Okay, as promise, second part of the drabble.
If I turned this to a full story, expect it to be pushed out next year.
If I turned this to a full story, I'll be putting a hard ceiling in the uses of Aura, and I am also contemplating changing Pikachu's evolution from a Zeraora into a Pokémon of my own design.
If I turned this to a story, the Pairing would strictly be AshXSerenaXAnabelXCynthia... Lillie might be added, but for now, it would just be those four.
That said, for the foreseeable future, I'll be focusing on my Mahouka stories while the motivation is still fresh.
So, READ, ENJOY, AND REVIEW.
PLEASE NOT THAT THIS WAS NOT BETA CHECK. I just wrote it and then published it, so if there are some grammar mistakes, sorry.
Again, please find some enjoyment in this random drabble.
Memories
There are many memories that Ash wanted to forget in his latest, and hopefully last, adventure through time.
Ash wanted to forget that he had been a soldier.
As a soldier, Ash did things that he would normally never do. As a soldier, Ash did things that run contrary to his morals and ethics.
What's worst, he did not regret the sins that he committed as a soldier.
Ash wanted to forget that he had killed, both humans and Pokémons.
Those people and Pokémons deserved the fate that he had handed them, but he was mortal, and no mortal should ever had the ability to decide who should live or die.
Ash wanted to forget that he had ruined lives.
Elena was a Princess and was Heir apparent to a powerful and influential kingdom, and her road to the throne was one paved in blood. Elena had to crush people underfoot to cement her position within her kingdom, and Ash had been instrumental in the destruction of several of her enemies.
In some circles, he was called the Right Hand of the White Haired Tyrant.
Love can make saints into demons.
That said, there were also many memories that Ash would always treasure.
Every second that he spent with Elena, Ash would never forget those precious moments.
The friends that he made in that time period, Ash would treasure those memories.
The adventures, all the laughs, all the cries, and all the near deaths, Ash values those memories.
And through those memories, Ash was reminded why Elena was the first girl that made him break all of his rules.
Within the castle that Elena left for him, contained four objects that he valued the most in his time in the past.
First was the sword that Elena commissioned for him.
Second was the instrument that he learned how to play in the past, his violin.
Third was the uniform he wore while serving as Elena's Knight and right hand.
Finally, and the object that contained the most sentimental value, was the engagement ring that he had given Elena.
The symbol of his dream to be with Elena for the rest of his days, regardless of its impossibility.
All those objects meant the world to him.
As he began his journey anew, outside of the Eight Regions of the Pokémon League, Ash brought with him those sentimental trinkets in one form or another.
His sword, whose scabbard and hilt he fashioned into a cane for better concealment.
The engagement ring, which he wore around his neck as a makeshift necklace.
His violin which he carried with grad care
He also incorporated the gloves and hat of his soldier's uniform to his current get up.
Ash felt more complete to have something tangible to remind him of Elena.
Adapt
In his first year in the Independent Circuit, Ash found more success competing in Pokémon Contests than in Pokémon Battling Tournaments.
Zoey would hate him if she saw him pivoting to contests rather than battles, but for the sake of his career and his Pokémons, it must be done.
Ash has a peculiar relationship with Pokémon Contests. He had no interest for the craft, but he had a hand in training three coordinators that became famous in the Pokémon Contest Circuit within the Continent.
Ash entered and embrace his inner coordinator in order to adapt to the Battling Format on the Independent Circuit.
The Independent Circuit is not a joke.
The difference between the Pokémon League Format and the Independent Circuit Format is that the League Format focuses on the level of conditioning and training that the Pokémon has while the Independent Circuit Format focuses on how well the trainer commands their Pokémon.
That is why the Pokémon League Format allows a single Pokémon to only run four moves, with the possibility of altering said Pokémon's moves in-between battles, after in-battle evolution, or if the Pokémon learned a new move mid-battle. In the Independent Circuit, Pokémons are allowed to run 16 moves, but those 16 moves are the only moves that the Pokémon can carry throughout the tournament, with Pokémon evolving and learning new moves in its evolution while mid battle as the only exception.
Within the Pokémon League Format, an inferior trainer can hide behind the natural toughness and conditioning of his/her Pokémon.
That is not the case within the Independent Circuit. In the Independent Circuit, the skills of the trainer is emphasize over the conditioning and training of their Pokémon. In the Independent Circuit, it was expected that the Pokémon is well trained and well-conditioned. Throwing a Pokémon that is not well trained and/or well-conditioned is asking for that Pokémon to be crippled.
Trainers competing in the Independent Circuit are all ruthless. Being ruthless is a requirement to compete in the Independence.
Also, every Battles in the Independent Circuit are all marathons, Broadway in the Independent Circuit lingo.
In the Pokémon League, battles usually last around 15 to 30 minutes, 45 minutes at most.
In the Independent Circuit, battles, on average, last around an hour.
After four tournaments, three of which Ash finished within the Top 8, and one he finished within the Top 4, Ash realized that he needs to better adapt his style and Pokémons with the Independent Circuit format.
In his last four tournaments, Ash dependent and leaned on the toughness, training, conditioning, stamina, and sheet stubbornness of his Pokémons, and although it gave him some success, more success than what was expected from an rookie in the Independence, Ash quickly realize that continuing further without change of approach is just asking for his Pokémons to be crippled during battle.
To succeed in the Independent Circuit, Ash needs to plan out the moves that his Pokémons would be running (from attacking, defending, setting, field and weather manipulation, etc.), and how those moves would affect their opponent, their allies, the field, and the weather. He also needs to plan the synergy of the team that he will be fielding, the composition of the team, and on how each Pokémon will affect each other and the battle from start to finish.
There are so many elements that Ash needs to take to account to succeed in this kind of Battling Format.
That is why, in his first year in the Independence, Ash entered into more Pokémon Contest than in Pokémon Battling Tournaments.
The Pokémon Contest in the Independent Circuit is different compare to the Contest in the Continent.
Like in Pokémon Battles, Pokémon Contest in the Independence is a marathon.
Three appeal rounds, first round using one Pokémon, the second round uses two, third round uses three.
After the appeal rounds render the competition to the final eight, there would be three rounds of battles, each lasting 15 minutes.
First round is a three-on-three performance battle.
Second round is a two-on-two performance battle.
The Final round is a one-on-one performance battle.
All six Pokémons must be used throughout the competition, failure would result to a disqualification.
Pokémon Contests in the independence is more forgiving than the Pokémon Battling Tournaments.
Ash competed more in the Pokémon Contests Circuit than in the Battling Tournament Circuit in his first year in the Independence. He did so in order to adapt his style to the Format of the Independent circuit as well as to acclimate all of his Pokémons to use more than four moves in Battle.
Charizard hated competing in contest, as well as Lucario, Greninja, and many more of his Pokémons, but they could all see the logic and the need to adapt to the new stage that they are competing in.
On a side note, unlike his record in the Battling Tournament Circuit, Ash won more than he lost within the Pokémon Contests Circuit.
Again, Zoey would hate him for it.
