At last I am back to this series and on time as promised! This break has been needed and has helped me branch out and write more in other fandoms I like and will continued to do so but now that I am back with the final installment in the Hearts series, 'Heart of Champions,' I will be making sure that I keep up with as close to weekly uploads as possible in this story though there will be missed weeks due to IRL stuff. As with Winning, Champions will kick off right after the end of the previous story so I do recommend reading both 'Winning Takes Heart' and 'Dreams Come From the Heart' to avoid spoilers, as well as of course the first two short stories in this series 'Follow Your Heart' and 'Home is Where the Heart Is' and naturally is why it starts with Part XCX as this is the 190th part in the overall Hearts series. As with the last two stories there will be a Supplement to Champions but it will likely be less than the others as Champions's outline is very tight given all that I have planned for this story and boy do I have a lot planned as it already has 120 Parts planned but I am expecting it to expand to around 130-140 by the time I'm done so there is going to be a lot to look forward to over the next 2.5 years or so as I get through this story. In addition, for those who follow my greater Hearts universe, I still have 5 chapters to release in 'Problems of the Heart' a spinoff story primarily revolving around the girls who lost Ash to Dawn and the person who ended up taking it upon herself to help them heal and those will be released at the right time in conjunction with the timeline in this story. That is all that I have for this long administrative note about the upcoming story and unlike in the past I won't be giving anything else away here due to the nature of Champions but there have been 6 guest reviews in the months since the end of Winning and the start of Champions so please bear with me as I address them all now in the order they were written so the last one is the review left a few days ago while they are still fresh and this is the best spot for it. Do review my work, your support is great for my motivation.
To Guest (guest), thank you for your review, glad you liked the final. This is the only place I can answer your questions so I will do so now despite it being many months after the end of Winning. First off Team Rocket, no I have no plans for them as of right now and I actually only plan on Ash and Dawn encountering Team Rocket in their organizational form once in the entirety of Hearts 5. Perhaps in a future sequel series I can deal with Giovanni but as of right now there are no plans there and my sequel trilogy will focus on different antagonists. Personally, I am trying to avoid really dealing with the villain teams at all and as Ash missed the ones in Kalos and Alola due to the timeline and with Galar's team not really being a villain team at all he won't deal with them in Champions as I have other things to focus on that will be delved into after the first arc of this story. Second, legendary Pokémon, as I think I mentioned way back in one of the notes in Dreams, yes there will be a legendary adventure in Champions. Naturally, I won't say more so you'll have to wait and see what it is and it's not for a good 60 or so Parts at the very least. Thirdly, Ash will fight the Champion of Kalos if he defeats all 4 of the Kalos Elite Four as is his right as the winner of the Lumiose Conference so he has that to overcome first. While I know many would prefer him to face Lance, he didn't win in Dreams and thus cannot challenge Lance or the Kanto Elite Four officially. The Pokémon lore on this is weak at best, they had a chance to really expand on it with Iris becoming the new Unova Champion in Journeys but didn't it seems, so I am going off what I've seen and that is the only official way to challenge the Elite Four and replace them thus at least earning the chance to one day challenge the regional Champion is to win the regional Conference with the exception of Alola of course. That is what I will be following and as such the only region which Ash can become Champion in is Kalos. Paldea will not be visited or appear in Champions, I planned this back before the announcement of Scarlet and Violet (for reference the final outline of Champions was completed before Ash caught his Dracovish in Journeys and I started the outline before he caught Farfetch'd) so the entire plot of Champions is predicated on there being 8 canon regions not 9. I will make references to Paldea in this story as there is use to that region and being canon it's valid for inclusion but that is it and it has to be natural and the same applies to Paldean Pokémon. Given my current projected finish date being around September 1, 2025, there is a chance that Gen X's region is announced before I finish this story and again the same restrictions will apply. Lastly no I currently have no intentions of brining in the Orre Region at all. As far as I can tell that is a game exclusive region not in the anime canon and in the Hearts series anime canon prevails over game canon unless the anime canon is in conflict with itself which in this case it seems to not be. I also know next to nothing about the region as I've never played XD or Colosseum so I cannot properly do a story in that region. I hope that answers all your questions and enjoy the final installment in the main Hearts series.
To Guest (guest), I hope you've come back for the final instalment and thank you for enjoying Winning. Do not worry, I have plans for Drew and his cohorts so I'm not done with them yet, not by a long shot but of course I won't reveal what my plans are. The same with Team Rocket, you'll see soon enough (probably 20-30 Parts time) what they're up to for this story. As for Paldea, as I said above it won't appear in Champions but it is there and I will make my announcement regarding it in a few Parts' time as I do have plans for Paldea and will specify them when the time is right. As for Pokémon there, the grass starter is an interesting option that I will consider though a lot will depend on how I deal with non-canon additions from Galar as I do plan some of them for both Ash and Dawn when the time comes for them. Ash doesn't have a feline Pokémon in my story though in canon he does get a Litten in SM that fully evolves so he does have the Alolan feline starter. Regardless, any plans for Paldea are a long ways off. It's now time for the 5th and final installment of the main Hearts series so sit back and enjoy it.
To Guest (guest), thank you for reading and enjoying my fic. It is sad that Ash's time has come to an end but there really wasn't much more to do with him. I've only watched up through the end of XY as I just didn't like the animation changes that they made and I felt that they diminished Ash's victory in Alola for various reasons though I did like that they tried something new with the whole school thing and the battle royal was a nice touch in the Conference. As such I never watched Journeys either so I can't really comment on Project Mew. As for what is next, well this chapter will set up the first arc in Champions and after it will the premise of this story be revealed. This was planned and outlined way back when I was still working on Dreams and Journeys was still in its early days so before Legends Arceus came outlet alone Scarlet and Violet so as mentioned there are no plans for Paldea in this story. There are future plans for it, the 9th region really works for something else that you will see in time so patiently. As for starters, I've explained that already as it is a common question and Sprigatito is one that is building traction but for various reasons that will be seen it may not be the one. On the harem front, it's a little too late for that now I feel so this will remain a pure Pearlship story to change that now but I've already made it clear that there is at least one more rival for her to face and I think everyone knows who that will be but of course I won't say when. Do read and enjoy my work.
To Guest (guest), thank you for your review. As for your predictions for this story, one I have already confirmed won't be happening, which I've confirmed again in a later response as it's come up multiple times now, and as for the rest, you'll just have to read and enjoy my work to see how right or wrong you are.
