After the gym battle, Rudy invited the three of them to have dinner together and Ash agreed under the condition Rudy let them use their kitchen. Ash had been itching to make spicy curry for a while now and took to cooking the food like a storm. Lucario and the other Pokemon helped Ash in making the food and soon enough the Pokemon who were part of the gym started to gather around them out of curiosity. They could smell the delicious cooking from the training area and cane following their nose. Ash noted, Rudy had all the Kanto Pokemon in his gym and wondered how he got them all.
Rudy chuckled, "Looks like you got fans for your cooking."
Mahri sniffed the curry, "It smells really delicious."
Ash grinned, "Thank you."
Gou, "The cookies are done, no Golduck wait till you have dinner."
Tracey, "The drinks are done too, I'll call the others to join us. I think we made a large enough batch to feed everyone."
Rudy sweatdropped looking at the full table, "Understatement much?"
Gou laughed as Tracey called the other gym workers who were off duty to share dinner with them. Ash packed away dinner for those who would be doing the night shift and sent it off by some of the Pokemon who coincidentally belonged to the late night workers. Gou refused to believe it was coincidence though Ash just shrugged and turned to eat. Rudy shared his adventures before becoming a gym leader, he had travelled through the Orange Archipelago and Kanto region. Although he didn't win the Kanto League he landed as a third runner up before going to take part in the Kanto Frontier challenge.
Gou, "Frontier challenge? You need to be invited to that, right?"
Rudy nodded, "Correct, I was one of the lucky five candidates to be invited."
Ash, "So cool."
Rudy smiled, "Train hard and most importantly don't hold back during the official matches. It is the main point where you are either chosen as a challenger or not for the Frontier."
Ash nodded, "Okay, I will remember that."
Gou, "You want to take part in the Frontier challenge."
Ash, "One day, I hope I can."
Rudy, "I'm sure you will be able to."
Ash logged in later that night, :Trovita Island is really calm and peaceful despite the crazy whirlpools around it.: *insert pic*
Misty, :Ugh! I regret not going with you to the Orange Islands. There's nothing wrong with Seafoam Islands but after a few days of checking the place out you know what is where.:
Lana, :How about you and I check out the Orange Islands together after the Kanto League, Misty?:
Misty, :I would love that.:
Mallow, :That's a great idea, Kiawe is going to Jhoto region as well after the Kanto League is done.:
Gou, :We were thinking about taking two weeks vacation after the League and Festival were over in Alola.:
Kiawe, :Cool, we can catch up and go to Jhoto together.:
Gary, :I might give the Island challenge a try after going to Sinnoh. The gyms sound very interesting.:
Ash, :You are going to Sinnoh?:
Gary, :Yeah, I met a trainer from there and I really want to check the place out especially the stuff about the Legendary Pokemon.:
Ash, :Please be careful, there is a reason why they are labeled Legendary. Also, Chimchar really enjoyed his first win.:
Gary, :I will and congrats.:
Paul, :About that, Ash can we talk in PM?:
Ash, :Sure! Excuse us guys.:
Paul, :I caught a Chimchar.:
Ash, :Congratulations Paul.:
Paul, :Thank you but... I don't know why I'm unable to train her properly.:
Ash, :Is it a contest aligned Pokemon or battle aligned?:
Paul, :She's not interested in coordinating nor showcases, I showed her some clips, she's more into battling.:
Ash, :That's one problem you don't need to worry about. Have you tried hands on training? Like the ones we are taught in Pokemon basic class, where you do a one on one training with your Pokemon to see what training suits them best.:
Paul, :...:
Ash, :?:
Paul, :I could try that.... I was wondering if I could do a trade with you if that doesn't work.:
Ash, :Sure, my Chimchar would be happy to have another one.:
Paul, :Thank you.:
Ash, :Don't mention it. How are your other Pokemon doing?:
