Nicholas gazed out the window of the bus at the vast structure in front of him. The stadium rivaled the size of multiple pokegirl league buildings. It had to, if it was going to host the events its name promised.

"The Driftveil World Stadium," he mused. "Right. Opening ceremony is this afternoon. I want us inside before the crowds start to arrive."

Bea leaned down beside him. "We should consider moving in pokeballs, Master. I'm sure you saw the onlookers who are already here."

"They're being kept outside of the fence, it's fine," Nicholas replied. "EVERYONE! OFF THE BUS!"

The harem filed out into the morning sun, stretches and idle chatter their main activities as they waited for everyone. Nicholas could see other buses in the parking lot their driver had brought them to, and as he contemplated them he could see another pulling its way slowly around the stadium. Who would that be? Who was already inside?

Dahlia and Zisela were taking reports from Cassidy, Ryuko, Marin, and Sohn and at their nod Miyuki walked over to get Nicholas and Bea's attention. "Everyone's off. Bags are gathered."

Nicholas nodded and twisted to better settle his outfit. The pokegirls were all in their preferred clothing, ranging from near nudity in Dahlia's case to Morgana's full regalia of garments and undergarments and accessories and more. He was just in a modified version of his traveling clothes, something like a uniform of his but nothing like what he had worn while acting as Champion in Indigo. This outfit reflected the new global role he'd taken for himself, and was designed to highlight his natural stances. "Right. Let's move."

"When are the others going to get here? Closer to the ceremony?" Nicholas heard a voice pipe up as the group moved towards the stadium.

He turned back to nod at Galina. "Celine is bringing Zinnia, Aster, Maka, Vika, and Sasha later. They'll be watching us from the stands."

Galina nodded and Nicholas had turned back forwards when the Marowak frowned. "Wait. But Vika's right here."

The Dragonair, who had been doing everything she could to stay out of sight of any of the Alphas or her mothers, let out a defeated sigh when the entire group turned to find her. "Is she not meant to be, Master?" Dahlia asked in surprise. Everyone had come to a halt. "I counted her as one of mine."

"Thanks for covering for me, Cass," Vika muttered under her breath to the sheepish Alakazam.

Nicholas walked back and moved into the crowd until he was standing in front of her. Stopping Kary and Victoria in their own approaches before they could have the first word. "Vika… you and I talked about this. Just yesterday."

The Dragonair slowly looked up to meet his eyes. "Your excuse was that I haven't evolved yet. Today's just the opening ceremony. There aren't any battles until tomorrow. A lot can change between now and then."

"My reasoning was more than that," Nicholas said quietly. "Yes. You are on the cusp of evolving. You are a powerful pokegirl, and one who I am glad to count among my harem. A unique part of my Weyr." He raised his hand to indicate where Victoria and Kary stood. "However, you are not as strong as your mother. Even if you evolved right now. It would still be in my best interest as a tamer to bring my strongest Dragonite into battle."

Vika scowled. "Mom can't take a hit for shit."

"True. You're much more durable than she is, and you've inherited all of her strengths," Nicholas replied. "You are truly Kary and Victoria's daughter. Better in many ways than both of them. But you are still not as powerful as they are." He bent down to grasp her shoulder. "I promise you, Vika. You intend to rise to their level one day. When you do, you will have your fair chance to surpass Kary as my strongest Dragonite."

Bea glanced at Kary, understanding the look in her eyes better than anyone. "As part of this harem, your chance will be defended," she said loudly. "Our Master is one who cares only for what is true. Hatred and envy have no place in his harem."

Kary's eyes darted to the Metagross, narrowing after a moment as Kary's lips drew back and she hissed in Bea's direction.

Immediately Dahlia was next to her with a quiet reproach. "Kary. You are making a fool of yourself and thus of me." Kary stepped back when she saw Dahlia's fury hidden behind calm eyes. "Let Master handle this."

Their exchange had not reached Vika and Nicholas' ears. The Dragonair slumped. "I want to fight for you. For real."

"Then be better," Nicholas said softly. "You want to know the truth? How I really feel about your mother?" He bent down to whisper in Vika's ear. "Kary is too drunk on her own self-importance. She sees herself as a perfect dragon. It makes her rigid. Boring. She's stagnating while you continue to grow by the day."

Vika turned to him with wide eyes. "Really?"

Nicholas nodded slightly. "So evolve. Grow stronger. Threaten her. I hope as you do, she can learn to become better as well."

"But I want to surpass her," Vika growled. "So I don't."

"Oh but you do," Nicholas whispered with a small smile. "The better she is, the better you would be when you overtake her."

Vika's eyes lit up at that and she grinned. "Ah."

"If you really want to join us for the opening ceremony, I won't stop you," Nicholas said normally. "I think it's probably a good experience for you, and you'll get to see Lance and his Dragonite again. I think he still mainly battles with the twins."

Vika nodded. "But?"

Nicholas smiled at her. "But you will not be entering the battle arena with me. I'm sorry, Vika."

The Dragonair sighed. "Fine. Not this time. But I'll take her place one day, Master."

"I look forward to seeing you try."

As Nicholas turned and moved back towards the head of the pack Kary physically felt the flat side-eye he gave her. A reproach from her Alpha was one thing. To see her Weyrleader telling her that he had not lied in his criticism of her… She looked for Lili in the crowd. The Tyranitar wasn't interested in her whatsoever, and for the first time in a long time Kary held a sinking suspicion that she was being left behind.

