleep, you know?"

Jigglypuff scolded him, "Jiggly jigglypuff, puff!"

Milotic nodded looking at him exasperated, -Jigglypuff's right, you should have woken us up, we could have helped you sleep.-

Ash's eyes softened, "Thanks everyone, but you all looked really cute sleeping together, I just couldn't disturb you."

Lucario walked towards him and picked him up getting a squawk, -You are sleeping now, we already have a good thing going for the contest yesterday so now you are sleeping.-

Milotic looked at Jigglypuff and the two joined together to calm Ash down enough to lull him to sleep. Ash grumbled about mothering Pokemon getting deadpanned looks from them and giggles from Krabby, Phantump, Bannete and Squirtle. The older Pokemon then turned to the younger ones and decided to instruct them in meditation while Ash slept and at the same time tell them how to care for him. The young Pokemon listened attentively as the older Pokemon guided and instructed them on more than just meditating. Brock and Meowth came in half way to check on Ash as it was not normal for him to miss breakfast and Lucario explained what happened to them.

Meowth, "So e's stll aff'cted, 'm not srprised ta b honest wit ya. It was e's first time aftr all."

Brock answered softly, "Well, he's trying to get better so that's something right? Anyway this is his breakfast and you guy's as well. Eat up, you can't take care of him if you are hungry."

Lucario nodded, -Many thanks, friend Brock.-

Brock smiled, "No problem, Lucario. I'll be helping Misty out in her training for the day."

Meowth, "I'll stay 'ere and wait for him ta wake up, 'm sure Jess and Jam's won't mind."

Brock, "Alright, I'll see you around."

Meowth jumped on to the table, "Wats dis?"

Lucario, -A story he was writing the whole night.-

Meowth, "M'nd if I read?"

Lucario shook his head and gave him the go ahead signal, it was not part of the book series, his Meema was writing anyway. So he guessed, it was written more to help him sleep than anything else and simply told Meowth not to share what he read with others, unless Ash shared it himself. Meowth agreed and sat down to read it while Lucario turned back to the others and joined them in meditating.

[A. N.: I'm gonna be a bit busy because of Christmas and New Year so updates will be slow.

Happy Winter everyone!]