Chapter 6:
The wondering minstrel

The four of them were a good distance away from their starting point of Sandgem Town, and the human female spotter a creature that she missed earlier. “Guys, hang on a second.” Dawn said to them after spotting a familiar brown head.

“Why? What for?” Ash questioned with his faithful canine standing shoulder to shoulder with him. Both of them wanted to get to the new town ASAP, but they did not want to seem rude to the new girl.

“Over there, it’s a Buneary. I messed up getting one when I was first starting out, so I want to try it again.” The novice explained to the three senior fighters. The gym leader, the Digimon, and the hero looked at each other - just looking for the same answer, and they all knew that they could spare the time.

“Sure thing, Dawn.” Brock said to her and spotted a rather large rock in the same clearing the long eared one was at. “I’ll just sit there.” He informed them and did so; he did not wish to pressure her.

“I will do the same.” The vixen said, but instead of sitting next to him she behind the rock since she did not want the vested one to get any ideas.

“I’m just going to see your style.” The raven haired youth commented and stood beside the rock, ready to give her pointers. Dawn watched as they got into those spots before getting out one of her Pokeballs.

“Buneary?” The rabbit in question asked aloud which the canine heard it as, ‘What’s this?’ The excited youth was too happy to care what it had to say.

“This time for sure, Dawn. Go for it.” Ash said to her in an encouraging manner not noticing the cold feeling in the air with his battling buddy as the source.

“I’m so psyched! Here we go.” She shouted in joy before raising her armed arm while forgetting a crucial step, but the older boy was there to set her straight.

“Hold on. You’ve got to make your Pokeball bigger first.” Ketchum said to her and that was when she noticed the sphere in her hand.

“Huh?” She questioned while hearing him and then saw what he meant.

“You better hurry. Before it gets away.” Ash said to her as he watched her fumble the small ball in her hands. He did not like to recall the moment he let a Pokemon get free in a forest, but his current starting creature was more then happy to do it for him.

“Do you mean the way you let a Weevil escape?” Renamon questioned to him with a coy smile on her lips.

“Uh…no of course not.” He said back to her failing to notice that the back of his head was sweating from embarrassment. While they were chatting Dawn was able to get a grip on her ball and enhance its size.

“All right. I’m ready now.” The female shouted and then decided to go forward with her plan by saying, “Let’s go Pokeball.” She threw it, but the split second it left her finger tips she realized that she was throwing in the wrong direction.

“Augh!” Ash shouted when his forehead met the steel ball forcing onto his back, and that got his protector’s attention.

“Ash.” Renamon said before kneeling beside him; helping him sit up from his fall. “Are you alright?” She questioned to him. The creature heard how he had been through plenty of punishment, but she still worried about him.

“Sure, Renamon, I’m fine.” He said back to her not noticing that the canine was looking at the thrown object.

‘Was she trying to capture Ash for herself?’ Renamon thought and was barely able to suppress her rage at the thought if that ploy actually worked.

“Oops. Sorry.” Dawn said to the boy, praying that her words were enough over what she had done, but sadly they weren‘t.

“What the shell was that all about, Dawn?” Ash shouted at the new girl after rising to his feet. He was a little angered that he was struck by friendly fire and by a starter on top of that.

“It was an accident.” Dawn said to him with her hands on her hips since she did not like his tone to her. “If you hadn’t been yelling at me my hand wouldn’t have slipped.” She added to her earlier comment.

“You weren’t doing it right.” He said back to her, still ticked that she wasn’t taking his advice. Even though that May turned his lesson to her back on him with the attempted Treecko capture.

‘This is definitely like Rika and Takato only gender swapped.’ Renamon thought and recalled the countless times that her red headed, stubborn partner often lectured to the goggle wearer of all the lame cards he uses in battle.

“Look, don’t you get nasty with me.” The girl said back to him; angry that he was acting this way to a beginner.

“Just get it together and I won’t have to.” The experienced one shouted back in anger. Unfortunately they were arguing they were unaware that the target was leaving the area.

“Buneary.” The rabbit said as it hopped away which the canine could hear it say ‘see ya.’ As soon as it left the Pokemon that belonged to the beginner spoke up.

“Piplup. Piplup. Pip Pip.” The penguin shouted out while pointing to the forest edge. ‘Look, over there you two: quick’ is what it translated to, and when they did both saw that the bunny was gone.

“No! Buneary!” The two trainers shouted as one which started another argument between them.

“Well, I hope your happy now.” Dawn commented to the boy; trying to make him feel lousy, but it would not work.

“Don’t look at me.” Ash shouted back at her since he did not like it nowadays when blame was put on someone other than the person who caused it.

“Why not? It’s your fault.” Dawn shouted back to her traveling partner.

“It was your yapping that scared Buneary away, ya know.” Ketchum said back to her since she should not have been apologizing for her lousy aim the girl should have focused on the fight. The four travelers decided to walk for a bit, gain a bit more distance to their next location.

“Just great. I could have a Buneary if it wasn’t for a certain big mouth.” Dawn said while walking forward with closed eyes.

“Oh, yeah?” Ash questioned after hearing her comment and then decided to say something his old self would say. “I could easily get a Buneary, no a Lopunny, despite your big mouth.” He said to her not knowing that he may soon eat those words.

“Next time: but out.” The daughter of a great coordinator said to the traveler in anger.

“That is if there is a next time.” The boy said back to her in an almost smug tone.

“I’m catching lots of Pokemon.” Dawn said while coming to a complete stop and faced the boy to say that comment.

“You won’t if you keep doing stupid stuff.” Ash said back to the novice.

‘I hope he realizes that he is being like how Gary was when they first started out.’ Renamon thought as she listened to another volley of comments from the two children.

“Are you calling me stupid?” The human female questioned to him while walking to meet him face to face.

“No, but I’m thinking of it now.” He said back to her, and this time he was telling the truth since his calm side of his mind was about to activate until she asked that question.

