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Gonzap who was the Tesm Snagem boss was discussing with Wakin, Biden, and Agrev who are his Team Snagem admins on how to create chaos in Paldea.
Gonzap said "Unova Champion Iris wants us to create chaos in Paldea to demoralize Blake and make the people to be against him due to not maintaining order."
Wakin, Biden, and Agrev listened intently to Gonzap as he discussed Iris's plan. They knew it was risky, but they also knew they couldn't say no to the Unova Champion.
"But how do we create chaos without drawing attention to ourselves?" Wakin asked.
Gonzap rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We need to be strategic. We'll start by targeting key locations in Paldea, places where Blake is supposed to be keeping the peace. We'll create disturbances and incite riots, making it look like Blake is unable to maintain order."
Biden nodded in agreement. "We can also spread false rumors and lies about Blake, tarnishing his reputation and making people lose faith in him."
Agrev spoke up, "But won't Blake catch on to what we're doing?"
Gonzap chuckled. "Not if we do it right. We'll use our resources and connections to cover our tracks and make it look like it's not coming from us. And if Blake does start to suspect something, we'll have a backup plan ready."
Wakin, Biden, and Agrev looked at each other, silently acknowledging their agreement. They knew it was a risky plan, but they also knew they had to follow Iris's orders. They were all loyal to her and to Team Snagem, and they would do whatever it took to achieve their goals.
Little did they know, Blake was more than just the Paldea Champion. He was also the legendary trainer Ash Ketchum, who had faced and overcome many challenges in his lifetime. And he wasn't going to let anyone threaten the peace and safety of his people.
Team Snagem members were distributing money to gym trainers and then the gym trainers wee causing disturbances and chaos by a violent protest against Blake in Paldea region.
The gym trainers who were causing disturbances and chaos in Paldea were becoming a big problem for Blake. He had no idea where they were getting their funding from, but he knew he had to put a stop to it.
One day, Blake decided to visit one of the gyms where the trainers were causing trouble. He entered the gym and saw a group of trainers talking and laughing. He approached them and said, "Excuse me, can I talk to you guys for a moment?"
The trainers looked at Blake suspiciously, but then one of them said, "Sure, what do you want?"
Blake said, "I want to know why you guys are causing disturbances and chaos in Paldea. Is someone paying you to do this?"
The trainers looked at each other nervously, and then one of them said, "Um, yeah, we were paid by some people from Team Snagem. They asked us to protest against you and cause chaos in the city."
Blake's eyes narrowed. "Team Snagem? I should have known. They're always up to something."
Blake decided to investigate further, and with the help of his allies, he found out that Team Snagem members were distributing money to gym trainers in exchange for causing disturbances and chaos. Blake was furious, and he knew he had to put a stop to it.
Blake called a meeting with his trusted allies, Misty and a few other trainers who he knew he could rely on. "Team Snagem is causing chaos and disturbances in Paldea," he told them. "They've been distributing money to gym trainers to incite violence against me and to demoralize the people. We need to put a stop to this."
Misty's eyes blazed with anger. "Those traitors! They won't get away with this. What do you suggest we do, Blake?"
Blake thought for a moment before replying, "I think we should launch an investigation and gather evidence to prove their wrongdoing. Once we have that, we can take it to the authorities and put an end to their plans."
The others nodded in agreement, and they set off to gather evidence. They interviewed gym trainers and other witnesses, and slowly but surely, the pieces of the puzzle began to come together.
After weeks of hard work, they finally had enough evidence to make their case. Blake and Misty presented their findings to the authorities, and Team Snagem members were arrested for their crimes.
Blake breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that justice had been served. He turned to Misty and said, "I couldn't have done it without you, Misty. You are a true friend and ally."
Misty smiled at him. "I'm just glad we were able to stop them. We make a great team, Blake."
Blake nodded, feeling grateful to have Misty by his side. They both knew that there were more challenges ahead, but with each other's support, they were ready to face them head-on.
Soon, the people of Paldea started to realize that they were being manipulated by Team Snagem, and they began to see Blake as a hero who was fighting for their rights and safety. The violent protests came to an end, and peace was restored to the city.
Blake was happy to see that his efforts had paid off, and he knew that he could always count on Misty and his allies to help him in times of need.
As Gonzap had instructed, Team Snagem members began spreading rumors throughout Paldea that Blake was abusing Misty. The false rumors were designed to create chaos and turn people against Blake, making it easier for Team Snagem to carry out their plans.
Blake was furious when he heard about the rumors. He knew they were lies, but he also knew that some people might believe them, especially if they were repeated enough times.
Misty was devastated when she heard the rumors. She knew that Blake would never hurt her, and she couldn't believe that anyone would spread such lies about him.
"I can't believe they would do this," Misty said, tears streaming down her face. "Why would they try to ruin our reputation like this?"
Blake held her tightly, trying to comfort her. "I don't know, Misty. But I won't let them get away with it. We'll find out who's behind these rumors and put a stop to it."
Misty looked up at Blake, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Blake. I know I can always count on you."
Blake smiled at her. "Always, Misty. I won't let anyone hurt you or tarnish our reputation."
They both knew that they had to stay strong and united in the face of these false rumors. The truth would come out eventually, and they would be vindicated.
One day, Iris, who was responsible for Team Snagem spreading rumors, approached Misty with a smile and said "Misty, you are being manipulated and abused by Blake so we want you to leave Blake and join us in opposing Blake."
Misty looked at Iris with a mix of shock and anger. "What are you talking about, Iris? Blake has never abused me. He's always been supportive and caring," she said firmly.
Iris just shrugged and said, "Well, that's what Team Snagem members are saying. They claim that Blake is manipulating you and using you for his own gain."
Misty's eyes narrowed as she realized what was going on. "I can't believe you would stoop this low, Iris. You and your friends are just trying to turn people against Blake because you're jealous of his success."
