In the morning, Ash and Alice notice that Queen Ilene of Rota is on the news, as well as him still as a lab fellow under Professor Cerise with Goh and Chloe in the picture. They also notice the words "Crown Prince Ash" and then the small letters, "Rota's Next Ruler."

When they are now in the living room, all of Ash's former travel companions and rivals who didn't betray Ash are there. Even Goh, who was still traveling around the region for Mew.

"Goh? When did you come here?" Ash asks.

"Yesterday, I visit my girlfriend first before coming here." Goh says as Chloe nods. "But you have some explaining to do."

"Yeah, I don't think anyone would believe me." Ash says.

"Indeed. Being a Crowned Prince, huh?" Gary asks.

Ash reads the story and he feels kind of unfair that the news leaves his father and his siblings out while only he is on the news, and considering that he is a so-called criminal who killed his mother, this is going to get worse for him.

"It is a good thing that the news says you are innocent. So there will be doubts cast upon whether you actually killed your own mother five years ago." Paul says.

"That's true. Though I foresee problems...in the form of marriage contracts." Gary says.

"That is only if he reveals his identity. But Gary is right. Since the article said that the coronation ceremony would commence once you go to Rota to claim the throne, it's better to crown the Crown Princess as well. In other words, your wife."

"I don't see why that has to be the problem. Considering I already have someone that I want." Ash says, with Alice blushing a little.

"Yeah, we kinda heard your voices." Mark says, "Pretty loud I must say."

This causes both Ash and Alice to blush really hard, as the others can only chuckle at them.

After getting to Rotaeel City, they are now bringing the Champions team to Mt. Fortana. Ash says, "Mt. Fortana, like other mountains and caves in the other regions, is a place filled with mazes. Some of the caves are dark and you will need the HM for Flash to go inside."

Then they head inside the mountain and they have to go through some strength puzzles and rock smash puzzles. (Rock Smash is obtained from the leader of Team Rainbow Phoenix when first meeting in Emerald Forest, while Strength is obtained from Oceablu Concert) They also pass through a Regi Temple for Regirock, and the possible exit for Fiero City, which is where the next gym is. (In the game, it will be blocked by workers who said that it's unstable to leave)

Ash also has an Eeveelution to help him guide him through the area, and Ash says, "This is Zirconeon. The crystals on its head radiate in various colors depending on its mood. They turn black when it gets irritated."

"Indeed, we should also be careful not to irritate her. It evolves from Eevee by using the Dawn Stone. And it has Filter and Lightning Rod as the Ability and Wonder Skin as the hidden ability." Alice says. "She is also good at memorizing roads, so with her by our side, we won't get lost that easily."

"Now let's talk about this place. The biggest attraction of the mountain is that it is similar to the Grand Underground in the Sinnoh Region. There are a lot of mine rocks, and you can try getting some fossils around here."

"Not just fossils, shards, gems, evolution stones, and maybe you can also find an Odd Keystone for Spiritomb in here as well." Alice says.

Then Ash decides to give them each a Mining Kit (In the game, you get one from a hiker in the secret area), and they try to get some gems and fossils. After they are done, they also continue climbing and get to the top of the mountain.

"This sure is a nice view..." Lance says.

"Yes, this is similar to the Alola Region's Hokulani Observatory. There are only three buildings here: The Gym, the Pokemon Center, and the Fossil Restoration Lab." Ash says.

After getting inside the Fossil Restoration Lab, Steven notices that it is similar to his own company, he asks, "Red... those machines are from my company, right?"

"Yes, if you forget, your son is the Gym Leader of the gym nearby." Ash says, "He provided us a lot of fossil restoration stuff and create this place based on the Devon Corp."

"I see..." Steven nods.

"The only thing here that is not Devon Corp related is the Paradox Machine." Alice says. "This one is for Iron Thorns if you manage to bring a Tyranitar."

And when they head outside, they also notice two Beast Ball statues. One is for the Ultra Deep Sea, while the other one is for Ultra Cavern. Both of them are Nihilego and Stakataka.

After getting inside the gym, they are surprised to see how it goes deeper into the mines. A lot of workers are mining for jewels, and Luke also greets everyone.

"Welcome to my gym, it also serves as a mining place. The Gym battlefield has a door linked to where Diancie is located, so we have a lot of jewels to mine. Now who is the one battling me?"

"I'll be the one battling you." Steven says. "If you don't mind."

"Oh, Dad. I don't mind." Luke says as they head to the battlefield and battle. As for Ash and Alice, they head to the jewel room to make sure that the Stone Plate is still there, and Diancie is doing a good job guarding it.

With the talk of his son, Steven's heart is swaying when he starts to doubt if Ash really is the criminal. And during this battle, Steven seems to be distracted a little as he loses to his own son in the battle.

