A New Generation - Prelude to Shikoku

[Elite4James]

Okay so here's the continuation to a New Generation a New Beginning. Let me know what you guys think. There's a couple of Project Arceus spoilers, but not a terrible lot. Read and review. This will not be posted on Fanfiction.net as it is still a work in progress.

‘Come on Dad, where’s your spirit?’ Ash taunted his father. Ash’s Sceptile landed in front of Ash and signaled with his leaf bladed hand for its opponent to come closet.
‘You wanna see some spirit huh? You asked for it.’ Ash’s father snapped back in his usual gruff voice, ‘Salamence Flamethrower!!’
A large blue and red dragon swooped from the sky and roared ferociously. From its mouth a jet of searing hot flames fired, the flames went right for the Forest Pokemon.
‘Sceptile jump for it!’ Ash exclaimed. Sceptile leapt into the air, the Flamethrower attack missed its target.
‘Hey Dad, here it comes!’ Ash said with a grin, ‘Sceptile! Dragon Breath!’
Sceptile opened its mouth and unleashed a powerful jet of green flame. The dragon breath scorched the airborne Salamence and the Dragon type Pokemon took the full brunt of the super effective attack.
Alex watched a veritable battle of titans right before his very eyes. Both his father Ash Ketchum and his grandfather, Ash Ketchum Sr., better known to the world as Silver on a count of his long silver hair, were practicing before breakfast that day. It had been a day since Alex returned home from the Indigo league, since then he had a few training sessions with his father, much to the chagrin of his grandfather who felt Ash, Alex’s father, was still wet behind the ears.
Alex, Eevee and Charizard watched the match intently. They sat with Ash’s Raichu and Silver’s Meganium. It was a very rare sight for Alex to see both his father and grandfather in action. ‘Finish it off!’ Ash said firmly as he outstretched his hand towards the grounded Salamence. Sceptile darted across the field at blinding speeds. The leaves on Sceptile’s forearms began to glow and extended into long sharp blades. ‘Leaf Blade!’ Ash exclaimed.
Sceptile closed the distance between itself and Salamence very quickly. Alex was in awe at his father’s abilities. But his surprise would not end there. Silver smiled, ‘Crunch it!’
Salamence opened its eyes and opened its gaping jaws. Both beasts charged each other, fangs and blades bared ready to clash when both Pokemon stopped suddenly with the sound of a pot and spo0n banging against each other.
‘Time to set the table for breakfast!’ A voice called, Delia Ketchum appeared on the rise. Alex’s grandmother called out to her son, grandson and husband, her Mr. Mime mimicking her motions merrily.
Salamence and Sceptile stopped dead in their tracks. All three Ketchum men recalled their Pokemon and made their way back to the house for breakfast. If there was one thing that meant more to the Ketchum family than Pokemon, it was food.