Alone
Ash felt odd to not have Pikachu on his shoulders. Since evolving to Zeraora, Pikachu had been staying in his custom made Poke Ball as he travelled from city to city. This Poke Ball allows Pikachu to project and extend his senses and consciousness outside of the Poke Ball. He can even project his spiritual presence from within the Poke Ball.
It basically means that Pikachu can see and hear outside of his Poke Ball without being release.
Also, Pikachu can easily get out of his Poke Ball on a whim.
Aura Poke Balls, a technology that had been lost through the ages, is a God-send.
Still, Ash would prefer to have a tangible companion than a spiritual one, and Pikachu would also prefer to be on the outside rather than be contained in a Poke ball.
Nonetheless, Mythical Pokémons are Mythical Pokémons, and although trainers competing in the Independent Circuit would not raise an eye at the sight of such Pokémons, it was still a peculiar sight for such Pokémons to be out in the open, and Ash learned long ago that rare and peculiar can attract unwanted attention.
It was frustrating really
It was also an odd feeling to be traveling alone.
Since the beginning of his journey, he always had travelling companions.
From Misty to Serena to Goh, he always had companions with him in his journey.
To be truly traveling alone is an experience that he never thought he would experience.
Ash misses the friendly quarrels that he had with Misty, Iris, and Goh.
Ash misses the companionship and teachings of Brock, Cilan, and Clemont.
Ash misses his teaching lessons with May, Dawn, Serena, and Chloe, and to an extent, Max and Bonnie.
Ash misses the comradery that he shared with Lillie, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, and Sophocles.
Ash misses the closeness that he has with Serena.
He really misses his friends, the last months that he was with them notwithstanding.
Still, as Elena taught him, and Elena taught him many life lessons that he never knew he needed, in order to grow, sometimes, one must embark in a journey alone.
Ash is 16 years of age, 18 if you count his misadventures in the past. Since the age of 10, he had companions in his journey to make up for his immaturity, stupidity, stubbornness, and carelessness.
Even in his time in the past, Elena was there besides him, guiding him, teaching him, making sure that he would not screw up too badly.
Right now, as he entered the peak of his Journey, it was time to stand alone.
To succeed and to fail alone, it was time to face and experience everything the world has to throw at him.
That being said, Ash would still prefer to have companions, friends, by his side.
Hero
Ash did not want to be a Hero.
Even when he was a child, Ash never had the desire to be a Hero.
Ash dreamt of becoming a Pokémon Master, no more, no less.
Being a Hero was not an aspiration that he had any desire in pursuing.
Still, Ash has his heart, he has his morals and ethics, and he has the drive to help everyone that needs it.
Ash has his suspicion that Arceus and the other Legendries had used those traits of his to manipulate him in to cleaning up messes that would have ruined the balance of the world.
It irritates Ash that he was basically the Gods handyman, but it was better him than some other unprepared idiot that would have died after facing Mewtwo for the first time.
Still, Ash would have preferred to be used by the Gods as their handyman after he learned to harness Aura.
He could have reduced the number of times he died if he knew how to use his Aura.
Speaking of which, now that he knows how to use Aura, the Gods apparently decided to throw him against peril and evil that are more life threatening and complicated than what he previously face before.
For that, Ash hoped that the Gods were thankful for the training the he received from the past.
Knowing how to use Aura and how to swing a sword really lowers the level of the dangers that he was force to face in an almost weekly bases.
Family
Although he stop competing in the Continent, Ash would occasionally visit Professor Kukui, Professor Burnett, and the family that they made with each other, as well as, Jessie, James, and Meowth.
Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet are his surrogate family, and he loves them as if they are his actual family.
Ash still loves Delia, but he was not willing to face and make peace with her right now.
Ash was determined to make peace and mend bridges with Serena first. After his relationship with Serena is repaired, he would approached his other friends with the same intent.
Serena first, and then his other friends, and that includes his mother, second.
He was very relieved that Kukui and Burnett were not exposed to the Bastard's machinations. He enjoyed spending his time with them.
If that Bastard was able to get Kukui and Burnett to his side, Ash would have killed the bastard.
With the two professors, Ash felt like he could be honest with them.
Not entirely though. He would not be telling them about his adventures in the past.
His time as a soldier was better off buried within his memories and nightmares, and whatever history book Elena is written on.
Still, Ash was comfortable enough around them to show the two his Aura Abilities as well as to allow them to run experiments on said abilities, within reason of course.
Ash also loves spending time with Lei, and his little sister, Rei. Ash adored his honorary siblings. He already intends to teach Lei how to harness his Aura when he is of age. Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet were very shock to learn that their first born was Aura Sensitive.
Ash would also teach Rei how to wield a sword to threaten the boys that would ever try to get frisky with her. He was confident that Rei would grow up to be a beautiful girl. Every girl that he met with white hair were all beautiful. From Professor Burnet to his Elena, especially his Elena, and with that logic, Ash knew that Rei would grow up to be a remarkable beauty. Ash was going to provide his little sister the best tool and skill to either scare away or kill, yes, KILL the UNWORTHY boys that would have ill intentions towards her.
Professor Kukui wholeheartedly agreed with his reasoning while Professor Burnet rolled her eyes at their overprotectiveness.
That would not stop him from having a sword commissioned for his sweet little sister Rei.
In fact, Ash might do that himself.
Aside from Professor Kukui and his family, Ash also makes frequent visits to Jessie, James, and Meowth in their home in Sunnytown, Kanto.
First things first, Ash was impress with the trio. They modernize Sunnytown from a backwater city to a highly modernize city. They even gave employment to numerous thugs and gangs that were loitering around the city
Jessie, James, and Meowth, they suck at being evil, but they have good heads on their shoulder when it comes to business.
Hanging out with Jessie, James, and Meowth, without the threat of them stealing his Pokémons, is a fun experience.
Jessie, beneath her fiery temper, is a good, kindhearted woman that he enjoys sharing a cup of wine with while gossiping and playing pool.
Ash blamed Elena for his wine addiction.
James is a great friend that he could ribbed and joke around with. Ash was comfortable talking with James about his issues and trauma, and the man would give good advice or just listen as he rave, whine, and complain about his life.
Ash would also give James bottle caps that he had collected from cities and towns outside the continent, much to James excitement and enthusiasms as well as Jessie and Meowth's chargin.
Speaking of Meowth, Ash enjoyed talking philosophy with the talking Pokémon. Behind Meowth's façade of cunning and ambition, lies a Pokémon that has wisdom to give.
Ash considered the former Team Rocket Trio as friends, even family, and he enjoyed their company.
Ash was glad to have the company of a makeshift family for it lessens the ached of being estranged by his actual family.
Masters
Before competing in the Independent Circuit, Ash battled four Pokémon Masters: Cynthia, Alder, Diantha, and Leon.
Prior to the Independent Circuit, Ash battled another four masters of an exclusive Pokémon Type: Lance (Dragon), Steven Stone (Steel), Wallace (Water), and Raihan (Dragon).
Among those four, within the constraint of the Pokemon League Format, Ash was able to beat the following Masters: Alder, Diantha, Steven Stone, Walace, and Raihan.
Cynthia, Leon, and Lance, were still beyond his skills even within the rookie friendly format of the Pokémon League.
