Welcome back. Before we start I must announce that this may be the last chapter I post until the new year. I'll be going away to spend some time with relatives and I won't have easy internet access. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy the chapter which will show the beginning of the Stralia Region's Pokémon League.

It was an early start for everyone as the Stralia Region's Pokémon League was about to begin.

All the competitors were standing in a group waiting.

"Welcome, trainers, viewers and honoured guests," called an announcer. "In mere moments the Stralia Region's first ever Pokémon League will begin. Because we have so many trainers competing, we'll be starting off with a five-round elimination, with the victors at the end of the fifth round moving onto the quarterfinals. In the elimination rounds each trainer will be permitted use of three pokémon, with the victor going to the trainer who manages to eliminate all their opposing trainer's pokémon. From the quarter finals onwards, it will be a six-on-six battle with the same rules. Good luck and may the best trainer win."

Thunderous applause was generated from the audience.

"I now hand you over to Regional Pokémon expert, Professor Gidyea who will be announcing the match-ups for the first round."

Professor Gidyea took the podium.

"Thankyou. Because so many people are competing, I decided it would be a little difficult to show the matchups on a single screen. Therefore, I ask all competing trainers to head to the waiting area where you will be able to see who you will be battling in the first round of the tournament. The first battle will be beginning in exactly one hour, so I urge you to use this time. When you learn who your opponent is plan your strategy accordingly," announced Professor Gidyea. "Let the Stralia Region's first Pokémon League… BEGIN!"

The cheering was so loud it could be heard all over the city.

The competitors did as instructed and headed to the waiting room to see a big tournament line up on the wall, with every competitor's name written showing who they would battle and when the battle would happen. Ash and his friends searched for their names. Wanting to ensure they got all the time they could to start preparing. Dawn was also there to help search. While she wasn't competing in the league, Professor Gidyea had granted her a pass so she could support her friends.

"Well, looks like I'm not facing a traitor in the first round," stated Ash. "Shame, I was eager to show them what I'm made of."

"No, but if you make it to the next round, you're in for a tough battle," Gary pointed at who Ash would potentially face in round two. It was Diantha, Kalos League Champion.

"Oh well, I just hope she doesn't go easy on me just because we're on the same side," stated Ash. "If I can beat her at her best, people will start to question the accusations made against me."

"Looks like I'm in the same boat," sighed Gary finding his name on the line-up. "If I make it to the second round, I'll be facing Steven Stone. I also hope he gives me the decency of going all out."

Neither Brock, Clemont nor Max would be facing one of the traitors in the first round. However, Max was very glad of where he stood.

"Looks like I'll get to face my father in round two," stated Max. "Good, I'm looking forward to humiliating him on live television."

"Just be careful Max, your father was a tough Gym Leader to beat," warned Ash.

"I know, which makes me even more determined to show him what I'm made of," declared Max.

"Maybe we should be glad none of you are facing a traitor in the first round," stated Dawn. "Makes for a less dramatic start to the competition."

"Actually, that's not going to be possible," Bonnie spoke up.

She pointed to her name on the wall. She was facing Iris in the very first round.

"Be careful Bonnie," warned Ash. "While Iris was only a Gym Leader when we fled, I've read she's become champion of the Unova Region. She won't be easy to beat."

"I know," Bonnie was a little worried. "But I promise you Ash, I'm going to do everything I can to defeat her."

"Not only that we have an advantage she doesn't," Clemont spoke up. "We know Iris favours using Dragon Types, which while tough to beat, aren't invincible. They're weak to Fairy, Ice and other Dragon Types, which should allow us to plan a decent strategy."

"Furthermore, Iris is hot headed and arrogant. She'll likely drop her guard and toy with Bonnie, just because she's younger and less experienced. We could use that to catch her by surprise," suggested Ash. "Let's just hope it'll be enough to defeat her."

At that moment, the traitors who were competing arrived. Iris found her first match against Bonnie.

"So, looks like I'm fighting one of you in the first round," stated Iris. "Refresh my memory, which of you is Bonnie again?"

Bonnie stepped forward and Iris scoffed.

"Seriously, you're my first opponent?" she laughed. "I knew the first round would be easy, but I was hoping for a bigger challenge. You might as well just forfeit, there's no way you can beat me, you're just a kid in way over your head."

"Kid? I'm fourteen," declared Bonnie.

"Which just proves my point. Whatever, I suppose you'll be a good warmup?" she laughed walking away.

"That's it she's going down," declared Bonnie.

"Bonnie remember what we said, she's a League Champion you have to be careful," warned Clemont.

"I don't care, I want to show her just how tough I am," stated Bonnie.

"That's a good attitude, but don't let yourself be fooled by her mind games. She's just trying to pysh you out," warned Ash.