"What's wrong with you, Steven? You seem to be distracted." Cynthia asks.

"I'm fine, I just had a talk with my son Luke and I was just thinking about what he has said." Steven says. "Don't worry about me. I did want my son to win against me, that's why I hold back a little."

"If you say so." Cynthia says, "By the way, have you heard the news?"

"What news?" Steven asks.

Everyone is talking about the news of Ash's Crown Prince title, and the traitors are talking about it as well.

"I can't believe Ash had this secret and he didn't tell us!" Misty huffs. "We are his friends!"

"Yeah!" Dawn says. "I say we double our efforts to find him, and give him a chance to prove his innocence."

"Wait, what?" Iris asks with surprise.

"If I remember correctly, Ash should be 20 by now. So obviously, he needs a wife to be able to be the crown Prince of Rota." Mallow says.

"And his wife will automatically become the Crown Princess, so once we find them, we can convince them that we can help keep him in line, and we give him a choice: Either he marries one of us, or he gets the full penalty of murdering his mother." May says.

"That's a great idea." Dawn says.

"But what about Champion Red? I thought you girls were going after him." Brock asks.

"We lost our chance the moment Serena said she loved him." Dawn sighs. "I guess she's Champion Red's type of woman. But who would do the honor of being Ash's wife?"

Then the 6 girls start to argue about being Ash's wife, and they are also noticed by Ash and Alice, who accidentally heard their conversation.

"I don't think I can listen to them any longer." Ash says.

"Me too, let's just leave." Alice says.

(Flashback)

When Reisa, East, Wallace, and Winona are having dinner in their house in Sootopolis City, they hear a door knock. Reisa volunteers to open the door, and she gasps, "Luke?"

"Hello Reisa, I assume that your father is here?" Luke asks, his clothes are soaked wet because of the rain.

"Our whole family is here." Reisa says, "But why wouldn't you bring an umbrella? Your clothes are wet..."

"Long story." Luke says as they enter the house.

After East helps him change a set of clothes, Wallace asks, "So Luke, what are you doing here? And why weren't you with Steven or Roxanne?"

Luke frowns a little and says, "I... I ran away from home because of an argument. And I don't plan on returning."

Winona asks, "What kind of argument? And what do you mean you're not returning?"

Luke says, "My father, as the Hoenn Champion, believes the lies of Ash Ketchum killing his mother, and I don't agree with him. I know Ash because we both get into Uva University and we've been friends together, and he doesn't seem the type to kill anyone..."

This causes the four of them to look in surprise, Wallace says, "So you say that Steven believes Ash is guilty? But why do you think that we disagree with Steven in the first place?"

"I met Lisia at Slateport City and she told me that you all believe that Ash is not guilty. So I come and seek help from you." Luke says.

"I see..." Winona says. "But I don't think it's a good idea to run away from home like this. What if your parents are worried and they want to find you?"

"Don't worry, I told my Mom that I've returned to Paldea and they won't suspect a thing. But since I run away from home, may I ask if I can stay here?" Luke asks.

East says, "Since it is already dark and rainy outside, I think you should stay here for a night, and tomorrow, we'll bring you to see Ash on his island. Is that fine?"

"Wait, you guys know where Ash is?" Luke asks in surprise.

"I faced Ash in disguise in the Grand Festival, and he has become my mentor when my Dad was not available. And East here is their own pilot coach." Reisa says. "Since you used to be Ash's Classmate, I'm sure he will accept you."

Luke nods and thanks the family for letting him stay, and Wallace asks East to share the room with him. After that night, they head to Sevestar Island, and Ash is surprised to see his classmate.

"Luke! Even you have come!" Ash says.

"Yeah, Although my Dad didn't believe you're innocent, I do and I am going to help you as much as possible." Luke says.

"That's wonderful." Ash says.

"But he ran away from home and you'll need to provide a living place for him here." Reisa sighs. "Since you've done the same thing to Max as well."

Ash nods and he provides a living place for Luke, and he also introduces him to the other leaders and his family. Everyone is surprised to learn that Steven's son has a different opinion of Ash's murder case, and they are delighted to have him help out. And with his skills, Ash and Alice also have their own Rock Type Disguises and open a store called Jewelove.

(Flashback End)

Here is a new chapter, and I want to say that after the meeting in Underground Maze, Team Rainbow will only appear again after the tenth gym. And I know I forgot to mention the location of the HM for Rock Smash, so here it is in this chapter. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be something crazy going on.

Ash's Zirconeon: Ability: Filter. Moves: Aura Sphere, Signal Beam, Accelerock, Power Gem, Stealth Rock, Dark Pulse