THE JOURNEY STARTS TODAY!!!

[goingallout]

FRIENDSHIP: Turnbloom City - Battle Park

[It's been many, many weeks ever since the day he drifted into Ultern, and Ash is finally grown accustomed to the region so far. One place he likes frequently visiting to is Battle Park, as he meets many different trainers he could have battles with in order to hone his team's skills. It's a great place for him to kill some time and have fun.

Of course, today is not a day for Pokemon Battles (although he's not about to turn down to any challenge!) as he wants to get to know his newly caught Ulternian Dunsparce better. Behind Ash are his other Pokemon who seem to be either curious or worried about the newcomer.

Ash then crouches down to Dunsparce's level and opens his arms.]

C'mon now buddy, don't be shy! All you gotta do is just say hell-AGH!

[Before Ash could even finish, Dunsparce agressively slams himself against Ash's stomach.]

HSSSSS!!! HSSSSS!!!

[All of Ash's Pokemon are now protesting against Dunsparce's behavior while their Trainer is laying down, dazed, winded and now unsure how to approach this. Come and help him?]

---

OUTBREAK: Route 3 - Lake Lapis

[Ash picked up on the info that there had been a sudden massive mass outbreak of Pokemon not native to Ultern appearing in the region. According to his source, they said that these Pokemon came from the region of Paldea, a place that Ash has yet to visit. And some of these groups of Paldean Pokemon are confirmed to be sighted in Route 3. With his curiosity piqued, Ash decides to head there in hopes of finding one for himself.

Soon enough, you can find both Ash and Pikachu now hiding quietly behind a bush as they watched a flock of Flamigos hanging out by the lakeshore.]

I wonder what kind of Pokemon these guys are...?

[Ash aims his camera at the Flamigos in order for his Rotom Phone to pull up a Pokedex entry about them. But unfortunately he's not getting anything, leaving the young boy to wonder.]

---

SURROUNDED: Gilterrace Town

[It's lunch time, and what he's in the mood for today is a sandwich! And of course, there's a sandwich shop in Gilterrace that he's been wanting to check out for a while.

But instead, he and Pikachu found themselves at the sidewalk surrounded by a pack of Fidoughs curiously sniffing and playing with the pair.]

Haha! Stop it, that tickles!

---

WILDCARD: Wherever in OHRITORI ISLAND

[If you'd like your character to meet up with Ash in some other way, go for it! Ash is happy to strike a conversation, and he's pretty much free to do whatever he likes and go wherever he likes. Unless you're Lear and have ERRANDS for him!!]

Comments

[goingallout]

[Dunsparce is looking pretty annoyed that Shellock is still looking at him with its weird glass thingy. He didn't want any eyes on him right now!! But in the meantime Dunsparce continues to stay in place and lets out a low hiss, glaring at Shellock intensely.]

Hehe, sounds like when I first met Pikachu. So I totally get it.

[He then gets back on his feet and grins. Looks like he's fully recovered from the hit.]

Well no matter what, I'll find a way to get through Dunsparce! And we'll be best friends before you know it!

[His Dunsparce loudly screeches in protest.]

[domeinion]

Sounds like you really know how to get through to people. Eventually.

[She laughs and pats her Blastoise's shell; for his part, he's not going to pick a fight with the Dunsparce unless it starts one. Like his trainer, he seems more interested in observing new things.]

You never know, maybe you will! You seem to have the dedication. Then again, without that, you wouldn't make it as a travelling trainer, and you seem to be doing just fine with that.

[goingallout]

Dedication and a lot of enthusiasm is what I gotta have as a trainer, especially when I'm going to become a Pokemon Master someday!

[And of course, he will become a Pokemon Master! Even if he's stuck here in Ultern!]

[domeinion]

[It occurs to Alice that Ash looks a little familiar. Not quite like anyone she knows, but a little like a lot of people she knows. She wonders, not for the first time, why so many hosts look similar -- certainly some were siblings or descendants or clones, but at this rate was that an explanation or an additional common variable? -- and if Ash ever heard the same tens of thousands (it's hundreds now, they've gotten so weak) in his head.

After all, they say, in exchange for everything they put you through, the Voices will make you a Champion.

She shakes the thought out of her head.]

You're right about that! And any Pokémon Master's been through their share of adventures, statistically, so coming to a place like this can only help in that regard, can't it? That's what I would presume. Not sure about getting tackled by angry Dunsparce, but everything does have its pitfalls.

[goingallout]

[Ash nods in agreement.]

"Nothing is wasted on a journey for everyone." That's what one of Kanto's Elite Four told me once. That's why I've been taking in all the sights and sounds around me, with my Pokemon too.

[He looks at his Pokemon team with fondness in his eyes, although they're in the middle of watching over Dunsparce who's decided to slither away from the Blastoise.]

[domeinion]

[Shellock gives an amused little wave as Dunsparce retreats. Alice laughs a bit.]

That does sound nice. And there's plenty to see out here! I love studying everything I come across. Though my specialty is cataloguing Pokémon species -- it was hard not to in my situation!

[I mean, you've seen her team. Even Shellock, who looks normal at a glance, has differently-shaped pipes coming from his shell than most Blastoise do.]