Ash stepped off the plane and breathed in the fresh air.

"All right! Hello Paldea!"

The journey had been a lot more comfortable than he expected, thanks to Steven somehow having a private jet, but there was nothing like the first step into a new region. The sun was shining and Ash could see the sea, and he couldn't wait to get out and explore.

He hadn't been able to resist looking up the local Gym circuit. Helping Steven's friends came first, of course, but after spending months hopping around on research missions Ash was itching to take on a full Gym Challenge. He needed to battle as many people and Pokémon as he could if he wanted to retain his title.

It wouldn't hurt to catch a few new Pokémon either. He loved every one of his partners, but there was always more to learn, and new friends to meet.

Being crowned Monarch was no reason to get complacent.

"Ash? Are you coming?"

Ash shook himself, and took the steps down two at a time. Steven gave him a quick smile before turning his attention back to a few giggling bystanders, and Ash gave him a curious look.

"Is something wrong?"

Steven hesitated a moment, then shook his head. "I know you're used to being in the spotlight after Kalos and Alola, but winning an international tournament is on a different level. A lot of people are going to be interested in you, and it can be overwhelming."

Ash opened his mouth, then closed it again. As much as he wanted to be a famous Pokémon Master, he didn't want to be followed by crowds while he was out travelling with his Pokémon. He glanced down at the new blue jacket and dark grey jeans his mom had insisted he change into before he left. She had probably been thinking the same way as Steven, and hoped that a new look would help.

Steven himself had changed from his iconic black and purple suit into a light grey one over a blue shirt, but his hair was more than a little distinctive. Then again, Pikachu wasn't exactly inconspicuous either, and Ash had no intention of changing that.

Besides, it might be kind of nice to be recognised.

"Thanks," he said finally, "but I'll be fine." He settled his bag more comfortably on his shoulders, reached up to give Pikachu a scratch, and looked around. "Where next?"

Steven picked up his own bag, and started towards the exit. "There's a car waiting to take us to Mesagoza City. It's the biggest city in Paldea, and home of the two oldest schools in the region, Naranja Academy and Uva Academy."

"That's cool," said Ash. "Which one do your friends work at?"

"Both," said Steven, with a faint smile. "Professor Sada is based at Naranja, while Professor Turo works at Uva." His smile faltered slightly. "It works for them. It's not always good for couples to spend all their time together."

There was something in his voice that made Pikachu give a soft squeak, but Ash's attention was diverted by a flock of multicoloured Flying-types soaring overhead.

"Hey, are those Squawkabilly?"

He had taken the time to actually look up the Pokémon native to Paldea on the flight over for once. Steven followed his gaze and nodded. "They are. Interestingly, the ones with yellow and white plumage can have different abilities to the green and blue ones."

"Awesome," said Ash. "I can't wait to meet some."

Steven chuckled, and guided Ash towards the waiting car. "I'm sure we'll have time to explore properly."

Ash remained glued to the car window on the drive into the city. He saw Fletchling and Starly and Rookidee and loads of other Pokémon that he recognised from his journeys, but there were also dozens that he had never seen before, and every fibre of his being ached to go out and see them all for himself.

The urge only intensified as they entered the city proper. Ash had visited dozens of cities, from Viridian to Castelia to Hau'oli, but Mesagoza was pretty spectacular. They passed plazas and mosaics and bridges and fountains, and there was so much to see that Ash didn't know where to look. Pikachu stood up on his lap to see all the new sights for himself, ears twitching with excitement, and Ash couldn't keep his feet from tapping against the door.

He was so absorbed in the view that he didn't notice Steven leaning forward to speak the driver. A moment later the car pulled over, and when Ash glanced over Steven grinned.

"Maybe we should walk the rest of the way."

Ash didn't need any encouragement. He scrambled out, Pikachu flowing ahead of him, and spun round to take in the city properly. "This place is so cool!"

"It is a fascinating city," said Steven, as he came round the car to join them. "Some of these mosaics are hundreds of years old."

Ash made the mistake of looking interested, and that was all the encouragement Steven needed to launch into a detailed lecture on the design of the mosaics, the composition of the rocks used, and the rock used to construct Mesagoza itself.

Ash was used to hearing about rocks, Brock had had plenty of interesting tidbits during their journey together, but he was nowhere near an expert and he was lost within seconds, but the sheer joy and enthusiasm that had replaced Steven's typical reserve was worth a bit of confusion. He usually only got that excited in a good battle. Steven led them towards the academies as he talked, and Ash listened with half an ear while he looked around. So far he was loving every moment of his time in Paldea.

