"We have to leave early so we can get our job done," James held a thumbs up. "Good luck out there kiddo! We believe in you!"

Jessie beamed at Alex. "Now we aren't forgetting about you dear. We'll be cheering you on as well."

"Yeah!" Meowth wobbled over, holding the mic aloft. "And we'll make sure to get all the best angles of the battles!"

"So," Preston muttered to Clara. "Ever feel like the odd one out amongst these kind of people?"

Preston wore a cap over his black hair, having cut it shorter, and wore beige shorts and black t-shirt with a Darkrai design. Clara meanwhile kept things the same for her looks. Even with this summer weather bound to get hotter, she continued to wear her leather jacket and combat boots.

Clara rolled her eyes. "You should see the trouble these three get into. It's unfreakin' believable. Just the other day we were hopping from one world to the next through these portals." Preston stared at her, likely unsure if she was making fun of him or being serious.

We stood outside the enormous stadium, people milling about with their Pokemon. There were trainers around as well and I had no idea how many would be participating. The stadium itself was built within a natural canyon with different areas of flat land being given a purpose. There were small parks, a cylinder shaped glass hotel that doubled as a Pokemon Center, and several practice fields for training.

"This place has everything," I muttered to myself. Then, "Hey, Clara!" I raised my hand after I had bid the Rocket trio farewell. "You coming or what?"

She nodded and made her way over to where Alex and I were waiting. Robert joined Preston and nudged his side. "Let's go find ourselves some seats. We need good ones and ones saved for them if they decide to join us."

"Man," Alex raised her hand, folding them behind her head. "Feels like yesterday we were climbing Mount Lanakila to get to the Alolan League. Then it felt new and sort of..."

"Unofficial," I suggested and she nodded. "I know what you mean. This place, this league, it feels more real, more of a challenge."

Clara rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you made it pretty far in a League already, but that was in the boonies. Here, it's for real. Be prepared for strong trainers all around. No one comes in here by accident."

"So where do we sign up?" Alex asked, glancing around.

"Follow me," Clara instructed, leading Alex and I over to a separate area away from the stadium. We crossed a bridge where trainers had gathered around tables with fine cloth and an assortment of foods decorating them. Once we got ourselves signed up, we settled on one of the few remaining empty tables.

"Well then, this is the competition," Alex glanced around at the trainers milling around. "Not a whole lot honestly."

"Maybe because of recent events," Clara mused. "Might have scared people away from the tournament."

I shook my head. "I can see why they would have."

"Ah, Zeno," Alex tugged on my shirt sleeve, pointing. I looked to see Ash and Pikachu at one of the tables. "He's here."

"Just as I had hoped," I grinned, already starting to make my way over.

"Who?" Clara was confused for a second, then sighed. "Oh, right. He's that other annoying person who rudely interrupted me way back."

"Ash," I called out. "Hey!"

He turned and grinned widely as Pikachu looked up from his ketchup bottle. "I knew you'd make it. Both of you. I wonder what our battle will be like if I happen to battle either you or Alex."

Clara poked him in the chest. "You better be watching out for me instead."

Ash smirked. "I'd expect as much from someone who's Zeno's rival."

"Ah, if it isn't you three," someone with pale skin and big edgy black and white hair raised his hand in greeting, his face like one of a corpse.

"Piers," Clara raised an eyebrow. "You still haven't gone back to Galar?"

The rock star half-smiled. "Sorry miss, but I still have plans here. Particularly this league." His eyes wandered to look at the stadium. "I'm one of the best Gym Leaders in Galar, so I wanted to test me mettle in Kalos."

"Well then," I held out my arms. "The more the merrier."

"I'll say," Ash pumped his fist. "Man, I think this is the most stoked I've been for any other league."

"That's right," I thought, glancing at him. "Ash has participated in several major leagues. Of course we've battled and it's been close between us, but I wonder if he'll be pulling all the stops for this? And would I still be able to match him, let alone beat him?"

I thought I heard a soft growl come from Arcanine's pokeball, reassuring me. I smiled. "Yeah, you're right. Even if that's the case, we won't lose to him."

