The next few days were spent helping the two Sycthers get used to staying around humans and other Pokemon. The two bug types were reluctant at first but after three days they started to relax and mingle with them without flinching or tensing up. Gou took to talking to Ash and Tracey a lot about many ways of helping the two Pokemon and they planned on mixed team battles and daily massages. It was not perfect as they had no idea how to help the two psychologically except hope for the best.
Gou, "I hope it's enough."
Tracey, "Huh?"
Gou, "What we are doing to help them... I hope it's enough to help them get over what happened."
Tracey looked at Sycther, "They have been smiling more so I think it is."
Ash nodded, "I agree with Tracey, they look happier everyday.
Gou, "Hey Ash?"
Ash, "Yeah?"
Gou, "How did you do it?"
Ash looked at Charizard, "Honestly it was not easy, I won't deny it. I had more sleepless nights than I could count. Some night I stayed awake and meditated in the morning, as I didn't want to break routine, which would be problematic. Most days were spent ignoring the others, although they didn't blame me for it as they understood. I still felt nothing I did was good enough, which logically speaking was stupid to think about, but couldn't help thinking that way."
Tracey quietly spoke, "You did a great job though Ash, Charizard and Pidgeot are amazing adults now Togetic, Wartotle, Ivysaur and Chimchar look the healthiest and happiest in the world. Not to forget they are the most spoiled among your Pokemon."
Gou, "I hope Sycther is happy the same way one day without the past holding them down."
Ash, "How about we take a break, when the next island comes."
Tracey, "A picnic for Pokemon sounds fun."
Ash grinned as he leaned back against the tree they were sitting under. Summer had come to the Orange Islands, in fact Ash concluded, the Orange Islands seem to have three weathers, summer, rain and spring. It was odd but he figured not that odd as he remembered one country had five seasons from where he had come from, spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter. It was a curious thing weather, despite having Articuno as one of the main deities there was no winter. There were only snow-capped island mountains in the Archipelago.
Ash looked at the group, :Guys, I don't mind sharing the songs. So chill!:
Lana, :Thank you Ash, don't worry I will be crediting you.:
Lillie, :Yes, your previous songs were really popular, I bet this one will be too.:
Kiawe, :I'm taking part in the island challenge soon.:
Sophocles, :You can do it, Kiawe.:
Mallow, :Yeah!:
Paul, :Island challenge? Can I give it a try?:
Drew, :I'm curious about it too.:
Kiawe, :Sure you can, there are no rules against it.:
Paul, :I'm taking part next year..... Nice song Ash.:
Drew, :My Pokemon loved it.:
Ash, :Thank you, I'm happy they like it.:
Paul, :They want to see you again. They actually pouted when I said we'll see you in a few months.:
Ash laughed, :Heading to Trovita Island, for the next gym. The challenges are interesting.:
Misty, :I'm taking part in the Orange Island challenge after the Indigo League. It'll be a good training session, for me as a budding Water Master.:
Ash, :If you can impress Lorelei, I'm sure she'll train you.:
Brock, :She offered to train you, didn't she?:
Ash, :Not exactly training more like advices.:
Tracey, :That's more than what others got.:
Lana, :Jealous!:
Misty, :Jealous!:
Leaf, :It is pretty cool to have an Elite give advice.:
Green, :You said it sister. You guys coming to Jhoto?:
Gou, :After the Indigo League, I was planning on joining Ash.:
Ash turned to his chat with Red and the others after talking to his friends a bit more, :I got two badges now.:
Red, :That's good.:
Ash, :What's wrong?:
Red, :Nothing, just kicking myself for not going to another region to train with my Pokemon for the League, that's all.:
Blue, :It does sound like a good plan.:
Wallace, :You will come to Hoenn, won't you kiddo?:
Ash, :I am planning on it, yes.:
Steven, :Wonderful, would you mind if Ruby joined you from time to time?:
Ash, :Is he a workaholic by any chance?:
Cynthia, :That's putting it lightly.:
Diantha, :It's not by choice.:
Ash, :Alright, a break would do him good, he can join me from time to time. I don't mind that is if you can get him to agree. Heaven knows we barely managed to curb Jameson and Jessilina's workaholic tendencies. I should probably check up on them.:
Leon, :I usually join my younger cousin during her journey through Galar when work gets too much. It helps get rid of the headaches and tension.:
Wallace, :Well Ruby?:
Ruby, :Oh! Alright, a few days would not hurt I guess.:
Gold, :Speaking of a break, I will meet you once you reach Trovita Island, Ash~:
Ash, :I look forward to it.:
The next day the group found an unnamed island and took a break there. A look around showed the island was rich and abundant in tropical fruits. They decided to relax for the day and give their Pokemon a break from the training and battling. Ash took out his box filled with different massage oils, brushes, combs and poke care items and started to take care of his Pokemon. He started from water types as they wanted to play in the water the most before going to the young Pokemon then the others. Charizard like always went last with Chimchar and Tyrunt and didn't let Ash go till he was satisfied with the pampering.
Ash laughed, "Don't worry big guy! Today is a day for you all, so if you want extra time and attention you got it."
Hearing that the younger Pokemon stopped playing and rushed back to Ash and sat on his lap demanding attention. Charizard snorted in amusement and lay down on the grass beside him, the temperature was warm and the breeze was cool. Gou sat beside Ash after he finished caring for his Pokemon especially Scyther who appreciate the massage and the cleaning. He watched Ash as he took care of the young Pokemon who wanted a second round of massages and couldn't help but laugh.
