Hey, guys, sorry I've been away. Leading into Christmas, things just got busy, and I found little time. Anyway, I have only two more chapters to go before I turn my full attention towards 'The Reign of Mewtwo.' But first, someone sent me a message about a particular character's back story. And after reading that back story on bulbapedia, I have decided that said character would be the same one as one in the manga. It will be revealed who in the next two chapters.

Also, the poll result is listed below, with the answer to who Leaf would be written into this story.

Enjoy!

Chapter 38 – The Final Three

"I can't wait to get home," Ash sighed, trudging along the path through the forest. "It's been so long since I've seen it."

"I hear that the hills surrounding the town are quite majestic this time of year," Brock added.

"They are," Ash agreed. The memories of himself playing with his friends on the hills suddenly flooded back to him. I wonder how the others went on their journey.

The green hills of Pallet Town finally appeared as Ash, Misty and Brock exited the last stretch of forest. Taking them a little over a day, Ash had travelled slower than he had when he had left on his journey. That day he had made it to Viridian in less than a day. Granted, he had had a few issues which had sped him up.

But Ash didn't mind, he was just happy to be home. Misty and Brock could tell, watching Ash suddenly speed off down the path, Pikachu and Riolu close behind.

"Mum! I'm Home!" Ash announced, slamming the front door open.

"Ash?" Delia's quizzical, yet hopeful, voice came from the kitchen. She hadn't heard from her son since they departed Cinnabar Island, and had nearly died with worry when she heard the news about Cerulean City. "ASH!" She raced out of the kitchen at lightning fast speed, taking Ash by complete surprise.

"Mum. Can't. Breath," he choked out, barely able to form a complete sentence as his mother crushed him in a hug.

"Huh?" Delia questioned, loosening her grip to inspect her son. "Oh! I'm sorry. I'm just really excited that you're home!"

"I can tell," Ash dramatically inhaled. "Anyway, mum, I didn't come alone, Brock and Misty are with me as well." He pointed towards the doorway, but his friends weren't there. "Huh? That was weird. I could have sworn they were right behind me." How could I have lost them? He mused. But before he could come up with and answer, his friends could be heard outside.

"Brock, are you sure we're heading in the right direction?" Misty asked. "We don't even know which house he lives in!"

"Look, I was surprised as you were when he took off running," Brock replied. "But I still managed to follow him with my eyes. I saw him run down this road, so I assume he lives in one of these ones along here."

"Alright," Misty sighed.

"Here, how about this-"

Ash practically sprinted out of the house, grabbing his friends before he quickly dragged them back in. "Here they are!" he exclaimed, enthusiastically.

"You didn't need to drag us in here, you know," Misty groaned, straightened her shirt where Ash had grabbed it.

"Heh-heh," Ash rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Sorry."

"It doesn't matter," Delia shooed the issue aside. "All that matters is that you're here, and that you're safe."

"Ring, ring, phone call, phone call," the videophone blared, a couple of hours later. "Ring, ring, phone call, phone call."

"Hello," Ash quickly answered, surprised when Professor Oak appeared on the screen. "Oh, hi, Professor!"

"Why, hello, Ash," Professor Oak replied. "Just the person I was looking for."

"Umm, ok?" Ash unsurely replied.

"If you wouldn't mind coming down to the ranch, I have something I need to ask you," Professor Oak explained.

"Can't you just tell me now?" Ash asked.

"Unfortunately, no," Professor Oak answered.

"Alright," Ash agreed. "I'll be there as soon as possible."

"Thanks," Professor Oak smiled, the screen going black shortly after.

Ash walked alongside the fields that led to the Professor's Ranch, and Lab. He hadn't really looked around when he'd arrived; too busy in his desire to return to his house. But now, looking at it all, Ash had realized how much the place really hadn't changed.

While he was off, gallivanting in other parts of the region, Ash had wondered how much different the town would look when he returned. And yet, it seemed that he was wrong. Pallet Town would've always been the same, less than a year after he'd left, while he was in fact the one who had changed.

Becoming a Pokémon trainer was a big jump in his life, and he couldn't have realised how much it would affect him. While he wasn't entirely childish, granted, he had lost most of that after receiving his father's book, he still had those tiny mannerisms that showed his age.

But, the one thing he had truly learnt on his journey was the one thing no one his age should really have; responsibility. He was responsible for his Pokémon, and to a lesser extent, his friends.

"Ri?" Riolu questioned, pulling Ash from his thoughts.

"Huh?" Ash muttered, confused. He studied the emanation Pokémon, realising he was pointing towards the field. Following Riolu's paw, Ash noticed several Pokémon grazing and resting in the field, including; Umbreon and Absol. "Oh, yeah. Some of those are my Pokémon," he confirmed, realising what Riolu was asking.

"Li!" Riolu clapped excitedly, happy to make new friends.

"Ha-ha," Laughed, smiling at how happy his Pokémon was. "Now come on," he gestured to both Pikachu, who was walking alongside him, and Riolu. "The quicker we talk to the Professor, the quicker we'll be able to meet all my Pokémon at once!"

To put it blatantly; they took off, running.

Running up the long drive-way of the Professor's Ranch, Ash reminisced about the last time he was there. "You know, Pikachu," Ash gasped, sucking in air as they reached the door. "The last time I was here was the day we met, the day I chose you to be my starter."

