Well, I got to play Alpha Sapphire and it was great fun. Going through my old Pokemon Emerald file and then watching some videos had me wondering, what would it be like if Wally was in the anime? Then this came to mind and I really wanted to try working on it so here were are. I hope you like it.

Petalburg City was bustling as ever with activity. This tended to include the pokemon center, and Nurse Joy was as usual, on top of things. This was helped by the help she received from her partners, one of them being her Chansey.

The pink haired woman smiled when a boy with somewhat messy green hair and light blue eyes approached her. ''There you are, did everything go all right? How's Taillow?''

''I-It went okay...you were right. Taillow's energetic again but it needs to avoid flying for long periods, it almost crashed just now, Chansey's watching over things now.''

''Good to hear.'' She returned, wheeling the cart she was holding back near the counter. The Wingull sitting near one of the sections that held pokeballs smiled when it saw the boy and flew up to him, chirping happily.

The boy smiled as it landed on his shoulder, patting its head ''Hey, glad to see you're better.'' The pokemon chirped happily back in return.

Joy watched the interaction with a growing smile ''Thanks in part to you. You've really come a long way since we started, Wally.''

''Ah...y-you think so?'' He looked embarrassed. ''I-it wasn't really much...I just did what you said.''

Since he has asked for her help in learning about pokemon, Nurse Joy had given Wally a few books to get him started. One day, he happened to be here to return a book when a Wurmple they happened to be treating got up in a panic and made to flee. Wally happened to find the pokemon curled up in a corner and managed to calm it down and helped get it back to finish treatment. Ever since, he would occasionally help out around the center with the pokemon and he was clearly learning quite a lot.

''Nice to see you're as modest as ever, I stand by my statement though.'' Nurse Joy assured.

''Th-thank you...'' Wally smiled shyly. ''...um, I'll need to be going. See you again, Nurse Joy.''

''Mmhm, till then.''

It was just a little after he left the center that Wally bumped into someone who happened to be running nearby, knocking them both down.

''I'm sorry...'' Wally started.

''Nah, it's my fault, I wasn't looking.'' A boy with black hair and dark brown eyes assured, the Pikachu sitting on his shoulder seemed to agree, by the look it gave him then. The boy stood and helped Wally up. ''I was just so excited to get to the gym.''

''Oh...w-well, I heard th-there's a shortcut to the street leading to it nearby, you're not far off.'' Wally offered.

''Really? Sounds great, can you show me where?'' The boy asked eagerly.

Wally nodded back and began leading them ''Um, are you...going to enter the Hoenn League?''

''Sure am, this is going to be my first challenge in the region!''

''Heeeh...w-wait, so you're not from here?''

''Pikachu and I came all the way from Kanto.'' The boy informed, his partner waved at the other then. ''My name's Ash from Pallet Town.''

''I'm Wally, nice to meet you.''

''Heh, back at you!''

''S-so...can you tell me, what it's like being a trainer?'' Wally asked after a few moments.

''Sure! It's great, we get to go on all sorts of adventures and meet a lot of friends. Pikachu here is my best bud.'' Ash informed, Wally gave a small smile and stroked the mouse's head, earning a happy grin in return. ''Are you going to be a trainer?''

''Ah...I wish I could be but...'' Wally looked down for a moment. ''...I'm not sure it's possible.''

Ash gave him a quizzical look while Pikachu blinked, both wondering why. Wally continued before either could ask, pointing at the gym. ''Here we are.''

It didn't seem like anyone was there, noticing the door at the other side of the hall before he heard some footsteps. Ash approached it. ''Hello, anyone there?''

A boy about nine with dark blue hair and dark eyes with glasses poked his head out, blinking when he saw the new arrivals ''Who are you?''

''My name's Ash, I was looking to challenge the gym leader.''

''Well...'' The boy paused, his eyes widening. ''...wait, I know you! You're the guy who lost in the Silver Conference's second round! Your Charizard was awesome! I think your name was...Alf?''

Ash frowned ''Hey, I just said my name and it was the second round of the victory tournament!''

''Point is, you lost.'' The boy smirked back, ignoring Ash's irritated look. ''And it was such a shame...I know a few strategies that could've helped you win.''

''Yeah, right! What makes you so good anyway?''

''Well, I'd have to be. I'm the Petalburg Gym Leader.'' The boy informed, still smug.

''You are?!'' Ash's eyes widened. ''Well, I'm here to...''

