SURPRISE OF CONFUSIONS

BY- SOURAGAR

Well, welcome to the second chapter. So, Let's begin!

Happy Reading!

DISCLAIMER- I don't own Pokémon!

Chapter 2- All about "Dragon Pokémon Battler's Tournament!"

In the last chapter our heroes were introduced to Iris, who has reunited with Ash after a long period of time. After the introductions were over, our heroes left to grab some dinner for themselves as they were all very hungry. After completion of dinner, they all decided to catch up while returning towards Pokémon Centre. We now come to the lobby of Pokémon Centre where our heroes are still catching up with each other.

"… and after that he tried catching me with a pokeball! He is such a kid!" Iris said telling Ash's newest companions about their adventures in Unova. They were mostly about instances which caused embarrassment for Ash and moments of mocking for Iris. "I really don't know how many times I would have to remind you that we are of the same age!" Ash exclaimed, showing an annoyed face, but still it was nothing serious. He was well aware of Iris' habits and therefore was least considered about her mocking, what bothered him was that what she was sharing was something he wasn't proud off. What he never wanted was Serena to think lowly of him.

"Whatever!" Iris said as she continued her narration of moments that were according to her the most important ones.

Meanwhile Serena was busy on her own lines of thoughts. She had never dared asking Ash whether he had traveled anywhere before Kalos or not. Inside her mind, she never actually thought and cared about what may have happened before Ash's Kalos journey. Whether it being the happiness of meeting him after such a long time, or being busy with the already existent problems of their journey or simply her casualness, she never actually thought about what Ash's past may have been.

And now, when she was thinking of it, there was she, a girl who had travelled with Ash, before her. Although she was assured that they were not alone during their journeys, it still didn't helped that she was talking so freely with Ash. Until now, no girl has talked to him so freely, not to mention so closely, in front of her. But what probably irritating her was the fact that Ash was also talking so freely to her. She could not help but feel that perhaps their connection was better than she ever had with him.

When they reached the counter, they requested Nurse Joy to hand them the keys to their room, which she happily gave to them. Then Iris enquired Nurse Joy whether any room was available for her to stay. Nurse Joy apologized to her saying that all rooms were occupied that day and therefore no room was available. Ash requested Nurse Joy to at least permit her to stay with them. Nurse Joy agreed to that and allowed Iris to stay with our heroes in their room.

Ash suggested for some more talking as he knew there was so much to catch up with her. Clemont objected to the idea as he informed that there are only six and a half hours left for them to complete their sleep as they have to get up early to continue according to his perfect schedule. All others sweat-dropped thinking that waking early was something that would definitely be the first failure of Clemont's so proposed perfect schedule. Nevertheless, Bonnie was very tired due to all the shopping they had done on that day, and therefore was taken to bed by Clemont who also took his own leave for them for the night. Ash then asked Serena to join them on their conversation, but Serena declined it stating that she was also very tired and therefore needed some sleep. Actually, what happened was she was so depressed to see Iris and Ash freely talking to each other that she couldn't bear them more, and therefore wanted to go back to her bed.

Ash reluctantly agreed to Serena, and requested her to take care of herself. Then he suggested them to continue the conversation on the couch of Pokémon Centre as their conversation may wake up their friends. Iris agreed to this and they made their way towards the empty couch that was kept in the hall.

"So, what are you doing here Iris? I never thought I would see you here in Kalos!" Ash asked in curiosity.

"Well, actually Drayden was invited here to be the judge of the first ever "Dragon Pokémon Battler's Tournament" that is going to take place in Kalos. But due to some personal emergency, he wasn't able to come here. Therefore, I was invited as a second option to judge the tournament." Iris sated, a little bit exaggerating about the fact that she was chosen to judge such an important event. She continued, "Also I couldn't have missed the chance to see the special Mega-evolution thing for once."

"Wow! I never thought they would select someone like you. I cannot recount you doing anything special for which you would be invited to judge such an important event." As said, enquiring and teasing her at the same time.

