Chapter 7 The School Tournament
Somewhere in the world, Delia Ketchum, Ash's mother, is lying on a bed inside of a place that seems to be a gym.
?: Delia! Please wake up.
The man is by her side as he is trying to wake her up. After calling so many times, Delia manages to open her eyes, much to his relief
?: Delia, are you alright?
Delia's vision starts to become clear and she sees a person in front of her. It is a man with raven hair and he has a beard, he is also wearing black clothes and there is a Greninja that is beside him. Seeing Delia waking up, he shows a relieved smile. Delia gasps as she recognizes the person in front of her, and tears are coming out of her eyes.
Delia: Adam, is that you?
Adam gives her an assuring smile and he nods. Delia then forces herself up to hug the man she loved, she can't believe it, after separating for so many years, she finally gets to see him again.
Delia: Please tell me it is a dream. I thought I won't be able to see you again...
Adam: (Frowns) I am sorry, ever since the Crystal is in my hands, you and Ash have to leave the Torren Region...
After the hug, she looks at the mirror and finds that the sky is black with visions that are about Ash's journey.
Delia: Adam, where exactly are we?
Adam: We are not in the world we live in, you can say we are in the dream realm, a place that is accessed from within Ash's subconscious.
Delia: (Widens her eyes in horror) Ash's subconscious? Does that mean those visions in the sky are Ash's memories? Just how did we get here in the first place?
Adam: As you know, I was the Augur of the Torren Region, my job is to defeat the cults that are terrorizing the region. I may have defeated half of them, but...(Hesitating) The Sky Cult and the Cult of Darkrai, I wanted to protect Nora from them, but I was captured.
Delia: Nora? Speaking of her, how is she? Is she safe?
Adam: She is protected by Celebi, so she is fine. But after I was captured, I also saw you guys there as well. Then Persephone, the leader of the Darkrai Cult, uses us to perform rituals to summon Darkrai, and as we become the sacrifice, we are here.
Delia: The Cult of Darkrai? Speaking of them, they are the ones that kidnapped us.
Delia then talks to Adam about her son's betrayal, and they manage to find a memory in the sky that is related to what has actually happened.
Adam: (Frowns) I know something is fishy about Professor Oak. But how can he do that to our son?
Delia: I don't know. But before I can tell Ash about the Timeless, we were kidnapped. But if Ash isn't here...then...
Adam: Ash is still in the real world. Persephone wants to use Dream Eater to kill us, but if we are still here, that means that Ash has escaped.
Adam notices a memory about how Lillie and Gladion saved Ash and they escape the base, much to their relief.
Delia: I hope he will be fine... he is already in pain and I don't want him to suffer because of us...
Back in Midna Town, Ash, Lillie, Nora, Gladion, and Emily are back to the Pokemon Trainers' school. The students are being a little impatient until they notice their return.
Teacher: There you are, Nora. We are so worried about you.
Nora: (Sheepishly) I am sorry, I forgot about the tournament... Besides, teacher. This is Ash, he is my long-lost brother.
Both the students and the teacher are shocked, as they don't know that the strongest battler in the class has a sibling.
Damian: Seriously? Nora is related to you?
Ash: It is not a good story to be honest, because of my Dad's duties, our family has to split up and I went to Kanto along with my mother while Nora stayed with Dad.
Teacher: Hey, Ash, right? Thank you for finding Nora for us! Now that everyone is here, we can finally get started with this tournament! Everyone is waiting!
Ash: Well, I want to sit this one out. Lillie, why don't you join this one instead of me?
Lillie: Are you sure? I only have two Pokemon...
Gladion: It will be fine. We have faced in the league before and I know where your strength is.
Lillie nods and thanks to her brother, then they all see the teacher going onto the stage.
Teacher: Welcome, students! I hope you're all ready for one of the biggest tournaments we've had yet! We have a new student to participate, Lillie. I think we're all excited to see how well she does. Let's begin! Best of luck to all of you!
Ash notices that there are only 8 students that are participating, Lillie is facing a girl named Kyle. Kyle sends out Riolu first, while Lillie goes with Snowy.
Kyle: What is that? A Delta Ninetales?
Lillie: No, this is the Alolan Ninetales, it is Ice and Fairy type.
Ninetales defeat Riolu with the Dazzling Gleam and then Tyrogue with one hit as well, much to the student's shock.
Kyle: How are you so strong?
Lillie: (Rubs her head) Well, I had been traveling for a year and even participate in the league before...
Teacher: Wow! What an exciting first round! The stadium is getting heated up, and the contestants are on fire!
Nora: (Whispers to Ash) So she is your girlfriend? Brother?
Ash: (Blushes) Why do you think so?
Nora: Because you are cheering for her and back then you are so close to each other.
Ash decides not to answer her while continuing to watch the match.
Teacher: Let's turn our attention back to the scoreboard for the results. It looks like the next match will be between Lillie and Damian. Let the battle begin!
Damian: I guess that I am going to lose here since you are experienced, but I am going to give it all my got.
Lillie this time sends out Delta Charmander, and Damien sends out Corphish. Despite having Bite and Crunch, Charmander uses a lot of Shadow Sneaks and Confuse Ray to win the match, and the same goes with Bulbasaur, though it uses Fairy Wind to give a lot of damage.
