Mew's here
The party went on full swing, the dancers dancing, the children playing, the Pokemon enjoying and the Queen satisfied. She watched over the ballroom as she observed everyone and noticed how many people's eyes went to the two children, Ash and Gary. She knows, they are adorable but to get their attention all the time, they had to be naturally charismatic. Even her own Aura Guardians were smitten by them and that was saying something.
Pikachu, -Ash, come play with us!-
Eevee, -Yeah Gary, we have not played together today at all.-
Charmander was excited, -Lets play, let's play.-
Litten, -We can ditch this place and explore.-
Ash smiled, "Okay, let me tell Red."
Gary grinned, "I'll go tell Green."
Gary ran off to tell green, "Big brother ~ I'm going to play with the Pokemon."
Green picked him up smiling, "Finally bored with the party?"
Gary rubbed his neck, "A bit, but mostly I want to play. We haven't played today at all. So can we? Please? We will stay inside the castle walls."
Head maid, "The castle area is quite safe, so I'm sure, they can play around without any problems or getting lost."
Green looked at Gary who was looking at him hopefully, "Alright! But you have to promise to go to bed in time okay?"
Gary nodded, "I will ~"
Ash had gone to ask Red the same thing, "Can we please big brother?"
Riley was looking away trying not to squeal, 'Too cute! Too cute!'
Red hummed, "Only if you promise to stay in the castle. And within my range."
Ash blinked, "Range?"
Red nodded, "It's a trick Mew showed me last time we were together."
Riley spluttered, "What? What did you say?"
Red smiled as he created an aura sphere behind the table so as not to attract attention. Ash and Snivy looked at the sphere in fascination and wonder. There inside the blue ball was a detailed copy of the castle they were in, or rather the aura was shaped that way. Red explained how Mew at one point had taught both Green and himself to use their ability as a sonar range. He had no doubts Green had spread his own field around the castle just like him with his aura. It helps in keeping an eye on everyone without being too intruding.
Riley held Red's hand, his eyes sparkling, "Teach me!"
Red was taken aback, "Eh.... It's not so hard. You need to be aware of your aura that's all. I'll explain later."
Riley nodded and let go smiling, "Okay!"
Red swore there were sparkles around the older boy, he turned to Ash who was giggling at their antics, "Okay Ash, as long as you are within my range you can go and play. The moment you leave I will know. Do you understand?"
Ash nodded smiling, "Yes big brother!"
Lucario walked over from his hidden corner, -That's a very impressive technique. I didn't realize Aura could be used that way.-
Red smiled at the jackle Pokemon, "It was Mew who showed me actually."
Lucario observed the boy, -You must be close to him.-
Red put a finger on his lips, "Maybe, I am."
Riley whined, "Come on Red. Tell us."
Red laughed, "How about later when we are not working? Maybe you can meet him if you are lucky. You too Lucario, you can join us while you figure out what to do next."
Riley sparkled again making Red and Lucario blink, "I'll hold you to that promise ~"
Lucario bent over to Red, -Did he just....?-
Red, "Sparkle? Yes, yes he did!"
Ash met with Gary after that and went off with the Pokemon to play away from the bustling party. Snivy and Riolu however stayed back with their partners realising that they have a job to do unlike the kids. Kadavra and Fennekin also made themselves comfortable next to Green as he sat watching the ball room. Kadavra was using this time to instruct Fennekin on how to use her psychic abilities to join Green's and she was shocked. She could see everyone through the range she was given however she couldn't stay in for long. Fennekin was disappointed a little but Green reached out to pat her head.
Green, "That was a good first try little Flame. Do not be discouraged."
Fennekin grinned, -Thank you. I'll keep on trying till I master it.-
Kadavra smiled, -Take your time. We have a few months before we go on a journey.-
Fennekin blushed, -Yes Kadavra! I will. I will become stronger than I am now by the time we hit the road.-
Green smirked at the two Pokemon, he remembered how in the beginning Fennekin had been jealous of Kadavra always being stronger than her. But after that one day, when Kadavra saved her from being hurt her feelings had changed entirely. It was always fun to watch romance bloom between two Pokemon. Green snorted thinking this was the classic hate to love troupe, he sees in the rom com that Leaf loved to watch on Saturday afternoon.
Ash and Gary had decided to change their clothes first. Ash was afraid to dirty the beautiful dress and Gary did not want to hear scolding, if there was a tear on his outfit so the both of them went to the changing room first and changed back to their everyday normal clothes. But before that though they decided to call Misty as promised and used the video phone in the room to dial her number.
Lily, "Waterflower house, Lily speaking."
Gary, "Hi Lily!"
Lily, "Gary? Looking good there buddy, and Omigosh! Ash is that you? You look so beautiful."
Ash blushed, "Thanks Lily. Is Misty home?"
Lily got up, "Yes I'll go get her... Misty your friends are calling."
They heard running feet and saw an orange head, "Ash? Ash, you called."
Misty looked at Ash on the screen, "Wao! Ash you look so pretty, like a Princess."
Ash grinned as he twirled around, "Do you like it?"
Misty nodded blushing, "I love it. You look amazing. Wait where are you?"
