In the years since Ash's disappearance, the search for him had all but died. He was now believed to have passed away considering there had been no sighting of him in seven years, while most believed it would've been better for him to be punished and captured for his 'crimes', they believed this was the next best thing, as it ensured no more of his pokémon would suffer. Because of this, no one was suspicious when they received a letter in the mail inviting them to attend the upcoming Pokémon League and Grand Festival that was to take place in the Stralia Region. No one, that is who believed Ash was guilty and deceased. Those who believed he was innocent thought differently.

Paul, who had since become a member of Sinnoh's Elite Four, knew immediately what the invite was about when he received one.

"So, he's finally decided to fight back? Took him long enough," thought Paul before starting a call to many different trainers on his video phone.

The ones who answered were Trip, Sawyer, Alain, Zoey and Todd. Everyone Paul had recruited that night at Ash's home seven years ago.

"Any of you receive a mysterious letter in the mail saying you've been invited to an event in a place called the Stralia Region?" asked Paul.

"Yeah," said Trip. "It says that due to my qualification in the Unova region, I'm welcome to come and compete in the region's first ever Pokémon League."

"I got a similar letter," said Sawyer.

"So did I," said Alain.

"Mine was a little different," stated Zoey. "I've been invited to compete in the region's first ever Grand Festival because I've been able to qualify in other regions."

"Well for obvious reasons, I wasn't invited to either," said Todd. "But I have been asked if I'd like to come to the Stralia Region to help document the event."

"This can't be a coincidence," said Alain.

"Agreed, I think we all know what this is actually for," said Paul. The rest nodded.

"Yeah, I knew the moment I got the letter," said Trip. "Looks like Ash is finally ready to make his move."

"Let's just hope it'll be enough," said Zoey.

"Even if it isn't, we have to go to show Ash our support," stated Sawyer.

"What do we do now?" asked Todd.

"We head for the Stralia Region and we'll meet up there. We'll decide what to do when we get there," said Paul.

"Do we tell Ash we support him the moment we see him?" asked Sawyer.

"Maybe not right away. While Ash already knows I support him, we'll have to wait and see what happens when we get there. For now, it's probably best for the others to believe that we're still on their side," stated Paul.

"I agree, if we reveal our alliance too quickly, the others will know we can't be trusted, which might make it harder for us to help Ash clear his name and incriminate Professor Oak," stated Zoey.

"But wouldn't it be better if Ash knew there were others who believed him?" asked Todd.

"I think we should leave that to Sabrina," stated Alain. "She's the only one who knows the identity of everyone who supports Ash and I'm sure she'll be able to find a way to pass on that information."

"Let's just hope we have enough support to pull this off," said Trip.

Elsewhere in the Sinnoh Region, another meeting of secret allies was about to take place. Cynthia and a red-haired man by the name of Flint were awaiting the arrival of one more member. They heard the coded knock at the door.

"Come in," said Cynthia.

A woman with black hair tied into pigtails and amber eyes entered the room. This was Candice, the Gym Leader of Snowpoint City.

"I'm guessing you got the same letter as I did?" asked Candice.

"Yes, and it can't be a coincidence that it came from the region Ash fled to after he was accused," said Cynthia.

"The time has come for us to go and assist Ash in clearing his name," said Flint.

"I just wish there were more of us," said Candice.

"That's why we have to be careful," said Cynthia. "I've been told that three league champions including myself believe Ash, meaning there are still three out there who believe Professor Oak. Even I might not be strong enough to beat them, but that can't stop us from showing Ash, we believe him and are doing everything we can to help prove his innocence."

"She's right, we also have to remember that should we fail, we may also have to flee from the regions that believe Professor Oak," stated Flint.

"Which is why failure isn't an option," said Cynthia. "No matter what we can't let Professor Oak win."

"You're right," said Candice. "Let's show them what we're made of."

