Hello, guys! It's Shadierre, and I have the next chapter up for you. I'm glad that a lot of you guys are saying that I'm doing a good job with the rewrite and you can't wait for more to be uploaded. What Zierre told you is correct; I do have lots of free time to update, so expect daily ones (usually). We got 2 suggestions last chapter, and again, I'm here to respond to them.

1) 23StellaOrgana said that Hoopa, if added, should kill Trip. Once again, I have no idea if I'm adding said legendary to the story, and if I did, I have no idea how to make Hoopa, or any legendary for that matter, help to kill Trip. So, just wait.

2) A guest said that each of Ash's friends should get a legendary and that Manaphy should be here. I don't know about everyone getting a legendary… maybe May since she has a big tie with Manaphy, and also Max, since he has a bond with Jirachi. I don't know yet.

I think that sums all of the suggestions up. If i missed any of yours, please review on this chapter, and I'll get to it in the next one. Once again, please check out my other story, Gaming Legends. Now, let's get on with the fourth chapter!

Chapter 4: Meeting and Admitting

The sun finally peeked out of the horizon as Ash was finally woke up from his slumber. He glanced over to his right to see Serena still sleeping on his shoulder. Smiling slightly, he gently moved her head away from his shoulder and stood up. He looked over to Daniel who was sleeping steadily with Solosis on his side, sleeping as well. Stretching his tired muscles, he saw a pamphlet that fell off his lap.

"Wonder what this is…" he muttered to himself. Reaching down, he opened the piece of paper to find a key, a letter, and some information. He stuffed the key in his pocket and proceeded to open the enclosed letter.

Dear Ash,

It's Scott again. I hope you like the Villa; I forgot that you and Serena are the Kanto and Kalos Champions, so I was able to pull a last minute invitation to you guys. I also found out about the kid Daniel, so I sent the best doctors and nurses to help him while you guys were asleep. If you look inside the pamphlet, you'll find you and Serena's battle times and who you're battling for today. Good luck in the tournament. I'll see you in the stadium.

- Scott

Ash put the letter on Serena's lap as he read the information.

Tournament Information

Battle Time: 10 AM

Opponents:

Zed Vierre

Laura Pierce

Ash looked a bit baffled at those names. He swore that he has seen them before… but where? Putting the pamphlet near the table at Serena's side, he glanced at the clock. It was only 6:30 AM. Chuckling to himself, he tapped Pikachu on the neck.

"C'mon Pi… We gotta do our morning training." he said nicely as he rubbed Pikachu's chin. Pikachu cooed as he received the contact from his trainer.

"Aw… C'mon, Ash… 5 more minutes." Pikachu groaned as he curled up more. Ash sighed and turned away.

"Fine. But no ketchup after our battle." he threatened. Pikachu stood up like a bolt as he ran up on Ash's shoulder with a worried look.

"I'll train! I'll train! Just let me eat ketchup!" Pikachu begged. Ash chuckled as he walked out of the room and made his way over to the battlefield nearby. Letting Pikachu run and stretch around, he threw a Pokéball into the air, revealing a Greninja.

"Hey, Greninja. I thought we would start with our basic resistance training today. Okay?" Ash explained as Greninja stood up. He didn't look at Ash as he stared off into space. Ash snapped his fingers in Greninja's face. "Hey… did you hear?" he clarified. Greninja seemed to snap out of it as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head as he stared at Ash with a sad expression.

"Sorry… I've just been thinking…" Greninja explained thoughtfully. Ash nodded.

"You still worried that Delphox won't return your feelings, huh?" Ash guessed as Greninja nodded.

"Yeah… I love her, Ash. Ever since I was a Frogadier. I've been afraid for 5 years! 5 years! I still don't have the courage to confess…" Greninja admitted loudly as he slumped down on the ground and crossed his arms. Ash put a consoling hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry; She likes you back. I just know it. Now… you up for training?" Ash lightly joked as Greninja seemed to have his spirits back up again. "You know that I'm proposing to Serena soon… why not do it then?" Ash suggested. Greninja nodded.

"I'm glad that you're gonna marry Mistress Serena… She's really nice… and she's the trainer of the one I love as well." Greninja admitted as he looked at Pikachu, who was currently running around.

"Pikachu! Time for resistance training." Ash called out as Pikachu returned back with a smile.

"I overheard everything, Greninja. She'll like you back. No worries." Pikachu reassured as Ash nodded.

"Definitely. Now, time for some training. You guys ready?" Ash asked. His two Pokémon eagerly nodded as Ash smiled. "Okay. Greninja, let's try to pass 80% of Pikachu's full power right now. Okay?" he asked. Greninja braced himself as he nodded.

"Get ready, Greninja!" Pikachu said with determination as he started off with a stream of low power electricity. Greninja didn't seem to get hurt as Pikachu slowly strengthened the power. After a few moments later, Pikachu was at 70% of his power, and Greninja was already breathing heavily. Pikachu increased it to 80% and Greninja fell to one knee, but was able to stand back up.

"Enough. Good job, Greninja." Ash praised as Greninja fell to the ground with a tired smile.

