Tryst with Destiny: The Beginning of the End (Main Story)

18 : Start of the Journey

(Outside Prism Tower)

"Well, you guys made it back. How was it? Did you find what you were looking for?" Clemont asks Ash.

"Nope. Even Gurkinn doesn't know with which Pokemon this mega stone goes with. Only thing he did tell us, is that it goes with a fire type," Ash solemnly replies.

"Oh, don't worry. I am sure you will figure it out in the future," Serena says as she gives Ash a kiss on the cheek.

Ash and Serena hear a swooshing sound only to see Bonnie walks out with Dedenne. They smile as she greets them.

"See that Clemont. You should learn something from these two and get yourself a girlfriend," Bonnie heavily smirks.

"Bonnie! I told you that is none of your business," Clemont shouts in an utterly embarrassed tone.

"Don't worry big brother. I will soon find you a keeper," Bonnie says while winking before walking back into the gym.

Clemont goes red in embarrassment while Ash and Serena amuse themselves with Clemont's reaction. Finally, after a while, Clemont speaks up.

"Well, let us get going. So how are we travelling?" Clemont asks.

"By foot of course," Ash says.

"But Ash! We can't go on the journey by foot. Sometimes, I will need to go for exhibition performances or rookie class judging. I think it's best that we should go in my limousine," Serena interjects.

All three of them start pondering, deep and hard. Trying to figure out a way out of this epiphany.

"How about this then? Serena's car can come along with us. Whenever we feel like walking, we will walk and camp. In other situations, we will summon the car and then go in it. How does that sound?" Clemont suggests, much to Ash and Serena's approval.

"That will be perfect Clemont. This way we shall get, both the experience of a journey and solve Serena's problem. You really are a genius Clemont!" Ash remarks.

"Alright then. Since we are all agreed, let's go," Serena happily says.

"Wait a moment guys. First, we need to call Prof Sycamore. He told me to tell you to call him as soon as you came back," Clemont says before proceeding to dial Sycamore's number.

After a few rings, a voice answers the phone at the other end.

"Sycamore here. May I know who is speaking?" the voice says.

"Prof. It's me, Clemont. You wanted to talk with Ash and Serena? Well, they are here. Please speak," Clemont answers as he puts the device on loudspeaker mode.

"Well, first of all, I know what happened in the Shalour Gym. Gurkinn called me as soon as you guys left. I wish to tell you that he and I will investigate your mega stone together till we get some results."

"Thank you, Prof. That means a lot to me," Ash replies.

"Also, one more thing. Since you are the KIP champion. Your Pokemon carrying limit has been increased to twenty Pokemon. Out of which 5 Pokemon you need to catch in your journey throughout the Kalos region. The remaining fifteen, including your Pikachu and Froakie, will consist of the remaining Pokemon which are already in your care. Your Pokemon are all in my Lumiose city lab. So, go there and pick your Pokemon. Remember, you can carry twenty Pokemon at a time but you must obey all the rules of the gyms you challenge when it comes to the number of Pokemon you need to select beforehand and use there during a gym or a league battle," Sycamore says in a precise manner.