The Luxuria Competition, Ash vs Trip

"And so that's the story of how I got this scar," Brooke and Chase were in the cafeteria of Plasma Castle as they listened to another Plasma grunt telling the tale of how he got one of the many scars across his face.

Brick slammed his fist against the table before pointing to another scar that was placed right above the man's left eye.

"Gross Brick, we don't need to hear another tale." Brooke groaned out.

Chase flashed her a smirk before nodding towards the scar faced Plasma grunt. "Brick wants to know how you got that scar, right there above your eye!"

"Ah that one, well that's a long story you see-"

"You three, I need you."

"Praise Arceus!" Brooke was quick to shoot up upon the appearance of the Black Knight.

"Tell us the story later please," Chase snickered before he and Brick stood up to turn their attention to their superior. "Yes boss?"

"We're going to Victory Garden, I'm capturing the Pokemon that resides there."

"You mean Victini?" Brooke questioned. The mention of the name didn't bother him before but this time he felt as if something were nearby that was informing him that he knew Victini. Zach let out a light grunt as he held the sides of his head as if he were having a headache. "Y-You okay, sir?" Brooke questioned again, Chase also displayed slight signs of concern though he chose to remain silent on the matter.

"I-It's nothing, I'm fine. Let's just get going."

N was watching from a distance and scratched his chin. He could feel a faint shout of a Pokemon right as that had happened. "Curious..." N turned his gaze upwards before deciding to investigate the upper levels of the castle.

Ash and his friends were on their way to Castelia City however Pinwheel Forest was quite the long walk and after a rogue Munchlax appeared during the middle of the night and ate up all their supplies? Well they had no choice but to take a small detour, exiting the forest at the next path they found before coming out in the small city of Luxuria! Much to their surprise however a large gathering had formed around an individual, Hilda was put into an instant rage as she assumed it was Ghetsis of Team Plasma putting on another one of his speeches so she began storming off towards the crowd. Iris and Ash let out a shout before quickly hurrying after her before she got herself hurt.

"Hilda slow down, it probably isn't even Team Plasma!" Iris shouted.

"Yeah, it could just be some celebrity!" Ash added on as he grabbed hold of the brunette's arm, a scoff could be heard upon his remark.

"Some celebrity? What are you from the boonies or something? This isn't just some celebrity, it's the champion!" Ash turned to see a boy his age, one that looked quite familiar as he was in the vision Mew had showcased.

"The champion's here?!" Excitement quickly surged through Ash's body and now it was Hilda and Iris who had to hold him back as Ash eagerly attempted to push through the crowd in order to meet the champion. "We've got to battle him, Pikachu!"

"Pika pika!"

"Please as if Alder would even want to waste his time on a nobody like you," Trip scoffed. "You've got to win the little tournament he's got set up here."

"Tournament?"

"You really don't know? Geez you really are from the boonies!"

"I'm not from the boonies, I'm from Pallet Town in the Kanto region!"

"Like I said, the boonies." Trip gave Ash a light smirk as a growl emitted from the raven haired boy's throat.

"Just you wait, I'll win this tournament and battle Alder!"

"Ha, dream on kid! Ever since I was a child I've dreamed of getting to face off against him and you aren't going to take that dream away from me!"

"Ser, Servine!" A male Servine chimed in as he agreed with his trainer.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu tried arguing with Servine only for the Grass type to raise up his head and ignore his claim acting as if he were superior to the rat. Pikachu let out an irritated growl as both trainer and Pokemon were becoming equally frustrated with their new rival.

"Besides you only have like a minute left to get signed up, Alder will be setting things up soon." Trip smirked causing Ash to let out an alarmed yelp but quickly pushing through the crowd.

"Excuse me, excuse me!" He excused himself as he made his way to the front of the crowd, he saw the sign up sheet but the champion had seemingly disappeared. Ash shrugged and began writing down his name before he could hear the familiar voice of Officer Jenny.