"What's wrong, Kary?" Victoria whispered as the group got back underway.

Kary looked over at her mate before dropping her eyes. "Victoria, have I… lost?"

The Gyarados frowned. "What do you mean?"

"All of it," Kary whispered. "The Weyr, to my daughter, have I lost?"

Victoria hugged the Dragonite. "You haven't lost until you give up," Victoria murmured to her. "You taught me that, remember? I… admit that you've probably lost the contest to lead the Weyr," Victoria said guiltily, "but I will always support you because you are my mate. For however long you want to fight."

Kary stayed silent for a while. "Thank you, Victoria."

"As for our daughter." Victoria leaned in with a teasing smile and nibbled on Kary's ear. "Doesn't that make you excited? To know that, even if she one day replaces you, you will have created such a superior pokegirl?"

Kary slowly grinned. "I suppose. But in the meantime, I will not let her take my place so easily." Her eyes flashed. "My daughter would not need such pity."

Victoria growled happily when Kary's posture straightened and the Dragonite pushed forwards with renewed vigor.

There were a couple of staff members waiting for the group when they reached the stadium. "Champion Nicholas," one called. "I've been assigned to take you to your lounge. Please follow me."

Nicholas took a quick count. If there was one person here assigned to be his guide, assuming the two on either side of the entrance were there to watch it, that left… "Am I correct in assuming that I'm fourth to arrive?"

The staff member nodded with a smile. "Yes sir. Champion Alder likely won't arrive until soon before the ceremony and we are still waiting on Champions Steven, Diantha, and Cynthia."

Nicholas jabbed a thumb into the parking lot as he followed the staff inside. "I saw another bus coming in while walking."

"Thank you for the information," the staff said warmly. "Now, unfortunately the stadium was only designed in four quadrants, so eight total lounges are available, with four common spaces. I am aware your harem is quite a bit more substantial than some others, so you may need to use your common area as part of your lounge."

"Who am I sharing with?"

"After great thought, it was decided that you would be sharing a common space with Champion Lance of Johto."

Nicholas smiled slightly. "Ash and Gary together, then I assume the women wanted to share an area, and whoever's in charge decided to place the two remaining dragon masters next to one another. Who happen to each have more pokegirls than any of the others. Are you hoping for a stress test of the building?"

"I assure you, each individual lounge is designed to hold full teams of tamers and their respective harems," the staff member said quickly. "Will there be an issue placing you with Champion Lance?"

"Oh, no, no issue at all," Nicholas chuckled. "I'm just finding it funny." He turned to find Vika. "Seems you'll be getting your chance even sooner than you expected, Vika."

"Just in here, sir," the staff member said as he gestured towards a massive set of swinging doors. "I believe even your Gardevoir will find the accommodations to her liking."

Nicholas nodded and pushed inside.

The room behind the doors was massive. Hallways stretched to either side, undoubtedly to the individual lounges or locker rooms or whatever it was they were truly defined as, but the main room, the shared common area, would be able to hold the entire harem easily. And that was WITH the furniture filling it. Tables, couches, Nicholas even saw a few smaller cubbies with televisions and entertainment systems, along with more traditional table tennis and other tabletop games. But no sign of Lance, or any of his pokegirls.

At least not at first. Because as the others filed in and began clamoring excitedly Nicholas felt… something nearby.

He turned to the right hallway. There was no mistaking it. These days, with his aura sense still improving, it was clearer than ever as to who had heard them come in. Lance was here. And so were over a dozen others, many he recognized, but a few he did not.

Vika hadn't gone with the others to explore the room. She'd stayed with him instead, and so had Lili, and Zisela. The three dragons waited with their Weyrleader as the presences Nicholas felt began to approach.

He saw the unmistakable red of Edan, Lance's Charizard, first. The girl poked her head into the hall, eyes narrowing when she saw him watching her before pulling back. Almost immediately she was replaced by the one pokegirl Nicholas knew he'd find at Lance's side. His Alpha. Sharra, the older Dragonite sister to the 'twins'. They were just behind her, Rika, Kyrie, the two other Dragonite moving in perfect step while their bodies entwined to create the signature twin-headed illusion he remembered. But then someone new. A green-skinned pokegirl followed, still unmistakably draconic, but appearing to be some kind of… potentially Grass-type, with the way her arms sprouted long, sharp leaves. Then, finally, came Lance. Nicholas raised his hand. "There he is. Lance! It's good to see you again."

Lance didn't smile back. Nicholas was forced to retreat when Sharra and her twin sisters stepped directly into his space, giving room for Lance to walk up between them and then the two men were face to face.

Nicholas blinked. Lance stared. The tense silence lasted for over a minute before both cracked smiles and began to laugh.

"It's an absolute pleasure to see you again, Nicholas," Lance said as he reached out to clasp Nicholas by the arm. "I might even forgive you for ignoring my calls."

"You never called me," Nicholas retorted. "Some stuck-up Indigo Champion did. Of course I ignored them."

Lance was still chuckling when he nodded. "Fair enough. Fair enough. I'm glad Ash was able to extend the invitation." He let go and crossed his arms behind his back. "So! I see a Garchomp in front of me. Still growing your Weyr, I see."

