Chapter 68 Sea Star Speech

After getting inside the Sea Star Shine, they are surprised to see a lot of people there. What surprises the crowd the most is that Agne, the new Champion of Ceolis, is also there. Crolea is a fan of hers, and she is also amazed to see her there.

Crowd: Is that Agne? Our new Champion?

Ivan: Please settle down, everyone, so our guests can speak. Our first speaker will be Brutus, who some of you may remember from the battle tournament earlier. Brutus, the floor is yours.

Brutus: Thank you, Ivan. (Starting his Speech) As Ivan said, some of you may have seen me in the tournament. A few others may know me before then. Peach, Ivan, and Meda certainly do. My name is Brutus, Brutus Ironpool. It's been a long time since I've been here. The last time I was here, the Ceolis League was just being thought of.

Peach: It sure has! It's been so long, I don't remember how long it's been!

Ivan: (Glares at Peach) ...Peach, please don't interrupt our guest. And it's been 537 years.

Peach: (In awe) How do you remember that? It's been so long!

Ivan: I think the memories of important historical events should be preserved as vividly as possible to those who are a part of them...and I use a calendar. In any case, please don't talk over our guest again. We should be giving Brutus our full attention at the moment.

Peach: Right, sorry! I just get carried away sometimes!

Brutus: It's alright. I know how easily excitable you are, Peach, I think everyone here knows. Moving on, I'm here giving this speech because I want to stop running away from the mistakes that I've made in the past. Just so we're all on the same page here… you are all familiar with the Rogues, right?

Ash: I think we might have heard of this in Belinda's place... But it will be better to know more.

Brutus: When people first came to the Ceolis region, most other regions had already been inhabited for a long time. When Ceolis is first discovered, most people came here wanting to explore, or research, or live in the new region they found. But not everybody's intentions were that pure. The Rogues wanted control of the region as soon as people started settling down. They started as a small group, but they managed to smooth talk their way into gaining more followers. They convinced the idealist types they want what's best for everyone, and would turn Ceolis into the most prosperous region. And for "What's in it for me?" types, they promised money, or a position with them, whatever it took to appease them. But they couldn't fool everyone, so there was a large number of people who opposed them. Battles broke out all over the region. The Rogues lost. most of them returned to their home regions. A few stayed to make amends, and they were eventually forgiven. I was in the first wave of people to come to Ceolis. At the time, all I really cared about was battling. It is what I lived for. So when the Rogues paid me to help them in their missions, I wasn't going to turn down their offer. Since you all know about the Rogues, you might know about the one whose name was "erased from history". The one who attacked Aliora City, and was stopped there by Cobalion. But I didn't get the message then. Instead of "Maybe I shouldn't be doing this", my thoughts were closer to "I came to the wrong neighborhood". By the time humans discovered the Sea Star Society, the battle was mostly over. The Rogues were on their last leg. The Guardian saw how intense the battles were getting, and decided to intervene. None of the Rogues could even scratch the Guardian's Pokemon. The leader of the opposition to the rogues was Kayla. After the Sea Stars' civilization was discovered, Kayla wanted to talk to Ceolis about forming a Pokemon League. My job was to go down there with a small team and cause chaos, which we did. But it wasn't a smart move after all. It was a desperate, spiteful move from the Rogue commanders, who knew they were going to lose. I ended up fighting Kayla and Ceolis at the same time. I couldn't have beaten either of them individually, much less two on one. Shortly after that, the Ceolis League was formed. I felt so ashamed of myself I asked for my name to be removed from any mention of events surrounding my involvement with the Rogues. Obviously, the ones who were around at the time would still know, but to anyone born after, I could blend in as a normal citizen. But that's not the closure I want. I want to come clean with what I did, apologize for it, and help to make the region a better place. When I was last here, I didn't care to learn about this wonderful underwater society. I was just here to start trouble. I recently checked out a book from Virima's library about the history of Sea Stars, and got the okay from Ivan to visit. I understand that a group called Team Portal has been a growing problem in Ceolis, and that Peach and Ivan have been preparing should there be an attack here. As my redemption for attacking this place in the past, I'd like to help defend it. Maybe there won't be an attack. Ivan seems confident that Quinn, who attacked the Underwater Hotel, loves this place too much to do anything. But if there is, I'd like to be of help. And to clarify, this has nothing to do with what Peach mentioned me as being "recently appointed" as at the tournament. That's separate from this. I've actually asked for that to be put on hold until we can be confident Team Portal isn't a threat anymore. And that's pretty much all I had to say. Thank you for listening, and I hope you give me a chance.