"Alright everyone, step back! The champion needs his space!"

"Actually my dear Officer that need doesn't have to apply to you," If Ash didn't know better he could have assumed that was Brock but the voice was clearly different and much older, he quickly turned around to see an older man who was possibly in his late fifties to early sixties with quite the bizarre orange and red hairstyle leaning up against a nearby wall while giving the local Officer Jenny a suggestive look.

"I'm gonna have to ask you to back away sir,"

"Sir?! I'm the champion!" Alder exclaimed, giving his chest a tap while giving off a proud smirk. "No need to apologize I'll be more than willing to forgive and forget if you go out to dinner with me!"

"Sir if you continue I'll have to put these on you." Officer Jenny said with a serious look as she held up a pair of handcuffs.

"Oh kinky, I like where this is going!" Alder laughed before waving her on. "Go on then, put them on!"

"We'll see if you have that kind of attitude when we get you back to the station."

"T-The station?!" Alder quickly bowed. "I'm so sorry miss, I'll be going now!" Alder quickly raced off while Officer Jenny rolled her eyes.

"That is the champion?" Ash asked with a puzzled expression. The champions he previously met were quite serious but this guy felt like he was a fool!

"He reminds me of a character from this manga my brother read." Hilda commented.

Ash soon stood in a small gathering of seven other trainers as Alder raised up his hands. "Alright the rules are simple, you'll each have a one on one battle against one of your opponents. Whoever wins will advance to the final four where you'll be put in a similar position before being grouped into the final two where the winner of that match will get to face off against yours truly in a one on one battle!" Alder grinned before looking down at his list. "Okay so first up will be Tristan and Stephen."

"It's Stephan actually." A trainer with a more heavy build spoke up, he had spiked auburn colored hair and his blue eyes sparked with excitement!

"The name's Trip," Ash's newest rival spoke up.

"So that's his name..." Ash muttered as everyone began making some room on the street so that Trip and Stephan could battle.

"Alright so the battle between Trip and Stephen will now begin!" Alder raised up his arms as he now stood to the side of the battle, acting as referee for the battle.

"It's Stephan!" Stephan shouted out as he corrected the champion however much to both his and Ash's shock, Alder had apparently fallen asleep!

"Y-You sure that's the champion?" Ash muttered to Hilda.

"Oh yeah, he's been champion for about twenty years now! I've just never seen him in person before now."

"He's sure nothing like Cynthia," Ash commented.

"Definitely not, Cynthia's amazing!" Brock's eyes turned to hearts as he envisioned the beautiful blonde champion of the Sinnoh region. "I wonder how good a chance a Pokemon doctor has of marrying her!"

"Croagunk!" Croagunk Poison Jabbed Brock in the back causing the Pokemon doctor to collapse to his side before the poison frog began dragging him away, Cilan and Iris silently watched while lightly sweating as they still weren't used to Croagunk doing that.

"Alright Sawk, let's show them what we're made of!" Stephan shouted as he threw a ball forward.

"Frillish!" A blue jellyfish Pokemon burst from Trip's Pokeball resulting in Ash pulling out his Pokedex as he'd yet to encounter that species.

"Frillish the Floating Pokemon, if its veil-like arms stun and wrap a foe, that foe will be dragged miles below the surface never to return!"

"Geez that's dark," Cilan shuddered.

"Alright Sawk let's use Low Sweep!"

"Sawk!" Sawk lashed out with a low kick only for his foot to phase right through Frillish's body!

"What?!" Sawk and Stephan shared the same look of surprise as Trip merely scoffed. "Frillish is a Water/Ghost type, your Fighting type attacks won't work against it. If you don't have anything other than Fighting or Normal attacks then I suggest you forfeit as to save yourself a humiliating defeat."

"I-I forfeit..." Stephan and Sawk hung their heads with saddened expressions. Ash couldn't help but feel sorry for them despite Stephan being around his age it was clear the guy was a rookie trainer much like Hilda and Bianca.

