Chapter Text
“Looks like Gabite’s starting to shed.”
Ash looks up at the comment, turning his attention from the food he’s shoveling away to the woman across from him. “Huh?”
The corner of Cynthia’s lips turns upward, amused. “Gabite’s shedding.”
The implication takes him by surprise because, even though Cynthia has been giving him tips on how to train his Dragon-type ever since they started messaging each other, this is something he’s never been through before - Noibat had evolved under eventuating circumstances - and the pace it’s happening at…
It seems to take his partner by surprise, too, his ears twitching as it looks up from Cynthia, ketchup packet forgotten for once.”Pikachu?”
”Already?” he echoes, taking a glance over at where the rest of their Pokémon were eating, easily spotting the topic of their conversation as it patiently listens to whatever Cynthia’s Garchomp is saying to it. It probably has something to do with Gabite’s training, though, considering how Melmetal, Sceptile, and Quilava don’t pay much mind to it, having their own conversation with Cynthia’s team as they eat.
And, goodness, it really puts into perspective how amazing this huge, private plane is that it can take all of their team’s weight - including Melmetal’s 1764 pounds - without faltering.
The only one who seems to be unnerved by it all is Latias, who had transformed to her Bianca form very early into their flight, too disoriented on her first flight to stay hovering.
Worry for the Eon Pokémon aside, Ash just thinks the whole thing is cool, checking out every nook and cranny with Pikachu until their meal was ready.
Their five-star meal prepared by Cynthia’s private chef.
Ash honestly can’t get his head wrapped around it.
“Well, Gible was already ready to evolve back when you were traveling through Sinnoh. Now that it’s gotten past the first hurdle, things can go very quickly.”
”Yeah, you mentioned you knew because of Dig, right?” he recalls from one of the earlier conversations. “Why is that, by the way? Can’t all Gibles use Dig?”
Cynthia gently sets down her utensils before resting her hands in her lap. “Yes, but there’s a difference in the finesse with how they can use it. All Gibles can dig, but only the ones old and experienced enough can use the skill as a move. And based on how well Gible was able to utilize the move during the Sinnoh League, I was surprised when it didn’t evolve during one of your battles.”
”Okay. So like how most Flying-types can fly, but not all of them will use it as a move unless it’s trained?”
”Essentially.”
That is…cool but confusing. Because why?
“Your professor might be the better one to ask for these types of questions.”
”Eh, he’s got a lot of things going on right now,” he tells her, shoving another bite of food into his mouth, knowing she doesn’t quite care about decorum. “Professor Burnet is pregnant, he has us to teach, he has his research job, and he’s trying to get the League on track.”
She hums, and he feels the questioning gaze before he even meets it.
And he knows what she’s thinking, having caught him and Olivia talk about this journey just before they left, the kahuna not able to come along due to some kahuna duties she can’t hand off to Kiawe, even if the other teen hadn’t gone to Hoenn, and proceeding to ask whether Kukui knows about his status in the world or not. “I didn’t want to burden him about the whole Chosen One thing. He was already worried about me having Mew around. I can’t imagine he’ll take the whole story well.”
”He only worries because he cares. I don’t think Kukui would care if you got him involved.”
”I know,” he admits, remembering the man’s concern and the warm feeling it had given him. “That’s why I’m going to tell him when I get back. All of them. It’s not like the other legends won’t show up at one point or another.”
”I think it’ll be okay.”
Ash smiles, knowing it’s true. His friends and classmates have always been supportive, and nothing has deterred them from him or changed their attitude towards him so far. So knowing he’s the Chosen One? Well, that shouldn’t change anything. “I think it will be too.”
”Pika!”
“Thanks, Pikachu.”
Cynthia smiles, and Ash wonders what she’s thinking about. Then-
“Well, how about dessert?”
He should have known.
Actually, that reminds him-
“Oh, right, Brock actually packed some desserts in here for us,” he says, suddenly recalling the boxes his friend packed in there that morning. With him swapping out some of his team last minute - Liza had called early that morning, asking for Charizard to visit as soon as possible, so he sent his long-time friend out for that and juggled around with who to bring until his gut told him to choose Quilava - and the fascination that is Cynthia’s private jet, he had completely forgotten about it.
“Brock’s cooking?” Cynthia asks, looking very excited at the prospect, which is a testament to how good Brock’s cooking is. “What did he make?”
”Mochi, I think. If only I could get to-“
He freezes midsentence as his hand brushes across an object, cold and spherical.
“Ash?”
The size of it is familiar, but the texture isn’t. It’s too smooth, too glossy.
“Cynthia, does this fancy plane of yours have a transfer system?”
“No, the laws of international travel stop anyone from transferring any Pokémon when in-flight.”
“But there should be one at Nimbasa Airport, right?”
”I would assume so. Why? Did you have a feeling you’re going to need someone else?”
”No,” he tells her, heart in his throat when he dislodges the ball in his bag. “But I think I have a stowaway.”
”Could it be a sign? But it shouldn't be a problem regardless. I’d imagine you have no restrictions under your Trainer ID, considering all of your Pokémon are directly under your care now. So even if-“
”It’s Riolu.”