"Likewise, with whoever it is with the green skin or scales beside you," Nicholas said. "Skin?" When the girl nodded he continued. "The green skin. What kind of pokegirl is she?"

"This is Asah. A Sceptile I met in Hoenn," Lance explained. "I haven't been sitting still in the decade since you last defeated me, after all."

Nicholas' eyes were drawn to the hallway and his eyebrows rose. There was a Salamence approaching. And behind her… "A Garchomp?" he asked incredulously. "How'd you manage her?"

"Not easily," Lance growled. "Most of them absolutely despised me."

Zisela cracked a wild grin when she saw the Garchomp stalking forwards. "I don't recognize her. She must be from an inferior pack, to be fooled by such weak blood."

"Oh good," Lance sighed as the Garchomp stiffened. "Yours does as well."

"My Master is more than his blood," the Garchomp snarled. "He-"

Zisela silenced the other Garchomp with a smile. "Peace. I was only testing you. One of us defends him; that is enough for me." She turned away, the other Garchomp's eyes narrowing after a moment before she moved to follow.

Nicholas spared a glance to make sure the two weren't about to go to blows before sighing and returning his attention to Lance. "Sorry about that."

"No, no need to apologize. I heard all about how I'm an impostor wielding stolen power during my time in Sinnoh," Lance grumbled. "They're a very proud line, that. Good dragons."

Nicholas nodded. "We'll have to have full introductions later. For now, though, Sharra, Rika, Kyrie – look who's evolved since you last saw her." He turned to display the Dragonair. "It's Vika!"

Sharra smiled but it was her sisters who moved around to greet Vika. "Um, hello," Vika stammered as the twins converged on her excitedly.

"Vika's going through her rebellious little dragon phase," Nicholas stage whispered to the other Dragonite. "She wants to replace her mother."

"An admirable trait in one so young!" Rika cried, Kyrie nodding and smiling as they took Vika's hands. "We strive to be better than our sister every day."

"So what drove you to seek out these other dragons, Lance?" Nicholas asked as Vika was overwhelmed.

"Some time ago someone showed me something. I'm a dragon master, aren't I? Of all dragons. A draconid, if no longer by name." Lance held a slight smile as he spoke. "I decided if I was to live up to my heritage there were many more places to visit. Many more dragons to meet, and to match myself against." He glanced around him at the loose gathering. Another pokegirl had snuck up on the conversation without making a sound and she slipped in next to him with a low hum. "I had an entire world to explore."

Nicholas surveyed the sneaky arrival. Another breed, another dragon, that he didn't know, yet was oddly familiar. She was built similarly to Sera, actually, his Crobat, which made sense with her finesse. A night dragon. The short leathery membranes she held between her wings and torso would be just as silent as the rest of her in flight and the ears on her head stretched wide to augment her senses in the dark. "Another one I haven't seen before. You've certainly been busy."

Lance barely raised her hand in the girl's direction as she began to speak. "It is my pleasure to meet you, other Lord. My Lord has told us of your Weyr often."

"And you are?"

"Lyla."

"Lyla is a Noivern from Kalos," Lance said as the Noivern herself went silent again and began rubbing the puffy mane around her neck against her tamer. "She found me, actually. I never heard her coming."

Nicholas smiled slightly when Lyla's eyes dilated and the Noivern began rumbling deep in her chest. "I'm sure she is as silent as the night, and she should be proud of it."

"Easily flattered, too," Lili muttered under her breath when Lyla turned her eyes to Nicholas. "If one ever attempts to join my Weyr she will not bring that pride."

Lyla's eyes flicked straight to Lili as her jaw opened slightly, lips curling back to reveal glistening fangs. "I hear you, stone."

Lili gave her a smile without any warmth. "And?"

Nicholas rested a calming hand on Lili's arm while Lance similarly reached up to put a hand on Lyla before the bristling Noivern could continue throwing insults. "You know, I'm not sure what the organizers were thinking, sticking… what. Two, three dozen dragons in the same room together?" he asked with a chuckle. "I joked with our guide that they must have been looking for a stress test."

"I'm sure none of mine would ever disgrace themselves… or me… by starting a petty brawl outside of the arena," Lance snarled quietly.

Nicholas smiled when the other dragon master's aura swirled through his group and every single pokegirl it touched immediately forced herself to relax. "I'm sure they won't. And neither will mine." He looked at Lili. "Correct, my matriarch?"

It took a moment for Lili to process the title he had just granted her and when she did she quickly looked around. Kary was on the other side of the room. Her own mate, Zisela, had left her to stand with their Weyrleader. Alone. She alone stood at his side. With no quarreling rivals to be found. A grand smile grew across her face as she brought herself in line with Sharra, standing beside Lance. She was not the Alpha of a harem, as Sharra was, but each recognized the other position they now shared. Alphas of their Masters' Weyrs. "Of course not, Weyrleader," Lili crowed happily. "I am sure your Weyr will only be better for our time with this sister Weyr."

"At least, our time off the battlefield," Sharra cautioned in her low, dangerous voice.

The humans smiled when they saw the Tyranitar and Dragonite sharing their own smiles. "That is excellent to hear." Nicholas clapped his hands together. "Well! I suppose we should get settled in before the opening ceremony, like you already have, Lance. Lili, would you come with me for a moment?"