Alder continued snoring before an impatient trainer gave him a poke. "C'mon wake up, I want a go!"

"H-Huh?! Oh, Trip wins! Ashton and Cassie are up next!"

Ash couldn't help but sweat at Alder misspeaking once more before stepping on out to take Trip's place on the battlefield, Trip flashed him a light smirk resulting in Ash giving him a glare before quickly directing his attention to his opponent. It was a female trainer who appeared to be a few years younger than him, possibly fourteen? Her brown hair was tied up into pigtails and her bright blue eyes shimmered with excitement as she gripped tightly onto a Pokeball.

"Deerling, your assistance please!"

"Deerling!"

"Tepig, I choose you!"

"Tepig!" Flames burst from Tepig's snout as he cried out.

"Flame Charge!" Tepig's body became encased in flame as he quickly charged across the field before throwing his body up against Deerling! The Grass type let out a cry before immediately dropping to her side in defeat as Ash and Pikachu cheered out for their teammate.

"Way to go Tepig!"

"Tepig!" Tepig became encased in a bright blue light as his appearance began to change, he raised up onto his hind legs as his appearance changed to that of a bipedal Pokemon. Tepig's body began to extend as he appeared more muscular and rounded, his tail had also grown longer and now curled. His lower half of his body had also changed from orange fur to a brown coloring.

"Pignite!"

"Way to go Pignite!"

"Pi Pikachu!" Ash and Pikachu cheered while Trip scoffed in the audience, rolling his eyes as he couldn't understand why they were so excited about something as simple as an evolution!

"Pignite the Fire Pig Pokemon, the more it eats the more fuel it has to make the fire in its stomach stronger. This fills it with even more power!"

"Well Pignite it sounds like you'll have as big an appetite as I do!"

"Pignite!" Pignite cried out in agreement before the two broke off into laughter.

Trip had made rather short work of an older trainer's Watchog with his Tranquil. What was odd though was that the man was dressed up just like his Pokemon, his hooded jacket was in the same design as Watchog's coat and the hood even matched Watchog's bright red eyes!

"Jimmy Ray is unable to battle, Tristan wins! Ashton you and Scooter will battle it out next!"

A trainer with short untamed violet colored hair stood opposite Ash with a smirk across his face as he reached for a ball. "This will be too easy, most of your Pokemon aren't even evolved from their basic stage! Darmanitan, let's heat things up!"

"Darmanitan!" The large fire ape cried out as he burst from his ball. Ash was already familiar of the Pokemon's typing though on account of his run in with Chase of Team Plasma.

"Oshawott, I choose you!"

"Osha!" Oshawott looked at Ash before tapping his chest, reassuring Ash that he could count on him to win this for them!

"Use Tail Whip!" Oshawott turned and began wagging his tail at Darmanitan in a cute fashion.

"Let's make this quick with Hammer Arm!" Darmanitan's fist glowed bright white as he brought it down upon Oshawott's head, the otter Pokemon let out a cry as he was knocked away!

"Osha!"

"Oshawott, get up and use Razor Shell!" Oshawott quickly hopped back onto his feet before removing his scalchop from his chest, the shell began glowing a bright blue as he raced towards Darmanitan before slashing him with the Water attack! Darmanitan grunted as his knees began giving out however the Pokemon still appeared to be in fighting shape!

"Hammer Arm!" Darmanitan raised up his fist as he prepared to punch Oshawott once more.

"Meet them head on with Razor Shell!"

"Osha!" Oshawott's scalchop glowed a bright blue as he held it up and slashed at Darmanitan's incoming fist, the two attack's began clashing against each other as both Pokemon gritted their teeth as they tried to overcome the other's attack. Eventually Darmanitan's legs began giving out again giving Oshawott just the edge he needed! His shell met Darmanitan's chest and the Fire type fell to his side as his eyes turned to swirls.

