Chapter 33

"IT'S TIME TO GET READY FOR THE POKÉMON LEAGUE!"

"PIIIIIKAAAAAAAAAAA!"

"Waaaagggghhhh!" Amber awoke with a start to booming voices, causing her to fall out of bed with a thud.

After her victory at the Vermillion Gym, Amber now had 8 badges and was ready to compete in the Pokémon League competition. Staying at home in Pallet Town with her parents, the teenager had become a little bit complacent in the break before the great tournament started and being doted on over the weeks hadn't helped.

"Daddy! I was sleeping!" Amber whined, getting back into bed and pulling over the covers.

"How can you possibly sleep?! The tournament is just a few days away." Ash gently shook his daughter. Pikachu jumped up onto the bed and joined in waking up the lazy teenager.

Amber peered from under the covers, unimpressed. "So?"

"So, you have to set off soon to make it through Victory Road in good time." Misty appeared joining Ash in Ambers room. "You don't want to miss the opening ceremony."

"Ugggggghhhh. Can't I just get a lift to the stadium with you guys?"

Misty and Ash both frowned.

"Piiiii kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU"

"WAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"

Pikachu threw off a small thunder shock attack, zapping the lazy teenager out of bed. She hit her bedroom floor with a thud.

"Travelling through Victory Road is right of passage as a trainer. You can't just skip it!" Ash folded his arms across his chest. His body language unwavering.

"Ohhh kay, I get it." Amber groaned recovering from the gentle shock.

"Have you been getting in some good training?" Misty smiled gently, sitting on the edge of her daughter's bed.

Amber sweat dropped. She kinda had … when she hadn't been side tracked of course.

"Amberrrr." Misty glared, about to scold her daughter for slacking off.

"Don't sweat it." Ash smiled warmly. Misty gave her husband the side eye. "I bet you'll have trained more than you thought without even realising it. You'll do great. I know you will. And we'll all be cheering for you, right Pikachu?"

"Pikachu!" The yellow mouse squeaked with agreement.

"You've got this Kiddo." He winked and held a thumbs up to his daughter.

Amber beamed. Sometimes her dad knew just what to say.

"But you know, it doesn't hurt to go in a little more prepared. Relying on instincts alone and dumb luck will only get you so far." Misty added.

"You say that Misty, but when you're a gifted natural like me and the kid here, well, we do pre-etty well on our skill and intuition. I'd argue it's actually our greatest strength." Ash bragged.

"Like your first time when Charizard refused to battle and you crashed and burned in the 5th round?" Misty folded her arms and raised an eyebrow.

Ash fell over before getting back up and sweat dropping. "Maybe Mom's right, a little more prep wouldn't hurt."

"Piii kaaa" Pikachu sighed with embarrassment.

"We'll leave you to get ready." Misty stood up and ushered Ash and Pikachu out the room. "See you downstairs for breakfast. A big journey starts on a full stomach."

Amber grabbed her belt off her dresser and pulled off the pokéballs. She released her team one by one.

"Rai Rai!" "Electabuzzzzzz" "Magnemitemagnemite" "Eleccctrode" "Jolt!" "Geodude geodude"

"Hey guys how are you all feeling?"

The pokémon stretched and yawned a little.

"Listen we're leaving home today and travelling through Viridian up to Victory Road. It's a pretty dangerous mountain pass." Amber thought back to the last time she was there facing against Team Rocket, her Pikachu and Electrode feinting and all getting knocked out by falling rocks. She shuddered at the memory but shook it off and offered a smile. "But we're all a lot stronger now than before. I know we'll be alright. And if we can make it through Victory Road, we can make it through the Pokémon League! Are you with me?" Amber put her hand out. Raichu was the first to put his paw on top of his friend's hand. Followed quickly by Jolteon. Electabuzz and Geodude both put their hands in and Magnemite lowered it's magnet down to make contact. Electrode rolled itself underneath. "YEAH!" The team all cheered and raised up, Electrode bouncing up off the floor.

"Let's do our best."

Days went by. The path through Victory Road was long and hard. Amber and her team met and battled through some very tough wild pokémon and working against the type disadvantage her electric pokémon had against the natural ground types made it twice so. The training was intense, but they pulled through.

After what seemed like an eternity, the mouth of the mountain pass became visible, and Amber along her Raichu stumbled out and into the daylight.

"Finallllly. I thought we'd never get out of there." Amber wiped her brow with her forearm, her face showing signs of fatigue. "That was really tough."

"Raiiiii" Raichu flopped to the ground in agreement.

The teen looked up and her eyes dazzled. Just behind the coppice of trees stood the Indigo Plateau. Home of the Pokémon League.

