A New Beginning

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon in any ways or forms.

NOTE: Hey guys. It has been a while since I wrote anything and I thought that since my last story was a complete failure I would wright something new.
In this story there will be some Pearlshipping in the later chapters. There might be some discrepancies on the story, but I hope you don't mind. Ash is 16 years and 10 months and Dawn is 14 years and 3 months old. The abbreviations ABA and BBA mean After Beginning of Anime and Before Beginning of Anime. So it is based on Anime and told mostly from a third person POV. As English isn't my first language I hope that I get lot of rives from you my dear readers to improve my writing.

7 AM, June 14th, 6 ABA, Pallet Town Forrest, Ash Ketchum's residence.

Ash Ketchum woke up in his house in the forest near Pallet Town. Even after a good night sleep he was tired. He had been traveling on his Pokémon journey for almost seven years now. It had been hard but satisfying. Now he had decided to take a year of to practice his skills. He had called all of his Pokémon back to Professor Oak's lab. His usual day routine was: Wake-up at seven, breakfast, training, lunch, training, dinner, training, supper, training and sleep at midnight. Exhausting, hard and...FUN. Ash had never enjoyed life more. Living alone in your own home, still close to your family and Pokémon. What more could a trainer ask? Maybe some company? Sure, he saw his mom, Tracy, Professor Oak and sometimes even Gary, but Ash missed his friends. Misty, Brock, May, Max and Dawn. He tought about them very often. One time he had spent a day in Pewter City with Brock, but afterwards he hadn't seen anyone.
"Oh well", he said, returning back to the moment from his memories. "Time to get back to work".

After changing his clothes, he went to the kitchen to make himself some breakfast. One thing he had learned since he moved to his own place: COOKING WAS HARD, DAMMIT! He poured some coffee, ate some yesterdays leftovers and had just started to read the paper when Pikachu ran over to him with a letter in his mouth. He tried to say something, that Ash couldn't make out.
"What is it buddy?", he asked and took the letter.
"Pika Pika-Chu. Pika-Pi-Pi-Pika", Pikachu replied. Ash could see he was excited before looking at the letter. He spit out the coffee on to the paper. On the letter there was an offical looking seal and the words: National Pokémon League World Championships. He started to read the rest of the letter. It read as follows:

"Dear Mr. Ash Ketchum. After a long and hard consideration we, in the Pokémon League, have decided to invite You to the Pokémon World Championship Tournament that is to be held this year. Competition will start on July 7th, and it will be held in the newly rebuilded Indigo Plateau. All trainers are asked to arrive at least two weeks before the start of the tournament.

Sincerely Yours, Pokémon League President: Charles Goodshow."

Ash was stunned. He had never thought about going to the World Championships, but right now, he didn't know if he wanted to. If this would have come just a year later he would have said yes, but now...
"Pika-pi?" Pikachu's voice brought Ash back into the reality.
"What do you think Pikachu? Should we go to the World Championships?" He was surprised when he saw Pikachu's face lid up before it jumped to his lap and started dancing.
"So, should I consider that as a yes?" Ash asked his longtime companion. Suddenly Pikachu got serious and just nodded rabidly.
"Okay, so we will do it!" Ash also started to get excited. "Better go to the lab and tell everybody else about this". Both of them got up and ran the whole way to Professor Oak's lab.

