A/N: Okay, I've read the reviews for the last chapter, and I thank everyone who have taken the time to post them. Now, I would like to respond to a common question that's been going around for sometime: when Ash will turn back up, be the hero, and save the day once again. Which I do not blame, of course. I plan to indeed show him in the next chapter, and in a few chapters following this, but via flashbacks that will serve as puzzle pieces to what happened, like those flashback scenarios in the eighth movie. We won't be seeing the present-day Ash until we're around 5-10 chapters in.
Until then, Nate will be our new hero. I recommend getting used to him, because I've got a lot of stuff planned for him.
Okay, enough chitchat! Let's begin the battle! ENJOY!
Alto Mare
Outside the Safeguard Restaurant
The Johto region
Nate stared down his opponent, Hilda White, as she produced a Poké Ball from her pocket and casually tossed into the air, catching it. Just a few minutes ago, he had met her and her friends, and just then, she asked to see his entire roster of Pokémon. When he obliged, she suddenly challenged him to a battle, out of the blue, and without any discernible reason! To make things even stranger, Nate couldn't shake off the chilling feeling that Hilda had this odd interest in him. Not romantic interest, but rather more like a curious interest. After all, she seemed to keep asking Cheren about him whenever the two met up by phone.
"Today's battle is now underway!" announced Cheren. He had volunteered to be the referee, just as suddenly as Hilda was when she challenged Nate. "On one side is Nate Brown, and on the other is Hilda White. This will be a standard three-on-three Pokémon battle! The one who scores two out of three wins emerges victorious!"
"We'll have a battle to be proud of, Nate!" Hilda called. "Let's do our best!"
"You got it!" replied Nate triumphantly as he took out a Poké Ball of his own from his bag and threw it into the air. "Go, Cryogonal!" The Crystallizing Pokémon emerged from the Poké Ball and let out a mighty cry. Hilda smiled and threw her own Poké Ball.
"Go, Mienshao!" The Martial Arts Pokémon emerged and stared down Nate's Cryogonal ferociously. Nate gritted his teeth; he knew Fighting-types were advantageous over an Ice-type Pokémon like his Cryogonal. He needed to think of a very effective strategy, lest he be defeated.
"Good luck, honey!" a voice called. Nate glanced at the outside tables; Kelly was among the many restaurant customers who were watching with peaked interest. She waved at him, and he waved back before he heard Hilda issue the first order to her Mienshao.
"Use Force Palm, Mienshao!"
Mienshao sprinted towards Cryogonal at high speeds, its arm outstretched towards it.
"Cryogonal, dodge, then use Aurora Beam!" commanded Nate. Cryogonal promptly sidestepped Mienshao before it could complete its attack, as a bluish-green sphere appeared on its mouth. From that sphere, a glowing green-and-black beam launched towards the Martial Arts Pokémon.
"Mienshao, look out!" Hilda cried.
It was too late: Mienshao was struck by the Aurora Beam, which knocked off its feet and propelled into the air. However, it landed back onto the ground gracefully, its body boasting no signs of any physical damage. Hilda smiled triumphantly as Nate growled.
"Ice-type attacks are not all that effective against Fighting-types, Nate," she said. "Better be aware of that!"
"I am! So, you wanna play the stronger Pokémon, huh Hilda? I guess I'm gonna use what I've got against you!"
Nate instantly delved into his thoughts as he calculated a battling strategy. "A Fighting-type Pokémon like Mienshao should be weak against Flying- and Psychic-types, and I have been practicing a Flying-type attack with Cryogonal... He was average at it at best, but it's the best I can do if I am to weaken Mienshao. I'll go for it!"
"Cryogonal, use Acrobatics, quickly!" Nate commanded.
"Whoa, since when did Nate's Cryogonal learn how to use a Flying-type move?" asked Rosa as she watched the battle with the others.
Hugh smiled. "Well, when it comes to Nate, any kind of training is possible."
