Chapter 2: Preparation

Five Years Later

A 20-year old man with a Pikachu on his shoulder is currently walking in the Viridian Forest. Currently, he is wearing a guardian cloak indicating that he is an Aura Guardian. To his right is a Lucario that seems protective of his "master". The mysterious man stopped his walk and took a seat on a log. Pikachu hopped off his trainer's shoulder, taking a seat on the log as well. Lucario however leaned on a tree in the shadow. The mysterious man took out his backpack and brought out a bottle of water and ketchup. He opened the lid from the ketchup and gave it to his Pikachu who happily ate it. The mysterious man reflected on what's been happening for the past five years. Ever since the betrayal from whom he considered friends, the mysterious man has changed most of everything about him. He has stopped his childish antics through any victory he has accomplished. He has stopped traveling with only his Pikachu. He has stopped trying to make any more friends since it's been holding him back. He has been training 5 days a week and 1 day of Aura training. He has captured four new Pokémon in a new region called Kalos. He has caught a Talonflame, Tyrantrum, Pyroar, and a Greninja. He used his old Pokémon in the Kalos League and has finally won his first league. The mysterious man was snapped out of his deep thought when his Pikachu tapped on him.

"Pika Pi Chu Pika? (Are you doing okay?)", he said.

"I'm alright buddy. I'm just thinking about how far we've gotten in our training," the mysterious man replied. After the 5 minute break, the group went back to their day walk.

One day later

Delia Ketchum has been living well in the past 5 years. The only change in her appearance is some gray hair. She has been keeping tabs with her son for 5 years via letter. She misses him dearly but she understood how he feels. She learned of what transpired between him and his friends and she felt angry and sad. Angry that they believed some green head over her baby boy. Sad that her son had decided to go on a journey alone for 5 years. The door rapped 3 times, which brought Delia out of her musings. She slowly got up and walked towards the door. When she did, she sees a young man with black unruly hair. He seems familiar to her until she looked into the man's eyes. She gasped a little. It was her baby boy right in front of her. Before she can be sure, her son replied "Hi Mom." It was too much for her so she pulled him into a loving hug and began crying with joy.

"Oh my little Ashy. Look at you! You look just like your father, a handsome man!" Said Ashy blushed in embarrassment. After a few fake coughs, Ash smiled at his mother. "Yeah, the training paid off greatly mom. I've captured brand new Pokémon and traveled in Kalos. Is Professor Oak still around? I need to show him my Pokémon," said the Kanto-Native Trainer. Delia nodded and told him to check the backyard. When Ash walked in, he sees that nothing really changed in the Lab. Everything was intact when he left. Ash walked up to the doorstep and knocked. The door opened and revealed a young man with gravity defying brown hair and a lab coat.

"Hello, how can I help you?" he said. Ash was a bit stunned. 'Wow, Gary has changed. I wonder how he's been doing for 5 years.' "I'm hurt Gary. You can't seem to recognize me after 5 years." Gary was shocked at this. Could it be?! He smirked and held out his hand. "Man Ash, it's been forever! I hear you've been training a lot. Don't think I've fallen behind. After what happened 5 years ago, I've been doubling my training in mountains," he said in one breath while he greeted Ash. Ash sweatdropped but grinned nonetheless that his first rival has been keeping up. "Good. It'd suck that I have no competition. Not even Paul will be one. Don't tell him I said that though," Ash said that as if he was threatening Gary. Said man sweatdropped. "Anyway Gary, I need to go to the backyard because I have 4 new Pokémon from Kalos. If your grandfather is busy, then I'm sure you can right?" Gary nodded and gestured Ash to the backyard. After letting out all of his Pokémon, Ash then went to a separate area and brought out his Pyroar, Tyrantrum, Greninja, and Talonflame. Gary was shocked at how tough they appear to be, especially Tyrantrum and Greninja. What's more shocking is that Greninja is shiny. Instead of blue skin, pink eyes, and a pink tongue, it has black skin, red eyes, and a red tongue. Gary turned to Ash. "How did you get this shiny Greninja?" he asked. Ash grinned sheepishly. "Well, I found it in some forest sleeping. He tried to take my hat when he woke up and I had Pikachu battle it. After that, Greninja found me worthy of being a trainer so I just pulled out my Pokéball and he caught himself in." Gary would be surprised but he remembered that this is Ash so he brushed it off as another one of his lucky encounters. "*Sigh*Next thing you'll tell me is that you have met some legendaries and the champion," Gary said half-jokingly. Ash's smirk confirmed Gary's prediction, said scientist facepalmed. "Well anyway, even though it's been a while, there's a new tournament coming up and I invited Paul, Trip, and even Brock. Mr. Goodshow also gave you one but I kept it unopened for your sake," Gary said as he pulled the envelope out of his coat pocket. Ash gave his thanks and read the letter.

To Ash,

Congratulations! You are invited to the Elite Tournament. Your skills in Kalos showed how mature and strong you have become Ash. This tournament consists of 128 trainers from Kanto – Kalos. I miss that determination and wits you pull in every Pokémon League you've competed in. The tournament will be held at the Kalos Pokémon League. You'll have to sign up at the registration desk when you walk in. I wish you the best of luck.

Goodshow

Ash felt the urge to yell in excitement but decided against it since he is not a kid anymore. "Despite that I just came from Kalos, I guess it's another long ride to get there," Ash said with a slight chuckle. "Well, I'm going to visit Brock. I wonder how he has been," he added. Gary nodded and watched Ash's Pokémon. Ash called out his Charizard as Pikachu crawled up to his shoulder, and flew to his destination.

Pokémon Moves

Greninja: Scald, Substitute, Double Team, Water Shuriken

Tyrantrum: Rock Polish, Head Smash, Dragon Claw, Ice Fang (egg move, parent was a Tyranitar)

Pyroar: Retaliate, Flamethrower, Giga Impact, Overheat

Talonflame: Steel Wing, Aerial Ace, Solarbeam (Best used when directly to sunlight), Flare Blitz