"Ahh, if it isn't my number one star Ash!" Stu Deeoh proclaimed meeting our heroes at the dock. "And of course Rosa and Elliot, it's always good to see the two of you."
"It's, wait you actually got my name right, but why are you here?" Rosa asked.
"I'm here to welcome my star actor and the Unova Minor League Champion to a celebration I've put together." Stu Deeoh said. "Once Ash said he was about a week out, I got to planning."
"You've been talking with him?" Elliot asked.
"I don't know what's been going on, but he wouldn't stop calling my X Transciever." Ash admitted. "So what is this celebration?"
"It's a celebration about where you come from of course! Enjoy it, and once you're done come find me at my office. I want to talk about something." Stu Deeoh said.
"A festival. About Kanto!" Ash exclaimed rushing out of the Boat House. "I smell Pewter Crunchies!"
"Pika Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed, the duo racing off.
"He's not going to stick around in any spot is he?" Elliot asked.
"No, no he's not." Rosa sighed. "Might as well enjoy the festival ourselves."
"I suppose so." Elliot commented.
A few hours later
"Any sign of Ash?" Rosa asked, holding a cotton candy Jigglypuff.
"None, and I've tried calling him multiple times." Elliot said, sporting a Magneton Jacket.
"And I've checked the film lot, he hasn't gone that way either." Rosa admitted. "This is weird, even for Ash."
"Come one, come all! Step on up and see if you can take on Kanto's most fiery beast of all!" An announcer said.
"There." Rosa and Elliot said in unison.
The duo walked over to an area set up for battles where a trainer with a Charizard was standing for their next opponent.
"Does that Charizard look odd to you?" Rosa asked.
"Maybe, but we've only seen one so far to compare it to." Elliot commented. "And there's Ash." Elliot quickly added seeing Ash and Pikachu bouncing in line for their turn.
"Who do you think he'll use?" Rosa asked. "My bet is Pikachu or Dewott, they have a type advantage."
"Maybe, but I'd put more money on Braviary or Reuniclus to keep up with aerial mobility." Elliot countered. "Unless of course he, no he wouldn't, not for this, right?"
"No, no, maybe?" Rosa asked as the two turned back to the field.
"You think you have what it takes to defeat a mighty Charizard?!" The trainer asked boastfully.
"There's no thinking of it. I know I can." Ash said grabbing a Pokeball. "Charizard I choose you!"
"He did. He called back Charizard, for this." Rosa sighed.
"Look at the difference, Ash's Charizard is almost twice the size of that one!" Elliot exclaimed, pulling out his computer.
"You're really recording this?" Rosa asked.
"I'm sorry the only other time it battles was during a terrorist attack!" Elliot exclaimed.
"Charizard use Flamethrower!" Both trainers called out, Ash's Charizard's easily overpowering the other trainers, sending it skidding backwards.
"Charizard use Air Slash!" Ash called out.
"Charizard use Wing Attack!" The trainer responded, their smaller Charizard barely able to keep up in comparison as Ash's flew literal circles around them.
"Now use Dragon Rush!"
"Use Dragon Tail!"
Ash's Charizard engulfed themselves in draconic energy, launching at the opposing Charizard, slamming into them, not even being bothered by the tail trying to counter.
"This is pitiful." Rosa sighed.
"Not to them. I think this is the highlight of the crowds day." Elliot said.
"Of course it is!" Ash exclaimed. "When it comes to Kanto Charizard are about as rare and tough as they come, but seeing two go head to head, even I've only seen it twice before now!" Ash said with excitement. "Now Charizard use Seismic Toss!"
"Charizard use Slash!"
Ash's Charizard grabbed the opposing Charizard by its outstretched arm, spinning them a circle in the air high above the ground before slamming them into the ground with a shockwave of dust pillowing out around him.
"Ash, that was amazing!" Rosa said as Ash hopped out of the arena after returning Charizard.
"We saw Charizard fight against Reshiram." Elliot reminded.
"During a terrorist attack." Rosa said, using Elliot's own response against him.
"What I'm curious about is the size difference, why is your Charizard so much bigger?" Elliot asked. "Pokemon usually don't have that big of a size difference unless they live in the wild."
"That's because Charizard technically does." Ash admitted.
"But he's your Charizard, right?" Rosa asked.
"Yeah, he's been training at a sacred location full of wild Charizard in Johto for a while, it's why he's so strong." Ash responded.
"And you brought him back for this only?" Elliot asked.
"I don't think so, after the Vertress Conference, everyone else went back to their friends at Professor Oaks, but Charizard went back to the valley, and this time, it just didn't feel right. He took on legendary Pokemon so many times now, I figure I should see just how good he really is." Ash said with a smirk. "And Professor Oak was more than happy with the Pokemon I sent back to him."
"Which ones did you send over?" Rosa asked.
"Not all of them, just Larvesta and a couple of others." Ash admitted. "Figure I'd get them introduced to everyone back home bit by bit."
"That's actually, pretty smart." Rosa admitted, as the trio entered Stu Deeoh's office.
"Ahh, Ash thank you for meeting with me." Stu said, gesturing to three chairs. "Sit I want to discuss the Riolu Kid movies."
"Look, I know that Riolu was your Pokemon, but I don't feel comfortable giving Lucario up, I'll pay if we need to." Ash admitted.
"No, don't even worry about that, Lucario is far happier with you than he ever was here." Stu Deeoh said. "I wanted to talk about your next film."
"But his contract was for four films." Rosa pointed out.
"You of all people should know, contracts can be extended and new ones written." Stu Deeoh said. "Think about it, Lucario Kid: Multiversal Mishap. We'll bring in Tommy Chardonnay, the kid who you replaced, he'll play an evil version of you from another universe."
"Really, multiverse? Isn't that a bit overdone at this point?" Elliot asked.
"So what do you say Ash?" Stu Deeoh said.
"Thank you Mr Deeoh, this has been a great opportunity, and a lot of fun, but I'm not sure where my journey is going next other than not staying here in Unova." Ash admitted. "I'll have to pass."
"Of course, but if you ever change your mind, be sure to call, anywhere anytime, I'll be waiting." Stu Deeoh said with a smile.
Authors Notes
A lot and also not a lot happened. Charizard is back to stay, I did promise a fight proper between him and Reshiram after all. Also Larvesta and a few others are now in Kanto. In defense of that choice, Charizard was fire type number 3 and brought Ash's rotation of Pokemon to 12, it was time to send some home, and Larvesta's story is finished. Also yes, the joke about a multiverse story was intentional.