Ash came down the stairs the moment he heard his mom's voice drifting through the house. Calm, familiar, and already expecting him. He was prepared for it—mentally, at least. From the tone alone, he could tell Sister Daisy had returned earlier than expected.
That meant Butterfree.
Ash let out a small breath through his nose, adjusting the strap of his bag as he headed toward the door. He would bring Butterfree to her, sure. But that didn't mean he would do it for free. Butterfree wasn't some decoration you borrowed without compensation.
He was definitely asking for something worthwhile in return. "Pika~"
Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder and waved a tiny paw back toward the kitchen, where Delia stood watching them leave. The door slid shut behind them with a soft click, sealing in the warmth of home.
As they walked down the familiar road toward the lab, Ash's thoughts drifted—naturally—to Ralts. 'Hope she's doing fine.'
He had sent her to another professor for examination, mainly to understand how she had appeared in Kanto in the first place.
Ralts wasn't native here, and that alone made her existence unusual. When he had explained it to her, she had agreed far too easily, smiling that small, trusting smile of hers. That was what worried him the most.
He clenched his fist slightly. 'I'm not letting you disappear like that. Not happening.'
If things went wrong, he would personally go and drag her back. Even if he had to beat the hell out of another professor for it.
And since it was Oak who had arranged everything, Ash trusted that Ralts would be returned safely. Oak wasn't the kind of man to break that sort of promise. The sliding doors of the lab hissed open. "Ash, welcome."
The old voice echoed warmly through the room, layered with the faint hum of machines and the distant chirping of Pokémon. Professor Oak sat at his desk, glasses reflecting the glow of a large screen. He was smiling—talking to someone through the telecom.
"Come here," Oak said casually. "It's Ralts on the other side."
Ash froze for half a second.
"What?"
The timing hit him so hard he almost laughed. He had been thinking about her just moments ago. Now she was already calling?
He jogged over, shoes tapping lightly against the lab floor. On the screen was a young researcher, dressed neatly, posture straight but clearly a little nervous.
"Hello! You must be Trainer Ash," the researcher said quickly. "Nice to meet you. I'm trainee researcher Kevin."
Ash nodded with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you too." Before either of them could say more, a small ripple of light flashed beside Kevin—and a familiar green-and-white figure popped into existence on his shoulder.
"La~" Ralts looked radiant, eyes bright, body leaning forward as if she might jump through the screen itself. Ash's shoulders relaxed instantly.
"Hey there, little one," he said, his voice soft without him even realising it.
"La~ la!"
She chirped happily, swaying side to side, emotions spilling out so clearly that even someone without psychic sensitivity could feel them.
Kevin cleared his throat, glancing at Ralts with a gentle smile before turning serious. "Trainer Ash, we've finished our examination. We confirmed that Ralts is originally from our region. She likely got separated from her family and wandered far—far enough to end up in Kanto."
Ash nodded slowly. None of that surprised him.
Ralts being level thirty-one from the start had already told him she wasn't inexperienced. She had fought, survived, and travelled long before they met. He had suspected as much but never asked. Some stories were better told when the owner was ready.
"I figured," Ash replied calmly. "But she's part of my family now. My partner." Ralts looked up at him from the screen, eyes wide, emotions quiet but intense.
Kevin hesitated. "Ash… don't you think she might be happier if she returned to her original family?" The lab felt quieter all of a sudden. Even the machines seemed to hum a little softer. Ralts went completely still.
She stared at Ash, waiting.
Ash inhaled once.
"Alright." Her light dimmed instantly. Ash continued, voice firm but smiling, "I'll come there and capture them too. But I'm not giving my Ralts to anyone." For a split second, the room froze.
Then—
"La~!"
Ralts practically bounced in place, joy exploding out of her in waves. She laughed, spinning in the air, nearly falling off Kevin's shoulder. Ash laughed quietly. He already knew the answer. Ralts wanted to be with him—along with her family, not instead of them.
Oak adjusted his glasses, smiling knowingly. Kevin stared at the screen, stunned, before breaking into a helpless laugh.
