Ch. 1: Unlikely Team

In the Pokémon School, in the Alola Gang(consisting of twins, Ailey & Selene, Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, Sophocles, Acerola & Lillie), Ailey was dreamily thinking her future with Gray, already wanting more than 'Just friends,' though he's less likely than that type, girl can dream.

Kukui walked into the classroom, as he called, "Alola!"

Everyone replied, "Alola!" Before Kiawe asked, "Why are you so excited Professor Kukui?"

Kukui answered, "There's a World Tournament coming up, & their wanting strong trainer to enter the tournament. They said we've at least need ten people for this, so who wishes to enter?"

Kiawe roared, "Yeah, I'm entering! I can feel it, my blood boiling like the great mountain of Akala!" As he roared more, everyone sweat dropped at the display of over-enthusiasm.

Lana nodded, "I want to enter too. It'll be fun." Her Eevee & Primarina agreed happily.

Acerola chirped, "I'll go, I want to prove how strong my team itself is, right Mimikins?" The said-Ghost agreed.

Sophocles put his hands up, "I don't think I'm ready for such a big thing, I'll cheer you guys on, but I could try finding more members."

Lillie nodded, "I don't think I can enter either, I'm not very strong on my own..."

Mallow agreed, "Yeah, I can't leave my father to do the work on his own, I wouldn't last long in this tournament either."

Kukui nodded, as Selene commented, "I think I'll..." Kukui nodded once more, explaining, "Alright, that's Kiawe, Lana, Acerola, Selene & Ailey. Please go find four more members for our representative."

Ailey's mind went blank, realizing the perfect members for this team, as she ran out of the room, before class could start, everyone just stared at the place she was at for a split second, Selene sighed, "She can be really over enthusiastic at times."

Approaching Po Town, Ailey knocked on the door, as the hatch opened, two grunt were looking at her, one of them said, "Get lost kid."

The other retorted, "Wait, isn't she the girl that Big Bro's fond of? Should we let her in?"

"No, she just some kid, this is no place for a kid, turn her away."

"But big bro will be mad!"

"So, it's not like he'll kill us!"

"Dude, I saw someone die at his hands!"

"Really!?"

"Yeah, remember when he warned us that if we refused to let this kid in, he'll make sure we don't live within 24 hours."

"That was a bluff, right?"

"No! I saw him do it to the last guy who turned this kid away."

"What did he do to guy!?"

"He had his Arbok use some sort of Move that turned the guy into Stone, then he had Arbok crush the stone!"

"Really, so what should we do, turn her away & end up like the last guy... or let her in & face Guzma's wrath?"

"Wait I got, why don't we ask her the Team Skull questions, then we work on getting her a Team Skull outfit?"

"Greater idea... ahem alright what's Guzma's favorite drink? Moo Moo Milt, Tea or Tapu Cocoa?"

[Tapu Cocoa.]

"Alright; what's big bro Guz's favorite Pokémon? Salazzle, Golisopod or Eevee?"

[Golisopod.]

"Okay, last question, what's the big bro Guz's favorite move? Beat Up, Throat Chop or Baddy Bad?"

[Beat Up.]

"Alright, so that Tapu Cocoa, Golisopod & Beat Up, are you sure?"

[NO.]

"Wow, she really did, send message to the girl in our Pokémon Center, let's get her a T-shirt!"

"Okay! You do that, I'll let her in!" As the door opened, Ailey stepped in, thanking the guy who opened the door with a bow.

Walking through was hard, the grunt were rather nice, people who've met her with their third oldest sibling. That's when she was given a sleeveless Skull T, she walked towards the abandoned mansion, she held tightly to the Skull shirt, using it as a badge of courage, as she entered & traversed the halls, she eventually entered a chamber, housing Team Skull's 'eldest sibling' & leader, Guzma. Opening the door, she came face to face with the big G himself, as Guzma blinked, before yelling, "Gray, you're little girlfriend is here!" Before he was about to leave, she tugged his arm, before signing, [I want to talk with you & Plumeria too.]

Guzma blinked, "Alright, runt."

Gray sat, an Eevee on his head, as he asked, "What do you need Kid? Especially with the three of us?"

Ailey signed, [I want to ask if you three want to join our group for a tournament? No strings attached! It's in Kanto.]

After a few seconds, the trio huddled, Gray asked, "What should we do, accept or turn her away?"

Plumeria responded, "We know she couldn't be lying, she's always been truthful, it's been proven on multiple occasion that she can't tell a lie, but it does make me wonder why they want to invite us to participate with them."

