The Ketchum Family

Dashing Hopes and Flashing Beauty: Part 2

This chapter picks up immediately after the previous one.

I hope you enjoy!

Once Lillie had left them, Lusamine and Burnet took Ash and Serena on a tour of Aether Paradise. Quite a few things were the same as when Ash had last been there, however there were a few changes. The facility now had a dedicated place for taking care of and studying Ultra Beasts. Lusamine explained that sometimes they found an Ultra Beast which was injured or disoriented and needed caring for. She said that they still had lots to learn about the creatures, but they were making progress.

A little further into the tour, Burnet happily showed off her new lab and a few of the Pokémon she was currently studying. They then went into the large Pokémon park in the center of the lab, much to Serena's amazement. She was again impressed by the size of Aether Paradise and at the variety of Pokémon there.

While they were transiting across the park, Serena caught sight of a group of flight capable Pokémon all lounging around what appeared to be a moderately sized garage. There were a couple of Altaria, a Flygon, a Garchomp and two Pelipper. Ash immediately recognized the Garchomp and went running up to the Pokémon he used to ride on Ultra Guardians missions.

At first, Serena chuckled and smiled as she watched Ash fawn over the Garchomp and the other Pokémon. Then, after he explained why he knew the Garchomp, and the nature of its mission, she immediately became much, much, much more interested in it. She walked up to the various flying types and began speaking to them in a sweet voice.

"Aww, aren't you so big and strong. I'll bet you can fly all over Alola!" she said to the Flygon.

Burnet nodded in affirmation. "Yes they can. That's why they make such great ride Pokémon."

With her eyes bright and her smile just a little wider than usual, Serena turned toward Ash and spoke in a loving tone. "Wow, so these Pokémon can take us anywhere we want to go, Ash; even back to Melemele Island!"

Ash chuckled and rubbed underneath Garchomp's chin. "You bet," he said. "We had to fly all over the place when we were doing missions."

Serena sauntered up to Garchomp and gently ran a hand down the side of its neck while speaking in a syrupy voice. "You really want to go flying, don't you?!" she asked of the Pokémon. "You want to soar around in that big blue sky!"

The Garchomp blushed slightly and nodded in reply. Serena immediately grinned and looked at Ash with smiling eyes.

"See, Ash, it really wants to go flying. We could take it back to Melemele Island instead of that... airplane," she sang.

Ash frowned slightly and appeared conflicted. "Uh, well, I guess," he said uncertainly. "Although I was looking forward to flying back with Professor Burn‑"

While Ash was still speaking, Serena stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Garchomp's midsection. "How long's it been since you had a good brushing. I'll bet you really want one of those!"

Garchomp blushed some more and appeared bashful. The dragon type partially shrugged but also seemed to nod in happy acceptance of Serena's offer. The girl from Kalos didn't miss a beat and immediately looked toward Lusamine.

"Do you have a brush or something else to tend to their appearance?" she said eagerly.

Lusamine smiled and chuckled in an amused fashion. "She really likes to take care of Pokémon. I can see why you married her," she said, casting a look at Ash.

Ash smiled tensely and shrugged. "Yeah, among other... reasons," he managed.

Serena continued hugging and caressing her safe ride back to Melemele Island while Lusamine turned and glanced at Burnet. "Isn't there a grooming kit in there?" she asked.