Chapter 2, here we come! I do admit that I could've handled Ash's acquisition of Pokémon better, but I'm glad the first chapter was so well-received! Honestly I'd love to have a beta reader to help me avoid pitfalls like that, so if you're interested let me know! With that out of the way, let's begin!

Mossdeep City Airport

The flight from Vermilion to Mossdeep was short, and once the plane touched down on the runway Ash, Goh, and Chloe were able to easily reach the airport. As they walked outside, luggage in hand, Ash breathed in the tropical Hoenn air as he smiled to himself.

"It's good to be back here, right Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

Goh and Chloe couldn't help but look around in awe at the sights. Mossdeep was a city renown for being the scientific capital of Hoenn, but also had plenty of attractions like its Game Corner and a gym.

"So Ash, how are we expected to reach the Space Center?"

"I'm not sure Goh. Cerise never told us to check with someone once we arrived. Do we just wait or-"

"Ash Ketchum? Is that you?"

Ash's eyes turned to his left to see a boy with a large white hat, a green backpack, and shorts. He smirked at the trio as he walked up to them, extending a hand.

"My name's Brendan. My dad, Professor Birch, sent me here to escort you three to the space center."

Ash smiled as he extended his own hand, shaking Brendan's as he did so.

"Birch never told me he had a son when I was in Hoenn..."

"I had left on my journey about a month before you first arrived in the region. Now c'mon, we don't have all day!"

Brendan hurriedly got into a run as Ash and Pikachu smirked at him. Brendan seemed quite energetic, much like his father.

"Goh, Chloe, let's follow him!"

The trio ran after Brendan, eager to see what was going on at the space center.

Meteor Falls

The cloaked figure walked throughout the caverns of Meteor Falls, Megalith shard in hand. Approaching an altar with a triangle on it, they laid down their shard as the triangle glowed an emerald green, before kneeling at the altar.

"Aster...wherever you are...know that it has happened again. The meteorite of old is due to hit our beloved Hoenn, and I intend to call upon our region's savior once more."

The triangle dimmed out as the hooded figure retrieved the shard before getting up. Their Whismur peeked at them from around the corner in concern, but the figure merely walked over to Whismur and petted its head.

"Don't worry...I've got you."

The figure picked up the Whismur and held it in their arms as they walked away from the altar.

Mossdeep Space Center

"Well guys, we've made it."

Brendan stood before the trio at the entrance of the Mossdeep Space Center as Goh and Chloe looked at it in awe. As they did, Ash nodded at Brendan humorously.

"You've got almost as much energy as I do Brendan. What's your secret?"

"Travelling across Hoenn really invigorates your muscles and body. As an aspiring researcher, I want to know about every nook and cranny of this place, and more importantly, what Pokémon I can find!"

Ash smirked at Brendan's optimism as Goh and Chloe walked forward. Brendan proceeded to lead them into the space center, and into a private elevator. Keying in several numbers, the elevator began to rise up the space center. Chloe looked towards Brendan in curiosity, holding her Eevee in her arms as the elevator ascended.

"Do you know what's going on Brendan?"

"I honestly don't. My dad was very tight-lipped about the situation."

"That's...unusual."

Eventually, the elevator came to a halt and opened up to what appeared to be a meeting room. Professor Birch and Professor Cozmo were sitting down at a large table, with a holographic display of Hoenn present above.

"Hey dad, I managed to grab Ketchum and his friends from the airport. Can you tell me about what's going on now?"

Birch smirked as he got up off his chair and put a hand on his son's shoulder, smiling.

"You've got a lot of spunk kid. I think it's time I tell you. But first..."

He then looked towards Ash, Goh, and Chloe, smiling at them.

"Ash! How have you been?"

"Great Professor! More regions under my belt, more badges, and I even won a League!"

Ash extended a hand to shake, but Birch instead pulled the three of them into a hug.

"It's been so long! I bet you've got tons of stories to-"

"Birch? The briefing?"

Birch broke the hug and looked behind himself to see Professor Cozmo tapping the desk, clearly annoyed.

"Ah! Sorry about that. I suppose we should get down to business then. Have a seat, all of you."

