"Scott... I would like to join the Battle Frontier."

Scott gave off a weird look for a second and then smirked. "Oh I get it. You're messing with me. Did Noland put you up to this?"

Ash shook his head at the accusation that Scott gave out. "This is no joke Scott. I really want to join and become a Frontier Brain."

Scott gave a real shocked expression this time around. He looked at Ash like the boy yelled at him. "What? But I always thought you were the traveling type of trainer. You even said it yourself that you didn't want to join because you liked the thought of adventuring around."

Ash nodded. "Yeah, and I do... but I feel like I just... just hit a block in my improvment or something..."

Scott narrowed his eyes. "This has to do with Tobias, doesn't it?"

Ash looked completly baffled at the statement. Though Scott was completely right in his assumption, how did he know who Tobias was in the first place. This is making our hero wonder just how much Scott really knows about his life.

Scott laughed. "Guess Brandon hit the nail on the head."

Ash looked even more confused than earlier. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Scott smirked at the young trainer. "Brandon said he ran into you back in Sinnoh. He remembered how powerful you were back when you faced him, but he said that compared to that last time he faced off against you, you seemed a bit lackluster. Nothing like Paul, but Brandon called that you may get far in the league tourney, but you wouldn't be able to win it if you didn't fix yourself up. And sure enough, he called it."

Ash widened his eyes. Was he really like that before he squared off against Tobias? This made Ash worry if he would even make the cut among the Frontier Brains themselves. Due to the power cap these people were on, Ash worried if he should've just taken the offer before the Sinnoh League.

"What should I do?" Ash asked, hopeful that Scott would have a plan.

From the smirk Scott was giving off, Ash could only assume he did. "Come by to Viridian City tomorrow. Brandon is out there right now, and I can call the others to make them come out there as well. We know exactly what to do to you. Now I'll just see you down there. I have to reschedule a few things now that I have something more important to help with. Does around 4 work for you?"

Ash nodded, which led to Scott chuckling. "I'll see you there. And Ash... don't feel too down about losing to Tobias. A guy who only uses legendaries could give any Champion and Elite Four a challenge. Same goes for even Brandon. Don't let it get to you. I'll see you at 4."

With that, the call had ended between the two, and Ash was happy that he could join. But something was off to Ash. Not only did it seem too easy to go to Viridian City, but it left him with more questions than full answers. He doesn't really know what the big plan Scott has to help him join the Battle Frontier, and on top of that, Ash still doesn't really know what happened in between the Battle Frontier and the Sinnoh League that could really affect him so much.

But he knew the answers would come once the time was right. For now, it was time to share the exciting news to his mother. As he ran off out the door, he could hear a voice telling him 'Can you even compare to something like them?'

........

Scott sighed in happiness that the first, and to this day, only person to beat the current Frontier Brain lineup in Kanto. He couldn't be more excited to help that trainer rise to the top with the Battle Frontier like Scott had hoped for back a year ago.

You had to admit, the man was ambitious.

Scott dialed the numbers of all the other Frontier Brains and set the call to conference mode. One by one, the Frontier Brains began answering to Scott's call with curious looks on their faces. It wasn't every day that their boss called them randomly. Especially not all at once.

"Yoish. It isn't like you to pull all of us together like this Scott." The Arena Tycoon, Greta, stated with a curious tone among her voice.

"Yeah. I was about to close up the tower for the day." The Salon Maiden, Anabel, said with a bit of tiredness in her voice.

"Is it so important that you couldn't just drive 10 minutes to tell me? Sorry. I mean 5 minutes." The Pyramid King Brandon asked while referring to Scotts reckless driving habits.

The rest of the Brains nodded in agreement with the statements said by their colleagues. Scott smiled secretly, as a trick began forming in his head. He knew how to pull one over on his Frontier Brains.

"I just figured I should tell you that I want all of you down here by 3 P.M. tomorrow. I need you all to meet with a particular someone." Scott said.

All the Brains but Brandon groaned as he was already at Viridian City. They had important matters to take care of as Frontier Brains after all. They can't simply drop everything on their schedule to take care of whatever their boss wanted them to.

"Really? Why do we need to go down there just to meet a person? We have that paperwork to fill out you know." Tucker stated in an upset tone.

"For once, I agree with that. This shouldn't be that great of an important matter to derive us from that work." Spencer spoke up.

Scott gave a fake hurt look. "Wow. Just wait until I tell your new colleague that to him. That would really make him mad."

All of the Frontier Brains froze at the words they just heard. They couldn't believe the words that were coming through their ears, but Scott doesn't lie about new candidates for the league. Most of them rose their eyebrow while some let out a gasp of shock.

Scott smirked. "New that would get your attention."

Brandon nodded. "Alright Scott. Just who is our newest addition."

