Author's Notes: Wanted to do something special for Pokémon's 25th (western) Anniversary. Figure I'd reboot* this one.

It works for Hollywood. (Well, Hollywood does it anyway.)

(*Edit and expand.)

I could've posted both versions separately, but decided against it.

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This was it.

A well-lit, narrow hallway, the sounds of cheering crowds in the distance. Ash was deaf to them, the only sounds he could hear were that of his beating footsteps, and his beating heart.

This was it.

Pikachu was at his side. As their first steps had been taken, as would their last; together. Their gazes were focused ahead, a turn incoming. One turn, and it would be one final stride to the end of their road. Ash had heard of one's steps feeling heavy, but had no concept of such a thing before today. Now, every step carried the world with it. They'd come so far, from Pallet town all the way to here. They'd started alone, their first trial a flock of angry Spearow, their final to determine if they would reach the pages of history. They'd started alone, and now they'd end-

Not quite so alone.

Between him, and the light beyond the hallway, were familiar faces, and the memories bound to them. Along his journey from Pallet Town, they were here, those who stood with him each step of the way.

He and Pikachu had started alone, but they'd never truly been alone.

Pikachu moved forward, waving. "Pi pika!"

"Ee Vee."

"Cinder."

Ash approached Goh and Chloe, the former barely containing his excitement. "I can barely believe it's really happening!"

Chole turned, not quite sure how to respond. "You were watching when he made the challenge."

"I know, and I still barely believe it."

Ash chuckled. "I get it. Still not completely sure I'm awake, to be honest." He took a breath, looking far ahead. "Still, gotta reach for our dreams sometime."

"Yeah, we do! I'm gonna reach mine too! You win and I'll go catch Mew!"

Ash nodded. "Deal!"

Chole raised a brow. "Be careful what you promise, Goh."

"If I said I'll do it, I'll do it!"

Ash grinned. "That's the spirit!"

Not for the first time, Chloe wondered..."You two are not actually related, right?"

They both blinked, at once, and spoke, at once. "No, why?"

"No reason." Cinderace, Eevee and Pikachu shared a quiet giggle, as Ash and Goh tried to spot the joke. She looked to Ash, smiling. "See you when you win, Ash."

Goh nodded. "Yeah!"

"See you then, guys."

This was it.

Ash and Pikachu turned, and marched on, to the next people waiting. A rather large group in such a hall, but they made do, standing at either wall like some kind of honor guard.

"Alola."

The pair came to a stop.

"Alola."

"Pikaka."

"Vul, vul!"

"Toge!"

"Vee!"

"Ash!" Rotom moved in almost too quickly to follow, circling around Ash as data flashed across his screen. "I've analysed every piece of data I can find and I'm confident you'll win! Just watch out for anything he's saving just for this match."

Even Ash could see the obvious problem. "How do I watch out for what I don't know's coming?"

"Because that's just what you do." Obvious problem, obvious solution.

"Thanks, Rotom."

"You're very much welcome!"

Rotom retreated, making way towards the Kukui family, one of his jobs having become entertaining/distracting the youngest member now and then. Ash turned, finding Lillie, Pikachu approaching Snowy.

Lillie was smiling, barely containing a grin. "You're the strongest Trainer I've ever seen, Ash. You'll win." She leaned in, Ash leaning in so she could whisper. "Don't tell him I said this, but Gladion said so too."

"Wont say a word."

"He'll probably wanna challenge you afterwards."

"Looking forward to it." Pikachu and Snowy shared words nobody else has translation for, and on they went.

They turned, and continued, finding Mallow leaning up right against the wall, slightly annoyed about something. Before he could ask, she spoke.

"It's a shame we're not doing this in Alola, I'd make a celebration feast afterwards." She sighed gently. "Guess I'll have to make something special next time you visit."

Ash raised a brow. "Just trying to get me to visit? Or do just you want publicity for the Kitchen?"

With exaggerated movements, she avoided his gaze. "Booooth?" She met his gaze, and her expression broke into a sombre smile. "Alola's not the same without you."

Ash laughed. "I'll bet. I probably should take a vacation after this."

"Lei'll like that." Her face turned serious. "You got this."

"Thanks."

