"Guys I'm back!" Ash shouted, leaping over the fence that lead into Professor Oak's large park for trainers Pokemon.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur cheered, firing off a Solar Beam.

As the beam shot high into the sky, a rumbling was felt and heard on the ground as dust cloud grew dangerously close.

"Should we be worried about him?" Tracey asked, walking next to Professor Oak.

"No, the boy is just fine." Professor Oak said, having known Ash made it back last night. "His Pokemon won't hurt him, they're just happy to finally see him again."

"And what about Masquerain?" Tracey asked.

"I think he'll be happy to see the bug type has found themself at home here." Professor Oak said.

Back outside, on top of the herd of Tauros.

"Okay, any time you guys want to stop!" Ash said, hanging on for dear life.

"Heracross!" Ash's Heracross exclaimed, flying by and swooping up his trainer.

"Heracross, am I glad to see you!" Ash said, as he was lifted from the herd.

As Heracross landed, several of Ash's other Pokemon rushed up to greet him.

"Bay!"

"Toto!"

"Phanpy!"

"Kooky Kooky!"

"Mu Muk!"

"Coo!"

Ash was surrounded by his Pokemon from both Kanto and Johto, all excited to see him. Cyndaquil was back at home with his mom, and Snorlax was likely sleeping in a shady spot somewhere.

"It's so great to see you all again, I'm sorry I left the way I did." Ash apologized. "I know Charizard was a friend to a lot of you, and I should have been there for you to get through the pain, and I promise I'll be a better trainer from now on."

"Oh don't be so hard on yourself lad." Professor Oak said. "Pokemon are incredibly forgiving, yours especially, they all are quite happy here at the lab too."

"Speaking of my Pokemon, guys I want to introduce you to some new friends." Ash said, grabbing four Pokeballs. "Come on out everybody!"

Grovyle, Lunatone, Milotic, and Swablu all appeared amongst the group of gathered Pokemon.

"Looks like the whole gang is just about here." Professor Oak said.

"Hey Professor, how is Masquerain?" Ash asked.

"Take a look for yourself." Professor Oak said, motioning over to a nearby pond.

Ash walked over to the pond, not seeing his Masquerain anywhere.

"Masquerain! Where are you!" Ash called out.

"Pika Pika!" Pikachu helped in calling out.

"Rain?" Masquerain said in surprised, skimming above the water's surface towards Ash and Pikachu.

"Masquerain!" Ash called out excitedly, not holding back the tears.

"Masquerain has made a wonderful recovery here." Professor Oak said. "And has become quite the ally for Bulbasaur."

"What do you mean by that?" Ash asked in confusion.

Suddenly the ground started shaking as Ash's Tauros grew near once more. Masquerain fluttered their wings, releasing a mist that seemed to calm the rampaging Pokemon with ease.

"Wow, that's incredible." Ash said in amazement. "I'm sure Bulbasaur is really happy to have a friend like you!"

"Rain." Masquerain said smugly.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur exclaimed, trying to pull off Heracross.

"Heracross! Not again!" Ash shouted, only for the bug type to be lifted by a strange energy.

"Tone." Lunatone said emotionlessly, setting Heracross back down, a ways off from Bulbasaur.

"Remarkable." Professor Oak said. "I've heard of the psychic powers of Lunatone, but to see it in action is something entirely different." Professor Oak said ecstatically. "And this Grovyle, it's leaves are in incredible condition, you know I once read that they can grow to be sharp enough to slice through steel as if it were butter. Oh, and how could I forget Milotic! Another shiny Pokemon, and an incredibly rare one at that! Look at the shimmer on her scales, your Hoenn Pokemon are the definition of healthy."

"Don't forget Swablu." Ash said, picking up the bird. "I should warn you though, he tends to be quick to anger."

"Yes yes. I saw your master appeal with him, an incredible feat the two of you pulled off." Professor Oak said. "While switching to Contests is a left turn from our perspective, I must say it suits you quite well."

"Really, you think so." Ash said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.

"So Ash, if I may be so bold, where are you running off to next?" Tracey asked.

"Nowhere just yet." Ash admitted. "I plan on staying here in Pallet for a little while, catch up with my old Pokemon, let the new ones get some well deserved r and r, and then once the next season starts up, I'm going to be going through Kanto with the gang."

"Ahh yes, Professor Birch said they might be joining you." Professor Oak said. "Well, rest assured, any friend of yours is more than welcome to visit here."

Authors Note

And we're back! Bit of a short chapter, but I didn't want it going on for too long, as it mostly served to reintroduce the story. The old 'Coordinator Ash' gang will be reunited soon though. Until then, PEACE!