Thank you, for taking your time to check out this story! Reviews and feedback are appreciated, and if you have any questions, we'll be happy to answer! In addition, fanart should be accompanying many moments in this fic, so please check out its blog, if you get the chance? We can be found on our tumblr, another-rxad.

We hope you enjoy Ash's next journey!

Here he was again.

He stood atop the lush green hills overlooking the beautiful hamlet that was known as Pallet Town. Once again, Ash Ketchum was home. Onyx eyes radiated with fondness for the sight, his lips curved into an eager smile that practically spread cheek to cheek.

"It's Pallet Town. Let's go, Pikachu!" The boy chanted before running off towards his home, met by an eager cheer from the mouse perched atop his shoulder, Ash's best friend and number one partner. He, much like his trainer, was thrilled to be back home.

After a short run from just outside town, made difficult by the bags of gifts occupying Ash's arms, they had arrived at the cozy two story home. It sported a vibrant pink coat of paint and a small garden in the front to complete the welcoming image. He'd found his way to the door, eager to ring the doorbell, only to realize both of his hands were occupied. "Uh, Pikachu? Could ya get that for me?"

Pikachu reached out without hesitation, pressing his paw against the doorbell adorning the front entrance to the home. Now all they had to do was wait not-so-patiently for the one they could always count on to give them a warm welcome.

The wait would not be long for Ash and his partner Pikachu. In almost the exact moment they rang the doorbell, the door swung open. Standing in front of the door was none other than Delia Ketchum, Ash's loving mother.

"Ash, my goodness, you're back!" The mother exclaimed, pulling her son into a giant loving hug. "I know you are a growing boy who loves to be on the road, but that doesn't stop me from worrying about you!" Before Ash knew it, he was crushed between her arms, struggling to get breath from his lungs. "Mom, I... can't... breathe..!" Upon hearing this, she let go, allowing Ash to regain his bearings.

The teen exhaled, finally managing to catch his breath. "Well... I'm home, Mom!" He entered the living room, stopping in his tracks when none of them seemed to follow. He turned back, spotting his mother still standing at the door, eyes peering around for some figure that wasn't going to show up.

"Uh, who're you looking for, Mom?"

"I was expecting Dawn to be here! Your friends usually stop by here after your adventures." At least, that was the pattern that the matriarch was used to.

The trainer frowned at the question, his shoulders slumping as he went on to explain. "She was, but her Buneary got a modeling offer the day we were going to leave, so she decided to stay." It was quite the disappointment, really. Showing Dawn around Kanto would have really been something to look forward to.

"Aw, that's a shame." Noticing that her son seemed a little down, she went on to suggest something to lift his spirits. "Why don't we talk about your adventures over lunch?"

Suddenly, Ash's stomach growled loudly in response. "Sounds great, Mom! I'm starving!" He ran off into the dining room in the blink of an eye, leaving a stunned Delia and Pikachu behind.

"Some things never change," Delia conceded with a smile as she went on to the kitchen.

"Pikachu," the mouse muttered as he shook his head in disbelief.

In typical Delia fashion, the young woman put a meal together in nearly no time at all, adorning the kitchen table with a variety of fruit, rice balls galore, and a bowl of nice, hot soup for the gluttonous teen. Ash didn't waste a second in sitting down, scarfing down one morsel after another, nearly leaving Delia and Pikachu speechless. Indeed, Ash hadn't changed a bit.

"This ish sho ghud!" Ash praised with a mouth full of food, still whole-heartedly stuffing his face.

"Ash Ketchum, what have I told you about talking with your mouth full!" The mother's expression creased into a frown-one that didn't hold for long. It'd been so long since she'd seen him; how could she possibly stay mad? It wasn't worth dwelling on, so she went on as he downed his meal. "So, Ash, would you like to tell me about your adventures? I'm sure there's tons of wonderful things I haven't heard yet!"