Paul, :They are doing well, I mentioned the Alola challenge to them and they are very excited about it.:
Ash, :Hmmm, try using your Chimchar during the challenge, I heard it's different from gym battles. Who knows maybe it'll be the style you can use to train her?:
Paul, :That's a long shot, but worth a try, it'll be in three months. By the way if you ever come to Sinnoh watch out for my brother and sister in law.:
Ash, :Eh? Why?:
Paul, :They are big horror story fans and simply adore your book.:
Ash was flabbergasted, Reggie was already married but did not comment on that, :I will keep that in mind. I think the others are asking what we are up-to, let's return.:
Paul, :I'm gonna get some sleep it's late here.:
Ash, :Alright, good night, Paul.:
Ash, :Paul went to sleep.:
Sophocles, :What were you guys talking about?:
Ash, :Pokemon troubles, no big deal, don't worry about it.:
Gary, :If you say so, how are your babies coming along?:
Ash, :They are doing great, Lapras and Tyrunt are a little battle crazy but, it's nothing I can't handle.:
Misty, :Ash...:
Misty, :If your Lapras has an egg in the future.... :
Ash, :Don't worry I'll keep one for you. I know how much you adore them.:
Misty, :Thank you. I really appreciate it!:
Ash, :Make sure you mention it to Lorelei if you are gonna take up her challenge. She usually gives a rare water type to those who pass.:
Misty, :Got it.:
They left Trovita Island the next day after saying farewell and were currently on an Island called Fair child Island, known for it's large population of Pidgeots. Ash had called all his Pokemon out to travel with them on foot through the island, along with Tracey and Gou. They stayed close to the river that went through the island to give the water Pokemon room to move easily and travelled at a leisurely pace. As they reached a small settlement located close to the port they ran into a familiar face.
Gold grinned, "Yo!"
Tracey spluttered, "Champion Ethan!"
Gold, "Call me Gold dude! I don't want to hear any of this Champion stuff. I'm on a break."
Gou, "So, why are you here?"
Gold, "Ash! Did you forget to tell them?"
Ash gave a cheeky smile, "I wanted it to be a surprise."
Tracey, "What?"
Gold grinned, "I'll be joining you to Shamoutii island."
Gou, "Oh! Um.... Cool!"
Gold, "I need a break from time to time and Ash offered to join."
Ash, "You do look exhausted, have you been sleeping at all?"
Tracey also noticed the dark circles at that, "Yeah, those are some really dark circles there."
Gou, "We are happy to have you join us, Gold, and don't worry we are good with disguises to hide you from fans."
Gold laughed, "Thanks so shall we? I'll introduce you to am old friend of mine. She agreed to ferry us to the Islands."
Ash, "Great, let's go."
The group went to the port and met up with the water Pokemon who were playing around in the ocean. Gold gave an appreciative whistle on seeing a healthy baby Lapras among the Pokemon before guiding them to where the travel boats were docked. Magby who was still wary of other humans stuck close to Ash who looked around the place. He noticed that unlike the movie the Pokemon looked at ease and not tense so he could assume none of the Legendary Pokemon were caught yet. Gold called a woman called Maren over who greeted them with a grin.
Maren, "If it isn't young Gold, back to search for Lugia?"
Gold laughed, "That and for a much needed vacation."
Gou, "Lugia?"
Maren nodded, "Legend has it Shamoutii Island is the birth and resting place for Lugia."
Tracey, "I heard about that story but I also heard Lugia has not been seen in two hundred years."
Ash, "Yeah, let's keep it that way. Presence of a Legendary Pokemon is usually followed by a human war, attempting to catch said Pokemon."
Maren snorted, "I see you read the history young man."
Ash nodded, "Had to, I have run into more criminals than I can count."
Gou grumbled, "So we probably would be better off not searching for Lugia."
Ash, "I'm actually here to learn more about the history of Lugia more than anything else, I was given a feather as a safe keeping."
Maren's eyes widened, "Hush! Not here, do not speak of it."
