Chapter 31: Festival of Champions
"Yo. Looks like I'll be seeing you in the main event, Green," Ash greeted his rival with a smug grin.
The raven-haired boy was now healing his Pokémon at the PokéCentre, accompanied by Misty, Blue and Gary.
"Ah, nice! You made it, Red!" Gary sarcastically exclaimed while exaggerating his expression.
"I'm glad you didn't disappoint me with how weak you are!"
"Your words and face don't match at all, jerk," Ash shot back, taken aback at the juxtaposition of his rival.
Then, Gary extended his hand.
"Anyways, congratulations on passing the Preliminaries," he said with a genuine smile.
Misty and Blue watched with surprise as they were not used to seeing Gary in this light. The latter gave a soft smile towards the green-eyed boy.
Ash was taken aback once more but still extended his hand towards his.
"Ah, oh, right."
And the atmosphere got ruined when Gary slapped his hand away.
"As if," the orange-haired Trainer said.
"Ugh! Damn jerk…" Ash groaned, chiding himself for believing for a second that Gary had changed.
"I saw you out there," Gary started with a severe look.
"You might have won in the end but that doesn't excuse how messy you did it."
Ash twitched in annoyance at his pseudo-brother's words.
"Y'know, I wonder how I put up with you sometimes…" he muttered in his breath.
The raven-haired Trainer then pointed at his rival accusingly.
"You were in the Prelims until just now as well! It's not like you won the entire thing with just one Pokémon," Ash replied to Gary's words.
But Gary merely smirked.
"It's natural talent, Red," the orange-haired boy stated with confidence.
"For the entire Preliminaries…"
"No one has ever seen my team other than Arcanine."
Ash widened his red eyes, shocked at his statement. While he was struggling with close calls, his rival had blasted through the Prelims with only one Pokémon.
"W- what is he saying?!" Misty cried out.
"To never use another Pokémon in battle… That means he never had to switch Pokémon to win."
'To win in such a way… There can't be that much of a difference in our skills…' Misty thought in astonishment at what she heard.
The orange-haired boy only had a years' worth of experience and yet, his performance exceeded that of even that of a Gym Leader's.
'To breeze past the Preliminaries like it was nothing…'
'His skills may even be already that of an Elite Four!'
With the conclusion of Ash's match, the 12 Trainers attending the main event was decided.
"Looks like that's it. Our opponents for the main event have been decided," Lorelei commented.
"Quite the line-up we have this time. What's more, that Red kid made it," Bruno said.
"Not only him, but that Green is also one to watch out for," Lorelei replied.
"Right. Honestly, I would be worried if that boy hadn't won…" Lance said before glancing at Gary's profile.
Agatha stared at the orange-haired Trainer's profile as well.
'Hmm… Samuel's grandson, was it?' she thought.
'He has caught my attention. Green of Pallet Town…'
"Holy, do I wanna punch him in the face!"
An angry raven-haired Trainer was seen walking around the post-Prelims carnival with a sighing Misty watching over him.
"What's wrong with Green?! Strutting around like he's king of the world!" Ash continued ranting.
"When are you going to calm down?" Misty asked, scratching her head.
"Oh, believe me, I'm just getting started! You heard that jerk as well!"
A few minutes ago…
"Anyways, it's already decided that I'm gonna be Champion," Gary bragged.
"But I'm worried about you, Red. You must've used up all your luck getting this far," he continued sneering.
"You won't be able to fluke our way through the finals at this rate. But hey, try to entertain me with a good fight."
"Smell ya la—"
"SHADDDUPPP!"
And the redhead clocked his head, tired of Ash's loud outburst.
"YOU shut up!"
Ash held onto his head; a bulge could be seen rising from his red cap.
"Since the Prelims are over, isn't it better to relax for now?" Misty remarked, trying to raise Ash's spirits.
"The opening ceremony isn't until this evening, after all. Plus, this place is going to be a festival soon."
Ash then noticed that their surroundings were brimming with life. Numerous stalls had set up shop along the walkways outside the Grand League stadium. Trainers and visitors alike flooded the place, creating a pleasing atmosphere.
It was 4 in the afternoon and the ceremony was starting at midnight. With a lot of time on their hands, Ash and Misty visited multiple stalls before Pikachu stopped at one selling masks.
