Chapter 9 Suntouched City

In the Cyan Cavern, Ash and the group decide to take a rest.

Nora: You know, I still think that it is quite absurd that those guys betray you just for the fact that you lost to Gladion in the Alola League...

Ash: (Sighs) To tell you the truth. The Alola League is my seventh attempt at taking on the League, and it is also the seventh league I have lost.

The others are surprised, as they never knew that Ash has lost seven leagues.

Lillie: You mean, you partook in other leagues before? Why didn't you tell us about it?"

Ash: (Frowns) I just don't want to remember those memories. Every time I lost a league, it is painful for me. But I think I should be honest with you all. (Takes a deep breath) My first League attempt is the Kanto League, and most of the badges are given away instead of earning it through a Gym Battle.

Emily: (Confused) Why did those Gym Leaders do that?

Nora: I think it might have something to do with our mother being the Champion of the Kanto Region.

Ash: Maybe. But regardless, I enter the League, and I advanced until the top 16, where I was forced to forfeit the match and lose. Just because Charizard doesn't want to listen to me.

Gladion: Charizard doesn't want to listen to you? That is something really weird.

Ash: I know, but I don't blame him, since we manage to trust each other after the Orange League. In the Johto League, I was faced with a good rival from the Hoenn Region, Harrison. That battle is very intense as it comes to the last Pokemon, my Charizard against his Blaziken. But he is stronger than I, so he won and I stopped at Top 8.

Nora: A Top 16 and a Top 8, that sounds not bad at all. What happened next?

Ash: The next one is the Hoenn Region, you know, the time when I got accidentally stepped into the mess made by Team Magma and Team Aqua. I entered the Ever Grande Conference. And that is when I met a rival that is similar to Harrison, his name is Tyson. He has a Meowth, a Pokemon he has a strong bond with.

Lillie: A Meowth? Does that mean you lost to a Meowth in that league? I never knew that Meowth can be that strong.

Ash: (Shows a wry smile) We have a lot of misunderstandings because of Team Rocket I see. But as you can see, Meowth and Pikachu are the only ones that are standing, but eventually, he manages to defeat Pikachu in the end, and I am still in the Top 8.

The group continues to frown, it seems that Ash has always stopped at the Top 8.

Ash: I thought that in the Sinnoh Region, it will be better, considering that I decide to use all my past Pokemon on this one. But again...I lost as well.

Emily: How did you lose in Sinnoh? Ash?

Ash: In Top 8, I finally defeat my rival in the Sinnoh Region, but then, there is a person named Tobias that I had to face in the Top Four.

Emily and Nora tense up at the name Tobias, as they know that he is a member of the Timeless as well as the Chosen of Darkrai.

Emily: I think I know him. He is the one that uses a Darkrai, right? I heard that no one can defeat him until one person uses a Sceptile to defeat the Darkrai in the League.

Nora: (Gasps) Wait, don't tell me that person is you.

Ash: (Nods) Just as I thought I defeated his Darkrai, he sends out a Latios next. And in the end, Pikachu and it has a Draw, but he still has four Pokemon standing.

Lillie: I don't think it is right to use a Legendary Pokemon in the League...how are you supposed to beat them.

Gladion: Indeed. I think you should have beat the Sinnoh League with no problem.

Ash: (Nods) In the Unova, I feel like I was falling back. In the Top 8, my opponent only uses 5 Pokemon to defeat all 6 of my Pokemon. Then again, a lot of my Pokemon from the Unova Region didn't evolve into the final form as well. Like Oshawott, Snivy, and Scraggy...

Nora: Then why don't you evolve them?

Ash: They don't want to, that's why. And in the Kalos League, I worked really hard and I managed to get into the finals, where I must face my opponent, Alain.

Nora and Emily are also surprised at the name, they know that Alain is the chosen of Yveltal.

Ash: In fact, I should have won the League if Team Flare didn't interfere.

Lillie: How come?

Ash: When we are giving out our last attacks, both Alain and I saw a Team Flare grunt shot Greninja with the arm, causing the Water Shuriken to fail. But the League staff didn't see it, and I asked Alain to keep it a secret.

Gladion: Why are you helping him? You could have said that the match is a fluke.

Ash: But it takes a lot of time and energy, and I don't feel like doing it again. Besides, Lumiose City is destroyed just after the awarding ceremony by Team Flare, and it should take some time to repair.

Lillie: And we all know about the Alola League. But after listening to all of it, I don't think it is right to betray you just like that.

Emily: Indeed. I think that they just want your Pokemon and saying you are weak is just an excuse. But don't worry, we all stand by your side.

Gladion: Same here, I wouldn't have won the Alola League if it wasn't for you, so there is no way we are like those backstabbers."

Ash is surprised to hear everything and he smiles at them, knowing that they are his true friends.

Ash: Thanks, guys.

After passing through the Cyan Cavern, they finally reach the city that they are heading for, the Suntouched City.

Lillie: (Looks around) So this is the Suntouched City? There seems to be a big highway in the sky...

Emily: Well, there are a lot more buildings on top there. And they are so cool as well.

Ash: (Notices the giant Jaern statue) Is that a statue of the Augur?