After a long speech from Brutus, everyone claps at him, even Ash, and the others are doing the same.

Agne: Thank you for such a profound speech, Brutus! I think everyone was expecting me to be the star of the show, but I can't top that. In fact, it made a lot of my speech redundant.

Ivan: (Smiles at the new Champion) Go on anyway, Agne! We're honored to have you here!

Agne: And I'm honored to be here. As the new Champion, I wanted to give this place a visit. Since Ceolis was the first Champion, it felt appropriate to visit his place of origin. I was also going to mention Team Portal, but Brutus covered that already. All I can add is that I wasn't around during that time, but I think we should let Brutus prove that he's changed for the better.

Ivan: Well, that's all. You're welcome to stick around if you have any questions, but if not, you're all dismissed. Thank you for coming here today!

After everyone leaves, the group of six are the only ones that stay.

Crolea: Agne, if it's okay, I wanted to say...I've always wanted to go to space, and hopefully we'll be working together one day! And congratulations on becoming Champion.

Agne: (Smiles) You're Crolea, aren't you? Alumia told me about you when I was battling her. She's really proud of you! She told me about your empath abilities, and your interest in space as well! I also hope you'll be on my team going to space!

Crolea: (Delighted) T-Thanks! Though I supposed after the incident from 2 years ago, it'll be a while before you consider going back...

Agne: Maybe. We're still trying to keep details on that top secret. Crolea, are these your friends?

Crolea: Yes, they are! This is Ash, Lillie, Gladion, Emily, and Delicia! I remember Ash saying that you've already met, though.

Agne: We have. Ash, Emily, how are your league challenges going?

Ash: We're still going at it! We've got 11 badges so far. (Pikachu nods in agreement)

Agne: Then, here's the deal. If Ash or Emily manages to get all the gym badges and defeat me, I'll take you all to Area S1 and we'll try to get this sorted out so we can go to space. How does that sound, Crolea?

Crolea: (Turns to a fangirl tone) THAT SOUNDS AMAZING!

Emily: Now we have another reason to do the League Challenge, Ash.

Agne: And I'll be waiting for you at the Pokemon League. (Leaves the Shrine)

Crolea: (Turns to others) Today sure has been eventful. I'm so happy, I don't even know how to explain it in words!

Peach: If you have to do that, you'll have to battle me too! I'm one of the Elite 4! I use Psychic types! So have you battled Tomas yet? Or did you come here before doing that?

Gladion: We couldn't battle Tomas because he was doing a study, but we would've come here first anyway.

Peach: Cool! That means I can watch! Are you coming, too? Ivan?

Ivan: It'd be dishonest for me to say I wouldn't like to see it. But I have my hands full at the moment. Since Brutus is going to be helping us, I'd like to show him around. But I do have another idea. Before you all go up to Ocean Coast, I was wondering if you'd like a battle, Ash? Watching your tournament battles made me curious how a battle between us would be like.

Ash: Sure. I can battle you.

Ivan: Excellent. I'll let you prepare first, so speak to me whenever you're ready.

Ash: Well, I can battle right now.

Ivan: I know you're a strong trainer, Ash. I've seen it for myself, and I expect even more great things from you in the future. But don't think I'll be an easy opponent, I was a Gym Leader myself once!

Ash: I am not going to hold back as well.

It turns out that Ivan is using a Full Water Team Pokemon, and the first Pokemon is King, his Slowking, Ash goes for Serperior to battle. Serperior uses Attract on Slowking, but it gets hit by the Yawn and falls asleep. Then it is settled as Serperior is the first to wake from its conditions, and it goes for Leaf Storm, finishing the Slowking off.

The second Pokemon is Empoleon named Emperor. Ash decides to switch out for Falinks to battle since Empoleon is a part of Steel Type. Empoleon uses Rain Dance to make the field rain, and it goes for a Surf which almost washes Falinks away, Falinks manages to get back to his feet and goes for the Close Combat, dealing a lot of damage, but when the Focus Blast and Flash Cannon creates the blast, it turns out that both of them fainted at the same time.