"Raichu! Look we're here! We're really here!"

"Rai …" Raichu raised his head and his eyes widened.

The building was large and grand, a giant staircase led up to the entrance with grand statues of famous pokémon lining the walkway. The stadium itself was surrounded by a makeshift village for all the competitors and visitors to the Pokémon League during the yearly league competition.

Amber walked up to the large estate. She looked up and smirked with determination. "The Indigo Plateau. We finally made it."

"Rai rai rai!"

"You know I've been here so many times before with Dad, but coming out from Victory Road, it's like I'm seeing it for the first time. It's just amazing. I totally get what Dad meant now. He was right."

"Raiiiiii"

"I didn't say that though."

"Rai."

"Hey look! It's you!"

"Me?" Amber pointed to herself with disbelief.

A small crowd of media surrounded the teenager and her raichu. A reporter stepped forwards.

"You! You're the Ketchum girl who rode Zapdos and helped save Cinnabar Island!"

"Um. Yeah that's me?" Amber pointed to herself unused to recognition.

"Well, I mean some of it. Most of the island was still consumed by the active volcano. But hey you saved the beaches!"

The teenager sweat dropped.

"Wow. A real life hero. Just like your father! Speaking of are you here to compete in the league tournament? How do you predict your chances? Will we be seeing a continuation of the Ketchum legacy?" The reporter, firing questions off at a record pace, shoved a microphone in the redhead's face.

Ambers eyes lit up, she'd never had this kind of attention before. She pulled the microphone in further to her and spoke into the device. "Well I wouldn't say I'm just like my father, but, yeah I am competing this year!" Amber motioned down to Raichu "I've got a really strong pokémon team at my side and if I'm going to make a prediction – YES! We're going to go all the way!" Amber held up a peace sign.

"OHMYMEW IT'S HIM!" A voice screamed out, pointing to a ludicrously long stretch limousine pulling up outside the entrance.

A crowd of media stormed over, the ones interviewing Amber, instantly joining them, forgetting about the young Ketchum girl and trampling her and Raichu under foot. The teen and evolved mouse coughed and spluttered through the dust cloud of foot traffic over them and lifted their heads up off the floor to see hordes of security guards pile out of the super stretch limo, followed by none other than her famous brother Cole Ketchum. Camera flashes started going off around him like crazy, as he pulled off his sunglasses and smiled perfectly, showing off his baby blue eyes.

"No not him ..." Amber thumped her head back to the ground.

He held his hand out and gently lead out his stunning model fiancé Elesa, the Nimbasa City Gym Leader.

The famous duo expertly struck a pose.

"Cole Cole Cole! Over here!" "Elesa! Elesa! How are you finding your time in Kanto?" "When's the wedding?!" "Cole, do you have anything to say to all your adoring fans out there?" "Are you here to compete?" "Model. Movie Star. What's your next move? Pokémon Master?"

Cole smiled and shook his head. "No, no just here to show face, and support the family name. Now we must take our place inside." "Much love to you all! Mwah mwah!" Elesa followed blowing some air kisses out.

The media swooned over the budding stars and followed after them as they left their company, camera's flashing away as the famous couple were incessantly papped.

Amber slumped on the floor, tears streaming down her face. "But I'm the one competing!" The teen wailed out loud.

"Raiiiiiiiiiiiiii" The pokémon matching his trainers tone.

Misty looked out from the Indigo Plateau across the crowds of trainers filing into the stadium. "Wow, there really are a lot of trainers competing this year."

Ash Ketchum, his wife Misty, his Pikachu, and the rest of the Elite Four team stood in the meeting room of the Indio Plateau building, presiding over all the incoming trainers filtering in for the league competition registration.

"With stolen badges no doubt." Lance grumbled. Folding his arms and frowning.

"But how do we tell the earned badges from the stolen?" Karen mused looking out over the trainers entering the complex. The dark master looked over to psychic elite member Will, who merely sweat dropped and shrugged with a smile, not being able to offer any kind of solution. Karen smirked back.

"We can't." Ash deduced. "But that won't matter."

"Pi kaaaa pika."

"Come on guys, we better get ready for opening ceremony, the flame is nearly here." Koga motioned them the leave.

The group filed out. Ready to show face.

Amber stood in the crowds of trainers inside the Indigo Stadium, waiting for the flame of Moltres to arrive to begin the pokémon tournament. It was a lifelong tradition of the league that the flame, lit throughout the whole competition, is brought to the stadium by an honoured designated flame bearer.