Little did anyone know that Dawn was watching the battle closely, her attention piqued...
Cryogonal propelled itself into the air before swooping down towards Mienshao. However, Hilda's expression didn't change.
"Mienshao, dodge, then use Hi Jump Kick while Cryogonal's recovering."
The Martial Arts Pokémon jumped into the air, seconds before Cryogonal smashed into the ground. One of Mienshao's knees glowed a bright purple, and it slammed it down on Cryogonal, drawing a cry of pain from the Crystallization Pokémon as it tumbled across the ground.
"CRYOGONAL!" shouted Nate.
Despite looking severely wounded, Cryogonal refused to be defeated, and it levitated in its upright position, staring down Mienshao boldly.
Hilda raised an eyebrow as she closely observed Cryogonal's determined behavior. "It never knows when to give up, doesn't it?" she asked.
"When it comes to battling," replied Nate, "we don't give up until it's officially over! Now Cryogonal, give everything you've got! Use Sheer Cold!"
The outline of Cryogonal's body began glowing light-blue, and a spinning orb of light-blue energy formed in front of its mouth. This orb then exploded into a light-blue beam of energy that thundered towards Mienshao, leaving behind a trail of snowflake-shaped sparkles. Hilda raised her eyebrows.
"Trying to end this battle already, huh? Just when I got started. Ah well, I can still have my fun. Mienshao, dodge!" Mienshao dodged the Sheer Cold attack. "Now, use Bulk Up! I wanna end this first round with a bang, and for that, I might as well spice things up!"
Mienshao's body became enveloped in a crimson aura, and it flexed its arms and body.
"Hilda wants the last move she's gonna make for this round to be very powerful," thought Nate cautiously. "I need to find a way to waste out that power, but...how?" Then, Nate smiled as his mind thought of a counter-strategy. "Cryogonal, use Reflect and don't let it go!"
Cryogonal looked at its Trainer and nodded confidently. It then launched white spheres from its mouth, which rotated around its body, forming a protective barrier that enveloped its entire frame. Hilda smiled in admiration of Nate's newest strategy.
"Very effective, Nate," she said. "Trying to go on the defensive now. Well, let's see how that Reflect of Cryogonal's can hold up! Mienshao, use Drain Punch!"
Mienshao sprinted towards Cryogonal, its fist becoming surrounded by a swirling sphere of green energy. It then punched Cryogonal, but its Reflect held itself well.
Nate immediately saw his chance. "Okay, Cryogonal, use Acrobatics again!"
Cryogonal broke free of its Reflect, sending Mienshao backward. It then hovered in the air and swooped down towards the Martial Arts Pokémon. This time, the attack hit its mark, and Cryogonal struck Mienshao repeatedly, severely damaging it.
"MIENSHAO!" Hilda screamed as her Pokémon fell to the ground, squiggly-eyed.
"Mienshao is unable to battle!" Cheren announced. "Cryogonal wins round one!"
"Yeah, alright Cryogonal!" exclaimed Nate as Cryogonal returned to his side. "You did well, buddy!"
"Wow, Nate's a really great battler," remarked May. "I'm quite impressed with his determination."
"Yeah," Kelly replied proudly. "He obviously takes after his father."
"His father's a Pokémon Trainer too?"
A gloomy expression suddenly filled Kelly's face. "Was..."
"Oh. ...I'm...I'm very sorry..."
Kelly's mouth twisted a smile with some difficulty. "Oh, it's okay, May. It's been six years. I've gotten over it now."
At the corner of May's eye, she caught Dawn's expression: she was looking at the ground sadly.
Hilda smiled as she recalled Mienshao into its Poké Ball. "I gotta say, I'm impressed, Nate," she said. "You've got great battling skills."
"Thanks, you too."
"Okay, then. Let's see if those skills will help you prevail in the second round! Go, Beartic!" Hilda threw another Poké Ball, which unleashed Beartic; it growled viciously as it faced down its opponent. "Since I made the first move last time, Nate, I think it's in order if you made this first move now."
