Chapter 4 Choosing Starter Pokemon

While Ash and the others are heading to Hop's house, there is a ferry arriving at a sea place called Hulbury. From the ferry, three blonde-haired people come out of it and the youngest girl looks around the place. She says, "So this is the Galar Region..."

"Indeed. But will we find Dad here?" The boy asks.

"I am not sure, Lillie, Gladion. But we might as well check it out." The woman is Lusamine, the president of the Aether Foundation, and with her children Lillie and Gladion, they are in search of her husband, Mohn. But as they look around, they find a lot of people who are murmuring about something. Confused, Lillie walks towards one of the people and she asks, "Excuse me, what's wrong?"

The fisherman says, "Oh, I guess you are travelers? You see, our prince of Galar has returned to Galar with the King and Queen."

"The Prince?" Gladion asks. "There is a prince in the Galar Region?"

"Yeah, you see, our Prince was born in the Kanto Region, but we are always waiting for his return, and after the Alola League, he has finally returned to us." The second fisherman says.

"Not to mention that he is also the Alola Champion as well." The saleswoman says. "He really brought the great name to the Ketchum family."

The Aether Family is surprised as they know who they are talking about. Gladion asks, "Wait, are you talking about Ash Ketchum?"

"Huh? You know our prince?" The saleswoman asks, "Oh my, you were the one that battles him in the finals of the Alola League, right?"

Gladion is surprised as the people recognize him, he can only sigh and says, "Um...yeah."

Lillie is somehow delighted to hear the news, and she asks, "So Ash is in this region, where is he?"

The fisherman says, "The last time I heard that he is in Wedgehurst, you have to take a train to get there."

Lusamine sees the eyes of her face and says, "Lillie, if you want to find Ash then go ahead."

"Mother?" Lillie is surprised, she can't believe that her mother is going to let her find Ash. Lusamine teases, "After all, you are getting a liking to him, right? For what he has done to us, you have developed feelings for him, right?"

Lillie blushes a little after hearing what her mother said, and Gladion just nods as he agrees with his mother. Lillie wants to find Ash, but they are on a quest to find their father. She asks, "But what about Father?"

"Don't worry, once we find him we will contact you." Gladion says. Lillie is delighted, she thanks them and quickly goes to the train station.

And not far away in the Motostoke, a plane arrives, and then a girl with a white beanie and a Piplup with her walks out of the plane, she says, "We are here, Piplup, this is the Galar Region."

"Piplup!" Piplup says with a cheer.

"I can't wait to see what this place has to offer. Let's go, Piplup." Dawn says as they keep moving. And then after 30 seconds, a honey blonde girl also arrives. She says, "Galar Region...I always wanted to come here since I was little."

She smiles and then she holds the blue ribbon on her clothes, she says, "It will be perfect if he is also here...I kinda miss him and I really want to know how he feels after that..." She starts to blush while thinking about the words she said.

Back with the group, Ash and his brothers are now at Hop's house along with the rest of the people. Gloria asks, "So Alice, how did you and Ash meet? I am really curious about it."

Alice has a little faint blush and asks, "Um...why are you asking that?"

"I am just curious." Gloria says. "So please tell me."

Ash decides to help Alice out as he says, "Let me explain that. First, we were friends when we are born. I remember that we often play with each other for many years and we also keep our promise to be the best Pokemon Masters. But when we are 7 years old, Alice's family has to leave because of her mother, who is a famous Fashion Designer in Kalos."

"That sounds really interesting, bro." Mark says.

Alice gasps as she can't believe that Ash remembers all of that. "And now you remembered all of that? Then why didn't you recognize me back in the Kalos when you are challenging my mom's gym?"

Ash frowns and says, "I am sorry for that. You see, because of Team Rocket attacking our family, Dad wanted to protect me as he erased my memories. But now that Team Rocket is gone, I got all of them back."

"But why did Team Rocket trying to target you?" Hop asks. "I know that they have been following you throughout the whole journey, but why?"

Ash says, "Because of our father. Our father isn't a normal person, so by using me, he wants to get our father to do bad stuff. But I am glad that I stopped them back in the Alola Region..."

He turns to Alice and he shows a small smile, "And like she said, we reunited again in Lavarre City, where she and her sisters are helping her mother with the modeling event. We talked a little and since I didn't remember her back then, so our conversation ends quickly. And then we met again after I lost to her dad in Snowbelle Gym, it was my breaking point and I was in the woods until the blizzard comes. Then I hear something that gains my attention."

"What is it?" Hop asks.

"I saw her, sing and dancing in the blizzard, with the aura in the assistance, it is like an angel." Ash says, causing her to blush. Gloria feels a little jealousy and she says, "Yeah, Alice's voice is really good."

Alice says, "Yeah, and it is then he found me, we took shelter in the cave and someone has to get out to save Spewpa from falling. But it is then he managed to achieve his Greninja's bond."

"Yeah." Ash says. "And after the Snowbelle Gym, I promised that I will try to remember her again, and I did."

"I am really grateful for that." Alice smiles as she turns to Mark and Trenor. "Though I didn't know you have two siblings as well, Ash."

