How is it going everyone? Here is the next chapter and the beginning of the much anticipated Tástáil de na Caitheamh. On top of that, a huge dump of OCs to be introduced and if you know your trainers enough, should be able to recognize some familiar trainers from the games. With that much introduced, Let's see what battles we have to look forward to… after a few review responses.

God of Wind 200: True that, although I could have added a bit with Espeon actually performing Miracle Eye prior. Just something I have to remind myself for future chapters should the need arise.

Auran Ketchum: My goal is to avoid getting into drama situations so ideally nothing too serious will end up following. I will spoil this much, I don't have any plans to add Serena.

And with that, let's get the actual chapter on the way shall we?

Chapter 30: The First Attack

In the outer edges of Blackthorn City, where things were normally calm and made perfect for travelers and trainers, an event was being set up that was only seldom seen in the city's history into the afternoon hours. Braziers were set alongside the dirt paths as they set up a new path for others to walk down. The pair of lined up braziers stretched out for several yards before they parted away from one another and began to form a wide circle around the open field. Within this encircled field, there was only a single long table while the Dragon Elder brought his chair up to it and set it up from behind.

He looked around him when he observed, "Just as it was meant to be. Clair. Are all of the tents prepared to be lifted?"

Clair sat up the last pole into the ground when she answered, "Yes Master Elder."

The Elder nodded, "Both you and Sabrina prepare to set them up. Once you are done, light the braziers and ensure that they burn with the intensity we require."

Clair confirmed, "Well be done before the hour begins master."

The Elder nodded as he walked down the line of braziers that had been lined up and made his way towards the gym that was a short distance away. As he made his way to the front door entrance, he saw Ash and his friends gathered outside when he greeted, "Well then, I certainly hope that you are all looking forward to a great festivity. It is an event that many are quite taken with when they first view it."

Will agreed, "It will be interesting to see how members of the Dragon Clan operate and take others under their own. We are thankful that you will let us have the opportunity to view this sir."

Karen asked, "So does it start during the night or something?"

The Elder confirmed, "Indeed it does. Once the remainder of the clan has been brought to our location, we shall be ready to begin." He looked up to the skies when he told them, "Ah, it seems that we are now about to have our first guests prepared to meet with us." As Ash and his friends looked up, they saw a Salamence, a pair of Dragonites, a pair of Altarias, and a Noivern fly down towards the front of the gym.

The six Pokémon landed one by one as several trainers landed onto the ground. Out of all of them, there was only one person who Ash could recognize. "Lance? Is that actually you?"

Lance looked over to Ash as he returned his Dragonite when he welcomed, "So you must be the Ash Ketchum the Master Elder was referring to. It is a great honor to meet you."

Ash agreed, "Me too. I didn't know you would be interested in this sort of day."

An older man stepped forward after returning his Dragonite and welcomed, "He is indeed anticipating this initiation. Moreover, to see the initiation of his younger cousin. Ah, I must introduce myself. I am Darien Grayson."

Next to him, a woman returned her Altaria as she greeted, "I am Odette. It is a most fascinating and welcoming experience to see that a boy who has apparently saved the world twice is being given such an honor."

Ash shook both their hands when he greeted them, "It wasn't much really. I did what anyone should have in my situation. I also have to add, my friends were a big help in both times."

"Even then you did still become the League Champion all by yourself with a Mew of all things." A boy younger than Lance said as he returned his Noivern and introduced himself. "The name's Isais. I'm sure pumped to see you actually battle in person."

Ash shook Isais' hand before he saw another two clan members step ahead to greet him. Both were middle aged and had the familiar teal blue hair that he had seen from Clair. The woman stepped ahead when she enthusiastically placed both hands on Ash's arms when she smiled and observed, "My girl was indeed the ambitious one. Truly there are few she could ever hope to claim the heart of."

Ash corrected, "Well it wasn't quite like that but, I guess that did end up happening didn't it?"

The man made his way up to her when he told her, "I believe we have business with the Master Elder dear."