-------------------------
Inside the Ketchum women had prepared a very large breakfast platter of assorted food. Amy and Mya were showing their newly acquired Chimchar and Torchic how they prepared for breakfast everyday. The twins adored their new Pokemon and their Pokemon had also taken an immediate liking to them as well.
Ash and May wanted the girls to get Pokemon early so that they could bond with them and become strong partners when the time came for them to become legal trainers.
‘Amyyy! Stop throwing the food into the basket!’ Mya exclaimed.
‘But it’s fun this way!’ Amy replied to her twin, despite their identical looks, they were very different in personality, ‘Chimchar is really good at throwing too! Watch!’
Amy and Chimchar grabbed more bread and tossed it. The bread flew recklessly into the air and landed in the basket. Amy and Chimchar giggled mischievously.
Mya sighed; her Torchic looked at her inquisitively. Mya looked a little sad that her sister was not listening to her; Torchic nuzzled her leg and chirped. It was trying to cheer its new trainer up.
‘I’m okay Torchic! Come on! Let’s go sit for breakfast!’ Mya said.
‘No Pokemon at the table! Their breakfast is outside!’ May said.
‘Aww Mommy!’ The twins whined together.
‘You know the rules girls.’ May said as she placed more food on the table. ‘Now go and get the food ready for the Pokemon outside.’ May and Ash did not allow any of their Pokemon to eat in the house with people, many Pokemon got jealous of other Pokemon eating with humans, so as a rule all of them ate outside.
The girls took Chimchar and Torchic out onto the back porch, there were a few bowls set out for the Pokemon that were currently at the house. Their parents kept most of their Pokemon at the Oak residence down the road, but because their home was not too far from the outskirts of Oak residence, many would move back and forth between the two places.
‘Is food almost ready?’ Alex asked his sisters.
‘Almost!’ Mya answered her brother, ‘But we have to feed the Pokemon first.’
‘Okay.’ Alex said as he helped his sisters with the bowls of food. Ash and Silver soon joined them by releasing their Pokemon and preparing the Pokemon food.
Ash’s Sceptile and Raichu, Silver’s Meganium and Salamence, Alex’s Eevee and Charizard, May’s Blaziken and Glaceon, Delia’s Mr. Mime and twins’ starters sat ready to eat.
‘Well that’s all of ‘em.’ Silver said, ‘Come on now, I’m starving!’
Alex hung back a bit and spoke with Charizard and Eevee, ‘You know what you guys? I think we should go see Professor Oak today.’
‘Ui?’ Eevee said puzzled.
‘I am seriously thinking of starting a new journey…’ Alex said, ‘And this time, we’ll do even better!’
‘Rrraaahhhrr.’ Charizard growled softly, nodding in agreement.
‘Oh really?’ A female voice said, ‘And just where are you going to go?’
Alex turned around, to see a young girl he had known since he was little. Her long blue hair was tied back with two gold hair clips. She was wearing a black and pink dress.
Ash turned around and saw the girl before entering the house; she looked very much like her mother, a former traveling companion of his. He saw how the two kids looked as they conversed, he smiled before going inside.
Kira Oak had returned late last night; she stuck around at the Indigo League to support her brother, Samuel, the same trainer who had defeated Alex the day before. ‘Hey. I didn’t know you were back so soon.’ Alex said.
‘Yeah, we left straight after his last match.’ Kira said disappointed. Alex and Kira were silent for a little while. Alex saw Samuel’s match the previous day. To Samuel’s credit he was defeated by the eventual winner of the tournament. ‘How’s he doing?’ Alex asked.
‘He’s okay. I don’t know why, but he couldn’t stop smiling.’ Kira said.
‘Ohh…’ Alex said, he thought it was strange as well.
‘Alex! You’re going to miss out!’ May called from the house.
‘Oh…we’re about to eat.’ Alex said, ‘You can come in if you like.’
‘Sure!’ Kira said with a smile.

