Note: I don't own Pokemon

Read & Review!

Key

Bold text = Pokemon moves / Pokedex entries

***** = Curse word (insert whatever) (though if it has a letter before the * then there's already a curse word in place)

"(text)." = Meowth translates Pokespeech

Italic text = Flashbacks / Emphasis

'Italic text' = Thoughts

"Italic text." = Telepathy

Gary chuckles as Ash is now hanging out and talking with all his Pokémon, "Only Ashy-boy can get lucky enough to gain so many rare Pokémon."

Professor Oak sighs as he turns to his godson, "Now now, I'd argue but it's more he has now more then one shiny Pokémon."

Indeed there was, as Ash seemed to receive Pokémon from all the regions in just one trade it looked like, with Pokémon from Kalos and Alola.

Ash didn't pay attention to either of them, as they seem to bicker in the background.

Though he did get a laugh as both Gengar (having evolved after Sabrina traded Haunter via phone to him) and Riolu, familiar faces, hugged the trainer before going over to Ash's current Pokémon.

He then looked from one Pokémon to the next, in awe at each and every one, like a kid at a candy store.

Pikachu eventually snapped him out of it, handing his Pokedex (Now upgraded for Unova and other regions, basically a Rotom phone. Ash later sends a purple colored Rotom phone for Paul.) before going over to Gible who was chatting with Bulbasaur.

One by one he analyzed each of the new family members, their skills and abilities, it was a good bunch.

"So um hi, I'm Ash your new trainer."

Ash nervously chuckled as the youngest of the pack was looking at him in awe, while the older ones looked in suspicion and doubt, "Uh I know for some of you this isn't new and all...but I'm gonna make sure this time counts."

With that, he gains a bit more confidence, "As you can tell from my Pokémon behind me, I've traveled a lot. Before, I hadn't brought some of my old Pokémon along when I was in Sinnoh previously. Now that's gonna change, since I'm heading to Unova this fall and entering the league." Now he realized he got some of the elite Pokémon's attention, "It won't be easy, as I'm going to train you all to the best we can be, you'll hear from my Pokémon that this isn't no cake walk."

Ash takes a deep breath, "When it comes to Unova, I'll be rotating a lot with everyone here and my other Pokémon. Usually it'll be after every gym, but most of the time it'll be because of needing help training any new Pokémon I acquire there, or just cause I feel one of you all might have an opportunity to do something new."

He could tell some where confused, "What I mean is, events and competitions you won't have done before but are able to. For instance, I've done Pokeringer competitions, contests, Pokémon triathlons, Pokémon ping pong, tag battles, Pokémon sumo, Pokémon boxing, races, you name it. Point is, these can help you get stronger, learn something new, and overall have fun and relax every now and then."

"Now I don't know how many, if at all of these and more are in Unova, but if they are I'll make sure to ask each and every single one of you alongside your new team members if you want to participate."

With that, Ash gave Pikachu and Bulbasaur (along with Charizard for the more imitating and large Pokémon) to start with simple yet advance training. Some mini battles, some sparing, and overall checking out the power and move range of each newcomer.

This left Ash to go and talk with Gary and the professor, on different care each of his new Pokemon would need, alongside advice on new moves he should try and teach to any.

There was only a few months till it was time to head to Unova, Ash wanted to make these last months count.

Paul wasn't sure whom had the urgency to call on his cellphone.

He wasn't much of a people's person, yet someone had his number, or at the very least no common sense, as it was four in the morning when he picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Paul!"

Paul's eyes go wide, now definitely awake as he gripped the phone a bit tighter, "Ketchum?!"

He could hear a bit of what he could tell was Pikachu speaking in the background as Ash spoke, "Yeah-Pikachu quit it!"

"Uh what's going on?"

Ash sighed, "Nothing, just Pikachu making weird faces, ugh great now Gible's doing it too thanks buddy. Meowth, why are you looking at me like that?"

Paul softly groaned, "Any chance that's all you called for? It's four in the morning."

Also Meowth? Does he mean that one from Team Rocket?

There was a bit of silence at the moment, before get this, Ash stuttered as if he were actually lost for words. Pikachu laughs in the background, with a low cackle Paul assumed was Gible.

"Aw the twerp is finally falling in love, instead of the other way around." Yep, that was the Team Rocket Meowth alright, wonder how he managed to catch him?

"W-What?! Ugh Meowth stop it! And ugh I'm sorry, I should of know the time difference! S-sorry!"

Paul shrugs, "Whatever, but why did you call?"

Ash stutters some more, "W-well I...oh geez how is this so difficult to say? I-I was wondering if you were busy sometime this fall?"

"Uh why?"

"W-well you see I'm heading to this far region Unova for their league this fall. I-I have an extra ticket, and was wondering if you like to come with me?"

Paul shook his head, trying to understand if he heard his rival right, "Wait me? What about your friends?" Surely the Brock guy and the girl coordinator with blue hair could be top picks?

"Well Brock's off at medical school and working at the Pewter City Pokémon Center. Misty is taking care of her gym. Dawn's off with her Buneary at some fashion shoot, and later is heading to Hoenn to see May."

Paul didn't really know who May was, possibly the one from the Wallace Cup Ash signed up for?

"B-Besides...I-I really like you to come along."

Paul mentally swore to get his brother on fixing the heater, as it seemed the only explanation why his face was heating up.

"Well I guess, don't have much to do since Brandon's on an expedition and won't be back for awhile."

The purple haired teen could literally picture the bright, adorable smile on the other teen's face...'Wait, when did Ash become cute?!'

"A-Awesome! Meet me at...hold on got to check Unova's brochure...Nuvema Town near the lab let's say...end of August?"

Paul checked the date, he knew Reggie could give him a ride, but if he went in the middle of August instead of the end...

"I can travel to there on August 25th, as it is a four hour time difference here to get there."

"Okay! I'll meet you there on the 30th then! T-That is if y-you'll stay there till then?"

He shrugs, "Can't exactly go far enough you won't follow huh?"

Ash chuckles, "Pretty much, by the way, hope you like the gift I got you package wise!"

He then looks out the window as both teens hear a loud roar outside, "Uh...I gotta go, hopefully Charizard isn't fighting with the Dodrio again."

Paul nods, before his eyes grew wide cause did he?- "Wait Ketchum! What do you mean-..."

Paul hears the call hanged up, leaving him to wonder just how many Pokémon this teen had these days.

He knew Ash had more then his Sinnoh Pokémon on hand, as he recognized some he saw when he was in Hoenn.

Still it did get him thinking as he suddenly and surprisingly started to write down a list of things he'd need for the new region on a spare notebook of his.

'Why am I doing this? He's my rival, and yet here I am preparing for a trip for who knows how long and...'

Paul grumbles as he writes down one more thing on his list, before going downstairs to see if Reggie was around to battle him as there was no way he was falling behind Ash.

Last thing on his list? A book about feelings, cause Arceus only knows what Paul was feeling that got him heated and suddenly agreeing to travel with Ash.