“How can you think without a brain?” She demanded in a shout not noticing the ruffled fur from the canine for her choice of words.

“You tell jokes as good as you capture Pokemon.” He shouted back at her showing that he was unaffected from her vocal jab. The dual shouting was so bad that the keeper of the map had to step in.

“You’re both hurting my ears.” He said to them and no sooner then he said that the sun started to become a lot brighter overhead. “Huh?” The breeder questioned after feeling the intense rays of the sun.

“Huh?” The bickering battlers also stopped when they saw and felt the enhanced sun above them.

“What is this?” The hat wearer questioned since he knew that this was not a natural act of their planet.

“Pretty.” The new girl said while also looking up at the sky.

“That’s called Sunny Day.” The breeder said to them, and the name threw the other three off, so one of them had to ask for more information.

“Sunny Day?” Ash questioned since he was not sure what it meant, and he knew that the breeder would have an idea of what it does.

“It’s a Fire type move - Fire types use it to temporarily use it to raise their power.” The former gym leader said to them, filling in the gap over what the move does. A little into starring into the bright rays the two felt more relaxed for some reason.

“All of a sudden I feel so much happier.” Dawn said to them and shortly she informed the other three of that the rays calmed down. Once they did a short green creature came over to them.

“Budew. Budew.” The creature said to them which meant, ‘Hello, how are you?’ The three just starred at the new arrival and the vixen decided not to bring up the minor question to the others.

“Who’s that?” Ash questioned while reaching for his dexter.

“So, cute.” Dawn said while clasping both hands into one. The other trainer by now has taken out his Pokedex and flipped it open.

“Budew the bud Pokemon - in winter it keeps its bud closed to survive the cold and then opens it again in the spring.” The computer said to them over what the plant was known for.

“I wonder if this is where that Sunny Day came from.” Brock questioned to them while Ash put away his electronic dictionary.

“It was.” A new voice said to them causing the four of them to look past the bud-like creature to see a man in a green cloak and green hat and holding a yellow Mew harp sitting behind an upcoming tree to their left. “Hardened words, but reflect hardened hearts let the Sunny Day soften yours.” The man added while standing up, turning to face them, and strummed a few strings on his harp. “For when your heart is light your mood is happy and bright.” The man added to his other comment to the four of them. “Tell me, don’t you feel better now?” The man questioned to the fellow travelers.

“Huh? Huh? Yeah, your right.” The two that were once arguing said while getting his message, looking at each other, and then looked at him to give him their answer.

“As it should be.” The musical one said to them, and after a pause the foursome decided to fill the new guy in on their names since it was the right thing to do.

“Thanks. I’m Ash.” The fellow raven haired traveler said first.

“My name is Renamon.” The bright yellow vixen said to him still getting over the fact that in this world she did not need to hide in the shadows.

“And my name is Dawn.” The coordinator said to the man before them.

“Hi, I’m Brock.” The one bringing up the rear informed.

“And I am the Pokemon Bard - Nando.” The man said politely to them, and they had to admit that this was a vast improvement over another Sinnoh male native that they had met. “This is my Budew. We travel the world bringing joy to all.” He informed to the group.

“Awesome.” Ketchum said aloud after hearing that piece of news while looking down at the beginning form Pokemon.

‘A definite improvement over the beginning trainer Paul.’ Renamon thought while trying not to picture Ash in a similar outfit as their newest ally.

“You must have a great time.” Brock said; complimenting their new friend over what he does even though that is what his friend does, but instead of music he does it through deeds.

“Hey, I’ve got it, Ash.” Dawn said after having an idea in that stocking cap head of hers. “Now, I can show you how strong I’ve gotten.” She said to them after seeing three sets of eyes on her.

“How?” The fellow trainer questioned since he new that a newbie couldn’t handle strength of a Digital Monster.

“Nando, would you mind battling with me?” She asked politely to the trainer before her.

‘Can she not see the flaw in this?’ Renamon thought since she and the others knew that plants loved water.

“If that pleases you.” He responded politely to her since he, himself, saw no harm in it at all. His faithful creature was more then willing for this challenge as well as it spoke.

“Budew Budew.” The grass creature said which meant ‘Fine, let’s go.’ Ash heard her challenge and decided to give her some friendly advice.

“Don’t forget this is your very first battle with a Pokemon Trainer.” He said to her in a warning sense to her.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” Dawn said back to him, not really putting his words seriously. The musician decided to step in before another argument could take place.

“Dawn, are you by any chance on your way to win the Sinnoh League?” Nando questioned to her since everyone else he had met answered ‘yes’ to this question, but he still asked it to all.

“No. I’m on a quest to win the Grand Festival.” She said to them while adding plenty of joy to the words ‘Grand Festival’. He heard her and knew that this group may help him with a question that has been plaguing him for a while now.

“I see. Then a contest battle it is.” He said back to her in a soft tone. “There’s a clearing up ahead that will be perfect for our needs.” He informed her and her comrades.

“Great.” The young lady said back in excitement, and as they followed the man all but Renamon knew that Ash’s stalkers were right behind them.

“That’s the new twerp.” James said after he and the others appeared from the shrubs behind the group. ‘I guess that it’s his charm that draws these girls to him.’ The male human of the group thought as he recalled May - the first new girl after Misty. ‘He can keep that charm. I already work for someone I like.’ He thought while looking through the corner of his eye to the female, but soon heard the fellow male of the team speak.

“Yeah. She’s the gal that was with Renamon.” Meowth commented while watching them walk away. The sight of the new girl got the female stalker riled up.

“Thinking she can win contests take some nerve?” Jessie said to the others with suppressed rage.

“Like you…” James was about to continue, but was interrupted by the cat.

“Snap out of it.” Meowth said to her since she has been speaking like this ever since they flew off from the orange bot’s destruction.