----------------------------------------
‘I didn’t realize we had a visitor!’ May said happily, ‘Hello Kira darling!’
‘Hi Mrs. Ketchum.’ Kira said politely.
‘So hab yum camm pu jonn uff fuh buhfishh?’ Ash mumbled.
‘Honey, don’t talk with your mouth full.’ May said, ‘And who said you could start ahead of us?!’
‘Showwy.’ Ash said guiltily with his mouth full.
‘Hey if he gets something first then so do I!’ Silver said gruffly.
‘Now Dad, don’t be like that!’ May said, ‘We’ll all be seated and then we’ll eat.’
‘Fine fine.’ Silver said.
‘Come and sit next to Alex, Kira.’ Delia said sweetly.
‘Thanks Grandma Ketchum.’ Kira said.
‘I wanted Kira to sit next to me!’ Amy said disappointedly.
‘No! She was going to sit with me!’ Mya argued. Kira was like a big sister to Mya and Amy, but there was one thing that Mya and Amy knew about Alex that was always fun to talk about.
‘But you can sit with Alex since he liiiiiikes youuuu!’ The twins sung with a giggle.
‘Why you!’ Alex growled with a beet red face.
Kira blushed and giggled as well. ‘Okay, that’s enough now.’ May said, ‘Now that we’re all seated…’
Ash, Silver, Alex, Amy and Mya eyed what they were going to grab first.
‘…Let’s eat!’ May said.
‘Itadakimasu!’ The family chanted before everyone started grabbing for all the food on the table. Kira sat dumbfounded at the site she was witnessing. In her mind she pictured how breakfast was at her house.
-----------------------------------
‘More rice honey?’ Dawn, Kira’s mother would say. Kira began to visualize the typical family breakfast.
Kira’s father, Professor Gary Oak, would absent mindedly nod his head as Dawn calmly put more in his bowl He would usually be reading something whilst he ate as he got more buried in his research. Her elder brother, Samuel would be eating away, chewing his food systematically. Kira would eat her food rather quickly as opposed to her father. Dawn would say to her, ‘Kira, don’t eat so fast.’
‘Okay Mom.’ Kira would reply.
The Oak family breakfast was so calm and quiet.
------------------------------
Kira’s mouth widened as the Ketchum family breakfast continued. Alex’s twin sisters were surprisingly generous to each other despite being at odds with each other, they had managed to make a plate for them to share and they would pick at it ravenously.
Alex’s mother did not eat messily like her six year old daughters, but she definitely knew how to pack it in. Her plate had a large helping of food and she showed no signs of getting full.
She then looked at Alex’s father and grandfather, they ate voraciously. Fast and furious, they ate almost like they were in competition with each other. She found it quite scary.
The only one who appeared to be eating like a normal person was Alex’s grandmother. She had that same perpetual beaming smile as she ate at a regular pace. Her plate was not full at all. It looked like how ordinary people would eat. Delia Ketchum ate at her own pace amidst the chaos that appeared to plague the breakfast table.
Kira’s eyes began to play tricks on her as she visualized the Ketchums as a family of Munchlax and Snorlax. The scruffy haired Munchlax next to her then filled her plate with food.
‘Munch munch munch lax.’ It said.
Kira rubbed her eyes and was back in reality, ‘Huh?’ she said absentmindedly. Instead of a scruffy haired Munchlax she saw Alex.
‘I said if you don’t eat fast you’ll miss out.’ Alex repeated.
Kira looked at her plate; Alex had picked out all her favorites. He smiled and then went back to eating as ravenously as the rest of his family. Kira smiled, ‘Thank you Alex.’
Alex did not reply, as he was heavily engrossed in eating. Kira shrugged and smiled and joined in the meal.