"Darma..."

"Alright Oshawott!"

"Osha-" Much to Ash's surprise, Oshawott became engulfed in a bright blue light much like Tepig had not that long ago. Oshawott began growing taller while his white fur began changing to a light shade of blue, a patch of dark blue fur remained on his wait and almost appeared as if the Pokemon was wearing shorts. The scalchop that rested on his chest had disappeared and in it's place were two different scalchops on both sides of the Pokemon's waist!

"Dew, Dewott!"

"Dewott the Discipline Pokemon, scalchop techniques differ from one Dewott to another. It never neglects maintaining its scalchops!"

"Way to go Dewott, your new form is awesome!"

"Dewott!" Dewott gave Ash a proud smirk.

Scooter returned Darmanitan with a sour look and began walking away but not before giving Alder a light poke to wake him up as the champion had fallen asleep again.

"H-Huh?! Oh! A-Ashton wins! So that means Ashton and Tristan will face off in the finals!"

Ash and Trip locked eyes with one another, Ash glaring at the blonde while Trip flashed him a smirk.

"A trainer from the boonies has no chance against us! Servine, let's teach them their place!"

"Servine!" Servine burst from his ball before raising his head upwards.

Ash let out a growl as he reached for a ball of his own. "Snivy I choose you!"

"What?!" Hilda exclaimed as Iris face faulted.

"What on earth is he thinking?! Snivy's out of her league! I swear he can be such a kid!"

"Battle... begin..." Alder attempted to start the battle before his eyes grew heavy, the man's eyes closed followed shortly by loud snores emitting from his throat to indicate that he'd fallen asleep yet again!

"Snivy use Leer!" Snivy gave her opponent a leer.

"Aerial Ace!" Trip smirked causing Ash to take a leap back from shock. Servine blasted off across the street like a rocket before striking out and slashing at his opponent, Snivy let out a sheer cry of pain as she was sent flying back!

"Snivy!" Ash shouted out before letting out a frustrated growl. He had no idea Snivy could even use Aerial Ace!

"Leer then follow up with Attract!" Snivy cast off another leer before posing in a seductive manner as hearts appeared within Servine's eyes!

"Servine!"

"Servine use Aerial Ace!" Servine proved unable to move however giving Ash a chance to attack.

"Vine Whip yourself into the air before firing off Leaf Tornado directly at him!" Snivy launched herself into the air with her vines as the grassy tornado began forming atop the tip of her tail before she gave it a shake and sent the tornado flying towards Servine!

"Servine use Aerial Ace!" Servine grunted as he was hit before shaking his head, giving Snivy a light glare as he blasted across the street like a rocket once more before slashing at Snivy's body! Snivy was sent flying once more before landing in a slump in front of Ash as he lowered his head.

"I-I'm sorry Snivy, I was so eager to beat Trip that I wasn't thinking properly. I'm sorry that you got hurt, I should have just chosen Nidorino or Rufflet." Ash clenched his fist as he was upset that he'd gotten Snivy hurt. Snivy looked up at him with wet eyes as she worried that she'd let Ash down, she began to raise up to her feet with a determined expression before letting out a cry as her body became engulfed in a bright blue light! Soon two Servine stood facing off against one another, the only visual difference being was one's infatuation status and the other looking visibly weakened.

"Servine use Vine Whip!"

"Servine!" However instead of Vine Whip, Ash saw several seeds fire from Servine's body! The seeds flew through the air before landing atop Trip's Servine, entrapping him within a vine!

"Servine use Aerial Ace!"

"Ser!" Servine flinched lightly as his health began getting sapped away before he quickly blasted off!

"Leaf Tornado!"

"Servine!" Servine was quick to fire off a Leaf Tornado at her charging opponent, Trip's Servine was lifted up into the tornado before being flung about and swiftly tossed out! However Servine directed his maneuver and blasted towards Ash's Servine midair! The Servines winded up crashing into one another as a dust cloud kicked up before disappearing to showcase both Servine laying in a defeated pile with swirls in their eyes.

