Hey guys, I just wanted to elaborate on the timeline. Okay so I'm thinking with Ash having to be 11 to take the Island Challenge according to the games. Now Ash already started the challenge so in my head he was 11 at the start of the school arc. I'm going to assume that the school lasts like a normal school and say that by graduation he is, or is nearing, 12. That gave Serena roughly 1-2 years of training and growing in Hoenn. Now as far as the timeline goes the events happening with Serena and Ash respectively are slightly offset. Serena's action are occurring a few days before the events of Ash's. The timelines will catch up to each other when the cruise ship reaches Alola.

Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon.

Chapter 4

In Alola: "I can't believe it… we lost.." Ash mumbled to pikachu. Pikachu had recovered fairly quickly from the battle. "pika pi…" replied his buddy. "Oh well you cant win

them all right?!" Ash said quickly to brighten the moment. "That was a great battle Ash, I truly thought you had me with that thunderbolt. If it would have made a little

bit more contact the match would have been over." Gary praised his long time rival. "To be honest Ash, me and Lucario have been training nonstop for that battle. Ever

since we saw how far you went in the Kalos League tournament. I wanted to prove to myself that I hadn't fallen too far behind you." Gary admitted as he rubbed the

back of his head awkwardly, having admitted the truth to his childhood friend. Ash looked at Gary with a new set of emotions having heard the explanation. He smiled as

he replied, "Gary, you know I was always jealous of you, you were just such a naturally talented trainer, to be completely honest with you that second place finish in

Kalos is probably my second biggest victory. To me my greatest accomplishment will always be our battle in the Johto League, that was the day I could finally say that I'd

proved myself to you." With that the friends both smiled and gave each other a solid fist bump before heading home for the night.

The next morning as Ash came down for breakfast Kukui smiled, "Ready for the big day Ash?" the professor replied. "You bet! Me and Pikachu are ready to give it

everything we've got on our new journey! Isn't that right Pikachu?!" Ash said excitedly. "Pika!" came the sound of his partner. "That's the spirit! So Ash, I've got

somethings to tell you about our plan. As you know Alola doesn't have Gym leaders. As you challenge our trial captains I'd like you to take notes on how they match up

against the gym leaders you've faced. I'd also like you to be on the look out for any trainers you think might make a good gym leader. Can you do that for me?" Kukui

said very seriously. "Of course, you can count on m-" "Pika.." "I mean you can count on us." Ash said as they began to laugh.

At the school Ash and his class mates were seated in the class room. "So you guys are gonna try to be trial captains?" asked Ash directing his question towards Kiawe,

Mao, and Lana. "Yup! Weve already met with the kahunas last night. We'll all be working with Kahuna Olivia on Akala Island!" Mao chimed in With her usual joyful

attitude. "That's so cool!" Ash said throwing a fist in the air with excitement! "What about you Sophocles?" Lana asked the Young genius. "Well like I said my cousin got

me a job at the Hokulani Observatory." Sophocles said nonchalantly. "That sounds perfect for you!" Ash replied happily as the rest of the class agreed. It was at this time

Principal Oak and Gary entered the room. "Well todays the day, it seems like just yesterday you silly caterpie showed up at our school and not I get to release a group of

butterfree out into the world!" beamed principal Oak. "I wanted to congratulate you all one last time, I have your diplomas here with my nephew he will hand them out

as you all leave. Kahuna Olivia is at the gate to big up our new trial captains. With that you are all dismissed!" finished the Principal as the class began to pour out ready

to get started with their new journeys. As Ash said goodbye to his friends all loading up in their cars heading on to their new tasks he decided to head to the Professors

"Lab." As he and Pikachu began walking down the road they noticed Gary and Lillie up ahead walking together, "Let's catch up to them Pikachu!" Ash took off in a hurry

to catch up to his friends. "GARY! LILLIE! WAIT UPPPPPP." He called out as he neared them. "Alola guys! What are you two doing?" Ash asked once he caught up to

them. "Well I told Gary I'd let him do some observations on Shiron. So we decided to go get some malasada while he looks over Shiron." Lillie explained. "Oh, well that's

cool!" Ash said looking at the two before noticing that Gary seemed a little embarrassed, I wonder why he is all red like that.. researching pokemon is his job.. "I was

heading to Professor Kukui's lab for a little while. Maybe we could all go to docks later and spend some time on the beach?" Ash asked his friends not wanting to waste

the entire day. "Ya that sounds good Ash." Gary said regaining his composure before smiling at his friend. "We'll meet you at the lab in an hour, but this is our stop so,

smell you later!" Gary finished as the group parted ways again.

An hour later there was a knock at the door letting Ash know his friends were here. Kukui quickly invited them in. "Alola Lillie, Alola Gary! Here to see Ash?" the

professor replied. " Yes sir, we are going to go spend some time on the beach." Lillie replied happily. "Well Ash is still eating so you guys are welcome to come in until he's

done." The Professor said, ushering them in. "So Gary, I'm told you are finishing your last step in becoming a full fledged Pokemon Researcher! Would it be alright if I ask

what your going to be using as your research topic?" Kukui said happily. "Well I was kind of in a slump trying to think about it but when Gramps told me about how

some Kanto Pokemon are changing here I knew that this would be a perfect research topic." Gary replied honored the professor had taken an interest in him. "That's a

truly wonderful idea! One that there isn't much data on either. How do you plan on doing your research?" Kukui asked with interest. "Well I'm probably just gonna go on

an adventure like I used to back when I was a trainer. I think the best way to do research is to study the pokemon in the field where they can be themselves." Gary said

happily. "Oh really? Well I'd like to ask you something. You see with my research and some other obligations I don't get to do as much field work as id like. Lillie is still

new to being a researcher and I was wondering if you might be willing to show her the ropes, I think it'd be a great experience for her to travel with someone

knowledgeable like yourself." The professor asked. "I mean she's welcome to tag along if she wants to. What do you think Lillie?" Gary asked the young blonde. "Ummm,

that could be fun. If well be exploring the island we could tag along with Ash since hell be taking on the island challenge." The girl replied honestly. "THAT WOULD BE

AWESOME!" Ash said finally making his entrance. "Then its settled! You three will start tomorrow!" Kukui said proudly. Now the group was enjoying a fun day on the

beach, as a large cruise ship pulled into the docks.