"This is the fun path!" Wally shouted, as he struggled to climb down a slope.

"Calm down. It's not that bad." Brendan argued.

"I miss Hoenn, our biggest problem there was getting across water, not across a canyon!" Wally argued.

"Wally, it's not that big of a drop, now come on." Ash said, watching Wally dangle all of a few inches off of the ground.

A short while later

"Look, all I'm saying is that I'm not brave or strong like you guys." Wally sighed.

"Wally, it was a few inches, just relax." Brendan assured.

"Exactly, it wasn't much, I thought my asthma was holding me back before, but that wasn't even the issue." Wally groaned. "Nothing I do is ever going to be as cool as what you two accomplish."

"Well, what do you really want to do?" Ash asked.

"Huh?" Wally said in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Well I mean, Brendan is tackling the Battle Frontier, and I'm competing in contests, but what do you want to do here in Kanto." Ash said. "I get you guys just came to visit initially, but now that we're traveling together again, maybe it's time to decide on what you want for this journey."

"Well, what else is there to do?" Wally groaned.

"You could do gym battles." Brendan reminded. "You've already seen me fight Agatha, and Ash fight Misty. So you know they are over here."

"I don't know, I mean you two are pretty good and you lost to Agatha, and even with two type advantages, Ash barely beat Misty, even after he earned her gym badge previously." Wally pointed out.

"Yeah, let's not get into details about that." Ash said. "But there are still plenty of other things you could do, there's cataloging Pokemon, breeding, healing, and even specialized training."

"Specialized training?" Wally asked. "Like how gym leaders use only one Pokemon?"

"Sometimes, but I've met with boxers who train Pokemon for P1 tournaments, sumo Pokemon, racing Pokemon, and those are some of the more common ones." Ash recounted.

"I guess the real question to think about is, why did you want to go on a journey in the first place?" Brendan asked.

"You two." Wally said. "You helped me catch Ralts, and from there I knew I wanted to go on a journey like the two of you, because I was finally given the opportunity to do that."

"Then why did you come here?" Brendan asked. "I mean, why did you choose to come along with us this time?"

"I don't know, I guess I just felt like I wanted to be here still." Wally said. "You guys gave me an opportunity to be something no one thought I could, and it felt wrong to just sit down and do nothing."

"Well why not start there?" Ash asked. "Catch some Pokemon, learn some moves, try new experiences. Keep looking at new possibilities until you find one that feels right."

"Do you really think that I can find it here in Kanto?" Wally asked.

"I found what I wanted to do in Hoenn, maybe the reverse will work for you." Ash reminded. "And if not there's still the Orange Islands, Johto, and Sinnoh you could look around in."

"Until then, how about we try some training." Brendan said. "We could try some new battle styles or moves."

"I know Grovyle is always up for some training too." Ash said.

"Actually, can I train with Kirlia? He always gets left behind in terms of strength, and I feel it would be nice to work with him." Wally said.

"Well Kirlia is a psychic type, so we should use something that can go blow for blow with one of them." Brendan said thinking. "Outside of Shiftry, do we have anything that can do that?"

"Not here, but I think we can get someone nearby." Ash said. "There's a bunch of small Pokemon Centers scattered around Kanto, especially when it comes to the backroads, and with any luck they'll have a transfer system."

"I don't think any of mine or Wally's left behind Pokemon are up to the task." Brendan said. "And Masquerain was never the strongest fighter."

"I was thinking of something a little more experienced." Ash said.

At a nearby Pokemon Center

"Of course Ash, I'm surprised you've started doing this again." Professor Oak said. "Also, Brendan and Wally, I had your other Pokemon transferred here to the lab so that they are more local for your use."

"Thanks Professor." Brendan and Wally said in unison.

"And I've got his Pokeball here now." Ash said, holding up a ball.

Back outside

"Alright Wally, this Pokemon has a special combination of types, making him both weak and strong to psychic types like Kirlia." Ash said. "Also he's very friendly." Ash added. "Might want to keep Cacturn in his Pokeball for the time being."

"Sure, now let's see what you've got." Wally said. "Kirlia come out!"

"Come on out Heracross!"

Ash's Heracross landed in the forest clearing with a resounding thud, before lifting his nose into the air and flying off.

"Heracross!" Ash shouted, chasing after the bug type.

"Is this part of my training?" Wally asked, before chasing after Ash.

"Hey wait up! I want to learn too!" Brendan shouted, grabbing all of their bags.

Ash chased Heracross to find the bug sipping on the sap from a large tree.

"Come on Heracross, you're here to help train someone, not get a snack." Ash groaned.

"Cross!" Heracross said, pushing himself off of the tree, and taking an offensive stance against Kirlia.

"That's more like it! Kirlia use Psychic!" Wally called out.

"Heracross dodge it and use Take Down!"

The blast of psychic energy shot forward, as Heracross easily outmaneuvered the attack, slamming into Kirlia.

"I didn't know it was possible to avoid Psychic!" Brendan exclaimed.

"As long as you and your Pokémon know what you're doing, it can be done." Ash said. "Now use Horn Attack!"

"Kirlia dodge it with Teleport!"

Kirlia disappeared just as Heracross was about to hit him.

"Good, but playing defense won't always win a match." Ash said with a smirk. "Heracross use your instincts, find Kirlia and use Mega Horn!"

"Kirlia use Magical Leaf!"

Leaves shot out from all the surrounding trees, each hitting Heracross, but not doing much to the bug type overall.

"Heracross use Take Down, right there!" Ash said pointing straight ahead.

Heracross slammed horn first into the tree, knocking Kirlia down from it, and landing on Heracross's horn.

"Now use Horn Attack!"

"Kirlia use Psychic!"

Kirlia was launched back into the air, his psychic attack going every which way blasting leaves off of the trees.

"Heracross catch him!" Ash called out.

Heracross flew into the air, safely catching Kirlia before bringing them both back down to the ground.

"Sorry about that Wally, I forgot how strong Heracross is." Ash admitted.

"No, no it's good." Wally said, after seeing Kirlia was fine. "I know I'm not on your level, but I'm happy to help either of you along the way."

"Why not make that your goal then?" Brendan asked.

"What, helping you guys to your goals?" Wally asked.

"I mean it's not a perfect plan, but it's a start. Keep training alongside both of us, and I'm sure you'll find your passion." Brendan said.

"Sounds like a good plan actually. And try things as we come across them, you might just surprise yourself." Ash offered. "Now come on, we still have a ways to go before Lavender Town."

Authors note

Yes, Professor Oaks comment is a way for me to be able to bring back other Pokémon any of our three heroes have, but don't have on them at the time. Heracross isn't a new member to Ash's team, he's just the first guest return.

Wally's Current Team and their moves

Kirlia: Teleport - Magical Leaf - Double Team - Psychic

Vibrava: Sand Tomb - Bite - Dragon Breath

Cacturne: Pin Missile - Needle Arm - Sandstorm - Drain Punch