Packed in such a relatively small space, Ash soon reached the next member of his Alolan gang. Lana watched Ash approach her. She looked Ash up and down, nodding. "All set?"

"As we'll ever be."

"Pika chu."

She smiled. "You can't lose, Ash." Lana looked at his wrist, where his Z-Ring rested. "Tapu Koko chose you. The Guardians saw something in you. Now let everyone see it."

He looked at the Ring too. The Z-Ring, Dynamax Band, and Key Stone. "That's the plan."

Pikachu and Sandy exchanged a high-five, and so they moved on, coming before a recently-appointed Kahuna.

Kiawe was looking stern, strangely so. "You ready for this?"

Ash nodded. "I'm ready."

Kiawe's brow twitched. "I asked if you're ready!"

"I'm ready!"

"Louder!"

"I'm ready!"

"Louder!"

Ash heard sparking at his feet. He knew how to answer.

"We're ready!"

"Pika!"

"That's it!" Kiawe's expression ignited, pumping a fist as he nearly-shouted. "Now show everyone how bright your flame burns!"

Most might not know what to make of such a display. Ash wasn't most. "Good pep talk."

"Thanks. I was working on all- actually, never mind."

Rather than ask further questions, Ash turned. Pikachu approached Togedemaru, the two touching cheeks, and sparking together in what Ash always suspected was some kind of universal language among Electric-type Pokémon.

"Thanks for coming, Sophocles, I know you're pretty busy these days." Ash still had to double-take sometimes. Sophocles in a baggy shirt was still a strange sight. Sophocles was working on the physique needed for his dream. It was already showing.

Sophocles waved it off. "I can chase my dream any old time, today's only gonna happen once. Go show the world what you're made of."

Grinning, Ash nodded, and moved only. He approached his his Alolan parents, and his little brother.

Kukui spoke first. "We won't wish you 'good luck'." Kukui's smile widened, just a bit. "You don't need it."

Burnett nodded. "Hit him with everything you've got."

Someone else was a little more animate, bouncing in his mother's arms. "Big brother, big brother!" He was reaching out, so Ash took Lei's tiny hand in his own. "Win, big brother."

Ash grasped Lei's hand just a bit tighter. "I will, little brother."

Lei nodded, satisfied with the answer. To Lei, the words of his parents and "big brother" were Truth. Ash may have well told him the sun would rise tomorrow. Before the sun set, Ash would prove his word.

This was it.

They walked on, and before even a dozen steps, they were once more met on this last stretch. With an eager wave, came a cry of "Dedenne!".

"Pi ka chu!"

Clearly Ash wasn't the only one grateful to for the company. Along with Dedenne, a trio of familiar faces stood to greet them. "Hey guys. Come to wish me luck?"

Serena smiled, her face slightly red (or was that a trick of the light?). "Go get him, Ash," Serena emphasized her next words with a wink, "I know you can do it."

Before anyone else could say anything, Bonnie grabbed the front of Ash's jacket, pulling him down closer to eye level. "Make sure you win, Ash. I need you to." Before Ash could ask why- "You win, you get famous, and a lot of girls come after you. I want one for..." She raised her hand, pointing towards Clemont.

Clemont looked up from his-whatever it was."For?"

Bonnie smiled. "What'd you build this time?"

Ash made a mental note to ask someone to see if that familiar glint in those glasses was trademarked somewhere, as Clemont clasped the device in his hands shut. "My latest and greatest invention! The must-have for anyone looking to analyse Pokémon battling!" He held the device (which had a distinct resemblance to a very small Laptop) above his head. "The battle calculator 3000!"

Bonnie raised a brow. "What happened to the '2000'?"

It was striking, how Clemont's attitude could be much like his inventions, working one instant and backfiring in the next. "The processor melted," his ego suddenly inflated again. "This one's perfect! But-uh, it's still, calculating." He put the device behind his back, his eyes darting in any direction that didn't end at Ash.

Bonnie grinned, slipping behind her brother and-"Yoink!" She tossed the (probably expensive) invention at Ash. "Here."

Ash snatched it right out of the air, opening it to see figures he couldn't begin to decipher, but two faces he knew well, and a flashing red-"Inconclusive." He looked up at its flustered inventor. "Not perfect?"