Iris scoffed and replied, "Jealous? Please, I'm the Unova Champion. I don't need to be jealous of anyone. But Blake's reign as Paldea Champion has caused too much chaos and unrest. We need to take action."
Misty shook her head in disbelief. "You don't understand, Iris. Blake is not the problem here. It's you and your friends who are causing all this trouble. You're the ones who are trying to destroy his reputation. I won't stand for it."
With that, Misty turned and walked away, leaving Iris fuming and frustrated. She knew that she and Blake had a lot of work to do to put an end to the chaos in Paldea, but they would do it together, as a team.
Blake and Misty knew they had to take action to counter the rumors that Team Snagem had spread about their relationship. They decided to make a public appearance together, showing their love and care for each other in front of the people of Paldea.
They went to the main square in Glaseado City, holding hands and smiling at each other. The crowd gathered around them, curious about the two powerful champions standing before them.
Blake cleared his throat and said, "I know there have been rumors spreading around about our relationship. I want to make it clear that Misty and I are in a kind and caring relationship, built on trust and respect. We support each other and we're here for each other no matter what."
Misty added, "I can assure you all that Blake has never once hurt me, physically or emotionally. He's always been there for me, through thick and thin. I'm proud to stand by his side as we face any challenges that come our way."
The crowd murmured, impressed by the couple's show of love and solidarity. Some even cheered and clapped, showing their support for the two champions.
Blake and Misty smiled at each other, knowing they had made an impact on the people of Paldea. They continued to hold hands as they made their way back to the royal chamber, feeling stronger and more united than ever before
Present
Ash sat in his office, writing three letters addressed to Gary, Paul, and Misty. He knew it was time to reveal himself to his closest allies and explain the truth about his alias, Blake.
"Hi,
I need you to come to the address as 7 o clock tonight.
Blake"
After finishing the letters, Ash called for the Elite Four member, Domino. She entered the room, her efficient demeanor showing no signs of surprise at his request.
"Everyone is waiting for you in the conference room," she said, her tone professional.
Ash nodded. "Thanks, Domino. But before I go, I need you to deliver these letters to Gary, Paul, and Misty."
Domino took the letters from him, scanning them quickly before nodding in understanding. "I'll take care of it," she said, turning to leave.
Ash watched her go, feeling a mix of apprehension and relief. He knew that revealing himself would change everything, but he also knew it was the right thing to do.
Ash quickly followed her out the door, intent on going straight to the conference room. He walked down two flights of stairs, then down a luxurious-looking hallway decorated with Pokémon paintings and rustic-looking wooden walls. He walked all the way to the end of the hallway, which took him a few minutes. He pushed on the double doors' golden handles and stepped through the doorframe.
The conference room was stunning, with a view of the ocean visible through a massive glass window. The walls were made of the same rustic-looking wood, and there were a few Pokémon paintings in the room as well. There was a large, rounded table in the centre, with large, fluffy executive chairs surrounding it. Ash smiled; he had designed this room himself. He noticed that all of the Champions, as well as Larry and Mr. Goodshow, were staring at him.
Ash made a motion for Larry. He spoke into his ear. "Thank you; you are excused," the brown-haired man said, his usual Black Suit still firmly attached. He exited the room with a brief nod to those still present.
When Ash turned around, he said. "Hello everyone, nice to see you all here."
Mr. Goodshow frowned and commented on those words. "Yes, yes, very fancy."
"Not helping," Ash said, waving his hand at the old man. "Hey Leon!" he exclaimed loudly, clearly attempting to change the subject. "How's that relationship with Sonia going?!" Leon had been about to comment on his entrance and how cheesy it was. However, the remark was made before Lance could respond. Instead, he changed the colour of his hair and remained silent.
Blake's grin was obvious, and Cynthia was the one who chose to comment on it. "Um... Leon, care to elaborate?"
Leon's face was flushed, but he managed to say it with a straight face. "No, I don't think so."
Gladion, on the other hand, burst out laughing. "Oh, no! I have to hear this! You're not getting out of this one, Leon!"
Mr. Goodshow stepped in. "Actually, he can, because it's not that important; we're not here to discuss Lance's love life; we're here to discuss the upcoming weeks in this tournament."
This time, Ash interrupted and said. "Actually, you are all, but I am not."
The entire room turned to face him, puzzled expressions on their faces. Mr. Goodshow's face, on the other hand, was by far the most amusing. He appeared to be about to make a sarcastic remark but decided against it.
Or perhaps not. "Oh? This wouldn't be the first time you've..." He trailed off when he noticed Blake staring at him intently, as if trying to feed him some sort of message. Mr. Goodshow was torn; on the one hand, Blake never seemed to listen to him. He was perplexed as to why this was the case. Part of him felt compelled to impose his position as league commissioner on the Alola Champion. However, another part of him hesitated greatly. By far the tournament favourite was Blake. He completely destroyed each of his opponents. And as a result, the league grew in popularity to such an extent that the rising ratings were astounding.
Furthermore, the people of Alola appeared to worship their leader. It was completely understandable. Blake had arrived when all seemed lost in the area. He then proceeded to take over the entire region and transform it for the better. Mr. Goodshow wouldn't admit it, but he secretly envied Blake's near-perfect work.
He sighed and said after a moment. "So, what do you want... or, more precisely, why are you here?"
Mr. Goodshow's behaviour astounded the champions, including Lance. He may have been old, but he never bowed to anyone, especially not a somewhat rogue champion who acted solely for his own self-interest.
Blake spoke up. "Before I tell you what I'm here for and what I'm going to do, I must say something. As you all know, I am very mysterious with my actions, and why I take each one is a mystery to everyone as well. I want everyone to know why I do what I do, but I cannot explain until after this tournament. I myself know that nobody here, perhaps with the exception of one or two of you at this table, don't trust me.
