[5] The Daughter of Nurse Joy: Battle Frontier

The Kanto Grand Festival

After traveling some more, the gang made it to the Indigo Plateau.

"We are finally here!" May squealed, happily.

"The Indigo Plateau looks more amazing than I imagined!" Max beamed.

Cora, Alain, Ash, Brock and Mairin stared at the area.

"This place brings back memories." Alain said.

"(What do you mean?)" Aaron asked.

{A/N: Aaron - Lucario, Kilala - Shiny/Unique Espeon}

"Memories of when Ash and I participated in the Pokémon league here." Cora agreed.

Mairin nodded, "Yeah, you and your Pokémon were great at the league." She smiled, "It's amazing that they'll be holding the Grand Festival here, despite never having done it before until now." She said.

"Well, a lot of things have changed since then, Mairin." Brock stated.

"Come on Cora, let's go register for the Grand Festival right now!" May decided.

====

Cora and May had finally registered for the Grand Festival with their ribbons and Pokémon.

May and Max contacted their mum next to let her know they were at the Grand Festival. Unfortunately, Caroline couldn't come because she and Norman were kept very busy, but she promised to watch May all the way on TV and wished her and Cora lots of luck. Prof. Sycamore and Alise Joy also arrived when they heard the Kanto Grand Festival. Cora was happy to have her mom here. Alise was also amazed to meet Aaron who was also happy to meet Cora's mom. Alain and Mairin were also happy to see their dad again.

Then Ash and Cora noticed someone familiar nearby.

"Ritchie! Sparky!" Ash and Cora called out as she, Kilala, Aaron, Ash and Pikachu ran towards them.

The two turned to Cora and Ash who called out to them.

"Ash, Pikachu, Cora, Kilala, how are you?" Ritchie greeted.

"It's good to see you, Ritchie." Ash greeted back. 

"So what are you doing here?" Cora asked.

"Well, I had heard from Prof. Oak that you're participating in the Kanto Grand Festival." Ritchie explained, "The Indigo Plateau brings back memories of when we battled each other in the Pokémon league here, so Sparky and I decided to check out the Grand Festival." Then he noticed Aaron, "Who is this?"

Cora was happy to see Ritchie again, since they hadn't seen each other since Johto, and Kilala was happy to see Sparky again. She introduced Aaron to Ritchie who was surprised that Aaron is Sir Aaron's Lucario from 2,000 years ago.Cora showed Ritchie her Kanto ribbons and the six frontier symbols she had. Ash showed Ritchie his six frontier symbols. 

"Wow Ash, Cora, you guys have done a lot on your journey." Ritchie commented.

"So how have you been doing, Ritchie?" Ash asked.

"I've been traveling through Kanto. Now I've been thinking of going to Hoenn because I haven't been there yet." Ritchie admitted.

"That's a good choice Ritchie," Cora agreed, "I liked traveling through Hoenn and you will too. Luckily you won't encounter Team Magma and Aqua."

"Oh I heard about those guys." Ritchie said.

"Yeah, they're all behind bars which is where they belong." Cora stated.

====

Later Cora, Kilala, Aaron, Ash and Pikachu went back to the others with Ritchie and Sparky. Alain, Brock and Mairin were happy to see Ritchie again and introduced him to May and Max. A girl, the same age as Brock, had been talking to May, Max, Mairin and Brock. Her name was Solidad, and she was a Pokémon coordinator entering the Grand Festival too, and she lived in Pewter City like Brock. Brock and Solidad were actually old friends.