A few months competing in the Independence, Ash began to wonder.
If he battled those Masters in the format of the Independence, Ash wondered if he would have beaten them.
Battling Pokémon Masters are hard, even if said trainer only mastered one particular type of Pokémon.
In the Independent Circuit, it is common to see Pokémon Masters competing in various tournaments.
In his first year of competing in the Independent Circuit, Ash had battled a total of 7 Pokémon Masters, as well as 30 trainers mastering in a single Pokémon Type.
Ash was unable to beat any of them.
There were some close battles. Ash and his Pokémons were no push overs, and they were stubborn enough and skilled enough to hang with some masters.
Still, Ash was outclass by trainers with more experience than him, and adapting to a new Battling format did not do him any favors.
There were some battles that were purely beatings.
Competing in the Independent Circuit, being ruthless is a prerequisite, and the Pokémon Masters that he had fought exemplified that trait. Those masters did not care that Ash was a rookie in the Independent Circuit, they did not care that he has a Mythical Pokémon as his ace (Zeraora/Pikachu), they did not care that he has a weird version of Mega Evolution called Battle Bond Evolution, at the end of the day, Ash was an opponent biting off more than he can chew, and they were all willing to shove their foot as far up his ass as they could.
In those one-sided beatings, Ash was never swept. He was still able to take out two to three Pokémons from those Masters, but it was clear as day that he was outclass, that his Pokémons were still not up to snuff against Master-trained Pokémons.
And that fueled Ash and his Pokémons.
Yes, Ash is outclass by Pokémons Masters, in every metric that a trainer can be measured. Yes, Ash's Pokémons were nowhere near the level of Master-trained Pokémons, again, in every measurable metric.
So what? That is the level Ash wanted to reach. That is the level that his Pokémons wanted to reach.
Come hell or high water, Ash will reach their level.
He will be a Pokémon Master, and he will be one of the best among them.
Infatuation
Ash was not unfamiliar with crushes and infatuation.
Ash had a crush on Misty, his first ever crush.
Ash has an infatuation towards Serena.
Ash, to this day, has this puppy love towards Cynthia.
Even when he was in a relationship with Elena, even if he was madly in love with her, his infatuation and crush on Serena and Cynthia respectively did not diminish, although it was numb due to his stronger feelings for his lover.
After losing Elena, Ash did not have any plans on entering a relationship while the wound was still fresh and while his affection for his lover was still too strong.
That would not be fair for anyone involve in said relationship.
That does not prevent his heart from being infatuated with another girl.
Enter, Anabel…
Ash remembered this girl.
How could he not? She handed him his first lost in the Battle Frontier.
Not to mention, the lavender haired girl was one of the most beautiful girls that he had met in his journey.
They met again after Ash assisted the international police on a particularly dangerous Pokémon Poacher.
Again, knowing how to use a sword really helps in subduing villains.
That meeting made Ash aware of a significant fact.
Apparently, he was infamous within the International Police.
Ash has a record with the International Police. Within that file contained some of his misadventures. From pacifying legendries to ending criminal organization. They even have the complete documentation of his take down of Team Rocket, a criminal organization that the Interpol had been wanting to end for quite some time now.
Ash felt a bit irked that he was given credit for that particular accomplishment. It was a region wide effort. Sure, he provided all the information that was vital for taking down Team Rocket, and sure, he personally took down Giovani, but it was still a team effort.
Meeting the head of the International Police was a bizarre experience. He received an enthusiastic welcome from the woman before she gave him a seven digit cheque for his contribution in maintaining the peace to the world, and the rank of Special Lieutenant.
The last one startled him, and both Looker and Anabel started scolding their commander.
Apparently, both the International Police and the Pokémon Rangers wanted to recruit him ever since the Shamouti Incident.
Ash was genuinely flattered, being wanted always felt good, but being a cop was never part of his life plan.
Ash declined the rank, much to the commander's disappointment, though he did give them his number in case they needed his assistance for any particularly difficult Legendary that they might possibly face. If he is in the area or if he could make the time and the trip, Ash would be willing to help the International Police.
After settling that matter, Ash approached Anabel to be better acquainted with her.
That was a good mistake to commit.
Conversing with Anabel was an absolute delight, and after that realization, emergency bells began ringing inside of his head.
Ash developed a crush towards Cynthia and Serena not because of how they looked. Both young woman were incredibly beautiful. Ash fell in love with Elena not because she was the most beautiful girl that he had ever met, even surpassing Cynthia and Serena combine.
No, Ash developed feelings and crushes towards those girls because he can speak with them for hours upon end without getting sidetracked or bored.
Ash enjoyed speaking with Cynthia about Pokémon training and Pokémon Myths, and the Sinnoh Champion doesn't look at him as if he was a nutcase whenever he tells her about his many and extensive meetings with legendary Pokémons. In fact, Cynthia seems to enjoy hearing his stories about Legendary Pokémon.
With Serena, Ash enjoys teaching her the fundamentals of becoming a Pokémon trainer. He enjoys the moments when Serena ask him for his opinion about her routines, and both of them could get lost bouncing ideas at each other. Also, Ash loves the moments between him and Serena when they were just talking about miscellaneous things, recalling their adventures for the day, joking around with one another, and just relishing in each other's presence.
With Elena, everything is free game. They spend hours upon hours just talking with one another in between cuddling, kissing, and making love. Ash remembered vividly he and Elena talking about the most random and nonsensical things in most nights and enjoying themselves with one another to no end.
He and Elena enjoyed making love or fucking during the evenings, but some nights, the two of them preferred just laying together in bed, talking and laughing about their day.
Ash was going through the same experienced that he had with those three girls with Anabel. They were telling each other stories about their adventures. They were smiling and laughing with and at each other. With nothing but words and stories, they were enjoying each other's company.
And as seconds turn to minutes, and as minutes turns to hours, Ash realize that if he was not careful, he might stat fancying Anabel.
Ash was not ready for another relationship.
Not yet, not when Elena was still fresh in his mind and heart.
Teaching
Ash enjoys teaching.
This was developed when he first traveled with May in Hoenn.
May, blessed her soul, was absolutely clueless and helpless when she began her journey.
Although, Ash would admit that he was also absolutely clueless and helpless at the start of his journey, more so even, but in his defense, at least he has a goal and dream in mind when he began his journey.
May did not know what to do with herself at the start of hers.
While traveling through Hoenn, teaching May the fundamentals of Pokémon Training gave him a strange sense of fulfillment and enjoyment.
Of course, it was like pulling teeth for both of them. Ash was not the most eloquent teacher, and May was hard headed and stubborn.
To May's credit though, she was very talented in Pokémon Coordinating so Ash didn't have to guide her too much is her chosen profession.
With Dawn, Ash had to teach her to simplify her approached when it comes to training. Dawn was a very creative coordinator, and that is a good thing in her chosen profession, but due to her creativity, her earlier ventures in coordinating tends to be a mess.
There is a damn reason why the girl was eliminated in two straight contests in the appeal rounds. Yes, showing creativity is a plus in Pokémon Contest, but there is something to be said about simplifying the performance in order for the audience to fully register what they see.
Overloading the senses of the audience is never a good thing in contest.
