One week left
"Hey, Jira."
"What is it, Ash?"
"Do you have any idea on how the tournament is structured?"
"Yes. Leon told me about it. There are 32 trainers competing, and your first battle will be 2v2, the round of 16 and quarter-final matches are 3v3, and the semifinals and final battle are 6v6 full battles."
"Jira", Ash asked, "when will I have to reveal myself?"
"Leon is convinced that you will make it at least to the semifinal round. But if you lose until there, you will reveal yourself at the end of that battle."
"I understood. I have to do some mental training these days, Jira."
"I know how it is. It's been two years for you in hiding."
"I'm wondering if anyone out there misses me. But honestly… I would not be surprised if it was only Paul or something."
"Ash…" Jira thought.
Three days left
"How is your mental wellbeing, Ash?" Jira asked.
"I still don't know what to think. To be honest, Jira, I think I'll have the same feeling until I have no choice but to reveal myself. I'm so scared, Jira."
"Ash," Jira said, "don't be. I'm sure Team Rocket is now a thing of the past. And if your mother sees you now, she'd be the first one to apologize."
"Shut up." Ash turned serious, before going to his own room.
"…"
"I'm getting so tense now. How will I do it? News today is a fucking piece of shit. Watch as they're gonna make money off me. I'm just a simple person and they will hold two-hour debates on how I'm a victim of the system, or present me as a celebrity, or a criminal and so on. I just want to return to my normal life and I feel like I can't. I've betrayed myself and my friends. There's no way I'm getting out of this alive. And I'm wondering if the whore I call my mother would try to catch up with me and apologize. She should have done her absolute best to do this. It's been two years and nothing."
Two days left
"Jira, I'm sorry for yesterday." Ash said.
"It's okay, Ash."
"I can't sleep at night anymore, Jira. So many thoughts are battling in my mind. I've got no time left to go to therapy or something. I guess I can use some Hyper Potions from the Pokemon Center, but they're meant for Pokemon and would have limited effect on my brain at most, I would say."
"Ash", Jira spoke, "I… I don't know what to tell you. I've had so many bad moments in the past that I haven't told you. I was once in a very cold relationship with Leon because of me taking idiotic decisions. Like not helping out in the garden or not feeding his Charizard properly when he was in town."
"But Ash," he continued, "there's too many quick fixes online, and no one bothers to get to the actual cause. Your trauma is valid, Ash." he said and he gave his friend a quick hug.
One day left
"Pikachu", Ash said. "Are you ready?"
"Pikapi!"
"I'm ready to battle once again, Pikachu. That's the good side."
"Pika… pikapi."
"I've slept a little better today. I'm still Red Satoshi, however. My mind will fight everything inside me. We'd better win this tournament, now that there's no way out."
"Oh, I see you're both awake." Jira spoke.
"Morning, Jira. How are you? Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"Absolutely. I want to win this tournament and make Leon proud."
"We're going to be the ones who will win, Jira." Ash smirked.
"So Ash, when will you decide to reveal yourself?"
"I will do it in the semi-final round, Jira. That's unless… I face Paul in the first three rounds, in which case I'll reveal myself in front of him."
"Against Paul? Are… are you sure, Ash?"
"Jira", Ash spoke, "there's no way out of this. I've done it now, I've lost the bet, and I might as well make my plan."
"Latios, Weavile," Ash said, "you'd better do well. I want to get my revenge." he smiled.
At night, before going to sleep
"I'm still so tense. I can't get rid of this feeling. Everyone…"