"Hey, Trip!" Professor Juniper called as she saw the familiar young man, his dirty blond hair and orange jacket prominent. The young trainer stopped fiddling with his camera and greeted the professor as she neared.

"Hi, Professor Juniper! I'm finally ready to go on my own journey," the trainer, Trip, said.

"I know you've waited a long time for this. Welcome to the world of Pokemon!" Professor Juniper announced which brought a small smile to Trip's face.

Ash couldn't help but butt in. "Hey, you probably didn't sleep last night because you're excited, right? I'm the same!"

Ash chuckled sheepishly while Brock let out an amused huff. Misty was about to tease Ash about it when Trip rudely asked, "Who are you?"

Professor Juniper introduced Ash. "Trip, meet Ash. He is a Pokemon trainer from Pallet Town, Kanto Region."

"Nice to meet you, Trip!"

Trip snorted. "Pallet Town? Kanto Region?"

"What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking that a guy like you came from the boonies."

Misty, Brock, and Tracey collectively decided that they didn't like this trainer. Professor Juniper sweatdropped as she realized that Trip had just badmouthed Kanto region in front of elite trainers from Kanto. Misty was about to retort when Brock held her shoulder and gave her a look.

"Come on, today's your first day as a trainer! You shouldn't pick fights. Now, you can choose your partner from one of these starters," derailed Professor Juniper as she sent out a Tepig.

An orange pig-like Pokemon emerged and showed up its fire skills. Obviously, Ash gushed about the Pokemon while his friends shook their head fondly. Tracey immediately rummaged his backpack for his pencil and sketchpad.

"Up next, here's Oshawott, a water-type!"

Misty's eyes twinkled as she heard that a water-type is next. A bipedal, blue Sea Otter Pokemon emerged from the Pokeball and put on its best face. "Oshawott!"

Ash, who had been the nearest one to Oshawott, exclaimed, "Aww! Aren't you the cutest?!"

Oshawott seemed taken aback at first at this compliment but shyly basked in it. A green reptilian bipedal snake-like Pokemon called Snivy was sent out next.

"Man, if it were me, this is a hard choice," whined Ash as Trip made a decision. Misty lightly punched his arm and said, "Idiot, the obvious choice is the water-type!"

Tracey sighed, "Come on, Misty, you know you're biased towards that." The boys laughed at Misty's expense while Trip took out his camera and took a picture of the starters.

"I've decided! I'll take Snivy."

The Snivy stood tall and proud while Tepig snorted cinders. Oshawott, however, promptly fell over dramatically, hurt that he wasn't chosen. Professor Juniper added reminders and tips for Trip's Pokemon journey and had given him a Pokedex and extra Pokeballs.

"Pikapi!"

The people turned to the sound of the electric rodent who promptly climbed Ash's shoulder. Ash nuzzled Pikachu and they turned to the sound of clicking noises as Trip took a picture of Pikachu.

"He's your starter, right?" asked Trip to which Ash answered, "Yeah, Pikachu's been my partner for a long time!"

"Is he strong?" asked Trip with a smirk only for it to fade when he heard three people near them - which Trip just noticed – snorting at the question. The orange-haired girl, in particular, was nearing tears as she tried to hide her amusement. Seemingly oblivious at this, Ash answered, "You bet!"

Trip swore there was a tic appearing on his forehead. He locked eyes with Ash and exclaimed, "I challenge you to a battle."

After Ash checking with Professor Juniper if Pikachu's clear to go, they made their way to a clearing. Brock volunteered to be the referee of the match. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Professor Juniper and the others, a certain Sea Otter Pokemon followed them and peeked at the battle from behind a tree.

Oshawott can hear the tall, brown man call the beginning of the battle and Trip promptly snapped a photo of his first battle as a trainer. Pikachu opened with a Quick Attack that squarely hit Snivy, making the serpent stumble and fall to the ground. Oshawott was impressed at the electric rodent's speed since Snivy was the fastest of the lot between the three starters of the Unova region. But it also had the biggest ego and it was an ego Oshawott had hoped would be crushed – not by him necessarily but anyone who can bruise the inflated ego.

Bouncing up with a growl, Trip ordered a Tackle attack and Oshawott was surprised to see Pikachu dodge Snivy's attack skillfully. He can see that Snivy was shocked too, if the grit of frustration was telling something. Pikachu leapt again as he dodged another Tackle attack and promptly began charging up a Thunderbolt, only for it to be interrupted by Snivy successfully landing a hit at him, sending the rodent back.

As Pikachu let out a huff of annoyance, Trip was smug enough to smirk and Oshawott can see the girl who was with Ash earlier mutter out something about arrogant newbie trainers. "Kick his ass, Ash!" Oshawott heard her say.

Snivy was also staring down at Pikachu, daring him to make a move. Pikachu did not even flinch and stared back.

"Pikachu, do you have the charge?"

Pikachu shouted with a smirk. Yellow sparks began to be visible as static electricity filled the air around Pikachu. Ash matched his starter's grin.

"Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu released the spark of electricity and directed it at Snivy who did not manage to dodge it on time, hitting the serpent. After a tense moment, Snivy dropped to the ground unconscious.