-----------------------------------------------
After eating and washing up, Alex and Kira sat on a hill out in the Ketchum’s backyard. They looked out at the wide open landscape of Pallet Town. They could see everything, the Pokemon School where their mother’s worked, the Laboratory where Kira’s father worked. If they looked out further they could even see as far as Mount Silver, where Alex’s father would go every few days to accept the challenges of Elite Trainers from around the world.
‘It feels so good to be home again, doesn’t it?’ Kira said.
‘Yeah… I never thought I would miss this place so much.’ Alex replied.
They looked out at the town they grew up in. It was here that they had begun their journey together, getting their Charmander and Piplup from Professor Gary Oak. Journeying throughout all of Kanto with their friend, Locke from Pewter City.
Alex remembered his Gym Battles. He remembered his difficult battle against Rocky in the Pewter Gym, Charmander struggled but managed to pull out the big win against Rocky’s Onix.
It didn’t get any easier for his Eevee having to take down Rain’s Vaporeon in the Cerulean Gym. It was a tough and taxing battle for Alex and Eevee having to stand up to an evolved form of itself. Rain was the daughter of Misty and her battling skills were second to none.
Surge and his Raichu were the next challenge for Alex; it took both Chikorita and Elekid to take down Surge and his electric powered Pokemon.
Erika and her grass Pokemon were surprisingly powerful and took down Alex’s Charmeleon. But it would be a stray Mightyena that would help Alex win the day and earn his Rainbow Badge.
Soon after, Anzu, the daughter of Koga, and her poisonous Pokemon were the next challenge in Fuchsia City. A lucky catch of a Mudkip in the Safari Zone would prove fortunate for Alex as Mudkip would help take down Crobat and win the Soul Badge for him.
Migtyena’s immunity to Psychic attacks in the Saffron Gym was a good start for Alex. Eevee would then fight bravely but lose to its Psychic evolution, Espeon. It would be Charmeleon toppling Alakazam that would yield Alex his Marsh Badge from Sabrina.
Charmeleon would battle the new Fire Gym Leader, Blair’s high powered Magmortar at the new Cinnabar Island Gym. To the new Cinnabar Gym Leader’s surprise Charmeleon would evolve into Charizard and earn Alex’s the Volcano Badge.
The Earth Badge proved to be Alex’s toughest battle. Alex’s Pokemon had their hands full against an incredibly powerful Rhyperior owned by the Viridian Gym Leader, Landon. He went all out and earned his final badge to enter the Indigo League.
‘Those Gym battles were so hard, but if I had a choice, I would do it all over again!’ Alex said with a determined smile.
Kira smiled somberly, Alex looked at her face. ‘What’s the matter?’ Alex asked.
‘Oh… Just…I didn’t really do so well in the contests, did I?’ Kira said.
‘Don’t start this again.’ Alex said, ‘You were awesome and I mean it!’
‘Thanks Alex…I just wonder if I should keep going with this that’s all.’ Kira said with doubt.
‘You enjoy it right?’ Alex asked, ‘Being in Contests, I mean.’
‘I love it.’ She said.
‘Then there’s your answer!’ Alex said, ‘We’ll show the world! You and me!’
Kira blushed, ‘Yeah, you and me.’ She said softly.
Oblivious to Kira’s sudden burst of red, Alex got up to his feet and looked out at the new day that had begun for them in their hometown. ‘That’s right! If you’re here then that means Samuel is home too right?’ He said.
‘Yeah, he’s at home.’ Kira said.
‘Let’s go then!’ Alex said as he bolted down the hill towards the Oak Residence, ‘Last one there is a rotten Exeggcute!’
‘Hey! Wait for me!’ Kira yelled behind him as she gave chase.
On the porch, May and Ash Ketchum cuddled as they watched the two young children bolt off to Professor Oak’s lab. ‘Isn’t that cute?’ May said with a smile.
‘What’s cute?’ Ash said without a clue.
May sighed, ‘When do men stop being so dense?’ She asked him with slight annoyance in her voice.
‘What’d I do this time?’ Ash asked obliviously.
May nudged her husband in the chest and kissed him on the lips. ‘Now come help me get your father off the couch!’ May said.
‘That could take all day.’ Ash said with a groan as he and his wife went back inside.

--------------------------

‘Mom! Daddy! I’m home!’ Kira called out as she entered the front door to her home. The Oak family Residence was a large two story house. Attached to it was a large three story tower-like structure. This was Gary Oak’s lab.
‘Hello sweetheart!’ Dawn said with a smile. She was sorting through some clothing, it was mainly Samuel and Kira’s clothes, after all they had been traveling for a while, she was compelled to wash their clothing.
Dawn noticed the young boy with her daughter, he resembled Ash very much, the same scruffy hairstyle and similar face, unlike Ash however, he had May’s brown hair color. She smiled as she noticed that her daughter and Ash and May’s son had gotten closer since they left Pallet Town all that time ago.
‘Hello Alex.’ Dawn said cheerfully, ‘How are you dear?’
‘I’m fine thanks, Mrs. Oak.’ Alex replied with a slight bow.
‘What brings you here today?’ She asked.
‘I was wondering if Samuel was in.’ Alex asked.
‘Oh, I’m sorry dear. Samuel isn’t here. He left home.’ Dawn said.
‘What?’ Alex said in surprise.
‘What?!’ Kira exclaimed as well.
‘He left a while ago. Said he wanted to make a fresh start in a new region.’ Dawn explained to Alex and her daughter.
‘He just left without saying goodbye?’ Kira asked.
‘You know what he’s like.’ Dawn said, ‘He’s like your father.’
‘So he would have gone to Pallet Pier!’ Alex said.
‘Yes but, Kira, before you two go running off there, you should go and see your Dad.’ Dawn said.
‘Why? Where is Daddy anyway?’ Kira asked.
‘Where else? He’s in the lab.’ Dawn said, ‘He had something he wanted to talk to both of you about.’
‘Okay, but then we’re going to Pallet Pier!’ Kira said as she grabbed Alex by his arm and lead him to the lab.
Dawn smiled as her daughter dragged the clueless Ketchum boy to her husband’s lab. ‘To be a kid again…’ Dawn said as she sighed happily and continued to fold some of Kira’s skirts.

