A new kind of research fellow

Gary Oak was a man to never show emotions. He had been the cocky trainer who usually went around with his cheerleaders. Now he was a professor in the making, but he preserved his attitude.

However, all the matter around Ash had upset him. Seeing all his Pokémon so ready to help their trainer moved the guy. He was doing research restlessly, calling friends and planning the next move.

What he did not expect to see was an old prophecy in a paper sent to him by an old friend of Professor Sycamore.

"Virtus Dei in ovo.

Aura potens.

Virtus quae fecit mundum, vocatur.

Hodie vel cras vel heri ubi anima et cor conveniunt in creatione Dei"

"What the hell is this?" said Gary to his grandpa.

Professor Oak saw the paper and was quick to retort: "Well, this is Latin, it is the language used by some ancient population in Sinnoh and nowadays you can only see traces of it in Rota"

"The ancient Sinnoh population? "Surely, he was interested now. Also, Clemont had told him that Astra had spoken in Latin back then.

Maybe this was connected to Ash somehow.

"We have to get a translation" proclaimed Gary, a little irritated.

Professor Oak thought for a while before heading towards the library and pulling out a book which looked like it had seen better times. The cover was bruised, some pages were missing, and the paper was yellow from time.

"This is my very first book I published. It is about all we were able to translate from some old idioms. I'm sure Latin is here too."

Gary nodded. He knew very well about his grandpa's book but, with all the tiredness of these days, he actually forgot about the publication that had changed his grandpa's life all those years before.

"Very well, let's start!" he said, showing no emotions.

Useless to say, his grandpa was worried about his health.

.............

"So, you are saying that both of you have somehow had an interaction with Ash, here in Sinnoh?!" Goh was choking on his Casteliacone.

The group was in a park in Jubilife, catching up and enjoying their ice creams.

Right now, they were talking about the news. Goh had revealed how everyone was making his part in order to find Ash. The girls were very happy to hear this but then they felt the need to tell him about their strange encounters with Ash.

Goh was obviously shocked to hear something that.

At first, he thought the two girls were being only over impressionable, but they were very persistent.

"How is that possible?"

"I don't know, but this happens only in specific places. I had the feeling that it is like Ash is in the same place as us. Like it was last night. Serena went to a park and there she found Ash, then an hour later I went there for myself and found him too" Dawn answered.

"I felt like a wind when I saw him, like if something was opening and then it was like there were murmurs and whispers." Serena went on.

"Something other?" Goh was writing things on a notebook.

"Yes, I could feel his touch!" exclaimed bot Dawn and Serena, before looking at each others for moment and starting to blush in embarrassment.

Goh didn't understand that part. Again, to be Ash's friend, it is mandatory to be at least a little dense.

"So, you could feel his touch. But you said you can't always see him"

"Yes, but not the touch itself, more the feeling after. I think he can see us in order to be able to touch a shoulder or give a kiss" Dawn was in hard thinking mode. But then she realized what she had just said and was even more embarrassed.

Serena held a soft smile, like she knew the feeling too well.

Goh was now bright red on his own: "How bold of you Ash. Nice shot!" he thought.

"So this is all?"

The girls nodded.

"The only thing I can think about is that Ash is somehow here in Sinnoh if you are saying the truth"

"WHAAAAT?!" exclaimed both girls at Goh's assumption.

"Think about it. No one had never seen Ash. Only you two here in Sinnoh. Since we know that Ash has been brought back in time. He is not in some other dimension or things like that. It is somehow possible that he can still make a connection through time."

"Well, but this is a pretty bold deduction." Countered Serena.

"Yes, but I've read stories about these kind of bonds in some books. And all of those stories are related to some Legendary Pokémon, like Celebi or Dialga."

The girls were impressed from Goh's knowledge.

"So, you are saying you believe us?" asked expectantly Dawn.

"I'm not sure, in real honesty. I don't doubt your encounters, rather than the real meaning behind these.

The best thing we can do is to do some investigations about Dialga in Canalave library and then see what we can do" concluded Goh, Grookey approving his trainer conclusions.

