Author's Comments: Nothing really to say at the start, happy april fools i guess? Didn't plan on posting this on april fools and this chapter in not a joke chapter, its just how things ended up. enjoy!

Gladion yawned from his spot on his side of the field. The first day of Quarter finals were wrapping up and he was the last match of the day against a Unovan trainer named Trip. Despite not having battled himself all day, Gladion was still tired and wanted to end the match as quickly as he could. His opponent, Trip, seemed to have the same opinion, his face twisted in an ugly scowl. As much as Gladion could tell, Trip was just a normal trainer with long greenish-blonde hair tied up in a loose ponytail.

Before he could scrutinize the teen any further, the referee called for the match to start. "The Battle between Gladion and Trip is about to begin! This is a two on two, single battle, no substitutions are permitted! The battle will be over when one side is out of Pokemon, or a trainer forfeits! Begin!"

"Go Jellicent!" Trip bit out as he tossed out his pokeball. From the Pokeball popped out a bloated blue jellyfish Pokemon.

Gladion didn't say a word as he threw out his Pokemon. From the ball popped out a bipedal wolf Pokemon, its fur deep red, and white with massive claws.

—-

"Whos that Pokemon?" Max asked from his spot in the stands.

"Thats a Lycanroc, a Rock Type Pokemon." Professor Oak answered for him. "If I'm not mistaken thats Lycanroc's Midnight form." Max hummed in awe, scribbling down the information in a notepad.

"A rock type against a water type?" Misty snorted, forgetting that trainers had to submit their Pokemon for the match before the matches were even sent. "He certainly is friends with Ash then. Ash never cared for type match ups."

'And yet he usually won despite type match ups.' was the thought that passed through most of the group's mind, though they didn't say anything to avoid Mount Misty erupting.

—-

Trip smirked the smallest bit. "End this quickly with Water Pulse." Jellicent reached out his frill-like hands, forming a large orb of crystal blue water, before firing it at Lycanroc. Lycanroc didn't move a muscle, taking the hit head on without so much as a flinch. "What?!"

"Shadow Claw." Lycanroc surged forward, his right most claw lighting up a in a twisted black and purple aura. Jellicent cried out in pain as Lycanroc slashed at him, hitting the partial ghost type with its own move typing.

Trip frowned in thought. "Whirlpool!"

"Disrupt it with Hyper Voice, now Night Daze."

Jellicent raised his hands, forming a large pool of swirling water, before heaving it towards Lycanroc. Lycanroc parted his jaws, and unleashed a loud screech that caused the water to scatter before it could hit. Once the water dispersed Lycanroc started glowing a bright red color. Lycanroc raised his arms, the red aura strengthening before he slammed his arms into the ground below. A blistering red and purple force field extended outwards, tearing across the field before slamming into Jellicent. Jellicent cried out before he went down, his eyes nothing but swirls.

"Jellicent is unable to battle. Will Trainer Trip please forfeit or send out his next Pokemon?"

Trip bit his lip in thought as he returned his Pokemon, and sent out the next. "Go Serperior." On the field uncoiled a long green serpent.

"Let the battle between Lycanroc and Serperior: Begin!"

"Dragon Tail now!" Superior swiftly uncoiled, its tail glowing a scaly blue before it whipped its body towards Lycanroc. Lycanroc growled, sliding backwards after the hit as his appearance started to flicker. Trip smirked. "As I thought, that's not a Lycanroc but a Zoroark!"

Gladion blinked at the younger boy, utterly unimpressed as Zoroark took his true form. "Agility." Zoroark took off at a great speed, glowing a soft what as he did so.

"Slow it down with Wrap!"

"Foul Play."

Serperior flung itself toward Zoroark, trying to wrap itself around the Dark Type Pokemon, but Zoroark instead caught Serperior, and twisted his body around to fling Serperior into the ground. Serperior tried once more to wrap around Zoroark, but Zoroark again flung it into the ground, unphased by its continued attack.

"Energy Ball, and charge up Solar Beam!"

"Shadow Claw."