------------------------------
Gary Oak’s lab was filled with books and all sorts of unusual apparatus. Gary was incredibly organized, but he had a bad habit of increasing his workload. Whilst the workstations and shelves were organized they were overcrowded.
‘Hello? Professor?’ Alex called out.
‘Daddy? Are you in here?’ Kira called out after him.
‘Hey princess!’ Gary said as he cuddled his daughter.
‘Alex, it’s good to see you.’ Gary said greeting the son of his former rival.
‘Hello Professor.’ Alex said.
‘You wanted to see us, Daddy?’ Kira asked.
‘Oh! Yes!’ Gary said, ‘I wanted to give you kids these.’
Gary handed the two children small electronic devices. The device had two screens and resembled a Pokedex. He gave a red one to Alex and a pink one to Kira.
‘Hey, what are these?’ Alex asked, ‘Pokedexes?’
‘Well sort of.’ Gary said, ‘They’re Pokedexes, but they’re the very latest in Pokedexes. I’ve included a lot of features that were not present in the former Pokedex models. You can also use this device to organize your Pokemon in terms of type, size, weight, color, you name it!’
‘Awesome!’ Alex said.
‘That’s not the only thing. I’ve upgraded it to the National Pokedex, which means you can now see Pokemon from all over the country.’ Gary said.
‘So why are you giving this to us, Daddy?’ Kira asked her father.
‘Well, I figured that after your performances in the Kanto Grand Festival and the Indigo League, you two might want to try your hand at competitions in other regions!’ Gary replied.
‘Huh…’ Alex said in thought, ‘Professor? Where did Samuel go?’
‘My son?’ Gary repeated, ‘Ah, yes, Samuel has traveled to another region.’
‘Oh really? Where?’ Kira asked.
‘Have you kids ever heard of the Shikoku Region?’ Gary asked them.
‘No.’ The two kids replied together. Gary excitedly brought up a map on a large computer screen for them.
They could see a map the entire country. The map zoomed in on an island, slightly smaller than the Hoenn region. It was west of Johto and north east of Hoenn.
‘This is the Shikoku Region.’ Gary began, ‘Shikoku means Four Countries. And in the ancient times, the region was formerly four different countries. Nowadays however Shikoku is known as the Region of Four.’
‘The Region of Four?’ Alex asked, ‘What’s that?’
‘I’m very glad you asked Alex.’ Gary said happily, ‘You see, Shikoku is a unique region as it is home to several hundred species of Pokemon from the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh Regions.’
‘Cool!’ Alex said with enthusiasm.
‘Sounds like a really interesting place!’ Kira said.
‘It’s a great place for trainers and coordinators.’ Gary said, ‘In fact, I think you two should go check out the Shikoku League and Shikoku Grand Festival!’
Alex and Kira looked at each other and nodded mutually. ‘I guess it’s decided then.’ Alex said, ‘We’re going to go to Shikoku too!’
‘Wonderful! I know you two will do great there!’ Gary said, ‘You’ll need to pack and be ready to head off to Pallet Pier if you want to head off there.’
‘Oh!! That’s right! I wanted to see Samuel before he left!’ Alex said and dashed out of the lab.
‘Hey! Alex! Wait for me!’ Kira called out as she bolted out the door after him, ‘Bye Daddy!’
‘Bye bye Princess.’ Gary said as he went back to work on his research.
‘I have to make it to the Pier before Samuel leaves!’ Alex thought as he bolted down the road, ‘I hope I’m not too late to fix everything! I can’t let stay this way!’
-------------TO BE CONTINUED----------------

[DaveTheFishandChipsGuy]

Nice story James, A worthy continuation to your other fics. Although I desperately want to see Project Arceus continued, this will satiate me for now.

The old 'My rival's gone to a new region, so I'm gonna follow them' excuse comes into play. Do I detect a bit of a childhood crush between friends? Although, it's good to see that Alex is a dense as his father......still is.

