Right now, it was Coronation ceremony for the new champion and his Elite four. The Alola citizens were still celebrating the fight of their first Regional Champion, who was also the youngest of them all.

"And now, to present you the Elite four. The fourth Elite four-member, Hau. The third Elite four member Kiawe. Now, for the second Elite four-member, it's... GUZMA!" 

Guzma walked out expecting booing and jeers, but he was pleasantly surprised when they all cheered for him as if everything was forgotten. Ash from behind him gave him a thumbs up.

"Now the first Elite four, Gladion!"

As the cheers increased, Gladion smiled at Ash.

"AND FINALLY! OUR CHAMPION! RED K! GIVE IT UP FOR HIM EVERYONE!"

And with that, Ash came out with a mask on his face.

(Yeah, he has hidden his identity. Not exactly hidden, but only a few people who know him, like his friends, family, the Nurse Joys, Kahunas, and his Elite four know him)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ash was sitting in his class with a grin.

They were currently discussing their future plans, and Ash was asked the question.

"Well, I want to go to Kalos and participate in its league," said Ash excitedly.

"Oh, that's great! It's in seven months, if you win the league that would be awesome," said Kukui.

"I know right," said Ash with stars in his eyes. Kukui was like his second dad. 

"Are you going to reveal your identity to everyone Ash?" asked Lillie. Lillie had also become like his sister, especially since he had helped her get over her fear of pokemon.

"Nah... you see..." started Ash as he reminisced the days with the 'Straw Hat girl'.

"I won't reveal it till I finish my journey," said Ash.

"And when will your journey end Ash?" asked Sophocles.

"I made a promise to someone, that I'd find her again. So yeah, after I find her, maybe... maybe then," said Ash with a thoughtful face.

"SO ROMANTIC!" cheered Lana and Mallow as Lillie giggled at Ash's red face.

"N-NO! I-It's not like that!" he yelled bashfully.

"Whatever you say," said Mallow with a smirk.

"But seriously, if you win it and defeat Kalos Champion, you'd be the champion of two regions," said Kiawe incredulously.

"That's the plan. Lance did the same too. He entered the Kanto league under an Alias, and then competed in the Johto league. When he won, he revealed his identity to everyone," said Ash.

"Wow... that's so awesome," said Sophocles.

"Yeah, but I think the best thing would be the League of Champions," said Ash.

"Oh, that? The once-in-six-year competition between league champions?" asked Sophocles.

"Yeah. Unlike World Coronation series, which I might take part in after Kalos league," said Ash.

"So... about this girl."

"MALLOW!"

"What? It's romance," she snickered.

"Anyways, after this, I need to go on the Island north of Akala," said Ash.

"Why?"

"Because Ilima told me that's where he found his mega stone."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a tearful farewell with Professor Kukui and Burnet, Ash was back in Kanto, and was packing his stuff in Pallet town as he and his mother were going to Rota. Even after telling Ash about his lineage, Delia had decided to stay in Pallet town rather than the castle, since she and Ash had grown attached to the town. While Ash was now the crowned prince, that too was hidden from people.

Ash would spend about a week in the castle after which he would leave for Kalos with Alexa, a reporter he met in Unova.

Right now, both were sitting with Illene, eating dinner.

"Ash, you're finally going to meet your sister," said Delia tearfully.

"Yeah..." said Ash with a smile.

"And who knows, you might even find that Straw hat girl you started your journey for and love so much," said Illene teasingly.

"SIS!"

---Flashback---

Ash was sitting in a dark cave, meditating with Lucario, who had just recently evolved. He was one of the pokemon who was always with Ash, while others were rotated as per the training schedule.

One of the major things he needed to do was to calm his mind, and each time he wanted to do that, her face would pop up in his mind, and after that everything would be calm.

So he set out to the nearest pokemon center to call his mom. Finally, he discussed this with his mother, told her how he would feel butterflies in his stomach and really happy thinking of her, and she told him one thing that would be really important for his denseness.

"Ash... you're in love"

---End---

"..."

"Anyways, best of luck for your journey," said Delia.

The next one week was ruthless for his pokemon. Not cruel, or even borderline abuse. In fact, it was completely opposite. However, it was really tiring. 

It's like going to the gym(not the pokemon one) where the trainer(again, physical trainer not pokemon) makes you do extremely tiring exercises even when you're tired. However, a lot of really good food accompanied that, so they weren't complaining. 

Finally, it was time to leave for Kalos. 

Watch out Kalos, Ash Ketchum from Pallet town was coming.