Hello.

And I must thank the reviewer for the last chapter: Guest. Thank you guys for the support.

Just so you guys know, I have started a poll for the choice between Jolteon and Sylveon, and you can vote through the poll, reviews or PMs. So far, the results are:

Jolteon- 3

Sylveon- 12

Though I have an announcement to make. I spent most of my summer working in Yellowstone National Park with Xanterra, and I came up with some new plot-points for this story. That and I had been editing most chapters of the Intro Arc. So I will be revising the Intro Arc, but not putting it as a re-written work, instead replacing chapters with the new content. This is my first rewritten chapter and I hope you enjoy.

Original AN: Hello and welcome!

This story is based on the Master Challenge series by NoSignalBlueScreen, but with several twists. I'll put several of my own head cannons in it. One thing I'll make clear right now: I will NOT be putting any Sun and Moon references.

Alright, here's the full summary:

Overall Summary: It's been half a year since Ashley's most recent failure in the Kalos League, and a new kind of tournament is starting. Gathering the best trainers, whether they have won a League tournament or not, they will fight it out and travel the world in order to see who will win the title of "Pokémon Master". With the lurking Team Rocket doing everything they can in order to take over the world, can everything finally be settled in this world-wide tournament of the ages?

Arc Summary: The time has come. For the first time since it was created, the League Government is ready to crown a Pokémon Master by hosting a tournament the likes of which have never been seen. Inviting trainers who are brilliant and strong in their own ways, no matter the field, to compete for the chance to show what a true Master is like. But things are not at all peaceful, as Team Rocket starts to upset the balance between humans and Legendary Pokémon so that they may take over. Can a group of friends, the Chosen Ones, defend the world while competing in the Master's Tournament? Ideally without Team Rocket finding out about Ashley's aura abilities.

I've originally planned for two groups, but for the sake of the characters I kept it to one. I think that is will a good story in time. Maybe. I don't really know yet.

Anyways, here's a list of everyone in the group's ages:

Brock - 21

Cilan - 20

Cress - 20

Chilli - 20

Misty - 19

Paul - 18

Clemont - 18

Gary - 18

Ritchie - 18

Ashley - 17

Serena - 17

Drew - 17

Iris - 16

May - 15

Dawn - 14

Max - 12

Bonnie - 9

Also, I need help figuring out some plot-points and Pokémon for everyone. So if you guys could help me out, that would make me happy.

Just so you know, I will be adding some 'real world' things. I'm not claiming to own anything that's not my own ideas.

Anyways, please enjoy the prologue!

Ashley Ketchum was in a funk. It's been three weeks since she got back from Kalos and she hasn't mustered up the urge to go anywhere. The seventeen-year-old was currently laying on her bed, staring up at her ceiling while absentmindedly petting her starter, who was curled up on her chest.

"What am I doing wrong, Pikachu?" she moaned out in frustration, slamming her free hand beside her on the bed.

"Pikapi?" Pikachu questioned tiredly, blinking open his dark brown eyes. He just stared at her for a moment before sighing and jumping down beside her. "Pika pi pikachu cha pi. Pi chu pika pikachu cha cha pi chu pipi cha."

"I know that we've improved in the years that we've known each other, but somehow we still end up loosing at every League Tournament we fight in, with exception of the Orange League. I just don't know what to do," Ashley said, ending with huff. She learned from her past mistakes, even if it didn't seem like it. She learned how to use creativity instead of rigid power and type advantage to win, but even with creative methods, she ends up loosing right when she believes she's won.

So, what was she doing wrong?

Pikachu just stared at her for another moment before miming boxing while speaking. "Pi pika chu cha pika ka pichu chu."

"So you're saying that we just need to train harder? How much harder?"

"Pika picha pi chu pikachu."

"Everyone? How are we going to do that?"

"Pi pikachupika."

"A journey? Just us and everyone else for a while. It sounds like a good idea, but I can't carry everyone, not all at once anyway."

"Pik pika kachu pi pikachu."

"I'll ask tomorrow, but I'm not entirely sure he'll let us do that."

That ended the conversation as they both went back into their previous positions. That is until Pikachu smirked, looking straight at her and said, "Pi pika chapi pikachu?"

"Oh shut up!" Ashley snapped, then proceeded to ignore her laughing friend for the rest of the day.

The next day, Ashley set out, Pikachu on her shoulder and a briefcase full of her pokéballs in one hand. It was surprisingly easy to get Professor Oak to agree to let her travel with all her Pokémon, she only had to promise to not battle in any tournaments. She knew that this was going to be a hard journey because she had no real plan besides training. And the training, she knew, could get hectic rather quickly.

First things first though, she needs to get back some Pokémon that she'd given up. First on that list was Pidgeot, which was why she was walking Route One.

"Pidgeot! I know you're here!" she called. A bird's shriek answered her before a giant brown and cream bird appeared from the treetops, landing in front of her with a gust of wind a minute later. The bird then proceeded to nuzzle her head, knocking her hat off. "I know Pidgeot, I missed you too. Anyway, I'm gathering everyone for a major training journey. You up to it big girl?" Pidgeot backed up a little and gave a nod and chirp of agreement before turning back to the treetops, where Ashley assumed the flock was, and gave another shriek. Multiple loud chirps and cries answered her and Pidgeot nodded, pride and relief shining in her black eyes.

"Ready to go?" Ashley asked softly. She knew how Pidgeot felt about the flock, like they were the family she never had, because Ashley felt the same about her Pokémon and human friends, so she understood that need to check that they'd be okay once she was gone. Pidgeot nodded and Ashley got out the bird's old pokéball, which she'd never gotten rid of. Pidgeot's eyes brightened in recognition before Ashley returned Pidgeot for the first time in seven years. She then released Pidgeot again. "You up to flying to Vermillion City?"

Pidgeot turned around and bent slightly forward, inviting the teen onto her back for the ride. Ashley took that as an invitation and got in place with Pikachu right in front of her.

"Alright Pidgeot, to Vermillion!"

Pidgeot gave one final shriek as she flew away from the small town that Ashley called home. Ashley only looked back once, as she was prone to doing, wondering what the future held.

I promise to be home as soon as I can Mom. I won't abandon this place forever.

Then she turned back forward, knowing that this journey might just end up being the most important of her life.

Thinking back on her previous journeys, she could only hope that this one went more smoothly.

And though she didn't know it, the time for her destiny was fast approaching, as fearful red eyes staring at her from the river below. The owner of those eyes knew that the time was coming, that darkness once more threatens the world, and it can't do a thing to stop it from happening again.

How was that? Just so you know, at this point of the story it's early September. The main story begins on March 14th (a Friday). What do you think of the changes I made to it? This chapter was the hardest to revise, but I made it through.

I need help figuring out some plot-points and Pokémon for everyone. So if you guys could help me out, that would make me happy.

And one more thing: When do you want Ashley and Gary to get together, Hoenn or Sinnoh? The absolute earliest I can do is late Johto, but any work. Just not Kanto because these two need more work before admitting it to each other.

And please remember to vote on which Eeveelution you want to see Ashley end up with. (And don't worry about Ashley not having more than one Electric-Type, she'll get more.)

So, see you guys next chapter, whenever that may be, and please remember to review! I will not update unless I get at least one review related to what you guys want to see in this (plot or Pokémon wise) because I am open to suggestions.

~pokedawnheart

originally posted: 1/4/2019; re-posted: 2/4/2019