Lili did so, her tail flicking behind her until they'd stepped into the first room on their side of the area and she abruptly slammed Nicholas to the wall, holding him there with her face just inches from his as she slowly began to let out a heady sibilant laugh. "Weyrleader…"

"Must you be so loud, matriarch?" Nicholas asked with a smirk, feeling Lili's fingers tighten on his body. "Yes. I am not blind. The others all revolve around you. You have conquered all other dragons of my Weyr." He grabbed her wrist and Lili was forced to release him when his fingers dug into the tendons. "Do not believe you can conquer me."

Lili's nostrils flared as she grinned, leaving her jaw open as she spoke to punctuate her words with her flashing teeth. "I am but matriarch of your Weyr, Weyrleader. I could never dare take more than what in your mercy you allow me."

Nicholas grinned back and pushed off the wall to get in her face, the hand not currently deadening her wrist reaching to caress her body. "Keep it that way and I will support your authority against all who will join me."

"Keep it that way?" Lili asked quietly, leaning in when he pushed up to meet her lips. "I am no more than you have named me, Weyrleader. From the day we met, I was yours. Your little pebble."

"How grand must I be," Nicholas whispered back with a small grin, "to treat such a mountain as naught but his little pebble?"

Lili hissed in pleasure as they fell to the floor and he began stripping her of her gear. "Above all the rest, Weyrleader. That is what you are."

Nicholas felt a warm feeling rising inside of him and his eyes were drawn to the tip of Lili's tail. To the ornament twinkling there. One of the gifts Kumu had brought during the year Sabrina had been away. If she somehow hadn't been before, this pokegirl was ready for it now, and he ripped his clothes from his body so that he and she, two dragons, could bare their souls to one another as they had in that cozy alcove so many years ago. To be as one, now, more than ever.

.

.

"…and our sponsors, Clay Industries! Please welcome their president, your Gym Leader, the Miner King, Clay!"

Nicholas gazed across the stadium from their access tunnel. The whole floor had been layered with a normal synthetic material for the opening ceremony, perfectly suited for maximizing grip, but if what he'd heard being whispered was true the entire place would be completely transformed by morning before any battles had a chance to be held. Lance stood calmly beside him, dressed up fully in his cape and leather Champion's outfit. "By the way, I brought someone with me. She was out stretching her tail in the bay when you got to the stadium," Lance said, having to raise his voice to be heard over the booming speech Clay was in the middle of. "When I told her I would be going to meet you here in Unova, she insisted on coming along. She even let me capture her in a pokeball. The Elder said that's never happened before."

Nicholas frowned. "Who?"

"She said she'd wait for your call after the opening ceremony."

Nicholas' brow only furrowed more when Lance returned to a neutral position with a chuckle. Someone who had never been in a pokeball… that the Elder of the Blackthorn Clan knew… who Lance obviously spoke of with respect. Lance had said that he was beginning to take some of his grandfather's duties, due to the Elder's increasing age, so that meant… had he been told about who it was that dwelled in the Lake of Rage?

His lips thinned. She would certainly taunt him by waiting for his 'call'. If that was who had come to Unova alongside Lance he had no real choice but to meet her challenge.

"AND MAY I INTRODUCE! YOUR CHAMPION, AND THE LEAD OFFICIATOR FOR THIS TOURNAMENT, CHAMPION! IRIS!"

Nicholas listened as a highly upbeat electric drum and violin tune began to play, the composition picking up with a number of rapid sweeps down a glockenspiel to create a tinkling stepping flow that made the entire sound dance in his ears.

Iris. This was the Unovan Champion. A new Champion, too, if what he remembered Skyla saying was correct.

The crowd was roaring, building up noise for their Champion, when Nicholas heard another roar answering it. Suddenly the stadium floor erupted with sparks and confetti and through the cloud leapt a massive Aggron, her weight causing a booming thud that could even be heard over the noise of the crowd while a similarly massive draconic pokegirl moved into the open with her mouth open to produce the deep bellow he was hearing. Then more motion - a dozen pokegirls dropped from the top rows of the arena, all twisting and surging through each other as they streamed straight for the two on the ground but before they could impact a brilliant flash of yellow as a Dragonite appeared out of nowhere and scattered the dive bombers. A few were circling around, appearing to be trying for another pass, when the entire floor was engulfed in a dark shadow. When it cleared it was to show a girl hovering in midair, the wings on her back black as void and the three twisting heads sprouting from her torso scanning the entire crowd at once. The extras had vanished, though Nicholas did see one hurrying out of sight, her role complete.

The pokegirl looked up as a sonic boom rattled the stadium and another figure could be seen falling straight out of the sky. Right before it hit the ground a pair of brilliant red wings opened, the Salamence breaking her fall while releasing her passenger, a bird-like pokegirl covered in brilliant yellow and blue feathers. She spun out with the Salamence's momentum to draw flashing circles around the three-headed pokegirl as through the sparks and confetti three other shapes could be seen.