“Hey, I’ll snap you!” She shouted to the males, and then continued; “Only one diva wins the next contest - this one.” She then went into a heap of laughter; she was so far into laughing that she did not hear the others conversation.

“Diva’s right.” James and Meowth commented aloud after a sigh of defeat since they were never going to gain an argument with her.

“Wobbbuffet!” The blue creature shouted after releasing himself from his round prison. Meowth heard him say, ‘Your right about that.’ And that was when another creature appeared.

“Mime Mime.” The small pink creature said with its hand on its head. Meowth heard that it said, ‘Yep, definitely right.’ The group then decided to head to the growth around the open area where the battle was about to start.

“K, first thing’s first.” Dawn said after enlarging her Pokeball, and then added, “My Pokemon has to make a gorgeous entrance. Okay, then, Piplup: spotlight.” After she said that she threw the ball and summoned the bird in question.

“Piplup Piplup.” The bird said which stood for, ‘Ready when you are.’ Their latest friend saw the bird and heard its enthusiasm, so he knew what to say.

“You may have the first attack.” Nando said calmly.

“Thanks.” Dawn said and then looked at her opposing creature. “Alright, we’re fighting a Grass type so let’s do a flying type attack.” The girl said aloud and knew what to use. “Piplup, use Peck.” She ordered to her friend.

“Pip pip pip.” Piplup said aloud which the fellow fighter could translate to, ‘Here I come, Budew.’ The bard saw the charging, but remained calm in the face of this attack.

“Please, dodge it.” Nando requested to his partner.

“Budew.” The creature answered meaning, ‘Of course.’ The plant then jumped straight up seconds before the bird’s attack hit.

“What happened?” Dawn questioned after seeing that her attack had indeed missed. The three on the side lines were in awe over what had happened.

“That’s fast.” Ash said after seeing the dodge, but knew that it was nothing compared to Renamon’s speed.

“Please, Bullet Seed.” He asked again, and just like before Budew was more then happy to do so.

‘Here’s an attack.’ It said even though humans only heard - “Budew.” When the multiple yellow shells shot out of the airborne seed the breeder knew that this was bad.

“Bullet Seed is a Grass type move which can give a water type like Piplup big problems.” He informed and then watched as the seeds were sprayed in a neat line right toward the penguin.

“Dodge it, Piplup.” Dawn said to her battling partner.

“Piplup.” The bird said which sounded like, ‘Right.’ The dodge was made and added, “Pip.” Meaning to those that understood it as, ‘Made it.’ The girl saw that the dodge was successful, and new that she had a chance.

“All right, my turn. Piplup, use BubbleBeam.” She shouted out and the flightless one was ready to counter attack.

“Piplup-lup.” It shouted which meant, ‘Take this.’ The attack struck the descending seed which hit it’s target.

“Budew.” The Pokemon shouted in alarm, but in reality it said, ‘Nice.’ It said such a thing because the Water class attack dehydrated it.

“All right.” Dawn said while seeing the smoke. Believing that she made a serious hit, but the three boys, and a dog knew better than that. “Huh?” She questioned after hearing Nando chuckle a bit.

“Budew.” The creature shouted after emerging from the smoke, and then landed with a little twirl adding another, “Budew.” Instead Renamon heard: ‘Ta-Da.’ For the first comment and ‘I’m back.’ For the second comment.

“But how? That was a direct hit.” Dawn questioned and knew that her partner could not tell her the answer since it too was surprised.

“It wasn’t that strong. Water types do that much against Grass types.” Ash said aloud not noticing the admiring gaze from the canine beside him.

‘So, he learned a few things over his travels.’ The Digimon thought before hearing the lecher’s comment.

“Budew absorbed the attack on purpose and then, and then made that big jump. Brilliant! It even used the smoke from the explosion.” The breeder said aloud; amazed of Nando’s skill level.

‘So, he can actually think of more than the next girl he might see, and will flirt with. Interesting.’ Renamon thought after hearing his statement. She knew that the opponent was not done yet.

“Solar Beam, if you please.” Nando requested to his friend.

“Budew.” The creature answered meaning, ‘Of course.’ The intertwining ‘arms’ on the top of its head began to absorb the energy needed. This gave the new girl a new found sense of overconfidence.

‘I know it takes time for Solar Beam to fire.’ Dawn thought and then decided to go on the attack with the ‘defenseless’ fighter. “Piplup, use Peck.” She said with an arm gesture to her current foe.

“Piplup.” The penguin said back meaning, ‘Right.’ No sooner then the bird started to charge that the two of them saw a small flash of light on top of the seed.

“Uh-Oh.” The duo said as they knew what was going to happen now. The traveler saw it too, and knew what to do.

“Please fire now.” He said and just like that the attack was fired, and it scored a direct hit on it’s foe.

“No, Piplup.” Dawn shouted to the smoke which was formed after the attack hit. The bird in question soared out of the cloud, screaming in pain from the attack before landed on the ground - unconscious. “Piplup! My Piplup.” The trainer said before racing over to her friend, and cupping the creature into her arms.

“It appears our battle is over.” The bard said to her calmly.

“Budew Budew.” The creature of the bard said while almost clapping at the comment. ‘Yes, it does.’ The creature said in it’s natural tongue.

“How did they do Solar Beam so fast?” Dawn questioned with her partner still in her arms. She was completely in the dark since she was led to believe that it took one full turn to launch the attack in question.

“It must have been from their Sunny Day and the sunlight getting much stronger from it.” Brock said to her his guess on how that worked for the man.

‘That is a tough combo to deal with.’ Renamon thought to herself, and knew that she could take it.

“I see.” The novice said after standing up with a conscious Piplup in her arms. “I’m so sorry, Piplup.” She said to the bird and even though that she only head it say it’s name the creature was really saying:

‘Don’t worry, Dawn.’ The Water class did not want to see her worried over her first trainer battle. Nando saw the young one’s discouragement, and decided to step in since it was only right.