"Hey everyone", Ash called out to his Pokémon, who were waiting for him in the back yard of Professor Oak's lab. He was greeted by Charizard's familiar Flamethrower. This was so usual now days, that Ash had gotten used to it.
"All right, thank you", Ash said, without loosing his grin. After whipping the ash of his clothes he called out to his Pokémon. "Gather around everybody, I got some big news for you". The Pokémon looked confused of this anomaly and got around their trainer. Ash took a look at his Pokémon. His team was just the same, with one exception: Bayleef had evolved into Meganium.
"So folks", Ash started. "How would you feel, if we'd go into the World Championship Tournament?" His Pokémon froze for a moment. What followed, could have been classified as Class-A mayhem. Ash was buried under Gliscor, Totodile, Meganium, Squirtel, Gible, Primeape, Corphis and Muk, and all other Pokémon started to stomp, make noises and, in Charizard's and Torkoal's case, spit fire. In the midst of all that Snorlax just kept snoring. Ash might have suffocated under his Pokémon without a help from a man with a lab-coat.
"Go Aggron. Use Roar!" A loud voice came out, and the Pokémon started to calm down. Aggron's Trainer approached Ash with a familiar smirk on his face.
"Well, well Ashy-boy. My first day visiting Grandpa, and already I'm saving your ass", said Gary Oak, while he helped Ash back up to his feet.
"Thanks Gary. You realize, that my ears are gonna ring for like the next hour", Ash said trying to clean the dust from his clothes.
"Well that's a small prize to pay for your life. Buy the way, what the hell did you do to get your Pokémon to go crazy like that?", Gary asked, looking very confused.
"I just asked them what they thought about going to the World Championship Tournament, and they just.." Ash said before Gary cut him off.
"Wow, did you just say World Championship Tournament?"
"Yeah, I think I forgot to mention about it. I got the letter this morning".
"Holy shit Ashy-boy. Didn't think that they'd summon you, especially since you are taking a sabbatical", Gary said, with real admiration in his voice. Before Ash could say anything, Professor Oak came running from the field.
"Ash my boy. Are you all right? What happened?" he said, while trying to catch his breath.
"Oh, nothing Grandpa", Gary said. "Ash's Pokémon just went haywire after Ash told them that he's going to the World Championships, but I think that he really should train them better". Professor Oak didn't immediately react to what Gary said but after a minute or so, he stop breathing heavily and raised his head and look at Ash.
"Well I'm really glad you are all right", he said.
Gary snorted. "Grandpa, I think you should go and check your hearing. Didn't you hear what I just said. Ash. Is. Going. In. To. The. World. Championships!".
"My hearing isn't that poor Gary. I just happened to all ready know about this", Prof. Oak said, with a knowing smile. "WHAT", Ash grunted.
"Well yes. President Goodshow called me yesterday and asked me if I agreed, and I have to say that I am very glad for the fact they summoned you, even now", Prof. Oak said, continuing smiling. "How the hell did you know that I would except the invitation?" Ash asked. He was both stunned and confused at the same time. "I knew that you would, because even you aren't stubborn OR stupid enough to decline this chance. This tournament is only held once every ten years for god's sake", Prof. Oak explained, starting to show signs of frustration. Gary noticed this and quickly and cut his grandfather off before he could start to lecture. "Hey Ash. What would you say about a small practice with me? How does three-on-three with substitutions sound like?" Ash looked at Gary and realized that they hadn't had a battle for a long time. Though he hadn't battle for year, he thought that this could be a great chance. "Thanks Gary, that sounds good. Professor Oak, would you mind being the referee?" Prof. Oak just realized what they were talking about and nodded. "If you are sure about this, then I'd be glad to".

Ash and Gary walked to the opposite sides of the yard and turned to face each other. "I think that I'll make the first move. Go Electivire!" Electivire appeared on the grass, looking as strong as ever. "Fine then" Ash said. "Okay Meganium, you're up!" Meganium ran in front of Ash and looked eager to battle.

"Electivire use Mach Punch!"

"Meganium, Double Team!" Electivire's Mach Punch hit one of the copies and Electivire lost his balance.

"Meganium grab it's legs with Vine Whip", Ash continued quickly. Gary wasn't pleased, cause now his Electivire was trapped.

"Electivire use Thunder" Gary tried to get Meganium to lose it's grip, but Meganium just stud there and took Electivire's attack head-on.

"Meganium use Razor Leaf" Ash shouted. He wanted to tire Electivire. Though Meganium's Razor Leaf scored a direct hit, it didn't seem to have a lot of effect.

"Electivire quickly, use your Iron Tail on the Vine Whip" Electivire's Iron Tail smashed to Meganium's Vine Whip, and that was enough to force Meganium to let go. Ash wasn't too happy to admit it, but Gary had trained a lot as well. Still, he didn't have any intention to lose to him.

"Meganium, Headbutt"

"Electivire quickly Prote..." Gary tried to counter, but Meganium was too fast and sent Electivire flying.

"Now, follow it up with a Solar Beam" Ash commanded.

"Electivire counter with Thunder" Gary shouted, attempting to save his Pokémon. The two attacks collided in the air. For a moment it seamed that they were equal, but soon Meganium's Solar Beam flashed through the Thunder and hit Electivire with full force. After the smoke cleared, they saw Electivire on the ground, fainted. Prof. Oak raised his hand and said: "Electivire is unable to battle, Meganium wins".

"Return Electivire", Gary seemed to think his next move, before throwing a Poké Ball."Go Umbreon!" Ash wasn't happy to face Umbreon. "Meganium you can take him", he encouraged his Pokémon.

"Umbreon, Quick Attack!" Though Meganium was fast it couldn't match Umbreon, and got hit with a very powerful Quick Attack, which send it flying.

"Meganium, Razor Leaf", Ash attempted to land a hit, but Umbreon's superior speed allowed it to dodge.

