Chapter 2: A-Rival at League Castle

Just as Volkner has said the trip to the northern island where the Sinnoh Championships were to be held was longer than they had expected. The trip from Sunyshore to the island itself took nearly a week thanks to Ash and Misty stopping every so often to rest and train. Despite that the progress they had made was good. They decided to rest at the Pokémon Center just outside of the entrance to Victory Road. As the two of them sat in the lobby waiting for Nurse Joy to finish checking up on their Pokémon Ash kept looking towards the Pokémon Center's front doors, his mind obviously on the final leg of his journey.

"What's on your mind, Ash?" Misty asked, noticing that his attention was on something outside.

"I was just thinking about everything up to this point," he replied. "We've been through so much over the years."

"That we have," Misty replied. "So many adventures, so many battles, not to mention more life-and-death situations than I care to remember."

"Yeah, and I wouldn't want it any different," Ash said, smiling.

"Me neither," Misty added, mirroring his smile. Right then a chime went off in the Pokémon Center, letting Ash and Misty know their Pokémon were ready. The two went to the desk, where Nurse Joy was waiting with Pikachu, Elektra and their Poké balls.

"All of your Pokémon are in perfect health," the nurse said.

"Thanks, Nurse Joy," they both said as they took back their Poké balls. Pikachu took his usual spot on Ash's shoulder while Elektra did the same with Misty. With his Pokémon back at his side Ash's confidence grew.

"I can't wait to arrive at League Castle," he said.

"Looks like your confidence is as high as ever," Misty said. "Just make sure you keep it under control."

"That's why I have you," Ash replied. Misty smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ash responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss.

"So you're going for the Sinnoh Championship, Ash?" Nurse Joy asked.

"I sure am," Ash replied.

"Then it's a good thing you stopped here," Nurse Joy said.

"Why's that?" Misty asked.

"Well, the final hurdle for trainers aiming to win the Sinnoh Championships may be called Victory Road, but that name is very misleading," she replied. "In fact Victory Road has been responsible for many trainers ending their journeys just short of League Castle."

"What?! But how?" Ash asked.

"As you may already know there are plenty of powerful Pokémon and trainer inside," Nurse Joy said. "Trainers often times use the cave as a final training area to prepare themselves for the Sinnoh Championships. Unfortunately many of them lose during this. Those that do taste defeat are often demoralized to the point of quitting."

"They... quit?" Misty asked. Nurse Joy nodded. After hearing this Misty looked at Ash. The fact of him losing, and then quitting was something that she didn't like. Out of the corner of his eye Ash could see the look Misty was giving him. He turned to her, his trademark smile on his face.

"Don't worry. I don't plan on losing," he told her.

"I know, but what if you do? I don't want you to quit over one loss," she said. Ash's smile turned into a smirk.

"Come on, Mist. You of all people should know it'll take more than one loss to make me quit," he said. "After everything we've been through over the years there isn't anything that can make me quit." Misty could only smile as Ash's confidence took over. But she had to admit he was right. Even if he did lose inside of Victory Road it wouldn't be enough to stop him.

"If you want I could get you two a room to stay in until tomorrow," Nurse Joy said. The two trainers looked outside and noticed how late it was getting.

"That sounds good to me," Misty said.

"Yeah. A good rest before hitting Victory Road sounds good to me," Ash added. Nurse Joy handed them the key to their room and directed them to it. After thanking the nurse the two of them and their Pokémon entered the room to rest up for Victory Road.


Early the next morning Ash and Misty set out through Victory Road. It was everything they thought it would be and more. Plenty of powerful trainers and Pokémon awaited them inside the massive cave. Yet Ash could not be stopped. One after the other all obstacles that stood in his way fell. Despite that navigating the massive cave was proving to be more difficult that either of them first thought. Plenty of dead-ends forced them to re-trace their steps (along with starting a small argument on who should be giving the directions, which Misty won thanks to her trusty 'mallet-of-doom' as Ash would call it). After traveling for what felt like hours the two decided to take a small break.

"Man, this is taking a lot longer than I thought it would," Ash said. "We may be here for a few days."

"Well we'd probably be further along if I had been leading," Misty said.

"Yes, yes. You made your point already," Ash replied, rubbing the large bump on his head.

"Well if you had just agreed with me in the first place that wouldn't have happened," Misty replied.

