Chapter 4: I Choose You, Koraidon

Finally! This is where Ash will get one of those legendary biker dragon Pokémon. Will he pick Koraidon or Miraidon? Find out now!

In Ash Ketchum's room, at 9 AM in the morning, Ash watches a media broadcast of one of the Gym Leaders, the Electric Type Gym Leader named Iono.

Good Morning, Paldea!!! I'm Iono! And tonight, I'm inviting you to the 20th Anniversary of the heroes of Koriadon and Miraidon at the town of Levincia! The two legendaries will be there!!! Exciting, huh?! It's a Festival! No tickets, no paying! It's free! So bring your friends, family, and of course Pokémon with you! The Anniversary is at 6 PM! Ends at 10! See you there!

Ash Ketchum was excited to see Koraidon and Miraidon and is thinking about going to the Anniversary party. "Pikachu, we have to go there!", he said. "Pika pika!!", Pikachu agreed. "First we need to battle our first Gym Leader so we can become Champion Of Paldea. But who should I pick?"

His Rotom Phone rings. "Incoming call from Nemona. Incoming call from Nemona.", the voice on the Rotom Phone said. Ash answered the phone call. "Hello?"

"Hi there, Ash! I know what Gym Leader you should battle against first! Why don't you head to the Cortondo Gym and meet Katy? She's the Bug Type Gym Leader."

"Thanks Nemona, I'll head there right now."

"Anytime, partner! Also, have you thought about going to that Anniversary party tonight? We get to meet and greet with Koriadon and Miraidon and Iono!"

Ash yawns and stretches before he answers. "Yep! I'm so going!"

"Great! It sounds like you're ready to start your day already. Good luck, buddy! Talk soon."

"Bye!"

Ash hangs up. "The Cortondo Gym... Good thing I have you and Fuecoco as super effectives, Pikachu! This should be easy." He gets up from bed and puts on his Scarlet Naranja Academy uniform. "Alright! Ready to start the day to begin my adventure!" Pikachu got up from laying in bed and wags his tail. "Pika Pikachu!"

Ash Ketchum arrives at the South Province Areas. He reaches South Province (Area Three).

"Where almost to the Cortondo Gym, Pikachu.", says Ash.

A huge noise interrupts Ash and Pikachu. "What is that noise??!!", asked Ash feeling startled. Him and Pikachu look at a boulder, but it was silent afterwards. Ash and Pikachu continued taking a stroll towards their destination. The noise happens again. "Hey! Who's there?!" They look at another boulder, but everything was silenced again. They continued walking, but the noise kept getting louder. Ash was getting annoyed by that noise for too long and gets a bit angry. "PIKACHU! Please use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu zaps his Thunderbolt up the sky. "PIKA PIKACHU!!!!"

Pikachu's Thunderbolt only caused a huge roaring sound. "KKKLLLLAAWWWWWFFFF!!!" Ash and Pikachu shook. They slowly look behind them. They see a Pokémon that looks like a crab. Ash takes out his Titan Pokémon book Arven gave him and turns the page quickly. He sees that the Titan Pokémon's name is Klawf. It was one of the Titan Pokémon, Arven has mentioned. "Oh! It's a Klawf! Let me scan it..."

Ash scans Klawf with his pokédex.

Klawf. The Crustacean Pokémon, a Rock Type. It's legs have the ability to climb upside down onto cliffs. It can also see everything by projecting its eyes.

"A Rock Type?! Wait... I have an idea.", said Ash. Pikachu, can you use multiple Iron Tails to take out this thing?"

"Pika!", Pikachu responded. "Alright, Pikachu, I choose you!"

Pikachu jumps into a battle position. Klawf roars with intimidation. "Pikachu! Use, Iron Tail", said Ash.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu swings an Iron Tail at Klawf. It takes a huge super effective damage. During the fight, a brown Wooper, that looks like a normal one, is watching the fight, hiding in some tall grass. "Woo?", it said. Klawf roars in anger and has a red-orange colored spiral emerge around it, meaning it raised its stats. Then blue spirals rised down, meaning one of the stats got lowered. "Wow. We made it angry! But what stats did it raise?", asked Ash. The pokédex explains it to Ash. "Klawf has utilized its ability called Angry Shell. It raises its Attack and Speed. However, it lowers its Defense."

