Preview

Again

That's it. They left.

"So ready to go to the Kalos region, Ash?"

"I'm really sorry Alexa… I think I can't come anymore."

"Why now? You were so excited only a minute ago!"

"Yes, it was only to not make Iris and Cilan worried. Right Pikachu?"

"Pika…"

"Well, Ash. I get it… But I know that in a little period of time you will be fine again. I'll be waiting for you in Kalos."

"Thank you, Alexa,…"

"Now it's better get going… I'll see you again, won't I?"

"You will, I'll come. That's a promise."

.................

He was a man to always look forward, to move from place to place. But now, he felt like moving was aching.

.................

For a 16 years old young Ash Ketchum, this moment was very hard.

He had come back from Unova. The last journey was something traumatic for him. For the first time in his life, he felt like he had regressed from his past experiences.

The same feeling was felt by the boy's best friend, Pikachu. Since the whole incident with Zekrom, Pikachu knew his powered was more than halved but, even during the league, he wasn't able to summon his full strength.

In a way, Pikachu felt worse than Ash. He thought he failed his number one partner.

Truth to be told, Ash felt horrible for Pikachu because he couldn't help his buddy.

Even in that moment of weakness and self-doubt, Ash put aside himself and decided to train with Pikachu and stay even more with him in order to get him in shape.

It was by pure coincidence that his mother, after that Ash had stayed home for over three months, decided to take him on a little vacation in Alola.

It turned out to be what Ash needed. He went there with only Pikachu and decided to stay there to train again living with the local researcher and teacher Professor Kukui. He attended the local Pokémon school and there, he made good friends in Mallow and Lana, had helped Lillie with her fears but was never fond of Kiawe's sudden challenges, something very odd for Ash.

No one clearly noticed that, since they had met Ash only a little while ago, but Pikachu noticed.

The yellow Pokémon confronted Ash on the problem, but Ash brushed it off telling him that his focus to help Pikachu recover.

The duo engaged a rivalry with the Legendary protector Tapu Koko which had given Ash a Z-ring, a bracelet that was able to summon powerful moves if accompanied by a crystal.

Ash challenged the trials on the islands befriending new Pokémon like Litten, Rowlett and Rockruff.

Litten would later evolve into Incineroar and Rockruff into a unique dusk form Lycanrock. A true exception in the world.

The bond between Ash and Pikachu grew even more. They could move in sync, their hearts beating at unison during a battle, making their minds connected.

During a battle, Ash would usually move in synch with his best friend, making Pikachu even stronger.

They could talk together and also, to some extent, understand what the other was thinking in a moment.

Last, they gained some sort of stronger feeling of their aura, making them stronger in battle and able to find each other everywhere.

Professor Kukui, who had now become a father like figure for Ash, had called it "Buddy phenomenon" meaning that this was the result of all the challenges and obstacles they had come through together.

That was the ultimate power of Ash and Pikachu friendship. Pikachu was back to his old self and Tapu Koko challenged him in one last battle. During the climax, the Legendary Pokémon decided to give Ash and Pikachu a unique Z crystal, unique like their bond. That move also overshadowed the Tapu's signature Z move, and the duo won a battle that earned them a lot of fame in the region.

During those times, Ash became a new person, enjoying Alola in all its forms, all its power. That region had become his second home and Pikachu thought so too.

It was heartbreaking to leave Alola and his new family. But Ash felt ready for his new adventure, after a year since his promise to Alexa.

He landed in Vermilion and saw the gym. He was afraid… In Alola everything was great because he had spent the time bonding with his Pokémon, training, enjoying Alola as a whole. But there, there weren't Gym battles and leagues; There, he was with his friends and that was all.

The thought of starting another journey like Unova made him sick. He vomited, scaring Pikachu like mads.

He came back home, her mom waiting for him, and he lost his drive again.

He didn't want to… Ash had failed himself… He only wanted to be with his Pokémon to hide his feelings from every human being.

But Pikachu was done with it… And he delivered.

............…

Once again, morning was difficult for Ash. Every day he would wake up in the same bed, have breakfast, go washing himself and Pikachu and then running to his Pokémon at the lab.

Every day, he would have a confrontation with Pikachu, telling him to not worry.

Pikachu would always tell him that he was wrong, that he had to find the strength to put himself again on the line like he had done in Alola.

In over a month of discussion Pikachu never obtained direct information from his trainer, but now, through their bond, he knew.

Ash hated the pressure to be again in front of his mistakes travelling like he did until Unova.

Alola had been diverse only because of the strong bond he made with Kukui, his team and Pikachu.

But most of all, he didn't feel pressure.

That was what Ash needed. To be free from everything that could obscure his mind.

Pikachu knew also what a possible solution could be.

He decided to act one night.

He spoke to Ash's mom. She couldn't understand what Pikachu was saying but she could get the heart of the message out of the Pikapika speech.

She smiled. Pikachu was the best thing happened in Ash's life.

"Count on me Pikachu!" she exclaimed happily.

Pikachu went outside and relaxed. Soon his best friend would be out from his shower and would come with him.

For now, his only thought was about his plan. That plan had a name: Dawn.

........................