A sparkling ball of green and yellow energy formed from Serperior's mouth, before being launched at Zoroark. Meanwhile Zoroark's claw lit up in black and purple energy, slashing Energy Ball in half as Serperior charged up Solar Beam. As Zoroark turned to attack Serperior a bright yellow beam of light shot out, sending Zoroark rolling.

Slowly, Zoroark pushed himself back up, panting heavily, while Serperior was in a similar, but worse state. "Zoroark, end it." Zoroark started glowing bright red, and raised his arms above him, red aura pulsing from Zoroark's body.

"Dragon Tail!" Trip ordered, but Serpeior was too tired to respond in time, and Night Daze's force field of energy smacked into it, knocking out cold.

"Serperior is unable to battle. With no other Pokemon, Gladion and Zoroark are the winners of the match! Concluding today's matches!" Despite the crowd being tired, they lit up in cheers for Gladion and Zoroark. Gladion simply breathed a quiet sigh of relief that the day was over, and recalled Zoroark before making his way back stage, not even sarong his opponent a glance.

—-

Gladion blinked in surprise as he rounded the corner, coming face to face with Ash. "Hey," He greeted. "I thought you were having dinner with the champions tonight."

Ash's face lit up upon seeing him, moving to meet him half way. "I am but I wanted to give you a congratulations before I left." His arms snaked around Gladion's midsection for a quick hug. "One of the contestants have been a bit of a problem that we have to get sorted out."

Gladion rested his chin on Ash's head, humming. "What time will you get back?"

"Depending on how long dinner and talking takes I'll be back at the cabin in two hours? I'll call if its longer than that." Ash pulled away and smiled up at him. "But you can always come with us, Cynthia and Alain are really curious about your work."

Gladion snorted. Cynthia and Alain were not 'curious about his work', they're overprotective busy bodies that take great joy in making him squirm with prodded questions and thinly veiled threats. Their teasing had lightened over the months, especially as he and Ash were engaged, but in the beginning they were extremely overprotective, more so than a Bewear over her cubs, and it had been utterly terrifying. Truthfully it no longer bothered him, but he was tired and not in the mood to deal with Ash's siblings. Instead he swooped down and gave Ash a short kiss. "No thank you, I'm tired, maybe tomorrow I'll join you."

Ash pouted slightly but nodded none the less. "Alright, get some sleep, I'll try not to wake you up when I get home." He promised.

Gladion watched him walk away, meeting up with Cynthia, Alain, and Lance and vanishing down the hall. Shaking his head fondly, Gladion turned to continue his way. From the corner of his eye he could see something dark blue rush away, and blinked quickly, looking around, though he couldn't see anything. Chalking it up to drowsiness, the blonde straightened his shoulders and continued on his way.

—-

The next morning was utterly uneventful other than Kiawe being the opening match up against Iris, causing the Alolan group to shuffle to the stadium bright and early.

"Kiawe sure looks fired up." Lana snickered at the dry look she received from her friend, relined back in her seat in the stands.

"Lana, I will throw you." He threatened weakly, shifting uncomfortably as he tried to straighten his shirt out.

"If it's that uncomfortable why don't you just take it off?" Lana asked. Because of Alola's mostly hot weather it wasn't uncommon for people to walk around in bathing suits, short and low cut clothing, or in the men's cases go completely shirtless, so Lana didn't see the big deal if Kiawe, who shes nearly 80% sure has never worn a shirt before, didn't wear one in Kanto.

Serena's face erupted in a deep blush. "He can't do that!" She squeaked.

"Why not?" Lana tilted her head in confusion.

Kiawe sighed and Lillie laughed quietly. "For one, its freezing here,"Kiawe explained. "And second, Kanto has different practices here, I can't just go around shirtless like a can back home." He faltered slightly. "I asked Ash, he said no."

Lana started laughing again at his downtrodden expression. "You should be able to get away with it for your match though."

Kiawe shook his head. "When in Galar do as the Galar do, as they say." Lana shrugged and didn't press any further, especially as he was called for his match against Iris to start.