Sometimes, in moments of weakness, Ash wondered if he should have started his career as a Coordinator instead of a Battler. Like his first year in the Independent Circuit showed him, he has a knack for Pokémon Coordinating.
Regardless, he is a battler at Heart. He doesn't regret the path that he took.
With regards to Serena….
Serena is his favorite companion. He adores her. He still considers her as a possible life partner after he sorts out his feelings with Elena…eventually…but as a trainer, Serena needed a lot of work.
And that was putting it lightly.
Serena is talented, don't get Ash wrong.
Among his coordinator friends, May has the most raw talent, Dawn has the most style, and Serena is a balance mix of both. Not as talented as May, not as creative as Dawn, Serena is perfectly balance in both talent and creativity.
Ash just needed to bring that out of her. Ash had to build Serena up as a trainer from the ground up. Ash had to teach Serena the basic and the fundamentals of being a trainer from scratch. Furthermore, when Serena choose to be a Pokémon Performer, Ash had to teach her how to creatively use Pokémon moves in an artistic way.
Strangely enough, Serena learned her lessons fast.
She would have been golden if only she showed a knack for battle.
Serena's performance in the Master Class spoke volumes of his teachings and Serena's talent and skills, but Ash could not help but feel that if he had another month with Serena, she could have won it all.
In fact, if he wasn't so shaken by the finals weeks of his Kalos Journey, he would have had accompanied Serena in her journey in Hoenn. At that point, Serena was still too raw of a trainer for his liking.
Still, Ash considered teaching May, Dawn, and Serena as one of the highlights in his journey.
Teaching Anabel how to harness her Aura would be added to that.
It was hard, difficult, to tell Anabel that her Emphatic abilities is Aura base rather than Psychic base.
One of the reasons Anabel joined the International Police to further harness her Empathic Abilities, and, subsequently, her Psychic Abilities.
Apparently, Anabel was from a Psychic-capable family, and she had been quite distraught due to the slow development of her Emphatic abilities.
Anabel feared that by her abilities stagnating, she would be disappointing her family.
Ash informed her, with the gentleness and sensitivity that Elena had beaten into him, that her abilities was not based from a Psychic abilities.
It did not end well.
Ash got slapped hard.
Still, with perseverance, patience, stubbornness, and dedication, with a hint of flirting and flattering here and there, Ash was able to convince Anabel in training and harnessing her Aura.
Anabel took three months off from the International Police, and she accompanied him in his journey.
Ash had got three great months from Anabel.
In those three months, Ash reduced the number of tournaments and contests that he competed in, and he focused most of his attention in teaching Anabel how to use Aura.
It was fortunate that Elena had saved as much texts, tomes, and records about Aura as she could before Aura became nothing more than a myth. It was also fortunate that Elena was an impulsive record and information hoarder. It was fortunate that Elena's persona study and research was meticulously preserved.
It was fortunate that Anabel is an eager student.
It was fortunate that Ash, regardless of his questionable intellect at times, is regarded as a prodigy in Aura.
Anabel proved herself to be quick study in Aura, and Ash proved himself to be an excellent teacher in the Aura Arts.
Ash and Anabel spent a fruitful three months filled with laughter and hard work.
It was a great three months.
And after those three months, at the day Anabel returned to the International Police, Ash saw her in the same light as he sees Serena.
Ash was now looking at Anabel as a potential life partner.
A part of Ash was terrified at that concept.
Achievement
The crowning achievement in Ash's first year competing in the Independence did not came in the form of a trophy, a plague, a medal, or a ribbon.
No, Ash's crowning achievement came in the form of an invitation.
Ash, in his first year competing in the Independence, was invited in the G500 Tournament.
The G500 tournament is considered the one and only conference in the Independent Circuit.
The top 500 trainers that are competing in the Independent Circuit, determined by a third party, are invited to compete in a Battling tournament.
The tournament format is as follows.
In the first stage, the 500 trainers, or the number of trainers within those 500 that decides to compete, would be put in a single large city. The trainers would be given a token, which will be considered as their lifeline. Meaning, as long as the trainer has said token, lodging, food, and every luxury said city has to offer is free for said trainer. In a span of two weeks, trainers would challenge other trainers in a 3-on-3 battle, with a 45 minute time-limit. The defeated trainer would then give their tokens to the victor, while the defeated would then be ask to leave the city. In case of a tie, each trainer would mutually walk away with their tokens at hand. In this stage, the goal of the trainers is to get a total of 10 tokens.
Each trainer, per day, can have a maximum of 20 battles, and per day, each trainer, can reject a total of 7 challenges. There are no rematches between trainers.
In the second stage, after the two weeks, the trainers who were able to win and collect 10 tokens would be equally divided into 4 brackets. The trainers will then be competing in a 6-on-6 Pokémon Battling round robin tournament. Each 6-on-6 battle will have a hard two hour time limit. The winner of each block is determined via a point system, gaining two points for a win, one point for a draw, and no point for a loss.
In the last stage, after each winner of the bracket is determined, the four remaining trainers would then compete in a final 6-on-6 Pokémon Battling round robin tournament, and this final tournament will not have a time limit.
The winner of said tournament will received a prize money of a 100 million Pokedollars, a trophy, and bragging rights for a year.
The G500 tournament is considered the tournament of Pokémon Masters, although non-Master Trainers are invited to fill in the ranks. Apparently, although there are more than 500 Pokémon Masters in the world, and most of them are competing in the Independence, more than 500 but less than 2000, not every Pokémon Master is competing in the Independent Circuit or competing at all. The non-Master trainers are needed to fill the ranks, or at least act as fodder against Pokémon Masters.
That was an insulting thought, but Ash did not care.
Ash wanted to compete and his Pokémons wanted to compete. Ash wanted to prove that he might not have the title, but he was at least comparable to a master in skill.
Ash accepted the invitation.
Triumph
In his first G500 tournament, Ash lost, as predicted.
Regardless, Ash triumphed in the tournament in a certain way.
In the first stage, Ash took 10 days to collect the 10 tokens to qualify him in the second stage of the tournament.
In the first stage, Ash had a total of 132 battles.
In said 132 battles, Ash has a record of 73 wins, 49 loses, and 10 ties.
In those 132 battles, Ash fought 8 Pokémons Masters, and 23 Trainers who possesses a mastery of a singular Pokémons Type.
Among the Pokémon Master, Ash lost to four, he tied against one, and he, for the first time, beat three Pokémon Master.
Against the Single-type Pokémon Masters, Ash was able to beat 11 and he lost against 9, while he tied with 3.
For a non-Master trainer, clearing the first stage in 10 days while beating 14 masters in the way was quite an achievement, especially considering that he had only competed in the independence for less than a year.
This achievement garnered Ash some attention from the Pokémon Masters and the organizers of the tournament.
On the second round, Ash was in a bracket that contained 14 trainers. Among those 14 trainers, five were Pokémon Masters and another five were Single-type Pokémon Masters.
Including Ash, four non-Master trainers were in the bracket.
The second round was conducted within seven days, each trainer will battle twice, one in the morning, and one in the evening, and all trainers within the bracket will battle at the same time to prevent scouting.
