Undella Town.
The courtyard of Cynthia's villa.
Although they had shared pictures in the Chat Group, this was their first proper meeting.
Ash and Dawn both let out their newly caught Pokémon.
Unlike Ash, who had a habit of catching new Pokémon whenever he reached a new region,
Dawn kept all her Pokémon with her.
Besides her newly caught shiny Milotic, she also had Togekiss, Dragonite, Galarian Rapidash, Mamoswine, and Quilava with her.
Brock couldn't help remarking, "Seeing them really brings back memories of our travels together in Sinnoh."
At the sight of Dragonite, Iris's eyes lit up.
"Dawn, you've raised your Dragonite so well!"
Dawn's Buneary hadn't changed at all and still really liked Pikachu.
Seeing so many Pokémon, Meloetta couldn't help growing a little curious.
Watching the bond between Dawn and her Pokémon, Meloetta became less afraid of Dawn, too.
After another call from Ash, Meloetta suddenly appeared in front of Dawn.
Dawn smiled. "Ah! It really is Meloetta!"
Dawn was so excited that the shy Meloetta immediately ducked behind Ash.
Dawn asked in surprise, "Ash, did you catch a Meloetta, too?!"
Ash laughed with his hands on his hips. "Nope! Meloetta's just traveling with us."
"Meloetta, I'm Dawn. It's nice to meet you."
"Mita~"
With Ash's encouragement, Meloetta waved at the smiling Dawn.
"Piplup~~"
Just then, much like Brock, who fell in love so easily,
Piplup fell for Meloetta's smile, too.
Meanwhile, Li Wei, Cynthia, and Lorelei also arrived at the villa in Undella Town.
Cynthia hadn't asked Jerome to pick them up. They had ridden their Pokémon there, though they had landed some distance away.
Although Lorelei was wealthy, too, she didn't have a villa in Undella Town.
Before the Master League, Lorelei had actually spent most of her time within a very limited area.
Lorelei