Ash didn't care about the ability. As long as it's defense is down, he thinks he has the advantage. Klawf strikes next with a Rock Blast throwing a rock a Pikachu. "Dodge it!", Ash yelled. Pikachu jumped out of the way and runs to a cliff amongst Klawf. "Alright! One more time! Iron Tail!"

"Pika Pika Pikachu!" Pikachu aggressively tail slaps Klawf with another Iron Tail, causing a super effective critical damage. Overwhelmed in battle, Klawf scurries away. Ash jumps in the air raising his fist and yells, "Alright, we did it!"

Arven was standing further away from Ash and Pikachu. He saw the whole battle. He was impressed by Ash and his Pokémon's battle tatics. "Him and his Pikachu are stronger together after all.", he says, looking proud of his skills. He walks over to them. "So. You found that thing, huh?", he asked Ash.

"Yep! It and it's huge!", Ash answered.

"I see. You did great battling it!" Arven crossed his arms, he does not understand why there was a Klawf that was a giant. "However, that Stony Cliff Titan has no business being that huge."

"Stony Cliff Titan?", Ash repeated. Arven nodded. "Yeah. It's one of the first Titans you found. Neat, isn't it?"

Ash smiled, feeling astonished that he battle a Pokémon Titan. "Yes! It's very neat!"

Arven made a serious face quickly as he was getting worried about that Klawf. "But there's no time to lose now. That Titan will grow even stronger by eating those Mystica Herbs I was telling you about. Let's watch ourselves but at least find it, buddy."

Ash nods his head. "Right!"

The brown Wooper comes out of hiding and runs in front of Ash. "Woop-Wooper!" Ash, Pikachu, and Arven look at the Wooper. "Wow! It's a brown Wooper!" Arven was intrigued to find this Pokémon out of nowhere. He was interested in studying these kinds of Pokémon someday. "Not just any brown Wooper." He introduces the brown Wooper to Ash. "This is our Paldean version of the Wooper."

Ash scratches his head. "Huh? A Paldean one?" He scans the Wooper.

Wooper. The Poison Fish Pokémon. A Poison and Ground Type. This Wooper is a relative to the Johto region Wooper. This Pokémon enhances a poisonous film to protect its body.

"Wooper! Woo-Woo!", said Wooper. "I think it wants to help us defeat that Klawf", says Arven. Ash accepted the Paldean Wooper's help. "Well then, Wooper! Your in!" Wooper jumped up with joy. "WWOOP! WOO!"

The gang proceeded to find the Klawf again. They walk towards a very huge rock wall. The Klawf was there. This time it emits red aura smoke from its body. Arven gasps in terror. "Oh no! We're too late!!!", he cried. "Don't worry.", said Ash. "This guy doesn't look so tough. Right, Pikachu." Pikachu jumped up and down and wagged his tail. "Pika!" Ash brought out his Tera Orb. Arven looks at what Ash is doing. "Are you sure, Ash. Electric Types are not very effective. Klawf is a Rock Type." Ash took a deep breath. "When I had my first battle with Nemona, her Terastrialized Sprigatito taught me something. The strength of Terastrializing makes your Pokémon feel stronger as long as you use your strategy wisely. And so... That's what I'm going to do!!!" Arven face felt surprised by Ash's assurance. He never know how confidential Ash has gotten. It's like he saw a Pokémon Trainer who was willing to never give up and take on any challenge. This made Arven feel honored to have Ash around to save Paldea from danger. Arven chuckled. "Id your willing to do this. It's your choice. Give it your all, Ash."

Ash smirks and activates his Tera Orb. "It's time to bring on the Thunder and Lightning! Terastrialize!" Pikachu goes into Terastrial Form. He has the Tera Form of Electric Type. "Pika-Pika!" Wooper looked at Pikachu in awe. It saw the shine in the yellow crystals of Pikachu. Klawf roared in anger in rage. "Shellder, prepare to fight!" Arven brings out his Shellder. "Shell-Shell!!!"

"Pikachu, use your Thunderbolt!"

