Well, I was bound to "take" a lot of time at updating at some point in the future. Anyway, I'll save the more important announcements and general author's notes at the end since many of you have been waiting for the eventual gathering and reunion. So please go on and read to the end.
One Quick Month Later…
Time flew by since the announcement of the Champions League throughout the five main regions under the Pokémon League. Emotions were high. Tension was breaking down others if not building up upon them. Preparations and business arrangements of traveling were being made. And of course, there was a good majority of Pokémon Trainers that strictly trained and prepared their Pokémon for this grand event making history. Now that the time had passed, the gathering of the elite had begun this day from the four corners of the world to New Island. Though the actual festivities won't being until later in the young summer evening, many trips were planned and booked for the morning and afternoon.
No doubt that registration's going to be busy for the entire day…
The morning itself was bright and cheery as to correspond to the excitement filling the air around every participating Pokémon Trainer there was. It was still hours before noon could even arrive and several trips were being made to New Island. A large and majestic ship was the one of the first to approach the docking destination, disregarding a couple of aerial crafts flying towards the heart of the island.
"Attention, faithful passengers!" the captain's voice via ship intercom chimed in. "We will be docking at our final destination, New Island, within ten minutes. Please gather all your belongings before departing off this fine vessel. We will not be held responsible for any item that gets left behind. Thank you for sailing with us across the seas of Kanto upon the St. Jeanne! We hope that you can join us again on another trip some day!"
The passengers traveled down the ramp in a very orderly fashion. One would have to take into account that the majority of passengers happened to be the Kanto and Johto Gym Leaders, accompanied by the Frontier Brains of Kanto and Sinnoh. The minority composed of friends and any family members of the Leaders. Upon setting foot upon New Island, the Gym Leaders animatedly chatted amongst each other as a result of pent-up excitement from their overseas traveling while heading off towards registration at the main Pokémon Center.
"Brock, I never imagined coming to a place like this," Misty remarked. "It's awesome that we're together again like this. It's so nostalgic…"
They all took in the sights and sounds that the Pokémon League constructed upon this natural green island. It was large enough to accommodate not only a number of battle arenas for the tournament, but several other buildings and attractions for every Pokémon fan out there, ranging from simple carnival games up to miniature Pokémon Contests to a branch of the Unova Pokéstar Studios.
"It's weird, but don't you feel like we've been here before?" Brock asked. Misty gave him a skeptic look. "I mean, we're obviously attending to something pretty big, but I can't help but think that we were once part of it the first time we traveled around Kanto together years ago."
"I think I would remember a place like this. Besides, back then the closest we were to New Island was at Old Shore Wharf and this place was nothing but greenery. Don't you even remember?"
"Thing is that I don't."
"Ah, forget it," Misty muttered impatiently before abruptly walking off to join up with the Kanto Gym Leaders that left ahead. "I probably could get Sabrina to help with your memory loss…"
"O-kay then…"
"Brock, let's catch up to them," Forrest suggested, tugging his older brother by the arm and pulled him along to the registration building.
The two Gym Leaders and Pokémon Doctor went along their way behind the noticeable group of Kanto and Johto Gym Leaders, along with a few early bird Pokémon Trainers that booked their trip for that time slot. The last group to descend off of the St. Jeanne ship was that of Scott and the Frontier Brains.
"What do y'all think about this place?" Scott spoke out as to stir some liveliness into his group. "Doesn't this make you want to battle your hearts out?"
"You bet!" Greta shouted.
"Excellent. Now first, let's lay down a couple of ground rules."
The various Frontier Brains exchanged quick looks while the more outspoken ones openly groaned at the suggested notion.
"You'd think we were all back at Beginner Trainer School or something," Noland said.
"Relax, it's not what you all thinking and groaning about," Scott chuckled. "They're nothing more than simple suggestions in making your time here in New Island a blast."
"Whatever!" Greta quickly exclaimed. "Just give me a good ol' fashioned hot-blooded battle of fists and you'd have one happy gal Brain on your team."
"It's good to see the passion for battling in all of you. Anyway, you do remember the primary mission here is to make a good impression for Trainers and the Pokémon League, right?"
"Right!" all twelve Frontier Brain agreed back.
"I best recommend that instead of staying together as the intimidating group of strong Trainers as you all are, go on and branch out, meet different people, befriend them, and scout for some potentials."
"Suffice to say, go about our usual business, isn't that right?" Thorton surmised.
"Heh heh, well it looks like you don't need me to spout off any more hot air then," Scott said. "With that being made known, once y'all are registered at the Pokémon Center, you're free to enjoy New Island to your heart's content. Just be wise in your dealings, ya hear?"