"You know, after all this time I thought you would have lost that aggressive streak of yours," Ash said.

"And I thought you'd be less stubborn and better at finding your way," Misty replied. "Looks like we were both wrong." The two trainers glared at each other. Then, after a few seconds, they both burst out laughing.

"Oh man, how long has it been since we've had one of those," Ash said.

"Seems like forever," Misty replied. "That was strangely fun."

"Now that we know we don't mean any of those things it does seem kind of fun," Ash said. As they sat there Ash began to think about what awaited him at the Sinnoh Championships.

"Hey Mist. What kinds of trainers do you think will be there?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Misty replied. "We both know they're all going to be the best of the best. It's not going to be easy to win."

"But that's just what I plan to do," Ash said. "No matter what I'm winning. After all the work my Pokémon put in they deserve nothing less than to win."

"So do you," Misty said. "You've put in just as much work as they have. You deserve it just as much." Ash reached over and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. Misty responded by moving her arms around his neck.

"Thanks, Mist," he said.

"I'm only speaking the truth," she said. Misty's truthful words were rewarded with a kiss. When they finally separated they both felt completely rejuvenated.

"Well, I'm ready to get moving," Ash said. "What about the rest of you?"

"I've definitely got energy to spare," Misty said. Pikachu and Elektra joined their trainers, taking their usual spots on their shoulders.

"Alright. Let's get moving!" Ash announced.

"So, who's leading this time?" Misty asked, a bit of suspicion in her voice.

"For the sake of my head I think I'll follow you for the rest of the way," Ash replied.

"Good answer," Misty said. The two trainers and their Pokémon got a good laugh out of that before continuing on their trek through Victory Road.


Things went by much faster with Misty leading. They still ran into a few dead-ends, but not as many as when Ash was leading. Finally, weeks after leaving Sunyshore City, they found themselves standing in front of Sinnoh's League Castle. If it was impressive looking when Ash and Misty saw it through the binoculars back in Sunyshore it was even more so now that they were standing in front of it.

"It's much bigger than I thought it would be," Misty said.

"You got that right," Ash said. "Just think, the best trainer in all of Sinnoh are beyond here."

"And you're going to join them," Misty said. Ash looked at Misty and took her hand in his.

"Let's go," he said. She gave him a quick nod before the two walked up to the entrance. The doors opened, granting them passage inside. Once inside they walked up to the receptionist desk, where a lady greeted them.

"Hello, and welcome to League Castle," she said. "How may I help you?"

"I'm here to register for the Sinnoh Championships," Ash replied.

"Of course. I'll need to see your Pokédex and the eight badges required for participation," she said. Ash handed her his Pokédex and the case containing all eight of his badges.

"Thank you. This will only take a minute," she said. She inserted his Pokédex into a slot on her computer and then proceeded to scan the badges. Once that was done she removed the Pokédex from the slot and handed it and the badges back to Ash. She also handed him a small card.

"Everything checks out," she said. "You have been registered as Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. That card I gave you will give you and your girlfriend full access to all of the trainer facilities here at the Sinnoh League."

"We're not..." Before they finished Ash and Misty paused and looked at each other. Seconds later they were laughing. The receptionist looked at them.

"Did I say something funny?" she asked.

"It's not that. Years ago whenever someone told us that we'd do our best to deny it," Ash replied through his laughter. "I guess we haven't completely broken the habit yet." Now that she understood the receptionist smiled.

"In any case I suggest that you two first head to the residential area and get situated in one of the cabins provided to trainers competing in the Sinnoh Championships," she said. "After that you can come back here and see what bracket you'll be competing in."

"We'll do that," Ash replied. After bidding farewell to the receptionist Ash and Misty left and headed towards the residential area.

"I've finally arrived," Ash said. "It almost seems like a dream."

"This is real. Trust me," Misty said.

"I know," Ash replied. "Still, it feels like a dream."

"I just hope this dream doesn't turn into a nightmare," Misty said. Ash took her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze.

"I wouldn't worry about that," Ash said. "This dream is going to end with me holding the Sinnoh Championship trophy!"

"Then you'd better keep dreaming because that's the only way that'll ever happen." Ash and Misty both froze. That was a voice they both recognized, and one that filled Ash with anger.