"Piiikkkaaacchhhuuuu!!!" Pikachu's Terastrial form sprinkled crystals. He goes for Thunderbolt and zaps Klawf. It took heavy damage. It surprisingly also paralyzed Klawf. Ash was not expecting that. Niether was Arven. "Good job... that was..." Arven wanted to say something, but he wasn't expecting this that he didn't have words to say about what Ash's Pikachu just did. "Alright! Shelldon, use Hydro Pump!"

"Shell-dooonnn!!" Shelldon sprays its Hydro Pump at Klawf. Klawf takes even more super effective damage. Wooper joined im using Mud Shot. Klawf staggers from the hit. "Alright! One last attack! Pikachu, wrap it up with Iron Tail!", said Ash. Pikachu swings an Iron Tail in the head of Klawf. Klawf falls down to the ground. Its aura is gone and it shrinks back into the ground. Arven recalls his Shelldon. "Good work Shelldon. Return." As Ash, Arven, and the Pokémon we're about to celebrate their victory, Klawf gets back up and is still angry. It roars at the gang aggressively. "KKKLAAAAWWWW-KKLLAAWWFF!!!"

"WWWAAAHHHH!!!!" Ash and Avren screamed. But a roar made all of them silent and they look to their left. "KOORRAIIIDOO!!" They see a scarlet colored creature with four legs standing their menacingly. "Its Koriadon!!!", yelled Ash. "By why is it on four legs?", Arven wondered. "Where's its actual form?"

"Huh?"

Koraidon leaps and head bashes Klawf. This causes Klawf to feel frightened by Koriadon and it scurries away again. "Woah! Woah! Woah! That was amazing! Thank you, Koraidon!", Ash said in relief. "Korai!", Koraidon said.

"Hhmm. And here I thought today couldn't get any better. But the legend of my parents research of Area Zero came over and saved our lives.", says Arven. He then looks at Ash who crouches down to the Paldean Wooper. "Woo?" It wasn't sure why Ash was looking at him with that smile. "Wooper... you helped us out. And looking at how you used your move to cripple that Titan, I would like to ask you something...? Will you be apart of my team? We can go on so many adventures together. What do you say?"

the Wooper was so happy Ash requested for it to be apart of Ash's adventures. It jumps up and down in joy. "Wooper-woo-woooper-wwooppeerr!!!"

Ash takes out a pokéball. Paldean Wooper jumps up and gets in the pokéball. Ash Ketchum has successfully caught a Wooper. "Alright! I caught a Wooper", Ash says.

"Awesome! You caught the Wooper!", said Arven. "Look at my buddy coming through like a champ. But these Titan Pokémon are... yeesh! I sure don't like having something so tough going out to get me."

Ash empathizes with Arven. "I know the feeling."

"You do?"

He sighed and looked down at Pikachu. Pikachu looked up at Ash. "I had to deal with Legendary Pokémon throughout my adventures throughout my entire life. Heck, I even died and came back to life from them."

Arven did not like the part of the story we're Ash died and then came back. "You what?! Ash, are you okay?!!", Arven asks in concern.

"Yes. I am fine.", Ash answered. "But come on. Let's find some of those herbs."

Ash and Arven walk into a cave to find more Herba Mysticas. As they walk through the cave, Arven finds one Herba Mystica remaining. "NO WAY!" Arven runs towards it. "Woah! Be careful Arven!", said Ash. "That looks strong enough to make a Pokémon too overpowered!" He starts running with Arven. As they get close to the Herba Mystica, Ash and Arven take a gander at it. "This is one of the Herba Mystica. It's like the one in the book."

"You mean there are different types of them?", Ash asked curiously.

"Of course." Arven opens his book. "Let's see here... Oh, okay. The Sweet Herba Mystica is good for your health and aids digestion."

"I guess that means it can keep stomach aches out of control too.", says Ash.

Arven was greatful of how smart Ash was. "Your pretty smart, Ash. That's correct. Not only that, it says it can aslo stimulate your appetites." Arven closes the book and puts it away. "Now if I can just get him to eat it..."

"Him?", Ash questioned. "Oh. I'll explain that to you in a minute. Right now, it's time I showed you my cooking skills!"

Ash stomach growled. He held his stomach with his hands. "What a relief. All that Pokémon Battling against a Titan Pokémon sure as heck made me hungry."

