Ash walked along the now dark streets, illuminated mainly by the street lamps and any lit windows. As he continued further along, he became aware of an argument. Taking place, and slowly walked toward the noise, keeping out of sight.
"I'm telling you! He's a criminal! Pokémon abuse!"
"They were only allegations, there was no real evidence to support the claims, even if Oak was the one who filed them."
"We have eyewitness accounts from multiple people!"
"Accounts can be biased Cynthia. Besides, I thought you were Ash's friend."
"I was until I discovered he was a Pokémon abuser!"
"Believe in what you want Cynthia, but for the love of Arceus, stop calling me, I only have so many minutes on my service plan." Seconds later, Diantha appeared from where the voices were coming from. She caught sight of Ash, gave him a shrug, and continued on her way. Ash cocked an eyebrow, and Cynthia's voice came again.
"What are you staring at?"
"Huh? I just got here." Ash frowned, recognising Karen's voice. What was Cynthia up to?
"It's rude to eavesdrop you know!" The Sinnoh Champion snapped.
"I wasn't eavesdropping. I told you, I just got here!"
"... Sorry kid, I've had a bad day." Cynthia appeared to apologize. "Actually, can I ask you a favor? I've seen you with Ash Ketchum's daughter, right? Do you think you could-"
"Hey!" Ash snapped, making himself known. Cynthia spun around, surprised. "Do not go around harassing my daughter's friends! If you have a problem, take it up with me!" Cynthia frowned.
"Ash, I used to think you were a wonderful Pokémon trainer!" Cynthia snapped. "Then I get reports of you being a Pokémon abuser!?"
"Those reports are false, nothing but lies."
"Why would Professor Oak lie about this kind of stuff?"
"For his own benefit." Ash frowned. "You know Cynthia, I used to idolize Champions like you, I used to think you were one of the best Champions, but then I challenged the Platinum League, and I realized something." Cynthia looked at him oddly. "You, Cynthia, are nothing compared to the Glacies Region. Here, you're no more then a common trainer." He struck a chord. He could see it in her face just how offended she was.
"How DARE you!?" She released her Garchomp and Lucario out onto the field. Ash turned to Karen.
"Get back." Karen did as she was told and wheeled herself back away. Ash pulled out a set of pokeballs, opening them both. Out of one came Greninja, battle ready as always. From the other came Tapu Koko, his shell sparking with electricity.
"Dragon Claw and Aura Sphere!" Cynthia shrieked, enraged. Her Pokémon responded in kind, Garchomp rushing at Greninja and Lucario launching a sphere of energy at Koko.
"Steel Wing." Koko's shell glowed a metallic color as he swung one half at the Aura Sphere, sending it straight back at a surprised Lucario, nailing the Aura Pokémon in the stomach while Greninja leapt over Garchomp, taking on a veil of water before transforming. "Water Shuriken." The veil turned into a giant shuriken, which Greninja hurled at Garchomp, nailing it in the face and knocking her to the ground as a new shuriken appeared on Greninja's back. "Nature's Madness." A pink sphere of energy surrounded Ko as he slammed into Lucario from behind.
"Metal Claw!" Cynthia hissed. Lucario's paws took on a metallic glow as it swiped at Koko, only for the Land Spirit Pokémon to grab Lucario's claw.
"Discharge!" Koko, let loose a barrage of electricity, electrocuting Lucario into next week. "Water Shuriken!" Greninja hurled another shuriken at Garchomp, once again nailing her in the face. When all the dust settled, Garchomp and Lucario were clearly not conscious. "Hmph. I think we're done here." Ash said, recalling the two pokemon and walking away. He stopped when he heard the sound of a Pokeball opening, ten another, accompanied by a heavy thud. Ash turned to see Cynthia's Milotic, its' tail aimed at Ash, in the grasp of a Kommo-o.
"Use Brutal Swing!" Karen commanded. Kommo-o responded by swinging a now screaming Milotic around in the air, before letting go, sending the water type flying into a group of trees. Cynthia scoffed before running off to find her Milotic.
Bonnie walked around the city square, Dedenne sleeping on her head, and Squishy and Z2 in her bag. She stopped when she noticed a young girl. She looked to be about eleven, with black hair reaching down to her knees, with small, upward spikes of hair running down the sides of her hair, and a white streak running down the length. She had silver eyes, a white coat, and black snow pan and boots. She looked very annoyed. Bonnie smiled, bending down. "Belle, is that you sweetie?" Belle made a noise of annoyance.
"Don't call me that, and don't talk to me like that. I'm not a baby."
"What are you doing all the way out here anyway?"
"My mom said I have to stay with my idiot uncle for a while."
"Will you stop calling me that?" Ruvic said as he joined the scene. "And stop running off!"
"Why should I? You're my idiot uncle. And no, I have Pokémon, I can take care of myself."
"Well, your mom wanted me to watch over you, and we both know how her temper can get." Belle remained silent for a moment, before opening a Pokeball and letting out a Bisharp.
'Use Poison Jab." Bisharp responded in kind, jabbing a glowing arm into Ruvic's stomach.
"...That was uncalled for..." Ruvic whined, before falling to the ground in pain. Belle recalled her Bisharp and walked away.
Ash sighed as the elevator opened, showing him something he wasn't expecting. Ruby was there, the contest having ended an hour ago. Charizard was slumped against the couch, unconscious, and Gliscor was cowering behind Ruby.
"...He started it." The albino responded.