13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 5 Mossy Town

Ash and Alice finally walk through Route 1 and arrive at the next town, Mossy Town. "At least we can stay a night at the Pokémon Center instead of camping today," Ash says, smiling with relief.

"Yeah," Alice agrees, her eyes brightening at the thought. "I can't wait to sleep on a bed. Don't get me wrong, camping is a great experience, but it would be better if we could sleep on something soft instead of a sleeping bag."

"That is true," Ash admits. As they walk into the Pokémon Center, he notices the Quest Floor has a few people sitting around. "There are two people over there. How about we try to help them out?"

Alice nods enthusiastically. "Of course. You can try it out for your first time."

They decide to help the boy and take out their Pokégear to ask about the problem. "Excuse me, are you the one that needs some help?" Ash asks.

The boy looks surprised to see both Ash and Alice offering their assistance. "Hey. I'm a new trainer. I walked through Route 1 and saw this beautiful girl... I don't have the courage to talk to her, but I wrote a letter! Could you bring this letter to her, please?"

Ash takes the letter from the boy and nods. "Sure, we'd be happy to help out."

The boy's face lights up. "Wow! Thank you so much!"

They walk back to Route 1 and find the girl near the beach. "Oh, what's that? A letter from a boy who saw me on this Route? Wow, that's so cute! Wait a second while I read it..." the girl says, taking the letter.

Ash and Alice wait patiently, their curiosity piqued about the letter's contents. After a few moments, the girl looks up, smiling. "Oh, he wants to meet me in the Pokémon Center in Mossy Town. Thank you so much! I have to go!"

Once Ash and Alice are back at the Pokémon Center, they see the two people talking happily. The boy notices Ash and Alice and beams. "Thank you so much! I never thought that the girl liked me, but she came! I have a gift for your effort!"

He hands them a Rare Candy, and Ash and Alice decide to give the new couple some alone time.

"It seems like those two are really in love," Alice observes, smiling softly.

"Yeah, I wonder if I have the chance to experience that firsthand..." Ash muses, then quickly realizes what he said and covers his mouth.

Alice blushes a little and looks at him curiously. "Ash... I know it's sudden, but have you ever been in love before?"

Ash blushes at first but then his expression darkens. "Well... I did, but that love was broken ever since they betrayed me..."

Alice is surprised, "You mean you loved one of the traitors who killed your Pokémon?"

Ash shakes his head, "No, two of them. Their names are Serena and Lillie... Serena was my childhood friend. She traveled with me just because she wanted to find me after all those years, and she always followed the motto of never giving up until it's over. Heck, she even gave me a kiss when we were leaving the airport," he notices Alice's jealousy and continues, "But her betrayal hurt the most."

Alice's curiosity deepens, "How about the other one?"

"I met Lillie in Alola. At first, she was unable to touch any Pokémon, but after we helped her family with the Ultra Beasts—you know, Pokémon from another dimension—she started to show some feelings for me. We even danced together at Professor Kukui's wedding ball, and we entered the League together... but in the end, she also betrayed me," Ash holds his face, his eyes welling up with sadness. "After everything I did for them, they still killed Professor Oak and my Pokémon... they also injured me and my mother..."