Hi all,

Welcome to my first ever story with multiple chapters. I'll be working on this story for the time being, and I imagine it reaching at least 5 chapters, likely no more than 10.

I'm writing from a third person point of view, which was a difficult choice, but ultimately what I ended up going with. Something you may learn from reading my stories, is that I hate plot holes! As a result, I did my best to cover up any possible plot holes that I could think of in this story. I do my best to five a reason for what happens, rather than just 'because.'

Overall, I'm happy with how the first chapter came out, I expect that each chapter will take me a few days to write assuming I'm working on it consistently. Any readers (assuming that even ONE person reads this story) can rest assured that I won't abandon this story, it WILL be finished.

That's everything I got for the author's note.

Enjoy


Alternate reality where Ash did NOT win the Alola league, and lost to Gladion in the final match. Ash is also not wearing his god awful Alolan outfit, and is wearing something similar to what he wore in Kalos.

Chapter 1: Mistakes Are Made

The light shined through the window of the hotel room on the sunny day in the Alola region. It was relatively early in the evening as the light shimmered through the window, coating every surface with a yellow glow. Sitting at a nearby desk, the face of a familiar Pokemon trainer lit up with the bright rays of sunshine, Ash Ketchum.

The seventeen year old trainer's eyes began to flutter open, signaling the return from sleep and gain of consciousness of the raven haired trainer. In his lap lay his faithful Pokemon companion, a yellow mouse, known by the more familiar name of Pikachu, still asleep on his trainer's lap.

Ash's eyes opened fully as he began to take in his surroundings and remember why he was there. His eyes rose up to the left corner of the desk, where a digital clock sat, indicating the time.

Ash looked at the time and then looked away. However, after processing what the clock said, he hastily looked back with wide eyes to double-check the number. 3:40 PM.

3:40 PM!?

"Holy shit, Pikachu! Our flight home leaves in twenty minutes!" Ash yelled to his companion.

The Pokemon opened its eyes slowly, "Pikaaaa.." it groaned, wanting to go back to sleep.

"Pikachu, we've gotta go! It's 3:40!" Ash yelled again. Pikachu processed what his trainer said before its eyes also went wide, and it dashed up and to the door.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu, now fully awake, yelled at its friend, trying to get him to leave quicker.

Ash quickly grabbed his bag, containing all of his belongings, and made sure his boarding pass was present in his pocket before running out the door with Pikachu.

Ash ran through the red carpeted hallways of the hotel, past the many doors and confused looks of other people staying in the hotel. "Sorry!" Ash yelled without turning back as he blew through a couple holding hands in the middle of the hall. This earned Ash a pair of dirty looks, not that he knew.

Pikachu stopped at the closed elevator at the end of the hall, but his trainer ran right by and took the stairs.

"Come on Pikachu! We don't have time for the elevator!" Ash said, already sprinting down the stairs. Pikachu quickly followed his partner down the flights of stairs. Their flight back to Kanto was scheduled to leave at 4 PM, and the clock was ticking.

Ash quickly slid down the handrails of the stairwell before landing at the door to the lobby, which he quickly threw open.

Ash threw his room key to the hotel receptionist without a second glance.

"Sorry! I'm checking out, no time to talk, running late!" He yelled, as the receptionist gazed at him with an annoyed look. Soon Ash was out of the front door of the hotel, and already on his way down the sidewalk through the Alolan city.

The airport was only a few blocks away, but Ash and Pikachu did not slow down. He looked down at his watch to see the time. 3:50 PM.

"We gotta hurry it up, Pikachu! We've only got ten minutes!" Ash yelled again, not caring what the people around him thought.

"Pikaa!" the mouse yelled back, as the duo quickened their pace to the airport, attracting looks of many passersby.

After about five minutes of running, Ash and Pikachu finally reached the doors of the airport. With just five minutes left, Ash quickly checked his boarding pass for the gate number.

The pass read Gate 4B, and Ash quickly ran in the direction of the entrance. He ran past multiple other gates. He flew by each of them, only taking a short second to glance at the designation above each gateway.

