"Mom, I've made up my mind. I'm going to Lumiose City! I want to find Professor Sycamore, get my first Pokémon, and see what it feels like to beco a Pokémon Trainer."
Serena spoke her thoughts aloud to Grace.
But in her heart, she was already bracing herself for rejection.
After all, Grace had always wanted her to take over the family work—to beco her successor as a professional Rhyhorn racer.
Who would've thought—Grace actually nodded in agreent.
"Serena, I think that's fine. Becoming a Pokémon Trainer and going on a journey to experience the world for yourself will be good for you."
After all, it wasn't ti for Serena to take over yet. She could travel for a while.
Going out to see the world was far better than staying ho all day.
Although surprised by her mother's approval, Serena felt her resolve grow even stronger.
She decided she would set off for Lumiose City that very afternoon.
Elsewhere
After finishing the interview, Ash was just about to set off with Clemont and Bonnie.
But in the back of his mind, one question nagged him—
Why hadn't Froakie shown up yet?
He was just considering using his Aura to check the surroundings when—
from the big tree beside Professor Sycamore's lab, a white-and-blue figure leapt down.
It landed right in front of everyone.
"Ah! Froakie—it's you again! Did you get rejected by another Trainer?"
Sycamore wore a helpless expression.
Yes—this was that Froakie.
Ash looked at the little Water-type with a strange feeling.
"Huh? Professor, what do you an, rejected by a Trainer?"
Clemont and Bonnie were puzzled.
"This Froakie… this is actually the third ti it's co back to the lab. Several rookie Trainers have chosen it before, but every ti, they've returned it for the sa reason—they claim Froakie doesn't follow orders and acts on its own."
Sycamore sighed in frustration.
"Professor, sotis you need to patiently listen to the Pokémon's side of the story. You can't just take the Trainer's word for it—especially rookie Trainers. They've just set off, they don't yet understand their Pokémon's feelings, so misunderstandings are bound to happen."
With Pikachu by his side, Ash crouched down in front of Froakie.
"Froa, froa, froakie…"
The mont Froakie realized soone actually understood it, its eyes lit up. It hopped closer to Ash, pouring out its story.
"Mm. I see… I understand everything now."
"Pika pika," Pikachu added.
Sycamore, Clemont, and Bonnie all stared at Ash in surprise.
"Wait… you can understand Pokémon speech?"
For a human, being able to understand Pokémon language was incredibly rare.
"Yeah. Froakie says it's not disobedient at all. It just wants to find a Trainer it can trust completely—one worth staking everything on. That's why it tried a few and ca back each ti. It didn't feel any of them were the one it was waiting for."
"Froa!"
Froakie nodded vigorously.
The others finally understood the truth.
"In that case, Ash, since you're here today and Froakie just ca back, maybe it's fate. Why don't you two try traveling together? You're planning to catch new Pokémon for your Kalos League challenge anyway, right?"
Sycamore smiled as he suggested it.
Ash looked at Froakie.
The little frog hopped right to his side.
The aning was obvious—it liked him, and it was willing to give this a shot.
Ash took out a Poké Ball and tapped Froakie with it.
Click!
"Alright! I caught Froakie!"
"Pika-pika!"
Ash hadn't expected it to happen so naturally.
But then he rembered—he hadn't even checked Froakie's info yet.
[Pokémon]: Froakie
[Category]: Bubble Frog Pokémon
[Type]: Water
[Ability]: Torrent
[Hidden Ability]: Protean
[Potential]: Purple (Special)
[Level]: 12
[Moves]: Pound, Bubble, Quick Attack, Lick, Water Pulse
Huh? Purple—special potential?
Ash quickly figured it out.
If Froakie had never t him, its potential wouldn't be purple.
It was only because they'd t—because they would one day achieve the unique bond of Ash-Greninja—that its potential had awakened.
"Co on out, Froakie. From now on, let's do our best together."
"Froa!"
And so, Ash officially added Froakie to his team. Together with Clemont and Bonnie, he set off toward Santalune City—ho of the Santalune Gym, run by Viola, younger sister of Alexa from the news.
Along the way, Bonnie was in high spirits—Ash was happy to share funny stories from his past travels with her.
That was when they encountered a Dedenne.
It was so tiny and adorable that Bonnie imdiately begged her brother to catch it for her.
But just like in the original tiline, Dedenne wasn't interested, and Clemont's capture attempt failed.
The little Electric-type ran away, frightened.
Bonnie was crestfallen.
"Chirp-chirp…"
Then, from above, they heard a teasing call.
A Fletchling was circling in the air, clearly mocking them.
"Ugh! How dare it laugh at us!" Bonnie huffed.
"A Fletchling, huh? Let's see…"
Ash scanned it—its potential was red. Pretty decent.
But how to lure it down?
He didn't want to use Pikachu—his plan in Kalos was to let his newly caught Servine and Pignite be part of his main team here. Pikachu would only step in for special situations.
"Alright, Froakie—co on out!"
"Ash, are you thinking of catching that Fletchling?" Clemont asked curiously as Froakie appeared.
"Yep. Hey Clemont, I've noticed you always carry that special backpack—think you could whip up a device that would attract Flying-type Pokémon?"
Ash was genuinely curious. Clemont's ability to invent things on the spot was almost on par with Team Rocket's wacky gadgets.
"Heh, you've got a sharp eye. Leave it to !"
Clemont grinned, unstrapped his backpack, and started working. His hands moved so fast, Ash could only gape.
In no ti at all, he had assembled sothing that looked like a giant loudspeaker.
"Ta-da! Behold—now it's ti for science to change the future! This is my very own invention: the Flying Pokémon Attractor! Watch as I turn it on, and you'll see the power of a Clemont invention!"
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