"So, we'll be heading out now?" Sabrina asked.

Ash nodded. "I want to get everything set up before the bigger waves of people come in. We're even pushing it in that regard with how big tourism is in Alola, but it's better that my Pokemon were able to train here beforehand."

"Alright. Whose coming anyways?"

Ash thought for a moment. "All my Pokemon, save for the ones who have roles somewhere. Most of them only want to be called over either near the later rounds or not at all. Aside from that, my mom and Ashley are coming with us. As for the rest of the team, I texted all of them, so they should know, but we haven't set up a place to meet. Though we'll probably all meet up anyway, given the fact will all probably be staying at the same place, and we'll probably get called down to there soon enough."

Sabrina nodded. "Do you want to travel by flying or just teleport there? I'm sure Mew could handle it for our group here if all the Pokemon are in their Pokeballs."

"Teleporting sounds good," Ash answered. "I'd rather just get there without anyone seeing me. After all, some of my Pokemon can attract attention."

"And Mew won't?" Sabrina deadpanned

"We can chose a good spot to hide from the crowds if we teleport."

"Speaking of crowds, what are you going to do about your stage name?"

Ash raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Are you just going to wait until you reach the point where you have to drop it or are you going to drop it right away?" Sabrina elaborated.

Ash shrugged. "I'm going to ask the rest of the team that. I've already asked my Pokemon, and they all have different opinions, ranging from drop it right away so everyone can see how strong I am to hiding it until the last moment to avoid everyone. Though they all said they'll be fine with my choice no matter what I chose."

Sabrina nodded. "Alright. Best get everyone together. We'd better get to Alola."


After Ash had informed the others, he let them get ready as he went to one other place within the Tree. It's heart.

Upon reaching the crystal cave, the most important room of the Tree, Ash knelt in front of the largest crystals, two figures frozen within.

"Masters, the time has come for me to leave," Ash said. "When I return, my true name and titles shall be revealed and almost every secret kept will be heard throughout the regions."

A light formed in front of the crystals, manifesting into two spirits.

Sir Aaron and his Lucario.

Aaron smiled at Ash. "That is good to hear. It is best that you no longer have to live in hiding, with numerous masks to protect your face in public."

"Now, you shall no longer need to be Ashura," Lucario added. "Just Ash."

"That is actually something I wish to address with you," Ash noted. "I will not have to reveal my true name until later, but do you believe I should reveal it right away, or even just a little bit before the deadline?"

Aaron pondered for a moment.

"The way I see it, revealing yourself could be both beneficial and detrimental. On one end, the secret is out and a weight is off your shoulder, should you reveal it in advance, along with the fact you are finally recognized for all your good deeds. However, this could also cause trouble, thanks to your former companions, along with anyone else looking for you. When they find out who you are, they still might try to convince you to give up, believing their intentions are pure and not realizing the consequences."

He smiled at his descendant. "Of course, the media might also be looking for you too. They'll do anything to get a good scoop."

Ash grimaced at the thought of reporters hounding him.

"Remember to consider both the pros and cons of every decision," Lucario mused. "It is your choice to make, but know that there are those who will help you find the answer you seek."

Ash bowed. "Thank you, Masters. I wish to make the right choice, so I am seeking out all the help I can get before I make a decision."

Aaron warmly smiled. "Good luck, Ash. Know that Lucario and I are still watching you, even if you cannot see us."

With that, the two disappeared.

Ash sighed as he stay in his spot, trying to calm the rising nervousness building within him.

To think, so many years ago, I would have been bouncing up and down at the chance to prove myself to be the best of the best. Ash thought.

"Troubles?"

Ash turned to the sound of the feminine voice. Standing close to the entrance of the cave was a Lucario staring at him.

"Something wrong, Rota?" Ash asked. (1)

"Not on my end, but clearly something on yours," she said. "I came to see where you were so we could get ready to go."

Ash looked down. Rota moved and knelt next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just… I feel nervous about this," Ash explained. "And… indifferent, kinda? It's hard to explain. I mean, I would have been super excited when I was younger to be invited to such a tournament. And even after the whole betrayal issue I would be ecstatic for revenge. But now I don't feel the need for any of it. I don't feel the need to take revenge, I've given up on those ideals long ago." (2)

Rota smirked and pounded her fists together. "And because everyone else will be getting your revenge for you."

Ash snorted. "Yes, and that. Yet, I don't feel any sort of over the top excitement. Maybe because I know these battles don't truly demonstrate my Pokemon's true strength? Maybe because I know there is danger lurking in the shadows?" (3)

"Don't worry too much," Rota told her trainer. "Remember, you have people and Pokemon who are with you every step of the way, who have brought you out of the brink of despair and anger. Who have helped you build who you are today. We're always here for you, Ash."

Ash smiled. "Thanks."

He stood. "Now, let's get going. We can't keep the others waiting."


In Alola, several ships arrived at the port of Melemele Island. Once they docked, hundreds of people came swarming out, ready to explore the island.

After a few minutes, the cluster of people thinned out, leaving only a few groups behind.

"Are you sure we should be on this island, Brock? The invite said the tournament was on Ula'Ula island. They said we were docking at Melemele."

Within a single pair was a girl with red hair next to a man with spiky hair and squinty eyes. The man was currently nose deep in a guide book.