Ash reached the end of the building, still no Gate 4B in sight. He and Pikachu started to panic before spotting a gate at the other end of the airport. Ash squinted his eyes and read the designation. It was Gate 4B!

"Pikachu! This way!" He yelled before breaking into a full sprint in the direction of the gate. He glanced at his watch to read 3:59 PM.

Ash panicked realizing he had no time left and he looked up to see the gate attendant beginning to close the door. Ash and Pikachu sprinted with everything they had to the gate.

They were so close and Ash could see through the hallway to the plane from the entrance of the gate.

Ash reached it right before it was about to close and slid right through the gap with Pikachu. He threw his boarding pass to the gate attendant, a blonde woman in airport uniform, but it missed its mark and landed on the ground by the women's feet.

"Sorry, I'm late!" Ash yelled to the gate attendant without turning back. Pikachu made a sound to apologize as well.

The gate attendant picked up the pass from the ground and examined it for a minute before her eyes went wide.

"Wait! Sir! This pass is for Gate 4B, this is Gate 4D!" she yelled to the trainer and his companion, but to no avail, as he was already down the hallway and entering the plane.

The woman looked at the time, seeing it was already time for the plane to leave. The airport had adopted a policy of not delaying flights without a reasonable cause and the plane hadn't sold out of tickets, meaning there wouldn't be a shortage of seats. She had a quick moral question to ask herself. Does she stop both this flight and the correct one to help this trainer get on the right plane, at the cost of facing the wrath of her boss, or does she let it go and let the trainer realize his own mistake?

She pondered the decision for a moment, but not wanting to be disciplined by her boss, she decided to let it go, and continued to close the gate solemnly.

Ash had now entered the plane and quickly found an empty seat at the back of the plane. Fortunately, the plane was relatively empty, and there wasn't really anybody in the section he sat in. Ash sat in the window seat. He placed his bag on the seat to his left, and Pikachu quickly sat atop it.

"Dang, Pikachu, that was really stressful." He said, as he tried to catch his rapid breath, exhausted from the effort it took to make it on time.

"Pikaaaaa!" his pokemon agreed with him.

"I'm just really glad we made it on time. I don't know what we would've done if we didn't make it in time. I'm really eager to get back to Pallet Town and see my mom and Professor Oak, and flights from Alola are pretty few and far between." Ash said.

Pikachu made a sound to agree with his trainer, though he was mostly excited to get to the ketchup supply that Ash had at home for Pikachu.

"Please fasten your seatbelts as we prepare for takeoff," the pilot said over the plane's intercom. Ash fastened his and Pikachu's seatbelt, glad that he was truly secured on his ride back home.

Ash thought back to why he was late. I mean, what was he doing sleeping in the early evening of the day? Why was he so exhausted?

The truth was, Ash had just lost the Alola league the day prior. He lost in the final match against Gladion, marking the seventh league that Ash had once again fallen short in. This loss particularly had a pretty big effect on him.

His Alolan friends tried to convince him to stay a little bit longer, but Ash insisted he had to get back home to Pallet Town, not wanting to stick around the region where he took another big loss any longer.

So Ash, now alone, spent a lot of time in his head pondering over everything. He was incredibly disappointed that he had lost yet another league, which caused him to be unable to sleep the night prior.

He thought back to the events of the night.


11 PM, the night before

Ash was devastated, he had lost yet another league.

No amount of friends consoling him on his loss, or congratulations for reaching the finals could take him out of his state. In Ash's eyes, he was a failure until he won something big. For a very long time, he was the kind of kid that would never let shortcomings get him down, but after maturing combined with numerous losses, he made it clear to himself that he was not content until he achieved his dreams and won a championship.

Ash had sat in his hotel room for a little bit, staring at the wall, or the ceiling, or whichever piece of furniture caught his eye after the previous. Eventually, Pikachu had fallen asleep in his bed, and Ash decided he needed a change of scenery.

He left Pikachu in the hotel room to go on a walk outside so he could clear his head. He walked down the hallway, and decided to take the stairs.

