The next day, Lana got up and went through her normal routine before going over to the Pokécent to make sure that everything was ready for the tournament and that there were more than enough potions to take care of the damage that the other Nurse Joy would likely need to deal with. When she was about halfway through her stocktaking, she heard the main door open and rushed out to see who, or what, it was. It was Selene. She said, "Selene! You're here? Already!?"

"That's right. Why are you so surprised?"

"Oh, it's nothing, really," Lana said, scratching the back of her head.

"Lana. I know you. That is how I know that you're lying."

Lana sighed and said, "Sorry. It's just that Lydia and Fiona were…rather argumentative…when I told them that they'd be starting at seven."

Selene sighed and said, "I really wish that I was surprised, but a lot of the girls at my pokécentre have the attitude that so long as they get to the pokécentre on time for it to open, everything will be fine. It's an acceptable attitude for Apprentice Joy to take. Even newly Registered Joy too. When it comes to those in charge though, well…we're both here now, aren't we?"

Lana smiled and said, "I guess so."

"Out of curiosity…"

"What?"

"How long have you been here for?"

Lana looked at her pokétch and said, "Hmm…I'd say…probably a little over an hour now. Why?"

"Heh," That's even earlier than when I get to mine."

"Well, to be fair, you don't need to make your healing items from scratch."

"Fair enough. So, how do you make these potions of yours?"

"Well…"

XXXXX

Later that day, the town was bustling with people both from Pallet Town, and the surrounding towns and cities, most of which were curious about this Inaugural Battle Festival that Professor Oak had arranged. A few were even trainers that registered for the tournament that was to be held.

At ten o'clock, all of the trainers that had managed to sign up for the tournament were standing on the field. Professor Gary Oak stood before them and said, "Before we commence this Inaugural Pallet Town Tournament, I am going to have to inform those participating that there is an additional prize to the Pallet Town Tournament Trophy." With that, the participants started talking amongst themselves, trying to come up with ideas about what it could be, including Lana, who had been so focused on her work that she hadn't even known that there would be a trophy involved.

Gary continued, "Since we have someone from the Sinnoh Region participating in this tournament of ours, I thought that it would be appropriate for someone from the Sinnoh Region be present as one of the judges. So, I contacted an old friend of mine, who agreed to come here for the weekend. So, without further ado, I would like to introduce to you all, the final Frontier Brain of the Sinnoh Region's Battle Frontier, The Battle Imperator, Paul!"

Paul made his way onto the stage to the awe of just about everyone there, including Lana, who had always heard rumours about his strength, but never had the chance to make her way to Veilstone City to watch one of his matches. She had heard that they got televised locally, but other than that, it was all very secretive. When he was on the stage, he said, "In addition to the Pallet Town Trophy, both the winner and the runner up will gain access to the Sinnoh Battle Frontier. Also, for today only, Pallet Town will be playing host to the Battle Colosseum. In that vein, I will also take part in a battle against the victor. Recently, the owner of the Battle Frontier, decided that there should be some merit involved in these exhibition battles that we Final Frontier Brains take part in from time to time, so, he came up with alternative first symbols for all of the Regional Battle Frontiers, to be awarded to if the trainer emerges victorious in battle. On top of that, for today only, the victor will also receive a mega set for one of their pokémon." When Paul had been planning his speech, he had tried to make it sound as dramatic as possible, but, unfortunately, his tone belied his words to the point that any excitement that the words should have imparted, had been completely removed from them. He grunted when he didn't get the reaction that he had expected and said, "In any case, the first match will be between Lana Joy, from Floaroma Town, and Ralph Fangen, from Viridian City."

That got the reaction that Paul had been expecting from his previous announcement. There was lots of cheering, for Ralph. Lana got nothing, except for a few citizens asking if the person next to them if they knew where Floaroma Town was. She thought, 'Well that's just great, isn't it? I mean, sure. I get that Ralph is from Kanto, and I'm from Sinnoh, so of course he's going to have some sort of home region loyalty from the people of this town, but I was sure that I would get at least some! Well, I guess that I've got no choice. I'll beat the hell out of him and move on. That should get me some people on my side.'

When they were at opposite sides of the battlefield, Lucario standing next to Lana, they realised that they had no idea who would be going first. So, simultaneously, they both looked to Gary and Paul, who were sitting on seats that had been set up on the stage, and Ralph asked, "So, who goes first?"

Paul said, "Well, since you're from this region, why don't you go first?"

"Alright," ralph agreed, shrugging as it didn't affect him one way or the other. He drew the pokéball that he'd brought with him and said, "I choose you, Tony!" and threw his pokéball onto the field. It burst open, releasing a Nidoking, which let out a roar, announcing its presence to all.

