Author's Notes:
This story is dedicated to every last man, woman or child that has the same passion and finds the same joy in Pokémon that I do. Please enjoy!
The crowd erupted into wild cheers as the two trainers marched out from either end of the stadium. It was finally happening. After years and years of retirement, the Unova legend was finally going to battle again. The former champion waved and beamed at the people as he entered the stadium, striking up a pose once he reached the middle. Locks of Red-Brown hair flew haphazardly all over the tanned face and down his neck, an open tan poncho hanging loosely on his muscled shoulders. It was almost too good to be true. Alder had returned to the arena. His opponent was another living legend. All the way from the Hoenn Region, former champion Steven Stone had made the long journey to Unova in order to welcome an old adversary back to battling. Steven ran a hand through his sleek grey hair, running through his strategy in his head. It was a three on three battle, each trainer selecting three of their Pokemon for their parties. If Steven was correct in his thoughts, and he usually was, Alder would have Bouffalant, Conkeldurr and Escavalier as his three. He was confident his selected Pokemon would have the necessary requirements to win. The crowd were cheering Alder's name from every side. Steven smiled slightly as he glanced around the stadium and at Alder. It was good. It just seemed so…right, that Alder was back. Although they didn't admit it, the Unova elite four were immensely morose when they learned of Alder's retirement. Steven's smile broadened remarkably as he realised how eager they would be to take his place in this battle. He shrugged mentally. They would have their chances. But this was a battle for a champion. The two trainers crossed the field and shook hands, an official jogging onto the field from an underground staircase.
"It's good to see you back, Alder." Steven said as they clasped hands.
"Good to be back, Steven." Beamed Alder, crushing the Hoenn trainer's hand. Steven grimaced.
"I hope you don't expect me to go easy on you in your old age." He smirked with a raised eyebrow. Alder laughed out loud.
"Senile as I might be Steven, I still do remember our last battle…do you?" Steven inclined his head slightly.
"Fair call." They nodded to each other, then turned on their heels and marched back to their starting points. The official jogged into the middle of the Poke-ball symbol in the middle of the rectangle battleground.
"Gentlemen, let's have a nice, clean cut battle. The rules are as follows. Three Pokemon per side, no substitutions, no healing agents. Any questions?" The pair shook their heads, eyes locked. All jokes were aside now. Now, it was time to battle. Alder and Steven simultaneously picked a Poke-ball from their belts.
"BEGIN!" shouted the referee. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as two Pokemon materialised on the field. Steven's was a Brown bi-pedal mole covered in red stripes. Massive bladed drills extended from its hands and the top of its head. Alder's Pokemon was a massive brown buffalo with huge, sharp horns protruding from a thick mane of black hair. Steven smiled. It was all going to plan.
"I'll move first! Alright Bouffalant, use Head Charge!" The buffalo stamped its front hoof and snorted before it charged off down the field, horns lowered.
"Excadrill! Counter with Dig!" The mole leapt into the air and into the ground as if it was water, drills carving into the rocky floor. Bouffalant's momentum propelled him forward until he stopped three metres past where Excadrill had dug into the earth.
"Amateurish, Steven! Bouffalant, use Earthquake!" Instantly the buffalo started stomping on the ground repeatedly with its front hooves. Tremors rocked the floor and cracks appeared in haphazard patterns. Steven frowned slightly. He had expected that. But his plan had relied on Bouffalant taking longer to recover. Although he hadn't been battling, it was clear that Alder had kept is Pokemon in good shape. Across the field Alder laughed out loud with his arms crossed.
"Bouffalant is a shade or so quicker to react these days, isn't he?" As he spoke, Excadrill was tossed out of the ground and into the air just behind Steven, swinging its drills helplessly. Steven saw an opportunity.
"Excadrill! Use Areal Ace!" The mole changed from flailing wildly to a razor sharp drill missile as he shot towards Bouffalant. Excadrill struck the buffalo in the side, sending it tumbling back towards Alder. Alder frowned, concern for his Pokemon evident on his face. The crowd continued to cheer, willing their favourite trainer on.
"Are you alright, old friend?" Alder asked his Bouffalant. In reply, the shaggy brown creature snorted, rolling to its hooves and stamping its front right leg repeatedly. Steven Grinned from the other side of the field.
"Not so talkative now, huh Alder? It's alright, Excadrill an I will have this wrapped up soon anyway."
"Not if this works! Use Swords Dance!" Alder shouted his commands and Bouffalant thrashed its head from side to side, its horns glowing. "Now! Use another Head Charge!" Bouffalant once again lowered its shaggy head and shot away. Steven couldn't believe Alder's stupidity. Had he not already shown that that move was easily countered?
"Excadrill! Use Dig once again!" Excadrill dove into the dirt once more as Bouffalant sped forward. Back across the field, Alder was grinning from ear to ear.
"You've played into my hand, Steven!" Steven quirked an eyebrow, disbelief written in every line of his young face. "Then show me my blunder Alder!" The Unova legend's grin widened.
"With pleasure! Bouffalant! Stop and use Rain Dance!" Bouffalant swayed from side to side and rain poured onto the field, turning the dirt into sticky, slick mud. Steven gritted his teeth as he watched the dry field turn to goo, his Excadrill stuck beneath it. "Excadrill! Use Dig!" The mole jumped halfway out of the mud before getting stuck dead, drills impaled in the mud. Alder Chuckled loudly.