Wally raised an eye, knowing something was off. Besides having heard of the gym leader, there was another very simple reason that had him speaking up then. ''T-that...doesn't sound right. Um, Ash? Isn't the legal age of consent for trainers ten years old at least? He sure doesn't look that age.''

Ash blinked, recalling the fact as well ''So he's lying?''

The boy looked embarrassed, knowing his act was shot. He decided to try and bluster his way through ''Shouldn't it be obvious? I don't even have my own pokemon. Nice to see someone who uses their head. Are you sure you're up to challenging the gym leader, Alf? Besides the fact that you can't see through something like that, you lost in the Johto league's second round.''

''That's not my name! And for the last time, it was the second round of the victory tournament!'' The boy retorted. ''You've got some nerve, acting like that now. Where's the gym leader?''

A new voice cut in before the boy could respond ''Max? What's going on?''

A girl with brown hair and blue eyes entered, frowning in confusion at the scene before her.

The girl was Max's older sister May, Ash's traveling companion as of a few days ago. She had been quick to straighten the mess out and scold her brother before explaining that the real gym leader was in fact their father, Norman.

Ash looked annoyed as Max introduced him with the wrong interpretation ''Are you going to keep doing this? You're wrong, again!''

''I wouldn't go getting high and mighty. You couldn't even think enough to see that I wasn't the gym leader, your friend figured it out a lot faster. Are you all that good?''

His mother Caroline spoke before Ash could reply ''That's too far, Max. You shouldn't be proud of what you did back there anyway, enough.''

''Sorry...'' The boy muttered.

''Anyway...'' Caroline looked back at the older boys. ''...your parents told us about you, Wally. It's nice to put a face to the name. You're both welcome to join us for lunch.''

''Oh, th-thank you...'' Wally started.

Ash smiled ''Thanks!''

''So what pokemon did you choose, May?'' Norman asked a while after they settled at the table.

''I'll show you.'' She opened her pokeball and released Torchic. ''Isn't it the cutest?''

''Absolutely. What a darling.'' Caroline smiled.

''Tor!'' The fire starter beamed at her.

Max's reaction was the opposite, the disappointment clear in his tone as he spoke ''You picked Torchic? I think it should've been Treecko, that's the best starter! Mudkip would've been better too...''

As you might expect, Torchic didn't take too well to that, responding by pecking Max repeatedly then.

''That's a little uncalled for.'' Wally remarked, patting the fire type's head, making Torchic look up at him curiously. ''I heard about the starter pokemon, they all sound great.'' Torchic beamed at his gentle touch and leaned closer, eliciting a bemused smile from the boy.

''Yeah, we saw them all at the lab.'' Ash recalled. ''I bet it would be cool to have any of them.''

Wally nodded in agreement. Norman watched their interaction, noting how Wally seemed to handle the pokemon. This made him remember something Wally's father mentioned to him days ago.

'Hm...I'll see what I can do to help.' He thought.

As they ate lunch, Ash told them a bit about his journey. The tales left Max amazed and jealous while Wally seemed curious to hear more. Norman was intrigued.

''So how many badges do you have?''

''This is the first gym we're challenging in the region.'' Ash admitted. ''Pikachu and I came all the way to turn over a new leaf.''

''Hmm...well, to get my badge you'd need to challenge me with three or more pokemon.'' Norman remarked, seeing the boy's disappointment prompted him to continue. ''There's no need for that, just go on and train some more before our battle. That being said, I see no reason we can't simply have a battle for fun now. What do you say?''

Ash perked up, liking the idea ''That sounds good!''

With that, they headed back to the gym. Ash and Norman took different sides of the battlefield and released their pokemon. The first of course used Pikachu while the second sent out a Vigoroth. It had been an intense battle, with Vigoroth showcasing quite the speed and power. Not that Pikachu was a slouch either, both gave it their all. Norman and Vigoroth won in the end, making full use of their experience over the opponents.

''That was really good.'' The man praised. ''Just take some time and work to improve, I'd be happy to challenge you then.''

''Thanks, Norman.'' Ash returned.

Norman nodded back, moving things along ''Now Wally, your father told me you suggested asking for my help in catching a pokemon?''

''Ah...yeah.'' The boy admitted. ''I-I've been meaning to ask but...it didn't seem like a good time before.''

''My, you're so polite.'' Caroline smiled, noting how the boy looked bashful.