He paused for a moment, a deliberate and dramatic pause for emphasis. "... my personal identity."
That seemed to pique the champions' interest, as they looked at each other in disbelief. Nobody seemed to believe Blake would abandon his persona after the tournament. Lance seemed to be doubting it, despite the fact that he already knew who Blake was!
"Forgive me if I sound sceptical, but you're asking us to trust your judgement when you refuse to share your motives, actions, reasoning, and identity with us, when we are, in fact, your equals," Diantha frowned.
Cynthia elaborated. "And we've seen decisions whose reasonings were masked by you before; things don't add up, and I'd like to know everything sooner rather than later."
Gladion dismissively waved his hand in the air. "Ahhhh, I trust the man! Look at all he's done for his region under his control; clearly, he's someone I can rely on!"
Steven made a dry remark. "You believe anyone, Gladion..."
But it wasn't up to the champions to make the call; it was Mr. Charles Goodshow's decision whether or not to approve the message. Almost immediately, everyone turned to the commissioner, who appeared to be about to take the bait. He bit his lower lip as he considered the best course of action in this situation. He, like many of his champions, was intrigued by Blake's actions.
The old man rose from his seat and went to the window, where he stared out, deep in thought. Mr. Goodshow had two different personas for Blake in his head, and it was strange to think about them both.
On the one hand, there was the cold Blake, Blake who would shut down and keep secrets from everyone. This was the version that the general public saw, and despite their fears, they trusted him because of his previous success and dedication to the region. The team known as Team Skull was terrified of Alola's leader because of his cold mask that he wore over his face at all times.
Nothing could change the fact that whenever he was in battle, he became the most feared trainer in the world. When you were standing next to him, all you wanted to do was crumble and wither away. He was the type of person you didn't want to get on the wrong side of. In the public's eyes, anything was possible as long as he was commanding the ship, despite his cold and angry exterior, and they knew he cared about them and wouldn't accept anything less than success. Of course, there was Blake's other persona: the kind person and the noble leader. Everyone agreed that while Blake appeared frightening, he was a good person with a good heart. He was deeply concerned about the people he commanded.
The Ultra Beasts had rightfully terrified the public, and Blake had recognised this. Instead of dismissing it or deferring it until later, he made an official announcement.
He intended to build a city that would not only house his elites, the Pokémon league, and a popular tourist destination, but it would also connect with Aether Paradise, a group dedicated to a better world that was adamant about protecting Alola and the world from Ultra Beasts. Naturally, the general public was concerned at first that these were nothing more than claims. They didn't believe it because their leader hadn't done much to win them over yet, so there wasn't much to say.
However, as soon as the city's construction plan was approved, people realised Blake was not one to sit around and watch things develop slowly. He was determined to make Alola great. He was frequently seen travelling from city to city, checking on their conditions and seeing what he could do to help.
Mr. Goodshow recognised that Alola's beaches, shopping centres, and relatively unknown Pokémon had the potential to attract new trainers and allow him to continue running the Pokémon league at full capacity. Blake has the ability to cause significant damage if he so desires. He had to tread lightly.
Unfortunately for him, someone else interrupted him. "Personally, Blake, I don't think you realise what position you're in here; if Mr. Goodshow wanted to, he could kick you out of the league entirely; I think you should give him a little more respect than you've been giving him so far," Cynthia said, defiantly crossing her arms in front of Blake.
Mr. Goodshow's face was flushed. "N-now Cynthia... let's n-not—" He was interrupted by Blake. "Are you sure about that, Ms. Shirona? Because the last I checked, as the recent region to join a Pokémon league, and as this region's champion, I can withdraw my region from your Pokémon league, and would make Alola permanently separate from the Pokémon league," he said, a smirk on his face. Cynthia, to his delight, didn't seem to realise how bad that was.
Diantha didn't either. She let out a snort. "And how exactly does that threaten us, Mr. Blake?"
Ash's grin expanded. "I'm glad you asked," he remarked sarcastically. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small remote, and after a few buttons were pressed, a projector illuminated the room. He made a motion to the screen. Across the screen were a slew of bar graphs and numbers.
He elaborated when he saw the champions' puzzled expressions. "You see, I was curious, so I decided to dig into the numbers: just how popular was Alola in comparison to other regions? It got me thinking, and I discovered that the approval ratings of Alola had gone up by a staggering 12% since the start of the tournament to this exact moment." Compared to other regions, that is incredible, because the greatest increase in approval in the previous five decades had been when Kalos earned its first chance to host a tournament. It went up by 4%"
Diantha grinned. "Well, that's not out of the ordinary—"
Blake went on. "And it dropped a whopping 7% after the first interval, with the primary reasons being "Lack of Concern for participants' friends and family, lack of interest in battle from competitors, etc." Diantha was pale by the second.
"Err... maybe we should just—" Lance interjected.
Ash, on the other hand, was not paying attention and continued with a grin "Alola has the best reviews for everything, and unlike the other regions, you won't have to travel up mountains and victory roads to get to our Pokémon league. As you might expect, we have a good reputation here."
He finished by casually explaining "To respond to your statement, Ms. Shirona, I believe I have the upper hand here. I am the champion of this region and the tournament's host. If you think you're so great and powerful, let my tournament dominance prove you wrong. Alola is not to be trifled with, and neither are my leaders, elites, or, most importantly, myself."
He got into Cynthia's face, and her grin vanished "Have I been clear, Ms. Shirona? Or do you need to be reminded of who you're about to confront? "He smirked at Cynthia, who appeared shaken, and took a step back before jabbing her again. "Of course... that implies Axel won't end your hopes before I get a chance to do so."