It will be interesting to see where you take this storyline.......


After Project Arceus is finished ;D
Dave

[LuciferIX]

Wow, reading that made me think of how different each of our Ash's turned out for your challenge fic. I had Ash try and stop the insane eating practices for just the reason that you made fun of in here. Although I will say that was an extremely funny part. I feel sorry for Kira, but then again there would never be a shortage of food in that house. And of course my Ash wasn't nearly as dense as your's by this time, although they did have different experiences in finding out about love.

A short but well written battle scene. Didn't expect Silver to be back living in the Ketchum household again, and apparently he real name would be Ash as well. I guess that partially explains why he got that name, although personally I would never want to name my son after myself. And of course no surprise he might just be the source of most of the eating problems in that family.

Finally we have Alex and Kira wanting to head off to the Shikoku region to follow Samuel. And with the interactions between those two, they won't be separating anytime soon. Nice job with Mya and Amy teaming up against Alex on that one. I can definitly tell that Kira is virtually like another member of the family there.

Very nice chapter, many descriptions and it brings many anticipations to what will be coming in the Shikoku region for everyone. As for the mistakes all I saw were minor grammatical errors here and there, otherwise good job in that aspect as well. I can tell that you are itching to get these chapters up and out even with Project Arceus still in the works. Although thinking with the two of them as one makes me wonder more what happened to Jun, and if the Ketchum ids know about her. Glad to see you get off another chapter before the big move. Hope to see more from you soon, keep 'em coming!

[Elite4James]

Thanks for the words you guys. Looks like this is going to be more than likely a three part.

Here's the next bit:

‘Alex! Would you please slow down?!’ Kira called out as she ran. Alex tore down the streets of Pallet as he made his way to Pallet Pier. He hoped he wasn’t too late.
‘What’s the big rush? Why do you want to see my brother so badly?’ Kira asked as she trailed behind.
‘I have to do something! That’s why I hope I’m not too late!’ Alex called out to her. They ran past a lot of the familiar buildings in Pallet Town. Alex was getting tired but he continued to run, Kira following not too far away. Alex remembered the previous day, when he sat at home watching Samuel’s final match on the TV.