Guzma laughed, "Kukui may be strong, but even he isn't invincible as he claims, he likely willing to have us help prove that Alola isn't just a weak region."

Gray merely sighed, "I'm not the biggest fan of Kanto..."

Guzma frowned, "Ya' know, your gonna have to face your fears sooner or later."

Gray growled, venom lacing his voice, "Fine! I'll go with them, but your both comin' too."

Plumeria nodded, "Of course, we're the only two outside of the mute. Plus, I'd like to see where we three stand against the world."

Guzma nodded, "We're the neighborhood's worst nightmare, time to show them the Emperor of Destruction's power!"

Gray nodded, before he sighed, "Alright Kid, we're in."

Ailey cheered, while hugging Gray, much to his confusion, while Plumeria & Guzma merely held a taunting/knowing smirk at him.

it was morning, as Gray let off a yawn, they had to get there early, as Z's formed above him, his necklace was being pulled by Plumeria, who was rolling her eyes at her younger sibling's antics, they had made it to the Pokémon School, where they were met with the Alola Gang, with Prof. Kukui & Gladion.

Gladion's eyes seem to snap in anger, "What are they doing here?!"

Plumeria chuckled, "Haven't you heard, that little girl came out here to Po Town to get us here, you wouldn't want to make a fool of Alola, would you?"

Ailey got between them, signing, [Can you not fight until you fight each other in the tournament or after it?]

Plumeria sighed, "Fine, if you wish Floater. Truce for now, blondie?"

Gladion hesitated, before he replied, "Fine, truce..."

Plumeria nodded, while Ailey beamed at both sides, feeling a tap on her shoulder, she looked at Guzma, who gave a hint only she noticed, looking at Gray, she noticed his body was just slightly frigid, his fist tightened, & if you look carefully, his arms are shaking in slight fear.

She sighed, before talking, "Well, what are we waiting for, the sun to set?"

Kukui answered, "We were waiting on you three, so now let's go." His enthusiasm apparent.

Mallow called, "You guys prove Alola is stronger than people think!"

Sophocles yelled, "We'll be cheering you on!"

Lana called while boarding the plane, "We'll see you after the tournament is over!" After boarding, the plane eventually begun to fly, as Gray was sitting next to Plumeria, as his fist trembled, as he snapped awake, one of his hands grabbing at his chest, as he looked around bewildered & scared, he calmed down seeing Guzma & Plumeria near him. Plumeria asked, "What was it this time?"

Gray responded, "I.. don't quite remember... only blood red & electric blue..."

Plumeria blinked, "Huh, normally, you remember... you've always apparently remember..."

Guzma commented, "If whatever happened to you was serious, then it would explain the shaking."

Gladion was listening as he asked mentally, 'Shaking? Why would one of the Skull Siblings be trembling.'

Lillie asked, "Are you okay Gladion?"

Gladion answered, "I'm... fine, so tell me about this 'Gray.'"

Lillie nodded, "Well when we first met, he was aggressive like Guzma, but eventually Ailey got through to him & broke him out of his shell, he opened up to us & even helped us, like Kiawe & his farm, us & our mother when she was kidnapped by Nihilego & the other Ultra Beasts, Lana when she was trying to rescue a Kyogre, Ailey & Selene's relationship as sisters, Acerola's... neither of them ever said what they helped in. he also helped Mallow & her Bounsweet find yellow nectar... but after we came back, he was different..."

"Different? How?" Gladion asked, he may want to hear this for his own, but for his sister sake.

Lillie continued, "He... became darker, relying on Dark & Ghost Type Pokémon mainly, encouraging bad behavior, but even worse, he was starting to get slightly aggressive & he started getting bags under his eyes, & he fell asleep at random, he started shutting us out, though he allowed us to talk, he still refused to talk about what happened while we're gone."

Gladion begun thinking, before he looked at the Skull members with curiosity, he mentally asked, 'What are they hiding?'

Gray sighed, he wanted to be alone, he remembered the pain he experienced, as he begun thinking, 'Why can't people see that I'm destined for a bad ending, no matter what anyone tries...' as he dozed off once more.

The plane landed, as Gray snapped out of it, an Eevee climbing back onto his head, as he rolled his eyes at her antics, her colorless White & black fur glistened in the sun, as she squealed to the region, "Hello Kanto Region, get ready to conquered!" As she seemed to get restless, Gray chuckled, "Now, now, the region isn't going anywhere, don't get ahead of yourself." Eevee pouted, as he called, "Hey, don't give me that attitude!" Eevee proceeded to giggle in response. Gray ended up rolling his eyes at her antics once more, ultimately ignoring her, despite her attempts to grab his attention.

