"Algarve Town," Ash read on the sign when he and his friends paused at the top of the hill at the end of the forest path. His face paled when he saw the hill almost went straight down; however, at the end of it was a tucked-in seaside community surrounded by a beach and tall cliffs. Houses stood clustered together on cobblestone streets and hills, but it looked like there was a field for Pokémon Battles, too. It was one of the most unique communities Ash had seen, and it just so happened to be tucked away in that part of Sinnoh.
Beside Ash, Brock checked his guidebook and explained, "According to this, Algarve Town is the international gateway for Pokémon Rangers and tourists who want to visit the three main Ranger regions: Fiore, Almia, and Oblivia."
"That's right," Kellyn confirmed, looking at Ash and his friends. "There's a Pokémon Center for Trainers and a Ranger Depot for Rangers here."
Brock flipped to the next page in his book. "Hey, listen to this! Algarve is known to have the best sandwiches and quiche in the world!"
"Quiche?" Ash didn't know what that was, but his and Pikachu's tummies rumbled at the mention of food. "I wanna try some quiche!"
Dawn giggled and asked, "Why am I not surprised? What about a Contest Hall, Brock?"
Brock turned his book and carefully studied it. "It doesn't look like they have one, Dawn, but they do have regular tournaments for Pokémon Battles. This appears to be a major hub for Rangers and Trainers. It's almost a straight shot from here to Pueltown in Almia."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Ash whooped, followed soon by Pikachu. "Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"
He started down the hill, and Dawn yelled, "What about that quiche, Ash?" She chased him first, then Brock, and then Kellyn.
If Ash and his friends were going to face Hunter J again, and whatever this Blue-Bird was, Ash needed to ensure he got some training in before accompanying Kellyn to Almia. Although he blurted it, Brock had a good idea in case Kellyn needed extra help. It was also a brand-new region, and Ash was always excited for a new adventure.
Train first, though, he thought to himself, after some food.
Once they reached the bottom of the hill and the beachside, Kellyn gestured Ash and his friends forward and took them to a small café. It looked like he didn't want people to know he was a Ranger because he kept his cloak on while they ordered and grabbed their quiche and sandwiches. They found a table outside and sat under the hot sun.
Piplup and Pikachu munched on some poffins, and Ash bit into his quiche, gagging. Ugh, what was that? It tasted like spinach and cheese that had been out of the fridge for too long.
Ash quickly sipped his water cup and brushed his tongue, and his friends chuckled.
Before long, a few Trainers approached them and gave them knowing looks.
Ash and Dawn grinned at one another and rested their hands on their pokéballs. They took their Pokémon Battle out to the beach, which had smaller cliffs and hundreds of rocks of all sizes. Pikachu was growing stronger every day, as was Piplup. They launched their attacks and knocked their opponents back, who slid across the sand.
Just before the Pokémon collided with one another again, an enormous wave smashed into them from out of nowhere, and everyone was knocked off their feet, even Kellyn.
Ooh, that was chilly, but it felt great, and Ash laughed. He reached for Pikachu, who had been thrown onto his hat.
Kellyn seemed a little spacey and serious because he searched the area after standing and checked his Capture Styler.
Once the sun lowered a little in the sky, the group said goodbye to the Trainers and left the beach.
Kellyn took Ash and his friends toward a building near the ferry port on the other side of town. It had a leafy roof, and the Ranger Union's logo was on the door. It resembled Kellyn's Capture Disc.
He pointed at the building and stopped before it, saying, "This is the Ra-Ranger Depot." Did he stutter? "Wait for me out here," he ordered Ash and his friends. "I need to do something before I leave."
There was no doubt about it—Ash saw it in his gait—Kellyn was nervous. His arms didn't sway while he walked, and he pushed his shoulders back when he straightened his posture. Ash wished he would tell him that "classified" information. Kellyn looked like he needed a few friends to accompany him to Almia.
It appeared that even Dawn picked up on Kellyn's uneasiness because she asked, "Is it just me, or does he seem spacier than usual?"
"He does," Brock agreed, clutching his chin. "Hm, I wonder…"
Kellyn exited the Ranger Depot a few minutes later, looking even more uncomfortable—and a little annoyed—than before.
He stopped before Ash and his friends, studied them for a second, and then scratched Pikachu under his chin before leaving them. He headed toward another large hill surrounded by houses. Something that looked like an old clock tower was at the top of it.
Ash, Brock, and Dawn chased him and soon hiked up the towering hill with him, although they fell behind because they had to rest a few times.
Kellyn examined them and seemed to sigh, but he didn't push the trio away.
A flock of Starly took off in flight as they got closer to the tower, which had a crumbled-up rock wall around it. The tower itself wasn't very tall and had lost its roof. While the clock was cracked, it was there, and Ash wondered if it still worked.
The group eventually reached the top of the hill and stepped over the rock wall together.
"Wow," Ash, Dawn, and Brock said at the sight of the view. There was the ocean, town, beach, and tall cliffs—all on the edge of the Sinnoh Region. A cool ocean breeze passed through their hair, and Pikachu leaped down from Ash's shoulder, Piplup from Dawn's.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Ash, Brock, and Dawn whirled around at the sound of the broken clock tower. It worked after all, and Kellyn stood at the base, Pikachu and Piplup around him.
Kellyn reached up and called, "Blue-Bird, you were supposed to wait at the Ranger Depot for me until we leave for Almia."
"Huh?" Ash and his friends inquired. There was "Blue-Bird" again. They joined Kellyn and looked up at the clock's hands with him.
A rainbow light shimmered from one of the hands, and a figure the size of Ash's Staravia, or a little smaller (he had to see it up close), emerged from it, clutching the hand with its claws. It resembled a parrot, with a black body, shimmering blue eyes, and rainbow-colored wingtips and tail feathers.
It flapped its wings and squawked, "Bored, bored! Play, play!"
What on Earth was that thing?