Chapter One: Where One Journey Ends a New One Begins

Ash Ketchum had just finished his latest journey through the Kalos Region and was heading home to PalletTown in the Kanto Region. He had just gotten off the plane that brought him back to his home region. Ash and his Pokémon partner Pikachu were glad to be home, but they were also itching to go on a new adventure to face new Gym Leaders and see new Pokémon. Walking along Rout 1 Ash and Pikachu could see PalletTown starting to come into view.

"Look Pikachu. We're finally home." Ash looked up to Pikachu who was sitting on his shoulder.

"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu said happily, then jumped down from Ash's shoulder and took off running to PalletTown.

"Hey! Pikachi! Wait up, buddy!"

When Ash and Pikachu finally reached their home of Pallet Ash could see his house come into view and that Mimey, his mother's Mr. Mime was outside sweeping.

"Mimey, were back!" Ash yells as he waves and runs up to Mimey.

"Mime, Mime... Mr. Mime!" Mimey welcomes Ash and Pikachu home.

"Mimey, where's mom?" Ash asked Mimey. Mimey pointed up towards Professor Oak's lab. "Thanks, Mimey. I'll be back with some clothes that need to be washed. Come on Pikacu!"

"Pika! Pikacu!"

Pikachu jumped back onto Ash's shoulder then Ash started running up to Professor Oak's Lab. When Ash reached Professor Oak's Lab he opened the doors to see his mom, Professor Oak and Professor Oak's and Ash's old rival, Gary Oak. Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder and ran to Ash's mom, Delia Ketchum. When she saw Pikachu she quickly turned to see her son standing at the door.

"Ash!" Delia said, surprised to see her son was home without saying that he was returning home. "You didn't say that you were on your way home."

"I wanted to surprise everyone with my return. I'm surprise to see you here Gary." Ash turned to his old rival.

"Grandpa wanted to talk to me in person, Ashy Boy. But I've heard that you've been busy traveling around the Kalos Region. How was it?"

"It was great! I met and caught so many different Pokémon and met a lot of new people. But what's so important that the Professor wanted to see you in person?" Ash asked Gary and then turned to Professor Oak.

"I'll explain my boy, this will actually be a good thing for the you to hear as well, Ash. I have a colleague in a region known as the Soko Region. It's located west of the Kanto. My colleague is Professor Ophelia Aspen, she studies in the different kinds of evolution stones and the Pokémon that evolve from them. I would like you Gary to help her out on her research."

"Me grandpa?"

"Yes, Gary my boy. Evolution stones still have a lot to tell us as researchers. Professor Aspen has also discovered two new types of evolution stones. The Light Stone and the Dark Stone. A new type of Pokémon has also been discovered in the Soko Region. Light Pokémon. Not many Light Pokémon have been discovered just yet, but according to Professor Aspen, she believes that the Light Stone may play a key role in the evolution of Light-Type Pokémon. This will be an excellent topic for you to study. And for you Ash, the Soko Region will make an excellent next step for you to become a Pokémon Master."

"Really. the Soko Region and a new, rare type of Pokémon? Looks like we're heading to the Soko Region Pikachu!"

"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu happily responded.

"What about you Gary?" Professor Oak asked his grandson.

Everyone waited for Gary's answer. Gary simply smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

"Looks like I'm head to the Soko Region with you Ash."

"This will be so awesome!" Ash suddenly jumped up into the air. "This will be like the old days when we first started our journeys!"

"I guess you're right Ash. When do we head out to the Soko Region?"

"After Ash gets a good night sleep and I make him a nice dinner and get him so clean clothes." Delia suddenly stepped in."

"Mom?"

"Ash, it's my job as your mother to make sure that you have everything you need for your journeys. When you're out traveling I count on you to take care of yourself, but when your home it's my turn to take care of you."

Ash wrapped his mom in a tight hug and held her close.

"Thanks mom. I'm real lucky to have a mom that cares so much like you."

Once Ash and Gary were told all they needed to know by Professor Oak the two went their separate ways until they had to met the nest morning. Ash left with his mom, but not before he went to go see the rest of his Pokémon. Gary stayed in his grandfather's lab for a while longer.

"I have to thank you for doing this for me Gary. I would go myself, but I research here, and I have new trainings coming to choose their starter Pokémon."

"It's alright grandpa. It's the job of being a researcher. Going to the Soko Region will give me the chance to study the region's rare and legendary Pokémon."

"Glad to hear it, Gary. I'll let Professor Aspen know to expect you and Ash tomorrow."

In the Soko Region, three new trainers were about to start their own journeys. For the next morning they would head to Professor Aspen's lab to get their starter Pokémon. Fenfire the Fire-Type, Leporo the Grass-Type or Naiad the Water-Type. Richie and his two friends Andy and Zoë are starting their own journeys in the morning.

The three friends sat in Richie's room, discussing on which Pokémon each of them were going to choose as their partner and imagining what it would be like to be in a Gym Battle for the first time.

"Have you two decided on which Pokémon your going to choose as your partner? I already know who I'm picking." Zoë asked her friends.

"We both know who you're picking Zoë. You're going with Leporo, the grass-type, right?" Andy asked Zoë.

"Yeah! Just look at it! Leporo is so cute!" Zoë placed a picture of the Pokémon she was going to pick.

The picture showed a small, light brown, rabbit-like Pokémon. It had blade-like ears that were green from the tip down and then curved up to the tops of the ears. On the right side of its head it wears three green leaves and a one pink flower like a hair clip. It has large purple eyes with small black pupils. The fur around its neck is white with hints of green and it wears it like scarf to help keep itself warm. The tips of its hindquarters, front legs and underside of its tail are also white. There's green marking above the white tips on its hindquarters, front legs and on its hips.

"It is cute, but cuteness isn't everything, Zoë. I'm thinking o going with Fenfire, the fire-type." Richie placed a picture of the fire-type starter Pokémon.

Fenfire is a canine Pokémon with feathers coming from the back of its neck. It's body is mixed with reds, oranges, and yellows. It's muzzle is light orange on the top and dark orange on the bottom and goes up to its eyes. Its eyes are a bright light blue.

"And I'll go with Naida, the water-type." Andy placed the final picture of the third starter Pokémon.

Naida is a small water dragon Pokémon that looks like a smaller version of a Lapras. It's neck is quite long for being a small Pokémon. It had regular sized red eyes with small black slits for pupils. It's body is a fusion of dark and light hues of periwinkle. On the top of its head several horns fan out and in-between each horn is a thin lair of transparent, turquoise skin. A same lair of transparent, turquoise skin also covers the tail. Rather back on its head. Instead of legs, it has four flippers with the foremost pair being larger than the hind. The white markings on its face and back are different on every Naiad but will usually remain the same as it evolves.

Zoë suddenly clapped her hands together and stood up from where she was sitting. "Now that we have that settled I think I should be heading home before my parents start to wonder where I am. Let's meet by the fountain before heading to the Professor's lab tomorrow. Does that sound good to you guys?"

"Yeah, sounds good." Andy stood up from his seat. "I should get going Richie as well. It's getting late."

Zoë and Andy walked down stairs with Richie right behind them. Waiting at the end of the stairs was Richie's family's Mightyena. Zoë patted Mightyena on the head and then headed off down the road where she lived. Andy said his last good-byes to his old friend and headed over next door to where he lived. Richie shut the front door to his home and then looked down to Mightyena.

"Well Mightyena, tomorrow Zoë, Andy and I will be starting our Pokémon Journey together. I can't wait for morning to get here!"

To Be Continued....