"You don't have to worry about me Ash, I'm going to do as you said and make sure her arrogance becomes her downfall," declared Bonnie.

It was time for the tournament. Ash, Brock, Clemont, Max and Gary made quick work of their opponents. As predicted Ash would face Diantha in round two, Gary would face Steven and Max would face his father. Brock, Clemont and Gary would be facing two unknown trainers from other Regions. Then came the last battle that featured one of Ash's teammates. Bonnie walked onto the stadium, as Iris walked in from the other side. They'd spent what spare time they'd had advising Bonnie on which of her pokémon would work best at defeating Iris' dragon types.

Bonnie was understandably nervous. It was only the first round in the league and her opponent was a League Champion. This would be the toughest battle she ever fought. She put on a brave face as she faced her opponent. Bonnie knew she couldn't surrender. Her friends were counting on her to succeed. One way or another she would see Iris defeated.

A referee walked onto the stadium.

"The battle between Bonnie of the Stralia Region and Iris of the Unova Region is about to begin. Each player will be allowed the use of three pokémon and the battle will be over when all the pokémon on one team are unable to battle. Battle begin," he declared.

Iris went first.

"Dragonite go," she called throwing her pokéball.

The large orange Dragon Type appeared before them.

Bonnie stopped to think about how she should respond. She thought about choosing Liosea as it was part Ice Type and Bonnie's best chance of defeating Iris, but decided to leave Liosea till later, just in case it got eliminated too quickly. Her Tsunatypus and regional Lopunny were also strong choices as both could use Ice Beam, but she had a feeling Iris might be expecting that. Bonnie also knew she couldn't use her regional Raichu, because while its electric attacks could help, as a Ground Type it would be quickly overwhelmed by a Flying Type like Dragonite. Bonnie then remembered something. Ash had informed Bonnie that Iris was arrogant, and they needed to use that arrogance to their advantage. What if she chose a pokémon that looked like it didn't stand a chance against Dragonite? It might mislead Iris for long enough to let her guard down.

"Dedenne go," Bonnie threw her own ball and the small Electric/Fairy rodent appeared before them.

Just as predicted Iris burst out laughing at Bonnie's choice.

"Do you honestly think that puny little rodent stands a chance against my Dragonite?"

"Dedenne might be small, but he packs a big punch," replied Bonnie.

"Yeah sure. I knew this was going to be easy but I didn't think it would be this easy," laughed Iris. "Dragon Rush."

Dragonite charged at Dedenne. Bonnie had only seconds to respond.

"Evade," ordered Bonnie with clenched fists.

Using speed and its small size to its advantage, Dedenne avoided Dragonite causing the creature to crash into the ground.

"What's wrong? Running away?" mocked Iris arrogantly. "I thought you said it packed a punch?"

Bonnie's friends were equally perplexed by her choice.

"Why'd Bonnie go with Dedenne?" asked Dawn. "Wouldn't Liosea or Tsunatypus have been more ideal since they can use ice moves?"

"Normally I would agree, but this was actually a smart move on Bonnie's part," Brock mused. "Dragonite's can usually use Fire and Electric moves in addition to Dragon Type moves. If she'd chosen Liosea or Tsunatypus Iris could've used those to her advantage, as an Electric Type Dedenne might be able to resist Dragonite's Electric moves."

"Not only that, Dedenne is part Fairy Type, meaning it's immune to all Dragon attacks," interjected Clemont. "But that creates another question. Why would Bonnie order Dedenne to evade when Dragon Rush would have no effect?"

"I think I can answer that," Ash piped up. "I told Bonnie that Iris was arrogant and that we need to use that to our advantage. I feel she's doing just that. She chose a small pokémon like Dedenne to make Iris believe this would be an easy match. Furthermore, because Iris attacked with a Dragon Type move, I think it's safe to assume she doesn't know that Dedenne is part Fairy Type, an advantage Bonnie can keep secret by ordering it to evade attacks."

"I gotta admit that's a pretty smart move," stated Gary. "Still if Bonnie wants to win this she'll have to go on the offence."

"She knows that," interjected Clemont. "I have a feeling she's just waiting for the right time to strike."

Iris continued to order Dragonite to attack without mercy. Dragonite shot an intense Flamethrower at Dedenne, at which point Bonnie decided it was time to go on the offence.

"Dodge it by jumping," ordered Bonnie throwing an arm up in the air.

Dedenne did as instructed, jumping as high as he could into the air. This proved quite easy, as Dragonite was forced to aim downwards due to the size difference between them.

"Now, Thundershock," ordered Bonnie throwing a punch.

"Dede," said Dedenne shooting a bolt of lightning directly at Dragonite.