"Hmm? You want this, Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
"Alright. Hey Gramps, I'll take that Charizard mask," Ash said with liveliness.
Misty sweatdropped at the younger Trainer.
'Well, he sure recovers fast from that outburst earlier…'
Although Gary may get on his nerves a lot, Ash was not one to hold grudges. Forgetting one as soon as he held one was just par for the course for him.
Seeing the boy adjusting the mask onto Pikachu's face brought out a smile on Misty's face. The way Ash obliged to his partner's whims amused her.
"Getting so excited over a mask; you really are a kid," the redhead remarked.
"Huh? Says the one enjoying themselves with cotton candy," Ash retorted.
"Of course! Be a shame if I can't enjoy this," Misty replied while stuffing her face with soft cotton candy.
"Heard that, Pikachu? Misty called herself a kid," the boy said to his partner.
"Say that again to my face."
The two then continued visiting stalls while chatting with each other.
"So? Who's Serena?" Misty asked suddenly.
The question was so sudden that Ash choked on his kebab, eliciting a muffled chuckle from Pikachu who was still wearing the Charizard mask.
"Err…" Ash murmured incoherently.
"You're not getting out of this one. Blue and I saw your little stunts when you faced the camera. Charizard and Pikachu doing that last one was the nail in the coffin," Misty said, now waiting for his answer.
And with a sigh, Ash told the Gym Leader.
"She's… someone I cherish a lot. Nah, it's better to say that she's the one I cherish the most out of anyone I've ever met."
Misty continued listening.
"My dream, my happiness. I owe it all to her. She gave me everything and made me who I am now."
"I promised that I'll find her someday. Right now, though, I'm gunning my way to the peak. Winning the League is just the first step."
"What I'm aiming for is the Pokémon Master. That's the dream she gave me, and I intend to fulfil it. And along my journey, I'll meet her again."
Misty blushed at the boy's heartfelt words towards Serena. The redhead had never seen Ash smile so warmly before. With that, she realized there was no room for anyone else in Ash Ketchum's heart.
"Is she watching?" Misty asked again.
"Yeah. Professor Oak called me when I was at the PokéCentre," he replied, remembering that time.
"Yes, Professor? You called?" Ash asked the man on the other side of the screen.
{ Oh, Ash! I've got great news for you, dear boy! }
Ash was surprised at Oak's energetic tone and listened carefully.
"Ok… What is it?"
{ She's watching you. }
With that, the raven-haired boy widened his eyes.
"Yo-you mean…"
{ Yes, dear boy! Serena is watching your performance! }
A gasp of surprise escaped his mouth and a smile appeared.
"How…"
{ Well, apparently, Serena's mother asked a colleague of mine to contact me. }
{ Seeing as how I'm from Pallet Town as well, the dots connected. Anyways, there's a video from Serena to you, Ash. }
Ash's heart pounded wildly. He wondered what her first words in 6 years to him was going to be.
After a few seconds of staring at the LOADING screen, the video finally played.
And the raven-haired boy blushed instantly as soon as he laid his red eyes upon his childhood sweetheart.
Honey blonde hair that seemed to shine like the golden sun.
Porcelain skin that looked so fragile yet extremely flawless.
And those bright blue eyes that drove him crazy with affection.
{ Hey, Red. Umm… this is embarrassing, but it's been 6 years, hasn't it? }
The red eyes started water a little. He had missed her for those 6 long years and seeing her now got him extremely emotional.
{ I just want you to know that I'm cheering for you, ok? }
Pikachu, who was perched on Ash's shoulder, squeaked out in delight.
It was the first time he had seen the honey blonde in person, and he already liked her.
Then, as if on cue…
{ Oh! And give Pikachu and Charizard my thanks! It was the loveliest thing I've ever seen. }
{ But since I've noticed Pikachu was always on your shoulder, then I'll just thank him in person. }
A loving smile that melted Ash's heart, causing the boy to stumble a little due to his knees being weak.
{ Thank you, Pikachu. You're the most adorable and the strongest Pokémon I've ever seen! Take care of Ash for me, OK? }
From those words of gratitude and praise, the electric mouse changed the 'like' into 'love'.
Serena then looked directly at Ash, as if she could see him.
