Welcome to my first Pokemon story. I am a huge fan of the show and I hope to do it justice. This story doesn't focus entirely on one set of characters. I actually have two plots pushed into one story with several mini plots inside. Both contests and gym battling will be featured, so I know you won't be bored! Disclaimer: If I owned Pokemon, Ash would be in every scene and would be half naked at all times.

AN: I decided to delete the original because I didn't like the reviews I got. I also did a little editing, so it's not the exact same fic that was up here before.

Chapter 1

The sun was bright and the wind was blowing nicely when Ash decided that he needed to test out a new region. He had recently heard of a region called the Fruit Islands, a mini gym and Pokemon League area. But it promised to be much better than the Orange Islands that he visited so many years ago. There was also a contest area on the islands, which meant that May would be able to travel with the group too. Brock had decided to go back to his family several months before, and Max wasn't allowed to go traveling to the islands, so he was getting ready to board a train home. Excitement was mounting as Ash packed up for his new journey that night.

"Ash, here's some more clean clothes for you to pack," Mrs. Ketchum said, placing some neatly folded laundry down. "Where's Pikachu?"

"He's resting right now," Ash replied, placing his neat laundry inside the suitcase.

"Vanny just called. She said she's got to get the rest of her laundry washed and she'll be over as soon as possible," Mrs. Ketchum said. "Oh, and May called too."

"I know," Ash said.

"She said she won't be able to be over here til tomorrow because Harley can't decide what all to bring," Mrs. Ketchum answered. "You'd figure the girl would have all the trouble deciding."

"Well, Harley is a little feminine," Ash pointed out. "I'm glad I'm so manly."

"Well, no matter how manly you are, you need to hurry up for dinner," Mrs. Ketchum said. "It's going to get cold."

After his mom left, Ash continued to pack his things, thinking about the wonderful journey he was about to have. It was just going to be him, his girlfriend Vanny, May, and May's boyfriend Harley. Ash and Vanny had been dating two years and May and Harley had been dating one. All four of them were excited about the prospect of a new journey. Ash was ready to get back out there getting gym badges. That was what he was best at. Vanny battled too, but she wasn't after badges. She preferred to cheer Ash on. May and Harley were both doing contests too, but little did May know that Harley was not planning on doing them this time. He was going to cheer for May and hope that she would make it to the Grand Festival. He figured that if he wasn't her competition, she would have a better chance at winning. Sure it was a little arrogant, but that's exactly what Harley was sometimes. Ash felt confident in saying that he was never arrogant.

Vanny and Ash met at the Shinou Pokemon League two years ago. They became friends and Vanny was giving Ash advice for his matches. When Ash lost because his competition cheated, Vanny was there to comfort him. They immediately started going out. May and Harley had started to hang out when May went off to Johto two years ago. They didn't start dating til they moved on to the next contest region, in which Harley professed his long hidden passion for her. May was flattered, and the two immediately hooked up. They lived together on Izabe Island, where they first met. Vanny lived in Viridian City with her folks, but she was planning on moving in with Ash as soon as they returned from the Fruit Islands. Ash's mom didn't know yet.

"Ash, honey, you took forever," Mrs. Ketchum said when he finally entered the kitchen.

"I didn't take forever. I came down exactly when I meant to," Ash replied.

"Oh I don't mind. I can wait on you. That's my job," Mrs. Ketchum said brightly. She started to eat. "So, what time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Well, that all depends on when May and Harley get here," Ash replied. "We were planning on going early in the morning, but there's no telling when they'll get here."

"Well, I'll keep an eye and ear out just in case. And I'll wake you the moment they get here," Mrs. Ketchum said.

"Of course you will," Ash said. "It's because you're my mom and you're supposed to do what I want."

"Anything for you Ash. Anything for you."