Diantha muttered something to Steven, who didn't seem to be paying attention, but Blake was, and he whirled to Diantha, finger in her face. "And you, you snobbishly arrogant woman—" Her jaw dropped "Cram is a two-word phrase. It. I've already made it dangerously clear that all I have to do is cancel this tournament and the rest of the league will be exposed as dysfunctional. All I've ever done is establish myself as the most powerful trainer in this region, and given that you've already been eliminated, you have no more power than the title you earned many years ago. Maybe if you and your damn elites didn't have side jobs, you wouldn't have been blown away by the competition! "
"M-Malva is still—" Diantha finally found her words.
"A royal waste of space, time, and thought," he spit at her "You think I'm unaware of Malva's disturbing past, which you chose not to include in previous reports?
" Her eyes bulged open in surprise, clearly not expecting Blake to know such a thing, and the rest of the champions turned to her in surprise, much to his amusement and cheerful surprise, Lance, however, first looked to Blake, awe on his face. "Y-you actually read the reports?"
Blake let out a snort "I did, indeed. I may not have attended the meetings, but I did not neglect my duties as a champion of this region, nor did I set a bad example for all of my people. Diantha, on the other hand, left out the little-known fact that Malva Keenfire was a member of the extremely dangerous Team Flare."
Mr. Goodshow whirled to Diantha, shock written on his features, and the table gasped "Is this correct?"
"I cannot deny it," Diantha sighed and nodded.
In disgust, Blake slammed his fist on the table "As Champions, we have responsibilities to the communities we serve. That job also applies to our elites; they must learn how to lead by example. They are expected to be able to not only defend themselves, but also battle better than anyone else, with the possible exception of the people closest to them on their left and right."
"These champions, while not the brightest, the lot of them..." His eyes darted to Cynthia and then to Gladion for a split second, "Actually are firm-set on maintaining dominant appearances and backing them up by training consistently."
Diantha attempted to argue "How about Gladion? You talk about side jobs as if they're a plague that must be avoided at all costs. Gladion, to be honest, disregards half of our protocol and leisurely roams the region with nothing to do! What makes that responsible? "
Mr. Goodshow's patience with the Kalos champion was wearing thin. "Diantha, you will be—"
Blake had the upper hand "It's all right, Mr. Goodshow. Ms. Champion, please allow me to ask you a question. Would you say you're confident in your Pokémon's abilities in a fight where you have no idea what Pokémon the other team has or what to expect? "
"Yes," she bit her lip, but Ash had caught the strand of hesitation and fed on it "You have the hesitation I was looking for; you have reservations. Your Gardevoir is a single Pokémon-destroying ball. Take away its mega stone, however. If you remove strategy, your Gardevoir will be easily overwhelmed. How many battles have you won without using Mega Evolution with Gardevoir? "
"As I thought," he smirked. "Dragonwright here had an unbreakable bond with Dragonite, one that was forged over countless hours of bonding... not acting." He was furious now; they had the audacity to insult him like this; they clearly didn't think before they spoke.
He directed his finger at Steven "His Metagross is the most ferocious steel-type to ever exist. Does he let it drift off? No. Steven here always trains with it to ensure that no one can beat it. The only reason he lost was because a trainer with champion-level abilities stood in his way, and someone had to lose."
He then directed his finger at Cynthia "Ms. Shirona had the stupidest remark of them all. Her Garchomp, on the other hand, may pose the greatest threat to other Pokémon. Whether it is at a disadvantage or not, it always finds a way to win. Garchomp assists with breaking boulders and clearing a path every time they go exploring while she is investigating archaeological sites."
He turned to face Gladion "And, unlike you, Gladion takes the time to unwind and enjoy the company of his Pokémon. It may not be the best training, but having a clear mind, free of emotions and outside thoughts, may be the most dangerous thing to have during a battle. "If you're not winning, it doesn't mean you're losing," a wise man once said.
Blake smirked at her, almost finished with his rant. "So let me ask you this: if every other champion has a good reason for why they do what they do as an outside job, and how it incorporates their Pokémon as well, how do you defend yours? Because all I see is a drama queen who is more obsessed with looking great off the battlefield than on it, and I'm not even sure why you're here in the first place until you get that through your thick skull."
The group fell silent as they stared at Blake, Diantha turning a shade that indicated she had seen a ghost. Mr. Goodshow broke the silence quietly with a single statement. "What were you going to say, Blake?"
Blake let out a relieved sigh. "Before I became Champion here in Alola, I was in contact with the Kanto region... in a variety of ways. Before I came here, I had... unfinished business in certain areas of Kanto and Johto as well. I'll need a week to complete my business, and I'll be out of contact for a short while. My elites, however, will remain here to keep the peace and keep order. Axel will be put in charge until I return."
Leon couldn't stop himself from wondering. "Is this a business trip or..." he continued, biting his lip slightly. "…personal?"
Ash grinned. "Personal."
Mr. Goodshow cast another calculating glance at Blake. He weighed both options in his mind and was not hesitant to make his choice.
"Very well, Blake; I grant your request; you have one week from tomorrow to return home from your mission; we will not contact you in any way; however, you must grant my request."
Blake cast an unreadable glance at the older man. "Give it a name."
"There are a few of them; the first is that you must promise me that you will not leave the league, at least not until the end of this tournament."
Blake shook his head. "Done."
"My next request is simple: notify us when you return; that's not much of a challenge, is it?"
Lance muttered something under his breath. "He has no idea what he's on about..."
Lance returned a sheepish smirk after Blake gave him a look. He then returned his attention to Mr. Goodshow and nodded firmly. "All right, is there anything else?"
Mr. Goodshow gave a nod. "And only one," he said after a brief pause. "There is something you must do for me after this tournament is over, after everything has been concluded, and after we finish business here with the tournament, its competitors, and your own business in Kanto."