''Hey yeah, you said something about not being able to go on a journey before...'' Ash remembered.

Wally nodded ''The truth is, I'm moving soon...I'm supposed to go and stay with my relatives in Verdanturf town for a while. I thought it might be nice to have a friend...''

Ash and Norman both noted the wording, pleased that he was already willing to consider the pokemon a friend from the start. ''Hold on...'' May looked confused. ''...you'd obviously have a good time on a journey, why didn't you go?''

''He can't, May.'' Her mother informed. ''Wally's sick, that's the whole reason he's moving, it's to help his treatment and recovery along.''

''Oh...'' The kids were left sympathetic. They could tell that Wally cared about pokemon and he would love to have some of his own. It sounded like he had it rough.

''Um, the thing is...I'd like to get one but...I don't know how. Th-that's why I thought of asking you.'' Wally stated.

''I see...in that case, I'd be happy to help.'' Norman assured, grinning when the boy smiled at the response.

''Hey, I wanna help!'' Ash declared.

''So do I.'' May smiled.

''Me too!'' Max added.

''Well then, why don't we all go and see about finding a pokemon?'' Caroline suggested.

Wally, albeit feeling surprised by all this, smiled at them ''Thank you!''

And so they spread out through the woods to search. It wouldn't be too complicated seeing as Wally had no intention of being picky but at the same time, they agreed to do their best to help him find a suitable choice. A couple of the possibilities were...

''Hey, look at that!'' Max pointed at a Taillow sitting on a tree branch. ''Wouldn't it be a good choice for Wally?''

His father watched the pokemon for a few seconds before responding ''I don't know, Max...It doesn't seem friendly at all. If anything, I'd imagine a pokemon like that would need a more experienced trainer.''

''Yes, it does look it would give anyone a hard time if you ask me.'' Caroline added.

After observing the Taillow for a bit, Max had to agree. Just noticing them had the pokemon scowl and turn its head ''Yeah, on second thought that was a bad idea...''

Wally was with Ash, Pikachu and May nearby, also searching the area. The first paused upon seeing a Zigzagoon jumping out of a bush and scampering into another. ''How about that one, guys?''

''I'm...not really sure...'' Wally trailed off.

May hummed in thought ''Yeah, it seems really energetic, Ash. That might be a little too much. Don't you think we should find a more...I don't know'' She paused to think of a suitable word ''...easy going pokemon?''

''All right,'' Ash readily accepted that. ''Let's keep looking then!''

It didn't look like they would have much luck soon. Oddly enough, for some reason the woods seemed a little too empty but no one could be sure why.

Wally walked to a small grove, having heard movement from the area just a few seconds ago. But there was no pokemon in sight. Dismissing it as his imagination, the boy sighed.

He wondered if he could find a pokemon soon. Wally mentally shook himself, he didn't want to give up now, it couldn't be that simple. Sensing a familiar wave of weariness washing over him prompted the boy to sit down on a tree stump, deciding to get a few minutes to rest.

Meeting Ash and getting to know him got Wally all the more into this idea, even if he didn't get to travel soon, he would love to meet a pokemon who would be friend. He could imagine how much fun it would be.

The sound of rustling bushes snapped him out of his thoughts, making him look around again. A second later, a Ralts stepped out of the bushes to his far left, watching the boy. Wally blinked twice, unsure of what to make of this.

''Um, hi...'' He said after a few moments. The pokemon looked vaguely familiar and he was sure he'd seen a picture in a book before. ''...I didn't think I'd find a pokemon like you here. You're...a Ralts, right?''

''Raa!'' The pokemon nodded, smiling.

Wally began to smile ''...You seem nice. I'm sorry if I disturbed you.'' But Ralts shook its head and walked closer, after a moment of though, Wally stroked its head. He started as Ralts' horn glowed then, leaving him confused, though Ralts was apparently happy as its smile grew wider.

''Wally?'' Ash and Pikachu found the two then, shortly followed by Norman. ''Oh hey, you found a pokemon!''

''What do you know, a Ralts!'' Norman looked bemused. ''Now that's a rare sight around these parts.''

''A Ralts, huh?'' Ash took out of his pokedex and scanned it.

''Ralts, the feeling pokemon. If its horns capture the warm feelings of people or pokemon, its body warms up slightly.'' The machine buzzed.

Wally blinked at the explanation. So that was what the glowing horn meant? Ralts had certainly felt warm just now...