“Dawn, I wouldn’t have guessed that it was your first battle. You were so good.” He said to her and saw that his statement worked in a positive way judging by the look in her eyes.

“Wow, that’s such a nice thing to say. Thank you.” Dawn said back to him; just being friendly like he was being. The three decided to give it a go as well.

“You can be sure it was good experience.” Brock said while looking at the bard instead of Dawn when he spoke. “Those two really know how to battle.” He added and then let the trainer take over.

“Yeah, no doubt. It’ll help you get a lot stronger.” Ash said to her with a clenched right fist. The fox knew what they were trying to do and decided to try her luck at the encouraging thing.

“Next time: check out the types, and then decided to challenge.” She said as best as she could, but most of the time she had a straight forward approach.

“Yeah.” Dawn said to the three and heard some cheers from the swimmer in her arms which could translate to.

‘They’re right that was good experience, and next time we’ll be ready.’ The harp player could see that the four part team was good over what had happened and did not want to seem like a bother to them.

“I am off. Best of luck.” Nando said to them, and calmly walked away. As the heroes watched their new friend walk away their stalkers surfaced from their hiding spots.

“Oh, please, now that was a laugh. She’s a twerp, alright. I could out whoop that twerp with my eyes close.” Jessie said aloud. The two heard her and knew that their friend was great at boasting, but they knew she wasn’t in the same ballpark of Drew or even May, so they tried to goad her into deal with her boasting.

“Then just do it.” James said to her calmly which he saw his statement surprised her, and then the fellow male spoke out.

“Talk the talk. Walk the walk.” The feline added with an angry expression on his face since he was just about done listening to those kinds of empty threats.

“In good time.” The long haired one said back to them since she knew what they were trying to do, and then added, “But first there’s a Renamon that needs napping.” The two knew that she would change the subject, but they went along with it. The group decided to keep walking and all was quiet until the hour of sunset.

“Aw, man. I can’t catch a Pokemon, and I can’t win a battle.” Dawn said aloud. She liked the kind words of the four, but she still felt bad over what had happened today.

“Hey, chill out. Have a nice dinner, get a good night sleep, and you’ll be fine tomorrow.” Ash said to his female friend, trying to cheer her up.

“Always the optimist, Ash.” Renamon said while walking beside him. The latest trainer heard him, but one thing confused her.

“Good night sleep? How do you get that without a bed?” She questioned to the experienced one.

‘Good thing we didn’t have someone like you slowing us down when we went to rescue Calumon.’ Renamon thought since the humans of that realm didn’t mind roughing it at all.

“Hey, look, there’s a Pokemon Center not too far from here.” Brock informed them as he walked and looked at the map at the same time.

“REALLY?” Dawn questioned after hearing the comment, and then added, “Who-ra! A real bed in a real room - I can join civilization again.” This comment caused the vixen to slap her right paw to her face and let out an annoyed groan, but no one noticed that: especially Brock.

“All right, Bonsly, let’s go.” The former gym leader shouted while releasing the creature in question.

“Bonsly.” The new creature shouted while the Digimon heard, ‘Hi, there.’ The two others turned to face the released creature that was in the breeder’s arms.

“Bonsly, we’re going to a Pokemon Center and you’re going to be checked out by Nurse Joy.” The man said while sounding that he was suppressing tears of joy, and they heard a happy ‘Bonsly’, but the vixen heard.

‘Sounds good.’ The new girl was amazed over what she was seeing, and had to ask about it.

“That’s a Bonsly.” Dawn said while taking out her device and opening it.

“Bonsly, the bonsai Pokemon - Being a Rock type it can get weak if it’s body contains too much water so it secrets that water from both sides of its body to regulate it.” The encyclopedia said to her, and the fellow traveler had a question to ask of this.

“So, did you bring your other Pokemon too?” Ash asked since he wanted to see Steelix since he and Crobat were two that have been with them since the start of it all.

“Nope. My brothers and sisters are watching them all for me back at the Pewter Gym.” He answered back and saw a slight look of disappointment in his friend’s eyes, but didn’t say anything.

“What? Gym?” Dawn questioned to the taller man; wondering if she heard him right and that was when the others realized that this latest recruits had no knowledge of their lives.

“Oh, yeah. The gym back in Pewter City, Brock’s family lives there and Brock was the gym’s leader.” Ash informed the girl and decided not to mention that he had already told Renamon before now.

“You were? Awesome!” Dawn shouted out loud, and then the canine decided to get the others back on track.

“Don’t we have a Center to visit?” She questioned before walking on ahead. The others got the message and followed after her. After thirty minutes or so the four made it a cottage of sorts with a Large ‘P’ on the left side of the roof.

“Ah, Good Evening, Nurse Joy.” Brock said after they all got inside.

“Hello.” The Digital Monster said with a simple head not.

“Good Evening, and welcome to the Pokemon Center.” A familiar voice in a familiar body said to them, and Renamon knew that the new girl was going to have difficulty with this exact same design.

“Hold on. Are you from Sandgem Town?” Dawn questioned to the woman before her since her mind was blown because of the nurse before them.

‘She’ll get over it.’ Ash thought since he was now used to this sort of thing, but the one that he still wasn’t used to was the buff Joy back at the Orange Islands.

“Not me.” The head medic said with a laugh mixed in and then added, “The Nurse Joy from Sandgem Town is my sister.” This confused the new girl even more.

“Sister?” The fellow hat wearer questioned and this time it was Brock that filled her in on this ’problem’.

“See.” Brock said to her while taking a photo from his backpack; framed and all.

“You mean there’s that many Nurse Joys?” The beginner coordinator questioned after looking at the picture.

“Isn’t it great? All Nurse Joys are related. Every gorgeous one.” The breeder said grateful that he printed off a group shot off Sinnoh Nurse Joys from a medical website.

“Wow.” Dawn said back wondering if she should feel relieved or freaked after learning this. “You like that.” She added before watching as he took his picture back and went to work.

