And I'm back! Aaaah, this chapter is gonna be full of surprises… I think. Tell me how you felt, 'kay? Chapter 2, you're on!
Chapter 2: A Registration
"Woooow…" Serena breathed as she looked up at the big, regal castle that was going to house guest trainers, and had held registration for two days, today being the last. It was big and regal, and apparently it was well over a thousand years old. Even Ash was distracted from his excitement over the competition, and Bonnie, for once, had forgotten to ask the million pretty girls around to marry her brother. Dawn, May, Misty and Iris were also staring up in awe. Clemont… well, Serena had thought his reaction to the Pokeball Factory had been extreme. This beat it hollow. Clemont was waxing poetic about the honor of being here and bawling his eyes out. Bonnie was trying her best to look like she didn't know him, despite their striking resemblance. "Shall we register?" Ash asked, barely able to contain himself. With quick nods of assent from everyone, the group stepped inside.
The inside of the castle was as beautiful as the outside. The crowd wasn't as big as Serena expected, but that was probably because it was the last day. According to Delia, registration happened fast. The gang walked up to the desk, where a girl in a fluffy blue dress with pink ponytails that fell in ringlets stood. Serena wondered who she was. Dawn answered her question. "Ursula, what are you doing here?" she asked, as though said girls' name would contaminate her. Ash scowled. The pinkette turned around. She was pretty, but in a haughty, condescending way that made Serena dislike her at once. "Oh, it's you, Dawn. I see that you've found some friends?" Serena gritted her teeth. Even her voice made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "Yeah," Dawn replied. "Oh, Ash, you're here too," Ursula said, and Serena saw her eyes widen. Ash had changed since Ursula had last seen him. Emotionally, yes, but physically as well. He was rather attractive. "So, Ash, would you like to join me? You're about the only worthy opponent here! The rest of you beating my Plusle and Minun. Ha!" It was taking all of Serena's self control not to roast her on the spot for blatantly flirting with Ash. "No, thanks," Ash replied.
Ursula pouted in disappointment before turning to Serena. "I know you. You're the one who accidentally made it to the Master Class finals. Serena, right?" "Thanks a lot," Serena replied coolly. "I'm counting on all of you to make Ash and I look good this competition," Ursula commented before laughing an affected laugh and leaving, saying that she had to practice with Plusle and Minun. "She hasn't changed a bit," Ash muttered
"That pink-haired menace is Ursula, my old rival," Dawn explained. "Man, she was pretty rude," Ash commented. "Agreed," a voice said. The others looked surprised, but Ash, Dawn, Misty, and Brock looked delighted. "Gary! Long time no see!" Ash said. The two exchanged a manly handshake, and after a quick round of introductions, the group moved on.
"What a fountain!" Brock commented as they passed an elegant fountain in a park where they had settled down for lunch. "Hey, Ash, remember Bianca?" Iris asked. Ash smiled wryly. "Yeah," he said. As though it was on cue, a person with green eyes and blonde hair knocked Ash straight into the fountain. "Oh no! I'm so sorry!" she yelped, looking horrified. Ash sat up, looking dazed, and sighed when he saw Bianca. "Again?" he asked. Bianca looked mortified. "Bianca, did you just knock-Ash! What a delicious surprise!" Forgetting his dip, Ash looked up, smiling widely. "Cilan! Hey there!" "Did Bianca knock you into a fountain again. Ah! What a long-lost flavour of meetings! To think that you met just the way you did all that time ago!" "What is his thing with food?" Bonnie muttered. "Cilan, if I hear you talk food one more time…" Iris threatened. Cilan winced. Iris smiled at Bianca and started up a friendly chat with her. Much to everyone's surprise and delight, Cilan and Bianca were competing as well. Cilan joined the group while Bianca left to greet her father.
"You have some really amazing friends, Ash!" Clemont commented as he surveyed Ash's older rivals. The newcomers looked pleased at the comment, when a musical voice spoke. "Ash, is that you?" "Cynthia!" Ash said, spinning around to greet the Sinnoh champion. "Ash, you know the Sinnoh champion?" Clemont demanded. "Dawn, Brock and I met her in Sinnoh, and Iris and Cilan met her in Unova. Everyone, meet Cynthia!" Ash announced. "It's so good to meet you all. Are you Serena?" she asked, looking at the honey blonde performer. "Yes! It's a pleasure to meet you!" Serena said, smiling. "I saw your performance in the Master Class. It was excellent!" she said. Then she rounded on Ash. "Have you tried the scones at the café two blocks away? They're delicious!" Ash responded enthusiastically, while Dawn explained that Cynthia was a huge foodie. Cynthia also told them that all the Champions plus the Kalos Queen and a few Grand Festival winners were going to come, as the Legend Competition drew trainers from all over the world. (This excited everyone, the males in particular, as Brock declared that Aria, Diantha, Cynthia and a few other females were all beautiful, while Bonnie was hellbent on getting one of them married to Clemont. This resulted in a Poison Jab from Croagunk and a lot of flustered yelling from Clemont).
Night fell, and after saying their goodbyes and promising to meet up tomorrow, the Kalos gang headed back home. Ash was beyond excited, but one thing bothered him. Ursula. She had acted so weirdly today, and he felt really mad at her for insulting Serena. Madder than he should. He looked over to her. She was chatting with Bonnie. Her hair looked like silk, and her eyes… wait, what? "Focus," he muttered. No one heard. Ash looked up at the night sky, and wondered what was going to happen tomorrow. He grinned. He was finally going to compete in the tournament that he had wanted to compete in for years on end, and his friends were with him. Serena was with him. That was the best part. He was going to win.
Author's Note: Welcome back! I hope you found that chapter surprising, because I tried to make it like that. And then there's Ursula. Good God, Ursula. She is going to be very important, and while a few of you might think that I'm pushing Ash and Serena farther apart, Ursula will actually push them closer together. How? Read on and find out! This chapter proved to be surprisingly difficult to write, from bringing back past moments to making sure that I got all of the character's personalities right. I will be throwing in a few more newbies, but very few will be as important as the lot I introduced today. Ash is very excited for what's to come, which is normal. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and tell me what you thought of it! See you guys on Sunday
Please review and keep smiling,
Leaflame.