He approached Blake with a surprising amount of determination in his features.
"By the end of the tournament, you must reveal your identity to myself and the other champions."
Blake froze for a split second, realising that he would have to prove to the world that Ash Ketchum did not die that night. He bit his lower lip so hard that he drew blood. The black band that had been wrapped around his arm at all times suddenly began to gnaw away at the already ruined flesh. Every day, it reminded him of why he did what he did: why he fought, battled, and served.
Blake said to Mr. Goodshow as he looked him in the eyes.
"You have my word on it."
"It's great to see you again, Blake."
The man shifted in his chair as he noticed the trio he was looking for approaching him.
Blake remained motionless for a split second before grinning and saying. "Hello, Misty, Gary, and Paul. Please take a seat; I have something to tell you."
He said it directly before the two had even spoken or sat down. "I'm Ash from our previous journeys."
Gary was frozen for a split second before roaring. "WHAT THE HECK—" while Misty hit him on his head and Gary then punched him as hard as he could before Paul hurled him off the pier. Paul responded angrily. "You're completely and utterly worthless, Ketchum."
The words fazed him in his ears, and then he was back in reality. He blinked once or twice, not really understanding what he was saying for a moment or two. He said aloud while biting his lip. "Please forgive me; I was lost in thought for a moment."
Paul cracked a joke. "The all-powerful Blake in his own fantasy world? That would be hilarious to the press."
Misty spoke "It is not a joke to say that you are Ash."
Gary chuckled, and Blake motioned for them to take a seat. Gary spoke up. "You know, I appreciate you getting and paying for our food ahead of time." Paul opened his mouth to speak, but Blake silenced him by raising his hand. "Please. It's the very least I can do. Have a good time, gentlemen."
Gary and Paul were aware of his mysterious tone of voice. They'd only known Blake for a short time, but he'd never spoken to them in that tone.
Paul gave a small grin. "So, Blake, tell us a little bit about yourself."
Blake raised an eyebrow at him, as if to test the young man. Paul quickly responded. "Of course, anything you're comfortable sharing." The man responded with a casual shrug of his shoulders. "Well, I was born in Kanto."
Gary's eyes widened and he cheerfully responded. "Aye! That is where I come from! What do you think?" and Misty said "I am also from Kanto."
When Ash responded, he wasn't thinking. "I'm aware of that, Gary."
Paul looked surprised at him. "You know what I mean? How?"
Ash smirked as he bit his lower lip. "I have my own ways. After all, I am the champion."
Paul made a funny face before nodding. "Assume I can't argue with that..."
Ash was amazed at how Paul had changed since his days in Sinnoh. He recalled how they had never gotten along, but when they saw each other on that final day, Ash knew Paul was on the right track. It had only taken one smile for him to see it that way. If only his other so-called friends could or would ever be like that...
Before speaking, Ash sipped his drink again casually. "I have a question for everyone. I'd appreciate it if you answered honestly and only honestly."
Gary and Paul exchanged a look. "Open fire." Gary responded, but Ash could tell he was hesitant. Blake was ready for reactions.
"Can you tell me anything about Ash Ketchum?"
The results were immediate. Gary's eyes had popped out of their sockets for a split second, shock etched into his features. Paul's face had turned pale, almost to the point where Ash thought he was choking. He had to hold back his laughter.
Misty said while looking down "He was my companion."
Gary and Paul exchanged more glances, and Gary finally responded after a few moments. "Um... why do you want to know about him?"
Blake played with his drink casually. "There are a few reasons for this. Tell me everything you know about him."
Paul appeared to be battling something in his mind. Without even looking at him, Ghost said. "Would you like to say something, Mr. Shinji?"
Paul's mouth opened and closed, completely caught off guard. Fortunately for him, Gary came to his aid.
"Ash is a sensitive subject for us."
Blake gave him a look. "And what is the reason for that?"
Gary took a look at Paul before starting to speak. "Because Ash died in a volcano more than five years ago. We weren't with him at the time, but what was most suspicious was that his entire friend group was with him."
Gary went on. "We heard about it, and thought it was really odd that they were there in the first place. Why would Ash put himself in danger if he didn't have his Pokémon? Why didn't he summon Charizard? Why didn't anyone help him? Why did their story have so many gaps? Why…" Gary shook his head in confusion, holding his head low.
Paul went on for Gary. "It just didn't make sense. Gary contacted me, and we confronted his friends about it, but they dodged every question we posed. It wasn't that they were in mourning or anything; it was more that they didn't want to answer any questions we had for them. It was strange, but it could have been because we were both rivals with Ash at one point or another. This could have put them off."
Blake sighed and stated. "Not what I was looking for."
Paul cocked his brow. "It isn't?"
Blake made a shaky motion with his head. "No, why is Ash Ketchum such a sensitive subject for you?"
For the fifth time since they started talking to Ghost, Paul and Gary looked at each other, as if silently debating what to do. Paul spoke, his voice tinged with guilt.
"Personally, I believe Ash did not die by accident. I'm not sure how it could have happened. When it happened, Ash wasn't some clumsy kid; he was prepared for anything. The problem is that we were never able to find any information on his death because his body was never discovered, as we suspected. His friends refused to assist us, and no one else we knew had an opinion." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I feel bad because I know Ash would go to hell and back for any of us, and we don't know what we can do to help him from here... It stalks us in silence."
Ash cast a calculating glance at them. Paul, on the other hand, would not allow Ash to speak. "However, you should respond to us; why do you want to know about him?"
Ash smiled slightly, having thought of an answer to the inevitable question.
"I was investigating Ash because Misty asked me to investigate him and his death."
Gary and Paul saw Misty who was silent.
Blake grinned as Paul returned his gaze. "What's the big deal?"
Blake's grin never left his face. "Tell me, what would you do to avenge Ash if he was truly murdered by his so-called friends?"