“My dear, although all of you are beautiful you’re beauty stands out.” Brock said while holding the nurse’s right hand and he was knelt on his left knee.

“Huh?” Joy questioned and then thought, ’This must be the obsessed perv on the Nurse Joy website.’ His actions did not go unnoticed by the others in his party.

“Hey, wait, Brock was acting the exact same way with Officer Jenny. What’s up with that?” The coordinator questioned while pointing at the sight before them.

“Yeah. There’s a question, but no answer.” Ash said to her in a nervous fashion since this was one flaw of the old team that worried him. He did not want May, and now Dawn, to think that he was like his old friend when it came to the fairer sex.

“May I hurt him now, Ash?” Renamon questioned while cracking her knuckles: ready for a strong punch to the top of his head.

“No, not just yet, Renamon.” Her partner said back to her before approaching the scene. “Hey, Brock, let’s go to the vid phones. Dawn needs to tell her mom where she is.” The trainer said with a hand on his fellow trainer’s shoulder.

“Not right now, Ash, can’t you see…” Brock started to say something, but suddenly found his feet off the ground.

“Perhaps you did not hear Ash, he wants you over there.” Renamon said before throwing the lecher over to the telephones. Dawn saw where they were going with this and decided to go with the flow.

“Was that necessary, Renamon?” Ash questioned even though that he was surprised at her strength control. The duo walked over to the phones and soon he got a reply.

“Diplomacy might not have worked on him.” She said back before the two stopped at one of the phones. Dawn had already gotten the number punched in and the woman in question on the screen before them.

“I certainly appreciate you looking after my Dawn.” The woman on the other end said to the boys, and fox behind her daughter. “I realize of course that she can sometimes be a handful.” The mother informed them.

“Oh-no.” The two men said to try to side with Dawn, but Renamon had put her hand on her partner’s shoulder, but the boy in question could not understand why.

“Come on, mom. There’s nothing to worry about.” The daughter of the woman said with a waving right hand.

“When you tell me there’s nothing to worry about then that’s when I worry the most.” The mom said back to the adventurer. The three of them saw that their new friend was sweating bullets after hearing that. “Now, don’t forget I’m counting on you two.” Johanna said to the two of them.

“We won’t.” The males of the group said as one.

“Then you all have a great time. Ash, lots of luck in all your gym battles.” Johanna said with a polite wave while her other hand was holding her Glameow in her lap. When she hung up the older woman questioned aloud, “It almost seemed that Renamon was protecting Ash from me, but why I do not seem him that way…do I?” She questioned, but got no answer from the feline. Back at the Center Dawn did not like her conversation with her mother at all.

“My mom what a mom.” Dawn questioned with her hands on her hips once her end went black. Nurse Joy of this location realized a question that she should have asked earlier, but was distracted, so she decided to do so now.

“Oh, Ash, by the way have you registered yet for the Sinnoh League? You‘ll need to.” She questioned to the infamous trainer of the group. That was when the trainer realized that he had yet to do so.

“Ah, not yet.” He said back to her with a slack jawed face.

“Not yet is right.” Dawn added and then watched as the boy gave her his Pokedex before they all walked over to the front desk.

‘Kicking Paul’s ungrateful tail must have made him forget.’ Renamon thought while bringing up the rear as they headed back to the front of the building.

“Otherwise you won’t be able to compete.” Joy explained after putting the young man’s device into her computer. She then did what she learned in nursing school. “Now, let’s see here. Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town.” She said while looking at all of the info: his creatures, height, weight, eye color - the usual. “That’s all there is to it.” She said to them while taking out the device and handing to him while adding, “Here, you’re all set and ready to roll.”

“Thanks Nurse Joy.” He said to her after retrieving the device from her outstretched hands. Dawn saw this and decided to ask a minor question to the medic.

“Can I register for Pokemon Contests here; I’m a coordinator.” The young girl said to the older woman in a polite tone.

“You need to do that at the arena. You can get passes there as well.” Joy said to the young one before her.

“Great. Thank you.” Dawn said after hearing that little piece of news. That’s when the group heard some voices from behind them.

“Nurse Joy.” A male voice called out to her. “Hey, we’re back. Would you mind taking care of our Pokemon?” The boy said as a fellow male and one female walked in with entry level creatures of their regions before them.

“Wow. Chimchar, Turtwig, and would you look at that…” Dawn said after she and the others turned to face the new arrivals, but the reason Dawn stopped was because she was walking closer to the creatures. “A Prinplup. Doesn’t it evolve from Piplup?” She questioned the group.

“Right. It just evolved yesterday.” The female of the group informed to the fellow female. Dawn wasted no time in finding out information about the bird in front of her.

“Prinplup, the penguin Pokemon and the evolved form of Piplup - a strike from its wings can be harmful as it searches the oceans for pray.” The machine stated to the owner.

“Wow.” The beginner said not noticing that another entered the Center until he spoke.

“Well, Dawn.” The voice said which caused the girl in question to look at the source of the voice and saw that it was their latest friend.

“Nando.” She said excitedly once she saw the kind man before her. “What a surprise.” She added to her earlier comment.

“Yes, it is. A pleasant one.” He said back to her, and the moment that he came in the nurse went to work and got him his Pokemon.

“Here you go. Your Budew is feeling one hundred percent.” Nurse Joy said after placing the Grass type on her counter top.

“I am in your debt.” He said back to her in a soft tone of voice. The female human of the four of them walked up to the quiet man to find out a thing or two.

“Are you staying at the center too?” Dawn asked the traveler.

“No. There are several things I need to ponder.” He said to the young girl while placing his hands at the base of his friend. “And so, Good Evening.” He said to them before walking away calmly.

“What’s he pondering?” The trainer questioned since he was curious of the silent man’s motive.

“Nando divides his interests equally between gym battles and contests. I think he’s trying to decide between the two.” Nurse Joy informed them as they all watched him walk away.

