Ash had returned to the room his Pokemon were in and was completely unamused by what he was seeing. Despite his warnings, his Pokemon had decided to train while he was gone and Ash threatened to tie them to their beds next time. The Pokemon had the decency to look sheepish at least when they realized they had worried their trainer again and promised him they would be careful. Ash did not know why he bothered trying to stop them from training at all. He recalls the very particular episodes where they talked about Pokemon natures and how Pokemon loved fighting. Ash decided then and there he was coming up with a new regime for his Pokemon since there seems to be no way they will stop. Ash grabbed his laptop and called Red first asking him about a few things about intensive battle training which had the older male asking his own questions and inquiring what happened.
Ash explained everything, "That is what happened."
Red stared then started to laugh, :Unbelieveable! This is the best thing I heard today.:
Ash sighed while pouting, "I suppose it sounds ridiculous but that is what happened, okay?"
Red's chuckles subsided, :Oh! I believe you, little bro. I believe you. I just cannot believe your Pokemon listened to your brief idea of a story and then decided to just try it in real life.:
Ash grumbled, "I should have kept my mouth shut. Most people come up with powerful moves during training or battle. If someone asks me I would be the first one to say, it starts with a story of all things. I can already see them laughing me out of the strategy department."
Red, :Now, now, it is not all that strange. Also, you said that you want to create a training regime for them, yes?:
Ash nodded, "Yeah, help me out with it, please. I know they will train behinnd my back if I do not start."
Lucario looked away at that, -It is a great idea. Of course we want to try it.-
Ash was exasperated, 'What's this now? Is my life going to be a crossover with Genshin Impact? Geez! Like it was not complicated already.'
Red nods understanding the feeling all too well, after all his own Pokemon did the same thing when he was hurt once. Ash and Red started to plan and come up with a training regime for the Pokemon. They were at it for a few hours and only stopped when the rest of the group came in with food for Ash. The raven haired teen thanked them for the food but after eating got back to planning. The girls and boys looked at each other and decided to let Ash be since there was still time before the festival actually started after all. If needed they could force the teen to take a break saying the festival was starting and he should attend. Well, they did not have to worry as Ash did go to the festival with his Pokemon who were allowed to go out by the nurse. He kept a close eye on them and the group could not help but find it a little funny to watch though they kept those thoughts to themselves.
Ash looked around while eating a local pastry, "Speaking of enjoying together. Has Ruby not finished his work? I thought he would be here."
Misty looked around as well frowning, "Ah! You know what, I am not sure either."
Gou had a thoughtful expression, "I think he was talking about fulfilling a mission, a personal one."
Serena now looked worried but stayed calm, "Maybe he is completing it tonight?"
Max hummed, "Should we check on him?"
May was eating another local dish, "That may be a good idea."
Chloe perked up as well, "It would be interesting to learn more about the mysterious young Champion."
Melody grinned feeling something interesting would happen, "Yeah, I am very curious about him too. I mean I know we can trust him with our lives but I would like to know him better."
Molly, "Can we check on him, Ash? Can we?"
Ash looked outside and smiled, "Well, why don't we invite him over then? I think he is done with whatever mission he was doing."
Chloe looked at where her best friend was pointing, "Ruby! Oh! Rudy is here too?"
Melody smirked, 'He owes me so much for this.'
Ash saw the smirk, "Oh ho! Did someone invite him? I have a feeling someone did."
Misty sent a look at her friend, "Yes, someone certainly did. We will talk about this later though. I want to enjoy the festival."
Melody raised her hands at being caught red handed, "Look, he was curious about Hoenn alright. So, I figured I would invite him."
May looked between them and giggled, "So, should we invite him or not?"
Misty harumped, "Melody invited him so let her."
Ash chuckled, "Oooh! Melody, let's talk. Come on!"
Molly giggled, "Someone is in trouble."
Misty muttered, "I hope Ash scolds her extra for me. I hate being treated like someone who cannot make their own decision."
Serena patted her shoulder, "Looks like he and maybe thi will prevent us from getting scolded if we end up doing something stupid later."
Max laughed, "Ash, does seem to be in a protective Dad mode right now."
May, "Tell me about it. I feel like I am looking at my Dad right now."
Melody followed the dark haired teen as they greeted the two older teens, "Guys, you are here."
Rudy, "Well, you did invite me."
Ruby smiled, "I ran into him earlier. He helped me fight off some trouble makers."
Ash, "Trouble makers? Are you alright?"
Rudy, "Do not worry too much Ash. I am a Gym leader and Ruby here is a Champion."
Ruby nodded, "Between the two of us we were fine."
Melody, "Awesome, come join us."
Ash smiled sweetly, "Actually I need to talk with Melody here. Go ahead!"
Melody stiffened, "Um.. Is this necessary?"
