Just as Xia You had said, Professor Juniper returned before long.
Only this time, she was not alone in her car. From a distance, they actually spotted Professor Oak, Ash, and Ash's mother, Delia!
So Professor Juniper had gone to pick up Ash!
Dawn was understandably surprised, but once she saw Professor Oak in the car, she understood.
Ash did not have that kind of pull. Needless to say, Professor Juniper must have gone to greet them personally because Professor Oak was coming to Unova too.
What a coincidence.
Before they even drew close, Ash, Professor Oak, and Delia naturally spotted Xia You's group as well.
However, they only knew Xia You and Dawn. They naturally did not know Cheryl, Makomo, or Bianca.
"Xia You! Dawn!"
Ash stood in the car and waved at them, but perhaps because they were going uphill, the car was not very steady. He stumbled and nearly fell out. Luckily, Delia reacted quickly and grabbed him, saving him from an unfortunate tumble.
"Ash! Pikachu!"
Dawn waved back at Ash. Once the car stopped in front of them, she and Xia You went over to greet Professor Oak and Delia as well.
"Professor Oak, Mrs. Ketchum."
Professor Oak laughed heartily. "Oh, Xia You and Dawn! It's been so long. I never expected to find you here too."
Delia nodded to them both as well.
Seeing them greet each other so familiarly, Professor Juniper was the one surprised now. "Oh? You know each other?"
"Of course." Professor Oak got out of the car and smiled at Professor Juniper. "Xia You began his travels in Kanto, you know, and Dawn traveled with Ash for quite some time too."
Professor Juniper already knew who Ash was and that he was a boy Professor Oak thought very highly of, but