To Guest (guest), thank you for your review and support. As for your questions, you will have to wait and see as the core premise of this story will be revealed after the first arc ends. In regards to the new anime, as you can tell from the other responses here, I planned this story way back when Journeys was still in its early days so I never saw the new anime coming and as such no Liko will not appear in this story though I do have plans for Paldea so maybe she'll appear whenever that story comes out. Yes, if Ash somehow manages to beat the entire Kalos Elite 4 and then Diantha afterwards he will become the Champion of Kalos. While Kanto is of course better, he lost in the finals there back in Dreams so he has no right of challenge like he does in Kalos. As for his old Pokémon, just wait and see is all I will say so do read and enjoy the last installment in this series.
To Guest (guest), thank you for your review, as for characters like Goh and Liko, as I have addressed both up here with Liko and in past Parts about Goh, I will not be addressing them at all as neither will appear in this story. I have plans for Paldea in which Liko may appear but Goh will never appear in the Hearts universe and if he's kicking around somewhere be assured that he won't have caught legendaries and that I don't intend on anyone catching them though 3 will appear in Champions. I've already addressed the length somewhere in this long note so that is answered and you will see that come to fruition as you read and enjoy this final story in the Hearts series.
The last thing I will note and I am doing so here so that y'all can see it but I expect that it will come up again over the course of the series is that at after the first arc, when I consider the true plot of Champions to begin but for obvious reasons the first arc has to be in this story, is mention the ages of Ash and Dawn for this story. Ash will be 19 from the second arc onwards and conclude at 20 while Dawn will be 18 and conclude at 19. The ages of the other characters range so please see Part LXXXIII in Winning for the ages of the notable characters in that story and just add 1 year to their ages. As with the past installments in this series this story will be rated T for occasional swearing and implies situations. That is all for this ultra long (sorry lot to respond to after 6 months off) into note so it is finally time to sit back and enjoy the sequel to 'Winning Takes Heart' and the final installment in the Hearts series with the first installment of Heart of Champions. Part CXC: Celebrating in Style.
Part CXC: Celebrating in Style
"Congratulations Ash!"
The cheer came from the battlefield of the Lumiose City Gym as the lights in the room flared to life and streamers went off while the people present cheered as Ash and Dawn walked into the room. Ash blinked at this, he'd not expected anything like this at all, especially as it had been a whole week since he'd won the Lumiose Conference, so he was really taken aback by it but he wasn't floored by it like he had been for his 18th birthday party in Kanto almost two years ago now. Still, it was a shock to say the least.
That was mainly because he'd not expected a big party to celebrate the win or to see so many familiar faces who hadn't been able to make it to the Lumiose Conference. The expected people were those who traveled with him and Dawn this year, mainly May and Serena though a few others did at least once and were still around like Max, Bonnie, and Miette, or those who called Kalos home like Clemont, Korrina, and Professor Sycamore. What Ash wasn't expecting to see were the others.
Dawn just grinned at this as she, along with May and Serena of course, had been sorting this out ever since Ash raised the trophy having finally won a Pokémon Conference. They'd wanted to do this so that those who loved Ash and had helped him out over the years could share in this moment they just didn't know when to hold the party so that people had time to attend it.
In the end it had been Professor Sycamore who'd suggested giving everyone a week to get here for the celebration as really they couldn't wait much longer due to future plans that would have to be implemented soon including one that only Sycamore knew about. As such they'd reached out to all the usual suspects and tried to get them to come celebrate Ash's Conference victory, which all of them had at least watched on TV, and a good few had managed to make it.
There were the expected ones like Misty, Brock, Lucy his fiancée that was still confusing to May and Dawn, Professor Oak, and of course Ash's mother who was accompanied by Mimey for her trip. In addition to them they'd managed to get Cilan to come but that was in part due to an annual fishing competition that was held in Kalos that was coming up in a little over a month's time so he'd decided to attend that as well and then spend a year in Kalos to continue his own journeys. Alas, the others that had been contacted had been unable to make it.
Dawn had really wanted Anabel and Angie present as well just to have all the girls who'd fallen for Ash present and have a truly healthy time together, and Sabrina for that matter as she was of great help to them, but alas none of them could make it. It was a shame as it would show how far they'd come, many with Sabrina's aid over the last 18 months or so, and they could do a full squad routine for Ash but alas none of them could make it.
Sabrina had made the most sense as had to return to Kanto before the Lumiose Conference as she'd spent to long away from Kanto on her trip to Kalos so she wasn't present. Anabel, however, apparently couldn't leave due to her position as the final Frontier Brain on the Kanto Battle Frontier and because there was some issue with it that she didn't explain but said that Dawn would learn soon enough what they were which confused her. Lastly, Angie was already heading to her next region but she sent her congratulations to Ash for his victory.
That last one had surprised Dawn as she'd expected that if Angie couldn't make it that it would be due to her going home to Sinnoh not a new region. It was even more of a surprise that it was Misty who'd told her it when she met up with Misty the day before when Misty got back to Kalos for this and filled Dawn in on Angie's current plans.
Apparently the girl was able to move on from Ash unlike the others, or at least make a start apparently, but still used him for inspiration and had thus done really well in Kanto securing all 8 badges and ending up in the semifinals of the Indigo Conference before losing. It had been close but apparently Angie had decided that she needed a year off to refocus and learn more about Pokémon on an academic level and had therefore opted to go to the Paldea region for that.
It was the first time that any of them had heard of Paldea so Angie going there was a real shock. The main reason for this was that Paldea wasn't an expansion region for Contests and didn't seem to have its own unique thing like Kalos's Showcases or Alola's Island Challenges so it's existence had never really come up until Angie told Misty that she was going there after her parents told her about a Paldean who'd visited their Pokémon day care while Angie was in Kanto.
Misty had asked Angie before she left what she knew but all Angie said was that there was a highly respected Pokémon school there that she had already enrolled in and would be starting classes soon at hence why she had to head straight to Paldea. That and that Paldea had its own regional oddity like how Galar had Dynamaxing as well as at least 3 native canine Pokémon for her to try and catch so Angie wanted to fully immerse herself there and grow as a trainer.
It was certainly a surprise but Dawn was happy for her friend and glad to hear that she was doing really well as both a trainer and in her understanding of Pokémon which would really help her parents out. She deserved it and hopefully one day they could all meet up again, plus if Angie had good things to say then maybe they could visit this Paldea region as well in the future.
