A Ruin with a View

Ashlyn, Tesla, and May were on their way to Oldale Town, where Ashlyn could register for the Hoenn League and start collecting gym badges. But Ashlyn had to wait until she gets to the Contest Hall in Rustboro City to register for the contests.

"So May, what kind of journey do you want to take?" Ashlyn asked, curious.

"What do you mean?" May asked, confused.

"Do you wish to do gym battles or be a Coordinator?" Ashlyn asked.

May sighed, "The truth is I don't really know much about Pokémon. I'm not really interested in becoming a Pokémon trainer because...I don't like Pokémon that much. I just want to travel." She explained.

"You'll change your mind about being a Pokémon trainer later on," Ashlyn declared, "I've experienced many things during my Pokémon journeys for the last two and a half years, and I've enjoyed my journeys very much."

"I'm not so sure." May admitted.

"Don't worry, May. I think you will." Ashlyn assured her.

"By the way, I thought that Pokémon were supposed to stay inside their Pokéballs, right? So why is Tesla out?" May asked.

"Well, Tesla doesn't like staying in her Pokéball. She likes riding on my shoulder a whole lot better." Ashlyn replied.

"Raichu!" Tesla smiled.

May took out her Torchic's Pokéball, "I haven't gotten any complaints from my Torchic yet." She reminded.

"Why don't you check with your Pokédex? You could look up Torchic's attacks as well." Ashlyn suggested.

"Oh! Great idea!" May took out her Pokédex and looked up the information on her Fire-type starter.

"Got a good moveset for a starter." Ashlyn commented, seeing Torchic's attacks.

"I guess." May admitted.

At that moment, the two heard the bushes rustle. Then something blue jumped out of the bushes; it was an Azurill.

May took out her Pokédex as Ashlyn took out her Rotom phone:

[Azurill, the Water Ball Pokémon. Azurill is able to throw its tail like a lasso, using the momentum to move about.]

"That Pokémon is so cute, I want it." May said, taking out a Pokéball.

Ashlyn stopped her from throwing it, "Hold it." Ashlyn turned to Tesla, "Tesla, Thunderbolt."

Tesla nodded and jumped off her shoulder and let out her electrical attack. Then Azuril fainted from the attack.

"You have to weaken Pokémon first with your Pokémon's attack, before you capture them. Now you can throw the Pokéball." Ashlyn explained.

May threw the Pokéball at Azurill and sucked inside. It wiggled for a second and then it dinged which meant a successful capture.

"Yes, my first Pokémon capture!" May smiled, "Thank you, Ashlyn."

"You're welcome, May." Ashlyn smiled back.

"By the way, how come you didn't let me use Torchic to go against Azurill?" May questioned.

"Your Torchic wouldn't have been able to stand Azuril's water attacks because fire attacks are weak against water attacks and water Pokémon beats fire type Pokémon. I used Tesla because Electric types beat Water types." Ashlyn answered.

May sighed in defeat, "I guess I have a lot to learn about Pokémon."

"I can help you with that, May. If you want to, of course." Ashlyn offered.

"That would be great, Ashlyn." May accepted Ashlyn's offer.

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On their way to Oldale Town, Ashlyn and May approached what seemed to be old ruins.

"Wow, look at these old buildings." May commented.

"Actually May, these are ruins." Ashlyn corrected.

"Oh, my bad." May rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.

"These are the ruins of Oldale." A male voice said.

The man wore a beige pants, and a tan blouse. He had on brown boots. His brown hair was in a low ponytail. "I'm Professor Alden, and I'm investing them," he introduced himself.

"Hi, my name's Ashlyn, this is my partner Tesla." Ashlyn smiled.

"And my name's May, hello." May said.

"Nice to meet you two. So tell me, where are you two headed to?" Professor Alden questioned.

"We're trying to find the Pokémon Center." Ashlyn responded.

"Ah, well, you're almost there, it's just over this hill." Professor Alden informed, pointing to the tall hospital building up ahead.

"Thank you." Ashlyn thanked him before she and May headed off.

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Soon Ashlyn and May were at Oldale Town and they were now resting in the Pokémon center. Ashlyn explained to May that a Pokémon center was a place where Pokémon and their trainers could relax, and that Nurse Joy takes care of weak and sick Pokémon. Ashlyn had just finished getting registered for the Hoenn League and hoped to do well at the Petalburg Gym.

