Drew read a few news articles on his phone, as he sat on his bed, in the shared room, while Ash was fast asleep surrounded by his Pokemon. They had talked for a few more hours after retrieving Ash's Pokemon while helping Ash give the Pokemon a good relaxing massage. Drew had watched Charizard who had been grumpy and sulking about his loss against another Charizard relax under his friend's touch. The Fire lizard was Kanto's Legendary Fire starter, well known for it's short temper and dominant nature, but here he was submitting to his friend's soft ministrations.
After Ash had given special treatment to the rest of the Pokemon with Drew's help they had realized evening had already set in and they were all hungry. Drew had ordered the island special and they had all gone outside to the picnic area to have an early dinner, as it would not be convenient to have it inside the shared room. The two of them had talked more about aura through dinner and about how the gym leaders and even Elites sometimes adopt Pokemon habits in more ways than one. Drew had learned a lot more about aura and his friend in that one day then any other but at the same time, he could not help but wonder how many more secrets Ash had.
Ash had yawned, two hours after they had finished their early dinner and Charizard had decided to carry the protesting trainer back to bed, amidst Nurse Joy's giggles about mother henning Pokemon. Drew had to admit it was a little funny although he could have done without the glint he saw in Blastoise's eye thank you. Now he was just relaxing as he watched a few articles pop up about news from Hoenn, from Steven and Wallace's date in a famous restaurant to an old temple of Rayquaza being discovered. The silence was broken with the door opening and the others entering the room quietly.
Misty, "He is fast asleep."
Drew nodded, "Using aura exhausted him more than he thought."
Duplica sighed, "We told him not to use aura."
Brock, "Why did he use it anyway?"
Drew, "We found Blaine's gym and Ash had a gym battle with him."
Jameson nodded, "Okay! Still does not explain why he used his aura."
Drew, "He used it to heal Lucario."
Lucario opened one eye, -That's correct, even though I warned him not to. He is going to be out till tomorrow morning I'm afraid.-
Misty nodded, "I see, I was planning on challenging Blaine tomorrow, I figured out the riddle."
Drew, "Congrats Misty."
Jessilina, "I'll do the same day after tomorrow, today I'm beat after roaming around."
The girls left for their room while the boys changed and prepared to sleep, Tomo joined Ash on his bed. Jameson asked Brock to help him move Ash and Tomo's bed together so they are not cramped, some of the Pokemon woke up due to the movement. They simply nodded and spread out on the bed when they saw it was big enough, Drew's lips twitched in amusement. They made a very adorable picture on the bed, if Ash accepted he would happily date the adorable, kind and sweet teen. He talked to Jameson and Brock about what else they had done the whole day before going to sleep themselves.
The next morning Ash was still asleep when everyone woke up making them look at him worriedly. Lucario calmed them down however saying Ash would wake up in two hours, they sighed in relief at that, they were used to seeing him wake up early. So to see him still asleep made them worry about him health, Tomo was not worried however and decided to sleep in with his big brother. They went to tell the girls Ash would wake up after two more hours getting worried looks from them and Brock assured them he was fine.
Misty, "Well, let's get him some breakfast rich in energy foods. It's obvious he is not going to stop using aura if he sees his Pokemon are hurt, especially Lucario."
Duplica nodded, "I think I can understand actually, Lucario is his first Pokemon and baby. He will always be special and always come first... Even above his own health."
Jameson wanted to refute and say Ash's health should come first, but he didn't, knowing full well he was the same when it came to his baby Pokemon, "Well we better make sure he eats enough to balance it out then."
Drew, "I'll stay with Ash and Tomo."
Jessilina smiled slyly, "Of course~ Take good care of Ash."
Drew narrowed his eyes, "What's up with that tone?"
Jessilina smiled, "Nothing nothing! I'll get some energy drinks for breakfast for all of us, after training, you guys and gals get the food."
Misty giggled, "I'll get the Pokefood with Duplica."
Brock gave a wry smile, he was feeling overprotective again, "I'll trust you to not try anything with Ash, Drew. Don't give me that look I was a fourteen year old teenager once myself you know?"
Drew was a little pink but looked at Brock seriously, "I won't do anything Ash would not want."
Jameson nodded, "Like he said, we trust you.... Ash is like a little brother to both of us so we care a lot about him."
Drew smiled, "It's hard not to care about him."
Jameson left with Brock to get some breakfast for Ash as Drew sat back beside the bed and watched over his friend. Drew was actually happy that Ash and his Pokemon trusted him to sleep without any worries in the same room. It gave him hope that even if they don't get together romantically, they could still be very close friends with each other. Ash woke up after two hours just like Lucario had said he would and looked around a little dazed making Drew chuckle inwardly at the adorable sight.
Ash, "Eh! It's nine already?"
Drew, "Yeah! You were pretty exhausted after what you did yesterday."
Adh blinked, "Oh! I will wash up then."
Lucario, -Morning Meema! Feel better?-
Ash pat Lucario's shoulder, "A little tired but yes, it's nothing some good food can't fix."
Charizard rumbled after him as he went before looking at Lucario, "Rrrrrrr?", 'Is he truly okay Alpha?'
Lucario nodded, -His aura level is already back to normal so no need to worry.-
Milotic sighed in relief, -That's good news.-
Wartotle nodded, "Totle.", 'You said it.'
Kingler, "Kig kin ki kin.", 'We'll take care of him the same way he takes care of us.'
Chimchar approached Charizard, "Char chim, char chim?", 'Ash says we'll be home soon, will you teach me some moves please?'
