Journeys: A Beginning

Adventure, I Choose You: Part 1!

Summary: Ash has been home in Kanto for many months after returning from Alola, and after a long time of not knowing what to do, an opportunity finally begins to blossom!

~ Chapter 2 | Adventure, I Choose You: Part 1! ~

The world of Pokémon is one of spectacular creatures that live alongside humans daily in every part of the planet, known as Pokémon. Sometimes they traverse on land, sometimes they soar in the skies, sometimes they swim in the seas, and sometimes they do all three!

A big world, a beautiful world, expansive and ripe for adventures to take place, unbreakable bonds to be formed, and challenges to be met and conquered in all ways imaginable. Filled with intense Pokémon Battles and sightly Pokémon Contests, paths of mystery for researchers to follow and uncover secrets every day, and everything in between, something exciting is always taking place somewhere, in some region, as long as people and Pokémon are by each other's side.

And for seventeen-year-old, Pallet Town native, Alola Champion Ash Ketchum, this has been the last seven years of his life since becoming a Pokémon Trainer. Meeting his partner Pikachu after waking up late, he took on what the world had to offer, seeing it all from top to bottom. Together, they have traversed many a path, and recently, it led them to become the strongest in the Alola region after winning their first-ever Pokémon League.

However, it did not mark the end of their journey by any means, instead marking a new beginning. And with new beginnings, come new challenges and goals. Though goals don't always become apparent right away, and for many months after returning to his home in Kanto, Ash and Pikachu weren't sure what the future held for them. Most of the time was spent engaging in activities with other friends: their other Pokémon friends at the lab, Professor Oak, Tracey, and more. They have taken part in smaller, local tournaments to keep the blood pumping and their love for batting alive, however, none of it has led to anything more than it was.

Ash wasn't unhappy by any means, but something was missing in his life. Delia, his loving mother, noticed it quite early: her son had been in Pallet Town longer than he ever had been in years. Usually, after one journey ended, another began right away. From Kanto, all the way to Sinnoh, from Unova to Kalos, Ash and Pikachu were always eager to rise to a new occasion as soon as they could. But this time, the occasion wasn't as clear.

Many times, the duo were left up at night wondering what they could do next. Ash even looked into other regions he had never visited before: Galar, Orre, Almia, and others. Some had leagues, some did not, and while they seemed appealing, there was something off about the whole thing. He always traveled to a new region after hearing about it and immediately formulating some sort of goal, and that was what made everything so much more exciting for him. Ash could always just travel to another region and take on their league, but it'd already been months since he won his first league in Alola and he was still feeling the aftershock from the whole thing.

It wasn't the regions, it was him. At least that's how he felt, until one day he received a letter in the mail, one that would change everything.

"Mime mime!" Mimey waved an envelope in the air.

Delia walked over to her faithful friend, plucking it from his hand and reading the front. She then walked over to the window, opened it up, and stuck her head out. "Ash, this one's for you!"

The boy and his Pikachu made their way inside, grabbing the letter and opening it up in a very informal way

"To Ash Ketchum,