At the moment, Ashlyn was making a phone call to Prof. Oak.

"Hey Prof. Oak, I just arrived in Oldale Town and I'm registered for the Hoenn League." Ashlyn said.

"[That's great, Ashlyn. I'm sure you'll do great for your first gym badge.]" Prof. Oak smiled.

Ashlyn noticed that May wanted to talk to the Professor. She moved over and let May stand next to her.

"This is my new friend, May. She's a new trainer who's traveling with me." Ashlyn introduced the girl.

"[A pleasure to meet you, May. My name is Professor Samuel Oak from Pallet Town in the Kanto Region.]" Prof. Oak greeted.

"Well, I know who you are! My brother never misses any of your radio lectures! And if I tell him that I've been actually talking to you, he'll be so jealous!" May stated.

"[Well! How nice!]" Prof. Oak chuckled.

"Also, of course, I know that I'm just a beginning Pokémon Trainer, but I'll work hard!" May assured him.

"[That's good. With Ashlyn by your side, you should do well! Not to mention the wonderous things you'll experience with her.]" Prof. Oak stated.

Ashlyn's brow arched, "Prof. Oak, are you saying that I purposely get into trouble?" She asked.

"[No, my dear. Sometimes trouble finds you.]" Prof. Oak explained.

Ashlyn sighed in defeat, "You got a point there." She agreed.

"Rai." Tesla agreed as well.

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Soon after Ashlyn finished her phone call, she and May were having dinner. While they were having dinner, May had a lot of questions for Ashlyn.

"You two said that you have been on a Pokémon journey for two and a half years, right?" she asked.

"That's right," Ashlyn replied, "I started my Pokémon journey when I was ten years old and now I am thirteen years old. Together with our old friends Misty, Brock we travelled in Kanto and Johto. And with our other old friend Tracey, Misty and I travelled in the Orange Islands together."

"Wow you two certainly have been a lot together." May said.

Ashlyn admitted to May that she and the others had been through a lot of trouble during their journeys because of what some bad people, like Team Rocket and poachers and burglars, had done.

"So let me warn you May, you must always be careful when out on a journey. You can never be careful with what will happen later on." Ashlyn warned May.

May nodded at that which meant that she understood Ashlyn's words at once.

"Well hello weary travelers. Good to see that you made it here alright," a voice spoke. The two looked over to see Professor Alden.

"Oh, hello Professor." Ashlyn greeted.

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In a small room, Professor Alden was explaining about his research on the Oldale Ruins.

"You know, there's a stone chamber within the ruins. Legend has it that it's a sort of bridge of portal between our world, and the ancient Pokémon world." He explained.

"How can you open it?" Ashlyn asked.

"Because of its strange structure, any attempt to open the chamber has caused it to begin crumbling. So the contents of the ruin remain unknown." he continued.

"What do you mean by Ancient Pokémon?" May questioned.

"Well, I'm not talking about extinct fossil Pokémon, like Aerodactyl and Kabuto, I'm talking about ancient Pokémon, that's been living in ancient times before changing at all!"" Professor Alden then brought out a stone tablet, "The correct way to open the chamber is written right here on this tablet."

"Wow." Ashlyn and May said, awed.

"However, there are four keys needed to enter that haven't been found yet." Alden pointed to the orb like key holes.

Suddenly Ashlyn sensed six auras right outside Alden's office. The lights then mysteriously turned off as the door was opened, and three people walked in with three Houndoom's. The group of people wore red hoods, with grey extrusions. They wore red uniforms which bear a large black 'M', and they wore black glasses.

Ashlyn narrowed her eyes at them, 'Team Magma.'

"What? What is the meaning of this?" Professor Alden questioned.

"Professor Alden," one of the men spoke, "We would like you to accompany us on a little journey to the Oldale Ruins."

Professor Alden refused, "I will not."

Nurse Joy then showed up with a flashlight saying, "I'm sorry Professor Alden. When the power went out. . ." Nurse Joy started, then gasped as she saw the situation. She was then suddenly grabbed from behind.

"Well now, Professor, would you like to change your mind?" the man smirked.

Professor Alden looked torn, but agreed reluctantly, "Oh alright, I'll go with you then."