That's when he felt something run into him, flipping Eevee off his head & unfortunately hitting the floor, as he kneeled down, he asked, "You okay Evo?" The said Pokémon mumbled to her self, before nodding, returning to her normal enthusiastic attitude, Gray rolled his eyes, joking, "Why do I even bother..." that's when he picked her up, before he could walk, he then heard two voices, "Big Bro!" Turning his attention, he found two of the six-teamed Skull team, 'The Hexaskull siblings' the six grunts that are oldest of the Skull Grunt, but younger than himself, they were a little under Gray, Plumeria & Guzma himself, while also knowing how to work in groups of two or three.

Gray's eyes narrowed, completely ignoring the kid that ran into him, "What are you TWO doing HERE, I thought you six were left to watch our younger siblings?"

One of them, who had blue hair, replied, "Aria decided we should go keep an eye on you here in Kanto & big bro Guz & Big sis Plumeria agreed on the topic."

Gray eyes narrowed, "How many other than you two are there? Pryce? Gabriel?"

The brown haired with a few blonde strands, identified as Gabriel, answered, "Including us both, four people total, the other two are with our Big Bro & Big Sis, Lyn & Alexis."

Gray rolled eyes, "Is that all? (Yeah Big Bro!) Good, last thing I want is for one of you to be in trouble, & you better be careful, only when you want to do it, whether to catch someone's attention, understood boys? (Yeah Big Bro!) Good, well, let's get going."

Before he could get far, the guy who ran into him ordered, a kid with a green shirt & glass, "I want you to apologies for running into me!"

The Eevee on his head, known as Evo, barked, "He right! Your the jerk that bumped into my big brother & caused me to fall!"

After hearing his partner, he retorted, "I don't have to do a thing for you, I was as still as a statue, when this little sh-adorable idiot up here was knocked off, when YOU bumped into me!" Evo barked in insult, before barking in agreement, as the Skull Grunts chimed in, Gabriel agreeing, "Yeah, yeah, get that right, I saw the whole event with my eyes, so take time to mull!"

Pryce added, "Yeah get that through you thick skull!"

Gray rolled his eyes, "I'm going."

The kid retorted, "Not until you apologize!"

Gray begun thinking, before he literally shoved the kid out of his way, as Gabriel & Pryce followed.

Guzma sighed, "He's gone again... damn it."

One of the female grunts was sitting next to him in the Pokémon Center booth, Plumeria & the other Female Grunt next to her, as the one next to him explained, "You know how he is, he disappears at random, like wind."

Guzma sighed once more, "Thank you Alexis, but let's just hope no one's annoying him, the last thing we need is for someone to get thrown in the critical health department."

That's when the door opened, as Gray walked in, the two Team Skull Grunt behind, as he sat down next to his fellow Skulls, his head hit the table, as he asked, "Are we waiting?"

Plumeria nodded, "Yeah, their coming, I think their almost here, so we need to wait for them."

Gray begun thinking, as he begun reminiscing, his everything going black in his vision

Flashback; Gray's P.O.V.

I was making it home, I was feeling exhausted, after my encounters with Team Flare & the people of Kalos, what I view, the strongest league in my opinion, maybe stronger then the guy who beat me with two Legendary Pokémon plus two other regional Pokémon, Tobias, I didn't care, last time I met him, we agreed to have a rematch at some point in the future, we separated on good terms, but I wonder if my Kalos team could match him toe to toe, but I shook my head, I asked the Pokémon next to me, a Pikachu, "Hey buddy (Yeah, Ash?) Ready to see everyone again?"

Pikachu chirped in agreement, while most people would wonder how I can understand him, I don't know, maybe the aura my ancestor, but one of the few Pokémon that have understood me were the ones that bonded with the most with, Pikachu, Charizard, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Larvitar, Infernape, Sceptile, Krookodile, Pignite, Leavanny & now, Greninja & Mawile.

As I arrived, I knocked on the door to Prof. Oak's Lab, the Old Man I've seen as my Grandfather opened it, happy to see me, I could hear his voice, as authoritative & relatively pleasant as usual, "Ash, my boy, you back! How was Kalos!?"

I answered, "I've been fine Professor, a little sore, but I'm very fine."

Prof. Oak responded, "That's nice, especially when you powered through Kalos, it makes me wonder how comparable you are to your eldest brother now, I wanted to talk to you with Prof. Sycamore about that form, this 'Ash-Greninja' form, it fascinates me to a massive extent, I'd also wish to make check ups to make sure your Pokémon are in perfect healthy order. I also want to discuss-!"