The boy downed another large portion, eyes lighting up at various memories of Sinnoh running through his mind. Surprisingly, it was even enough to make him drop his fork to speak! "Oh, sure! Sinnoh was awesome! As soon as I got there, Team Rocket managed to get a hold of Pikachu... But, Dawn ended up saving him, and we traveled together with Brock!"

A nostalgic smile found its way to Ash's face as his mind flashed with many memories of the two. They'd shared so much together, just like him and his other friends. "Watching Dawn perform in contests was really cool... We even came up with some strategies together!" He balled his hands up into fists at shoulder level, eyes sparkling in marvel over the work they'd put in together. The counter shield, Ice Aqua Jet, the spin technique... "All of it helped me out a lot, when it really came down to it! And, Brock figured out something for himself, too! He helped save a ship full of pokemon, and decided he was going to study to become a Pokemon Doctor!" He proudly proclaimed, thrilled that one of his closest friends had found a new path.

Delia's two hands clasped together, a bright smile on her lips. That whole adventure sounded so exciting! "Aw, that's great to hear! I always knew Brock would end up doing something special. And you and Dawn sounded like quite the team! Oh, and your battles? How were they?" With all of her faith in her son, it was hard to imagine they were anything short of incredible.

Once again, a smile spread from cheek to cheek. "Sinnoh had some of the best trainers I've ever seen! The Gym Leaders gave me a heck of a hard time. But, someone I met there was even tougher than them! This guy, Paul, he ended up being my rival. When I met him, he was a huge jerk, but he's got one of the toughest battling styles I've ever seen. It took me all the way until the Sinnoh League for me to finally take him down!"

The language Ash was using was something easy to notice. Speaking of taking someone down wasn't like him. "It sounds like he was a real challenge! But, I always knew you could do it, honey!" As quickly as her smile came though, it faded. "Still, I really wish I could have seen your matches! I was busy with the restaurant, but I'd love to hear all about them!"

"The tournament was going great," Ash started. "I beat our friend Nando in the first round, and this guy named Conway in the second. Him and Paul both had perfect streaks when I got to 'em. My pokemon and I were really on the ball! I made it to the top four!" A statement of pride, to be certain. He had never made it that far in a league before.

"...But." His tone became somber, a warning to Pikachu who had seen it all play out. "In that round, I faced this guy named Tobias... I heard that he used the legendary Pokemon, Darkrai! They said through the whole Sinnoh League, he used it alone to win every single match!"

Thinking back on those few days at Lily of the Valley... It was hard to forget what he'd felt-the sensation of his heart racing in anticipation of facing something so powerful; wondering whether he'd be able to take home the cup or not in face of such overwhelming odds.

"I fought them, and he took out three of my Pokemon just using Darkrai. They all did great, but he was just too much... Sceptile managed to beat it, though! I was the first one to ever beat his Darkrai!" Ash was practically glowing over this fact alone. Not only had he taken down an unbeatable Pokemon, but a legendary one!

The second half of the story, however, was a bit more sobering. A drop in his tone made that clear. "...But, then he sent out a Latios. Another legendary Pokemon. Sceptile and Swellow went down, too. Pikachu here," Ash added, scratching the mouse behind his ear, "pretty much managed to beat Latios all by himself! He really hung in there... After he went down though, that was all six Pokemon. So that was the end of that."

Sensing the gloom in Ash's tone, Delia was quick to put on a reassuring smile. "Sorry, sweetie... Oh, but you did so well all the way to the end! I'm sure no one else would have gotten as far as you did!" It was all she could do to keep a proud mother's tears from welling up in her eyes. Her son had really come so far as a trainer... "You've gone from trying to tame a Pikachu to going toe to toe with legends themselves! So you better be proud of yourself, mister!" And that wasn't just reassurance. That was a mother's order!

The rest of the day went on smoothly. Ash spoke more and more of his adventures, including each of his Pokemon he'd befriended. Infernape's story had been quite the tale! But soon, Ash tired. All of the excitement piled on constant traveling had left the young, aspiring master worn out. The sun had set and a loud yawn left the boy's mouth.