"Servine..."

"No way, I tied with somebody from the boonies?!" Trip exclaimed with a shocked expression.

"I told you before, I'm not from the boonies!" Ash shouted in retaliation as the two began to glare at one another. Their attention only being diverted by the awakening of Alder.

"Huh? You two tied did you?! Impressive, most impressive!" Alder began to laugh while Ash couldn't help but join in. Trip on the other hand didn't look as amused.

"So what about the battle? You promised to battle the winner." Trip crossed his arms as he gave Alder a serious look.

"Oh right, uh... I'll battle you both at the same time!" Alder quickly exclaimed.

"No way!"

"Yeah no way I'm teaming up with him, he'll only slow me down!" Trip glared towards Ash.

"Well then I could battle each of you individually?" Alder suggested.

"Deal!" Trip formed a light smirk while Ash clenched his fists as excitement quickly shined across his face.

"Sounds like a plan to me, right Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

"Alright, Tristan and I will battle it out first." Alder uttered out a yawn before walking out to take Ash's place on the field. "Bouffalant, let's give them a show!"

"Bouf!" A large brown buffalo Pokemon with a large black afro covering up the species' head appeared. The buffalo rubbed his hoof against the ground and let out a light snort as the sight of Trip.

"What is that Pokemon?" Ash asked while pulling out his Pokedex.

"Bouffalant the Bash Buffalo Pokemon, they charge wildly and headbutt everything. Their headbutts have enough destructive force to derail a train!"

"Gurdurr!" Trip threw forward a ball which burst to reveal a a muscular gray humanoid Pokemon with swelling veins across it's body. The Pokemon had a serious expression while holding what appeared to be beam girder in it's arms!

"Gurdurr the Muscular Pokemon, this Pokemon is so muscular and strongly built that even a group of wrestlers could not make it budge an inch!"

"You wouldn't have to scan these Pokemon so much if you weren't from the boonies, Ashton!" Trip smirked, purposefully calling Ash by the wrong name unlike Alder who appeared to simply forget.

Ash let out a growl and was about to leap out before Cilan and Brock grabbed ahold of his arms.

"He's not worth it, Ash!"

"Yeah, don't do it!" Cilan added.

"Use Head Charge!" Alder let out a yawn before closing his eyes as he seemingly drifted back off to sleep. Bouffalant lowered his head before stampeding across the city street towards Gurdurr!

"Dynamic Punch!" Gurdurr dropped a hold of the construction beam as his fists glowed a bright orange and red color, the Fighting type let out a shout before lunging forward as he aimed his fist at the charging Bouffalant! Had Trip been closer to Alder's level that attack might just have halted Bouffalant's progress or even clashed with it! However he was not, Bouffalant brushed off the attack as if it were nothing before Gurdurr was sent flying high into the sky before crashing down in a defeated slump!

Trip narrowed his eyes before returning Gurdurr to his ball, the trainer lowering his head before walking away in silence. Ash stared after him for a brief moment before quickly taking his spot on the battlefield.

"You ready, Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

Pikachu twitched his tail before leaping off Ash's shoulder and locking eyes with Bouffalant with a determined expression. Bouffalant let out a snort before turning his head to look at Alder who was still asleep. The buffalo took a step back before giving him a light kick in the stomach to wake him up!

"I'm awake, I'm awake!" Alder quickly shot awake, his eyes drifted towards the battlefield and his gaze didn't change much from when Trip had been standing there. Alder waved his hand dismissively. "Head Charge..." Alder began drifting asleep while Bouffalant let out a frustrated huff and refused to move, Alder's eyes opened up before the champion gave the buffalo's rear a hard slap! "Get going!"

"Bouf!"

"Volt Tackle!"

