Journeys: A Beginning

Adventure, I Choose You: Part 1!

I am hoping this reaches you well, I apologize I could not deliver this letter in person, things have been quite busy on my end. But, that is not the subject of this message. I am inviting you to watch, up close, my upcoming battle against fellow Indigo League staff, and soon-to-be-retiring Elite Four member, Bruno. If it is not asking too much, I would like to speak with you after the battle concludes, as I have been assigned to deliver you another message on behalf of Chairman Rose, the Galar League Chairman and board member of the World Coronation Series. Do not scramble for details or worry if you are unfamiliar with the people or organizations mentioned, as I will tell you everything you need to know and more when we talk. I do hope you are able to make the battle, if not, we can always talk another time with other accommodations.

Best regards,

Lance"

Realizing he received a personal letter from Lance, Ash's eyes widened. Pikachu, Delia, and Mimey leaned in closer to see if it was true, sharing Ash's surprise when they saw it was.

"A letter from the Champion himself, this must be important!" Delia exclaimed.

Ash nodded. "It sure is! Lance is inviting me to watch his battle against Bruno in the Pokémon League! He also says he wants to talk to me after his battle too! Something about a league chairman and a 'world coronary series' that he was asked to tell me about."

Delia, a look of suspicion on her face, took a look at the rest of the letter, confirming there was no worldwide event regarding the arteries, but was noticeably surprised seeing that the Chairman of the Galar League was also involved in this, recognizing him as a powerful businessman.

"Honey, it's the World Coronation Series," Delia giggled, before patting her son on the back. "And this must be something big that Lance wants to tell you about, so you'd better listen to every word he says!"

Ash nodded, turning his head to Pikachu. "Of course! Man, it's been a while since we've seen Lance, right buddy?"

"Pi-ka!" Pikachu nodded in agreement.

"Well of course have fun, and be safe as well! Though I'm sure a Champion would be able to do that, right?"

"You can count on us!" Ash pumped his fist. "Let's start going right now, we don't want to be late!"

"Pika-pika!"

The two ran out the door before Delia could properly say goodbye to them, however, she just smiled, ever admiring her son's drive and excitement to indulge in his passions. Sighing, she was about to return to what she was doing, before the phone rang.

She picked it up. "Hello?"

"Delia, it's me, Samuel, I have some big news!"

~

Side by side, Ash and Pikachu ran down the paths of the Kanto region, seemingly with infinite stamina. Their excitement to see a Champion battle and talk to him afterward fueled their bodies to go the extra mile and make it to the Indigo Plateau as quickly as possible.

And for the first time in a little while, they felt truly ready to step into the unknown, at least the very beginning of it. Hearing about important people from another region, some sort of 'world series', was getting their blood pumping as nothing else did.

"Pikachu!"

Ash looked around them as they jogged, observing the Pokémon around. The Caterpie and Weedle scaling the branches of the trees, the Diglett popping out of the ground rhythmically, the Pidgey and Spearow soaring above the trees in the sky, the Goldeen and Poliwag swimming in the lakes.