"Grandpa, can't you just let him relax. After pushing through a very strong region in it's own right, it must have taken a lot to come almost as the winner." Can a melodic voice that made me push down a blush, Daisy, the older sister of Gary & Green, the two guys were strong, Gary going the way of a professor, while Green became a Gym Leader for Viridian City.

I stuttered, "H-hi, D-Daisy" 'Darn it Ash!'

Daisy's eyes seem to focus on my own, as she asked playfully, "Seriously, after how many years of you disappearing, that's all I get, oh, I'm so saddened by that..." as she pretended to be depressed, I freaked, "I'm sorry, it's just-!"

Daisy snapped playfully, "Just kidding~!" Before sticking her tongue out tauntingly.

Prof. Oak's voice rang, "I swear I'm going to die before you stop falling for Daisy... oh well, Ash there's another matter I wish to discuss with you something that I'm going to have to do."

Me & Pikachu's eyes shifted to the elderly man, he continued, "Due to a rumor & report of drugs being used on you, I'm revoking your license & released your Pokémon t-!"

"Wh-what...?" I gawked, Pikachu was trying to calm me, as Prof. Oak tried to continue, but something felt off, "Wait Ash, let me expla-! Ash! Come back!" I didn't care, I ran out of there, as Daisy & the Professor tried calling out to me.

I needed someone to call on, my Mom, she should be sympathetic, she usually is.

As I made it home, I noticed a note,

Dear Ash, I left to get groceries for dinner, I hope I can see you when I get back.

Love, Mom

P.S. I'm going to kill you for jumping off a tower.

I cringed, Mom was gone, & if she always watched the Kalos news, he was already going to be six feet under. I shrugged it off, I'll go that route shortly after she gets home...

Going in, I dropped my bag off, as Pikachu patted me on the back, I heard, "Don't worry, Ash, I don't think he'll release them for real. He won't do it, right?"

Before I could respond, I heard someone clear their throat, turning my attention to my friends, all of them were here, except a few (including Brock, Cilan & Bonnie).

Misty explained, "Ash, after hearing the report in Kalos, we've decided..."

Gray's eyes snapped open, as a few lose tears fell, as he sighed, getting the tears out. He heard a commotion, it was the boy from before, trying to get past the four Grunts, as Gabriel ordered, "I can't let you past, get that in your Skull!"

Gray's eyes analyzed him, as he recognized him, he begun thinking, 'Max... so he hasn't changed in the least...' as he noticed the doors open, as the Alola crew walked in, he sighed, "Finally..." as he stood up, Plumeria & Guzma going towards the group no problem, but when I went towards them, Max got in the way, as Gray threatened, "Move. Or I WILL move you." His normally dull gray eyes were replaced with tint of red, as he shot a glare at Max.

Guzma cursed, "Shit, this is NOT good..." Kukui gave the Skull Leader a confused look.

Their eyes widened when Gray took out a Pokéball, a Friend Ball, "Max!" Turning they found the group that made Gray's eyes sharpen severely, "What's wrong?"

Max answered, "This guy bumped into me & won't apologies!" Gray's eyes twitch violently, before releasing an Armored Tyranitar, he ordered, "Double-Edge." The Pseudo nodded, before it hissed, despite peoples attempts to stop it, Tyranitar continued it's course, Max barely getting out of the way, as Tyranitar nearly destroyed Nurse Joy's desk, he shot Nurse Joy a look that was almost unapologetic, as he asked, "You okay?"

The Tyranitar shrugged, "I'm fine, but DAMN! I never expected that table to NOT break!"

Facepalming, Gray sighed, "Alright, you're fine." As he recalled Tyranitar, he glared at Max, "Stay out of my way runt."

Kukui sweat dropped, before asking Nurse Joy, "We're representatives for Alola, him included..." pointing towards Gray, before he pointed to Gladion, Lana, Ailey, Selene, Kiawe, Guzma, Plumeria, Acerola & then Gabriel looked at his older siblings, before he stood next to Kiawe, as Kukui chuckled, he pointed toward Gabriel, then he pointed to himself.

Nurse Joy nodded, before tapping down then, getting down the names one by one, she then handed out a few room keys, before she said, "You're on floor 6, your rooms are to the right, & you're entered the tournament, good luck, I hope to see you again!"

They nodded, as Gray grabbed his key, before he begun walking towards the door, he responded, "Sorry for the desk, & get me when it's time for the tournament, Pryce! Lyn!" As he walked towards the door, the two said grunts followed.

"... you need to give up your journey once & for all." Gray blinked, freezing slightly, as he sighed, "Why must I give in to those memories every time, they became my friend despite how much hate I showed..."

