A New Beginning Read online

  Goh had an idea for Ash. He said shyly, “While you’re at it, maybe … you could consider being friends with me, too!”

  “Wait … ,” Ash said, confused. “I thought you and I were already friends!”

  “Oh, you did?” Goh replied, embarrassed. “That’s right, we are!” He and Ash both laughed, pleased to be on such good terms once again.

  Suddenly, they were startled by the sounds of an energetic Puppy Pokémon racing by. “Yamp! Yamp! Yamp!”

  Chloe came through the door. “Hi, I’m home!”

  “Welcome back!” her dad said. “You’re a little late today …”

  Chloe sighed. “Every flower in school bloomed all at the same time. I’m in charge of taking care of them, so I’m exhausted!”

  Ash and Goh looked at each other and burst out laughing. They knew exactly why that had happened!

  “What is with you guys?” Chloe said.

  Professor Cerise turned back to business. “With great thanks to our two young and talented research fellows, we learned about the mysteries of Ivysaur,” he said. “Thanks a lot!”

  “There’s still a lot more to do! I can’t wait!” Goh exclaimed.

  “Yeah! I’m really psyched to learn what our next adventure will be!” Ash added.

  The two friends fist-bumped and then ran off to celebrate an amazing day—and many more adventures together ahead!

  Turn the page for a sneak peek at another Pokémon adventure, The Pokémon School Challenge!

  Yippee! Whoo!” Ash yelled. “AWESOME!”

  Ash grinned as he gazed out at the wide, blue ocean. He felt a splash of water on his face. Melemele Island, one of several islands in the Alola region, was the perfect place for a vacation! He had Pikachu, his best friend and beloved Pokémon, on his shoulder. The island sun was warm and bright. What could be better?

  The answer: zipping over the waves while riding a super cool Sharpedo! Sharpedo was the famous Alola Pokémon jet ski. Instead of a machine with a motor, it was a fabulous Water- and Dark-type Pokémon with super speed.

  “Full throttle, Sharpedo!” Ash directed. With several strong flips of its powerful tail, Sharpedo zoomed ahead.

  This thrilling Sharpedo ride was just one of the amazing activities Ash could enjoy on Melemele Island. The Alola region was a tropical paradise, and it had all kinds of unique Pokémon. Even though Ash and his mom were on vacation, he was still thinking about Pokémon.

  Anytime he was encountering new Pokémon, Ash was having a ball. It was his goal to become a Pokémon Master. He had traveled to many regions on his quest to compete at top Pokémon Gyms, but he already knew that his time in Alola would be special.

  While Ash and his mom were on Melemele Island, they had an important task. Professor Oak, the famous Pokémon professor who lived in Ash’s hometown in the Kanto region, had asked them for a favor. Professor Oak needed them to deliver a Pokémon Egg to his cousin, Samson Oak. It was a mysterious Egg, and Ash knew it was a very important job.

  To get to Samson Oak, Ash and his mom took a taxi. But it wasn’t just any taxi.

  “My first Pokémon taxi!” Ash declared from the comfortable seat of a cart pulled by a strong Tauros. “This is the best EVER!”

  Ash was thrilled. Pikachu made a happy squeak, and the Tauros replied with a friendly grunt. Also along for the trip was Mr. Mime, Ash’s mom’s Pokémon companion. Mr. Mime, a Psychic- and Fairy-type Pokémon, had actually won the tickets for their big island getaway!

  “Here in the Alola region, we use the power of Pokémon to go anywhere and everywhere,” the taxi driver explained. “We refer to these Pokémon as Ride Pokémon. When you travel on land, you take a Land Ride Pokémon. When you want to fly, you take an Air Ride Pokémon. On water, a Water Ride Pokémon.”

  Ash found it all fascinating. He loved learning new Pokémon facts!

  His mom was more interested in the exotic fruit at the local market. She wanted to buy some berries, so the taxi driver pulled Tauros to a stop.

  As Ash got out of the cart, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. It wasn’t fruit.

  “It’s a Pokémon,” Ash murmured, rushing over to investigate. The Pokémon was halfway underground, with its tan-and-orange striped head poking out. “So cool! I wonder what its name is!”

  Ash leaned down, and the Pokémon reached out and pinched his nose with its strong pincer-like jaws.

  As soon as the Bug-type Pokémon let go, it dove underground and dug an escape tunnel. “Okay, let’s catch it, Pikachu!” Ash cried, holding his nose.

  In an instant, the two friends had rushed off into a nearby forest, leaving the market—and Ash’s mom—far behind. They raced after the speedy Pokémon.

  However, once they were deep in the forest, the Pokémon had too many places to hide. Tall, leafy trees rose high overhead, and lush plants grew all over the forest floor.

  “Guess we missed it,” Ash said, panting to catch his breath. Ash looked up and realized that he didn’t know where he was. He thought about his mom. “Where were we supposed to take that Egg again?”

  The shadows of the forest were a great place to hide. A mysterious Pokémon with large, curved wings floated high in the branches, watching Ash and Pikachu. It stayed out of sight.

  Just then, another Pokémon appeared. It was almost twice as tall as Ash and nearly three times as wide. And it was very, very pink. “Oh, wow,” Ash said with a gasp.

  “Pika!” Pikachu chirped in agreement.

  The pink-and-gray Pokémon began to wave its large, loglike arms.

  “Look! It’s waving!” exclaimed Ash, approaching slowly. “You sure are cute.”

  The Pokémon appeared to be walking toward them with a friendly grin. Then, all at once, it began to whirl around, breaking tree limbs with its gigantic paws. It let out an angry, high-pitched squeak.

  “Move it!” Ash yelled, and he and Pikachu ran with all their might. They leaped over bushes and dodged trees until they came to a small clearing.

  “What was that thing?” Ash wondered out loud. The super-sized Pokémon had seemed so happy to see them at first.

  Luckily, Ash didn’t worry about it for long. It was only seconds before another Pokémon distracted him. He noticed a Charizard flying high above—with a person on its back!

  “A Charizard? Must be an Air Ride Pokémon,” Ash decided. “That’s awesome! Pikachu, let’s follow it!”

  Ash and Pikachu chased after the Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon. They soon emerged from the trees.

  Ash stopped and took in the sight. Before him was a large field with a track around it. There were several grand buildings with thatched roofs and outdoor walkways. The grounds also included a lake and lots of tall palm trees. It was beautiful! And the best part? There were Pokémon everywhere.

  Ash stepped forward in awe. He didn’t look before he crossed the track, and three racing Tauros came barreling full steam ahead, nearly trampling him!

  A girl with long blonde hair hurried toward him. “Are you okay?” she asked, worried. Pikachu rushed forward to check on him, too.

  Ash laughed it off as he stood up. “Actually, I’m good at dealing with Tauros. See, I’ve caught some.”

  Soon, all the Tauros and their riders joined them, too. They all looked concerned.

  “What is this place?” Ash asked.

  “It’s the Pokémon School,” said a girl named Mallow.

  “The Pokémon School,” Ash repeated. “Wow!”

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  First printing 2020

  e-ISBN 978-1-338-80068-5

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