Chapter 3
Ash read the letter aloud.
Dear Champion Red and Top Coordinator Yellow,
This is to inform you that the sixth edition of the tournament named Masters' Victory Tournament that takes place every ten years is going to be conducted this year. The winner of this tournament is given the title of "The Pokemon Master". Any trainer who has ever reached the finals of a Regional Championship Tournament, a Pokemon Grand Festival, a Pokemon Masterclass Showcase, or conquered the Battle Frontier of any region is eligible to participate in this competition. Apart from that, current and previous Gym Leaders, Frontier Brains, Elite Four members and Champions can take part in this tournament. The tournament will start on the first of the April at the Conference Stadium in Silver Town, located at the base of Mt. Silver. Since you fulfill at least one of the criteria, you are eligible and are requested to take part in the tournament. Last date of registration is thirty-first of March. Looking forward to your participation.
With regards,
Charles Goodshow
President, Pokemon League
He found another small piece of paper in the envelope. He read the paper silently first and then aloud.
Dear Ash and Serena
Actually, I sent the letter to you people. At least you could let me know where you decide to head. It is so tough to track you especially with the arrangements for the tournament going on. I really hope to see you both at the tournament. To add to your motivation, I want to inform you that most of your 'old friends' have been invited to participate in the tournament and possibly the others are going to turn up too in order to support them.
See you soon Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum. Goodbye for now my friends.
Scott
He and Serena looked at each other laughing at the Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum reference. All the pokemon smiled and stared enthusiastically as Ash read the letter.
"Well, what do you know; we only have got ten days to get ready." Ash announced grinning. All his and Serena's Pokemon roared. Serena knew what the world was just about to witness. Meowth just smiled. It was time for Ash Ketchum to return.
Meowth flashback
Ash and Serena had been walking for almost two hours now after fleeing from Pallet town and they had now reached the water route that led to Cinnabar Island. They had decided to fly on Charizard and Staraptor to reach Cinnabar Island and then decide their next destination. Ash was almost certain that someone was following them, but every time he looked back, he could not find anyone. After sometime, they decided it was time they took a break. Feeling it was the right time, he released all of his Pokemon, so did Serena and they told them what had happened a couple of hours ago. His Pokemon were so furious that they wanted to tear everyone apart but Ash calmed them down saying that their time would come and they will take revenge. All of them were relaxing when suddenly Pikachu heard something and used thunderbolt on the nearby bush. Out came a screaming Meowth who was immediately surrounded by all of Ash's Pokemon.
"Meowth! So you have come to steal our Pokemon yet again!" Ash said coldly. It would be an understatement to say that Meowth was intimidated.
"No no I am all alone. I wanted to confess something but I don't know how to tell you," exclaimed Meowth.
"Why should I listen to a criminal scum like you? You have given me nothing but pain in life. First, you try to steal my Pokemon, try to hurt my friends and me and then you kill my mother. Tell me why should I not ask my Pokemon to give you the treatment you deserve?"
"I know I deserve all the pain you want to give me and much more but trust me I am the only one who can tell you truth about your mother's death and every details of Team Rocket if you want to take revenge on them. At least give me a chance to confront; after that you can do whatever you want to do with me."
"Talk." Said Ash coldly without an expression.