Lana raised her eyebrow and thought, 'Nidoking huh? Interesting choice. Although, maybe not if he's from Viridian.' She said, "Let's do this Lucario," and Lucario walked onto the field.

From his seat, Paul thought, 'She's going with Lucario? But wasn't that rumour at home saying that there was a Nurse Joy with black hair that used a Lucario as a partner? Was it her? But then why in the world would she be using it in battle? Normally the healing partner of a Joy are trained to heavily rely on defensive methods. If that's so, then it's going to be interesting to see how she intends to fight against a powerhouse like Nidoking. Even normally, most of Lucario's attacks are physical, so they need to get in close to inflict any real damage. Of course, conversely, a lot of Nidoking's greatest abilities rely on poisoning an opponent, which is nigh on impossible for a steel type like Lucario.'

When Paul leaned forwards, Gary asked, "Interested in this one, are you?"

"Well, back home there was a rumour about a Nurse Joy that used a Lucario as a healing partner. If that's Lana, then she might be in for a difficult time of it, and she is essentially representing our home region in this tournament of yours too."

"I see. Well, I wouldn't worry too much."

"Why's that?"

"Apparently she tried to give the apprentices that she was working with some battle training with Lucario. According to them, Lana is, in their words, 'a monster'."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Like her father?"

"Like her…what do you mean, 'her father'?"

"Don't play dumb. You can see the similarities, just as much as I can."

Gary sighed and said, "No fooling you, is there?"

"I didn't get to where I am by being blind."

Gary sighed and said, "Well, don't say anything. According to Ash, she has no idea herself, although she might be beginning to suspect something, given all the time that she's spent with Delia while she's been here."

"Her grandmother? And she hasn't made the connection?"

"It could be that she's just unwilling to make it."

"Hmm…that's not good."

"Why's that?"

"If she hopes to conquer any Battle Frontier, she'll need to know everything about herself beforehand, especially this."

"Why's that?"

"You may have forgotten after all this time, but bringing emotions into battle means that they can be used against them. That's especially true for when she comes to face off against the Battle Historian."

"The Battle…Historian? Who's that?"

"One of the Frontier Brains from Hoenn. I don't suppose you need me to tell you what kind of pokémon he uses."

"No. In any case, are you going to tell her?"

"No. that's a matter for her family. I will however be talking with her grandmother before I leave."

"Do you want to go now?"

"Hmm…no. I'd like to see this battle through to the end first."

"Alright," Gary said, turning all of his attention back to the battle.

Ralph said, "Alright Tony, use Poison Jab!"

Lana thought, 'Poison Jab? Against Lucario? Seriously?' she shrugged and said, "Alright then, Lucario, generate a Shadow Bone and wait until it's closer." Lucario clutched its hands together before spreading them apart, generating a purple bone between them. When he took a hold of it in both hands and flourished it, both ends caught fire. After that he waited until Nidoking was closer. Nidoking's claw glowed purple as it closed on Lucario and, when it was about to punch at Lucario, Lana said, "Alright Lucario, redirect it." Lucario backed away as it swung its bone around, hitting the outside of Nidoking's arm, causing it to lose its balance, and go onto one foot as it tried to regain its it. Lana wasn't going to let it and said, "Now, Lucario, take it down!" Lucario hit the back of the Nidoking's knee on the leg that was still on the ground, causing it to fall backwards.

Ralph called out, "Tony! Get up!"

Lana said, "Lucario, use Aura Sphere!" Lucario generated the attack far faster than anyone that was watching had thought possible and fired it directly where Nidoking's face was going to be as it rolled away.

Lana waited as Nidoking pushed itself up. As she did, Ralph thought, 'Why is she waiting? Is it that she thinks that there's no point in attacking now? That she can win at any time?! The hell with that!' He said, "Tony, use Sludge Wave!" A pool of dark purple sludge seeped out from under Nidoking's feet before it thrust its hand forward, causing it all to surge up into a stream that surged towards Lucario.

Lana said, "Lucario, use Full Orb Aura Sphere!"

At the announcement of Lana's attack, Paul thought, 'Full Orb Aura Sphere? What the heck is that?' as did every other trainer that knew of the Aura Sphere attack.

Lucario gathered up its aura and formed an Aura Sphere, then kept on pouring in more, until it was three times the size of a regular Aura Sphere, which it threw at the centre of the stream. It pushed through with ease, forcing the stream to the side on its way to contact Nidoking.