"I… see. You're quite something, Trainer Ash." Ash scratched his cheek.
"Guess so." And somewhere across regions, a little Ralts smiled brighter than she had in a long, long time.
After that, things moved surprisingly smoothly.
With Professor Oak present and watching over the process, Ash didn't even have to argue much. Kevin followed the proper procedure; the transfer was finalised without unnecessary delays. A soft flash of light burst from the Poké Ball the moment Ash released her.
"La~!" Ralts appeared instantly—and just as instantly, she vanished again.
A familiar weight settled on Ash's shoulder.
She had teleported there, pressing her small cheeks against the side of his face, rubbing gently the way she always did when she was happy. Her emotions poured out warm and steady, like she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.
Ash chuckled quietly and lifted a hand, patting her head with practised gentleness. "I missed you too, little one."
"La…" she murmured softly, eyes half-lidded as she leaned into his touch. Pikachu watched from Ash's other shoulder, tail swaying with approval.
Once things settled, Ash headed toward the backyard of the lab. The doors slid open, letting in fresh air mixed with the scent of grass and earth. The wide open space stretched out before him, familiar yet lively.
That was when he spotted Daisy.
She was seated near a low table, a small Poliwag resting beside her, its round body bobbing gently as it looked around curiously. Daisy seemed relaxed, one leg crossed over the other—until she turned her head.
"Ash… come."
Her voice was calm but sharp enough that it felt like she had sensed him the moment he stepped outside. She stood up smoothly, brushing off her shorts with a light smile. "I was just wondering when you'd show up," she added, walking forward.
Ash followed her without question, Ralts still perched on his shoulder. As they walked, his eyes drifted to the side—and he noticed it. A match field.
Clean, well-maintained, clearly used often. 'That's…'
He glanced at Daisy again. She met his gaze with a knowing smile, one that carried just a bit too much confidence. "Well," she whispered, leaning in just enough that only Ash could hear, "I want you to defeat that guy in a battle."
Her eyes flicked toward a man standing near the edge of the field. He was talking casually with a girl and another boy beside him, posture relaxed, confidence practically radiating off him. He looked like someone who knew he was good—and enjoyed knowing it.
Ash followed her gaze.
"Is he strong?" he asked, his tone calm—but his eyes lit up instantly.
To Ash, Pokémon battles weren't chores or obligations. They were passion. Fun. Something that made his blood stir and his mind sharpen. A strong opponent wasn't a problem—it was an invitation.
"Very," Daisy replied quietly. "About as strong as the guy you fought before. Lint." That was all it took.
Ash's grip tightened slightly, excitement flaring. "Okay. Let me see how strong he really is."
He stepped forward immediately, a grin forming on his lips. Daisy blinked, momentarily speechless, before letting out a small breath and smiling to herself as she watched him go.
'Idiot,' she thought. 'You're not a charity worker, you know.' Still, the annoyance she felt toward that man was real. And if Ash could shut him up properly… well, she'd figure out a fitting reward later.
The man noticed them approaching.
"Hm?" His gaze slid over Daisy first, then landed on Ash. A professional smile spread across his face, smooth and practised—too practised.
He walked forward and extended a hand toward Daisy. "Hello, Miss Daisy."
Daisy's eyes narrowed just a fraction, but she shook his hand anyway. "Hello, Mr Brandon."
She turned slightly, gesturing toward Ash. "This is my partner, Ash. He'll be doing the testing."
Brandon's eyes moved to Ash properly this time, scanning him from head to toe. The boy was short, young, and casual—far from what he expected.
"A kid?" Brandon chuckled, lips curling upward. "Daisy, if you're that desperate, you could at least hire a decent trainer." Ash tilted his head slightly.
"Well," he said calmly, voice steady, "I guess there's no point fighting if you're that afraid." The words landed lightly—but cleanly.
Brandon's smile twitched, then vanished. His jaw tightened, irritation flashing across his face before he masked it again. Behind Ash, Daisy bit her lip.
She almost laughed. And Ash was pretty sure he heard a quiet chuckle slip out anyway.