Chapter 40
(Flashback)
One night, as Ash, Mark, Minami, and Golly make their way back to the Sevestar Region from Alola, their minds are filled with thoughts of their missing siblings. The journey has been long and arduous, but their determination remains unwavering. Suddenly, amidst the quiet of the night, a faint cry for help pierces through the darkness.
"What's that sound?" Ash's voice breaks the silence, curiosity mingled with concern.
Minami strains her ears, trying to locate the source. "It seems to be coming from over there," she points in the direction of a dense thicket.
Without hesitation, they follow the sound, their footsteps crunching softly on the forest floor. As they approach, they spot a figure huddled against a tree, trembling in fear.
"Hey, are you alright?" Ash's voice carries both reassurance and urgency.
The boy, unable to discern their faces in the dim moonlight, is taken aback and stammers, "P-please don't hurt me..."
Golly, ever perceptive of emotions, speaks in a gentle tone, "We won't hurt you. Can you tell us what happened?"
The boy, visibly relieved yet still shaken, manages to explain, "I... I got lost. I don't know how to get back to the Orphanage..." Tears glisten in his eyes, reflecting the uncertainty of his situation.
The four companions exchange concerned glances, understanding the gravity of being lost in unfamiliar territory. Ash takes a step forward, his voice filled with empathy, "Don't worry, we'll help you find your way back."
Golly's voice is soft and comforting as she asks, "Could you tell us your name? It'll help us assist you better."
Trenor hesitates, uncertainty flickering in his eyes before he finally responds, "I'm Trenor... that's my name."
The mention of his name sends a wave of astonishment through Ash, Mark, Minami, and Golly. Mark's voice carries a mix of disbelief and excitement, "Trenor? As in Trenor Ketchum?"
Confusion lingers in the air until the moon emerges from behind the clouds, illuminating their faces. In that moment of clarity, recognition dawns on each of them. Trenor's words confirm their realization, "No fricking way... Brother Ash? Brother Mark? Sister Minami? Sister Golly?"
Their reunion is marked by gasps of astonishment and tears of joy. The siblings gather in a tight embrace, a tangible sense of belonging and love enveloping them. Golly's voice trembles with emotion as she whispers, "We've finally found you, Trenor. I'm so glad..."
Ash's eyes are filled with a mixture of relief and concern as he asks, "But why did you leave the orphanage? We were on our way to bring you back into our family."
Trenor's gaze shifts to the ground, his voice tinged with vulnerability as he reveals the struggles he faced, "I was often bullied because of how I treated others in the orphanage. I felt like an outsider... I've been waiting for you to come and bring me back home... I'm just glad that my wait wasn't in vain."
"We're sorry, Trenor. We're going to get you back home, but there's something you need to know," Ash begins, his voice carrying a weight of sorrow and determination. He reveals the tragic news of their mother's death and how he had been wrongly treated as a criminal. The revelation sparks a fire of anger and resolve in Trenor, mirroring the emotions of his siblings who had already vowed to seek justice.
As they finally reach the orphanage, the caretaker rushes over to Trenor, a mix of relief and concern evident on her face. "There you are! Do you have any idea how worried we were?" Her scolding tone causes Trenor to lower his head in shame.
"Thank you for finding Trenor, um... Mr. and Ms.?" the caretaker addresses the siblings, seeking clarification.
"I'm Red, and these are my siblings Mark, Minami, and Golly," Ash introduces them with a sense of authority. "We are Trenor's long-lost siblings, and we're here to bring him back home."
The caretaker's expression shifts from worry to delight upon hearing that Trenor has his own family. "I know the other children here can be difficult for him, but as his siblings, are you certain you can handle him?"
Mark steps forward, his demeanor reassuring. "Don't worry, we promise to take care of him. We'll make sure he's safe and happy."
The caretaker swiftly prepares the adoption papers, her heart warmed by the reunion of Trenor with his long-lost siblings. Meanwhile, Minami and Golly accompany Trenor to gather his belongings, offering him words of encouragement and support.
As they navigate through the orphanage, other children curiously inquire about the sudden flurry of activity. Upon learning that Trenor has siblings, a mix of surprise and excitement ripples through the group. However, instead of feeling animosity, they express happiness for Trenor, realizing that he now has a loving family to call his own.
Trenor's decision to prioritize his true family over the opinions of others doesn't stem from disregard or arrogance, but from a deep-seated understanding of where his happiness lies. He remains kind and respectful to everyone he encounters, knowing that compassion and empathy are the true foundations of familial bonds.
A few months later, Ash and Alice find themselves at the majestic Rota Kingdom's royal ranch, guided there by none other than Queen Ilene and Adam, Ash's father. Their arrival sparks curiosity and confusion in Ash's mind as he questions, "Aunt Ilene? Dad? Why have you brought us here?"
Adam's smile is warm and full of anticipation as he begins to explain, "I've heard about your quest for a Ground-type Disguise, and we have some exciting news for you. Valerie and I possess a disguise that is tailor-made for your mission."
Queen Ilene, ever elegant and commanding, claps her hands, signaling an unveiling of sorts. To Ash and Alice's astonishment, a magnificent shiny Rapidash gallops toward them, coming to a graceful halt right before Ash.
Ash is momentarily speechless, his eyes wide with wonder at the sight of the resplendent creature. Adam continues, his voice tinged with nostalgia, "This Rapidash was once mine. It was a prized racer, known for its speed and agility. Under the guise of Yuma, I rode this Rapidash to victory in many prestigious races."
Alice's gasp of recognition fills the air, "You mean Yuma and Sandy? The legendary Rapidash Racers? But I thought Mom's Galarian Rapidash fell ill and passed away a few years ago..."