The teenager looked around her and smiled. She couldn't believe she was finally here competing! It was a dream come true. "It's so weird to be down here with the competitors, instead of up there in the box seats. Feels so much ... fuller." Amber mused out loud, geeking out. "It really is a whole new experience. I feel so lucky. What an atmosphere!"

A couple of trainers nearby couldn't help but overhear the rambling teenager and sniggered at the ludicrous girl. What a dreamer.

Cole, Elesa, Gary and the other Kanto League Gym Leaders all sat in the VIP box seats, situated adjacent to where Ash, Misty and the Elite Four emerged to loud cheering fans. The famous trainers took their place and waved out to the jubilant crowds.

"Mom! Dad!" Amber cried out and waved to her family. Misty looked out across the sea of trainers and instantly spotted her enthusiastic teenage daughter. She gave wink and a wave. Nudging Ash who lit up when seeing his kid amongst the competing trainers, giving her an exaggerated wave.

Mom … Dad … The sniggering trainers stopped and looked at the girl, up at Misty, back and the girl, up at Ash and then to each other and paled.

Ok maybe this girl wasn't a silly dreamer after all.

Soon the famous flame arrived at the stadium and the honoured runner lit the torch, officially signalling that the prestigious pokémon league tournament had begun. Fireworks began to light up the sky creating a beautiful spectacle across Indigo Plateau.

Amber looked across and smiled warmly seeing Lt Surge. She was so happy her friend and mentor was here to see her battle. Along with him was Uncle Gary, Aunt Daisy, Aunt Violet and Aunt Lily, and ugh Cole of course … Elesa, Sabrina, Dusty, Erika, Forrest ...

"Hey, I don't see Janine?"

"Try looking behind you."

Amber spin to see the poison gym leader standing before her, clad in her signature back and purple uniform. "Janine! It's great to see you again!"

The two young women embraced. Amber pulled away and slightly frowned. "But what are you doing down here with the trainers instead of up there with your father and the other Gym Leaders?"

Janine smiled. "I'm competing. Just like you."

Amber's jaw dropped "You are?!"

"After our battle I realised I could only learn so much staying at my father's gym. In order to fulfil my dream, I knew I had to travel and experience as many different pokémon and battles as possible to find my own style. I can only get so far being like Father. I know you understand."

"That's great." Amber nodded with a smile. "I really hope we get to battle again!"

Janine giggled softly. "Don't expect the same outcome I've become a lot stronger!"

"So have I."

"Let's go all the way to the final!"

The two exchanged a friendly rival hand clasp as the firework show drew to a close.

An announcement boomed over the tannoid system. "Attention all trainers. Due to the record number of competitors this year, knockout preliminary rounds will begin tomorrow morning on the training fields. The competition will be whittled down to the top 64 trainers who will then proceed to battle across our four element fields for a place in the top 16. Good luck to all our participating trainers and their pokémon."

"Preliminaries. Hey that's … new?" Forrest mused out loud. "Hum, yes I don't think we've done a competition like that before." Erika added.

Misty looked over at the gym trainers "It was all Ash's idea. He knew it would be the best way to fish out the fakes."

Ash smiled knowingly. "Dishonestly can only get you so far. Nothing takes away the experience of earning those badges side by side with your pokémon. I guarantee this will wheedle out the undeserving trainers."

"Oh I get it, a bit like the screenings they did at Silver Conference. Heh. Smart move Ashy Boy. I'm almost impressed." Gary smirked, not letting up a chance to tease his old friend.

Ash looked back at him and softly chuckled. He turned his attention back to the dispersing crowds being filed out by Officer Jenny's. "It's a record number down there. We've even had to bring in Jenny's and Joy's from other continents to make up the numbers."

"Officer Jennyyy! Nurse Joyyyyyyyyy."

The group jumped out their skin as a very very familiar goofy man appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

Ash and Misty rejoiced. Their faces beaming.

"BROCK!"

"Brock! You made it!" Misty exclaimed overjoyed as she fully embraced their dearest friend, who did not respond back as his attention was clearly elsewhere.

"But Brock where did you come from?!" Ash looked around puzzled as the last he'd heard Brock was on his way back to Alola.

Brock snapped out of his ogling and smiled devilishly. "I'd come from anywhere Ash, to see an Officer Jenny and a Nurse Joy."

"Oh Brother ..." Forrest buried his head in hands thoroughly embarrassed by his older siblings antics.

"Well whatever the reason I'm really glad you're here." Ash grinned.

Brock nodded and smiled warmly. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"You know, whenever the three of us are together, I feel like things might just work out." Misty chimed as she, Ash and Brock looked out over the stadium.