Ash, Goh, Chloe, and Brendan took their seats at the table. Pikachu, Eevee, and Grookey immediately jumped from their Trainers and sat on the table as well, eager to hear what was going on. As they did so, Professor Birch coughed into his hand.

"Alright then. I'm Professor Birch, and my companion here is Professor Cozmo. What we are about to tell you four is extremely important, so listen up."

Grookey was busy spinning his stick around as Pikachu slapped him and pointed at Birch angrily. Grookey begrudgingly groaned as he turned towards the Professor. Cozmo then coughed into his hand to speak.

"Early this morning, our sensors detected a meteorite in deep space, headed straight for Hoenn. Normally this would be of no concern as most meteorites are tiny, but this one is about the size of an airport runway and thus wouldn't completely burn up in the atmosphere. Needless to say, should it hit the planet the consequences would be dire."

The group was in shock as they heard about the meteorite, until Goh chuckled.

"And you can't destroy it in deep space?"

"Goh!"

Brendan looked towards Goh in anger, but quickly calmed down once he saw Cozmo glaring.

"No no, it's alright. Believe me, we tried that, but it seems the meteorite is able to…freely change its trajectory."

"So it's alive then? Like some kind of Pokémon?"

"It's a possibility, yes. For now though, we have the more immediate issue of attempting to prevent the meteorite from hitting the planet. Can I count on you four to stop it?"

"You bet! Right Pikachu?"

"Pika pika!"

Goh and Brendan smiled at Ash's optimism, but Chloe had a look of skepticism on her face.

"No offense Professor, but how do you expect us to put a stop to it?"

"I'm glad you asked. Our plan is to utilize two objects: a device made by the Devon Corporation known as the Link Cable, and a shard of Primal energy."

"Primal energy?"

"A substance formed during the birth of the Hoenn region. While we mostly believe it to be tied to Groudon and Kyogre, with their slumber after what Lysandre pulled we have few options. Scans indicated that some of this energy was inside Team Magma's abandoned hideout near Mt. Chimney."

"Gotcha. I guess me, Goh, Chloe, and Brendan are headed to Mt. Chimney then?"

"Precisely. Steven Stone will be bringing us the Link Cable from Rustboro, leaving you four to investigate Mt. Chimney and the Magma hideout."

Ash, Goh, Chloe, and Brendan nodded at each other, ready to take on the challenges ahead. Professor Birch smiled as he watched them, glancing at Cozmo right after.

"I knew it was a good idea to contact Cerise about this."

"Hopefully they can help us save the world."

Ash, Goh, Chloe, and Brendan walked out of the elevator, back onto the main floor of the Mossdeep Space Center.

"Brendan, thanks for coming along with us. I'm sure having a guide will be extremely helpful."

"Oh, it's no trouble Ash. I'm eager to get back on the road anyways. I think taking a ferry from Mossdeep to Slateport is our best bet. From there, we can head up to Mauville and then Mt. Chimney."

"And hopefully catch plenty of Pokémon along the way!"

Brendan smirked at Goh, knowing that he was excited to catch more Hoenn-native Pokémon. The group walked out of the space center, and further into Mossdeep.

Rustboro City

The hooded figure walked throughout the streets of Rustboro, keeping to themselves. The Devon Corporation's headquarters towered over the streets, and people and their Pokémon walked along happily.

If only they knew what was to come.

As the figure passed by the Devon headquarters' entrance, they couldn't help but notice two light blue-haired individuals standing at it. Intrigued, they concealed themselves by a pillar as they eavesdropped.

"Remember Steven, this Link Cable is only half of what we need for the project. The trainers from Kanto and Birch's boy are looking into securing Primal energy from the old Mt. Chimney Magma base."

"Understood. I'll head out to Mossdeep as soon as I can."

The figure was intrigued by what they had just heard. Mossdeep and Devon working together was one thing, but having them sending trainers looking for Primal energy at Mt. Chimney? Where Team Magma had forcefully overrun a Draconid temple? That wouldn't do. They only had one option: intercept the trainers and prevent them from further defiling the Draconids' sacred places.

Things are getting heated! Make sure to leave a review if you like what you see, and if you're interested in beta reading let me know!