Jhoto

Ash looked at his ribbon case, 'Four down, one to go.'

Lucario, -There is only one left.-

Abra, -They are so pretty Meema.-

Eevee, "Vui."

Absol barked, "Sol."

Ash, "Yes, they are."

Casey, "Congratulations."

Gou, "Excited to get all ribbons."

Ash, "You bet I am."

Max, "May has made up her mind to be a coordinator."

Brock, "Do you think she'll join us?"

Ash, "It's up to her, honestly speaking. I don't mind traveling in a group. It's safer than going around alone."

Casey scowled, "Especially with the rumors about Team Magma and Aqua running around."

Max grumbled hugging his poke egg, "That's true. I hope she agrees to travel with us."

Gou pat Max's shoulder, "Even if she doesn't, I'm sure, she will consider traveling with other people."

Ash, "That's right. I have only known May for a few months but I know she is very smart, just look at how powerful her Pokemon are. She will be fine."

Max, "I know but I can't help but worry."

Brock, "Understandable."

Casey nodded, "Yeah. Hey look our ride is here."

A red haired woman waved, "Casey, been a while."

Casey perked up, "Luka? Oh my! It's been a while."

Luka laughed as she hugged the younger girl, "Look at you! You have grown taller."

Casey laughed, "Missed you too, Luka. Hello there Mantine."

Casey introduced the rest of the group to her friend who offered to give them a ride to their next destination, Redrock Isle. Luka was telling them about a lost ship her grandfather had found that was known to hold treasure inside. That got Max and Casey interested and started to ask her questions on it's where about and what the treasure was.

Luka grinned, "Well, no one knows what the treasure is. As for the location, I finally figured out where the ship is. I plan on going there myself."

Brock, "Woah there Missy! That's dangerous. If the ship is as old as you claim then no doubt it's a home to wild territorial Pokemon."

Ash nodded, "I agree, I don't think they'll be happy to have anyone poke around their territory."

Luka sighed, "I know, but I can't just let my grandfather's reputation remain soiled. I want to clear it up."

Gou, "How about we go with you? Brock is a field medic, Ash is Champion level, Casey is Ace level, I'm an on field researcher and Max even though he is a beginner, he is smart."

Luka, "Would you really?"

Casey, "It'll be safer than going alone by yourself."

Max, "Yeah, and I'm very curious about this treasure."

Ash, "That's true. Plus we can distract the territorial Pokemon while you retrieve what is necessary."

Luka beamed, "Thank you very much. Let's go treasure hunting."

Luka changed directions and headed to where she knew the ship wreck was located. They changed into swim suits and put on the diving gear before entering the water. Ash had Omanyte and Croconaw out, Gou had Inteleon whole Cinderace stayed back on the boat, the dive not exactly his thing. Casey had her Gyarados, Brock had his Corsula, Max didn't have a water Pokemon so he stayed back with Cinderace and the young Pokemon.

Lucario, -Over there, I see it.-

Ash nodded and motioned for the others to follow him and Lucario. They came closer to the ship wreck only to see it was being guarded by a Mantine. The Mantine did not look amused by their presence and Ash and Lucario got to explaining why they were here.

Lucario, -We are only here to check that ship.-

Mantine puffed, "Tine mantine."

Lucario, -We already have cubs of our own, we are not interested in having more at the moment.-

They went back and forth till Mantine agreed to allow Lucario and only Lucario to advance forward, no one else. Lucario told Ash this and went ahead, before them towards the ship entering the large hole on the starboard side. Luka went to follow but Ash stopped her, shaking his head and pointing at themselves then holding his hand in a cross. Humans were not allowed near the ship as they had young ones inside and they would be attacked if they went near. Lucario soon emerged pulling a chest behind him and Omanyte went to help him with it and reach the surface.

Lucario, -This was the only chest I found.-

Luka, "Thank you. I appreciate your help."

Max, "Was there trouble?"

Ash, "Not exactly no. Just a couple of parents protecting their young."

Casey nodded, "Yeah, it's all good."

Gou, "Let's see what inside."

Brock eyed it, "The lock looks pretty rusted. I think we can break it easily."

Luka, "I agree. Hang on. Just let me get something."

Luka took out a hammer and chisel, then she started to pry it open, "It really is rusty."

Ash eyed the open chest, "A box? That too a tightly sealed one."

Gou, "Go on! Open it."

Luka opened the box and gasped, "A silver feather."

Brock, "Looks legitimate."

Max, "Is that a letter?"

Luka took it out, "It's in old Jhotonian. Let's see what it says."

{Dear Yukito,

I'm sailing from the Eastern sea. I have seen many fascinating sights and sounds. This feather here is a gift from a God. The Eastern sea God Lugia.

We were lucky enough to be able to see the magnificent form of Lord Lugia and his three elemental Phoenixes. Lord Lugia guided us through the Eastern waters and blessed us with this feather.

I gift this to you as my final courting gift. I hope we can complete our martial nuptials after I reach home. I can't wait for both of us to be together forever and eternity.

I'll see you in Akino empire soon my beloved Yukito.

Captain Nagato.}

Casey, "Holy Mew."

Gou, "Why do the names sound so familiar?"

Luka, "That's because there is a legend surrounding the two of them. I didn't realize they were actual people. Oh Mew! This is a historical find. I'll have to send this to the Archaeology department for authenticity."

Ash, "Congratulations! This will clear your grandpa's name."

Brock, "Yeah, great work."

Max, "This is a real treasure. Also very romantic. Wait, what's the legend?"

