Ash and Pickachu could only stare at the state the Reborn region was in. It was obvious that the region was polluted but the scene made it look as though it came straight out of the mind of Tim Burton. It was either that or what seemed to be the beginning of an R.L Stein novel, more specifically Goosebumps.

"I heard that Reborn was a dump but I didn't think that it would be this bad." Ash thought out loud.

"Hey!" Julia was insulted. Slowly, the duo turned around and became frightened. If the trainer learned anything, he knew that they shouldn't mess with women, especially one with possible mental health issues.

"I'll admit that this Region isn't the prettiest but it will be again one day! In fact, I am a part of the Reborn Restoration Committee. If you want to be successful in these parts, I think that it would be best to build up your reputation. A lot of our visitors are mostly stray trainers who have been spirited away by the ghost train. A lot of them are wary because of troubled pasts so having them warm up to you is your best bet."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind by the way, do you know how to sign up for the league? I am still new around here." Ash said, trying very hard to ignore the word ghost.

"Oh, you can sign up for the league at the Restoration Committee. They not only help Reborn but they also help trainers with their daily needs such as participating in leagues and other stuff." The trainer and his Pokémon then followed Julia along with Ame who followed right behind her. The committee building was not too far off from the station. To the duo's surprise, the building was actually pretty. It looked more like a city hall decorated with different types of flowers and even had a few Evee's walking around to brighten up the mood.

"Hi Nurse Joy! I brought in somebody who wants to sign up for the league!" Julia shouted as she kicked the door open.

"Good grief. Can't you be any louder. Why can't you open the door like a normal person?" Obviously the nurse was angry.

"Because normal is booooriiing."

"You would think that after becoming a gym leader, you'd be more mature."

"Wait, you are a gym leader?" Ash was surprised once he found out.

"Of course, I am the electric type gym leader. Not only that but I am also a cheerleader captain. In fact, my gym is right over there! Please come battle me sometime." Julia said, pointing toward a window that had a view of her gym. The ten year old and the yellow mouse Pokémon were still shocked by this. Before the raven could ask her another question, Julia left in a hurry.

"She is quite the character is she?" Ash asked nervously while the pinkette smiled nervously.

"I am also a part of the Restoration Committee. Please come find me in City Hall once you finish signing up. I still need to file a report on the incident that happened earlier." Ame then ran after Julia but Ash could have sworn that she was mumbling something about paperwork before running off. After signing up the trainer went to City Hall. While walking both Ash and Pikachu had a pretty good idea of how bad the town was.

After a bit, the duo saw a building with the door having four lines with red, purple, green and blue. The colors formed a X as a result. Ash then noticed a girl who was about his age. Her long hair was jet black and seemed to resemble a martial artist.

"Hi there, you're Ash right? The one that Ame saved?" The girl asked out of curiosity. "I heard that you got caught up in the terrorist attack at the train. I am sure that you are still shaken by it."

"No worries, things like this happen to me all the time."

"Wait really?"

"Yup, there is this group of Pokémon thieves called team Rocket that like to follow me and Pikachu around. I also met a bunch of legendaries on my previous journeys so no worries I'm used to it."

"It sounds like you are some kind of wonder boy to me. My name is Victoria by the way." Ash then blushed at the nickname and Pikachu was immediately jealous. Ash on the other hand, did not notice since he was now a blushing mess and a bit distracted.

"Come on, Pikachu be nice." Ash said as he finally snapped out of it once he realized that the mouse was about to shock her with a thunderbolt.

"I don't think your Pokémon likes me all that much."

"Sorry about that, he's usually very friendly."

"If you say so, I'll see you around." Victoria waved as Ash headed towards City Hall in order to meet with Ame. Once the duo made it inside, he saw that City Hall was a pretty old building and it looked as though it came out of the civil war era. Once the ten year old was finally able to settle down, Ame finally showed up.

"Oh good, you are finally here. Well, I have your Pokédex and other new equipment ready for you." Ame said with a smile.

"Thank you."

"Also, I have a fresh pair of clothes for you. I figured that you might need some after that whole incident. You can change in the bathroom when you are ready." Ash was then embarrassed after seeing that his clothes were dirty and torn. After changing he was grateful that he now had a change of fresh clean clothes. His outfit was mostly a black jumpsuit making him look like a ninja.

