Pokemon: Reborn As Ash; Hoenn

Lucario, -Is that so?-

The older Pokemon did not say anything else as she shrugged and muttered about being too old for Legendary Pokemon nonsense and tantrums. Lucario could not help but sweat drop at that very specific and pointed complaint at Legendary Pokemon though he could not blame her. He felt that way sometimes and could not help but agree with the sentiment getting a raised eyebrow from the older female. Lucario then proceeded to tell her about all the Legendary Pokemon they ran into so far getting a very bewildered look from her.

Older Lucario, -How are you all even alive?-

Lucario, -I ask myself that everyday actually.-

Older Lucario, -I see. Well, I really cannot judge you all either way. Especially if you consider my own luck.-

Lucario, -That bad? I was worried about that.-

The older Lucario pat his back while their partners and friends finished their talk and promised to meet each other later on in the future. Lucario walked back to Ash and pulled him away to talk to him about the Hoenn region and what will happen during the journey. The Aura Pokemon had been putting the talk off but after the run in with the Legendary Pokemon from Sinnoh, Diance's birth and the two organizations in Hoenn region, it was obvious they needed to talk about this. Ash excuses himself from the rest and followed Lucario to a quiet place, it had been a while since they had some privacy.

Ash took his time as he tried to recall what he remembered from the Hoenn region, his memories were indeed fuzzy. He managed to remember the Gym Leaders and their general knowledge thanks to keeping up with the main news but he remembers nothing personal about them. The run in with the two teams reminded him of the final battle where Groudon and Kyogre had awakened and Pikachu had been used as a puppet to battle. That battle was hazy except for a few points like getting caught between the two giants and Rayquaza coming down to stop them. Then there were the movies which were centred around him, May and Max as the main characters.

Lucario, -They will go through pain as well.-

Ash, "I hope not. I will do my best to make sure they don't."

Lucario, -And who will protect you Meema?-

Ash, "I can take care of myself and I have you all with me.... "

Ruby, "You little brat! Do not just kill me off."

Ash, "Ruby... How much did you hear?"

Ruby, "The others were worried so I told them I would check in on you. As for how much I heard, well enough to know I can blame Celebi for whatever fuckery you are stuck in."

Lucario sighed, -That is one way to put it. I am surprised you are taking this so calmly.-

Ruby, "I am the Champion of this region and I have seen a lot of crazy stuff. Time travel is just one of them."

Ash, "I see, well, for the record Red knows about this too. Since he is my older brother and if Red knows something Blue does too."

Ruby's eyes twinkled, "Oh? Are they finally together?"

Ash, "Yes, but they are keeping it on the down low. Mostly because they both have enemies and it would be bad if they found out."

Ruby sat beside him, "Understandable. So, how about we make contingencies for the problems you know will happen. I know that things will have no doubt changed from what happened before but it never hurts to make plans."

Ash smiled in agreement and then two of them along with their Pokemon started to brain storm ideas. Ash told him what he knew about Groudon, Kyogre, team Aqua, team Magma and the other Legendary Pokemon. Ruby was a bit surprised to know that May and Max had also been chosen by two Legendaries but after spending time with them the oldest boy knew they were very lovable and kind. Ruby could not blame Manaphy nor Jiraichi for become charmed by the siblings who were very adorable.

Ruby, "You have your battle with Brawly tomorrow. Are you ready?"

Ash, "Yes, Taillow and Treeko are both very excited about their first Gym battle."

Ruby, "I see, sounds like you are ready to tackle the Gym."

Ash, "My Pokemon have been excited though I am a little worried about other things more than Gym battles."

Ruby, "Knowing what you do I am not surprised. Just understand you are not alone in this."

Ash, "I just hope no one dies like... "

Ruby, "We cannot stop death only prepare for it. I am sorry for your loss though."

Ash, "We have not lost anyone yet but you are right. I don't know if we can stop anyone from actually dying just prepare for the worst case scenario. I got lucky so far. I mean no one I actually cared about died yet but that can change."

Ruby, "I think it's good you did not have to watch anyone die yet. I would like to keep it that way a bit longer."

Ash, "Mmm... Let's do our best then."

Gou, "There you are. We have been waiting for you."

Ash, "Sorry we were making plans on how to tackle the two groups."

May, "Oh? Is that why you were talking about people dying?"

Max looked sheepish, "Sorry Ash, Ruby but you two were taking so long we came in search for you."

Molly looked to the ground, "I am sorry for the trouble I caused before."

Ash, "Molly no, come here, sweetling."

Molly ran to hug him, "I did not mean to hurt anyone."

Ash, "Shhhhh! Shhhhh! You did not know any better. There, there, we all got out of it in the end. Plus, Lord Entei did not mind getting a human cub last I checked."

Molly, "Still!"

Ash, "Alright that's enough self blame. Just know you are already forgiven, but if you really feel that bad then become strong so no one takes advantage of you ever again."

Molly wiped her tears, "I will, you will see. I will protect others not hurt them."

Ruby ruffled her hair, "Atta girl. That's the spirit. We all make mistakes."