Luka, "Well, legend has it their were two families with two expecting mothers. The mothers were best friends and thick as thieves. They wanted to join their families together and become one family. So even before the children were born they applied for an engagement between their kids."

Luka had opened a book at this point, "The story goes on to tell us that the children born were boys. Of course, it didn't change anything, because back then arranged marriages were a plenty. Plus families tended to have multiple children. The two grew up together as best friends then during their coming of age ceremony learned about the engagement. In the beginning they were both against it, but after years of having each other's back and learning together they grew to love each other."

Max, "Wao! That's so sappy and romantic. May loves sappy romance. I should tell her about this."

Casey laughed, "This story is pretty popular across media but this one is the original so I guess she will love it more."

Ash, "I think it's very sweet. Did they get together?"

Luka, "According to legend, yes, but there were many obstacles. One of them got involved in a ship wreck while the other was fighting off an invasion. I think I have a new goal now. I want to search for more proof of their existence."

Brock nodded, "It's a good goal. Not to forget learning about real history is very beneficial to any country."

Gou, "True, it gives them more insight to the past and racks in a ton of cash. Guess Jhoto can claim the arranged marriage to love genre as her own after this."

Casey's eyes gleamed, "That would be something."

Luka decided to pack up after the excitement died down and made a plan. First she would drop off the really old letter at the institute of Archaeology while keeping the feather. They could carbon date the letter to find out how old it is actually while she searched for more clues about the couple. Akino empire was where Olivine City was situated, she would go there and check the registry first. Perhaps there will be a clue there somewhere, it was a pity there were no last names.

Casey, "Thank you for the ride and the treasure hunt."

Max, "It was fun."

Ash, "Keep the wing safe."

Gou nodded, "Yeah, you don't want to attract unwanted attention."

Brock grumbled, "Especially Team Rocket's."

Luka smiled at them, "Don't worry. I'll stay safe, there is a reason why I'm heading to the institute first. Good luck in the Whirl Cup."

Casey, "Thank you."

Ash, "We'll do our best."

Gou, "Definitely."

Brock, "And I'll make sure they are okay."

They waved goodbye to their new friend and left for the Pokemon center first. Misty and the others had spread reached Scarlet City and were waiting there. They looked around the Centre but didn't see the girls so Casey, Ash and Gou decided to register. Brock on the other hand met up with Nurse Jim showing his field medic certificate. The nurses looked relieved to have another helper around and set him up with a schedule. The line was long when the three of them joined and as Max watched it became longer still.

Misty, "Max! You are here."

Max perked up, "Misty and Melody too. Yeah, we just got here. Where are Serena and Chloe?"

Melody, "Serena went with Chloe to the postal office. She is actually submitting one of her assignments today."

Max, "Ah! Ash, Casey and Gou are getting registered right now. But the line is long and seem to get longer and longer."

Misty, "That's to be expected. Did you guys get rooms?"

Max nodded, "Yeah, Brock has a room with the other Nurses though. So I am bunking with Casey while Gou is with Ash."

Ash joined them, "Finally done. Hey Misty, Melody. Where are Serena and Chloe?"

Melody, "Hi Ash, Serena went with Chloe to the postal."

Misty, "Hey yourself ~ Chloe is submitting her assignment, well one of them today."

Ash, "Hmm, she's taking her studies really seriously. I hope she's taking breaks in between."

Misty, "Oh don't worry, we make sure she takes breaks."

Casey joined them, "Hey ladies ~ Ready to rumble in the tournament?"

Misty, "Heck yeah!"

Melody, "We are taking down the double battle tournament."

Max, "There's a double battle tournament?"

Gou joined them sitting with a puff, "Yeah, look here. There's a single battle tournament and a double battle tournament."

Casey, "The next three days are going to be fun."

Misty, "Yeah."

Serena and Chloe joined them around dinner time with a very interesting story to tell them about a boy and his Octillery. According to the two girls, Octillery was refusing to battle in the tournament and was very depressed. The Remoraid school which Octillery was part of had started to avoid him after he evolved despite Octillery's many tries to get along with his school. Poor thing was unable to mix with the rest of the Pokemon and had entered depression.

Ash, "I see."

Misty, "That's sad."

Brock, "How did you help them?"

Serena, "Well, we decided to cheer Octillery up first."

Chloe, "Yeah, he was really down, after that we went to check on the Remoraid school. It turns out they were nervous to be around Octillery. He was stronger than Remoraid and it was not exactly a good idea to play like he used to with them."

Melody, "But people change though. They don't remain the same forever."

Gou, "Well, sometimes it's hard for some people to accept change. I guess Pokemon are the same sometimes."

Ash, "It would be better if Marcellus was it? If Marcellus caught new Pokemon to become Octillery's new friends."

Serena beamed, "That's what we thought too."

Chloe nodded, "We even helped him catch a Poliwag to become Octillery's new friend."

Max, "That's a good start right?"

Ash, "Well, technically it is a good start but he will have to help them get friendly with each other and develop a good relationship."

Casey, "I am sure he can figure something out to help his Pokemon."

Brock, "Let's trust him yeah? Besides we are going to be here for three days, so you can check up on him."

Serena and Chloe agreed on that fact and focused on enjoying the dinner. Max then started to tell the girls about their treasure hunting adventure. He told them about the letter between two lovers and how they think it might be the lovers from Lugia's wing legend. The girl's eyes shone as they gushed over the romance and how sweet it was the story was real. Casey said Luka was going to find more proof about the existence of the lovers and actually publish it with proof.

[A. N.: Valentine's Day is coming soon. So I figured a little romantic legend would be a good idea.

Hope you all enjoyed this story. Take care of yourselves.]