Chapter 6: New Viridian City
It was still early in the morning in New Viridian City, and a light shined from the rising sun into a large apartment built atop a massive tower complex. The condo itself was well-furnished and designed, though slightly messy, particularly around a pull-up bar and similar equipment.
One area masterfully well-maintained was a sizable Pokemon enclosure, just like those used by professors to house their trainers' Pokemon. This area took up most of the apartment, comprising plenty of grass, a few trees, and a pond.
Ash's Pokemon happily finished their breakfast as the trainer himself checked on his phone near the entrance.
"Pika." Pikachu saw and sensed Ash's angst as he looked over a message. The electric mouse finished eating and ran up his trainer's leg, eventually reaching his shoulder.
"Pika?" Pikachu looked closer and realized it was a message from Daniel. He was asking Ash if he was ready for their official match and when he wanted to have it. This wasn't the first time since they returned home that he'd asked Ash. Ash hesitated, and after a deep breath, he responded with a single word.
"Soon." Ash didn't immediately send it but waited a moment. Still, even this wasn't a concise answer, and Pikachu knew it.
"Pika." Pikachu nudged Ash's head, but he merely stroked him back and walked toward the others.
"Alright, listen up. " Ash's Pokemon all heard the conflict in his voice, and the look on Pikachu's face told them everything. A general sense of excitement and nervousness went through all of Ash's Pokemon, though some remained calmer than others, Greninja in particular.
"I've thought it through very carefully, and I want you all to know that I wish I could use everyone for the battle. Please know that I think you're all ready, but I had to-" Ash's Pokemon cut him off with a series of cries and a collective look of reassurance. Ash smiled warmly, knowing his Pokemon all understood.
"Alright, here's the team who'll face Daniel. Infernape."
"Ape!" Infernape roared as the flame on his head grew, and he pounded his chest victoriously while those around him offered congratulations.
"Sceptile."
"Tile!" Sceptile nodded in appreciation towards Ash.
"Greninja."
"Gre." Greninja raised his fist to Ash, who bumped it back.
"Lucario."
"Grouu!" Lucario eagerly raised both fists and shadowboxed.
"Chairzard."
"Grauuu!" Charizard breathed fire into the air and flexed his arms. By now, Ash's Charizard was nearly as big as Daniel's and similarly had exaggerated claws/fangs, and muscles. Additionally, like Daniel's Charizard, his orange skin started to turn black, though his tail flame and stomach had turned blue.
"And you too, Pikachu."
"Pika!"
The rest of Ash's Pokemon let out cries of encouragement and anticipation, despite not being picked, each understanding. By then, Ash had used all of his Pokemon numerous times in various battles as Alolan Champion, and none felt left out.
"Alright, I still haven't narrowed down when we're facing him just yet. So until then, we're going to keep training!"
"Ape!"
"Tile!"
"Gre."
"Grouu!"
"Pika!"
"Grauu!" Ash had already collected the right pokeballs and returned his chosen team, save Pikachu.
"I want the rest of you to keep training too. Squirtle, you're in charge until I get back. Make sure everyone stays busy."
"Squirtle!" Squirtle puffed out his chest and nodded with a look of authority that made Ash's other Pokemon sweatdrop.
"Squirtle! Squirt, Squirtle!" Squirtle took out his trademark shades and started directing the others.
Ash and Pikachu grinned before making their way out of the enclosure and towards Ash's room. His bed remained unmade, but his bedroom mainly remained in order, particularly the assortment of badges, trophies, and pictures of his friends he'd collected over the years.
Ash had just finished getting dressed, which included a black hooded trenchcoat just like Daniel's when he noticed one picture in particular. Ash slowly approached the photo and picked it up with the same conflicted expression he'd given at the Sinnoh airport.
Pikachu looked closer and recognized it as the picture taken back in Geosenge town with Korrina, Clemont, Bonnie, and Serena. At the time, Pikachu and Ash didn't notice Serena intentionally moving herself closer to Ash, but now it only felt obvious.
"Serena." Ash took a deep breath and set the photo down. Pikachu now got worried when he saw Ash appear even more conflicted than he had at the phone.
"Pika." Ash snapped back to attention and saw Pikachu's concerned face.
"Huh, I'm fine. Come on, let's not waste the day!" Ash raised his fist and led Pikachu to a balcony overlooking New Viridian City.