"Well these type of tournaments open registration for the elite type Dragon-Pokémon trainers throughout the world. On winning them, one gets symbols that symbolize which tournament they have won. Once a trainer wins thirteen of them, he/she would be considered as an elite dragon-type trainer. In Unova, only Drayden has been able to get thirteen symbols, and therefore is the only elite dragon-type trainer in Unova. I have actually got six of them, and I am also an apprentice of Drayden, therefore, I have been invited only for some help in judging. The main judge, however, is Drasna, the member of elite four of Kalos region." Iris answered to Ash's enquiry.

"Okay, the format seems interesting. Who can participate in this tournament?" Ash asked, immediately excited at the prospect of another challenge.

"Well, anybody with minimum of three dragon-type Pokémon can participate in this tournament. The battles would be two versus two format and the final match would be played in three on three format. I have been informed that this time, they are giving the winner a chance to fight with Drasna, along with the symbol that is. Also the sponsors have decided to give Poke$ 10,000 to the winner of tournament to attract more participants." Iris said, with glittering eyes, thinking about what she could have done with that much money.

"Wow! A chance to fight Drasna, a symbol and Poke$10,000! Talk about grand prize here!" Ash exclaimed thinking about the benefits of participating. Of course, it was a huge chance for him to be able to fight with Drasna. But what was going through his money was the prize money of Poke$10,000. He still remembered the way Serena was admiring the dress and how badly she wanted to get that one for her upcoming performance. He really felt too bad for not being able to buy that for her. But now, he could get that. That was it! He would win it! Win it for Serena!

"Well Iris, I do want to take part in the tournament. How would I be able to register for it?" Ash asked Iris.

"Well, don't worry, the registrations are still open and we can go there tomorrow to get you registered for the tournament. The matches would not start by the day after tomorrow. But Ash, do you have three dragon-type Pokémons with you?" Iris asked in confusion.

"Well! Now that I think about it, I do have Goodra and Noivern with me here. For the third one, I think I would call Gibble back from lab. That way I do have three dragon-type Pokémons with me. So, Yeah! I think I could participate." Ash explained bumping his fist in air in excitement.

"Okay, but don't you think you would need to work hard with Gibble? It seems that you have not worked with it for a while!" Iris asked him.

"Yeah! You are right about it!" Ash said shaking back of his head with his hand.

"Owe… I think I must help you to train for it. That way you would be able to prepare your strategies against dragon-type Pokémon pretty comfortably." Iris advised to him. He accepted this offer thanking her for help. This is surely going to be exciting for him.

"Well, it's exciting about the symbol and chance to battle Drasna, but tell me Ash, What you would do with the prize money?" Iris enquired with curiosity.

This made Ash shutter all of sudden. But he trusted Iris and therefore told her the real reason for his participation in the tournament and what he wished to do with the prize money.

"Wow! Looks like the little kid is finally falling for somebody!" Iris tried to tease him with her new-found knowledge of his infatuation towards Serena.

"Hey! I'm not a kid and my balance is perfect. I have never fallen anywhere!" Ash explained defending himself which caused Iris to sweat-drop on his denseness.

"Hey! I have an idea Ash. You should definitely use it!" Iris exclaimed to Ash as she got up towards his ear to explain her idea. Ash was a little reluctant at first to follow her idea, but seeing that she did had more experience in that department, he decided to oblige with her plan.

"Okay, let's go to sleep now so that we could effect our plan to perfection!" Iris said as he and Ash made their way back towards their room. In sleep, Ash's mind was full of only one thought, of the smile on Serena's face after receiving the dress.

AUTHOR'S NOTES- Okay, So second chapter is finished. The important information about the tournament and Ash's intentions were revealed. But what is Iris' plan? What about Serena? All this and much more in future chapters.

So, don't forget to give your suggestions, complaints, queries and praises (if you liked reading it) with reviews. You can also PM me for any queries.

Thank You!