Ash observed, "So I take it you're both Clair's parents?"

The man introduced, "Yes indeed young man. I am Everette and this is my wife Wilhelmina. Ah, and our son Clarke right behind us."

Another young man made his way forward and appeared as though he were the spinning image of Clair herself but as a younger boy. "A pleasure to meet you Ash."

With the introductions complete, the Dragon Elder made his way in front when he asked, "Well then Wilhelmina, have you acquired what we required of you since I gave you the announcement?"

Wilhelmina smiled when she confirmed, "Yes Master Elder." She took out a bag from under the claw of her Salamence and presented, "I have acquired the chaste tree berries necessary for the daily ritual. As well as mucuna beans and shilajit for consecrating the pósadh dragáin."

Clarke carried a 64-ounce bowl when he offered, "This will fit upon the rim of any brazier."

The Dragon Elder nodded when he told them, "Well done. The preparations for the initiation are under way, now we only need see that the right hour come to pass before we are able to see how well this young man can prove himself as a worthy clan member."

Wilhelmina, told her grandfather, "Oh I am certain that he will be more than capable. If he doesn't, you don't know how displeased I am going to be about this."

Darien reminded her, "Your daughter knew what offering a candidate to our initiation would entail. We shall see if he is powerful enough to be worthy."

The Dragon Elder offered, "Well then, I imagine that we will not have much to achieve if we should only remain out here. It will only be a few hours before we can begin. Let's wait for the others to arrive inside shall we?"

It took a few hours, but Ash was able to view many of the Dragon Clan members arrive in Blackthorn City. Many of them were members of the clan who had come to witness if Ash was indeed worth being initiated, but the sight of his parents making their way to his location was just as welcoming of a sight. Ash saw Flygon making its way to the outer edge of Blackthorn City and he was able to recognized, "Oh boy! Dad's here!"

Ash made his way towards the Flygon's landing site while Pikachu and Mew made their way over to him and awaited their new spectators. Among them however, there were another two dragon Pokémon that he did not expect to see arriving as a red and blue blur bother make their way to the same landing location. Before Ash could ask anything, he saw his father dismount and welcome, "Hey there Ash. Boy it sure is nice to see you again after this long."

Ash saw his mother Delia make her way down when she made her way over to him before embracing him in a hug and added, "Hello honey. It's been too long for me."

Ash returned the hug when he told her, "Yeah, it's nice to see you to mom. I take it dad told you everything about today?"

Delia parted when she told him, "Well, I have to admit. It's not something that I thought I would ever have to see happen. But tell me, did you at least think very long and hard about what you're getting yourself into young man?"

Ash answered, "I have to admit. I had to make a really snap decision when I was offered the chance, but I have been thinking about it for a while. I think that I can take full responsibility for."

Delia sighed when she accepted, "You do try your best to be more mature than you are sometimes. I just want you to know that I'm going to be here on a more regular basis from now on and I will make sure that you are treating those girls like someone you respect. If they aren't happy with how you're treating them, you are going to hear a few choice words from me."

Cade told Ash, "Your mother just wants to make sure that you don't plan on shirking any responsibility is all kiddo. I can't blame her really. If I heard that you planned on well… hitting and running, I would have to make sure that you didn't live without the consequences. And that's just me speaking as a dad is all."

Ash agreed, "I guess I deserve that much."

Delia told him, "We're still going to support you though Ash. We don't want you to think that we don't appreciate you finally finding a sweetheart to spend your life with. Even if it is more than one."

Cade smirked when he nodded, "Never thought you would turn out to be this kind of special kid. Gotta say you are quite privileged to be where you are right now."

Ash thanked his parents, "Its' great that you were willing to head all the way here to see me. By the way, what are Latios and Latias doing here anyway?"

He received his answer when he saw Annie and Oakley make themselves known and appeared from behind the two dragons of Alto Mare. Oakley was the first to greet, "Hi Ash."

Annie added, "The festivities haven't started have they?"

Ash was surprised to see the two former Team Rocket members next to his parents when he asked, "You guys wanted to come to see me to?"

