Meowth pat the familiar face, 'Been a while.'
Lucario woke up, -Meowth? You are alive, thank sanity. Meema, Jessie and James have been worried.-
Meoeth smiled, "Listen pup, I can't stay long at the moment. But tell the rest I am doing alright. Team Aqua did not recognize me as a Meowth yet. And as long as they avoid contacting me, I will be safe."
Lucario, -But what if you need help.-
Meowth, "Then I will contact you pup. Get a close read on my aura."
Lucario, -I see, you want us to use aura as a flare for danger.-
Meowth, "Indeed, that is the plan. Now, do it quickly, I cannot be gone for long."
Lucario sighed, -Very well, I shall agree to this but I expect you to stay safe.-
Meowth grinned, "Always pup. Tell them this old Meowth misses them. See ya!"
Ash, "How about you tell me all that yourself?"
Meowth paused, "Thought you were out with Phantump tonight kit."
Ash, "I was, he is doing okay for most part."
Meowth softened, "Glad to hear. I really need to get going though kitten. I'm very happy to see you alive and well though."
Ash sighed nodding, "I understand. Just stay safe and alive please."
Meowth smirked, "Always kit. Say hello to Jessie for me. Heard she's ghetto judge in a few upcoming contest."
Lucario shook his head, 'I hope you know what you are getting into.'
Ash, "And he's gone. If Meowth is here then... "
Lucario, -Team Aqua is close by which means Team Magma might be as well.-
Ash, "We should warn Keanu about this."
Lucario nodded getting up and heading to the main area of the camp, -I just pray he does not get caught.-
Ash murmured, "I know what you mean."
Keanu, "Ash? Lucario? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
Professor Birch was holding a can of beer looking at him curiously, "Yes, it is pretty late."
Ash, "I just went on a walk as Phantump was having a hard time calming down. Yes, I know they are active at night and I was not talking about sleeping."
Birch chuckled, "Ah! I get it. He is an adorable one."
Phantump puffed up, "Phan."
Keanu, "Did something happen?"
Lucario, -You could say that.-
Ash, "Do not panic."
Birch, "Saying that just makes me worried."
Ash, "It is important you don't though, as while I was with Phantump I am pretty sure I saw some Aqua grunts snooping around."
Keanu tensed, "Are you sure?"
Ash, "Can't mistake those swim outfits that they wear as uniforms. Who made those anyway? They look uncomfortable as hell to wear whole day while working."
Birch sweat dropped, "Ahem! Poor fashion choices aside. Where did you see them?"
Ash, "West side from here. They were close to the beach. I mostly observed them, as I went to calm Phantump and did not carry any other Pokemon or items. They looked like they were searching for something."
Keanu nodded, "Understood, we or rather I will be careful as I am the one who does research around here most of the time."
Birch, "And I guess I better watch my back while on the road. You never know if they might think I somehow know something they want even though it's not true."
Ash, "Better safe than sorry. I am heading to bed, just thought I will give you a heads up about the situation. Do not worry about the watch, Phantump despite his childish disposition takes safety very seriously."
Keanu, "I appreciate that."
Ash nodded before wishing the two goodnight and heading to bed, he was glad he met Meowth though. The cat looked like he was enjoying spying on the rival teams and most importantly he looked healthy, Ash would not have let him go otherwise. The next day, May was training her Silcoon taking a page from Ash's previous battle and performance videos. Ruby was with Gou talking about a few things in hushed voices, Ash would ask them later if he was curious enough about it. They were allowed to have their own secrets, on the other hand Max and Molly were having a fun day and were encouraging their Pokemon to play. Ash had pointed out too much training would just stress the Pokemon so they were having a game day and playing around.
May, "Professor, Mr Keanu, I have a few questions."
Keanu, "Of course, what is it?"
May held Torchic, "Umm.. I just, well... How do I say this?"
Birch, "Is something the matter with the little one?"
May, "Well, Torchic has been pecking his feathers off a lot lately. I have tried to keep him clean, feed him good food but, he keeps molting. It is not even time for the most yet and he has been exhausted too lately."
Birch got up, "Let me see."
Torchic, "Chi.... "
Birch, "Hmm.. Show me the chart for his diet and the training regime you follow."
May took out a notepad, "Here it is. I stick with it as much as possible with small breaks here and there if they do exceptionally well."
Birch hummed going through the notes, "I see what's happening."
Keanu chuckled, "She has been following the training regime for higher level trainers, isn't she?"
Birch, "Yes, that's what happened. May, your Torchic is fine. He is just going through a growth phase. Try to make him eat more then before so make up for the stamina and energy."
May grumbled, "Easier said than done. He still refuses to eat more than one bowl."
Birch hummed in understanding, the first few growth phases were quiet the challenge for Pokemon. They required more food but refused to eat more than they were used to eating, Birch recalls some of the Pokemon had to be coaxed over and over to eat. The brunette asked Gou how he dealt with it and Gou had a thinking position before telling her he handfed his Pokemon during those times. Some of the Pokemon ate while others were too stubborn and it was the presence of Cinderace that made them behave and eat. May thought that was an okay idea but decided to ask Ash about his method which the raven haired boy explained was a bit different. He was not sure if May could do what he did as he used his Aura to ease his Pokemon to make sure they were getting the nutrients required.