-------Flashback--------
‘Sceptile, Leaf Blade!’ Samuel ordered, ‘We can still win this!’
‘Sceptiiiiile!’ Samuel’s Sceptile extended the leaves on its elbows and charged forward with blinding speed. Alex watched as the battle came to a head, both trainers were down to their final Pokemon. Alex’s Sceptile was facing off against a trainer and his Electivire.
‘Electivire! Protect!’ The young male trainer called out. The large Electric Pokemon crossed its powerful arms over its hulking body. Sceptile’s Leaf Blade connected with the ensuing force field that surrounded the Electivire. Samuel’s attack had failed.
‘Samuel’s got this guy! Sceptile is way faster and it has the advantage being a Grass Pokemon!’ Alex said excitedly.
Alex sat on the floor watching the action as it unfolded. Ash said back on the couch on the other end of the couch, Amy and Mya cuddled up to May. Ash replied to his son’s comment casually, ‘It’s probably been taught Ice Punch to deal with Ground types.’
‘What?!’ Alex said in disbelief, he was so sure that Samuel was going to win.
‘What do you think, darling? It’ll shake off the next attack and then go for Ice Punch?’ May asked her husband whilst she stroked Amy’s brown hair. Mya in turn was playing with her mother’s hair.
‘More than likely, it looks like it’s weakened, but definitely able to withstand another attack. Unless Samuel goes for another Leaf Blade.’ Ash replied to his wife, ‘Either way, it’s going to be very close.’
‘But Dad…’ Alex trailed off.
‘Watch and learn son.’ Ash said, ‘Never be too sure of yourself, the tables can turn on you in an instant.’
‘I don’t understand.’ Alex said.
‘Just watch, sweetheart.’ May said.
Alex watched the battle on the TV. ‘Solar Beam attack!’ Samuel said.
‘There’s the turning point.’ Ash said.
‘Ice Punch!’ The other trainer called out, sure enough Electivire changed from defensive to offensive mode and its large, thick, Ice coated fist struck the Forest Pokemon as it tried to gather sunlight for its final attack.
Sceptile fell to the ground and was unable to continue the battle.
‘Sceptile is unable to battle! Electivire is the winner! Winner is the Red Trainer!’ The referee called out.
‘You were right, darling.’ May said.
‘Yeah…’ Ash said, ‘I kind of wish I wasn’t though.’
‘Samuel lost…’ Alex said disappointedly.
‘It happens, sweetheart.’ May said with assurance
‘Ice Punch is soooo cool!’ Amy said excitedly. She then made a fist and jabbed Mya lightly on her arm.
‘Ice Punch! Ice Punch!’ Amy sang out as she jabbed her twin playfully, ‘Icy Icy Ice Punch!’
‘Knock it off Amy!’ Mya exclaimed.
‘Amy, that’s not nice.’ May said.
‘Hmph. Fine then, I’ll just have to Ice Punch Daddy!’ Amy said cheekily.
‘Oh yeah?’ Ash said, ‘Well I just so happen to be immune to Ice Punches!’
‘Ice Punch!’ Amy exclaimed.
‘Here comes Daddy’s Tickle Attack!’ Ash said as he grabbed his daughter and tickled her under her arms and around her neck.
‘Oh nooooo!’ Amy cried out with laughter.
Mya and May laughed, ‘And now for Mya and Mommy’s team up move!’ May said, ‘Tickle Daddy Attack!’
May, Mya and Amy tussled with Ash on the couch and very soon, May and the twins had overpowered Ash and began tickling him. ‘Help! Triple Teaming! Ref! Ref!’ Ash called out with laughter.
Alex ignored his family, far too engrossed in what was happening on the television. Alex watched on, Samuel recalled Sceptile and smiled weakly, clearly he appeared disappointed. But then Alex noticed Samuel’s face change. His smile seemed different, it was genuine. He was happy. Samuel approached the trainer and his Electivire and put out his hand. The winning trainer shook Samuel’s hand and the crowd cheered on. Alex watched intently, the image now captured within the young boy’s mind