Annie confirmed, "We managed to convince Cade to give us some time away to see your initiation. We just really wanted to see what this was going to be like."

Oakley agreed, "Yeah, and maybe meet with some of the others you consider friends if you think you're okay with that."

Ash nodded when he accepted, "I think you guys deserve that much of a shot. I bet this will be a great time for all of us. Don't Latios and Latias need to be back in Alto Mare though?"

Cade told him, "Alto Mare doesn't really need much protecting now actually. Bianca and her old man have been doing a lot of research lately on the Defense Mechanism and we think we might be able to use it in case there's another world-shattering event that could put everyone in danger. These two here are just making sure that your new spectators aren't going to cause any trouble is all. Besides, we still have a few dozen prehistoric Pokémon we need to relocate in that city, it will be fine for now at least."

Ash accepted, "That sounds great. I guess now I have a lot of pressure on me to win just like the Elder told me I should have at this point."

Delia asked, "And what happens if you lose?"

Ash was reluctant when he answered, "Well… things get a little hard for Clair and probably me. I can win against some of the strongest trainers in the world though, so I'm not shaking at the knees about taking on some trainers who probably haven't qualified for the League just yet."

Delia had a look of concern on her face, but Cade told him, "That's the spirit Ash. I can't wait to see you actually battle in person."

From behind the gym, a loud horn blew, and Ash told the four of them, "Well it sounds like the ritual is about to begin. We should get going."

Annie offered, "Do lead the way Ash."

The afternoon hours had arrived as the many members of the Dragon Clan were gathered to view the battlefield encircled by the multitude of braziers that burned in the afternoon air. Clair sat behind the long table while the Elder sat next to her and waited for the trainer of the hour to make himself recognized. Wilhelmina came up to them with the bowl that Clarke brought with him containing some ground chaste tree berries. She asked, "Has the water been prepared Master Elder?"

The Dragon Elder nodded, "Indeed it is prepared. And your daughter is prepared to spectate."

Wilhelmina smiled when she told the Elder, "That is good to hear." She turned to Clair when she reminded her, "Now remember Clair. As soon as Ash is able to claim victory, you are to drink every drop that is in this bowl once it is over."

Clair confirmed, "I remember how the ritual proceeds mother."

Wilhelmina added, "You should know about the feast that will come after once the five days have passed as well then. I don't want you eating more than you need until then do you understand?"

Clair answered, "I am prepared to follow the needs of the ritual. But all of this is based on the assumption that Ash will in fact win this five-day tournament."

Wilhelmina reminded her, "You need to be looking forward to your future husband wining dear. We can never entertain the thought that you would be cast out or anything worse."

Clair agreed, "I suppose my entire life forward does depend on this boy being able to demonstrate being the greatest fighter among us."

The Dragon Elder looked around as he saw everyone gathered around the circle of braziers when he told Wilhelmina, "That will be all dear. We have a tournament to begin now."

Wilhelmina backed away with the bowl as she prepared it on the brazier next to the one with boiling water when she agreed, "Of course Master Elder."

As the field was cleared, the Dragon Elder stood up from his chair when he announced, "Friends. Sons. Daughters. All who are bound by blood to the Dragon Clan. We gather here this night to witness the initiation of one who desires to be part of our noble heritage. Let him step forward and make his desire known to all."

At those words, Ash Ketchum walked down the path set up by the braziers on the grass and made his way towards the open field waiting for him. He stood at attention and heard the Dragon Elder ask, "And who young one are you that you believe the honor of being bound to our clan is yours to claim?"

Ash answered, "I am Ash Ketchum. I stand here before you to take the Tástáil de na Caitheamh."

The Dragon Elder announced, "So we have heard the name of the one who seeks to join us. This boy has laid claim to three dragons who he believes are enough to demonstrate his dedication to taming the dragon. Across these next five days shall he demonstrate all of the power that he has amounted in the course of learning our ways and preparing himself for our new life. Do you remember the rules for which over the next five days you are to follow boy?"

