Author's Comments: More filler this chap. some actual battles will start next chapter. Also thanks again for all the kind reviews :D
"Rai-CHU!" Raichu cried, a volt of electricity striking his trainer and waking him from his deep sleep.
"Okay…I'm up." Ash coughed, slightly smoking from the Thunder Attack. Raichu purred, standing on his tail and hovering a bit over the man. The clock on the nightstand flashed at 3:00am and Ash groaned. He hated having to wake up earlier, it was his least favorite part about being a Champion, at least when tournaments, and leagues happen.
Ash leaned over and kissed the top of his Gladion's messy blonde hair, the man still fast asleep with earplugs in, before standing up. Raichu took his spot in bed, curling up and falling back asleep until they had to leave. Ash snorted and vanished into the bathroom to shower and dress for the tournament.
'Ash Ketchum' and 'Champion Ashura Ketchum' were two different people. Ash Ketchum was a free spirit that wore whatever was comfortable and practical, or that Gladion or someone else picked out for him, but Champion Ashura Ketchum had a strict dress code, somewhat inspired by the official wear he had seen other champion's wear. Ash Ketchum used whatever Pokemon of his felt like battling or that he thought would do well, but Champion Ashura Ketchum had a private team of six, reserved specifically for official battles and tournaments. He hadn't liked it originally, he loved all his Pokemon equally, having a unique bond with each and every one of them, but over time he could see the benefits and crafted his official team. He still battled with the others though for fun, and when he was simply Ash Ketchum.
His official champion outfit was made up of loose dark blue capri pants that cut off mid calf, blue and white running shoes, and a tight sleeveless black shirt that exposed his collarbone and the Solgaleo tattoo that rested on his right pectoral. Accessory wise he stuck with what he usually wore, a pair of black fingerless gloves, his Z-ring, and a new cap that had the Alola Region's symbol(a moon symbol inside a sun symbol) in the center and a slot for a key stone on the back snap should he ever get one. Not the flashiest thing, but it was official, and comfortable.
After showering and dressing Ash collected his Pokemon, silently returning his seven sleepy bundles to their PokeBalls without waking them, before picking Raichu up, the large rodent using psychic to lighten his body so he could sit on Ash's shoulder.
Pikachu had decided to Evolve after meeting Hau's Raichu. He had never wanted to evolve before simply because he didn't feel Raichu was right for him, but in Alola, after meeting the round, floating Raichu, Pikachu had decided he was ready, and with Ash being granted a very rare opportunity, Pikachu decided he needed to get stronger. Ash had always carried a Thunderstone in case Pikachu wanted to evolve, but he didn't think Pikachu would ever take up the offer. Raichu was happy with his change. His electricity wasn't as hard to contain, despite getting bigger electric preserves, and being able to float and lift things with just his mind was fun. Not to mention, him and Ash could battle without saying a word. Ash couldn't speak or understand Raichu anymore than he could Pikachu, but Raichu could read Ash's thoughts at will, so during battle all Ash had to do was think for Raichu to act. It did wonders against threats, and Raichu's new power scared Team Rocket so much that they turned over a new leaf and opened a small shop in Alola.
"Lets head out." He whispered to Raichu, quietly shutting the bedroom door and exiting the house. A few moments later a limo pulled up, and Ash crawled into the back, waving tiredly at Lance, Cynthia, Alder, Steven, and Alain. "Hey." He greeted, gratefully accepting the breakfast burrito that Alain handed over.
"Good morning Ash." Cynthia greeted, looking wide awake despite the early hours. "What Pokmeon did you bring to compete with?" Cynthia asked excitedly, reaching across to pet Raichu over the head. She never got around to visiting the small Region, and was therefore very curious about them
Ash chuckled, swallowing his last bite before pulling out two PokeBalls. "I'll show you the two that won't be battling later, I don't want to wake them up." It wasn't well known, but Champions could carry a total of eight Pokemon in case of emergencies as long as they only used six during battle.
The blonde nodded, though a bit pouty. "Very well."
"So what are we doing today?" Alain asked, looking at Steven and Lance.
"Luckily, not much, just helping set up and checking security again." Lance chuckled at the exasperated look he received from the other champions.
"Why did we wake up at 3am then?!" Ash groaned.
"Rai Raichu!" Raichu huffed in agreement.
Lance smirked at him. "A champion must always be early." He said cheekily, getting a limo pillow to the face from the Alola Champion.
—-
Misty looked around at the other trainers gathered around the court yard of Celadon Stadium. She stood between Gary and Dawn while waiting for Lance to start the master Cup. The only trainers in their group that weren't participating were Tracy, because while a battler when he needed to be, he just wasn't interested, Cilan, who just wanted to watch, and Brock, who just wanted to enjoy the tournament and watch his friends compete after finishing his final exams for school. Max, Gary, Iris, and Misty of course wanted to participate, Max to prepare for the Hoenn Legue, Gary to see how his Pokemon fair after not battling as regularly, Misty as proof of her becoming a Water Pokemon Expert, and Iris to prove she was a Dragon Master. May and Dawn were also competing, getting bored as the contest season had ended already and they hadn't placed very high in the Grand Festival. As she looked around she saw the two men from the night before standing beside two girls, but Ash was nowhere to be seen, making a smirk of vindication filter over her face.