Gary's eyes widened as he thought, 'That's just nuts! Who would have thought to come up with such a simplistic way to increase a move's powe…Oh. Right. Ash's daughter. I almost forgot there for a second.'

Nidoking was panting when it pushed itself back up. Lana said, "Ralph," gaining her opponents attention.

Ralph said, "What is it? You decided to give up?"

"No," Lana said, her irritation at the thought clear in her voice. "I was just going to give you the chance to do so."

"Why would I do that?"

"Look at Nidoking." When Ralph was looking at Nidoking, Lana said, "Now, look at Lucario." When Ralph looked at Lucario he saw that, unlike Nidoking, Lucario was showing no signs of fatigue at all. "I don't want to hurt Nidoking any more than I have to, so I'll give you this one chance to walk away."

"I can't do that!" Ralph exclaimed.

"What's more important to you, Nidoking's wellbeing, or your pride?"

"What? Do you honestly think that that puny thing that you've got there can actually injure Nidoking to the extent that you seem to be suggesting?"

Lana sighed and said, "Well, I tried. That has to count for something, right buddy?" Lucario nodded and sounded out his agreement. She said, "Lucario, end this with Bullet Punch." Lucario nodded and crossed the field instantaneously before punching Nidoking with a metallic fist, knocking it to the ground, and out.

When Nidoking fell backwards, its eyes turning into swirls, Ralph dropped to his knees and looked at Nidoking. He looked up at Lana and tried to ask how she did it, but all she said was, "I suggest that you go and take Tony to the Pokécent." Ralph nodded numbly, unable to fully comprehend what was happening as he returned Nidoking to its pokéball.

XXXXX

As Lana left the field, Paul stood up. Gary looked over at him and asked, "Where are you going?"

"I told you. I need to see Delia about this situation with Lana."

"Alright, but you'd better be back before this round is over."

"I'll try, but you know that I can't make any promises on that."

"Fair enough," Gary admitted.

With that done, Paul quickly made his way to Pallet House, his pace just shy of running. He soon arrived outside it and went inside. He rung the bell and a flushed Delia came rushing out, needing to get whoever was ringing settled so that she could get back to the kitchen, already running late preparing for the lunch service. When she saw who it was, she exclaimed, "Paul! What are you doing here?"

Paul said, "I was here as a judge for the tournament, and to battle against the victor."

"And now?"

"I need to…discuss…something with you that you will probably not like hearing."

"What's that?"

"Lana."

"Oh," Delia said in an understanding, if somewhat saddened tone. "What about her?"

"You need to tell her that Ash is her father."

"I can't do that."

"She needs to know, Delia."

"What do you mean?"

Paul sighed and said, "It's for her own good."

"What do you mean, 'her own good'?"

"In the Hoenn Battle Frontier, there is a particularly annoying Brain that researches very deep into the history of a challenger before forming the strategies that he will use against them. If he reveals it to Lana before or during their match, and he will, it will draw her attention away from the battle and onto him. Until she comes to terms with it, she will have zero chance of facing off against her father. Even if, by some miracle, he doesn't, Ash will."

Delia looked aghast at Paul. She said, "Ash wouldn't do that."

"Yes, he would. The role of a Frontier Brain is to push the challengers to the limit of what they can handle, so that they can go on to become even better than they were before. Ash's Facility tests the challenger's mental fortitude, their resolve as well as the strength that they have acquired over their time with their pokémon."

Delia sighed and said, "I'll discuss it with her mother. It was her decision to keep that knowledge from Lana, so it will be her responsibility to inform her."

"Who is it?"

"Nurse Marnie Frances Lynette Joy. She's from Floaroma Town in your region."

"Alright. Then I'll talk to her when I'm on my way home then."

"Thank you," Delia said, "It'll save me an argument."

Paul smirked and said, "Anything to see Ketchum fall."

Delia smiled and said, "I'd expect little else from you."

Paul said, "Well, I've got to get back now."

"Of course," Delia said, bidding Paul farewell.

XXXXX

When Paul got back, he asked Gary how it had gone while he was talking to Delia. Gary said, "They've been total mismatches. Ralph's wife, Emily, used her Nidoqueen against Violet's Hitmonlee. Hitmonlee got taken out in one hit from Nidoqueen's Earth Power. Next was Phillipe up against Gabrielle. They used Rhyperior and Lopunny respectively. I don't think that you even need to guess who won that one."

"No."

"Then, Erica beat Tommy's Kangaskhan with Magnezone. Just now, you missed Corey facing down Keith's Garchomp with Meowstic. Again, the result was always going to be obvious."

"I should think so," Paul said, remembering when he faced off against Cynthia's Garchomp all those years ago.

"Who're these two then?"