Ash answered, "One dragon for each day. The last two will be the greatest of tests for me."

The Elder added, "And know that using anything other than the dragon will demonstrate that you are not worthy of our bloodline. Let it be heard that this day has been recorded in which Ash Ketchum has indeed given his recognition to our ways. Now it shall be seen if he does indeed understand them. Let the first challenger step forward to test him."

At that order, a dragon clan member around Ash's age stepped forward and announced, "I am Keegan of the Acton family. To this request for initiation, do I offer my challenge."

The Elder announced, "Let both trainers step back and face one another to let the first battle begin."

Ash turned away from Keegan as both trainers walked to their opposing sides before Ash was at the edge and facing his opponent's direction. He then heard the Elder announce, "So begins the first battle of the Tástáil! Both trainers fight!"

Ash reached for his Poké ball while Keegan reached for his. Keegan was the first to announce, "Vibrava! You are chosen!"

Ash announced, "Salamence! Show them what you're made of!"

The battlefield had been set as the dragonfly Pokémon flew in mid-air opposite of the draconic one. Keegan made the first move when he ordered, "Vibrava! Rock Slide!" Vibrava flew into the air and created several white orbs of energy around himself before they turned into large gray rocks with white outlines and rained them towards Salamence.

Ash retaliated with his attack, "Salamence! Anáil Dragan!" Salamence fired a light blue beam from his mouth towards the incoming rocks as they burned away in mid-air. The beam continued its way towards Vibrava before the dragonfly Pokémon dodged out of the way and allowed the attack to hit the ground beneath him.

Keegan ordered, "Vibrava! Uproar!" Around Vibrava's body, blue sound waves began to emanate from its rapidly vibrating wings as they reached out towards Salamence. The ground around Salamence began to shake from the damaging amount of noise that had been ordered towards him.

Ash remained standing as he stood against the attack and ordered, "Salamence! Imeall Dúbailte!" Salamence struggled to get up when the irritating noise attack continued to assault him, but managed to stand up when he made his body glow a gold and force himself into the air and launched himself towards the Vibrava. The physical attack landed into the middle of Vibrava's face and sent the dragonfly pokemon crashing to the ground as it struggled to maintain its small legs before he could be ready for another attack.

Keegan ordered, "Vibrava! Supersonic!" Vibrava flapped his wings fast and made a large blue circle appear in from of him and fired it towards Salamence. The noise was every bit as difficult to deal with as the Uproar from earlier, but Salamence managed to remain standing.

Ash responded to the attack, "Salamence! Rage!" At Ash's order, Salamence's body glowed a bright red and launched himself towards the location of the Vibrava. Salamence assaulted the ground with a mighty thud and tore open the patches of dirt beneath him and used every limb he was able to attack with to try and nail Vibrava to the ground. It took several strikes to the ground before one of Salamence's front claws hit Vibrava in the back and forced him to the ground to endure another round of pain from the attack.

Even after the mighty attack, Keegan maintained his persistence when he ordered, "Vibrava! Boomburst!" Vibrava's body became surrounded in a thing light-blue aura while blue static appeared on both sides of his ears. Vibrava then sent a swirling supersonic wave of light blue aura towards Salamence as it collided with the reddened dragon. The attack met with Salamence headfirst as he was forced back and sent crashing to the ground and slid across the field.

Ash had a brief glance over the two dueling dragon pokemon when he recognized how both of them were being worn down by the exchange of attacks. Salamence stayed up on his legs while Vibrava continued to flap his wings as much as he could. "I have to win this and fast. Salamence! Lascaire!" Salamence followed the order as he released a red-orange stream of fire from his mouth towards Vibrava.

Keegan made another quick move when he ordered, "Vibrava! Dragon Breath!" Vibrava stood his ground when he released a green and yellow beam from his mouth towards the Flamethrower attack that Salamence summoned. The two attacks collided with one another for a few moments as the two streams of flames struggled to overcome one another. The engagement was brief however as Salamence's Flamethrower attack pushed back and engulfed Vibrava within a field of flames around him. The attack eventually subsided as Vibrava was given a chance to appreciate the cool air that was permitted to him. Despite the conditions however, the dragonfly Pokémon struggled briefly before falling over on his stomach signifying his exhaustion from taking the attack.