Dawn wanted to argue at Goh's misbelieve.

"Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's go to Canalave!" exclaimed Serena determined.

This shocked both Goh and Dawn, but they dismissed their thought and cheered together, ready to embark to a journey in order to find the truth.

"I can't let me and ash down like that. I have to be the best version of me and fight until the end. I'm not a battler, I'm not Ash, but together, me, Goh and Dawn can pull through and find the truth! Wait for me Ash: Look down at the woman I'm growing into. You will be proud of me as much as I'm of myself!" thought Serena, with a determined smile, while running through the city.

..................…..

Morning came in Hisui. It was silent, peaceful. A soft breeze caressing the meadow's grass as well as the trees' leaves.

Ash's back was hurting like crazy, and he felt two weights on his stomach.

Opening slowing his eyes, he saw his best yellow fur ball friend, all curled up and then, he felt something like a blue long fur.

"What is this Pokémon, Pikachu?" he asked his partner that, upon hearing his name, had his ears twitching and raising.

Ash decided to stroke that fur. The Pokémon adjusted itself, curling up even more and letting out a soft "Mhhh" followed by a content sigh.

Ash was thinking hard… Which Pokémon made those noises? Then, realization hit him and Pikachu. Their eyes shot open only to reveal Akari, her head on Ash's belly, all curled up and sleeping peacefully with a content smile like she was having her best night of sleep.

"Akari, can you please wake up?" How in the world had she finished in that position? They were distanced by the Pokémon. But not now.

Akari's Pikachu was right next to the girl.

Said girl was now starting to wake up.

She felt the comfiness of her pillow, she felt Pikachu next to her. Then she remembered who was sleeping next to her… Her eyes flashed open and she jumped, freeing Ash in the process.

"Oh, thanks Arceus!" Exclaimed Ash.

Akari realized what had happened, she blushed.

"You were looking very comfortable. Slept well?" Ash said.

Akari turned to not face him, completely devastated from embarrassment: "Yes, sorry about that. I move a lot while I sleep" she managed to mutter.

"Not a problem. If you were comfortable!" Ash exclaimed, a warm and happy smile on his face.

Akari turned to see him and her heart melt at his kindness.

Ash finally put his Jacket on, still feeling empty with no hat: "Come on Pikachu, Greninja, let's have breakfast and start our day!"

Before heading out, he turned to Akari: "I'll wait you and Pikachu outside. Take your time!" and then he left.

Akari fell on her knees, Pikachu finally waking up. She sighed.

What a way to start a day.

.........….

Ash had finally finished, thanks to Pikachu and Greninja, the construction of a bag to transport his things.

He had spent the morning doing laundry at the river and was helped by his friends in making some tools such as a bottle out of wood and some other things.

Akari had watched the scene, not wanting to interfere and opting for spend time with Pikachu to get to know her.

"What do you think Pikachu? Isn't he a one-of-a-kind man?"

"Pikaaa" her Pikachu joyfully answered, making her smile. She could not understand Pikachu like Ash did but was positive about her reactions.

"Well, when he finishes, I will ask him!" "Pikaaaa"

"Ask me what?"

Akari flinched, not expecting him to have heard her.

She turned and, deciding that it was time to ask, she went on:

"Ash, you know why I'm here?"

Ash tilted his head not knowing.

"Well, I came here to bring you back. The village leader recognized your power and even the villagers had accepted you. I want you back and you can be a member of the research squad in order to find the truth about the rift"

Ash thought for a bit. Surely it was better stay in a base camp than starting a new camp every day.

"And where can I stay? My Pokémon must be with me" he said, seriousness in his tone.

"I want you to stay at my house. For now, it is the only place where you can stay. But I promise. You can take your Pokémon with you"

Akari wanted to go on and saying how she had planned to convince him, but Ash didn't let her time to do so.

"Okay, I guess I'm in!" he said, smiling, Pikachu and Greninja cheering with him.

"Are you convinced with so little?" Akari inquired, befuddled at his behavior.

