"Sinnoh region, here we come." Ash said, as he looked off the edge of the boat.

"Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered.

"Snea." Sneasel said with his usual demeanor.

"Yeah, I didn't forget about you," Ash said. "I technically didn't forget you back in Kanto, I was planning on only taking Pikachu again to the new region." Ash commented under his breath.

After having gone through Hoenn and Kanto again with Brendan and his new Pokemon from Hoenn, Ash had decided to do the same again, with only bringing Pikachu with him, but Sneasel had snuck on the boat and Ash realized having a second Pokemon knowing their way around contests, at least for now isn't a terrible idea.

"Sneasel Snea." Sneasel said smugly, standing next to Ash as the boat pushed forward towards the shore of Sinnoh.

A short while later

"Alright, Professor Oak said I should check in with his associate here in Sandgem Town, so let's start there and find where the first contest hall is." Ash said, readjusting his bag. "Then we can hopefully get your Pokeball from him."

"Snea!" Sneasel argued.

"I already said I'm not sending you back, but I still need your Pokeball." Ash groaned.

"Ahhhh!" A girls scream cried out from not far away.

"And we'll deal with that later, come on!" Ash said rushing off with Pikachu and Sneasel hot on his heels.

Near where the scream came from

"Pickup use Peck!" A girl with blue hair called out.

The small blue Pokémon rushed at their attacker, only to get knocked back from its attack.

"Oh no." The girl said worriedly.

"Pikachu use Quick Attack! Sneasel use Ice Shard" Ash called out.

Pikachu and Sneasel leapt from the ledge above the girl with the shard striking the wild Ariados and stunning it momentarily before Pikachu sent it tumbling back.

"Hey are you alright?" Ash asked, leaping down to help the girl up.

"Thanks, that Pokémon came out of nowhere and…". The girl paused seeing Ash. "It's you!"

"Umm, yes I think?" Ash asked in confusion.

"Sorry, my names Dawn. You're him right, Ash Ketchum the winner of the Kanto Ribbon cup and runner up from the prior seasons Hoenn Cup?" The girl asked excitedly.

"Yeah, I didn't think my exploits would be known all the way out here though." Ash commented with a chuckle. "How do you know all that?"

"Oh right, I'm aspiring to be a top coordinator too." Dawn said. "My mom was one when she was my age."

"Cool, so you've had a few contests then?" Ash asked.

"Not exactly, I kind of just started with Piplup here, we've barely even begun." Dawn admitted.

"So that's a Piplup huh?" Ash asked, pulling out his Pokedex.

'Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon and a water type. Because it is very proud, it hates accepting food from people. It's thick down protects it from the cold.' The Pokedex explained.

"Cool. So do you happen to know where Professor Rowan's research lab is, I was supposed to meet up with him when I got here." Ash admitted.

"Yeah, we actually just came from there, come on I'll show you the way." Dawn said, leading Ash and his Pokemon. "So what's it like, being on stage that is, I mean I've dreamed about what it will be like but you've actually done it."

"I mean it's hard to say, I've done gym battles, fought in Pokemon leagues, and now compete in contests for a Grand Festival, but each time I go out there, it feels all new all over again, the excitement behind each opportunity is a refreshing taste from the last." Ash admitted. "When you're up there performing with your Pokemon, you feel like you are one being."

"That sounds… wow." Dawn admitted. "Anyway the lab is right up there, best of luck and I hope that we'll see each other on the contest circuit some time, even if you had a bit more experience."

"Yeah, I'll see you around, just know that you getting me here doesn't earn you a pass if we end up in a battle against each other." Ash commented.

"I'll look forward to that, I don't plan on being starstruck for long with you." Dawn said, leaving Ash at the lab.

"Alright, let's talk with the Professor." Ash said, opening the door and letting Sneasel and Pikachu in before him.

"Hello, I'll be right there with you." An older gentleman said.

"Snea?" Sneasel said inquisitively, looking at what he was working on.

"Sorry sir, I was hoping to use your transfer phone to call Professor Oak.

"Samuel, ahh, you must be Ashton. My name is Professor Rowan," The man said, turning to face Ash. "Go right ahead and use the phone while I finish the check up on these two." Professor Rowan said, returning to his work.

"Thank you." Ash said, heading to the phone.

A few minutes later

"Alright Sneasel, home sweet home, away from home." Ash said, returning the dark and ice type.

"So Ashton this is your first visit to the Sinnoh region." Professor Rowan said, finishing up his work. "I know Professor Oak asked you to come here on your first stop, but there isn't much I can do for you from what I know about your Pokdex's upgrades."

"Yeah, I think all the Pokemon native to here in Sinnoh were uploaded when Professor Birch upgraded it a while ago." Ash said, handing his Pokedex over.

"Let me see, yes it all looks good here, all of the Pokemon are able to be researched from your current Pokedex." Professor Rowan said. "Now if you are looking for gyms, your first stop would be Oreburgh City, just East of Jubilife City and past the mountains."

"What about contests?" Ash asked.

"Same place." Professor Rowan said. "You'll be able to sign up for contests in the same place when you arrive."

"Thanks for the advice Professor." Ash said.

"Ahh yes, one more thing, if you run into her, I had another trainer interested in contests who just picked up her first Pokemon today." Professor Rowan said.

"Yeah, she brought me here, her name was Dawn." Ash commented.

"Yes, I know you've been through this a few times, and have some knowledge, if you can, give her a few tips so she doesn't get in too over her head." Professor Rowan said.

"Of course, I'll give some advice, but I'm not really looking for another apprentice coming along with me, I really want to try going in alone this time, at least for a bit." Ash admitted.

"No problem with that in the slightest, just asking a favor." Professor Rowan said. "Best of luck out there."

"Thanks again." Ash said.

Ash's Current Team and Their Moves

Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Shock Wave - Iron Tail

Sneasel: Ice Shard - Agility - Thief - Metal Claw