"Thanks, Hilda! Okay, Cryogonal, use Ice Beam on Beartic!"
Cryogonal's mouth formed a sphere of light-blue energy. From this sphere, multiple beams of energy were shot, thundering down towards Beartic.
"Beartic," ordered Hilda, "dodge, then use Ice Beam as well!"
Beartic dodged Cryogonal's Ice Beam, then opened its mouth, an orb of light-blue energy forming in front of it. The orb then fired multiple beams of energy, which shot towards Cryogonal. Before Nate could react, the Ice Beam attack struck the Crystallization Pokémon, freezing it. A couple of seconds later, Cryogonal burst out of its icy prison, looking injured. Its frame still had several pieces of ice stuck to it, which hindered its movement. Hilda smiled and pointed at Cryogonal.
"Here's our opportunity, Beartic! Use Blizzard now!"
Beartic opened its mouth, forming a light-blue orb of energy in front of it. The orb then fired a powerful wind of snow, which caught Cryogonal off-guard and propelled it across the ground. It nearly collided with Nate, who was trying to withstand the power of the Blizzard attack, which he was also caught in.
"Cryogonal, hang in there!" Nate cried. "Fight the Blizzard! Don't let it overcome you!"
Cryogonal obliged to its Trainer's orders and began to push itself against the powerful Blizzard, slowly but steadily inching safely away from the outside tables, toward Beartic, which was still firing off the attack. Nate, shielding his eyes from the flying snow, began to think of a strategy.
"That Blizzard's very powerful. And yet...it's blowing in one direction, like any other wind..." He smiled as he ordered, "Cryogonal, use Blizzard as well!"
"HUH?!" exclaimed Hilda, not expecting Nate's newest decision.
Cryogonal fired from its mouth its own Blizzard attack, which roared down the direction opposite to Beartic's Blizzard. This, plus the combined power of the two attacks, sparked a reaction: the snowy winds immediately began to swirl in one spot, forming a small, icy tornado that span and howled furiously.
"The two opposing Blizzards created a small tornado!" Khoury exclaimed. "This could be both a good and bad strategy for both Nate and Hilda!"
"I wonder how those two are gonna use that new obstacle to their advantage..." remarked Hilbert.
Meanwhile, Dawn's attention was piqued even more.
"That's new..." Hilda remarked. Then, she smiled confidently. "No matter. Okay then, Beartic, run through that tornado and use Slash on Cryogonal!"
Beartic nodded and ran towards the tornado as fast as it could. It immediately propelled itself into the tornado like a powerful cannonball, tearing through it, causing it to dissipate; the claws on one of its paws glowed bright-white as it launched down towards Cryogonal.
"Just as I expected!" cried Nate. He pointed at Beartic. "Cryogonal, use Ice Beam!"
Cryogonal fired the attack, freezing several parts of Beartic's body and immobilizing it.
Hilda gasped. "Beartic! Break free of the ice, quick!"
"Here's our chance, Cryogonal! Use Blizzard, and make it extra-powerful!"
The Crystallization Pokémon fired another Blizzard attack, which sent Beartic flying into the air and colliding with the ground painfully, shattering the ice that encased it.
"BEARTIC!" Hilda screamed. "Beartic, are you alright?!"
Beartic immediately stood up and roared at Cryogonal. Nate gasped in shock.
"What?! I was hoping that would work!" he exclaimed.
"Remember, Nate," Cheren said, "this is an Ice-type versus an Ice-type. There's a fifty-fifty chance that your attacks will even deal a good amount of damage."
"So, you're gonna make this tough, huh Hilda?" asked Nate, making a determined fist. "Okay, I'll make it tough for you as well! Use Acrobatics, Cryogonal!"
Cryogonal hovered in the air and then swooped down towards Beartic. However, Hilda saw her chance.
"Beartic, use Icicle Crash on Cryogonal while it's coming down!" she commanded.
