Disclaimer: I don't own anything, especially not Pokemon.
Warning: Story contains Spoilers for the Pokemon Journeys Anime
Chapter 1: Finding a New Path
Sparks flew as Aura Sphere and Flamethrower clashed in the field between the battling Pokémon.
A Lucario on one side, grinning like a kid in a candy shop, and an Infernape who had an expression of being both impressed yet confident.
"Guys I know you love battling but please don't destroy the ranch. Bulbasaur and Bayleef can barely manage the clean up behind your battles every day."
The Pokémon stopped their battle seeing their trainer approach. Bowing in apology to the small grass type and the undisputed leader of the ranch marching up beside the auburn-haired trainer as they prepared for their scolding.
Life had been a rollercoaster the past few weeks for Ash Ketchum. Working at Cerise Laboratories had been a blast, especially traveling all over the world with Goh and competing in the World Championships.
Then the Darkest Day happened.
Through the actions of the World Championships Chairman Rose, the Galar region was plunged into anarchy with Dynamaxed Pokémon rampaging around the region.
Thanks to Ash and Goh, along with the help of Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta, the Dynamax energy brought from Eternatus was quelled returning the Pokémon to normal.
The actions of Chairman Rose have called the World Championships into a review by the PLA and suspended for the rest of the season. It was heartbreaking for Ash and his Pokémon, with some taking it better than others, but nothing could be done.
Ash went on a few more adventures with Goh, ending up catching another Pokémon during this time, but ultimately, he was missing something.
He didn't feel that battling spirit, with the only 'battles' he had since the Darkest Dat being to save Pikachu from Team Rocket. While being a research fellow helped him meet new Pokémon and learn about the world, what good is this at making him more of a Pokémon Master if he isn't battling.
Albeit many points could be made, Professor Cerise and Goh listed many to be counted to try and persuade Ash, his heart was not into it.
So that is where we find our hero now. Back home in Pallet Town, waiting for the next opportunity to arise. The Indigo League would be restarting in a few months so he could train for that. It would not be a bad idea to rechallenge the Kantonian Gyms. Or maybe he goes back to Kalos and tries his hand at the Battle Chateau. Alain also invited him to a new facility in Kiloude City.
All interesting options but he was still undecided. For now, he was sitting back on the ranch taking it all in.
Whether it was Dracovish and Totodile playing in the lake, his flying types soaring above his head, even Bulbasaur stopping the destructive training sessions between his powerhouses, or even Pikachu simply taking a nap beside him, he couldn't ignore the fact that he loved these moments being surrounded by his Pokémon, wanting to do right by all of them, regardless of where his journey takes him next.
"I'm sorry to hear that you couldn't beat the challenge," A man in a Hawaiian shirt said, voice sounding as smooth and unbothered as ever.
"If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen, my facilities aren't meant for the run of the mill trainer. There have only been 3 trainers to come close to beating my Frontiers and only 1 has been able to do it." Scott announced to the caller, brimming with pride.
More mumblings, almost sounding like shouts could be heard. You would expect that the businessman would be busy at an office or desk. And you would be wrong, Scott is not like everyone else. He was currently making his way through a Route, with a clear destination in mind.
See there were two things that Scott would always have; a keen eye for talent as Pokémon trainers, and whatever he wanted to develop his facilities.
The Sinnoh Battle Frontier was almost unbeatable. Challengers selected for a campaign were even more delicately cheery picked than that for Kanto. You could say that it was because it was designed later but Scott would say otherwise. However, he wanted more. With only 5 facilities he wanted another one, maybe two or three. But Scott wanted more.
So, here he was in the Kanto region. Not scouting new talent as he normally would but going for a specific trainer. The one that got away. Ash Ketchum.
An alarm clock rang out awaking a small penguin Pokémon from its slumber, simultaneously destroying the clock with a Bubblebeam. "No wake-up, just sleep" was the extent of its thoughts as he cuddled next to his trainer. She needed sleep. Her third Grand Festival truly ended in a bust. After losing in the finals in Sinnoh and Johto, she crashed out in the first battle round in Hoenn, and to a greenhorn no less. The papers were having a field day with it, "Daughter of top co-ordination Dawn Berlitz embarrassed in Grand Festival." Headlines like these circulated quickly so Dawn found her way caved in her room, asleep most of the time, only getting up to feed herself or her Pokémon, with Piplup guarding her precious sleep and privacy.
Johanna on the other hand was getting a bit worried. Her daughter has been home for two weeks and she could count on one hand the number of times she had seen her.
Her Pokémon also seemed rather reclusive, hanging about the house or garden in the same depressive state as her trainer.
Johanna decided to make some calls. She needed to help her daughter. Fortunately enough, a certain redhead was able to pick up the phone.
Mondays brought a lot of things. The dread of waking up for work. Or the joy of starting a new week. For Ash, it meant chasing a hot air balloon shaped like a Meowth on the back of his Dragonite because it has his captured best friend on board.
A failed attempt at a sneak grab at the electric rodent who was perched on Ash's shoulder while on their way to Oak's lab and five minutes later the orange dragon is flying side by side with the balloon with the passengers startled at Ash's unimpressed stare at them.
"Don't you ever get tired of this?" he questioned with Pikachu sharing an exasperated sigh.
Before they could even give a remark Dragonite released a Hyper Beam into the balloon sending it to the ground below.
The rest was routine. Break Pikachu's cage. Battle the Pokémon they got from the Vending Machine, defeating the Staraptor and Luxray they got then the customary blast off. It seemed almost criminal for Ash to start the week any other way.
His onlooker failed to see it that way. What he saw was a Dragonite with blinding speeds and a Pikachu that looked like it could defeat Legendary Pokémon with how quickly it dispatched the well-trained Pokémon, not that he did not see it happen before.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same. It's been too long Ash." Scott announced his presence as he approached the trainer.
"Scott! How are you doing? How long has it been? 5 years? What are you doing here?" Ash released a flurry of questions, excited to see the man who saw his potential and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime.
"Me? I've been around doing my own thing," he responded nonchalantly, "taking things at my own pace, right Mr. Alola League Champion."
"Alright, but why are you in Kanto?" Ash's curiosity increased.
"What do you think I'm looking for talent, the Battle Frontier ain't gonna challenge itself."
"That's great, have you found anyone yet?" Ash asked, hoping he would get a chance to battle one of these trainers. Knowing Scott, he would find the cream of the crop of trainers who are yet to truly explode onto the battle scene.
Scott smirked and looked Ash straight in the eye. "I just did"
The last 2 months have been rough on me mentally, between my mental health, school, and family issues. But I am (hopefully) back now so you should see more regular updates to this story and Bonding in Unova with hopefully longer chapters. My goal is to upload at least 2 chapters to each story per month, maybe more if I have the inspiration. Thanks for reading and I will see you around.