"Got it!" the Frontier Brains responded before traveling on in the direction of the Kanto and Johto Gym Leaders.
"Attention, passengers! Attention! We will be momentarily docking in Ascorbia Island of the Orange Archipelago to receive passengers from the SS Sinjoh in destination to New Island, Kanto. We estimate to arrive there by noon. If Ascorbia Island is your stop, please feel free to depart and thank you for traveling with us in the SS Uno!"
"Can't we just get to New Island already and not keep making these stops?"
"Cranky because we didn't get our beauty sleep last night?"
"Watch it, Iris. Nobody asked you."
"Ladies, can't we please settle this like rational, civilized… eh…"
Cilan couldn't get the two warring girls to behave themselves, even though at this stage, compared to previous standoffs, was rather tame. In one way, Iris and Georgia could be viewed at completely opposite sides of the ship, eyeing each other down to the bone. While Georgia maintained an indifferent, yet comical stare with the occasional twitch from her left eye, Iris could be described as practically on fire with her Axew barely holding back her aggression.
"The fact is that I was willing to get up early in the morning to catch a ride to Kanto for this," Iris hissed.
"Oh, sure," Georgia retorted, rolling her eyes. "You seemed 'ready' with Cilan carrying your unconscious body up the ramp at three in the morning."
"Why are you even here in the first place?" Iris inquired as civilly as she could.
"I could ask you the same thing, you know."
"Hey, Cilan and I are looking for Ash to give him a piece of our minds for leaving us so suddenly after the Decolora Archipelago and there's no way he'd miss out on the Champions League. You, on the other hand, have no business with anyone."
"Forgetful, aren't we?" Georgia scoffed. "I told you last month that the Champions League has caught my interest with all these powerful Dragon Masters coming to compete in it. And like it or not, I'm here to make sure that you also learn from the best so that when I beat you for real that my victory over you will have meaning."
"Like I need your help?!"
"Like it or not!"
At an instant, the distance between the two fiery rivals had been erased and they were practically forcing each other forehead by forehead as to back up their threats. Cilan wasn't sure whether to stop the madness once and for all to preserve the peace for the remainder of the trip or to let them continue so that they might actually learn something from their rivalry. Before he could even do something about it, he heard footsteps approaching his small group, as well as a new unrecognizable, rather deep voice taking action on his behalf.
"Will you two knock it off?" the young man berated rather harshly to Georgia and Iris. They and Cilan were surprised by the callousness of his tone. "There are actual competitors here trying to maintain their focus for the Champions League. The fact that you two aren't even competing in the tournament isn't being fair to the rest of us."
"Well, who are you to tell us off like that?" Georgia demanded. "Are you a Dragon Master?"
"He looks more like a little kid with an attitude," Iris added snidely, much to the stranger's growing annoyance.
"You mentioned something about Ash," he brought up, catching their interest upon saying the name. "Are you expecting him to show up at the Champions League?"
"He'd better! Why else would we be going back to Kanto in the first place?"
"Uh, Iris?" Cilan spoke up. "My brothers and I are competing in it as well. Speaking of which, I'd better see if they're still at our room."
"You're not going anywhere yet, Cilan," Iris warned; Cilan stood in place and sighed again, unable to flee when he had the chance.
"I'm actually feeling sorry for Ash for putting up with you the whole time in Unova," Georgia commented.
"No one asked you, Buster."
"It's 'Dragon Buster.' Get it right!"
"Hey, you two better behave yourselves," the strange young man interrupted, scowling in irritation. "I didn't come up here for a show. I plan to win and become the best out of everyone in the tournament, so I'd appreciate it if you two would quit your shouting match right now."
"Yeah? What are you going to do about it?" Georgia taunted.
"That attitude of yours doesn't scare me," Iris added in before whispering an audible extra comment. "I've seen Georgia in the mornings anyway."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"
"You're both pathetic and not worth my time," he sighed before turning his back to them and walking off.
"Never before have I experienced a sharp, bold taste, up front and powerful, yet able to take what others throw at him and use their ingredients for his own," Cilan commented. "I didn't see him the first time we boarded the SS Uno, so he must have been on the SS Sinjoh before the transfer." He took a risk at glancing at Iris and Georgia, noticing how both were still left speechless from their encounter with that young man.
"Well… Oh yeah?!" Iris shouted out in futility. "You're still a little kid, you punk!"
"Iris, he's gone," Georgia sighed before readapting her fierce demeanor. "But he is right about one thing."
"What?" Iris asked. Georgia's smirk grew comically wide.
"You are pathetic."
"… "
"Ha!"
