Hey do your best Man

After Ash and Chloe went their separate ways, Ash went back into the store to get supplies while Pikachu went back into hiding in his bag.

After a while, Abra finally came back to him meaning that the others were probably already here, and the 2 hours they set was almost up anyway so Ash made his way back to meet with everyone.

As he walked through town he passed by the large building where Surge was going to make his new gym, he shook his head but felt that he could probably stand a chance at beating his real team after Johto, but if he could win was something else.

Speaking of which he wondered if anything else would happen in Johto, but he really couldn't really do anything while he was here, though it made him think, what about Gold was he here?

As he was thinking to himself going through possibilities he suddenly saw some familiar Aura move behind him, as he turned around he saw a familiar purple-haired boy with a scowl on his face.

He also noted Ash as they looked at each other for a moment, then Ash put on a smirk as he took off the mask, "Paul, what are ya doing Here buddy?"

Paul frowned, "Ash, so it's you…., and I just got here off that ship," he said pointing at a nearby ship that was deboarding a lot of people onto the land and releasing the tourist.

"Hmmm, I can see that, but I'm surprised, I heard you wanted to start early but here of all places?"

"And why would I want to be associated with the other 5, They are annoying, not to mention that girl that is infatuated with you seems to hate me specifically,"

"Oh Pink, yeah probably, I dunno, maybe she secretly had a crush on you, aha," Ash said laughing at himself.

Paul's face palled with a look of disgust, "No, I'd rather not, all things like that are just distractions for when I become the best trainer,"

Ash chuckled, "Well I can't argue with that, I had the chance to get a girlfriend but I'd rather deal with some stuff first,"

"I suppose that is one of the few things we can agree on," Paul said with a scoff.

Then Paul continued, "But this has been a waste of my time, I should be out catching worthy Pokemon not talking to someone I will beat one day,"

"So you want to beat me one day," Ash said smiling.

Paul scoffed and turned around, "I will beat you, then I'll be the best," he said as he started walking.

Before he could leave however Ash came up and grabbed his shoulder, and smirked, "Hey. Do your best Man," then he walked off with his hands in his pockets.

Paul grit his teeth, for some reason even though that sounded like he was wishing him luck it somehow felt taunting, like he needed luck, he went off and went into the forest to start, he would beat Ash one day, and then he'll go after Brandon.

–

As Ash left Paul he walked casualty, once he got to the designated area he saw a certain spike of orange hair so he walked over and as he turned the corner he saw all 3 of his friends, but as soon as he was about to say hello he stopped in his place seeing that they all had a new change of clothes.

Misty was the yellow shirt with suspended she traded it out for her Let's Go outfit…he could also see that she was starting to….let's say look similar to her Electric Tale of Pikachu version. And she still had that white Jacket tied around her waist.

Brock was something else, he got rid of the hiker clothes and ditched the jacket, instead, he wore some baggy green cargo pants, then for the top he had an orange and black muscle shirt that revealed his muscular arms, and he had gloves, he also recognized it as Brock's Sygna suit.

Yellow on the other hand was where shorts instead of the usual pants, she still had her hat but now her hair was styled to the side of her head kind of similar to how MIsty does it, she had a short sleeve black shirt and over it was tan crop top vest, she also had fingerless gloves and a belt for all her Pokeballs.

So needless to say they all looked pretty different as he had to take a moment to process it, but then when they noticed him and waved him over he shook his head and walked over.

"Hey guys, you're all looking good, but what's with the change of clothes?" Ash asked.

Misty shrugged, "This wasn't planned, I just grew out of my other clothes so I put this on instead, it's much more comfortable too,"

Yellow slightly played with her fingers as Chuchu sat on her shoulder, "W-well, Uncle Wilton got me these new clothes, he said that they were better for going on adventures."

Brock on the other hand flexed his arm, "I thought that a new style would let me pick up girls better, and what better way than to show off my muscles don't ya think!"

Ash chuckled, "I mean you are pretty muscular you look like you could carry us on your shoulders, nice abs by the way bro,"

Brock smiled, "Thanks my guy, all those years at the Gym really paid off in this way!"

Ash smiled, "Well, you all look great, but wow now I'm starting to feel underdressed I might need to get a new change of clothes and a new hat,"

When Ash said they looked great they all had different reactions to it, I'm sure you can guess who did who, and Brock slapped Ash on the back, "Come on you look great like that, though you might want to get a haircut one of these days."

Ash chuckled, he hadn't gotten his haircut since last year before he left, usually, he wore a hat so he didn't have to worry about it but right now he took it off for his disguise, so his hair was almost as long as Misty's.

"Maybe, I'll think about it when we get to Johto," Ash said.

Then suddenly from behind him a hand came up and ruffled his hair, "Noooo~, but his hair is so nice tho," it was Green as she smiled.

"Right, and it would be so bad if I got a haircut because you wouldn't be able to ruffle my hair?"

"Nah, I'm just saying life really isn't fair, I mean you're a guy yet you have better hair than mine, and you always wear a hat,"

"Wait what now?" Misty asked, "Did you say he has better hair than you…but your hair is so nice."

