DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokemon or anything recognisable in this story.

Ash Ketchum was bored. The Winner of the Battle Frontier, Finalist of the Kalos League and the Orange League Champ as well as aspiring Pokémon Master was…bored.

Having finished as Runner-Up in the Kalos League, the raven haired trainer had decided to stay in Pallet Town, training his Pokémon for the next League or competition or anything that came up. But nothing did. He'd simply done it all. There was nothing to look forward to anymore. So he had stayed on in his hometown for around 3 months now, until he reached the point of complete, soul-sucking boredom.

Admittedly, it wasn't so boring when he first returned to Kanto. He was happy to see his mom, visit all his Pokémon and even meet Misty and Brock again. Even better, his friends Serena, Clermont and Bonnie had come with him to visit Kanto. But after a while they had to leave. Visits from Misty and Brock dried up. Misty was, after all, a famous Gym Leader now and Brock still had quite a bit of work to do before he became a Pokémon Doctor. Ash barely even talked to his old rival, Gary Oak who had to keep travelling and working ever since he became Junior Professor Gary Oak.

Pokémon training was still fun and he got to meet his partners everyday but….

Ash let out a tired sigh, belaying the fact that he had done nothing at all that morning.

I just need a challenge.

Arceus or Ho-oh or Jirachi or someone must have been listening because right behind him, a voice called out -"Ash Ketchum? I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!" Without even looking behind him to see who it was Ash let out his trademark grin. 'Finally' he thought. He got to his feet, took out a PokéBall from his belt and turned his ever-present cap backwards. "I, Ash Ketchum, accept!" he said, swiveling around as his ever-present Pokémon rushed out. "Pikachu!" it exclaimed.

"Glad to hear it" his opponent replied, calmly flicking a PokéBall and calling out a Pokémon of his own.

A feeling of exhilaration took over Ash. This is what he was meant to be doing, not lying about Pallet Town all day, running errands for his Mom and Professor Oak.

"Pikachu!" he called out as the small, yellow Pokémon did the same.

"Stand by, Luxray." The other trainer said. His blue and black Electric type let out a small growl, Intimidating his opponent.

BANG!

The explosion was deafening as the two Thunders clashed against each other. The causes of this explosion, namely the Pikachu and the Luxray glared at each other, sizing each other up as their attacks were almost evenly matched.

"Pikachu, use Quick –" The raven haired trainer was cut off as his opponent interjected. "Dodge!"

" – Attack!" Ash finished the command.

The Electric Mouse Pokémon gave a "Pika!" as a sign of affirmation as he set off at a blinding pace towards the foe Luxray, white light forming a streak behind him. But the Luxray, with the early warning of his trainer had, somehow, managed to evade the lightning quick Electric Type.

"Luxray!" It Howled its name in defiance.

The Pallet Town native gritted his teeth. "Pikachu, try a Thunderbolt!"

"Luxray, you too!" the tall black-haired Trainer responded.

"Lux –RAY!" "Pika- CHU!" the two Electric types cried out their respective names as their respective attacks clashed again, still giving no clear indication as to who was stronger.

"Quick Attack!" Ash called out quickly.

"Dodge!" the other trainer replied, but a moment too slow.

This time Pikachu was able to land a hit, albeit a glancing blow before the Gleam Eyes Pokémon was able to get away. Sensing an opportunity, Ash took it. "Use Iron Tail!"He said.

Twisting in midair, even as his momentum took him away from Luxray, Pikachu pulled a 180 and whipped his hardening tail on Luxray's torso. A solidhit.

"LUXRAY!" the feline Howled, but this time in pain.

"Quick Attack. Again!" Ash called out, trying to capitalize.

"Pikapi!" his starter called out as he charged at his foe yet again.

Not having the time to evade, the other trainer went on the offense. "Superpower!" he exclaimed.

Luxray charged right back at the smaller Electric type. The clash this time yielded a loud CRACK as the mouse rebounded off of the feline. "Pika!" he yelled in anguish, his turn to be in pain now.

"Crunch." The other trainer ordered, seeming to be in control again. His Pokémon obliged, pouncing at its prey and taking him in its jaws.

'Pikachu, no!" Ash shouted. An idea struck him. "Spin and Iron Tail! Let's go!" he called out.

"Pikachu!' his Pokémon responded as it twisted and flailed, escaping Luxray's hold and bringing up the Iron Tail under it, resulting in a flying Luxray.

"Luuuuxx!' it exclaimed in pain and astonishment as it was struck upwards and away from Pikachu.

"Now use Volt Tackle!" said Ash smelling victory.