"… A little kid like you calling me 'pathetic' is pathetic itself."
"…"
"…"
"… … What?!"
"Down the boulevard of broken recipes I go… again," Cilan sighed as the SS Uno had set sailed once more, this time to New Island. Somewhat fortunately for him, the signaling foghorn had censored out the resuming argument between the Dragon Buster and Dragon Trainer.
"Ax-Ax-ew," Axew concurred sadly.
Twelve o'clock noon came around and the next batch of ships delivering the Champions League participants and random tourists that happened to be huge Pokémon fans prepared to dock. Fortunately, the port was built wide and large enough to accommodate for the entering population. The ship that arrived first had already released its passengers; they pertained of residents of the Hoenn region as the said region's Gym Leaders were mixed in along with different people.
"Dad, we finally made it!" May exclaimed as the whole family descended the ramp.
"You're going to be so awesome!" Max pitched in. "They'll name you the next Champion Master for sure!"
"Thanks, kids," Norman chuckled sheepishly.
"It's a good thing Kenny was willing to watch over the Petalburg Gym while we're attending the opening ceremonies," Caroline said. "Still, it would have been considerate to bring him along with us."
"Mom, he insisted on taking care of the Gym while Dad's out here competing in the tournament," Max said. "Besides, the opening ceremony will be broadcasted worldwide and he knows when to tune in if he wants to see Dad in action."
"Speaking of action, I'd better head to the Pokémon Center and check in, Gym Leader privilege after all," Norman announced. "You guys are free to explore New Island until tonight. Just don't get lost."
"I think I'll join you, honey," Caroline said, taking an arm of her husband as they walked ahead, leaving behind May and Max to do as they pleased.
"I wonder where the other ship next to ours came from," May said aloud.
"That's the SS Uno of the Unova region," Max clarified. "I'll bet we'll see a lot of new Pokémon native only to that region. It'll be so cool."
"Yeah! I can't wait−Ack!"
"May! It's so great to see you again!" a cheerful voice cried out.
"Piplup-Pip!"
"May, who's that?" Max inquired of the bubbly, blue-haired girl that snuck from behind to tackle and hug his older sister. "And is that a Piplup? That's so cool!"
"Dawn!" May cried out as well, turning around to give the younger Coordinator a hug. "It's been so long! How've you been?"
Dawn broke out of the hug with a great big smile on her youthful face. She beckoned the siblings to follow her down the dock, closer to where the SS Uno was anchored at. It had started with her sharing some successes competing in the Kanto Contests, including her most recent victory at the Saffron City Contest and showing off her Ribbon to her role model. She also briefly mentioned that Zoey and Kenny, her rivals, came to New Island with her after the Saffron Contest to check out the attractions.
"So you're the Coordinator my sister mentioned traveling with Ash in Sinnoh," Max said, forming a sneaky grin. "Does that mean you're the one who whipped my sister in the Wallace Cup then?"
"Max, behave yourself!" May exclaimed, lightly bopping her brother on the head.
"No need to worry, it's all in the past now," Dawn said to ease the brief tension before settling into a light somber mood. "Though speaking of the Trainer, I was hoping to find him here. I'm sure you guys have heard the stories going around after he competed in the Unova Vertress Conference."
May and Max then shared Dawn's mood, exchanging a look between each other before facing the Twinleaf Town Coordinator. Despite having the liberty of being able to say his name in spite of a year of his losing contact with the world, it was still a sensitive topic to discuss.
"I've heard rumors that he was engaged in something dangerous, and with Lance the Champion as part of a recent one," May admitted. "Don't know where exactly, though, but then if I did know, we wouldn't be worried about where he is now, right?"
"I heard of a tale that he traveled to a faraway desert region with a maiden and a power-obsessed rival to stop a criminal organization hell-bent on ruling the world with corrupted Pokémon," Max said.
"Please, that story's way past overdue," Dawn waved off. "If anything, I think he's been training hard for a moment like this."
"Out of all the ridiculous theories you all came up with, I have to say that the last is the most logical of them all," a rough, deep voice spoke up.
"That voice… Paul!" Dawn exclaimed, turning around and discovering the Veilstone City Trainer standing a few feet away from the trio with hands in his pockets. "I should've expected you coming to compete in the Champions League."
"Of course, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to register for the tournament," Paul said as he walked past the group. "One more thing. If you happen to see him wandering around, tell him that I'm looking forward to a rematch in the later rounds."
"You got it!" Dawn declared back with a smile, pleased with his more pleasant demeanor as he even took the courtesy of sending a hand back to her as he went off to the Pokémon Center.
"Hey, Dawn, who was that exactly?" May asked.
