@Thor94. Historically Duking is very bad with peoples names, to the point people would correct them, and then he'd say another incorrect name, and he registered Ash for the tournament, so he still got it wrong despite what Ash told him. Don't worry, not everyone in Orre will get it wrong, mostly just Duking.
"The Untouchable One? Seriously?!" Ash said cracking up.
They had just finished another Coliseum tournament, and attendance was already way up. If Ash hadn't been the defending champ, he wouldn't have even had a spot.
"Hey if it fits." Duking said with a shrug. "Anyways, our plan worked. So I'll hold up my end of the deal in full. I only ask that while you're here compete in another one or two for the fans."
"Don't worry, I'm not retiring just yet." Ash said with a smirk.
"I might also have an odd job or two if you'd be interested." Duking said.
"Maybe in a couple of days. Ash needs to relax a bit, it's been stressful leading up to lately." Serena said.
"Oh, not a problem." Duking said with a smile. "I'll check on you two tomorrow, I have a friend interested in meeting you two. It will be casual, no need to worry."
"Serena, you didn't need to do that." Ash said.
"Ash, this is just like back in Snowbelle City. You've become hyper focused on one problem." Serena said. "So tomorrow is an inside day. No battles, no looking for a way home, just relaxing. Okay."
"Okay, maybe I do need to relax a bit." Ash complied.
"Good. Trust me, you'll feel much better after tomorrow." Serena said.
That night
"Another!" Ash's voice was heard from outside.
Serena looked out her window to see Ash, Pikachu, and Scraggy training, except it looked like Ash's Pokémon were fighting him?
Outside
"Another!" Ash said, tears rolling down his face.
Pikachu and Scraggy were throwing small pebbles at him, and try as he might, Ash was unable to make a shield to block them.
"I'm broke." Ash said, falling to the ground defeated.
"You wanna talk about what you were doing out there?" Serena asked as Ash came back inside.
"No." Ash muttered.
"Ash, please I can't help if you don't tell me what's wrong." Serena pleaded.
"That's just it! I don't know who can help me with this! My aura powers are gone." Ash said, breaking down again.
"I'm sure we'll find someone, and if not we'll try everything until something works." Serena consoled.
Ash had collapsed in Serena's arms, his exhaustion finally catching up with him.
Serena would have been worried normally, but she had checked on Ash every now and then, and he seemed to be doing fine.
'Knock knock knock'
Serena stepped outside to talk with Duking.
"Hey Duking, is everything okay?" Serena asked.
"I could ask you the same thing, where's Ashley?" Duking asked.
"Still asleep. Is there anything I can help you with?
"Asleep? It's almost noon, is she okay?" Duking said, concern rising.
"Ash is fine, just I think everything that's happened finally caught up. I wish I knew how to help, but apparently this is an aura problem." Serena said.
"I'd have to follow some old leads, but I might be able to get someone who can help." Duking said deep in thought. "That reminds me! My friend will be coming by for dinner, some things happened at his work otherwise he'd be here sooner." Duking said.
"I'll see what I can whip up. Will it just be the four of us?" Serena asked.
"Oh Serena you don't have to." Duking said politely.
"You've done so much for us, I can at least do this, I insist." Serena said.
"Very well, will 7 o'clock work?" Duking asked.
"That'll be fine." Serena said.
Back Inside
"Serena? Were you talking to Duking?" Ash asked, walking into the main area.
"Yeah, he'll be back later." Serena said going through the cabinets. "I need to go out for a bit, will you be okay here on your own?"
"I'm not a little kid Serena." Ash said.
"No, you're just in bad condition right now. I'll be back before you know it." Serena said, heading back out. "Don't do anything too dumb while I'm gone."
"Well Pikachu, what do you wanna do?" Ash asked.
Less than 5 minutes later
"Pikachu use Quick Attack! Scraggy use Focus Blast!"
"Quagsire use Slam! Skiploom use Cotton Spore!"
The two Pokémon collided, Pikachu flying back from the impact. Scraggy's attack flew through the Cotton Spore, sending the fluff flying, before the Skiploom was hit and floated off slightly.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail! Scraggy use Headbutt!"
"Quagsire use Mud Shot! Skiploom use Sleep Powder!"
Pikachu broke through the mud, slamming his tail down on the Quagsire's head. Just as Scraggy was about to hit Skiploom, he fell to the ground asleep.
"Quag." Quagsire whined rubbing his head.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack! Scraggy rerun, come on out Torkoal, and use Flamethrower!"
"Quagsire use Surf! Skiploom use Synthesis.!"
Pikachu and Torkoal were knocked back by the water, as Quagsire landed in front of Pikachu, as Torkoal spewed flames at Skiploom.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail! Torkoal use Body Slam!"
"Quagsire use Slam! Skiploom use Sleep Powder!"
Quagsire hesitated, his previous head injury worrying him, this gave Pikachu the opening to strike down his opponent. Skiploom managed to hit their opponent with Sleep Powder, putting another to sleep. Unfortunately, that didn't keep Torkoal from falling on it.
"Quagsire return! Come on out Slugma use Flamethrower! Skiploom get up!"
"Torkoal wake up! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
Skiploom struggled, unable to get up from beneath Torkoal, while Pikachu and Slumga's attacks pushed back and forth.
"Skiploom use Sunny Day! Slugma use Flamethrower!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack to dodge! Torkoal use Lava Plume!"
The area heated up, as Torkoal woke up. Both fire type's attacks grew in power. Skiploom being knocked out in the process.
"Skiploom return! Slugma use Rock Throw!"
"Pikachu use Iron Tail! Torkoal use Iron Defense!"
Torkoal hid in his shell, as Pikachu ran between the rocks, striking Slugma.
"Slugma use Amnesia!"
"Torkoal use Flamethrower! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
Despite the boosted defense, Slugma went down.
"ASH KETCHUM!" Serena shouted. "What did I say to tell you not to do!"
"In my defense, this wasn't too stupid, just the right amount." Ash defended.
"Inside." Serena said defeated.
"But." Ash tried interrupting.
Serena's face and growl told him not to argue with her right now.
"Ash, we don't know what's going on with your powers. Until we have an idea, we need to take it easy." Serena said.
"So what? I can't battle." Ash said, defeated.
"No, that's not what I mean. We just need to think about how much you're taking on for now." Serena said with a sigh.
"I promise it was just a simple battle, nothing exerting." Ash said. "Anyways did Duking say who he was bringing yet?"
"No, not that we'd know them anyways." Serena said.
Later
"Ashley. Serena. I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine Justy." Duking said.
"It's still just Ash." Ash said, shaking Justy's hand.
"It's wonderful to meet you two." Justy said.
"Well, come on I made spaghetti." Serena said, welcoming them in.
"So Ash, Duking tells me you're quite the trainer in the colloseum." Justy said.
"She's untouchable." Duking gloated.
"Well that may be true for your colloseum, but mine in Phenac is a bit more glamorous and trainers with more specialized training to there." Justy said.
"Ashley's battle style fits more of the free form energy of Pyrite though." Duking responded.
"How about you let me decide." Ash said annoyed.
"If you would like, I'll try the Phenac City colloseum some time while we're here, my style may be a bit more free form, but I don't think that will hinder me." Ash said
"Very well, I'll make the necessary arrangements when I return. I hope to see you soon." Justy said.