As for the others, most were either still involved in some of the ongoing Conferences as only Kalos and Kanto had finished theirs with Iris apparently one of the two big favorite in Alola's inaugural Conference while Morrison, Tripp, Bianca, Stephen, Cameron, and Bianca were all strong candidates in the Conferences they had made as well. Dawn would have to get their plans afterwards but she understood why they couldn't make it.
In addition, several of their friends from their year in Kalos had already left the region in the wake of Ash's victory. Some like Trevor and Tierno were so inspired by it, and Ash himself, that they took off for Kanto right away after they all congratulated Ash after the trophy presentation so that they could try and win it all there with Tierno doing Contests as well as challenging gyms at the same time to really improve his style.
It made the most sense for them as they had the Kanto starters not Kalos ones so they could learn a lot more about them by traveling through their native region. That and the fact that Ash was from there so it was a chance to see the region that had first forged their friend and rival. Miette would also be in Kanto next year challenging Contests as one of the up and coming expansion region coordinators but she'd stayed for this and Dawn couldn't fault her as she was still crushing hard on Ash.
However, Shauna had also left though she'd spend a few more days in Kalos than Tierno and Trevor had as she wanted to chat with Serena about their plans and get some tips from Dawn and May about improving as a coordinator and the Johto region in general as that was where she'd be competing next year. It had been during that chat that Dawn had learned of Serena's own plans to leave for Unova and challenge Contests there alone to grow in many ways but only once Ash was all done in Kalos.
Shauna had actually headed back with Lyra and Khoury who were going home to see family before they went out to spend their next year in Sinnoh challenging gyms and Contests in the region that they'd met Dawn in and where Lyra had fallen for Khoury. That had made sense and would be a nice year for them, Dawn was sure of it.
Naturally, they weren't the only couple to head off to a new region, Adam, and Emily, who weren't officially a couple though Dawn hoped that her friend confessed her feelings to Adam soon as he struck Dawn as almost as dense as Ash was, had left a few days after Ash's victory. They'd stayed for the end of it because Adam had apparently wanted to see who won but once it was over they were ready to leave for their next adventure.
Regardless, Dawn had invited them to this but they apparently had a tight window to sort things out in Galar, the region they'd spend the year in facing gyms and Contests, so had to leave right away. According to Emily, via Adam, there were some strange eccentricities in Galar when it came to gym battles apparently and they'd been advised to go there before the end of the Galar Cup that was currently in progress for some reason.
Lastly, Paul had left before the day was over after his loss in the finals to Ash, in fact he was at the airport as Ash lifted the trophy that's how fast Paul left. Ash had hoped he'd stay around and they could chat but he understood it, this was just who Paul was and he was going to get ready for his next journey by heading to where he would challenge next which knowing him was either Alola or Unova, or maybe just back to Sinnoh, but no one knew where exactly. That was fine, he was more than free to do his own thing and Ash hoped to face him again someday.
As such the crowd was a little smaller than Dawn had hoped but it was still a good gathering of people with plenty of food being prepared courtesy of Brock, Clemont, and Cilan all going all out for it, and trying to one up each other in an unofficial three way cook off, along with good company as they celebrated Ash's win properly. They'd waited long enough for this and as such it was time to get down to business.
"Sorry for the surprise Ash but we had to do it." Dawn said with a smile squeezing his hand that she'd been holding since before they entered the room. "Took a week to sort it all out but you deserve a proper celebration for winning the Lumiose Conference so here it is."
"Th, thank you, all of you." Ash said with a smile as Pikachu nodded from his shoulder, he and Piplup had naturally been in on it and with their trainers that day to assist Dawn in keeping Ash away from the celebration so he was glad that things had worked out. "It means a lot to have you all here. I know many aren't here but that is understandable given how spread out all my friends are but just to have some of you is great."
"You won the Lumiose Conference, of course we were going to come to this." Misty said breaking the silence as she, Brock, Lucy, Miette, Max, Cilan, Bonnie, Korrina, and Clemont made their way over while the Professors and Delia conversed amongst themselves to give the teens and young adults a little time to themselves as they'd see Ash soon enough, well that and they had a few last minute things to sort out that they didn't want Ash to overhear. "I unfortunately had to miss watching it in person because I had a few last minute challengers but I wasn't going to miss this celebration for the world."
"It means a lot that you can be here Misty." Ash said with a smile as he let go of Dawn's hand so that she could hug him before letting go after a slightly longer than normal hug but Dawn let it slide because she knew how hard it was for Misty and they'd come a long way since they'd first met before she hugged Misty herself. "Same with the rest of you. I am a little surprised that the others from Kalos aren't here. I know about Trevor and Tierno, they told me their plans right after the Lumiose Conference, but what about Shauna, Lyra, Khoury, Emily, Adam, and Owen? Shouldn't they be here as well."
"Shauna wanted to get a head start in Johto when it came to the Contests there and as Lyra and Khoury were heading back to New Bark Town anyway, where their regional professor is based, it made sense for her to leave with them." Miette said as she gave first Dawn and then Ash, a traditional Kalos greeting that surprised Ash especially because he'd seen Miette only a week ago, and she'd never done that before, while impressing, and slightly annoying, Misty with the boldness though Dawn knew that it was a cultural thing and not romantic. "As for the others, I can't say what their plans are. I may see Shauna in Johto next year but only if plans align."
"Owen took Adam and Emily to Galar with him." Max explained. "He wanted to go home and see his parents before he continues his journey with us, as well as swing by a place called Stow-on-Side for some reason."
"That reason being that he's got a massive crush on one of the two rotating gym leaders there, a fighting specialist called Bea." Bonnie whispered to Dawn. "Max doesn't get that but I do. She doesn't know he exists as far as I know but that hasn't stopped him."
"Well he seems to have a plan at least." Dawn said. "Though I'm surprised he took Emily and Adam. I knew that they need to be in Galar now but I didn't know that they were going with Owen."
"Well it makes sense seeing as Owen's hometown of Ballonlea has the second recognized fairy type gym in the world." Max said having not heard Bonnie's whisper. "Along with being near the Glimwood Tangle where there are a few reclassified fairy types are known to live so it made sense to bring Emily with him as she'd learn a lot from that part of Galar. That and apparently you need a special writ to challenge the Galar gyms so he was going to help sort things out for Adam as well as telling him where he needs to go to get the special material needed to Dynamax Pokémon in Galar."
