32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 189 Fading Color Forest Part 1

Ash, Victoria, and Mars are now at the Night Club as the one there is Nyu.

Nyu: Haihaihai again, Ash~ Today, I have a special invitation just for you! No Pikachu today, but some of the others are having a special picnic!

Ash: A special picnic? Are you serious?

Nyu: I don't remember their names, but it was a bunch of kids! And they told me I should invite you~ Like as a cherubic chaperone-type of thing?

Victoria: Are you sure it would be the time to have a picnic? I mean, Julia and the others still need help from Rayquaza...

Ash: We'll go there, maybe another Anomaly would come and attack them out of nowhere.

Nyu: Sweetness~ They said they were gonna try and find a good picnicketty spot over in Rhodochrine Jungle. Maybe near that tree? I wish I could go too, but I don't wanna intrude, and it's okay because secretly I'm hiding all my snacks behind this desk anyway. You have fun~ And remember, when in doubt: Eat it!

It turns out that the ones attending the picnic are Noel, Shelly, Heather, Eve, and Lumi, so they all greet them.

Lumi: Ash, even Victoria and Mars, you came! I was hoping you'd get our message! Laura was the one who suggested we all have a tea party picnic! And she was gonna come too, but then something came up with her sisters- So we had some spare food, and we thought, "Ash's helped us all with a lot, so why not?!" This can also be our small way of saying thanks for helping with all the stuff before! ...Hm, I can't help but feel like we're forgetting something though...

Ash: That is so nice of her. And don't worry, I'm sure Laura and her sisters are fine.

Eve: Oh, you made it. That's good; Lumi will be happy. She's been doing better lately, in every way imaginable. Even in some ways I hadn't imagined it possible. I've been thinking that perhaps I've been selfish. I should have worked with her from the very beginning. She may be younger, but she is still my sister, and every bit as capable as I am. In some ways, maybe even more. Perhaps I held her back this whole time by taking the burden for myself. But there's no use in worrying about all that for now. I think the best thing to do for now is simply to find a cozy spot and enjoy the air.

Victoria: That sounds great, I know how it feels since I was worried a lot as well.

Shelly: Hi, Ash! I'm glad you came! Just in time, too! It took forever to find a good spot! We're just getting set up now, but- just give me a bit and I'll get a plate for you, too!

Ash: (Notices Heather) Even you decided to come?

Heather: Nice to see another familiar face. Laura invited us all here, and I was like, "Okay, I'll come to your picnic, BUT, You have to battle me!" We were gonna see who the stronger Elite 4 member was! (And it was gonna be ME, cuz I have the type advantage and that's definitely not cheating!) But then she couldn't even make it! So now this is kind of a bummer. I mean, food and picnics are nice and all, but where's the fun stuff?! I'd challenge you to a rematch here and now, but I don't wanna mess up the picnic blanket now. I just wish something exciting would happen!

Ash: Sure... (Turns to Noel) What about you?

Noel: I don't know what I'm doing here. Lumi asked me to come, but I don't understand the point. Even if you eat outdoors, the food isn't better, right? It just attracts bugs.

Ash: Don't say such things, it will be a great experience. Besides, I have been traveling through years outdoors, so eating outdoors is common for me.