Clemont shook his head. "I know it works. I've tested you against everyone else, and him too, but when I set you against eachother, I keep getting-this," he signalled the result on screen, then smiled. "It all comes down to you, Ash."

Ash grinned. "I'll get a result for you," he returned Clemont's contraption to him, "just watch."

Ash walked on, the last words of support from his Kalos compatriots joining the well of resolve he'd been filling in recent days.

This was it.

Before Kalos, had come Unova. Before Serena, Bonnie and Clemont, had come Iris and Cilan, and all the adventures they had. Cilan turned from looking at the end of the hall.

"Crowd's at full simmer, Ash. They're expecting a feast of a battle. Any concerns?"

"Not really."

Ash needed to work on his poker face, something gave him away. "Then it's evaluation time! You've trained forever for this. You've prepared a banquet of well-trained Pokémon, blended a mix of power, speed and strategy, garnished with the strongest will to be found on this earth, and marinated it all in countless battles!" He signalled to the end of the hall, and the simmering crowds beyond. "Now go serve your opponent his defeat!"

This qualified as one of the weirdest pep talks Ash had received in his life, and was just as effective. "Thanks, Cilan." He turned to an oddly silent friend. "How about you, Iris? Any thoughts."

Iris smirked, her eyes closed. "You'll do fine." Her eyes opened, her smirk widening. "You're pretty tough, for a kid."

"I am older than you, you know."

"Only physically," she pointed to his path. "Now go win."

This was it.

Making a mental note to make Iris pay for her remark at a later date, Ash walked on. The next face was alone, but no less distinguished. The smiling bluenette stood facing him, a Piplup at her feet.

Ash smiled.

Dawn raised her hand. Piplup raised a flipper.

Ash raised his hand. Pikachu raised a paw.

There were no words.

CLAP.

None were needed.

This was it.

Ash walked on, the light beyond the hall growing brighter, illuminating a young woman in a familiar kerchief, a young man in a lab coat, and a Gallade nearby. Pikachu rushed to greet another old friend as May seemed on the verge of bursting with excitement.

"I can't believe this is happening. I'm kinda nervous."

"You're not the one battling."

"Well I'm nervous for you, then!" She broke into a wide smile. "You can do it, Ash, just keep fighting until he stops fighting back!"

Ash grinned. That's how we battle."

Max wasn't so amused. "This isn't just another battle, Ash. Not by a long shot. He's the best." Max's gaze met Ash's, the air growing heavy, the words he spoke chilling the very air-Max smiled. "And you're better."

"Yeah." Ash smiled. "I am. See you when I'm done."

"Pika chu."

"Gall ade."

Pikachu span in place, tail tapping Gallade's "blades", joining Ash, moving ahead.

This was it.

Ash's next face was darting between looking in Ash's direction, and a notebook in front of him, moving the pencil with machine-like precision and human artistry. As Ash and Pikachu finally closed in, the pencil stopped. Ash would see his work later, no doubt. He wanted to save it for later. He wanted to see the "before and after".

Noticing his gaze, Tracy flipped his notebook shut. "I wanted to commemorate the moment." He smiled. "Before the other one I'll be drawing today."

Ash grinned. "No doubts huh?"

"None. I knew after you beat Drake, you'd go far one day."

"This far?"

"I wouldn't say that." Pausing, for a second, Tracey considered his words, "But if you'd told me then, I wouldn't have been that surprised." He signalled to the end of the hall. "Go make history."

This was it.

Ash's footsteps seemed to reverberate, through the hall, through him, the moment filling him, overwhelming everything else. He'd walked towards battles many spent their lifetimes failing to gain opportunity to fight, but this one, this one was something else, like the difference between dream and reality, but even the truest of reality could occasionally mirror a dream. Before him, were two faces he'd seen in this hall, on this day, a thousand times that never were. This time, the day was not a dream, the faces of his oldest friends were finally the truth.

"Hey."

"Hey."
"Hey."

Ash...found himself suppressing the urge to laugh, he'd always pictured this moment with a greater degree of...emotion. "You ever see this day coming?"

Misty snorted. "When I met you, I'd have been surprised if you ever won a badge." (A much greater degree of emotion...) "Then I got to know you." She smiled. "Then I just wondered how long you'd take to get here."