Ash's anxiety seemingly vanished, replaced by his trademark confidence and motivation as he raised his coat's hood and placed a pair of shades on.
"To the Gym!"
"Pika!"
(Play Route 201 (Day) - Pokémon (Anime) Music Extended, until xxx)
Ash leaped up onto the balcony's ledge and flipped himself like an acrobat, grabbing it and dropping himself to another balcony on the apartment floor beneath him.
He continued this down the great tower, earning a mixed reaction from his many neighbors.
"There he goes again. What's wrong with the stairs?"
"Probably trying to avoid his many fans!" Another laughed.
"He could just ride one of his Pokemon."
"Are you crazy? If I could move like that, I would!"
Ash eventually reached the lower skyscrapers' rooftops and began free-running across them, passing a few flying Pokemon along the way until he arrived at the nearest train station, which rested on a monorail track system a few stories from the streets below.
Waiting for the right moment, Ash leaped from the rooftop and caught the raised platform's guard railing, pulling himself up without being seen. A vast crowd gathered at the station, with many eagerly gazing at the countless television screens around them.
"Look, he's about to use his finishing combination!" A trainer shouted while pointing to a nearby screen showing Ash's recent match against Cynthia.
"Frenzy Plant!" Ash's Torterra ensnared Cynthia's Garchomp, pinning him to the ground with a series of spiked vines. For the next few moments, Garchomp tried desperately to break free while Torterra recharged, but years of intense training with Daniel's Torterra drastically reduced this time.
"Earthquake!"
"Terra!" Ash's Torterra hit Garchomp head-on with the ground move, which did even more damage since Frenzy Plant pinned him down. This combination knocked Garchomp out.
"So cool!"
"I can't wait to see his match against the Kaiser!" Several young trainers on the platform cried. Ash had just scanned his train pass when he noticed a boy of perhaps eight with a Bulbasaur staring up at him with utter disbelief. The child was close enough to see past Ash's hood and shades and started to tremble.
Ash raised his finger to his lips while Pikachu did the same.
"It can't be!" The boy turned to the screen and then back to Ash, but by then, he'd vanished.
"Huh?"
"Saur?"
"Come on Tenji." His mother said, taking him and the Bulbasaur inside.
The train moved out of the station with Ash and Pikachu resting on top of the center car.
"Hang on." Ash almost laughed when he felt the train's speed. This wasn't the first time he'd ridden on a train like this, and he knew it wouldn't be the last either. If anything, the two found it more enjoyable, as the experience proved more exhilarating, and it gave them a better view of New Viridian City. (Looks similar to New Domino City from Yugioh 5ds)
The sprawling metropolis rested on the largest island of the relatively recently discovered island archipelago just south of Kanto and Johto. As such, Kanto and Johto, with help from every other region, began a colonization effort around the time of Ash's previous battle with Daniel.
New Viridian City had been the initial colonization site, built on the main island's northern coast. With collaboration from every region, it quickly became the biggest city in the world with new technology, masterful architectural design, and landscaping.
Perhaps the feature Ash and Pikachu admired most about their new home was the inclusion of natural habitats for the native Pokemon who once lived here and the new Pokemon brought in.
This included a series of lagoons and waterways connected to the ocean for water pokemon, a vast canyon for rock and ground Pokemon, a grassland/savanna, a forest, and even a sizable jungle.
Thanks to the masterful city designers, all of these environments didn't interfere with the city. Ash noticed their train passing by the jungle with its towering trees and turned to Pikachu with an eager expression.
"Feel like taking a shortcut?"
"Pika!" Ash removed his shades and lowered his hood.
"Alright, let's go!" Ash leaped off the train car and onto a nearby Tree branch. From there, he began free-running branch to branch across the canopy, though he did so carefully as not to disturb many of the Pokemon there.
Ash always enjoyed passing through the jungle when he could. The fresh air, beautiful sights, countless Pokemon, a sense of freedom, and of course, seeing two old friends of his who lived there. As Ash continued, he passed a series of buildings and houses masterfully crafted into the trees, clearly modeled after Fortree City in Hoenn.
A few hundred people lived there alongside the jungle Pokemon, cooperating in a symbiotic relationship thanks to the mayor of this city area.
"Pika!" Pikachu pointed to someone else moving about through the canopy, another young man roughly Ash's age. However, unlike Ash, he didn't just free-run but also swung from the countless vines growing about the canopy.
