With the tournament becoming worldwide news, everyone was looking to participate. By now, the tournament has had over 600 trainers register, with a variety of ages on display. Adults as old as 30 have entered for the unknown grand prize for the winner and within all of the excitement, Ash continues on his new adventure.

"It's good to finally see you again Ash" Brock began excitedly. They were now all sat outside, sitting on the rocks that overlooked the river, which flowed through Viridian City and Pallet Town.

"It's good to be in Kanto. I remember being here like it was yesterday" Ash sighed, looking up at the sun, which by now had risen to its peak.

"I remember this spot, you turned my bike into charred metal" Misty frowned, reminiscing in the old times.

"Yeah, well you got your bike back, so everything ended up ok, right?" Ash became a little nervous, due to the fact that Misty could be very aggressive and angry.

"Right," Misty rested her palms on the edge of the rock they sat on and kicked her legs back and forth, letting out a small sigh.

"Something the matter?" Brock asked, joining the conversation.

"The gym has become such hard work, I can barely stand being there half the time" Misty began to complain.

"What? I envy you guys" Ash commented on her moaning. "Having awesome battles everyday has to be fun!" he pointed out, but Misty had her frown printed on her face.

"It's just so demanding, that's all. And now, with the tournament announcement a few hours ago, the new trainers in Kanto are getting impatient and going for as many badges as possible in an attempt to get stronger. Five minutes after the announcement, I had a full gym!"

"You can say that again, I have never seen Pewter City so full" Brock stretched up and then laid down on the rock, using a forearm to shield his eyes from the sun. "I am guessing you signed up, right Ash?"

"Of course, Pikachu and I wouldn't miss it, right buddy?" Ash turned to Pikachu, who had been resting in the shade for a long time.

Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder and his eyes suddenly opened as if he was wide awake. "Pika pi!" He exclaimed excitedly.

"I can see Pikachu is still the same" Misty laughed and Brock smiled. Ash nodded, only slightly agreeing.

"We have gotten stronger along the way though" Ash had to point out a difference because Pikachu wasn't the same in terms of strength and moves.

"Speaking of 'along the way' how was it, going to the other regions I mean?" Misty asked, out of interest.

"It's a long story" Ash laughed.

"I bet" Brock got up and stretched his legs, letting out a huge yawn. "I better head back to the gym for now, I will have to get through as many people as possible before the tournament.

"See ya around, Brock!" Ash waved happily.

"Pikaaa!" Pikachu used his little arm to wave goodbye, as Brock headed down the road.

"I better follow him and head back too, we can talk about your journey another time, kay?" Misty asked, spinning around to face Ash.

"Sure thing, see ya then!" Ash smiled, waving at Misty.

Misty gave Ash a wink and then waved, before hurrying off down the road after Brock.

"It's safe to assume we will be seeing a lot of old friends soon, huh?" Ash was speaking out of his head, but Pikachu jumped off of Ash's shoulder and looked up at his smiling face, which was also full of excitement.

"Pika, Pika" Pikachu agreed with Ash, trudging alongside him.

"First, we head home to get something to eat, I am starving" Ash held his now rumbling stomach, just as Pikachu's began to growl at him.

"Pika pi..." Pikachu was also hungry and wanted to eat soon.

"Let's go then!" Ash broke off into a sprint, rushing through the forest and down the path towards home.

"Pika!" Pikachu followed next to Ash, heading towards Pallet Town.

There was a large horn noise on the way and Ash skidded to a halt.

"It must be the first batch of participants, coming to the region. They are stopping in Pallet Town, we can go see who is here!" Ash was feeling even more excited and continued to sprint on at an even greater speed, never even breaking a sweat. Pikachu continued to keep up. They stopped at the nearby port and looked at the holiday goers entering the region. There was one thing in particular he noticed and it was a set of green hair. He couldn't make out a face but the black vest gave it away.

"CILAN!!!" Ash cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted. The boy with the green hair instantly looked up and saw Ash. His face broke into the biggest smile imaginable and then he rushed through the crowd, heading to Ash. Ash waited by the side, Cilan now facing him.

"Ash, I can't believe it. We meet once again" Cilan clicked his fingers and was overcome with joy. "What a marvellous occasion, who could've thought we would meet in the heart of the Kanto Region!"