The bolt hit and Dragontie winced in pain. Being part Flying Type, Dragonite received a surprising amount of damage from the smaller pokémon.

"That was a lucky shot," fumed Iris. "But you're not getting another. Dragonite, Dragon Rush."

Knowing the attack would have no effect on Dedenne, Bonnie decided this was the ideal time for a powerful attack.

"We're not running this time Dedenne. Use Play Rough," countered Bonnie.

Dedenne charged at Dragonite, eager to take down the larger foe.

The two pokémon collided. An inexperienced viewer would immediately think that a creature as small as Dedenne stood no chance against a Dragonite. Most, however, knew that it was actually Dedenne who had the advantage. As Bonnie predicted Dragon Rush was ineffective against Dedenne and the small creature overpowered his larger opponent.

Iris was wide eyed by what happened.

"Ok looks like your little furball is stronger than I thought. But it won't survive the next attack," declared Iris. "Dragon Rush and give it everything you got."

"Dedenne, Play Rough," countered Bonnie.

The two pokémon collided again, with Dedenne once again overpowering the larger opponent. For many in the crowd it was amusing seeing a larger, more powerful pokémon being overpowered by one that was so small.

There were those, however, that were infuriated by Iris' tactics.

"Doesn't she know Dedenne's part Fairy Type and immune to Dragon attacks?" demanded Serena.

"She probably doesn't," added Cilan. "Iris hasn't travelled much out of the Unova Region, so Fairy Types aren't as familiar to her. Not only that, she probably isn't aware of Dedenne's typing."

"Well, she better learn soon or she'll have the most humiliating defeat of her life," interjected Alain.

Iris' performance was making Professor Oak even angrier.

"Stupid girl," he growled. "She'll never win if she keeps using Dragon attacks."

Professor Oak got up and left the Professor's seating area.

"Where's he going?" asked Professor Magnolia.

Professor Gidyea turned.

"If I had to guess he's heading to the commentator's box to tell Iris the problem with her strategy."

"Shouldn't you stop him?" asked Professor Magnolia.

"Normally I would, but I think this could work in our favour," Professor Gidyea turned back to the match.

Iris couldn't understand what was happening. No matter how hard her Dragonite tried, it's Dragon Rush continued to be overpowered by Dedenne's Play Rough. She was about to try again when the match was interrupted by a surprise announcement.

"IRIS YOU FOOL. DEDENNE'S A FAIRY TYPE AND IT'S IMMUNE TO DRAGON ATTACKS," yelled Professor Oak over the load speaker.

Iris realised she'd have to change her strategy or else one of her best pokémon would be defeated.

"Hey, you can't give advice during a battle," accused Brock from the waiting area. "Iris should be disqualified."

"I'm going to go tell that to the ref," said Gary.

"Wait," interjected Ash. "Something tells me Professor Gidyea let this happen."

"Why would he do that? Doesn't he want us to win?" questioned Dawn.

"He does, but he also wants to expose Oak and his lies," stated Ash. "And letting Professor Oak shout advice in the middle of a battle will be worse for him than it will for us."

"Ash is right. It shows Professor Oak is willing to cheat to get what he wants," added Dawn.

"Alright, I won't go to the ref yet," sighed Gary.

"I kinda wish you would," added Clemont. "While I agree that Professor Oak's stunt will work against him, the advice he gave Iris might've just cost Bonnie the match."

"We don't know that yet," stated Ash. "The battle's still early and Bonnie has many more tricks up her sleeve."

Back at the battle Iris had ordered Dragonite to stop attacking with Dragon Rush. She just hoped it was still strong enough to win.

"I'll admit that was clever. Leading me to believe Dragon Rush would affect your Dedenne when it had no effect. That was a clever strategy, but it's not going to work anymore," declared Iris. "I have many more attacks I can use all of which will cause your Dedenne a great deal of damage."

"Bring it on," Bonnie challenged. "Dedenne hasn't taken any damage and your Dragonite's struggling to stand."

As much as Iris hated to admit it Bonnie was right. Her Dragonite was already looking weak and would faint if Dedenne kept hitting it with Play Rough. Iris wasn't going to let that happen. To lose to a trainer like Bonnie would be disgraceful, not only because Iris was a regional champion, but also because her Dragonite was ten times the pokémon Bonnie's Dedenne was.

Thanks for reading. I hope the start of the Pokémon League was worth the wait. Please let me know what you think, all feedback is greatly appreciated. I realize that this is a bad place to end for a while, but I'll bring out this battle's conclusion as soon as I am able. Special thanks goes to katanaeyegaming for helping with this chapter, your feedback has been invaluable.

As always feel free to suggest upcoming battles. I hope you all have a happy holiday and I'll see you next time.