The young man had thick muscles clearly visible as he didn't wear a shirt, revealing his highly tanned skin with white paint added in areas of the chest and face. His blue eyes contrasted long burgundy hair, which flowed free in the wind.
Swinging directly beside him was a large Zarude who wore what looked like a pink blanket around his neck like a cape.
"Remember to watch where you're going!" The young man cried to a number of people trying desperately to mimic him on the vines, though to varying degrees of success.
His Zarude shook his head after seeing two people slam into trees and another crash into a pool of water. The young man then made a series of noises similar to those of the Zarude, almost as if he conversed with him.
Finally, he and his class landed on a large platform where none other than Lillie awaited him and his remaining students. Ash couldn't make out exactly what they said to each other, though at one point, they started holding hands making the Zarude smirk and pat the young man on his back, looking more like a proud father than a Pokemon.
"Morning, Koko, Lillie, Zarude!"
"Pika!"
All three turned to Ash and Pikachu, who'd stopped on a tree branch and waved.
"Morning, Ash!" Lillie cried back.
"Care to stick around? We could use your help teaching everyone more efficient ways of getting around the jungle!" Koko asked.
"I'd love to, but I have other arrangements. Plus, I feel like your students might focus on the wrong thing."
"Wait a minute, is that Ash Ketchum!"
"I think it is!" Various people, trainers, and their Pokemon cried out upon seeing him. Koko, Lillie, and Zarude sweatdropped.
"Good point."
"Maybe later. I hope you're still free for dinner tonight! Congratulations, by the way!"
Lillie beamed while looking down at an engagement ring on her finger while Zarude patted Koko's back again.
"Hai, Dada is very happy I found someone!"
"Thank you for introducing us!" Lillie cried.
After a final wave of goodbye, Ash and Pikachu continued on across the canopy for several minutes before reaching the jungle's edge moments before another train went by.
"Alright! Perfect timing!" Ash leaped out and landed on a middle car before sitting down again.
Once past the jungle, Ash and Pikachu now had a clear view of New Viridian City's downtown area, the true metropolis. In many ways, it almost reminded Ash of the jungle with grand skyscrapers rising like trees, lines by roads, train rails at different levels similar to the canopy and floor, and waterways crossing through areas almost like veins in a body.
However, unlike the jungle, Ash doubted this area ever got dark, with enough lights, signs, hologram projectors, and screens to outshine a meteor shower.
Ash and Pikachu nearly became lost in a sea of activity when their train entered the downtown area. Ash didn't doubt that there were likely more people/Pokemon here than in Lumiose City, Goldenrod City, or the original Viridian City.
Many signs advertised new accessories, food, technology, Pokeballs, Pokemon showcases, or battles.
"Look, Pikachu!" Ash pointed to one screen where they saw Gary in his match that day against Sinnoh Frontier Brain Argenta of the Battle Hall.
"Thunder Punch!"
"Steel Wing!"
"Come on Gary!"
"Pika!" Gary's Electivire blocked Argenta's Dragonite's steel wing with his forearms, then sent him sprawling onto his back with an electrified right hook to the face.
"Dragonite is unable to battle. The winner is Kanto Champion Gary!"
Ash and Pikachu joined in with a sizable portion of New Viridian City, who cheered across the streets and in various homes.
"I'm glad he's still doing well."
"Pika." Pikachu said while nodding. Despite losing to Ash earlier that year, Gary took the defeat well and pressed on, continuing to prove himself as Kanto Champion against many powerful opponents.
However, Ash's excitement soon faded when he and Pikachu saw something else in the city center. A vast stadium far greater than any other worldwide had only recently finished construction.
Ash tightened his grip and took a deep breath, for he knew this was where Daniel intended to battle him. Exhaling, Ash stroked Pikachu's face.
"Come on. We have training to do." Ash leaped off the train car just as it arrived at the station, barely avoiding detection from others on the platform who thankfully remained focused on the sea of distractions around them.
He placed his shades back on and raised his hood upon entering the bustling streets, and successfully avoided detection by an ocean of people and Pokemon passing them.
Despite the city's vast population, New Viridian's masterfully designed streets prevented congestion and overflow, allowing for easy movement for people, Pokemon, and cars.