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They then threw Ashlyn, May, and Nurse Joy into a large room, and closed the door, locking them in.

"What do they want?" May questioned.

Ashlyn looked over at May, "I bet, they want to get into the chamber."

"Nurse Joy, do you know those people?" May asked.

Nurse Joy shook her head, "Not I don't, but I'm sure they caused the black out by cutting the power here to the Center," she responded. Then she gasped, "Then that means that all the Pokémon treated here are in danger."

"We have to get out of here and turn on the reserve power." Ashlyn replied.

"Raichu! (I found a way out!)" Tesla said.

The two trainers and Nurse Joy turned to Tesla who was pointing at something. They followed to where she was pointing and saw a vent in the wall near the ground.

Ashlyn smiled, "A vent! Great job, Tesla."

Tesla smiled back. Ashlyn was able to open the vent.

Tesla entered first while Ashlyn and May followed behind her. Tesla was able to navigate their way to the main area. They stopped at a fork, and Tesla ran forward, and she pointed to the left, to then right. She crawled the rest of the way, and they found the exit out of the vent. They quickly found the emergency generator, and Ashlyn grabbed the key as May flipped the light back on. They then headed back to the room and let Nurse Joy out.

Tesla jumped onto her partner's shoulder, and the two ran out to see Team Magma, leaving in a red helicopter. They ran a bit further to see Professor Alden on the ground, unharmed.

"Professor!" Ashlyn and May called out.

"Are you going to be alright?" May questioned as they came to a stop in front of him.

"Yeah, I'm just fine." he responded with a small smile, making the two sigh in relief.

"What a relief!" Ashlyn said, relieved.

"Who were those guys anyway?" May questioned, staring up at the night sky.

Suddenly they heard a quiet whisper behind them.

"Prepare for a very quiet trouble," Jessie suddenly popped out of nowhere.

"Make it a very silent double." James added afterwards.

"That's right. Just look what the Meowth dragged in," Meowth said, as Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet held one treasure, "Four shiny new treasures," Meowth finished.

"Team Rocket!" Ashlyn and May exclaimed.

"Hey! You guys give back those treasures!" Professor Alden said angrily.

"No can do!" Jessie taunted.

Ashlyn's eyes glowed blue and the treasures were snatched out of their hands and landed in Ashlyn's hands.

"I think it's time you leave. Tesla, Thunder Shock!" Ashlyn ordered.

Tesla jumped into the air and let out her electrical attack which zapped the Team Rocket trio painfully and sent them into the night sky.

"TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF MUCH TOO SOON!" Team Rocket screamed as they were out of sight.

"They can't catch a break, can they?" May asked.

"Nope." Ashlyn replied as she popped 'P'.

When they were gone, Ashlyn handed the keys to Prof. Alden and he inserted them into the second door portal.

"Good! They're back to where they belong!" Prof. Alden sighed, relieved for the treasures.

Just then, the sun rose into the sky, showing a new morning.

"Morning already?" May asked.

"I guess we've been up all night." Ashlyn suggested.

Suddenly, the four keys started to glow, causing a bright light to surround the whole chamber! Everyone turned in surprise, seeing the hidden entrance move out of the way. Underneath it was stairs for an underground cave.

"What's this?" Prof. Alden asked, amazed.

Ashlyn and May were amazed by the sudden new pathway. Everyone headed down the stairs, seeing an amazing sight. It was like an underground lake!

"It's an underground water supply!" Prof. Alden pointed out.

"It smells so fresh and clean!" May pointed out.

"I wonder if this leads down to the sea?" Prof. Alden wondered, looking at the small underground lake.

Suddenly, something popped out of the water, revealing itself! Everyone gasped, showing a Relicanth.

"It's a Relicanth." Ashlyn replied, scanning it with her Rotom Phone:

[Relicanth, the Longevity Pokémon. Relicanth is covered in stone-like scales, which allow it to endure the pressure of the deep ocean.]

"Great Scott! It IS the ancient Pokémon, Relicanth!" Prof. Alden exclaimed.

"Relicanth?" May asked, confused.

"I'll be! It IS true! These ruins are the portal between the present and the past!" Prof. Alden exclaimed.