Beartic took in a deep breath, then it let out a wind with light-blue sparkles from its mouth and into the air, towards the descending Cryogonal. Inside the wind, large, sharp icicles formed. The icicles then rained down over Cryogonal, hitting it with full force and interrupting its Acrobatics attack. Crying in pain, it fell to the ground.
"CRYOGONAL!" Nate cried.
Cryogonal landed painfully on the ground. It struggled to get up, but then, it fell back down, defeated.
"Cryogonal is unable to battle!" announced Cheren. "Beartic wins round two!"
"So, Nate won round one-" commented Tory.
"-And Hilda won round two," Hilbert completed. "One round won by each. This final round should decide the victor of the battle!"
"Go, Nate!" yelled Hugh, standing up from his table and raising a fist in the air in encouragement. "You've got this, man!"
Having heard his friend's words of encouragement, Nate nodded at Hugh as he recalled Cryogonal.
"Good job, Cryogonal," he said to Cryogonal's Poké Ball, smiling proudly. "You did really great out there. Now, you get some rest." He put the Poké Ball away and took another one from his belt. "Okay, come on out, Pignite! Show Beartic who rules this battleground!"
The Fire Pig Pokémon emerged from its Poké Ball and cried out triumphantly. It then snorted out flames as it stared down Beartic.
"Ah, taking a wiser route, huh Nate?" Hilda asked. "Using a Fire-type like Pignite against an Ice-type like my Beartic. Very strategic." Her smile widened. "Well then, let us see if that strategy will prevail!" She pointed at Pignite. "Beartic, GO! Use Brine on Pignite!"
Beartic roared, opened its mouth, and fired a powerful stream of water at Pignite.
"Pignite, dodge!" commanded Nate. Pignite tried to dodge the attack, but it was too late. The stream hit the Fire Pig Pokémon with full force, sending it tumbling to the ground, wisps of smoke issuing from its nostrils as it struggled to get up. "OH NO, PIGNITE!"
"Now's our chance, Beartic! Use Slash while Pignite's down!"
The Freezing Pokémon charged forward, roaring, its claws glowing white with energy again. Nate began to break into a hot sweat as he watched Beartic close in.
"Pignite, quick! Dodge Beartic!"
Pignite gathered all of its remaining strength and quickly rolled out of the way, seconds before Beartic slashed at the ground, leaving behind gashes on the spot where the Fire Pig Pokémon was previously lying on. However, the move didn't deter Hilda; she smiled and pointed at Pignite.
"Use Slash again, Beartic!" she ordered.
"Pignite, dodge again!" ordered Nate.
Like the last time, Beartic lunged at Pignite with its Slash attack, but Pignite was able to successfully dodge it, albeit with some difficulty.
"SLASH AGAIN!"
"DODGE AGAIN!"
Again, Beartic tried to attack Pignite with Slash, but Pignite dodged the attack.
"AGAIN, BEARTIC!"
"AGAIN, PIGNITE!"
"What in Arceus's name is Nate doing?" asked Rosa. "He's gonna tire Pignite out, and then Beartic will land that Slash for sure!"
"Knowing Nate," Hugh replied, "he's got a strategy planned out for this..."
After making several dodges, it was obvious that Pignite was exhausted. The damage dealt by the Brine attack made things worse; it seemed as if Pignite would faint if it made another dodge. It panted heavily as it stared at Beartic, growling at it. Hilda crossed her arms as she observed the Fire Pig Pokémon.
"What is it you hope to accomplish by constantly dodging, Nate?" she asked. "You're tiring out your Pokémon."
"Oh, I'm just saving up for the big finale," replied Nate, smiling cleverly.
Hilda blinked, puzzled by his confident behavior. She then pointed at Pignite and commanded, "Use Brine, Beartic! Finish this now!"
The Freezing Pokémon fired another stream of water at Pignite. However, Nate's smile widened.
"Perfect. Pignite, break through the Brine attack with Arm Thrust and then use it on Beartic!"