"Special writ?" Ash asked. "I've never heard of something like that being needed to challenge gyms. Oddities in gyms sure, Unovan gyms are dual purpose after all, but never a special writ."
"Galar is different when it comes to their gyms according to Owen." Bonnie said helpfully. "I don't fully understand it but he said that Opal, the Ballonlea Gym Leader and a recognized fairy type specialist, can help there so there's a lot to do for them in Ballonlea."
"And as Owen plans on joining us in Kanto when we get there in a few days as we leave whenever Misty, Brock and Lucy do, there is a limited time for him to get all that he needs to get done in Galar though we don't mind if he needs more time, he can just meet us wherever we are in Kanto when he gets there." Max added. "The main reason seems to be that Opal is in her final year before retiring from being a gym leader and has already, um I believe the phrase that Owen used was 'abducted due to being pink', her successor so she'll be spending the year mentoring him and might be too busy to help with the writ so the sooner the better."
"Abducted for being pink?" Misty asked confused as the others blinked at that.
"Opal is apparently rather eccentric." Bonnie said. "And very old, she's been the gym leader for 50 years so too old for Clemont. I think she may even be the oldest current gym leader but I can't confirm that."
"Hey, I'm still dealing with your latest stunt." Clemont said annoyed.
"It helped, that's all I'm saying." Bonnie said with a grin while Clemont just sighed at that.
"Wait." Ash said as it all hit him. "You and Max are heading to Kanto next?"
"Max's idea, I'm just going along to see more of the world, grow and have fun." Bonnie said. "I don't really mind where I go but I want to stick with Max as this last year was fun so I'm tagging along with his plans to face the Kanto gyms."
"Yup after a strong year here I know that I can improve so I feel like Kanto is the next port of call for me." Max said with a nod. "I've been there several times now and traveled it for a year back when you were on the Battle Frontier so I know it well and thus it makes the most sense for me to finally challenge the gyms there. Plus with a few others there it will be a right challenge with plenty of friends and rivals around."
"That's cool, well best of luck there." Ash said with a grin. "I'm sure that you'll learn a lot from challenging the gyms this time around and not just watching me face the Frontier Brains of the Battle Frontier."
"I intend to." Max said. "That way when we have a rematch, when I've won the Indigo Conference, I'll beat you, Ash."
"I look forward to that." Ash said. "I can't wait to see how much you've grown when you're done with Kanto."
"Anyway, what about you Bonnie?" Dawn asked looking at the youngest of their group. "What will you be getting out of going to Ash's home region?"
"I'm still not sure what I want to do with my life, though I've started to lean towards grooming and general Pokémon care but not the specifics of breeding over the course of the year." Bonnie said the uncertainty clear in her void. "I've been learning tips from both Max and Owen that have helped me improve this year, to go along with my own natural talents in Pokémon grooming, so I figured a new region could enhance that. This time though I'm going to do some more Contests as I think I can learn more from them when it comes to Pokémon appearance, especially with a different regional style and preference to what I know in Kalos."
"That you can." Dawn said with a smile at the girl. "They're great for that, I've learned so much from other coordinators while I've been on the circuit and each region has their own additions that can help you develop a style all your own."
"Same." May said. "And as both Dawn and Serena will attest, the way you present Pokémon in a Contest is different to how Showcases work. Plus Kanto, like Hoenn, favors Pokeblock over poffins or poke puffs."
"That they are." Serena said. "Though I still prefer the poke puff personally."
"Yeah and I'm going to be on the Contests there as well both to grow my own performing and because after the Kalos Grand Festival I really want to try and improve on a top 8, or at least match it in an established region." Miette said. "So it will be good to have a rival there, same with Tierno."
"Yeah having so many of you in Kanto has helped make it a desirable destination." Bonnie said. "And Clemont said that so long as I'm still with Max at least I can go, not that that would be an issue as I was always going to stick with Max."
"He keeps you in line when you get a bit too, er, well, Bonnie." Clemont said. "You're old enough to go on your own but as your big brother I still worry."
"I can keep myself safe." Bonnie said. "And it's not like I'm not good with Pokémon so you don't have to worry there. I did get Chandelure to come around after all."
"That's not what I'm worried about." Clemont said. "Just don't make me persona non grata in various places in Kanto, or worse the whole region, like I am in Laverre, please."
"No promises big brother." Bonnie said with a smile that showed that she had no intention of stopping her random proposals to any cute girl she thought would be a good fit for Clemont. "On that note, my ban from the Laverre city limits comes up for review in a few months, make sure that I'm not banned from there anymore as I won't be able to defend myself in the review due to being out in Kanto at the time."
"Honestly that's probably the best way for you to not fail it, especially if any reviewers are female." Clemont said. "But sure, I'd like to be able to visit there sometime without having to worry about that incident you caused last year. The gym leaders have been considering some more joint endeavors after the whole Lysander thing a few years back but we had to rebuild first."
"It's going to be fun." Korrina said with a smile. "That's what I'm looking forward to this year, more inter gym work, that fighting tournament again only with hopefully other gym leaders so long as they have a fighting type as well, and of course more challengers to the Shalour Gym. After a strong conference like this one we're going to get plenty."
"It will keep me busy and grounded in Kalos for at least the next year or so." Clemont said. "So look after Bonnie in Kanto Max, I'll make sure your Aipom arm is fully operational for it and provide you with the maintenance book so that you can keep it operational."
"Of course though an old fashioned ear pull is always good." Max said. "It worked well on Brock and Bonnie earlier this year."
"I second that." Misty said. "Though Croagunk had us beat. A solid Poison Jab really can't be beat."
"He is a good protector and a strong Pokémon as I've borrowed him back when I had to serve as the emergency and then backup Fuchsia City Gym Leader." Lucy said with a smile. "And soon we'll be in his home region so I can truly see where he did the bulk of his wonderful work in keeping Brock for someone who he gave his blessing to, which was me. He, unlike Max, understood that I didn't reject Brock."
"I still can't believe it." Misty said shaking her head as everyone else agreed with that. "That Brock actually got a girlfriend who then said yes to his proposal, it still confounds the mind."
"Well I was only doing what I was used to." Max said. "I had no reason to believe that the impossible had happened."
"It was so out of the realm of possibility that none of us did." May said. "No offense Lucy."
