[IC] Kalos Bound!

[Genkai]

From Vermilion City, Ash and Misty were able to catch a cruise to Shalor City. Misty had gotten wind two weeks ago that there was a vacancy for one of the Kalos Gyms. And she heard through the grapevine that Ash was going to apply, along with so many other eager trainers. Misty knew it had been quite a long time since they had traveled together but she knew she couldn't let the opportunity slip through her fingers. Misty was still Leader at Cerulean City and loving her job but she wanted to branch out and have more monetary hobbies that could tide her over when there weren't as many challengers knocking at her door.

So she was working with some designers in Kanto and wanted to design some swimsuits and other beach wear and Misty was sure that touring Kalos would result in some fantastic inspiration for her ideas. So she called up Ash and the two decided there was no reason to travel by themselves when they could do it together. Misty was no longer a little kid and neither way Ash. She was 21 now had calmed down quite a bit from when she and Ash and Brock toured Johto and beyond. Misty had wistful memories of their time together but she was ready to make some new ones.

The summer wind blew through her red hair as she leaned over the rail to get a view of Shalor City as it came into view. The ship's horn blew as a flock of wingull flew overhead. A flutter in her heart couldn't be ignored as her blue eyes looked from the city ahead of them, back to Ash who was beside her. "I'm so excited to see new pokemon and places, it's been way too long since I've been outside of Cerulean!" She sighed dreamily and nudged Ash a little. "It's been even longer since we hung out." She added. They shared the video call every now and again and sometimes she went over to his house for dinner when he was back in Pallet Town but they hadn't had a good get together in a quite a while.

Misty's hair was braided and reached the middle of her back. She had on a pair of dark blue jeans and a blue long sleeve shirt, which had her Gym's logo on it in white. She had only taken two pokemon with her, as she wanted a fresh start and didn't want to be tempted to get into a battle with every person who crossed paths. The announcement came over which said they'd be docked in about ten minutes and to have a safe time in Kalos. Misty was sure they'd have a good time but she was a little nervous too, she hadn't been alone with Ash in a long time and now that they were older, things were different.

"Maybe we should find some bicycles, might make traveling a lot easier...if you don't wreck it." She couldn't help but tease.

[Devo]

A familiar excitement welled up in Ash's chest as he stood on the deck next to Misty looking out over the sea. The idea of exploring a new region always excited him. Added to that, he was getting to travel with one of his oldest friends he had ever met: Misty of Cerulean City. Perched on his shoulder was none other than his first Pokemon and best friend, Pikachu. The electric rodent looked out over the sea as well in awe.

It was odd to Ash to be traveling to a region where he wouldn't be challenging the league. No, it was known that a vacancy was opening for a gym slot in the Kalos region. After competing in the Kanto, Orange Islands, Johto, Hoenn, the Kanto Battle Frontier, Sinnoh, and Unova, Ash had finally decided to put his league challenges on hold for a while. It wasn't like gym leaders couldn't challenge the league later in their career, after all. A change of pace actually sounded appetizing to him. That might have had something to do with growing older, didn't it? While Ash was still excitable and a little brash, he had matured with age just as Misty had.

For the first time in years, his old official League cap was perched upon his head. He sported a red jacket over a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and black fingerless gloves over his fingers. As usual, the only Pokemon with him was Pikachu. However, he was still in contact with Professor Oak, who would of course send him other members of his team that he had collected throughout the regions he had visited.

When he was nudged by Misty, he turned towards the redhead and grinned, "I know, right? There ain't nothing quite like traveling a new region, huh?" He then added, "Thanks for coming with me, Misty. It's been waaaay too long, y'know?" Pikachu added to this statement with an agreeing, "Pika-Pi!"

That was an understatement. It was nostalgic in the oddest sort of way to the trainer. It was a lot like when they had explored regions back when they were younger, but... They weren't kids anymore. It was almost bittersweet, he had to admit.

"Hey, that reminds me," he remembered, deciding to ask Misty, "Does that mean your sisters are taking over again for a bit while you're gone?"

The announcement, despite being ten minutes off from arrivla, caused Ash to scoop his blue backpack up off of the deck and sling it on his shoulders as he asked that question. Shalor City was a place he had heard a lot of things about this city in particular. One of which that intrigued him the most was the newly discovered Mega Evolution. It definitely would seem like it would be the next step forward for many trainers.

"You'll never let me live that down, will you?" he asked, feigning a whine for a moment before laughing, "Hey. Maybe they're cheaper than the ones back in Kanto so I can finally pay you that back, huh?"

[Genkai]

When Ash mentioned her sisters having to take over, she couldn't help but give a sigh. Her sisters were known to be a little odd when it came to judging what worked and what didn't when it came to running a Gym. "Yes, but as surprising as it is, they have learned to take it more seriously." She told Ash, thinking back to the production they put on in which she had to play a role, along with Pikachu and how Team Rocket had showed up, which required Ash to step in. Some days, it felt like only yesterday.

"Of course I'm never going to let you live it down, that bike was really special to me!" She pointed out, clearly still amused that they'd be having such a conversation, even years after the fact. "I think if you want to pay me back, you'll have to take ms shopping in Lumiose City." She laughed at him, recalling how pricey their boutiques could be. Since the ship was nearing the port, Misty also grabbed her pack like Ash had done. "I still can't believe you're all grown up and going to apply to be a Leader."

Whether or not he got the gig was another ordeal all together but Misty was still very proud of him and all he had accomplished. She wouldn't admit it but because her duties at her own gym, she missed out on traveling and she hoped Ash knew he couldn't just leave the gym whenever he wanted. But from what she could surmise, he had grown up and she was sure he'd be a very capable and tough leader. She too had heard of Mega Evolution and had some questions about it.

It was a technical new discovery so she was sure new information was being tested every day. She glanced to Pikachu, knowing that little rodent was fine just as is. "You know I'm kinda hungry, we should find a cafe to grab something to eat before we just set off." Misty mentioned as the boat finally made the announcement that it would be letting off the passengers now. "We also have to check out The Tower of Mystery too." She said as the ship settled near the awe-inspiring landmark.

But in her mind, she was sure that was already on Ash's list of places to check out in Shalor City

"And the gym too of course!" Though it sounded like they might need to stay a day or two in the city before they pressed onward. They could find a small hotel or motel with great views or they could see if the Pokemon Center had any rooms available. Clutching her bag, she hurried towards the middle part of the deck where the crowd of anxious passengers were forming. Misty gave Ash a glance, now feeling more impatient than ever. "It might be fun to challenge the leader, Korrina. What do you think?" She asked him.

The lively fresh air was revitalizing.

Misty loved the city already and thought it had the perfect balance of water and greenery. She did miss Kanto already but she was sure that in a few weeks, Kalos would feel like home too. As they disembarked down the wooden slope and finally felt Kalos sand under their feet, Misty knew she'd want to catch at least one or two new pokemon and bring them back with her. She was sure Ash would want to have a mix of old companions and new ones. "It was nice of Professor Oak to contact Professor Sycamore and have him send us updated Pokedexes through the mail before we arrived." She said, remembering she had hers stuff at the bottom of her bag. Probably not the best place for it to be.

Her eyes moved over to the large tower off to their right. Now she wasn't sure which she wanted more.

Food or to tour the tower.

Her stomach gave a growl which served as her answer. "Come on, it's not going anywhere." She smiled, motioning Ash to follow her back toward the main part of the city, off the island they were on.