"Pika!" Pikachu agreed, smiling at the memory.

"So I wonder," Ash added. "What will this day do to our future?" He went to rasp on the door, only for it to be opened before he could do so. But the person who opened it wasn't the person he'd expected.

"Why if it isn't my old friend, Ash Ketchum," the girl smiled, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned against the door frame, nonchalantly.

"Leaf!" Ash gasped. He hadn't recognised her with the different cloths. Gone were the baggy green pants and shirt, replaced with a short red skirt and a blue sleeveless shirt. "You look so different!"

"So do you," she winked. Standing upright, she gestured for him to come in. "Come on, the Professor is waiting for us!"

"So, Leaf, how was your journey?" Ash asked, following her into the living room of the ranch, where Gary and Professor Oak were waiting.

"About time," Gary said. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever show up!"

"Now-now, Gary, be nice," Professor Oak warned. "Please, both of you take a seat." He gestured towards the two free seats next to Gary. "I have some important news for you."

Taking his seat, Ash noticed that Leaf had evidently taken the seat furthest from Gary. Still haven't gotten over it, I see, he mused.

"So," the Professor continued. "The reason I have called you all here is because you have all collected eight badges-"

"Excuse me, but I believe I have collected ten," Gary arrogantly interrupted.

"Anyway," Professor Oak eyed his grandson. "Because you have collected the minimum number of badges, you are all eligible to enter the Pokémon League."

"Sorry, Professor, but we know this already," Leaf added, confused.

"Well, yes," Professor Oak agreed. "And may I be the first to congratulate you. Of the four that left Pallet Town, you three were the ones that made it. You are the final three."

"Wait a minute!" Ash blurted. "What happened to the other?"

"Oh, they took up Pokémon Contests or something," Professor Oak explained. "Well, as I was saying, you are now eligible to enter the Pokémon League. However," he quickly added, hoping none of them would interrupt again. "You will not be able to just walk up and enter the league."

"What do you mean?" Gary asked.

"A long time ago, when the Pokémon League entered the new system, it was realised that there were too many Pokémon Trainers," The Professor explained. "So it was decided that there should be a ranking system, ranking all the trainers from one to however many trainers there were. So, the best one hundred and twenty Pokémon trainers that entered the League would be seeded, meaning they would be best placed to have them finish higher up. And with only five hundred and twelve spots, you're currently not ranked high enough to enter the tournament."

"So, we can't enter?" Leaf asked. "Is that what you're saying?"

"No, not at all," Professor Oak explained. "As you are Kanto natives, and that this is also your first year, you are invited to battle for the final twelve spots in the League in a four way qualifying round robin. This is a special wild card for first years of the region, where you're pared with three other first years and battle them, the winner is allowed to enter the League."

"And when is this qualifying round robin?" Leaf asked.

"In three weeks," Professor Oak replied. "One week before the tournament."

"And where is it held?"

"At the Indigo Plateau."

What will Ash, Leaf, and Gary do? Is something special on the horizon? Find Out Next Time!

So, the poll results were simply: Gary's Mother – 7 to Ash and Gary's Friend – 14. So, in the end, the choice was obvious. Also, someone PM'd me with an idea about their friendship, which I have decided to go with as it will make Ash, Gary, and Leaf's relationship more interesting.

A lot of character reveals will happen in the next two chapters, including a special visitor, and I don't think most of you will be happy!

Finally, before I write 'Reign of Mewtwo,' I will be making a massive bio for all of the main characters in the story and uploading onto my profile.

Any questions, Pokémon suggestions, ideas for the story, or OC's you have that you would like to see in the story, just PM me or send it in a review! All are welcome!

Ash's Pokémon:

At Oak's Ranch:

Pikachu (Male)
Pidgeotto (Male)
Ivysaur (Male)
Charizard (Male)
Wartortle (Male)
Rhyhorn (Female)
Growlithe (Male)
Nidoran (Male) (Shiny)
Dratini (Female)
Riolu (Male)
Raticate (Female)
Gyarados (Male)
Butterfree (Male)
Umbreon (Male) (Shiny)
Sandslash (Male)
Krabby (Female)
Absol (Male)
Haunter (Male)
Primeape (Female)
Muk (Male)
Tauros (Male) (x26)

Departed:

Mew

Misty's Pokémon:

At Oak's Ranch:

Starmie
Horsea (Female)
Vaporeon (Female)
Psyduck (Male)
Kabutops (Male) (Shiny)
Togepi (Male)
Seaking (Female)
Staryu
Tentacruel (Male)
Pelipper (Female)
Seel (Male)
Feebas (Female)

Brock's Pokémon:

At Oak's Ranch:

Geodude (Female)
Onix (Male)
Zubat (Female)
Marowak (Female) (Shiny)
Vulpix (Female)
Kangaskhan (Female)
Gengar (Male)
Honchkrow (Male)
Magnemite
Tauros (Male) (Shiny)
Doduo (Female)
Exeggutor (Female)
Aerodactyl (Male)

After this Arc is done I will be putting the Pokémon Ash has on my Profile Page and will only put Pokémon that Ash, Misty and Brock gain in each Arc in the story Arc.

Please Follow, Favourite and Review!

Until Next Time, AshleyH30 Out!