------------------End Flashback---------------

After running past the center of town, they ran uphill until they came to the end of the rise. Over it they could see the ocean; a ferry service ran from Cinnabar Island to Pallet Town and another to Vermillion City which was the largest port in Kanto.
Samuel Oak was dressed in a sleeveless black, navy and yellow athletic top. His spiky blue hair blew in the ocean breeze. He clutched his duffel bag over his shoulder and exhaled as he made his way to the ship that had docked at Pallet Pier.
‘Samuel!’ A young voice called out.
Samuel turned around to see his young neighbor, Alex Ketchum, ‘Alex?’ Samuel said, ‘Alex what are you doing here?’
Alex stopped, short of breath he hunched over and inhaled and exhaled. By this time Kira had managed to catch up to Alex. ‘Kira! You’re here too?’ Samuel said, ‘What’s going on?’
‘You’re leaving already?’ Kira asked her big brother.
‘Yeah, I figured I have a lot to left to learn.’ Samuel said to his little sister, ‘So I’m starting all over again in a new region.’
‘Starting over?’ Alex said, ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Well, I want to try my best in a region I’ve never been to.’ Samuel said, ‘I’ve already gone through Kanto twice, as well as Hoenn and Sinnoh.’
‘I remember going there; Grandma took me to see your final match!’ Kira said, Dawn’s mother, Johanna still lived in Sinnoh, despite Dawn’s efforts to convince her to move in to the Oak residence in Kanto.
‘Yeah, I was tossing up between Johto and Shikoku, and I figured Shikoku might be the best place since I saw this article in the paper!’ Samuel said as he pulled out a carefully cut out newspaper clipping.
Alex and Kira looked at the newspaper clipping. There was a picture of a rather majestic looking young man; he appeared to be in his mid-twenties with jet black hair and piercing red eyes. He wore a long coat with gold plates on his shoulders. The title of the article read, ‘Shikoku League Champion Announces Open Challenge’.
‘That man is the Shikoku League Champion, Nero.’ Samuel said, ‘Anyone who gets a high enough placement or impresses him in the Shikoku League Tournament will earn the opportunity to face him and the Shikoku Elite Four!’
‘Wow.’ Alex said, ‘That’s so cool!’
‘This way even if I don’t win the tournament, I still have an opportunity to test my skills against some of the best in the country!’ Samuel continued.
‘So then what did you mean by starting over?’ Kira asked.
‘Oh, well I only have Sceptile with me.’ Samuel said, ‘He and I are going to find other Pokemon in the Shikoku Region and then we’re going to train to win.’
‘Starting over…’ Alex said distantly.
‘Alex?’ Kira looked on at Alex as he was lost in thought.
‘Well, it’s time…’ Samuel said, ‘I gotta get going now. My boat leaves soon.’
‘Take care of yourself, big bro!’ Kira said.
‘You know it.’ Samuel said with a wink and a thumbs up. He walked off towards the ship at the end of the pier.
‘Samuel wait!’ Alex called out. Samuel turned around to see Alex with his eyes hidden below his brow. He looked down to see a hand extended out. Alex then looked up at him, his face was happy, ‘Good match.’ He said.
Samuel paused a second, then realized what Alex was talking about and smiled back, ‘Yeah, it really was.’ He said and with that he shook his young rival’s hand.
‘Next time though, you better bring everything you got, because you’re going to need it!’ Samuel said with a cocky grin reminiscent of his father.
‘You know I will!’ Alex said with determination radiating from his eyes, reminiscent of his father.
‘See ya.’ Samuel said as he walked off.
‘So now what do you want to do?’ Kira asked Alex.
‘I want to go to Shikoku! And start all over again!’
‘Well, I guess I better go with you in case you forget Normal attacks don’t work on Ghost Pokemon!’ Kira said playfully.
‘Hey! Three times that happened!’ Alex said defensively.
‘I am the Professor’s daughter after all, you’ll need my expertise!’ Kira continued, ‘And I suppose I should check out the contest scene over there.’
'I wouldn't get too far ahead of yourself, you did only place in the top 16...' Alex said.
'What'd you say Scruffy head?' Kira said back defensively.
'Who you calling Scruffy head?!' Alex said flabbergasted.
'I just thought it'd be fun to travel together again.' Kira said.
‘So you’re really going to go for it?’ Alex asked her.
‘Why not? We’ll show the world right? You and me!’ Kira said with a cute wink.
Alex blushed a little, ‘Yeah.'
‘So what are we waiting for, let’s go home and get ready!’ Kira said.
‘Yeah, we’ll show the world!’ He replied with a determined grin, and the two young friends made their way back to Pallet Town.

--------------TO BE CONTINUED-----------------

[DaveTheFishandChipsGuy]

Nice continuation James. This is like a parallel of the start of AG, Ash found that Gary went to Hoenn with only Blastoise, so he only took Pikachu. It looks like the same will be happening here.

Nice cameo by Nero there. It looks like the Shikoku League won't know what hit it!

Well, can't wait for the next installment! Should be interesting to see the two friends (or is it more than that? {nudge nudge}) prepare to leave and depart to Shikoku.

Keep up the good work!
Dave

[LuciferIX]

Another great chapter James. These are definitly starting to interest you more than Project Arceus. Either that or you're having a hard time coming up with the battles that will be coming up. My guess is that its a little of both.

A few spelling errors is about all I can see, nothing real major.

We get more of a look into Alex's home life and that he is actually close to the point of idolizing Samuel. Considering both the age difference and that Samuel is his true rival, I guess that isn't all that hard to see the admiration coming to that. Then again it is a lot like Ash and Gary in that sense as well. Now I just have to remember if Alex goes to Shikoku with just Charizard or if he takes Eevee along as well. I want to say that he takes both of them but I need to check again.

Nice job with adding the family in there as well. This story may be focused on Alex and his adventures, but the family is just as important. I can definitly see that Amy and Mya like to team up on Ash quite a bit, but then again with Ash's usual attitude I can see where they got that from.

As I said before another great chapter James. Hope to see the final installment soon. Keep the updates coming!