Scott softened his expression and began explaining the details. "It's funny that you'd mention that Brandon, because a challenger that managed defeat you in battle. Though granted, it took him a few tries."

This caught Brandon off guard, as he knew just who Scott was mentioning. Most of the others were unsure who it was, as very few remembered anyone proving a match for the Pyramid King. Only Scott, Anabel, and Brandon  were confident on who it was.

The Salon Maiden was taken aback. "Wait, do you mean...?"

The Pyramid King smiled lightly. "Well that is a turn of events. I didn't think he would change his mind."

The other Frontier Brains were on the edge of their seats as they wondered who it was. Scott saw their patience dwindling quickly as they could only make assumptions about who the mysterious new trainer was going to be.

Scott decided now was better than never. "You're right Brandon. And for the rest of you that haven't figured it out yet, our newest addition is none other than Ash Ketchum. Now I need all of you here ASAP to help with his first part of the initiation process. I will dismiss the paperwork that you all have on you right now. Just get here on time tomorrow."

Everyone gave an approving nod to Scott. "Alright. Now all of you are free to go. Except Brandon and Anabel. I need to have a private talk with you both."

After maybe 10 seconds, it was just those three left in the conference call. Anabel was looking very curious as to why it is necessary for her to stay. Brandon, on the other had, did not look worried. In fact, the older man looked ready to invite the kid into their world.

Scott cleared his throat. "Alright, down to business. Brandon, do you have a full on idea as to what happened to Ash in Sinnoh?"

Brandon gave a serious look. "Yes I do. He places all of his confidence in his Pokémon. While that isn't really bad, the main problem I feel coincides with that."

Scott nodded. "I see. So that's something we'll need to work on first."

Anabel looked lost. "Wait. Is there something wrong with Ash?"

Brandon nodded. "He looked like he lost his fire when I met him in Sinnoh. If he really is considering joining us, then that is something that needs to be fixed."

Anabel gave a shocked look. "That doesn't make sense to me. And if he really lost his fire, then why are you telling me any of this?"

Scott smirked. "Because, since he has to go under the help of a Frontier Brain for 2 months, it needs to be someone that will understand him well and be able to help him. The three main people he would consider choosing tomorrow comes between you, Noland, and Brandon. We hope it will be you."

"You're his age, and you share the same passion for Pokémon. Plus, you're far more gentle and caring before you will make Ash do anything dangerous. Scott and I know you would help him more than the others. And we get the feeling you really want to spend time with him again." Brandon stated with a very slight smile across his face.

Anabel blushed lightly but did not deny this claim. "So do you think he will choose me?"

"Of course he will. Ash knows how to pick a good teacher. Plus I think Brandon scares him, so I doubt he will choose Brandon unless he is just that crazy." Scott stated with Brandon chuckling at the comment.

Anabel sighed. "Well, I need my sleep. I'll see you at Viridian City."

Once she signed off the video phone, she locked up the Battle Tower and began walking home. As she did, she began to remember all of her memories of Ash when she was around him. She enjoyed those times with him, but she was very sad when Ash had to leave. She began to feel a little bit down, though she really wasn't sure why at the time.

It was only after about a month of thinking that she really realized why she was so upset when Ash left. While she was upset that he couldn't comprehend Anabel's emotions, she realized that it affected her more that she would have liked. That's when she knew that she could try all she wanted, but Ash would be stuck in her mind one way or another.

When she walked into her house, she changed and climbed into bed, her thoughts continuing to haunt her mind like a Ghastly in Lavender Town. "Ash, I hope you choose me. I want you to become as strong as us, and I want to be right beside you when you do. I'll make sure you make it up there."

..........

Ash had already packed his things and his other Pokémon as well just in case he needed them. After telling everyone what he was doing, Ash was sure to assume that he would be gone for quite a while. He had a hard time sleeping as seeing this was truly happening, but he finally managed to force himself to get some rest.

Now about 12 o'clock right now, Ash was ready to make the flight to Viridian City with Staraptor and the rest of his Sinnoh team. Ash knew if he was going to make it, he must rely on flight since he had no teleporting Pokémon to get him there in a quick moment.

He began to climb on Staraptor. "Alright. I'll see you all again soon."

Delia, Oak and Tracy were all there to wave him off. "Good luck my boy." "See you again soon." "Did you remember to pack extra underwear?"

Ash groaned. "Moooom!"

They all shared one last laugh with each other before Ash started taking off on Staraptor. Pikachu began waving back at them while Ash started wondering what would happen once he reaches Viridian. After all, with such a life changing opportunity soon to take place, Ash could only get more anxious as they continued on the flight. Though his thoughts seemed to be telling him to stop, he shoved the ideas in the back of his head.

..........