The crowd really let loose when a dark-skinned woman in a flowing pink gown stepped from the smoke to join her pokegirls. Nicholas watched the two other figures emerge, an aquatic pokegirl with a thick body and a rugged shell on her back that he recognized as a Lapras, and one that seemed alien in how she walked, picking her way forwards on twisted grey legs, the various red blades and claws she wielded glowing with a soft light. He glanced to his side at the similar pokegirl standing with Lance. Lena, a Haxorus, he thought he remembered her introducing herself as. Lance had a multi-headed girl too – A Hydreigon, Dorah. The two were some of the more monstrous dragons in Lance's harem, with Dorah's multiple heads and body covered in fur, and Lena's twisted figure. They'd made quite an impression on him all those years ago, when he'd approached Lance at the Indigo League, challenged him as Champion. He'd always wondered where these strange dragons had come from, and now, seeing them in Iris' harem, Lance's occasional comments about visitors from far-off lands coming to train with the Blackthorn Clan held a new meaning.

"Thank you! Thank you, Driftveil City, for this warm welcome!" Iris called as the floor in front of her cracked and broke to disgorge a chocolate colored pokegirl with a thick barbed spur protruding over her head and long, heavy claws covering her fingers. "It is my earnest wish for you all to enjoy the battles to come, and now, please welcome our competitors, my dear friends and allies, the Champions of our World League – starting with my predecessor, Champion Alder!" As the music shifted into a more naturally paced flute and guitar bass medley all of the pokegirls that had made their entrances moved into a loose formation around Iris.

Nicholas watched an older man in a cream robe with orange highlights step into the open, torn white pants ending at his shins while he walked seemingly barefoot but probably in some kind of sandals. His long hair, tied back with a few bands, was the same pastel orange and red as his robe and a number of pokeballs hung in a chain to either side of his neck.

"Kalmiya. Can you tell me what pokegirls I'm seeing?" Nicholas asked quietly as a more normal train of shapes emerged behind their tamer.

"Champion Iris. You should know most of her pokegirls, but the ones you may not are the Druddigon, who came at first with the Aggron – she is a Dragon-type. The feathered pokegirl the Salamence carried is an Archeops, which some consider to be an ancient dragon. The one who burrowed in is an Excadrill, a Steel/Ground-type."

"Ancient dragon," Nicholas murmured when Kalmiya's rapid explanation fell silent. "Like Aerodactyl?"

"Precisely, Master."

"These?"

"Champion Alder." Alder was closely followed by a hovering, dark-skinned pokegirl with white fuzz covering her torso and a light blue insectoid abdomen raised behind her. Her fiery red wings were providing her her lift. "The Bug/Fire-type Volcarona just behind him is his Alpha. Following in the air with her is one I believe you may recognize, Master - that is a Braviary, the Normal/Flying-type Sasha took the form of on the flight to Unova."

Nicholas nodded. He had wondered why he recognized the muscular red and white-feathered avian. "The others?"

"The dark skinned Normal-type with the large affro is a Bouffalant, a similar pokegirl to Cathy," Kalmiya reported. Nicholas could see the girl's wide horns protruding from her hair. "The two gliding over the ground together, the seemingly cloth-wrapped mummy with pink and green skin and the armored girl with the long javelins protruding past her hands, are actually a symbiotic pair of breeds, classified as Bug and Bug/Steel-type, respectively. It is said an Escavalier cannot evolve without first obtaining the shell of an Accelgor, through battle or partnership."

"For them to be in the same harem probably means they're mates," Nicholas surmised.

"Likely, Master. Then behind them come a Reuniclus, the goopy green slime with the oversized hands, a Psychic-type, and the pale pokegirl beside her is a Chandelure, a Ghost/Fire-type." Kalmiya's words were punctuated by the Chandelure lifting her head when she entered the main floor and plumes of pale purple flame bursting to life from her body. "Finally, the red and black-striped one that looks similar in build to Zisela, without the fins, is a Ground/Dark-type called a Krookodile, and the hulking girl beside her is a pure Fighting-type known as a Conkeldurr. She is similar to the Machamp you know."

Nicholas nodded as he watched the procession of pokegirls. "A well-balanced harem."

"Next, please welcome my close friend, from Sinnoh, Champion Cynthia!"

Nicholas felt the six Sinnoh pokegirls nearby all focus on the stadium when they heard Cynthia's name. So did he. He didn't need Kalmiya's descriptions, either, and she knew that, remaining silent as he and the Sinnoh girls watched Cynthia walk onto the floor with her hand raised high and a radiant smile on her face. The music had changed to a swelling synthetic orchestral piece full of drum and guitar beats along with an aggressive flute that continued to force its way in whenever the arrangement seemed to be calming. It was a sound designed to put every listener on the edge of their seats just as the woman herself commanded their full attention. Following her was her full harem. Renè, of course, the Alpha Garchomp just behind her Mistress, and then came the others. Jacquelyne the Lucario prowled on light feet with her bone staff slowly rotating in her hands, Grace the Roserade strutted along beside Sable the plodding Gastrodon, just in front of Sophea the Spiritomb and Abigail the Togekiss, two polar opposites in their entire beings. Ending the procession was Karen the Milotic, covered in a fine garment that shimmered and danced to refract light from her rainbow scales, and then… Nicholas frowned ever so slightly. He hadn't seen a pokegirl of that breed among Cynthia's harem before. But he couldn't be mistaking her for something else. Miyuki was right next to him, and she too had perked up at the sight. A Glaceon. Who was she?

"And now, I wish to welcome our most esteemed guests, the representatives of the founding members of the World Leagues. To begin, I welcome Champion Gary of Kanto!"

