A/N: Not sure if y'all would prefer slower releases but with longer chapters and more POVs in them, or shorter chapters with a singular POV, however much faster releases. Let me know which one is preferred.

XYZ Ash in JN POV:

Ash waited in the locker room for the crowd to die down when Bea walked in.

"Hey Ash, good battle out there!"

Ash looked at her, "Ummmm aren't you not allowed in the mens locker room?"

Bea laughed, "My gym, my rules. Plus, you're fully dressed, so there's nothing weird about it at all."

Ash shrugged, "I guess you're right…. But still, a girl in a guys locker room is like…."

Bea interrupted him, "Anyways, I just wanted to say that I'm really impressed with that Greninja of yours. Seriously, that was so cool! How'd you do it?"

Ash started waving his hands around, trying to describe a battle "Well, I mean, you know when you feel connected to your pokemon in the middle of a battle?"

Bea nodded

"Well, that's what happens to Greninja when we feel that connection," Ash said

"That's very impressive. If you're ever in town, stop by my dojo, and you can show me some more. I'd love to battle your Greninja again, and I think my other pokemon could learn a lot from him,"

Ash shrugged, "Sounds fun,"

"Can't wait," Bea gave him a smile that lasted a second too long, and she walked out.

Chloe and Goh walked in just then on the conversation; Chloe glared at Bea the moment she turned her back while neither one of the boys were looking at her.

The moment Bea closed the door behind her, Goh and Chloe both started freaking out.

"WOW, ASH, THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!" Goh yelled out

"We didn't even talk to each other much because of the stadium noise, and we were paying such close attention to the battle," Chloe said

Ash smiled at them both, "Thanks, guys, I uh I really appreciate it,"

Chloe sat down and took a notebook out of her bag, "Ash, I was going to do my school project on dynamax, but after seeing your Greninja, I want to do my project on that cool transformation you did instead,"

Ash laughed, "Of course, Chloe! Ask any questions you want!"

Chloe clicked a pen, and Goh rolled his eyes.

"Tryhard," he whispered to Ash, and Chloe shot him a glare.

"I heard that, Goh," Chloe said flatly.

"So first question Ash, describe the transformation in your own words. What is it? What does it do?"

Ash spoke, "Well, when Greninja and I are in sync, trainers would know what I mean, I feel this connection to him, and our hearts unite as one. His pain is my pain, and we're bonded as one. It grants Greninja a huge increase in power and makes him faster and grants him more powerful attacks."

Chloe nodded, "And what's the name of this transformation?"

Ash laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head, "I mean…. I just call it the Ash-Greninja transformation, because you know… I'm Ash and he's Greninja and together it's Ash-Greninja,"

Chloe rolled her eyes and took more notes, "Right…. Uhhh, anything else you want to say about the transformation?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah! My Greninja doesn't have a normal ability like torrent. Instead, he gets this,"

Chloe wrote some more and dropped her pen, "Thanks, Ash! That's all I need for now."

Ash waited for a moment before speaking, "So uhhhh, our flight isn't until tomorrow afternoon, do you guys have any plans?"

Goh's expression changed to a smirk, "Actually, there's a few pokemon I want to catch on the surrounding routes,"

Chloe rolled her eyes, "Goh, I don't know, do you have to? I'm really tired here,"

Goh shrugged, "Maybe… you could stay in town with Ash, and I can run off and catch some pokemon,"

Chloe started stuttering, and her cheeks flushed red, "Well, uh I mean, if it's ok with Ash, we could hang out and explore Stow-On-Side; I'd much prefer that than trekking out into the wild with just Evee,"

Ash shrugged, "I mean, I'm sure we can find something to do around town while Goh ditches us,"

"Man, I'm such a good wingman," Goh thought to himself with a smirk.

Chloe shot daggers at him, "I swear to Arceus that I'll personally be the one to kill him,"

Ash just watched in slight confusion as Chloe glared at Goh

Goh smiled at the group, did an over the top bow and walked out of the locker room.

"So, any ideas?" Ash asked Chloe

Chloe smiled at Ash, "Well, first things first, we need to celebrate that amazing win of yours, come on!"

Chloe grabbed Ash's hands and the two of them left the stadium

—-

"When you said Galar had great food, this isn't exactly what I had in mind," Ash said nervously, "I mean I'm sure beans on toast must taste great to them, but this is where I draw the line," he said while looking over the menu

Chloe laughed, "It's fine Ash, I'd recommend something else. I hear Galarian Curry is awesome, seems right up your alley"

Ash shrugged and ordered a bowl as a waiter approached

Chloe was right. Ash did enjoy the curry. Enough to order seconds, thirds and fourths of the dish.

Pikachu chugged two bottles of Ketchup and promptly fell asleep, and Evee took it upon herself to curl up next to Pikachu. Chloe saw this and blushed at the scene, it seemed to her that her pokemon was reflecting the feelings of her trainer.

Just then, a journalist approached Ash who was just starting on his fifth bowl of curry.

"Sorry to interrupt your date Mr Ketchum, but I'd like to ask a few questions. I'm Trent Crimm, a reporter from the Kalos Star and I'm doing a story on you,"

"Uh, oh sure! Ask away!" Ash said while eating

Chloe's cheeks flushed bright red from Ash not correcting the journalist. Did he think it was a date?

"Alright, so what's up with the sudden appearance of your team that you used in the Kalos League two seasons ago,"

Ash started sweating nervously, "Well uhhhh I mean, they're strong…"

The reporter nodded and asked again, "Well is that an insult to your current team members? Are they not capable enough of facing off at an elite enough level?"

