Welcome to chapter two!

Years later, he ran towards the nearest Pokémon Center, the only place he could think of going to. Luckily, the Center was on the outskirts of town. He didn't want to go through the town with his head down in shame because of all the anger he felt, it didn't matter that the shop owners didn't know that.

Automatically, the glass doors opened when he walked into to the Pokémon Center. White furniture and a white floor all seemed to blend together, and the glass walls overlooked the ocean. His feet took him to the front desk where Nurse Joy was working on something.

"Oh, hello Ash Ketchum," said Nurse Joy. The shock of her knowing his name died away quickly when he remembered that piece of paper stuffed in his pocket. A worthless slip of paper, but a slip of paper. "What would you like?"

"I'd like you to tell me where the Pokémon Gym is," Ash replied. Nurse Joy gave him directions, and with a wave and thanks, Ash ran towards the Gym. Memories surged into his thoughts when he remembered when he did this last. Or really, when he found this fun. So long ago . . . the gym leaders we hard to beat and there was glory to winning, with friends to support you. But, now he didn't need support, and with no one to beat him, there was no glory in winning. As the Gym loomed up on him, Ash took a step back, suddenly apprehensive. A young woman with yellow hair was sitting on a bench next to the glassy building. Through a cloud of cigarette smoke, she stood and walked over to Ash.

Smiling, she remarked, "You must be Ash Ketchum. Why would a Master want to fight a Gym Leader?" He scowled, and ignored the woman, walking into the building.