Charizard regarded the younger starter and rumbled, "Rrrrrrrrr.", 'Once you are one year old yes, we will!'
Chimchar pouted, "Char? Chim char char.", 'How much longer? I want to show Ash I can fight for him too.'
Togetic pat the fire Monkey Pokemon, "Ge, getic ge getic ge.", 'Soon, just two more months and you will be one year old.'
Ash came out after finishing his morning rituals, "Let's go join the others."
Drew, "Sure."
Misty had just joined the picture table when she saw Ash and Drew, "Ash, how are you feeling?"
Ash smiled, "Hungry."
Duplica, "Come eat then."
Jameson, "Ash, I want to ask you to refrain from using aura for a while."
Ash looked up surprised, "Eh? Why?"
Brock frowned looking around, there were not many people outside, only Pokemon but still, "A few people were talking about it.... And I don't want some unknown person stalking you for it. Misty told me about how you felt like you were being watched and I want you to be careful please."
Jessilina nodded, "Brock's right, I overheard a few people talking about how it would be easier to find legendaries if they had an aura user with them."
Ash frowned then nodded, "I'm not an object to be used to attract legendaries. Anyways it's up to the legendary if they want to be seen, not the other way around."
Drew, "All the same Ash, it is best to be careful."
Ash nodded, "I will be okay, I was planning on going to the lab then hit the hot springs for today anyway. I don't plan on training for the rest of the time we are here."
Lucario nodded in satisfaction, -We could find out how to care about a baby from before our time while we are at it. As far as I can tell no one truly knows how to care for them.-
Charizard was a little put off at the no training but agreed to the plan he had flown around early in the morning, before the others woke up, to stretch his wings a bit. The amount of people around was not exactly ideal or encouraging, they would have too many nosey humans poking their snouts where it didn't belong. No wonder Ash had insisted to train on the battlefield on the boat despite his exhaustion during the first three days of their travel to Cinnabar. The other Pokemon it seemed were thinking along the same lines as he was and agreed to having nothing but rest and relaxation for the rest of their stay.
Misty got up, "Well I'm going to solve the riddle today so I'll see you guys later."
Ash turned to Brock, "Ready to get our new friends?"
Brock nodded, "Yes, let's go."
The group went towards the lab where they were greeted by Professor Katsura who gifted them with a revived Aerodactyle, Kabutops, an Omanyte and a very healthy looking egg. The good Professor told Ash they were not sure what Pokemon it would be, at first they thought it was Omanyte. But as it turned out, Ash had actually found two fossils pressed together as one which made Ash very ecstatic and welcomed the new egg and Pokemon. The young Omanyte looked up at Ash curiously before using the appendages on his mouth to feel his hands and palm.
Ash giggled, "That tickles."
Lucario chuckled, -Friendly little guy.-
Omanyte smiled and climbed up his arm to settle on his shoulder while Chimchar jumped on to his head and Phantump was on his other shoulder greeting Omanyte. Ash got up fixing his egg holder and greeted Kabutops and Aerodactyle, one greeted back while the other sniffed him before turning away to chomp down on Jameson's head. They decided to show them the outside world but instead of walking through the Island City went through the forest before coming across a nice place to sit on. Ash and the others called all their Pokemon and introduced them to the new members who had joined them.
Charizard rumbled and Aerodactyle hissed and the two Pokemon sized each other up before rumbling, then nodding in respect and turning away to focus on their respective humans. Lucario snorted when he heard Charizard call Aerodactyle the new hatchling watcher making the prehistoric Pokemon bristle, before telling him about some of the events they went through in a very quick summary. Aerodactyle was in disbelief before he saw the other Pokemon nod their heads in affirmative that yes, those things happened.
Jameson, "Aerodactyle just give me a moment, I'll get you meat based Pokefood."
Aerodactyle huffed, "Dact!", before going to groom his face and hair.
Jessilina laughed, "You keep him busy, I'll get the food."
Brock, "The Professor said Kabutops just like Onix require food rich in minerals so mineral rich Pokefood for this lovely girl."
Kabutops chirped from Brock's shoulder, "Bu bu."
Drew, "I wonder what the egg would hatch into, it's so cool that you found a prehistoric egg."
Ash grinned, "Me too, I can't wait for it to hatch. According to the Professor it may hatch anyday now, as it was about to hatch before whatever happened to it turning it into fossil."
Meowth, "It's st'll 'reat diskovery nya!"
Meowth, 'Boss sure was very proud to hear about your progress, kit. Both as a trainer and a writer, your horror book has sold really well.'
A voice came from behind, "Ex... ex... excuse me!"
Brock blushed seeing a pretty woman and an Azumaril, "Yes?"
The woman smiled tentatively looking at the overprotective Charizard hovering over Ash and the Aerodactyle looking at her like she was food, "I just..... Are you Ash as in the Ash Ketchum?"
Ash, "That's my full name yes, why do you ask?"
She held out Ash's book La Llorona, "My name is Miyuki and I really like your book. Can I get your autograph please?"
Ash blinked before smiling, "Of course, is there a specific quote you want?"
Miyuki, "To Miyu and Riri from Ash Ketchum."
Ash nodded and signed the book before giving it back to her, he half wondered how she knew he was the one. Seeing his questioning look she explained that she had heard about few of the other trainers talk about him being carried to his room by a Lucario. Some of the nosey trainers tried to find out who he was and found out that Ash was a writer, the same one with her new favorite horror book published under his name. Ash laughed at that and half wondered if he should be worried or not, he knows most information about him online is general information but still.