"Well it seems like it's been a long day for you, Ash. Why don't you head upstairs and get some rest?" Delia chided in a typical motherly fashion. "And, don't forget to brush your teeth, mister!"

Normally, Ash would have complained and dragged his feet. But, he was just happy to be home. "Yeah, I will." With a childish tone and a smile, he carried himself upstairs with Pikachu in tow.

After the menial tasks that Delia had told him to do, Ash pulled the door open to his room, nostalgia flooding his senses at the sight of every adornment and trophy. It was like a Pokemon fanatic's dream. And, as much as he wanted to marvel at every sight... He was exhausted. The bed creaked and squeaked when it was met with the force of Ash hopping onto it. His eyes then turned up towards the ceiling. "Well, I guess I'm home," he remarked, to no one in particular.

The same four walls surrounded him once more: those covered with Pokemon merchandise and memorabilia, trophies and badges. It was nostalgic, welcoming, to a traveler like him. He could always come back here after one of his adventures. His room was charming, really… filled with the sky-high dreams of a child who would let nothing get in his way.

That was Ash's attitude, through and through. But, each time he came back… Each time he'd fallen a little short, each time he'd come home only to head onto the next region. And, as those visits piled up, he felt a bit more scared each time-a bit more frustrated about his losses, but his youthful spirit and determination allowed him to brush it off.

This time, however… he had come to the top four, closer than he had ever been to winning a regional league. And yet, his hopes were crushed by the mysterious trainer, Tobias. It was frustrating. The match kept replaying in his head as he stared blankly at the ceiling above his bed. Arms folded behind his head with Pikachu huddled up beside him, the electric type's head rested against the boy's chest.

"Use Dark Pulse!" The cloaked man called out as Darkrai unleashed a flurry of violet rings that overpowered Torkoal's Flamethrower, barraging the tortoise in a large explosion that left it unconscious after a single move.

Why had he used Torkoal against an opponent with a Pokemon as fast and powerful as Darkrai…? No disrespect to the Pokemon, it did its best, but what a poor match-up. He could have sent out Sceptile sooner.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!" Ash had called this himself as Latios descended for another Giga Impact. Try as he might, Pikachu was overpowered by the devastating move. He'd taken another hit as a consequence.

What had he been thinking, attacking that move head-on…? Looking back, he could have used the spin technique Dawn had taught him before the Oreburgh Gym… A passive attack strategy would have been much better than brute force against such an opponent.

The mistakes seemed to pile up in his head. Sure, he had fought well and his Pokemon were amazing. They had defeated two legendary Pokemon! He wore that accomplishment with pride, but something told him he could have done better. It could have been different. The boy's eyes narrowed, coal irises focused on the azure ceiling above him. Brows furrowed. He felt frustration. He had worked so hard to win Sinnoh… He'd put so much effort into beating Paul, that…

He hadn't been prepared. He hadn't thought his choices out thoroughly during that last battle. It wasn't his Pokemon that had gone wrong at all, no.

He was the one who had made the follies.

"…It was my fault." He finally spoke aloud, just above a whisper.

The mouse laying against his side turned his head towards his trainer, ears perking up. "Pi…?" Pikachu couldn't help but worry that Ash was coming down on himself. That wasn't something that he would allow. He was about to speak, but Ash continued.

"I put all of my effort into battling Paul and defeating him… Once I was there, it felt like the tournament was over. He was our goal. Past that, I didn't even think as much as I should've… All of my Pokemon were great… Especially you, Pikachu. But, I made some bad moves out there… I could've done better… Here I am again, back home. I… I want to do better than that. If I keep messing up like that, there's no way I'll be a Pokemon Master!"

"Pika! Pikachu!" The lemon-colored mouse hopped to his feet, waving his paws and yelling to his trainer. Don't be so hard on yourself, he said! Don't give up now! Ash still had it in him to be the best; he always said he would! Hearing him talk like that… It was unusual. Almost a bit scary.