Those seven days were the most stressful, most anxiety driven, and most maddening of his life.
Ash enjoyed it fully.
In the end, Ash did not end his bracket. In said bracket, the maximum amount of points a trainer could get was 28.
Ash only gained 21 points.
In the 13 battles that he had participated, Ash had 9 wins (18 points), three ties (3 points), and one lost (zero).
Ash's sole defeat is to the Pokémon Master that won his bracket.
Ash's first G500 tournament ended in the second round.
Regardless, Ash was happy with the result.
In the tournament, Ash won against three Pokémon Masters in a 3-on-3 battle, while he won against another two Masters on a full 6-on-6 Pokémon Masters.
For an Independent Circuit Rookie, it was quite an achievement.
And everyone who had seen him perform in the G500 agreed to the sentiment.
For a rookie to achieve such heights in his very first G500, a tournament meant for Masters to show off their skills, is unprecedented.
Ash did not know at the time, but he gained quite the reputation and infamy after his first G500 Tournament.
Communication
Besides his Alolan Family, and Jessie, James, and Meowth, Ash maintained his contact with the Champions of each region, with the exception of Unova.
Among the regions that he had travelled in, Ash considered Unova as his least favorite, his performance in the league notwithstanding.
Also, Ash was not ready to make peace with Iris.
Again, Serena first, and then his other friends.
Furthermore, Ash knew that Iris was childish enough to hold a grudge against him for not including her in the Team Rocket takedown operation.
Ash respects Iris' abilities as a trainer, but for that particular operation, he needed Alder. Sometimes, most of the times actually, experience triumphs over talent.
Ash did not inform the champions of his whereabouts. As far as Ash is concern, he is the only one who would define where he goes, and he fears that if he tells the champions his whereabouts, they might make an attempt to get him back to the continent.
Ash knew that Cynthia can convinced him to do anything.
That was why Ash caught a Delibird before he started competing in the Independence.
He had exclusively used his Delibird to deliver letters and gifts to the champions.
Most of his communications with the Champions mostly involved warning them of threats to their respective region. His connections with the International Police and the Pokémon Rangers helped him greatly in this regard.
Ash was intent on snuffing out the next Team Rocket.
Ash would also occasionally give them gifts.
Ash had gifted Lance capes that were made from a particularly rare but durable silks.
The Johto Champion and Kanto Elite Four was very fond of his cape.
He had gifted Steven a few rare, uncut, precious stones, with some samples being unknown.
Steven was an avid collector of rare stones.
He had gifted Wallace some perfumes and colognes that Ash was sure the Contest Master would like.
Wallace was very particular with his scent.
He had gifted Alder several herbal elixirs and medicine.
It was not common knowledge but Alder is very skilled in making herbal remedies.
He had gifted Diantha numerous, well-crafted glass figurines.
Diantha has a collection of very unique and pretty glass figurines.
He had gifted Leon an entire new wardrobe.
Ash did not know fashion whatsoever, but Leon was worse than him.
For Cynthia, Ash particularly enjoys showering his favorite champion with gifts.
For starter, Ash gifted Cynthia with Mega Stones and Key Stones for her Togekiss, Kommo-o, and Garchomp.
Ash knew that Cynthia did not like the Mega Evolution of her Garchomp. She claimed that the form reduces her Garchomp's speed, and both Cynthia and her partner did not like battling with reduce speed.
This Mega Evolution form for Garchomp did not have that drawback.
Every ancient text, tomes, and/or artifacts that he found that are not either curse, or possess, or both (Aura can be a bitch at times at the hands of the greedy), he sent to Cynthia. The woman enjoys her archeological study.
Ash also gifted Cynthia a few knick-knacks that he was mostly sure that Sinnoh Champion would like.
In return of course, Ash would also receive letters and gifts from the champions and former champion in return.
Ash was particularly fond of the letter Leon sent him, telling him that he did not need wardrobe overhaul. Although, Leon's girlfriend, Sonia, enthusiastically thanked him for upgrading her man's fashion sense. Apparently, the clothes that Ash gifted him was of Leon's style and was palatable for the Galar Professor.
Ash also enjoyed the correspondence that he now shared with Cynthia. She was quite thankful and delighted for the ancient books and tomes that he had been supplying her. She told him that it help greatly in her research. Furthermore, Cynthia told him that her Garchomp developed a quick fondness for her new Mega Evolution Form.
Ash could already hear all the curses and cries of Cynthia's future opponents.
Prince
Ash took a month off from the Independence after the G500 tournament.
Ash might be an eager battler, but three weeks of non-stop Pokémon Battling had taken a lot out of him and his Pokémons.
They deserved a break. He deserved a break.
So he took said break.
Ash visited his Alolan Family for a week.
It was an awkward week considering that he avoided his former classmates like the plague, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
He also swung by Sunnytown to freeload on Jessie, James, and Meowth.
He found sadistic joy in drinking the two former Team Rocket agents under the table.
Ash trained and discuss Aura with Anabel.
Ash particularly enjoyed his time with Anabel, brief it might be.
Unknown to Ash, there was a running bet within the International Police on when he and Anabel would start dating, much to the lavender hair's embarrassment and irritation. Anabel showed her displeasure with a well-aimed Aura Sphere.
After resting for a month, Ash began his 2nd year competing in the independence.
Unlike his first year in the independence, Ash had grown accustomed to the Battling format and his Pokémons were now trained to the standards of the Independent Circuit.
Hence, Ash found more success in his second year compare to his first year in the Independence.
This year, Ash focused more on Battling Tournaments than in Contest. Yes, Ash still participated in Pokémon Contests, but that was due to organizers and promoters inviting him to compete. Ash learned quickly that in the Independent Circuit, clout and connections are very important assets.
Nonetheless, Ash competed in more Battling Tournament than in contest, and unlike his first year, where he had lost more than he had won, this year, he had started winning more than he had lost.
He had won several tournaments and several contest in the first few months of his second year in the Independence.
Ash had also began beating Pokémon Masters in a much more frequent basis.
Provided, most of his wins were against Single-Type Pokémon Masters, but he had also found himself winning against Pokémon Masters, although most of his battles against Pokémon Masters ended in ties. Nevertheless, even against Pokémon Masters, he had won more than he had lost.
Ash's unprecedented performance in the G500 and his improve showing in his second year within the Independence was so impressive that he was given an epithet.
In most Tournaments and Contests that he participated, Ash was addressed under one name.
Prince.
'Prince' Ashura Satoshi Ketchum.
Ash wanted to die when the epithet began to gain traction.
Ash, in his life, was never called such a title.
In the past, when he was Elena's lover, he was called as Princess Consort, and being called that was nowhere near as embarrassing as being called Prince.
Still, Ash did not make any attempt to change his epithet.
Being called 'Prince' is embarrassing, but he can't think of a better epithet to attach to his name.
If nothing else, the name 'Prince' would be easy to market for financial gain.
Partner
In between his tournaments and contests, Ash assisted the International Police in several operations and missions, all of which, involved Anabel.
Ash made it clear to the Head of the International Police that he would exclusively work with Anabel, and no one else.
His wish was granted.