Keegan stepped forward when he asked, "Vibrava. Are you defeated?" The dragonfly Pokémon on the ground nodded as he gave a weak sign of his defeat. Keegan held out his Poké ball when he commended, "You have done well Vibrava. Your rest is earned."

As Vibrava was taken back into his Poké ball, Ash did the same when he told Salamence, "Good job buddy. You did great." Both Pokémon had been returned to their trainers and Ash offered, "Good fight Keegan."

Keegan nodded when he told Ash, "I only offered what I was meant to. Today you have proven yourself, you need only continue to do so against trainers far more powerful than me."

The Dragon Elder made his way to the center of the field when he announced, "To all who have borne witness to this day, see that Ash Ketchum has won the first of the five challenges." He turned his way to Ash when he shook his hand and congratulated, "You have done well today Ash. You have demonstrated the first of the five virtues of battle. The virtue of Eolas."

Ash was surprised by the honor when he asked, "The first of five virtues? I don't remember being asked to prepare to demonstrate those during this tournament."

The Elder told him, "And if you are as competent and virtuous of a trainer as you believe yourself to be, you will be able to recognize that you are more than prepared to demonstrate these virtues whenever you are asked."

Ash felt uneasy about the praise he was given when he accepted, "I guess that will be something I have to be ready for won't I? But the thing about Eolas. That's supposed to be knowledge isn't it?"

"Indeed it is. You have shown throughout the entire battle that you were capable of drawing upon the inner power of the dragons as you had been taught for as long as you were. It helps that much of it is certainly fresher in your mind than it is for most others, it is only a question of how prepared you are for demonstrating the remaining for."

Ash nodded when he accepted, "Okay Master Elder. Whatever rules are going to be thrown at me, I'll make sure that I won't fumble on any of them."

The Dragon Elder shook Ash's hand when he told him, "I look forward to seeing them being demonstrated every time after this tournament lad."

Ash looked around him when he looked around to recognize the rounds of congratulations that were being given between the members of the Acton family and the surrounding viewers. He had no idea which one of them could be his next opponent and he had no way of telling which one would be his next opponent. "Trying to psychic my way out of this would probably end up unintentionally screwing this up."

The Dragon Elder chuckled when he confirmed, "You are wise for your age Ash. Why don't you meet with your bride to be why don't you?"

Ash nodded when he recognized Clair was still at the table that was viewing his battle with Keegan. As he made his way over to the table, he saw something different about Clair. Her face had become a beet red color as she panted over an empty bowl. Ash asked, "Clair? You're not having any issues are you?"

Clair looked up when she answered, "It is nothing. I have only had to drink the first of a few. This is nothing that I can't handle."

Ash remembered the bowl being poured full of hot water when he asked, "You actually drank that whole thing? Is that even supposed to be healthy?"

Wilhelmina came up to him when he assured him, "It is a practice we have been performing for many generations dear. It is something that will pave the way for a very fruitful final night once you are victorious."

Ash accepted, "As long as it doesn't hurt her then I'll let her make her own decisions."

Clair confirmed, "You have your own responsibility to prepare for Ash. Only when you have the responsibility to be at my side should you be concerned about my wellbeing."

Ash prepared to make his way down the line of braziers when he told everyone, "You're right. I've got to make sure Tyrantrum and Dragonite are prepared for battle. I hope that you guys are all ready to see what I can really do by the time this is done."

And that's another chapter done. Sorry if ending at the first battle was a bit of a tease, but it felt right to do end it there for right now. We've got a lot of characters introduced, only a few of whom will be the potential challengers for the big tournament along with a few customs to go with it.

Who are the challengers? What are the five virtues that Ash will have to acknowledge by the time it is all over? All of this and at least a few other things will be answered very soon.

Until next time, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.