However, Ash smiled when he noticed many people choosing to ride their Pokemon to travel, either on the ground or in the air. He'd occasionally do the same but decided not to that day. Instead, he walked and did his best to ignore the endless conversations around him.
"When do you think Ash and Kaiser Daniel will battle!?"
"Soon, I hope!"
"No way, Ash won't challenge the Kaiser, not after the record he's established. Why would he jeopardize such status for an unwinnable match against the Kaiser?"
"Are you kidding? Why else would he challenge and beat every other champion unless he intended to become the Kaiser himself!?"
"All I know is this will be the match of the century! I can't remember the last time anyone even managed to knock out more than one of the Kaiser's Pokemon!"
Pikachu tried to look into Ash's face, but he turned away, hiding his emotions.
"Pika." Pikachu said in concern.
xxx
Eventually, they arrived at a large building in one of the upper platformed areas with the word "Gym" lit up across the entrance and New Viridian City's symbol above it.
However, as they approached it, Ash saw a crowd of trainers gathered around the doorway, both entering and leaving the Gym.
"Geez, the gym leader here is crazy strong!"
"What did you expect this new region and New Viridian City's first gym leader to be a pushover?"
"Has anyone even beaten him yet?"
Ash felt wary about passing by so many trainers and getting recognized when Pikachu pointed to an open window on an upper level of the Gym.
"Perfect." From the Ash scaled the Gym's side and entered the upper level.
"Eh!?" He and Pikachu saw one of the Gym's trainers passing through the hallway jump in fright.
"It's alright. The Gym Leader's expecting me."
The trainer didn't look convinced and kept trembling, making Ash sigh. Reluctantly, he removed his glasses and hood, making the trainer yell even louder.
"Hai!" Her hand trembled while pointing to a doorway further down the hall.
"Arigatō." Ash placed his disguise back on and walked in that direction, eventually passing through the doorway to find himself in the seating above a battlefield.
"About time you got here." A harsh voice said above the fierce battle going on below.
Ash looked over at Misty, who sat with Brock, Lucy, their baby girl, Dawn, a young man beside her, Kiawe, and another who sat directly beside Misty.
"So typical. We come all the way to New Viridian City to help you, and you're late." Misty said, crossing her arms.
"Don't you know Elite Four members are busy?"
"You cleared your schedule all week." Rudy chuckled, earning an incredibly annoyed glance from Misty.
"You're my boyfriend. You're supposed to back me up!"
"I'm just trying to point out how much you wanted to help your friend get ready for the ultimate battle." Rudy placed his hand on Misty's, causing her to blush slightly.
"Well, what are friends for."
Brock and the others smiled when Ash sat down beside them.
"Arigatō, I do appreciate you guys coming out to help me practice."
"You're the Champion of Alola, Ash. As one of your Island Kahunas, it's my duty to support you." Kiawe said proudly. Earlier that year, he'd taken over Olivia's position as Akala Island's Kahuna.
"I just can't wait to see your battle with Daniel. To think if you could become the Pokemon Kaiser. I could say I helped train the Kaiser. Think of the prestige that would bring the Battle Pike, right Jasmine!" Lucy said while stroking her and Brock's daughter.
"Yeah, right, Brock and I spent much more time with Ash. If anyone gets the credit for him becoming the new Kaiser, it's us." Misty proclaimed with immense pride while Lucy narrowed her eyes at the Elite Four member and then turned back to a trembling Brock.
"You wouldn't consider yourself more important to Ash becoming the next Kaiser than me? Your beloved wife and mother of your daughter."
"Brock!" Misty screamed as his face turned red, and steam came out of his ears before he collapsed at Lucy's feet.
"Of course not, my love."
"You're pathetic." Misty growled, earning chuckles from Kiawe, Rudy, and Ash.
"I'd say Daniel himself was pretty important." Kiawe whispered into Ash's ears.
"Hai." Ash said, making Kiawe smile wider.
"Hah, you just admitted the rumors are true. He was training you."
"Kiawe, I introduced you to him years ago." Kiawe sweatdropped.
"Perhaps."
"Who would have thought the kid I faced years ago would come so far." Rudy added.
"Everyone I faced played their part in getting me this far." Ash said.
"Including the coordinators?" Dawn giggled while the young man beside her nodded.