The third Pokemon is Toxapex named Guard, Ash goes for Gardevoir.

Crolea: Gardevoir is a good and bad choice...because of its typing..."

Lillie: I know what you mean.

And Gardevoir uses Magical Leaf to deal some damage to Toxapex, but it sets up Toxic Spikes and also the Toxic on Gardevoir, eventually, it is defeated by Venoshock. Ash goes for Toxtricity, since he doesn't want to risk the Toxic Spikes, and the Overdrive knocks out Toxapex in the end.

The fourth Pokemon is Octillery named Army, and Ash decides to continue with Toxtricity. It is capable of using Signal Beam and Ice Beam, but Toxtricity uses Boomburst to deal quite an amount of damage, and eventually, it manages to defeat the Octillery with the Poison Jab.

The fifth Pokemon is Starmie named Crest, and Ash goes for Sceptile, getting the poison from Toxic Spikes. Sceptile uses Leaf Blade, but Starmie goes for Recover to recover its health, and when Sceptile goes for X Scissors, Starmie goes for Psyshock. Both of them are exchanging their powerful attacks, and in the end, Sceptile uses Leaf Storm to knock out Starmie, but it is also knocked out by the Poison.

The final match, much to Ash's surprise, is Pikachu versus Manaphy.

Emily: Manaphy is a Mythical Pokemon...how is Ash going to beat it?

Gladion: He can do it, his Pikachu is strong, and he can win.

Ash has Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on the Pokemon, but the Rain and Surf combo is washing Pikachu into the pool of water, and it has been struggling. But Ash has Pikachu uses Volt Tackle, running on the water and creating the hurricane, and eventually, Manaphy is defeated by the attack.

Ivan: Thank you for the spectacular battle! (Recalls Manaphy and claps his hands) Excellent, just like your tournament battles. I suppose you'll all be going up with Peach now?

Emily: Actually, there is something I wanted to ask...it's been on my mind for a while. From what I heard, no one knows where Ceolis is today. How does he just disappear like that?

Ivan: (Sighs) I wish I knew. As you've probably heard, he resigned as Champion because he wanted to travel to other regions and raise a family. Something we don't often tell people is that he actually did come back after that, and stayed here for a while. After some time, he said there was somewhere else he was going, but that this time it wasn't another region. Then he put me in charge here.

Ash: Not another region...So he could still be in Ceolis?

Ivan: It's possible. The door of the back of this shrine leads to a garden, and beyond the garden is what we called the "Soap Room". Only Ceolis, his wife, Peach, Meda, and I are allowed access. My first thought was to check there, but I didn't find him. But instead of worrying about all that, don't you have a gym battle to prepare for? Who knows, maybe you'll end up meeting Ceolis in your travels!

Emily: That will be awesome! I guess we should be heading up now. We'll be sure to visit again!

Ivan: I'm looking forward to it! Good luck with everything!

After that, when they are about to leave, Ivan accidentally notices the star-shaped mark on the back of Ash's neck.

Ivan: That Star Shaped Mark...could he be...I wonder...

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, Brutus has talked about himself in the past, and Ash and Ivan have a battle. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be wrapping things up before heading to the gym.

Normal: Fearow, Meowth, Tauros, Snorlax x2, Miltank, Blissey, Zangoose, Castform, Lopunny, Porygon-Z, Stoutland, Audino, Bouffalant, Furfrou, Toucannon, Silvally, Dubwool, Obstagoon, Smeargle, Ditto

Fighting: Poliwrath, Machamp, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Heracross, Hitmontop, Hariyama, Medicham, Lucario, ?, Conkeldurr, Scrafty, Mienshao, Pangoro, Hawlucha, Bewear, Sirfetch'd, Falinks

Flying: Pidgeot, Dodrio, Noctowl, Xatu, Skarmory, Swellow, ?, Staraptor, Honchkrow, Gliscor, Unfezant, Swanna, Braviary, Talonflame, Oricorio, ?, Corviknight, Cramorant

