"Really? I'm in such a hurry to come back…" Ash complained, half out of breath. After sending May and Max off on the boat, he had rushed all the way back—only to find Gary waiting with a grin on his face that practically screamed 'you're late.'

"If you want to fight me, put it off until later," Gary said casually, brushing imaginary dust from his jacket. "I plan to head to the Sinnoh Region tomorrow."

"The Sinnoh Region?" Ash blinked in surprise. "Are you going there to attend the Sinnoh League Conference?"

Gary shrugged. "Depends on the situation. I'm mostly going there to travel and explore… but I'll probably do some Pokémon research while I'm at it. I've heard there are some fascinating species unique to Sinnoh."

Ash's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Really? Then I'm going too!"

Tracey, who had been sketching in the corner, glanced up. "Since you're both heading to the Sinnoh Region, why not go together tomorrow?"

"Sounds good to me," Gary said with a smirk.

Ash pumped his fist eagerly. "Yeah, let's go together!"

Before anyone could say another word, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the air.

"Ash! You just got back, and you're leaving again?" Delia Ketchum—his mother—was suddenly standing on the porch, hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed in a mix of concern and exasperation.

"M–Mom…!" Ash froze. The air seemed to drop several degrees as that deep instinctive fear of parental scolding kicked in.

Delia sighed but her frown softened. "Ash, you've only just come home—you can't even stay for a decent meal before running off again?"

Ash rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I know, Mom… but Sinnoh's waiting!"

Professor Oak stepped out into the backyard at that moment, smiling knowingly. "Now, Delia, don't be too hard on the boy. You know as well as I do that if he doesn't go now, he'll just run off later anyway."

Delia exhaled a long, resigned sigh. "You're right, Professor. I suppose there's no stopping him… Fine, then Mom will pack your things for you."

Ash grinned in relief. "Thanks, Mom! You're the best!"

Delia shook her head but smiled. "Just promise me you'll be careful—and eat something decent every day, alright?"

Gary folded his arms. "Actually, I was planning to travel alone. I didn't say anything about going with Ash."

"What's wrong with going together?" Delia asked sweetly, though her tone carried a motherly you're not saying no undertone. "You can take care of each other on the road."

Gary sighed. "There's no particular reason… Fine. We'll go to Sinnoh together. But traveling together is another story."

Delia chuckled softly at the exchange, though a shadow of worry lingered on her face. Ash had traveled across three regions—Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn—and every time he'd had close friends by his side: Misty, Brock, May, and others. Now, heading to Sinnoh potentially alone, even with Gary's company at first, it tugged at a mother's heart.

"Don't worry, Delia," said Professor Oak. "Ash has grown so much. You've seen his strength. He and Pikachu will be fine."

Ash nodded confidently. "Yeah, Mom! I'll be fine—Pikachu's with me."

"Pika-chu!" Pikachu chimed brightly, puffing out his chest.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Pikachu," Delia said, smiling down at him.

"Pika! (o^ω^o)!!" Pikachu replied, raising a paw in salute.

Ash blinked. "Wait… what did that mean exactly?"

Pikachu tilted his head. "Pika pika~♪ (Don't worry about it!)"

Ash: (O_O) "Why do I suddenly feel like I should be worried?"

The next morning, Ash and Gary packed their gear and made their way to Vermilion City, where they caught the cruise bound for the Sinnoh Region—a journey that would take three days across the vast ocean.

Aboard the Cruise to Sinnoh

The rhythm of the waves against the hull was hypnotic, and the salty breeze carried the excitement of new adventures. Gary sat on the deck, flipping through the newest edition of the Pokédex that Professor Oak had given him, packed with data about Pokémon native to Sinnoh.

"So, which Pokémon should I capture this time?" Gary mused aloud, scanning through the entries.

Ash bounded up beside him, half leaning on the railing. "Gary, what are you doing here? Studying already? You never change!"

Gary smirked without looking up. "Didn't your grandpa give you the latest Pokédex too? We'll be in Sandgem Town soon—why don't you take a look and see which Pokémon catch your eye?"

Ash laughed. "I'll probably just see what fate brings me. That's how I usually find my new partners."

Gary glanced at him sidelong. "That's your style, huh? Well, it's worked out for you so far."

When Ash began his journey in Sinnoh, his only partner from home was Pikachu. Every other Pokémon he used during the Sinnoh League had been caught there, fresh starts for a new chapter in his career as a Pokémon Trainer. He'd only brought back previous Pokémon from Kanto, Johto, or Hoenn during special battles, such as when facing Tobias.

"It doesn't matter how much you plan ahead," Ash said, his voice full of conviction. "If I meet a Pokémon and feel that spark—it's fate. That's when I know I want to capture it."

Gary chuckled. "Still the same old Ash. Always trusting his gut."

Before the Alola adventures came along, Ash had always caught the regional bird first thing in each new region.

In Kanto, he caught Pidgeotto.

In Johto, Noctowl.

In Hoenn, Taillow.

So naturally, in Sinnoh, it was Starly who caught his attention. That little bird proved to be something special—full of energy, courage, and later evolving into a powerful Staraptor that would stand proudly beside Ash in many battles.

Under Paul's strict training influence during that era, Starly (and later Staraptor) learned Brave Bird and played a key role at the Lily of the Valley Conference.

In truth, Ash had always seemed to have that "child of destiny" vibe; every new region brought him face to face with legendary encounters, fierce rivals, and Pokémon that reflected his own passionate spirit.

The only Pokémon he hadn't encountered during his Sinnoh travels was Cresselia—though his adventures had taken him surprisingly close many times.

One afternoon on the cruise, Gary sighed as he closed the Pokédex. "You know, by the time we actually reach Sinnoh, most of those Pokémon will have already run off after reading their own Pokédex entries."

Ash laughed sheepishly. "Yeah, that happened to me a lot when I first started. Those wild Rattata used to bolt the moment I scanned them."

Gary crossed his arms and gave a teasing grin. "So, any idea what you're aiming for this time?"

Ash thought for a beat. "Hmm… maybe something strong and loyal—like Infernape."

"Funny you say that," Gary replied, glancing back at his notes. "Lucario and Infernape are my picks for this trip."

Ash's eyebrows shot up. "Lucario? But isn't that Pokémon super rare in the Sinnoh Region?"

Gary nodded thoughtfully. "Rare, yes—but it's native to Sinnoh. Interestingly, you can also find Lucario and its pre-evolved form, Riolu, in the Unova Region."

The name sparked Ash's memory. "I think I've met a Lucario before… during the Battle Frontier. There was that one in Rota City—I'll never forget it."

Gary smirked faintly. "Of course you wouldn't. That story's famous back in Pallet Town."

Ash looked pensive. "That Lucario was incredible… I didn't realize they were native to Sinnoh."

Gary tapped the Pokédex forward. "Well, now you know. Lucario's a rare Pokémon, but not legendary-level rare. Anyway, you should start reading your Pokédex once in a while."

Ash scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Uh, sure… about that…"

Gary's expression went flat. "Ash. Don't tell me you haven't even opened it since Kanto?"

Ash chuckled nervously. "Heh… surprise?"

Gary groaned. "Just read it yourself!"

Ash quickly took out his Pokédex and opened the entry for Riolu.

Pokédex: "Riolu, the Emanation Pokémon. Riolu can sense the auras of others and communicate through them. The waves it emits become stronger when it experiences emotions such as fear or sadness, allowing it to alert its allies to danger."