"None taken, just shows how I can see what no other girls can see." Lucy said with a smile that made Brock blush. "And if there are some that can, well Dawn's set a standard that shows how to handle a rival and I love a good battle so I'd put any wannabe rival in her place right away."
"It wasn't my intention to set that precedent." Dawn said. "I just, um…"
"Had the misfortune of running into me as your first rival and, well, I had a lot of issues to work through that I didn't realize at the time." Misty said. "So it's understandable and you did the right thing in challenging me to a battle. Looking back on it, it was really needed I feel."
"Well I didn't exactly handle the situation well either." Dawn pointed out. "And it was fun to beat you, it was one hell of a battle but given how it had all started I don't think it could have been anything but epic."
"I've heard rumors of this battle." Lucy said. "Was it really that epic?"
"Well my Togekiss did throw Misty's Gyarados into the ceiling of the Cerulean Gym to win it." Dawn said as she reached up to her locket to open it and show the Cascade Badge she always kept in it just in case anyone who'd not seen it doubted it. "That's a sight that is really hard to forget, or belief for that matter. I wouldn't if I'd not been the one to cause it."
"Damn that is impressive." Lucy said with a nod of approval as Misty looked at the badge she'd given Dawn over 2 years ago and smiling at it and how Dawn kept it in her locket. "And you beat Anabel so you've racked up some impressive wins Dawn, even if I beat you."
"Well I beat Anabel in a 1 in 100 scenario were everything lined up for me, I just so happened to have a Spiritomb which no one expects, and Anabel made a training mistake I'd not seen coming, I doubt I could do that again." Dawn said as she closed her locket and looked to the special holder on her right bicep that contained her Ability Symbol. "But still, just like with Misty it was a great win even if it didn't end quite as climactically. I keep the badge and symbol I earned in those battles on me at all times to never forget them or what they represent though all 6 of my special battles hold deep meaning to me."
"And us." Miette said while Serena and May nodded at that though Ash and Max were both oblivious to any of the deeper meanings going on as Ash was still unaware of Serena and Miette's feelings for him. "Though we'll always be behind Misty for epicenes."
"Well seeing as no one has even managed to shift Gyarados out of the water before or since, not even Ash, it's a standard I think few can beat though there is a 7th out there who's going to be worse than me so Dawn had better be ready for her should they properly cross paths." Misty said which Dawn nodded at as that was the one rival she'd always known about but was the only one she knew she'd yet to face, not that she wanted to but she was ready should that day ever come. "Thankfully I was able to see what was going on in time to avoid anything too bad from happening."
"I am grateful for that and that we can be friends now." Dawn said. "But I knew that you could avoid the path that others we've known have walked down to the point of no return because you're feelings are pure but let's not get into the ones who've been consumed by darkness."
"Agreed, they may have won the last battle because they punched down but I am sure that the war isn't over." May said seriously, she still had her own issues to work through but she was almost there and now it was manly just anger at that group and a desire to put them in their place that came to mind wherever she thought of them. "If what I've heard rumors about are true then we will have a chance to decisively win the war and this time we will all be there so they will have to face all of us and not just Serena."
"I don't know what you're talking about but I agree." Dawn said and Serena nodded. "We will win it if they come back and when we do we'll do so in such a way that they won't come back again."
"And besides I only just lost to that brat." Serena said. "So it's motivated me to do better this coming year in Unova."
"You're going to Unova?" Ash asked surprised and his tone broke any seriousness that had fallen over the group. "I didn't know."
"Yeah sorry, I didn't want to bother you when you were in the Lumiose Conference but I made the decision after I lost the Grand Festival final." Serena said apologetically. "I realized after some chats when we were in, or just outside of, Aquacorde Town that if I wanted to truly grow and get better as a performer so that I could one day become Kalos Queen I need to experience more of the world, see how things are in other regions, and keep up the Contests as they've taught me so much so I decided that once you were done in Kalos that I'd head out to Unova. I've loved this year with you Ash but I need to be on my own to grow, I hope you understand."
"Of course, I totally understand Serena." Ash said with a smile that caused her to blush slightly and her heart beat a little faster before the pain of loss reminded her why she needed this more than anything else. "Good luck, you were amazing in the Grand Festival here so I know you'll do great in Unova as well. I'll be rooting for you to win it."
"Th, thanks Ash." Serena said. "I'll strive to win and I hope to see you there next year if you're around."
"Aren't they hosting the Wallace Cup?" Ash asked.
"They are." Serena said with a nod. "It's being held in a place called Lacunosa Town though as I don't know Unova yet I don't know where that is."
"Then depending on our plans I am sure that Dawn and I will be there, the ribbon is now named after her so we should go to it." Ash said as the town sounded familiar but he couldn't place why at the moment. "Plus Unova was where I realized how…"
"We'll come for that to support your defense of the Dawn Ribbon." Dawn said quickly interrupting Ash before his density reared it's annoying head and he said something that would hurt 4 of the girls present as Unova was where Iris had broken through his legendary density and Lacunosa Town had been where that cup had been held so it was significant to their relationship in a way as Dawn had been there with Ash. "Don't worry about it."
"Yeah definitely." Ash said not picking up on why he'd been interpreted and just going with it before looking to May. "What about you May, are you staying with us?"
"Three's a crowd when two are a couple but my plans are still up in the air at the moment." May said and Dawn understood that and was grateful for it because she didn't want May to be upset and feel like a constant third wheel so if she needed to go on her own journey again then Dawn supported that. "But I'll be around for a bit until I hear more. Then I'll probably go see Serena in Unova and support her in the Wallace Cup, maybe visit Galar and Alola as I've never been there either, probably spend some time at home in Hoenn, and try to see Max, Bonnie, Misty, and Brock in Kanto."
"You're always welcome in Cerulean City May." Misty said with a smile as she knew that there was one name that May wasn't mentioned who she'd almost certainly see if she came to Kanto. "So I hope to see you in the coming year."
"Same for Pewter but, um, I'm actually not going to be in Kanto next year." Brock said startling all of them. "What? Lucy did allude to it earlier you just missed it."
"You did?" Ash asked, though if it was subtle then there was no way Ash would have noticed, subtlety was a foreign concept to him after all. "When?"
"I did, I said we'd be going to Croagunk's home region where he did the bulk of his wonderful work." Lucy said and this time they all got it. "So we'll be in Dawn's home region of Sinnoh for the year."
"Wait really?" Dawn asked surprised. "Where? It was a lot of fun being there and showing Ash and Brock my home region back when I was a rookie trainer. Plus I'm hoping to go back there this year depending on our plans, it has been years since I was home."