Ash looked around startled, "Ummm... Is something wrong?"
Maren, "This way come, I'll lead you to the Island."
Ash looked at the others who either shrugged or followed behind Maren. Maren started the boat and told them they would be off soon and Ash asked his Pokemon if he wanted to rest or fly and swim after them. Charizard and Togetic chose to fly while the water Pokemon chose to swim besides the boat as they headed out of the port. Maren looked at the young lad and took a deep breath before letting it out and turned to him once she was away from the port.
Maren, "Alright then, what do you mean by saying that?"
Ash, "Huh?"
Maren, "You said you have a feather?"
Ash smiled and opened his bag, "Yes, here look."
Maren's breath hitched as she saw the pure silver coloured feather glistening in the sunlight, "It's real."
Ash laughed nervously, "Yeah, A male Articuno gave it to me saying everything would be explained if I went to Shamoutii."
Tracey, "Oh! That's just..... How lucky can you be?"
Gou sighed, "Depends on how you look at it, one one hand it is amazing, on the other hand, if Team Rocket finds out then..... "
Gold, "Which is why I'm here! Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you guys. I will protect you."
Ash, "Who's gonna protect you?"
Gold, "My Pokemon of course."
Gou's eyes twinkled, "You brought your Ace Pokemon, didn't you?"
Gold, "Yep! Even though I am hoping nothing happens, you never know if there are trouble makers out there."
Maren, "Well, I suppose it is a good thing we have a festival going on at this time of the year on our Island, make sure to hide that feather."
Ash tucked it away, "I will, what can you tell me about Lugia and your history? The Articuno I met wanted me to learn about them."
Maren, "Lugia and our history? Where should I start?"
Gou sat next to Ash, "How about the very beginning?"
Maren, "Alright then, from the very beginning it is."
Maren started to tell them the history of her people, from the first village Chief who was searching for a place for her people to call their home. The Village Chief was not a Chief back then but one of the Warriors of the clan who's job was to search for a new place for them to settle down. She had journeyed from the mainland to the ocean in order to find a place for her people who were suffering from the war. During one such journey her yatch was destroyed by a storm and she came to on an Island now known as Shamoutii. She looked around the unknown island curious yet weary when she ran across Moltress who tested her courage, Zapdos who tested her integrity and Articuno who tested her ability to adapt.
No one knew what the exact tests were, all they knew was the young warrior had passed them with courage, determination and wit. The three Legendary Pokemon had then given her three gifts, a jewel each representing fire, lightning and ice and encouraged her to go forward. The young warrior simply nodded and went but as she looked back at them one last time, she saw them going towards three specific islands. She made a promise to build temples in remembrance of them and went to the centre of the Island where she met Lugia for the first time. Lugia was curious about her the same way she was curious about him, he wanted to read her mind and although hesitant allowed him. Lugia went through her memories, felt what she felt, saw what she saw, heard what she heard and experienced what she experienced. Her happiness when spending time with her family, her heartbreak when war ravaged her home, her desire to find a new home, her desperation when more and more of her people ended up dead protecting their home and finally her promise to her siblings to find a place for them to live away from all the death and destruction.
Lugia looked at the young child, who cried silently for her people and granted her, her wish to stay and helped her to bring her family away from the war. For Lugia it was the first time fighting a war and for the people it was the first sighting of the Legendary Pokemon of Kanto. Lugia distracted the people who were fighting by creating a storm, the storm that made him infamous in Kanto and earned him the title "Storm God". The young warrior who was appointed as their leader by her siblings lead her people to escape from the Warlord who was controlling them, under the cover of the storm and once the storm ended they were never to be seen again. Well till trade started up again at least! The last line earned snorts and laughs from her audience.
[A. N.: Eh he he he he he he!
I'll be honest that ending story, I worked on it for a week before deciding on just uploading it. ≧ω≦
Hope you like my twist on the Pokemon folklore, myths and legends!]