Moments later, Arven starts digging in on his sandwich. But as Ash was about to eat his, Koriadon walks over to Ash and asks for some. "Kor?" Ash felt completely generous and gave his sandwich to Koraidon. "Here you go, buddy." You must have gone through all of this trouble finding us here." Koraidon takes the sandwich out of Ash hands and devours it. Ash giggles. "I'm glad you like it."

Ash looks at Arven who was standing next to him. "What? I just gave him my sandwich." Arven shakes his head. "I hope you understand that there was all that was left, meaning there is no more for you." Ash waves his hand down. "Nah! It's fine. I can get something to eat at Levencia tonight. I'm not that hungry."

Arven didn't like the sound of that and offered his sandwich to Ash anyway. "You can still have half of mine at least. I can't let you go hungry. You need your energy anyways if your going to compete against your first Gym Leader. Just savor every last bite though." A shiny scarlet aura flashes on Koraidon's body. "WOAH! WHAT WAS THAT?!", said Arven. "I don't know, but it was so cool!", Ash implied. Arven thinks about what is going on with the Herba Mystica. "That herb must've powered up this Pokémon, and if it has that much affect, not only might it be the reason it didn't go to its other form but... it might also come in handy for that Treasure Hunt assignment we have!"

Ash still has questions about Koraidon and the "he" mention. "Arven, what is this about...?" Arven knew exactly where Ash was going with that question. "Well, you see... my parents... they were studying Koraidon and Miraidon. Two of them."

"THERE'S TWO OF THEM?!"

"Yeah. Except this mean Koraidon and the Miraidon were out there somewhere are on four legs and feel powerless, while they other two have their two forms. Which means... it could be a sign of something my parents did. But I don't know what. And the thing that I mentioned earlier..."

Ash eyes widen a tiny bit. "You can come out now", says Arven talking to his Pokémon in a pokéball. It was Mabostiff. It looked like it was wounded badly.

"Poor Mabostiff! What happened?!", said Ash. "Liko's... well... "Moon" happened.", Arven answered.

"Moon?", Ash asked in concern. "It's the nickname she gave to her Legendary Alolan Pokémon, Lunala." Ash was shocked to hear about this information about Lunala. "I've seen that Pokémon in my Alola adventures before. She caught a Lunala?" Arven sighed. "She did. And she even defeated those Team Rocket misfits with that thing."

Ash knew about the people Arven had mentioned. He thought it was about time he explained to Arven about Team Rocket. "At least that's a good thing... well... ish. I am enemies with those guys. Team Rocket have been no good thieves who've been after my Pikachu and other Pokémon. They're bad news."

Arven nodded, understanding Ash about Team Rocket. "I didn't know they were your enemies. They mentioned that a "twerp" wasn't around with a Pikachu to save us. That was until Carmine and Liko dealt with those fools."

Ash wasn't interested in hearing about this "Carmine" person for a while. "Eh. I'll think about Carmine later. What is Liko's deal anyway?"

"I don't know. All I know is, she wants to collect Legendaries and Mythicals to become a strong Trainer. A Pokémon Master. All because she was being bullied at Naranja Academy and her past schools. Ash, we got to help her. She's not thinking clearly. And that pendant is making her worse. I think it's affecting the literal Giratina out of her."

Ash understood this and shook his head. He can't stand Liko. "Your right, Arven. Once we find her. We have to talk some sense into her."

Arven clears his throat as he realized Ash should get going. "Yeah. Uhm. That reminds me. You should get going. I'll feed Mabostiff and get things cleaned up. You deserve a break after that Titan encounter."

"Are you sure", Ash asked. "Definitely, don't worry about me. I got everything handled from here.", Arven assured Ash with a smile.

"Okay. See you later Arven.", Ash says before leaving.

"Yeah. See you", said Arven. "Okay, Mabostiff, eat up, little buddy." Arven feeds Mabostiff the last of the sandwich.

As Ash walks out of the cave, he still questions what happened to the powerless Miraidon if there is two of them. "I can't believe it. If there's two Koraidons and Miraidons, and one of them are strong and one of them are weak, what happened to the weak form with four legs?"

At the Pokémon Center, the powerless Miraidon has been discovered by Nurse Joy.

"Are you sure you want to help this Miraidon?", said Nurse Joy.

"Yes I am.", said Liko. She was the one who choose Miraidon. "I will take care of this Miraidon and nurse it back to health with all of my heart."

