After ten minutes of searching, they found Ash at the Pokémon Center talking to his mom, Oak, Gary, Naomi, the Rockets and the Leaders. He was tackled to the ground by the eager Trainers.

"Hey guys!" He laughed, one arm wrapped around each one. "So what did you think of my battle?"

"You were great, no matter if you lost." Harry said immediately.

"Charizard and the others did their best, that's all that can be expected of them. They performed above and beyond the call of duty." Iriana grinned.

Oak laughed, helping Harry and Iriana to their feet so Ash could stand, "They're right my boy. You did great."

The Rocket trio laughed. "Now we know why we can never beat you squirt." Jesse said.

"With your Pokémon able to do things like that, it's no wonder you were able to battle circles around us." James added.

Meowth grinned, "At least we don't have to blast off again every time we see you now."

"Oh I don't know." Ash smirked, "I could always get Pikachu to attack you, for old times' sake." Everyone laughed when the three of them paled and hid behind Harry.

"No need!" James said

"We're fine right here." Jesse added.

"No need to electrocute us!" Meowth finished.

"Man, I can tell I'll have a lot of fun with you three." Ash said, wiping a tear from his eyes.

"Harry, can I have a quick word?" Giovanni asked. The emerald eyed teen nodded and followed the Rocket head with Persian to the other side of the Center. Sensing a personal talk coming on, everyone else busied themselves with their own quiet conversations and the like.

"Is something wrong?" Harry asked Giovanni.

"No Harry, nothing's wrong at all, I just wanted to show you something." Giovanni said, bringing something out of his briefcase. Persian was purring in happiness and excitement. He showed a small stack of papers to Harry. The writing was gibberish to him, he guessed lawyer speak, but at the bottom was Giovanni's signature and a blank line underneath it.

"What's this?"

"These are adoption papers Harry." Giovanni said softly. "If you still want me as your dad, all you have to do is sign at the bottom. Everything else is taken care of; you would be my son in all but blood."

At the word 'adoption' Harry's eyes lit up like stars. "Really? You still want me as a son?"

"Of course Harry, nothing would make me happier." The man replied with a soft smile.

With shaking hands, Harry signed his name under Giovanni's. The second he was done, he was swept up in the arms of his new dad. Having never had this type of feeling before, Harry soaked it all up while letting quiet tears fall down his face. And from the moisture gathering on his sleeve, he knew Giovanni was just as happy as he was.

Their moment was broken by the sound of applause from the others. Blushing slightly, though still ecstatic, they returned to the group. Delilah wasted no time in grabbing Harry in a tight hug. "I'm so happy Harry that you found a new family." She said, tears in her eyes as well.

"Thanks Mrs. Ketchum, but Dad," Giovanni practically swelled up in happiness at that one word "isn't the only member of my family. I've got my crazy sister." He poked Iriana. "A great big brother," He had to suffer under Ash's messing with his hair. "Fifteen aunts and uncles that I question their sanity on a daily basis." Harry had to run around to avoid the Leaders clutches along with Jesse, James and Meowth. Unfortunately the Champions weren't around to hear them be called aunts and uncles. "And two cousins that at some point will try what Ash did and mess with my hair." Gary and Naomi just laughed before trying to catch Harry. He managed to hide behind Persian. "Let's not forget my mother-hens." He looked at Persian and Delilah when he said that. "And my ancient Grandpa." He smirked at Oak.

"I'm not that old!"

"Yeah you are Grandpa." Gary laughed at Oak, who just pouted like a two year old, making everyone laugh at the Pokémon Professor.

"Anyway, I have all the family I'll ever need." Harry finished with a happy smile. It seemed to light up his eyes even more, making everyone who saw it fill with happiness. 'At least in this world, I have some family back home.' He thought quietly.

"The Doubles Finals will start in a few minutes. Everyone should return to their seats soon." The announcer spoke over the intercom.

"Come on 'little brother'." Iriana said, poking Harry. "We got Champions to beat, a League to win, and a party to go to afterwards!"

"I'm not little!" He shouted, pouting slightly.

"Oh yes you are, even though you've grown a few inches, you're still shorter than me!" The lavender-eyed girl teased.

Harry just rolled his eyes and started to drag the girl away. He heard Ash holler "We'll be in the stands cheering you on!"

The hallways were empty as they made their way to the arena entrance. Iriana looked at Harry out of the corner of her eyes. "No matter what happens, win or lose, let's make this a battle to remember."

"Yeah." Silence for a few feet. "Did you think that we would make it this far? Especially with how we met in that forest?" Harry questioned.

"Nope, I just had a feeling that traveling with you would be a great and unique experience." She started snickering. "What do you think happened to the Bug Pokémon that chased us?"

Harry started to laugh too, "I don't know, but they were MAD. You wouldn't believe the things they kept calling us."

They stood at the closed doors. On the other side they could hear the chatter of the crowd creating a hum that echoed. The two Trainers shared a look, nodded, and then pushed open the doors.