Paul gave a quick blink. "I mean, obviously, I'd want to bring those jerks to justice. If that's the case, there's nothing else I'd want more." Gary chimed in. "That makes two of us; Ash made us both better people as a whole, and the fact that someone could be so low as to attempt something so heinous sickens me."
Blake kept to himself. "Let me ask you another question: what would you do if Ash were still alive? Would you go to any length to assist him?"
Gary's reaction was immediate. "Certainly, as long as it's legal." Ash turned to face Paul, a grin on his face. "How about you?"
"Definitely."
Ash exchanged glances with both of them before standing up. He returned to the doorway and informed the waiter who was standing there. "Please leave us alone. I'll contact you again if we require your assistance again."
The gentleman nodded. "As you please, sir." The man quickly exited, and Ash shut the door behind him. Ash returned to the two, who appeared tense at the prospect of having no idea what Blake was up to. He sat down again, this time rubbing his throbbing temples. He took a deep breath and prepared his response. He was well aware that if this went wrong, things could get dicey. He said quietly as he leaned in.
"What I'm about to say doesn't leave the four of us alone. Is that what you mean?" Gary and Paul exchanged another glance before returning to Blake, along with Misty nodding and their eyes alight.
Blake inhaled deeply.
"I have Ash Ketchum's survival on very good authority."
Gary's jaw dropped, and Paul sobbed while Misty's eyes widened. "W-what!? It's... it's impossible!"
Blake just smiled. "I assure you, gentlemen, that I am 100 percent certain that Mr. Ketchum is still alive and has been hiding for quite some time. If I had to guess... I'd say the last half-decade or so."
Gary brought this up. "How did you find out? The best investigators in the world were unable to assist us, so how do you know what happened to him when you're all the way out in Alola?"
Blake mocked him by cocking his head to the left. "What did I say about my home region, Mr. Oak?"
Gary froze for a fraction of a second. In shock, he exhaled. "K-Kanto…"
Blake gave a single nod. "Is it that ridiculous to think I have connections from back home? A champion of a region with no informants from his own region?" Blake received a nod from Paul. "That is correct. It doesn't explain how the informant knows Ash is alive, or how you know he's alive with 100% certainty."
Blake gave a nod. "I'll tell you what happened. I'll also answer your questions. This is what happened, according to a very reliable source."
The two leaned in, eager to hear Blake's version of Ash Ketchum's true story. "They drugged him while all of his friends were at his house. They were able to get him to Kalos, where he was convinced by his so-called friends that he had been hit over the head with a rock or boulder of some sort, resulting in short term memory loss."
Gary opened his mouth to speak, but Blake interrupted him. "I'll answer your questions after I finish." Gary tried to argue again, but Paul cut him off by slapping his hand over his mouth. "Agreed. Go ahead and do it."
Blake went on. "They persuaded Ash to run ahead with them, completely unaware of the trap that had been set, after convincing him that he had been lucky not to be concussed or anything of the sort. They used the same story they used to convince him why they were in a volcano in the first place to get him to move: they were here to save Ho-oh. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he ran right into the trap. He jumped right in, unaware that his friends would betray him. He was clutching a handful of rocks as the only thing holding him back from certain death. The traitors then revealed their plan to him, either to demoralise him or for other reasons..." He paused for a beat before continuing. "They gave Ash a choice after taking turns swinging at his heart. They told him he could pursue something else or they would let him fall."
Blake took a breather before speaking. "Rather than submit to them, he chose to fight his way out. Clenching the rocks in one hand, he reached for his Pokémon to assist him, only to discover that his Pokémon belt was missing. He noticed one of his friends... rivals... holding it. Ash realised they might have removed the belt while he was unconscious. He begged them not to do what seemed inevitable, but they didn't listen. They threw the Pokémon belt into the volcano. He jumped in after them in an instant, with a loud cry."
Gary had a slack jaw. Paul didn't appear as surprised, but he did discover the ability to create some words. "Wasn't it Misty who was the informant?" Blake turned to face the man. He shook his head.
"Unbeknownst to the traitors, Ash survived the fall into the Volcano and was rescued by a well-known name, which the informant declined to reveal. He was taken to someone Ash knew he could trust who wasn't one of the traitors. Ash healed and planned his revenge over time. After some time, he decided to leave Kanto, not only because of the haunted memories he had, but also because his Pokémon, aside from the ones on his belt and his trusted Pikachu, had either been sold or released into the wild. The identity of the seller is unknown, but it is known that if Professor Oak was involved, he was not the seller."
He motioned to Gary and quickly stated, "And I'm not implying it's you," before repeating. "Ash suspected that the funds had been stolen by traitors. What puzzled Ash was that the good Professor was unaware of it until it was too late, or so it appeared."
He went on with his story. "It's unclear where Ash went after Kanto. He did swear, however, that he would exact his vengeance on those who had damned him. He would get to the bottom of everything... sooner or later."
Gary was the one who finally broke the ice. "I... I have a few questions for you, Blake."
Blake nodded, a slight grin on his face. They hadn't seen his eyes yet. "You said Ash was healed?" Blake nodded again.
"How was he even able to recover completely? A fall from such a height, as you implied, would have killed any normal person."
Blake stated unequivocally. "He recovered completely."
Gary was taken aback. "Gary, you are correct. I have it on good authority that Ash recovered completely."
Paul interjected. "I'd like to ask you a question. Those fu— "He corrected himself by biting his lip. "People... threw in his Pokémon. Only the Pokémon on his belt had not been sold or released, as you stated. Does this mean he couldn't save the rest of the Pokémon? Did they all perish?"
Blake gave a bitter look before shaking his head. "They did not. Ash saved them by grabbing them in midair and preventing them from falling into the lava. They were the only Pokémon he could save."