"Bouffalant! Use Head Charge one last time!" Bouffalant steadied himself, and for the third time, shot off towards Excadrill. They collided with a squelching thud, Excadrill ripped from the mud and sent hurling down the field.
"No!" Yelled Steven. But it was too late.
"Bouffalant! Finish this with X-Scissor!" Excadrill managed to lift itself just in time to receive the last blow. Bouffalant leapt onto Excadrill and slashed its horns in a savage X. Excadrill feinted.
"EXCADRILL IS UNABLE TO BATTE! BOUFFALANT WINS!" The crowd erupted into cheers of victory as Alder rose his hands in a wave to the crowd. Steven shook his head slightly.
"You did your best Excadrill. I let you down. Thank you, my friend."
The crowd struck up a chant of "AL-DER! AL-DER! AL-DER!" Steven smiled to himself. There were still two Pokemon left in his team, and while they were ready for battle, Alder would inevitably fall.
BREAK
Ash jumped bleary eyed out of bed as Pikachu shot a thunderbolt at him.
"I'm up! I'm up!" shouted Ash, Pikachu looking at him with an exasperated expression on his face. Ash stretched, his back muscles sore from the previous day. Ever since coming back to pallet town, he had felt more at peace than ever. His adventure days were nearly over, having just got back from Kalos a week ago. Where else was there to go? He'd seen the world and battled with some amazing people and Pokemon. Now, he belonged here…home. Ash grinned as he pulled on a plain white shirt and black cargo pants. Who knew? He might even try a new look now. Pikachu tugged on Ash's pants.
"Pika-pikaaachuuu."
"What's that buddy? Oh, right, of course." Ash pulled his famed hat onto his head. Well, maybe not that different of a look, he thought to himself.
"Ash! Breakfast is ready!" A voice called from downstairs. Ash looked at the excited smile on Pikachu's yellow face.
"Pika!"
"Yeah! I'm starving as well!" Ash slipped onto the landing and down the stairs, Pikachu scuttling up onto his shoulder. "Coming Mom!" Across the living room in a flash, Ash pulled out a chair and started wolfing down his plate of bacon, eggs and toast. Pikachu was delighted when Delia placed a bowl of Pokemon food on the table, the Ketchup bottle not far out of reach.
"You had a delivery this morning honey." Delia said to her son, pulling up a seat at the table. Ash swallowed a large mouthful of egg and toast.
"Really? What is it?" Delia poured herself a cup of coffee from a pot on the table. "I'm not sure, I thought it best for you to open it." Ash twisted his face into a thoughtful look.
"I wonder what it could be?" He asked aloud.
"You're not expecting anything?" Replied Delia. Ash shook his head. Shrugging he went back to his food. The parcel could wait. By the looks of Pikachu's bowl, his Eggs and Bacon would soon be in danger.
"So where is this parcel?" Ash asked, swallowing the last morsel of bacon.
"I left it over there on the counter, dear." Delia said, hand raised at a small brown box. Ash hurried over, Pikachu jumping onto the countertop.
"What'dya think Pikachu?"
"Pika-pikaaa!" The yellow mouse jittered with excitement, urging his trainer to open the package. Ash grinned at his long-time companion, relishing the bond between them.
"Alright then! Let's see what we've got here." Ash ripped the brown paper open to reveal a beautifully engraved wooden box. The wood was mahogany, polished so smooth that it felt like glass. The words "Love, Friendship, and Determination" were carved into the lid in shining silver. "Wow…" Ash said as he gazed at the beautiful box and its elegantly carved words. This was something of beauty, and it looked rather expensive. His curiosity piked, he clicked the lid open. It slid open on oiled bronze hinges, revealing a white velvet interior. In the centre of the velvet bed was a note, tied shut with a single black ribbon. Ash grabbed the note and carefully undid the knot, letting the curled paper unfold naturally in his hands.
Dear Mr Ketchum
Your travels have not gone unnoticed. In your time, we have seen you travel to all corners of the earth, showing the traits we have inscribed above. Your adventures in new lands may be over, but your journey must continue. Due to your skill and determination as a Pokemon trainer, we would like to invite you to participate in the twenty-fifth Centurion Championship. The Centurion Championship is a tournament that stretches back several hundred years. Every ten years, a new tournament is held to find the very best trainer of the decade. You have been chosen to compete with 31 of your colleagues for not only the $3,000,000 prize money, but the chance to have your name immortalised in the history books. Please post your reply within two working weeks to;
134, Veilstone City, Jeremi Ling, Sinnoh.
Thank you Mr Ketchum, we hope to see you at the tournament.
Jeremi Ling,
Verdant
Ash had to read through the message at least five times before he could come to terms with it. The Centurion Championship. He had heard stories about it since he was a boy. Everyone had. It had never seemed…real. The world famous Verdant, the company owned by billionaire Jeremi Ling. They were the topmost in Pokemon stadium design world over. All Ash could do was smile blankly, even as his Mom asked for an explanation about it from the living room. He had been recognised as one of the best trainers in the world. Famous billionaires from top-line companies wanted him to battle for the whole world to see. It was happening. It was real. The Centurion Championship had returned.
Author's Notes:
Thank you for reading.
BatmanTheAutobot signing off...