The force of the audience's cheers, along with the roars of the Legendaries, was almost a physical force to the duo. They could feel the sound vibrating all around them. At the far end, they saw Cynthia and Astra smiling at them. As they walked to their spot, they looked around them. They first spotted Harry's new family, all waving and smiling at them. Jesse and James were even waving a banner that had their names on it. And they weren't the only ones, dozens of people scattered throughout the stadium were waving similar banners. Iriana started to snicker. When Harry silently questioned why, she just pointed upwards, causing him to start to snicker too. All the Legendary Pokémon were waving banners themselves, some even had their pictures on them.

"I think they're cheering for us Harry." Iriana muttered, still snickering.

He just rolled his eyes, "What EVER gave you that idea?"

"And now, the last battle of the Naturis League between the Champions Cynthia and Astra vs. the crowd's and Legendaries favorites Harry and Iriana!" The announcer's voice was drowned out by the cheers and applause. When it finally died down to a dull roar, the announcer continued, "Would the Trainers please step forth to shake hands?"

The two sets of Trainers made their way in unison to the center of the newly made arena. Smiling at each other, they shook hands. "I look forward to a great battle from you two." Astra said.

"No holding back now. Give it everything you got and then some." Cynthia said, blue eyes glittering.

"Will do, you just make sure you give it you're all too." Iriana said.

"May the best team win, but it doesn't matter who wins or loses, just have fun with it." Harry finished.

The Champions grinned and nodded before turning around and walking back to their spot. As Harry and Iriana turned to do the same, something caught Harry eye, which made him start to twitch.

It was the referee…again…exactly the same referee.

"THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!" Harry yelled before tackling the referee. The audience was stunned silent, Iriana face-palming, while Harry anime shook the referee. "It's always you! Every single battle Iriana and I have ever had, it's always been you! Why are you following us? Are you stalking us? Answer me Mr. Referee!"

Harry continued to shake the dizzy referee until he started to turn bright pink and started to change shape. Stepping back as the 'referee' continued to do this, Harry, Iriana, every audience member and Legendary Pokémon all had 'WTF?' looks on their faces. Finally…

"Di-Ditto?" "Why is everything spinning?"

"It's a Ditto?" Iriana asked incredulous.

"Ditto! There you are!" A voice called out. Everyone turned to the same doors Iriana and Harry had walked out of. And there the referee.

After gathering the pink Pokémon in his arms, the real referee looks up and gives a sheepish chuckle, "Sorry folks. I had to go to the bathroom and the little guy got out of his Pokeball… Heh heh."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Iriana held her hands up. "Are you telling us, that the referee that we thought was you, this ENTIRE time, was your Pokémon pretending to be you?"

"Yup, that's about it." The referee said grinning before recalling his Ditto.

"But…how…why…where…HOW?" A seemingly broken Harry started to splutter. Iriana came over, patted his head, and started to drag him back to his spot.

"Just let it go Harry. If you think about it too hard, your head will explode."

"Um…well…that was unexpected." The announcer said, shock evidence in his tone. "Well, let's get on with it. The Final Battle is about to begin."

"Will the challengers and Champions please send out their Pokémon?" The real referee called out.

"Garchomp, I choose you!" Cynthia said.

"Starmie, let's win this!" Astra went next.

"Froslass, it's all you!" Harry went third.

"Flygon, show 'em what you're made of!" Lastly Iriana went.

Quickly, Harry pulled out his trusty Pokedex and aimed it at Astra's Pokémon, a strange purple, double starfish with a red jewel in its center. Starmie, the Mysterious Pokémon. It is said that it uses the seven colored core of its body to send electric waves into outer space.

Iriana didn't need get Garchomp because they've already met one.

"Froslass, use Icy Wind!"

"Flygon, attack with Dragon Breath!"

"Starmie use Swift Attack!"

"Garchomp, fly up out of the way and use Fire Blast!"

The Ice/Ghost type let out a freezing breath of wind from her mouth, clipping Garchomp on its wing, which thankfully threw of its aim with Fire Blast, only making a fire ball on the ground in front of the Pokémon.

Flygon let loose a red and gold mist-like attack straight at Starmie which it blocked with a shower of yellow stars.

"Garchomp, use Steel Wing!" The Dragon/Ground type's sharp wings became even sharper and started to glow, dive-bombing Flygon.

"Flygon, stop Garchomp with Dragon Claw!" Iriana called. Giving a huff, Flygon's claws took on an eerie glow. Right as Garchomp tried to slash with its wings, Flygon met the attack with his own, causing a small explosion.

"Well done Flygon!" Iriana cheered, only to turn to a gasp when a jet of water landed a direct it on Flygon, knocking the wind out of him.

"Nice sneak-attack Starmie!" Astra cheered.

"You're not the only one who can do sneak attacks." Harry smirked. Right then, Froslass reappeared and fired an Ominous Wind right at Starmie, knocking him out.

"Astra's Starmie is unable to battle!" The referee said.

"Starmie return! Alakazam, attack with Shadow Ball!" The powerful Psychic Pokémon wasted no time in firing the attack at Froslass, slamming her into Flygon, KO'ing both in one hit.

"Froslass and Flygon are unable to battle!"

