To quote legendary announcer Gary Thorne - after 25 years...ASH KETCHUM! THE DREAM HAS COME TRUE! Ash Ketchum is World Champion of Pokemon! To commemorate this occasion, here's a little story to celebrate - Ash/May heavily implied, of course.
He had done it. 18 year old Ashton Taylor 'Ash' Ketchum had defeated the unbeatable Monarch Leon and was crowned the new Monarch of the Pokemon World - the World Champion. As he held up the Masters 8 trophy with his entire team in tow, Leon came up to him.
"So Ash, you're now the World Champion Monarch. What's next for you?" he asked.
"Honestly, I don't know," Ash admitted. "It feels surreal. All my life, I've only wanted to be a Pokemon Master. Now I'm questioning what being a Pokemon Master means."
"Well what does being a Pokemon Master mean to you?" Leon asked.
"To me, it used to mean being the best trainer there is. Now that I'm World Champion, I wonder what's left. Is this really all there is? Beating the unbeatable trainer?"
"I used to think the same way too. Then I realized being a Pokemon Master means more than training and battling. It means building a deeper bond with not just your Pokemon, but the people around you," Leon told Ash. "Tell me, Ash. With as great a trainer as you are, you must have some girls going after you..."
"If there are, I haven't noticed. But there is someone I've been close to for a while now," he admitted. "Her dad runs the Petalburg Gym in Hoenn and she's a Top Pokemon Coordinator. Won the Grand Festivals in Johto, Sinnoh and Unova. Haven't seen her in over 5 years and last I heard, she was trying the Hoenn Pokemon Contest circuit again."
Leon smiled, knowing who he was talking about. "The Princess of Hoenn - May Maple. And you haven't seen her in over 5 years?"
"Not since I traveled through the Sinnoh region."
"Ash, if you really like this girl, then go after her. Call her as soon as this crowd dies down. Now come on, you've got a victory speech to do," Leon reminded him as Ash took to the Victory Podium again.
"Congratulations, Ash Ketchum!" Mr. Goodshow congratulated. "I'm certain you have a speech prepared..."
"Actually, I don't, Mr. Goodshow," Ash said. "So I'll just wing it from here. Thanks to everyone who came out tonight. You saw a new Champion rise! This wouldn't have been possible without the help of my team - especially my All-Star, my first Pokemon and best friend Pikachu. You were a pain in the neck to start my journey, but ever since then, we've been an unstoppable duo..."
"Pika Pika! Pikapi!" (You know it, Ash!)
"Thanks to my mom - I'll be home soon, mom...your son's World Champion of Pokemon! Thanks to Professor Oak, to my rivals - Gary, Paul, Trip, Alain, Gladion, Harrison, Tobias...you all pushed me to be my best - this Masters 8 is because of you. Thanks to Goh and Chloe, to my older brother figure Brock...you were a wealth of wisdom and knowledge throughout my travels. Thanks to Clemont and his kid sister Bonnie. Clemont, keep Bonnie in check for me...Arceus knows I tried."
The crowd laughed at that last remark, some knowing what it was like to have an annoying little sibling.
"To my Alola classmates - Lillie, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe...to Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet and their young son Lei...Lycanroc better not be giving you any trouble on Melemele Island! And finally to my past traveling companions - to Dawn, May, Misty...the girls whose bikes I destroyed through no fault of my own..."
The crowd laughed hearing this, finding it funny that Ash would be the kind of guy that would wreck 3 bikes.
"To Max, I heard you started on your own journey not too long ago...as soon as I get to Petalburg City, I'm gonna make good on my promise from 6 years ago! Just let me get back home and find a place in my room for this trophy. Misty, you've been like an older sister to me, can't wait to see you back home. To Dawn, every time you tell me not to worry is when I worry the most, but it was your playful attitude that kept me going. Iris, you may have been a bit of a dork, but you were a zany dork and made Unova that much more fun. And Cilan, I hear you and your brothers opened a new restaurant in Striaton City. I'll make sure to stop by soon! Lastly, thank you Serena...one of the first friends I ever made. She and I go back to when we were 7 years old at Professor Oak's Pokemon Summer Camp. I never would've made the finals of Kalos if not for her support. Thank you all...we did it, guys!"
As the crowds died down, Ash made his way to Dawn and Chloe, who were waiting backstage.
"Congratulations, Ash!" Dawn cheered, jumping into Ash's arms.
"Thanks, Dawn!" Ash chuckled. "Ease up there, Dawn! Still got the trophy here!"
"Sorry, couldn't control myself..."
"So, Ash...what's next?" Chloe asked.
All Ash could do was smile. "Chloe, Dawn...there's a girl in Hoenn waiting for me..."
As Ash went off to call May, Jessie, James and Meowth of Team Rocket looked on.
"I-I'm so proud of the twerp!" Jessie cried.
"He's the World Champion of Pokemon and going off to snag that Hoenn girl..." James added.
"They grow up so fast!" Meowth bawled.
They really do, don't they, Meowth? Chapter 2 is when May and Serena will come into the picture. See ya next time! TRAIN ON, EVERYONE!