"WHAT?!" Hilda cried as Pignite charged forward towards the Brine attack. "Nate, that's a really risky move!"
"What's life without taking a little risk?" Nate asked. "DO IT, PIGNITE!"
With all of its strength, the Fire Pig Pokémon swung its arms at the stream of water that flew towards it, causing it to practically explode. Droplets of water showered Beartic, causing it to flinch and giving Pignite its chance. In a frame of a few seconds, it charged at Beartic as fast as it could. Once Pignite reached Beartic, the Freezing Pokémon didn't have time to run: the Fire Pig Pokémon let loose a series of powerful punches that battered the whole of Beartic's frame, decorating it with bruises. The Freezing Pokémon howled in pain as it drew back, nearly stumbling over and tripping in the process.
"BEARTIC!" screamed Hilda. "Beartic, are you okay?!"
Beartic growled as it looked at Pignite, much to Nate's shock.
"Wait, what?" he cried. "That was supposed to work!"
"I must admit, Nate, I'm quite impressed by your strategy. Keep dodging the opponent's moves, then surprise it by using an actual attack that takes advantage of the opponent's own attack, using it against it. Very impressive. ...Flawed, but effective. But I guess it couldn't save you for this battle." She pointed at Pignite. "Beartic, let us end this battle now! Again with Brine, and make sure you're prepared for a counterattack this time!" Beartic roared and fired another Brine.
"DODGE, PIGNITE!" yelled Nate. However, all of the dodging Pignite had done previously depleted it of its energy, and it was too late: the Brine hit Pignite, and the Fire Pig Pokémon tumbled to the ground, motionless and squiggly-eyed. "NO, PIGNITE!"
"Pignite is unable to battle!" Cheren announced loudly. "The victor of this battle is Hilda White and her Beartic!"
Nate expected Hilda to jump in joy at the victory, like any of his opponents did if they won a battle against him. But he was very surprised when she nodded at Cheren before recalling Beartic into its Poké Ball. She kissed the Poké Ball briefly before putting it away and approaching Nate.
"You might wanna check on Pignite," she advised.
"Oh, yeah," Nate replied. He knelt at Pignite's side and put its head on his lap. "Pignite, are you okay, buddy?"
Pignite's eyelids fluttered open, and it smiled up at its Trainer. It then snorted flames from its nostrils in response. Everyone laughed when the flames squarely hit Nate in the face, burning it anime-style. Well, everyone except Kelly, who had run over to Nate to give him a napkin to wipe his ashy face.
"Well, I guess it's obvious you're okay, Pignite," Nate said at Pignite. When the Fire Pig Pokémon moaned in sadness at its defeat at the hands of Beartic, Nate smiled even more widely. "It's okay, buddy. You did your best out there, and I'm proud of you. Who cares if you lost against an Ice-type Pokémon? This should encourage us to come out stronger than before in the next battle, and to expect the unexpected! What d'you say about that, Pignite, buddy?"
Pignite smiled and snorted more flames into Nate's face.
"I'll that as a seal of approval."
Everyone laughed.
Slate, having watched the battle closely, pursed his lips as he examined Nate. He blinked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity, before shaking his head.
"Impossible," he muttered as he turned his back. "...It's impossible... ...Is it?..."
He thought about it for a moment before disappearing into thin air.
The Alto Mare Pokémon Center
As Nurse Joy checked on Pignite, Cryogonal, and Mienshao and gave them the proper medical attention for their sustained injuries, Nate quietly sat on a sofa, intently reading the booklet on Alto Mare in search of anything interesting. Just then, he felt someone sit beside him.
"Doesn't matter if you lost, kid. You did great out there."
Nate smiled as he lowered the booklet. "Thanks, Cheren," he replied.
Cheren nodded. "Your mom must be proud of you."
"She is. She doesn't call me her Pokémon Trainer for nothing." Nate chuckled briefly.
