Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon

AN: Sorry I disappeared. No gen six pokemon but we will have mega evolutions later!

Chapter Eight

"Well, Lucario, it looks as if we've found the final one." Said Gowly to his faithful Lucario.

"Yes master. We finally have all seventeen."

"It took forever, but we're finally done. Now all we need to do is verify that Ash is the chosen one."

"By seeing how well he does at the Cup?"

"Precisely Lucario. We are almost ready. Assuming that Ash is the chosen one, the fact that we now have all seventeen plates means that I can perform the ritual."

"What about the threat from Giovanni?"

"Ever practical Lucario. With Lance and the rangers, we should be fine. If Ash wins, I'll immediately move him to the tower, which is impregnable. I'll explain the situation to him and then we'll fly out on Salamence to Sinnoh."

"What about your secret? The other one. Will you tell him?"

"I'm not sure yet. It has nothing to do with the Original One but it is important none the less. I still have time to think though, the Cup isn't for another few months."

"True. But consider it master. I'd tell him."

"I'll keep that in mind Lucario. Oh. Excuse me. It seem as though Walker is calling me." The commissioner answered his communicator. "Hello Mr. Walker."

"Hello sir. I just want to let you know that Ash just defeated Clair. He's got four coins. We're on our way to New Bark Town. From there, they'll head to Hoenn via ferry."

"Thanks for the update Mr. Walker. You can charge your ferry ticket to the Ranger Union. I'll clear it with Erma. Keep following them and don't let them spot you. Clear?"

"Crystal sir."

"Good. Hop to it." With that, Gowly ended the conversation.

"I still don't think it's a good idea to have Ash followed."

"But what if Giovanni catches up to him."

"He wouldn't even know about the boy except for the fact that Domino overhead you and Walker talking."

"Whatever. No use crying over spilled milk. Let's be happy we have all seventeen plates. Now, let's take them back to Pokémon Isle for safekeeping. Return Lucario. I choose you, Salamence. Take us home old friend."

The mighty dragon landed and waited for Gowly to get on and then took off for Pokémon Isle.

_Line Break_

After traveling south from Blackthorn City, Ash and Co. finally reached New Bark Town. Unfortunately, the next ferry for Hoenn was scheduled to leave the next day. Since the small town didn't have a Pokémon Center, the group was hoping that Professor Elm would be willing to give them a place to spend the night. Ash and his pokémon were getting tired of hearing Brock complain about how he was too old to sleep outside. It was either sleeping at Elm's or gagging Brock.

As the gang arrived at Elm's laboratory, they heard the sounds of a battle raging in the field behind the lab. Deciding to investigate, the group spotted a Rapidash battling a Rhyperior. In between them, a trainer stood directing attacks.

"Hey, isn't that the guy who won the Silver Conference when you competed in it, Ash?" Asked Brock.

"Looks like him. I think his name's Jon."

"Did you beat him, master?"

"Haha. Pikapi was knocked out before he got a chance to battle Jon."

"Pikachu! We fought hard against Harrison and I'm proud of all my pokémon."

"Well lets go say hi and see how he did against Lance."

And so, the quartet walked over to Jon. When he noticed the group, he called out to them.

"Can I help you guys?"

"Hi Jon. I'm Ash and this is Kirlia, Brock, and Pikachu." Ash stated as he pointed to each individual in turn. "We're trying to get to Hoenn, but the ferry doesn't come until tomorrow. We were hoping that Prof. Elm could give us a place to stay."

"Why hello there. I guess you already know that I'm Jon."

"Yeah. I competed in the Silver Conference when you won. How'd your battles against the elites go?"

"I barely beat Karen, and then I got crushed by Lance. He was heads and shoulders above the elites. His Dragonite took down three of my pokemon!"

"Wow! I knew he was the champion, but I didn't realize he was that strong." Brock said.

"That's nothing. After our battle, a giant Salamence flew in. This thing was HUGE! Most Salamences are just below five feet. This Salamence was almost seven feet tall! I freaked out when I saw it, and then I almost fainted when I saw who dismounted from the Salamence."

"Who was it?" Asked Ash.

"It was Gowly, the most powerful trainer in the world. Lance said that he had an urgent meeting with Gowly but invited me to stay at the Pokemon Center for the night. He said that he wanted to talk to me the next day. The next day, I met up with the two of them, and Lance praised my skill and bond with my pokemon. He said that if I trained hard enough, I'd be able to defeat him. And then something amazing happened."

"What?!" Both Ash and Brock asked?

"Gowly challenged Lance to a one-on-one battle! Lucario vs Dragonite. This was the same Dragonite that defeated three of my pokemon, and it didn't land a single hit on Lucario. Gowly won the battle in minutes. I was stunned."

"That's amazing! No wonder Gowly has never lost a battle." Brock said.

"Wait, he's never lost a battle?!" Ash shouted. How's that possible? Ash thought to himself. The guy's in his thirties or forties and he's never lost a battle. Even when he was starting out he never lost? How does one do that? Ash's thinking was interrupted by Brock.

"That's right. He stormed onto the battle scene when he won the Indigo League. That was the first league he competed in. He declined challenging the elite four and then went to other regions where he won every league that he competed in. He then returned to Kanto, challenged the elites, and became the youngest person to become champion at the age of twenty-one. When he was thirty, he became the youngest person to become commissioner."

"That's an impressive record." Jon said.

"It sure is." Ash whispered in awe.

"Anyways, Jon, why are you here at Elm's lab?"

"Oh, I'm training for my rematch with Lance. Elm let me train here because he has so many different pokemon. But I'm sure he won't mind if you guys want to spend the night here."

"Thanks Jon."

With that, our heroes spent the night at Elm's lab, and then boarded the ship for Littleroot Town the next day. They were now on their way to the Hoenn region, the site of Ash's next two coins.