It didn't take too long to reach Viridian. Ash noticed that he made it with a decent amount of time to spare. Once he saw where the Battle Frontier building was, as it had the logo on the front of it, he began to fly down to the entrance.

Ash returned Staraptor after thanking it for the trip. He was walking into the doors when he saw a very familiar lilac haired girl waiting on a seat with an Espeon. She looked like she had been waiting for the Pallet trainer to arrive for a little bit, as she stood up and walked over to him.

"Hey Anabel. How have you been?" Ash asked the Salon Maiden.

She smiled at him. "I'm great. I can't believe you changed your mind. None of us ever thought you would want to after you denied it the first time."

"Pikapi!" The electric type placed his hands on his sides.

Anabel laughed as she pet the Mouse Pokémon. "Don't worry. I didn't forget you."

Ash smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, well I just figured I needed a change. My battling style seemed to be lacking compared to way back in the Battle Frontier."

Anabel nodded. "Well follow me. We need to go to the meeting room and meet up with the others. They should be waiting on us now."

Ash followed Anabel down a hallway that led to two mahogany doors. Once opened, it revealed up a room with many chairs and a table right in the middle. There is a screen on the wall that seemed to be where they posted info at their meetings.

Already waiting in their chairs were the last 6 Frontier Brains as well as Scott. Ash felt bad for making them wait, but judging from the looks on their faces, they didn't care too much. They all smiled as the pair walked inside.

Brandon smirked a bit. "Well Ash. Even though the Battle Frontier challenge ended for you, you never cease to surprise us. Welcome."

Ash smiled. "Thanks. So why did you call me here in particular?"

Scott stood up. "Well Ash, we have a particular way of introducing the new Brains to the Battle Frontier. This way is to show you the way that some of the Brains do things around here. This is an important choice you need to make."

Ash nodded. "Alright. What is it?"

"You need to pick one of the 7 Frontier Brains to train under for two months. When you choose them, you will need to stay with them wherever they happen to be living. During the time you are there, you will be learning all about what to know to be a proper Frontier Brain."

Ash widened his eyes. "I have to choose between all of them?"

Scott nodded. "You can have time to think. We'll all leave for several minutes."

As each Frontier Brain began to walk out, Ash cast glances at each one. Anabel was the last out, and she also stole a glance at Ash, which the trainer barely noticed himself. Once they all left, Ash began thinking about the pros and cons of each Frontier Brain.

Greta was way too much of a hands on fighter, which Ash thought wouldn't help him on a spiritual level. So sadly she would have to be out of the equation.

Tucker is a great trainer and seems to be pretty fast in his responses to attacks to an extent and his strategies are well known for. But with his shows and many other duties outside the Battle Frontier, Ash believed he would only hinder the man. So he would have to be excluded.

Spencer is a very spiritual person due to where he comes from, which may be able to help Ash fight off whatever he is dealing with. However, Ash knows how reckless he himself can be from time to time, which would only hinder the man at his current age.

Lucy is debatable in a sense, as she is a very precise trainer, but she is also a bit strange. Plus, Ash kind of wants to consider his other options before her.

Noland is an amazing trainer that Ash got along with very well when he first met the guy. Ash would consider picking Noland, but sadly he knows Noland is more of a mechanic than a person that understands a person to such an extent.

Brandon is obviously the most powerful Brain in the Battle Frontier. Though Ash likes Brandon, his constant "NO" slogan is very scary and surprising at some points. Plus, though he would never admit it, Brandon is a bit scary.

Now there is Anabel. Anabel is a very powerful trainer in the Frontier, and if Ash had to say it, probably the strongest under Brandon. She is very compassionate and seems to understand many different emotions. Plus she is Ash's age and would be able to know Ash better than the others.

Ash smiled in thought of the girl. 'Perfect. Anabel would know how to help me and be able to show me my responsibility as a Frontier Brain. It's perfectly well rounded out.'

"Pikachu, what do you think about Anabel?"

"Pikachu." The mouse Pokémon nodded to his trainer.

"Then it's settled. That's who we choose."

'Or you could just leave them alone and let them not be burdened by your pathetic-'

'SHUT UP!' Ash yelled in his mind.

After waiting a bit of extra time, the rest of the Frontier Brains walked inside the room once more. They sat down at their seat calmly, but Ash saw the curious look on their faces. He could tell they wanted to know.

Scott smiled. "Alright Ash, I assume you made your choice?"

Ash nodded. "You bet I did."

"Well then tell us. Who is your teacher?"

Ash grinned. "Sorry that I couldn't choose all of you, but I considered all my options carefully. I choose Anabel."

Not a surprising ending, but let me know what you think. What parts could be worked on. I'm open to opinions unless yours is just against the story as a whole. But comment question: What is your favorite pie? Hope you all enjoy your day, and to all my Americans, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

-Bl0t0rch