Ash had finally earned his sixth badge.
That meant there were only two more left before he could qualify for the Kalos League tournament.
Before leaving the Laverre Gym, Valerie came up to Ash and asked for his contact information.
Ash and the others didn't think much of it and gave it to her.
After leaving the Gym, the group stopped at the Pokémon Center. There, they saw Pierre—the announcer of the Pokémon Showcases—announcing the next Rookie Pokémon Showcases. The next one would be held in a town called Dendemille Town.
Dendemille Town was a beautiful place, famous for its massive windmills and towering mountains.
"Attention, all Rookie Pokémon Performers!" Pierre's voice rang out from the screen. "I, along with the Master Class performers, will be waiting for you in Dendemille Town. Put on your very best performances!
Registration is available at all Pokémon Centers across Kalos. Don't wait—sign up now!"
The broadcast ended there.
"Dendemille Town… Pancham, Braixen, this time, we have to win!" Serena clenched her fists, determination blazing in her eyes.
"Panchaam!"
"Braaiixen!"
Pancham and Braixen both shouted in high spirits, their fighting spirit ignited.
"Serena, this is your time! Win, and claim your very first Princess Key!"
"Yeah, Serena, do your best!" Ash and the others gathered around to encourage her.
Serena nodded firmly. "Thanks, everyone!" Then she turned to Ash. "Ash, what about you? Have you decided which Gym to challenge next?"
Everyone's eyes turned toward him.
"Since Serena's heading to Dendemille Town, we should stay on the same route. That means Anistar City Gym will be the seventh Gym I challenge." Ash answered without hesitation.
As for Sawyer, he had decided to head toward Coumarine City to challenge the Gym there.
And so, he bid farewell to everyone at this point.
As Sawyer left, he glanced back at Ash. Ash was the senior trainer he aspired to catch up to—the target he would chase with everything he had!
------
That afternoon, Ash and his friends were on their way to Dendemille Town.
It was break time.
Under a large tree in the distance, Sceptile and Servine were up to something together.
Pignite and Fletchinder were resting side by side.
Lucario, Metagross, and Salamence were grouped together.
The rest of the Pokémon were also relaxing in their own ways.
Only Hawlucha was apart from the others, training under another tree.
"Karate Chop! Brick Break! Metal Claw!"
He launched attacks against the tree trunk in front of him, though he held back his full strength. After all, as the former "Forest Champion," Hawlucha had no habit of destroying trees and plants recklessly.
"Cha! Haw-cha-cha!"
Strike after strike hit the trunk.
But just as Hawlucha delivered another chop, the other side of the tree suddenly began glowing faintly.
"Cha?"
Confused, Hawlucha circled around and found the source of the glow.
It was a Pokémon Egg.
He had no idea what kind of egg it was.
Looking around, there were no Pokémon nearby—no trace of its mother.
Taking responsibility, Hawlucha carefully picked up the egg and carried it back to Ash, setting aside his training.
"Alright everyone, come back for now. Sceptile, Servine, you too," Ash called as he, Clemont, and Bonnie prepared to recall the Pokémon into their Poké Balls. But all eyes shifted to the egg Hawlucha was carrying.
"Cha-cha!" Hawlucha explained the situation quickly.
"A Pokémon Egg? Wow, what a lucky find!"
"But where's the mother? Could it have been abandoned?"
"Waiting here isn't realistic, and besides…" Clemont adjusted his glasses. "This egg is glowing more and more frequently. That means—it's close to hatching!"
As if to confirm his words, the egg flared brightly again.
And the pulses of light grew faster and stronger.
"Leave it to us! Everyone, let's help keep the egg warm. Fletchinder, you've got the Flame Body ability—perfect for speeding up the hatching process!" Ash instructed.
"Fletch!"
Ash felt satisfied—he knew exactly whose egg this was. In the original timeline, this was Noibat's egg.
And when Noibat eventually evolved into Noivern… it would be both powerful and incredibly cool.
Soon, with everyone's help, the egg's glow intensified. The light shone brighter and brighter until—
With a dazzling flash, the egg burst forth with radiance. The Pokémon all instinctively stepped back.
In Ash's hands, the egg shook violently, cracking apart with sharp "crack-crack" sounds.
The shell disappeared.
In its place was a tiny Noibat, eyes still closed, large ears drooping down over them.
"Noi…?"
Slowly, it blinked open for the first time.
And the first thing it saw was Ash.
"Welcome to the world, little one." Ash smiled warmly.
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu cheered.
"Haw-cha!"
"Fletch!"
"Tiri-tiri!" (Dedenne squeaked too.)
The Pokémon all greeted the newborn happily.
Noibat looked around curiously before fixing its gaze back on Ash. It flapped its tiny wings as hard as it could, but its feet didn't leave the ground.
Of course—it had just hatched. Flying would take time.
"It's a Noibat! So cute!" Bonnie squealed, already enchanted.
"Looks like it can't fly yet. We'll need to help it practice—maybe gliding first. Fletchinder, Hawlucha, you two can teach it."
"Fletch!"
"Haw-cha!"
Both Pokémon nodded confidently.
"Good. But first—Noibat, would you like to travel with us?" Ash asked gently.
The little Noibat immediately fluttered into Ash's arms, nodding happily.
The very first face it saw was Ash's. To Noibat, that made Ash feel safe and familiar. Naturally, it wanted to follow him.
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T/N:
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