Home Sweet Home

Announcer: After saying their goodbyes to their friends on Harvest Island, Ash and Misty with their new friend Alexa start heading to Ash's hometown of Pallet Town.

Misty commented, "I can't wait to get back to Pallet! My sisters had decided to come and greet us there!"

"Spheal, Spheal," said Spheal, wanting to meet her 'Aunts'.

Alexa smiled and stated, "Sounds like Spheal is excited."

Ash replied, "I'm psyched too, I really can't wait to see mom, Tracey, and Professor Oak again."

"Pi pika chu," said Pikachu.

Alexa responded, "I still can't believe I even met you two. The son to David Ketchum and the youngest Cerulean sister!"

Misty sweat dropped and pointed out, "C'mon, Alexa. You're making it sound like we're famous..."

"Spheal," said Spheal, a bit scared.

Ash pointed out, "Well, I don't want to be famous, it gets to your head. I just want to be the best there ever was and sometimes that means to stop and smell the flowers."

"Pika pika," said Pikachu, liking the idea of a break.

The boat finally docked near Pallet Town and the three heroes went into the small town. Upon arriving to Ash's house, Alexa told them that she was going to find the lab and meet up with them later. Ash and Misty agree as Ash opens the door, to see a rather surprising sight. Gary was there with his mom and Misty's sisters.

Ash blurted out, "Gary?"

Gary turned as he stated, "Hey Ash-y boy. That sure is rude of you to not greet your mom or these lovey ladies."

Violet and Lily were both impressed with Gary but Daisy was in her own world, greeting Misty and Spheal as she did. Daisy was currently dating Tracey was done acting stupid like her sisters. So, she became gym leader and a rather good one at that.

Ash replied, hugging his mom, "Well, I wasn't expecting to see you. I thought you were still in Sinnoh."

As Mr. Mime swept, Gary lightly smiled.

Gary responded, "I was but then I started to think about Erika a lot lately, been wondering how she's doing over in Orre."

Violet perked up and asked, "Orre? Like, I've never heard of Orre."

Misty joked, "Then you never heard of anything."

Daisy giggled as she stated, "Good one, Misty."

Lily rolled her eyes as she asked, "So where is Orre?"

Gary explained, "It's very far away, south of Kanto."

Delia added, "And Erika has been there helping out with the Shadow Pokémon crisis ever since she got her Bulbasaur."

Ash stated, "Which is probably a Venasaur by now, knowing Erika."

"Pika pika," Pikachu said.

Gary replied, "Anyways, I'm thinking about going there to do Pokémon research but..."

Ash perked up and asked, "But what?"

Gary answered, "I've also heard of Kalos too when grandfather got a call from Professor Sycamore."

Daisy asked, "Who's Professor Sycamore?"

Misty explained, "Alexa told us about him. He's the researcher in Kalos."

"Spheal," said Spheal.

Gary stated, "My life's dream was once to become a Pokémon Master, just like you Ash. But my goal had changed over time. All of ours did. Silver wanted to be one too but now he's a Pokémon breeder in the Orange Islands. Erika wanted to also be one but now she's the snagger in the the Orre Region. I want to see if I still got it. So Ash...will you battle me?"

Ash looked stunned as he pointed out, "You're asking me for a battle? Usually I'm asking you!"

Gary replied, "I know but I want to see if I'm strong enough for Orre. So if I win, that's where I'm headed. And if not, I'm going to Kalos to train. What do you say?"

Ash wisely responded, "I don't want to be the one that chooses where you go based on a match. But I accept."

Gary smiled and in an instant, the two of them were outside with Misty, Delia, Violet, Lily, and Mr. Mime watching. Daisy agreed to be the referee.

Daisy stated, "This battle between Gary and Ash will now begin! Each trainer will use one Pokémon a piece! Begin the battle now!"

Gary threw a poke ball and yelled, "Umbreon, let's go!"

With a flash of light, the Moonlight Pokémon appeared.

"Bre," said the Dark type.

Ash was about to use Pikachu but instead went with a different Pokémon.

He threw a poke ball and yelled, "Pignite, I choose you!"

With another flash of light, the Fire Pig Pokémon appeared.

"Pignite," said the Fire/Fighting type.

Gary went first and commanded, "Umbreon, use Shadow Ball!"

"Bre," said the Moonlight Pokémon as it opened its mouth and fired the ghostly energy.

Ash countered, "Pignite, use Flamethrower!"

"Pignite," said the Fire Pig Pokémon as it opened its mouth to produce the flame, destroying Shadow Ball and hitting Umbreon.

Gary asked, "Are you okay, Umbreon?" When Umbreon nodded, he commanded, "Then use Swift!"

Umbreon spun its body around, as the yellow stars hit Pignite, causing some damage.

Ash commanded, "Hang in there, Pignite! Use Fire Pledge!"

As Pignite placed its paw on the ground (and unknown to everyone Alexa arrived before the battle and was recording it) and the fire erupted from the ground.

Gary countered, "Use Dig to dodge!"

Umbreon quickly buried underneath the surface, dodging Fire Pledge in the nick of time. Pignite started to look for the Moonlight Pokémon.

Ash stated, "Calm down and try to sense Umbreon. When you do, use Mega Punch!"

Pignite nodded as it closed its eyes and tried to sense the Dark type. After a little bit, Pignite opened its eyes as the ground behind it started to crumble.

Gary yelled, "Now Umbreon!"

Ash yelled, "Do it, Pignite!"

Umbreon came out of the ground and was about to attack Pignite but the Fire/Fighting type was a little bit faster, using Mega Punch to knock it down...and out.

Daisy stated, "Umbreon is unable to battle! Pignite wins! The victor of this match is Ash!"

As Ash and Misty celebrated, Gary looked in awe of his formal rival and knew what he had to do.

That evening, plans were being talked about as Ash announced that there would be one more region for him and Misty. Misty agreed but only if they spent time at home for awhile. Ash agreed, knowing he needed the rest. Gary announced that night that he was going to Kalos - but as a trainer.

Ash asked, "A trainer?!"

Gary answered, "Yeah, I want to relive the glory days. I want to be the best researcher I can and I think this is a good path for me. So when you go to Kalos, I'm doing the same. And once we get there, our rivalry will be reborn."

AK1028: Well, bet you guys didn't see that coming! What's going to happen next for our heroes? You'll have to wait awhile to find out! Until next time guys, this fanfiction is finished. Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!