The crowds grew steadily busier as they walked. Many wore uniforms with orange or purple hats and shorts, and had Pokémon by their sides or Pokéballs in their belts, and it made Ash think fondly of his days at the Melemele Pokémon School. He would have to try to visit his Alolan family soon.

Then Ash realised that it was suspiciously quiet, and looked up to see Steven walking in silence. Ash's cheeks burned, and he was opening his mouth to apologise for his lack of his attention when Steven caught his eye and the corner of his mouth twitched up.

"Feel free to tell me when I'm talking too much," he said. "I've been told I can get a little obsessive."

"There's nothing wrong with that," said Ash firmly. After all, he could and would talk about Pokémon for as long as anyone would listen. "Rocks are pretty cool."

Steven laughed. "Thank you for being polite, but it's fine." He nodded to ahead to the largest flight of steps that Ash had ever seen. "The academies are just at the top of that."

Pikachu took one look and promptly climbed up onto Ash's shoulders. Ash rolled his eyes, but steadied him with one hand and started forward. "Okay, let's do this."

Ash was in pretty good shape, despite not having been travelling for months, but he was still breathing heavily by the time they reached the high plaza. Steven wasn't much better off, and he had to pause to catch his breath.

"I'm glad I didn't go to either of these schools," he wheezed.

Pikachu snickered. Steven shook his head, but just as he straightened his phone rang. Steven glanced at the screen, and his face went blank. "I need to take this. Please excuse me, Ash."

"Sure," Ash said.

He watched Steven walk over to a more secluded area, then turned to look around. There were more students up here, of all ages and from both schools, and many of them had Pokémon that Ash had never seen before. Pikachu hopped back down to the ground and over to a shop selling sandwiches, but halfway there he froze and his ears shot straight up.

Ash was by his side immediately.

"What's wrong, buddy?" he asked.

Pikachu took a step towards the nearest alleyway, and when Ash followed his gaze he saw a man and a woman in matching helmets and glasses standing over a small girl with an oversized backpack. Memories of watching too many idiots from teams all over the world try to bully other trainers flashed before him, and Ash was running before he really registered what he was doing.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

All three jumped and spun round, then the two in helmets shoved past the girl and stood facing him.

"What do you think you're doing?" the man demanded. "Don't you know who we are?"

"No, and I don't care," said Ash flatly. "I don't like bullies." He glanced past them to the girl. "Are you okay?"

She gave a small nod but said nothing, and Ash turned back to the other two. "Leave her alone."

The pair exchanged a look, then the woman stepped forward. "You look pretty tough. You should be fighting with us instead of against us." She smirked. "How about it? You want to join Team Star?"

"Not a chance," said Ash.

The man cracked his knuckles. "Then it looks like we gotta teach you some respect."

Pikachu leaped forward, cheeks sparking, and Ash grinned. He'd been itching for a good battle. The man threw a Pokéball. "Go, Shroodle!"

Ash eyed the little Pokémon. He recognised it from the reading he had done on the plane, and he quietly warned Pikachu to watch out for poison while the girl threw her own 'ball.

"Get him, Lechonk!"

A Pokémon that kind of looked like a fat black Tepig joined the Shroodle, and Ash considered for a moment. Pikachu could handle both of them, there was no doubt about that, but trainers shouldn't be ganging up on people or bullying them and they needed to learn a lesson.

Ash took the one full Pokéball from his belt and bounced it in his hand.

"Primeape! I choose you!"

Ash had been frantically trying to sort out his travelling gear from the mess in his room when he received the message. It had been so long it took him a moment to recognise the name, but when he did he and Pikachu were on the way to the Fighting Spirit Gym as fast as Dragonite could take them.

Two figures were waiting when they touched down, but though the man raised a welcoming hand, Ash only had eyes for the Pokémon.

"Primeape!"

Primeape chittered in delight, and dragged Ash into a hug that made his ribs creak. Naturally Dragonite joined in, until Anthony gave a booming laugh.

"He's been missing you," he said. He gave a broad smile as he shook Ash's hand. "He watched every one of your matches on the TV."

Primeape grumbled and folded his arms, but Ash wasn't fooled. "Thanks, Primeape. How are you doing?"

Primeape's eyes lit up and he slammed his fists together, and Anthony chuckled. "I said I'd make him a champion, and I tell you I've kept that promise. This guy, he never gives up." He rubbed the back of his hair. "Actually there's nothing else I can teach him. He's beaten every one of my Pokémon a dozen times over."

