Jhoto

The group was walking through a forest and Ash was thinking about what Riley said to him about a man called Simon. According to rumours, he was apparently able to talk to Pokemon and even helped in busting one of Team Rocket's bases. Riley told Ash, he would meet him in Olivine City with Simon. He may no longer be as powerful as he was as a young man but he was the longest living aura user. Ash felt pretty sure the name was familiar but couldn't put his finger on it and let it go for the moment.

Gou, "Everything okay?"

Ash, "Hmm?"

Brock, "You look distracted."

Casey, "Yeah."

Ash, "Oh nothing much. Riley is introducing me to a Senior aura user."

Max, "I thought you, Yellow and Riley were the only ones, aside from Misty and Brock who just awakened."

Ash, "He is retired and Riley think Simon would be able to help Brock more."

Brock paused, "You think so?"

Sorrel, "That's good right?"

Ash, "Yes, in most cases. Thing is you would have to go under for safety."

Gou looked worried, "Oh? Is something wrong?"

Ash, "Depends on the perspective. Simon has been an active throne on Team Rocket's and poacher's plans. So it's not a good idea for this to get out especially after what happened the last three months."

Brock had a serious look on his face, "I see, I think I understand what the matter is."

Ash, "Accepting his help will be good but you will have to go low contact for safety."

Brock, "I'll think about it. I really can't afford going off road for now."

Todd, "Well you don't use aura like Ash here does so maybe you won't have to yet."

Casey, "That's true so no hurries!"

Max gave a wry smile, "For now."

They laughed as they took a break near a ruin where according to a guide book the Jhoto archaeologists had uncovered the tomb of a famous Jhoto Princess. There were Legends about her being a powerful psychic who could create some of the strongest shields. One of the tour guides explained that a Dr Tierra was the one who led the impossible expedition and succeeded in proving the mysterious Princess's existence. The tour guide then started to tell them about the famous Legend of the Psychic Princess of Jhoto.

Many years ago a little girl was born to a noble family who had a strong connection with a Wobbuffet. Her family was known for raising Pokemon who could create powerful shields to protect Sword Masters. The little girl was very close to one particular Wobbuffet who had taken care of her since she was a little girl. She would always try to mimic her care taker Pokemon and one day when she was about to enter her teens, she successfully created a shield. Her family was shocked at first then started to celebrate her success at creating a shield.

According to the head of her house what she did was a gift and she should be proud of her ability to protect others. When the Royal family heard about it they bestowed the title of Imperial Princess Yuanke on her. She took the responsibilities of being a Yuanke very seriously and always trained with the soldiers to protect the kingdom. There were many types of stories after that about her adventures in many different Kingdoms and regions. Her most famous one being her adventure in Hoenn where she fell in love with the Hoenn Prince and started the trade between Hoenn and Jhoto.

Ash hummed, "That is awesome."

Lucario, -You believe all that?-

Abra, -It's a good story.-

Ash laughed, "Just look at all the adventures we have been through. I have no doubt there is some truth to those stories."

Brock nodded, "I agree."

Sorrel, "We even ran into Legendaries so."

Casey, "Yeah."

Max, "Hey, I see the next town."

Verity, "There seems to be something going on."

Todd, "Looks like a marriage ceremony."

Gou, "I see the Pokemon center over there. We can check it out later."

Ash, "Fine by me."

They checked into the Pokemon center and had their Pokemon checked on and treated for any problems. After that they looked around the area and saw the sign board outside a fairly large restaurant saying a Shinko Temaku marrying Xu Cinnian. The hotel was decorated in many pink flowers and one of the waiters welcomed them saying that the bride and groom was letting trainers have any food they want. Max was surprised and after inquiring what happened they got the whole story. Apparent a trainer had met Temaku two years ago and saved her from a group of kidnappers. That trainer had introduced her to one of her Doctor friends and the two had hit it off. They dated for a year before getting engaged and one year after that getting married.

Verity, "Awwww! That's so sweet."

Brock, "Yeah, and this venue is really nice."

Ash teased him, "Planning on proposing to Yellow?"

Brock blushed, "I still need to save money and I have not even picked a ring yet."

Todd laughed, "Remember to contact me, I'll take good pictures at a ten percent discount."

Gou looked at Ash, "Well this is a nice place."

Max gave Gou a smirk, "Yeah, really nice."

Casey, "Better save up yourself Gou."

Ash saw the two smirks, "Come on guys, don't tease Gou. I'm sure you will be able to propose to Serena soon."

Gou face palmed while the boys snickered and the girls gave Gou pitying looks. Gou got up and got a determined look at winning his crush's heart no matter what. When Casey told Serena about this the blond girl didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She really loves Ash, she does but sometimes he could be so dense and off the mark. Was it really hard for him to imagine someone liked him in a romantic manner? As far as they knew Ash never had a lover, nor did he have a crush on others, right?

After they left the town they came across Jhoto's famous Windmill Electric Field which supplied around twenty percent of Jhoto's electricity. It was a large area filled with many Windmills that as it turns out was also a pseudo home for wild electric Pokemon who were very wary of them. The group decided not to approach them though Pikachu, Electabuzz and Mareep had no such qualms and greeted the electric Pokemon. The wild Pokemon relaxed though they still avoided them and stayed away from the group.