Nicholas listened as the music changed yet again, keeping a similar tempo, but swapping to a blaring trumpet backing and lighter drum beat interspersed with quick additional bells and piano riffs to keep the energy high. He knew Gary's harem, so he addressed Kalmiya again. "Kalmiya… what kind of music is going to play for me?"

"What makes you think I have any idea, Master?" Kalmiya teased.

"Because it would seem that each Champion has chosen a theme for themselves to be announced by, and I never got a message to do so," Nicholas growled. Gary was mostly into the stadium by now. He saw everyone he expected. The girls he'd first met in battle, when he'd challenged Gary for the title of Champion; Valkyrie the Pidgeot, as she drifted lazy circles over the others, Gary's Alpha Alexa, his Charizard, standing tall and proud as wisps of flame shot from her nostrils, the Rhyperior Sonya, her pistoned arms slowly moving up and down, Pandora the Gyarados, walking without a hint of emotion, Rayel the Exeggutor, excitedly flipping between her masks, and Circe the Alakazam, already surveying the pokegirls they walked towards, no doubt analyzing them just as Cassidy always did. He also saw a few he'd met since. Helena, the Arcanine, as majestic and brilliant as any he'd seen. Luna, the Umbreon, who he'd met so long ago but had never been introduced. Then the two who had appeared after Gary's posting at Viridian. The Nidoqueen Gilla. The Tyranitar Dominique. She especially was a rather new addition to Gary's harem, and a surprise to see walking with him. A second dragon, who he thought just worked with Gary at the Viridian Gym. Apparently she was a true member of his harem. But… there was another pokegirl walking in her shadow. Nicholas had to really squint to make her out and when he did his eyes widened. A… Cubone? Not even a Marowak, but a Cubone? A Cubone he'd never seen before in his life. Who was SHE?

He'd been so engrossed he hadn't heard Kalmiya's response to his question, nor did he hear Lance's introduction, only realizing that it had happened when the other man grinned and slapped Nicholas on the shoulder. "See you out there, Nicholas!"

"Huh? Oh," Nicholas stammered, watching Lance's dragons stream past. His mind caught up after the initial wave had already entered the arena. The other water dragons were moving past him now, Doremi the Gyarados, who was stalking out with a massive angry scowl unlike Gary's Gyarados had been wearing, then Arya the Kingdra, her translucent fins hanging in the air. After them came the ground dragons, Samira the Tyranitar, a fine sand hovering around her like a swarm of bees, and Franyel the Garchomp, who pointedly ignored Zisela when she passed by. Next came a strange duo, an Ampharos named Raina whose hair streamed behind her like a massive cloud, and a pokegirl who had been completely new to Nicholas, though something like it had been rumored to exist in the deep waters around Alola. Wyse, he remembered her saying in a voice that was more a sigh than speech. She'd been introduced as a Dragalge, an almost serpentine girl with delicate waving fins sprouting from random places across her body to completely obfuscate her true shape and size.

As Lena, Lance's Haxorus, passed by last Nicholas glanced further down the tunnel. Weren't there another half dozen he'd seen in Lance's harem? Where was the Salamence…?

His confusion was answered by a blast of air and five flashing forms shooting at full speed into the arena air. Leading the flying dragons was Tamora, the Aerodactyl Nicholas had first met in Indigo, and just behind her was the Hydreigon, Dorah, who immediately angled herself to occupy the exact same airspace Iris' had before. The others behind them spread out, circling through the arena, as Lance approached Iris and threw out his arms with a grin.

Nicholas took a quick count of the other three dragons flying around. "Kalmiya. Help me out here, I remember that the green one with the insectoid features is a Flygon, and I obviously recognize the Salamence and Altaria, but what are their names again?"

"You just met them an hour ago and you've already forgotten, Master?" Kalmiya teased. "How horribly rude of you."

"The guy's added another full harem to his harem," Nicholas grumbled. "Do you have any idea how much time I spend practicing my massive harem's names so I don't get any of you wrong?"

He received a few appreciative sounds from the pokegirls in earshot and a quick kiss from Miyuki before Kalmiya relented. "The Flygon is named Poppy, Master. The Salamence is Ikeya, and the Altaria is Seki."

Iris embraced Lance with a grin before raising the microphone back to her mouth as Lance's dragons all gathered back towards him. "And now…" Nicholas tuned out Iris for a moment to focus on the roiling crowd. There were something like fifty pokegirls beginning to fill the stadium and they still weren't even close to taking up a full quadrant of the floor. The place was enormous. And it was supposed to be one battle arena? "…Ash!"

Nicholas dragged himself back to the ongoing ceremony. The music had cut, slowly building with trumpets and the occasional drum beat until Ash stepped into the open with a glorious piano accompaniment.

Just like Gary, he thought he knew Ash's harem. But Gary had held surprises, so Nicholas didn't take anything for granted. He saw Jean, of course, front and center beside her tamer with her bright and sparkling Light Ball necklace out in the open. Kiyora, his Charizard, and Willow, his Snorlax, each flanked the pair, and held themselves not unlike the wild beasts he had encountered them as atop Mt. Silver. Then came the others. Nicholas knew a few of them - he'd battled on Mt. Silver against Cassandra the Espeon, Spencer the Blastoise, and Tara the Venusaur, and they'd visited him alongside Ash from time to time. But there were three he didn't recognize. He knew their breeds, of course - one an Arcanine, one a Lapras, and the last…

He glanced over at Cathy. Last was unmistakable. A Tauros.