"I was wondering when I'd run into you..." he said, turning to face the origin of the voice. He was soon face-to-face with his rival from Sinnoh, a rival he vowed he would defeat when they met in the Sinnoh Championship finals.

"... Paul." The purple-haired trainer simply glared at Ash. His glare was returned by Ash, Misty and their two Pikachu.

"What do you want?" Misty asked. Paul didn't answer her, instead focusing his attention on Ash.

"So you finally got all you Gym badges, huh," he said.

"That's right," Ash replied, "and despite what you may think I'm here to win." Paul wasn't impressed by Ash's enthusiasm. In fact he didn't even acknowledge it.

"As if that's going to happen," he replied. "You just like all the other trainers here... weak."

"What did you say?!" Ash yelled, his anger growing with each word Paul spoke.

"You heard me," Paul replied, still as calm as he was when he first approached them. "I've looked at the trainers here and none of them are in my league. You're no different." Now it was Misty's turn to step up.

"Well if my memory is correct you and Ash are tied," she said.

"What are you talking about?" Paul asked.

"I've kept track of every battle you two have had ever since Ash and I first met you back in Twinleaf Town," Misty said. "You and Ash have each won half the battles you've had against each other. When you met here it'll be the tie-breaker." Paul crossed his arms in front of him, a smirk on his face.

"Providing that your rookie boyfriend actually makes it far enough," he said. Now it was Misty who was losing her temper.

"Ash will make it far enough to face you and then he'll mop the floor with you and your pathetic team!" she yelled.

"Yeah... sure... whatever you say," Paul replied, his calm attitude still persisting. With that he turned and walked away. Misty literally had steam coming out of her ears.

"That Paul makes me so mad!" she said.

"You're not the only one," Ash said. "I can't wait to face him and make him eat his own words."

"Well if anyone can do it, it's you." That was yet another voice Ash and Misty recognized. They turned towards the new voice and saw someone they hadn't seen in a long time.

"Gary! I wasn't expecting to see you here!" Ash said. The two trainers and trainer-turned-researcher greeted each other with hugs.

"It great to see you two again," Gary said. "You're looking as good as ever, Misty."

"Thanks, Gary," she said.

"And I see you're still doing Pallet Town proud on the trainer front, Ash," Gary added. A smile formed on Ash's face.

"What did you expect? With you no longer training Pokémon someone has to keep up the battle," he replied. Misty tapped Ash on top of his head, reminding him to keep his ego in check.

"I know, I know," he said. Right then Gary noticed the two Pikachu with them.

"Hey, who's Pikachu is that?" he asked. "I know that one's yours but I've never seen that other one before." Misty walked over and picked hers up.

"She's mine," Misty said. "Gary, meet Elektra. Elektra, this is Gary. He's a good friend of ours."

"Pi Ka (Hi there)," Elektra said. She held out her paw for a handshake, which Gary gladly accepted.

"She certainly is a cute one," he said, earning a blush from the female Pikachu. "Is she..."

"Yeah, her and Pikachu are inseparable," Ash said. "You won't see one without the other." As if to prove his point Elektra jumped out of Misty's arms and ran over to Pikachu.

"That's Elektra for you," Misty said.

"How did you catch her if you don't mind me asking," Gary asked.

"I don't mind," Misty said. "I didn't really 'catch' her. She came on her own and just decided to join my team."

"What do you mean?" Gary asked.

"Well, we were on our way to Sunyshore City when we passed by a clubhouse for Pikachu," Misty said. "It's safe to say everyone there was absolutely crazy about Ash's Pikachu."

"Some were a little too crazy," Ash added.

"I'll agree with you on that one," Misty said. "Anyway, while we were there Team Rocket showed up and, as usual, demanded we hand over Pikachu. Of course Ash refused. But then they tried to steal all the other Pikachu there and tried to use them as a bargaining chip."

"They don't give up, do they," Gary said "How did it all end?"

"Thankfully they hadn't anticipated Ash calling on his Staraptor," Misty said. "We freed the Pikachu and sent Team Rocket packing. Everyone there was grateful for what we did."

"I bet," Gary said.

"But when we tried to leave one Pikachu kept coming after us," Misty said.

"I take it that Pikachu was Elektra?" Gary asked. Misty nodded.

"She had grown quite attached to Ash's Pikachu in the short time we were there, and Pikachu had become quite smitten with her as well," she said. Pikachu overheard and blushed slightly.