Misty felt no remorse for what she had said that day. Ash had no future in Pokemon battling, much less as a Pokemon Master, and he had to face it. He got better scores when he had dabbled with contests than when he competed in Gym Battles and Leagues and after so long she didn't see him becoming any better. She could see him opening a Daycare, he could care for Pokemon with the best of them and knew how to keep a Pokemon's spirit's up, but as for his future in the battle circuit, she didn't see that going anywhere. She didn't think he would run off like a coward and disapear from Kanto, tearing a rift between them and Ms. Ketchum, who had blamed them for his leaving, and taking all his Pokemon with him so Professor Oak couldn't study them anymore.
At frist nobody batted an eye, he would crawl back to them later and listen to their advise and everything would even out for the better. He would gift his more battle hungry Pokemon to his friends who actually had futures as competitors, and find a new, more practical dream. But he had never returned, and Ms. Ketchum wouldn't tell them where he went, just that he left Kanto and that she didn't want anything to do with them before Mr. Mime slammed the door in their faces. That was when Misty swore she would never forgive Ash, because Professor Oak had suffered a great loss when Ms. Ketchum refused to even acknowledge him, it felt as if he had lost a daughter and it took Gary moving back to cheer the Professor back up.
But seeing as he wasn't in the crowd she could only think he had lost another challenge somewhere and final resigned himself to mediocrity, he probably only came to watch his friend's compete. Speaking of which, she focused on the four people, taking in their looks from afar. The tallest was the darker man from the night before, he had spikey red and black hair that twisted like a stationary flame and wore red board shorts, and sandals with a buttoned up white shirt that looked unnatural on him. Next to him was a short girl that was obviously a Water Type trainer with short blue hair, wearing what looked like a modified sailor suit, and beside her was a pretty, buttoned up blond girl dressed in a modest white sun dress, with her hair up in a Ponytail. Finally ending the group was the other man from the night before, he was very tall and dressed head to toe in black casual-formal wear, save for the white wristband that he had(now that she looked the whole group had similar wrist bands), and the silver piercings that ran along his ear, one side of his face was hidden by bluntly cut locks and he shared the same hair color as the girl in the sun dress. Misty couldn't help but sniff, unimpressed by Ash's new friends. Not that she cared if the loser surrounded himself with other losers.
"Welcome all who have come to participate in the Master Cup." Lance took the stage. "Before we start with the first round, I would like to inform you all of some rules that have been put in place for the sake of fairness. Over the last few years Pokemon science has allowed some special abilities, such as Mega Evolution, Dynamax, and Z-Crystals, however because of how rare these are we have decided to even the playing field, no Mega Evolution will be allowed, neither will Dynamax or Z-Crystals and Moves." Misty groaned, as did quite a few other trainers, while others looked relieved. "I understand some of you are upset, but this is what was decided by all the Regional Champions for the sake of fairness. Now, the first two days will be preliminaries, these will be 1 on 1 matches, the third and fourth days will be the quarterfinals and will be 2 on 2 matches, the fifth day will be for rest, and planning as the sixth day is the semi-finals, 3 on 3 matches, and finally the seventh day is the Finals, a full 6 on 6 match. The Winner of the Master Cup will get a cash prize, this trophy, this Pokemon Egg, and the chance to become the personal student of any regional champion of their choosing." The audience perked up at that. "Speaking of Champions, allow us to introduce to you the elusive Champion of Alola, who had traveled here to participate and help with setting up this event! Please welcome, Ashura Ketchum of Alola."
The stadium fell into a hush, watching as a figure strode out from behind the other champions, obviously hiding for the big reveal. Misty's breath left her lungs as his face filled the screens scattered around the arena, and she could hear her friends gasp and sputter as well. Ash Ketchum stood on the stage, a weird looking Raichu floating beside him.
"Thank You Lance." He nodded to the taller man before turning to address the stadium. "Alola Eveeryone!" Ash greeted cheerily. "I'm sure everyone knows that Alola is not well known for our battle circuit, but as I have not been in battles outside Alola since I became Champion I have decided to Participate in the Master Cup along side you. So I expect the very best from all of you and your Pokemon!" The audience went crazy, cheering with enthusiasm and excitement.
Shakily, Misty turned towards her friends, wanting validation that they saw what she had. Gary nodded his head stupidly, his brain trying to reboot, and Misty felt a chill run down her back.
Author's Comment: I decided no Dynamax/mega evo/Z-Crystals because I already don't know how to write battles, including those special things would just make it harder for me. Sorry but it's what I decided early on, if i get more used to battling I may include it for the later battles but who knows. Next chapter is the preliminary battles I will try to post it between the 20th and the start of February because I want to write multiplechapters to save them up for days where I need to update but don't feel like writing.