Ash was too high profile and too skilled for his simple request to be denied.
Also, the Commissioner had a large bet on Ash and Anabel getting together within the next two years.
Anabel was quite happy with the arrangement, and Ash shared her sentiment.
Ash and Anabel made a pretty good team. Anabel is a good agent, and all things considered, due to his military training in the past and previous experience, Ash excelled in law enforcement. Ash would always follow Anabel's lead, and she was a pretty good leader in her own right.
This arrangement also allowed Ash to continue Anabel's training in Aura. She was skilled in her Aura's application, but there were still some holes in her training.
Ash did not want to blow his ego, but he was a prodigy when it comes to Aura, and he wanted to share his skills and Elena's research in Aura with someone else.
Considering Lei was still a kid, Anabel would more than suffice.
Working with Anabel was a delight to Ash. The way Anabel operates reminded Ash of how Elena operates.
Graceful, elegant, with a healthy dose of practicality and sadism, it was a delight to see, and the way Anabel looks as she cracks a case or as she apprehends a criminal was arousing to Ash.
A sadistic looking Anabel is quite a pretty sight.
Regardless though, as much as Ash enjoys working with Anabel, he knew that he was poking the Beedrill's nest.
Ash knew that Anabel was interested in him.
Scratch that, Ash knew that Anabel have strong feelings for him.
Ash felt the same way.
And that is the crux of the problem.
Ash was still not ready to enter in a romantic relationship.
Elena was still fresh in his heart and mind. He was still not over the first girl that he had loved with all of his heart.
Ash still dreams of a life with the girl that was never destined for him.
And Ash knew, if given a fraction of a chance to return back in time, back to Elena, he would take the chance.
That mindset is not appropriate for him to enter in a second relationship.
Ash wanted to enter in a relationship prepared to give his whole heart, body, and soul to his lover.
Right now, he is not capable of such a thing.
And Ash hated himself for it.
Anabel wants him, and a big part of Ash wanted her to, but the majority of his being still yearns for Elena, and that's the biggest obstruction of his desire to give him and Anabel a chance.
This scared Ash to.
Anabel is a wonderful woman, and any man would be lucky to have her. Ash fears that if he let her wait for him to be ready, he would lose her, and that frightens Ash.
Unknown to Ash, Anabel was very much aware of his predicament, though not the specifics, and was ready to wait for him for as long as possible.
Love is complicated.
Peaceful
Ash was worried.
He was very worried.
The reason for his worry, simple, his second year in the Independence was too peaceful.
He is Ashura Satoshi Ketchum, Ash Ketchum for short, the Chosen One, the World's handyman, he was not allowed to have a relatively peaceful year.
Sure, throughout the year, he pacified a few rampaging legendries, stopped a few idiots who have aspirations for Godhood, arrested a few people who has no right to walk among people, and ended a few criminal syndicates with the help of the International Police, and hell, he even endure an unhealthy amount of teasing from Professor Kukui and Burnette when he introduced Anabel to them.
Aside from that, his year was Peaceful.
He didn't even have a single life-or-death moment or near-death experience this year.
And this worried Ash.
He was the fucking Chosen One. It was a monthly event for him to have near-death experience.
His life not being in any form of serious danger seven months into the year was a new experience, as well as a worrying one.
He was not accustomed to not have his life in danger.
That is just sad.
Ash was worried that this peaceful year would result to a dangerous one in the future.
Legend
Regardless of his paranoia regarding the most uneventful year of his life, Ash's second year in the Independence came by rather quickly and peacefully.
Again, like in his first year, he was invited in the G500 tournament.
Like in his first year, Ash accepted the invitation. There was no way he will not participate in a G500 Tournament.
Unlike his first year, Ash performed better in his second G500 tournament.
In fact, saying that Ash performed better in his second G500 tournament is putting it lightly.
Ash made himself a legend in his second G500 tournament.
This time around, Ash completed the first stage in 6 days. Ash participated in 45 battles.
35 wins, 7 loses, and 3 ties.
This was a new record for a non-Master trainer.
After the first round, Ash was entered in a bracket that contained 10 trainers. This bracket contained 7 Pokémon Masters, and 2 Single-Type Pokémon Masters.
He was the only non-Master Trainer in his bracket.
Ash was flattered with this arrangement.
This arrangement showed that the Promoters and Organizers considered him a Master-level trainer.
And he was going to prove them right.
He did so with flair.
In his bracket, Ash scored a total of 18 points.
8 wins, 2 ties, and this is another record in his cap.
It was not uncommon for a trainer to go undefeated in the second stage of a G500, but there had never been a non-Master Trainer who had swept a bracket before.
Ash was the first, and yes, he had two ties in his bracket, but a tie is not a defeat.
For the first time in the G500 history, a non-Master trainer was headed to the final round.
This performance solidified Ash as the new legend in the Independent Circuit.
Respect
The final four of this year's G500 tournamnent was unprecedented in its composition.
For the first time, a non-Master trainer had reached the final four.
For the first time, three former winners of the G500 tournament was going to be competing in the final four.
Competing in the Independent Circuit, Ash met and battled several, even hundreds of Pokémon Masters.
Among those masters, two Pokémon Masters stood out to him.
The first is Kazu Okato or, as he is commonly known in the Independence, the Rainmaker.
Second is Levesque Flair or, as he is commonly known in the Independence, the Cerebral Assassin.
This two Masters battled each other in the third and stage of the previous year's G500 Tournament. In fact, the winner of last year's tournament was decided between the two, with Okato winning the tournament.
Ash had battled the two a handful of times, and every time he battled them, he lost.
Ash was excited to battle them again, and he has every intention to beat them this time.
That being said, most of Ash's attention were not on the two masters that had beaten him numerous times before.
No, Ash's attention was on the sole woman on the stage.
Ash had battle this woman before.
Once, only once.
This woman had decisively beaten him before in a score of three Pokémons to six.
This woman, to this day, even after battling several Masters in the past two years, had given him the best battle of his life.
Ash, for the second time in his life, is on the same stage as Cynthia Shirona.
For the first time in more than two years, Ash and Cynthia's eyes met. It took Cynthia a few seconds to recognize Ash, but when she did, her eyes widen in genuine surprised.
Ash could only smile wryly at the woman who he considers the best trainer that he had ever met.
This tournament just turned more exhilarating.
Ash never expected to battle Cynthia in the Independence, but he was glad to be proven wrong.
Superior
Ash would admit that he was punching way above his weight limit.
As a trainer, Ash would admit that Levesque, Kazu, and Cynthia are all better than him.
Hell, he had lost to Levesque a month ago and to Kazu two weeks ago.
Ash was also confident that Cynthia was still far and beyond better than him.
After all, if the rumors were true, Cynthia began her career in the Independence.
A 10 year old striving in the cut throat world of the Independence, Ash shuddered at the thought.
Still, Ash was already here, and he has every intention of winning.
That means that he has to beat three trainers that are his superior in every conceivable way.
Challenge accepted.
Miracle
Ash knew that the odds of him winning the G500 Tournament is low.
He was up against three Pokémon Masters, and he had lost to each and every one of them in one point or another.