Gary was deep in thought, as if attempting to put the puzzle pieces together.
Misty gasped as she suddenly remembered every Pokémon Blake owned. She remembered who Blake had used as Pokémon entrees. Blake had a Pikachu, there was no doubt about it...
Misty went completely still. Paul let out another breathless gasp. The two exchanged glances, each thinking the same thing. Misty hushed. "No... it... it can't be..."
Paul's eyes were as wide as they could possibly be. "It's... n-not possible..."
"Dear Ladies and Gentlemen..." Blake, who was standing out on the pier in his usual attire, caught their attention. Misty, Paul, and Gary got up from their seats and slowly walked over to the edge of the pier, perplexed. Gary managed to utter one word, which was tinged with disbelief.
"…Ash?"
The man slowly removed his hat and smiled as he turned around. His black hair was similar, but the hat had somehow protected him from recognition. His bright red vest, dark t-shirt and black jeans appeared out of place on Ash Ketchum. His trademark grin, on the other hand, had not changed.
"Ladies and Gentlemen."
The reaction was nothing less than priceless. Gary collapsed on the ground, completely out for the count. Paul stumbled forward, attempting to catch himself before collapsing, but failing miserably. He knelt and stared at the young man he had once referred to as his rival. He shook his head, unable to comprehend what he was witnessing. Misty's eyes widened in shock
He could finally form a few words. "However... what... why...?" I don't… it's…" Ash chuckled and hugged him, putting his hand on his shoulder. "Nice to see you after all this time."
Paul and Gary were still motionless while Misty was stunned. But eventually, Paul wrapped his arms around him. "I… I'm glad you're okay, Ash... I just...I..." He was completely speechless. They parted ways, and Paul wound up and swung his fist. Ash quickly avoided the punch and let Paul fall to the ground. He laughed from the floor and was quickly helped up. Misty tried to punch Ash but Ash avoided and Misty punched thin air.
"At least you two are doing better than Gare-bear over there." Ash poked.
This made Paul laugh. "I'm guessing you've come to explain why you're explaining your identity right now?" Ash raised an eyebrow at his statement's grammar but made no comment. He simply walked over to Gary, a grin on his face. In an attempt to wake up his friend, he punched him on the shoulder. Gary awoke after a few moments.
He noticed Paul looking down at him. Gary sighed. "Damn Paul, I just had the most bizarre dream. I just dreamed that Blake, after all this time, revealed himself to be Ash and—" When he saw Ash's cheerful face grinning down at him, his breath caught in his throat. Gary's mouth repeatedly opened and closed like a fish, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.
"You… You're still alive..."
Ash cracked a joke. "Didn't I say it was a reliable informant?"
Paul was joking. "Oh, Ketchum, cram it. Why have you waited so long to tell us? Who else is aware of your true identity?"
Ash paused for a few moments before responding. "Lance, Kanto's champion, my elites, Brock, my friend Clemont from Kalos... as well as a few others." Gary appeared genuinely surprised. "Wow, I'm surprised you're letting so many people in on your identity..."
Gary's eyes became darker. "So that means those cretins betrayed you..."
Ash let out a sigh. "Unfortunately, everything I've told you both has been true. They betrayed me in that volcano, and I didn't see it coming until it was too late. There are still a few gaps in the story that I need to fill, but if you don't mind, I could use some assistance."
Paul gave a quick blink. "Do you require our assistance? You have elites, so why expose yourself to more people when you know you have people you can trust?"
Ash smiled. "Would you believe me if I said I missed some of the people from my previous life who I could actually stand?"
Gary laughed and tapped Ash on the shoulder, who was standing and moving by this point. "I'd believe it. I wouldn't blame myself if I was gone from my old life for six years with little to no contact, so it's difficult to blame you. Still, I agree with Paul on one point: the timing of this seems a little strange. Something must have happened. Would you mind telling Paul and I what your plan is?"
Ash said "I would like to investigate Serena, Professor Oak, and Delia as Delia invited Serena when she knew Misty was interested in me. Serena tried to make Misty support the traitors as I was made to look like a cheater. Professor Oak sold off my Pokemons which makes him suspicious."
"So... a couple weeks?" Paul confirmed this. Ash agreed with a nod. Gary cocked his head sideways. "Does that mean what I think you're implying?"
Ash gave a nod. "I'm going to Kanto first thing tomorrow morning. I need assistance in locating Serena, obtaining information about the Professor, and determining my mother's involvement in the betrayal." The two exchanged glances. Paul cracked a joke. "Well, I don't have anything planned for the next week, give or take... though I was planning to go to my buddy's memorial in Kanto..."
Ash sighed and punched him in the shoulder.
"So… Are you interested?"
Gary and Paul exchanged glances before Ash returned the champion of Alola's smile.
"How do we register?"
Gary and Paul looked at each other, then back at Ash. "We'll help you with the investigation," Gary said. "But we need to be careful. We don't know who we can trust."
Ash nodded. "I understand. That's why I need your help. Together, we can take down the traitors and clear my name."
Misty spoke up, "I can't believe Serena would do something like that. But I trust you, Ash. We'll do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this."
Ash looked at Misty, his eyes filled with love and gratitude. "Thank you, Misty. Your support means everything to me."
Ash and Misty walked and then Misty asked "Ash, why did you not do anything when Serena kissed you?"
Ash answered "I did not know what to do if another girl kisses me when I have a partner."
Misty looked at Ash with a mix of understanding and frustration. "I get it, but you should have pushed her away. You knew how much it would hurt me," she said, her voice laced with sadness.
Ash nodded. "I know, and I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you, Misty. I just didn't want to make things worse by causing a scene."
Misty sighed. "I know you didn't mean to hurt me, but it still hurts, Ash. I thought you loved me."