"Thanks but nope, life has favorites and chose to give the better genetics to this idiot right here, his hair is just naturally soft to the touch," Green said smirking as she kept ruffling his head

Ash looked over at them, "Yeah because that's so useful isn't it,"

"Of course, over in Pallet we all have a joke, that Ash would have been pretty hot if he was born as a girl, even Ms.Ketchum teases him about it,"

Then from behind Gary finally showed up carrying a bag, "Yeah, or do we need to bring up the Ashly in-"

Ash cut him off, "We swore to not talk about Ashly, and you better have deleted those photos,"

Green laughed, "Of course not, i have it saved as my wallpaper, hey you guys wanna see it,"

"Absolutely," Misty said immediately

"I….I mean…" Yellow said she already knew about what the Ashly incident was.

Ash glared at Green, "Don't you dare, I swear I'm not going to let you…."

Green smirked, "Oh really, but what if I make one of my favors to make sit there and watch as I show them Ashly~"

"You wouldn't, no one is that petty," Ash said, but he also didn't believe his own words.

"Well I can consider not doing it if you agree to lift the restrictions you put on what I can ask you to do~"

Ash frowned and crossed his arms, "Do your worst,"

Green was disappointed, she did kinda hope that would work but she couldn't back out now, so she took out her phone and showed them all Ashly in her full glory.

Brock and Misty had to look back and forth between the picture and Ash a few times, all the while Gary was laughing at Ash's pain, so Ash smiled.

"Hey Green, why don't you show them Garyn while you're at it," Ash said smirking as Green hummed in agreement.

"Wait what no no, I'm sorry wait no please!" Gary said but Ash held him back

"Well it's showing them Garyn, or we can talk about the picnic incident,"

"....do your worst…"

—-

{Team Rocket base with Ashtwo}

There was a celebration still going on, Ash was seated as one of the main attractions along with Owari, since they both got a rank up, even though Owari's was more impressive Ash was still impressive since he ranked up faster than the old record holder Sayoko.

People like Jay, Enid, and even the Trio of Jesse, James, and Meowth were there.

Ash didn't really care about this kind of celebration, he wanted to be able to find a way to get, let's say 'transferred' to the Johto branch, but unless he had a recombination he couldn't…. but luckily he could.

Ash was preparing Porygon2 so that when it was time he would send it into the computer and put a recommendation on his account, but he also had to make sure it was high enough to work, but not too high so that Giovanni would question it, after all, he proved he was pretty useful which was good for future goals, but for his current situation…. eh.

Thankfully he thinks he has the perfect person in mind, but that has to wait as he got shot out of his thoughts by Jay slapping him on the back.

"Hey bro, come on no fair leaving us behind like that," he said with a smile, "But don't worry we'll catch up soon enough, right En~,"

Enid scoffed, she was still salty that she did her hardest and probably took down the most Raiders by herself, but D. was the one to get a promotion, and the nickname En, wasn't helping, "Stop calling me that,"

Aman was also there with his squad, he wasn't one of the people who joined for the raid, but he heard all about it, and how Ash and Owari were MVPs, "I gotta say, when you saved my squad we knew you were impressive, but this is something else, you already got a rank up, took me 3 years for mine and I was considered fast in doing that."

"Yeah well, I guess if it's meant to happen then it will happen," Ash said,

"Still, can't believe I'm an Admin now," Owari said, his stern expression gone as he held his hands behind his head,

"Yeah, and it's all 'thanks' to D. there," another voice called out, when they looked over they saw Sayoko walking over with her usual confident smile.

"It's a shame, now I can't bully Owari for being lower rank than me," she said, fainting being upset. Then she smiled and looked down at Ash, her purple eye that was covered by her hair shined slightly, "Maybe you should take his place!"

But Owari wasn't lower rank than her anymore so he could do this without fear, he stood up and stopped in front of Ash, "What business do you have, we both know you aren't much for parties,"

"Ohhh, confident, we may be the same rank but we both know who's stronger," Sayoko said with a confident smirk, "But don't worry that's not why I'm here, I have some stuff the boss wants me to relay."

Owari didn't say anything but crossed his arms, as Sayoko pulled out a piece of paper.

"So first off, Owari, the boss already told you this but you are taking over Aster's place and that includes base 4 in the sevii islands and the other one while Sir. Archer isn't there, he already sent some experienced people to get you set up, he expects you there in a week."

Then she turned to everyone else, "First off, Aman, the boss says your paid time off to be there when your wife gives birth has been accepted, however, once you come back you are to head to Johto."

Then finally she turned to the others and smiled, "And lastly here is a list of people the Boss wants transferred to other regions," she handed it to Ash and smiled, "For those of you going to Johto, I'll look forward to seeing you there."

Ash watched as she walked away, and then he looked down, he saw a long list of people coming and going, and the regions ranged from going to Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, but nothing after that, seemingly they hadn't expanded that far yet.

He looked at the list and saw a few names going to Johto, Jay, and Enid, unfortunately, unsurprisingly Jesse, James, and Meowth. And right there on the top of the list was his name, Agent D.

The thing was, he hadn't hacked into the computers to put a recommendation on his name, so someone gave him a recommendation but who?