"Now Umbreon, Shadow Ball!". The attack hit Meganium while it was still in the air. Meganium rolled back before fainting. "Nice shot Gary", Prof. Oak smiled. "Meganium is unable to battle, Umbreon wins". Ash ran to Meganium to check on it. After Meganium had woken up and gotten back to the sidelines, he returned to his place. Though he was down one Pokémon, Ash managed to stop and think. It was one of his new skills he had learned. He knew that Gary was gonna use Aggron next so... "I choose Infernape, go!" Infernape dashed to the field. It was pleased to get some action after a while. "Now remember, don't go too fast", Ash warned Infernape. Infernape looked at him and nodded slightly. "All right", Prof. Oak started. "Begin!"

"Umbreon use Flash!" Gary started quickly, trying to blind Infernape."Get away with Dig", Ash commanded Infernape. Right before Umbreon released it's Flash, Infernape disappeared underground. Gary grinded his teeth. He had hoped to end the match before this happened, but apparently Ash had other plans.

"Now attack with your Flame Wheel!" Infernape shot out of the ground, surrounded by flames. Umbreon attempted to dodge, but was too slow and got hurt pretty badly. "Return Umbreon!", Gary recalled his Pokémon. Now he regretted his choise to leave Blastoise with Professor Rowan.

"Go, Aggron". The large Steel/Ground-type Pokémon appeared and roared to Infernape.

"Infernape start with Counter Shield" Infernape started spinning and spitting fire whips towards Aggron. Unable to dodge, Aggron was trapped in the flames and couldn't move. Gary smirked. "You are so predictable Ash. Now Aggron, Screech" Aggron released sound waves from it's mouth and Infernape stopped and started to squirm and hold his ears.

"Continue it with Metal Claw", Gary shouted, trying to keep his pace. After Aggron's attack hit, Ash smiled and said: "Did you honestly think that I would fall for that trick?" Quickly Infernape got up and jumped over Aggron's next Metal Claw.

"Now use Mach Punch." Ifernape's attack scored a direct hit and Aggron fell to it's knees.

"Finnish him of with Blaze Kick!" Infernape's foot became surrounded with fire and struck Aggron to it's jaw. The Iron Armor Pokémon flew back and fainted. Gary was shocked. Though Aggron had a very high defense, it had been taken out with just two hits. "Return Aggron". Gary paused for a second before sending out his last Pokémon. "It's all up to you. Go Umbreon!" Even though it had a hard fight with Infernape before it didn't look that tired. Infernape on the other hand was sweating and breathing heavily. Ash noticed this and called Infernape back. "Thanks, you did well out there". Infernape smiled and walked back to the other Pokémon. Ash knew that this would be a great chance to see how far he had come. "Lets see how it will end this time. I choose Pikachu!" Pikachu jumped to the field, sparks flying from his cheeks. Gary had a vivid flashback from their fight before traveling to Johto. He had won then, but Gary had a feeling that it wouldn't be the case this time.

"Umbreon start off with Quick Attack!" Umbreon shot towards Pikachu with impressive speed.

"Jump and spin!" Ash called out. Him and Pikachu had been practising this maneuver after Sinnoh. Now Pikachu's jump was timed so perfectly that he almost scratched Umbreon while they passed each other.

"Now strike with Volt Tackle". Pikachu accelerated towards Umbreon, covered with electricity.

"Umbreon dodge and use Shadow Ball!" Umbreon dodge Pikachu's attack, but before he could launch an attack Pikachu turned arround and hit Umbreon with Volt Tackle. "No! Umbreon!" Umbreon slid on the ground but got up before he even stopped.

"Now Shadow Ball!" Umbreon fired his Shadow Ball at Pikachu.

"Block it with Iron Tail." Umbreon's Shadow Ball met Pikachu's Iron Tail in the mid-air and they which caused the Shadow Ball to explode, creating flashes of light and dark.

"Quickly, Double Team and Take Down" Gary called out, desperately trying to land a hit. Ash actually had the nerve to smile.

"Shoot them all down with Thunder" Pikachu's Thunder hit all the Umbreons, including the real one. Umbreon hit ground hard and was struggling to get up.

"End this with Quick Attack!" Pikachu ran straight for Umbreon and hit him with full force. Umbreon flew backwards and fainted. Gary's jaw dropped. During the match he had hit Ash's Pokémon with only four attacks. He knew that Ash was good, but this was outstanding.

"Umbreon is unable to battle, Pikachu wins. Ash is the winner!" Prof. Oak declared. Ash and Gary walked towards each other and shook hands.
"Nicely done Ashy-boy. Didn't know you had actually practised, but you were damn good".
Ash suddenly looked quite serious when said: "You have no idea".