"You'll have a 2v2 battle against me. Leon will be the referee. If you win the match, Ash, you will get your wish. If you don't... you will have to show your identity."

"..."

"Besides that, Ash... I've got an interesting piece of news." Jira spoke. "Paul, your acquitance from the Sinnoh region, is taking part in this tournament."

"..."

"Ash...?"

"Do you know if anyone else is coming?"

"No. He is the only one you know."

"Whew." Ash sighed in relief. "Jira, I accept your challenge. Let's do our best!" and he suddenly got fired up... for the first time in forever.

"One more thing, Ash. You do know that the semifinals and the final battle are both full 6v6 battles, right?" Jira spoke. "So if anyone will be watching your matches and connect the dots... they will realize who is battling."

This put Ash in serious doubts. He figured out that there might be someone from his past that might be watching. However, Ash ultimately decided to let it slide. He was fired up again.

"Jira, let's battle tomorrow. We're gonna figure it out from there."

"Okay!"

The next day

"Oh, I see you're both ready." Leon said.

"Yeah! We had our coffee and we're ready to take part."

Later, on an empty court nearby, Ash and Jira were standing face to face.

"This match will be a 2v2 battle between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and Jira of Postwick Town. You will be allowed to use one of the following: Mega Evolution, Z-move and Dynamax. The one who renders the other trainer's Pokemon unable to battle first will be declared the winner."

"Ready, Jira?" Ash smiled.

"Mhm!"

"Both trainers, send out your Pokemon!"

"Lucario! I choose you!"

"Weavile, show them what you're made of!"

"Battle start!" Leon shouted.

Both Pokemon were facing each other in a serious battle stance. Lucario and Weavile made for great friends, ever since Ash and Jira met. Lucario's powerful aura-focused attacks allowed it to defeat Weavile here and there, despite the latter's huge experience in Pokemon battling.

"Lucario! The bond between us... Mega Evolve!"

Ash did not waste any time, and immediately mega evolved his Lucario. Weavile knew that he will be facing a powerful opponent, with a massive type advantage over it. But Weavile has faced legendary Pokemon in the past, and it defeated monsters like Moltres, Regidrago and even Calyrex. A Mega Lucario would not be impossible to take out, he thought.

"Aura Sphere!"

"Ice Shard!"

Both Pokemon charged their powerful attacks at each other, leaving some dust behind. When it cleared, they seemed unfazed.

"We're just getting started, Jira. Lucario, run!"

"Weavile, wait for its movements."

"Go! Use Bullet Punch!"

"Night Slash!"

Weavile and Mega Lucario's strong melee abilities left Leon blown away. As powerful as he was as a Trainer, his eye movement did not catch up.

"He's pretty tough..." Ash thought. "Double Team and run towards Weavile again!"

"Weavile, you know what to do."

Weavile closed his eyes, listening for its powerful opponent. Mega Lucario created multiple clones and charged towards Weavile.

"One more Bullet Punch!"

"Weavile! Low Kick!"

Lucario's clones faded as the real Lucario charged towards Weavile with its quick steel-type move and striked its face with a few quick punches. But Weavile was faster than Lucario thought, and hit Lucario in the stomach with its Low Kick. That's gotta hurt.

"Lucario! Are you okay?"

The aura Pokemon was huffing and puffing. Weavile was not feeling much better, but it was clear it was in a better condition.

"Let's get stronger, then. Lucario, charge up your Aura!"

"Weavile. Try to look for your opponent's instincts."

Mega Lucario charged up its Aura Sphere as Weavile watched. Ash knew that this attack would better do it. Weavile was clearly faster and could feel its opponent really well. As the Aura Sphere got bigger, Weavile began to run towards Lucario.

"Lucario! Run with the Aura Sphere in your right hand!"

Weavile got closer and closer. Mega Lucario charged towards its opponent.

"Weavile! Night Slash!"

"Lucario! Hit Weavile with it!"

The two attacks collided. The energy felt must have been really big, because they left behind a lot of dust.

"Wow..." Leon thought.

The dust has finally cleared.

"Lucario!"

"Weavile!"

"Both Pokemon are unable to battle!" Leon shouted. "Ash, Jira, what an impressive show."

"Lucario, are you okay?" Lucario nodded. "Thank you. You were great out there. You reminded me of those times..."

"Those times...? Jira suddenly asked.

"Yeah. My Lucario once defeated Cynthia's famous Garchomp."

"And my Mr. Rime, as well", Leon added. "I feel he is just like the Lucario we once knew."

"Hey, Weavile, thank you. Return." Weavile returned to Jira's side. Yes, it was usually outside of its Pokeball.

"Now, Ash. I'm sure you'll send out..."

"Yeah."

"I have to reward you the way you deserve, Ash."

"I'm curious, Jira. Pikachu, I choose you!"

Pikachu was mostly the same Pokemon he was before things happened. He was Ash's partner for about eight years now. And he was still always outside of his Pokeball. Fortunately, in this whole 24-month period, this did not expose Ash in any way, shape or form, since Jira and Leon made sure to keep Ash in hiding.

"Latios. Let's show them!"

And the powerful Eon Dragon-type was going to be Pikachu's opponent.

"Jira, your Latios reminds me of Tobias."

"Who is Tobias...?"

"I battled him in the Sinnoh League. That idiot whooped me. How can you enter with only legendary Pokemon?"

"..."

"Have I said something, Jira?"

"No, it's just that... I'm entering this tournament as well."