May had to admit it was an interesting method but ultimately for an inactive like her not the best choice. Ruby chimed in saying after eating the main amount he would add the extra as sweets or dessert for his Pokemon to eat. Humans eat desserts as treats so, the Pokemon copy that and can eat the food easily as well though it was a challenge to make Pokemon who do not like sweet stuff eat the required amount. May had a thoughtful look on her face before deciding to make a plan to help Torchic, it would not be smooth sailing but she would do anything for her Pokemon. Max had a more simple idea to train after eating and make them eat again, which while practical was not effective on Pokemon who were not fighting types.
Lucario, -What are you thinking about Meema?-
Ash looked at him then around before answering, "Just Meowth, I hope he is safe."
Lucario hummed, -Thar old cat is a clever one, Meema. Knowing him, he probably has found partners in that group. I mean he became partners with Jessie and James instead of becoming just another Pokemon for Team Rocket.-
Ash, "That is true. Just goes to show how clever and charming he really is."
Lucario, -Do not worry too much Meema, we have to keep his secret safe to protect him.-
Ash, "Yeah, you make a good point. Thank you Lucario, you are right. I should trust him more, he has been doing this many times now."
"Hey, I challenge you to a battle."
Ash, "Huh? I am having a moment here."
A blue haired girl appeared surfing, "My name is Shauna. I am originally from Kalos but I am learning under Brawly."
Ash's mind blanked, 'Shauna? Serena's rival or one of them is in Hoenn. Actually now that I think about it, is this the Butterfree effect?'
Shauna, "You!"
May became flustered, "Me? I did not do anything."
Shauna, "I am not accusing you. I saw your training though. Battle me!"
May, "Um... Aren't you doing the Gym challenge? I am going for contest, you know?"
Shauna, "Does it make a difference? Last I recall contested have a battle as a finishing touch."
Ruby, "What sort of match do you want?"
Shauna, "Sort? Um... I'm good with either one on one or even double team."
May, "One on one then."
Gou, "Cool! I can referee if you want."
Ash meanwhile was trying to fill in his fact book about Pokemon anime, now that the blue haired surfer was here, he vaguely recalled her presence in Hoenn. Ash had always thought Shauna felt like she had some experience when he had seen her in the anime but if she had travelled outside before it made sense. Not to forget her confidence, that was experience that was talking not mere beginner's luck at being good at her craft. He half wondered if the animators forgot that Shauna was a character that existed before or if they intentionally made her look and act different to give Serena a rival. A rival does help make character growth much more interesting and right now she has long blue hair, if it was dyed and styled a bit she would look completely different.
Ash, 'Or maybe it is coloured now. I can see some dark roots there.'
Gou, "The match is between May and Shauna. Rule is simple. First Pokemon to faint loses."
Ruby, "Hey, what's wrong?"
Ash, "She said she was Brawly's student. I wonder for how long."
Gou, "Choose your Pokemon. There will be no substitutions allowed as this is a one on one match."
Ruby, "I wonder how she will react if she knew you defeated Brawly already."
Ash, "Don't, Lucario would crush her just for fun and giggles."
Shauna, "Let's go Meditite."
May, "I choose you my adorable Staryu."
Gou, "Begin."
Ruby, "Feeling territorial again?"
Ash, "He has been for a while. Why do you think I have been keeping my distance the last few days. I am waiting for him to calm down first."
Ruby nodded, "Understandable, is this the Alpha gene acting up?"
Ash, "I do not think so. I mean I encourage them to become leaders. However whether or not they will activate the A - gene is a different matter altogether. I don't mind if they don't, they are already pretty strong as is."
Ruby, "True, Lucario could probably level this whole area if he wanted under the risked of entering a coma for months."
Ash, "I am trying to avoid that and I have almost calmed him down so far. Max and Molly acting cute has helped a lot too."
Ruby chuckled, "I can imagine, those two are adorable."
May, "Staryu be careful and get to the water using water gun."
Ash, "Well May looks like she's having fun."
Ruby, "Hmm... You had your own list of challengers wanting to battle you."
Ash gave a laugh, "And they were all trounced by Lucario. I fell a little bad for them and also very thankful. I should not say this but they helped Lucario feel better."
Ruby, "Hey, battling is how trainers live."
Shauna, "Meditite calm mind. Do not lose your temper."
Meditite, "Medi."
Ash, "Oh that little one now reminds me of when Lucario and I first started battling."
Lucario placed his chin on Ash's shoulder, -I recall you calling out calm mind for me multiple times.-
Ash, "You are back Lucario. Done training with Corpish."
Corpish crawled next to him, "Cor."
Ash, "I will give you a massage after this, okay tough guy?"
Corpish perked up at that, "Cor cor."
Treeko tched, "Ko Ko."
Corpish bristled, "Corpish cor."
Taillow however was not having it, "Low."
Ash smirked, "I see you are taking your position as the first Pokemon from Hoenn seriously."
Taillow saluted smirking back, "Low taillow."