Nurse Joy was so heartwarmed to see Liko wanting to take great care of Miraidon and claim it as her Pokémon. "Okay then, kid. Have fun. It's yours now." Miraidon walked up to Liko and snuggled on her. Liko petted Miraidon. "Thank you, Nurse Joy."

"No problem."

"Alright, guys. Let's get going.", Liko says. "Okie dokie!", said Roy. Liko, Roy, and Dot leave the Pokémon Center. Dot reads up on Miraidon a bit on her Legendary Pokémon book. "I don't know about you, Liko, but this is know as Iron Serpent. You should nickname him that."

Liko liked the idea and nodded In agreeing with it. "Iron Serpent it is." "Mirai!" Miraidon accepted that name as it is it's scientific name of itself.

Ash continued his was down South Province, leaving the Third Area. He finally approaches the Cortondo Gym. After he does, Nemona sneaks behind him to playfully scare him. "Boo!", Nemona yelled. Ash jumped. "Hey! What in the world?! Oh, it's just you Nemona."

"Yep, that's me!", Nemona confirmed. "So your ready to battle your first Gym Leader, huh?"

Ash took off his hat and fluffed his hair and puts his hat back on as a sign that he's totally prepared. "That's right! I'm going to crush this! I just hope the Terastrial forms don't overwhelm me like last time", Ash said with nervousness. Nemona places her hand on Ash shoulder and gave a friendly smile towards him. "I'm pretty sure you'll win. Just use your Tera Orb, to your advantage and you'll do fine out there."

"Thanks Nemona", Ash says.

"Your Welcome. Also... speaking of crushing this..." Nemona took a look at Ash for a second. She looks at him as if he has this adorable side to him.

He has this cute smile. And he's always prepared for battles like I am. Why do I actually want to love this boy right now?

Nemona started blushing and holding both of Ash's hands as if she wanted to tell him something very sweet. Ash started having confusion in his eyes. He called her name to ask what was she doing. "Nemona?" Nemona took a deep breath before she said anything. "Ash, I just want to tell you, good luck, okay? You are always determined to battle like I am and I'll be out there rooting for you. You are such a strong Trainer and even Pokémon Master. And I'm telling you this because... Because I... Ash, I lo-"

Before Nemona even was about to conclude what she was saying, Liko's voice can be heard from the Gym Leader Battle Arena. "Ouch! Son of a "Iron Serpent", Iron Serpent!" They both rush to the arena to see what was happening. They can see a violet creature who has pinned down Liko and is sniffing her. It was Miraidon. "I know I won the battle! But you don't have to do a victory thing like this!", Liko in embarrassment told the Miraidon.

Ash blinked. "Liko chose Miraidon. And it's nickname is Iron Serpent now." Nemona shook her head in disappointment. "Just like her Lunala is nicknamed Moon", Nemona pointed out.

"Okay, please get off." Iron Serpent did what Liko asked and hops off of her. "Thank you." Then a lady came over to congratulate Liko on her win of the Gym Battle. "You did such a fabulous job winning against me", The Gym Leader supported. "Thanks, Katy! That battle was epic as heck!" Both Liko and Katy shake hands and after that, Katy gives Liko a Bug Type Gym Badge. Liko takes the badge and puts it in her Paldea Gym collection box. "Wow! My first win! Hehehehahahhahaaa!! Thanks for everything, Katy. We should battle again sometime." Katy smiles and says, "I would love to." Liko and Katy wave goodbye to eachother. As Liko exits the Arena, Ash and Nemona meet up with her.

"Hello again, Liko. Remember me?", Ash says. Liko scoffed. "And what is it exactly that you want?", she says, gritting her teeth with a smile. "I just wanted to say hi...", Ash answered nervously. "Oh, let me guess, I'm in trouble because you think I used a Legendary. You and Arven and the others are so annoying, I swear!", Liko snarled. Ash scratches his chin in curiosity. "You didn't use them, did you? Cuz Arven said—" Liko cuts off Ash. "Forget what the weirdo says.", she said rudely. She proceeded to answer Ash question. "No. I wasn't in the mood. I used my regular Pokémon. Happy now?", she says in honesty.

