To register for the Hoenn League, Ash and May were now on their way to Oldale Town.
Ash knew that as a new trainer, and a girl, May wouldn't have the same physical endurance as him. After all, not everyone has the "super-human" body of the original protagonist. Ash decided to let Eevee and Phanpy out so they could train their stamina while they walked.
"Come on out, Eevee, Phanpy!" "Bui~" "Pao Pao~"
Eevee emerged and looked at Ash with a proud, haughty expression, while Phanpy scurried around him.
"Wow! Are these your Pokémon, too? They're so cute!" (???) May's eyes lit up as she took out her Pokédex and scanned them.
Eevee...
Phanpy...
"Of course! Eevee, Phanpy, you two walk with us. Think of it as stamina training!" Ash said, taking two Power Weights from his bag and putting them on the Pokémon.
"We're going to train? Okay! Come on out, Torchic!" "Chaamo~"
Torchic came out, looked around, and didn't find any enemies. (?????)?????
"Alright, Torchic, you can walk with us as part of your training too!" "Chaamo~"
[Torchic]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Blaze]
[Strength: Early Normal-Level]
[Terastal Type: Fire]
[Moves: Ember, Peck, Growl]
The two trainers and four Pokémon walked through the forest toward Oldale Town.
Along the way, May asked Ash about his previous journeys, and Ash patiently told her all about them.
"Wow! Your old friends were all Gym Leaders! That's amazing! And you had so many fun adventures! Traveling really is the best!" (?) May's eyes sparkled with excitement.
An Hour Later
Suddenly, a cute Azurill appeared in front of them. "Wow! It's so cute! I want it! Go, Torchic, use Peck!"
May also took out her Pokédex and scanned it:
Azurill...
It was a good thing Ash had taught her some basic Pokémon knowledge along the way, or she would have just thrown a Poké Ball at it, like the original story!
[Azurill]
[Strength: Mid-Normal-Level]
Bang! "Loo~" Azurill was knocked back! It got angry and shot out a Water Gun!
"Quick, dodge it, Torchic!"
Unfortunately, it was a moment too late, and Torchic was hit by the Water Gun.
"Are you okay, Torchic!" "Chaamo~" Torchic shook its head and chirped.
"Hey, wait! Don't run! Torchic, charge in and use Peck!" May yelled as Azurill jumped into the bushes.
"Chaamo~" Just then, three Water Guns shot out of the bushes and hit Torchic. It was super effective, and Torchic fainted!
Then, Azurill, Marill, and Azumarill jumped out, glaring angrily at Ash and May!
"Ah, Torchic!" "May, here's a Potion. Use it on Torchic and then recall him. Go, Eevee, use Shadow Ball! Phanpy, use Rollout!"
"Oh! Oh! Thanks!" May applied the Potion to Torchic and then recalled it to its Poké Ball.
In the end, the Marill family was driven back into the river by Eevee and Phanpy.
"Ah, Torchic! It's all my fault!" (っ╥╯﹏╰╥c) May stared at the Poké Ball, blaming herself sadly.
"It's okay, May, don't blame yourself! You did great for a beginner! I wasn't even this good when I started! You gave it a Potion, so now let's hurry to the Pokémon Center to get Torchic checked out!" Ash said, patting May on the shoulder to comfort her. "Pika Pi~" Pikachu also made a sound to comfort her.
"Okay! Alright! Torchic will be fine!" May wiped away her tears with her arm and ran toward the Pokémon Center in Oldale Town!
"Hey?! Wait for me, May!" Ash recalled Phanpy, and Eevee jumped onto his other shoulder as he ran after her.
Twilight
Ash and May arrived at a large building surrounded by tall stone structures.
"Wow! It looks so ancient!" "It must be some kind of ruins!"
At that moment, an archaeologist walked out of the building.
"You're right! This is an ancient ruin. Hello! My name is Mason, and I'm doing research here!"
"Oh, hi! My name is May!"
"Hello! I'm Ash, and this is my partner, Pikachu!" "Pika~"
"By the way, are you two in a hurry to get somewhere?" Mason asked curiously.
"We're heading to the Pokémon Center. My friend's Pokémon got hurt!" Ash replied.
"Oh! I see! The Pokémon Center is right over there!" Mason said, pointing below.
Ash and May followed his finger and, sure enough, saw the Pokémon Center.
"Thanks for your help!" "Pika~"
Afterward, Ash and May arrived at the Pokémon Center, and May handed Torchic's Poké Ball to Nurse Joy.
Because she was so worried about Torchic, she had rushed all the way and hadn't had time to take off its Power Weight. Now that they were at the Pokémon Center, she finally felt relieved and took it off.
"Nurse Joy, I'm entrusting Torchic to you." May said.
"No problem! Leave it to me!" Nurse Joy replied with a smile.
"So, how is it?"
"Please wait a moment."
Nurse Joy began checking on Torchic with the medical equipment.
"It's fine now. It just needs a good night's rest to recover!"
"Phew! That's a relief." (＾▽＾) May sighed.
"You must feel much better now, May!" "Pika~" Ash walked over and handed his Poké Balls to Nurse Joy to get his Pokémon checked.
Nurse Joy took the Poké Balls and handed them to a Chansey to get checked.
"Thanks, Ash! I don't know what I would have done without you!"
"It's nothing! We're partners, right? Oh, that reminds me, Nurse Joy, I'd like to register for the Hoenn League, please."
Ash took out his Pokédex. Nurse Joy took it and put it in a slot, and Ash's information appeared on the computer screen. May hadn't decided to register yet.
"Alright, the registration is complete."
"Thank you, Nurse Joy."
"The checkup is complete, Mr. Ash. Your Pokémon are all in perfect health!" Nurse Joy returned Pikachu and the Poké Balls to Ash a moment later.
"Pika~" Pikachu immediately jumped into Ash's arms.
"Come on, May, it's getting late! Let's call home first so our families don't worry, and then we can get something to eat at the restaurant!" Ash said, holding Pikachu.
"Oh! Okay. This is my first time at a Pokémon Center, Ash. You lead the way!"
Ash led May to the phone area, where they separated to make their calls.
Ash called his mom, Delia, first to let her know he was safe. Afterward, he called Professor Oak's lab.
"Good evening, Professor Oak. I've arrived in Oldale Town."
"Is that so? That's great! You both look well! And so does Pikachu!" "Pika~"
"Yep! I've also completed my Hoenn League registration, so I can go challenge the first Gym!"
"That's wonderful! A new adventure is finally starting, right!"
"Wow! I only ever see Professor Oak on TV!" (?) May said, interjecting after she finished her call.
"Huh?" (?????)????? Professor Oak was confused.
May pushed Ash aside and stepped in front of the screen. "Hello, Professor Oak! My name is May!"
"Hello, Miss May. I'm Professor Oak from Pallet Town," he said, looking at the pretty girl in front of him.
May pressed her face right up to the screen. (?) "I know! My brother and I always listen to your radio show. He'll be so jealous when he finds out I talked to you!"
"Is... is that so?"
"I just became a Pokémon Trainer and just started my journey, so I'd appreciate any advice you have."
May's enthusiasm made Professor Oak start to sweat profusely. (??ω?? ?) "Well, it seems Ash has a lively new friend. Ash, you two do your best and have a good journey! If that's all, I'll hang up now!"
"Okay. Goodbye, Professor Oak!" "Pika Pika~"
Professor Oak hung up the phone.
"Alright, let's go get some food!" "Okay!"
Meanwhile, the Team Rocket trio was crammed into a small phone booth.
To be continued...