A/N Hi guys. For once this is actually up the day after. Well it is for me anyway. This will include the start of the Master's league. I got a correct guess on the Sinnoh team leader. Well done to 'someone'. It shall all be revealed so read on.

(Jessie's and James' Pokémon are Jessie- Swoobat, jellicent (pink), wobuffet, seviper, yanmega, Drapion. James- Cofagrigus, Amoongus, Mr Mime, Carnivine, Arcanine, Cacturne)

Ash's POV

I was on the top of the Viridian city gym. Jessie James and Meowth were right behind me. I stood still for a minute taking in the fresh air. This would be the biggest tournament of my life. It would be difficult but I was ready. I turned to my three bodyguards. Over the years of them in that position we had quickly become friends. We knew each other well. Well enough anyway. I snapped to attention and brought out Charizard, Dragonite and Jessie brought out Swoobat. I got on Charizard, James on Dragonite. The three flying types shot into the air. The tournament was being held at the Indigo Plateau so it was a very short flight.

As we came into view I got Charizard to land about a mile from the entrance. There was no point in drawing unnecessary attention to myself. We got of the flying types and withdrew them to our pokéballs. I walked up front with Jessie and James on either side. Meowth took up the rear of the group. As we passed up the road leading to the plateau we got a lot of stares. I was in a black cloak; Jessie and James were in black dress and sunglasses. Meowth in the rear caught many people's eyes as he was wearing the same as his two compatriots and walking on two legs.

As I drew level with the officer Jenny at the entrance I nodded to her. She just let us through. She knew who I was. I had been here about a week ago. I walked past a group of girls they all muttered nervously as I passed. As I was about a hundred meters from the Pokémon centre another person got in besides me. James let him in and the newcomer calmly said, "I was beginning to think that you would never turn up 'Red.'" He said emphasising the name Red.

I smirked and pushed the doors to the Pokémon centre. I walked straight over to nurse Joy. "I would like to register for the tournament please." I said.

"I would as well" Said my companion.

"Names please?" Nurse Joy asked.

"Red Satoshi." "Paul Shinji." My companion said.

"Alright, can I have your identification please?" She asked.

Paul handed over his pokédex and after a moment's hesitation I gave her my own. The issue I had with registering for tournaments was that all pokédexs have to be registered before being given to trainers. This meant that I had to use my old ones to register. This was not a problem in the Indigo league as I managed to bluff my way out. However this had much higher security so I had to be revealed to the Nurse in front of me.

I watched anxiously as she checked Paul's Pokédex on the machine and gave it back to him. She then put my one into the machine. I watched her face carefully and when her eyes widened I made sure that she knew I was right there.

"How are you still alive? Your body was found." She said quietly. I just smiled at her.

"You do not need to know that." I replied simply.

"Why did you not come out of hiding when Maxie was convicted of your supposed crime?" she asked curious.

"I had no need to." I replied. I gestured for my pokédex and after a second she realised what I meant and handed it over. "I would like to be registered under the name of Red Satoshi as in the indigo league." I asked politely.

She nodded understanding my need for my identity to be secret. I then asked, "Which rooms have my sponsor allocated to me?"

See the reason for this was that the way that the tournament worked was that you had to be recommended by a Champion, elite four or gym leader. As my father was such good friends with Lance and I now had such a good relationship with the Kanto and Johto champion he nominated me. This meant that my father was free to nominate Paul. Anyone who had previously been in the tournament or who was a Gym leader, elite four, or champion could enter regardless. This meant that each time the tournament was held there were always many contenders from the one ten years prior.

When she checked my sponsor she almost chocked in shock. It was incredibly rare for an elite four member to recommend someone let alone a champion. The last person to be recommended by a champion came second. She is called Cynthia the current Sinnoh champion. "You have been given rooms 99-101. You and Paul shall be in them with your three companions behind you." She said.

"Thank you." I said. Just as I was walking back I saw a group of people I did not want to see.

"Come on May, I bet dad has got us the best rooms in the place." As he saw me he said, "Excuse me the son of the Hoen eighth gym leader coming through. My father entered me as I am the best trainer he has seen for a long time." (A/N I know that the dad is fifth but for this he has an upgrade. He was always the one I had the most difficulty with. Damned Slaking.) Paul snorted.

"You do realise kid that you are talking to the one that was entered by Lance himself and who just won the Indigo plateau." Paul said. On the surface that may look like a nice gesture but looking at Max's eyes lighting up I knew that I was not going to be let out of his sights.

Dawn looked at Paul more closely, "Paul. I have not seen you for years. How have you been." He merely nodded at her and said.

"Fine."

With that we walked right past them. I could feel their eyes boring into my back. I was glad to get them out of my head. I was however regretting that this was unlikely to be the last time I would see them.

A/N so that was the chapter. A little short I know. I am sorry for it. Well done to Uranium235 for guessing it correctly. I shall try to develop how Paul and Ash met again in the next couple of episodes.

A question for the reviews. Which gyms did you have the most difficulty with and why.

As always thanks for reading.

HCS signing off