He reached the lobby, and the receptionist paid him no mind, engrossed in a magazine she was reading. He walked out of the door and began walking down the dark streets.

The streets were empty, leaving only Ash and the lamplight glow to keep him company. Ask walked to the edge of the city by the boardwalk. It was usually busy on days like this, but the prior excitement of the tournament left it mostly empty.

Ash walked down the boardwalk and to the dark, sandy beach, where he began a slow walk up and down the shoreline. He began to think about his situation. He had been traveling for seven years, and made it through so many regions. Countless gym badges and battles fought. How much more would it take?

Ash stopped and took a seat in the sand. He looked out to the ocean and the night sky above him. He wished that the stars would align for him someday, that he'd finally be able to make it big. Ash sighed, wondering how much more it would take.

However, even though Ash was more aware of his losses, he still had not become any less determined, and wouldn't hesitate to begin another journey, which was part of his eagerness to get home. His flight was planned for tomorrow evening, and he couldn't be more anxious to get home.

Ash sat at the beach for a few hours, taking in the sight of the ocean and the night sky, and thinking about what he'd do next.

Eventually, Ash made it back to the hotel room sometime in the early morning, and sat at the room desk for a short time before exhaustion got the best of him. Pikachu woke up, and found his place on Ash's lap before being claimed by sleep once again.


Present

Ash snapped back to reality, not really wanting to think much longer about the situation. His eyes met the screen on the back of the seat in front of him where he saw something odd.

The screen was showing the weather for Petalburg City, Hoenn; where it had been raining for over a day, with no sign of stopping. Ash was kind of confused why it would be showing the weather somewhere in Hoenn when the plane was headed for Kanto, but he assumed it to be just an issue with the screen, maybe it was mistaking the flight for a different one or the flight staff simply forgot to change it from a prior flight. Either way, he didn't think much of it.

Ash now groaned, realizing the very long flight he had ahead of him, considering that Alola was halfway across the world from Kanto. He would be arriving very early in the morning at Kanto, sometime past midnight. Despite that, he was still happy to be getting home.

"Well, Pikachu, we've got a long ride ahead of us." Ash said, turning to his companion, but Pikachu was already fast asleep. Sometimes Ash couldn't believe how much time his best friend could spend dreaming, he chuckled a little bit, before turning back to look out the window as the blue of the ocean passed underneath them.

Now alone in consciousness again, Ash began to think about his journeys up to this point. The screen displaying Petalburg City made him think about his journeys in Hoenn. He recalled his journey through the warmer region. He thought of his Pokemon, and wondered how Sceptile, his strongest Pokemon from the region, was doing. Ash made a note to check on him once he got home.

Ash thought of his championship in Hoenn, where he lost against Tyson for top eight. Ash's strength has only grown since then, and he's become a much better trainer. How long would it take before he was good enough to win a league? Ash sighed, not wanting to get into this thought process again.

Ash then thought of his companions. It had been awhile since he'd talked to Brock, he wondered how he was doing at this point as the Pewter City Gym leader. Ash kind of missed Brock for his great cooking and companionship. Brock had been Ash's go-to person for advice, and he missed having him around. Ash decided he'd visit him on the way back to Pallet Town once he was in Kanto.

Ash also hadn't seen Max since he and his Hoenn companions had parted ways. He wondered how the boy was doing now, and if he had started his journey yet. He still owed Max a battle, and wondered when that would be.

Ash then thought of a certain brunette that accompanied him throughout Hoenn and the Battle Frontier. It had also been awhile since Ash had seen or talked to May. The last time he had seen her was in Sinnoh, and it had been a few years since they talked. Ash wasn't very good at keeping in touch with people, and that proved true for him and May.

He hoped May was doing okay. She had changed a lot from the day he first met her, from someone who didn't really like Pokemon and was only interested in travel, to a dedicated and amazing coordinator, the 'Princess of Hoenn.'