"Snivy is unable to battle, the match goes to Ash and his Pikachu!"

Trip was left dumbfounded. He stared at his starter lying on the ground. How can someone from the boonies defeat him…? He was supposed to be the strong. Supposed to be the best. How can he possibly defeat Alder if he can not even defeat this seemingly second-rate trainer.

After a moment, the girl with orange hair spoke up.

"You know, you should think twice before underestimating someone from the 'boonies'."

Trip glared at her. "Who might you be?"

"Misty Waterflower, Cerulean City Gym Leader in Kanto!" the girl – Misty – said proudly. Trip's eyes widened. He lost his first Pokemon battle… in front of a Gym Leader? But that doesn't make sense, Misty was as young as Ash… wait, would that mean that Ash was also a Gym Leader?

"No, I'm not a Gym Leader, if that's what you're thinking. Brock is, though," Ash said, as if he could read his mind and pointed at the referee – Brock – who nodded.

Ash continued, "I know the feeling of tasting defeat. My first defeat actually came when I battled Brock. I was as cocky as you are, too. But don't take it too harshly, though. It was a good battle, and I can tell you'll be a great trainer."

The trainer from Pallet Town beamed.

"See you around, Trip! Looking forward to our next battle. Before that, you really should be rushing Snivy to Professor Juniper."

With a shake of a hand, the friends went back to the laboratory just as Trip returned Snivy and reluctantly followed them inside to heal his Pokemon.

Oshawott's eyes sparkled.

At dinner, Ash made an announcement to everyone.

"I'm staying. I've decided that my next journey would be right here. I want to meet new Pokemon and make a bunch of new friends too!"

Ash had expected at least one of them to be surprised but what he got was only warm, accepting smiles.

Delia giggled, "I already expected that from you, dear. No one knows you better than I do. Why do you think I packed two full wheelie bags?"

"We know you thirst for adventure, my boy. I will continue to look for your Pokemon back home and I will look forward to hearing from you," expressed Professor Oak. "Also, you have Gible and Larvitar with you correct?"

Ash nodded. "Yeah, they're the least trained Pokemon in my team and I'd want them to get a Gym debut."

Before anyone could butt in, Misty fake coughed to get their attention.

"I also have an announcement to make…"

They all turned to Misty as they waited for her announcement, Pikachu even stopped eating his favorite ketchup.

"I'm joining Ash."

There was pin drop of silence and then…

"WHAT?!"

"Hey, no fair. Why didn't I get a reaction like that," Ash whined after the initial shock of Misty's announcement rubbed off of him. Misty chuckled at the reaction.

"To be fair, Ash, we knew you'd be going on another adventure but Misty… That was unexpected. What brought this?" inquired Brock.

Misty promptly answered. "Well, my sisters and I have decided to split the responsibilities of the gym and well, because I was a gym leader for two years now, they decided to give me a break."

Tracey frowned, "Wouldn't you want to spend the time to relax and loaf around, though?"

Misty replied, "Travelling is relaxing, Tracey. We all know that. Tiring, at times, but very fulfilling and satisfying. What great way to do so than join Ash, right?"

"You joined back when I'm leaving, Mist. So unfair of you," Brock dramatically wept but his lips were smiling, only to be kicked by Misty under the table which brought laughter out of everyone.

Misty then met Ash's eyes, which softened once their gazes were locked on each other.

"It's great to have you back, Mist."

"Pikaka pika, Pikachu-pi!"

The next morning at breakfast, they went on to discuss the new invention that Professor Oak had made and wanted Ash to try and test while he was journeying Unova. It was a portable Pokeball transfer system, a system in which a trainer can call easily a Pokemon in their storage to help them when they are in a pinch. That way, they won't have to wait and go to another Pokemon Center to swap Pokemon.

As Ash and Misty exchanged farewells with the group, Professor Juniper arrived.

"Hey Ash! I've heard you decided to journey in Unova and you're setting off today," Juniper said as Ash nodded his head excitedly.

Professor Juniper chuckled at this enthusiasm. "Well, I'm here to give you this Pokedex and extra Pokeballs, along with this Xtransceiver."

Ash received them gratefully, "Wow, thanks Professor! The Xtransceiver helps you contact other trainers, right?"

The professor nodded.

Ash was then reminded of the question he had been meaning to ask. "Can either of you Professors, expand the limit I can carry with me? I know that during a battle, a full team is six and I know that there's no limit to how many Pokemon travels with me, but I'd like to check if you can."

Professor Oak and Professor Juniper looked at each other.

"Well, Ash, Professor Juniper and I can work on that, but be reminded that there's really no limit to how many Pokemon can travel with you."

"Cool, thanks Professors!"

Delia walked over to hug Misty, and then Ash.

"Be careful on your journey, alright?"

Ash looked at his mom in the eye, "I will, mom."

Hopefully, I did the Trip v. Ash justice. Didn't really feel the need to elaborate on that battle since Trip was a newbie trainer with a Lv. 5 Snivy, so a quick battle really was enough to tire him out. Pikachu can use his electric attacks since Zekrom didn't release the bolt that would've siphoned his electric attacks because Giratina arrived. And many other major canon divergence here.

Quick thanks to those who left reviews!