Mount Moon loomed up ahead, it's rocky slope sheer and uninviting. This didn't really concern Ash, though. He had traveled the world over; a single mountain wasn't going to stop him. Sunset, on the other hand, would. So when the sun began to set, Ash and Brock began to set up camp. Ash called upon many of his partners to help out. As Ash and Brock set up the tents, Infernapel used flamethrower to start a fire. Greninja filled a bucket with water from a nearby pond before setting it over the flames to boil. Meanwhile, Sceptile went off into the woods in order to find some berries for the stew. Soon, everyone was gathered around the campfire, chowing down heartily. "So you had a vision in a dream?" Brock asked, setting aside his bowl. Everyone was settled in, stomachs full and eyes heavy. Garchomp, Torterra, and Snorlax were already asleep. Leavanny and Sudowoodo, worn out from a tough battle, was curled up beneath un top of Torterra sleep. Gliscor hung upside down in a nearby tree, snoring quietly. Nearly all of Ash and Brock's pokemon were asleep when a few started training. Greninja and Sceptile began sparring with Lucario, who fought them off with a glowing, bone like bow staff. Meanwhile, Infernape was trying to get a hit in on Gengar, who was laughing and teleporting non stop.
"Yeah. I don't quite remember falling asleep, but the next thing I knew, I was standing before Arceus itself. It told me that I needed to stop the end of the world. It said that I would need to beat the champions before I would be strong enough. That's why I am challenging the gyms again." Ash replied, finishing his stew. He glanced at his pokemon, then reached up to scratch underneath Pikachu's chin. Pikachu cooed in appreciation before scampering over to Snorlax and settling in himself. Brock and Ash settled into silence for a few minutes as Brock digested what Ash had told him and Ash merely gazed into the flickering flames. Sceptile and Greninja were now darting from branch to branch, trying to get into Lucario's blind spots. Lucario was firing aura spheres at it's opponents with one paw while using bone rush to counter their attacks with the other. Meanwhile, Infernape was getting up close and person with Gengar, who was using all his abilities and skill to dodge his opponent's attacks.
"So what you're saying is that you need to beat the leagues as a form of training?" brock inquired at last. Ash nodded. "That's what Arceus implied, at the very least. And it's not the worst idea; we could definitely use the training." Ash trailed off, his gaze wandering to the nearby pond. He smiled at the sight of the Moon's beams dancing upon it's surface. "And I've definitely got a bit of a score to settle." He finished. Brock nodded, seemingly having made up his mind about something. "Then I'll come with you. Not just to Cerulean City, but beyond that." Ash teared up at tht. Sure Brock was his best (male) friend, but he didn't expect to be forgiven so easily. "But don't expect that to be the end of that. You still have a lot of explaining to do!" Brock exclaimed. Ah, there it is. Ash thought, smiling bemusedly. Suddenly, the pokemon that had been training stilled, each of them turning their heads in the exact same direction. Noticing the change in behavior, Ash and Brock rose to their feet, readying themselves for a fight. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, Ash asked in a low tone "What ever happened to team rocket?".
"They vanished a few years ago" Brock replied while looking around. All of a sudden, a nearby patch of brush started shaking slightly. Ash's five pokemon still awake formed up a few yards away, taking stances and preparing for a fight. Then, from among the brush emerged two pokemon. One was a red, bipedal pokemon with pincers and a spiked head, as well as a pair of translucent wings sticking out from it's back. The second was a green and white humanoid with blue highlights and arms that ended in blade like extensions. A light blue horn adorned it's head.
"Don't be alarmed." rang forth a voice from all around them. "We mean you no harm". Ash and Brock surveyed the surrounding area, unable to tell where the voice had come from. "It's been a long time" came the voice once more, but this time from above them. Stunned, Ash turned, looking above himself into the tree a few feet away. There among the branches was a man in a purple outfit with black greaves and armor. The ornate armor had pointed extensions above the shoulders and there was green around the man's upturned collar, and the black of the armor was lined with gold. His black hair was tied back in a short ponytail and was shorn on the sides, while a short, thin beard hung from his chin. Next to him was someone that Ash recognized. Standing around the same height as the other man. With the same blue ninja outfit and red scarf, was Saizo, who Ash knew had been Sanpei's ninja master. "I never expected to find you back in Kanto" Saizo said, leaping down from the tree along with his companion. "You remember Kategomo?" Ash squinted, trying to remember the person in question. Then he recalled his time at the ninja village in Kalos, as well as the band of ninja and their leader that had attempted to seize control of the village while he and his friends were there. He nodded politely to Kategomo, and, turning, introduced Saizo to Brock. "Brock, this is Saizo. He was the master of a friend that I met in Kalos, Sanpei." Brock shook Saizo's hand. Then, turning to Ash, said "I never knew that you had friends who were ninja". Ash shrugged, feeling sheepish. "Yeah, sorry about that." he replied.
Kategomo stepped forward then, saying "I do not mean to interrupt, but we are here on important and urgent business. Saizo?" Saizo nodded, saying "Yes, I'm afraid we have a lot to speak about, Ash. We, the citizens of the Ninja Village and all of Kalos, need your help."