"I've seen him before," Max said. "I've seen several Conferences on TV where Paul competed at, especially his match with Ash in the Lily of the Valley Conference over two years ago. He's certainly a piece of work, alright. At least, Ash managed to beat him before losing humiliatingly to Tobias."
"Now Max, what have I said before about respect?" May reprimanded, gently tugging on his ear.
"May, quit it!"
"Guys, calm down," Dawn said, but before she could continue, someone decided to wrap their arms around her waist. "Wha…?"
"Dawn! Remember me?" a familiar, excited voice chirped up.
Dawn looked back to see bushy purple hair with an Axew popping out from the top waving a hello. She also noticed two more familiar faces standing from behind along with two unfamiliar faces; the former two faces from the Unova region when she traveled there briefly. With a cheery grin, she pulled the hugger upright and clasped her hands.
"Iris! You too?"
"The gang's all here!" Iris declared.
"Hey, Iris, we're going to check in for the tournament," Cilan announced as Chili and Cress started to walk ahead. "We'll meet up with you guys at the Pokémon Center."
"Sounds great, Cilan! Good luck!"
"Fine and dandy," Georgia muttered, approaching the group composed of the Dragon Trainer, two Coordinators, and a young regular Trainer. "Dawn, was it?"
"Yeah?"
"That guy with purple hair and dark eyes that walked past you three, do you know him?"
"Yeah, he used to be Ash's rival in Sinnoh," Dawn explained.
"What? He was Ash's rival?!" Iris repeated incredulously. "That guy was rude to us on the ride here. He's like a meaner version of Trip or something."
"We were creating a commotion with our petty fights, which was good enough of a reason that we were asking for it," Georgia mentioned.
"Oh…"
"Come on, let's head to the Pokémon Center and we'll explain along the way," Dawn suggested with a smile.
The group of somewhat unlikely individuals traveling together went on. However, they didn't notice that there was a particular brunette Coordinator missing in their group as she was still caught up with the sights and sounds that New Island had to offer. Right until she turned around and noticed that everyone she knew left, May was frantically searching for where they had gone off to. Involuntarily picking a direction, she ran forth not knowing where exactly she was heading to as long as she found her friends and brother.
*Crash!
"Aah! Oh, geez! I'm so sorry!" May cried, not even opening her eyes out of embarrassment of her collision against another person.
She then felt a hand grab onto her right wrist and pulled her back onto her feet. When the Petalburg City Coordinator did open her eyes, she was greeted with a sight of a young man who was a few inches taller than her, garbed in a sleeveless red vest with white outlines on top of a black short-sleeve shirt. His eyes were mysteriously concealed in shadow by the rim of his red cap. She quickly felt intimidated for some reason, possibly by his aura alone, and didn't want to deal with this awkward situation any longer than necessary.
"I'm sorry, but I lost my friends and brother and I don't know where they went off to," May confessed, looking down to her feet. The stranger then pointed to the direction of the Pokémon Center, giving the green-bandanna wearing young girl where they have possibly gone to. "Thanks, mister!"
The young man watched her run off into the heart of the island. He glanced behind him to where a Pikachu was lying on his back, trying to wake himself up after falling from something.
"Pii," the Pikachu groaned, looking to where the girl that knocked him off of his spot ran off to. "Pika… Pikapi!" The Pikachu glanced up to his Trainer, who only shook his head in response as to signify that now wasn't the time. "Pii…"
The Pikachu leapt back up to his spot on the Trainer's shoulder. The Trainer himself had just arrived on New Island and as of yet hadn't registered for the Champions League. But the time will come when the truth will be revealed to the world that he is making his revival and becomes crowned a Master.
"… …"
I decided to break this into two parts, mainly because I've gotten impatient with myself and to keep you readers on your toes and give you all ideas on what would happen next. The gathering has begun and while I could have condensed both the gathering and the registration together, I felt it would have been more evenly spaced out as so. I apologize for the tease, but I hope the humor and outside references made up for it.
Now then, as for other announcements, I'm sure most of you have heard about this year's E3. For one, there's that new Pokémon type, the "dreaded" Fairy-type that trumps Dragon-types, possibly another way for Georgia to beat Iris, but who knows. Personally, I'm keeping tabs on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/Nintendo 3DS. So I'm also updating my profile with characters as they'll be revealed from the newly restored Smash Bros. website. I think that the first new trio of fighters will be interesting to look forward to, no doubt the fans are having fun drawing them out in art and in fiction. So go ahead and check out my profile for news and other things about me that I've updated.
And as always…
It's time to measure up how my writing skills are. Please review!
L-ater!
PS: Happy Father's Day!