Ash, "What's up?"
Gou, "Nothing, just thinking about our journey so far."
Ash smiled, "It has been fun, amazing and crazy."
Lucario, -Meema, cubs, Gou, come, Tracey says lunch is ready.-
Ash, "Coming!"
Gou, "I'll help in distributing the food."
Tracey, "Thank you."
They spent the rest of the day relaxing on the island and left early in the morning the next day towards Southern Mandarin Island. It was a decent size city in Ash's opinion, but he could do without being challenged again and again though. So far he had used Pikachu, Chimchar, Tauros, Wigglytuff, Milktank, Primeape, Ivysaur, Wartotle and Togetic in battle. It was a good training session but being constantly challenged was really annoying especially when it was in the middle of lunch. Even Gou and Tracey were challenged and they got annoyed as well when their lunch was disturbed. Cinderace and the two Scythers were not happy and glared at the trainers who backed away a bit but didn't stop asking for a battle. After his latest win with Milotic Ash put his foot down and turned to the trainers.
Ash, "Alright, that's enough! I don't know what has gotten into all of you but our Pokemon have been battling non stop and need to go to the Pokemon centre."
One trainer spoke up, "I want to battle you, especially your Charizard after your Pokemon are healed."
One pointed at Gou, "I want to battle your Cinderace."
Ash's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, "After they are healed, they are eating lunch."
A voice interrupted them before the trainer could make a demand, "I hope you are not pestering my students."
Ash looked up, "Lorelei!"
Gou mouthed, 'Students?'
Tracey mouthed back, 'Go with it.'
Lorelei, "I was wondering why you didn't show up for lunch. Turns out you were being kept back."
Ash's stomach grumbled, "Sorry, we have been challenged one after another and didn't get time to eat yet."
Lorelei, "Well then, I hope you fine trainers know the difference between requests and harassment. I won't have harassers on my island."
The trainers backed off and Ash and the group gave a sigh of relief as they followed Lorelei to her institute. As it turns out some of the trainers were a little envious of Ash and Gou for having her attention after they saved the wild Lapras pack. Lorelei guided them to the open beach from where they could see a very familiar pack on the distance. Lucario sent a wave of aura towards them and the head Lapras led the pack to the beach.
Lapras, -Young Gaurdian!-
Ash, "Leader, how have you been?"
Lapras, -I have been well young one... How is my.. -
Ash smiled, "See for yourself."
Ash released Lapras from his pokeball and he looked around at the pack before squealing happily and greeting them. Lorelei smiled softly watching the happy scene before her, the young Lapras was very healthy, happy and friendly. Ash and the gang spent the day with Lorelei as she gave them a tour of the city before inviting them to watch one of her show case battles. Lorelei fought against other water type Pokemon trainers who would challenge her to earn the Water Pokemon Master title. It was interesting Ash concluded and sent that little tidbit of information to Misty who made it her resolve to take part in the Orange Islands challenge. They left the next day after having breakfast with Lorelei towards the city called Trovitopolis. Trovita Island gym was located pretty close to the city according to Lorelei and Ash thanked her before leaving for their city.
Ash, "So this is Trovitopolis."
Tracey nodded, "Yup, the new Mayor cleaned up after the previous one."
Gou, "Cleaned up? What do you mean?"
Tracey nodded, "It was quite a scandal that one."
Ash frowned, "Wasn't it something to do with his Pokemon?"
Tracey sighed, "Yes, turns out the Mayor had abandoned his Pokemon because they refused to evolve in the sewers."
Ash looked at the ground darkly, "Why do they even become trainers? They should never be allowed near Pokemon."
Lucario touched Ash's shoulder, -Calm down Meema.-
Tracey looked at Ash sympathetically, "I know Ash, I know! Good news is this information came to light thanks to some trainers who were curious about the sewer monster and the old Mayor was kicked out."
Gou huffed, "Good, he deserved it, although I would have punched him just because."
Cinderace cooed as he hugged Gou who pat his head, "Aaaaace."
Tracey, "His Pokemon are now working in the centre, what the Mayor didn't know was that his Pokemon despite not evolving had really good healing abilities."
Ash looked at the centre as they neared it, "I for one am happy to hear that. I can only imagine how he would have treated his Pokemon if he knew."
Tracey nodded grim faced, "Yeah. He probably would have abused that ability. Here we are."
The group entered the centre and saw a large Bulbasaur helping the Chansey out with the Pokemon. The Bulbasaur was using aromatherapy help the Pokemon relax and heal from their ailments. Ash's Ivysaur, Charizard and Wartotle ended up talking with the Bulbasaur who was quite happy to make more friends. They shared stories about how they met their current trainers and how they were doing now after leaving their previous ones. The next day they left the city and headed towards Trovita Island, the island surrounded by rich coral and boasting of Kanto water Pokemon habitats.
Ash gave a sigh of relief as they left the City without any incidents, he was sure he would have definitely punched the bastard who hurt Bulbasaur. He always had a soft spot in his heart for the Kanto three and would not accept anyone hurting them, he was still itching to punch Ivysaur and Wartotle's trainers despite it being months now. The only reason he had not hit Pidgeot and Togetic's trainer was because she had not physically abused them and he didn't want to scare the already terrified Pokemon. Ash shook his head as the island came into view, there was no point in thinking about what ifs, he felt Lucario squeeze his waist in comfort from his back. Ash smiled in reassurance l, he could never hide anything from Lucario, could he!