Ash stared blankly at Cilan, who laughed nervously at Ash's response.

"Sorry," Cilan sweatdropped and then scratched his head. "I have been picking up training for my connoisseur S-Class badge and I get carried away when I am excited"

"Well, it's just good to see you again" Ash smiled, remembering his gym battle with Cilan and his brothers. After winning against Cilan, he ended up with the trio badge and then Cilan joined him on his journey through Unova. "I am guessing you are here for the battle tournament?"

"Who wouldn't be here? I wouldn't be surprised if the whole of Unova was now deserted" Cilan laughed at his own comment, before holding out his pokeball. "I got pansage trained and ready for this day"

"Well, I have lots of strong Pokemon too, so I can't wait!" Ash was still overcome with joy and his smile showed this. 

"I am meant to be at my hotel by four, so I will catch up with you later?" Cilan put a hand on Ash's shoulder and smiled. Ash nodded.

"Pikachu and I can't wait!" he smiled back and then watched as Cilan hurried after his brothers.

"It still feels good seeing old friends, right Pikachu?" Ash turned to his shoulder, but Pikachu wasn't there.

"PIKAAAAAAAA..CHUUUUU!" there was a bright light and then a scream. Ash followed the sound and jumped through the shrubbery, much to his amazement.

Pikachu was still in the aipom arm, trying to get out of its grip.

"I wa- only trying..to say hi" Clemont was on the floor, groaning in pain. Bonnie was also on the floor, but in tears of laughter. Ash's eyes moved over to the third person, Serena. She was stood awkwardly, staring at Ash with twinkling eyes. She looked like she was going to cry, but she sniffed and then straightened up, before breaking out a smile.

"Clemont, Bonnie, Serena!" Ash was surprised, he didn't expect to see them so soon.

"Thought you could get rid of us" Serena joked, stepping forward to the aipom arm. She released Pikachu and then held him up to her face. "Did you miss us, Pikachu?"

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded in its continuous excitement.

"How have you guys been?" Ash asked. It hadn't been much time at all since they parted in Kalos, but he had to ask because it had still been a few days.

"Great, it was a lot of fun being back in the gym for a few days. I have even started giving Bonnie some pointers in training Pokemon, for when she becomes a trainer" Clemont had finally gotten up and he was brushing down his clothes.

"Serena was cr-" Bonnie began, but an embarrassed Serena instantly covered her mouth.

"Serena was what?" Ash asked, confused by Serena.

"I was just a little unhappy that our journey ended, that's all" Serena explained. Ash nodded in agreement, but his ears twitched at the sound of yet another familiar voice.

"Ew, Axew!" Axew's voice continued through the trees and Pikachu span around.

"Pika?!" Pikachu shouted up to the tree.

"Axew!" Axew replied in excitement, just as Iris came swinging from the tree. She landed right beside Ash, with Axew on her shoulder.

"Wow, it's Iris" Ash was still surprised, he was being bombarded by old friends.

"Long time no see!" Iris smiled at Ash, then turned to the other three behind him. Clemont and Bonnie had confused looks on their faces while Serena seemed worried. The thought of Ash knowing another girl made her slightly jealous. It would make it harder for her to get her feelings known to Ash, who was even dense in their final moments.

Leaving Kalos...

"Ash?" Serena asked him just before the plane was about to arrive. She gave a deep breath as he turned, preparing to say what she had wanted to say so long ago.

"What is it?" Ash wondered impatiently, looking left and right, waiting for the announcement to board his plane. Although he didn't want to go, the excitement of a new adventure was creeping in and it made Ash impatient.

"Since that time, at the summer camp, I have always had these feelings for you Ash" Serena explained, looking at the ground nervously. "I could never shake the feeling away and after I met with you at the beginning of your journey, these feelings grew and grew into something bigger" Serena closed her eyes and then sighed, continuing on.

"Flight 112 to the Kanto Region is now ready for boarding" the announcement on the P.A continued.

Ash darted off with Pikachu on his shoulder, to get a good seat on the plane, but Serena, who was unaware, continued to speak.

