Even though at this time of the morning, everyone would normally be asleep, one sixteen year old boy was not.
He woke up early for once. Well, he hoped he'd be able to wake up early this morning specifically. He wanted to surprise some old friends. Quickly and quietly, he went down the hall of his home and had a shower and brushed his teeth.
Getting back into his room, he saw his best friend still sleeping, but had somehow moved onto his pillow. He let a small smile cross his lips and decided to make his bed. The second he touched the duvet covers, he felt his arms go stiff and moved against his will.
Ash Ketchum knew why this was happening. He turned his head and saw exactly who he expected to see. "I was trying to save you a job Mr. Mime."
Mr. Mime let go of his psychic hold and waved his hand, stepping forward. Ash knew that Mr. Mime liked to do most of the household chores but he also knew that if it was necessary, or he was too busy, Mr. Mime would let him make his bed.
"Thank you." Ash smiled. "When Pikachu wakes up, can you tell him I'm at the lab? I can always sleep later, but I want him to get his sleep."
Mr. Mime nodded. Initially, he wasn't a fan of Ash, but as Ash travelled and grew up, he knew Ash respected Mr. Mime for what he did and for keeping Delia Ketchum company. Also, the agreement that they would be civil to each other while Delia was nearby. As nice and polite as she was, they both knew that if it was bad enough, she could be just as scary.
"Thank you." Ash smiled. "I'll see if I can sneak back your favourite treat." He further whispered.
Mr. Mime nodded and Ash left the room. Downstairs, he saw his mother putting on her coat.
"Early shift?" Ash asked.
"Just helping to interview some waiters for the restaurant." She replied. "Is Pikachu still asleep?"
Ash nodded. "Mr. Mime is going to tell him where I've gone."
"Well, I'll see you tonight." Delia smiled.
Ash followed his mother out of the door. "Oh. By the way, I promised Mr. Mime that I'd sneak back his favourite treat. See ya!" Ash quickly ran away and towards the large building on the hill.
Delia smiled and shook her head. "If only he knew that Mimey knows that I'm the one that gets his favourite Hondew Berry cake."
Ash climbed over the re-enforced fence surrounding the large plain that housed the many Pokémon that trainers from Pallet Town left with Professor Samuel Oak when they had more than the allowed six Pokémon.
As soon as Ash reached the ground, he began looking around for the one Pokémon he wanted to see first. He knew that they all could be anywhere, so he began to run around, taking care not to stand on any rocks or weeds, knowing that could easily be Ditto, Geodude or Oddish.
He looked all around the grounds, looking for his target. He smiled when he saw a large dark blue beetle resting in a tree. He searched the area around the tree and saw what he wanted. When he was close enough, he laid down on the grass on his side, facing his oldest Pokémon, except for Pikachu.
Ash smiled as the Pokémon began to stir. Bright red eyes opened up and looked Ash back in his own eyes.
"Good morning Bulbasaur."
Bulbasaur blinked his eyes. As soon as he realised that he was not dreaming, Bulbasaur cheered and jumped on Ash, and using his vines, wrapped them around Ash's waist.
"How have you been buddy?" Ash asked.
Bulbasaur looked at Ash and repeated his name, as all Pokémon do.
Since all Pokémon repeat their own name, it took a deep bond to actually understand what the Pokémon were talking about. But this was no problem for Ash. Ever since he and Pikachu shared the 'Spearow Incident', Ash has somehow been able to understand what his Pokémon wanted instantly.
"So everyone's been keeping you busy." Ash nodded slightly. "Have the Tauros been behaving?"
Bulbasaur nodded, think hesitated. He used his vines to create a tally showing the number twenty-seven. He pointed at the number and shook his head.
"I'll have to have a word with number twenty-seven then." Ash sighed. "Where's the barn again?"
Bulbasaur led Ash to the barn, seeing his Infernape, Bayleef and Oshawott, who all decided to join him at the Tauros barn.
Ash slowly opened the barn, seeing all thirty of his Tauros. He froze slightly as they began to wake up. They all saw Ash and called out. Ash quickly held up his hands, making them go quiet.
"Listen up!" he called. "I would like a word with number Twenty-Seven. Now."
Ash and his Pokémon stood aside as twenty-nine Tauros left the barn.
The Tauros that was left looked at Ash, slightly nervous. Ash walked to his Tauros and looked it in the eyes. "How many times have you been told? Listen to your herd leader, Bulbasaur, Professor Oak, Tracey or my mother! You can't keep doing your own thing!" Tauros hung its head down. "I know it's tough being like this; for me as well as you, but this can't carry on." Ash turned his head to the barn door. "Hey! Herd Leader! Can you come here for a second?"
A Tauros slightly larger than the others slowly walked in. Ash looked between the two Tauros. "Now, I'm only asking because it could make things easier for everyone here, but is there any chance that you two could work out a way where you two alternate leadership only after you think Twenty-Seven can start leading after you've taught him a few things."