This Tauros leaned into the savage feral look herself, wearing only a tattered loincloth and shredded top. Enough for her to be modest, sure, but the look combined with her stomping, lurching gait made her look like Ash had brought a wild pokegirl with him.

He leaned over to address Cathy. "What kind of strong do you think she is, my bull?"

Cathy's lips rolled back and she snarled. "Yes."

Nicholas blinked and returned to his position with a low chuckle. Cathy hadn't even heard him. She was too engrossed in Ash's Tauros. He'd take that as, 'truly strong'.

He wouldn't have expected anything less from one of Ash's pokegirls.

"Coming next, I believe you know him well. It's the man known to rival Cynthia herself-!" Nicholas straightened slightly but stopped when Iris continued. "-Champion Steven!"

"…She did not just do that," Zisela snarled as Steven entered the arena to a wild drum and electric guitar beat. "That was intentional!"

"Back before I met Dahlia, Steven was considered the second strongest Champion behind Cynthia," Nicholas replied. "What Iris just said is technically the truth." Still, he frowned. "But you're right. These days, especially after the events of last year, I'm the one talked about in the same breath as Cynthia. She introduced Steven like that intentionally." His eyes moved to focus on the woman standing in the center of the growing crowd, not even bothering to watch Steven's entrance. The only pokegirl in that group of seven who he wasn't familiar with to some extent was the Aerodactyl flying overhead, and the only one he'd managed to remember the name of was Bea's mother, Tetsu, the Metagross who ruled as Steven's Alpha. "I think that was an insult. A challenge. I don't think Iris likes me."

Kalmiya began giggling uncontrollably. "Then she's going to hate you when she hears the theme I created for you, Master."

Nicholas shook his head in resignation and listened to Iris make her next introduction. "Finally, please give an extra special welcome to a sweet lady you should know well – to many she is Eliza, but to the rest of the world she is Champion Diantha!"

Nicholas did his best to ignore the angry murmurs sweeping through the harem. 'Finally', Iris had said. No, she obviously had something against him. He'd only been told that Iris would call every competitor and to be ready at any point in the ceremony, so he wasn't worried that they would be left out, but he still resolved to find out what the deal was.

For right now, though, he needed to focus on Diantha's harem. He'd face them in battle someday, if not during this tournament, and he wasn't going to let anything surprise him.

"I see a Gardevoir," Nicholas said as a short-haired woman in a rather modest outfit walked into view. Everything was white, from the simple white shirt, to the short cut white boots, to the short white skirt and long white blazer with the tails spread around her. There was some definition, though. Lines of gold cut along Diantha's wrists and waist and she wore a white choker from which floated a sort of cloud-like cape. Like an Altaria's wings, Nicholas thought. He was moving to the pokegirls when something else caught his eye.

Hanging just above where Diantha's cleavage would have started if she was in a more low-cut shirt sat what appeared to be a brilliant golden fishhook pendant on a thin chain. But right in the center of the hook, where it should have been air… the material was there, too. It just changed as it approached the center. Becoming translucent and full of every color he could imagine. Colors which seemed to change as Diantha walked. An effect that to most others across the world would just be a pretty piece of jewelry.

…There was no mistaking it. He absently rubbed his shin against the coiled dragon he wore. Its core looked just like that necklace did. The ring Joseph Stone had once given him had held swirls that ran through it, looking just the same. Diantha wore a Key Stone. First Cynthia, now Diantha? Who else beyond what he had been told knew of that power? Had the Stones really been so mistaken to believe it was a secret? What had they said?

It was dangerous… secret… he stopped. It had been a single offhanded comment, but hadn't Steven mentioned that he hadn't discovered Mega Stones or the different energies on his own? He'd had a 'contact'. Who? Nicholas glanced at where Steven stood in the crowd. Well. The man himself was right here. He wasn't going to let the Hoenn Champion get away without receiving some answers.

With a start he realized that Iris was speaking again. He'd completely failed to get a look at Diantha's harem. "Ladies and gentlemen, your Champions of the World League!" Iris had raised her hand with her exclamation but now lowered it to quell the scattered applause. "But… ladies and gentlemen, you are here to witness the greatest tournament you have ever seen. Only seven powerful tamers stand around me. We need eight. And though I would gladly join them, it is my duty as your Unovan Champion to be a gracious host. What kind of tournament would it be if I simply won?" Nicholas rolled his eyes. "So, to bring our number to eight, I introduce… Champion Nicholas."

"Not a sitting Champion of the World League but she still included Ash and Gary in that honor," Nicholas was snarling under his breath when he realized the music had slammed to a halt. "Huh?"

In the sudden silence a handful of cheers echoed from the stands. Then the music could be heard again. A slow, tinkling flute, rising in pace until trumpets blasted in as accompaniment, the entire arrangement rising and rising in tempo and volume until-

Silence.

"Kalmiya what is-"

"Just wait a few more seconds, Master," Kalmiya whispered giddily. "You'll know when to go."

The music was beginning again. A slow trombone march that sounded familiar until the flute overtook it and drums began pounding and Nicholas found himself leaping into the arena with a wild grin, his harem streaming out behind him.