Tomorrow was another day.

Amber and Janine walked along through the village to their accommodation, enjoying the anonymity of walking in a large crowd. The evening was beautifully warm, with a gorgeous bright moon shining above them. It added to the perfect atmosphere that surrounded them – lively and good spirited whilst remaining laid back. Like being at a festival or holiday resort. The two women chatted like good friends that had never been apart.

"When I last saw you on Cinnabar Island, I had no idea you had started your own journey, Janine. Though I guess we didn't have much time to catch up with everything going on." Amber smiled.

"Well, I do have a slight confession. I did have a little inside help in lining up gym battle appointments. Being a Kanto gym leader and a member of the Elite Four's daughter, we'll it has come with certain privileges … I haven't had the chance to travel as extensively as most trainers. It makes me feel somewhat a fraud in the presence of all these other trainers and as well you Amber."

Amber shook her head. "I can't say I haven't had some perks either. You earned your badges fair and square. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You're a great trainer Janine, you more than deserve to be here." Amber narrowed her eyes and quieted her voice as she observed the overwhelming crowds of trainers. "Can't say that for everyone here …"

"The stolen badges." Janine nodded, knowingly. "Father did inform me of such goings on. I felt guilty for a while for leaving Fuchsia Gym. That maybe if I'd been there, I could have prevented the thievery. But as every gym was hit, it's likely my presence wouldn't have made a difference. To steal from Ninja without leaving a trace, well, it was a real pro job."

"Hey! Speaking of who's looking after the gym whilst your away?"

"Oh my Aunty, Aya. She completed her training in Johto and returned to take my place as Gym Leader. Honestly, I think she was born to be the Fuchsia Gym Leader. She's far more deserving of the title than me. She's amazing, and really rocks the colour ..."

"Arw Janine, for what it's worth, you're the best Fuchsia Gym Leader I've ever battled." Amber grinned widely.

"I'm the only Fuchsia Gym Leader you've ever battled!"

The two ladies laughed.

Soon they came to a fork in the path.

Amber pulled out her registration form. "Well looks like my accommodation is up this way."

"Mine this." Janine pointed the opposite direction.

"Guess I'll see you in the morning for the preliminary rounds."

"Cannot wait."

The two hugged briefly goodbye and went off in opposite directions, knowing tomorrow they could be rivals rather than friends.

Night went and morning came and in no time at all the preliminary rounds were up and running. Amber found herself slicing through the competition easy. In a lot of cases a little too easily. Seemed her father was right; the new system was an efficient way to get rid of the undeserving.

Janine found herself in the same boat, knocking out opponent after opponent, mostly with little effort. During battles, she found herself eyeing her competition with suspicion Hmm I don't recognise battling any of these opponents for a gym badge … if I did … Janine's Venonat knocked out her opposing Drowzee … they didn't earn their badge from beating me!

The day went on, and the battles raged. Soon the competition was whittled down to the final 64.

"Attention all trainers. The preliminary rounds have now come to an end and the remaining 64 trainers have been selected. Congratulations enduring trainers, from tomorrow you will be battling it out on the element fields. Please make your way to the reception for your next round match ups. Good luck to you all.

For those trainers who didn't make it through, you are welcome to stay as spectators throughout the rest of the competition and make use of the village facilities. Thank You all trainers for your contribution in this record breaking participation year and we hope to see you again next year.

Ash, Pikachu and Misty looked through the results, a little more interested this year, desperate to see if a certain someone had made it through to compete. Misty's blue eyes lit up. "There she is!"

A mop of fiery red hair stood out on the screen. Amber's face was amongst the final competitors. She'd made it through the preliminaries.

"I never had a doubt." Ash smiled.

"ALRIGHT!" Daisy, Violet and Lily all clasped hands and cheered together, gleeful their little niece had made it through. Lt Surge leaned his large frame against the doorway and smirked happily.

Koga peered over the Champions shoulder and smiled to himself with pride. His daughter, Janine's face was also in the fray. That's my girl.

"So Master Ketchum, I'm intrigued. If you believe the knocked out competitors are the *ahem* short cut takers employing stolen badges, why invite them to stay? Seems to me like we are rewarding cheating with free entry to a world class event?" Elite Master Karen leaned over and quizzed the Kanto Champion.

Ash turned to face everyone. "All said and done, some of those trainers out there will have worked really hard to earn their 8 badges. To then come all the way to the Indigo Plateau and not even be able to even compete in the first round? That's sad. I remember how hard I worked for my badges, if I thought I got knocked out by a short cut taking cheat, I'd have been crushed."

