"Finally found you, so what are you doing here?"
After walking for a few minutes, Ash finally found Aipom hiding in a tree.
Just as he asked, Aipom suddenly turned around.
When Ash saw the Tree Fruit in its hand, he probably knew why Aipom had run away.
Maybe it smelled the Tree Fruit after seeing that there was just like that here?
But wasn't this guy already full? Why is it still so greedy?
Ash was speechless as he returned it to the Poké Ball, and then took Pikachu in the direction from which he came.
"Speaking of which, I wonder if Brock has found the other lost Pokémon.
If he hasn't, we probably won't be able to leave until tonight."
"pi~ka~"
Pikachu also drooped its ears helplessly.
Originally, they thought it would only take a short time to find the Pokémon, but now the only Piplup they found jumped out on its own, and the price was a battle in the wild.
If you think about it from this perspective, Ash can probably understand why Aipom felt hungry again.
It's such an active guy and it just experienced a battle.
Without a snack, its consumed lunch should be about gone.
novel net
"Is Piplup full? If it is, let's go... let's meet up with Brock first, it's been so long..."
Ash came to the starting position, originally wanting to call Dawn to leave here together, but Ash found that Dawn's current state seemed a little strange.
"Dawn?"
Ash called her name again, and this time Dawn came back to her senses, she pointed her finger at the lakeside in front and said: "In the lake... it seemed like a Pokémon just appeared..."
"Pokémon?"
Ash was puzzled by this, but the next second he remembered that this is Lake Verity, which means that Dawn saw Mesprit.
"Really! I'm not lying to you! Although I don't know where the Pokémon in the lake went! But it really appeared just now! Right, Piplup?!"
"Piplu-
plup!"
Piplup nodded repeatedly in agreement, looking at the two of them, Ash's thoughts were elsewhere now.
Mesprit, huh...
He thought to himself.
So, does that mean I have to go through the Team Galactic incident again? Can I prevent it this time? If I tell Cynthia that Cyrus is the leader of Team Galactic... but I don't have any evidence, this is troublesome.
Ash sighed inwardly.
It would be easy if he could just tell Cynthia the truth and solve the problem.
I mean, the reason Team Galactic succeeded before was because their leader was always lurking around them.
Even though Ash, who has relived this, knows so much, if he doesn't have any evidence, Cynthia would probably trust Cyrus more than him, right? Who told him to stay in the Pokémon League's view for longer?
But if Professor Oak guarantees it, maybe... forget it, even if it's Professor Oak, it probably won't work without evidence.
With such frustrated thoughts, Ash and Dawn returned to the intersection.
Seeing Brock with Chimchar and Staraptor, the two of them finally breathed a sigh of relief.
In any case, it seems that today's mission can come to an end.
"What... are you guys doing? It's not just that, did you let the rookie Pokémon and Staraptor run away, but you also needed others to help you clean up your mess? Is that how you behave?!"
"S-Sorry!" ×n
After returning to the Pokémon Lab, Professor Rowan had finally returned as well.
During Ash and the others' absence, Professor Rowan had already learned about what had happened in the lab, and thus did not hesitate to scold his subordinates in front of Ash and the others.
It must be said that Dawn's previous worries seemed to be correct.
Professor Rowan looked a bit scary when he was scolding people... especially with that thick beard, which made Professor Rowan himself look even more dignified.
"I-It's okay... anyway, it didn't waste much time..."
Since Professor Rowan was mainly apologizing to Dawn, who was a new Trainer who had just set out, only Dawn could say the words of forgiveness, but
this was also because the researchers behind her were constantly winking at Dawn, begging her for help.
"Ah... I'm really sorry, I didn't expect something like this to happen.
As compensation, I can give you some more Poké Balls.
Speaking of which, have you decided which of the starter Pokémon you want to choose?"
After saying this, Professor Rowan turned to the side, allowing Dawn to clearly see the Piplup, Chimchar, and Turtwig standing in a row behind him.
Ariados -> If it were before, Dawn would still be struggling to make a decision, but after experiencing the Ariados incident, Dawn no longer hesitated and walked directly to Piplup, squatting down and firmly saying, "I choose Piplup!"
"Piplup~ !"
Ash clearly saw Piplup's body shake the moment Dawn chose it.
It should also be happy to be chosen by Dawn, but Piplup deliberately acted indifferent, turning its head away in a tsundere manner, always giving the impression that it was rejecting Dawn.
"Okay, stop being stubborn~ I know what you're thinking, anyway, it's decided!"
"Pip~ Piplup?!"
Piplup was hugged by Dawn before it could express its own meaning.
Seeing the two of them being so close after only meeting for a short time, Professor Rowan nodded in satisfaction.
For him, nothing is more joyful than seeing a new trainer and her new Pokémon getting along well.
In short, considering Dawn and Piplup's feelings and their respective personalities, there shouldn't be any problems in their future journey.
"Since you've made your choice, that's good.
Also, here's a Poké Ball and a Pokédex for you.
With the Pokédex, you're officially recognized as a Pokémon Trainer.
Regardless of what your dream is, always remember to focus on Pokémon, that's the only way you can go further."
"Yes, I understand! Thank you, Professor Rowan!"
Dawn bowed slightly to Professor Rowan with gratitude and respect.
Only after receiving these rewards did Dawn truly feel the heart and responsibility of being a Pokémon Trainer.