Samuel Oak smiled at the gathered young trainers that made up his back garden. Since Ash's Pokemon had all left, following their trainer to who knows where, his ranch hadn't felt as lively, except when fights broke out with Bulbasaur gone to meditate and deflect them, but even then Samuel was too busy trying to calm the raging Pokemon to bask in the chaos. But with Gary and all his friends in the ranch, preparing for the Pokemon League's Master Cup, Samuel was able to bask in the excitement they all brought.

"Oh guess what I heard?" Max spoke up, the 13 year old was sitting between his sister and Dawn, and drew everyone's attention to him. Gary hummed around his hamburger. "The Alola Champion is competing in the Master Cup this year!" He said excitedly, and that caught everyone's attention.

Alola was pretty closed off when it came to battling. They didn't have a Pokemon league, but rather trials that were reserved for Alola natives only, unless someone caught the Kahuna's attention, and then he could give them a special pass with the blessings of at least one Tapu. Because of this very few tourists ventured to Alola for battling, but not two years ago whispers started spreading about Alola getting a new Champion. Not much was known about the man other than he was a Mainlander that happened to impress the Kahuna and was beloved by the whole of Alola. Rumor had it that the Alolan Government had fought the Champion's home region for him to be named a citizen of Alola, which the home region apparently allowed. But still little was known about him otherwise. Samule didn't even know who it was despite his cousin being an Alolan native, Samson had limited their contact for a reason that the Professor couldn't fathom.

"Really?" Brock asked.

Max nodded. "I heard it's going to be his first time out of Alola since he moved there!"

"I wonder how strong he is." Gary hummed in thought, having dusted off his PokeBalls for the sake of the Master Cup.

"He's a Champion, he has to be strong." May chimed in after swallowing a large bite of food.

Misty snorted, bringing the group's attention to her. "Alola isn't a very big region, and he only battled natives there, he can't be that strong if he only battled a handful of people."

Dawn sighed. "Ignore her, she's just still mad about the way she was treated when she visited Alola last summer."

"They totally gave me the cold shoulder!" Misty screeched. "They weren't out right rude but they obviously didn't want me there!"

"That's odd." Samuel said in surprise. "People from Alola are usually very kind and outgoing to tourists, they are very easy going and friendly people."

"Maybe you did something Taboo." Iris hummed. "Alola is super touchy about their traditions and stuff right, so maybe you said something that offended them."

Misty blinked at the thought. "I guess that's possible." She sniffed hauntingly.

"I wonder what the Champion is like." Dawn hummed, imagining a hunky guy with long blonde hair, a charming smile, and tan skin with a surfboard. Drool started to drip from her mouth.

"Maybe its Ash." Brock jokes, making the ranch erupt in laughter.

"Be serious Brock," Misty snorted. "Ash couldn't become champion if he were the last trainer in the world."

—-

"There's my baby boy." Delia Ketchum cooed, gripping her son in a bone crushing hug as soon as he stepped into the Airport Terminal off the plane.

Ash wrapped his arms around his mother, lifting her up with how tight he hugged her. Now nineteen Ash had matured into a fine young man. His once pale Kantonian skin was sunkissed, and his hair was just long enough to be put in a small ponytail, his height, while still on the shorter side, he was now taller than his mother, with tight, lean muscles that he developed on the sandy beaches in Alola while he trained with his Pokemon. "How are you doing mom?" He asked happily, finally setting the woman down.

"Oh I can't complain, my garden didn't do as well this year, and things are a bit tense with Professor Oak still, but I've been doing fine." She promised, patting Ash's cheek before bending down to stroke Raichu, the two year evolved mouse happily leaning into her hand with a 'cha~' sound. "What about you sweety?"

"Well, the building on my Island is finished finally." Ash admitted sheepishly, easily picking up his luggage. "Right off the Shores of Melemele Island, two houses, a garden, training grounds, and enough room for all my Pokemon."

"Oh honey, that's amazing! Congratulations." She tilted her head in thought. "But what would you need two houses for?"

Ash led her over to the benches in the airport and sat down. Raichu climbed in his lap, and he started racing his fingers over Raichu's soft, rounded ears. "Well, the only reason you didn't move to Alola is because you couldn't find housing and Professor Kukui didn't have the room in his house, but now you can move closer." He sighed. "I really hate that we have to travel to see each other, you're the only person who ever believed in me." Inhaling deeply he pushed back tears and smiled shakily at her. Delia smiled back, touched at her son's thoughtfulness.

"Oh honey-"

"Besides, you need to be at mine and Gladion's wedding."

"He said yes?!" Delia gasped excitedly and Ash held his hand up to reveal a simple rose gold band that wrapped around his ring finger. She took his hand to better examine the ring, happy tears in her eyes as she awed over the simple but beautiful ring. "When are you getting married?" She breathed.

"Two months after the Master's Cup, we haven't decided on Kalos, or Paldea for our honeymoon yet." He pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. "I wanted to give you your invitation in person."

Dropping his hand Delia smiled at her son. "I am so proud of you." She sighed. "You have had a hard three years, but you pushed through, and now look at you. Regional Champion, and soon to be husband of Gladion Aether. I have never been prouder." She said firmly.

"Thanks mom, and thanks for sticking by me through all of this."

"Rai Rai!" Raichu crooned in agreement.

"So," Ash sighed. "About moving to Alola?"

Delia sighed and chuckled. "Alright, you win. After the Master Cup I'll go with you to Alola. Mimey does love the weather there. Now, let's get home so you can eat." Right on cue, Ash's stomach growled and they shared a laugh. "Will Gladion be coming?"

"Competing actually." Ash hummed, following her towards their car. "He's coming with Lillie, Kiawe, and Lana to compete, but they took a later flight because of work, they should be here later tonight."

"Then I better get to work and make you all a big feast!"

"Alright!"

"Raichu!"