DISCLAIMER

I don't own any of the Characters and Places mentioned on this fan fic, it is all owned by Satoshi Tajiri. Any songs used for this story are under the creative property of the respective artists/writer/producer.

Day 1

The Unexpected Call

Cerise Laboratory

Vermilion City

10:30 AM

Breakfast was as hectic as ever, with the group of three sat around the table in the lab eating their fills. They had fed the Pokemon at the Park earlier, while Ash spent an hour training his. The raven haired trainer spent the passing night talking to his honey blonde Kalos companion the night before, wishing her luck for the upcoming Wallace Cup which was back in Sotoopolise City, Hoenn for the year. Of course he had planned to surprise her somehow by watching her performance, he hadn't forgotten about the kiss she had given him before she headed to Hoenn after the Kalos League had ended.

"Good Morning you three." Greeted Professor Raymond Cerise with a smile.

Ash and Goh responded, "Good Morning Professor," while Chloe said, "Good Morning Dad."

"I have another research Mission for you both. It's in the Hoenn Region." Said the purple haired Professor.

Goh jumped excitedly, "Oh, what are we going to do Professor?"

"Does it have something to do with the Wallace Cup?" Ash asked grinning.

The elder man nodded, "Yes it does! I want you two to get another perspective on Pokemon, aside from battling some trainers would actually show the beauty and grace of a certain Pokemon through contests and showcases."

"I've seen a few of those going around Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Jonto. I've participated in few as well." Ash says grinning as he remembered the last Wallace Cup.

Suddenly the Professor's video phone rang, showing a call from the Contest Hall in Sotoopolise. Professor Cerise answered the phone smiling as the screen showed a view of a packed hall.

"Ah, hello Adam!" The purple haired man exclaimed greeting the man on the other end.

Ash's grin widened, "Good to see you Professor Birch."

"Hello there Raymond! And great to see you Ash, May's been keeping me updated on your progress in the World Coronation Series. Well done on reaching the great class!" Greeted the plump, bespectacled man.

Professor Cerise smiled, "Yes, Ash had been doing great! What's with the sudden call?"

"Ah well, there's been a fossil discovery in one of the caves here in Hoenn, and Steven was wondering if your team can help." Adam says clearing his throat.

Goh smiled, "We'd be happy to!"

"And Ash, someone's is here to ask you a favor." Adam says getting off the screen.

The Professor was replaced by the current Champion of Hoenn, and the raining Contest Master Gladius Wallace.

"Hey Wallace!" Ash greeted happily, happy to see the Ice type master of the Hoenn Region.

Wallace smiled, "Hello Ash! I was wondering if you can do something for me for this Wallace Cup?"

"I'd be happy to." Ash responded enthusiastically with Pikachu also giving his own excited response.

Wallace chuckled, "I love your energy Ash. Would you mind doing an exhibition battle with me to open the event?"

Goh, Chloe, and even the Professor and his assistants were surprised by the offer. But Ash and Pikachu shared smiles before said boy nodded.

"I would love to Wallace!" Ash says.

Wallace grinned, "Wonderful. Bring your Buizel with you, let's surprise them."

"You got it!" Ash responded happy to be battling with one of his strongest Sinnoh Pokemon.

"I'm sure your friends May and Dawn would love to see you again." The contest master tells him.

Pikachu yipped happily, "Pika!"

Wallace laughed at the excited response from the electric mouse. Wallace called in Professor Birch and took his leave.

"I can't wait to see your Performance Ash. I am sure you and Wallace will put on quiet the show. May will be extatic!" Says the Hoenn Professor.

Ash chuckles, "I am sure she will. Last I heard she is still the Princess of Hoenn!"

"Norman couldn't be any prouder of her. I'll see you three tomorrow." Adam responds.

Raymond smiled, "Glad to hear from you Adam, I'll have these three over there by tomorrow morning."

The call came to an end. Chloe and Goh faced Ash with shocked expressions. They still couldn't get over the fact that he just casually accepted a favor from a regional Elite Four Member.

Ren broke the silence, "Ash do you get offers like that often?"

"It was quite the surprise for sure. I didn't expect Wallace to ask something like that." Commented Raymond.

Ash rubbed the back of his head, "I first met Wallace back in Hoenn when I entered the League there and got mixed up in some crazy plot by two evil organizations who were messing with Graudon and Kyogre. He said anytime I had a favor to ask him to just call him, I told him the same in return. I saw him again in Sinnoh when I traveled with Dawn, and the Wallace Cup was held there he encouraged me to enter with Buizel."

Chloe then asked, "Are you bringing Buizel with you?"

"Of course!" Ash says already planing to call Professor Oak for the Transfer.

He also listed some other Pokemon he wanted to bring to Hoenn. He thought it'd be nice to bring out his Hoenn ace again, Sceptile would love it for sure. And Infernape would love some action as well. Lycenrock would probably love some action and to see a new place. He grinned as his plans came into fruitation.