{ I'm not gonna tell you where I am, Red. }
Her sweet voice playful and coy.
Ash chuckled at her words.
'Figures…'
{ You promised me you'll search for me, right? }
{ So, come find me. I'll always wait for you. }
The raven-haired boy widened his red eyes at her declaration.
{ Even if it takes years. No matter what, I'll be here waiting for you. }
"… Yeah. I never break my promise after all," the boy muttered silently.
{ Ah. Don't try to flirt with any girls along the way! You're only for me, understo- }
As soon as the girl said that, her face began to heat up at her own bold declaration.
{ ... }
Ash noticed her blushing ears and thought that it was cute.
{ W- wh -whaa! F- f- forget that last pa- ! }
And the video ended. Causing Ash to sweatdrop.
But he snickered at her embarrassing proclamation that he was hers.
Ash had already known that. He knew that from the moment she saved him.
That he was hers, and she was his.
"Hey, Professor? Can you send me a copy of that video into my PokéDex?"
"And that's her," Ash said, pointing to his PokéDex, showing Misty and his Pokémon.
The Pokémon looked in awe at their Trainer's childhood sweetheart. Misty grinned mischievously at the boy.
"You're one lucky guy, Ash," she teased.
"I know," Ash replied without hesitation.
The boy's swift reply surprised the redhead, but after seeing him replay the video on his PokéDex with a tender smile, she realized just how enamoured the raven-haired boy was at the honey blonde.
"Anyways," Misty began.
"I need to head off somewhere real quick. Don't be late for the ceremony!"
"Stop treating me like a kid!" Ash retorted.
And the two went their separate ways.
At a stall that sold drinks…
A chestnut-haired girl was served a bottle of beer.
"Umm… is this non-alcoholic?" she asked the vendor.
"What?" he replied confused.
Hearing his accent, she deduced that the vendor was an Unovan, and so, she tried speaking with her parents' native accent.
"Can I have 2 colas, please?"
But it failed. The vendor misunderstood and gave her 2 bottles of beer instead.
Blue internally screamed in embarrassment, before someone came to her rescue.
"No no, she asked for COLA ," her saviour said with perfect Unovan accent.
"Oh! Sorry, little lady," the vendor exclaimed, scratching his head before giving Blue her long-awaited colas.
She turned to her saviour and thanked her.
"Thank you so much, miss!" she said with a blush on her face, cringing at her attempts to mimic her parents' accent.
"It's alright."
After taking a closer look, Blue recognized the person.
"Ah! From the PokéCentre," she remarked.
"Hmm? Oh, from day 1! Sorry about bumping you," the older girl apologized.
"Let me introduce myself. Skyla of Mistralton City, 16 years old. Nice to meetcha!" Skyla introduced.
"I'm Blue of Pallet Town. 11 years old," the chestnut-haired girl introduced in return.
"Eh?! You're 11? I thought Trainers must be 15 to start their journey!" Skyla exclaimed in surprise.
"Well…"
Blue began explaining with the teen listening intently.
"Wow. You're doing pretty good for someone your age," Skyla praised.
"Thanks! Participating in my first League is exciting!" Blue exclaimed enthusiastically.
"How did you fare in the Prelims?" the teen asked.
Blue then stared at Skyla with determined blue eyes. The air around the girl shifted to that of a veteran Trainer, widening the teen's eyes.
"I passed."
Skyla began processing how dramatically the girl's aura changed, concluding that the Trainer in front of her was not one to be trifled with.
"… I see. Same here," the teen replied.
'She's younger than me, and yet she was able to pass those battles…' Skyla thought.
'As I thought, the Indigo Grand League is filled with Trainers on another level…'
"Well, see you at the opening ceremony at midnight," Skyla waved as she prepared to leave.
"Umm… Skyla!" Blue called out.
The teen turned back towards the girl, wondering what she needed.
Then, mustering the best attempt of Unovan accent she could…
"Thank you very much!"
Skyla chuckled at the endearing girl and waved again.
"You are welcome!" she replied in kind, eliciting a smile on Blue's face.
"Surge is in charge of security," a woman said.
"And Brock's in charge of maintaining battlefields?" Misty asked.
The redhead was conversing with a fellow Gym Leader in a break room.