"You know that we have been trailing you for a long time now. When I joined Team Rocket, I was partnered with Jessie and James. We had a few good missions, successful Pokemon captures but then you jeopardised the Viridian City Pokemon capture mission. After that, you created hindrance in our path a couple of times. Therefore, boss, I mean Giovanni gave us a new mission to follow you, report your activities and keep you out of Team Rocket's way. Nevertheless, you kept on causing problems for Team Rocket. However, when you defeated Team Aqua, Magma, Galactic and Plasma, we took credit for that and Giovanni promoted us but when you affected our Unova mission, he was furious with us. If we did not terminate you, then he would kill us; that is what boss said. However, I convinced Jessie and James to follow you and not do anything unless you create any problem. Then in Kalos, you destroyed Team Flare. It seems Giovanni had invested a lot in Lysandre labs and that incident just sent him over the edge. He ordered us to terminate you as soon as possible but somehow I convinced him not to kill you but to hurt you by stealing your Pokemon at the professor's lab. Jessie and James gave the idea of burning your house and your mother, as that would cause you to break down. I was shocked and did not want to be a part of it; so, he fired me from Team Rocket and asked his staff to terminate me. But Jessie and James somehow convinced him to spare my life. I was let off with the warning that if I gave any information to anyone outside, then the organisation would kill me. However, after troubling you for so many years, my conscience told me to warn you about the upcoming attack on your house. I had to do it discreetly though without Team Rocket's knowledge. I tried my best to inform you about what was going to happen but it seems you had left the Viridian Pokemon Center early. When I caught up with you, it was already too late. Jessie and James were promoted to the headquarters after this incident and asked me if I wanted to come back but I have already done enough evil deeds for a lifetime. I decided to never join Team Rocket and was trying to get a chance to confess this to you. Then your friends betrayed you, which even I had never thought in my dreams. You are a good strong trainer twerp, I mean Ash and I know you want your revenge. I am here asking for a chance at redemption. I want to help you get to Team Rocket. I know every detail about every facility of the organisation. Added to that I can help you get stronger in many ways, I can be you communicator, also I happen to know that you are an aura user, a very powerful one indeed. You just need to learn how to use it and the best Pokemon to teach you is the Riolu of the Lucario Kingdom who has aura much similar to you. You can train yourself and your Pokemon before you decide to take on Team Rocket and I am here to help you all along." Meowth said. Everybody's anger was replaced by surprise after Meowth's confession.
"What if it is a scheme of yours? What if you betray us?" Asked Ash.
"I am somewhat responsible for your mother and I feel guilty about that. I can understand your pain, the feeling of losing someone you love the most. I have had my fair share of pain and loss in my life. That pain made me lose my track and join Team Rocket. After all the evil I have done, I want to do some good and live the rest of my life peacefully. I just want to help you that is all. Will you give me a chance?" Meowth replied. Everyone was now staring at Ash looking forward to his reply.
Finally he said, "Fine you can come with us but if I feel that you have any intention other that what you have just stated, then…."
"Then you can ask Pikachu to fry me with his thunderbolt or Charizard with his flamethrower," completed Meowth.
"Well then let us get going. We have to reach Cinnabar Island before it gets dark," said Ash after thinking for a moment. No one said anything else.
Ash and Serena recalled all their pokemon except Charizard, Staraptor and Talonflame. Ash and Pikachu climbed on Charizard who led the way followed by Meowth on Talonflame and Serena on Staraptor respectively.
Flashback ends
Next morning everyone started special training. All the Pokemon were training to defend themselves against the attacks they were weak. Ash was giving tips to everyone how to counter those attacks. After a long morning session, everyone had lunch and then it was time for some special training for Ash with Mewtwo. Ash used his aura to dodge and shield against Mewtwo's psychic type moves and attacked him with his own aura sphere and multiple punches. After training with Mewtwo for an hour or so, Ash went to train with Serena. For the past seven years, Ash had been training Serena along with himself to make her stronger so that she would be able to defend herself in time of need. Every person has a different aura and thus, she had trained very hard to make use of hers. However, it was not even close to Ash's, but it was still useful for communicating with Ash and their Pokemon. They both used their aura to change their facial appearance when they were in any public place so that no one recognises them. They had trained to battle by giving commands to their Pokemon through their aura and with time, they mastered it.
It was evening now and all their Pokemon were taking rest after a hard day's work. Ash, Serena and Lucario as usual were in their meditation session. Every morning before and every evening after practice, they used to meditate in order to make their aura stronger and control it. Lucario and Ash had a very special bond given the fact that Riolu was his first Pokemon after the betrayal.