Ash,"Yes, it is, go ahead, guys. We will join you shortly."
Ruby eyed them and then Rudy, "Ah! Sure!"
Ash watched them go and then turned to the girl, "Melody, what was that?"
Melody shuffled nervously, "What was what?"
Ash sighed in disappointment, "Do not play dumb with me. You know Misty likes Rudy, right?"
Melody protested, "Of course I do, that's why I invited him."
Ash stared at her in disbelief, "Even after knowing she is interested in Rudy, you asked him here."
Melody looked unsure now, "Well, yeah? A festival is a great place for them to date."
Ash stayed calm as he pinched his nose, "Damn! You don't just... Melody, you do realize what this looks like, right?"
Melody crossed her arms, "I am helping my friend get a date. What's wrong with that?"
Ash raised a hand to stop her and sighed, "I get it, you are trying to help... But that is not what it looks like to others."
Melody was confused, "What?"
Ash, "You asked a guy to a festiol, who by the way, is the love interest of another person, Melody."
Melody, "... Oh! Oh shit!"
Ash gave her a deadpanned stare, "You finally get it."
Melody became a little flustered at that, "I am not... I mean, I just wanted... Ugh! I messed up, huh?"
Ash, "Yup! And now Misty is disappointed in you. You knew she liked him but you still asked him to come to the festival without any planning or input from others. It makes it look like you are going for him instead."
Melody grimaced, "Yeah, I can see that being the case. Damn, I will have to make it up to her and apologise."
Ash, "Yeah, you should. I am glad you get it though. I was thinking I might have to lecture you otherwise. Also, just ask Misty if she wants to enjoy a date or not. She is not some object to be given and neither is she a five year old who needs to be guided."
Melody scratched her head, "Uh... Yeah, this surprise flopped pretty fast."
Ash, "Just make it up to her later, yeah? She is not angry just disappointed. So, apologise properly too. she will forgive you if she knows you are sincere."
Melody, "Is this the aura thing?"
Ash, "Yup, we know when someone is being honest or not. Aura is a big give away and the reason why she is not so angry at you. she knows you meant well, she is just sad you did not take her feelings into account."
Melody winced at that, "Drive the knife in deeper with that... Yeah, I will mke it up to her but I really hope she will at least agree to a date. I did spend a lot of time planning this out."
Ash nodded, "Yeah, if the date goes well it might be in your favour. Let's go join them."
Melody, "Thanks Ash."
Ash, "Hm? What for?"
Melody, "For pointing out where the flaw in my plan was. I will be more carefule and considerate... You are kind of terrifying even if you were not exactly scolding me."
Ash, "I have found that a disappointed voice with straight facts are much more effective than direct scolding. It brings the guilt in much faster and of course that is followed by the realization of what people did wrong."
Melody grumbled, "May was right, talking to you feels like I am talking to a Dad."
Ash was amused by that, "I am a Dad to a lot of babies though."
Melody snorted wryly, "I am not sure Pokemon counts but I suppose if you hatch them and raise them you are a parent."
Ash, "Glad we agree! Hey guys!"
They got greetings and Rudy and Misty seem to be busy having a deep conversation as well, which Melody will take as a win. Serena made eye contact with Ash and the dark haired teen just smiled reassuringly which made the blonde nod. She would not get in Melody's case about the stunt she just pulled since Ash already did it but if she repeated the behaviour she would have words. Chloe it seems agreed with her if her amused smile was anything to got by and after they finished eating decided to check out the rest of the festival. They went to the ride area and decided to try out different rides each as they were a large group. Ash, Ruby and Gou went to one of the roller coasters while Chloe dragged May, Serena and Melody to the ring'o round. Max and Molly went with the girls leaving Misty and Rudy to themselves and the red haired teen asked Misty to join him in the love ride.
Misty blushed at that, "Are you sure? I mean... "
Rudy, "I would not ask you if I was not."
Misty, "Okay then, let's enjoy the ride."
Rudy smiled feeling satisfied on seeing the blush on her face, he had been worried when he noticed Misty was surprised to see him. As it turns out Melody had really set them up, after talking it out for a bit. The two of them had a nice chuckle over that fact and Rudy had decided to let Misty deal with her friend who thought she could trick two Gym leaders. Honestly, the island girl had some balls for pulling the stunt that she did, but he was not complaining as the two of them could not enjoy a date. It was i his opinion an almost peaceful and intimate date despite all the festival noise and being part of such a loud group. The ride itself was a generic love ride with a romantice tale followed by soft music and the two of them thoroughly enjoyed just holding hands and listening to the story.
Rudy helped Misty out once the ride was done, "Want to try the tea cup ride next or the Ferris wheel?"
Misty looked around and saw the two rides, "Tea cup first then the wheel."
Rudy, "As you wish, my Lady."
Misty blushed, 'This man! Such a tease.'