The Celadon Gym Leader, Erika. Her usage of Grass types earned her the moniker of 'Princess of Nature' amongst her colleagues.
"Yes, apparently there was an incident during Day 1 where a battlefield suffered massive damage from a certain boy we know," Erika said with a soft laugh.
"Yep, it has to be that idiot…" Misty groaned, knowing who the black-haired woman was talking about.
A certain raven-haired boy with red eyes and a Pikachu on his shoulders.
"What about you?" Misty asked again.
"There was nothing for me to do, so I have come as a spectator," Erika answered.
"Incidentally… Did you watch that last fight?" the black-haired girl asked.
Recalling to the amazing sight of Charizard slamming Golem into the ground.
"Haah… Where did someone like Ash even come from, I wonder?" Misty sighed, chalking up Ash as an anomaly among Trainers due to way he fought.
"I don't care," Gary said with annoyance.
"Oh, come on! This is cola from Unova, you know?" Blue exclaimed.
"Cola's just cola," the orange-haired boy retorted, although he accepted one from the chestnut-haired girl.
Blue then began talking about Skyla, leaving Gary to muse whilst looking at his notebook.
"Skyla, huh?" Gary muttered while reading his notes on the teen that he recorded.
"Wow, what's that?" Blue asked curiously.
"They're notes on my opponents. Collecting information is a fundamental Trainer task, no?" Gary explained.
"Let me see! Let me see!" the girl begged excitedly.
"Hah! As if I'll do that," Gary refused before…
"Pretty please…?" Blue begged again with puppy dog eyes.
Giving up and let the girl read. The green-eyed boy was extremely weak against those blue eyes that he grew up with.
"Why isn't there anything about me or Red, Green?" Blue pouted, peeved that Gary did not write anything about her or Ash, but mostly her.
"Red's weak obviously," the boy immediately replied before turning away from her.
"You… are rather strong, but still weak. That's why I didn't write anything about you."
Blue snickered at his answer. She knew that the boy probably had another notebook dedicated to her alone.
"Hm? 'Ones to watch out for'? Hey, that's Karen!" Blue exclaimed as she noticed a familiar name on the notebook.
"Ah, you know her?" Gary asked.
"Yeah! She was there when Red got his eighth badge against the Professor," the girl answered.
Gary was astonished at her reply. Not due to her being acquainted with a Trainer he deemed strong, but Ash battling against his grandfather. And won.
But he shook his head and gave a description of Karen.
"She's called 'The Beast Tamer'. A specialist of the newly discovered Dark types. What's more, she's what we call an Elite Four candidate," the orange-haired boy explained, narrowing his eyes at his notes.
"What's an Umbreon?" Blue asked again before handing the notebook back to Gary.
"It's the Dark type evolution of Eevee," the boy answered, causing Blue to twitch.
"An evolution that requires no stones."
Blue then looked nervously at him, making Gary raise an eyebrow.
"Green…" the girl began.
"There's someone I'd like you to meet… again."
Poof!
Beside Blue, was a purple feline with a red gem on her forehead.
"She's Espeon now," Blue introduced.
Seeing his evolved starter again hardened Gary's expression.
Stone-faced and emotionless. The memories playing once again.
Instead of walking away like he wanted to do, he walked towards Espeon.
Each step, a memory.
"You're giving Eevee to me?!"
He reached out a hand towards his former starter.
"Eevee… was closer to Raticate than any of my Pokémon."
His green eyes apologetic towards the Trainer and Pokémon.
"I'm going to be the greatest Trainer in the world."
Gary's hand froze, a few centimetres away from Espeon's head.
"I've got no use for a Pokémon who can't battle."
'Ah… that's right…'
'I don't have the right anymore…'
And recalled his hand back into his pocket before turning away.
"Green!" Blue called out.
"…She's not my Eevee anymore," he said without looking and he started walking away.
"It's good that she's happy now. See you all at the ceremony."
'I'm sorry…'
Espeon watched as her former Trainer walked away and remembered the simpler times.
With him. With Raticate.
Blue and the purple feline were saddened, but they understood.
"Give him some time. He's gotten better, hasn't he?" Blue assured her Pokémon.
Without their notice, Gary glanced back for a while with wistful green eyes. But he continued walking away.
10 pm.
