A Champions Beginning

Ash's Patent Pending Pallet Town Training Plan!

"Congratulations Bonnie!" Gym Leader Roark grinned at the young Provisional Trainer, "This here badge, is proof of your victory!"

"We did it!" Bonnie grinned at Dedenne and Fennekin, who had against all odds managed to defeat Roark and his rock types, "We got a a Coal Badge!"

"I guess that guy was right," Ash commented as they walked out of the gym, "Learning Iron Tail at the Move Tutors house was a great idea!"

"Yes, I believe it was the best course of action Bonnie could have taken." Clemont agreed with the other boy, smiling at his little sister.

"You were amazing Bonnie," Serena patted the girl on the head, "We're all proud of you."

"Thanks guys!" Bonnie grinned at them, "So where to next?"

"Next we need bikes so we can take the cycling road to Eterna City." Ash tapped his index finger on his chin as he thought, "There should be a shop somewhere around here..."

"Nope." Serena said, looking at her tablet, "There's one in Eterna City though, so it looks like we have to go back through Jubilife City, and then Floaroma City."

"While I believe that may be the best idea there is," Clemont began, "Perhaps we should spend some time training first?"

"That would make sense..." Ash pondered, "Oh! I know!"

"What?" Bonnie asked him.

"Pi?" Pikachu looked at his trainer in confusion, not understanding his sudden burst of energy.

"De? De nenne?" Dedenne looked out from Bonnie's bag in confusion.

"I know where to train! Follow me!" Ash spun around and bolted off towards Jubilife City, "Hurry up!"

"Ash! Wait up!" 

"I hate running..."

"Too bad big brother, come on!"

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By the time they reached Jubilife City, the sun had started its decent behind the horizon and dark was falling fast.

"Let's stop here for the night, and then we can head off in the morning." Serena suggested, gesturing to the Pokemon Center, "We really shouldn't travel at night."

"I guess that works," Ash agreed, :And then tomorrow we can keep moving towards the ultimate training!"

The group ate a delicious dinner that Clemont prepared, and Ash finally introduced everyone to the pokemon he brought with him.

ROAR

A jet of fire shot over Ash's head, singing his hair slightly.

"Charizard!" Ash exclaimed, "Not cool!"

"Woah! You have a Charizard?!" Bonnie jumped up and down, staring in awe at the large fire and flying type.

"Yup," Ash grinned at her, patting the top of his head to make sure no fire had started, "I caught him as a Charmander in Kanto, and when he evolved he was really disobedient; but now we're great friends!"

Charizard gave a thumbs up in response to his trainers statement before letting out another puff of fire at eh boy; much to the groups amusement.

"Scep!" 

"And a Sceptile too?!" Serena spoke this time, "You really have seen a lot of pokemon huh Ash?"

"Yeah, I got Sceptile in Hoenn." Ash explained, "We met when he was protecting a tree he lived in."

"You never disappoint do you Ash?" Clemont shook his head in wonder.

"I try not to at least." Ash scratched the back of his neck at the praise, "You've all met Gible." 

The dragon and ground type was on Ash's head in an instant once out of the pokeball.

"That leaves Pikachu and Greninja, who you also know," Ash told them, "And one slot for me to meet a new friend!"

"Sounds like you've got it all planned out huh?" Serena looked impressed, "You really are amazing."

"Ah, thanks Serena." Ash said, and Serena wasn't sure but she could have sworn that his cheeks were a little red at her compliment.

They all talked a while longer, mostly about what Bonnie would do for her next Gym Battle and what Serena was going to be doing on the journey.

"I think I wanna try contests." she had told them, "I heard they're a lot like showcases but with battling."

"Oh yeah!" Ash had exclaimed, "Dawn did those here in Sinnoh, and my friend May did them in Hoenn."

"Where haven't you been?" Bonnie had glanced at Serena, who looked a little jealous of Ash travelling with lots of other girls.

"Well," Ash began, "Lot's of places I guess. There's a place called Alola I haven't been, and another called Galar. Those are just off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are plenty more awesome places to see!"

"Did you travel alone then?" Clemont asked as they sat on the couches int eh Pokemon Center. 

"Nah," Ash replied, "In Kanto I traveled with two Gym Leaders; Brock Stone and Misty Waterflower. In Johto they went with me, but I traveled with a guy named Tracey in the Orange Islands before that. When I went to Hoenn, Brock was with me and we traveled with a girl named May and her little brother Max; he was around nine at the time so I guess he's your age Bonnie. In Sinnoh it was me and Brock with Dawn and in Unova I traveled with a Gym Leader named Cilan and a girl named Iris."

Everyone looked dumbfounded at his explanation, "That's so many people..."

'That's a lot of girls...' Serena thought to herself, "So Gym Leaders were a big part of your travels?"

"Yeah," Ash nodded, "Brock was a great cook, and Cilan knew a lot about food. And Clemont, I've never met anyone who knows as much about technology as you do! Science is so amazing!"

"I'm glad you think so Ash." Clemont smiled at his friend, "However, I'd love to meet these other Gym Leader friends of yours."

"Well, I'm sure you'll meet them eventually." Ash waved off the thought, "They were all great friends but for some reason, traveling with you guys has felt more special to me. I don't know why though..."

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When morning came at last, Ash led his friends out of Jubilife City and onto Route 218; which led to Canalave City.

"So what's your plan then Ash?" Serena asked as they walked, "What's in Canalave City?"

"You'll see when we get there." the raven haired trainer grinned, adjusting his hat slightly, "But it's gonna be great for everyone, trust me!"

Canalave City came into view quickly and Ash showed his friends the reason he had brought them to the city in the first place:

"This ferry, leads to Iron Island!" Ash exclaimed, arms stretched out wide to show off the boat, "Let's get a move on!"

"Are we gonna train there?!" Bonnie asked excitedly.

"That's right!" Ash grinned at her, "For the next week, you'll be following Ash's Patent Pending Pallet Town Training Plan!"