Prologue Misty looks up from her plate and looks at Ash, sitting on the coach at the other side of the room polishing his first place trophy for the Hoenn league. Ash and Misty were alone in the house, Ash’s house. Ash’s mother was at the market buying some food and Brock was taking a stop at his hometown of Pewter city. Beside Ash, Pikachu stood on the couch cushion looking at the trophy. “Pika…” “Hey Ash are you going to polish that thing all day?” Misty says. “Is there something else I should be doing?” Retorts Ash. Ever since their return from the Johto region Ash and Misty had been a little closer then before. They would never admit it but they had both kind of admitted something to each other. At least Misty thought they had. But in all the many times Misty had been alone with Ash since she rejoined his group he hadn’t said or done anything. He just acted like he always did. “Special Delivery!” Shouts someone from the door with the knock on the door. Ash looks up and Misty looks at the door. “I’ll get it.” They both say at once, rising from their seats. Smirking the both of them move over to the door and Misty opens it. A man in a Pigeot Postal Service uniform stood on the doorstep holding a letter. “Are the two of you Ash Ketchum and Misty Waterflower?” Asks the man. “Yes.” The two of them say in unison. “Why?” “I have a letter for the two of you.” He replies holding out the letter. “Thanks.” Says Ash, taking the letter. “Have a good day sir.” Says the postal man. Misty closes the door. “Why didn’t he just leave it?” She asks. “I don’t know.” Says Ash with a shrug. He flips over the letter revealing an Espeon and Umbreon seal. “I wonder why it’s for both of us. Who could have know we’d both be here. With another shurg Ash slits the letter open with his thumb and pulls out three things, a letter bearing the Espeon and Umbreon seal, and three ID cards. The ID cards fall to the floor. Misty picks them up. “Ash Ketchum and Misty Waterflower, you are both cordially invited to come to the Champion region and join the Champion League. This is an exclusive opportunity offered only to the most prominent and skilled pokemon trainers. The ID cards provided with this letter contain data that can be transferred to your pokedex but the ID cards can serve the same use. These Ids will grant you passage to the Champion region. You may bring one traveling companion with the you. I hope to see the two of you at the league. Sincerely, The Champion” Ash finishes the letter and hands it to Misty. “Alriiiiight another Pokemon league. We’re gonna win this one too aren’t we Pikachu!” “PIKA!” Yells Pikachu. Misty glances at the ID cards. One of them already had a picture in it, hers. “How-?” She begins before getting cut off by Ash. “I wonder why your invited Misty.” Ash says blankly. “It’s probably because the champion knows what a great water pokemon trainer I am.” She replies concededly. “Yeah right.” “Grrr.” The two of them walk over to the sofa and sit down. “Well anyway who should we bring?” “How about Brock?” “Yeah how about Brock.” Misty Agrees. Outside in the bushes… “Did you here that? The twerps are going to a new region where lots of super strong pokemon are gonna be.” Whispers Meowth. “And we could use some strong pokemon to fork up to the boss.” Declares Jesse. “But don’t we already have enough trouble with on super strong Pikachu and the twerps other pokemon?” Asks James. “Oh you shut up.” Says Jesse with a thwack at James head. “You know, we can hear you in here. Could you plot a little quieter?” Says Misty from the open door. “Yeah.” Adds Ash. “Oh sorry.” Says Team Rocket. Brock arrived to Ash’s house about the same time Mrs. Ketchum gets back from shopping. After dinner Misty and Ash go up to Ash’s room. “Ok so we want to bring Brock along with us then?” Asks Misty. “Yes.” Says Ash. “Why do you keep asking that.” “Well you know I thought we could ask Gary, or…” Says Misty. As a though she Screams no a thousand times. I don’t even want to bring Brock. Maybe If I’m alone with you enough you’ll open up. “Grr. I’m not asking Gary!” Loudly whispers Ash. “Oh come on I’m kidding.” Laughs Misty. “Yeah I know. It’s just-.” Begins Ash. “Hey Ash, Misty, are you up here?” Calls Brock. “Yeah.” Call back the two of them. “You know Ash we don’t have to bring anyone.” Says Misty. “I’d have thought you’d have wanted to Misty.” “Not really. But…” Ash raises an eyebrow. Then he smirks slightly. “I guess we don’t have to bring anyone.” “Yeah we can do fine on our own…” “There you are.” Says Brock moving into the room. “We found your letter. You were going to invite me right. There’ll probably be lots of cute girls in this new region.” “Ah- of course we were Brock.” Says Ash, blushing and backing up from Misty and moving from knelling on the floor to laying with his knees up and his back against the wall on his bed. “Great. So when do we leave?” “As soon as we know where to leave from I guess.” Says Ash. “You mean you don’t know?” Asks Brock. “Nope.” “Are you saying none of you know how to get to the Champion Region? That’s sad.” Says a familiar voice from the doorway. “Gary!” Ash bursts out. “Ash you can get to the champion island from any large city like Viridian.” Says Gary. “Oh um thanks.” Says Ash. “How do you know?” “It was the first thing I looked up when I got my first pokemon.” He replies. Misty notices a Champion Region ID sticking out of Gary’s pocket. “I see you got invited too.” “Yes I did.” Declares Gary. “Now back to the reason I’m here. My grandpa wanted me to bring you three to the lab. Come on.” Once at the lab Ask asks, “Gary how did you get invited to the region? You never won in a league.” “That’s my business Ash.” Says Gary as they come upon the door to Professor Oak’s house. Gary knocks on the door and without waiting for it to open walks in. “I’m back grandpa.” “Good. Then we can get started.” Says Professor Oak walking into the room. “So why did you want us to come here Professor?” Asks Misty. “Well Misty I actually have a few gifts for the three of you.” Oak replies. “From the Champion actually.” “Why would the champion send us gifts?” Asks Misty skeptically. “It’s a tradition he set down. He gives a pokemon to all trainers coming to the Champion region as a sign of… something. I don’t really remember what it was.” “A pokemon!? Really!?” Exclaims Ash. “Yes a pokemon Ash.” Says Oak pulling three pokeballs from his pocket. He hands one to each of them and steps back. “Well let them out.” The three of them loose their new pokemon. Misty’s pokemon reveals a Squirtle, Brock’s a Lavitar, And Ash’s contained an Eevee. “Lav.” “Vee!” “Squirtle, squirt.” “Oh my very own Squirtle!” exclaims Misty rushing to a squat to hug her new pokemon. “And I got an Lavitar. I’ve always wanted one of these.” Says Brock. “Ash got an Eevee? Wow. The champion almost never gives an Eevee to a new trainer in the region.” Says Oak. “Ash that Eevee is a direct descendent of both the champion’s Espeon and his Umbreon. A great sign of respect.” The Eevee looks around and spots Pikachu. It rushes over to it. “Vee!” “Pika.” Says Pikachu looking a little skeptic. “So what pokemon did you get Gary?” Asks Misty. “As usual the best one.” Says Gary releasing a Dratini from a pokeball. “Wow a Dratini!” Says Ash. “Well you three should hurry back to Ash’s house and start packing. The only ride to the Champion region for two more weeks leaves tomorrow at noon.” Says Gary. “Oh and Ash.” He adds. “Don’t sleep in late again.” “Back in Ash’s room on the top bunk of Ash’s bunk bed she thinks to herself. “Maybe tomorrow.” Slowly the sound of Ash’s rhythmic snores send her off to sleep.