Ash recalled the many adventures he'd been on with May, from the many contests and battles they were present in for each other, to when Ash made sure both May and Manaphy would be safe while he tried to save the Sea Temple. He remembered looking into May's deep sapphire eyes as he closed the life pod hatch, as she began to tear up, hoping that she wouldn't lose him. He remembered how May was the reason he was able to get the last crystal and save the temple, how she gave him the motivation and energy to continue.

Back then, Ash had started to feel something for May, and it grew over the rest of the time he had spent with her. However, after parting ways with her, he dismissed it, not quite understanding what it meant. He saw May again in Sinnoh, where they talked for a little bit and May got to meet Dawn, and Ash felt some things begin to resurface when he talked to her then.

Suddenly, Ash remembered something else. He carefully picked up Pikachu and placed him on the outermost seat, mindful as to not wake him, and then grabbed his bag. He rummaged inside for a little bit, in search of something. Eventually he checked a small pocket, where he reached inside and pulled out a small ribbon.

It was the Terracotta Ribbon. Well, half of it at least. It was from when May and Ash had tied for first for a contest, and decided to split the ribbon. It was a symbol of the amazing bond that Ash and May had grown together. Ash's heart seemed to hurry in pace as he stared at the gold medal and pink ribbon that wrapped it. He wasn't sure why, he thought he left those feelings for May back in Sinnoh.

Ash summed it up to be the simple saying, "Time apart makes the heart grow fonder." Either way, he wondered when he'd be able to see May again.

Little did Ash know, he'd have the opportunity to see her again much sooner than he could have ever imagined.

Ash continued to think about his journeys, companions, Pokemon, battles, and achievements, before finally letting himself fall into the clutches of sleep about an hour into the flight.


About 7 hours later..

Ash awoke to a buzzing sound coming from inside the cabin of the plane. The sound signaled the pilot was about to speak over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are roughly ten minutes from landing, please fasten your seatbelts and prepare to collect all carry-on luggage. We hope you enjoyed your flight with Alolan Airlines." the pilot spoke.

Ash nudged his still sleeping companion next to him. The Pokemon made a groan-like sound, but after a few tries, it opened its eyes.

"Pikaaaaaaaaaaaa," Pikachu groaned.

"Yeah, I get it Pikachu, I feel a little bit of jet lag as well." Ash replied, "I can't wait to see mom and Professor Oak, though."

A groggy Pikachu gave Ash a thumbs up, before laying down on Ash's bag again.

Ash looked out the window, but couldn't make out anything from his home region of Kanto. It was pouring rain out right now, and the weather clouded his vision outside the plane. He'd be landing in Saffron City in about ten minutes though.

Ash planned out how the next few days would go. He'd stay the night at a hotel in Saffron City, then in the morning he'd begin his commute back home to Pallet Town, and on the way, he'd stop at a few places to visit old friends, mainly Brock in Pewter City. Either way, he was eager to get off the plane soon and begin his journey home.

Soon, Ash could feel the plane begin to touch the surface on the tarmac at the Saffron City Airport, and his excitement continued to grow.

The plane came to a full stop on the tarmac and Ash unbuckled, grabbed his backpack, and began to walk toward the exit of the plane with Pikachu when the intercom buzzing sound filled the cabin again.

The intercom cut on and the pilot began, "Well folks, that concludes our flight. If you look outside, you can see that it is quite rainy, but once again, we hope you enjoyed flying with Alolan Airlines and welcome you to Petalburg City, Hoenn!"

Ash froze. The excitement and eagerness once present on his face had disappeared. Instead, there lay a serious look of devastation. A similar expression could be seen on Pikachu's face.

This had to be a mistake, Ash thought. The pilot definitely didn't mean to say Petalburg City, Hoenn. There's no way Ash could've gotten on the wrong plane. He thought back to what the screen displayed in front of his seat.

No, no. It can't be. There is no way that he got on the wrong plane in his rush. How could this have happened!? These thoughts swirled in Ash's head as he left the exit of the plane in a daze. His surroundings seemed foggy, and he was barely paying attention to where he was walking inside the hallway to the airport.