Ash, "What's important is we learn from it."

Gou, "Sounds like you two had quite the serious talk before we got here."

May, "Will you tell us?"

Ruby looked at Ash who shrugged, "Well, since we are travelling together."

Ash, "We think you should know what sort of danger you are getting into at least."

Ruby, "The Hoenn Council would disagree of course."

Ash, "But they are not the ones out on the field, we are."

Max, "Okay, what have you got to share."

Ash, "The two organizations Aqua and Magma, we know some of the possible hideouts. We may not be able to avoid them however since both teams actually have mobile fortresses or rather bases."

Max, "That makes so much sense."

May grouched, "No wonder the Officers did not find much when they went to check the area. But how do they hide their bases?"

Gou, "Illusions? I mean last time Team Aqua escaped in a submarine but Team Magma works on land."

Ruby, "We reckon they are using military vehicles. The Magma leader was part of the military, while Team Aqua leader served in the Navy. Both of them were discharged after the war honourably for all their valiant efforts."

May, "I hear a but in there."

Ruby, "According to their papers both of them had seen things that changed them."

Ash, "Not sure if they were working together or not though."

Ruby sighed, "These are events from before we were born. Trying to get someone's health records is a bit hard."

Max, "Especially if it is a soldiers."

Ruby, "Yes, either way we have two very dangerous individuals as enemies though their understanding of science is lacking."

Gou snorted, "That's an understatement but that's what makes them more troublesome doesn't it? They think and believe they are right."

Ash, "Uh huh! To make it more complicated what we know about their bases now will change in the next few hours. So, we really cannot plan an effective battle strategy as we like."

Molly scrunched her face, "This is hard. So, how do we deal with them?"

Ruby, "I was thinking we should all take part in the Shadow Gym challenge."

May, "Me too."

Gou, "You want to focus on brute strength to tackle them?"

Ash, "It seems to be the only possible strategy so far."

Molly, "I... Mudkip, Shroomish, Lotad what do you think?"

Mudkip, "Mudkip."

Shroomish, "Shroom."

Lotads shrugged, "Lo lo."

Abra, -They are interested in getting stronger and so are we, Meema.-

Diance, "Ance diance."

May, "My Honchkrow will be excited. I need to talk to the rest."

Gou, "Oh yeah! You already had six Pokemon before."

May grinned, "Honchkrow is my starter, followed by Staryu that I received from mom, next is Porygon in my phone from dad. The other three are Parasect that is now helping mom grow mushrooms, don't ask."

Max, "Those mushrooms are delicious so no complaints here."

May, "Fifth Pokemon is Azumarill and final one is Ponyta. After that the latest Pokemon I got are Torchic and Wrumple here."

Ash, "That's a good group May. You should consider training them to battle so you are protected just in case."

May, "I have been thinking of sending Ponyta and Staryu home and get Azumarill to join us."

Lucario pulled his Meema aside before sleeping, -Will you be alright Meema? This region is going to be very strainful from the sounds of it.-

Ash, "I will be fine. Besides just because there are two very dangerous annoyances here it does not mean the rest of the region is."

Lucario sighed, -This stubborn part of you really frustrated me, but this makes you who you are. Just remember you can take a step back if it is too much.-

Ash, "I will. Now, get some rest. We have a Gym battle tomorrow."

Lucario, -Very well.-

The Referee announced, "Welcome to the Dewford gym. Today's challenger is Ash Ketchum here to challenge Gym Leader Brawly for the Gym badge."

Brawly, "Welcome to my humble Gym. I am very excited to battle you."

Ash grinned, "Thank you for the gesture. My Pokemon have been training hard to battle you as well."

Referee, "The rules are simple. This will be a three on three match. The first one to get two wins will be the winner. Or the last one standing will be the winner if both sides have an equal amount of victory. Choose your first Pokemon in 3, 2, 1."

Brawly, "Let's go Machop."

Ash, "Let's do this Taillow!"

Referee, "Begin!"

Ash, "Taillow double team and quick attack."

Brawly, "Bulk up and be patient. Watch the enemy carefully."

Ash, "Be careful Taillow."

Taillow narrowed his eyes, he understood what her trainer was saying. Eevee had used a similar trick on him during their training a few days ago. He thought he had the upper hand only for the young canine to bring him down with a surprise. Taillow flew in the air using double team as a cover to find an opening and then attacked using quick attack. Machop hissed when he was hit by the attack but soon enough covered the weak point and struck back. The karate chop and the quick attack made a loud slapping sound and both Pokemon were left dazed for a bit before recovering and taking battle stances again.

Ash, "Taillow agility."

Brawly smirked, "Double edge."

The two Pokemon clashed again this time Taillow was using agility and Machop was using a battle move. Brawly was grinning from ear to ear which made Ash twitch a little bit, it looks like the Gym Leader was enjoying the challenge. He had heard that Brawly had been loosing interest in accepting challengers for a while now, since he had been winning a lot lately.

Ash had his game face on, 'Time to put an end to that win streak.'