The organizers, the promoters, and those watching the Tournament expected his run to end in a 4th place finish.
Not bad considering that he was the lone trainer in the stage that had yet to reach the title of Master.
Unfortunately, Ash was stubborn and prideful, and his Pokémons mirror those traits.
Hence, regardless of the odds against him, Ash went on with the G500 with the intention of winning.
And against all odds, Ash found success.
Ash's first battle was against Master Levesque Flair.
As a trainer, Levesque was infamous for having Pokémons that possesses unnatural conditioning, with monstrous stamina and ungodly endurance. Levesque's Pokémons were known to outlast a typical Master-trained Pokémon with ease.
Ash should know, his first battle with Levesque ended with his team grasping for air in exhaustion.
Levesque was also known as a cunning tactician. He would exploit every weakness and every opening with sadistic glee and brutal efficiency. He was infamous for exploiting every loophole in the rules of all the tournaments that he enters. His tactics were borderline dirty, but there were within the confines of the rules.
Ash knew this normal style, unpredictable and fast-pace, using unpredictable, often time absurd tactics would not work against Levesque.
Levesque would just exhaust his team and outlast him. The man knows very effective stalling tactics. Levesque would draw out the battle until his team collapses in exhaustion.
Ash knows that his Pokémons cannot outlast Levesque.
So Ash battled him with one tactic in mind.
He was going to hack Levesque to submission.
Ash battled Levesque using a team composed Pokémons that could run moves or with abilities that could inflict status ailments.
Levesque was going to drag this battle into a three hour Broadway. So be it. Ash was willing to play.
And play Ash did.
The battle between him and Levesque lasted exactly four hours and 17 minutes. At the end of the battle, all of Ash's Pokémons were exhausted to the point of near faint. Levesque made Ash's Pokémons run a non-stop triathlon.
That said, Ash won.
When the battle ended, Ash's Lucario were in all fours, struggling to breath. Levesque's last Pokémon was unconscious.
Ash won against a former G500 Champion.
That, itself, was a miracle.
Ash's next match was against Kazu Okato.
Ash knew that his battle with Master Kazu would not be as long as his battle with Levesque.
That said, in Ash's opinion, Kazu was more of a threat the Levesque.
As a Pokémon Battler, Kazu is a damn prodigy. The Pokémon teams that he uses are all well-crafted. He knows what moves each of his Pokémons should run to maximize the moves effectiveness, as well as the team's synergy. Each move that his Pokémons performs are all well executed to the point that there are no openings in between attacks.
Not to mention, Kazu excelled at battle field manipulation and weather set-ups.
In Ash's opinion, Kazu is the perfect Pokémon Battler.
Kazu Okato is a flawless Battler.
So Ash decided to adapt a brawler's strategy against Kazu.
Ash knows that Kazu will have a better strategy than him. He knows that Kazu's Pokémons will be more technically sound and skilled than his.
Ash will concede those facts.
Nevertheless, he does not need to have a better strategy, and his Pokémons does not have to be more skilled than Kazu's, Ash and his Pokémons just needed to knock them all out.
The battle between Ash and Kazu lasted exactly one hour and 10 minutes/ Ash's battle with Kazu was not pretty. There was barely any strategy involve in the battle.
Ash made sure of it. That was the point of his strategy. That was the only strategy available to him and his Pokémons to at least be competitive against Kazu.
He force Kazu and his Pokémons to a straight fight, not a battle.
It was ugly and brutal.
And Ash won by the skin of his teeth.
Again, Infernape was the key for his victory, with Incineroar and Hawlucha contributing by each taking out two if Kazu Pokémons while weakening the rest.
With the battle concluded, Ash defeated the most gifted battler in the entire Independent Circuit.
In the span of two days, Ash pulled out two miracles.
Contemplation
Ash was one win away from winning the G500.
He had beaten several Pokémon Masters, including the two masters that Ash considered as the best trainers in the independence.
Ash was one win away from being the first non-Master trainer to win the G500.
The only one standing in his way was Cynthia.
Cynthia Shirona, the best trainer in Sinnoh, probably the best in the entire continent. Cynthia is the greatest and the best trainer that the Pokémon league could offer.
Cynthia had also beaten both Kazu and Levesque, and the way she beat them was more efficient when compared to his victory over the two master.
Anyone who could beat Levesque in under two hours is deserving of fear.
Anyone who could run circles against Kazu in battle deserves a healthy amount of fear.
As a trainer, Ash fears Cynthia.
Ash is absolutely terrified of her.
Ash thought that Cynthia was remarkable under the Pokémon League Battle Format. In the Independent Circuit Format, Cynthia was downright petrifying.
Cynthia now has access to 16 moves for each Pokémon, 96 moves in total, and Ash watched her craft a strategy to dismantle the two best trainers in the Independence.
The sight alone of those battle boggled Ash's mind, and he fears that he would embarrass himself in front of the trainer that Ash considered as the very best.
That said, Ash had dreamt of his rematch against Cynthia ever since the last time they battled.
His battle against Cynthia was his last battle in the Pokémon League. In said battle, he lost, three Pokémons to six.
That battle was the most memorable battle of his career. Even though he lost, battling Cynthia was the most exhilarating moment of his career.
He will have the chance to experience that feeling again.
He will battle Cynthia for the second time.
Ash knows that he would most likely lose against her, but he would give Cynthia a disservice if he didn't stand across her with the intention to win.
Ash refuses to disrespect the trainer that he admires the most.
Epic
Ash would have loved to field the same team that he deployed in his first battle with Cynthia.
Pikachu/Zeraora, Charizard, Sceptile, Infernape, Greninja, and Lucario.
Unfortunately, Infernape and Lucario are out of commissioned for the moment.
Infernape was the centerpiece of his team against Kazu, and his Sinnoh Ace was too banged up for another battle.
Lucario was also out of the question. Lucario was the ace of the team that he used against Levesque. He was still too exhausted to battle, even after two days of rest.
That left Ash Pikachu/Zeraora, Charizard, Sceptile, Infernape, and Greninja, four out of his six strongest Pokémon.
After some consideration, Ash decided to use Dragonite and Krookodile for his battle against Cynthia.
In this battle, Ash would use Pikachu/Zeraora and Greninja for the Battle Bond evolution, and Sceptile for the Z-move.
Cynthia, for her, part fielded Garchomp (of course), Lucario, Togekiss, Milotic, Eelektross, and Kommo-o.
Cynthia would use her Garchomp and her Lucario for Mega Evolution, and Kommo-o for the Z-move.
With that settled, Ash and Cynthia had their second full battle against each other.
On one corner, a returning legend, the former darling of the independence, infamous for gaining success within the cutthroat world of the independence at the age of 13, the youngest trainer who have reached the title of Pokémon Master, at the age of 16.
The Black Empress, Cynthia Shirona.
On the other corner, the fastest rising star in the independence, the first non-Master trainer to have reached the final stage of the G500, and the trainer who had made a name for himself in a mere two years in the toughest circuit in the world.
The Prince, Ashura Satoshi Ketchum.
The battle that took place between them was considered to be the best Battle that had ever took place in the G500 history.
Glory
The battle between Cynthia and Ash was a two hour Broadway.