“Yeah? With a strong Budew like his - he should always choose gym battles.” Ketchum said aloud and knew that he was right since the man had some skill for that path.

“No way. It’s contests. He sure knew how to show off his Budew.” Dawn said back knowing that she knew what was best for him while on the sideline the breeder knew one thing:

‘This is gonna get worse before it gets better.’ He thought before listening to them.

“The gyms the way.” Ash said back a bit more sternly.

“He should choose contests.” Dawn said equally as sternly.

‘I hope they are alright.’ Joy thought as she watched with muted disbelief of how quickly they went from friendly to at each others throats.

“The gyms.” Ash shouted back at her.

“Contests.” The girl said back.

“The gyms.” Ketchum shouted back.

“Contests!!!” The coordinator shouted, and that was when the boy changed gears.

“Maybe we should let Nando decide for himself.” The trainer said to her with fist raised to hers.

“That’s fine!” She shouted back and with that the two of them ran out of the building shoulder to shoulder.

“Here we go.” Brock said, knowing that he was going to be the one to drag them back, but before that he tried his swooning stunt one last go. “Dear Nurse Joy, until we meet again…” He started to say before a voice and grip caused him to pause.

“Let’s go, lover-boy.” Renamon said as she grabbed the collar of the man and then ran for the door, but Brock was still able to finish his comment.

“Awayyyyy!” He shouted and when they left the nurse still tried to be polite over what just happened.

“Good by. Good luck.” She said with a waving hand, and outside of the Pokemon Center the four were trying to find the man.

“I’m sane again, Renamon. You can let me go.” The breeder said to the fox and was surprised that she kept him from skidding on the ground as she ran.

“Very well.” She said and released her grip, and after that the four of them decided to try to find their friends.

“Hmm, nobodies here.” Ash commented well into the evening hours as the four of them headed deeper into the forest. The human girl looked to her right and did not see anything either.

“That’s weird. I wonder where he went.” She said while still looking in that direction. A little before this conversation Ash released Starley for some recon, and was not coming back to them to fill them in.

“Hey, did you see Nando, Starley?” Ash questioned after his flyer landed on the large rock in front of them. The bird knew that this was the main question and did not like coming back empty handed so it hung it’s head with a ‘Starley’ which meant.

‘Sorry.’ The others could tell by its voice that the bird was sad so they did not wish to pour salt into the Flying types wound.

“If he was here Starley would have seen him.” Brock commented while looking around.

“Thanks for looking. Starley: return.” Ash commanded after taking out his Pokeball which the sphere shot and recalled a red beam. After putting the ball up Ash decided to tell the new gal the bad news, “Sorry Dawn looks like we’ll have to camp out here.” He informed her and knew that she would not take it well.

“What! We’re not going back to the Pokemon Center.” Dawn said in alarm after hearing the news.

“By the time we get there the sun will be up.” Ketchum said back to her since he could tell by the sky that they’ve been out for a good four or so hours.

“Yeah. Guess your right.” The girl said in defeat since she had a feeling that the boy beside her spoke the truth. That was when the gym leader of old decided to say what has been bugging him for a while now.

“You always do this.” He started to say to get their attention and then went deeper, “You go running off without thinking for a second what the consequences might be.” The two knew that he was right about that.

“Right.” The male and female said with slumped heads. Renamon smirked after hearing his comment surprised that he could actually be strict to his friends like this. She and the others heard voices from behind them.

“Worry not. We’ve got three huts and a cot.” A familiar red head said to them.

“What you see is what we got.” A familiar man said while standing beside the red head; both having clasped hands.

“The Rickety Roof Inn.” The both of them said after seeing the group’s confusion.

“An Inn? In a forest?” Ash questioned while playing along with his stalkers latest stunt.

“You see we love consumers it’s people we can’t stand.” The red head said to them.

“But since you fit neither category you can stay for free.” The male said to them and that is what got the groups attention.

“Well it is late, and they seem so nice.” Brock pointed out even though that he too knew what this really was, but went along with it.

“Yeah.” Dawn and Ash said: agreeing with what the older man had to say.

“Nice isn’t the word.” The two said with one open arm for either of them: Male had right, and female had left arm out. That was when a third one came out.

“And look a custom made sleeping bag for your foxy friend there.” The third one said while unrolling a sold black sleeping back to them.

“Wow, they thought of everything.” Ketchum said to them, now knowing that they were officially Team Rocket, but continued to play innocent.

“Yes, they have.” The vixen said back while putting out plenty of sarcasm to test if the others knew that this was not working.

“When it comes to our customers we move mountains.” The three of them said not hearing the sarcasm nor feeling the wind picking up behind them which caused the ‘inn’ to fall behind them. “Or walls?” The three said while being blinded by dust.

‘Three…two…one, and cue blown cover.’ Ash thought and sure enough when the smoke cleared the green open vests on all of them were gone.

“You were supposed to build a hotel not a Hollywood back lot movie set.” Jessie complained to the cat.

“Let’s see what you can build with two bucks.” Meowth said back to her; trying to defend himself while James on the other hand only was thinking.

‘I bet this didn’t even work one bit with Ash.’ The three decided to go with a line that they knew Dawn was going to use.

“Team Rocket!” The four of them shouted with three of them acting surprised.

“Twerps.” The other three said aloud with James sounding less than enthused.

“We can name call just as well as you can.” James said to them while trying to make up for his lack of volume for the ‘twerp’ word. They began to say their phrase and as that was going on Dawn looked over to the senior fighters who only shrugged at her, and then waited for it to be over.

“Why do you want Renamon so badly?” Dawn questioned after they were done prancing around.

“Why are you such a twerp?” Jessie questioned still thinking of all the ways that she is going to crush the new girl.

“Carnivine, time to come out and play.” James said and then summoned out his old friend, but the moment the fly trap was summoned it double backed to the summoner. “No, time to play not time to bite.” He instructed with his head in the jaws of the Grass type.