Of the meetings taking place in other regions, the one in Kalos had the most in attendance. The meeting of secret Ash supporters included Viola, the Gym leader of Santalune City, her older sister Alexa who had been the one to introduce Ash to the Kalos Region, Korrina the Gym Leader of Shalour City, Kalos League Champion, Diantha and resident Pokémon Professor, Professor Sycamore. They too had received a mysterious invite to the Stralia Region for different reasons.

"Are we sure this is it?" asked Diantha.

"It has to be, why else would we all suddenly be invited to where Ash had fled?" asked Professor Sycamore. "I'm just glad that Pokémon Professors were also invited to 'observe' the trainers and battles of this new region."

"I also find it to coincidental that I just happen to be one of the journalists they've enlisted to help document this event," said Alexa. "Clearly we've all been contacted due to our connection with Ash."

"Let's just hope we can provide the support he needs to clear his name," said Viola.

"I'm sure we can, but we have to be careful. There will likely be many powerful trainers at this event, so we have to keep our guard up. Especially if our cover is blown as Ash supporters," stated Professor Gidyea.

"What'll we do if that happens?" asked Korrina.

"I'm not sure, but the best-case scenario is we'll be exiled from the regions under the influence of Professor Oak," stated Professor Sycamore. "Worst case scenario is we'll all be thrown in prison for treason. I hope that doesn't give you second thoughts about supporting Ash."

"No, I knew Ash was innocent the moment I heard this ridiculous news story," said Diantha. "I've seen the type of person Ash is and I know he'd never do the things Professor Oak is claiming."

"Agreed and I owe it to Ash to see this through," said Korrina. "Without him I might have never found the Lucarionite and I might have never been able to perfect Mega Evolution with my Lucario. The least I can do to return the favour is help clear his name."

"We always knew there were risks in supporting Ash, but we accepted them anyway because we knew it was the right thing to do," said Alexa.

"Yeah, so no matter what we're in this till the end," said Viola.

The Hoenn Region had only a small gathering of Ash supporters. All they had were Hoenn League Champion, Steven Stone and twin Gym Leaders, Tate and Liza.

"You guys ready for this?" asked Steven.

"Well, we've come this far and waited this long," said Tate.

"There's definitely no point in backing out now," said Liza.

"Good, now let's get going, so we can give Ash the support he needs," said Steven.

The final meeting of Ash supporters took place in the Kanto Region and included Sabrina, Kanto Elite Four Member, Agatha and Morty of Ecruteak City Gym and the sole believer of Ash from the Johto Region.

"So, it looks like Ash is finally ready to make his move," said Morty.

"It would appear so and as soon as Professor Oak sees that not only is Ash still alive but has been granted asylum, he'll start to panic making it easier to find a way to incriminate him for his crimes," said Sabrina.

"Well, I know that boy has a good heart, so I'm happy to help him in any way I can," said Agatha. "I just hope my old age won't prevent me from being useful."

"I don't think you have to worry about that," said Morty.

"He's right, with age comes experience, which might make it easier for you to figure out a way to defeat the Oak supporters," said Sabrina.

"Still though we must prepare for the worst if our cover is blown. Should we fail, this trip might become permanent. Thankfully I've done my research on this region and it doesn't seem like such a bad place to retire," stated Agatha.

"We can't think like that, we need to remain hopeful that Ash'll be able to clear his name once this is all over," said Morty.

"Not only that, but with my Psychic Powers I'll be able to carefully monitor both sides of this battle, meaning I should be able to advise Ash on how he should change his strategy if things start going south," said Sabrina. "One way or another I know we can clear Ash's name and make sure Professor Oak is punished for everything he's done."

"Do you think the traitors have also gotten these invites?" asked Morty.

"Definitely and something tells me their pride will make them jump at the chance of becoming a region's first Champion or Top Coordinator, which will make it very difficult for them to turn down this invite," said Sabrina.

"Let's just hope their arrogance about Ash's abilities will cause them to become overconfident and careless in battle," said Agatha.

Just as Sabrina had predicted many of the people who had betrayed Ash had received invites to participate in the Stralia Region's first Pokémon League and Grand Festival and the prospect of becoming a region's first Champion or Top Coordinator was too big of an opportunity to turn down.