Chloe smiled, "I am sure you'll get to battle some trainers there Ash and get to Ultra Class!"

"I'll be able to catch more Hoenn Pokémon. But first, I wonder what fossil would they have found?" Goh wondered.

"I'm sure you'll find out when you get there. Somehow I would hazard a guess that it could possibly be a flying type fossil." Noted the Professor.

Ash nodded, "Hoenn is known for having a magnitude of ancient Pokemon fossils. That's why they are known all throughout the world as the restores."

"Alright you three, pack up! You all have an early day tomorrow."

Both boys nodded and sped off to their shared quarters. While Chloe stayed unsure if she should take part in this. But looking to her Evee who looked to be excited at the prospect of going out she smiled.

"Chloe, what are you thinking?" Asked her father looking slightly concerned.

Said girl looked to him, "I'm fine Dad. Just a little bit unsure."

"Don't worry Chloe! I'm sure you'll find something that will interest you there, Hoenn may not be any bigger than Kanto but there lots of things that aren't here to be found there." Said Ren encouraging the young lady.

Chrysa smiled and then added, "And I am sure you'll find something new about Evee while you are at it! Besides maybe you might even find a path to follow on this journey.

"They are right Chloe. It took me years in my youth to figure out what I wanted to do after I became a trainer. But being a Professor appealed to me the most, I am sure you'll find something that will appeal to you too."

Chloe smiled at their words of encouragement, "Yeah! You're right. And Pokemon Contests do look quite interesting, I wonder if I'll meet one of the Coordinators?"

"I know three of them, I'm sure they wouldn't pass up the Wallace Cup! This is the most sought after ribbon in the whole circuit, and seeing Wallace give his critique is always a joy." Says a voice from the hall.

Ash and Goh had returned from packing, upon hearing Ash's comment Goh raised a brow.

"You don't seem like the kind to hang out with coordinators Ash." The city boy commented.

Ash just chuckled, "Well I have. Remember Dawn from Sinnoh?"

"Wait you're telling us she's a coordinator!" Chloe was surprised.

Chrysa pulled up a page in the large projector, "Here we are, Dawn Berlitz Sinnoh's Top Coordinator ten time defending champion of the Sinnoh Contest circuit, and two time runner up for Kanto and Jonto's circuits as well. She is the daughter of former top Coordinator Joanna Berlitz."

"Wow! Those are quite the accolades." Chloe says in wonder.

Goh points out, "She owns a Piplup, Buneary, Ambipom, Pachirisu, Mamoswine, and a Bellosom. Wait it says that she traded her Buizel for an Ambipalm."

"Yeah, back then that Ambipom used to be my Aipom. While Buizel was more cut out of hard battles, Aipom loved to perform so we traded our Pokemon. It was a fair trade indeed." Ash explains smiling at the memory.

Chrysa also pulled up the Profile of a certain Hoenn girl, "Here's another one, May Maple daughter of Norman Maple the Gym Leader of Pedalburg City. She is known as the Princess of Hoenn, defending her title as Top Coordinator in that region. Three time runner up in the Jonto Circuit."

"She has a Glaceon, Blaziken, Delcaty, Butterfree, and a Munchlax." Said Chloe reading the Profile.

"Those two have been working hard for sure! I remember when I traveled with them in Sinnoh and Hoenn respectively, and how hard they'd train for their Contests. They are really living up to their crafts for sure! They're friends and rivals as well, they'd compete in the same contests and give each other a good natured push." Noted Ash proudly.

The Professor smiled, "Professor Oak really was not kidding when he told me you've been to more places than any other trainer in the world. And have gotten to meet many people."

Goh chuckled, "Not to mention that you've gotten up to so many adventures throughout the regions. The amount of trouble you get into."

"I don't go looking for the trouble trust me, it just so happens to follow me is all! Besides all those adventures keep me and my Pokemon on our feet." Ash responds.

They all smiled. They had yet to know how special Ash truly was, only a handful of his closest friends knew about the prophecy and Ash's part in it. He had shared it with his long time childhood friend, Serena. The same girl he had fallen for while at Kalos.

We will meet again. He promised silently with a smile.

Why hello, all! So this fan fic is dedicated to this year's twelve days 'till Christmas count down. Who's excited for this holiday season! I hope you are! So yes, Wallace asks ash to do an exhibition battle with him to open the Wallace Cup with a bang, which of course would have Ash sign up to actually compete in the cup.

Episode 105 of Pokemon Journeys left me feeling slightly unsatisfied with the reunion - or lack thereof - between Ash and Serena. Though I did appreciate their short but sweet moment, I felt as if they needed more time to reconnect. But the battle between Ash and Leon during the finals was amazing and left me feeling hyped at Ash's win!

Signing off,

WL_17