"I think so." The young man beside Dawn was roughly her and Ash's age. He had fair skin with short messy brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and semi-muscular build. He wore a black and blue jacket fashioned to resemble Lucario, blue jeans, and black/white running shoes.
"Hai, you helped me too Dawn, you and the few contests I did." Ash said sincerely.
"You see, Zach. I told you performing in a contest or two would help your path to becoming Galar Champion!" Dawn giggled while resting her head against the young man's shoulder.
"Come on, Dawn, that's not fair, I've practiced with you plenty of times."
"But you've never done a contest!" Dawn retorted, making Zach sweatdrop. Zach was Dawn's husband as of late, and currently a member of the Sinnoh Elite 4, having beaten and replaced Bertha a year earlier.
"Dawn, you have to appreciate how busy and high profile the life of an elite 4 member is." Misty said as the coordinator narrowed her eyes at Misty.
Ash chuckled but then turned his attention to the battlefield below where a younger trainer and his Thievul struggled against the Gym Leader.
"Night Slash!"
"King's Shield!" The Thievul leaped forward, only for her claws to bounce off an Aegislash's shield, shoving her back.
"Sacred Sword!" The Aegislash quickly shifted to his attack position and slashed Thievul, sending her flying backward.
"Thievul!" The dark Pokemon landed on the ground, unconscious.
"Thievul is unable to battle. The winner is Gym Leader Sawyer!"
Ash and the other spectators applauded while the young trainer sighed. He returned Thievul and kept his head low before Sawyer approached him and offered a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You tried your best. That's what matters."
"But it wasn't enough."
"Sometimes your best won't be enough, but that doesn't mean it won't be someday. You just need to keep at it!"
The trainer nodded, though not wholeheartedly.
"I've lost many times, too, even when I tried my best. But if I stopped there, I wouldn't have improved."
"Listen to him!" Ash shouted, smiling warmly as he lowered his hood and removed his shades.
"Ehhh!?" The challenger and many other young trainers practically jumped out of their skin when they saw Ash in the audience with Misty and Zach nearby
Sawyer smiled and nodded to Ash before turning back to the various trainers.
"Who wants to see Champion Ash train for his battle against Kaiser Daniel?"
Ash and Pikachu sweatdropped while Sawyer and the others chuckled.
Twenty minutes later, Greninja, Infernape, and Pikachu battled against a gauntlet of Pokemon from Ash's old friends.
Greninja took on Zach's Cinderace, Misty's Golduck, and Sawyer's Slaking. The water ninja masterfully dodged or parried these incoming attacks without incident.
Nearby, Infernape threw back Kiawe's Turtonator with enough time to block attacks from Rudy's Starmie and Brock's Sudowoodo.
Finally, Pikachu smiled while dodging or knocking aside a barrage of attacks from Rudy's Electivire, Sawyer's Aegislash, and Brock's Golem.
The various trainers and Sawyer's students all stood in awe of Ash and his Pokemon. The Alolan champion managed to direct all three Pokemon, his eyes occasionally flashing blue. Yet it was the passion and fiery determination in him that truly inspired those in the Gym.
"Night Slash! Fire Punch! Iron Tail!" One by one, Ash's Pokemon dispatched their opponents until only they remained standing.
"Well done!"
"Pika!"
"Gre."
"Ape!"
"Yeah yeah, we're not done yet!" Misty declared while returning Golduck alongside the others. Ash smiled back and nodded. Pikachu ran back onto Ash's shoulder, and he nearly returned the others when they noticed the anxious trainers behind them.
"Go ahead, just don't let them overwhelm you." Greninja and Infernape nodded before walking over to let the trainers see them.
"Ahh! It's really Infernape!"
"The Greninja that can Mega Evolve!"
"It's not Mega Evolution, stupid!"
"Let's go!" Ash now sent out Charizard, Sceptile, and Lucario, who eagerly took fighting stances in front of him.
"There he is! Charizard, time to show him what you can do!" Kiawe sent out his own Charizard while Zach brought in Lucario and Misty Gyarados.
"I know what you mean, Kiawe. Sceptile!" Sawyer brought out his Sceptile alongside Lucy's Steelix and Rudy's Executor.
Lucario steadied himself against Misty's Starmie, Sawyer's Salamence, and Brock's Steelix.
"Let's go!"
Like before, Ash's Pokemon fought off three opponents at once with relative ease under their trainer's direction.