That was Ash's theme he heard being overtaken. There, hints of Gary's. Lance. Steven. Then the guitars and electric piano came in, and the flute faltered. Pushed back. And forced its way back over the top. He was striding along, halfway to the crowd, when he realized. There were no spotlights on him. No confetti, no smoke, no fountains. And yet the music carried it all. Kalmiya had created a musical representation of a home favorite's entire entrance and she had done it by taking each other Champion's chosen themes and subjugating them under his own.

No wonder she had said Iris would hate him after hearing it. He had a feeling even his good friends on the arena floor before him wouldn't be feeling too kind right now. The dull roar from the crowd certainly wouldn't be helping.

Tonight was only supposed to have been the opening ceremony. But the tournament had already begun.

Iris slowly raised her microphone again when Nicholas and his harem joined the group. "With that, everyone, you have our competitors. A field of exemplary tamers." She blinked and pointedly pulled her eyes from where Nicholas was playfully jostling with a few people. "Leader Clay! Take it away!"

"Thank you, Champion Iris!" Lights flashed from where they'd been illuminating the Champions to focus on another section of the arena where Clay stood with a few figures in crisp uniforms. "And may I say it is an honor to have so many incredibly powerful tamers under my roof. The next week is sure not to disappoint you, ladies and gentlemen! But what will it entail? Battles, of course. But of what kind?" Clay grinned and gestured to the waiting figures next to him. "The kind almost never before seen on tv. For until today, many of you have believed the arena a pokegirl battle was fought within was just a location. A place to contain what went on inside. But it can be so much more. These tamers before me know that – and many of you, dear viewers, may have heard rumors, or seen pictures, or even experienced what is possible. This stadium is not your local arena. Oh no. It has been meticulously designed to emulate the most advanced battlefields the World League has to offer! The pokegirl gyms! The pokegirl leagues! Each intimately customized to their Gym Leader or Elite Four or Champion's specifications! So too is this stadium! So too! Will the arena you are staring at now become intimately designed for each and EVERY battle it sees! BEHOLD!"

The figures around Clay had drifted across the floor and at his signal they each dropped to their knees and slammed their hands to the floor, joined by dozens of others who had appeared from the shadows all around the perimeter. Immediately the entire stadium shook as the pokegirls poured their abilities into the ground. A crack split from one end, racing at incredible speed across the arena before the synthetic flooring began to shake and fall into the yawning chasm that was appearing. Water burst from some of the pokegirls to fill the gap as others sprouted roots from their fingertips, grass surging throughout the entire area and in a few places trees began to sprout. A small bulge appeared in one corner, the floor shattering after a moment to give way to swelling earth and stone that finally stabilized in a craggy cliff from which dust continued to fall. As the arena was fully consumed in a completely natural environment Clay brought his microphone back to his mouth with a smile. "This is the Driftveil World Stadium. Where the pulse-pounding battles of the elite will be brought to everyone. Because the joy of battling should not be limited to those participating in it."

The arena's transformation had been precisely controlled to leave the area around Nicholas and the others alone and he whistled softly. "I know I've broken some arenas in my time but this one…" He glanced around. "This is insane."

Clay wasn't done and he raised his hand to the video boards hanging above the center of the arenas. "Tomorrow, you will see why a dynamic environment is so important for an exciting battle! Please direct your attention to the screens as our bracket is revealed!"

Nicholas glanced up but the screens were for the spectators, not the competitors. "Kalmiya?"

"A video is playing, Master. Please wait." Kalmiya fell silent for a few minutes before speaking again. "An 8-slot tournament bracket has just come on screen. All eight tamers have appeared as portraits. They're beginning to randomize." Another pause. "They've been hidden and spread to each slot. Revealing now… they're not being revealed in order, Master. Apologies. Ah. On one side, there is Lance. Diantha. Gary. Steven. On the next…"

Nicholas turned his head slightly to find Cynthia as he waited for Kalmiya to speak. "It's… Ash. You. Cynthia. Alder."

Nicholas returned his eyes forward and took a deep breath. "Was that the order they were revealed, or the order we are?"

"The order you are in the bracket, Master."

Nicholas nodded. So he would face Ash first. Only then would he have the opportunity to meet Cynthia.

"Our first side of the bracket will be held tomorrow," Clay was saying as the stadium slowly began to build in volume. "Day two will be the other side. We will take a day for our competitors to rest and for you, dear audience, to enjoy our facilities here, before day four, our semifinals, and then, after one day of exhibition to allow our competitors to be in top condition, we will return Saturday with our grand final battle! ARE YOU READY, UNOVA? ARE YOU READY, WORLD LEAGUE? FOR THE POKEGIRL! WORLD! TOURNAMENT!"

Nicholas raised his eyes to the stands as lights began strobing and the roaring crowd drowned out everything else.

.

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Celebrity Profile Overview

Lili – Tyranitar

There are some pokegirl breeds who command attention by their very existence. The Tyranitar line is one of them. While unassuming at first, the Larvitar who make the grandest mountain ranges their homes are but the unevolved form of a monster. Known as stone dragons, Tyranitar have been rumored to shape the very mountains they reside in at a whim, and that unbelievable power is present in Nicholas Topolski's. Lili the Tyranitar's few appearances have always been heralded by nothing but unspeakable destruction and an unstoppable force. If it is said the tamer of a dragon, especially a Dragon Master as Nicholas Topolski is said to be, must be strong enough to overcome their dragons, then Lili's existence paints a terrifying picture of the man himself.