Ash shook his head, "No no no! I just wanted to use some of the strongest pokemon I have around! It's not fair to the ones not in my rotation to never battle,"

The reporter looked at him and nodded, writing down some more

"Out of curiosity, why not use the team that won you your first pokemon league in Alola?"

Ash spit out his curry in shock of what the man just said, "WHAT? I uhhhhh I….."

Chloe interfered and shooed the reporter away, "Ash is really messed up from the spicy curry, he can answer questions later, thanks for your time,"

Chloe looked at Ash, "Ash, what's going on? First that conversation on the plane, then you decide to ditch your current team which you've never done once. And now you forget that you won a pokemon league? Ash are you ok medically? Can you remember what you had for breakfast? When was the last time you went to the doctors because your memory may be having issues,"

Ash looked at her extremely nervously and started sweating. He once saw a movie about time travel, and not messing up the past. But he was in the future! So the rules didn't apply to him.

Ash felt his heart rate speed up and he looked at Chloe, "Look, I uhhhh I have something to tell you. But we have to be alone,"

Chloe's cheeks turned bright red, "I uhhhhh ummm sure Ash!" she said nervously

Ash waved down a waiter, and he paid for the food, leaving Chloe wondering what he was talking about, and how he dodged her questions from earlier.

—-

Ash pulled Chloe into a conveniently located phone booth next to the restaurant, and she blushed immensely when he gently grabbed her hand and led her into the phone booth.

"Ummmm Ash, are you sure that this is big enough for the two of us and both of our pokemon?"

Ash just shrugged, "It's fine, we both have room to sit, there's just one bench and that can fit both of us right?"

"Yeah I guess so," Chloe said

Evee enjoyed the cramped space, and cuddled up next to Pikachu again

"So, what did you want to tell me?" Chloe said

"Well, ummmm I sorta suck at lying and you seem trustworthy enough so I'm gonna tell you the truth here,"

Chloe felt offended from when Ash said, "You seem trustworthy enough," but his next words explained everything.

"Chloe, I'm from 11 months in the past. I woke up in Vermillion a few days ago after I fell asleep almost a year ago in Snowbelle City on my Kalos journey," Ash said sincerely

A few hours ago, Chloe would have laughed off the suggestion of time travel. But this, this felt real, it felt like Ash was being very genuine. But if he was, that meant all of the progress she had made on him would be reset, this was….. This was an issue

"I uhhhh… I believe you Ash," Chloe said

"Thanks Chloe, Goh already knows so you can mention it to him," Ash said

"I know you'd never forget that Alola victory, and it makes me sad for you that you never even met all of your friends back there and were transported here. From what Goh told me, you made so many memories in Alola," Chloe said sadly

"Well, maybe so, but I'm making great memories right now," Ash said with a smile which caused Chloe's heart to melt slightly.

Ash suddenly changed the tone from sweet to sad when he spoke up, "Chloe, truth be told, I'm scared. I met Goh a few days ago, and he seems great already but I feel more alone then I ever have. All I have are my pokemon but in terms of humans, I don't know where my old friends are, and I just….. I'm scared,"

Chloe hugged Ash impulsively and he hugged her back, squeezing her tightly.

"No matter where you are, or uhhh when you are, I'm always here for you Ash and you're always going to be a friend of mine," Chloe said while holding Ash

Ash started crying slightly, very unlike his personality.

The two stayed like that for a moment before Ash pulled away first, "Uhhhh I think that I'd like to meet this champion team from Alola. I do have an open spot after all,"

Chloe rolled her eyes, always thinking about pokemon this one was.

"Come on, lets get out of here," Chloe said

—-

Later that night,

Ash and Chloe were playing a card game in the lobby of the pokemon center, while Pikachu chased Evee around the couches.

Goh walked in the center with a bruised forehead and collapsed. "I'm so tired… ugghhhhhhhhhhh," Goh said while beat up

Ash and Chloe looked at eachother and laughed

"So did you catch a ton of pokemon?" Ash asked

Goh shook his head, "Just an Axew and a Torkal, nothing much,"

Chloe changed the topic. "Goh, Ash told me,"

Goh's eyes widened and he whispered in Chloe's ear which made her nod

Chloe smiled at Ash, "Hey Ash, we just want you to know that Goh and I are really gonna try and help you adjust to all of this and maybe help you find a way back eventually, we're team Ash here,"

Ash blushed slightly, "You guys are amazing, oh yeah! So uhhhhh, Goh can you tell me more about Alola? I need a final member of my team and Chloe mentioned that I have some strong pokemon over there. Think we could visit there?"

Goh nodded, "Yeah, that'd be great for me catching stuff. And maybe Chloe could join us!"

Chloe rolled her eyes, "I'll see if I can make my school schedule work, but if it does, I'm forcing you guys to go to the beach with me,"

Goh whispered to Ash, "That means yes,"

Ash smiled and pumped his fist in happiness.

"So, next trip to Alola?"

Goh and Chloe both gave an enthusiastic "yes!"

Ash had some pretty amazing friends.

—-

Meanwhile in another universe…..

The same golden figure stood in a forest, watching… waiting

They'd have to change plans, again

Celebi flew past and the claw of the figure grabbed it.

The device was tapped and the order was placed.

Ash was sleeping on the day before the quarterfinal of the Lilly of the Valley Conference. And so was Ash the day before the Manalo Conference Final.

Celebi did its thing and the Ash's vanished along with their pokemon.

—-