"I'm sure we can manage it." Ash said realizing that and feeling bad for not visiting Sinnoh with Dawn, especially since they started dating. "We'll try at least."
"Thanks." Dawn said with a smile at him. "I do miss it from time to time so now that you've won a Conference and I've won a Grand Festival we can hopefully find the time to go back."
"If you do then come visit us as we'll be in Oreburgh City." Brock said. "I've got a year's posting working in the Pokémon Center there as part of my studies so Chansey and Croagunk will be my assistants and Lucy's going to come and join me in Sinnoh."
"Wait but you're a Frontier Brain." Ash said looking at Lucy in confusion. "So how's that going to work?"
"I've decided to take a leave of absence from it for the next two years." Lucy said shocking them all though Dawn realized that that had been what Anabel had mentioned, Lucy's apparent and sudden leave of absence. "I love my work as a Frontier Brain and the battles I have but I am getting married in a little over a year, which you will all be invited to so look out for those, and we're going to wed in Kanto in Pewter City before going on a honeymoon in Alola but we've decided to live together from now until then, we haven't lived together yet, so I'm moving to Oreburgh with Brock."
"And Scott's ok with it?" Ash asked.
"It caused a slight annoyance but one of the winners this year wants to settle down in Kanto and has already decided to become a Frontier Brain who rides around on a train all over Kanto so she's going to be the Train Conductor of the Battle Train which like the Battle Pyramid won't have a fixed location." Lucy said, which really peaked Cilan's interest but he'd ask about that later. "Two years is a good timeframe for her to settle into the life of a Frontier Brain and keeps the numbers as they are so I can take the time off and then if I want to return I will. This is why Anabel couldn't come because my leave was unexpected, mainly because I didn't know where Brock would be sent until recently, so she's sorry for that."
"She mentioned something was up but not what though I should have guessed that it had to do with your engagement when you were able to make it to this." Dawn said. "A shame but I understand and I know she does as well."
"She's really supportive of my relationship and she'll be at the wedding so she doesn't mind." Lucy said with a smile. "I know she understands my reasons for taking a leave of absence and hopes to see you and Ash soon."
"We'll try to make it happen." Dawn said and Ash nodded in agreement at that.
"So what will you do in Sinnoh?" May asked. "I can't see you being content with just being a stay at home fiancée, that's not your style."
"It's not and as I love battling I'm going to do that by challenging the Sinnoh League." Lucy said once again surprising them. "I know it's been a while since I last faced a Pokémon League but I've not lost my edge thanks to being a Frontier Brain so this is a great way to get back to my early years as a trainer. Plus Oreburgh has Onixes nearby so I can try and get my own as well which will really start the year off nicely."
"That is a good idea." Max said. "And I take it that Scott wants you to promote the Kanto Battle Frontier while you are there."
"I will retain the title of Pike Queen which can be used to introduce me and so I will be promoting it to some extent but there is the Sinnoh Battle Frontier as well so we're working out a deal to not tread on their feet." Lucy said. "Regardless, I'll challenge the gyms, get the 8 badges, and enter the Lily of the Valley Conference with Brock supporting me when the Conference rolls around. This time I'll win it all, two loses in the finals were hard when I started out and part of why I felt like the Battle Frontier was a good way to settle down after I defeated it but now I'm ready to return."
"And with your record and position prior you will be a favorite for sure." Brock said. "So you've got this babe."
"We'll have to watch it on TV at least when the time comes." Dawn said and the others all nodded at this. "So does that mean you'll travel the region to the gyms or base in Oreburgh and then go to the other cities over the course of the year?"
"The latter." Lucy said. "I'm going to travel on my own so all I will need to do is go to the city and then come back to the house Brock's been set up in in Oreburgh. Basically I'll make 8 separate journeys with none lasting more than 2 weeks so that I can spend 2 weeks training and spending time with my darling Brock while also getting to see the whole region as well."
"A good idea." Cilan said. "A different way to sample the menu that Sinnoh has to offer. I have yet to see that region but this year I shall be dining on the many delicacies that Kalos has to offer and growing all my connoisseurships while I am here."
"So still traveling then." Ash said to Cilan.
"I am, my brothers aren't too thrilled but they know that when I return to the Striaton Gym that they will be able to do their own thing." Cilan said as his watch went off. "Oh, the food is almost ready. Brock, Clemont, we should get going to make sure it's perfect, and of course see who's is best when Ash gets to sample all of them."
"Agreed, I am facing off with two of the best according to Ash so I must bring my A game." Clemont said as the cooks left. "And I don't intend to lose."
"I still have to beat Brock so it's a true challenge." Cilan said before they all left the gym out the leader's entrance at the other end of it.
"A feast from those three, I can't wait." Ash said his stomach growling at that causing everyone to laugh. "It's going to be amazing."
"It's for the latest winner of the Lumiose Conference." A new voice said. "So you more than earned it, Ash."
The new voice was Professor Sycamore who along with Professor Oak and Delia Ketchum had come over to take the spots of the chefs in the group having concluded their own chat and making sure that the other preparations were ready a moment ago so they could now properly interrupt the teens and young adults. Mimey had gone to help Cilan and annoy Brock so he wasn't around but naturally Ash asked what he'd wanted to address since seeing them here.
"Mom, Professor Oak, you came." Ash said with a smile. "Thank you, I really wasn't' expecting this. When did you arrive?"
"This morning dear, I wasn't going to miss the chance to congratulate you especially if you didn't come back to Kanto before your next journey." Delia said as she hugged her son and he hugged her back. "May met us there and told us of the plan though we already knew of the surprise from Dawn, so we came to aid in the final preparations and surprise you when you. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks mom." Ash said enjoying the moment with his mother.
"You've come a long way since you started, Ash." Professor Oak said as his mother let go of him and Ash turned to his smiling mentor. "To think the kid I gave Pikachu to would win the Lumiose Conference several years down the road, you'd accomplished so much since you started your journey as a Pokémon trainer."
"Thank you, for everything." Ash said. "Without you giving me Pikachu none of this would be possible. We really have come a long way and now I am one step closer to becoming Pokémon Master with Pikachu by my side the entire time."
"Pikachu." Pikachu agreed.
"All your Pokémon are proud of you; Tracey is still sorting something out from them once to celebrate this." Professor Oak said. "So expect that soon as it's going to take a little time given how many Pokémon you have."