''It seems to like you.'' Norman remarked. ''Do you want to get Ralts, Wally?''

''Well...'' The boy was distracted as the feeling pokemon made a confused noise and tilted its head. ''...ah, you see...''

Max came running then ''Guys, we've got trouble. Torchic and Vigoroth were stolen!''

Max was quick to take them to the clearing what happened and the first thing everyone saw was the Meowth shaped balloon that soared into the air.

The sight was unfamiliar to everyone except Ash and May.

''It's those creeps again...'' The latter scowled.

''Team Rocket!'' Ash glared at the three people in the balloon. One was a woman with long magenta colored hair and blue eyes, the second a man with blue hair and green eyes, both wore what looked like a uniform, white clothes with a pink R in the center of their shirts. Between them stood a Meowth, who smirked.

''You're too late, twerp! Look what we go!'' The pokemon gestured to the cage connected to the balloon, which held Torchic and Vigoroth.

''Did that Meowth just talk?'' Caroline looked stunned.

''Who cares about that now? We've gotta stop them!'' May exclaimed.

''You can try, but you'll fail!'' The man smirked.

The woman laughed ''Prepare for trouble!''

''And make it double!'' He carried on.

''To protect the world from devastation!''

''To unite all people within our nation!''

''To denounce all the evils of truth and love!''

''To extend our reaches to the stars above!''

''Jessie!''

''James!''

''Team Rocket makes a dash speed towards the light!''

''Surrender to those great efforts or to a fight!''

''Meowth, that's right!'' The Meowth chirped.

''Wobuffet!'' The blue pokemon standing behind them chimed in.

''Team Rocket?'' Norman looked confused. ''I heard of that organization but I thought they were in Kanto.''

''That's actually true.'' Ash confirmed. ''It's just that those three like to come after me to steal Pikachu.''

''And that's just what we're going to do! Along with that little one over there!'' Jessie added, spotting Ralts, who had apparently decided to come along with the group.

The feeling pokemon was left unnerved by the sudden attention and trouble, though it was surprised when Wally stepped up in front of it, blocking Team Rocket's view. Ralts stared at the boy, who was clearly willing to protect it. The feeling pokemon had approached him earlier hesitantly but it was now more sure than ever that the green haired boy was a good person.

''Pika pika!'' Pikachu patted its shoulder, offering some encouraging words that had Ralts smiling back and nodding.

''You're not getting away, Team Rocket!'' Ash snapped.

''You'll be eating your words, twerp. Go Arbok!'' Jessie tossed a pokeball.

''Go Weezing!'' James added, the two pokemon jumping down to face Pikachu and the pokemon began to battle.

Norman grit his teeth ''Well, you're not stealing Vigoroth or my daughter's pokemon. Brick Break, now!''

Vigoroth raised its arms, which began to glow as it proceeded to hammer the cage repeatedly. Team Rocket began to panic as the attacks caused the balloon to rock in place and immediately ordered Arbok and Weezing to stop Vigoroth instead.

The two poison types turned their attention towards the cage and prepared to attack...

Wally looked at Ralts ''Would please help us? I-I know there's not much I can do but I don't want to just watch. Can you make sure they don't hurt Vigoroth?''

Ralts nodded, giving him a reassuring smile before turning back to the poison types. A second later, the two stopped in mid-air, cloaked in a blue aura before slammed into a tree.

''Wow, what was that?'' May wondered.

''It's Ralts' Confusion attack!'' Max exclaimed with a smile.

''Thanks, that was great.'' Wally told the feeling pokemon, who grinned in return.

The intervention gave Vigoroth the window it needed, allowing it to break the cage. Making a hole between the bars, Vigoroth grabbed Torchic and jumped down, bringing them both to safety.

''Torchic!'' May ran and picked the pokemon up. ''Are you okay? I'm sorry I let you go through that...''

''Tor!'' Torchic smiled and nuzzled her, clearly not blaming her for a thing.

Team Rocket were left angry, Jessie glared down at them and cried ''We're not finished yet, Arbok, Poison Sting!''

''Weezing, use Sludge Bomb!'' James cried.

''Dodge it, Pikachu!'' Ash ordered.

''You too, Vigoroth!'' Norman added. The pokemon smoothly got out of the way. ''Now use Headbutt!''