"Those are quite risky battling techniques you were using there, Nate, in the third round. A bit aggressive, quite forceful and exhausting on the chosen Pokémon, and only relying purely on random chance. Please tell me you're still not trying to improvise for the Ketchum Month Tournament-"
Nate looked at the floor. "Hilda was the toughest Trainer I've ever battled. She had an Ice-type, while I had a Fire-type, and yet, she uses a Water-type move on me! I know it could be possible for a Pokémon like Beartic to learn Brine, but for her to take advantage of that, instead of switching Pokémon... I didn't know what she had in her mind, or the strategies against me, so I immediately knew that I had to go on the offensive immediately."
"You could've switched Pokémon too," Cheren said.
"I thought I had it. After all, Pignite is a Fire-type, Beartic is an Ice-type, I thought I'd get that round done in a flash. And besides, I am not a fan of switching Pokémon. That can only be done when everything's on the line in the battle, and all you have to do is either throw in the towel, or keep fighting to the bitter end."
Cheren smiled slightly. "Of course, Nate. And you're the type to keep on fighting."
Nate smiled at his teacher. Then, he asked, "Hey, Cheren, why did Hilda challenge me to a battle?"
"I told her you were a determined Trainer during some of our calls, so she thought she'd see it for herself. She's a determined Trainer too, that Hilda."
The sewer systems
Underneath Ketchum City
Any typical sewer system in the world would host the most unsafe of living conditions, with their uncleaned brick walls and tunnels and the foul, dirty, smelly water that would plunge from above, disposed by the civilians of the cities that stood above the underground complex. But not the sewer system that belonged to Ketchum City.
People patrolled the surprisingly-clean tunnels with their Pokémon. These men and women all wore identical golden clothing bearing the insignia of a phoenix-like bird's head on the torso sections, and had their hair dyed gold as well. Their Pokémon also wore gold-colored suits of spiky, menacing armor with the same insignia. Inside a number of vacated chambers, many of these people were working on designing and constructing several crudely-made mechas and other mechanical devices. In other chambers, the Pokémon trained extensively with their owners, while several other people practice their physical prowess.
In one smaller chamber, Enigma sat on a single golden carpet. He closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them again.
He was inside a snowy cave.
"I grow restless, human," a voice said within the corners of Enigma's mind. "I am beginning to put doubt in the pacing that you have promised me..."
"Gird yourself, Master," replied Enigma calmly. "Everything is falling into schedule, just as planned."
"I hope you are sincere this time, human. I want that Plate, and I do not tolerate this slow nature that you display."
"You will have the Plate once you have your army of minions ready for me, and I my New Sky Soldiers. In the meantime, continue to be patient. In a few weeks' course, we will both acquire what we desire the most, and all else shall be done with a single stroke."
"This stroke that you speak of does seem to take its time. Five years, and you have not found Ketchum yet-"
"That is my top priority as of now, Master."
"Really? And what of this new resistance that I hear is building up?"
Enigma pursed his lips, but otherwise remained calm. "It is under control, Master."
"Do not lie, human." Out of the everlasting mass of pitch-black darkness, a pair of yellow eyes pierced through. They stared down at Enigma ferociously, hungrily. The voice hissed through the reaches of Enigma's inner mind, like the hiss of an agitated snake. "I know you have a problem in your hands, a problem that grows and develops larger by the day. Should you let those that resist our pursuits succeed with their own, I will personally guarantee to it that you will never see the light of day again. I urge you, human...take care of your problem, and take care of it thoroughly."
"It will be done, Master," Enigma replied, bowing.
The two yellow eyes slowly moved closer to Enigma, and the rays of light that highlighted him. A slight winter snow was falling through the cracks that were the light's source. And through these rays of light, the pale-blue, almost hollow and deathlike face of a dragon-like Pokémon became definable.
"I hope it is done now," Kyurem snarled, "for your sake..."