Misty was walking around, waiting for the opening ceremony to begin.
"Maybe I should go have some fo—"
Before she could finish her sentence, a large explosion of smoke burst from the woods next to her.
"What the…" she muttered.
The redhead then walked towards the source before hearing a familiar voice.
"That's too much fire, Charizard! Lapras, help me put it out."
'Wait, I kno—'
Misty thought before getting interrupted by a [Water Gun] on her face.
"Wh- Wh- Wh-…"
"What are you doing, you idiot?!" she shouted at the raven-haired boy.
"Geh! Misty?!" Ash exclaimed, now noticing the Gym Leader.
After a few minutes…
"So, you were cooking for your Pokémon?" the redhead asked.
"Yeah! Everyone worked hard during the Prelims so I'm going all out tonight!" Ash exclaimed while chopping some vegetables.
"Hmm… so you can cook," Misty remarked.
"I had to since I was camping most of the time…" Ash replied, remembering his time on the run from Team Rocket.
"By the way…"
"Are you still cold?" he asked.
"Obviously!" Misty answered while shifting closer to the campfire.
"Sorry, sorry! I gave you my vest so don't be mad," the raven-haired boy apologized with a sweat drop.
"Pikapi!"
"What's up, partner?" Ash asked.
"Pika! Pikachu!"
"Ah, they're fighting again."
Before he turned to leave, Ash looked at Misty.
"Hey, Misty? Have you eaten?" he asked.
"No. No yet," she answered.
"In that case, cut some vegetables. I'll make a stew so we can eat together," he replied with a smile before rushing to break up a fight between Marowak and Snoarlax.
Unbeknownst to the boy, Misty was blushing at his offer while her eyes still locked onto the boy.
'Such a shame… I envy you…' she thought, thinking about the honey blonde.
After breaking up the fight, Ash finished preparing the meat.
"Misty, you can put in the vegetables."
"Right."
And the redhead dropped the vegetables she cut from high above.
"Gah! Why didja drop it from that height?!" Ash shouted.
"Stop complaining! Geez, you gave me a fright," the redhead retorted.
"I'm the one who got scared, genius!" Ash countered.
"Anyways, what's this?" the boy asked, scooping up a carrot that was still connected despite Misty's best efforts at chopping.
"For someone who treats me like a child, it seems you're the one who needs some growing up to do," Ash snarked while rolling up his black long-sleeved winterwear that he got from Blue.
"Well excuse me for not being a perfect chef," Misty said sarcastically.
Taking a sip of the stew, Misty's eyes lit up.
"…It's OK," the redhead remarked.
"No shame in saying its good, y'know?" the boy teased.
"By the way, I don't think I've asked you this, but why didja take a break from the Gym and enter the Grand League?"
Hearing Ash's question, Misty smiled.
"Well, you entered the Grand League to battle Green, no?"
"Yeah."
"I'm the same. There's someone I want to prove myself against."
She then began her story.
"A decade ago, my sisters and I once went to the Sevii Island Gym when it was still operating."
"There, I met Lorelei. I watched her battle with her Ice types. It was breath-taking to say the least."
"A true battle. One where both Trainers gave it their all, and she was stunning. Beautiful and powerful, that's who I wanted to be."
Ash listened to her story in silence, letting her continue.
"I admired her, but back then, I blindly imitate her. Her moves, her strategies, and even her appearance," Misty said, recalling to when she changed her hairstyle to a ponytail from her signature side ponytail.
"Then, when she finally became an Elite Four, she hosted a small junior tournament where the kids could battle her."
"Of course, everyone had to have adults accompanying them since they weren't Trainers. But I was a Gym Leader's sister and I trained in secret with my Pokémon. So, I challenged her."
"Woah… Didja win?" Ash asked curious.
Misty shook her head.
"I lost 0 to 3."
"It was then I realized my techniques, my moves, they were just a pale imitation of the genuine article."
"Anyone watching could tell that I was a fraud."
"However, Lorelei praised me for my Water type attacks, saying that they frightened her a little."
"That's when I realized something."
"What I needed wasn't someone to copy. For my Pokémon's sake, I had to be true to who I am."
"My path is that of the Water types. And I won't lose to her again."
"Well, she's waiting for me at the top. That's why I can't disappoint her now."