He heard the ground rustle, as he sighed, "What do you want Gabriel?"

Said Grunt put his hands up, "Woah, I'm not here to start a fight, I just want to ask why you're so... like this...?"

Gray sighed, "You wouldn't understand..."

"Try me."

Gray grimaced, he was being challenged by someone he knew little about, but that's when something crossed his mind, specifically his Lucario, the Fighting type acted different, as he asked, "Who are you really?"

"What do you mean...?"

"Evo, Thunderbolt!" Evo chirped, before releasing bolt of lightning towards Gabriel, as she called, "Wait don't!"

Lucario released something, as she became a Zoroark, slamming one of her fists into the ground, as Gabriel's form begun flickering & shifting, as a voice box fell off his neck, but who it was left Gray lost, "E-Evie!? You were using an illusion to fool everyone!?"

Evie shook her head, "No! Not because of that! You people really need to clean up Po Town a bit!"

Pryce gawked, "So our sibling was a SHE!?"

Lyn couldn't say a thing, she was too stunned, it didn't make sense, but it did make sense.

Gray asked, "Why did you pretend to be someone else!?"

Evie giggled, "To keep an eye on you, because if I recalled, Ashura, you maybe strong but you also matches the markers of a thrill seeker... I'm here to keep you from killing yourself... AGAIN!"

"But how did you...?"

Oh, pretend? I had you & my own brother in blood to learn from & use as points, I cut my hair, put a metal plate under my shirt, get a Skull Tank, which for some reason is super soft if I may add, memorize Big Bro Guz's favorite drink, Pokémon & Move & let my Zoroark dealt with the rest..." as she turned away from them, before pulling out a metal plate from under her shirt. Tossing it over the ledge, she stressed, popping her back, as she commented, "That plate was so bulky, I'm glad to be rid of it..."

She turned her attention, "Big bro had me follow after you, I'm baffled, you went through some of Torren, then you went through some of Ferrum, then you come here. Wearing a plate is bad, it hurts on a hot day, I wonder if you've told anyone out side of Big Sis & Big Bro about you... 'issues,' you have a bad habit of not telling anyone.

Gray hissed, "Look, even if I told them, they're just gonna run away..."

"Are they or are you?" Was her simple reply, making Gray freeze, "Ashura, you befriended that group of kids, they became your friends, when will you realize that not everyone has the same reaction...? Hell, Team Skull has been helping with your recovery, even when you didn't want it, you have a family & you have friends that have won your trust, roll the wheel & throw a Final Gambit, get THAT through ya' thick skull."

Gray sighed, before he begun thinking, everything his old friend said was pretty on point, so what is he waiting for, as he responded, "Fine, I'll tell them..."

"Nah uh, I ain't playing that game, let's try a challenge, if they don't accept you, you can do whatever the HELL you wish to do, but if they accept you... you have to change you name back to your original & open up to more people! Do you commit... or are you too scared to?" Using the trick she learned from her brother to get her younger siblings to listen.

Gray growled, weighing his options, before he took her hand & shook it, "Deal."

Flashback; Gray/Ash's P.O.V

I ran, I ran, cradling a critically injured Pikachu, no Pokémon around, as I finally fell to his knees, tears streamed down my eyes, as I whispered, "Please, Ikanaide..." That was a very special word in Kanto, it means, 'Don't Go away.' Pikachu coughed, tears streaming down his eyes, as he muttered, "I'm Sorry, Ash... I tried..." as his breathing ceased, tears stream down my eyes, as something vanished, I didn't know what... it felt like something left... but why can't I feel anything..."

Before I could do anything, I heard a call, turning my attention, it was the Shiny Mawile, my friend, with a few other Pokéballs, as she stood next me, all I could do was, hug her, I needed someone to convey my feeling as to.

After crying, I stood over a cliff, as I took off my hat, I then set it down on the little rock pile, I looked at my Pokémon, Mawile, Charizard, my special Snorlax, Pignite, Krookodile, Leavanny & Larvitar.

An idea crossed my mind, as I went back to Oak's lab in the dead of night, my eyes glanced at the stacks, before taking my brother's Pokémon, some that he rarely ever used, I'm going to take them & use them for a different reason... I'm going to conquer everything in my path, for my partner, for my brother... I will never show weakness... no matter what...

Gray was in front of the alolan trainers, as he explained, "Alright, what I'm about to say, please don't be offended by it, but my name, my REAL name is... Ashura Gray Ketchum-Rift

AN: Please tell me what I can do better on, this is a little experiment, sorry if it comes out as too long a chapter, but I just wanted to do this... tell me what I could do better on.