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Ashlyn decided to stay at the Oldale Pokémon Center for the next three days to train her Pokémon which were Iroh, Ringo, and Talos. The three were excited for their Hoenn gym battle. Ashlyn wanted to be prepared for the Petalburg Gym Leader, Norman who uses Normal Type Pokémon.

Ashlyn had also offered May if she wanted her Torchic to be trained with Hestia who's being taught by Natsu the Shiny Charizard. May was hesitant at first, but Ashlyn managed to convince her.

For training, Ashlyn trained in the near the forest of the Pokémon center so that no one would bother them and that Talos won't be seen by other trainers. When Natsu's training Hestia and Torchic, they were out on the battlefield at the Pokémon Center.

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Today was the last day of training. Ashlyn had already healed Iroh, Ringo, and Talos. At the moment, she and May were sitting on a bench, watching their Torchic's being trained by Natsu. They could easily tell that their Fire-type starters were enjoying the training.

"Hey Ashlyn." May said.

"Yeah?" Ashlyn asked.

"How did you come across Natsu?" May asked.

"I adopted Natsu as a Charmander when his previous trainer, Damian, abandoned him." Ashlyn replied, sourly.

"Abandoned? Why was he abandoned?" May questioned.

"Natsu had lost in a few battles that involved water Pokémon and he didn't want to raise Natsu anymore. So he left him waiting on a rock and lied to him that he'll be back to get him." Ashlyn said.

"What?! That was so mean!" May exclaimed.

"He practically left him there to die." Ashlyn admitted.

"What do you mean?" May asked, slightly scared.

"The night I rescued Natsu, it was raining. If Natsu's flame on his tail had gone out, Natsu would have died." Ashlyn explained, grimly.

"Fire-types are weak against water, right?" May asked. Ashlyn nodded, "So that means that Natsu would have really died if you hadn't saved him?"

Ashlyn nodded again, "Yes."

May looked down at her lap with dismay.

"May, there are two types of trainers when it comes to Pokémon; there are some who treat Pokémon as friends or family...and there are others who treat them as profit or tools of war." Ashlyn stated.

May had tears in the corner of her eyes as she clenched her fists on her lap, "That's so...cruel." She said.

Ashlyn placed her hand on May's shoulder, "It's how it is, May."

May nodded sadly at that.

"May, I can easily tell you're a trainer who will treat her Pokémon as friends." Ashlyn said.

May turned to Ashlyn, "You really think so?" She asked with wide eyes.

"I know so." Ashlyn confirmed.

May smiled softly as she wiped away her tears, "Thanks, Ashlyn."

"Torchic!" Torchic called out.

May turned to Torchic who was looking up at her. May smiled softly and picked up Torchic into her arms and hugged him.

"I know we'll become great friends, Torchic." May declared.

Torchic smiled, "Torch Torchic!"

May continued to smile at her Fire-type starter.

Ashlyn turned to Hestia and then Natsu. She got up from the bench and picked up Hestia into her arms as she walked over to Natsu. She smiled up at him and then gave him a hug which he returned.

She was glad that she was able to save Natsu that night.

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After spending the night and having breakfast at the Pokémon center, it was time for Ashlyn and May to leave. They were saying their goodbyes to Nurse Joy and Professor Alden.

"We wish you luck in Petalburg City, Ashlyn. I'm sure you'll do well." Nurse Joy smiled.

"Thanks, Nurse Joy." Ashlyn smiled back.

"Excuse me Nurse Joy, but did you find out anything more about those crooks?" May asked.

"Officer Jenny is doing all she can, but so far, no clues." Nurse Joy responded with a frown.

"That's too bad." May responded.

"Oh by the way you two, I've been doing a little bit of research over at the stone chamber, and every sign is pointing to ancient Pokémon and man interacting peacefully." Prof. Alden said with a smile.

"Wow, that's amazing." Ashlyn said.

"You learned so much, and you did a lot!" May exclaimed.

"Right! I can hardly stop working, even to sleep! There are so many undiscovered secrets of Pokémon!" Prof. Alden explained.

Ashlyn and May agreed to that.

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So Ashlyn and May said their goodbyes and headed off to Petalburg City where Ashlyn will get her first Hoenn Region Gym badge. Ashlyn's Hoenn journey continues.

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Pokémon Caught: Pokémon Egg, Poochyena (Lela)(F), Mudkip (Finn)(M), Shiny Torchic (Hestia)(F)