"I will and I can't wait to see them soon." Ash said. "No matter what happens next I want to use all of them in the next adventure."
"Now Ash, you shouldn't be too hasty to leave Kalos just yet." Professor Sycamore said. "You should hang around at least a little bit longer before deciding what to do next. You did just win the Lumiose Conference so there will be a lot to sort out with that and other things that are in the works."
"True and Dawn and I still need to decide our future plans so we can hang around until we've decided, right?" Ash asked looking at Dawn as he did and she nodded in agreement at that because she'd always be by his side and with that he turned back to the Professors and his mother. "So I can use that time to bring in my other Pokémon in shifts while sending the Kalos ones back to get to know everyone and show them the city and they can enjoy the trophy with me before mom takes it back."
"I will put it in your room along with your badges and anything else you want me to take back if you decide to go somewhere other than Kanto." Delia said with a smile. "I know that you should visit Sinnoh and Dawn's mother as well as there being other regions out there so if we don't go back together, Mimey and I will be having a little holiday in Kalos so we're not leaving for a few weeks at least, I'll take all of that back."
"Thanks mom." Ash said. "And yeah we're going to try and visit Sinnoh this year. First though I really do want to show all my Pokémon Lumiose City."
"All great ideas and I'll have it set up for your Pokémon." Professor Sycamore said. "It may be a little tricky for any of the larger ones given the size of my lab but with the Lumiose Gym aiding us and them being on you most of the time it can be done and I do want to see your other Pokémon, as does Alain, Mairin, Sophie, and Cosette. You have several that can Mega Evolve as well and one in particular that Alain wants to ask about."
"That works as I am hoping to be able to Mega Evolve those that can in time, Charizard and Pidgeot have shown how useful it is." Ash said as Max, May, and Dawn who'd also Mega evolved nodded in agreement at that though other than Brock, Misty, and Miette the others hadn't done that yet. "Where is Alain? Shouldn't he be here? I know I only met him once but he is your assistant. Same with Gary for that matter."
"Alain said to give his apologizes but to come by the lab tomorrow as he has something for you to see if it will work, he just had a personal request to sort out tonight to finish some project he's been on but didn't say what it was." Professor Sycamore said and Ash knew exactly what that was and had to not smile at that. "But he has requested that you bring in one of your Pokémon for tomorrow so he can assess it, I'll have it all set up."
"Actually, that would be a great time to test out this gizmo that a colleague of sorts in Kanto gave me several months back." Oak said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a decently sized but still handheld, thick, and clearly high tech, disk thing. "Especially because I was instructed to give it to Ash."
"Me?" Ash asked. "Why?"
"Because that was what Dr. Akihabara wanted." Professor Oak said with a shrug. "He was the inventor of it so it is right to honor his wishes with what to do with it."
"Wait did you say Dr. Akihabara?" Misty asked her eyes wide as Brock gulped as well. "As in the completely nutjob who created the Pokémon Transfer System and then sent us into it?"
"That lunatic, he's back?" Brock asked. "I know that Ash said he met him when he was in Kanto about 18 months ago or so, that's how he got his Porygon2 as it was the same one that helped us out back then, he visited you?"
"Yes, he read my paper on the discovery of fairy types and realized that the Porygon2 in it that was used to confirm the 18th type was the same one he'd given Ash as it was the only Porygon2 that he knew of." Professor Oak confirmed. "He'd realized that Ash had used against another Porygon he'd given someone else as a prize in the Indigo Conference as he'd heard of that battle after the fact, he's a bit out of it due to his focus on his work, and was pleased to hear that Porygon and Porygon2 were used in such a way. As such he wanted to see the latter again after all the work it had done and give his latest creation to Ash."
"Um ok." Ash said fine with that explanation as he took the disk to look at it while Brock and Misty fought back flashbacks to one of their more unbelievable, as well as one of several life threatening, adventures from their time with Ash during his first year as a trainer almost a decade ago now. "What is this?"
"A special portable Pokémon Transfer System." Professor Oak said. "It's the first completed one that isn't a prototype so that one is fully operational. Apparently a few facilities of his blew up to make it."
"Sounds about right." Misty said and Brock nodded at that. "His home was destroyed at the end of that little adventure he sent us on if I recall so seems par for the course with him."
"I am aware of Dr. Akihabara's reputation." Professor Oak said. "But regardless, that should work. It expands and connects to the storage location for a trainer using that location's code and the trainer's ID given when they first received a Pokedex, which incidentally has to be connected to the device for it to work. Then it can recall a Pokémon from that storage and return one to it in return, though that should be done first if you have a full team. It's all quite complex but I say we use it tomorrow to sort out the Pokémon transfer that Augustus wants."
"Sure, sounds good." Ash said as he handed the device back to Oak to look after until tomorrow when they could use it and properly figure out how it worked. "I'm certainly down to sort it out. Is the Pokémon you want me to bring in ready?"
"Yes, as soon as Augustine told me which was needed I had Tracey sorted it out so that we could test this out properly." Professor Oak said. "I would have asked Gary but he's actually in Galar now, the regional Professor there, Magnolia, asked for assistance so Gary volunteered as he wants to learn more about the strange Dynamaxing phenomenon that exists there and explore the region a little so he'll be spending at least a month if not longer there. He left a few days ago, that's why he can't make it though he watched you win the Lumiose Conference with us and hopes to see you this year to congratulate you Ash."
"Same, would be good to see Gary again." Ash said smiling at the praise from his first rival and childhood friend. "So I hope to do so sometime this year."
"As does he." Professor Oak said.
"Professor?" Dawn asked as a thought hit her that had been in her head since he'd mentioned Dr. Akihabara who Dawn had also met but for her it had been when they'd run into him in Celadon after Ash's full battle with Erika though she did know that he wasn't the sanest person out there.
"Yes Dawn?" Professor Oak asked back.
"Did you show Dr. Akihabara that Ash's Porygon2 had evolved." Dawn asked. "I was there when he gave Ash Porygon2 and the item needed to evolve it so I'm sure he'd have wanted to see it."
"Oh yeah, did you show him Porygon-Z?" Ash asked.
"I did, he was thoroughly intrigued to see one in person as he'd not seen one before though he did know how to evolve it hence why he gave you that Dubious Disk as he called it, he was hoping that Porygon2 would want to evolve again." Oak said. "Even stayed a few days to run some tests to see how the whole thing worked as it evolution was not his creation I believe. It is an interesting evolution, not as smooth as his own work he said, but it is all scientific and well beyond my knowledge. Regardless, he was thrilled to see it and wishes you the best with Porygon-Z going forward."