"Actually, I have seven siblings." Ash says, "Mark was adopted since his birth parents are not that nice people that give him a home, while Trenor and his blood-related sibling lost their parents in Unova."

"I'm sorry to hear about that." Alice frowns, Trenor shrugs and says, "It's fine, we are glad to become a member of the Ketchum family."

"It seems like you have a lot of histories to share." Leon says as he walks into the room. "Perhaps they can help you with what happened."

"What happened? What do you mean by that?" Gloria asks.

Ash frowns and then he talks to them about the betrayal thing, and true to be told, the three of them are equally shocked and furious. "How could they say that to you?" Gloria gasps.

"Yeah, your Pokemon helped you win the league doesn't make yourself weak." Hop says. "What are those guys thinking?"

"And I can't believe that Clemont and Bonnie are in this as well." Alice shakes her head in disappointment.

"Yeah...they were my best traveling companions, but now they treat me as some sort of trash...I just don't know why...maybe I was weak like they say."

"Don't say yourself like this. We know you are strong." Alice says.

Gloria says, "Yeah, they are just jealous that you achieve something high."

Ash feels touched that they support them even though he just met Hop and Gloria for the first time. Ash says, "Thanks, guys."

Hop then turns towards Leon, "Come on, Lee! You promised us a present! So out with it! You brought Alice, Gloria, and me Pokemon. You did, didn't you? I know you must have!"

"Right then, the greatest gift from the greatest champion, it's showtime! Everyone!" As they go outside, Leon takes out three Pokeballs and says, "Take a good look, you three."

Leon throws three balls and comes out with three Pokemon. One is a green-colored monkey, another is a white-colored rabbit with some red ears and feet, and the final one is a blue lizard, he says, "The Grass Type Pokemon, Grookey. The Fire Type Pokemon, Scorbunny. And the Water Type Pokemon, Sobble."

The three Pokemon then go to play, Grookey climbs into the tree, Sobble jumps into the lake, and Scorbunny runs around the battlefield. As Pikachu goes greet the Sobble, it is surprised as it spits out water, spraying Scorbunny, causing it to jump higher to get the water out of its fur, and the jump hits the branch where Grookey is knocking the Sitrus Berry, causing the berry to fall into the water, scaring the Sobble as it is crying. Ash and the others are also crying as well, much to their surprise.

"Pikachu, please calm down the Sobble." Ash says while trying to wipe his tears, and Pikachu, Grookey, and Scorbunny manage to calm the Water Type Pokemon down. And after that, they also stop crying as well.

"That was quite super effective...I mean, I heard that Sobble's tears are like onion chopping...but never thought that it could have been real..." Trenor mutters.

"All right! Line up, everyone!" As the Pokemon lines up, Leon says, "So who are you going to choose?"

Hop says, "You guys go first, I have a Wooloo, so I can choose the one left."

Gloria says, "Then I will choose Scorbunny. How about you, Alice?"

Alice says, "Eh...well...since my Dad likes Ice type...and Ice is close to Water, so I guess I choose Sobble."

"Nice one, you two, then Grookey, you're mine." As Grookey uses the stick to shake hands with Hop, he says, "I'm aiming to be the next champion, so be ready! You and I'll be doing some serious training!"

Grookey nods as it goes to play with Wooloo. Leon says, "I bet you do, Hop. That is why I brought along these Pokemon for you and the two girls. So you can battle and train and grow stronger together...to try to reach me."

Ash says, "Indeed. You guys really get along with your starter well, I am kinda envious to you."

"How come?" Gloria asks.

Ash glares at Pikachu and says, "Because someone doesn't want to listen to me at first, it was then we were chased by a flock a Spearow that he decided to listen to me." Pikachu just rubs his head in embarrassment.

"Wait, you mean your Pikachu didn't listen to you when you started your journey? I don't think I can ever imagine that since you two are the strongest pair." Hop says.

"It is not just him, my Charizard is also the same." Ash sighs. "But they are now my friends in the end."

"That is good news." Leon says.

"Enough with the trainer nonsense for this night." Then they see Hop's and Gloria's mother, as they have prepared barbecue for them as dinner.

Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Dawn, Serena, and Lillie will be coming to find Ash in the future chapters. And Ash and Alice have a special past as well. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the Slumbering Weald.

Ash's Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Butterfree (2:1 Pink), Pidgeot, Pikachu, Primeape, Muk, Gengar, Kingler, Tauros (30), Lapras (2), Snorlax, Bayleef, Quilava, Totodile, Noctowl (S), Heracross, Donphan, Larvitar, Tyranitar, Sceptile, Swellow, Torkoal, Corphish, Glalie, Torterra, Infernape, Staraptor, Buizel, Gible, Gliscor, Snivy, Pignite, Oshawott, Unfezant, Boldore, Palpitoad, Leavanny, Krookodile, Scraggy, Greninja, Talonflame, Hawlucha, Goodra, Noivern, Rowlet, Incineroar, Lycanroc (Dusk), Naganadel, Melmetal

Mark's Pokemon:

Trenor's Pokemon:

Gloria's Pokemon: Scorbunny

Alice's Pokemon:Sobble