—-

"The Battle between Iris and Kiawe is about to begin! This is a two on two, single battle, no substitutions are permitted! The battle will be over when one side is out of Pokemon, or a trainer forfeits! Begin!" The referee wasted no time getting the ball rolling, and Kiawe wasted no time responding in kind.

"Talonflame, Lets Go!" Called out, releasing a magnificent red and gray hawk Pokemon, who cawed as he took the field.

"Lets show them what a Dragon Master can really do Fraxure!" Iris yelled, throwing out a plump bipedal dragon type with two sword-like tusks protruding from his mouth. "Start out with Dragon Rage!" Fraxure's mouth opened, a bright blue ball of energy forming in it before shooting out towards Talonflame.

"Acrobatics!" Talonflame took off so fast he left afterimages as he flew through the air, easily spinning around Dragon Rage and diving towards Fraxure, who he hit head on before ascending back into the air.

"Grrr Dragon Pulse!" Iris ordered shortly. Fraxure faltered ever so slightly, before straightening back out and firing a multicolored beam from his mouth. The beam took on the shape of a dragon as it flew through the air, smacking Talonflame out of the sky.

Talonflame cawed in pain as he free fell towards the ground, only to straighten out at the last second, and ascend back into the air. "You alright?" Kiawe called, getting a call of affirmative from the flying fire type. "Alright then, Brave Bird!" Blue aura sparked around Talonflame as he spun into a nosedive, swooping at Fraxure repeatedly before landing a hard hit that caused the dragon to slide back against the harsh ground. Talonflame also flinched due to recoil damage that racked his body.

"Get up Fraxure and use Outrage!"

"Use Quick Attack to get away and then right into Flame Charge!"

Frazure's eyes bled from a soft red into a glowing crimson, and his body glowed bright red with outrage. He leapt towards Talonflame, who quickly swooped up and out of the way before circling back down, his body lighting up in blistering red hot flame as he descended upon Fraxure. Both Pokemon collided, with Fraxure slashing at the bird as Talonflame's flame delivered mild damage to the dragon's tough hide.

"Now Flare Blitz!"

"Giga Impact!"

Flame Charge's mild flames gave way to thicker, heavier flame due to Flare Blitz, encasing the hawk Pokemon as he dove towards Fraxure once again. Fraxure, in retaliation, started glowing purple and jumped to meet Talonflame head on, purple and yellow energy spiraling around him. Both Pokemon met with a loud smack, before they both fell to the ground, unmoving and passed out.

"Talonflame and Fraxure are unable to Battle! Will both trainers please send out their next Pokemon, or forfeit."

Iris tsked as she returned Fraxure and grabbed her second pokeball. "Lets show them what a Dragon Master can really do Dragonite!"

"Thanks for the help Talonflame. Charizard Lets go!"

Two dragon shaped Pokemon took the field, one a sturdy orange fire type with teal wings and sharp features, the other a round yellow dragon with blue wings and long head antenna. Dragonite growled upon seeing the Charizard, his fist cackling with electricity before the Referee could even call the match to begin. Dragonite charged, and Charizard flapped his wings, ascending into the air.

"I did not start the match! Trainer Iris, get your Pokemon under control or you will be disqualified!" The referee scolded.

"I'm sorry!" Iris called. "Dragonite calm down! You're going to get us eliminated and then you won't be able to battle at all." Dragonite sneered at her, but settled down regardless.

—-

Ash gripped his seat handles from where he sat alongside his fellow champions. "I don't like this." He said slowly.

Lance nodded in agreement and released his own Dragonite to stand beside him. "Neither do I, Cynthia get Garchomp ready in case we need to step in." Cynthia nodded and soon Garchomp stood beside her, watching the battle with sharp eyes.

—-

"Now then, Let the battle between Lycanroc and Serperior: Begin!"

"Thunder Punch Dragonite!" Iris called. Instead of Dragonite's fist lighting up in electricity once again, it instead frosted over as he charged the seasoned Charizard.