"That's awesome," said Ash. "I'm really proud of you." He looked at Primeape, saw the old fire burning brighter than ever in his eyes, and knelt down so that they were on the same level. "Does that mean you want to come with me again?"

Primeape was nodding before Ash even finished the question. Anthony grinned, and tossed over a familiar Pokéball. "Champions belong together. But he's got some tricks even you've never seen before."

Ash grinned at Primeape. "I can't wait."

The gleam in Primeape's eyes said exactly the same thing.

Primeape burst out of his 'ball and gave a sharp screech. Lechonk shrank back, shooting a wary look at her trainer, but though the girl scowled she didn't back down.

"Remember, you asked for this. Lechonk, use Headbutt!"

"Acid Spray!" her friend yelled at the same time.

Both Pokémon moved quickly, but after the World Tournament it was almost comically slow. Pikachu blurred out of the way of the Acid Spray and launched himself into the air, and Ash pointed.

"Thunderbolt!"

"Dodge it!" the man yelped, but no one could outrun Pikachu's Thunderbolt. The lightning struck home, sending Shroodle flying across the alley until he crashed into the wall and lay still.

"Shroodle!"

Ash had already turned his attention to the other battle. To his complete lack of surprise Lechonk was barely on her feet and Primeape was winding up to finish the fight, but before he could make the final move the other trainer yelled, "You think type advantage will save you? Use Zen Headbutt!"

Ash fully expected Primeape to dodge. He had seen videos of his friend's battles, and Primeape was reckless but in no way stupid. The easiest option would be to dodge, and then attack from behind while Lechonk was off balance.

Primeape didn't do that. Instead he charged forward to meet the attack, his fist drawn back, but just as Ash was opening his mouth to shout a warning he caught the grey-purple energy swirling around Primeape's glove and his jaw dropped.

"You know a Ghost move?"

His question was answered a split-second later when the two Pokémon made contact. Primeape's unknown attack disrupted the already shaky Zen Headbutt, and his other fist came up to send Lechonk flying with a blindingly fast Cross Chop.

For a moment the two Team Star members stood frozen, then as one they returned their Pokémon and ran.

Ash rubbed the back of his neck.

"Huh. You two okay?"

Pikachu huffed and sprang to his shoulder, and Primeape just folded his arms with a snort. Ash grinned. "Great job, both of you-wait. Where's that girl?"

The alleyway was deserted. Ash frowned for a moment, then shrugged it off. She had said she was fine, and those two idiots wouldn't be doing any damage for a while. He shook his head, and turned to Primeape.

"You've gotten really strong, Primeape! And what was that new move?"

Primeape demonstrated, then did it again so Ash could check it with his Rotom Phone, and Ash's eyebrows shot up. "Rage Fist? That's awesome!"

So that was what Anthony had meant when he said Primeape had some new tricks. Ash had never heard of that move before, but it was strong and it was a great defence against Psychics, and he definitely wasn't going to complain.

"Great job," he said. Primeape banged his fists together, and Ash held up his hands. "Hey, I didn't know they were going to be that weak! I'll make sure you get a proper battle soon, okay?"

Primeape eyed him for a minute, then nodded and returned himself to his Pokéball. Ash let out a breath. Still, if nothing else he was sure Steven would be willing to give him a battle later.

Speaking of which, Steven would be wondering where they were. Ash hurried back out into the plaza, and found Steven standing where they had parted. He was still staring at his phone, and the expression on his face made Ash pause when he approached.

"Are you okay?"

Steven started. "Oh, there you are." He shoved his phone back in his pocket, and looked Ash over. "Did something happen?"

Ash waved a hand. "Nothing important. Is everything okay with Wallace?"

Steven's lips thinned, and he folded his arms across his chest. "He's fine. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," said Ash slowly. "But if there is something wrong-"

"I know," Steven interrupted, but his expression visibly softened. "Thank you, Ash, but we should go. Sada and Turo will be waiting for us."

Ash eyed him for a moment longer before letting it go. Steven's business was his own, and if he didn't want to talk then Ash wasn't going to make him. Of course, if he ever changed his mind then Ash would do anything he could to help. Steven was a friend, and he liked Wallace, and there wasn't anything Ash wouldn't do for his friends.

For the moment, Ash put it from his mind, and turned towards the two academies. They towered over the plaza, each a mirror image of the other, and Ash felt excitement stirring in his stomach as he followed Steven. He had no idea what was going on, but he couldn't wait to find out.

Thanks for reading! Future chapters will be longer, but December has been a bit busy.