"Hey, is that-" I heard Ash start to jog away and I looked to see him heading towards someone wearing a blue scarf. Alain. They exchanged words none of us could hear and when they were done, Alain started to leave.

"I'll be right back," I told Alex and made my way to intercept Alain.

Alain stopped, raising an eyebrow. "You were that one person with the Mega Lucario I battled back in Laverre City."

I nodded, stepping towards him. I stood on his right, placing my hand on his shoulder. "I saw you there, Alain. I saw you in Team Flare's Secret HQ."

Alain stiffened, but didn't say anything. So he didn't plan on denying it.

"I don't know why you're involved with them," I tightened my grip slightly. "I don't know why you're here. But know this," I glanced at him from the corners of my eyes. "I will destroy what is left of Team Flare. And if I have to take you down as well, so be it."

I walked away, putting on a fake smile to hide the seriousness of what I had just said. I didn't look back at Alain, determined now be on the lookout for any signs of Team Flare. If one was here, then there were sure to be others.

"So you know Alain as well?" Ash asked as I returned to our group.

"Something like that," I rubbed the back of my head.

"He beat Zeno in a battle," Alex offered, offering me a sly smile.

Ash chuckled. "Really now?"

"That was a while ago," I looked back to see Alain had disappeared. "Now, I'm certain I could beat him."

"Not if I do that first," Ash grinned.

"Trainers, gather around!" someone was now on the stage, looking down at all of us. We all hurried further as the giant screen above it flickered on, showing all of the participating trainers. "While there are only half of the usual 128 participating trainers, this will most certainly be a league to remember! Now, for the first round match-ups! Please direct your attention to the screen!"

All the cards turned face-down and began shuffling across the screen randomly. I held my breath as Alex gripped my hand. Then with a ping, all match-ups had been decided and the cards turned over. I heard Ash sigh in relief behind me and I too couldn't help but share his sentiment. None of us had been paired together.

"So I go on the 18th round," Alex murmured and began searching for her opponent among the crowd of gathered trainers.

"6th for me," I said, seeing the person I was up against stop in front of me. He had a stocky figure and held an umbrella over his left shoulder, something shining at the tip. He had adorned red pain on his face, chest, and arms, the ones on his chest shown through his slightly opened dark blue robe. He had bushy black hair completed with a beard.

"So you're the one I'll be facing," he grinned cockily. "My name's Remo. Put up a good fight, alright? My main objective may be that kid with the Charizard, but I am looking forward to battling everyone else."

"Zeno," I nodded to his umbrella. "And I hope you'll bring everything you got to our battle. I wouldn't want to feel like you held back for me."

He boomed with laughter. "You asked for it kid."

Once Ash had finished talking to the trainer he would be facing, he rejoined Alex and I. "Alright, we all agree to make it past the first round?"

Clara snorted as she returned. "Like I would get beat that early in the League."

"Let's hurry to the stadium," Ash said. "I can't wait to see the first round! Though I have the feeling the it'll be over far too quickly."

I glanced back up at the preliminary match-ups. Alain was first to battle, up against Trevor. While I didn't know Trevor's Pokemon, I had a feeling Ash was right.

...

Fireworks exploded above the stadium as the crowd cheered wildly. Two young women opened a large pokeball down below, dozens of Fletchlings fluttering out into the sky.

"With weather so clear it almost seems like it wants to bless this event, the day has finally come!" the announcer voiced with enthusiasm. "We'll begin with the opening ceremony! It's time for Kalos Champion Diantha's opening speech!"

I smiled warmly as I saw Diantha rise from where she sat next to Professor Sycamore. "It seems like Team Radiance was able to make her better after all."

"Indeed," Robert rubbed his chin. "I would love to see how they did it."

Diantha was now being shown on the big screen, her eyes closed as she waited for most of the noise to die down. Then, "Dear trainers, the experience and efforts you have accumulated to come here are irreplaceable! Please feel free to channel all of it into the Kalos League here!" She smiled. "Our beloved region has been plagued by one tragic event after another! I myself was a victim! But, just as I was able to heal, so has Kalos! And this league's battles will be proof of how strong Kalos is!" She raised her arm. "Now then, I hereby declare the Kalos League open!"