Poison: Beedrill, ?, Tentacruel, Muk, ?, Crobat, Qwilfish, Dustox, Swalot, Seviper, Skuntank, ?, Scolipede, Garbodor, ?, ?, Toxapex, Naganadel

Ground: Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Quagsire, Donphan, Swampert, Camerupt, Claydol, Torterra, Gastrodon, Mamoswine, Excadrill, Krookodile, Golurk, Diggersby, Mudsdale, Palossand, Sandaconda, Runerigus

Rock: Golem (A), Kabutops, Aerodactyl, Sudowoodo, Shuckle, Tyranitar, Cradily, Relicanth, Bastiodon, Rhyperior, Gigalith, Archeops, Barbaracle, Aurorus, Carbink, Lycanroc, ?, Stonjourner

Bug: Butterfree, Venomoth, Pinsir, Ariados, Scizor, Ninjask, Volbeat, Illumise, Armaldo, Vespiquen, Yanmega, Leavanny, Crustle, Accelgor, Vivillon, Araquanid, Golisopod, Frosmoth

Ghost: Gengar, Marowak (A), Shedinja, Sableye, Banette, Drifblim, Mismagius, Dusknoir, Cofagrigus, Jellicent, Chandelure, Trevenant, Gourgeist, Decidueye x2, Mimikyu, Dhelmise, Polteageist, Cursola

Steel: Sandslash (A), Dugtrio (A), Forretress, Steelix, Aggron, Metagross, Empoleon, Magnezone, Escavalier, Ferrothorn, Klinklang, Stunfisk (G), Bisharp, Aegislash, ?, Melmetal, Perrserker, Copperajah

Fire: Charizard, Arcanine, Flareon, Typhlosion x2, Magcargo, Blaziken, Torkoal, Infernape, Magmortar, Emboar x2, Simisear, Darmanitan, Volcarona, Pyroar, Salazzle, ?, Cinderace, Centiskorch

Water: Blastoise x2, Kingler, Gyarados, Feraligatr, Mantine, Ludicolo, Milotic, Gorebyss, Floatzel, Lumineon, Samurott x2, Seismitoad, Greninja x2, Clawitzer, Wishiwashi, Pyukumuku, Inteleon, Drednaw

Grass: Venusaur, Vileplume, Meganium x2, Bellossom, Sceptile x2, Shiftry, Cacturne, Tropius, Roserade, Serperior x2, Lilligant, Sawsbuck, Chesnaught, Gogoat, Shiinotic, Tsareena, ?, Flapple

Electric: Pikachu, Jolteon, Lanturn, Ampharos, Manectric, Plusle, Minun, Luxray, Electivire, Rotom, Zebstrika, Galvantula, Eelektross, Heliolisk, Vikavolt, Togedemaru, Boltund, Toxtricity

Psychic: Alakazam, Slowbro (G), Starmie, Espeon, Wobbuffet, Girafarig, ?, Chimecho, Bronzong, Gallade, Musharna, Gothitelle, Delphox, Meowstic, ?, Bruxish, Orbeetle, Indeedee, Unown

Ice: Ninetales (A), Dewgong, Cloyster, Jynx, Lapras, Delibird, Glalie, Walrein, Abomasnow, Glaceon, Froslass, Vanilluxe, Beartic, Cryogonal, Avalugg, Crabominable, Eiscue, Arctozolt

Dragon: Exeggutor (A), Dragonite, Kingdra, Flygon, Altaria, Garchomp, Haxorus, Druddigon, Zweilous, Tyrantrum, Goodra, Noivern, Drampa, Kommo-o, Appletun, Dracovish, Duraludon, Drakloak

Dark: Raticate (A), Persian (A), Umbreon, Houndoom, Mightyena, Sharpedo, Crawdaunt, Absol, Spiritomb, Weavile, Liepard, Zoroark, Mandibuzz, Malamar, Incineroar x2, Thievul, Grimmsnarl, Morpeko

Fairy: Clefable, ?, Mr. Mime, Azumarill, Granbull, Gardevoir, ?, Togekiss, Whimsicott, Florges, Aromatisse, Slurpuff, Sylveon, Primarina, Ribombee, Comfey, ?, Alcremie

LMU: Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Celesteela, Guzzlord, Stakataka