"I do love you, Misty. You're the only one for me," Ash said, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Misty smiled slightly, but her eyes still held a hint of sadness. "I love you too, Ash. But we have a lot to work through if we're going to make this work."
Ash nodded. "I know, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I just want to be with you, Misty."
Misty smiled a little brighter. "I want to be with you too, Ash. Let's take it one step at a time and work through our issues together."
Ash smiled, feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time. "I'm ready whenever you are, Misty."
Ash said "Misty, I used to think I was fine with us teasing each other but now that I think about it, I behaved more kindly to Dawn and Serena who would not tease me compared to you even though I love you."
Misty was taken aback by Ash's words. She had always thought their teasing was just harmless fun, but now she realized it may have been hurting him more than she realized.
"I'm sorry, Ash," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I didn't know it was bothering you. I just thought we were having fun."
Ash smiled at her. "I know, Misty. It's not your fault. I should have spoken up earlier. I just didn't want to ruin our friendship."
Misty nodded. "I understand. But I want you to know that I love you, Ash. And I don't want anything to come between us."
Ash took Misty's hand in his. "I love you too, Misty. And I promise to be more honest with you from now on."
Misty smiled, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. She was glad that they could talk openly and honestly with each other. It made her love for Ash even stronger.
Gonzap came to Ash and Misty and said "We in Team Snagem want to make Kanto and Paldea as regions of chaos like Orre. The first step is to defeat you two and take your Pokemons for turning them to Shadow Pokemons."
Ash and Misty looked at each other with determination in their eyes. Ash stepped forward and said, "We won't let you harm anyone or turn any Pokemons into Shadow Pokemons. We'll protect our regions at any cost."
Misty nodded in agreement and added, "We won't let you turn our home into a region of chaos. You'll have to go through us first."
Gonzap smirked and said, "I was hoping you'd say that. Let's battle!"
Ash and Misty stood side by side, ready to take on Team Snagem. They knew it wouldn't be an easy battle, but they were determined to protect their regions and the safety of their Pokemons.
Gonzap started the battle by sending out his Shadow Pokemon, a fierce-looking Shadow Tyranitar. Misty reacted quickly by sending out her Gyarados, who started to attack with a powerful Hydro Pump. Ash, meanwhile, sent out his Pikachu, who tried to take advantage of Tyranitar's weakness to electricity with a Thunderbolt.
But Gonzap was ready for their tactics, and he countered with some powerful moves of his own. His Tyranitar used a Crunch attack on Gyarados, while his Weavile launched a powerful Night Slash on Pikachu. Ash and Misty knew they had to come up with a new plan.
They decided to switch their Pokemon. Misty called back Gyarados and sent out Starmie, while Ash called back Pikachu and sent out Charizard. The two Pokemon started to attack with a combination of fire and water attacks, which kept Team Snagem on the defensive.
But Gonzap wasn't giving up that easily. He sent out his second Shadow Pokemon, a powerful Shadow Mewtwo, which immediately launched a powerful Psychic attack on Starmie. Misty was quick to react, however, and she called out her Blastoise, which managed to block the attack with its powerful Hydro Cannon.
Ash, meanwhile, had Charizard use its Flamethrower on Mewtwo, which managed to deal some serious damage. But Mewtwo was a tough opponent, and it retaliated with a powerful Aura Sphere attack, which sent Charizard flying.
Ash was worried for a moment, but he knew he couldn't give up. He called out his Lucario, who immediately started to attack Mewtwo with a series of powerful punches and kicks. Misty, meanwhile, had Blastoise use its Hydro Cannon once again, which managed to weaken Mewtwo even more. Gonzap realized he was losing, and he decided to make a run for it.
Ash and Misty stood victorious, but they knew that they had to stay vigilant to protect their regions from future threats. They held each other's hands and looked into each other's eyes, proud of their victory and grateful to have each other by their side.
"We make a great team," Ash said with a smile.
Misty nodded and replied, "We always have been and always will be."
Together, they walked off into the distance, ready for whatever challenges may come their way.
Ash then got Misty to a wall and kissed her on her lips.
Misty was surprised by Ash's sudden kiss but soon relaxed into it and kissed him back passionately. They pulled away from each other and Ash said, "I love you, Misty. I never want to lose you."
Misty smiled and said, "I love you too, Ash. I'm so glad you're back and safe."
They hugged each other tightly, happy to be in each other's arms again. But they both knew that their troubles were far from over and that they had to stay vigilant against any new threats that might come their way.
Ash put his arm around Misty's waist and Misty put her arm around Ash's shoulder and they walked.
As they walked, Misty said "Ash, I thought you were gone forever. When I heard the news of your death, I felt like a part of me was missing."
Ash replied, "I'm sorry for making you worry, Misty. I should have told you about my plans earlier."
Misty smiled and said, "It's alright now. We are together and that's all that matters."
Ash smiled back and said, "I love you, Misty."
Misty replied, "I love you too, Ash."
As they walked, they knew that their love was stronger than any enemy they could face. They were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, together.
Gary and Paul saw them and then Gary said "So you two lovebirds are romancing each other?"
Misty gave Gary and Paul a sharp look, "What business is it of yours, Gary?"
Gary smirked, "Just curious, Misty. After all, Ash has always been my biggest rival, and now he's off kissing you instead of battling me."
Ash rolled his eyes, "Gary, can't you just be happy for us? Misty and I have been through a lot, and we're finally together."
Paul raised an eyebrow, "I never thought I'd see the day. But congratulations, you two."
Misty smiled at Paul, "Thank you. We're very happy."
Gary chuckled, "Well, I guess I can't argue with that. Congrats, Ash. And Misty, take care of my old rival."
Ash grinned, "Don't worry, Gary. I'll make sure she's well taken care of."
The group shared a laugh, and Ash and Misty continued their walk, arm in arm.