Pokemon: Reborn As Ash; Hoenn

Diance danced and chirped around the newly born Ralts while Abra was very excited about having a new psychic type join them. Max and May had psychic types too but they were not sibling material more like friend material. Ralts though was their new baby sister and they are going to take good care of her. Everyone though noticed Ash had visibly relaxed after Ralts was born. He been very worried whenever the poke egg would shine and then abruptly become dull again. It actually had everyone worried but no one commented on it not wanting to stress Ash out more. Plus with Lucario hovering like an over protective dragon type instead of a steel fighting type, it would not be possible to bring it up either way. Now, however Ralts was here and if Ruby recalled right there was a Pokemon centre close to the forest edge. They were heading that way to ensure Ralts was completely healthy and there were no lingering problems.

Ruby, "Did you know this forest has it's very own personal protector?"

Molly's eyes twinkled, "Oooh! A local lore."

Ruby chuckled, "Yes, it is said the Shiftry around here work together to ensure everyone's safety and security. So better watch what you do because the Shiftry are watching you."

Ash grinned, "Hey, that rhymed."

May, "Oh! Mom used to sing us that rhyme."

Max, "Yeah, young trainer ~ young trainer ~ with bright eyes ~"

May, "You should enter a forest without intentions of causing trouble ~"

Max, "Because someone is watching you from the shades above ~"

May, "Better watch what you do as Shiftry are watching you ~"

Gou, "That is pretty cool. It sounds like a nursery rhyme."

Ruby, "It is and there are different versions but it is a classic."

Lucario, -I see the Pokemon centre.-

Ash, "Great, let's get you checked out baby girl."

Ralts yawned, "Raaa?"

Abra giggled, -Just to make sure everything is working as it should be.-

Ralts nodded as she snuggled further into Ash and Diance, who was being carried next to her. Diance looked truly excited to be an older sibling if the coos were anything to go by, a few more lessons and she would be able to speak human. Speaking of Diance needed a check up as well, she had been forcing her vocal cords to speak the different vocabulary and Ash was worried she might have strained herself a bit. The Nurse Joy was honestly surprised to see Ruby and Diance, her brother at the Slateport city centre had informed her about it under confidential status. She was not expecting to see the high profile group in the middle of nowhere but then again, it was safer for them to travel through the less popular routes. She welcomed them warmly and got to work checking on the youngest hatchling first and then on the rest. Her hands trembled a bit when she realized she was checking on two legendaries but took a breath and did her job.

Ash turned to the siblings while the check up was going on, "You know, you two have very pleasant voices to listen to."

May beamed, "Thank you. Mom did make us take vocal lessons, saying even if we did not take part in singing competitions being able to annunciate is important."

Max, "Oh yeah! Those were fun. Especially making all those sounds."

May grinned, "We drove Dad up the wall with our practices."

Gou, "Somehow I can see the two of you tag teaming people just for the giggles."

Max puffed up, "We make a great team, don't we?"

Molly giggled, "Before I left Jhoto I told my parents I want a sibling too."

Ash chuckled, "How did they react?"

Molly, "They turned red as a strawberry. It was too funny. So told them I want two of them."

Ruby laughed, "I can see that happening."

Nurse Joy called them over and gave them positive news in the middle of their giggles and laughter. She looked very pleased as well though they did not know why. Nurse Joy was simply happy to see the Pokemon were healthy and the trainers as well. She lost count of how many ties trainers with special Pokemon were targeted and harassed by others wanting that Pokemon. Perhaps she should recommend the disguise idea to the next trainer with a shiny or albino Pokemon, Mew knows they need the break from constant questions and challenges. The group lingered for the night taking a much needed shower and break from their constant training before leaving the next day for more training. As they moved around the forest Max noticed it started getting more and more misty. It was starting to get thicker the further they went West. 

Molly pointed, "Guys look over there. It looks like a light house."

Ruby, "Ah! We must be close to the Light village."

Max, "Light village?"

Ruby, "The mist can be dangerously thick around these areas. So the village uses a lighthouse to guide travelers through the forest."

Gou, "Ah! That makes sense."

Ruby, "The most fascinating part is that the lighthouse uses a light stone that is powered up by electric attacks."

Ash, "Light stone, huh?"

May, "Something on your mind?"

Ash, "Nothing big. I was just recalling Bill that is all."

Gou, "Miss Daisy's husband? Oh yeah! He owns a lighthouse too."

Max, "By Bill, do you mean Bill one of the original creators of the pokedex? That Bill?"

Ash, "The one and only Bill. Yes, I wonder how he and Daisy are doing."

Ruby, "He is a good man. I met him once. Ah! We are here. Come on! I will introduce to the village elder. Do not worry, these guys know how to keep secrets, unlike City folks."

Ash nodded, "They do respect Legendaries more around towns and villages. So, sure, lead the way."