"Hmmm." Misty pouted at her lack of progress, even with help.
"Come on, Misty, after all this time, you aren't surprised at how strong Charizard is!"
"When he actually listens to you." She retorted. Ash didn't mind the jest, but Pikachu sweatdropped, and Charizard growled, more so out of his own guilt.
After knocking Milotic and Kiawe's Charizard aside, Charizard blasted through Gyarados's Hydro pump in such a way that some fire went towards Misty.
"Ahhh!" Misty jumped backward while Charizard smirked, earning a fiery gaze from the Elite 4 member.
"So you really want to get pushed, alright then! Let's do it!" Misty grinned widely and touched a keystone in her hair.
"Mega Evolution, huh? Sounds good!" Brock touched his own keystone.
"Now we're talking!" Zach laughed as he pressed his keystone.
"Ready, Sceptile!?"
"Tile!" At that, Sawyer pressed his keystone. Gyarados,Lucario, Steelix, and Sceptile all Mega Evolved.
Ash's Pokemon each turned to him, and Pikachu looked down at Ash's two keystones.
"Here!" Lucy laughed as she tossed her keystone over to Ash.
"Are you sure?"
"Who knows who you'll need to Mega Evolve during the battle? Best get ready with all three!" Lucy cried while Dawn shouted out in support of Zach and Ash.
"Pip?" Piplup and Lopbunny looked slightly confused for who they were rooting for precisely.
"Grouu!" Lopbunny sweatdropped when she saw Zach's Mega Lucario blushing towards her.
"Cin!" Cinderace growled in frustration as she looked at Lopbunny with jealousy.
"Arigatō!" Ash pressed this stone alongside his two and within moments, all three pokemon Mega Evolved.
"Tile!"
"Grauuu!"
"Grouuu!"
Ash's three Mega Pokemon handled their opponents with such ease that they didn't doubt the results would be radically different if the trio remained in their base forms. Sawyer's Mega Sceptile, Misty's Mega Gyarados, Zach's Mega Lucario, and Brock's Mega Steelix were the last to fall but did so nonetheless.
"Ahhh, defeat." Misty sighed before Rudy put his arm around her.
"Arigatō, everyone."
"It was a pleasure, Ash. I appreciate the lesson for my students."
The various trainers couldn't contain themselves anymore and swarmed Ash as well as his team, each of whom sweatdropped.
"Hmmp, fame's not all it's cracked up to be, huh Ash." Misty laughed before noticing six or so students staring at her like Mightyena about to pounce.
"Eh?" Misty sweatdropped.
"Misty of the Elite 4!"
"Ahhh! Wait!" Misty soon found herself similarly swarmed, earning chuckles from the others, including Zach and Dawn until they too found themselves overwhelmed.
Later that evening, Ash sat at the end of a table on a rooftop restaurant with the area to himself, his Pokemon, and the others. As promised, Koko and Lillie joined them alongside the Zarude, who looked somewhat uncomfortable sitting at the table.
"Are you sure he doesn't want to join the other Pokemon?" Misty asked.
"Dada should eat with us." Koko said back strongly, making everyone but Ash and Lillie sweatdrop.
"So, to be clear, when you say Dada, you mean that literally as in he raised you?" Rudy asked.
"Hai."
Misty and Rudy sweatdropped harder.
"That's so cool! Being raised by a Pokemon!" Zach shouted.
"Ash, how exactly did you meet Koko again?"
"We met over ten years ago at the Forest of Okoya, you know, by Milyfa Town."
Misty stroked her chin while deep in thought.
"Ten over ten years ago? Did you have Pikachu with you?"
"Hai?
"Ok, so you clearly started your Journey. Where was Brock and I during all this?"
"You weren't there."
"Pika." Pikachu nodded.
"Wait, but I, we, you? When did this happen!?"
"Misty, let it go." Brock said.
Eventually, their food arrived, though the waiters similarly looked confused at Zarude sitting at the table while the other Pokemon didn't, though neither said anything.
Ash didn't speak much at dinner, instead, allowing Misty and Brock to lead the conversation, mostly about their time with him.
"Yep, you could say Brock and I were instrumental in Ash becoming who he is. Thinking back to all the times we saved his butt and helped him when he was in a pinch." Misty boasted.
"And all the times he returned the favor." Brock interjected, earning an annoyed glance from Misty.