Gladion: What do you know, we can see a lot of them around this region. (Reads the sign) Jaren, the second Augur. May his hits are critical and his Focus Blasts never miss."

Emily: It is true that after the loss of the first Augur, people's hearts are easily swayed. (Mutters) But I won't see him as an Augur...

Nora: Did you say something, Emily?

Emily: (Shows an assuring smile) Nothing.

Ash: So if the gym is up in the cloud area, how are we going to get up there?

Nora: We can use these.

They see a spinning fan, as they go in there, they are sprung up into the air and land on top of the highway.

Ash: (Surprised) Woah, what just happened?

Lillie: It looks like we are pushed up into the air.

Nora: Well, if you are going to this city, you will get used to it.

They find a building that seems to be the Broadcast Tower, they go to the counter and find staff member there.

Staff: Hello! Welcome to the Suntouched City Broadcast Tower! It's from here we can broadcast news and information all over the world.

As they climb upstairs, they find the director's office, which is stopped by the guard.

Guard: Hey, you're not allowed back there! This is where the boss of the Broadcast Tower works. You shouldn't disturb him, he's busy. Unless...are you trainers?

Ash: (Nods) Yes, what's the matter?

Guard: The boss is looking for trainers, y'see. We're trying to start a new channel based around Rare Pokemon, but we need a trainer to make it happen. If you are, we can make you a star! It pays well, and you can keep any Pokemon you catch. If you're going on an adventure, it won't interfere with that. It'll be like a side job you can help out with from time to time. Are you willing to help?

Emily: I guess it won't be bad if we help out. (The others nod in agreement)

When they get to the boss' room, the boss is sitting in front of the desk.

Guard: These kids seem to be trainers, boss. They said they're willing to help you out with the new channel."

Boss: Did they now... (Raise eyebrows) What's your name? (Ash and the group introduce themselves) Very well then. I'm going to make you stars! We start filming the pilot episode right away! Let's begin!

Then they ride the helicopter to the woods, and they have two people following them as they are a cameraman and a director.

Lillie: So what are we going to do now?

Director: Here's the deal. You want to be a movie star? A hero? We heard reports of a rare Pokemon in the area- Axew or something.

Nora: An Axew?

Director: To be honest, we couldn't care less. The problem is, we've been through the grass tons of times and we couldn't find any. We've got helicopters everywhere in the area. All you need to do is to use your skills as a trainer to find an Axew and battle it. You can make it faint, capture it, or whatever.

Gladion: Then? That is it? You just need footage of battling an Axew?

Director: And, a tip. I recommend you don't move around too much. Maybe just wait in a certain spot, and look for rustling!

Then the five of them go into the forest with the reporters beside them. Not long after, they see an Axew trying to grab a fruit on the tree.

Director: There it is.

Lillie: Axew looks so cute. (Notices that it wants to grab a fruit) Oh, do you want the fruit?

Axew turns around and sees him. He nods as Ash picks the fruit for the Pokemon. Axew nods happily and eats it.

Lillie: So Axew, I want to ask you a question.

Axew bites a berry, then he hears the human's request and tilts his head.

Lillie: Can I have a battle with you?

Axew thinks for a second, and then he nods.

Emily: Wow, Lillie is really good at this.

Gladion: That is my sister after all.

Director: Now we should start filming. (Cameraman quickly turns on his camera and starts filming)

Then Lillie sends out Snowy, who uses Dazzling Gleam on the Pokemon, but Axew dodges and give it a kick on the face.

Ash: Wow, that Axew really is strong.

Lillie: But Snowy is a Dragon Slayer. She can win it with Icy Wind.

After the move contacts, Axew faints.

Director: We got that on tape! Come back over here!

Lillie rushes to Axew and gives him a Sitrus Berry and some Leppa Berries. And Axew decides to join Lillie since she is so strong.

Director: Nicely done. We never would have found that.

Cameraman: We caught that on the footage. Ash. You were fantastic! Great work! We're going to head back to the base now. Here's your reward, straight from the boss himself!

They gain 2000 dollars as prize money, and they are about to leave the place.

Cameraman: Alright, let's go. Keep an eye on TVs to see if the pilot ever ends up airing. And we'll give you a call on your Pokegear if we need any more help, OK?

But once they are back at the Pokemon Center, Lillie takes the Axew out. It looks at Pikachu and Eevee as it gets a little scared.

Lillie: Axew, don't be afraid, they are my friends and they won't harm you.

Axew waves his paws to others, including Pikachu and Eevee. And Ash is going to prepare for his first Gym Badge.

Now I decide to add the broadcasting side quest into this game as well. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be the Gym Battle. I will only write Ash's but not Nora's. That is if there are double battles. I hope you understand.

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 Scrafty, Leavanny, Delta Greninja, Delta Goodra, Delta Noivern, Arceus, Eevee, Delta Dwebble, Delta Riolu

Lillie's Pokemon:

Alolan Ninetales, Mew, Delta Charmander, Axew

Gladion's Pokemon:

Silvally, Umbreon, Lycanroc, Zoroark, Necrozma, Delta Squirtle,

Emily's Pokemon:

Marshadow, Gengar, Zoroark, Trevenant

Nora's Pokemon:

Celebi, Trapinch, Zubat, Sewaddle, Honedge