Nemona jumps into the conversation. "And that's what Pokémon battles are all about." She then points to Liko. "What regular Pokémon have you used?", she asked.

"Sprigatito, Hatrrem and Shiny Umbreon."

Ash's and Nemona's jaws dropped as they both weren't expecting Liko to say, Shiny Umbreon. "WHEN DID YOU GET SHINY UMBREON?!" They both yelled. "To be quite honest with you, I may or may not have ran into that Shiny Umbreon at Area Zero last Midnight with my friends, Friede and the Rising Volt Tacklers... Right after me Roy and Dot went to Terastrial Power Headquarters to get our Tera Orbs. But it was only for investigation about my grandmother and her mission! I swear! Nothing else!"

Ash facepalmed and Nemona was a bit concerned. "Liko!!! Director Clavell's orders! Never go to Area Zero!!", Ash scolded. "Not only his orders, our orders.", said a voice. To ladies walk over to the three Trainers. "Wow! Who are you?!", asked Ash. "I'm Geeta. But my friends call me La Primera. I'm the reoccuring Champion of Paldea and the member of the Paldea League. And this is Rika."

Rika introduced herself. "Hello. It's so nice to meet you. I'm an Elite Four member of the Paldea League. Who are these two kiddos?" Nemona looks at Ash and Liko. "Oh! This is Ash, and over here is Liko."

Liko waves at Rika. "Hi."

Ash shakes Rika's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you! I'm from Pallet Town, and I'm having an adventure around here!"

Geeta turns to Liko. "What about you? Your adventuring as well?", she asked.

"Also adventuring to Area Zero as trespassing I presume?!", Rika added.

"No! No no! I was...! Okay yes.", Liko admitted.

Rika crossed her arms and looked away. "Hm! Should've known." She the wags her finger at Liko and scolds her. "You and whoever your acquaintances are that you mentioned should be ashamed of yourselves. Area Zero is a no-zone! And-"

Geeta stops Rika from continuing further. "Rika?"

"Sorry Ma'am", Rika mumbled.

Geeta talks calmly with Liko. "My dear, is there a reason you went to the place."

Liko was silent as she heard that question and frowned in depression. "My Grandmother, Diana... she was on a mission there... and some enemies of ours... was the reason she..." Liko stopped herself before saying the word "died". She also leaked a tear buy wiped it away. Geeta, Rika, Nemona, and Ash we're awful for Liko. They didn't know she went through something dark and tragic. "But that's not important! What's important is that I'm going to make her proud by becoming champion!", Liko stated in seriousness.

Geeta hugs Liko and comforta her for a bit. "I know you will. And will be looking foward to seeing you battle us at our league. And win or lose, it's all about having fun. And your grandmother would be super proud of you."

Liko smiled after hearing that. She felt a lot better. "Thanks Geeta.", said Liko. "No problem.", said Geeta.

Rila was crying tears of joy. "Ooohhoo-Oohh man! This is too much!!!" Ash and Nemona look at a dramatic crying Rika next to them. "Need a tissue?", Ash offered. "Thank you", said Rika. She statts blowing her nose.

"Will be leaving now. I wish the both of you luck.", says Geeta.

"Wait!", said Ash.

Geeta stopped.

"I'm going to win at that league too!", Ash said with confidence.

Geeta pridefully grinned. "See you there then."

Geeta and Rika continued leaving.

"I should get going too.", said Liko.

Ash wanted to hug Liko as well, but he knows she probably doesn't want that for now at the moment. "I know you've been hurting Liko. But please, think about stopping your ambitions for a while...", Ash pleaded.

"Erm..." Liko started rubbing her hand. "I'll think about that. Just good luck earning that Gym Badge or whatever."

"Will you, Roy and Dot at least be at the Anniversary Party?",

"Yeah. Definitely.", Liko walks away.

"She's slowly changing her ways..."

"That's good at least", Nemona says in relief.

"Well, wish me luck in there!"

"Totally!"

Ash and Nemona high five each other.

Ash enters the Cortondo Gym. He walks up to a Gym Assistant. "I would like to attend the Gym Battle please.", said Ash. "Certainly! But you must first complete a test before you go around Pokémon Battling", the Gym Assistant tells Ash. "And that would be to push a giant olive through a maze! It's that easy." Ash slumped. He wasn't sure it he was strong enough to push something that heavy.