Ash, "They have been hurt."

Brock nodded, "Yes."

Gou, "No catch this time I guess."

Casey muttered, "Electabuzz does not look happy."

Max, "Wonder what they told him. Mareep looks like she's gonna cry too."

Sorrel, "Well I'm sure, they'll tell us when they want to."

Verity, "Agreed!"

Lucario, Sorrel's Lucario and Abra later shared some of the stories the Pokemon had shared with them. Most of them were saved from poachers by Rangers while some of them belonged to trainers who were no longer around anymore. That made them sad but they also knew sometimes things happened and you never know which moment would be your last. With all the dangers surrounding the region Ash is more surprised there aren't more casualties. He supposed that meant Silver and Gold are doing a good job dealing with the trouble makers.

They moved along from the area and saw a mansion that looked a cross between a European and Japanese mansion. It looked very old but well taken care of and there were a bunch of toddlers playing in the large garden outside. One of the kids squealed on seeing them, especially the Pokemon and started to toddle towards them. Ash's heart melted at how cute she was and bent down to greet her only for the other toddlers and two kids to join her. The children's parents rushed towards them and apologized for any trouble the kids created.

Sorrel, "Oh no! No trouble at all."

Casey picked up one kid and placed him on Meganium, "Yeah miss! We don't mind taking a break from training and playing with the kids for a while."

Max, "We can keep them company while you relax."

Brock, "We were bound for a break anyway."

A lady with dark hair spoke up, "I'm Zhao Mei, this is my husband Zhao Rui. My oldest son Zhao Wowo and youngest Zhao Fan."

Another man spoke up, "I'm Gu Feng, my handsome husband, Gu Wang Rang and our two adopted daughters, Gu Yingran and Gu Bai."

Verity, "Gu? Like Gu software corps? That Guy?"

Wang Rang nodded, "My husband is the CEO yes."

Ash, "Oh! It's an honor meeting you."

Feng smiled, "I believe the pleasure is ours little author."

Brock, "I heard the Gu family were mostly Ghost type trainers and the Zhao family electric type trainers. Isn't the Windmill Corp, Zhao family's business?"

Rui, "Why yes, yes it is. Though nowadays we left the management to people who are promoted based on their credibility."

Gou, "Cool!"

Todd, "Yeah."

Wang Rang, "Why don't you join us for lunch? Our butler has no doubt served food by now."

Ash, "If it's not much trouble."

Mei, "Of course not. In fact my brother has been dying to meet you actually."

Ash, "Me? Oh you read my book?"

Feng, "Yes, it was very enjoyable. And I heard you are releasing a new horror book?"

Ash nodded, "Yes, it is called, The Grudge, a story about how an innocent was killed and how her Pokemon refused to forgive."

Wang Rang, "Sounds exciting."

They talked with the two siblings and their respective families and Ash shared the release date with them for the new book and the large family agreed to be there during the release day. They even met the elder members of the families who were quiet fond of the kids and happily welcomed them. They left the next day after saying farewell to the children who were very reluctant to let them go. Ash was squealing inside about how adorable the children were and they traveled while returning back to their daily routine.

Max, "What's going on there?"

Sorrel, "Looks like a carnival."

Verity, "Hey Casey, let's go have fun. Just us two."

Casey, "Yeah, see you boys later."

Gou pulled Ash's T - shirt, "Do you want to enjoy the carnival with me?"

Ash, "Eh? Sure why not?"

Max had a smug look on his face, "You guys go together, I'll go with Todd, Brock and Sorrel."

Ash, "Huh? That was strange."

Gou was a little pink, "That looks interesting to join."

Ash looked at the coaster ride, "Yeah, let's go then."

Gou beamed as they joined the ride together, sitting in front while their Pokemon joined the ride designed for Pokemon. After the coaster they tried the bumpers followed by fairy go round, tea cup and finally the large merry go round. Ash was enjoying himself as he watched the scenery below where the people mingled about. Abra, Eevee and Absol giving excited chirps on seeing how high they were on the ride. Gou was hoping for a little bit more private time with Ash but he would take what he got. Once the ride came down, they went to the food stall area and bought the local street food to eat.

Verity and Casey were enjoying the street performances when they ran into Sakura and her sisters. The Eevee sisters were there to promote their act and show while serving tea in an outdoor tea house. The ladies were fitted in lovely kimonos and welcomed the two girls enthusiasticly. Verity and Sakura enjoyed the tea and after a while Verity mentioned she wanted to try out wearing a kimono. The Ladies got an excited gleam in their eyes that scared the two for a split second before they were whisked away and were dressed in beautiful kimonos.

Brock, Sorrel, Max and Todd ended up running into a trainer called McKenzie and Natu, who were helping their Dad set up a stall. The young trainer was nervous about running a stall for the first time and reading the future for the customers. Natu tried to comfort them but McKenzie just gave a forced smile and said he would be fine. Todd then suggested he practice on them, if McKenzie could read their future, he could do it for others too. In the beginning he was reluctant but after reading their future, McKenzie slowly started to calm down and was able to confidently talk to his customers.

[A. N.: Ahem! The famous carnival scene.

A reader requested it. Hope you are satisfied with it, my dear reader. XD

If anyone has any request just give me a heads up. Okay? I will try to include it in a chapter in the future.]