"Pikapi! Pikapikapikapikapika –"Pikachu charged up the attack, repeatedly calling his name as he bounded towards where Luxray would land, expelling electricity around him like some yellow Aura.

"Luxray, use …" The trainer trailed off, checking his options. "Superpower!" he yelled, picking one.

'Ray!" came the cry as blue and black met yellow.

BAM came the explosion as the two electric types were thrown apart.

But despite the awesome display of power, both Pokémon were still on their feet.

"Luxray!" "Pikachu!" they cried out, still raring to go.

Ash didn't waste a moment. "Thunder!"

At close range, Luxray didn't have the time to charge up and fire his own attack. Recognising this, his trainer ordered "Charge!"

It was a good move, for not only did Luxray Charge up his own Electric strength but also sucked up most of the bite out of his very powerful foe's very powerful attack,

"Grrr" Ash growled, almost mimicking the Pokémon that he was so intent on beating.

"Quick –"he started, but this time the other trainer was ready.

"Dodge!" And Luxray did, right as Ash finished "– Attack!" and Pikachu barreled down past it.

"Iron Tail! Quick!" And true to his trainer's orders, Luxray quickly whipped out his hardened tail, catching Pikachu whilst he was still airborne and moving.

"Pika!" it cried out as it kept moving until he crashed into the ground.

"Chuuu…" he said, near the end of his limit as he unsteadily.

"That has got to be the toughest Pikachu I've ever seen" the Other Trainer TM said, letting out a low whistle. "To go through all that physical damage and dish out so much, and still keep going? Impressive"

"Yeah, well, Pikachu is quite impressive." Ash said, grinning as he looked at his starter. "He can also – Pikachu use Quick Attack!" Ash said suddenly. "Didn't see that coming did you?" he smirked.

But, unfortunately, the other trainer had seenit coming. And so had his Luxray, having begun to dodge upon sensing the shift in Ash's voice. Pikachu just missed him by a hair's breadth.

"Iron Tail!" the Other Trainer roared.

But, unfortunately for him, Ash had seen that coming too. "Dodge, Spin and Iron Tail!' he ordered rapidly.

As fast as a flash, Pikachu pulled off a spinning maneuver to evade Luxray's incoming appendage, something that would have been considered nigh-impossible for any other Pokémon to do. But then again, Pikachu was not any other Pokémon. Twisting and turning, Pikachu whipped his own Iron Tail down on Luxray, scoring a solid hit.

The Gleam Eyes Pokémon did not even have a chance and was out like a light, only having the time to let out a "Rayyy…" in defeat.

The Other Trainer recalled his fallen partner and strode up to the victor to congratulate him. "A good battle" he said. "I'd always wanted to see what Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu could do in person"

"Thanks" said Ash "But, who are you again? You know me, you know my Pokémon, but I know nothing about you"

The other trainer shook his head. "Really? You don't know? I thought that I'd be famous by now…" He whined. "You know that there is a Kanto League Champion I trust? The winner of the Indigo Plateau Tournament, who gets to challenge the Elite Four?"

Ash wordlessly nodded his head as he got the hint.

The other trainer put a hand out. Ash took it.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ace. Kanto Pokémon League Champion Ace."

Ash and the other trainer walked side by side, wordlessly. The bespectacled trainer had introduced him as Ace.

Kanto League Champion Ace, Ash mused. After their battle Ace had declared that he was in Pallet Town to meet Prof Oak for some 'business' and had battled Ash "Because why not?"

Ash gave the taller trainer a sidelong glance. All his life he'd dreamed of being a Pokémon Master. To do so, he needed to be the best Trainer in one region at the very least. Ash had visited 6 regions thus far, and had failed in each. The man walking beside him, however, had not.

And I beat him. Ash thought, smiling

As the top of the Oak Ranch became visible, Ash pointed it out. "Not much further now" he said. "Once we're there, you can get your Luxray healed too."

Ace nodded. "Fair enough, thanks."

Ash sighed. "Maybe I should go now? I mean, you can get there easily now and I don't think I'm much needed anymore."

Ace shook his head.

"No, . Please come along, you'll find that you're very much still needed" he said, enigmatically.

Ash shrugged. "Fine. Whatever. "

Tracey Sketchit expected to see his old companion, Ash Ketchum. He was not disappointed. "Well hello there, Ash. Here to see your Pokémon again? The professor wanted to talk to you actually. "Tracey then noticed the person next to Ash. " Um…Mr. Ace? The professor has been expecting you."

The Pokémon watcher beckoned the duo inside. "Follow me please" He said as he walked towards Oak's office. Ash and Ace wordlessly obliged.