The herd leader nodded his head instantly, and the two Tauros started walking out of the barn towards the rest of the Tauros. "And keep Bulbasaur up to date with everything!" Ash called as the Tauros began to patrol to grounds.
Ash shook his head. "How's everyone else anyway?"
Infernape held a thumbs-up, letting Ash smile. He could now enjoy his visit.
He managed a wave at his passing Staraptor and Unfezant, who each called out a greeting. Ash's Kingler clicked a greeting as he scuttled to the newly installed lake, alongside Palpitoad.
When Ash finally reached the lab door after seeing most of his Pokémon, he felt a large electrical shock course through his body. Ash flinched and turned around, looking down to see an angry looking Pikachu.
"I was letting you have a lay in." he apologised. "Besides, I couldn't wait to see everyone else." Pikachu pointed to the large building. Ash knew instantly what he was asking. "I climbed over the fence. I don't think the Professor or Tracey know I'm here."
Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder and moved Ash's head so he was facing the building. "Ok Pikachu, I get the hint." He laughed. "I'll go say hi."
Ash knocked on the door to the lab, still with his small group of Pokémon. After a little wait, the door slowly opened. Ash waved at the stunned young assistant. "Long time no see Tracey."
"Ash?" he asked.
"Yep." Ash smiled back. "I think you need to do something about the fence. I climbed over it easy enough."
Tracey stood aside, letting Ash in. "But that's you. It's difficult for others unless they have a Pokémon's help."
"I've always been good at climbing." Ash replied.
Inside the lab, Tracey led Ash through the rooms to the designated sitting room. "Professor Oak's just taking care of the arrival of the new starter Pokémon for the year. He'll only be a little while."
"That's fine." Ash answered, sitting down on one of the couches.
He looked to the side and saw an orange fridge moving towards him. This was one of Professor Oak's newest Pokémon; a Rotom he had caught whilst on Torom Island in the Decolore islands.
"Hi Rotom." Ash greeted. "Have you got any orange juice?" The fridge, now identified as Rotom, opened the main door and a can of orange juice floated out and rested in Ash's hand. "Thank you."
"So, what brings you up here today anyway?"
"Obviously I've just come back from Kalos." Ash replied. "I was going to drop off my Pokémon and then actually have a relaxing week."
"Well, let's get the first part done." Tracey smiled. "Anything special?"
Ash held up three Poké balls and they opened, releasing his Kalos region native Pokémon; Talonflame, Hawlucha and Noivern.
"Wow." Tracey marvelled. "Seeing images of Pokémon is never as good as seeing them in person." He walked over to Hawlucha. "If you want, I can introduce you to some fighting types that could give you a good workout."
Hawlucha looked back at Ash, clearly wanting to know what he should do. "It's your choice Hawlucha."
Hawlucha turned back to Tracey and nodded. Ash walked to the window and looked at the sky. He saw Staraptor flying past so he called him down. "Staraptor, could you and Unfezant show Noivern and Talonflame around? Or even Swellow if one of you two wants to rest your wings."
Staraptor nodded and the two flying Pokémon left through the large window and flew into the air with Staraptor. When Ash turned around, he saw that Infernape, Oshawott and Bulbasaur had left the room and gone back outside. Bayleef was chatting away to Pikachu.
The front door opened, revealing Professor Samuel Oak holding a small box with a clear lid. Inside rested six Poké balls. "Tracey, I could use Bulbasaur's advice with the starter Bulbasaur. I think one of them has a few issues."
"You just missed him." Tracey told him. "You have a visitor by the way."
Professor Oak finally noticed the dark haired boy holding the Pikachu. "Why hello Ash."
"Hi Professor." Ash waved. "I've just dropped of my Kalos Pokémon and was thinking about going up to Pewter City or Cerulean City."
"I would recommend more Pokémon than just Pikachu though." Professor Oak warned.
"Well, I guess I can take a few." Ash thought. "I guess I could ask Brock for a good battle for Buizel."
"I'll call and let him know we're coming to Pewter." Tracey offered.
"We?"
"Well, I want to let Marill see Azurill and Misty hasn't had the time to get down here." Tracey answered, walking to the video phone set up by Professor Oak's table. "It'll be just like old times."
"Hopefully without having to save the world." Ash laughed, but he secretly hoping he wouldn't have to save the world. Again.
For some reason, Ash had a habit of going somewhere just when an organisation would make some attempt for the world by trying to control or harness the power of Legendary Pokémon.
"What Pokémon are you taking with you?" Professor Oak asked.
"Well, I'm taking Buizel for a good fight." Ash answered. "I'd like some time to work with Gible. Possibly Charizard also."
After making his choice to take Buizel, Gible, Charizard, Noctowl and Snivy, Ash and Tracey began the drive to Pewter City. In the year Ash was travelling in Kalos, Tracey had recently passed his drivers test and Professor Oak had allowed him to use his jeep every now and then.
"Do you know the way to Pewter City?" Ash asked, keeping a hold of Pikachu.
"Well, there's a crossroads a little further that splits to Pewter and Cerulean." Tracey answered. "I'll just take the Pewter turn."