The three talked about their days and how they spent their time. Ash and Gary told her about their trip to Rota and the tournament and party. Misty told them about the Staryu that she helped take care of when it was sick and now Staryu wanted to be her Pokemon. Ash and Gary congratulated her on her first Pokemon and they talked some more before disconnecting the call after wishing each other goodnight.
Ash, "Alright guys. So where do we start exploring?"
Gary looked at the castle layout, "There are so many places to explore here. There are four gardens facing, North, South, East and West, eight watch towers, the palace itself and the highest tower in the middle. Ah so many, I can't decide."
Pikachu, -How about we ask some of the Pokemon in the palace?-
Litten, -They would know all the nooks and crannies of the place.-
Gary, "That's not a bad idea. What do you guys think?"
Eevee, -They are the locals so they would know this place better.-
Charmander, -I'm fine as long as we are together.-
The group went in search for the Pokemon and found a group of them huddled around a table with fruits and bowls of water. There were a few Vulpix, Rattata, Caterpie, Venonat and Pidgey eating and drinking together just enjoying themselves. Pikachu went over to greet them and they greeted back welcoming them.
Gary grinned, "Hello everyone! You are all really cute!"
Ash nodded and giggled as the Pokemon gave embarrassed sounds as thanks for the compliment. Ash and Gary sat by the Pokemon as they chat among themselves on which part to show to the newcomers first. One of the Rattata stood up and made a follow me gesture and the group of Pokemon plus two humans went off on their adventure. They went through the gardens first, dodging some of the guest by crawling through the small tunnels the Pokemon used.
Ash giggled, "I feel like spies on an undercover mission."
Gary slowed down before bursting into laughter, "You are right. Yosh! Agent A. Let's head to the next target."
They laughed and giggled as they played with the Pokemon. Half way through Gary could have sworn there were five Rattatas and two Vulpix, not three Vulpix and four Rattatas. He shrugged it off however and ran after Ash who was helping one of the Caterpie keep up with the group by carrying him. Gary joined the fun running after them inside the castle to the furthest tower.
Rattata, -We'll show you a room where we play.-
Pidgey, -It has a lot of toys.-
Pikachu's eyes sparkled, -Let's go then.-
They followed the Pokemon to the tower that was furthest from the main castle ground. But as it was still in the castle grounds Ash and Gary decided to check it out anyway. They pulled the door which opened with a crack and went inside. The inside was dusty and empty with a staircase that went up. The Pokemon rushed to the stairs and Ash and Gary looked at each other before smiling and following them. Gary could have sworn there were only two Caterpie not three. As they went up they checked out the view from the windows of the tower.
One of the windows was towards the castle, another towards the ocean and the one at the top faced the 'Tree of Beginning'. Ash and Gary marvelled at the sights delighted by what they could see. They finally reached the top of the tower, when they opened the door to the last room both Ash and Gary were excited. The room was filled with different types of toys, there were plushies, soft toys, toy cars, toy bricks, slides and even a see saw.
Gary beamed, "This is treasure."
Ash nodded, "And you are not a Pikachu."
Ash poked the Pikachu look alike making Gary look at the two pikachus in front of him. One of the pikachus started to giggle and transform into a familiar friend of theirs. When he finished transforming most of the Pokemon looked at him in awe, but Pikachu and Eevee however were annoyed.
Pikachu, -You better not be trying to replace us.-
Eevee glared, -Do not think we have forgiven you for kidnapping our partners before.-
Mew laughed, -They were not hurt and they were having fun. Relax, will you?-
Ash brightened, "Mew, I knew it was you."
Gary, "Are you alone? Your siblings did not come with you?"
Mew shook his head, -Big sister is watching the humans who are experimenting with the shoulder bone they found. Big brother as well. We don't know, what they hope to achieve by it.-
Ash frowned, "Should we tell Lance about this?"
Gary, "I don't know... I mean, he might know something but at the same time he might not."
Ash, "We should talk to Lance next week when he calls."
Gary nodded, "Yeah! Something about this doesn't feel right. Tell your siblings to be careful alright Mew."
Mew nodded, -I will. Now let's play!-
Charmander had pulled Pikachu, -What do you mean kidnappings?-
Litten who had done the same to an annoyed Eevee, -Yeah! Why and when?-
Pikachu huffed, -It was before you two joined. This fellow with his siblings would kidnap Ash and Gary when they were sleeping.-
Eevee, -It was terrifying. I thought some horrible human had taken them.-
Charmander's eyes sparkled, -Are you saying that a legendary accepts our partners as a worthy trainer?-
Litten looked proud, -I knew following them was a great idea.-
Pikachu and Eevee gave the two of them a deadpanned look. Ash and Gary meanwhile were telling Mew about their day as they played on the seesaw. They were talking about how they met Lucario, their new friend Misty, her first Pokemon Staryu and their dance for the ball. They also listened to Mew as he spoke about the 'Tree of Beginning', how it was his job to watch over it and how the two of them would love it there. The group played together till they were tired and Ash and Gary fell asleep in the kid sized double bed that Mew had levitated into the room once he noticed how exhausted they looked. He looked at the two kids fast asleep before getting a spark of mischief in his eyes and giggling to himself.