Author's Comments: Ash, Gary, May, Iris, and Lillie are 19, Gladion, Kaiwe, and Misty are 20, Lana, and Dawn are 18, Max is 13, Tracy, and Brock, are 23 and Cilan is 21

Ash smiled as he watched his Pokemon run around the back yard from the kitchen window, growling playfully and pouncing at each other, or laying happily in the setting sun.

Ash had rented a small Cabin on the outskirts of Celadon City for his stay in Kanto. He had quite a bit of money from his many travels, having saved every cent he won and sending a large chunk to his mother to put into a savings account. He kept some of the money with him to buy equipment and food, but roughly nine years of traveling, even with the occasional loss, gave him a nice chunk of money, not even counting the money he got monthly from the Pokemon League for his work as Champion, and the money sent to him from other regions for saving the world a handful of times. Everyone pitched in on the cabin of course, but he may have lied to them about the price so they wouldn't worry. It had a nice, big fenced yard and a large pond in the back, five rooms, two full bathrooms, and a nice big kitchen and sitting room, but it was also nice and homely.

Ash just wanted everyone to be comfortable, seeing it was the first time Gladion, Lillie, Lana, and Kiawe had ever been to Kanto, and his mother deserved a nice break from the tension in Pallet Town. It was even the first time Ash had been back in Kanto since he had to come with Kahuna Hala about his citizenship.(Lance had put up a bit of a fight about him leaving semi-permanently, Ash had saved the world quite a few times and it wouldn't make Kanto look good if the public ever found out, but Alola eventually won out, seeing as Ash was the champion of the small region.) Principle Oak had planned a school trip to Kanto for his class, but Ash had asked not to attend, prompting the Principle to ask why, and Ash revealing the reason he left Kanto in the first place. Principal Oak promptly changed the school trip to Kalos, and they all had a blast,(Ash even caught a bunch of new Pokemon and became friends with the Lumiose Gym Leader, Clemont, and his sister). Suffice to say, Ash wanted his friends and family to have a relaxing place to come home to during the Master Cup after all the problems he caused them.

"You're thinking too much." An arm snaked its way around Ash's shoulders, startling Ash from his thoughts as he was pulled close to another body.

"Gladion," Ash sighed in relief, looking up at his taller fiance. "You scared me, when did you come in?"

"Few minutes ago, Lana, Kaiwe, and Lillie are putting their things in their rooms." He explained simply, burying his face into Ash's hair after taking the pony tail out. Gladion wasn't very physically affectionate in public situations, growing up the way he did made him touch starved and a bit awkward, but when it was just the two of them, or he was around people he was comfortable with, he became more of a cuddle bug than Raichu was. "What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing really." Gladion gave him a look and Ash knew he didn't believe him. "I'm telling the truth! I was just relishing in how cool the cabin is and how crazy the last few years have been." He promised.

Gladion pulled away, glaring at him with scrutiny before nodding in acceptance. "It has been the craziest, best years of my life." He conceded and Ash smiled at him. "Come on, your mom was setting the table when we walked in." Grabbing a pitcher of tea from the counter, Ash was led into the dining room.

—-

The Alolan crew had arrived a few days before the Master Cup so that they could site see a bit of Celadon City before they were swept up in battle strategy, and so their Pokemon could adjust to the change in climate and relax before the week of tough battling ahead. Ash was a bit swamped, working with the other Champions to ensure security and the battle fields were working and up to date, and triple checking registration to ensure there were no scheme's under foot from evil teams. Because he was looking through registration he knew his ex-friends were coming, which made him a bit nervous, but having his actual friends around helped soothe his insecurities.

—-

It was the night before the first day Master Cup was set to take place, Gary's group was a bit behind schedule because May, and Dawn wanted to look at every store between Pallet and Celadon. The only reason they wouldn't miss the tournament all together was because they were in a car, had they been walking they would miss the Master Cup entirely. Gary was driving, as the only one he would ever trust with his car was Brock and Brock was busy focusing on his newest hatchling, a Igglybuff. Gary started turning his car, the sun was setting and they were on the outskirts of the city.

"Oh look how cute that cabin is!" May squealed, startling the driver. Gary quickly came to a stop.

"May you scared the fudge out of me!" Gary breathed.

"Sorry." The brunette laughed awkwardly and pointed out the window. "I wish we could have rented a place like that to stay instead of having to stay at an overpriced hotel."