"Aw snap! I have to use my noodly arms?! Okay. I guess I have no choice.", Ash accepted.

At the starting line, the Gym Assistant reminds Ash of the rules. "Welcome to the olive-rolling field. This a place to test your stamina and push through to the finish! Once you get there, that means you've passed and you get to challenge the Gym Leader, Katy. Allow me to explain what you need to do. The one easy thing is to get the giant olive ball over some obstacles then push the ball to the goal. Now that you are informed of what you need to do, are you ready to begin thw test?"

Ash nodded.

"Great! Goodluck!"

Koraidon and Ash were standing at the front with the giant ball. "Koraidon?" Koraidon looks at Ash. "Before we start, I just want you to know that I want you to join our team. I wanted to thank you from saving us from that Stony Cliff Titan." Koraidon titls it head. "Kor?" Ash gently places his hand on Koraidon's head. "That's right. I choose you, Koraidon. Welcome to our team. And if Liko is giving her Pokémon nicknames, I shall give you one too. And it's something I read about you on my way here. I'll call you the Winged King." Winged King smiled softly and snuggled up on Ash. "Hey-hey! Haha!" Ash was giggling at Winged King tickling him. "Save it for after the battle!"

Ash hops on Winged King and the horn has sounded off. The test has begun. "Let's do this!" "Korrraaaiii!" Koraidon pushes the ball down to the maze while Ash rides on his back. Winged King stops for a second to see what direction Ash wants him to take. Ash points to the left. "See that middle we're the random Pokémon Trainer is guarding to goal? We have to pass there."

Winged King nodded and pushed the ball to the left. As they head over there, they meet up with the Trainer and single file lined Smolivs guarding their path. Ash hops off of Winged King and gets in his position for battle. "If you want to pass, you gotta go through me kid!", The Random Trainer said. "Can do!", says Ash. "Go Venonat!"

"VEN-VEN!"

"Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash takes Pikachu out of his pokéball. "Wait a minute. You like pokéballs now?!", said Ash in suspicion. "Pika pi!", Pikachu says with confidence. "Will find out how you decided that later. Let's focus on the battle! Use Electro Ball!"

"PI-PIKA!" Pikachu strikes the first attack on Venonat with Electro Ball. It was super effective. "Use your Psybeam, Venonat!", The Random Trainer commanded.

"Veno!!"

Venonat fires its Psybeam at Pikachu. "Dodge it!", Ash directs Pikachu. Pikachu jumps on the fence as the Venonat with Psybeam follows him. "Now use Thunderbolt!"

"PIIIKKKAAACCCCHHUUUU!!!!" Pikachu zaps a Thunderbolt at Venonat. Venonat fainted. "Yeah! We did it, Pikachu!" "Pi-pi!", says Pikachu spinning around doing a victory dance. "Ah fooey! Looks like ya won. I'll let you pass." The Random Trainer walks away along with the five Smoliv blocking the path and the pathway is cleared.

Ash beams at the goal area. He can feel the victory getting better. He looks at Pikachu and talks to him before he finishes the course. "Why a pokéball and why now?"

Pikachu explains to Ash why he finally expected going into a pokéball. "Pika-pikachu. Pi-Pi-Pika. Pikachu-Pi-Pika, Pika-pika-pikachu. Pi-pika!" Pikachu has been realizing throughout his adventures Ash has been caring about Pikachu and his needs. Even when he never wanted to evolve into a Raichu. After thinking about it for years, and now arriving to Paldea for another adventure, it would be at least possible for Pikachu to try getting into the habit of a pokéball. So that's what he did.

Ash smiled softly at Pikachu. "I know you finally had it in you." Pikachu smiled back. "Now return, bud." Ash recalls Pikachu in a pokéball. Ash hops back on Winged King. "Let's finish this!" Winged King ran with the ball and Ash and Koraidon finally made it to the goal. They've completed the test.

Back at the Cortondo Gym, The Gym Assistant congratulates Ash. "Congratulations on completing the test. Gym Leader Katy will see you know." "Alright!", yelled Ash in excitement.

Ash enters the Arena. Nemona watches from a distance and shouts," Woohoo! Way to go Ash! Good luck!"

"Thanks Nemona!", Ash shouted back.