"But if they can't win in a preliminary round, then they don't deserve a shot at the championship title." Lance reasoned, folding his arms.

"Maybe, and yes you are right. But I've always believed there is always an element of luck to any battle." Ash smiled softly. "Good or Bad. Sometimes the more deserving doesn't always come out victorious."

"That explains your rise to fame." Misty slyly chipped in.

Ash and Pikachu crashed down to the floor as Gary sniggered in approval of the harsh burn. Brock looked on with sympathy whilst also trying not to laugh himself.

The Champion got back up, shaking off his wife's teasing. "At least this is some condolence. I'm not about to punish everyone. And hey maybe if the ones who did buy their way in get to watch some genuine trainers battle their hearts out, it'll inspire them to do better and take the challenge properly next year. I know it would psyche me up to do better!" Ash clenched his fists with excitement.

Misty smiled warmly at her husband with pride in her eyes. That was her Ash.

Amber and Janine stood amongst the competing 64 candidates. Both elated to competing in the pokémon league and that they hadn't had to face each other in the knockouts.

A brunette sashayed over, her walk oozing confidence. She approached the two. "Hey long time no see. Glad to see you've made it through the preliminaries."

Amber turned around to face the newcomer and her face lit up. "Elaine!"

The older trainer tipped up her signature cap and give the teenager a broad smile and a wink. "Nice to see you again Kid. Had a feeling I would be."

"You too! I thought maybe I'd see you hanging out at Gary's again, but he said you'd already left. I was a little surprised, I thought you two were close friends."

"Ha. No, no one can get close to Gary Oak …" Elaine mused, a hint of sadness in her tone.

Amber tilted her head bemused.

"And you, Janine, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be up in the VIP box with the other gym leaders?" Elaine acknowledged the elephant in the room.

"Actually, I've given up my post at the Fuchsia City Gym. I want to be a master of all pokémon types and compete for the title."

"Heyy! Good for you girl! So how are you both feeling? Confident?" The older trainer smiled at the younger protégés.

"Um I guess so. I mean I've seen so many of these tournaments over the years, but actually competing … it's a whole different level. I don't know what to expect." Amber mused.

Less so now I've seen you here. Janine sweat dropped quietly. She had battled Elaine previously for the Soul Badge and was steam rolled. Elaine's reputation as a pokémon trainer preceded her and from the ex-gym leaders own experience battling the brunette bombshell, it was a reputation more than well deserved.

"Well, if I can offer you two anything from my own experience in these competitions, expect everything. Anything can happen. So don't get tense ya know? When you get tense your pokémon get tense and that reduces their reaction time. So stay loose out there."

"You've been in a lot of these things haven't you Elaine?" Amber nodded.

"I sure have." Elaine smirked confidently.

"But you haven't won one yet, have you?" Amber stated innocently.

Elaine slumped over. "No ..." Mew this is girl is blunt.

The older woman soon righted her posture. "But this time things are going to be different. This is going to be my year. I can feel it!" Elaine clenched her fists with confidence. "The title of Champion is as good as mine!"

Amber half smiled. "Not if I can help it."

The two locked eyes and smirked at each other, a friendly rivalry sparking.

"Well, we better go see who we're up against next. I hope we don't draw each other in the first round. I'd like to face one of you in the final." Janine beamed as the trio walked off to the reception desk.

The three stood in the crowd waiting to see the draw of the first round.

The faces of competitors randomly popped up on the screen under the element field they'd be placed on first.

The women looked over for their faces and sighed with relief, they hadn't drawn each other. Elaine was on the grass field matched with a woman with cropped blonde hair and Janine was on the ice field matched against a man with disguised features under the name "Anonymous".

"Anonymous?" Janine creased her eyebrows, not really knowing what to make of her first opponent.

"Tad dramatic don't you think? "Anonymous." Oooh. Soooo intimidating. Maybe if I was 6 years old." Elaine teased and joked.

Amber giggled.

"So who did you get Red?" Elaine leaned on Amber's shoulder.

Amber looked across and saw her face under the rock field. She winced slightly at the disadvantage this would pose her team, but gasped and paled when she viewed her opponent.

"No … it … it can't be …"

There pictured along side Amber was a familiar woman with long brown locks and bold blue eyes.

Rosa. The Unova Champion.

Authors note: Oooh it's all kicking off, our girl has got to face her past demon right off the bat and who do we think "Anonymous" is going to be? Pretty sure you've all guessed it ;-)

Sorry for my lack of update on this story - I was working on the Team Rocket side story. Oh you haven't read it? If you're bovva'd check it out, it does run cannon to this story, and it's completed!

Till next time