"Froslass return! Metagross, I choose you! Attack with Meteor Mash!" Harry shouted.

"Flygon return! Salamence, you can do this! Use Draco Meteor!" Iriana called out.

The Steel/Psychic type coated one arm in what looked like shooting stars. It tucked in its three remaining legs and flung itself at Garchomp, landing a direct hit and knocking it to the ground. At the same time, Salamence let out a loud roar, summoning a dark cloud that flung flaming rocks at the prone Dragon/Ground-type, finally knocking him out.

"Garchomp is unable to battle! Both sets of Trainers are now down to their last Pokémon!" The referee called, fairly jumping up and down with excitement. It seemed the whole crowd was on the edge of their seats.

"I chose you Togekiss!" Cynthia called out. Thanks to having seeing one with a Trainer before in the locker rooms, neither Harry nor Iriana checked it out with their Pokedex.

Both pairs of Pokémon landed on their Trainers respective sides, catching their breath. Togekiss and Alakazam with Cynthia and Astra. Metagross and Salamence with Harry and Iriana. It seemed like the typical stand-off, like at any second you would see a tumble weed blow across the stadium or hear dramatic music start to play from somewhere. Everyone was standing up, unable to stay seating in the tense and excited atmosphere surrounding them all.

Harry turned to Iriana, "Let's go out with a bang."

The teen smirked at her 'brother', "You read my mind."

Silence throughout the arena, not even the sound of breathing could be heard. And then…

Suddenly, like all the Pokémon got mental commands from their Trainers, they charged.

"Metagross…"

"Salamence…"

"Togekiss…"

"Alakazam…"

"USE HYPER BEAM!"

As one, the four Pokémon built up the powerful attack, and let it loose all at once. The resulting explosion from the attacks rivaled the brightness of the sun itself. People feel over from the shockwave that came from the impact. The Trainers on the field found themselves flat on their backs and slightly deafened them. When they were able to get back on their feet, not to mention their hearing back, they stared at the giant dust cloud that blanketed the arena.

"Wow folks. I've got to say that was one of the most spectacular things I've ever seen!" The announcer said, sounding breathless. "Sorry for sounding like this, I was knocked out of the booth from that explosion. Now, there is no doubt that at least one Pokémon was KO'd from that, question is. Which one?"

With baited breath, everyone watched the cloud slowly disperse. As they started to see through the dirt, some members gasped at what they saw, and several others had their jaws drop.

"Whoa…" Harry breathed

"I can't believe it." Iriana said softly.

"Unbelievable." Cynthia said.

"Only this would happen with those two." Astra shook her head, smiling.

Of the four Pokémon, Alakazam, Togekiss, Metagross, and Salamence, not a single one of them was standing.

"All four Pokémon are unable to battle! The Doubles Tournament ends in a draw!" The referee called out to the shell-shocked audience.

"A draw…a draw!" Harry said excitedly, grabbing Iriana and doing a quick dance, during which they recalled their Pokémon.

The referee looked slightly confused, "But you didn't win… why are you happy?"

"So what if we didn't win? We didn't lose either! It's a draw!" Harry said with a big grin. Iriana, realizing what he was saying, started to laugh and cheer herself. Cynthia and Astra started to laugh as well and began clapping after recalling their own Pokémon. Within seconds, every audience member was clapping for the ending of a magnificent battle. The Legendaries began firing attacks in the air, colliding with each other and creating beautiful fireworks in celebration.

Harry's family all stormed the field towards the duo and lifted them up on their shoulders, everyone either smiling, laughing or crying in happiness. As this was going on, a podium appeared from the ground with the Naturis League committee on it.

The Head of the NLC stepped forward. "Attention! If I could have your attention please!" It took a few tries before the audience and Pokémon were quiet enough to hear him. "Thank you. Would Ash, Harry, and Iriana please come up here?"

The three Trainers, with grins so wide that they threatened to split their faces, were placed up on the podium. "Even though you didn't win, each one of you came very close to winning the Naturis Tournament. Therefore, I would like to award each of you with a plaque." Three NLC members handed the Trainers a crystal and gold plaque in the shape of a Pokeball. Written on it was 'Winning against all odds, innumerable Trainers, and the Champions of the Pokémon World, we, the Naturis League Committee, are proud to present Ash/Harry/Iriana with the title of Pokémon Guardians'.

Shocked, the three looked up at the proud faces of the NLC, "You've earned it guys. It's a rank all of its own. And this way, you can still aim for the ultimate goal of Pokémon Master."

Beaming with pride, the three Trainers/friends raised the plaques high over their heads and the crowd erupted with the loudest cheer yet.

Several hours later, after everyone either went home or found rooms at the League for the night, Giovanni was talking on his cell phone with a group call.

"Yes that will do…no it's not until….yes you can…I want everything perfect but we still have time. Nothing will mess this up…just bring everything to Gramp's place, he won't mind. And not a word to…Okay, everything's set then? Very good, have a good night and see you then." He clicked the phone off. Turning to Persian he muttered, "I hope it works out alright."

"Sian." Persian said, yawning widely.

Giovanni chuckled, "You're right, just like always. Let's get some shut-eye."