"They fit you well." Ame said once she saw the young trainer.

"Hey there!" Said a high pitched voice. Ash then turned around and was startled to see a boy his age. He had purple hair and wore a dark purple jumper with red and dark blue linings. He also wore black boots and Ash, being dense as he was, did not realize that the boy was flirting with him.

"My name is Cain. What's your name?"

"It's Ash."

"Nice to meet you."

"Pikachu."

"Are you a new trainer?"

"Nope, I have been traveling for a while.

"Same here but I had to leave my Pokémon behind due to some family issues so how about a battle?"

"In here? Are you sure that no one will be mad?"

"It'll be fine. You won't regret it!"

"Okay then, Pikachu I choose you!" Ash shouted as Pikachu hopped off of his shoulder. Cain then smirked.

"Nidorian it is time to battle!" Cain said as he summoned his Pokémon.

"Nidorian, use Peck!" Nidorian then started to run towards Pikachu while its' horn was glowing white.

"Iron Tail!" Ash shouted. Nidorian then jumped and pushed Pikachu. Nidorian then returned to Cain. The two collided but Pikachu easily overpowered Nidorian pushing him back to Cain as a result.

"You ok?" Cain asked while Nidorian slowly got himself back up while shaking his entire body. "Ok, then use poison sting!"

"Pikachu electro ball!" The electro ball easily overpowered Nidorian who crashed into a wall. Cain then saw his partner who was now KO'ed.

"I guess that we can't win them all. That was quite impressive, Ash."

"Thanks." The ten year old replied. Cain then sent Nidorian back into its' pokeball so that he could have Nurse Joy heal it. Ash then decided to follow Cain since he was worried about his Pokémon as well.

"Wait! What? How was Nidorian able to heal so fast?" Ash asked, a bit surprised.

"You see, the healing technology at the Pokémon Centers across Reborn have evolved so it doesn't take long for a Pokémon to recover and it makes my life easier." The Nurse Joy at the counter explained. As a result the trainer's jaw dropped open.

"You will look like a magikarp if you hold that expression long enough." Said a familiar voice. "I see Cain found you."

"Sorry about that Ame, I borrowed Ash for some fun."

"Oh well, whatever you are into is fine by me." Said Ame. Ash, on the other hand, was not paying attention since he saw that Ame was with Victoria. Once again, he was a blushing mess and was making googly eyes at Victoria. The yellow mouse was annoyed once he realized that his trainer just discovered girls.

"I just saw that you defeated Cain. How about we battle sometime?" Victoria asked.

"Okay, I am looking forward to it!" Victoria then giggled.

"Oh, I see you two have a Pokédex. When a trainer registers for the league they each get a new Pokédex and if any of you have questions you can call me anytime." Said Cain.

"Thanks. Let's go Ash."

"Wait, before you leave, you should try and battle Kiki." Ame suggested.

"Kiki?" The duo asked.

"Yup, she's my Sensei. You should be able to meet her on Apophyll island. She's amazing because she is not only a gym leader but she also teaches at the academy and I have the honor of being her apprentice. Victoria explained.

"That's so cool! I can't wait to battle her!"

"Yeah, she is amazing. Here is my number, so you can call me whenever you want." Pikachu then made a gagging noise while the two exchanged numbers.

"Come on Pikachu, let's head over to Julia's gym." Ash said while Pikachu nodded in agreement. The group then departed and was off to a new adventure. Meanwhile, Ame was walking down the stairs with a dark expression on her face. She kept walking until she stood in front of a glass window. Behind the glass window, there was a man wearing an orange jumpsuit.

He was tied to a metal chair and there were even police officers surrounding him. The prisoner in question was leaning in said chair while smoking a cigarette. The prisoner's Pokémon partner, a Torkoal, was standing in a firm stance next to him.

"Continue." Ame said with her arms folded. The detective then blows out some smoke before tossing it into the bin.

"Now then are you going to tell us who you are working for?" The detective asked.

"Never." The prisoner replied.

"I see, so that is how you want to play it." Said the detective who looked straight into the prisoner's eye. "Let's talk."