As Trevor and Alain both began walking through glass tunnels on opposite sides of the stadium towards a large hole in the ground, the announcer spoke again. "Fighting in the opening battle will be competitors Trevor and Alain!" On screen, their faces appeared, along with three pokeball symbols within hexagons. "Until the semifinals, the battles will be three-on-three! Also, the field will selected randomly!"

"That's different," Alex muttered. "An interesting challenge nonetheless."

"All right, the field that will adorn the opening battle is this one!" a large platform was raised from the hole, settling so it connected to Alain and Trevor's platforms. A small waterfall trickled down into a wide river, surrounded by two hills of rocky ground. "The water and rock field!"

...

I watched as Ash's battle finished from inside the waiting room. Titus, who wore a snow coat similar to his Altaria's look, had Mega Evolved the Dragon type. Ash had responded favorably, his Greninja dealing blow after blow, before getting knocked back. Then Ash and Greninja both decided it was time, showing off their Bond Form. I watched the battle quickly turn in their favor, easily winning the second match of the day.

"He'll be tough to take down," I noted, Alex nodding beside me. "But Alain..."

That battle had been easily one-sided. With just a Metagross, he already had a very strong Pokemon. But then his Charizard. While Trevor pulled a surprising twist of having a different Mega Evolved Charizard, he was still no match against Alain's.

"About him," Alex grabbed my wrist. "Zeno, what did you say to him?"

I sighed. "Can't hide anything from you, can I?"

"Not really," Alex shrugged, then moved so she sat facing me. "Zeno, you had that look about you. I know that look. What is it?"

"I saw him," I said after a moment. "Alain. I saw him in Flare's base back in Geosenge."

Alex didn't groan, nor did she look surprised. Instead, she just nodded. "What are we going to do about it?"

"Right now, I don't know," I shook my head. "Ash said that he figured Alain was here so he they could battle again. But, I just don't know."

"Think Team Flare might try something to interrupt the League?" Alex asked the obvious question now.

"I sure hope not," I sighed. "If only we could..." I trailed off, an idea coming to me. "Hold that thought."

I pulled out my Holo Caster, started to type in a number, paused, then deleted it and put in a different number. It took two tries before the call was picked up.

"Zeno?" Preston sounded confused. "Sorry, I had to move out of the seats and somewhere quiet. What's up?"

"You alone?" I asked.

He glanced around. "Yeah. Why?"

"Listen," I leaned in closer, thankful Alex and I were the only ones in this waiting room for the moment. "I need you and the other three to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. And if it leads to Team Flare, tell me."

"Yeah, okay," Preston nodded. "I can do that, sure. I'll tell Jessie and James when they're shift is over."

"Good man," I ended the call and glanced at Alex. "Let's hope this is enough."

We watched the next couple battles before I finally stood, the 5th match nearly over. Alex squeezed my hand and smirked. "Don't lose okay?"

"Never," I promised, leaving the room. I walked down the hall, footsteps echoing. I could hear a distant thrum through the ceiling, only getting louder as I neared the battlefield. As I began my walk through the glass tunnel, the cheers from the crowd hit me full force, my eyes adjusting to the sight. The screens were highlighting Remo and myself, three pokeball symbols next to our faces. A platform was already rising from the hole, a plain field of earth with large stones jutting out of the ground.

I stared across the battlefield at Remo, who was grinning as he held up an Ultra Ball. I slid my fingers over the three pokeballs I had brought with me. "Alright then, the League truly begins now." I grabbed the middle ball and enlarged it. "Now, I choose you!"

And the Kalos League... BEGINS! Time for some epic and crazy battles! Alright then, place your bets my readers. I want to know who exactly you all are rooting for here. Is it Zeno, our resident Hero Born of Darkness, the protag? What about Alex and her sarcastic nature? Could it be that some of you wish for Alain to win like he did in the anime where he defeated Ash? Or, what about Ash? Do some of you wish for the trainer from Pallet Town and his Pikachu to win? Or do we have a couple Piers fans out there, wanting everyone's favorite gym leader from Galar to claim victory? So, until the next chapter, "Showcases of Strength"! Toodles!