“What is that thing?” Ash questioned after getting an eyeful of the new creature.

“They must have a new Pokemon.” Brock said and that was when Ash opened up his Pokedex for some answers.

“Carnivine, the bug catcher Pokemon - it uses it’s sweet smelling saliva to catch it’s pray.” The machine said to them.

“Guys, leave this to me. Piplup use BubbleBeam.” Dawn said after getting out the ball and throwing it. The creature instantly performed the stated attack, and that was when the bug catching creature leapt into action by drinking the attack with its rather large mouth.

“The Bubble Beam’s gone.” Dawn said in surprise as she and the penguin were surprised that the attack had no affect at all.

“Water type attacks don’t have that much affect on Grass types like Carnivine.” Brock said to her on why it did not work.

‘I thought for certain that she would get that with the battle with Nando.’ Renamon thought and then noticed the free Rocket member decided to go on the attack.

“Good for us; Bite for you.” James said and then saw the lame faces after hearing his lousy play of words. The teams concentrated on the battle; of the trap closing in on the bird.

‘This is going to hurt.’ Piplup said even though the others only heard the name of the beast.

“Piplup.” The coordinator said while freezing herself out of the battle, but luckily they were saved.

“Budew?” Ash questioned after seeing the cancelled Bite attack, and then watched as the creature added Bullet Seed which as soon as it struck the Rocket members they went flying.

“Where did that thing come from?” Jessie questioned after the group was in the air.

“I can’t stand little green Pokemon.” Meowth added to her comment.

“Something about big green ones rubs me the wrong way too.” James said after hearing his friend’s comment.

“We’re blasting off again.” The group shouted before disappearing into the sky, and as soon as they left a new man arrived.

“Such a shame. I was having such a pleasant evening before they showed up.” The man that spoke that comment was in fact Nando, the trainer that they have been trying to find. “I trust you’re alright.” He said after looking from the sky to the group that he had met before.

“We’re fine.” They said as one.

“Thanks to you for helping us.” Dawn added on her own.

“You know actually we came out here to look for you.” Ash said to the trainer, and saw that what he said confused the bard.

“Me? Why?” He asked them, and that was when the tall creature of the group spoke.

“Perhaps we should discuss this off the trail.” She said and with a silent nod the group went into the forest - to Nando’s campsite.

“You’re correct. I’m feeling torn choosing between contests or gym battles.” Nando said to the group after they all took a seat on some downed logs.

“But Budew is so strong. Just perfect for the gym.” Ketchum said to the fellow raven haired trainer.

“No way, Budew’s moves were made for contests.” Dawn said in defiance to the one sitting beside her.

“If I enter the Sinnoh League I need to win battles in eight gym locations which gives me eight badges. On the other hand, in order to appear in the Grand Festival I need to win a contest in a total of five arenas which will give me five ribbons.” Nando said to the four; giving them the gist over what to do for either.

“Sounds to me the gym is your best bet.” The trainer said to the traveler while thinking. ‘With all of those battles it would evolve into a stronger form, and I want to take it on when Budew transforms.’ After he thought that the female beside him spoke up to her idea.

“Sounds to me the contests are the way you should go.” Dawn said while still thinking of the way she was aced on the battlefield.

“Gym battles!” Ash said to the girl angrily while facing her.

“No, contests!” Dawn shouted back at him while facing him as well.

“Gyms.” The trainer shouted back a bit more sternly. As they were doing that the stranger to the planet as a whole caught something with her pointed ears.

‘What is that noise? Are we under attack?’ She questioned herself; unknown to her Nando saw her ears twitch and decided to fill her in along with calm the humans down a bit.

“Alright, keep that up then we won’t be able to hear the forest sing.” The bard said to them knowing that his statement would confuse the arguing duo.

“What do you mean?” Dawn questioned after the two of them stopped glaring at each other and was just looking around.

‘So that’s what it is.’ Renamon thought, and with her sensitive ears she was able to sift through the creatures of the forest, and knew what they were thanks to borrowing the Pokedex on the way to the Sinnoh Region. There was: Kricketots, Bunearys, Burmys, Gastlys, Duskull, Misdreavus, Chimechos, Noctowls, Hoothoots, Woopers, and Quagsires.

“All the forest Pokemon are singing at once.” Dawn said while listening to the sound of the forest.

“The forest…really does sing.” The breeder of the group said also listening to the sound of the forest.

“It’s gorgeous! I never noticed it before. Now I’ll always here it.” The coordinator said and felt that anger toward the trainer vanish as she listened to the sounds all around her.

“Yeah, sleeping outside isn’t so bad after all. Right?” Ash said to her as he and Renamon were enjoying the sounds too.

“Yeah.” Dawn said back to him with a short laugh. Nando heard them mellow out and watched as it continued from there, “I’m sorry, Ash.” The new trainer said with a slightly hung head. “All the complaining I’ve done. I guess…things haven’t been going so good for me and I’ve been taking it out all on you.” She said after seeing that she had his attention.

“You know I haven’t exactly been Mister Nice.” He said back to her letting her know that she shouldn’t take full credit over what has been going on.

“I promise I’ll do a whole lot better.” The human vowed to her friends which made the breeder smile that they were actually getting along.

“Yeah, me too.” He said back to her, and the canine knew that this was Ash only being friendly; not to flirt with the new girl. “Ya know, right around when I left Pallet Town I saw a Flying Pokemon that was glowing like a rainbow.” He said to Dawn which caught her interest, so he went on: “I’m sure it was a Ho-Oh.” The boy then recalled over that moment in time. “It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” He confessed while thinking, ‘Excluding one yellow powerhouse.’ And looking at the creature in question at the same time.

“Maybe that’s what I saw.” Dawn said to the boy who seemed interested in on what she had seen. “Back at Lake Verity.” She said after realizing that he was interested. “Think of the Pokemon out there. There are so many: wonderful and strange.” She said to them while remembering her moment of discovery, but a sound of a harp strum broke her out of it.