"Ash, ever since I met you and looked into your eyes, I realized something-" Serena opened her eyes to look up and realized he was gone. Her eyes began to shine with fresh tears, but she forced them back, not wanting to cry. She suddenly felt a hug around her waist and looked down to see Bonnie resting her head on Serena.

"It's ok, Serena," she said encouragingly. "Your chance will come one day"

Serena smiled and then wiped the forming tears away. "I hope so Bonnie. I really do"

Present Day...

"Let me introduce you" Ash turned to his Kalos gang and gestured to Iris. "This is Iris, I travelled with her in the Unova region. Iris, this is Serena, Clemont and Bonnie" Ash explained, gesturing to everyone. "I travelled with them in Kalos recently, it was a lot of fun"

"I bet it was" Iris laughed. "The village of dragons was getting boring, so I was so glad to hear about this tournament!"

"Us too, Ash. We saw it as an opportunity to be with you one more time" Clemont smiled. Ash span to Iris, then to Clemont and the others, going in a full circle as he listened to them all. THEN, another voice came through the forest.

"Piplup, wait up!" the voice said "Woah!" there was a thud as someone fell. Everyone turned around, with worried expressions as the bushes began to move. Then, a Piplup hopped out of the bushes, followed by Dawn.

"Dawn?!" Ash and Iris both said at the same time. Iris had only briefly met Dawn during the Unova League, but Clemont, Bonnie and Serena all had the looks from a few minutes ago back on their faces.

"Ash, Iris! Wow, it's so nice to see you"

"Pip, Piplup!" Piplup had jumped to one side, with Pikachu and they were now conversing with excitement.

"Pika Pika, Pika Pi!"

"Piplup!"

"Are you here for the tournament too?" Ash asked Dawn, who raised up her two index fingers in a 'peace' sign and winked.

"You betcha!" she replied, before turning to Piplup. "It was nice seeing you again, but we have to get to the guest house we are staying in"

"Ok then, see you around!" Ash waved Dawn off, who collected Piplup and then continued to run on down the path. Before anyone could collect their thoughts, there was yet another voice coming from the path behind the Kalos gang.

"Max will you just keep up for once?!" the female voice groaned, shouting in annoyance at the one called Max.

"I can recognize that voice from anywhere" Ash sprinted through the Kalos group and stood just in front of them. Iris joined next to Serena as the others turned. "Hey May, long time no see!"

"Huh? Ash?!" May's head span round and then a big smiled shot across her face. "Oh my god, it's really you!"

"And Pikachu too!" Max pointed on, rushing across the path to meet them.

"Pika!" Pikachu said with a great amount of happiness. The level of excitement was too much for Ash and Pikachu. They had just met every single one of their old friends and were beginning to feel restless from the excitement. The excitement was stopped by a sudden stomach grumble.

"We will need to skip the excitement for now" Ash scratched his head and nervously laughed. "I think it's dinner time for Pikachu"

"For you, you mean" May shook her head with a sigh. "I will speak with you tomorrow then, we have to catch up"

"You bet, although I have a lot of catching up to do with everyone" Ash laughed, before rushing off.

"Yeah, don't forget about us!" Bonnie shouted down the path. Ash waved his hand to gesture that he definitely wouldn't, before heading home to get some food.

A new adventure, all of his friends, Ash couldn't wait for the tournament to get under way.

Meanwhile...

"When will we arrive?" a hooded man stepped up to the captain of the ferry he was on. He was wearing a black robe from head to toe. It was even cascading over his feet.

"Another five minutes and we will be in the Kanto region" The Captain explained, sweat forming across his brow out of pure nervousness.

"Very well, this will suffice for now" The Man sat down. "I can't wait for my children to finally show the world how much power Team Shadow has!" The Man broke off into an evil laugh, but the ferry Captain looked into the open sea with a puzzled face.

"Who is Team Shadow?" he spoke aloud, although he was asking himself.

"I will let them answer the question for you" The Man explained, clapping his hands. Suddenly, five boys and one girl around the age of 14 appeared, as if coming out of the shadows. They all had dark hair and evil intent in their eyes. The five males had black t-shirts with a white circle in the middle, then a shadow ball printed on the shirts. The boy at the front raised his Pokeball up from his shorts pocket.

"Umbreon, lets show this man why you never forget the name of Team Shadow!"