Ruby showed the path they would follow to the Elder's house and greeted the old man with familiarity. From time to time, Ash noticed the Elder would turn in their direction and nodded at Ruby making him smile. Ruby walked over to them and said he got a place for them to stay for as long as their training lasts. Ash grinned, he wanted to practice using his Aura around areas where visibility was low, this place was perfect for that type of training. Lucario hummed beside him and after settling down both of them started to train early in the morning using Aura to sense where things could be. It was honestly a slow process as Ash stumbled more often then not and mistook his targets multiple times, but they were both stubborn and kept at it. While they were taking a break from training Ash noticed a boy with a Plusle and a Minun were watching them from a distance. Lucario saw his gaze and nudged at the yellow electric mouse who looked at the three visitors.

The boy followed the two Pokemon, "Hel..... Hello, I am Thatcher. These are my friends Plusle and Minun."

Plusle bowed, "Plusle."

Minun waved, "Mi minun."

Ash smiled, "Nice to meet you Thatcher. My name is Ash. This is Lucario my main and first Pokemon. Pikachu here is the official starter I received from Professor Oak. Those two tuckered out over here are Taillow and Treeko."

Thatcher, "Wait Treeko is not your starter? I thought.... "

Ash, "To be honest, not everyone has one of the big three as a main starter. I raised Lucario here from a poke egg. The same way I am raising Phanphy, Abra, Eevee, Diance and Ralts here."

Diance perked up at her name. -Hello, m Diance.-

Ash pat her head, "Good job princess, you are getting better."

Thatcher stared at the rock princess, "That is so cool. Do you think I could teach Plusle and Minun how to speak too? I would love to talk about a lot of things with them. I am the only boy around my age you see. The rest are still toddlers or already adults and working."

Lucario saw the moment his Meema's gaze softened and could not help the fond huff that came from him. He always had soft spot for children younger then him, though Lucario suspected it was influenced by his previous life. His Meema was an adult before, it is possible he had children or at the very least worked with children. That was the only way to explain how he could handle children and why they listen to him so easily compared to others. Lucario was not blind, he had noticed how the kids even the rowdy and rebellious ones listened to his Meema. Ash used his Aura as an excuse but he could see the experience because if he admitted it was experience.... It would mean he left a possible cub behind in that world and Ash was not ready to accept that. It was not exactly healthy to avoid that subject but Lucario figures he could wait a few more years before broaching that subject again. In order to truly move on, his Meema would need to properly grieve and let go.

Thatcher, "This is so cool."

Ash, "Talking in another language is harder then learning to battle for Pokemon. So, make sure you are patient ok?"

Thatcher nodded, "I will, I promise. Plusle and Minun are very important to me."

Ash, "That's good. Want to join us for dinner? It is getting dark."

Thatcher looked at the sky in alarm, "Oh no! I have to get to the lighthouse. It is my turn to light the stone tonight."

Ash, "How about we escort you there? I have been meaning to visit but haven't yet. I got caught up with the training."

Thatcher beamed and pulled Ash along once they cleaned up the area. The young boy giggled as Pikachu ran up his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek. Thatcher admitted to being interested in becoming an Electric type specialist and wanted to catch one of each electric Pokemon out there. He was influenced by the story of a trainer in blue with a Pikachu who changed everything for this village by bringing them the light stone they used. Ash had wondered about that and asked if it was a Hackmanite stone they were using. Thatcher blinked at that and shook his head saying he was unsure which prompted Ash to offer sending a sample to Steven for testing. It it was a Hackmanite, they could probably get more to light up the village better. That had Thatcher wide eyed but he paused saying they should talk to the village Chief about that first.

Village Chief, "Talk about what young Thatcher?"

A young teen spoke, "There you are Thatcher."

Thatcher, "Chief, big sis Allyssa, we were talking about the light stone we used."

Ash, "I was thinking of sending a sample to Steven Stone actually."

Allyssa gasped, "The Champion? What for?"

Ash smiled, "He specializes in studying stone formation and geology. If anyone can figure out what that stone is. It is him. Plus who knows this region is huge, he could maybe find more stones like it and you could build a proper lighted path with it."

Village Chief, "I suppose so, but we only have one stone. How can we send it to him?"

Ash, "You do not need to send the stone. We are sending small sample. Lucario, if you would please?"

Lucario nodded and formed a blade, -Do not fear, I will not damage it.-

Allyssa watched nervously as a thin layer of stone was cut, "Is that it?"

Ash, "Thatcher, light it up."

Thatcher, "Right! Plusle, Minun spark together."

Plusle, "Plus."

Minun, "Min."

Allyssa watched as the attack hit the stone and it lit up, "Phew! It was not damaged."

Ash took the small piece, "We will be sending this to the Champion then."

Village Chief, "Of course, of course. With this perhaps we will be able to understand the secret of the stone and know how to properly care for it."

Ash looked at the stone, "Yes, it is a curious thing, isn't it?"