Finishing her story, Ash was amazed.
The redhead had chased after Lorelei's shadow that she turned into one. But now, she was not a pale imitation of Lorelei. She was Cerulean City's Gym Leader, Misty Waterflower.
The teen had carved out her own path and determined to surpass the person of her admiration.
"It's time. Thanks for the vest," Misty thanked.
"Hmm? No problem."
"I'm going back to my room to change. Speaking of which, you have a room too, y'know? Being one of the Trainers for the main event gives you that privilege," she lectured.
"I know," Ash grumbled.
"There's an hour left so get your butt ready already!" the redhead called out.
"Just go already!"
And Misty left.
Ash now changed his winterwear for his black T-shirt.
"Until now…"
"I was concerned with myself, but everyone has their dreams."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu squeaked with determination.
The raven-haired Trainer looked at his partner and grinned.
'We'll become the strongest.'
"Yeah, it's the same for us."
'The strongest in the world.'
The boy then put on his signature red vest.
'For our dreams.'
"Let's go, Pikachu! To the stage of our dream."
'And for her.'
The opening ceremony began.
Everyone around the world watched with excitement.
The attention the Grand League garnered was immense.
The children and elderly.
Aspiring Trainers as well as beginners.
Gym Leaders and veterans.
The Elite Four of across the world in their respective regions.
Even the Regional Champions themselves tuned in to see the Kanto's Elite Four as well as the 12 Trainers that survived the Preliminaries.
Everyone did not want to miss a single moment of such a monumental event.
Especially not a certain honey blonde.
Pokémon Academy.
"Well, it's finally time," Calem commented, excited for the ceremony to begin.
"Are you excited, Serena?" Shauna asked with stars in her eyes.
"Of course I am!" Serena exclaimed with happiness.
The honey blonde was ecstatic to see her sweetheart again, even though she just watched his battle last night.
The group had changed seats to the front as requested by Serena.
Sycamore and Grace chuckled at the girl's lovestruck expression as they watched the countdown dwindle down.
{ 10 }
Hoenn Region. Petalburg City.
"Hurry up, May! It's starting soon!" a bespectacled boy called out.
"Yes, yes, Max. Why is my family obsessed with Pokémon Battles?" May groaned as she sat with her brother on the couch.
A family of 4 watched the countdown dwindle down.
{ 9 }
Sinnoh Region. Twinleaf Town.
"It's starting, Dawn!" a woman called out to her daughter.
"No need to worry! There's still time," Dawn said while getting comfortable with her mother.
{ 8 }
Sinnoh Region. Celestic Town.
"Now, let's see what new challengers are in this time…" a blonde woman whispered to herself.
"Gar!" a dark blue land shark roared excitedly.
"Garchomp! Calm down or grandma's gonna yell again!" a younger blonde girl scolded.
{ 7 }
Sinnoh Region. Veilstone City.
"Red of Pallet Town, huh?" a purple-haired boy said under his breath as he watched the number count down.
"Let's see if beating my brother was a fluke or not."
{ 6 }
Unova Region. Village of Dragons.
"Iris, it's time!" a girl cried out to her childhood friend.
"Coming, Shannon!" Iris replied.
The whole village was watching the countdown of the Grand League. Both villagers and Pokémon alike.
{ 5 }
Kalos Region. Lumiose City.
"Bonnie, Clemont! It's about to start!" a man called out to his children.
"Coming! Clemont's invention exploded again!" Bonnie cried out.
"Can we just watch please?" Clemont groaned.
{ 4 }
Kalos Region. Shalour City.
"I'm so excited, grandpa!" a blonde girl said with excitement.
"Haha! Me too, Korrina," the old man replied.
{ 3 }
Alola Region. Pokémon School.
"Are you ready, class?" a muscular man with shades asked.
"YES!" the students answered with enthusiasm.
{ 2 }
Galar Region. Postwick Town.
"Glad you could make it, Leon!" a dark-skinned boy said.
"I'm the unbeatable Champion, after all. Gotta see my future competition!" Leon said with a grin.
{ 1 }
Kanto Region. Rota Kingdom, Cameran Palace.
"Will something happen at the Grand League?" a queen asked expectantly towards a man wearing a blue hat.