"I hope this region likes water pokémon, because they're about to have the world's best Water Trainer as their champion," said Misty reading her invite from her Gym in Cerulean City.

In the Unova Region, Iris had the same arrogant attitude.

"I've already become Champion in one region, becoming Champion in another should be easy. I just hope this region likes Dragon Types."

In the Hoenn Region there were two more people who had decided to accept the invite. Having qualified for the Grand Festival in numerous regions, May was able to easily qualify for the Grand Festival of the Stralia Region. Because her father Norman was the Gym Leader of Petalburg City he had also been invited to participate in the Pokémon League.

"Maybe this could be good for you Dad. You haven't travelled much since Max disappeared," stated May.

"I guess but do you really think I'll stand a chance against these trainers. It's not just other Gym Leaders I'll be facing. Elite Four members and Champions have been invited to this event," stated Norman, looking over the invite.

"You'll never know unless you try," said Norman's wife Caroline. "Besides maybe a change of scenery would be good for us."

Life had been depressing for the Maple family ever since Max had disappeared. Despite supporting a 'cheater' he was still a member of their family, so losing him had been difficult. To make matters worse they, like many others, believed Ash and everyone who had supported him were now deceased. So regardless of how bad Max's 'crimes' were, the thought of outliving their youngest child still hurt. Norman and Caroline had started to think that maybe they shouldn't have been so hard on Max. Maybe they should've tried to convince him that Ash was 'guilty' instead of sending him to military school. If they hadn't sent him away, maybe he'd still be with them today.

"Why not, besides you never know I might just win. And even if I don't this sounds like a nice place to move to," stated Norman. "What do you think?"

"Sounds good to me. Living here has become painful, too much of it reminds me of Max," said Caroline sadly.

"Yeah, and after I win the Grand Festival, I can visit anytime I want," said May confidently. "In the end it'll benefit all of us."

Little did the Maple family know they were in for a great shock for when they got to the Stralia Region.

News of the upcoming event quickly made it across the region, even to those who weren't invited. At the Berlitz home in Sinnoh, Johanna saw a broadcast that made her believe she would soon be reunited with her daughter.

"And there you have it folks. In roughly three weeks a large competition will be taking place in the young region of Stralia. Trainers and Coordinators from around the world will be competing in the Stralia Region's first Pokémon League and Grand Festival. Apparently, this young region wants to make this an event the whole world will remember and we're happy to announce that we are one of the stations which will be bringing you live coverage. I hope you're all exited, because I have a feeling this will be a moment in history we'll never forget."

"You've got that right," said Johanna.

She wasted no time preparing for her trip to the Stralia Region. She immediately booked a plane ticket, starting planning what she would bring and finally she wrote a letter to Ash's mother, Delia just in case she didn't get the news. While Johanna had agreed to not visit Delia in prison again so she wouldn't look suspicious, she had stayed in contact with Delia through the mail. Through the years Delia had received a lot of hate mail from people who believed her son was a dirty cheater, which allowed Johanna to send her letters without looking suspicious. Johanna could hardly contain her excitement. In just a few weeks she would hopefully be reunited with her daughter, who she had a feeling would become the Stralia Region's first Top Coordinator.

In two and a half weeks all the invited competitors, plus a few supporters were boarding planes headed for the Stralia Region. Those who believed Ash was innocent did their best to not look suspicious on the ride over. This involved being spread out if they were on the same flight or taking different flights where possible. It was important that they remain undercover at least until they touched down in the Stralia Region where Professor Oak would have no jurisdiction over them.


Thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think. I felt it was important to do a chapter on the other characters getting their invites, while also showing everyone that secretly supports Ash. I hope I didn't disappoint and I want to thank everyone for being patient with me, because I feel I have dragged this story on a little too much at times. I just wanted to make sure I had a firmly established story before I got started on the revenge aspect. But now that it's finished, hopefully the real battle can begin in the next chapter. I'm aiming to include a lot of drama and action in the remaining chapters. Thanks again for reading and I'll see you in the next chapter. See you soon.