"After our battle," began Brock, "I knew after that, you'd go far, and the further I went with you, the further I knew you'd go. I knew you'd get here one day." His gaze turned to the end of the hall, from where the sounds of the crowd were still going. "This is really it."

"Yeah." Ash stepped forward, the light in the distance leading to the crowds above. "You'll be watching, right?"

Brock's hand clasped a shoulder. "To the end."

As did Misty's. "You can do it, Ash."

"I will."

This was it.

Their hands parted from him, but they did not. Their belief in him would never wane. Nor would his own belief. The fires of time had forged powerful mettle, and not just his own.

"You ready, buddy?"

"Pika!"

Ash moved forward, the cheering of the crowd beyond washing over him.

This was it.

From above, light shone through a hole in the ceiling. He came to a halt, the floor beneath his feet would soon rise. He took a breath, breathing in the world, the moment, the reality in. He gazed down, at his gloved hands. It felt like forever had passed since he set out, yet at the same time, felt like no time at all. Time imperceptible had forged him, experiences uncountable had shaped him, trails unforgettable had prepared him all for this day that would be marked for all time. He clenched his fists.

He was ready. "Ladies of Gentlemen!"Ash lowered his hands, affirmed his stance, it was time. "Today, we witness the ultimate battle, between two titans of trainers! Pillars of training, dedication to battle, and skill! Today! We see who is the strongest! Presenting our challenger!"

The world beneath Ash shifted, in more ways than one, the floor, and his excitement rising, the light above growing brighter and brighter-and he was in the world above, in the largest, and grandest arena ever built for battling, the only grounds sufficient for the fight to come.

"Kanto Pokémon Champion, Ash Ketchum!"

The crowds roars became thunderous, an ocean of faces unleashing a deluge of cheer. Where his friends were, he couldn't have hoped to guess. Where his previous opponents were, much the same. Friend and foe blended as one, all their eyes upon him. Ash walked forward, Pikachu at his side, their glorious stride to their place in the world. If every trainer in the world could get fifteen seconds of fame, few would wish for anything less than his moment. For one moment, the world was in his hands.

"And his opponent."

And just like that, it was gone. All eyes, in the arena, the cameras, and the countless eyes beyond turned to one spot. "A man who needs no introduction." Not to Ash, he'd known his opponent's name for as long as he'd been capable of memory. "The League's strongest, the world's strongest." There. He was arising, his visage in plain sight. "Pokémon Grandmaster, Quentin Gelden!"

This was it.

One man, a tall man, clad in a brown trench coat, his piercing dark green eyes open. His white hair was obscured under a brown fedora. At his side, a Smeargle stood, his black-tipped tail dancing in the air. They strode forward, every step a portent of what was to come, what Ash had come all the way for, through every day of his life.

Quentin and his partner came to a halt, their place in the world found, right across from his opponent. "I've been looking forward to this." He smiled. "Make it worth the wait."

Ash couldn't help but grin. "Same here."

His gesture was returned in kind. "Come and get me!"

The challenge had been made, two trainers, two Masters ready for the ultimate battle. Tension so great, it was a wonder it didn't crack the world around them. Human and Pokémon stared one another down, the long battle's opening salvo already loosed, seeking weakness. Finding none, Ash's unspoken words ringing in the air, words he'd uttered in silence for years. Here I come.

Quentin had not been the only one waiting. Since Ash was capable of memory, he'd awaited one thing, one day, this day.

This was it.

Away and above the arena, an old man stood before a microphone, his getup at odds with the context of the time and place, but all the same, Charles Goodshow had something to say.

"The mantle of Grandmaster stands contested. As it has been since the first Grandmaster, the worthy will be decided on the battlefield!"

This was it.

The end of the road.

Everyone else there was to beat, he'd beat. He'd walked every path, surmounted every mountain, overcame every obstacle. Every day, every hour, every waking moment, all on the road to be the very best, it all came down to this.

Now, all that remained, was one final step.

"Let the battle begin!"

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End

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Author's Notes: Happy 25th (western) Anniversary to our boy who wanted to be the very best, and the series that's touched lives beyond counting.

I seriously forgot about Tracey the first time around.

Haven't watched Pokémon Journeys all that much, not sure if Chloe technically counts as one of Ash's friends. Put her in anyway just in case.

(Sorry for any sub-par portrayals.)