"I thought I would find you out here." a voice said behind Ash. He whirled around to see Gary and Misty with sad smiles. He stared dagger into their eyes as he turned his back towards them. Gary hung his head as Misty walked up and put a hand on Ash's shoulder.

"What do you want!" Ash growled as he slapped Misty's hand and turned towards her with Greninja and Pikachu immediately charging attacks, ready to defend their trainer.

"Look… We have something important to tell you." She said urgently as Gary nodded behind her. Ash spat in front of her feet and glared at her angrily.

"I have nothing to say to you. You broke the privilege of talking to be 6 years ago." he growled. Misty nodded.

"I know, Ash… I'm sorry… If you would just let me-" she was cut off by a large wave of power that nearly made her fall to the ground.

"No! I won't! Do you have any idea how much that hurt me!? HUH!?" Ash shouted as he started to surround himself in a faint, blue aura. Misty stepped forward and nodded.

"I know. I know we hurt you, and I know I can't make it up to you. Just please… let me and Gary explain why we did that in the first place." Misty begged as Gary pleaded as well. Ash's aura dissipated as he crossed his arms and glared at them, but his face softened.

"...Fine." he caved in as Misty mentally cheered.

"Look. Ash, I journeyed with you through two regions and I always treasure the memories we have made together in our lives. If you really thought I would betray you, you were wrong. It's because…" she started to break down as tears left her face. She turned away as Gary stepped in.

"Ash… we didn't want to betray you. I swear that fact on my life. It's just that… Remember Trip?" he asked as Ash seemed to harbor anger for him as well.

"Of course… I wouldn't forget that bastard at all." he growled angrily. Gary nodded.

"Look. He had a grudge against you for beating him in the Vertress Conference, when you were in the Unova Region. He hated you so much that he wanted to ruin you and everything you ever had. That's why… he threatened us, Ash. Every single one of your friends. He organized the event that we would just all drop in unexpectedly. He… I can't say it…" he admitted as his voice cracked. Ash immediately softened as he stopped crossing his arms and had a genuine concern for him.

"He… He sent death threats to us, Ash." Misty explained as tears stopped flowing down. "Gary and all of your other male friends were threatened… they would die if they didn't follow his orders… Me and May and everyone else… w-we… w-w-were…" she fell to the ground and cried loudly as she felt all the memories come back to her at once. How she was used… and beaten and hurt…

"They were raped, Ash… For god's sake… they were raped!" Gary admitted loudly. Ash just felt his world stop. First, his friends didn't betray him at all… they were really with him through the end, but they were forced to hurt him! Then, his friends were threatened and could've gotten killed. And worst of all, his close travelling companions were… raped…!?

"I'm so sorry… I didn't know…" Ash explained sadly as Greninja and Pikachu stopped readying their attacks. Ash pulled Misty up and pulled her into a consoling and friendly hug. "I'm so fucking sorry, Myst… I never knew… Damn it!" Ash shouted as Misty got out of the hug and wiped her tears.

"You couldn't have know. I'm just glad that you know already." she announced happily as she sniffled. Gary swung an arm around her as he sadly smiled at Ash.

"Why don't we get together…? Just catch up… like friends?" Gary suggested suddenly. Ash smiled.

"I'd like that… Now if you'll excuse me. I'd like to get back to training. Why not tomorrow… at Cafe de Legends? It's here in the Villa… ask everyone to come." Ash suggested. Gary nodded as he and Misty walked away with relieved faces.

"I'm glad that he forgave us… We won't have to live in fear that we lost one of our precious friends…" Misty said as she rested her head on Gary's shoulder. He smiled as Ash stared at them while they walked away.

"Man… they must've been through some rough stuff, huh?" Pikachu guessed as he went up on Ash's shoulder. Greninja remained stoic as ever as he stood by Ash's side.

"Yeah. Greninja-" Ash was suddenly cut off by a big hug. He turned around to see Serena hugging him with tears on her face.

"I'm glad that you handled that well… I'd like to meet your old friends." she said nicely as she remained hugging him for a few moments. Ash placed a hand on hers. He broke away and faced her with a grin.

"So, did you see the pamphlet I laid out for you?" he asked as he returned Greninja inside the Pokéball. She nodded.

"Yeah. I actually met Zed and Laura a couple minutes ago when I woke up. Wanna meet them?" she suggested as she locked her arm around Ash's.

"Definitely! I'd like to be friends with my opponent so that there are no hard feelings." he joked as Serena giggled. The two headed back to the Villa as they would be able to fulfill one of their wishes. They could finally meet new people, like they always yearned for.

I can't believe it.

I was wrong about them.

They were hurt...because of me.

I'm sorry… But I can finally meet my true friends.

I can finally admit that I longed for them.

Because… when you have friends…

And you lost some…

You'll ask for that bond once more.

FIN

So! How'd you like that chapter? I found it really nice. I decided to put off them meeting Zed and Laura to build up some of Greninja's feelings for Delphox. I also decided to make the meeting between Ash, Gary and Misty to be more elaborative and explain everything that happen and let all the feelings out. Next chapter will probably be about Zed and Laura and their battles. I also will add something about Daniel soon… I have something planned for him. Anyways, read and review, and stay tuned for the next one!

Next Chapter: Friendly Battles