"I sensed it during the Preliminaries, Queen Ilene. Besides, I can feel the sword calling out," the man answered, pointing to a rusted sword that the queen was holding.
"May the AURA be with us…"
{ 0 }
{ LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! }
{ WELCOME ALL TO THE FIFTH INDIGO GRAND LEAGUE! }
{ POKÉMON AND TRAINERS, FIGHTING TOGETHER… }
{ WITH THEIR PASSION, THEIR BONDS AND THEIR PRIDE! }
{ THAT'S WHAT A POKÉMON BATTLE TRULY IS! }
{ NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO… }
{ AFTER THE PRELIMINARIES' GRUELING BATTLES… }
{ HERE STANDS THE 16 CHOSEN ONES! }
{ GIVE THEM A WARM WELCOME! }
One by one, each Trainers walked out to the field as their names were called.
{ LANCE OF THE ELITE FOUR! }
(The Lord of D.)
A carmine-haired man with yellow eyes. A cape draped around and gave off an intimidating aura. A massive orange dragon accompanied him as his ace, Dragonite.
{ AGATHA OF THE ELITE FOUR! }
(Mistress of Phantoms)
An elderly woman with a cane wearing a purple dress with sleeves, a green woollen cloth draped on her shoulders. A purple ghost accompanied her as her ace, Gengar.
{ LORELEI OF THE ELITE FOUR! }
(The Witch of Frost)
A vermillion red-haired woman wearing glasses and a form-fitting black dress. A blue plesiosaur with a shell at its back accompanied her as her ace, Lapras.
{ BRUNO OF THE ELITE FOUR! }
(Shiva of Kanto)
A burly muscular man wearing only white haori with torn white trousers. A four-armed Pokémon accompanied him as his ace, Machamp.
{ AND NOW FOR THE 12 WHO ASCENDED THROUGH THE PRELIMINARIES! }
{ KAREN OF JOHTO! }
(The Beast Tamer)
A light-blue haired teenager wearing a black sleeveless dress. A black horned canine accompanied her as her ace, Houndoom.
{ CLAIR OF BLACKTHORN CITY! }
(Maiden of D.)
A blue-haired teenager wearing a blue dress and a black cape. A pristine blue serpent accompanied her as her ace, Dragonair.
{ BEA OF STOW-ON-SIDE! }
(Karate Prodigy of Galar)
A gray-haired teenager wearing a white tank-top with a black skinsuit beneath. A brown bird holding a massive leek accompanied her as her ace, Farfetch'd (Galarian).
{ SKYLA OF MISTRALTON CITY! }
(The Soaring Ace)
An auburn-haired teenager wearing a dark blue uniform with a black miniskirt. A white swan with blue underside accompanied her as her ace, Swanna.
{ LISIA OF SOOTOPOLIS CITY! }
(Flower of Hoenn)
A turquoise-haired teenager wearing Hoenn's Ace Trainer uniform. A fluffy-winged blue bird accompanied her as her ace, Altaria.
{ FLINT OF SUNYSHORE CITY! }
(Blazing Heart)
A red afroed teenager wearing a yellow polo shirt with black trousers. A red and yellow Eeveelution accompanied him as his ace, Flareon.
{ MISTY OF CERULEAN CITY! }
(The Tomboyish Mermaid)
An orange-haired teenager wearing an orange sleeveless tank top with ripped shorts with suspenders. A purple crystalline starfish accompanied her as her ace, Starmie.
{ ILIMA OF HAU'OLI CITY! }
(Melemele's Star)
A pink haired teenager wearing a brown sweater vest with a white shirt with white trousers. A yellow and brown mongoose accompanied him as his ace, Gumshoos.
{ GRANT OF CYLLAGE CITY! }
(Marquis of Stone)
A dark-skinned man wearing climber clothes with colourful rock-shaped clips on his black hair. A brown dinosaur with a huge jaw accompanied him as his ace, Tyrunt.
{ AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE INDIGO GRAND LEAGUE'S HISTORY… }
{ 3 OF THE YOUNGEST TRAINERS TO HAVE EVER CLIMBED TO THE APEX! }
{ GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THESE OUTSTANDING TRAINERS! }
{ BLUE OF PALLET TOWN! }
(11 years old)
A chestnut-haired girl with deep blue eyes wearing a light blue sleeveless shirt with black outlines and a red miniskirt. A purple feline with a red gem on her forehead accompanied her, Espeon.