All of Ash's traveling companions got some money from helping him when saving the world when they traveled with them, but only from one or two regions(except for Brock who got payment from four regions). The regions had offered to give them the whole sum at once or to give smaller payments out over the years. While Ash had gone for the later they others had wanted the bigger sums immediately. Max and used his to get a better Poketch, May and Dawn burnt theirs on shopping and fancy food, Misty had saved hers but the Cerulean Gym was in massive trouble due to her sisters neglecting the place that she had to use it all on repairs when she became gym leader, Iris had blown hers on special made Ice Type Pokemon Repellent, Tracy had used his money to pay off some debt, Cilan sent his to his brothers and it was used on the Gym, and Brock sent his money straight home to his family, and used it to pay for his classes. Needless to say Gary was the only one besides his grandfather with any actual money due to his research, and he didn't have the money to rent a fancy cabin for 10 people, and 10 people's full teams of six. Even if they all chipped in they wouldn't have had enough money due to the amount of people, and the amount of food they would have to buy. So they all paired up and each person went half and half on a hotel room that offered free breakfast and dinner, seeing as the Pokemon center was being reserved for Pokemon only during the large tournament.

"Do you have 886,563 Pokedollars(roughly 6,755 usd or 5,589.09 pounds)?" Gary asked, and she deflated.

"Is that seriously how much that would cost?" Misty said, her mouth hanging open.

Gary nodded. "Place like that is roughly 118,167 Pokedollars(900 usd) a night, so staying longer than a week, yeah about 886,563 Pokedollars, if not more. That would be like 78,703 Pokedollars(600usd) per person, not counting food, Pokemon food, and any fees we would get if we caused any damages, or if they charge more for Pokemon, most places don't but some do."

"My mystical cabin dreams." May whined, and Dawn patted her back comfortingly.

"Maybe we can take a girls trip and get a smaller cabin one of these days." Dawn offered. "That should be more affordable."

"Okay-Ah!" May looked out the window and screamed, seeing a tall blonde man and a buff man with red and black hair standing by the car. Looking back at the cabin four heads peered out the windows.

"Can we help you?" The blonde asked coldly, Gary having rolled his window down to talk.

"We're sorry if we disturbed you young man." Gary's grandfather apologized. "Our friend here wanted to look at your cabin."

"Yeah! Its really cute!" She stammered.

The darker man started to say something but was cut off by a slightly familiar man standing on the porch. "Are they okay?" He called.

"Stopped to get a better look at the cabin." The blonde called back. Misty stood up, narrowing her eyes as she took the man on the porch in. "Go back-."

"Ash?" She questioned, noticing the odd thunder bolt marks that sat on his cheeks. He looked different than Ash, he was a bit taller, and tanner but the messy black hair and unusual cheek markings were dead giveaways. "No way, guys, Ash Ketchum is competing in the Master Cup!" She snorted.

"Huh, I didn't know he was even still in Kanto." Brock mused.

"Guess the Master Cup isn't going to be as difficult as I thought it was." Gary scoffed.

"Whats that supposed to mean?" The spiky haired man next to the car growled, and the blonde tightened his fists. "You better watch what you say about our friend or I'll-"

"Kaiwe, it isn't worth it." Ash yelled as he walked towards them.

"But they-"

Ash held up his hand, cutting the fiery man off. "We'll show them during the Master Cup, don't get too upset before tomorrow." Those in the car were surprised how calm Ash was being. The Ash they knew would have raged and spit promises of beating them, or stand quietly while fuming. Ash gave them a tense smile, eyes sweeping over those in the can briefly. "I think it's best if you leave, you're on private property."

With that Ash grabbed 'Kaiwe's' arm and pulled him back towards the house. When they were out of ear shot the blonde leant down closer to the window. "If you aren't gone in 3 minutes I'm calling Officer Jenny." He threatened and followed after his friends.

—-

After the unwanted visitors left Kaiwe went outside with his Grandfather's Charizard to blow off some steam, Lana and Lillie going after him to make sure they didn't destroy anything. Ash walked to his and Gladion's shared room and laid down, burying his head onto Raichu's fur. He was shaking. Tears hadn't fallen but anxiety and fear caused him to shake. He knew he would have to face them eventually, but he hadn't expected it so soon. It had taken so much nerve not to yell and curse and cry at them.

The door creaked and Gladion walked in, careful to shut the door behind him. He said nothing as he climbed onto the bed and laid beside him. Everything was silent as he took Ash's ringed hand with his own. Long fingers traced over the callosed, tan hand, drawing calming shapes into the skin until he stopped shaking.

"The tournament might be harder than I thought." Ash whispered into Raichu's fur.

Gladion gripped his hand tightly. "Then it's a good thing you don't have to deal with it alone." Ash peeked out and smiled softly at him, turning to kiss his cheek in thanks.

Author's Comments: Ash: Smol, stronk boy, Gladion: Tall, lank boy, I love them so freaking much. Sorry this was just filler, I wanted to do some world building. The next chapter is some more filler but chapter four should be some actual battling. I've never written a Pokémon battle but I'll try to make it not suck. And thank you for the kind reviews so far :)