Professor Oak looked up from the prototype of the new PokéDex he was working on. "Ah, Ash! And Ace too! Great to see you two!" The Pokémon Professor stood up from his chair and greeted the two Pokémon Trainers.

"Likewise, Professor." Ace said. Ash nodded his head. "So what's the big deal? Seems more like you want to talk to me rather than with Prof Oak." Ash looked towards Ace.

"Well all shall be explained soon enough." Ace said, maintaining the enigmatic persona.

"Please, take a seat boys." said Professor Oak.

"Thank you Professor." Ace said, although he remained standing whilst the others sat down. "Now, Ash,' he cleared his throat, relishing the suspense, "What do you know of the Pokémon World Tournament?"

Ash shrugged. "Not a lot. I heard that Clay wanted to organize some tournament out in Driftveil City. But I heard that it wasn't approved by the Pokémon League and will just be an amateur competition. Why?"

Ace smirked. "Well correct. But you're terribly outdated. As of right now, the PWT is very much a pro Trainer tournament. Only the best Trainers will be invited to take part. 256 of them. And the prize…" Ace took a sharp breath "The prize is, quite literally, a once in a life time opportunity. A shot at taking on and, hence, at being crowned Pokémon Master"

As each second passed, Ash's mouth gaped wider and wider as the sheer magnitude of the words sank in. "Whaa…? Poke-…Master?" Ash mumbled. "So did I…?" Ash could scarcely believe it.

Oak and Ace shared a knowing look between them. "Ash Ketchum, by the authority of the Kanto Pokémon League, I have been tasked to inform you – that yes, you're going to Driftveil. Congratulations."

For once in his life, Ash was speechless. Eventually, he gathered his wits. "I…" he cleared his throat.

"I need to tell my mom to get a new outfit ready."

Ash strode out of his house an hour later with a new sense of purpose as well as clothes. He walked straight to Ace who was waiting under the same tree where Ash was sitting when they met that morning.

"Uh…I forgot to ask something." Ash started. "When exactly is the tournament?"

"Two months later." Ace said nonchalantly as Ash's face blanched. "Two months?! You came all the way here to tell me that the tournament is in TWO MONTHS?!"

Ace shrugged. "Well yeah. The Pokémon League wanted all the trainers to be on the top of their game. They didn't want the Trainers to go for a tournament if they had been inactive for too long. "Ash winced at the pointed jibe. "Haha yeah…" Ash laughed awkwardly. "Fair point."

Ash sat down under the tree. He let out a long sigh. "I just wanted to be on an adventure again.."

"Well what's stopping you?" Ace spoke up. "Look, I saw your Bulbapedia page. You have … 43 unique Pokémon, officially. That's a lot. I myself have, like, 12. Furthermore, according to Prof Oak you have 5 or 6 that aren't on hand. You have two months. It's a short time. Do you even know what your best 6 is? Have you checked on the 5 or 6 Pokémon that you don't have now? There's a lot of Pokémon you have to train, Trainer. There are a few unofficial tournaments coming up too. So if you want another adventure, go and have one!" Ace ended his speech as abruptly as he started it. "Well?"

Ash's face sunk, his hat covering his eyes. "You're right of course. You're very right." Ash rose to his feet. "I'm going on an adventure! Right now!"

"Yeah! That's the spirit!" Ace cheered.

The moment however was cut short as they heard a loud rumbling noise. Naturally, it originated from Ash's stomach. "Okay, maybe not right now…"

"Mmph!" Ace said with his mouth full. "I know right?" Ash said, more experienced in talking and eating. "This is great!" Ace said, after a huge gulp.

"Ah, thank you dear." Delia Ketchum smiled at the two. They might be world renowned, highly accomplished Pokémon Trainers. But they were Trainers, and thus had the appetites of a Munchlax to go with it. Okay maybe not that much.

Ash burped loudly as he finished his fourth helping. "More!" he exclaimed in childlike delight.

Okay maybe that much.

Ash and Ace sighed as they sat down on the couch, stuffed.

"Hey, Ace, where are you going next?" Ash inquired.

"Viridian Forest. I have to deliver an invitation to another Trainer. Gary Oak."

"Professor Gary Oak." Ash corrected, chuckling. "Well, Junior Professor actually, but don't say it to Gary's face."

"I'll keep that in mind." Ace said, grinning. He took off his glasses and wiped them with the edge of his navy blue shirt. "Would you like to come along? Viridian Forest is big. And you do know Gary."

"I'd love to. Where are you going after that?"

Ace looked at Ash. "Um, home. Vermillion City. I'd offer you to come along, but no offense, my Mom told me to not take strangers home with me…"

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