It was a sunny morning in the Kanto region, more specifically on the little Town of Pallet home to our story protagonist. We join our hero...
"Ashton Ketchum!" Said a very loud Delia Ketchum, "You said you wanted to train a bit before everyone got here, you'd better get ready soon!" Ya my Pokemon training, not my hearing range thought sleepy Ash. He sat up stretching out his morning muscles turning his attention to his partner and best friend still sleeping the day away. He began to gentle shake the yellow rodent, "Wake up buddy we got a long day ahead of us and we need moms breakfast for that". The yellow friend ears twitch before stretching out his body " chaaaaaaa" said pikachu before fully opening his eyes, he looked at his trainer and shot a fist into the air. "Pikaaa chu...zzzzz" the little guy was out like a light, Ash decided to carry pikachu downstairs since he was in no condition to get out of bed anytime soon, "someone's needs a morning charge".
"I made you a lot so you have energy for the big day ahead". Said Delia cheerfully, today was a great day for 3 reasons: 1st Gary was going to be recognized as an official Pokemon researcher by the Pokemon research society. 2nd was the Pokemon league committee was going to announce the new gym leader for the Viridian city Gym (who Ash didn't know led the gym in the first place). And lastly was the Pokemon league was gonna have its first ever multi-region Pokemon league competition which was strictly invite only. Ash found out that by invite only they meant every gym leader gets to participate and bring one trainer they feel deserves the opportunity to partake in the tourney. The frontier brains also get this privilege along with all elite 4 members and their champion. Ash was eating some eggs and bacon with a side of milk and toast for breakfast while pikachu ate some Pokemon food with ketchup on top.
Today was also a big day for ash for his own reason...
(Flashback)
1 month earlier
"What you mean I wasn't your first pick for the tournament?! " asked a stunned Ash Ketchum, "sorry Ash but forest has been taking care of the gym while I study medicine so I had to pick him before you" said Ash's long time friend Brock. "Besides why don't you ask someone else like misty?" "Because she decided to pick Richie over me since hes been helping the gym out in Cerulean city and I haven't called in a while" said a depressed Ash. "A while? More like 2 years, this is the first time you called me in 8 months." Said the concerned breeder, "who else can you ask that would get you in the tourney?". " well Cilan can't beacuse his brothers have to vote for there entry and they wanna take trip over me because he's native to Unova." Ash says as he slumps more and more into his chair "then their's clemont but he said he already has someone and its a surprise for who his entry is. Anabel said that she was gonna ask me but said that since there's 7 brains one of them can't Enter and that was Anabel."
Brock was deep in thought over what Ash had told him and finally spoke after a long silence, "what about Norman maple?" "May's dad?" "Ya you could always try him and see, he seem to see you as a son" said the questioning rock trainer. "I don't know brock , he might already have a pick for his entry." said the Pokemon master. " I know you have a shot at being Normans choice, call them Ash and ask, it doesn't hurt to try" said the concern doctor to be "okay brock I will. See ya round". And with that Ash hung up...
(Flashback end)
Ash had been waiting by the phone deep in memory's of his talk with brock , dialing subconsciously the Petalburg city gyms number, ready to face the beast before him. The phone rang and a feminine voice spoke " hello Petalburg gym/maple residents. Who am I speaking to?" His heart fluttered at her voice, the voice of an angel. "H-hello May" he said in response.