"Well, you are my friend. I trust you. If you say that Pikachu and Greninja can stay with me, I have no other question. I will be your research squad colleague!" he pumped his fist.

Akari smiled softly. That guy was something else.

..........

On the way back to Jubilife, Akari and Ash were walking besides their Pokémon when a wild Piplup jumped out of a bush, clearly injured.

"Oh no, what happened to it?" shouted Akari who was about to run at the fainted penguin.

"Wait, Akari!" ordered Ash, "there is something around here".

Akari looked around and found a Prinplup coming there, angered.

"That Prinplup is really angry" noticed Ash.

"What do we do Ash?" asked the blunette, worried.

Ash smiled. That girl had only discovered yesterday that Pokémon could be friends and now she was worried about wild Pokémon. He was right about her. She really was a caring person.

"Why don't you and Pikachu help the Piplup?" proposed Ash, "It would be useful to help bonding"

Akari looked surprised. She didn't even considered that opportunity.

She casted an eye on Pikachu, whose determined face was the answer she needed.

"Come on Pikachu, let's help Piplup, Thundershock!"

Pikachu beat her cheeks and fired electricity to Prinplup. The Pokémon was hit but not defeated.

Piplup watched the scene and saw his savior who was battling Prinplup.

The enraged Pokémon charged at Pikachu with speed.

"What do I do?" asked a worried Akari. Her legs were trembling, immobilized with fear.

"Have faith in Pikachu!" shouted Ash.

Akari snapped out of her state. "Pikachu, run faster with agility and then Thunder shock it again!"

Pikachu ran and leapt in the air before firing her move.

Prinplup grew angrier, broke free, surprising everyone, Ash comprised.

The aggressive Pokémon charged metal claw and leapt toward Pikachu, hitting her and slamming her on the ground. Akari, out of pure instinct ran to catch her partner but didn't see her opponent charging forward again.

She held Pikachu, shielding her with her body while hugging her. She thought it was over.

But the attack never met her. Instead, a Greninja blocked Prinplup with Cut, slamming him on the floor.

Ash stepped in, Akari watching him from below.

"Arial ace!" Greninja moved again, hitting the vicious Pokémon much harder. He collapsed. Ash went to him, Pikachu by his side and gave him a berry.

The Pokémon looked befuddled. Ash held a smile: "Now go away. And stop being a jerk." He commanded.

The now scared Prinplup ran away faster than ever.

"You were amazing Akari! You only need some training, so don't be sad. Here, give that berry to Pikachu. She will be better."

Akari nodded, without saying anything. Then she went to Piplup and give it a berry.

The Pokémon smiled and started to hug her leg.

"It seems like that Piplup likes you, Akari"

"Huh?" was all that Akari said.

"Hey Piplup, tell me. You want to go with Akari, right?!"

"Piplup!" the little Pokémon chirped excitedly.

"So, what do you say Akari?" inquired Ash, turning to her.

She thought, a little hesitant, but then she pulled out a Poké ball from her pocket.

"Say piplup, you really wanna come with me?" she said, extending her Poké ball.

"PIIIIPLUUP!" the penguin chirped again before touching the ball. He was sucked in.

1…2…3 Piplup was caught.

She had tears in her eyes. Pure joy in her heart. She let out Piplup. "Piplup, we will be the best friends in the world!" she exclaimed before cheering together with Pikachu and Piplup. For the first time from childhood, she was really happy and glad to be on this world.

Ash watched the scene, Pikachu and Greninja with him, all holding a proud smile.

.................

"The power of God is in the egg.

A powerful aura.

It is called the virtue that made the world.

Today, or tomorrow, or yesterday, where the soul and the heart come together in the creation of God"

Gary read it and read it again… He had spent the night deciphering the latin prophecy.

He was tired.

He went for a walk outside and eyed Lucario. Everything on his mind came in place.

Next morning, when Professor Oak would wake up, he wouldn't have found neither Gary nor Lucario.

On his desk, a little piece of paper:

"I'm out searching for ruins. Smell ya later."

"Gary"