A tough world. Aka, a tough series. I'm starting a new series called a Tough World with a better, upgraded Ash and other trainers we probably don't give a crud about. XD Yes, there will be some shipping in this, including Astrid/Ash, Mairin/Ash, Alain/Mairin, Serena/Ash, Serena/Alain, Alain/Astrid, Ash/Bonnie etc.

Ash will be travelling with Alain, Mairin and Astrid.

Ash's Pokémon:

Greninja (Hydro Pump, Water Shruiken, Night Slash, Mat Block)

Talonflame (Flare Blitz, Brave Bird, Flamethrower, Steel Wing)

Hawlucha (High Jump Kick, Wing Attack, X-Scissor, Sky Drop)

Noivern (Supersonic, Boomburst, Air Slash, Dragon Pulse)

Mega Charizard Y (Flamethrower, Wing Attack, Dragon Pulse, Slash)

He will be catching more Pokémon but that will be even more spoilers.

Ash sat on a rock feeding his Noivern and Pikachu. "You know," Ash sighed. "It seems like only yesterday when I sat watching you evolve, Noivern."

Ash had a flashback back to when Noibat was battled a Deino. He was having trouble in that battle, and that helped him evolve.

Suddenly, a young girl dressed in green ran to Ash with an excited look on her face. Ash looked up to her confused. "Can I help you?" Ash asked.

"You're Ash Ketchum! You look like him and you have a Pikachu!" she squealed.

Ash laughed and shook his head. "Well…" he started. "Mairin!" an older guy wearing black interrupted.

"Sorry if my friend caused you any trouble, she can be a bit naïve…" Alain apologized.

"NAIVE? I'm not any more naïve than you are!" Mairin shouted.

Ash laughed and stood up. "Well actually, she's not that naïve, because I am Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town," he chuckled.

Alain gasped while Mairin was shooting invisible guns at Alain like idiots do when they are or think they are right.

Ash returned Noivern to his Pokeball and got on his way to where he was going. He then felt something grab his left wrist, which was the Mega Ring wrist. The Mega Ring was part of his bond with Charizard.

"Easy there," panted Ash pulling his arm away with force.

"Can I have your autograph?" squealed Mairin.

"Mairin!" Alain shouted, pulling her away. "I hope you don't mind if I ask where you're going?" he then asked.

"I'm going to the Pokémon League, I've got a date there," Ash answered, surprisingly emotionless.

Ash walked through the huge door leading to the grass outside the Pokémon League.

His date was sitting on a bench. An Absol was next to her. Ash finally arrived at sat on the bench next to her.

"About time you got here, Ash," she smiled.

"Well, apparently being on TV while saving a Mega Garchomp makes you famous," Ash laughed.

Ash's date laughed while resting her head on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, a Charizard flew over Ash and his date. Mairin and Alain were riding it! "Alain, Ash's date is Astrid!" Mairin whispered.

Alain looked back and saw Ash and none other than Ace Trainer Astrid giggling.

"Hm, so it is…" Alain remarked smiling a little.

Ash got home, dumped his Bag and wiped his muddy shoes on the mat.

"Hi, Mom," Ash greeted his mom.

"Hello, Ash. You look tired. Why don't you go up to your room and rest?" Delia suggested.

"Good idea," Ash smiled, and ran up to his room. He took off his socks, jacket, shirt and hat off and rolled up his bed sheets. Then he Dived straight into bed and covered himself up with his sheet. He fell asleep faster than any Sing could make him.

Delia heard someone knocking on the door while she was cooking. She walked up to the door and opened it.

"Who are you?" Delia asked.

"I'm Serena, Ash's friend. I'm here to see him."

"Well, isn't Ash popular?" Delia grinned. "Ash is sleeping, but I'm sure he won't mind being woken up if you're here."

Serena happily came in and walked upstairs. She quietly opened the door to Ash's room.

Pikachu was standing there, probably guarding Ash.

"Hello, Pikachu. Can I see Ash?" she asked.

Pikachu shook his head and pointed to Ash; Ash was sleep was there of course, snoring.

Serena didn't know what to do except stare at Ash and smile, before Pikachu escorted her back into the corridor. Serena sighed and went back downstairs.

"So how did your talk with Ash go?" Delia asked.

"It didn't. Pikachu didn't let me in."

"Oh," Delia replied. Delia went to Ash's room and asked Pikachu to let Serena in. Pikachu didn't approve, but he obeyed just because she was his trainer/best friend's mother.

Pikachu gave Ash a Wake-Up Thunderbolt which woke Ash up quicker than the Thunderbolt. He saw Serena and quickly pulled his bed sheets.

"Hi, Ash."

"Hey, Serena," Ash panted.

Serena thought Ash was Struggling to take over his bed sheets, so she "helped" and pulled the sheet off. Pikachu managed to give Ash's shirt to Ash hastily. Ash slowly put his shirt on sighing.

"Sorry, Ash," apologised Serena.

"No problem," Ash smiled.

"I earned 3 tickets to the battle between Cynthia and Diantha down at Kiloude City," Serena explained.

"Who's the 3rd one going?" Ash asked.

"Actually, I don't know. Tierno is tutoring Shauna to dance, Trevor joined a photography school, and Bonnie is helping Clemont make adjustments to Clembot…"

"Astrid is totally free, we can take her," suggested Ash.

Serena had always had a crush on Ash and she still does, so she didn't approve of taking the girl Ash was dating. I swear, if Ash was a Pokémon, his ability would be Oblivious, Serena thought.

"Sure," Serena mumbled.

"What's wrong?" Ash questioned.

"Nothing," Serena smiled. "I was just hoping we can get there in time, I was the last one to get these tickets."

Ash grinned and leaned on Serena's shoulder lovingly. "You're a good friend," he smiled.

Serena blushed and leaned on Ash's shoulder back. Meanwhile…

"Charizard, use Flamethrower!" Alain commanded.

Mega Charizard X nodded and breathed out and intense series of flames, despite not being very effective, landed a rough hit on the opposing Mega Garchomp.

"Charizard is no longer a flying type, use Earthquake!" commanded the Mega Garchomp trainer.

Garchomp jumped on the ground, causing an Earthquake only to effect Charizard.

"Dodge it!" Charizard flew above the ground to Garchomp with his wings out. "Use Steel Wing!"

Charizard's wings glowed a steel white as he soared to Garchomp. A critical hit! Garchomp fainted and transformed back into its original form.

The trainer returned its Garchomp to its ball and shook Alain's hand. While they were shaking hands, a silhouette of a firey bug with wings soared through the sky with red eyes. It seemed to be heading for Kiloude City!