Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

Ten minutes have passed, and now inside the cave...

"Mmm...so soft and comfortable...completely different from a yo-yo."

"Pikachu... Pikachu..."

Pikachu was held in Nurse Joy's arms, its cheeks being constantly pinched and kneaded, its expression filled with helplessness and grievance.

Pikachu looked up at Ash with teary eyes, as if asking, "You betrayed me like that? Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

However, Ash wasn't looking at Pikachu at all. He was holding the Float Ball that he had traded with Nurse Joy, and for a moment he didn't know what to do.

To put Joy's guard down, he had given her Pikachu. Of course, young Joy, still a child, had no resistance to such a fluffy and soft creature as Pikachu.

Although some adults don't seem to be able to resist it either.

"So, you're Miss Joey's child, right? What are you doing here? Did you get lost?"

Ash imitated Nurse Joy, kneading the Float Ball and feeling its unique texture, while asking this question.

"Well... I should say that the floating ball carried me home, and then a strong wind blew us here... My sister landed a little earlier than me, so she wasn't blown away."

Under Pikachu's "seduction," Nurse Joy had long since lost her guard against Ash, and now she answers whatever Ash asks, appearing very obedient.

Of course, judging from the way she wanted to throw the yo-yo for self-defense as soon as they met, it would be a bit of an overstatement to say that this child is well-behaved... If she weren't in this kind of environment, her personality would probably be more lively and outgoing, right?

"Then you're just lost... Honestly, I'll take you home when the weather gets a bit better."

"But... big brother, didn't you get lost here too? This place isn't somewhere just anyone can go."

Ash: "......"

Although Ash really wanted to say that he wasn't lost, for some reason he just couldn't bring himself to say it, so he could only cough lightly and change the subject.

"My name is Xiaozhi. What's your name?"

"That was so abrupt... If you really are lost, you should say so properly, don't try to save face by changing the subject like that!"

Little Joy put Pikachu on the ground, then stood up, put her hands on her hips, and said in a very imposing manner.

Xiao Zhi: "???"

How long has it been before this child's true nature has been revealed?

Despite saying that, little Joey still obediently said her name.

"My name is Mai. Even though you're lost too, it's okay~ I know how to get back! I have a very strong friend in this forest. If he comes out to help, we can get back in no time!"

"friend......"

Xiao Zhi was stunned. So, did he have experienced something like this before? Because so much time had passed, he had almost forgotten about such a small thing.

However, when Mai mentioned her powerful friends in the forest, a graceful and noble blue figure still flashed through Ash's mind.

Is that it...?

My memories are somewhat fragmented; some are just fleeting impressions.

Before Xiaozhi could calm down and think things through, Mai suddenly shouted excitedly, "Look! The weather has gotten better!"

"real......."

Ash looked in the direction Mai pointed and saw that the sky, which had been covered with dark clouds, had suddenly cleared up for some reason. The torrential rain that was about to fall seemed to have vanished without a trace in an instant, as if it were a joke.

Even though it wasn't raining, a rainbow arched across the distant sky, its vibrant colors cascading down like countless stars awakening a slumbering forest.

strangeness.

Although the weather had improved, Ash felt that something was strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it until Mai pulled up his sleeve and led him outside. Only then did Ash come to his senses.

"The weather's nice now! I'll take you to see my friend, but remember to keep it a secret~ otherwise it might never play with me again..."

As Mai spoke, she kept glancing at Ash's expression, and only turned away after seeing that Ash's expression hadn't changed.

In fact, only she and her sister knew about her friends; Mai had never even mentioned it to her parents.

As for why I brought it up with Xiaozhi?

Perhaps it was out of affection? Perhaps Ash gave her a hug with Pikachu?

Mai couldn't explain it clearly, but at least her intuition told her that Satoshi wouldn't be a bad person, and children's intuitions are usually quite accurate, aren't they?

As they passed a narrow mountain path, Mai finally let go of Satoshi's hand and started walking ahead.

Seeing Mai swaying unsteadily, Xiaozhi couldn't help but say, "Be careful, the intersection is narrow and the road surface looks a bit loose. Why don't you walk behind me and I'll hold your hand?"

"It's okay~" Mai seemed completely unfazed. "I've walked this road many times, there won't be any problems~ I can walk across even with my eyes closed."

"Then let's not, let's just watch where we're going."

Ash patted the Floatball, signaling it to follow Mai.

"Tch~~ Big brother, you're just like my mom and sister. Shouldn't a Pokémon trainer be unafraid of these things?"

I feel there's something wrong with this child's views. I guess I should talk to Miss Joey about it after I send her home.

Xiao Zhi's lips twitched a few times. He didn't know if Mai was joking or speaking the truth. If she was speaking the truth, then this child really needed to be disciplined. Otherwise, what would happen if he encountered danger due to his carelessness while living in the mountains?

"I'm telling you, even Pokémon trainers should prioritize safety. Pokémon trainers are taking risks, not gambling with their lives. Safety should always be the top priority."

"Yes—I understand~"

Mai saluted, as if to show that she had taken his advice.

But suddenly—

"Click~"

An untimely sound, like something shattering, rang out from beneath Mai's feet.

"Get out of there!"

The experienced Xiaozhi immediately understood what was going on, and although Mai was a beat slower to react, she, living in the mountains, realized in the next second what such a sound coming from the rocks meant.

However, Mai's movements were ultimately a beat too slow. The speed at which the rocks beneath her feet crumbled was unexpected, and Mai's body began to fall towards the bottom of the cliff. Fear finally appeared in her eyes, but even so, her body was so stiff that she didn't even have a chance to scream.

"Puff, go down! Pikachu, stay where you are!"

"Skin?"

The next second, under Pikachu's watchful eye, Ash also jumped off the cliff without hesitation. The Float Ball was affected by air resistance, causing it to fall much slower than Ash and Mai.

......

Sure enough, my grades plummeted on weekdays ╥﹏╥