"I'm sure, Misty," the man, Brock, told his companion. "It's the tournament and showcases on Ula'Ula, but there are more hotels on Melemele, so they placed the competitor residence here."

"But how are we supposed to get to the tournament?" Misty whined. "What if we're running late and it takes too long to cross the ocean?"

"Actually, they have a different way of getting across the ocean as opposed to Pokemon and boats. It's something called the Pory-Trails. They apparently are super quick cars that travel around in between islands."

Misty scoffed. "I highly doubt they have something like that. Just make sure we aren't late for the tournament."

Brock rolled his eyes (not that it could be seen). "Sure, sure. I'll make sure your not late in meeting your boyfriend."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Brock regretted it.

"Misty, I'm sor-"

He cut himself off at the girl, who was now looking down at the ground, eyes full of tears. But they held more, unbridled fury and sorrow.

"Just. Don't," Misty choked out.

She started walking again, passing by Brock, who could faintly hear her say something along the lines of "Stupid, dead idiot," and "Shoulda listened to us."

Brock shook his head, but his mood had also grown somber. He followed after his companion, giving her some space.

"Hey you two!"

The voice broke the two out of their moodiness.

"Hey, May! Dawn!" Misty called back.

The brunette and bluenette approached the two, stopping right in front of them.

"Glad to see ya," Dawn greeted.

Misty's mood did a 180 at seeing her friends. "It's great to see you, too! It's been too long!"

May grinned at her friend. "Yeah, I wonder if any of the others are here?"

"They're probably on the boats from their respective regions," Brock mused. "How go things with you?"

May sighed. "Alright, for the most part. I'm questioning if I should start dating Drew, but I don't know if I can go through with it. I also can't seem to contact Max, no matter how many times I call."

Dawn, however, was a bit more sad. "I still haven't found Buneary."

Misty, feeling sorry for the coordinator, put a hand over her shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm sure she's out there and waiting for you."

"Yeah! We'll find her!" May encouraged.

Brock just nodded, but his mouth was a thin line covered by the guidebook.

Is she really waiting though? He thought. Buneary wasn't Dawn's strongest Pokemon and she just disappeared. Sure, she was semi-famous for her fashion work, but that's no reason to steal her. And she was rather interested in Pikachu.

His mouth curved down. In fact, all of our Pokemon have been acting strange. A couple other Pokemon have run away from our friends and the ones that stay don't act like we're friends anymore, or at least not on the same level as before. And all of it started after that day…

"Hey, Brock!" Dawn called. "Hurry up or you'll get left behind!"

Brock's head snapped up. The three girls were a distance away. "Oh, coming!"

The group started to walk along, the three girls happily chatting while Brock forgot what made him so somber in the first place.


NOTICE!

If you read this chapter you probably noticed the constant referral to Ash's stage name going away. I'm going to make a poll about when Ash should get rid of his stage name. It will be up for until at the very least two chapters from now give or take, as that is when I am going to properly start the tournament. Please vote so I know what I should do.


(1): Yes, this is the Lucario mentioned from last chapter, along with being the Riolu that could use Aura Sphere in Sinnoh. Why female? I just thought it would be a nice change considering how everyone makes Ash's Lucario male. C'mon people! There has to be female Riolu and Lucario otherwise there wouldn't be any of these Pokemon at all!

(2): Again, revenge isn't as great as media makes it seem. At the same time, not many people have a forgiving Ash, especially not one at the beginning. Hopefully this will give some different perspectives compared to other stories.

(3): When Ash says it doesn't demonstrate their true strength, this is mostly because Pokemon battles have certain rules in place to keep it 'fair', but in an actual fight for your life or something, you ain't gonna care about any rules! And Ash's Pokemon have been fighting pretty rulelessly for several years.


Reviews (Thanks be to the Reviewer):

w00za: Thanks for the support!

Mark Andrew: You got six of the characters right in your line up. And the other woman Ashley was talking to was Ash's actual mom AKA Delia. I don't like it much when people decide to make her against Ash as she always seems supportive of him in the show. Also, Sabrina is not Ash's girlfriend, I'm sorry, but I see them as siblings more than anything, given the fact that I've seen Sabrina listed as 21 (which would be when Ash is 10).

Western-Otaku: You have only one wrong (and I think you know which one) in your character line up. And, yeah, part of the reason I felt like doing this was to make an Ash betrayed story that doesn't completely destroy Ash and his friends' relationship because their characters decide to do a 180, no matter how much I enjoy seeing a deserving character getting bashed. I don't think there is many stories when Ash gets betrayed due to misunderstanding of the whole Chosen One thing. I find that a little more reasonable, which is also why Ash can give the others the benefit of the doubt.

animegamefanatic: Well, you'll probably be seeing who the new companions are next chapter.


Sorry it took me so long on this chapter, consider it a late Christmas gift. My uploading computer has been being a pain with connecting to the internet and the screen going out sometimes. Along with that I've also had some issues in school. Either way, I hope you enjoyed. The next chapter will feature Ash's team and some of their secrets before the tournament starts. If you have any ideas or comments, let me know in the reviews. Anything to add, Ash?

Ash: *Playing video games* Don't make me into an edge lord or emo teen.

To all my Readers, Watchers, and Reviewers, Stay Golden!