"All I remember is how you two used to bicker all day, every day. I swear I probably kept you both from killing each other."
"And Misty kept you from overstepping your bounds with every pretty girl we met." Ash added, earning intense snickers from Misty and a slightly crestfallen look from Brock as he nervously glanced back at Lucy and Jasmine.
"I haven't done that in years, not since you and I became one, my love!" Brock assured her. Lucy smirked and took his hand.
"I know."
Dawn giggled when she saw Croagunk looming beside Brock who turned slightly pale.
"I remember the first time I met Ash and Misty, for that matter. I was nervous that Ash might've been a serious rival for her heart." Ash and Misty looked at each other with incredibly uncomfortable looks, both sweatdropping as they moved away from each other.
"That would never happen." Misty said firmly.
"Hai, we'd probably end up killing each other." Ash muttered.
"Pika." Pikachu sweatdropped, cringing at the idea of Ash and Misty as a couple.
"Besides, Ash already has a fiance. Your beautiful little Kalos Princess." Misty giggled, earning a slight blush from Ash as he thought about Serena.
"That's right, Serena!" Sawyer laughed.
"Kalos Queen Serena?" Zach asked with interest.
"Ahh, that's right, you weren't there at the end of the World Coronation Series! Get this, Ash tells Serena that as soon as he defeats Daniel Rain, he'll marry her!" Dawn giggled.
Ash sweatdropped a little as his Pokemon chuckled, and the others did the same.
"I think it's so romantic. I remember how Koko proposed to me. He put the ring in a lily!" Lillie beamed as she wrapped her arms around Koko and rested her head on his shoulder.
"When Brock proposed, his Croagunk was standing guard. It was adorable." Lucy giggled.
"Zach gave me a love ball, and when I opened it a Leafeon came out holding a ring." Dawn beamed.
"It's kind of funny. When I first met Ash and Serena, I actually thought they were already a couple." Sawyer said.
"Ehh?" Ash muttered.
"Really!?" Misty smirked at Ash like a big sister, making Ash slightly uncomfortable.
"Yep, just the way they acted around each other."
"Awww! You better get a move on them, Ash! Beat Daniel and live happily ever after with your Kalos Princess!" Misty laughed.
"Speaking of which, when is your official match with Daniel? I need to tell Gladion and the others when to come." Lillie said.
"She's right, professor Kukui too." Kiawe added.
Ash hesitated.
"I-,we haven't hashed out a definite date yet."
"Awww, come on, Ash! We can't wait forever!" Misty pouted.
"...I'll let you know soon."
"Pika." Pikachu and Ash's other Pokemon looked over at him with concern.
Early the following morning, Ash stared out at the sunrise as it transcended New Viridian City.
Pikachu sat beside him, and as the minutes went on, so did the other five Pokemon he'd chosen for his match against Daniel. Each one came around their trainer, trying to provide him comfort as he gazed off into the horizon, looking almost lost.
Ash remained silent for what felt like an eternity before he and the others heard something approaching.
"Huh?"
"Grauu!" Charizard sat up and saw her first.
"Grau!" Another Charizard, much smaller than Ash's, flew up and over them with a victorious smile on her face.
"A Charizard?" Ash peered closer and thought there was something familiar about this Charizard.
"Pika!" Pikachu pointed to a very familiar bow on the Charizard's head, and Ash gasped when he recognized it as a handkerchief tied into a bow.
"It couldn't be." Ash looked further up and realized that someone rode the Charizard.
"Hello, Ash."
"Serena!"
Author's note
Some of you may be wondering why I made a new region instead of Pokespain, well I've always been interested in the idea of a new region/league being made as well as a futuristic metropolis
Also yes, Koko from secrets of the jungle is here, because I did enjoy that movie. Pairing him with Lillie felt like the right move since Koko is basically Pokemon's Tarzan and Lillie is kind of like Jane. That and I thought it would be poetic for her to end up with someone raised by a Pokemon considering she used to be afraid of Pokemon
As to Serena using a wingsuit again, I only ever used it in one other fic at this point and she's still a completely separate Character from manga Yvonne, even if they both use wing-suits, their personalities are completely different. Besides, I have plans for Yvonne in the future :)
As for Ash's hesitation to face Daniel, you'll find out soon that it may not be what you think.
So until next time,
Please review, comment, suggest, or ask (VIA PM)