Was it possible he read his boarding pass wrong? Or maybe he went through the wrong gate, but then why didn't the gate attendant say anything? Did he even buy the right ticket in the first place?

Ash exited from the hallway and through the gate and stopped, facing forward, and sure enough, facing back at him was the Petalburg City Airport. The building was mainly empty aside from Ash and the rest of the people on his plane. It looked like there were no more flights planned to depart or arrive for the rest of the night.

Ash and Pikachu proceeded to run to the reception area inside the airport, where they immediately spotted a receptionist and rushed to them.

"Excuse me, sir! There's been a huge mistake! I think I got on the wrong plane!" Ash practically yelled at the receptionist.

The middle aged man looked at Ash for a few seconds before speaking, "Please calm down, sir. We'll try and get it sorted out. Can I please have your full name and the airline you bought a ticket with."

"My name is Ash Ketchum, and I was with Alolan Airlines." Ash responded.

The receptionist took a minute of clicking and typing some things in at his computer before replying, "Alright, I've got your profile pulled up, it looks like you did indeed get on the wrong plane. There were two planes scheduled for the time you were supposed to depart, one to Kanto and one to Hoenn."

"Oh, shit! Can you tell me when the next flight is to Kanto?" Ash asked frantically.

"Please refrain from using profanity, sir."

"Yeah, yeah, sorry. Please just tell me." Ash said.

"Unfortunately, I have some bad news to share with you." the receptionist continued, "The Petalburg City Airport is closing for a week for maintenance and development. You arrived on the last flight coming or going."

Ash's face went white like he'd seen a ghost. Pikachu, who sat on the ground next to him, had a similar look. Ash couldn't believe he'd have to wait a whole week before he could get back home. He had no idea what he was going to do between now and then. Why did life have to be this way to him? All he wanted to do was go home and visit his family and friends? Why must life be so difficult?

"Um, sir, are you alright?" The receptionist asked.

Ash snapped out of his daze, "Oh- uh, yeah. Do you know if there are any ferries to Kanto anytime soon?" Ash asked with one last glimmer of hope.

"Unfortunately, ferries are a lot less common since the Petalburg City Airport was built, and most are out of service or no longer doing long distance trips." the man replied, with a small look of empathy for Ash's situation.

Ash looked towards the ground and leaned on the edge of the reception desk. Pikachu put his head against Ash's leg.

Sensing Ash's struggle, the receptionist said, "Look, sir, I understand your situation and I'm sorry. My best recommendation is that you get a hotel room in Petalburg, and take some time to relax and wind down. Explore what the city has to offer, and just try and have some fun. I'll see if we can get you scheduled for a free flight for when the airport opens back up because of your situation."

Ash looked up, thankful for the receptionist's understanding, and nodded. "That'd be nice, he said."

Ash walked over to a resting area and sat down on a couch before putting his head in his hands and closing his eyes. Pikachu came by and tried to comfort Ash.

"Pikaaa pi," Pikachu said, trying to tell Ash that everything was gonna be okay.

Ash raised his head, "I know, Pikachu, I just can't believe this kind of stuff is happening to us." Ash replied, before putting his head in his hands again while Pikachu found a place on his lap.

Ash and Pikachu stayed this way for a few minutes, before an old janitor came over and tapped Ash on the shoulder.

."Sorry, sir, but you need to leave now. We are closing the doors to the airport." he said.

Ash didn't reply, and instead grabbed his bag, and walked out of the door and into the rain with Pikachu.

Ash slumped down against the wall of the outside of the airport, and sat. Now cold and wet, Ash just sat in the rain, Pikachu crawled onto Ash's shoulder and sat as well.

"Well, Pikachu, it hasn't been a great day so far." Ash said, as he stood up, put the hood of his jacket on with Pikachu finding his way inside, and began walking down the sidewalk.


Well, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I spent awhile writing this, and I hope that someone out there enjoys what I'm taking the time to create (and to keep advanceshipping alive ;[)

Please leave reviews and feedback.

Thanks