"Huh?"

"And while Latios is the only legendary Pokemon I have, I plan to use him in my battles."

"..."

"..."

"...it's okay, Jira. You only have one."

Jira's team, besides Latios and Weavile, was mostly fast Pokemon, with Crobat, Gengar and Feraligatr serving as offensive powerhouses. And a sixth Pokemon, Rhyperior, used as the battle armor against mostly physical opponents.

"Shall we begin now?" Leon asked.

"Yeah."

"Battle start!"

"Pikachu! Quick Attack!"

"Latios! Giga Impact!"

This battle seemed to strikingly resemble the fight between Mega Lucario and Weavile earlier. Both Pokemon charged at each other with their powerful physical attacks. Pikachu scored a hit on Latios, avoiding its massive Giga Impact.

"Hey Pikachu! Latios must be immobilized! Use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu charged up its electricity and launched a few jolts at his opponent. But the dust cleared, and Latios didn't seem very fazed.

"Ugh..."

"Latios! Use Psyshock!"

Latios quickly fired a pink beam at Pikachu. Pikachu had little time to react before getting hit at point blank. That was effective.

"Pikachu! Are you okay?"

Pikachu was already huffing and puffing. But Jira knew, watching Ash on TV in other times, that Pikachu would give his best until his final breath. So he instructed Latios to watch for Pikachu's movements.

"Pikachu. We're just getting started. Charge towards Latios!"

"Latios, get ready."

"Use Electroweb!"

"Huh?" Jira thought. He was expecting Quick Attack, Iron Tail or Thunderbolt. But Pikachu instead charged up a huge web and fired it at Latios. This prevented Jira from making his next move.

"Latios! Are you okay?"

Latios was enduring the continuous jolts. Just like Psyshock, that move's gotta hurt a little.

"Latios. Use Draco Meteor and shoot the web back!"

This left Ash shocked. Jira was cooking up strategies just like Ash did, back in the day. Latios charged up a powerful meteor, a single one, and fired it with huge speed at his opponent.

"Pikachu is in trouble..." Leon thought.

"Pikachu! Use Quick Attack, now!" The electric rodent barely escaped the meteor and charged towards Latios.

"Latios! Try to catch it!"

But Pikachu was too fast, and dealt damage to the Eon Pokemon before Latios could react.

"Latios."

"Laa?"

"We haven't tried it yet, have we?"

"Laa"

"I'm gonna do this for the first time ever, Ash." Jira said, and revealed... a Key Stone.

"Latios! Share your will with me! Mega Evolve!"

Jira had never used a Key Stone in his life. Despite being one of the best trainers in Galar, he always preferred to Dynamax his Pokemon instead of relying on Mega Evolution. And that was the trend pretty much everywhere in the region. Even Leon did not have a Key Stone.

But now, Jira has decided to try a different strategy.

"Mega... Latios", Ash thought. "I've never seen it."

"Latios," Jira said, "let's win this battle, shall we?"

"Laa."

"Use Ice Beam and freeze the stage!"

Latios charged up one of the most powerful Ice Beams ever seen by Ash and shot it at the stage. Yes, it froze entirely. This would give Latios a big advantage, since he could levitate and Pikachu was grounded.

Pikachu was already struggling with its cold feet and slippery ice.

"Pikachu." Ash said. "Don't worry. I'm here with you."

Pikachu relaxed surprisingly quickly, and performed a Quick Attack. He leapt upon a small icy "mountain" and struck Mega Latios with it. But once he got back, the icy problems returned.

"Latios! Use Psyshock!"

Latios charged up its rose beam and fired it at Pikachu. The electric mouse tried to dodge it... and slipped. A second Psyshock, that's not good.

"Pikachu!"

Pikachu was barely hanging on. Ash was getting into an uphill battle.

"It reminds me... of that moment." Leon thought. "When everyone shared their spirit with Pikachu... and defeated my buddy Charizard... it was frustrating."

"Pikachu!"

The electric mouse stood up and shot a huge electric volt. An electric aura was surrounding him.

"Yes... exactly THAT Pikachu..." Leon thought, with a huge smile on his face.

"Latios. Get ready! You're up against something big!" Jira shouted.

"Pikachu! We're gonna bet it all on this attack! Thunderbolt!"

"Latios! Let's show them! Giga Impact!"

"GO!" both shouted.

"Yes... EXACTLY like then." Leon smiled.

Mega Latios and Pikachu charged at each other with their moves. Latios and Pikachu really knew each other by now, having sparred here and there. So they would give everything. Despite Jira not really having anything to fight for, he was the kind of Trainer that would always give his best. And in this context, that's what Leon warned him, after all. He would not participate in the Tournament if he held back.

And the dust settled. Both Pokemon were on the ground.

After a few seconds of tense waiting, what was about to go on would be a shock... for Ash, as Mega Latios stood up. Pikachu fainted.

"Pikachu is unable to battle. Latios wins! Therefore, Jira wins this match!"

"Oh no..." Ash said.

"Good job out there, Latios. Thank you." Latios returned to its normal form, and gave Jira a quick hug with Weavile. Then Latios went to Pikachu and shook his hand. Pikachu himself was happy he faced such an opponent, but Ash...

"That means..." he thought.

"Ash... that was a great battle." Jira said. "But now that it's over, it means that you have to... show your identity."

A million thoughts went into Ash's mind, as he shook Jira's hand. It was more than a sparring match, after all. The era of Red Satoshi was over.