The next day, just before boarding the flight—
Cynthia, Ash, Caitlin, and Sabrina were preparing to embark on their journey.
But just as they were about to board, Cynthia received a sudden call.
It was Alder.
He inford her that the Unova Pokémon League would soon be hosting "The Pokémon World Tournant Junior Cup". He hoped Cynthia could attend as a special guest, assuming her schedule allowed.
Cynthia was surprised that Alder himself had called, but since they were headed to Unova anyway, she readily agreed.
Soon after, Caitlin also received a similar ssage—not from Alder, but from the Unova Pokémon League Headquarters. They were formally inviting her to participate in the Junior Cup as another special guest.
Since Cynthia had already accepted, Caitlin naturally agreed without hesitation.
"Ash, looks like I'll be staying in Unova a little longer," Cynthia said with a gentle smile as the four of them boarded the aircraft.
"Actually, before the tournant begins, let's take a trip to a place called Eindoak Town. Just the two of us."
"Pika-pika!"
"No problem!" Ash nodded.
Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder, landing nimbly on Cynthia. Then, with playful energy, it hopped to Sabrina, and finally to Caitlin—having the ti of its life.
After settling their plans, the group of four soon boarded the aircraft and took off—heading for the Unova region.
Unova Region – Nuvema Town
Ash had already asked Professor Oak to coordinate with Professor Juniper from Nuvema Town.
Juniper had agreed to welco Ash at the airport personally.
Apparently, Gary—Professor Oak's grandson—was also in Unova conducting new Pokémon research.
In fact, he was currently working right at Juniper's lab.
That was one reason Ash wanted to visit Professor Juniper's research facility first.
The other reason?
Trip.
That arrogant, self-important kid nad Trip.
On the very first day of his journey, he'd declared boldly that his goal was to surpass Champion Alder.
Ash couldn't help but smirk inwardly.
Sorry, Trip.
This ti, things aren't going to play out like the original story.
I've got a Level 89 Pikachu on my team…
The aeroplane touched down smoothly in Nuvema Town.
As Ash stepped off the plane, a familiar voice echoed in his mind—it was the system.
Ding! [Congratulations, Host, on successfully signing in to the Unova Region. Since you will not be challenging the Unova League, your sign-in reward will be issued upon departure from the region.]
That's right—Ash had no intention of challenging the Unova League.
He wasn't interested in Alder's league—not after the way the old man treated him during the Lily of the Valley Conference.
Besides, Ash had plans—he wanted to wrap up business in Unova quickly and head to Kalos.
So, he gladly accepted the system's reward schedule.
"System, activate the Legendary Pokémon Tracking function."
One of the rewards from signing in on Lily of the Valley Island had been the Legendary Tracking feature. Ash suspected it might be for Victini.
Ding! [Legendary Pokémon Tracking activated!]
Tracking Info: In a place where the People of the Earth live, there lies an ancient city nad Eindoak. This city is built atop the Sword of the Earth. Above the Sword, a shadowy black figure sotis flickers into view. If accompanied by powerful Dragon-type energy, its presence can be revealed.
A black figure?
Ash blinked in surprise.
He'd thought the trail would lead to Victini. What was going on?
"So, I need to travel with a Dragon-type Pokémon? And it would help if I take to the skies... Who could it be? Rayquaza? But it's green…"
Ash muttered to himself but didn't dwell on it.
Once he reached Eindoak Town with a Dragon-type Pokémon, flying over the Sword of the Earth should give him the answer.
At that mont, Professor Juniper spotted Ash and the others.
What she hadn't expected, however, was that Cynthia and Caitlin were also with him—plus one more striking girl: Sabrina.
"Hey Ash! Professor Oak showed your photo. Congratulations on your win at the Sinnoh League's Lily of the Valley Conference! Since it's your first ti arriving in to our Unova Region, let's head to my lab first. Professor Oak wanted to give you a proper introduction to Unova."
Juniper greeted them warmly. Caitlin was already familiar with the Unova professor.
Soon, the group of five piled into Juniper's off-road vehicle and headed for the Nuvema Town Research Lab.
"Professor, you're back! The new trainer who's scheduled to set off today has already arrived inside," her assistant said the mont they walked in.
"Oh? A new trainer starting today?" Ash asked.
Cynthia, Caitlin, and Sabrina had already followed the assistant to the main research area. anwhile, Juniper walked over to retrieve the starter Pokémon for the new trainer. Ash followed curiously.
"Yup. He's a local from Nuvema Town—his na is Trip. Though, his personality's a bit... unusual."
As one of the top minds in the field of Pokémon research, it was no wonder that even Professor Oak's grandson, Gary, would co here to study.
"By the way, Professor, where is Gary? I didn't see him just now."
"Oh, Gary? He said that if he really wants to understand Unova, he needs to start by catching Unova-native Pokémon. I agreed. My assistant told he set out just recently."
Chatting as they walked, Ash and Professor Juniper arrived at the room where starter Pokémon were handed out.
There, the new trainer—Trip—was busy fiddling with a green video cara, snapping shots inside the lab.
Photography was his hobby.
He loved capturing beautiful sights through his green cara—especially when they were Pokémon-related.
Click. Click. Click.
The walls of the lab were adorned with murals, depicting various Pokémon.
Trip was currently photographing them.
"Trip, co here. These are the three starter Pokémon you'll choose from today. Pick one to be your first partner," Professor Juniper called out.
Trip turned, stowing his cara.
Ash laid eyes on him for the first ti—this arrogant boy with an overblown ego.
And so, the curtain was about to rise on their first eting.
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