To be exact, the battle between them lasted for a total of two hours, seven minutes, and 15 seconds.
10 minutes into the battle, it was clear that Cynthia was the better trainer and battler of the two.
Cynthia's Pokémons were better trained, and the tactics and strategies that she was using was far and above the tactics and strategies that Ash was using.
This was expected from Cynthia.
Before Cynthia retired to the Pokémon League, she was infamous for being the best strategist in the Independence, and it appears that battling trainers below her talent did not diminish her whatsoever.
That being said, Ash was known for three things in the Independence.
First and foremost, Ash was known to be unpredictable, deploying tactics that defied logic, physics, and common sense.
More likely than not, those tactics works.
Second, Ash was a known risk taker. He would often take risky gambles or apply risky tactics to get the upper hand in battle or to get the wind.
More often than not, the risk that Ash takes often bore fruit.
Lastly, Ash was known to be an innovator. It was in the rules that a Pokémon competing in the Independence can only use 16 moves. Ash was able to circumvent this rule by combining different moves that his Pokémons were running to create new, more potent moves. He was such a known innovator that most trainers who battled Ash was expecting for his Pokémons to run 20 moves at the very least.
Those three factors gave Ash the ability to beat trainers that were above him in skill level and experience. Those factors allowed Ash's Pokémons to beat Pokémons that were above them in training and conditioning.
Yes, Cynthia was the better trainer. That fact is clear as day.
But Ash is considered to be the most dangerous trainer in the Independence for the sole reason that he can pull an upset against trainers that were above and beyond him.
His victory over Pokémon Masters Kazu and Levesque was a testament to that fact.
And it was further cemented that Ash is a miracle worker for he had done a deed that was taught as an impossibility.
After more than two hours of battling, Ash's Pikachu/Zeraora was on one knee, bruise and exhausted, barely conscious, and before him was Cynthia's Garchomp, standing on her two feet, unconscious.
For the first time since its inception, a non-Master had won the G500 Tournament.
For the first time in the G500 tournament, the weakest trainer of the final four had won.
To be completely honest, Ash did not care about this victory.
Ash did not care all that much that he defeated the three trainers that can be considered the best of this world.
Ash did not care that he defeated the trainer that he considered as the very best.
What Ash cared about, what Ash will take pride on was the feral and excited smile that was etched on Cynthia's lips, the look of exhilaration and joy in her eyes, and the satisfied expression that she wore on her face.
The greatest glory that Ash will take in this battle, the greatest battle of his career as a trainer, was the fact that he made Cynthia looked absolutely beautiful for the entirety of the battle.
That was his greatest glory.
Reward
Ash won the G500 tournament.
Meaning, he got himself 100 million Poke Dollars wired into his account. He also got a nice championship belt as a tangible sign of him winning the toughest tournament in the world.
Ash was also given an automatic invitation for next year's G500 tournament.
Ash could rest for an entire year, and he would still be invited to the next G500 Tournament.
Ash would only take a month off of course.
Those rewards were nice and all, but Ash considered the night that he shared with Cynthia as his best reward.
Ash and Cynthia did not spent a night of romance together. They also did not have a night filled with casual sex with each other.
No, Ash and Cynthia simply spent the entire night drinking wine (Ash has good and vintage wine in his castle thanks to Elena) and catching up with each other.
Like Ash stated before, he developed a crush on Cynthia not because she is extremely beautiful, although that is part of the reason, but because talking with her was so much fun.
After the predictable request from Cynthia that Ash returned to the Pokémon League, with Ash assuring her that he would return to the League in the future, Ash and Cynthia spent the entire night conversing with each other.
Ash told Cynthia how he began his career in the independence, the first few tournaments that he participated in before he decided to shift his attention momentarily to Pokémon Contests while he assimilates himself in the battling format of the Independence.
In return, Cynthia told Ash about her own experience in the Independence, and how she survived in the Independent Circuit as a young trainer.
Ash was not ashamed on how hard he fanboyed over Cynthia at that information.
Again, a fresh trainer starting out in the Independence and not embarrassing herself would never not be impressive.
Cynthia could only chuckle at Ash's clear admiration over her.
Ash also told Cynthia about his adventures outside the continent, his working agreement with the International Police (that earned him a cute chuckle from Cynthia and quick teased from her about finally deciding to make his heroing a part-time career), and the numerous, colorful people that he had met in his most recent adventures.
Cynthia, in turn, informed Ash about the going-on and the happenings within the continent. She told him that the Pokémon League was boring without him competing in it.
Ash told her that at least the continent was safe without him living in it.
They both laughed at that.
Cynthia, also told him that a certain trainer had finally returned and regained his title as the Kanto Champion.
Ash shrugged uncaringly, and replied that the only champion that matters to him right now was the one he was speaking to at the current moment.
The blushed on Cynthia's face after that reply would be forever burned into Ash's memories.
Again, for Ash, Cynthia is the second most beautiful woman that he had ever met, just behind his Elena.
For the entirety of the evening, Ash and Cynthia continued to trade stories. Hours passed, wined was drunk, and the two continued to enjoyed each other's company with nothing more than words.
When the last drop of wine was drunk, Ash and Cynthia fell asleep in one bed, with none of their clothes remove.
They laid with each other, a respectable distance between them, with only their hands touching, intertwined.
Ash would be surprised to know that his one-sided on the Sinnoh Champion was not entirely one-sided.
Invitation
Like last year, Ash took a month off in competing after the G500.
Again, almost a month of non-stop battling was draining, even for him.
Unlike last year, Ash had a companion in his one month vacation.
Cynthia accompanied him.
Suffice to say, it was an enjoyable month.
He could do without Professor Kukui's teasing, as well as that conversation that he had with Professor Burnet.
No, Ash was not leading Anabel, and no, Ash was not into older girls.
Yes, he has a crush on Cynthia, and yes, he was heavily considering courting Anabel, and yes, they were older than him, with Cynthia being seven years older and Anabel being two.
That does not mean that he prefers older woman.
Serena is his age, and Elena was actually a few months younger than him.
It was also a bit awkward when Ash visited Anabel with Cynthia by his side. There was some tension between his partner and Cynthia, but the two proved to be fast friends. The fact that Anabel was already casually acquainted with Cynthia through her brother, Lucian, made thing less awkward between the two.
After the one month vacation. Cynthia returned to her duties as Sinnoh's Champion, although she promised Ash that she will be competing in the independence part time, and that she was looking forward for another battle with him.
Ash was also looking forward for that battle as well.
Before Ash could resumed his career in the Independence, an invitation found itself in his mail.
This invitation was from the Institution.
The invitation came from the Institution that organizes the G500.
The invitation came from the only Institution in the world capable of granting the title of Pokémon Master to a trainer.
With nervousness and anticipation, Ash opened and read the invitation.
Ashura Satoshi Ketchum, former residence of Pallet Town, currently representing Sunnytown City, is cordially invited to the Institution for talks and negotiation regarding the trainer's preferred method of gaining the title of Pokémon Master. Please take note of the date and time of the trainer's visitation schedule.
Ash smiled at the invitation.
He made.
One step closer to his dreams.