"Fire Punch and then Slash." Charizard met Ice Punch with Fire Punch, canceling the cold claw coming towards him while his other hand's claws extended, slashing Dragonite across the face. Dragonite roared in upset, lighting up with Aerial Ace as Iris desperately called for Dragon Rush. "Dragon Breath Charizard." Charizard's mouth opened, letting out a large roar of green energy that collided with Dragonite, sniping him out of the sky.

"Listen to me, Dragonite!" Iris called out in frustration. Dragonite had one day just stopped listening to her, refusing to battle unless the opponent was strong, and she couldn't figure out why! She had pretty much stopped using him in battle, only allowing him in the Master Cup simply because she knew the opponents would be strong, but he wasn't listening to her and they were getting creamed!

Dragonite roared in rage, releasing a large burst of flame that shot out, missing Charizard completely and instead heading straight toward Kiawe. Charizard's wings flared, lighting up with Aerial Ace as he swooped in to protect his trainer, growling as Flamethrower hit his scaled wings. "Charizard, are you alright?" Kiawe breathed carefully, glancing at the seasoned Pokemon with unhidden worry. Charizard snorted, and flared his wings again, causing Kiawe to breathe a sigh of relief before rager set in. "Show them what a real Flamethrower looks like!"

Charizard roared, flames twisting and flying through the air towards Dragonite, sending the dragon type reeling, even if fire wasn't exactly the best against dragon types. Dragonite shook himself from his stupor, both his fists cackling with electricity before he charged towards Charizard, who dodged each punch before using his tail to hit Dragonite away. Rage seeped into Dragonite's, turning them red as Flamethrower bubbled in his throat, shooting out in an uncontrollable burst that caused the front rows of the audience to flinch and stumble back.

"Wing Attack Dragonite."

"Garchomp Dragon Claw."

A different Dragonite swooped into the field, using his wings to dispel the fire as a Garchomp slashed at Iris's Dragonite with glowing green claws.

"Iris return Dragonite at once, you're Disqualified." Lance leapt into the stadium, nodding at the referee to end the match.

"Uh Alright. Iris is hereby disqualified for endangering the audience. Therefore the winner of this match is Kiawe and his Charizard." The referee quickly called out.

"Wh-Thats not fair!" Iris spit, returning Dragonite before he could get her in any more trouble.

"You allowed a Pokemon you had no control over out of their pokeball. He almost hurt your opponent trainer, and most definitely would have if his Pokemon wasn't so fast to get between the Flamethrower and his trainer." Lance scolded, and Iris flinched. After Clair and the Elder, Lance was her idol. "Give me Dragonite's pokeball."

Iris snapped her head up. "What?!"

"Dragonite will be evaluated by the Unova Pokemon League and they will decide if it may be returned to you, if not they will be giving them to a trainer who can work with him and get him under control." Lance glared down at the girl his cousin spoke so highly of, and held out his hand. "Now, Ms. Emerald." Tears in her eyes, Iris handed over Dragonite's pokeball and ran off the field, tears streaming down her face as she made her way to her hotel room. Pocketing the pokeball, Lance walked over to the referee, whispered something in his ear, and got onto his Dragonite's back to return to the Champion's box.

The referee awkwardly cleared his throat. "We'll be taking a thirty minute break. If anyone was injured please meet in the lobby so the paramedics can tend to your injuries."

—-

Kiawe sat awkwardly beside his friends as Lana and Lillie checked him for any injuries. He didn't feel bad for the girl, if she couldn't control her Pokemon she shouldn't have used him, but it didn't feel right to win because she was disqualified. Ash had told him of his rough times with Charizard, it was something they bonded over funnily enough, and how much Ash regretted using Charizard in the League when he had no control over him, but the difference was that Charizard wasn't a threat to anyone, except maybe Ash himself, while Dragonite had obviously not cared who had been hit while in rage. Either way, the win tasted sour.

Author's Comments: Screw Trip, and screw Iris. I hate them both and i don't care if they got trashed because of it. if they want me to like them and have redeeming qualities, they should be less crappy as characters. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.