Damian: I guess I only have one more left...Luxio...
Damien says as he sends out the Pokemon. Delta Charmander looks tired, but Lillie doesn't give up and then tells him to use Confuse Ray. Luxio hurts the horse with the Spark even if it is confused, but Charmander still holds on and defeats him with the Twister.
Damian: Nice Lillie. You completely shut me down.
Lillie: (Smiles) Thanks.
Teacher: What spectacular matches! These trainers are really giving it all. (After the battle ends with Nora winning) Now let's direct our attention at the scoreboard one final time. The final match of the tournament will be between Lillie and Nora! May the best trainer win!
Nora: Well, even if you have mimicked our family's battle style, I will show you the real one.
Lillie: I will like to see about that.
Nora sends out Trapinch, Lillie sends out Snowy. Trapinch uses Rock Slide to injure Snowy, but even she is at a disadvantage, she defeats the Trapinch with the Normal Moves such as Quick Attack and Ice moves like Icy Wind. Not only that but Nora's Sewaddle is also defeated by Snowy.
Nora: Well, my last Pokemon can win this, go Zubat!
This time the Zubat uses Poison Fang on Snowy, then she faints.
Lillie: I really don't want to show this, but go, Charmander.
As the Charmander appears, Nora knows that it will be hard to defeat a Delta Pokemon.
Nora: You know, ever since your battle against Damian, I want to know where did you get the Delta Pokemon.
Lillie: Damien, Brother, and I got them from Professor Sylvan, The leader of the Perfection Cult asks her to take these Pokemon or else they are going to be left for dead.
Everyone is silent about what they are hearing, as they have interacted with the cult leader before.
Lillie: I could have chosen Eevee, but I don't want this Pokemon to die, so I decide to take this one while Damien and Brother take the other two.
Nora nods and they battle, in the end, a Dragon Breath defeats the Zubat.
Nora: I couldn't win...Is it possible there's a better trainer than me?
Ash: Don't worry, Nora. All you need is to get stronger.
Nora: (Giggles) You really sounded like Dad.
Teacher: What an amazing battle! Both the trainers put up a great fight, but our very own Lillie was the one to come out on top! Congratulations, Lillie! You have certainly earned today's title of "Champion"! That's all we have time for. I hope you enjoyed today's contest. And we hope to see you again soon. (The crowd cheers for Lillie) As usual, a fantastic tournament. It looks like our usual Champion, Nora, has been toppled. Congratulations to our new Champion...Ash! Next time we have a tournament, I guess we all know who to watch out for! Don't forget, everyone. If you studied hard, maybe you'll be able to win the next one! So crack open the books and get down to it!
After the crowd leaves, Lillie, Nora, and Damian are standing in front of the teacher.
Teacher: What a tournament! That battle between Lillie and Nora in the final...Well, I was off my seat with excitement!
Damian: The battle between Lillie and I was pretty good too, right?
Teacher: It was OK. The final was far better.
Damian: (Frowns) Oh...alright.
Teacher: Anyways, Lillie. I'd like to give you this TM as a reward. After all, every tournament Champion deserves a grand prize!
Lillie got a TM for Return, a move that is good for high friendship Pokemon.
Teacher: I hope this encourages you to bond further and become closer to your Pokemon! Here, Nora, for getting second, you can have one too.
Nora: (Takes the TM) Thank you, miss.
Damian: I was third, can I have something too?
Teacher: No. I really was quite impressed with your skill, Lillie. If you're headed west, why not stop in Suntouched City? There's a Gym there, led by a young trainer named Orion. He specializes in Fire and Grass-type Pokemon. If you want to be a strong trainer, getting Gym badges is the key to improving your skills! I highly recommend it!
Nora: That's what I'm doing. Now that I've seen that I'm not the only one who...you know...Nevermind. But I feel more comfortable taking risks and honing my skills. Can I travel with you guys as well?
Ash: Sure, and Damian is also challenging the Gyms as well. So it is a race.
Emily: Good. So Gladion, are you going to battle in the league as well?
Gladion: I could, but I want to rest since I was the Alola League winner.
Lillie: And I'm cheering for Ash.
After they leave, Nora also reminds them that they need to look out for the cultists as well, and they agree.
Here is a new chapter, and Lillie won the school tournament with just two Pokemon. I hope you like this chapter and the next one will be the Ancient Ruins.
Ash's Pokemon:
Delta Pikachu, Delta Pidgeot, Delta Bulbasaur, Delta Charizard, Delta Squirtle, Delta Snorlax, Bayleef, Delta Quilava, Totodile, Donphan, Delta Sceptile, Corphish, Delta Glalie, Delta Torterra, Delta Snivy, Delta Scraggy, Leavanny, Delta Greninja, Delta Goodra, Delta Noivern, Arceus, Eevee, Delta Dwebble
Lillie's Pokemon:
Alolan Ninetales, Mew, Delta Charmander
Gladion's Pokemon:
Silvally, Umbreon, Lycanroc, Zoroark, Necrozma, Delta Squirtle,
Emily's Pokemon:
Marshadow, Gengar, Zoroark
Nora's Pokemon:
Celebi, Trapinch, Zubat, Sewaddle