The World Champ

By thegmangraves

Chapter 1: The Invitation

After a disappointing loss in the Unova League Championships, Ash Ketchum goes back to Kanto to once again try his luck in the Indigo League again. After many trials and tribulations, he collects all the necessary badges, enters the tournament and becomes its champion. After defeating the Elite Four, however, he loses to Lance and fails to become the League Champion. But, this milestone hasn't gone unnoticed. A mysterious messenger is on his way to see Ash.

Ash, currently at his house in Pallet Town, is waiting for dinner to be ready. Many of his friends, such as Brock, Misty, Gary, Prof. Oak, and Tracey, are there. It's basically a celebration/cheer up party for Ash; however, Ash and Pikachu are lamenting in his room.

"Agh! We were so close Pikachu."

"Pika…"

"Well, we tried our best, buddy. I'm sure we'll beat Lance next time."

"Ash! Dinner's ready!" yells Delia.

"Coming!"

So, Ash and friends have a good time, but just as people are starting to leave, there's a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," says Ash.

When he opens the door, there stands a man that looks to be about 20 years old. He's tall and lanky, has medium length black hair. Also, he looks incredibly deadpan and stoic and has very dark brown eyes.

"Excuse me, but are you Ask Ketchum, the one who just gave the Kanto/Johto Champion a run for his money?" He asks.

"Yeah."

"Then, on behalf of my master, the World Champion, I invite you to the World Championship Tournament, located on Legend Island off the coast of Hoenn."

"Huh!?"

"Sigh… I said…"

"No, I heard what you said. This is just kind of a shocker."

"Ash, what's wrong?" asks Delia.

"Apparently, I'm being invited to the World Championship tournament."

"What?!" Gary asks. "You must have the wrong guy. There's no way Ash could be invited to something like that."

Then, the man says, "That reminds me. Do you happen to be Gary Oak?"

"The one and only."

"Ah! That makes less walking for me. You've also been invited to participate."

"Haha! I knew it! I knew ash couldn't be the only one!"

"…? Is he like that all the time?" asks the man.

"Yes," everyone says.

"Hey! Who asked you?! Who are you anyway?!" Gary asks.

"I am Crawford, one of the head apprentices of the World Champion himself."

Ash asks, "OK, Crawford, just what exactly is this tournament?"

"Well, it's a giant invitational tournament with exactly 512 contestants. All matches are full battles with the top 16 earning the right to take the Labyrinth Challenge."

"What's that?" Gary asks.

"Well, it's the way to actually challenge the champ. You must venture through a harrowing labyrinth full of veteran trainers and powerful Pokémon ready to test you, and once you're out of the Labyrinth, you must navigate your way through a jungle maze, which is full of even better trainers. If you're good enough to make it through those preliminary challenges, you must take one of 4 tests. Then, you must defeat the champion's vassals, including me, one by one. Only then can you challenge him."

"Wow, sounds like a lot." Gary says.

Ash asks, with a glint in his eye, "So, you're one of the champion's top dogs, right Crawford?"

"I suppose you could say that."

"Then I challenge you to a battle!."

Crawford looks surprised at first, but his deadpan expression soon returns, and he says, "Heh, challenge…accepted."