Chapter 65 - 24 - Exploring the Town

After some time, Rico, Ash, Serena, and Iris are exploring the town, which is small and had few tall buildings as the sun entered the center of the day and towards the west of the forest, along with their Pokémon. And as they walked down the street, Iris said to Ash, "Wow, this town is so beautiful and great." Her Axew then responded in happiness. Cilan and his brothers, meanwhile, are back in Striaton City, Unova to manage their restaurant and gym.

"Yeah, Ash," Serena brightly added, "your place is so nice."

"Thanks, I'll guide you through this town," Ash responded back in positivity and enthusiasm. His Pikachu then responded in positivity.

In no time, Ash gave them a tour of his homeown. First, he showed them the town square and the statue of his late father, Pete. They were amazed by the statue's history and looks with Rico commenting, "Wow, that was outstanding, Ash."

"I didn't know that your dad is a town hero," Iris added. Her Axew then responded in positivity.

"That was a great history, Ash," added Serena.

"Thanks," Ash happily responded.

"Pika, Pika, (Yeah, thanks)" Pikachu happily responded.

Later, they went to Delia's small grocery store to visit her by. And as they enter the store whilst ringing the bell attached above, Delia, who was putting some vegetables in a big, wooden box, noticed them coming and greeted them.

"Hi, mom," Ash greeted her back with a hand wave. His Pikachu then responded in greeting.

"Hi, there, Mrs. Ketchum," Serena, Iris, and Rico greeted her simultaneously with one second apart from each other.

Minutes later they all sat down outside of the store in the porch.

"So, Rico Cruz, how's your tour of Pallet Town?" Delia asked Rico in bright curiosity.

"Very nice," Rico happily answered. His Lucario then responded with happiness.

"The town was so nice," Iris added in positivity.

"Ax! (Yeah!)" Axew happily responded.

"Thank you, dear," Delia happily replied. Then in a unhappy state. "I guessed my husband is the hero of this town, and the ones who had died protecting their precious, beloved hometowns are considered heros. Right?"

"In my theory," Rico responded while thinking a bit, "it is but most." Delia then turned her attention to him.

"Sometimes, people got misinformed about their friends being heros," Rico continued his logical theory, "either to be deceived or the ones who informed them will profit from their lies."

"You got the point, Rico Titus," Ash agreed with him while standing up, "People must know the actual truth about them, and the truth will judge those people either as heros or burdens to their communities." This series of statements had an impact on Delia's life like a meteorite struck a rural land. After hearing this, Delia stood up and responded softly, "Thank you, boys. That makes sense at all. My husband is the hero of this town. He had done everything to protect us." Pikachu then responded with happiness. Everyone then was happy about this, as the clouds drifted away from the sun.

Later on, they went to a restaurant for lunch, as a part of their tour. Their meal are mashed potatoes, French fries, white steamed rice and veggies, and for dessert, donuts of chocolate, strawberry, and glazed. Their Pokémon also eat their special food. And as they eat in the midst of the busy place, Ash asked his friends, "So, how's the food, guys?"

"It's so delicious!" Rico happily replied.

"It's yummy," Serena added happily. This follows a short silence in the midst of the almost crowded place.

"Hey Ash," Rico asked breaking the silence.

"Yes?" Ash replied back.

"I gotta admit: this town so cool," Rico let out a comment in positivity, "I really used to live in an urban city back in my home region, and this one is a much better and less busy."

"Lucario, car!(Yeah, Ash, it is!)" Lucario happily responded while eating. This again follows another short silence.

"So," Ash asked breaking the silence, "Rico, do you have any skills in your age?"

"Oh, uh..." Rico responded while stopped eating and think for a while, "I can play piano and guitar, cook food, and fix most gadgets."

"Woah, that's awesome, Rico," Ash responded in amazement, "You might be an electronics expert." His Pikachu then responded in happy comment.

"Cooking really suits you as well," Serena added a comment in positivity.

"And playing instruments is great for you," Iris added a comment in positivity. Her Axew then responded in happy comment.

"Thanks you guys!" Rico happily replied.