"Pika pika pika!" Pikachu began repeatedly chanting as his body became encased in the electrical glow! The two charging Pokemon met head on resulting in an explosion happening, awakening Alder from his nap. Alder's eyes widened upon seeing that though Pikachu was damaged from the explosion the rat wasn't out yet! An interested look formed on the champion's face as he scratched his chin before throwing out his arm with an energetic shout.

"Bulldoze!" Bouffalant raised his front legs before slamming them down against the ground, creating a shockwave which burst across the city streets before striking Pikachu!

"Pika!" Pikachu was knocked off his feet and Alder began closing his eyes before swiftly opening them back up as he heard heavy breathing, shortly being greeted by the sight of Pikachu standing back up with a determined gaze.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted as he punched the air.

"Pikachuuuu!" Pikachu cried out as he blasted Bouffalant with a heavy dose of electricity, the buffalo cried out in pain while Alder looked on with a surprised expression before smirking.

"That Pikachu sure is something..." He noted, looking towards Bouffalant's legs as they started wobbling about. "Finish this with Head Charge!"

Bouffalant lowered his head as he began stampeding forward once more.

"Meet him head on with Iron Tail!" Pikachu's tail glowed white as he leaped up and took a swing at Bouffalant's head as the Pokemon swiftly approached! The attack briefly clashed before Pikachu was flung away and swiftly landed in a defeated slump before Ash while Alder began slowly clapping his hands together.

"Well done Ashton, you may not have won today but our next battle could very well be different. I look forward to our next encounter," Alder bowed his head as his Pokemon copied his action by lowering it's head.

"Thanks Alder but it's actually Ash, my name's Ash Ketchum you see!" Ash nervously laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Ashton Ketchum, what a name!" Alder smirked before rubbing the bottom of his chin. "Strange... I feel like the name's familiar but seeing how we just met I very much doubt it. Well kid, I've got to get going. Good luck in your next gym battle!" Alder scribbled onto a piece of paper before handing it to Ash, Ash took it and realized that the man had given him a personal autograph stating that he's free to challenge him again if their paths were to cross again before the Unova League competition.

Ash looked up and looked after the champion as he walked away. Although Alder may not behave like an ordinary champion he had grown a bit of respect towards the man, perhaps he was only falling asleep as he held onto the title for so long that he found winning quick and boring.

"Just you wait Alder, I'll beat the Unova League and give you quite the exciting battle that you'll never forget!"

"Pika!" Pikachu's tail twitched in agreement as the two raised their fists and stared after Alder with determination burning bright in their eyes!

"Castelia City, we've made it!" Cilan exclaimed as the group stood at the end of a large bridge. They currently had a view that overlooked the city and Ash was quite amazed at the city's size, it was larger than any city that he'd ever been in before even Saffron and Goldenrod had nothing on this! Large skyscrapers filled the city skylines as far as the eyes could see and the city went on for seemingly miles, the streets appeared quite crowded as well from what he could see with food stalls on practically every corner!

"The capital of the Unova region and the major source of revenue for the region!" Hilda added with a grin. "Oh how I'd love to go shopping!"

"There'll be time for that later, I'm eager to get my third gym badge!" Ash pumped his fists.

"I heard a fishing competition is also taking place, I can't wait to compete!" Cilan excitedly exclaimed.

"Let me guess, you're also a fishing connoisseur?" Iris asked with narrowed slits before turning around and quickly leaping up in surprise as Cilan had instantly changed into fishing attire and had a fishing rod in hand.

"How you'd guess?!"

"I just had a feeling..."

"And just think of all those gorgeous girls down there, surely one is meant to be with me!" Brock gazed down with a lovestruck expression as Ash lightly chuckled before waving his hand.

"Come on, let's go!"

Ash got to battle Alder! Bet that was a surprise, eh?

Stephan will appear again, I'm not throwing him away. I like the character! I like Alder too, I just wanted to stay true to his anime persona which was basically a more tame version of Naruto's Jiraiya.