{ GREEN OF PALLET TOWN! }
(11 years old)
An orange-haired boy with emerald green eyes wearing a black shirt with purple trousers. A large red canine accompanied him as his ace, Arcanine.
{ AND FINALLY, OUR LAST COMPETITOR FOR THE GRAND LEAGUE… }
{ RED OF PALLET TOWN! }
(11 years old)
A raven-haired boy with blood red eyes wearing a red vest with a black T-shirt underneath and denim trousers. A yellow mouse perched on his shoulder accompanied him as his ace, Pikachu.
And the crowd went wild at the 16 Trainers.
A certain honey-blonde could not stop smiling at the sight of the last Trainer and cheered as loudly as she could, even though she was watching the broadcast from another region. But she did not care and continued cheering as if she was there. The hall of Pokémon Academy roared in excitement with her.
Meanwhile, certain people from other regions began noticing the Pallet trio.
"Those 3 are the same age as me?!" May shouted in confusion.
"And they managed to enter the Grand League?! Who are these guys?!" Max exclaimed in shock.
...
"That Pikachu's so cute!" Dawn squealed with delight.
...
"Oh my… Now there's something to look forward to," Cynthia said with a smile.
...
"Red of Pallet Town…" a purple haired boy muttered with his eyes narrowed at Ash's appearance.
...
"Wait a minute! Why are there kids in the tourney?!" Iris screamed.
...
"Big Brother! There are Trainers younger than you in the League," Bonnie said in amazement.
"There's only a 2-year age gap between me and them, Bonnie," Clemont sweat dropped.
...
"Wow! There are Trainers younger than me in the tournament!" Korrina exclaimed.
...
"Eh? Those 3 are only 11? Interesting…" the half-naked man wearing a lab coat said with interest.
...
"That's amazing, Leon! They entered the Grand League despite being the same age as me!" Leon's brother commented excitedly.
"Quite right, Hop. They might be tough opponents in the future," Leon stated.
...
"This…" Riley muttered as he narrowed his eyes on Ash and then to the rusted sword that Queen Ilene held.
"It's faint but there's a response… Red of Pallet Town."
The 16 lined up in front of an enormous torch that was almost as tall as the stadium surrounding it. And a bald man riding his flaming steed galloped towards them.
{ CINNABAR' GYM LEADER, BLAINE HAS ENTERED! }
{ AND HE'S GALLOPING TOWARDS… }
An elderly man wearing his old medal was waiting for Blaine underneath the giant torch.
{ THE CURRENT LEADING AUTHORITY OF ALL THINGS POKÉMON… }
{ THE WINNER OF THE FIRST INDIGO GRAND LEAGUE… }
{ SAMUEL OAK! }
Agatha glanced at the professor with a smile, remembering fond memories that his outfit from his younger days elicited. The Pallet Trio looked in astonishment and awe towards their mentor.
Oak was then given a flaming torch by Blaine, and he walked to the giant one.
{ THE SACRED FLAMES OF THE LEGENDARY BIRD, MOLTRES! }
{ SYMBOLIZING THE OBSTACLES A TRAINER MUST OVERCOME… }
{ SINCE MOLTRES IS FOUND IN VICTORY ROAD! }
{ IGNITE THE TORCH! }
Oak complied and the flames travelled to the top of the gigantic torch with remarkable speed.
{ AS PER TRADITION WITH THE GRAND LEAGUES OF THE PAST… }
At the top, the flames manifested into a fiery visage of the legendary bird, spreading its golden flaming wings.
{ A TITLE SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE FIFTH GRAND LEAGUE! }
Blue looked in amazement, enchanted by the mesmerizing sight.
{ THE FIRST WAS DUBBED 'THE GATHERING OF LEGENDS'… }
Gary gave a determined smile, excited for the tournament.
{ NOW, THE FIFTH SHALL HENCEFORTH BE TITLED… }
Ash let out a toothy grin upon seeing Moltres' image, clenching his locket.
{ THE FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS! }
Chapter 31: Festival of Champions
{ LET THE GRAND LEAGUE BEGIN! }