Enigma closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. Upon opening his eyes, he immediately found himself back in the sewer chamber that he was once in. He stood up from the carpet and walked out of the chamber, stepping into a large room that contained only one thing: a cage, designed to fit a large bird.
"Enigma?..."
"Why are you back so early, Slate?" Enigma asked without turning around. "If I can recall correctly, I dismissed you back to your original post..."
"You have," replied Slate, "but I return to you promptly with an urgent announcement. I believe I have observed something that is most peculiar..."
Enigma turned around to stare at his inferior. His head was lowered in a grave manner. He knew in an instant that this was important...
The Hall of Origin
Arceus's Dimension
Arceus wasn't the most patient of Pokémon. After all, being the all-seeing and infinitely-knowing Creator of an entire Universe, with all of the responsibilities and duties that came with the honor, had its limits for the Alpha Pokémon. And in addition to the strenuous workload, he had to deal with a 28-year-old problem that went by the ever-famous name of Ash Ketchum... Ever since the fiasco with Ho-Oh, the Sky Soldiers, and Mt. Silver, Arceus himself was on edge...
"Father..."
"What is it, my Child?" Arceus asked as he turned around to see one of his Children, Dialga, hover towards him.
"Latias is reporting for duty," replied the Temporal Pokémon.
Arceus's head moved for a fraction of an inch. He had been expecting this. "Very well. Send her in."
Dialga nodded and flew towards the mighty steel doors that led into the everlasting Hall. They opened at its mental command, allowing the feminine red-and-white Eon Pokémon to fly inside the shining, golden chamber. Arceus lowered himself from the air, settling soundlessly on the central pedestal that he now used more frequently as of recent years. Latias levitated a few feet from the pedestal and bowed her head in greeting.
"Almighty Creator..." she greeted.
"Latias, what is your report?" Arceus asked.
"My survey of my home has yielded...interesting results this year..."
In the skies above Ketchum City
The great black dragon hovered miles above Ketchum City, surveying the movements of every civilian and Pokémon. It then turned to its two human passengers.
"We are here," Zekrom announced.
"Great," Cilan replied. He then produced his Pokétch. "I'll just inform the others of our arrival..."
"Welcome back, viewers, to another Johto TV update on the 10th Annual Ketchum Month Tournament! As of tomorrow, the ships bound from Alto Mare to Cherrygrove City will all be departing, so be sure to not miss the cruise! Otherwise, you can kiss your chances of participating in the tournament goodbye!
"Now, on other news, it appears that a slight winter snow has descended upon Ketchum City! Be sure to bring heavy snow-wear and gear!
"That shall do for this hour's update! Continue to stay tuned on Johto TV for updates on the widely-anticipated Ketchum Tournament!"
A/N: So, it is confirmed, Kyurem is in cahoots with the bad guys, apparently for a so-called Plate. And it appears that Latias and Slate have something important to tell their superiors. Whatever could it be? And do you think you can trust Hilda's motivations for battling Nate?
I would like to thank those who reviewed:
HP-DG-SB-HA-RR-KB-NT-TD-LL-AJ: Well, like I said in the above Author's Note, Ash will be appearing, although in a flashback. It and the other flashbacks should be able to help shed a little light on what happened ten years ago, though.
Alpha B. A. 7: Next chapter. It might not be much, but you never know what details can lurk in even the tiniest of events...
random girlz: Um? What do you mean by 'um'?
Galaxina-the-Seedrian: Here's the 'more' you asked for! :D
Proxus: Yes, yes they are. Thanks!
Sweet Cynthia: I'm glad you're loving this! Here's the newest update, for you! :D
Bezerker21: Not a fan, eh? Well, I'm glad I got you interested in this!
woodland5 (guest reviewer): Yeah, I've just realized that. Fortunately, I was very general about the explanation behind Piplup's evolution, and no doubt I'll be able to clear things up in the next chapter. Thanks for the heads-up, it's very much appreciated! :D
Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter! TheCartoonFanatic01 is out. PEACE!