Katy arrives at the other side of the arena. "You must be Ash Ketchum. What a lovely Trainer you are.", she says. "You already know me as the Gym Leader, Katy, of Cortondo. I'm also a baker who does baking at a shop I own called Patisserie Soapberry."

Ash was amazed to hear about Katy's bakery. "Really?! That's awesome!! I can't wait to try your bakery foods!"

Katy was happy that someone liked her baking skills. "Tell you what. If you win, I will bake you whatever you want to eat for the road."

Ash smirked. He was very pumped up for this reward and the battle even. "Count me in!"

"Marvelous!", said Katy. "Be prepared, Nymble." Katy spanwed Nymble.

"Fuecoco, I chose you!" Ash casted upon Fuecoco.

And so, Ash has his first Gym Battle against the Bug Type Gym Leader, Katy. Will he successfully win? Find out, as the journey continues.

Epilogue. (BGM"Background Music": We'll Meet Again Piano Instrumental)

At Kitikami. Carmine went to go talk to her grandpa,Yukito, who was sitting outside of the house on the bench, about something she's been thinking about.

"Hey, Grandpa?"

"Yes, my dear? How may I help you", Yukito said.

"At Paldea a few days ago. I just met this cute girl. Her name is Liko and she wears this beautiful pendant.", Carmine tells him.

"I see? What is it about this Liko that has been troubling you?", Yukito curiosly asks.

"It's nothing really. It's just... I have a crush on her. And it feels beautiful. I just don't know how to tell her.", Carmine thought.

Yukito nodded, understanding these feelings from his granddaughter. "You know, when I was your age, I would always wait for the right time to tell your Grandma how I felt about her. And it worked out in the end", he revealed.

"Really?"

"Oh yes, really. I remember it just like it was yesterday. And it all worked out in the end.", he recalled. "She excepted my love since then. Point is, whenever she visits here, whenever the time you feel is right for you, she'll be ready to listen."

Carmine smiled and nodded. "Your absolutely right. When the time is right, she definitely want to hear my feelings for her", she proclaimed.

"Also, you don't happen to have her phone number, do you?!", Yukito teased. Carmine face blushed pink of embarrassment. "Yes! I made sure to get it before we parted ways at a restaurant! But why do you want to know?!", she whined. Yukito laughed. Carmine covers her face and whines even more.

"Well..." Yukito yawned after all that laughing he did. "I should take a nap. I suppose you do the same. You've been doing such a good job keeping watch of your little brother. You need a break." "I definitely will", Carmine responded. Yukito walks back inside.

Carmine looks up at the sky. She takes a breath for a moment. Then she looks at her Rotom Phone at photos. She looks at the photo of her and Liko doing peace signs together. She then looks at the blue sky again. "I hope your doing okay, and I love you." Her talking up to the sky is her talking about Liko. She can't get her mind off her sometimes. She starts texting Liko on her Rotom Phone.

Hi Liko! It's me, your friend Carm Carms here! I just wanted you to know that wherever you are, I miss you. I know you have champion of Paldea stuff to do! But when your finished, I'll be waiting for you to visit, okay?! Love you! You have my contact so I'm here if you need anything. Just call.

Carmine waits for Liko to text back. But 10 seconds later, she does.

Carmine! Liko, here! And I wanted to say I missed you too! I can't wait to show you what I've been up to. I'm so excited about Kitikami! Call me if you need anything to, pal! See you around, girly-girl!

Carmine laughed at Liko's text of calling Carmine "girly-girl." Carmine smiles and hugs the Rotom Phone, as a sign of hugging Liko virtually. Carmine puts away her Rotom Phone and walks inside her grandparents house, before she does, she looks at the sky one last time. Then she goes in the house.

Carmine will definitely see Liko again. They'll meet again. They might not know where and might not know when. But they know they'll meet again some sunny day.

(End Of BGM)

Chapter 5 will be the Anniversary Chapter. Hope you guys loved this so far! That's not all, before Ash goes to the Anniversary party, he meets up with one of the first Team Star members! Uh oh...

So without further ado, let's wish Ash goodluck! Also the next chapter will begin with Ash starting his battle with Katy. Will he win? Find out and see...

As Team Star would say in the game, Hasta La Vistar!