Adam's expression softens with understanding, "Yes, it was a tragic loss. However, with your own Rapidash and the memory of Sandy, I believe it's time for a new chapter. We will train you both to carry on the legacy of Yuma and Sandy, creating a new era of Rapidash racing excellence."
As Ash and Alice immerse themselves in training for the upcoming horse races back on Sevestar Island, they are joined by Trenor, who shares their passion for Pokemon Racing. Adam, recognizing Trenor's enthusiasm, offers to train him using his Mudsdale, expanding the team of Rapidash Racers to include Trenor.
The day of the race in Pewter City arrives, and the atmosphere crackles with anticipation as spectators gather to witness the display of skill and speed. The initial rounds showcase the prowess of the Rapidash Racers as they employ strategic maneuvers to maintain their lead. However, their joy is marred by the presence of the Dark Raiders, a team notorious for resorting to underhanded tactics to secure victory.
Despite the disapproval of the race's referee and MC, who are bound by their duty and unable to intervene, the Dark Raiders continue their unsportsmanlike behavior. As tensions rise, Ash and Alice retreat to the designated preparation area for racers, tending to their Rapidash. It's there that Alice turns to Ash with a worried expression, voicing her concerns, "Ash, are we ready to face these cheaters head-on during the race? What if they try to harm us or our Pokemon?"
Ash's reassuring voice carries determination, "Don't worry, Minami and Golly are in the stands. They'll be documenting the race, gathering evidence to hold the Dark Raiders accountable for their actions." He then turns to Trenor, noticing his nervousness.
Trenor admits, "I'm anxious... it's my first time coming this close to winning. I can't afford to mess this up."
Ash smiles reassuringly and offers encouragement, "It's natural to feel that way, Trenor. Just remember, don't give up until it's over."
Currently, they find themselves in the final round of the race, facing off against their formidable opponents, the Dark Raiders. Eve expresses her disdain, saying, "I really can't stand the Dark Raiders. Rumor has it they resort to dirty tricks to win, but the lack of evidence keeps them from being disqualified."
Minami sympathizes, saying, "That's just not fair. I hope Ash and the others can defeat them and show they're not as innocent as they seem."
As they watch two groups enter the stadium, they eagerly cheer for Ash's team. The two groups exchange handshakes, though it's clear that one side is trying to squeeze the opponent's hand harder.
As the race commences, Trenor takes the lead by leaping onto Mudsdale, while his opponent rides Arcanine. Both Pokémon charge forward as soon as the referee fires the starting signal.
"Wow, they're equally matched," Elline observes in awe.
To their surprise, Trenor's opponent abruptly commands Arcanine to use Flame Charge, causing it to surge ahead of Trenor and pass the second trainer.
Trenor maintains his composure, saying with a smile, "Just as expected." He continues to push Mudsdale forward even as his opponent changes the flag. Trenor then hands the flag off to Alice, who's mounted on her Galarian Rapidash. Her opponent is riding a Starmie.
"Wow, Alice is closing in on that Starmie," Helen remarks.
"Indeed, Rapidash is incredibly fast," Flora adds. But their excitement is short-lived as the opponent clenches her teeth and shouts, "Water Gun!"
To their astonishment, Starmie fires the attack at Rapidash, startling the horse and causing Alice to tumble to the ground.
"Hey, they're cheating!" The crowd voices their disapproval, showering the Dark Raiders with boos.
Alice, holding her arm in pain, mounts Rapidash again and quickly resumes the chase after the Starmie. Although they fall behind for a few seconds, Alice eventually passes the flag to Ash, who rides his Fire-type Rapidash. Meanwhile, the last member of the opposing team is racing with their Steelix.
"Alice, you need to take a break. Don't worry about the race; I'll make sure we win," Ash assures her before urging his Rapidash forward. His opponent notices them closing in and retaliates, saying, "I won't lose this race. Sandstorm!"
A swirling sandstorm engulfs the field, obscuring Rapidash's vision. Ash clicks his tongue in frustration and says, "Dirty tricks... Although attacking the Pokémon is against the rules, using weather effects isn't. Rapidash, stay calm and follow my lead. Use Flame Charge, then Agility."
Rapidash accelerates, creating a gust of wind that blows away the sand, allowing it to catch up to Steelix.
"Frustrating... Steelix, Iron Head!" The opponent attempts an attack, but Ash reminds them, "Attacks are against the rules, Rapidash! Double Team! Confuse them!"
Rapidash obeys and splits into multiple copies, causing Steelix to miss its target. Ash crosses the finish line first.
"Alright!" Eve and Flora cheer, hugging each other. "Rapidash Racers are the best!"
Ash quickly rushes to Alice, who is still on the ground, with Trenor supporting her. Worriedly, he asks, "Alice, are you okay?"
Alice replies, "I'm fine, but I think I may have a broken bone..."
"No one messes with my girlfriend and gets away with it," Ash says with anger as he turns to face the Dark Raiders, who are clearly upset about losing the race. The referee intervenes, stating, "Considering the Dark Raiders also broke the rules, it's only fair to declare the Rapidash Racers the winners of the horse race."
The angry team attempts a coordinated attack with all three of their Pokémon simultaneously. However, Trenor quickly reacts, shouting, "Mudsdale, use Earthquake!"
The powerful tremor shakes the ground and causes the opposing Pokémon to faint. Just then, Officer Jennys arrives on the scene and promptly arrests the team for their misconduct. The referee offers an apology, saying, "I'm sorry that everyone had to witness this, but with the Rapidash Racers as the winners, please come to the stage to receive the trophy."
After a while, Trenor steps forward to accept the trophy on behalf of the team, while Ash and Alice stand to the side, trying to heal Alice using aura.
I'll end the chapter right here, and you can see that this is the flashback with reunion of Trenor. I hope you like this chapter.