“What is usually hidden you now have the eyes in which to see. The forest song allows it to be a gift for you, and me. Let our hearts be grateful that the mysterious world of night Pokemon shows itself ever so selfishly.” Nando said to them while strumming his Mew harp.

“Nando, I was wondering if you would battle me too.” Ash said after standing from his sitting position.

“The honor will be all mine.” He said back to the youth before him. “But we should do it in the morning.” He added to his first comment.

“Sure thing.” Ketchum said back and with that the group slept, and at the crack of dawn the whole lot of them headed to the same location as before, so both sides had more room to move. “I’m ready when ever you are.” Ash said to the opponent with Renamon standing in front of him.

“The honor is all yours.” The bard said in return.

“Just like last time it’s all yours, Renamon.” The trainer said and then watched as the vixen charged right at the plant creature.

“Budew, Bullet Seed if you will.” The other requested and the attack was fired, but the graceful one was able to dodge it with ease.

“Power Paw!” She shouted back with glowing fists, and her right fist hit its mark. As the Grass type slid for a bit, and as it was slowly gaining ground back Dawn decided to celebrate the attack.

“Wow, a clean hit.” She said and this time the foe knew what to do with that.

“Mega Drain, please.” Nando requested to the creature before him.

‘Yes, of course.’ The creature said even though others couldn’t get it. The thick green beam struck the vixen even though she tried to hold her ground by going on all fours, but it failed, and after the attack did it’s thing the Digital Monster hit the ground.

“Renamon!” Ash shouted after seeing what just happened. They all then saw that the damage from Power Paw was gone.

“How did Budew heal?” The beginner questioned since she did not know all the moves of the trade…yet.

“You see when you use Mega Drain half the damage that’s been done to your opponent goes back goes back to which Pokemon that made the move.” Brock explained back to her, and prated that he did not confuse her.

“Renamon, are you alright?” Ash questioned to his old friend since as far as he knew did not know how much that can deal with a Digimon.

“I am alright, Ash. I’ve just never dealt with such a move.” The battler said back while getting back to her feet. “Now as for that Pokemon - Diamond Storm!” She shouted and fired such a move which hit its mark.

“Way to go.” The trainer of the Rookie shouted in praise.

“Thank you, Ash.” She responded back to him; she was getting over getting praised for her fights. Their cheer was short lived as a bright light engulfed Budew after the beast shouted:

‘It’s time.’ The others saw the light too, and the one that saw the light first was not surprised.

“What is this?” Nando questioned while watching the show.

“What’s wrong with Budew?” Dawn questioned since she was worried the attack did more harm then anyone realize.

“Nothing. It’s evolving.” Brock explained to her.

“No way!” The girl shouted in alarm since this was the first time she had seen such a thing. When the light died down the evolved creature stood before them:

“Roselia.” They heard it say, but the vixen heard, ‘hi.’ The transformation caught them all off guard.

“Roselia? Budew evolves into Roselia.” Ash said aloud while still not getting it, but his partner was.

“That explains the red and blue pedals it tried to keep hidden.” Renamon said aloud so the others could hear her.

“Awesome! I’ve never seen that!” The coordinator admitted to the other, but Nando decided to get the ball rolling.

“This is an interesting development to say the least.” He told them calmly and then added, “Roselia if you please: Sunny Day.” The creature did just that by firing two white beams from its hands to the sun. “Now if you please, SolarBeam.” He requested and just like that the Grass type was absorbing the energy that was just sent skyward.

“Here it comes.” Brock warned them of the attack.

“Renamon, you know what to do.” The battling trainer said and then watched as his friend charged straight ahead.

“Fire please.” Nando said and the plant did so while saying its name, but Renamon heard:

‘You got it.’ The beam was fired, but as soon as the ball was heading for the ground the Digimon jumped just right and used the explosion from the Solar Beam to propel herself into the air.

‘I did not see this coming.’ Nando thought as the opposing force was coming back down.

“Power Paw!” The yellow furred one shouted only this time added more force to this punch then the last one. As soon as fur his grass the creature hit the ground and was out like a light.

“Dear Roselia.” The trainer of the Grass type said after his friend hit the ground.

“Roselia?” The plant said but the other fighter heard, ‘Did I win.’

“Well, that’s the end. It seems we lost.” Nando said to them. Taking defeat so calmly.

“That means we won.” Ash said after hearing the words of his honorable opponent.

“We?” Renamon questioned and when she saw Ash’s nervous expression she smiled a bit before looking back over to the challenger.

“Brilliant effort. You deserve a nice, long rest.” The cloaked one said after kneeling down to pick up Roselia and then recalled his partner. The man then brought his attention to the other travelers: “Now to Ash and Dawn.” He said as he rose to full height. “I offer you my thanks. I finally know what I must do.” He said to them and knew that they wanted to say something so he waited.

“Your going to try the Sinnoh League, aren’t ya?” Ash questioned first.

“Your going after the Grand Festival, right?” Dawn questioned after that.
“I’ve decided to do both.” He said to them and when he saw their confusion he went deeper, “I enjoyed battling you two so much I wouldn’t give up on doing either one of them, and so for now I bid you farewell until we meet again.” The four would accept that.

“Sounds great.” The coordinator and the trainer said together, but the trainer added one more thing on his own.

“Till we meet again.” The Digimon decided to say something as well.

“Yes, until then.” The group of four left the group of one so they could continue on their run to Jubilife City, but Renamon was still having a slight problem, ‘Get out of my head.’ She thought since her subconscious was showing her Ash in Nando-like outfit and doings the bard has done to woo her.

Copy Rights:
Ash Ketchum, and the others, are owned by Gamefreak/Nintendo and Cartoon Network.
Renamon, and her forms, are owned by Toei Animation.