"I will always be grateful to Dr. Akihabara for giving me Porygon2 and the means to evolve it." Ash said. "I hope to use Porygon-Z more this year as I've only used it once since it chose to evolve but I did want to only use Pikachu and Riolu in Kalos though I had to bring in Charizard and Buizel for various reasons. That Conversion2 move is a really useful one."
"That it is, especially because that was what allowed us to prove that a new type had emerged." Professor Oak said. "A unique move only Porygon and its evolutions can learn, well with the exception of a Smeargle but that's due to another unique move called Sketch."
"Yes, Sketch is a unique move that gives Smeargle a flavor that no other Pokémon has." Cilan said from where he was setting up the food having caught the end of what Professor Oak was saying as he returned to the gym with what he'd cooked for the party. "I made sure that my own Smeargle used it to have a strong range of moves as Sketch allows you to permanently copy the move of another Pokémon though it can only be used once. Thankfully Smeargle relearns Sketch periodically as you train it so you can always refresh the pallet. Truly a great Pokémon for a connoisseur like myself."
"I am sure you will get the chance." Professor Sycamore said interrupting his colleague before he could respond to Cilan about his Smeargle as the time was drawing near and he suddenly looked at his watch while Brock and Clemont joined Cilan with their own food and Mimey set up a barrier to keep them back until it was ready. "In fact, you should…"
"Is Ash Ketchum here?" A new voice suddenly said and all of those not in the know, which was anyone over the age of 30 in the room, turned to the trainer entrance to the battlefield that had been left open to see the speaker standing there flanked by two people. "I was informed that he'd be here tonight to celebrate which works well as all other preparations are now in place."
It took a moment for Ash to process what he was seeing. Standing there, and speaking to the room in general, was the diminutive and spectacularly bearded figure of Charles Goodshow in his usual attire of a long sleeved red top and brown cargo shorts who Ash had gotten to know over the course of several League Conferences as he was the President of the Pokémon League Competition Committee. Flanking him was the Kalos representative who'd conducted the Lumiose Conference and Diantha, the Champion of Kalos herself.
"Yes, good to see you again sir." Ash said stepping forward and approaching the old man as everyone gave them the space they needed as Charles approached him as well. "It's been a while since we had a chance to chat."
"Not since the Evergrande Conference several years back as we didn't chat at any of your subsequent Conferences if I recall correctly." Charles said. "You helped us out there when those fiends stole Moltres's flame and then lit the torch that year. Some fine work indeed."
"It was the right thing to do." Ash said recalling that Team Rocket incident well. "I am sorry I didn't get to talk to you last year at the Indigo Conference."
"Likewise but with the shift to Mega Evolution being allowed and the increased popularity of Conferences I've been very busy so all I can do is my official duties these days." Charles said. "So much so that I couldn't make it to watch you in the Lumiose Conference but I hear you did a great job and congratulations on winning it."
"Thank you, sir, it was the culmination of years of hard work between me, my Pokémon, and all my friends who have helped and supported me get to this point, several of whom are here with me today and I hope to see the others in time to thank them as well." Ash said humbly though all knew how important Ash was to them just as they were to him while Pikachu just nodded in agreement with what his trainer had said. "But you didn't come all the way to Kalos to just congratulate me, did you?"
"No, and I will not be staying after today as I've confirmed everything is ready so my representative here will be conducting the official things but I figured I should do this in person as I do for all the winners each year even if I can't attend their respective Conferences." Charles said shaking his head. "And that is to tell you that as you have won the Lumiose Conference you have earned the right to face off against all 4 members of the Kalos Elite Four in 4 official battles. This is a right that only one trainer per year earns in each region, and should you defeat all 4 in the official battles then the additional right to face Diantha, the Kalos Champion, for her title."
"I see, I knew that this was coming just not when and was actually going to ask about it in the next day or two." Ash said as everyone watched intently at the exchange. "I take it that there are official rules that I must follow for these battles."
"There are, each region has their own official rules and I will go over them, with the aid of my representative and Diantha, but first I need your answer." Charles said. "Only then will I go over them."
"My answer?" Ash asked a little confused. "To what?"
"To what I've just told you." Charles said.
"About facing the Kalos Elite Four?" Ash asked.
"Yes, so what do you say Ash?" Charles asked as everyone waited with baited breath for Ash's response. "Will you accept your right to challenge the Kalos Elite Four and should you manage to defeat all of them in official battles the Kalos Champion as well?"
Everyone looked to Ash as he stood there. No one really doubted what Ash's response would be but still he took a moment before he smiled broadly at the old man he'd known for years and gave his answer.
"I will."
I just couldn't resist; it was too perfect to end the first Part back on yet another cliffhanger but I am sure y'all knew what was coming and what would be the first arc of the final instalment in this series. This will serve as both the first arc of Champions, the Elite 4 arc as I'm dubbing it, as well as the final arc of Ash's year in Kalos before he decides what's next for him, pending the outcome of his challenge of course. As such, and as I am still undecided, I am still taking suggestions for new outfits for Ash and Dawn that they will start to wear after this arc is over. I know what the others will wear so it's just them that need new outfits. I have plenty of good suggestions but haven't made a decision yet so the floor is still open to suggestions. Lastly, while most of the plans are non-canon because this story has deviated far from canon, Brock being in Oreburgh during Journeys is canon though his Chansey is yet to evolve. Unlike some other Pokémon that were revealed to have evolved in Journeys who either have already been evolved prior to the revelation (Serena's Delphox) or who I will not evolve as I feel like their evolutions were out of character (Iris's Axew and Clemont's Bunnelby), I will be having Chansey evolve into Blissey off page at some point so that whenever Brock is seen next, if he's seen again after this arc in Champions, he'll have one. I consider it a Journey's Pokémon as that is where it debuted and as such that is where it will be introduced. For reference, the first arc is still considered to be within the Sun and Moon series, it's not until it's over that Champions will officially enter the Journey's timeline. Anyway, that is all that I have for y'all so I will leave this Part off here, next up we begin the challenge with the rules that will govern them and what Ash can do for which I've taken some liberties as he never challenged an Elite Four in the anime so with no anime canon my basis will be the games but more on that next Part. As always please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.
Stringdog