''Pikachu, Quick Attack!'' The mouse pokemon shot up like an arrow at the command, slamming Weezing's face and sending him flying. At the same time, Vigoroth's Headbutt rammed Arbok hard.

''May, you've got to help out!'' Max urged.

''Right!'' She ordered Torchic to attack, but for some reason it just hit Max. May was left wondering if Torchic was still mad at her brother for his earlier comments.

In the midst of all the commotion, the three missed Meowth trying to sneak up on the fire type. Fortunately, they had some help in the form of Ralts, who at Wally's request, got Torchic out of the Scratch Cat pokemon's way with Teleport.

''You little pest!'' Meowth growled. ''You're not getting in the way again!''

Ralts frowned before proceeding to trap the normal type in a Confusion attack and throw it back to its comrades.

''Thanks, you guys!'' May smiled.

''Tor Chic!'' Torchic chirped happily, with the two smiling back in return.

Meanwhile, Pikachu and Vigoroth were still battling. The first proceeded to bash Arbok hard in the head while the second nailed Weezing with a slew of Fury Swipes, throwing both pokemon back.

''Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!'' Ash commanded.

The mouse pokemon fired a powerful blast of electricity that hit the balloon hard and sent Team Rocket flying with a cry of 'We're blasting off again!'

''Glad that's over.'' May smiled. ''Great to see you're okay, Torchic.'' Her pokemon chirped and jumped to her arms, making her laugh.

''It's nice to see you're getting along.'' Her father remarked.

''They're not the only ones.'' Caroline looked at Wally, who was talking to Ralts.

''Thanks a lot for the help, that was really nice of you.''

''Raa!'' Ralts beamed back.

''You know, you two look like you're friends already.'' Max noted.

May hummed in agreement ''You should catch Ralts, Wally!''

Ash, who noticed Ralts' obvious curiosity at this, explained ''See, we actually came to help Wally find a pokemon.''

Ralts nodded back, finally understanding what this was about. It turned to Wally as the boy walked over ''So...since you know the deal, would you come with me? I think we could be great friends.''

The feeling pokemon's response both surprised and amused them. Why? Because it used its powers to lift the pokeball on Wally's belt to his hand.

''That's one way to handle it.'' Caroline giggled.

Wally smiled at the obvious hint and enlarged the pokeball, tapping it to Ralts' forehead. The device trapped it, shaking a little before coming to a stop, signifying a successful capture.

''You did it, Wally!'' Ash grinned.

''Pika chu!'' Pikachu smiled, just as pleased with the result.

''I get the feeling you guys are going to be real good partners!'' Max remarked.

''So do I. Ralts seems like a fine pokemon.'' Norman smiled.

''Yeah...'' Wally was delighted. ''...thanks so much.''

Norman and Caroline had to head back to see to the gym shortly, leaving Ash, Pikachu, May, Max and Wally on their own. They had headed to the green haired boy's home, wanting to see what his family would say to all that happened.

While they were surprised, Wally's parents were happy to know what happened, pleased to see that their son had found what he wanted. Ralts seemed like a sweet pokemon and everyone agreed that it would fit in nicely.

''Thank you all.'' Wally's mother, Diana, smiled. ''We really appreciate what you've done for our child.''

''Oh, it's no big deal, Ma'am.'' Ash waved it off. ''Wally's the one who did most of the work anyway.''

''Yeah, I have to say those two look like a match made in heaven.'' May remarked, glancing at Wally, who was talking to Ralts not too far away.

''I couldn't agree more.'' Wally's father Vincent, chuckled, pleased to see how happy their son was at the development.

The subjects of their talk rejoined them in time to hear Ash ask ''So Wally's really leaving soon?''

''Yeah, it's been hard but I think Verdanturf town is going to do him plenty of good. One of the doctors is a really good friend of ours and he promised to help Wally.'' Diana informed.

''That's good!'' Max looked at the boy. ''Hey, maybe you can even go on a journey with Ralts once you get better.''

''Nice idea, Max.'' May agreed, thinking the boy could use something to look forward to.

''Yeah, maybe you'll even get to join us then!'' Ash said brightly.

Wally couldn't help but smile ''That sounds nice.''

Well, let's stop here.

This was just a random idea but it's actually turning out to be fun to work with. I'm going to be mostly going with the anime but I'll probably have some things from the games here and there along with my own ideas. Anyone familiar with my work would know that I like to add my own twists, which is also happening here. Next chapter starts near Verdanturf Town where they all meet up again.