Part of him couldn't help but worry he might take these thoughts too far to heart. Ash had a heart of gold, but unlike Pikachu, he was still something of a child. He figured a time would come when his trainer's confidence would breach. "Pika…." His voice softened to almost a whine. Don't change, Ash. Please don't change.

"What if I'm not good enough…? What if this'll be as far as I go…? What if I keep going from region to region and not winning?" Ash sat upright, fists closing in frustration. One could dismiss this as a juvenile tantrum, but it ran deeper than that… It was a lapse of confidence.

Ironic, after his closest spot to victory yet.

Ash, as Pikachu knew him, was never one to obsess with winning a match, with being better than anyone else. His Pokemon did come first… but deep down, Ash was still a boy-a boy with huge dreams who wanted to be the best. It only made sense that falling short of them would eventually lead to problems… But, Ash had it in him! He knew he did! It wasn't like him to give up, yet!

"Pika Pika! Pikachu!" The mouse cried out in protest, furrowed brows conveying the intensity of his coal colored eyes, the two staring into Ash's after he'd pulled his trainer away from his fretting. He would be a Pokemon Master! Maybe they hadn't done it yet, but they had a lifetime to get there! And maybe it wouldn't be the same way they'd been trying, but they would do it! They always figured things out!

While he couldn't understand the exact words Pikachu was shouting at him… The teen was able to see further than that. The message was clear. Pikachu knew he could do it, one way or another. No matter how hard it might be, they would be masters!

The boy's hues began to pool with tears, onyx irises showing a hint of copper. Pikachu had always been one of his inspirations. He was Ash's best friend, the one he confided in most. He was the one Ash needed most right now and he hadn't budged. He was right there, telling the boy how it was.

"Pikachu…." His lips quivered, his throat burning with sobs he bit back as he attempted to regain his composure. Those same eyes that were filled with confusion and fear were now burning with intensity, the ambition within him swelling to a fever pitch. Building with him like a raging inferno that filled his body with life and energy, as well as his mind. His fists tightened, one raising to shoulder level as he put all of his passions into words.

"Pikachu, you're right! We CAN still do it! We'll be the best team the world's ever seen, and we'll come back smarter and stronger than anyone's seen us! One way or another, we'll bounce back from this!"

Tears fell freely from his eyes as he spoke, his legs taking him towards his closet in a rhythmic stomp of defiance. The door was thrown open as he rummaged through it, continuing to speak. "Maybe we'll do things differently… Maybe we'll find another road for us! But the Sinnoh League isn't going to stop us, or any other Pokemon League!"

There! He'd found what he was looking for. Gloved hands rummaged through the messy mix of old clothing and collectibles of his, retrieving a familiar artifact. A red cap with a white section on the front, Indigo League's green insignia resting in the very center-his prized Pokemon League Expo hat. It was placed on his head with haste but with care, being fitted on just right as he turned back towards Pikachu with a raised fist.

"We're going to work harder than ever before, and show the world how great we are!" With a quick sweep of his hand, he slid the cap backwards on his head, fiery eyes turned toward the starry sky outside the window. "Mark my words, Pokemon World! I'm gonna be the best there is!"

At this point he was promptly joined by Pikachu, who dashed over to leap to his shoulder. Imitating his pose, he chimed in with his own declaration. "Pi-Pikachu!" They would get their goal… They would reach it!

The initial excitement began to fade soon, replaced by another layer of uncertainty. But it wasn't the same kind he'd felt when he was close to giving up. It was anticipation of the future, the anxiety brought by imagining the road ahead of him. The kind that made his stomach nearly turn upside-down in excitement. "We'll find a way soon… I say we go talk to Professor Oak tomorrow! What do you say, buddy?"

His gaze turned once more towards the mouse, positively beaming with excitement. Waiting patiently for the equally important answer from his partner. Of course he was meant with an enthusiastic"Pika!" that agreed wholeheartedly.

Maybe things hadn't gone just how he wanted them to… Maybe Ash had made some mistakes. But, that wasn't going to put him down for good. No, today was just the beginning!