"So you had to catch her in order to leave, right?" Gary asked.

"Not exactly," Ash said. "You see, Misty didn't have any room in her team for another Pokémon. If she caught Elektra right then and there she would have been sent back to Professor Oak's ranch."

"So we had to wait until I could send one of my other Pokémon back before I caught her," Misty said.

"But what stopped anyone else from coming and catching her?" Gary asked.

"You really need to ask?" Ash said. He pointed to Pikachu, who flexed his muscles and let a few sparks from his cheeks. Elektra held on to his paw.

"I see what you mean," Gary said, laughing slightly. "By the way Gramps told me what happened to you, Misty. I had no idea." Misty knew he was talking about her finding out she wasn't a Waterflower.

"Neither did I," she replied. "Finding out the way I did really shocked me. If Ash hadn't come I don't know what would have happened." Ash held her hand.

"Let's not think about that," he said. Misty looked at him and smiled. Once again he was right. There was no need to focus on what might have been.

"By the way how's your researching coming?" Ash asked.

"It's coming along great," Gary replied. "You won't believe some of the discoveries I've made."

"That's great," Ash said. "Once Misty and I get settled in you'll have to tell us about them."

"I will," Gary said. "By the way, who was that I saw you talking with earlier?" Ash's face immediately went into a frown.

"That was Paul, my new rival," he replied.

"New rival? You're looking for a replacement for me already?" Gary asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"He can't hold a candle to you," Ash said. "I'd take you over him any day of the week."

"He doesn't seem like a very friendly person to me," Gary said.

"He's not," Misty said. "He takes every chance he gets to try and break Ash's spirit."

"But he's not going to! I won't let him!" Ash replied, determination on his face and in his voice.

"Now there's the Ash I remember," Gary said. "Just keep that in mind and there won't be a trainer here that can stop you."

"You bet!" Ash replied.

"Ash! Misty!" Once again someone called out to them, and once again the voice was recognizable. Moments later a girl with dark blue hair approached them.

"I was wondering when you two would show up," she said.

"Dawn? What are you doing here?" Ash asked.

"Why I'm here to cheer you on of course," she replied. "It's the least I could do after you and Misty supported me at the Grand Festival."

"Another friend of yours?" Gary asked.

"You could say that," Ash said. That's when Dawn noticed Gary.

"Hey Ash, who's your friend here?" she asked.

"This is Gary," Ash said. "He and I go way back. Gary, this is Dawn. She's a Pokémon coordinator from Twinleaf Town."

"Nice to meet you," Dawn said as she and Gary shook hands. "So are you here to compete as well?"

"No, I'm not a trainer. At least not anymore," Gary said.

"Not anymore? You mean you used to be a trainer?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah," Gary replied. "Back in the good old days Ash and I were serious rivals."

"I'll say we were," Ash said. "Back then the only thing on our minds was outdoing each other."

"But all that came to ahead at the Johto Silver Conference," Gary said. "I still can't believe your Charizard beat my Blastoise."

"Well Charizard did get some special training while he was staying in the Charisific Valley," Ash said. While the three of them talked Misty kept her eyes on Dawn. While Ash saw her as nothing more than a friend Misty saw her as a rival for Ash. She knew that Dawn had developed feelings for him. After all the girl did little to try and hide them, or if she did she didn't do a good job of it. Misty was sure that Dawn would try something, and she would have to keep on her toes to make sure it didn't work.

"So I guess I'll be seeing you guys later then," Dawn said.

"Yeah, later," Ash said. Dawn started walking away, stopping to wave back to them.

"It was great seeing you guys again, and nice meeting you, Gary!" she said. Ash, Misty and Gary waved back. As soon as she was gone Gary started to leave as well.

"I should let you two go get settled in," he said. "We'll talk later on today."

"Sounds good to me," Ash said. He and Misty bid farewell to Gary before setting off to find a cabin to stay in. Ash and Misty's arrival at the Sinnoh Championships so far had been filled with surprises, both pleasant and otherwise. And this was only the first day.


Ash and Misty's first day at the Sinnoh Championships was filled with tense moments, and the tournament itself hadn't even started yet. With rivals both new and old showing up what will happen next? Find out in the next chapter of Sinnoh League: Trials of the Heart!

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